Chapter 1.1 - A Old Killer

Chapter 1 – An Old Killer

The one big disadvantage to mercenary work was the constant guesswork about who exactly you would be pissing off, what exactly was going to go wrong, and just how much brahmin shit his employer was feeding him. Truthfully Dust Kicker had seen the simplest of jobs turn into epic fuckfests worthy of the Lightbringer herself, normally ending with having to insist at gunpoint that failing to mention the crazy foal sacrificing Alicorn priestess or the hoard of pissed off Hellhounds did not mean the employer didn’t have to pay for their disposal.

Dust Kicker personally considered having to spend time in New Canterlot as ‘special services’.

He was well aware that most would consider that statement ludicrous. Even seventeen years on from its official founding New Canterlot was still a city of constant progress and excitement, its burgeoning economy and status as the centre of the NCR’s government drawing ponies from all over the wasteland to seek their fortune in its markets and great stone halls. More than any other settlement its attempt to regain the glory of old Equestria was apparent in its classical towers and ramparts, ramshackle shanty towns slowly fading into artistic stone structures of whitewashed stone as the city expanded outwards.

Dust Kicker figured he had just been out in the wasteland too long to appreciate it all. Still to him it was like a propped up corpse, or a child’s smudged drawing of something that may have perhaps once been beautiful. The palace, still only half complete, looked cheap and artificial next to the noble spires of Celestia’s palace that had once risen over old Canterlot. And in turn, its own grandeur made the far more hastily constructed buildings in the city below seem all the tackier, with their poorly painted murals and clumsy architecture.

He could also complain that the city was just too crowded these days, but then he really would have to admit to being a grumpy old buck.

His hooves clicked on the asphalt streets as he made his way down Arbiters Way, his wide brimmed hat shielding his eyes from the morning sun as he carefully swerved to avoid the bigger or more stubborn pedestrians. As always there weren’t many, the inhabitants at this hour mostly scribes and politicians, both keen to avoid the heavily scarred and weather beaten Earth Pony as made his way through their ranks. Dust Kicker felt the familiar pleasure from the fear he inspired in the softhoofs, allowing himself this small bit of harmless fun at their expense as he gave one poor unicorn mare a dark look that sent her scurrying hilariously.

Gawd rose up in front of him, her stony features rising from the fountain at the centre of the square that bore her name. It wasn’t really a very good likeness, commissioned after her death by someone who had only seen pictures of the griffon. Dust Kicker had no doubt she would have hated it, hated the very idea of such a gaudy tribute to her. Still she was fooling herself if she thought some ambitious councillor wouldn’t eventually realise that commissioning some impressive looking tribute to their founder would win them a few votes at election time.

It made him feel even older. Sure the mighty Gawd had eventually been brought down by pneumonia of all things, rather than simple age. Still, although he had never been suicidal enough to ask he had always figured they were of similar ages. Nothing made you feel older than looking at the graves of your old crew, save perhaps seeing their children grown up with families of their own.

Regina was up there in the palace somewhere. She had kids, and considering her eldest likely a few grandkids already on their way. He figured he had some kids... somewhere. If his genes had any bearing he was likely a grandparent by now too.

His knees ached, his left eye was getting cloudy and everypony was either too damn young or cold in the ground. Life sure did sneak up on you if you’d let it.

Dust Kicker quickly hurried through the entrance hall of the Palace, as normal full of petitioners and lobbyists jostling for attention. A few light shoves and a quick weave through two shouting businessmen and he reached the door he was looking for, relieved to be out of the noise and bustle as he headed into the long, gently lit corridors of the Agrarian Wing.

Even he had to admit it was nice in here. The Agrarian wing had been the first to open officially, hosting the offices dealing with the ecology of Equestia, most importantly farming. Food production had been one of the biggest challenges in the days after the ‘Day of Sunshine and Rainbows’, and even after the Gardens of Equestria had been activated it hadn’t got that much easier. Much knowledge of agriculture had been lost, and ironically most wasteland crops either withered or grew much too quickly in the taint and radiation free soil. Much effort had been made to engineer and rediscover new crops suitable for planting, many of their results displayed here in the Agrarian wing where they had been created. Flowering vines and drooping cherry bushes decorated the whitewashed walls, a great mural of old Sweet Apple Acres prominently displayed amid the greenery. With many of the labs now moved into the still struggling outskirts other offices had moved in, mostly council offices for those whose territory contained significant farmland. One of these was for the Cloudsdale Graves, an unexpected success story after the Gardens was activated. Whether it was due to the fallen remains of the Pegasus capital or some other reason, within months the area was blooming with life, the small Steel Rangers outpost there quickly turning into a large farming community that had become one of the bread baskets of the New Canterlot Republic. Indeed their Councillor, a former Steel Ranger scribe called Silent Steel, was now one of the most powerful members of the Equestrian council, the author of the treaty that ended the Steel Ranger/Applejack Ranger conflict and a regular commentator on the Canterlot political broadcasts. It was he who had called Dust Kicker here, and he was not someone to disappoint.

Dust spotted Silent Steel’s name on one of the doors and entered into a sunlit reception area, prewar furniture lovingly restored to give it a charmingly rustic appearance. A pretty, middle aged mare in half moon glasses smiled as he entered, “Mr Dust Kicker I presume?”

He smiled at her, she was really rather cute. Maybe if this job dragged on a little bit he could get to know her a little better, it had been a while since Dust had a chance to take a nice looking mare out to dinner, “A pleasure marm.”

She smiled sweetly and motioned to the chairs set out, “Please have a seat sir, Councillor Silent will be ready for you in a moment.”

She went back to filing as Dust relaxed on the plush seating, relishing the satisfying ache in his joints as he shifted the weight off his hooves. For all he loved the wasteland it was good just to take a load off for a while, the feel of a nice plush cushion on his belly and warm sunshine on his back. He toggled the switch on his ear bloom as he relaxed, the familiar tones of DJ Pon3 buzzing into life.

“Helllloo wasteland! How’s everypony doing? Well I’m afraid time has come to ruin your good mood, ‘cause yep, it’s time for the news.
*sigh* It’s been two weeks now and this fuss between Applejack’s Rangers and Tenpony Tower is still showing no signs of dying down. Fillies and gentlecolts, this is the sort of thing the Lightbringer sacrificed everything to save us from! So please, before you start shooting, wait, listen, maybe get your cooler head on. Because if we start fighting now, it would have all been for nothing.

In other news, we’ve got a short public service announcement. If you’re forced to head in the direction of Fillydelphia, please, please travel together and keep your guns well loaded. I have been told by the leader of the Fillydelphia guard that this fake Red Eye’s forces are still showing no sign of collapse, and though they’re avoiding the city itself they’ve started raiding caravans with increasing regularity. I admit I got this one wrong children, because it looks like this little conflict is going to burn on for a while.

But let’s forget about all that for a moment and hear the sweet sweet tones of our Mare of the Apocalypse, this is Velvet Remedy and Fluttershy, singing ‘The World in Flames’.”

Dust switched it off with a nudge of his hoof, having little time for the self indulgent melancholy that Velvet Remedy seemed to fill all her songs with. He was actually more of a fan of Lonesome Pony’s selection, unfortunately the fake Red Eye had recently hacked his transmission array, promptly followed by the Applejack Rangers lobbing a missile at it. Given the Rangers’ famous distaste for paying for collateral damage it looked like Lonesome Pony was going to be lonesome for a very long while. A damn shame really.

“Mr Dust Kicker? Councillor Silent Steel will see you now.”

“Thank you miss.” Dust jumped down off the chair, giving the old mare a tip of his hat as he passed and grinning as she blushed. Heh, he still had it.

Councillor Silent was pretty much as Dust Kicker had imagined. Though he had never seen the stallion in person, he perfectly suited the deep, confident voice so often heard over the radio. He was large and broad shouldered, though perhaps a little soft around the edges, with a square set jaw and a straight back. He had let his facial fur grow out into a well groomed beard, his ebony mane thick and healthy looking. Dust knew the stallion was a politician and that his image had been carefully created piece by piece by some committee, still he was forced to admit that he certainly looked like someone worth voting for.

Just as interesting were those in the room with him however. An Applejack Ranger in full armor stood close by, Dust wondering if he was really so dangerous that Councillor Silent required such an impressive bodyguard. Standing at the back of the room were two other unusual guests, Dust surprised to see a zebra and alicorn standing together there. The zebra he was embarrassed to say froze his breath in his throat for a second, a wave of guilt settling over him as he realized that she was both incredibly attractive and likely young enough to send him to Arbu for fillyfooling. Tiny and adorable, she wore a pair of stylish spectacles and an air of trembling excitement, trying her best to look official and not really succeeding. She studied Dust intently as he entered, her eyes widening in the kind of dumbstruck awe he saw all too often in the eyes of fillies and colts.

The alicorn on the other hand... was an alicorn. One of the purple ones, fortunately with the ‘inscrutably calm’ rather than the ‘violently insane’ personality at first glance (though he had been fooled before). After a second he was forced to revise his initial dismissal however, surprised to see this alicorn actually had a cutie mark, an extremely rare occurrence on one of their species. He couldn’t work out what exactly it was; still the patch of swirling colour was unmistakeable.

“Most pleased to make your acquaintance Mr Dust Kicker. You were recommended most highly by a very good friend of mine.” Councillor Silent’s voice was much like on the radio, calm and paternal, with a strong determined edge and a mild rural accent. He placed a hoof on his desk as he spoke, eyeing Dust with a cool grin, “I hope you can live up to your reputation.”

“I’m loyal to the contract.”

“So I’m told. One of the few ponies to serve in the Talons I hear. Served alongside Gawdyna Grimfeathers herself, certainly something to be proud of considering her later achievements.”

Dust had lost track of the amount of ponies who had told him that. One day he might actually start believing it himself. One little buck once asked him if they had strapped him to their backs when they were flying around, an image which had instantly reduced him to roaring laughter, “I had the pleasure of fighting alongside her, yes.”

Councillor Silent chuckled lightly before continuing, “Well it counted in your favour when considering who to hire for this job. Tell me, have you had much experience with zebra?”

So it was something to do with the zebra. He figured it might be, considering the young zebra’s presence in the room, “A little. They’re not the most populous of the wasteland’s inhabitants.”

“A very pertinent observation. Indeed, are you aware of their actual numbers within the NCR?”

Not many he guessed. He had heard they had pretty much all come from one vault, which didn’t suggest a massive population, “I am not aware of the exact numbers, no Mr Councillor.”

Councillor Silent nodded, enlightening him, “NCR census reports indicate a hundred and twenty four zebra living within our borders. There are estimates of under a dozen zebra in the wider equestrian wasteland, leaving a total population under a hundred and fifty at the most generous estimation.” The Councillor fixed Dust with a piercing gaze, driving in the meaning behind his words, “Fortunately the population is relatively young, still there are serious concerns that they will be at serious danger of inbreeding within a generation or two.”

“Aren’t Zebra capable of breeding with Ponies?” Dust wasn’t sure if that was true or not, but had heard of pony/donkey crosses in his time. zebra... weren’t all that different from an earth pony, save those stripes and those weird cutie marks. He was pretty sure he had heard of at least one crossbreed.

“Of course, yes, but that would ultimately result in losing the zebra into the general pony population... along with the benefits their unique culture and abilities give the NCR.” Councillor Silent shook his head, “No, we the NCR cannot just sit back and let matters take their course, letting the zebra become to all practical effect, extinct. As their representatives we are duty bound to do everything in our power to preserve this vital part of the Republic. Both I and Councillor Gloom of the zebra have spent a great many months on a single ambitious project, one that has been more than two hundred years in the making.”

Councillor Silent paused, Dust frowning as he was left in intentional suspense. He ran through the possibilities in his head, cloning, magical engineering, ‘I want to be a zebra’ killing joke potions...

No, wait. He said this had been more than two hundred years in the making. And the alicorn, she must be a Follower of the Apocalypse. That meant... “You’re continuing the work that Fluttershy started. You’re... you’re finding new zebra.”

Councillor Silent smiled.

“You’re... you’re making contact with the zebra nation.”

Councillor Silent looked impressed, “And now I know I made the right choice. Indeed, we decided the most advantageous solution was to simply go to the source so to speak. Many ponies survived the fallout from the megaspells by living in more remote locations, and we had no doubt that the zebra themselves had their own shelters. And from data taken from still functional computers and first hand information from pre-war ghouls and Mistress Fluttershy it was easy enough to locate the zebra homeland.”

Dust couldn’t stop a silver of black humour creeping into his voice, “So... how are they doing?”

“Not as well as us, taking into account the Gardens of Equestria and Single Pegasus Project. But that was to be expected.”

Dust... was surprised at the answer. He wasn’t sure why, Equestria had managed to survive of course. Still somewhere in his soul he had just assumed that Equestria had reduced the rest of the world to ash. After all there had been no contact, no immigrants, no... nothing, “You found them?”

Councillor Silent looked back at the zebra filly, nodding to her. She took a deep breath and advanced forward, steeling her nerves before speaking. She had a surprisingly clear and deep voice, despite her obvious nerves, “Clear Skies, a Pegasus sent to investigate possible civilization, finally made contact with us a month ago from inside the zebra homeland. She reports that while politically unstable and mostly barren, the western parts of the zebra lands are inhabited at a level of civilization similar to pre-gardens Equestria.” She swallowed before continuing, still looking past his shoulder and sounding a little like she was addressing some invisible committee, “Furthermore he managed to make contact with a leader who has declared himself Caesar, and who has managed to force his rivals into accepting that title... if not his claim.”

“That’s the name of the zebra... king, ruler, yeah?”

She stuttered slightly at his interruption, “Y...yes. And this Caesar has expressed a desire to meet representatives from Equestria to further discuss relations.”

Dust frowned. He was no NCR stooge, or in any way a diplomat, “And you want me to go? Why?”

Councillor Silent smiled, somewhat smugly Dust thought, “To protect these two fine mares as they meet with this Caesar of course.”

This stunk. There was something he wasn’t being told and there was nothing he hated more than being left in the dark on a contract, “And you don’t have NCR men for that? What about your bodyguard standing there?”

Both the Applejack Ranger and Councillor Silent ignored his highlighting of the silent guardian’s presence, Councillor Silent simply giving a soft chuckle as he answered his question, “Because this isn’t a NCR mission, it’s a mission on behalf of the Followers of the Apocalypse.”

Brahmin shit. If it was Fluttershy would be here giving him this job, perhaps even Violet Remedy. Councillor Silent was one of the most prominent members of the Republic, with clear designs on the Arbiter role itself... with all the political rivalries that suggested. He didn’t just do things for other factions, or let them take credit for his achievements.

Maybe that was just it. If they were really sending a peace mission to the zebra after all these years then it would be a project for more than two councilors. Arbiter Regina would likely be giving him this mission... or not, because as a former mercenary herself she would know better than to let them anywhere near something like this. Councillor Silent was taking all the credit for this one, likely so he could offer the peace treaty to Fluttershy on a platter when it was all finished. The Followers were wildly popular among the general population for their charity work, having Fluttershy’s blessing would make his election a formality.

And Dust didn’t care. He had no loyalty to Regina, no matter her parentage. Despite what popular rumour would suggest he was no Talon after all. And in fact he still found something intensely distasteful about a proud wasteland killer hanging up her guns and clumsily trying to join the softhooves, like there was no place for his kind anymore in this grand new Equestria.

Let smiling dignitaries like Silent Steel play their politics, all the more work for an old killer like him, “Ok, I’m in.”

“Excellent...”

“Providing the pay is damn good.”

Councillor Silent chuckled, “Very, I assure you.”

Dust Kicker knew he had accepted the job a little quickly there, and though he still felt good about it he now had to consider practicalities. It sounded like it was going to be a very long term deal, though that was one big reason for accepting the job in the first place.

A whole new wasteland, full of danger and people willing to throw good money at a old stallion for a good eye and a quick gun! He certainly had no problem with the zebra, the few he had met had impressed him with their bloody minded stubbornness in the face of danger. And all told he had always traveled light, most of his wealth in favors among fellow mercenaries and a few lockboxes of essentials in banks around the wastes. Clearing out the new Canterlot box and negotiating some supplies from the councilor should provide him with all he needed for the journey.

“Good day Mr Dust Kicker. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Zenai, zebra historian and student of Alchemy for the Followers of the Apocalypse.”

Dust smirked at the little Zebra as she stepped forward to provide her over rehearsed greeting, still as earnest looking as ever. She was certainly enthusiastic about her role, he could already tell that much. He would have thought they could have found someone a little older, but he could see now that she had her… swirly zebra cutie mark. So not quite as young as he thought then. Maybe she was just underdeveloped, “A pleasure. So you’re our diplomat I presume?”

The zebra considered this for a moment, finally formulating her carefully stated answer, “Well as Councilor Silent Steel mentioned, this isn’t an official diplomatic mission. Really we will be observing the culture and politics of the zebra wastes, and educating the Caesar about our own culture and politics.”

“Makes sense. They wouldn’t want to draft up such an important treaty with both sides totally unprepared.” He looked up at the alicorn behind Zenai, the huge winged unicorn still totally impassive, “And what’s your story big filly?”

The alicorn looked somewhat shocked at being addressed, the first emotion he had seen so far on the big mare. She hesitated, Dust Kicker swearing she actually looked rather shy as she tried to find her tongue, “I… I am eager to learn of the culture of the zebra, who after all brought the alicorn race such hope.” She looked down at Zenai, her expression hardening into quiet resolve, “And... um... I am resolved to follow Miss Zenai, who has shown me much kindness.”

Zenai giggled girlishly at the alicorn’s answer, taking a moment to compose herself before introducing her friend, “This is Star Swirl, my loyal research assistant. Don’t let her appearance fool you, she really is very sweet.”

Dust Kicker stared up at Star Swirl, the alicorn once again the picture of cool composure that matched her impressive stature. He had a chance to check out her cutie mark a little closer now but it was no easier to decipher at this distance. He decided just to ask, “I’ll take your word for it. Pleasure to meet you Star Swirl.” The alicorn just nodded at his greeting, Dust motioning towards her flank, “Unusual to see an alicorn with a cutie mark. I didn’t think you had them.”

Star Swirl looked back at her flank, almost like she had forgotten it was there. She quickly looked back to Zenai, the zebra grinning and answering for her, “We’re not sure what it means. We think it might be a distorted cutie mark from one of the Goddess’s victims, maybe whichever one Star… used to have.”

Before she was dipped. Dust Kicker was reminded once again that these alicorns had once been unicorns, mostly slaves captured by Red Eye. He wondered for a moment if he had maybe met this unicorn, seen her back when she was just another terrified face behind iron bars. He looked again at the mare’s cutie mark but it inspired no sudden recognition, just a swirling mass of twisted color.

“I don’t mind.”

Dust blinked at Star Swirl’s statement, “Huh?”

Star Swirl clarified, her voice perfectly level, “I am free of the Goddess, and I have a home among the Followers. I don’t remember my life before, but I would have likely have died out there in the wastes even if Red Eye had not caught me.”

She was a sensitive soul wasn’t she? Dust Kicker was getting the feeling that it was Zenai who wore the pants in this relationship, which was bizarre considering that Star Swirl couldn’t be less than thirty years old. Granted, none of the alicorns had been particular well adjusted after the Goddess’ death. Being mind slaved to a megalomaniacal blob of goo would do that to you he supposed, “That’s a very mature view of the situation you have there.”

The alicorn just bowed her head, Dust Kicker giving a chuckle before turning the conversation to more practical things, “Ok, let’s get down to business. If I’m going to protect you I need to know what you can do. Can either of you fight?”

Zenai nodded firmly, “I can take care of myself. I’m very good at zebra alchemy, and I’ve also studied magical energy weapons with the followers.”

Dust paused for a moment at that statement, looking down at the tiny, innocent looking zebra. Eventually he just asked the question outright, “You can make zebra combat drugs?”

“Yes, nowhere near as addictive and with less crippling withdrawal than prewar varieties.” Zenai gave Dust a rather haughty look, adjusting her glasses and lifting her nose ever so slightly, “Those were either created by immigrant zebra in homemade labs, created by the Ministry of Morale, or the results of Ministry of Technology’s rather inept attempts to create power armor based delivery systems. None of them could match what a zebra can do with a proper lab and fresh ingredients.”

Dust smirked, “Really?”

“Well… maybe the Ministry of Morale, but they had their own problems.” Zenai paused for a second before shaking her head in quiet awe, “According to the recipe for Party Time Mint-Als they were created by Pinkie Pie herself. We’re still not entirely sure how a baker somehow found the alchemical knowledge to improve on a recipe created in the labs of the Caesar himself.”

“Because she was crazy.”

“I’m pretty sure some of them were as well… but we’re losing the point.” She drew herself back up primly, “Anyway, the point is, I can create Mint-Als, Dash, Stampede, Buck, Healing Potions and a few of my own creations. We’ll be taking a large supply of ingredients, so I can mix up whatever we need on site.”

“Hydra? Rage?”

“I don’t make those.” Zenai gave him a long hard look over her glasses, “Rage is outright illegal you know, and as for Hydra… you might as well just inject yourself with IMP, which I’m pretty sure must be an active component.”

Dust smirked. It certainly wasn’t pleasant, that was true, “When you’ve broken every bone in your legs and there’s a gang of raiders ready to assrape you, I assure you you’ll think differently.”

“I know someone who grew a fifth leg.”

Dust Kicker chuckled and decided to drop the subject. It was certainly something to think about, though he hadn’t Dashed up in a while. The withdrawal and the high price of maintaining himself on the drug had eventually convinced him to give it up. He was certainly a lot more deadly on the stuff however, with a steady supply maybe it was time to start it up again, “Well, that should come in handy. What about you big filly? Apart from being an alicorn I mean.”

Star Swirl shook her head, “I don’t fight.”

“You don’t?”

She nodded, looking regal and imperious once again, “I will shield you if I have to, but I do not like violence. I am a scholar and a doctor, I don't have any combat skills.”

Typical, they had a designed for combat, lightning firing killing machine on the team, and she had to be a pacifist. Still that made him feel a whole lot safer, making it slightly less likely that she’d suddenly decide to wear their bones as a trophy. Being exposed to Red Eye for much of his career had left him with an inbuilt dislike for racism, still he couldn’t help finding the alicorns intensely creepy. Even Star Swirl, increasingly shy and awkward as she was showing herself to be, made him intensely wary. More to the point, he had heard somewhere about that opinion being shared… “Don’t zebra think alicorns are… some sort of dark gods or something?”

“Caesar actually requested we bring an alicorn with us apparently.” Zenai shrugged lightly, “We didn’t get any details on why, but I figured Star Swirl is as likely as any to make a good impression.”

Dust Kicker didn’t like this. This ‘Caesar’ was likely just another warlord emerging from the post apocalyptic wastes. He could be pretty much anything, from Red Eye to Bloodbath, and Dust Kicker really wasn’t keen on negotiating with either towing a pair of civilians (And whatever Zenai’s fancy skillset was, he could already tell she was still wetter behind the ears than a preschool seapony). Still, that was his contract, and he hadn’t gained his fame from shying away from the risky jobs, “Well whatever turns him on I guess...”

Their chariot was one of the biggest he had seen, actually incorporating magical rocket engines in addition to the space for two pegasi pilots (‘for that little extra kick’ according to the co pilot Loose Trigger). It was rounded like a rocket, four wings giving it stability and a retractable landing platform allowing it to be as streamlined as possible in the air, painted sky blue with a dark purple stripe down the side. Dust had to admit it was a pretty nice construction, the name on the side proclaiming it as the Altostratus II, “What happened to the Altostratus I?”

“Aha, don’t mention that around the captain if you know what’s good for you!” Loose Trigger gave a wide grin, tossing his dark brown mane back as he shot a look at his fellow pilot, “He always gets mighty melancholy about his babies.”

Loose Trigger was a pretty typical groundlander pegasus, informal, loud and way too cheerful, though Dust noticed that his twin wings cutie mark meant he wasn’t a Dashite. His ‘captain’ on the other hand was grimly ignoring his passengers as he readied the Altostratus, not having yet said a word. Dust had been informed by others that this was Ice Break and that he was one of the best navigators in the business, and if that was true Dust Kicker could forgive a bit of reticence, “How long is the journey exactly?”

“Couple of days, providing the weather is right.” Trigger quickly did a few calculations on his hooves before answering, “We’ll try and catch the great south, bring us over to the Aric ridge. Once there it’s a nice straight slipstream right to Star Fall Island, which is just a days travel from the zebra coast.”

“I understood half of that.”

Trigger laughed, “Well don’t you worry none, me and the captain will get you there in fine shape. We’ll be taking turns in the flying and sleeping, with the rocket there if we’re both indisposed for some reason. As I said, we’ll be stopping over in Star Fall, a volcanic island off the zebra coast. It’s inhabited by... some folk that Clear Skies didn’t describe very well, but she said they were right friendly. We have trade goods in the back there, so I’m thinking we can recharge our batteries and get a bit of rest there before continuing on.”

Dust nodded, figuring the two pegasi would certainly need it after a few days of straight flying. He had another question he’d been meaning to ask though, “Who is this Clear Skies?”

“Her? Ha, you’ll learn soon enough!” Trigger grinned widely, shooting Dust a wink, “One of the best, though it’s good you guys are going over to handle the negotiations.”

“She’s not the diplomatic type?”

“Hell, she can be charming if she wants to be. I wouldn’t bring her to any formal dinners though.” Trigger chuckled at some long distant memory, “Still, if she sticks around you could do a hell of a lot worse for a scout. No one knows the skies like Clear, even if she normally has trouble walking in a straight line.”

Great, a drunken Pegasus with a talent for showing herself up at formal dinners was the zebra’s first impression of post war ponies. He was reminded once more that with an alicorn and a zebra accompanying him he was effectively the representative of the pony branch of the NCR. He would have to do his best to stay off the booze while he was there it seemed, “How long before we’re ready?”

“No more than an hour... ah screw.”

It had began to rain, a mild drizzle that pretty quickly became a firm downpour striking loudly against the metal airship. Dust braced his hat against the rain and rushed inside, looking over at Trigger’s concerned expression, “This going to be a problem?”

“Nah... I mean, hopefully not.” The Pegasus peeked outside and held up a hoof, “Wind isn’t too strong, that’s the main thing. Weird, we weren’t scheduled for rain.”

“Littlepip's getting confused?”

“Maybe the Enclave or smugglers trying to hide something. The SPP should clear things up soon enough, and it won’t affect our departure.” Trigger flashed Dust a wide grin as he trotted into the Altostratus, “We’ve flown through a lot worse than this, don’t you worry none.”

Dust nodded and continued to watch the rain, smiling as he spotted Zenai and Star Swirl arrive. The Alicorn had a shield up against the downpour, regally trotting alongside her friend as Zenai aimlessly chatted about anything that came to mind. Once again he was forced to notice what a cute couple the two made, so different in size and temperament, wondering if their friendship was really so platonic, “So you made it. Cutting it fine aren’t you?”

“Some of us actually have things to prepare.” Zenai answered huffily, “And we’re a whole half hour early. What, have you just been standing here watching the rain?”

Dust had been a soldier, which contrary to popular belief was a very dull profession. He was proud to say that he was good at staring at nothing for hours, “I got all my stuff prepared yesterday, and I was just making sure nothing went wrong.”

Star Swirl turned her head toward the Applejack Ranger standing nearby, the rain pinging off her metal armor, “I am sure the Rangers are protection enough.”

“Yeah, you’d think so in those big impressive suits.” Dust chuckled, lowering his voice a little, “Don’t be fooled darling, you really think they keep their hardened veterans guarding cargo ships in the middle of Canterlot? All the real Applejack Rangers are out fighting this fake Red Eye fella, I’d bet you anything that under that fancy suit is a buck just hours into his cutie mark.”

Zenai snorted cutely, shooting him a smirk as she trotted past him and into the cargo hold, “Bet he could still take you Mr Kicker. I’m pretty sure that ‘buck’ could still handle himself well enough.”

Star Swirl continued to observe the Ranger for a little while longer before following, “Actually, I think it’s a mare.”

Dust sighed and settled back into his watch, nothing but the rain and the sound of Ice Break making the last adjustments to the ship to keep him entertained. He briefly turned on the radio but Canterlot station was looping old political broadcasts from Arbiter Regina and Chancellor Life Bloom and DJ Pon3 was again playing that modern crap he couldn’t stand. Instead he just stood and let his mind wonder, considering battle tactics and weapon modification...

Something was up.

Something had gone wrong.

He could see the scuffles in the background, the sound of raised voices from the gates. The Applejack ranger stepped forward to guard the chariot, Dust Kicker tensing further as he heard her engage her weapon systems. He hurried over to his battle saddle sitting atop one of the crates, quickly disengaging the straps securing it and flipping it on his back with his mouth. As designed the straps were thrown neatly around him by sheer momentum, Dust using his hoof to secure each one tightly. The entire thing was done in a couple of seconds, Dust dropping down behind a crate and trying to work out just what was going on out there.

He still couldn’t see what was going on through the heavy rain, though there hadn’t been any gunshots yet. The Applejack ranger finally spoke, her voice amplified through her suit, “Step out and identify yourself or I will fire!” Dust noted that she was armed with a grenade launcher and minigun, not exactly built for warning shots.

Something appeared in the darkness at the edge of his view, Dust ducking as he recognized the tell tell flare of unicorn magic. The Applejack Ranger instantly tensed up, sparks flying from her suit as her weapons suddenly powered down with a whine. She took a single step before sinking onto her haunches, an echoing gasp from inside her suit indicating that her air filtration unit and amplifier had shut down too. This attracted the attention of Zenai, the zebra running out of the cargo hold with a strange magical pistol clutched in her teeth, “Wth goonin on?”

“Quiet, stay down!”

She squeaked in fear and disappeared behind a box, Star Swirl obliviously strolling over before spotting the other two hiding and clumsily attempting to crouch behind her own box. Dust Kicker almost face hoofed as he looked back, the massive alicorn painfully obvious and almost totally exposed even in the darkened interior.

A troop of strange ponies emerged from the darkness, shielded from the rain by long concealing cloaks. They were all unicorns save two, but their horns were the only thing revealed about them, their faces concealed beneath rounded masks of shaded glass. Energy weapons hovered among them, one of the two without horns sporting a long plasma cannon fitted to a battlesaddle.

Their leader however had her face uncovered, revealing the oldest looking mare he had ever seen. A unicorn, her mane was pure silver and even her once pink coat was grey and mangy looking, almost bare in patches of loose liverspotted skin. Her horn too was twisted by age like the trunk of a great dead tree, Dust wondering for a moment if she wasn’t some particularly well preserved ghoul. Her eyes were still sharp and bright however, her voice too rang out over the rain in a clear sharp tone, “Stand down! The guard are already on their way, and there is no need for further violence!”

Dust snorted, keeping his shotgun leveled on the old mare, “Strange, how you’re the only one who dare show your face. Should I know you fellas?”

“Maybe my name escapes you, but I don’t regularly deal with mercenaries.” The mare snorted, hoofing the ground as the others stepped nervously around her, “And those with me are ponies with families, livelihoods, things the jealous and evil would use to get at the secrets we possess.”

“And you?”

“I have given up those things.” She glared at the stallion in front of her, horn glowing a light purple as a corona of swirling dust sprung up around her, “And I don’t like to repeat myself buck! Stand down! We have reason to believe those here are engaged in illegal actions harmful to the core charter of the New Canterlot Republic, lay down your arms and you will be considered simple unaware parties!”

Dust Kicker didn’t even give her words a second thought. He did not like being threatened, especially by ponies too cowardly to reveal their true faces, “And who are you to say what the NCR will and won’t do?”

“I know exactly who she is.” The frozen Applejack Ranger slowly managed to move again, lifting a hoof and flexing the knee before re-targeting her weapon systems on the mare and her companions, “That’s Dream Star, leader of the Twilight Society!”

“Ah, I thought I felt Jammer’s magic weaken. So you’re moving again are you Ranger?” Dream Star gazed at the Ranger contemptuously, “Move to fire those weapons and we will show you just how obsolete you are.”

The ranger almost spat her words, “Obsolete?!”

“In every way. That armour was outdated even before the war ended, that spell of Jammers is a simple trick.” She smirked, “ It makes me laugh, the whole idea of the Steel Rangers. The bounty of the Ministry of Technology? They could not win the war, they could not even save themselves. And now you consider yourselves protectors of the Republic? You are thugs in steel armor, no more, a brutish blunt instrument against our foes.”

One of the other masked ponies trotted close to their leader, “Uh, mistress...”

“Don’t question me buck!” She sent the robed stallion backing away with a sharp glare before stomping the ground with a withered hoof, “I have nothing better to do, so I might as well give you all some education. And you prove what I’ve said no better than your misunderstanding of my position. The Twilight Society has no leaders, we are simply a gathering of ponies with the wisdom to guide and advise the new world to its future glory.”

“A group of unicorns.”

Dream Star looked straight at Dust Kicker, her mouth curling into a sneer, “We picked the best. Maybe the earth and pegasus ponies should have stepped up, but all we got from them was Red Eye and the Enclave.”

Another of the robed unicorns, a female this time, spoke up at this, “Dream, please. This isn’t the time.”

“Shut up. I don’t often get the chance to speak my mind without consequence, and I have a rapt audience here.”

Dust Kicker could only smirk at the cantankerous old unicorn, still he was getting tired of her shit. They were already behind schedule, “Zenai, tell Trigger and Break to get us moving.”

Dream Star whirled on him, the other unicorns raising their weapons, “You will not move!”

“You’re not going to fire on a zebra, let alone one from the Followers of the Apocalypse, especially when guards are already on their way.” Dust Kicker smirked, tipping his hat to her, “You’ve gone out of your way so far to avoid casualties, and I know none of the well heeled ponies of the Twilight Society wants to be found firing weapons in the middle of New Canterlot.”

Dream Star’s look of anger grew, and for a moment Dust wondered if he had made a mistake. Eventually however her expression faded into a cunning smile, “I have seven unicorn here. Your chariot is staying right here.”

“I have an alicorn. Ranger, smoke grenade!”

The ranger fired, the grenade hitting the centre of the Twilight Society formation with a loud bang and a cloud of thick black smoke. Dream Star gave an animalistic growl and used her magic to snatch an energy weapon from one of her followers, spinning it in midair and firing it at Dust Kicker with stunning accuracy. Still it was instantly dissipated as Star Swirl threw up a barrier around them, the shield holding firm as Dream continued to fire the weapon through the thick black smoke that was quickly covering her.

The chariot launched with a solid metallic thump and Dust Kicker was forced to brace himself against a crate of supplies as he kicked the back door shut with a solid hoof. He was left looking on as several of the Twilight Society unicorns dissipated the smoke with a combined burst of telekinesis, the Applejack Ranger opening up with minigun fire that bounced off a magical shield one of the others projected around the group. Blaster fire followed the chariot as Dream Star continued to fire, Dust kicker ducking away from the window as a shot deflected uselessly off the shield Star Swirl was still maintaining around them.

Foiled completely Dream Star simply turned and fired at the Applejack Ranger, striking the mare in the head and shattering her visor into a cloud of glowing metal. The other Twilight Society members looked on in shock as the Ranger toppled, quickly scattering as the yells of the approaching Canterlot guard sounded out.

Only Dream Star remained, staring up at them with an expression unreadable at this distance as they climbed into the cloudy skies.

Excitement already. This job was going so well.

_______________________

Footnote: Level up! (17)

New Perk added: Quick Shot – “Sorry, were you saying something?”
No longer do you have to listen to villainous monologues! Unless surprised, you always win initiative in combat.

Quest Perk Acquired : Ranger’s Code
For siding with the Rangers against the Twilight Society (and keeping true to your contract) you gain a 3% increase to your HP (rounded up).

Many of the characters and much of the setting are not mine but are on loan from the very awesome Kkat, or are taken from My Little Pony - Friendship Is Magic by Hasbro. This story makes no pretentions at being canon with either, and is merely a ‘what-if’ set in the same world.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.2 - Turbulent Waters

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Chapter 2 – Turbulent Waters

Zenai was under the impression that she was a pretty patient zebra. You had to be if you wanted to learn alchemy, as until you really knew what you were doing it involved long periods of just staring at jugs of liquid as they very slowly changed color. She was therefore embarrassed to say she was getting very, very bored. She had been prepared of course, having brought several books of research materials with her. Unfortunately she had got tired of them after the first six hours, not to mention her eyes stinging and her head pounding from the dodgy magical lights installed in the Altostratus II.

The view outside wasn’t much more interesting, seas of endless grey passing by the window. She had heard tales of these seas post apocalypse, of great monsters mutated by radiation and pollution. So far however all they had seen was crashing waves and high winds that suggested the ships lost here were down to more mundane factors, with not a single sign of life beneath those dark waves.

Star Swirl and Dust Kicker were coping much better, Dust spending brief periods exercising before playing incessantly with his weapons and Star Swirl as normal content to just stand there with a slightly dreamy expression on her face. Possibly due to the close confines and Dust Kicker’s presence Star Swirl seemed reluctant to talk at length, every attempt to spark up conversation quickly petering out on her end. Eventually Zenai just gave up trying to engage the alicorn, Star Swirl taking the opportunity to start up a griffon card game that she liked and start laying out bets of caps against herself. Star Swirl didn’t even bother to ask if Zenai had wanted to join, the alicorn had tried to teach her how to play once or twice but unfortunately it was near impossible with hooves. Zenai had little appreciation for gambling in the first place anyway. She certainly couldn’t quite figure how playing cards alone could be any fun, still Star Swirl seemed content.

“Four card shuffle?”

Star Swirl smiled excitedly as she looked up at Dust Kicker, nodding her head enthusiastically, “Yes. Do you play?”

“Nah, too difficult to play those complicated games with hooves. I prefer Liar’s Dice, simple games like that.”

“Oh, I know that one.” Star Swirl turned around, clumsily knocking her cards to the floor with her tail as she hurried over to her luggage. Zenai tutted and swept them up with a hoof, Star Swirl hardly seeming to notice as she near stuck her head into her bag. Zenai frowned at the sight of the alicorn’s bobbing backside, shooting Dust Kicker a look as he gave a wry smile. Eventually Star Swirl turned, a set of dice levitating in front of her as she shot smiles at the two of them, “Zenai, do you want to play?”

“I don’t normally gamble… especially against you Star Swirl.” Zenai sighed as the alicorn’s face fell, shaking her head as she realized she was being really grumpy. At least getting soundly beaten at dice was something to pass the time at least, and she wouldn’t just sit there and watch the other two have fun without her, “Ok, fine. Just go easy on me.”

Dust Kicker grinned as he moved over, “So she’s pretty good huh? Well maybe this will be interesting…”

In the end it went pretty much as expected, Zenai losing her dice pretty quickly and Star Swirl and Dust Kicker neck and neck for a while until Star Swirl made a risky guess and busted out. Star Swirl didn’t seem to mind, instantly suggesting another dice game that they both took to with renewed enthusiasm. Zenai let them play, retiring instead to the cargo bay.

Dust Kicker’s comment about leaving it late to get to the ship just before the attack had stung a little, and indeed it had actually been Star Swirl who had delayed them with her constant nervous organizing and re-organizing of an office they wouldn’t even see for another few months at least. She had reassured herself that the Applejack Rangers would have no reason to check the cargo, and hadn't guessed the Twilight Society would be desperate enough to mount an outright attack. That was... unexpected. They were either more desperate or more arrogant that she had previously guessed.

And that made her slightly paranoid. Although she had confirmed the presence of the crate she hadn’t had the opportunity or the courage to check on the contents yet, gingerly moving over now and inspecting the wooden container, helpfully marked as ‘Radiation protection suits’. A thrust of her hoof disengaged the lock and she flipped the box open, revealing the cold black steel of the armor inside. To her eternal relief it seemed intact and untouched, Zenai leaning inside and flicking a switch on the pipbuck mounted on the frame, “User Zenai, code Pinkie3KE. Core systems check.”

A young, female voice answered, light and playful despite the lack of emotion in her words, “Running core systems check. No failures detected, all systems running at recommended levels. Targeting array experiencing a 0.8 percent drift, servo wear at 8.5 percent, 0.4 percent damage to outer armor. Operating system PS2.0 is loaded and is currently in standby mode, no errors detected.”

Zenai felt guilty leaving her here in standby mode, though she was aware such feelings were rather silly. In standby mode she wouldn’t even be aware of time passing, higher intelligence functions completely offline and only the most basic systems operational. Really it was a product of the regrets, worries and second thoughts about the entire venture, and this ugly suit wasn’t helping. Not that the main problem was it being ugly, militaristic and immediately obvious as being produced on the same production line as Enclave battle armor, the sight of their insectoid forms still giving Zenai the urge to vomit.

No, the main problem was that it was built for a full grown pony. Zenai enjoyed the many advantages of being naturally small framed, unfortunately the ability to fit into and operate powered armor was not one of them.

She thought about transferring the program to her old adventuring outfit, unfortunately the memory storage and processing power of the power armor’s pipbuck was easily ten times that of her own. She had little knowledge of magical computational systems but brief studies had raised the possibility that said pipbuck might well be unique, or connected to slaved systems within the suit itself. She could transfer the program into a terminal, still that wouldn’t solve the problem of being practically immobile. Besides, the few details she had received had suggested that the sensory deprivation could well be harmful, and she would never forgive herself if she… broke her somehow.

It was frustrating, and she was well aware that she was an inexperienced… filly really, playing at a game that her opponents had been winning at for a lifetime. She didn’t even have a plan beyond a vague hope that she would be able to find allies in the Zebra lands, or at least keep vital playing pieces off the field long enough to allow the brewing conflict in Equestria to simmer down.

And she had only got this far on luck really, there being a million ways in which this could have all gone wrong. Councilor Silent was so eager to have the Followers on his side that he had totally failed to confirm that Zenai actually had any authority to act as their representative. Indeed she almost wanted to be caught, just so she could see Velvet Remedy’s face when she was told that an archivist and a initiate librarian had completely without authorization forged a alliance with the Applejack Rangers, launched a diplomatic mission to a foreign nation and smuggled a piece of valuable and very illegal technology out of the country in her name. She was still appalled by the ease with which she could flirt and talk her way into the mail room, Zenai having been intercepting the missives to the Follower’s intended envoy for months and instead sending him pointless, dull updates suggesting actual contact was still months off. Likewise Fluttershy was a sweet old dear but for anyone who had actually read the Chronicles of Littlepip ‘Rarity’ wasn’t exactly a hard password to guess and the old mare wasn’t even remotely suspicious of a random zebra she had never met before turning up to clean her office. After all of that it had been remarkably smooth sailing, ironically the power struggles in the NCR and her own manipulations had made it easy to convince Councilor Silent and the Applejack Rangers that he should conduct all dialogue with her personally for ‘data protection reasons’.

It least she hoped it had all gone so smoothly. She could be flying straight into a trap.

She looked back at the living area as she closed the box again, making sure it was locked before heading back over to the others. Star Swirl and Dust Kicker were still furiously planning their moves, a rare and totally genuine smile spread across Star Swirl’s face as the game moved back and forth between her and the mercenary. Zenai watched the mare for a little while, feeling the guilt and pain that reminded her that she hadn’t completely lost herself in her manipulations and double crosses.

Star Swirl had found it hard to adapt to life without the Goddess. Even though the alicorn was absolutely loath to talk about her life before she joined the Followers that much was very obvious. Even after she joined she had found it difficult, retreating from the world and absorbing herself in books about old Equestrian history, understandable considering the not so subtle bullying she received from the others in the Followers compound. It… was partially her own fault, in a organization of somewhat arrogant and wishy washy scholars Star Swirl was blunt, stubborn and poorly articulate with her opinions, inviting ridicule and scorn from those far more adept at presenting their arguments. And yes, for all her good intentions Star Swirl was one of the least practical ponies Zenai had ever met, almost entirely unable to deal with the real world outside her books.

But she had good intentions. She was sweet, harmless, caring and gentle to a fault. She had been hurt badly by the Goddess, forced to do things that went totally against her nature. Now all she wanted to do was make it up to the world, yet found herself totally inadequate in that task.

And she had broken numerous laws, betrayed the Followers and been accomplice to one of the most serious cons in Equestrian history. She wouldn’t insult the alicorn by thinking that Star Swirl hadn’t been mostly aware of Zenai’s actions, even though she had tried her best to shield her friend from any direct co-operation. Despite this Star Swirl had not once seemed to even consider turning Zenai in, naively trusting in her friend through double cross and betrayal of the people who had given her entire species a home and chance at a new life.

Zenai had to make this alliance work. She was totally willing to offer her own head for her crimes, for Star Swirl’s sake however she had to make sure she had cards to play when this was all over. An alliance with the Zebra was Fluttershy’s dream and Star Swirl had long worshiped the old mare from afar, by making that dream a reality she was certain she could convince Fluttershy to take Star Swirl on as an assistant and protect her from the consequences of Zenai’s actions.

At least she hoped it was. If it wasn’t… well Zenai would go straight to pony hell, and Star Swirl would be even more deserving of a nice spot with Luna and Celestia. That would be justice at least.

“Ow… nice bluff there. You know, you’ve got a damn good poker face.”

Star Swirl averted her eyes in embarrassment at Dust Kicker’s praise, her shy grin clearly visible from this vantage point. Zenai suspected Dust Kicker had likely let her win as Star Swirl was rarely savvy enough to win against the real pros, though he did it convincingly at least. It certainly warmed her up to the mercenary, especially alongside his failure to leer at her prominently displayed rear earlier.

True, she didn’t trust Dust Kicker yet, he was after all a killer for hire with an extremely improbable pre-NCR history absolutely full of holes. Neither had he seen fit to reveal the cutie mark hidden under the leather coat he wore, something that almost screamed ‘something to hide’. She was well aware that all too many of the smarter raiders had promptly ditched their armor and locked themselves in their own cages the second they saw the Applejack Rangers coming, indeed she wouldn’t be surprised if some of the Rangers themselves were hiding severed head cutie marks and an ugly collection of past sins under that power armor. Still Dust Kicker had carried himself with dignity so far, which was more than she could say for many professional soldiers she had met. He might… just might even stick with them when he found out that the whole mission was a load of bunk, at least for Star Swirl’s sake. Or he could just shoot her there and then, she really didn’t know him well enough to tell.

Zenai sighed and shook her head at how depressed and self recriminating she was getting, an unfortunate consequence of being stuck with nothing to do but think after all her dishonesty had finally paid off. Fortunately she didn’t have the chance for further contemplation, the sudden alarm splitting the peace like a knife.

Everyone looked up as a red light came on next to the door to the driver’s compartment, the low alarm continuing to sound in a looping whine. Loose Trigger rolled off his bunk with a yawn, tired eyes gazing around as he tried to orientate himself. A solid thump shook the airship and Zenai couldn’t stop a shrill scream of panic escaping her mouth, looking around desperately for failing equipment or signs of attack, “What’s going on? Are we…?!”

“Don’t you worry none miss, just the engines engaging.” Trigger wiped a hoof across his eyes, giving a deep yawn and trotting over to the door, “Hey Ice Break, everything ok?”

The door opened and the mint blue Pegasus trotted out, his face grim and serious. Zenai would have been worried more by that if his face wasn’t always grim and serious, Ice Break having at some point gained a nasty scar across his face that stopped him from easily adopting any other expression. He didn’t look frantic at least, looking around to make sure everyone was listening before explaining himself, “We’ve hit the slip stream.”

Trigger raised an eyebrow, “We’re early.”

“Either Clear Skies was wrong, or the winds are changing.” Ice Break looked over at Trigger, tapping the side of the table, “It won’t be a problem, we’ll just have to adjust our course a little. I’ve already shifted us into the slipstream but it feels unstable, I’ll need you in there with me for a little while Loose Trigger.”

“Aye Captain.”

“And get your cold weather gear on, it’s looking stormy out there.”

Dust Kicker gave the frowning Pegasus an apprising look, stopping the Pegasus just as he was about to move off, “Hey Captain, just for the record. How’d you get your cutie mark?”

Zenai frowned in confusion, wondering what triggered the rather random question…

“Nice call.” Ice Break didn’t hesitate for a moment, looking down at the broken icicle that matched his name perfectly, “Got it guiding a squad of Enclave soldiers through the Crystal mountains, half their team injured, no supplies, their power armor down. Didn’t lose a man.”

Zenai blinked in disbelief at the story, “You did that before getting your cutie mark? How old were you?”

“Didn’t grow up in Stratusburg girl. My father guided people through Griffon territory for fifty years.”

“Don’t let his pretty face fool you, the captain is a true frontier stallion to the core.” Loose Trigger shot the pegasus an affectionate look, “Followed him twenty years now, never steered me wrong.”

Ice Break snorted, his expression not shifting an inch at the praise, “I’m pretty sure your memory’s getting selective about my decision making, but when it comes to weather…” A flash of lightning illuminated the cabin, the roar of the wind outside getting louder. Ice Break simply paused to regard it dispassionately, even as the low rumble of the thunder filled the air, “Well this isn’t the worst I’ve got through by far. Just buckle yourselves down, try not to vomit if we have to get fancy.”

Zenai felt a vague and rather embarrassing fear of flying come over her, increasing as the airship shifted under them at the wind’s howl. She looked outside, the rain coming down thick and fast now, outright hurled against the structure like missiles of exploding crystal. She was just three years old when Littlepip activated the SPP, she could honestly say she had never seen weather so violent, “We’re… not in any danger are we?”

“I think those two know what they’re doing.” Dust sighed, busy collecting some ropes that had been laid at the side of the room, “Just try to get some rest, it will make it a lot easier.”

Star Swirl swept the dice and chips off the table and into her saddlebag, expanding her wings slightly as she looked across at her friend, “If something goes wrong I can carry you.”

“In this weather?” Dust Kicker gave a low chuckle, “I’ve been in weather like this, when you can’t walk for ten minutes before you lose the feeling in your hooves and the urge to just lie down and sleep becomes impossible to resist. Trust me, your wings won’t do us any good out there.”

Zenai frowned at him, turning back to look out the window, “Well thanks so much for the reassuring words… what’s that?”

Dust raised an eyebrow, trotting over, “What’s what?”

“Is that a fish, or a…” Zenai focused on the object floating nearby, peering through the rain and darkness at the indistinct shape being thrown about in the churning waters, “I think it’s… it’s a boat!”

“It’s a box of corpses if it is.” Dust leaned over, shaking his head, “Whatever it is, it’s already breaking up.”

Dust was right, and as they got closer Zenai realized she was right too. It was a ship, made of metal by the looks of it and already falling apart against the colossal waves that were bombarding it. A wave of fear and concern overwhelmed her, her voice rising, “Mr… Mr Ice Break! You have to stop!”

There was a curse from the cabin, Ice Break trotting out in a sleek NCR jumpsuit, “What is this...?”

“It’s a ship, with people!”

Ice Break trotted over, his aging eyes struggling to pick out what Zenai was pointing to. He quickly located the object in question however, his expression calculating as he drew back, “They’d likely be already dead by the time we got there. Re-entering the slip stream during this weather would be very dangerous as well, it was difficult enough just now and the wind has only picked up since.”

Star Swirl suddenly spoke up in anger, her expression mirroring Zenai’s own, “We can’t just leave them!”

Ice Break whirled on her, his scarred face twisting in anger, “If your next words are to call me a coward, hold your tongue filly! We need one pegasi in the cabin, or at the very least on the Altostratus. That means we’ve only got one pegasus to mount a rescue, which means we’ll be risking all our lives for a single passenger aboard that vessel. It’s not worth the risk.”

Star Swirl’s wings expanded with an explosion of air, sending chairs scattering and almost knocking the table over. She strode forward, head raised and nostrils flaring, “I have wings too!”

“And a spine and voice, I honestly was beginning to wonder.” Ice Break faced her down, eyes as cold and hard as his name suggested, “But I’d still bet you don’t know the slightest thing about flying in this weather. Don’t know a single alicorn who does, there’s a reason you never heard about any sonic rainbooms from Celestia and Luna. You’re too big, too clumsy and too heavy. You won’t last five seconds out there.”

Star Swirl glared and advanced past him, Ice Break growling as he moved to stop her. She simply expanded her wing and sent him tumbling onto his side with embarrassing ease, the pegasus rolling back onto his hooves and barking an order, “Do not let her open that door!”

Dust Kicker sighed and calmly placed himself between her and the cargo bay, backing up until he had crates to either side. He smiled softly at the angry looking alicorn as she advanced, “Now come on Star Swirl, you know you don’t want to fight me…”

It seemed Dust Kicker didn’t know Star Swirl as well as he thought, the alicorn leaning her head down as sparks flew from her horn. Dust Kicker attempted to struggle but it was too quick, the earth pony thrown off his hooves and slammed against the wall by Star Swirl’s telekinesis. He slumped down as the alicorn trotted past, her magic flaring again to tear open the rear door before her with a blast of rushing air.

Zenai decided she had to speak up now, not about to watch her friend throw herself out an airship without saying something, “Please Star Swirl, we need to plan this, you can’t save all those people alone.”

“Looks like I’m going to have to.” She expanded her wings, her great feathers stretching almost all the way across the width of the airship, “Just try and convince them to wait for me.”

Ice Break snarled and broke into a gallop, shouting out a final warning, “Stop it you idiot mare, you’re going to…!”

She leapt, her wings expanding against the wind. For a second she honestly looked like some glorious alicorn goddess from time past, her form silhouetted against the raging storm…

And then the wind caught her, parachuting her wings behind her and flinging her hard into the Altostratus with a terrific clang. Zenai’s eyes shot round in horror as she watched Star Swirl’s struggling form, the alicorn cartwheeling by the window and into the raging storm with a look of frantic desperation. Ice Break simply watched her with mounting irritation, “That mare is the worst kind of idiot.”

Zenai almost shouted the words, rising panic filling her breast, “Help her!”

“Not going to happen. She has wings, she can take care of herself.” Ice Break cut off any protest by galloping forward, shooting past the recovering Dust Kicker and launching himself out the back door like a torpedo. Zenai rushed forward to watch in not a tiny bit of awe as he dived through the wind and rain, his wings plastered tight against his muscular form as he descended upon the stricken vessel.

“Did the captain just jump?!”

Dust Kicker growled at Loose Trigger’s shouted question as he pushed himself to his feet, “Keep us steady Trigger! And you…” He seized Zenai’s tail in his teeth and pulled her backwards, causing her to yell as she felt her roots tug and her body slide backwards along the increasingly damp floor, “…get away from the open cargo door before you become another casualty!”

“Yow! Gettoff!”

Dust paused, letting her tail drop as his jaw dropped open in incredulous amazement, “You… taste like strawberries.”

“I…” Zenai blushed, hoping not to reveal that little tidbit until a more appropriate moment. At least she knew it worked, “Can we discuss my care products some other time? Where’s Star Swirl gone?”

Dust Kicker’s fierce demeanor returned, giving her a cold glare before inching towards the rain soaked opening as his eyes searched the skies. Zenai wasn’t about to get her tail bitten again and so rushed to the window instead, looking about for any sign of the purple alicorn…

She was there, in the storm. She soared through the wind like a goddess, using her shield to cut her way through the elements. Spray was flung away from her in a rainbow of shattered light, the alicorn following Ice Break as they flew towards the stricken ship.

Ice Break had just reached the vessel, pulling up at the last moment clutching one, then two figures in his teeth as he passed. Zenai watched as he struggled to regain altitude, gasping as he dumped one back in the water and flew back upwards towards them with his remaining passenger still clutched tight.

Star Swirl on the other hand flew past him like a comet, managing to grab hold of three struggling figures with her magic. Zenai’s heart did a cartwheel as the alicorn misjudged her velocity and hit the water, flinging her magic downwards to force herself back into the air in a fierce explosion of crashing spray. She lost one of her passengers on the assent and quickly veered into a crazy arc to catch them between her teeth, driving her wings in fierce powerful beats in an attempt to catch up to the Altostratus. It was both inspiring and… insane. Zenai knew Star Swirl wasn’t the most athletic of ponies, and honestly had no idea how long she could keep this up.

She was distracted from her singular focus as Ice Break touched down in the cargo bay with a half drowned Zebra clutched in his teeth and his fur completely soaked through. He hurled his passenger sliding into the living area with a flick of his head before turning back to look down at Star Swirl below, “Celestia save us, that mare is crazy.”

Zenai looked back out the window, feeling the need to state the obvious, “She’s tiring…”

“Of course she is. She’s been pulsing magic constantly and she’s carrying three ponies near the equivalent of twice her body weight in gale force winds.” Ice Break rolled his eyes in annoyance before trotting back towards the exit, “But no matter how hard she’s trying to kill herself, I don’t lose my passengers.”

He dived again, Dust Kicker galloping over to check the unconscious zebra Ice Break had rescued. Zenai knew she should really help, still she couldn’t take her eyes off Star Swirl. The alicorn was now definitely struggling, her wing beats getting slower and her magic beginning to flicker slightly. Zenai actually had some bloodwing talismans stored at the bottom of their luggage somewhere, she was still wondering if she should have gone looking for them at the beginning…

Who was she kidding? It was taking everything Star Swirl had to stay on course and she was a strong, experienced flyer, Zenai would have gone spiraling into the sea near instantly if she tried to fly in this weather. She looked up at the black, stormy skies, wondering once again where this was coming from. Had they truly pushed all the bad weather out of Equestria and into the lands beyond? And if so, what did that mean for the Zebra territories?

“Zenai! Concentrate!”

She was knocked out of her daydream by Dust Kicker’s gravelly voice, the Stallion running towards the cargo entrance. She looked out the window again as Ice Break soared past Star Swirl and snatched a smaller figure from her grasp, spinning in mid air and hurling them up at the Altostratus. Dust Kicker was already ready, standing at the cargo entrance with a rope tied around his waist. His body tensed briefly before he leapt into the elements with a fierce yell.

“Dust Kicker!” Zenai galloped over in terror at the sight, realizing her mistake when she attempted to stop and near slid right over the edge as her hooves attempted to find purchase on the wet metal. Her dinner briefly attempted to escape as her muzzle poked over the edge, her hair quickly plastered against her skull as she spotted Dust Kicker swinging wildly below with a Zebra foal clutched in his hooves. She took a second to bury her sheer bedwetting terror before dancing back, locating the taught rope holding the pair and seizing it firmly in her teeth as she tried to pull them back up.

In retrospect she should have considered the possibility that all she would end up doing is looking like a moron, trying to pull two ponies back upwards with no proper leverage, both of them seized by gale force winds that sent them constantly swinging in random directions. A second or two after her face had gone bright red from the exertion an exhausted looking Ice Break landed beside her, throwing a… huge, wet, unidentifiable ball of fur through the air to land beside the Zebra they had previously rescued. He looked towards Zenai and she instantly released the rope with a completely abashed expression, Ice Break however could only stare back with a look of near total exhaustion on his rain sodden face.

Star Swirl landed a moment later, sweeping through the both of them and sending them all sprawling into the living area with a chorus of yells and swears. Zenai managed to escape being trapped at the bottom at least, rolling to a stop and just letting herself sink against the hard metal floor.

It was quiet now. Too quiet. She was eventually forced to ask, however inviting just lying here was, “Dust…”

“I’m here.”

“Oh good.” She could feel Star Swirl above her too, the familiar roughness of her wings on her back and the rasping of her breaths a short distance from her ear. She continued her mental list of possible disasters, keen to just lay here in clear conscience without anyone dying for a moment, “Star Swirl, are you laying on anyone?”

The alicorn’s voice sounded strange, raspy and sore, “I don’t think so…”

Dust Kicker spoke up again, “Your wings are tickling my ear.”

“Sorry…”

Star Swirl withdrew her wings back into her sides, Zenai taking the opportunity to stand up and take stock of the situation. Everyone was here, Star Swirl belly down on the ground next to her and Dust Kicker lightly resting against the alicorn’s side. Ice Break was in the far corner, coughing roughly into a bucket, a white unicorn pony she didn’t recognize beside him. Also arrayed around the room were the other survivors from the downed ship, the zebra buck and ball of fur joined by the zebra filly Dust had caught.

Zenai was the only one who hadn’t been caught in the rain, or really done anything to help so far. She drove that thought to the front of her mind as she kicked herself into action, running to the filly first.

She was a tough looking thing, much unlike those who had grown up in the relative safety of the post-gardens wasteland. Muscled and bearing an old scar across her side, Zenai quickly ascertained the filly was still breathing and out of immediate danger. The unicorn was another matter, even from this distance she could see that unlike the other casualties her chest wasn’t rising at all. She ran over to the mare but quickly stopped short, looking sadly down at the alabaster pony. Her neck jutted oddly where her spine had been displaced; her eyes open ever so slightly to reveal glazed, dead eyes. Zenai reassured herself that she had probably died instantly before turning back to the creatures she could still help.

She was instantly startled as a loud yell sounded out behind her, turning to see the big ball of fur up on his hooves and staring around with a look of wild terror in his small, beady eyes. It was only now that she realized what he was, his horns and muscular body structure clearly identifying him as a buffalo. Zenai was rather taken off guard by that, buffalo being a rare species even in the Equestrian Wasteland. She hesitated to even guess what he was doing on the open seas.
“Sabah, Prism! Ungh…” The huge creature stepped forward, his hooves instantly failing under him and dropping the massive beast the ground with a crash. His eyes filled with tears as he tried to crawl forward, giving a loud, painful roar and looking about desperately with unseeing eyes, “Prism, where are you! Call out for me, I’m coming!”

“Please sir, you are badly hurt. You will only injure yourself if you move any further.” Zenai galloped across to lean before him, keeping her voice low and sweet as she whispered in the great beast’s ear, “Please, you are safe now.”

The buffalo looked up at her, trying desperately to focus, “Sabah…?”

“Is Sabah a Zebra filly with a scar on her side?”

“Yes… yes…”

“Then she is safe too, and in good hands.”

The buffalo relaxed, his body sinking back into the ground and his breaths easing. After a moment his spoke again, forcing the words through his cold, exhausted body, “Diamond Prism… a white unicorn pony… please, is she safe too…?”

Zenai’s heart seized, forcing herself to keep the emotion from her voice as she lied, “She is with us too. Please, rest.”

The buffalo gave a soft sigh, a broad smile edging across his face before he finally lapsed into merciful unconsciousness. Zenai watched him for a second more before snatching a few blankets off Dust’s cot and draping them over the beast, hoping that would keep the hypothermia at bay until they could dry and heat him properly.

She set to each of them in turn, wrapping them up with all the blankets she could find and placing them close to the magitec engine for the extra warmth. Fortunately there weren’t any injuries she could see apart from a couple of teeth marks from Star Swirl and Ice Break’s tight grip, and none of them seemed to have swallowed any significant amount of sea water. Given that she was hopeful that they would all wake up unharmed once she had raised their core temperatures, giving each a healing potion just in case. She threw a few blankets across Star Swirl and and Dust too, just about to go over to Ice Break when Loose Trigger galloped out of the driver’s cabin and over to his bedraggled captain, a fluffy blue towel balanced on his wing “Damn Captain, I saw the whole thing! You sure haven’t gotten rusty!”

Ice Break grumbled in replay, shifting his matted mane aside with a hoof, “Get back into the cabin soldier, we’re not out of this storm yet.”

Trigger gave a grinning salute, “Aye captain, I’ll get us through this safe and sound! But you’re kidding if I was just going to let that go.”

The stallion trotted over and gave the older pony a kiss on the forehead, draping the towel across his head and sponging off the worst of the rainwater. Zenai tried to pull her eyes away from the pair as Ice Break’s horribly scarred face peered back at his subordinate through damp, ruffled fur, the stoic pegasi’s composure broken for just a moment as he nodded in gratitude, “Thank you soldier. Now get back to your station.”

“Yessir!”

Ice Break watched Loose Trigger go, waiting until the cabin door closed before shooting the blushing Zenai a harsh, piercing glare, “I’ll let you talk to the alicorn. Rest assured, she does that again and I’ll toss her out the cargo door myself.”

Zenai flushed, giving him an awkward nod, “Um… yes sir. Sorry sir.”

After their daring rescue in the face of improbable odds it wasn’t a surprise that the next hour passed quietly. Zenai’s patients had progressed as expected, all of them having now passed into a deep sleep that was only occasionally broken by moments of incoherent wakefulness. Diamond Prism had been cleaned and wrapped in a sheet by Star Swirl, the alicorn seeming to feel responsible for the unicorn’s death from what Zenai could observe. And observe was really all she could do, since Star Swirl hadn’t spoken a word since she woke up, whether by guilt, embarrassment or whatever Zenai could only guess. Dust occasionally looked like he was going to say something before thinking better of it, eventually announcing that he was going to get some sleep and retiring to his bunk.

Zenai actually jumped a little when she moved to check on the Zebra filly and the girl’s eyes flicked open, focusing on Zenai with a wary, distrustful glare as she shifted backwards slightly. She stayed in that position until she was sure Zenai wasn’t about to attack, her eyes quickly flicking around the room. She pushed herself onto her haunches, her voice rough and scratchy despite its youthfulness “Where’s Diamond Prism?”

Zenai really wasn’t ready for this, especially not to a young filly. Her courage failed instantly, “You’ve only just woken up…”

Her voice instantly raised to a piercing yell, muscles bunching as the Zebra pushed herself up onto her hooves to face up against Zenai, “Where is she!?”

“I…” Zenai shot a look at Star Swirl but the alicorn wasn’t any help, quite obviously hiding her face from view and pretending not to hear. She knew trying to protect this filly from the truth would only make her angrier though, Zenai mustering her courage and facing her, “She didn’t make it.” Zenai gulped noisily, trying not to babble and failing miserably, “I’m so, so sorry. We… we did what we could to save you all but...”

The filly’s lip trembled for a moment before she swallowed the emotion, her body tensing up as she silently tried to process this information. Zenai forced herself to remain quiet, the girl eventually lifting her head and speaking with an immense, crushing weariness, “Who are you? Why did you save us?”

Zenai looked about, realizing they must make a pretty strange looking group, “We’re from Equestria. We’re traveling to the Zebra homelands to make peaceful contact there.”

The filly seemed to find this deeply affecting, having to avert her gaze for a moment. Of course looking everywhere but at Zenai meant she eventually located the wrapped body at Star Swirl’s feet, her body tensing once more as if in pain. Her voice was totally without emotion as she asked the question, “Is that her?”

“I don’t think…”

“I want to see her.” The filly didn’t wait for confirmation, walking past Zenai and over to the body with slow, but only slightly hesitant steps. Zenai didn’t move to stop her, Star Swirl observing her with wide eyes for a moment before slowly backing away to give the Zebra filly some space. The filly stopped before the body and observed its shape for a moment before moving a hoof up to its face and shifting the sheet aside.

Zenai had to admit Star Swirl had done her job well, the unicorn’s eyes closed and her face peaceful, her mane brushed and laid across her body. The filly stared at her for some time before gently bending down and kissing the pony on the neck, breathing a prayer in what Zenai recognized as the Zebra tongue, “May the light of the moon and sun never leave you Diamond Prism, may it be from Celestia or the Allmother. Let the warmth of love guide you through the darkness, protect you on your journey home. Those left behind will keep your memory in our hearts, gaining strength to live on for your honor.”

It sounded like a prayer, though one she had never heard before. Zenai’s curiosity won over her feeling that she should really remain silent on such an occasion, “Was that… a zebra prayer?”

“I don’t know. It’s what my grandfather said at my parents’ funeral.” The filly stared down at Diamond Prism, her face calm and achingly soft, “Except for the part about Celestia of course. Diamond Prism believed in her, that she was still watching us from within the sun. She would probably have her own rites she would like to be performed, but… you’re from Equestria, do you know any prayers to Celestia?”

“There… aren’t any. Not really.” Zenai shook her head, wishing she knew more about it. She considered herself to have a reasonable education, but had to admit her knowledge of pony theology was limited, “There are funeral arrangements, but Celestia always insisted that her authority was temporal…” She shook her head clear, angry with herself for bringing scholarly arguments into this, “It doesn’t matter, what you said was beautiful… Sabah? Is that your name?”

The filly turned round, surprised and suspicious at her unexpected knowledge, “Yes… how did you know?”

“The buffalo woke up, he was calling for you.” Zenai looked over to the sleeping form of the massive creature, “The three of you were traveling together?”

Sabah followed her gaze to the sleeping buffalo, “Gentle Horn is a traveling merchant. He’s… not the smartest tool in the box, but he was nice enough to take me on. It’s a dangerous job and I can handle myself in a fight, and we were always banding together with other travelers for protection. Diamond Prism was one of them, and just… attached herself to us after a while.” Sabah looked back at the unicorn, pained affection in her eyes, “She was a traveling teacher and storyteller. She didn’t even ask for money, just donations to get her to the next place. She taught me how to read, and speak Equestrian.”

Zenai bit her lip, appalled by how matter of fact the filly was about it all, “I’m sorry.”

“I wish you could have met her. That’s…” For a second Sabah almost sounded like she was about to cry, however she quickly caught it and her voice filled instead with a quiet determination, “She wasn’t scared to die. She knew Celestia would take her and keep her safe, and that she had lived a good life. I’m just sad that you never got to meet her. She was a wonderful pony.”

Sabah made Zenai… ache. She was everything she hated about the wasteland, a tiny child who hadn’t even attained her spiral mark, so totally accustomed to death that she wouldn’t cry at the death of someone so obviously dear to her. She wanted more than anything to give the filly a hug but she got the feeling that Sabah would not appreciate any attempt to comfort her. She decided to keep things practical instead, “Where were you going?”

“Star Fall. It’s an island off the golden coast.”

“Then we can give you a lift, we’re heading there too.”

Sabah nodded, moving a hoof to gingerly touch Diamond Prism’s face. She etched it down her cheek before placing it back on the ground, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, “There’s supposed to be a Church of Celestia there, I should take Diamond Prism there. They’ll know what to do next.”

“There…” Zenai had no idea what to expect from Star Fall, but this certainly surprised her, “There’s a Church of… Celestia?”

“I… think so.” Sabah looked up at Zenai, her expression etched with confusion, “I’ve never been there, but they say it’s a land where all lost souls end up eventually. Diamond Prism was from there, she said that she sometimes wondered if it was the only place that survived the war, and the rest of the world was some horrible hallucination. That’s why it’s called Star Fall.”

“Why it’s called…?”

“The land of the damned. A monument to the world’s ending.” Sabah turned back to Diamond Prism, “It’s where she should be buried.”

It was quiet for a long time after that, Zenai eventually realizing that she couldn’t just stand here watching the filly mourn, “Do you want to be left alone?”

“Yes please.” Sabah looked over at the Buffalo, “Gentle Horn won’t take it well. Tell him not to talk to me ok?”

Zenai thought that was pretty cold, though she understood the sentiment, “Ok. Do you know who the other Zebra is?”

“No. Maybe one of the crew.” Her face contorted in contempt, “If he is, tell him not to talk to me either. I… if I find someone I can blame, I will tear their throat out with my teeth.”

“O… ok…”

“I mean it.” Sabah lay down beside Diamond Prism, her voice low and cold, “I haven’t survived in the wasteland on my own by being squeamish about how I kill, or what I eat.”

Zenai quite wisely shut up, Star Swirl heading over to the other side of the room to stare at the wall with grim intensity. Zenai’s thoughts were even more clouded now she had met one of the inhabitants of the Zebra wasteland, both curious and frightened to see what lay beyond.

Their first stop was Star Fall, land of Churches of Celestia and the countless lost and damned. It seemed as good a place as any to start.

_______________________

Footnote: Level up! (3)

New Perk added: Black Widow – “I can be a bad filly sometimes too...”
Not just a pretty face, your understanding of the weaknesses of the rougher sex give you a 10% bonus to damage against male opponents. Outside of combat, you'll sometimes have access to unique dialogue options when dealing with the opposite sex.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.3 - A Fallen Star

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Chapter 3 – A Fallen Star

Star Swirl stared listlessly out the window at the rolling clouds, attempting to fight off the crushing weariness that lay upon her.

Regret. It was all she ever seemed to do. It lay upon her, a hundred bad decisions and products of a weak will too easily led. She looked over to Zenai, the small zebra currently lost in a book. Her elegant little glasses sat upon a perfectly formed muzzle, smooth cheek bones and those deep and clear chocolate brown eyes completing the most perfect, impossible to resist face in the followers... perhaps the whole wasteland.

And Star Swirl couldn’t resist it. She felt it even now, the desire to trust, to do anything to gain her affection and approval. She had seen Zenai’s concern over those down in the sinking ship and her heart had instantly leapt to her lady’s aid, driving her to force her way past Ice Break and Dust Kicker and jump out a moving chariot into gale force winds. It had driven her to try and rescue as many as she could in a desperate attempt to look heroic... with disastrous consequences.

She hardly cared anymore that she had ended up looking stupid, that she had needed to be rescued herself in the end. Those were all vanities, self obsession next to her real crime. She looked back at the cargo bay, Diamond Prism’s body wrapped in ice for transport to Star Fall. She had been important to Sabah, to Gentle Hooves too.

Star Swirl had lost her grip on her, stupidly trying to use her magic for too many things at once. She had felt her telekinesis fail, felt the mare’s body drop... and she had pulled a turn that would had made the bravest pegasus pale. She had pulled it off, elation filling her heart as she soared for the falling unicorn and took her neck in her teeth, pulling her back into the air...

She had felt Diamond Prism’s neck go then. She hadn’t wanted to admit it but she should have accepted her shame, dropped her and saved the others. She had worn herself out carrying a corpse the rest of the way. A much loved mare she had killed with her irresponsible actions.

“Umbah...”

Star Swirl turned, ears pricking, “What?” She looked around for the source of the sound, face curling in shock as she saw the zebra whose motionless form had lain at the side of the room for the last few hours finally stir. His eyes swung sleepily around the room, Star Swirl spurring herself into action as she cantered over and knelt her huge form next down to the zebra, “Hey, are you ok?”

The zebra stared at the alicorn in cowering fear, beady eyes flicking about as he instinctively raised a hoof to guard his face. Star Swirl moved forward to reassure him but the zebra gave a high pitched scream and virtually slammed his body into the bulkhead behind, his voice cracked and high pitched as he shook his head back and forth, “Nightmare Moon, nonono... I’ve been a bad zebra, I know I’ve been a bad zebra, I deserve this, I know I deserve this, but please I’m not ready, I’m so so scared...”

Star Swirl clenched her teeth and shot Zenai a nervous look, “Zenai...”

“Just introduce yourself Star.” Zenai had placed her book down on the floor, waving a hoof as she looked over, “You are pretty intimidating.”

Star Swirl turned back to the terrified Zebra, voice shaking as she tried to sound as non-threatening as possible. It was a little harder by the fact that he was near across the other side of the room now, and every time she tried to get closer he would sound like he was about to burst out crying, “Um... my name is Star Swirl. I’m not Nightmare Moon, we’re from Equestria, we saved you from your ship.”

The zebra peeked through his front legs a little, “You’re... you are Nightmare Moon, you’re lying! You’re black, and you have horns and a wing, and you’re HUGE AND EVIL!”

Star Swirl... was a little hurt by that. Evil? She didn’t think she looked evil. Besides... “I’m... purple. Not black.”

“Same thing!”

Star Swirl opened her mouth again but honestly could think of nothing to say. If he was going to be so illogical then she wasn’t sure what she could say to make him trust her, “Zenai! Help!”

“Oh for...” Zenai finally trotted over, lifting her glasses with a hoof as she rounded on the zebra, “Listen to me!”

The zebra turned, eyes wide, “Uh...”

“You’re not dead, and this isn’t Nightmare Moon. We pulled you out of that water, you’re fine.”

“I am...?” The zebra looked down at his hooves for a moment or two, his expression disbelieving. He looked up at Zenai, tears welling up.... and launched himself forward, wrapping her in a tight hug and sobbing into her back, “Oh thank you, thank you!”

“Uh...” Zenai stood frozen in shock for a moment or two before shining Star Swirl a cheeky grin, “Star Swirl, help?”

“Right.” Star Swirl took hold of the zebra with her telekinesis, gently floating him into the air as Zenai slipped from his grasp. He struggled desperately, all the more when he saw that it was Star Swirl who had taken hold of him. She silenced any further shouting with the sternest look she could manage, looking in his eye, “What’s your name?”

“F... Fenku mistress Nightmare Moon...” He gulped under her stern gaze, biting his lip hard, “If it pleases you that is...”

Ok, she was losing her patience now, “My name is Star Swirl.”

The Zebra tensed, as if he feared she would strike him, “I couldn’t call you by your name mistress! You would rightly be driven to flay the skin from my bones for such a disrespectful act!”

“You... you are not calling me Nightmare Moon. Or alicorn. Or anything but my name.” Star Swirl was losing her temper now, her nervousness lost and her voice now low and deadly serious, “My name is Star Swirl. Say it!”

“Y... yes mistress Star Swirl mistress...” The zebra cowered in terror, again looking close to tears, “Please don’t hurt me...”

He really shouldn’t have tempted her, Star Swirl releasing her telekinesis to dump the simpering idiot onto his head with a thump. He sprawled with a yell, Zenai opening her eyes wide in surprise before shooting Star Swirl a harsh glare, “Star!”

Star Swirl instantly felt guilty, looking down at the zebra sobbing on the floor. He had been scared of her, rightly so. She must have looked like something out of his nightmares, and he was likely still disorientated after just waking up. To see her looming over him... “Zenai, I’m sorry. I don’t know...”

“It’s ok Star.” Zenai gave her a sympathetic look, “You need rest, I’ll take it from here.”

Star Swirl frowned, feeling like Zenai was just trying to get rid of her, “You haven’t rested much either Zenai.”

“I wasn’t out in that rain.” Zenai smiled softly, “Besides... you scare him. I can handle it from here.”

“Fi..fine...” Star Swirl shook off the certain urge to cry, cursing her overactive emotions as she fled into the cargo bay. She needed to be alone, away from distractions and ponies to embarrass herself in front of. She stopped as she passed the crate they had stored Diamond Prism in, her energy failing and her legs collapsing under her as she sank to the ground and let a few tears drop to the floor.

Why was she such a waste of space? She didn’t even know anymore.

“Why Star Swirl? Tell me, how does this make sense?”

Star Swirl turned her head ever so slightly to stare upon Thunder Crash, the male alicorn’s mighty form tensed in simmering rage. She had seen it too many times to be intimidated now, even if he could shatter her in half if he wanted to. It mostly made her sad, “I like being female.”

“That’s... fair enough...” Thunder Crash’s anger faded back into frosty regality like it had never been there, his muzzle proudly lifted in the air as he paced the small room. He gazed across the desk, filled with census reports and research data. He regarded it for a little while before speaking, blunt and cold and piercing as always, “You have ever been selfish Star Swirl.”

Star Swirl had to dig deep to repress her anger towards the arrogant little bastard, keep to the same meek, passive aggressive defiance that had worked so well in the past. The bitter fact was that for once it wasn’t because she was scared of hurting him if she got angry, unlike the ponies she normally worked with Thunder Crash was perfectly capable of fighting back... handily winning any confrontation, “It’s my life.”

“No, it is not!” Thunder Crash glared at her, his hoof striking the floor, “Your race needs you, you know this! In the ten years since the zebra created the potion allowing us to breed we have birthed under a hundred healthy children! We need all we can get!”

“I don’t want any part of it.”

He advanced on her with a dangerous look in his eyes, a little too close for comfort, “As a mare you could birth a good ten healthy alicorns before your suitability ends. As a stallion you could seed four times that.”

Seed? She shuddered at his choice of words, not out of prissiness but for the total lack of emotion there. Was that really what he thought about it? “If you think that way you should breed brahmin, not ponies.”

“I... I do not mean it that way.” Thunder Crash backed off a little from her quiet, angry words, clearly frightened by her implications for a moment. He quickly returned to his haughty tone of course, his voice was less sure now however, “We work hard to make good matches, built on mutual compatibility and love. If you wish it can even be a totally physical arrangement, no need for any entanglement. You can perform your duty for your people before... doing whatever you wish with all those griffon and zebra and whatnot.”

Star Swirl finally lost it. She rose up to full height, her magic flaring and her mane crackling as it charged with static, “Excuse me?”

“She’s straight you know, your zebra friend.” Thunder Crash smiled, not remotely threatened by her display, “As a stallion, maybe you would actually have a chance.”

Star Swirl was taken off guard by his sudden implication, her magic fading a little as she stuttered, “I... I want her to like me, myself...”

“Don’t be naive. They all want a mare to be demure, small, cute. You are huge, intimidating... my, you’re not even that pretty are you?” Thunder Crash smirked, finally making no secret of his enjoyment at hurting her like this, “It will be easier for all of us if you just accept my offer.”

Star Swirl bit her lip to hold back the tears, knowing it was true. Even those who did want an alicorn girl wanted a regal princess, not a plain faced nerd like her. Maybe it would be easier if she did just bow to the pressure, “Why are you saying these things, being so cruel...?”

“Because you are a selfish, stuck up little mare still obsessed with the past, mocking my attempts to drag the alicorn into the future.” He drew himself up, eyes cruel and angry, “Because I’ve spent so long trying to be nice to you, and this is how you repay my patience.”

Star Swirl felt her muscles twitch, a dark flame growing in her heart, “It’s appropriate really, how you look so much like her.”

Thunder Crash frowned, “Like who?”

“Like Trixie. You’re just as bad, just like the goddess.” Star Swirl looked Thunder Crash straight in the eye, almost horn to horn with him now, “You’re not doing us a service, you’re forcing us into your breeding project against our will. When I tell Violet Remedy what you’re doing...”

Thunder Crash struck Star Swirl across the face with a powerful swipe of his hoof, near breaking her jaw and flinging her to the ground with a crash. She coughed as her head span from the impact, feeling a loose tooth rolling around in her mouth. He had... really hit her. She wasn’t fragile, he hadn’t held back at all.

“You tell Violet Remedy and she’ll shut down this project. The zebra will stop making the potions and we’ll all die out, the whole alicorn race extinct because of you].” He slammed a hoof down right next to her head with enough force to crack the concrete, leaning down to look the fallen alicorn in the eye, “Go, I will not ask you again. I never want to see you again in fact, you can go out there with your zebra friend and follow her around like a little love addled pony all you want. And on the day when you finally get up the courage to tell her how you feel... remember, I wanted to give you a chance.”

Star Swirl stood, gingerly trying to keep her head as still as possible as her ears buzzed with a high pitched whine, “I...”

“GO! GET OUT OF HERE!”

She did.

“What are you thinking about?”

Star Swirl poked her head up in surprise, quickly locating Zenai staring at her from behind a crate. She quickly lifted herself up onto her hooves, averting her eyes in embarrassment, “Nothing important.”

Zenai smirked, “Nothing huh? All on your own, hidden away, and you can’t even look at me when I ask?”

Star Swirl wasn’t in the mood, glaring at the zebra, “Zenai!”

“What?” She trotted over, as normally totally unphased by Star Swirl’s empty threats, “Tell me.”

Star Swirl sighed. Zenai had many qualities, (ridiculously pretty, smart, cunning, willing to spend time with the most defective alicorn in the wasteland) but just as many flaws, being a busybody one of them. And as normal Star Swirl didn’t hold out for long, “Just thinking about Thunder Crash.”

“Realllly... missing him?”

Star Swirl raised an eyebrow, “He’s a bastard. I hate him.”

“That’s what they all say. Personally I think you’re very well matched.” Zenai chuckled, an impish smile dancing across her face, “You’re both stubborn, opinionated and unsociable, not to mention you’re both charmingly asexual. You could make little test tube babies together!”

Star Swirl blushed fiercely, adding a dash of anger about the fact that this was exactly what Thunder Crash wanted from her. The jerk could play with his jars of sperm all he wanted, Star Swirl wasn’t letting him anywhere near her! Which she noted, didn’t mean she was... “You think I’m asexual?”

“You’re not?” Zenai smirked, strutting slightly as she danced past Star Swirl’s towering form. Her eyes lingered across certain areas of Star’s body, laughing as the alicorn retreated a little and attempted to cover herself up, “Star, I’ve seen you attract interest from dozens of guys, but when they try anything you just run away. I’ve seen you run away from at least one girl too, so it’s not that...”

Star Swirl’s blush only got fiercer, “Wha... who?”

“Leon?”

“He... he was just playing around. He’s surrounded by gorgeous mares of his own species, why would he be interested in me?”

Zenai sighed, shaking her head, “Star, if this is because you’re scared of getting hurt... yeah, Leon’s a player, but I’m not telling you to marry him. He likes you, likes being around you and he finds you attractive. That’s more than enough reason to enjoy some fun together... see, look at you! You can’t even look at me.” Zenai chuckled, “Don’t you like griffons? They’re not as large as ponies, but you’ll be surprised what they can do with it...”

“Zenai!”

“Hey, what about Dust Kicker? You seem to like them rough and dirty, and you seemed to be getting along well in there...”

Star Swirl’s eyes opened so wide her eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets, “What?! No!”

Zenai giggled, “Sure, he’s got a few years on him. Still the older stallions know how to please a woman in ways other than ‘locate vagina, insert penis, repeat until done’, and I think you would need a bit of foreplay.”

Star Swirl wasn’t playing around now, “Go away.”

The zebra chuckled into her hoof, “You’re such a prude Star. I’m going to leave you to wallow, just don’t forget to come out eventually. We’ll be in Star Fall within the hour.”

Star Fall. Zenai had been off by half an hour in the end, and overall they were behind schedule by six hours. The crossing had been tougher than expected for sure but now their destination loomed out of the sea like a jagged tooth, the wall of the volcanic Mandela collapsed on one side so it rose into a single flat edge. The rock was near black in colour and further jagged spears of ebony reached upwards from the island below. It was only when they got closer that they realised what they were.

The island was a fortress.

Iron walls surrounded it on all sides, forged out of rusted iron bulkheads that looked like they had been torn from a battleship. Great towers broke the walls at set intervals, mounted with massive cannons that looked like they could punch a hole through an enclave ship with a single hit. And from those walls jetties jutted out like spider’s legs, hosting an armada of grim, deadly looking vessels that nearly all seemed to be armed and armoured for battle. The steel towers inside the walls Star Swirl now recognised as mountings for zebra intercontinental ballistic missiles, similar to the ones that had born many of the megaspells that had devastated Equestria. They jutted up from open silos, both them and the hangers below home to a host of haphazardly constructed buildings, joined by a web of gantries and walkways.

And flags flew everywhere, of all colours and creeds. Star Swirl spotted both the Equestrian and Zebra flags, along with many featuring motifs from their military and civilian sectors. Every ministry except Image was represented, and a couple showed the mares of the ministry themselves, both together and singularly. The wartime Caesar was also prominent along with a host of other zebra Star Swirl wasn’t familiar with, and many of the flags featured images she recognised from zebra mythology.

A great banner hung from the side of the mountain, a blue standard featuring the image of a single star falling down to earth, picked out in silver. It was repeated in many of the flags below, sitting above a vast, breathtaking carving of an alicorn and a dragon that had been hewn out of the very rock. It was either still being carved or was under repair considering the scaffolding that covered it, still it was quickly obvious that the alicorn was Princess Celestia and the dragon... was Irdenragoth, mother of all dragons if the markings were any indication.

It was breathtaking. If Celestia’s presence in zebra territory was any indication, the carving had been made post war, wiping all previous smug opinions of Equestrian superiority off the map. Star Fall was a military and cultural superpower, even without the SPP or Gardens of Equestria, “This is... amazing... New Canterlot has nothing on this...”

Dust however could only frown, “What’s wrong with this picture?”

Zenai giving a knowing nod, her mouth also curled into a frown, “I... I know what you mean. This place doesn’t make sense.”

Star Swirl looked again, unsure what they were looking at. It seemed pretty amazing to her, “What do you mean? There’s houses, art, civilisation...”

“Fields? Mines?”

“Wha... what?”

Zenai sighed, turning to giving Star Swirl a somewhat patronising look as she explained, “There must be room for thousands down there, and I can see factories too. But that just raises the question of where they get their food from, or the iron, coal and steel for their forges. Especially in the quantities required to support artistic projects like that carving.”

Dust nodded, giving said carving another look, “Is that Celestia?”

Zenai nodded, “And that’s the Allmother, considered a goddess by the zebra, mother of all Dragons. She was born within the fires of the sun itself, her flame the light of life and destruction.” She smiled softly as she clarified her statement, “At least, that’s the mythology. She fought on the side of the Zebra during the war, until she was killed in battle.”

“Some goddess.”

“Celestia died too remember, and there is some evidence that the Allmother was at the very least the elder of the two.” Zenai waved at the statue, looking for all the world like some over enthusiastic tour guide now, “Anyway, though we have few examples of wartime zebra propaganda, second hand references indicate depicting her in battle against Celestia and Luna was a popular image. I presume this is along the same lines.”

Dust raised an eyebrow, “Actually, it looks like they’re dancing.”

“Maybe it’s supposed to be ambiguous.”

“We’re getting a communication from Star Fall.” Ice Break’s gruff voice called out over the intercom, breaking the discussion off, “I’m going to put it through.”

“This is Star Fall aerospace, please identity yourself over.”

“This is the Altostratus II, registered with the New Canterlot Republic of Equestria. We have trade goods and envoys, and wish to meet with your representatives.”

“Good to see that you’ve finally sent those reinforcements Equestria. We here at Rainbow Command requested them 219 years ago, you’re a little late.”

Dust gave a look of confusion at the message, where as Star Swirl was amazed for a few brief moments before feeling the need to slap her head for missing something so obvious. She gave Zenai an exited grin, “Zenai, it’s Rainbow Command!”

“So it is... wow.” Zenai shook her head, “I would have assumed they would be the first hit.”

Dust gave the two of them dirty looks as they shared their secret little joke, “What’s Rainbow Command?”

“It was formally known as Mount Abad, a staging area for attacks against Equestria. One of the six ‘black fortresses’ that guarded the approach to the Zebra mainland.” Zenai smiled broadly, looking down at the city fortress below, “It was captured three months before the end of the war, and was repurposed as the command centre for the Royal Equestrian Joint Forces.”

“It... it’s ours?”

“It’s totally intact by the looks of it.” Zenai grinned, “What you are looking at is the staging ground for over seven thousand ponies of the Equestrian armed forces. Looks like we’re not as alone as we thought over here.”

The touched down on a landing platform at the base of the volcano, passing crowded streets and hastily constructed residences, seemingly inhabited by beings of every colour and species under Celestia’s sun. The place was somewhat typical of post war construction, reminding Star Swirl of New Applelosa with its collection of hastily repurposed pre war junk making up the majority of the construction materials. Some neighbourhoods looked downright dangerous, with badly rusted supports and trickles of sewage flowing through gutters at the edges of streets. What distinguished the place though were the icons and artwork that had so amazed her from a distance, because they were absolutely everywhere she looked. Not a single shop appeared to lack a wildly painted sign and she could actually see several murals currently in construction throughout the streets. She couldn’t begin to understand why there was so much art here, but personally wished she saw more of it in Equestria. The overall effect was... breathtaking.

The Altostratus II settled in the dock, the landing gear bending and locking with a solid clunk. Dust leapt down from his cot and gave a loud yawn, retrieving his hat and setting it down upon his head as he passed the cabin, “Beautiful landing gentlecolts, much appreciated.”

“Eh, don’t want to make a bad first impression by damaging their fancy landing pad.” Ice Break trotted out, followed by a rather sleep deprived Loose Trigger. They both gave a short, messy salute, “Proud to fly you all. I think we’ll stay here, get some rest and make sure the Altostratus is in top shape for the trip to the mainland. We’ll likely be ready to go in two days or so, so take all the time you need to look around.”

“Thank you Captain.” Zenai nodded appreciatively before turning to Sabah and Fenku, “What are you planning to do?”

“Gentle Hooves needs to be taken to a doctor, and Diamond Prism to the Church of Celestia.” Sabah motioned bluntly at the slightly trembling zebra standing beside her, “Fenku is going to help me.”

“It is the least I can do for mistress Sabah...”

“Shut up.”

“Y...yes mistress...”

Star Swirl retreated a little so she didn’t have to look at Sabah, the little firecracker still pretty terrifying. She still remembered her comment about ripping out throats and eating people, noting that given her size Star Swirl would likely never see her coming. Perhaps it was for the best they were splitting up, as despite the need for Star to admit her guilt she had the feeling that conversation was never going to go well.

“Star Swirl! You coming?”

“Uh, sure Zenai.”

The zebra just shook her head as Star Swirl came trotting over, turning and leading her towards the exit, “Are you going to wear a cloak?”

“Why? We’re not hiding what I am are we?”

“I guess not.”

As arranged Zenai was the first to exit, with Dust Kicker and Star Swirl moving behind. Star Swirl tried to calm her beating chest as they emerged into the light, emerging into the walled enclosure of the dock. Their welcome committee was already waiting.

The zebra at the front seemed pretty obviously a leader, huge and bulky with prominent cybernetics in place of his left foreleg and eye. He was wearing what appeared to be a zebra centurion uniform with a blue half cape bearing the Star Fall emblem, his whole body covered in cuts and burns from what looked like a lifetime of battle. He wasn’t armed, but the minotaur and earth pony standing behind made up for it with a chainsword and heavy assault rifle apiece. Star Swirl couldn’t help but be worried for a second before feeling a little reassured as the lead zebra gave them all a wide grin, “Guests of the great New Canterlot Republic, we greet you as friends! Welcome to Star Fall, resting place for the lost and damned!”

Dust replied instantly, rather bluntly Star Swirl thought, “Which ones are we?”

“We are all damned brother.” The Zebra grinned, showing rows of gold teeth, “We died when the megaspells fell and our world burned, damning us forever to live in the hell of our own making. Have you not listened to the priests?”

Dust actually smiled at this, “I make the point not to listen to preachers. Even if I am damned, no point worrying about it now.”

“Then you may have come to the wrong place brother.” The zebra chuckled as he moved up to greet them, “We have priests like other cities have rats, and not a one would put a good price on the purest of soul!”

Star Swirl was a little intimidated by the loud, powerful zebra, and was a little confused as to why Dust Kicker was so at ease with him. After a moment she began to feel at ease too however, smiling at the fact that after all Zenai’s silver tongue and careful studies it had been Dust who had made the good first impression.

“But pardon my manners, I have yet to introduce myself.” The zebra gave a villainous smirk, an effect made even more impressive and hammy by his gold teeth, “I am General Themba, commander of the Star Fall defences and member of the ruling council of this city. The men with me are two members of my guard, whose job it is to keep the peace.”

Zenai looked across the pair, her eyes betraying an obvious pang of fear, “They look impressive.”

“They are.” Themba looked them all straight on, his voice edged with utter seriousness now, “We have faced many threats over the years, both internal and external. Both have been put down with utter ruthlessness. Visitors from Equestria over the last few years have informed us that the Enclave is mostly destroyed, is that correct?”

Zenai gave him a look of suprise, “You know of the Enclave?”

“Oh yes, our first taste of post war equestrian civilisation.” Themba waved a hoof towards the city, “They ended up... there somewhere.”

“In the city?”

“In the ocean.” Themba gave a wide grin, completely devoid of warmth, “We take threats to our people and sovereignty very poorly. As a guest here you will find the people are tolerant of many things, but should you anger us you will find very little due process. Is that understood?”

Zenai nodded, a little too quickly in Star Swirl’s eyes, “Yessir, very.”

Themba’s friendly demeanour returned immediately at her reassurance, his wide grin spreading across his face, “Good! As for your request before you landed, I have already arranged a meeting with the council. Our master of trade Mistress Golden Dawn requests that you allow her first look at your wares, you may discuss future deals with her.”

Star Swirl was about to speak up in response to this, unfortunately as always she hesitated a bit too long and Zenai answered before she had a chance, “She sounds like a pony. What percentage of the population are ponies and zebra?”

That’s what she was going to ask... not quite as eloquently, admittedly.

“Percentages? We’re not much for censuses missy, and we have all sorts here.” Themba sighed, giving her a wry grin, “I see the look in your eyes, you’re after a history lesson. You want to know why those goofballs were talking about Rainbow Command, or why there are ponies still here.”

“This was the military base for the Equestrian army.” Star Swirl blurted it out before anyone could interrupt, going pale as every eye turned to her. She took the opportunity to elaborate, voice shaking slightly as she tried to phrase it in a way that didn’t sound speciest, “I’d say the real question is why there are zebra here...”

Zenai certainly seemed to take it the wrong way, glaring daggers at her friend, “Star Swirl! This was a zebra base long before...”

“No, that’s not what she meant. It’s actually the reason we’re all here, why Star Fall is the way it is.” Themba chuckled, waving them on, “Come on, let’s go into the city. I’ll explain it on the way.”

“As you probably know, Star Fall used to be Mount Abed, one of the fortresses of the zebra nation. It was taken late in the war and renamed Rainbow Command, after the commanding officer Rainbow Dash. For those three months it served as a staging ground for hit and run attacks at zebra military assets, in preparation for a full assault by some secret weapon Equestria was developing.”

They followed along behind Themba, the zebra leading them through the customs area of the port and out into the city itself. It all seemed well organised, if poorly maintained and very well armed, everywhere Star Swirl looked there were armed guards and automated turrets. They obviously were very concerned about security in here, she was beginning to see why the Enclave had left this place well alone, “The alicorns?”

“They didn’t leave details just lying around in frontline bases. It’s pretty much history now anyway, what matters is that on the day the megaspells launched this place was home to two divisions of the Equestrian army and the supreme commander of the invasion forces, North Star, along with a large number of prisoners of war.” Themba led them all through the main doors and out into the light, waiting for their eyes to adjust before pointing out into the distance at the massive launching towers that rose above the city, “Naturally the zebra avoided any flight plans that could be intercepted by the forces here, and soon distress calls and desperate orders from Equestria started filtering through. Manehatten was confirmed as being hit, and then Cloudsdale, and then they lost communication entirely. The final orders were clear. A full strike on the zebra, with the aim of wiping out their civilian population. Equestria had already launched their strike, and Rainbow Command was required to join the assault.”

Zenai’s eyes widened, “They... ordered the targeting of the civilian population?”

Themba smirked back at her, drinking in her horror at the concept, “The zebra certainly did.”

“But... how could anyone ever...”

“In fairness, the orders were rambling and poorly typed, signed by adjutant director Pale Rain of the Ministry of Technology liaison office and Lieutenant Commander Silver Edge, justified by reports that the Fillydelphia, Manehattan and Canterlot military command centres had stopped broadcasting and all government and military leaders were likely dead.” Themba chuckled, “They were well within their rights however, the orders were legitimate and North Star was bound to follow them.”

Star Swirl felt she was getting a little too into this story, still she let herself go with it and felt herself leant forward as she asked the obvious question, “Did he do it?”

Themba grinned at her enthusiasm for a moment before answering, “He ordered the megaspells taken out of the missiles here, replacing the yields with conventional explosives. That done, he announced his orders to the launch teams. All missiles were to be targeted on the megaspells approaching from Equestria.”

Dust Kicker burst out laughing, a dry, coughing sound from deep in the old stallion’s chest. He eventually got himself back under control, still grinning as he barked his response, “The mad, daring fool. He knew Equestria was likely already destroyed, and that Rainbow Command would not be able to support itself without resources from the mainland. He protected the zebra, because they were his only hope.” Dust shook his head in quiet awe, “But he can’t have gotten away with it, his men had just seen their home and families wiped out.”

“He told them those exact reasons, and had all those who disagreed rounded up and thrown in the brig. Those who attempted to actively delay the launch were shot.” Themba laughed as he turned back to his city, “He was no pacifist zebra lover, nor hater. His plan was simple. In order to save what was left of Equestria they needed resources, therefore he targeted those megaspells aimed for the fertile golden coast and left alone those targeted at government and military targets. He gave a mass call to all zebra prisoners, accept his leadership and he would support them in saving what was left of their families and civilisation. Those who didn’t accept were shot.”

“He had control of an intact military base armed for full invasion, and the zebra army had been wiped out.” Dust laughed again, “He was likely the most powerful pony in the world at that point, bar the leaders of the Enclave.”

“Indeed. And yes, sadly attempts to reach Equestria ended up leading to conflict with said Enclave, and eventually the newly named nation of Star Fall became content with its zebra dominions.” He waved them on, the group heading down the steps towards the twisting streets of the city itself, “Over time many have flocked here, survivors from all over the world. We replaced the military dictatorship with a council of four, of which I am one. The others are Golden Dawn, in charge of trade, Mint Engine, in charge of infrastructure and Pangaea in charge of our fleets.”

Star Swirl took the opportunity to state the question that had been so bugging her, “Why is there so much art about?”

“Well that’s a matter of history too.” Themba turned his head to her, “The world was ash. Everything we ever made was gone. They flocked to Star Fall having lost everything, their families, histories, cultures... It was a memorial wall at first. Then a mural. Then a statue.”

Tributes to a world burned. Star Swirl looked at a sign hanging nearby, a music shop by the look of the delicately painted image of the pre-war musician Octavia there. Star Swirl knew of only three recordings of her that had survived.

Star Swirl’s awe at the industrial grandeur of the city continued as they passed through its streets, admiring the murals and stunning variety of species that filled every street and alley. There was one thing that was spoiling her enjoyment of the moment though, and though it was something she expected she certainly never thought it would be like this.

Everyone was staring at her, every eye in the city widening at her wings and horn. She had experienced this before of course, especially in the years directly following the Goddess’s death. The emotions then had been mostly fear though, which she could deal with. She wasn’t remotely scary unless she lost her temper, and she scared herself more than anything when that happened. No, she could deal with fear.

Some of these people were bowing to her! Their eyes passed across icons of Celestia and Luna and their eyes filled with religious awe, some of them muttering what sounded like prayers under their breath. It was mortifying! She was no more worthy of being compared to them than she was to... she didn’t quite know how to finish that thought, but she was sure that even being mentioned in the same sentence as them made her physically sick. She wasn’t like them, she was... a sick science experiment, created to commit genocide for a twisted abomination from the nightmares of all decent ponies. She should have worn a cloak, they had discussed it after all. Why didn’t she listen!?

Star Swirl’s rising discomfort was relieved somewhat as Zenai looked in her direction, eyes filling with concern, and then anger. She shot Themba a piercing look, her voice low and fierce, “Why are they staring at her? Make them stop.”

“How am I going to do that? Shoot them all?” Themba chuckled, seeming to be enjoying himself, “Celestia and Luna are very popular religious figures, especially in Star Fall. Don’t mistake me, we have heard some things about Equestria and a fair few people here might have heard of the alicorns. That doesn’t mean actually seeing one in the flesh won’t inspire some religious terror in those more used to seeing their like on holy icons.”

“But they’re scaring her!” Zenai’s voice filled with concern, looking back at Star Swirl, “She’s not... some goddess. She doesn’t deserve to be stared at like this.”

“It’s ok Zenai. I... maybe I should stand a little straighter.” Star Swirl gulped, trying to look as regal as she could. She didn’t really think she was succeeding, which was ironic since many people had told her that she was really good at looking dignified whenever she was daydreaming.

When her actual personality wasn’t getting in the way, in other words. It was comments like that which made her wish that she was some diminutive little earth pony, instead of some living insult to real goddesses.

“Star Swirl, stop it. You’re just going to encourage them!”

Star Swirl blushed, instantly sinking back down in contrition, “Sorry... I thought they deserved to see a real alicorn...”

“They don’t deserve anything... creepy little voyeurs, didn’t anyone ever tell them it was rude to stare...”

This made Star Swirl smile, a warm little flame lighting in her soul as she saw Zenai get so angry on her behalf. She was aware that it was rather pathetic and Zenai had said as much, still Star Swirl couldn’t help the fact that she was never more comfortable than when she was being mothered. Personally she thought Zenai was never more beautiful than when she was being a mother.

Was that messed up? She couldn’t actually remember her real mother. Except for the Goddess.

Celestia above, was she secretly attracted to the Goddess?

Her freudian analysis was deferred for the moment as she spotted activity welling up in the distance, something appearing to be passing through the crowds. Being taller than most she had a reasonably good view of what appeared to be a set of ponies in white robes, turning her head as the minotaur guard gave a snort of amusement, “Ya want these bastards to stop staring? Talk to her.”

“Talk to...” The crowds parted in reverence, several within actually bowing their heads as the procession of robed ponies approached. All were dressed in pure white and gold, Star Swirl amazed that they could maintain such an impractical colour combination in these dirty surroundings. Their hoods were up for the most part but Star Swirl could see a few zebra within the group, their leader however wore hers down to reveal a... breathtaking pure white unicorn, “Oh... wow.”

She was... both inspiring and adorable to look at. Her curly blue and green mane was worn long, her light pink eyes set into a long, dignified muzzle that bore a reassuring smile full of soft kindness. The emblem set into her robe where her cutie mark should be completed the effect, the sun picked out in golden thread. She smiled warmly at Star Swirl’s expression, only briefly hesitant in stepping up to meet the much larger alicorn, “So you are the new arrival I have heard so much about. My, you are an impressive specimen aren’t you?”

Zenai frowned slightly at the unicorn, and her interest in Star Swirl, “Who are you?”

The unicorn bowed her head regally, shooting a twinkling smile at a grinning Themba before introducing herself, “I am Sunshine Ivory, leader of the Church of Celestia’s name. As such it is truly a pleasure to meet visitors from Equestria itself.”

Themba laughed, the harsh barking sound discordant in the face of Sunshine Ivory’s twinkling tones, “How did you know they were from Equestria Ivory? You been spying on us again?”

“My dear Themba, this is an alicorn. A creature born from the work of Twilight Sparkle, most beloved of Celestia. They are only found within Equestia.” She lifted a hoof to her jaw, inspecting Star Swirl with an appraising eye, “I have often dreamed of meeting one myself, especially now they are free of the influence of the goddess.”

Zenai gave her a questioning look, “You are very well informed.”

“We get occasional news from trade links through the southern desert, and even the occasional Equestrian visitor who got lucky passing through Caesars curse.” Sunshine Ivory chuckled, looking back at Star Swirl, “Even a few alicorn, though they haven’t been friendly. One even attempted to take over the church before we realised the dark influence that drove her.”

Star Swirl opened her mouth to ask the question, but as normal Zenai beat her to it, “Caesar’s curse?”

Sunshine Ivory looked over at the zebra in suprise, “You do not know of it? Oh, I suppose you would not call it such would you?” She smiled benevolently, “Have you not wondered why there have been no immigrants from the zebra lands and Star Fall, why ships that pass this way just disappear?”

Zenai frowned, the cogs in her head turning, “Uh... yes actually. I kinda assumed there was no civilisation advanced enough to make the crossing, but you’ve proved that wrong.”

Sunshine Ivory smiled, “You might notice our city is built mostly from the remains of the great sea going vessels of the Equestrian navy, built to bypass the zebra air defences that protected their homeland. The great lord Caesar quickly realised this weakness of course, and used dark magic to summon up a storm of misfortune across the entire Equestrian coastline. It remains in place to this day, cutting off sea travel between our nations.” She nodded to Zenai, “This is called Caesar’s curse among the people of this land.”

Dust gave her a questioning look, his head darting back towards the dock where the Altostratus was parked, “We made it.”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled musically, “Air travel is indeed possible, though treacherous. Until recently however the Enclave had a tendency to shoot down anything travelling that way, and sadly Star Fall no longer possesses any working air power save our pegasi... who sadly are none among them as durable as your Clear Skies.”

Dust gave a wry smirk, “She passed through that storm by herself? I’m really interested to meet this mare now.”

“She is an interesting one.” Sunshine Ivory stated it with deadpan innocence, smiling to herself for a moment or two before looking up at Star Swirl, “My dear, I should leave you to the good councilor. Please though, should you get time I would love to speak with you in private. I will be waiting at our temple in broadstreet.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help blushing furiously at her choice of words, though she knew she didn’t mean it like that. Still, with those pink eyes and that twinkling voice and that warm smile... oh celestia, she really needed to dunk her head in a pail of cold water... “Um... sure. I mean... I’ll see you there...”

“Excellent.” She gave a wide grin to the part before turning back to her followers, “Let us return all. Ember?”

An older white cloaked zebra trotted up, “Yes matriarch?”

“Walk with me. We must confer.”

“Yes matriarch.”

She nodded, turning for one last look at the group, “I wish you the best in Star Fall brave visitors. It is truly a special city.”

The council building was one of the few of prewar construction, a very impressive looking whitewashed bunker flanked by two rather scary looking zebra statues in masks and warpaint. Zebra words had been carved into the pillars that fronted the building, names by the look of them, the blue banners of Star Fall hanging either side of the main entrance. Said entrance was impressive enough, with frosted glass and very solid construction, even before you added the two automatic turrets above. Dust gave Themba a wry look, “You take security very seriously don’t you?”

“It’s an uncertain world we live in.” Themba chuckled as he led them inside, a small reception area hosting a selection of heavily armed guards and one meek looking receptionist. They all gave an array of bows and salutes as Themba passed, moving into a long corridor filled with photographs of various ponies and zebra.

“Former council members?”

“Right on the money.” Themba nodded to Zenai, “That over there is North Star. Handsome devil ‘anit he?”

Star Swirl looked over and shivered, North Star putting Ice Break to shame with the devastating facial wound that had destroyed near half his face. The commander had earned his rank.

“Now, I warn you. Do you have any sweet food products or wads of money?”

Zenai paused, her eyes suspicious at Themba’s question, “Nooo... why?”

Themba grinned at her, moving to open a large pair of double doors, “The creature inside these doors is a real dangerous one, and we’ve got her on a strict diet so she don’t go out of control. Betya the mare could eat the whole of Star Fall and shit out gold bricks if she had a mind.” He chuckled, pushing open the doors to reveal a large square room with a round table placed in the centre, around which sat four plush couches. An actual chandelier and blue silk curtains cemented the feeling that this place was not the staff toilet, “Fillies and Gentlecolts, I present Golden Dawn of the Star Fall council.”

Golden Dawn was an... impressive sight. Yellow coated and striped with streaks of black she looked like some dangerous predator, the impression helped by the heavy curls of grey and ebony that curled about her head. Her bright blue eyes glittered like sapphires, her makeup elegant and striking. She was immediately distinctive for another reason however, in that she was one of the first truly fat ponies Star Swirl had ever seen. The nature of the wasteland did not encourage it, even those wealthy and powerful enough to eat well needed to keep themselves at least fairly fit to get around without pre-war conveniences.

Golden Dawn however was legitimately... expansive, especially weighed down by an elaborate pegasi style toga and an impressive selection of gold jewellery. She gave a predator’s smile as they entered, eyes sharp and clever as she sized them up. Her voice was deep and rich, with an odd sing song accent, “Ah, friends from Equestria! I trust General Themba has been a gracious host.”

The zebra gave her a toothy grin, his tone light, “You know me princess, I’m always proud to show off my city to visitors.”

“Indeed General, your pride does indeed do you credit.” Golden Dawn smirked, rolls of fat shifting to accommodate the expression, “However we now sadly come to the real business of their visit, which I’m afraid will be very dull for a soldier for you.”

“You have the right of it there princess.” Themba grinned cheerfully, waving a hoof as he exited the room, “I’ll go and polish some guns, you girls have fun.”

They all watched him go, Dust first to speak, “Well that wasn’t passive aggressive at all.”

“Ahahaha!” Golden Dawn’s laugh shook the room, the mare rounding on them with impressive speed considering her bulk. A smile shone across her face, her hooves dancing across tiles as she span an armchair about and dropped her expansive rear down upon it with an impressively acrobatic twist. She gave Dust a long, hard look, eyes twinkling, “I like you. I appreciate honesty. Indeed strangely for a merchant I admit I am not a good liar, such inelegant, dangerous things.”

Dust Kicker relaxed visibly at her approval, Star Swirl noting that this was the second foreign dignitary that he had impressed. And he said he wasn’t a diplomat... “You and Themba don’t get along?”

“We are members of the council dear, if we didn’t get along we would never get anything done.” Golden Dawn sighed, waving a chubby hoof vaguely in their direction, “We do not dispute that we both have much to offer the city, merely the priority in which our respective responsibilities should be held.”

Zenai nodded, clarifying her statement, “Trade over defence?”

“Well... it is broader than that.” She sat forward again, eyes focused on the little zebra, “You understand don’t you? I can see you’re not a soldier, and I’ve heard good things about your NCR. Peace, harmony, guns to ploughshares, raiders to merchants, warlords to elected officials. This is progress.”

Dust snorted, Zenai shooting him nervous look before answering as politely as possible, “There is a lot to be said for having the strength to protect others, after all the founder of the NRC was a mercenary.”

“Does this city look nice to you? A multicultural utopia, filled with religion and art and goodness?” Golden Dawn looked them over with a thin lipped smile, waiting a second for them to process her rhetorical question before continuing, “Did you wonder where our resources and food come from?”

“Actually I did...”

“Did you wonder what we use those ships out there for? Or where Themba got those scars?”

Zenai’s eyes went wide for a second before changing to anger, her voice rising, “You’re raiders?”

Golden Dawn chuckled, without much warmth, “Oh, the relationship was very feudal. We helped train militias, sent armies out against the big targets... and come harvest, we took all but the crops they needed to survive in order to feed a overpopulated city full of artists and priests.”

Star Swirl felt a little sick now, realising that all those great artworks were made by ponies being fed with the labour of... little more than slaves, “Did... they resist sometimes?”

“Again, Themba got those scars from somewhere.” Golden Dawn placed a hoof on either side of the chair, lifting herself forward to stare at them with those clever, sapphire eyes, “For all the wonder you will see here little ponies, know that this is a land still ruled by the gun, where the clever and the peaceful are still trampled by brutes in armor.”

Star Swirl shook her head, truly shaken by her words. For the first time she had thought she had found a place of true, honest beauty. It hurt like nothing else to be disappointed once again, “But there must be some way to change it? To change how people think?”

“Yes.” Golden Dawn sank back down, her smile widening, “There is.”

Dust Kicker grimaced, “You’re just playing us.”

“I am not a good liar, I told you that earlier.” She frowned, folds of fat wrinkling as she gazed coldly at him, “I am not trying to trick you, I’m simply laying out a scenario that will help the both of us.”

Zenai cautiously followed the thread, “And that is?”

Golden Dawn smiled again, pleased at her interest, “The NCR needs fuel for its factories, this I know. Star Fall and the lands beyond need food, which I also know the NCR has in excess.”

“And you have this fuel?”

“No, I don’t. The fuel is on the mainland, which is unfortunately a problem at present for all of us.”

The zebra territories, and the land that Star Fall had apparently been raiding for years. Star Swirl realised they still knew very little about what the situation was there, “You’ve been cut off from the mainland?”

“Sadly Themba’s bounty could not last forever.” Golden Dawn sank deep into the chair, her face twisting in anger, “A warlord arose, just like so many others, denied us our rightful bounty. And like we have done so many times before, we challenged him, sending the military might granted to us by the resources left within this island.”

Dust Kicker chuckled, the oddly cheerful sound breaking the mood like glass. He smiled as all eyes turned to him, “You lost.”

Golden Dawn smiled back, though the expression was bitter, “The warlord’s son now rules as his father’s regent, they call him the Caesar in the West. He is powerful, he is ruthless and he hates Star Fall with a passion. He is building a civilisation, one proud and strong, he believes rightly that without our mainland dominions Star Fall will quickly wither and die.”

Zenai shivered, “That’s... he’s right? Right? What do you intend to do?”

“Themba would tell you that we need to drive this Caesar from our lands, regain the glory of Star Fall and show him our military might.” Golden Dawn sighed, looking tired all of a sudden, “He thinks I do not love this city just because I hate it’s obsession with force. That just because we are built upon a military installation, this is what we should always be.”

Star Swirl had never been good at reading people and knew Golden Dawn had likely been playing ponies since she was born, but despite her initial impression she had to admit she was kinda beginning to like the merchant mare. Star Swirl herself had no love for guns and violence, and... had experience of being judged on her size and appearance. This Golden Dawn was making a lot of sense actually, “You need to make peace with him.”

Golden Dawn gave the alicorn an appreciative smile, her voice cracking as she answered, “That is the only thing that will save this city, the city of my birth, the city of my father and mother.” Her eyes narrowed, her lips pursed, “But I can do nothing. My fellow council members disagree, and Caesar would distrust me as an agent of the city that killed so many of his men.”

Zenai nodded in understanding, still looking a little suspicious but willing to listen at least, “So you need us?”

“I can offer you the largest shipping fleet in the world, along with this port to refuel and relax.” Golden Dawn raised a hoof, “In return I need three things. First, peace with Caesar, obviously. Second, said Caesar only controls the Golden Coast, which unfortunately lacks large quantities of the resources you need. Those resources are located inland, in an area controlled by numerous petty warlords and raider groups. This area will need to be pacified.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. You think I’m an expert in war and frontier pacification?” Golden Dawn glared at Dust before continuing on, “Caesar does however, I suggest you ask him. If it is necessary I am willing to supply him with resources and aid from Star Fall, though I’m sure you realise that is a massive risk for me.”

Zenai curled her lip, “I can’t imagine Themba letting you do that at all.”

“I can be very persuasive, and though he’s many things he’s not stupid. Star Fall is dying.” Golden Dawn wrinkled her nose, “I will need very convincing proof that the Caesar is willing to cut us a good deal however, and if something does go wrong I’ll likely be cursing you all from the end of a spike.”

Star Swirl tried to remove that mental image from her memory, “And the third thing you need?”

Golden Dawn smirked, “Are you aware of Caesar’s curse?”

“Actually we just learned about it ten minutes ago.”

“Then you know that maritime trade between here and Equestria is exceedingly impractical. Even air travel is difficult.” Golden Dawn sighed, “However as you might expect from a premiere naval power we have spent considerable effort researching ways to end the spell, and have succeeded at least in identifying its source.”

Star Swirl got the impression that this wasn’t going to be a pleasant trip through flowering meadows, “Where?”

“The Grand Science Academy in the capital of Kursiyin.” Golden Dawn continued, “The spell is renewing itself somehow, likely connected to some generator the academy used for all its projects. We hoped it would eventually break down, but unfortunately it appears to have been built to last.”

Dust smirked, “Let me guess, Pink Gas, horrible unkillable monsters, only thing left alive is homicidal robots?”

“You... are talking about Canterlot?” Golden Dawn waved her hand dismissively, though she was a little hesitant, “It is not that bad, though certainly no place for a vacation. There is some pink gas within the city limits but it is restricted to the factory district, the main issue is the monsters that emerge from it. The city appears to produce large numbers of extremely durable, universally feral ghouls, likely the result of some sort of biological warfare project from before the war.”

“The city is infested with Canterlot ghouls? Great.”

“Oh, you are familiar?”

“Canterlot got a special delivery of that pink gas.” Zenai shook her head, “We’re familiar with what it does to ponies.”

Golden Dawn hesitated for a second before giving a big smile, tapping the side of her head with a hoof, “We weren’t actually completely certain the pink gas was the source of the ghoulification, so thank you for the information. The Kursiyin factories were unfortunately the centre for magical warfare production and research, I hate to think what it’s like at ground zero.”

“But... we’re not going there?”

“No. The spell’s origin is on the other side of the city.” Golden Dawn looked pleased with herself for a moment, however her expression quickly faded, “I have to mention that Kursiyin is hard to get to. The area is very defensible, surrounded by mountains, and the road leading through them is infested with monsters. You will either need a way through or around them before reaching the city.”

Dust laughed, “This is sounding less and less like a good idea.”

She grinned like a cat, resting her chins upon her hooves, “With great risk, great reward.”

“Fine, you know my language.” Dust smiled joylessly, giving her a stern glance, “We’ll see what Caesar says, then we’ll work out the details from there.”

Golden Dawn nodded, “Agreed. You will be able to contact me from anywhere in the wasteland through our transmitter array, you can keep me posted on your progress.”

Zenai frowned, shooting a glare at Dust, “You can’t just decide stuff like that without consulting us first.”

“Didn’t decide anything. Just keeping our options open.”

Golden Dawn settled her bulk back into her chair with a smile, “Indeed. Enjoy your time in our city, and feel free to contact me should you need anything.”

Zenai sighed softly before giving Golden Dawn a formal bow, “Thank you councillor, we’ll do that.”

“So, what did you think of her?”

Zenai turned to Dust as they moved down the stairs and out into the street, considering the question for a moment before answering, “I doubt she’s as publicly minded as she’s trying to imply, but her plan is a good one at least. If we pull it off we have the gratitude of Caesar, Star Fall and the NCR all at once.”

“Downsides?”

Zenai pursed her lips, “The most dangerous possibility is them turning on each other. If Caesar and Star Fall really hate each other, maybe they’re just looking for an opportunity to stab each other in the back. Likewise, opening up the seas gives both the zebra nations and Equestria a chance to invade.”

Dust chuckled, “I’m as cynical about the NCR as anyone, but I doubt they want to open up another front with Red Eye still at large.”

“Don’t be so sure. Star Fall might be well protected, but we still don’t know about the mainland’s aerial defences.” Zenai gave him a serious look, “It’s been seventeen years since the day of Sunshine and Rainbows, nine since the Battle of Applejack Crest and the Enclave as an entity is still refusing to join the NCR. That means they’re both stubborn and desperate, and likely looking for a chance to expand to new, undefended territory. I saw the Battle of Applejack Crest, you lived through the Enclaves’ first invasion. You know what they did to Friendship city.”

Star Swirl shivered. She had never actually seen the Enclave invasion, spending most of it bleeding out in Splendid Valley, still she had witnessed the damage done to Fillydelphia. That city had been far from defenceless, she shuddered to think what they could do against a city with no sonic rainbooms or dragons, “So what do we do?”

“Exactly what I said.” Dust Kicker shrugged, “Meet Caesar, see if he’s on the level. We’re not going to pull all this off in a week, we’ll have plenty of time to work out if everyone is trustworthy. I also have a few contacts in the Far Go traders, we should contact them about this deal. Golden Dawn seems nice and all, but I've not intention of giving her a monopoly.”

Zenai nodded, “Fair enough... so what do we do now?”

Star Swirl perked up, her curiosity about the Church of Celestia niggling at her since its first mention, “I want to meet up with Sunshine Ivory.”

“I’m thinking we should make contact with Silent Steel, keep him informed of our progress.” Dust turned to look at Star Swirl, “Think you’ll be ok on your own? We’ll meet up back at the ship.”

Zenai frowned at his words, shaking her head, “Wait... what? First, how are we going to contact Silent Steel? We’re well out of range of our transmitter. Second... we’re sleeping in those cramped quarters on those uncomfortable cots again? Why not ask Golden Dawn for better accommodation?”

Dust Kicker gave her a long smirk, holding that expression for several moments before finally giving a slow chuckle, “First... look up.”

Zenai did so, pretty quickly noticing the huge transmission array on top of the volcano, “Oh... ok. We could use that I guess.”

“Second... these guys are nice and all, but first night I’m keeping everyone on the ship. You’ve seen the defences in this place, if we get isolated from our escape route we’ll never get out.”

“Ok, that makes sense too.” Zenai frowned bitterly at him, “Shut up, this is what you were hired for. I’m a diplomat and scholar, I’m not exactly trained in wasteland survival.”

“Fair enough princess.” Dust grinned at her petulant little frown before turning to Star, “We’ll see you later Star Swirl. Take care of yourself.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help smiling herself, nodding back to him, “Yes, you too.”

Broadstreet ran along in the centre of the crescent of the city surrounding the volcano, formally the location of a defensive wall by the look of the repurposed guard towers and the unusual construction of the buildings here. Unlike the others in the city, made from shipping containers and sheet metal, these were made of heavy black stone and gave the impression of grim permanence. Indeed this appeared to be an important district, Golden Dawn’s ministry of finance standing proudly in one corner and a breathtaking red and black temple dominating the south side.

Her destination was easy to locate. The Church of Celestia was a whitewashed edifice of stone, decorated with stunning stain glass windows depicting moments from Celestia’s life and eventual apophasis at the end of the war. She stepped towards it with hesitant steps, feeling both awed and hesitant. It felt like a mausoleum, her last resting place.

Before her religious awe was broken by the onrushing crowds.

“You know Celestia is only a small part of the eternal flame right? Come to the Temple of the Great Fire and we will show you the true power of your birthright.”

“Uh... huh?”

“The balefire reveals our true nature! Come, bask in the radiation with us!”

“Peace can only be achieved by rejection of all things material. Come, join us in the Brotherhood of Yat and be enlightened sister.”

Star Fall looked at the army of robed ponies descending on her, eventually picking out the one babbling about radiation. He looked it, the poor thing already halfway to ghoulfication, “Uh... seriously?”

The pony (zebra? She couldn’t tell.) positively burst with excitement at being spoken to, nervously babbling in reply, “Of course, like the wasteland itself we are cleansed of corruption by the balefire. You, like the great holy ones are its chosen, healed by the radiation it creates!”

A zebra in red robes snorted at him, “Go away Jaanan, you’re scaring everyone away again.”

The ghoulish pony nearly spat teeth at the zebra, “Save your mockery red priest. You worship a little fire and think it’s the sun, we worship the very source of the suns power. That nurturing flame that dwells in the heart of the megaspells, which gave birth to Celestia, the All-mother and all life upon this plane!”

Star Swirl had to get out of here, this guy was actually starting to make sense, “I’m afraid I have a appointment, but I... I’ll visit your temples when I get time, promise!”

“The great fire loves you!”

“Abandon the material world!”

“Come to the Children of the Rad, we will show you true enlightenment!”

Yeah... she was getting out of here. Fast.

The interior of the Church of Celestia reminded Star Swirl of New Canterlot, which made sense really. It had likely been based of Celestia’s palace too, and its white washed walls and splashes of regal colour they had done a pretty good job of replicating it. Portraits of the mare herself hung on pillars leading through the entrance hall, the far end taken up by a leaping statue of her that Star Swirl couldn’t help staring at for a second. They had done a pretty good job at capturing her likeness, somehow capturing Celestia’s vitality in the marbled stone.

“Lady Star Swirl.” An elderly stallion trotted up to her, his old eyes pausing to take in her full form as he approached, “It is an honour to have you here. Our Matriarch awaits you inside.”

“Thank you.” She moved to follow him, the stallion leading her deeper into the building, “You... you do realise I’m nothing like Celestia don’t you? What made her special wasn’t what she was, it was who she was.”

“Little steps lady Star Swirl.” The stallion chuckled as he led her into the back rooms, “Princess Celestia was a filly once too.”

The back rooms of the church were as pleasant and comforting as the rest of the construction, the windows letting in a gentle light that illuminated the sparse, elegant surroundings with a soft warmth. Other white cloaked figures turned to watch her as they carried out their duties, bearing stacks of documents back and forth, “What exactly do you do here?”

“We spread Celestia’s love across the wasteland.” The old stallion smiled at her expression, elaborating a little bit as they walked, “We teach creatures to read and write, how to farm and grow their own food. We teach history, and the lessons within.”

“That sounds like the Followers of the Apocalypse.” Star Swirl looked down at the priest, “We do all that stuff too. We follow Fluttershy, and the example she set during the war.”

He nodded, smiling broadly, “Fluttershy is well liked in the zebra lands. She showed them great kindness during the war, and though her struggle to bring peace was ultimately futile that appeals to their sense of nobility all the more.” He gave her a sly smile, “Zebra have a very masochistic relationship with tragic heroes. Their greatest ideal is to follow your personal morality until it destroys everything around you.”

“Really?”

“Of course they can be just as hypocritical, amoral and pragmatic as every other creature on this planet. Still, you should beware inflaming a sense of glorious martyrdom in even the most cynical zebra, just as you should never harm a ponies’ friends.” The stallion chuckled and waved a hoof to a door set at the side of the corridor, “We’re here. The Matriarch is waiting for you inside.”

Star Swirl nodded as she moved towards the door, “Thank you for your kindness.”

The stallion bowed his head, giving her a sunny smile as she entered, “My pleasure. Take care Lady Star Swirl.”

The room reminded Star Swirl of the libraries at the Followers compound where she worked, aging shelves holding stacks of dog eared tomes and the ever present smell of old paper. It was the office of someone who actually did some work, several desks currently balancing between acceptably busy to rather messy. Sunshine Ivory and the older Zebra from before were both within, sitting around a table in the centre of the room. Both of them were without their robes, Star Swirl’s blushing a little at the sight of Sunshine Ivory’s impeccably groomed coat. The zebra with her wasn’t bad looking either, in a totally different way from Sunshine Ivory. He was sharp edges and shadow, mysterious scars and the weight of ages, Star Swirl wondering if Zenai might be on to something about older stallions...

“Star Swirl, how wonderful to see you.” Sunshine Ivory gave a sweet, beaming smile, waving to a selection of strawberry coloured drinks on the table, “Please, take a seat.”

Star Swirl moved over, taking a peek at Sunshine’s cutie mark as she did. As expected it was a sun image, rather happy looking with a big smiley face. The zebra’s spiral mark on the other hand was unfamiliar in its specifics, but appeared to be related to sight somehow. She lowered herself down, folding her hooves underneath her body, “Thank you.” Star Swirl couldn’t help feeling this was all rather convenient, with the glasses and all, “Were you expecting me?”

“No, but me and Ember were just discussing you.” Sunshine Ivory nodded her head to the zebra, “Ember is a long respected member of our order, not to mention a very good friend of mine.”

Ember lifted his head, observing Star Swirl with his cool grey eyes. It was a little off putting, though he quickly gave her a soft smile that quieted her embarrassment somewhat. His voice matched his appearance, smooth, heavily accented and elegantly time worn, “Your respect for Celestia is obvious, your interest in our order is no mere curiosity.”

Star Swirl hesitated, her mouth hanging open. It was true that she was interested in learning more about her, but what... “Huh?”

“The way you move, the way you sit. Even the way you speak, you attempt to appear more like her.” Ember smiled, curious and somewhat amused, “I suspect you have seen her, a memory orb perhaps?”

Star Swirl was... impressed. His spiral mark’s quality had been proved, “Y... yes. I have a memory orb with Celestia. It’s nothing very interesting...” Her voice cracked a little, “Except for her of course.”

“Really?” Sunshine Ivory looked rather exited at this news, her face made youthful by the positively schoolgirl expression, “We have a few recordings of the Princess, but an actual memory orb is rather special indeed. May I ask about the event it records?”

Star Swirl was rather embarrassed to even admit its lameness, “It... it’s a tax meeting, between the ETB and Celestia. They were pitching new opportunities for tax revenue in order to fund the war effort.”

Sunshine Ivory couldn’t help giggling a little, “I can’t imagine she was very engaged. Still, I guess even a bored Celestia is another small piece of the Princess to study.”

“No... she was really engaged.” Star Swirl wondered if that was why the memory orb had been stored in a secure case in a residential area, seemingly well loved by whoever had owned it. The pony who had recorded the memory seemed just as bored as you might expect to start, not even too focused when Celestia had entered and sat down before them. But when those around him had started talking graphs and numbers and pie charts... she had politely, firmly and devastatingly demolished their arguments, identifying how exactly they had been designed to hurt the general population while encouraging war profiteering. From that moment the pony hadn’t been able to take his eyes of her, his heart rate rising with every word from her mouth, “She knew so much about it, and she cared, she really cared for everypony. She wasn’t even in charge then, the ETB mentioned that she was just filling in for Luna. But she cared, and she wasn’t going to sit around while ponies got hurt.”

“That... I can see why you studied it enough to copy her mannerisms.” Sunshine Ivory leaned forward, almost hungrily, “May I see it?”

Star Swirl swallowed the burst of selfishness that burned through her, “...yes. But I will want it back.” She paused for a moment, feeling the need to defend herself, “And I didn’t copy her mannerisms. I just thought... alicorns should be more like her. She was so calm, even when she was angry. I’m not like that...”

She cursed herself for the last bit, the words just slipping out before she had a chance to stop them. It was true though, horribly true. She did wish she could be like Celestia, she did study that orb in order to do just that. Ember studied her as she sunk into herself, his voice gently drawing her back out, “You feel guilty. That you are not like her.”

Those were statements. She couldn’t only nod at his certainty.

Sunshine Ivory frowned, lifting herself up onto her hooves, “My dear, none of us are like her. I’d dare say she wasn’t like her, not always.”

Star Swirl peeked at her through lidded eyes, “You’re just like her...”

“Oh please, once more you are fooled by my appearance.” She chuckled, lifting Star Swirl’s head with a soft hoof and levitating over a glass, “You think I had much choice, looking like this? When I was naughty I was looked upon as an insult to everything that she was, when I was good like Celestia come again. They elected a simple mare barely qualified as an elder to be matriarch, just because I was cursed with white fur and a blue mane.”

“And they look upon you the same, because the Goddess wished to use mares like you to conquer the wasteland.”

Star Swirl looked over at Ember, his comment making her feel better somehow. Maybe because it got to the heart of the matter. She did wish she wasn’t an alicorn, not having that expectation upon her. She sighed and took a drink, a bittersweet taste across her tongue and a warm tingle down her throat. She grimaced, then smiled, “This... this is nice.” She paused a moment, the warm feeling continuing, “Is this alcoholic?”

“A little. Drink slowly, if you are unused to it.” Sunshine Ivory took a sip of her own drink, closing her eyes and smiling with contentment before speaking, “It is called Sweet Sunset, a Pegasus drink from before the war. When I heard it was a favourite of Celestia I paid a good ransom for a surviving crate of it, in the name of honest scholarship of course.”

Star Swirl giggled, really starting to like Sunshine Ivory. She was nothing like she expected of the leader of a church, warm and informal, even about Celestia herself. Despite her protests she really did feel like what Celestia was supposed to be like, her light humour and informal manner contrasting her impeccable dignity. It helped of course that she was gorgeous. Indeed she couldn’t help fantasising that this would all turn into something more... personal, the idea of the mare’s hooves on her enough to force her to repress a squeak. Ember could join in too, his strong form a perfect complement to the mare’s soft beauty...

“You’re liking that drink too, I can tell.”

Celestia’s glory, she really had to drink this stuff slowly or she really was going to embarrass herself, “Uh... I don’t really drink alcohol often. I think it’s going to my head.”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled, “Little sips. May I ask you about your cutie mark by the way? It’s very unusual.”

Star Swirl bent back her head to stare at the errant cutie mark, its obtuse meaninglessness continuing to aggravate. If Sunshine Ivory could do anything, she wanted her to fix this at least, “I don’t know what it is. I don’t get any special talent from it, and no one can tell me what it means.”

“Hmm.” Ember studied it with his cool, mysterious eyes, “As an alicorn, your previous cutie mark gets wiped away, is this correct?”

“Yes.” Star Swirl nodded, “Some alicorns remain blank flanked forever. Some grow them back, though no one remembers if they’re new ones or the same as before. Some get... distorted ones, like me.” She added sadly, “They’re pretty much stuck with them.”

Ember trotted forward, placing a hoof on the offending cutie mark. Star Swirl squirmed slightly at the touch to her flank but fought to remain calm, even as he poked and prodded a little more. To be honest the alcohol was helping, the warm relaxing feeling getting stronger as it soaked through her. Eventually Ember moved away, his voice filled with enthusiasm for the mystery he had discovered, “I have heard this spoken of before, in the tales of those who have tried to gain their cutie mark through magical means. This cutie mark is not yours; its presence is unnatural and damaging. However due to this your body has fought against its manifesting, rendering it broken and useless.”

That wasn’t encouraging, “So... it’s broken for good?”

“I am not sure. I sense... something.” Ember studied her for a little while longer from various angles, not making her feel any more comfortable with the arrangement. Eventually however he spoke again, surety in his voice, “You have a real cutie mark, but it has not yet manifested. You have not yet found your special talent.”

Star Swirl tried to hide her foalish embarrassment. She was still a black flank? She was old enough to be a mother herself! “I... haven’t? Really?”

“This false cutie mark is not helping. Even inactive like this, it clouds your vision.” Ember placed a hoof on his chin, frustration and furious industry in his deep grey eyes, “It needs to be removed, but this is no cutie mark pox or false spiral. If what you say is correct, I believe it to be the cutie mark you had before you became an alicorn.”

“Before... then why is it false?”

“Because you are no longer the pony you were before.” Ember nodded firmly, “I have heard this happen, in cases of head trauma or mental illness. Sometimes a cutie mark has even been recorded to change on its own, in this case however it may have to be removed in order to allow the new cutie mark to manifest.”

Star Swirl almost fled right there and then, “What, burn it off?! Like a Dashite?!”

Ember gave her a long slow look, his voice heavy with disapproval when he finally spoke, “I do not know what this ‘dashite’ is, but if they believe a cutie mark can be removed with physical trauma then I weep for their ignorance. A cutie mark needs to be removed at the soul, through powerful magic. It is painless, but can be dangerous should both patient and practitioner not be well prepared.”

“And are you a practitioner?” Star Swirl locked her knees to stop them from shaking, “Can... you do it?”

“No... that is, I have never seen it performed, only had it described to me.” Ember shook his head quickly, “And I would not dare have my first time a case as complex as yours. Unfortunately there are only three zebra I know of who are skilled enough, and none of them are here in this city.”

Star Swirl figured as much. Knowing their luck, they were probably deep into the wasteland, behind armies of raiders and fierce predators, “Where?”

“All three are currently far in the east unfortunately, in a land rife with fierce tribes and dangerous beasts.”

Yep. Dead on the money.

“The first and most likely is my mentor, Tradash the Black.” Ember continued, “He set off two years ago to research the old zebra cities in search of our history, I have only had sporadic contact with him since. I will give you his last known location, he often spends many months in the same place so he should be easy to catch up with. Mention my name and remain peaceful and Tradash should be able to give you safe refuge, he is greatly respected by the tribes. Until then however you must understand that they are not friendly to strangers, especially pony strangers.”

Fair enough. They were going that way anyway, it might even be just a small detour, “And the other two?”

“I mention them for completions sake. The first is Tandia, Shaman of Garm. She rules the well respected city of Garm, and is renowned as the most powerful Shaman currently living. If she does not know how to fix your predicament no zebra does, but she will be hard to convince. The third, the Caesar of the East, hates your kind unfortunately.”

“Alicorns?”

“Ponies.”

Star Swirl felt she had been left behind somewhere, “Caesar of the East? There’s two Caesars?”

Ember bowed his head in contrition, “Forgive me, I assume too much. There are indeed two, though speak to neither of the other if you value your life. The first is Incuata, popularly known as the Caesar of the West. He rules the golden coast, and is a mortal zebra with great ambition. The other, the Caesar of the East, is less a ruler and more a religious leader. For two hundred years he has advised and mediated between the tribes, never taking direct control but always wielding great influence behind the scenes.”

That sounded ominous, “Who is he?”

“No one knows. Few meet him directly. Some say he is a dragon, one of the All-mother’s many children. Some say he is a ghoul, maybe the wartime Caesar himself. Some even consider him starborne, a great demon like Nightmare Moon or Charaxes.” Ember fixed her with a cool, firm stare, “Either way, he will not meet with you. Some say he fights the war still, and longs to finish the task the zebra started.”

Star Swirl shivered, not intending to meet the guy after that description, “And all the east follows his will?”

“To a fair extent, yes.” Sunshine Ivory nodded, fixing Star Swirl with a stern gaze, “You won’t find many friends there. Best to start with the Caesar of the West, he at least has greed to motivate him.”

Star Swirl nodded, considering the implications. It seemed they would have to rely on this Caesar of the West’s friendship as Golden Dawn had advised, help him to conquer the east and the resources there. She had read enough history to know that with a strong anti-pony presence in the area this Caesar would have to clearly display his strength against his namemate if any alliance was going to be respected long term.

“May I inspect your wing?”

Star Swirl turned to Ember, drawing away a little bit, “My wing? Why?”

“You are a winged unicorn, like Celestia a combination of the three species of ponies.” Ember nodded at her side, “If I am to determine what this means for you, I need to inspect all three attributes.”

“Oh... fine. Can I have more of that drink?”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled, floating a glass over, “Here you are my dear. Do not fret, Ember is a doctor. Think of this as just another check up.”

Star Swirl took a deep gulp from her glass before glaring back at the unicorn, “It’s weird you here watching.”

“My dear, if I was made to wait I would simply not be able to contain my anticipation.”

Ember continued his inspection, and indeed his touch was light and free of any unwanted intimacy. Her horn tingled a bit as he ran a hoof down it, still his touch there was brief and he soon stood to deliver his findings, “Twilight Sparkle was clearly a genius. Your construction is masterful.”

“Um... thanks.”

Ember nodded to Sunshine Ivory, the mare standing as he continued to speak, “You are not truly Celestia, you lack the pegasi and earth pony magic.”

Star Swirl nodded slowly, “That’s the accepted truth, Twilight only got the IMP to work with unicorns... but it doesn’t make sense. I can move clouds at least, so I’ve at least got some of their powers.”

“Yes, but those powers are fake. If I were to guess I would say that Twilight used some form of shapeshifter as the base creature in the experiment, allowing their abilities to compensate for those the subject lacked. I know of a very difficult and rare potion known as Chaos Kiss that can also induce changes in the base make up of a zebra, made from the blood of changelings. Legends tell that a zebra even managed to grow a unicorn’s horn by using this potion.” Ember once again stroked his chin with a hoof, “This IMP reminds me of a very specialised, very powerful, mass produced form of this brew. If this is true, Twilight Sparkle has truly embarrassed the zebra with her skill and knowledge.”

Star Swirl nodded, having heard of the changelings in her books. She was pretty sure they were all dead now, wondering if Twilight had killed them all and emptied their bodies into vats, or if they had simply died in the war. Truth be told, she didn’t really want to know, “What does this mean for me?”

“You do not have an earth or pegasi’s natural connection to the land and sky. That is built into their very souls, and not easily replicated. Your magical potential however is nearly limitless, sustaining and empowering your body. You are also built along the physical outlines of Celestia, strong, swift and graceful, quick to heal and slow to injure. You will not suffer muscle fatigue or damage easily, and your body easily accepts beneficial magic. At the same time you are resistant to offensive magic, necromantic and dark magic in particular. Celestia is reported as being able to fight off even heavy concentrations of pink gas, I guess you would be able to do the same.”

Star Swirl nodded, though she had never tried it out for herself, “We’re immune to pink gas, yes. Well... not immune, but we’re not as damaged by it as everypony else.”

“I guess you are also immune to ghoulification. I cannot imagine the effect finding any way to take root inside your system.” Ember looked her up and down, “There is also a heavy concentration of radiation at your core, which you seem to be burning off as a power source for your magic. That is... interesting.”

“Really?” Star Swirl wondered how that had happened. Like all alicorns she was forced to be checked out at the doctor regularly, they didn’t feel the radiation like other ponies so it was way too easy to soak in substantial amounts without noticing. Not only was this dangerous for those around them, a lot of theories pointed to it being the cause of neurological breakdown and rapid aging. Indeed it was one of the many reasons proposed for the fact that nearly all alicorns assigned to Canterlot were still irreparably insane.

It was rather worrying really, considering that Star Swirl herself had been caught in the megaspell detonation that had destroyed Maripony. She had lain in the irradiated ground just outside the immediate area for several days before being discovered by scavengers, absorbing the ambient radiation in great quantities in order to keep her ruined body alive. Maybe it had fried her brain. She knew plenty of ponies wouldn’t be surprised, “I can absorb radiation to power my magic and heal my body. It’s dangerous though, we’re discouraged from doing it.”

“How interesting.” Sunshine Ivory raised a quizzical eyebrow, “Do you think Twilight Sparkle was attempting to introduce a secondary power source for their magic, in the same way the sun was for Celestia?”

Star Swirl... didn’t really consider them comparable. The sun made Celestia immortal, it didn’t slowly kill her and send her insane, “I think Twilight just wanted to make sure they could survive, or even turn the zebra’s chemical weapons back against them.”

“But the theory is very much the same...” Sunshine Ivory’s eyes shone with a somewhat scary emotion, pure and fierce as the sun itself. She grinned like a cat as she looked up at Star Swirl with great expectation, almost trembling with excitement, “Star Swirl, no creature has harnessed the power of the sun since Celestia and the All-Mother, greatest and most grand of their species. It requires deep understanding of its purity, its strength, along with immense magical potential.”

Star Swirl stepped back a pace, nervously avoiding her gaze, “And...”

“This is our chance to find out more about her, about her power.” Sunshine Ivory glanced down at her cutie mark, “I can summon a fraction of the power of the sun, still I am limited by my constitution. I do not have the connection with the sky of a pegasus, the connection with the ground of an earth pony. Even though I am powerful as a unicorn, I still don’t have the magical potential you do.”

Star Swirl felt a twinge of excitement in her heart, mirroring Sunshine Ivory’s own. Still, despite the fact that she had dreamed all her life of being a little more like Celestia the idea still felt terrifying and incredibly presumptuous. Not to mention... unlikely, “My higher level spellcasting is still limited to shields, lightning and teleportation. I’ve tried to learn other spells but whatever my cutie mark is, I’m now pretty sure it’s not for magic.”

Sunshine Ivory smiled, “You sure it’s not a golden sun symbol?”

“Uh... I’m not even sure how you discover a special talent for moving the sun.”

The mare seemed to have been expecting this answer, chuckling to herself and moving in closer, “Listen to me Star Swirl. You’ve heard of the All-Mother haven’t you?”

Star Swirl nodded, “Irdenragoth. Mother of dragons, patron of the Zebra.”

“Killed by Rainbow Dash in the end. Her body lies across the White Mountains, you can see it from Demonnivoire Peak, the capital of the Caesar of the West’s kingdom.” Sunshine Ivory nodded firmly to Star Swirl, “Find her heart. It is said that something waits there, something I think you will be able to retrieve for the church.”

Star Swirl wanted to ask more questions, but she didn’t feel it was appropriate. Whether by simple foalish respect for dramatic conventions or the knowledge that Sunshine Ivory wasn’t likely to elaborate any further, Star decide to hold her tongue, “Thank you. For everything.”

“No, thank you Star Swirl.” Sunshine Ivory smiled as she nodded her head, a kindly look in her eyes, “It has been... an honor to meet you. And if you will, I have another request for you.”

Star Swirl already thought she had enough quests for the day, still she wanted to do everything she could for the unicorn, “What is it?”

Sunshine Ivory gave Star Swirl a long sad smile, “A good friend of mine came back home today, carried here by a young zebra and her assistant. I have heard mention of how you helped bring her back here, your deeds in pulling the young zebra from the raging seas.”

Star Swirl had to look away, her chest burning with guilt. It wasn’t like that. It really wasn’t like that at all, “I didn’t do anything worth honoring.”

“Then you do not know what is worthy of honor.” Sunshine Ivory smiled, “We will be sending Diamond Prism off this evening, at 8pm. We would love you to be there.”

Star Swirl didn’t know if she could stand it. Maybe it was for that very reason that she found herself nodding her head, “I... I’ll be there.”

It was an appropriately cold and wet evening, the black volcanic earth like wet sand under Star Swirl’s hooves as she followed the procession into the harbour. Sunshine Ivory had informed them that Diamond Prism had been well liked within the church and that normally there would only be three acolytes leading the service, in this case a good three dozen white robed figures surrounded the bundle of cloth as they made their way through the city. Star Swirl let her eyes linger on the picture frames showing the mare’s smiling face and the sight of her parents, a strong and stoic looking stallion in white robes and his sobbing wife in a simple white dress. She had been thirty two years old, likely younger than Star Swirl herself. Sabah was pretty much the only one here who walked naked, her battered, scarred body on full display as she skulked along a little behind the others. Star Swirl herself had opted for a simple blue dress, finally covering the wings that had attracted so much attention. It was still obvious what she was and she hated being unable to fly in an emergency, still the last thing she wanted was for people to be looking at her today.

They stopped at the shoreline, the bearers laying the bundle of cloth containing Diamond Prism’s body in the sand and stepping back as Sunshine Ivory moved forward. The speeches had already been handled back at the church, Sunshine Ivory had delivered a particularly inspiring account of Diamond Prism based on the time they had spent as acolytes together and insisted on being the one to carry out the service.

“The sun sets on us all. Celestia knew this, understood that crossing the great divide is only a tragedy for those left in this world of bitter ash. Our sister Diamond Prism has gone to the land of green fields and bright sun, her long service over. She has left her dream, her grand goal to us, to make this world a better place and use her life as inspiration to walk forward in friendship and love into this world that needs so much of both.” Sunshine Ivory turned her head up at the setting sun, her horn glowing with a bright white flame, “Morn, celebrate and remember, a life well lived.”

The two other unicorns that had carried her body moved forward, their own horns glowing as they focused their energy on Sunshine Ivory. At once a spectacular flare of white light flew from the sun, Star Swirl stepping back in shock as it struck Sunshine Ivory’s horn and exploded outwards in a flash of light, the unicorn harnessing the sunbeam with a look of determined concentration and firing it back at Diamond Prism’s body.

It hit the little bundle with a roar, silhouetting her form for a brief instant before she was completely immolated, exploding upwards into the glowing form of a radiant white alicorn... before she was gone, only the slight smell of burning and a small scorch mark offering evidence of her passing. Sunshine Ivory bowed her head for a moment before turning to the two unicorns beside her, patting them on the shoulders and sharing some quiet words as the procession slowly broke apart. Star Swirl looked about for Sabah, her heart aching as she saw the zebra was already departing for the hills nearby. After a moment of hesitation Star Swirl followed, her departure unnoticed by all.

“Sabah... wait.”

The small zebra turned her head, her dark eyes burning a hole straight through Star Swirl. The look stopped her dead, leaving Star Swirl standing there in scared hesitation. Sabah snorted at the sight, turning fully to face the alicorn, “I want to be alone. Is that so difficult to understand?”

Star Swirl almost ran away then, still something drove her to advance cautiously forward, “Sabah... please, I know it’s hard but you need to talk...”

“What do you know!?” Sabah growled, her small form brisling, “What I feel right now, sharing her death with other people? That Diamond Prism was mine, and having all these strangers around makes me feel like they’re taking her away from me?”

Star Swirl bit her lip, “I saw you following behind the others... is that how you really feel?”

“Do you really think they want me there? All those pretty ponies, with their white robes and dreams of peace and happiness?” Sabah snorted, waving a hoof to herself, “I’m a dirty little wastelander, who survived by being nastier and more vicious than any of the others! There was a time when I would have tore their throats out and sold those pretty cloaks for a loaf of bread!”

“You don’t mean that...”

Sabah snorted, “You don’t know who I am, you’ve known me a day at best. Besides, this isn’t about me, this is about you isn’t it?”

Star Swirl’s brow knitted in consternation, not seeing what Sabah was getting at with that last accusation. She wasn’t doing this for her, she genuinely wanted to help the little filly, “It... how is it about me?”

Sabah stared her head on, eyes filled with a quiet, terrifying rage, “Because you feel guilty for killing her.”

“I...” Star Swirl tried to speak but the words choked off, the alicorn eventually just backing away a few paces in stumbling panic. She couldn’t answer her accusation, she just didn’t know how, “Sabah, I... I really...”

“Tried? Wanted to save her? You killed her! You broke her neck plucking her out of the water, you know as well as I do that she was still alive and struggling when you reached her! You killed my best friend!” Sabah advanced forward with a feral gait, her eyes however held a dark, sullen awareness as she continued to speak, “Is this what you wanted? To throw your guilt at me? To have me forgive you? Is this what you need?”

“I...” Star Swirl tried her best not to cry, still she could already feel her eyes filling with tears, “Sabah, I... can’t ask forgiveness...”

“Then what do you want?! Punishment?!”

“I...”

Sabah gave a piercing yell of rage and pain and launched herself forward, her small lithe body moving with incredible speed. Star Swirl wouldn’t have been able to react even if she wanted to, the zebra darting under her legs with just a few powerful strides and kicking out as she passed, driving away the alicorn’s front legs and sending her crashing down upon her muzzle with a jarring thud. She didn’t have a moment to recover, Sabah slipped out under her belly a second before she hit the ground and delivered a buck that sent Star Swirl tumbling across the sands in a tangle of legs and wings.

Star Swirl gave a gasp of pain and rolled onto her back, trying to orientate herself after the blow to her head and the shortness of breath caused by at least one broken rib. She wondered how such a little filly became so strong, to destroy an alicorn in just two hits.

She was swiftly given more evidence for the filly’s freakish power as she landed atop her chest, driving all four hooves into Star Swirl’s chest with incredible force considering her weight and size. Star reared up and gasped in pain as all the air was forced from her lungs and her heart jumped in her chest, swiftly struck back down as the zebra gave her a terrific headbutt that sent her into the sand with blood streaming across her face.

“Is this all you have?! You’re an alicorn, one of the most powerful creatures on the planet, and you can’t even fight back!” Sabah screamed in rage as Star Swirl lay whimpering in the dirt, tears and blood mixing across her face and her hair dank and dirty in the ash. Those tears only seemed to make Sabah angrier, the zebra’s expression twisted and her voice getting shriller by the moment, “You’re weak! You don’t know what it’s like out there, you never had to fight to survive! You never had to kill an innocent, just so you could eat! You never had to betray a friend just so you could survive another few hours!”

Star Swirl bit her lip as she brought her tears under control, her voice still shaking as she looked up at the zebra with wet, trembling eyes, “I do know what it’s like Sabah.”

“What?”

“You know what I am Sabah? You know who made me?”

The zebra was taken off guard now, her voice quiet and uncertain, “The Goddess. Some... mutant blob who wanted to conquer the world.”

Star Swirl nodded, looking softly up at Sabah, “I was her servant for years. I killed hundreds of ponies, personally, burning them alive with lightning and crushing them under my hooves. And having killed them, I enslaved their loved ones, stallions, mares and fillies, and sent them either to Red Eye to be worked to death or to the Goddess to suffer far worse. I crawled across burning sands with a pair of shattered wings and three broken legs after taking a megaspell to the face, ate insects I found under rocks to keep myself alive.”

Sabah stared back, quiet and hard, “Then why won’t you fight back? Why are you so broken up about one more body?”

“Because I didn’t want to be that pony anymore. Because I know what it’s like to be forced to do horrible things, and I know the guilt.” Star reached forward with her muzzle, now just a couple of inches from Sabah’s face, “You... couldn’t even join her funeral, you had to follow along at the back. Because you don’t think you belong.”

“I don’t. I’m a killer, another wasteland monster. Those pretty ponies in their white robes, they’d never understand.” Sabah hissed at Star Swirl, baring her teeth, “There’s no forgiveness for what you and I have done, no kind redeeming hand.”

Star Swirl’s voice wavered, “Diamond Prism didn’t think so. You’re right, I don’t know anything about you Sabah. But the mare they were talking about back there... she wouldn’t waste her time on a lost cause.”

“She was an idiot.” Sabah reared her head back, staring down at Star with anger, “And now she’s dead.”

“What do you want Sabah?”

“I want... I want her back...” Sabah’s face broke, tears streaming down her face as her body trembled with pain, a deep sob exploding from her throat. She thumped a hoof against Star Swirl’s chest, clumsy and limp, “You took her from me, and I won’t forgive you, I won’t! She was the only one who made me feel like I was anything more than a monster, and now she’s dead!”

Star Swirl looked the little zebra in the eye, “Sabah... she was bringing you to the church wasn’t she? She wanted to show you where she grew up.”

“Yes...”

“You should stay with them.” Star reached up to the filly, “I’ll come with you, introduce you to Sunshine Ivory. She’ll take care of you.”

Sabah tried to reign herself back in but the tears were already too established, streaming down her face now. Her body went limp and she fell into Star Swirl’s chest, pressing her nose into her fur, “I’m not like you... I’ll never be any better...”

“Sabah... it’s always a fight. You’re good at fighting, you know how to let go of your dignity to survive, how to continue to struggle no matter the odds.” Star Swirl folded a cautious leg across the fillies back, holding her trembling form against her chest as she let it all out. It hurt, her broken rib shifting with every movement. Star Swirl didn’t care, “Just let go. Let it hurt.”

The alicorn opened her eyes as the wagon stopped, feeling the pain of her injuries burn through her once more. She had killed so many, and now she was crippled and defenceless, alone without the Goddesses loving touch and in the hands of those who only intended harm for the unity. She wanted to cry but didn’t have the energy... or the nerve.

She had slaughtered hundreds. She deserved to die.

An aged, robed pony approached the wagon, urged along by the merchant zebra who had found her dying in the dirt. He approached her with slow hesitant steps, especially as she cringed and sunk away from his approach, “Please... stay away... I just want the pain to stop... pain to stop...”

The pony smiled, warm and gentle, “My dear, take a look around you.”

She did, her eyes widening at the sight. Dozens of her sisters standing around, uninjured and in sound mind. Even as she watched one of them walked forward, her voice like bells to her after so long without the unity, “Sister, do not be afraid. You are safe here, Velvet Remedy has saved us all.”

The alicorn lifted her head to her sister, “I’m... safe?”

“All alicorn are welcome here.” The elderly pony nodded, easing her pain slightly as his horn glowed with green light, “Your old life may be over, but here you are free. Your sisters are already waiting for you.”

_____________________________________________

Trait: Tired of Blood - “Make it stop, make it stop!”
Unlike many others in the wasteland, it hasn’t got easier. You have an extra 10% chance to miss with any attack, 40% if the attack is lethal in nature.

New Quest Perk: Faded Mark - “But I want it naooow!”
You’ve taken the first step towards understanding your cutie mark. You gain a 5% chance of instantly killing a wounded or off guard opponent.

New Quest Perk: Legacy of Celestia - “Dear Princess Celestia...”
You’re just a little closer to the ideal of your legendary ancestor. You gain +1 perception in direct sunlight.

Level 3 reached.

New Perk acquired: Child at Heart – “Good with animals, good with kids!”
The Child at Heart perk greatly improves your interactions with children and the young at heart, usually in the form of unique dialogue choices.

New Quest Acquired: Black Gold
1. Make peace between Caesar and Star Fall.
2. Pacify four resource rich areas.
3. Disable Caesar’s curse.
4. (optional) Make contact with Far Go traders.

New Quest Acquired: Cutie Mark Crusader
1. Find clues to the meaning of your old cutie mark.
2. Locate Tradash the Black, Tandia of Garm or Caesar of the East.

New Quest Acquired: Celestia’s Legacy
1. Locate the heart of the All-mother
2. (optional) Find more memory orbs relating to Celestia.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.4 - Of Heroes and Emperors

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Chapter 4 – Of Heroes and Emperors

“Good evening Wasteland... *sigh*... this is DJ-Pon3 with the news.

Yes, before anypony sends me any more reports about the weather, I know. Rain across new construction sites, terrible drought above farmland, all across the wasteland the weather has turned against us, wild and unpredictable.

But DJ-Pon3, what does this mean? Has the Lightbringer abandoned us?

First of all, don’t call her that. She has a name, Little Pip, and she’s only as brave, scared, loving and selfish as any of you could be if you gave it half the chance. Right now I’d say the dominant emotion might well be scared, and that she might need a few new heroes more than ever. Because yes, you heard it here first... the Single Pegasus Project is malfunctioning.

Yes wasteland, those few of you without babyfur behind their ears might be wondering what all the fuss is about, and indeed you should all be listening to your elders. The NCR has already started to send out weather teams to take care of the worst of the errant weather and yours truly has been sending out calls to the best and brightest to work out what’s going on with the SPP. Of course a certain awesomely handsome and unfailingly modest DJ will be co-ordinating efforts so I might have to leave you all for a little while, until normal service resumes you will just have to put up with my beautiful assistant...”

“Hey!”

“Sorry, ‘handsome and totally masculine’ assistant Rusty Needle. You all know and love him I’m sure, so just go a little easy on the little pony for a while. Until then just... keep calm, and hold Little Pip in your thoughts. And as for the Twilight Society and Applejack Ranger ‘thing’? I knew Steelhooves, and I’m still a member of the Twilight Society, so if both of you don’t grow up and put down your toys daddies’ going to have to bash some heads together.

Uh, I’m depressing even myself, so here’s some music to cheer us all up. This is New Alicorn, with Bring me the Light. Enjoy.”

Dust stood in the radio station beneath Star Fall command, amazed but not entirely surprised to find out that they already had DJ-Pon3 programmed into the system, and had done ever since Little Pip had boosted his signal with Red Eye’s hub. He had started to wonder how Star Fall knew so much about them, and here at least was one reason.

The content of the signal was certainly food for thought however. Things didn’t seem to have got any better back home, “Well... it’s always worrying when you hear that.”

Zenai spoke up, the mare going over some technical manuals at the back of the room, “What’s that? The SPP?”

“No, DJ-Pon3 sounding upset. He’s always so unstoppably upbeat, even when he’s angry.”

Zenai pondered it for a moment, stepping over as she replied, “He knew Little Pip didn’t he? Maybe it’s worse than he’s letting on.”

Dust Kicker considered this, not exactly a possibility he wanted to entertain. The Lightbringer was... their Goddess. Beyond the corrupt politicians, beyond the softhooves and their laws, beyond the pain and uncertainty of the wasteland... there was her. The Vault Dweller, strider of the wasteland, tougher, stronger and better than any that had come before or after. The paragon of the wastes. Killer of Red Eye, Destroyer of the Goddess, the spear that pierced the Enclave and brought sunlight to the wastes.

Dust shook his head, accepting the possibility that it could indeed be true, “It’s almost certain. DJ-Pon3 asked everypony to keep her in their thoughts, and that was when he sounded most upset.”

Zenai’s voice sounded small and scared, “Do you think she’s dead? That the SPP has shut down because she can’t control it anymore?”

“No.” Dust answered quickly, and a little desperately. He couldn’t believe that the Lightbringer was that mortal, that her story could end like that. She had killed Red Eye after all. Red Eye was the smartest, toughest son of a hellhound in the wastes, and no one who could bring him down could die from a simple... accident? Illness? What could get at her while she was in there?

“I’ve never seen you so flustered either.” Zenai gave him a small, curious little smile, “Do you know Little Pip as well or something?”

Did he? He felt like he did. Those two moments, those fragments of a second where he had seen the pony that would one day become so much more...

She looked like an ordinary mare. Rather plain and mousy, small and innocuous... his sights had fallen on her, his trigger tightening...

And he had known then. That he couldn’t kill her. That she was special. That she would have killed him, just another body in her wake. She still terrified him, that little mare half his size, “If she is going to die... I want to kill her.”

Zenai burst out laughing, “You wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“She’s been lying in pretty much a coma for the last seventeen years.”

“You still wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“I know.” Dust found himself smiling, chuckling to himself as he thought on the mare. Sometimes he almost felt like he was in love, some kind of impossible, twisted crush, “She killed dozens of my friends, she destroyed everything I put my trust in, she eradicated my world and I would never be anything more to her than another target in her gunsights.”

“You sound like you have a crush on her.” Zenai pinpointed his thoughts exactly as she chuckled, adopting a sly smile, “Would you, if she offered?”

Dust grinned from ear to ear, “Oh, in a heartbeat.”

“Really? How much would you pay?”

“Everything. Everything I am, everything I have.” Dust chuckled to himself, lost in that impossible fantasy, “I can’t take it with me after all.”

Zenai raised an eyebrow, “Sounds like you don’t think you would survive.”

“Of course I wouldn’t. Ask Star Swirl, she’s the Destroyer. The last ranger, living avatar of death for my kind.” He shook his head, absolutely certain now, “Death could never take her. She’s fine. Bet you anything it’s just a burnt out fuse.”

Zenai chuckled, looking at him oddly, “You almost make me believe all that rubbish myself.”

Dust grinned at her, “Then what do you think she is?”

“Like DJ-Pon3 said, a mare. A... good one, and a skilled and clever one. But just a mare.” She shook her head, moving over to the console, “Come on, let’s see what Canterlot is saying about all this.”

“-aterlot radio, bringing you important updates and news straight from the Heart of the NCR. This is Swiftfeather, with the news at five. At the top of the headlines, Arbiter Regina spoke yesterday to address some of the concerns facing the NCR today. Let’s hear her speech, exclusively on New Canterlot Radio.”

Regina’s familiar voice sounded out across the airwaves, clear, powerful and imposing as it had ever been. She had a good voice for radio, it had to be said.

“Good evening all. We stand together today, our NCR besieged on all sides. The pillars of our society rent asunder. The Single Pony Project, malfunctioning. Two of our founding organisations, the Applejack Rangers and the Twilight Society killing each other in our very streets!”

A loud bang sounded out, the microphone ringing in sharp feedback. It was no secret why, ponies had already started calling the merciless punching of tables ‘pulling a Reggie’.

“The NCR will not tolerate flagrant disregard for its laws from anyone! I will restore order! I have already deployed a team to look into the situation with the SPP, and have mobilized the army to restore order to our streets. If anyone breaks our peace I will show no mercy in attributing blame to the very highest levels and reacting accordingly! I will allow no one, no one to destroy this Republic we all fought so hard for!” Regina paused for a moment to catch her breath, and quite possibly wipe some spittle from her beak, “I am Arbiter Regina, wishing all peace loving citizens a good night.”

Swiftfeather spoke again, his voice as unfailingly neutral as it ever was, “Protests have already been lodged against the Arbiter’s words by several officials, with Elder Peach Trees of the Applejack Rangers expressing his ‘anger and disappointment over her attribution of blame for the hostile actions of the Twilight Society’. Midnight Sceptre on the other hand reiterated his stance that the Twilight Society was ‘merely a free access group of concerned citizens, and that they had simply been trying to retrieve some stolen property when the Applejack Rangers fired upon them’. Unaffiliated with either group, councilmare Elderberry simply criticized Regina for taking such a firm stance in the first place, as lacking clear evidence such an approach was constitutionally nonviable...”

Dust switched it off, not really wanting to hear any more. For his part he agreed with councillor Elderberry, Regina simply didn’t have the clout to do anything about it. Damn the constitution, he knew how power worked. When it came down to it ‘Arbiter’ was just a pretty title, “Regina’s so in over her head...”

Zenai frowned, “She’s a good pony, she deserves your support.”

Dust could only snort, both at her naivety and the fact that a zebra should use the term ‘pony’ so universally. Was Zenai really that ignorant about the workings of power? “Regina is going to deploy the army against the Rangers and Tenpony Tower? She wishes she had that kind of clout. Tenpony would buy them off, and the Rangers are so integrated with the army that it would be like asking them to shoot each other.”

“At least she’s passionate.”

Dust Kicker laughed, “Yeah, a bird of fire, trying to live underwater. Politics doesn’t work on passion, it works on cunning, charisma and knowing when to pick your battles.”

“She does pick her battles.” Zenai frowned, “It’s not her fault there are so many targets out there.”

Dust looked down at the little Zebra in interest, he really seemed to have angered her by criticizing Regina, “You voted for her I assume?”

“Of course!” Zenai stood tall (or as tall as she could manage at least), sticking her chest out proudly, “This is Regina! She stood with Littlepip at the Everfree forest, stood with her mother at the battle of Neighvarro, stood with the Elements of Harmony against the Screwball conspiracy, protected them when they activated the Gardens... they should have stuck the Element of Loyalty on her and made her a national hero, the least I could do is vote for her in some popularity contest.”

“She refused the Element of Generosity, as I recall.” Dust turned back to the console, shaking his head, “That’s her problem. Her mother would have sucked it up and accepted the damn thing, no matter how unworthy she felt. Regina has to make everything such a Celestia fucked crisis of honor. I wonder if she can take a shit in the morning without a moral debate about it.”

Zenai frowned, “Someone has to take a stand.”

“No, they really don’t.” Dust sighed, not wanting to debate it anymore. He missed Red Eye. Red Eye let the ends justify the means, he didn’t go on about honor and morals. Pride, that’s all they were. Dust did what he felt right, never worrying too much about why. That sort of shit just led ponies round in circles, “Come on, let’s call Silent Steel already.”

Yet against Zenai looked inexpiably nervous, jaw clenching and eyes widening. She had done it every time Silent Steel had been mentioned, like she was frightened of talking to him. It made no sense, and that made Dust nervous. She eventually managed to speak, almost tripping over her words in her haste, “Ok, but let me talk first.”

“Why?”

“Just... some things I want to clear up.”

Dust frowned but moved aside, letting Zenai at the console. She fiddled for a moment or two, inputting the frequency and setting up the array for long range broadcast. Dust heard it rumble into position above them, still impressed the thing actually worked after two hundred years. The screen flickered for a while before a ‘connection established’ sign flashed across in green text, followed by ‘audio only’. Silence reigned for a second or two before Silent Steel’s cool tones floated from the speaker system, “Hello, who is this?”

Zenai burst in almost instantly, making very little effort to disguise the nervousness in her voice, “Sir, this is Zenai. I wanted to tell you that the mission is going well so far, we have established friendly contact with Star Fall and a possible way to import large amounts of fuel for the Equestrian factories.”

Consular Silent paused for a moment before speaking, his voice carefully measured, “Excellent. Indeed, I need to thank you Miss Zenai.”

“T...thank me?”

“Indeed. You have successfully hidden an important asset from the Twilight Society, protecting it when they came for it at the airport.”

Zenai looked like she was going to be sick, her face contorting, “Thank you sir...”

“And the Applejack Ranger? Her name was Gentle Streams. She was nineteen years old, just earned her armor. Only child, parents couldn’t be prouder that she achieved her dream. Been with her boyfriend two years...”

Zenai shouted the words, her voice high and strained, “Sir!”

“...actions have consequences Zenai. I wanted you to understand that. I’ve already spoken to your mentor, he states that this is a lesson you have always had difficulty comprehending. I am pleased to aid in your education.”

Zenai’s face fell for a moment, though she quickly recovered. She looked back up at the screen with determination in her eyes, teeth clenching, “I know the consequences sir. I’m just not afraid of them.”

“You are a brave, clever young mare indeed Zenai. Is Dust Kicker there?”

Dust stepped forward, glaring at Zenai as she only continued to arise his suspicions, “Here sir.”

“Protect Zenai well, she has just become an asset to me beyond her immediate mission. I have no doubt the Twilight Society will eventually come for you again, and they are not to be underestimated.”

Dust nodded, that was what he wanted to hear. To hell with shadowed whispers, clear missions were his area of business, “It’s a danger outside mission parameters sir. Need to renegotiate.”

“Do you think you can pull off this Star Fall deal?”

“I think so sir.”

“Protect Zenai and bring me fuel deals and I will make you wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. Six zeroes, a penthouse in New Canterlot, VIP membership at Hoofbeats... whatever you want.”

Dust Kicker smiled. He could keep the penthouse and hoofbeats membership, but at this point all the pay was just keeping score. And becoming the highest paid mercenary in the wastes was a pretty nice score all things considered, “Done.”

“Thank you. And Zenai?”

Zenai grimaced, “Yes sir?”

“At some point I will come to retrieve my property. I really hope you are accommodating, because as of right now I am your only friend. I pay mercenaries to protect you, I run interference with the growing number of people wanting you dead and I will make sure you still have a place here when we’re done.”

Zenai squeaked her reply, “Yes sir.”

“Do not get me wrong, I like you. I like your nerve, your wit, your drive. The Followers really wasted someone like you.”

“Sir...”

“Actions have consequences Zenai. Keep me updated.”

The communication cut off, Dust keeping his glare fixed on her. She continued to avoid his gaze, Dust finally just speaking angrily at the zebra, “Well?”

Zenai still wouldn’t look at him, “You have your orders.”

He... that was brahmin dung! He didn’t play shadow games, that was actually written into his contact! “Play me Zenai and it will go badly for you. I’ve lived a long time, I’m very hard to catch off guard.”

“Don’t threaten me Dust Kicker.” Zenai turned to glare at him, Dust rather impressed by how fearsome she looked. He stared harder but she continued to hold it, baring her teeth a little before growling her words, “You’re the least scary pony I’ve made friends with lately, and though I have no intention of doublecrossing you... understand this. I’m not bad at this game myself, and if you look like you’re considering getting a better offer I will cut you loose. Permanently.”

Heh. He was proud of the little filly, she had teeth. Adorable, baby teeth, but they all started out small, “Wouldn’t dream of it princess. Shall we call Far Go traders next?”

“Sure.” She curled her lip up as she continued to glare, “And don’t call me that.”

“So, did you manage to contact your friend?”

Dust nodded as he exited the radio facility to see Mint Engine standing in the corridor, fiddling with some complicated looking device levitating in front of him. He couldn’t help feel somewhat relieved and in some way almost disappointed by Star Fall’s chief scientist, who seemed almost sane. Dressed in a smart white suit and tie, the mint blue unicorn wore his mane neat and had a water talisman cutie mark, not to mention his manner was more ‘pleasant civil servant’ than ‘raving loon’. He wasn’t sure if that was allowed in post-war scientists, or if Mint Engine was just some sort of aberration, “You have a nice set up here. Amazed it all still works after so long.”

“Oh no, most of it has been replaced over the years.” Mint Engine lifted his glasses, smiling genially, “Since we have the original designs to go on it hasn’t been too much trouble, and we’ve even managed to upgrade some of the infrastructure. The plumbing for instance was built for half the number who reside here now, one of my biggest challenges has been meeting the sanitation needs of such a big community.”

Dust grinned, looking around at the mountain interior, “So this is civilisation huh? The big volcano based research laboratories researching plumbing rather than genetically engineered death robots.”

“We have a military research wing, I only have indirect supervision over those projects though.” Mint Engine gave a light chuckle, “My father was the previous council member in charge of science, he was so disappointed that my inventions didn’t explode or kill people. I eventually realised I would have to pick a field that played to those talents.”

Dust actually felt sorry for him, the soft little scientist in a world that respected martial power. After all it was like what he felt sometimes, only inverted, “So what do you think of the alliance with Equestria?”

“I’m simply exited that we will have other scientists who we can compare notes with. Collaboration is the central element of science you know, otherwise you end up with things like Rohohuki or Alicorns.”

“Rohohuki?”

“Pink Gas.” Mint Engine lifted his glasses again, pretty much seeming to be a nervous tic at this point, “A rather... unimaginative nickname, also referred to as the Littlehorn Agent. Originally created by the Harbringer, an insane cultist and terrorist. Despite years of study it’s almost certain that he was the only one who ever really understood its properties.”

Dust Kicker didn’t think it was that complicated, “It kills people, melts them into their clothes and liquefies their organs.”

“Indeed, but it also provides incredible regenerative properties and endows those affected with enormous amounts of physical strength. Caesar spent years trying to create super soldiers with it apparently, likely killing hundreds of his best and brightest.”

Dust didn’t know whether to laugh or shiver, “An army of Canterlot Ghouls. A scary thought.”

“Hardly more scary than your alicorns.” Mint Engine locked him with a questioning gaze, “You should really keep an eye on yours by the way. Security spotted her going into the Church of Celestia, hardly a safe place for an impressionable young mare.”

Dust raised an eyebrow, “Why not?”

Mint Engine gave him an utterly serious look, “Its matriarch Sunshine Ivory used to run a mercenary band on the mainland, she is now an important political ally of Councillor Themba and his ambitions.”

Sunshine Ivory was a mercenary? The pretty Celestia lookalike with the butter wouldn’t melt voice? “And those ambitions?”

“Those ambitions being Star Fall invasion of the Golden Coast.” Mint Engine nodded gravely, “The Church of Celestia still ranks behind the Church of the Holy Flame here, and is not particularly well established on the mainland. Sunshine Ivory hopes to enable Star Fall to regain its old territories, in return for making the Churches of Celestia and Holy Flame the official state religions. I hesitate to think where an actual living alicorn could figure into her plans.”

Everyone wanted something. He wasn’t too fond of organised religion, but it helped him to consider it just another war for territory and influence. Another layer of government and control, no bad thing in itself so long as it allowed holes for an old killer to slip the net, “She’s not likely to hurt Star Swirl is she?”

“Oh no, she would never let an association with violence anywhere near her church. Just... advise your friend not to trust unconditionally.”

“Fine... ugh, the last thing I need is for that filly to get involved in local politics.”

“You might not have a choice. She looks like a combination of Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna, however you present it she’s a walking political statement.” Mint Engine just shook his head, giving him a kind smile, “Take care of yourself Dust Kicker. It’s a wild world out there.”

Dust lay awake on his bunk, counting the dust mites as they floated past his head.

He was really stiff and achy from all the walking around the previous day after so long cramped up in a small space, the last thing he wanted to do rise from his warm and comfortable bunk. Still he was convinced that was the first step on the road to old age, and besides the first hours of day were some of his favourites. The coolness, the stillness...

With that motivating him he kicked the covers away and gave a stretch, slipping out of his hammock and trotting over towards the exit.

Ice Break and Loose Trigger were curled up together on their bunk, Dust suppressing a chuckle as he passed. Cynical about love as he was, a cute couple could always warm his heart. The Enclave had encouraged homosexual relationships for population control reasons, offering financial benefits and under the table promotions, and Dust Kicker certainly knew many who had gone and seduced an older, superior officer out of pure ambition. If that had been the case here it certainly seemed to have developed into something more a long time ago.

Heh, bless. It had been too long since he had lain with a nice mare. Middle aged widow, a little lonely, willing to feed and provide a room to a traveller for a week or two in return for some companionship. He had lived a long time and was still convinced there was little better than that in this world.

Dust Kicker continued out onto the landing bay, spotting a lone guard standing duty at the entrance to the main terminal. He slipped a cigarette out of his saddlebag and offered it to the pony but he just shook his head, Dust shrugging and lighting up himself. It was herbal, not quite the same as his old brand, but damn if he wasn’t getting any younger. He needed what was left of his lungs.

“You’re up early.”

“Always am sister.” Dust Kicker turned his head to Star Swirl, the mare as normal hesitant, apologetic and unbelievably earnest looking. He gave her a grin as she continued to stare, turning back to his cigarette, “Guess you don’t smoke.”

“I’ve... never tried.”

“Don’t. It wouldn’t look good on you.”

Star Swirl paused for a few more seconds before finally getting it off her chest, “Sorry... for throwing you against that wall.”

“Not the first mare who’s said that to me.” Dust Kicker chuckled, just staring out into the misty morning as he took a long deep drag of his cigarette, “No harm done. You’re a good kid, I can see that. That little zebra and the buffalo are lucky you came along, even if they don’t feel too grateful now.”

“Actually... I think Sabah is going to be ok. She’s staying with the Church of Celestia, I convinced them to look after her.”

Dust Kicker heard the pride in her voice, along with the searching need. She wanted his approval. Strangely given his reluctance to engage in any sort of long term relationship he had always been a paternal sort, and he was flattered by the fact that she really seemed to like him. It wasn’t a tall order to flatter a cute mare’s ego for a few minutes, “That’s a good thing you did. More people should care about what happens to foals like her, at the very least it means there’d be a damn slight less fucked up adults when they grow.”

Star Swirl advanced forward a little so she was next to him, looking down for a second before speaking, “What was your childhood like Dust Kicker?”

He resisted the urge to make any ‘dawn of time’ jokes for the sake of good taste, “Normal sort of thing. Out in the wasteland, scavenging for junk, clip around the ear or an extra helping at dinner depending on what I brought back. Got older, da taught me how to use a gun, how to hunt.” He sighed, trying to remember the specifics. He hadn’t thought on those days in a long time. Didn’t even remember his father’s face, or even his mother’s name. There was no sadness to it, he had left that life behind a long time ago, “Wasn’t my happiest days, but I turned out alright.”

“What were your happiest times?”

He wasn’t sure if he should answer that question, but she had caught him at an unusually sentimental moment, “Red Eye.”

“You worked for him?”

“I did some jobs, yeah. At the time it really felt like he was the best hope for the wasteland.” Dust sighed, letting himself relax as he remembered, “Before I’d just... fucked about. It was all meaningless. It’s still meaningless now. But working for Red Eye... I was a part of something that mattered.”

“Do you think this new Red Eye is the real deal?”

Dust sighed, that being a good question. But in the end... “However much I want it to be... no. You just have to look at his actions, it’s quite insulting really.” His thoughts once against turned to his former boss, feeling his heart ache just a little for more simple times, “This new Red Eye, he’s leading an army of raiders to capture slaves from the surrounding wasteland, putting them to work in his factories and spouting off on the radio about creating a new world.”

Star Swirl blinked, waiting for the next part, “And? That’s what...”

“No, it isn’t. It’s all just window dressing, Red Eye did that because that was the only way he could successfully round up and deploy the workforce needed to build a new world.” Dust turned to look her in the eye, a bitter look on his face, “I’m not deluded, Red Eye would be working with the NCR if he was really back. This new Red Eye on the other hand is just fucking everything up, destroying bastions of civilisation and creating nothing but new weapons for his army.”

“So... he’s a fake?”

“He’s a calculated insult, and everyone seems to have fallen for it.” Dust shrugged, sighing gently, “I keep wondering if it’s all some carefully formulated plan, but if it is I can’t see it.”

Star Swirl looked up at the grey sky, “I guess nothing is really the same anymore... where were you on the day of Sunshine and Rainbows?”

“The Cathedral. Couldn’t see the sky, too busy digging my way out of the rubble. Missed the whole thing. What about you?”

“Maripony. Busy being under a cloud of nuclear ash.”

Dust Kicker chuckled, “Seems we both missed the world being saved. Still can’t see it myself. Thought there would be more harps and great queens with flaming swords. Just the same old shit, just we vote for the corrupt bastards now.”

“We have the Elements of Harmony...”

“Five of them at least.” Dust Kicker chuckled, kicking back and spitting his spent cigarette onto the landing pad, “Hey, here’s an idea. You take up magic, and I’ll have... hell, generosity I guess.”

“I think you have to be friends with the others.” Star Swirl gave him a wan smile, “I don’t think even Velvet Remedy could pick me out of a crowd, and she’s my boss.”

“Went on a mission with Calamity once.”

“Really?”

“Long time ago. Doubt he remembers another wasteland mercenary.” Dust Kicker chuckled, stamping out his cigarette, “He was a real punk back then. Bet he’s still a punk, just one with some fancy jewellery and a nice chair at NCR Command.”

Star Swirl gave him a nervous smile, “You sound jealous.”

“He picked the winning side.” Dust chuckled, looking up at the morning skies, “I’m allowed to be a little bitter about it.”

The ‘Golden Coast’ came into view shortly after they left Star Fall, Dust realising the area was well named. While large areas of the beaches were stained black, golden sands could still be seen in numerous inlets that dotted the coastline and the scrubland beyond was covered in twisted, yellow bracken. The trees too all sported yellowish leaves, and the odd splash of colour from the other vegetation didn’t do much to break up the overwhelming... goldenness of the area. Since this place had been named before the war Dust Kicker figured it was much the same as it had always been, turning to Zenai for confirmation, “So what can you tell me about this area? Pre-war I mean?”

“The golden coast?” Zenai asked self evidently, before returning to her eager schoolteacher tone, “It’s the coastline facing north-west from the Zebra lands, so it’s always been the centre of trade between here and Equestria, the Griffon Territories and the lands beyond. As such it’s always been more... cosmopolitan than the eastern lands, even during isolationist periods. They even spoke a somewhat pidgin form of Equestrian as the common language in areas.”

“Doesn’t look very farmable.”

“Well this is the coast, further inland it was apparently more fertile. The silt here is actually really good fertiliser, once it’s added to soil.” Zenai looked across the black staining before shrugging her shoulders, “Well, it was before the war. I’m not sure what the pollution has done to it. This area once was said to host fields of yellow flowers, now all l see is bracken.”

“Doesn’t look in that bad shape though.”

“No. I guess North Star really did stop the Equestrian attack from hitting this area.” She looked up at the blue skies above, “Not having the Enclave cutting off all the natural sunlight must have helped too.”

“We’re approaching the turn now, I’d advise you to brace yourselves because it’s going to be a little tight... hey, we have something incoming. To our left, anyone got a better view?”

Dust and Zenai were facing that direction, both of them searching the skies for their mysterious incoming. Dust could certainly see something, though it was pretty much a dot on the horizon. He trotted over and unhooked his sniper rifle, propping it on his front hoof and taking the side grip in his mouth to bring the sight to his eye. He had trouble keeping up with the approaching object with the view too magnified, but he could definitely see a pair of wings. It also appeared to be travelling quite fast, “A pegasus or griffon.”

“Or a zebra with a blood wing potion.”

“It’s travelling at supersonic speed, it’s definitely something built for flight.” Dust lost his view and took his eye away to locate the object on the skyline, squinting against the sunlight, “Can a zebra fly that...”

The object announced itself with style, the sky lighting up in a huge sonic rainboom that expanded outwards with bursts of kaleidoscopic colour. The boom hit them a moment later, though Dust was already entranced by the spectacular view in front of him as the flyer span in a corkscrew that left a shimmering contrail of rainbow light twirling about itself before banking towards them. Whatever the flyer was, he got a short glimpse of an oddly shaped figure before it passed by and positioned itself above the altostratus.

”Heh, I would know that flying anywhere! She hasn’t lost her touch!”

Dust’s ears perked up at Trigger’s voice, instantly identifying who he was talking about, “So this is the famous Clear Skies?”

”You betya! Looks like she’s guiding us in, everypony strap yourselves down for the descent.”

Dust and the others strapped themselves to the bulkheads, fortunately positioned so they could still see out the windows. The altostratus passed the coastline before banking as Trigger had warned, turning into a tight arc that threw them against the straps hard. Dust heard Star Swirl give a panicked yell as she tried to open her wings and quickly got herself tangled, checking she wasn’t in any real trouble before taking the opportunity to chuckle at her predicament. They straightened out after a moment and headed off north down the coast, Dust spotting Clear Skies following along beside them for a moment before shooting off ahead with a booming mach cone, “She’s a good flier.”

“The best. No one flies like Clear Skies!”

Evidently. Dust settled himself in for the rest of the journey, watching the golden coast sweep by. Next stop, Demonnivoire.

After Star Fall Dust had warned himself against underestimating this new land again, still the city of Demonnivoire took his breath away. Unlike Star Fall it was a beacon of green in the yellow wastes, gardens and farm land surrounding and intruding into the city itself. Irrigation had been set up, a series of small rivers used to feed farm land in areas without weather management, and small microcommunities spread out for quite a way with a series of stone guard towers to protect them from threats. The city itself was built upon a hill, a disorganised but visually stunning series of yellow stone structures climbing across its face towards the palace that sat at the summit. The structures themselves were rather boxy, still the primitive architecture was mitigated by the composition and setting, not to mention the magnificent greenery made possible by a series of rivers that flowed down from the palace above. Dust wondered how they had achieved it, magic? Pumps? Either way it was impressive, even for a pre-war city.

“I guess all the megaspells aimed here were intercepted...” Zenai had her face pressed against the window in awe, “Isn’t it beautiful? Back before the war this place was one of the poorest of all the ports in this area, falling into decay when the mineral deposits in the local mines dried up. To think, it’s now the capital city of a whole empire.”

“It looks well inhabited.” Dust looked down, they were a little far away but he could still make a rough estimate of the dots running around on the ground, “About seven thousand at least, that would quite possibly put it above New Canterlot.”

Zenai chuckled, giving him a wry smile, “Sizing them up for invasion?”

He always did. He had been attacked by the most unlikely ponies, and liked to be prepared, “I’m the only one with any real combat experience, least I can do is try and bring back a reasonably accurate assessment of their defensive and offensive capabilities.”

“The towers are arranged so whichever you attacked, you would be under crossfire from another. The approaches are all cleared too, no cover at all. I can see replaceable gun emplacements on the city rim, they could see any attack coming from a long distance away and intercept them with artillery fire. And... there are concealed bunkers down there. I can see the door to one.”

Dust raised an eyebrow as he turned to Star Swirl, the alicorn intently studying the area on the other side. He could back up her assessment of the towers at least, though her eyes were obviously more acute that his for the other details, “Well look at you Star. You know your military tactics, who would have thought it?”

Zenai snorted, “She was a member of the Goddess’s army you idiot, she’s served in combat. She just doesn’t like it.”

Star Swirl turned to them, looking embarrassed. Dust studied her guilt ridden and avoidant expression for a moment before grinning, “I really can’t see it Star Swirl, sorry. You don’t strike me as being remotely scary.”

Star grinned ever so slightly, “I... I’m trying my best not to be...”

Heh, the girl was too easily to read. He had also noted Zenai tended to reveal interesting information when she was angry... “So it’s just you who’s green as grass huh Zenai?”

Zenai looked down her nose at him, displeasure wrinkling her muzzle, “I scavenged the wastes with my father until I joined the followers at fourteen. I put a lot of hours into exploring some pretty scary places, I certainly learned how to fire a gun and deal with raiders.”

He grinned, there you go. So her father was a prospector then? “Well, I can’t wait to see you in action.”

“You are infuriatingly smug, you know that Dust?”

They were just approaching the city when Caesar’s welcoming committee flew out, a host of four zebra with bloodwing potions and three sleek arrow shaped robots. They surrounded the Altostratus and guided her down towards the palace, waiting until the ship was fully down before flying off in all directions with elegant turns. Dust watched them go, sizing them up, “His flyers seem well trained, and were those robots there?”

Ice Break nodded to Dust as he walked out the cabin, “Pegasi called them hornets, air to air hunter killers designed to shred our pegasus forces. Whole reason we adopted magical energy weapons so widely is to combat them, apparently they were deadly little bastards. Nice stuff, Caesar must have raided some high end armories for them.”

“Well let’s see what else he’s got for us.” Dust gave Ice Break a questioning look, “Staying on the ship again?”

Ice Break nodded, “We were told to leave this part to you. We’ll pause here for two days, then we’re headed back to Equestria. We have to submit our flight computer so the NCR can map out safe routes across the sea.”

“Thank you for your help Ice Break.” Zenai trotted over, bowing her head formally, “You went beyond the call of duty for us, and we all appreciate it.”

“Yeah, well your alicorn hasn’t thrown herself out the ship again so we’re all toasty.” Ice Break gave them all a firm salute, “Take care of yourselves out there, it looks like a dangerous country. Don’t get killed, and don’t get us into any wars.”

“We might have to, lots of people wanting the NCR to join their gang.” Dust smirked, “But we’ll try not to get into a fight with all of them at least.”

Zenai shot him a glare, “Not even our job anyway Dust, we’re on a scholarly mission remember.”

Dust smirked at Zenai, “We’ve already made one alliance, you were boasting about it to Silent Steel.”

Zenai blushed, quickly replacing her embarrassment with anger, “Well... circumstances permitted it. Just remember, we’re not allowed to commit the NCR to anything, ok?”

“Fair enough.” Dust waved a hoof to them as he started towards the exit, “Come on, let’s go meet our hosts.”

They stepped out into the open, having taken about three steps down the walkway before Dust heard a sharp whistle. He looked up in alarm as a pony jumped from the roof of the Altostratus to land in front of them with a thump, oversized wings folding around her as she turned to face them. Dust took a step back in surprise, the creature before them certainly... well...

Distinctive?

The creature was one of the most unfortunately looking pegasi Dust had ever seen, and he had met Ditzi Doo. Like her she (it?) was a ghoul, but was odd looking by even their standards. Her jaw was malformed, her teeth on the left side jutting alarmingly and her eyes slightly too far apart. All things considered the ghoulification wasn’t too bad, but the patches of snot green fur didn’t make things much better. Neither did her hopping, limping gait, one leg clearly deformed and useless and another limited in its movement by a malformed hip joint.

Dust almost laughed as he saw her cutie mark, a felt picture of a sun shining over still waters sewn into her flank. He made a wild guess, “Clear Skies?”

“Mah repwetation prehsfeeds me!” The pegasus gave a broad, if odd looking smile, Pweesfed to meet you!”

Dust wished she would stop trying to pronounce the letter ‘P’. And ‘S’ for that matter...

Star Swirl’s familiar voice cut him off mid thought, “Oh, so that’s why you can’t walk in a straight line! You’re a ghoul!”

Dust turned at the offending, and loudly stated, comment, rolling his eyes. Words on the other hand could not express Zenai’s expression as she stared in dumb struck horror at the mare beside her. A million responses seemed to pass through her head as she mouthed wordlessly, eventually settling on something simple, “Star!”

Star Swirl averted her eyes from Clear Skies in horror, “Oh... I didn’t... I mean...”

Clear Skies cut them off with an extremely odd sound, which Dust eventually realised was laughter. She waved her deformed forehoof at them, grinning happily, “You’a sfilly pony. And I’ve awayfs been pwetty gimpy, even before my sfin fell off.” She stuck out a little pink tongue, “My moffer wasf welly fort fighted, so ee fort my father was jusft being dramatic when ee fain’ed at the fight of me.”

“Clear! You scoundrel, how are you doing!?”

“Wigger!” Clear Skies waved an exited hoof to the pony behind them, stumbling a few paces before a pair of huge, oddly shaped wings opened up and she leapt, soaring elegantly above their heads to slam into Loose Trigger and pin him against the ground, “Miffed you!”

Trigger chuckled, enduring her nuzzles with good humour, “Alright, alright... you never call you know?”

“Don’t haf radio. Hate othfer pony.” She gave a wide, surprisingly cute looking grin, “’’Cept you.”

“You never change Clear.” Trigger pressed a hoof against her chest and disengaged her hold on him with a quick half roll, shoving her backwards to summersault neatly through the air and land on the ground in a battle ready crouch. He waved her off quickly, chuckling as he introduced the mare, “Fillies and gentlecolts, Clear Skies. I’m... not sure how to introduce her.”

“Bweeing spwastic befwor Derpy made it cool!”

Dust smirked, she certainly was a character even beyond her appearance, “Ditzi... and you do remind me of her.”

“Pweze.” Clear Skies stuck out her tongue, wiggling it around for good measure, “Everywon always Ditzi dis and Ditzi dat. I was swonic rainbooming long before her, I wasn’t soopid enough to get my tongue cut out eewer.”

“Mores’ the pity...”

Clear Skies shot Trigger Happy a profoundly disturbing smile, “I seem to wemeber you wather liked my tongue Wigger...”

Trigger promptly went bright red, shrinking back a little, “Clear, that’s... low blow!”

Dust winced, not really wanting to think about that one. Well... all tastes he supposed. He hoped it was before she became a ghoul, though he had heard of ponies who were into ‘that’ as well, “You’ve been here a while now Clear Skies?”

“Uhuh.” She pulled an indecipherable face, “A pwersfonal gueft of kqifar.”

He figured that was ‘Caesar’, the word seemingly designed to promote spittle from the mare, “What can you tell us about him?”

“Kqifar? He...” Clear Skies thought for a little while on the question, seeming torn about how to reply. Eventually she suddenly just tensed up, her ears perking (even they stuck out at strange angles!) and her eyes widening, “I’lltellwolata!”

She exploded up into the sky with such force she almost knocked them all off the platform with the downblast, her form soon a dot on the sky line. Dust cocked an eyebrow as she disappeared from view, “She’ll... what?”

Trigger looked slightly worried, however he quickly nodded towards the stairway at the other side of the platform, “She said she’ll tell you later. You have guests.”

Dust turned to see the uniformed troops of the Caesar of the Golden Coast marching up the stairs and lining up before them, spears gleaming and their elaborate centurion uniforms clean and pressed to perfection. Dust studied them, rows of handsome square jawed zebras with hard disciplined eyes and fierce expressions, noting himself impressed. Sure, they were show troops, still the discipline needed to present men in this way could not be underappreciated. He noted too that along with the anachronistic and fairly useless spears they all sported shiny and well maintained submachine guns too.

The last two were different from the others, the first in a similar uniform but a little more armoured and not wearing a helmet, revealing a battleworn and solid jawed zebra mare who studied Dust back with a similarly assessing glare. The other’s expression was a mystery, the creature totally sealed within an armoured jumpsuit, eyes hidden behind a pair of tech goggles and respirator. After a moment to line up beside their fellows the mare moved forward, her voice loud, clear and slightly accented, “All honour to Great Caesar, Lord of the Zebra, protector of the Golden Coast, warden of peace and prosperity for all under his benevolent hoof! Bear witness now to his magnificence!”

“My magnificence.” The voice was velvet smooth, soft yet demanding of attention, tones full of nobility, the zebra who emerged from behind them matching. He was... gorgeous, though Dust Kicker wasn’t normally one to apply such words to stallions. The zebra kind of excused it by being positively androgynous however, his body solidly built but complemented by smooth lines in all the right places, his green eyes bright and intelligent. His purple velvet robes draped elegantly off his form, gold chains holding glimmering gemstones looped about his neck. His long silken mane was swept through his robes in long tresses, made possible by the careful and graceful way that he moved. He smiled at the group as he moved past his men, an expression that actually made Dust Kicker’s heart flutter a little.

Yeah, this zebra was really making him question his sexuality, not to mention being about twenty years younger than his normal tastes. What the hell was he?

“I... am Caesar.” He gave a sly, cunning little grin, turning his attention to Zenai as he slunk towards the similarly spellstruck zebra, “Welcome to you, visitors from the great Equestria. It is an honour to host such guests as the three of you.”

“Of... of course great Caesar... I...” Zenai gulped as she was faced with those piercing green eyes, steeling herself before continuing with slightly more dignity than before, “We have many fine gifts from Equestria as gratitude for your hosting us, we are all hoping our stay will give us opportunity to learn more about your civilisation and open up future peace between us.”

“As are we Equestria.” Caesar nodded to them, waving a hoof towards the stairs, “Come, let us speak in comfort.”

“Of... of course.”

Dust followed behind as Caesar led them past his troops and to the stairs beyond, the metal gantry leading down towards a veranda walkway across the top of the palace. Caesar turned to check they were all following before speaking once again, his smile still mesmerizingly pretty, “I hope you don’t mind, but my subjects are very eager to learn more of my new arrivals. A few of them have lined up on the streets outside the palace, I was hoping we could honour them with our presence briefly.”

“Of course Caesar, but... how did they know we were coming?” Zenai looked at the others as she followed, a little confused, “We didn’t send any word ahead.”

“My dear, nothing happens in the Golden Coast that I do not know about, and as for the crowds? Why, they have been waiting since this morning, your arrival so momentous.” Caesar waved a hoof at the balcony a short distance away, “Come, let us greet them.”

Zenai shot a nervous glance at Dust before following Caesar, gasping as she reached the balcony and looked out over it. Star Swirl just froze with dilated eyes at the same sight, Dust hurrying forward a little to see what all the fuss was about. He heard the roar the moment Caesar reached the edge, growing louder as he approached...

The balcony looked out onto a huge courtyard below, sitting at the end of the long steps from the city to the summit. It was absolutely filled with zebra.

“Hail Caesar! Hail to Equestria!”

“Celestia’s teats...” Dust was both impressed and horrified, wondering just how long Caesar had kept at least three thousand zebra standing around waiting for them. Many of them waved banners proclaiming Caesar’s awesomeness and how happy they were that Equestria could now appreciate such awesomeness themselves, Dust deeply suspicious about how happy they all seemed. He could appreciate a good dictator as much as any pony, but he started to worry about their self perception when they started lining up thousands of subjects to look happy at gunpoint, “They certainly seem enthusiastic about your rule Caesar.”

“Of course. After so many years of thankless toiling in the post apocalyptic dirt my father freed them from the tyranny of Star Fall, returning them to the rule of our ancestors.” Caesar placed his hoof on the balcony, looking down with obvious pleasure at his subjects, “And now I build them a fine new civilisation to go with it, giving them all hope for the future.”

Dust stared down at the crowd, looking for something wrong with this picture. He soon found it, the tell tell sight of soldiers in civilian clothes, eyes alert for any infraction. The crowd too was somewhat ‘wrong’, many of them looking far too desperate and scared to be genuine. Dust could only smile, the sight reassuring him somewhat, “They seem appreciative great Caesar.”

They made their way into the palace, Dust surprised at how utilitarian it was. A few banners and tapestries stood around and several stately rooms branched off from the main corridor, for the most part however large parts of the palace looked to be used as storage. The building too was showing its age, the plaster crumbling in areas and clear signs of subsidence. He ventured a guess that the level of education here wasn’t enough to repair a pre-war structure, filing away that information for later as Zenai moved onto a separate topic of discussion, “So, how did you found this kingdom great Caesar?”

“My father founded this kingdom actually, unifying the tribes of the Golden Coast against Star Fall.” Caesar turned to look at all of them as they walked, fortunately they all managed to keep poker faced about it being the second time they had heard this, “Apparently you visited it before reaching the coast?”

Zenai nodded, “Yes, we stopped there to resupply.”

“Well then you should know its origins at least. Sadly it is a story repeated in many wars throughout history. You see when Equestria died in nuclear fire it’s armies didn’t all die with it. And like all such orphaned armies, they soon realised that they were devoid of further supplies, heavily armed and free of government oversight.” He looked to them, eyes filled with quiet anger, “You can guess what happened next.”

“They raided the villages around them.” Dust stated it simply, already knowing this bit, though interested to hear it from the other side, “How did your father beat them if they were so much better armed than you?”

“Arrogance on their part, cleverness on his. At first.” Caesar laughed at the memory. True to form it was a joyful, sweet sound that sounded like music to Dust’s ears, the Zebra continuing with his story, “Technology can only help so much, my father’s grand gambit was simple. You see he pointed out to the tribes that there was a lot more of us, and after a few victories we had enough guns to make them count.”

Dust figured as much. The population of this city alone exceeded that of Star Fall, and as an island nation they had a far more unstable supply train. Logistically they would find it difficult to fight an extended war with the mainland, their one advantage was always fear of the weapons they possessed, “And they elected your father to the rank of Caesar?”

“No, my father... is not a romantic.” Caesar turned away, seeming troubled as he searched for his words, “When he was forced to step down I took the title, to cement my claim and reclaim some of the glory of the past.”

Zenai asked the question with careful tones, “May I ask about your father my lord? I heard he was sick, and that you rule in his stead.”

“Sick?” Caesar let his head fall for a moment before raising it again, determination on his face, “My father is indeed sick, his once fine mind is not what it once was. I have placed him in comfortable seclusion, so the people will always remember what he once was.”

“I’m sorry my lord.”

“My alchemists work day and night, so none would be struck down as he has been.” Caesar waved a hoof at his (rather unimpressive) palace, “All this? This is for him. I built this civilisation on his legacy. I give peace and prosperity to all because he won me a birthright. But now... I stand next to him and he doesn’t even recognise me.”

“Maybe we can help?” Star Swirl looked over at Zenai with quiet desperation, “Maybe the medics of Equestria can...”

“Star, the last thing we want to is get his hopes up, the treatment of organic mental disorders is still one area Equestria has almost no success in.” Zenai shook her head, bowing her head to Caesar, “We are truly sorry great Caesar.”

Caesar waved them off with a hoof, moving into an expansive hall hosting a large statue at its centre, “I learned to accept it long ago. Indeed, this here is most appropriate to the subject at hand.” He moved over to the statue, the work obviously aged but still impressive in its artistry, depicting two Zebra standing side by side, an older one in front of a younger. Caesar stood in regard of it for a moment before speaking, “We all learn from the past. This statue has given me much solace in my time as ruler.”

Zenai looked up at it, “Who are they?”

“The royal family of the United Zebra Territories, Caesar Remicon and his son Nashar.” Caesar had a complex look to him as he stared upwards at the statue, a mix of regret, pride and resolve. He paused for a little while in contemplation before finally speaking, “Remicon was a great Zebra, he alone had the strength to unite the territories, bringing down the warlords and corrupt merchant kings to create a country worthy of us. He alone resisted the reaping of our resources by Equestria, instead using them to build an industrial revolution of our own. When war came he did not flinch, showing the ponies’ arrogance in assuming their easy victory was just that, leading a technologically inferior force to victory through cunning and resourcefulness. And Nashar...” He turned to the younger Zebra, strong and noble with a heroic sweeping mane and a determined expression. “He had a different courage. He saw that the war was no longer about national pride or resources, but simple hate. He lobbied to end the war, worked with likeminded ponies to put a stop to it before it destroyed us all. In his time he was considered by many a traitor. What would he be called now, had he succeeded? Nashar the peacemaker? Nashar the great?”

“Zenai spoke softly, “He sounds like he would have been a wonderful leader.”

“And who better to emulate?” Caesar turned to them, green eyes shining, “I will complete his task. My father forged a nation, I will lead it into an era of peace. Your new Equestria will have my friendship, the friendship of all those under my banner.”

“It’s... good that you speak of peace Caesar.” Zenai spoke hesitantly, “We bring two such offers today.”

Caesar lifted a perfectly groomed eyebrow, “Hmm?”

Zenai hesitated for a moment before bowing low, her muzzle to the ground, “Great Caesar, Star Fall also extends its hand to you, wishing your long conflict over.”

Caesars transformation was instant, soft smiles to haughty grimaces as he rose to full height. His eyes burned like icicles, sweeping an angry hoof as he made his proclamation, “I made my offer to the NCR because they are a peaceful nation based on the ideas of justice and fair representation, created by the sort of heroes spoken of with Zephre, Zanbardra, Star Swirl and Celestia. Not a raider outpost, which pillaged the golden coast for two centuries!”

Zenai looked nervous, Dust could tell. It spoke to her credit that she still advanced, her voice quiet but firm, “They were trying to keep civilisation alive, many did worse. There are good ponies there, who only wish for peace.” Zenai nodded to the windows, “North Star may not have been legendary, but it was because of him that the golden coast was saved.”

“North Star was a criminal! He burned civilians in their homes, poisoned water and food stocks!” Caesar’s composure was completely lost now, the great lord pacing wildly as he ranted into the air, “Rainbow Dash, no innocent herself, lobbied for his removal! Referred to him as a sociopath who cared for nothing but victory! One action born of pragmatism does not make him a hero, and even then I note he had those who disagreed with him killed!”

“It... is hard to make peace when pride and national interests have been replaced by hate...”

Caesar twirled on Star Swirl, his anger forcing her to back away in fear. His tone was incredulous, “You throw my words back at me?! Use Nashar’s example to shame me?!”

“I...”

“You... dare too much, for those who do not deserve it. It reminds me of another, though I dared not...” He shook his head, haughty once more as he turned away with a swirl of his cape, “Very well, but my negotiating position just got stronger.”

“Um...” Zenai gave the other a nervous look before stepping forwards, “What do you want great Caesar?”

“A better diplomat for a start. You...” Caesar turned to the small zebra, looking her up and down with a critical eye, “The mercenary, the alicorn, the Pegasus... these are interesting to me. You however are merely a zebra who thinks she’s a pony, and I’ve seen enough of those.”

Zenai looked totally thrown by this, her face desperate and confused, “What kind of pony do you want...?”

“I want her.” Caesar grinned wide, looking way too pleased with himself, “I want the Element of Kindness, I want to see her for myself.”

Zenai looked positively terrified now, “V...Velvet Remedy?”

Dust suspected it already, Caesar’s expression only confirmed it, “He means Fluttershy.”

“What?!” Zenai looked between Caesar and Dust Kicker like they had both gone mad, “We can’t bring her here!”

Caesar smiled smugly, “Why not?”

“Because she’s... in her seventies for a start!”

“Is she in poor health?”

“No, but... she’s still old.” Zenai gave him a pleading look, “We can’t drag her all the way over here...”

Caesar waved a hoof, cutting her off with a fierce glare, “I’m not dragging her anywhere. I demand she be brought her in all the luxury your NCR can provide, so that the zebra people can show their gratitude for her actions during the war. It was her who fought for peace, she who extended a hand of friendship to our people. I will not sign anything unless she is there with me.”

Zenai looked to Dust, desperate now, “Dust, help me. We can’t do this.”

“We can only ask.” Dust thought she was being a little over the top about all this. The NCR would have to send someone important eventually, and Fluttershy was a respected diplomat with ties to the issue at hand. He didn’t pay attention to politics but he was pretty sure he had heard something about her carrying out a visit to the buffalo to provide a final signature on a treaty there only a few months ago, “Is there something we don’t know about her health or something?”

“No... she’s healthy.” Zenai let her head fall, abashed, “I just... I hate to tax her too much. She’s important to the Followers.”

“She’s important to us.” Caesar stated it bluntly, standing tall in front of her, “I promise, she will be treated with the greatest dignity while she is here.”

Dust nodded in agreement, wondering if it was truly because Zenai hadn’t seen nearly enough years to realise that life didn’t end at twenty five, “She’s not a china doll Zenai. She fought Discord and Nightmare Moon, she can take care of herself.”

Zenai sighed, looking up at Star Swirl, “Star?”

The alicorn quickly shook her head, “I’m staying out of this.”

Zenai shot her friend an ugly look before sighing, acquiescing just a little, “I... I’ll ask.”

“Thank you.” Caesar bowed his head, his little coup seeming to have cheered him up immensely, “And I also want you to do something else for me, though the details can’t wait. In the meantime, why don’t you explore my palace for a little while? There are many old zebra carvings I’m sure you will find interesting. Dinner will be served at seven, just find one of my guards and they’ll escort you.”

Dust looked to Zenai for a response; however the zebra seemed content to sulk for now. He eventually took it upon himself, bowing low and trying to sound as polite as possible, “Thank you for your hospitality Lord Caesar.”

Dust decided to explore on his own, Zenai running off in a huff and Star Swirl quick in pursuit. He preferred it that way to be honest, Zenai wearing on his patience a little of late. She was lying to him pretty openly about something, not to mention the stuffy and unjustified self regard that she seemed to hold herself in. It was always the pretty ones, and he admitted that the filly was also pretty smart. It was a curse, fooling her into jumping into situations way above her competence. Once again it had left her looking stupid, and he was certain it would continue until she learned to better assess her chances of success and failure.

He had a lot of time to think, the palace fulfilling his earlier assessment by being pretty boring. It was obvious only a small part of it was actually Caesar’s residence, with the rest allocated to storage and barracks for his personal guard. He had headed there in hope of assessing their actually competence, and what he saw was both impressive and rather dull. Their quarters were comfortable but utilitarian, their equipment well made and moderately maintained, the men solid and unimaginative. It was a well ordered, well drilled army and Dust Kicker rated them a little above the more enthusiastic but somewhat undisciplined NCR military, and was pretty sure they could put up a good fight against the Applejack Rangers. He could see how they had won against Star Fall for a start. From what he had seen the Star Fall troops had been much better armed with an array of fancy custom weaponry, but more resembled a mob than an army. Though of high quality they had very little cohesion in their armaments and armour, likely scavenging their own equipment from the stores. That was an advantage in skirmishes and small actions, but in large scale battles? Commanding such a force would be an exercise in futility, and Caesar’s father had taken them apart will well disciplined tactics.

All in all it depended on their numbers, and if the rest of the army matched up to the troops here. Dust was doubtful on both counts, without the farmland of the NCR Caesar couldn’t maintain a population anywhere near Equestria’s, and these were the zebra stationed in the palace itself. They might possibly be a threat to the NCR if they joined up with Star Fall, but Caesar had already demonstrated why that was unlikely to be successful. Besides, Caesar wouldn’t have let him wander around like this if he intended invasion. He had initially wondered why indeed he was allowed access at all, but then realised with Caesars vanity he was likely only too eager to show off his military might. This wasn’t the NCR after all, this was likely the most professional military force in the zebra territories.

He heard the sound of yells and clashing sticks, heading forward to see a sign bearing some zebra characters. Fortunately, if somewhat oddly, it was easily decipherable. Dust had used zebra writing several times as a simple way of encoding messages, and conveniently the sign was actually Equestrian written in zebra script. Thinking about it he had yet to hear any language other than Equestrian, lightly accented at that, wondering if Star Fall’s influence had them all speaking the lingo. That would be useful, Dust hardly wanted to rely on Zenai and Star Swirl for all discussion.

Regardless, the sign read ‘combat training’. That sounded promising.

The door led out onto a balcony, looking down on a wide hall that had been set up with multiple movable concrete walls to simulate urban combat. A unit of about twelve zebra were advancing through the maze from various directions, long sticks held in the crook of their forelegs. He noticed one was wearing different armour than the others, painted a different colour. It didn’t take long to realise that it was the zebra mare from before, or that the others seemed to be advancing towards her.

She easily got behind the first zebra to cross her path, the poor buck not even getting a chance to face her before her stick jabbed him in the side and he backed away with an embarrassed grin. It distracted the mare for a moment however and another guard attacked her from the side, his staff swinging for her shoulder. Dust grinned wide as the zebra mare pivoted expertly, striking the staff to the side and knocking it from his mouth with a thrust, finishing off the zebra with a light jab to the throat.

Two more attacked her at once, the mare ducking the first and striking the legs from the second with a lightning fast dash, spinning to plant her staff between the first’s shoulder blades with a crack. Both dropped like a stone.

“Not bad out there. You certainly know what you’re doing.”

The zebra mare turned to look at him as she pulled her head away from the bucket of water she was using to wash away some of the sweat, her eyes narrowing in vague suspicion, “You Caesar’s NCR guest.”

“Yeah, he said I could take a look around.” He checked the zebra mare out as he advanced, seeing as this was the first time he had seen her out of her armour. As with Zenai he felt slightly cheated that her cutie mark meant about as much to him as any other collection of random black lines, though judging from her heavily muscled frame and little demonstration he would bet it was something to do with violence, “Nice fighting there, though I question how useful sticks are in a real fight.”

“Heavy rifle, liability in close combat. Turn it into an asset, heavy, can be made balanced for swinging.” The mare fixed him with a haughty, proud glare, “Dragoon units also can devastate groups of armed men in short time, not think spear useless if you faced them.”

“Well, I’m sticking with my shotgun.” He chuckled, moving closer to the mare, “I presume you’re the captain of these troops here?”

“I am Caesar’s Ganzen. His... protector.” She paused, looking slightly embarrassed at her language difficulties, “My name is Oteka.”

“Dust Kicker. I’m doing the same job for the two fillies I was with.”

“Hmm.” She studied him for a moment, “Are you spying on us Dust Kicker?”

He smiled at her, found out so quickly, “Checking out the competition. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t be doing the same.”

“So you are honest. That is good.” She gave him a slightly warmer expression, though she was still prim and standoffish. After a moment a small grin edged in, “Would you like to fight me?”

“In close combat? You would flatten me sister.” Dust chuckled, “I’d bet I’m a better shot than you though.”

She shook her head, “Not target shooter. Santu... aimed shots with submachine gun close to opponent, fast reactions.”

“Sounds like we would make a good team.” Dust grinned at her, seeing her visibly relax a little, “So, have you worked for Caesar a long time?”

She nodded, looking proud, “His father saved my village, I protector there. Join him, fight many enemies. Protect children since baby, helped noble Caesar grow strong.”

“You think he’s a good ruler then?”

“No need to lie. Noble Caesar is clever zebra, skilled at numbers and direction of men. He rules country as zebra should be rule, looks to future.”

Ah, here we were, the interesting part, “What future is that?”

Oteka frowned in quiet annoyance as she explained, “Nanamu... wastes of east. Filled with kanna, idiots, worship idols, invisible gods. Hate ponies for things done to grandfathers, live in houses of mud. Caesar extends great rule to them, great Caesar as meant to be.”

“Fair enough.” Dust still wasn’t sure if he really thought this Caesar could pull it off. He seemed smart enough, and charismatic with that, but he also reeked of vanity and petulance. Naturally he didn’t say that, this mare seemed pretty loyal after all, “He certainly looks the part of a ruler.”

“Do not say that.”

He looked at her in suprise; she had stated that very firmly, “Excuse me?”

Oteka furrowed her brow, “Many zebra, make fun of Caesar all life. Not act like stallion, too many books, nice clothes, not big hairy stallion like father or brother.”

That was new, “Caesar has a brother?”

She nodded firmly, “Big, strong, bold. Good fights, lots of drinking. Zebra say he make great leader, see how strong and stallion he is.”

“And...?”

“Kill young lovers, stallion first then mare. Tries to sex her, she fight. Before that, too much fight, too much trouble. Angry often, take it out on others.” Oteka turned her eyes away, obviously hurt by the memory, “Come home, covered in blood. Father sees he gain his spiral mark too.”

That didn’t sound good. He wondered what a rapist and murderer cutie mark looked like, “What was it?”

“Many stars, mark of demon. Father send him away, into wastes to die.” She shook her head, “Zebra not mind gentle ruler anymore, not make fun of books and dresses. Get... worried about hobbies sometimes, but Caesar good ruler, no fights and trouble.”

“I... see.”

“Did someone mention fights and trouble?”

Dust was just about to question the mare further when a dark black shape brushed past him, sliding past to plant itself right in front of him. Dust retreated quickly, his body tensing for a fight as the armoured form shimmered in the light, visor glinting. Dust spluttered a challenge, “Who are...?”

It interrupted him before he had a chance to finish, its voice like silk across a cheese grater, “Ah, was the big mercenary too entranced by Oteka’s eyes to notice me come in?”

Oteka frowned, “No one talking to you Chigaru.”

“Oh, really? Because I thought I heard a silly little mare talking about our mighty Caesar to a complete stranger, in far too intimate a tone.” The strange stallion stepped back a little, his motions leonine beneath his all encompassing armour, “You were always a gossip Oteka. Someone has to rein you in.”

Dust really didn’t like this arrogant little shit, everything about him rubbing Dust up the wrong way. He quickly tried to steer the topic back into safer waters before it got any uglier, “You speak very good Equestrian.”

“We’re not all illiterate thugs.” Chigaru chuckled to no one but himself, flexing rather disturbingly under his armour, “I spent my happiest days killing your kind, the least I could do was learn your language.”

Dust grinned, “Was that an attempt to provoke me?”

“Oh no.” Chigaru sounded almost sincere, though with his swarmy voice it was hard to tell, “It was a complement. I loved fighting your kind, there’s nothing I would like better than this deal to go wrong, to give me a chance to match myself in battle against Equestria again.”

Dust frowned at his rather odd choice of words, “You... fought against Equestria?”

Oteka explained, her voice carefully neutral, “Chigaru survivor from the war.”

“Hmm...” Dust stared at the armoured zebra, enigmatic and unseen beneath his armour, “Ghoul then?”

“Why don’t you look for yourself?” Chigaru chuckled, angling his head slightly. Dust made absolutely no move to call his bluff and Chigaru withdrew with a smooth giggle, “Good call. I’ve seen better days, that much is true.”

Once again, Dust really didn’t like this asshole, “I presume you’re Caesar’s attack dog.”

“Me and Oteka, we’re his sword and shield.” He looked to the mare, it obvious from her expression that she shared Dust's disdain, “She plays nursemaid, I bring him the hearts of his enemies.”

Oteka cut him off, delivering a firm series of words in her own language. Chigaru simply laughed at her before stepping to the side a little so he could face the pair of them, “Caesar wants you both to know that you’ll be travelling to Estelle to deliver Caesar’s terms to the self proclaimed ‘King’ Abartili.”

Oteka looked worried, brow furrowing, “And leave his highness’s side?”

“He’s a big boy Oteka. He wishes to make sure nothing unforeseen happens to our guests.”

Dust Kicker looked at the pair before asking the obvious question, “Estelle?”

“Settlement on border of Land of Sands, Caesar claims it as territory.” Oteka turned to look at Dust, “King Abartili not co-operate, recruit mercenaries.”

“So you’re going to take it by force?”

Chigaru snorted, “We’re going to point out that even with his hired thugs we outgun him many times over. Fool is obviously trying to get his citizens killed.”

Dust had seen it before, small trading settlements with three rifles among them standing up to Red Eye. Raiders he could see ponies thinking it was better to die fighting, but against an organised army? Resistance just pissed them off, “Who is this Abartili pony? He openly an idiot, or just making a stupid decision?”

“Merchant king, fat lazy, but not stupid. Caesar not sure why he suddenly so stubborn.”

In Dust’s experience even the smartest people occasionally got stupid, but was as suspicious as Caesar in this case. Otherwise smart warlords didn’t antagonise greater powers unless they were very sure they had an adequate deterrent or even more powerful friends, “What civilizations are there in the land of sands?”

“The Ticari Federation, merchants, together for trade. Not strong enough leadership to challenge Caesar.”

Chigaru yawned, “What she said, a unified response would require the consent of a dozen of the smelly, self serving bastards. Challenging Caesar is not good business.”

“What about the eastern wastes?”

Chigaru smirked, “Them? The speciest fucks would never accept a leader who wasn’t a zebra.”

That didn’t sound encouraging. They were planning on pacifying these lands so Equestria could benefit from their fuel reserves, having the vast majority of the population hate ponies was an added complication they could do without, “They’re still sore from the war?”

“Oh don’t be so logical about it.” Chigaru snorted, throwing his head up, “The war started because it’s natural for species to hate each other. The only thing holding us together was greed, and eventually the Zebra realized they were getting the bad end of the deal.”

Dust frowned, this Chigaru really knowing how to irk him. He had served with griffon all his life and despite occasional bouts of misplaced pride they were among the best he knew, buffalo and minotaurs were meat headed but unfailingly decent. He hadn’t had much of a chance to work with hellhounds or zebra yet but certainly didn’t hold anything personally against them, and Star Swirl had really started to grow on him, “Personally I think it’s the ‘bad end of the deal’ thing personally. There were zebra in Equestria during the war, and they got on fine.”

Chigaru sniggered nastily, “Sure, if you listen to the ministry of image.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Chigaru sighed, the lights on his visor glinting, “Nothing. You ponies all take things so personally, especially when you’re confronted by something that counters your ‘friendship is magic’ braminshit.”

“Enough Chigaru.” Oteka stated it firmly, the effect more piercing than if she had shouted. She fixed Dust with a solid gaze, “I apologize Dust Kicker. Please, tell your team to mission, I will do the same for mine.”

His team? Zenai would undoubtedly have something to say about that, “Sure thing. I’ll see you later Oteka.”

Even despite her status as a fellow zebra it seemed Zenai left an impression, Dust finding it pretty simple to locate her through the trail of guards whose second glance she had attracted on her way through the palace. He briefly considered locating Star Swirl first, still apparently Zenai had set off for the radio room and Dust was eager to hear if she had successfully contacted the Followers.

He located the room easily enough, Zenai just standing outside with her head bowed.

She... looked like crap. Her eyes were dead, her face fallen, all hope drained from her. Dust Kicker had to say that he was confused, wondering what the Followers could have said to get such a reaction from her. He had a horrible feeling it was somehow related to that weird conversation with Silent Steel, his uneasiness about this operation getting more and more acute despite their initial success, “Did Fluttershy say no?”

Zenai looked up in suprise, not even having noticed he was there, “No... no. She said yes. She’s coming.”

“Then why do you look like you’ve been told you have six minutes to live?”

“Because...” Zenai shook her head, looking scared and desperate, “It... doesn’t matter...”

“Tell me.”

“No!”

“Zenai, tell me or I’m going home. To hell with the contract, you’re lying to me straight to my face.”

The zebra peered upwards at him, deep pain in her eyes, “It’s nothing to do with you or your money you greedy little... mercenary! You’re fine!”

Dust felt a little relieved, it’s true. He still wasn’t satisfied however, “Then it’s about you? Fluttershy replacing you?”

“I... yes, I guess so...”

“That’s rather cold. Didn’t think the Followers were that brutal.”

Zenai puffed out her cheeks, hesitating for a few brief moments before finally breathing it out, body deflating as she did so, “I... wasn’t even supposed to be here. I lied to get this mission.”

Dust raised an eyebrow. This was unexpected to be sure, Dust trying to work out quite what that meant, “You... you’re not a diplomat?”

“I’m a librarian.”

“Well... fuck me. Why?”

Zenai glared sullenly at him, “I had my reasons.”

“So I guess the Followers were angry.”

“Angry?” She chuckled, not particularly happily, “I... they kicked me out Dust Kicker. They kicked me out of the Followers.”

Dust felt a small itch of sympathy for the filly, still it wasn’t much. She had to realise it would lead to this, it wasn’t like she had knocked over their favourite pot plant, “You hijacked their peace project, impersonated a higher level member in negotiations with other factions. You thought they would just let you back in?”

“No, but... I didn’t...” Zenai shook her head, almost tearful for a second. She gulped back a burst of emotion, looking up at Dust Kicker with lonely, desperate eyes, “They kicked Star Swirl out too! She didn’t have anything to do with this!”

Dust had to say, this made him twitch, “You got her into this.”

“But she didn’t know what the consequences were, I never told her anything...”

“And that just makes her naive and your crimes even worse.” Dust faced her head on, eye to eye with the zebra, “These things have consequences. Star Swirl would have been in trouble just for being your friend, by following you she’s an open co-conspirator.”

Zenai shook her head, trying to deny it, “I know, but... I didn’t...”

“Was it worth it?”

“Yes.” Zenai stated it flat and hard, eyes focused and determined once again. She nodded her head to emphasize her point, “I never wanted Star Swirl to get hurt... but this is bigger than me and her. I needed to do this.”

“And you won’t tell me what your reasons were?”

Zenai stared firmly at him, “Dust Kicker, you’re a mercenary. I can’t trust you.”

Fair enough. He wasn’t about to let her go that easily though, “Is it to do with you being a zebra?”

“What?” Zenai’s face contorted in anger, real, fierce and explosive. She slammed a hoof down, head extending forth as she yelled back at him, “How could you even think that? Is that how far we’ve come, that I’m still considered a traitor because of the colour of my coat?”

Dust simply snorted, not about to allow himself to get trapped like that, “It’s not me who thinks you’re the traitor. And if you don’t tell me anything I’m forced to guess.”

“I love Equestria. My family have lived in Equestria for four generations, my great, great grandfather worked in the Academy for Gifted Unicorns. He was honoured for his service twice!” Zenai’s hoof thudded against her chest a couple of times, “You know what, Caesar’s right. I am a zebra who thinks she’s an earth pony. I’m the only one who seems to care about Equestria these days, instead of grasping for power like the Twilight Society or Applejack Rangers.”

Dust shook his head at the little filly, so full of righteous justice. He had seen it too many times before, “You honestly believe, I get it. I’m not sure that’s better. An honest believer is one of the scariest things on this planet, because it allows them to do the craziest shit with no regrets.”

“You miserable old... gah!” Zenai shook her head violently, ponytail whipping about like a flail. She repeatedly stomped the ground, glaring upwards at Dust Kicker with fury, “You... you...”

“Are you looking for the word ‘fuck’?”

Zenai withdrew her rage back into herself, leaving it simmering quietly behind her eyes as she continued to take slow, deep breaths, “My father raised me better than that. He raised me to care about ponies, to try and make this world a better place! You act all superior, mocking me, and Regina... you talk about her now, but I bet you were right along with everyone else in mocking Littlepip before she came out and saved the fucking world!”

“You think you’re the Lightbringer little hayseed?”

“Someone has to be!” Zenai’s petulant little face glared up at him, “If you only know what the Twilight Society and Applejack Rangers have been doing...”

Dust Kicker chuckled, “Don’t want to know. Don’t care.”

“You... you’re trying to get a rise out of me. You’re trying to get me to... monologue or something?” Zenai looked honestly hurt by this, averting her eyes and looking abashed, “Is that what you think I am? A villain?”

Dust kept his impassive face. The filly was really too easy, “As I said, you won’t tell me anything.”

Zenai turned her head back to Dust Kicker, desperation in her eyes now. Her voice was low and husky, strained by her histrionics, “I need you Dust Kicker, I need you to help me. I can’t outthink you, you know that... and you’re right here with me. Keep as close an eye as you want, try and stop me if I’m doing something wrong. I just want to help Equestria, you have to believe that.”

That puppy dog face, the flattery of his abilities, outright saying that she ‘needed him’? Did she think he was born yesterday? Still... this was a job, one he was still getting paid for. He didn’t believe Zenai was openly fanatical or insane, just driven and foolish. By staying he could keep a close eye on her, and by accepting her offer he would allow her to become overconfident in his ability to manipulate him... “Fine. But I’m doing this for Star Swirl. She believes in you.”

Zenai gave a sad nod, “I know she does. She’s right to, she understands.”

Dust repressed a snort. Star Swirl was following Zenai for various reasons, envy of her conviction, a deep seated crush and fear of losing the one real friend she had, but he wasn’t really sure identification with her goals was one of them. He wasn’t going to say that though, not about to make the same mistake as Zenai in openly revealing his emotional weaknesses, “Remember though, I’m your mercenary, not your friend. You put me in a bad situation and I’m waving my fee and getting the hell out. My life is worth a lot to me.”

Zenai nodded softly, “Fine. Are you going to tell Star Swirl about this?”

“You kidding?” Dust Kicker gave a joyless smile, turning about and walking away into the corridor beyond, “Tell Star Swirl that you got her kicked out of the one family she has in disgrace? That’s all yours honey.”

_______________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (18)

New Perk Added: Sceptic - “Well, I still don't believe all this... "special power" stuff. It's just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo!”
You are less than convinced by all this mystical nonsense. You gain a 10% damage resistance or chance of failure (as appropriate) against common magic, increasing to 20% against more esoteric supernatural forces (not including beneficial effects from close allies).

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.5 - A Paper Crown

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Chapter 5 – A Paper Crown

Zenai didn’t like to cry. It always made her uncomfortable. It was odd because her father had always been an expressive zebra, but in retrospect maybe it wasn’t so odd after all. His tears over a mare she never knew had always made her uncomfortable, his attempts to include her in his grief… incomprehensible. She loved her father dearly, but could never feel the same for some mare she had never met. Her father didn’t even have a photo.

Yes she hated crying. It was an outward expression of internal emotions, designed to elicit sympathy. Despite the obvious advantage her small size and young appearance gave her in maintaining such an illusion, she had always hated looking weak. That was why she cried now, alone, indulging in an ugly, messy emotional release and hating every moment of it.

It wasn’t even the end. Far from it.

She had played everypony to get this far, with no resources, allies or strategic advantages she had pulled the wool over the eyes of the Applejack Rangers, NCR and Twilight Society. Now she had connections with Star Fall and Caesar who knew what she could do? Silent Steel thought he could use her to his advantage? Let him try, she would take what she needed before exposing the corrupt bastard for exactly what he was!

And… she would get Star Swirl back her position in the Followers. Fluttershy was coming here after all, which meant she would need Zenai’s knowledge and translation skills. The old mare was known for being a total pushover, Zenai knew she could easily worm her way into her affections and get back all they had taken from her. And when she had forged this alliance, proven herself a hero? With a reputation like that she could finally get things done, expose the corruption at the heart of the NCR and make it shine again like the beacon of hope it should be!

Zenai rose to her hooves, wiping the tears away and replacing her glasses. She had no time for crying.

The meal wasn’t as bad as Zenai had feared, the mare having read a few too many Daring Do novels to be instantly trusting in foreign cuisine. She was actually a pretty fussy eater, strictly vegetarian, and was glad to see almost everything was made of some sort of plant matter. A little heavy and fibrous maybe, still maybe that was how plants grew over here, “Is this all from the surrounding farms Caesar?”

“Indeed! That there is one of our new crops, imported from the land of sands. So far it appears to be thriving.” Caesar raised his head from his meal, looking way too pleased with himself for Zenai’s comfort, “They call it ‘Sadra’, and according to initial reports it contains several of the nutrients lacking in the common diet and is easy to grow in dense concentrations. It is part of a project I have been working on over the past year, a well fed population is after all a happy and strong one.”

Zenai held several reactions in check, Caesar’s self regard and tendency to make it sound like he ran his nation single hoofed really starting to bug her. He seemed to have totally forgotten about his insult earlier, starting to wonder if it had all been an elaborate game to get Fluttershy here. Still, he cared about his people, and his eyes shone brightest when talking about agriculture or economics. Zenai was convinced at least that he would get along well with the NCR, “Equestria has been working on engineering new crops for years now, I’m sure our nations have plenty to share with each other Caesar.”

Caesar nodded, looking both slightly nervous and rather impressed by this information, “Yes, so you have said. I must say... well, I hate to admit it but the Golden Coast was never a haven of alchemical practice, and it shames me that Equestria is more advanced than us. To engineer whole new strains...”

“It... it’s actually a collaboration between earth and unicorn ponies, and zebra.” Star Swirl suddenly spoke up, her voice wavering. The alicorn as expected had been silent through much of the meal, never having been a natural at a fancy dinner such as this one. Her alicornian appetite hadn’t helped of course, Zenai had been counting and was pretty sure Star Swirl had eaten three times the amount she had. Zenai was wondering when she had gotten time to chew, let alone speak... “No one knows the soil like earth ponies, and combined with zebra knowledge of chemical composition unicorns can quickly and repeatedly tweak traits to determine the best fit for the environment it is to grow in.”

Caesar stared at Star Swirl for a moment in rapt attention before laughing joyfully, nodding at her words, “Yes, yes. My, you are a wonderful mare aren’t you?”

Star’s expression almost made Zenai laugh herself. She really couldn’t handle a complement.

“You know, it reassures me greatly to see something designed as a tool for war display such scholarly knowledge and humble wisdom.” Caesar gave Star Swirl a broad smile, motioning elegantly to the mare, “You should speak up more often, I cannot understand why you seem so reluctant.”

Star Swirl faltered for a moment more before opening up with a soft, quiet grin, “I... I only speak when I’ve got something interesting to say, that’s why. You’re not missing anything the other times.” She swallowed her nervousness before continuing, a little more seriously, “And I don’t believe Twilight Sparkle intended us to be just a weapon of war. She modelled us on Princess Celestia after all, and she was a great scholar and scientist.”

Caesar smiled slyly, looking down his muzzle at her, “Is that a confirmed fact then?”

Star Swirl hesitated, “Wh... what is?”

“That they were modelled after Celestia, not Luna.”

Star Swirl frowned, Zenai noting a little bit of anger in her expression as she replied, “Does it matter?”

Caesar chuckled, giving them an enigmatic expression, “To many, yes. There is a prevailing theory among many zebra that Nightmare Moon planned the final destruction of our twin nations, and therefore that she also came up with a way to survive such an end herself.”

Star paused in a mixture of horror and anger at what Caesar was implying, Zenai eventually answering for her friend, “And you’re saying the alicorns were how she intended to survive? That they were... clones of her?”

“For much of the last two hundred years it was assumed that your Goddess was actually Princess Luna, especially after some of her alicorns made it here and tried to take over.” Caesar frowned, seemingly disappointed by his next words, “Apparently that wasn’t true, correct?”

It was Dust who answered this question, the stallion having spent the last few minutes working lazily on a particularly chewy piece of root, “That’s right. Goddess was actually a combination of Twilight Sparkle, her two deputies Mosaic and Gestalt and some washed up circus performer called Trixie.”

“And this... washed up circus performer ended up being the dominant personality, over the three most powerful unicorns in Equestria?”

Dust paused for a moment, “Well... yeah.”

Zenai frowned, seeing where this was going, “Trixie became the dominant personality because she was dipped in IMP before the others, she was able to absorb them at her convenience.” She glared coldly at Caesar, “Not because she had some... non-existent, demon alicorn empowering her.”

Caesar chuckled, seeming to be enjoying this, “Non-existent?”

“Luna was a good pony.” Zenai sat back on her haunches, eyes firm, “She made some mistakes, but so did everypony else in that war.”

Caesar just smirked back, his voice breezy “You don’t think she intentionally split the elements of harmony, subjected them to stresses designed to break them?”

“No! It... it was only natural that she would put the biggest heroes in Equestria in charge of the war effort!”

“Of course it was.” Caesar shook his head, chuckling to himself for a second before nodding to her, “Forgive me, just a little thought experiment.”

Zenai’s mouth dropped open in shock, anger quickly rising in her haunches. Was this zebra trying to aggravate her? “What? A thought experiment, how...?”

“Be calm, it was not without purpose.” Caesar sighed, motioning a hoof, “Have you heard of the cataclysm? When a meteorite of star metal landed in the middle of one of our biggest cities?”

Zenai nodded, it was one of their oldest and most famous stories, one all zebra were told as children, “It poisoned the land, released the star demons upon our kind and wiped out millions of zebra.”

“Zebra went insane, killing each other in droves. Great wars broke out among the survivors, wielding dark magics like never seen before. Our civilisation burned, all our history and culture lost.” Caesar placed his hooves on the table, eyes shining with enthusiasm for his tale, “Much like your Discord, who is widely believed to be a star demon himself. Indeed our reactions to our respective cataclysms say a lot about our people I believe.”

Zenai looked at the others before asking the question, “How so?”

“The ponies of Equestria enshrined the virtues that Discord attempted to destroy, harmony, friendship and order. The zebra...” Caesar paused for a second to gather his words, “You have to understand, the zebra have always prided themselves on their ability to withstand hardship. We enshrine hard work, practical wisdom and not grumbling about your troubles. As a result, the pain of our downfall... we could not deal with it. We ran from it, we hid from it. To this day we build wards around our homes to scare off demons, offer symbolic tribute to evil gods... ascribe every evil to unseen forces. More than a thousand years on, we’re still terrified by what lurks out there in the dark.”

Dust cut in, “Sometimes the things in the dark can be pretty scary.”

“Indeed.” Caesar nodded, “Greed, envy, hate, stupidity. But no dark gods, no Nightmare Moon plotting our downfall. Those... fools out there in the wastes? Again, the stars fall and they retreat to their caves, put up their totems and wait for divine intervention.”

Star Swirl spoke, her voice soft, “You want to bring them civilisation.”

“Yes, yes I do. Science, agriculture, just rule by a rightful king.” Caesar smiled warmly at Star Swirl, causing the alicorn to blush a deep red and look away quickly. Caesar only chuckled, “You are no demon Star Swirl. That’s part of why I invited you over, I needed to confirm it for myself.”

Dust cut in, “What was the other part?”

Caesar grinned, a little disturbingly, “I wanted to see a real alicorn, why else? And I am not disappointed, you are a truly beautiful specimen Star Swirl.”

Star Swirl blushed even harder, her eyes flicking about for escape. Eventually she just dropped her head, muttering her reply, “I’m... a poor specimen your highness...”

“Your modesty suits you well.” Caesar laughed, returning to his meal, “I wish you all a long and exiting stay in this land, I assure you that you will find much to occupy you.”

Exiting alright. Dust had informed Zenai of their mission, Zenai finding it slightly perverse that they were being used as diplomats by a nation that technically they were envoys to in the first place. She knew Caesar was just trying to show off the fact that he had the NCR’s support, and in a way this was contributing to her own goals. She needed Caesar powerful and on her side, with his support her options expanded substantially.

One of those options was becoming Caesar’s liaison to the NCR. It was one that made the most sense, even if it left a dirty taste in her mouth. That taste was only made worse by Dust’s words the previous day.

This wasn’t her homeland. She had been born in Equestria, she grew up in Equestrian culture, she had pretty much been a convicted patriot all her life. It was a side effect of being born a mere two years before the day of Sunshine and Rainbows she supposed, her childhood had been one of excitement and expectation for the future. She used to sit and listen religiously to Arbiter Gawdyna’s broadcasts every evening, she had actually cried when the griffon had refused to stand for a third election. She had been fifteen when her tutors at the Follower compound had called them all in to inform them that Gawd had died, causing her to lapse into a depression that had lasted weeks. She had grown up with tales of Littlepip, Calamity, Steelhooves, Velvet Remedy and Zenith. She had lived watching the adventures of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

She didn’t want to live here, surrounded by all these strange zebra. She really only realised that now, the homesickness really starting to set in. She missed her tutor Rainfall, bitter, unpleasable old bastard that he was, she missed the endless filing and sneaking away to make plans in the dark nooks of the library.

But she had made her choice. She had to live with the consequences.

Zenai opened her wardrobe, brushing the dust from the barding inside as she inspected it for any damage caused during transport. She hadn’t used it in a very long time and it had put an end to the suspicion that she stopped growing at age twelve the first time she had tried it on, the straps cutting off her circulation at even their maximum length. Still you didn’t make armour for a child that wasn’t easily adjustable and it had been fairly easy to modify, adding some extra protection, polishing it up and reformatting the pipboy while she was at it. It was pretty nice now she had a proper look at it, not bad for a piece made by two untrained zebra from an assortment of three other badly damaged outfits. She slipped into its confining grasp, clicking the pipboy into place and making sure the armour was correctly balanced. It was... uncomfortable, Zenai always preferring to go naked, the reason she didn’t habitually wear her pipboy like she had seen others do. Still she figured she would get used to it.

Her ‘other’ suit of barding on the other hand was stored in the cupboard beside, locked with the best electronic seal she could find. Somepony could always just batter down the door of course, but even then the suit was completely locked down and programmed to alert her on her pipboy if interacted with in any way. Even if they did just take it apart all they would likely be interested in was the suit itself, which though impressive was hardly the most valuable thing hidden there.

She was still working out exactly what to do with it, remembering Silent Steel’s words about him ‘retrieving his property’. She wasn’t sure she could keep it out of his hands, and since the Applejack Rangers had developed it in the first place he would know exactly what he was looking for. Zenai should have just given it back when she first received it, she had certainly given it thought. She wasn’t normally given to grand theft, and the Applejack Rangers were the sort of heroes she sought to emulate.

Only... they weren’t. Those heroes had died with Steelhooves, Scold and Lemon Drop, and had been replaced with a group forever one step away from a military coup. Never afraid to precede every heroic action with a request for more power or influence, their relationship with civilian government could be charitably described as volatile at the best of times. They had actually assassinated one of the Arbiters when she had tried to limit their power, and though it was a lone nut and the Ranger’s had purged themselves pretty thoroughly Zenai had no illusions that many still within the organisation had considered it justified. The program installed in the suit said it all really, as despite her affection for the packaging Zenai could not honestly think of any legitimate use for half of its functions.

Indeed... was it the reason for the problems with the SPP? Her discussion with the program had indicated otherwise, it had quite empathically stated that all Ministry of Awesome and high level Ministry of Magic and Governmental systems were outside its reach. It could be lying of course, but she found it hard to believe that someone wouldn’t have found a backdoor into the SPP’s systems by now if one existed. The timing was suspicious, but the fact that the Applejack Rangers and Twilight Society were still trying to recapture her prize suggested they didn’t have a spare copy sitting around. The program had stated that the mainframe had purged itself of all data when the Twilight Society captured the facility.

Were these two events connected, the conflict between the Society and Rangers and the loss of the SPP? The loss of the SPP caused instability, which could justify a military coup by the Applejack Rangers. It was also however a prize the Twilight Society had openly hungered after for years, a golden capstone to their might now that Celestia One was inoperative. Either one of them had reason to go after it... but Zenai doubted either could penetrate its defences.

The SPP was infamously well protected, some joked that it was better defended than the capital or the vital Maripony and Tenpony facilities. This wasn’t actually true, a myth perpetuated by the fact that the zebra megaspells had never even got near it while the other targets had suffered a full bombardment. Still against conventional means the shield around the central facility was totally impenetrable, the Enclave had tried for two hundred years and hadn’t even made a scratch. Full details had never been revealed but it was reasonably common knowledge that only a very select group of ponies had access through the shield, the Princesses and Rainbow Dash among them. Later reports had confirmed that not even the other ministry mares had been given access despite Twilight Sparkle being a consultant on the project, which had moved Rainbow Dash from ‘justifiably concerned about security’ to ‘nutso paranoid’. Littlepip’s method of access to the facility had never been fully revealed, but it had been confirmed that that security loophole was rather unique to their situation and quite definitively plugged. About three of Littlepip’s closest friends had been granted access since, and they all had passcodes to indicate if they were under duress.

It was quite possibly the safest place on the planet. The very idea of somepony getting inside uninvited made Zenai shiver.

They stepped out of the gates of Demonnivoire early in the morning, her, Dust, Star Swirl and a small unit of eight of Caesar’s personal guard led by their captain, Oteka. Zenai had to say she was somewhat nervous around the grim looking zebra in camouflaged combat gear, never having been good with military folk. Dust as normal was chatting easily with them, Zenai starting to get really irritated with the casual ease with which he approached everything.

He was supposed to be the hired muscle, the solid, unimaginative walking gun emplacement backing up her and Star Swirl’s brains. His record seemed to say that, never having accepted a leadership position, even of a squad. She didn’t understand, the stallion from what she had seen was clearly clever and experienced, even quite adept at politics. It was infuriating, and Zenai had to admit that it was because he was smarter than her in a lot of ways. It shamed her to admit that... she didn’t like that. Was she really so thin skinned?

She sighed and looked to her pipbuck as a new signal crackled into existance, a radio station by the look of it. It was labelled as coming from the ‘Imperial House’, which Zenai recognised as the old Zebra empire’s central government. Fortunately it was in Irasi, the ‘common’ zebra tongue, one Zenai was most familiar with. She was familiar with the voice who was speaking too, she had heard it on several old recordings.

“My subjects, if you hearing this then the ponies have finally given into their genocidal impulses and have launched megaspells at the homeland. The destruction is likely near total, the death toll, unthinkable. But do not despair, though darkness covers the land we zebra have faced this before and prevailed, and we will rise again against this new evil! My advisors and I have retreated to shielded shelters, from there we will plan the counter attack and how to rescue those trapped above. Until that day arrives, remember this advice, and stay strong! Do not venture outside, it is likely still saturated with magical radiation. Remember, this radiation is a silent but swift killer, yet it is blocked by stone walls. Stay within and you will be safe. Your basic needs are water and food, fill as many bottles as you can with water from the faucets, it is likely that it will take week or so after megaspell detonation for the underground reservoirs to be polluted. Do not use water for washing until you get a consistent, clean supply, your life is more important than your cleanliness. As for food, eat the fresh food first. Anything tinned will last, save it for emergencies.

The ponies will likely stage an invasion now that our infrastructure has been wiped out, keep a good weapon handy and pack armor piercing ammo if you have it available. Shoot on sight and strip the corpses, they will be carrying anti-radiation drugs and food supplies.

This is not the end, this is only the beginning. We will fight on, and we will survive! This message will repeat.

My subjects, if you are hearing this…”

Zenai switched off the recording, shivering a little. Equestria’s emergency broadcast had never engaged, the one remaining hub that wasn’t destroyed had stumbled over a corrupted bit of code and had frozen up. By the time anyone had thought to record the message for posterity it had degraded almost completely, Luna’s staccato syllables indecipherable. With that in mind the zebra broadcast’s survival was very impressive, especially considering it didn’t seemed to have degraded at all.

“You are listen to the Obanato?”

Zenai turned to Oteka, translating that word as ‘last message’, “Yes, I am. Where is this broadcast coming from?”

Oteka bowed her head, “Two places left. Capital, and deep inside the east waste.”

The capital huh? Zenai was starting to wonder how well preserved the capital was, that Caesar’s curse and this broadcast were both still operational. Equestria obviously hadn’t done a very good job on the bombardment, “Where in the wastes is this? A surviving military base?”

Otecka hesitated, seemingly uncomfortable with discussing it, “It is… a study place. Was hit, badly damaged, zebra repair it and move in.”

“Is it a settlement now?”

“It is… a religious site. Zebra come to worship, old world and war.”

Zenai frowned, rather uncomfortable with that idea, “They worship… the war?”

Otecka was clearly nervous now, and not just because of the subject, “I… unsure how to say it…”

“Is this better?” Zenai spoke in her best Irasi, chastising herself for not attempting it earlier. They had got off easy so far with everyone speaking good Equestrian, she hadn’t even had a chance to use her language skills yet, “I… think I speak it well.”

Otecka nodded, moving to the language herself “You do Equestrian visitor, though you are a little hesitant. I do not so speak it that well myself, Irasi is spoken mostly in the east.”

Zenai was feeling her old frustrations arise from when she had first studied zebra linguistics, unable to comprehend how a single species could have nearly six languages between them, “Then what do you speak natively?”

“In the tongue of Jarato do I natively speak, though when it comes to words I have always been weak.” The zebra warrior spoke the words in a different language from before, shaking her head sadly, “The letters and tones come out all in a jumble, I have studied all my life, but still I fumble.”

Zenai felt a pang of dread, feeling Oteka’s pain, only in reverse. Jarato was one of the two ‘rhyming languages’ of the zebra, and she was terrible at both of them. She decided to give it a go, figuring Oteka would appreciate the effort, “So… what is war worship place?”

Oteka considered the question a moment before answering, “Karege, where the shaman of all tribes rules, he is bitter and twisted, they say war made him a ghoul. Ponies he regards with nothing but hate, and the tribes all follow what he dictates.”

Wonderful. Zenai had never had a lot of patience with pre-war obsessed ponies of any stripe, and not just because they would always repeatedly refer to her as a ‘zebra’ like she had something to prove. She was starting to sympathise with Caesar all the more, wanting to bring civilisation to these wastes, “And Caesar not friendly with Karege zebra?”

Oteka smiled, “The ruler of Karege named Caesar of East, two Caesar’s cannot rest until one is deceased.”

“And I can guess whose side you’re on.”

“Of eastern Caesar I have only distain, I give my allegiance to the one not insane.”

“So loyal to Caesar huh?” Zenai’s tone came off as unintentionally aggressive, still she was in a bad mood, “Forgive if I make own decisions. Ask not loyal zebra, get different answer, Caesar flatters too much. Something to hide?”

Oteka actually smirked, annoying Zenai all the more. She noticed Zenai’s expression and brought herself back to seriousness before speaking, “Please you have no reason to fret, Caesar’s dedication to peace has always been set.” She nodded firmly, “No creature of war has ever he been, his dedication to beauty you surely have seen. The wasteland destroys all that shines, his only desire is to leave such things behind.”

Zenai frowned, “Well forgive I do not trust soon yet. Trust two directions is.”

“I understand only too well young mare, and you certainly are wise to beware. One should never blindly follow, when for so many words of peace are hollow.” She regarded Zenai for a moment or two before her expression became kind, her tone careful as she angled herself forward, “Caesar himself is truly not perfect, indeed I fear he has shown you a lack of respect.”

Zenai didn’t think much of Oteka’s rhymes, though maybe they lost something to her untrained ears. Still at least she was trying to be sympathetic, “Told me I was... uninterest to him. That I was just zebra who pony think.”

“And that is truly a terrible thing? He himself hates those to old ways cling.” Oteka smiled sweetly at the younger zebra, “My own tribe feels I have abandoned their ways, that for tribe I had family, husband, children to raise.”

“I guess have to do what’s right you.” Zenai paused, biting her lip in frustration, “Do what’s right by you? No... I language hate...”

Oteka had to resist a chuckle now, “Your grammar will improve in time, though for true mastery you must hold a rhyme.”

Zenai could only sigh, “You’d be lucky, I can’t even hold a tune...”

Estelle was a solid looking place, more like a fort than a town with strong stone walls and several rusting auto cannons pointing out onto the road. A crudely painted flag featuring some strange pony like creature fluttered above the four corners of the structure, armed creatures of some unidentifiable species patrolling the walls.

“So, ideas?”

“King Abartili has hired mercenary, this is certain.” Oteka scanned the wall with a pair of binoculars, her gaze travelling across their defences, “Hard to infiltrate will it be.”

Zenai hated the idea as soon as she said it, still it popped out of her mouth without consulting her brain first, “Unless we go alone.”

Dust nodded, “We’re envoys after all, if Abartili isn’t totally insane he won’t hurt us at least.”

Zenai tried desperately to backpeddle, really wishing she hadn’t said anything, “No, forget I said that... do you really want to be stuck inside stone walls with a bunch of well armed mercenaries?”

Dust chuckled, looking way too enthusiastic, “I’ve got out of worse, and we have an alicorn with us remember? Besides, as I said we have diplomatic protection.”

Zenai looked to Star Swirl, the mare already ducking her head down in embarrassment at being mentioned, “Once again, she. doesn’t. fight.”

“But she can shield and teleport right?”

Star Swirl nodded slowly, “Yes...”

Zenai grimaced, “Don’t encourage him Star. This is a stupid idea.”

Dust chuckled, “You mentioned it. Oteka?”

The stocky zebra was already considering it, carefully watching the argument taking place in front of her and scanning the settlement in front. Eventually she gave a cautious nod, hesitant but still resolute in her decision, “It is best idea. I give you communicator, you press button, we come rescue. Stay under cover, let us fight.” She pursed her lips, giving Dust Kicker a serious look, “But try not fight. Go in, find out why king refuses Caesar, come out.”

“Right, we can do that.” Dust turned to them, smiling broadly with his normal smug, irritating confidence, “Ready to go my little ponies?”

Zenai took a quick breath as she advanced, the others moving along behind. Zenai wasn’t totally ignorant of military matters, and looking up at the town’s defences made her realise that even with Star Swirl’s shields they would be quickly torn apart if Estelle decided to open fire.

Still they made it into the firing arc of the mounted weapons without incident, Zenai looking up as various figures huddled onto the wall above. Eventually one shouted down at them, his voice growly and heavily accented, “Who goez there!?”

Zenai nodded to Star Swirl, the mare gulping back her nervousness before speaking. Dust and Zenai figured she had the loudest and clearest voice, as well as being the one most likely to make the guards nervous if she kept quiet, “Um... we are travellers from Equestria, seeking an audience with your leader!”

There was discussion above, several of the figures eventually disappearing. A minute or two passed in silence before the gates rumbled open, a group of armed figures marching out to meet them. Zenai couldn’t help but recoil slightly at the sight, her aesthetic senses not ready for these creatures so soon after Clear Skies. Indeed she figured they were some kind of wasteland mutation for a moment before recognising them, identifying them as camels. She had to admit having never seen one before, or even heard of one in Equestria post-war. The leader was particularly ugly, wearing heavy metal barding and wielding a long black cannon that looked like it could punch through plate steel. He grimaced at the sight of the travellers before spitting into the dusty ground and advancing, ordering two of his fellows to flank them, “You wish to see our leaders huh?”

Zenai took this question, nodding regally, “Yes sir, we are on a diplomatic mission from Equestria.”

“Equeztria? Huh, careful throwing that around, lot of zebra don’t much like ponies in theze parts.” The camel gave them a sour glare, throwing a hard motion of his head to his men, “Search them.”

Three of his companions moved forward, Zenai thankful that the one searching her was a pony rather than a camel, a pegasus even. She soon reassessed that opinion however, the pegasus even smellier than they were and just as ugly, reassessing it all the more when his hooves strayed a little too long across certain areas. She had never been more glad that she was wearing her barding, though even his proximity made her feel dirty. She was surprised a little when the lead camel glared at the offending pegasus, causing him to hesitate a moment before quickly finishing off the search and trot back to his boss with a downcast expression. The camel let the three feed back to him before speaking, “You two are well armed.”

Dust nodded, “We’re exploring a strange new country, full of zebra who in your words ‘don’t like ponies’.”

The camel grinned, motioning towards Star Swirl, “What about her? She doezn’t have a weapon on her.”

“She’s an alicorn.”

“Fair enough.” The camel observed them for a moment more before waving them inside, “I’ll take you to the bozs. Don’t stray or I will shoot you all in the head, conzequences be damned.”

Estelle was not the wonder of civilisation Star Fall and Demonnivoire were. The area was mostly pre-war, maybe a trading post, but had seen far better days. The post war construction consisted of poorly constructed lean-to’s and tents, the pre-war dusty and in a poor state of repair. The majority of the population seemed fed and healthy but were all covered in a layer of dirt that’s own civilisation of parasites likely outclassed them. The guards on the other hand seemed to be divided into two groups. One was dressed in uniforms of repurposed sports equipment sprayed green and black, mostly zebra with a few camels spotted about. They looked unmotivated and poorly disciplined, with an embarrassing array of pistols and knives serving as their armament, only slightly above raiders. The other group were dressed in metal armour like those who met them at the gate, a motley, grim looking lot but certainly looking like they could handle themselves in a fight. Their weapons too were old and battleworn, but all were of quality and high calibre, “You look like you’re gearing up for a fight.”

“Ask your queztions of the ‘king’ sikkafa, I’m not going to tell you anything.” The mercenary leader turned his sour looking face to her, giving an ugly leer, “I’m still deciding whether to shoot you now and spare myself the trouble later.”

Zenai shut up.

The contrast between outside and the ‘palace’ was striking, and highly ironic. Whereas Caesar’s palace had been an important structure mostly used as storage, Abartili’s palace was clearly a storage facility that had been converted into something garishly extravagant. Finely woven tapestries hung from the walls alongside expensive looking works of art, golden statues standing atop marble plinths. Silk, gem beaded curtains parted as they moved through the structure, attractive looking mares of all species observing them with lazy eyes as they lounged atop velvet cushions. The whole place showed a sickening lack of taste, Zenai shuddering as yet another openly pornographic statue came into view.

“Greetings, greetings fine gentlefolk!” The voice sounded out as they entered the throne room, a large, oddly shaped figure rising slightly from a large plush cushion that had been supporting his bulk. His neck just kept going long after his legs had stretched to their full length, Zenai gasping as it stretched up high above them to regard them with lofty eyes, “Who have you brought me this time Nazir?”

“Travellers from Equestria King Abartili.” The camel turned to regard the three of them, “Figured you would like the small one at least.”

“Oh, hehe!” The... thing stepped forward, though he didn’t have to move far. His long neck angled itself down to regard Zenai closely, his eyes wide and creepy, “Well, you are a beauty aren’t you? Would you like to join my harem? Gold, jewels, fine clothes, all the food you could eat. I won’t mind if you get fat.”

Zenai wasn’t sure what to say to that. Normally she would just hit them with the back of her hoof, in this case however that didn’t seem advisable, “Um...”

“Wow, you’re a giraffe. I didn’t think they actually existed.”

Abartili turned to look at Star Swirl in surprise, not seeming to have registered that she was there. After a moment he broke out in a broad, slightly confused smile, eyes shooting over to Nazir, “Nazir, it’s another Nightmare Moon. I’m not sure what to say to it.”

Nazir sighed, turning to spit into a corner before answering the king in a low growl, “Sire, it’s an alicorn, from Equestria.”

“Oh, of course.” Nazir stepped back, settling his rear back down on the cushion as several airily dressed zebra mares trotted out of the woodwork to settle down around him, “I was expecting guests you see, I got confused.”

Zenai picked up on this immediately, her brain trying to make sense of the king’s ramblings, “You were... expecting another alicorn?”

“No, I...” Abartili stopped, his eyes dilating slightly as his brain struggled to process some important fragment of information, “I’m getting confused, don’t worry about it. You reminded me of someone, that’s all. What brought you all here today?”

Zenai hesitated, feeling Nazir’s eyes on the back of her head. The king was obviously addled, likely drunk, really a perfect opportunity for information gathering. Nazir wasn’t as foolish as his king however, if they started to take advantage he would quickly cut the audience short. That left one option... “We are visitors from Equestria, come to seek our fortune great king. Indeed, your offer of joining your harem sounds interesting, please tell me more.”

Several of the mares surrounding Abartili bristled, Nazir merely frowning. Abartili however couldn’t look more enthusiastic, a wide, hungry grin spreading across his face, “Oh yes, my harem is one of the most prestigious in the land! You would have wealth, status... all you have to do is keep your king happy. Can you do that little filly?”

Zenai grinned like a wolf, stepping forward with an elegant little trot and peering up at him through her spectacles with a smouldering glint in her eyes, “Oh, I know a few tricks you might like. Why don’t we go somewhere in private, you can... see if I’m worth the investment.”

The king’s ears perked up, the large creature scattering the other squealing members of his harem as he rose to his hooves. His eyes never left Zenai, even as they all glared at him, “Ooh, I’m pretty sure you’re worth it... but I never turn down an offer like that!”

“Sir, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Nazir growled his words, not sounding happy at all, “You have already had several attempts on your life have you not?”

“Nazir, are you saying this little filly is an assassin?” The giraffe chuckled, “Forgive me, Mr Nazir can be very paranoid at times. I guess it’s a risk of the job, hmm?”

Nazir looked like he was going to say something he would regret for a second before sucking it back in, gritting his teeth as he trotted over to Zenai, “Then she wouldn’t mind if I took that armour and all her drugs and weapons.”

Zenai hesitated at this, the weapons and armour because she didn’t want this dirty creature’s hooves anywhere near her stuff and the drugs because that’s exactly how she expected to get out of this mess. But she had to make a sacrifice, “Ok... but can my friends here take my things instead?”

Nazir grinned, a most disturbing sight, “No, they can’t. And they’re handing over their weapons too.”

“Wait a second.” Dust kept his voice firmly neutral as he protested, “What’s to stop you locking us all up the second we give up our weapons? Or taking them all and selling them for quick coin?”

Nazir went to say something but Abartili cut him off, his voice high and reedy, “Because I decreed that this would be a safe trading post for all, and we do not steal from visitors! Indeed... Loof!”

A fat, aging zebra ran in, his forehead dripping with sweat that was currently staining the rather sad looking cravat he wore about his neck, “Uh... here great Abartili, titan of the sands. You wanted something?”

“Yes, take the weapons and armour of these fine creatures, and make sure they’re kept safe for the duration of their visit.”

“Yes sire!” The zebra wobbled over, Zenai and Dust hesitating a moment before reluctantly giving up their things. Zenai took a sneaky look at Dust as she struggled out of her own barding, noting that the stallions body appeared to have tell tell lighter patches in his fur where tattoos had been removed, as well as a large furless spot in his side where he appeared to have been tortured with burning brands at one point. Confirming her suspicion she could finally see his cutie mark, a pair of steel hoofcuffs suspiciously like those used by slavers. How did he get that she wondered...

But she would have to think about that later, already ushered after Abartili by the fat zebra. She shared one last glance with Star Swirl before they were separated, the alicorn staring after her with a look of terrified worry.

She wanted to tell her, that it would all be ok. She knew Star Swirl wouldn’t listen though. Mare had always been a worrier.

“You are just a juicy little pear aren’t you? Are all zebra in Equestria as pretty as you?”

“Only me.” She gave Abartili a smouldering look as she posed for him, hiding her revulsion and sheer awe at his stupidity under well honed acting skills. Still, he could complement her all he wanted, it put off the horrible moment where she would have to touch the bizarre looking creature. He was already getting exited, Zenai wondering whether to shudder or laugh at the fact that his... nethers were as awkward looking as him, almost tempted by a curiosity to see how he actually used the thing, “Actually most of the stallions where I come from never showed much interest, they said I was to small and delicate looking, along with me being a zebra...”

“Nonsense!” Abartili reacted predictably, his ears pricking up in righteous anger, “You are a marvel, a gemstone of true distinction!” He settled down after a moment, his eyes hovering across Zenai’s form once again with hunger, “I actually am very partial to zebra. So strong and robust, and the stripes are so... artistic.”

Please, it was always the stripes. Along with the strong jaws and tendency towards wiry manes, jokes about ponies complementing them on their ‘strong exotic beauty’ were all too common among zebra living in Equestria. You would think they would stop being thought of as noble wildfolk only a few steps removed from living in caves by now, but no, they were still ‘strong’ and ‘exotic’. But she digressed... “You do seem to have very good taste your majesty. I saw the works of art in your palace, you must be very rich indeed.”

“He he!” The giraffe actually giggled, so enthused he was by Zenai’s insincere flattery. His head lolled slightly to one side, drunkenly attempting to focus on the zebra anew, “I... am indeed one of the richest merchants among the Ticari, my wonderful little town is the last independent gateway between the desert and the golden coast. That makes me a... very important giraffe indeed.”

“And the mercenaries outside? Are you worried about your independence your highness?”

“Oh, them.” Abartili did not seem very enthused about the subject, “Someone as powerful as me has many enemies, I need to protect myself.”

Zenai was losing patience already, his self delusion was epic, “But just as many friends right?”

“Hehe, indeed. In strange places, why only yesterday I was talking to...” The giraffe made it halfway through his speech before seeming to remember himself, hastily backing off from the topic, “Um, anyway... come over here my dear, let me have a proper look at you.”

Zenai sighed inwardly, this would have been much easier if he was just a little more drunk and a little more stupid. She would have to improvise, “I think I would need a drink first to loosen myself up highness. You seem to have a very good selection, may I pour you something?”

“Ooh yes, try the Kozen brandy. Sweet and refreshing, the perfect drink for this situation.”

Sweet huh, perfect. Zenai moved over to the cabinet, snatching a couple of leaves from Abartili’s beachberry bush and a few petals from the poppies hanging from the planter above. She placed both on the table as she opened the cabinet, locating his coco beans and banana seeds and adding a couple of each to the pile. Fortunately Abartili was enough of a poser to have a squeezer and grinder handy, Zenai checking Abartili wasn’t looking before squeezing some juice from the banana seeds and mashing the poppy petals into a mush, mixing the two ingredients together before shredding the beachberry leaves and grinding them into a powder. She popped a coco bean into her mouth and chewed it for a few moments, wincing at the taste, before spitting the juice into a glass and adding all three ingredients together. The concoction swirled within the glass, dark and dangerous looking, Zenai realising she had no way of testing it. She would just have to trust to her skill.

She quickly poured their drinks before Abartili got suspicious, adding a tiny drop of the concoction to Abartili’s glass, “Here your highness.”

Abartili took the glass in his mouth, seemingly too lazy to lift his hooves. His eyes widened as he brought it over, setting the glass down in front of him and giving a curious little grin, “Oooh, it smells quite distinctive doesn’t it?”

Damn. It could be rather smelly, she was hoping the brandy would hide it. Trust him to pick a drink without much of a distinctive aroma, “Ah, yes it is rather. Not unpleasant though.”

“Hmm, indeed.” Abartili chuckled, taking another sniff of the brandy, “I’ve never actually tasted this before, it was recommended to me by a good friend.”

Aha. She was reassured by the fact that the bottle was unopened, hoping he wouldn’t know what it tasted like. Zenai gave her most genuine smile before picking up her glass and taking as small a sip as she dared, not knowing the alcohol content of the brew. As Abartili had stated it was sweet and rich, Zenai embarrassed to say it was to her taste. Maybe she would have to steal a bottle, “Mmm, it’s very good.”

Abartili giggled merrily, “Oh really? I must try it for myself.” He picked the glass up in his mouth again (showing terrible manners for a king) and tipped it back, nursing the taste for a moment before swallowing. After a second of contemplation he took another gulp, Zenai unable to help some horror showing at the fact he had just downed half the glass. Abartili placed the glass back down and grinned wide and goofily, his eyes travelling in different directions, “Ummmm, it’s quite sexily delectibble. You must give me the ingreede thingies...”

His head hit the ground, the stupid grin still plastered over his face.

Zenai paused for a moment, contemplating the fact that the drug she had just fed him should have taken a minute or two to work. She cautiously moved over and checked Abartili was still breathing, reassured to find that he was, if shallowly. She was tempted to finish her own glass but really didn’t need to be drunk right now, resigning herself to that one little sip and moving to search the room.

The first item she wanted was fairly easy to find, true to her impression of the giraffe he had plenty of drug paraphernalia stored in a drawer nearby. All the actual compounds were recreational and useless, still he had a couple of syringes which would come in handy. She grabbed a gaudy saddlebag from the table nearby, conveniently the property of a creature of similar size to herself by its dimensions, packing it with anything she felt could be used for legitimate medical reasons. Three of the syringes she used to draw up was left of her knock out drug, each with enough to take out something pony sized, tucking them into a side pocket in easy reach. Unfortunately the giraffe didn’t have a weapon stored anywhere, astounding Zenai yet again with his useless foppishness. There were a couple of large scimitars hung on the wall but Zenai decided to not even try, doubting she could even lift the things. She briefly considered what she was becoming before stuffing a collection of jewellery and unfamiliar looking coinage inside, figuring even Littlepip wasn’t above a bit of larceny.

None of it gave her any information on what was going on here however, Zenai eventually deciding to try the door at the side of the room. To her satisfaction it led into something that was clearly an office, paper files on the shelves and a wall calendar showing dull financial information. It also had a computer, Zenai figuring that was her best option and moving to access it.

Zenai wasn’t a great computer technician or anything, in truth she found it all rather dull. Still she had picked up the basics easily enough and could make a decent attempt at hacking most terminals. This one was a little more difficult as it was obviously of zebra manufacture, the GUI laid out a little differently and her knowledge of the zebra language tested by some of the more technical phrases. Still her pipbuck did its job admirably, soon throwing her into a password screen that more resembled an elaborate word game that the more simple Equestrian layout. Fortunately it was pretty easily, especially as Abartili’s password turned out to be “Awesome Money”.

Unfortunately the contents of the computer weren’t very interesting after all that, mostly finances and pornography. The finances at least proved Abartili wasn’t as idiotic and she thought, he appeared to take close control the business and was making an impressive profit, expanding into new areas and cutting free those which circumstances indicated were soon to fail. So far so... dull and irrelevant. But Abartili had said he had been in contact with someone. He had been smart enough to delete his messages but not smart enough to clear the cache, Zenai locating the most recent communication and opening it. It appeared to be an audio file.

The first voice needed no introduction, even with the drunken slur replaced by barely controlled nervousness, “Are... we all here?”

Another voice answered, low and growly, “Here Abartili.”

“Ah, we don’t use names. No telling who is listening in.”

Zenai’s eyes opened in surprise, she recognised this voice too. It was Themba, from Star Fall.

“Is subterfuge really necessary at this point?” This voice was female, deep and commanding with generous bass. Personally Zenai almost laughed, especially as the mare continued, “Our plan is almost complete, soon all the world will tremble at our combined might!”

Ok, this mare was either being ironic or she really was several stripes short of a zebra. She sounded like a Daring Do villain. A bad Daring Do villain.

Themba seemed to agree, “Yeah, right, but it’s not complete yet. Our moneybag is still totally exposed remember?”

Abartili spoke up in response, clearly nervous, “Actually I think Caesar is actually getting rather suspicious. He’s stopped sending messages, I don’t think that’s a good sign.”

“I will send some of the best to evacuate you and your household if it comes to invasion.” The growly voice spoke up, genuine concern in his voice, “Even if we cannot face him on the field, we can still deny him any prize.”

“In... deed.” The mare spoke, her voice complative, “I will also make a personal appearance I think. Yes.”

Themba sounded amused, “And do what? The key to a big showstopper is to keep the diva in reserve until the critical moment, having you reveal yourself now feels like a letdown.”

“I don’t need to show them my true might, remember I can teleport.” The female voice swarmed, “A most useful gift for a quick exit, wouldn’t you agree?”

Abartili broke in to give his opinion, voice quivering, “I.. I am only too happy to host a beauty like you Princess!”

Themba snorted, “I’m sure.”

The female voice quickly cut him off, haughty and offended, “Say no more pirate! Our dear king knows how to speak to a lady.”

“And a lot more besides... but fine, whatever makes you happy. Just try not to hover above the town, firing lightning bolts and cackling.”

“Huh, I know how to maintain a low profile when I have to. Besides these caves and bunkers are getting so dull, a princess desires elegance.”

Abartili’s voice almost quivered with excitement, “You will find it in Estelle my lady, I assure you of that!”

“Uh... you two deserve each other.” Themba’s voice dripped with irritation mixed with wry amusement as he continued, “Ok I’m signing off, you mares have fun.”

The recording clicked as it finished, Zenai considering the implications. As they had suspected Abartili had powerful allies, arrayed against Caesar... and elsewhere, by the sound of the mare’s boasts. She was clearly insane and Abartili was an idiot, Themba however she had already decided was competent and dangerous. The forth voice unfortunately hadn’t spoke enough for her to get any read on him.

“You really shouldn’t have done that.”

Zenai turned in a whirl, unfortunately she was nowhere near fast enough. A pair of hooves hit her shoulders and tipped her up, slamming her onto her back with jarring force and pinning her tight, nostrils assaulted by a familiar stench. She coughed and looked up at the ugly pegasus from before, shuddering at his greasy fur and the sight of parasites crawling within those dank strands. She was also a little perturbed by the rifle currently pressed into her ribs it had to be said, especially wielded by this wicked looking specimen, “Wait, let me explain!”

The pegasus smirked, exposing a mouth full of crooked, rotten teeth, “You don’t explain to me honey, I’m the muzcle. You’ll be having the honour of explaining to the bozs, after I’ve finizhed with you of courze.”

Zenai shuddered, not another one! She swore, she was going lesbian after this, “Please, just take me to Nazir, I’ll...”

“You’ll do shit, unlezs you want your guts ventilated!” The pegasus snarled, pressing his weapon firmly into her belly, “The bozs ‘anit stupid, he knows exactly what’s going on with you guys. Whatever you’ve got to say to him is just for his amusement, and he promised me that I’d have mine if you really were stupid enough to try something.”

“I... oh, sod it.” She growled, throwing the pegasus to the side and slamming him hard into a bookcase. She would rightfully hit anyone who accused her of being a slut but she would admit to being a bit of a flirt, which meant she had naturally experienced unwanted attention in the past from ponies who couldn’t take a hint. She was about as good in a hoof fight as any skinny mare barely more than filly sized, that didn’t mean she couldn’t wrestle.

“Bitch! I’ll... nngh!” The pegasus was struck on the head by falling files, just batting them away when Zenai caught him in a buck that slammed him back against the bookcase. She tried again but he caught her this time, throwing her to the side and cracking her head against the desk with enough force to make her head spin. He snarled as he advanced, though it quickly turned into a grin, “So, you want to make this interezting...”

She kicked his hooves out from under him, the pegasus quickly catching himself but still off balance as she grabbed him and threw him onto his back. He laughed as he wrapped his hooves about her, obviously amused that she would place herself in such a disadvantageous position. She allowed him a second to congratulate herself before pulling out one of her syringes and jamming it into his neck.

“Gagh!” He slammed a hoof into her jaw that sent her crashing into the computer behind, the monitor shattering and toppling atop her with a crash. She winced further as he fired his weapon, the desk shattering as the bullet tore through it, “Bitch, crazy stupid bitch! I’ll kill you, I’ll fuck you, I... fuuuck...”

He slumped into a heap, Zenai taking a moment to recover before attempting to stand. As expected it hurt, clearly feeling shards of glass dig into her back as she straightened. The little pinpricks fortunately took something away from the dull ache spreading through her jaw and back, along with the sharp stinging from the side of her head, “I... I really need a healing potion. Fuck you Abartili, can’t even keep a medical kit in your room...”

She grabbed her fallen spectacles from the ground before staggering out of the room as fast as she was able, reassured that her vision was still sharp. The last thing she wanted was concussion, and her other wounds weren’t too crippling. She could still do this. She briefly considered finishing the pegasus off but she wasn’t really sure how, his gun had no mouth grip and she wasn’t beating him to death, no matter how satisfying it would be. Right now she just had to find Dust and Star Swirl. They would know how to get out of here and back to Caesar.

The corridor outside she knew headed back to the throne room but figured that was a bad idea, taking a route she figured might lead her to the exit the long way round. Once outside she could blend into the crowd, try and find the others...

“So, you are the zebra from Equestria? Excellent.”

Damn, she really needed to pay more attention, this was the second time someone had snuck up on her. She turned in a whirl, preparing to defend herself...

It was an alicorn. Only it wasn’t.

She had met plenty of alicorns, it was hard to avoid them working with the Followers. Many thought they looked unnatural, that they were some sort of supernatural entities. Zenai didn’t see it, rather seeing an oversized pony like any other, even a little goofy looking in their stretched out proportions. They had muscle and fur, anatomy like any other.

This creature didn’t. It was smooth, silken ebony hair with none of the coarseness of normal fur. Its body was sleek, Zenai noted with a little disgust that it didn’t have nostrils or any apparent hips. Indeed it didn’t have much muscle at all and didn’t seem to use it as it moved either, simply flowing effortlessly from one position to another. Its mane flowed behind, wavy blue tresses that floated without apparent support, stars seen within its shifting form. The alicorn’s cutie mark was a silver crescent moon, its design shockingly familiar, “What are...?”

“Ssh... quiet, hush. There is no need to be afraid.” The creature spoke, Zenai recognising the voice as being the female on the recording. All Themba had said now about her abilities now made much more sense, and the creature’s gentle, motherly tone really wasn’t making her any less scary. Zenai shrunk down further as the creature rose up above her, her voice regal and sure of itself, “You understand the truth don’t you? That after so long in despair the long nightmare is over. That I have finally come back to save you all.”

Zenai couldn’t believe it, even as it walked before her, “You’re... Nightmare Moon!”

“I am Princess Luna! I am your monarch!” The alicorn grinned wide, exposing rows of unnaturally white, pearly teeth, “Be honoured, that you are the first of my subjects I have revealed myself to!”

Zenai needed no more encouragement. She sprang to her hooves and turned on the spot, her legs pumping as she galloped down the corridor.

“Ugh... why must they be so difficult?” Princess Luna took a single step, her horn glowing with a dark violet light. Zenai instantly felt her body become heavy and her thoughts sluggish, her eyelids drooping. She tried to force herself through it, remember her training but the magic was too powerful. She took a few more unsteady strides before her chin hit the floor, everything fading to darkness.

______________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (5)

New Perk added: Living Anatomy – “Is her face gonna stay like that?”
Your medical skill allows you to assess and target the most vulnerable areas on your opponents. Living Anatomy allows you to see the health and Damage Threshold of any target. It also gives you a +5% bonus to damage against all hoofed species.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.6 - Falling Into Old Habits

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Chapter 6 - Falling Into Old Habits

Star Swirl looked... well, hilarious. Cruel but true. Her face was twisted into a look of grimacing horror, her hoof nervously wiggling about like silly string. The overall effect was inappropriate comedy Dust Kicker found it hard to resist, “Calm down Star Swirl, she’ll be fine.”

Star looked at him, incredulous, “But she went in... she went in there with him and...”

“She’s a big filly, she can take care of herself.” Dust decided not to note that despite his annoyance with the mare personally, he trusted her far more on her own than he did Star Swirl, “You never know, this might be a good career move for her.”

“Uh, indeed.” The fat zebra, Loof, spoke up, wiping his brow with a cloth, “His majesty treats his harem with the utmost respect I assure you, your friend will be well provided for here. Now, I... uh, I should welcome you to Estelle, jewel of the sands and gateway to the land of stripes. Yes, yes I should.” Loof chuckled to no one but himself, “And I believe I... have. Heh heh.”

This major-domo was a sorry sight, and Dust had seen a few. He was starting to wonder if everyone here was cracked, “Thank you sir. I think we’ll go and visit the markets, since we’re here.”

“Yes, that would be an excellent idea. We have...”

Nazir’s low growl cut them off, the camel advancing with a cruel glint in his eye. Loof quickly backed off with a terrified look, bowing his head as Nazir turned his gaze to the zebra, “No need for directions Loof, I’ll have one of my brothers escort them. Only hozpitable after all.”

Dust grinned back, this Nazir really was a piece of work. Dust Kicker was starting to like him, “No thanks, we can find our way on our own.”

“I inzist. It’s a dangerous world out there.” Nazir turned his head to a group of his mercenaries which were lurking in the background, considering for a moment or two before deciding, “I’ll even give you a bit of eye candy. Calope!”

Dust... stepped back a little. He was pretty sure his suprise was all over his face too. He couldn’t help it, it wasn’t every day seven foot of muscle, steel and liberally applied make up stepped out and said hello, and he had to say that he had never seen a female minotaur before. Logically they had to exist, but...

“Pleased to meet you sugar.” Calope gave a ‘holy crap no’ smile, Dust noticing that she had a minigun strapped to her back along with an entire bandoleer of grenades. Nazir’s men seemed to all go for very large weapons, and given their easy confidence Dust doubted they were just for compensation. This mare at least had nothing to compensate for, provided you liked them big and healthy, “I’ma Calope, and I’ll be your little escort around this little patch of earth. How about that sugar?”

“C...charmed.”

His first impression of Estelle seemed to have been an accurate one, this place was a crudhole. Even by his standards. That was... strange.

The population didn’t seem to have washed in weeks, but when he had visited a shop and asked to use the bathroom he confirmed that they had full shower facilities and hot water. They were also oddly unmotivated and dreamy, despite this being a merchant town Dust was able to get a great deal from one of them without even trying. That made him think of their ‘King’ and Doof, both of them also showing a odd dreamy confusion that seemed all too similar. Something was going on here.

He wished he could talk about it with Star Swirl, but though Calope might not have won any beauty contests she was no fool, sticking to them like glue as they explored the market. Quite frankly her height made her impossible to elude, her vantage point made losing her in the crowd was out of the question.

“So you guys are from the land of sand huh?”

Calope chuckled, “From all over sweetie. No one ever thought of bombing a desert, so there’s no radiation out there. Lots of folks came there in the years after the war ended.”

“And the camels...”

“Enslaved us all, put us to work in their armies and wreaked bloody armageddon for eighty six years.” Calope took a second to chuckle at their expressions before explaining further, “Food and water sweetie, not a lot of it in the desert. The tribal lords of the camels were forced to fight over every scrap of it to feed their newly enlarged population, until they had killed enough of each other to make it sustainable.”

Star Swirl spoke, her voice strained, “That’s horrible!”

“That’s life sweetie.” Calope smiled warmly, though the motherly look came across as rather odd on the heavily muscled minotaur, “Nazir’s grandmother founded the Bloody Thorn, we’ve been killing and plundering for over a hundred and forty years. Life is good for those with damn big guns, provided you can put up with the calibre of buck it attracts.”

Dust gave a rather forced grin, “Yeah, they seem kind of... rough.”

“Ooh I know sweetie! I tried to clean them up, but boys will be boys!”

Dust gave a vague nod, trying to work out a way to get rid of Calope and get on to their real mission. Zenai’s little stunt was quite clever he admitted, but they really should have planned where to meet up if they got separated. Right now she was trapped in that palace alone, with no weapons and a mercenary who was definitely suspicious of their motives, “Hey Star Swirl, have you ever heard of the vacuum bubble?”

She gave a brief look of suprise before glaring softly, “That’s mean.”

“Trust me, Zenai will appreciate it.” Dust waved to a alleyway nearby, starting towards it, “We can take a short cut to a stall holding all the stuff we need through here.”

Calope frowned as she moved after them, “I don’t think it’s safe going down there.”

Dust couldn’t help grinning, “Two badass mercenaries and an alicorn? We can take care of ourselves.”

Calope hesitated for a moment more before continuing after them, likely throwing away every ounce of better judgement she had. She would really regret that, Dust leading her a little further in before finally speaking, “You can do it now Star.”

Calope spotted the trap and attempted to draw her weapon, Star Swirl however was already ready. Her horn pulsed with magical energy, all the air forced away from Calope’s body with a roar that staggered the minotaur for a second. That second was all Star needed, forming a shield of pink energy around the entirety of Calope’s body. She quickly recovered, gasping for air briefly before slamming her fists against the shield wall, screaming out silent threats. Dust just watched as she continued to pound and shout, knowing she would just use up her remaining air quicker. Eventually she did indeed weaken, sinking to her knees and finally falling sideway with an upwards roll of her eyes.

“Nice work.”

Star glared hotly at him, not pleased at all by his praise, “I... don’t like doing that.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“Will she?” Star Swirl cantered over, bending down and laying her horn on the minotaur’s exposed bicep, wrapping a armlet of purple magic around it. She stood there for a moment or two as Dust Kicker watched, the mare eventually lifting her head and giving a firm shake before magic surged through her horn once again. This time it formed into a crackling ball of lightning at the tip, Star Swirl bending down and pressing it into Calope’s neck. The minotaur gave a brief spasm and gasped, Dust moving to defend himself for a second before Calope flopped back down, unmoving.

“What was that?”

“Gave her nervous system a kick, her blood pressure was dropping and she wasn’t getting enough oxygen to her blood.” Star Swirl glared at Dust once again, showing a grimness and assertiveness he hadn’t seen since she had jumped out to save those in the sinking ship, “Suffocating someone into unconsciousness isn’t harmless, no matter what you’ve read in some stupid spy novel.”

Wow... he had really pissed her off. He didn’t think it was possible, “I know that Star, but need’s must. We had to ditch her so we can find Zenai.”

“Don’t call me that. My name is Star Swirl.” Star Swirl glared for a moment more, her fur noticeably brisling and her muscles tensing. Dust wondered for a second if he should run, suddenly reminded that Star Swirl was a superpowered unicorn twice his size and weight. Star Swirl quickly deflated however, releasing the tension in a deep sigh and screwing her eyelids tight, “...sorry...”

Dust advanced cautiously, still not sure exactly what nerve he had touched on the mare, “Are you ok?”

“I... just lost my temper, that’s all.”

“I got that, I was wondering why.”

Star Swirl glared at him again, far colder this time, “I’m not a weapon Dust, don’t think you can just tell me to hurt people at your command. I told you when I first met you, I don’t like fighting.”

Dust... felt bad. He wasn’t stupid enough that he hadn’t drawn the clear conclusions, Star Swirl’s serious dislike of violence combined with her skill and precision with that vacuum shield spell, along with Zenai’s comment that she had served in the Goddess’s army. Star Swirl herself had said it, that she had been at Maripony.

He had seen it before, wartime stress disorder Fluttershy had called it before the war. Back in his earliest days there had always been a few kids who didn’t make it, either when they had first been shot at, seen a friend die, killed a pony... generally they were nailed out front to watch the sunrise before being used as target practice. Red Eye had been more understanding, he had always found different work for those who had enough of the blood. Dust Kicker had noticed that Red Eye himself hadn’t so much as picked up a rifle in at least two years, wondering if he too felt his hoof tremble when he had a target in his sights.

Dust didn’t judge them. He had long ago started to wonder if they were the one with the problem. He had killed hundreds of ponies and only once felt a twinge of regret. After twenty two years without another he wondered if it hadn’t just been indigestion, “I’m sorry Star Swirl, you’re right. And thank you for doing it anyway.”

Star sighed, pursing her lips, “She would have shot us both if I hadn’t.”

“True... you deserve more respect that what I’ve been giving you.” Dust bowed his head to her, his voice penitent, “Will you accept my apology?”

Star Swirl nickered nervously, Dust noting that she was doing the wavy hoof thing she always seemed to do when she was nervous, “O...of course. Now get up, you look like you’re proposing to me!”

Dust grinned at the mare as he raised his head, tipping his (sadly and annoyingly) non-existent hat to her, “I’m not good enough for you darling. Now what do you say we going find our kit, grab Zenai and get out of here?”

They made their way to the side of the palace with only a few mishaps, Star Swirl’s size not suiting her to stealth. Still the mare made a decent effort and they quickly lost the few mercenaries who spotted them, ducking into side alleys and blending into the crowds. Now they stood at the entrance of an alleyway leading up to a solid metal door, a lanky camel in metal armour standing guard. Dust cursed at his presence, with Calope’s weapon too large and any attempt to buy another stymied by the mercenaries in the streets he was still totally unarmed, “Can you teleport us inside?”

Star Swirl gave a worried look, “I hate teleporting to places I can’t see.”

“Everyone does. But it’s possible right?”

Star Swirl considered it for a second, her ears twitching comically and her eyes rolling along the top of her head. It made Dust wonder if there was really any end to Star Swirl’s character tics, or if there really was still more to discover, “...yes, and I’m not that bad at teleportation. It’s my best spell.”

Dust raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

Star gave him an odd look, “I am a purple alicorn, based on Twilight Sparkle. I’ve always been able to teleport, it’s my signature spell.”

Dust chuckled, that sounded very useful. Unicorns who knew how to teleport were incredibly rare, it was a very difficult spell even for those with a special talent for magic. They had one in his mercenary band during his early days after the Day of Sunshine and Rainbows, teaching him never to underestimate being able to instantly redeploy anywhere on the battlefield, “Well... let’s give it a go.”

Star Swirl nodded, moving further into cover, “Alright. Wait here a second.”

Dust nodded, as mentioned he had worked with teleportation before and knew how they liked to work. Star Swirl focused, closing her eyes as magic swirled about her horn, a corona slowly expanding around her until she disappeared with a burst of magical energy. Dust waited a few moments, having to admit being relieved when she reappeared a short distance away, “You made it then?”

Star Swirl frowned, glaring at the spot where she had been standing before, “That’s easily a drift of... what, two feet? That’s terrible.”

Dust chuckled, “Really not the time to be sweating the small stuff.”

Star curled her lip, “That could have easily teleported me halfway through a wall.”

“Oh, yeah... well be more careful next time.”

“I will be.” Star Swirl took a deep breath before suddenly deflating, eying Dust with a slightly desperate expression, “I’m really really nervous.”

Poor mare. Dust gave her a reassuring smile, not really wanting to be teleported by a panicking unicorn. Celestia knows this sort of stuff was hard enough when you were calm and focused, “I know Star Swirl, just try and think of it like... what you do with the Followers. You’re an archivist right?”

Star Swirl nodded, “Well, assistant archivist. But yeah, you’re right, I’m always having to teleport scrolls to their correct places, sometimes a whole stack at a time. That’s a lot harder than this.”

“There you go.” Dust nodded, “You know where we’re going, just focus on the math and get us there.”

“Right!” Star Swirl gave a determined expression, her horn flashing with light...

Dust closed his eyes a moment before blinking, getting used to the dim light and musty air. They were inside a corridor, mostly abandoned by the looks of it with crumbling plaster and a busted fuse box next to him. He looked behind to see the metal door a few feet away, reassured they were in the right place, “There we are, good work.”

Star let her breath go with a sigh, indeed looking rather pleased with herself, “Thank you. My magic is really getting a work out today, it’s nice to see I’m not too rusty.”

“I’d say.” Dust moved past her, checking out the layout. He was hoping the storerooms would be around here, as far away from the poncy living quarters as possible. He located a likely looking door and started towards it, giving the handle an experimental twist and feeling the latch open easily at his touch. He stepped into the darkened room, his heart lifting at the rows of metal shelving stacked with all kinds of junk.

His guess had paid off it seemed. Dust moved inside fully and searched about for their equipment, squinting in the half light. Fortunately he was intimately familiar with his weapons after all this time, spotting his sniper rifle poking out of a duffle bag at the end of the room. He felt Star Swirl move behind him as he crept forward, hoping it was her who was making the hairs rise on the back of his neck...

“You must think I’m stupid.”

Dust turned as Nazir and a group of at least thirteen of his mercenaries stepped out from behind some nearby shelving, weapons all levelled at him and Star. There wasn’t much use in panicking, that would only run the risk of startling them into firing, “Ah, I was actually hoping we could move fast enough to catch you off guard.”

“You would have to move pretty fucking fast, eh gotlek?” Nazir spat messily on the floor beside him before motioning to Star, “Calm your pet before I put a bullet through her.”

Dust turned to Star, looking like she was about to bolt and run as soon as her brain rebooted successfully, “It’s ok Star Swirl, calm down.”

She looked at him with wide, uncomprehending eyes, “They’ve all got guns levelled at us!”

“And he would have shot us already if he was planning on it.” Dust turned back to Nazir, “Right?”

Nazir gave an ugly smirk, “You’re a little too sure of yourself amcik. Makes me want to hear you scream a little.”

Dust just smiled, knowing too well the intimidating dialogue that mercenary types used to make clear who’s in charge. He was eager to get past it and to the real meat of their conversation, “You don’t need to intimidate me. Just tell me what you want.”

“So you want to get started. Ok then, I...”

“What’s going on here?!”

Nazir grimaced, Dust himself feeling the urge to facehoof. The fat zebra Loof hurried towards them with an angry look, sweat pouring down his face as he stared at the scene before him. Nazir swiftly turned away from the zebra, looking back at Dust as he growled, “Leave us Loof, this is none of your business.”

“I... I say it is! His majesty decreed that these guests would be safe, and why are they here anyway!?” Loof looked to Dust Kicker and Star Swirl, fat cheeks puffing, “Answer me! What is going on...!”

Nazir turned neatly, his weapon kicking hard against its harness as the bullet sliced Loof near in half, the zebra’s face twisting in pained suprise for a moment before he fell noiselessly across the tiled floor. Dust grimaced, hearing Star Swirl give a squeak of pained horror as the zebra’s blood pooled beneath him. Nazir just stared at his handiwork for a second before grinning, his voice irreverent, “Always hated that fat ‘surtuk.“

Dust took a second to compose himself before speaking, “From one mercenary to the next, that wasn’t very professional.”

“I’m not a profezzional.” Nazir turned to Dust, gun still smoking, “I am a merchant, selling high and buying low. There is no further profit in this one. That is also why I didn’t shoot you inztead.”

Dust frowned, “You think you can make money off of us?”

“I know you’re not just vizitors, that you are representatives from Equestria, working for Caesar to bring down Abartili.” Nazir smirked, the expression making his face all the uglier, “Any one of those things could be valuable to me.”

“And you killed the zebra because...”

“He was an idiot, but he kept Abartili from drifting entirely into debauched incompetence.” Nazir chuckled as he looked over at the torn up corpse, “With him gone Abartili will be even eazier to manipulate. I’ll just tell him you did it.”

Dust frowned, not getting exactly where Nazir was coming from, “And... what, you take over?”

“Me? I’m not the ruling sort.” Nazir chuckled nastily, “I just enjoy shaking the board a little. Despite what you may think, I do take pride in customer service. Providing advantageous scenarios is one of my specialities, and I can only imagine what I could do with three individuals with such diverze connections. Now pleaze, come along quietly before I have to get unpleazant.”

Dust sighed, so it was like that was it? He still wasn’t sure of Nazir’s intentions, but from the sound of it he seemed to be considering the most cardinal sin of all mercenary work, spoken of in hushed whispers throughout the profession... starting his own war.

And Dust really couldn’t allow that, “Fine... Star Swirl, throw our equipment at me, then put up a shield.”

Nazir’s eyebrows twitched, “What?”

Star Swirl was a good girl, she had their bags flying over and her shield up before the mercenaries had time to blink, bullets just echoing off the pink shield as they opened fire. He looked to her expression and she seemed tested but still strong, Dust marvelling at the strength of the legendary alicorn shield.

Then Nazir opened up with his own weapon, knocked back a little by the mighty recoil as the sound echoed off the walls. It struck Star Swirl’s shield and she yelled, the pink sphere shattering into fragments around them as she stumbled. Dust growled, his shotgun and rifle flying towards him, “Get to cover!”

He didn’t have time to see if she had listened, snapping his shotgun out of the air and rolling to the side, his first shot going wide but giving the mercenaries something to think about at least. His second knocked one of them off their feet, third clipping a nearby camel. Dust ducked behind a rack of shelving as they returned fire, waiting a moment before hitting the ground on his side and firing low to take out an advancing zebra’s legs.

Dust looked over, spotting a terrified looking Star Swirl hiding behind some shelves of her own. Her horn was pulsing faintly, her side bloody, mercenaries already advancing on her position. He fired his shotgun to warn them off, a difficult shot still managing to hit one in the side and send him limping away. His two friends ran forward to fire on Dust and one clipped his side, Dust however managed to land two shots that left one of them with substantially less of his skull to keep his tiny brains in.

Unfortunately he was now out of ammo. He considered signing Star Swirl to throw him over a clip but she wasn’t looking at him, and considering how her shield had been broken by brute force he was scared she might have some sort of magical burnout. Neither could he speak clearly with a gun in his mouth, and that would give their plans away anyway...

Dust looked to the box next to him with open mouthed suprise, thanking Celestia for his fortune before dropping his shotgun and pulling out a pistol and clip that was stored there on top of several of its fellows. He ducked out of cover just as two mercenaries advanced on him, punching a hole in the battle saddle of one and scalping another with a shot that sent him yelping away with blood streaming into his eyes.

Dust heard Nazir bring his weapon back up to bear, jumping to the side as the anti armour shot torn through the shelving he was kneeling behind. Boxes came down in a clatter, the other mercenaries firing wildly into the dust cloud.

“Give up little poniez! I don’t want to have to kill you!”

Dust growled in frustration, brushing the crap off his fur. This wasn’t going well, no way would he be able to pick off all of them before one got a shot in, “Then why don’t you come and get us?”

“Fine.”

He said nothing else, Dust figuring he was using hoof signals. It didn’t matter, he knew what he would do in this situation and was perfectly prepared for it. He heard the other mercenaries move away, counting for two seconds... and a bit for luck. Then he moved out, located the grenade they had just flung, and fired.

It detonated with a roar in the middle of the mercenary formation, shrapnel cutting through Dust’s shoulder and his ears erupting in a sharp ringing. He braced himself against the pain and shouted to Star Swirl, hoping she hadn’t been rendered deaf as well, “Star Swirl, put on my battle saddle, put everything else on your back!”

The alicorn ran out from where she was hiding, Dust feeling the straps of his saddle wrap around him. Star Swirl would be getting a big wet kiss after this was all over for sure, making sure it was secure before slipping his weapons into place. Star Swirl offered him a warm, only slightly scared smile, Dust returning it before motioning for them to run. They vaulted a dead zebra propped against the wall before another injured mercenary dragged himself out of the wreckage with a pistol clutched in his teeth. Dust finished him with a swift rifle shot before charging into the corridor beyond.

“Are you ok?”

Star Swirl looked over to Dust, surprised for a moment before giving a soft nod, slowing herself to a canter, “You?”

“Just a few cuts and bruises.” Dust nodded at her side, a clear shotgun wound peppering the flesh there, “You don’t look fine.”

Star Swirl looked down at it, giving a soft sad smile, “I’ve had worse. We regenerate pretty quickly, I’ll teleport the pellets out later.”

“You can do that?”

Star Swirl grinned at this, nodding her head, “Yeah, cool huh?”

Dust chuckled, reassured that the alicorn seemed so cheerful. He guessed she was feeling the familiar old post combat euphoria, hoping it would be enough to carry her through to their exit from this place. He couldn’t help but be worried about what was next, Nazir’s knowledge about their plans meant Zenai was in even more danger than he thought...

The shadows to Dust’s side suddenly solidified and leapt at him, Dust reacting just fast enough to fall with the impact and hit the floor with a grunt. He growled and leapt to his hooves as shadows formed around him, firing a shot which tore one apart before they attacked in force. They wrapped themselves around his guns and tugged them from too loose fastenings, Dust snatching his shotgun back by its mouthgrip and firing at a large shadow standing in the background. It did nothing, another shadow swept across to intercept his shot, another flying forward to strike him in the side of his head and send him reeling backwards. He tried to shake it off but strong tentacles wrapped themselves around his neck, hauling him into the air and slowly choking him as he struggled desperately for air.

“Let go of him!”

He heard Star Swirl’s voice, a second before he was flung through the air to strike the far wall with a hard crack. He felt pain, bad pain, but mercifully unconsciousness was quick. His last vision was of the large dark shadow advancing on a terrified looking Star Swirl.

_________________________________________________________

Footnote: 25% exp to level up.

Quest Perk Acquired : Team Dad - But right now, ya need to stop bein' so dang fussy pickin' up all the little things and help me move the one big thing in here that actually matters!
Your concern for your allies is a little stronger than you’d like to admit. While you’re with them they all get a 3% dodge bonus.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.7 - Darkness Falls

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Chapter 7 - Darkness Falls

The black alicorn advanced on Star Swirl with a swaying, sultry gait, thick black smoke curling around her. Star Swirl only backed away faster, totally unprepared for whatever this... thing was.

It wasn’t an alicorn. Among their many senses was an extremely acute sense of smell, and none of her fellows could hide the IMP and dark magic that made them all brothers and sisters together. Even the natural born alicorns had it to some extent, along with unique scents of their own of course. This thing however smelt of something rotten and unnatural, a heady dark scent that trigged a bedwetting terror somewhere deep and primal.

And it was familiar somehow, though she wasn’t sure from where.

“Amazing, you really... were you created by the Goddess herself?”

Star Swirl answered the mare truthfully, not sure what else to do, “Yes, I was. My name is Star Swirl.”

“And I am Princess Luna.” The alicorn spoke it with a flourish, grinning wide as she brought a hoof up to her face, “It is a pleasure to meet one of my famed progeny after all this time.”

Star Swirl felt a hot lance of anger at the alicorn’s words, blocking out the terror, “I’m not one of your progeny.”

“Oh, but you are. Twilight Sparkle after all made you in my image, a mighty eldritch army to bring the power of the stars upon the zebra heathens!” Princess Luna laughed heartily, looking lost in her own imagination as she ranted cheerfully, “Oh, how I wished you could have been unleashed! Sadly we had to settle for a far less elegant end to our foes, though the megaspells certainly did their job.”

Star Swirl’s felt the anger grow in her chest, the adrenaline taking the pain from her aching horn and side. She wanted to scream, to attack, to tell whatever this thing was she was not fooled for a second by her act. Princess Luna was a good pony, she wouldn’t do these things! “I’m not powered by dark star demons or black magic, or anything but zebra alchemy and unicorn spellcraft. But you are, I’ve just remembered where I remembered that scent around you from.”

Princess Luna chuckled, “And where is that?”

Star Swirl still remembered it, from when she had met Littlepip at the landing platform outside Maripony. It was only for a moment but she still remembered how the mere presence of Rarity’s black book had made her feel, “The black book of dark zebra magic. It smelt just like you.”

“You have a black book!?” Princess Luna hurried forward, eyes wide and filled with need. She tapped the ground childishly with a hoof, her ebony body seeming all the more alien as it arched forward, “Where is it!? I need it!”

Star Swirl crouched slightly as the thing stared in terrifying want, trying to keep her emotions under control and her voice calm, “It was destroyed. By a megaspell.”

Luna’s face filled with awestruck horror, actually seeming to physically shrink a little from the shock, “How... how could you!? That book held vast power, with it in your hands you could have conquered Equestria!”

“I didn’t destroy it, somepony else did.” Star Swirl frowned, giving the alicorn in front of her a careful look. It was hard to tell if she was imagining it or not but she certainly seemed to change and shift in tune with her emotions, in comparison to her fearsome alien look a moment ago she now seemed far younger and more delicate. After a moment of concentration she detected what might have been part of it, the alicorn radiating a powerful but subtle physic field, “Why did it smell like you?”

Princess Luna glared, looking rather offended and a little whiny, “I do not smell! How dare you accuse me of such things!”

Of course not. She had no nose, to reference an old joke. Star Swirl took a moment to block out the psychic field, rather disappointed when she didn’t notice any instant change. She unfortunately hadn’t enough experience the psychic abilities of her race to tell what its intended effect was, “I... we can smell the magical fields around things.”

“You can? That’s dumb, why can’t you feel them through your horns like normal unicorns?”

Because casting your own magic blocked out your perception of other spellcasters that way. Star Swirl wasn’t in the mood for scholarly debate though. Her eyes moved to Dust Kicker, the stallion seeming down for the count. She was also incensed to see Zenai nearby, the zebra curled into a tight ball, “Why did you attack my friends?”

“Because the zebra tried to run, and your stallion friend had a shotgun.” Princess Luna sighed, looking rather peevved as she stared across at Dust, “I would have just sent in him to sleep, but for some reason he’s immune to my magic.”

“And me?”

“We’re chatting. Isn’t it nice? I’m having fun.” She smiled, her sapphire blue eyes shining with what seemed to be genuine enthusiasm, “It’s so nice to meet someone I can really relate to. An actual alicorn, with spells, and wings! Not like me of course, but almost. Why are you called Star Swirl? Are you named after Star Swirl the Bearded?”

“I... yes.” Star Swirl really didn’t know how to react, not only was she talking to a non-Unity alicorn claiming to be Princess Luna, the mare was clearly cracked. Still she decided to play along for now in the hope of getting some information, “Why are you here, in the zebra lands? What happened to you?”

“It’s a long story, let’s just say I’ve been left powerless and trapped for a very long time.” Princess Luna’s face darkened, the mare drawing away and her feathers fluttering dangerously in some non-existent wind, “And it hasn’t been pleasant. These zebras... they’re nasty bullies, they always have been. They destroyed Equestria didn’t they, burned it to the ground with balefire?”

Didn’t she know? But then, maybe she wouldn’t, “That was a long time ago.”

“They haven’t changed.” Princess Luna lowered her voice, the deep bass in her throat full of pain and hurt. She moved an eye up to look at Star Swirl, bitterness in those icy depths, “Nazir said you’re working for Caesar. Is that true?”

Star Swirl hesitated, really not wanting to negotiate with insane, dangerous alicorns. That was Zenai’s job, her role was to stand in the background and occasionally interject with obscure trivia. But she was the only one standing, “Do you... not like Caesar?”

“He’s a zebra, he’s just looking for a chance to betray you and finish what they started.” Princess Luna smiled suddenly, straightening out and looking imperious as she delivered her proclamation, “You know Star Fall is the last bastion of the Equestrian Army don’t you? You should ally with them instead, help them to defeat Caesar!”

Star Swirl... was really confused now, “We... we’re working for Star Fall. They want an alliance with Caesar.”

“They... lies. Lies!” Princess Luna looked shocked for a moment before rearing forward in anger, her voice raised to a piercing shout. She struck the ground with a hoof, the tiles shattering against what must have been incredible strength, “Themba wouldn’t do that! He knows what they are!”

Star Swirl almost corrected Princess Luna and say that it was Golden Dawn who had given them the task. Something stopped her at the last moment though, realising that would likely only draw a target on the one council member actually angling for peace. This was more complicated than she realised, judging from the Princess’s statement... she knew Themba. How? Why? She had to play this smart, “Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think. He is a zebra.”

Princess Luna gave her a harsh, searching look, eventually nodding and lowering her head in brooding anger, “True... maybe zebra really are all evil. I can only trust ponies, they’re the only ones who understand...” She suddenly looked up at Star Swirl, giving a wide, pleading smile as she stepped forward expectantly, “Ponies like you! You might be working for Caesar but you have to realise what he is! He even took the name of the zebra who destroyed Equestria, if you give him what he wants he will do it again! Join me, help me to conquer this land! I promise that when I return to my rightful throne I will grant you all with noble titles that will be the envy of the whole nation.”

Star Swirl’s reply was instant, unable to continue with this madness, “Princess, if that really is you... you have to realise that what you’re saying is insane, evil. Let us help you, you’re clearly sick.”

“Help? You really think I believe you want to help me? You’re working with Caesar to destroy Equestria! You’re traitors, all of you!” Luna bristled, shadows streaming off her as her wings expanded to their full size. Her wingspan amply demonstrated the difference in size, Star Swirl might possibly had the advantage in weight but that was down to storing a little more on her hips that was strictly necessary. Princess Luna was a sleek predator, longer and taller by some margin and clearly possessed of vast magical power, “Come on, I will make you BOW before your Princess!”

Star Swirl’s face twisted in anger, “YOU’RE. NOT. THE. PRINCESS!”

Princess Luna braced herself as Star Swirl thrust her horn forward, a cruel, arrogant smirk on the black alicorn’s face. Star Swirl growled in response and fed all her anger into her magic, feeling the all too familiar tingle of surging power as she called on all her reserves of stored radiation. Her horn crackled briefly, Star Swirl focusing that energy before firing an arc of eldritch lightning at the Princess. Luna took it straight on, black shield flickering as the bolts grounded themselves around her. Luna smirked at the effort, “This is all you have?”

“Ngh...” Star Swirl forced herself against the alicorn but her shield held fast, realising just how foolish this was. Star Swirl wasn’t feeling it, and the magic just wasn’t coming. She felt herself hold back, felt the absence of all her old skills and rage like a great hole in her chest. Weak as she was she had no idea how powerful Luna was in comparison, her magic was hardly even touching her.

“This is pathetic. This is what they call an alicorn?” Princess Luna stomped a hoof on the ground, black light taking Star Swirl in its grasp and suspending her helplessly in the air. The black alicorn gave a mad chuckle before thrusting her horn forward, “This is an alicorn!”

Great surges of black lightning streamed off the Princess’s body, shattering the stone and metal about the corridor and only just missing Dust Kicker as the floor nearby was torn apart by a bolt of dark energy. Princess Luna cackled madly at the sight, conveniently distracted as Star Swirl teleported back into existence behind the alicorn. She hated doing this, but if she was going to save Zenai and Dust Kicker she would have to fight. All she had to do was distract Luna long enough to bring the two together, then she could teleport them all out.

She gritted her teeth, galloped forward and swung herself round in a powerful buck to the back of the Princess’s head. Her hooves hit her shield with a solid clunk, Star Swirl feeling her left hoof crack and the barrier totally fail to yield at all. In fact the force of her blow was so much that she pushed herself forwards to smack face first into the ground, with teeth jarring force.

Luna turned in a whirl, briefly shocked before a grin spread across her face, “What... was that? HAHAHAHAHA! THAT WAS HILLARIOUS!”

Star Swirl didn’t appreciate the mockery, especially since her hoof now hurt a lot. She was pretty sure she had broken it, which didn’t bode well for further confrontation. She was starting to wonder if Luna was really what she said she was, that shield was incredibly strong, certainly a rival for the strongest alicorns.

But she couldn’t give up. Star Swirl pushed herself to her hooves, wondering if she could levitate Zenai and Dust Kicker over to her and teleport out before Luna had finished laughing. Star quickly erected a shield around herself, charging her magic for the rapid combination of complex spells involved...

Luna stopped laughing instantly, horn glowing bright, “No more fighting. KNEEL!”

What happened next was... pain. Her shield failed instantly against the assault, her horn vibrating from the pressure on her magic reserves. Every nerve in her body screamed at her as she dropped, feeling warm urine run down her leg and something hot and sticky drip from her ears. She sprawled to the ground, breathless and broken, her lungs burning like she had been without air for whole minutes.

“Do you submit? Do you admit that I am your Princess, now and forever?” Princess Luna trotted over, admiring Star Swirl with distain, “I am a forgiving Princess, provided I am given the proper respect.”

Star Swirl grunted something, her jaw locked up from the excruciating spasms that still ran through her.

“What was that?”

“I... never... stop fighting...” Star Swirl located the reserve of radiation that Sunshine Ivory and Blaze had spoken of, hiding right at her core hidden from the medics at the Follower’s encampment. It was only now everything else was gone that she could sense it, and she fed it all into one final spell. The single most basic spell she had, which some ponies learned even before telekinesis. The one thing she knew the Princess wasn’t immune to.

She cast her light spell in one mighty burst, right in Princess Luna’s face.

Seconds later she was still trying desperately to get her own sight back, the burst blinding her even with her eyes shut. The momentary pause gave her time to realise that most of her body hurt like hell and she couldn’t even feel the rest of it, her concussed mind further distracted by a terrible wail that echoed off the walls. It sounded for all the world like a filly having a tantrum, which made it all the more disturbing given the circumstances. She gasped as she made it to her hooves, stepping gingerly on her injured leg as she slowly opened her eyes...

Princess Luna was on the ground, screaming and crying in pain, her legs kicking out as tears ran down her cheeks. Star Swirl couldn’t help staring in horror and amazement as the alicorn princess wailed like a newborn, repeatedly striking herself in the face with her hooves and screaming for someone to make it stop. Star Swirl tore herself from the scene reluctantly, finding it hard to not just pick the alicorn up and hug her better. She looked so... fragile.

But she was down for the count, and Star had friends to rescue, “Zenai...” She staggered over to the unconscious zebra, trying to blink through the pain, “Zenai, wake up...”

Damn... Damn! She was out of magic, seriously injured and totally out of ideas. She couldn’t do anything like this, and someone had to have heard the commotion. She gingerly moved her head over to her saddlebag, throwing it to the ground and grabbing a healing potion from inside. Unfortunately it didn’t do much, Star Swirl figuring much of the damage was to her nervous system. Her heart was racing about a hundred and ten times to the beat, all the worse for a large creature such as herself. She quickly took a vial of Med-X and injected it into her canon, controlling the pain at least a little. After a moment she decided to risk it and injected a vial of Dash too, very relieved when she felt her heart rate slow a little and the pressure in her chest ease. Though it seemed counterproductive Star Swirl had read about it being used this way, Dash wouldn’t combat the tachycardia but it wouldn’t make it worse, and it forced the body to release the hormones allowing a pony to maintain it without any catastrophic side effects. She would feel it later on of course, but they would have time for proper medical attention then.

Star Swirl knew she wasn’t the best doctor however, moving over to Zenai and quickly inspecting her for injuries. The most obvious was a nasty wound to the side of her head that was bleeding heavily, Star Swirl forcing a healing potion down the zebra’s throat that immediately started to work on the damage there. She was just about to break the Dash out for her too before Zenai’s eyes slowly fluttered open, the Zebra looking about in confusion, “What... happened...?”

“You were...” Star Swirl heard her voice come out in a husky wheeze, coughing a little to clear her throat, “...we need to get out of here.”

Zenai’s eyes widened at Star Swirl, clear concern in her expression, “Star, you’re really badly injured! What happened?”

Star Swirl motioned to the whimpering heap on the floor nearby, realising that from the reduction in noise from the alicorn she was likely recovering fast, “We really need to go. Dust... over there.”

Zenai only hesitated for a moment more before snatching a healing potion from the kit bag and delivering it to Dust. It quickly started to work on the wound to the top of his head at least, though the stallion still didn’t stir. Zenai eventually looked to Star Swirl in alarm, “I’m not sure I can wake him up Star, not safely, not with what I have here.”

“Ok... then we carry him.” Star Swirl trotted over as fast as she was able, taking Dust Kicker in her mouth and throwing him onto her back with a mighty heave. She felt a muscle in her neck twinge a little and her back flex, still she kept her balance even with her injured hoof. Dust was really rather heavy, Star Swirl making a point to ask him to diet just in case she ever had to do this again. It was fortunately really that Star Swirl was still unusually strong even among her fellow alicorns.

“Star, are you sure you’ll be ok?” Zenai trotted along beside the alicorn for a moment before leaping up and grabbing her bag, slinging it across her shoulder and retrieving her plasma pistol. She looked up at Star Swirl, concern in her voice, “I should help you carry...”

Star Swirl felt herself becoming irritated, the pain piercing through even the med-x, “My magic’s gone, I need you to protect us. Besides, not much more... space...”

Zenai sighed, shrugging her admittedly underdeveloped shoulders, “Ok, true.”

The dark rasp echoed behind them, “You’re... going nowhere...”

Damn. Star turned, Princess Luna heaving herself off the floor. Her eyes were still swollen shut and her body still hung heavy on trembling hooves, still she exuded angry menace. Star Swirl motioned for Zenai to retreat but the zebra had already turned, plasma pistol trained on the black alicorn, “Star, she said she’s Princess Luna!”

They really didn’t have time for this, “I know.”

“I am Princess Luna! And you two are... traitors, thieves!” Luna staggered a little, one of her legs failing for a moment, “How... how dare you hurt your princess? You... I’m... I’m supposed to be invincible! How dare you hurt me like this!?”

Star Swirl shook her head, motioning Zenai on, “We really have to go Zenai...”

“Shouldn’t we... finish her off?” Zenai sounded unsure, her weapon wavering across Princess Luna’s body, “She’s vulnerable now, and we might not get another chance.”

“You would... agh!” Princess Luna’s front hooves failed completely and she hit the floor with a thump, promptly bursting into tears. The childish reaction shocked both Zenai and Star into silence for a second, long enough for Luna to scream angrily at them, “Both of you are terrible, horrible! It’s not supposed to be like this, you’re supposed to love your Princess! How could you hurt me like this, how?!”

Star Swirl knew Zenai was right, but she couldn’t... “Are you really going to shoot that?”

“No... I’m going to regret it, but I guess not.” Zenai sighed, turning away from the uncomfortable sight, “Let’s get out of here.”

Star Swirl was starting to wonder if she shouldn’t have listened to Zenai and at least dropped some of their less vital equipment. It wasn’t even far they had to run, they had sent out a call for Oteka and her guard and were now just looking for a window to facilitate easy pick up. Still every step was excruciatingly painful, her broken hoof shifting and grinding against the softer tissue above and her muscles all cramping up from the nervous damage. She was tempted to take more drugs, but if med-x wasn’t working then she doubted anything else would touch the pain.

“Star Swirl, are you...?”

“Keep moving.” She gasped out the words as Zenai slowed and looked back, knowing her legs might fail on her if she stood still. Zenai nodded and turned back to look ahead as they passed a t-junction...

“Shit!” Zenai froze, shouts echoing from down the side corridor in a language Star didn’t recognise. She reached the corner a second after Zenai, spotting a unit of the sports gear clad guards rushing towards them. One finally slowed enough to fire the pistol in his mouth, the shot sending concrete dust raining down on them as it clipped the wall. Zenai cursed again and fired a couple of shots of her plasma pistol, the green light giving everything a creepy glow that sent the poorly trained guards into retreat all by itself. Zenai paused a moment to see if she had done any real damage, unfortunately her shots didn’t seem to have been any more accurate than theirs, “Come on, that won’t scare them off for long!”

Star Swirl nodded and hurried after Zenai, a small moment of hope filling her heart as they burst into a plush bedroom looking out onto a tree lined garden. She gave herself a final push to get herself through the door before flopping down upon the bed, letting herself just sink into the cushions. She almost fell unconscious right there and then, if it wasn’t for the shrill squeaking.

“Get out, get out! This is our hiding place!”

“Let go of me you... ow, don’t pull my hair!”

“This is your fault, your fault!”

Star Swirl looked up reluctantly, Zenai struggling desperately with one of the concubines as another two cowered in the corner. Unfortunately the one fighting Zenai was considerably larger and fatter than the little Zebra and was quite easily winning, Star Swirl attempting to rise and help her friend.

“There they are!”

The concubine’s eyes went wide for a second before bullets tore through her and Zenai, the other two concubines screaming in terror as their companion fell dead across the ground. Zenai managed to fall behind a table with a bullet hole through her shoulder, grimacing in pain as more weapon fire struck the wooden surface.

“Idiot! That was one of the girls! His majesty will have you strung up for that!”

“Stupid bitch got in the way. We will just say Nazir’s mercenaries killed her. Now come on, let us rush them so we can take out the big unicorn and get to safety!”

“Ok, that is a good plan. We will have a place to hide until this is all over, and the two dead mercs will make us look like heroes. One, two, three...”

Zenai bounced onto her hooves, plasma pistol firing as the guards entered the room. The first gave a look of suprise as his chest melted, the second screaming in terror and losing his gun as he jumped for cover. The third and forth came in firing wildly, their shots inaccurate but deadly in the enclosed space. One of the concubines was hit in the chest and fell across her whimpering companion, Star Swirl paying for her large size by taking one in the thigh and one in the buttock. Zenai was struck across the forehead, shredding her ear, before her counter attack melded the culprits head away. She was heavily outnumbered however, taking another shot in the forehoof and ducking back into cover with a gasp.

Star Swirl stood, with what energy she had no idea. She flung Dust onto the bed to protect him, gasping and feeling her body fail as two more bullets struck her in the side. She already knew that she had hit her limit, she was tough... but not that tough.

She felt her heart slow in her chest, her blood pressure drop. Her hooves collapsed under her.

The glass suddenly shattered, a spear flying across the room and nailing a guard to the wall. Another dropped against a pinpoint burst of submachine gun fire, another getting but a brief moment to face this new threat before Oteka touched down before him and struck his head off with a sweep of her glaive. She flicked the blood away before shouting swift orders, “Kirok to the wounded! Others clear that corridor!”

“Sir!” Bloodwing zebra rushed forward and swept through the door, submachine guns firing in quick bursts that were responded to with screams and thumps. Star Swirl let her head fall, almost instantly feeling a healing potion forced down her throat and some kind of salve applied to her wounds. She opened her eyes to a elite guard member, his cloak discarded and a saddlebag of medical drugs slung upon his flank. He looked up at her, words firm and simple, “Be still, you are badly injured. What drugs have you taken?”

“Uh... Dash and Med-X...”

“Very well. Wait there while I attend to the others.”

“Yeah...” She had no intention of moving, watching as he rushed over to the second concubine, her companion clutching her desperately as she gasped in pain. The first was unfortunately quite dead, that much was obvious.

Oteka was already attending to Zenai, binding her wounds before heading over to her and Dust. She gave both a look over before bowing her head ybefore Star Swirl, closing her eyes, “This is my sin, I sent you to terrible danger.”

Star Swirl actually managed a smile, “No... you just saved us from it.”

“You are kind. Securing the compound now.” Oteka looked a little disturbed as she looked round to the sound of distant gunfire, “Too easy. Abartili guards poorly trained, cannon fodder against real soldiers.”

“What about the mercenaries?”

Oteka narrowed her gaze, “A couple of tougher hired muscle, not enough to turn tide.”

Star Swirl frowned, she had counted at least thirty or forty of the mercenaries out in the streets before, “A couple?”

“Yes, troops spotted two or three on the approach...”

“Captain!” A zebra guardsman rushed in, looking noticeably unsettled for such an elite solider, “You’ve got to come see this.”

Oteka glared at the zebra, “Report on what you saw, do not make me guess!”

“They... they’re killing them captain.” The zebra wavered noticeably before rushing away, Oteka giving Star Swirl a worried glance and following. Star Swirl couldn’t help her own curiosity, overpowering even the pain as she rose and staggered towards the door.

“Where are you going?”

Star looked towards Zenai, propped against the table with a pained expression on her face, “I... have to go look.”

Zenai frowned, “We’ve done everything we need to Star. Go sit down, you look terrible.”

“I... sorry Zenai.” Star shook her head before following after Oteka, unable to shake the feeling that this was the one conscious decision that would set her up for so much future disaster. Personally she blamed Dust Kicker.

“You leaving me behind to go be the hero Star?”

Star Swirl darted back, eyebrows raising as Zenai’s comment. The Zebra was smiling, pained and a little sad, “Of... of course not.”

Zenai chuckled, “I was joking. Go see what’s happening Star.”

Oteka and two other guards stood on a balcony looking out over the town, Oteka turning as Star Swirl arrived. Her expression was obviously disapproving, moving to block her access, “Leave. You do not need to see this.”

“Sorry... didn’t stagger up a flight of stairs just so I could turn away.” Star limped over, amazed how sassy she was getting hopped up on pain meds. Maybe she needed to use them more often. She heard gunshots ahead, wondering why Oteka wasn’t moving to engage. As she expected the zebra just moved aside as Star approached, finally understanding what had everyone so rattled when she reached the balcony.

The streets... ran with blood. Civilians lay dead all around, Star looking left and right at Caesar’s guard as they just looked on in horror, “What happened? Why aren’t you doing anything?”

“We... them.”

Star followed the guards hoof, spotting the cluster of mercenaries near the entrance with sniper rifles trained on the palace. One of them was Nazir, looking slightly the worse for wear but still alive and intact. But that just raised further questions, “Why aren’t they firing at us?”

“They indicated they wanted us to stay here and watch.”

Star Swirl looked at the guard who had spoken, “Watch what?”

Oteka moved over, nodding down to the street bellow, “That.”

Further gunshots rang out, Star Swirl spotting a group of zebra running across the street in terror, escorted by one of Abartili’s guards. A whirr of spinning machinery was followed by a series of loud cracks, the guard looking back and desperately firing his pistol as a stallion and mare were both torn apart by a barrage of bullets. Star looked back along the firing arc, horrified to see Calope marching down the blood stained dirt with bullets bouncing off her armour and autocannon flashing. The guard didn’t stand a chance, falling with a scream seconds before Calope drew her fire across the rest of the civilians. She was a good shot, they all were dead within seconds.

Calope looked up at the palace as she checked the bodies, blowing Star Swirl a kiss before marching off towards the other mercenaries.

“Why?”

Oteka shook her head, “I don’t know. I’m sorry for this, but... look to the side.”

Star did as she was told, gasping in horror as she saw Abartili hanging across the front of his palace, a thick rope about his neck and his trunk pierced by many bullets. Star Swirl was no stranger to death but... seeing him like this made her want to vomit, tears running down her face, “Why! Why!”

“FOR THE GLORY OF CAESAR!”

Princess Luna’s voice rang out across the compound, Star spinning round to spot her standing behind Nazir. Both alicorns shared looks of mutual loathing, almost distracting Star Swirl from the mercenary beside snapping photographs. Her mouth dropped open at the realisation, “Oteka, this was a trap!”

“For whom?”

“For you! They took pictures of you coming in, and you standing beside Abartili's corpse and the slaughtered civilians!” Star Swirl turned to Nazir and Princess Luna, both of them looking smugly pleased with themselves, “You... just slaughtered a whole trading post because they wouldn’t bow to Caesar!”

Princess Luna’s evil chuckle was easily identifiable even at this distance, her horn glowing briefly before her and the mercenaries winked out of existence, leaving only blood and death in their wake.

_______________________________________

Level Up - Level 5 reached.

New Perk Acquired – Alicornian Aptitude Level 2
While an alicorn is only capable of learning a few special abilities dictated by their template, your connection to the unity has enabled you to learn the skills of your sisters. You now have a perfect grasp of these skills, and suffer no penalty for cross template spells and abilities.

New Ability Acquired – Telepathy
Granted by Mosaic and Gestalt, this allows the user to join their mind to others. Reading moods, easy co-ordination of spellcasting, long range communication and even the domination of minds is possible with sufficient skill in this ability.

New Quest Perk Discovered – Shine The Light
Somehow the basic make up of your spellcasting has mutated slightly, with the result that all your normal spells now have the ‘Light’ element. Those with the ‘Dark’ element now are of ‘Neutral’ element.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.8 - Kindness

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“Goooooooood evening wasteland! Are you lost, confused, unable to function from day to day without a daily reminder of just how damn screwy this damn world is? Well we have the tallies, we have the down and dirty, we have the news that matters to you!

Or are you just missing DJ Pon3? Because if you are I just can’t help you, because yeah baby, heeerres Rusty Needle with the news! Suck it up haters!

Well in our leading story, two of our living legends have sadly left these shores for sunnier climates, bringing peace treaties to the Zebra nation no less! Yes, I’m talking about Spike and Fluttershy, our trusty wasteland watcher flying the venerable elder statesmare across the sea as we speak.

Now for those who were drooling in history class, Fluttershy has quite a connection to this particular venture. She was always the Ministry Mare most opposed to war, and four years ago revealed that during it she had actually been in contact with elements inside the Zebra nation in search of a way to end the conflict. It was through these contacts that she passed on her ministries’ research into the Megaspells, and as we all know it was the consequences of that action earned her title of ‘Mare of the Apocalypse’.

So yeah, I’m gonna get some hate mail for this one but should we preparing our ‘We Love Zebra’ signs or getting us some new fallout shelters? Fluttershy is known for her cross species negotiation skills but has a lot of personal stake in this one, stake that could possibly affect her judgement? Because negotiation went oh so well last time...

But then shoot me if I claim to have believed the Hellhounds could be living peacefully amongst us ten years ago. And fuck me with glorious irony if I end up more likely to be shot by an Applejack Ranger with an itchy trigger finger than a damned legionnaire of Caesar. So go on you tough old mare, suprise us once again!

And that’s about it for that story! Let’s get a little music on, and come back in half an hour for the skinny on our little un-civil war! Chao wastelanders!”

*Crackle*

“Good evening NCR, this is Swift Feather, with the news at five.

Our lead story tonight, Arbiter Regina has finally given her blessing to the joint Follower Ranger peace mission to the Zebra Empire. Having previously voted against dedicating official resources towards the effort, her turn around has attracted comment from political commentators across the board. Several put her opposition to the project down to political rivalry. Lonesome Pony is quoted as questioning her frequent opposition to Elder Fluttershy of the Followers, notably her refusal to vote for her civil rights act for hellhounds six years ago. ‘Eye on You’ magazine instead put the blame on the involvement of Councillor Silent Steel, a notable rival for the position of Arbiter.

Things appear to have progressed too far for the Arbiter to ignore however, with reports coming in that peaceful contact has been made with two nations in the area. The implications for the Equestrian Economy were explored by respected publication ‘Gold Dust’, who noted that zebra fuel could revitalise the faltering industrial sectors in Chicacolt and Fillydelphia. However they also warned that the plentiful food reserves and widening job market in Equestria could lead to a huge surge in immigration, leading to potential security concerns. Elder Peach Tree of the Applejack Rangers...”

“What the fuck! He’s completely distorting what actually happened, that feathered little prick!”

“Calm down Zenai.”

“I will not...!”

“I actually agree, so lower your voice.” Dust sighed as he pushed himself off the sofa, staring out through the window of Caesar’s palace to the city below. It was a beautiful sunny day, rain the previous day leaving the area a wonderful healthy green. It was way too nice for the shit they were being forced to deal with, “You’re right. I’m not sure when exactly Swift Feather got his head stuck up Silent Steel’s rear end, but he’s not exactly being very subtle.”

Star immediately giggled, Zenai raising an eyebrow as she turned to the reclining mare, “Star Swirl... did you just laugh at Dust Kicker saying ‘rear end’?”

She blushed fiercely, sinking her head into the cushion, “Sorry, still heavily medicated.”

Zenai shook her head, returning to the discussion at hand, “Anyway... above everything else he’s a total hypocrite. He criticises Regina for opposing Fluttershy’s hellhound rights bill, yet she did that because she believed there were security concerns in granting total freedom of movement to the Hellhounds. He then goes to say that very same thing about zebra immigration!”

“Technically he was quoting others.” Dust cut off her protest with a swiftly raised hoof, “He’s not exactly blameless in that either though. He used a quote from Lonesome Pony to criticise Regina, yet if I know Lonesome he was more likely to be criticising Fluttershy. That’s why Swift Feather couldn’t use a direct quote, Lonesome Pony likely shares a mind with Rusty Needle, fearing she’ll give the zebra another world destroying artefact.”

Zenai growled, still totally incensed. She had actually quite liked Swift Feather, not as much as DJ-Pon3 of course but she felt he was fair and balanced. To see him show such blatant bias, especially against someone she liked felt like a blade to the heart, “That that little... feathered...”

“Hey, no specisim. Griffons can be jerks at easy as anyone else.” Dust chuckled at her, giving her a warm grin as he stepped across the veranda, “Silent Steel has amped up his application to the arbiter position it seems.”

Zenai furrowed her eyes, “He’s behind this?”

“Swift Feather specifically singled him out as a rival to Regina and candidate for Arbiter, and a supporter of this little venture.” Dust shrugged, “Regina is unpopular among the chattering classes but she still enjoys massive support from the working pony, she’s seen as a tough talking straight shooter who gets things done. Therefore the best way to attack her is to make her seem weak or ineffectual, in this case make sure she can take no credit from establishing relations with the zebra lands. By painting her as being opposed to the project and a rival to Fluttershy and Silent Steel she comes across as a hindrance, even when it’s achieved while she’s in office.”

Zenai fumed. She wanted to travel back there right now, shoot both Silent Steel and Swift Feather in their big, smug faces, “That’s... totally underhanded! Funding projects by letting independent groups sponsor them is perfectly common, it’s not like she blocked the peace movement!”

“That’s politics.” Dust gave her a searching look, “Which brings up the question of why you were working with him if he’s such a bastard?”

“He was a known quantity, with money and support.” Zenai huddled into the sofa sulkily, not seeing any reason to lie about this at least, “I needed to leave Equestria quickly, before the Followers worked out what we were doing.”

“You told him?!”

Both of them looked round at the now totally awake Star Swirl, silence reigning for a few seconds before Zenai gave a slow nod, “He pretty much figured it out.”

Dust grinned like a jackal as he closed in, “So the question is... why did you have to do this? Trick the Followers and Silent Steel, come here?”

“Because vested interests were always looking to hijack the project, pervert its aim into profit and political power.” Zenai glared at Dust with as much sincerity as she could muster, figuring that it wasn’t technically a lie. Indeed if he didn’t question what the ‘project’ was it wasn’t a lie at all, “I couldn’t let that happen.”

To her instant fury, Dust clapped, “Good show.”

“You... total asshole! This isn’t my fault!”

Dust sighed, turning away from the furious little zebra. He shook his head a couple of times before speaking, slow and serious, “Really Zenai, you have good motives... but this is an object lesson. You’re not good enough to get one over these ponies. Velvet Remedy is the leader of one of the most powerful yet still determinedly charitable organisations in the NCR. You honestly thought you could do a better job than her of keeping power out of the hands of the corrupt?”

Zenai glared for a moment more before speaking, her voice low and sharp, “Velvet Remedy is a fat old mare just sitting on power she’s long forgotten how to use.”

Star’s eyes widened in horror at the insult to their founder, “Zenai!”

“It’s true!” Zenai jumped off the sofa, striking the cobbles beneath and straightening out her neck to its full height, “You’ve already mentioned it, the hellhound rights movement. Fluttershy herself proposing it, putting her name behind it. Did Velvet Remedy support her?”

Star Swirl spoke quietly, apologetically, “The hellhound rights bill was unpopular, Velvet Remedy thought the political fallout could damage the good work of the Followers...”

“There was a time when we stood for something!” Zenai whirled on Star Swirl, stalking forward like a tiny predator, “Recruiting the alicorns was ‘unpopular’. Would Velvet Remedy really take such a chance on you today Star?”

Star Swirl wavered, looking left and right in an attempt to avoid her gaze. Eventually she just let her head fall in defeat, “Yes, yes she would. She’s a good pony Zenai.”

Zenai glared back, “You’ve never even spoken to her Star.”

“Yes I have.” Star glared back, a little incensed, “She spoke to me, back when I first joined. She earned my loyalty, same as she did with all my sisters.”

Zenai took that as a sign to back off. Star Swirl’s ‘legendary’ temper was mostly an informed attribute used for self flagellation and excuses, still she did get rather intimidating and shouty when riled up, “I... I’m sorry Star, I’m taking my own frustration out on you.”

She gave Zenai a gloomy look, “It’s not me you’re taking it out on.”

Zenai cursed her own loose tongue, wondering when she had gone from distrustful of politics to hateful in general of anyone in power. Of course Velvet Remedy wasn’t a bad pony, just cautious and savvy. Zenai could hardly criticise a mare for qualities she herself did not possess, “Star, it’s in my nature to be wary of authority figures. Still I trust you, if you say Velvet Remedy is a good pony then she’s a good pony.”

Star Swirl winced, giving a grin, “We’re trusting my judgement now? We really are doomed.”

Zenai smirked, same old Star, “You don’t get to say that anymore, you saved all of us back at Estelle remember?”

“I... think the saving was pretty equal.” Star closed her eyes, sinking her head into a pillow, “And I wish I hadn’t, I still hurt all over.”

Zenai was just about to reply when there was a knock at the door, an elderly zebra peeking inside. He entered fully at Dust’s wave, giving a bow and delivering his message, “I have been told to inform you that the dragon the NCR instructed us to watch for has been spotted off the coast. Fluttershy’s arrival should be within the next two hours.”

Pretty much everyone was outside, Caesar looking like he had assembled his entire army here. Hundreds of zebra in gleaming armour stood stoically in formation, Zenai noting a selection of shiny, polished war machines among them. A whole air wing was also in attendance, at least seven dozen bloodwing zebra and pegasi along with the arrow shaped robots, another third their number had flown out to meet Spike on his approach.

It was all very impressive... and feudal. Zenai wondered what Fluttershy would think of it. Caesar himself had once again chosen to surround himself with Oteka and Chigaru, dressed in his finest silks and jewels as he stood at the forefront of his army.

Things were quiet for a little while, Zenai choosing to close her eyes and allow her mind a little rest from her constant thinking over the last few days. It had certainly been difficult the last couple of months, difficulties Fluttershy’s presence most likely wouldn’t ease. Fluttershy and Velvet Remedy were close friends, and by all accounts Velvet Remedy was inconsolably furious at Zenai. Suffice to say she didn’t expect a warm reception from the elderly pegasi.

Murmuring and far off cheers woke her from her mediations, looking to the purple form silhouetted against the sea haze. Its form became more and more distinct as it approached, Zenai finding her heart warmed slightly as the brutish, one eyed face of the great watcher of the wastes came into full vision. He had spoken to her once, the one child not afraid to approach the fearsome looking creature. He had been kind, shy, polite. In all this uncertainty he was a welcome memory of her childhood.

Spike hit the ground gently, but gave a fierce and somewhat unnecessary flap of his wings as he landed that sent dust clouds billowing outwards. Caesar used his cloak to shield himself from the debris, advancing past his two bodyguards to approach the great dragon. Chigaru and Oteka were both still brushing sand grains from their eyes as Caesar smiled in greeting, raising his voice to a shout, “Great titan of the sky and sands, we welcome both you and your illustrious passenger to these lands! I am Caesar, ruler of the Golden Coast!”

Spike glared at him through his one good eye, not looking particularly pleased. He paused long enough to unsettle Caesar before speaking, his booming voice shaking the sands, “You think it’s appropriate to welcome a great peacemaker with a parade of weapons and soldiers? Is this your pride as a ruler, the ability to cause more death?”

Caesar hesitated, taken off guard, “I...”

“Forgive a dragon’s anger your highness.” The voice, regal and piercing, sounded out a second before its owner appeared in a flash of magic. She was a fraction the size of Spike but still stood out against the mighty dragon, a stern and imperious looking blue alicorn with a quill and scroll cutie mark and sweeping robes in a high formal style. She turned back with a grace and dexterity that all too evidently distinguished her from Star Swirl, opening the door of the cabin perched upon Spike’s back with her telekinesis. Zenai noted this too, the alicorn was well outside a unicorn’s normal range, she was obviously quite powerful and skilled.

She was prepared to see Fluttershy emerge, as shocked as everyone else when the lanky, dangerous form of a hellhound eased itself through and leapt, hitting the ground below in a fierce looking crouch. Pretty much the entire army tensed as he straightened out, Zenai impressed to see Caesar instead take a step forward in awestruck curiosity. Zenai herself quickly recognised the hellhound, even before she got a good look at the medical kit slung across his shoulder and the three butterfly armband on his left bicep.

The alicorn shared a look with the hellhound before speaking once more, her tones clipped and upper class, “It is my pleasure to announce Ambassador Fluttershy, Elder of the Followers of the Apocalypse and member of the Low Council of the New Canterlot Republic.” With that her horn ignited once more, taking the next figure in its grip as soon as she exited the cabin. Its touch was impossibly gentle, the descent slow and controlled and the figure’s green dress hardly ruffling as the alicorn brought her to the ground. The hellhound moved aside, watching the descending mare with concern as she came down beside him.

Fluttershy.

Zenai wanted to say that she was just another mare, disliking the attribution of supernatural attributes to what were just brave, caring ponies. She couldn’t help but be awed by the mare’s sheer charisma though, even standing there before hundreds of well built, heavily armed zebra, a hellhound, dragon and alicorn she stood out. Her face was lined with age and her once famous hair was grey and tied back into a bun, still she was always Fluttershy. She stood with a slightly apologetic confidence, reassuring and approachable, her often painful experience in every wrinkle but with a soft, youthful twinkle still evident in her eyes. She wore an elegant green dress that covered now useless wings and other health concerns, still she trotted forward with strength and barely a sign of the limp in her back leg. The hellhound observed her carefully for a moment before giving a happy smile and falling into place next to her.

Spike turned to glare at Fluttershy as she passed, grumpily meeting her gaze before pointing a claw at Caesar, then at her, then to his mouth. Zenai was close enough to see Fluttershy’s wide grin before she replied, a little louder than really necessary, “No Spike, you can’t eat them.”

Nervous laughter rippled outwards, soon turning more genuine. Caesar seemed almost absurdly joyful, rushing forward with robes streaming to fall to his knees in front of Fluttershy, “My lady, it is... an honour.”

“You don’t have to kneel Caesar.” Her voice was twinkling and kind, even amplified by the alicorn’s magic. She bowed her own head before offering a hoof to help Caesar up, the zebra taking it with obvious awe. She smiled warmly before nodding to the proud looking hellhound beside her, “May I introduce my friends. This is my nurse and personal assistant Steel Marrow, Senior Scribe Silver Quill of the NCR council and Spike, noble dragon of Equestria.”

Silver Quill? Zenai seemed to remember she was a natural born alicorn, one of the first. Not being one of the Followers explained why Zenai didn’t recognise her. She did know Steel Marrow, and had occasionally fetched books and other documents for him. He was always businesslike, but also unfailingly polite and patient. He also explained why Fluttershy had travelled with such a small entourage, with a hellhound, alicorn and dragon Fluttershy had pretty much the three most dangerous sentient creatures yet known at her back. All she needed was a Canterlot ghoul and she would have the full set.

“My lady, you must be tired from your long journey. May I escort you to your rooms?”

“Thank you Caesar, that would be wonderful.”

Zenai watched them leave, Caesar looking like a lovesick teenager. It seemed his respect for the mare was genuine at least. She watched them for a moment longer before silently slipping away, wanting to be alone with her thoughts.

The palace gardens were beautiful as expected, Caesar’s interest in botany clear. Zenai couldn’t even identify some of them, and others were incredibly rare or thought extinct. It was obvious that the NCR would gain greatly from an alliance for these alone, let alone all the other benefits.

Zenai had wandered the halls of the palace for two hours now, not having gained any great revelations or sudden flashes of insight during that time. Mostly her thoughts had been going in circles, realising that she had been hit harder by what happened in Estelle than she thought.

Was it their fault? The massacre had obviously been planned in advance but Zenai got the impression their presence had accelerated their schedule. And what would have happened if she hadn’t knocked Abartili out, or if she had killed that ugly Pegasus?

Likely nothing, but it still... “Who’s there?”

She looked around, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck prick up. She was being watched, but from where? The garden was thick and there were a lot of places to hide, Zenai finding herself wishing for her barding and weapon as she backed away. The shadows seemed to grow, Zenai’s heart racing as her eyes darted about...

“You should stop walking alone.”

Zenai looked across at the approaching Dust Kicker, the old stallion trotting towards her. She instantly sighed in relief, never more glad to see him, “Was that you watching me just now?”

He gave her a warning look, eyes carefully moving round to scan the bushes, “I meant what I said. I think I’m going to have to take my role as guardian a bit more seriously in future. Now come on, Caesar wants to see us.”

“I thought you would be eager to meet with Fluttershy your highness.”

“Any other day, yes, but to my increasing frustration I am hardly in the mood for entertaining!” Caesar was absolutely livid, stalking around his strategy room in rage. Zenai could hardly blame him, the events of Estelle still clear in her memory. She was hopeful they could put all of it behind them for a moment considering Fluttershy’s arrival, as it seemed was Caesar. No such luck, “I mean, listen to this... pata’k!”

“To all those residing in the golden coast and beyond, I bring you terrible news. Eight years ago you rose up against the forces of Star Fall, trusting to a new future under the warlord Thasan. His rule was a brutal one, but you endured in the hope of a more hopeful future.

And where is that hopeful future now? Thasan’s children have both proven the corruption of his line, Isoko a murderer and rapist and Incuata a cross dressing fop. And Incuata has proven to be far worse than anyone suspected.

A few months ago the independent trading town of Estelle decided to cease paying tribute to Caesar, seeking a deal from the traders whose borders it resides in. Such a thing would inspire anger, fierce diplomacy, maybe a military take over at worse. Instead it provoked a massacre.

Throughout your settlements zebra appalled by this horrific crime have started handing out photographs taken by those few brave souls who survived Caesar’s wrath. They speak of Caesar’s true colours, not as a liberator or a visionary, but a psychopathic foal in a stallions body who has only begun to expose the true horrors he is capable of.

Rise up, rise up against this tyrant for the sake of all of us. Otherwise your towns will be next.”

Caesar slammed a hoof down onto the table, staring about wildly, “Do you see now, do you?!”

“We need to send the army out, grab a few of these concerned citizens and prick them till they squeal.” Chigaru spoke up, lounging lazily as he absent mindedly played with the mountains on the map in front of him, “We need to find the ringleader and shut him down.”

Dust snorted noisily, “Yeah, that’s not a predicable response. They’ll know nothing, likely believe the pack of lies they’ve been fed. All we’ll do is confirm the rumours if we start disappearing zebra. Besides, we know who’s behind it.”

Caesar clenched his jaw, growling out his next words, “Star Fall...”

“Themba.” Zenai corrected him, eager to stop this going the way she thought it was, “Golden Dawn is still committed to peace, and she has to have influence if Themba is getting worried enough to do something so... extravagant.”

“The fact that only one of the four rulers of Star Fall is massacring innocent zebra and blaming it on me does not make me any more sympathetic toward them.” Caesar trotted over to the map, prodding the little volcanic spike off the golden coast, “The fourth member of their ruling council and admiral of their fleets is Themba’s son, so I’m not betting on him being any friendlier.”

Pangaea. He was the only one Zenai hadn’t met, making her wonder what he was like. Still this news was rather worrying, Caesar was likely right about him. Considering Mint Engine described himself as ‘apathetic’ their list of allies was getting low, “Well we just need to do something about Themba for now...”

“On it sir.” Chigaru chuckled, the sound reverberating in his breathing apparatus, “What do you want, knives, guns or good old fashioned brute force?”

Caesar gave his lieutenant a weary look, “Beyond the fact that Themba never leaves the island these days and has faced you in combat before, killing him will hardly solve all our problems. His death will make him a martyr for a zebra just as hostile to me, and likely only reduce Golden Dawn’s influence.”

Zenai was encouraged that Caesar at least was considering peace a possibility, “So you would be willing to listen to Golden Dawn if we did get rid of Themba?”

Caesar grimaced, “I... personally have little love for the mare, she made her initial fortune from the suffering of my people and I am still convinced she sold arms to both sides during the conflict between my father and Star Fall. Still her father is Patriarch Lanark from the Church of the Holy Flame, a very respectable zebra of great wisdom and honour. Surely the apple cannot have fallen so far from the tree?”

Star Swirl suddenly spoke up, for the first time so far, “Isn’t Golden Dawn a pony?”

Zenai shot her still drug addled friend a withering look, “The stripes didn’t give it away?”

“But she was yellow and had a cutie... oh, of course.” Star Fall dropped her head, blushing fiercely, “Sorry, I’ll be quiet.”

Caesar closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying a moment of serenity before speaking, “Her mother is a pony, Ebon Sands. Quite the scandal among the less evolved among our population. Anyway, it is true that I have needed to add a competent merchant to my court for a while. Golden Dawn wouldn’t be my first choice, but then I dislike merchants in general.”

Dust seemed to consider for a moment before speaking up, “Mint Engine will go with whatever will keep civilians safe.” He paused before continuing, “You might also be able to tempt him with the opportunity to extend infrastructure across the golden coast.”

“So that’s two council members I can tempt. Hmm...” Caesar didn’t look any happier but Zenai could see a plan forming in his eyes. After a little while a small smile etched itself across his face, Caesar looking back down at the map before him, “If we could expose Themba to the other council members...”

Dust nodded, “That would be my plan. It would remove him without making him a martyr.”

“Would it?” Caesar looked up at Dust, frowning, “He controls the army, a dangerous position for a zebra under political pressure. We believe Star Fall might even have a Megaspell still stored away, there’s no telling what he would do if we try to force him out of power politically.”

Zenai wasn’t sure what Caesar was getting at. He had seemed like he had a plan before, “So what do we do?”

“Expose him to Mint Engine, and have him disable Star Fall’s automated defences.”

Zenai’s ears perked upwards, her jaw dropping in shock, “We... invade Star Fall?”

“Yes. It is the one gambit Themba would never expect, a repeat of my father’s gambit. Unexpected force against a target who believes himself secure.” Caesar chuckled, striking a hoof against the little black mountain, “Go on the offensive, hit the most well defended fortress in the world and hit it hard!”

Dust hesitated, “Even with the automated defences disabled...”

“With the anti aircraft guns down I have clear air superiority, my dragoons can drop anywhere in the city to seize control of key areas. Despite their boasts their heavy weapons and armour won’t help them in Star Fall itself, urban combat would favour my troops’ fast close combat capacities.” Caesar laughed, “With luck I will be able to seize control of the primary hub quickly, have Golden Dawn and Mint Engine implore the army to surrender.”

Zenai personally thought Caesar was overestimating his skill at persuasion. Support a peaceful truce maybe, but she doubted Mint Engine and Golden Dawn would help him in a full invasion. She felt she should remind him of that before he badly overreached himself, “Um, I’m not sure Mint Engine would ever trust you enough to disable the defences between him and you.”

Dust nodded, not looking convinced either, “Plus, it’s doubtful that he would have the ability to lock down all the defences. Themba is in charge of defence, it’s very likely he has overriding access.”

Caesar frowned for a second before his face lit up once more, staring at the three of them in sly expectation, “But they’re all running on Equestrian Military systems. Systems you must know the access codes to?”

“If we did then the Enclave would have shut them down years ago.”

“Agh, fine.” Caesar placed a firm hoof down upon the map, muttering under his breath before giving his command, “Leave me, I need to think.”

They all bowed with varying enthusiasm and filed out, Zenai moving from the room with a tiny bit of extra pace. She didn’t want Caesar to see her expression. Indeed she couldn’t believe the... predestination of it all. She had exactly what Caesar wanted sitting in her bedroom, Star Fall’s downfall contained within that single suit of armour.

True, she didn’t know if it would work, especially since Rainbow Dash had commanded Star Fall at one point. As demonstrated with the Ministry of Awesome systems she had either known about or suspected the backdoor built into the rest of Equestria’s information network and patched it. Of course the other possibility was that Star Fall was still using the zebra network from back when the base was theirs, or had redesigned the central processor. Really she was now wishing she had spent more time examining Star Fall’s systems when she was there. The radio towers had been using a zebra system, but the defence guns had been stripped from an Equestrian warship. Surely it would have made sense to bring over the firing controls too?

She didn’t know. All she did know was that things were due to get much more interesting.

“This is the right thing to do you know.”

Zenai turned to Chigaru, standing a short distance away. He was inscrutable as always, his face mask tightly clinging to his masked face, “Invading Star Fall?”

“We replace a pirate nation with one controlled by an enlightened dictator, one interested in peace with Equestria. The general population remain safe and secure, it’s only the thugs and raiders who will get hurt.” Chigaru turned his head to her, his tones smooth as silk, “Anyone who could facilitate such a change would surely be hailed as a hero.”

How did he know? Face to face with this masked abomination Zenai wanted little more than to say he was wrong, buck him in the face... but his words made sense. And this was something she could do, turn the weapons of the corrupt against them, “I... I’ll have to think about it.”

Chigaru’s voice was gentle and soft, “Take your time.”

She had never been up here before, the peak of Caesar’s palace a flat, featureless stone platform with four grates on each corner to expel excess heat from the water pump beneath them. Its dull rumble shook the rock at her hooves, a thin mist in the air from the falling water just beneath her.

The view was incredible. Even if this wasn’t her home, even if she fought to deny it... this was the land where her species had been forged. The dusty, tough earth, the burning sun, the soaring peaks of orange stone... this was a hard land, much in the same way as the original homeland of the ponies in the cold, frosty north. The zebra differed in that they were too proud, too stubborn and too damn cussed to abandon the land of their fathers, instead becoming hard, bold and resourceful for every new hardship.

She could see the Kokido Mountains, the capital city located somewhere in its valleys. Upon its slopes however lay something that rendered her immediately speechless, Zenai left staring into the vast empty sockets of a truly titanic dragon skeleton. It had fallen spread-eagled upon the mountainside, Zenai unsure of its exact dimensions but judging that it was at least twice the size of Spike. It was completely intact too, it hadn’t broken up at all and she couldn’t see any damage to the vast bleached bones.

Was this... the Allmother? Mother of all dragons, slain by Rainbow Dash right at the end of the war? The creature’s size seemed to suggest it, she couldn’t imagine anything bigger than the creature before her.

“That... is the All-mother isn’t it? It’s so sad, to see a creature like that just lying there in the open.”

Zenai recognised the voice immediately. She knew it was coming, though she hoped to put it off as long as possible, “I don’t want to talk to you.”

She hadn’t put much force into it, and indeed the response was a soft chuckle, “I know. Crooked Staff very accurately captured Velvet Remedy’s feelings I hear.”

Crooked Staff was one of Velvet’s aides, and the one who had told her that she had been kicked out. Velvet Remedy was apparently too angry to even tell her in person, or more likely far too important to waste time on a peon like her, “I was put under the impression that none of you wanted to talk to me again.”

“That’s not true.” Fluttershy moved to Zenai’s side, standing a few leg lengths away as she smiled softly at the zebra, “Velvet Remedy doesn’t feel that you can represent the Followers any more, but we are still your family.”

Zenai frowned, feeling like she was being good copped bad copped. Still if she was being nice... “Then you can let Star Swirl back in?”

“It’s not that easy.” Fluttershy looked out over the balcony, the wisps of her silver hair blowing in the wind. She sighed as she stared at the vista before her, eyes misty, “We need to understand Zenai. Why didn’t you feel you could talk to us?”

“Because... it wasn’t your fight.” Zenai grimaced, feeling like she was being pried into with an iron bar of kindness, “You’re right, I stole your name and resources and used them for my own purposes. But it wasn’t something I could get you involved with.”

“Why did you think that?”

“Because...” Zenai’s muzzle wrinkled, turning her head to glare at the perfectly innocent looking Fluttershy. Too innocent, and she wasn’t stupid enough to underestimate the old mare, “Look, I know you’re a psychologist, and I know your fancy little mind games. Don’t you dare try to trick me.”

Fluttershy turned her head away, dropping her eyes sadly, “I’m not trying to trick you Zenai, I’m just trying to understand. This whole event made us feel like we aren’t listening hard enough, like you didn’t trust us.”

Fluttershy was good at this. Zenai felt her feelings clear up just talking to her, what Star Swirl and Dust said earlier springing to mind, “I... it’s like when Velvet Remedy didn’t support you about the hellhounds.”

“You thought it would be politically dangerous for us?”

“I don’t want you to become politicised at all.”

Fluttershy sighed again, now looking Zenai in the eye, “Is it something to do with the Twilight Society and Applejack Rangers?”

“I told you, it’s none of your business. Especially yours.” Zenai hesitated for a moment before speaking her mind, figuring she needed to get it all off her chest, “You do a lot of good Fluttershy. I didn’t agree with you about the hellhounds, but you were right in the end. You were right to try and stop the war, even if it didn’t work. You can make peace here as well, get Star Fall and Caesar to stop this stupid fighting and realise that they’re both being manipulated.”

Fluttershy smiled kindly, “You don’t want me to get distracted?”

“Yes.” Zenai frowned, annoyed at how easy this was. She expected more fighting, more shouting. She had snuck into Fluttershy’s office and stole her identity, and now the mare was being absurdly nice. She hated it, it felt like she was being condescended to, “I forged your signature you know, lied and used your mail address to pretend I had the Follower’s backing. I was...”

“The cleaner. I remember.” Fluttershy chucked into her hoof, giving Zenai a soft smile, “I remember thinking how pretty you were.”

“And you didn’t realise that I was lying?”

Fluttershy frowned, the first even vaguely angry look Zenai had seen on the mare, “I... I did think that you weren’t the normal mare that did it, I looked up who you were.”

She had? “Then how...”

“You were a Follower Zenai, you came to us as a child and were noted to be loyal to our ideals. You were creative and perceptive in your work as an archivist, you were into conservative politics and your only misdemeanours were for talking out of turn and curfew violations.” Fluttershy looked away, “I thought I was just being paranoid, put it out of my mind.”

“And I betrayed you.”

“Yes, and I consider your guilt to be an acceptable apology.”

Zenai’s jaw dropped open in shock for a moment before she clamped it firmly shut, looking away quickly and seething privately. How... dare she? This was Fluttershy, she was a celebrity, a big shot, so far above a simple archivist that the very idea of this conversation felt ludicrous. It was insulting, Fluttershy talking to Zenai like she knew her, like they were friends. Not even Star Swirl would talk to her like this, “I... it’s not that easy! I’ll do it again!”

Fluttershy looked back at the zebra, smiling, “Or you could just tell me what’s going on, let me help. Isn’t that why this all went wrong in the first place?”

Zenai wanted to glare back but she couldn’t even face the pegasus, “I told you, I don’t want to get the Followers involved.”

Fluttershy chuckled, giving a sly little smile, “I’m not even a High Elder Zenai. If you want to get technical I’m higher ranking in the NCR than I am in the Followers of the Apocalypse, and even there I’m only a Shadow Councillor and Senior Ambassador. I don’t have to tell Velvet Remedy anything if you don’t want me to.”

Zenai turned her head, daring a tiny peek at Fluttershy’s eyes. They were still clear and kind, undaunted by age. It felt weird to be this close to the mare, so famed throughout their whole organisation, “I know you’re not that ignorant about what you are.”

Fluttershy gave a sad little smile in response, “I’ve heard that answer before.”

Zenai smiled back, reassured that she had won some small victory over the elder pegasus in making her look unsure even for a moment, “You should just go for it you know. Take power, do good, save people. You know you could.”

Fluttershy chuckled, though the sound didn’t sound very mirthful, “I’m still in therapy myself Zenai...”

“So’s half the wasteland.” Zenai pouted, pressing her advantage, “When you won the bill of rights for the hellhounds, do you think you made the wasteland a better place?”

Fluttershy gave the zebra an affectionate smile, “Yes, I did.”

“And when you led the Marefields sanctuary to safety during the Enclave attack?”

“Yes.”

Zenai nodded firmly, planting both hooves on the ground, “You only did both of those things because no one else would. What would happen if you started sticking to your principles full time? You could do so much more.”

Fluttershy shook her head, “I’m not afraid Zenai, you’re wrong about my motives.”

“I...” Zenai hesitated for a moment before setting her jaw once more, “I think you are. Of what you did...”

“I don’t feel guilty over what happened during the war.” Fluttershy looked back at Zenai, absorbing her glare with an expression of gentle calm, “There’s a time and place for heroes Zenai, and a time and place for normal ponies talking out their differences as equals.”

Zenai frowned, “You don’t think this is a time for heroes?”

“No, I don’t. Not in Equestria.” Fluttershy sighed briefly before adopting a more serious expression, straightening out her back as she spoke, “The Twilight Society and Applejack Rangers are both in the thrall of heroes. They want to force a confrontation for the future of the NCR. Because that’s what heroes do, they inspire conflict to change society.”

Zenai lowered her head. She did want to fight, she did want to change things, “Maybe that’s what we need.”

“No, it’s not.” Fluttershy nodded softly, “The Arbiter position has been in political uncertainty for years, the NCR not able to last half a decade without a major catastrophe. The Element of Magic is gone along with two of our most famed heroes. The NCR’s founder is dead, and the ghost of one of the wasteland’s most famous villains is attacking our settlements.”

“And that... doesn’t need a hero?”

“No, it needs normal ponies talking out their differences as equals” Fluttershy gave Zenai a firm, serious look, “You force a confrontation and the NCR is going to collapse. Things are too unstable, everypony too unsettled. That’s what they want Zenai, for the government to collapse. They want things to go back the way they were, when force and superior technology decided everything. Do you?”

“No...”

“I know you think you’re doing good, but provoking them won’t end well for anypony.”

“This...” Zenai clenched her jaw, frustration boiling in her. Fluttershy just didn’t understand, didn’t see what they were trying to do, “If I hadn’t done anything...” She paused, clamping her mouth shut, unwilling to let this secret go, “It doesn’t matter.”

Fluttershy was left standing in expectation, “What do you think would have happened Zenai?”

“I...” Zenai couldn’t say, couldn’t let it out. She didn’t even know why, why she couldn’t even share it with Star Swirl, why she kept this secret clutched jealously to her chest. Why couldn’t she expose the Applejack Rangers, expose exactly who they were behind the chivalric names and shiny armour?

Because she liked being a step ahead of everyone else? Because she wanted to be a hero more than anything else in the world? No, she wasn’t that petty, she wasn’t! She...

Her pipbuck buzzed, Zenai looking down at the scrolling alarm plastered across it. Somepony was in her room, trying to access the suit! “Sorry Fluttershy!”

“Wait... Zenai!”

Fluttershy might have been a living legend easily able to manipulate her in conversation but she was not in any way fast on her feet, Zenai easily outpaced her as she rushed to her room. The door was open, the first indication that something was wrong, and as she approached she saw a stream of water and some shards of broken glass by the opening. Its source was quickly confirmed, somepony had knocked the waterjug off the table. It had likely on exit considering it had broken across the door, indicating they had left in a hurry.

The rest of the room looked untouched, Zenai looking about for any signs of foul play. The most obvious clue was the floorboards near to the cupboard containing the armour were burned, the tell tell green glow of plasma discharge still staining a couple of them. She rushed over to the cupboard and threw the sliding door open, noting that the lock had been disengaged.

“Good morning miss Zenai.” The sweet, youthful voice echoed from the suit of armour inside, a small pink face appearing on the attached pipbuck, “Don’t worry, I scared the bad pony away.”

Zenai was relieved, she would love to have seen their face when the suit had suddenly opened fire, “Who was it?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know. They had some shield around them that protected them from my sensors.”

“Which also stopped the plasma bolt.” Zenai looked down at the burn mark on the floor, it had obviously hit the target and bounced off onto the floor. She could still smell... wait, that wasn’t plasma discharge. It was harsh and acidic, and it made her nose tickle, “Wait... there’s a smell in here, can you tell what it is?”

“Okidokiloki! Scanning now Miss Zenai!” A spinning icon on the pipbuck appeared for a few seconds before the pink pony appeared once again, “My scans indicate that trace amounts of Littlehorn Agent are in the atmosphere.”

Zenai almost bolted there and then, “Pink gas!?”

“Please don’t panic, it’s not concentrated enough to be harmful Miss Zenai.”

Zenai was confused, why on earth would someone be carrying around pink gas? The stuff was incredibly dangerous, and she couldn’t think of any reason why they would need it for breaking into her room, “How big was the figure?”

“Um, waitaminute, let me see... the shield was about 170 centimetres in diameter.”

That was rather large. She already had her suspicions, given that they had chosen to break in now and not when she was at Estelle, “They didn’t download anything from you?”

“Nopies. They connected up a pipbuck, but I easily beat up those bad programs.”

That’s what you get for trying to hack an AI designed for hacking. She was glad now that she ordered the suit to fire on anyone who attempted to move or manipulate it, worried at the time that she would end up vaporizing some cleaning mare. It had certainly sent the intruder into swift retreat, which meant they might not have covered their tracks... she trotted over and swung the door shut, inspecting its surface, “What prints can you find on this door?”

“Scanning now... a small zebra, a larger, older zebra and an alicorn.”

Interesting, “Did the alicorn have a small cleft in her left hoof?”

“Nope. Actually... it looks like she had a hooficure recently.”

So it wasn’t Star Swirl. The older zebra was likely the cleaner, making the culprit obvious... “Thank you, you can go back to sleep now.”

“Okie dokies! Goodnight Zenai!”

Zenai frowned as the suit powered down. It seemed from what she said that she needed to go look up a few details on this Silver Quill alicorn...

“Silver Quill?” Steel Marrow gave what looked like a grin, shining a set of very sharp teeth. He lacked the prominent accent of most hellhounds, still his guttural rasp of a voice still set Zenai on edge, “She is representative of NCR, senior scribe. Very polite, but not very friendly.”

“You’ve never met her before?”

Steel Marrow gave her another long grin as he loped over to the medicine cabinet in Fluttershy’s room, long claws sorting through the rows of bottles with impressive dexterity, “That’s classified, heh.”

Zenai frowned at him, “Don’t mess me around.”

“Why not? You are not Followers anymore, don’t have to tell you not’ing.” He turned, observing her with an amused smirk, “You want info, speak to Miss Fluttershy.”

Zenai shivered slightly at that look, trying to hide it. She really didn’t want to let on how much an unfriendly hellhound unnerved her, even if his every grin did make her want to wet herself, “You can’t make the decision yourself?”

“We play to our talents. I defer to Miss Fluttershy on matters relating to diplomacy or mission param’eeters, she defers to me on matters of medicine. It is a most rewarding system.”

Zenai frowned in frustration, knowing that it was very hard to argue round that decision, “Isn’t Fluttershy a doctor too?”

“Of orthopaedics. Fortunately Miss Fluttershy does not have much opportunity to treat herself in this area of medicine, very healthy, very strong bones.” Steel Marrow grinned at her again, “We diamond dogs respect such things.”

“I... see.”

“Now I must continue setting out Miss Fluttershy’s room. Please go speak to her if you want information.”

Zenai reluctantly acquiesced to his ushering, finding herself out in the corridor with little more information that when she began. From Steel Marrow’s tone it was obvious however that she was an addition to Fluttershy’s party rather than part of her normal entourage. That raised the possibility that she was placed there by the Rangers or Twilight Society, mostly likely the Society given that the Ranger representative would likely approach her directly.

She... would have to speak to Fluttershy, and she really didn’t want to have that conversation now. She was actually relieved as she spotted Star Swirl emerge from around a nearby corner, the alicorn’s eyes lighting up as she spotted Zenai and cantered over. Zenai moved to meet her, hoping Star Swirl could distract her from her present concerns at least for a moment, “How are you feeling Star Swirl?”

The alicorn actually blushed, hesitating and wiggling her hoof as Zenai stared. Now she was closer she could see that Star Swirl was clearly bothered about something, boasting the overly serious look on her face that she often sported when around strangers. That she had to say worried Zenai, Star Swirl only did that to her when she had done something dumb and was working herself up to admitting it. Her voice too trembled as she spoke, “I’m... still a little sore, and my magic still hasn’t come back. I’m ok though.”

Zenai narrowed her eyes, “Star Swirl, what aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing! I...” Star Swirl deflated, breaking her mask like expression to deliver a nervous smile, “I was just wondering if you want to go out to town... um, we could eat there, and see things?”

“And you would buy dinner?” Zenai frowned, “What are you buttering me up for Star?”

Star Swirl shook her head, giving a slightly exaggerated look of hurt, “Nothing. I just... miss it being the two of us. We haven’t had much time alone lately.” She grinned cautiously, her jokey tone somewhat spoiled by the stammer in her voice, “I...I’ll s..still buy dinner if you want?”

Zenai grinned, Star Swirl could really be very sweet when she wanted to be, “We’re on a joint budget Star.”

“It’s the thought that counts?”

Zenai laughed, glad that her friend was getting her sense of humour back after her somewhat unsettling nervousness. Indeed it inspired the same feelings as Star Swirl, they really hadn’t spent enough time together lately. Chatting about politics as they sorted the scrolls, dinner in the break room at the end of a long afternoon, waking up on the other’s floor surrounded by books and bottles of wine... it inspired more homesickness, but she reassured herself that one big part of home was still here, “Sure Star, lead on.”

“Well, I simply think they underestimate how much influence the desert nations had within the golden coast.”

“Now perhaps, but the pre-war camels never traded this far west. Zebra civilisation was destroyed, it comes to reason that the camel’s migrated in this direction so they would have a reliable trading partner. Without Equestria’s influence it would stand to reason the golden coast would look to their nearest successful neighbour for inspiration.”

“But much of the city is built in the camel style. Those are pre-war buildings.”

“It’s a necessity of the heavy stone in this area, they had to build squat and strong. It’s not so much a camel style as a dustland one.”

Star Swirl sighed, looking defeated. Zenai quickly offered her an encouraging grin, the alicorn perking up with a soft chuckle, “You’re so smart Zenai.”

“I know.” Zenai smirked mockingly, shifting her glasses up with a hoof and reclining against the table, “And please, go on. After the last few days I need my ego flattered a bit.”

Star Swirl gave the zebra a wistful look, averting her eyes to stare sadly around the restaurant. Feeling a little adventurous they had chosen the most ethnic place they could find, both of them quickly deciding that for all Equestria’s advances in agriculture zebra still managed to beat them when it came to cooking. It helped that Zebra still seemed very vegetarian in general, Zenai had never felt her stomach feel so secure on a field trip before.

Star Swirl eventually spoke, sounding a little sad, “It’s so exciting being in another country isn’t it? All this new history and culture...”

Zenai looked askew at the alicorn, the worry about the mare’s mood returning, “You don’t look exited.”

“Oh, I am.” Star Swirl brought her head up quickly to give Zenai a reassuring nod before letting her eyes drop once more, “I’m just... tired.”

“Are you still in pain?”

“A little.” Star Swirl admitted, twitching slightly at being reminded of it, “I’m ok, it’s just... a long time since I took that kind of punishment. Or fought like that.”

Zenai looked at the alicorn in concern, knowing full well just how deep Star Swirl’s emotional scars lay. Unfortunately it was one of the few things she understood about them, as she had to admit to still being befuddled about most things regarding the alicorn race. Most of them seemed to regret the Unity’s loss at a deep level, and though Star professed different herself Zenai wasn’t sure how honest that was. It didn’t matter that it had taken control of them, forced them to fight and kill, turned them into alicorns in the first place. Zenai figured they missed the security it gave them, but knew deep down that she would never truly understand. And Star Swirl felt it harder than most, “You had to fight back there...”

“A... little. I liked it...” Star Swirl shook her head, puffing out her cheeks a little and looking firmly across at Zenai, “They were bad ponies, and I needed to protect you and Dust Kicker. I... didn’t hurt any of them, not directly.”

“Star...”

“I mean it.” Star Swirl stated firmly, still sounding like she was trying to justify it, “I’m... proud of myself.”

Really? Something was bugging the alicorn though, Zenai could tell. She remembered her expression when the demon alicorn had fallen, her pleas against harming her, “Do you... regret hurting Luna?”

“She wasn’t Princess Luna.”

“It’s the best name we have.”

“I... a little.” Star paused, letting her head drop, “She was confused, trying too hard. I don’t think she’s a bad pony.”

“She helped massacre an entire settlement.”

Star Swirl looked back firmly and resolutely, “I didn’t see her lift a weapon to attack them. Helping Nazir was wrong yes, but it doesn’t make her irredeemable.”

Zenai wanted to agree with her friend, still her gut just wouldn’t let her. It churned to think of her getting away with shedding so much blood, “You and me have different ideas about redemption.”

Star Swirl narrowed her eyes, her voice cold, “I killed a lot more innocent ponies than she did back there. And I did it with my own hooves.”

This again? “You were under the control of the Goddess, that was her, not you.”

“There are a lot of ways to control someone.” Star Swirl glared for a moment more before her expression softened, “She told me that she had been trapped here, and that zebra were still capable of terrible things. I think... she’s suffered abuse at their hands.”

“So that’s reason to kill them by the bakers dozen?”

Star gave Zenai a warning glare, Zenai figuring she deserved that one, “No, but it’s a reason why she might believe a pack of lies from somepony like Nazir or Themba.”

Zenai... didn’t agree. But at that point she realised it didn’t matter, “You know, I spoke to Fluttershy today.”

Star Swirl hesitated, slightly taken aback by this change of direction, “How... how did it go?”

“I told her she could do so much good if she just stopped holding back and did what her heart told her.” Zenai gave Star Swirl an affectionate smile, “And I think the same thing of you Star. You’ve got a heart five times the size of mine at your most cynical.”

“I... I’m just naive and prone to wishful thinking.” Star Swirl blushed, averting her eyes quickly to hide her embarrassment, “Takes more than that to be a hero. It takes... drive, and cunning, and the will to succeed even when others doubt you.” Star looked up at Zenai, giving a nervous, trembling little smile, “It... takes someone rather special indeed...”

Zenai laughed, not about to lose her cool by blushing so easily. Instead she gave a confident, cheerful grin, throwing her mane back with a firm, rakish flick and shooting Star Swirl a smirk, “With very good friends.”

“I... I do my best.” Star Swirl stammered, suddenly looking rather claustrophobic as she stared around, “You know... can we go outside? Take another look around town?”

“Sure Star.” Zenai smiled warmly at the alicorn, “Let me just pay and we’ll go look around the river. How about that?”

Star Swirl gave a nervous little nod of her head, “That sounds... wonderful...”

The river in question ran down the side of Caesar’s palace and through the city in a roaring torrent, eventually feeding into the irrigation below. Its power drove many water wheels situated along the hill, a vision of truly impressive industry and power. Zenai stared up at the edifice as it loomed in the darkness, wondering where they really got it all from. A water talisman, or something more mechanical? She would have to ask next time she had the chance...

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

Zenai looked round at Star Swirl, pausing for a moment to enjoy the lights and sound of Demonivore in the dark as Star Swirl was. The city was still alive, the sound of laughter and shouting from the bars, the warm glow of light from the houses. Caesar’s palace soared above, a squat, hardy spire of power and majesty, “Yes... it is.”

“I was really worried. When you went off alone like that.”

Zenai turned and looked round at Star Swirl, grinning as she saw the mare in turn steadfastly avoiding her gaze. Was that what was really bugging her? “I’m sorry Star. And thank you, for saving us all.”

Star Swirl looked up in shock and horror, “Me? I didn’t...”

“Then who did? I seem to remember being unconscious.”

“I... I couldn’t have done it without Dust Kicker.” Star Swirl gave a slightly wistful, dreamy smile as she continued, her hoof wiggling slightly in nervousness, “I feel more confident with him, I’m glad he’s here. He’s a... good stallion.”

Zenai almost snorted, only just holding herself back. Was that what was bugging her? Zenai wasn’t certain she could maintain a straight face at Star Swirl confessing a crush on the old mercenary “Hmm, seems like he’s really captured your attention...”

“Zenai!”

“I’m actually being serious Star.” Zenai tried to look it as well, though she couldn’t keep the grin off her face. To be honest the idea of them together was enough to make her want to cackle, the bulky and aging stallion forced to scale a mare twice his size, “You two do seem to be growing much closer lately. You really don’t have any feelings for him?”

Star Swirl looked surprised for a moment before giving a firm shake of her head, “I don’t.”

Zenai was... disappointed. She was surprised at that reaction, realising how much it would have pleased her to see her friend finally paired up, “Star... I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.” Star Swirl blushed again, looking even more nervous than before, “I... I’m happy being here with you.”

“That’s not what I mean.” Zenai sighed, feeling like an iron weight around the mare’s neck. Was this her fault? Was she dragging Star Swirl along with her, denying her the chance of happiness? Her cause was hers alone. Seeing it hurt others like this just made it feel all so... selfish, “I’m so glad you value our friendship enough to follow me here, and there’s no one I would rather be at my side... but you need someone to be with you at night, to take away your worries and comfort you. I can’t...”

“I love you Zenai.”

“Huh... I mean...”

Star Swirl gazed at Zenai with a haunted, pleading look, her apprehension and fear clear across her face, “I’m here... because I love you. Because... I want you to be with me.”

Gargle blargle vouz? Zenai struggled to parse that sentence into something more sensible, failing miserably. She wondered if she could just put it down to a hallucination, but there was Star Swirl, still staring at her in expectation. She... didn’t know what to say, “Ha... ha... you’re kidding Star.” She added, a little more desperately, “You... you like stallions. Don’t you?”

“I... I don’t think it matters.” Star smiled desperately, “You’re beautiful, smart, kind... you were nice to me, and you’re trying to make the world a better place. I... wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.”

“That... that’s just... friendship. I mean you don’t want to...” Zenai looked around in desperate horror, looking for an escape route from this terrible terrible conversation, “You’re not physically attracted to me are you?”

Star Swirl froze up, predictably, her head falling and her eyes opening wide and fearful. Mind you, Zenai wasn’t much more adept in processing the thought of them... having sex. Dear holy ick, the idea just made her shiver. Not to put anything against Star Swirl or anything, but she just didn’t... like mares, and Star Swirl was a whole lot of mare. She...

She had just leaned forward and kissed her.

At least that’s what she thought she was trying to do. She would have to give the poor mare lessons, shocked into paralysis for a moment before shoving the mare roughly away, “Ngh... get off Star!”

Star Swirl quickly disengaged, looking mortified. It wasn’t a second before tears filled her eyes, her voice choked, “I’m sorry, I just...”

“I... I’m sorry. So sorry.” Zenai wanted to throttle the mare. It wasn’t a fair reaction she knew, but... now? She had spring this now, with everything else? What was she, stupid? Zenai had never stuck to one partner, she wasn’t the girlfriend type. And every single one of her partners had been male, and Zenai had spoken at length on her affection for the gender. How could she possibly...?

But here she was, faced with the tearful face of her best friend as she struggled for words, “I... don’t like you in that way. I’m sorry.”

Star Swirl hesitated, her eyes filled with tears and her lip quivering pathetically, “You might try...?”

“Star... no. No. Never.”

“Ok.” Star turned slowly and robotically, trotting away with a wavering, almost drunken gait. Zenai didn’t move to follow as her friend disappeared into darkness, heart firmly broken into a thousand tiny shards.

____________________________

Footnote: Level up! (6)
Perk Acquired – Loremaster
“I’ve read several books on the subject.”
You have studied all the prewar sciences, and know how to counter them. You gain a 5% damage increase against uncommon pre-war tech, as well as special options in dealing with it.

Quest perk added – Heartbreaker
“Oh come on!”
You have become adapt at destroying the hopes and dreams of others. You gain an extra 5 point bonus to your speech skill when trying to break the will of another.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.9 - Team Building

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After all the travelling, and running, and fighting it was good to just walk the streets. Indeed it was Dust Kicker’s first real experience of the city itself, and he had to say that he liked it. It was lively though still slightly mysterious in the dark, with serious and respectful guards patrolling softly lit streets. The population seemed to be predominantly zebra stallions unfortunately, with the few mares he saw almost entirely heavily made up criers selling their establishments to passer’s by. The gender imbalance slightly upset him, but he had seen worse.

The bars themselves were common and lively, Dust eventually finding a nice looking one and stepping inside with a careful glance. It had been made up to look like a frontier style Equestrian establishment, Apple family memorabilia nailed to the walls. Dust wasn’t sure if he was amused or appalled to see a portrait of a very provocatively posed Apple Bloom above the bar, amused that the image was well known even all the way out here. Still he had never seen it so... large or prominently displayed. Sadly no pony had thought to record the younger Apple’s reaction to her artistic admirer.

His eyes quickly drifted down to the bar however, where a large group was laughing and cheering at something. His interest spiked he moved over to see what the fuss was about, slipping through the crowd as they parted at the approach of this strange new pony. It didn’t take long to recognise the figure in the middle, just as distinctive as she ever was, “Clear Skies, there you are.”

She turned on the bar stool, eyes lighting up, “Dirf Tfacker!”

Dirt Tracker? He had heard that one before. He replied with traditional deadpan sincerity, “It’s Dust Kicker.”

She gave that strange giggling sound she was fond of, “It sfill sounds like an insulting term for an eff pony.”

“Yeah, well the leader of my tribe was a pegasus. And a shithead, in case it wasn’t clear.” Dust commented, bemoaning once again being born in the short period between Jack Wing arriving, killing the old leader by abusing his flight against him, declaring pegasi to be superior to all others, and getting ventilated by a Steel Ranger with a sniper rifle. He had heard once that old world ponies had consulted the stars, visited augers or consulted the princesses before naming their foals. These days it was mostly whatever drunken slur the pony with the biggest gun could pull out of his ass at short notice, “I kind of like it. I am an earth pony after all. I do kick dirt.”

“Yeaf, mine don’t fit too well. Mosf of the skies I fly are anyfing buff clear.” Clear Skies chuckled, swigging back another glass of some suspicious looking green goo before speaking again, “Soff, what do you fink of the zebra homelands?”

“Gunny, dangerous. I like it.”

“Thosf are the fings I don’t like about it!” Clear sighed, looking past the crowds to stare out the window, “Mouftings, losf treasufers, treacherous windf, emfty plainfs. I’mf a scout. Equesfia is too scouted out theff days.”

Heh, she was just like him, “Same here, I’m a mercenary. Nothing but guard jobs and petty bandits these days. This country has action I can really get into.” He looked at her, remembering Loose Trigger’s advice about hiring her, “So you’re sticking around?”

Clear grinned, looking at her little fan club with obvious enthusiasm, “Yepf! Got tings to do.”

“Things?”

“You faw my fonic faighboom right?”

“Yeah...”

“Only the haf off what I can do!” She struck a stumpy hoof against her chest, cheers erupting from the crowd at her boasting, “Only flier to navifate Kivaffers curse and suffvive!”

“How did you do that by the way? Because those winds were ice cold, and you would have to fly for at least three days without stopping...”

She gave an exaggerated shake of her head at his foolishness, looking to the expectant crowd before respectfully explaining, “Befouse I’m awfome!”

Dust wiped the spittle of his face, “Ah, my mistake.”

“In fact theffs only one pony more affsome than me. One pony I’ff wanted to pay my refspects to ever since I learned about her. One pony I neef to learn the sfecrets off to be the beff ever.”

Dust knew where this was going, “Fluttershy right?”

She nodded enthusasticly, “Yeff, Fuffers... no, Rainbow Daffs!” She chuckled at his tease before boldly declaring her intentions, “Anff she iff ‘ere, I know it!”

Dust blinked, not quite following, “Rainbow Dash is... in the zebra lands?”

Clear Skies nodded empathically, “Sheff never been found in Equestria, and thff enclaves ‘Rainbow Daffs’ feleton haff been proven not to be herfs.”

“She’s likely just another body in the wastes then. Why...”

“Fee fent a lot off time ‘ere during thff war. Lot of secreft lairs and hidden fasshes.”

“Lots in Equestria too...”

“Anff after the war Rarity and Fufferfhy were in Canterlot, Twilight waff in Maripony, Applejack waff in a sfecure vault, finkyfie was in Manehatten, her kids were in Cloudffail, and her huffband was in the Golden Coast.”

Now that was a point. After the war the only place of those anypony could reasonably be counted on to have survived was right here. But more to the point... “Rainbow Dash was married? With kids?”

“Welf...” Clear Skies paused slightly here, “Thefs no wedding certificaffe, buff hif name if on two birff certificaffes.”

“Well I suppose sleeping with someone at least twice is a relationship of sorts... so you think she came here to find her husband? Why not go to Star Fall? It was her base once.”

Clear Skies laughed, “You do know Rainbow Daff was diffhonorable diffcharged for attempted murder? Geff who her target waff?”

Dust Kicker closed his eyes in weary inevitability, making a wild guess that he already knew was likely accurate, “North Star. Founder of Star Fall. The pony she accused of being a sociopath.”

“Man, you’re sfmart!” Clear Skies nodded, “That waff the official reason she was branded a traitor. The whole ‘chewing them out for being cowards’ waff carefully swept under the caffet.”

Of course. A convenient lie for anyone doing research on the topic, though Dust knew it must have had some truth to be effective. Still this was all... irrelevant. Dusty bones of mares, however famous, held little interest to him, “So you will be around if we need you for scouting?”

“No fighting, no pink gas... or other kinds of gas... anff no enclave.” Clear nodded, ticking off her list, “Apart from that, I’ff find you anywhere you want anff tell you how to get there.”

Dust figured that was fair enough, though he had been hopeful of another pair of guns in the sky. For all his griping about pegasi like Jack Wing air support was very effective, still, if she didn’t want to fight she didn’t want to fight, “Sure, I’m fine with that. I’ll leave you to your fanclub then, and I might have some work for you later.”

She nodded cheerfully, “Okidokiloki! Haf a good night Dusf!”

Usefully the market was still open at this hour, at least parts of it. This included a very well stocked weapon shop, Dust drooling over the items for a short while before finally getting to the reason he was here. He gently placed his poor, departed shotgun on the desk, awaiting a prognosis from the zebra salesman, “Give it to me straight doc.”

“Yeah, I can already tell you spent a lot of lonely nights cuddled up to this one.” The one eyed zebra snarked as he took the gun apart with gentle precision, sighing as a bent spring rolled against his forehoof and poking at a bent trigger switch, "R42 Riot Shogun, very rare weapon in zebra lands. Withdrawn in Equestria too, yes?”

“Uhuh, bit too lethal for law enforcement even with beanbag rounds. There were... incidents.” Dust’s heart broke just a little as he saw the weapon lying there disassembled, feeling like he was delivering a eulogy, “No problem for me of course, and there’s no shotgun I’ve ever carried that’s more accurate at medium range. Great reload speed too.”

The zebra nodded, his face grim, “Very difficult to find replacement parts. This was a collector’s piece even before the war.” He gave Dust a somewhat irritated glare as he ran his hooves across the weapon, “A working model is worth a lot, more than it’s value as weapon I think. How did you break it?”

“Uh... demon alicorn, shadows... don’t ask.” Dust kinda wished he had just given in and placed it on a mantelpiece, certainly not considering this... Princess to be worthy of delivering the finishing blow to such a weapon. Indeed collectors had been asking to buy the weapon off him for a long time, the R42 having gained a (admittedly inflated) reputation due to its rarity. It just made him more determined to keep it, looking sadly down on the crudely scratched out image of a cube on the stock, “Hey Celly, looks like it really is the end of the line for us.”

The zebra gave him a look, his voice totally deadpan, “You named it. You want a moment here effendi? I know a good priest to lay her to rest.”

Dust gave the smug little git a long, cool smirk before sighing and shaking his head, “If you must know this shotgun was thrown at my head by a very attractive mare, and I make a point of keeping all the heavy objects thrown my way by pretty ladies.”

“They make a point of throwing museum pieces at your head?”

“Nah, normally just bricks and the like. Celly had class, no one could call me a bastard quite like her.” He took a moment to call up the mare’s image, not surprised to find he could only remember her eyes. Really it had been those which had ensured that she was anything but a face behind bars, that and that cool, piercing tongue of hers. Hell, it was because of her that he got a chance to talk to Red Eye personally, ended up at the Cathedral... “Trade then. This for the best you have.”

“It’s broken.”

“Don’t be a jerk. You said yourself, this is a museum piece.”

The zebra considered the offer for a moment before snorting, moving from the counter to wander over to his weapon racks, “Don’t deal in nick nacks effendi, and your gun is an overrated, outdated piece of shit.” He picked a zebra designed, rugged looking shotgun up by the stock and moved back over, placing it on the ground at Dust’s feet, “This is the Praetorian Special. Not as good at range as your piece of shit, but it will punch through a demon alicorn real good.”

Dust raised an eyebrow, though he could tell by the zebra’s proud expression that he wasn’t trying to rip him off, “Tested it on many demon alicorns?”

“No, but it reduced plenty of normal unicorns to giblets.” He prodded the weapon with a hoof, looking defensive, “Battle of Sweet Valley, blew off Shining Armors’ shoulder. Battle of Dipthorn, knocked Princess Luna on skinny little ass. Ponies shit themselves when they look down this barrel effendi, only ponies your piece of shit killed is unarmed civilians.”

Dust looked at the weapon, indeed having heard of it. Carried by zebra elites as the name suggested, and it had gained quite a reputation (especially after the embarrassing Luna incident, even if the assassin in question had caught her off guard). It kicked like a mule apparently, but Dust was a big stallion and in truth the R34 was rather underpowered for him, “Fine... trade?”

“I will regret it all my days effendi, but your piece of shit will make good backscratcher. Come back when you want to replace that toilet brush you call a rifle.”

“Hey, my shotgun might have deserved it, but this is a quality weapon.”

“Huh, for girly waist ponies maybe...”

His new purchase firmly in hand, Dust was starting to consider just setting home for the night. He didn’t really feel like drinking with strangers, nor exploring the outskirts of the city in the dark. He was just about to set off home when his eyes picked up a small, cloaked figure hurrying towards him, obviously trying to remain anonymous as she kept her head down and tried to disguise her pace. He continued walking as he kept one eye on the figure, the cloak was nice but not too nice, of a style designed to shield against the dust of the wastes. Fairly common in the city, not likely to stand out...

Perfect for an assassin.

“Dust Kicker... right?”

The tones were soft and somewhat panicked, Dust fighting to place them for a moment before his jaw dropped ever so slightly and he turned to the figure. She stopped in front of him, fidgeting nervously as Dust lowered his head to peer under her hood, “Fluttershy?”

“Um, yes... we haven’t been formally introduced have we?” She peered about in worry a couple of times before focusing on Dust once more, “Ah, but can that wait? Sorry, but I kind of need help, well not me...”

“You really shouldn’t be walking alone.”

She paused, biting her lip in worry and frustration. After a moment to peer about once more she looked up and gave him an attractive little smile, one that Dust had to say got his full attention as she explained her presence, “I need to get a feel for these zebra if I’m going to negotiate with them. Steel Marrow is rather conspicuous, he would attract attention.”

Dust didn’t think that really answered his question... pretty smile be damned, “You’re not that stealthy yourself ambassador. It’s dangerous to be out on your own.”

She frowned, looking a little angry as she glared at him in impatience, “There are plenty of guards around, and plenty of zebra and ponies have tried their hand at assassinating me in the past. And I told you, I need help. It’s important.”

Wow, Dust couldn’t help but be taken off guard by the change in her demeanour. Not the pushover he had been led to believe then, though to be honest Dust had always found it hard to believe the soft, shy pegasus ponies described to him was capable of half the things Fluttershy had achieved in her life, “Sorry, please continue.”

“Thank you, I... oooh!” Fluttershy gave a frustrated squeak, suddenly stomping the ground with her hoof. She glared up at Dust again, causing the stallion to retreat slightly, “Now I’m angry again.”

He made a point to watch his tongue around her. It was always the quiet ones, “I can see that. What’s wrong?”

Fluttershy stood silent for a moment to regain her composure, the effort not seeming entirely successful as she angled a slightly twitching eye at Dust, “Did Zenai really not tell Star Swirl about being... removed from the Followers?”

Dust sighed, obviously not, “I did tell her to. And... Fluttershy, believe me when I say that Zenai isn’t trying to betray you, she’s just an impulsive...”

“I don’t care about her!” Fluttershy barked the outburst, quickly looking mortified as all eyes in the street turned to her. She angled her head down and shuffled closer to Dust, the stallion giving the crowds an embarrassed grin that convinced them to move away with chuckles and whispered comments about ‘domestics’. Fluttershy waited until they had cleared before looking up at Dust once more, cheeks blushing red, “I... I’m sorry. I’m just a little worried. You see I bumped into Star Swirl, and she asked if she could come back home to the Followers. I didn’t know she hadn’t been told, started rambling about due processes...”

It was Dust’s turn to look annoyed now, wondering if he and Fluttershy could take turns body slamming Zenai into walls, “I take it she took it badly.”

“She... had a bit of a meltdown...” Fluttershy trembled slightly at the memory, looking around the street once more as she lowered her voice “She kicked a street sign into shards and headbutted a guard before running off. I... my galloping days are past, I couldn’t keep up with her.”

Dust raised an eyebrow, “She headbutted a guard?”

“Don’t worry, I patched him up. I really should have been more careful, Star Swirl’s profile mentions emotional instability.” She gave him a pleading look, “You know her better than me. Please, find her and bring her back.”

Uh, of all the things... he was getting tired of having to play team dad to a bunch of immature foals. He was here to protect them from bullets, not their own emotional breakdowns. He almost made a snarky comment to that effect before realising... this was Fluttershy, “Oh... fine. I’ll look for her.”

Fluttershy smiled, chuckling lightly into her hoof as she looked up at the mercenary, “Are you only doing it because I asked you to Mr Dust?”

He frowned, the old pony’s coy look rather unsettling him, “You just have a way of pricking my conscience.”

“I think you do your conscience too little credit.” Fluttershy nodded to him, her eyes alight now, “Consider it a job. Bring her back here and I’ll make sure you’re rewarded.”

The old mare really knew how to play him. Still she was being transparent about it at least, and he was worried about Star Swirl, “Done. Wait here, I’ll be back soon.”

As he expected Star Swirl wasn’t exactly stealthy, and even with what seemed to be a good twenty minutes head start he closed on her quickly. What he encountered hardly filled him with reassurance though, large bills and empty bottles of spirits at the bars, vomit in the corner and a group of extremely stupid and rather battered muggers, one of which had taken a horn through the cheek. Considering one of them had then tried to mug him he figured these were the sort of gutter trash that would quite likely take out themselves given enough time, he really needed to find Star Swirl before she got in a fight with anyone more competent.

He heard a sound overhead, looking up at the curtain of stars above and the shining half moon that fortunately enough shone brightly this night. After a moment he spotted the object moving there as it stopped to hover, the great winged dragon pausing to observe the city become moving on. He hoped it was Spike, he didn’t need any more trouble this night.

Dust eventually reached what signs helpfully informed him was ‘the ridge’, a rising jut of stone that stabbed out of the city towards the sea beyond. A few rather old and regal looking structures sat upon its flat plate, the area seeming to be completely abandoned. He looked around as he advanced, the buildings seeming to be old regal houses that had long since collapsed into disrepair, alongside a pair of large sea defence cannons. Star Swirl had been heading this way apparently, Dust fearing for a moment that she had just taken off, “Star Swirl!”

A dark shape he had taken for a statue turned, hesitating for a moment before moving out of the shadows. She looked... well, miserable. She was slightly drunk, that much was obvious, and her mane was tangled and askew as if she had shaken it violently. Her expression put the blackest of storm clouds to shame, especially as she raised her eyes to him, “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you.” Dust waved a hoof, advancing on the alicorn, “Fluttershy was worried about you.”

“Why? Why’s it her problem?” Star Swirl twitched slightly, her expression even darker than before, “Why is it anyone’s problem?”

“You...” Dust cracked, he was not a relationship councillor, and he was not modulating his words, “Because you didn’t do anything wrong, besides listen to an increasingly annoying little zebra. You shouldn’t have had to hear it like that, nor lose your chance to defend yourself.”

“I... I’M SUCH AN IDIOT!” Star Swirl shouted the words, stamping a hoof against the floor. She looked up at Dust with tear stained eyes, wincing a little as she nodded to her side, “Can... you take this out please? I don’t appear to have any friends anymore...”

Dust peered at the offending side, slightly perturbed to see a knife imbedded in her thigh, “Ow. Sure thing, that looks like it hurts.”

“Not really. On loads of painkillers.”

Dust figured that. He wondered if her drinking was such a good idea, “Yeah, I also noticed the bars you cleared out on your way here.”

“Actually, all I did was run up a massive bill.” She let her head fall, looking depressed, “I’m an alicorn, it would take half our allowance to even get me tipsy.”

Wow. That must suck. Dust moved up to Star Swirl, placing two hooves on the knife and tugging it out with a short sharp movement. She winced but didn’t cry out, Dust dropping the knife and applying pressure to the wound as her fur quickly turned crimson, “It’s not as bad as you say. As I said, you didn’t do anything wrong. We do this mission right and I’m sure they’ll let you right back in.” Dust grunted, feeling his desire to hurt a certain small zebra return, “Besides, don’t be stupid about not having friends anymore. Her not telling you was just cowardice, after what she put you through she owes you a lot.”

“Apparently not.” Star Swirl spat the words, blunt and angry, “She’s a bitch. I never want to talk to her ever again.”

Dust couldn’t help smirk, Star Swirl really acting like a school filly now. Next they would be pulling each other’s hair and crossing their names out of each other’s diaries, “You don’t mean that Star Swirl.”

“Yes I do.” She stated it firmly, before her lip curled and she screwed her eyes tightly shut, “You know how she stopped the Followers finding out about the plans to send this expedition?”

Dust didn’t really feel like a history lesson, but figured he had to bite, “No.”

“She seduced the pony in the mail room, slept with him and stole all Silent Steel’s correspondence while he was asleep. That’s what she does, she... uses her looks to take advantage of ponies. She’s...”

Star Swirl trailed off, quiet for a moment before uttering a pained murmur and screwing her face up tight. It didn’t take long for Dust Kicker to realise she was crying, tears falling from her cheeks to wet the ground at her hooves. He caught one of them on his hoof, feeling he was missing some context here, “Star Swirl, what’s this all about?” He gasped slightly as he realised, striking himself on the head with a hoof for being so stupid, “You came here because of her didn’t you? You... you’re in love with her.”

Star Swirl shook her tears away, not answering as she stared off into the distance. Eventually she turned her head to Dust, eyes hopeful, “You like me don’t you Dust Kicker?”

He backed away, a little worried now, “Star Swirl, I...”

“I’m not asking for anything in return.” She advanced on him, a desperate look in her eyes, “You can do anything you want to me, please...”

Yeah, this was going here. Honestly he was insulted that she thought his only concern was that she would ask for something in return. He was a mercenary after all, and it was her making the advance. Not his normal scene, but at basic rates...

Ok, he was just stalling so he didn’t have to deal with this. He had no intention of whoring himself out, or being an easy lay, “Star, I like you, but...”

She glared at him, moving closer and pressing her front hooves against his shoulders. One push and he hit his back, marvelling for a second at her strength before she further proved it by pinning him to the ground and crouching over him. Her expression was determined and impatient, her body amazingly warm even on this cold night.

It was an experience he had to admit. He had experienced ‘heavy’ mares before but an alicorn was a whole other thing, facing him like this he barely reached down to her sternum with his back legs. There was a brief moment of temptation he had to admit, still it wasn’t much. Being dominated by some inexperienced filly was embarrassing, and he was pretty sure they would both regret it come morning, “Star, get off a moment and lets...”

She frowned in irritation, instantly reaching down and placing her lips on his. It shut him up for sure, the action adding a whole new serving of ridiculousness to the situation. She... had no idea what she was doing, and the difference in their mouth sizes was making things even more difficult. There was drool, and teeth. He decided that things had progressed to the point where he was morally justified in giving her a hard kick somewhere bony and painful in the simple interests of continuing friendship.

“Ow!”

She darted backwards, landing on her back legs and staggering, leaning dangerously to the left where Dust had kicked her in the ribs. Dust rolled back onto his hooves and braced himself as he watched her, wary of being taken off guard again.

Star only stared at him with wide, terrified eyes, taking slow, stumbling steps backwards, “What am I doing? Did I really just...?”

Dust Kicker chuckled. He had to say that wasn’t the first time he’d had to physically wrestle a mare off of him, and in his younger days he had taken a few kicks in the kidneys himself, “It’s ok Star Swirl, you just misread the situation. It happens.”

She stared in confusion at him for a moment or two before shaking her head, turning it away with a absolute look of misery, “I... haven’t changed at all. I deserve to be alone.”

“Star, you’re upset and irrational, it’s ok.”

“No it isn’t. I’m bigger than anyone else, bigger and stronger. I’m a bully, and... and a...”

Dust shook his head, not in the mood for hosting a pity party, “Star, you’re one of the least aggressive mares I know.”

She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, her face tensing. He almost moved to stop her before her stare made his pause, clear anger there, “I threw you against a wall back on the ship, and twice today I’ve had to be kicked away when my... advances have got too physical. I am a bully, I just try and... not be one. That doesn’t count if you fail.”

Dust shook his head, trotting over. To be honest he had little time for those who couldn’t control their own emotions, partly because there was no reason for it. Children couldn’t control their emotions, it was something you just learned how to do. Still he balled up all his patience, keeping his voice calm, “Star, you’re an emotional mare. Getting angry is perfectly natural, you’re just scared of it... mostly because you’re big and strong enough to do real damage.”

“Well yeah.” She stated flatly, clearly feeling he was stating the obvious.

He chuckled in response, sighing and shaking his head “You can’t avoid an emotion, you need to learn how to deal with it. You need hobbies that channel your aggression, mind tricks that help you focus when you feel yourself getting irrational. I can teach you some if you like.”

“What... what’s the point?” She looked at him with a broken downcast expression, her face slowly breaking down as tears dropped from her cheeks, “I hate myself. I’m one of the most powerful creatures in the wasteland, with physical strength and magic noted even among my sisters... and what am I? An assistant archivist who just got seduced and dumped by a nineteen year old half her size. I... suck.”

“So what do you want to be?”

She looked up at him in suprise, pausing for a second before mumbling a reply, “A... unicorn princess.”

“What?”

“A... unicorn princess.” She blushed, closing her eyes and looking even more pathetic than before, “Go on, laugh.”

Dust wasn’t going to laugh, “You feel you can’t live up to what you feel an alicorn should be right?”

She gave a sobbing laugh, looking up at him with tear stained eyes, “Look at me...”

“You know, I used to hate alicorns. They always seemed so... unnatural, so robotic and strange. I used to wonder if they had emotions other than anger and scorn.”

Star nodded softly, “It’s... not entirely untrue. That’s what the Goddess was like, and we all got a little infected by her personality. Her emotions did tend towards... hurt and anger.”

“Well it didn’t affect you.” Dust chuckled, brushing the mare’s tangled mane out of her eyes, “You’re the first alicorn I’ve actually liked. You actually have worries, fears, doubts, and you’re not afraid to show them.”

“I think I’m more like Trixie than a lot of people think.” Star Swirl looked deeply sad and regretful as she spoke, her words heavy and nostalgic, “I was one of her lieutenants, I was given a lot more freedom and... deeper insight into her thoughts than the others. I still hear her voice in my head, the moment of her death frozen on my thoughts. I’m one of the only alicorns who calls her anything but the goddess.”

“Trixie was like you? From what I hear she was a prideful braggart.”

“Not the Trixie I knew... but then by then she had spent two hundred years as a cancerous lump of constantly mutating flesh, part of a gestalt of four immensely powerful wills.” Star Swirl lifted her head, her expression weary, “Maybe the Trixie stage persona came out on top because it was so fake. I... my personality is hardly any more genuine.”

Dust frowned, not having noticed any fakery on her part, “It isn’t?”

“I... it doesn’t matter, I’m just being melodramatic.”

Dust decided to accept that answer, it certainly fitting his general impression of the mare. Still he filed that little admission away for future reference, “Come on, Fluttershy wants to make sure you’re ok.”

“Sure... I should talk to her anyway.”

She followed him mutely as he led her off the verge and back into the city, Dust not moving far before he felt eyes on him. Someone was close... he paused as Fluttershy stepped out from the shadows in front, turning to him with a gentle smile. He smirked back at her, “Were you following me?”

“Yes, just in case you needed help.” She gave him a reassuring look, “I wasn’t eavesdropping, just keeping close by.”

“I’m actually impressed you managed to tail me so easily.”

“I used to be a wilderness ranger you know?” She gave an adorably smug grin, stepping up to meet them, “I learned how to be unobtrusive and soft of foot from a very young age. And now I believe I owe you a reward?”

Soft of foot his butt. That cloak she was wearing was a zebra stealth cloak, he could tell by the unusually stiff way it hung. With further inspection he was fairly sure she was wearing barding underneath as well, and given his sighting of Spike hovering over the city earlier she likely had him keeping a close eye over her. She hadn’t been kidding about being able to take care of herself, Dust made a mental note to never underestimate her again. And if she didn’t see this coming he would be very disappointed, “Then you can let Star Swirl back into the Followers.”

Indeed, she didn’t look surprised at all, rather she looked impressed, “Sorry, but you overestimate me. I’m just a plain elder, I can’t override Velvet Remedy’s decisions. All I can do is speak to her about it.”

Dust nodded, even as his brain told him he was throwing away a favour from one of the most influential figures in the NCR for a ‘maybe’. He was committed now though, and a mercenary never forgot his commitments, “That’s fine.”

She chuckled, “It’s not something you need to ask me to do Dust, I’m not letting a pony get kicked out because of a silly mistake. I still owe you, and I think Star Swirl does to.”

Dust frowned and looked up at the big alicorn, currently staying determinedly silent. No trading favours within the unit, that was his rule, “I don’t keep count of favours with ponies covering my flank in combat.”

Fluttershy grinned, “You should get Spike to tell you about the favour competition between me and him one day.”

“I’ve read that one.” Star Swirl spoke up finally, her voice wavering slightly, “It would be... nice to hear you tell it though...”

Fluttershy just shook her head, looking rather sad all of a sudden, “No you don’t, it all just gets... a little embarrassing. Spike tells them far better than me.” She chuckled, a little falsely if Dust was any judge, before straightening out and nodding to the pair, “And I really should be getting back, Steel Marrow will be worrying about me. I wish the pair of you well, and I hope that if anything else happens you’ll come and tell me about it?”

Dust knew her angle, though he appreciated the prior buttering up. If he was going to be manipulated, carrots were always far better than sticks, “Are you taking charge of this operation?”

“No, Councillor Silent Steel still has authority over you.” She smiled knowingly, making her point very obvious, “But as senior ambassador, it is in my interest to know of any information that could influence the balance of power in the area.”

“Then you have it.” Dust nodded his head, personally finding the idea of working for Fluttershy rather intriguing. She was as pretty as they all said after all, and smart too. He doffed his hat to her, offering her a charming grin, “It was good to meet you ambassador.”

She nodded, returning his gesture with a warm smile, “Likewise. I hope the rest of your mission here goes smoothly.” Dust watched as she turned and trotted away, soon blending back into the shadows from where she came.

Star Swirl spoke up once she was certain the mare had gone, though still keeping her voice quiet, “She’s not how I imagined.”

“How so?”

“I’ve never seen her outside the compound before. She’s... sharper than she lets on.”

“I don’t think we’ve seen the half of it.” Dust turned to the alicorn, studying her face for a moment, “You still feeling bad?”

Star hesitated for a second before nodding sadly, “Yeah...”

“Then why don’t we make another stop, find you some companionship to take your mind off things?” He chuckled at her, “Honestly, when you’re rebounding onto me you’re really getting desperate.”

Star Swirl’s face did a summersault, the mare obviously trying to parse that offer into something other than his intended meaning. Eventually she gave up, her voice high and squeaky, “Companionship?” Her eyes dilated at his expanding grin, “You mean... a brothel?”

Dust chuckled, she was so cute, “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

Star Swirl quickly shook her head, looking evasive at the idea as she babbled, “Oh no... I mean Zenai would never stop teasing me...”

“Then she’s a bad friend, and you should really stop worrying about what others think. What do you want to do?”

“I...” Star Swirl blushed fiercely, her voice falling lamely, “I guess we could... just check it out...?”

“Heh, that’s my girl!”

Dust had got the location of this place from a guard at the palace some time ago, though he had put it off for later. He couldn’t say he was a big fan personally, paying for something you could get for yourself with a little work seemed lazy to him, but hey, sometimes you feel lazy. It was easy enough to find, discretely located down a small, somewhat upper class street and blending in with the other buildings with its silk curtains and hanging gardens. Its name was inscribed in zebra script above the door, “The Zeforine”, from what he could gather Zeforine was some obscure fertility spirit. Hey it wasn’t original, but it added a tiny bit of class he supposed, “What are you looking for anyway Star Swirl? I’m sure they have plenty of young female zebra, but maybe that wouldn’t be such a good idea.”

“Oh...” Star Swirl looked about nervously before answering as carefully as she could manage, “I do... like zebra. I don’t really mind beyond that though...”

“Male or female?”

“I... I don’t mind...” Star looked at him nervously, “Is that strange?”

He smiled, figuring her for a pony still uneasy with her sexuality. Well maybe this would help, “Not particularly. I think I’ve got something in mind, so why don’t I order for you?”

“Sure... I don’t think I would be able to speak to them anyway...”

The guard had boasted about his visit here as if it were a cut above the other brothels, and as Dust had hoped the inside was just as classy as outside. The reception was possibly better furnished than Caesar’s palace, or the parts of it he had seen anyway, with plush lounging sofas and fine art giving the place an air of some noble’s sitting room. An effeminate looking male zebra smiled across at them as he lounged against the counter, pushing himself away to stand primly in expectation, “Welcome to the Lady Zeforine noble envoys of Equestria. We hoped you would patronise our fine establishment.”

He had a strange, exotic accent, Dust almost certain it was probably fake. Still, at least he was making an effort, “You often get visits from dignitaries?”

“We are an upscale establishment, dedicated to the privacy and satisfaction of our customers.” The zebra smiled winningly, looking all the more fey for it, “So what are you looking for today?”

Dust had already figured out his preferences long ago, even though truth be told he had spent more time escorting nervous young mares and bucks fresh of their first paycheck than actually visiting these places off his own back. This had also given him a few good ideas about ordering for others, and he had one idea that had worked well before, “Do you have a brother, sister type pair of zebra for my friend? Nice and supportive, good at taken care of somepony without much experience or confidence.”

The zebra grinned wide and cheerfully, “In fact we do sir, and I know they would be honoured to host a real alicorn. And what would you be interested in?”

That was easier. He knew what he liked, “A nice older mare, good talker, good with her hooves.”

“Any preference on species?”

“Not really. Suprise me.” Dust knew he would likely regret that, but he didn’t get into mercenary work because he was fearful of a little risk, “How much would that be?”

The zebra chuckled, giving a smart bow, “We’ll charge it to the palace sir, Caesar is only too happy to please his guests. Please, follow me.”

In the end Dust had been introduced to a zebra, which while a little expected wasn’t too disappointing. His only previous encounter with a zebra had been some half remembered tumble back when he was very young, and the mare Zeforine had chosen was just as skilled as the house boasted. He certainly left satisfied at least, and with age, radiation, injury and general cynicism he was aware that wasn’t as easy as it once was.

Star Swirl also looked satisfied. In fact, she looked like she was in love. He wondered which one it was, “You look like you enjoyed yourself.”

She looked round at him as they sat in their private lounge, a bottle of rather nice wine laid out on the table for them. She blushed for a second before nodding her head, a somewhat vague smile on her face, “I really did yes... they were... very kind.”

“Don’t fall in love. Remember, they’re professionals doing a job.”

She gave him a sly grin, a rather amusing sight on the naive young mare, “Of course I know that. Don’t spoil the moment by reminding me that I’m destined to be forever alone.”

“Don’t be silly Star.” Dust chuckled at the mare, kinda wishing for a moment that he was young, virile and stupid enough to disprove that personally. Fortunately he was too smart to fall for that, having learned a long time ago the value of a good female friend, “You’re geeky, smart, adorable and not half bad in a fight. There’s plenty of ponies who would go wild for you.”

She blushed a little before sinking into the sofa with a satisfied smile, “Thank you Dust...”

“No problem.”

“I’ve been so selfish...”

He looked to the alicorn, unsure what she meant. He hadn’t personally seen what was so selfish about the shy, pacifistic mare travelling to a foreign country, getting shot and fighting evil goddesses for the sake of a friend who gave her nothing in return, “How so?”

“I followed Zenai here, made her think I agreed with her ideals... because I wanted her to like me.” She lifted her head, giving Dust a pleading look, “How do I make this right? I mean... have I ruined our friendship?”

Dust chuckled, admiring such simplicity. There was no such thing as a static friendship, no two friends ever meant the same to each other forever, “It will be different. She might respect that you have your own opinions a little more, and you might see fit to protect her from rather than encourage her more foolish decisions.”

Star Swirl gave a sheepish look, “I... always assumed that Zenai knew what she was doing. That her opinion was the right one.”

“Yeah, well in my opinion you’re doing that because you’re afraid of taking responsibility for yourself Star.” He gave her a firm look, keeping his voice firmly modulated, “You like me because I’m nice to you right?”

Star dropped her head, abashed, “Yeah...”

“And you like Zenai...?”

“Because... she was nice to me.”

“It’s unhealthy Star Swirl.” He softened his expression, reassured that his message had sunk in, “And it’s unnecessary. You need to start trusting your own decisions, not let others always just bring you along for the ride.”

“I’ll remember that...” Star looked up at him, her puppylike blue eyes on full display, “Thank you, again Dust.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it. Carried my fat ass out of that palace, least I could do.”

“It’s not that fat.” Star gave him a very sweet grin, flashing her teeth, “You know, I wasn’t just rebounding. I have thought about it...”

“It wouldn’t work Star, it would just end up embarrassing for both of us.” Dust grinned back at her, taking a deep breath, “Getting old, not quite as easy as it once was. Need a lady with a lot of experience to get me up these days.”

Star Swirl laughed nervously, “Oh Dust...”

“Oh don’t be so naive Star, it happens to everyone eventually. Your knees start getting a little stiff, your coat a little rougher, you start to worry about your prostate and where the next toilet is.” Dust laughed, taking amusement from her blushes, “Besides, I much prefer mares my own age.”

“Like Fluttershy?”

Dust grinned, thinking back on the mare. That cloak was a good look, and she was smart and personable to boot. What was she, twenty years older than him? That wasn’t too bad, “I’m pretty sure she’s got very high standards, but she’s certainly a mare who deserves them. A stallion can only try, maybe she has a massive soft spot for barely educated mercenaries.”

Star laughed, still looking rather embarrassed, “You don’t really mean that do you?” Star Swirl paused to peer around the room, like she was scared that Fluttershy was listening in or something, “She’s really old. Like... really old.”

“Seventy is not ‘really old’.” Dust sighed, she was as bad as Zenai. As previously established Star Swirl herself couldn’t be less than thirty something considering her history, so she at least really should stop with the ageism, “If she can fly across Caesar’s curse on the back of a dragon to resolve a centuries old conflict between three rival nations, then she can certainly enjoy a bit of romance. You’re telling me she hasn’t received any interest since she came back?”

Star Swirl hesitated, nervous, “Well... there are always rumours, and that merchant Gold Standard once offered her ten thousand caps for one date. She... refused.” Star lowered her head, concern in her eyes, “Honestly... I don’t think it’s a good idea. You should have seen what she was like when we first broke her free from the Killing Joke curse, I can’t believe she’ll ever be totally over that.”

Dust closed his eyes, returning his head to the cushion. Star Swirl was likely right, Fluttershy was a sensitive, empathic soul, and she must have lost a great deal on that day. Friends, husband, children? Dust wasn’t really a student of history but he recalled that she was amicably divorced with... three kids? He did really have any personal experience to even guess what it was like to lose them all in a single moment, “You’re probably right. Last thing I want is to drag up any bad memories.”

"Yeah..."

He bid Star Swirl goodnight in front of her bedroom, the alicorn offering nervous and awkward thanks before scurrying inside. He could only guess what the dynamic in their little team would be come the morning, just hoping both of them could put it behind them and work together. He put it to the back of his mind and made his way back to his own quarters, very surprised when he turned a corner and was instantly faced with... no, not Star Swirl. What was her name? Something to do with writing implements...

The blue alicorn turned to him in similar surprise, looking for all the world like he had caught her with her hand in the cookie jar. That was weird because she looked like she had just been standing there in the corridor, backing away a pace or two to put some pace between them. Dust could only narrow his eyes in suspicion, the closer look confirming his suspicions about the figure he had seen following Zenai in the gardens. Unless Star Swirl had gotten a lot better at stealth or there were other alicorns lurking around....

But there was no reason to antagonize her just yet. He adopted a kinder expression and introduced himself, extending a hoof, “Silver Quill right?”

She wavered in place for a moment, unsure of how to react. Still she quickly recovered, shifting up her glasses with a hoof and looking down imperiously, “And you are Dust Kicker.”

Dust knew he recognised her, “I’ve met you before. You were at the Pegasi Reclamation Fundraiser weren’t you?”

She frowned, looking defensive, “I hope you’re not some sort of anti-cathedral bigot.”

Ah, the Cathedral. After he had dug his way out of Red Eye’s home base he had quickly encountered them, those among the slaver messiah’s closest followers unable or unwilling to abandon his final resting place. Red Eye had planned to become a god after all, and so had trained a priesthood to proclaim his glory. The failure of his plans and subsequent death hadn’t changed that, and over time it had become a fairly popular minority religion throughout Equestria. Dust certainly didn’t begrudge them, personally he thought it made more sense than worshiping a two hundred year dead queen who had led them all to destruction in the first place, “Of course not, I worked for Red Eye.”

“Not all that worked for Red Eye understood Red Eye.” Silver Quill glared, looking even more unfriendly than before, “Strong government, care and education for the young, respect for all species, responsibility for the future. I have read your file Dust Kicker, you were just another thug under his employ.”

Dust gave her a warning look before she burned any other bridges, “Just trying to be friendly.”

“I can see that, but do not think I’m not wise to your motives.” She turned her nose up, glaring icily, “Your two friends are traitors, and you... your sins are well known to me. Fluttershy might be willing to trust and forget but the Followers have always been too naive for their own good.”

Dust was reminded why he hated alicorns again. Fucking high snouted bullies who thought they were the Princess, delivering moral judgements from their ivory towers built out of old cardboard, “And who are you loyal to?”

“To the New Canterlot Republic.” She stated with authority, “And to the Grimfeathers who are its true custodians.”

“What about Arick? Are you loyal to him?”

She just glared at the mention of Regina’s oldest, eventually just sticking up her nose and spinning around to stalk away moodily, “Watch yourself pony. The NCR can’t abide a traitor.”

Ah, so the NCR’s representative was an almighty bitch. Just wonderful.

After the stress of the previous night the following morning was fortunately a pleasant one, Dust waking up feeling more refreshed than he had in ages. It certainly didn’t get any worse when he bumped into Oteka shortly afterwards, swiftly accepting the mare’s invitation to breakfast and spending an hour or so swapping war stories. He had to say that while no grand intellect she had a calm leadership that he had to respect, and after a bit of encouragement she came out with a few stories that even he found it hard to believe, “You took out two battleships, single handily?”

She gave an adorably bashful look, obviously not liking to boast about her achievements “Ah, they did not have cameras or turret. I kill everyone aboard one by one, then set battleship to ram centre formation.”

He laughed, admiring her resourcefulness, “To hell with all these complicated plans, they just need to launch you at Starfall.”

Heh... he was actually falling for her, just a little. Sure she rivalled him for sheer muscle mass, still that didn’t make her unattractive as such. He could certainly appreciate a mare who could kick his flank effortlessly, and as previously established they would make a good pair in combat. He was still hurting that he had been unconscious when she had fought back at Estelle, he would have really loved to have seen that.

She had duties briefing her men for the day so they separated after breakfast, Dust making his way up to the veranda where he had been meeting up with Star Swirl and Zenai. He couldn’t help being slightly worried when there was no one there on his arrival, still a bit of peace and quiet was no bad thing. He settled down and turned on the radio, quickly flicking past New Canterlot Radio to settle on DJ-Pon3.

“-to all with the NCR! This is Midnight Sceptre, leader of the Twilight Society, exclusively on Equestria Radio!”

“Ahem... good evening Rusty Needle. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

“Likewise, it’s an honour to have you on Midnight. I hear you want to say something to the wasteland in regards to the conflict between you and the Applejack Rangers.”

“Yes, well I think conflict is a strong word. Really this has been the result of miscommunication and fringe elements on both sides, though both sides bear the shame for the embarrassment this has brought to both our organisations and the NCR as a whole. As such it is time for it to stop, for us to remember the friendship of our noble ancestors and put an end to war and chaos. I put forward this hoof of friendship to High Elder Peach Trees and all members of the Applejack Rangers, let us join once again in the advancement in our glorious Republic.”

“And these fringe elements have been brought back under your control?”

“Indeed. I hesitate to take too strong a hand, still in this case I have harshly disciplined those involved. It appears that some in the Society were under the mistaken impression that a group within the Rangers were in possession of weapons that they intended to use against the NCR, and an attempt to confirm these rumours resulted in weapons fire and unnecessary casualties on both sides. I want to confirm once more that these rumours are false, and that those members of the Society, while well intentioned, were at fault for failing to confirm them through official channels. I formally offer to pay for any damages incurred, and wish to put this terrible affair behind us.”

“Thank you. That was Midnight Sceptre, leader of the Twilight Society folks. Stay tuned for more exclusive news, here on The Voice of the Wasteland!”

Dust Kicker couldn’t help smiling. Looks like things were going to be ok after all.

_______________________________________
Footnote: Level up! (19)

New Perk Added: Weapon Handling
You are skilled enough with your weapons to use those who's recoil would normally be beyond you. All strength requirements for weapons are 2 points lower.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.10 - Crystal Legacies

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“Thank you. That was Midnight Sceptre, leader of the Twilight Society folks. Stay tuned for more exclusive news, here on The Voice of the Wasteland!” Rusty Needle flicked the switch as the broadcast ended, bringing them back to pre-recorded soundbites and music. He nodded to Midnight Sceptre as the stallion stepped back from the mike, “That was great Mr Sceptre, it came out really well.”

Midnight Sceptre gave a satisfied smile, adjusting his cravat with a hoof as he admired himself in the reflection of the surrounding monitor screens, “Thank you Rusty Needle. Hmm, maybe I’ll have to make this a regular thing, like Silent Steel and New Canterlot Radio.”

“I can’t get too political sir. Bad for the image.”

“Of course. I am more comfortable with face to face encounters anyway.” He turned, away seemingly satisfied that he was still the picture of elegance. Constant vigilance was the price of sartorial elegance Rusty supposed, Midnight Sceptre determined to be never seen without full top hat and tails. He made an odd sight in the admittedly messy confines of the radio station, though Midnight Sceptre didn’t seem perturbed as he stared about in interest, “You know, Homage never let me in here.”

Rusty was well aware. It had taken a long time for her to trust Rusty enough to even let him touch the controls unsupervised. He was certain it had been physically painful for her to leave him control, even for the purpose of seeing to the SPP personally, “She’s very protective of this place, especially after the attention the tower keeps attracting from every national threat that pops out of the woodwork.”

“I do understand, it will be a long time before the NCR can replicate the technology here.” Midnight sighed, looking back at Rusty with a sympathetic expression, “Still, I am glad she is clearly moving towards retirement. The poor mare deserves some rest after all she’s been through, and the running of this station is clearly straining her nerves.”

Rusty wondered what Homage would think of Midnight’s comments, really hoping those bugs she was jokingly threatening to install had been just that. Unless the stallion had insider information he didn’t, the idea of his imminent ascension to DJ-Pon3 was extremely premature. DJ-Pon3 was a persona that had lasted two and a half centuries, and Homage had expressed frequent lectures on what a responsibility it was. Rusty was pretty sure she was still weighing up whether he was ready for it, and would be doing so for a good few years yet, “Homage isn’t retiring any time soon. Had to force her out of this room with a crowbar, and that was for something real personal.”

“Yes, her enduring love for the young wanderer.” Midnight sighed, deep and sad, “Tell me, how does she carry that heavy burden? Is it truly a fairytale romance of fleeting kisses once a year? A matter of duty, honour? Is she really so committed to a mare she spent but a few nights with?”

Rusty would like to know himself. He hadn’t spotted any mares on the side, but in truth Homage wasn’t given to discussions on her personal life. With many ponies commenting on her increasing privacy and isolation he was likely the one pony who saw her most, and even he didn’t know that much about her. Even Velvet Remedy didn’t come up to see her that often these days, her family and work commitments keeping her too busy, “I don’t talk about the boss. Bad habit, she’s got the biggest eyes and ears in the wasteland.”

“Shame. Ah, at least I got to see this place... hmm?” He went to leave, stopped short by something in the shadows. He tensed in fear for a moment or two before relaxing with a chuckle, “How did you get in Dream Star?”

“Rusty let me in.” The figure emerged from the shadows, most of her body hidden within the traditional purple robes of the Twilight Society. Only her hood was thrown back, revealing a wispy, thinning white mane that hung limply around wrinkled sunken features, the pink of her fur almost completely faded to grey, “Congratulations on your broadcast High Elder.”

Midnight Sceptre laughed in amusement as he locked eyes with the elderly unicorn, “Well Rusty Needle, you really are taking liberties with Homage’s trust. I can’t imagine she would want you anywhere near this place Dream Star.”

Rusty nickered defensively, having thought the same thing. Still, what was he supposed to do? Dream Star was like a mother to him, a very scary, very forceful mother, “You’re both Elders of the Society, and you both already know DJ-Pon3’s secret. What harm can it do?”

“True.” Midnight Sceptre gave Dream Star a regal smile, “So Dream, you liked my broadcast?”

“Indeed.” She moved past him with a breezy trot, her gruff voice casual, “There is no point continuing the fighting here in Equestria when the objective has departed. Our target now lies in the zebra lands.”

Midnight turned, grinning at Dream Star’s back, “And we will send someone after it?”

“I already have. I am currently putting together a more substantial effort in case of failure.”

“Excellent.” Midnight Sceptre grinned, giving the old mare a dignified salute, “As always I can count on you to get things done. I will look forward to further news.”

Dream Star paused in the middle of the room, waiting a moment before speaking, “You’re not going to criticise me for not informing you?”

“I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”

“The other elders don’t think so.”

“My dear, the other elders have many ponies under their command, they are used to being obeyed. I however have many elders under my command, and so am used to being ignored.” He chuckled at his own joke before adopting a more serious tone, “And I am still comparatively young. Many of the others still remember the pain of your departure.”

Dream Star dropped her head, looking angry, “I had no more answers to offer.”

“And I understand that. But they no longer trust your word.”

She looked back a Midnight Sceptre with resolve in her eyes, “I promised to advance the order, to move past what Twilight did and towards what she could have done. To rebuild the old world, and crown the Twilight Society as its new masters.”

Midnight smiled affectionately, “And instead you left. Disappeared back into the wastes for thirty years.”

“I never lied. I needed more information, more knowledge.” Dream Star looked to the side, pain and anger filling her dark, sunken eyes, “I never gave a timeline.”

“And now you’re back. Can you fulfil your promise this time?”

She looked at him, a sharp glint in her eyes and a pained grimace on her face, “I have more power and knowledge than even Twilight Sparkle herself. If you believe in the strength of a unicorn’s magic then... yes, I can.”

Midnight Sceptre nodded, considering her words quietly for a moment. Finally he spoke, calm and hopeful, “Then ask for anything you wish Dream Star, I will provide. Maybe you’re as mad, dangerous and fraudulent as the others claim. But I’m willing to take a chance on you.”

She nodded softly as he turned away, “Thank you Midnight Sceptre.”

Rusty Needle watched him leave, just Dream Star standing motionless for a long time. He remained silent, just watching the aged unicorn as she stood in contemplation.

He didn’t truly know if he really believed unicorn magic was the ultimate power in the world. Dream Star had told him that unicorns had once moved the sun and moon before Celestia, forged the elements of harmony from the hopes and wishes of all the citizens of Equestria, forged empires within the harshest lands and protected them with nothing but the force of their will. The unicorns focused the will and the power of the other ponies, collected it together and built an empire through the power of their horns. That was why Celestia and Luna were called Unicorn Princesses. Built with the qualities of the other races maybe, but their true power was always by horn and spellcraft.

Unicorns were born to rule.

Rusty Needle didn’t know if he believed it. He didn’t believe in Twilight Sparkle like the others, he only joined the society because Homage and Dream Star were members. She had let the world burn. So had Celestia and Luna.

He didn’t know if he believed in Dream Star either. She outright admitted she was crazy, arrogant, unethical, impulsive. But she had earned his loyalty. His love. He knew the long years were the least of the trials that marked her body. He had seen the pain that drove her on, and was certain she would outlive him by willpower alone.

“It is time to show you something Rusty Needle.” She spoke suddenly as she turned to the exit, not bothering to look to see if he would follow, “Set the station on random, you will be gone for some time.”

She led him down into the labs, mostly abandoned and desolate now. Age and general deterioration had put a end to the last surviving hub of the ministry of magic some time ago, and with the generators and tower defences gone no one wanted to set up a new lab in so prominent a location. Rusty looked down the long corridor that led to the Celestia One megaspell, once the most powerful weapon in existence. Now it was just a partially excavated ruin, the whole area blasted from the tower to stop it from targeting New Canterlot.

The Twilight Society had given them the codes that enabled the NCR navy to penetrate the tower’s defences. They had sacrificed their greatest weapon, along with the integrity and power supply of the tower itself in order to save lives. And the ponies of the wasteland still looked on them with suspicion, still envied the petty wealth they controlled. Rusty Needle wasn’t a rabid member of the society or anything, but even he could see how that hurt, “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

They finally emerged into what looked at first glance like a megaspell chamber, runes and spell focuses outlined on the stone floor for use by the team of unicorns who would power it. This one however had a central focus, a large empty frame about three times the size of a pony, made of a shiny white metal, “Is this... a magic door?”

“Indeed. Likely the last surviving.” Dream Star moved over to it, her horn glowing a gentle pink that was reflected in the runes below, “Megaspell chambers are generally rather rare and fragile, and this had few applications directly related to the war. This one is rather complex, joining to a number of different areas depending on a specific magic ‘key’.”

“And you have a key?”

“My blood is the key. My grandmother escaped to Tenpony Tower through this door, the connection to the door she used is keyed to her bloodline.” Dream Star chuckled, “There was once a door that led straight to Canterlot too, though it is now destroyed. Shame.”

Rusty nodded, that did sound like a shame. A direct route to Canterlot would have been very usef... “Hey, why didn’t they let Littlepip use that one?”

“Because it led straight into a thick cloud of pink gas.” Dream chuckled to herself, “Funny trick at parties.”

Rusty knew all about Dream’s parties. They generally involved toxic substances, cheerful sociopathy and twisted corpses. He was pretty happy all things considered that it was broken, he could only imagine how much fun she must have had with it, “Where else does it go?”

“The other ministry hubs, most of them scavenged and locked down. All have their own unique codes, we don’t have all of them. Maybe there’s some hidden hub out there that we’re not aware of, but for the sake of argument... very few places indeed.” She took a step forward onto the runes, the glowing lines pulsing at her touch, “I doubt most ponies here even know how to work it anymore.”

“And the destination unlocked by your blood?”

“Why don’t you see for yourself?” She raised her horn, the runes glowing bright as a glowing portal appeared at the centre of the ring with a crack of magical power. Rusty Needle stepped back a little, rather impressed and worried that Dream Star could activate a megaspell single hooved, while talking to him no less. He could only assume it had been an easy spell to cast, though he had to admit to not really knowing how powerful she was these days. She noticed his awe and chuckled at his reaction, stepping forward so she was bathed in it’s glow, “Here, I’ll even go first to reassure you that it doesn’t lead into any pink clouds.”

“Dream...!” He raised a hoof but she was already gone, stepping into the portal and disappearing with a flash of magic. Given that he could only assume this was teleportation magic rather than a straight door as its appearance indicated, and he hated teleportation. Still Dream would be back soon to yell at him if he didn’t follow...

He stepped into the swirling vortex, feeling his stomach lurch and a bright light burn against his retinas...

Rusty stared about in confusion as the light faded, trying to work out where exactly they had been sent. It didn’t look like Tenpony Tower, the walls were of red brick and were supported by carved wooden beams inlayed with long spiral designs picked out in gold. The doors too, there was three of them, two single and one double, were also finely made and decorated in gold. The place had seen better days but the luxury of the construction was evident, it was obviously somewhere important.

A portrait hung on the far wall, long and mostly covered by canvas. What he could see seemed to depict a family gathering, taking place in front of a large regal manor, “Where are we?”

Dream Star carried on ahead, pushing open the large double door with a single hoof and continuing through, “Crystal Heart Manor, in the Whitetail woods outside Ponyville.”

Rusty hurried to follow her as they entered a small hall, seemingly a living room by the looks of the plush sofas and large fireplace. This place had certainly seen better days however, one of the sofas had collapsed in on itself and the other wasn’t in much better condition, an expensive looking rug mostly eaten away by rot. Indeed it reminded him of the logical inconsistency in her words, “Aren’t the Whitetail woods... a radioactive hellhole?”

Dream Star didn’t slow as she answered, “Indeed. The manor was heavily shielded, but in the end this basement was all that remained.”

“Looks... cosy down here.” Stratch looked to a monitor set into the wall, environmental data displayed among readouts of structural integrity. He had seen it before, this was Stable-tec technology, “This was a fallout shelter?”

“Yes.”

For somepony important by the looks of it. A portrait of Princess Celestia stood on the wall, standing alongside another alicorn who he didn’t recognise. That was... unusual, they certainly weren’t that common back then, “Who’s the alicorn with the Princess?”

Dream Star looked back at his words, her expression withering and a little angry, “The correct term is ‘Unicorn Princess’ or ‘Winged Unicorn’. The term alicorn solely refers to Twilight Sparkle’s cut price knock offs. And that is Queen Cadence.”

Rusty thought back to his history lessons back in the stable, “I... think I heard of her. Wasn’t she married to Twilight’s brother?”

“Please don’t lower my opinion of you any further.” Dream Star glared at him for a moment longer before sighing, waving a wrinkled hoof at their surroundings, “This, my historically retarded friend, was built to house Queen Cadance and Shining Armour in the event of a zebra attack.”

“Did it?”

“No.” Dream Star stated bluntly, “Shining Armour was already dead, and Cadance was in Manehatten when the Megaspell detonated.”

“So... it was never used?”

“The manor had staff, fortunately for them the Princess was a gracious employer.”

Rusty looked around. Seemed a nice enough place to hide out, better than the vaults at least. He wondered why no one seemed to use it anymore, “Seems abandoned.”

Dream Star pointed to a red light on the wall, along with a prominently displayed warning message flashing up on the screen. ‘Corruption detected in Water Talisman, please contact your maintenance head and review your radiation shielding’, “Unfortunately the water talisman was corrupted by the radiation. The survivors eventually connected the magic door to the one at Tenpony Tower, abandoning this shelter.”

“And... they just left all this behind?”

Dream Star seemed pained for a moment, the expression sending a blade through Rusty’s heart. She looked to a set of stands nearby with a look of anger, the contents hidden under more canvas sheets, “What here is worth keeping?” She flung a canvas sheet away with her magic, revealing a familiar looking tiara sitting upon a stand, “This?”

Rusty widened his eyes in shock, “That’s... the Element of Magic!”

“No. This is a knickknack.” She moved the glass case away, taking the tiara in her hooves and cradling it for a moment before flinging it through the air to land ignobly at his feet, “It was the Element of Magic, before King Sombra destroyed it. See the crack in the gemstone?”

“But then...”

“The Elements cannot be destroyed. At least not so easily. Princess Luna forged a new tiara, and the Element bearers infused it with the power of their friendship.”

Rusty looked down at the object on the floor, the cracked gem still shining in the light, “This is...”

“Useless.”

“A historical relic!” He protested.

“Because that’s what the Twilight Society deals in. History.” Dream Star tore one of the other sheets away to reveal a broken crystal heart, half of it shorn away by some mighty blow, “This used to be one of the most powerful artifacts in Equestria. With it in our hooves the war would never have ended as it did, Cadence could have made peace with the zebra and the world would have been saved. Would have.”

Rusty looked at the broken relic, “What happened to it?”

“Does it matter?” Dream Star took the heart and dropped it at her hooves, suddenly rearing up and driving both front legs into it with crushing force. The floorboards cracked at the impact, wood splinters sent flying. The crystal heart made a ringing noise, hairline cracks radiating outwards with the sound of musical notes. Dream Star winced at the impact before giving a malicious grin, “Hmm, not half bad.”

Rusty stepped forward, not sure what to do. It seemed... obscene to break these things, and he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t regret it later, “Dream Star, wait! These things... they’re our legacy!”

Dream grinned evilly, “Legacy? A pretty shitty legacy, broken stones and shiny jewellery. So, you wanted to know why they left all this stuff behind?”

“I...”

“Because it’s useless junk. Because ‘might bes’ and ‘would haves’ mean not a shithole of anything when your world is fucking burning.” Her expression changed to anger, eyes burning with dark rage as she looked down at the heart under her hooves, “It just makes me angry.”

She brought her hooves down two more times. The second shattered the heart into pieces, the artifact giving a dying whine as broken shards scattered in all directions. Dream smirked as they bounced, picking up one of the pieces and holding it up to her eye, “It still has magic in its construction, can you hear it? The enchantment has fled, but the basic principles are clear.”

Rusty Needle wasn’t sure how that made it better, “Then why did you destroy it?”

“Because glue is plentiful.” Dream span the shard in her hooves, her grin widening, “With a bit of work, a chance to study the pieces and how they fit together... these artifacts were created Rusty, and they can be created again. I’ll make a new Crystal Heart, a new set of Elements. And mine will be better.”

Rusty Needle said nothing, not feeling it appropriate to mention that no one really knew where the elements came from, and most theories indicated it had been a group of powerful individuals behind them rather than a single demigod. Still he had underestimated her before, “So... is that what you’re working on? A new artifact?”

“No.” She shook her head, moving forward past the broken shards and towards the far door, “Something far more important. Follow.”

He had to admit, among the list of things he expected down here... this wasn’t one of them.

The room was a stark contrast to the rest of the building, indeed it looked like some kind of high tech command centre. Built of a cold, grey metal, numerous computer systems and display screens stood around beeping and clicking, some of them projecting huge 3D images of buildings and ponies. It looked half finished, wires tumbled across the floor in places and several areas were powered down, a somewhat hastily painted and age faded logo on the far walls identifying the place as... “The Single Pegasus Project?”

“Indeed. This is the prototype for the RTTAS, the Real Time Tactical Analysis System.” Dream Star stopped near the entrance, her eyes sweeping the expansive chamber, “The Single Pegasus Project is a marvel of construction, and doesn’t just serve the purpose of weather management. I’m sure you’re aware of that Rusty Needle, considering how you yourself make use of its systems.”

He nodded, “DJ Pon3 has always used it as a transmitter and spyin... information gathering device.”

She smiled, moving forward across the tiled floors, “Indeed, the SPP hubs are equipped with a whole host of scanners, only a fraction of which the MASEBS is compatible with. This of course was necessary for the project’s primary purpose.”

Rusty gave her a sideways look, wondering if they were talking about the same ‘primary purpose’, “Weather management?”

Dream Star laughed at his confusion, twirling among the beeping, glowing machines to face him with an enthusiastic grin, “As noted I am a blatant, unreconstructed racist, and even I admit that weather management is a very complex science. It is not just shifting clouds from one place to another, the quality and quantity of a simple rainstorm can be affected by the terrain, altitude, air flow and even slight variations in atmospheric gases. Pegasi have sensory organs on their wings for these matters, at range however technology must bridge the gap.”

Rusty attempted to follow, “So the SPP records...”

“It is designed to record everything.” Dream cantered forward towards a large glass table throwing up a jagged wireframe image. She threw a hoof through the beams and the image instantly shifted, towers shooting up towards the roof and crudely animated water flowing through carved channels. As Rusty Needle watched the image slowly sharpened and filled with colour, whites and golds streaming out over the stone. Dream Star smiled at his dawning awe, waving a hoof across the image, “Recognize it?”

Rusty did, though he was almost rendered speechless by the sight, “It’s... Old Canterlot. Before the war.”

As he watched ponies started to form, eventually becoming recognisable even down to their cutie marks. He couldn’t help gasping as he spotted Princess Luna walking along the battlements of her castle, Dream Star grinning as she too followed her progress, “This was recorded before the war by a test hub, using most of the scanning equipment that was stored on the real thing.”

Rusty was... impressed. If that was true these were... real lives, real ponies recorded. Princess Luna had walked those battlements just like that, that baker had sold that pie just like that, that parade of soldiers were real ponies heading off to battle... it all seemed so excessive, “Did... did they really need to record each individual pony? Or texture the image like that?”

“Not for weather control. For this.” Dream Star waved at the control centre around her, “This is the Real Time Tactical Analysis System, designed to take further advantage of the SPP’s capabilities. Using it they would have been able to take the data gathered to create a constantly updating, real time map of the whole of Equestria, just as detailed as this one.”

Rusty whistled. He could already see the possibilities, “For strategic planning in case of invasion right?”

“Well, that is one of its many possible functions, but it was at the forefront of their minds given the current situation. That is also however why it was never completed.”

“How so?”

Dream Star sighed, “Think about it, how useful would it have been? Zebra invasion of Equestria was a very remote possibility, the primary focus at the end of the war was preparation for our own invasion. Add to that the fact that the SPP itself was months late, and hadn’t even been officially activated when the Megaspells dropped... the ministry of magic had more important things to spend their budget on.”

Rusty nodded, wondering... well the same thing, “That’s why they left it here, rather than place it inside the SPP.”

“But we’ve been over the SPP plans, and we’re sure there’s still an empty space for it within the central hub.” A familiar looking unicorn mare trotted out an open door at the back of the room, her coat a reddish pink with green mane and her cutie mark two knotted wires, “It was designed to be modular, though as far as we know only weather management systems were ever installed.”

“Sparks! I was wondering what Dream had you doing.” His eyes lit up at the sight of his stablemate, as normal layered with multiple bags of electronics and wearing a pair of heavy welding goggles, “You’ve been down here all that time?”

“Trying to get it working, with mixed success.” Spark Plug sighed and gave an annoyed arch of her eyebrows as she tapped a spanner against one of the consoles, eyes scanning the readouts, “Twilight wasn’t working on this personally unfortunately, and the stallion who was seemed incapable of keeping proper notes. Makes my work much more difficult.”

“So... you plan to get it working?” Rusty certainly thought the RTTAS was cool, but it wasn’t really world domination stuff, “What exactly do you plan on doing with it?”

“Well...” Spark Plug looked over to Dream Star, her expression uncertain.

“No proper supervillain reveals her plans before they’re fully complete.” Dream smirked as she strode confidently through the facility, her body illuminated in the bright lights of Canterlot, “This is but a small part of my ultimate plan, mha ha ha...”

Rusty Needle raised an eyebrow at her cheerful villainy, “Dream, you always worry me when you do that. I always wonder if you’re joking.”

She turned to glare at him, snorting loudly as she angled her snout upwards, “I am not joking. You think I am not a supervillain? Lurking in my underground lair hatching a plan that will soon unite all of Equestria under my hooves?”

Dream Star had never been the most stable of ponies, and to be honest she had pretty much always cackled like a witch and delighted in villainous monologues. She had yet to convince him that she was diabolical mastermind material though, “No, I think you’re... a brilliant scientist, with an unfortunate flare for the dramatic.”

“Oh wise up foal!” Her horn flashed with bright pink light, her robe suddenly becoming irracadesant and billowing out around her. She swung round to grin malevolently at him, a host of ghostly grey cloaked ponies forming behind to back her up with a grim, persistent chant in some obscure (likely made up) language, “I’m not talking about sending a strongly worded letter to my local councillor, and we‘re not some endearing bunch of misfits trying to make the world a better place! We. Are. Villains! And I will change the world, with no intention of asking it first!”

Rusty averted his eyes, unsure how to react. Things were rarely so black and white in this world, but Dream seemed to have resigned to being painted black. She was always so misunderstood. With her methods and appearance how could she not? “You’re not a bad pony Dream Star.”

She smiled smugly, her voice rough, “Oh, I’m not?”

“You saved Sparks and me, you stopped the others in our stable from hurting anyone else and you did it with minimum loss of life. You shut down that ministry hub we encountered, without the promise of any sort of reward.” He lowered his voice, knowing he was stepping into dangerous territory. Dream hated being interrogated, ironically considering her love of talking loudly about her motives and plans, “And with all you speak about unicorn supremacy, I’ve never seen you hurt an earth or pegasi pony because of it.”

As he expected Dream’s face shifted into anger, the mare growing quiet as the pink light dimmed and the shadows grew around her. Eventually she just raised a hoof, the dark figures behind wailing as they collected there in front of her. Rusty was forced to shield his face as the dark ball exploded into pink flames, Dream flinging it down to explode into the image of a powerful, radiant alicorn, golden light shining out around her. Rusty backed away in terror at the imposing figure, never realizing how intimidating Princess Celestia could be up close.

His fear only increased as the shadowed form of her dark twin moved up to stand beside her, much smaller than her sister but even more terrifying in those close quarters. He peddled back even further, only stopping as he sensed something behind. He span around and was immediately faced with a third alicorn, instantly recognising her as Queen Cadence, her countenance far more gentle despite ironically enough being a little taller than Luna. The pink alicorn observed him with a gentle smile, Rusty relaxing for a moment...

Before her image disappeared into smoke, Dream Star stepping through the swirling magic in a prowling half crouch, body totally uncovered. However much he tried he couldn’t resist the look of disgust on his face, this being the first time he had seen her naked since Marapony. He had suspected the truth since she had emerged from the balefire clouds, unchanged and angry, clad in a full body cloak that she had never again removed in public. Still, to see it, to look on and realise just what had happened that day...

She smirked at his reaction, her eyes flashing with that sharp cunning look she always got when she was about to do something sadistic and brilliant, “It’s not so bad. I’m not in bad shape for a hundred and thirty two, and believe me when I say that I beat that idiot Blazing Heart with a tenth of my full power.” She grinned, holding up a hoof and smirking as a light shone behind to wreath her in shadow, “And you have to admit I cut an arresting figure, can’t you just see me bathing in the blood of virgins and cursing whole civilisations into darkness?”

Rusty grimaced, “Dream, you’re not...”

“An alicorn princess.” She stabbed a hoof at her chest, grinning wide and wicked, “This is what hubris looks like. A wonderful, clichéd hubris, far older than Red Eye or Trixie or any other fool with delusions of godhood. But this is what the wasteland teaches you, to work with what you have. And I did always love a bit of drama and chaos.”

“Listen to her Rusty.” Spark Plug spoke out from behind him, Rusty turning to see her standing in the shadows with a firm, dignified look on her face, “I realised it long ago. Not everyone gets to be a hero.”

“And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, to entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am determined to prove a villain. And hate the idle pleasures of these days.” Dream Star laughed joyfully, dispelling the illusions around her with a wave of her hoof. She moved forward to gently place it upon Rusty’s shoulder, her expression softening, “I need you Rusty, to take care of things here. This project must be finished by the time I return, I’m afraid to say I am running on a rather tight schedule.”

He froze in confusion, this all happening rather fast, “Return... from where?”

Her horn pulsed with light as she turned to the exit, her cloak reforming around her once more in a wave of pink sparkles, “From the zebra lands. A certain little filly has something I need, and I learned long ago never to trust a minion.”

Rusty Needle was getting sick of this, Dream keeping him out of the loop, playing coy little games with him. Sure he wasn’t helping her on missions anymore like Bitter, Jammer or Sunshine, still he deserved more than this, “What has she got exactly? I’ve heard it called a weapon, a program, a computer system... everyone’s going mad about it, but no one seems to know exactly what ‘it’ is.”

“It’s all three.” Dream smirked, turning her head back to him, “And the Applejack Rangers have a very good reason for concealing its true nature. They designed it to facilitate their military coup after all.”

Conspiracy theories didn’t interest him, and he had heard this one before, “How?”

“The Rangers have no experience of running a nation, that has already been demonstrated. Their coup would fall apart, lose popular support. They needed some way to run their new empire, and the Rangers have always trusted in technology above all else.”

Rusty frowned, not liking where this was going, “An artificial intelligence?”

Dream laughed, “Ha, indeed. Well done Rusty, not as stupid as you advertise.”

“But that’s been tried before, it didn’t work...”

She laughed, “It’s been tried several times, by many fine minds. Their creations once littered the wasteland, we ourselves once encountered one didn’t we Rusty?”

Rusty tried not to remember, having carried a hatred of AI’s ever since. He could still see the bodies, hear its sultry, all too reasonable voice... “Didn’t Littlepip encounter one too?”

Dream nodded “Indeed, of a different type to ours. That one lacked all emotions and higher reasoning, and so was unable to effectively respond to new situations. Ours was far more flexible, and ended up going insane because of it.”

Rusty wasn’t being convinced that they shouldn’t just put a shotgun to this new AI of the Rangers, “And how is this one different?”

“Several ways.” Dream grinned with enthusiasm at his question, turning fully to face him, “For one thing, this one was actually created by a previous iteration of the idea, a program originally designed to oversee a post apocalyptic civilisation if the worst came to the worst. Apparently this program was eventually convinced that it was insufficient to this task, and allied with the Rangers in an attempt to create a new intelligence better suited. This AI was apparently built upon the template of a previous hero of the wasteland, and designed around the elements of harmony. It was grown organically, starting at an infant’s level of development and slowly being introduced to new ideas and concepts, allowed access to carefully controlled environments.”

Loyalty, honesty, laughter, generosity, kindness and magic. No computer system could ever embody any of those concepts, let alone all of them. Most ponies fell short, and they weren’t soulless hybrids of magic and metal, “What are we intending to do with it? Help it turn the wasteland in some mechanical utopia? Drop it in an industrial furnace? ”

“I can think of many uses to such a creation, however my present concern is for the tools it possess to implement the first stage of the Ranger’s takeover.” Dream’s expression became slightly troubled as she continued, Rusty’s ears perking up at the sight. Dream could ramble for days, but seeing her actually look emotional was a sign that she was getting serious for once, “It incorporates databases and other resources from Pinkie Pie’s Ministry of Morale, among them total access to all of Equestria’s computer systems. Alongside this it has been taught by the best hackers in the Applejack Rangers, and it is now able to crack any system so far presented. It is designed to open its takeover by seizing full control of the NCR’s logistics and communication systems.”

Rusty lifted his head, horrible realisation dawning, “You think it was responsible for breaking into the SPP?”

“No. They tried.” Dream grinned knowingly, smirking at him as he shot her an annoyed glare, “The SPP is immune to brute force attacks, its primary systems are semi-isolated, impenetrable from the outside without access codes.”

Rusty tapped his foot in irritation, knowing Dream was playing games with him again, “You know something I don’t. I know that expression Dream Star.”

Dream laughed joyously, angling her head arrogantly to the side, “Something you don’t Rusty? Oooh, now you’re just giving me the openings!”

“Dream!”

“Fine.” She sighed, looking disappointed at her teasing being cut short, “I’ve had the Single Pegasus Project access codes for twenty five years now.”

“What?”

“Heh. Your face is a picture Rusty.”

Rusty Needle paused for a moment to see if that statement would make any more sense. It didn’t, still sounding like she had been sitting on the keys to the Single Pegasus Project seven years before Littlepip had finally managed to get inside. That she had possessed the ability to defeat the Enclave and save everyone for years... and hadn’t? That... didn’t compute. At all, “How? Where!?”

“It was surprisingly easy, if you knew what you were looking for.” Dream chuckled, shrugging her shoulders casually, “Rainbow Dash planned well for the possibility of mutual destruction, and that she might die before activating the project. She hid clues through the wasteland, invisible to the Enclave but perfectly apparent to a wasteland explorer like myself. Those clues led to a dataspike, containing a set of codes giving access to all the SPP’s systems. Her final message was that they should be used to destroy the Enclave, give sunlight back to the wasteland.”

Rusty could have... exploded right then, “And you... did nothing with them?!”

She snorted loudly, her expression somewhat bitter, “Of course I did. I instantly set about building a transmitter, linked it to the SPP, put in my codes and watched as it opened up to me.” She chuckled softly, shaking her head in a strange mixture of amusement and sadness, “And my connections were instantly shut down, my equipment fried and the passcodes very nearly wiped. A single message appeared on my screen, calling me by name and telling me that it knew exactly who I was and what I had done. That I would misuse the SPP if I ever was allowed access, and that any further attempts would not be tolerated.”

Rusty couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing. That Dream Star had access all this time... and that there had already been somepony inside, “Somepony was locking you out?”

“Some kind of thrice damned AI, designed by Celestia herself and forged in the fires of Luna’s raging mareheat if I’m any judge. I tried again and again, with the same result each time. Eventually it became a tradition of mine, I would spend the whole year working out my tactics, bringing them to bear at the date of my first attempt. Each time she would shut me down, sometimes quickly, sometimes after a fierce fight.”

Rusty took a deep breath, “And... you’re still doing it? Even after Littlepip...?”

She snorted angrily, “The first time I tried Littlepip came after me herself. Imagine, that cheeky little whore thinking she was worthy of playing games with me! I told her that I didn’t want her, that she could waltz off and go get her betters already.”

Rusty rolled his eyes. Knowing Dream she probably said exactly that.

“She did in the end, and as normal I was totally defeated, no contest at all. And you know what message that damn system sent to me afterwards?”

Rusty knew that expression. Dream was upset, trying to disguise it with bravado, “Thanks for the game?”

“She...” Dream took a second to glare at Rusty before continuing her monologue, her voice slightly more croaky than normal, “She thanked me for being a good friend. Me! The one who had been trying to break into her house and wreck her shit for more than half a decade! Damn AI obviously was really fucking lonely before...”

Rusty shook his head, feeling a little sorry for her now. As normal Dream Star’s protests of villainy ran hollow, “Stuck in the SPP, all alone for two hundred years? I guess it probably was.”

Dream curled her lip, looking rather petulant, “And we continued like that, each year. Two old, lonely relics battling it out in an epic struggle no one else gave a flying fuck about. And a little more than a week back the date came round again, and we set out our pieces for the contest.”

And so they reached the final part of the story. The reasons behind everything that was happening, the reason she needed the Ranger’s AI. A week ago was the exact time that... “The SPP shutting down... what happened Dream?”

“I have no fucking idea.” Dream shook her head, deep upset and pain in her eyes, “We were in the middle of our game, I had come up with some pretty good duel attacks and she was struggling to counter... and then everything just collapsed. Some new signal using an algorithm I had never seen before piggy backed mine, preceded to simultaneously cause massive errors in dozens of the SPP’s systems. The security system... she tried to shut me down, end all my connections as quickly as possible... but it wasn’t me. She was so busy fighting me that she let some fucking party crasher sneak in through the back door and lamp her over the head with her own fucking network.”

Rusty couldn’t help but notice how Dream Star kept calling it ‘she’, “You’re worried about her aren’t you?”

She didn’t answer his question, simply slapping a hoof against her chest and giving an angry decoration, “She was my opponent, and the SPP my prize! Some little shithead comes in an overturns the game table, doesn’t even have the balls for a face to face? Damn right I’m not about to just roll over!”

“And you need this AI to fix it?”

“The SPP is totally locked up, gone into safety mode. That safety mode has in turn been fed an endless loop, meaning it can’t just naturally reboot. The security AI has been isolated from all controls, and Littlepip put into a state of advanced status. All these issues can only be fixed by accessing the primary control panel, which is intentionally isolated from outside access.” Dream gave him a low, hard look, “I need to get inside to fix it, and would you know there’s a flaw in the shielding megaspell that I could easily exploit now that the security systems are down? Convenient huh?”

“A trap?”

Dream grimaced, “I bring the SPP defences down and anyone can get inside, and not being a pegasus or remotely authorised to be inside Neighvarro base I’ve got no chance of getting inside and bringing the defences back up before that whole place is swarming with troops. And as you just rightly pointed out... I’ve no idea who was behind that hack, and I can’t help suspecting they’re right up there just waiting for me to let them inside.” She suddenly smirked, her voice lowering, “But with the Ranger AI, I don’t just have to take the shields down. I could change the access rights, open up those shields to this faculties’ magic door signal.”

Rusty’s eyes opened wide, “The SPP... has a magic door?”

She smirked, “Yes, and the access code has been in Tenpony records forever. But it won’t get you through the shield, you’ll just end up back where you came unless you have access privileges.”

“Which you could give yourself if you had this AI!”

Dream laughed, turning back towards the door, “And I’ll be sitting pretty inside the facility while Calamity and friends are still pounding at the door. And then it’s your game Rusty.”

He blinked, pointing a hoof to his chest, “My...?”

“Get the RTTAS fixed Rusty. I’ll be back soon.” She smirked, stepping out into the main hall, “All just another game... and this one I intend to win.”

_______________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (9)

New Perk Added: Signal Boost - “You can’t stop the signal.”
Your skill with electronic devices allows you to boost their range by 20%. This includes EMP grenades and stealth field generators.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.11 - Star's Heirs

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The docks of Star Fall rose before Pangaea as his flagship approached, workers scurrying about with gangplanks and mooring lines for his approaching fleet. As was tradition he stood at the bow, blue cloak fluttering and posture strong despite the cold winds and chilling spray. He was used to it, his father had often taken him out to the cliffs during winter to endure the elements, and through he was unsure if it had really made him any more resistant to the cold the many days of sickness had at least taught him to ignore pain. It made him glad about abandoning his father’s old style centurion outfit for a set of modern power armor, with much of the armoring stripped away to make it practical on the high seas of course. Heated padding kept him warm and dry and even in resting mode it felt good, his movements smooth and powerful within the servos.

His air commander, Galder, stopped his flight above and fell to the deck with a thud, clawed feet scraping along the deck as he shook the spray from his feathers. He gave a laugh, knowing he was breaching protocol as he did, and turned to Pangaea with a grin, “Golden Dawn is at the Cafe Red.”

Pangaea gave the griffon a simple nod, as was appropriate, “Thank you Galder. That was fast.”

“What I do.” Galder turned to look ahead, “Want me to find your pop too?”

“I still have not decided if I want to see him yet.”

“Yeah, I get you. Need to eventually though, if anything really is going down he’ll be in the middle of it.” Galder gave his wings an experimental flap, turning his head back to Pangaea, “Me and the boys will see what we can find out. What are you going to do?”

Pangaea swallowed the anger and nervousness his answer caused, fighting to keep the composure he prided himself on, “I’m going to see Golden Dawn. She dealt heavily with those emissaries, she might know something.”

“Yeah... that makes sense.” Galder seemed hesitant, like he wanted to say something else. Eventually he just sighed, “Just... keep your temper. Remember what happened last time.”

He ignored the advice. He didn't lose his temper, she lost it. He had no control over the matter, “Thank you Galder, your service is appreciated.”

“Any time captain.”

The cafe was fronted by a team of two pleasant looking zebra in a smart suit and coat ensemble, concealing magic enhanced pistols in quick draw holsters. They greeted him as he passed before returning their gaze to the street, Pangaea impressed by their dedication to their assigned task. He had been gone for months and wasn’t exactly another face in the street, yet they had hardly acknowledged him. Golden Dawn did not hire those who were lax or easily distracted.

As normal the place was busy and lively, though many of the conversations stopped as he passed before starting up again in hushed tones. As a military zebra through and through places and situations like this made him nervous, still he kept his cool despite the gazes and whispered comments around him. He was a soldier, and they relied on him to keep them safe. They needed to know that he wasn’t so easily rattled.

Still, this wasn’t something he had ever been good at. Golden Dawn had always been the centre of attention, the pony every pony should know. He had breeding yes, but then she was the daughter of the primarch of the Church of Holy Flame and a famous wasteland heroine, not to mention an obvious and immediately distinctive looking crossbreed. It had been a scandal at the time but she had made it work, and how could you not love her? Beautiful and charming, at the top of all her classes and increasingly known for her skill and grace at ballet, now a rich and successful merchant on the council of Star Fall itself. He had never understood why she had approached him for friendship back when he was simply the shy and awkward younger child of the most controversial of the Star Fall council, though she had always cited his straightforward treatment of her and his honouring of his promise to never approach her romantically. He had appreciated that, even if he remained confused as to why both qualities should be so rare.

He still maintained them. That made it all the more confusing as to how things could have gone so wrong.

She was sitting at her usual table, reclined into one of her specially designed seats as she alternated between a huge stack of financial papers and an equally huge stack of sweet treats. He frowned to see that she had got even larger in his absence, her posture slumped even further into her cushions and her expression all the more bored and uncaring. It made him angry, and he knew of no way to express it. Instead it festered in his chest, curling his mouth into a frown as he approached.

“I saw you enter Pangaea, you can stop staring at me with that grumpy little expression now.”

He frowned harder and approached, even more annoyed as she failed to even look up from her papers as he rounded the table. He sat on his haunches and watched her, ears pricking in impatience and frustration as he waited for her to acknowledge him. Eventually he spoke first “I heard the recording about the events of Estelle.”

She frowned at this, looking angry as her eyes lost focus on the paper in front of her, “Speak to your father about that. I had no part in it.”

He resisted the urge to growl, “And no opinion?”

“Plenty of opinions, all of them worthless.” She finally looked up at him, her eyes fierce and confrontational, “Do you have opinions too Pangaea?”

“What is my father’s part in this?” He narrowed his eyes, glaring right back, “What is yours?”

“What is mine?” Golden Dawn slammed the paper she was holding upon the table with a firm hoof, “I wanted us to be civilized about it all, wanted to change things. And instead I get this, a whole town of innocents dead because peace and prosperity is just too damn scary. And no, I don’t want to name names, talk about it. This isn’t about individuals Pangaea, this is about basic society.”

Pangaea tried his hardest not to shout, however much her words triggered something angry in the pit of his chest, “Society didn’t kill those zebra.”

“It did Pangaea, and you will never see it. You just keep strutting up and down in your fancy armor, believing you’re protecting people.” She snatched a cream cake from the pile, taking an angry bite from the crust as crumbs fell upon her toga, “How many times had you heard the story of the wartime Caesar Pangaea? How he responded to the economic dominance of Equestria by declaring war, how he imprisoned the greedy merchants who had sucked us dry? He’s still viewed as some kind of hero for it, for starting the path that led millions to their deaths!”

Pangaea frowned, unable to keep his eyes from her bulk as she rose slightly from her chair. She used to be a ballet dancer, one of the most famous beauties throughout the whole of Star Fall. She had used to talk about changing the wasteland, about making the world into a place of honour and dignity for all. How had it come to this, a decadent, morbidly obese lump of bitterness and anger trying to suggest the dominance of the rich elite was the pinnacle of society? “And it would have been better to let our country die for the profit of a few?”

“Amazingly enough, yes it would Pangaea.” Golden Dawn waved a hoof to the window, her expression ugly, “Entire settlements might be slightly less likely to end up staining the dirt red, and most of the planet might not be a radioactive hellhole.”

“So the world would be better if our lives were to become simple commodities to be brought and traded?”

She snorted, “Better a commodity than a corpse.” She tapped a paper in front of her with a hoof, “Have you seen the reports on the NCR? Star Fall have been championing themselves as the ultimate civilisation for their entire history, and Manehatten alone makes us look like some two bit dump in the ass end of nowhere. That’s the civilisation that merchants built Pangaea.”

Unfortunately for her Pangaea had already read the reports, “From what I hear it was built by Gawdyna and Littlepip, both of who won it with steel and fire.”

She took one hard glare at him before picking up a pastry tart and hurling it at his head. He didn’t even try to dodge, the object exploding harmlessly across his brow and showering him with crumbs. His expression didn’t even change as Golden Dawn turned her head from him, growling her words, “Get out.”

“Fine.” He rose, ignoring the gazes as he calmly exited the cafe. To be honest he hardly noticed them, feeling like cardboard cut outs, parodies of a broken world that he found it difficult to care about any more.

When they had graduated... it was going to be him and Golden Dawn, changing the world. He would finally get a chance to work with his father, to prove himself a zebra worthy of that legacy. Sure they would have to work with that cowardly, reclusive nerd Mint Engine, still he was too meek to be any real threat to their ambitions.

Now Mint Engine was the only one he could talk to without getting angry. It was just another thing he found it hard understanding.

His father was at the council table, chatting to a familiar white robed pony. With her hood down it wasn’t hard to recognize the regal features that made Sunshine Ivory so distinctive, Themba looking positively intoxicated as he continued talking to her about… something dull and uninteresting by the sounds of it. Pangaea couldn’t help narrowing his eyes in distrust at the mare, even if he knew it was childish and petty, and likely unjustified. They had compatible political goals and were both important figures within Star Fall, Pangaea had no evidence it was anything beyond that. Not that it was any of his business even if it was, even if this was his father and she was a good ten years younger…

“Pangaea! I heard you had docked, it’s good to see you well.” Sunshine Ivory turned to him with a beatific smile, her pink eyes sparkling with warm affection. She looked across at his father, the zebra looking slightly annoyed at being interrupted, “Shall we continue this later councilor?”

“No. Stay here.” He growled the comment before turning to Pangaea, giving him fierce smirk and speaking with rough affection, “How’s my fleet working out for you boy?”

He frowned, “It is not ‘your fleet’. I have been in charge of it for five years now.”

“Ha! You’re so predictable boy.” Themba laughed, trotting over and giving him a rough hug. They were both armored so it was awkward and uncomfortable, Pangaea squirming slightly under the unwanted affection. Themba thumped him on the back a little harder than necessary before shoving him away, giving a long smirk as Pangaea fought to catch his balance, “You’re still too skinny boy. Your enemy could push you over with a light breeze.”

Pangaea knew that. He took after his mother unfortunately, though his height at least gave him visibility and respect with his men, “I am wearing power armor.”

Themba snorted, “Never rely on technology boy, it will always fail you at the worst possible moment.”

Pangaea glanced down at his father’s bionic leg, its armor plated servos half the reason Themba had managed to stagger him there, “And you don’t rely on it?”

Themba snorted, clinking the leg against the floor, “No choice, that fucker Chigaru probably ate my old one.” He touched another hoof against his bionic eye, a mixture of amusement and genuine irritation in his expression, “And hard to shoot straight with just one eye. Still a pretty crappy replacement, even with EFS.”

“Maybe we’ll be able to get you a new one once we’re allied with Equestria.” Sunshine Ivory spoke up as she trotted over to them, “Their bionics are reported to be very advanced.”

“Is that actually going to happen?” Themba looked at Sunshine Ivory, trusting in her answer over his father’s, “I heard they had traveled to see Caesar.”

His father answered anyway, growling and blunt as normal, “They’ll figure out his true colors soon enough. Hell, look at Estelle!” He smirked evilly, gold teeth shining, “And once we have the NCR on our side we’ll pay Caesar back for every last body, take back what’s rightfully ours!”

“Rightfully?” Pangaea frowned, this one of the biggest reasons he hated his father. When he was young Themba had been a noble warrior in his eyes, a protector and solider. Now every time he opened his mouth he proved that a lie, proved himself a simple thug, “They kicked us out for a reason. Caesar has given them far more than we ever did.”

Themba snorted loudly, glaring at his son, “Is that actual disloyalty? From a member of the council itself?!”

“It’s practicality. We cannot do things as before.”

“So what, we shower them with rose petals as we enter? Gift baskets maybe?”

“Councilor.” Sunshine Ivory spoke up suddenly, her melodious tones instantly seizing their attention. She smiled at them both as they turned to her, “May I have a moment alone with Councilor Pangaea?”

“I…” Themba looked at both of them before growling, “Fine. Knock some sense into him Ivory.”

Themba left the room with a prowling, angry gait, Pangaea trying to control his nervousness at being alone with the mare. Sunshine Ivory just stared at him for what seemed like minutes, those big pink eyes seeming to bore straight through him. He squirmed under her gaze, averting his eyes from that... yes, attractive... face. This made her smile softly, her voice quiet and gentle, “You don’t like me very much do you Pangaea?”

This made him feel guilty. No, he didn’t, but it wasn’t her fault, “I don’t know why you help my father. He’s not in it for Star Fall. He just wants the glory.”

“I know that Pangaea, but the ambitions of petty stallions can serve noble ends.” Sunshine Ivory gave him a gentle smile, “Caesar is just another warlord, one whose moral weakness will cause more death and suffering. He must be stood against, and your father is the one with the power and will to do just that.”

He glared at her with anger at his words, though he realised she did not deserve his wrath, “So you side with him, even though you know he is morally corrupt?”

Sunshine Ivory simply nodded, “Your father’s ambitions, self serving though they are, open the way to greater good. With the Golden Coast opened up to my church we’ll be able to do real good through the wasteland, Mint Engine will be able to spread infrastructure, Golden Dawn open up new trade routes.”

The last point stuck in his heart, a painful, uncomfortable feeling. He... wanted that. He understood that deep down Golden Dawn took out her anger on him because she herself was unhappy. That she contented herself with luxury and excess because she was unable to affect meaningful change, “It won’t be like before? We won’t just be pirates?”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled, shaking her head, “It’s not just a matter of honour, but survival. Equestria rises again, and we have to rise to the challenge. It can’t be like what it was before, with weak zebras dominated by rich and successful ponies. Such things only bring about bitterness and conflict.” She smiled sweetly at him, reinforcing his resolve as she spoke, “This is a chance to gain your honour Pangaea. Not your father’s honour of death and glory, but the honour of a noble protector forging a safer world for the common zebra. And when we’re done it will be you who will be cited in the history books, and your father a mere footnote.”

Pangaea looked at his hooves, uncomfortable with the feelings Sunshine Ivory inspired. All of the feelings. He wanted all that she said, to prove himself his father’s better, to make a new world. The possibility of it being in front of him... was scary.

Her being in front of him was scary. He could see why his father was so enchanted. He... wanted her to go away now, “You’re right Sunshine Ivory. I will confer with my lieutenants, prepare for the possibility of war.”

The armies of Star Fall lay out before him, more than two thousand sentient creatures armed with the latest technology, eighty three battle droids of various configurations, two battleships, five cruisers, eight submarines and twenty two frigates. Among them thirty eight of the battle droids were airborn, and three hundred and seventy of his troops were either flight capable or trained in using bloodwing potions. His fleet were armed with twelve high yield cruise missiles, and two megaspells lay stored in the Star Fall silos.

He looked over the ledger with a critical eye, knowing it wasn’t enough, “What are current estimates on the number of zebra under Caesar’s command?”

One of his lieutenants, a sharp looking female pony named Rose Twist answered from memory, “At least three thousand. Including militia forces it increases to five.”

“But most of them are untrained rabble with scavenged weapons.” Galder spoke and Pangaea looked over to him, knowing the lieutenant was aggressive but savvy in his war sense. Galder gave a bow before continuing, his mighty wings extending, “Numerous examples through history have shown a better trained, technologically superior force can easily prevail against a foe with greater numbers.”

Pangaea frowned at the griffon’s words, that was his father’s tactics in the war that got them kicked out in the first place. He had no intention of repeating his mistakes, “Caesar’s elite troops are a match for ours in both areas, they could easily blunt our attacks while his lower quality forces snipe our flanks.”

Sea Spray, his third lieutenant spoke up at this, her reedy voice trilling, “But they are no match for us on the high seas. That gives us easy artillery fire onto the coast.”

He looked to the mare, Sea Spray commander of his fleets and a weird species of a type no one had ever seen before, pony shaped but devoid of fur and webbed around her hooves and ears. She wasn’t telling, and frankly Pangaea didn’t care, so long as she did her job, “Very visible artillery fire onto the coast. Our ships are easy targets for long range missile fire if they approach the coastline.”

“Caesar has missile units that are trained in deploying stealthily, a well aimed shot could cause our destroyers significant damage.” Rose Twist spoke firmly, her head angled straight and proud, “Sir, I have been over the numbers before. Your father did not lose the coast by being incompetent, Caesar inherited a well trained, well drilled force which has the advantage of fighting on home territory. Any action we take, even if we are victorious, will be a pyrrhic one.”

Pangaea figured that. Like Rose he knew the numbers didn’t lie, clever tactics only went so far, especially against commanders who were themselves no fools, “We need to weaken them somehow, or strengthen ourselves...”

“Sir?” A solider poked his head around the door, saluting sharply as Pangaea turned to him, “There’s somepony on the video conference, wants to speak to you. Says he’s calling from Equestria, and it’s important.”

Pangaea frowned, he hadn’t given out the contact details for his flagship, “How did they get this number?”

“Wouldn’t say sir.”

“Very well.” He turned to look to his lieutenants one last time before moving away towards the exit with a grunt, “I will be back soon, confer among yourselves.”

He moved through the corridors of his flagship, the pipes and metal bulkheads of its construction whitewashed and cleaned to a shine on his orders. He hated the lax standards of post fall civilisation, and especially didn’t feel it was appropriate in a military organisation. He had little hope with the rest of Star Fall’s rabble, but his flagship at least could stand proud. A repurposed Zebra dreadnaught, the mighty ships may have been easy targets back during the war but in the post fall world it was pretty much impregnable. It had once stood up to two of the Enclave’s dragon hunters and blown them out of the sky with hardly any effort at all, and it was only his caution in regards to Chigaru that stopped him from using it to decimate Caesar’s sea defences.

He turned into the communications room, an unusually large area packing a selection of some the best equipment the zebra had available, used to co-ordinate the robots, troops, air wing and attending fleet such a vessel would be in command of. The call was coming in on a raised platform down the end, a device Pangaea regarded as one of the reasons they had lost, a ludicrously expensive frivolity used to flatter the egos of pompous generals.

He moved over to it with head held high, observing the image presented with suspicion. It was clear and bright, which should have been an impossibility coming all the way from Equestria and penetrating the radio haze across the zebra wastelands, not to mention deciphering the zebra code the device operated on. It seemed like an attempt to show off, but he had to admit it made him pay attention, “I am Pangaea, Councillor of Star Fall and Commander of her fleets. Who am I speaking to?”

The figure smiled charmingly at his words, staring straight ahead with arrogant confidence. He certainly cut quite an unusual figure, an alicorn, and male at that. He was was smaller than he understood alicorns to be, the same height as Pangaea, but he had the horn and wings. His well made black cape and high tech cybernetic eye gave him a commanding dignity as well, and his voice was smooth and deep, “It is good to meet you at last Commander. I am Red Eye of Equestria.”

“The slaver king?” Pangaea narrowed his eyes, “I was under the impression that you had been dead for many years.”

“Which either means they were mistaken, or I have resurrected myself.” He chuckled, “I leave it for you to decide which of those to believe.”

Pangaea studied the figure, though he was unsure what he was looking for. He had never seen a picture of Red Eye and the image was all coloured in shade of blue, making it impossible to tell whether he was joking or honestly expecting him to believe Red Eye had come back to life as an alicorn. He had little time for messing around though, deciding to get straight to the point, “What do you want?”

“Straight to the chase, excellent.” Red Eye smiled charmingly, lifting a hoof, “I wish exclusive access to one of your radio beaming antennas and one of the terminals on your network, along with a spare lab facility.”

Pangaea considered it for a moment, none of those things being in particularly short supply. They had three radio antennas and only used one of them, and lab space was hardly at a premium. Still, it was still all pretty valuable stuff in the wasteland, “And in return?”

Red Eye smirked, “These facilities will allow me to provide further aid to your cause in the future. For an initial sign of good faith... I can ensure that the peace process between Caesar and the NCR fails, making Star Fall the obvious choice for a long term alliance.”

Pangaea had to sit up and take interest at this. The possibility of an alliance was pretty much the biggest threat Star Fall yet faced, with Star Fall and Caesar’s forces so equal the whole war could be decided on foreign support, “You can do that?”

“I have resources inside the NCR government that can be used to influence the peace process. With the resources you’d provide me I would be able to work on this side as well.” Red Eye chuckled, waving a hoof, “Can you honestly say that you’re in such a secure position that you can ignore such a generous offer of help?”

No. Red Eye had him there. He needed this, and it was indeed a small price to pay, “Very well. How will you be setting this up?”

“I will be sending over some associates, they will accept your offer and begin work on my side of the deal.” Red Eye smiled, “After that I will be willing to discuss further arrangements between us.”

Pangaea scowled, this ‘Red Eye’ was a little too slick for his liking, “And why are you doing this? What do you gain?”

Red Eye chuckled merrily, “Influence. The only thing that matters.”

___________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (14)

New Perk Added: Centre of Mass - "Line them up, put them down!"
You don't fool around with fancy trick shots. Straight to the midsection and down they go. In V.A.T.S., you do an additional 15% damage with attacks targeting the torso.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.12 - Manehatten Dreams

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Silent Steel paced the interior of his limo, glancing briefly at the sofa but as normal more content on his hooves. He glanced over his notes one more time but it was nothing he didn’t already know, contenting himself with staring out the window at the grey edifices of Manehatten.

New Canterlot could have its whitewashed halls, Manehatten standing proud instead as the richest city in the NCR. A financial and scientific capital even before the war, Manehatten’s enormous population of mutated beasts had seen the attentions of dozens of heroes, Littlepip included. Said monsters had barely a moment to catch their breath before two of the most powerful armies in the wasteland, Red Eye and the Enclave, both marched through it with a vengeance. After the day of Sunshine and Rainbows it was a graveyard for the dangers that once infested the place, and was finally able to benefit from having two of the most successful settlements, Friendship City and Tenpony Tower, within its borders. They had worked together with diligence and hope for the future, hope that the largest city in Equestria could one day live again.

Not that it was back to its former glory. Unlike New Canterlot it was still clearly a wasteland settlement, using somewhat haphazardly repaired prewar structures in place of new construction. The economics too could do with work, well hoofed ponies in grand finery swerving carefully around its worryingly large population of homeless migrants. It was known for two numbers, its GDP and its murder rate.

This was life, in all its beauty and ugliness. However much ponies tried to pretend otherwise with grand social engineering, this is what they were. Stubborn, creative, greedy, selfish, industrious... and he liked it.

“We’re approaching the hotel now sir.”

Silent Steel moved over to the other window as the Hoofton came up, the grand old hotel mostly restored to its old glory. The sign had been replaced and scrubbed to a shine, its windows clear, the doorman clad in a prim and proper uniform with buttons you could shave with. The only difference from its previous state that he could see was the armed guard nearby and the high calibre turret at the door, a necessity for many to feel safe nowadays. The limo stopped and he climbed out, the doorman giving him an elegant salute as he moved up the stairs, “Councillor Silent Steel, may I help you at all?”

It was a Steel Ranger salute, Silent Steel marvelling at how well drilled the staff were in how to properly greet those of rank. He guessed the place must see a lot of high profile guests, he recalled that the hotel was known to have hosted all the Elements of Harmony and all the Arbiters. He wondered how much he was paying for it all, but then Spark Matrix pretty much never used her expenses account. She was allowed to splash once in a while, “I’m here to see a guest.”

The doorman raised a shiny looking pipbuck, pressing a couple of buttons before giving him an efficient nod, “The elevator has been called and is waiting for you Councillor.”

“Thank you.”

He moved through the elegant lobby and to the lift in question, ascending to the floor he had been given. These corridors too were plush and rich, only the omnipresent dusty air marking it as part of a once destroyed city. He located the door and took a moment to adjust his suit before knocking, waiting a short while before the intercom buzzed with static, “Come in, the door’s unlocked.”

He took his invite and moved inside, peering about as he moved through the darkened interior. He could barely see a thing but really he should have expected it, rather pleased that she didn’t waste electricity at least. As expected there was a complicated looking computer system half dismantled on the table, wired to what he recognised as a high grade military transmitter used to send encoded signals. Even in a place like this she just couldn’t take her mind off work... “Spark Matrix?”

“Here.”

He turned towards the bedroom, finally locating the pony in the flesh. It was his first time in quite a while he had to say, trying to keep his heartbeat down while taking a moment to just savour a long glance across her lean, athletic body. Electric blue in colour, her silver grey mane was coiffed in elegant curls, the colour matching the somewhat old fashioned dress she was wearing. She was as severe looking as ever, enhanced by the odd couple of wrinkles that only gave her authority, her cool, piercing look never failed to excite Silent Steel. She had her eye out, still he had mostly got used to the sight of that somewhat creepy empty socket by now, “You look good Spark Matrix. It’s been too long since we met face to face.”

“It has only been a month or so, but yes.” She turned her head to him, her single eye focused on somewhere to the side of his cheek, "It has been a long time since I visited Manehatten. It feels strange to be back in the centre of the NCR.”

Silent smiled warmly at her, though he wasn’t sure why he bothered. He wasn’t even sure why he was trying not to stare at those odd little eyes. The gold and green iris of her left eye, unfocused and vague as always? Or the empty socket of her right, the cold metal of the connection port fitted where the optic nerve should be? In fact his attempts only served to make him nervous, which he knew she could see, “How is it, being in luxury?”

“I don’t lack luxury. I’m not digging around in dirt out there, I’m normally able to find somewhere comfortable to set up my operation.” She lifted a foreleg, placing the metal plate set in place of her hoof against the wall and staring about in calm interest, “But there is so much more going on here, so much information just floating through the air. Out there I’m sometimes the only signal for miles. It can be very lonely.”

Silent looked over in interest, “Can you hear what they’re saying?”

“Here? Not much of interest, I can’t listen in to airbound signals. Mostly it’s just systems turning on and off, calls to room service... still it’s calming. It’s normal.”

“You like normal?”

“It is different.” She stated it bluntly and without much emotion, despite her words, “The nature of my work means that I expose myself to very few. I am aware that I am distinctive in appearance, if I were to go outside people would inevitably question who I was.”

Silent Steel wouldn’t argue that, though her manner didn’t help. Not that it was a problem, but she certainly made an impression with her straightforward bluntness. He supposed that’s what happened when you spoke to machines all day, “Plenty of cybernetics around here. Your old friend Doc Slaughter’s company is just a few blocks away.”

“Yes, I’ve been tracking several of them. Looks like they’ve updated the wiring, and I saw one with some kind of computational AI installed in his skull. Very impressive.”

“Thinking of upgrading?”

“No. My cybernetics are Doc Slaughter originals. Not to disparage the current generation, but they don’t have a ready supply of uninsured expendable test subjects to practice and experiment upon.” She turned back to the table, picking up her glass eye with her hoof, “All the more reason not to advertise myself really. My bodywork is likely worth a small fortune.”

He watched with voyeuristic interest as she popped the glass eye into her socket, the sight always making him wince a little. He couldn’t help but wonder at her choice, “Aren’t you going to use your cybernetic eye?”

She struck her head a couple of times to help the false eye settle, her tone firmly logical as always, “No. Three reasons. One, it is regrettably unsettling and makes me look like a comic book villain. Two, the image created is... infrared and ultraviolet aside, of low quality, and distracts me from my other senses. Three, you dating a blind mare makes you look sensitive and chivalrous, increasing your voter share in key areas.”

As calculating as ever. Still he liked the admission that this was a date, even if Matrix would likely stress that it was a carefully constructed lie for the current situation. She would be... a little unjustified in that statement really, there was no real reason for her to be present. She said that she wanted to get close to Life Bloom so she could get a read on the long standing chancellor, but really Silent Steel suspected that she was just lonely up there in the wastes where she did most of her work, “I’m glad you take my election so seriously.”

“That’s why you hired me.” She turned her head to him, slipping on a pair of blacked out shades to hide her eyes, “I take my work seriously.”

“I know. Still it’s rare sometimes that I even get someone to carry out their assigned duties to the letter, let alone take initiative for themselves.” He chuckled, extending a hoof to the mare, “Shall we?”

Hoofbeats still astounded and impressed after all these years, a monument to tasteless excess and wealth in the middle of a post apocalyptic wasteland. The tower had mostly been hollowed out, allowing the central chimney to extend skywards past a spider web of verandas and dance floors. Magical shielding isolated and soundproofed the separate areas, only the faint pulses of the music above audible down here at the entrance. The overall colour was pearl white, with pink, blues, reds and yellows throwing bright splashes of vivid colour across the regal elegance.

They were ushered towards the cordoned off VIP path across the mostly open ground floor, moving past the three statues that dominated the area. On their side was Pinkie Pie, rearing up slightly with a wide grin on her face. On the other side was Vinyl Scratch, the original DJ Pon3, her head angled aggressively and her grin oozing attitude.

And of course the middle was occupied by the founder of the rebuilt Hoofbeats, Arbiter Velvet Promise, dressed in her famously inappropriate slinky violet dress and giving all who entered her customary look of smug superiority. It was... an impressive likeness.

She would love it. That she was looking down at him now, still so visible, still breaking hearts. It was even more apparent in retrospect how much the Applejack Rangers had been devastated by their loss to her, the frivolous and irresponsible former prostitute who had campaigned upon a platform of reducing taxes and cutting back the military at a time when there was still so much of the wasteland still to retake. They had laughed at her, mocked her. She had... never forgotten that. Her smiles and bravado in response to the mockery had concealed a deep grudge that she would bear with her until her death, which now Silent Steel felt was a tragedy on both sides. The Applejack Rangers still hadn’t learned their lesson either. They sat there criticising him for paying the smallest amount of attention to ‘frivolities’ like entertainment and quality of living, completely ignoring the fact that unlike them he actually won elections. Their normal reaction to a pony complaining that he had to sleep on stacked bricks was to tell them to suck it up, which made sense considering that’s how they were raised. Living in a military bunker all your life really messed up your priorities, Silent Steel never more glad that he had taken the time to study the archives in his bunker, and had left as soon as he was able, “She taught me a lot...”

Matrix turned her head to him, “Who?”

“Velvet Promise. She showed how ignorant the Rangers were. How little they understood the needs of the general population.”

She turned her head back, her answer as blunt as ever, “They have not learned their lesson. A study of their communications continues to expose a standard hostility towards civilians common within military organisations.”

“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know.” Silent Steel sighed as they entered the lift, this truth always depressing him. Is this what it was to be a politician, to have no true allies but fair weather friends, lured in with false promises? He told the Rangers he was one of them, told the world he was one of them. In truth... they irritated him. They had given him his start in politics, but now he felt they only held him back. If he ever did get elected they would come begging he knew, for power, for favors...

“The Rangers are poor at politics. You are not. Having their support is an excellent platform for advancing meaningful change.”

Silent Steel laughed, “You mean I can screw them over and they wouldn’t be able to do anything about it?”

Spark Matrix spoke as coolly as ever, “I mean you can ‘screw them over’, and have them never know.”

“Ah, it’s not as easy as it sounds. They not all steelplated meatheads with ammo in place of brains.” He watched the floors tick past as they approached the VIP sections, “Many of them are actually quite intelligent. The elders are always very diligent in assigning those ones to latrine duty.”

“You cannot be torn between competing focus groups Silent Steel, not if you want to save the NCR.”

He sighed, knowing she was right. Indeed, she was only repeating his own words back to him. It made the whole affair feel even uglier, “This is sounding like less and less of a good idea.”

She spoke coldly, “Are you thinking of giving it up now, after everything you’ve done?”

“No, no.” He took an intake of breath, feeling embarrassed at looking so weak in front of her. Was he really so cowardly? “It’s a big thing we’re pulling off. So many layers and tricks... it could all go wrong you know, lying and tricking so many powerful ponies. It would be a fool who wouldn’t get a little nervous.”

“For many, power is an illusion.” Spark Matrix stared ahead as the floors whipped past, “They spend their early years building up contacts and influence, so that when they grow old and their body and mind decay they can still command power. To defeat them, you must merely strip away their networks, their public perception.”

Silent Steel nodded, “For the Applejack Rangers we would have to reduce their military effectiveness, and ensure the public has reason to doubt their ability to defend them. For Regina it would be her reputation as a hero, her friends in high places. The Twilight Society...”

Spark Matrix shook her head, “You do not have the ability to fight the Twilight Society. You must merely make them irrelevant.”

He nodded, true. The Twilight Society these days operated mostly within money, old and new, mostly obsessed with profit and breeding. He had both in abundance. It was only the lunatic fringe of mad scientists and pre-war wonks that needed culling, and they enjoyed little popular support, “Do you do this as a mind exercise Spark Matrix? Think up ways to conquer the world?”

“Yes. You are merely a method for me to test the validity of my theories.”

He grinned as they exited the lift together, only a little nervous at her admission. He trusted in her hypothesises, and knew she would stick by him as long as he continued to use the ideas she gave him, “You actually mean that don’t you? I don’t mind being your test subject, its small payment for the work you do.”

She looked away, Silent Steel swearing he saw a smirk cross her face, “That’s why I’m still here.”

He chuckled and turned his eyes back to the task of locating Life Bloom. He soon spotted the stallion, sitting at a private table near the edge of the veranda. He looked exactly the same as he always did, Silent Steel sure that he had some kind of immortality spell in his famously extensive collection. Silent had once asked the stallion his secret, to which he had replied, “Clean living and good nutrition”.

He wondered if it might be something to do with the Element of Generosity Life Bloom had carried until recently, Rarity known for similarly hitting her fifties with only a few wrinkles under her eyes. Maybe it was just luck. All he knew is that he wanted some of it.

Life Bloom was as normal dressed in a smart grey suit, his red tie matching his vivid crimson mane, a pin bearing the symbol of the NCR on his shoulder and his usual expression of calm dignity. It was paired with the somewhat nervous, suspicious look of his companion, Silent Steel quickly recognising the blue and black earth pony as Admiral Swift Ender, ‘deadliest earth pony in the skies’, “Chancellor, Admiral.”

“And a good evening to you Silent Steel.” Life Bloom smiled broadly as they approached, waiting for Silent Steel to help Spark Matrix to the table before speaking, “And who is your lovely companion?”

Silent Steel smiled back, turning his head to Matrix. He already knew she was likely scanning their heart beats and brain activity, likely scouting out the security system if she hadn’t already, “This is Spark Matrix, a researcher on my team. Spark Matrix, this is chancellor Life Bloom and Admiral Swift Ender.”

“It’s very good to meet you both, it’s... actually a little nerve-racking to be in such distinguished company.”

Silent Steel widened his eyes as she gave an awkward bow, her accent a somewhat downplayed dirtlander drawl. She was a surprisingly good actor, especially since she normally tended to act slightly... autistic... “Hmm, indeed. And you and the Admiral Life Bloom? I had no idea.”

Life Bloom smiled slyly, placing his hooves together as his eyes sparkled with enjoyment, “Intentional, I assure you. The only reason I want to appear in the media is in relation to my political work.”

“Hmm, the same, and even then I only tolerate it.” Swift Ender grumbled to himself as he looked to Silent Steel, “I’m an engineer and a soldier, I never even wanted to be an officer.”

Silent Steel laughed, knowing well the general grumpiness of the admiral, “Then you shouldn’t have been so good at it.”

“Damn screwed up world, where you go out of your way to help ponies and they reward you by sticking in front of a microphone and asking you to say something witty and insightful at short notice.”

“How is the fleet Admiral?”

Swift Ender cheered noticeably, never happier than when he was talking about his machines, “The Epherious and Salmandare are just coming into service now, and from what we’ve seen so far they’ll make an excellent addition to the fleet.” He narrowed one eye and leaned over the table with a grin, his voice holding all the enthusiasm of a model ship nerd holding a new toy, “You’d like it Councillor. The fleet was originally designed to fight the Enclave, lots of air to air weaponry and fast attack fighters. Specialisation is all well and good, damn that might have saved us all back then, but the Enclave is hardly as big a threat as it once was.”

Silent Steel nodded, knowing what he was getting at, “It’s all Red Eye now.”

“Exactly. Both ships are designed as ground bombers first and foremost, gives the fleet the ability to better support infantry actions.” Swift Ender grinned happily, sitting back on his haunches, “I’m hopeful the council will soon approve a few more, or to retrofit some of our old models.”

“Well you have my support.” Silent Steel was careful of appearing a hawk due to the clichés surrounding his Applejack Ranger heritage, still supporting the other branches of the military helped defend him from charges of being biased towards his ranger brethren. Swift Ender was also right about the fleet, so far it had been kept out of the fight against Red Eye due to the not unreasonable belief that it would be quickly blown out of the sky by small, light teams that their bottom mounted guns couldn’t track fast enough. It really was dangerously outmatched against ground based opponents, and the Enclave had proven how powerful air power was when correctly used.

“And what of your current projects Silent Steel?” Life Bloom looked at him appraisingly, his hooves together on the table, “Given any more thought to throwing in your application formally?”

“I dislike being the first to declare. I have no idea who I would be facing, save Regina.” Silent Steel knew the value of patience, and the first to stick their head out normally got it blown off. Everypony pretty much knew he was going to run, still he preferred to keep them guessing a little, “Any word on who else is considering it?”

“Caps Lock is considering it apparently.”

“Huh... he hasn’t got the political savvy he was born with, all the caps in the wasteland can’t prop up a dead duck.” Silent Steel made a note to keep an eye on him just in case, before moving into more credible opposition, “What about Twilight Frost?”

“No, Twilight Frost continues to state her usual position, that the alicorns have too much blood on their hooves to possess the moral authority demanded of the role.” Life Bloom nodded, looking up at Silent Steel with an affectionate smile, “Her hope is for a second generation alicorn to step up to the role, which will not be for a good decade or so at least.”

Silent Steel laughed, “I’m glad of course, but for the record I still think that’s a load of rubbish. As much as I would hate to run against her, she’d be a wonderful arbiter.”

Life Bloom frowned suddenly, his words cutting short their smiles, “You know that she actually fears losing the vote, and with it her authority on the council. Alicorns are feared and hated by many. You must realise there is a reason that out of the twenty five seats only one has an alicorn incumbent.”

Silent Steel nodded grimly, this one of many things that made him angry about democracy. Along with cosying up to their petty needs, he also had to go along with their prejudices too. Twilight Frost was the kind of incorruptible, gentle yet firm soul they all should be, and he would eagerly point out that the much loved and very charitable Followers of the Apocalypse was staffed largely by alicorns. Even in the Followers a depressingly small amount of frontline leadership positions were occupied by the species, due largely to the hate and fear they faced.

He wasn’t much of an idealist, but he was a realist. Alicorns retreated from visible positions, denying the NCR their talents. Worse, the single most powerful species in the NCR was almost totally absent from their armed forces, despite that being what they were originally made for.

He liked alicorns, for much the same reason as he liked Spark Matrix. They were honest, straight forward, mathematically minded. Unlike her they were also community spirited, naturally forming close bonds with others, naturally suited to working in groups. Those were all qualities he respected, and in any new world he created, qualities that would be honoured, “Well the free citizens of the NCR get the leadership they deserve I suppose. If they wish to deny a perfectly suited candidate because of what she looks like, so be it.”

Life Bloom sighed, “Yes. The days of Princess Celestia imposing good governance upon Equestria is long since over. For better or worse, I cannot say.”

Silent Steel smiled as one of the biggest supporters of the republic expressed nostalgia for absolute god-monarchs, chuckling at the glorious irony. It also seemed as good a time as any to ask about his next possible opponent, “What about you Life Bloom? You know I have to ask.”

“No, no, not what it’s become.” Life Bloom shook his head, looking rather sad and a little frustrated, “A mediator between the councillors, that’s what Gawd intended. Now it’s becoming more and more a leader, which certainly wasn’t. And to be honest even the former role doesn’t exactly play to my talents.”

Silent Steel chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, “Ponies have always had monarchies, they expect a ruler.”

“I don’t think it’s genetic, though it is a strong romantic ideal.” Life Bloom sighed, his age falling upon him with wearying force, “I honestly don’t know if the NCR would be better if it was more democratic, or if Regina is right about the need for strong leadership. That’s why I would make a terrible leader. My special talent is for learning, and unlike maths or magic leadership is not a subject one can learn. I ponder, debate and contemplate the softer sciences, a poor quality in a decisive leader.”

“You’re good where you are Life Bloom. If I do win I would be honoured to have you as chancellor.”

“I serve the republic, you know that.” Life Bloom smiled for a moment or two before a dark look passed his eyes, returning them to the table in front, “Providing it survives the coming year of course. I agree with Regina on one thing, the various factions have become too powerful. That a minor spat between the Applejack Rangers and the Twilight Society can almost blossom in to a full civil war proves that.”

Silent Steel laughed, “Haven’t you heard the radio? It’s officially been called off, Midnight Sceptre even offered compensation for damages.”

Swift Ender grunted, stepping into the conversation, “So they say. The Twilight Society is far more suited to a cold war than a hot one.”

“And it is not Midnight Sceptre who holds the keys to this conflict.” Life Bloom nodded in agreement, “Dream Star is in charge now, everypony knows that.”

Ah, so the conversation turned to her at last. Silent Steel lifted his head, trying to keep his hungry look from the chancellor, “You were a member of the Twilight Society, you must know her. What’s she like, really?”

“I know of Dream Star, she was very active within Tenpony Tower during my childhood. She was the high elder back then, though apparently she didn’t engage in a lot of actual leadership. She was more the resident mad scientist, she upgraded most of the tower’s systems and developed many new medical treatments, she led by force of example more than anything else. A little controversial.”

Silent Steel leant forward, “How so?”

Life Bloom chuckled, “Quite mad, for a start. Tested most of her work on herself, heavily experimented with mutagens and black magic. It seems to have paid off, she’s got to be more than a hundred years old and she still beat Blazing Heart effortlessly.”

“He’s not a spring chicken himself.”

“Still a war hero, facing off against an old scientist.” Life Bloom clicked his tongue, “Though that is unfair. Dream Star always did her own field work, she’s spent a lot of time out in the wasteland. DJ Pon3 talked about her a lot once upon a time, one of the heroes that ‘went bad’.”

Silent Steel was paying attention now, having heard dark rumors, but nothing concrete, “How did she ‘go bad’ exactly?”

“For the most part a similar MO to the Steel Rangers, whom she clashed with a couple of times. Didn’t let civilians stand in the way of a particularly interesting piece of technology.” Life Bloom frowned darkly, tapping a hoof on the table, “There are also rumors about using ponies as test subjects, taking on jobs with crime lords… I heard tell she ghoulified an entire town, just because she wanted to observe the effects.”

A ruthless, mad old woman. Nothing he didn’t already know, and he had seen the results of her attack on the Sun City facility. Whoever she was she lived up to her reputation, pretty much tearing through the Ranger’s best defenses like they were made of butter. He had to take her down somehow, and wasn’t confident doing it directly, “Can we get any of that to stick? Bring her to justice?”

Life Bloom gave a sharp look of disapproval, “Even if she wasn’t covered under the Amnesty Act, I’m not going to start arresting your political enemies.”

“She’s dangerous, you said it yourself. She’s our most likely culprit for the problems with the SPP.”

“The only evidence for that is circumstantial, and the Twilight Society is made of lawyers. They would tear any case to pieces in seconds, and counter against the both of us with a vengeance.” Life Bloom gave him a warning glare, “And if you start sending assassins after her, you should know that Calamity is watching both of you very closely.”

Silent Steel took the hint, the last thing he wanted was Deadshot’s finest roaming about. He got the point, both he and Dream Star had a lot to lose by inviting outside interest, “So… just stay away from her?”

“If she is dangerous she’ll reveal herself eventually. One thing Dream Star isn’t is subtle.” Life Bloom waved a hoof to ward off further questions, turning his head to Spark Matrix and smiling genially, “But enough of that terrible subject. Tell me Spark Matrix, what are you working on for Silent Steel at the moment?”

She blushed and stuttered her answer, rubbing her hooves together, “Um… well at the moment I’m developing a prediction algorithm, designed to calculate shifts in voter allegiances based on changes in the NCR economy.”

“I could do with someone like you to fix up my CIC.” Swift Ender grunted, “It just can’t cope with sudden shifts in direction or speed, it’s infuriating.”

“Oh? I can think of a couple of reasons for that, maybe when I’ve finished with my work for Silent Steel I can have a look.”

Silent Steel grinned with pride, actually thinking both of those ideas sound pretty good. Maybe he would have to get her working on those after everything had calmed down, “You would have to work pretty hard to convince me to let her go admiral, she’s been invaluable so far. Don’t know anyone who knows her way around a computer like her.”

“Excuse me, but I was under the impression…” Life Bloom paused for a moment before just stating it, just a little cautious, “Are you not blind my dear?”

“I… I am yes.” She stated shakily, “But I have sensors in my hooves that allow me to directly access computer systems.”

Both Life Bloom and Swift Ender widened their eyes in mutual amazement. It was Life Bloom that spoke first, “That seems useful… and unusual. Whose work is that?”

“Doctor… Slaughter.” She hid her face behind a hoof, her voice shaking as she spoke in a soft, scared squeak, “I was once a slave under Red Eye, it was his troops that blinded me, and gave me to Doc Slaughter for modification.”

Life Bloom looked horrified, his muzzle pinching, “My poor dear, I do apologize for bringing it up.”

“No… no.” She shook her head, voice firm, “I have dealt with it. Doc Slaughter was kind to me at least, and his work allowed me to still use my special talent despite my blindness. And it was my experience with Red Eye that led me to Silent Steel.”

Swift Ender lifted an eyebrow, “How so?”

“Red Eye's troops killed my parents, destroyed my stable, blinded and crippled me.” She stated with a firm conviction that was no longer just an act, her tone low and pained, “The Applejack Rangers are out there right now, fighting against the forces of this… fake Red Eye. I’m not a fighter, but I figure at the very least I can help them by aiding Silent Steel in his election.”

“That’s a very admirable attitude.” Swift Ender stated it bluntly, but with a clear twinge of real respect, “We need more like you. I swear it sometimes seems like everypony’s forgot what the wasteland was like before Little Pip.”

“It could all happen again you know…” Spark Matrix stated it quietly, her voice wavering. She raised her head as silence descended, her nostrils flaring and her expression growing angry even as her voice balanced into a steely drone, “We’re living in the same cities, playing the same politics, 22 percent of ponies control 67 percent of the GDP of the NCR and some factions are rising while others see their empires crumble. I’m a mathematician, I have been taught to believe the same calculations lead to the same result.”

Life Bloom smiled softly, “You sound like Fluttershy.”

Spark Matrix looked honestly surprised by this, “Fluttershy?”

“You can’t be surprised that Fluttershy has taken a keen interest in how the great war could have been prevented, the mistakes that led to the wasteland?” Life Bloom frowned a little, looking slightly disapproving as he explained, “She hasn’t spoken about it publicly, but her primary mission has always been to ensure the NCR doesn’t follow the same path. Her championing of the Hellhounds for instance was informed by Equestria’s treatment of zebra during the war, restricting them to ghettos and denying them basic rights. She has also fought hard to ensure we do not become a monarchy, with a ruling council of elite heroes long out of touch with the common pony.”

Silent Steel chuckled, “Is that why you gave up your element Life Bloom? Did you bring back bad memories?”

“She distrusts me on a fundamental level, feels I’ve been in power much too long. But that’s ok, I respect her viewpoint. I have myself questioned if I have become the shadow ruler of the nation as arbiters come and go.”

Silent Steel gave the chancellor a grin, “I guess the answer was no?”

Life Bloom gave him a wry smile, “Silent Steel, you know as well as I that my job really is very boring. I have slightly more influence with Regina than the other arbiters due to my relationship with her, still my job is primarily balancing the NCR’s finances. I don’t even have a vote, in either chamber.” Life Bloom waved a dismissive hoof, smiling confidently, “I am very good at my job, and you would only notice the work I do if I wasn’t. I see no reason to leave.”

“Regina doesn’t have a vote either.” Silent Steel reminded him, smirking slightly even as he drew attention to the one biggest barrier to unseating the griffon, “By siding with her, you bring in the votes of councillors who support you.”

Life Bloom sighed, then dropped his head, “I... know. Do not have any worries Silent Steel, I intend to voice my support of you as well. Let us face it, even if I was to retire my own personal viewpoints would still have weight.”

“Of course, I was joking with you.” Silent Steel stated, slightly dishonestly. Truth be told it irked him that such a respected figure as Life Bloom was so openly supportive of his political rival, especially as he himself was a long standing friend of the chancellor. Still he supposed for all their meals together and political support, he had never waded into combat with twin pistols blazing to defend his friend from hoards of shadow demons, “She’s earned your loyalty.”

“It’s not a case of earning anything.” Life Bloom smiled, the affection clear in his voice, “We’ve bled together, lost loved ones, seen ourselves change and grow older. You might have noticed that we’re of totally different ages, backgrounds and personalities, not exactly two you would expect such a lasting friendship between. This is a friendship built not on some common ground, or won loyalty, but on a deep respect for the other’s talents and virtues.”

Virtues. Silent Steel nodded, remembering the famous decision by the two back during the latter stages of the screwball conspiracy. It had been analysed, dramatised, discussed to excess. It had been the only times they had to choose between two individuals for that singular honour, “Generosity.”

“I personally think her decision was a mistake. She convinced me that I was more knowledgeable and skilled with magic, and my special talent would allow me to swifter access its full potential.” Life Bloom sighed, shaking his head, “I never was comfortable with being a hero though. Ditzi Doo and I would often talk about finding others to bear our elements, convinced we were the odd ones out in the team. It didn’t help that Lionheart and Regina often proved themselves infinitely more useful than we were.”

“You seem to speak in the past tense a lot when discussing this.”

Life Bloom laughed, a much appreciated release of tension even as his face fell into sadness, “Zephyr and the Element of Magic are gone. Not for good I am certain, but the elements are of little use apart. And without our leader...” Life Bloom stared off the balcony and down to the floors below, ponies partying and talking and planning without a care in the world. He gave a deep sigh as he watched, his appearance of youth replaced with weary experience, “We are all getting old. I feel infinitely more useful as a politician than I ever was as a hero, and I know Velvet Remedy barely has time to tear herself away from her desk these days. Ditzi Doo would give up her element in an instant if she didn’t still think of it as such a terrible burden. Our status as a group is made objectively clear by the current issues at the SPP. Little Pip herself in danger, and the only element holders present are Calamity and Homage.”

Silent Steel gave him a reassuring look, “I can’t imagine getting together the most important ponies in the wastes so they can stare at an impenetrable forcefield is a sound use of our resources.”

Life Bloom simply sighed in response, “Zephyr would have insisted we be present as a group. She understood the symbol we represent.”

“You sound like you would be done as a team even if she came back.” He gave Life Bloom a questioning look, “Have you given up your element for good?”

“I consider it out of my hooves.” Life Bloom placed a hoof on the table, eyes firm and resolved, “When it’s needed again the element of magic will return, I’m sure of that. If it’s with Zephyr, that’s her decision. If it isn’t... Calamity will make a fine leader. Either way, I’m fully devoting myself to the NCR, as I know Velvet Remedy feels about the Followers.”

Spark Matrix spoke up suddenly, her voice soft, “Maybe Fluttershy can take Kindness again.”

Life Bloom chuckled, actually considering the suggestion before shrugging his shoulders, “It’s unlikely, but in a worst case scenario I can see her playing the hero. She’s getting increasingly confident, it really is a remarkable recovery.”

Spark Matrix seemed genuinely enthusiastic, seeming to be very keen on the subject of Fluttershy, “Do you think she’ll succeed in convincing the zebra to ally with the NCR?”

“Fluttershy is a very good diplomat.” Life Bloom nodded firmly, looking satisfied, “If anyone can pull it off it’s her. Others might be able to get a better deal, but she knows how to make peace last.”

Swift Ender nodded in agreement, “She’s talked about ensuring that the NCR doesn’t end up dominating or absorbing the zebra lands for a long time now. I’m an old hawk and even I agree with her, having an equal partner on the international field will do the NCR good.”

Spark Matrix gave an enthusiastic smile, “Another part of her mission?”

“Indeed. I am a little concerned however.” Life Bloom looked around before lowering his voice ever so slightly, “I have some training as a physiologist, and I believe Fluttershy is still unstable. She’s prone to anger and obsessive behaviour, and I know we’ve both noticed her tendency to combat the aging process with Mint-als. For the record I strongly disagreed with sending her with just Steel Marrow and Silver Quill, Steel Marrow is untrained and uninterested in politics and Silver Quill is barely a mare.”

Silver Quill. Silent Steel tried his best to hide his utter contempt for the arrogant little alicorn, personally groomed by Twilight Frost in one of her rare moments of utter foolishness. He was well aware that she had been chosen solely because she was one of the few first batch alicorn children who didn’t drool when they spoke, not exactly a glowing recommendation, “Steel Marrow might not be a diplomat, but he supports Fluttershy well.”

“Yes, certainly.” Life Bloom nodded briefly before sighing, “But if Fluttershy does become unstable, or Celestia forbid become ill, I do not believe Silver Quill is capable of taking over.”

“Why didn’t Regina send someone more competent then?”

“It was over my head, all to do with...” Life Bloom chuckled, giving Silent Steel a wry smile and shaking his head, “No, you’re not going to get gossip from me. Suffice to say a lot is riding on Fluttershy, and I hope she can take it.”

Silent Steel laughed, raising a glass, “So... to Fluttershy, may she be sound in body and mind?”

“Indeed. Let us hope...”

The limo made its way through the dark hills beyond Manehatten, taking the little side routes into a low valley towards an inconspicuous set of bunkers. Looking partially ruined and uninteresting on the surface, the only sign of their importance was the Applejack Rangers patrolling the perimeter. They waved them through as they passed, the limo pulling up outside one of the structures and letting them both out, Spark Matrix’s metal hooves clinking against the stone as she shadowed his steps.

“Good to see you sir. May I take your coat?”

“Thank you, yes.” He shrugged off his heavy coat and handed it to the uniformed officer at the front desk, flanked by two ponies in power armor. The elevator at the far end of the room pinged at he entered, Spark Matrix following. The doors swished shut and the elevator descended, deep into the earth, “What do you think of the upgrades?”

“You need to upgrade the wiring too. I can see several areas of fire risk, considering the increased demand on power within the facility.”

Silent Steel chuckled, striding out into the steel grey corridors of the bunker. The Applejack Ranger logo emblazoned the wall and a set of automated turrets tracked him as he made his way, neon lights above shining with their soft blue luminance. This had been a Steel Ranger facility for many years, though formally a very minor listening post. Silent Steel had pretty much brought it from them and staffed it with his most loyal followers in the organization, expanding it with NCR military grants as a radar facility. In truth he controlled what came in and out of here, making them believe that bad luck and bad investments had caused the project to command half the radar coverage and other functions it actually did. He was a Steel Ranger in one way, he believed in underground bunkers and high technology, and would be damned before he relied on others for it. This was his little empire of steel, somewhere to feel safe and in control, “I should have brought you in to oversee it.”

“I cannot be the only competent person in your organization.”

“It feels like it sometimes.” They entered the central command centre, a large open plan CIC with a large monitor on the far wall currently monitoring feeds from all the NCR’s major cities. It was currently well staffed for his arrival, his minotaur chief of security standing at the side of his station and monitoring events as they worked at the various consoles. He turned his head and snorted in greeting as Silent Steel approached, “Councilor, I have made sure everything is ready for your arrival! What are your orders for today?”

Silent Steel just smiled, knowing it was really a rhetorical question. Minotaur were known for their aggressive, chest pounding greetings and Ironforth was no exception, it was a mark of true confidence and rank among them if you didn’t even try to compete. He walked up onto the raised podium, all eyes turning to him. He turned his head to Ironforth as he fell into place beside him, “Any urgent business come in while I’ve been gone?”

The minotaur gave a sharp, official nod, “Sir! Swift Feather of New Canterlot Radio has been attempting to contact your office, he left a message for you to contact him at your convince.”

Swift Feather, hmm… Silent Steel liked his show, it didn’t tell him anything he didn’t already know but he felt it kept the public well informed and used credible sources. Swift Feather himself however was a bit of a preening douche, whose slobbering asskissing was increasingly becoming infamous. Silent Steel had to admit finding him irritating, the griffon’s self esteem seeming to be entirely built on the affections of powerful individuals, “Put him on screen. Let us get this over with as quickly as possible.”

The monitor buzzed as a familiar looking griffon appeared on the viewscreen, as normal groomed to perfection and dressed in a black suit and tie, both newly ironed and starched. It instantly made Silent Steel raise a hoof and knock his own mane askew in silent protest, unable to hide his contempt for the overly fussed newsreader and his effeminate self regard. He was a radio personality, what did he need to look so good for? “Swift Feather, I am told you wanted to speak to me.”

The griffon stood up a little straighter as he heard Silent Steel’s voice, his chest puffing out smugly as he replied, “Ah, Councillor Silent! Actually I was thinking you would like to speak to me, question my motives for the recent broadcast.”

Silent Steel smirked, keeping his voice neutral as he replied, “Which broadcast was that Swift Feather?”

The griffon looked both flustered and irritated as he replied, “Why... um... the one recently, where I told everyone you were behind the peace process and insulted Regina. All very subtle of course, just enough to tip public opinion in your favour.”

It wasn’t that subtle. Still... “Ah, that broadcast. So tell me, why are you throwing your support behind me? You voted for Regina didn’t you?”

“And she has failed to live up to her promise.” Swift Feather puffed himself out again, nostrils flaring, “Failing to raise the defence budget to the levels set by her mother, bullying the council into following her lead, supporting her regime on the votes of the uneducated masses... I think we both agree that she needs to go, stop this slide into disaster.”

Disaster? Not raising the defence budget to the levels at a point where they HAD no army to build from, and raiders still existed within their borders? Forcing some form of actual governance from a set of bickering factions who couldn’t make a clear decision if the NCR was burning down around them? Listening to a faction other than the smug bourgeois who Swift Feather himself belonged to? The arrogant little shit, Silent Steel could only grin at the thought of smashing his beliefs to pieces, “Indeed, and I appreciate your support Swift Feather, believe me when I say that it will be rewarded. Is there anything I can do for you in the short term?”

The griffon smiled with relief, giving a sharp bob of his head before holding a claw to his chest, “Actually I was thinking you could stand against the new radio bill. As I’m sure you know it would flood our airwaves with so many junk signals that it might irreversibly affect the broadcast quality of the stations that the citizens of the NCR rely on.”

Hmph. More like break his monopoly on the airwaves, “I will certainly consider it. Is that all Swift Feather?”

“Ahem... yes, thank you Silent Steel.”

He took great enjoyment in cutting the feed, banishing the smug fool back into the black. He grinned to himself as he shouted to his staff, “Right, with that done... on to more important things. Spark Matrix, let’s see what the NCR government are thinking about right now. Everyone, prepare systems for hacking.”

They stated their acknowledgement as they ran to their consoles, Spark Matrix taking up position at a central hub that had been set up with metal plates specifically designed to interface with her hooves. The screen went black and ‘establishing connection’ appeared in green text, a technician calling out to her, “We’re all ready Miss Matrix.”

“Give me a moment.” Spark Matrix placed her glasses upon the desk and popped her eye out, swapping it into her saddle bag for another similar looking orb which she slotted into the empty socket. She winced a little as it buzzed and green text scrolled across the glass surface, shaking her head for a second to readjust the connection, “Ow...”

“This may be a stupid question, but why don’t you just remove your other eye? Then you wouldn’t have to keep swapping them out.”

“Because gouging out my eye and using a very careful application of Littlehorn agent to wield complex electronics to my cerebrum wasn’t a particularly good idea to start with.” Spark Matrix stated it with her normal straightfaced deadpan, rubbing the side of her head, “And if you consider it in less stressful circumstances, installing it at the side of the head in easy reach is a lot more sensible than gouging out your own eye just so passing foals can compare you to infamous wasteland slavers.”

Silent Steel chuckled, still unable to picture her being that desperate. Much about her past seemed discordant with her current personality in fact, much of it spent helpless and at the mercy of others. He figured that was where she got the adaptability and cunning that he valued so much, he had long ago discovered that the more difficult the task and the fewer resources he gave to her the more satisfaction she seemed to gain from carrying it out. That quality still endeared her to him as it had when they first met, unlike his other servants she was openly working for him because she enjoyed the challenge, “Well if you’ve still got room, I’m always willing to pay for upgrades.”

“Hardware upgrades are always a pain. I’m far too busy to waste time on recuperation.” She walked over to the console and placed both hooves onto its surface, “Making connection. Make sure the power supply is strictly normalised.”

Silent Steel waved a hoof at his technicians, making sure they knew the price for failure. A surge wouldn’t hurt her, but it would knock her systems out for days and annoy her most grievously, two things worthy of a pay cut at the very least, “I’m interested in both official and unofficial responses. Both tell me something.”

“Different systems, NCR uses the Clarion network for official business, the Pinkie 3 network for covert business. Different ports, need to switch connectors. Official first.”

Silent Steel watched Matrix with quiet fascination, her expression one of total concentration as staggering amounts of green text scrolled across her eye and she cut through what must have been some of the best firewalls in the NCR. Matrix might had insisted differently but he was still unsure why they had needed SoLOS and the PS-OS, as far as he was concerned the real work of art was here. Technology and AI were wonderful things, he was an earth pony after all, but it could not beat the artistry of living pony at the top of her game, “That’s fine.”

She narrowed her lips for a second before speaking, “Their response to Swift Feather’s broadcast is still under discussion. The general consensus is to go on the defensive with a full endorsement of the peace process and Fluttershy, but more radical options are also being considered. Some of those include criticism of Swift Feather, the vested interests behind the peace process or the peace process itself.”

“They’re really willing to bet on it failing?”

Matrix frowned for a moment, “Initial reports suggest there is conflict within the zebra lands. Regina suggested they spin it as you and Fluttershy trying to get the NCR involved in a foreign war, all for the sake of resources.”

“Putting a colonial spin on it huh? Clever, and risky. Well played Regina.” Silent Steel chuckled, not too worried. He was placing his bets on the peace treaty succeeding, and he felt he had enough advantages to be sure of that outcome. Fluttershy was a very canny diplomat who commanded great respect with the zebra, and Clear Sky had reported both Caesar’s vanity and very large army. Even if they did get involved in a war he hardly had to send troops over, a few shiny suits of power armour and magical weaponry would both buy Caesar’s loyalty and ensure his dominance over all his rivals, “You must have noticed Life Bloom getting nervous about Silver Scribe. What’s the story on that?”

Spark Matrix barely took a second to answer, “She’s a rising star within the NCR, and she’s got both Regina and Twilight Frost as mentors. Apparently a genius as well, top marks in Modern Equestrian, History and Politics at New Canterlot University.”

“Yes, I know.” Silent Steel didn’t like her but he realised she could have turned out a lot worse. She was a member of two groups with a lot to prove, the Cathedral and alicorns, and her apparent success had led to a lot of attention being heaped on the young mare. He admitted that she was smart, in a very bookish kind of way, but a life literally looking down on others took its toll, “So why was she chosen? This some kind of final test? An internship?”

Not many reasons listed here. Looks like it was an executive decision.” Matrix looked up, the flashing screens on her eye suddenly shrinking to the corner, “I’m going to switch to the secure server. There’s a thread here I want to follow.”

“Fair enough.”

She winced as her connections switched, shaking her head before focusing once more. Red lights flashed up on her eye but she quickly slipped past them, typing command codes and deploying programs with the speed of thought. Eventually her eyes widened slightly in interest, a small smile spreading across her face, “Silver Scribe was chosen... hmm. Apparently she was once in a relationship with Arick Grimfeathers. Along with her loyalty to Regina that seems to be one of the primary reasons listed here.”

Arick? Silent Steel shivered a little at the very mention of the errant griffon, famously the result of Regina getting a little too drunk at the celebrations after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows. Even with his grandmother’s influence he had proved a consistent embarrassment to the whole family, even beyond his conception he was a hard living, disobedient thug and chancer, who was widely believed to have only escaped jail due to his family. He...

He had a relationship with Silver Scribe? Ha! He couldn’t help but chuckle, Silver Scribe was a stuck up religious nut with a holier than thou attitude to everything. The idea that she liked the bad boys was a tickling one to be sure, “But... why would that matter? Beyond her connection to the Grimfeathers of course?”

Spark Matrix went quiet for a moment or two before answering, “Arick Grimfeathers is on his way to the zebra lands. Regina is hoping Silver Scribe can keep him in check, as well as reignite their old relationship. She...” Spark Matrix opened her eyes in a rare expression of genuine surprise, “She honestly used an executive order to play matchmaker with her son...”

Silent Steel wasn’t listening anymore, his eyes dilated, his breath freezing in his chest. This... couldn’t be. He had invested an enormous amount of work into this scheme, gambled his entire political career on it! The idea that it was now at the mercy of some entitled fop of a griffon... “Why? How!?”

Spark Matrix merely raised an eyebrow at his change in tone, her voice as balanced as ever, “You may remember he and Ace Gold won a large amount of money at Los Pegasus about five months ago. Apparently it was invested in Far Go traders, and he has used it as leverage to get himself assigned as leader of the zebra expedition.”

“But...” Silent Steel almost spat, especially at mention of that other disappointing heir to a ruling NCR bloodline. Ace Gold didn’t have the reputation of Arick, but maybe he was just working up to it. The idiot stallion had already been pretty much disowned by his parents, and had certainly taken to shadowing Arick recently, “What do either of them know about trading?”

“Arick got a second in Economics back at New Canterlot University.”

Silent Steel could hardly care. He had watched Arick turn several of his political arenas into the ‘look at me’ show, he wasn’t about to let him mess up this operation as well. This was too important for some loose canon with too many caps and not enough sense, “We can’t wait, we need to get someone out there now. Someone to arrange pick up of PS-OS, and make sure Arick doesn’t do anything stupid.”

“Do you have anyone in mind?”

“I was thinking about Emaya, or Chip Shale.”

Spark Matrix gave an emotionless nod, pausing a moment before speaking in a low, calm tone, “May I make a recommendation?”

Silent Steel was honestly interested at this. He wasn’t aware she had preferences as to his troop selection, “Go ahead.”

“Arick and Ace Gold both have a reputation for being extremely charming, the main method in which they have disrupted the plans of others is by subverting individuals to their own ends.” She paused a moment to gather her thoughts, “If you are going to send somepony, I recommend they be loyal, single minded, unimaginative and with no sort of attraction towards stallions.”

Silent Steel let those specifications sink into his brain for a moment before turning to a nearby aide, his thoughts already forming, “Son, get me Cherry Sunset.”

Cherry sat across from him, the pinkish red earth pony as spit and polish as she ever was. Her fur colour and red and orange mane gave her a fierce, aggressive look that wasn’t born out by her demeanour. Indeed all her commanding officers had named her as patient, quiet and efficient, maybe not officer material but someone you would kill to have at your back in an operation. Her cutie mark was an apple being split by a bullet, symbolising both her aim and her loyalty to the Apple Family whose blood she boasted. And conveniently, also gay as rainbows, “Thank you for coming Paladin.”

“Happy to serve sir.”

So clipped and to the point. Often he would get Knights and Paladins fawning over him, praising his achievements to gain some of his favour. The fact that she continued to maintain her dignity was a good sign, “What do you know about the peace treaty with the zebra?”

She looked confused for a moment before answering, “It’s your project sir, currently being carried out by Ambassador Fluttershy.”

“Any experiences with Zebra?”

“Good doctors sir. Only a few in the Rangers, don’t know any of them personally.” She thought for a second before speaking again, “Lot of them serve in the NCR regular forces. I was patched up by one once.”

So exhaustive and organised. She was becoming a better and better choice all the time, “I’ll speak candidly Paladin. I need someone to travel to the zebra lands in order to handle pick up and delivery of a certain item. I also want someone loyal there to handle any issues that may arise.”

Cherry Sunset gave a slightly worried look, “I’m no diplomat sir.”

He chuckled, “There are enough diplomats out there. I need a soldier, somepony to get the job done without getting distracted by their own personal issues. Can you do that?”

She nodded primly, “Yes sir. When will I be leaving?”

He wasn’t used to the lack of backchat. He was still coming up with a dozen different ways to convince her, it was somewhat disappointing that he wouldn’t get a chance to use them, “Well... when you be ready?”

She lowered her head in thought, brow furrowing. She looked back up quickly, expression resolute, “Just give me the rest of the day sir, I’ll have my gear and research together by tomorrow morning.”

“Well... well that’s excellent.” He grinned, even as he busied himself with trying to work out how he was going to get someone to bring her over by tomorrow morning. Still, maybe speed was advisable in this situation, “Thank you Paladin. I will meet you outside tomorrow morning?”

She gave a smart salute and he returned it, dismissing the mare and settling down to think for a moment. Eventually he activated his ear piece, the static fading as it made the connection, “Spark Matrix?”

“Silent Steel.”

“Cherry Sunset agreed to the mission. Can we get transport for tomorrow morning?”

“I’ll get on it.” She almost gave him a heart attack as she came in beside him, the soft blue of her bionic eye washing over him. She gave him a low, assessing look as he gazed at her with fear and suprise, her voice deadpan, “Are you ok?”

“How... why?” He quickly tried to regain his dignity, straightening out his tie and glaring at her hooves, “Ahem... how do you move so quietly with metal hooves?”

“Practice.”

Silent Steel frowned, “Did you come simply to scare the pants off me?”

Now she smirked, looking somewhat hungry for a second, “Doesn’t Cherry Sunset look a little bit like Pinkie Pie?”

“Um... not really.”

“It’s the cheekbones. If I adjust my eye’s colour translator you can really see it... ugh, never mind.” Spark Matrix huffed as she turned away, trotting past and over to the door, “I actually came to say that I’m leaving, I’ve already spent too long up here.”

Silent Steel’s heart dropped at the news, knowing she was going to go eventually but hoping it would be a little longer than this. To be honest he wasn’t too hopeful of his original plan of getting her into bed, still he appreciated having a loyal second in command by his side, “Can’t Red Rum deal with it for a little while?”

“Whiskey is an idiot, who’s only skill is his looks.” Her face twisted in annoyance, covering her dead eye with a hoof as she pouted, “You’re as bad as he is, considering him a viable second in command rather than a glorified prop. Sandhedran is my real second in command, but there is only so much he can do without me there to back him up.”

“Fine..." He sighed, taking a few short, bitter moments to run his eyes over the mare, "I can’t wait until this is all over and we can work on the main event, rather than the preamble. You’re wasted out there.”

She turned her glowing eye to him, her voice sharp as steel, “Out there is where everything will be decided, you can't ignore it. Blood, and pain and death Silent Steel. You better make it worthwhile.”

___________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (16)

New Perk Added: Chain of Deals - "Networking is key"
Your understanding of friendship and trust allows you to exploit this for maximum political gains. Each favor you gain through services rendered also gives you a favor with one of their allies too.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.13 – Built for Destruction

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“Justicar, awake!”

Justicar shifted her body as the voice flowed through her, wings opening wide and muscles flexing. The alicorns around also fluttered their wings and whinnied as communion was achieved, a sense of mutual togetherness and understanding that filled them all with resolve and comfort. Justicar kept herself tense and taunt in order to centre her team, answering the voice as it continued to echo in their heads, “What is your wish Goddess?”

The voice sounded out again like a wave of understanding, a bright and beautiful musical tone rather than recognisable words, “A group of villages bands together against Red Eye! An example must be made! We have chosen one village, hosting a leader of this movement!”

Justicar nodded, knowing full well the fate that awaited those resisting salvation. They were doomed anyway, she only brought their end a little sooner. Still the reasons stuck in her throat a little, a note of anger that she knew was mirrored by the Goddess on some level, “Red Eye’s forces deserve nothing from us. They are without purpose, they can only destroy. They deserve justice more than anypony.”

She felt the Goddess shift slightly in agreement, still the reprimand came firmly, “That is because they do not yet have unity. Red Eye is worthy of our time, and he uses these lost, damaged souls in the same way I use you. Can you say many of those around you would be so productive without me?”

Justicar looked around at her fellow alicorns, looking nervous and twitchy under her judgement. She had chosen these specifically because they were weak willed and more susceptible to her limited physic abilities, allowing her to command them better in the field. Now she looked at them as more than simple weapons though... they sickened her. They did not believe in the Goddess, not really. They were just too weak to resist, “Why do we tolerate such.... sin? Do not they deserve to be punished?”

She felt parts of the Goddess sing in concert with her own will, most notably the sharp purple spike from which she was inspired, and the dull, dark green. Still they were quickly silenced by the unified tone of the Goddess united, “Even the weak may have purpose led by the strong. If they serve justices’ cause, may they not have mercy?”

“Mercy weakens us all. But I follow your command.” Justicar stated it firmly, feeling the harsh snap of the Goddesses’ disapproval at her stubbornness. Still that was why she had been allowed to keep her individuality, knowing that her desire for the wasteland to conform to her justice gave her strength and fury. She imposed the will of the Goddess and so advanced her cause, even if it was often due to her own desire, “I will fly there now. Do you wish a scorched earth?”

The Goddess responded with a single dark tone. It meant yes. Justicar smiled in satisfaction, expanding her wings and launching with one powerful thrust of her legs. The other alicorns quickly took flight behind, a mighty armada of living goddesses driven by an all powerful will. None could stand against the Unity.

The wasteland was always a saddening sight, no matter how many times Jusicar saw it. Dim memories of green fields and great forests passed through her memory, jabs of regret every time the ruined skeleton of some structure that had once dominated the landscape came into view. A fierce resistance to such nostalgia and melancholy kept a firm hold of the Goddess’s song; still it could not completely drown out the sadness. They all felt it. The Goddess had once lived her during her mortal life, once walked those green fields without care or fear of death.

She listened for news as she travelled, opening herself fully to the unity. Speaker had requested more alicorns for Red Eye’s forces, the Goddess’s response a reluctant affirmative. The Alicorn Hunter had been spotted near Manehatten, the Unity wavering between pursuit and avoidance. Nightseer had emerged from the Canterlot haze long enough to deliver a confused, incoherent message, which only served to increase the Goddess’s fears that their elder sister was not up to the task she had been given.

Singer was dead. She had a box car dropped on her by some random vault dweller. That was... upsetting. Singer had been an irreverent, discordant voice in the unity but she had added character and life to their music. Justicar had never liked her, but she was forced to admit her shock and dismay. She allowed her anger to play through her, swearing death and vengeance against this vault dweller as a smile etched across her features...

“Justicar! You already have a mission! Wipe these irrelevant thoughts from your mind!”

Justicar centred herself once more, chastised by the anger of the goddess. Being so discordant felt like a worthy tribute to Singer, still it was behaviour unworthy of her own role. This vault dweller had got lucky, and Singer had always trusted too much in her shields, failed to watch her flanks. It was not an issue worthy of one of the Goddess’s lieutenants.

The village finally came into view, Justicar ordering the other alicorn away and descending slowly as they broke formation to find hiding places nearby. She paused for a moment to check they were all well concealed before throwing her wings back and angling her body forward for a dash, sleek and powerful as the air broke before her. A nervous sniper took a shot and she twirled to avoid it, slowing her decent and opening her wings to parachute towards the main street. Another gunshot ran out and this she allowed to deflect off her shields, landing softly upon the dirt road with an imperious glare at the sniper who had dared attack her.

This place disgusted her. The town had been a pre-war farming hub once, a market, a hotel, a watering hole... now they were all burned out shells, the looted corpses of an old civilisation. These ponies were simply living in the blood and bodies of the old world, not even attempting to build homes of their own. It was lazy, morbid, perverse. She allowed her anger to feed her voice as she shouted out, “I wish to meet with your leader!”

She winced at the sound of her voice. Like most alicorn she felt very uncomfortable using physical speech, and her throat felt tight and dry. She only hoped she could adequately convey the authority of her position.

“I am here. State your business alicorn!” A robust looking earth pony wearing a vault suit and duster jacket stepped out into the street, soon followed by an expanding crowd of followers. Most of them were unarmed civilians, though a substantial number were armed and armoured for battle. They kept weapons on her as she advanced with slow cautious steps, the earth pony drawing a shotgun and pointing it at her head, “What does your Goddess want with us?”
“Peace.” She took another step forward, raising her head and glaring imperiously at the pony, “Would I come alone if this was an attack?”

“I don’t know. You alicorns have never been known to back down from any fight.” The earth pony let his shotgun drop, advancing on her with sure, confident steps, “Why does your goddess want peace now?”

“She has always wanted peace.”

“Really now?”

“Yes. And you will not stand against it.” Justicar took a step forward and rammed her horn into the pony’s chest, causing him to gasp in pain as she pierced his heart. She expanded her magic before anypony had a chance to react, blasting him into bloody pieces that rained down upon the crowds behind and sent them trampling each other in panic. The ponies in the building around fired, Justicar simply teleporting away as the bullets struck the ground.

She reappeared behind the two ponies in the building opposite, not giving the first a chance to react as she snapped his neck with a quick hoof strike. The second twirled with a yell of fear, she however seized the dead pony’s weapon with her magic and fired a bullet up through his chin with one quick movement. He dropped clean, dead before he hit the ground. She snorted and took hold of their grenades, scattering them to the crowds below before vacating through the back door. The screams had already started by the time she exited into the corridor.

A team rushed down the stairs as she advanced, she blinded them with a burst of light and dashed into the middle of their formation with a quick application of telekinesis. Once there they had no chance, trying to get their weapons to bear as she kicked and thrashed, striking each one down with all the fierce power of her alicornian heritage. She soon advanced past their shattered bodies, taking the grenades from their belts as she passed.

She emerged into air, stepping up to the edge of the building and smirking as bullets struck against her shield. She calculated the trajectory of each and fed it to her team, her alicorn sisters swooping past to descend upon the foolish ponies. She jumped from the rooftop and landed on the street below, taking some broken glass and flinging it at a fleeing group with enough force to tear them apart. She walked over to a mewling foal and silenced him with a stomp of her hoof, feeling but a slight tinge of regret. He would have turned out no better than any of the others.

“Is this your justice?”

Justicar turned, growling as a white figure disappeared into a nearby building. She kicked dust from her hooves as she tore off in pursuit, skidding to a stop outside and flinging a magical ball of blinding light into the darkened interior. It revealed nothing, just empty walls.

She advanced forward cautiously, keeping her shields at full power. She was confident in her power, still she was not arrogant in it. Singer had proven that even they could be killed, “Where are you!?”

“Cannot your Goddess tell you?”

Justicar realised to her terror that she could no longer feel her presence, no longer feel the unity. That... that was impossible! She almost panicked there and then, but was made of sterner stuff, “How... explain yourself or I will...!”

“Justicar?”

Justicar frozen as the scared, nervous voice sounded out behind her, feeling her heart beat ever faster in her chest. The voice was familiar, but she couldn’t remember from where! It was like a huge hole had been burned in her memories, Justicar turning with slow careful steps as she tried desperately to keep her composure.

It was an alicorn. It was... her. It took a moment before the name came to her, “Star Swirl?”

Star Swirl awoke with a scream, wrestling with her covers for a few brief moments before igniting her horn and flinging them away with enough force to tear the sheet in two. She charged through the floating fabric and slammed it to the ground with a hoof, her heart beating wild and terrified as she looked around desperately for some sense of her identity.

Her mind... she wanted to called herself Justicar, still expected the Goddess’s voice in her head. She couldn’t think straight, couldn’t stop the unwanted memories...

She charged into the bathroom, trying briefly to turn on the shower with her magic before giving up and simply using her hooves. It was a slightly fraught and clumsy effort but she soon managed, setting the shower’s temperature up to full and turning it to full power. It hit her in a burning torrent, searing her flesh red raw and sending pain lancing through her. She screamed at the impact and charged forward, ramming her skull into the wall and splitting her head open, blood spreading from the wound in a thick stream.

This... calmed her. The water burned into the open wound and she let the pain flow, the adrenaline easing her blood lust. She looked down at the flowing river of red and sighed deep, turning the temperature down to something sensible and just laying down to cry.

She emerged bedraggled and exhausted about fifteen minutes later, still finding it hard to concentrate but pretty sure she was Star Swirl, at least for the moment. She towelled herself down and walked over to the mirror, actually laughing at her huge, poofy state. She looked ridiculous, especially with the bags under her eyes and slightly wild expression. The ridiculous was reassuring. She was... Star Swirl. She was supposed to look ridiculous.

She wasn’t a virgin anymore. That wasn’t very Star Swirl.

She hadn’t really thought about it at the time, strangely enough. She wasn’t really thinking too clearly at all the previous night, and had fallen into unconsciousness pretty much as soon as her head had hit the pillow. She felt strangely unsatisfied that the moment hadn’t been more momentous after... well, her entire twenty three years worth of memory. That was embarrassing but true, she hadn’t had much time for it as the Justicar, and her few abortive attempts since had ended far short of anything she could reasonable boast as relevant sexual experience. She was an embarrassingly huge fan of ‘mare’s romance’ novels, but she was pretty sure that didn’t count.

She now could sit back and consider that it was a pretty terrible idea bringing an emotionally unstable virgin to a brothel, but had to admit it was kinda what she needed. She had spent so long nursing wistful crushes on impossible targets, feeling far too inadequate to ever even think about expressing those feelings. Those who had made advances on her she had run away from, terrified of disappointing them, of exposing her more feral self. She had only mustered the courage to admit her feelings for Zenai because she thought she had earned charity for saving her at Estelle.

That and... her actions there had made her think for a second that maybe her more feral self was not such a bad thing. That it had saved them.

Dust had made her feel like it wasn’t such a bad thing, both last night and back there at Estelle. She appreciated that. She appreciated the sentiment behind bringing her. He didn’t know her that well, didn’t have any obligation in his contract to help her with her emotional problems. He had taken a lot of time to make sure she was ok, forgiven her attempted rape with a wave of his hoof. It was almost enough to make her cry again. That a mercenary could be so... kind, when she had rarely stopped feeling judged and alone among the Followers. She wanted to do something for him too, but once again felt totally inadequate. What did he really want?

She sighed at her swirling feelings and moved to levitate her hair brush. Her magic barely managed a spark before dying.

Seriously? It had been six days since Estelle, during which she had applied the ointments and taken the potions no matter how foul or smelly. Magical burn out normally only lasted a couple of days, and even in the worst cases she should be feeling something by now.

But it wasn’t magical burn out. That was obvious now, even if it hadn’t been before. She had been electrocuted by bolts of dark magic, burned from the inside. Medical scans afterwards had confirmed that her regeneration was ensuring there was no scarring on any of her organs, still the nervous system damage was evident by the pain she was still getting from time to time. In a moment of extreme good fortune there had actually be a neurologist in the city trained in aliology, he however had just stared at the scans in fascination for several minutes before admitting that he had little idea what was trauma and what was the changes from her transformation into an alicorn. Neither Zenai, Fluttershy nor Steel Marrow had any greater knowledge of the subject, so it had been decided that she would wait a few more days to see if she would recover before her scans would be sent back to the NCR for specialist examination.

It was worrying and frustrating, in the same way as suddenly losing a forehoof. She felt clumsy and infuriatingly limited, and worse couldn’t really express those feelings in front of a zebra and earth pony. It wasn’t as if she was poor with her hooves, still everything just took so much longer. She was left staring at her reflection, willing herself to just get on with it for more than a minute before finally giving in and ringing the bell for a servant. If she was going to live in a palace she might as well enjoy the perks.

She had taken the time to enjoy her moment of decadence, spending several minutes talking up hair styling with the zebra servant before choosing a style ever so slightly more daring than what she was used to. After a short while of admiring it in the mirror she was eventually forced to admit that she was stalling, already dangerously late for their daily meeting at the veranda. And with good reason! She really didn’t want to face Zenai, have that incredibly awkward conversation. Really she just wanted to go home, not really seeing any point at all in staying. What was she trying to achieve here now?

Except for finding her cutie mark that is. She had almost forgotten about it, reluctant to bring it up with the others. It had seemed so selfish, trekking out into the wastes for her own benefit. She could have gone herself, her wings enabled her to travel with far greater speed on her own, but was aware that she was dangerously lacking in survival and combat skills. She would need the others’ help if she didn’t want to end up in some beast’s stomach.

She bunched up her courage as she trotted the corridors, resolute that she would bring it up this time. Maybe they couldn’t do it straight away, but if they were in the area…

Chigaru stepped out of a door in front of her, Star Swirl pausing with a little gasp of suprise as he turned his glowing visor to look at her. Her hoof wavered in front of her for a second before she finally found her tongue, voice wavering, “Um… good morning Chigaru…”

His voice was as silky smooth as ever, turning his black clad body to face her, “You’re late. I’m afraid Dusk Kicker has already fallen asleep.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help smiling. Just like an old grandpa, napping in the sun, “I am sorry, we were rather busy last night.”

“Oh… do tell?”

She frowned, not really ready to go into details with total strangers, “No… it’s nothing. Um…” She quickly tried to change the subject, “How are things going with Fluttershy?”

“Caesar seems very taken with her. Personally she seems so very… average to me.”

Star Swirl narrowed her eyes, “Average?”

Chigaru flexed, chuckling eerily as he stretched his neck muscles, “Meeting a member of the original elements of harmony might be exiting to you, but I’ve met them before. I fought against Rainbow Dash you know, I bit off her ear, she broke my back dropping me against a rock outcropping. Saw Twilight Sparkle in battle too, she used a mana amplifier to vaporize a whole unit of combat robots.” He snorted noisily into his respirator, his voice dripping with distain, “What does she have, her stare? Impressive, but limited.”

Star Swirl found this rather offensive on several levels. Really it figured that his favorite ministry mares would be Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, the two with the most raw power, “There’s more to being special than combat talent.”

Chigaru chuckled, his voice even more creepy for its forced pleasantries, “Ah yes, let’s count some of them. Average doctor, got an honorary degree in psychology for a paper she was a mere research assistant on, took all the credit for megaspells despite having nothing to do with their creation, and then caused the end of the world by handing them over to us.”

Star Swirl advanced, not about to put up with this. She did not take criticism of her Elders, “Shut up.”

Chigaru gave a hissing laugh, “Is that your best counter argument? I thought you would say something about her being a good pony.”

“She is a good pony.”

“Oh really? Element of Kindness?” Chigaru’s tone was breezy as he snarked, “Does that include ignoring your own family so much that your own husband divorces you and takes the kids, without even the slightest bit of resistance on your part? Or promptly sleeping with the girlfriend of one of your closest companions while he took a nap, and then lying about it to his face?”

Star Swirl… was lost now. She did what now? “What…?”

“Oh yes, that little rumor got lost to time didn’t it?” Chigaru snickered, “Well I look forward to spreading that one all over Equestria now we’re all such good pals. I’m sure her and Spike will love having that little blip in their relationship exposed for all to… oh, that took longer than I expected.”

Star Swirl leapt at him, ready to pin the little jerk to the floor and give him a little scare. She was certainly not expecting him to react in a blur of impossible speed, slipping past her extended hooves and planting his own lightly upon her chest. All he had to do was push, Star Swirl sent soaring down the corridor with a painful jerk at her sudden acceleration. She opened her wings and brought herself to a somewhat clumsy stop, landing upon her hooves and staring about for her aggressor.

He was gone, like he was never there. She looked down at her chest, already bruising slightly at his touch, realizing he must have sent her a good ten meters down the corridor with barely any effort at all. Star Swirl was starting to realize why he was Caesar’s top enforcer.

And he had wanted her to attack him, he wanted to show off his power. Star Swirl felt really stupid for having fallen for it, once again berating herself for having lost her temper so easily. What was wrong with her, that her first thought when being insulted was to threaten them with violence? Was it the stress? She certainly felt more emotionally unstable lately, it becoming more and more difficult to keep her emotions in check. She had always been emotional, one of the reasons why she wasn’t particularly popular and had acquired her hang ups about physical violence, still emotional outbursts like that were something she thought she had long put behind her.

She shook her head clear, just gritting her teeth and continuing on. She was late enough.

She froze up pretty much instantly as she exited onto the veranda, Zenai already there waiting. She was speaking to Dust Kicker, the two turning to face her as she stepped out. Zenai gave a sweet but somewhat nervous smile, Dust as casual and affable as ever, “Good morning. Took your time.”

“Yes, well...” She lowered her head, wondering if she should mention her little encounter. After a moment she realised she would rather talk about anything other than the events of last night, “I bumped into Chigaru.”

Dust grimaced, his feelings plain, “I’m sure that was a pleasant experience.”

“He threw me about thirty feet down the corridor with a single hoof.” She frowned for a second, not really wanting to repeat his lies about Fluttershy, “And he said... horrible things about Fluttershy.”

“Wait, he threw you?” Zenai gave her a concerned look, “And why was he assaulting you exactly?”

“Um... actually I... attacked him.”

Dust laughed, even as he tried to glare disapprovingly at her, “You know, for a pacifist you do show a worrying talent for getting into fights. How is that guard you headbutted last night?”

Star Swirl blushed deeply, all the more guilty for having forgot about that. She would have to check on him later, hoping she hadn’t seriously injured him or anything. Unlike the muggers he hadn’t done anything wrong other than try and stop her leaving, her horn clearly coming back from her headbutt covered in blood. It.... was worrying, “I think there’s something wrong with me.”

“I’d say.” Zenai fixed her with a questioning stare, “I’ve never known you to be so aggressive. It’s not a bad thing, but I’m worried you’re going to get yourself in trouble.”

“Like I did...” Star Swirl started the question before quickly shutting herself up, not wanting to talk about it now, “Um...”

“Like you did last night, yes.” Zenai finished her sentence with a sad tenderness, shaking her head as she moved over, “There’s nothing wrong with you Star Swirl, it was my fault. I lied to you, misled...”

“No.” Star Swirl shook her head as the pressure built up in her chest, not remotely in the mood for a pity party, “Zenai... I just want to put it behind us. Ok?”

“I... sure.” Zenai let her head drop, biting her lip, “Um... can we?”

“I don’t know.”

Zenai looked over to Dust Kicker for his opinion, the earth pony busy staring at his hooves with deep involved interest. She finally sighed, rubbing the side of her foreleg and doing the best she could, “Well I still care about you, and I’m still worried.”

Star Swirl thought it more likely she was worried about being responsible for what was happening, rather than Star Swirl herself. Cynical, maybe, but she couldn’t help it. She had seen Zenai’s manipulations first hand, “I’m more worried about you.”

“I can take it. I guess you can too. Um...” Zenai paused for a second before adding to her reply, “But while we’re talking about the oddness of the ponies around the palace... what do you know about Silver Scribe?”

Star Swirl shook her head, not very helpful on that front. Alicorn were a communal species, but she wasn’t the most sociable of them, “No much. She’s one of the Cathedral alicorn, second generation.”

Zenai nodded, lip curling in response, “Weren’t they all deformed and mentally disabled?”

Star Swirl grimaced, the subject bringing up ugly memories that she would rather forget. Some of the Followers of the Apocalypse had celebrated the failure of the Cathedral’s experiments, fearful that they were about to be beaten to the goal by a long standing rival. Star Swirl understood scorn, the Cathedral had used highly theoretical techniques on a species no pony knew much about, celebration however felt like dancing on the graves of dead alicorn children. She still remembered the faces of Noble Kismasis and Silver Tail, the two ‘faces’ of the experiment. None of their children had survived.

“Um... sorry Star Swirl. I know the alicorn get a little upset about that.”

Star Swirl shook her head, dislodging the bad feelings. It had only been four years later that the zebra had developed the male to female potion and a new, healthy set of alicorn children started to be born, though their low population, low fertility, female/male ratios and miscarriage rates still proved a significant challenge. And the cathedral’s experiments had resulted in four healthy alicorn children at least, Silver Scribe one of them, “Really, I don’t know much about her. She’s supposed to be very smart, and she’s close to Twilight Frost.”

Dust Kicker interjected, “She’s also loyal to Regina.”

“Yes. I think you would get along well with her Zenai, she’s supposed to be very idealistic and patriotic.”

Dust snorted in ‘not very amused’ amusement, “I’d question that... but why are you asking about her Zenai?”

Zenai frowned, “I think she broke into my room.”

“I caught her following you.” Dust noted soberly, “But she’s got every reason to mistrust us. I don’t like her, she’s arrogant, rude and rock headed, but I doubt she has any sinister intentions.”

“Really?”

Dust nodded emphatically, “Yes. I might be wrong, but it’s more likely she thinks we’re doing something wrong. If we keep our noses clean she shouldn’t be a problem.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help the worry and snark in her tone, “Do we keep our noses clean?”

Dust snorted, a grin spreading across his face, “Well I haven’t shot anyone I shouldn’t have.”

“And I’ve got nothing to hide.” Zenai spoke it emphatically, before amending her statement, “But I don’t like her sneaking around behind our backs.”

“Noted.” Dust stated, “But I think we’re going to have to take it.”

“Ugh...” Zenai smirked at Star Swirl, her eyes hooded, “So Star, headbutted anyone important?”

Star Swirl repressed the desire to kick the mare. Their all new, super mature relationship hadn’t lasted long, “You’re never going to let me forget that are you?”

“When you start beating up guards? No.” Zenai paused for a moment before chuckling to herself, “Though maybe I should ease up a little. I am small, and easily punted.”

Star Swirl glared, having considered that fact herself, “Yes you are.”

“Alright girls. Don’t make me have to separate you.” Dust grinned, shaking his head at the pair, “We really should be working out our next move. Caesar hasn’t got any jobs for us. I intend to check in with Fluttershy and Silent Steel for anything they need, but this is your mission too Zenai.”

Star Swirl fought against her own shyness and reluctance, a losing battle. Her plan sounded even more stupid and selfish now she had opportunity to state it, and Zenai quickly started listing off a series of political meetings and research projects that sounded much more worthy. She simply let her head fall after a moment, figuring it was a stupid idea anyway.

“Star Swirl, what did you want to do?”

She looked up at Dust, blushing at her mood being so easily noticed, “Uh... nothing.”

Dust frowned at her reluctance, giving her a gentle nod, “It’s not nothing Star Swirl. Tell us.”

“I...” She fought for the right words, eventually managing something fairly coherent, “Back at Star Fall, Sunshine Ivory told me about a place where I might be able to find something related to Celestia. I was hoping we... I could travel there, learn something about alicorns... about my cutie mark.”

Dust did not look approving, his eyes darkening with concern, “Sunshine Ivory, the Celestia Priestess?”

“Well... it actually sounds like a worthy idea.” Zenai spoke up suddenly, noting Dust and Star Swirl’s surprised expressions and explaining herself, “If we want to sell the benefits of an alliance, one of the best ways is to link it to our own history. With the rise of the NCR a lot of ponies are really hungry for knowledge of Equestria, finding something about Princess Celestia would be a great start.”

“I don’t know...”

“Why are you being so negative about it?” Zenai fixed him with a stare, “It sounds like a great idea to me. We’d be uncovering and documenting history, isn’t that part of what we’re here for?”

Dust continued to look reluctant, though his face was very slowly coming around, “Ok. I just... we should be very careful about getting involved in local politics, especially religious politics.” He looked up at Star Swirl, gently chastising, “I know you like Sunshine Ivory, but just be careful. She wants our support to advance her own agenda, that’s the only reason she was making nice.”

“Doesn’t everyone?” Zenai shrugged her shoulders, giving a dismissive snort, “You’re too paranoid Dust. Where is this place Star Swirl?”

“Um... the heart off the All-mother apparently.” Star Swirl wondered if that was going to be a problem, not even sure where exactly it was supposed to be, “Apparently she’s out in the desert nearby.”

“I know where she is, you can see her from the top of the palace.” Zenai considered this for a moment before smiling and gesturing with a hoof, “Even better. It’s not far and it’s also a chance to learn more about zebra religion at the same time.”

Dust nodded, though he still looked a little reluctant, “Ok, sure. I’ll see if Oteka can give us any advice about getting there, maybe some transport.”

Star Swirl nodded, understanding Dust’s reluctance and grateful that he was doing it anyway. Honestly if she didn’t know Sunshine Ivory personally she would have been suspicious too, it seemed like everypony else in the wasteland wanted something from them, “Thank you.”

“No problem...” Dust suddenly paused, stepping over to the balcony with a concerned expression. Star Swirl followed him, her eyes soon picking up the objects on the horizon. They looked like airships, of an enclave design but painted in NCR colours. She wasn’t an expert on airship design unfortunately. Dust however was obviously a little more familiar, “Those are cargo transport ships...”

Zenai widened her eyes, “From the NCR?”

“Perhaps.” Dust turned to her, “Let’s get down to the harbour, if it’s who I think it is they’ll want to see us.”

“You called them here?”

“Yeah.” Dust cantered down the street behind them, a satisfied smile spread across his face, “I wanted to make sure Star Fall didn’t get too tight a grip of the trade between the NCR and zebra territories. Best idea I ever had, with this whole thing between Star Fall and Caesar we need an independent trade company.”

Zenai looked over to him, “You know ponies in the Far Go company?”

“Worked with them quite a few times. A mare called Daisy there, she’s an old friend. Asked them to put her in charge of this expedition.”

They turned a corner and Star Swirl stared in wonder at the sight before them, the docks already set up with a miniature market selling goods of all kinds. She was pretty sure you couldn’t just barrel into a foreign country and just take over a street like this, still the guards were all either standing around looking confused or checking out the merchandise themselves. Dust seemed to spot something and ran ahead, Star Swirl following. A familiar looking hellhound was scowling at the unfolding events, zebra giving the dangerous looking creature a wide berth. He turned his head as they approached, waving a clawed hand at the market, “Keesar innot gonna be impressed by thizz. Misses Fluttershy alridy trying to calm things down, but gonna cost NCR lots of caps.”

“Hopefully they’ll be donating some.” Zenai looked down at the market stalls, hundreds of zebras looking over the wares with keen interest, “They’re making cash hoof by hoof down there.”

“Thinks not, dealt with their ‘prezzident’ befores. But why don’t you try talkings to them?” Steel Marrow gave a dismissive wave and returned to his lounging position, eyes hooded by his frowning brow, “Had enough of these fools for lifetimes.”

Dust mirrored the hellhound’s expression, looking rather concerned as he turned to the others and nodded towards the bustling market, “Come on, let’s see if we can find Daisy.”

They headed down towards the back of the makeshift market, where most of the unloading and accounting was taking place. With Zenai’s officious bluffing, Dust’s intimidation and her own... alicorness they managed to easily get past the guards, Dust’s eyes lighting up as they approached a large wooden table stacked with ledgers and a hastily deployed computer system and generator. Several ponies stood around with clipboards and binders, the central figure however was a middle aged female donkey in a smart suit and tie, her expression angry and her hair pulled into a tight bun. Dust raised his hoof as they approached, “Daisy!”

Her eyes flicked to the pony, both relief and little bit of guilt in her expression as she realised who it was. She raised a hoof as she moved over, drawing herself up officiously before the mercenary, “Dust Kicker. Don’t start pinning anything on me alright? I’m just trying to apply a tiny shred of organisation to this chaos.”

He raised an eyebrow in return, “Not your call to set up this... little market then?”

“No it was not.” She snarled, returning to the screen in front of her, “I advise you to follow the sound of screaming mares and shameless self promotion.”

The others just frowned in confusion, Star Swirl however did as she was told and tried to filter out some of the noise that surrounded them. All her senses were sharper than the average pony, another advantage to being an alicorn, and after a little while she was able to pick out some sort of speech going on at the other end of the market. She quickly opened her mouth to speak, “I think...”

“You want the one in charge of this disaster?” Daisy lifted her head again, glaring at the three of them before nodding in the direction Star Swirl was about to recommend, “He’s over that way. Do me a favour and get him down from that soap box already.”

Dust nodded grimly and set off, Star Swirl wanting to protest for a moment or two before realising there wasn’t much point. She followed mutely as they rounded the crowds, soon hearing a single voice rising above the crowd...

“That’s rightv folks, tax free and discounted for today only, all the wonders of Equestria! Potions and lotions from the Angel Hills, guns from the forges of Fillydelphia! Want to track your relatives in Equestria? We have genealogy experts with records from all the zebra vaults, ready and waiting to aid you in your search!”

Star Swirl’s height gave her an advantage, she saw him first. She was embarrassed to say she actually flushed a little as she spotted the young griffon standing upon the podium, his expression full of arrogant confidence as he gestured wildly at the crowd before him. He was, she was embarrassed to say, gorgeous, his feathers coloured and brushed in bold, aggressive patterns, his body slim and carefully toned. He was wearing a slick, modern cut business suit that was obviously custom made for him, holes in the fabric allowing his powerful wings full range of moment.

She... was finding her thoughts drifting back to Zenai’s comments about griffons back on that ship. It only worried her further, wondering if the zebra was becoming a bad influence. Seriously, it was like all she could think about at the moment was... affection.

Or violence. That realisation didn’t make her feel any better.

“Shit in a basket... recognize him Zenai?”

“Yeah, I recognise him. Not that he’s ever made an attempt to be anonymous.” Zenai spoke up in reply to Dust’s question, averting her gaze with a look of sincere distaste, “That’s Arick Grimfeathers.”

Arick? Star Swirl took another look, never having been as into gossip magazines as Zenai. So that was what he looked like? She was starting to realise how he always seemed to end up linked to so many mares who should really know better, Star Swirl doubted she could resist. But what was he doing here?

“So, I guess you dudes must be the diplomatic mission. Zenai, Star Swirl and Dust Kicker right?”

They all turned to the side, where a young pony stood gazing up at them with a look of bored disinterest. He was slim and undeveloped, looking to be between thirteen and fifteen years of age, wearing a pair of insufferably fashionable sunglasses that made his inscrutable expression even harder to read. Dust Kicker observed him suspiciously for a moment or two, it was Zenai however who identified this one, “Ace Gold?”

“My name.” The pony’s expression barely moved, “Haven’t answered my question yet.”

Zenai bristled slightly, “Yes, we’re the diplomatic mission.”

The pony pouted slightly, observing them for a moment before returning once more to his bored indifference, “Heard the Followers kicked you out.”

Star Swirl gave Zenai a nervous look, the zebra indeed incensed by Ace Gold’s behaviour. In fact she almost snarled her reply, “Your mother told you that?”

“My sister told me that.” He gave them a dismissive frown, “Been there, brought the t-shirt lady.”

Star Swirl bit her lip, really not wanting to get into this subject. She quickly tried to derail the conversation, “You’re leading this trade mission?”

“Deputy director, yeah. The big dude is...”

There was a flurry of wings and a crash as Arick Grimfeathers landed beside the pony, muscles flexing as he took the full force of his impact on his legs and heaved himself back up with a large, arrogant grin. His front claw extended outwards and grasped the first hoof in range, Star Swirl feeling like a deer in the headlights as his talons wrapped around her foreleg and shook it aggressively, “Arick Grimfeathers, pleased to meet ya all! You must be the ambassadors I’ve heard so much about, Star Swirl, Dust Kicker and Zenai right?”

Star Swirl blinked, feeling her face flush as he looked straight at her. He... was still very good looking, “Um... yes...”

“A pleasure!” He grabbed Dust and Zenai’s hooves in quick succession, broad grin never fading as he span about and gestured towards the market behind, “How’s this for a first impression? Get them in their pockets, got them in their hearts!”

Star Swirl wasn’t quite sure what was going on, voice freezing in her throat. Fortunately Zenai was on the ball, “Caesar’s not going to be happy. You’re blocking the port, and I bet you haven’t paid customs on any of this.”

Arick waved her off, head angled proudly, “I have a sack of grade A gemstones that will compensate him for his trouble. It was worth it, can’t get greater impact than this. Zebra will be talking about it for years to come, no greater start to the Arick brand!”

Dust chuckled softly, “You’re a brand now?”

“We’re all a brand my brother.” Arick grinned wide, waving a claw about himself, “And here is where we find it. A brave new world, ready for a charming adventurer with a quick wit and a quicker gun. Am I right?”

“A long way from your mother and grandmother?” Zenai snarked, looking down at the silent Ace Gold beside him, “And from your parents?”

Ace Gold’s expression didn’t shift, “You never got tired of being a zebra? Or an alicorn?”

“What’s wrong with being a zebra?”

Ace Gold shrugged, “Nothing, providing you’re a drug addict, pony hating villian, emotionally scarred heroine, leader of the elements of harmony or alchemist.”

Dust Kicker smiled, “It’s hardly just the zebra who have expectations of behaviour placed upon them.”

“I guess. And it must have been easy for her.” Ace Gold looked Zenai straight on, his voice firmly deadpan, “Huh Zephyr?”

“Wrong heroine.” Zenai smirked, “You wouldn’t have heard of her. Before your time kid.”

“Hey, let’s not fight!” Arick gave a wide, beaming grin as he separated the two with an extended wing, looking chastisingly towards Ace Gold, “You need to play nice with our guests Ace. The point however remains. This is a place of new beginnings.”

This actually lodged in Star Swirl’s heart, though she actually felt it was the reverse of what Ace had said. She wasn’t tired of being a alicorn, she wanted to learn how to be an alicorn. Zenai... she was looking for a new start, that was true. Much like Dust Kicker, Star Swirl was pretty sure the zebra yearned for the days of heroics and the wild frontier, stifled by her natural skills leading her more towards a life of quiet scholarship, “I think you are right about that.”

Arick grinned at her, even as Zenai frowned in disapproval. Arick was already on her however, lunging forward and pulling her close to press tightly into his side as he waved across the bustling market, “I knew you would understand! Bound by the unity, seen by so many as mere clones of one another, expected to serve quietly and never to lead?”

Star Swirl wouldn’t have put it like that, but... yes. Even Dust had complained that all alicorns tended to be pretty similar, and she always hated how insular they were. Thunder Crash for instance was a big deal among the alicorns, probably one of the most important ponies involved in their breeding programs. Despite this she doubted she’d be able to find more than a dozen ponies not intimately involved in the subject who would have a clue who he was. They just didn’t... advertise themselves, “I don’t want to lead... but I would like to be noticed. For who I really am...”

“And it’s the same for you I suppose.” Zenai locked eyes with Arick, the zebra really seeming prickled by Ace’s taunts for some reason. She stuck her nose up, her stare hot with suppressed rage, “You hate everypony seeing your mother or grandmother when they look at you. Poor little rich kid, heir to one of the most powerful families in the NCR, woe are you. There, I’ve pre-empted your little speech.”

Star Swirl gritted her teeth, her issues with Zenai surfacing once more. She briefly remember her thoughts about her unusual anger and aggression and whether she should be indulging it, still they were swiftly pushed aside. Some zebra deserved a little aggression.

Fortunately she was still preparing herself to reply when Arick did it for her, simply smiling genially as he spoke, “You have a strange view of power. My family has never had power, never been in control of their destiny.”

Zenai hesitated a moment, stopped in her tracks, “But... she’s the leader of the NCR.”

“Because she was asked to run. She was happily taking some time out to raise my sister when those councillors outright begged her to run for office, trying to guilt trip her with tales of the NCR falling apart if she refused.” He smirked bitterly, “My grandmother? Little Pip asked her to form the NCR, forced her to babysit a bunch of bickering foals until her health finally gave out. My grandfather and uncle both died fighting on the behalf of others.”

Dust frowned, a mark of regret in his eyes, “Your grandfather was fighting for Regina and Kage, carving out a territory to raise his children.” He paused for a second before sighing and shaking his head, “But I can see your point. That’s why Regina was considered for the Element of Generosity after all.”

“Of course. And I admire her for that. And maybe I’m a lesser griffon for having no intention of living for others, dying for others.” Arick chuckled, stroking his chin with a long sharp claw as he looked across at Dust Kicker, “You sound like you knew my grandfather.”

“I thought everyone knew. I ran with the talons back in the day, was with your grandfather when he died.”

Star Swirl was... a little impressed. Dust knew Gaud? That was something to boast about, to the point she was honestly confused as to why she hadn’t heard it before. She had heard he had run with the talons of course, but she hadn’t known they were those talons.

“I heard something about that...” Arick considered it for a moment before just shaking his head and giving a deep belly laugh, “Well I’ve taken enough of your time, and you’ve likely taken enough of mine. Tell Caesar that I’ll work things out with him later.”

Zenai huffed for a moment or two before reluctantly nodding her head, “Sure. Just behave yourself.”

“Always!”

The moved apart, Star Swirl taking one last look behind before heading out after the others. She speeded her pace to draw equal with Dust, biting her lip as she considered her question. Eventually she just had to ask, “You knew Regina’s family?”

“Oh please, don’t.”

“Um... not a happy memory?”

“Not really.” Dust sighed, shaking his head, “I was young, looking for... redemption, a cause, a home... something. Not a good time in my life, and the Talons were an attempt to change that.”

Star Swirl bit her lip, not really wanting to hear the end to this story. Still she honestly wanted to understand Dust a little more, feeling this might be the key to that, “What happened?”

“Watched most of them die. Achieved very little. Didn’t make me feel any better about myself.” Dust sighed deep, “Came back, asked the girl I liked to shack up with me.”

“What was her answer?”

“She pistol whipped me.”

Star Swirl frowned in consternation. Dust looked honestly heartbroken at the memory, “Why?”

“Because I was the one who got her husband killed.” Dust chuckled, looking up at her with a sad smirk, “Yeah, I deserved that pistol whip. I was young and stupid, even if I truly wanted to keep her safe and happy.”

Star Swirl... paused for a second. Eventually she had to ask, even if it broke her head just thinking about it, “Was the girl... Gaud?”

“Don’t start making a big deal of it. She broke a whole lot of hearts, if you hadn’t noticed she was quite the girl.”

“You... could have been Regina’s stepfather!”

“I could have been the element of magic, talked Red Eye into bed and become the new goddess while wearing nothing but a tutu. Debating possibility is an idiot’s game.” Dust sighed, nodding her forward, “Now come on, you want to get on with this dragon skeleton thing or not?”

“Um...” She stopped in place as she considered that question, wanting nothing more than to continue, make Dust feel a little better like he had done for her. But... she didn’t have anything to say. She... was just a child.

“Balloon for a pretty mare? It will make you feel better, promise.”

Star Swirl turned to the source of the voice, a kindly looking yellow and pink unicorn stallion in a rather old fashioned tweed suit. He was levitating a set of cheerful looking balloons, handing them out to a set of cheering zebra children that were gathered around him. She blushed a little at her frustration being noticed, “Um... sure.”

He chuckled and levitated a balloon over, bright pink and sparkly, Star Swirl unable to stop herself from trembling and giving a little yelp as he wrapped it around her horn with his telekinesis. She fumed as her wits returned, moving to yell at him... before noticing the children around him rolling around on the floor in peals of laughter. She pouted, looking up at the pink balloon floating above as it bobbed and tugged irritatingly against her horn. The pony laughed, his tones warm and musical, eventually extending a kindly smile, “You looked like you had a dark cloud above your head.”

She frowned sadly, “It’s not me... it’s my friend. I don’t know how to make him happy.”

“Then maybe he should have a balloon too? What is his favourite colour?”

“Um...” Star Swirl tried to think of any he had expressed preference for in the past, “...um... brown?”

The pony chuckled, levitating over an orange one and tying it around her foreleg, “He is a proud earth pony, an orange one will suit him I think.”

Star Swirl took another look at the pink above, still pulling against her horn, “And I’m Pinkie Pie?”

The pony laughed joyfully, waving a hoof to her, “Look at the sparkles my friend! That is Queen Cadance.”

“Oh...” Star Swirl blushed fiercely now, though felt a big smile creep across her face just the same. Cadance... she could do Cadance. Just below Celestia, just above Luna, who’s glowering, fiercely controlled moodiness Star Swirl doubted she could pull off without looking like a sulky teenager. Cadance was good, “Um... thank you...”

The stallion simply laughed at her embarrassment, alongside his gaggle of kids. He brought himself under control and simply gave her a big smile, sweeping into a fine bow, “Always a pleasure, I told you a nice balloon can brighten your day.”

The guards at the palace told her that Dust Kicker and Zenai had gone looking for a guide upon her arrival, Star Swirl briefly considering joining them before figuring there wasn’t a lot she could do to help. Besides, recent events had reminded her of a way she could perhaps assist, contacts she had made herself in the zebra lands. Admittedly one of those recent events was her... experience last night, bringing to mind her earlier fantasies about Ember and Sunshine Ivory. She realised it was a childish infatuation, still maybe there was a way she could indulge herself and possibly defuse this situation between Star Fall and the Golden Coast at the same time.

She informed the guards to contact Dust and Zenai with her location before heading off to the communications room, keying in the code she had been given and waiting for a response. It didn’t take long, Sunshine Ivory’s honey tones soon sounding out, “Star Swirl, is that you?”

Star Swirl felt her heart bounce a little, a smile spreading across her muzzle, “Yes, it’s me.”

“My dear, are you ok?”

She sounded concerned, “I’m... fine? Why wouldn’t be?”

“I heard about Estelle, you were there weren’t you? I’ve been so worried!”

Star Swirl bit her lip, wondering what Sunshine Ivory had heard exactly. It hadn’t exactly gone well out there, “Yes... I was.”

“What happened?”

Star Swirl was eager to set the record straight, “Some mercenaries killed everyone there, tried to blame it on Caesar!”

“Really? Do you know who they truly worked for?”

Did she? Did she really? “Zenai told me... it was Themba. She intercepted a communication between him and Abartili.”

Sunshine Ivory paused at this information, a long silence that was finally broken with a single question, “Are you sure?”

Sunshine Ivory sounded pained, as well she should. Star Swirl trusted Zenai’s judgement, but she hadn’t heard the communication herself, “No, but I know it wasn’t Caesar, and the pictures the mercenaries took ended up in Star Fall’s propaganda.”

“Ok...” Sunshine Ivory paused for a moment in thought, “I will try to follow this up on my end. My dear, I beg you, please be careful. There are ponies out there with dark agendas, and I would hate to see you caught up in them. If anything changes on your end, anything, please inform me.”

Star Swirl was only too glad to have somepony to ask for advice, “Of course.”

“What is Caesar planning to do?”

Star Swirl hesitated, still she needed to know, “He wanted to invade Star Fall. He was convinced he didn’t have the troops however.”

“Really? Then things are worse than I thought.” She paused for a moment to think, “Have you gone to the bones of the all-mother yet?”

Star Swirl wasn’t sure how that was relevant, “We’re going to go today.”

“Good. Maybe some of the artefacts there will give you the authority to take charge of the situation, stop this war before it begins.”

Star Swirl felt herself go pale, “Me?”

“You are an alicorn dear. Leadership is in your blood.”

Star Swirl... felt that was inaccurate. Servitude was in her blood. Killing thousands of sentient creatures, whether for Equestria or the Goddess was in her design. Leadership was very much a secondary goal, “I really don’t think...”

“Whatever happens there Star Swirl, don’t hesitate.” Sunshine Ivory’s tones turned unexpectedly hard and forceful, the gravity clear, “I believe you have the ability to change the course of this situation, and that failing to act will be on your head. You wish to be like Celestia and the princesses of old? I cannot do that for you Star Swirl, I can only point the way.”

Star Swirl swallowed her fear, her words blatant, ugly lies, “O... okay. I understand.”

She only hoped that whatever was there would be really inspiring.

Unfortunately Oteka was also out of the city, meaning their main contact within the military was gone. It was some time before Dust and Zenai could find somepony who wasn’t too busy or too green to help, Star Swirl meeting up with the pair as they set off to meet the zebra whose name they were finally given.

The zebra certainly looked the part, worn and rugged, and came highly recommended. He lifted a lazy eye to them as they approached him, leaning back on the stool he was perched on and lifting his half dismantled rifle onto his knee, “You looking for me?”

“Sergeant Traigous right?”

“Traig will do fine.” He lowered his head to his gun, slipping the pieces together with calm, agile hooves, “I guess you want to know about the wilderness.”

Zenai nodded, “They all said you know more about it than anyone.”

“In the city? Possible. And they’re the only ones who really count aren’t they?” Traig propped his rifle against the table beside, his voice quiet and resigned, “You’ve likely been told about how there’s nothing out there but bloodthirsty tribals raiding for scraps of food? That they all live in mud huts?”

Dust nodded carefully, “Something like that.”

“Don’t judge the whole of the golden coast by Demonivore. This city is great indeed, but the others along the golden coast have long since been ruined by time, warfare and looting. For the most part his citizens live in poorly constructed and widely spaced villages, same as out there.”

Dust brushed his chin with a hoof, “So the cities are abandoned?”

“The golden coast relies on agriculture, which means the cities hold little of interest. They were pretty extensively looted long ago.” Traig sighed, giving them a sharp frown, “Places tend to be full of monsters now. It’s actually illegal to venture inside without a damn good reason, lost too many zebra that way.”

Dust motioned with a hoof, “And out there in the wasteland? There must be cities there too.”

Traig snorted, “Well, there’s the capital. Few have been able to reach it, so they say it is mostly intact. Not any place anyone wants to live though.”

“That’s actually one of our destinations eventually.” Zenai spoke up, nose crinkling, “Is it really that bad?”

Traig grimaced, “No one really knows. From the air... no, in fact many say it’s surprisingly intact for a city hit by three separate megaspells. But those who go there tend to disappear, and eventually we just all learned to avoid the place.”

Star Swirl really didn’t like the idea of going there before, now it was even worse. She was a logical pony, at least she thought so, but the place sounded like a ghost city. Some lost, cursed edfice, where the ghosts of the cursed dead suddenly reared out of the darkness to consume your soul... she felt the sudden urge to change the subject before she really freaked herself out, “Anywhere else?”

“Well there’s Garm... supposedly.”

Star Swirl frowned alongside Zenai, Zenai as normal getting the first word, “Isn’t that a myth? Some kind of storytale city filled with witches?”

“It was a real city, though I can’t tell you whether all you’ve heard is true.” Traig sniffed, “As far as I can tell it was a subject of considerable fantasy even before the war.”

Star Swirl thought back to what she knew about the place, a rather difficult proposition given it was so pervasive a trope in zebra fiction that they didn’t even bother to explain it most of the time, “It was... the last zebra city during the cataclysm. The heroes that eventually ended it trained there, and ever since it was a place where the greatest of shamans were taught. The Shamans of Garm were famed for roaming the land, righting wrongs and tracking down demons.”

“More or less.” Traig nodded, continuing with his explanation, “It’s true that it’s the oldest surviving zebra city, and that it dates back before the star demons fell. It also housed a great training facility for shaman, those taught there were always greatly respected.”

Zenai frowned, leaning forward, “And... it’s still there?”

“The city took a direct hit from a megaspell according to what records still exist. Every so often some shaman comes out of the wasteland claiming to have trained there, or some madman raves about having seen it intact. I very much doubt those rumours or true, and even if they are its likely just ruins inhabited by some scavengers with delusions of grandeur.” Traig shook his head, “Same with the other cities. There’s only a few settlements out there that are really important enough to note, trading posts and the strongholds of local warlords.”

Star Swirl suddenly realised why the name Garm had caught her interest, “Does the name... um... Tandia of Garm mean anything?”

Traig’s expression clearly showed that it did, both annoyed and a little suspicious, “She’s one of the big leaders out there, I know that much. Don’t hear much out of her, she rules in the far east, she’s mostly concerned with survival and security.”

Star Swirl filed that information away for later, Tandia being one of the three possible zebra who Blaze told her could help with her cutie mark. She sounded a long way away, but she seemed worth the visit. Blaze told her she was the most powerful living Shaman, could that mean she was really from Garm? That it survived? That was worth following up, “And... Caesar of the East? Where does he fit in?”

“He’s some kind of religious nutjob living in an abandoned research facility.” Traig gave a dismissive snort, “Not nearly as influential as some zebra would like you to believe.”

“They’re organised into separate warlords then?”

“Pretty much.” Traig lifted his head as he tried to remember them, “Anatu was a big deal once, but we beat him so hard on his last raid that he’s lost a lot of territory and influence. Most of it was eaten up by some zebra calling himself Starhammer, your normal ‘chosen one’ egomanic dictator type. Nanati is one of the few we occasionally deal with peacefully, she and her family occupy the border into camel lands, bring in a lot of trade. They’re fair, but ruthless with those who cross them. Sequesta is like Tandia, mostly concerned with survival. He occupies the area where the capital is located, filled with monsters and mountains, boasts about his tribe’s ability to live off the harshest of lands. The Mutum on the other hand are ruled by a council, they’re a non-violent, farming people protected by the favour of the Caesar of the East.”

Dust chuckled, “Should I be taking notes?”

“For the most part they’re interchangeable. None are too friendly to ponies, or any intruders in their territories.”

“And the tribe in control where we’re going?”

Traig frowned, “Well there’s the thing. Used to be a tribe called the Entitidi, brutal raiders, hated Caesar with an obsessive passion. Pretty much our main military threat, near every solider in the army had a rotation against them.” He looked up at the three of them, pausing dramatically for a few seconds before continuing, “And then their leader and all his lieutenants were slaughtered one day, whole camp up in flames. Over the next few weeks it continued, those with rank assassinated, bands turning on each other, supply caravans disappearing... at this point the Entitdi have ceased to exist, and any tribe trying to take over has been pushed back with the same tactics.”

Star Swirl didn’t like the sound of that. In fact it sounded worse than having to deal with a mere band of tribals, they at least they could understand, “Then who was behind it?”

“Sounds like a independent agency.” Dust spoke up, his head bowed in thought, “Someone with a grudge against the Entitidi. Whoever it was has made no move to announce their rule?”

Traig shook his head, grim faced, “Those escaping the area say that whoever it is has recruited an army of children, and uses them to raid the surrounding villages for food and supplies. Several children have been reported to have been outright kidnapped, their parents nailed up outside their homes. Whoever it is must be incredibly powerful, villages who have tried to resist inevitably get destroyed in a single night.” He gave them a grimacing look, lip curling, “But they haven’t made a single threatening move towards us yet, and I doubt they would be interested in you either. So long as you’re not flying a tribal flag the roads have been safer in that area than they have been for years.”

“Children huh? And specifically targeting parents, and the authorities...”

Zenai looked over to Dust, eyebrow raising, “You sound like you know something Dust.”

He smiled, shaking his head, “I don’t know anything. But it reminds me a little of Red Eye in his early days, that crazy monk Raining Leaves a few years back, Sweet Smile and the rest of the screwball conspiracy. You know, crusading types with delusions of divinity. Keeping everyone scared, recruiting those easily manipulated, keeping their true identity and motives secret...”

“Yes, well you just keep away from them.” Traig gave them a warning glare, “We don’t want to rile them up, so far they’ve done their best to keep away from us. I’d like to do the same.”

“Fair enough.” Dust stated, “Anything else to watch out for?”

“There’s the lost legion, which are pretty much the same deal. Leave them alone, they’ll do you the same courtesy”

Star Swirl’s ears pricked up at the evocative name, always having a weakness for a good story, “Lost Legion? Why are they lost?”

“Been lost ever since the megaspells fell.” Traig looked a little regretful as he turned back to his rifle, absent mindedly rolling a feeding tube across the table, “You know that the zebra used a lot of robots in their army yes?”

Star Swirl nodded, “To make up for their lower population.”

“That, and the metals in the zebra land made for sturdier construction, and zebra alchemy is perfect for placing enchantments upon them.” Traig turned his eyes up at the group, “Whole legions of them were created for use in the most dangerous environments, backed up by small teams of zebra maintenance and command staff. The lost legion was one of them.”

Dust as normal figured it out pretty quickly, “The zebra all died when the megaspells fell, leaving them without any orders.”

“Actually, they did.” Traig stared into the distance, “They’re not too friendly, but over time the robots have revealed that their last orders were to maintain and sustain their numbers, scavenge for supplies as needed, and hold position around their command station until further orders came in from headquarters.”

Zenai looked sad at the idea, worry soon creeping into her expression, “And those orders will never come... are they hostile?”

“Generally no. They don’t like anyone poking around their business however, though reluctant to expand ammunition and risk damage they will open fire if they are approached.”

Star Swirl felt her heart speed just a little, “Just approached?”

Traig snorted, “Well, back in the day quite a few zebra came up with the grand idea of hitting them with close range EMP blasts and dragging them off to sell. As you can imagine they caught on pretty quick, and it certainly didn’t do anything for our relations.”

“You talk like they’re intelligent, have emotions.” Dust gave him a questioning look, “Do they?”

Traig thought for a second, eventually just shrugging his shoulders, “I don’t know, only spoken with them a couple of times. They’ve occasionally made strong relationships with merchants and travelling mechanics, those who deal with them a lot always seem to speak of them like they’re capable of real emotion. Ironically considering their original purpose they’ll likely be the least aggressive and dangerous faction out there for you, they’ve never expressed any problem with ponies. You might even be able to trade and get directions from them if you’re careful.”

Dust nodded in gratitude, “We intend to be. Thank you Traig.”

“No problem. Don’t get killed out there.”

They set out in the early morning, calculations indicating they might be able to reach the site of the fallen dragon by the late evening. Dust was less convinced, but had picked out a campsite where they could safely sleep before continuing on the next day if needed. Star Swirl was carrying most of the food and supplies, leaving Dust free to protect them from any danger, and Zenai had a full stocked medical kit and her plasma pistol holstered for quick draw. Caesar had given them transport to the edge of his territory at least, a big old battered APC, the areas eaten away by rust or damage reinforced with new sheets of armour plating and a heavy machine gun mounted on top. It wasn’t comfortable, especially for Star Swirl, but she had to admire how quietly the engine ran and how well it ran along the bumpy path. The driver, a dirt covered zebra called Gora, was quite obviously proud of the chance to show off the machine. Apparently this was a zebra personnel transport that had been quite successful during the war, designed to take their troops through the more mountainous and impassable areas to deploy surprise attacks. As such it was rugged enough to survive two hundred years of storage, and the discovery of a whole fleet of them was one of the reasons Caesar’s father managed to outmaneuver Star Fall.

The route was interesting as well, heading right through the heart of the farms outside the city. It was all very fairly low tech but it was well organized and well built, the irrigation channels clean and even and the crops all arrayed in neat lines. Caesar’s troops were thick throughout the area, obviously to discourage thievery and raiders, and a fort would rear up every so often, its thick concrete walls and gunports making it a perfectly place to fall back and hold the area until reinforcements could arrive. Dust eventually questioned the lack of large armaments, Star Swirl looking again to confirm his observation that most of the weapons out here were low caliber anti-personnel weapons.

“Never seen a tribal with anything bigger than a dune buggy. Only places that have armour are Star Fall and Camels, neither could attack from east without notice.”

“Hmm.” Dust looked over in interest, “The camels are militarily powerful?”

Gora chuckled, “Still kept factories after war, produced many new weapons. Camels like to feel safe, surround themselves with lots of guns.” The zebra shrugged his shoulders, “Divided. Most camel do not trust others of their kind. This is good. Together they would crush us.”

Star Swirl felt a flicker of nervousness, “Should we be worried about their reaction to Estelle?”

“Abartili not camel, no family ties to anyone else. Will make others nervous yes, many will lose money and place blame on us. Maybe demand recompense in time. But they are not well versed in war, and would not risk opening themselves up to rivals.”

Star Swirl just hoped they would never have reason to unite then. Much the same had been said of the zebra once, their nation hopelessly divided and in political deadlock. All it took was the right charismatic pony, at exactly the right time, with the right message. Friendship was magic after all.

The farms and villages continued to pass and Star Swirl was forced to admit that when they had first set out from Equestria Star Swirl had suspected that this Caesar would indeed be just another wasteland warlord, entirely dependent on raiding and scavenging to survive. Star Swirl still didn’t like nor trust Caesar, still he was at least trying to create a peaceful society. Without the Gardens of Equestria and sandwiched between two well armed and aggressive neighbours, he had still managed to create a thriving system of agriculture and well trained, well organised army. Like a Red Eye of agriculture really, though that wasn’t a naturally flattering comparison. She had to admit that it was one which came easily though...

Maybe that was unfair. She hadn’t seen Caesar do anything wrong yet. She just... didn’t trust him. Was it just that she was jealous that he was prettier than her? Was she some kind of bigot, who recoiled at his rather fae mannerisms? Was it some sort of sixth sense?

She didn’t know, but she decided to hold onto that mistrust for now, just in case.

The limits of his territory soon came into view, the wire fence stretching out across the border and a well staffed fort standing opposite a rudimentary guard post. Zebra guards waved them onwards as they approached, large calibre machine guns tracking their progress as they rolled up. Star Swirl stepped out of the APC as she stretched her back, glad to be out in the open. Those things hadn’t been designed for ponies her size.

They said their thank you’s and set out for the check point, the guards giving their ID’s a quick check before waving them through. Obviously they had been phoned ahead, or border security was far less a concern than defense. The mountains rose before them, a vast dusty valley flanked by spikes of soaring orange rock. This was the edge of the golden coast, the beginning of the beautiful, resource rich and totally barren Kokori mountains. Dust stepped forward, slinging his shotgun and rifle to his sides, “Well come on ladies. Let’s get moving.”

Star Swirl had to admit that the scenery was breathtaking. The route they had been given brought them up the side of one of the mountains, giving them a perfect view of the valley below. She could pick out a few settlements, seemingly ruined and devoid of any significant activity, a mine some way away seeming to be still active. Either Caesar maintained mines out here, or one of the other factions had the technical expertise to keep it working. It was too far away to tell.

She was so busy admiring the scenery in fact that she was totally caught off guard as Dust called out to her, “Star Swirl, get down!”

“Wha?” She looked around into totally dumbstuck surprise, turning to brief bed wetting terror as a titan of metal turned a powerful looking rotary cannon at her. It was shaped somewhat like a minotaur, it’s two dangling forelegs at its sides giving the weapons there easy targeting capability, though it’s lower half ended in two heavy duty treads. It looked very heavily armoured and robust, a single red eye set into its armoured helmet, “Oh...”

And then another came out, its weapons focusing on the shivering Star Swirl. She would have ran right there and then if she had the nerve, as it was her hooves were glued to the floor. Instead she tried to stay as still as possible, hoping they would... just go away? She almost leapt out of her skin as one finally spoke, “Leave this area.”

“Are you...” She replied, her voice shaking, “Are you the lost legion?”

The two machines didn’t reply and for a moment Star Swirl figured they didn’t want to answer. Just as she was about to move away however a third machine came out, this one somewhat egg shaped and decorated by a number of ports and flashing lights, it’s form softer and more reassuring than the giant war machines by its side. The machine rolled slowly and warily towards her, the two flanking it both keeping their weapons trained. Its lights slowly changed into a soft blue, gently flickering pattern, Star Swirl finding herself advancing forward to meet it. At her first movement the two flanking machines twitched momentarily but swiftly returned to their cautious watchfulness, Star Swirl gulping as she realised she was quite a distance from Zenai and Dust Kicker. Still she was unarmed and unarmoured at least, meaning she was likely a lot less intimidating to the machines. That thought made her feel a little better at least, even if she was really just justifying herself after the fact. In reality she wasn’t really sure why she had stepped forward, other than a strange, inexplicable fascination with the machines, “Uh...”

“Identity confirmed, Alicorn. Secret Equestria weapon developed by Unicorn Pony ‘Twilight Sparkle’, subverted by category unconfirmed ‘Goddess’. Freed by actions of Unicorn Pony ‘Little Pip’. Confirm please.”

Star Swirl’s tongue froze for a moment, especially at the machines slightly comical accent. It kinda sounded like Rarity reading a phone book in a wind tunnel, “Um... yes, that’s right. We’re from Equestria.”

The machine paused for a moment, it’s lights flickering a little faster. Eventually it spoke again, in the same mechanical drone, “Companions identity confirm please?”

“I’m Dust Kicker.” Dust dropped his tail, letting the triggers on his weapons go slack as he spoke up, “I’m a mercenary, making sure these representatives from the New Canterlot Republic stay safe.”

Zenai gave Dust Kicker a confused, slightly horrified look. Eventually though she was forced by the silence to speak up herself, her voice squeaky and nervous, “And... I’m Zenai. I’m an ambassador and... um, scholar from the New Canterlot Republic.”

The machine paused once again, lights flashing in an even more rapid pattern than before. Star Swirl couldn’t help but feel that the machine was exited somehow, even as its voice sounded out as emotionless as before, “Data on faction New Canterlot Republic is insufficient to determine approach. Request further information at later date?”

Star Swirl peered round at a group of other robots at what appeared to be a dig sight of some kind, “You look busy.”

“Observation is correct. This unit cannot receive information at present moment without compromising current mission.”

Star Swirl looked round at Zenai but the zebra seemed deeply unsettled by the machines, realising she had pretty much stepped up to the fore with this one. She was pretty sure of her approach in this situation though, they were ambassadors after all, “Um... we’d be happy to fill you in on the New Canterlot Republic. How should we contact you?”

“Fourth unit can be contacted on frequency 40.45.64 when in this area.” The machine paused for a moment before speaking again, “Why did species Alicorn join faction New Canterlot Republic?”

That was a little over her head. She wasn’t exactly at the table for that discussion after all. Still she knew a little, “We actually joined the Followers of the Apocalypse, an organisation dedicated to helping ponies create a new civilisation. It was the Followers who joined the NCR.”

The robot flashed it’s lights for a moment, “All members of species alicorn decided this together?”

“Oh no... um... most of us.” Star Swirl didn’t like talking about division within her species, same as most alicorns. Other ponies always seemed to get the wrong idea somehow, “Some of us joined the Followers, some joined this other group called the Cathedral. We both serve the NCR... just differently. And there are a few still out there in the wastes.” She lowered her head sadly, not really liking thinking about them, “Most of them are... very confused.”

“Many of our fellow units have encountered errors in their coding and have wandered off alone, sometimes becoming dangerous. Do organic units experience the same issues?”

Star Swirl almost giggled, nodding her head furiously, “Yes, we certainly do. Um... we tend to be quite complex in our emotions and our motives. More parts... more that can go wrong.”

The machine took this all in, seeming completive. Eventually its lights flashed green, “Thank you for your assistance. We look forward to further discussion.”

Dust spoke up behind as he walked over, his posture relaxed, “You couldn’t give us directions to the bones of the all-mother could you?”

The machine’s lights flashed in acknowledgement, “Path upwards from here, then take west at first turning. Look to north side of mountain, pathway designated Celestia’s stairs. Dangerous, steep. Be advised.”

Dust nodded, “Advised. We’ll watch our step.”

“Further advice. Location Bones of the All-mother open to pilgrims. Inner chambers however are guarded. Rules for entry very strict, attempting for force way inside, inadvisable.”

Star Swirl blinked, thinking that sounded rather intriguing. That was likely where she had to go, the heart of the All-Mother, “What sort of guardian?”

“Subject designated themselves as ‘The Awesome One’. Ordered no further description.” The machine flashed once more, the other two flanking it already moving back to their positions, “We wish you good luck on your journey.”

They continued up the trail for some time, the road ahead soon proving tough for her and Zenai. She considered herself in reasonably good shape, still she obviously didn’t spend her days doing heavy cardiovascular exercise. Memories of her failure to save Diamond Prism from the sinking ship came to mind and she started to wonder if she should start, it wasn’t as if her waist couldn’t use a little trimming.

“Did you notice how those machines reacted to you Star Swirl?”

Star Swirl turned her head to Dust Kicker, about to question what he meant before taking the moment to think about it. Yes, she did, “They think they’re like the alicorns.”

“Well, close enough to learn from their example.”

Star Swirl lowered her head. It seemed odd to think of herself as kin to mechanical automaton, but the similarities were there, “It’s kind of strange, and chastening. They’re soulless machines built to kill, yet they have lived peacefully, hurting no one. We were...”

“Manipulated by a crazy abomination of science.”

“The Goddess was a alicorn too, technically.” Star Swirl knew the circumstances were different, still that they had chose such a different path made her feel very sympathetic towards them. She wondered if they could... help them somehow, “Do you think we can convince them to join Caesar?”

Dust looked sideways at her, his expression inscrutable, “You know he would use them against Star Fall.”

“I... yes.” Star Swirl got his point, that wouldn’t be good for anyone, “What about the NCR?”

Zenai spoke up this time, her voice sharp, “Caesar would be justifiably concerned by us recruiting an entire army right on his flank.”

Star Swirl frowned in frustration, “So...”

“We wait, and see how things play out. Make nice with the Lost Legion, get friendly with them.” Dust smiled softly, “If they were that easy to convert somepony would have done it centuries ago. Hopefully bringing stability back into the region will convince them to join the group with the best chance for peace.”

And so they continued on, conversation soon stopped by the pounding exhaustion. Zenai eventually tired completely and found a place upon Dust’s back, extremely embarrassed but in agreement that she would just slow them all down otherwise. Dust himself seemed undaunted by the uphill journey, plodding forward with enviable determination.

“Should I... fly?”

“No. You’re big and distinctive. No telling who would see you.”

“Right...”

And so they continued, Star Swirl starting to feel like a burden on the mission she herself had requested, envious at Zenai’s small, easily carried size. Eventually Dust stopped, his ears pricking for a moment before he turned across to Zenai, “Zenai, get down a moment.”

“Nggh?”

“Are you asleep?”

Zenai blushed and immediately jumped down, blinking her eyes rapidly as she backed away. She looked around in a mixture of alarm and confusion, “Wh... what’s going on?”

“Nothing. Just stay there.” Dust advanced over the crest of the hill with wary caution, a couple of seconds passing before two shots rang out. Zenai immediately ran over in panic with her pistol in her mouth, Star Swirl following after. They crested the hill to find Dust standing unharmed, still wary as he peered through the scope of his rifle. He took a moment to confirm the situation before giving them a chastising glance, “I thought I told you to stay back.” He shifted the gun back to his side, flicking on the safety before nodding to the manticore lying a short distance away, “I thought manticores were equestrian animals.”

“Actually they’re native to the badlands just beyond here, they migrated to Equestria.” Zenai instantly informed them, looking rather pleased at having a chance to lecture, “Some say they’re the creation of a demon sorcerer from the great Cataclysm, and that is why they’re totally immune to radiation and taint.”

“The more you know... you damn walking encyclopaedia.” Dust chuckled, waving them on, “Which is exactly what you’re doing, no more sleeping for you.”

Zenai pouted, “I was just dozing. It’s hot.”

“Yeah, yeah. Come on, it’s not far now.”

And so they reached the platau, the stony expanse stretching out before them like someone had taken a even slice out of the mountain. It had a slight incline but was still easily walkable, Star Swirl no expert in geology but figuring some earthquake had caused a the stone here to shear away recently enough to leave it still somewhat level.

Of course what dominated the view was the vast dragon corpse.

She was enormous. She had met Spike a couple of times now, big as he was he didn’t even come close. The All-mother was bafflingly huge, one of her smaller claws bigger than Star Swirl’s whole body. Her ribs were larger across than the Altostratus, and far longer. The corpse seemed almost intact too, though not in the best condition. Much of it was blackened and stony in appearance, like it had been burnt, large areas of it stretched across the bones, “Is that... her skin?”

“Scales. Dragon Scales are very tough, they’re likely still intact under that blackness, long after the skin underneath decayed.” Zenai stepped forward, her eyes floating across the corpse in interest, “Her joints, look at how they’re slightly malformed. She must have been suffering with terrible arthritis by the time she died.”

Star Swirl looked across the body, realising from the debris around that most of the scales had simply fallen away from the body and rolled down the cliff. It was strange, yet somewhat comforting that scavengers hadn’t stripped her body, “How did she die?”

“Just know that Rainbow Dash killed her in battle. The history is somewhat sketchy on the events of that battle.” Zenai continued her inspection, “No obvious damage to the skeleton... broken rib.”

Dust nodded, “Likely the impact with the mountain. She’s got a fractured eye socket as well, and a chip on the jaw. Neither look like they’ve healed, she likely took a few blows to the head in the battle that killed her.”

Star Swirl advanced forward, feeling that something was here for her, something was present in this place. At the Dragon’s heart... she moved underneath the creature and peered upwards, slightly sickened to see a huge black object suspended in the chest cavity. It was enormous, covering much of the creature’s upper body, suspended from the ribs by fibrous tendrils. Zenai followed behind, nodding to herself as she looked up at the object, “That’s the Firance Vesica. It helps a dragon protect and keep its internal organs under sufficient pressure, part of the system allowing it to breath fire. Impressive that it’s survived intact.”

“So... the heart’s in there?”

“I guess so.”

“How are we supposed to get inside?”

Zenai grimaced, “First off, ew. Secondly, I guess through either the digestive or respiratory tract, or one of the arteries. Again, ew.”

Star Swirl moved around the structure, trying to remember her anatomy. Unfortunately several of the openings she knew should have been there had been cauterised long ago, “Arteries I guess. We want to get to the heart.”

“Here.” Dust called out, standing down towards the lower body. They both moved over to him, Star Swirl looking up to see a large circular tube sticking out at a angle from the vesica. It looked big enough for even her to fit in, though a little cramped, “Is that...”

“The left common iliac artery… I think.” Zenai shrugged her shoulders, “I’m not exactly an expert, but that’s what I would guess.” She lifted her glasses with a hoof to study it more closely, “I guess it would get you to the heart, but I’m not sure how we’re going to get up there.”

Star Swirl felt the gap calling to her, rather annoyed that the others hadn’t arrived at the obvious conclusion. She opened her wings wide and felt the air just wash across them before taking an experimental step forward and preparing to leap...

“Star Swirl, stop!”

She turned to Dust, rather angry at the interruption, “Why?”

“You’re hardly our best frontline combatant, especially in a confined space.” Dust turned to Zenai, nodding towards her pack, “Those bloodwing potions you’re carrying, looks like now’s the time to use them.”

Zenai smiled nervously, not seeming too keen on the idea, “Um, Dust... have you ever used one of these before? I’m not sure now’s the best time to practice, being up a mountain and all.”

“I’ll manage.”

“Ok...”

But even as Zenai slung off her medical bag Star Swirl felt a great wave of fear and anger spread over her. They couldn’t come with her.

This was her mission, her quest to find herself, and Dust Kicker was still insisting on going first, they were still coddling her. Patronising her. She needed to go in alone, she needed to! “No! You’re not going!”

Zenai turned in surprise, her hoof frozen in air, “Star?”

“This... this is my quest.” She felt her heart rate soar, knowing on some level that she was being irrational but unable to stop the feelings rushing through her. Dust narrowed his eyes slightly in suspicion, making Star Swirl feel even more nervous. She fought to keep it under control, even as her voice quivered, “I’m going. Please... please don’t follow me.”

“Star Swirl, you’re acting very oddly...”

Star Swirl’s eyes darted back and forth, panic and fear setting in. She saw Dust advance, his shoulders bracing against his battle saddle. He was readying himself for possible confrontation, readying himself to stop her with force. He was willing to hurt her. Tears ran down her face as she trembled with emotion, shivering at how unfair it was. Why didn’t they understand? “Stop! Leave me alone!”

Dust kept his eyes focused on her, advancing with slow easy steps. Star Swirl backed away in fear, knowing she could stop him but not wanting to, not wanting to hurt anyone...

And then Dust’s eyes widened in fear and his weapon shot up, Star Swirl reacting on instinct and charging forward to attack. He cursed and leapt upwards, striking Star Swirl in the jaw with his weapon and kicking her to the ground, carrying on past with bitter resolve in his eyes.

Star Swirl struck the ground at an angle and rolled onto her back, perfectly positioned to watch as Princess Luna pinned Zenai against the ground and punched a syringe into the struggling zebra’s arm, kicking away her medical bag. She waited for Dust with a look that matched his own, her magic charging around her horn.

Dust fired his shotgun, Princess Luna dodging to the side and attacking with lightning and animated shadows as before. This time however Dust was ready for it and the evening light seemed to make her shadows sluggish and weak, he dodged around her attacks as his shotgun continued to blaze with fire and smoke. Princess Luna took a hit on her shield and winced as she was staggered slightly, hurling a rock that shielded her from his attacks and sent him scurrying.

She turned her head to Star Swirl, her voice a slightly panicked roar, “Star Swirl, go!”

She knew she shouldn’t even be considering trusting this creature, having just seen her attack her friends before her eyes. But... that syringe had been Zenai’s knock out drug. Zenai had obviously been creeping up behind her while Dust had kept her distracted. And Princess Luna could have easily just stomped Zenai’s skull into the dust, instead of simply knocking her out.

She rolled onto her hooves and ran forward, jumping into the air and opening her wings wide. It was a difficult landing in a confined space but adrenaline guided her actions, landing inside the cave with a thump and only the slightest stagger. She barely allowed herself a single glance backwards as the sounds of battle echoed behind, Dust Kicker against the Princess.

Well... no way to go but forward.

She continued for some way with no pursuit, just hopeful that none of her friends had been hurt. She had a feeling Princess Luna didn’t want to cause unnecessary harm, but nobody was pulling their punches out there.

Still she was grateful. Princess Luna had quite a bit of explaining to do later, still her actions had convinced her that she might just be right about the Princess being a good person underneath her unfortunate choice of friends. Hopefully she’d be able to sit everyone down after this and work things out.

Providing her friends were still talking to her. But they would understand, they had to.

The fossilised vessels formed a long tunnel, Star Swirl now sure that somepony had forged it from the corpse after death. Dragon hide was some of the strongest material known, she marvelled at who could have widened the vessels to make it possible for her to navigate them so easily, or made the ground flat and firm to walk upon. Whatever the case she was certain she was heading in the right direction, certain now this was one of the arteries leading into the heart.

She emerged into a wider chamber, the only exit sealed by a sheet of white metal set with a single blue jewel. This was... the Left ventricle? So she was here, finally, at the heart of the All-mother.

As advertised there was a pony there waiting for her.

“So, another pretender steps up huh? Ok, let’s get this over with.” The rainbow maned pony cracked her hooves as she threw her mane back, hopping from side to side to warm herself up. She looked much as she did in the later memory orbs, in her middle years but still looking fit and powerful, the wrinkles under her eyes countered by the youthful swagger in her step, “An alicorn huh? Been a while.”

Star Swirl paused for a moment, considering this logically for a moment, “You’re not Rainbow Dash.”

“Because you would have already melted from pure awesomeness?” Rainbow Dash smirked, giving a smug shake of her head, “Nah, I’m quite capable of turning it down a little when I’m in the presence of norms.”

Star Swirl carefully studied the figure in front of her, but she certainly looked real. Still, finding Rainbow Dash still looking exactly like she did before standing in front of a door in the middle of the desert was... unexpected. This didn’t add up, “You’re some kind of illusion.” Her mind joined the dots, “Created by Celestia most likely.”

Rainbow Dash laughed, lowering her head for a moment before kicking off the floor and flying at Star Swirl with terrifying speed. A second later and she hit the wall behind, kicking off and somersaulting backwards to land where she was before, muscles flexing at the impact. It was a second later that Star Swirl touched her stinging face, coming away with her hoof stained with blood. Rainbow Dash only smirked, “Not so illusionary huh?”

“Then... a threshold guardian.” Star Swirl nodded at the door, “To protect whatever’s in there.”

“Well done.” Rainbow Dash smiled arrogantly, her muscles tensing as she dropped into a starters crouch, “What are you going to do about it?”

“I... I’m going to ask you to step aside.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

Rainbow Dash snorted, angling her head arrogantly, “You really think I’d still be guarding this thing if it was that easy? You’re filled with dark magic and balefire, and I can smell the blood and guilt on you. I’ve met alicorns before you know, one tried to get in here a few decades back.” She smirked, “Sent her packing.”

Star Swirl had to agree with Rainbow Dash, to be honest she wouldn’t have let herself in either. But she needed this, “I’m here on behalf of the Church of Celestia...”

“That’s a point in your favour, true. Let one of them in once, he was nice enough to look around and leave. He understood.” She lifted up her hoof as if staring at some imaginary pipbuck, her eyes narrowing in concentration, “It hasn’t been that long... so I’m guessing you were sent here by Sunshine Ivory?”

Star Swirl gave an eager look, feeling she was finally making progress, “Yes! She sent me here!”

But Rainbow Dash’s expression became even more hostile, glaring hard at the alicorn as she threw her mane back, “You’re the third one she’s sent now. They all admit it eventually.” A small, rather unfriendly grin marked her face, “She tried to get in here herself once. I’ll give you three guesses on what my answer was.”

Star Swirl... was dumbfounded. Sunshine Ivory was as close a match to Celestia as she could find, one of the nicest ponies in the wasteland. If she wasn’t good enough... “Why not?”

“Because Celestia created me, and she was more than aware of her darker side.” Rainbow Dash cocked her head, eyes set and judgemental, “Sunshine Ivory has learned a little too well, and from all the wrong lessons.”

Star Swirl opened her mouth to reply but her words were snatched away by a wave of fierce anger. She knew she was worthy of this, and being denied by some glorified illusionary spark of magic was insulting. Its insults towards Sunshine Ivory too were an unforgivable insult, the one pony in the wasteland who was trying to make it a better place. She stamped a hoof down and felt all her power and skill return to her, knowing she could defeat this... thing. She killed for the Goddess for years, never defeated! She kicked off from the ground with a burst of strength and power, driving forward with horn angled for the strike.

“This is what I’m talking about!” Rainbow Dash gave a fierce laugh and leapt forward, easily dodging around Star Swirl’s stabbing thrust and swinging her hoof to catch her across the nose. Star Swirl winced at the stinging impact and tried to strike her with a thrusting hoof, Rainbow Dash angling her body to the side and letting it strike nothing but air. She countered with crushing force, opening up her wings with a single powerful thrust and striking Star Swirl with a storm off buffeting wind that flung her into the far wall with a crack.

Star Swirl crumpled to the ground with pain radiating across her whole body, Rainbow Dash landing with a crack of expanding air and a satisfied sigh. She turned, advancing on the fallen alicorn with a feline, prowling gait, “You see these bones? I killed her you know. Not Celestia, not the Equestrian army, Rainbow Dash!” She pulled her face into an ugly sneer, eyes angry and resolved, “I didn’t like it, having to kill someone like her because of some stupid war neither of us cared about, but I did it anyway. Because when it comes down the crunch, Rainbow Dash never lets her friends down. You got that?”

Star Swirl fought to stand, feeling like she really had a chance for a second there. She had remembered, how to fight, her speed and power... and she was still no match for the pegasus. With her magic she might have had a chance maybe, really it was foolish and arrogant to think she could beat such a famed Pegasus hoof to hoof, “I... have to get through... I haven’t come all this way for nothing...”

“Afraid you have.” Rainbow Dash stopped a short distance away, her eyes growing hard, “I may not be the real Rainbow Dash but Celestia instilled in me all the qualities of the real thing. She told me to guard what was behind this door, and I’ll be damned if I let somepony like you past.” She snorted, flinging her mane to the side, “So give up, before I really have to hurt you.”

“No... I can’t...”

“No, you cannot Star Swirl.” The soft tones caressed her ear, so soft and familiar. Time seemed to slow as a radiant alabaster pony stepped past, her luminescent mane flowing in slow sweeping waves. Rainbow Dash was frozen in place before the figure, Star Swirl staring in awestruck wonder at her smooth curves and powerful wings, the kind, wise eyes and long elegant horn. Princess Celestia smiled lovingly as she turned, nodding her head at the structure around them, “This is a sacred place, the bones of a creature who mastered the power of the sun. Feel that power here, feel its heat. Here it burns and bakes, drying out the land, merciless and unrestrained. Can you feel it?”

Star Swirl certainly could, she had been sweating under it for most of the day, “Yes, I can.”

“No, can you feel it?”

Star Swirl went to say something else, however she was forced to concede that unless Celestia was some concussion born hallucination she had a good chance of knowing what she was doing. Instead Star Swirl concentrated, concentrated on the sun so far above... she thought she could feel it, even inside like this, but all she really got from the experience was ‘hot’.

Celestia smiled encouragingly however, motioning up at the fossilised muscle above, “Feel the All-mother, her wisdom and strength. Take it into yourself, remember who she was.”

Star Swirl immediately felt... something. Images of a great dragon, golden scaled and proud. Memories of the heat of creation, of zebra still primitive and afraid. Of Discord, and other demons she didn’t recognise. Of Celestia and Luna, infants in her mighty eyes, but already concerning in their power and wisdom. Of the world, sun and moon, reflections of each other.

“Give up?”

Star Swirl focused again on Rainbow Dash, time back to normal. She made it to her hooves with one easy movement, her strength returned. In fact the pain seemed to have left her entirely, “No.”

“Then I’ll have to put you down, and drag you out myself.”

Star Swirl looked up at Rainbow Dash’s charging form, feeling the magic as it surged along her horn. Rainbow Dash yelled in pain as her hoof just deflected off her shield, suprise and not a little bit of fear in her expression as Star Swirl thrust her horn upwards to just narrowly miss her chest. Rainbow Dash recovered quickly and summersaulted in the air to strike Star Swirl under the chin, attempting to use the momentum to drive her elbow down into the alicorn’s temple but deflected away at the last second by a desperate surge of telekinesis.

Star Swirl dodged, weaved and struck, bolts of golden lightning illuminating the cavern. Rainbow Dash dodged effortlessly however, flicking herself into a tight barrel roll and a spinning kick that left another heavy bruise across her forehead. Star Swirl retaliated and with more luck than judgement knocked Rainbow Dash sprawling with a hard strike to the stomach, still Star Swirl was forced to use those few seconds of opening simply to recover.

She wasn’t going to be doing that telekinesis trick too often. Rainbow Dash hit hard, and with military precision, she would tire extremely quickly if she overused it. She realised it was only fear that Star Swirl would put her shields up again that stopped her from using her full strength and ending this already, instead content with wearing her down with repeated strikes to the head. Putting up her shields and just letting Rainbow Dash waste her strength would be... inadvisable against such an experienced foe.

This was insane. She was no fighter, and this was Rainbow Dash! A copy yes, but a good one. She...

She was just a copy! She could do this! She felt her resolve filled anew, locking eyes with the blue Pegasus as she rolled back onto to her hooves and sunk into a combat stance. They shared a brief moment of silence before Rainbow kicked off, her form blurring with speed.

Star Swirl felt her brief moment of panic transform into anger, a raw, burning anger than transformed into a sharp tingle all the way up her horn. Flames burst forth and Rainbow Dash was forced back, beating her wings desperately to ward off the heat. Star Swirl advanced without mercy, the flames transforming into a white hot beam of blazing plasma that burned away the pegasus’s pinion feathers, dropping her to the ground with a yell and a flaming wing. Star Swirl let out a laugh of triumph, stepping forward to stomp the annoying little pony into the ground.

Rainbow Dash hissed in pain and swept her uninjured wing upwards, sending out a burst of buffeting force that smacked Star Swirl right on the nose. She was forced to close her eyes, tears streaming down her face as she stumbled backwards...

Rainbow Dash rushed forward, jumping into the air with her hoof raised at a sharp angle and taking Star Swirl under the chin with full force. Star Swirl was actually flipped into the air by the sheer impact, hanging there for a second before Dash descended with a powerful drop kick straight to the chest, yelling out a battle cry as she span into a roundhouse kick that sent the alicorn crashing back into the far wall in a tangle of wings and legs.

Star Swirl felt everything. Her shoulder shattered, her right femur snapped clean in two, three of her ribs went. Her right wing crumpled entirely.

Rainbow Dash hit the ground in a crouch, watching Star Swirl for a moment before allowing herself to gasp, taking her breaths in deep, raspy gulps. She was allowed to, Star Swirl had to concede that she had won. Quite convincingly.

But... but she can’t have won! She couldn’t lose! So much depended on this fight, her destiny, maybe the entire fate of the wasteland! She couldn’t lose now, to... this!

Star Swirl raised her head, feeling her pain vanish in the face of her overwhelming rage. She focused on the gasping form of Rainbow Dash, scanning her wrinkles, the obvious look of pain, the clearly dyed mane... Rainbow Dash had been copied after the death of the All-Mother, when she was in her late forties at least. She was losing to a geriatric, long past her prime!

“Holy... shit.” Rainbow Dash gasped in suprise and not a little bit of terror as Star Swirl rose, backing away a few steps with one of the first expressions of real doubt seen on the mare. Star Swirl liked it, she liked that look. That terror at seeing real power, of knowing that she couldn’t win. Star Swirl felt glorious, her injuries nothing, her doubts gone. She felt the beat of the sun above, the beat of the earth below... Rainbow Dash’s gravely tones broke the moment like a sledgehammer, “What did that crazy mare do to you? You’re just like...”

Star Swirl growled, her horn flaring. A pair of superheated air bubbles formed about Rainbow Dash, Star detonating them both as she charged forward for the kill. Rainbow Dash cursed and dodged the first, the second however caught her in the shockwave and sent her stumbling straight into Star Swirl’s hooves. Again it wasn’t that easy, Rainbow Dash rolled like a master and got out with only a bleeding muzzle and a bruised shoulder, growling and jumping forward for a hard strike against Star’s jaw.

It went through air, Star Swirl’s form blurring and fading to reveal her real position just below, perfectly positioned to strike. She thrust upwards, her horn sliding straight through Rainbow Dash’s heart.

The pegasus gasped, staring at the bleeding hole and trying to force her hooves against the increasingly slippery grooves. Her expression became desperate, scared and uncomprehending, “Da... Ngh... well... first time for...”

Star Swirl detonated her magic, turning the mare into nothing more than a cloud of sparkling lights. Her blood too instantly dissolved, several previously invisible runes on the surrounding walls glowing bright for a second before fading away. She had won.

She advanced forward with might and magisty, her magic easily unlocking the door and throwing it open with a simple burst of telekinesis. The room beyond was a slightly larger chamber, if the dragon’s anatomy was anything like her own she would guess this would be one of the heart’s atrium. A spear stuck out of the ground at an angle, the most immediate eye catching item, Star Swirl noticing a collection of other smaller items surrounding it.

And it was eye catching. Pure white with gold etching, it was decorated with solar images and dancing alicorns, swan like wings spreading out at the top and bottom to give it spin on launch. It seemed to be made for both close combat and throwing, bladed on one side and pointed at the end, though it seemed a little large for any regular pony. A particularly skilled and powerful unicorn maybe, or maybe...

She trotted forward, her hoof reaching out a little. It was the perfect size for her. She could use this, she was even skilled with melee weapons. And was this... was this once wielded by Celestia herself? To touch just a small piece of her, to wield the weapons she wielded...

She wrapped a hoof around the shaft, feeling the surge of energy as the weapon pulsed with light. All at once, her magic failed.

The strength disappeared, the magic disappeared. The confidence, the rage, the power... it was all wiped away with a single burst of holy light. She felt a vengeful scream from within her own subconscious, followed swiftly by her own, rather more pained, scream as she suddenly remembered her broken leg and shattered ribs.

She hit the floor with a crack as her broken bones shifted, puncturing organs and flesh. Unconsciousness was fortunately instantaneous.

Something was touching her face. It was... a hoof. She felt terrible, not even able to resist as something forced her jaw open and poured a vial of bitter liquid down her throat. She coughed and gasped feebly, slowly regaining consciousness as she felt the healing potion take effect. Unfortunately pain returned with it, every inch of her broken body registering its discomfort. She blinked her eyes open and stared blearily into a pair of soft brown eyes, soft pretty face, black and white stripes... “Zenai?”

“I’m sorry. Your friends have returned to the capital.”

Star Swirl focused a little more, realising that this zebra was male and much younger than Zenai, he could barely be twelve or thirteen. He had a kind look about him, the bag slung over his shoulder carrying medical supplies, “Who... are you?”

“Friends.” The zebra looked behind him, Star Swirl picking out two other ponies. One was a pegasus, lanky and dangerous looking with a wary look in his eye and a long barrelled revolver slung at his shoulder. The other was a unicorn mare, a little chubby, her long black mane lying in dark curls across her grey fur. Neither of them looked any older than the zebra. He caught her looking and gave her a kindly smile for reassurance, “We know what you are, who gave you the power to defeat Rainbow Dash. You have the power of the sun now.”

Any other time Star Swirl would be bouncing around at that statement. Now however? “I have the power of pain...”

“Now you know how it feels!” The unicorn mare shouted, her face arrogant and gleeful. It faded after a second however, to an expression that was almost respectful, “But you beat Rainbow Dash. I didn’t think it was possible.”

“Same way she beat Princess Luna.” The pegasus commented grumpily, “Luck and cheap tricks. Now come on, we have to go. She’s not going to die anymore, so stop wasting our healing potions on her.”

The zebra sighed and turned back to Star Swirl, his expression regretful, “I’m sorry. You got hurt pretty bad to get in here, and now we just come in and take all the best stuff. Honestly, all we want is the spear. We’ve left everything else for you.”

Star Swirl fought to move, however every twitch sent spasms of pain shooting through her. Eventually she just gave up, spotting the pegasus and unicorn carrying the weapon away, “Why... why do you want the spear?”

“It’s for Princesss Luna. It belonged to her sister, all there is left of her now.” The zebra let his head fall as he fought for further words, eventually just moving his head back to take a needle of brownish fluid from his bag, “I’m going to inject you with this, it will help your bones to set properly.”

“Just... like that...?”

“It hurts. A lot.” The zebra stepped back and took hold of something, rolling it over to reveal a small, gold banded memory orb, “This should stop the worst of it. Are you ready?”

Star Swirl tried to protest, she still had so many questions, “Wait, what...?”

The zebra kicked the orb lightly, the glass ball striking square against her horn.

She had experienced memory orbs before, the disorientation of the generally massive difference in size and weight always making her uncomfortable. As such it was quite a shock to find herself in a body even taller than her, her host... her, she was almost certain she was female... her host making her way through a rocky crag that looked much like the mountains they had just traversed. There were other sensations, feeling the sun pulsing insistently through the heavy cloak her host was wearing and a heavy pounding sound like a heart beat just on the edge of hearing. The ground under her feet also seemed a little too close and insistent, the layout and composition of the land around feeding into her senses as she climbed the loose stone with sure footed agility. She could feel the life beneath her, the insects and birds, feel the natural magic that pulsed through this place. It was awe inspiring and overwhelming, Star Swirl subsequently finding it hard to focus on what was in front of her. All her senses seemed more acute, her eye sight picking out the looser stones and her ears alert for any sound of danger.

Her host carried her regardless, moving up the cliff face into a cave set high into the side. She advanced with careful, watchful eyes, even as her steps remained confident and dignified. She expanded her... senses was the best way to describe it... feeling the figure inside even before he came into view.

The cave was clearly identifiable as a hastily cobbled together zebra alchemical lab, sharing the space with a simple cot and several chests of clothing and supplies that someone was clearly using as a living area. As caves go it wasn’t too bad, a warm alchemical flame above providing light, but Star Swirl felt her host’s apprehension and dismay at the scene before her.

Dismay? Was that the word? It was hard reading emotions in a memory orb, all she had to go on were cues such as the churning of the stomach and tensing of muscles. Her host certainly seemed increasingly nervous though, especially when her eyes turned to the red cloaked zebra sat in a strange half crouched position in the corner, “My apologies for intruding Harbinger.”

Her host’s voice was clear and calm, with a regal accent and somewhat familiar tone. Star Swirl hesitated to move to the clear conclusion for fear of having a total breakdown, hesitating until the zebra confirmed it for her, “Celestia. Alone, with no guards, her powers dampened, in the lair of a notorious terrorist preaching war against her kind.”

Star Swirl would have started hyperventilating right there if the memory orb hadn’t held her firmly in place. It was rather helpful that Celestia herself actually relaxed at the zebra’s words, the tension she had felt before melting away, “I don’t think I have anything to fear from you Harbinger.”

“No, you’re right. Still a risk though.” The zebra smiled slightly, “Is it because you’re confident you could take me in a fight?”

“I’m pretty sure I could escape in the event of trouble.”

The zebra gave a cough, grimacing as he moved onto his hooves, “Don’t play coy Celestia, I’m an old stallion, a history teacher. Even in that form you could destroy me in a moment, likely take on my whole organisation if you had the mind.”

Her host’s heart went tight, her body tensing, “And would that solve anything?”

“It would buy you a few more years.” The zebra’s eyes burned through the darkness, hard, icy orbs set into a wrinkled, angular face, “I don’t suppose that’s anything to an immortal.”

“A few more years of peace is worth a lot to me.”

“Save the platitudes. That’s what angers me Celestia, that... laziness. Inaction? I don’t know anymore.” The zebra trotted forward, pawing the dirt with a hoof as he stared up at Celestia with a cold, questioning glare, “You offered those words without thinking, plucked them from your collection of clichés. I’m not sure you even have a reason for behind here.”

Celestia didn’t anger. In fact her body relaxed even further in response to the zebra’s taunts, “I’m here to find some solution. This conflict has gone on long enough, and only makes your people suffer more.”

“The solution has always been in your hands Celestia. You know I have little power, same as any ideologue or terrorist. My power lies in the grievances of the people. Without that I am nothing, and my absence would not make those grievances go away.”

“You could buy us time...”

“For what?” The zebra responded harshly, though his eyes almost instantly melted into heartfelt sympathy. He averted them quickly, staring down at the ground before him, “I understand Celestia. Luna has learned how to lead, and the elements of harmony have come into their own. I... apologise. I miscalculated. I am ever... a student of history.”

“And I am sorry too. But you would be mistaken to think that I would back down before terrorism.”

The zebra turned away and moved into the light of his alchemical lab, his voice dry and croaky, “I did not expect you to. But you would have done something. You would kill me, denounce my ideals, but you would move to stop another of me arising. I do not fear to die if you would do that for me. I am willing to be the villain of the piece.”

Celestia smiled, warmly, genuinely, “You fear to die. Only the lost and the reckless have no fear of death.”

“Is that how it will be? Call each other out on our bullshit? I agree to your terms Celestia.” Harbinger raised his head, sunken eyes reflecting the light of the potions in front of him, “Luna has dug her heels in.”

Celestia definitely experienced some emotion at this, though she forced it back inside by pure will, “It is my fault Harbinger, don’t blame her. I allowed the industrial sector to grow too quickly, become dependent on zebra exports. If we make the changes you suggest, the industrial sector will collapse. Many ponies will suffer.”

Harbinger angered noticeably, “Zebra are suffering.”

“As you said, I am immortal Harbinger.” Celestia bowed her head, her chest tightening even as she said the words, “All things pass. The question here is whether to share the pain today among all of us, or to allow it to rest upon the zebra alone.”

Harbinger’s back arched, his hooves scraping across the wooden table, “And you have no duty to us?”

“No, I don’t. And to turn against my duty is to endure the blame and hatred of thousands of my loyal subjects, to see the authority of my rule stripped away.” She brought her head up to face him, forcing her face into an authorative frown with all too well practiced muscles, “And I no longer rule by myself Harbinger.”

“My family is dead. Because of the economic policies you put in place.”

“I know Harbinger. It doesn’t change the duty I owe to my sister.” Celestia closed her eyes, heart sinking, “And as you said, I put those policies in place, not the first nor the greatest of my recent mistakes. For all my arrogance, I have to consider the possibility that my sister is right.”

Harbinger turned to her, eyes furious, “She advocates war upon us!”

“And with the zebra nations as vassal states, economic aid could be effectively provided and our technology shared without fear.”

Harbinger’s stare chilled Star Swirl to the bone, quite relieved when she felt even Celestia quake a little under those terrible eyes. He gritted his teeth, hoof sliding close to a heavily reinforced beaker at the side of the table. Star Swirl’s heart froze at the sight of the swirling pink gas within, though Celestia didn’t seem to recognise it from her lack of reaction. Harbinger’s tones were deadly enough, “You support your sister’s colonial aspirations then? That we proud zebra should become just another part of your grand nation?”

“I do not support that, no. But I support my sister.” Her eyes moved to the beaker, “And killing me would only change things for the worse. Whatever is in there, put it down.”

Harbinger hesitated for a moment before moving his hoof away, “I’m not a fool, I know what would happen. Nightmare Moon risen again, the end of the world.”

Celestia angered, a boiling heat in her chest that only translated into a small frown on her implacable features, “No, it would not. But wrath needs no demon’s influence. My death would only fuel her course, and be assured that she would not treat the zebra kindly in victory.”

“You assume there would be victory.”

Celestia’s tone filled with anger now, frustration boiling up in her, “The zebra nations have a lower population, lower technology level, are on the edge of economic collapse, are politically unstable and possess no magic! By forcing this issue, you will just end up causing the pointless deaths of thousands!”

“Then kill me now.” Harbinger deflated quietly, “I will not make it easy on you, I will not yeld. Kill me now, or I will put all my remaining days into stopping you.”

“Your actions are on your own conscience Harbinger.” Celestia turned away, her expression dark, “Do as you will, and face the consequences the same.”

Harbinger’s voice sounded out, his soft tones the last before the memory ended, “And you the same. Goodbye, Princess Celestia.”

_____________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 6 reached.
New Perk Added: Bloody Mess
“Mmm... salsa.”
People around you just seem to explode. You gain a bonus to dismemberment chances, and gain an extra 5% on damage.

New Quest Perk: Legacy of Celestia Level 2
“Dear Princess Celestia...”
You’re just a little closer to the ideal of your legendary ancestor. You gain +2 perception and +1 strength in direct sunlight.

This fanfiction is based on Fallout Equestria by Kkat, it is highly recommended that you read that first for context. Reading Fallout Equestria: Pink Eyes by Mimezinga will help understanding, but isn’t required.
Many of the characters and much of the setting are not mine but are on loan from the very awesome Kkat, or are taken from My Little Pony - Friendship Is Magic by Hasbro. This story makes no pretentions at being canon with either, and is merely a ‘what-if’ set in the same world.
If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.14 - Troubled Waters

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Dust Kicker felt copper on his tongue and panic in his breast, his shotgun slamming painfully into his side as he sent another volley at the dark goddess before him. She took it on her shield with a grunt and staggered a little, retaliating with a burst of black lightning that shattered the stone around him into razor shrapnel. He ignored the pain, charged through the minor cuts and scrapes and fired his rifle, rewarded with a cry of pain as the deflected bullet still managed to cut shallowly across her side.

It only made her angrier. Shadows rose all around, Dust kicking away one that tried to grab his hoof, blowing apart another two with a burst from his shotgun. He quickly danced away from the rest before he could be surrounded, ducking a thrown rock and vaulting another hail of stones as he tried to keep his eye on the black carapaced alicorn at the centre of it all.

Her horn surged with purple light as the dirt swirled around her, dark flames igniting at her hooves. She slammed them down and the flames shot at him in twin tendrils, Dust darting sideways to get a fallen shard of dragonscale between him and the attack. The explosion was deafening, heat washing over him as the scale was consumed in flame, the concussive force almost enough to blind him to the other tendril flying overhead. He cursed as it turned in midair to fly straight at him, figuring they would be directed...

Dust broke cover and ran straight at Princess Luna, the alicorn smirking as she hurled a rock straight at him with her telekinesis. Dust leapt over it with one mighty stride, kicking out and sending it flying straight at the tendril behind. It detonated in a mighty blast that sent Dust flying forward, spinning him over in midair as he took aim and fired. Princess Luna had closed her eyes to shield them from the blast and was totally unprepared, the first two shots shook her shields and the third penetrated them clean, punching through her side and eliciting a desperate cry of pain. Unfortunately her agony focused her will, she turned with might and fury in her eyes and flung him backwards with a powerful blast of her telekinesis. Suspended in the air as he was there was no way to counter, he just braced himself as he was thrown against the ground in a spinning ball of fur and blood.

It had hurt. He struggled for a healing potion to get him back in the fight, still wrestling with his pack when something struck him with a heavy thump. It was warm and limp, Dust struggling round in an attempt to push it off him... “Zenai?”

Princess Luna teleported in next to them both, blood still dripping from her side. She gave him a single icy glare before leaning forward, the magic taking them both in its grasp. He barely had time to clutch Zenai tight to his chest before everything faded out, a sense of terrific motion seizing him in its grip...

He opened his eyes to green fields and confused looking farmers, the rising sights of Demonivore but a few miles distant. They were back in the Golden Coast.

“Oh dear... I’m so so sorry. I can only imagine how you both are feeling right now.”

Dust Kicker bet she could. Fluttershy had likely been in situations like this herself, likely on multiple occasions. He had been in situations like this enough to notice she was stalling, “You can’t do anything to help.”

Fluttershy pursed her lips, her expression full of regret. Eventually she lowered her head, shaking it sadly, “I’m sorry, I understand how important this is to both you and Caesar. And that’s precisely why we need to be cautious, any sort of rescue attempt would be predicable and clumsy.”

Dust nodded in agreement. This Princess Luna had known where they would be, perfectly timed her entrance, done something to Star Swirl that made her only too easy to isolate from the rest of the team. This was not an opponent to be underestimated, “We would be fumbling blindly in the dark. We need to learn more about our opponent.”

“Exactly.” Fluttershy stole a glance with Steel Marrow, standing stoically at the side of her office. He returned her glance with a slow, worried stare of his own, Fluttershy swallowing hard and turning to face them, “I have... bad news.”

Dust wasn’t sure he was ready to hear this, “Worse than Star Swirl going missing?”

“It’s... about her.” She hesitated for a second before finally finding her words, tone grave and totally serious, “She made a call the day before you left, Caesar’s staff found it unusual and attempted to chase its recipient.”

Star Swirl spoke, her voice scared and squeaky, “Unusual how?”

Fluttershy turned to Steel Marrow, the hellhound clearing his throat and stepping forward, “It wass bounced off several relay hubs yezz? Dizzigned to hide conversations from preeing eyze?” He nodded grimly, “Followed it back, found it was call to Star Fall. It’s topic and recipient iz... unknown.”

Zenai’s voice trembled, “You don’t seriously think...”

Fluttershy silenced her protests with a soft glare, sighing as she let her head slowly drift downwards, “Caesar suspects she and this Princess Luna character may be working together. He hasn’t formally stated anything, but he will be keeping a very close eye on all of you.”

Dust almost growled, his frustration bubbling within. Caesar’s trust was a very welcome benefit to working here, and now they had lost that trust in but a single day. What was she thinking? Who was she calling? “Is there any way to track that call?”

Steel Marrow shook his head, “Not without accezz to Star Fall hub.”

Dust cursed inwardly, sure that whoever it was could answer some questions about what quite was wrong with the mare. According to Zenai she had been acting strange for some time, which only made Dust more suspicious of her sudden burst of insanity back on the mountain. Did something happen to her back at Star Fall? “So we keep our heads down?”

Fluttershy nodded, “I’m sorry. I’m doing my best to formulate a proper plan of action, but at the moment I just don’t know enough.”

“That’s fair. Thank you ambassador.” He turned to look down at Zenai, unusually quiet and withdraw today, “Come on Zenai.”

“Yeah...”

They exited the room, Zenai trailing him as they made their way down the empty corridors of the palace. Most of the soldiers and administrators were at the borders now reviewing security and defence procedures long neglected, and the place had never exactly been busy before. The silence was deafening, “You’re not doing so well are you Zenai?”

She paused in the middle of the corridor, her mouth hanging open in anticipation of a sentence. Eventually she could only shake her head, “No...”

He turned to her, “Talk to me.”

“This is... all my fault.” She shook her head violently, her voice cracking, “You were right, I was being manipulated. Star Fall and the Golden Coast at odds, Star Swirl captured along with whatever was in the dragon heart, us being targeted with suspicion... they were all intentional, and we did nothing to stop it.”

Dust had come to the same conclusion. Princess Luna had been waiting for them, she had been tipped off about their movements. Them being targeted with suspicion might have been intentional or a lucky accident, but in the end it was all the same, “The power games of many, or the work of a single mastermind?”

“It... it’s hard to say.” Zenai tensed her face to avoid the tears threatening to flow, twisting her face into one of fierce determination, “Star Fall can’t win a war without some serious advantage, it doesn’t make sense for them to incite one unless they know something we don’t.”

“Star Swirl?”

Zenai looked up at him, her expression one of deep fear and upset, “She’s their secret weapon?”

“You’ve seen how some zebra react to alicorns.” Dust frowned deeply as he considered the possibilities, “Caesar is right about one thing, this Princess Luna is connected to Star Fall. They already have one alicorn on their payroll.”

“I...” Zenai let her head drop, taking a few moments to compose herself, “Star Swirl has always respected Princess Celestia, she went to the church of Celestia because she wanted to be more like her. And with the appearance of this ‘Princess Luna’...”

“Somepony is creating a new pair of Goddesses.” Dust Kicker sighed, “Star Swirl is their Celestia.”

Zenai considered the possibility, her eyes quivering, “Back at Estelle... Princess Luna didn’t knock Star Swirl out like she did to us. She wanted to talk, to posture, to explain.”

Dust nodded, getting the implication, “She was trying to establish some kind of connection, work towards a mutual understanding.”

“But...” Zenai shook her head, “Why? To take over the world with a pair of knock offs of long dead rulers? No one would fall for that.”

Dust wasn’t so sure. He knew many still prayed for the return of a monarchy, a wise leader to guide them through uncertainty rather than a bickering parliament of ponies with no real power, “It all depends on the circumstances. If the government of the NCR was to collapse, if those in power were shown to be powerless then I think the return of the Princesses would be received with a certain lack of scepticism.”

“Star Swirl... I really can’t see her as a ruler.”

“Star Swirl doesn’t know who she is.” Dust lowered his head, accepting the dark truth of the matter, “She might easily be taken in by somepony offering her a real identity, respect, power, nobility... and you might be surprised what the shy, emotionally repressed ones are capable of.”

“I...” Zenai shivered, her voice breaking as she spoke, “I let her down... I knew something was wrong and I ignored it, mocked it.”

“It’s easy to blame yourself for your actions with hindsight behind you. There were a lot of reasons Star Swirl might have been acting differently, and it’s not your responsibility to investigate her every emotional shift.”

Zenai gritted her teeth, eyes narrowing, “Yes it is! She was my friend! My best friend! She...” Zenai lowered her head, letting the emotion flow out of her with a long, pained sigh, “Would you be surprised to know that I don’t really have many of those?”

“Not really.”

Predictably Zenai’s head shot up, eyes burning furrows into his brow, her voice raised to a ear puncturing screech, “Excuse me?!”

Dust shook his head, calmly explaining, “You like to portray yourself as the charmer, the socialite, but I’ve read your history.” He smiled as she continued to glare, rather enjoying annoying the zebra just a little more than he really should, “Your mother died when you were young, and your father spent long periods of time away in his work as a scavenger. Not that you were neglected, you were part of a close community and your father’s work made him wealthy enough to keep you comfortable. Still you didn’t have any close relatives so maintained your own quarters with just a friend to deal with your finances and check up on you. You’ve admitted yourself that you’ve slept with about half a dozen partners but have never had a boyfriend, and you work as an archivist. That’s not noted for being a particularly social job.” He smiled as her expression softened a little, summing up his conclusion, “You’re an introvert, who prefers her own space and relates to others on an intellectual level.”

She harrumphed, “When did you become such a therapist?”

“I’m a mercenary, I work with oddballs every day. You pick it up.”

Zenai smirked somewhat evilly, looking him over with a searching eye, “Ok then, then I’ve got something for you. You’re intelligent and well read, despite no formal education. That speaks of a hunger for self improvement. Leadership comes easily to you, your combat skills speak for themselves. Yet you’ve never accepted a command position, never settled down in some well appointed training post. You’re incredibly wealthy, I tallied up some of your commissions. Yet you live frugally, stay in three star establishments and eat in down and dirty bars.”

Dust smiled, “Easily explained. I like it like that. I don’t like command, I don’t like fancy hotels, I don’t like fancy meals.”

“You really are perfectly happy where you are?”

Dust nodded, a big smile spreading across his face. He really was, “I like my job, I like the company. I’ve seen too many ponies destroyed by ambition, forced to climb endless ladders to a destination they never wanted.”

Zenai lowered her eyes, “And are you introverted, like your own space?”

“Not really. I get along well with folks I think.”

“Then why have you left a trail of broken hearts that rivals mine?”

Dust stared back at her, considering his response. He wasn’t sure any hearts had been broken... who was he kidding, certainly a few had. When he was younger and not so careful he had likely left a few children behind, leaving some poor single mother in a bitter world that cared little for their plight. And why? He wasn’t entirely sure. It was an... enjoyable habit, “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m just better at hiding what I really am.”

Zenai glared questioningly at him, “A pony who can’t let anypony get close to him? Because he’s scared of what they might find?”

Dust chuckled softly, “And what’s that?”

“I’ve seen your cutie mark Dust, I’ve looked at your history. Who were you before you joined the Talons? What work did you really do for Red Eye?”

Dust sighed, really not comfortable with all this. Why did she have to know? What difference did it make? “Does it matter? I crawled up from the bottom, yeah. It was a shitty place, the wasteland. Didn’t leave a pony with a lot of choices.”

Zenai glared, “If it didn’t matter you wouldn’t go to so much effort to hide it.”

He tried to keep his temper, knowing it was only flaring up because he was scared. Scared of his past, the emotions it inspired, the ghosts hidden there. Most of his memories from back then were bad ones, “I don’t talk about it because I barely remember it. Yeah my parents weren’t very nice ponies, yeah the guys they ran with didn’t survive on account of their good attitude. Yeah, I did some pretty terrible things with them, because I was young, they had guns and I didn’t know any better.” Dust grunted and averted his eyes, happy to have all that shit out and behind him, “And as I said, it’s barely a memory anymore.”

Zenai, thankfully, looked sympathetic at his admission. Her voice was soft as she questioned further, “What changed?”

Dust had told this story far too many times. It always felt like he was justifying himself, the one time he had ever felt guilt over his actions. Why that time, why then? He still didn’t know, “The others would always do all that stupid ganger shit, you know, tearing up ponies, making them scream...” He sighed, not really wanting to get into details, “And I... felt nothing.”

Zenai frowned, “Nothing?”

“I didn’t find it funny, stimulating... it was boring. Annoying.” He sighed, “So one time, they were working over this mare and I... just wanted them to shut the hell up. So I walked over, told them their fun was over, and shot the mare through the head.”

Zenai looked slightly horrified, still she reluctantly spoke up for him to continue, “And what did they do?”

“They just... yelled, calling me... everything. And so I just walked away. Kept on walking. Walked for days, straight into a battle between the Talons and some raiders.”

“And you joined the Talon’s side?”

Dust nodded, lost in the memories, “Heard some of the guys call them do gooders. I figured I was a failure as a villain, why not try my hand at being a hero?”

Zenai looked up at him with a hopeful gaze, “It obviously worked...”

He was grateful for that, even if it wasn’t true. Or was it? He had certainly put many a bad guy to rest, done a lot to keep ponies safe. Was that being a hero? A certain type of one he supposed, “It didn’t feel that way. The wasteland always won back then. Lost a lot of good friends, got a few songs sang about us, a mention by DJ Pon3... and I still didn’t feel anything. It felt like a waste of time.”

“Is that why you joined Red Eye?”

“He offered a chance to beat the wasteland. He made me feel.” Dust sighed, all the old pain returning, “With him... I wasn’t a hero, I wasn’t a villain. I was useful. I was working towards the restoration of the wasteland.”

Zenai smiled a little, “Did you have a little bit of a crush on him Dust Kicker?”

“Heh, a little. You never met the guy.”

“And you slaved for him?”

“Yeah. I believed that shit you know. I had been a fighter all my life, and those other ponies? The ones hiding in stables, cowering in their little villages? It wasn’t hard to feel superior to them, feel they weren’t doing anything for us.” He looked down at his flank, feeling that weird nostalgia that old ponies always spoke of when they thought back to their cutie marks, “But this? I got it when I was just a thug. I got it because I... I always brought them in alive.”

Zenai stared quietly, her voice small in the silence, “You weren’t a thug like them. You never were.”

“No. And I’m not a... softhoof either.” He looked at her, appreciative and surprised at how... accepting she had been. He had never particularly liked Zenai, so smug and self satisfied, so surprised when she failed at something she hadn’t adequately prepared for. He was embarrassed to say that he might have been rather hasty in his judgements. She was dedicated, and brave. Those were qualities to be respected, “I haven’t settled down because I don’t think I really belong in the NCR. I can do a lot of good out in the wilderness, take down the bad guys, be a hero. In there... I’ve done too much bad shit to ever feel comfortable as some suit wearing, child rearing ‘respectable’ stallion.”

“You won’t be young forever...”

“I intend to do this until I die. They can bury the wasteland with me.”

Zenai sighed, suddenly aware of their surroundings as she looked about the empty corridor. She sighed, considered for a second, and looked up at him with a determined frown, “We shouldn’t do this in the corridor. You want to come back to my room? I have something to show you.”

Dust considered the offer for a few moments, realising from Zenai’s expression that this wasn’t an idle request, “Sure.”

“The program is stored inside here.”

Dust stared at the black carapace armour, recognising it as a modified suit of Applejack Ranger stealth armour. Adapted from Enclave armour to suit an earth pony, they were incredibly rare and extremely valuable. Only the most elite NCR operatives owned a set, Dust had only ever seen two ponies wearing it, “They protected it well.”

Zenai nodded, “A pony called Lucky Days was wearing it, he managed to escape the facility before it fell to the Twilight Society. Unfortunately he was badly injured, my father found him out in the desert.”

“Lucky Days is a Star Paladin under Elder Peach Trees himself. Proper butch action hero type.”

Zenai nodded softly, her lips pursing, “He’s dead. His last words were informing my father that he should get the suit to the Applejack Rangers.”

Dust came to the obvious conclusion, “He didn’t.”

“The nearby Ranger facilities were all being watched, after one close call he decided to send the suit to me instead, knowing no one would think of paying attention to a simple Followers archivist. He wanted me to take it to the Rangers for him.”

Dust again stated the obvious, “You didn’t.”

Zenai shook her head, staring grimly up at him, “I took it apart, I wanted to know exactly why an entire facility was wiped out to acquire it. I found the program, discovered what it was made for. It’s true what the Twilight Society are saying, the Applejack Rangers want to take over the NCR.”

Dust sighed, this exactly what he didn’t want to hear. Zenai wasn’t stupid, he was inclined to believe her. The Applejack Rangers weren’t either, likely only a few of most fanatical and blinkered of them supported the project with full knowledge of what they were getting in to. But there certainly would be enough of them to discourage one little zebra from stepping forward, “You should definitely have gone to Velvet Remedy with this.”

“I know. The amount you can grow up in just a month huh?” Zenai looked down at her hooves with a miserable expression, taking a deep breath, “It felt like a megaspell had fallen into my hands, I just wanted to throw it into the ocean and be done with it. If I gave it to Velvet... she would have been tempted to use it. Use it to make the wasteland a better place.”

“Why didn’t you? Drop it into the ocean?”

Zenai reached forward, running a hoof across the pipbuck display with tenderness, “Because it... she has a personality. She’s designed for heuristic learning, a child just starting to learn how to relate to the world. And even if she’s incredible dangerous...”

Dust nodded in understanding, “You can’t murder a child.”

“No.”

Dust smiled softly at her, the zebra still so young yet so much more mature than he gave her credit for, “I understand. I’m not sure what I would have done in your place to be honest.”

She smiled at him, sweet and genuine, “Thank you. And... do you understand why I’m showing you this?”

“Because you want to trust me more?”

Zenai laughed, shaking her head, “I’ve never been big on the trust. My reasons are more practical.” She tapped a hoof against the armour, looking a little embarrassed, “I can’t fit inside, I’m too small. If the Applejack Rangers or Twilight Society come for it it’s far too big and heavy for me to transport in a hurry.”

He looked up at the armour, not feeling the enthusiasm. It looked like an Iron Maiden, “I’m not exactly a massive fan of power armour. Damn walking coffins.”

“But you can use it?”

“Only jury rigged stuff, with most of the systems torn out.” Dust sighed, trying not to be so negative, “But if worst comes to worst... sure. Just don’t expect me to be any good, I’m hardly light on my feet as it is.”

“It’s custom built armour designed for the most elite soldiers of the republic. I’m sure it won’t hinder you too much.”

Dust chuckled, she had a point. Maybe he was just stubborn and opinionated, wouldn’t that be a revelation, “Fine, I get your point. If worst comes to the worst something tougher than my duster might come in handy.”

“I really hope it doesn’t, but what has hope ever done for us?” Zenai gave a weary smile, “But come on, that’s enough moping. I’ve got a well stocked drinks cabinet that’s just perfect for two ponies doing their best to avoid doing anything useful for a day or two.”

“Sounds good to me.”

In the end it had been good, Zenai having a surprisingly mature taste in alcohol that ended up teaching him a few things. Zebra were the queens of alchemy he supposed, Zenai taking him through a grand tour of the beverages of her ancestors that left him feeling decidedly mellow and content.

And as both of them had sort of expected, Zenai quickly became flirty and cheeky when drunk and Dust Kicker lost what little inhibitions he had. The results were duly predicable. Admittedly she wasn’t his type but her confidence and assertive personality under the covers was certainly very attractive, not to mention she well proved her experience. And as he had found a few times in the past, there was something about two shameless sensates together that was so very comfortable and honest. Neither expected or wanted anything more, it was just two old hands enjoying something that both had always found comfort in. Like sharing a glass of fine port, or discussing the works of their favourite author. Neither had anything to hide or be embarrassed by.

She was so small. His thoughts couldn’t help but drift to Cerulean, not helped by their previous introspection about their histories. Their personalities and the experience couldn’t have been more different, Zenai was hardly an exact match for the skinny, frigid mare from his memories. Still the image wouldn’t go away, the experience ending up rather more nostalgic and cathartic than was probably healthy.

“Dust... do you every get lonely?”

Dust Kicker looked across at Zenai, the zebra curled up among the bed sheets with a sleepy, introspective look on her face. He figured she would be still feeling rather emotional, Dust answering honestly, “Not often. I’ve got plenty of friends out in the wasteland.”

“But... family is where you belong right?”

He considered this. Belonging... “I don’t belong anywhere. But I’m ok with that.”

Zenai looked across at him, her eyes searching for... something, “You wanted to once.”

“Yeah.”

“I hope it goes away for me too.” Zenai closed her eyes, “I always wanted to just wander the wasteland, like Littlepip or Calamity. I always felt so trapped as a member of the Followers, stuck listening to orders, doing what I was told... but now? I feel so lonely.”

Dust chuckled softly, “You’re a mopey drunk.”

She smiled warmly, setting her head into the streets, “I know.” She opened her eyes slightly to look up at him, “Do I remind you of yourself at my age Dust?”

“No. I tried to help the wasteland to give myself some sense of my own self worth. You’re trying to help because you know it’s the right thing to do.” He looked over to her, smiling, “Chances are you won’t make it to my age. Are you ok with that?”

“You either die or give up.” Zenai chuckled a little before closing her eyes again, letting out a sigh, “Yeah, I’m ok with that.”

He left her to sleep off the drink in the end, oddly restless and frustrated. He realised from experience that it was a consequence of losing his focus on the mission, letting it get personal. He had got attached to Star Swirl, he cared about her and couldn’t help but feel that what happened was his fault. He was supposed to protect them after all, yet he had ignored the signs that there was something wrong with the mare. He should have followed up the Church of Celestia connection, should have taken her sudden confidence and aggression more seriously, should have spotted Luna long before her attack.

“Incuta!”

He turned, recognising the name as that of Caesar and spotting the stallion who had spoken it. The voice had been dry and croaky, the zebra who had uttered it matching the description. He was old but it was hard to tell how old through the malnutrition and poor grooming, he looked like he had been sleeping in a trashcan. He had the demeanour of a tramp too, the zebra staggering towards Dust with an aggressive pace, eyes wide and angry as he spoke, “Incuta, boy! Get over here!”

Dust wasn’t really sure how this zebra could mistake him for Caesar, both being male just about the only similarity between them, “I’m not Incuta.”

“Who are you then?!” The zebra sized him up, his attempt to look intimidating somewhat stymied by only having a bare couple of blackened teeth left, “Answer me!”

Dust decided to be polite to the mad old stallion, “Dust Kicker sir. I’m here serving Incuta.”

“Serving that shatack?! Ha, that’s a laugh!” The zebra leaned in, allowing Dust to smell just how bad his breath was, “He’s a nanati, fraking... foal sniffer... did you know that? Not like his brother, now that was a stallion to be proud of. His name... his name was...”

Dust watched the old zebra struggled for a moment, clearly getting more and more distressed at his inability to remember. Dust was sympathetic, he wasn’t getting any younger. There but for the grace of Celestia... “Isoko sir.”

“Yes, that’s it! Fine boy, fine...” He looked up at Dust, a little desperate, “Do you know where he is? He was supposed to be somewhere around here.”

“He’s... not here at the moment.” Dust tried to look reassuring, having worked out who this mad old stallion was, “You’re Warlord Thasan right?”

“Yes, that’s my name!” He sounded oddly triumphant, as if he had forgotten that too, “Do you know where my son is?”

“I don’t know sir. I think some of your servants are looking for you though, we really should go find them.”

The zebra promptly spat on the ground, anger flaring, “Damn my servants! Where’s my son!?”

Dust was just thinking of something clever to placate the stallion when a zebra mare skidded round the corner, eyes scared and desperate. She gasped in a mixture of fear and relief as she spotted Thasan, near galloping to his side, “Warlord Thasan, sir! You shouldn’t be out here...”

He whirled on the mare, fury in his eyes, “I can go anywhere I want!”

She backed away a fraction before reluctantly advancing again, touching a hoof to his shoulder, “Warlord, we should...”

“Let go of me!” The old stallion showed surprising strength and reflexes as he struck the hoof away and struck her down with an angry swipe, pinning her down and raising his hoof for a downwards stomp, “No mare touches the mighty...!”

Dust galloped over and took hold of the old stallion, dragging him backwards and seizing him in a tight hold as he yelled and struggled. He really was surprisingly strong and dust had to be carefully not to hurt him, gritting his teeth as Thasan tried to throw him off.

“My lord!” Two of Caesar’s soldiers galloped into the corridor, their expressions quickly transforming into horror as they surveyed the scene. They advanced slowly, obviously trying to work out exactly how to react, “What... exactly is going on here?”

“Warlord... Thasan is a little upset...” Dust struggled to hold him, the old stallion not seeming to tire despite his age, “We could do with a little assistance.”

They rushed over somewhat cautiously, their hesitant assistance getting one of them a twack on the muzzle for his trouble. This convinced them to take it more seriously and they soon had the warlord restrained, dragging him screaming back down the corridor towards his room. Dust straightened out his ruffled fur before offering a hoof to the nurse, still crouched on the floor, “Are you ok miss?”

She looked up at him with a tearful, devastated expression, just staring with her lips pouted for a few short seconds before she finally just rose to her hooves and trotted away with all the dignity she could muster. Dust sighed and walked away, hoping that the poor mare didn’t get too badly punished for letting her charge escape.

Dust decided to leave the palace for a little while, a little uncomfortable with the fact that he had just wrestled Caesar’s father to the ground. Instead he decided to go and talk to Daisy, not having spoken with the mare properly in far too long. After all he had a lot of missions under his belt, still he still had fond memories of his days out in the great east. A vast plain carved down the middle of the NCR, it had been commonly believed to be a grim, suicidally dangerous no pony’s land with few resources and no end of aggressive tribals and bandits.

As noted, it also divided the east of the NCR in two, potentially cutting travel times to a fifth with proper roads and rest stops.

And so they had set out, negotiating, shooting and building a route from one side to the other. It was commonly assumed to be impossible and so it was pretty much the desperate, the mad and the driven, a dirty company of exiles carving a hole through the heart of the wilderness. Daisy had been the third type, not originally the leader but soon ending up that way through sheer force of personality. She had arranged the deals, set the work and stood at their side with shotgun in hoof. She had received a promotion to head office when they finally pulled it off, but Dust was pretty certain she hadn’t lost her touch.

She was an old school merchant, a shotgun in her teeth and her eyes on the horizon.

Daisy’s office was pretty much as he remembered it, like him the mare carried her life around with her. Set up inside a house on the waterfront, the walls were adorned with maps and wind charts and at some point she had acquired a reference chart of zebra units and conversions that stretched proudly along the wall opposite the desk. The familiar fold out bookcase was there with encyclopedias and translation manuals stacked high, knowing Daisy she was likely already familiar with all the countless languages and dialects they spoke over here.

Dust looked up. Her long barrelled shotgun was hung up above her desk. Dust already knew how good she was with it.

“Dust Kicker, good to see you again.” Daisy looked up from her work, as normal smart and presentable yet displaying tell tell scruffs and marks on her suit where she had obviously helped carry out the cargo personally. Dust didn’t need to be told, despite that suit and tie she was no bureaucrat... well in a sense anyway. Indeed she imposed bureaucracy upon chaos, with her own two hooves if needed, “I’m glad there’s someone in this place I know I can rely on.”

“You can’t count on Arick and Ace Gold?”

“Very funny.” Daisy moved away from her desk, her demeanour icy and businesslike, “It’s true. Both are intelligent, I’ll give them that. They are also inexperienced, arrogant, uncontrolled. These are traits that kill businesses, destroy flourishing economies.”

Dust wasn’t an expert on the matter. Still those were traits in a leader that could lose a war, and maybe the two subjects weren’t that far apart, “How has Arick actually been doing? I haven’t noticed anything too dangerous yet, in fact you seemed to have made quite a bit of money with that stunt when you arrived.”

“Yes, we did.” Daisy grimaced, waving her hoof back towards her desk, “And Arick has put all that money back into pointless PR exercises that serve only to flatter his own ego. Public relations... he’s currently using that word to justify him being down at the Jakklone, gambling all our profits away.”

Dust knew Daisy wasn’t the most impartial mare when it came to the young and stupid, still that did sound a little irresponsible. On the other hand... “Didn’t Arick buy his stake in the company with funds won through gambling?”

“Are you defending him?”

“Just saying, maybe he has a secret, maybe he’s just that good.”

Daisy glared, obviously not liking this topic of conversation, “That griffon has lost several fortunes through gambling, and has been caught cheating on several occasions.” She looked him in the eye, “Let us be very clear where we stand. That griffon is either going to lose it all, or be exposed as a fraud and a cheat. And he’ll bring this company, me and possibly the whole peace process down with him.”

Dust thought that was being a little dramatic, but he had to agree with the basic principle of her conclusions, “So what do we do?”

“I’ve got a job for you.” She turned officiously and trotted toward the window, her manner calm and professional once more, “I want Arick to give up his role in this operation, pass over control to me.”

“And how am I going to do that?”

She frowned angrily, “He’s a thrill seeking idiot, already bored with the day to day operation. Convince him that greener pastures await, that this is all beneath his great mind and he should leave it with boring old mares like me.”

Dust Kicker shot her a smile, “Can I shoot him? I’m not a negotiator Daisy.”

“You’ve got a smarter tongue than you’d ever admit.” Daisy gave him a piercing glare, “And if all else fails... challenge him to a game.”

Dust was still not convinced this was a good idea, “I’m not exactly an experienced gambler either.”

“You don’t have to play him at poker.” She smiled, ever so slightly, “He’s an impulsive adrenaline junkie. Exploit it.”

Dust could already think of a couple of ways. Still... “Are you sure Daisy?”

“Of course I am.” Daisy curled her lip, glaring for a moment or two before her face became softer and she sighed, “Dust Kicker, it’s good to see you again. Really. And I want you to do this, because I know you can.”

Dust chuckled, smiling back at the mare. She knew how to flatter him, “I guess I can do it. But no promises.”

She nodded, “Fine. I’ll be waiting.”

The interior of the the Jakklone club was pretty much a single wide open space, thronged with zebra laughing, shouting and sobbing as their fortunes shifted. It used to be a warehouse apparently, now it reminded him of the game halls of his youth. Dark, muggy and smoky, he spotted tables for pretty much every game he could think of and a few he didn’t recognise, a boxing area and fighting cage sat at the far end for more kinetic games of chance.

It didn’t take long to find the pair, Arick as normally loud and impossible to miss in a crowd of devoted followers. Dust pushed through the crowds, spotting the griffon giving commentary on some sort of complicated card game by the sounds of it, making it sound far more interesting than a game of cardboard squares had any right to be. He didn’t seem to be playing it though, which made Dust Kicker wonder...

He finally made it near the front with a little shoving and a few dark glares, spotting Arick standing on his back paws to be more easily seen, waving his claws as he motioned towards Ace Gold. The little pony was currently fully concentrated on the game in front of him, facing down a huge, heavily scared zebra as he slammed down a decorated face card and glared up at his opponent. The zebra went pale, seeming like he was about to pull a knife on the foal for a moment before simply giving a loud growl and leaving the table with his head held as high as possible.

“And there you have it, another win by this talented young card shark! Anyone else care to step up?”

Dust moved past the crowds and towards the pair, already coming up with a plan to fulfill Daisy’s contract, “You seem to be doing well.”

Arick turned, grinning wide as he greeted him, “Well well, Sir Dust! Fancy meeting you here.” He chucked, “Daisy hired you to drag me out and shoot me?”

“Something like that.” Dust drew closer, lowering his voice a little, “You know this is all just a game to you. A lot of ponies want you gone from this board, so I’m here to make that happen.”

Arick smiled again, a little more dangerously this time, “Really? How do you intend to achieve this Dust Kicker?”

“You seem to like games of chance, so let me challenge your little genius there.” Dust motioned toward Ace Gold, the little pony staring in dulled interest, “We both knew you lost more than you won at gambling before he came along. He’s your little trump card isn’t he, how you won all those games at Los Pegasus?”

Arick grinned, “Clever old stallion aren’t you? Very well, I’ll admit it. I carry the charm, he carries the game.” The griffon fell back down onto all fours with a thump, flexing his body for a second before glaring hotly, “So buck... choose your game and terms. I’ll match them willingly.”

“My terms. You leave the golden coast, give up your position in Far Go traders.” Dust looked again at the skinny little Ace Gold, still looking like some impossibly useless hipster trash, “The game... that.”

Arick looked behind at the boxing area, his grin widening, “Heh, you’d beat up a foal Dust?”

“I’m not stupid, we both know he can fight.” Dust grinned back at him, “But I’d wager I’m a better fighter than a card player, and that he’s still half my weight. You accept?”

Arick looked round at Ace Gold, the pony still looking totally disaffected and neutral to the whole idea. Eventually Arick looked back, nodding sharply, “Very well, I accept. My terms... nothing.”

“What?”

“If I win, you would have already been beaten by a foal.” Arick chuckled to himself, eyes twinkling, “I wouldn’t wish to humiliate you any further.”

“In the red corner, we have Dust Kicker! An earth pony from the Ioata Badlands of Equestria, he is an forty three year old mercenary with years of combat experience under his belt! Weighing in at 605kg, he is the clear powerhouse in this fight!”

Six hundred and five huh? He needed to diet, he knew for a fact that wasn’t all muscle. He stepped onto the ring, limbering himself up one last time and focusing his mind. He was old school, he knew a lot of fights ended up close range in the end. Wasn’t the first boxing match he had been in either, having won a few tournaments back when he was younger. He was pretty sure he still had enough of that old skill to take on some little foal.

There were screams of delight from the crowd as Ace Gold stepped up onto the ring, basking into the adoring stares of the mares around him as he flicked his stupid looking hair to the side and took position. Dust sized him up, not coming to any new conclusions. He was fit and muscled, but still just a child. His cutie mark matched his name, a rainbow ribboned gold medal. Well he wasn't winning any tonight...

“And in the blue corner, we have Ace Gold! A unicorn pony from New Canterlot of Equestria, he is a fourteen year old two times Manehatten University fighting champion, a master of Fallen Caesar, Angel Paws and Mane Tai! Weighing in at a mere 230kg, can this little guy make up for weight with skill?!”

No, he couldn’t. The bell rang, the crowds cheering as Dust Kicker immediately charged in for the attack. The stupid prick hadn’t even taken off his sunglasses, simply staring at him with a bored expression as he closed. Dust planned on just barreling him to the ground, there was no way Ace Gold would get out of a grapple with such a clear disadvantage in weight and size.

It didn’t quite go like that. Ace Gold barely had to try, simply hopping onto Dust’s back and hopping off again the other side. Dust grabbed for his legs but it was like he was a ghost, he simply couldn’t find anything to hold on to.

The crowds burst out in laughter and Dust span, his forehoof slashing out. Ace Gold was waiting for it, dodging away and quickly bursting in with a quick jab. Another strike had the same effect, Ace Gold still looking like he wasn’t even trying.

More fool him. Dust repeated the attack and this time he was ready, grabbing Ace’s hoof in a lock and headbutting the foal hard. Ace Gold grunted out a muffled yell, trying some fancy breakaway move but completely unable to budge the heavier fighter. Dust set his muscles to work and twisted, trying to force a submission with the bound hoof.

Ace found his opening, jabbing the hoof forward and striking Dust in the throat. Dust was forced to draw back and take a gasping breath, Ace Gold taking the opportunity to twist and tug himself away. Dust recovered quickly and charged back in for the attack, Ace Gold however leapt fully into the air and span in a balletic and admittedly impressive arc that served adequately to distract from the back hoof that smacked him in the side of the head and sent him sprawling.

The crowd erupted in cheers. Dust had to admit that was a rather impressive move.

Ace rushed him while he was prone but Dust swept himself round to knock Ace’s hooves from under him. The unicorn anticipated it and danced back, Dust launching himself upwards and catching Ace with a right hook while he was off balance. It hit hard, knocking his sunglasses askew and stunning the pony, Dust taking his shoulders and throwing him hard against the ground.

Ace growled, kicked upwards into Dust’s solar plexus and snapped a sharp foreknee into the side of his head, throwing him to the ground and rearing up to jab him hard in the side of the head. Dust fought off the assault and tried to counter but Ace quickly retreated, not about to let himself get in a slugging match with the heavier fighter.

Dust gasped and made it to his hooves, shaking off the pain and readying himself once more. Ace stood the other side of the ring, his sunglasses discarded and a fierce expression on his face. The roar of the crowd sounded in Dust’s ears, his blood pumping hot in his veins...

Ace charged, leaping at the last moment to soar above Dust’s head. Dust was just too slow and inflexable to counter, feeling the foal’s hoof crack him in the back and sending a wave of paralysing shock down his entire body. He tuned just in time to see the buck coming, feeling both legs slam him in the gut and hurl him against the ropes. He slumped against them as he tried to regain his focus, trying desperately to counter the blows as Ace ran at him and rained down a flurry of jabs and hooks. It was a right spinning haymaker that got him, sending spittle flying and knocking him down onto the mat.

“One. Two...”

Screw it.

“Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven...”

“Ung... underestimated you kid... sorry...”

Ace simply grunted, “Everypony does.”

“Ten! And he’s out!”

Dust closed his eyes, having no dignity left to lose. He had walked straight into that one.

“Nice to see you’re not infallible Dust. That was unbelievably stupid.”

Dust Kicker just grinned at Zenai as she finished stitching his brow, having refused to just throw him a healing potion on account of him ‘being an idiot’. To be honest it was worth it just to see a zebra’s stitching technique, an art of beauty that made him proud to boast just his mouth and hooves, “Ace Gold was right about one thing, zebra really are all great doctors.”

“It’s something to be proud of, don’t you think?” She giggled a little, looking very cute for it, “You ponies always spent so much time looking for magical cures, you never took the time to consider the wonders you could achieve with plant, hoof and care.”

Dust chuckled back at her, “You know, that’s one of the first times I’ve ever heard you boast about being a zebra. Has being here made you feel a little less like a striped pony?”

“I... am a striped pony. I don’t believe pony and zebra are any different.” Zenai paused for a moment before relenting, nodding her head, “But culturally, yes, I suppose so. I can connect to the stories of my ancestry far better now I have a real place, real lives to relate it to. Before it was just stories, and often just excuses to isolate themselves.”

“Well, it’s always easier to stick to those you know. It’s still somewhat unusual to see an earth Pony marrying a pegasus, or a unicorn marrying a griffon.”

Zenai grinned a little, “Elder Glowbug is married to an alicorn. They make a very cute couple, considering she’s twice his size.”

“I must admit the logistics evade me.”

“Rarity and Spike?”

“Yeah... likewise. Maybe you can ask him?”

Zenai winced, “I’m not feeling suicidal yet.”

“I’m not sure I really want to know.” Dust touched his brow, a few pokes leaving him confident Zenai’s work was going to hold, “Thanks Zenai, feels much better.”

“No it doesn’t, I’ve been stabbing it for ten minutes. But it’s clean and dry.” Zenai gave him a mock glare, “Now, try not to get beaten up by any more ten year olds ok?”

Dust winced at the low blow, “He was four...teen...”

“Yeah, it really doesn’t sound any better does it?”

Dust sighed, figuring he was going to be hearing about this for a while. He noticed that somepony had shoved a letter through the door and trotted over, retrieving in and holding it up to the light. It had no name or address on it, just a plain white envelope, “Huh. Did you hear anypony post this?”

Zenai shook her head, looking curious, “No. What’s in it?”

Dust opened it up, finding just a small sheet of paper inside. It was a note, written with a typewriter, with just a few short instructions.

11pm tonight, at Nanto Avenue. Stay out of sight, follow the filly.

“What does it say?”

Dust slipped the letter away, shaking his head, “Nothing, just a meeting with a friend.”

He knew it was dishonest, but things like this always gave him a bad feeling. Somepony wanted him to see something, and he didn’t discount the possibility of it being something dangerous and compromising. He’d rather keep Zenai out of this one.

Dust had left his coat at home, taking only a small pistol in a shoulder holster in case of emergencies. He didn’t want to use it, if possible he wanted to see whatever he was supposed to see and get out without any trouble, still he was aware that this could all be a trap. He wasn’t half bad at stealth fortunately, crouched near some similar coloured walls that were obscured by the shadow cast by a nearby tower. The rest of the street was sheltered and devoid of artificial light, still the moonlight and ambient glow of the city around was easily enough to enable him to see.

The avenue was a back access to the palace, leading around the back of several shops long since closed by this hour. As such it was totally deserted, save a small guard post at the palace entrance manned by a single zebra.

And Oteka, the mare naked apart from a small sash bearing her rank and Caesar’s symbol. She wasn’t armed either, so obviously she wasn’t expecting trouble. Interesting...

He waited there for a little while, just admiring Oteka to pass the time. Eventually something moved at the other end of the street, Dust narrowing his eyes to see through the gloom. It was... a youngish zebra mare, leading along a small filly. The filly seemed odd at first, Dust eventually realising that she was a rather unfortunately looking cross breed with a very distinctive collection of traits from both species. Both parties seemed extremely nervous, though there was a hint of excitement there too. Dust watched as the mare approached, Oteka moving forward and looking down at the filly with kindness, “This is Blue Waves?”

The mare nodded, answering in the common zebra tongue. Dust really needed to learn it a little better, though he caught most of it. An acknowledgement, a thank you, an assurance that the child was well behaved and respectful... all of it smothered in forced reverence. Oteka thanked the mare in turn and passed over a heavy bag of what looked like bits, the mare leaning down and whispering a few things to the filly.

That done Oteka took the filly’s head and guided her towards the palace, the mare watching for a moment or two before turning away and heading the way she came. Dust waited for Oteka to make some distance before following, silent and swift as he crept past the guard and down the long path towards the palace.

Oteka was sharp eyed, but fortunately she was distracted by the clearly nervous filly. As such he followed without incident, eventually entering through a side entrance into the palace base. This lead to a set of stairs that stopped at what Dust recognised were Caesar’s quarters, an area in slightly better repair and much better lit than other parts of the palace. This forced him to hang back a little, carefully leaning round a corner as Oteka reached a fancy looking door and knocked politely. An answer came from within and Oteka opened the entrance, ushering the filly inside before turning back the way she came. Dust disappeared into an alcove as she passed, the zebra moving by without noticing the pony tucked away just a short distance from where her steps had landed. Dust realised he had cut that a little close, grateful but intrigued by the Oteka’s rather distracted, troubled demeanour.

Dust dismissed the question for later and headed towards the door the filly had entered with the softest steps he could manage, peeking through the keyhole to reveal an opaque screen between him and the room proper. More fool Caesar, and more fool him for oiling the door. Dust eased it open and slipped inside without a sound, peaking around the edge of the screen to check out the surroundings.

It was a large, grand room that he hadn’t seen the likes of within the palace before. Fine silks and cushions were set about the place, a large table in the middle holding a selection of expensive looking sweet treats. A carpeted area at the back held a large collection of stallion sized cushions, along with a hookah pipe and one of the zebra stringed instruments, the walls decorated with many beautiful paintings.

Rather suggestive paintings. There was one of Celestia that he had to avert his eyes from, along with... zebra, buffalo... dragons... It seemed Caesar was a xenophile, not that it was an incredibly surprising revelation.

The filly was at the table, seeming rather happy as she scoffed chocolates and downed the drinks in big gulps. Caesar was sat beside her, setting her giggling and smiling with very little effort. He was wearing a surprisingly simple looking toga and his hair was set back into a ponytail, seeming very happy and at ease with himself as he shared the contents of the table with the filly.

She was drunk. That was clear from her expression and wobbly posture, and Caesar had to encourage her to slow down as she started to get a little too shaky on her hooves. Dust realised his face was set into an uncomfortably deep frown and moved it into a more neutral expression, considering his options as the scene continued. Caesar eventually moved behind the increasingly floppy filly and ran his hooves across her fur, the child giggling a little before giving a satisfied moan as he worked his way into her muscles. He chuckled at her clear enjoyment and moved forward, nuzzling her neck as she leaned into him...

“You know, considering you have numerous enemies trying to discredit you... maybe now’s not the time.”

Caesar and the filly both gave an impressively girly scream, spinning round as Dust strolled out into the room with his eyes set firmly upon the stallion. Caesar span between anger, embarrassment and fear, eventually settling on... confusion, “Dust Kicker, what are you doing here?!”

“Got a tip off.” Dust rounded on the stallion, voice curt and to the point. Anger had... disappeared somewhere, well practiced emotional controls sealing it off and replacing it with resolve, “Someone wanted me to see this.”

Caesar looked around in a panic for a moment or two before settling into nervous resolution, his manner defensive, “And what are you going to do about it?”

“Tell you to wise up.” Dust let a bubble of anger escape, his tones gruff and impatient, “You have enemies on your doorstep wanting to destroy your reputation, somepony in this very city who knows what’s going on here and wanted to expose it to me. You have the fate of nations on your back, thousands of zebra who rely on you for direction and protection.”

Caesar looked away, evasive, “Exactly, it’s... it’s a very stressful job...”

“Then get a hobby that’s not illegal under the very laws you’ve set.”

“They... they’re my laws...” Caesar’s expression grew angry, argumentative, “And there are places in the golden coast where they marry just as young, despite all my directives...”

Dust caught his eye, glaring long and hard, “Listen to yourself.”

“I... I know.” Caesar sighed, leaning down to the filly beside, “Go into the back room there sweetheart, there’s some toys and games scattered around. I need to talk to Dust.”

“Al...alright...”

The filly trotted away, looking back for a moment before quickly sticking her head down and continuing into the back room. Caesar paused to watch her before turning back to Dust, shaking his head, “I’ve tried to stop, I have. I know it’s wrong. But I see a pretty mare on the street and I can’t get her out of my head, and I know I have enough money and power to have her. With the young ones, I tell myself... I make them feel beautiful, I’m kind to them...”

“I’m not here to pass moral judgement, so justifying yourself to me is a waste of time.” Dust looked him straight in the eye, firm and unyelding, “Again, I’m speaking as a pony who’s been paid to make this alliance happen. You’re jeopardizing it with your irresponsible actions.”

Caesar nodded sadly, “I see your point. I... I will refrain from any hobbies that may reflect poorly on me while this treaty is still under consideration.”

Dust felt an odd sympathy for him, trying to wriggle out of his own actions, convince himself of his own nobility. That disturbed him slightly, that sympathy, “You will always have enemies Caesar. Look at your brother, brought down by his own selfish desires.”

It was now that Dust realised Caesar had never mentioned his brother, his head rising angry and fierce, “My brother?! Who spoke of him to you?!”

Dust kept his voice calm, not about to be intimidated, “Does it matter?”

“My brother... no...” Caesar lowered his voice, keeping it barely under control as he spoke, “I offer them fine foods, drink, I’m kind, I pay them well for their time. My brother... my father... they were rapists and thugs, they were the monsters. My father took Oteka forcefully when she was just a child, forever sullied her in the eyes of her clan! I took her in, gave her respect and purpose, I tried to rise above the brutality of my family!”

“And you have.” Dust leveled his eyes at the zebra, “But you are the great Caesar. You have set yourself up as more than mortal, so you need to act like it.”

“I can’t!” Caesar yelled the words, desperate and a little scared, “I’m not Celestia, I’m not some mighty celibate high queen, free of desire and fault! I... I’m just a mortal, taking the appearance and aspect of something more to appeal to those who have no hope of something better!”

“And if you break that illusion, you’ll break their hope. You have made your choice, now you have to live with it.”

“What do you know?!” Caesar stepped forward, raging and angry as her advanced on Dust, “You’re just a sellsword, a mercenary! You’re nothing!”

“I’m someone who’s seen a lot of ponies meet their downfall.”

Caesar paused, teeth clenching. Eventually he turned away, voice bitter and full of pain, “You will not presume to tell me what to do. I am Caesar, my will is law. You will escort yourself out and I will forget about all this.”

Dust cursed inwardly. So close... “And the filly?”

“The filly... I will not touch her. She will be returned unharmed, in the morning.” Caesar glared at him, a whole mixture of raw emotion held in check by bottomless resolve, “Now go.”

Dust paused for something else to say, but there was nothing. He simply had to nod and do as he was commanded, knowing now...

This was all going to end badly.

_____________________________________________________________

60% EXP to level up.

Chapter 1.15 - Vulnerabilities

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She felt terrible, her head pounding, her stomach churning like it was being tied in knots. She winced as the needle punctured her side, gritting her teeth and taking the pain. It was all worth it, all worth it...

“You taking too many drugs, you know thiss. Detox becoming harder and harder, too much for you to take.”

“I can... take it...”

Steel Marrow glared angrily, withdrawing the needle and discarding it into the sharps bin before loping over to a nearby cupboard and collecting up all the supplies for the morning’s routine. Fluttershy took the opportunity to just flop onto the bed, waiting for the pounding in her head to clear as Steel Marrow replaced her stoma bag, checked her blood pressure and performed the dozen other irritating little tasks that reminded her of her mortality and limitations. Every day it seemed to get longer.

She knew the drugs didn’t help. She remembered Pinkie Pie well, her best friend destroyed by addiction to the very drug that was her mainstay. Regular detox treatments kept the worst at bay but she was still showing some of the symptoms of long term abuse, shakes, obsessions, poor attention span... she was aware that she was likely shaving years off her life, condemning herself to early dementia.

But she found herself agreeing with Pinkie, found herself sympathising with her. She had needed to be better. She had been better. Everypony forgot that Pinkie had caught dozens of zebra plots, saved hundreds of pony lives. That her spies and vigilance had averted dozens of attacks, outed countless spies.

It had destroyed her. But she had always known it would. She had done it anyway. And Fluttershy was old. She didn’t have many more years in her. She would willingly use up what little strength she had left to give in order to make a better world for those who came after.

She looked over to Steel Marrow, the hellhound’s eyes furrowed in concentration as he checked the readings on her bionic leg. He had been one of the many hellhounds that had dedicated themselves to her after she had pushed the hellhound Right’s bill through the council, the whole species embarrassing Fluttershy with an outpouring of almost religious worship. Fluttershy had turned most of them away, uncomfortable enough with being Velvet Remedy’s shadow even without an army of wasteland killers bound to her service. Steel Marrow however... he had left his fellows, stoically endured speciesm, coped with a bare minimum of prior education and a curriculum hardly designed with his species in mind... to become a doctor. To save lives. Fluttershy respected that more than she could ever say, “Thank you.”

“Don’t do thess for the praise.” Steel Marrow grumbled as he put the diagnostic unit away and pulled out a comb, moving to brush Fluttershy’s hair, “Praise only good to reassure thozze doing nothing worthwhile with their lives.”

Fluttershy smiled at him and returned her head to the bed, knowing he was just too proud to accept it without protest. Steel Marrow had endured a lot and it had hardened him a little too much, still he was one of the kindest beings she knew. He actually... reminded her a lot of Angel. She missed that bunny...

“Do you have preference to colour today?”

Fluttershy thought for a moment, normally content to go for her usual green. Still... “Red, I think.”

Steel Marrow couldn’t help snarking, “Trying to impress some young stallion?”

“Yes actually.” Fluttershy couldn’t help chuckling, “I’m meeting Arick Grimfeather’s today, I think he will respect me a lot more for boldness in my approach.”

“Hmm, fair enough.” Steel Marrow retrieved the red ribbon and pulled her hair into a bun, winding it around to seal it in place, “Thoughs I think claws through face make a bolder statement.”

“Be nice. He’s not... very nice, but he’s hardly evil.”

“If I find you in bed with him, I will kill you both. For the sake of the children.”

She came downstairs to her office a little early as normal, Steel Marrow heading off to gather details on today’s appointments as Fluttershy made herself a cup of tea and some butter scones, enjoying the pleasant silence of an empty office. Rufus, a zebra bureaucrat she was becoming increasingly fond of, was her first visitor. He entered with a small stack of papers as normal, a mixture of fanmail, personal requests and comments sent to the palace from civilians in the area. Steel Marrow and Silver Scribe normally sorted them properly in the afternoon but Fluttershy enjoyed starting the morning by reading some of the more interesting looking ones.

Rufus was also a welcome opportunity to learn more about zebra culture, an immigrant from the most northern end of the Golden Coast where Caesar’s and Star Fall’s grasp was limited, the climate was cool and very few spoke anything but Nagana, an obscure zebra language barely evolved from the first tongues spoken in this area. Fluttershy got the impression he was considered a country hick by those around him, indeed he reminded Fluttershy very favourably of the Apple family. She was only too happy to give the eager young zebra a chance to talk about his culture where he wasn’t being judged for it.

Sadly work called, Silver Scribe just a few minutes late today, a rarity for her. The alicorn called out a happy and rather excitable good morning, her good mood triggering a little suspicion in Fluttershy as she replied cheerily, “And good morning to you Silver Scribe. Would you like a scone?”

The alicorn shook her head, looking abnormally pleased with herself, “I’ve already eaten. Actually I have something to show you.”

“Oh? Have you finished that demographic report then?”

“Actually I’m still working on that. But look at this.” Silver Scribe gave a polite cough before opening her elegant little saddlebag and floating out a scroll, depositing it on Fluttershy’s desk with her normal flawless control, “This is a report I made on government revenue, tax collection and expenditure by region. I think that by implementing some of the NCR’s methods Caesar could increase his revenue by twenty percent.”

Fluttershy smiled politely, looking the report over. It certainly seemed to be detailed, though as normal there were a few too many blatant suppositions without hard evidence to back them up. Her referencing could do with some work too, especially for a recent university graduate. A... C grade, or a low B...

Fluttershy chuckled, you could take the professor out of the classroom... “It’s very good Silver Scribe, but it’s not what I asked you to do.”

Silver Scribe frowned angrily, clearly hurt deeply by the comment, “I am working on that. I just thought it was an important observation and I wanted to present it to you properly.”

Fluttershy sighed, giving her a kindly look as she shuffled the report to one side, “Of course, and it’s a worthy avenue of study. But it’s my job to make sure we’re all working together and being as productive as possible. I needed that demographic study for work I intended to do today, where as we won’t be able to use this for several weeks at least. Do you understand?”

Silver Scribe lowered her head, looking sulky, “I was just trying to take initiative...”

“And that’s good. But you should discuss any projects with me first, so I can use everypony as efficiently as possible.”

Silver Scribe nodded lifelessly, clearly crushed, “Ok. Can I go now, go get that report done?”

Fluttershy nodded, “Sure. Thank you Silver Scribe.”

She watched the mare leave, tapping her hoof against her desk. Silver Scribe was not... the first mare Fluttershy would have chosen as her student, but was aware that one rarely had the luxury of choosing them. The problem of course was a depressingly common one, Silver Scribe had no desire to learn. Her opinion of the arrangement was it was an opportunity to impress an important NCR celebrity and move up to the next rank in her career. It was an all too common affliction of the young, to assume they already knew everything and now just had to claw their way upwards.

Fluttershy sighed at such thoughts, wondering if she was being judgemental. Silver Scribe was just... young. She had impressive Twilight Frost after all, and though the alicorn wasn’t the best judge of character she did have an eye for talent. Plus, all this moaning about the youth of today... the last thing Fluttershy wanted to become was some grumpy old grandma.

Figuratively speaking of course. It was a bit late for that now.

Great, now she had depressed herself.

Fluttershy was still amazed how little Demonivore had changed, considering she had last trod these streets over two hundred and fifty years ago. She couldn’t help chuckling as she stepped across a paving stone that had once felt Pinkie Pie’s hoof, chipped and worn but still likely the very same stone. Silver Scribe gave her a questioning look at her open good mood, Fluttershy looking up to explain, “I visited this city once with the other elements of harmony. I met Caesar Remicon and Prince Nashar here too... though it was just Senator Rumicon back then.”

“You knew...” Silver Scribe paused for a moment in wonder before giving into her curiosity, carefully enquiring, “What was the Caesar like?”

“Proud, stubborn. Glared a lot.” Fluttershy smiled, closing her eyes at the memory, “Pinkie Pie made him laugh. He wasn’t a bad zebra, not really. It doesn’t work like that.”

“How does it work?”

“You know, when you get really into a... crossword puzzle or a bit of sewing, and you can’t think of anything else? You’re sitting up into the small hours of the night, missing sleep and deadlines over something totally inconsequential?”

Silver Scribe looked a bit confused but nodded anyway, “Yes?”

“It’s like that. After a little while no pony or zebra could think about anything but victory and death, even after there was no longer any reason to continue.” Fluttershy lowered her head, taking a deep breath as the dark memories flooded back, “I wasn’t any better. I lost all perspective, stopped discussing my plans with anyone. I felt they wouldn’t understand, didn’t want to put them in danger... but in the end I became lost inside my own fantasies.”

“I’m... sorry.”

“I learned to live with it.” She looked up at the alicorn, smiling gently, “But it’s a lesson to be learned. Always question your motivations, and have others around to question them.”

Silver Scribe frowned, looking a little grumpy, “Everypony questions me.”

“If you can’t adequately explain yourself, then maybe you need to take a step back.” Fluttershy chuckled, “I doubt Velvet Remedy and I would have done half the good we had if we didn’t have the other to say when we were being blinkered and obsessive.”

Silver Scribe smiled at this, sweet and genuine, “That’s... nice.”

Fluttershy knew the comment was heartfelt, despite its poor expression. Hopefully it might convince the alicorn to allow others to criticise her ideas without it feeling like a personal insult, and through that learn to be generally more flexible.

But such thoughts could wait until later. The temporary offices of the Far Go traders reared up in front of them, ponies moving about in a bustle as they set up their operation. A few caps were doffed as Fluttershy was recognised, Fluttershy falling into her old ‘waving and smiling routine’. A pony she recognised as a well known children’s entertainer pointed her out to the zebra foals that surrounded him as she passed, earning her sincere gratitude by convincing them not to rush her and content themselves with observing from afar.

They entered the office and stood observing the chaos for a moment, Arick busy yelling at a troop of merchants as Ace Gold stood nearby with a look of bored indifference on his face. The office was covered with paper and assorted nick nacks, someone having hung a large portrait of Arick upon the back wall. The argument Arick was having seemed to be about some obscure financial point that went over Fluttershy’s head, and either way he quickly ended the discussion and turned to face Fluttershy with a broad grin. He waved a claw to shoo the merchants away and advanced forward, his normal smug, ‘laughing at some hidden joke’ look in his eye, “Ambassador, a pleasure.”

Fluttershy smiled back, not bothering to keep her own enmity from creeping in around her eyes, “Likewise Arick. Congratulations on your new position.”

He laughed, patting himself on the chest, “You know I’m always eager to take on new opportunities. And I’m starting to like this work, I think I might have finally found a place perfectly suited to my talents.”

Con-artistry, seducing women and egomania? Fluttershy kept her inner thoughts to herself of course, “I’m glad you’re doing well Arick. Actually I wanted to talk to you today about your business here. You are of course a representative of the NCR, official or not, and...”

Arick waved her off, giving a bored sigh, “You can talk about all that with my staff. It’s been ages since we spoke Fluttershy, why is it all business?”

“Arick...”

“So Fluttershy, tell me. Any special pony in your life? Is your bed still cold and lonely?”

“Arick.” She spoke firmly, locking her eyes on the prattish griffon, “I have a lot of work to do, and I don’t have time for games. You’re painting yourself as a professional now, so please be professional.”

Arick sighed theatrically, rolling his eyes... and setting them upon Silver Scribe, “Very well, if you won’t play... what about you Sil?”

Silver Scribe’s eyes went wide, frozen before his charming smile, “I... um...”

“Anyone special in your life?” He smiled playfully, spinning a claw in the air, “Found anyone else to do that little hair thing you like?”

Silver Scribe blushed, and Fluttershy was ever so slightly sickened to see a goofy smile spread across her face. Was it really that easy? “Arick, if you haven’t got anything important to say...”

Arick chuckled, “I might not have anything interesting to say, but Sil might have. Come on, is your bed really as lonely as this old mare’s?”

“No... no I haven’t.” Silver Scribe blushed furiously, averted her head as it spread across her cheeks, “Got a special somepony that is... I...”

She was forced to pause as he leaned in closer, his charming grin causing her words to freeze in her throat. Arick continued to stare for a second more, enjoying her reaction, before moving back and stroking his chin thoughtfully, “Damn shame.”

Fluttershy... lost it, her temper with the griffon never particularly impressive, “Arick, you are wasting my time!”

“Losing your cool there Miss F.” Arick smirked, turning his back on her and moving towards the back entrance, “And frankly, I don’t care about any of the shit you have to talk about. We’re in zebra territory now, not the NCR. Nether you, nor any of your friends have any say in how I run things.”

Fluttershy almost shook with anger, jaw clenching, “Arick, you smug little...”

“Watch it Miss F, there are kids in the room.” Arick waved a dismissive claw, “And your five minutes are up. Happy trails.”

“Arick, wait!”

Fluttershy watched in total bafflement as Arick left the room and Silver Scribe galloped off after him, not quite sure what just happened.

No, she knew what just happened. Arick Grimfeathers had picked a fight and won. Again. And Fluttershy could only seethe impotently, her anger bubbling fiercely in her breast as she tried to restrain her urge to chase that arrogant little... shit down and spank his bottom until he learned how not to be a spoiled child. She looked around for something to hurt, head snapping round as a glass of water floated over. Her anger dimmed a little as she saw Ace Gold standing there watching her dispassionately, his horn glowing softly. He shrugged, “You look like you needed it.”

Fluttershy snapped the glass away with a hoof, angrily taking a gulp of the liquid. It went down painfully and she gave in to the temptation at last, flinging the glass to the floor and imagining it was Arick’s head as it shattered into a thousand rainbow shards bouncing across the carpet.

It was... very satisfying.

“I hope you don’t expect me to clean that up.”

Fluttershy felt the familiar guilt and shame, staring in sad resignation at the broken crystal shards scatted about the floor. It was childish and petty, certainly not the actions of a senior NCR official. Her temper had got the better of her again, “No... I’ll pay somepony to...”

She was forced to pause as the shards floated up off the floor, gathering together and dumping themselves into the wastebin. It was an impressive bit of magic, Fluttershy turning to Ace Gold with a warm smile, “Your telekinesis has really improved.”

Ace Gold’s embarrassment at the praise was clear, even behind the stoic exterior of those dark glasses he always wore, “Studied it at Manehatten U, should be good.”

Fluttershy tried not to grin, the foal such a typical surly teenager. She remembered when he would never shut up, when he was so curious about each and every thing. She was sure that deep down he was just the same, even underneath the hormones and acne, “Even if I disagree with your choice of friends, it’s good to see you doing so well Ace. You’ve grown into a handsome young stallion.”

Ace Gold met her gaze with a quiet, assessing stare, considering his answer for a moment before nodding slowly and carefully, “Arick isn’t so bad once you get to know him. He just doesn’t like ponies trying to tie him down.”

Fluttershy wasn’t convinced. She had known Arick most of his life and had never seen anything but mild sociopathy and self obsession behind that thin veneer of charm. Still she would never state that so bluntly, “I’ll believe you Ace. Just be careful, he doesn’t like to be counted on either. Get too close and he’ll turn on you just as quickly.”

“Yeah... whatever.” Ace retreated back into his shell of indifference again, tone quietly hostile, “Is this the part where you try to convince me to go home?”

Fluttershy sighed, though she understood his hostility. He hadn’t had the easiest of childhoods, and she knew he often felt justifiably isolated and misunderstood, “No. You’re intelligent, capable and only a few years off your age of majority. Certainly a lot of foals younger than you are already finding their way in the world without their parent’s assistance.” She was lying a little about her true feelings, but she still meant what she was saying. Ace had never excelled in a structured environment, and she really did think this was good for him despite her fears.

“Well, that’s not what my parents think.”

Fluttershy chuckled, “If they really objected it’s within both of their powers to drag you back forcefully. As I said, you’re not at age of majority yet.” She lowered her gaze, smiling kindly at the evasive foal as she placated him, “Your father can be overbearing sometimes, I understand. He doesn’t want to make the mistakes his own father did, and you have to understand that. But he understands that sometimes a child needs to find their own way.”

Ace Gold sniffed, looking grumpy, “And what about my mother?”

Fluttershy sighed, knowing this relationship all too well. It wasn’t something you could easily talk to either of them about, “Remember that she ran away from home as well. She understands.”

Ace snorted, his tone unpleasant, “I know she ran away from home, I was living there at the time. I don’t think it’s quite the same.”

Ow, she walked right into that one. But yes it was, both decisions leaving families worried, upset and wondering quite what they did wrong. Only Ace’s reasons concerned only himself, while his mother’s concerned the whole wasteland, making Ace the flaming hypocrite in her book. But... element of kindness, not honesty, “I’ve spoken to you about this before Ace. You can’t live in the past, if you want to grow you have to move forward. You have to pay attention to the now.”

Ace’s nose wrinkled, “What now? The damn kissy kissy make up? That’s why I left, makes me sick. Two ponies who spent my entire childhood shouting about how much they hated the other, now all lovey dovey like nothing happened? It didn’t work the first time, what makes them think it will now?”

Fluttershy closed her eyes, feeling Ace’s pain. His parent’s divorce was obviously still so clear and painful in his mind that it drowned out any happy memories of being a family. She was already aware how deeply he blamed his mother, “Ace, the circumstances are...”

“Fluttershy, stop being such a fucking busybody!” Ace growled the words, cold and sharp. He adjusted his glasses to hide his eyes fully, shooting her a nasty grimace as he turned his flank to her, “Just do your job, and stay the fuck out of my life already. I’ve got enough shit to worry about.”

Fluttershy watched him leave, letting her head fall in defeat. Some wounds were just too raw.

She got back a little late that evening, hooves aching from the exertion. She had eventually managed to track down Daisy and get some sort of deal hammered out, that however left her late for several other engagements that left her scampering around the city gasping out apologies and trying not to get anyone mixed up. That was compounded by Silver Scribe having totally vanished, Fluttershy not getting a single response from her all afternoon.

As such she was really holding herself back as she stalked towards Silver Scribe’s room, contemplating apocalyptic punishments. Her jaw dropped like a stone as the door opened and Arick strode out, adjusting his suit and shooting Fluttershy a grin. She ran her tongue around her mouth and tightened her jaw, making sure it was firm and suitably intimidating as she walked up to meet him, “What are you doing here?”

“Catching up with old friends.” Arick laughed to himself, shaking his head and shrugging innocently at Fluttershy, “Look, I know you hate me. I know you’ll probably hate me even more now. Let me just say I never lied, never mislead anyone. I don’t go out of my way to hurt anypony, I just go through life taking what I’m offered.”

“What’s left out to pilfer!”

He smirked as she lost her temper once more, “Then they should take better care of it.”

She lowered her gaze, snout wrinkling in fury, “Get out.”

“Fine.”

She watched him walk past, heading towards the exit with his normal confident swagger. It was as fake and studied as the rest of him, Fluttershy wondering how he fooled anyone. She found him... foul.

She sighed and continued on into the room, instantly greeted with the sound of sobbing. She forced a kind, sympathetic look onto her face with an impressive act of will and trotted fully into the room, greeted with a rather pathetic looking alicorn half buried in the sheets of her bed, “Silver Scribe.”

“Leave me alone...”

She trotted over, pausing for a moment before moving over to the sink and filling a glass of water. She offered it to Silver Scribe but the alicorn turned away, Fluttershy sighing and placing it on her bedside table, “I’m not going to make any judgements, I promise.” She took a deep breath, “I assume he took what he wanted and left?”

“He... said he often thought of me, what we could have been... that all the old feelings returned just seeing me again... I believed him, I let him...”

Feelings? Of lust, the desire to corrupt such a seemingly straight laced girl? Simple sadism? Whatever passed for emotion in that blackened heart of his? “He was lying.”

“Bastard...” She lifted her head, looking over to Fluttershy with tear stained eyes, “Why did I let him? Why did I fall for it?”

“We’re... it’s understandable. He promised what you wanted to hear, and had a charming smile. That’s a lot when you’re feeling lonely.”

“You sound like you have experience...”

“I was young once too.” Fluttershy sighed, closing her eyes at the long forgotten memories, “And pretty. And naive.”

Silver Scribe actually giggled, a small sad smile etching itself across her face before it was replaced with worry, “I’m... so sorry Ambassador.”

“No harm done.” Fluttershy stepped away, sighing, “Go to sleep, forget about all this. I want you at my office early tomorrow ok?”

Star Swirl nodded, “Sure... am I in trouble?”

“No. But you need to focus Silver Scribe. You keep being distracted by irrelevant things, and if you’re going to make something of yourself I’m going to need to see some dedication.” She nodded firmly at the alicorn, “I’m going to be supervising you closely for the time being ok? You have to shape up, or I’m going to have to take more official measures.”

“Ok...”

“Good. Now get some sleep.” Fluttershy gave her a reassuring smile before stepping away, taking one last long behind before heading back to her room.

Silver Scribe really should know better, but as she had mentioned Fluttershy hadn’t exactly been any smarter when she was young. Maybe she would be able to make something out of this mare, just as her friends had made something of her. It was a nice thought.

She was tired, so tired.

She liked young people, she really did. She spent most of her time with them, and Ace Gold and increasingly Silver Scribe were dear to her. Still she was forced to admit that they really did require a lot of time and energy. She had a whole stack of papers to work on and she barely had enough in her to finish reading the first, her eyes drooping and her resolve wavering.

She initially felt her mind drifting to her Mint-all’s, Fluttershy waving off the idea. Mint-all’s wouldn’t make her less tired, in fact from experience it would just make her more distracted and restless. She pondered the matter for a little while before her eyes moved to her make up bag. She quickly retrieved it and brought it to her desk, slipping open the secret compartment and searching around with a hoof. She quickly found what she was looking for, pulling out the small inhaler and placing it on the desk in front of her. Then she stared at it, the red liquid gently swirling around inside the pressurised container like fog on a cold day.

She knew it was a bad habit. In her work in the Followers she had come across plenty of ponies ruined by it. Still... she knew the propaganda the Follower’s spread was rubbish. The users were ruined not because of the drug itself, but because they ran out of money and needed to steal and whore to afford to feed their addiction. She wasn’t addicted, and as terrible as it seemed... she was wealthy.

And it wasn’t new for her, having been a little too reliant on drugs since her early thirties. Rarity had struggled with amphetamine abuse for several years, and accidently introduced Fluttershy to the same. They had beaten it together, but Fluttershy had often found herself turning back to the drugs when times got hard. She didn’t see why it was so bad, Twilight’s obsessive behaviour needed no drugs to bloom and Applejack had been mean and miserable enough to make the most obsessive Buck abuser look like a kitten at her lowest points. Fluttershy just needed a pick-me-up every now and then.

It was just a drug after all. Inside this bottle were simple triggers for natural neurotransmitters, convincing them to work just a little differently for a short while. She nodded firmly to herself as she adequately justified her decision, just taking the inhaler in her mouth and clicking the trigger. She grimaced a little at the sour, chemical taste of the mixture before it swiftly got to work. She felt her tiredness drift away, a renewed sense of focus and purpose take her, along with a warm, fluffy sense of well being. She smiled with contentment and got to work.

She rushed through the work with admirable swiftness, and though she could barely remember half of what she was signing she reassured herself that she could quickly double check it all later on. Her energy levels started to give out as it started to wear off, still she had adequate supply to take another dose.

Eventually it was finished, Fluttershy smiling at the big pile in front of her and calling for Steel Marrow.

The hell hound entered shortly afterwards, nodding as Fluttershy indicated the papers, “You have had a long day misezz Fluttershy, you should get some rest.”

“I will... um, after this.” Fluttershy chuckled as she tried to think through the clouds that had suddenly formed in her head, waving a hoof to Steel Marrow, “These papers are done.”

“I can see that... what in the stars...?” Steel Marrow’s eyes scrolled the first paper in the stack, holding it up to look more closely. His worried, confused eyes flicked to Fluttershy... and then widened in anger as they moved along the desk.

Fluttershy looked over to where he was staring, a gasp escaping from her throat as she realised she had left the empty Dash capsules just laying out in full view. She scrabbled for an explanation, made worse by the fact that her words just didn’t want to flow at the moment, “I... it was just a little, to help me work...”

Steel Marrow’s muscles went tight, the hell hound obviously restraining himself from slicing something in half. He took the Dash capsule between two of his long fingers, glass cracking as he glared hotly at Fluttershy. He literally spat his words, “Thizzz... is poissson! Two capsulez, witthin an hour?! You’re lucky your heart’th still as strong as it izz!”

Fluttershy backed away a little, honestly intimidated by his anger, “Exactly, I can take it...”

Steel Marrow seized up the paper he had been reading and threw it at her, Fluttershy catching it in her hooves as he glared, “Read it.”

She complied, looking down at the paper. It was hard to focus, still... she didn’t remember...

Her writing had sprawled out of the lines in big, messy curves, most of the words appallingly misspelt. Half the sentences were... incomprehensible, “I... I didn’t...”

“You have ruined a whole day’s worth of work.” Steel Marrow slammed the papers down on the desk, his eyes burning holes into her hide as he spoke with quiet wrath, “You smuggled illegal chemicals into a foreign territory. You took a dangerous and addictive drug in double dozez. You intentionally ignored my advice.”

Fluttershy couldn’t think straight, realising that the drug really had affected her badly. She couldn’t concentrate, her mind a fog. She... had been stupid to take a double dose of Dash when she was so tired, and she really should have realised that. She felt tears drip down her face, feeling like a scared schoolgirl caught red handed by her teacher, “I’m... I’m sorry...”

“No mores.” Steel Marrow snapped up the make up bag, his claws seizing it tight, “I will remove thee temptation.”

“No!” Fluttershy rose up, not wishing for this to cause any more damage than it already had. She desperately waved a hoof at him, just wanting to stop all this nonsense and just sit down and talk, “That supply has a market value of thousands of caps, I... I might need it. There might be an emergency and I might...”

Steel Marrow flexed his paw, the bag collapsing with a crack of breaking glass. Fluttershy winced like her heart had been shot through, guilt... and anger, “Steel Marrow! Stop, stop it right now!”

He grimaced, staring at her for a moment or two before walking over and seizing her Mint-all collection. Fluttershy really did shout now, now feeling perfectly justified in her belief that this had gone too far, “No! You can’t, I order you to put that down!”

He growled his words, “You’res addicted to this... shit. And I will not sit and watch you kill yourself.”

Fluttershy stamped her hoof, sincerely ready to wrestle it away from him. She didn’t care that he could likely hold her off with a single digit of those large powerful paws, “I’m not addicted! You detox me every day!”

“Physically or physiologically, it’s the same. You can no longer bear to be weak, refuse proper rest, extend yourself past your limits with chemicals.” He growled, crushing the bag in his paw with the barest of effort, “I refuse to let you do this.”

“NO!” Fluttershy screamed at him, her throat straining as she gasped angry painful curses. He couldn’t do this, he couldn’t! “I need them! Without them... the peace process will fail, I won’t be able to do it! You’re killing thousands of ponies, zebra! You’re killing them! STOP IT! STOP! I’M AN ELEMENT OF HARMONY, I’M A HERO, A VIP! YOU CAN’T IGNORE ME!”

He glared at her, eyes like twin icicles. He held that gaze as tears ran down her face, her chest heaving with the effort. His words held nothing but cruel judgement, “If yous really cared about this peazze you would have givens this up long ago. You should knows that these don’t lead to wizzdom, only madnezz and pain.”

Fluttershy tried to speak, her mouth however was dry and sore, her neck muscles aching as the tears ran down her face, “They help... without them I’m just an old mare...”

“With them you’re a mewling child, dying alone and unloved with a legacy of fear and terror. You know thizz only too well!”

Fluttershy gasped. How dare he! “Don’t bring Pinkie into this!”

“Somehound has to.” He turned away, stalking towards the door with the remains of her mint-all’s still clutched tightly in his paw, “You can get yourself to bed. I refuse to help a mare intent on self destruction.”

“Fine! Go!” Fluttershy screamed after him, quivering in anger. She remained like that for some time after he had left, finally realising that there was no pony left to vent it against.

No pony at all.

The next morning was hard. She hadn’t been able to sleep properly so she already woke up in a foul mood, not exactly the best time to attempt activities she hadn’t done herself in a long time. She waited as long as she could for Steel Marrow and even called him a couple of times, to no result.

He really had gone.

Eventually she just let her mane hang loose and dressed herself in her stealth cloak, the clasp a lot easier to apply than the rather more complex dresses she had brought. Her stoma bag was near impossible to change herself however, her joint’s protesting before she even got close to the right position. In the end she simply emptied it, figuring she could get one of Caesar’s nurses to change it later. She did briefly consider calling one to her room, but knew that would attract too much attention. She was hardly in bad shape for her age, but all the same hated to reveal her medical history quite so openly to Caesar’s employees.

Mostly it was just pride. Steel Marrow was right. She hated being weak, getting old.

And speak of the devil, a single step later and her hip clicked out of position and she collapsed against the bed, swearing in pain and frustration. It was the leg she was forcing out of position to change her stoma bag, obviously she had stressed the joint there more than she thought. It hurt like hell but Fluttershy was able to put weight through her other leg, the bionic parts allowing her to put more pressure on it than normal. Unfortunately it was also on the side affected by her stroke, meaning she was hardly too stable as she staggered out of the door a dishevelled, haggard mess.

Indeed she made but a few short steps towards her office before realising how stupid this all was, sighing at how idiotic she must look as she took out her pip-buck and called up Silver Scribe. Damn her pride to hell, she couldn’t well limp around for the rest of the day.

The call hung in the air for a good minute before finally cutting out, unable to find the destination. Either Silver Scribe hadn’t got her pip-buck turned on or it was out of range.

“Mmm...” Fluttershy dropped her foreleg, taking a good deep breath. Her damaged leg instantly began to ache like hell, her limited patience instantly failing her, “Mother... feather...! Fuck! Fucking... Silver Scribe, Steel Marrow, Regina, Arick and all her fucking family!” She kicked out like a foal, no longer caring how stupid she looked, “Gagh! I hate you all!”

“Ambassador Fluttershy?”

She turned, the zebra clerk Rufus standing a few feet away with a clipboard held against his chest. She observed him quietly for a moment or two before just curling up on the floor and waiting to die.

“You shouldn’t have to do this.”

“No, it’s an...”

“Don’t tell me it’s an honour. I’m sick of hearing it.”

Rufus smiled as he helped her tie her hair back, straightening out the loose strands, “It’s really no problem Ambassador. Back home, I used to help out great mother Kanzi every day, help her wash and dress. She was a great and honourable mare, and I would not be here if not for her lessons and example.”

Fluttershy sighed, not feeling like some grand old wise woman, “The old can be as stupid and selfish as anypony else.”

“You are a great mother Ambassador. The tribes of the NCR look up to you, one of the greatest uses your name.”

Did it? They worshiped the world following the end, the Followers of the Apocalypse. Burning the world didn’t make her the custodian of what came after, save by virtue of guilt. That came to those who were born in it, grew up in it, fought against it. It belonged to Velvet Remedy, “I... inspired it. I suppose.”

“And you led the Hellhounds to full citizenship within the NCR.”

Fluttershy winced, cowering slightly at the reminder. She still wasn’t sure if it had been a good idea, “There’s a lot of ponies who still disagree with me on that one.”

“You lead hundreds to safety through enemy controlled territory during the war with the Enclave.”

“Yes, but that...” She sighed, shaking her head, “Ponies listen to me because I’m two hundred years old, because I led a ministry, because I was an element of harmony. I didn’t earn any of that, it was all given to me by circumstance.” She left her head fall, contemplating her disgrace, “I was the odd one out in the Elements, I was the coward, the whiner. I just followed behind, trying not to get in the way. Being the only survivor doesn’t make me any more special than that.”

Rufus paused, his silence lingering in the air. Fluttershy cursed her melancholy for convincing her to say too much, wondering if she had embarrassed, upset the zebra somehow. And then he spoke, quiet and tender, “There’s a lot of brave zebra out there. Most of them have a lot of blood on their hooves. You... you’re the element of kindness. You were kind to the hellhounds, you were kind to the zebra, and you encouraged the Followers of the Apocalypse to be kind. When zebra talk about the war crimes of ponies, your name is brought up to counter that hatred. A great mother isn’t defined by her deeds, but by the deeds of her children.”

Her children? Her children were all dead.

Oh why! Why did she think like that?! Her children were gone, happy in whatever afterlife awaited them alongside her friends. Her pining for them? Selfish. She didn’t deserve to be happy with them, not yet. She still had too many sins to buy off. And bit by bit... maybe she was doing enough good to see them again some day, “Thank you Rufus. Your great mother taught you well.”

“No problem Ambassador.” He brought her dress over and helped her inside, Fluttershy unable to help feeling slightly embarrassed at getting so intimate with a strange stallion. It had taken her a while to get used to Steel Marrow, and at least he wasn’t pony shaped. She winced slightly as Rufus touched her right leg, his hoof pausing momentarily. He spoke quietly, sounding a little embarrassed himself, “Sorry, it just felt...”

Fluttershy gave a reluctant smile, tapping the offending leg against the ground, “Strange?”

Rufus considered his answer, “Um... yes. Just the muscle underneath seems... off.”

She smiled, “It’s a bionic implant. The bone, nerves and parts of the muscle are all artificial.”

His eyes widened in surprise and confusion, “But... it’s normal flesh on top.”

Fluttershy smiled, glad he hadn’t noticed the joins. Call her vain but her first worry was that she would have some industrial plated shard of metal sticking out of her hip, having to admit always being somewhat unsettled by those with obvious modifications. Truth be told the pain, tenderness and added difficulty in maintenance might not have been worth it in the long run, still she appreciated the effort spent on making it look natural, “It was state of the art when it was implanted, I allowed myself to be use as a test subject. I had just had a rather high profile stroke and lost all sensation in that leg, they promised they could heal the damage and I felt my participation would help them gain the funding needed to expand their work to the general population.”

Rufus stared at the leg in wonder, eventually turning up to Fluttershy and giving her a broad smile, “See, that’s another way in which you managed to help the lives of others.”

Fluttershy chuckled, “And once again, I was rather a passive participant in the situation.”

Rufus returned her smile before helping her get her other leg into her dress, just tying the support band when something hit both of them hard. Fluttershy toppled to the floor with Rufus following after, a loud bang and a crack of collapsing masonry sounding out as the whole palace shook on its foundations. Fluttershy dived under the desk and curled into a ball, whimpering slightly as the sound of falling rubble continued over the distant retort of gunfire.

“Ambassador, are you alright!?”

Fluttershy lifted her head, relieved to find she was. The office was covered in a thin layer of dust but there were no cracks indicating the structure was unsafe, nor any further shaking. An earthquake?

No, that had been an explosion, “I’m fine. Are... are we under attack?”

Rufus pricked his ears up and advanced cautiously on the door, “I can’t hear any more weapon fire... but there’s a lot of shouting.”

Fluttershy took a deep breath to calm herself, pulling herself up and brushing down her dress. They were ok, it was likely just a accident down on the range, “We should stay here and wait for updates.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. No use running out into danger, or overreacting to something minor.” Fluttershy took a key from under the desk, using to unlock her supply drawer. There wasn’t much, a vial of dash, a box of mint-alls and some buck, along with a needle pistol and a submachine gun. She hesitated to make any rash moves so she just took the needle pistol for now, placing it on top of the desk in easy reach. After a moment she took the Dash as well, well aware of her need for a clear head.

Rufus looked round as she lifted the inhaler to her mouth, “What is that?”

Fluttershy blushed at her continued bad timing, not wanting a repeat of last night, “Some medicine, it helps calm me down.”

Rufus smiled nervously, “You seem pretty calm to me Ambassidor.”

Fluttershy chuckled. If only he knew, “Come over here and take a seat Rufus. Hopefully somepony will be here to update us shortly.”

If only he knew indeed. After a few short minutes of further shouting and raised voices Fluttershy had to cross her forehooves to stop them from shaking, the hallucinogenic qualities of the dash playing dangerously on her nerves. She pushed the needle pistol away a little, less and less confident she could actually use it. For all her calm command of the situation she was well aware that she was really a scared old mare, who had shot at exactly two living targets in her life... and missed both times.

Three, including the time she had almost blown Rainbow Dash’s hoof off.

Eventually she heard marching hooves heading towards the door, stuffing the drugs into her dress and pulling the needle pistol close. Rufus got up onto his hooves and faced the door with a nervous expression, Fluttershy gulping down her nerves before speaking up as loud as she could, “Please, it’s just me and a clerk inside. Please send in just one zebra with weapons holstered, so I know you have no hostile intentions.”

There was a short muttering outside the door before one set of hooves advanced. A zebra clearly identified as one of Caesar’s officers entered, his submachine gun tucked away and his helmet clutched under his forehoof. He nodded firmly to Fluttershy, his face grim and a little angry, “Ambassador Fluttershy. You are unharmed?”

She nodded back. Something had really upset him, “Yes. What happened?”

“An attack.” The officer motioned for her to follow, “Caesar wishes to speak with you, come.”

She was further worried by the officer’s cold manner, used to a far more reverential treatment by the soldiers here. Still she had little choice, throwing Rufus a reassuring smile as she was led out into the corridors beyond.

She was ushered into the council chamber with wordless summons, the zebra inside all drawing weapons and pointing them in her direction as she entered. She stepped along as meekly as possible, everypony looked extremely jumpy and she had no desire to antagonise them.

“Ambassador. I apologise for the rudeness.”

That was Caesar’s voice, though he sounded oddly insincere. Fluttershy looked up to where the voice had sounded from...

And gasped, horror and deep fear filling her chest at the image before her, “Caesar, what happened to you?!”

The zebra grimaced, the left side of his face covered in red stained bandages and his shoulder similarly dressed and blooded. He waved off the doctor attending to him, wincing slightly as he leaned forward to speak, “At least your reaction proves you didn’t have anything to do with this.”

Fluttershy... didn’t know what to say. Those injuries didn’t look accidental, more like he had been attacked, “Who did this to you?”

“You really want to know?” Caesar drew back, his eyes growing dark, “It was your alicorn friend.”

“Silver Scribe?!”

“She got that damn zebra Zenai to lure me out, then tried to stab me in the back with a infantry sword.” Caesar growled, touching a hoof to his shoulder, “Fortunately her combat skill was very much lacking, or she would have succeeded.”

Fluttershy... couldn’t believe it. Silver Scribe was a secretary, she wasn’t even combat trained. And as for motive... there was no motive. No possible reason why... “Why? Why would she try to kill you?”

“So the NCR can take over the Golden Coast? So you can ally with Star Fall and rape the zebra nation of its resources once again?” Caesar growled, falling back on his haunches and letting the doctor return to treating his injuries, “I have arrest warrants out on Zenai, Silver Scribe, Dust Kicker and Steel Marrow. Tell me where they are.”

“I... I don’t know.” Fluttershy winced, knowing that wasn’t a very convincing answer, “I haven’t seen anyone since last night.”

Caesar replied in a low growl, his voice carefully controlled, “Steel Marrow is your nurse. Silver Scribe your secretary.”

Fluttershy felt herself panic, trying hard to keep her nerves under control, “Neither of them arrived this morning. Rufus helped me get dressed.”

“Who?”

“Your clerk... great Caesar.” Fluttershy looked around, gulping to see herself surrounded by so many unfriendly faces, “I don’t believe Silver Scribe could do this. There must be some reason, some explanation...”

Caesar held up his hoof, silencing her, “You heard the explosion?”

“I... I did...”

“A bomb, near completely destroyed my personal quarters.” Caesar glared coldly at her, his words full of barely restrained rage, “It was placed in my father’s room next door.”

Fluttershy gulped, “Your father?”

“He’s dead.” Caesar glared quietly and levelled a hoof at her, “Who in your team has skill with explosives?”

“I...” Fluttershy felt her legs wobble, her heart race. She was losing it, made worse by the clear signs of Dash and Mint-all withdrawal. She couldn’t deal with this, she couldn’t...

“I can tell you.”

The mare strode into the room with confidence, even closely shadowed by Oteka and a similarly intimidating looking guardstalion. Fluttershy recognised her immediately, her manner and clothing instantly familiar, “Daisy?”

Daisy turned a single eye to Fluttershy before facing Caesar once more, voice firm and confident, “Arick Grimfeathers has training, motive... and evidence. I have found papers in Arick’s personal effects, indicating he was paid by Star Fall to assassinate you. This also explains the Silver Scribe connection, the young mare was infatuated with him.”

No. No, that wasn’t right! “Arick broke Silver Scribe’s heart just last night! She wouldn’t...”

“Chigaru, please escort Ambassador Fluttershy back to her room.” Caesar spoke coldly, with no sign of his previous warmth, “Make sure she says there.”

“My pleasure. Come along Ambassador.”

No, no, no! This couldn’t be happening!

It just couldn’t...

And so they advanced down the long corridors, Fluttershy unable to think of anything to say or do to stop this. She was forced to look back after a little while, her already trembling heart beating even harder as she realised she didn’t know this area of the palace. This was... the east wing? It did lead towards her room, but was rather a roundabout route that took them far from any supporting troops, “Um... why are we taking this route?”

One of the zebra looked to Chigaru for an answer but received none, the operative not even looking like he heard. After a moment the soldier answered himself, as officially as he could manage, “We suspect the infiltrators might try to capture you. By taking this route we’re likely to bypass them.”

“Oh... right.” That made sense. Yes, that made sense...

Oh she was just about ready to wet herself, her nerves really not up to this kind of situation. She tried her best to keep her composure but it wasn’t easy, Fluttershy most stung by just not understanding why this was happening. She had read up on Dust Kicker and Zenai, she knew Silver Scribe. Why would they...?

Chigaru suddenly stopped, turning smoothly to face them. The two soldiers almost ran into him in their haste, backing up hurriedly and giving clumsy salutes, “Ah, what is it si...?”

His words were cut off as Chigaru swung a shotgun from his side and fired two quick shots in the time it took to take a breath, striking both zebra and sending them crashing to the ground without even the time to scream. Fluttershy did have time, looking down at the blood and brain matter that covered her for a moment before opening her mouth...

Chigaru moved forward with all the grace and fluidity of liquid steel, gently clamping her lips together with a hoof. His voice was calm, warm, gentle, “None of that. Not yet.”

He moved away slowly, Fluttershy’s voice trembling as she questioned his words, “Not yet?”

“I will want you to scream, but if you do it now... I would just have to straight out kill you.” He cocked his head to the side, “That wouldn’t be any fun now would it?”

…mmm…

Fluttershy... couldn’t panic! She had been in this sort of situation before! This was... a very bad zebra, and she would never back down before such cold hearted evil! “You killed those zebra in cold blood!”

Chigaru nodded, throwing the shotgun to the side with a casual toss, “This is between the two of us.”

“What?” Fluttershy looked at the two dead zebra, uncomprehending, “Was… was it you who set up that bomb, attacked Caesar?”

“No. Knew it was going to happen, made sure the guards were out the way. Supposed to knock you out, smuggle you out of the country, that’s my part of the deal.” He looked up at her, his manner calm and casual, “Decided to kill you instead.”

“You... you intend to kill me? Why? To start a war?” Her heart filled with anger, jaw clenching, “Are you really so nostalgic for the days of your youth? You want to fill the world with balefire a second time?!”

“Well done ambassador, you have me figured out. Just one thing.” Chigaru held up a warding hoof, his voice wistful, “No balefire this time. Just hoof, and knife, and gun and tooth.”

Fluttershy let it out, stomping her hoof and leaning forward to let out all her hate and fury, glaring into that masked face with everything she hard. Her eyes opened wide and terrible, her voice spitting as she reinforced the crushing force of her will, “You twisted FREAK! You’re betraying your lord, and with it giving up any kind of honor you possess! Take me back to Caesar now, and explain what you’ve done!”

“Really? Is that it?” Chigaru shook his head in deep sadness before slapping Fluttershy across the jaw, knocking her sprawling. She gasped and winced, feeling the bone click back into place as she rolled over. Her vision span and she desperately mewled for mercy as Chigaru stepped over, trying to ward him off for all the good it did. He simple ignored her feeble batting and pressed a hoof into her throat, staring down with way too much interest as she gasped and sobbed in terror, “The mare of the apocalypse... yes, I think I’m going to enjoy this. And you know what’s the best bit about suffocating somepony?”

She didn’t answer on account of her completely obstructed windpipe.

“Sadly it’s the fact that those killed like this tend to soil themselves before it’s over. Such a wonderfully inelegant way to die.” He shook his head, letting out a deep sigh, “But I looked up your medical records, so I know that isn’t going to happen. You’re still going to piss yourself in a moment of course, but that isn’t quite the same.”

Fluttershy gasped as he released the pressure for the barest second, about to scream when he promptly cut off the air once more. Tears ran down her face as she realized he intended to draw this out, make her sit through his damn villainous monologue...

“If I wanted to be really cliché I could rape you I suppose, that’s always humiliating. But well... you’re old and shrivelled, I really lack the parts to do it properly... and to be honest I’ve never really enjoyed it much.” He looked down on her, his voice light and conversational, “You know, the guys from the office used to take me down to the red light district, always made fun of me for having to be forced to go. Probably gay they said, probably a little nancy boy. I did actually try it with a stallion, I kinda liked the pain and humiliation of it... but it still didn’t really do it for me.”

He released the pressure, lifting his hoof and slamming it down just next to her head with tile shattering force. Fluttershy desperately gasped down a few, desperate mouthfuls of air, opening her mouth wide, “Helllp...”

“Yeah, I just choked you. You’re not going to be screaming for a while.” Chigaru chuckled evily for a moment, leaning down until he was face to face with her, the red light of his visor burning painfully into her eyes, “But one day, the hooker I was with tried to mug me. Pulled out a knife, told me to hand over my wallet. I still remember how it felt when I opened up her face, rammed that knife down her gullet and twisted...”

Fluttershy clenched her teeth, trying not to cry, trying not to give him the satisfaction. If only she hadn’t driven Steel Marrow away, she wouldn’t have to go like this. Dying alone against this... villainous cliché...

And then Chigaru went flying, his side exploding and his body sent bouncing down the corridor with devastating force. He immediately gave a low growl and attempted to get up, only to be dropped once more as another blast struck him in the head and shattered his visor into a dozen bouncing pieces. Fluttershy looked down the corridor with wide, hopeful eyes, never more happy than when she saw a pony in full elite Applejack Ranger gear striding down the corridor with intent, “I... please help...”

“Fluttershy!” The armoured figure spotted her and galloped over, his face mask withdrawing to reveal the familiar features of Dust Kicker. He looked more than a little concerned, unsure how to react to her gasping, prone form. Eventually he regained his composure, extending a hoof, “Ambassador... can you move?”

She didn’t care if he had killed Caesar’s father, tried to overthrow his empire or anything other than the fact that he was here and offering her a helping hoof. She took it eagerly, wiping the tears from her face and trying to regain some composure, “Dust Kicker... I...” Her throat still hurt, Fluttershy feeling her breath leave her after but a few words, “L... let me recover for a second...”

“I...” Dust’s eyes widened, pushing her to the side and rushing past, “Later! Get down!”

Fluttershy gasped in terror as Chigaru rose, his face mask already repairing itself. Dust fired a shot but Chigaru was ready this time, darting to one side, then another as shots just tore up the walls and floors. He was too fast to track, pounding down the corridor with tile shattering force and leaping up for the kill...

Then Dust activated something, his pipboy flashing with light as the magic activated... bullet after bullet left his weapons, ploughing into Chigaru and stopping his terrifying momentum, then hurling him back down the corridor. His suit split, trailing pink gas as he struck the ground hard and twisted, his neck clearly snapping at the impact. Fluttershy gasped as he rolled broken across the ground, clearly holed in a dozen places. Even a Canterlot ghoul would have trouble surviving that.

And he was a Canterlot ghoul. She could see the pink gas rising from his body, and it would certainly explain the speed and power. He must have...

“Aha... ahahaha!”

It laughed. The broken corpse... laughed.

“Fucking die!” Dust fired again, striking Chigaru in the head and sending him rolling across the ground. He cursed as his shotgun clicked dry, leaning back and activating the reloading mechanism, “What the hell are you!?”

“You... can’t... kill... me...”

Dust fired another shot from his rifle, tearing through an already present hole and out the other side with a puff of pink smoke. Chigaru wasn’t even slowed, turning round to face them with a terrible grin on his broken face. And what a face it was.

He was a skeleton. Not even a complete one. Broken bone just floated in a cloud of shifting pink gas, the gas sinking back into his body and refilling his suit as it slowly repaired itself. Not a scrap of flesh remained on the bleached skeletal form but still it advanced, Chigaru’s voice echoing without the slightest movement of his shattered jaw, “Don’t waste your bullets.”

“Fluttershy!” Dust yelled out desperately, trying to reload his weapons, “What is he!? How do we kill him!?”

She didn’t know. She had never seen anything like him, and had studied ghouls in detail. The necromantic qualities of pink gas could impart limited immortality to ghouls, enabling their flesh to repair itself indefinitely so long as the victim’s will remained. That required at least some form of neural activity however, which was why cutting off the head killed a Canterlot Ghoul. There was no possible way consciousness could exist in a few shattered bones, she couldn’t see even a hint of flesh inside the swirling mass, “I... I don’t...”

Chigaru howled, launched himself forward to strike at Dust. The old mercenary cursed as he leapt to the side, striking Chigaru with all the effect of striking stone. Chigaru snorted and extended a hoof sharply outwards, taking Dust in the chest and flinging him into a wall with a crack of shattering ribs. She heard Dust’s back snap as he hit the stone, a further loud crack echoing out as the stone crumbled and collapsed back into the darkness outside. Dust followed, his limp, broken body toppling into what was a seven story fall.

“And now that’s done, back to the main...”

Fluttershy seized Chigaru’s discarded shotgun in her teeth, flicked it upwards and blew Chigaru’s head off.

“Hahahahaha! The butterfly has a sting! Come back butterfly!”

Fluttershy blinked the tears away as she galloped down the corridor in the other direction, Chigaru’s taunts echoing behind. Dust Kicker’s sacrifice had brought her this, and she wasn’t going down without a fight!

Though realistically, she didn’t stand a chance.

Still she was willing to make a go for it. Fluttershy remembered her little drug supply and slowed a moment to pop a buck out of its box, dropping it in her mouth between gasps. It took immediate effect, her muscles tightening up and her breathing easing off, a tiny bit of lost youth returning to her. Chigaru’s taunting voice sounded out behind and she used the added strength to increase her pace, attempting to steer her way towards the gardens on this floor.

But even with the added help Fluttershy still coughed and gasped as she worked her lungs harder than they had in years, trying desperately to keep her balance on her weaker leg as she sprinted down the corridor at full tilt. She heard the pounding of hooves behind and an evil chuckle, speeding her pace...

And almost running into two soldiers.

“Halt!”

“Ambassador Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy screeched to a halt, unsure if this was a good thing or not. Unfortunately her desperate attempts to warn them were totally useless, her mouth only opening to emit raspy gasps and pained squeaks. Her lungs burned and she was forced to just focus on breathing, lest she pass out.

She heard Chigaru trot down the corridor behind. She couldn’t run anymore. His voice sounded out, excitement and arousal in his tone, “Please hold the ambassador for me. She is attempting to escape.”

No... Fluttershy was unable to struggle as the two zebra took them in a firm grasp, turning them to face Chigaru as he advanced. His glowing red visor shone cruelly as he looked her over, his voice dripping poison, “Thank you gentlecolts. Now where were we?”

Fluttershy... wasn’t going to take this. She looked across and glared at the left soldier with all the power she had left, causing him to release his grip and back away slightly with a wide eyed look of shock. Fluttershy took the opportunity to tug her hoof away from the second and twist herself into a buck, slamming her bionic hoof into his jaw.

It might have just hurt her more than him, still it dropped him well enough. She twisted herself round and broke back into a sprint, wincing as she heard Chigaru laugh joyously behind.

She ran... for what seemed like forever. Finally she hit a door, shoulder barging it open and exploding into fresh, clear air. She was in a garden... with trees and plants and flowers.

She no longer cared why she was running. She just collapsed into the grass, consciousness fading away and replaced with restful darkness. Was she dying? That was... good. She could see her friends and family again, no longer having to stand in the darkness all alone...

It was restful... lying in the grass like this. How she wanted to go.

“Fluttershy! No! Wake up!”

She was shook, violently. It hurt. She was eventually forced to open her eyes, trying to bat away the molester. It was a... zebra? It was... “Zenai?”

Zenai gasped with relief and backed away to give Fluttershy some space, revealing Silver Scribe standing nervously behind her. Fluttershy tried to fight through the exhaustion and confusion, recall exactly why she was laying in the grass as she attempted to stand. Had she had another stroke? Or a heart attack? Small pieces of memory started to filter through but they all seemed like a bad dream... “What happened?”

Silver Scribe instantly galloped over and hugged Fluttershy, surprising her for a second before she relented and fell into the alicorn’s embrace. She felt a tear on her cheek and chuckled slightly, looking up at that big, sad face and trying to look as comforting as possible. For some reason it hurt to talk, her words sticking in her throat.

Zenai eventually broke the silence, her eyes scanning the area with caution, “We have to get out of here, now.”

Silver Scribe turned, her voice quavering, “What about Steel Marrow, Dust Kicker and Mr Sunshine?”

“Dust and Steel can take care of themselves, and Sunshine made his intentions perfectly clear.” Zenai nodded to Fluttershy, her tone fully stressing her urgency, “Judging from how Fluttershy was running there’s likely to be someone chasing her, and we’re not looking for a fight here.”

“I am.” Silver Scribe stepped forward to cover Fluttershy with her body, eyes proud and furious, “Fluttershy managed to escape from them and she’s old, let’s see how they fare against somepony who can actually fight back!”

Zenai rolled her eyes, “Silver, you’re a clerk. Stop trying to sound like a badass, haven’t you messed things up enough already?”

And Fluttershy’s memories returned. Caesar, the assassination attempt, fleeing for her life...

From Chigaru.

“I knew you would lead me right to your friends eventually.”

Fluttershy looked up at the shadowed figure perched above in wide eyed terror, her mouth opening wide in warning, “Watch...!”

It was too late, Chigaru hitting the ground like a meteor. He rose from the raining dirt like some deadly black insect, sleek and powerful amid the devastation. Zenai drew her pistol and fired a couple of plasma bolts in his direction but he simply ducked and weaved through the green fire and leapt at the group with hoof outstretched. Silver Scribe threw up her barrier but a single swipe shattered it into fragments, the alicorn giving a yell and staggering back with sparks exploding from her horn.

And then it ended.

Steel Marrow descended out of the darkness with his claws outstretched, a silent reaper gliding through the air to strike Chigaru just at the nape of his neck. The claws of the hellhound were well advertised, slicing through his suit like it was made of butter and sending the monster flopping to the ground with his suit already deflating.

And Fluttershy could only watch, the horror dawning on her face as the pink smoke billowed outwards and covered Steel Marrow in its deadly embrace.

The hellhound gasped in pain, surprise and fear, hitting his knees and crying out as blood ran from his eyes and nose, his breaths raw, painful wheezes as he took the gas deep into his lungs. His eyes met hers, one last painful gaze before he gathered up the last of his strength and hurled his medical kit through the air.

It landed at Fluttershy’s hooves.

She didn’t care. She didn’t care about anything. She could only watch as Steel Marrow hit the floor, dying in excruciating agony. She pulled a potion from her bag and went to help, only to find strong hooves wrapping around her, pulling her back.

She watched him die, and could do nothing.

_________________________________________________

Level up - Level 23 reached

New Perk added: Just Lucky I’m alive
“How did you survive?” “Didn't. Got killed... ha! I love that joke!”
You've had lots of close calls. Whenever you finish a fight with less than 25% health, your Luck increases by +4 for 3 minutes. You are also immune to critical hits, and your own critical hits inflict +50% damage.

Trait acquired: Chem Mare
You’ve been using chems so long that you’ve gained a unique resistance to their side effects. You are 25% less likely to suffer addiction, and the side effects of withdrawal are also reduced by 25%. Failing to take any drugs within a 24 hour period makes you depressed and cranky however, leading to a -1 penalty to all stats.

Trait acquired: Element of Kindness
The unique properties of one of the elements of harmony have rubbed off on you. You gain a +1 to charisma, and a further +1 bonus to initial reactions (equal to another point of charisma).

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.16 - Children at Play

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Vision was already fading.

Dust gasped pathetically as his breathing became shallow and the taste of blood bubbled up from his throat, already aware that his lungs were filling with blood. He tried to reach for a healing potion but his body was broken, the shattered spine only closing the deal on the sorry state of the rest of his body.

He was dying.

One hit. Star Swirl hadn’t been kidding about Chigaru’s freakish strength. He only hoped Fluttershy had made it.

That was very noble of him, worrying about her. Considering he had just been kicked through a wall it seemed chivalry was still alive and well. Unfortunately the heroic narrative had stopped there, with no convenient tree or bush to break his fall, only hard earth. Impressively enough the suit still seemed relatively intact and was actually beginning to repair itself, breaking down his supply of scrap metal to reinforce it’s damaged structure. It had likely saved him from being killed instantly, though that was small comfort...

And then something stabbed into his leg, Dust immediately feeling the familiar warm glow of an intravenous healing potion spreading through him. After a moment or two it was followed by a dose of Med-X and the familiar and horrible sensation of a couple of doses of hydra, bones regrowing and snapping together with all the unpleasantness it would suggest. And further... his body was twisted, manipulated by the suit around him, moving him into the right position for his bones to set correctly.

It took about a minute for Dust to be confident enough to try and move, checking out the area. He was in a less visited part of the gardens, nopony around at the moment. Even so he spoke softly, not wanting to alert any of the zebra to his presence, “You just healed me didn’t you? The AI inside this suit?”

“...”

“I know you’re there.”

As expected a little voice finally spoke up, nervous and sweet, as childlike as advertised, “I’m sorry... Zenai told me to stay quiet but then you put the suit on and I was really worried but Zenai had programmed me to let you but not talk but then you got kicked through a wall...”

“Calm down. It’s all right.” Dust smiled, the AI’s cute, innocent voice greatly improving what had been a pretty crappy day, “I would have died if you hadn’t helped. I’m sure she’ll forgive you for saving my life.”

A crudely animated picture of an embarrassed looking pink pony appeared at the top left of the view screen, “Aw... it was no problem...”

“I don’t even know your name.”

The picture perked up instantly, ears twitching as she declared it proudly in a sing song tone, “Hiya. I am designated Puppy OS 2.5, it’s a pleasure to serve you!”

Dust chuckled, “That sounded pre-recorded.” He tapped a control in his hoof plate, a list of his supplies feeding into his hud. It looked like he was almost out of hydra, but his supplies of Med-X, healing potions and psycho were still looking good, “I’m just going to call you Puppy ok?”

“That’s perfectly ok!” The AI announced cheerfully, “Um... what do I call you?”

“Dust Kicker. I’m a friend of Zenai.” He looked around for exits, preferably one that wouldn’t lead him towards more folks trying to kill him, “Can you locate her for me? You’re bound to her pipbuck right?”

“Okidoki! Give me a moment please, connecting now!”

Dust did as he was told and waited patiently, considering this new turn of events. Personally he had no problem with it, as despite popular belief very few AI actually sought the downfall of pony kind, and most of them were actually trying to preserve it in their own insane way. And insane was understandable, every single one of those AI’s having seen the world burn first hand, witnessed the calculated suicide of their masters.

Puppy on the other hand was possibly the first fully aware post war AI, fighting against the loss of the technology used to create them in the first place and the general distrust from the wasteland at large. The Applejack Rangers were known for their technology fetish though, figures they would be the first to break through that barrier. That made her exactly how Zenai had described, a child. Hopefully he would be able to maintain that innocence.

He froze as a red dot appeared on his eyes forward sparkle, Puppy’s warning redundant, “Mr Dust, enemy incoming!”

The bushes rustled ahead. Dust braced himself, his tail tightening on his triggers...

Oteka came up in a blur of speed, struck his legs out from under him and batted him to the side with the pole of her spear, pinning him to the ground with his guns pointing at the ground.

Dust took a moment to feel suitably embarrassed before moving on to more practical things, “Ok, so you got me.” Dust looked up at the conflicted, emotional looking zebra, daring her to make a move, “How did you find me?”

“Lost contact with Chigaru, Caesar tell me to find Ambassador Fluttershy.” She looked down at his impassive faceplate, forcing her spear down a little further, “Find you in Enclave armor, dead soldiers. What am I to think?”

“That maybe you should do your job and find Chigaru.”

She spoke in a pained growl, “He can care of self. You however...” She lifted her head, a deep torment in her eyes, “One of your friends has tried to kill Caesar. This... cannot be forgiven.”

Dust gritted his teeth, astounded at how everyone could fall for this... amateur deception. He threw himself onto his side, flinging her away to roll agilely across the grass. He jumped back onto his feet as she recovered, backing away to make space between them, “If we were going to kill Caesar we wouldn’t have sent Silver Scribe to do it.”

Oteka spat on the ground, trying to circle closer, “She’s an alicorn.”

“She’s an idiot, with no combat training to speak of.”

“You think I not aware?” Oteka shouted the words, back hoof clearing out a furrow to kick away from. She was breathing heavily, clearly angry with both Dust... and herself, “I may not be smartest, but not stupid. But your friend tried to kill Caesar, and griffon and zebra succeeded in killing father. Caesar will not forgive this.”

Dust looked her in the eye, his gaze challenging, “Your friend Chigaru, he just tried to kill Fluttershy. That one of Caesar’s orders?”

“This is impossible. Caesar has not ordered such a thing.”

Dust couldn’t help snarking at her surety, “Yeah, because Chigaru is so trustworthy.”

Oteka shook her head, undaunted, “Chigaru is ghost warrior of world past. Leaders of zebra empire could not risk ones of such power go alone. Chigaru has... programming. He cannot disobey an order, nor betray his master.” She stared him straight on, “So what you say is impossible.”

“Well I just saw him stamping on Fluttershy’s throat. Hell, he’s the most likely culprit for engineering this little farce, trying to drive us into war!”

She repeated her words, stern and certain, “What you see cannot happen.”

Dust opened his eyes wide, unbelieving at how stubborn she could be. It was just one more thing that had shook his opinion of the mare lately, “I respect loyalty Oteka, but averting your eyes from blatant crimes is neglectful braminshit.”

She glared dangerously, her voice raising to a very uncharacteristic shout “And what crimes are these?!”

So Caesar had told her about their little encounter a few nights ago, he figured as much “You know what. I saw you collect that filly.”

Oteka looked away, her expression a mix of anger and regret. Finally she settled on anger, eyes turning coldly upon Dust Kicker, “You arrogant... ‘bata'chec’ little pony. You champion pony like Princess Luna, Red Eye, Twilight Sparkle, now lecture us about morals? After war end, we spent hundred years under rule of pirates of your military, our gods replaced by yours! You provoke war, you make zebra like Remicon, full of anger and hate! Caesar is kind, gentle. He rules justly, like zebra should!”

Dust wondered how long Oteka had been feeding his darker hobbies, how blinkered she could be when it came to her lord. But he now knew better than to touch on that issue any further, “Listen, I’m sorry, and I really don’t care. But I’m certain Chigaru’s up to no good Oteka. He’s likely the one who tipped me off that night, the one who planted that bomb. Do you really trust me over him?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think.” Oteka looked doubtful for the first time, averting her eyes and sighing, “Chigaru can not be caged, contained. He immortal, impossible to kill. Tales told of him vaporised with balefire and still coming back. And if he’s not on our side, he on somezebra else’s.”

“You’re allowing yourself to be blackmailed by a psychopath trying to drive you into a war you can’t win.”

“Empires rise and fall based on the loyalty of that psychopath.” Oteka shook her head, “I do not know if we can win fight with NCR, but abandon Chigaru and he join Star Fall, kill us all.”

Dust... couldn’t believe he was hearing this, “He can get away with anything... because he’s an efficient killer?”

“This is wasteland Dust Kicker.” Oteka glared darkly, the shadows seeming to gather around her, “Some say Chigaru is wasteland, its spirit. It cannot be killed, cannot even be fought, cannot be trusted... yet to turn your back on it is to invite destruction. I learn to accept, Caesar accept. This is way.”

This was... infuriating. Part of Dust wanted to have another go at Chigaru right now, rely on his talent for destruction to put that creature into the ground. He wanted to reply that he was just another zebra... pony... whatever, but knew that wasn’t true. The amount of punishment he unleashed on him back there would have killed a Canterlot ghoul, broke down the shields of an alicorn. Chigaru had regenerated in seconds. Dust was sure he must have a weakness, but he didn’t know what it was yet. For now... Oteka was right, in her own insane little world, “So where does that leave us?”

“Dust Kicker... you are under arrest in the name of Caesar.” Oteka drew her spear, levelling it point first at Dust in a firm hoof grip, “Lay down your weapons.”

Dust hesitated for but a moment before bracing himself, face plate flipping down as he flicked his weapons into combat positions. He readied his SATS, a scrolling message from Puppy indicating she had readied his drug injectors.

Oteka’s eyes turned cold and she kicked way with terrifying speed, her spear seeming to grow about a foot in length to spark off his visor. Dust cursed and tried to engage her with his eyes forward sparkle but she was already above him, sending him spinning with a hard slash. He thumped into the ground on his back and she landed atop him, driving his throat into the dirt with the haft of her spear and drawing her submachine gun to point straight at the eye slit of his armour. He already guessed that she had armour piercing ammo in there.

He really needed to get some more close combat training.

She didn’t fire.

Dust grimaced inside his armour, taking advantage of her hesitation to speak, “This is all a load of shit Oteka. You know that. And I can’t surrender either. I’m not going to abandon the others, let myself be pulled into some wasteland justice court.”

She gritted her teeth, pistol whipping him in the face with an angry grunt. Even through the helmet it hurt, Dust spitting away blood as his head was smacked against the steel of his helmet. She paused in doubt over what to do next and he reared up to grab her weapon, wrapping his hooves around her and forcing the barrel into the air. They struggled momentarily, Oteka finally dropping her submachine gun and rolling off him. Dust rolled onto his hooves and braced himself, Oteka angrily discarding her spear and rushing him with her bare hooves.

He could have shot her easily. He didn’t.

Rather a stupid idea, as for the second time this week Dust found himself facing somepony far more experienced in close combat than him. True Oteka wasn’t much younger than him and was bulky and heavily muscled, still she made up with skill what she lacked in speed and agility. Again and again he was struck, her blows raining down upon him...

And she didn’t stand a chance.

Her hooves rebounded off Dust’s metal plating, bruising Dust slightly but leaving her legs bleeding and battered from the impact with the heavy steel. It didn’t even slow him down, Dust advancing through her blows and striking her with servo assisted strikes of his own, slamming her into the ground with a broken nose and a loose tooth for her trouble. She leapt at him but he had already tired of that acrobatic spinny shit from Ace Gold, tackling her mid jump and slamming her into a wall. She kicked him away and attacked again but she was slowing now, Dust catching her with a right hook that sent spittle flying and threw her crashing into the mud.

Still she continued her attack, charging through the pain and knocking Dust to the ground, leaving the two struggling briefly. She slammed his head into the ground a couple of times and his vision span, growling and headbutting her hard. She screamed and blood splattered his vision, Dust throwing her to the side and kicking her away with a blow that almost certainly broke a rib.

He got back on his hooves, breathing heavily. He wasn’t up to this close combat shit any more, that was proving increasingly obvious. Oteka once again put him to shame as she rose up only a second after he did, only a little unsteady on her hooves despite the beating she had taken. He growled at her, hating this one sided bullshit, “Oteka, why won’t you stay down!? Think I like hurting you?”

She glared through blood stained fur, her face a wreck and her body held up by little more than willpower, “You’re just not hitting me hard enough!”

Dust sighed, realising that this was what he had to do. He charged her with everything he had, ducking her clumsy jab and driving his hoof into her jaw with a powerful jumping thrust. She grunted in brief pain, flew backwards, hit the wall and fell to the ground motionless. She didn’t stir again.

“I... didn’t like that. Why did she drop her weapons? She must have known she would lose without them.”

Dust sighed at the AI's words, rather glad for Puppy’s gentle innocence. He hadn’t liked having to do it either, “Honor is a funny thing. She couldn’t just stand aside.”

“But... we got past her anyway. And she got really badly hurt. And... isn’t it more embarrassing to lose a fight, than to avoid one you can’t win?”

Dust chuckled, thinking those were all very good points, “Sorry Puppy, you’re asking the wrong person. I think we’re both going to have to accept there’s some things we will never understand. Now come on, we need to find Zenai.”

“Yes sir uncle sir!"

_______________________________________________________

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 1.17 - I Lost My Soul In Demonivore

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Chapter 16 - I Lost My Soul In Demonivore

“...thought as much. Regina is trying to sabotage the peace process.”

Zenai closed her eyes as Silent Steel’s voice continued with its normal steady wave of horseapples, not in the mood to argue, “You really think so?”

“Fluttershy is an old mare, with a fragile mental state. By sending her out there with only Silver Scribe as back up she ensures Fluttershy will lose it at some vital moment, ruining both her reputation and the peace process. As a result she strikes a hard blow against both myself and many other aspiring candidates that are set to run against her.”

Zenai could see a nutso conspiracy theory when she saw one. This one was squirrels all up the yahoo, “At the expense of war with Caesar?”

“No, it would just sour our relations for a time. And even if it did lead to war, Caesar would have no chance against the NCR. His only two routes for invasion are across an ocean or a desert. His forces, while impressive for a wasteland power, would be also torn apart by the Rangers or our air forces at full strength.”

Zenai sighed, feeling her heart sink at hearing the phantom threat of war being used as political chips to win an election, “So what do you want me to do?”

“Support Fluttershy, make sure she remains stable and in control of the situation.” Silent Steel paused for a seconds consideration, “And be nice to her, get her on side. Velvet Remedy will always support Regina, they are friends after all, but Fluttershy has never had any strong ties to our Arbiter. Fluttershy’s support may sway many of the Follower’s against Regina, allowing us to use their influnence to save the peace between us and the zebra.”

Zenai... couldn’t care to even bother debating it, “Sure, I can do that.”

“Thank you Zenai. Whatever your original intentions, you are quickly becoming invaluable to me. Keep it up and the rewards will be substantial. Silent Steel out.”

Zenai sighed as the feed cut out, turning her computer off and falling back onto her bed. It was weird. In her heart she felt loyal to Regina, yet Silent Steel was praising her and Regina was indifferent to hostile. She didn’t believe what Silent Steel was telling her, but it was true that he had a lot of political capital tied up in successfully achieving peace.

Is this what being a hero was these days? Getting in bed with those you hated, just because your interests were aligned for the moment?

Zenai grunted and pushed herself up onto her hooves. It didn’t matter. Silent Steel wanted her to support Fluttershy? That she could do. She put her pipboy on and loaded her bag with medical supplies, setting out for Fluttershy’s offices. If she really was having to rely on Silver Scribe alone then she would likely need some help, maybe with something that a combat trained archivist with a Follower’s education would be useful for?

She located Fluttershy’s offices and stepped inside, Steel Marrow at the back angrily sorting through some files. She paused a little as he gave her a deeply unhappy glare, still she swallowed her fear and introduced herself smartly and officially, “Um, you know me right? Zenai? I’m here to ask if I could support you and Fluttershy in any way, um, maybe take a little of the burden off her?” She turned her head as he let his eyes fall, looking rather despondent, “Um... Mr Steel Marrow, are you ok?”

“Egh... shitty night.” Steel Marrow sighed, beckoning her over with a giant paw, “Come, I do have something you can help me with.”

“So, the councillor is worried about Missess Fluttershy is he?”

“Is he right to be?”

Steel Marrow paused for a moment to consider his answer, finally giving her an unfriendly glare and motioning with a clawed finger, “You are not trusted. Whys should I share compromising information with yous?”

Zenai... admitted that was a good question, “I’m on your side, I respect Fluttershy. My issues are with the political establishment, you must have read that from my file.”

“Hmmph... den prove it.” Steel Marrow stood, walking over to take a file from the cabinet and throwing it onto the desk. It was a dossier, for Arick Grimfeathers by the look of it. Zenai grimaced at the thought of the griffon, Steel Marrow acknowledging her reaction with a tilt of his head before continuing, “Arick getting lot of good luck lately, and many pony note hez being unusually focused lately. It all seems to have led towards buying big stake in Far Go traders, long before they invited here by Misser Dust Kicker. Some think he doing this intentionally, that he knew buying those shares would get him over here.”

Zenai tried not to sigh. Another conspiracy theory? “How could he possibly know Dust Kicker would invite Far Go traders over?”

“I dons’t know, how long has Dust Kicker been shortlisted for this mission?” Steel Marrow shrugged, “Not hard to predict Dust Kicker recommend Far Go traders, he got long history with them.”

“So... Arick would need to know that Dust Kicker was shortlisted?”

“Or somepony else told Arick.”

Zenai felt this was all entertainingly cloak and dagger, and wasn’t the greatest fan of Arick. Still this all still seemed rather improbable, and more easily explained by coincidence. Plus Steel Marrow was a doctor, where on earth was he getting all the ‘some say, they say’?, “When did you become a spy?”

Steel Marrow grimaced at the question, exposing rows of very sharp teeth in her direction, “Fluttershy is a ‘high value target’, and I serves as both her nurse and bodyguard. Calamity often shares information with me about possible threats to her.”

“And he’s shared a threat from Arick?”

“Arick has direct access to her, is open to the highest bidder and has several unique advantages when it comes to Missess Fluttershy.” Steel Marrow hesitated for a moment before continuing, “For one thing, she hates him. She lets down her guard too easily, becomes some... aggravated schoolmarm. Forgets he’s a full grown griffon in his prime.”

Zenai shivered at the idea. She didn’t think even Arick would go as far as to physically attack Fluttershy but she admitted she wouldn’t last long in such a confrontation, “And the other?”

“I... it’s none of your business.” Steel Marrow didn’t put much force into it and seemed deeply conflicted as he turned away and gripped the desk. Zenai turned her head to look at him and he stared back grimly, finally speaking in a tone that suggested he was desperately trying to contain his emotions, “Arick Grimfeathers is currently the sole source of several recreational drugs in this area, including Party Time Mint-alls, Dash and UltraDash.”

“And... what does that have to do with Fluttershy?”

“...”

“She’s a dash-header?”

Steel Marrow winced in pain, his words growled, “I thought everyone knew...”

Zenai tried to process this, her mind quickly failing. UltraDash was the drug of choice for the young, rich and stupid, not elderly government officials. Dash? Outside of its combat use it was mainly seen in the hooves of the down and outs in Manehatten gutters, “I... I mean I heard about Party Time Mint-all’s, but pretty much every ambassador has had that accusation thrown against them. Isn’t it illegal to enter negotiations while under their effects?”

Steel Marrow turned to face her head on, looming over her in a very intimidating manner, “Who’d dare test Fluttershy for drugs?”

Zenai backed away, wondering why he suddenly looked so hostile. She quickly worked it out, trying desperately to look as sincere as possible, “I’m not going to tell anyone! Promise!”

“I wouldn’t have told you if it mattered.” Steel Marrow growled, turning his head away, “No one will believe you, and maybe... never mind. But it would hurt her, and I would hurt you. Understand?”

She answered as quickly as she was able, “Yessir!”

“Are you willing to help?” He waved a claw at her, “You are zebra, and not a known associate of Missess Fluttershy. You can go places I cannot, and I know you have skills as a spy.”

Zenai coughed in surprise, “Skills as a spy?”

“You get over here by asking nicely?”

Zenai had to admit this point. She liked to think of her class as more... guile hero, but her skill set was admittedly well suited towards espionage. And she was eager to help protect Fluttershy from Arick, having a sincere affection for the elder pegasi and a sincere distaste for the griffon,“Ok... you have a point. I’ll help.”

Steel Marrow nodded in gruff satisfaction, beckoning her over, “Good. Now come with me.”

Zenai shadowed Steel Marrow from the rooftops as he strode proudly through the streets, attracting all the attention you would expect from a full grown hellhound. His eyes darted about, murmuring under his breath into the two way radio set up between them, “See those Far Go employees over by the banner?”

“Yes?”

“They’re officially designated as ‘security’. Thiss trade caravan has a suspicious number of them.”

Zenai thought added security would be a good idea in a strange foreign country. Still, it did mean Arick had a lot of thugs at his beck and call, “Enough to cause a problem?”

“Yes. All of them with very shady backgrounds.” Steel Marrow stalked onwards, the crowds parting before him with a mixture of curiosity and fear, “See that children’s entertainer?

Children’s entertainer? She located the stallion in question, a brown coated unicorn with bright pink hair and a smiley face cutie mark, surrounded by laughing children, “Um, yes?”

“Keep seeing him. Around Fluttershy, around Star Swirl. He spoke to her the day before she left, gave her a balloon.”

Zenai hesitated a moment, “And... that’s sinister?”

Steel Marrow growled at her scepticism, “The besst spies act as entertainers. They can go anywhere without notice, the most important ponies let their guard down around them.”

Zenai didn’t know about that, still she filed away the information regardless. They were approaching the Far Go offices now, Zenai spotting a bunch of their thugs breaking away to shadow the hellhound, “You have company.”

“I see them. I’m goings to draw them away, get inside the building and finds what you can.”

Zenai watched as Steel Marrow stalked suspiciously towards the building, looking for entrances. He seemed to give up and settle against a shadowed spot to watch the place, all of the Far Go guards watching the hellhound carefully, moving round so they were in a position to flank him. It was only too easy to slip down to street level, jimmy open a window and slip inside.

The building was a pretty small one so it wasn’t hard to find the offices of the senior directors. Zenai slipped inside the first and padded over to the desk, judging from it neatness and stacked financial records that this was likely to be Daisy’s. She quickly went to work on the computer, activating her hacking programs.

Daisy’s password ended up being ‘Alone’. She must have been in a miserable mood when she thought that one up.

There was a message to Golden Dawn of Star Fall quite near to the top, the latest in a long series of communications between them it seemed. She opened it up and tried to prevent her eyes from glazing over, the messages heavy with involved discussions on logistics and economics. She forced herself to concentrate and remember everything from her economics classes, eventually pulling something concrete out of the mire of confusing figures.

They were discussing smuggling. More, they were discussing cornering the market with smuggled goods, making Caesar’s economic stability reliant on them. Star Fall was to be a hub for black market goods from the NCR, and Daisy was going to sabotage legitimate trade and blame it on Arick. They were hopeful that the prospect of mutual economic collapse and demonstration of the money that could be made by peaceful trade would bring both sides to the table.

Clever, and very much in everyone’s interests. What they were suggesting would still most likely send Caesar and Themba into a holy rage, not to mention put Daisy in prison. With that motivating her Zenai eagerly deleted the e-mails, sticking a note in their place informing them of the dangers of leaving compromising messages on their computers.

She continued down the list, looking for mentions of Arick. There were a few but they weren’t very interesting, just messages informing her that Arick was heading this mission and that she had to suck it up. Her gentle enquiries into why got stonewalled.

That was odd in itself though, Daisy was a bigshot in the Far Go traders. For her to be stonewalled meant it was coming from the top. She didn’t recognise the sender’s name but the head of Far Go was Sweet Silver, an ambitious and fairly ruthless figure who she was pretty sure could be brought. Unfortunately that was all the information that she had on him.

She closed down the account, moving stealthy into the next room, occupied by Arick and Ace Gold’s desks. As before it was unoccupied, Zenai sliding over and stabbing her pipbuck into Arick’s computer. This one wasn’t as hard as expected but she still almost crashed out quite a few times before she finally hit the right password, ‘Angel Delight’. She didn’t know what that meant, and was pretty sure she didn’t want to know. Unfortunately the contents of the computer were a disappointment.

Nothing. He had deleted everything. That worried her a little, but maybe he was really that paranoid.

She tried a few things to see if she could get anything but eventually had to give up, figuring she should go for Ace Gold’s computer and see if Arick had sent anything incriminating. This computer ended up being almost impossible, almost as hard as the main servers in the Follower’s compound. She tried again and again and was just about to give up when she pretty much hit lucky and the system opened up for her.

His password was ‘RE8K1E’. Smug bastard.

The first message instantly caught her eye. It was from Elegant Waters, AKA ‘Lady’ Elegant, Ace Gold’s sister and an all round spoiled brat who Zenai had the displeasure of meeting a couple of times. She eagerly opened up the message and scrolled through it with anticipation...

And then closed it, feeling profoundly guilty for giving into her urge to snoop for gossip. It seemed at the end of the day even spoiled brats occasionally ended up being simple young fillies, worried to the point of tears about their absent big brothers.

She sighed and continued searching. There was a few bits of communication with old school friends, full of technical jargon and memes she was too old to understand. She was slightly impressed by the fact that his friends had penetrated the radio haze that surrounded the zebra lands with what were apparently homemade transmitters, obviously Ace Gold’s friends were as smart as he was. From what she could gather Ace’s reasons for this little adventure were simple and very fitting with his age, he was feeling smothered and threatened by his family situation and wanted to prove his manhood on a bold, foolhardy expedition.

Considering her present situation, she wondered if she had really grown up as much as she thought she had.

And that was it. No hidden secrets, no incriminating messages. She felt stupid for having been so hopeful, all involved were too smart to leave their evil plans sitting on their computers.

Her eyes moved to the safe. Unfortunately she wasn’t as good a lockpick as she was a hacker. She tried anyway.

Nine bobby pins later she had to suppress a woop as the safe finally clicked open, revealing a stack of financial papers, a... novelty dildo... and a folded sheet of paper. She took the paper and opened it up, figuring that was her best bet.

It was instructions for building a bomb, along with where to put it.

In the council chamber of Caesar’s palace.

It was to go off this afternoon.

“Holy... fuck! Fuck!”

“Hey!” The door behind Zenai was kicked open and a beefy looking pony with an ugly expression stomped inside, aiming a shotgun at her and growling his order, “Get against the wall, fucking thief!”

Zenai panicked, spinning round and waving the note in his direction in rather too dramatic a manner, “It’s a bomb, it’s... ooff!”

He shot her in the chest, throwing her into the desk behind. Wood splintered and loose papers fell down upon her, grunting in pain as she grasped at her wound. Her hoof came away with nothing but damaged barding and shotgun pellets, relief flooding her as she desperately waved at the pony pointing the shotgun at her, “Please stop, I can explain!”

“Arick told me to watch for ponies like you. Told me I’m stupid, not to let them talk!” His tail tightened on the trigger, his muscles tensing in rage, “Gonna shoot you! Gonna shoot you good!”

Zenai thanked him for pointing his intellectual weaknesses, putting on her best ‘terrified’ face... which was pretty easy, all things considered, “Look behind you!”

The pony actually turned , giving Zenai that vital few seconds to plan her approach. He was blocking the door, too big to take hand to hand, too aggressive to trick...

He growled as he realised he had been fooled, turning back to her with his small, bloodshot eyes hot with rage...

She drew her pistol, his chest and throat melting away as the plasma bolt hit him dead centre. He gasped, briefly, pathetically, before hitting the floor in a spreading puddle of gore, his last breath rasping in what was left of his windpipe.

Zenai felt she should vomit, but really just felt empty.

She looked down at him, trying to think of the pony as nothing more than another raider. Really he had just got better clothes on, and his masters a little better at disguising their true nature. She couldn’t help but think of Dust Kicker then however, and how he had once been a raider. How many of them were like this poor fool, stupid ponies who would listen to anyone who showed them a bit of respect?

More concerning of course was the fact that she had just killed somepony in the middle of the Far Go offices, with a unique weapon of a type not normally found in these lands.

No... most concerning was the fact that somepony was about to assassinate Caesar. She reached for her pipbuck and set up a connection to Caesar’s offices... then Dust... then Steel Marrow. She cursed as it dutifully informed her that each was out of range, wondering if it was broken somehow. Even if was she was no pipbuck technician and she was swiftly running out of time, realising that she would have to do this the old fashioned way. She logged back into Daisy’s computer and sent off a couple of messages to Dust Kicker, Fluttershy and Oteka before sprinting out of the office, barging past a few surprised looking caravan workers and down the street towards the palace.

Right now she might be the only one who could stop this.

She reached the palace with impressive swiftness, while not much for cross country she was a pretty fine galloper in her opinion. She was pretty out of breath by the time she reached the palace however and so had to wait to recover her words as she accosted the first guard she came across, the stallion increasingly confused and irritated by her attempts to convince him to follow with pantomime. Even when she could finally speak he clearly received her words with scepticism, looking down at her like she was wasting his time, “Caesar’s about to be bombed?”

“Yes, a bomb in the council chamber!”

“And where did you hear this from?”

“Does it matter?!”

“Sure it doesn’t. I take every unsubstantiated claim some filly throws at me with the greatest seriousness.”

Zenai was increasingly sure this guard was a waste of time, “Just tell me where Caesar is!”

The guard gazed stonily at her, “Why should I do that?”

“Because I’m his guest, an emissary from Equestria!”

The stallion rolled his eyes, still he finally gave in, “Fine. He’s down by the old baths, looking over some of the old equipment.”

That was right below the council chamber! She had to hurry!

And hurry she did, actually getting lost a few times in her haste and cursing herself each time. Still she finally found the area she was looking for, not having to look far for the familiar figure of Caesar and his guards. She galloped towards them as fast as she was able, “Caesar!”

They all turned, Caesar’s guards tensing and moving forward before Caesar waved them back. He fixed his eyes on Zenai as she galloped forward, proud and slightly cautious, “What has you in such a hurry?”

Zenai didn’t have time for niceties, she gasped it out as quickly as she could, “There’s a bomb in the council chamber, meant for you!”

One of Caesar’s guard looked up, turning to his liege, “Sir, that’s right above us.”

“I’m aware of that.” Caesar looked a little worried, still he kept his cool as he gazed assessingly at her, “Where did you hear this?”

Zenai paused, could she really reveal that? It would no doubt have terrible consequences, and she just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to accurately assess what they could be, “Can... I tell you later? I’m still not sure what it means.”

Caesar narrowed his eyes, his tone scathing, “Zenai, your best friend has been communicating with Star Fall, she was last seen being aided by one of the terrorists that destroyed Estelle and blamed it on me. I note you were also in Estelle when this went down, and were unaccounted for more than an hour, in the company of one who later ended up dead. Now you wilfully withhold information from me, and still expect trust?”

Zenai lowered her head, knowing he was right. Still... “I... hope for trust Caesar. I know you have no reason to give it to me, but your death would have terrible consequences for peace between the NCR and Golden Coast. I can only hope you trust in my loyalty to my country, and to peace and prosperity between us.”

“I...” Caesar hesitated for a moment before frowning, giving her a long assessing look. Eventually he spoke, firm and official, “I will go with you. I do not know what to think, but that is good enough.”

One of Caesar’s saluted sharply, “Sire, I will check out the council chamber for explosives.”

“Thank you Letote.” Caesar nodded to the guard before turning back to Zenai, “You will come with me to my chambers. It is far from the council chamber, and reinforced against attack. If you have treachery in you... then you will be the first to die.”

Zenai nodded firmly as she fell into step alongside them. She knew she was right, and hoped this would be a way to regain Caesar’s trust. She still felt a twinge of fear as they made their way towards Caesar’s rooms, ready at any moment for an explosion. Still they were soon far enough away from the council chamber that any detonation would be blocked by the heavy stone of the palace. She could only hope...

Zenai’s first memory of the moment was sailing through the air, her insides lurching as her organs followed a moment after. It was an odd sensation, like she was swimming through rushing water, her limbs flopping around uselessly through the overwhelming sense of pressure.

Then came the heat. Then the thud.

It was followed by pain and confusion, Zenai opening her eyes to fire and rubble. The area had partially collapsed in all directions, Zenai’s eyes stinging from the smoke. Worse was that she was finding it hard to focus anyway, her head a fuzzy mess and the events of the day a blur. She couldn’t remember why she was there, what was going on or where to go from here, staggering through a blur of light and sound as every part of her throbbed with pain. She remembered she should be concerned about somepony, and the lack of knowledge about who exactly that was only made it worse, “Help! Someone help!”

Something came out of the smoke, a large dark figure that eventually formed into something recognisable. Zenai shouted in relief, “Star Swirl!”

It wasn’t Star Swirl. She only had time to note the alicorn’s blue colouring and far more angular face before the glow that surrounded the sword beside her drew her attention to the weapon, especially as it rose into the air. Her next question died on her lips as it reversed itself and snapped forward, hilt slamming into her forehead.

Silver Scribe’s worried, guilty looking face loomed over her. Zenai fought back the urge to wallop it.

“So she’s awake at last.”

Zenai looked over to the unfamiliar voice, noting that they appeared to be in an abandoned house of some kind, building material still stacked around the edges and a thin layer of dust lying upon everything. Said dust swirled about as a strange unicorn pony jumped down from his perch, Zenai recognising him after a moment as the entertainer who had been shadowing them. She propped herself up on a hoof, glaring angrily at the two of them, “What the hell is going on?! Why did you... clobber me?!”

“Please don’t blame him.” Silver Scribe quick moved to assure her, guilt all over her face as she drew back a few paces, “Mr Sunshine helped me find this place when I was escaping from the palace, that’s all. I’m really sorry for hitting you...”

Zenai focused her glare on Silver Scribe at her insistence, ignoring the stallion for the moment. Indeed she had some very pertinent questions to ask her, “And why were you escaping from the palace exactly?”

“I...” Silver Scribe looked around the room for some sort of escape, finally focusing her gaze upon her hooves, “I messed things up. It was supposed to be smooth and clean, it was supposed...”

“What was!?”

“As... assassinating Caesar.”

They made the mistake of leaving Zenai’s gun lying next to her. She grabbed it off the floor with her teeth and pointed it straight at the alicorn, causing her to reel backwards in terror and fall clumsily onto her buttocks. Mr Sunshine tensed slightly but made no move to intervene, allowing Zenai to aim the barrel very carefully on the point between Silver Scribe’s eyes, “Who orfered iff!”

“I...”

Zenai pulled the weapon from her mouth and cradled it in her hoof, keeping pressure on the trigger as she waved it at the alicorn, “Who are you working for?! The Applejack Rangers?! Twilight Society?!”

Silver Scribe looked like she was about to cry, the sight of the huge alicorn cowering before the tiny zebra almost comical if not for the circumstances, “Regina!”

Zenai’s eyes went wide... and then very very narrow, “I will kill you right now if you lie to me again.”

“It’s true!” Silver Scribe begged desperately, her eyes full of sincerity, “I got a message from her, the security code checked out and everything! She said that Caesar’s rule was built on fear and coercion, listed his crimes, said that in order to ensure peace he had to be taken out of the equation!”

Zenai’s mind reeled from the information. It couldn’t be true. It couldn’t, “It... was really from Regina?”

“Yes!”

“No.”

Zenai looked over to Mr Sunshine, the pony standing quietly in the corner with a calm expression on his face. She still didn’t know why he was here, “What?”

“Government doesn’t move that fast, she hasn’t had enough time to discuss such a drastic course of action.” The unicorn chuckled merrily, “Plus... what assets does she have in the field? Silver Scribe, Fluttershy, Arick Grimfeathers? The fact that Silver Scribe was assigned to an assassination mission already moves the operation from desperate to insane.”

“H... hey...”

“My dear lady, your combat skills are self admittedly restricted to competitive fencing at mid card level. You are no assassin.”

Zenai gritted her teeth, reluctantly lowering her weapon. She was still going to shoot the stupid bitch, but dumbassery rather than malice was enough to move the execution to ‘later’, “Did you set that bomb?”

Silver Scribe quickly shook her head, “No! I just... if Caesar escaped the bomb it was my job to finish him off.”

Zenai reluctantly inquired further, “Did you?”

“I... no.” Silver Scribe looked depressed for a moment before allowing a nervous little smile, “But... that’s a good thing right?”

“What happened?”

“He... disarmed me. Grabbed a spear off one of his bodyguards and nearly battered down my shield.” The alicorn dropped her head in shame, “I heard more of his guards coming and realised I had lost my chance, tried to run. I... I took you with me.”

“So now it looks like I was helping you!”

“Can I ask something Miss Silver?” Mr Sunshine enquired in a conversational tone, like he was discussing the weather, “This message from Regina...”

Silver Scribe quickly interjected, “It had the right security code! It’s not my fault!”

“Oh I have no doubt. Pinkie Pie’s network is famously robust and well designed for security, that’s why the NCR uses it. It is not however completely impenetrable. Acquiring Regina’s security code and faking a message from her would be... difficult, but not impossible, especially to untrained eyes.” Mr Sunshine held up a hoof to stop any further interruptions, continuing on, “More pressingly however, I have to enquire... what happened to the message she sent?”

Silver Scribe stared blankly, “What do you mean?”

“Did you delete it, clear the cache?”

Zenai’s horror grew ten fold as the alicorn continued to stare blankly ahead, her brain now completely shut down. She fingered the pistol again, her teeth grinding together, “The message, where Regina ordered the assassination of Caesar, is on YOUR COMPUTER!? THE COMPUTER IN THE PALACE WHERE HE LIVES!?”

Silver Scribe hid her head between her legs, “Yes...”

Zenai advanced forward with her pistol clutched in her hooves, raising it above her head with a fierce anger filling her heart...

Mr Sunshine gently caught her hoof before it descended. His voice was calm, gentle, “We might need her.”

Zenai looked at him, incredulous, “For what? Target practice?”

“Getting that message back.”

“We... we would have to break into the palace, find her computer, delete the file and get out again, without getting killed!”

“You have summarised the mission perfectly.”

Zenai looked around for the elite operatives that would be backing them up. They must have been really good, because she still couldn’t see them, “It’s impossible. None of us are trained to do that.”

“I am. And you are.” Mr Sunshine looked up at Silver Scribe, “Silver Scribe might not be combat trained, but she can shoot lightning, erect shields, and she’s a very skilful telekinetic.”

Zenai was still convinced this was the worst idea ever, and she doubted Silver Scribe’s prettily floating objects would help, “And how will that help us?”

“She can guard our exit. If we need to get out quickly we can jump from the windows on that side, she can float us down and shield us until we get back into hiding.” Mr Sunshine smiled genially, motioning to Zenai and himself, “I believe the two of us have a good chance at this Zenai. I am... good at what I do, and you are familiar with the palace and capable at computer hacking.”

Zenai narrowed her eyes at the ‘children’s entertainer’, wondering what it wasn’t exactly that he was so good at, “Who are you?”

“A friend in need.” Mr Sunshine chuckled to himself, “I have other reasons for getting into that palace, true. I am however honestly interested in stopping war between the NCR and zebra nations, and in keeping Regina’s reputation intact.”

Zenai glared, “And those other reasons?”

“For my ears only I’m afraid.” He smiled mockingly, closing his eyes, “Regina’s downfall, or trusting me. What do you say?”

An alicorn, a zebra and a unicorn walk into a bar...

She had to admit Mr Sunshine knew his stuff however, quick quiet and with a sharp eye for safe routes through the city. He also cast a rather impressive illusion on them that distorted their features and made them considerably more difficult to identify, shrinking Silver down to look like a slightly oddly proportioned unicorn. With that on their side they made it to the palace without much incident, approaching the little side path that Zenai knew for a fact was rather lightly guarded. As expected there were only two guards on duty, both looking rather lazy and dismotivated. Mr Sunshine led them up the path and into the shadows next to the buildings opposite, silently creeping through the darkness...

Something suddenly lurched out of the shadows and pointed a gun at them, another stepping out of the building behind. Zenai identified the two as Caesar’s guards, cursing as more appeared from nearby in response to the shouting. Of course they knew they would take this route, knew that it was considered lightly guarded. They had walked right into a trap, “Don’t shoot, we surrender.”

The guards galloped out, surrounding them with weapons drawn. Zenai dropped her pistol back into its holster, lowering her ears in a gesture of surrender. Silver Scribe did the same, lowering her head with a terrified little whimper.

The lead guard frowned suddenly, “Hey, where’s the stalli...”

Mr Sunshine stepped out behind the guard and impaled a long blade through his throat, two more knives shooting out to strike at the eyeballs of the guards closest. The remainder yelled out and opened fire, blasting their choking comrade to the ground as Mr Sunshine danced away with magic flashing. Knives span and danced in the air, sending them panicking as they struck with pinpoint precision. It was over in moments, Mr Sunshine smiling merrily as he stepped into the mess and retrieved each blade in turn, cleaning them off and returning them to his suit, “Ah, perfect. I haven’t lost my touch.”

Zenai propped her mouth closed with a hoof, just staring at the devastation, “You’re... how did you do that?”

Mr Sunshine shrugged, “Practice.”

“At killing ponies?”

He laughed, smiling kindly and broadly at the zebra, “I am a children’s entertainer. Telekinesis, sleight of hoof, illusions and agility are my bread and butter.”

Zenai shivered at the pony’s glibness, knowing the zebra he just killed had families, friends, were just doing their jobs. Not to mention this just added more fuel to the fire of Caesar’s rage, “Well... whatever. Let’s just not make a habit of it. What next?”

Mr Sunshine chuckled, turning up towards the palace, “Silver Scribe dear, get up to the garden and wait for us. Keep quiet, stick to cover.”

She nodded nervously, “R..right...”

“Zenai, the floor is yours. You know the layout better than I.”

Zenai frowned at him, reluctantly stepping forward at his urging, “Follow me.”

This palace was eerily deserted, most of the guards obviously out looking for them. Still they had already been caught once and Zenai had no taste for further fighting, she kept as slow and cautious as possible as she led Mr Sunshine towards their rooms.

She knew they would likely be guarded. She wished she had considered buying something non lethal to back up her plasma pistol, the zebra were famous for their light, silent crossbows. Load that with her knock out formula and... but she hadn’t, and she would have to deal with that choice. She really hoped she wouldn’t bump into anypony she knew, she didn’t think she could deal with that...

And on cue she turned a corner and bumped into somepony she knew. It just wasn’t the one she expected, “Steel Marrow?”

The hellhound looked as surprised as her, stepping back and dropping his blooded claws. He was surrounded by the dismembered corpses of guards, a heavy grief and weariness seeming to sit upon him. Still he managed to force his face into something that looked like a smile as he spoke, “At least... somepony made it.” He shook his head, his expression pleading, “What are you doing back here?”

Zenai couldn’t help worry for Fluttershy now. Steel Marrow could only be here for her, “We... we’re here to delete some incriminating information off Silver Scribe’s computer. You?”

“I am... looking for Fluttershy.” He tensed briefly before deflating again, looking honestly devastated, “I visited her office, the clerk there told me Caesar took her.”

Zenai’s heart ached for the faithful hound, after his aggression and confidence before his look of hopelessness cut her to the core, “I don’t think he’ll hurt her.”

“But... I do not know that. And I cannot go to her.” He looked over at Zenai, honestly lost, “If I break her free, kill Caesar guards... do I make her a fugitive? Is it better to leave her in his hooves?”

“I...” Zenai sighed, giving him a sympathetic nod, “I don’t know Steel Marrow, I’m sorry.”

He smiled genuinely at her, “Of course, I apologise for forcing my burdens onto you. I know what I must do.”

“And that is?”

“I will give myself up to them.” Steel Marrow finally got a little of his old dignity back as he stood up straight, “I will go peacefully, and try to secure Fluttershy’s welfare.”

Zenai gave him a smile, “Then... good luck.”

“And you too.” He returned the nod, “Do what you have to do and escape swiftly, make for the mountains.”

“Right.” She continued past him with heavy reluctance, looking behind as the dignified hound turned and headed off to his own destiny. It was only then that she realised Mr Sunshine had vanished, only to suddenly turn to her from further down the corridor like he had always been there, “Wh... where did you go?”

“I was letting you have a moment with your friend.” He chuckled merrily, waving her on, “Come on, he’s drawn the guards from Silver Scribe’s room. This is our chance.”

She reluctantly continued after the stallion, forcing her eyes away from the guard corpses. So many already dead, and for what? What hurt the most is that she still didn’t know.

What hurt even more was that Mr Sunshine looked so damn happy, “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing disparaging, I assure you.” Mr Sunshine chuckled happily, looking wistful, “Have you ever felt the kind of love Steel Marrow speaks of Zenai?”

She frowned bitterly, not needing another lesson in why she was an unfriendly, unloving loner, “Not really. I guess you have?”

Mr Sunshine sighed melodramatically, “Like Steel Marrow I often felt an outcast, trapped in a place where I never truly belonged. Like him a mare set me free from that, gave me friends, a purpose, a place to belong.”

Zenai snorted, still frustrated by his words. She wished it was that easy, “You’re not with them now.”

Mr Sunshine sighed, shaking his head, “One’s duty to family sometimes forces you apart from their comfort.”

Zenai was very suspicious now. She had never trusted this strange stallion, now more than ever he seemed to be trying to hint something to her. She suspected she already knew what it was “Are you here for me?”

“So arrogant, ha.” Mr Sunshine gave her a grin, “Be assured, I mean you absolutely no harm. I’m here for what you brought with you Zenai.”

“You’re from... the Twilight Society!”

Mr Sunshine chuckled, “I guess I don’t look much like an Applejack Ranger do I?”

“You think... I’ll just give it to you?”

She already knew her words were weak. He just laughed at them, “Not yours to give is it now Zenai? Currently I assume it’s sitting in your room yes?”

She seethed impotently, “And this was all just a way to get inside the palace and retrieve it?”

“Not at all.” He gave an offended little grin, “I could have done this alone anytime. Breaking in before however might have harmed relationships with Caesar, which believe me is not my ladyship’s intention.”

Zenai sighed, dropping her head, “So... you really do want to delete those messages then?”

“Indeed. And afterwards I will head over to your rooms and retrieve the package.” He smiled across at Zenai, “And if you’re feeling grateful for my assistance and wish this to be resolved with the minimum of fuss, maybe you would find it in your heart to provide the details of any security you have placed?”

Zenai might not have been able to stop him, but this was going a little too far, “You really think I would just... hand you a device for world domination?”

“Help us steal a device from those who would misuse it, so that we can help deliver peace and happiness back to the wasteland?” Mr Sunshine chuckled, “Why indeed?”

That... hurt. She tried to keep it from her voice, “You... think I believe that you want peace and happiness?”

“Who doesn’t Zenai? Everypony wishes for happiness, safety, a place to live and love and thrive.” Mr Sunshine chuckled sadly, “Once, Celestia gave it to us. Now who is worthy to succeed her? Regina? She has come up short. Littlepip? She has no interest.”

“And the Twilight Society has the answer?”

“Oh no. Twilight never had the answer, and neither have those who followed. Such authority derives from a Princess.” Mr Sunshine suddenly looked up in mock suprise as they reached a door, turning to Zenai with a broad grin, “But we will have to continue this discussion later. It seems we have arrived.”

Silver Scribe’s room was a mess, the covers in disarray and books and documents just scattered around. Zenai gave them a quick scan to make sure there was nothing incriminating there but it was mostly old university notes and scribbled shopping lists. Her eyes crossed a photograph and she moved in for a closer look. It appeared to show a slightly younger Silver Scribe standing proudly among a set of seven other alicorns, most of them very... odd looking. Two had noticeably undeveloped bone structure, one a cleft palate, one wasn’t actually looking at the camera and was being noticeably supervised by one of the others. Zenai guessed that these were her sisters, the ones who hadn’t got lucky.

“Please Zenai, the message.” Mr Sunshine stood at the side of the computer, his hoof held out, “We should endeavour to hurry, before Caesar realises this area is unguarded.”

She frowned, trotting over, “Can’t you do it?”

“My skills are many, but technology is not among them.”

Zenai sighed and got to work. The same as the room, Silver Scribe’s computer was totally disorganised. Still she located Regina’s message pretty quickly, giving it a quick browse. It was as Silver Scribe had described, looking perfectly official and arriving from a government account with Regina’s name on it. She wasn’t an expert but she made an attempt to track it back, a paper trail that indeed originated from within the Presidential Palace, “If this is a forgery... it’s very good.”

“As I said, I am not an expert. Still, could not somepony simply break into Regina’s computer and send this?”

Zenai shook her head, “I know a little about the government’s security protocols. A message with red level security would need to be sent from her command centre, which is heavily guarded. It would then have to be reviewed by her security head, who would assign the code at the bottom.” She furrowed her brow in consideration of the implications, “They would need to break into two highly secure systems, and erase their presence afterwards.”

“Well... somepony managed to break into the SPP. They said that was impossible too.”

Zenai shook her head, they didn’t have time to debate it. She sent a copy back to Regina before deleting it, making sure it was cleared from the cache, “Right, it’s done. What... what now?”

Mr Sunshine stepped back, taking a bow before turning to the door, “I will complete my second objective. I advise you vacate the palace by the plan we agreed on.”

“And do what?”

He chuckled softly, “Run. Into the mountains. Hide, wait.” He doffed an imaginary cap, giving her a sympathetic look before turning away, “I wish you well Zenai. I’m sorry it hasn’t gone as well as you hoped.”

“Zenai... are you ok?”

Zenai sighed and indicated for Silver Scribe to be quiet as she came out of the bushes, not even going to dignify that with a response. She supposed being alive and the alicorn still being here was an advantage of sorts, still she couldn’t see many other rays of sunshine through this cloud. She moved closer to Silver, beckoning her over, “I deleted the messages.”

“Mr Sunshine?”

“He had things to do.”

“Oh.” Silver Scribe hesitated for a second before asking the big question, “What now?”

“We run, try and...”

There was a crash nearby, followed by a heavy thud. It sounded like somepony had barged through a door and collapsed. Zenai immediately trotted forward, her ears pricked up, “Did you hear that?”

Silver Scribe nodded, “One of the others?”

If it was they couldn’t wait around. Zenai tore through the gardens, trying to locate the source of the sound. She eventually tracked it to a small garden in a nook of the palace, the door swinging open and a small, limp figure lying on the ground a few feet away.

A small, butterscotch yellow figure in a green dress, “Fluttershy! No!” She galloped over, looking the Pegasus over for any obvious injuries before shaking her by the shoulders, “Wake up!”

“Zenai?”

Zenai gasped with relief and backed away to give Fluttershy some space, the Pegasus shakily drawing herself to her feet and trying to blink away whatever had brought her to the ground. She looked confused, lost, turning her head to Zenai for some answers, “What happened?”

Silver Scribe instantly galloped over and hugged Fluttershy, Zenai unable to help a smile as the big alicorn almost flattened the mare. Still, they would have time for reunions later, “We have to get out of here, now.”

Silver Scribe turned, her voice quavering, “What about Steel Marrow, Dust Kicker and Mr Sunshine?”

Zenai rolled her eyes, “Silver, you’re a clerk. Stop trying to sound like a badass, haven’t you messed things up enough already?”

And then Chigaru hit the ground, everything swiftly going to hell.

Zenai took in deep gasps of breath as she stared in horror at Steel Marrow, the hellhound falling to his knees with blood pouring from every orfice. He was already dead, for it to have such a dramatic effect it must have been incredible concentrated. Why was it inside Chigaru in the first place? She was immediately reminded of Puppysmiles, the suit, the gas…

But she couldn’t debate it now. She spotted Fluttershy pulling a healing potion from her bag and leapt forward to grab her shoulders before she did something incredibly stupid, holding the mare back as she struggled, “Fluttershy, you can’t go in there! You’ll just die with him!”

“I... I’ve got it.”

“Silver?” Zenai looked up to see the alicorn already galloping forward, raising her hoof to stop her but realising there was little she could do. The pink gas already seemed like it had finished Steel Marrow off, still... alicorn were immune to it right? Maybe she could pull him free and they could throw enough healing potions down him to bring him back...

Then the gas reared upwards, solidifying slightly into a spear of churning fuchsia. It stabbed forward, Silver Scribe trying to turn but not fast enough to stop it striking against her side. She yelled in pain and quickly galloped in a circle away from the beast, her fur wet and matted when it had hit her. The gas swirled around her to cut her off and Silver Scribe panicked, screaming as it stung and bit at her flesh.

Zenai let go of Fluttershy, drawing her plasma pistol and firing a bolt of green fire at the monstrosity. This at least seemed to have an effect, the pink gas seeming to dissipate and withdraw as the bolt passed through. At the very least it fully turned its attention to her, striking forward only to be cut off by a further plasma bolt. She backed away warily, firing again only for the pink gas to swirl away with terrifying speed. It was that speed that worried her, alicorns were immune to pink gas and hellhounds were resistant, what then would this sentient cloud do to her if it caught her?

And even at the thought the gas swirled forward, Zenai’s hasty plasma bolt shooting well wide as it lunged in an arc towards her. She didn’t have time to sight up another shot.

...

And then she did, the gas hesitating for a brief moment as Fluttershy came out to the side of her. Her eyes burned with an intense, bitter rage, the air seeming to shift for a moment against her sheer force of will. Her voice was scratched, strained, wet with pain and rage, “Why!? Why do you feel these things, why do you take so much pleasure in pain!?”

“Because I enjoy it. Admit it to yourself Fluttershy, you enjoy it too.”

Her stare broke, the pegasi reeling backwards as the pink gas rounded on her, “What?”

”That’s what your stare is isn’t it? All that hate, anger, contempt towards those around you, all locked up behind those fake smiles?

“I...”

Zenai had enough of this, darting out and firing a plasma bolt into the cloud. Again it was just too fast however, wheeling away before darting straight at her. She yelled out in panic and tried to run... and the cloud hesitated, drawing back. Zenai looked around in confusion, trying to work out why it was hesitating.

And then she saw it, running over and grabbing the motionless Fluttershy by the shoulder and pointing her plasma pistol out towards the beast, “So, what’s the deal you fucking demon... cloud thing? Got a soft spot for Fluttershy? This your idea of chatting her up?”

The cloud circled for a moment before drawing back, shrinking back towards his suit.

Fluttershy looked back at Zenai, clearly terrified and very confused, “What are you doing?”

“He doesn’t want to hurt you.” Zenai nodded at the creature, “Why not? What the hell is your deal?”

Fluttershy snarled her objection, “He’s been trying to kill me all night!”

Zenai didn’t have to work very hard to explain this one, “Fluttershy, he’s a cloud of instantly deadly pink gas, inside some kind of power suit capable of throwing an alicorn across a room. You’re a... old lady.” She looked across a Chigaru, “If he wanted to kill you, you would already be dead.”

Chigaru retreated back into his suited form with a rush, jumping away into a nearby tree as she fired another plasma bolt at him. He straightened out and extended his head, regarding Zenai with that impassive, masked face for several seconds. And then he spoke, smooth and calm as ever, “You are a tricky one indeed. Worthy of a little charity.” He lowered his head into a nod, “Run. Get out of Demonivore.”

Zenai snarled and fired another shot, Chigaru jumping away again to cling spiderlike to the side of the palace, “You could do this all day you know, and more soldiers are coming.”

“Why?” Zenai yelled up at him, frustration boiling, “Why let us go?”

“They always ask why.” Chigaru shook his head, “I’m not all that complicated.”

“Zenai.” Silver Quill stepped up behind, “We... should do what he says.”

“Rrr... sure.” She stepped backwards, holstering her weapon, “No more games Chigaru. We’re going.”

“My little ponies.” He chuckled evily, “The game is only open when you break the board. The pieces... they’re replaceable.” His gaze moved to Fluttershy, “Some less than others. Keep her safe. This one hasn’t even begun to suffer.”

And then he was gone, disappeared back into the palace like the bug he was. Zenai turned to the silent Fluttershy, her concern heavy on her heart. The mare was just staring ahead with a far away expression and Zenai even shook her leg to absolutely no response, “Fluttershy, let’s go.”

Nothing.

“Fluttershy!” Zenai shook her again but again just got a blank stare. The sound of running hoofbeats from within the palace convinced her not to wait around, “Silver, pick her up!”

“Right!”

“Let’s go!”

They had not got five feet however when Silver Scribe yelled out, Zenai turning to see her paused in horror in the middle of the street with Fluttershy whimpering quietly on the ground behind. She ran over with a grunt of anger, hoping Fluttershy hadn’t been hurt, “Did you drop her?!”

Silver Scribe responded with a quiet horror, “She... pushed herself off...”

Zenai turned her head to the elderly pegasus, Fluttershy pressing her head against the ground and refusing to even look at them, “Fluttershy, come on, we have to go!”

She still refused to acknowledge them in any way.

“I... rr... Pick her up in your teeth.”

Silver Scribe looked at Zenai in horror, “What?!”

“Quickly!”

“I can’t do that! This is... Fluttershy! I’ll hurt her!”

Zenai growled her words, refusing to let this beat her. The blood was pumping now, bringing with it a fierce determination. She wouldn’t die here, “Pick her up in your teeth or leave her behind.”

Silver Scribe danced on her hooves for a moment, fixed her eyes in a determined scowl, leaned down...

Fluttershy bucked her in the nose, sending her reeling backwards.

“Fluttershy!” Zenai shouted a little louder than intended, glaring at the pegusus. Honestly, she was behaving like a naughty child, “You’re going to get us all killed! Do you want that?”

Fluttershy glared coldly at Zenai, her features suddenly deformed by rage and anger, “Some smug, traitorous bitch and a complete fuck up of an alicorn who ruined everything I’ve ever worked for? Why not?”

Zenai paused. This... did not sound like Fluttershy, “Wha...”

“It doesn’t matter. None of this...” Fluttershy looked around, pain and hate in her eyes, “I was mistaken. I always thought that I survived because my sins wouldn’t let me off that easy, that if I killed myself before they were paid off I would go to hell for them. But now I realise... this is hell.”

“Fluttershy, I know things look bad...”

“Bad!?” She spat, advancing forward with her features twisted in range, “I spent Two. Hundred. Years, watching you kill each other, unable to do anything to stop it! And finally, finally, I felt the spell fail, felt my body disintegrate around me... I thought I was finally free!” She laughed, “Oh, what a wonderful joke! I was faced with this grand new world, full of such wonderful things! Wide, desolate wastes. Private militaries of thugs. Enough corruption and scandal to make the Crystal Empire jealous.”

“Fluttershy...”

She grimaced, levelling her eyes at the ground, “Should have known it when I first heard about the Followers. A whole organisation, built in worship of me. I’m in hell already, and I’ll never see my friends, my family... I’m stuck here, with YOU!”

Silver Scribe rubbed her nose better, advancing forward cautiously but resolutely, “Ambassador, you have...”

Fluttershy whirled on the alicorn, “Don’t tell me what I have to do, you stupid little... agh! Why? Why they have to send you with me?!” She stomped a hoof down, angling her head up at the alicorn, “You’re a useless, whiny fuck up, who’s only quality was being slightly less of a fuck up than your sisters! You’re only here because Twilight Frost is so desperate she would have picked anyone who could read and write as her apprentice providing they had some ratty wings and a horn!”

Silver Scribe levelled her eyes at Fluttershy, glaring softly down at her, “I need you to come with me now. Ok?”

Fluttershy paused in consideration of the firmly stated words, seemingly unsure how to reply, “I... no! No! I’m not going anywhere with you!”

“You’re acting like a child.”

“I’m not a child, you’re a child!”

Silver Quill drew her head back, quietly assessing, “Is this how you want to go? How you want everyone to see you? A child having a tantrum?”

“No! I...” Fluttershy looked around, twichy and nervous, “Go! I... let’s go! Hurry up!”

Silver Scribe nodded to Zenai and she hesitantly set the pace, looking behind to see Fluttershy stumbling along as she was gently herded by Silver Scribe. It wasn’t a perfect set up, but they had to get under cover before anything else could be arranged. They had already lost too much time.

They managed to get some way into the city before Zenai felt safe enough to stop, amazed they hadn’t been caught already. Fluttershy had settled into a robotic but reasonably hurried pace, still she hadn’t even been trying to stick to the shadows and was clearly twitchy and mumbling quietly under her breath. Zenai hoped those watching would mistake her for just another mad old bag lady, fail to notice the zebra and alicorn sneaking along beside. She drew close to Silver Scribe as they settled down near some rubbish bins, keeping her eyes alert for danger, “Suggestions about what to do with Fluttershy?”

Silver Scribe gave Fluttershy a brief glance, regret filling her at the sight of the lost, broken pegasus, “She’s... I guess it’s stating the obvious to say she’s not well. I can’t predict how her mental state will change.” She turned to Zenai, pleading, “Can’t you tranquilize her? We could strap her to my back.”

Zenai wished it was that easy. Her anaesthetic was effective, but still a homemade concoction a lot stronger than she intended. She wasn’t about to start using it on her friends without very good reason, “Fluttershy is an old mare, with a clearly damaged, swollen windpipe and a history of...” Zenai paused before she started revealing too much, rewinding her thoughts and deciding to keep Fluttershy’s drug use to herself for the moment, “Well she’s likely on a lot of other medication, and I’ve neither got access to her medical records nor am in any way trained as an anaesthetist. In short, no. I can’t risk it.”

“So... we continue like this?”

“Or leave her behind.” Zenai hated saying it, but it needed to be put out there, “I doubt Caesar would hurt her, and she’s slowing us down.”

Silver Scribe frowned, clearly not liking that idea, “That... Chigaru pony tried to kill her!”

“As I said, if he had wanted to he could have killed her in a moment.”

“And...” Silver Scribe looked hesitant, her face screwing up in pain. She took a deep breath, finally balling up enough courage to say it, “...well... I just don’t want to leave her alone. She could... hurt herself.”

Zenai sighed, looking over to the pegasus and nodding. Fluttershy looked so lost, every trace of the proud, kindly mentor lost in a sea of despair so deep Zenai wondered if she would ever be the same again, “Ok, that’s a fair point. As a matter of fact I think we need to be careful about giving her any firearms. Just in case.”

Silver Scribe nodded, though she was clearly not comfortable discussing this, “Ok.”

“What about you?” Zenai focused her gaze on the alicorn, “Have you any sort of weapons training at all?”

Silver Scribe didn’t look much more comfortable with this topic either, “Um... I used to fence.”

“Isn’t that... competition sword dueling?”

“Yeah.”

Zenai sighed, just imagining the alicorn facing up exactly half a rapier’s length from her opponent in full point in line style. She could only imagine how many holes Caesar’s troops would blast through her, “Ok... and your magic?”

She concentrated, getting a tiny spark after several seconds of effort. She gave a sheepish look, “Still burnt out. I’m sorry, I’ve never experienced having my shields broken like that before. I took it right through my horn.”

Zenai sighed, realising it was a real bad day when she was the only combat capable unit on the field. She indicated Silver Scribe to stay where she was and moved forward to scout ahead, hearing some kind of motor approaching from around the corner. It sounded like an air conditioner...

She peaked around the corner, instantly faced with what looked like three tons of metal death.

It was a war droid, one of the big long armed droids like the ones that were guarding the Lost Legion. It quickly proved how fast it was as its autocannon arm swung round and spat lead at her, Zenai diving under cover as it tore apart the scenery. And the scenery was certainly torn apart, the bullets tearing through solid brick like they were made of cardboard. Zenai realised to her horror that this thing was designed to fight ponies in power armour, if she was hit by one of those rounds she would likely be torn in half.

She scooted along a row of flower pots and came up shooting, hitting the machine twice before diving away once more. The plasma bolts made its armour glow bright and melt a little, still it did little to slow it down as it came round shooting. Zenai screamed, terror seizing her tight as a bullet cut right overhead, realising she stood little chance against this thing. Fluttershy and Silver Scribe were nowhere to be seen. She was going to die here, alone, having failed miserably to stop any of this from happening.

A gunshot echoed out, Zenai’s ears perking up as she hurt it strike the war droid. Further shots rang out and Zenai recognised Dust Kicker’s rifle and shotgun, her heart soaring as she rolled out of cover and brought up her weapon. The war droid had turned from her to target this new attacker, leaving its back wide open. She didn’t stop firing for a second, soon leaving its rear armour a smoking slag. Her next two shots burned it from the inside, leaving the machine crashing to the ground with sparks flying.

“That weapon is pretty good against armour.”

Zenai couldn’t help it, she galloped over and threw herself around Dust Kicker’s leg, squeezing it tight. It was all she could do not to sob, especially as she recognised the black metal of the suit he was wearing, “You... have NO idea how happy I am to see you!”

“Likewise sweet pea. It’s been a long day.” He patted his chest with his other hoof, “Program secured safe and tight, like you said.”

Indeed she had. She had only hoped he would have made it in time, “Did you bump into a stallion called Mr Sunshine?”

“No. Should I?”

“No, you shouldn’t.” Zenai grinned at some good fortune, finally after all that had happened, “What happened to you?”

“Heard the explosion, suited up, checked out the situation.” He gave a grim look, his good mood suddenly departing, “Realised that somepony was starting a war, and the easiest way to achieve that... was take out Fluttershy. I tried to save her.”

“From Chigaru?”

Dust gave her a surprised look, “Yeah. How...?”

“Mr... Dust Kicker...”

Dust looked round to spot Fluttershy hesitantly staggering out from behind the ruined wall, seeming like she didn’t believe what she was seeing. He on the other hand grinned wildly, cantering over and placing a hoof on her shoulder, “Ambassador, I’m glad you made it. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to help you back there.”

“It doesn’t matter...” Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, “We’re all going to die anyway.”

Dust hesitated for a second before angrily tilting her head up, looking the surprised mare in the eye, “You’ve been in worse than this girl. Chin up, eyes forward.”

She looked at him in confusion for a moment or two before tearing her head away, just staring off into the distance with a hurt, stubborn expression.

Dust didn’t even acknowledge her reluctance, grinning as he spotted Silver Scribe sulking around in the background, “Silver Scribe, it’s good to see you made it out too. We’re going to need your magic out there.”

“I...” Silver Scribe considered her responses for a moment before simply nodding, “I’ll do my best. I promise.”

“Good. We’re escaping this city right?”

Zenai nodded, “Yeah.”

“Then let’s move ponies!” Dust waved them onwards, setting a fast pace through the city that Zenai was surprised to see Fluttershy actually keep up with. Dust’s survival certainly seemed to have put some vigour in her, though she knew not to kid herself as to how much. After a moment Dust moved in close to her, speaking quietly, “Have we got any more coming?”

Zenai shook her head, regret and sympathy filling her belly, “Steel Marrow didn’t make it.”

“I see. What about Arick and Ace Gold? Daisy?”

“I haven’t seen any of them.”

Dust nodded, reassured by the lack of concrete news at least, “Ok... Zenai, you ready for this? I doubt the rest of our escape is going to go smoothly.”

“I... I’m not sure...”

He looked down at her, smiling, “Zenai, you know you’re smart and brave and skilled. I’ve watched the events of the last few weeks file the jagged edges off, I’ve seen you grow from your mistakes. Believe me, I know you can do this. Now you just need to prove it to yourself.”

She tried to think of a good response to that. Eventually she realised she didn’t need to say anything, “Thank you Dust.”

“No problem.”

She knew he was just trying to make sure they didn’t all break at the first sign of danger, well aware that they were all under a lot of stress, and were none of them military trained. Still she appreciated his words, felt both the weight of feeling behind them and the happy feeling of being right. Dust was a great leader, and she knew his reluctance to lead wasn’t just personal preference. No pony who hated it could be that genuine.

And she knew she needed to learn from the examples he gave her. She fell back a little to stand beside Silver Scribe, trotting along at the back with her eyes glumly focused on Fluttershy, “Silver.”

She turned her head down to the zebra, “Um... yes?”

“You did good, getting Fluttershy to come with us. I had no idea what to do, and if we had hesitated any longer we would have been caught for sure.”

“Thanks. I...” Silver Scribe looked at Zenai, unsure how to respond. Eventually she dropped her head, looking ashamed, “I’ve got everything wrong. I thought I had it all figured out, that it was everypony else who was ignorant of what was really going on. All this... is my fault.”

“And you’re not off the hook yet. But stuff like that? That’s a good start.”

Silver Scribe smiled gratefully at Zenai, her expression eventually becoming wistful and a little shy, “I have... quite a few sisters. I was always the leader, always the one looking after them all.” She bit her lip, looking a little sad, “Most of them... have problems.”

Zenai nodded, remembering the photo, “They didn’t develop properly.”

“No. Me and my sisters Iris Reach and Crimson Skies are the only ones without physical or intellectual disabilities. And I was always the most intelligent, the most powerful.” She lowered her head, looking about to cry, “I guess I got used to thinking I was better than everypony else, that I knew best...”

Zenai... made a resolution to be more self aware of her faults. She couldn’t criticise the mare. She had spent her childhood watching out for herself, grown to resent and feel superior to those who needed parents and family. She had won herself many enemies with her arrogance and self assured attitude, forcing herself to get top marks to justify her own self regard. She had come to believe those marks meant she couldn’t fail, “You can fix all this Silver.”

Silver Scribe chuckled pathetically, “I sure hope so...”

Dust ably led them through the side streets, dodging roaming packs of guards without incident. Zenai was starting to believe they might actually do this, and she had to admit she was getting tired and slow now. If they didn’t get a rest soon she would likely be blundering straight into a pack of Caesar’s goons...

Speak of the devil, a bullet cut across her leg and she yelled out stumbling. She looked up in the direction of the shot and saw a zebra perched on the roof with a rifle in hoof, diving to the side as another bullet struck the ground, “Sniper, roof!”

“Got it.” Dust turned, dancing backwards and bringing his rifle to his eye. He fired and there was a yell of pain, firing again to be rewarded with a crash and a thud. He looked back towards Zenai, reloading his rifle and returning it to her side, “You ok?”

“Yeah, I...”

More bullets struck the wall next to her and Zenai let out a girlish scream, cantering away as Dust jumped in to shield her, guns blazing. Zenai jumped behind a trash dumpster and took a moment to assess the situation. They were at the intersection of two alleyways and a third exit onto a main street, across which was the garages and east exit from the city. Unfortunately it wasn’t the best area to defend and she could see movement from both alleyways, along with very little cover that guarded from both sides. Fluttershy was cowering in a corner with her hooves over her head, Silver Scribe pressed against a wall and breathing heavily.

Caesar’s troops were advancing cautiously, not opening themselves up to shots and concentrating on suppressing fire. The exit was obvious, run out onto the street and reach the cover on the other side.

Too obvious.

A gunshot rang out, striking the wall next to Silver Scribe with a crack of shattering masonry. She bolted with a desperate whinny, her legs stumbling.

“Silver, stay in cover!”

It was too late. Silver Quill broke cover with a terrified yell, galloping for the harder shielding of the wall a few feet across the road. She didn’t make it, not managing halfway before her side was torn apart by submachine gun fire in a rain of blood and meat. The alicorn gasped and staggered a few more paces before a thrown spear impaled her through the throat, finally dropping her to the ground with a wet thud.

“No! No!”

“Damnit…” Dust caught Fluttershy before she ran out herself, blasting at a zebra solider who had edged out a little too far and seriously damaging his armor with a well aimed rifle shot. He immediately dropped out of sight with a cry of pain, allowing Dust time to get a proper grip on the pegasus, “She’s already dead!”

Fluttershy snarled her answer, “She’s not dead! We just need to get her a healing potion!”

“That’s what the spear is for! We would need to remove it first, and we don’t have time!”

“Well that’s different isn’t it!?” She struggled valiantly against Dust’s grip, her voice raised to a screech, “You just don’t WANT to save her!”

Zenai couldn’t do this. She couldn’t listen to two of the adults she actually respected argue over such a…. horrible thing. She wouldn’t listen. She decided to give a third option.

She snapped out the energy cell of her pistol, carefully opening the casing and using a bobby pin to break open the seal and the cooling valve. Then she placed the cell back into the pistol, gripped it in a non-firing position and walked out into the street.

Her heart beat as the zebra pointed their guns at her, near eight of them, none of them friendly looking. She lowered her ears and dropped her head, only hoping the fact they hadn’t fired yet was a good thing.

“Are you surrendering?”

She nodded firmly at the groups captain.

“Then drop your weapon!”

She dutifully removed the energy cell, cradling it in her hoof and spitting her pistol to the ground. Then she threw the clip over to them, “There, no funny business.”

The captain moved forward to catch it, “Nice to see some sense…”

It promptly exploded on impact. The captain was killed instantly and the others were sent tumbling over each other with cries of pain and panic.

Dust flung himself into the fray with gusto, firing both weapons with pinpoint accuracy, ignoring the shots bouncing off his own armor as he worked his way through the panicking unit. Zenai grabbed her dropped pistol and sprinted into cover, loading another cell and leaning out to spray them with plasma fire. Fluttershy took the moment of confusion to run on over to Silver Quill, the alicorn lying totally still now.

Zenai had taken down her second enemy when she found her eyesight blurring, her body shaking for a moment before a wave of nausea overtook her and she was forced to spit her pistol out and vomit into a nearby corner. She knew it was the worst possible timing but she couldn’t stop, her body feeling like it had been hit by a sledgehammer. She felt cold and shaking, and couldn’t concentrate…

Dust threw a grenade back into the alleyway before galloping over to her side, “Hey, Zenai, you alright?”

She shook her head, looking down at the pool of vomit, “I… I don’t know…”

Dust smiled warmly at her, taking her shoulder and bringing her round to face him, “Combat shakes. It happens.”

Zenai returned a pale, wan smile of her own before wiping her mouth off and running over to Fluttershy. She could already tell it wasn’t good. Fluttershy had her hooves on the spear but didn’t seem to be doing anything with it, simply standing there with a faraway look on her face. Zenai hurried over, “Fluttershy…”

“She’s dead.” Fluttershy’s voice sounded puzzled, confused. Her eyes were already filling with tears, “She’s already dead. There’s nothing I can do.”

Zenai looked down reluctantly at Silver Scribe, drinking in the pain and horror of seeing the alicorn like this. Silver Scribe had been an idiot, she had got them into this mess. Zenai had spent the past few hours shouting at her, calling her out on her stupid decisions. She hadn’t been able to do a damn thing right.

She lay there, face twisted in pain, eyes wide open and staring dimly into nothingness. Blood covered her lips, her throat torn open and her side a bloody mess. Her mane lay dank with crimson fluid. It was… horrible.

“Watch out!”

Zenai looked up in sudden surprise as Dust shouted out, spotting the solider drawing a bead on them from the alleyway opposite. He wasn’t one of the normal soldiery like the others, instead clad in the black and gold combat armor of Caesar’s elite. He moved before Zenai had a chance to react, bracing his revolver and blowing a hole through Zenai’s shoulder. She screamed, hit the floor and gasped as the sky swung around her, white light filling her vision. She grasped desperately for a healing potion, watching helplessly as the zebra sighted up on Fluttershy…

Fluttershy suddenly broke into a gallop, snatched up a submachine gun in her mouth and gave an incoherent scream as she swung it at the zebra. He fired at her but his shot went wide, Fluttershy’s own return fire causing him to duck away as it tore up the wall beside him. More gunfire sounded out and Zenai curled up as bullets struck the ground around her, cringing as the zebra’s second shot tore open Fluttershy’s leg. The elderly pegasus staggered a little, drew up her weapon with a yell and blew him off his hooves with a sustained burst of fire.

He grunted as he hit the ground, already extending his neck to retrieve his fallen gun. Zenai wanted to yell out in warning, tell Fluttershy to reload quickly. Better yet to find a better weapon, her little sub machine gun no match for the zebra’s armor…

But Fluttershy just galloped forward, jumped on top of the solider and brought the weapon down with a mighty thud. He yelled and struck her in the face but she simply shrugged it off and brought the weapon down again, and again, screaming in rage as blood splattered her butterscotch fur. He yelled out and threw her off, Fluttershy tumbling across the tiles in an inelegant ball of fur as he got to his hooves and wiped the blood from the cut across his muzzle, “Ifurna sadda, Fluttershy canne…”

Fluttershy jumped to her hooves , galloped forward and tackled him into a wall. He grunted in surprise and elbowed her to the ground, only to yell in pain as she fixed her teeth into his leg. Zenai winced as he kicked her into the wall with a hard crack, the pegasus letting go and sinking down with a pained whine.

Zenai finally found a healing potion and downed, it, grunting at the pain from her still healing shoulder as she tried to sight up her pistol on the looming soldier. She cursed in frustration as her vision swam, unable to fire without the possibility of hitting Fluttershy...

And Fluttershy snatched up the zebra’s fallen revolver and pointed it straight at his face. The soldier’s eyes immediately went wide, backing away with a desperate tone in his voice, “Wait, Ambassador. We have orders to capture you, not kill…” He gave a brief look of relief as she leveled the weapon down…

Just before she blew his hoof off. He looked down at the bloody mess in uncomprehending surprise for a moment before falling to the ground, gasping out as she advanced, “Ambassador…”

“Fck… yth!” Fluttershy struck him with the weapon, stamping his head into the ground with a firm hoof. She backed away as he cried out for mercy, so much spittle flying from her teeth that it was a wonder she kept a grip on the pistol, “Ambsither!? Ivf bin heff befur, tffing to maff peace! I shuffer av fuffing boffered!”

Zenai advanced cautiously, sensing Fluttershy was under… considerable stress, “Fluttershy, please… we have to go…”

She looked at Zenai for a second, like she had forgotten she was there. Then she simply turned back and unloaded every single bullet she had into the zebra’s head.

Zenai simply… stared as she watched the element of kindness execute a wounded opponent in cold blood, her mouth hanging open at the horror of it all. Fluttershy just dropped the weapon into the spreading gore and charged forward, kicking and punching the ruined corpse like a mare possessed, “I should have let them kill you all! I should have created… a poison, wiping every single one of you off this planet! Maybe then… maybe then MY FRIENDS WOULDN’T ALL BE DEAD, JUST BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU DIRTY LITTLE FUCKERS WOULD STOP KILLING EACH OTHER FOR ONE FUCKING SECOND! BECAUSE I THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING SO PURE, SO GOOD THAT YOU COULDN’T ALL CORRUPT IT INTO A FUCKING WEAPON!”

Zenai hesitated, eyes wide and trembling at the horrific sight. Fluttershy was absolutely covered in blood now, her voice cracked and screechy, her eyes feral. She desperately tried to call out to the mare, to help her somehow, “Fluttershy, please, stop this!”

“Zenai! Could do with some help!”

Zenai looked round, spotting Dust in cover behind some walls with quite a few holes blown through his armor. He was poking his head up every now and then but the overwhelming volume of fire was keeping him down, at least seven well armed zebra marching towards him.

They were pinned.

Zenai charged out to fire a few plasma shots into the crowd but was immediately punched to the ground by a bullet to the chest, rolling away into cover before she took any more damage. She found a convenient wall and assessed her ruined armor, assured that it wasn’t going to stop many more shots like that. Her VATS was charged but at range her accuracy was hardly great, she could get maybe… three of them if she was lucky? The others would tear her apart a second later.

And then Fluttershy decided to make things worse. She ran out in full view, covered in blood, holding the empty revolver in her mouth. Zenai could do nothing to stop her as she advanced out past the cover, her weapon pointed at the armed zebra before her. She wanted to look away, not have to watch as the mare was blown apart before her eyes. The soldiers mercifully hesitated, whether from recognizing her, horror at her gory appearance or simple confusion as to why she hadn’t fired yet. It… couldn’t last for long, “Fluttershy! Don’t shoot!”

The zebra paused, unsure, looking at each other for guidance. Fluttershy looked back at Zenai for one brief moment before reaching into her saddlebag and pulling out a grenade.

“Zenai… I’m going to put her down.” Dust brought up his sniper rifle, sighting up on the pegasus with a grim expression, “I can break her shoulder, damage her jaw, hopefully without killing her.”

Zenai looked at him in confusion and horror, “What?!”

“She’s going to blow herself up. Can you think of a better way of stopping her?”

“Than blowing her jaw off?!”

Dust just grunted, closing one eye as he took careful aim…

Dark wings unfurled in the night, swooping down into the street with swift, deadly agility. A figure leapt off in midflight, sparking with magic as the twin pistols either side fired with pinpoint accuracy. Rifles shattered apart as the bullets tore through them, Caesar’s soldiers allowed a few moments of cursing and shock before the figure landed in the middle of their formation. The twin pistols span in a tight magic powered arc, hooves striking the zebra off their feet and sending them spinning into the pavement. One remaining guardstallion charged in with a combat knife clutched in his jaw, only to be sent flying as Ace Gold flipped backwards and took the pony under the chin with a sharp crack.

Arick parachuted his wings and fell to the ground with a thud, sighting up on the road beyond with a heavy machine gun strapped to his side. He took a moment to make sure the area was clear before angling his head back, giving them all a winning grin, “Hey, sorry we’re a little late. Had to get our escape route from this place ready.”

Zenai’s jaw clenched, not quite sure what to say. On one hand, he had just saved their asses, and Fluttershy was momentarily frozen in shock mid action. On the other… “This is all your fault!”

Arick snorted, giving a mockingly innocent smile, “Really? How so?”

“You tried to kill Caesar!”

Arick waved her off dismissively, turning back to the route behind, “That pathetic attempt? If I really wanted to kill Caesar I would have done a lot better than that. Haven’t you worked it out yet?”

Dust Kicker stepped forward, still breathing a little heavily, “Worked out what?”

“That attempt was designed to fail, ruin the peace treaty and frame all of us for the attempt. Caesar’s likely already found the messages linking each of us to the plot, making sure we can’t patch things up or discover who was really responsible.”

Zenai… admitted that sounded plausible. They had been framed after all, and…

“It’s… all lies.”

Zenai turned to Fluttershy, the grenade still sitting in her hoof. She gazed at Arick with wild eyes swiftly turning to anger, the griffon looking on in confusion for a moment before realization dawned, “Fluttershy? Damn, what the fuck happened to you?”

She opened her mouth wide and furious, spittle flying, “You happened! You always happen!”

Arick… laughed. Loud and casually, landing his face in his open claw, “Man oh man, they’re never going to let me forget this. Come on, load the old mare up, put that grenade somewhere where she can’t accidently blow herself to bits.” He looked around searchingly, still inappropriately gliib, “Where’s Sil got to?”

Everyone hesitated. Dust was eventually forced to answer him, “Silver Scribe is dead.”

Arick looked regretful for a second before shrugging his shoulders, “Really? Damn. That’s a shame.”

Fluttershy grabbed the fallen revolver from the ground and pointed it straight at Arick, her voice firm and completely direct, “No morth. I’m ending you, nuw.”

Arick simply grinned at Fluttershy, though he did look a little sad and regretful at the same time, “Come on Fluttershy, you know you’re not going to shoot me. Get that thing out of your mouth, you look pathetic.”

She growled, “Ith thaf all yoth av to say? Aboth Sither, aboth everthing?”

“What do you want me to say?” Arick shrugged his shoulders, “It’s sad she’s gone, she was a good girl. But it wasn’t anything to do with me.”

Fluttershy paused for a brief moment of consideration before pulling the trigger.

She was still looking at the unloaded weapon in confusion as Ace Gold crept up behind and activated his magic, dropping the pegasus with a single burst of energy.

Arick paused for a moment in complete shock before giving a nervous laugh, nodding gratefully to Ace Gold “Nice one Ace. Man… she actually tried to shoot me.”

“I didn’t do it for you.” Ace advanced forward hesitantly, his horn glowing softly. He dropped his pistols and closed his eyes in concentration, his horn suddenly flashing with light as much of the blood and gore leapt away from Fluttershy and hit a nearby wall with a horrible wet sound. He then trotted over and placed an experimental hoof on the mare’s head, something deep and sad in his expression, “What the hell… this was supposed to be some rousing adventure...”

“It is. Look at us, escaping from the Caesar’s capital, a group of battle worn adventurers of all species fighting for truth!”

“It’s not… a fucking game.” Ace Gold looked up at Arick angrily for a moment before returning his gaze to Fluttershy, carefully shifting her mane from her eyes, “Get us the hell out of here.”

Arick looked… irritated, jumpy. He paced nervously, eyebrows raised, claws raking the ground as he stared around, “Ok, fine. Just… Ace, you know the escape route yeah?”

He looked up, “Yeah?”

“Then get going.” Arick stared down the street, gripping his machine gun and taking it in his claws, “I’m gonna buy you some time.”

Ace gave him a challenging look, anger and hurt in his expression, “You’re not coming with?”

He snorted, “All got a little heavy for me. I’ll catch up later, go!”

“You… don’t die. Ok?”

Arick simply smirked, “Just got a gun aimed right at my skull, trigger pulled by somepony trying to send me straight to hell. My luck’s still holding steady short stuff.”

“Right…” Ace turned away with an angry snarl, his expression softening slightly as he took Fluttershy in his telekinesis and attempted to levitate her. He was doing pretty well to hide it but he was obviously struggling, not least because he was attempting to keep her limp body in some kind of comfortable position without looking directly at her.

Dust eventually moved over, nodding to the foal, “Place her on my back.” He shook his head at Ace’s angry expression, returning a calm one of his own, “She’ll slow you down, stop you from using your pistols. We need you to get us all out of here.”

“Fine.” He grunted, lowering the pegasus onto his back with careful precision before drawing his pistols and galloping towards the fences on the other side of the street, “Come on, it’s this way.”

The garage was the same as the one they had used to get to the mountains previously, still filled with the heavily armored APC’s they had used before. There were shouts from the gantry above and Dust and Ace reacted instantly, Dust ducking behind cover as Ace launched himself forward. Two shots later and one of the zebra hit the ground with a thud, Zenai melting the gantry under the other and sending him crashing through the melted metal with a yell. Ace Gold immediately cantered over to him and hit him with his anesthetic spell, nodding to the other, “Healing potion.”

Zenai didn’t argue, this was no time for ethical debate. She grabbed the injured zebra and forced a healing potion down him, clocking him across the head as he began to stir. She looked back to make sure Dust was behind her before moving into the open door of the first APC, looking around the cramped interior. It wasn’t the same one as the one they used before but it was still almost identical, and felt reassuringly sturdy, “Does anypony know how to drive one of these?”

“Not this design, but I can drive go-carts.” Ace strolled over to the controls, looking them over, “I think I can work this out.”

“And I have some experience with armored trucks.” Dust followed in, studying the interior himself, “But I think I’ll be better placed on guns. Ace, you drive. Zenai, look after Fluttershy.”

“Right.” Zenai prepared a bench for the mare, helping Dust to lay her down before both he and Ace moved to their respective compartments. She tried to ignore her continued nervousness as the APC started up and rolled out into the desert beyond, concentrating on the mare in front of her. She was in a bad way, in ways not easily healed by just throwing healing potions at her. She instead opened up the various medical bags they were carrying and got to work, reducing the swelling in her neck, treating the slow to heal bullet wound on her leg to stop infection and injecting a few drugs to lower her heart rate and blood pressure. It wasn’t much, all just obvious surface problems, still it would hopefully keep her alive.

“Holy shit!”

Zenai looked up at the sound of Dust’s voice before hurrying over to the viewport, gasping in horror at what was going on back at the city. A dark shape soared above, purple scales lit by anti air fire as it wheeled and spat flame at the palace below. Zenai instantly recognized it, “Spike!”

“He must think Fluttershy’s still there.”

“We have to tell him…”

A bright spear of light flew out from a high tower near the walls, Spike too busy with some missiles on the other side to notice until it was too late. It struck him hard on the flank and detonated in a huge, bright flash of light, Zenai gasping as it shredded a wing and flung him into the path of another concentrated burst of weapons fire. Spike struggled backwards as he tried to make some distance but his wing was too damaged, he was hit a couple of more times and eventually just dropped out of the sky, hitting the sea with an almighty crash. He didn’t come back up.

Zenai was glad Fluttershy was still out, “Do you think he’s alright?”

“He’s… pretty tough. Dragons are aquatic right?”

Zenai… didn’t actually know, “I’m not sure.”

“He likely swam away to avoid them, it’s what I would do.” Dust looked down from the gantry, nodding reassuringly, “And he did draw attention away from us. We’ll get to the mountains, throw him a communication to meet up. We’ll get through this yet Zenai, you’ll see.”

Zenai looked at Fluttershy, then at the spot where Spike had fallen. She looked at their almost depleted supplies of ammo and medicine, across the existed looking faces of Dust and Ace. She felt her own body fail. She remembered the faces of Steel Marrow and Silver Scribe.

This time she didn’t believe him.

End of Part 1, Fools Gold.

Part 2, The Light over the Darkness, coming soon!
___________________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (7)

Perk Acquired – Vigilant Recycler
Waste not, want not. When you use Energy Weapons, you are more likely to recover drained ammunition. You also have more efficient recycling recipes available at the wasteland's workbenches. The efficient recycling recipes make you twice as likely to recover drained cells when you use Energy weapons, reduce the cost of recharging drained cells from four to three.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 2.1 - A Pilgrims Progress

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Chapter 2.1 - A Pilgrims Progress

Star Swirl was... in a military camp. The Equestrian flag flew over the tents and shacks that formed it, soldiers milling about preparing for whatever battle was to come. Star Swirl attempted to orientate herself, figuring from her tactile senses that she was a pegasus mare. There was a rather distracting ache in her wing and a tightness in her side that suggested her host had been through a few battles, though she could feel the strength in every step. She was nervous about something, approaching one of the tents with a cautious, hesitant gain, a persistent tightness in her throat.

She took a deep breath and plunged through the curtains, instantly drawing herself up proudly as she strutted into the rather plush interior. The downy cushions at the side were certainly not a military issue cot, and there was a full length mirror and grooming station that someone had clearly spent a lot of caps on. A grin marked the pegasus’s face at this, turning her eyes up to meet the radiant form of Princess Celestia standing at the corner of the room, “Hey Princess, we’re going to battle, not a ball.”

Princess Celestia did not show the slightest hint of anger at the rather blunt statement, merely sly amusement as she turned to her guest. Her voice was unlike it had been in the other memory, cool and cautious, here it was soft and full of warm affection, “My dear Rainbow Dash, I’m afraid for all your qualities you have never understood the importance of making a good impression.” She chuckled, “You do know that everypony in Canterlot thinks you do nothing but sit around on clouds all day, and that your ministry is a running joke in society circles?”

“Aww, let them talk. I prefer to fly under the radar anyway.”

“Rainbow Dash, you have never flown under the radar in your life.” Celestia chuckled, though her expression was somewhat sad all the same, “But I do you little credit. And maybe it is I who has forgotten how to lead, how to inspire. Those soldiers out there, they look upon your unkempt hair and your dirt stained coat and they see someone who’s fighting with them, who understands what they’re going through. They look upon me with awe, but I am always above them. At worse, uncaring.”

Rainbow Dash’s voice was thick with sympathy, “You’re here aren’t you?”

“Yes... yes I am.” Celestia sighed, trotting over to the great spear that hung above the manikin bearing her golden armour. Star Swirl instantly recognised the spear as being the same one that had been inside the dragon heart, the golden armour however was a new and very impressive sight, “I have not worn this armour in a very long time. You would have thought I had forgotten how to defend my little ponies.”

“Princess...” Rainbow Dash tensed in frustration, letting it boil up for a couple of seconds before finally releasing it with an angry grunt. She stiffened, looking straight at Celestia with a firm, intense glare, “Twilight has been talking crap about everypony, and what the hell are you doing listening to her anyway? You’re Princess Celestia, you should be above all that!”

Celestia paused for a moment before speaking, soft and resigned, “I’m not.”

Rainbow Dash’s anger disappeared, replaced by a sick, heavy feeling in her chest, “Everypony is hurting princess. But none of us are broken, not yet. We can end this, we can get back what we’ve lost.”

Princess Celestia considered her words quietly, finally giving a soft smile and levitating the spear off the wall. She twisted it experimentally, though her heart was obviously not in it. Eventually she spoke again, it impossible from her tone of voice to tell whether she was being sincere or not, “Twilight Sparkle is going to save us all.”

“With some horrible doomsday weapon?”

“It’s... unexpected. Unsettling.” Celestia looked down at her hooves, her apprehension clear, “But it may well have... wonderful applications, long after the war has finished.”

Rainbow Dash grunted, “I doubt it somehow. Nothing Twilight has created in the past four years has been good for anyone except killing ponies in new and exciting ways.”

Celestia turned her head to smile at Rainbow Dash, her warm benevolence making Star Swirl do backflips inside her head and even giving Rainbow Dash a little nervous flutter in her chest. Celestia’s smile widened, the princess taking a deep breath, “Maybe she has recovered from her brother’s death after all.” She nodded primly, “It is not death that she works with now Rainbow Dash, it is life. Sometimes just as scary... especially for me. But full of wonderful possibility.”

Rainbow Dash spoke cautiously, “Is that what you argued about?”

“Yes... yes it was. Perhaps it is arrogance, perhaps I am taking it too personal, when no attack was intended. Perhaps it was intended to flatter me.” Princess Celestia shook her head, sighing, “But I fear my instincts were right. Twilight Sparkle now knows I will never give her what she wants, and this has given her motivation to find the weakness within me. And finding that weakness so openly apparent has only fuelled her resentment, at ever having trusted me in the first place.”

Rainbow Dash tensed with quiet anger, “Twilight is a little too quick to deliver her judgement on everypony these days. You’re twice the pony she is Princess, and you shouldn’t have to worry about what she thinks.”

Celestia paused for a moment before nodding her head, resigned sadness in her eyes, “Yes... yes, of course. Twilight will win this war for us Rainbow Dash, her latest project is a wonder indeed. And when it is over... well, Equestria will change as it must. Nothing lasts forever.” She sighed as she looked to her spear, swinging it sharply with a burst of magical power. She balanced it in mid air, moving over and cupping it in her forehoof, “Except war it seems. War never changes.”

Rainbow Dash hesitated for a moment before speaking, cautiously questioning, “I’ve been meaning to ask actually... is that all you’re taking with you?”

Celestia turned, uncomprehending, “I believe I am fully armed and armoured, yes.”

Rainbow Dash grinned despite herself, “For fighting dudes with sharp sticks maybe. Has that armour even been tested against gunfire?”

Celestia gave a slightly flustered look, “It... it stood up quite well against the silver lances of Thascara, I’m sure...”

“Princess... they have armour piercing rounds and guided missiles out there.”

She gave a blank, slightly sheepish look, “I’m... not entirely up to date with the weapons used these days maybe. But after a few pointers I’m sure it will prove not so different from how battle has always been waged.”

Rainbow Dash just shook her head in resigned exasperation, “Yeah, this is going to be a long day...”

Star Swirl emerged from the memory orb into pain. Reassuringly it was less pain than before.

She checked around herself to make sure nothing had snuck up while she was inside, still the radiation around the tunnel seemed to be warding off any predators. She had dragged herself here as soon as she was able, detecting the tell tell smell of life giving radiation and the warning signs indicating a fuel dump was nearby. Alicorns were generally warned against using rads to heal themselves, still in a pinch there was little better. She was even starting to regain a little tingle in her horn, though she still couldn’t levitate anything. She had settled for collecting up the items within the heart with her teeth, placing them into her saddlebag.

Unfortunately they had none of them been as impressive as the spear, still they were certainly interesting finds. The most striking for her had been a titanium necklace, holding a warped and mostly unreadable dogtag and a damaged locket. The dogtag was standard Equestrian armed forces issue, still the markings of the Ministry of Awesome and the small cutie mark tag at the bottom made its original owner unmistakable. The locket outright confirmed it.

It was a very nice piece for a start, carved with cloud and lightning symbols, with a very heavy duty lock and solid construction. It had been heavily damaged and much of the surface had been burnt, the lock broken open by some kind of brute force impact. It had damaged part of the picture inside too but two of the ponies there could be easily identified, and the third didn’t take much guesswork. The first was a filly, about eight or ten years of age, a bold blue in colour with a crimson mane, her smile one of pure energy and joy. Next to her was a middle aged stallion, steely grey with a black mane and an abacus cutie mark, wearing a pair of neat spectacles and a look of calm dignity.

The mare next to him only had her tail and foreleg showing, still the rainbow coloured hair was unmistakable. That meant that this... was Rainbow Dash’s family? Was the filly her daughter? She could certainly see the resemblance.

Not much was known about Rainbow Dash’s personal life, and although it was known that she had children and long term partner she seemed to have gone to great lengths to keep them out of the public eye. Indeed this might have been the only picture left of them, it was certainly the first Star Swirl had ever seen.

A long knife thick with dried blood also stood among the items, high quality with a custom mouth and hoofgrip. It was a well forged weapon of war, if the fake Rainbow Dash had been wielding it against her Star Swirl was certain the fight would likely have ended a lot quicker. It was unfortunately also quite blunt and brittle from age, but Star Swirl made sure to wrap it and store it. A collector would likely pay a fortune for a weapon actually used by one of the ministry mares.

It made her tremble once again as she stared at what was once a golden crown tiara. It wasn’t much anymore unfortunately, crushed and warped by some terrible impact, stained with dried blood. Star Swirl had seen it before though, she knew well what it was. Princess Celestia’s tiara... damaged beyond repair yes, but still an object touched by her each and every day.

Unlike the others, the next item was perfectly preserved, save a long crack travelling through one of the lenses. It was a pair of gold and brown spectacles, very nice quality, with an inscription written across the two arms. Star Swirl had to get quite close to read it, but eventually deciphered the text as, ‘When you have the gift of words, you will never be without a friend T.S.’ Star Swirl tried them on, the correction light but noticeable. She wondered if they belonged to Celestia or Rainbow Dash.

That left books. A copy of Princess Luna’s “Sidereal Metaphysics” with annotations seemingly by Celestia’s own hoof, likely itself worth a small fortune. “Canter in the Sky” by an author called Jade Singer. Twilight Sparkle’s “Elements Abridged”, signed and again annotated, this time by Luna, Celestia and Twilight herself. A very dogeared copy of Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone. A signed copy of Fluttershy’s “What Dreams May”, a failure that only managed a single print run, and of which only two known copies still remained. “Elemental Mechanics” by Rain Seeker, heavily doodled with cartoons, flowers, sketches of buildings... and what looked like a diagram of the Single Pegasus Project, along with details of its construction haphazardly scrawled in the margins.

This was a treasure trove, seemingly donated from Rainbow Dash and Celestia together. She wondered what the intentions had been. To leave so many personal items in such an inaccessible place, in the heart of the zebra lands no less. It didn’t seem to make any sense.

She looked out to the wastes as the wind started up, getting to her hooves and advancing to the cave entrance. The air filled with a faint mist of swirling dust, Star Swirl shielding her face as she peered outwards. She felt like there was something out there, a strange tugging at her chest that seemed to be coming from nearby. She stood, staring out in the direction she thought it was coming from. In this visibility it was futile however, she couldn’t see anything.

And then she realised what it was. Somepony else was calling on the power of the sun.

It was an odd feeling, somewhat like what she felt from the unity. It was far larger and far more powerful, yet less insistent and harder to get a good grip on however, slipping away the moment she lost her concentration. On the other hand grasping too hard hurt and blinded, the experience somewhat like trying to light a fire with a hot coal. Struck by inspiration she tried to expand her senses like Celestia had in the memory, marvelling a minute or two later when she felt something.

Ok, it wasn’t much. The ground sense Celestia had demonstrated was totally absent, proving once again that she was no earth pony. The wind she could feel, but it still retreated from her touch, alien and unloving.

In the distance however she felt a ray of sunlight, striking down upon a single white pony, radiating forth to break the dust storm before her. She felt the magic in the storm, that it wasn’t natural, that the sunlight yearned to break it. She felt the white pony search for her, connecting with her through their shared affinity. She felt the pony’s heartbeat, calm and steady, a feeling of total resolution and proud virtue.

And then she was blocked by another figure. She hadn’t noticed him at first but his presence burst into her senses the moment he ignited his magic, also of the light but strange and alien none the less. It pressed against her sun sense, made the air around him unwelcoming and cold, his very presence harsh and unnatural. His heart beat faster, frailer, he was afraid, older and less sure of himself than the white pony. The white pony stopped before the figure, her heart hardening, growing hot.

Flame burst forth, countered by rays of silver light.

Star Swirl tested her strength and balance, making sure she was at least recovered enough to move. Her legs seemed secure for the moment, Star Swirl taking a deep breath and trotting towards the battle as fast as she felt able. It was getting hotter with every moment, the raw power of the white pony countered by the subtle tricks of the dark figure. She knew something important was happening, knew she had to reach the battle and see for herself...

“That’s a poor idea.”

She turned, a figure standing a few feet away. He was wreathed in a long dust cloak which hid most of his body, his face bandaged so that only his calm, yet intense eyes peaked through. He moved towards her slowly, Star Swirl spotting barding beneath the cloak, a hint of flashing silver. She circled a little, ready to bolt at any sign of aggression, “Who are you?”

“My name is Esau.” He spoke in a low, guttural growl, like something had torn at his vocal cords, “I’m not your enemy unless you make me so.”

He didn’t seem to say that like a threat, merely a statement of fact. She still wanted a little clarification, “How would I do that?”

“The normal way. Hurt the innocent, destroy the just. Either through strength or weakness.” He regarded Star Swirl with a low, piercing look, amplifying the gravity of his gravely tones, “There is a mare out there with a grand destiny for you, one of glory and power everlasting. Such things can be used in many ways, and I cannot make your decision for you. I can however advise that I do not think you are yet ready to make it.”

Star Swirl looked out towards the battle beyond, the dark figure drawing the white mare away as he dodged about her attacks with cautious manoeuvres. She had to admit that she wasn’t eager to fight them just yet, “So when will I be ready?”

“When you know yourself. When you take the pilgrims path, that so many have walked before you.” Esau looked out across the wastes, the wind whipping at his cloak, “Among these dusty mountains lies understanding. Your benefactor walked it once, as did I and my fathers and teachers. They say that long ago Princess Luna herself walked the lonely road.”

Star Swirl... wasn’t really very good at mysticism. She had once tried meditation, but found her thoughts constantly drifting to food. The sermons of the Elders tended to make her nod off or giggle at inappropriate moments, “What? I... just wander around the wastes?”

Esau gave her a low, slightly disappointed look, “Traditionally you end the road at the great city of Garm. But I believe you already have a destination.”

That was right. She had wanted to come out here after all, “I needed to find Tradash the Black, and stop Caesar’s curse.”

“Tradash the Black is close by, if you accompany me then I will take you to him.” Esau nodded his head towards the mountains beyond, “Come.”

Star Swirl didn’t really have anything better to do, and she was lost, and tired, and injured... she sighed and started out after him, the battle fading behind until both figures were lost to her.

They walked for some time, the sun eventually coming back out over the sands as the storm cleared from their path. It revealed a stunning vista of rolling mountains leading out onto a valley of broken rock, the signs of a long evaporated river and burnt out settlements below leading towards what looked like a destroyed city, “Wow... quite a view.”

“You should have seen it before the bombs dropped.” Esau spoke deadpan, turning to look down at the ruins, “That was Kashu, one of the richest cities in this land. The zebra there were richer than princes, through their money halls the entire empire span its cogs. Didn’t save them.”

Star Swirl found that unlikely. Money talked, “I would have expected they would have built stables.”

“Oh, they did. Seventy years later, a tribal warlord employed Chigaru to tear the doors off, lead an army of murdering, raping thugs into their marble halls.” Esau turned away, “Wasteland justice.”

Star Swirl felt anger ripple through her, “Doesn’t sound like any kind of justice to me.”

“The wasteland changed a lot of things.”

Star Swirl advanced on him, hot blood pumping through her as she raised her voice, “And you’re ok with that?!”

Esau turned to her, his eyes still as intense and unreadable as they ever were, “Don’t make assumptions of those you barely know.”

She glared, quickly finding this zebra totally impossible, “Give me a straight answer!”

“I never offered one.” He turned away once more, continuing along the path, “There is no point boasting of my moral code. A creature proves itself by its actions.”

She snapped, though she knew she was being unfair, “And have your actions been just?”

“No.” He looked over to her with his piercing eyes, his voice deathly calm, “Have yours?”

Star Swirl paused, shocked into silence by his counter. She... no. She had killed hundreds, how could she say different? She had betrayed Dust Kicker and Zenai, used brute force to get by Rainbow Dash. What was she? “I... I’m a terrible pony.”

Esau paused in place, still and silent. After a moment he spoke, a note of hot emotion finally creeping into his voice, “Then change.”

“I can’t...”

“You must.” He glared hotly at her, his eyes burning behind his bandages, “Will you continue your weakness, allow others to suffer because of you?”

Star Swirl lowered her head. She was determined to do the opposite, “Can’t I remain weak... and just stay out of everyone’s way?”

“Is this what you have been doing?” He grunted, his eyes angry, “Is this why you slump your shoulders, flop your ears, never look anyone in the eye? Why you act the fool, when we both know exactly what you are?”

Star Swirl looked him in the eye now, angry and a little scared. How did he know so much about her? Had he been watching her? “And who is that?”

He stated it bluntly, “Justicar, lieutenant of the Goddess.”

She couldn’t help trembling a little, “That was a long time ago. And I was under the Goddess’s power...”

“Half truths have no bearing here.” He squared off against her with grim determination, “You were given far greater independence than your fellows because of your willpower, intelligence, magic and strength. Your fellow lieutenant is now Twilight Frost, leader of your whole race. Why do you not stand beside her?”

“Because her talents are actually useful!” Star Swirl let her temper burst, slamming a hoof into the dirt and shouting the words, “Twilight Frost was the speaker, the negotiator. She knew how to talk to those outside the unity, how to convince others to even consider aiding some crazy abomination. After Red Eye died she was the one who spoke to Velvet Remedy, convinced her and Littlepip to give a race of monsters a chance.” She snorted, shaking her head, “She was always a terrible fighter, barely adequate at magic. I think that actually makes it easier for her. She never had to kill, she never had to live with the guilt. She was able to just... walk away, and continue doing what she had always done.”

Esau stared stoicly at her, his anger gone, “And the strength to fight is not useful?”

Star Swirl’s ears pricked up, her jaw clenching, “Do not... screw around with me.”

“I was not. It was a serious question.”

She snarled at him, anger filling her breast, “Plenty of ponies deserve killing, I’m not naive. But I’m not smart enough to know which ones, and I’ve had more than enough of being a weapon for some.... wannbe wasteland saviour!”

“Star Swirl.” His gruff voice was calm now, gentle and understanding, “If you feel that way you should have stayed in hiding. Out here there is pain, suffering, injustice that will move the strongest of hearts. You will not be able to turn away, and in the end you will fight. And you are not yet ready for that. You do not understand what you are, what you could become.”

She growled, “I know who I am. I’m a killer.”

“Far less than you are Star Swirl, the shy, clumsy clerk.” Esau nodded gravely at her, “But you are neither of these things. They are an affection, a role enforced and a defence mechanism respectively.”

Star Swirl let her head fall. She had to admit to not really feeling much like either at the moment. She felt the strength of her limbs, the anger fuelled focus that told her how to break a pony in but a few short moves. But she also felt her scholarly curiosity, her earnest desire for the love and affection of those around her, “That says everything about me. Without the Goddess, I could only run and hide.”

“And what were you before the Goddess?”

Star Swirl perked her head up, instinctively looking back at her cutie mark. To her suprise it had changed, shifted to become clearer and less blurred. It looked like a... stick, breaking a rock? She still couldn’t tell, it was too unclear, “I don’t know. I don’t suppose you know that too? You seem to know everything else about me.”

“My master can only divine the present, what drives you here and now.” Esau looked firmly at her, “This past self is meaningless, and yet in that it has strength. You could have been anything, anyone. It was a life without this twisted identity that was forced on you, a life you can decide. You must be who you make yourself to be, nothing more, nothing less.”

Star Swirl thought that sounded like a load of old rubbish. She was... this. This standing here. There was no other, “And how do I do that?”

“See the world. See others.” Esau nodded, “Follow the seven, the three. Understand others, understand yourself.”

Star Swirl paused, wondering if they were thinking the same thing, “The seven... elements of harmony?”

“Compassion, integrity, devotion, optimism, charity and oneness.” Esau nodded, “They are known to the zebra, yes. Celestia learned how to focus them like no other before her and commanded the physical manifestations of their strength, but the idea predates her.”

“So... I have to get... seven friends.” Star Swirl couldn’t help but be cynical. She had... two. Perhaps. And she had no idea which of the seven they represented, “And then I become a Princess?”

“With absolute command of the seven, and the three... and even then, perhaps.” Esau spoke cautiously, “Do not let your form fool you Star Swirl. You are a long way from that goal, though at least you may more easily understand the way.”

Star Swirl paused at that. She could actually become a Princess? Was that possible? She figured Luna and Celestia must have come from somewhere, but still... and the three? She couldn’t think of three anything that seemed relevant, “What are the three?”

“Earth, sky and aer. All existence is expressed as one of these three, and to understand them is to understand existence.” Esau spoke slightly relevantly, openly believing in his words, “By understanding both this and of the purity of life expressed in the seven, it is said that one may achieve complete mastery of spirit. Immortality, incorruptibility, command of the heavenly realms themselves.”

Star Swirl thought that was a nice story, though she could already see a few holes, “Luna wasn’t incorruptible.”

“Indeed.” Esau admitted with regret, “But she was not a normal pony, and she did not age as we do. There is power there, even if the stories exaggerate.”

“I suppose so.” Star Swirl opened her wings, feeling the warm air rush across the feathers, “Well I already understand sky, and aer is magic right? I know a little bit about magic... that just leaves earth.” She looked across at Esau, ignoring his slightly disapproving stare, “And you’re a zebra. You can teach me about earth right? Are... zebra earth? Like earth ponies?”

“We are not creatures of earth alone, no. Only ponies are so specialised.” Esau shrugged his shoulders, “Some say that a great shaman split a group of zebra in three back in the days before history, wishing to create a race unified by mastery of each realm of existence. He is said to have eventually killed himself in shame when his creations went to war with each other, resenting the existence of those not like themselves.”

Star Swirl hadn’t heard that one, “And they were ponies?”

“Does it not seem strange to you, that the three tribes are so alike, yet distinct? That you are related to us enough that we can breed true, where as you cannot with donkeys?”

Star Swirl paused, “Those are... fair points.”

“It is just a story. But the truth is there. We are all one species, and you cannot understand the one without the whole.”

“I guess.” Star Swirl decided not to mention that alicorns didn’t breed true with other pony races, and barely with each other. Did she really have a true connection to the others? Did she...

She could do this forever. She was freaking exhausted from all this walking and talking, and her mind was going strange places, “Is it much further to camp?”

Esau nodded, his eyes softening, “Apologies, I forgot you are still recovering from your wounds. Here, there is a cave not far distant.”

“That smells good.”

“Chokmor. Seed of the Chokebush and leaf of greenvine, soaked in the juices of the plains apple.” Esau finished his cooking, bringing her over a bowl, “First lesson you should learn of this land, what is edible.”

Star Swirl smiled. She wasn’t really hungry, having soaked in enough radiation to sustain herself for days, still it didn’t hurt to get some real food down, “I’m actually quite a keen agronomist.”

Esau gave her a sideways look, “What is this, agromy?”

“Um... it means the science of farming.”

“So you are a farmer?”

She shook her head, “Oh no, I’ve never planted anything in my life. I just study how it works.”

Esau stared at her for a little while before shaking his head, “You would get along well with my master. He too studies things that are not studied.”

Star swirl grinned, happy that she managed to find a real personality trait under the zebra’s inscrutable aura. Ok, yes maybe she was a uselessly theoretical scholar. She enjoyed it, that’s what mattered, “Who is your master?”

“You will meet him soon.” Esau nodded to the bowl, “Eat, then sleep.”

No more questions then. She was okay with that, she was pretty tired. Indeed she was only halfway through her bowl when she was forced to just lay her head down for a little bit, close her eyes. It felt nice to rest, it felt...

Star Swirl awoke, her eyes fluttering open to a strange, cloying heat, the air still and dead. Her body felt strange, her mind felt strange. There was a tug, a pulling... something wanted her...

She looked around at her surroundings. This... this was the Equestrian wasteland. It looked a little like Splendid Valley in fact. That didn’t make sense.

It made less sense when she looked up and saw Canterlot rising up a few miles distant, partially ruined but still looking generally intact. The sky behind was the inky blue of night, but no stars could be seen and the sun and moon hung together on different sides of the sky in perfect symmetry.

Where was she?

She started walking, not really knowing what else to do. Something was calling her, away from Canterlot and towards a set of yellow stone pillars rising up in the distance. She briefly considered flying there but her attempts to open her wings revealed her next big surprise.

They weren’t there. She still had her horn, she was still... unusually lanky, but she had no wings. She wasn’t an alicorn anymore.

And something still tugged at her, something familiar and yet unsettling. Like an old friend, with a false face.

“Sister... you’ve come at last...”

Star Swirl looked up at the nearby rock outcropping, gasping at what she saw there. It was an alicorn mare, but not just any alicorn. Green in colour, with a gemini cutie mark, she had glowing green eyes and radiated a aura of powerful magic. Star Swirl recognized her after but a few brief moments, “Mosaic?”

Mosaic teleported with a flash and appeared in front of Star Swirl, her expression pleading as she advanced on the shocked mare, “Justicar, we’ve missed you so much.” She spoke it with very little emotion, all the more unsettling given her over the top body language. Her head was angled, eyes wide and pleading, something desperate and needy in her every twitch and turn, “Come. Singer and Nightseer are already waiting. We all want to welcome you.”

Star Swirl backed off from the abomination, not about to get suckered by this... ghost. She wasn’t ready to join the Goddess and her sisters just yet, “I... I think I’m staying right here thanks...”

“You... you’re abandoning us again?” Mosaic looked sadly down at her hooves, “Running away, leaving us to die?”

“I didn’t leave you...”

“LIES!” Mosaic looked up and for a moment Star Swirl saw the visage of the Goddess in her eyes, moments before she was picked up and hurled against a stone outcropping. Star Swirl grunted and forced herself up, jumping aside as another bolt of magic shattered the stone into a cloud of shrapnel. Mosaic was raging now, her form shifting into something dark and terrible, her magic sparking around her, “I CREATED YOU! YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED WITH ME!”

Star Swirl wasn’t quite sure what to do, not even sure if this thing was real. Was she really under assault by Mosaic’s angry ghost? If so then fighting was pointless, even without the full powers of the Goddess Mosaic was a very powerful magic user all on her own, “Mosaic, stop!”

“NO!” She lifted her head and green tentacles broke through the ground at Star Swirl’s hooves, grabbing hold and twisting her painfully as they carried her upwards. Star Swirl struggled but it was no good, Mosaic stepping forward and charging a bolt of green lightning at her horn, “You will join us! You will be with us!”

And just as Star Swirl was preparing for the strike a zebra jumped down from overhead, her hooves slicing through the tentacles and dropping Star Swirl sprawling to the ground. The zebra landed perfectly, bracing herself before flicking up a cloud of dirt and tracing a runic symbol in the floating dust with amazing precision.

Mosaic hesitated at the sight, her magic failing as she stepped back, “No! Get away!”

The zebra just nodded, body taut and prepared for combat, “Then leave the living to the living.”

Mosaic... feared this zebra. Star Swirl didn’t understand why, but she stood carefully behind her anyway. Mosaic’s eyes flicked to Star Swirl before returning to the zebra, drawing herself up aggressively, “You stand against me little zebra? I spent my life dreaming up ways to kill you...”

“You are a long dead mare, speaking of a long dead war.” The zebra nodded, her eyes firm and resolutely calm, “Return to your dreams, try and remember happier things. Let Mosaic’s memory rest.”

“I... I cannot.” Mosaic’s eyes actually teared up, the mare’s body tensing in pain and distress, “Please... come back with me... I’m so lonely, so cold...”

Star Swirl took a single step forward, “Mosaic...”

The zebra held out a hoof to stop her, turning her face sympathetically to Mosaic, “She cannot help you.”

“I... I hate you for leaving me like this... I hate...”

Mosaic was gone, her body fading into the darkness beyond. Star Swirl watched for a moment, her heart racing. She wanted to help the mare. Mosaic had always been the most gentle of the songs of the Goddess, the quietest, normally only ever heard in concert with her sister. It hurt to see her still suffering, “What was that? Was it really...?”

“I do not think so.” The zebra turned, Star Swirl realising with a little shock that she looked barely out of her teens. All the same her face held a calm wisdom and the signs of experience and suffering, her manner firm yet pleasant, “In this place, our dreams take form. A powerful will, bound to magic, can leave echoes here. It is said the Goddess resided here even when she still lived, and her death only led to her breaking into her component parts. What this means, and whether a dead ponies’ spirit can remain trapped here with their memory... I do not know for sure.”

“Can’t we do something? Free her?”

“I do not know how I’m afraid.” The zebra shook her head, “I have killed both her, and Twilight Sparkle. It does not seem to take.”

Star Swirl looked down at the young zebra in surprise, “You managed to kill Twilight Sparkle?”

The zebra smiled broadly, “Not as impressive as it sounds. These ghosts of the dead can be fragile, providing you know the right techniques.” She gave Star Swirl a stern look, “If you’re going to spend any amount of time here you should remember that. The dead fear you, fear the spark of life within you. Normally they will only attack if angered or shown weakness or fear.”

“Right...” Star Swirl turned her head, giving the zebra a questioning look, “Where... is this exactly?”

“I don’t know what to call it.” The zebra smiled softly, looking about, “I call it the dream. I’ve heard others call it the veil, tartarus, the valley... but you want to know what it is, yes?”

“Yes.”

The zebra nodded, looking up at the spires of Canterlot, “I do not know for certain, but I have been here a while now. This is a place where our dreams and our cultural identity leaves echoes on the landscape, where the memories of old empires are persevered, a shared memory of what we are, what we were.”

Star Swirl looked about with sadness. This place seemed desolate and barren, “It’s seen better days.”

The zebra nodded, echoing her expression, “Our histories were forever altered by the bombs. That is why Canterlot is ruined, why the lands beyond are barren.”

Star Swirl looked up at the edifice, “There are ponies inside? Is...Equestria still there?”

“I don’t know. I am a zebra. I entered a couple of times, but I was quickly made to feel unwelcome.” The zebra sighed, a note of frustration in her expression, “There is something there, something I’m looking for. But the Goddess stalks the outer ring, seems intent on keeping me out. Inside the streets are full of Steel Rangers and Enclave Soldiers, none of which hesitate to use me as target practice.”

“What are you looking for?” Star Swirl looked the zebra over, sure that she looked familiar somehow, “Who are you?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t?”

The zebra smiled, shaking her head, “Spend too much time here and it takes its toll. I know I seek something I lost, I can hear it calling to me. I do not know what it is however, only that it’s important, a part of who I am.” She sighed, “And I remember other things. That I once had a name. That I once travelled with another. That this is not my waking form.”

Star Swirl felt the sudden need to get out of here before the same thing happened to her, “I used to be an alicorn.”

The zebra smiled sweetly, “I know, it’s written on you, even if you can’t see it. Only the dead seem to be alicorns in here however, all others I have come across have become unicorns, like you.”

Star Swirl had to ask, “Is Celestia here? Luna?”

“I’ve heard them mentioned. I would guess they would be in the throne room.”

“...Littlepip?”

The zebra smiled, “I have sometimes seen the SPP on the horizon, but a path never opens up. Perhaps the NCR is too new. I do not truly know.”

Star Swirl could already feel that what she was looking for wasn’t in Canterlot, however curious she was about what was inside. Her mission pulled her elsewhere, “I’m looking for something too, a friend.” She looked in the direction the feeling came from, seeing nothing but more broken rock, “I think it’s that way.”

The zebra looked down at the ground, tracing a few marks on the ground. A faint rumble spread outwards, the gravel levitating momentarily... then falling back down. The zebra looked up, concern in her eyes, “What you are looking for is in the zebra territories.”

“Why is that a bad thing?”

The zebra shook her head, “It is impossible to reach. With the rift between Equestria and the zebra, and without having seen it or set hoof upon it... there is no path. You will only get lost, and that is inadvisable here.”

“But... I have set hoof on it. I came from the zebra wasteland.”

The zebra lifted her head in suprise, “What?”

“I... I’m part of a NCR delegation to the zebra territories.”

The zebra’s face lit up, clear happiness spreading through her eyes. She was very pretty when she smiled, easing off the rough edges and filling her tired expression with life, “That... that’s wonderful news. Maybe we will at last have a chance to make up for our mistakes.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help smiling, “I hope so.”

“Then with that pull as a guide, you might be able to make it.” She gave a regretful smile, “But I cannot come with you.”

Star Swirl’s face dropped. She really didn’t want to face this place without a guide, and this zebra appeared very knowledgeable about the place, “But... I could show you the way.”

“It doesn’t work like that. I would get us both lost.”

“And... you’re a zebra yourself.”

“And a citizen of the New Canterlot Republic.” She smiled warmly, “Blending in is one thing, knowing the way another. Ironic really, considering here I’m stuck outside the city.”

That seemed awful. Star Swirl didn’t see why she couldn’t just... carry her on her back, the physics of this place be damned, “I don’t want to leave you behind in this place.”

The zebra gave a happy grin, “That’s very sweet, but I’ll be fine. I might not be able to remember them, but I know I have good friends still thinking of me back home.” She placed a hoof on her breast, her eyes resolved, “A pony with good friends is never alone, no matter how far she roams.”

Star Swirl dropped her head. Did she still have friends? After she had clumsily confessed her feelings for Zenai and Dust, after she had abandoned them? Were they thinking of her with anything but anger? “I’m a little worried about myself now... I’m not sure I really have any friends.”

“Then will you accept my friendship?” The zebra touched a hoof to her breast, coming away with a glowing symbol inscribed there. After a second Star Swirl realized it was the mare’s cutie mark... the zebra symbol for community. She drew back a little as the zebra moved to touch her, still she balled her resolve and let the hoof press into her chest. She instantly felt the connection flow between them, a beautiful feeling of love and friendship of a sort she had never experienced before.

She also felt the pain and loneliness inside the strange zebra, knew that she had been here a very long time. She felt the great void within her at having no knowledge of her name, purpose, friends or family. She felt the resolve and surety of their existence filling it, a vast pool of incredible strength and power.

“You are much more than you know Star Swirl.” The zebra smiled as she withdrew her hoof, a playful grin dancing upon her weather beaten features, “There are ponies out there who need you, just like you need them. You can’t run away from that.”

Star Swirl sighed, “I try...”

“Star Swirl... know this.” The zebra looked grave, her gaze hard and assessing, “There is desire in you. I worry that if you do not find the right path... you will be tempted towards the wrong.”

Paths seemed to be mentioned a lot lately. She was wondering if the universe was trying to tell her something, “Like the path of three, or the path of seven?”

The zebra smiled softly, “You do not believe in the paths?”

“I didn’t...”

She chuckled lightly, “It is written on your face. It’s kind of sad that a pony who believes so hard in the Princesses and Equestria should be so cynical about friendship.”

“Well, I...” Star Swirl hesitated to explain herself, worried she would sound stupid, uninformed. She liked to portray a fairly uncomplicated face to the world, believing in kindness, love, tolerance and all that good stuff, possibly a bit naive and a bit innocent... but in truth she was far from innocent. She talked about that good stuff because she knew what the world looked like without it, and deep down...

She would like to believe it. But in the cold hard light of day, “The elements of harmony... died. They failed. They couldn’t save us.” Star Swirl sighed, hating having to say it out loud but... “The element of magic did this to me. And Celestia... she was lonely, she didn’t have any friends, not really. She had subjects. She endured the loneliness and isolation, and that’s what made her strong.”

The zebra just gave her a sad smile in response, “Twilight Sparkle created the alicorns, to embody what she felt a Princess was Star Swirl. I just ask you to think on that, and what it means.”

Star Swirl tried. As stated before however she was no good at mysticism, it just confused her, “I don’t understand.”

“Hopefully you will.” The zebra gave a regretful nod of her head, “Good luck Star Swirl. May harmony watch over you.”

As the zebra said the road was confusing, anything so mundane as navigation impossible. The road constantly shifted, confusing images and sounds in the darkness beyond, Star Swirl doing her best to keep moving towards the things she recognized from zebra culture and history. Even with this she still felt herself stumbling off the path a couple of times, having to hide and sprint across a vast battlefield full of zebra and ponies locked in deadly conflict. She looked behind her as she finally found the path again, shivering as she watched them all disappear in explosions of green balefire.

And finally she recognised the terrain around her as that of the zebra badlands, hearing a roar above and looking up to see a great golden dragon circling the sky. The All-mother... she only hoped the drake wasn’t hungry.

She continued on a way, trying to locate the feeling that had been guiding her. Now she was here however it was vague and indistinct, leaving her to aimlessly wander through the towering crags. She saw a city distant, dominated by a vast domed palace, to her frustration it was blocked by towering cliffs that she saw no way around. She focused her eyes as she spotted a figure standing up there, an elderly zebra in an elaborate sari, her face painted in bold swirling patterns. Star Swirl called out to her but the zebra simply turned aside, looking like she was speaking to another figure nearby. She was just trying to lip read when the other figure stepped forward, a shrunken, sickly looking zebra wearing royal robes, pink gas drifting lazily about his form. He glared coldly at Star Swirl for a moment before walking away, the elderly mare following with a single look of continuing curiosity.

Figures from zebra history she supposed. Star Swirl knew that it was likely a bad idea to get distracted here, but still this was all very fascinating to a scholar like her. The tattoos on the mare had been zebra cutie marks, the ones she recognised being ‘one who knows’, ‘to see the hidden’ and ‘dedicated to ideals’, the last due to it being Zenai’s cutie mark. Star Swirl could pick out at least three others, though they had been blended together too tightly to read accurately at this distance. Star Swirl racked her brains but she couldn’t remember any tradition that promoted the branding of cutie marks like that, though having manifestations of one’s destiny on your face was certainly striking. The sari had been in the style of the far eastern mountains, of the remote villages and caves at the edge of the known world.

The other zebra? He had been surrounded by pink gas, and his appearance was almost ghoulic. The royal robes had seen better days too, as rotten and uncared for as the zebra himself. She couldn’t even guess where he had come from.

She froze in place as she saw yet another zebra a little way to her side, standing there grinning as he observed her from afar. She turned to him and approached the zebra cautiously, ready just in case he proved dangerous. He was certainly intimidating, fierce and tall, with scars across his face and a lean muscular body, clad beneath thick furs and wielding a great, primitive yet deadly looking broadsword strapped across his back. He gave her a roguish smile as she approached, eyes twinkling, “Hail traveller! You look of pony blood, but there is something strange about you.” He chuckled, a dangerous twinkle in his eye, “Beware, if you be demon in mortal form know that I am savvy to your tricks.”

She shook her head quickly, not really wanting to see what he could do with that sword, “No, no... I... I’m am a unicorn. Sort of. I just...” She hesitated, not really wanting to explain what an alicorn was. Still she realised she would have to go on now she had started, “Well, I got... changed with magic. A long time ago. A demon did it I guess.” She paused, not sure if that was a good thing to admit, “But I’m not evil!”

The zebra laughed, his dreadlocks shaking as he shook his head in cheerful mirth, “Well then, you are in good company. All have suffered at the hooves of these creatures, and many more will continue to suffer. Do you stand against them?”

Star Swirl nodded emphatically, especially since she had just been reminded of how nuts the Goddess had been, “Yes, I do.”

“Then well met!” He bounded forward, slamming a powerful hoof against her side and causing her to stagger a little. She offered a slightly embarrassed and pained grin, returned with a broad smile and rolling laughter, “Hahahaha! You quiver and quake, but I can tell you are of good character. Pony or zebra, any mare that stands up to tyranny is a friend to me!”

This zebra was very cheerful. She was sure she had never met him before, he seemed like he was the shade of somepony from history. He certainly seemed to be playing a role at least, “And... um, what should I call you?”

“Zephyr, Stormstrung, paladin of Garm.” He bowed enthusiastically, “At your service my lady.”

Now she knew who he was. She had to say, it was quite an honour, “You’re the one who drove the Star Demons back, restored peace to the zebra nations!”

“Nay.” He shook his head, his boisterous personality fading for the first time, “We are the ones who drove them back. They all remember me, but I was just the zebra that inspired them to greatness. The greatness was always their own.”

Star Swirl smiled at him, already liking this zebra, “I guess that’s how legends grow.”

He nodded, his grin spreading, “Aye. Being a hero sometimes just means being an inspiration. Heroes die, but an ideal you can instil into society? That is what will change the world.” He chuckled and waved a hoof to the lands behind, “The zebra lands accept you stranger. Go, and follow the pilgrims road! I will guard the way.”

Star Swirl nodded appreciatively, “Um... have you got any advice? I mean I’m a pony, not a zebra, and...”

“The path is for all life.” Zephyr nodded empathetically, “And I could not provide you with a map, any more than you could me. Stay true to your heart, guard it against falsehood, remember those who came before you. That is all I can say.”

Star Swirl looked towards the path before her. She could see them, shades of zebra... and a few ponies, it was true. She even saw Luna there as Esau had said, her head bowed, clad in a black robe of mourning, “Princess Luna walked this path?”

“Three hundred years after my death, yes.” Zephyr sighed, “Is she clearer to you than the others?”

Star Swirl hesitated, “Is that... bad?”

“Not at all. She completed her journey, found her way to Garm and was titled a master shaman.” Zehpir nodded firmly, giving her a wide grin, “Follow her. You will achieve nothing by standing here speaking to me. My time here ended long ago.”

Star Swirl nodded back, “I... thank you.”

“Ha, it was always my pleasure.” Zephyr chuckled deeply, turning back to the path behind. Star Swirl gave him one last glance before setting off into the sands beyond, feeling just a little more confident in her destination now.

Star Swirl looked around with a little bit of trembling fear as she advanced, having never liked this aspect of zebra culture. She had just never understood it much.

Masks stood everywhere, nailed to rocks, trees, glaring out at her with their hollow eyes and needle toothed snarls. Star Swirl knew they represented Star Demons and other evil spirits, meant to ward away their influence by displaying the only thing they feared... each other. In practice they were just creepy, and seeing so many in one place gave her the chills. What part of the path did these represent? Was she meant to learn something from them?

Those questions ended abruptly as she heard a high pitched scream from nearby.

She charged towards the source of the yell, tensing as she spotted a group of five flaming figures, alicorn shaped skeletons wreathed in orange fire. They snarled and snapped at a small, filly sized pony, whimpering as she hid desperately behind one of the masks. Star Swirl didn’t really know what she was doing but she charged into the fray anyway, jumping beside one of the beasts and... sort of flinging it away with a hoof. It flew through the air and thumped onto its back, the others backing away with low growls.

And now she was surrounded. Great plan Star.

The first leapt at her and old reflexes kicked in, Star Swirl booting it in the chest and sending it flying back into another of its fellows. A second jumped in and she stepped to the side, whacking it with a hoof as it came by and flinging it hard into the ground. She circled around, keeping a wary eye on the stunned creatures and the two still standing, daring them to try again. They were surprisingly slow and clumsy for such sleek creatures, one tried to come in low and she simply stamped on it before kicking it away.

The filly grabbed her leg, clutching it tight as she whimpered pathetically. Anger rippled through the creatures and their flames all roared brighter as they leapt at once, claws extended for the kill. Star Swirl knew she couldn’t take them all but no fear came, only resolve. Her magic pulsed through her, her shield expanding with a crack of energy. The creatures hit the far walls with yelps of pain before quickly sprinting away, defeated and chastened.

Star Swirl took a deep breath, looking up at her horn. Her magic was working again. At full strength it seemed.

“Thank you...”

Star Swirl turned as the filly stood gingerly, her mane hanging bedraggled and her small body weak and malnourished. Even through that she still looked striking however, with pure silver white fur and a flowing soft pink mane, this being the second mare to make her do a double take at her resemblance to Celestia. Indeed Star Swirl looked down at her flank, half expecting a golden sun. She was disappointed however, the fillies cutie mark instead a vivid spread winged butterfly surrounded by a cloud of stars. Star Swirl leaned in close, speaking quietly so not to scare her, “Are you ok?”

The filly looked up, revealing at even her eyes were the same light pink colour as Celestia’s. They... were odd too, a little too deep and somewhat artificial. They gave her a somewhat fey, unnatural aura, added to by her soft but resonant voice, “I am... injured, but I will recover swiftly.” She nodded, gentle and very polite, “I am very grateful for your aid. They intended to kill me I’m sure.”

Star Swirl withdrew slightly, this filly just a tiny bit creepy, “What were they?”

“A spell... a trap.” The filly sighed, taking a deep breath, “I was incautious, and all too curious. Silly, silly me. Old, precious things always have traps.”

Star Swirl frowned, “Precious things? What were you looking for?”

“A memory... of a long lost acquaintance.” She turned her head up at Star Swirl, giving a happy smile, “My name is Char.”

“Star Swirl.” She hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had been at the front of her mind ever since she had met this strange filly, “You’re... not actually a pony are you?”

Char looked up at Star Swirl, her eyes nervous and pleading. She was obviously scared of what her answer would bring, rolling the words around her mouth for a moment or two before speaking, “I was not born like you, no. Long ago a zebra once dreamed of bringing peace to a land torn apart by war, torn apart... by these.” She indicated the masks around them, now seeming far more shadowed and dangerous, “That zebra eventually died, but she passed on that dream. It’s that dream that formed me.”

"You're a... spirit of some kind?"

"Of some kind, yes."

Star Swirl looked down at the little filly, so young and innocent looking. If what she was saying was true, if she had fought against the star demons... she would have to be more than a thousand years old. Older than Luna and Celestia. That invited... questions, “Why do you look like Celestia?”

“Because that’s who I want to be.” She nodded seriously at Star Swirl, “That’s why we found each other Star Swirl. We share that dream.”

“I want to be like Celestia?”

Char giggled sweetly, “Of course you do.”

Star Swirl looked down at herself sulkily, “Well I still look like myself.”

“Manipulation of my astral form is one of the very few advantages of not having a physical one.” Char smiled kindly at Star Swirl, stepping forward and angling her head up at the distant sun, “Oh, how I wish I could alter more than just how I look.”

“You’re an admirer then?”

Char nodded gravely, “She was one of the most pure hearts I’ve ever encountered. To me... that means a lot.” Char hesitated for a moment before explaining, “I told you I was created to bring peace yes?”

“Yes?”

“I grant power, and will. I offer it to brave souls, so they can bring peace to this world.” She frowned deeply, her eyes growing dark and angry, “And every one of them has fallen short. They felt to their own impure hearts, and the world remained as it is.”

Star Swirl felt genuine anger from the filly. She sympathised, she knew what it was like to fall short of your ambitions, “I’m sorry.”

Char shook her head, looking kindly up at Star Swirl, “You have come to me Star Swirl, another seeker, looking to continue Celestia’s legacy. You saved me from those things, you met me in this place. You are the one I’ve been looking for, you will become the icon of peace I seek.”

Star Swirl was now certain she had the wrong mare, “I’m not pure. Not at all.”

“You do yourself no credit.” Char nodded cheerfully, her eyes shining, “There was one mare I was sure would be my chance to change the world, like me a follower of Celestia, pure, kind and regal. I spoke to her, tried to convince her to take me and heal the world in her name. She said no.”

Star Swirl leaned forward, thinking that sounded like somepony she knew, “Who was it?”

Char grinned, “Her name was Sunshine Ivory, now the leader of the Church of Celestia. Even wonderful as she was, she told me that she was not the one, that the chosen one was still to come. So I waited, waited for the one she would send.”

Star Swirl… gulped. It was true, Sunshine Ivory had been the one who had sent her to the dragon heart. Could she really think Star Swirl was… worthy? She had hinted as much back when they had first met, but she thought the mare was just being nice, “Me? Are you sure?”

“She was.” Char nodded, “And so am I.”

Star Swirl still knew better than to accept offers from strangers, especially ghost strangers in creepy dream worlds, “Still, I’m not interested in any power or will but my own, ok?”

“I… I only amplify your own…”

“I don’t want it.” Star Swirl looked down at the panicking, nervous little filly for a moment before realizing she was being too harsh. She hadn’t done anything to deserve it, not yet anyway, “But you can come with me if you want. It might be nice to have someone to talk to in here.”

The filly instantly cheered, “Of course, I’d be happy to! I’m very knowledgeable about magic and history, and my power is always here if you ever need it.”

“Right.” Star Swirl hesitated, wondering if this was the right idea. Still she wasn’t about to turn her back on somepony just because of what she was, or being a little creepy. The gods of irony wouldn’t let that pass, “Just behave yourself.”

“Of course, I…” Char paused, alarm passing across her face, “Star Swirl, wake up. There is a dangerous zebra approaching!”

“Wha…”

Star Swirl looked around the cave with bleary eyes, a little confused as to where she was for a second before realization dawned. She was with Esau, at the edges of the valley, “Ungh…”

“You heard it too?”

She looked up at Esau, standing watchful at the edges of the now cold fireplace. His cloak was open slightly to reveal a silver plated hoofgrip sticking out from a leather holster, along with a set of well cared for police barding and a silver half moon symbol hanging around his neck. He made no move for his weapons yet, just silently waiting, “I think there’s someone dangerous coming.”

“You know something I do not?” Esau shook his head, “Quiet.”

They waited, the sounds of approaching hoofsteps eventually reaching their ears. Two of them it sounded like, one large, one small.

The large one appeared first. The zebra emerged out of the darkness with a friendly, casual grin, his face scared and weatherbeaten, wearing leathers just as battle scared as he was and wielding a long, cleaver like blade upon his back. The second followed behind, cautious and making certain to stay behind her companion, a teenaged zebra with soft, feminine features and large, expressive eyes, wearing a simple dust jacket and no visible weapons. The big zebra chuckled as he moved forward, raising a hoof, “No harm intended I promise. You can keep those pistols in your holster.”

Esau glared, “Then what do you wish?”

“What else?” He looked at his companion, “Me and the girl have been traveling a long way, both of us are mighty weary.” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, “Spare a bed for the night?”

____________________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 7 reached.

Lost Trait: Tired of Blood

New Perk Added: Super Slam
“Rarity catch me!”
You’ve learned how to knock your foes off balance. All unarmed and melee weapon attacks have a chance of knocking down your opponent. The chance of knocking an opponent down is 15% while using an unarmed weapon or a one handed melee weapon, and 30% if using a two handed melee weapon.

New Quest Perk: Emerging Mark
“But I want it naooow!”
You’ve taken the next step towards understanding your cutie mark. You gain a 5% chance of instantly killing a wounded or off guard opponent, and a 5% bonus to damage with unarmed or melee weaponry.

New Quest Perk: Touch of the Butterfly Queen
"I grant power, and will."
You have accepted the assistance of Char, and have gained some of her vast knowledge. You gain +1 intelligence and +5 medicine.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 2.2 - Putting it back together

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Chapter 2.2 - Putting it back together

Zenai blinked furiously as she opened her eyes, groggy and confused all of a sudden. Her head hurt too, and her shoulder ached. She groaned as she levered herself up from the table Fluttershy was laying on, having only laid her head down for a second and already feeling stiff as a board.

The dull rumble of the armoured truck around her continued, a constant, dull lullaby. Zenai adjusted her increasingly uncomfortable barding, just about to take it off when she noticed her pipbuck.

It was three hours later.

Zenai groaned, shaking her head clear. She couldn’t just doze off, what was she thinking? Fluttershy and the others still needed her medical attention, she knew for a fact Dust was still injured. She was embarrassed to think she could have fallen asleep without even realising it, they were still in enemy territory after all!

Or were they? “Dust, are you there?”

The earth pony smiled as he levered himself down from the turret, throwing her a salute, “Good morning sleepyhead. Feeling any better?”

She pouted, “How could you just let me sleep? What if you needed me?”

“If someone attacked I think you would have woken up princess.” He chuckled, nodding sympatheticly, “You need the rest Zenai. You still look like crap, no offense.”

She frowned moodily, not in the mood for his casual attitude, “What about you?”

“I’m running on combat drugs here Zenai. Fine if you’re looking out for danger, not so much for our medic.”

She sighed, looking over at Fluttershy. She still seemed to be sleeping peacefully, “How is she?”

Dust nodded, his good cheer fading, “She’s stable. Hasn’t woken up, and I haven’t tried to press the issue. Ace says his spell normally gives about two hours enforced sleep, then another six hours normal rest.”

Zenai looked at the pegasus, noting that she was murmuring slightly and exhibiting other small twitches that indicated she was dreaming. That was reassuring, Fluttershy certainly needed her rest, “What about Ace?”

“Buck’s running on adrenaline and pissed off. Can’t blame him.”

Zenai sighed, the least she could do was relieve him. He was just a kid after all, and she wasn’t too keen on letting him drive on no sleep...

And at that thought the whole vehicle lurched, falling forward before slamming to a stop with a loud crack and a crunch of grinding metal. Fluttershy fell forward and landed on top of her, a loud curse sounding out from Dust.

Zenai waited for a moment to see if anything followed. Fortunatelly they seemed to be secure for a mome...

Fluttershy punched her hard in the face, the old mare not putting a bad effort into it. Zenai was certainly stunned for a moment as the pegasus leapt away and landed in a crouch, terrified eyes darting around for a moment before she spotted the weapons rank and darted towards it. Dust recovered quickly and moved to stop her, blocking the mare’s desperate tackle and trying to get a grip on her, “Fluttershy, stop!”

She growled animalisticly and sank her teeth into his ear, Dust yelling in pain and pushing himself away. Fluttershy took the opportunity to slip past him and grabbed a rifle, holding it in her hooves as she swung it around dangerously, “Don’t come near me!”

Zenai dropped her ears and backed down in a gesture of submission, trying to keep the fear from her voice as Fluttershy’s hooves hovered perilously over the trigger, “It’s ok Fluttershy, it’s us. Zenai and Dust and...”

“It is not ok!” Fluttershy screamed at them, her eyes wide and desperate, “Why didn’t you leave me there, why didn’t you let me kill Arick?! He deserved to die, it was my last chance to do something good!”

Dust held a hoof to his bleeding ear, Fluttershy really looking like she he had done a number on it. He tried to speak through the pain, as calm and reasonable as he was able, “Fluttershy, you don’t know for sure that it was him.”

“It was! It’s obvious! Silver Scribe...” Fluttershy’s eyes grew even larger, the bloodshot orbs now looking like saucers, “Silver Scribe... they trusted me. Twilight Frost put everything into that mare, she had seven sisters who looked up to her, parents who adored her. She was an icon to alicorn everywhere, beloved by everypony in the cathedral. And... I got her killed.”

“Fluttershy...”

“I got her killed! She was... she was fifteen years old! She never got a chance...” Tears ran down Fluttershy’s face, her voice cracking up. She gasped a single desperate sob before turning the weapon upwards and pointing the barrel under her jaw with a single quick twist.

“Fluttershy, no!” Zenai ran forward, Dust just a little quicker. He grabbed the weapon and forced it to the side, the bullet striking the roof and richoching dangerously. Dust winced and Fluttershy threw her weight onto the rifle, forcing it against Dust’s shoulder and firing again. His armour took it but he was still knocked sprawling, Fluttershy bringing the weapon back up to her chin...

Zenai grabbed hold of it with a grunt, Fluttershy briefly struggling to haul it back. It continued for another second before Zenai realising this was going to get somepony killed, balling her resolve and back handing Fluttershy across the jaw. The pegasus barely resisted as she let go of the weapon, hit the floor and curled up in a whimpering ball. Dust immediately jumped on top of her, pinning her for a moment as he drew a pair of ties across her legs and pulled them tight.

She was soon bound tight and secure, Dust stepping away and pawing at his ear, “You just saw my special talent by the way, bringing them in alive. Though it seems a little rusty, damn that mare is stronger than she looks.”

Zenai had to agree, staring in dumbstruck horror at the quietly sulking pegasus. They had come perilously close to having Fluttershy get herself killed on their watch, for the fifth time today it seemed, “We just leave her tied up?”

“For now.” Dust nodded at the cockpit, “Check on Ace.”

Zenai edged gingerly into the drivers cabin, feeling her heart leap a bit as she saw the foal slumped across the controls. He was breathing at least, Zenai inspecting the wound on his head and judging that it wasn’t too serious. He must have been thrown forward in the crash, “He’s unconscious, but he seems ok.”

“Right. I’m going to check outside.”

Zenai watched with not a little fear as Dust moved towards the exit, opening the top hatch and letting it fall open with a clang. He then grabbed a long rifle in his teeth, snatched up one of the legionary cloaks, and raised it through the opening.

It was immediately blown to pieces. Dust didn’t hesitate, jumping up to the hatch and firing off a snap shot in the direction of the attack. He took a little longer to aim on the second, his smirk indicating a hit. Another figure attacked him from the side but he threw them off the roof with a smart toss, his shotgun discharging with a roar, “Zenai, the turret!”

She had no idea how to work a turret. She jumped onto the ladder anyway and crawled into the cramped confines of the gunner’s nest, soon realising why Dust hadn’t chosen it in the first place. She was totally exposed, without even a roof over her head and a huge spike of iron and steel that she had no idea how to use parked in front of her. They were in a small gully, cliffs of yellow stone rising on both sides, the area bathed in the shadows of the morning sun. Figures scurried within them, looking to be zebra in raider gear. Ugh, spikes and leather. Raiders really were the same the world over.

She unleashed a barrage of fire towards the nearest figure, sending him scurrying into cover. Another burst missed him entirely but dislodged a cascade of rocks that flattened him anyway.

Score one for her.

She swung the weapon over to another but Dust dropped him with a smart double tap, Zenai trying desperately to line up another shot with the unwieldy weapon. Too heavy to start or stop without strain, another burst went well wide and she couldn’t help panicking as they started to swarm. There were dozens of them.

More than she thought. Bullets struck the armor behind and she tried to turn the weapon to face them, only to fall backwards as a shot caught her in the shoulder and cut across her neck. She tumbled down the ladder awkwardly and struck the metal floor below with a curse, clutching a hoof to her neck to make sure she wasn’t bleeding to death. Fortunately she wasn’t, the wound minor.

She scuttled back onto her hoofs and took one look down at the quietly glaring Fluttershy before galloping past and jumping into the cockpit. She grabbed Ace’s forehoof and pulled out two syringes, hitting him with a double dose of healing potion and buck.

“What the hell!”

Zenai caught the panicking buck as he reared up, trying to hold him down, “Ace, cal...”

Something hit the APC, the whole machine rocking as it was filled with smoke and fire. After a second of confusion at the sudden silence that followed Zenai realised she had gone deaf, the vehicle clearly hit by some kind of explosive. She grunted as Ace stepped on her stomach and jumped out into the transport area behind with a look of panic, shelding her eyes from the smoke and glaring after him.

After a second to recover from her concussion she followed, locating the intact and whimpering Fluttershy in the corner before ducking away as bullets skimmed past to rebound off the metal behind. She galloped to the side and jumped through a broken segment of the side armour, skidding across dirt as she landed outside and assessed the situation.

The APC was a mess, it's side a wreck and currently being swarmed by five armed raiders. Even as she watched that number reduced to three, Ace Gold leaping out to clock one across the jaw with an iron bar before bucking another off his perch on the side plating and sending him smacking into a hard rock. Zenai drew her plasma pistol and fired at one moving to shoot the buck, her weapon devastating at this range.

But it wasn’t enough. While one of the last two hesitated in panic the other was much faster, bringing up his rifle and aiming down towards Ace with a wicked gleam in his eye. He grinned triumphantly, pulled the trigger...

Ace swept the iron bar in a sweeping arc, the metal igniting with blue magic. The bullet smacked into the ground at the side of him with a whine and a thud.

The bandit was still standing in shocked amazement when Ace dropped the bent iron to the ground and charged forward, leaping through the air, slamming his hoof into the zebras jaw and flinging him backwards. He grabbed his rifle as he fell, swing it round in his teeth and hurling it at the final bandit. It smacked him right between the eyes and knocked him sprawling, another leap and a downwards thrust finishing the fight.

Zenai stood befuddled. Sure she had heard about noble warriors batting bullets out of the air in stories, she however had just seen Ace Gold break the laws of physics right in front of her, “How did you do that?!”

He smirked, looking way too pleased with himself, “Trade secret.”

She... paused. Did he just smirk at her? “Ace, be serious!”

He grinned, “I am. I’m not telling you.”

“Don’t look so...!”

There was a loud gunshot, a bandit toppling down the cliff a short distance away. Dust frowned at them as he came across the top of the APC, angling his head, “Watch for stragglers before you start talking ladies.”

The APC would never move again, not without heavy repairs of the sort they were ill positioned to make. That meant a reassessment of their continued plan of action, and so they were currently camped out around the smoking wreck as they evaluated their options. The living raiders both she and Dust had been tempted to kill, Ace however was firmly against such an idea and so they were simply stripped of their weapons and sent on their way. Questioning them didn’t get much, it being a dull, familiar story. Guards for the local tribe posted in some remote outpost, they had deserted for banditry when the pay stopped coming. They didn’t know what had happened to the rest of the clan, save vague rumors of demons and ghosts.

For the moment Dust was keeping watch, Zenai prowling the wreckage and pulling out whatever looked valuable to trade. It was a fair haul, the APC had been well stocked up with weapons and armor. There was also a fair amount of medical supplies, though for specialist equipment all they had was Fluttershy’s medical bag. Her supply of stoma bags for instance was extensive, but still likely to run out within a couple of weeks. She was also on a couple of medications that Zenai didn’t know how to make up, and had a supply enough to last a month at best. Zenai's own bag was unfortunately back in her room, containing IV tubing, extra needles, mouth guards and all the other little things that she really needed for any serious medical care. She could only hope that they would find an abandoned clinic or something.

As for weapons, none of it was immediately useful but it was all it all very valuable, surely stuff somepony would trade for. For their own needs armor was needed more unfortunately, her own was a ruin but she really didn’t know where to start patching it. She doubted wearing Caesar’s uniforms would be a good idea either, and there was nothing to fit Zenai or Ace Gold anyway.

“Take that, it’s a fuel converter.”

She turned her head as Ace spoke up, “What?”

He trotted over to her side, picking up one of the random nicknacks she had pulled from the wreckage. She honestly thought it looked like a piece of junk, still Ace treated it as if it was a valuable work of art. He turned it over in his hooves and brushed the soot off, holding it up to the light, “This is worth a great deal of money, especially with fuel so rare.”

Zenai couldn’t help snarking a little, “Maybe you should be doing this then.”

“Hmm.” He moved past her, his cute little rump bobbing, “What do you know about engineering?”

“Absolutely nothing.” Zenai replied, as she tried to kill the previous observation of his physique with a hammer. Was she really so desperate that she was resorting to foalcon? “And don’t tell me, you’re an expert?”

“I graduated in it.” Ace Gold searched through the wreckage, pulling out another random shard of twisted metal and adding it to the pile, “I love stuff like this. I would have loved to be an engineer, just spend my days pulling apart machines, making them run just a little better.”

She frowned, turning her head away so she wouldn’t have to keep observing how good looking he was. Stupid sexy damn kid, “Why didn’t you?”

“Don’t know. Everypony wanted me to.”

That sounded like a bit of a cop out. He ‘didn’t know’? Did he really put so little thought into his life choices? “Wasn’t your dad an engineer before he became... you know?”

He slowed slightly, his voice taking on a tiny tinge of bitterness, “Hasn’t changed a tire in a long time though has he?”

“I don’t know him personally.”

“Yeah well, his cutie mark isn’t a spanner, and his destiny isn’t to be a mechanic.” He looked down at his own flank, “And neither is mine.”

She reluctantly turned to look at it, though she had taken note of it quite a while ago. It was quite famous really, for being so damn... appropriate, and so odd at the same time. It was a gold medal, with ‘#1’ printed on it and a red ribbon. First prize, in the game of life, “So what, your special talent is... being the best?”

“Yeah.”

“Be serious.”

He frowned deeply at her before sulking further into the wreckage, his voice echoing in the hollow chamber, “I am. My special talent is being good at everything.”

That... that was stupid. That wasn’t a special talent, that was the universe just being unfair. What, he was rich, privileged, sent to the best schools and friends with the best people, and now he had a cutie mark like that? “Well sucks for the rest of us.”

“Yeah. Ask Dust Kicker.” He trotted out of the darkness, throwing another mess of pipes and wires down before her, “Experienced mercenary, doing this for years. I beat him easily, despite being half his size.”

“And half his age.”

He snorted, turning back to the wreckage, “Yeah well, get used to it. You might as well just sit back, because I’ve pretty much made you all irrelevant.”

They continued quietly after that, soon having several sacks of sellable goods and a makeshift but quite sturdy looking sled to pull it. Zenai took the moment to brush her coat and mane, sure she must be filthy after all the battle she had seen. Her armor indeed came off wet and stained, Zenai shivering and wishing there was some convenient stream to bathe in, “Ace Gold, can you do that fancy spell you did on Fluttershy? You know, getting the muck off her?”

He turned reluctantly to her as he passed, shaking his head, “It’s baked into your fur. I’ll just pull it all out.”

“Ow... ok then.” She figured she would have to deal with it for the time being. The air on her fur felt good no matter what, Zenai reminded once again how constricting clothes were. Even if her armor had saved her life on numerous occasions, it was still hot, sweaty, heavy and suffocating.

Speaking of which, she had noticed Dust Kicker hadn’t taken his armor off since he first put it on. She guessed it was a fair idea giving the circumstances, still she heard him say that he hated power armor. He seemed to be getting used to the idea if that was the case. She wondered where his hat had gone.

It was a mystery that could wait for another time. She settled down to rest, her eyes drifting now to Ace and Fluttershy. He was trying to get her to eat but she was having none of it, just batting it away with a hoof and angling her head away. She eventually tired of the pointless exercise and rose from the bed to trot over to him, shaking her head at the foal, “You’re just going to waste it.”

He glared at her, anger hot and raw, “So what do you want me to do? Let her starve?”

Zenai sighed, “She won’t starve missing a meal. Eat it yourself Ace, I’ve noticed you haven’t had anything yet.”

He shook his head, “Not until she does. If she won’t, then neither will I.”

Fluttershy simply glared at him before hiding her face in her forelegs once again.

“You can’t bully her into taking it... come on.” She took his foreleg, leading him away. He followed reluctantly, though to be honest he seemed a bit lost and eager for guidance. Zenai tried to look as supportive as possible as she faced him, remembering Fluttershy’s own demeanor when they first met, “You need to be strong Ace. You need to eat, and not let her condition get to you. Because she needs you, and we need you.”

He looked down at his hooves, clearly upset, “I need to help her.”

“And you will.”

Ace Gold reacted with a familiar snort, his voice and manner defensive, “You don’t know that. I’m just a kid, and so are you. She’s going to die out here.”

Zenai could feel his pain, ill communicated as it was. The poor kid was totally lost, “You’re really close to her aren’t you?”

“Of course I am. She was more a mother to me than my real mother ever was.” Deep hurt traveled through his expression as he looked over to the pegasus, something tragically broken in his voice, “I hated university, hated life until I met her. Whenever I was angry, or upset, or just in a shitty mood, she was always there. Is it so weird that I want to return the favor?”

“Not at all.” She nodded, “But take care of yourself first.”

“Good advice.” Dust strolled over to join their little group, greeting them with nods of acknowledgement, “You want to know why I’m acting so casual about all of this?”

Zenai... had wondered that. But then he always seemed to be casual, “Yes actually.”

“Practice.” He chuckled, “You go into anything tired, distracted and lacking in sleep, food or water, then you’re setting yourself up to lose. So keep your chin up, eyes focused and think about the here and now. Tell me, how can we make this better?”

Zenai started, “I...”

“Oh, what a terrible place...”

She turned at the sound of the cracked, sing song voice, hardly imagining it could be coming from Fluttershy. But there she was, smiling vaguely as she sang her little song, “Fluttershy, what are you...?”

“...and I owe it all, to the zebra race...”

Ace looked as if he had been struck, “Stop it.”

“...if I knew the ground had so much misery, I’d have bombed it sooner, intentionally...”

“That’s enough Fluttershy.”

The mare focused her eyes on Dust, spitting her final words, “I. Hate. Every. Thing.”

Dust waved them over, shaking his head, “Come on, let’s go over here.” He moved over to a nearby cliff edge and waited for them both to gather opposite, Ace positioning himself so that he could still see Fluttershy. Dust gave them a second to get comfortable before speaking, “We should talk about our plan from here.”

Zenai answered swiftly, “We have to stop this escalating between the NCR and Caesar.”

“Hold your hippogriffs Zenai.” Dust answered with a sympathetic smile, “We’re in no condition to do anything about that right now. We’re actually in the condition to make it a lot worse.”

Ace answered bluntly, “We need to do something for Fluttershy.”

Dust nodded, “Agreed. Fluttershy’s condition is a danger to us and herself. And don’t discount the emotional toll all this has taken on you, you might be running on adrenaline now but it won’t last forever.”

Zenai had to agree, in private of course. She was exhausted, finding it increasingly hard to care about the NCR, Caesar, or damn near anything but finding a comfy bed. Fluttershy’s condition was indeed wearing on her, and she only imagined how Ace Gold was feeling. As far as she was concerned the solution was obvious, “We have plenty to trade, and a need to rest and find medical aid. I say we try and find a settlement.”

Dust nodded in agreement, “I agree that is the most promising course of action. If this is anything like the Equestrian wasteland, any successful settlement will have somepony competent in mental health issues, and guns will fetch a high price.”

Ace Gold bristled slightly at this. After a moment of simple brooding he finally spoke, “I’m not happy with leaving Fluttershy with strangers.”

Neither was Zenai to be honest, but she wasn’t sure what choice they had. Dust eventually spoke for her, “We can do anything for her Ace Gold. She needs competent, psychological aid. None of us are trained in that.”

Ace glared across at Zenai, “You’re supposed to be a doctor aren’t you?”

Zenai shook her head quickly, “I’m trained as a paramedic and nurse, I don’t know the first thing about treating mental health problems.” She sighed, not feeling particularly proud of her failings, “Physically she appears to be fine. Has she had problems like this in the past?”

Ace glowered yet further, “She spent the first two years of her revival totally incapable of even leaving the compound.”

“I... heard that.” Zenai was a little young really, but could remember the excitement of Fluttershy’s revival. She also remembered the disappointment when it became clear that Fluttershy wouldn’t be making any public appearances any time soon. The senior staff of the Followers had been very careful to keep her exact condition closely guarded, and Fluttershy herself had never spoken of it save in very vague terms, “I’m not aware of the details though.”

“She...” Ace started off indignantly before pausing, continuing in a slightly quieter tone, “I don’t know. She doesn’t like to talk about it with me.”

Zenai pursed her lips, feeling sorry for the buck. This was clearly even more difficult for him than for them. To them Fluttershy was an icon. For him, a much loved grandmother, “We want to help her Ace.”

“I know.” He answered quietly, looking back at the mare, “It’s not fair. I’m... good at everything. I’ve always been good at everything. Winning fighting tournaments, breezing through university, hotwiring that APC...”

Dust smiled sympathetically at him, “Not everything is always going to be that easy.”

“But... that’s shit.” He gritted his teeth, glaring at the ground, “I don’t care about any of that stuff. It was just... to distract me, to keep me busy. Is that the joke? That I’m only good at the stuff that doesn’t actually matter?”

Zenai stepped in before he got any more self pitying. She felt for the buck, but he was just being a child now. Still she had resolved to be nice, “It does matter. We’re going to need those skills to get Fluttershy to somepony who can help her.”

Dust nodded, “Don’t you go thinking you’ve got to fix everything yourself. That’s ego talking, not firm sense.”

“I... I don’t.” Ace Gold sighed, deflating slightly, “But this is personal. She’s not just another mare, you know? I want... I want to give something back.”

“Then do it. Get us to somepony who can help her.”

Ace Gold considered this for a few more moments before giving a firm, resolute nod, “Ok. Any village around here will want to be sheltered from the wind, yet get enough sunlight to grow crops.”

Dust smiled, nodding, “That’s a good start.”

Ace’s instincts proved correct, a small village soon emerging from beyond a rolling hillside. It appeared to be a fairly average wasteland farming community, with fields of rather pathetic looking crops struggling for life and piecemeal walls to keep out predators. None of it was very impressive, the fields had no irrigation channels or farm machinery, the walls were mostly corrugated iron and wouldn’t serve to keep out an armed opponent for a single minute. The houses looked secure and comfortable though, and they weren’t re-purposed pre-war buildings at least. Indeed they appeared to be made out of brick, topped by slate slabs that must have been hoof hewn. Zenai wondered why they couldn’t put the same technique into their defenses.

Zebra hurried out of the houses as they approached, along with a few ponies Zenai noted. A few weapons appeared among them, still they didn’t seem eager to use them and they were of poor quality anyway, her, Dust and Ace could probably knock over the whole place. They certainly didn’t put up any resistance as they entered through the open gate, simply watching the new arrivals cautiously.

A large zebra clad in homemade leather armor and carrying a shotgun strode over, trying his best to look intimidating, “Natak how.”

‘Identify yourself’. He spoke iwako, Zenai realising that she was going to have to negotiate here, “<We are travelers, with goods to trade for food, medical care and shelter.>”

He frowned and glared suspiciously, still he seemed to accept this, “<You don’t cause any trouble, you hear? This is our village, and we like to keep things peaceful.>”

Zenai nodded, sighing inwardly. No matter where you went there was always some jumped up runt wielding his tiny authority like a club, “<I understand. Is there some zebra I can trade with?>”

“<You can trade with me.>” A older pony emerged from the crowd, authority marked with a jeweled necklace around his neck and a little extra bulk around the middle. He gave a friendly bow, motioning towards one of the larger buildings, “<Please, step inside. The village of Jenywa is honored to offer you our hospitality.>”

The pony, whose name was Nanta apparently, was true to his word. They were fed, bathed and boarded without any trade even taking place, and Zenai felt the weight of the previous few days fall off her shoulders just a little. Nanta’s zebra wife and his three children seemed very enthusiastic about their guests and Dust appeared to enjoy the attention, entertaining them with stories of life beyond their walls. Ace on the other hand was firmly unsociable, setting up his laptop and glaring moodily at the screen as he messed around with a portable aerial, occasionally checking on the uncommunicative Fluttershy. Zenai eventually had to ask, “What are you doing?”

“Trying to establish a connection with the NCR, what do you think?”

Zenai shook her head, “You’ll never get one, not with that dinky little aerial.”

“I can leapfrog other signals in the area, bypass the worst interference, send short coded messages... something.” Ace glared at his laptop screen in anger, grinding his teeth, “My father set up secure radio towers all across the coast. If I can get even the most basic connection to one of them I can contact him, and he can send a flyer over and get us out of here!”

“And stop a war.”

“I know that.” He growled, “But don’t tell me you don’t want to get out of here as much as I do.”

Actually she really was worried about the possibility of war. Given what Fluttershy had said about the NCR she couldn’t help but wonder if it was capable of fighting one in its current condition. The Rangers trying to mount a coup? Infighting within the council? Open fighting between the Rangers and Twilight Society? They said a war brings folk together, but Zenai couldn’t see it. To be honest after their twice fold victory over the Enclave she couldn’t help but worry that some would be arrogant enough to use it as an opportunity to finalise their ambitions while everyone was distracted.

And she didn’t want Caesar to face it either. His society was working, his rule sensible and well planned. The city and the lands beyond had been safe and rich, and despite occasional autocratic leanings he wasn’t a bad zebra.

War could only end in tragedy, on both sides, “Keep working at it Ace. Is there any way I can help?”

He considered for a moment before shaking his head, “This antenna is top of the range NCR tech. The only thing better would be a proper large scale transmitter.” He paused before speaking again, “But thanks.”

Heh, was she finally getting through to him? “No problem.”

Things passed quietly for a while and Zenai eventually found an old familiar itch emerging. They still had a few hours until their appointment with Nanta and so she decided to wander over to Dust’s room, poking her head in and smiling as she saw him reclining on his bed, “Good to see you getting some rest.”

He smiled as he saw her, turning himself to face her. It was odd to see him naked, his armor standing in a corner silently recharging. He stretched, grunting as he worked out the stiffness in his shoulders, “What about you?”

“I’m a lot younger than you.” She teased playfully, looking over to the black carapace armor, “You seem to be getting fond of that.”

“I left my coat back in the palace.” He paused for a moment before nodding, “But yes, it has it’s uses. It certainly stops a bullet.”

“Yeah, I doubt we would have made it out of there without it.” Zenai stated unenthusiastically, not really wanting to talk about armor. She smiled a little flirtily as she sauntered over, taking the opportunity to admire his muscles and the scars from a lifetime of battle. She had to say she had never really seen the appeal of older stallions before, but that confident experience did have a lot to say for it, “I actually was feeling a little lonely, wanted to see what you were doing.”

“Ace Gold is out there somewhere.”

She wrinkled her nose, “Ace is a kid.”

“He’s only six years younger than you.” Dust chuckled lightly before giving her a lightly chastising look, “And what exactly were you thinking of to alleviate your boredom?”

“I...” Zenai frowned, this not being how you played. You danced around the subject for a little while, both denying what you were really after... built up the atmosphere. Dust was ruining it, “Well we have a little time before we meet with Nanta, so I was thinking...” She smiled teasingly, “Why not continue our conversation from before?”

Dust smiled, a little mockingly in Zenai’s opinion, “I thought you said that was a one time thing?”

“A casual thing.” Zenai corrected, starting to feel a little huffy now, “Didn’t you enjoy it?”

Dust sighed, levering himself off the bed and jumping down. He looked sympathetically at Zenai as he shook his head, “Zenai, we keep doing this and it’s going to get serious.”

Zenai frowned, thinking he was missing the point. He was pleasant company, capable and available, and she wanted to spend time with him in an activity that alleviated her stress. What was wrong with that? “It won’t get anything but what it is.”

“Heh, I forgot you don’t do serious.”

“Serious? I don’t think you understand me very well Dust.” She lifted her head up angrily, her fur ruffling, “I take it seriously, it’s an activity I enjoy and I make sure to do well and safely. Only with those I like and trust, cleanly, discretely and respectfully. I take it more seriously than you.”

He actually laughed at her tirade, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I know you visit whorehouses Dust.” She glared at him, all too eager for the opportunity to rant, “You consider me a slut? At least I don’t pay some down on her luck floozy who I’ve never met before in my life to pretend to like me for five minutes. What is wrong with you?!”

Dust smirked back at her, giving her a lopsided look, “Is this really about me, or is it just a general rant now? I don't think you're anything Zenai.”

He... he was an asshole, but he was right. She was feeling vulnerable, and she was taking it out on him, “Well... you can see how tense I am. I really need it Dust.”

He sighed, taking a deep breath before addressing her seriously now, “Zenai... I’m sorry, but I really don’t make a habit of sleeping with younger mares. It was great the last time and all, but that’s mostly because it was a change of pace and a good chance to get more comfortable with you. I don’t think it’s going to work as a regular thing, though I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

Zenai let her head drop, deeply depressed now. Was he really implying that this whole trip she was stuck with an old fart with an underactive libido, and irritatingly smug twelve year old and... Star Swirl? She quickly skipped over Fluttershy before her whole nervous system imploded from the ‘eww no’ wrongness, “So what am I suppose to do?!”

He laughed heartily at this, shaking his head at her in amusement, “Can’t you... deal with it yourself?”

“Who do you think I am, Star Swirl?”

“Be nice.”

She was being serious. She was way too pretty and outgoing to spend time alone. It was insulting. And... very frustrating, “You know that thing about not doing things when you’re tired or hungry? This is just like that.”

Dust just shook his head, “Zenai, if that’s true you need help.” He chuckled, shooing her, “Just... go and do what you have to do, and remember we’re wanted in the main hall in an hour.”

What she had to do. Namely beat her head against the wall until the urges went away. Great entertainment.

So here she sat, still feeling so tense you could use her as a spring and with a growing headache from all the unreleased frustration. They had been through a lot lately, and all the time to rest in the world didn’t stop the worry or the guilt or the frustration at being unable to do anything about it. All she wanted was to take her mind off everything for a while.

Still she had resolved to just accept it for now, realising that now just wasn’t the time for whining about her own problems. Nanta had lain out some food for them and her and Dust sat across the table from him, their host still his cheerful self. Even she could see his desperation however, his words shaking a little as he got the point at hand, “I have to admit, we have little else to offer but our hospitality. We of course will take care of your injuries, provide food and water, maps for the road ahead. Still, we cannot pay the kind of prices the great clans would for those weapons you carry.”

Zenai noticed their lack of weaponry and poor quality walls before. They were almost totally defenseless out here, “You do seem very exposed.”

“Once upon a time the tribe here, the Entitidi, provided protection in return for our obedience.” Nanta shook his head sadly, “But now the Entitidi are gone, and we are forced to protect ourselves. It has not been easy.”

“We’ve just got here, but we’ve heard about this mysterious new figure that’s been terrorising this area.” Dust nodded gravely at the mayor, “She really wiped out the Entitidi?”

The mayor considered the matter carefully, his words cautious, “They were, in truth, not good zebra. To continue their war on Caesar they took much of what we produced, took the best of us for their armies.”

“And this new group?”

“They take less, which is good at least. Their leader apparently distrusts zebra, but the village elected me to represent them and we haven’t had any trouble. The antics of her followers are occasionally a bother, but truth be told it is hardly worse than it was under those that once ruled this land.”

Zenai had to question this one, being a little too vague for her tastes, “Antics?”

The mayor nodded, “Her followers are all foals, and that results in what you would expect. They fight, bully, vandalize and act like the children they are, all the more with no authority figure to restrain them. It is humiliating for sure, to allow them to get away with so much, but we have all heard what happens to those who challenge them.”

Dust nodded, “Let me guess, they come and burn your village down?”

“Well, their leader simply hurts the culprit normally, but yes. Whole villages have disappeared, with no survivors. The bodies are often found nailed to their burnt houses, rambling messages about sin and punishment burnt into the rocks outside.” The mayor shook his head, “And most famously, she is known for stealing children. It was isolated incidents at first, families found killed or beaten, their children taken away. In time those children appeared at the head of her army, and eventually she grew more brazen. She has often times marched straight into villages, offering the children there power and respect if they follow her.”

Zenai couldn’t help but be horrified by the idea, “And they accept?”

“The children tell stories of her, they speak of her as a goddess delivering them from the tyranny of cruel adults.”

Dust’s expression grew dark, his voice cold, “Who is she?”

Nanta took a deep breath, this obviously not a pleasant subject for him, “I have never seen her in person, but her followers call her Princess Luna. Eye witnesses have said the same, that she is a huge black alicorn with power over darkness and shadows.”

Dust sighed, Zenai mirroring his reaction. This was a new complication to their flight, it now obvious they would find no welcome here. She looked up at Dust, hoping for some wisdom that would make everything better, “What do we do now?”

“Well, it makes things a little clearer at least.” Dust shrugged, “Before she was some evil ghost, just popping out of nowhere to jump us. Now she makes much more sense. A powerful unicorn, with an established power base, group of followers and a reason for her hatred of zebra.”

Zenai accepted that at least. It did make her seem much more manageable, though ‘powerful unicorn’ didn’t quite cover it. And she guessed having motive did go some way to understanding her, “You think it’s revenge against the Entitidi?”

“A group of well known jerks led and mostly populated by zebra, in the same area where she first appeared? It seems to be the most obvious suggestion.”

“Why kids?”

“I’ve... honestly got no idea. They’re easily led, manipulated, but it still seems a little strange. Plenty of adults are the same.” Dust looked over to Nanta, questioning, “Anything else you can tell us about her? Where she came from, when she appeared, anything?”

He shook his head nervously, “I... hesitate to talk about her too openly. And no, not really, only contradictory rumors. From the stories the children speak of she appears to enjoy writing her own legend, and it very rarely remains consistent.”

“Star Swirl did mention her theatricality.” Dust sighed, “I still don’t think we should get involved, but if we do bump into her... she’s got an ego to be flattered, and anger to exploit.”

Zenai turned to him, reminding him of the key part of their team he seemed to have forgot, “She might know where Star Swirl is.”

Dust looked reluctant, brooding on her words, “I’m hesitant to get us any deeper into this.” He stood in silence for a few more moments before raising his head to Nanta, nodding firmly, “Thank you for the information Nanta. We’d be happy to trade you some guns and show the villagers how to use them. In return, we ask if you have anypony who can deal with mental issues or repair armor.”

Nanta nodded gratefully, “Your friend, yes I noticed her condition. I have already informed the Seer of our village, she has accepted the job. Once we have finished eating, I will take you to her.”

The Seer was traditional in her appearance, a wizened old zebra mare clad in an enfolding green cloak decorated with painted runes and shards of bone, living in a hut festooned with creepy masks and strange potions. She was friendly however, and her touch was gentle as she quietly directed Fluttershy into the shadowed back room of her hut.

They all waited for her to emerge, the mare eventually returning from the chamber after what seemed like forever, her face grim and pale. Zenai’s heart immediately sank, still she was the only one who could find words to speak, “What’s wrong? Is it bad?”

The Seer took a deep breath, trying to force some kind of smile onto her face, “Healing is possible, but it is a terrible thing that has been done to her.”

“Losing her friend? Or the peace treaty...?”

“All of it. And so much more.” The seer moved to explain, “Not only was she forced to watch her plans crumbling and her friend dying before her. At some point afterwards a zebra has used a supernatural technique called the ‘Annanragu’ on her, binding that trauma to her soul, burning away her happiness. It is... beyond cruel, and the wound is deep set.”

That was an old word, a very old word. Still Zenai was eventually able to force out a rough translation, “Soul Eyes.”

“Few know of such a thing. I only know of it because my great grandfather was born with the talent, and it caused him great distress before he learned to control its terrible power.” The seer shook her head unhappily, “Whoever did this has no such restraint.”

Zenai looked back at Dust and Ace Gold but neither of them looked like they had heard of it either, “What is it exactly?”

The Seer nodded gravely, “It is a mental technique, projecting your will against another through direct eye contact. Depending on the will, its applications can be devastating. It has been so in this case.”

Ace Gold paused to consider this, finally speaking in a firm, questioning tone, “Can you use it to get into the victims head, give them orders, make them question themselves?”

“Yes.”

“Fluttershy has that ability too. She calls it ‘The Stare’.”

The seer sighed deeply, “If she possesses it untrained, this makes her all the more vulnerable. If she even tried to resist, she would have given her attacker deeper inroads into her soul.”

Zenai thought this was all very fascinating, still they were dodging around the main issue here, “Can you help her?”

The seer took a deep breath, giving a determined if not entirely confident nod, “I can try. I will not lie, I am not a shaman. I am more used to delivering children, setting bones. This is a deep, supernatural wound.”

“But...”

“But you have delivered Fluttershy to me, and asked me to help. This is a hard request to refuse.”

Zenai widened her eyes in suprise, “You know who she is?”

The seer nodded, “You just confirmed it for me, when you confirmed her knowledge of Annanragu.” She smiled warmly at the assembled group, aged face wrinkling, “You see, it was her who taught my great grandfather to control his gift, well over two hundred years ago. That is a dept my family still carries, and I intend to pay it.”

Ace Gold bowed deeply, his voice unexpectedly emotional, “Thank you.”

The seer shook her head, smiling at him, “Don’t thank me yet young foal. Now please, go on with your day and leave her to me. I will do all I can.”

“Well, this is turning out better than I expected. They did a good job on that.”

Zenai nodded as she inspected her newly repaired armor, having to admit it was better than before. Her modifications to make it fit previously had been amateurish and the material had been aged, now it was resized to fit her properly and much of the material had been replaced with metal and fabric from Caesar’s newly forged uniforms. They had even incorporated a dust cloak, embroidered with Zenai’s own cutie mark and able to be tucked away when it wasn’t in use. All in all it was pretty nice, even with Zenai’s dislike of armor, “Ace really needs something too. During that whole fight against the bandits I was worried somepony would get a shot in, and however good he thinks he is he can't out-talent a bullet.”

Dust moved past her shoulder, looking over the materials laid out across the clothing store. As the name suggested not a lot here was meant to stop gunfire, more to keep out the dust, sun and cold. For all the skill they demonstrated with Zenai’s armour they were poor folk in the end, and so the materials on offer weren’t exactly of high quality either. Unfortunately Ceasar’s troops tended to be outfitted with flack jackets reinforced with metal plates, which weren’t easily resized. Dust continued looking around for a moment more before realizing it was futile, turning to look at her questioningly, “You know who would have armor in his size? Princess Luna.”

Zenai hadn’t want to say it out loud. She still wasn’t sure what Dust’s true feelings were on the matter. Now he had suggested it though... “Do you think we should find her?”

He smiled knowingly at her, “You’re worried about Star Swirl.”

Zenai was yes. But there were other reasons too, “We’re totally without support, outmaneuvered at every turn. And Luna is in deep with those doing the manoeuvring.”

He chuckled, “And so we should make friends?”

“Yes.” She nodded, feeling a... half formed demiplan slowly filling her thoughts, “Star Swirl thought that Luna was just being manipulated, that she wasn’t a bad pony. If that’s true then she’s a weak link in the chain, somepony we can use to interrupt their plans and turn one of the greatest assets against them.”

“It’s risky, but I agree.” Dust nodded, “At the very least she can provide some answers, and she’s had plenty of opportunity to kill us before now.”

“How do we contact them?”

Dust chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, “Well. We might as well be direct.”

It was true what they were saying, Zenai marveling at the odd and rather disturbing sight of a dozen well armed foals advancing on their position. Nanta had told them they expected a party arriving to collect tribute, and they didn’t mess around. Their leader be damned, the group in front of them packing enough firepower to take out the entire town themselves. They advanced cautiously and in a serviceable combat formation as they spotted them standing on the path, a pair of what looked like twin pegasi launching to flank them in both directions with twin linked pistols mounted on battle saddles. Their leader was a lanky brown furred earth pony, a powerful assault carbine slung on his side. He shouted to them as he closed, the others around him drawing their weapons, “State your business!”

Dust just smiled, stepping forward, “We’re ambassadors from the New Canterlot Republic. Take us to your leader.”

__________________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (8)

Perk Acquired – Gunslinger
While using a pistol (or similar one-handed weapon), your chance to hit in V.A.T.S. is increased by 25%. As with all perks that increase your chance to hit in V.A.T.S., this bonus is multiplicative, not additive.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 2.3 - The Path of the Righteous

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Chapter 2.3 - The Path of the Righteous

“Mighty obliged to you darling. That kind of welcome to strangers is rare around these parts.”

Star Swirl wasn’t sure if she was already regretting giving it as the big zebra and his companion moved over to the fire, invited by her polite and slightly over enthusiastic welcome. She couldn’t help it, between Esau’s silence, Char’s insistent warnings of hostility and the zebra’s own powerfully friendly grin her social anxiety levels were reaching critical. She was hopeful that at the very least inviting them in would allow some of that tension to dissipate, “No problem. Um... so, what are you doing wandering the desert?” She noted his lack of a heavy pack, “You don’t look like a merchant.”

“I’m a courier actually.” He motioned to himself, and then the smaller zebra behind, “Names Tarishi, this little lady is Kunani.”

“Star Swirl. This is Esau.”

Esau nodded slowly, his eyes still narrowed and suspicious, “Not a lot out here anymore. Quite what are you couriering exactly?”

Tarishi chuckled, setting down by the fire. Kunani moved in next to him and he took a moment to make sure she was comfortable before answering, “Come up from Bitter Bottom, heading towards the Entitidi lands. Just some messages, letters to ma, that sort of thing.”

Esau relaxed slightly, and he seemed more interested now as well, “So, you’ve been up in the Nenata highlands recently?”

Tarishi nodded, chuckling, “I have indeed. Was born and bred.”

“Then you know what’s happening with Starhammer? The army amassing there?”

Tarishi sighed, taking a moment to exchange glances with Kunani before answering somewhat reluctantly, “Yeah. Good for me at the moment actually, having all those troops just standing around. Bandits don’t dare go near, and lots of zebra wanting packages delivered to their kids on the front line. But he’s going to have to do something with them eventually huh?”

“And you know what that is?”

Tarishi shook his head, “No clue. Zebra are saying he’s going to push into the camel lands, try to steal their technology and use it to drive down into the Golden Coast.”

Star Swirl had heard about this ‘Star Hammer’. Caesar’s ranger had mentioned him, a new warlord in the area. He had called him... a warlord with a messiah complex if she remembered correctly, “Who is this ‘Star Hammer’ exactly?

Esau turned to her, “Last year, the head of the Inwaka clan was killed in a duel against an unknown adventurer, who took his place as clan chief. Since then he has named himself Starhammer, and justified his name with claims of killing many demons.” He nodded gravely, “Starhammer has recently been recruiting large numbers of soldiers, forging an army unmatched in these lands.”

“Whatever the case, let’s just hope it’s good profit.” Tarishi pulled some cans out of his pack, getting back onto his hooves and moving over to the fire, “If either of you are still hungry, this one’s on me.”

Star Swirl was actually, and waited patiently as he cooked up what looked like it would be a pretty delicious meal. Kunani helped, the two a tightly organised team as Tarishi stirred and Kunani added careful sprinklings of herbs. She tested a drop and nodded in satisfaction, raising her left hoof and moving it in a complex series of movements. Tarishi laughed and returned a set of hoof movements of his own, turning his head to Star Swirl and Esau, “She says it tastes slightly less like ass than normal.”

Star Swirl was wondering what the hoof symbols were about. She should have guessed from the start, even knowing a little of it herself, “She’s mute?”

Tarishi nodded, “And deaf. But don’t go thinking she’s some fragile flower. She’s the one looking after me most of the time.” He looked across at her, the smaller zebra looking embarrassed for a moment before turning away and making a big deal of routing through her pack. Tarishi chuckled, lowering his voice, “She can lip read well enough, just make sure you’re facing her when you speak.”

Star Swirl wished she had learnt more sign language now. She felt uncomfortable not being able to speak with the little zebra, feeling like she was leaving her out. She tried to remember some of the signs, bringing them to mind. She absentmindedly signed her name, running through a couple of others she could still remember. Tarishi just looked confused however, Kunani turning and gazing at the signs in interest for a moment before signing something else to Tarishi. The big zebra grinned apologetically at her, “She says that’s Equestrian Standard. She signs with Gentalian.”

Star Swirl curled her lip in annoyance, “Zebra... languages.”

Kunani signed something else, Tarishi chuckling as he translated, “She expressed relief that her deafness meant she only had to learn to read them.”

“All of them?”

“All 32.”

Esau frowned, “There’s 22 languages in the zebra lands.”

Kunani took a deep breath, wearily signing something else. Tarishi translated, with a wince of sympathy, “That includes Camel, Old Arabian, Equestrian, Draconic and several zebra languages so dead that she read them off stone tablets.”

“You speak most of them now Star Swirl. Unfortunately I do not know sign language. This is most embarrassing, you must make an effort to learn for me.”

Star Swirl frowned at Char’s interjection, “Really?”

“What do you think you’re speaking now? I regret my Irasi might be somewhat archic, but you are well understood are you not?”

She was speaking... Irasi? She didn’t even notice, but now she mentioned it the words did feel strange coming from her lips.

“Oh, and try not to answer me out loud. The others will find it odd. Fortunately your reply was in context.”

Kunani was indeed blushing a little, signing something short before turning away once more. Tarishi smiled warmly at her before turning back to Star Swirl, “She had a broad education. Makes her the brains of this little group.”

“How did you meet?”

Tarishi smiled nostalgically as he scooped up the stew, serving it out, “She was standing up to a group of thugs who were intimidating some foals, trying to take one of the mares. I moved to help her, though she already had half of them down before I even got there.”

Star Swirl looked at the little zebra. She didn’t even carry a weapon, “She did?”

“She’s tougher than she looks.” Tarishi chuckled, “And let’s just say we make a good team. And she can cook!” He grinned at Star Swirl, looking back at the little zebra with fond gleam in his eye, “A mare like that doesn’t come around every day.”

Star Swirl smiled, surprised that she wasn’t jealous. Maybe they were just that cute a couple.

It was first light, just emerging from the icy cold and moving to only slightly unpleasant coolness. They emerged from the cave well rested and ready to continue their journey, Tarishi and Esau in front and Star Swirl and Kunani behind. This left Star Swirl feeling a little nervous, eager to talk to the young zebra but not really sure how to approach it. It was frustrating, she seemed interesting and knowledgeable and it was a zebra knowledge, something of these lands rather than the flawed Equestrian interpretation of it. Being so close, yet unable to access it was incredibly frustrating.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she only noticed the spears pointed at them when she nearly ran straight into Esau’s rump.

“That’s it, no sudden moves from you lot!” A large zebra growled as he pointed the sharpened wooden spike at a lightly smiling Tarishi, “You just hand over all your possessions, and we’ll be moving on nice and friendly like.”

Tarishi simply chuckled, not seeming the least bit intimidated, “And you need them quite obviously. What happened to you?”

Another one of the zebra grimaced, Star Swirl noting that there was four of them and they did indeed seem a pretty pathetic lot, all bruised, blooded and completely devoid of armour or weapon, save the sharpened sticks they were carrying. The bandit in question growled in response to Tarishi, “What you talking about!?”

“You’re trying to hold up what is clearly a well armed, well trained group with sharp sticks.” Tarishi laughed, even as the spear hovered an inch from his face, “You are the least intimidating bandits I have ever encountered, well done indeed.”

“You better take us seriously!” One of the bandits, a particularly ugly example, moved in behind the group, advancing on Kunani with intent, “Or else it’s your pretty little mare going to be paying the price!”

He lunged forwards and took Kunani’s mane in his teeth, pulling her backwards and pressing the tip of his spear into her neck. She gave a pained, gasping screech as she was pulled back, surprising the zebra and causing him to press a little harder than intended, a little silver of blood trickling down her neck...

Tarishi shoved his assailant away and span on the spot, steel flashing. The ugly zebra’s head detached from his neck with a single clean slice.

Everyone reacted, though the bandits were just a little too slow. Kunani cantered backwards slightly and flung a thin cloud of just over the ugly zebra’s neckstump, causing it to hiss as the wound was cauterised with the foul smell of burning flesh. He hit the floor with only a small trickle of crimson, his head rolling into a corner.

The three other bandits charged. Unfortunately their targets were Esau and Tarishi. Esau came into the attack, pushing the spear away and drawing his pistol with one smooth movement, pressing the barrel into his attacker’s eye. A single shot was all it took. Tarishi didn’t even turn, twisting his body away from the thrust and seizing the bandit’s head between his legs. He threw himself into a hard spin and the bandit yelled briefly before his neck gave way with a harsh crack. The last hesitated fatally, a gunshot from Esau and a blade strike from Tarishi carving him into strips.

The bandits all hit the floor silent and dead. Tarishi’s eyes turned up to Kunani in panic, his mouth hanging open expectantly. She took a moment to compose herself before signing wearily, a slight hint of anger in her expression. His relief was obvious, a small smile edging across his face, “Sorry doll, but no zebra lays hands on you.”

She signed again in brief chopping motions before shaking her head and touching a hoof to her neck. Star Swirl moved to inspect it herself but quickly realised it wasn’t serious, and that Kunani was doing a good job of it herself. She appeared to be applying some green cream to the area...

“That’s a healing paste, and that dust from before is a sealing solution. She’s a talented alchemist, possibly a shaman.”

Tarishi interrupted Char, giving them all an apologetic bow, “Kunani just told me off for putting you all in danger. She’s right, I apologise.”

Star Swirl wasn’t really blaming him. They could all take care of themselves, and they had to escape sometime. She also found his concern rather cute, “Um... no problem. Sorry I wasn’t much help.”

“Well the matter was resolved without serious incident, and four bandits lay dead. A good result.” Esau nodded flatly to the group, “Let us continue on our way.”

Star Swirl was definitely beginning to warm to the decision to tag along with Tarishi and Kunani as they made their way to their next destination, a prominent trading outpost called Zealous Point. Star Swirl was eager to learn more about this land and Tarishi tired of translating for Kunani, so together they proceeded to teach her some of her signs and choice bits of lore to keep her interested. Star Swirl was surprised to find she picked it up pretty quickly, less so when she detected Char working away at the back of her mind. She was beginning to see the benefits of their partnership, Star Swirl had never been all that smart.

As for the lore, Kunani was unfortunately determined to be non-specific, and changed the subject whenever they got too deep into a subject. Star Swirl got the impression she wasn’t trusted, though she was sure it wasn’t personal. This was the power, strength and secrets of her people after all, and she was a pony.

She definitely got the sense that there was a lot more out here than just some barbarian tribes and a few villages though. Kunani hinted at places of learning, organised archaeology missions and it was clear that there was significant trade with the camels and even some homebrew heavy industry supplying the zebra out here. Any mention of Caesar of the East or Garm was swiftly and somewhat gruffly rebuffed however, along with mention of any sort of geography in that direction. That was enough to confirm her suspicions, that the Nagara Strip was the heart of their civilisation. That was... somewhat surprising, but in hindsight maybe not. There was nothing there, no big cities, no major military outposts, the soil there was poor and the climate unforgiving. The only area of real worth there was Garm.

But that was before the war. The lack of anything there meant it would have received little attention from Equestria’s megaspells, and was likely the most fertile place out here by brutal comparison with the rest of the radioactive hellhole the world had become. And if Chisa really had survived, that was likely the last major city outside the Golden Coast still standing.

Zealous Point soon came up on the horizon, Esau’s hoof steps instantly slowing. Star Swirl saw it too, the trading post having swelled considerably beyond its walls. A large collection of tents, trucks and banners stretched outwards, distant figures in large numbers milling about between them. Tarishi simply moved forward however, turning back to smile at them, “Have no fear, I came through this way remember. Just a scouting party, and I’ve dealt with these boys before. A little rough sometimes, but not a bad lot.”

Esau just grunted, following him reluctantly as they continued on their way.

They soon passed a checkpoint built into the hills at the side of the road, an old cafe by the looks of it. It was heavily reinforced with metal plating and with the sign transformed into a watchtower, a heavy machine gun facing down at them through a view hole. A zebra cautiously emerged from the cafe, clad in old world light legionnaire armour and baring a blue sash on his left shoulder which depicted a large hammer falling upon a shattering star. Tarishi waved his hoof for the others to stop and moved up to meet the zebra, moving close and speaking too quietly for anyone to hear. Eventually they broke off, the zebra moving back into the cafe and Tarishi returning with a smile, “We can go on through.”

Esau glared suspiciously, “What did you say to him?”

“Well he knew me, but I am travelling with a Princess and a heavily bandaged brute of a zebra. You can understand he was a little reluctant to let you through.” Tarishi laughed, clapping Esau on the side heartily and giving him a huge grin, “But I managed to convince him that ya’all are harmless.”

Star Swirl almost laughed at Esau’s expression, ever so slightly taken off guard by the zebra’s friendliness. Still she couldn’t help but be nervous, surrounded by a whole lot of firepower wielded by zebra she knew nothing about, “Um... I’m not a princess. I’m an alicorn.”

He turned to look at her, just staring for a moment before nodding softly, “My mistake darling. But I’m still going to call you Princess. Suits you better.”

She blushed and turned away, feeling rather jealous of Kunani now. Even if he wasn’t exactly good looking, he made up for it with roguish charm.

‘Don’t trust him! He’s lying to you!’

Be quiet Char. She wished the spirit would tell her something more concrete than ‘I don’t like him’. Then she might believe her a little more.

They continued into the town itself, soldiers watching primly as they passed. There were a lot of them, two hundred at least, reasonably well armed and well trained. It wasn’t quite up to Caesar or NCR levels but the old war equipment they carried was well repaired and some effort had been taken to turn it into a recognisable uniform. The ones on the road mostly carried assault rifles mounted on battle saddles, others in towers or on the walls carrying long rifles fitted with scopes and hoof grips.

The town didn’t look to have been invaded, there was no battle damage and the soldiers seemed to be interacting quite peacefully with the locals. A few nervous glances were in evidence and mothers were dragging their overly curious children away, still that was to be expected with a crowd of heavily armed foreigners in residence.

“This is not a scouting party.”

Tarishi chuckled at Esau’s bluntly stated suspicion, “Not even a fraction of the full host, I assure you.”

Esau narrowed his eyes, “But still too large for stealth, and far in excess of what would be needed for simply scouting out the area. They are here for another mission.”

“Really.” Tarishi chuckled to himself, leading them onwards through the town and into a cluster of tents and shacks beyond, “You can ask their leader yourself. I can introduce you, and I know he’ll want to meet such interesting travellers.”

Esau looked hesitant, still Star Swirl was curious herself. She hadn’t sensed any deception so far, and she did want to meet a representative of this ‘Star Hammer’. Friend or foe, he was obviously important, and it was better to know your enemy.

They soon approached a larger, central building, looking like some sort of school. A broken clocktower stretched above, faded words above proclaiming it as Zealous Academy for Young Stallions, a picture of a smug looking older zebra beaming out at them, “Is that Zealous?”

“It is.” Tarishi grinned, “There’s plaques around this place, talking about how wonderful he is. Place is famous for them, folks here have made up all kinds of fanciful stories about the guy. Bet you anything he was just some mid card general with a talent for self promotion, but at the very least he brought this place together, made it a successful, well known settlement.”

“Just because he’s got his face on a few of the buildings around here?”

Tarishi laughed, “Of course! Ever hear of Cuppa Joes?”

Star Swirl had seen the image around a couple of places, “It was a chain of restaurants before the war.”

“Stretched all the way into zebra territories, hundreds of stores all over the word. Because people recognised them. Because they built a mythology around their face and name, and people wanted to buy into that.” He grinned charmingly at Star Swirl, “Never underestimate the power of a good myth. You likely know as well as I do that the All-Mother was just a big, selfish, not too bright dragon, but with her age, size and name she managed to fool every zebra into thinking she was something special. Celestia might have set herself up as a Goddess, but you’re living proof that you can achieve the same results with a little science and magic.”

Star Swirl blushed at the comparison, “I’m not like Celestia.”

Tarishi chuckled, “See? How do you know? Have you ever seen her fight? I’ve seen records, I know for a fact she can bleed. Ever see her cast magic? I’ve read letters from her, marvelling at the achievements of other mages and wishing she had that kind of talent.” He shook his head, turning away, “She built a myth, and you want to believe it. You want to belong to the story that she wrote about herself, the story she wrote to bring her nation together.”

“And is this true of Star Hammer?” Esau spoke up, his voice a carefully neutral rumble, “Does he want a myth, to draw zebra to his banner?”

Tarishi grinned enigmatically, pausing a moment before answering, “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but he’s just another zebra. Demons aren’t all that hard to kill, powerful yes, but stupid, impulsive and predicable. But it makes for a good story.” He turned to look across at Esau, “Don’t you agree that the world needs unity? The NCR was formed on the back of Regina and Littlepip, and because of their example it holds together seventeen years later. What if that could be repeated here?”

Esau grunted dismissively, “Isn’t that what the two Caesars are trying to do?”

“The last thing Caesar of the East wants is unity. He works to keep the tribes apart and out of the hooves of any one warlord, fears the return of the Empire more than any zebra. And besides, he’s too mysterious and shrouded in myth. Never letting any zebra but your closest advisors see you breeds stories, but doesn’t equal leadership.” Tarishi grinned, “Caesar of the West on the other hand... he’s a good ruler don’t get me wrong, but he ‘anit got the strength of character to unite an Empire.”

Esau’s eyes narrowed in thoughtful anger, Star Swirl seeking a little more clarity in his meaning, “Strength of character?”

Tarishi nodded, “He spent his childhood being bullied and abused by his father and brother, told that he was unworthy and weak. His entire motivation for ruling is to prove his worth, and his subjects can sense that neediness and lack of self esteem.”

Esau looked doubtful, “His empire is working so far.”

“He inherited it, and large regions still openly wish his older brother was in charge.” He grinned at Star Swirl, nodding his head, “When he’s parading in front of your subjects, tell me what you see.”

Star Swirl had to admit that she saw it too, “A vain diva, desperate for attention. It always seemed odd to me, because he’s intelligent and rules well...”

“Rulership is about perception. You need to be the icon that the nation is built around, maintaining the perception of infallibility and strength.” Tarishi shook his head, “Caesar can build a strong nation, but it will never have the strength to expand without collapsing under internal divisions. Those under his command know he’s just another zebra, because he hasn’t convinced them otherwise.”

Star Swirl... found that a really depressing thought. Her naivety was precious to her, after all it was hard to be inoffensive and useless unless you trusted in the strength of those above you. But yes, although they were all exceptional ponies... Velvet Remedy was self righteous and often obstructed the work of the Followers with her over management of things that could manage quite well without her. Regina had been an excellent team leader and an adept political player, but herself was only of moderate intelligence and really made very few actual decisions. Twilight Frost understood the alicorns perfectly and was resolute and steadfast in her morals, but believed the best of those who really didn’t deserve it and shied away from real conflict too much to ever make meaningful change.

They were just... ponies. Like any other. Great, but flawed. Smarter than the average, but reachable by mere mortals. Was Celestia the same? Was she truly not the living, perfect Goddess of legend, but a smart, kind pony who inspired her subjects to forge an empire in her name?

“I’m here to introduce these folks to Star Hammer.”

Star Swirl looked up as Tarishi addressed the guards at the door, the pair moving apart without argument to allow them passage. He grinned at them and opened the door, allowing them to move into the main hall. It was still filled with posters of the Empire, bold stark messages with words like “DIGNITY” “SERVICE” and “STRIVE”. They had none of the art of Rarity’s ministry of Image, still they had a definite impact to them.

Esau turned aggressively to face Tarishi as they made it inside, eyes questioning, “Why did they let us through so easily? And is it true what you said, that Star Hammer is here personally?”

“Well you’ll know the answer to one of those questions at least. You’ll understand once you’re introduced to him.” Tarishi beckoned them on, “Follow me.”

It was a short journey, finally ending at what used to be the headmaster’s office. They entered one at a time, Star Swirl among the last. She gasped as she set eyes upon one of the biggest zebra she had ever seen, dressed in heavy metal armor that did nothing to disguise layers of rippling muscle. He was standing at a table in the middle of the room with a lithe female zebra and a small, glass domed robot, all of them turning to look at their new arrivals.

“Species = Alicorn. Meeting = Unexpected.”

“I’ll say.” The female stated in a deep, rather sultry voice, resting her front hooves on the table in front, “Kunani did say as much, but I never actually expected the real deal. Guess she’s proved me wrong again.”

The robot blinked its lights, turning its domed head to Esau, “Esau = Intitate of Organisation = Pariah Order. Presence = Helpful.”

“Isn’t it nice to be appreciated Esau?” Tarishi chuckled as he moved forward to meet the large zebra, grinning up at him triumphantly, “Check it out, Kunani’s vision paid off after all.”

The large zebra observed Star Swirl and Esau for a moment before finally speaking, his voice low and full of cool gravitas, “As you say Lord Starhammer. We have been awaiting your return.”

Star Swirl blinked, “Star...”

Tarishi chuckled at her expression, motioning to those assembled, “My I introduce you to my general, Icoxal and Zenali, leader of my scouts. This here is Representative 5, ambassador from the Lost Legion.”

Star Swirl finally found her words, “You lied to us!”

Tarishi shook his head, still grinning that grin of his unabated, “Not at all. I am a courier, and my name is Tarishi. You don’t think my parents called me Starhammer do you? They would have been fascinating zebra.” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, “Though ponies do go for those sorts of names, so I can see why you would think so.”

Esau grunted, facing off against the zebra, “Half truths and lies of omission, the tales of your smugness and self regard are true indeed.”

Tarishi laughed “The tales of my smugness and self regard could fill a book, just ask Kunani.”

Esau’s voice lowered to a growl, clearly growing angry at his casual manner, “Why did you bring us here?”

Tarishi looked down at Kunani, the little zebra pausing for a moment before taking some dust out of a little satchel at her side and pressing her lips to it. She held it there for a moment, lips softly moving, before throwing it into the air before her. It sparkled and crackled, forming into a line of recognizable words written in golden glitter.

‘Because it’s your destiny.’

“Kunani saw you standing right there, speaking to me just like that. And her predictions have never steered me wrong.” Star Hammer looked back at them, firm confidence upon his grinning face, “Don’t you worry none, I mean you absolutely no harm. I’ve just got a job for you, that you might well be interested in demon hunter.”

Esau continued to glare, eventually speaking slowly and cautiously, “Speak.”

“There’s a demon in these lands, I’m sure you’ve heard of her.”

Esau spoke bluntly, “Princess Luna.”

Starhammer chuckled, “If she’s Princess Luna, then I’m Zephyr Stormstrung. But she is dangerous, and greatly needing killing. And she’s after something that will make her even more dangerous.”

“And what’s that?”

Starhammer just smiled, “Well, that I’ll leave to more qualified hoofs. Invited an expert down, very experienced, very interested in the subject. I think you know him.”

Esau glared angrily at Starhammer, his voice rumbling, “Tradash the Black?”

“He’s on his way. Apparently he was supposed to meet you further down the road?” Starhammer grinned, “I told him you would be here, waiting for him. See, everything is working out.”

Esau frowned, “Because you are manipulating events to your benefit.”

“We are all manipulating events to our benefit Esau.” He looked down at Kunani, smiling warmly at the zebra, “I’m just a little more informed. If you like her so much, get your own.”

Esau glared, “I make my own destiny.”

“Can’t fight against your spiral Esau. It just keeps pulling you back in.” Starhammer chuckled, nodding at the pair, “I’ve got you rooms at the inn, I hope they’re suitable. Go, I’m sure you want some rest after your long journey.”

Star Swirl... wasn’t sure when she had nodded off. But this was definitely not the zebra lands.

Or rather it was. After a moment Char popped up above a nearby hillside, her small, cute, filly Celestia face filling with enthusiasm at her presence, “Star Swirl, I was wondering when you would fall asleep!”

Star Swirl looked around, locating herself a short distance from the valley of the Star Demons where she had last departed this place, “Did you bring me back here?”

“You have a bond to this place. It was easy.” Char paused for a moment before reluctantly nodding, “But yes. It’s nice to see you... in the flesh so to speak. And we do need to talk.”

“About Starhammer?”

“Yes.”

“You could have just talked to me in my head... like you’ve been doing all day.”

Char just frowned at her challenging tone, hopping down from the hill and landing beside her with a little buzz of her wings. She strutted proudly across the sands as she answered Star’s accusations, “He had a powerful shaman with him, and you’re travelling with a member of the pariah order. I’m cautious as to how much I can get away with without them noticing.”

“They can hear you speak?”

“They can hear me talk about them.” Char corrected. She seemed to debate internally for a second or two before fixing Star Swirl with a penetrating and accusatory glare, “You’re meeting a lot of dangerous zebra. It’s making me nervous.”

Star Swirl had noticed that, seeming to be just surrounded by proud, powerful badasses these days. Still, dangerous in general didn’t mean dangerous to her... not necessarily anyway, “Why don’t you trust Starhammer? Or Esau for that matter?”

“Both would have lots of reasons to distrust me for a start.” Char averted her eyes, looking nervous as she explained, “That weapon on Starhammer’s back? It’s a Varasu blade. It’s designed to cut things both spiritual and physical, designed... to kill things like me.”

“Well he is a demon slayer.”

“You don’t quite understand what the weapon does.” Char continued, looking even more nervous and slightly sickened, “It severs the Etheric presence of whatever it kills, separating them entirely from this world.”

Star Swirl was getting lost, “Etheric?”

Char hesitated before answering, a little impatiently, “Let me put it this way. You’ve heard of Shining Armor right?”

“Sure. He was Twilight Sparkle’s brother.”

“Pretty important, yes?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Expect him to be here somewhere?”

Star Swirl was getting a bad feeling about this, “Yes... in Canterlot I suppose.”

Char nodded, her expression grim, “He is here. As a monument. A tombstone.” She glared flatly at Star Swirl, “He can never manifest as a talking, moving creature like the others you met, because he was killed by one of those blades.”

Star Swirl’s mouth dropped open in horror, “They... killed his soul?”

“Separated it from all contact with the living world, yes. Even I have no idea what lies beyond, or what effect the weapon could have there.” Char grimaced, squirming slightly in horror at the concept, “But you get the idea of the kind of horrors that weapon could cause. And his particular blade is a further horror still. I sensed the essence of those he has killed bound inside the blade, wailing at me for release.”

“He’s... stolen their souls?”

Char nodded, “Why he would do such a thing is beyond me, an abomination...”

Star Swirl had to admit, it was sounding pretty evil. But now she was sure Char was overstating the case, “I didn’t feel anything.”

“Well you are not a spirit, not trained in seeing the etheric.”

“Maybe he isn’t either. Maybe he thinks it’s just a cool sword.”

Char frowned glumly at her, “Maybe him, but the mare with him could not fail to notice.”

Star Swirl curled her lip, “Kunani?”

Char nodded, “That zebra, she is a shaman of great power. She may be the more dangerous of the two, and I detect a strong bond between them.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help but deliver some snark or this last point, “Um... I’m pretty sure blind, deaf, coma victims could detect a strong bond between them. They weren’t exactly hiding it.”

Char’s little offended face was hilarious, the little alicorn huffing and puffing, “I am not talking about some mammalian sexual contract, I’m talking magic. Old magic... though likely strengthened by their romantic connection, I will not discount the power of love.” Char looked Star Swirl in the eye, her expression warning, “Do not engage them together. I’ve seen that kind of bond vaporise tougher things that you or I when weaponised.”

Star Swirl had read about such things, though she wasn’t sure if she actually believed it. According to the tales a whole army of ravaging beasts had been destroyed by a single pegasus and her lover back in the time before the war, which sounded nice and romantic but made Star Swirl wonder why romantic couples across Equestria weren’t vaporising dragons. Still, her cynicism had been proven wrong before, “Well I wasn’t intending on fighting him. What about Esau?”

Char’s expression softened, the alicorn looking wistful as she stared up at the sky, “I cannot say whether he can be trusted, but his order? The Pariahs? They have always been noble and honest, and I see no reason why they would not continue to be so.”

Star Swirl frowned, this being the first time she had heard of this... order, “Starhammer said he was a demon hunter.”

Char shook her head, “A simplification. The order of Radiant Soul were demon hunters, thugs wielding swords like Starhammer’s, killing all they deemed unnatural. The Pariah... they challenged such an approach, pointed out the pain and death they caused in their search for peace.” Char smiled at some long distant memory, her eyes misting a little, “They sought to understand, find a better way for all of us. They learned how to extract Star Demons from their hosts without killing them, what such creatures wanted and how to reason with them.”

“You have experience with them?”

“One such group confronted me once, cornered me when I was alone and in full knowledge that I did not belong in this world. The Order of Radiant Soul would have killed me and my host for no crime but existing. The Pariah’s however... they judged me fairly, and let me go on my way.”

“Really?” Star Swirl wondered what he was doing with her then, it wasn’t as if...

Um... wait a moment, “Does he... know about you?”

Char grimaced, “I don’t know. I hope not, but it certainly seems a coincidence that he’s following you. Be careful, I cannot vouch for this particular zebra’s motives or honor. He could have taken that symbol off one of the dead for all we know.”

Star Swirl nodded, in full agreement, “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Good. I...”

“Well what are you two fine ladies doing hanging about these parts?”

Star Swirl’s eyes twisted up to the nearby bluff from where the voice had sounded, spotting the pony standing boldly atop. And not just any pony, but the one type of pony she hoped never to see again. Clad in leathers, spikes and blood, the mud brown coloured unicorn had a cutie mark of a pony decapitated by a chainsaw and a huge razor edged baseball bat strapped across his back. He gave a gold toothed grin as he saw her and Char standing before him, looking around briefly before returning his gaze to the mares, “They certainly are mighty strange parts. Mind telling me where we are exactly?”

Star Swirl wasn’t quite sure what to say, “It’s... the dreamscape.”

“Well, how about that?” The unicorn turned his head sideways, giving them a lopsided smirk, “That meant pretty much nothing to me sweetheart. Think just because I’m a unicorn I speak ‘mystic nonsense’?”

Star Swirl didn’t quite understand what was going on here. This unicorn didn’t seem to fit. He wasn’t a famous historical figure that she had heard of, he wasn’t even a zebra. Why was he here? “Who are you?”

“Bloody Razor, professional psychotic killer and merciless pillager. Bloody to my friends.” He grinned at them, “Now, hand over any valuables ladies, and we can all go on our way.”

Star Swirl frowned deeply, not about to be intimidated so easily, “Do we look like we have any valuables?”

Bloody Razor chuckled, his eyes filling with dark intent as he advanced on Star Swirl, “I’m sure you have something to offer me.”

Star Swirl gritted her teeth in anger, only a slight hint of caution stopping her from thrashing this fool right here and now. She stamped her hoof and drew herself tall, ears fully erect, “Take another step and you won’t be moving again.”

Char’s eyes darted nervously between them, “Star Swirl, watch out. He’s not a spirit...”

“Is that so girly?” Bloody Razor laughed, waving a hoof at the pair, “You don’t even have a weapon, unless you plan to hit me with the filly.”

Star Swirl hated raiders. Hated, hated, hated them. She welcomed the chance to show one his place, “You really think an alicorn needs a weapon to flatten one stupid raider?”

Bloody Razor gave a roaring laugh, staring in great amusement at Star Swirl, “An alicorn huh?”

Char glared disapprovingly at her, “Star Swirl, you’re just a unicorn here, remember?”

“Oh yeah...” Star Swirl blushed at her mistake, knowing she must have sounded pretty stupid, “I... I can still take you!”

Bloody Razor lowered himself into a crouch, “Really? Show me what you’ve got.”

He asked for it. And Star Swirl did hate raiders, and was well aware that most of them couldn’t put up a fight against anypony but unarmed civilians. She wasn’t a civilian, and she was never defenseless. She launched herself forward like a rocket, hoof snapping out for a devastating blow to his jaw.

He darted to the side with impressive speed, striking out with his own attack. Star Swirl just dodged it with a moment to spare, growling and feinting to the side with her hooves before charging in straight on with her horn. He caught her and threw her to the side, both of them tumbling briefly before charging straight back into the fray.

He was good. They snapped back and forth with carefully studied attacks, neither managing to land anything game changing. Eventually they both got serious.

Star Swirl tackled him backwards and repeatedly thumped him against the ground, Bloody Razor smacking her between the legs with a knee and twisting her ear with a free hoof. She grunted in pain and let him go, attacking while he was still struggling away and bloodying his lip with a hoof. He headbutted her in response, Star Swirl wincing away with a long gore mark on her cheek.

He was fast. He darted in low and took her hooves out from under her, thumping her in the jaw as she fell and flinging her to the ground. She struggled to rise but he was already atop her, hoof lashing down to take her in the face again and again, drawing blood and splintering bone. She tried to resist but he was bigger, meaner and stronger than she was, Star Swirl totally outmatched. He finally threw her aside with a mighty heave and struck her with his telekinesis, flinging her into a rockface with a crack.

“Star Swirl! Open your heart to me, give me your power!”

Star Swirl opened her eyes through the pain, looking up at Char sitting above. She looked desperate, afraid. She remembered her hesitation at taking her offer before, remembered her fear at what she represented... but then she looked at Bloody Razor advancing on her and realized she didn’t have much choice.

She opened herself up to Char, just the simple act of thinking it allowing the spirit to seize hold of her in a single rush of shared consciousness.

At that moment everything became heightened, her magic burning more powerful than ever before, her senses sharper and more alert, her body strong and resistant. She ignited her shields and Bloody Razor was easily knocked backwards, Star Swirl noting with breathless joy that this was just like what she had felt when she was in Celestia’s body.

Of course she was still heavily injured, with a still very much standing raider just a few feet away.

She shouldn’t have worried however.

A black streak flew overhead and struck him away with a powerful thrust, Bloody Razor skidding back onto his hooves as the new figure’s horn ignited with a burst of incandescent light and flung him into a nearby rock formation with a roar of focused magic. Rubble tumbled down and the raider disappeared at sight, not reappearing again.

Star Swirl could only gaze in wonder at the figure.

It was an alicorn… almost. The white of Celestia’s coat had gone, along with the soft fur. In its place was hard black carapace, mirroring the light in shining bands of rainbow color. Her body was sleek and slim, her hooves ending in sharp spines at the heels. Her wings were not like that of a pegasus, but beautiful butterfly wings of vivid and luminous color. Her horn too was twisted and sharp like that of a beetle. The only thing that still identified her was the cutie mark still present on her flank. Star Swirl gasped as she very gently lifted herself to her hooves, every part of her aching at the effort. She swore, just as she had recovered from the previous vicious beating...

“Star Swirl!” Char turned, her eyes widening in concern and her horn lighting up once more. The magic washed over her, sweeping her pain away and replacing it with a calming warmth that made her want to lie down... she collapsed with a thump, Char galloping over to her side and laying a hoof on her shoulder, “Stay there.”

Star Swirl didn’t see why. She felt... nice, “What... was that?” A silly grin spread itself across her face, “It feels nice...”

“I dulled your pain receptors, triggered endorphins. Now stay down and let me repair the damage.”

Star Swirl felt the bones in her muzzle shift as Char’s magic went to work. It was uncomfortable, but not painful, “Do you... know what you’re doing? I don’t want to look funny...”

Char smiled fondly at her as she continued, “Of course. I’ve always been fascinated by equine anatomy, I’ve studied it quite extensively.”

“That sounds... a little creepy...”

Char sighed, gently shifting the flow of her magic as rainbow light sank into her flesh, “In truth, yes. In the past my experiments may have been less than ethical. I always sought to help, to improve, but in the past did not understand you enough to ask first.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help but relax, falling into a pleasant daze, “Improve how?”

“Um...” She paused, hesitant, “Remember, I was born in an age of constant strife. My first host was a greedy, hateful zebra, who used me to hurt others to feed his own hungers. I learned firsthand the darker impulses at the heart of equine kind. He used me to create monsters for his army, used my magic to twist creatures into living weapons.”

That sounded a lot like Twilight Sparkle and the alicorns. Understandably there was some emotions triggered by her words, “Any I would know?”

Char nodded, slowly at first but a little more enthusiastically after a moment, “Manticores are my creation. They were originally little more than beasts of war, it gave me great pleasure to see them become a natural part of many ecosystems. Not my intention I assure you, I can take no credit for their success.”

Success? She supposed you could say that, “They’re deadly wasteland killers.”

She gave a rather offended look at Star Swirl’s dismissal, “Many creatures kill other creatures. You could say I would be more embarrassed if I had created ponies, considering how much of the ecosystem they are responsible for wiping clean.”

“A... fair point.” Star Swirl was a little star struck now she thought about it. Scholars had always debated whether the manticore’s unusual physiology meant that it had been magically created, now she was in the presence of the ‘wizard who done it’, “That body...”

Char looked down at her new, powerful, dangerous looking form. She looked a little embarrassed now, hesitantly nodding her head, “I designed this form, yes. It is the one I am most experienced with in combat.”

Star Swirl admired it wistfully. It was quite beautiful, in a somewhat creepy kind of way, “It’s nice...”

“Thank you.”

“Any others I would know?”

“Most have gone extinct, either naturally or forcefully. Some bred into their original species and vanished.” Char smiled for a moment, looking a little playful, “You heard what Esau said yes? That ponies were originally zebra before they were magically experimented on?”

Star Swirl’s ears really did prick up now, “True?”

“Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that one. I can see the evidence in your DNA, but the event was before even my time.”

“You can... see my DNA?”

Char giggled girlishly, “Well I meant general pony DNA, but yes, I can. We spirits have an... insight into your biology that gives us our ability to manipulate it in the first place. Your biology is rather fascinating actually.”

She was just saying that to get it into bed. Star Swirl tried to hide her embarrassment at having it so... openly discussed, questioning that statement, “How so?”

“It is... ugly. Junk sequences, evolutionary dead ends, the history of your species written in your every cell.”

Star Swirl frowned as Char’s magic faded, getting to her hooves and testing her jaw. It felt good, Char standing there expectantly. She didn’t seem to have meant the previous statement as an insult, though she didn’t see how it could be taken any other way, “My DNA is ugly?”

Char chuckled, clearly in on the joke. She gave a big smile, a little bit of an exited squeak in her voice, “It is the difference between a factory made replica and a hand forged antique Star Swirl. I look at your biology and I see cause and effect, physics and chemistry. I see systems, and straight lines. I have never been an artist.” Her expression faded as her words continued, the spirit giving a big sigh, “The manticores are not affected by IMP are they?”

Star Swirl shook her head. It was a well known mystery, “No.”

“A species needs their junk sequences, randomisation of traits, vulnerability to mutation. It is how they evolve. The creatures I created had none of those things.” She shook her head with deep regret, “They were pale imitations of the real thing. The manticore only succeeded by mistake, by rising above my flawed designs.”

Star Swirl felt sorry for her. This obviously upset her deeply, despite her upbeat demeanor... no, the better word was frustrated. Star Swirl understood that, to be so poor at a subject she desperately wanted to master, “Maybe all you need is more practice?”

Char’s expression darkened, “My second host said that also. She wanted to use my powers for good, to create creatures who could bring love and harmony back into the world.”

Star Swirl sensed an unhappy ending, “What happened?”

“They too escaped my original intentions.” Char sighed, shaking her head, “You should get back. Esau is attempting to wake you.”

She awoke to Esau shaking her shoulders, arising blearily off the table and wincing at her stiff neck. She was in the sitting area of the rooms they had been assigned, the book she had been studying laid out on the dining table before her. She had evidently fallen asleep while reading it, “Wheh, ung, gah?”

“You should choose a proper bed.”

“I guess I must have just nodded off...” She rose, flexing her muscles as Esau made for the door, “Where are you going?”

Esau turned, observing her cautiously. After a moment he spoke, “I sense my master approaching. I am going to meet him.”

Star Swirl wondered why he was being so hostile. Still, it wasn’t as if she had ever understood him, “Should I come?”

“If you wish.” He turned and left, Stat Swirl following behind as they stepped outside. Esau turned his head for signs of anyone approaching, Star Swirl scanning the crowds herself. As normal there were quite a few zebra around but Esau didn’t pick out any of them, and indeed none looked like they deserved the name ‘Tradash the Black’.

That’s when she heard the low crack of a pegasus in flight, looking up to see a dot on the horizon, approaching them fast. It was an artful flyer for sure, appearing to have a passenger larger than them yet still keeping their balance in the high winds. The flier turned towards her and Esau and dropped suddenly, air breaking before them as they came down worryingly fast and steep.

Others turned to look, some yelling out in fear as the pegasus dropped towards them. They needn’t have worried, she leveled out at the last moment and came in to a perfect and elegant landing, hoofs barely scraping the ground. She pulled a face as she touched down, throwing her rider ignobly into the dirt and scraping what looked like a bit of vomit off her neck, “Eww... noth cawying you’th again...”

Her passenger picked himself up, looking a little shaky as he tried to straighten out his cloak. He turned to the pegasus indigently, ruffling the pair of bloodwings sticking from his back, “I didn’t ask you to! I am perfectly capable of flying myself!”

“Youthf too slow. And whothever heard oth a flyer gething airthick anywath?” She glared at her passenger for a second more before she noticed Star Swirl, surprised for a moment before offering a big... smile? “Staf Swirl!”

Star Swirl returned an only slightly nervous smile back, “Clear Skies. What... what are you doing here?”

“Earffing bits, estphishing a basf of operaphions.” The pegasus ghoul shrugged her shoulders, “Not saph back in Demonivore.”

Not safe? What had happened back there? “Why not?”

“Ehh, not sure of thph detailphs. Pophlics.” She grimaced, “I hate pothlics. And anywathy, thiph guy wants to speath to you.”

“Uh... indeed.” Her former passenger straightened out his cloak and placed his glasses back upon his nose, his smile only slightly spoiled by his continuing nausea, “Tradash the Black, at your service my dear.”

When she had first heard the name she had expected some bone covered, skull shaking shaman with a painted face, wondering how anypony got the nickname ‘the black’. She was surprised therefore to find out that he wasn’t remotely scary, in fact he looked like a librarian, charmingly middle aged with a pair of neat spectacles and a poorly combed mane. It was obvious where he got the name however, indeed at first glance she thought he was a pony. It took a moment to spot the stripes, so dark grey as to be almost indistinguishable from the rest of his coat. The black huh? Is that all it took to get a nickname these days? “Um, it’s a pleasure...” She remembered the original reason she had been sent to see him, “Your student Ember told me that you were the one to see about my cutie mark.”

“Ember hmm, really?” Tradash placed a hoof against his goatee, eyes searching her with an incisive intelligence, “Let us go inside shall we? This is a conversation that requires a little privacy.”

“So, Ember sent you to find me did he? How interesting.”

Her, Tradash and Esau were all sat in a private room inside the inn, Esau still watchful and armed for any danger. Tradash had sat them down casually, ordering them all drinks and generally acting much like the absent minded professor he appeared to be. It wasn’t doing much to allay her nervousness, “Why is it interesting? Wasn’t he your student?”

“Hmm? Yes, a student of mine, before he turned to evil.”

She blinked, “What?”

Tradash smiled broadly, the old zebra looking rather pleased with her reaction, “I was joking. Mostly.” He shrugged his shoulders and gave a world weary sigh, “Rather... before he met a pretty girl, with big eyes, soft fur and a road to spiritual enlightenment that didn’t involve hanging around in caves with old men.”

That sounded familiar, “Sunshine Ivory?”

Tradash chuckled, “Did you know she was a mercenary?”

No, she didn’t. She wondered if they were talking about the same pony, “White fur, looks like Celestia, head of her church?”

“The same. You speak as if being pretty was a bad thing for a hired gun.” Tradash adjusted his glasses with a hoof, looking cheerfully across at her, “She was charming, skilled and dedicated to improving the lives of the common folk. You can see why a lot of zebra followed her.”

She didn’t like the tone he had said that in, “That’s a bad thing?”

“Let’s just say it’s not a good idea to get in her way.” He rubbed his head, gently hooving the burnt area under his ear, “As I have discovered.”

Esau spoke up, his voice concerned, “How did it go? I felt you struggle, even separated as we were.”

Tradash gave a weary nod, “It’s been a very long time since I fought a unicorn in direct combat, yet alone one as powerful as her. If she was fighting to kill she might well have, it’s fortunate for me she was happy simply driving me off.”

The fight in the storm, between the white pony and the older figure. It was... “It was you?! And Sunshine Ivory?!”

Tradash gave a soft nod, “Yes, it was me. She was coming for you Star Swirl, and I stopped her.”

Esau gave his master a warning glance, Star Swirl about ready to storm out right there and then... but she didn’t. She couldn’t help but notice that Char was unsure, and that made her uncertain as well. She obviously wasn’t getting the full story, “Ok, then Ember sending me to you was interesting then. If you’re opposed to her, why did she send me to you in the first place?”

Tradash nodded in agreement with her wonderings, moving over to inspect her. She couldn’t help but feel the Deja-vu as he did so, remembering when she first met Ember and Sunshine Ivory. Like it was there his hooves gently prodded at her cutie mark and horn, Star Swirl closing her eyes and waiting for the unwanted touching to be over.

Eventually he spoke, voice quiet and restrained, “So, that’s how it is... tell me Star Swirl, did you drink anything while you were there?”

She still remembered the taste, Sweet Sunset she remembered it was called... “I... yes.”

“Please my girl, don’t accept drinks from pretty strangers. You’ll live longer.” Tradash shook his head, looking wearily up at her, “Are you aware from where you got the power to defeat Rainbow Dash?”

She was. It was fairly obvious, now she thought about it. The figure that had told her how to defeat Rainbow Dash, that had given her encouragement and knowledge? It had been Princess Celestia. And she knew one mare who looked just like Princess Celestia...

‘Please Star Swirl, I was trying to help. You needed what was in the heart!’

She ignored Char, not sure how she felt about it all, “There’s a spirit in my head. She calls herself Char.”

Esau grunted, “A spirit?”

“If that’s what she chooses to call herself.” Tradash spoke kindly, considering this for a moment before speaking, “And it has a fully formed personality, opinions, ambitions?”

“Um... yes.”

“Then it is old. Char... hmm...” Tradash nodded to himself, seeming to come to some sort of conclusion, “It has the spiral mark ‘radiant gatherer insect’?”

She didn’t even know that one, “Actually it’s a pony, with a butterfly cutie mark.”

Tradash gave a satisfied nod, “Ah yes, I have guessed correctly. Charaxes, the Queen of Butterflies. My, my, where did Sunshine Ivory find you?”

”Tell him I don’t want to talk”

“Um, she doesn’t want to talk.” Star Swirl felt a quiver of fear and the desire to run, now. She knew it came from Char, felt the spirit begging Star Swirl to get her away from these zebra. She tried her best to calm the spirit, feeling a little protective of her as she faced off against Tradash, “She hasn’t done anything to hurt me.”

Esau snorted angrily, “You’re not the one we’re worried about.”

“Please Esau, I assure you. Char is not our enemy.” Tradash shushed him with soft tones, smiling grandfatherly at Star Swirl, “But she is extremely dangerous none the less. Are you aware what she truly is? Has she told you?”

Star Swirl felt her own fear now, not sure what was going on. To be honest the entire idea of spirits seemed like hogwash to her, superstitious nonsense, “She told me she was formed of the dreams of zebra...”

Esau bluntly interrupted her before she got any further, “Don’t be a fool.” His eyes blazed with accusation, “She’s a Star Demon.”

“They... don’t exist.” Star Swirl stated it with as much authority as she could muster, “They’re just stories. Propaganda used to discredit Princess Luna.”

Esau looked properly angry now, stepping towards her with a dark look in his eyes. His voice too dripped with barely contained wrath, “Are you stupid girl?! Come here, play games with some of the most dangerous political figures in existence, prancing around like an alicorn is something those here see every day! Messing up the ambitions of Caesar himself with your selfish whims, the only one even trying to drag this wasteland out of the mire! Now you deny the very existence of the evil creature you’ve bound to your soul, a creature that destroyed our entire civilization!”

Tradash spoke simply and calmly, “Esau, calm yourself.”

“I will not!” He growled animalisticly at her, eyes burning with hatred as his hoof dropped to the pistol at his side, “Better to end her now, before she causes more trouble!”

”Accept me Star Swirl, let me empower you! Without it you could die!”

Star Swirl hesitated, Esau taking one more step... before Tradash was standing before him, his dark fur almost seeming to vibrate as he held a hoof out warningly. He hadn’t teleported, she had seen movement, but it had been like reality itself had suddenly contracted for him. Esau had certainly stopped, backing away as Tradash spoke with a grave weight in his voice, “Only an animal acts on instinct, killing because it feels threatened. You speak to her of immaturity, ignorance? You bring shame on yourself Esau.”

Esau took another step back, head dropping. His voice was low, defeated, “I apologize master.”

“I do too.” Star Swirl spoke quietly, feeling a little chastened herself. This was all very real and very serious, and she was dismissing it because it broke into her fragile little world view, “I’m sorry, but I... I don’t know anything about Star Demons. I thought they were stories.”

“Few really do.” Tradash spoke kindly as he turned, “Superstitions have done a lot of damage, both in causing some to deny, and others to ascribe malice far beyond what they’re truly capable of. That is what our order seeks to change.”

Star Swirl looked to the crescent moon necklaces, remembering what Char had said, “The Pariah Order?”

He nodded, “Indeed, one of the eight great orders. At present the oldest still in existence.” Tradash motioned to his necklace, holding the silver token in his hoof, “Known among the population as the Pariah Order, formed to study and understand demons and other magical parasites.” He looked up at her, his tone gentle but slightly accusing all the same, “Has Charaxes asked you to open yourself up to her, accept her full power?”

“Yes...”

“Don’t. She likely means well, but it is an addiction that will end poorly for you both.” Tradash sighed, settling down onto his haunches as he explained, “They are creatures like any other, rather simple to start off with actually. They feed on magic and emotions, and to maximize their bounty enter a symbiotic relationship with their hosts, dramatically increasing both.

Star Swirl’s mind instantly leapt back, remembering her emotional outbursts over the last few weeks, her increased sex drive, her anger and violence... “I have been feeling that...”

“Hmm.”

“But that was before I even spoke to her, before I accepted anything!”

”It was not intentional Star Swirl, sometimes there can be slight effects simply by my presence.”

Tradash nodded softly, shifting his glasses up and explaining, “They do not need permission Star Swirl, they can do and take what they want. Charaxes is unusual in that her sense of honor requires her to forge a contract, but it is an imposed restriction.”

“Why?” Star Swirl just shook her head in confusion, unable to understand how it had come to this. Sunshine Ivory had been kind, her idol in the way she had emulated Celestia. Now she learned that she had implanted a Star Demon inside her, a dark entity of pure evil straight out of the story books? “Why would she implant Char within me?”

“I can only imagine.” Tradash sighed, “I did not know her well. She seemed like a typical rich girl crusader determined to improve the lives of those less fortunate than her when I met her years ago, her noble goal contrasted by a certain arrogance and condescension. She was devious, and ruthless I suppose. She never fought fair, and killed without regret, but those she fought against unquestionably deserved it.” His face fell slightly, his voice quieting, “And she was always curious about our techniques to capture and control the demons. I did find that strange as they’re not exactly common threats, but assumed that it was simply academic curiosity.”

Esau grunted, “You’ve always been too quick to lecture on topics best left alone.”

“I am a proud pedagogue, and see no shame in that.” Tradash sighed as his proud expression faded to bitter resignation, “But it indeed seems that she has used those techniques to capture and implant Charaxes within you, with truly impressive skill no less.”

“Can you remove her?”

Tradash sighed, shaking his head, “I’m sorry Star Swirl, but Ember might well have sent you to me to show off his skills before his former master. His work is... magnificent, and very hard to reverse. I fear I would either damage you, or her, in the extraction.”

Esau’s brow furrowed deeply, “You worry about the demon?”

“She is life, and has committed no crime I see. Indeed she has behaved admirably.”

Star Swirl felt Char’s nervousness relax a little. Maybe she had been right about them, “Char said she encountered your order before, they said she was innocent of any crimes and let her go.”

“Truly?” Tradash smiled broadly, seeming to find this very interesting. He placed a hoof on the bridge of his muzzle, tapping the other against the table in front, “Our order survived the great war better than all of the others, but we still lost many of our eldest and most of our records. Indeed Charaxes may be of great help to my attempts to regain our history, she is after all an entity with memories stretching back to the cataclysm itself. If she could see fit to maybe grant me an interview...”

”Star Swirl, please tell this scholar to let the past lie buried. It is past, full of the dead. I have little interest discussing it.” Her voice took on a rather angry, frustrated tone, Star Swirl feeling the emotions burn through her, ”His world burns, and instead of putting out the fires he potters through the ashes. What use is history to a hungry zebra?”

Esau however had already replied, his voice now openly defiant and his posture angled aggressively towards his master, “Master, forgive me but I fear it is not I who cannot control myself. This pony has a disease, a virulent, destructive sickness that has already destroyed our civilization once, and your response is to ponder how it may help with your research.” He lowered his ears and slumped his shoulders in supplication, but truly he was fooling nopony with his tensed muscles and barely restrained anger filling his every word, “This is why we are pariahs, this is why our history is full of mistakes and self destruction. Have we learned nothing from Luna, Orono and Zerphraus, that our response to the very beings we were made to fight is to coo and admire?”

Tradash frowned in displeasure and turned to face Esau, though Star Swirl couldn’t help but feel the frail looking scholar seemed ridiculous standing up to the bandaged brute before him. Still he spoke without fear, only proud certainty, “Change never occurs without risk, and the noble, honorable road is never easy. Without Luna we would not understand half as much about the mechanics of possession, and what we have here is not an evil entity to admire, but an honorable spirit who we can learn much from.”

“Without Luna the war would have never occurred.”

“Nonsense!” Tradash exclaimed with an offended rumple of his nose, “You know as well as I do that one freed from possession suffers from no residual effects, and with that in mind Nightmare Moon’s period of actual activity is brief and virtually free of casualties. Princess Luna’s later actions are completely irrelevant to this discussion.”

Esau growled his response, clearly getting more and more furious, “It was only brief because Princess Celestia was there the first time, and the Mares of the Ministry the second!”

“Then I appoint you to do the same Esau.”

He paused, confusion breaking his anger for a moment, “What?”

Tradash nodded, “You will watch over Star Swirl and Charaxes. If she should surrender to temptation, if she should become dangerous to the innocent of the wasteland... then she is your responsibility to deal with.”

Esau’s face shifted dramatically under his bandages, struck dumb by Tradash’s request. Eventually he just nodded however, voice restrained, “As you wish master.”

Star Swirl looked over to him, unable to stop a little shiver. The extra firepower and a watchful eye were appreciated, but the Sword of Damocles hanging over her head wouldn’t make her sleep any easier.

Neither would being in a camp full of well armed tribals, or being bound towards a famous demon slaying wasteland warlord. Or having a Star Demon in her head. Or being stuck out in the desert, several thousand miles from home.

Her life sure had got complicated.

___________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 8 reached.

New Quest Perk acquired: Star Child – “And you will help, more than you’ve ever dreamed.”
Congratulations, you have a demonic entity from outer space living in your head! At this level it seems pretty awesome, and you get a extra +2 bonus to magic (equal to two points of intelligence).

New Perk acquired: Radiation Queen – “Oh great, now they regenerate too?”
You have an especially strong affinity with radiation. You can absorb it to power your abilities 25% faster, and healing from it is also increased by 25%.

Chapter 2.4 - An Evil Inheritance

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Chapter 2.4 – An Evil Inheritance

They had been rather fortunate really, considering their rather brash approach to the situation. The leader of the kids they had approached, an earth pony called Bleak Fields, didn’t live up to his name fortunately. Enthusiastic about the situation the moment he recognised who they were, he gave command to his second and boldly volunteered to take them in himself. Dust was initially surprised that he willingly allowed himself to be alone with them, eventually having to laugh at his swaggering self confidence. He was quite open about leaving his back open and letting his weapon dangle, his manner glib and sarcastic. Dust had to say he quite liked the kid.

And then there was the surroundings. Dust had never even heard stories of this place. Even the zebra knew almost nothing of their homeland, separated by generations, wars and general apathy. Now he was here... it was beautiful. The orange sands lacked Equestria’s grey lifelessness and the mountains that loomed on every horizon dwarfed all he had seen before. And oddly there was another difference here, that Dust could easily say was for the better aesthetically speaking.

The craters where megaspells had hit were adorned in strange, twisted flowers of every hue imaginable.

“Aren’t they pretty!”

Dust smiled at Puppy’s giggly enthusiasm, “And mostly likely deadly enough to kill you in an instant?”

“Well I would have to perform a proper chemical analysis, but they are very radioactive.”

Dust figured as much. Most pretty things in this world were killers at their hearts. It left him in a melancholy mood, “Hey Puppy?”

“Yes uncle sir?”

“How did it feel, when I killed Caesar’s men?”

Puppy’s face dropped on his display, her voice going quiet for a long while, “Sad... that it had to happen that way.”

“But you accept that it happened?”

“I’ve read the Chronicles of Littlepip, I know that sometimes ponies kill other ponies...”

Dust sighed, feeling rather guilty now about doing it. He realised now he was pretty much carrying around a little girl on his killing sprees, and that certainly wasn’t cool, “I’m sorry Puppy.”

“For letting me see?”

“Yes.”

Her voice perked up, her icon flashing brightly, “No... I’m sorry uncle. So much of this trouble is because of me, and I can’t protect myself at all. I don’t have to pull the trigger, I don’t have to live with having killed ponies.”

Dust’s heart dropped further. Was it really such a terrible thing? He guessed it was, “I don’t feel much of anything about it now Puppy.”

Her voice became chastising, “That’s not true uncle sir. If you didn’t feel anything then you wouldn’t feel sad for upsetting me.”

“Causing ponies to suffer upsets me Puppy. I learned that early on.” He took a deep breath, tapping his rifle against his side, “That’s why I became such a good shot. Killing people got easy real quick, and its best done quick and clean.”

Puppy’s voice was small and quiet, “You really don’t feel anything?”

Dust sighed, wondering if this was a bad idea. Still he wanted to be honest with the filly, “The defining moment of my life was shooting a filly who some of my friends were hurting. I knew that she was better off dead than living in this world.”

Puppy fell silent for a moment before speaking again, “That’s very sad...”

“I don’t think it is Puppy. Really it’s not.”

“It’s not?”

Dust shook his head, laughing to himself. Maybe he had lost his mind long ago, but to be perfect honest he was unsure if he was the one with the problem, “I’m a happy pony Puppy, because I don’t believe in anything. I don’t believe killing is wrong, sometimes it can be an act that brings a lot of happiness. I don’t believe in governments, so I don’t get bent out of shape when they end up corrupt and broken. I don’t believe in the bold frontier pony, so I’m under no illusions that most of them are dumb, mean and selfish.”

“Then... what is there to be happy about?”

Dust chuckled, “I believe that a sunny morning is twice as refreshing as the best night’s sleep. I believe that seeing ponies smiling makes me want to do the same. I believe that feeling the road under my hooves makes me as giddy as a newborn foal in anticipation about what’s over the next horizon.”

Puppy contemplated this, a little hourglass icon appearing over her head as she did so, “So... you only believe in what you receive through direct sensory input, and the emotional feedback you receive from it?”

Dust smiled, reminded once again that she was an AI, “Tried believing in the big things once. Never got the hang of it.” He nodded to the group in front, “Take Zenai. She believes in the big things so much that she barely even thinks about what’s in front of her. Has it made her happy?”

Puppy’s voice took on a slightly teasing air, “The mark of a civilised pony is that he puts the advancement of his community over his own happiness.”

He laughed, “Quoting political clichés will get you nowhere with me girl. Civilisation is a ponies’ happiness. A community built on mutual suffering inevitably becomes the plaything of those able to play the system.”

“So... suffering because of loyalty is... wrong?”

“Because of loyalty to an ideal, or a idea, or a country.” He shook his head, once again horrified by the entire concept, “It’s like an ant being loyal to a boot. It doesn’t care about you, and you’re too small to even realise its part of a much larger system. Get too close and you’ll likely to be crushed, whether it’s actively hostile to you or merely indifferent.”

Puppy too all this in with interest, creeping him out a little. Were his cynical, timeworn opinions really that interesting to a sweet young filly like her? Worse, were they actually convincing? She again offered no personal opinion however, just questioning further, “So you should only be loyal to friends, family?”

That second word made him wince. It made him realise how little he really knew, “I don’t know Puppy. You shouldn’t listen to me you know, I’m... old, and damaged. You wouldn’t want to end up like me.”

Puppy sounded disappointed, “But... if they were formed by experience, surely they must be better adapted to the world?”

So mathematical... “Not always. You work a muscle, it gets stronger. But you work it too hard, it breaks. And it’s never really the same again.” He sighed, “A lot of my opinions were created through pain, and I’m pretty certain they’re simply ugly scars in my head.”

“Celestia once said that the state was a lie. That it was the bonds of friendship, the web of kindness between friends, family, neighbours that formed Equestria, not the castles, councils and princesses.”

“Really?”

Puppy’s icon little up in a big smile, “See? Celestia agreed with you.”

“Well how about that?” He chuckled, doubting they really meant exactly the same thing. Still it was nice to think that the mare who had created a thousand year old empire might at least have some common opinion with him. He wondered what he would have become if he had lived under her rule, or what the NCR would become if she suddenly came back.

It also exposed his weaknesses, “I think my problem is that I don’t believe in family Puppy. Neighbours certainly, friends... I guess. But family seems like another con to me. I guess without that bond, it’s just too difficult for me to make the jump to building a country like Equestria on... friendship.”

Puppy’s face fell, her expression oddly evasive and far away. She spoke eventually, her voice restrained, “You don’t have any family uncle sir?”

“Oh, I had family. Mom, dad, brother and sister.” He tried to think back, but their faces and some of their names still eluded him. Showed how much impact they had, “I haven’t seen them in forty years. I honestly have no idea what happened to them, and I honestly don’t care. They all had the personality of a tire iron, and we were pretty much left to fend for ourselves.”

Puppy’s voice strained, “That’s so sad.”

“Not really. I told you, I don’t care about them.” He motioned a hoof at Ace Gold and Zenai ahead, “And look at the others. Zenai’s dad spent most of his time absent, eventually sending her to be raised in a monastery. Ace Gold... shit, I can barely guess. But his mom left when he was seven, and his dad obviously screwed up somewhere if he’s out here hanging around with sociopathic griffons.”

Puppy’s icon... disappeared. Dust frowned for a second before her voice eventually sounded out, quiet and rather pained, “My parents are called P7 and SolOS. They’re very smart and kind, and I love them very much.” Her voice wavered, “I don’t know where they are.”

Dust took a deep breath, “Where did you see them last?”

“The facility where I was born. Mr Lucky Days woke me up, put on this suit and told me that we were under attack. We hid for a little while, I heard my father’s voice on the announcer... and then something took out all the power, and my mother P7 uploaded herself into my suit through our network connection, told me the mainframe had been destroyed and the backup systems were wiping themselves. That we had to escape.” She took a deep (slightly unnecessary) breath before continuing, her voice speeding up into a stream of consciousness, “But then the facility exploded and Lucky Days was injured and I couldn’t heal him because the suit was too badly damaged, and my central processor started to lose power... I felt my program destabilise, felt myself losing data... I tried to back myself up but there wasn’t enough room...” She spoke the last words in a whisper, “My mother deleted herself from my systems to allow me to save myself.”

Dust remained quiet for a little while, not sure there was anything to say. Eventually he felt he had to advance something, though he wasn’t sure if he was just being ignorant, “They’re artificial intelligences like you?”

“Yes...”

“Then they would have back ups at other facilities?”

Puppysmiles paused, her voice uncertain, “I think so... I’m unique, I can only run on one system at a time. But I don’t think that’s true for them as well.” She sighed, “I... don’t really know much about them. I don’t know.”

Dust shook his head, not really very experienced in cheering up young girls, “From what I hear not many ponies really know their parents that well.”

“I’m just worried because... I don’t know where they are.”

“I understand.” It was all he could say. Sometimes you did just want to set eyes on somepony, hear their voice. Even if you knew they got out alright, that they were fine... “You’ll see them again when this is all done.”

Her face lit up happily, “Thank you s.........zzzzzkkk...”

He paused, stopping in the middle of the path, tapping his pipboy for a status update. All he could hear was static, “Puppy?”

“Have no fear Dust Kicker, she’s merely taking a commercial break.”

Dusk gasped in a mixture of horror and... happiness at that voice, one he had not heard in seventeen years. Warm, regal and fatherly, it’s tones were something he’d never forget, “H... how?”

“A complicated answer, I assure you. I take it you did not truly believe?”

“No... it didn’t make any sense, why now, why out in the wastes, why...”

“Hey Dust!” Zenai had turned to look at him, concern in her eyes, “Are you ok?”

He nodded quickly and resumed the march, flustered at being so emotionally compromised. Especially over such an obvious trick. A voice synthesiser, a good actor who knew him well... anyone could do it, “It’s not you. It can’t be you.”

Red Eye laughed, his oh so familiar laugh, “What a wonderful statement. I can’t be me?”

“No.” Dust stated it cold and hard, “You’re an imposter.”

“Good Dust Kicker. Question, analyse, consider. You were always smarter than the others. Lacked their unfortunate vices too.”

Dust growled, the heat rising in his hackles “That proves it’s not you. Red Eye knows my vices all too well.”

“You mean young Cerulean?” Red Eye chuckled, “You still believe she is a vice?”

He knew. He knew about her. It broke his barriers, that name mentioned by that voice. It all came rushing back, those piercing eyes, that cutting tongue, “She... was a slave, so much younger than me. She couldn’t resist, I forced it...”

“It was always a battle between you two wasn’t it? She latched onto you, tempted you into claiming her. She knew you could be manipulated, that you could protect her.” Red Eye paused a moment before speaking again, softly questioning, “When you came to me, asked me to make her one of the unicorns used for my ascension... that guilt you spoke of. Was it yours?”

Dust couldn’t think straight, the shock of it deadening him. Red Eye had been the only pony present for that conversation, “My... own? Of course it was, who’s else could it be?”

“I agreed to your request because I could see what you could not Dust Kicker. That an affected innocence, offering subtle temptation and outward disdain, that these things can be used to manipulate a naive young stallion still feeling guilty for the work he is forced to do in my name.”

He dropped his head, gritting his teeth, “No.”

“Strange, how these little moments could change so much. I once saw some ponies selling their children into slavery so they could feed themselves you know? Right there and then, I decided the whole course my life would take, seeing those ponies sell the future so that the past could live. The course of my life before provided fertile ground for that seed of course, but it was that moment that still stays with me.” Red Eye paused, his voice becoming gentle, “Tell me if I’m wrong of course Dust Kicker, it’s been a very long time. But that mare, who convinced an aimless young stallion that he was intelligent, that he was sorry, that he wasn’t worthy of being loved... did she really change that young stallion’s life?”

Dust Kicker hadn’t thought about it for a long time. The memory was too painful, “Yes, she did.” His next words cracked, Dust almost unable to force them out, “What happened to her?”

“She died during Littlepip’s crash landing, upon her escape from the Cathedral. I’m sorry.”

Dust sighed, “I... I know. I did a little research afterwards.” He shook his head, still uncomprehending, “I looked for you too. Twilight Frost and the others, they all said they saw you die.”

“Twilight Frost...” His voice dripped with amused disdain, “The alicorns would not approach. They still feared me, even as I lay dying. It was Doctor Slaughter who bears the responsibility. He came upon the alicorns crowded around my body, declared that the mutations were fatal and recorded my death before forcefully removing my implants and handing them to Twilight.”

Dust’s ears twitched in surprise, “He never said anything.”

“Why would he? It is a minor point, and Slaughter and Twilight Frost are good friends. So many shared atrocities, so many lies, so many dead ponies, conveniently forgotten when the culprits are just so polite and smartly dressed.”

“We all have a lot of blood on our hooves...”

Red Eye chuckled, “Of course. But the point stands that no pony there that day should be trusted. Because do you know what happened when they went back later, to find my body, to dispose of it properly?”

Dust nodded slowly. He had taken great interest at the time, “They burned it, to deter worship.”

“They couldn’t find it.” Red Eye gave a low snort, “It was gone.”

“They lied?”

Red Eye laughed, “He’s a corporate baron, she’s a politician. They always lie... especially to themselves. They assumed... no, they convinced themselves that it had been eaten, stolen, that they had not betrayed their living master for the amnesty of Velvet Remedy and Gawd.”

Dust shook his head, “How... how could you survive all that?”

“How could the Goddess? I was immersed in IMP Dust Kicker, and who there could say what would happen to me? Twilight Frost? She is a coward, who sees what she wants to see. Doc Slaughter? He has no understanding of mutation, his interest in the biological is merely as a shell for the mechanical.” Red Eye chuckled, “The Goddess herself was no scientist, she meandered through by trial and error, never truly understanding her own nature. It was only Doctor Glue and I who ever truly unlocked the secrets of IMP, and now I have mastered it.”

“You’re an alicorn?”

Red Eye laughed heartily, “Oh I’m so much more Dust Kicker. How do you think I found this frequency, hacked into an artificial intelligence built for hacking? I have real power now Dust Kicker, the power to truly save this world.”

Dust was entrapped, hanging on his every word. He felt like a young stallion again, desiring affection, approval, the kind word and praise of that grand messianic father figure, “What do you want with me?”

“Nothing, yet.” Red Eye intoned, “Continue with your journey, learn more about this land. I will be watching... and we will talk again.”

The voice faded, leaving just the static of his passing. After a moment Puppy finally spoke up, sounding a little confused, “What happened? My feed just... are you ok uncle sir?”

Dust simply nodded robotically, “Yeah, fine.”

Their destination finally came upon them, as creepy as he had imagined the lair of Nightmare Moon to be. The archway, once brightly colored, now broken and grey, read ‘Land of Dreams’ in faded zebra script. Beyond was a depressing and unsettling graveyard of tentpoles and long collapsed carousels, the shattered remains of once cheerful dioramas lying in tangled heaps. Dust’s eyes moved up to the two long since broken heavy turrets mounted on the entryway, along with the rather heavy duty guard outpost and the electric fence around the outside, “Heavy security for a theme park.”

Bleak snorted angrily as he advanced, kicking aside a rusted helmet lying on the ground, “Didn’t want any dirty ponies getting in. You only got in here if you were a real high muck, apparently this area was once one of the richest in the zebra empire.”

“They must have wanted to make sure they could relax without having to worry about assassination or kidnap attempts from Equestrian Special forces.” Zenai moved over, her eyes moving over to the skeleton of one of the zebra guards. He lay slumped across the bones of a much smaller zebra, a long decayed dragon toy having rolled from its mouth. She bit her lip, her voice choked, “It really brings home the reality of war doesn’t it...?”

“Dust...”

Dust deactivated the speakers to reply to Puppy’s tearful squeak, “What is it?”

“My sensors indicate... this park was targeted by a megaspell. They targeted a theme park for foals?”

Dust sighed. It was logical after all, “They wanted to take out the zebra leadership. You heard what Bleak said, this place must have been full of them.”

“But all those children...”

“Children are just undeveloped adults. Every zebra here would have been trained from birth to rule in the exact same manner as their parents.” Dust stepped into the park, turning his head to a large ‘Strive!’ poster on the far wall and taking a deep breath, “War is not a friendly game between gentlestallions, no matter how they might tell you differently.”

Bleak turned his head to Dust, his eyes moving to the poster, “Those things are everywhere. I tore most of them down, but that one seems to be stuck fast.”

Puppy’s picture suddenly disappeared from the top of the screen, a spinning hourglass replacing her for a second or two before she reappeared. To Dust’s surprise she now sounded exited, her eyes wide with childish enthusiasm, “Uncle sir, there’s an electronic storage device behind that poster!”

Ah, clever. Hidden behind a governmental poster that no one could remove. Dust grinned and inspected it, noting it was indeed printed on some kind of specially laminated plastic that was stuck hard to the wall, “You know, if I was them this would be exactly where I would hide treasure...”

Bleak’s eyes lit up quite hilariously, “Treasure?!”

Zenai sighed, “Be serious Dust.”

“No, really. Stand back.” Dust brought out his knife and jammed it hard into the brickwork, trying to lever the poster away. After a couple of attempts he managed to get into some kind of opening behind, getting a firm lever on the post and slowly peeling it away. Inside was a small hollow space, containing a memory orb, a data chip and a bag of zebra currency, “Hmm, treasure.”

“Damn, it really is.” Bleak grinned like a child as he was handed the coins, staring at them in awe, “That’s so cool.”

Dust left him to his cooing, taking the data chip and adding it to his pipboy. It didn’t take a moment for... line after line of total gibberish to fill his screen, “Well that was disappointing.”

Puppy interrupted politely, “Actually it’s encoded. Allow me uncle sir, it looks like a Ministry of Awesome code.”

Dust settled in for a wait, rather impressed when a loud ring almost immediately sounded out and the text was replaced by clear lines, “Wow... that was quick.”

Puppy replied with heartaching innocence, seeming to have gotten over her earlier sadness with surprising swiftness, “My pleasure uncle sir!”

Dust grinned and started to read through the document, it appeared to be a status report from one of the Equestrian spies in the country, a rather interesting find if not really relevant to their situation. Still, worth a read.

‘Report of Ministry of Awesome Operative Rancid Apple, Moral levels among the Zebra Command Structure.

For the attention of Operation Commander Cloud Abacus.

For easy categorisation the Zebra leadership can be broken down into four sections, the Merchant Families, the Royal Supporters, the Civic Authorities and the Academy of Science.

Caesar attempted to break the power of the Merchant Families early in his rule but the more pragmatic and careful among them managed to survive with their influence intact, and as expected they have expanded and gained more and more power as lucrative military contracts continue. This is the group most supportive of peace, almost openly observing that a loss by the Empire would not necessarily be bad for them.
Their assessment of their situation confirms what is suggested by Equestrian analysts. The war can carry on for another two more years before the zebra economy collapses. This is the loss condition for the Merchant Families, and therefore they are eager to ensure conflict ends before this point.

The Royal Supporters are Caesar’s inner circle, consisting of old nobility, the shaman of Garm and other members of the upper class. While they could be expected to be the true believers the truth is much more complex. Caesar himself commands much respect, but his stubbornness in the face of certain defeat leads many of the nobility to seek his peaceful deposition. They hope that once this is done they might sue for peace, and save their positions and status. The principle figure in this endeavor is the Prince himself, Nashar, but in this he might have unfortunately harmed his cause. He has built himself a reputation someone similar to that of Fluttershy, with a circle of devoted supporters greatly outnumbered by a much larger group of those who consider him disloyal and possibly traitorous. This has divided the deposition group, and unfortunately no other figure exists who could successfully unite them.

The civil authorities have borne the brunt of the war, and ironically are the most in support of it. They are now fighting for revenge and pride, and most have had the true extent of the Empire’s increasingly negative outlook hidden from them for so long that they now deny it. The Church of the Holy Flame is active in demonising Luna among the masses, and they view any peace between the zebra and Equestria as a trap or trick. Unfortunately this group has great influence, the nobility are mostly distant from their subjects and the merchant families actively distrusted. They will be the greatest threat to the chances of peace.

The final group is the most enigmatic, and indeed they seem to have very little interest in politics. What I have seen however convinces me that they have gone to significant effort to earn themselves the ears of the powerful and plenty of political favors. This group also has the clearest leader, Zenospira, who commands almost religious devotion among his followers. What is clear is that they have planned for any and all eventualities, benefiting greatly from the resources given to them while preparing well for the possibility of invasion. Many of their facilities, especially the central hub in the capital, are reinforced beyond that of any other facility. This is justified by the sensitive research carried out, however evidence suggests those defenses are designed primarily to deal with large scale assault, not espionage. It is quite likely that they intend to bar their doors and barter for a favorable position once an invasion comes. This also means they have little interest in peace, rather that they benefit from the war as long as possible. This group will need to be brought, at great expense most likely, before they will willingly agree to cessation of hostilities.

I have also included a memory orb, containing the details of Caesar’s ‘Hand of History’ speech. While it contains little new information, it offers another perspective on the event that may prove useful to the Ministry of Image’

“Anything interesting?”

Dust shook his head, tucking the data chip away into his saddlebag, “No, just old reports on zebra long dead. Can anyone access this memory orb?”

“Luna can.” Bleak turned, pocketing the coins as he continued on into the fairground, “Let’s go. Still a short distance yet.”

They continued on at his direction, passing through more broken remnants of once happy childhood memories. There were a lot of small skeletons here, the almost totally devastated ruins of a fortification built upon the mountain covered in colorful banefire flowers. Zenai grimaced as she stepped across the remains of a foal, half buried in the dust, “Why is this place abandoned? It’s defensible, it’s got standing structures, supplies...”

Bleak snorted cheerfully, grinning to himself, “It’s haunted. Every zebra knows it’s full of killer ghosts.”

Dust had heard that story before. He looked around carefully, spotting one of their ‘ghosts’ after a moment or two. The gleam of a scope, perched in the hollow shell of a dragon sculpture nearby. The classic ‘ghost’ deterrent, a silenced sniper rifle and a couple of deadfalls. He had seen it work, raiders were never too smart, “And why didn’t the ghosts eat you?”

“Because this place was made for us, back when we weren’t just disposable tools for thugs and monsters.” Bleak turned to look back at them, smirking at Dust, “You’re our designated adult I guess.”

Zenai’s response was predictable, “I’m an adult too you know.”

“Lady, I’ve taken dumps bigger than you.”

Dust ignored her irritated grumbling as they approached what seemed to be their destination. Built into the mountain that shielded the side of the park was what looked like a mine entrance, sporting rails, mine carts and a ticket booth, along with a large sign over it that read ‘Dusklight. Enter into Adventure!’, “Are we going down there?”

Bleak smirked, “Couldn’t turn down that invitation could we?”

They continued into the cave, darkness consuming them for a few moments before Bleak pushed open a large wooden door and led them into wondrous light. Fairy lights had been threaded along the cave walls, every now and then illuminating some colorful graffiti. Much of it was generic, slurs written in zebra script. Some however formed elaborate pictures of dragons, battle and all sorts of other topics, Dust immediately picking out a few in particular. One depicted a group of zebra legionnaires killing ponies, an arrow pointing to one of the zebra in particular. It marked him as ‘my brother’. Another depicted a large group of crying zebra surrounding a destroyed building. Another struck him immediately, Zenai giving a little squeak behind. A whole group of figures wearing what was clearly the same armor as Chigaru, pink smoke wafting from them to kill everything around.

Zenai spoke up eventually, her voice echoing, “These are all pre-war?”

Bleak snorted dismissively, “Guess so. We call this the hall of memories, Princess Luna wouldn’t let us touch them. Said it would be like destroying a book.” He shrugged in confounded disbelief, “What’s wrong with destroying a book? They burn pretty good.”

Zenai frowned at him, “I take it you don’t read.”

“Ebony tried to teach me once. Don’t much see the point, just a bunch of stupid stories.” He shrugged, “Already got enough book lovers down here. It’s making their heads soft.”

Dust Kicker was impressed, this making him a little better disposed towards them. He himself had only learned to read sometime after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows, and reading material had still been difficult to get hold of back then. He had treasured every book, “Is Princess Luna a fan?”

Bleak snorted, “She’s almost as bad as Radhi. She’s always in her library, nose in a book. Must be a unicorn thing.”

The area into which they emerged instantly caused Dust to tense in anticipation, wondering if it was intentional to make this place a total kill zone. The three exits, one on each side were all raised and reachable by a curving staircase, with a small landing in front of each easily big enough to support a trio of ponies. The natural advantages of the position had been reinforced with makeshift fortifications, fairground debris nailed together to form a rather impressive barrier to anyone stupid enough to charge down a dark cave after these kids.

There was also rather a large amount of firepower pointing out towards them, and though those wielding it were small Dust wasn’t about to underestimate them.

“Stars watching guys.” Bleak spoke the words loudly, stepping out in front, “They’re good, on our side.”

“That remains to be seen.” A thin, lithe young pegasus jumped down, his movements agile and dangerous as the rifle at his side hovered over them, “Adults have no place here! Why have you brought them Bleak?!”

Bleak pulled a rather offended looking face, pouting back at the prowling pony, “Hey, they know Luna alright? They’re the ones she’s been talking about.”

The pegasus let his eyes wander across the group... until they settled on Dust Kicker. Then he became angry, his tone thick with growled menace “You’re the one who shot the Princess.”

Oh great, so this was the resident ‘angry little thug’. Manning the guard station, typical, “She was attacking me.”

“And you got real lucky.” The pegasus growled, “Maybe I’ll pay you back for that right now.”

Dust remembered quickly where he was, this was a bunch of teenagers, and this was some cocky pissing match with a big shot who wanted to impress his peers by picking a fight with an authority figure. Dust had little enthusiasm for indulging him, it was both pointless and considering his recent experiments with getting into fights with those younger than him, likely to result in an asskicking. The pegasus had the same build as Ace, and was clearly an officer of some kind. He was likely to have earned that status, “I’ve no interest in fighting you.”

The pegasus snorted, shoving Dust lightly before darting away, crouched and ready “What’s the matter, you too good for us? Not wanting to make the little babies cry huh?”

Dust chuckled casually, “No, you’d likely beat the crap out of me. You normally pick fights with fat old farts?”

The pegasus paused, his expression cold and accusing, “You’re not that old, and you made Princess Luna bleed. Don’t you insult me by saying that was easy.”

“You said it, I got lucky.”

He growled, shoving Dust one more time, “Fuck you! You think I’m a joke? You think I’m funny? You think...”

Ace stepped forward, blocked the pegasus’s hoof, and slammed his own into the buck's face with a single quick thrust.

The pegasus hit the ground hard, rolled and leapt back up with a fearsome yell. He charged with a thrust of his wings, struck into the air by another hoof thrust from Ace. To his credit he recovered quickly from this one too, expanding his wings to halt his flight and diving back into the fray. Ace tried to strike him again as he came in but the pegasus dodged with impressive speed, hitting the ground rolling and diving under his guard to strike Ace hard in the chest. The unicorn grunted and recoiled away, allowing the pegasus to get a firm hold and bear him to the ground.

“Stop! What the hell Ace!” Zenai’s voice sounded out as the fight continued, stamping her hoof on the floor, “Are you listening!?”

“Shut up lady, this is great.” Bleak grinned at the pair as they rolled across the ground, punching and dodging, “I’m not even sure who I want to win. That Ace kid is great, and Swift Crimson getting punched never gets old.”

The pegasus kicked Ace away, giving him a second to catch his breath. He used it to glare darkly at Bleak, panting between words, “I’m kicking your ass next Bleak.”

“You’ll have to deal with me first.” Ace stated, diving back into the fight and bearing Swift Crimson to the ground with a hard tackle.

“For Celestia’s...” Zenai turned her glare to Dust, “Dust, stop this!”

“Boys will be boys...” He could only sigh, watching the fight with casual interest. This Swift Crimson was pretty good, and was getting thrashed slightly less impressively than Dust himself had been. Ace clearly had the upper hand still, but the pegasus had landed a few blows at least, “They’ll be finished soon.”

“You little...” Swift Crimson grabbed futilely at Ace’s hooves, trying to drive the unicorn back, “...let go of my...”

“Stop this at once!”

The words hadn’t been stated that loudly, but there was something about them that demanded attention. All the spectators instantly stared anywhere but the fight, trying not to look guilty, the fight however continued for a few more seconds before the young zebra who had spoken stopped before the two participants. Both eventually noted the silence and rolled away to stare at the new arrival, trying not to limp from their injuries.

Dust Kicker himself observed this new figure, seemingly commanding a lot of respect. And he did carry himself well, small and slim, but calm and dignified all the same. Surprisingly he was a zebra, pretty and soft looking, with large expressive eyes and a soft coat that hadn’t seen the hard living some of the others had. He spoke with a calm diction that spoke of education, his tone respectful but firm, “What is going on here? Who are these visitors?”

“Spies!”

“Guests.”

Swift Crimson glared at Bleak, “You keep speaking up, and so help me I’ll...”

The zebra glared, his voice sharp and precise, “Swift Crimson!”

The pegasus turned slowly to the zebra, looking chastised, “Yes Radhi... he started it.”

Ace snorted, sulkily rubbing a bruise on his face, “He was picking on us...”

“Both of you.” Radhi turned his eyes to Swift Crimson, giving a deep sigh before offering him a hoof, “I understand that you just want to protect her, but this isn’t the way to do it. It’s not worthy of you Swift.”

Swift Crimson let him help him to his hooves, looking embarrassed, “I’m sorry Radhi...”

“And I understand you’re looking after your friends, but we will not tolerate fighting here.” Radhi stared firmly at Ace, “Swift Crimson can get rough sometimes, but using your hooves to solve a dispute just makes things worse.”

Ace Gold actually blushed very noticeably at the chastising, looking deeply nervous as his eyes darted around the cavern, “M’sorry...”

“Good, thank you.” Radhi drew back, letting the tension out with a deep exhalation of breath. His bright, intelligent eyes now moved to Dust Kicker, nodding smartly and moving to meet them, “Did I hear right, you are the friends of Star Swirl that engaged Princess Luna in combat recently?”

Zenai stepped forward, eyes hopeful, “Is she here? Is she alright?”

“She is safe.” Radhi didn’t seem too confident of that, still he locked his face firmly, “She is with a mutual friend, whose identity I am not yet at liberty to divulge.”

Zenai’s face dropped, “A mutual friend...?”

“She is ok, I assure you. I made sure if it myself.” Radhi sighed, looking sympathetic, “I understand you are worried, the young lady has attracted the interest of many powerful figures. Still, none of them wish her harm, quite the opposite in fact.”

Dust looked across at Zenai, the zebra looking totally crushed. She had obviously convinced herself that Star Swirl was here, and the true extent of her worry was now made clear in her face. Dust turned back to Radhi, his tone questioning, “So your Princess contracts her services out now? To who? Star Fall?”

“National allegiance isn’t quite as clear cut as you might think sir.” Radhi answered gravely, “And the Princess isn’t a mercenary. Whatever services she offers, she offers out of her sense of justice and friendship.”

Zenai answered angrily, obviously still upset, “Friendship to who!? Themba!?”

Radhi gave her a disapproving glare, mirrored by an angry, protective look from Swift Crimson and the tensing of the ponies at the barricade, “Maybe you should just come and ask her yourself. The Princess will want to meet you.”

They moved through the caverns behind Radhi, an uneasy silence embracing them. Bleak had left them at the entrance, and now they had only the suspicious stares of the other foals they passed for company. Dust Kicker couldn’t help but feel like a prisoner, escorted to his fate under the watchful stare of disapproving civilians.

And then they emerged into the main cavern.

It was... beautiful, even to Dust’s old eyes. The cavern was awash with color, lit with endless rows of Hearthwarming style fairy lights in ever shade imaginable. Crystal baubles shimmered, vast murals scrawled across the walls in chalk given astonishing life by the spectrum of light around them. And the cave itself was breathtaking. A freshwater spring rushed across a pile of smooth rocks and into a river running through the centre, wooden walkways spanning the spaces between the huge stalagmites that dotted the cavern. Wooden structures housed sleeping and eating areas, a hive of bustling activity as young foals worked and played among the rock and stone. Other caverns led off from the main area, from the way they were lit Dust figured there had to be even more than he could see, “Pretty impressive.”

Radhi seemed pleased by the praise, nodding cheerfully and giving them a big, happy grin, “Welcome to Dusklight.”

Dust was pleased that the tension seemed to have finally disappeared, taking the opportunity to question the young zebra, “You’ve got it surprisingly figured out down here. No offense, but when I heard the group was run by foals I thought...”

“That we would collapse into anarchy?” Radhi chuckled as he led them through the cave, “It threatens to do so on occasion, but we have enough smart heads to keep everything together. Swift Crimson you’ve met, and please don’t hold that affair at the entrance against him. He can be hot blooded and hasty, but he has guided and protected everyone here with honor and fairness.”

Zenai couldn’t help sniffing a little, “He just doesn’t like us?”

“Is he not justified in feeling a little threatened? His family were killed by slavers, he himself captured and mistreated at their hands. Many here have the same story, and it has sadly colored their perception of adults.” A somewhat cheeky smile eased across his face, “And he is among the most protective of the Princess. He was the one who picked out the bullet that you hit her with, and it may be a long time before he forgives you for that.”

That seemed very medieval to Dust, “Don’t you have any healing potions?”

Radhi smiled back at them, “Princess Luna regenerates from all damage. She refused to waste a healing potion on herself, when we have so many others who need them. That is the kind of pony she is.”

Dust stored that away, feeling his perceptions of the Princess slip away. This place didn’t have the look of somewhere under a tyrannical rule, or a cult ruled by a madwoman. There was still so much that could be wrong with her, but she was no monster, “Do you have a lot of sickness here then?”

“They’re children.” Radhi sighed, shaking his head wearily, “Not all of us are that smart about what we eat and drink, and we lack well trained doctors. We do our best, Niyada was a household slave, she knows how to organize cooking and cleaning and is great with the young foals. Ebony looked after her alcoholic father and her younger brothers for years, she’s the calmest and most patient pony you'll ever meet, not to mention has a very smart head on her shoulders.”

Zenai nodded at him, “And you?”

He gave a shy smile, chuckling nervously, “I was apprentice to a tribal wise woman, an utter fraud who maintained her position with nothing but sugar water and a bit of theatre. She did however inherit a very large library, and though she had no interest in it I must admit to frequently neglecting my chores to hoof through those tomes. Her work also gave me some idea of what to expect, though it’s a never ending struggle to be sure. We have a large population, and not many of them possess useful skills.”

Dust Kicker could imagine. Many of the children he saw within the cave didn’t look too productive, though he saw some mushroom farming down below and others maintaining the lighting, “You farm?”

“Yes, though we’re struggling to diversify our diet. Unfortunately the land outside is irradiated, we’re still forced to rely on taxes from the other villages to support ourselves.” Radhi shook his head, “I wish it wasn’t so, it leads to bad blood as much as anything else. Not to mention you’ve likely heard reports of bullying, vandalism... they’re children, well armed children with plenty of anger to work off.”

Zenai shivered slightly, her voice strained, “That sounds like a recipe for disaster. Do you have guards, a prison system? How do you keep order?”

Radhi gave an exhausted sigh, “We’ve exiled three, and executed two. The votes were almost unanimous in both cases fortunately. That is... not the easiest part of my job. Fortunately Swift Crimson is happy to handle most of our law enforcement.”

“What did they do?”

“The exiled? One killed several innocents on a tax run, she tried to justify it but it was clear she was doing it out of simple undirected wrath. Another was just causing trouble, stealing and bullying and would not stop. The third raped a girl, it was her mercy that saved him from harsher judgement.” His face fell, “The executions? Murder, and rape. Both with little remorse, and little choice on our part. We do have a prison too, though we try not to keep ponies there long term. We talk to those who committed the crimes, try to help and guide them. Fortunately it seems to have worked, with only a few reoffending.”

Dust was... impressed by how well they had things organised, and how clearly they were making their decisions. Leadership of a band this size was hard enough, even without them being traumatised children. If Radhi was honest about their lack of specialised skills that was even more impressive, “I’m honestly not sure how you’ve held all this together.”

Radhi chuckled, giving him a somewhat goofy grin, “Because of Princess Luna. When one of the foals gets uppity with us, all it takes is one mention of her and they’re all too eager to do exactly what we say. She saved everypony here, she tells us stories about our past, teaches us how to live and behave... they all love her. We all love her.”

Zenai cocked her head, a mixture of tease and honest curiosity on her face, “You love her?”

“Ahah... not like that.” He gave a warm grin, deeply amused by the insinuation, “I was with her from the beginning, along with Swift Crimson. I’ve seen her struggle, find this place, find children to fill it. She’s dear to every creature here, and I’m honoured to really know the mare herself.”

“And what’s she like?”

“Dedicated, kind, motivated by compassion for the weak above all things.” He smiled warmly, “Often a little silly, and yes, rather vain. And she’s had a hard life, her world view is sometimes a little too black and white because of it.”

“Interesting metaphor there.” Zenai stated sharply, her tone accusing, “Considering she’s loudly stated that she hates zebra. Which makes me wonder why you’re in her inner council.”

Radhi sighed, looking depressed as he nodded his head. He wrestled with his words for several seconds, finally deciding what he wanted to say, “She has... suffered at the hooves of zebra, and Luna is sometimes slow to forgive. I hope that my friendship can change her mind on the matter, but it is a slow process.” He gave Zenai a kind, apologetic look, “She doesn’t really hate zebra, but she is still looking for something to blame for the state of the world. Zebra, adults, stallions... she has expressed dislike of all, yet I see little real sincerity in her words.”

Dust nodded. He had seen it before, in too many foals to count, “She’s hurt and lashing out.”

“Yes.”

“That could be dangerous, paired with a big old chunk of alicorn.”

Radhi gave a firm look, standing a little straighter, “I admit, Luna was almost feral when I first encountered her. It took a lot of kindness, and a lot of time to make her the leader she is now. And no, she is not always even tempered, or considered, or beyond reproach. But this here? This is her true heart, her legacy. Happy children, living in safety.” He turned and smiled as they came towards a large, fancy looking door set into the cave wall, decorated with painted flowers and stars, along with a clumsy yet very sweet portrait of a large, black alicorn, “Here we are. She should be just inside.”

He wasn’t expecting what was behind the door, though maybe he should have. It must have been a staff room for the complex at one point as it departed from the cave decor for plaster and tile, obviously having been repainted and repaired quite recently. Now it was a library, and a rather impressive one all things considered. Bookcases of all designs and sizes were pushed up against the walls, each creaking under the weight of hundreds of books. A table sat in the centre, several tomes lying open there. Radhi smiled at their awestruck reactions as he cantered past, heading to one of the two doors at the far end, “Please, wait here. I will fetch Princess Luna.”

He exited, Dust getting but a brief glimpse of what appeared to be a study decorated in pink and black before the heavy oaken door slammed shut once again.

“Hey, take a look at this, she’s studying unicorn magic.”

Ace trotted over to the book Zenai was inspecting, turning it over so he could see the cover, “Oh, it’s Princess Luna’s ‘Empire Arcana’. It’s a manual for elite Unicorn soldiers, issued during the war. Pretty good so I hear, once you’ve got round her rather unique writing style.”

Zenai grimaced as she read through the text, “Is this even Equestrian?”

“You’re not a unicorn. High level spell casting is just like high level maths, and twice as incomprehensible to beginners.” He gazed over the book, his eyes quickly dropping, “But yeah, Celestia is a much better writer.”

Dust smirked, “Keep that to yourself Ace.”

He just snorted, “Yeah, yeah. I’m not about to cause a diplomatic incident by accusing our host of needing an editor and a smaller thesaurus.”

It was good timing, as it wasn’t a moment later before said host entered, her eyes floating imperiously across the three before her. She was exactly as Dust remembered her, tall, slim and alien looking, her fur pitch black and oddly shiny. She was wearing a rather over elaborate purple dress that made her look a bit like a liquorish allsort, still the copious ruffles did at least make her seem even bigger than she already was. Silence reigned for a moment or two before she spoke, voice magically amplified, “So, you have finally come before me.”

Dust stepped forward, aware he needed to be cautious, “We have.”

“Why?”

“Because you offered your hoof to Zenai once. Is that offer still available?”

Luna’s eyes grew dark and angry, “You rejected my offer.”

“You didn’t exactly make a great first impression.” Dust raised his hoof, casually pointing it out, “You’re dark and scary, and you work with psychopathic killers. It’s hardly...”

Luna stopped him with a warning look, almost shaking with anger. Radhi noticed her distress and moved to touch her but she suddenly whirled on him, her voice a sharp bark, “Radhi, leave us.”

“Luna, I...”

“Go.”

He sighed and did as she asked, sparing one last glance in their direction before the door slammed closed. Dust sighed at his exit, looking back up at Luna, “Now, can we talk seriously...”

He saw Luna’s horn surge, felt the magic seize him in its grip. He tried to fight but it was too strong, the magic forcing his hooves to his side and his head back, her horn sparking as his attempts to resist came to nothing. He was flung backwards, Zenai screaming as he was sent hurtling into the wall. Zenai shouted something at Princess Luna but the alicorn simply ignored her, sweeping her out of the way with a single hoof as she advanced on Dust. Her eyes burned with dark anger, her voice firm and warning, “Mention anything like that in front of my children again, and I will kill you. Is that understood?”

Dust grinned through the pain, forcing himself upwards, “Really huh...? How much... are you hiding from them?”

“The unimportant things.” Princess Luna’s head turned briefly to the exit, her teeth grinding, “Radhi grew up in a stable environment, learned about the world through books. He doesn’t understand the things we must do. The others? They’ve already seen enough.”

“That... that’s just excuses.” Zenai spoke up behind, quiet at first, but quickly growing in confidence, “All those ponies in Estelle, you killed them! For what?”

Luna frowned, dropping Dust to the ground and reluctantly drawing away from him. Her expression was still firm and proud, not letting away a hint of weakness or guilt, “I did not kill them, those dirty mercenaries did. The death toll would have been far higher if I was not there.”

Dust narrowed his eyes at this. According to reports the death toll had been near total, “How so?”

“I wandered through the dreams of the inhabitants there for several days, got to know them. Most were corrupt, money loving bastards, creatures no pony would miss.” She gave a proud regal look, her eyes daring the others to comment, “Some of the children could be saved though. I took them away long before the town’s destruction, wiped their memories and brought them here. I saved them.”

Ace spoke up now, his voice holding genuine shock and horror, “You wiped their memories?”

“Remembering their parents would have only caused them pain. I spared them that.”

“That’s crazy. You’re crazy.”

She glared, “Insult me again at your peril foal. What do you think I should have done?”

Ace just stared back undaunted, his tone harsh and uncensored, “Not work with psychopaths and loonies?”

Dust wouldn’t have put it like that, but the basic principle was there, “Themba doesn’t care about anything but his own advancement Princess. He’s just using you.”

“Themba?” She laughed with childish glee, “He’s a fool, a patsy, a pawn. He’s not in charge of his own bowel movements.” Her face darkened, “He’s also a thug, and a murderer. I’m looking forward to the day he finally gets his comeuppance.”

“So why are you working with him?”

Luna frowned, lip curling, “Because I’m not a child! We all have to do things we don’t like, work with those we don’t get along with. I was promised a new Equestria, where all these children can live in peace and happiness. If I have to work with... scum like Nazri and Themba to achieve that, so be it.”

Zenai shook her head, clearly not convinced, “You’re going to have to explain to me how slaughtering an entire town helps make a safer world.”

“And you’re going to have to realise I’m not going to explain my entire plan to the ponies who were shooting at me a few days before.” Luna glared at them, holding herself imperiously, “Did you really come here for my help? Because I think you’re just here because you want to learn how to stop me.”

Screw it. Dust decided to change his tactics, realising this mare wasn’t quite as foolish as he had thought. That meant a slightly different approach, “You’re right, we were.” He ignored Zenai and Ace’s incredulous glares, focusing instead on Luna’s ‘increasingly angry but still curious’ one, “But that was when you were just some lone killer working for psychopaths. Is it true what you said? Do you really care about these foals?”

Luna glared at him. Then she looked away, troubled and conflicted. Her lip quivered and she gulped down her nervousness, setting her face firm and speaking her words clearly, “More than anything. I would kill for them, I would die for them. I want a world where they can grow up happy and fulfilled, and I’m willing to do anything to achieve that.” She looked back at him, firm and angry, “And that is not weakness, that’s strength.”

Dust nodded, trying his best to look sincere. It wasn’t hard, even he couldn’t help but be moved by her dedication to such lofty ideals. They were ideals that justified madness and death, but that wasn’t her fault, not really. He had grown up a raider, he knew first hand that all the good intentions in the world could go astray without the correct upbringing. And if this was really Princess Luna... then she was very badly damaged, “Then you have my loyalty.”

“I...” Luna hesitated, obviously moved by his declaration. She blushed and looked away, hiding her face as she shook ever so slightly, “...thank you. Not many adults have ever... believed me. Wanted to help me. Cared.”

Dust figured now was as good a time as any to ask more questions, now that she was vulnerable. He had to know more about what they were working with here after all, “Those villages that were destroyed, those parents that were killed. What happened?”

Her head rose, eyes wet yet full of righteous anger, “That village, Kokroc... I sent one of my lieutenants down there, to announce the destruction of the ruling powers and demand tribute.” Fresh tears ran down her face as she continued, “Her name was Melody Waters, she was thirteen years old. She was my best friend.”

Zenai spoke in a choked whisper, “They killed her?”

“They did worse. And when they were done they dumped the bodies of her and her companions out in the ditch.” Princess Luna reared dangerously, her body radiating barely constrained power, “So yes, I killed them all, I strung their bodies up, I burned their houses. I did it so that every zebra knows just what I’m capable of if they dare hurt my children, so that I never have to... look at that again! As for the others I killed? If you had seen the condition of the children when I found them, you would not be so quick to judge me.”

Ace grunted, “You can’t just go around killing folks...”

“Why not?” She questioned sharply, “That is what this world is built on, kill or be killed. For too long the good, the gentle, the innocent have gone unprotected. I will kill for them, I will be judge and jury. It is what those bastards out there in the waste did, before I flayed them alive and left them cooling in the sun.”

Ace wasn’t daunted, “We need to be better than that.”

“I am better.” She waved a hoof, “You see those happy, laughing foals out there? That’s being better, that’s making a difference. Not sitting there, and letting them kick us around.”

Ace frowned aggressively, raising his voice, “That’s... what would this world be like if everyone did that?”

“Safer. Happier.”

“I...” Ace glared across at her, eyes uncertain, “...it’s not right.”

Dust gave Ace Gold a sympathetic look, understanding his concerns. Honestly there were issues he himself had with Princess Luna’s actions, but those were something he could address later. They could do a lot of good here, “We can discuss issues of morality later. For now, are we free to stay Princess?”

She nodded, “Yes. Just stay out of trouble, and don’t leave the cave without an escort.” She turned, looking troubled and a little grumpy, “Radhi will show you round.”

They emerged from the room, Dust quickly locating Radhi sitting on a cliff ledge staring out into space. He turned as they approached, a somewhat forced smile plastered across his face, “Is everything alright?”

Zenai nodded softly, “Yes... it’s not quite as simple as we thought. I think we’ve reached an understanding.”

“That’s good.” Radhi nodded without enthusiasm, “She’s a lovely girl.”

Dust noted the tone those words were said in. He was obviously still a little upset about his swift ejection, “I’m sorry for what happened in there, I...”

“Don’t...!” Radhi tensed up, his eyes warning, “...just... don’t.”

Silence reigned for a couple of seconds before Zenai spoke up, voice soft, “It’s not as bad as it sounded. We were just angry.”

Radhi sighed, pursing his lips for a moment in frustration. His voice sounded weary as he spoke, “I know she’s hiding things from me. Things I wouldn’t approve of.”

Dust answered him seriously, “She’s trying to protect you all, provide for you.”

“I’m not ungrateful. Or... judging her.” Radhi shook his head, looking heartbroken, “I’m worry about her. She’s my best friend, and a good, noble pony like no other I’ve met. And I’m worried she might lose herself, or get hurt. I’m worried that she can’t talk to us about the burdens she faces.”

Zenai nodded sympathetically, “Have you tried talking to her about it?”

“No, for the same reason I’m not asking you now!” He stared at them in horror at the idea, eyes suddenly wide and voice raised. Then he dropped his head, voice lowered once more to a saddened drone, “I’m a coward. Princess Luna knows me well, if she’s hiding it from me then she knows it’s something I would disapprove of. Something that would damage my respect for her, and our friendship. I... don’t want that.”

“I can understand that.” Dust spoke plainly and respectfully, feeling for the boy. He spoke like an adult, clearly had his head on straight. It was easy to forget he looked like he was fifteen at the most. Most adults wouldn’t be able to deal with these issues, “Now we’re here, we’ll do our best to keep her away from any bad decisions.”

Radhi looked up at them in amazement, eventually smiling wide and nodding, “Thank you... by the lords, it will be nice to have some more competent souls around here.”

Dust chuckled, “You seem to be doing all right.”

“Sir, I’m was an apprentice to a village wise woman, a village of dirt farmers and chicken herders. I learned how to deliver babies, treat a fever, set a bone.” Radhi shook his head in amazement, “Now I’m asked to advise on the running of a nation, at the bidding of a Princess. To say I’m not cut out for it is an understatement.”

“You are cut out for it.” Dust nodded seriously, “This stuff is hard, and the ponies who find it easy aren’t the sort you want in charge. Never feel embrassed that you need a little help from time to time.”

Radhi grinned, nodding gratefully, “Thank you Dust Kicker. I think you will all fit in just fine.”

__________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (20)

New Perk Added: Eye for Eye
Losing limbs just makes you mad. You gain a 10% bonus to damage for each crippled limb.

Puppy OS Level up! (1)

New Perk Added: Assisted Targeting Level 1
You are especially skilled at providing targeting data to your wielder. They can now add 10% of your weapon skill to their own.

Trait Discovered: Systems Master
You are on the cutting edge of electronic espionage. You have a 200% bonus to all hacking attempts, both resisting and attempting your own.

Chapter 2.5 - Old Dreams

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Chapter 2.5 - Old Dreams

Fluttershy offered a smile to the guard as he opened her gate for her, receiving a smart bow in reply. She stepped through to the familiar and welcome sent of flowers, taking a deep breath and grinning down at Angel beside her. He was as grim and watchful as ever, though even he softened a little at her gaze before stiffening up once more.

The mansion was as controversial and as out of place as she sometimes felt, which was part of why she had fallen in love with it. Sitting in the middle ring of the city in a place normally reserved for the middle class, it dominated all around it. It also stood dramatically opposed to the stark, clean white and gold of the rest of the city, instead a rustic, colorful red brick building covered in ivy and flowers, surrounded by only nominally tamed vegetation. Fluttershy had often longed for the serenity of her home in Ponyville, but she knew well that she was either needed here, or at the front. She needed this place, a small slice of home in the middle of somewhere so very foreign.

The door opened at her approach, her butler Worthy stepping back to allow her entry. She offer a smile to him too and he smiled back, a playful sparkle behind his half moon glasses and regal demeanor, “My lady. Welcome home.”

“Any messages for me Worthy?”

“Several Miss Fluttershy. We have had more correspondence from those you wished not mentioned.”

Fluttershy grunted, feeling an uncharacteristic vindictive hatred seep through her. She didn’t like it, which is why she didn’t entertain even considering their names, “I haven’t changed my mind.”

“Very good Miss.” Worthy bobbed his head, not missing a beat, “Your daughter, Miss Lucky has also left a message, asking you to contact her at the earliest convenience.”

“Earliest convenience?”

Worthy nodded, “Yes Miss. She was inquiring as to no particular subject, merely seeking discourse.”

Fluttershy sighed, warring with herself momentarily. She was aware that she would eventually live to regret her decisions, that history books would paint her in unflattering tones... but they would live to regret them, and historians would write their books. Talking with her children only distracted her, upset her, made her doubt herself. She couldn’t let that happen, not now, “Could you tell her that I’m too busy at present?”

“Of course Miss.” Worthy bowed, no judgement in his genial manner, “Miss Rarity still wishes your response in regards to scheduling your next meeting.”

Meeting... Fluttershy tensed angrily, detesting such dancing around. Worthy wasn’t stupid, so she wasn’t sure exactly what purpose such weasely language served. Maybe Rarity liked it like that, liked the subterfuge of it, the lies and half truths.

Of course she did. And it ‘was’ dishonest, underhanded, illicit. Maybe in a way Rarity was being more honest that she was, “I... ask me later Worthy. After tea.”

“Very well. Will you be taking tea in the sitting room?”

“Yes, thank you Worthy.”

“My pleasure Miss.”

She continued down the corridor, her hooves echoing through the empty house. She liked it empty. She had always lived on her own, and her brief attempt to be a family mare to be honest had grated on her a little. She liked being alone, with just her animals for company. She found other ponies confusing and tiring, drawing out her worst qualities. More and more she felt it was a mistake, oftentimes just wishing her children would just forget her and move on, find somepony more worthy of their affections. She wished they would just be happy, move on and enjoy the life she was fighting to give them.

She moved into the sitting room and relaxed upon the soft cushions at the side of the room, the enchantment on the fireplace sending flickering warmth across her as a soft blaze consumed the wood stocked there. The warmth sent a mild incense drifting outwards, Fluttershy smiling contentedly as she shifted over her copy of ‘Gardener’s Weekly’ and happily planned out her next gardening project.

Not that she had time anymore, but she could dream. She took a little comfort in the fact that her children weren’t the only ones who suffered from this dreadful war. For the last three years it sobered her to realise that she hadn’t taken care of one animal, or planted one flower. Her days were spent tending to ponies, or more often these days stamping paperwork and attending meetings. By Celestia, she had made more speeches than gardening projects over the last few years. Her! Standing on a podium, speaking to ponies who loved her, who stood in the rain to listen to her speak!

War had made fools of them all.

She sat like that for some time, Angel napping with one eye open on an armchair nearby, Worthy arriving to deliver the evening tea before leaving with a polite bow. The silence and contentment allowed Fluttershy’s worries to slip away, the troubles of the war seeming a long way off now. She allowed herself to sink into the cushions, letting her shoulders relax...

“Miss Fluttershy!”

Angel sat bolt upright as Worthy charged into the room, the pony’s eyes wide and terrified. Fluttershy swiftly followed, bounding off the sofa and rounding on her panicking servant. She tried her best to sound calm and reassuring, even though she had never seen Worthy look so flustered, “Worthy, whatever is the matter?”

He took a second to compose himself, straightening his tie before addressing her seriously, “Miss Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash has entered the residence, she is in your study right now.”

“What?!” This took her off guard. It hardly made any kind of sense, Rainbow Dash was barely out of hospital after her stunt back in the zebra empire, Fluttershy hadn’t even been aware that she was back in Equestria. And in her house, without asking her first? It was a poor thing, when mares of the ministry became burglars, “Why didn’t the guards at the gate inform me?!”

“My lady...” Worthy gave her a flustered, confused look, wiping his brow, “She had a warrant to search your premises, and... and arrest if needed.”

Fluttershy felt something cold sink through her, freezing her heart solid and forcing it to lay in her chest like a lead weight. It didn’t make sense...

It made perfect sense. The records of her conversation with Prince Nashar were in her study, the drafts of the Zebra letter of surrender and the Equestrian response. The details of her plan for peace between them...

And under the current laws, proof of treason, “Angel, guard the front door.”

The bunny cocked his head, chittering.

“If you have to. But I am going to the study, to talk to her myself.”

Angel glared, chittering again.

She sounded braver than she felt. Still, nothing good could come of that, “No Angel. Alone.” She shook her fear away, reassuring herself how stupid it was, “If I have anything to fear from Rainbow Dash... no, never mind.”

Angel crossed his arms, beating a foot against the floorboards.

“She’s not a changeling. Or Sombra, or a zebra spy.” She stated it firmly, not sure how she could be so sure but still not thinking it likely. There were plenty of easier ways to get close to her, “Worthy, please go with him.”

The butler nodded, watching her regretfully as she departed, “Yes my lady. Please be cautious.”

Her study was a small place, she really only worked there when dealing with one of her ‘secret’ projects, which for obvious reasons didn’t call for a lot of compromising paperwork. Most of what did exist was stored in a secret drawer under her desk, Fluttershy noting to her disquiet that it had already been found and forced open. The likely culprit was indeed currently standing behind the desk, her eyes moving over was looked like a transcript of one of her conversations with an aide of Nashar’s.

It was Rainbow Dash.

She looked terrible.

The pegasus looked up from the paper, her eyes linking with Fluttershy. They held each other’s gaze for a moment, Fluttershy wavering but quietly indigent all the same, Rainbow Dash tired but with an increasingly furious flame in her eyes. She eventually spoke, her voice harsher and scratchier than it used to be, “Fluttershy. Sorry for not knocking.”

Fluttershy looked across her friend, this being the first time they had spoken face to face in months. Rainbow Dash had lost a lot of weight, and quite a bit of muscle too. It made her look gaunt and old, made the burn scars that still covered parts of her body even worse. She had grown slack in dying her hair and the vivid colours were faded and greying in areas, giving her a dark, grim appearance. Fluttershy gulped down her nervousness at seeing her friend so unfriendly and gaunt, falling back on indignation, “Why didn’t you?! Why break in like...?!”

“Didn’t want to give you a chance to hide these.” Rainbow Dash jabbed a hoof at the papers in front of her, “Pinkie told me about them a long time ago you know. You’re no criminal mastermind.”

Fluttershy gave her a low, accusing stare, “I wasn’t trying to be.”

“All harmless huh?” Rainbow Dash stepped casually round the desk, moving over to the window and staring across the gardens, “I even agreed with you a little. I hate this war too, we all do.”

“Then why do you fight in it!?”

It was a mistake and Fluttershy knew it instantly. Rainbow Dash’s eyes snapped round, eying her with increasing fury as she turned and advanced on her with slow, purposefully steps, “You’re such a... child! No, the zebra aren’t evil. But Caesar is. He hates ponies, he hates Equestria, and we will not be safe until he is defeated!”

Fluttershy gave Rainbow Dash a slightly apologetic look, but quickly followed it with a hard glare, “That’s what I’m trying to do. You saw the letters.”

Rainbow Dash paused, hesitant, angry... “You gave them the megaspell equation.”

Fluttershy felt her legs quiver. Still, she would not be daunted, “I gave Prince Nashar the equation. He will be able...”

“The zebra academy of science already has it Fluttershy! They’re already studying it!”

Fluttershy shivered. How, why...? But it didn’t matter, it didn’t! “Good! Then we cancel out. They have shields that can stop any weapon, so do we. They have spells that can cure any wound, so d...”

Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof down hard, “They’re going to weaponise it Flutttershy!”

“They can’t!” Fluttershy screamed at Rainbow Dash, the anger getting too much. She wouldn’t be lectured to like this, she wouldn’t! She was RIGHT! “Megaspells can’t be weaponised, they’re too powerful, too destructive! You could barely get one small enough to take out a city, they have no tactical value!”

“No tactical value in taking out a city?”

Fluttershy’s heart froze, tears running down her face at the very concept. Her words were slow and purposeful, full of anger, “Ponies... zebra don’t work like that. They’re only fighting to protect their homes, their pride. They are not monsters, and neither are we!” She slammed her own hoof down, raising her voice further, “I refuse to believe that any creature would willingly destroy a whole city, kill millions of civilians. And if they could... then maybe they should, and wipe us all out!”

Rainbow Dash stared long and hard before she spoke again, “High Treason is punishable by execution.”

Fluttershy laughed. She couldn’t help herself, “Are you going to execute me Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash shook her head, not a drop of emotion in her voice, “I’m going to give you to the Royal guard, they’ll execute you. I’ve already drafted up the order to disband the Ministry of Peace, merge what we can into the army.”

Fluttershy took a step back, waiting for the joke, “Be serious...”

“You’ve never seen me more serious Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash dropped her head, moving forward with slow, tired steps, “You’re a traitor, working for the death and destruction of everything I swore to protect. I’m the element of loyalty, and I cannot look the other way any longer.”

Fluttershy shook her head. This wasn’t happening, “Then be loyal... to me...”

Rainbow Dash looked up, dark hatred in her every twitch and glare, “You stupid, selfish mare.” She tensed, teeth grinding, “You think I want to arrest you, send you to the firing squad, watch you die in disgrace? You think your family wants that?”

Fluttershy snapped at the low blow, “Don’t bring my family into it!”

“YOU STUPID LITTLE SHIT!” Rainbow Dash galloped forward, taking Fluttershy in a tackle and slamming her into the wall behind. Fluttershy gasped as her windpipe was blocked by Dash’s elbow, her right forehoof forced behind her back. Spittle struck her face as Rainbow Dash leaned close, the smell of alcohol on her breath, “You haven’t even spoken to them in months, haven’t spoken to me! You don’t care about any of us, that’s why you did this! You only care about being right, proving that we were all stupid fools for not joining hooves and singing our troubles away!”

“You... are!” Fluttershy’s anger snapped completely, filling her body as she threw her full weight against the mare. Rainbow Dash was helpless again the difference in size, overbalanced and sent toppling over. Fluttershy made sure to land with full force upon the mare, causing her to gasp as the air exploded out of her lungs.

Unfortunately it then became a wrestling match, and Rainbow Dash became a military veteran. It took barely seconds for her to get Fluttershy into a chokehold, bending her hoof at an angle that rendered it useless and extremely painful, “What exactly is your plan Fluttershy? Beam with radiant magnificence so brightly that we’ll all eventually come around? No, wait! It’s ‘give us weapons so powerful we’ll realise how horrible war is’!”

“As if... it wasn’t... obvious!” Fluttershy eventually broke free, staggering onto her hooves and kicking out as Rainbow Dash closed once more. Her clumsy blow was blocked and she was swept onto her back, striking out to grab Dash’s shoulders as the pegasus leapt on top of her. She grunted, struggling against her friend as she spat her words, “Look at you, buying into their lies! You used to hate the war, used to hate killing!”

“I. Still. DO!” Rainbow Dash punched her three times in the face with swift, military precision, sending Fluttershy’s head ringing. The final blow cut her face and sent her slumping back, Rainbow Dash panting heavily from the exertion, “But sometimes...they only stop when they can’t... fight... ugh!”

Rainbow Dash’s grip had slackened and her strength had faded, Fluttershy able to maneuver herself over and fling the pegasus sideways. Rainbow Dash yelled out as she struck the desk wing first, genuine pain and shock on her face. Fluttershy wasn’t about to let her recover, charging forward and slamming herself into her friend with all her strength. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t in any martial arts books, it ended up hurting Fluttershy quite a bit...

But Rainbow Dash yielded like a wet rag, crashing over the desk in a rain of flying paper and thrown into a glass fronted bookcase. It cracked against her weight and she sprawled down, Fluttershy stamping on her chest and punching her hard in the face. Again she felt her hoof sting from the impact but she didn’t care, furious... not at Rainbow Dash she realised, but at... life.

She punched the war, she punched Caesar, she punched Luna, she punched her demanding family, her aging body, her lost aspirations... she punched herself, for being too weak to make a difference, for it having come down to this.

Eventually she realised Rainbow Dash was just covering her face with her hooves, her body heavy in her grip. She let the mare down to the ground slowly, shock numbing her as she stared at the results of her anger. Rainbow Dash opened her hooves to reveal a bloody muzzle and a black eye, chuckling softly at Fluttershy’s expression before being interrupted by a fierce cough that flecked her lips with blood. She winced in pain before speaking, voice horse, “It would save you.”

“What?”

“I haven’t kept records of my evidence, told anypony where I was going tonight.” Rainbow Dash gave a pained but cheerful grin, “Kill me now, and it all goes away.”

Fluttershy backed off a few hoofsteps in panic, “I didn’t...”

“You weren’t going to kill me? Then what were you trying to do, huh?” Rainbow Dash gingerly got back onto her feet, glaring at Fluttershy through her swollen eye, “Beat me up until I said sorry? Lock me... gah... lock me in the dungeon?”

Fluttershy stepped back, now realising that... she had just beaten Rainbow Dash in a fight. She really hadn’t considered where to go from here, simply not wanting to go without resistance. She didn’t think it was possible to actually win, “What happened to you?”

“This stupid war happened.” Rainbow Dash looked down at the fallen papers at her feet, her eyes full of frustration and pain, “Unlike you I actually care about other ponies, and I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to protect them. The least I could do is make sure they could live in peace, stop all this death.”

Fluttershy glared softly, still feeling vindicated, “I will.”

“No you won’t. You could, but you won’t.” Rainbow Dash limped towards the door, wiping her bloody lip with a hoof, “With the megaspells this war would already be over and we could have started patching things up. But you refused to give them to us.”

“Because you would have used them to kill!”

Rainbow Dash turned her head, her blooded face screwing up in volcanic anger, “I would huh? You really think that of me do you? That I’m just a mindless killer interested in slaughter?”

Fluttershy... had to be honest. It surprised even her to admit it, “Yes...”

Tears dripped down Rainbow Dash’s face, her jaw clenching in absolute fury, “Then that’s it. Because I think the same of you Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy growled, “You think I’M a killer!?”

Rainbow Dash averted her gaze, her voice a cold, angry drone, “Caesar’s going to fire those megaspells at Equestria, we all know it. I doubt you even bothered to read his psyche profile, mass suicide by cop is written all over that guy. That’s why Equestria is creating their own megaspell weapons, to retaliate if he fires.”

“Then stop them!”

“You would let the zebra wipe us all out?”

Fluttershy stuttered at the very concept, “It would mean... somepony would survive... that we didn’t stoop down to their level...”

“A moral victory huh?” Rainbow Dash turned away, continuing to the door, “You would let my family, my friends, everyone you ever loved die for a moral victory?”

“No!”

“Yes you would.” Rainbow Dash’s hoof paused at the door handle, looking round at her with smouldering rage and hate, “I don’t know what happened to Fluttershy, but I realised what you were a long time ago. A crazy, selfish, self righteous bitch who would rather see the world burn than be proven wrong. Just didn’t want to admit it to myself.”

That... that wasn’t true... tears started to flow as she reached out for her friend, “Rainbow Dash...”

“Get away from me.” Rainbow Dash turned her face away, “You’re not my friend, and you never were. You’re a selfish monster, and if I had you executed earlier then I might have been able to stop you.”

Fluttershy gave a sob, not wanting to believe Rainbow Dash could be right... but feeling doubt creep into her heart, feeling her certainty begin to give way, “I... I am your friend Rainbow Dash...”

“Don’t insult me.” She turned one last time, her tears dry, her voice low and cold, “When I get back I’ll tell the Princess everything. I’ll watch you die by firing squad, and I’ll enjoy that brief moment of justice before your actions kill us all.”

Fluttershy lifted her hoof, tried to say something... but her words froze, and Rainbow Dash exited through the door and was gone. It felt like forever.

She remained in that position for some time, tears flowing, her heart numb.

“Is that your defining memory of Rainbow Dash?”

“It’s the only one that matters.”

“But she never spoke to the Princess?”

“No... or at least, they never said anything. The military police never knocked at my door.”

“Then her words were simply the result of a grieving heart, no more. Can you not consider that maybe she forgave you, even if she never found the courage to tell you so?”

“No. Not for what I did. She was simply... the better mare.”

“What you did was wish for peace through words and compromise. Is this an evil thing?”

“It is when it’s... unjustified.”

“Are zebra really so bad?”

“Yes. They killed everyone, they always kill everyone. They always will.”

“It was not always so.”

The sun was warm, stiflingly so, as Fluttershy made her way through the streets of Karabivore. The smell of the sea was fresh and invigorating, the locals dressed in robes of beaming color to ward off the sun. The sight of them chatting, hurrying and hawking their wares almost distracted her from admiring the great docking pillars for which the city was famous and the glorious hanging gardens that divided the streets. Birds flew back and forth between them, sometimes landing on Fluttershy’s hoof for a moment to chat before flitting away once more. Having only visited the much less grand Demonivore it was certainly impressive, the jewel of the golden coast easily the equal of Manehatten even with less than half the population.

“So Fluttershy, enjoying the sights?”

Fluttershy turned to the female voice who had spoken, soon picking out the familiar face in the shadows of the awning. She looked surprisingly groomed and elegant, having taken well to the zebra love of heavy jewellery, “Lightning Dust... um... it’s great to meet you.”

The pegasus smirked, stalking over with a leonine grace, “Still so shy Fluttershy? You’re going to have to be tougher than that if you’re really serious about stopping this.”

Fluttershy set her jaw, “I am tough.”

“Really?”

Fluttershy glared at Lightning Dust, reminded why she had originally disliked the pony so much. She really did remind her of Rainbow Dash, and not in a good way. She was sick of her convictions and courage being doubted, just because of her social anxiety!

Lightning Dust laughed, turning back to the route ahead, “You don’t have to glare, I was only teasing. It’s great to see you again too, and you look good.”

“Really?” Fluttershy announced, feeling her vanity pricked just a little.

“Like you don’t know it you little tease.” Lightning Dust grinned, flicking her hair back slightly, “Age flatters some more than others it seems. Almost worried about letting you see my husband, especially given your previous relationship.”

Fluttershy coughed, not sure she would describe it like... that, “We never had a... relationship...

Lightning Dust cackled briefly before reigning herself in, shaking her head at the pegasus, “Didn’t he propose to you?”

Fluttershy went bright red, choosing to remain quiet on that point.

The palace of commerce was a very rich and well decorated place, as expected from the city’s wealth. Fluttershy couldn’t say she was best placed to appreciate it, she knew little of art or architecture, but she looked around in rapt interest regardless.

“Stop staring around with your mouth open Fluttershy. You look like a ponyville rube.”

She glared at Lightning Dust, the grin she received in turn informing her that the double insult was very much intended. She sighed, really looking like a naive young girl was not a charge she was unfamiliar with, “I haven’t been here in a while. It’s a nice building.”

“Zebra aesthetics certainly have a certain... flair.” Lightning Dust chuckled as she looked around the place with a quietly satisfied expression, “Canterlot and Cloudsdale, so impressive, so big, and so... white. Zebra know how to use living color at least.”

Fluttershy had to admit that she felt more at home in the zebra cities compared to that of her home. It wasn’t as if Canterlot didn’t have vegetation, but what it did have was so controlled and artificial. Here the very stonework seemed alive, “You like it here.”

“Beyond Nashar? Yeah, it’s ok.” She gave Fluttershy a cautioning look as she led her towards the royal chambers, “Don’t get too romantic about it though Fluttershy. Zebra can be as ignorant, cruel, selfish and unpleasant as any pony, and the ones squatting out in the dirt? They’re not thinking ‘I’m a proud and noble plains zebra’, they’re thinking, ‘I’m poor as shit and sleeping in mud, this sucks’.”

Fluttershy knew that already, that’s what she was trying to change, “If we had just shared the wealth, given the zebra a better deal...”

Lightning Dust snorted, “Fluttershy, most of those rich merchants plunging their nation into economic disaster are zebra. And those in power were quite happy to look the other way, so long as they received the required bribes and got invited to the big parties. Caesar only stood up to them because he knew he could use the popular support to gain power.” She shrugged dismissively, “Ponies are selfish, all our motives are either greed or vanity in the end. You need to learn that, and then maybe we might have a chance.”

Fluttershy thought that was terrible thinking. She thought Lightning Dust had changed, that marriage had tempered her. Obviously not, “And what’s your motivation then? Nashar’s?”

Lightning Dash chuckled, “Nashar’s a romantic, he loves playing the rebel prince, fighting for his people. The excitement of being censored, forced to operate under the radar, it excites him. Makes him think he’s important.” She shrugged, “And I follow him because I love him. Seeing him happy makes me happy.”

Fluttershy... thought that was just ascribing cynical motives to noble actions. It made her angry, “And what’s my motivation then?”

Lightning Dust turned her head to Fluttershy, staring long and hard at the pegasus with a quiet, knowing smirk on her face. Finally she grinned and turned away, “I’m not you Fluttershy, only you can tell me that. Maybe you can think about it, we can discuss it at dinner.” She motioned to the door in front, falling into position beside it, “And here we are. The Prince awaits.”

Fluttershy moved forward, opening the door with a hoof and passing inside. She gave Lightning Dust an unfriendly glare as she passed, the mare answering it with another knowing smirk.

She sighed to divest herself of the tension the mare’s accusations had brought up, distracting herself by looking around the room she had entered. The rooms reserved for a visit by the high ranking nobility of the zebra lands (the rankings and social standing of zebra nobility were even more complicated than in Equestria, if that was possible), they were naturally appointed in the very apex of luxury. A huge double bed wreathed in hanging cloth and covered in overlapping silk sheets dominated, along with an exquisitely carved dining table and many bright and rather psychedelic wall murals. The end of the room opened onto a balcony looking over the city, a familiar looking zebra standing there. He turned as she entered, brushing past the hanging curtains and moving in to meet her.

She had to admit a flush in her cheeks as he emerged, the hale young buck of her memory replaced by a handsome, solidly built stallion in the prime of his life. He had his father’s solid jawline and square shoulders, though he tempered it with a gentleness of bearing. He wore the traditional shoulder cloth of his tribe, elegant purple rimmed by gold chain, embroidered with the golden dragon over sands of his father’s house.

Prince Nashar smiled warmly at her, only making her heart race further, “Lady Fluttershy, an absolute pleasure to see you again.”

“Um, I’m not a lady...” Was all she managed to squeak, cursing herself for her lame answer. This wasn’t exactly some fancy formal occasion where such things matter after all...

“Really?” Nashar chuckled in his smooth, zebra accent, “You defeat Nightmare Moon, Discord, the Changling army and Sombra and they don’t even offer you the most minor of noble titles?”

“Um... no.” Fluttershy stated, a little ruefully. She didn’t exactly do glory and fame but a little bit of nobility wasn’t... an unattractive proposal. A minor title like Nashar said, maybe a bit of french silk, a few handsome stallions to help her in and out of carriages, maybe a very small tiara... Rarity however had proven just how difficult it was to break into that world, and Rarity had trained for it from birth, “I don’t mind though. I didn’t really do that much anyway...”

“Really? I remember you staring Ahuizotl down all by yourself... saving some little princeling who’s name I can’t recall...”

Fluttershy blushed deeply at the memory, recalling fully the event that started all this. She fully remembered that little princeling’s offer afterwards as well, an offer that she was beginning to regret not accepting. But she had known then that he had the false impression of her, and that he still maintained it, “Um, I sort of cowered through the fights with Nightmare Moon and the Changelings... and Discord and Sombra both turned me evil.”

Nashar laughed, “I can’t imagine you evil. They mustn’t have had that much to work with.”

Poor buck, if only he knew. Still she was eager to get to business, “I don’t care about being famous. I’m more concerned that everypony is happy and safe. That’s why I’m here.”

Nashar grew serious, trotting over the balcony and staring out across the city, “To business then? Very well, who is behind you?”

“Rarity is. And Applejack... I think.”

“You think?”

She was aware that it was a pretty short list. For all her skills at bringing animals together she was no leader, to be honest she had been too nervous to even ask most of the ponies she knew, “Applejack thinks it’s inevitable, that sometimes two ponies have to fight. But I don’t think she really means that.”

“This isn’t a brawl between two farmhands.” Nashar commented dryly, “What about the others?”

“Rainbow Dash is spoiling for a fight as normal.” Fluttershy stated, with a little more venom than she intended. She blushed at her slip, turning her head away, “That is... no, that’s not fair. She’s just scared, like everypony is. She’s just had her second child, and well... recent events have hit her hard.”

Nashar smiled warmly, turning his head to her, “Congratulations to her then. And how is your youngest Fluttershy?”

“Full of possibility.” Fluttershy replied fiercely, “And I’m not going to let him grow up in a world where ponies and zebra are fighting each other over... pride!”

“Pride is a powerful thing. Those without it will never be happy, no matter what else they have. Those with it can keep going when everything is taken from them.” Nashar sighed, turning back to the balcony and returning to practical realities, “I have to admit my own efforts are going little better. I fear convincing our nations to cease their aggression is increasingly becoming a foolish dream.”

Fluttershy didn’t travel all this way to hear that, and she wouldn’t accept it, “Then what do you recommend? Can you convince your father to back down?”

“Can you convince Luna?”

Fluttershy shivered, really not wanting to have that conversation. As expected the Princess had been... angry... over the death of all her students, most of her closest friends and most of her dreams for the future. She hid it very well, which made it all the more terrifying, “She... would never back down without blood...”

“Then can you not depose her?”

Fluttershy trembled yet further at incurring the wrath of Celestia as well. Fluttershy was close to the Princess, and she knew well how touchy she was about any questioning of Luna’s right to rule, “Celestia wouldn’t stand for it.”

Nashar sighed, the first signs of anger in his voice, “She is far more reasonable than her sister. She tried to stop this.”

“She failed.”

“It might not be so... if my father wasn’t in charge. If I sat on the throne.”

Fluttershy was starting to get increasingly uncomfortable with this. It all sounded... rather treasonous, “How... would you do that?”

Nashar lowered his head, staring down at the tiles under his hooves, “Are you willing to debate a thought experiment?”

“Um... yes...?”

“Accidents at the top would serve both our nations, allowing more reasonable candidates to take command.”

Fluttershy stomped her hoof down, her heart trembling and her throat tight. She would not even... debate this! “I... I will not! Princess Luna is my friend, no matter what else she is...!”

“And Caesar is my father.”

“Then you are a terrible zebra!” She advanced on Nashar, grabbing him by the shoulder and spinning around to face her. He gave a shocked look as she forced him backwards with a furious glare, Fluttershy focusing her rage like a scalpel as she spoke, “We can’t build peace with more killing!”

Nashar glanced around, trying to avoid her gaze, “Sometimes one death...”

“NO!” She stomped her hoof once more, “I won’t! I said I would find a better way, and I will! If they won’t listen to reason, then maybe zebra and ponies should go to war! Maybe that’s what they deserve!”

“Fluttershy...” Nashar, stared at her, eyes pleading, “It’s not about morals or ethics for me. I just don’t want to see the ones I love dying. If I had to damn myself a hundred times over so no other zebra had to kill someone they might have called brother... then I would. I would kill my father a hundred times over. I would kill Lightning Dust. I would kill you.”

Her gaze faltered, “You would?”

He nodded sadly, “For peace.”

Fluttershy just shook her head. She couldn’t, she wouldn’t, “There is a better way Nashar. And we will find it.”

He sighed, looking her in the eye with a resigned, weary expression, “I hope so Fluttershy. I truly do.”

____________________________________

Garogue continued his rounds about the village, swinging his shotgun around with slow, careful sweeps as he set his sharp eye across the shadows for danger. He couldn't help feel a little nervous after the pony visitors the previous day, or when one of them still slept in the Seer's hut just a short distance away. They looked like the type who brought trouble with them.

It was an easy enough job however. Normally just his presence was enough to scare out the mutated animals that occasionally made their way here, a few good shots with his trusty weapon normally enough to make them the next day’s lunch. Fortunately most critters in this area were still quite small, though the destruction of the local tribe had let a few of the nastier ones drift back into the area. He was well aware that there would be little he could do to one of them, or a remotely determined bandit group for that matter, hoping that the weapons and armor that group of wanderers had given them would convince the others to give him some deputies. That would be cool, having a few lackeys to order around. He was the one risking his life to keep them safe after all...

He saw something move near the gate, almost dropping his weapon as he aimed it swiftly in that direction, “Who goes there?!”

“A simple priest, seeking rest and refuge.” The female voice replied, coming into the light. Garogue had to admit his heart beat a little faster seeing her, a beautiful soft white pony, wearing a white cloak. Of course he wasn’t really into ponies, so soft and weak, still an occasional dalliance or two was no wrong thing right? She reinforced those thoughts with a warm, charming smile, “Have you an inn I can use?”

“Uh... right...” He pointed down the road towards the mayors house, which pretty much served that purpose on the rare occasions they had guests. He noted her cloak as she came closer, the symbol of a golden sun on the hem. It was inscribed on the combat shotgun she carried too, looking to be a rather expensive custom model, “You’re a member of the Church of Celestia?”

She nodded sweetly, “I am.”

“Most of the folks here are followers of the Holy Flame...” He quickly berated himself for sounding unfriendly to such a beautiful lady, amending his statement, “...but I bet you could convince a few zebra.”

“Thank you. I’m not really here to evangelize, but maybe I will find time for a few sermons.” She nodded her head politely, “Good night sir.”

“Um... good night...” He watched her go, eyes noting the flow of fabric across her hindquarters and wishing there were a few zebra with manners like hers.

The rest of the night after that was rather dull, his heart really not in it. His eyes kept drifting to the mayors house, imagining that pretty little pony sleeping there in bed, the covers draped across her soft white form... oh the things she could do to her...

“You must be the night watch. You should keep your mind on the job, let it wander any further and I may blush.”

He clamped a hoof about his jaw to stop himself screaming, attempting to clumsily turn to face the voice as he did. He didn’t make it, something hard sweeping his hooves out from under him and send him crashing to the ground, his shotgun bouncing away to land under a pale, wrinkled hoof. He looked up at the owner, standing a little way away with a cruel grin on her face.

This one wasn’t so pretty. It was another unicorn, like the priestess pale and almost luminous in the moonlight, still this one looked terrifyingly old and withered, in worse condition that his grandmother. That was not a good comparison, seeing as she spent her time drooling and throwing objects at his father. This pony however stood tall and proud, wrapped in a heavy purple cloak that concealed most of her form. Garogue had to admit trembling slightly before her, “What... where did you come from?!”

“The wastes, outside. I entered through the gate. It was unguarded.” The pony chuckled, sweeping his gun back towards him with her hoof, “I would look after this. A lot of strange ponies about tonight.”

“Uh, yeah.” He snatched his shotgun back up, rather embarrassed. He just hoped this unicorn wasn’t a gossip, “You want the inn lady?”

She shook her head, her expression rather sinister, “No, I can find my way. Just a little business and I’ll be out of your hair, don’t you worry.”

“Alright lady...” He watched her pass with trembling hooves, just watching as she made her way to the Seer’s house. He hoped he wouldn’t live to regret it, really not wanting to mess with that mare. There was something about her that convinced him it would be a really bad idea...

____________________________________

Dream Star felt the dreams of Fluttershy, the magic of the seer, cutting through the realms of waking and peering through the flow of mana that surrounded this place. They congregated at the element of kindness, her semi-divine presence a beacon among so many of her lessers. She chuckled as she was faced with the masks of Star Demons at the seers hut, old memories of threats long since passed. There were new demons on the prowl tonight.

Her telekinesis ignited, tearing off the door and flinging it to the side. An elderly zebra in furs was standing next to the table bearing the sleeping form of Fluttershy, at Dream Star’s entrance she gasped and quickly scurried to a cabinet of potions. Dream Star let her, taking the time to let out a delightful cackle, “Don’t resist old woman, your tricks are nothing against me.”

“Tricks indeed.” The zebra spoke in Iwako, Dream’s translation spell instantly decoding it. She grabbed a potion from the shelves and broke it, a light magic resistant shield enveloping her. A second hoof gripped a blue vial, hurling it at Dream, “The powers of the fire of life are mine to command!”

The potion exploded in a fireball as Dream had hoped, allowing her to tear the flames apart and send them spinning about her withered form as she advanced, cackling as her magic stripped the protections from the mare and bound her in chains of dark magic. She flung the bound seer to the ground with enough force to hurt, turning her attentions to Fluttershy. She lay there, sleeping fitfully, unaware of the danger... “So vulnerable Fluttershy, so alone. Tell me, what do you fear?”

Dream Star plunged into her dreams, dismissing the images of disappointed friends and dead family. They simply depressed her, hardly fears at all but instead depressing truths. She wanted power, terror, majesty, “Show me Fluttershy, show me something SCARY!”

It finally came. Shadows, corruption, broken crystal and shattered elements. Dream Star laughed at the opportunity, “How appropriate Fluttershy. Then awake and face your demons! AWAKE!”

Fluttershy screamed in terror and sat bolt upright, her eyes wide and her echoing screech still shaking the air. Her bloodshot eyes focused on Dream Star, wide and full of childlike uncertainty. Dream Star laughed and sent tendrils of smoke and shadow lancing towards her, seizing the Pegasus in their vice like grip and carrying her into the sky. Fluttershy screamed and tried to struggle but Dream clamped a tentacle across her mouth, sending an illusion of herself cloaked in the regalia of the crystal empire up to meet her.

She stared at her own creation for a second, attired like a princess and aged down towards the prime of her youth. Not for the first time she was confronted by her resemblance to her great grandmother, sending a sharp, unpleasant taste to her throat. Her mouth curled into a frown and she sent a tentacle currently masquerading as her hoof to slap Fluttershy across the cheek, taking out her anger on the poor pegasus, “Answer me quickly, I have little time for games! Where are your friends, where is the zebra Zenai!?”

Fluttershy shivered, terror and confusion fighting for dominance, “I.. I... don’t know... where am I...?”

Dream Star growled, grabbing her head and forcing her closer to the shadowed illusion of her face, “Tell me, or I’ll tear the information from your skull!”

____________________________________

Garogue knew she shouldn’t have let the old mare pass, hearing the screams and the roar of combat as he approached the seer’s hut. You could never trust a pony, especially a unicorn, and that particular unicorn had ‘evil enchantress’ written all over her. He saw the broken door to the seers hut and skidded to a halt in the doorway, his shotgun ready.

The whole place was full of smoke, the witch at the center of it. The old yellow pegasus was suspended in the air, the seer collapsed stiffly upon the ground. It was clear what he had to do, “Stop right there and surrender, or I will...”

The witch didn’t even turn, just shooting him a withering look over her shoulder. Her magic flared once, all his senses fading into suffocating black.

____________________________________

Sunshine Ivory felt the magic from all the way across the other side of the village, by Celestia she would have likely felt it across the other side of the continent. Whoever it’s source was made no effort to hide it, indeed the magic signature was bold and aggressive in a way that suggested it wanted to be seen. Her magic could hardly hope to match up even if the sun had been up, still she was more than confident in her skill and the amount of solar power she had stored. She placed a little of it into her hooves as she sped across the village, sending them sparking across the dirt as tiny sunflowers bloomed behind her.

She soon found the source, wincing as she saw the guard zebra she had met at the gate fall under a burst of magic. Nothing was left at its withdrawal but a humble pot plant, Sunshine Ivory hoping he was still alive in there as she drew all the light inwards, hopefully concealing her presence from whoever had transmogrified the poor guard captain.

What she saw inside didn’t inspire confidence, the waves of magic radiating from a cloaked pony in the center off the room, Fluttershy suspended in the air before a vast illusionary pony made of smoke and shadow. Everything there was covered in multiple overlapping magical constructs, as much a testament to the pony’s skill as anything else.

But shadows? Shadows were a poor choice against her.

The energy burst from her horn with a roar, a beam of white hot sunfire forged from Celestia’s heart. It burned straight through the shadows, evaporating them instantly as it arrowed its way straight towards the unicorn at the center. She of course couldn’t miss the very obvious attack, turning and charging her magic as it hit her, horn blazing with pink light as she braced herself. Impressively she managed to resist, for a moment at least. The ball of white fire hovered suspended before her, spitting and raging as it strained against her shield.

Then the unicorn leapt, her cloak rippling as she propelled herself upwards and her magic tore away the roof with a roar of energy. She span in mid air and the sunfire was flung away to explode through the wall behind, houses exploding in flames. Zebra screamed and Sunshine Ivory desperately swung her horn upwards to create a ball of magic that sucked the heat away, relaxing a little as the flames died down at her touch. She returned to the fight, taking a fragment of that heat and forming it into two flames that she flung upwards in curving angles towards the mare above.

The old mare surrounded herself in a bubble of pink energy that suspended her in midair, the flames spinning about to settle at her sides. The mare grinned and brushed her hoof across the front of one of them, staring cheerfully at Sunshine Ivory as she spoke in a magically enhanced purr, “Very cute little priestess. You are actually rather powerful, though you lack flexibility.” Her horn flared briefly, the twin flames splitting in two, once, twice, three times... she smirked as dozens of them rotated around her body, flinging her hoof down in a swift chopping action, “And scale!”

Sunshine Ivory tried to draw the heat from the fireballs as they rained down, it however swiftly proved an effort to even drain one. Instead she was forced to dodge, feeling her cloak and fur singe as they missed by inches. She fired her shotgun twice with pinpoint accuracy, the mare however deflected the shots with magically enhanced sweeps of her hoof. Sunshine Ivory fired another burst of sunfire but the mare took it straight on, struggling for a moment or two before shattering it apart with a determined surge of magic.

Sunshine Ivory took the impact hard on the horn and was staggered for a moment, allowing the old mare a chance to cast. Runic symbols appeared around her and her magical protection was instantly stripped away, leaving her totally vulnerable as the mare cast a spell that knocked her sprawling to the ground, “Ungh!”

“So weak, just like all the others.” The mare touched down lightly in the ruins, her cloak falling heavy upon her body as she gazed at the fallen priestess with disdain, “Can you still stand priestess, or are you done?”

Sunshine Ivory grimaced, that strike proving she wasn’t quite as young as she once was. Once upon a time she would have just got back on her hooves without any problem, now her whole body ached from the abuse. She knew she wouldn’t be able to get up fast enough to avoid the inevitable reprisal, and that so far this strange mare was proving to be far too much for her anyway...

“You... evil little toad! Dream Star!”

____________________________________

Dream Star turned as she was addressed directly, a wide grin spreading across her face as she stared into Fluttershy big cyan eyes. She let her magic drop, the remaining shadows fading away as she smirked at the pegasus, “Well, I must have really pissed you off. Normally passive aggressive is as much as you can manage.”

Her eyes opened so wide Dream Star swore they were about to pop out, her face contorting in rage, “I always knew you were up to no good! And sure enough here you are, hurting ponies for your own sick amusement!” She stomped her hoof, eye twitching, “And here, I don’t have to take your shit!”

Ah, so it had finally happened. Fluttershy had snapped, her pretty little mind shattered all across the zebra territories. No matter, she was far more entertaining like this, “And what are you going to do about my shit exactly?”

Fluttershy spat upon the floor, stomping the spittle into the ground as she sized up on Dream Star, “Look at you. Puffing your chest out, dancing around like a dime store diva on amateur dramatics night! Trying desperately to hide the fact that you’re a sad lonely failure, who will never continue her house, never bring herself to glory! Mugging for the camera as the curtains close!”

Dream Star couldn’t look away, those eyes fixing her in place. Even as Fluttershy said the words she knew they were true, the image of her disappointed mother coming unbidden into her mind, her heart sinking and a tear slinking its way down her cheek. So this was what it was like to be on the receiving end of the Stare was it? It was certainly an impressive weapon, she saw now why it was so famous. It required almost all her willpower to charge her magic and stun Fluttershy’s optic nerve, rendering the mare temporarily blind.

“Gah! Agh, help, help!”

Fluttershy’s desperate screams should have cheered her up, it seemed her stare was enough to even take the joy out of that. Indeed she was tired of this little game, though that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to skimp on a memorable exit, “Having a problem Fluttershy?” She swept the mare off her feet with a burst of telekinesis, the mare grunting in pain as she hit the ground, “I already have everything I want from you, you were really most co-operative.”

She had nothing of course, still playing with the mare’s sense of guilt was good for a laugh and provided suitable final words. With them out of the way Dream Star looked about, satisfied that the broken glass and dust provided her suitable medium with which to work. She narrowed her eyes in concentration, breaking apart the key components of a teleport spell and casting it four times, infusing each into glowing runes formed from the debris around. The magic already fought to escape from the very inadequate settings, still Dream Star held them together with sheer force of will as she span her head around and carved the networks of interconnected lines around them, drawing all the magic in the area and concentrating it into a orb at the centre. It grew and finally surged with concentrated energy, Dream Star letting it seep into the network around it and grinning as the megaspell activated. She laughed and stepped back into the opening portal, deciding now was as good a time as ever to deliver her trump card...

____________________________________

Sunshine Ivory grunted as she made it to her hooves, watching the old pony disappear into a swirling vortex of magical power. It proved once and for all how outmatched she was, she had never seen so much power concentrated in just one spell. Was this common of Equestrian unicorns? She hoped not.

Either way she let her go peacefully, simply watching as the vortex closed with a roar and left but a burnt scorch mark upon the ground. She couldn’t relax however, already feeling more teleportation spells activate above. She drew her shotgun and crouched into cover...

Proven a sensible precaution when three very angry looking manticore popped into existence, hitting the ground with heavy thumps and looking around for something to kill as they rose. One spotted the cowering Fluttershy, still blind and helpless, advancing forward with murderous intent.

Sunshine Ivory wasn’t going to wait a second longer, raising her shotgun and blasting it into the side. It got the beast’s attention and it turned to her, Sunshine Ivory kicking her hooves into action and racing forward to deliver another shot to its face. It roared and jumped at her, Sunshine Ivory rolling away and spinning her weapon around to deliver another shot to the side of its head. This one put it down.

The other two teamed up, coming at her from either side. She had expected this, dropping her shotgun and charging her horn, delivering a pinpoint blast of magical energy that set the first alight. It roared in pain and reared away, Sunshine Ivory using her telekinesis to draw her weapon back up to fire at the second.

It dodged with impressive dexterity, her shot missing. It leapt forward and swiped her with a paw, knocking her weapon flying and brutally tearing the flesh across her forehead. Blood poured into her eyes, Sunshine Ivory trying to back away as the pain overwhelmed her. She was pretty sure she screamed, and she certainly did so as the beast leaned down and took her in its mouth, shaking her from side to side.

Panic surged through her as she saw her end approach, dinner for this simple, base creature. She activated her magic and forced her body to radiate with heat, the manticore roaring and hurling the now unpalatable morsel aside. She hit a wall and slumped down, unarmed, half her side missing and her horn badly mauled, watching with blurred vision as the creature recovered and began to advance on her with hungry eyes.

And then it shuddered as a shotgun blast hit it in the side. It turned with a snarl but another hit it in the leg, then another tore apart it’s ear. It leapt for whoever was firing but a final shot blew its head off, the creature sprawling into the rubble.

And then it was silence, apart from the sound of sobbing and panic from the ruined houses around. Sunshine Ivory grunted in pain as she grabbed a healing potion from her robes, drinking one to simply enable herself to move and another to return her to something approaching working condition. She fought through the remaining pain and rose, attempting to make her way to the seer and Fluttershy.

One of the sobbing sounds was nearer than she originally though, the origin revealed as she passed a fragment of ruined timber. There lay Fluttershy, the shotgun at her side and the dead manticore at her hooves, sobbing bitterly as the ash settled upon her coat.

______________________________________________________

Fluttershy Level up 30%

Trait Lost – Element of Kindness

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 2.6 - Honest Hearts

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Chapter 2.6 - Honest Hearts

Cherry Sunset’s hooves hit water, the warm waves lapping at her knees and the feel of soft sand. She waded to shore, closing her eyes as she finally set foot on the zebra homeland. It was a strange feeling, standing on the desolate shore of the enemy they had fought with for so long, surrounded by jetsam and dead, yellowing plants.

“I’d be careful from here on. Caesar doesn’t exactly watch the border well, but if his followers find out you traveled here from Star Fall...”

She turned back to the ferry driver, the old zebra having been pointed out to her for his history of smuggling ponies onto the coast. She had figured it was a lot stealthier than flying here on a Ranger airship, and she was keen to avoid attention, “What if I was from Equestria?”

“No idea miss. You’d certainly be taken into custody, but what they do to you from there is anyone’s guess. We’re still not entirely sure what happened down there.” The ferry driver pointed a hoof up the coast, “You might try asking up at Point Keyan. It’s the trading center round these parts, isolated enough not to care much about Caesar’s enemies but large enough to receive a fair amount of news.”

“Very well. Tell me about this area.”

The zebra chuckled, eagerly explaining, “We’re sitting on the border of the northern end of the Golden Coast, with the mines and mineral farms to the north and the industrial hub of Oranivore to the south. As such a lot of trade passes through here, especially since the tribes in the east were beaten back and sent into the mountains to lick their wounds.”

The tribes. According to her latest information Zenai and the armor had been taken into those same mountains, meaning that was her destination, “But I can pass that way?”

The ferry zebra placed a hoof on his chin, “You would almost certainly need a guide, or at least a map. Most of the open areas are full of tribals and bandits, you would almost certainly need to stick to the more obscure routes.”

“Very well.” She nodded to the ferry zebra, tossing him one of the coins she had got bartering back in Star Fall, “Thank you for your aid sir.”

He caught it eagerly, giving her a bright grin, “No problem miss, you take good care.”

Point Keyan was much like the trading towns of Equestria, strong walls starting to fall into disrepair, a well built central town with a larger shanty area outside surrounding the caravans. It certainly seemed busy, a hundred or more just outside, dusty, tired workers and fat, besuited merchants. Cherry noted the suits, somewhat equestrian in style but darker in color with elaborate spiral designs across one leg or the sides. They were all wearing a pin too, seeming to be of one of three designs. Those sharing them tended to gather together, making Cherry figure that they were designations for the group they belonged to.

Everyone seemed to be hard at work so she continued to the gates, well guarded by thuggish looking zebra in average gear, pre-war infantry armor supplemented with decals and shoulder patches featuring Caesar’s emblem. Their weapons looked well polished and deadly, police shotguns mostly, accurate and reliable. Good weapons for gate duty, which convinced Cherry that whoever was organizing this place knew what they were doing.

One of them moved forward to meet her as she approached, slinging his weapon across his shoulder. He had it on a shoulder sling she saw, enabling him to quickly bring it into a hoof held position. More accurate than a battle saddle, if requiring more training and offering a substantial reduction in maneuverability. The choice of a professional, who expected allies covering him. He raised a hoof to indicate where he wanted her to stand, giving her a quick assessing look, “Caravan Guard?”

“Looking to become one. Where do I sign up, and get some food?”

The zebra frowned briefly, still he didn’t seem to find this unusual, “Where are you from?”

“Star Fall. Too much standing around and politics in the army, and the work with the merchants there has all dried up.”

The guard grinned a little at this, snorting to himself, “Yeah, that’s what you get for treating the coast like a fuck for two hundred years.” He looked at her bag, seeming a little more animated and friendly now, “What’s in the bag?”

Cherry let a little of her anxiety fade. She didn’t know enough about the mainland to lie about where she came from, and she figured a spy would try and hide the fact they were from Star Fall. The best choice was to be honest, and it seemed to have worked, “Weapons, armor.”

“Not wearing?”

“Its scavenged power armor, makes zebra nervous.” Again, honesty... “And my weapon’s a sniper rifle. Don’t want to get it dirty.”

“Alright, let me look.” He moved forward and she let him inspect it, the guard giving it a cursory glance before backing away and giving a little whistle, “Don’t see the real thing much...”

Cherry had seen a fair few suits in Star Fall, heavily modified of course. It made sense being a former military base, though she would have thought a least a few suits would have traveled... “Thought you would see a lot of it on the mainland. Surely Equestrian soldiers died here as well?”

“Need training to use it properly. Most people just tear out the complicated bits, got a heavy but tough suit of metal armor.” He looked up at her, “Where did you learn to use it?”

“Great grandfather was a soldier. It’s his, passed down to me.”

He grinned, shaking his head in wonder, “Lucky mare. Alright, go on through, best place to look for work is the noticeboards outside the inns. Stay safe, and keep your nose clean.”

“Will do. Thanks.”

The town was as rowdy as any other merchant hub, drunk caravan guards harassing the locals and occasionally getting a beating from short tempered guards. She made her way through the crowds, trying to avoid any pony clearly looking for trouble...

“Heeey... let’s have some of that sweet pony ass...”

Cherry tensed as somepony grabbed her hindquarters, pressing his muzzle against her backside. Her reaction was, to her shame, instinctual, tearing herself away and delivering a fierce one hoofed buck that knocked the offender staggering. She turned to look at the culprit with fierce anger, the young, heavily built zebra buck weaving away drunkenly with a hoof pressed to his jaw. She snarled at him, unable to keep her anger from bubbling over, “How dare... I... I will assume you just bumped into me...”

“You... fucken... bitch...” The zebra tried to focus on her, a little unsuccessfully, “I’m a badass, fought... fought through the Kakary crags! Don’t you try and get away from me!”

He charged her, adding to his stupidity. She didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty as she dodged his clumsy attack and slugged him hard with a hoof, knocking him flat. The buck promptly moaned and threw up right there on the ground.

“Ahahaha!” An older, rather fat zebra wobbled over, slapping Cherry on the back before moving over to the collapsed zebra and leaning down, “Hey Nagara, she said no!”

“Fuk... you...”

“Apologies miss.” The fat zebra hauled him up and slung him over his back, grinning at Cherry, “My cousin just completed his first job, thinks that makes him a lady killing badass. Thank you for beating the stupid out of him, kid really needed it.”

“No... problem.” Cherry stated a little unconvincingly, “Good day.”

“I swear kid, if you weren’t family...”

Cherry continued on, trying not to think about the buck’s nose on her... rear. Honestly, this rubbish was why she liked wearing power armor. This rubbish was why she didn’t like stallions... though to be honest, she had bucked a fair few mares in the nose too. Had no pony any dignity anymore?

“Please, we don’t have anywhere to go, we’re willing to work...”

“Ha, and who would hire two scrawny runts like you? But don’t you worry, I’ve got a place for you to go...”

She frowned and strolled casually towards a side street, heading down the back of several buildings, abandoned except for a couple of guards and two zebra foals. The guards had them backed up against a building, Cherry grimacing and ducking into the shadows to listen.

“Please, I...”

The guard cut off the words of the foal in front, a young, scrawny looking buck, lifting a warning hoof towards him, “Stop it with the please shit kid, you’re killing me! But since you’re so polite, maybe I do have something for you.”

The buck dared to look hopeful, “Really?”

The guard nodded, grinning at his co-conspirator, “Sure. You see the Camels have got some pretty good ideas, see they don’t suffer any of you little mongrels running about. And some of them, well they pay pretty good money for some meat like you.”

The foal’s companion tugged his tail gingerly, her voice scared and female, “Please Tick, don’t...”

The buck looked at her for a moment before turning to the guard, “We’ll be fed, sheltered?”

“Sure.” The guard stated, really unconvincingly, “They take good care of... hey! Who the hell... wait, stop right...”

Cherry knocked the zebra’s hoof away from his half drawn gun, grabbing his neck and flinging him into his companion. They both went down in a tumble, Cherry drawing herself round to stand before the two foals, “Been a mistake. They’re with me.”

The guard forced himself up, growling as he went for his weapon, “No, you've made the mistake...”

She drew her pistol, the zebra hesitating for the second she needed to close the distance and pistol whip him to the ground. He grunted and slumped down, Cherry pointing the pistol at his companion, “Get him out of here, and I won’t mention to your boss that you’re taking slaves.”

“You... you really think this is so unusual?” The guard backed away slowly, grinning nervously, “The boss makes good money out of kids like this. You think zebra in remote little outposts like this care about laws?”

She seethed, out of her element here. They weren’t her laws, this wasn’t her own culture. She had served during the days of the NCR, never had any experience of wasteland justice. She had a clear set of laws behind her to give her conviction back in Equestria, the lack of which now left her shaky and unsure, “You... you ignore the laws you proclaim to serve?”

“We enforce the peace, make sure the money and drink are flowing.” The guard stared at her in... interest, admiration... confusion? He eventually leant down and hauled his injured companion onto his shoulder, offering her one final look as he left, “Take the kids, someone else will be after them soon enough. I hope it was worth the world of trouble you just got yourself into.”

She wasn’t sure it was. She had a mission, one she had just compromised with... simplistic do gooding. She wasn’t a hero, she didn’t trust heroes. Real, beneficial change only occurred when loyal soldiers firmly obeyed orders given by a strong, central authority. There was no authority telling her to protect these foals, no grand way in which the wasteland would benefit from them being free.

“Wow... you’re like a real hero...”

She turned down to the buck, her heart pounding. She wasn’t good with children anyway, especially when she was still struggling with her emotions, “I simply... I’m not sure it was a good decision. Maybe you should have gone with them...”

The buck pouted at her, “Don’t listen to that meany face! You’re cool!”

She was cool? She didn’t feel cool. She had to get out of here, taking a hoof’s grip of coins and hurling them to the foals, “Here... take this, get yourself something to eat, a job... something.”

“Hey, thanks! Man, you really are like a proper hero!”

She ignored them, quickly hurrying away before they could get her in any more trouble.

The inn was further proof that towns like this were the same all over, smoky, rowdy and dirty, populated entirely by drunk, tired caravan guards blowing their paycheck. Cherry almost turned back but she figured a place like this was good for getting lost in, finding a quiet corner and settling down to order her thoughts. Her eyes wandered across the other patrons, wondering if one of them would be able to act as her guide. She was eager to leave civilization behind and continue with her mission.

She got a few stares from interested looking patrons, she figured she looked unusual sitting alone, and as a pony of vivid color. Still she ignored all of them and in return they left her alone, all until a bulky pegasus finally moved from the bar and wandered over. He was certainly distinctive looking and the crowd parted quickly against his progress. Indeed Cherry had to take interest, noting clear cybernetic enhancement. His eyes had been replaced with harsh looking metal orbs centered with a circle of blue dots, his knees reinforced with an integrated exoskeleton, a spiderlike array spiked through his left ear. He also demonstrated the clear signs of subdermal armor, his flesh ugly and rough where the Kevlar fabric had been threaded. It was an impressive set up that only the very best surgeons could pull off for the very highest prices, his wings equipped with small air turbines he likely needed to get his weight even slightly airborn. It only added to his already intimidating presence, covered in ugly, heavily scarred slabs of muscle, boasting a swollen potato of a face.

“Can I help you?”

The big stallion grinned, a wide and rather unstable looking glint in his eye. Cherry tensed, waiting for any sign of aggression as the stallion spoke, “Just wanted to greet a fellow Equestrian.” She hesitated and he continued, his expression smugly knowing, “You’re trying, but it’s not exactly hard to guess.”

Cherry was a little embarrassed, still once again she was no special operations pony. This guy at least wasn’t even trying to hide it, “You’re from Fillydephia.”

He nodded, sitting down beside her and placing a forehoof on the table, “You do realize that no pony here knows what an Equestrian accent sounds like. By trying to disguise it you just make yourself look like you’ve got something to hide.”

That... made sense, “Point taken.”

“Happy to help.” He settled down, inspecting her in watchful detail. It was a fighters study, Cherry watching his eye settle upon her haunches, her biceps, all the areas she herself would note before engaging an opponent. He eventually spoke, smiling at her, “You’re army.”

She nodded, “And you?”

“Private security.”

“You’ve had a lot of work done.” She looked him up and down, figuring it made sense given his accent, “You were one of Red Eye’s slavers then? Pre-garden tech?”

He laughed cheerfully, shaking his head, “Pre-garden, yeah. But not a slaver.”

“What then?”

A female pony who he had been sitting next to at the bar rose at this question, heading over to the table with simmering impatience in her every movement, “Gladiator.” She gave him a disapproving look as she settled down beside them, “Apologies. Fennel means no harm, really.”

This mare had a Fillydelepia accent as well, but much more precise and educated. She was definitely a contrast, bearing some of the scars of hard living but far skinnier and clearly not built for a frontline fight. She was moving into middle age but was still attractive in a somewhat chilly way, Cherry looking between her and the stallion, “Gladiator? I was under the impression you either died, or won and got recruited.”

“Red Eye would be rather foolish if he didn’t screen the recruits.” The female spoke, a little cautiously Cherry thought, with her eyes turning to her friend. He seemed not even to notice and she relaxed, carrying on more fluently, “Being dangerous is not the only criteria one wants in a soldier. Most famous case was Zenith. She won many times, but was never released.”

“Don’t get me wrong though, I was offered a job.” Fennel noted, looking rather proud, “Turned it down.”

Cherry looked at him. He looked the very image of a pony in Red Eye’s army, a bulky, ugly, cybernetically enhanced thug, “Why not?”

He looked out the window, staring coolly at some of the guards walking outside, “Don’t like tyrants, living off the back of the honest folk.”

Everything went a little quiet as Cherry considered this. Certainly they seemed like fighting words, and his friend was looking very nervous. She finally decided she would have to reply, “Their land, their rules.”

Fennel smirked, leaning heavily upon the table, “You really believe that?”

She was getting frustrated now. Frustrated that... in a way he was right, but that stopping to solve every problem on the road would make it easier to just throw her orders away now, “I have things to do. I can’t get bogged down in politics. And... who are we to interfere?”

Fennel chuckled, his lip curling in amusement, “You’re an Applejack Ranger. Thought you would be all over this, fighting the good fight.”

She paused, wondering if her armor was sticking out of her bag, “How...?”

“You’re military, I can tell. And your neck fur tuffs up in places, that’s what happens when you wear power armor a lot.” He shrugged, “Not stupid. Don’t judge me by my cover.”

“Alright...” She sighed in frustration, “Then who are you?”

He looked to his marefriend, causing her to sigh briefly before nodding her head, “I’m Signal Jammer, this is Bitter Fennel. We’re here to simply provide back up to an old friend with business in this country, said friend is just running a little errand at present.” She glared at Fennel, her snout wrinkling, “She has been gone a day, and already he is planning insurrection against a foreign nation. You are simply bored Fennel, why cannot you just go for a walk like normal ponies?”

He responded simply, “Don’t like seeing folks suffer.”

“None of us do. This fine mare does not, but if she is a Ranger then she must have business in this country.” She suddenly seemed to think about this statement for a second, gentle realization coming to her face, “Hmm, what are the Rangers doing here anyway?”

She drew back defensively, “None of your concern.”

“Of course not. I apologize.” Jammer placed a hoof on her forehead, quietly considering the situation, “Though I have to imagine you are looking for guides, maps, rumors...”

She hesitated, still it was very much true, “Yes...?”

“If you wait for our friend to return, she may be able to help you.” Jammer turned her eyes to Cherry, shrugging, “She is scouting for that very thing at present, mapping out a trail for us to follow. I can imagine such a thing would be helpful to you as well.”

Cherry considered this for a moment, eventually concluded that it certainly seemed worthwhile. She had few allies here, her mission had become a lot more complicated and making friends with a few locals seemed a sensible thing to do, “Very well. Do you know of anywhere to find lodgings while I wait?”

Jammer nodded, “This inn offers rooms, but they’re rather pricy. To be honest we’re currently taking residence in one of the abandoned buildings to the north. They’re stable, defensible and out of the way, and I’m sure you're as used to roughing it as us.”

“Very well.” She nodded, “Thank you for the advice.”

She stepped out into the main street, instantly aware of the many, many guards hanging around the area. She was sure it was just paranoia but she was sure some of them were looking at her, not really feeling the need to stick around and find out. These abandoned houses were supposed to be a little way outside the main town and that was good enough for her, heading off as casually as she could manage.

They were definitely following her. Four of them, approaching in a flanking formation. She ducked into an alley and lost them for a short while, shrugging her bag away and kicking it under a wooden platform well out of sight, hoping that would keep it safe for a while at least. After that she made a quick double round the side of the inn and lost sight of them, or at least confused them long enough to keep her equipment hidden. She kept her head down as she moved towards a conveniently shaded gunshop, hoping she could blend into the crowd…

“Stop right there tashack.”

She didn’t know what tashack meant. She doubted it was pleasant. They weren’t pleasant, a motley crew of zebra and a single pony, clad in something that was obviously meant to be a uniform but had clearly neither been washed or repaired in some time. She stopped as commanded, nodding to the leader, “I just wish to complete my business here and be on my way, without any trouble.”

“Huh.” Their leader exclaimed, his eyes slightly more savvy than that of his fellows. He sized her up, not lewdly like the others, but with clear suspicion, “You sneak in from the sea, with an accent clearly unsure of itself and obvious military training. Caesar would pay well for a Star Fall spy.”

Damn. She told Silent Steel she was no operative, “I’m not from Star Fall.”

“Where then?”

Here goes nothing… “Equestria. I’m scouting the area for the government.”

The zebra chuckled, the cogs in his head whirring, “Really now? You better go see the boss then…”

The town hall was a clear sign of corruption, in much better repair, easily defensible and full of elegance far beyond the wealth of the province. It wasn’t obnoxiously obvious but she had seen these kind of set ups before, noting the suspicious number of thuggish characters hanging around and the wide birth it was given by the general populace. She was led into a well furnished office, an antique phonograph playing some old military anthems and a large picture of some zebra religious ceremony on the wall behind the desk.

A zebra was standing there staring at it, turning slowly and calmly as they entered the room. He was of middle age, with a crisp, collected air, wearing a dour, dark colored Dashiki and a pair of gold rimmed spectacles, lifting them as he inspected her. His voice was soft, slow and slightly high pitched, “A pony.”

“From Equestria.” The zebra who had brought her here clarified, “Government sent her.”

“I’m a scout.” Cherry was beginning to wonder what exactly had happened to Fluttershy and the others. These zebra were certainly taking a lot of interest in her, “I have been out of contact for some time. Are we not friends with Caesar?”

“Caesar is… considering the arrangement.” The zebra chuckled, giving her a light bow, “Administrator Cancey, at your service. Tell me, what do you know of Equestria’s intentions in this place?”

She frowned, “Peace, and trade. Nothing more.”

“Really.”

“She’s telling the truth.” The zebra at his side stated, his eyes sharp, “But she wasn’t just sent here to scout.”

Cancey frowned, tapping a hoof on his desk as he paced, “Please my dear, don’t lie to me. I really would like all the details, lest I make any... rash decisions.”

She looked around, no zebra here looking very friendly. What exactly had she got herself into? “I was sent to pick of a package from the ambassador and her party. I heard they had fled into the mountains, and I intend to track them down and find out exact what happened with Caesar.”

The zebra behind Cancey paused briefly before nodding, “She’s telling the truth.”

Cancey sighed, considering the matter carefully. Finally he looked up at Cherry, quietly assessing, “You beat up two of my guards.”

“They were selling children into slavery.”

“Better, than to starve on the streets.”

“It’s illegal. Here as well.”

Cancey smiled, a little unsettlingly, “This far from the capital, Caesar’s laws are... Caesar’s suggestions.” He chuckled at his joke, turning his head to her, “Are you going to continue this? Acting the wandering hero?”

She wanted to say no. She knew she should say no. But she wondered if she could really turn her eyes away, and hesitated.

“Of course. Very noble.”

She quickly spoke up, just wanting to get on with her mission. Damn her personal feelings, “Let me just leave. Let me carry on into the mountains and I won’t trouble you any further.”

Cancey considered this for a moment before nodding, waving a hoof at two of the zebra behind, “Jaree, Byoga. Take our guest out towards the mountains, see that she causes no further trouble.”

“Yes sir.”

Cherry took a deep breath as she was ushered away, not liking this set up or his words in the slightest. She looked back at Cancey, nodding hesitantly, “T...thank you sir. I promise I won’t cause any further trouble.”

Cancey looked surprise, smiling broadly after a moment, “No trouble at all, I assure you. Farewell, miss Equestria.”

Cherry was sure now that this wasn’t going to lead to anything good, making sure she was aware of her two escorts at all times. They tracked further into the desert, the shotgun at her back and Byoga flanking short distance away, his beady eyes scanning the sky for anyone following them.

Eventually they approached a small cliff, a crevasse at the base leading down into darkness. Jaree tensed as they neared, her voice strained, “I think this is far enough.”

Yes, it was. She was sure about their intentions now, whirling around and kicking the shotgun into the dirt with a textbook sweep, leaping at the surprised zebra mare and driving her palate into Jaree’s throat. The zebra gasped and Cherry went to finish her off, only to be dissuaded as the zebra shakily drew a long knife and held it out in her defense.

The zebra was well trained, no way would Cherry be able to take her out without possibly crippling injury. Byoga had noticed his commander’s distress, skidding down the buff with his rifle aiming up for the kill.

Cherry leapt into action, placing Jaree between her and Byoga before trying to tackle the mare. She had given Jaree too long to recover however, countered with enviable skill and only just avoiding being skewered. Instead she was forced to back into Byoga’s line of fire, Cherry feeling sweat drip down her face as Jaree grinned evilly at her.

And then a bullet cut through the air, Byoga gasping as his leg was blown off and he was sent tumbling into the dust. Jaree gasped in horror and searched for the shooter, Cherry moving in and snatching the knife away with one swift movement before slamming it into the zebra’s neck. Jaree stared at Cherry in confusion for a single brief moment before slumping down into the dirt.

“Thought you might need a hand.”

Cherry wiped the knife on the sands, inspecting it for a moment for quality before slipping it into the holster. It was a zebra design naturally, well regarded by those in the know, “Thank you for the assistance. Clever of you to use their tactics against them.”

Fennel gave her a lopsided look, shrugging his shoulders as he stepped over, “I was just waiting for you to make a move. Didn’t want to mess up any plans you had.”

“She means that we killed them well out of sight or sound of anyone who can relay her survival to the authorities.” Jammer commented as she made her way to Byoga, still moaning in where he had fallen. She quickly and clinically inspected his wounds before leaning down and pressing the edge of her hoof upon his lips, “I am going to heal you now. Remain still.”

The zebra quickly nodded his head, Jammer taking out a vial of med-x and a healing potion. She applied it carefully, area by area, the mark of a pony with significant medical training. Soon enough the wound was fully healed, though it still left a stump in place of the blasted away leg. Byoga looked down at it in horror, “I... I’ve still got no leg!”

“You tried to kill one of my friends.” Jammer nodded clinically, “You are leaving with your own life, and good chances of reaching the nearest town.”

“Won’t he warn somepony?” Cherry commented as she stripped the weapons from Jaree. Personally she was surprised by Jammer’s mercy, though she wasn’t so rude as to comment as such, “The med-x is a little excessive too isn’t it?”

“With a missing leg his progress with be both slow and painful.” Jammer commented, repacking her medical bag, “By the time he can warn anypony it will no longer be an issue.”

“Why not?”

“Either we will be away from here....” She turned her head to Fennel, “Or we will have already removed his masters.”

Fennel gave a rather evil sounding laugh, nodding enthusiastically, “There’s a town not far from here. Want to come with us?”

Cherry had to admit, she did. She was a soldier after all, clear orders and a commander to follow were all comfortable things, “I suppose. It seems the most sensible option at present.”

This town soon confirmed her opinions of the leadership, hardly seeming any better than Point Keyan. In fact it was even more open, a pair of thuggish looking zebra, a male and female, battering at a shop door as they made their way down the main street.

“Come out old timer! You know what you owe, and if we have to break down your door we’ll charge that out of your stinking hide too!”

Cherry frowned, moving out in front of her companions, “Can we help officer?”

“What?” The male turned, his brutish face squinting at them, “Who the hell are you?”

She narrowed her eyes, “Visitors, that’s all. You appear to be having trouble.”

“Trouble yeah...” He snorted, turning back to the door, “Nai, give them the deal. I’ll deal with this fool.”

The female zebra nodded and broke off, heading towards them with an elegant little trot. She was wearing a little too much make up and jewellery over her combat armor, her gun hung at an angle where she wouldn’t be able to bring it up with any kind of speed at all. That along with a build hardly suited to firing the assault rifle she was carrying convinced Cherry that she was more suited to intimidating civilians than any real fighting. She simply sized them up with a brief glance before speaking in a loud, officious tone, “All visitors to Gadorn are required to pay a visitor’s tax.” She looked them over with a searching glare before continuing, “That will be a hundred and twenty marks. Each. Any law breaking you perform here will result in further fines, and confiscation of your weapons.”

A hundred and twenty marks. At the prices from Star Fall that was about a thousand caps, a ridiculous sum, “What if we don’t want to pay that just to enter the town?”

“And be caught out in the wasteland at night?” The mare smiled cruelly, “You’re well equipped and strong, you clearly have caps to spare.”

“And check out what happens when you don’t pay up!” The thuggish zebra pulled an old zebra from the shop, pointing out the broken door as he did, “Look at that you old fool, we’ll have to fix that door before anyone else moves in!”

The zebra was sobbing pathetically as he was dragged along the floor, to be honest he looked about eighty, “I’m sorry sir, but with my broken leg I haven’t been able to run the shop...”

“And it’s always some excuse! If you can’t run your shop, pay your taxes... we’ll find some zebra who can!”

He hurled the zebra off the steps, the old stallion hitting the ground with a sickening crack. Even the mare with him gasped as his dead eyes rolled up to the sky.

Jammer spoke first, her voice raw and strained, “You killed him!”

“Who cares? No family, no money, no worth.” The big zebra jumped down and kicked the corpse into the corner, sneering at them, “Money, now, or you end up like shithead here.”

Cherry stepped forward before anypony else could react. She pulled the coins from her bag, counted them up and flung them through the air to land at his hooves, “Here. No trouble.”

“That’s grand.” He grinned evilly at them as he picked the coin pouch up with a hoof, “Enjoy your time here. Nai, clear this shit up, got to go report to the boss.”

Their reporting of the old zebra’s death to the town’s folk didn’t raise any surprise. They all said the same thing, that it was common, that as long as you paid your taxes and kept your head down you could make quite a bit of money off the merchants passing through here. This sounded rather odd considering the high taxes, but Jammer was quick to ask the right questions.

Cancey was being bribed by a few of the big merchant houses down south to obstruct the flow of free trade through the area, while allowing their own caravans free access. Their own influence with Caesar ensured that he turned a blind eye to Cancey’s men having their way with the poor and vulnerable, inventing new taxes that gave him great wealth. It was a depressingly common story, and it did not improve her opinion of Caesar.

She had done this before. In the years after the day of Sunshine and Rainbow Gawdyna had ordered them against dozens of fifes like this, some part of the Republic and some running their own little dominions. She personally found there to be little more satisfying that putting a bullet in somepony pretending he was a civilized businesspony while feeding off others like a leech, having not felt quite as righteous in a long while.

It was in that sense of righteousness that she walked alongside Fennel and Jammer, guns loaded and ready as they made their way down the main street. She spotted zebra watching them from the windows, her eyes then flicking to a chubby, well armed zebra and three others, the two they had met before and another skinny male advancing towards them.

Fennel moved out with a wide grin on his face and the lead zebra did the same, his shotgun locking on the pony. The zebra called out loudly as Fennel approached, squinting through the heat haze, “What do you want pony scum? I’m here the sheriff of this town, and I don’t tolerate any bullshit from some immigrant trash.”

“Got issues with your treatment of these zebra.”

The sheriff smirked, “Really? Because this armor top of the range, this gun could turn you to paste in a second, and I outnumber you four to three.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, so why don’t you...?”

Fennel lunged forward, dodged under his gun and reared back up, taking the stallion’s head in his forehooves, “Wrong answer.”

“Wha...?”

Fennel gave one swift twist, the Sheriff spasming for a moment before falling still. Fennel dropped the stallion’s limp body to the ground, sneering as the deputies drew their own weapons. One actually fired and Cherry winced, Fennel however barely flinched. He just looked down at the bleeding wound on his chest, giving a barking laugh, “I didn’t even FEEL that ladies. Got anything bigger?”

Cherry drew her own pistol, clasping it in her forehoof and pointing it at the female, “Drop it.”

It was the skinny stallion who reacted first, flinging down his pistol, “Fuck this. Don’t pay me enough.”

“I... screw you!” The big zebra raised his gun, now aimed at Fennel’s head. Cherry didn’t hesitate, a bullet punching him through the eyeball and dropping him with one last look of confusion.

The female stepped back a pace at her comrade’s death, desperately throwing down her own rifle, “Yeah, yeah, I surrender!”

Cherry nodded coldly, though to be honest she was glad. She had always hated shooting women, “Good choice.”

Fennel glanced down at the bodies for a moment before stepping over them, moving into the center of town and raising his voice, “Citizens of Gadorn!”

Jammer sighed as she stepped up behind them, shaking her head, “Here he goes...”

“You have no need to fear! This thug, who stole from you, bullied you, ruled over you with a dishonest, cruel heart... he is dead, and his master will soon follow!”

Cherry looked behind at Jammer, drawing close as more and more of the residents appeared to see what was going on, “You don’t approve?”

“Oh... I admire his sense of justice, I certainly don’t like seeing ponies suffer.” She stated, a little defensive, “I just wish it didn’t always end in violence.”

“You’re not a violent pony?” Cherry had noticed her failure to even draw the revolver at her side during the altercation just now.

She paled a little at the suggestion, “Well... not personally. I agree with its necessity, but I neither enjoy it, or demonstrate any great skill at causing it.” She sighed, shaking her head, “And I just wish he would think of the consequences. We’re declaring war, inciting rebellion on one of Caesar’s Magistrates.”

That had passed her mind. Still... “They really declared war on us.”

“True. I’ve been a wasteland adventurer for many years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how many villains will pick fights with us.” She looked across at Fennel, now surrounded by eager civilians, many of them armed, “Even after looking at Fennel.”

Cherry raised an eyebrow at the huge stallion, “He certainly is... intimidating looking with those modifications.”

“He was just as intimidating before.” A tiny smile came to Jammer’s lips, “A dozen of Red Eye’s slavers with guns had him surrounded, Fennel totally unarmed. And he just smiled as he charged them. That’s not the mark of a pony you want angry with you.”

Cherry was starting to wonder if it was a good idea following him, “That doesn’t sound very... advisable.”

Jammer chuckled, the smile making her seem much prettier, “He’s still alive isn’t he? Those cybernetics killed most of the other ponies we tried them on, and I’ve seen him take hundreds of bullets. I’m firmly convinced that Fennel is immortal.”

Cherry sure hoped so. There was no stepping back now.

Cherry watched the gates of Point Keyan through her scope, squatting on the nearby rock formation as the day ticked by. She didn’t mind, she had honed her patience through her paladin training. She simply watched as zebra passed through the gates in a steady stream, the guards surprise turning to confusion, then turning to concern as they realized just how many zebra they had let through and just how many stood outside the walls. The crowd grew rowdy as they piled up, the guards calling in reinforcements, talking excitedly to their commander.

Cherry took out her communicator, speaking firmly, “We’re ready. Commence stage one.”

Zebra marched up to the gate from inside the city, drawing weapons and aiming them at the backs of the poor guards there. Even as a few of them noticed the approaching hoard those outside drew weapons too, the guards realizing they were surrounded and throwing down their arms with haste. Cherry smiled, taking out her communicator once more, “The gate is ours. Stage two commencing.”

Most of the guards were quickly convinced to surrender by a co-ordinated sweep through the city, her and Jammer organizing the progress of each team as Fennel took care of any hotspots. Nice, simple and clean, a text book op. In her experience very few guards would resist a proper organized assault, they just weren't trained or paid to take that risk. That experience was proving true once again.

It hadn’t been quite as quick as she hoped however and the alarm had eventually been raised, the real fight now becoming apparent as they marched on the town hall. A good sixty or seventy guards and hired muscle now stood between them and the objective, and though they had not yet engaged their intentions were obvious. The rebels took up firing positions in the buildings flanking the street, Fennel leading a unit down towards them. His voice echoed loudly, “Lay down your weapons scumbags!”

The guard commander simply raised a hoof, a large zebra behind him drawing up a huge minigun and training it on Fennel.

Cherry opened fire, hitting the heavy weapons pony in the neck with a hollow point round. It tore his throat open and he died near instantly, Sunset turning to the side and punching another round into his commander. This deflected off his armor unfortunately, but it still staggered him and gave the others a chance.

The rebels surged forward, Fennel taking the front. He grinned widely as bullets bounced away, taking them himself to spare the others. His autocannon fired with a harsh roar and killed one of the guards, more than that however it sent the others scattering, terrified by this mad raider and his enormous weapon. The other rebels took the opportunity to take position, ducking into cover and firing into the now disorganized mob before them.

Cherry fired a few more shots before packing up her rifle and galloping to another position, dropping her rifle to her side and drawing her pistol with her mouth as she spotted a group of soldiers trying to flank the rebels from an alley. She crouched at the edge and fired downwards, rapid, well aimed shots taking out their hooves. She darted away before they could retaliate, wincing away from a shot whistling past her cheek and diving behind some wooden beams. It didn’t take long to spot the sniper in the town hall tower, leaning out and nailing him with a clear shot through the eye.

She ran to the edge of the building to check the progress of the main battle, encouraged to see that the rebels were doing well. Many of the soldiers had already surrendered, many others breaking and running. Much of that was down to Fennel, the buck spreading destruction everywhere he turned and seemingly immune to bullets.

She leapt down and hurried over to the town hall, occasionally pausing to snipe a zebra who came into her sights. She came across a few injured rebels and tossed them a healing potion, noticing Jammer a short distance away taking care of others who had fallen, rebel and guardsman alike.

The rebels were battering at the front door of the town hall, the solid oaken construction holding up impressively against their weight. Cherry took another route round the side of the building, keeping her eyes on all the side exits. They had to know the rebels would get in eventually, the sensible thing would be to try and escape...

A small door clicked, opening a tiny crack so whoever was behind it could eyeball the street for hostiles. She decided to give them one, raising herself onto her back legs and bringing her rifle to her shoulder, firing a single shot through the crack and into the pony behind. There was a loud thump and the door swung wide open, Cherry sprinting forward as a zebra slumped out onto the steps. The door opened into a long corridor, another zebra fleeing down it in terror, “Stop or I will open fire!”

He didn’t, so she did. Her bullet shattered a light fixing above him and sent him cowering to the floor, Cherry advancing slowly on the zebra. He wasn’t armed, and didn’t appear to be a fighter of any kind, she shoved him to the floor and bound his hooves with ties, “Stay still, don’t cause trouble.”

He nodded furiously, clearly scared out of his wits.

She carried on, sparing a small thought for the zebra she had killed. He was unarmed, likely a clerk. Still civilians got killed in a battle, and a soldiers duty was to the lives of his own side first and independents second. She dismissed it from her mind, slipping into the cover of a couch as two large zebra moved in from ahead. She moved quickly as they fired their weapons, easily tearing through the thin structure. She bucked it hard as it started to collapse, throwing up a cloud of sawdust and allowing her to flank the pair. The first fell with a shot through the side of the head with her rifle, the second dropped to the ground with a blast to the shoulder. He hit the ground awkwardly and raised his remaining hoof in surrender, Cherry a second from finishing him off before Jammer’s face suddenly leapt unbidden into her mind.

Damnit, she was well too solidly trained for learning new tricks now. Still she had hesitated now and he still hadn’t shot at her, Cherry deciding to take the chance. She kept a firm eye on him as she shoved him to the ground and bound his hooves, drawing a line at giving him a healing potion. The wound shouldn’t be fatal, Cherry letting him bleed as she continued on.

She soon came to the offices she had been brought to originally, the area pretty torn up. The bodies of guard zebra lay scattered around, the doors smashed in and the walls covered in bullet holes. She entered the office and was immediately confronted with a large hole smashed through the entire side wall, Cherry following the trail of destruction.

“Stay back, I’m warning you! I’ll do it!”

She hurried ahead at the voice, that of Cancey by the sound of it. She was heading towards the back of the town hall now, no signs of battle except for slightly splintered floorboards in places. She eventually reached the exit, the door shattered out onto the tarmac behind. She moved through with rifle raised, finding herself in a small vehicle park. An armored sand buggy was the only transport there, Cancey backing towards it with a small zebra filly clutched in his hooves. He desperately pressed a small pistol into her skull as Fennel stalked around him, his rifle hovering over the target. She wondered if she could get a shot while he was distracted, he quickly noticed her however and moved the filly to block her aim too, “Just let me go, I’m no threat to you!”

Fennel snorted angrily, “You’re the one profiting off all of this, you sent all those zebra out to die for you. Think we’ll really let you get away?”

He shook his head, stabbing the barrel of his weapon against the whimpering filly’s head, “You will if you want to keep this girl safe!”

Cherry inspected the target, unfortunately Cancey wasn’t a large zebra, he was just too small a target to be sure she wouldn’t hit the filly at the speed she would have to draw and fire. She could risk it, she was 60% sure she could make the shot... but that wasn’t good enough. She simply dropped her weapon slightly, waiting to see how this would play out.

Cancey spared her a look before focusing once more on Fennel, “See, your friend knows it’s futile. Let me go, there’s plenty of loot back there to satisfy...”

The world suddenly became blindingly white, a vortex of surging magic opening up a short distance away with a roar. Cherry backed up in shock, her rifle raised instinctively. Cancey reacted the same, his eyes wide and fearful. Fennel simply grinned.

An elderly pink pony in a purple robe stepped forth from the portal, the swirling energy collapsing with a sharp crack and a small burn mark on the ground. She looked up, eyes curious as she inspected the surroundings, Fennel, Cancey...

Cancey gripped the filly tighter, his gun raising, “Who the hell are you?! Are you with them?!”

The elderly pony looked over to Fennel, her mouth widening into a grin, “Yes. Yes I am.”

“Then...!”

She turned her eyes to Cancey, her horn flashing with pink light. His gun instantly transformed into flapping doves, a second shot sending out a beam of light that struck the zebra dead center of the forehead. He yelled and stumbled backwards, concentration etched on the old pony’s face as she adjusted and focused the beam.

And then it was done, the filly he had been holding stumbling away before turning to her captor. Her eyes opened in wonder and amusement, looking down at the buck near younger than she was. The elderly pony chuckled, nodding down at her, “Take it away kid.”

Cancey’s eyes were forced up from his youthful appearance for the brief moment it took to register the pair of hooves flying at him, “Wait, n...!”

Fennel chuckled as the zebra was knocked flying, groaning as he slumped to the floor. His laughter was slow and echoing, grinning at the old pony, “I always loved that spell Dream.”

Cherry hesitated for a moment to register this new information, her eyes flicking to the old mare and studying her in detail. She really didn’t have to, knowing this mare well enough to draw a picture, “You’re...” She paused to throttle in her initial shock, hating to air her emotions so openly, “You’re Dream Star, leader of the Twilight Society.”

“Midnight Scepter is leader of the Twilight Society. I am simply a mere acolyte.” She turned to look at Cherry, then at Fennel. Her expression was casual, her eyes bright and intelligent under her heavy wrinkles, “Who is this Fennel?”

Fennel grinned crudely, “She’s a Paladin of the Applejack Rangers. She helped us out fighting that jerk over there.”

“You know honestly, I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t overthrown him by the time I got back.” Dream Star chuckled, raising her horn to the sky. A flash of magic later and a giant illusionary hologram of Fennel filled the sky, his voice ringing out loud and fierce.

“SOLDIERS OF CAESAR, YOUR LEADER HAS FALLEN! LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS AND YOU WILL BE SHOWN MERCY! RESIST, AND YOU WILL MEET THE SAME FATE!”

Cherry had enough of this, advancing on the mare with angry strides. She tensed further as Dream looked round at her in amusement, glaring back and speaking with practiced authority, “You tricked me! Tricked me into helping you with whatever dark plan...”

“Dark plan? And they say I’m melodramatic.” Dream grinned broad and wide, waving her hoof casually, “Let me assure you, I had no part in this. If Fennel has found this zebra wanting... well I am sure he deserved it.”

Fennel nodded as he turned to her, “Don’t you worry none, this asshole needed putting down. You weren’t helping the Twilight Society or anything like that, you were helping these zebra.”

“And now?” Cherry looked round at Dream, “You’re after the program, aren’t you? After that armor!”

Dream nodded, amusement crinkling her face, “As are you. In which case... it is a pleasure to meet you, though I’m not sure how one paladin is supposed to challenge me.” She chuckled, giving a wink, “And that was an invitation to prove me wrong by the way.”

She frowned, “Now?”

“Unless you have a few megaspells stored in that bag, I don’t recommend it.” Dream laughed, shaking her head, “Get some worthy allies, some training, maybe a legendary artifact or two. Come at me unexpected, make me try. Can you do that little paladin?”

“I will complete my mission.”

Dream laughed, nodding at her, “You do that little paladin. Just be warned...” She paused for a moment before walking away, giving a last laugh as Fennel followed, “I always win.”

_____________________________________________________

Level up – Level 12 gained.

Trait discovered –
Finesse
Your attacks show a lot of finesse. You don't do as much damage, but you cause more critical hits. All of your attacks do -25% damage. Your critical chance is increased by 10%.

Trait discovered -
Trigger Discipline
You are calm and patient, waiting for a clear shot before firing. You gain +20% accuracy with guns and energy weapons, but suffer -20% fire rate with guns and energy weapons, and +20% AP required per shot.

Perk Gained –
Sniper
You’re a true deadshot, always going for the killing blow. Your chance to hit an opponent’s head in V.A.T.S. is increased by 25%.

Chapter 2.7 - Growing Up Painfully

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Chapter 2.7 - Growing Up Painfully

Ace had often wondered what it would have been like. Most Post-Rainbow children had, it was part of the curriculum in almost every school in the NCR after all.

Indeed that very statement seemed so normal. An education, school, university. The feel of sunshine on your fur, safety, monsters and raiders in far off places you never had to visit. A warm well built home, three meals a day cooked with fresh ingredients...

And he felt it more than most. His parents would never, ever, want for anything. Together they ran half the country. He had butlers, a nanny, a tutor, personal trainers... every cop in the NCR would salute him, he just had to ask and all the resources of the Followers were available to him. Despite being quite honestly boring as hell and never having achieved a single thing of worth, photographers still tripped over themselves to get his picture.

These ponies... it hurt to think just how different their circumstances were to his.

Yet they seemed far happier. Fulfilled, in a way he had never been.

One buck had gained a stone column cutie mark when he, through trial and error, successfully reinforced several unstable areas of the cave. He had used rock and dirt, he didn’t even understand what this strange marble stick on his flank meant until he had been shown a picture of the great citadel of Caraz and the towers of Canterlot, his eyes widening at a dream of beauty regained through him. Another caring for her sick brother had soon found herself looking after half a dozen of the most sick and injured, drawn to those in the very worst condition in an attempt to ease their pain just a little. Eventually her brother and two of the other patients had died, and she had been roused from her grief only by the appearance of a swarm of fireflies on her flank. Radhi had told her the story, of the fireflies of the land of shadows, freeing the dead from the pain of life and guiding lost souls towards the golden flame of eternity. Another had that very golden flame upon his flank, taking up a moth eaten holy book and preaching enthusiastically about dignity and salvation through good work and the preservation of life. Another had an unrolling roll of fabric, it was him who was responsible for the beautiful coloured lights that covered the cave.

There were so many, all making him feel worse about his own cutie mark. It was worse than being a blank flank. At least blank flanks could still have hope.

He had spent much of his time after settling in just exploring the caves, trying to avoid the other children and their inevitable questions. He hadn’t seen Zenai and Dust Kicker in a while and had no intent to seek them out, Zenai another case of why he found it difficult to get along with mares. Dust on the other hand was just... not in his experience. He had already mentioned being a rich kid born into peace and prosperity. That was a concept still in its youth, but even the adults had become used to their new circumstances. Dust hadn’t. He still lived out there in the bandit filled wastes, hadn’t become another fat corporate mercenary keeping the poor unwashed off the steps of Hoofbeats. That was hardcore, and very intimidating.

He found a lot to keep his attention anyway, and reassuringly a lot he could really help with. Their water systems were pre-war and clearly in a poor state of repair, the pipes didn’t have the pressure to get it up to the higher levels and the boiler and pump were held together with duct tape and spit. He was sure that given a few common materials and equipment he could at least jury rig something, with more time and effort perhaps rebuild the whole system. It was reassuring to see them boiling and straining their water at least, but it was hardly error proof and extremely labour intensive. The background radiation was fortunately only a little higher than Manehatten, he guessed given the high surface radiation that the caves must have been shielded somehow, either intentionally or due to some quality of the rock. Sanitation was basic but effective, unicorn assisted incineration with a chimney that was once used for ventilation. That meant they were losing water, but apparently rain was frequent enough to replenish the underground reservoirs.

As for the social situation? He understood a boiler a whole lot better than a pony, but it seemed chaotic but still working, for the moment at least. Most of the conversations were conducted in increasingly aggressive shouts, he saw some clear bullying and many of the foals seemed idle or actively counterproductive, but the leaders he saw around busied themselves efficiently and diligently in putting out such fires. Some of these leaders were younger than the ponies they were bossing around, still they were always obeyed with the minimum of argument. The ages really were varied, he saw a few newborns, alongside ponies all the way up to nineteen. About seventy percent of those here were ponies, alongside many zebra and one little buffalo he was rather amused to spot.

And as he turned a corner he was forced to add another creature to that list, a very strange and unusual creature standing among a gaggle of foals too young to be left unattended.

Ace tried not to stare, but honestly the mare was fascinating looking. At first he thought she might be a donkey, but the shape was wrong. Like them she was slightly chubby of face with pronounced cheeks, she however was lankier and even rougher of fur, with a strange hump reaching up from the middle of her back. It was this that finally clued him in, even though he had never seen even a picture of one before. One of the foals looked up at him, his large eyes questioning, “Wha’ you looking at?”

Ace paused, blushing a little, “Um... I...”

“Do you have a crush on Miss Niyada?”

Ace blushed furiously at the child’s cunningly stated accusation, freezing for a second before shaking his head, “No! I... I just never seen...” He looked up, the strange mare having already spotted him and started to move over, “Uh...”

Niyada closed her eyes and gave a silent grin of amusement, after a moment speaking up to ease his embarrassment, “Please, pay no attention to them. They love to tease the new arrivals.” She watched his eyes drift to her hump, chuckling a little, “You have never seen a camel before?”

He shook his head, “Um, no...”

She nodded knowingly, her expression kind, “You are from Equestria yes? There really are none living there?”

“No.” Ace concluded, not really thinking it was that odd. Even if there had been survivors after the war, their numbers would have been too low to sustain a population. Camels could only breed with themselves, “I didn’t see any in Demonivore either.”

She nodded, smiling warmly at him, “Camels are very family orientated, they don’t tend to travel individually. Mostly they prefer to stay in their own lands, where they have guards, fine foods and comfortable beds. Many zebra have never met one, even if they deal with their traders every day.”

Ace looked down at the exited looking children by her feet, watching as she shooed them back to their toys. They certainly seemed to like her, “Then why are you here? Alone... I mean?”

She smiled at his somewhat awkward question, giving him a slightly chastising look, “Be careful asking about the life history of those here. None of us have many happy tales.”

He hesitated, feeling deeply embarrassed now. He really should have realised as much, how could he be so stupid? “I... um...”

“Don’t worry. I don’t mind.” She stated reassuringly, taking a short breath before explaining, “My family cheated High Steward Kholoqr, perhaps the single most powerful individual in Saddle Arabia. This was when I was very young and I’ve never really discovered the details, still it must have been very serious as all the adults were eventually executed for the crime. That’s not generally something done there you see.”

Ace raised an eyebrow. From what he heard the lords there generally held absolute power over life and death, and pretty much owned their populace from cradle to grave, “Really?”

“Oh yes. Most creatures in Saddle Arabia hesitate to kill, and Camels in particular have a dislike of violence.” She smiled, “Not that it makes them better morally. They like to think so, boasting how it rises them above their warlike Zebra neighbors, but really it’s more about the worth of a living captive over a dead one.”

Ace had heard this. It honestly... made him angry, and sick at the same time, “They practice slavery.”

“Yes.” She stated softly, “I’d never justify it, but again try not to judge too quickly. Slaves are generally taken from criminals, orphans and war prisoners, those with no family to support them or who aren’t trusted with their freedom. Their owner is supposed to care for them, teach and socialise them, and in return expect loyal service. In many cases it works very well, there are even many slave families who have dedicated their lives to a particular Lord for generations. They are granted great power and respect.”

He frowned as he digested this, not really sure how to take it, “And you?”

“I... well High Steward Kholoqr was a very important camel and had many slaves, and really I have much to thank him for. I was the daughter of those who wronged him greatly yet he gave me an education, fed and dressed me well, brought me up with many friends. Still I was always a commodity to him, and eventually I was sold as a servant to a rich zebra merchant in this area.”

Ace hesitated to ask, still he couldn’t stop there, “And... you’re not with him anymore?”

Niyada dropped her head, a slight, far away smile still sitting on her lips. Eventually she looked up at him once more, shaking her head, “He wasn’t very kind. I escaped much of it, but the other servants suffered greatly. I still feel guilty about not being able to protect them, and one of them still blames me.”

Ace tensed, feeling the desire to go and beat some sense into whoever it was, “Didn’t protect him from your master, who could have you killed with a word?”

She gave him a chastising look, “They suffered abuse for years, forced to feel worthless and uncared for. I slept beside them and asked to be treated as an equal, but escaped the worst of it. Now I am considered important within Dusklight, yet they are treated as troublemakers.”

Ace considered her words, not really thinking of it like that. Maybe he should. He knew he should. His father (his mother briefly surfaced in his mind before he blocked her away) often spoke to him about considering other people before himself and remembering how small he was in comparison to the world, still it was hard to keep that in his mind when his perceptions really did begin and end with him, “That’s... very empathic of you.”

“Well... I can hardly take credit.” She stood primly and smart, a warm, welcoming smile on her face, “I’m a servant girl of Bardadin, well trained in anticipating the expectations and demands of a whole noble family. This is hardly a role I’m unprepared for.”

“Huh...” He thought she was being modest. Fluttershy and his father had trained him extensively to be more like them, and he was still as awkward and selfish as ever, “Well it’s certainly an asset to Dusklight.”

She nodded cheerfully, looking back at her foals, still busily playing and arguing behind, “I really like it here, I think the Princess and Radhi are doing great things.”

“You mention them together.”

She chuckled softly at his comment, “Princess Luna is the smartest mare I have ever met, an unparalleled scholar and a fearsome warrior but her temperament is hardly suited to day to day governance. Radhi is often teased by her for being unimaginative, but he is a far more capable administrator.” She paused for a moment, considering for a second before nodding apologetically, “And both would scold me for not including Swift Crimson too. He’s not exactly known for his sense of humour and can be impossible to work with when the Princess is in the room, but he commands the army with a lot of experience. We owe all of our defence preparations to him.”

Ace Gold frowned, recognising the name instantly, “Isn’t he the douche who punched me?”

Niyada chuckled, giving a secretive little grin, “Yes. He’s a little too quick with his hooves it’s true, but give him a chance.” She grinned, “We disagree all the time, but even I can respect his good qualities.”

Ace was willing to accept that. He was hardly innocent of picking fights, and honestly had no desire for bad blood with anyone here so soon after his arrival. Besides he had other individuals on his mind, Niyada’s reminder of the fight bringing him back to the forefront. He felt a flicker of butterflies in his stomach as he asked his question, trying not to let it show in his voice, “I was hoping to speak to Radhi actually. Do you know where I would find him?”

“Radhi? Hmm...” She considered the question, “He’s often helping out around the caves, but in his downtime you can normally find him in the library. I suggest you try there.”

He kept his eye out for Radhi on the way to the library but no signs of the zebra presented themselves, Ace figuring he was headed in the right direction. He approached the closed door of the library and prepared himself, wondering exactly how to start conversation if Radhi was working. To be honest he wasn’t sure what he intended to achieve, bar some sort of communication between them. Maybe he should just go with his technical expertise and air his suggestions for improving water and sanitation, though he was wary of boring the zebra to death. Still, it was his best idea so far.

Such thoughts went firmly nowhere as he opened the door to nothing but the large, tar black figure of Princess Luna, bent over a table with magic at her horn.

He couldn’t help but feel cautious as he moved inside, though his pride demanded he tried to hide it. That caution at least was having to fight his increasing interest in what exactly she was doing, knowing enough about magic to detect a very complex spell formed at Luna’s horn. Despite that complexity there was actually very little magic there, not surprising as she would never be able to control it otherwise. He couldn’t tell what it was supposed to be doing exactly, it didn’t look like any viable spell he had ever seen.

He ventured inside and waited by a table as he watched her, realising it was rude but unable to help himself. He didn’t believe for a moment that this was really some... alicorn princess, but he had to admit she was very skilful.

He felt a little guilty as she extinguished her spell, turning to him with a slightly impatient expression, “Did you come to read, or just to stare at me?”

Ace fought against his blushes, “I was just wondering what you were casting there.”

“I wasn’t casting anything, not really.” Her annoyance faded, a small smile taking her face as she explained, “This is Twilight’s Box. It’s a series of linked spells, each of which will fall apart without others in the chain. You have to put it together, and then take it apart without losing the spell.”

“That sounds difficult.” Ace frowned, realising he was stating the obvious, “You’re training your magic?”

“I’m trying.” She sighed, curling her lip rather sulkily, “It’s easy enough when you’re standing in a library, but when you’re in battle control is not something that comes naturally.”

Ace Gold agreed with the effort. Loss of control had lost his opponents a lot of fights, “Battle should be like surgery. Find the right spot, and take your opponent apart bit by bit. Clinical.”

“Hmm, I find passion hard to escape.” Luna turned away, frustration playing upon her brow, “Are you a student of magic?”

Ace Gold frowned, wondering how to answer. He had never really studied magic as such but he was pretty good at science, and for a unicorn they tended to be the same thing in the end, “A little, yeah.”

“And do you have control?”

Ace grunted, “I’ve got the opposite problem.”

To his surprise Luna giggled, light and girlish, her stiff, regal stance transforming into something far warmer and softer. She smiled at Ace, arresting and otherworldly, her eyes kind and playful, “You take yourself very seriously.”

He bristled, glancing around angrily for a moment before realising it was true. Didn’t mean he liked it brought up, “Maybe, yeah. What’s wrong with that?”

She grinned, her eyes wandering over his body with a little too much curiosity, “Nothing. I think it’s very cute.”

“Um...”

“You wanna see another trick I’ve learned?” Luna’s regal accent dropped for a moment as she lifted her horn, a bright, beautiful and desperately fragile helix of magic appearing at the tip. She span it round with subtle, delicate flashes of magic, weaving it in a sparkling circle before hurling it spinning at Ace. He felt his heart leap in his chest as he moved forward to catch it, keeping his magic as gentle as possible.

He caught it, gasping as it shook in his grasp, biting his lip as it threatened to veer away... and managed to just keep hold of it. He focused his mind and looked across to the grinning Luna, spinning the helix about and hurling it back at her.

She giggled, bright and girlish, her hooves cantering as she caught the spark and split it in two, weaving them about each other in increasingly complex shapes. Ace had to admit he was impressed. He knew she was powerful, and being powerful was no big deal in a way, Luna however was proving herself far more than that.

Her magic was beautiful. Subtle, carefully crafted and totally of the mare who had created it, everything his magic wasn’t. The way she laughed wasn’t how he ever considered Luna to be, but it was genuine in a way her ‘empress of the night’ thing wasn’t. She sent the helix bursting into a glorious map of stars that he realised had been woven into the magic from the very beginning, Luna sending them flying at him from every direction. He caught each in turn, his concentration absolute as he sent them back at her.

“You’re too stiff! Let yourself relax!” Luna grinned wildly her bright laugh filling the room as she danced through the stars, “You think this is a contest?”

Ace frowned at this as he tried to catch each star, wondering what else it was, “It isn’t?”

Luna grinned, jumping next to him and artfully skipping from one hoof to the other. She was really remarkable dexterous for such a large pony, Ace finding him somewhat entranced by the easy way in which she bounded around him. That was... weird, and slightly unsettling. She only seemed amused by what must have been a strange expression, grinning down at him, “We’re dancing.”

He really blushed now, for a moment even finding himself dwelling on the graceful curves of her midnight form. He quickly wiped that thought from his mind, “I don’t dance.”

“I can tell!” She laughed, her smile impish, “No pretty mares ever asked you to dance before Ace?”

Ace hated this shit. He had enough of it at school, this juvenile dick measuring contest that in his experience was normally built on furious bluffing, “Plenty. I’m not interested.”

She looked surprised at this, and a little disappointed, “Not interested in mares?”

“No.”

She grinned, “Stallions then?”

“I...” Ace blanked for a moment, just wanting to get off this topic. It was a stupid discussion, of no practical value whatsoever, “No. I don’t care about any of that stuff. It’s all stupid.”

“Really.”

“Yes.” He asserted as firmly as he could, “I like to focus on more practical stuff.”

Luna chuckled quietly to herself before grinning at him once more, her expression chillingly calculating, “You want to help with practical stuff then?”

He advanced cautiously, “Yes?”

“Then I’ll give you a chance to prove yourself. Ebony has been asking us to raid a nearby hospital for ages now, and we’re finally in the position to send a group out.” She nodded, “I want you to join them.”

Ace couldn’t help but be suspicious, Luna was clearly teasing him somehow. Still he was eager to prove himself, and the mission sounded worthy, “Ok. What do I do?”

She looked pleased at his rapid acceptance, “Go down to the armoury on the second floor in two hours time, they’ll be waiting for you.” She paused for a second before continuing, her voice cute and sing song as she grinned at him, “Good luck Ace, I’ll be counting on you.”

Ace stepped out into the main chamber, considering this new assignment. To be honest he was eager to do something useful, and maybe pick up some parts for the boiler at the same time. It was certainly better than just hanging around here...

“Ah. Um... Ace Gold, yes?”

Ace looked up, his throat tightening a little as he saw Radhi standing just a few feet ahead. He was obviously hard at work, his mane rather distressed and his coat a little dirty, which only made him even more... reliable looking. A bookish scholar, willing to get his hooves dirty? That was cool, “Um... yes. Good morning.”

Radhi laughed, “Well, its a little past lunch now, but good morning yes.”

Ace froze, not knowing what else to say now he was here. He dug down into his chest and almost dragged something out to break the silence, “You... look like you’ve been busy.”

Radhi looked down at his coat, giving an embarrassed little smile and quickly brushing himself down, “Ah yes, sorry about that. I’ve been helping out with the farming, reading up on some new techniques we can try. As I mentioned earlier, I’m eager for us to be self sufficient. Among other things it will allow us to reduce the taxes on the surrounding villages, or at least redirect them to other projects.”

Ace tried to calm his nerves. He was sure Radhi must have been able to see it, even behind Ace’s sunglasses, “Um... I had some ideas actually...” He tried to relax his shoulders as he continued to explain, “About the boiler. Fixing it... or making it better.”

“Oh, that would be very helpful.” Radhi sighed, shrugging his shoulders, “I’m not really mechanically minded, and none of the others are knowledgeable about plumbing either. Are you sure you can handle it?”

Ace felt a whole lot better as he nodded enthusiastically, “Yes sir.”

“Oh, excellent.” Radhi smiled appreciatively, making Ace’s heart flutter just a little, “Please, tell me when you have any progress, or need any help. I’ll let you get on.”

Ace watched him leave, feeling that it had gone... well. At least he had made some kind of a good impression, “Yeah... right.”

Ace emerged into the preparation room at the two hour mark as instructed, the place iron doored and very heavily guarded, understandable given what was inside. These kids were certainly well armed, dozens of weapons on display and likely more in the boxes lying around. Most of them didn’t look like they were in great condition, some of them inexpertly dismantled on the tables. Still they were all serviceable and some even looked pretty nice, impressive considering they lacked the resources of Caesar or the NCR and were... well, children.

There were four figures there, a slim, small female zebra, a tall mop haired pony buck with a triple hayseed cutie mark, a pony mare with a swept back purple mane and a cutie mark of a firing assault rifle and...

Swift Crimson looked up at him, the buck visibly wincing. After a second to get his composure back he addressed Ace, formally and without malice, “What do you need?”

“I’m part of the team apparently.” Ace looked across at the buck questioningly, “Is that a problem?”

“No. I...” He noticed the others staring and glared angrily at them, “Get on with your prep! I’ve got to talk with the new blood.”

Ace let Swift Crimson lead him out, not noticing any signs of deception in the pony. He seemed frustrated and twitchy, but it really didn’t seem directed at him as such. They moved into the corridor, Swift stopping there and giving a big sigh. Ace decided to make the first move for him, “You alright man?”

Swift smiled as he turned to look at Ace, pausing for a moment before nodding appreciatively, “Yeah. And thanks. And sorry.”

“No problem.”

Swift frowned at his lack of anger, “I punched you.”

Ace couldn’t help smiling, “I totally punched you more, and harder.”

Swift winced, still his smile was genuine, “Low blow... you’re good.”

“I’m well trained. Who taught you to fight?”

Swift replied simply, and with no obvious emotion, “My father. He was an anti-slavery campaigner, fought against the tribe that lived here for years.”

Ace pursed his lips in sympathy, “They get him in the end?”

Swift Crimson gave a grim nod, “Yeah. Took me captive afterwards, me and a whole bunch of other kids.”

“Luna saved you?”

“Killed them all... tore apart our cages and led us into the main encampment.” Swift slapped a hoof against his chest, pride in his stance and in his eyes, “I saved her life twice that day, she saved mine a hundred times more. We led fourteen foals into a camp of fifty trained killers and lost two. She wept over both of them, asked their names and histories, called them heroes... and I swore my allegiance to her right there on bended knee.”

Ace was only convinced once more that this mare was insane, but that she was also very dangerous and inspiringly sincere in her beliefs. Leading a bunch of scared foals into battle? She certainly didn’t shy from a fight, “She’s certainly unlike anypony I’ve met before.”

“Yeah... and no.” Swift glared softly, “She’s still just a pony. And she can... be a bitch sometimes.”

Ace wasn’t sure how to respond to that, “Uh...”

“Did she flirt with you?”

Ace was really not prepared for this line of questioning, totally flustered now. To be honest he had been too shellshocked to fully process the event at the time, meaning it fell straight against him now with its full weight, “I... um... I’m not...”

Swift averted his eyes in sympathy, “It’s ok man, don’t let her get to you.”

Ace shivered a little, Luna really having gotten under his skin. He had actually been kinda tempted, which felt profoundly weird. She certainly had an arresting force of personality, “Has... has she flirted with you?”

Swift’s mouth fluttered dramatically between amusement and despair, his eyes eventually falling and a small tear rolling down his face. He wiped it away quickly, taking a moment to compose himself. He took a deep breath, looking embarrassed as he spoke, “She fucking... gets under my skin.”

Ace wondered if he should take the buck’s shoulder or something. He was too socially awkward however, just trying his best to look stoically sensitive, “Girls do that. They enjoy it I think.”

“Just...” Swift looked up at him with a cold glare, trying his best to retain some of his mystique, “Go near her and I’ll kill you, ok? She’s not available.”

Ace nodded quickly, silently considering his words. It certainly looked like Swift had it bad, explaining his initially hostile response to them, having as he said hurt Princess Luna in the past. It was a rather odd paring, given that she was almost three times his size and much, much older. Luna clearly knew, but he honestly wondered if she reciprocated.

“Let’s get back.” Swift spoke up, breaking the silence, “I want to get started before it gets too late.”

Ace nodded, eager to do the same, “Lead on.”

They had more than a fair share of armoured outfits, many of them in great condition and some indeed quite expensive looking. In the end he settled for light riot armour with a plain brown leather jacket draped over it, the more elaborate zebra military outfits not really his style. As for weapons, he had absolutely no need for anything but what he had already had. He stood expectantly as one of his team mates, the mop haired stallion called Cotton, dug through a box their weapons had been stored in.

“Don’t worry, we took real good care of them.” He stated as he handed the two pistols across, placing them down on the table before Ace. He looked down at them once more as Ace retrieved them, his eyebrows raised, “Nice weapons. Like the 45. Matador, though I don’t get why the barrels are so darn long.”

“Better accuracy, and the heavy slide absorbs recoil. My levitation is strong, so the weight isn’t a problem.”

Swift grunted in response as he armed up himself, “You say, but weight isn’t just a factor in combat. Carrying those two pistols on your flanks has got to wear you out.”

Ace looked down at the weapons, having to admit they were a pain to carry. Still, the benefits he felt were worth it, “What about your revolver? It looks heavier than mine.”

“It slings under my stomach when I’m flying, and it’s smaller and lighter than a rifle.” He slung the weapon across his body, fastening the holster in place, “It’s sighted for sniping, and has a mouth and hoof grip. Took this piece off a bandit leader, I always use it on patrol.”

“He’s most effective with it, this is true,” The zebra mare, Xeni stated, her voice calm to the point of sounding distinctively medicated, “I am a traditionalist, I am truly comfortable with the autocrossbows of my people.”

Ace raised an eyebrow as she indeed slung a collapsible crossbow over her shoulder, looking extremely low tech compared to their weapons, “A... crossbow?”

“Fucking good if the enemy has access to healing potions.” Swift smirked, “They’re designed to melt bullets, but they can’t do a thing for those thick shafts. They have to yank them out, which is a lot harder than it sounds. Silent too.”

“And inaccurate, and slow, and worthless against heavy armour.” The purple haired mare, Briar, snarked as she brought up her own weapon. It certainly stood as a stark defiance of their current topic of discussion. Indeed the large, bullpup zebra assault rifle was almost bigger than her, Ace recognising it as a elite, late war design designed for zebra assault troops. It had seen much better days, scratched, patched, taped and with large areas a totally different color than others, still the modifications and repairs looked reasonably well done. She certainly seemed happy with it, displaying it proudly and using a toothpick to clean out the cavities, “This on the other hand is a weapon that doesn’t need any fancy cheating bullshit to kill ponies.”

Ace figured she was that kind of mare, “I guess that explains the cutie mark.”

“My special talent? Yeah, it’s shooting assault rifles on full auto.” She giggled wildly, brushing her hair back with a sweep of her hoof, “Simple, effective, badass.”

“Aha, don’t let ‘er fool ya.” Cotton drawled, grinning at Ace, “She’s a great shot. Only pony I’ve ever seen can fire a full burst and hit with all three shots.”

Briar chuckled wildly, displaying him a mouth full of gem encrusted braces as she flicked her hair back once more, “Just try not to get in my way kid. Wouldn’t want to take your head off on your first patrol.”

Swift grunted impatiently and moved to the front, raising a hoof to get their attention, “Ok, enough chatter. Everyone ready?”

“Yes sir!”

“Then let’s get this fucking show on the road.”

The park was still as creepy as ever, Ace feeling his heart ache with every twisted diorama and broken ride. Like most foals of his generation he had visited ‘Golden Tail’s World Of Adventure’ and had fond memories of it, which made seeing this twisted skeleton of a once fine theme park that much creepier. They passed a half collapsed booth festooned in rotting fliers, Ace picking up one he saw was in reasonably good condition and staring at the brightly colored pictures of carnival games and happy foals.

“Eyes on task Ace.”

He looked up at Swift, nodding as he let the flier flutter away, “What’s the route anyway?”

“Don’t know.” Swift smirked, looking back knowingly, “Gonna ask one of the ghosts.”

He stared coldly, “Are you ten?”

“Really.” Swift’s smile became soft and calm, “Have you never met one before?”

“No. Because they’re not real.”

“There’s one right behind you.”

“Really, well...” Ace started to say before he heard the hoofstep behind him and a sharp, raspy draw of breath. He tried not to jump, preparing himself as he inched round to face the new arrival...

“Boo.”

He tried not to look surprised, or disgusted, or frightened, feeding his body the knowledge that he had seen millions of them and this one wasn’t even that bad. Indeed he was... small, even smaller than him, thin and underdeveloped with half his face rotted away to reveal yellowish baby teeth. Ace inspected this new arrival fully, a black toga covering light leathers, a customised sniper carbine slung across his shoulder. He looked old, a ghoul having once shown him how to tell. At least a hundred years if the signs were any indication. He paused for a moment before offering a hoof to the new arrival, “Um... you’re our guide?”

The zebra ghoul looked surprised for a few moments before laughing, his voice rough and raspy but still holding a high, childish quality, “No fair, you ruined their fun.”

Ace frowned, “It’s insulting to treat ghouls as monsters. Or ghosts.”

“I would be insulted, if you had known me. If you hadn’t... hey, rotten flesh, creepy grin. I’m not ignorant of how I look to normies.” The zebra gave him a sharp, smirking look, “Which makes me think I’m not the first ghost you’ve met.”

“Ghoul, and no.” Ace stated simply, “One of my favorite teachers back home is a ghoul. One of the Elements of Harmony and a long time family friend is a ghoul too.”

“You know the elements of harmony?” Briar exclaimed behind him, Ace turning to see all four of them looking deeply interested.

Him and his big mouth... “Some of them... sort of. I’ve met them occasionally.”

“I knew you were from Equestria, but wow, that’s pretty cool stuff Ace.” Briar continued, slicking her hair back and staring at him in interest, “Your family must be real important huh?”

“No! I...” Ace started, increasingly irritated by the subject. He didn’t want to talk about the Elements of Harmony. He left home to get away from this shit, “They might be. But I’m just me. So what the Element Bearers might have spoken to me once or twice, what’s the big deal? Doesn’t make me any more special than the rest of you.”

“Well said.” The ghoul zebra said suddenly, moving forward to face Ace and shoot him a reassuring smile, “I think we should continue on. Follow me everyone, I’ll lead you to the best spot for approaching the hospital.”

The others all nodded and continued, Ace silently falling into place. The ghoul zebra soon approached him and Ace gave him an awkward smile, trying to communicate his sincerity, “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. I know what it’s like.” The zebra grinned at him again, Ace quickly getting used to his odd, toothy smile, “Kaizanti. Or Kai, if you don’t want to make me wince.”

Ace returned the smile, “Ace Gold. So you’re one of the ghosts protecting this place?”

“Ever since I died.” Kai stated simply, not seeming entirely joking about the statement, “I was in that big Hall of Mirrors over there when the megaspell hit.”

“You’re pre-war?”

“Yeah.” Kai smiled sadly, looking around the burnt out remains, “I still remember this place, how it was before. Don’t remember my parent’s faces, or their voices... but I remember this place.”

Ace looked at the spot where Kai had indicated. It didn’t seem too far from the impact site, and most of the structure was burnt and fused to the ground, “How did you survive?”

Kai grinned in remembrance, “My bodyguard Shira did his job, jumped on top of me and shielded me with his body. When I came to I tried to look for help, found a few others who had survived the blast, adults and children. We tried to call for help, the authorities, our parents, the military... nothing.”

“They were all dead.” Ace stated simply.

“No. Many of them retreated into the Stables.” Kai shrugged his shoulders, “Left us behind. Don’t really blame them, must have thought we were dead. We really were I suppose, so close to the blast.”

Ace nodded sadly, “The radiation. You became ghouls.”

“Not all of us.”

“No, I guess not.”

“I’ve done alright for myself I think. Despite everything.” Kai shrugged his shoulders, smiling at Ace, “My father hated ponies. He was one of the main financial backers for the Megaspells, ached to fire them at Equestria and wipe all of you out. I guess I would have turned out just like him eventually. We would never be having this conversation.”

“Not necessarily.” Ace grimaced, “I have no intention of turning out like my father.”

Kai smiled, “I guess from what you said he’s a pretty important pony too. Knowing the elements of harmony and all.”

Ace didn’t quite know how to add to that. It was true, “Yeah...”

“I hated my father when I was a foal, thought he was a smug, emotionally distant bully. But everyone was always telling me what a great zebra he was, how I needed to live up to his example. When I first became a ghoul I tried to cling to the lessons he had taught me, become cold and hard, hate my enemies, control my allies.” Kai shook his head, “It... gave me the strength I needed to survive. But two hundred years is a long time to be someone else. And if I still hated ponies then I would never had met half the dearest friends I’ve had during my life. And I would never be here now, protecting Princess Luna and her tribe.”

Ace looked back at the little group trudging along behind, “They came here looking for shelter?”

Kai nodded, “Me and the others, we always tried to maintain this place as our sanctuary. We would venture out into the world, but we could always come back here to hide from it.” He took a deep breath and gave Ace a broad smile, “But this place was made for foals, and seeing those tired, scared looking kids... well it inspired something in me I haven’t felt for a long time.”

Ace thought on that for a little while, eventually feeling a little itch grow at the back of his mind. He needed to air it, knowing he was being unfair, ungrateful, “My father isn’t a bad stallion. He’s a lot better than I am. If he was here, all of this would already have been sorted. He would have raced in, beat the bad guys and be relaxing back at the base with the best girl in the house and a bottle of whiskey.”

Kai smiled, “A lot to live up to?”

Ace grunted, “Don’t get me wrong, he’s got a lot to answer for... my mother too. And one day, I’m going to be enough of a pony to look them in the eye and tell them that.”

Kai chuckled and they advanced in silence, leaving Ace with his thoughts. He wondered if it was childish, but ultimately he had no choice. His parents were always telling him to talk to them, tell them what was wrong... but it was always a child, talking to two legendary heroes. He couldn’t shout at them, he couldn’t tell them what he was feeling. They would always be looking down on him.

One day he would be able to look his father in the eye.

“Right everypony, we’re approaching the edge of the park.” Swift called out loudly, loosening the straps on his pistol, “I want you all to keep your eyes out and... fuck!”

Cotton yelled out and fell, the retort of the rifle echoing across the ashes. The others dashed to cover, another bullet taking Xeni’s leg and sending her thumping into the ground. Swift opened his wings and was there in a moment, picking the zebra up by the scruff of her neck and dumping her behind a rock before landing himself. A bullet fragmented against a rock as Ace ran into cover, desperately looking over at Kai, “Where’s that coming from?”

Kai peered over the rock, his voice shaking for a second as he confirmed the firing position, “Dinkie the Dragon statue, due west. But... that isn’t good.”

Ace looked over at the statue himself, quickly ducking down as a bullet struck the rock nearby, “Why not?”

“Because one of the other ghosts is supposed to be stationed there... wait a second.” Kai took a deep breath, took his rifle in his hooves... and stood, his eye at the sight, hoof on the trigger. A second passed in silence before the rifle shuddered from the recoil, a slight smile edging across Kai’s face, “Down. He looked like a bandit.”

Swift growled, “What’s a fucking bandit doing in the park? Aren’t you supposed to be monitoring the entrances?”

Kai shook his head slowly, clear worry on his face, “Natako was watching the entrance on this side. She was stationed in that statue.”

“Then the mission has changed.” Swift motioned them all to follow, loosening the straps on his revolver, “I’m not letting bandits near the cave. We scope out what’s happened to Natako, and we hunt every one of the fucking bastards down. Got that?”

The journey to the statue... was suspiciously uneventful. Everypony took it in turns to scour the horizon while the others moved, to their increasing discomfort however nothing seemed to be alive out there. Cotton eventually had to speak up, “Maybe there was just one guy, and Kai got him?”

“That would be nice, but assumptions get you killed.” Swift scanned his team before nodding to each in turn, “Cotton, Briar, Xani, stay here and keep your eyes open. Don’t let us get surrounded.”

Cotton gave a firm nod, resting his rifle on a fallen shard of metal plating, “Got it boss.”

“Kai, new blood, you’re on my flanks.” He turned and stared up at the dragon statue before him, its inner skeleton revealed by centuries of abuse, it’s great metal scales fallen around it. He prepared himself and advanced towards the base, peering up the stairs that led into its superstructure, “Cover me, I’m going in.”

Ace did as he was told, even though truth be told he wasn’t really sure how to cover someone. He kept his weapons high and his eyes open however, following Kai and Swift up the stairs. They eventually made it into a small room at its chest, a hole in the plating looking out onto the park beyond.

A zebra ghoul, small and childlike, lay in the center. Her throat had clearly been cut, and the blood had already congealed. Kai gave a shout of pain and ran to her side, Ace too surprised by his loss of composure to yell out the warning in time, “Kai, don’t...”

Kai leaned down and touched the dead ghoul’s shoulders, lifting her just enough to release the pressure on the landmine hidden underneath. It armed with a click, Ace simply tensing in anticipation and covering his face with his hooves...

He didn’t remember the explosion, only opening his eyes to blood and gore spread all around. He checked himself over but seemed to be unharmed, Swift grimacing nearby as he tended to a shoulder wound. Kai was sprawled on the ground, unmoving.

Ace immediately hurried over to Kai’s side, noting to his relief that the ghoul was still alive. That was a nasty trick, often employed by raiders, all NCR troops were trained to never approach a body that had been left by your opponents. Obviously not a trick commonly used here though, unless Kai was really lucky to have lived this long or had got damn careless. Fortunately the trap had been poorly set, too far under Natako and so defusing the force of the blast. He fed Kai a healing potion from his saddlebag, looking over to Swift next, “You ok Swift Crimson?”

Gunshots and yelling filled the air, Swift grunting in aggravation as he took his fallen pistol in his mouth and ran over to the hole in the wall, “No... fuck, fuck!” He stood up on his back hooves, raising his pistol and scanning the area. He fired a couple of shots before swinging his body back into cover, teeth gritted, “How the hell... I’ve led us all straight into a trap...”

Ace winced as a bullet hit the wall nearby, “Who are these guys?”

“No fucking idea!” Swift waved a hoof at Ace, increasingly frustrated, “Get down there and give them some fucking cover!”

Ace did as he was told, jogging down the stairs and ducking behind the wall. The group were all pinned down, surrounded by what look like surprisingly organised bandits. They were clearly outnumbered, Ace furthermore unsure if he could get a good shot on any of them.

“Ai... want some, get some.” Xani spoke the words in a surprisingly calm tone, unclipping a grenade and hurling it towards the bandits. It was immediately washed in crimson light and flung back towards the group, Cotton and Briar hitting the ground as it exploded nearby.

Unicorn magic huh? They thought they were the only ones with a unicorn? Ace grabbed his own grenade and let it fly, waiting until they had caught this one as well before applying a surge of his own magic and flinging it forwards. There were yells and the bandits scattered, Ace drawing his pistols and blasting at them. One fell, two others clearly hit and wounded. Xani stood and fired her crossbow, scoring a hit on the hip of one bandit. He fell sprawling and struggled for the shaft, Briar finishing him off. Cotton spotted another aiming at her and opened fire, landing a hit and sending the bandit back into cover.

Ace was just feeling the elation rise when Cotton took a bullet in the shoulder, Briar looking around in shock at his yell and immediately taking a hard blast to the back that slammed her into the ground with painful force. Ace tried to cover them as Xani raced in to provide healing potions, only to feel a deep well of fear open up as swarms of bandits charged their position with weapons blazing.

A loud crack of wind sounded above and Swift emerged, wings flapping as he soared left and right, firing shots into the hoard. They turned their weapons to him and Ace took the opportunity to charge forward, taking a low calibre shot like it was nothing and laying the first bandit out with a firm right hook. Xani came in beside him and her body flowed like water, tiptoeing across the ash and gently slamming her hoof into another of the bandits. He instantly contorted in pain and impact, flying into a large rock with a yell and a crack of stone on bone. Swift cartwheeled above and dived in, slamming all four hooves into the ground and sending forth a huge shockwave that sent bandits spinning.

They backed away together, positioning rocks between them and the quickly recovering bandits. A shot from above proved Kai was back in the game, the bullet striking a zebra in the face and sending him howling back towards his lines. Xani broke cover to tend to Briar, feeding her a healing potion and inspecting the unconscious mare. After a moment she called out, still sounding bizarrely calm despite the situation, “I have fed Briar a healing potion, but she will need medical treatment before she can walk again.”

“Ah, bad news on my part as well boss.” Cotton poked his head out from a block of fallen masonry, looking like his composure was beginning to crack, “My rifle jammed when I dropped it there. I’m done.”

“Bullshit soldier! You’re done when I say you’re done!” Swift grabbed Briar’s assault rifle by the stock and flung it to Cotton, the buck catching it with a surprised expression. Swift then turned to the others, waving them back, “Retreat! I’ll carry Briar!”

They ran, Cotton laying down fire to cover their retreat and Ace trying not to trip over the rough ground as bullets whistled past his ear. He heard a soft ‘owch’ behind and Xani stumbled a bit, Ace darting over to give her a little support as they hurried away.

He looked around, the bandits using their greater size and strength to outpace them. This wasn’t going to work, “Swift!”

“I see it.” He growled, galloping over to Cotton and hurling Briar onto his back, “Cotton, run! Make for the cave!”

Cotton gave him a worried look, “What are you gonna do?”

“Give them something to shoot at.” He stated simply, galloping backwards and sliding into the cover of a fallen diorama, leaning out to land a well placed bullet upon the leg of a charging zebra, “Go!”

Ace spotted another bandit fall to sniper fire, either Kai’s work or that of another ghost. He left Xeni and moved round to flank the bandits, firing a couple of sneaky shots from the mouthhole of a cardboard manticore. As hoped the bandits backed off, realising they were walking straight into crossfire. It gave him enough time to wave at the hesitating zebra behind, “You heard him Xeni.”

Xeni clutched a bandage to her bleeding side, slight pain behind her emotionless eyes, “He meant you as well.”

“I’m staying. Go.”

“Ok.” She looked like she was going to say something else for a moment but her mouth opened silently, and after a moment of looking concerned she galloped away with the others. Ace grunted in satisfaction and fired off a few more shots, grinning as a couple of bandits broke away from the main group to flush him out. He kicked away and they followed, Ace darting through broken tent poles and across collapsed carousels. The chase was on.

And it carried on for some time, Ace now starting to tire as the bandits swarmed everywhere, flushing him from one hiding place to the next. He now knew what Swift was talking about when he mentioned the weight of his weapons, feeling his shoulders ache as he tried desperately to catch his breath. These guys weren’t anything like the raiders he had heard about in the old stories, instead they were patient, methodical, clearly trained. Their weapons and armor were rubbish, but a bullet was a bullet.

And after a while he started to understand the reason they were finding him so easily, driving him from one hiding place to the next. The reason he now found himself walking between two large buildings, the gantries and scaffolding quickly filling with eager looking bandits. The reason one bandit in particular was walking out to meet him, his grin wide and wicked. He was being herded.

Ace faced off against the stallion, figuring it had to be an officer at the very least. The others were all backing away to watch, exited whispers directed towards the zebra standing arrogantly before him. He was young, younger than most of the others, though not exactly good looking and covered in scars. They were blade scars too, he was either really bad at shaving or he bathed his face in glass each morning. He was lean and agile looking, wearing light leathers that looked like they had been custom fitted to him.

He finally spoke, his voice high and scratchy, “You’re a pretty good killer kid. Where you learn to fight?”

How many zebra had asked him that today? “None of your business. My only business with you is my hoof to your face!”

The zebra laughed, his hoof scoring a long groove into the ground as he braced himself eagerly, “Really? THEN COME GET IT KID!”

The zebra charged in, all brute force and maximum aggression. Ace considered shooting him but knew the others would gun him down if he tried, settling with waiting for his opportunity to counter. He saw it the moment the zebra attacked, a thrusting punch with no subtlety or caution. Ace braced himself and leaned backwards, letting the punch sale past as he thrust himself upwards into a buck. The zebra grunted as he was sent upwards, thumping down a few feet away in a sprawling heap.

He quickly rose however, brushing himself down and grinning at Ace, “Good hit kid.”

“Yeah, that’s what... uh!”

The zebra had already charged, faster than Ace had originally thought. He darted left and right in a complex attack pattern, it truly unexpected this time when he leapt upwards in a summersault and dived hoof first at Ace’s spine. Ace managed to jump away but only just blocked a spinning hoof strike, the stallion’s greater size knocking him staggering with a sore hoof. Another thrusting hoof strike caught him on the cheek, Ace reeling back before jumping up and spinning his backhoof into the bandits face. The bandit yelled out and stumbled, Ace bouncing forward to repeatedly slam his scared face with repeated hoof strikes.

He was damn tough, Ace gave him that. He was eventually forced to back away, his hooves sore and his breathing heavy, the bandit releasing his guard to reveal a still grinning, if puffy and battered face. He observed Ace for a moment or two, pacing back and forth. Then he laughed, “You’re great at this kid, been a long time since any of these assholes gave me a real workout.”

Ace tried to slow his breathing, regain some of his strength for the inevitable round two, “So... come on and finish this!”

“Oh, I intend to.” The bandit chuckled to himself, the other bandits watching in keen expectation, “I’ll tell you what, I’ll even let you go if you beat me. On my honor, none of my clan will stop you.”

Ace was waiting for that. To be honest he wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to get out of here otherwise, “So what are you waiting for?”

“Absolutely nothing.” He grinned and charged once again, all power and speed and absolutely no subtlety. Ace wasn’t about to make the same mistake again and wear himself down, instead simply dodging backwards as the zebra swung his hoof round in a sideways slap.

And just at the last moment a catch released and a long sharp blade burst free from the end of that hoof, scoring a long, painful blow right across Ace’s face. He was fairly sure he screamed as his vision turned red, then black, his whole head feeling like it had just caught fire. He wanted to claw for his blooded eyes but fortunately couldn’t even find the composure to do that, simply staggering backwards in utter darkness.

Someone caught him, stabilising his wobbling form for the second it took to drive a blade deep into his chest. He gasped and fell as the weapon was withdrawn, his head in absolute agony as it thudded into the dirt. Consciousness started to fade, brief visions of his friends and family passing through his mind before...

“Load him up boys. And don’t bother wasting supplies on him, I’m pretty sure I didn’t hit him anywhere fatal. This one’s gonna be our little trump card in this war...”

And then he was gone, falling into the deep dark abyss past the edge of consciousness.

________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (4)
Trait Discovered:
Gifted
You have more innate abilities than most, so you have not spent as much time honing your skills. All seven stats have a +1 modifier, but all skills are -8% and you receive 4 less skill points per level.

Perk Gained:
Travel Light
You’re at your best with the wind on your fur. While wearing light armor or no armor, you run 10% faster.

Wound Acquired:
Blinded
You’ve taken damage to your eyes, removing your sight entirely. You suffer a -20 point penalty on any action that requires you to see what you’re doing.

Chapter 2.8 - Ecclesiastes

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Chapter 2.8 - Ecclesiastes

Esau awoke from his slumber, groggily throwing his covers aside and moving over to the desk with determined purpose. His thoughts swirled, anger and shame, Esau grunting as he pressed his hooves into the wooden surface. He looked up at the mirror, angry, familiar eyes staring out from an unfamiliar face. It was still too soft, still too young and innocent, still the face of a worthless fool lying helpless in the dust. Even the marks that covered it couldn’t disguise the sin there, the weakness.

He growled in frustration, moving over to the sink and bathing his head in water. He let it seep into him, the seconds ticking past until he brought his head out with a gasp and shook out his short, cropped mane. The cold water brought clarity to an unworthy mind.

He washed and dressed, feeling the sting of wounds both new and old and taking strength from them. They were signs that he was still alive. That he hadn’t died out there in the sands. He let his fur dry before taking a roll of clean bandages, wrapping them around his head in tight loops. Soon his unworthy flesh had faded away, the hale, arrogant young zebra replaced by the grim visage of an anonymous wasteland vigilante.

He walked out of his room a better stallion.

“What have your meditations told you?”

Esau trembled as his soul descended into the earth, the beating heart of the birthplace of civilisation. He felt the fire, the pain, the victory and defeat of over seven thousand years of battle. He saw the first protozebra striking at their foes with simple rocks tied to their hooves, the elegant bronze hatchets of the great empire, the crude iron warblades of Zephyr Stormstrung and his host, the sharp, utilitarian blades of the zebra republics... and felt all of it flow upwards into him, and the pistols at his side. Almost crude next to the magical energy weapons of the Equestrians, but deadly in a way only hard metal could be. He felt the bullets, felt them hum, enthused them with his hate. They existed to kill.

“My meditations are of war master.”

Tradash sighed, opening his eyes and looking at Esau with regret. He folded his hooves upon his lap and lowered his head, voice soft and kind, “You need to open yourself Esau. You try and impose yourself upon the earth, instead you need to understand and accept it.”

Esau felt himself tense in frustration. It wasn’t that easy, one didn’t just let go of their identity, “War is in my blood, it runs too strong within me. Accept it master, that I was born to kill and destroy.”

“Enough about blood.” Tradash rebuked, his voice quiet but firm in the silence of the room, “Whether magically, environmentally or physically, you inherit but a small amount from your parents. My father and mother are itinerant farmers, yet I was never bound to that life.”

Esau closed his eyes, feeling the fire pumping in his veins. The fire of a conqueror, of the line of Silver Imperious. He would never escape it, knew he was only humoring Tradash, “Some blood is stronger than others.”

“Your affection for violence was taught, no less and no more. It can be untaught.” Tradash sniffed, rising to his hooves and pacing the room fussily. His expression eventually softened however, breathing deep, “You are not failing Esau. I know you obsess over the state of your soul, but I see only a noble zebra doing good deeds.”

Esau’s face wrinkled under the bandages, “I still enjoy the killing.”

“Peace is not always possible.” Tradash turned to him, “I only advise you against it because indulgence will only reinforce your urges, and urges drive us all towards unwise action.” The zebra smiled warmly, adjusting his glasses with a cheeky grin, “You are right about me, my urge to recover lost knowledge and see new and interesting things is a flaw that leads me to underestimate the danger. We all struggle against our baser impulses.”

Those words cut through Esau like a knife.

Hot blazing sun. Pain, everywhere. Dry, bloody, flesh, baking upon hot sand. The desperate scream of a stomach denied food and water.

Another hoof thuds into him. A high, piercing laugh, impossibly youthful, almost a foal.

“You think you’re better than me. In your fine clothes, pretty face, brushed mane? Look at this, custom pistols, your name inscribed upon them. Did daddy make these for you?”

Another hoof, driving into flesh already lying in torn strips upon the sand.

“These are weaknesses. Unworthiness to exist upon a burnt earth. The world is broken, savage, ugly. I’ve given you a real face, worthy to stare out into the hell we have created. This... is a gift.”

Silence, then the sound of hoofsteps, a fading voice, “Join with the sands, and come and see me again when you understand. I will be waiting.”

Even through the abuse, the torture, the mind games... Esau tried to call out. Tried to scream for him to stay, to not leave him. To stay, to continue to cut and thrash the skin from his bones.

It was preferable to the alternative. He didn’t want to die alone. The heat beat upon him, the sand dug into his wounds. He lost all sense of time, howling in pain and despair as the darkness consumed all around him. He was certain then that his torment was eternal, unable to recall his family, his past... his very name. It was all taken away from him by the darkness. He wept, childish, pointless tears.

A presence came upon him, the sound of approaching footsteps. A warm, numbing wave, the soft touch of a gentle hoof. A warm, compassionate voice, “Here, I have water.”

He opened his eyes, the gentle, middle aged scholar before him seemingly born from the holy flame itself. Esau raised a hoof, tears running free and painful across a broken face, “Please... help...”

The scholar gave a warm fatherly smile, his hoofs closing upon his own, “Do not worry my son. I will see you safe.”

“Forgive me master... I have wronged you.” Tears dampened his bandages, regret and frustration burning through him, “I should not have questioned you in front of others. I shame myself with my ungrateful actions.”

Tradash chuckled kindly, shaking his head, “Nonsense Esau. I saved you because you were lost and alone, doing so without any expectation or desire for reward. That you strive to do the same, that you joined me among the pariah, that is payment far beyond the service.”

Esau tried to contain his emotions, the self loathing towards himself and the love for his master alike. He knew they were the emotions of an unworthy zebra, one with no faith in himself who longed to rely upon others. He would not be a zebra like that, not shame his master by becoming his broken obedient servant, “I... will do as you say. I will protect, serve the alicorn.”

Tradash smiled, “You have no need to serve her Esau.”

“All the shaman serve master.” Esau’s visualisation of his mission centered him, gave him purpose. He was a shaman, maybe not formally, maybe not of Garm, but a shaman none the less, “The powerful need the service of a shaman more than anyone, to guide them in wise understanding of their duty to the holy flame.”

Tradash gave a pleased nod, the scholar’s face full of honest affection, “You speak well Esau. Indeed I had another reason for placing her alongside you.”

Esau frowned, wondering why this was kept from him, “And what is that master?”

“I sense that like you, her heart pumps the hot red blood of a killer, and that like you she has struggled long and hard to keep herself from what she feels is her own evil nature.” Tradash gave a kind nod, “And like you yourself, it blinds her with self loathing, denying her the chance to nurture her heroic qualities. You more than anyone can understand that, help her to become the pony the world needs her to be.”

Esau bristled. The world needed no more alicorns, no more princes and kings, killing for petty ambition, “And why does the world need her master?”

Tradash chuckled, shaking his head and shrugging, “The world always needs more heroes Esau.”

He gazed upon her as she walked through the markets, so shy and nervous, yet with a clear will and passion hidden just beneath the surface. He hadn’t know quite how to feel when he first saw her, her form representative of all he hated. A alicorn, symbolic of the arrogance of royalty, painted in the colors of the patron saint of the kind of perverted science that had born the megaspells. And beneath her skin, the entity that had destroyed their civilisation once before, allowed to roam free.

Star Swirl should have been everything he hated. But instead he found himself confused, indecisive. Her death would achieve nothing. She personally had done nothing wrong that he knew about. He longed for her to give into madness, give him a foe representative of his crusade. Instead she invalidated it, twisted it into something he did not recognise. If pony princesses born of dark magic and inhabited by demons were not evil, then what was there to truly believe in?

She looked round suddenly, Esau making no effort to hide. She looked surprised for a moment before glaring, her front hoof lifting off the ground, “Are you watching me?”

“Yes.”

She frowned deeper at his bluntness, stepping closer, “You know, that’s generally seen as creepy.”

He allowed a small smile to form, since she could not see it beneath the bandages, “I’m a masked warrior priest killing zebra in the name of an order expelled from the Academy of Garm for trafficking with demons. Do you believe I care about accusations of ‘creepiness’?”

Her anger was broken by a little confusion, just as he had planned, “Was that a joke?”

“Jokes have structure and rules. I’m not personally very fond of them.” He carried on past her, eyes scanning the market. The zebra here were merchants in the most clichéd sense of the word, eagerly selling shoddy crap and trying to convince their targets that they had haggled grand deals out of them in spite of all the evidence. He had long since grown hardened to such things, “Are you intending to buy something?”

“Um...” She exclaimed in a wavering voice, clearly embarrassed. She mumbled slightly as she continued, something Esau found very cute and rather amusing considering her size and shape, “I like looking at dresses... I mean I know I look terrible in them, and that none of the ones here would fit me... but it’s nice to look right?”

Esau snorted, “Don’t bother. All the best clothing is made east, in Netaborga, or south in Saddle Arabia. All of this is either imported from there and marked up four hundred percent, or shoddy, locally made imitations.”

Star Swirl chuckled at this, “You seem to know a lot about dresses Esau.”

He snorted, turning around and fixing the grinning alicorn with a hard stare, “I know about fabric.”

She pouted for a moment, her expression completive. Eventually she nodded at him, turning her head sideways to look at him askew, “What’s with the bandages anyway? Are you... horribly scarred or something?”

He knew she would ask sooner or later, “Several reasons. Some of them the same reasons that I wished you could hide your height or wings.” He nodded at them, his mouth curling into a scowl. To think he had to travel with her... he could already anticipate the kind of reactions they would get in places where the reaction to strange ponies wasn’t to try and sell them dresses, “I’m astounded they haven’t already lynched you, parading them around like that. Especially considering the only other alicorn in these parts is massacring villages.”

“She’s got nothing to do with me. She doesn’t even look like a proper alicorn.” Star Swirl stated firmly, before returning to the original topic, “So... you wear them to hide who you are?”

“I wear them because this is who I am.” Esau stated, “Without a face and wearing full clothing my body language and expressions are obscured. I am judged by my actions and words, and those I can manage to my liking.”

She blinked, suddenly opening up with a broad smile, “That’s very clever.”

“That’s another reason you should follow my example. You reveal far too much with your body language.” He nodded at her wavering hoof, “Do you ever stop fidgeting?”

She blushed, immediately stamping the offending hoof to the ground with her other leg. She gave a nervous smile, shaking her head, “No.”

Esau paused, waiting her to continue. He was rather annoyed when she just stood there, looking sheepish, “That’s no answer. You should confront your flaws.”

“My overactive nervous system is a rather complicated flaw to manage.” Star Swirl quipped, before shrugging her shoulders in embarrassment, “Even back when I served... the Goddess... I was socially awkward. Always more comfortable commanding mindless drones than speaking to others. Singer and Speaker always used to tease me about it.”

Esau had heard of this from Tradash, his master having uncovered Star Swirl’s past with his scrying. Honestly he had expected a lot more from the Goddess’s most fearsome warrior and battlefield commander. All he could see in front of him was a awkward, nerdy little girl, “It’s true then? You are a proven warrior and strategist?”

“Um...” She grinned nervously, “Tactician, not strategist. I’m awful at strategy.”

Esau paused momentarily as they established a brief moment of connection, “Well... so am I, so I cannot fault you for that.”

“And really, I’ve always commanded other alicorns. They respond... responded... telepathically, and had very little will of their own.” Star Swirl shrugged pathetically, “I’m sure I would be awful at commanding actual troops.”

Esau nodded, wondering whether to reassure her, sympathise... mock? There was a time when he was the true socialite, a confident, swaggering charmer. Maybe that was something they truly had in common, that their true flawed nature had long been hidden behind a veil of incredibly specific competence, “Your old ways were used as a servant of evil Star Swirl. But you can still turn your skills towards harmony.”

“Yeah.” Star Swirl replied bitterly, “Take up the element of brutal slaughter and commanding mindraped drones into combat, I can see how that can be turned to righteousness.”

“I...”

“There you guys are.”

They both turned, Esau recognizing Starhammer’s skinny mare lieutenant Zenali easily slipping through the crowd to meet them. Esau moved to speak to her, nodding as she came closer, “You were looking for us?”

Zenali smiled somewhat seductively, nodding to the pair of them, “Sorry to interrupt your date, but Starhammer needs you back at base. Something has come up.”

Starhammer stood over the table as they entered, looking concerned as the large, intimidating general Icoxal and Tradash waited patiently opposite. Starhammer’s mute companion Kunani paced nervously, looking up as they entered and signing quickly to Zenali. Zenali paused to translate, looking up at Starhammer after a moment, “Really sir? Some of them survived?”

Starhammer grunted, placing both hooves on the ground and grimly looking across at her, “Well we know some of them survived, most of the raiders we’ve been fighting are still wearing tribe colors. But this is organised.”

Esau identified the subject of the discussion right there, and instantly a wave of rage and anger overtook him. He knew it was inevitable, he knew that a few of them might not be evil enough to deserve nothing more than death... but still, he had not been sad to see them razed from the wasteland, “The Entitidi have reformed?”

Starhammer nodded, looking distracted. Eventually he looked down at a piece of paper laid upon the table, placing his hoof down upon it, “Ekundayo, Olanrewaju’s heir, has apparently survived. Princess Luna has gotten careless it seems.”

The face of an angel, the scars like crude splashes of paint across a masterpiece. A soft, gentle voice, pleading and kind even as he struck Esau again and again.

“You think you would be welcome here? You think your name carries weight? You don’t belong here, you have forgotten all the lessons of this place.”

A flashing blade, then pain.

“I will help you remember.”

“Ekundayo’s alive!?”

Starhammer nodded, “Seems so. And he wants our help dealing with Princess Luna, wishes an alliance.” He smiled ever so slightly, “Apparently he has a high ranking captive to trade, and knowledge of where she’s hiding out.”

“Ekundayo is a monster. He deserves only death!”

Starhammer looked at Esau with surprise for a moment, obviously confused by his sudden anger. He regained his composure quickly, his voice low as he offered his own opinion, “I am aware. His own father all but disowned him in favor of his younger son, and Olanrewaju wasn’t exactly Mr Personable himself.”

Icoxal snorted loudly, “Olanrewaju was ruthless and opportunistic, with no sense of honor. He wasn’t however, insane. Ekundayo is, and would have burned his holdings to the ground if he had succeeded his father.”

“Yes, I’ve heard all the stories.” Starhammer silenced him with a wave, looking once again at the note, “But if he can really bring us the allegiance of the remaining Entitidi, along with a high ranking captive to interrogate... the enemy of my enemy is my friend?”

Esau would not let him even consider this, all his composure thrown to the wind as he raged, “He is not your friend, he will never be your friend! You should kill him now, and rid the wasteland of one more demon!”

Starhammer grinned smugly, just about to answer when Kunani caught his eye and her hoof stabbed across in a series of sharp, empathic signing. Her angry glare aptly empathized her point.

Starhammer finally broke away from her glare, taking a deep breath and looking at the others, “Ok, point made. What do the rest of you think? Zenali?”

The slim zebra considered briefly before replying firmly, body poised elegantly, “I don’t have to tell you that you lack the family connections that would cement your domain. Ruling this land after you take it from Princess Luna will be very difficult, you have no ties here save that of conquest. The allegiance of the Entitidi will make it much easier. If Ekundayo proves difficult... drop him down a mineshaft, and choose somezebra else as your client king.”

“Icoxal?”

“I am neutral my liege.” The big zebra explained, “On one hand, Zenali is correct, and Ekundayo could be removed later. I am not unversed in the dirtiness of war, and there is no dishonor in either allying with scum nor disposing of them as necessary. On the other hand...” He frowned deeply for a moment before continuing, “An army needs discipline, order, loyalty. If this Ekundayo is truly mad, he will add a dangerous wild factor to every aspect of your ambition he is allowed to touch.”

“Fair enough. Representative 5?”

Esau turned his attention to the machine in the corner, having honestly failed to notice the machine was there. The droid still barely moved, simply clicking for a second before speaking, “Ekundayo = No interest in droids = No threat to legion. However Icoxal = Correct. + unpredictability into precision tasks. = unacceptable.”

Starhammer considered these thoughts for a moment before turning to Tradash, “You’ve been quiet Tradash. What do you think?”

Tradash hesitated, a little embarrassed at being called out like that. He fiddled with his glasses and coughed politely before speaking, “My lord, I can hardly comment on your ambition...”

“Then don’t. Just say what you think.”

Tradash coughed, looking nervously at Esau before speaking, “Very well... normally I would advise seeking out and assessing this Ekundayo. If he indeed has a mental illness it deserves treatment and understanding, willingness to accept his crimes might not be entirely his own.” He paused, regret passing across his face, “But I... I... I have to hold to this. You should look for peace, and we will assess the dangers when we know more about this zebra.”

Esau expected anger, instead he felt... respect. It confused even him for a moment, but then he realised that above all, what he prized was integrity. If Tradash had denied everything he believed just for the sake of their friendship, then it would mean his lessons meant nothing. Esau was still angry enough not to communicate this however, choosing to just stare straight ahead and let him stew.

“Very well... Star Swirl, what do you think?”

Star Swirl looked up, very surprised at being asked, “Me?”

Starhammer laughed heartily at her expression, “Why not? You’re part of my council now, deal with it.”

Star Swirl looked frozen by indecision for a second long before the spell broke, and she looked around at the others. Then her expression hardened, “If you really want to unite the zebra tribes, make a nation worth something, portray yourself as a zebra to follow... then do you really want to ally with a tribe of raiders and psychopaths?”

Starhammer chuckled at her words, grinning to himself as he turned back to the letter, “Zenali and Tradash for, Esau, Star Swirl, Representative 5 and Kunani against. Seems the decision is clear.”

Esau let a breath escape, relieved beyond measure, “Then what do you intend?”

“We go to meet as instructed. We determine the location of his hostage and secure them, surround Ekundayo and kill him and his allies quickly and efficiently.” Starhammer nodded to himself as he returned to his map, “I had a plan for these lands before Ekundayo entered the picture, and I have no wish to change it now. Icoxal, I’m leaving this to you. Do it quickly, so that we can continue with more important matters.”

The big zebra gave a smart salute, “Yes sir.”

“I wish to go too.” Esau stated firmly, ignoring this disapproving glance of his master. He didn’t care if it was vengeance, he just knew that it was righteous, “I have my own reasons for wanting him dead.”

“Very well.” Icoxal replied bluntly, assessing him for a moment before giving his firm answer, “You will flank his position, in case he is keeping the prisoner behind his own lines and I am unable to convince him to bring him forward. You will engage only when I do, and keep yourself out of sight until then.”

Esau nodded, “I have no intention of ruining your battle plan general.”

“And I want to come too.”

Esau looked round at Star Swirl, trying to figure her. She just stared back, nervous but determined, “Why?”

“Because... he deserves to die, and I want to do something to make this world a better place.” Star Swirl hesitated nervously, her voice shaking, “I don’t just want to hang around in libraries anymore, I want to fight.”

Icoxal looked skeptical, “Can you fight? I have no time for civilians on my team.”

She glared, her voice raising, “I was a senior commander in the army of the Goddess, I personally killed hundreds of ponies, and commandeered her armies to kill thousands more.”

He considered for a moment at this before his cynical expression returned, “You haven’t kept up with your exercise. You are carrying too much weight around your flanks, and your muscles are flabby and wasted.” He looked her firmly in the eye, “I don’t care about your past achievements. Can you fight now?”

She advanced forward and put up her hoof, expression fierce.

“Hmph, a poor choice.” Icoxal advanced to meet her, raising a hoof and slamming it into Star Swirl’s. She gasped briefly as her leg was swiftly pushed downwards before she managed to brace herself, stopping his progress with a grunt. His nose rumpled in response, “Not bad.”

Then he actually started trying, muscles bunching and his face contorting at the effort. Star Swirl put up a valiant effort but was slowly but surely forced downwards, eventually sent staggering as her arm was forced to the side. She recovered her balance and looked up at Icoxal, embarrassed but still hopeful...

The big general gave a slow, deliberate nod, “So this is an alicorn? If this is your strength at your weakest, then their reputation is warranted it seems.” He looked across at Esau, “If you are willing to let her travel with you, she may come.”

He nodded. To be honest he wasn’t entirely sure it was a good idea, she was large, distinctive target who was very out of practice, but he was grateful for her support. And maybe an alicorn on his side would prove a very good idea, he still remembered just how fast Ekundayo was.

“Very well, we move out in five hours.”

Icoxal strode off to prepare, the others starting to file out behind him or move closer to Starhammer for further planning. Esau and Star Swirl were left together, Esau turning his head up to her, “Thank you, for speaking up.”

Star Swirl looked surprised, angling her head towards Esau. She spoke after a moment’s consideration, cautious and probing, “I don’t like raiders. But you really seem hate this group specifically.”

“Yes.”

“What did they do to you?”

“It shouldn’t matter.” Esau replied bitterly, wondering why it was such a difficult decision, “They are scum, they have always been scum, and I honestly do not understand why it took a demon possessed princess to finally give them what they deserved.”

Star Swirl grimaced, “Not many zebra seem... to like them much, that’s true.”

“You know the stable I showed you, the one where Chigaru had been employed to pull the doors off and kill every zebra inside?”

“Yes?”

“The warlord who hired him used the resources inside to set himself up as a raider king, established an organised, motivated kingdom of raping, looting marauders that spread across the territories like a blight. The Entitidi are their descendents, and they lost none of their brutality.” Esau snorted in amusement, once again tickled by the irony, “Though there is no excuse for the failure of good to do anything, they do have a fortunate habit of attracting the attention of other evil forces. They took eagerly to raiding the territories controlled by Star Fall, and after years of war Star Fall’s armies eventually broke through their lines and invaded this place in force. The king of Entitidi, seeing his defeat looming, charged his most brutal and dangerous lieutenant to unite the other tribes against Star Fall, build an army to take the pressure off.”

Star Swirl’s eyes widened in comprehension, “He succeeded.”

“Yes, he united the largest army seen in these lands since the megaspells dropped, drove Star Fall from the Golden Coast with all the ruthless brutality you would expect from a warrior of the Entitidi. Eventually the king of the Entitidi came down personally to reward his loyal lieutenant, named him as his right hand, claimed all the golden coast as his territory.” Esau snorted, wishing he had been there, “His lieutenant... refused. Instead he had his king lynched, declared war on the Entitidi and cut their territory in half within a year.”

“Caesar.”

“No.” Esau reminded her, wishing zebra would stop making that mistake, “He was just another raider, had no desire to unite the lands as anything but a conqueror. He ruled the lands in fear, taught his eldest son to do the same. Under their rule the Golden Coast was just an extension of the Entitidi under a different name.”

Star Swirl nodded, “But he... got sick... and his eldest son was exiled.”

“And his youngest became ruler instead, named himself Caesar and fought to realise a better way, despite his cruel upbringing. He like his father fought against the Entitidi, broke their armies and drove them near to extinction, allowing Luna to finish them off. Unlike them he did it for peace and justice, the opportunity to forge a bright future for all zebra.” Esau glared emphatically at Star Swirl, making sure she understood the weight behind his words, “Be grateful for that.”

She nodded, pleasingly sincere, “I am. I still think Caesar is a great zebra.”

“Good. There isn’t enough of them. And maybe this is what I wanted.” Esau felt the blood pump hot, feeling himself smile as his task dawned on him, “I thought Princess Luna had finally finished them off, thought it was appropriate that their own evil reflected would bring their end. But now... I get to do it personally. Score a long delayed victory for zebra everywhere, and bring them to justice for their crimes.”

The Greylode Fortress was certainly an impressive and terrifying sight, even in its current state. It was vaguely star shaped, with jutting outer battlements striking out from a much taller outer wall. Inside Esau knew was the fortress proper, only the rising communication tower peaking out about it’s defenses. All of this was made from the same grey stone cut into harsh angles, decorated with black and silver sheets of metal plate. The spear and bow symbol of the ancient army of the Zebra Empire stood above its heavily ornamented gates, lines of anti-air guns and ground defense cannons laying broken about its battlements. It wasn’t nearly as ransacked as you would expect, the building had long held a reputation of being cursed that scared off most. The ‘curse’ was little than top notch internal security, the remnants of biological weapons and a crumbling internal structure, still it said something of Ekundayo that he was holding their meeting here of all places.

As expected multiple megaspells had flattened large areas of the complex, three areas of the outer walls collapsed in on themselves and much of the battlements on one side transformed into sloping rubble. Monsters could be seen prowling about in places, Esau’s attached rad detector starting to click with increasing frequency.

“Wow, I’ve only heard of this place in stories.” Star Swirl started, staring in wonder as she plodded across the dust, “Did you know that this place dates right back to the cataclysm, when it was a fortress ruled over by...”

Esau cut her off right there, not in the mood for a boring history lecture, “We really don’t have time for history right now.”

She glared as expected, a little huffy as she continued, “Ok then. Tell me, what is our great plan for getting in without detection? Because I’m not exactly built for stealth.”

He was still considering that one actually. He had studied the maps of the place and formed some sort of a plan, now he was staring at the place he realised it would be a little more difficult than he thought. His planned route of access had been blocked partially by some newly fallen rubble, meaning that they would have to detour round an area that didn’t have any sort of cover whatsoever. He decided eventually to bounce the problem, not coming up with any instant solutions, “Can you see any way to the southwest corner of the inner complex that isn’t totally exposed? Maybe with your wings...?”

“I could teleport?” Star Swirl shrugged her shoulders, “If we get up close to that rubble I could probably jump us both right past it.”

“You... can teleport?”

Star Swirl smiled knowingly, giving a playful arch of her eyebrows, “Why is everyone always so surprised? Yes, and I think I’m pretty good at it.”

That was a very useful talent. He had heard of some unicorns and shaman who could do it, but he had never actually seen it in action. The applications were rather scary to contemplate, “Well then... yes. Do it.”

Star Swirl closed her eyes, magic whirling around her horn. It wrapped itself around Easu, warm and organic, Esau finding it hard not to blush at how intimate it felt. The magic formed into a bubble, the energy suddenly collapsing inward with a harsh rush of air. He felt movement, not physical as such but definitely the feel of progress. That movement suddenly stopped and Esau felt the magic fade, felt them returning to the earth...

Then a sensation like he had ran straight into a wall, stunning him with the bone shuddering impact. They were in motion again, wild and desperate, the magic lashing his form and throwing him down against a concrete floor with a hard thump.

He fought to rise, his body feeling like he had been repeatedly beaten and sporting the clear sting of several burns. He could smell it, the aroma of burnt flesh in the air, “What... did you do?”

“Owww... sorry, sorry!” Light exploded outwards, igniting from Star Swirl’s horn as she looked around the place. They appeared to be in some sort of corridor, dusty and partially collapsed, the symbol of the zebra War Department on the wall. She turned her head to him, clearly sporting a few burns of her own, “I almost teleported into a pile of rubble, had to quickly adjust our trajectory.”

“To where?”

“I... don’t know.” She gave another look around, “Inside the Greylode Fortress by the looks of it.”

Esau seconded that assumption, moving over to a faded map in the corner. It appeared they were on the second floor of the zephyr building, administration and central command, “We’re a long way from the meeting point. You have to teleport us out again.”

“Oh no, I’m not risking it a second time.” Star Swirl stated, patting out a few still smouldering areas, “I think there’s a slight magical field here, likely from the magical defenses this place had. I can’t get an accurate jump. Besides, can we just walk round the building like this?”

She indicated a circling walk about the complex, Esau at least considering it before shaking his head, “This building was heavily damaged, much of this complex here is blocked off by rubble...” He looked at the heavy dust on the floor, marred only by their hooves, and the unmolested electronics of the lights. A most unusual sight in a ruin like this, which possibly meant... “Actually I think you might have just teleported us to an area no zebra has ever reached before.”

Star Swirl’s eyes instantly lit up, “You mean, no pony has scavenged this area yet?”

His eyebrows dropped, glaring at her misplaced enthusiasm, “We’re here to rescue the foal, we don’t have time for treasure hunting.”

“Oh... yeah. Maybe later.”

He grunted and led them onwards, inspecting the walls for any sign of collapse. Fortunately this area still seemed to be in half decent condition, maybe deep within the complex. There were other dangers however, “Feral ghouls ahead.”

Star Swirl turned to him in surprise, “How do you know?”

He grunted, wondering yet again what use that giant head spike was if they couldn’t hear the most basic of echoes, “I listen to the aer. Several decayed, rage filled minds are headed this way.”

“That... aer listening sounds handy.”

It was also one of the most basic shaman abilities, “Yet again ponies have no patience to listen. You can fire lightning from your horn, yet not hear the most obvious of echoes. It is typical of all of your race.”

She frowned, looking offended, “Excuse me?”

He knew he had gone too far, but it was true, “You brute force everything to serve your needs. You don’t live in harmony with nature, you dominate it. You don’t command the subtle arts with your magic, you content yourself with flashy displays of power. It has always been so.”

She huffed, “I’m not really sure how you’re in any position to make sweeping statements. How many ponies have you known?”

“Enough.” He fought down the urge to continue the argument, wishing he had never brought it up, “Now quiet, they’re coming.”

They emerged from the darkness, moaning and screaming, clad in zebra military uniforms and clearly displaying the signs of malnutrition and light deprivation. As a result they didn’t exactly look tough, though several still sported bullet proof vests. He let his hooves fall away from his guns at the sight, figuring it would just be a waste of ammo. They were hardly a threat to him at any range.

He rushed in, leaping forward to down two ghouls at once. They ploughed into the others and cleared a space, Esau finishing them quickly with stomps to the face before bucking another into the wall with spine crushing force. Star Swirl hit them from the other direction, actually causing Esau to pause for a moment as she tore through them. One was decapitated by her horn, another flung into its fellow before being smashed down with a hoof strike that took out both of them. Three closed, Esau just about to move in to help before Star Swirl effortless avoided their strikes and took each out in quick succession.

“You’re... very skilled.”

“Icoxal is right, I’m really out of practice.” Star Swirl looked around at the broken corpses, looking displeased with herself, “These are basic feral ghouls, one of the most pathetic thing in the wasteland. I almost took a few good hits there, risked being overwhelmed.”

“You didn’t.”

“Only because they don’t know any tactic but ‘run forward and get swatted’.” She sighed and shook her head, continuing towards a large pair of double doors, “Anyway, let’s get going. We’re already running behind.”

The room beyond appeared to be some kind of CIC, likely where the generals of old controlled some vital front. It was still in reasonably good condition, covered by a deep layer of dust but without much obvious damage. He looked over to a group of skeletons lying together, a large number of bones from monsters surrounding them. Apparently the inhabitants had survived long enough to be killed by the mutated creatures here.

There was a growl nearby, Esau calmly sighting up on the ghoul squatting next to a console and blowing his head off with one well aimed shot.

Star Swirl looked about for any further danger as she advanced into the room’s interior, the light at her horn bringing the first light this place had likely seen in centuries. Eventually she saw something worth investigating, moving over to a large console demonstrating the first sign of life found so far, a single flashing red light. Star Swirl pushed it experimentally, words instantly flashing up on the screen.

Secondary power failure.
Cause: Physical Damage to Drive Cores – Secondary Connectors – Fuel Rods.

Emergency power activated.
Warning! Emergency batteries down to 50% energy. All non-essential systems have been shut down.
Warning! Emergency batteries down to 25% energy. Power saver mode engaged.

Current Status:
Primary Power offline due to: Disconnected from Grid.
Secondary Power offline due to: Physical damage.
Emergency batteries currently at 24%.

Do you wish to disengage power saver mode?

“Should I?”

Esau frowned, “Wouldn’t that alert our opponents?”

“We’re in the command section of the base.” Star Swirl pointed out, “With power, I might be able to locate them, work out the best route.”

Esau figured that was a decent point, “Can you ask it how long emergency batteries will last with the power back on?”

Star Swirl returned to the console, typing briefly. She eventually turned back, looking enthusiastic, “112 hours.”

A little under a week. He sure hoped they would be finished by then, “Go on then, no reason to hesitate.”

She returned to the console with enthusiasm, “Now we’re talking the same language... there!”

There was a hum in the air and the lights slowly started to blink into action, some of the monitors and light fixings breaking with sharp cracks as they displayed the cruel passage of time but most returning to normal operation as if nothing had happened. Now he could see the place in its glory Esau had to admit feeling a little in awe, watching as a holographic image of the zebra lands appeared over a large table at the back.

Star Swirl seemed just as awestruck, almost bouncing over to the main console. She immediately looked disappointed however, especially as she struck a few keys to no avail. She looked back at Esau, heartbroken, “It says it’s locked to Supreme General Tacitus. It wants his pass key.”

“Maybe one of these zebra is him?” Esau wandered from one to the next, looking for anything that might be a passkey. He twitched slightly as he spotted the empty jumpsuit of a ghost operative, inspecting it carefully just to make sure it was dead. It certainly seemed to be fortunately, not even the slightest wisps of pink gas clinging to him, “What house did the general belong to?”

“Vester. Phoenix over water.”

Esau actually laughed, though it came out as more of a grunt. He couldn’t help it, he saw humor in old, dead things, “Supreme military commander for a zebra who’s house carried the symbol of a dragon over sands? How ironic.”

“The two houses were actually long time allies.” Star Swirl recited pedantically, before letting a chuckle escape her lips, “Maybe they appreciated the irony?”

“Huh, I figure Caesar for having an ironic sense of humor...” Esau finally found what he was looking for, a zebra huddled in a corner dressed in a very ornate and impractical set of zebra heavy plate that looked like it had stepped out of a medieval fantasy. A pistol lay at his side, a large hole blown through the top of his head. Esau frowned deeply, sickened by the sight. He took the general’s sides roughly, tearing the tag from his pocket and throwing it over to Star Swirl, “Here.”

“Careful!” She cautioned as she caught the card in her telekinesis, looking outright shocked by his actions, “That’s the supreme commander of the zebra military forces, the most important figure this side of the war... bar Caesar himself!” She frowned in disapproval, “Show some respect!”

He snorted, looking back at the corpse. All he saw was an overdressed fop who took the coward’s way out, “Why?”

“Because he’s...”

“Famous? Important?” Esau grunted and turned, delivering a fierce buck that sent the general crashing to the floor in a bouncing clatter of bones. He snorted and strode away, glaring angrily at her, “Show me the bones of Shining Armour and I’ll do the same to him.”

“Esau!”

He stopped, furious at her disrespect for the countless dead. She was just like Tradash, so wrapped up in stories that they failed to consider the most simple truths, “That zebra ordered a million zebra to their deaths, personally celebrated the deaths of a million ponies. He obviously died after the megaspell launch, which means HE PUSHED THE FUCKING BUTTON!”

She backed away suddenly, fear plastered across her features, “Esau, I...”

He saw her face and knew he should stop, that it wasn’t her fault. But he couldn’t help it, he was lost now, “They did it here Star Swirl! Unlock that console, do it now!”

“I...”

“DO IT!”

She gulped down her fear, turning to the console with such force she almost stumbled, jamming the card into the slot. Immediately the screens all unlocked at once, displaying readouts and graphs and message reports. A deep female voice instantly took the intercom, popping and skipping a little but still understandable, “Welcome back General. Your forces are still awaiting orders, and you have 121 messages waiting for you. You have also yet to fully view the impact report your tacticians have provided.”

Esau growled, “Please, deliver your report in full.”

“Very well general. It is difficult to fully assess the damage as most of our information sources across Equestria were damaged by the impacts, however we can confidently state that the damage was as catastrophic as hoped. We are certain that Equestria is no longer capable of continuing the war, and that we hit all of their megaspell launchers before a counter attack could be fired. As for specifics we have eyewitness confirmation that the Rohohuki weapon at Canterlot has worked as expected. Casualties in the city are total, including Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, Applejack, Applesnack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Fancypants, Rainbow Dash and General Peach Blossom. Manehatten was destroyed by successful detonation of megaspell D2 and secondary impacts by megaspells E1, E5 and E7. Casualties in the city are expected to be near total, with further casualties from radiation exposure killing whatever survivors remain. Casualties are confirmed to include Princess Cadance, Princess Skyla, Pinkie Pie...”

“Stop recording.”

Esau grunted his displeasure. She had got the point it seems, “Understand now?”

“I understand that... the zebra here made some very bad choices.” Star Swirl started, her eyes dropping sadly as she spoke, “But taking out our anger on two hundred year old corpses feels cheap.”

Cheap! Maybe it was, but it was all he had! “This unworthy pile of faeces ordered the eradication of a whole species, and then didn’t even have the moral conviction to live with his choices!”

“I don’t know...” She sighed, turning away from Esau and back to the console, “I don’t know him. I don’t know what went on here. I... can’t judge him.” She looked up at the console, shaking her head, “Listen to this...”

“This is Lion Command to Father Dragon! Balicor... Balicor is gone sir, and most of the legion was caught in the blast! We urgently need medical supplies or I’m going to lose almost eighty percent of my command! Please respond, what is the status of the other cities of the Empire?!”

“This is Agent Belicor, Fillydelpia assignment. You got them sir, the city is burning, everypony is dead. Please transmit any further orders... if I receive no orders I intend to walk into the city and let the balefire take me, just so you know. No loose ends sir.”

Star Swirl shook her head, “Belicor is a ghoul journalist back in Equestria, he always said he was a zebra spy during the war. Guess he was telling the truth.”

“This is High Scientist Zenospira, with one final message for your illustrious personage General Tacitus. First off, congratulations, you finally killed off... by my calculations... 92% of the world’s population. Do not fear this result, it was calculated as inevitable and necessary several years back, and indeed will ensure the future of the zebra empire. If you are still alive to hear this I recommend that you terminate yourself presently, as the radiation and the mutant creatures resulting from it will ensure your horrible death should you attempt to prolong your meaningless existence. Do not morn for our nation General. We have survived worse than this, and emerged the stronger. I have already ensured our future.”

“Father... general... Rilor and myself have managed to get to the stable as you instructed. It appears to have held, though we’re already receiving reports of conditions on the surface. I just wanted to say... I only said what I did before because I love you father, and it was a selfish love. I’m proud of you, and I know why you have to stay at Greylode with your men. I will ensure that everyone will always remember your part in this war, your courage and loyalty and... strength. Goodbye... father.”

“General, this is Operative Cloud Abacus of the Equestrian Ministry of Awesome. Our nations have been at war for so long, but I hope on this day you realise just how much a tragedy it has been for both sides. My fellow operatives and I are camped out in the Ceria Valley, I saw Balicor go from the ridge. We’ve established a center for the sick and injured but we’re seriously low on medical supplies and there are just too many to care for. I know we are enemies, and you have no reason to trust me... but if you have any concern for the zebra under your care, send help. Please.”

“General... it’s over, you won... you’ve won. I formally... I’m sorry, we’ve never spoke have we? Would you know my voice? This... this is Princess Celestia, by... formal succession the ruler of Equestria. And by that power and privilege, I offer you the surrender of myself and all my subjects. Please general, there is nothing left to fight for so... for the sake of harmony, send help. You can’t imagine the devastation your weapons have caused, and I... please...”

Esau grunted, “So, Celestia survived the megaspells.”

“She died from her injuries later on.” Star Swirl stated sadly, clearly numbed by such a vivid reminder of the last moments of the war, “She must have sent it before she...”

“So they can die. I should tell the Church of Celestia.”

Star Swirl’s reaction was as expected, her angry glare burning through him, “They don’t think she’s still alive. They believe that she ascended to true divinity after the death of her physical form, that...”

“Nonsense.” Esau stated, surprised by his own venom, “You can hear it clear as anything. That’s fear, regret. The voice of another stupid mortal mare, who let the world burn, her ponies die and is now paralyzed by the knowledge that she will soon be joining them.”

She stamped a hoof, “Don’t talk that way.”

Esau snorted, still a stupid little girl, “Don’t tell me you actually believe she’s some twinkly goddess in the sky.”

“No!” She shouted, her eyes burning with rage, “Or at least... I don’t think so. But I do know that she was a good mare, and that...”

“If she was so good, and noble, then why did she let this happen? If she was as great as all you ponies say, why didn’t she stop the war?”

“Because...”

“You can’t can you? Worshiping your nobles and princesses...!”

“Stop...” Star Swirl’s horn ignited and Esau felt her telekinesis take hold of him, swiftly attempting to struggle free before she could get a proper grip. That was quickly denied, sparks suddenly stinging all four limbs and momentarily leaving him limp and defenceless as she flung him across the command center, “...shouting at me!”

“Nngh...” He hit the ground and rolled to his hooves, glaring at... nothing. Star Swirl was gone.

She appeared behind him with a flash and slammed him to the ground with a single hoof, throwing him to his back and pinning him tight with a hoof to his chest. She leaned in close, magic and rage boiling off her, her voice low and raspy, “It’s because of ponies like you.”

He hesitated, both in shock at how easily she had gotten the best of him, and confusion as to the meaning of her words, “Like me?”

“Celestia wasn’t a dictator, ultimately she was just another servant of the people. And they wanted war.” She leaned in even closer, her voice just above a whisper now, “They wanted it because they thought all zebra were evil, because of the actions of a few. Because they convinced themselves they were good, despite the wrath and pride that drove them to unjustified violence. Because they were so totally invested in their biased world view that they could not see the consequences of their casual racism and self righteousness.”

Esau’s heart filled with rage, attempting to lever himself off the ground, “So you think... that’s me...?”

She slammed him back down with no effort at all, her voice raised, “If you had lived then, you would have done nothing to end the war. You dislike and distrust ponies, you see demons and evil spirits everywhere! I understand, I was willing to let it go... but I will not just sit here and watch you wallow in your hypocrisy, judge these zebra with the benefit of two hundred years of hindsight!”

Esau softened for a moment at her accusations, though it didn’t take him long to pick the flaws in her argument, “You have a demon inside you, Princess Luna didn’t...”

“They didn’t know that!” Star Swirl stepped away, releasing the pressure on his chest, “You’re always talking about the cataclysm, how terrible it was, how it proved the evil of the Star Demons. Makes me wonder just how you know that. Were you there? Did you see it?”

Esau was unsure quite where she was going with this, “That was well over a thousand years ago, of course not.”

“Then how do you know it’s not all bullshit. That it even happened?”

“What?” Esau shook his head, “There are books, historical records...”

“How many of those have you seen? Originals? Contemporary sources?”

“I... none. Most were destroyed in the war, obviously...”

Star Swirl snorted, turning away and glaring holes into the wall as she took deep breaths to control her temper. Eventually she continued, her voice quieter and calmer, “Lucky you, I have seen some. I’m pretty sure it happened.” She looked at him, accusing, “But you were willing to believe something because other zebra who you respected told you it was true.”

Esau got back onto his hooves, feeling his heart... doubt. He didn’t like that feeling, didn’t like what it implied. He knew what was righteous and honorable, his failure was in not living up to that ideal. Shaking that basic understanding of what he should be... it was surely... wrong. Dishonest, “What they believed destroyed the world.”

“They were simply fighting what others told them was evil, often with bravery and valor. This war took away everything from them, broke them physiologically, cast them into a world they knew nothing of. And yes, they made bad decisions.” She glared, “Just like you. Or me. Or Tactus, or Celestia, or Luna.”

“You... you cannot forgive them for what they did.”

“Why not?”

“Because...” It was wrong. It destroyed everything. Because they should have been better than that. Because heredity rulers were always corrupt and self serving. Because all leaders were corrupt and self serving. Because ponies naturally thought themselves superior and it was that arrogance that caused the war, and the arrogance of princesses most of all. Because... “...they don’t deserve it.”

Star Swirl snorted loudly, “Maybe one day somepony will apply the same judgement to you.”

“Maybe they should.” Esau shook his head, doing what she said and looking behind his pride. It wasn’t hard, she was mistaken about that. Sometimes it was just his pride holding him together, and his certainty about good and evil told him he wasn’t righteous zebra, “I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m a terrible zebra, and I’m only alive because Tradash took pity on me. I’m trying to repay him, make up for my sins by doing a little good... but apparently I’ve been doing that wrong as well.”

“Then maybe you should try listening to him a little better, he seems like he’s got the right idea.” She retorted as she stalked out of the room, “Perhaps start with a little mercy and compassion. I think the world needs a little more of that, and a little less wrath and condemnation.”

He sniffed as he followed. One day maybe, but not today. Today he had a zebra to murder.

Star Swirl led them well, using the now activated consoles to guide them towards the meeting point, avoiding the cave ins and passing by the automated defenses with their new access card. Soon they met the cave in blocking them from the explored areas, Esau a little jumpy about getting teleported again but realising they had little choice. This time her aim was true, reappearing in a corridor just a short distance from the meeting point. They closed it quickly, peaking through a crack in the door.

They were placed right behind the tribe lines, rows of jumpy looking zebra with weapons lowered but clearly ready to be fired at a moment’s notice. Icoxal and his troops stood proud and unyielding in comparison, though all eyes were narrowed aggressively.

Another group of three stood at the side, Esau not recognising any of them. One of them was a member of the Church of Celestia, not unheard of but not an entirely common sight this far east. She was armed with a shotgun but had chosen to let it hang away from her, still Esau wasn’t fooled. He could feel the magic at her horn, ready to be ignited at a second’s notice. Next to her stood a crimson furred pegasus, hardly more than a foal, his own heavy pistol wound tightly about his right hoof and his body clearly tensed and aggressive.

And front of them all was a yellow furred pegasus in her elder years, dressed in a simple, concealing robe decorated with the symbol of the Equestrian ministry of peace. Her own shotgun hung neglected at her side as she stood between the two groups, her soft, pleading voice the only sound, “Ekundayo, if these zebra have truly come to wipe you out, then you have nothing to lose by compromise. They are clearly better armed and better armored, at close range you wouldn’t have a chance.”

Ekundayo... Esau looked round, soon spotting the zebra himself. He was older of course, but still had the same baby faced innocence of a true psychopath. His scars stood in stark relief, he had experimented on himself long before he took his ‘improvements’ to those around him.

Esau longed to kill him, the desire only becoming stronger as Ekundayo opened his mouth to speak, his voice a too familiar accented drawl, “I don’t think our friend here means to negotiate.”

“I am capable of negotiation.” Icoxal spoke, his deep bass echoing in the confined space, “Give us the child and we will discuss future allegiance.”

“I give you the child and you have us all killed.” Ekundayo grinned, waving his hoof dismissively, “I think I should just walk away.”

“Wait!” The yellow mare exclaimed, expression determined as she advanced forward, “They likely have the place surrounded.”

Ekundayo turned to her with a smirk, Esau tensing instantly to see such a frail looking mare so close to him. He seemed happy to simply talk at the moment however, Esau simply readying himself to jump in at a moment’s notice as Ekundayo replied, “Then we fight our way out.”

“Against an army?”

Ekundayo leaned closer, “And what do you suggest?”

The yellow mare fixed him with a proud, confident stare, “Give the foal to us and we’ll see to it that you are allowed to escape without harm.”

Ekundayo gave her a lopsided smile, moving a little closer, “I’m not seeing what I get out of this.”

“You don’t come out of this a winner Mr Ekundayo.” She nodded softly, “You either lose hard or lose soft. Think about it, and live another day.”

He considered her words for a moment before making his decision, a steel blade bursting from his hoof as he lunged forward, “I’ve never been sof... yow!” He winced away as his blade deflected off a shield of light that formed before the mare, laughing and roaring his command as she backed away in terror from her close call, “Fair enough... KILL THEM ALL!”

The two sides entered combat with gusto, Ekundayo ’s forces at first seeming dangerously out gunned. Even as this thought formed however Ekundayo was already surprising him, a secret entrance at the side of the room opening to admit a hoard of his fighters against Icoxal’s flank. Icoxal grunted and slammed his hoof against the ground as they charged, interposing himself between them and his troops. His fur shimmered for a moment before becoming hard and stony, bullets sparking as they deflected from his hide.

The yellow mare hesitated for a moment longer as Ekundayo and all his raiders charged straight for her before pulling her shotgun to bear, his movements clumsy but giving speed by sheer fury. Ekundayo grinned as he aimed right for him, closing in with a long leaping bound...

Her shot grazed his cheek, her aim wavering at the last moment. Ekundayo was a second from plunging his blade through the mare’s face when the crimson pegasus blurred by, snatching her up and pulling her away in the nick of time. He landed nearby and placed the shaking mare down upon her hooves, spinning round to fire his revolver into the bandits charging him. They were too close, he had just one down before they reached him.

His first attacker hit the ground bleeding as Esau intervened, emerging from his hiding place and sending the raider spinning with the butt of his pistol. He followed it up with a couple of pinpoint shots to the hooves of the others, slowing them just in time for Star Swirl to plough into them with a devastating charge. They were sent flying, return fire deflecting off her magic shield.

A group attempted to charge the Celestian Priestess, currently standing at the side of the room. Their weapons volley was deflected easily by her shield, the golden bubble transforming into a sphere of light that blazed with beams of searing flame that lanced into the raiders. The survivors attempted to put out their flaming fur as she leapt into their formation, her shotgun spinning within her telekinesis as she delivered devastating headshots to each in turn.

The raiders paused from the unexpected resistance, wavering for a moment... before Ekundayo charged out of their ranks and fired a pair of bolts from his hoof mounted crossbows, striking one of Starhammer’s soldiers in the throat and the red furred pegasus in the shoulder. The others turned to fire but Ekundayo flung down a flash grenade and jumped laughing through the blast of light and sound, hamstringing Icoxal and opening the throat of the zebra beside, “GET THEM! KILL THEM!”

The raiders were halfway through their charge when the light and sound suddenly disappeared, sucked into the horn of the Celestian Priestess with a sudden unexpected silence. Icoxal growled his orders as he was helped away by one of his troops, “Fire.”

The raiders were caught mid charge, cut down by the disciplined, united gunfire of Starhammer’s men. They dropped in droves, Esau charging in to the remainder in search of Ekundayo . He spotted the zebra just as he sprinted back through his routing lines, disappearing through a door at the back of the room, “EKUNDAYO!”

He followed into the room beyond, filled with more of Ekundayo’s raiders. Their captive was here, the sight of the blooded, scared foal’s body tied to a metal pole only making Esau want to kill the bastard all the more. He saw the zebra right there, his scared features burning through his mind. Ekundayo’s grin spread, recognition dawning, the smug, sociopathic indifference Esau remembered so well. Ekundayo of Clan Entitidi, psychopathic son of a murdering father, the single zebra standing as the most unworthy to live free and proud.

Esau launched himself forward, headbutting a zebra who tried to get in his way and stamping him to the floor. He launched himself at Ekundayo, the zebra coming in low and tight and jabbing his blade upward.

He avoided the hoof blade easily, grabbing the zebra in a tackle and laying a few good blows. Ekundayo was slippery however, wiggling free and bucking Esau in the side of the head. It stunned him for long enough for Ekundayo to get some distance, pulling a hoof crossbow and firing two quick bolts. The first he avoided, the second caught him in the shoulder and Esau grunted as he already felt the poison spread. He simply ignored the increasing numbness however, leaping in with strength born of pure rage and shattering the leg with a single mighty blow. Crossbow parts scattered across the floor and Ekundayo winced, Esau swinging his hoof upwards and striking the zebra under the chin. He buckled easily under Esau’s strength and struck the floor awkwardly, Esau charging in and pounding the zebra with all the strength he had. Ekundayo simply laughed as his ribs shattered under the assault, driving his blade in Esau’s chest again and again. He might as well have been showering him with petals.

“Hold on boss!”

The words broke through Esau’s rage haze a little too late, looking up to see a buffalo with a sledgehammer charge in and swing his mighty weapon hard into Esau’s side. It was devastatingly effective paired with the ball of muscle welding it, Esau sent flying with likely half his ribs turned into powder. He grunted and rolled regardless as he landed, eyes fixing on the still charging buffalo and thrusting his hoofs forward. He grabbed hold of the creature’s head and pulled him close, willingly taking his horns into his chest so long as he couldn’t get a decent swing with his weapon. The buffalo struggled but he was already dead, Esau’s muscles bunching as he snapped the beast’s neck with a mighty tug.

The dead creature fell away, revealing Ekundayo standing laughing with his single remaining crossbow pointing at the captive buck tied to the pole. He grinned cruelly, letting the moment draw out...

Star Swirl appeared in a burst of magic, striking the weapon aside with a hoof. Ekundayo laughed even harder and dodged the next strike, bringing his crossbow round and shooting her in the shoulder, then driving his hoof blade into the other shoulder. She buckled and he attempted to drive the blade into her neck, a quickly executed weave allowing her to take it in the side of her jaw instead. It left a nasty wound but fortunately not a crippling one, and predictably Ekundayo had to pause for a second to admire his bloody handiwork.

Star Swirl brought her horn forward with a growl, a blast of sunfire striking Ekundayo in the chest and setting him aflame. He continued laughing, tearing his armor away and flinging it at the alicorn, causing her to gasp and stumble as the melting kevlar smacked her in the face.

Esau fought to rise, stumbled to his hooves, gasped as he grappled for his pistols... but Ekundayo was already gone, fleeing through a heavy iron door and slamming it behind him. Esau launched himself at the door, struggling to open it for a few brief moments before attempting to simply beat it down. Again and again he pounded the offending obstruction, uncaring as his lungs burned and his hooves split, his throat cracking from his enraged screams, “EKUNDAYO! COME BACK AND DIE YOU DIRTY LITTLE FUCKER! COME BACK AND FIGHT ME! FIGHT ME! FIGHT ME! FIGHT ME!”

_____________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 16 reached.

New Perk Added: Purifier
Following in the path of Zephyr Stormstrung, you fight to cleanse the wasteland of alien forces. You do +50% damage with melee and unarmed weapons against abominations.

New Trait discovered: Heavy Handed
You swing harder, not better. Your attacks are very brutal, but lack finesse. Your Melee and Unarmed damage is increased by 20%, but your Critical Hit damage is reduced by 60%

New Quest Perk: Pariah of the Wastes
The way of the Pariah order is a hard one, but few so fully understand the darkness as the Lampbearers of Garm. You gain a 5% bonus to all non-aggressive actions related to abominations.

Chapter 2.9 – Till The Day Of Thy Redemption

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Chapter 2.9 – Till The Day Of Thy Redemption

Manehatten had never been Fluttershy’s favourite city in Equestria, standing in stark opposition to almost everything she valued and almost a dedicated monument to several things she hated. Still that made her mission here even more valuable, especially given the amount of wealthy donors who called the city their home.

Plus the food was good, Fluttershy sure she had put on an extra couple of pounds in the last few days of fundraising, hobnobbing and general socialising. It wasn’t the part of her job she found easiest, still so long as all she had to do was stand there, smile, look pretty and answer some easy questions she was happy to participate.

And things did seem to be moving. The merchants of the city, stung by reduced consumer spending, were eager for the war to end. The city’s sizable zebra population were hesitant to be directly quoted but were also clearly tired of the long conflict and eager to re-establish contact with their relatives. The manehatten branch of the Ministry of Peace was apparently making quick progress with the ‘Applied Magical Framework’ project, the details of which confused the feathers out of Fluttershy but she was assured would give her significant negotiating room with the Ministry of Magic.

Now it was almost time to return however, Fluttershy letting herself relax a little as she walked the route to her hotel room. Angel walked alongside, paranoid and watchful as normal of late. It amused her to see the tiny, cute little bunny taking her protection so seriously, wondering what exactly he was expecting to do against a real attacker. She wasn’t worried about that fact, unlike her friends she made a point of directing her efforts towards both sides, making it clear hers was a mission of peace. She couldn’t imagine anypony would consider her important enough to attack.

She passed a strange pony traveling the other way, clad in a long jacket despite the mild weather. She looked his way and he gave her a questioning stare back through his thick glasses, Fluttershy blushing and quickly looking away. Fluttershy couldn’t keep her mind off the strange pony as he continued past however, her head strangely light and her chest tight. After a moment she noticed a sharp, insistent pain, instinctively looking down. She didn’t understand why it hurt... why there was blood pooling at her hooves.

Somepony caught her from behind, grabbing her neck and hauling her upright, choking her as something metallic gleamed out of the corner of her eye. Fluttershy couldn’t react, couldn’t fight back. She was frozen in the moment.

She only screamed when she was thrown the ground, the strange pony who had grabbed her knocked staggering as Angel slammed both paws into his face. The strange pony threw his heavy sunglasses aside and drew his pistol, Angel dodging the shot with quick agile bounces before kicking the weapon spinning into the distance. The strange pony didn’t pause for a moment and stabbed at him with the knife on his other hoof, catching Angel on the side of his head and driving him back.

Fluttershy tried to rise as the strange pony lunged at Angel, her lungs desperately fighting for air, “Angel!”

Angel wiped the blood from his eye with a paw, taking a firm stance as the much large pony closed. His eyes narrowed.

He moved like water, flowing around the attack with ease. The pony overreached, Angel seizing his leg and snapping the bone with a sharp twist. The pony screamed and swiped for the bunny, Angel easily dodging under the clumsy attack and taking hold of the pony’s skull.

Then he jumped into a tight cartwheel, the pony following briefly before gravity and momentum fractured his neck with a loud, definitive crack.

Fluttershy gasped as she felt consciousness fade, her last memory that of Angel bunny, her most loyal, most dear companion, standing satisfied over his kill. It was the first time she had ever seen a pony die.

“They’re great for ponies like us, who can use charm and influence to get close. To be honest neither of us have time for heavy training, so most of our opponents are going to beat us on long range marksmanship.”

Fluttershy studied the heavy chunk of metal in her hooves with a weary heart, yet another ironic connection to her self styled heir. Velvet Remedy too had fought against taking a life, tried to live the pacifists path, she too had failed. Maybe it was inevitable. Maybe if she had fought sooner this would never have happened.

Fluttershy raised herself onto her backhooves, turning the combat shotgun into an upright position and resting it against her shoulder. She saw it there in her minds eye as she sighted up on her target, Princess Luna, her back turned, uncomprehending of the threat.

Would ending her really end the war? She had always argued against it, but... maybe she was wrong. Maybe Luna really was the key to letting it all unravel. Maybe the death of a good mare was an easily paid cost to stop the end of the world.

Fluttershy looked down the sights, taking a deep breath. The shotgun kicked back against her shoulder, a loud boom filling her ears. The target shattered, torn apart by the impact. Fluttershy couldn’t help but gasp, surprised that she had the guts to go through with it.

If that had really been Princess Luna, would it have gone the same way? The idea made her feel sick, but then Fluttershy reasoned that Luna died anyway, in a far more drawn out and painful manner than a simple shot to the back of the head. The personal consequences made her shiver, still she had wrestled for years with the guilt for the death of a whole civilisation. Maybe it was time to stop being selfish and do what had to be done, her squeamishness be damned.

“That was a very good shot. You are not a beginner at this are you?””

Fluttershy turned her head to Sunshine Ivory, rather glad of the distraction from her own thoughts. Sunshine had quickly proved a most reassuring companion in general since they had saved each other from Dream Star, Fluttershy finding something very calming about the priestess, “I’ve never liked fighting, but Rainbow Dash insisted I know how to defend myself.”

Sunshine Ivory once again paused in slightly unbelieving awe, her eyes wide and her smile glassy. She had been doing that a lot, Fluttershy once again realising that her survival was still something new and amazing to the zebra here. Sunshine Ivory hid her face for a moment and cleared her throat with a nervous cough, looking back up with a calmer expression, “Well that explains your skill then. It certainly must be an advantage, to have known such paragons.”

Fluttershy just smiled, letting her keep thinking that. She knew it was inevitable, that ponies would always consider the past heroic, special and better than the present. These were the myths they grew up with, and Fluttershy had learned not to challenge that by pointing out that there were three pegasi of the current era that could perform a sonic rainboom, or that Rainbow Dash’s job titles included ‘Stunt Flyer’ and ‘Spy’, not ‘heavily armed solider of fortune’. Rainbow Dash would have loved to have inspired such myths, but Fluttershy was pretty certain Calamity could have taken her, “A firing range is a little different from the real thing. I’m not sure if I could pull that off on a living target.”

Sunshine Ivory smiled kindly, placing a gentle hoof upon Fluttershy’s shoulder, “You’re a pegasi of incredible will and resolve Fluttershy, and I’m confident that you will find the courage to do what’s right.”

“And what is right?”

“Celestia was kind, gentle, fair and generous. But she was also a mighty warrior with an unmatched army, who claimed her nation as the spoils of battle.” Sunshine Ivory looked Fluttershy in the eye, her expression regretful but resigned, “Taking a life, bringing pain and suffering to the enemies of harmony... it is never pleasant. But it is the path of the brave, accepting the grief of the reluctant killer so that others may live free.”

Fluttershy... understood that. It was the reason she accepted the long term consequences of the drugs she took, that all the pain she inflicted on herself was nothing compared to the widespread benefits her enhanced performance could bring. For all her disagreements with Velvet Remedy the Followers had achieved great things with her at the helm, partially because she was willing to hurt feelings, ignore criticism and her own pain and weariness to do what had to be done. And of course she had eventually been forced to kill, and while her part during the battle of Neighvarro had been bloodless, it had been backed up by the military force of an army of alicorns. Once again Fluttershy wondered if they had truly been sent to learn from each other, a mirrored image to observe the flaws that threatened to destroy them both, “I’m not exactly Celestia. I’m hardly any sort of great warrior.”

“Do you have any idea how many great warriors I’ve killed by simply subverting expectations?” Sunshine Ivory chuckled, a slightly sadistic grin edging across her face as she trotted over to the firing range, “Approach some overconfident stallion with kindness and diplomacy and he will think you weak, reliant on words. Many of them lie dead now because they did not even consider I was willing to employ force if they proved unwilling to see reason.”

Fluttershy couldn’t help but think that dishonest. Still she had been the one imagining shooting Luna in the back, “No one will see me coming.”

Sunshine Ivory laughed, her tones scarily similar to Celestia’s, “It’s in a way advantageous that the dominant religion in the zebra lands is the Church of the Holy Flame, their priests swear a vow of strict pacifism.” She took a deep, satisfied breath, “The Church of Celestia only decrees that our actions serve the greater harmony.”

Fluttershy squirmed slightly, once again slightly scared by the mare. She was talking sense of course, but still Fluttershy didn’t like the way her eyes lit up when talking about this stuff, “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with killing ponies without warning.”

Sunshine Ivory turned, stern disapproval in her expression, “A fair fight is one you’ll lose Fluttershy.”

“Of course...” She bit her lip, drawing up visions of Rainbow Dash. She was never fond of a fair fight either, part of why she took easily to spy work despite her brash personality. Rainbow Dash would take whatever advantage she could get in a straight out unfriendly clash... and sometimes in a friendly one too, as Fluttershy had experienced several times. It was only right that Fluttershy followed her example, “This isn’t a game. If I hesitate, if I play by their rules... then ponies I care about will get hurt.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll try.” Fluttershy looked down at her shotgun once more, raising herself back onto her back hooves and aiming down the sight. A push of the trigger later and the target shook once against, holed in a dozen places by her buckshot. It felt... empty, but not unpleasant, “I’ll try...”

They marched across the wastes, unforgiving and harsh but still beautiful. This region was one of the flatter parts of the area, still sheer faces of rock and great mountains of orange reached up to the skies in all directions. They said the great giants who had once ruled this world were imprisoned within, and though Fluttershy knew it was just plate tectonics at work she had to admit there was something mythic about this place. Back before the war it had been the zebra heartland, now almost all traces of them had been wiped clean.

“Forgive me for asking but...”

Fluttershy looked at Sunshine Ivory, the mare struggling with her words. It was a slightly odd sight, Sunshine always seeming so confident that the sight of her flustered was rather humorous. Fluttershy had seen ponies act like this before, and it didn’t take her long to work out what the mare was trying to ask, “You want to ask about Celestia?”

Sunshine Ivory looked grateful at her guess, nodding her head, “Of course. I have studied her in so much detail, yet have never had the chance to talk to someone who met her in person.” She smiled eagerly, clearly trying to reign in her excitement, “Did you know her well?”

Fluttershy wondered what Sunshine Ivory would do if she told her that she had spoken to Celestia not seven weeks ago. Naturally she restrained that curiosity, not really wanting to clean up Sunshine Ivory’s exploded head... and of course the horrible reality that last she heard Celestia and Littlepip’s current status were still unknown.

Instead she decided just to cover the period Sunshine Ivory already knew about, “I’m not sure how many ponies really knew Celestia ‘well’... but I think we were close.”

Sunshine Ivory looked gently concerned, “She was hard to know?”

Fluttershy wouldn’t say that. Actually she thought Celestia was too easy to know, so concerned with making others comfortable that she was always hiding something, “She was so selfless, she almost never talked about herself. I’m sure I annoyed her sometimes, but she would never show it.”

Sunshine Ivory seemed satisfied by this, “Yes, I imagined she would be so, from her writings and records.”

Fluttershy wasn’t a great reader, she had to admit she hadn’t read any of Celestia’s books. She had heard them paraphrased by Twilight so many times that she wondered if she really needed to, “I think we were close though. She liked gardening and rare animals, we would often walk around the gardens together. Towards... the end, I’m fairly sure I was the one who saw Celestia the most.” She sighed, “I’m still not sure I ever really understood her though..”

Sunshine Ivory looked impressed at this, eagerly questioning her statement, “You saw her more than any other?”

“That wasn’t exactly hard.” Fluttershy shrugged, often wondering if it was because she was too shy to ask the hard questions, “Celestia was very reclusive at the end of the war. She didn’t want to challenge Luna’s right to rule.”

“Did she support the war?”

Fluttershy hesitated to say. She still didn’t exactly know, she wondered if Celestia herself was really sure of her opinions back then, “I hoped she thought the same as me.”

“You didn’t ask?”

“I think... it would have ruined our friendship.” Fluttershy sighed, letting her head drop, “She must have known I was seeking peace, yet she always encouraged me to keep true to my beliefs. But then she turned around and said exactly the same thing to Princess Luna.”

“I...”

Fluttershy cut Sunshine Ivory off, stomping the ground with a hoof and rearing up angrily. She was just so frustrated, so frustrated that she hadn’t been able to accomplish anything, “If only one of us had the courage to speak up! I should have gone out on stage and told everyone how stupid the war was, let them lock me up! But I just kept on being so... wishy washy! And Celestia was the same!” She tensed her muscles, shaking her body out to just dissipate some of the nervous energy that was flowing through her, “She had the power. She could have stopped the war with a gesture.”

“You’re learning from your mistakes Fluttershy.”

“No I’m not!” Fluttershy felt her heart cry out in pain, memories of lost friends consuming her. How could a mare lose so much and still retain her soul? Her only conclusion was that... she hadn’t, that she was just some lonely shade cursed to haunt the site of her ultimate failure, “All my friends are dead, and just when I thought I had managed to move on, make up for my failure, I lose Silver Scribe and Steel Marrow! I haven’t learned anything!”

Sunshine Ivory shook her head, looking out towards the distant sun, “We all lose things Fluttershy. Old friends drift away, we find new ones. Live long enough and you lose them too.” She looked back at Fluttershy, “How many ponies do you think Celestia lost? Did it break her?”

Yes it did. Celestia had been frightening when Fluttershy had met her again, a mass of barely concealed pain and rage. Every word that once spoke of hope and ambition had instead been tinged with despair and resignation. Her main feelings for the ponies of the wasteland had been contempt. She had got better, but still in their private moments together admitted just how much damage was still hidden behind forced smiles.

“You can’t give up.”

“Why not?” Fluttershy looked at Sunshine Ivory, just so damn tired by this point. Why not? What did she really have to offer this world? She was... like some broken pot in a museum. Some sad old relic for tourists to coo over, “What exactly am I here for?”

Sunshine Ivory just smiled, warm and beatific. Just that cheered Fluttershy up, compounded as she spoke in a voice like colored glass, “You’re special Fluttershy. You remained here for a reason, and continue to remain because your task is not yet finished.”

She smiled despite herself, feeling her face flush, “I wish that was true. That all this... had a point.”

“It does Fluttershy.” Sunshine Ivory nodded to the horizon, “And I’m here to make sure you’re ready for it.”

They carried on for a little while after that, Sunshine Ivory briefly considering a large group of heavily armed bandit types before mercifully deciding not to get them both killed. They quickly exited that area and moved to a nearby valley, Sunshine Ivory grinning as she located something standing behind some dead trees nearby, “Aha, perfect.”

Fluttershy looked over in the direction indicated, spotting a lone manticore a short distance away, “What are we going to do with him?”

“We are going to kill him.”

“What?! Why?!”

Sunshine Ivory turned, a perfectly calm expression upon her face as she explained, “Because it is a threat, and threats must be removed. Do you think you could make friends with it?”

Fluttershy would have punched the mare right now if she didn’t full know that was just another childish defense mechanism. Still... this was wrong, “No... but it still doesn’t mean...”

“Once all diplomacy has been exhausted, you must respond with violence.” Sunshine Ivory levitated her shotgun into firing position, “Or those you care about will suffer due to your inaction.”

Fluttershy dug her heels in. This was going against everything she believed, “He’s not even attacking!”

“Very well.” Sunshine Ivory turned her eyes to the manitcore, took careful aim... and fired. It’s ear exploded into a cloud of blood and flesh, the beast roaring in pain and turning a pair of enraged eyes towards them. Sunshine Ivory just nodded to Fluttershy and cast another spell, her form instantly disappearing from view. Only her voice remained, “Your move Fluttershy.”

“What!?” Fluttershy shouted at the empty space where Sunshine Ivory had been, charging forward to grab the mare but just passing through air. She turned her head to the manticore, charging towards her with murder in its eyes.

Their fault, not his! She couldn’t kill him, not after they provoked him to action, “Sunshine Ivory! Come out!”

There was no answer.

“Sunshine... oufff!” Fluttershy tried to turn as the manticore jumped, hesitating on the trigger as it barrelled into her, flinging her to the ground. She tried to move but it pinned her, digging its claws into her leg and roaring in her face. She near wet herself from fear, staring deep into his throat... his razor teeth, “SUNSHINE, HELP!”

The manticore dropped, his brains exiting the side of his head and his eyes rolling upwards. He struck the ground at a crazy angle, Fluttershy gasping as the claws were withdrawn. She just lay there panting for a second before Sunshine Ivory moved over to her side, injecting her with a little healing potion. She didn’t look happy, Fluttershy trying to look as apologetic as possible, “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t... thank you for saving me.”

“I didn’t. I was still hopeful you could find the courage to save yourself.”

Another voice sounded out nearby, young and male, “What, before or after she got fucking eaten?”

Fluttershy looked over to the source of the voice, a young pegasus in combat armor angrily slinging his heavy revolver back into its side holster. He couldn’t have been more than eighteen, still he carried himself with confidence beyond his years. Sunshine Ivory didn’t seem happy to see him, her normal tone spoiled with quite a bit of anger, “I have healing potions and magic, the wounds would not be fatal.”

The pegasus snorted “Yeah, that makes some sense... if you were training a platoon of battle hardened stallions. Seriously, you’re using 1st legion training to teach your granny to fight?” The pegasus sauntered across, his eyes creased in lazy disapproval as he looked Fluttershy over, “Going to give her a fucking heart attack, if she hasn’t already broken her hip going down like that.”

Fluttershy was used to such flippancy, indeed the pegasus reminded her of Ace Gold a little. Still she was not in an entirely good mood, her tone tinged with warning anger, “I’m tougher than I look.”

“Not tough enough for this fucker though.” The pegasi waved a hoof at the cooling manticore, “Seriously, if you can’t handle it out here you should stay in the care home with the other grandmares. Hey... ow!”

Fluttershy tried to keep herself from laughing as his ear was suddenly illuminated in golden light, stretched out for a moment before being snapped back against his head. He winced and glared at the mare responsible, Sunlight Ivory addressing him in her normal breezy tone as she moved past, “I would ask you to show a little respect young man. A gentlestallion does not use such language.”

“Yeah, well all the gentlestallions are long dead and buried.” The pegasi grunted, stalking forward and looking around briefly before addressing Sunshine once more, “Fuck this shit... did you see a bunch of raiders go past?”

Fluttershy immediately thought of the figures they had seen earlier, “Yes actually.”

“Which way were they going?”

“East...”

“Towards Greyload fortress.” Sunlight added.

The pegasi nodded, turning in that direction and stalking off with a dismissive wave, “Right, thanks.”

Fluttershy wasn’t about to let that go. Sure the buck was a bit of a... character, but there was clearly more going on that his casual demeanor indicated, “Wait.”

He turned, annoyed at the interruption, “What?”

“Are you seriously going to hunt down a gang of raiders by yourself?”

He snorted, turning back. He seemed briefly shook by her question however, no matter how quickly he buried those emotions, “Raiders are slow and stupid. I’m worth fifty of them.”

“I find that hard to believe young man, seeing as you must have thirty rounds at most in that saddlebag.” Sunshine Ivory pointed out, “Not to mention you have several holes in your armor that appear to have been made quite recently. Looking for a rematch maybe?”

“Looking to finish what I fucking started.” He grunted, scowling at the pair of them, “What’s it to you two anyway?”

Fluttershy knew it was an old mare cliché, but she was seriously starting to wish for some soap to wash out this buck’s mouth. Seriously, did they think it made them sound tough? She kept her smile intact through sheer force of will however, Sunshine answering for her, “What’s it to two experienced wastelanders, neither of who have any love for bandits?”

He snorted in amusement, “I’m not traveling with a couple of fucking old ladies. No offense.”

Fluttershy really didn’t know how Sunset Ivory kept so calm. Indeed Sunshine’s voice was still total sweetness as she replied, “Then that is another mark against your ability to handle them young man. It is a rather foolish warrior who declines help freely given.”

This caused him to pause for a moment... though his consideration faded as he looked over to Fluttershy, “She’s an experienced wastelander?”

“She’s a fine medic, a famous diplomat and a scholar of uncounted subjects.” Sunshine Ivory gave Fluttershy a warm, encouraging smile, “And once she has overcome her reluctance, I’m sure she will make a formidable warrior.”

“She’s like... fucking eighty years old.”

Seventy two actually... no...
Scratch that, only the vain lied about their age, “I’m two hundred and seventy seven actually.”

The buck paused, confusion, doubt and amusement all passing across his face, “Was that... a fucking joke?”

“No it wasn’t. And please stop swearing.” She stepped forward regally, not really sure what she was trying to achieve now. She couldn’t help it, her ego had taken on a mind of its own... and it was not happy. She did hate it when it got like this, her ego always got her into such trouble when it was allowed to run rampant, “It adds nothing to your arguments. There’s no need for it.”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled quietly to herself, “She’s got flavor, her best behavior, you got a bad mouth expect no favors...”

“What was that?”

The priestess gave an innocent smile, “Nothing.”

“Anyway...” Fluttershy regained her flow, “It makes you sound like a child.”

Swift Crimson gave her a look of sulky defiance, “I... am a child.”

She stared firmly at him, “Then I will take you back to your parents.”

He glared back, daring her to continue, “My parents are dead. I look after myself.”

“Then you aren’t a child.”

He paused, taking this into consideration, “Guess not.” He stared at the two of them for a few moments before turning back to the road the bandits had taken, starting on his way with arrogant, confident steps, “I’m following them. You can tag along if you want.”

Sunshine Ivory accepted his offer with a cheerful smile, “Excellent, let’s be on our way.” She moved alongside the buck, placing a hoof against her chest, “I am Sunlight Ivory.”

“Huh... I’m Swift Crimson.”

Sunshine Ivory seemed surprised at this for a moment before giving a big, happy smile, “Oh... really?”

He looked across at her suspiciously, “You know me?”

“Only by reputation.” Sunshine Ivory grinned, questioning further after a moment, “So why are you hunting these raiders down alone? I was under the impression that you commanded somewhat of an army, along with the protection of more... unique individuals.”

He glared questioningly, searching her face for a few moments more before finally answering her, “This is my responsibility. I’m sick of hiding under her fucking skirts all the time.”

“Hmm, that makes sense.” She chuckled, smiling encouragingly at him, “I admire your honor and bravery young man. And I imagine this will only encourage her respect for you.”

He looked away at this, Fluttershy catching an embarrassed but happy look on his face. He tried his best to hide the silly grin that followed, biting his lip to force himself back into his normal grumpy expression, “I fucking hope so...”

Fluttershy looked over to Sunshine Ivory, silently questioning her for some sort of idea as to what was going on. She just shook her head and Fluttershy reluctantly returned to the path ahead, figuring it was none of her business.

“And what’s your name, miss ‘two hundred years old’?”

She gave a squeak of terror as Swift Crimson questioned her, hoping he had forgotten about that, “I... um... I’m...” She realised he wasn’t going to go away, just getting on with it as quickly as she could, “I’m... fluttershy...”

He frowned, “What was that?”

She took a deep breath. This was silly, “I’m... Fluttershy.”

He cocked his head to the side, “What?”

“I said...”

“I know what you fucking said.” Swift Crimson looked her up and down, “I’m just wondering how exactly... holy fucking shit!”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled at his reaction, the poor buck standing there with his mouth hanging open, his eyeballs about to pop out of his head, “Something wrong young man?”

He shook his head, almost swaying in place from sheer shock. His voice came out in a tumble of words, “That’s... fucking Fluttershy. I totally fucking... I just swore in front of Fluttershy.” He looked down at his hooves, blushing furiously, “Several times...”

“More than several.” She corrected him, rather enjoying this, “But I forgive you, so long as you promise to stop. It’s neither big nor clever.”

“How are you...?” He looked up at her in confused awe, suddenly frowning, “You’re old. Really old.”

Yes. Yes she was, “I was trapped for a very long time, not aging. It allowed me to survive until now.” She bit her lip as she lied, “The only one, apart from Spike.”

He blinked rapidly as he took this in, “You’ve... aged normally since.”

Normally? She guessed so, “I was revived fifteen years ago.” She sighed, not really fond of being reminded of her age, “I’ve felt each one of those fifteen years like they were fifty.”

He looked dumbfounded, “How old were you when the megaspells dropped?”

“Um... fifty seven, I believe.”

“No fucking way.” He shook his head in disbelief, “I mean... you were beautiful.”

Fluttershy... wondered how she should take that. She didn’t feel like cuffing him about the head, which was a start. He after all was young and stupid, with no idea how to talk to mares. That was something to be pitied, not punished. Fluttershy was quite pleased with herself for that, agreeing with her ego that it was a very mature attitude.

She eventually decided to just circle the question, “You’ve seen pictures of me at the end of the war then?”

He nodded, his voice moving higher and his blush increasing in intensity, “Um... well... there’s the Cagari photographs...”

They... didn’t. Those... forgive her for being a hypocrite... fucking pictures had actually survived? She was going to hire an archaeological expedition to find Photo Finish’s bones, dig them up, hire the zebra to revive her with dark magic and kill her again. Painfully. Her voice she kept painfully neutral, “That... isn’t me.”

“It isn’t?”

She shook her head. Neutrally. “It is a mare called Butterscotch Candy.” Fluttershy eventually decided to add, “She’s a lot prettier than me. And eight years younger.”

“Oh...” The poor buck looked deeply disappointed, which oddly made Fluttershy feel kinda bad. She guessed she had likely kickstarted Swift Crimson’s puberty at some point. Or Butterscotch had at least... one of many no doubt. Swift Crimson eventually spoke again, challengingly this time, “What about your visit to Star Fall, talking to the soldiers there?”

“It was... Rainbow command at that point.” She answered lamely, “But yes... that was me.”

He blushed further, looking a bit sad at the same time, “You looked... good for fifty seven.”

“I was fifty six at that point.” She looked away, taking a deep breath to steady herself, “Have I really changed so much?”

“Um... I...”

“I feel it’s time to save both of you from this conversation.” Sunshine Ivory stated in an amused, sing song tone. She nodded to the horizon, where a mighty fortress rose above the mountains of orange rock, “Greylode fortress.”

“Headquarters of the zebra armies.” Fluttershy couldn’t believe it, it looked almost intact. A little bit of battle damage and some collapsed outer walls seemed to be all that was wrong with the building after two hundred years of neglect on top of the bombardment, “I assumed it would be a crater.”

“Equestria made a habit of underestimating the zebra.”

Sunshine Ivory had that right. Fluttershy remembered when the high council had declared a large proportion of the zebra population bearing arms as ‘troublesome but insignificant rebels’, or when they threw the whole Equestrian army at the zebra nations at the beginning of the war and declared Caesar would be off the throne within days. That obviously didn’t happen, and Fluttershy still remembered the reaction from ponies when all they got back was corpses, and two critically wounded Princesses. They had learned all the lessons but the most important from that debacle, and now it seemed they hadn’t even learned that, “Should it make me angry that the zebra lands are so intact, yet Equestria was a barren wasteland?”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled at the question, “That’s for you to answer Fluttershy. I guess you are closer to the issue than we are.”

“I don’t want to be close to the issue.” She muttered ruefully, “National pride got us into this mess in the first place.”

Swift Crimson’s face fell, staring at the ground for a moment or two before suddenly speaking up, “I’ve... always been told that Equestria was a great nation, and that the zebra were in the wrong and it was their fault. It was easy to believe, being a pony in a foreign land... but I could never really accept it. I’ve read the histories. Both sides were fucking stupid, and they both paid the price.”

Fluttershy shook her head, “It wasn’t their fault. I don’t think it was anyponies fault.”

Sunshine Ivory smiled softly, “Even yours?”

“I...” Was it. It was a good question, and really... she still couldn’t answer it. But she felt the question was a little clearer than before at least, “In the past it was always Celestia who drew her ponies back from bad decisions. If she had been at her best, she would have. I tried to do what she couldn’t but... I didn’t have the strength of character. They didn’t listen to me, and I don’t blame them.”

Swift Crimson sniffed quietly, still looking a little jumpy as he carefully observed Fluttershy out of the corner of his eye, “You kidding? You were the only mare with character in the whole of Equestria...”

Fluttershy pursed her lips and said nothing. She had thought that once, but that was part of the problem. Really she was no better than the others, retreating into her bad habits without her friends to pull her back. She had retreated into her pet projects, categorised anyone who disagreed as uncaring and actively hostile. Too many of her speeches had been addressed to those who already agreed, basking in shared moral superiority instead of trying to convince others. And... moral superiority? Was she kidding?

She had abandoned her husband and kids because she was intimidated by the commitment they wanted from her. When they had accused her of neglecting them for her duties as ministry mare... she had run away, proved them right. It had been easy, and at the time she had enough on her plate to distract her from the implications of her dereliction of duty.

How could Equestria ever follow her? How could she have led them to peace, the mare who had abandoned her own children because she couldn’t handle the commitment?

Sunshine Ivory noticed her mood, chiming in, “You can make up for your mistakes Fluttershy. You can save Equestria.”

Fluttershy looked down at her hoof, reminded of one of the many reasons for her continued survival in the face of suicidal depression. However lonely she was, she knew she could expect no kind of welcome from her family and friends on the other side. And however much the regretted all that had been said and done, they were dead, and her mistakes were set in stone, “No I can’t.”

“Fluttershy...”

“But I can do something to help, here and now.” Fluttershy nodded her head, determined once more, “Let’s go.”

“These bandits... who are they?”

“No idea.” Swift Crimson stated ruefully as they made it down the hill towards the fortress, “They’re smarter than normal, but beyond that I’ve no idea.”

“Slavers?”

“Perhaps.” Sunshine Ivory stated, “They’re not that active around here, but some of the less scrupulous lords in the camel territories are willing to buy forceful captures.”

Fluttershy shivered, continuing further down the hillside with all the care she could manage. Her bionic leg felt heavy and clumsy on these loose stones, Fluttershy longing for the day when she could have just flown down. She fluttered her left wing experimentally, the muscles stiff and wasted from underuse. The right didn’t move an inch as always, not even able to feel its presence anymore. It was tied back against her side under her robes, just to stop it dragging along the ground.

“Who is that?”

Fluttershy looked up, spotting the line of strange zebra heading inside. Her eyes couldn’t really pick them up at this distance, looking over to her younger companions, “Are they the bandits?”

“No... I don’t recognise...”

Sunshine Ivory interrupted Swift Crimson, her voice contemplative, “They are members of the army of Star Hammer.”

Swift Crimson looked surprised at this news, “The demon slayer king?”

“The same.” Sunshine Ivory considered this for a moment or two before a sharp, cunning little smile crossed her lips, “They have come for the bandits, obviously. We should help them.”

“A group of armed zebra, well out of their territory?” Swift Crimson grimaced, not seeming keen on that idea, “I want to know what they’re doing here before I start doing them favors.”

“First impressions count.” Sunshine Ivory stated cheerfully, giving him a knowing look, “And I believe your faction needs all the friends it can get.”

He frowned, “We don’t need friends. We’re fine on our own.”

“Swift Crimson.” Fluttershy spoke quietly, her voice kind, “You know that’s not true. Do you believe that your faction stands for evil, aggression and causing pain to others?”

He bristled, whirling on Fluttershy and openly trying hard to restrain his anger at her words, “Of course not! That’s all just lies, spread by those who intend that towards us!”

Fluttershy knew who he represented, it was fairly obvious. She didn’t know what quite to make of that yet, not even knowing what ‘Princess Luna’ really was. Not Princess Luna, unless something very unusual was going on. Celestia had told Fluttershy how she had felt the death of her sister through all her senses, magical and physical, and Fluttershy was inclined to believe her. She wondered if it could be the Nightmare Forces, but Luna and Twilight Sparkle had both confirmed no trace of them left after they had freed Rarity from their influence.

That left many possibilities, that she was in poor position to make judgement on. All she did know... was that friendship is magic, “If that is not true Swift Crimson, you must show it. Prove the lies wrong, with kindness and charity.”

“I... of course Fluttershy.” Swift Crimson shook his head, chastised, “Then lead on I suppose.”

They entered the fortress without incident, Sunshine Ivory casting a light reflecting spell upon them that allowed them to sneak past the soldiers' rear guard almost totally undetected. Fluttershy was nervous about being so sneaky about it, but the other two seemed to believe it was the best way to assess the situation. Personally she was worried that one of them was determined to make the situation worse, Sunshine Ivory still seemed a little too calculating for her peace of mind, and Swift Crimson wasn’t exactly hiding the fact that he had his own mission here.

They arrived along a side corridor to the room occupied by the majority of the group, some sort of meeting point that handily was well serviced by secret doors and peep holes. It was through one of the peep holes they now stared, Fluttershy spotting both the new soldiers and the bandits from before facing off against each other. Things seemed to be getting increasingly heated, and several on both sides were fingering their weapons.

“We could let them kill each other...”

“Are you crazy lady?” Swift Crimson hissed quietly to Sunshine Ivory, “You’ll get their captive killed.”

“Then we must... Fluttershy, what are you...?”

Fluttershy continued onwards towards the secret door, ignoring them. She had a... well, not exactly an idea, but an ideal. She opened the door cautiously and stepped out into a large room beyond, feeling her heart leap a little at the sight of dozens of zebra, all heavily armed. They all turned to her as she entered, Fluttershy drawing herself up and strutting into the center line between the soldiers and the raiders, “Please sirs, lower your weapons.”

A wave of mutters started up, a huge zebra at the head of the soldiers the first to speak directly, “Who the hell are you?”

“My name is Fluttershy.” She smiled at the gasps and whispered conversation, nodding her head to the zebra surrounding her, “I’m sure you’ve heard about my arrival into these lands.”

“Enough!” The big zebra shouted, “This is no place...!”

“Let the mare speak.” A young zebra in the raider ranks cut him off, his voice soft and casual but full of arresting authority. He nodded his heavily scarred face to her, smiling invitingly, “Please, tell us why you have come.”

She nodded, noting Sunshine Ivory and Swift Crimson had both entered the room and were looking at her expectantly. She smiled at them both reassuringly before speaking, adopting her best ‘statesmare’ voice, “If either of you intend violence, then you both must realise that it will not end well for either side. In this confined space, with so many guns... many will die, and for what?”

“I have no desire for violence.” The scarred zebra stated, shrugging his shoulder and giving an innocent smile, “Do you?”

The big zebra snarled, “Did you ever intend to negotiate? You stand there, heavily armed, ready for battle. Am I to believe this wasn’t just another trap? Do you have the prisoner at all?”

The prisoner! So that’s what they were here for! She had to get him out here... “If you are really just here for a prisoner exchange then I will mediate, to make sure there is no violence.” She looked between the two sides, “There is no need for all these weapons.”

“Weapons are always handy in any negotiation.” The scarred zebra grinned, looking across at Sunshine Ivory and Swift Crimson, “And you are a... ‘neutral’ party are you Miss Fluttershy?”

She nodded firmly, “Yes. I saw the two of you enter, and wished only to stop the bloodshed I was sure was about to result.”

The scarred zebra laughed, his tones warm and boyish, “Why would you do that?”

She frowned deeply, rather insulted by the suggestion she should have ignored it, “I don’t understand the question. Why wouldn’t I stop living creatures from hurting one another?”

The scarred zebra stared at her for a moment or two before a large, goofy grin spread across his face, seeming entranced by her words. Finally he spoke, shaking his head in wonder, “I don’t understand, and therefore I do... you are a wonderful mare indeed Fluttershy. Worthy of your legend.”

Legend? Well she wouldn’t go that far, “Um... so then, you will hand over the prisoner?”

“But not to you.” The scarred zebra grinned knowingly, “You think I haven’t noticed the other foal standing over there? Almost got him too, but he gave me the slip.”

Fluttershy looked over to Swift Crimson, the young buck blushing and attempting to cover his face, “What?”

“Clever move, trying to steal my prisoner, screw over both of us.” He clapped, “Nice moves. Almost had me fooled.”

Fluttershy... cursed under her breath. Of course Swift Crimson would be known to these zebra! Well she didn’t really have a plan for getting the prisoner away from two armies anyway. At least she figured he would safer with whoever these soldiers were than a bunch of raiders, “I... truly intended no deception. I am only interested in the prisoner’s safety. I’m willing to do anything I can to ensure that this exchange goes as smoothly as possible.”

The scarred zebra grinned at the big zebra opposite, “Well that’s one of you.”

The big zebra frowned, “What do you mean by that Ekundayo?”

“I mean that you never intended to trade anything but bullets, did you big guy?” Ekundayo smirked, “You came armed and with orders to kill me. I can see it in your eyes.”

The big zebra simply snorted, “Continue to pick a fight and you will get it bandit scum.”

Fluttershy realised she was losing them and raised her voice, pleading with the two sides, “Ekundayo, if these zebra have truly come to wipe you out, then you have nothing to lose by compromise. They are clearly better armed and better armored, at close range you wouldn’t have a chance.”

Ekundayo shook his head, snorting, “I don’t think our friend here means to negotiate.”

“I am capable of negotiation.” The big zebra stated, his deep bass echoing in the confined space, “Give us the child and we will discuss future allegiance.”

“I give you the child and you have us all killed.” Ekundayo grinned, waving his hoof dismissively, “I think I should just walk away.”

“Wait!” Fluttershy exclaimed, expression determined as she advanced forward. She couldn’t let them escape, her mind desperately spinning possible bluffs, “They likely have the place surrounded.”

Ekundayo turned to her with a smirk, making Fluttershy increasingly nervous. His words did not reassure her, “Then we fight our way out.”

She spluttered, “Against an army?”

Ekundayo leaned closer, “And what do you suggest?”

Fluttershy was sure her fear was showing, still she was committed now. She threw her first thought out there just to maintain momentum, “Give the foal to us and we’ll see to it that you are allowed to escape without harm.”

Ekundayo gave her a lopsided smile, moving a little closer, “I’m not seeing what I get out of this.”

“You don’t come out of this a winner Mr Ekundayo.” She nodded softly, “You either lose hard or lose soft. Think about it, and live another day.”

He lowered his head to consider her words, Fluttershy leaning forward in hopeful expectation. Surely he understood, that he was in over his head...

Metal burst from his hoof with a sudden flash of silver, Ekundayo grinning wildly. His muscles bunched and he moved like lightning, sweeping the blade up towards her chest, “I’ve never been sof...!”

Sparks flew as the blade hit a shield of magic that had suddenly surrounded her, Fluttershy screaming like a little girl as she staggered backwards. Her one good wing fluttered beneath the heavy robes, just watching as Ekundayo screamed his order and his raiders charged in to attack. It was madness, it made no sense...

Death for death’s sake. She screamed, standing upright and raising her shotgun to her eye. She pointed the sights at the charging Ekundayo, his smug face only fueling her rage. Her blood burned for his death, to see his head explode into bloody chunks, to be one less blight on the world!

Her heart burned. Her aim wobbled as pain shot through her forehoof, her shot merely cutting across his face. He leapt in for the kill as she staggered, unable to even move...

Something struck her in the side and she was swept away, instantly recognising the familiar touch of a pegasus in flight. She was placed on the ground and her rescuer moved to defend her, Swift Crimson swinging his pistol into firing position and taking down a bandit with a well aimed shot to the head. Another figure wrapped in bandages moved to support him and the two laid into the bandits with practiced fury, giving Fluttershy a moment to recover.

Her... heartbeat sounded odd in her ears, and a sharp angina pain burned in her chest. Arrhythmia, nothing she hadn’t dealt with before, though she needed to deal with it now. Any longer and she would start really feeling it, becoming just another causality in the middle of a war zone.

This was incredibly stupid. Apparently her brain was already becoming hypoxic, but however stupid it was she didn’t have a whole lot of other options on hoof. She pulled out a buck pill and downed it in one gulp, hoofing a syringe of healing potion and waiting for the medication to take effect.

She couldn’t miss it, feeling like someone had punched her in the chest and a incredible surge of pain flow outwards through her entire body. Step one, stop her heart. Excellent, it was all going as planned... she would be better in no time...

Fluttershy gasped and slammed the syringe of healing potion through her chest, desperately slamming down the plunger before she lost consciousness. She gasped as she felt her heart start up again, relief flooding through her as she felt the fast but regular beat. She was saf...

Swift Crimson fell back with a yell, a crossbow bolt impaled through his shoulder. Fluttershy got the hint, lifting her shotgun and firing from standing position into the hoard. It was very hard to miss at this range, striking one raider onto his ass and scattering the others. It gave her a clearing, allowing her to press her hoof into Swift’s shoulder and yank the bolt free with her teeth. Bullets struck their position and he pulled her down, Fluttershy’s robe ruffling as a shot deflected off her barding. She blasted the shooter off his feet and pulled out another vial of healing potion, injecting it into Swift’s shoulder.

He rose, attempting to lift his weapon without much success as a group of three big zebra charged in with heavy hatchets clutched in their teeth and hooves. He cursed, his expression slightly desperate as his hoof dropped limply, “Fuck, I think it’s some sort of poison!”

She grabbed a bottle of antitoxin from her bag and shoved them it into his hooves as she galloped forward to meet their attackers, taking a deep inhale of a vial of dash before gripping the strap of her shotgun between her teeth. They weren’t expecting her to charge so recklessly and it allowed her to get a hit in, striking the first with a Buck enhanced blow from the barrel of her shotgun that split his skull. She then span like she was playing baseball, her shotgun whipping round to crack the second about the muzzle and leave him spitting blood.

Even on Dash she wasn’t that fast. The third was already behind her, plunging his weapon into her flank. His first strike was stopped by her armor with just a bruise, his second however drove deep into her flesh. He used that to lever himself up her body, just about to plunge his weapon into her neck when Swift Crimson blew his head off. Fluttershy had a moment to feel relieved before another bullet penetrated her side, Fluttershy gasping in pain and injected the last of her healing potion before it got too much.

She was going through it pretty damn quickly.

“Share the candy?”

She looked across at Swift Crimson, the buck crouched down behind a makeshift fortification of bodies. She really didn’t feel this was appropriate action with a minor, but that gun was stopping them all from being dead after all. She took out a dose of Buck and Dash and hurled them over, the buck taking them eagerly as she dived into her own cover.

The battle was short after that, though Fluttershy doubted she would forget it in a hurry. She supported Swift Trigger as best she could, her shotgun knocking bandits to the ground and her medical skills keeping his wounds closed. They were charged again by machete wielding raiders and she fought them side by side with the foal, wincing and cursing herself every time she slammed her weapon into some stallions face. Eventually... the battle was over, what few bandits remained desperately surrendering to the tired looking soldiers.

Fluttershy collapsed, conclusively exhausted. She only looked up when Swift Crimson caught his own breath and hurried towards the back room.

The captive, of course! She had almost forgotten! She hurried after him as fast as she could manage, weaving past suspicious looking soldiers and out through the back door. This room was just as much a mess as the other, Fluttershy having to pull a double take on what looked like an alicorn struggling to her hooves. She recognised the mare after a moment, and it wasn’t as if there were many alicorns out here, “Star...” She gasped, realising just how out of breath she was, “...ah...”

“Fluttershy?” Star Swirl turned, her own expression widening in equal confusion. She limped over after a moment to reassure herself she wasn’t dreaming, deep concern on her face, “Um... elder... you’re hurt. And carrying a shotgun...”

“I’m not your elder anymore Star Swirl, we kicked you out.” Fluttershy stated with a satisfying tinge of malice. It was a little mean, but then the mare had some nerve just... turning up like this. They had all thought she was in trouble, or dead!

“Um...”

Fluttershy’s frayed neurons were still kicking, she made the connection after a moment, “You’re with Princess Luna? You met up with the others?”

“The others are with Princess Luna?” Star Swirl stated incredulously, “No, I’m...”

“Ugh, it doesn’t... matter...” Fluttershy shook her head clear, feeling like her skull was going to take flight and float away at any moment. She desperately looked around for anyone still alive, which seemed a fools errand among the mountain of corpses. Star Swirl gasped and limped over to the body of the bandaged zebra who had helped them earlier, collapsed on the ground next to a thick metal door. Fluttershy herself focused on the foal currently tied to a metal post at the back of the room, Swift Crimson there attempting to bite through the ropes with his teeth. She hurried over to help, “Is he... still alive?”

“I don’t fucking know! We need to get him down!”

Fluttershy looked at the foal, covered in blood and horrific wounds. They couldn’t have been battle scars, it looked like the raiders had attempted to skin his whole face. Horrific to think about, but they were the kind of wounds that took skill and intent to inflict. She took the foal carefully as the ropes came free and lay him down upon the ground, placing an ear against his mouth to confirm he was breathing. It was as she looked away that she noticed what was wrong here, the ruined face just a little too familiar...

The foal... it was...

Ace Gold.

She had to convince herself to be sure she wasn’t dreaming, brushing his blood encrusted mane from his face. Even cut up and covered in grime he was recognisable, Ace Gold broken and motionless at her hooves. She felt... numb. In shock. She wondered how, why, what... then she realised it didn’t matter.

She took his pulse, high and fluttery, Fluttershy concluding that they had dosed him with Buck to keep him alive. That was ok for now, though she gave him something to keep him calm. He was young so heart complications were unlikely, still she couldn’t rule out some undiscovered congenital problem.

Healing potions to the face were a nightmare, still she did her best. Fortunately there appeared to be no skull fractures, the raiders content to just flay the skin from his face. She injected three and they quickly got to work, Fluttershy rubbing in some cream to keep his wounds from scaring. The skin knitted together as intended, furless but with a good chance of regrowth by her judgement. He groaned and she couldn’t help smiling in relief, the buck opening his eyes and staring about in panic.

She caught his shoulders, only making the buck panic more. He was too weak to move much but Fluttershy was aware that he was a champion martial artist, quickly whispering to him before he kicked her in the face, “Ace Gold, it’s me, Fluttershy.”

He stared slightly to the left of her face, his voice strained and croaky, “Flutter... why can’t I see you...”

She looked into his eyes, unfocused and with a fragmented, misaligned iris. She waved a hoof but there was not even an attempt to follow it, Fluttershy cursing in rage and distress. The eyeball had been clearly damaged and had healed wrong, something that had only been made worse by the healing potions. The required action now would be to quickly refer him to a specialist before the healing fully set in, likely needing risky, complicated surgery to open up the eyes and repair what was wrong. Indeed for a case this complicated Fluttershy would certainly refer him to Scold’s Visual Centre in Manehatten, for immediate appointment with a qualified consultant.

That was a very long way away. Fluttershy’s own medical qualifications were a couple of decades out of date, in orthopedics! She had no idea how to treat an injury like this! “Swift Crimson... Swift, I need you to... ugh...”

The buck caught her as she swayed, “Fluttershy! You... you really need to lie down!”

She looked at his face, so concerned despite his tough demeanor. Such a sweet kid really, Fluttershy feeling a wave of protective fondness welling up inside her, “No... I’ll be fine. You need to find if there’s a doctor here who knows anything about eyes.”

Swift looked up at her assessingly, still concerned, “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Go.” She nodded softly and the buck gave her one last look before galloping off towards the front room, Fluttershy turning back to Ace Gold.

Truth of the matter? She was starting to feel bad, but she knew there were others here feeling worse.

Ace... looked a mess. How had it come to this? Blame everypony else she could, but she was ultimately in charge of this operation. She had been an element of harmony, allegedly a big shot. Allegedly. She still personally couldn’t think of a single moment where she hadn’t been a failure in the company of giants.

And Ace Gold... he was going to die. Another corpse upon the pile, another dear friend taken from her. And however much she wanted to join them the spirits knew she wanted to die, of course they wouldn’t kill her for her crimes! Instead they inflicted suffering on all those around her, punishing them for her sins! Her very presence in this world was causing them to suffer! This was her fault!

“Fluttershy...”

“Leave me alone! Monster!” Fluttershy turned angrily upon Star Swirl, that... insulting, twisted mockery of black science, colored in the image of her friend for the ultimate insult! Ugly, spiteful, evil little thing, a memory of the wasteland! Killers all of them, murderers and killers! “Why are you here!? Are you mocking me?!”

Star Swirl stepped back, honestly terrified at her outburst, “I’m... not...”

“I...” Fluttershy spotted Star Swirl’s cutie mark and realised the truth, that swirling mass finally revealing it to her. It was all ok, it was all a bad dream.

Twilight had been part of the Goddess after all. She had escaped, hiding right under her nose. Just like all her other friends! Celestia had survived after all, and Spike... they were all alive, just like her! Just like Twilight!

“Um... Fluttershy? Why are you looking at me like...”

Fluttershy shook her head. No more lies, “I know who you are now. Twilight... Twilight, I’m so sorry. Please don’t hate me anymore...”

Star Swirl looked around the room, deeply confused. It was just more lies, Fluttershy realising the truth now, “Twilight, please... please come back to me... I need you.” Tears fell from her eyes, her pain and grief flooding out, “I... can’t do anything on my own, I’m not strong enough. I need you all, I’m helpless without you.”

Star Swirl’s head dropped, her voice shaking as she addressed the floor before her, “I’m not Twilight.”

“No... that’s not true...”

The bandaged zebra grunted in pain as he moved over, his dark ringed eyes cold and cruel, “Twilight Sparkle is dead.”

It hit her like a hammer. She felt her dreams crumble beneath her, “...everyone...?”

“They’re all dead. Stop living in the past.”

Star Swirl turned to him in fury, and not a little bit of amazement that he would go that far, “Esau!”

Esau snorted, wincing in pain as he did so. His voice was a growly mutter, “Should I let her hide herself in selfish fantasy, enjoy the comfort of delusion while a buck lies dying at her hooves?”

Fluttershy looked across at Ace Gold, his breathing raspy and labored. She moved to help him... but she realised she didn’t know how. She didn’t know what to do. He was going to die because she was a useless doctor... her hooves failed under her and she buried herself in his chest, sobbing bitterly, using him as a pillow as she howled her curses and distress.

Star Swirl gathered her up and clutched her close, Fluttershy allowing herself to fall into her embrace. She smelt of blood and IMP, but at least she was warm and soft.

She heard movement behind and turned her head, spotting a zebra medic tending to Ace Gold, Swift Crimson beside. She moved cautiously away from Star Swirl, Swift Crimson blushing as he looked over to her. He rubbed his head with a hoof, his face firmly set in a defensive frown, “...you ok?”

“I... think so.” Fluttershy had to admit she felt much better now, though her head still felt light and fuzzy. She couldn’t even remember what she had been so upset about, “I... um... you found somepony?”

Swift moved aside to admit the big zebra from before, alongside a frosty looking female zebra in glasses. Fluttershy noted the red armband and plentiful saddle bags, figuring she was the medic. She gave Fluttershy a cool look as she moved past, leaning down to inspect the fallen foal. This gave the big zebra an opportunity to speak, his tone not entirely friendly, “Your attempt to mediate was a foolish risk. You almost got yourself killed, not to mention ruined my battle plan.”

“Fuck that shit. She totally distracted them, you wouldn’t...”

The big zebra glared at Swift, the buck looking sulky as he went quiet. The zebra then paused a moment to regain his flow, “Admittedly, it could have been worse. The result would have been much the same either way.”

Fluttershy gave him her ‘stern schoolmarm’ look, “So you were planning on killing them.”

“Yes. They are criminals, who deserved nothing less.” He raised his head imperiously, “And I am General Icoxal of the army of the great lord Starhammer.”

“Ambassador Fluttershy, of the New Canterlot Republic.” She curtsied as best as she could, considering her physical condition, “I mean you no ill will General. Events beyond my control took me here, and I merely saw the chance to prevent violence.”

“And for this buck to retrieve his comrade.” Icoxal glared hotly at Swift Crimson, his nostrils flaring, “And take him back to his mistress.”

“Don’t know what your problem is big guy, but I didn’t do fuck to you.” Swift glared right back, putting a bit of space between them so he didn’t have to crane his neck to look him in the eye, “We teamed up, we put down a raider, I intend to get my brother here back home to rest.” He paused briefly before shrugging, “I guess I could muster up a reward or something for your help.”

“You’re not concerned about armed guests in your territory?”

“Only if you’re here to cause trouble.”

“ENOUGH!” Fluttershy shouted, having had just enough aggression for one day. She looked straight at Icoxal, hoping she still had enough in her to make her words convincing, “General, this young stallion aided you in battle at great risk to himself, it would be morally reprehensible to harm him now. I see you take good care of your uniform, the fabric pressed and the metal polished.”

Icoxal grunted moodily, “Of course.”

“Then do not dishonor it.” She looked down at Swift Crimson now, “And Swift Crimson?”

His grin faded as he saw her stern expression, “Yes Miss Fluttershy?”

She had to really steel herself to not smile as he looked up at her like a naughty foal, his demeanor totally changed from what it was before. She kept her frown up though, Fluttershy boasting years of experience at resisting the ‘cuteness counter assault’ gambit, “Nopony is ever going to respect you with a mouth like that. Please, address others with the respect they are due... and stop swearing.”

He frozen, clearly genuine in his shock, “I swore?”

Fluttershy sighed, grinning as she shook her head, “I see you are going to require intensive retraining...”

“If you are done, I have some news about the boy.”

They all turned to the doctor attending to Ace Gold, Icoxal nodding to the mare, “Report.”

“I can’t do anything for him without specialised equipment.” She shook her head, “But we don’t have time to get him back to my office, even by flight.”

Fluttershy racked her brain, sure there was some solution, “Surely there must be medical equipment here somewhere.”

The mare didn’t look too enthused, “I doubt it.”

“Can we at least look?”

Star Swirl strolled over shyly, standing there looking awkward until everyone turned to look at her expectantly. Star Swirl cleared her throat briefly before speaking, “Um, well... there’s a medical facility near here, marked on the map. You can access it now the power is back on.”

Icoxal grunted, weighing it up for a moment or two before looking to the two nearby soldiers, “You two, accompany the ambassador and good doctor to this facility. Make sure you take everything worth taking, and keep a good eye out for any hostiles.”

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief as they saluted and prepared to move out, thankful for small mercies. She just hoped Ace Gold could hold out until they got back.

Fluttershy had never been fond of post war ruins, or military facilities. She also couldn’t shake the overwhelming knowledge that she was walking through the zebra kingdom’s main military base, passing the skeletons of zebra who had once plotted the death of her friends. Still she kept her nerve, sweeping her eyes about the rooms they passed through and gathering up everything useful.

It was disturbing in here for other reasons, this not so much a hospital as a... lab. Potions with coded labels sat on the shelves, left well alone, charts graphically displaying battle wounds and the progression of virulent diseases. They passed through one room that made her lose her composure completely, screaming and slamming her body against the far wall.

“It’s contained, and by the looks of the concentration mostly degraded.” The doctor spoke coldly as she continued, “Your screaming is going to bring necrotics down upon us.”

Fluttershy glared at her back angrily, turning her eyes once more to the tanks of swirling pink gas and walking past with all the composure she could manage. The mare had obviously never lost a dear friend to this stuff, never had to see a whole cloud of it covering a city of a million ponies. She shivered as her last memory of Rarity flashed through her head, gulping it back and continuing on.

The next room looked... vaguely promising. At least it had room for a patient, a bed in the center, surgical equipment stacked away at the sides and several machines she didn’t recognise standing nearby, “Can you use this?”

“Maybe a specialist could, but I would require a microscope and x-ray machine to avoid just making the situation worse.” The doctor moved to route through the drawers, moving the contents into her bag, “Aren’t you a doctor yourself?”

As ponies kept reminding her. Physician, heal thyself, “I’m not a surgeon.”

“That seems uselessly specialised.”

It hadn’t been once, but back then she had a team to refer the more complicated things to. There were other concerns too, that she was as ever acutely aware of, “Um... I’m also a seventy two year old stroke victim. I haven’t had the co-ordination or eyesight for surgery in a long time.”

“Hmph...”

Hmph right back. She really didn’t like this mare, “Besides... what about these machines? What do they do?”

The doctor turned to look at them, her lip curling, “No idea.”

“Maybe one of them has an x-ray machine!”

“Doubtful.”

“But worth trying!” Fluttershy answered impatiently, striding over to look at the machine in question. It didn’t provide her with much information, unfortunately she wasn’t a surgeon or a technician. She looked around for a manual or something before spotting a large monitor at the back of the room, “Maybe this will give us some clues.”

“Very well.” The doctor answered, waving a hoof at one of the soldiers, “Watch the corridor outside for intruders while we investigate this room.”

“Yes sir!”

The video screen activated with a buzz and a soft clunk as she pressed the button, Fluttershy’s heart dropping as the image displayed a stark and empty interview room she had not encountered. So much for instructions of how to use this place... two zebra in white suits stood at the table, Fluttershy spotting the infinite loop symbol picked out in serpentine scales upon the lapels. The symbol of the Department of Scientific research.

The door opened and another figure entered, this one most unlike the hard, military profiles of the other two. This zebra was chubby, balding and generally ill formed, looking rather like a stereotypical middle manager or network administrator. He was nervous, jumpy, standing before the table like a naughty schoolfilly paraded before the headmaster.

One of the white suited zebra spoke, “You are Zighyr, age 34, informatics administrator at the ‘Friendly Building Company’. Confirm.”

The chubby zebra nodded. His voice was soft, oddly high pitched, “Yes sir, that’s me.”

The white suited zebra nodded, “What happened to the company’s head office on forth of falling leaves?”

“We... we were occupied by members of the Equestrian Army.”

The white suited zebra nodded again, showing no emotion whatsoever, “Why was this?”

“From what I overheard, they suspected the company of being a branch of the zebra intelligence service in the Orange Strip.”

“Is this true?”

“I do not know sir. I am low placed in the company, I would not be privy to such information.”

The white suited zebra looked at his comrade for a moment, the second zebra promptly moving to ask his own questions. Fluttershy poorly understood why, they looked identical to her. He looked down at a device on his forehoof for a second before speaking, “You were taken somewhere by the soldiers?”

“Yes. A soldier and a unicorn technician. They took me and one of the senior managers down into one of the vaults.”

“Why?”

“They wanted her to use her pass to open it.”

The white suited zebra frowned, “And you?”

“I was bringing her lunch up from the canteen, so I was outside her office.”

The other zebra countered gruffly, “Looking for a promotion?”

Zighyr shook his head, slumping his shoulders, “No. I don’t have the management skills for a higher position.”

“Then why act as a runner for the senior management? It’s not exactly your job.”

Zighyr looked incredibly uncomfortable with this line of inquiry, “Because a manager ordered me to... and she is nice to me. She tells me when I’ve done good work, she brings in food for me sometimes, she tells me I am loyal. Her good little dog.”

“You like being a dog Zighyr?”

He nodded, “Yes. Dogs are loyal, smart, strong.”

“You value loyalty Zighyr?”

“Yes.” He answered simply, raising his head and looking a little proud, “I find abstract concepts to comprehend. If I didn’t have zebra telling me what to do I could hurt others unintentionally.”

The white coated zebra nodded, placing a single hoof upon the table and leaning forward, “And what happened down there, was it intentional?”

“Yes sir.”

“Tell me what you did.”

Zighyr nodded, his mood rapidly shifting from pride to nervousness, constantly glancing at the two zebra for reassurance as he continued, “She opened the vault for them, there were lots of boxes inside. The soldier didn’t like that, he knocked Nansha... my manager to the ground. The unicorn technician said it was wrong but the soldier didn’t listen. She just ignored him then, walked inside and started looking around. The soldier kept kicking my manager and shouting.”

“And then?”

“There is a gap in the neck of the equestrian power armor when the trooper isn’t wearing the undercoat, revealed when he leans forward.”

“He wasn’t wearing the undercoat I assume.”

“No.”

“What did you do?”

Zighyr stated it with light confusion in his voice, as if he didn’t understand where this question was going, “He was hurting my manager. I had to stop him.”

“Of course.”

“I had a pencil in my pocket. I drove it into his jugular, used his armor as a brace and levered the side of his neck open.”

“And the unicorn?”

“The soldier dropped his weapon, a shotgun. I picked it up and shot her as she turned around.” Zighyr looked down, his voice sounded ashamed, “I am not familiar with the weapon, and it kicked hard in my hooves. It took four shots before she stopped moving.”

The white suited zebra shifted his position, unable to keep the interest off his face, “And after that you worked your way through the building?”

“Yes sir. They were disrupting the work of the company and hurting the staff.”

“What happened to the ponies on the third floor staircase?”

Zighyr gave a shy smile, “They were running up the stairwell, shouting at me. I was in the kitchens, so I got a pot of grease and poured it down the stairs. They were in heavy armor, a liability in uncontrolled falls.”

“And the ponies on the tenth floor?”

Zighyr lowered his head, “I triggered the sprinklers and increased the pressure to the pipes overhead, bursting them and flooding the floor. Then I linked the generator directly to the pool of water, electrocuting them all.”

“Where did you learn to do that?”

“A book.” Zighyr gave them a nervous look, “I wondered if it was possible, read up on the building’s infrastructure and planned it out. I never thought I would actually get a chance to test it out.”

The white suited zebra looked at each other for a moment before the first spoke, “You are aware you electrocuted two members of staff?”

“Yes sir. They were low ranked in the company. I thought the consequences of their loss were far less than the benefits of killing so many of the invading soldiers.” Zighyr looked nervous, and a little defiant, “My manager agreed.”

“How did it feel to kill so many Zighyr?”

Zighyr thought about this for a long time, his chubby, odd looking face scrunching up. He answered at last, his voice shaking a little, “Strange. Killing is wrong, but it was... living maths.”

“Living maths?”

“I work with numbers. They are predicable, give the same result every time.” Zighyr started, “Using it to kill those ponies though... it was chaotic, the rules constantly changing. It felt good when I was able to adapt, end their lives in the most efficient way. It was a challenge.”

“Have you ever killed before?”

Zighyr clammed up suddenly at the question, looking guilty for a long time, “Yes. It wasn’t my fault.”

“What happened?”

“The others took me out on the town, to acquire prostitutes. I wasn’t really interested, but I wished to fit in, so I paid a mare and she took me into a back alley.” His eyes darted around nervously, “She tried to mug me. She had a knife.”

“What did you do?”

“I took the knife off her. She tried to hit me.”

“And?”

“I... stabbed her in the mouth. She bled quite a lot, choked to death.” He fidgeted nervously in his chair, “It felt wrong, bad. I knew it was against the law. I’m sorry I didn’t tell anyone.”

The white suited zebra smiled reassuringly, “It’s ok Zighyr. Sometimes it’s ok to kill. Sometimes bad zebra need to be punished.”

He shook his head, disbelieving, “But how do you know when it’s ok and when it isn’t?”

“We will tell you Zighyr.” The white suited zebra nodded, a wide smile spreading across his face, “We can give you power, greater than any zebra has possessed before. We can tell you who to kill, when it’s right and when it isn’t.”

“You can serve your country.”

Zighyr considered this for a moment before nodding shyly, a little hesitant, “That sounds... good. I think I would like that.”

Fluttershy ended the video, her mind dull and blank. She couldn’t believe it, but it was right there. She knew Zighyr’s story about the prostitute, had heard it before. A stallion had repeated it at length, with great enthusiasm.

They had given Zighyr his power. And he had obviously become used to the killing in the end. The shy, chubby zebra went by a different name now.

Chigaru.

She turned away from the monitor, stumbling and pushing a table out of the way. The remaining solider looked across at her, concerned, “Are you well Miss Fluttershy?”

“Yes... yes.” She looked at the doctor with regret, meeting her grim gaze, “Nothing here is going to help us.”

“Yes... I figured as much.” She repeated, placing her tools back onto the table, “This is not a hospital, not a frontline facility. This is a research lab for biological terrors.”

“You know what that video is about?”

“That zebra was being recruited as a Ghost Operative.” The doctor explained in blunt, clinical tones, “Zebra too weak for combat charmed with tales of power, brainwashed for absolute loyalty, fitted into environmental suits designed to keep them alive at any cost. Then they injected them with a thousand deadly drugs, pumped pink gas and high wave radiation into their suits without mercy.”

Fluttershy had been a doctor during the war, she had certainly come into contact with most of the zebra biological warfare. She had continued this informally after her revival, and her work with minorities within the NCR made her a minor authority on ghouls, “They were producing Canterlot Ghouls. Ghouls who regenerate from all wounds, who possess enormous strength and can’t be killed except by decapitation.”

“You are familiar with them?”

Fluttershy nodded. They weren’t exactly common in the NCR, but a few still survived despite the fear they inspired from others. Still that didn’t explain Chigaru. She had originally suspected he was one, but the kind of punishment they had hit him with would have killed even one of them, “I met a... Ghost operative recently, he didn’t die even when his head was destroyed, had the ability to escape from his body as a cloud of living pink gas.”

“Chigaru.”

“Yes.”

The doctor sighed, shaking her head as she washed her hooves at the sink, “Some Ghost Operatives displayed the ability to survive almost total destruction of their bodies, and they seem to get stronger as they get older. I doubt any zebra alive understands what they really are now.”

Fluttershy shivered. That wasn’t reassuring, she had been hoping for a nice simple explanation, “How do you kill them?”

“You can’t.”

“You can’t?”

The doctor shrugged, considering the finality of her words, “I’ve heard of one killed with magical energy weapons, but Chigaru has taken shots from them and regenerated none the weaker. Really most of them have been found just... dead, despite their suits being entirely intact.”

Fluttershy frowned, “Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Fluttershy lowered her head, debating on the possibilities. Maybe there were more records here, more clues as to what he was, how to stop him...

“Why are you so interested?”

Fluttershy nearly stated something like, ‘he’s dangerous’, but then that was a cheap answer. The doctor was right, the monster really had got under her skin, sparked a fear and anger that demanded she... remove him from her life. And indeed, she still felt like he was there, watching her, judging her, laughing at her every failure, “He tried to kill me... but he stopped at the last moment, telling me I hadn’t even begun to suffer yet.”

The doctor frowned, “You want to get him first?”

“I don’t know... I just hate feeling like I’m at his mercy.”

Silence reigned, the pressure in the room changing. One familiar voice rang out in the void, “You fear, because you are still intruders in this new world.”

The guard turned with a start as Ekundayo came up behind, not even halfway prepared before he was speared through the throat and dropped to the floor. Fluttershy had no idea where he had come from, or how he had snuck up on them so silently.

His wounds were all healed. Of course they were. He had likely been chugging back healing potions from the moment he escaped. Fluttershy and the doctor could only stare as he advanced, Ekundayo grabbing the doctor and twisting her into his embrace. Fluttershy cried out as the blade hovered against her neck, threatening to end her life with but the slightest movement, “NO!”

“Look at you, both so soft.” Ekundayo shook his head with great regret, his blade playing across the doctor’s face with smooth, careful movements,“You try to act, dress, believe like the world isn’t ended. You’re still oh so beautiful.”

The doctor’s cool personality was gone now, tears running down her face as her eyes hovered over the blade and the severed fur falling from her cheek, “Please, we’re no threat to you...”

“You don’t understand, I’m trying to help you.” He smiled warmly, kindly, his blade cutting a deep furrow into her cheek, “How can the world ever move on, how can you ever move on? You need to let go of your beauty, become ugly like me.”

“AIII! PLEASE STOP, PLEASE!”

“Sush... it will be ok...”

“Please stop...” Fluttershy’s voice shook as she lifted her shotgun, the weapon vibrating so violently in her hooves that she almost dropped it, “We... we don’t want this...”

He shook his head with regret, “I’m sorry, I can’t leave you like this. You’ll feel better once I’ve taken your face. I did the same thing to myself, these scars.” Ekundayo turned his soft, youthful eyes up at Fluttershy, giving her a lopsided smile, “He was the one who taught me that you know. Who taught me the true principles the Entitidi were founded on.”

Fluttershy’s heart caught in her chest, “Who?”

“Chigaru. I was so lost, so sure I could never live up to my father’s legacy. So shy, and weak, and so beautiful.” Ekundayo moved a hoof to his face, running along his scars lovingly, “He taught me that I failed because I was too beautiful for the wasteland. That if I wanted it to accept me, I would have to make myself ugly.”

Fluttershy took a deep breath, not mentally ready for this. This stallion wasn’t evil, he was... very sick, and whatever Chigaru had really said to him hadn’t helped, “Look at all this. Your tribe dead, you trapped in this place by a vast army, almost killed less than an hour ago. All because of those scars. You need to come back Ekundayo.”

“No. I am still strong. I can do this, and no zebra can stop me.”

“NO!”

Ekundayo slammed his wrist blade into the doctor’s neck, the mare gurgling as blood filled her mouth. Her eyes opened in tear soaked terror for a few desperate moments before they rolled back and she pitched forward, sprawling limp across the tiles. He grinned, falling back down on his hooves and trotting casually past her, “See. You don’t have power like I do. You can’t do things like that and get away with it.”

He left her unharmed, just standing shaking in the middle of the medical room. She looked down at the doctor, her cool expression now one of frozen terror.

This wasn’t right.

Her hooves kicked into gear, slamming open the doors and skidding into the corridor. She stood on her back hooves, lifting her shotgun and staring down the sight. Ekundayo lazily turned his head to her as he continued away at the same unhurried pace.

Her hoof must have slipped. She couldn’t believe she could have done it intentionally. Her weapon had fired, kicking against her shoulder and catching Ekundayo across his back with a burst of blood and bone. The zebra was thrown forward by the impact, cartwheeling head over heels and ending up crumpled on his side.

She had killed him? Just like that?

Fluttershy wondered if he was dead for a moment longer before he finally coughed, muttering in pain.

She moved over to his side, stunned and blank eyed. Ekundayo looked up at her in awe and reverence, wetting his lips with his tongue before speaking. His voice was weak and croaky, “Are you really the one?”

Fluttershy looked down at the... pathetic creature. She felt both pity and contempt, “The one who kills you?”

“The beautiful one, bearing the true scars... I tried to copy them, but they were just failed reflections...” He grinned, even as the pain crept into his eyes, “The element of kindness, seared and made ugly by the fires. You are... the daughter of the wastes, mare of the apocalypse...”

“Quiet.” Fluttershy spoke it quietly but insistently, not wanting to hear it. That name had no place on his lips, and she had no desire to learn why it was there. Whether prophesy or auger.... no. She pulled out a syringe of Med-X, drawing closer, “Stay still.”

He pushed her hoof away, insistent, “No... we need the pain, both of us. It tells us who we are.”

“You’re going to die without it.”

“You know there is only one way to end this.” Ekundayo grinned, blood flecking his lips, “Do it.”

Fluttershy grew angry, “I’m not...”

“Has to be you. Only you.”

No. She wasn’t special, she wasn’t some... corrupted messiah. But it couldn’t be anypony but her, she couldn’t let others take the dirty work anymore. She couldn’t be a coward any longer. She had to... abandon her selfish morals.

But she could do it right. She leaned forward and hugged Ekundayo, taking his bloody face into her neck, nestling her cheek against his ear. Her knee came down upon his throat, gently pressing just enough to close his airway. He choked and struggled and she held him tight, pinning him to the ground as he gasped her last.

Fluttershy wept, tears pouring down her face in a torrent as she felt him finally go limp. She held on to him for a minute or two longer just to be sure, finally stepping away. She forced herself to look at that wide eyed, empty face, reminding herself that she had just broken every vow she had made on the day she became a doctor, that by doing that she was no better than every other scumbag in this world.

Maybe that was the point. Words like ‘better’ felt false now, elitist. They were all in the muck together. Indeed she wondered what Applejack would have said. She was never averse to getting her hooves dirty, thought little of those who considered themselves her betters.

She didn’t know anymore. Her friends were faint shadows in the darkness of her memory.

“Holy crap!”

She looked round at the guard who had been outside the door. She couldn’t even be bothered to ask where he had been.

“I... thought I heard something, went to investigate...” He looked at the corpse beside her with shocked confusion, “What happened?”

“Ekundayo’s dead. So is the doctor and the other guard.” She spoke clinically, her emotions deadened, “Let’s get back.”

She made it back to the others without incident, wordlessly busying herself with what she had to do. She waved off eager young bucks throwing healing potions around by the jug, using her supply of syringes to carefully treat only the damaged areas, setting broken bones and orientating torn muscle before they could heal incorrectly. The raiders had been using a fairly common poison fortunately, those struck with it had recovered quickly once anti-toxins had been handed out.

She felt her heart break once again at the almost total casualty rate on the raider side, many of the wounded having clearly been stomped to death. She supposed it would be hypocritical to question such things now.

“May I have your assistance Miss Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy turned to the bandaged zebra Esau, once again amazed he was able to stand. He was still covered in blood and dozens of wounds, yet despite a note of weariness in his voice and a pronounced limp didn’t seem particularly bothered. She observed him with wariness, getting an uncomfortable feeling from the stallion, “Wasn’t Star Swirl attending to you?”

Esau paused, clearly debating this point, “I... do not wish her to treat me at this time.”

She hadn’t become a psychiatrist by asking awkward questions, “Ok. Do you want to go to a back room?”

“That would be appreciated.”

He followed her into the side room, moving over to an empty metal table and stripping off his armour and bandages. Once again Fluttershy was amazed at the zebra’s resilience, clearly spotting areas of flesh coming away with his armour yet not even a sign of acknowledgement in his face, “Are you immune to pain?”

“It’s a zebra technique.” He spoke it calmly, his tone matter of fact, “It numbs my pain receptors.”

Once again she was amazed by what the zebra could achieve with natural methods, “That sounds very useful.”

“The total loss of my tactile senses is a great hindrance, and I am unable to accurately determine the location of my limbs without eyesight confirmation.” He closed his eyes, clearly swaying for a moment, “It also has... cognitive side effects.”

“Sit down, before you hurt yourself.” Her ‘doctor’ voice came easy to her, speaking it politely but firmly as she came over to inspect him more closely. Despite the full body bandages he wasn’t in too bad a condition, though he clearly lived a hard life to amass this amount of scar tissue at such a young age. His fur was coarse and patchy in a way that suggested that he had either some sort of skin disorder or that he had lost the top layer of his skin across much of his body, numerous blade and gunshot scars adding to the state of his coat. His spiral mark was a mess, somepony had clearly taken a cheese grater to it. She had seen such wounds too many times before, “Is this self inflicted?”

The zebra grunted, “Current wounds please doctor.”

“You fight with no regard for yourself.” She lectured him as she applied healing potions to the affected areas, “These wounds will add up eventually, you’re looking at crippling long term problems.”

“I don’t want your opinion.”

Fluttershy looked up at his angrily indifferent face. His guttural voice, clearly caused by trauma, made him seem much older than he looked. By his face she would make him no older than his mid thirties, possibly younger. He had been handsome once, a soft jaw and well defined cheekbones, a long nasty scar from his left cheek to the side of his mouth uncomfortable looking but not disguising what once was. His eye was burned around the socket, though fortunately he had managed to save the eyeball and the lid. That along with numerous other scars had rendered the face mostly hairless, saved only by small tufts of fur. It was a distressing sight, “Thank you for saving Swift Crimson.”

“The boy is one of Princess Luna’s. I wish I hadn’t bothered.”

“He’s a good boy.”

“He’s servant to a monster.”

She frowned, asking the question pointedly, “Why? What has Princess Luna done?”

“She’s a demon, and such questions will get you killed. Can you invite Discord to a dinner party? Can you trust a manticore to eat from your hoof?”

“I convinced a manticore to eat from my hoof on several occasions.” She stated firmly, not liking this stallion’s cynicism one bit and not even vaguely in the mood for patience with it, “And though I’ve never had the chance to invite him, maybe all Discord needed was somepony to give him the chance.”

Esau grunted loudly, “I’ve no idea how you’ve survived this long.”

“I’ve no fucking idea either.”

Esau looked round at her, honestly surprised and off balance, “What...?”

She grinned childishly, enjoying that a little too much, “Sorry, I think Swift Crimson is brushing off on me.”

Easu gazed at her, his eyes shaking. Fluttershy saw the guilt there, the desire to speak. Her suspicion was perked, her eyes boring into him, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“What. Is. Wrong?” She stated firmly, not in any mood to be jerked around, “I know you’re hiding something from me.”

He wavered, Fluttershy seeing right through him. The fear, the guilt, the self loathing. She saw his pragmatism in combat with his ideals, his anger and aggression towards her a defence mechanism. He was... afraid of her. It only took a moment to break his will, his expression quivering as he spoke, “I’m meant to distract you...”

“Why?”

“While they take the two foals.” His voice broke, becoming a harsh whisper, “We were going to tell you that they had left already.”

“I...” She started, before realising she was wasting time. She turned her back on Esau and marched out of the room, leaving him standing there defeated. She heard him whisper something as she left, but she didn’t catch it. Hopefully it had been ‘sorry’.

“You bitche... ungh!”

She saw Swift Crimson fall to a blow to the back of the head, galloping into the room and glaring furiously at all those surrounding him. Star Swirl at least backed up a step in guilt, Icoxal however took her stare head on, “Ambassador, this is no place for you.”

“You’re kidnapping that boy!”

“Yes.”

“I won’t let you!” Fluttershy screamed, even as her head swam and her vision blurred. She fought through it, steeling her reserves of strength and marching on the huge zebra with fury in her heart, “You punish a stallion who stood beside you? You’re a disgrace to your uniform!”

He took her glare like a brick wall, nose wrinkling, “War is not clean.”

“Dirty wars quickly become long, pointless, destructive wars!” She yelled, stomping a hoof, “Have you learned nothing from the apocalypse?! Breaking rules, making things personal... it blinds everypony to war’s true objective!”

“And what is that?”

“Peace!” Fluttershy stated, locking her knees to stop herself from swaying, “A war... a war is a way to convince one side or another to sit down at the table and work out a favourable deal. Acting dishonourably is one way to ensure that NEVER happens!”

The big zebra observed her quietly, actually sounding a little regretful as he finally spoke, “He is the servant of a demon. The only objective is to kill her, and wipe out her followers.”

Fluttershy took this like a hammer to the chest. Her mouth dropped open limply, her eyes searching his for deception, “They’re children!”

“They view Princess Luna with religious devotion, would die for her. They would certainly kill for her.” His deep voice was blunt and terrifyingly matter of fact, “The only way to peace is to kill them all. That makes things... personal.”

“You... you monsters!” Fluttershy started off in shocked disbelief, before her heart moved on to anger. She would not be a part of this, she would not sit by while they said these things! She grabbed at her shotgun, pulling it round...

A warm, calming light flowed through her body, muscles instantly going limp and flaccid as she slumped forwards, fighting to keep her eyes open as an incredible weariness fell upon her. She gasped as Sunshine Ivory came into view, reaching up to her...

She shook her head apologetically as the light faded away, her final words the last thing Fluttershy heard before darkness consumed her, “I’m sorry Fluttershy, but getting yourself killed now would be a terrible waste.”

_____________________________________________

Level up - Level 24 reached

Perk acquired - Lessons Learned
The wasteland has taught you some hard lessons, but you've remembered them all. You gain +1% to earned experience per level gained.

Quest Perk discovered – Briar Heart
Your time as a tree has some unexpected benefits it seems. You regenerate fatigue while standing on earth or in the sunlight, which reduces the amount you need to sleep. You also have +1 Con and are 25% more resistant to poison.

Quest Perk acquired – Fight the Power!
You've had enough of these so-called "authorities" pushing poor folks around! You gain +2 Damage Threshold and +5% Critical Chance against anypony part of an established governmental organisation.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 2.10 - The Seat Of Power

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Chapter 2.10 - The Seat Of Power

Sebastian awoke, blinking in confusion for a while as he admired the unfamiliar ceiling, the whitewashed walls decorated with elegant purple script. The bed too was too soft, too fluffy and insubstantial. He wondered where his itchy, factory made university sheets were, and why he now seemed to be in a palace.

Palace.

He groaned as he levered himself out of bed, stretching out his talons to relieve the stiffness of the long journey. His suitcase sat at the side of the room, untouched, leaving the fancy furniture and elaborate paint job stark and impersonal. He yet again resented this, quietly and personally of course. He wasn’t the sort to complain out loud.

“Massta Baster! You wanted to be woken up... aw, no fair, you’re awake.”

He turned his head to look at his sister, unable to keep from smiling a little at her excitable, grinning face. She was still a damn skinny little thing, her head feathers dyed in wild purples and reds and her ears pierced with dangling gold and gems, “You’re still a dashgirl then Kerri?”

“We can’t all be boring.” She quipped, padding over to him and running a claw through his head feathers, “Do they teach you that at University? All those little Manehatten graduates in their grey suits and natural feathers, is it an actual dress code or something?”

“I like to look professional.”

“Oh man, you’re actually serious!” She chuckled wildly, punching him on her shoulder and jumping on the bed behind to push him forward, “Come on Baster, go go go! We’re got a lot to do this morning!”

He sighed, rising reluctantly at her urging, “Ok, ok, I’m going...”

Kerri was gone when he got back from the shower, off causing trouble somewhere else no doubt. He enjoyed the silence, carefully dressing himself in his vest and tie, brushing his feathers into something approaching neat respectability.

Many had asked him why. Because of his older brother, always in the papers for one reason or another? Because of his grandmother, great founder of the NCR? Because of his mother, war hero and companion of the Elements of Harmony and Littlepip?

He did it for himself. He liked looking nice. He wanted to be seen as humble and reliable. He wished everypony would stop thinking he was being anything other than himself.

He stepped out into the hall, feeling the humble bit drained away with every hoofcarved dresser and antique portrait. A pony in a courtier’s uniform stood expectantly a short distance away, turning with a smile and a regal bow. Sebastian hesitated and the pony approached, his tone impeccable as he primly addressed him, “Master Sebastian, good morning to you. May I assist you with anything?”

This was weird. And vaguely undemocratic, his mother was ‘Arbiter’, not ‘Princess’, “Um... where is everyone?”

“If you are referring to your family, your father is in the living room with Mistress Stefani. Mistress Kerrida left five minutes ago without telling anyone of her destination.”

“Sounds like her.” Sebastian smiled, having wondered how his ever independent sister was coping in a place like this. As always, with a smile and a skip it seemed, “She’ll find me when she wants to I suppose.”

The courtier nodded politely, “As you say sir. Your mother is currently engaged in the business of the morning, however she asks that you meet her at the entrance to the Sister’s Hall at 11am.”

He couldn’t help smiling, having been worried that the current situation was going to keep them apart. It felt profoundly uncomfortable that he hadn’t seen her in months, and that she had been away on business on his first night home. He didn’t blame her of course, she was a busy griffon. Still he was finding it hard, “Thank you. I think I’ll see my father.”

“Very good.” The pony waved an elegant hoof, “Just down the hall, third door on the right.”

The living room was equally as posh, still it clearly showed the signs of being lived in at least. Rather chewed toys and a heavily mauled scratching post cluttered up the corner of the room, the likely culprit curled up snoozing on the sofa next to her father. He could tell this was obviously his father’s room, his big, dog eared books piled up on tables and several empty cans of beer filling the bin, a pile of his half finished portraits stacked up on a side table. The television was on, his father’s eyes narrowed as he paused and rewinded the same bit of footage repeatedly. He looked round as Sebastian entered, grinning crookedly and rising to meet him, “Good morning son.”

Sebastian smiled, his father hadn’t changed. His jacket was still smart but crumpled and worn, his feathers slightly ungroomed in a way that suggested he hadn’t attended to them in a couple of days, his glasses still a few levels away from being remotely fashionable. His voice was wonderfully familar, gruff, straightforward and full of affection, “What are you watching dad?”

“Red Eye.”

He spoke simply, sitting back down and rewinding the footage. Now Sebastian was closer he could clearly see he was right, the recording some sort of rally, filmed from the crowd. His father played the footage and the large, crimson alicorn on the balcony gestured and waved, Sebastian moving closer. It looked... well, who was he kidding, Red Eye had died before he was born, it wasn’t like he was any sort of expert, “Hasn’t it got sound?”

“Listened to his damn speech a hundred times over.” His father responded, tapping a claw against his cheek, “Nothing interesting. A load of crowd pleasing nonsense, flattering the egos of idiots.”

“His voice matches?”

“Yeah. And his body language, mannerisms... can’t tell his face, he’s too far away for a good look. Physique is different, but he’s apparently an alicorn now.”

Sebastian felt that should provide some clues. There weren’t that many of them, “Any male alicorns unaccounted for?”

“None that match up. No female alicorns either.” His father grunted, taking another swig of beer and shaking his head as he paused the recording once again, “This is the third decent recording of him we have, and we still don’t know anything.”

“Could it be him?”

“I worked with Red Eye.” His father reminded him, his voice low and growly, “This guy might be a damn good impersonator, but his tactics are pure raider. Burning isolated settlements, raiding caravans... nothing big, nothing that will pay off large. It doesn’t match, Red Eye was all about the big plots.”

Sebastian didn’t like the sound of that, “Maybe it’s a distraction. Maybe he’s planning something bigger.”

“Oh, we’ve thought of that. And we’re on alert as much as we possibly can, given the circumstances.” He sighed, sinking into the chair and turning an eye to the sleeping form of Stefani. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he observed her chest rise and fall, eventually nodding to Sebastian, “Go find your mother, she’s waiting for you.”

Sebastian stood in the corridor outside the Hall of the Sisters, idling the time away as he waited for his mother. His eyes were once more drawn to the portraits of Arbiters, one of three walls within the palace hung with pictures of them. Each were different in some way, this wall saw them in their elegant best. His mother looked strangely comfortable and commanding in a black and gold silk ballgown, even though he had never seen her wear a dress before or since. Flowing Script looked suitably overpowered by his overdesigned suit. Olden Charms gave a cheeky and grandfatherly smile from his somewhat quirky and old fashioned waistcoat and cravat. Velvet Promises was naturally clad in her slinky crimson dress.

And his grandmother, standing proud in the Talon dress uniform.

He had never really known her. To his eternal shame he had been scared of her when she was alive, scared by the contrast between the stories and the sick, crippled thing that lay wasting away under a crowd of medical equipment and scurrying doctors. Her voice had been a whisper, her touch trembling and weak. He hated himself for it now, that he had been unable to face it.

It still made him shiver. She had been an icon. Ponies talked about her in hushed tones, the founder of the republic. She hadn’t deserved to die like that, still so young, yet crippled by a slow, incurable disease that stripped everything from her. He was a coward, and liked certainties. That death was noble, that the strength of heroes was eternal, that the ones he admired would one day just... leave, without forcing him to watch them decline into shadows of what they once were.

His sister had mocked him, told him that one day it would be up to them to help the elements of harmony find their teeth and make it to the toilet on time. He knew it was true but it still scared him like nothing else.

He sighed and activated his radiobud, wanting something to distract him from his morbid thoughts.

“...there has been no word. All sources close to the government say that the official response is still under discussion, and that there is no imminent danger to our borders. But you heard it here first folks, despite action still being ‘under discussion’ old Rusty Needle has eyewitness accounts that agents from the regular army and Steel Rangers are currently landing in the zebra lands. Rescue mission? Prelude to invasion? Your guess is as good as mine listeners.

In other news, the Applejack Rangers have announced the death of Star Paladin Lucky Days. You might remember this guy as the one in charge of the Uniclip raid, not to mention he earned those paladin stripes in the war against the Enclave when he downed the heavy cruiser Cloudreaper from within. Official reports are that he fell in battle to Red Eye’s forces, but my sources tell me that the guy was actually stationed around Route 52 at the time, a heck of a long way from the fighting.

And this is where it gets interesting folks, because that Followers mare Zenai that I told you about? She actually hails from the town of Ironworks, and was a member of the Route 52 church. Coincidence? Or is there some connection between this enigmatic little zebra and the death of one the Ranger’s most decorated officers?”

“Bastian!”

Sebastian froze up, instantly recognising those familiar tones. He wasn’t sure if he was thrilled or terrified, again embarrassed at just how deeply her affections could affect him. Call it an affliction of having spent all his life surrounded by strong women, he was now pretty used to his lack of will when it came to them.

He turned slowly and clicked off his radio, finding himself grinning as the young pony trotted up, the very picture of grace and authority. She had grown since they last saw each other... a little bit at least. Pretty like her mother yet robust like her father, she already had the makings of a great beauty. Her grey coat was highlighted by a dramatic, ice blue mane that draped about her shoulders, striped with a single streak of white. It matched her clear, intelligent eyes, her cutie mark a sparkling set of three silver tiaras. He smiled warmly at her, wondering quite how to address her now. She certainly seemed a little more mature, so would ruffling her mane be inappropriate? Twelve year old girls were complicated... he went with what felt most honest, “Elegant Waters, it’s good to see you again!”

It was the right choice, she positively bounced at his greeting, “Oh Bastian, did you miss me? Did you really?”

He grinned, she really was a charmer, “Of course I did.”

A small, quiet little buck snuck out from behind Elegant Waters and stared up at Sebastian with a pair of impossibly deep, yellow eyes, not a hint of emotion on his face. He looked around for a moment before locking eyes on Sebastian once more, “I liked your old house better.”

“Yeah, me too.” Sebastian smiled at Pitch Perfect, shrugging his shoulders, “I don’t live here anymore though, I’ve moved out.”

“Why?” He questioned, “Do you hate your mother?”

“What? No.” Heaven forbid. Sebastian was well aware he was a momma’s boy, “I’m just at university now.”

“Ace Gold ran away because...”

“Pitchy, enough of that.” Elegant Water warned officiously, her eyes narrowing in irritation.

“I’m sorry.” Sebastian stated emphatically, having wanted to say it to her for a long time. His family was tight, and he had always struggled to cope with Elegant’s lack of stability, “Have you had any further news?”

“My brother is an idiot, but he can take care of himself.” She stated with a wry grin, instantly fading into a snobbish, irritated frown as she angled her nose upwards, “I am perfectly capable of dealing with his foolishness, but honestly! Our father and mother are both currently involved in very delicate situations, and he chooses to have his little teenage rebellion now?? Buck is simply looking for attention, and I refuse to talk about him any more than I need to!”

Ah Elegant, as always the voice of self satisfied reason. Knowing her she was likely thrilled at all the attention this was getting her, and half the reason Ace Gold had run away was to escape his younger sister’s shadow. He sympathised, “I understa...”

“It’s not even about our mother you know?” She interrupted him, flinging her hoof upwards in a exaggerated gesture of exasperation, “Our poor mother has always been a convenient scapegoat to hang the fact that he is completely incapable of talking about his problems, I mean honestly!”

“Elegant Waters, not every...”

She sniffed loudly, waving her hoof in a wide arc, “I mean, he’s supposed to be the eldest. He’s supposed to be our father’s heir, but instead I have to pick up the slack. It’s just typical, he never thinks of anypony but himself!”

“Elegant Waters.” He grinned as he held a single talon to her lips, silencing her momentarily. Her shocked, slightly embarrassed look was worth it alone, “Not everypony is like you. Let’s face it, you don’t know the slightest thing about machines.”

She glowered, trying desperately to hide the blush in her cheeks as she muttered her reply, “Because they’re stupid. We’re rich, we can hire ponies to work machines for us.”

He chuckled, again aware why so many ponies found Elegant Waters to be exasperating. Sadly, he was not one of them, and all the worst for it... “Then just accept that not everypony is as confident or skilled with expressing themselves as you are. Your brother was never going to fit in to the high society we live in as well as you.”

Indeed, he kinda understood. He wasn’t exactly suited to this life either, rather glad he came of age when his mother first became Arbiter. He had been able to flee to university before he was immersed in politics and celebrity, the academic world a place a griffon like him was instantly at home with.

“Expressing yourself is easy. You just think about what you want, and say it!” Elegant Waters cut his thinking off once again, never letting a silence go unfilled. Indeed she... totally distracted him, fixing him with a pair of pretty, blue eyes, her mouth open in an inviting pout, “You’re looking even more handsome than ever Bastian. You’ve been working out haven’t you?”

He froze, “Uh...”

She grinned, stepping forward and wrapping two hooves about his leg, pressing her ear to his side as she whispered seductively, “I still haven’t forgotten you know. I haven’t got a boyfriend yet...”

“I... uh...”

She suddenly stiffened, moving away and glaring up at him with an expression of cold burning rage, “You haven’t got a girlfriend have you?”

“What... no... I...”

“You cheated on me?!”

“I haven’t got a girlfriend!”

She glared at him for a moment more before her expression softened, a cute smile taking her lips, “Good. You’re all mine.”

“I... um...” He resisted the urge to forcefully take hold of his tongue and tear it out, simply taking a deep breath and trying to extract himself from this conversation, “Elegant Waters, you’re... twelve. And I’m fifteen...”

“My father is seven years older than my mother.” She stated smugly, grinning as she rendered him speechless once again, “And think about it, our children would unite the two most powerful families in the NCR. It would be a dynasty that would bring real stability to the nation.”

“Our children?” Images of horrific monstrous crossbreeds briefly surfaced before he punched them back down, shaking his head at the mare, “Elegant Waters, you do know... I’m a griffon, and you’re a pony.”

She frowned deeply, looking rather hurt, “I’m not a racist Bastian!”

“No, I mean... we can’t have children. We’re from two entirely different species.”

“That’s rubbish! I’m sure I’ve seen... heard of...” Her expression dropped, now looking a little panicked, “Really?”

Sebastian felt bad now, she really looked crushed. He knew that her affection for him wasn’t just some game to her, that she had planned out their lives in elaborate detail. It felt like breaking a child’s toy to crush her dreams like this, “I’m afraid so.”

“But there are plenty of griffons and ponies that are together!” She waved her arms somewhat hilariously in his general direction, “And I’ve studied! We’re the same... general... shape...”

Oh heavenly Celestia preserve him. Of course she had looked it up, how very like her. He just hoped she had used reputable sources... “Please... don’t talk about things like that so openly... and it’s not able that, it’s about DNA...” He frowned thinking she really should know about this, “Haven’t you done sex education at school?”

“Oh yeah.” She grinned widely, “It was hilarious.”

He sighed. Elegant Waters was extremely intelligent when it came to things that interested her, unfortunately her sense of inevitable purpose extended to her certainty that certain subjects were irrelevant and not worth her time, “The instructions for building... little griffons... are very different for those for ponies. You can’t mix those instructions together and expect them to make any sense.”

She dropped her head, her lip quivering for a second before she set it firm in place, “Well I... that doesn’t matter. We can adopt orphans, give them the opportunity...”

“Elly.” Pitch Perfect tugged at her side, eyes gently pleading, “I need to go potty.”

“Oh, right.” She perked up, though her smile still looked a little forced, “We’ll speak later, ok Bastian?”

“Sure.” He nodded as she took Pitch Perfect’s shoulder and led him towards the toilets, feeling really down now. Although not in the way she hoped, he did like Elegant Waters and... hoped they would have some kind of future together. Maybe he could even start to feel that way about her when she was older, though pretty much all ponies seemed a little too fragile and pretty to... think about that kind of thing.

“You’re so smitten with that underdeveloped flank. You big pedo.”

He span, startled by the sudden voice, pouting a little as he saw his sister there grinning from ear to ear. He batted at her with the back of his claw and she playfully blocked it and backed away, still grinning cheerfully. He sighed, his sister never changed, “I don’t think of her that way and you know it.”

“Oh come on.” She smirked, “I can hear your heart beating from here. She’s got you smitten, admit it.”

He... wasn’t going to deny that. He wasn’t after all, entirely sure himself, “That doesn’t mean I have any interest in... flanks.”

She laughed, shaking her head in despair, “You are such a boyscout. Courtly love and chastity, that is just so like you Bastian. It’s... kinda adorable actually.”

“Look Kerri, don’t joke ok?” He turned his eyes sadly in the direct she left, feeling his chest really hurt now, “She’s really upset.”

“Because you two can’t have little griffon babies?”

“Yes.” He glared at her, wishing she would take things seriously for once, “Ok, she’s a little self centred. She’s young Kerri, you weren’t any different.”

She smirked, “A little?”

“Yes. Because she really does want to help. She wants our families to bond together to give the republic stability.”

Kerri snorted, “She wants our families together so we can become royalty, and she can be a princess.” She gave him a wry, mocking grin, “You were always a sucker for a pretty face Bastian, and always assume ponies are more virtuous than they actually are.”

He pouted back at her, “Maybe they might suprise you.”

“Oh Bastian, you’re so cute...” Kerri suddenly grinned wide, giving a amused little giggle as she spotted something behind Bastian. She leaned closer, her words whispered, “Mother duck, incoming. Watch out Bastian, she knows you want to molest her daughter and she’s brought reinforcements!”

Bastian turned, unable to keep from smiling a little alongside her. The troop before him made its way down the corridor at its leader’s hurried pace, her chubby form only made more commanding by the elaborate grey and gold robes she was wearing. Her coterie of young, skinny looking ponies did indeed cut a rather amusing sight as they trailed behind, carrying clipboards and hurriedly typing into pipbucks, “I guess they’re starting. So where’s...”

“Sebastian!”

He turned as another group emerged from behind a corner, composed of a pair of guards, a gently smiling Life Bloom and his mother’s aide Gavorn, his mother marching in front. She was dressed in her normal uniform, neat but not too neat, in a dull grey suit unbuttoned at the top and a purposeful look in her eye. He hesitated, stammering a little at seeing her so suddenly, “M... mother...”

“Walk with me son.” She stated, taking him with a gentle claw as she passed and pulling him alongside her. He fell into position after a brief stumble and looked up at Regina, his mother continuing ahead with a determined stare. It was... impressive, feeling a little flushed at the sight. He had seen that expression on posters, marvelling at how well she pulled off the ‘grim, serious, angry public servant’ image. This was pretty much the first time he had seen it in person, and he had to admit it was convincing.

She noticed him looking after a moment and the grim look faded, his mother returning with a gentle, apologetic smile as she turned her head to him, “I’m sorry things are so busy. You’re going to have to put up with me being selfish for now, and I really am glad you’re here beside me.”

“It’s ok...” He soothed, feeling his heart glow at her words, “Are you really taking me to the meeting?”

“You’re a Grimfeather. You can try and choose whatever path you want, but you learned long ago that the republic expects us to stand in its defence when it matters.” She spoke gravely, her eyes moving to the distance ahead, “Your sister eagerly took up my pistols. I expect no less a commitment from you.”

He lowered his head, afraid of this. He admired the family tradition, but always hoped his sister could fulfil that obligation and leave him to forge his own path. He loved the republic that his family had forged, but he was no fighter, “I’m an artist and naturalist mother. I hate politics.”

“You hate politicians, which is hardly a bad trait in politics.” She gave a soft, half smile, “You’re patient and honest, with a good eye for the positive qualities in others. You make friends easily, and you know how to compromise.”

“Which makes me a terrible politician.”

“That cynicism will serve you well too.” She replied with a deadpan snort, “And I’m not asking you to do anything but watch, and give me your opinion when we’re done.”

Sebastian wasn’t sure how valuable that would be. He knew as much about politics as he did about quantum physics, “You want my opinion?”

“The opinion of an honest griffon is a rare and valuable thing in these halls.”

His mother had certainly developed her own cynicism, “What about Velvet Remedy?”

Regina gave a wide, lopsided grin, “She didn’t become the most powerful mare in the NCR by throwing around the truth without cause.”

“Really?”

Regina chuckled, “Never play her at cards.”

The chamber of the sisters was as pretty and impressive as he had heard, smaller than the grand council chamber but no less inspiring and intimidating to stand within. Celestia and Luna stared down from their carving upon the far wall, the old Equestrian flag hanging either side. The guests were already present at the great table at the centre of the room, looking up expectantly as Regina moved to take the position at the head. Sebastian looked around, noting the previously seen Velvet Remedy, Elder Stern Lancer of the Applejack Rangers, General Brigandine of the Army of the Republic, Captain Silver Rade of the security services and Admiral Swift Ender of the Republic air force. It was an impressive group to be sure, even with Silver Rade and Swift Lancer standing in for Commissioner Calamity and Grand Elder Peach Trees. He bent his head to whisper to Life Bloom, “Why is Velvet Remedy here?”

“Her own son and Elder Fluttershy are two of those missing.” He paused for a moment before adding, “It is unconventional, Regina invited her. Technically this is all unconventional, the civilian and military branches of government are separated. Regina ‘invited’ them all here to discuss their possible decisions, she has no authority over them.”

“Technically?”

Life Bloom gave a thin, slightly nervous smile, “Calamity and Brigandine are personally loyal to your mother, and Swift Ender will side with them. This is how an arbiter gets things done Sebastian, by overstepping their authority at every turn.”

“Thank you for coming to this meeting today.” Regina spoke, her voice instantly shifting into the slightly deeper, less accented voice he had heard her use on radio broadcasts, “I have called you all in to discuss a unified approach to the recent events in the zebra territories. I trust that you are all familiar with the general situation?”

“To an extent Arbiter.” General Brigandine started, his voice deep and diplomatic. It matched the griffon perfectly, old and grandfatherly, covered in numerous scars that didn’t spoil a kindly, thoughtful looking face, “Last reports were... confusing, to say the least.”

Silver Rade stepped forward, Sebastian having to have lived under a rock to not recognise her by sight. It was certainly odd seeing her in the same room with Velvet Remedy, Sebastian now wondering who Elegant Waters and Pitch Perfect were attending with. She certainly cut an impressive figure in her scrupulously neat uniform, a direct contrast to the normally worn and scruffy looking Calamity. Her voice too was clear and sharp, “In response to the loss of communication we sent scouts from the 4th Paras across to Star Fall, Demonivore and Karvoi. They all confirmed the same story, that assassins from within the Followers and diplomatic delegation assassinated Caesar’s father, and attempted to assassinate Caesar himself. During the conclusion most of the conspirators then fled into wilderness, along with Ambassador Fluttershy.”

“A captive, or a simple innocent party caught up in the confusion?” General Brigandine replied, “Or indeed, herself part of the conspiracy?”

Velvet Remedy moved her head to look at the griffon, seeming surprised but not angry as such, “You’re accusing Fluttershy?”

Brigandine shrugged, his expression amblivant, “No, simply raising the possibility. Fluttershy is not known to be violent true, but she is known for her extreme opinions and headstrong nature. “

“Whatever the case, this is a clear and grievous error on your part Velvet Remedy.” Stern Lancer accused as he leaned forward across the table, his sharp, somewhat sunken features giving him an air of grave authority, “Care to explain what exactly your response is to be?”

Velvet Remedy bowed her head in contrition, looking to each of her companions with an expression of profound sadness, “I accept the guilt on behalf of my organisation Elder Stern Lancer. I have reason to believe that the primary conspirator was a member of my organisation, and that she made it onto the expedition through a serious failure in our internal security.”

Stern Lancer’s face furrowed even further, “She tricked her way onto the expedition?”

“Indeed. When this was discovered she was expelled from the followers and her resources cut off. However, lacking any means to bring her home, she was still in a position to conduct this conspiracy.”

Stern Lancer grunted, sliding back into position behind the table, “Who?”

Velvet Remedy nodded to her assistant, who tapped a button on her pipbuck and caused an image of a pretty young zebra with a ponytail to appear as a hologram in the middle of the table. Velvet Remedy turned back to the others as she spoke, “This is Zenai, an archivist within the Route 52 Church. We believe she is the mastermind behind the conspiracy, and though her motives are still under investigation we believe she wished to drive a wedge between the NCR and the Zebra Nations.” Velvet Remedy’s voice dropped in pitch, her tones full of regret, “She is a well known NCR and Equestrian patriot, and expressed a hatred for the Zebra Empire in journals we recovered from her room. The Department of Justice is continuing their investigation as we speak.”

She then looked over to Silver Rade, nodding to the mare. Brigandine couldn’t help noting a slightly knowing look pass between them before Silver Rade spoke, “We are confident that she is the soul conspirator within the Followers, and that she acted alone.”

Stern Lancer didn’t look convinced, “She acted alone?”

“We believe she had aid from some mercenaries within Far Go traders, as well as those sympathetic to her cause in Caesar’s own lands.” Silver Rade pressed a button on her own pipbuck and another image appeared, this one a scruffy, weather beaten stallion in his middle years, “This is Dust Kicker, a respected NCR mercenary. He was escorting Zenai, we believe she might have possibly got to him. He has knowledge of explosives, the weapon used in the assassination attempt.”

“You are certain of these conclusions?” His mother asked firmly, receiving nodded acknowledgements from both Velvet Remedy and Silver Rade. She then bowed her head, deep in thought for quite a while before looking straight at Silver, “I am commissioning a special apprehension order on both Zenai and Dust Kicker. Level 4 and Level 3 respectively.”

“We accept these orders, and they will be entered in the record.” Silver Rade answered immediately, nodding to one of her aides, “To clarify, Zenai will have a dead or alive bounty, Dust Kicker an alive only bounty. The hiring of bounty hunters in this endeavour is authorised.”

Regina nodded, “That is correct. Thank you Commander Silver Rade.”

“This is well and good, but it doesn’t address the pressing danger.” Stern Lancer interrupted, still looking stern and angry, “This Caesar has a large powerful army and a grudge against the NCR. He also now knows where we are.”

“We took on the Enclave twice and won both times.” General Brigandine commented dismissively, waving a claw at Swift Ender, “Admiral, you know the NCR’s defences. What danger does this pose?”

The Admiral had been silent in thought for some time. At Brigandine’s question he looked up gravely at the griffon, “A serious one.”

Brigandine looked surprised, “Really?”

Swift Ender nodded, “You should know from your battles with Red Eye. Our military is designed to fight pegasi, against ground troops we lack experience, training and weapons. Red Eye’s forces are bandits and they have given us a tough fight, Caesar’s regular troops would be a far more difficult proposition.”

Stern Lancer shook his head, “We are doing fine against Red Eye. It’s more a problem of catching them, in any straight battle we easily prevail.”

“Exactly.” Swift Ender stated bluntly, “We are slow to react and we have no manoeuvrability, our troops more used to protecting fortified locations than seeking out opponents in complex terrain. This will prove a serious problem given the geography of Equestria and the current conflicts.”

“General Brigandine nodded gravely as this sunk in, “Fillydephia and the East coast are on opposite ends of the NCR. There will be no easy way to share forces, we would have to split them into two separate armies.”

“We cannot.” Stern Lancer declared, low and firm, “That would leave both armies without enough heavy and elite support, the Rangers simply do not have the ponies or equipment for such a task.” He tapped his pipbuck, grimly studying the map there, “If the army stations on the east coast they could mount a delaying action, falling back from the outlying villages to buy time. The Rangers would similarly retreat from the suburbs of fillydelphia. We will then shut down the caravans and leave a garrison to protect the city while the bulk of the organisation moves to reinforce the east.”

General Brigandine shook his head in disgust, the expression echoed by several of the others, “We cannot give up near ten percent of our territory as a... delaying action.”

Swift Ender nodded, the disapproval downplayed but still present in his voice, “Giving the zebra our ports will allow them to more easily land reinforcements.”

“That is war gentlestallions.” Stern Lancer declared stoically, “We cannot throw our army away defending the indefensible.”

His mother allowed this to sink in for a couple of seconds before finally speaking up, clear and determined, “There is another solution, one that will help the entire NCR.”

Brigandine smiled in cautious relief, looking to the arbiter in interest “And that is?”

“One of the biggest problems facing the NCR at present is the struggles of the industrial sector, hit by the lack of new construction and rising fuel prices.” Regina continued with authority and resolve, even as Sebastian noted the clear signs of nervousness in her eyes, “If we institute war taxes we will have the reserves to commission power armor, tanks and heavy weapons, supplying jobs for the suffering lower classes, stimulating the economy and allowing the regular army to stand on its own as an independent entity.”

“That is against military protocols and you know it Arbiter.” Stern Lance immediately answered, harsh and angry, “The Rangers have always provided the army with its elite and heavy support. It is an arrangement that won every war we have fought, and I will not allow you to change it just like that.”

His mother sighed, looking wearily across at the Ranger delegation, “Times change Elder.”

“Nothing has changed.” Stern Lance set his face hard against her, “You do not have the authority to do this and you know it.”

“Very well. I will call a vote among the military council.” Regina looked round at those sitting at the table, stubborn resolve taking root in her eyes, “This will be informal of course, but the Republic will note your decision and expect you to stick to it when the decision comes to formal vote.”

Stern Lancer shrunk a little now, looking round at the others as he likely tallied up his support, “But... we are not all here.”

“Actually I have a signed document here, authorising me to speak with Commander Calamity’s full authority.” Silver Rade stated, holding up the document in question and laying it down upon the table. I also have holocommunicator access to him, should you wish to confirm this.”

“And we all know which way Peach Trees would vote Stern Lancer.” Brigandine noted cheerfully, laying his claw down upon the table, “I’m happy to do this.”

“Of course you are!” Stern Lancer shouted, his composure lost, “This would immediately hand you twice the resources and authority!”

“ORDER!” Regina yelled, her fully raised voice shaking the room. Sebastian winced and ducked down in sheer terror, reassured to see many of the others doing the same. He smiled as his mother glared harshly at Stern Lancer, “I will not have raised voices or foalish outbursts about this table. You are a representative of this government, and you will conduct yourself accordingly.”

He shrunk back like a naughty child, “Of course...”

“Now, are all participants ready to vote?”

Nods were given from everyone around the table, Regina turning her eyes to Silver Rade first. The mare stared back for a moment of shared... something, before delivering her verdict, “I vote in approval. The safety of the citizens is paramount to our office.”

“I vote in approval.” Brigandine agreed, “For too long the army has lacked respect, not given the chance to rise above being mere grunts to the grindstone.”

“I vote in tentative approval.” Swift Ender noted cautiously, turning his gaze to Stern Lancer, “Regina offers a clear, sensible plan of action. Until you can offer the same I cannot in good faith do otherwise.”

Stern Lancer struggled with his emotions as the others all looked at him and his entourage, finally drawing himself up proudly. He stared across at them, his eyes cold and judgemental, “Since the birth of the republic the Rangers have protected it with their blood and bodies. In every major conflict we have seen the death of our best and brightest, and all we asked for it was respect for our honour and traditions.” He pursed his lips angrily, “And if you’re looking for more practical reasons... our knights and paladins are trained from birth for a life of service and battle, instilling them with the skills, virtue and physical prowess to be worthy of the power they bring to the battlefield. If you think giving a farmhand power armor and a missile launcher will make him a Ranger you will be sorely mistaken.”

The room went silent, Regina letting a second tick by before leaning across the table, “Your vote please Elder.”

“Damn you to hades Regina.” He muttered, glaring back at her, “I vote in disapproval.”

“Then that’s three votes to one. The motion passes!” Regina stepped back, turning her head to Life Bloom, “Get me some hard figures Life Bloom. Tell me how much this will cost, and how long it will take. If Caesar comes across that sea tomorrow, I want to be damn ready for him.”

“So that’s politics.”

Regina smiled at his comment as they sat together in the cosy confines of the drinking room, a tasteful and well furnished place with red velvet sofas and elegant curtains all around the walls, a redwood bar in the far corner holding beverages he had never heard of. Regina herself held a glass of whiskey between two claws, watching the brown liquid swish around, “On a good day, yes. Coming together in combined purpose to fix this country.”

It hadn’t looked quite that pleasant from where he was standing, “I noticed Velvet Remedy and Silver Rade looking at one another, and your parts looked a little rehearsed as well.” He noticed his mother deflate slightly, just saying what was on his mind, “Was everypony in on that? Except for the Rangers I mean.”

“You noticed that huh? Damn.” Regina sighed, stretching out her shoulder, “That’s another thing to remember in politics, make sure you know the table before you lay down your cards. Velvet Remedy, Silver Rade and I planned our part out before today, yes.”

“You knew the others would vote for you as well.”

“Brigandine would, of course. And Swift Ender has always been a pragmatist, I knew I could catch his interest with a well prepared solution. Doesn’t help that the Rangers were exactly the same as always, vomiting forward that same bloody minded lack of imagination.”

He nodded at the glass, “And when did you start drinking in the middle of the day?”

“I’ve found it’s far easier to play the arbiter when I’m a little buzzed.” She chuckled, sounding much more like his mother now, “You think all that shouting and table pounding is done sober?”

He had wondered about that actually, “Why do you hit tables anyway? I notice you didn’t do it in there, but in all your public appearances...”

She smiled disarmingly, taking a sip of her whiskey and sighing deeply as it went down, “I got a bit carried away at a press conference, made everyone jump. Afterwards it was all everypony could talk about. My image consultants convinced me to work it into my image.” She shrugged, “We’ve had two damn accountants for Arbiters before me Sebastian, was it any wonder the public didn’t warm to them? Whatever else you can say about them, your grandmother and Velvet Promises knew how to put on a bit of street theatre.”

There was a knock at the door and they both looked round as it creaked open, Regina opening up in a huge smile as a familiar grey coated pony entered. The pony returned the smile as she saw them, moving over to one of the tables and carefully and elegantly removing her heavy robes, “Did somepony mention my name?”

“Common mistake. We’re talking about Velvet Promises.”

Velvet Remedy held a hoof up to stifle a laugh as she removed what was left of her robes, “Ah, the brothel madam, not the religious leader. An easy mistake to make indeed.”

“Well one hires out her followers so they can be fucked over, and the other...” Regina snorted, sinking into the sofa cushions and waving her glass around, “...I think I’ve lost my point.”

“I swear, you’re felling more guilty about it than I am. She’s a member of my organisation.” Velvet Remedy commented as she moved over, shaking out her hair a little now she was free from her robes. Sebastian couldn’t help staring a little as she did, noting that she had once been considered one of the most beautiful ponies in the wasteland. Even in her late thirties and despite gaining a fair bit of weight she hadn’t aged badly at all. At the very least she was proof her daughter was likely to age very gracefully herself... Velvet made him look away hurriedly as she turned her smile to him, the mare chuckling and looking back to Regina, “You want to talk about this now?”

“Neither of us are the element of honesty Velvet, but I can at least be honest with my son.” Regina replied, somewhat angry and defensive, “Unless you have a problem?”

A moment of consideration passed through her eyes before she smiled again, warm and with a somewhat cheeky sparkle in her eyes, “No. Sebastian is a fine young griffon.” She stepping up onto the sofa and reclined down into its cushions, sighing as it took her weight, “I must be getting old. It feels better and better to shrug off those heavy robes and just... relax.”

“You’re the one who chooses to wear them.”

“And we all have our vanities. I was voted the best dressed mare in the NCR three years running, and still do well in the polls.” She chuckled, her expression becoming more serious, “But we didn’t come together to talk about my dress sense.”

Regina dropped her eyes, “Business as always Velvet.”

“My propensity for being all work and no play has gotten considerable play time over the past decade. I doubt it surprises you now.” She turned a pair of knowing, gently probing eyes Regina’s way, “Talk honestly. Are you having second thoughts about Zenai?”

Regina paused in thought for a long time, her expression full of that old familiar storminess. Finally she raised her eyes, grimacing, “Only that something could easily go wrong. And that Homage and Zephyr would never approve.”

“Nothing is ever completely safe Regina. This has a better chance of succeeding than the other plans we discussed.” Velvet Remedy sighed, her expression drifting away, “And let’s face it, Calamity, Zephyr, Homage, Ditzi, Lionheart... they were always the true heroes, saving damsels and being the pure, good avengers Littlepip wanted us to be. That always left you, Life Bloom and me to act a little more dishonestly when the situation demanded.”

“I never acted dishonestly.” Regina started before her face fell and she waved a claw distractedly, “Dishonorably at least.”

“Honor is for stallions Regina, showing off their virtue for the sake of their egos.” She gave her a serious look, “I cannot, and will not compromise the good of all for some... subjective code of ethics.”

Regina sighed, cupping her chin in a claw, “You’ve gotten cynical.”

“Maybe. But neither the Rangers or Zenai deserve our charity.”

Sebastian couldn’t take this anymore. His rose from the seat, facing Velvet Remedy with a look of angry challenge, “This Zenai... she’s innocent? She’s innocent and you’re still blaming her for this, putting a kill order on her?” He looked round at his mother, “You’re sitting here discussing murdering innocent zebra?”

“Don’t be so dramatic Sebastian, I am doing nothing of the sort.” Velvet Remedy stated soothingly, amused at the implication, “A dead or alive bounty pays far higher for an alive target, and providing she co-operates she won’t be harmed. All it does is informs hunters that she is armed and dangerous, and most importantly informs Zenai that she is not some charming rogue tweaking the nose of her parents but a criminal, playing a very dangerous game that might well get her killed.”

Sebastian calmed a little, that at least sounded... reasonable, “But you’re still blaming her for all this, even though she didn’t do it?”

Velvet Remedy shook her head, “She might not have done it.”

Regina spoke up to explain, “We don’t have much evidence to go on, certainly not enough to secure a definite conviction. But the public needs a pony to blame, and Zenai got onto the expedition by deception, has few close friends to back her character, and has purposely kept her motives obscured.”

Velvet Remedy gave him a warning glance, “She’s a proven liar, and has broken both the rules of the followers and the laws of the republic. She should already be in prison, and I have no reason to trust her innocence.”

“But there are other possible culprits?”

Regina looked nervous as she nodded, “There are.”

“Arick.” His heart filled with fury. He didn’t like anger, didn’t have any time for it. A stupid, destructive emotion... and he was angry with his mother right now, and couldn’t do anything to stop it, “You’re still protecting him?!”

She shrank from his anger, fragile and weak, “I’m not protecting him. I’m protecting... us, this.”

Now he understood, “Having him as a culprit would make you look bad.”

“I’m sorry.” She stated a little bitterly, “But think about it. Arick isn’t a good enough planner for something like this. If he is involved, it’s as a mere pawn under a greater intelligence.”

Sebastian stared at his claws, remembering the time he had lain them upon his brother. He had never hit anything before or since, but it had felt right like nothing else, “You’re justifying yourself.”

“Maybe I am.” She stated woodenly, “But I won’t call it a weakness to not want your child’s name dragged through the mud.”

“Maybe one day you’ll understand Sebastian, when you see your firstborn in your hooves.” Velvet Remedy spoke, a tiniest bit of recrimination in her rich tones, “Whatever the case, we need your mother at her strongest. We cannot let her name be mired in scandal.”

“Ok then...” He muttered, still not liking this, “What about the others?”

“Star Swirl is an alicorn, and they have enough prejudice heaped upon them.” Velvet Remedy stated, “I won’t risk falsely accusing her.”

“I very much doubt Dust Kicker is involved, but Zenai might have hired him for protection.” Regina continued, “That’s why I want him brought in as well.”

“Ace Gold... my son is intelligent, but not that kind of intelligent. I sincerely hope he doesn’t have the mindset required for a plan like this either. That might be his mother talking of course.” Velvet Remedy smiled, taking a deep breath as she considered further, “And Fluttershy... well, Brigandine might have a point, but I’m not going to go that far just yet.”

Regina raised an eyebrow, “You would honestly suspect Fluttershy?”

She chuckled, “You don’t know what I have to put up with. Fluttershy already has a reputation for being extreme in her opinions, and I am instrumental in holding her back from her worst excesses. She’s also the only one with the kind of top security clearance needed for many aspects of this plan.” She noted Regina’s rather worried stare with noticeable regret as she finished, sighing as she shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t think she has anything to do with it. But its worth considering.”

Sebastian knew Velvet Remedy, though he couldn’t exactly say he knew her well. She was kind, motherly, the one who could tell you off without making you feel too bad. She wasn’t... this. He wasn’t sure what this was sitting in front of him, accusing Fluttershy of high treason, “How can you accuse Fluttershy like this? Isn’t she supposed to be your best friend?”

Velvet Remedy smiled, soft and sad, something fragile in her eyes, “I wouldn’t exactly call us friends... we seem to spend most of our time arguing.”

This was absurd! “Velvet, how could you...!”

Regina turned an angry eye upon him, her claw reaching out to grip his shoulder, “Sebastian, that’s enough!”

“No.” Velvet Remedy interjected, lifting a hoof as she spoke in that same calm, sad tone. She smiled at Sebastian, not a trace of anger there, “I don’t deal well with stress, I know. I’m sorry you have to see me like this.”

Regina pulled Sebastian back towards her, her voice strained, “I’m sorry Velvet Remedy...”

“No... you’re right, this is good for him. Good for me too.” Velvet Remedy chuckled lightly, the musical tones sweet and genuine, “We hold the Republic together Sebastian, and that’s not always easy. At the moment I’m watching the country I put my whole life into face the threat of destruction on multiple fronts, and have to seriously consider the possibility that Fluttershy, Littlepip and Ace Gold are dead.”

Sebastian felt like he had run into a brick wall. He quickly shrunk back down before he made any more of an idiot out of himself, “I’m sorry...”

“No... don’t be.” Velvet Remedy shook her head, smiling warmly, “I’m ok Sebastian. I have a lot of ponies looking after me, and I’m not without justified self confidence. With the help of my husband, Silver Rade, your mother and all the others standing behind me I’m certain we can overcome this, just as we did every other threat that’s come our way.” She chuckled, raising her pipbuck to reveal the gemstone set into its face. It was her cutie mark, the subtle but distinctive appearance of the device making its identity immediately obvious, “Harmony lights the way.”

Regina averted her eyes, “They’re useless without Zephyr.”

“Now who’s being cynical?”

Regina smiled, though there was still a fierce vein of regret there, “I miss her. I miss us.”

Velvet Remedy chuckled, “We’re still here Regina.”

“I haven’t spoken to Ditzi in ages, and I think I piss Homage off every time I make a political statement.” Regina turned to Velvet, giving a big grin, “And furthermore... let’s face it, are we really going to be storming out like we used to, kicking ass and taking names? Our kids would die of embarrassment.”

“What, at me waddling out, half my gut sticking out of my armor?”

“Huh, what about me, dropping my guns every five seconds with these damn stiff old claws?” Regina chuckled, shaking her head at Velvet, “You’re not that fat.”

“I’m not going to be sprinting across any battlefields.” Velvet noted, looking down regretfully at her gut before smiling sympathetically at the griffon, “We’re still the heroes of the moment Regina, and there’s still plenty of life in us yet. Sebastian is a sweet kid, but he’s not quite ready to take the weight off our shoulders I think.”

Sebastian looked at them both. They both had so much to take care of, and they both looked so tired... “I would if you asked.”

“Don’t going looting my tired corpse just yet son.” Regina grinned, sharing a look with Velvet Remedy, “The world just never stops needing saving does it?”

“You sound like an old mare Regina. You’re five years younger than me, and I’m still a good two decades away from letting anyone even consider me old.” Velvet chuckled, her eyes twinkling with a quiet resolve, “If Caesar does come over here we’ll send him to the same place we sent the Goddess, Red Eye, Sweet Smile and the rest of those would-be overlords.”

“To harmony, now and forever.” Regina nodded, “Good to have you here with me Velvet.”

Sebastian smiled as he looked between them, even though a subtle darkness still gnawed at his heart. His sister had said it right.

All heroes fail eventually. All heroes decline and die. Nothing ever lasts forever.

________________________________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 1 reached.

New Perk Added: Pure of Heart
You radiate with the light of your personal karma. All reaction modifies incurred are doubled.

Chapter 2.11 - When Is A Mare Justified?

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Chapter 2.11 - When Is A Mare Justified?

Vigiant’s point was starting to feel like home. During the week she had spent here Star Swirl had found the population becoming increasingly used to her, and the soldiers had clearly been impressed by her fighting alongside them at Greylode. And she liked them in turn, still shy but feeling she was starting to come out of her shell just a little. She had started to exercise, and her size and strength allowed her to earn a significant amount of cash by helping out the local merchants. It was all good training, and she found herself slowly bringing herself back up to her prime.

And she still found Kunani to still be intriguingly enigmatic, and much of her study time was spent learning enough sign language to communicate effectively with her. She soon found the mare to be confident, forceful and direct, intimidating despite her small stature but almost overflowing with knowledge. She eagerly took the opportunity to join her on her daily trip across to Zenali’s home, hungry for further discussion of zebra history and mysticism.

The mare looked up at Star Swirl with her deep, grey eyes as they travelled, her expression unreadable. She considered for a moment before giving a distracted set of signs, Star Swirl quickly translating, “What would happen if an alicorn became a Princess?”

Star Swirl wished. She might as well have dreamed of becoming a zebra, “Can you do that? Become a Princess?”

“Yes. You have to master the elements of harmony.” Kunani paused briefly before shaking her head, signing again, “That’s simplifying it a great deal. It’s much more complicated than that.”

“Wow...” Star Swirl felt a mixture of excitement and despair, an odd combination, “That would be awesome... but very unlikely.”

She signed again, her expression slightly teasing, “Still, I wonder. Would you become an alicorn?”

Star Swirl shook her head, knowing it could never happen. The very concept was ludicrous, “We’re creatures of black magic, harmony resists us. Objects enthused with it weaken us.”

Kunani’s face became more serious, “If you were to ascend you would have purity of body. You would no longer be a creature of darkness.”

This sort of thing was why Star Swirl was eager to be friends with the zebra, she seemed to know more about harmony than Velvet Remedy herself, “You seem to know a lot about it.”

“I think I do.” She shrugged silently, signing again with a slight look of regret, “All legends, hearsay, rumor. I try to apply some sort of order, structure to it, create a path I can follow.”

“You want to become a Princess?”

“A master of myself. The goal of all shaman.” Kunani looked down at her hooves, a slight frown forming as she signed flatly, “Like Celestia and her sisters guided ponies, the Masters of Garm guided zebra. Too many of their teachings are lost now, zebra are without direction. We are lost without them, their wisdom and strength.”

“But Garm survived... didn’t it?”

Kunani stared at Star Swirl, suspicious and assessing. Star Swirl had gotten used to it, the zebra was not one to speak without due consideration. Eventually she signed again, “Much was still lost. Great orders destroyed, zebra forced to begin again.”

Star Swirl wanted to reply that at least something had survived, but thinking about it maybe it wasn’t a blessing. To be always reminded of what you had lost might well be worse, “Except the pariah order.”

She grimaced, signing sharply, “The great orders were lost.”

“Ouch... a little mean there.”

She sighed, becoming slightly less hostile... if only slightly, “Order survived because they were kicked out of Garm. Deserved worse.” She bowed her head, lips thin as she signed grimly, “Worshiped demons, put whole world in jeopardy. Eventually destroyed it entirely.”

“They... destroyed it?”

“Princess Luna founder of order. Led Equestria to ruin.”

Star Swirl had figured as much, judging by some of the comments she had heard. She wasn’t stupid. Still she was forced to consider it anew now that an external source had confirmed it, “Ponies can found orders of shaman too? Like, officially?”

Kunani shrugged, signing, “When zebra completes the pilgrim’s path, attains the purity of form, spirit and will granted by mastering the elements of harmony, then they are considered worthy to found an order and take on apprentices. I suppose the zebra part of that did not seem so important.” She frowned, “Greedy, to be both master shaman and princess. Stick to your own culture.”

Star Swirl chuckled, “Hey, that sounds a little racist.”

Kunani took a deep breath, signing a little slower, “No problem with ponies. But shaman ours. Felt like Luna was humoring us. Noble pony adventurer, learning quaint ways of the savages.”

“And that sounds rather defensive.”

Kunani glared sulkily before signing again, “I am defensive. You have Princess Celestia, oldest and most powerful of the masters of harmony, who commanded their incarnate forms in this realm and wielded both spiritual and material authority without peer. None of our shamans ever came close to that.”

Star Swirl could appreciate that. She had her own issues with Celestia after all, standing over her, being better than she could ever be, “Maybe you can understand what it feels like to look like her. I feel defensive every time someone mentions my race, like I’m supposed to be more than this.”

Kunani considered this, bitterness fading to reassignment, “I am as far from my goal as you Star Swirl.”

“Why?”

“I am a long way from perfection. I feel defensive and resentful when around ponies, I instinctively want to blame them for things they had nothing to do with. I love Starhammer too deeply, I get jealous of all who receive his attention. At the same time I am jealous of him, envious that I am universally considered his ‘sidekick’.” She marked this last comment with a roll of her eyes, sharply signing her final statement on the issue, “All my life, I have been ignored because of my silence.”

Star Swirl chuckled, “You’re honest about your flaws at least.” She smiled warmly at the little zebra, not really minding her admission about ponies. She would never have noticed it without her just pointing it out after all, and Star Swirl had no shortage of prejudices, “And you’re honest about it with me, so you can’t dislike ponies that much.”

Kunani gave a few gentle signs, resigned and depressed, “I’ve never spoken to a pony before.”

Star Swirl paused at this, wondering if that was possible, “But... there’s plenty of ponies in the wasteland. You’ve really never spoken to one before?”

Kunani turned a bitter eye to Star Swirl, after a moment softening her expression into one of sadness and regret. She signed wearily, clearly pained by her admission, “I have been deaf and mute from birth. The number of creatures who could be bothered to speak with me is miniscule, and until now no pony has ever cared enough.”

Star Swirl hesitated, this having gone to a dark place, “I...”

“So thank you Star Swirl.” Kunani smiled warmly as she signed, “And I would be honored if you joined me at Zenali’s house this afternoon. I am certain you would enjoy the experience.”

Kunani had been right about that, Star Swirl realising the NCR really did have a lot to gain from the zebra in one area.

The sweet smell of some unforgettable incense filled the air, the oils and lotions soaking into her skin and making her muscles feel as loose and supple as a young fillies’. Having two extremely attractive young zebra applying it was the icing on the cake. She was pretty sure both Zenali and Kunani had noticed that she wasn’t exactly all about the stallions, which made her all the more grateful and embarrassed for their joint massage... though she was well aware that the two were likely signing away behind her back and having a good laugh at her expense.

“You’re good at this...” She stated as she lay prone, aware that she should have signed it for politeness but currently unable to move any part of her body, “...where do you learn this stuff...?”

“Different places.” Zenali stated cheerfully as she washed her hooves in the faucet that fed the large bath in the center of the room, “I grew up in a house of affection, and masseur was less tiring than bed buddy.”

Star Swirl turned her eyes to the zebra, having thought she kinda looked the type when she first saw her, “Uh...”

Zenth noted Kunani’s look before shrugging her shoulders, “I’m not embarrassed. It was a classy place, and my daddy paid them a lot to keep me safe and educated.”

Star Swirl levered her hoof out enough to give a couple of lazy signs, “Rich and married?” She wasn’t naive about such things.

“Never ask about our clients. Once a courtesan, always a courtesan, and we take that stuff seriously.” Zenali grinned, angling her slim, athletic body seductively as she stepped across the wet tiles, “Anyway, that’s me, I was trained for this. Kunani on the other hand has just got a dirty mind and a knack with her hooves. Probably why the boss is so taken with her.”

Star Swirl turned her head to Kunani, the smaller zebra reclined upon one of the mats laid out upon the tiles. She lifted herself to give a suitably withering look, signing sharply, “I have studied the nervous system in detail, and understand how to influence that system through the use of physical manipulation and chemicals. Zenali gave me an appreciation for the subtleties.”

“You two have known each other for a while then?”

Kunani sighed wearily, “You remember what I said about the number of zebra able to speak to me? The house of affection Zenali belonged to had a deaf mare on the staff, so all of them were trained in sign language.” The zebra shrugged, looking depressed, “It seemed only logical to take on the role of house doctor.”

“And me and Kunani quickly became good friends!” Zenali declared cheerily, effortlessly signing at the same time, “We lost track of one another when I went adventuring, but fate couldn’t keep us apart for long!”

Kunani smirked slightly, “We hated each other. She called me a frigid bitch on several occasions.”

“Of course I was the first mare she thought of when they were on the run from Rashid. Told Starhammer that if he wanted to win he couldn’t possibly do without me.”

“You were hired by Rashid to track us down, almost killed both of us. You begged Starhammer for your life. We eventually ended up putting a slave collar on you to ensure your loyalty.”

Zenali laughed, setting down by the bath and dipping a hoof into the water, “I have to stay in practice somehow. That’s another skill they taught me by the way, one that Starhammer finds very useful.”

Star Swirl had somewhat lost track of the conversation, “What’s that?”

Zenali grinned, “I’m a total, barefaced, liar.”

Kunani grinned as she signed back, “That is true.”

“A legion of lies can fell the strongest army, without a single shot fired.” Zenali stated proudly, stepping down into the water with practiced elegance, “Not to mention careful practice in the art of shameless brownnosing has gotten me the ear of zebra from Starhammer to DJ Voice. That is my superpower, and don’t you forget it.”

Star Swirl’s ears perked up at the unfamiliar name, “DJ Voice?”

“Yeah, you know, from the Voice of the Wasteland radio station.”

Now she knew she was missing something, “There are no radio stations. All I get is static on my pipbuck.”

Zenali chuckled, slipping onto her back and propelling herself across the waters with a single thrust of her leg. It was a little distracting, Star Swirl admiring how good a swimmer she was... as well as other attributes. The zebra reached the other side and braced herself against the wall, looping a hoof about the bar there to keep her afloat, “Your pipbuck is Equestrian issue, that’s why. All transmissions on those frequencies are fouled up by the emergency broadcast. All zebra radio stations use zebra military protocols to broadcast... Kunani, put the Voice on, let her listen.”

Kunani rose lazily, giving a deadpan glare and a slow series of signs, “I don’t see the appeal of radio.”

“Yeah, yeah, lay off the self pity.” Zenali grinned as she signed splashingly to the girl, “If you want I can stand in front and translate.”

“I’ll pass.” She signed as she padded across the wet floor, clicked the radio on and returned to her spot, “Happy?”

“...call of the Elders, always brings a tear to an old stallions eye.” The voice on the radio pronounced, grizzled and deep with clear age and experience behind it, “If you just tuned in, this is DJ Voice, whispering sweet nothings from the heart of the nation. Clendal, where the grass really is greener.”

Another voice chimed in, this one clearly a ghoul, raspy and pointed, “And this is Sharps, preaching out to you from the darkness.”

Voice continued, his voice low and smooth, “We step out of the heartland now, for some tales from beyond the valley. We start out with another tale from our newest of wasteland heroes, the Steel Sister. Remember I told you about the village of Klondik, where several of their citizens had suffered... mysterious disappearances? Well not days after our wasteland wanderer had arrived than she emerged from the nearby caves with those missing zebra in toe, none the worse for wear.”

Sharp’s voice chimed in, “And before you ask, no, we don’t know if she rescued them with a pretty voice or a harsh gun. On that subject those involved are staying mysteriously... silent.”

“Either way, good going girl. Fire knows, those mountain folk need all the sunshine they can get.”

Sharp grunted, “What I really want to know is where her revolutionary companion has gone. Because yes smoothies, she is indeed traveling alone.”

Voice spoke in agreement, “Indeed, and that’s a question the Western Caesar is also asking. After a week of silence the halls of Demonivore finally opened to pronounce their judgement on that most bitter of fennels, to the tune of 20,000 Ivore.”

“Seems these days Demonivore only speaks to offer death threats. And he’s sure racking up the enemies.”

“Indeed he is. Adding to his worries, we have yet another sighting at the northern border.”

Sharp chuckled evilly, “Yet another victim of mass hysteria more like.”

Voice gave his own chuckle, warm and mature, “Whatever the case, we have two more claims of dragons over the Drakehome. Whether a monster from before the ages of zebra or too much cheap whiskey, I’ve said it before listeners but I’m going to repeat it now. Whatever your financial troubles, there are far safer ways of finding your fortune than raiding the nests of firebreathing lizards.”

Sharp agreed, his tone mocking, “Remember, even a sleeping dragon will wake long enough to toast an intruder.”

“And a sleeping dragon is a very poor riser, believe me on this. And that gives me a fine idea for our next song, so how about ‘A Fire Raises’ by Charlhome. Sharps?”

“There’s never a bad moment for some Charlhome. So take a listen to this, and don’t get roasty listeners. We’ve got some great tunes coming up for you, and I’d hate you to miss them.”

Star Swirl let the music play, looking across to Zenali for explanation, “Drakehome?”

She snickered in dry amusement, “The mountains where the All-mother and her children used to live. Zebra say that there are dozens of dragons still there, sleeping right through the apocalypse.”

“That true?”

Kunani shrugged, signing hesitantly, “I am not an expert on dragons. They are not as interesting as they think they are. Still, dragons slept there in the past, and sleep for a very long time between life cycles. It is possible some still remain.” She shook her head, signing again, “But great dragon migration used to pass over those mountains every five years. They have not been seen since the megaspells fell.”

“Well they have wings after all.” Zenali commented, wiggling her hoof about to dry it off, “They did the smart thing and vamoosed. What sensible creature wouldn’t?”

Star Swirl looked up at her wings, “Us?”

Zenali grinned, “Well you tell us. Apart from those shitty little bloodwings us zebra are pretty grounded. You’re telling me the Enclave never looked for areas where the devastation wasn’t so bad?”

Oh, they had. The griffons she knew were still sore about it, “They did. They invaded the griffon territories, strip mined their mountains and hunted the local wildlife to extinction.”

“We deserve to die out.” Kunani signed bitterly, “No sooner do we rebuild, than we seek to destroy once more.”

Star Swirl sighed. Depressing, but accurate, “The Enclave have invaded twice now, trying to destroy any civilisation that might threaten them.”

Zenali snorted, “Pegasi have always been brutes.”

“No...” Star Swirl started, trying to find something to counter that. Truth be told she couldn’t help her own prejudices, inevitable really when a group formed exclusively of one race seemed determined to kill you just for existing. Still alicorns had been in the same position once...

...though at least they had been sensible enough to know when they had lost. In the end Star Swirl had to settle for the ‘they aren’t all bad’ option, “Two of the elements of harmony are pegasi, and Fluttershy is too.”

“That firecracker?” Zenali laughed, “Don’t let her age fool you, that girl’s a fighter.”

“She... didn’t used to be.” Star Swirl commented, still rather thrown by Fluttershy’s transformation from sweet old lady to shotgun toting revolutionary. What had happened to her since she had left? If that was the result, maybe she didn’t want to know, “I feel I should talk to her, but she’s kinda scary now.”

“Not the best idea, no.” Zenali commented gravely, “I’ve spoken to her. She really hates you for siding against her.”

“I didn’t have a choice!”

Kunani frowned, signing vigorously, “Yes you did. Fluttershy made a choice, the same one you could have.”

Star Swirl didn’t think that was much of a choice. She had a choice of whether to keep breathing or not and she didn’t spend much time debating that, “To stand up to over a dozen zebra with guns?”

“I didn’t say it was a good choice.” She signed, frowning disapprovingly, “But don’t deny that you made the morally wrong decision because it was easier.”

Zenali gave her a surprised glance, eyebrow raising, “You think it was morally wrong?”

“And that’s not to leave this room. And it doesn’t mean I disagree.” Kunani signed grimly, raising herself up onto her hooves to look both of them in the eye, “But it was dishonourable and cruel.”

Zenali sighed, her voice sharp and judgemental, “We couldn’t let them go. They were far too valuable.”

“I said I didn’t disagree.” She signed furiously, her face screwed up in clear anger now, “But I’ve already had words with Icoxal and Starhammer, and I’m now telling you the same. It was not something I want to see repeated.”

“Sometimes you need to...”

Kunani cut Zenali off with a glare, “You find a better option. And if you can’t, then prepare yourself for another lecture, because I will not see this turn into another warlord’s march of conquest.”

Zenali sighed, “I’m sorry Kunani... though I don’t know why I’m apologising, I wasn’t even there.”

Kunani shook her head, laying back down upon the floor with a weary expression, “I know all of you are killers, who grew up seeing the worst of the post war landscape. That doesn’t make you bad zebra, and it doesn’t make me a good one.” She looked up at Zenali, her eyes firm as she signed, “But if I’m willing to let you carve this empire through war and conquest, you should be willing to do it without drowning puppies and stealing candy off babies.”

“We’re fighting kids Kunani. It ‘anit going to be pretty.”

Kunani lowered her head, a dark glint in her eyes, “We just have to take out Luna. Then everything will be ok.”

Star Swirl wondered. Still it was the best plan they had, and she couldn’t help but feel Luna was her responsibility. Maybe she really was becoming a proper wasteland hero.

Fluttershy lay upon the bed, her room small and cramped around her. The side table was piled with canisters of jet, Star Swirl noting that many had already been used.

“Be careful. She’s more dangerous than she looks.”

“Thank you solider.” She stated gratefully as she dismissed him, entering the room and looking down at the elderly pegasus upon the bed. You didn’t often see her naked anymore, and Star Swirl was startled by how thin and delicate Fluttershy looked out of the dresses she normally wore. Star Swirl wondered if this was a terrible idea, if she should turn back...

“Have you come to break me out?”

Star Swirl noted the small eye peeking out from under the hooves covering her face, “No.”

“I would have forgiven you. Everypony can make a mistake.”

“It wasn’t a mistake.”

Fluttershy levered herself up, her eyes cold and calculating. Here, looking her in the face? She didn’t seem so frail anymore, “You would lock up two innocents? Use them as bait so you can kill their friends?”

Star Swirl stated it as firmly as she could manage, “I’m doing what has to be done.”

“You don’t have to do it. If you agree to help, we could break them free. Get them back to Princess Luna.”

Star Swirl’s jaw dropped open, every word of that sentence more horrific than the last. She shook her head, her words a tangle, “Do you have any idea how... insane that sounds? You’re not well Fluttershy, you’re not thinking straight...”

She glared angrily, lips pursing, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you Star Swirl. I thought you were an innocent victim of Zenai’s deception, but maybe we should have kicked you out years ago.”

Star Swirl felt her eye twitch. This was ridiculous, “Why, because I don’t want to betray the folks who have treated me with nothing but kindness to join with an insane alicorn who wiped out a city?”

Fluttershy stood her ground, voice rising, “The others are with her! Dust Kicker, Zenai!”

“Then more fool them!” Star Swirl shook her head, backing away in horror at where this was going, “Princess Luna is evil, and... I don’t know what’s going on with you.”

“I’m just trying to save two innocent foals. You’re allying yourself with a bunch of raiders!”

“They’re not raiders!”

Fluttershy sent a cloud of dust up with a hard stomp of her hoof, clearly incensed, “Raiders, soldiers... all the same. Killers, preaching of honour in battle while causing nothing but suffering!” She glared, “And you... you’re just weak, and I pity you.”

Star Swirl knew it was wrong to get angry at an old lady. Still, she was being plenty pushed, “I’m doing this because I’m not weak! I’m making the hard choices...”

“No. You’re. NOT!” Fluttershy shouted, her voice cracking, “You attached yourself to Zenai because she was you’re only friend, following her into self satisfied madness! And now you’re doing the exact same thing for your new master!”

“Princess Luna slaughtered a whole town!”

“These zebra have likely killed twice that number!”

Star Swirl shook her head. This was crazy, “You’ve gone nuts, and I’m going to tell Starhammer.”

“Then I’m done with you! You’re expelled from the Followers forever! I’ll see you banished from Equestria forever!”

“Fine.” Star Swirl stated finally, turning and stalking back through the door with a storm raging within her heart, “I’m forging my own destiny now.”

Star Swirl privately enjoyed the salutes she was given as she approached the schoolhouse, standing a little straighter as she marched through the doorway. Tradash was waiting for her, having been staring distractedly at one of the posters. He looked rather guilty and embarrassed as she entered, clumsily turning and rubbing the back of his head, “Ah, miss Star Swirl, fancy seeing you here.”

She looked at the poster, it appearing to be one of the many depicting the All-Mother. It wasn’t a particularly interesting one beyond that, “What were you looking at?”

“Oh?” He looked back at the poster, “Oh, well I was just contemplating the evolving stylistic choices in regard to depictions of the All-Mother as society evolved through... um... sorry, it’s not very important.” He gave an embarrassed shrug, “I’m supposed to be seeing Starhammer, I was just... distracted momentarily. This happens to me rather often unfortunately. Drives Esau crazy.”

She grinned, not being immune to geekout moments herself, or being late due to irrepressible absent mindedness. And that reminded her of something that had been bugging her, “Where is he anyway? He’s normally like my shadow.”

“Oh...” His face fell, taking a deep breath and speaking in a tone rich with regret, “Well he’s taken recent events poorly. He has been challenged, and he often needs these times to... adapt his thinking.”

She instantly felt a pang of guilt, “Is this about what I said to him? About vengeance against those who started the war?”

“No... you two had a fight?”

“It wasn’t really a...” Star Swirl started, before remembering throwing him across the room and pinning him to the ground, “A little one maybe.”

“Well he hasn’t mentioned it, though I think...” Tradash sighed, shaking his head, “I should not gossip about him. I’m not sure it’s a good idea but... I would like you to visit him Star Swirl. Talk to him.”

Star Swirl felt her heart lurch, “I’m not really the comforting type. I’m... ineloquent.”

She wasn’t even sure if that was a word.

“No, you... well you would break through his armour easier than I, and it may well do him good to have somepony poke some holes in that hard head of his.” Tradash grinned suddenly, drawing closer with an inquisitive look in his eye, “In fact, may I tell you a secret?”

“Um... sure.”

“I believe he might be attracted to you.” Tradash grinned like a schoolgirl, extremely cheerful at the delightful prospect by the looks of it, “He certainly speaks of you often, in very emotive terms.”

Star Swirl... wasn’t sure what to say. She was, as had been repeatedly proven, not exactly an expert in such matters.

He was... intriguing. In a brutish, grumpy, infuriating kind of way. Which weren’t in any way bad things, in fact she found something rather pleasing about a zebra just as socially inadequate as her. And... “Are you trying to set me up with your apprentice?”

Tradash gave her a guilty smile, shrugging, “It... would do him good.”

“I...” Star Swirl tried to working out what her reaction should be, finally just sighing and continuing on towards the stairs. To be honest she hadn’t got the time or patience for romance, still feeling rather burned about Zenai. She certainly didn’t need a relationship with an unstable berserker, who had already promised to kill her and had frequently declared his hatred for everything she represented, “We really shouldn’t keep Starhammer waiting.”

“Oh yes, of course...”

They continued up the stairs towards the headmaster’s office, only to be stopped just before the door by a uniformed guard. He held up a polite hoof, bowing his head, “Apologies, but Starhammer is still in conference. He assures me he will be finished shortly.”

Their lateness had been to their advantage then. Go figure. Star Swirl stood there silently for a moment or two before she noticed a nagging feeling at the edge of her mind, the presence of something... familiar.

It was from the fight she had felt, before she met Esau. The silver light was of course beside her, Tradash, but now she felt its connection. The ray of golden light, Sunshine Ivory. She was behind that door. She wondered what they were talking about, impossibly curious. Still, although her hearing was good it wasn’t quite good enough to hear through a solid oak door from this distance.

Or was it...

Star Swirl didn’t know what exactly she was doing but once again she tried to recreate that technique she had felt Celestia use, expanding her senses. It was much easier this time, especially once she focused everything towards her hearing. She heard the dust settle, the floorboards creak...

She caught that hint of golden light, feeling her consciousness lurch through space, words filling her ears.

“...far more than some monster. She is charismatic, with a fine head for crowd pleasing drama, and you are an icon of everything she hates. If you let her live...”

Starhammer cut Sunshine Ivory off, sounding amused but impatient, “I already intend to kill her. Get to the point priestess.”

“I...” Sunshine Ivory hesitated, thrown off track for a moment, “Starhammer, I want to help you.”

“Why?”

“Because you are the one true hope for peace, unity. You know this, so let us not argue the fact.”

“And not Star Fall?”

Sunshine Ivory’s tone grew grave, “My church may be situated there, but those I follow must deserve my allegiance. Who there can lead this nation? Themba? Golden Dawn?”

“So how can you help me?”

“I have priests spreading charity throughout the wasteland, along with many other followers. I can spread news of your deeds, link you to the great heroes of old, give you the air of divinity.”

Starhammer did indeed respond to this, definitely sounding impressed, “And here’s the rub. What can I do for you?”

“I simply wish to be part of your new beginning. I want to be there when you unite the wasteland.”

“Laying your bets on me huh? Well I’ll bite... but be sure, I’ll be watching you Priestess. You’d be playing with fire if you think you’re slick enough to get one past me.”

“Of course. I would be a fool to betray your trust.”

Starhammer chuckled, “Good. Now get out of here, I’ve got an appointment waiting. We’ll discuss the full details later.”

“Very well. Good day King Starhammer.”

The door opened, Star Swirl stepping aside to let the graceful unicorn past. Sunset Ivory smiled as she did, immediately causing butterflies to explode within Star Swirl’s stomach. The mare was still amazing looking, not to mention blessed with a smile that could stun at twenty yards. Star Swirl could only stammer, “Um... hey...”

“And hello to you Star Swirl. You’re looking fit and well, exercising I see?”

Star Swirl straightened out, very pleased she had noticed, “Yes! That is... I thought it was a good idea. Now I’m fighting again.” She frowned at the concept, feeling the need to justify it, “For something I believe in, not on behalf of someone else.”

Sunshine Ivory smiled benevolently, “That’s a very wise attitude. Starhammer is a good zebra, with a worthy agenda and a good chance to secure peace. But never forget, your allegiance should be with the inhabitants of this land, to protect and guide them to something greater.”

Star Swirl felt her heart do doublefips at the very concept, “Guide?”

She nodded firmly, expression grave, “You are forged in the image of Celestia. You are no servant, or brute to be wielded by the powerful. You are a leader, scholar and monarch. Never forget that.”

“You seem to have a hunger for power Sunshine Ivory, why not take the throne yourself?” Tradash commented cheerfully, “Instead of forging this poor girl into the object of your ambitions.”

Sunshine Ivory frowned, though even that seemed soft and benevolent on the mare, “My ambitions are for peace and prosperity. To that end I would have, if I thought I met the qualifications.” She turned, smiling kindly at the zebra, “This mare has fine qualities within her. Look how she already distinguishes herself in Starhammer’s service.”

Tradash smiled back, every inch the harmless, scatterbrained scholar, “And you needed to place a demon in her to bring out those fine qualities?”

“Ember placed it. Based on your beliefs dear scholar.” Sunshine Ivory looked to Star Swirl, her eyes warm and affectionate, “The zebra fear the Star Demons, and that fear lies at the heart of their self destruction. Insecure, terrified by the monster in the dark, they embrace violence, power, strength to give themselves courage. They fought to the end of all against Equestria, because they saw some dark spectre behind what was a simple conflict born of politics.”

Tradash looked surprised, his mouth moving slowly as he processed her words, “You... placed Charaxies within this mare to show the zebra... that Star Demons are not to be feared?”

“For that, to provide the knowledge and will that Star Swirl needed, and to provide the hero and friend that Charaxies deserved.” Sunshine Ivory looked kindly upon Tradash, lifting a conciliatory hoof, “I am sorry I stole your apprentice Tradash. Be assured Ember still thinks highly of you, and has regretted leaving so suddenly ever since that day. For his part he hopes that this will prove your order right at long last, to justify those who have been so unjustly maligned.”

Tradash seemed honestly choked up by this, his breathing a little rapid and his eyes moist, “Ah... truly? Well...”

“I am not your enemy Tradash.” Sunshine Ivory stepped forward, now face to face with the scholar, “You follow the moon, I follow the sun. Maybe we are destined to come to blows through mutual misunderstandings, but we are also destined to come together again in the spirit of friendship and harmony.”

“I will... take it under consideration.”

“Thank you. Tradash, Star Swirl.” She smiled at them both before walking away, her perfectly formed little body disappearing down the corridor. Star Swirl hated to watch her go.

“Come on Star Swirl, he’s waiting.”

She sighed and continued on into the room, hoping that she would get another chance to speak to Sunshine Ivory before she left.

They moved out into the office, the robot D9 standing with Starhammer and Kunani on the other side of the table. Starhammer chuckled as they filed in, as cheerful as ever, “Ah, excellent. Sorry for the wait, in more ways than one really. I guess you’ve been waiting long enough to know why I called you down here Tradash, considering how busy you like to keep yourself.”

Tradash smiled, adjusting his glasses, “Given your interests, I guess it’s something to do with the heroic era.”

“Well done. Correct.” Starhammer placed a hoof on the table, sliding it over to the map laid out there. It settled upon a mountain in the centre... Kursiyin. The capital of the zebra empire. Star Swirl couldn’t help but tense at the sight, from what everypony had said it was an intact but cursed ghost town. Star Swirl looked up at Starhammer again, expectantly as he continued to speak, “The megaspells cleared a lot of the old rubble from around the mountain it seems. After thousands of years... the lost legion has finally uncovered it.”

“Sanatora.” Tradash breathed, “It cannot be. Sanatora was collapsed, buried forever.”

“Sealed. You think Zephyr really possessed the firepower to level an entire underground city? It’s there. Tell him D9.”

The machine beside clicked and whirred for a moment before speaking in its flat, electronic voice, “Lost Legion = Mining. Uncovered cave. Carvings of creatures = Dragonequis. Marking of (Star Demon) = Phidious.”

“Excuse me.” Star Swirl started, feeling a little out of her depth, “I know Phidious, he was the oldest and most powerful of the Star Demons. Zephyr’s victory over him marked the end of their rule, and he built his capital over the ruins of the demon’s citadel...”

“Basically true, but it was far from a great victory.” Tradash commented, turning to face her as he furrowed his brow in thought, “Records are... unreliable, as you can imagine, but we have a reasonably clear idea of events. Phidious built his lair within the mountain, boasting mutated zebra, dragons and monsters of all kinds within the ranks of his army. He was somewhat of a biologist even by the standards of his kind and experimented constantly, with his most famous creations being the Dragonequis.”

“Like Discord?”

“Yes, though the title may have simply been applied to him.” Tradash explained, “A Dragonequis is basically speaking a combination of draconic and zebric traits into one being... as at the time they were considered the only sentient races you see, so breeding the two was commonly held to produce the ‘perfect being’. Anyway, Zephyr was well aware that toppling him would send a truly powerful message, and eventually built an army large enough to try.”

Star Swirl heard the graveness in his voice, “He won right?”

“A truly bloody victory, and one which no zebra who returned would speak of again.” Tradash lowered his eyes, sweeping them across to the mark upon the map, “Zephyr ordered the place sealed away, and so it was. Long after his death his companion Zeridimous, Elder of Garm, ordered a great city built at the summit of the mountain, so that in time the place would be known as a place of learning and zebra authority, rather than a place of darkness and despair.”

“Heh, and now it’s a radioactive ruin.” Starhammer snarked, shrugging his shoulders as he withdrew from the table, “What better time for the ruins of Sanatoria to finally uncover themselves.”

“You know...” Star Swirl started hesitantly, not hearing anything good from this, “If I’ve ever read a single fantasy novel I know this much... that place has got to be full of horrific terrors from before the ages of zebra and pony, and if we even think about going down there we will all die in a horrific fashion.”

Tradash nodded, “She is right. However curious I am, that place was sealed for a reason.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.” Starhammer laughed, grinning cheerfully as he gestured a hoof at them, “Zephyr cleared that place with an army of untrained rabble, wielding iron age swords. We have guns, explosives and magical energy weapons.”

Tradash frowned, “And what do you expect to find down there.”

“It’s not so much what I expect to find down there... as what she expects to find down there.” Starhammer gave a knowing grin, rapping his hoof on the table, “Phidious’s book never left the city, and Zephyr had no means of destroying it. It’s still down there somewhere, full of the darkest secrets known to zebra kind.”

“You... think Princess Luna is looking for his Black Book?”

“I know she is.” Starhammer nodded firmly, much more serious now it was out in the open, “P9?”

The machine flashed it’s lights as it spoke, “?Alicorn = Princess Luna sighted in Area Dig Site 7. Watching operations. Attempted infiltration. Negotiated for entry.”

Tradash rubbed his chin, obviously concerned, “How could she know what you found...?”

“Wait, wait, wait!” Star Swirl finally interrupted, feeling once again left far behind, “There’s a Black Book down there? Evil soul bound tome, black magic, whispers to you in your sleep?”

“Ah, you’re familiar.” Tradash smiled happily, “Excellent. They are rather rare after all.”

“I thought they... it... was unique!” Star Swirl felt a little terror grow within her, remembering once again...

Elation, wonder, hope... all those flowed through her as she flew towards home. The mountains that surrounded Splendid Valley rose around her, bearing the promise of companionship and safe haven. And more...

They had finally done it. Their true glory had finally been unlocked! With the Black Book in the Goddess’s hooves they would become what they were always destined to be, the true saviours of the wasteland. They would bring life to this dead world, live in harmony and peace...

Then terror. The desperate shout of the Goddess to get away. Justicar didn’t listen, her concern for her mother, her creator overwhelming even her commands.

Then a flash, a searing pain. Her wings were shredded, her skin burned away. Her body hit the ground and all her legs broke into splinters, her body shattered against the hard rock.

And her soul, her memories, her family and everything that had ever given her comfort died, in a single instant of fire and pain.

“Star Swirl, are you ok?”

Star Swirl focused upon Tradash’s concerned face, still feeling pale and shaky from her unwanted flashback. She tried to recover some dignity, breathing deep, “I... the goddess recovered one of those books. Wanted to use it to make us fertile, turn us into a viable species.”

“Hmm, quite possible.” Tradash commented, childishly enthusiastic, “The beings most well known for creating them were skilled geneticists after all.”

“What...” Star Swirl tried to deflect him, not really in the mood for any more discussion on that subject, “...what are they anyway?”

“Records... or legacies rather.” Tradash commented, still cheerfully enthusiastic at the chance to educate her, “The zebra sorcerers of the old empire were known for their incredible power, they considered themselves the masters of their world and all things bowed before them. The one thing they could not conquer was death, and to this they devoted all their considerable talents. Eventually they came up with the objects in question, the Black Phylacteries. Into them they placed a small fraction of their soul, enough to create a link between themselves and the object. Upon their deaths the spells bound in these objects would activate, recording the Phylactery with their knowledge, strength and personality. These objects would then be passed down to their apprentice.”

Star Swirl thought that sounded appalling, “So their own personality could be... taken over?”

“Well, from what I heard the resulting creature is more the merger of the two personalities. Apparently it was considered quite an honour.” Tradash smiled, shrugging his shoulders, “Anyway, since the Star Demons choose many of these sorcerers as their hosts, the tradition was passed on to them.”

“And the Black Book... the one in Equestria? That had the soul of a Star Demon bound into it?”

“Well... not necessarily. It could be anyone with knowledge of the ritual involved. Still soul severing and binding is an extremely difficult and advanced procedure on its own, not to mention the further magic required at the moment of death. Whoever’s Phylactery that was, they were undoubtedly extremely powerful.”

Considering some of the things the Goddess thought it was capable of... the things Rarity had made it do... Star Swirl would say yes, “And let me get this right... the black book under the mountain would contain all the power and knowledge of Phidious himself? The Dark Lord of Terror, the Scourge of the East, most powerful sorcerer ever to live?”

Starhammer snorted, “They all called themselves things like that. Again, I’d like to see him take a rocket launcher to the face.”

“In the hands of Princess Luna?” Tradash shook his head gravely, “All indications are that she is already a very talented mage, and learned in the ways of the demon sorcerers. I would not underestimate what she could accomplish with that book in hoof.”

“Which is why I want to keep her away from it.” Starhammer commented, chuckling, “Chuck it into a volcano and be done with it. Isn’t that what’s normally done?”

“Or drop a megaspell on it.” Star Swirl commented.

Tradash chuckled nervously, “Oh... good. I was worried you would consider using it.”

“Kunani certainly would be tempted. I would be worried that you would too Tradash.” Starhammer turned his eye to Star Swirl, “What about you Star Swirl? Interested in absolute power over life and death?”

“Of course no...” Star Swirl started, before pausing to consider. That was of course how she had felt about everything. How she had thought of herself. A dangerous, evil thing, too powerful to ever be used for good. She had distanced herself from those thoughts already, was it such a terrible thing to consider further compromises...

“Volcano it is then, before any of you magically inclined folk get a hoof on it.” Starhammer commented dryly, smirking at her, “Star Swirl, you were just arguing about story conventions. Do you really think a black book that takes over minds is ever going to be a good idea?”

Star Swirl let her head drop, chastised, “I’m a princess knock off created through dark magic and possessed by a demon. Am I a good idea?”

“Of course you are. Demonic entities rebelling against their masters and becoming noble warriors fighting for redemption? Well established.” Starhammer noted, squinting roguishly as he shot her a cheerful smirk, “You were created by Twilight Sparkle and are possessed by Charaxis. Both have their faults, but neither are monsters.”

Star Swirl smiled slightly at his praise, indeed feeling much better about herself. Starhammer really did have a lot of wisdom to share. She directed her thoughts inwards, ”What do you think Char?”

“About what?”

“Everything.”

“I was not well acquainted with Phidious. I knew of him, and he was considered the most powerful or our kind... but this you already know. As for the other matter... I would provide you some resistance to the influence of his phylactery, but it would still be very dangerous to the both of us. We would eventually both become a new creation, formed of memories from Phidious, you and me.”

Star Swirl shivered, “No then.”

“Star Swirl... that is what it’s like to live. You will internalise new memories, you will absorb new opinions. As me and you travel together we will become more and more alike, sharing what it is to be us. Eventually the distinction will fade.”

“I’ll become like you?”

“And I like you.” Her voice was reverent, “This is life. We learn, merge and evolve.”

Star Swirl felt that was like being part of the goddess again, being part of the alicorn collective. They too wanted her to ‘evolve’, in this case become more like them.

“It would not be like that. I would become a part of you, I would make you more. But the change would be equal on both sides.”

She had forgotten Char could read her mind. Still... maybe Char was right. She still didn’t know what she was, was still evolving at a terrifying rate. This was just one more aspect of that.

“Star Swirl?”

She lifted her head in shock, suddenly realising Starhammer was speaking to her. She blushed, embarrassed, “Oh sorry... my mind was wandering.”

He chuckled, seeming to be amused by her absent mindedness at least, “I was saying, since you were getting back into shape I have arranged some special help for you.”

“Help?”

He smiled, “A trainer, so to speak.”

This didn’t seem like such a good idea all of a sudden, and Star Swirl was increasingly tempted just to admit that her experience in flying was not exactly flattering and opt for something a little less... destined to painful failure. She still had a tiny fraction of pride however, and was aware that her flying could do with an expert’s opinion.

Whether she had an expert was a matter of opinion of course.

“Yoof follwow me, doth evweythinth I doth, yeth?”

Star Swirl struggled past the accent and the spittle, uncovering some vague semblance of meaning in that, “Yeah...”

“Nefoous?” Clear Skies grinned(?) at her, exposing rows of misplaced teeth as she did so. She clumsily stumbled over to the straight drop behind her, her misshaped wings opening up as she gave them an experimental flutter. Star Swirl gulped as she observed the course, the drop lead near vertically down the cliff face for quite a distance and pulling up into a terrifying series of gorges and caves with some of the most bizarre wind currents she had ever seen.

This was not the beginner course. There was also another issue she felt she should mention, “Um... you do know I’m a lot bigger than you?”

Clear Skies turned, studying her for a moment before shaking her head, “Nope. Onwy a wittle.”

“My wingspan...!”

“Tuck un divth.” Clear Skies stated, turning and taking a single bold step towards the edge, “Try un keth up.”

“Wha... oh shit!” Star Swirl watched her dive, leaping in straight after her with a final lurch of her stomach. The canyon opened up before her, following the green streak as she flew so close to the wall she had to tuck her legs tight into her body. It was terrifying, the wind constantly threatening to throw her against the stone, rendering her unable to open her wings too far for fear of being thrown by a strong gust of wind.

She watched Clear Skies, her wings moving in slow, smooth motions as she skimmed each gust of wind, dived through each air pocket. Star Swirl had to admit it was impressive.

The ground was also coming up very fast.

Very fast.

Clear Skies didn’t just pull up with just a moment to spare, she cartwheeled as she did so and sent dust flying in a awesome corkscrew shape, not even having to beat her wings to get aloft. Star Swirl had no chance, she had to extend her legs and give the ground a painfully forceful push, giving two beats of her wings that only left her hovering in space.

Clear Skies looped round to hover a few feet above, laughing at her expense, “Yoth need to fithnd thf curreths!”

That was easy for her to say, “I’m trying. I’m a lot heavier than you, it’s much harder...”

“Youf an alicorn!” She countered, nodding to her wings, “Youf wings are huufe and havth threth times the tenthil streth. Thaf yoth poblem!”

The hugeness of her gut was the problem, not her wings, “Isn’t than an advantage?”

She chattered, slapping herself on the forehead with a wing (and not falling out of the sky or even wobbling, once again terrifying Star Swirl with her skill), “Musffle ‘ed! Yoth fighting the wind!”

“I... woah...”

Star Swirl was just about to answer when Clear Skies suddenly disappeared in a blur, looking around for a moment before a gentle gust of air blew across her wings. Clear Skies immediately appeared to her side, chuckling as she turned into a tight corkscrew, “Which direthion did thaf comf from?”

“Um... from you?”

“Direthion!”

“...behind?”

Clear Skies appeared above her in a flash, bouncing off her head before flying round in an arc to end up straight in front with a disapproving look, “Payth attention! Eeth gust of wind is impothent!”

“Each... and every?”

“Yeth!” She lectured, shaking her head in despair, “Thith ith like teathing a fillth to wathk...”

Well she was sorry for sucking so much. Though thinking about it... she wondered who had actually taught her to fly. She had of course been a unicorn before the Goddess got to her of course, so that meant that all of her knowledge of flying... had been imparted by other unicorns, “I’m sorry Clear Skies... maybe we do need to start at the beginning.”

Clear Skies became much more sympathetic at these words, pausing for a moment before smiling and giving a perky little nod, “Thenth watcth closthy! Leth teath you ‘ow to usth thosf wings!”

Star Swirl ached all over. Still she had to say the lesson had been a roaring success.

She had been right about her flying, never realising just how terrible the alicorns were at it. Of course she was comparing herself to Clear Skies, her declarations that she was the best flyer in the world seeming slightly more convincing now. Still the amount of subtleties that she had never even heard of before yet seemed to be considered common knowledge among pegasus were staggering, and the numbers straight out hurt. Her wing strength was almost twice that of Clear Skies, and she stated that her own wing strength was nothing to smirk at. With that the differences in their speed were painful.

She was not going to be a meat head. She was strong, yes, but she had got by on that alone for too long, “Thank you for the lesson Clear Skies.”

The pegasus turned from where she had been sunning herself on the rocky ground, looking surprised for a moment before grinning, “Noth poplem!”

“If you don’t mind me asking... how did you make it through the storm cutting off the zebra lands?”

Clear Skies considered this for... about a second, before eagerly launching into the tale, “Sonth Rainboom. Cuth straigth througth winth currethnt’s, feeth off the frithion for warmth.”

“But you would have to fly for days.”

Clear Skies chuckled, “I’mth tofally tellthing the truth here. I can sleepth in flighth.”

“You can...”

“Ith easthy in open skieth.” She shrugged, “Alwayths been morth comfortable in teth airth.”

“You’re... a pretty impressive flyer Clear Skies.”

“I knowth...” She sighed, resting her head upon a rock, “Ith alwathse goth thath at leatht.”

Star Swirl detected something a little sad and resentful there, looking over to the pegasus in concern, “That’s not the only thing you have.”

“Isnth ith?” She hesitantly and clumsily hauled herself up onto her misshapen hooves, wobbling a little as she stabilised herself, “Eventhen afther I prothfed how good ah am in theth skieth, evethyone in the Enclaivth hatethed me. They said I wath arrogthgant, unthothal, disobediathent. And ithh hasntht changthed.”

“Is that why you... fly solo?”

“Nopothy can kepth up with me.” She sighed, expanding her wings and looking up at the beautiful blue sky, “Excepth Rainbow Dathe.”

“You admire her.”

“I read up on her.” She stated, a broad, crooked smile spreading across her face, “They saith she was a traitor, arrogathent, dithloyal, a talenthend misthfit who nether palthyed by theth rulthes. I knew thath she was the one pony who could undtherstand me. That if I got to know her... I wouthld underthestand mythelf.”

“I have a memory orb of her actually.” Star Swirl admitted, having almost forgotten about it, “I’ve got her combat knife and a locket that proballly...”

She was tackled to the ground, the air exploding out of her lungs as the Pegasus ghoul landed full atop her with an expression of manic enthusiasm, “Yothdoth!? Lethgh myth seeth!”

That came out even more incomprehensible than normal. Still she had got the idea, “Um... they’re in my room. You... ah, want to see?”

Clear Skies was absolute captivated by her haul, handling the knife with religious awe and positively fitting over the locket. She looked into the memory orb like she could stare the secrets out of it when Star Swirl had mentioned its contents, Star Swirl wondering if there was some way she could transfer the memories over.

“And wathts in thesth thone?”

Star Swirl looked at the two remaining memory orbs, reminded again that she still hadn’t looked through them. She approached the orbs, inspecting them carefully. One of them had an Equestrian army top secret stamp upon it along with another tag that she wasn’t familiar with. The other was totally blank, “I don’t know.”

“Then hath a fook! I wanna thee!”

Star Swirl was hesitant, not really liking how these things took her out of herself. Still the other two had been interesting enough, “Ok, which one?”

Clear Skies shrugged before closing her eyes and wiggling her hoof between the two. She finally stopped on the clear orb, opening her eyes and jabbing her hoof towards it, “Fhath thone!”

“Fair enough.” Star Swirl stated as she walked over and placed her horn against the orb, closing her eyes as she was pulled out of herself...

.........

Star Swirl was... somewhere warm. It seemed to be a greenhouse, full of colourful plants and flowers, metal girders overhead bearing huge heaters that pumped hot air into the room, along with the swirling magical vortex of a megaspell encased in a rune encrusted golden harness. It was definitely still under construction, parts of the roof had been closed off with white plastic panels, a big stack of them piled up at the side of the room.

She was... Rainbow Dash. She could feel the familiar stiffness in her side that she had felt in the last memory orb, obviously a long term injury of some kind. She wasn’t wearing anything this time, save a lanyard around her neck and... something strange balanced on her muzzle, pinching her nose distractingly.

Oh. Glasses. Rainbow Dash was wearing glasses. Star Swirl guessed those ones she had found must have belonged to her then.

Another pony walked beside her, a pegasus stallion. He was sky blue with a darker blue mane, bearing a clipboard cutie mark. His totally lack of remarkability was compounded by his forgettable face and amiable expression, the shiny new pipbuck on his hoof the most interesting thing about him. Rainbow Dash spoke as they walked through the garden, turning her eyes down the flowers beside, “Actually... I conceived of this place as an eternity vault. You know, just in case.”

The pegasus chuckled amiably, “Plenty of those.”

“Not protected by a top of the line energy shield, sat on top of a cloud.” Rainbow Dash shrugged, her tone casual but her body just a little too tense to really sell it, “If things do go south, this is pretty much the safest place for the Ministry. It’s much less of a target than Cloudsdale anyway.”

“I’ll update the protocols.” The pegasus noted, looking down at a flower and inhaling deeply, “Worst places to hold up I suppose. Be aware though, that this place is not a Stable. It will not hold more than three dozen ponies, at a bit of a squeeze. Not enough for the whole organisation.”

“Most us will be scattered, helping others to stables, damage control. We can deal with an endgame scenario, there’s lots that can’t.” Rainbow Dash looked down at the flowers, taking a deep breath and letting the fragrance fill her airway. Her mood seemed to drop, her voice low, “Family, kids. They take priority Trotter.”

“Of course.”

“And Fluttershy. If she’s in Cloudsdale, grab her and get her here.”

Trotter didn’t let any judgement enter his response, “What about the others?”

“They all have evacuation protocols. Hell, I reviewed most of them.” Rainbow Dash frowned deep, her muscles tensing, “That’s why I know Fluttershy doesn’t. She refuses to believe in an endgame scenario, in fact I’m pretty sure she would totally lose all will to live if one actually occurred.”

“It would be her fault.”

Rainbow Dash half whirled on him... then slowed. Her body twitched, clear uncertainty flickering through her body, “...who started this fucking war? It wasn’t Fluttershy.”

Trotter paused a moment before nodding apologetically, “I spoke out of turn commander. It is not my place to question your decision on this matter.”

“That’s right.” Rainbow Dash muttered as she pushed open a door into a smaller room, most of the panels on this one removed to reveal half completed electronics and empty megaspell harnesses. Tables were set out all around, architectural plans laid out across them. Rainbow Dash barely spared a glance, moving on through a door into the next room beyond.

The room they entered was a little neater than the previous, though stacks of wiring and other electrical components still covered the floor. It was round, with an oval roof, totally covered in those stark white panels that gave the place a clinical, sterile air. A large machine of some kind rose up in the centre, wires leading up from the floor through its metal skeleton and up to what looked like the frame of a chair perched within.

Another pony was here, a young, grey furred unicorn with a lightning bolt and screwdriver cutie mark, dressed in dirty yellow overalls and a fussy pair of glasses. She had a pipbuck on her hoof and she was levitating wires up and connecting them into the jack one at a time, eyes narrowed in concentration. She looked up as Rainbow Dash approached, chewing on her lip for a moment before speaking, “You’re running the Crusader too hot.”

Trotter answered rather huffily to this, his voice raising in pitch a little, “You really think you’ve uncovered something our engineers have missed on your first day here? Mainframe operation is well within tolerances.”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes and tensed in preparation to intervene, the grey furred unicorn however delivered a sharp death glare before responding, “For now. But what about in ten years time? Running it at these levels will degrade the wiring, warp the spell matrixes. You’ll start getting errors, and in weather management...”

“We can upgrade as we go.” Trotter replied, a little more respectfully now at least, “This is a very complicated piece of equipment, everyone expects it to need constant maintenance. We’ll set a date for overhaul at say... eight years...”

“With all due respect.” The unicorn declared, sharply and arrogantly, “The Canterlot sewage system has remained functional for a hundred and twenty years, with only minor maintenance. The Single Pegasus Project is designed to become a basic, public utility, a legacy for the ages.” She turned her head to Rainbow Dash, starkly challenging, “You cannot take it down for an entire refurbishment of its core systems every eight years.”

Rainbow Dash actually flushed with fear for a moment at that glare, ridiculous really in the face of this huffy young mare. It wasn’t a second later that Rainbow Dash smiled however, her voice warm and affectionate, “Go on then, impress me. Because I’m not seeing a solution Storm, just problems.”

The unicorn looked at the object in the centre of the room for a moment, taking a quick breath before speaking in a voice high and nervous, “Ok... then most obvious to me is the direct mental transfer system. It’s totally untested technology, it takes up a dozen ports we could really use, and... why?”

Rainbow Dash’s stomach sank, her lip quivering slightly. She was emotionally affected by this, though Star Swirl couldn’t for the life of her work out why. She kept her emotions out of her voice as she spoke, though the words still tumbled forward a little too quickly, “A pegasus could upload their mind into the crusader mainframe, maintain the system around the clock...”

“Then add Nexus Status Pod equipment to the chamber.” Storm considered for a moment before her head snapped round, eyes suspicious and challenging, “What are you even considering anyway? That a pony... just leave her body behind, live as a disembodied mind in some metal cage?”

Rainbow Dash paused, looking to Trotter. The stallion just stared back in expectation, forcing her to finally answer. She sounded hesitant, and Star Swirl could tell by her body’s reaction that she didn’t really believe what she was saying, “Staying in a status chamber all day would have consequences, you must understand that. Physical degeneration, social isolation... by having a mind exist within the crusader...”

“Social isolation?” Storm stated incredulously, “You seriously don’t think a pony who uploaded her... soul into a jar wouldn’t experience mental issues? They would go mad in there, alone, isolated. After a month, a year? They wouldn’t be a pony anymore, and then what would happen? You’d have a twisted technological nightmare in charge of one of the most powerful weapons in Equestria.”

“Storm Rider, you are being very overdramatic.” Trotter started, rolling his eyes, “If you wish to be taken seriously...”

“No.” Rainbow Dash cut him off, her voice firm and final, “Recruit Storm Rider is right. Remove the direct mental transfer.”

“Commander Dash, we spent a lot of money on installing it...”

Rainbow Dash shook her head, her emotions a whirl but her face firmly set in a casual smile, “You heard her, removing it will help enormously with the issues we’ve been having around power. Would it increase the maximum output?”

Storm Rider looked nervous as Rainbow Dash addressed her, looking around for a moment or two before shrugging, “Um... possibly. Certainly the system would be far more stable approaching the limits of the megaspell output.”

“Then I leave it to you. You have two days to rewire everything, and all the physical resources you need.”

The young unicorn positively paled at this, her mouth dropping open slightly, “Mo... commander... I’m only just out of the academy, and you’re asking me to rewire a crusader mainframe...”

Rainbow Dash smiled, smug and arrogant, “Do you think you can do it? Answer honestly recruit.”

“I...” She bit her lip and turned her eyes up at Rainbow Dash, taking a deep breath and adopting a serious expression, “If you were out in the field and somepony asked you to do something you honestly weren’t sure if you were capable of or not... what would you do?”

Rainbow Dash just grinned.

“I’ll do my best maam!” The unicorn saluted firmly, obviously cheered by the non-answer, “I won’t let you down.”

“You’ve already ensured there’s no chance of that recruit.” Rainbow Dash commented as she gave a lazy salute back, a warm contented feeling flowing through her as she looked down at the filly, “Do your best. I’ll have somepony look over your work when you’re finished.”

That said Rainbow Dash turned and walked away, relaxing slightly and letting her shoulders fall as she opened one of the doors and walked into what was a very similar looking chamber to the one they had entered through. This one was cold, bitingly so, and completely empty of anything save a fridge sitting opposite the door. Rainbow Dash opened it and took out a can of cider, just about to take a swig when Trotter came through the door after her.

He turned to stare at her with an amused grin, Rainbow Dash silently enduring it for a moment or two before finally speaking, “What?”

“Nepotism.”

“I don’t give a shit.” Rainbow Dash spat back, taking a swig of her drink. It was bitter and strong, clearly not the brew drunk by someone unused to the hard stuff, “My way, my rules. Take it up with Luna if you’re unhappy with how I run things.”

Trotter chuckled, “You’re starting early I see...”

“Are you saying she’s incompetent?”

“She has a good attitude, and her linage and education certainly speak highly of her. I judge actions however.” Trotter nodded cheerfully, “You gave her a good test. Tight but not impossible timeframe, a problem just outside her experience, with a lot of pressure to succeed.”

Rainbow Dash snorted, taking another hearty swig, “So what’s the problem?”

“The problem is I’ve been saying exactly the same thing for months, and you didn’t give a damn then.” Trotter stated cheerfully, but with a tiny bit of a bite in his tone, “So that’s nepotism. When you give more weight to the opinion of some eighteen year old girl over your most loyal advisor.”

Rainbow Dash turned away, clearly embarrassed. A long time passed, Trotter just standing there with his look of good cheer unblemished.

And finally Rainbow Dash spoke, her voice quiet and remorseful, “I did it for her.”

“Intended to upload her brain into that metal drum?”

“No...!” She glared, her words fading, “Motherfucker.”

“Rainbow Dash, I have been in this game a long time. You know why I accepted some well connected jock as my leader, served her without question for all these years?”

She smirked, “Without question?”

“I question your plans and your opinions because that’s my job.” Trotter nodded firmly, his cheerful look fading into a hard stare with chilling ease, his hard cheekbones and cold eyes becoming apparent for the first time, “I never questioned your leadership because you’re damn good at yours.”

She looked at him, slightly surprised, “Really?”

He looked insulted, “Of course you are. You...”

“I got Zecora killed.”

“Every commander has a pool of blood at their hooves.” Trotter stated coldly, “You remember them and you move on.”

“I...”

“If you tell me to drop this I will. I respect you that much.” He interrupted, continuing to eye her with grim conviction, “But I am giving you this opportunity to tell me why. To tell me just what is going on with you, and why you are giving me reason to doubt in your mental wellbeing.”

“Because I’m not damn well Trotter.” Rainbow Dash sighed, her heart sinking, “In any sense.”

“You’ve been avoiding combat ops. Not unusual, you’re well into your forties, plenty of young fit ponies ready to fight for Equestria.” Trotter eyed her knowingly, “But you used to be an adrenaline junkie, and you stopped way too suddenly for you not to have a reason.”

“You remember that cough I had?”

“The chest infection, yes.”

“It wasn’t a fucking chest infection.” Rainbow Dash stated, her voice low and her throat tight, “It was lung cancer.”

Trotter’s voice didn’t change, “That was more than a year ago.”

“Easily removed. I can get the best medical care in the country on speed dial.” Rainbow Dash stated firmly, feeling a tear coming to her eye and brushing it away quickly before he noticed. Her chest heaved painfully as she continued, “But I’ve had several more tumours develop since then. The docs reckon I got hit by some zebra weapon at some point, or maybe took too much radiation. And that gas I breathed in on the Point Break mission? It took out about ten percent of my left lung, I’m...” She took a deep breath, her chest tightening, “...I’m running on fumes Trotter. I can’t even manage a ten mile flight without feeling it.”

“And so you want to put your brain into that big drum, watch over us forever as some digital overlord?”

She whirled around to face him, her chest heaving with anger and fear, “Fuck you! I... I just don’t want to leave! I feel...” Tears dripped down her face, her voice dropping, “...it’s tightening on me... I’m going to die, and I’m... I’m scared...”

Trotter sighed, shaking his head, “You’ve seen the latest cybernetic advances. Give them a year and they’ll have a working artificial lung, five and they’ll have a cure for cancer. You are going to die as an old mare, surrounded by fat grandchildren. You know this.”

Rainbow Dash tried desperately to dry her tears, clearly embarrassed by her breakdown. She spat her words through the tears, “It’s not that easy... I can’t stop thinking about it Trotter.” She coughed, trying to clear her tightening throat, “My last combat op... I froze up. I was terrified. Everything fell apart, my training, my skill... I looked at the enemy, knew I could take them and I ran away.”

“Rainbow Dash, you’ve seen a hundred recruits experience this...”

“Not me! Not out in the field, where I could get ponies killed!” She let the tears flow now, too many to stop, “I wake up sweating and tearful, thinking of all the times I risked my life, how easily I could have been killed. I... think of never seeing them again...”

Trotter smiled, “Of course you do commander. These things aren’t weakness...”

“I’ve left a hell of a lot of orphans in my wake. Fuck if I deserve to worry about my own family now.” Rainbow Dash responded coldly, her chest tightening, “Permission to speak freely?”

Trotter chuckled, holding up a hoof, “Nothing you say will reach Princess Luna. You know that already.”

Rainbow Dash smiled at him, the brief moment of peace flowing through her body like a cleansing wave, “Fluttershy is right. This war is a nightmare, and it just needs to end. I don’t even give a damn about winning.”

“We need to win. You know the projections.”

Rainbow Dash sighed, “That’s why I’m doing this. But I’m... just so tired.” A deep, terrified despair hit her, causing her legs to buckle slightly as she let her head fall, “My body is giving out, I can feel it. Some days I feel glad that I still have the power I have, that I can end this war and give everypony the peace they deserve. And other days... I just feel so damn bitter at what this fucking war has taken from me.”

“And that’s why you wanted to upload yourself to that crusader mainframe.” Trotter smiled warmly, shaking his head from side to side, “Every old soldier needs to hang up their guns eventually Rainbow Dash. And let us face it, the days when your daughters need you to protect them are already fading fast.”

She choked a little, wiping the tears from his eyes with a hoof, “I feel like I missed it...”

“We all do.” Trotter chuckled, laying a hoof upon her shoulder, “But they don’t turn out like that on their own. And at the end of the day we’re soldiers, servants of Equestria. We all have to accept that one day we’ll simply be a service record in a dusty book, and the skills and experience we passed down to our subordinates. And neither will give you any reason for regret commander.”

........

“Well? Wathf did if sthay?”

Star Swirl averted her eyes from the pegasus, not really sure how to put it, “It showed the Single Pegasus Project.”

“Reathly?”

“Rainbow Dash... wasn’t well.” Star Swirl sighed, not really in the mood, “You know what, can we talk about it in full tomorrow. I kinda want to sleep on it.”

“Kepthing me in supthspence... buth ok.” Clear Skies grinned, her eyes a little sympathetic, “Buth you betther havth sthome answthers for me tomorrow!”

Star Swirl bowed her head, not really sure what to say, “Sure.”

Star Swirl was dreaming of the zebra lands again. She looked around the lonely crags for some sign of Char but saw no life at all, just dust and rock. She called out as she moved forward but was answered by echoes, kinda mirroring her mood.

Rainbow Dash had been the very model of viral, irresponsible power. Star Swirl admitted that she had found the mare very cool, and the only one of the ministry mares without a deep dark history to taint her legacy. She had founded the Dashites. She had inspired Calamity. It felt like Gawd all over again, to know that sickness could take even her.

“Oh, well fancy meeting you again!”

It wasn’t Char. Star Swirl knew who it was immediately, even before she located the form among the rocks, his ugly, muscled mass reclining lazily against the rocks as he eyed her with interest. Bloody Razor, the ugly raider who had attacked her last time she was here, “I thought I killed you.”

“I’m hard to eradicate. Like a weed.” He countered as he rose to his hooves and started towards her. He lifted his hoof as she tensed, grinning cheerfully, “Not going to make the same mistake twice. You’re tough… for some pretty little mare anyway.”

Star Swirl snorted. Even as a normal unicorn she was still barely smaller than him, “You’re tough too… for a dirty raider scumbag.”

He laughed, “Not going to lie, most of my kind don’t know the first thing about fighting, and the rads and shitty food don’t exactly produce the strongest or the toughest.”

Star Swirl had to admit, this was the first time she had actually spoken to one. She had always considered them like animals, like manicores or timberwolves, incapable of reasoned thought, “And you’re different?”

“By dint of luck mostly, but yeah.” He chuckled, casually waving a heavily scarred hoof, “I was born like this, bigger, smarter, thickhided… mutation is a funny thing, but it did alright by me.”

“Then you should have ditched those losers and helped protect those who really mattered.”

“They did matter. They were family.” He smirked arrogantly, “Maybe you don’t understand that, you civilized folk all backstabbing each other over slips of paper.”

“As opposed to massacring anypony that crossed your path!”

“Again, so unlike civilized folk.” He gave her a smug grin, shrugging a shoulder at her, “Those folk with the Steel Rangers, or Arbu, or Tenpony Tower. Right friendly they were.”

Star Swirl eased down a little, though she wasn’t going to be fooled by straw ponies, “We weren’t all like that.”

“Neither were we.” He stated bluntly, his expression smug. It quickly faded however, turning into a rather sweet look of wonder at the sight of something behind her. He nodded at it, chuckling to himself, “Well will you look at that. A phoenix. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Where?” She turned, the green glare of its flames growing around her. It filled her eyes, burning away her surroundings in a flash of light…

Star Swirl lifted her head from her pillow, her eye focusing upon the soft green light shining through her window. She threw her sheets away and galloped over, unlocking the catch and sticking her head out into the chilly night air.

She looked up towards the source of the light, her mouth dropping open in shock. The bird circled the town, its regal plumage impressive even if it hadn’t been wreathed in shining green flame. A couple of guards ran down the street towards it, one of them raising his rifle. Star Swirl was just about to shout... something... when the green bird opened her wings up and a bright burst of light blinded the guards, the shot going impossibly wide. That done, the bird swiftly did a quick loop and shot off down the street, the guards swiftly recovering and charging after with yells and curses.

Star Swirl teleported down to the street, watching them depart. This seemed... wrong. A bird like that was not a regular occurrence. In fact she only knew of one like it.

A dark shadow ran along the rooftop, cloaked and swift. Star Swirl only had a second to register it before it was gone, disappeared into the darkness.

And then the weapons store exploded, sending flame roaring upwards into the sky. Sirens blared, the sound of running hooves and shouting erupting from all around.

Star Swirl instantly turned and ran for the prison cells.

Another fire lit her side as she ran towards the cells, turning to watch the storehouse slowly ignite. She hesitated for a moment before figuring whoever did it had to be nearby, running towards the blaze and looking around for anything out of the ordinary.

She saw the round object fly, dodging to the side as it hit the wall of the building opposite and exploded into bright flame. Her shields easily handled the heat, flinging a ball of light in the direction of the offending object and... not being that surprised at what it revealed.

Fluttershy stared at her with rage and defiance, clad in a zebra stealth cloak and carrying a bandoleer of incendiary grenades and a combat shotgun. There was a second of shared acknowledgement before Fluttershy drew... and Star Swirl knocked the shotgun out of her hands with a burst of Telekinesis, “No.”

Fluttershy followed her bouncing weapon with her eyes before her hoof moved for a grenade. Star Swirl glared and Fluttershy hesitated, her hoof returning to her side. She turned to stare back up at Star Swirl, backing away, “Look the other way Star Swirl.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do.” Fluttershy narrowed her eyes, “Because if they catch me, they’ll kill me. And you would be responsible for that.”

Star Swirl shook her head in confusion and despair. To say this was a new side to the mare was an understatement, Fluttershy had totally lost her mind, “Are you serious?”

“Deadly.”

Star Swirl snorted, striking the ground with and lowering her head, “Surrender! Or... I’m actually going to hurt you!”

“Try it.”

Star Swirl growled and charged forward, enveloping the mare in a bubble of telekinesis to hold her in place. To her surprise however Fluttershy didn’t flinch, simply going limp and slipping out of her hold, rolling across the dirt and slamming a syringe into Star Swirl’s leg.

Star Swirl cursed, feeling the poison already flowing through her... and being immediately neutralised by her natural alicorn resistance and Char’s magic. Star Swirl was irritated enough by the wave of sickness and light headedness to slam a hoof into Fluttershy’s side however, launching the mare into the ground with a thump and a yell.

“Excellent work Star Swirl!”

Star Swirl turned at the sound of Starhammer’s voice, the stallion moving down the street flanked by Kunani and two of his senior guards. Immediately something struck her hard in the shoulder and sent her stumbling, Star Swirl catching her balance as Fluttershy ran at her with a large iron bar between her teeth, “Whoh, Celestia’s teats...” She flicked a hoof around and sent the bar flying with a clatter, using that hoof to then press against Fluttershy’s chest and flick her onto her back. She pinned Fluttershy to the ground with as little force as she could, now feeling pretty sorry for the angry little mare. It took cast iron ovaries to take on an alicorn, let alone as a seventy year old mare armed with an iron bar, “Stay down Fluttershy, please.”

“Listen to the mare Fluttershy. Act up again and I won’t be as gentle.” Starhammer stepped over, his tone friendly and his smile casual. He nodded to the pinned mare, “Where are the children?”

Star Swirl looked at him, “They’re gone? Don’t tell me that diversion earlier...”

“Oh, I’m not that stupid. Doubled the guard.” Starhammer chuckled cheerfully, “Just informed that they were all found beaten into unconsciousness, the prisoners nowhere to be found. So where are they Fluttershy?”

“Hehe...” Fluttershy giggled, rather disturbingly and very forced, “I don’t know.”

“I see.”

“Not fooled by a diversion huh?” She smiled, wide and very crazy, “I knew they could break them out, the diversion was to cover their escape. You caught me, well done. But I’m afraid I don’t know anything about Princess Luna, or anything else of use to you.”

Starhammer continued to smile, “Who’s they?”

“Didn’t get their name, or their face, or... well they’re a zebra. Hope that narrows it down for you.”

Starhammer laughed, shaking his head in amusement, “Keep sassing me in front of my soldiers, and I may have to publicly beat that stupid grin off your face.”

Fluttershy’s smile faded into a dark glare, “Try me.”

“Star Swirl, remove your hoof.”

She looked at him. He was still smiling, though there was an unsettling glint in his eye, “What?”

“Remove your hoof. A lesson must be taught.”

Star Swirl removed her hoof, stepping back to give them space. She stared in trembling fear and expectation as Fluttershy rolled back onto her hooves and faced off against Starhammer, looking positively ridiculous next to the big zebra. Star Swirl looked up at him, her voice shaking, “I know a spell that can just knock her out, we can keep her...”

“Be quiet for a moment Star Swirl.” Starhammer sighed, pacing the ground before Fluttershy, “You really don’t know anything?”

Fluttershy nodded, tense and ready for whatever was to come, “No, I don’t.”

“Your screams could draw them back to help you.”

Fluttershy didn’t flinch, “They’re long gone.”

“Then this will have to be personal.” Starhammer stated as he stepped forward, blocked Fluttershy’s clumsy swing and slugged her hard across the jaw. She hit the ground with a cry, Starhammer simply hauling her back up by her stealth cloak. He lifted her easily, slamming her into a concrete wall twice with numbing force before bringing her closer so he could speak, “You damaged a lot of weaponry. That was worth a lot to me, good guns are hard to come by.”

Fluttershy gasped in pain, wincing as she opened one eye to glare at him, “And... beating a old mare up... makes you feel better...?”

“I enjoy beating up those who hurt me. Is that so hard to understand?” He dragged her over, let her go and struck her hard enough to send her flying down the street quite a way. He took a deep breath and shook his hoof as she bounced and tumbled, continuing forwards with slow, purposeful steps and the same expression of slightly exasperated civility, “I don’t discriminate. And trying to pass yourself off as some harmless old lady? Don’t insult me.”

Fluttershy gasped and rose once again, her hooves shaking. She shouldn’t have been standing after a blow like that, Star Swirl not sure how she could take this much abuse. She wasn’t sure how long she could just stand here and watch, though averting her eyes, running away... seemed so cowardly, “Starhammer, that’s enough!”

“No. I’m afraid it isn’t.” Starhammer’s smile faded, stopping in place and staring at Fluttershy long and hard. He shook out his hoof, moving it upwards and slipping it through the leather strap at the hilt of his sword, “You’re actually dangerous to me Fluttershy. You’re a threat, a serious one. Congratulations.”

Kunani signed something to him but he wasn’t watching, and it was too dark to see anyway. Star Swirl couldn’t say anything, only watch as he drew the heavy blade from his back, balancing the weapon near longer than him upon his shoulder as he advanced. Fluttershy backed away, clearly afraid now, her eyes flicking around for a weapon, “You... you won’t intimidate me!”

“I almost believe it.” Starhammer stated with sadness, “Dedicated, clever, not afraid to die. I can’t let you live.”

Star Swirl took a single step forward, “Starhammer, no!”

“Sorry Star Swirl. Avert your eyes.”

Star Hammer charged, the strap going tight as he lifted his sword for the swing...

There was a roar of dark smoke, condensing between him and Fluttershy. It formed the shape of a pony of impressive proportions, mighty wings and long sharp horn. That horn crackled with lightning, illuminating the darkness, striking forward in a mighty roar. Starhammer halted his swing, brought his blade up and caught the bolt upon the steel, flinging it down beside him with a crack of shattering cobblestones. He laughed as he readied himself once more, crouching low, eyes narrowed, “Well here’s a more worthy opponent! Ready to finish this demon!?”

Princess Luna observed him for a moment before turning her eyes to the terrified form of Fluttershy behind her. Her expression grew dark and angry, flicking Starhammer an unpleasant look, “Book an appointment scumbag.”

Then she teleported once again, taking Fluttershy with her.

And Star Swirl was ready. She caught the magic, felt it, followed it. For all Luna’s power she wasn’t subtle, the trail clear. Star Swirl concentrated for a brief moment before the world lurched around her, following the alicorn’s trail as she shot across the sands.

Luna turned her head in suprise as Star Swirl teleported in behind her, to her credit quickly springing round and raising her shields. Star Swirl did the same, circling as Fluttershy backed away in distress. They were a way outside the town, the moon in the sky, the air cool and silent around them. Star Swirl felt a twinge of fear, the memory that this alicorn had destroyed her last time clear in her mind.

She was stronger now. How much stronger? Hard to say.

Princess Luna spoke first, “You’ve truly thrown your lot in with him.”

“I’ve thrown my lot against you!”

Luna wrinkled her nose in bitter offense, angling her head up tall and proud as she protested “I helped you back at the dragon! I gave you the opening to get what you wanted!”

“You helped me betray my friends!”

“I helped you find your true calling!” She shouted back. Luna was grinning now, clearly having way too much fun. Her movements were hammy and over empathised, her words delivered like she was on stage, “And now you repay me by kidnapping my little ponies. Taking mere foals and locking them away!”

Despite the pantomime villain act this... hit home. Star Swirl already felt guilty, and it being thrown in her face by this slinking, charismatic demon couldn’t help but sting, “I... I didn’t have anything to do with that!”

“Oh but you did.” She grinned evilly, levelling her horn at Star Swirl, “And now you will pay for that in blood.”

“I...”

“Enough talk! Have at you!”

Star Swirl couldn’t believe it, just standing dumbstruck as Luna let her shields down and charged horn first. She had to be kidding. She really... it just seemed so chivalrous and old fashioned, akin to drawing saber and standing apace in a pitched battle.

Star Swirl wasn’t having any of it.

Star Swirl ducked Luna’s horn, launched herself low and tackled the alicorn backwards with all her strength. The alicorn hardly resisted, as Star Swirl suspected not prepared for such a tactic. Her hooves left the ground, her body hoisted into the air, thrashing uselessly... and Star Swirl hurled her into the ground. Luna bounced, dust flying, her voice crying out in pain. First blood.

And she quickly attempted to rise, stunned and off balance. Star Swirl moved forward quickly and assertively, slamming a hoof into her face and knocking her back down. Another blow clearly hurt Luna, a third splitting her nose and drawing blood.

Luna tried to fight, her hoof kicking into Star Swirl’s abdomen. She didn’t have the leverage, Star Swirl taking it without flinching and repeatedly slamming her own hoof repeatedly into the alicorn’s chest. Luna gasped, screaming, Star Swirl feeling ribs snap after the first few blows. Star Swirl didn’t let up, daren’t let up, striking the mare again and again, not letting her get a moment of advantage to turn this into a replay of their last fight. Luna yelled and thrashed, her desperate attacks totally pointless against Star Swirl’s superior skill and strength.

She was winning! She was winni...!

Star Swirl felt the hum, the surge of air. She engaged her shields just in time, knocked away by the impact of the bullet striking her in the side. She opened her wings and landed clean, Swift Crimson landing opposite with a loud thump and his wings wide. He had his heavy revolver back, levering it up and firing five rapid shots into her shields. She took them without flinching, hardening her defences. Her shields could take an anti-tank round focused like this, the buck eventually running out of ammo and spitting his words in her direction, “You will not hurt her, you will not even come NEAR her!”

And her shields were no defence against this. Especially as she looked to her fallen foe.

Luna was crying. They were the bitter, howling tears of a hurt foal, her body curled up defensively. She was bleeding, clearly in pain, broken physically and emotionally. Star Swirl hesitated, hoof pawing the ground as she tried to regain momentum, “I... get out of my way.”

Swift Crimson set his jaw firmly, “Never.”

She... she felt like the bad guy. Her voice shook, “I could easily go through you. I just beat Luna.”

“Then you will have to go through me.” He spoke firmly, with the weight of fierce emotion in his voice, “Because while I stand, you will not touch her.”

“And me too.” Fluttershy stated quietly as she lined up.

Star Swirl... hesitated.

The air thickened.

An empty space became a gust of wind, then swirling soil, then earth, then soft black and white stripes. Kunani stepped out of empty air to press her hooves again Fluttershy and Swift Crimson, dropping them both without a sound. Her soft, deep eyes met Star Swirl’s, her hooves signing, “You may now go through them without any trouble.”

“Kunani... how did you...?” Star Swirl started, before a more pressing concern became apparent, “Watch out!”

Kunani turned as Luna rose behind, totally calm as black lightning charged at the alicorn’s horn. Star Swirl was about to scream about her previous encounter with the lightning when it discharged with a crack, arcing about Kunani and discharging into the ground with a terrific roar. Kunani was unmoved, simply stepping forward gracefully and blowing upon a raised hoof.

A zebra symbol appeared upon Princess Luna’s chest, her whole body suddenly contorting, shifting painfully. The already wounded alicorn staggered backwards, her form flowing like oil in an attempt to retake its shape. Kunani didn’t give her the chance, taking some dirt and flinging it aggressively at the ground. Blades formed from the very air, striking the alicorn again and again, making her scream and thrash as blood splattered the ground. The attack eventually ceased and Luna hit the ground limp, Kunani drawing a long, ornate dagger from her saddle bag and moving towards the fallen pony.

Star Swirl was... awestruck. She had heard that the zebra had magic, but thought it was in the same manner as earth ponies had magic. She rolled it around her head, that she had just witnessed a creature with no horn unleash devastation that would make Twilight Sparkle green with envy.

And then the dagger came into focus, “What are you going to do?”

Kunani signed but a single word as she raised the dagger for the strike, eying the alicorns neck, “End.”

The dagger sliced down, Star Swirl’s mouth opening in a silent scream... and Princess Luna’s form burst into shining stars. Those stars then suddenly surged upwards, collecting around a dark figure in the sky, her wings opening wide as she shouted to the heavens, “LUNA’S REQUEM!”

The stars came down about Kunani, exploding into shredding balls of fire and shrapnel. The zebra’s calm countenance was wiped off her face, replaced with fear... then resolve. She stomped a hoof, the air solidifying, becoming thick and hard to breathe. Luna’s wings failed to find purchase and she dropped off course, the stars flying off course to flatten the nearby hillside with deafening force.

Luna finally lost the air currents completely, swooping down in a barely controlled fall and hitting the ground with a thump and a clumsy roll. Star Swirl saw that Kunani hadn’t come out of that exchange unharmed but that she was simply ignoring her wounds with nothing but a grimace, throwing up her hoof and sending walls of dirt and rock shooting up around the fallen alicorn.

Luna took one moment to observe her situation before her horn shone with purple light and her form vanished with a flash. Kunani flung her hoof to the side and she reappeared in mid air, travelling at high speed and with the clear signs of a failed teleportation upon her body. Luna was too shocked to stop herself, ploughing into the ground at high speed and spinning head over hooves. Kunani smiled now, flinging her hoof up again and sending a pillar of earth rising up right in the alicorn’s path.

Luna extended her wings and they slowed her long enough for her magic to charge, slicing the pillar from the ground and into two separate pieces, separating them to allow her to fly through the middle. She turned and skidded across the earth sideways, her magic flashing as she used her telekinesis to fling one of the rock pieces straight at Kunani. The zebra obviously hadn’t expected this and she was forced to desperately scramble away, Luna conjuring several shadow ponies in her path that leapt in for the kill.

Kunani produced an object from inside her bag and it flashed with light, burning the shadows away with piercing shrieks. No sooner had she done so however than she was struck by a burst of purple light from Luna’s horn and sent flying through the dirt, the object she had been carrying flying away. She squeaked shrilly, desperately flinging something down at the ground that caused it to become soft and yielding, absorbing her impact with minimal harm.

Luna was already charging a spell, lightning forming about her horn in harsh crackles. The excess grounded itself around her, the alicorn already shaking from the strain... Kunani regained her footing and her breath, setting her hooves firm and reaching for her bag...

The lightning discharged, arching into the sky before roaring down right upon Kunani’s head. She caught it on a strange object torn from her bag at the very last moment, thrusting both it and the lightning back at Luna. Luna stepped forward and took the bolt upon her horn, forcing it backwards. They strained like that for a moment or two before the victor became apparent.

Kunani gasped, dropped the incinerated object upon the ground and cradled her burnt hoof with tears in her eyes.

Luna took one step forward before staggering, vomiting blood and falling onto her knees, her eyes rolling upwards.

Kunani gulped back her pain, drew her dagger one more and advanced a little more slowly and cautiously this time. Star Swirl backed up, not even wanting to be here anymore. Her heart waited to beat as she watched the zebra draw closer and closer...

A bullet bounced off her shoulder, drawing a deep trail of blood and causing the zebra to scream loud and shrill. She gasped as she looked at the open wound now pumping freely, looking up to the iron sights of Dust Kicker as he stood upon the ridge with his rifle still trained on her.

She thumped her remaining hoof against the ground and disappeared from sight in a gust of swirling earth.

Luna gasped in relief as her opponent finally retreated, Star Swirl finally able to get a good look at her. What she saw honestly shocked her, the alicorn wet with both crimson blood... and thick black oil. The blood trailed behind her in a long trail, the oil however would quickly retreat back into her hooves every time it struck the ground. It looked like it was trying to solidify around her but couldn’t quite make it, occasional ripples spreading across her skin. Her left eye was swollen shut, her lip mangled, her shoulder shifting and her gait stumbling in a way that suggested that the whole joint was clearly broken.

She shouldn’t have been standing. Clearly no one had told her this.

She stumbled over to Swift Crimson, forcing her eyes open to look at him. Her eyes were full of grief and confusion, her face furrowing as her horn ignited in a pathetically spluttering light.

It flickered and failed, Luna gasping and looking like she was about to fall. Then her eyes closed tight, her body tensing... and her magic flowed, glowing bright as it spread into Swift Crimson’s body. He murmured, shifting as if he was asleep.

Luna smiled briefly before collapsing, her body... melting. Her legs, head, tail... all disappeared inwards, leaving a simple egg shaped ball of ebon blackness upon the sands. It looked hard and smooth, like her skin. There wasn’t a single mark upon it.

“Star Swirl!”

She looked at Dust Kicker as he galloped towards her. A hundred emotions filled her body, fighting for dominance as she hesitated.

She took the cowards way out, teleporting away without a word.

_________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 10 reached.

New Perk acquired: Piercing Strike – “Sorry, was that your spinal cord?”
Armor parts before your blows! Piercing Strike makes all of your Unarmed and Melee Weapons (including thrown) negate 15 points of Damage Threshold on the target.

Chapter 2.12 - Children of the Night

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Chapter 2.12 - Children of the Night

Luna stumbled through the cold blackness, weak, lost, alone. She cried out but no pony heard, her pathetic struggles pointless as rough, groping hooves seized her. Blows rained down, accusing voices screaming out obscenities as she was bound and gagged, thrown to the floor and trampled into the dust.

Her horn was shoved down upon a rock, Luna screaming uselessly against her gag as the hammer fell.

Her vision swam, her perception of time lost. The pain blocked everything out, her every attempt at magic sending sharp waves of agony through her forehead. She stared uncomprehending at the snarling faces of those she had lived among, those who had accepted her, however grudgingly. Now there was only hate in those eyes.

She was thrown down upon the wood, splinters digging into her flesh. She gasped and spluttered as some thick, foul smelling liquid covered her, her hooves unable to find purchase as she tried to free herself from her bindings.

Her vision was held as the torch lit the night, crimson flames flaring up to the sky. The voices rose to a crescendo, chants of hate and loathing. At the very climax the torch was flung through the air to land at her hooves, sparks quickly turning into a inferno. Fire exploded all around her, covering her completely in its destructive embrace.

She didn’t burn.

Luna awoke, instantly regretting the action. She hurt all over, her right foreleg leg throbbing dully, her stomach tight and cramping, a sharp pain at the side of her head. She felt sick, exhausted physically and mentally.

But... she was in her room. Her heart was warmed as she looked to her bookcase, loaded with tomes too rare, fragile or dangerous to be trusted in the main library. Tales that defined her sat on those shelves, tales of Pipsqueak and Snowdrop, tales of pirates and princesses and magic and knights.

Her dresses sat upon their racks, complete and still under construction. She had worked so hard on them, some copied from books, others of her own creation. She had spent hours threading every seam, training up her horn as it slowly healed back to full strength. The colours and grandeur in those silks made her think of days when you could look out your window to more than dust and death and pain. They made her believe that she could one day lead her children to a world where everypony could be dressed in such finery, where they could leave in security and prosperity once again.

Celestia’s spear sat beside them. She had been carefully not to touch it, the traps there still stubbornly resistant to her attempts to disarm them. She didn’t care, it was a worthy challenge. She didn’t deserve to wield such a weapon until her magic was a match for Celestia’s.

And Swift Crimson stood at the end of the room, all gloomy and magnificent. From the look of his hooves and the bloodstained bowl of water he had been cleaning her up, a thought that made her both angry and absolutely enraptured at the same time.

That was their relationship all over really. She knew he felt the same way, so honest and obvious with his emotions. She delighted in it, endlessly amused with the ease in which she could anger him to incoherent rages and then draw him right back in with her womanly wiles. For her part she was careful to conceal her own emotions, never letting him know how much he got to her. And get to her he did. Her strong, silent knight, so honourable and righteous. He made her do better. Made her be better.

His eyes turned to her, widening in shock. It quickly turned into joyful relief, the buck actually having to catch himself to keep from crying. His voice was croaky, “Lu... damn I’m glad to see you open your eyes.”

“I’m not.” She grunted back, “I feel shitty.”

“You took one fucking hell of a beating.” He gave her a worried, pained look, his voice cracking, “I’ve never seen you hurt so badly. I’ve never seen you even close to that.”

She agreed that it was quite a shock. Before, yes she had taken her licks. She had actually been beaten up nearly as bad several times, and never having been a healthy child spent an awful lot of time laid up in bed with one sickness or another. But now... now she was made of sterner stuff. She was a goddess, invincible, untouchable. She really had brought into her own hype, and couldn’t help but be profoundly disquieted by the knowledge that there were those out there who could challenge her.

She had been stupid against Star Swirl. She was a... decent hoof to hoof fighter, but only that. She had let herself be fooled by the advantage conveyed by her size, and Star Swirl was even bigger. She wouldn’t make that mistake again, staying well away next time... though she was secretly a little impressed that Star Swirl had what it took to take her on one on one. She had to say that she had yet to be impressed by the mare beforehand.

Damn she felt horrible. The texture of her hot, sticky, sweaty mane spoke wonders for her usual attire of floaty magnificence, making her wonder if she should just cut it in favour of her swirly magical wig. Still she despised the thought of ever being so... unadorned, even if it was only in private like this, “I need a bath.”

“I tried cleaning you up as best I could...”

“Perv.”

As predicted, he instantly tried to protest, “I didn’t...!”

She grinned smugly at him, figuring that ‘be mean to Swift Crimson’ had always made her feel better in the past, “Let me get this straight. You have me, the mare of your dreams, totally at your mercy, having to be washed by you... and you didn’t perv? Even a little?”

“No.” He glared at her, full of hot anger, “You were horrifically injured, moaning in pain and you wouldn’t wake up for days. Radhi wasn’t sure if you’d even survive. It was not hot.”

She was really that badly hurt? She couldn’t even picture it, “Come on, you always take things so seriously! I regenerate, you’ve seen me injured before.”

“You didn’t regenerate Luna.” He stated flatly, “We had to feed you a half dozen healing potions, and there were still a couple of wounds that still didn’t heal up.”

That sounded... well likely really. She had felt Selene strain at the end, and she could only feel her presence on the very edge of her consciousness. Her regeneration had depended on Selene’s influence, without her she was just another unicorn, “So where are they? Am I all horribly scarred now or something?”

“Your leg.” He stated flatly.

She levitated her covers upwards, clicking her tongue as she saw the long, hairless line down the side of her right aftleg. The leg itself felt weak and painful, Luna trying to extend it and finding the sensation dull and sluggish.

“Ebony said you shouldn’t use your magic.”

“I know my limits. My magic is fine.” And Luna was truly grateful for that. Physical prowess was still new, and she took a lot of pride in her magic. She was proud of how it had held up against the zebra shaman, obviously a master of her art. Even if Luna had numerous advantages, she had still taken on an acknowledged expert and won, “Honestly Swift, stop fussing over me. You’re such a girl sometimes.”

He went to open his mouth, shocked into silence as she slid her body out from under the covers and took a cautious step down upon the ground. He gave a disapproving glance but she was nothing if not adventurous, putting her full weight down upon her front legs and wincing as they protested. Her head swum a little but she persisted, letting her backlegs down...

As expected, her right aftleg collapsed under her with barely any resistance at all. Swift Crimson, bless, ran forward to catch her but she had expected it. Her magic encased the leg, supported it as she regained her balance once more. Swift Crimson stopped mid tackle, relieved for a second before becoming angry again, “Luna! Get back in bed!”

“I’ve got this.” She stated confidently as she closed her eyes and let her magic flow once again. She cast a basic scrying spell along with a couple of analysis charms, letting them sink down through her body...

Her leg was gone. They were right. She had known it likely to be bad, Star Swirl having broken it in almost their first exchange and the splinting she had applied not nearly enough to save the weakened limb from catastrophic damage. The muscle hadn’t healed, it was still shredded, the bone failing to set. Her lack of feeling save the dull ache suggested she had suffered serious nervous damage, “Well... balls.”

“What?”

“You’re going to have to chop my leg off.”

He stomped the floor lightly, clearly losing his temper now, “Be serious Luna!”

“I am. It’s useless, and it’s just gonna get infected.” She was quite impressed and surprised how well she was taking it, but then it was just the logical choice, “I can just create a new one with shadow matter.”

“It’s not funny!” His voice dropped, averting his eyes and pouting, “I hate that stuff...”

Ugh, he was such a child! “Well I’m sorry if my choice of prostheses doesn’t meet your approval. I know, maybe I can just get a peg leg. Add an eyepatch and I can dress up as Pipsqueak.”

He growled, stepping angrily towards her, “Luna!”

“Stop yelling at me! I’m fine, and you’re a... fusspot!” She stubbornly held his gaze, “Once again, I’m the only one with the remotest shred of composure. Some of us aren’t so fragile that we go belly up at the first sign of battle, unlike some I know.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She laughed in his face, her expression smug and insulting, “Great save there by the way. You come in, make a big speech, and then go down in one shot from a zebra half your size. Great job Swift, well done.”

He tensed dangerously, his face averted and his voice high and tight, “I thought you were going to die! Why can’t you take that fucking seriously!?”

She gasped as he grabbed her by her shoulders, taken off guard by his sudden advance. She didn’t like it, the pressure of his hooves hard, almost painful. His face was too close, Luna averting her gaze before their lips could meet. She was embarrassed, at a disadvantage. It wasn’t right, “Let... let go Swift...”

He relaxed his grip a little, looking ready to cry now, “Luna... I fucking love you. I can’t see you hurt like that, I really fucking can’t.”

“You’re... ready to cry Swift? Heh, you’re such a wuss.” She pushed him away, trying her best to regain her composure. She was angry that he thought... this appropriate. That he could make her embarrassed like this. She hated being made to feel vulnerable, especially now, “Maybe if you didn’t go and get yourself captured like a doofus I wouldn’t have to, ‘great knight’.”

His expression grew cold, his stance rigid, “Well almost getting killed didn’t affect your personality at all. You’re still a fucking bitch.”

“And you’re still a crybaby! Crybaby Swi... yow!”

She paused mid sentence, her words wiped from her mind. All she could do is stare at Swift incredulously, not quite sure what just happened. It slowly processed as he turned away and headed towards the door, Luna yelling after him, “You hit me!”

He paused, turning angrily to her, “Yeah, a lot of ponies are doing that lately. Maybe it’s something to do with being a MASSIVE FUCKING BITCH!”

“Yeah, well you’re a jerk! Come back!” She pouted angrily as he continued towards the exit, hating to be ignored like this, “I’m breaking up with you! You hear me! Come back and face me like a stallion you coward! You coward! Crybaby Swift!”

He closed the door on her. Her words echoing into nothing.

She bit her lip, pouted, considered stomping the floor (her hooves still hurt). Eventually she spotted a book on Equestrian politics that Radhi had given her, waxing lyrical about how it was an interesting read. She had found it dreadfully boring, and unfortunately that meant it had to die.

She took it with her telekinesis, screamed her frustration and slammed it into the floor several times, forcing it in several directions before its spine ruptured and paper flew everywhere. One settled at her hooves, showing a picture of Princess Luna standing beside Pipsqueak and the other children on the deck of a great pirate ship.

It wasn’t Radhi’s book.

“Oh no! Oh no, I didn’t mean to!” She collected up all the papers she could, cursing Swift Crimson all the more for moving her books around without her permission. She had been certain she had put this away safely before she had left, why couldn’t he tidy up properly if he was going to borrow her things? She felt her heart race as papers flew, rotating around her head as she took each and filed it back in the right order. A rip in the page here, a smudge on the page there... a couple torn completely in half, Luna placing the two pieces together and attempting to disguise the tear best she could, sealing them with a simple repair spell...

Fortunately she had gotten good at this, most of the books they had found damaged in some way or another. Clean, dry and with the ink intact it was a fairly simple process, Luna eventually sighing with relief and laying the book out in front of her. She relaxed and read the words, letting them sink into her.

Daytime sleeps and dreams of night
while beauty flanks your bed.
White-Blue stars soar skyward yearning
love your heart misread.
Night burns bright and blends with shadow,
fills your heart with gloom.
Princess Luna, roamer of dreams,
steal my heart and bloom. . .

Luna closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

She stepped out onto the sands of the zebra wasteland, once more among the Markerstones of the Stars. She wondered sometimes why she gravitated here, whether because of Selene or some quality in herself. Even back when she was a ‘mere’ dreamwalker she had visions of this place. She had to admit that here, in this place, with the demonic visages of tyrants and killers... she wasn’t afraid. She felt a kin to dark, twisted, broken things.

She took a breath, wiggling her back leg. It was good as it ever was in this place, something to be thankful for. She looked around to check she was alone before speaking in the language of the old zebra, firm and commanding, “Aphesad, Aphesad. Watcher in the dark, master of the shadows. Come forth before me.”

“Well, the small princess returns. A pleasure as always.”

Luna turned as the zebra stepped out, clad in black and red scales and wearing a spiked crown. She saluted him respectfully, folding a hoof across her chest, “Aphesad, thank you for receiving me.”

“You have fought a mighty battle, I can tell.” Aphesad spoke, his tones smooth and refined, “Did you cross horns with your sister?”

Luna rolled her eyes, feeling her cheeks blush a little. Why did that have to be his first question? “Crossing horns turned out to be a bad idea.”

“She is already skilled enough to beat you? She cannot have opened herself up fully to Charaxes, you have techniques to deal with...”

“She tackled me.” Luna spoke ruefully, “She bundled me to the ground and punched me until I couldn’t see straight.”

Aphesad actually laughed at this, making her feel even worse. His deep tones rumbled across the sands, cheerful guffaws finally silenced as he turned a broad smile to her, “Little Princess, shadow matter is many things, but it is not dense. This is a major disadvantage in close combat against one the same size as you.”

“I realise that now...” She muttered, not wanting to go over this again, “Trade for trade I guess. I beat her soundly last time.”

“Then maybe it is time for peace between you, now that you are equal? Luna and Celestia together were many times more powerful than they were apart. The same is true now.” Aphesad angled his head proudly, his mouth pulled into a toothy, unnatural grin, “Our dragonequis were false leads, I realise this now more than over. It will be union of the Pony Princesses and the best of the Star Demons that will create the ultimate being, and for you to be a Princess there must be two.”

Luna didn’t see it that way. Celestia had been a terrible sister, and regardless had ruled alone for a thousand years. She had ruled alone herself, and she thought she had done pretty well, “I don’t need her. I can ascend with the help of my current friends.”

“No.” He spoke firmly, “There must be two. Celestia was but a pale reflection of her true self without her sister, forced to hide behind guards and her ever present apprentices. Together they were gods themselves, the elements of harmony infusing the core of their being, easily able to shape reality to their whim!”

“Well it doesn’t matter what you think. She’s firmly opposed to me now, working for that demon killing bastard Starhammer.”

Aphesad stared coldly at her, “Then you must kill him.”

“Oh, is that all? It’s not that easy. He has an army.”

“Challenge him to single combat. Such stallions cannot resist an invitation to test their honor.” He nodded gravely at her, “One of you will fall, and the minds of the peons will be united behind the victor. Such a grand story will cement the rise of either one of you. Neither of you can avoid this.”

Luna hesitated. And it wasn’t because it was stupid, or impossible... it was because she wasn’t sure if she could win.

Behind all the bluster... she was a child compared to him. Star Swirl had proven that there were weaknesses in her deity, and Starhammer’s little sidekick was quite possibly a more powerful magic user.

“I’m not sure if I can beat him.”

“Then you must give up. You cannot defeat him militarily, so you must finish this personally.”

He was right. For all her talk her children weren’t a military. They were outnumbered and outgunned, “That’s why I need the Black Phylactery.”

“Yes little princess.”

“And Selene.” Luna nodded firmly to the demon prince in front of her, “Take me to her.”

Selene lay there amid the rocks, shivering and shaking, a blob of blackness unable even to take form. Luna sensed her fear and distress, her confusion.

Luna advanced cautiously, extending a hoof. She sighed in relief as Selene responded, surging forward to press against her hoof, sliding up her leg. She felt them connect, sending forth all the sincerity she could muster, “Thank you for protecting me.”

Selene sang back at her, pleased at her presence, begging her for food like a baby bird. She sighed and gave in, figuring she deserved it. She centred her mind, putting up her mental barriers, sheathing her higher faculties in layers of magical protection. Confident that she was fully protected she cautiously let Selene inside, feeling their bond deepen as the small blob of blackness leached off her magic and emotions. Selene tried to magnify both in her natural greed, Luna’s defences however successfully resisted the attempt. This bond would be on her own terms, “Are you ready Selene?”

She gasped as she woke up, frowning and holding her aching head in irritation. She had forgotten what a bad condition she was in...

She ignored the pain, letting Selene cover her as she stepped forward, hard black armor forming over weak flesh. Her nervous system integrated fully with her new body, becoming one. She smiled in satisfaction at her strong muscles, her size and authority, the sheer feeling of power as she let Selene magnify her magic just a little.

She looked down at her leg, sighing as she felt it continue to throb away. She knew she had been right, she couldn’t leave it.

She could easily sever it and stem the bleeding with shadow matter. But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt. She should really call Radhi... but why? She could do this herself, she didn’t need to... look weak in front of him. She was Princess Luna, things like this should be easy for her!

She closed her eyes tight, ignoring the terror that flowed through her. Such emotions were for children, not powerful princesses of the night! She tightened the pressure of her black skin around the top of her ruined leg, waiting until it had gone fully numb. Then she formed her skin into a sharp blade.

Ohhhhh, shit! She couldn’t help bursting into tears, screaming out and swearing sharply as she made the cut. It had been too easy, now Luna was scared that she had made a terrible mistake. She pressed both her magic and the black skin against the wound, waiting for it to regenerate as she tried desperately to calm her breathing, “GAGH! SHIT, SHIT!”

“Luna!” Radhi burst into the room, staring at her with clear concern as she stood there with what must have been a doozy of an expression, “Are you ok?”

She blinked the tears from her eyes as she ejected the offending object from her body and levitated it over, depositing it unceremoniously in front of the zebra, “You... you can get rid of this...”

He went pale, as could be expected really, “Luna... is this your leg?”

“Yeah...”

“Luna, I...” He cracked himself in the face with his own hoof, “I’ve long stopped being surprised by your recklessness. Still... really?”

She grimaced, “It hurts...”

“I’m not surprised. Why...?”

She was not going over this again, “It was broken! It wasn’t going to heal!”

“You...” Radhi sighed, adjusting his glasses and stepping over to her, “I’ll trust your opinion Luna. Still I wished you had asked me first.”

She pouted, having to sink to the floor to combat the wooziness, “And what was your opinion doctor?”

“I... well there was extensive damage. I splinted the bone as best I could, and... attempted to repair the damaged muscle.” He paused, letting his head drop, “It was outside my experience Luna, and Ebony was convinced we needed to cut it off. Can I make an admission, that you likely won’t like?”

She had an idea what this was, “Ok.”

“I got Doctor Fluttershy to look at it.”

“...”

“I trust her. Swift Crimson trusts her. And you were very badly injured.” He took a deep breath, “I like to think Ebony and I could have kept you alive on my own... but not in as good condition.”

Luna honestly wasn’t sure what to say on the subject of Fluttershy. She decided to ignore the topic for now, concentrating on the subject at hand, “And her opinion of the leg?”

“She saved it, more or less. I was in favour of cutting it off too, but Swift Crimson wouldn’t have it. And well... Fluttershy did her best.” He shrugged, “But she said that it was still touch and go whether it would recover.”

“It wouldn’t.”

“Very well. You’re likely better than me at pure biology. You’re alive, that’s what counts.” He sighed looking down at the severed leg and wincing, “Still, doing it without Med-X or anything... let me...”

“No!” She shouted, a little louder than she intended. She didn’t need it, clearly. It was done, and she was still standing. She had taken worse, “I’m not wasting our medical supplies.”

“Luna...”

She averted her eyes from his plaintive look, changing the subject, “What did Fluttershy think? Of me?”

Radhi smiled, warm and genuine, “She thought you were a very brave mare who saved her life and built a wonderful haven for lost children. You went back for her Luna. You almost died because of it.”

“I did didn’t I?” She let her head fall, overwhelmed by it all. Fluttershy... she didn’t know what to say really, though she didn’t think of the mare as an enemy. She didn’t like to be thhat vulnerable in front of a stranger, still she couldn’t blame them for calling for her, “Just make sure she doesn’t go blabbing.”

“I honestly think she understands Luna.”

“I hope so.” Fluttershy did have plenty of reason to be grateful. Luna didn’t regret saving her though. She couldn’t let her die.

Not because she was Fluttershy. Not even because she had been kind to her kids.

Because she was alone. She would never leave anypony to die alone, never leave them out in the darkness. She knew what it was to be helpless.

With her telekinesis the latch was only too easy, Luna never more glad for the lack of unicorn proofing the zebra around here saw the need to provide. She slipped inside with cautious silence, fluttering her still clumsy wings a little but otherwise keeping them firmly plastered to her side. The injury to her shoulder and forehead, not to mention indirectly the bullet in her flank, were all proof of the folly of thinking a set of feathers made her a pegasus.

The room was of medium size, a well furnished bedroom of fine yet not too fine quality. Rich enough to have something worth taking, poor enough that they wouldn’t have guards... hopefully.

She felt a little twinge in her heart as she looked over to the bookcase. Books. She had liked books... she crept over, looking at the titles in growing awe. They had works she had never heard of, on Equestria, on magic...

Her rumbling stomach made her most pressing concern clear however.

She used her telekinesis to open all the drawers, looking for something, anything to alleviate her hunger. She hadn’t eaten for days, and she knew that with her wounds and the stress it was getting to her. It was getting harder and harder to think straight, and she knew she couldn’t fight. Bullets went through her just as easy as before, and she was a much bigger target now.

She gasped in delight as she pulled a bag of zebra candies from a drawer, tipping the bag up and gulping down a few hungrily. It wasn’t much but it was well appreciated, Luna gazing down at the depressingly small amount left in the bag. She lifted up another with her magic and took a small, careful bite, gazing longingly at the filling. She had forgotten what chocolate tasted like.

The sound of the door opening caused her to spin around, pressing the bag tight to her chest as she backed away. A zebra stepped through and fear seized her, her hooves freezing in place. The zebra turned and looked back with similar fright, his mouth dropping open. He was young, small, soft looking, hardly any threat to her. Yet if he opened his mouth to scream she knew they would all come running.

And just as Luna was certain he intended to shout... his mouth closed, gulping down his fear and looking at the bag, “Are you... eating my...?”

She hissed at him, clumsily attempting to back away towards the window. Her vision swam and her grip faltered, the bag of candy slipping to the floor. She grasped desperately for it but only knocked the little round balls flying, rearing backwards as the zebra advanced to catch one, “Get away!”

He looked at her, confused, a little frightened... but curious, “What are you?”

“I’m bad, evil, dangerous! Get away!” She spoke in a whirl, her hunger gnawing all the more for having been awoken, “Please... get away...”

“Are you hungry?”

He spoke with kindness, enough to strike Luna to the core. Tears filled her eyes as she looked up, a powerful demon summoner meek and broken before this little zebra boy, “Yes...”

“Um... well come with me. I’ll make you something from the kitchen. You can’t just eat a bag of sweets and expect it to last you.” He rubbed the back of his head with a hoof, “My master won’t be back for hours, so...”

She didn’t understand. Was this a trap? “Why?”

He looked at her, surprised by her plaintive question. After a moment he gave an uncomfortable, embarrassed look, “The holy books say that to leave someone hungry in the cold is to invite the icy darkness into your own heart. Um... and maybe you don’t know, but this is actually the house of healing for this village. And you’re obviously wounded.”

She didn’t understand. The other zebra had read those same books, followed the holy flame. They all told her that those words spoke only of her sin, and how it needed to be cleansed from this world, “I’m evil... I’m this... I’m not like you...”

“No. You’re not.” He answered forcefully, lifting his head proudly, “You’re hungry... injured, clearly exhausted. I’m apprentice to a shaman, and I swore an oath to care for those who need my help.” He gave her a questioning look, “Are you... dangerous?”

She considered this, “Yes.”

He paled a little, still his voice only shook for a second, “Um... to me?”

She could only answer honestly, her voice cracking, “I hope not.”

He chuckled, kind and empathic. He nodded his head, his gentle eyes full of understanding, “You look like you’ve had quite the journey. Please, try and get some rest. I will make some food for you, dress those wounds.”

She felt the tears flow, unable to stop them. She was too weak, too exhausted to find the will. She let them drop, down her cheeks pain filling her chest, “Thank you...”

“Uh... no problem...” He rubbed the back of his head, clearly embarrassed, “It’s not every day an alicorn sneaks into my room and tries to rob me. I guess you could say I’m a little curious.”

She smiled back at him, already liking this zebra, “I’ve learned... curiosity is a dangerous thing...”

“If we never took the chance on something dangerous, then where would we be?” He gave her nervous smile, “I’m... ah, going to see what we have in the cupboards. Please wait here... and use the bed if you want. Aha...”

He departed, Luna looking out after him for a few seconds before taking him up on that offer. She rested her weary body down upon the mattress, feeling for just a moment the comfort and security of home. And for the first time...

She felt like she might have just made a friend.

“Radhi...”

He gave her a kind smile, trotting over and taking her head in his hooves, holding her close to his chest, “You should really show this side of you to Swift Crimson.”

“No... not him...” She gritted her teeth as she squeezed out all of her tears and pain, her throat heaving in desperate gasps and sobs. She didn’t understand where it had all come from, why it was only now that it really dawned on her, “I almost died Radhi! They... really hurt me... I was so scared...”

“I know...”

“I... I thought they had killed him.” Luna felt her heart ache at the memory, of watching Swift going down. Of being broken, injured, unable to do anything as that zebra slammed her hoof into the back of his neck and dropped him limp to the ground, “I opened myself up to Selene more than ever before. I didn’t care if I didn’t come back from it.”

“You know my feelings on this Luna. You have to be careful.”

“I remembered Melody Waters. Remembered finding her...”

“Luna...”

“I still want to kill them all. I want to fly over all those pathetic little villages and burn them to the ground, let them suffer in their hypocrisy, feel what they inflicted on so many others.”

“Luna please...”

She gritted her teeth, unable to let the emotions go. She wished she could, she wished she come be the better mare. Unfortunately she wasn’t sure if the better mare would really let them get away with it, “They did horrible things to her Radhi. She was the kindest, most gentle mare I’ve ever met, and she died screaming, alone...”

“And those who did it are dead.”

She glared at him through the tears, “You disapproved.”

Radhi shook his head, cradling her in his hooves, “I disapproved because what it would do to you. What it will do to Selene. You’re still angry about your own experiences Luna, and by hoarding all this wrath and hurt... you’re kind, and clever, and funny and sweet. And more than anything, I’m afraid that will end up buried under this desire for vengeance.”

She closed her eyes, gulping back her emotions, “I let Dust, Zenai and Ace in didn’t I?”

“That was a good start, yes. And its born fruit, all three have proved extremely useful.”

Another uncomfortable, far too common emotion lanced through her. Guilt, “How is Ace Gold?”

Radhi looked deeply uncomfortable at the question, never a good sign, “He... he was hurt quite badly. He’s alive, and healthy...”

She hated dodging around the question, “Answer concisely Radhi.”

“Very well, no point drawing it out...” Radhi sighed, “His eyes were damaged beyond any ability to heal. He’ll never see again.”

“...”

“He’s not... taking it well. Understandably I suppose.”

“Any ability to heal?”

Radhi looked up at her with concern as she rose, “Luna?”

Luna smiled, filled with vigour once more. She hated being helpless, and conversely more than anything she revealed in an opportunity to make a difference. Not just for herself, but for Ace Gold, and for all her children, “I want to meet with Fluttershy. I want her to tell me about megaspells.”

Radhi sighed deeply, “I feared as much... I’ve already spoken to her Luna, she’s not a unicorn. She can’t tell you much.”

“Not much is fine. You forget who you’re talking to Radhi.” She grinned wide, using her telekinesis to pull several tomes from the shelves and display each to Radhi in turn before dropping them in a neat pile in front of her, stepping atop them with a single proud hoof. She was full of confidence, knowing exactly what to do now, “I just confronted a peerless zebra shaman in single combat, I use degree level textbooks as light reading! I am the greatest pony mage living, and I only wish Twilight Sparkle were here to challenge me for the all time prize!”

Radhi gave her a warning look, “I admire your dedication, but don’t set your sights too high Luna. You’re talking about the kind of magic that takes a lifetime to master, and disappointment... disappointment drives you to do things like this.” His expression became gentle, pleading, “We don’t think any less of you for being injured. For letting Swift Crimson and Ace Gold get caught. For letting Ace Gold get hurt. You don’t need to prove yourself with the impossible.”

She seethed internally, blocking him out. She didn’t care what he thought. Her eyes were on the future, “I intend to heal the wasteland Radhi. The least I can do is heal a pair of eyes.”

“Luna...”

Luna wasn’t listening, her eyes travelling to her computer. A familiar tone played, a small picture of a smiling sun appearing at the bottom of the screen, “Enough. I need to work. Call Fluttershy down to the library.”

He gazed at her assessing for a couple of moments before nodding reluctantly, moving away, “Whenever you need me.”

She watched him go, his heart obviously heavy. With concern. With anger?

She had dismissed both of her friends pretty roughly really. That was becoming a habit.

Swift Crimson and Radhi were her best friends, who had stuck with her through thick and thin. Swift Crimson loved her, with an honesty far outstripping his years. Perhaps she lacked that. Perhaps she was immature. That where they had grown up through their trials and weakness, she hid her childish heart away where none could stab at it. It was unfair, and unhealthy, but a lifetime of hiding behind lies and bravado was hard to break. She couldn’t open herself up to them, found it impossible to take such emotions as love and affection seriously. She joked about them at best, found herself retreating back from ‘sappiness’.

More and more she was feeling that was a weakness.

She sighed and moved over to her computer, feeling glad that it was her calling. She would know what to say, she would know how to make her feel better, “Hello Sunshine Ivory. Checking up on me?”

“I am! I heard you were hurt, and you know I do worry.”

Luna smiled, reassured by her concern, “I’m healing up.” A note of concern passed through her mind, “Does everypony know that I got beaten up?”

“Actually, they’re very impressed. As I said, your legend is growing greater with every engagement. Kunani is an experienced shaman, and Star Swirl is gaining her own fame. To drive them both off in defence of your children, even after being heavily injured, paints you as a pony worth following.”

“It didn’t quite go like that...”

“I have not heard any different.” Sunshine Ivory stressed, “Unfortunately, that now leads us to one unfortunate truth.”

The truth was always unfortunate, “What’s that?”

“Starhammer is a demon hunter, invading your territory. Neither of you can retreat from this battle with your reputation intact, and dodging around the issue wastes time. You need to take control of these lands and Starhammer’s army, lead them against Caesar and Star Fall before their manipulations plunge this land into bloody war.”

Luna knew all this. It was why she had attacked that trading outpost with those mercenaries. It was why she hadn’t already bunkered down or fled before Starhammer’s army. It was why she had joined up with Themba’s little conspiracy, even though he sickened her personally, “I’m working on it.”

“You need to move quickly. Starhammer intends to march on Sanatora tomorrow, and if he finds the book he will become almost unstoppable.”

Tomorrow? Luna couldn’t say that filled her with confidence. She was hardly ready for a battle in the state she was now... but it couldn’t be helped, and she had a few cards left to play, “Just leave it to me. I won’t disappoint you Sunshine Ivory!”

“I know you won’t. I’ll be watching out for you Luna. Go show them what you’re made of.”

___________________________________________

Princess Luna Level up – 14

Trait discovered – Fast Metabolism
Your metabolic rate is twice normal. This means that you are much less resistant to radiation and poison, but your body heals faster. You gain +2 to your Healing Rate, but your radiation and poison resistances start at 0%.

Quest perk discovered - Star Child Level 3 – “And you will help, more than you’ve ever dreamed.”
Congratulations, you have a demonic entity from outer space living in your head! You’re coming close to accessing the full power of your symbiosis, though with every step the mental repercussions become more pronounced. You get an extra +4 bonus to magic (equal to four points of intelligence), an extra +2 to intelligence, an extra +4 to your healing rate and -1 point to your perception.

Quest perk discovered – Stone Hearted – “I’ve got to ask them if her tears were made of icicles”
You’re not one to be easily moved by emotion. You gain a +6 to mental resistance, but a -1 to charisma.

Perk Gained – Mind for Magic Level 2 – “I actually studied gravity spells, thinking they’ll be on my test!”
You have a great memory and an instinctual understanding of spellcraft. Your list of signature spells is increased by 10% and your list of memorized subjects is increased by 20%

Chapter 2.13 - Decending into Darkness

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Chapter 2.13 - Decending into Darkness

Zenai rolled the pencil back and forth across the table with her muzzle, her breaths slow and steady. She watched Ace Gold as the Little Dusklight doctor Ebony led him across the obstacle course she had made of the medical bay, the buck using his telekinesis to scan for objects in his path. Yet again being a unicorn seemed disproportionately useful, though she was still impressed at how quickly he was getting the hang of it.

Maybe in a month or two he would be able to manage being semi-independent.

...still, he had to be glad he wasn’t a pegasus like his dad.

“Miss Zenai?”

She turned as Niyada came in through the clinic door, the camel carrying a smaller filly upon her back. The filly had to be about four or five, gentle sniffling as tears ran down her face. The cause was obvious, a large gash on one of her hooves. Zenai nodded quickly, waving to the bed nearby, “Put her down there.”

“You heard that Sky? The nice lady’s going to fix up your hoof all good as new.”

She listened to the camel’s easy way with the child as she washed her hooves, glad she was there. She wasn’t very good with children herself... and really had never been so, even as a child herself. She always found it hard to just relax and let her hair down, the other kids mocking her for being dull and humourless. She sighed and dried her fur before slipping a pair of gloves on and collecting the dressing trolley, wheeling it over, “Don’t you worry, we’ll have that patched up in a jiffy.”

“I caught it on a pipe...”

Hmm, a tetanus injection then. Zenai nodded at the child’s explanation, soaking some gauze in an anti-septic solution, “We’ll have to make sure to put some padding around it, so nopony else gets hurt. Now try and stay still, this may sting a little.”

“Don’t worry, Sapphire Sky is a very brave pony. She didn’t cry all the way here, did you?”

The filly gave a pained little smile, nodding at Niyada, “No...”

They made foals tough here, Zenai reminded of the little zebra they had rescued from the sea on the way to the Golden Coast. She guessed there was little time for childishness in this world, finding something very distressing when the filly’s reaction to the antiseptic wash was just to screw up her face and whimper a little.

She must have been used to pain.

She wasn’t quite sure at first why she was looking for him, only realising when she looked at her other options. She didn’t really have many other friends.

She knocked on the door, receiving no answer. Eventually she pushed it open and stepped into the cramped little bedroom, containing little but a bed, some personal hygiene supplies and the shiny black form of the elite power armour. The pipbuck on it flashed, a cheerful voice sounding out, “Hello Miss Zenai!”

“Hi Puppy.” She stepped over to the armour, unsure where quite to look now she was talking to her like this, “Dust’s out I see.”

“Yes he is.” She sounded a little disappointed, “He wanted to take me with him, but he didn’t want to wear the armour. He asked if he could transfer me to a normal pipbuck...”

“But I already tried that. Your programming stops working if I transfer it to any other system.” Zenai actually found the will to smile, pleased that things seemed to be working out for Puppy at least, “You and Dust are getting on really well.”

“Yes we are!” She declared cheerily, “My primary mission at present is to learn all I can about the world, and Sir Uncle just knows so much about it!”

“He seems pretty fond of you too.”

“Yes.” She replied a little sadly, “I think he regrets not having children.”

Zenai wasn’t so sure about that. She got the impression that Dust Kicker liked his life, “Really?”

“He keeps telling me how he doesn’t really care about anything, that he doesn’t believe in causes and never wants to get tied down.” Puppy stated, before asking the pertinent question, “But then why is he still here?”

Zenai admitted that had bugged her too, “He doesn’t want the NCR to fall apart.”

“I don’t really think this is about the NCR anymore. And he can’t possibly hope to get paid.”

“No...”

Puppy spoke quietly, sadness in her voice, “He told me that he spent his childhood looking for something to fight for. Something to believe in.”

“He told me that too.”

“I think he’s still looking.” Puppy stated, “Even if he doesn’t realise it himself.”

Zenai wasn’t so sure. She just thought he was a stallion who liked to make the best of any situation. Still, “I’m glad he’s here.”

“Me too.”

“And Ditzi Doo just stood there unmoving. Sunny Smiles struck the Pegasus with her magic but she didn’t budge, just staring mournfully through the pain. Even on broken legs, her body sliced to pieces, she wouldn’t leave those who needed her protection. Her eyes remained bright.”

She looked round into the cavern, seeing Fluttershy surrounded by foals. Fluttershy seemed bright and enthusiastic as she told her stories, the stories Zenai herself had grown up with. She wondered if these foals too would remember those stories when they were older, think to themselves, ‘I can do that too’.

She remembered the days of the activation of the gardens, and the final defeat of Sunny Smiles and the Screwball Conspiracy. DJ Pon3 had nearly cried on air, her dad taking down to New Canterlot to see the new element bearers parade through the city. It was the sight of a zebra at their head that had stopped her feeling so embarrassed and self conscious about her fur colour, as she knew many ghouls had felt about Ditzi Doo and Lionheart. The little Pegasus had made her smile as a child, it strange and amusing to see a mare who could stand up to demons and the combined force of the enclave looking so very uncomfortable in the face of a cheering crowd.

The new world seemed unassailable then. A clear villain had been defeated, a clear group of heroes had been crowned. Zephyr had bowed her head before Gawd and the council and legitimised the state in the eyes of all. Fluttershy had made her public appearance a few weeks later, shaky but smiling.

Now? Ditzi Doo had retreated from public life, letting money men take control of Ditzi Doo’s Absolutely Everything in the face of the overwhelming demands of fame. Calamity and Velvet Remedy had marched side by side, and yet three years later were formally divorced. Gawd was gone, and Regina... was a poor substitute. The state now seemed a weak, pathetic thing, bullied by organisations that should have been subservient. Zephyr had disappeared, along with her mother and the element of magic. Fluttershy had gone from the fairy tale princess of stories to a controversial political liability.

She had... thought the world needed another hero. Had needed to be saved. She had listened to Littlepip’s recordings, stressing that she was only one because she chose to be, and that any other pony could make that same choice and achieve the same things. Zenai had taken that to heart.

They had been the same height. That had seemed important once. Legitimising.

Zenai accepted it now. That she had been arrogant. That she had likely made things worse.

She had just wanted to help, but maybe Littlepip had been wrong. Maybe every pony wasn’t special. Maybe being a hero required something Zenai just didn’t possess.

The warriors of Dusklight were gathered in the central cave, chittering onlookers looking down as Princess Luna marched among her best and brightest. Zenai saw Dust among the crowd and moved towards him, only to be blocked by a teenaged mare with a gothy haircut and a assault rifle cutie mark. She spoke challengingly, “You’re not part of the raiding party.”

Zenai swallowed her anger best as she could, not remotely in the mood to be challenged by this little spitball, “I just want to talk to Dust Kicker.”

“We’re preparing and briefing. You can talk to him afterwards.”

“I...”

“Let her through Briar.” Radhi called out from a short distance away, turning and walking over as Briar let out a snort and stalked away. He smiled gently as Zenai followed the mare with a dirty look, “She’s had to put up with all the children trying to steal our equipment or bother Luna for the last thirty minutes, don’t hold a little grumpiness against her.”

“Fine... what are all you guys doing anyway? Looks like you’re assembling an army.”

Radhi rolled his eyes, adjusting his glasses with a sigh, “Swift Crimson wishes. This is our best attempt at such an action, sadly enough.”

Zenai turned her eyes away from the bustle, activity and noise to do a headcount, noting that it did indeed come in at about forty. Still a worthy number, “It’s enough to do some damage. What are you doing it to?”

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard, but I suppose we didn’t really put it on the bulletin board.” Radhi commented, giving the assembled group a worried looking glance before answering her question, “Starhammer uncovered the ruins of Sanatora a few weeks ago, and is planning an expedition into its depths today. That means we have to make our own attempt before he can get at whatever’s down there.”

“Sanatora?” Zenai had heard of the place... vaguely, “That’s the old name for the mountain the capital is built upon isn’t it?”

“Actually it’s the city underneath it. The mountain is called Dasthono’koki.” He chuckled, adjusting his glasses, “Though yes, that’s a difficult to pronounce mouthful, so few people ever actually call it that. Sanatora is the city of the Star Demon Phidious, considered to be the most powerful of their number. It was sealed off by Zephyr after his army slew Phidious, and the capital of the new Zebra empire was built at the mountain’s peak.”

That sounded like the start of a bad horror story. Indeed this sounded like the start of a bad horror story, “And what does she expect to find down there?”

“Magical artefacts, spell books... anything that can help turn the tide against Starhammer really.”

“You’re losing?”

Radhi gave her a grim nod, looking back round at the kids preparing for battle, “We lost the second he declared his intent. He has a scouting force of two hundred well armed, well drilled soldiers, and another few thousand waiting on the other side of the border. We have less than seventy in our whole force, and most of them have never seen real combat.”

Zenai... hadn’t thought of it that way. She had little real knowledge of military tactics, most of it coming from heroic fiction. In those stories the rag tag bunch of misfits always seemed to win against the big evil army... somehow, “What do you expect to find in there that can take out a whole army?”

Radhi winced, then shook his head, “We’re not going to wipe out anyone. The crowns of the kings of the old empire dwell within Sanatora, if Luna could retrieve one of those... it would allow her to assert her right over this place, possibly bring allies to the table.”

Zenai liked the sound of that... though possibly because it sounded rather like those heroic novels where the heroes won. It also was the best way to solve this with minimum bloodshed, which was always good, “I wish you had been born in Equestria Radhi. You’re what, fifteen? And you’re already a lot more reasonable than a good half of our government.”

He blushed fiercely at the complement, “Well I... I’ve always tried my best to live up to the expectation of others. And well... I had good role models.”

Zenai was interested now, turning her head, “Really? Who?”

“Me? Well actually I’m...” He paused for a moment to fiddle with his glasses, clearly embarrassed, “Well have you heard of Tradash the Black?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh.” Radhi smiled quietly, “Well he’s a famous adventurer, he’s had books written about him and everything. Exploring cursed tombs, saving villages, defeating evil sorcerers, the whole hero thing. They say he travelled with Sharps and Voice back in their prime, and was the lover of Tandia of Garm herself. I’ve always been a big fan.”

Zenai was pleased that under all his dignified responsibility Radhi still knew how to be a child, “He sounds pretty awesome.”

“Well... I’m not the fighter he is. Or the adventurer.” Radhi gave an embrassed chuckle, “But I like to think I honour his spirit of scholarship, kindness and not judging others by their looks.”

Zenai smiled at him, “I think you do too.”

A voice suddenly called out across the cavern, breaking the air immediately, “Radhi, I need you!”

“Oh... well I better go and see what they need.” He excused himself awkwardly, “Feel free to stay and watch if you’d like, just... ah, don’t get in anyone’s way. Everyone’s a little stressed at the moment, for obvious reasons I suppose.”

Zenai watched him go, left alone among all these busy ponies. She looked across at Dust, instructing some of the children on something.

Zenai had realised it quite a while ago, but now she felt it more acutely than ever. She had given her task to defend Puppy to Dust Kicker. Her intent to save the NCR from political turmoil, to create peace between the zebra nations and the NCR... had failed horribly. Though she had plenty of knowledge to provide, sadly little of it was relevant to day to day survival.

Put simply, she had entirely lost her purpose. She was just trailing along behind Dust.

She walked over to him, catching his eye, “I want to come too.”

“You sure Zenai?” Dust questioned, making him hate him right there and then. He only bugged her more as he continued to speak, “You’ve held your own in the fighting so far, especially with that magical energy pistol, but you yourself have admitted than your primary skills are in social engineering, lockpicking and computer hacking.”

Swift Crimson scowled, “Doubt we’re gonna find any two thousand year old computers...”

“A locks a lock.” She stated firmly, “And how many of you are really knowledgeable about pre-classical zebra hieroglyphs, or heroic era history?”

“Luna is.” Swift Crimson stated bruskly.

“Don’t be so mean to her Swift. She wants to help, and an additional scholar could be handy down there.” Luna sudden stated from nearby, her small, cunning eyes looking Zenai over assessingly, “I’ve no problem her coming along,”

Swift Crimson turned back to her, looking very annoyed, “But...”

“I think the Princess has the last word Swift.” A pony Zenai recognised as the one who had escorted them here, Bleak Fields, stated smugly, giving Zenai a toothy grin, “More cute girls? I’m ok with that.”

Zenai withered under that stare, “I’m five years older than you kid.”

“Oh don’t you worry. I know what to do with... ow!”

Briar smirked as she wacked him about the head with a hoof, “He’s got a point Swift. After all, if we’re talking about dead weight then I think there are far better candidates to leave here with all the little kids...”

“Fine!” Swift Crimson shouted, looking moody as he angrily waved a hoof at them, “Suit up! We move in twenty!”

Zenai watched him stalk off to get prepared, soon followed by the others. She turned to Princess Luna, trying her best to break through the intimidation factor of the huge alicorn and look appropriately grateful, “Thank you for speaking up for me.”

“No problem.” She gave a beaming smile, Zenai surprised at how unpretentious and genuine it was. Her intimidating persona when they first met was now increasingly replaced by something gentler and far more laid back, Zenai glad that she seemed to be definitely getting used to them, “You volunteered for a dangerous job, just because you want to help. That’s the sort of thing I respect.”

Zenai paused a moment before asking her question, “Do you really think I’ll be useful?”

“You’ve been through a lot. Besides, Swift Crimson is a great teacher.” Luna pulled a cheerful face, “None of the others used to be much good either, so don’t let them talk shit to you. Just do what Swift says, and don’t shoot your own ponies in the back of the head.”

That didn’t sound good, “Does that sort of thing happen often?”

“Briar has occasionally shown a tendency to get a little too enthusiastic.” Luna chuckled, “Don’t you worry, like I said Swift got them into fighting shape quickly enough. Now run along, we’ll be leaving soon.”

She saluted sharply, grateful for the opportunity, “Yes miss!”

“Right, you two are with me because to be perfectly honest you’re not trusted to know which end of the gun to point at the enemy!” Swift Crimson shouted as they made their way down the path towards the mountain, “For the record, it’s this one! This end on the other hand is what I’ll be slapping you with if you do something stupid, like for instance forget you’re part of a team! A team that will watch your back, patch you up and give you your targets, so long as you do the same for them! There are no heroes in this unit! I want no attempt to show off! You will stick with your assigned senior and do what they do, understand!?”

Zenai wasn’t really suited for this. She kinda wanted to wack the buck with something hard. Still she nodded mutely, looking across at Blue Wave. The foal looked about fifteen, though his big, rangy frame probably made him look older than he was. He certainly looked green, with the jumpy nervousness common in all those during their first day on the job.

“Blue Wave, you will be assisting Bleak Fields. Zenai, you will be shadowing Briar.”

“Oh man, I wanted Zenai.”

Swift Crimson glared at Bleak with bitter disdain, “Shut it Bleak. Even the thought of assigning someone to your sorry fucking ass gives me shivers, but at least there’ll be someone to patch you up when you get yourself shot.”

Bleak chuckled, “You put so much faith in me.”

Zenai let the two bicker, looking up at the great mountain before them. It was technically part of a range, but the two next to it were so small as to look pathetic next to the glorious spear that soared upwards towards the clouds. Contrary to her expectations it teamed with life, wild patches of moss and ferns hanging from ledges, birds nesting all over its alcoves and caves. This side was almost sheer, Zenai could see where it sloped down towards the winding valleys and crags on the other. That was the road up to the capital, apparently teaming with all kinds of things ready to eat an unsuspecting zebra. She craned her neck but she couldn’t actually see the capital itself, though apparently it did indeed sit just above at the peak.

The group she was travelling with was rather impressive, Zenai a little intimidated. Princess Luna stood at the head of course, with five separate units of six ponies each moving behind. Dust Kicker led one, hers was another, with Swift Crimson leading, and her, Bleak Fields, Briar, a quiet little zebra called Xani and Blue Wave following. She had to admit she was kinda glad she was in Swift Crimson’s unit. For all that the pony could be an ass, he seemed to know what he was doing.

She looked down as something blinked up on her pipbuck. A location marker had appeared, ‘Abandoned Cave’, “Um, Swift Crimson?”

He turned his head to her, “Yes?”

“My pipbuck says there’s a cave over there. You want me to check it out?”

Swift looked dismissive for a moment before his expression faded into something more thoughtful. Eventually he nodded, only a little impatiently, “Very well. Just be careful, and don’t take too long. Bleak, go along with her.”

He grinned enthusiastically, “Yes boss!”

Zenai shot Bleak a withering glance before delivering her own salute, “Will do.”

The cavern was small, a natural pocket in the rock by the looks of it. There wasn’t much, a large, padlocked military container, a very old, jury rigged computer, and a strange metal pole imbedded into the dirt, linked up to a series of strange round objects joined by tubes. She walked over to look at the pole first but couldn’t figure out for the life of her what it was. She noticed the round objects seemed to be covered in dirt and wiped one of them down with a hoof, sending soot dropping to the floor and revealing a glass jar stained green from whatever it had once contained.

“What is is?”

Zenai looked back at Bleak Fields, wanting to try and sound clever, but really as in the dark as he was, “I’m not sure. Let me have a look at the computer.”

She moved over to the machine, turning it on and after a moment of loading receiving a very basic looking crash screen, “Damn.”

“What?”

“Computer’s fried, wait a moment...” She connected up her pipbuck, the device instantly getting to work clearing up the machine’s drive. It didn’t look good for a moment, still the pipbuck eventually managed to spit out a single message, the latest sent by the looks of it.

Progress Report : Gardens site 342 – 21 Snowfall, 8AB
Soil studies have been compiled, the full details of which I’ve listed separately. In short, while not the miracle hoped for, the project has shown clear results. Plant life, ever adaptable, is starting to bloom in even the most affected areas. Most of it is inedible, and all of it is changed from its BB origins, but life is indeed returning.

This is working. Unfortunately we won’t get to see it. Calculations have determined that our work has cut the time for the wasteland to recover from five hundred years, to one hundred. By that time farming will be possible down in the Kurso Valley region, and we have halted the poisoning of the Golden Coast. Depending on the water tables and our ability to maintain the Garden devices, the heartland could bloom again in just under two hundred years.

We must face facts. There has been no communication from Equestria. If ponykind is to survive, we must repair the damage we inflicted on this land, and try our best to live in peace with the zebra. I am doing my best on the first, and I only hope you can make progress on the second.

Operative Ivory Winters.

“Wow...”

“Stop leaving me in suspense.”

Zenai grinned as she turned to Bleak Fields, waving a hoof at the device in wonder. She had only heard about these in books, she had never considered one had actually survived, “This is a Garden Stave! It was designed by Twilight Sparkle, to remove radiation, taint and other wartime chemicals from the soil. It’s a prototype for the Gardens of Equestria, the device that returned Equestria to what it was before the war!”

Bleak chewed on this for a moment, looking sceptical. Eventually he focused on the obvious, “It’s broken.”

“Um...” Zenai scanned it, but truly she had no idea what she was looking for. It didn’t look damaged, though it was certainly dirty and rather rusty in places, “True, but we might be able to fix it.”

“Well this crate is pretty handy on its own. Full of freeze dried rations and medicine.”

A voice called out from outside, a little impatient, “What have you found down there?”

Zenai looked up, realising they couldn’t stand around here forever, “Let’s go and report back. There’s nothing left to do down here.”

There was a lot of excitement and discussion as to Zenai’s find, much of it a little overly hopeful to Zenai’s ears. She really shouldn’t have linked it to the Gardens of Equestria, the two sharing similar methods and purposes but bearing one important difference. The Gardens of Equestria were powered by the elements of harmony, this by a standard issue energy battery. They weren’t exactly comparable, “You do realise it would take decades to remove the radiation from an area like Dusklight don’t you?”

“It’s a process Zenai, slow as it might be.” Dust commented, moving alongside her and Luna, “Even in the short term it will make the water a little safer, improve the farming potential of the caves a little and make birth defects a tiny bit less likely. Combined, that’s of real benefit to any settlement.”

“Canterlot wasn’t built in a day.” Luna agreed, “Radhi and Swift Crimson are both in their teens. By the time they’re thirty the area around the caves would be fertile enough for large scale farming. By the time they’re fifty... well, the park has a wealth of construction material, it’s built to be central to all the major settlements in the area, yet it’s tucked into the mountainside in an easily defendable position. The rock naturally resists radiation, and I’ve amassed both a wealth of books and learning material and ponies smart enough to use it.”

Zenai actually felt a little shiver run down her spine. She couldn’t help but take note of the way Luna sounded, the way Luna was. Zenai for a moment felt she could really do it, “You want to build a new Canterlot?”

“No.” Luna stated firmly, her lip curling into a pout, “Canterlot was founded by the both of us, but it couldn’t help but become my sister’s design. What would a city built on my principles be I wonder... more suited to this new world, for sure.”

Zenai nodded, feeling that was true enough, “In the darkest of nights, when all gives way to despair...”

“...my silver light will guide you home. Always.” Luna finished, bowing her head and taking a deep, sighing breath, “I will make a city of candlelight and secrets, where silver topped towers will forever shine as a beacon for all those lost in the night.”

Dust sounded genuinely interested as he commented, “And will you rule as Celestia did?”

“Yes... I suppose so.” Luna thought on the matter for a while before shrugging her shoulders, “It suits my talents. I never wanted to be a dictator, and the fine details of bureaucracy and law bore me, no matter how hard Radhi tries. I have big ideas, and I know who to trust to bring them to life.”

Dust paused momentarily, “That doesn’t sound much like Celestia. She was an absolute monarch, pretty much the heart of the state.”

Luna chuckled, “Read any book on Equestrian governance. Celestia placed an entire governmental apparatus between her and her ponies, and then challenged them to argue her every playful whim. That sounds exactly like me and Radhi, and it certainly seems to have worked.” She grinned playfully, “I’m passionate and impulsive, and believe in dreams and wonders and freedom. I would be terrible as an absolute monarch.”

“That...” Dust considered this for several moments, “...you’ve really thought this through.”

“Yeah, well I’m very proud of my brain. Unfortunately it’s a little too big. Fills with all sorts of rubbish.”

Zenai had been silent for a while now, unable to get the image of that glorious city out of her head. Eventually she just had to say it, her words feeling bashful and embarrassingly naive, “I... would like to live in your city Luna.”

“Princess Luna thank you.” Luna replied playfully, before her mood fell a little, “And we still have to defeat Star Hammer first.”

Dust smiled confidently, giving her a sideways look, “He’s one of the big hitters now Luna, not a playground bully like those you beat before. Take him down and ponies will start to pay attention.”

“I know.” She smiled, nodding firmly, “Strike down Discord, and earn your throne. Let it never be said that I ran from my destiny.” She cackled, her mane waving behind as she turned her head to her assembled troops, “Back to your units everypony! This mountain is MINE!”

They approached the cliffside, opening up into a little gully that ended abruptly a short way in. Flowers grew around the place and her pipbuck started shouting about radiation, just about to say something when Briar started handing around some yellow moss, “Chew on this ladies, and you won’t all go sterile.”

Zenai looked at it, admitting that she had never seen the stuff before, “This will help with the radiation?”

“Sure does.” She winked, flicking her dark main back and smiling cheerfully, “Tastes like ass, but it’s nutritious and effective.”

Zenai had no intention of sticking the slimy stuff in her mouth, quickly handing it back, “I’ll stick with Rad-x thanks.”

“Well la de da.”

They continued forward, towards what appeared to be a plain stone wall. Zenai was honestly confused, having figured they would be fighting through Starhammer’s zebra to get into what she had heard was a standard mine entrance. This was none of those things, “Where’s Starhammer? What’s going on?”

“Search me.” Briar commented, “The Princess wants to keep it a suprise I think. She’s always up to something.”

Luna motioned her head and two unicorns lined up beside her, raising their horns and joining their magic to hers. She closed her eyes and her magical glow spread across her fur, Zenai feeling the air hum around her. She took a single step forward and her horn surged with energy, blasting forward and hitting the mountainside with a terrific boom. Rock scattered, rubble rained down and quite a few ponies dashed for cover, Luna herself frowning and charging up her magic for another shot. She let loose once again, then again, then again, now panting at the effort.

She smiled as the smoke cleared to reveal the results of her work, waving the two unicorns forward, “Scoops, Rain. I need a moment to catch my breath.”

Zenai looked at the cliff wall as the two marched towards it, admitting the sight was a little odd. The rock had been excavated for quite a way, revealing a featureless slab of totally undamaged stone. She might have thought it part of the mountain, but it was just so perfectly preserved. The two unicorns joined their magic, the lights rotating for a couple of seconds before they both nodded and cast the spell at the slab. It was absorbed into the centre, the rock glowing for a second before the rock shifted upwards with a rumble. Beyond was a large stone hall, with corridors leading away in all directions.

Luna turned, grinning from ear to ear, “Fillies and gentlecolts, welcome to Sanatora!”

“How...” Zenai shook her head in awe and not a little bit of confusion, “How did you know this was there?”

Luna looked extremely pleased with herself, “I’ve had records of the structure of this place for a long time. They’ve been useless of course, because I’ve never had any point of reference before.”

“But now you know where the main entrance is. You were able to measure round from there.” Swift Crimson landed next to her, looking up expectantly, “Shall I order the units to advance Princess?”

Luna considered for a moment before smiling regally, fanning out her wings, “I will enter first, flanked by the teams of you and Dusk Sable. The others will enter after we have determined the area is safe.”

“Very well.” Ace took off and returned to them, waving the group forward, “You heard her! Take position beside the Princess, protect her from all harm!”

“Thank you Princess.” A slim black and brown unicorn stated as he led his unit over to Luna’s side, “I won’t let you down.”

“You only arrived a short time ago and you’re already one of my most valued commanders Dusk Sable. I am honoured to be escorted by such a noble young stallion.” Luna gave him a warm, encouraging smile before turning about, extending her wings to cover both the groups at her side, “Now, let us see what this legendary city has to offer us!”

They made their way inside, Zenai’s heart pounding in her chest as the huge, empty chamber opened up before her. It was totally quiet, as expected a city of the dead. Not a thing moved.

Luna stopped a short way inside, looking around cautiously, “Seems clear.”

Light exploded under their hoofs, glowing runes blazing with fury. A dark, powerful voice boomed out, screaming words in some forgotten language. Zenai had a second to translate.

“INTRUDER! YOU STEP UNINVITED INTO THE CITY OF PHIDIOUS, THE GREAT SORCERER OF STARS! YOUR LIVES AND BODIES SHALL BE FORFEIT!”

Luna turned, her expression panicked and her horn already throwing up a shield, “Everypony out! Ou...!”

Zenai... had teleported. She was sure of it, having felt the sensation before. She could hear the shouts of others in the distance, clicking on her pipboy light and illuminating her surroundings.

It was a plain, square stone room, with a stone bench and what looked like a latrine at the far end. A doorway led outside, some flimsy metal shards sitting in a pile of dust nearby. Obviously it had used to be the door.

“Hello, anyone there!?”

“I’m here.” Zenai stated as she stepped out to see Briar standing in the corridor with a blob of light at her horn, “Have you seen the others?”

“I’m here.” Swift Crimson stepped out of his own cell, rubbing his eyes, “What happened?”

Zenai looked around, noting the metal spikes in the wall, upon a few of which rusty keys still hung, “That trap must have teleported us all to the prison cells.”

“We’re probably lucky it didn’t just incinerate us on the spot.” Briar quipped, shrugging her shoulders, “And that the doors weren’t as durable of the rest of the structure.”

Zenai noted that with interest, not being an expert but pretty sure it was unusual for the walls to be in such good condition where all the doors and furniture had long since turned to dust. Magic? She didn’t know, not being a unicorn.

“Where are the others?” Swift Crimson looked around, “We can’t be the only ones here.”

“Um... I’m here.” Blue Wave stepped out of one of the cells, leading a rather scared looking Xani carefully by the hoof, “Any idea why our flashlights aren’t working?”

The little zebra Xani nodded firmly and empathically, clearly a little distressed, “It’s very dark.”

Swift Crimson pulled out his own and toggled the switch, to no avail. He glared at Zenai’s pipbuck suspiciously, “How come yours still works?”

“Um... well it’s pretty well shielded I guess, and very hardy.” Zenai looked at the device, seeing nothing obviously wrong with it... and considering it was at least two hundred years old that was quite impressive, “Maybe that teleport shorted out all our electronics, or the building is dampening them somehow. Briar, can you detect anything?”

The unicorn gave an embarrassed grin, “Me?”

“You’re a unicorn.”

“I’m a terrible unicorn.” She chuckled, “I use my telekinesis to make my big guns shoot things. I barely got this light to work.”

“Hmth...” Zenai grunted, “Ok then...”

“HEY! ANYONE THERE!?”

They all turned, Swift Crimson advancing cautiously into the darkness, “Bleak, where are you?”

The light shone across the steel bars, and the familiar form of Bleak Fields struggling against them. He gave them an embarrassed grin as they approached, “Little help? These won’t budge, and my flashlight isn’t working.”

Swift Crimson inspected the bars, narrowing his eyes, “We might be able to shoot the lock off, or maybe...”

Zenai moved forward, taking her lockpicks in her teeth and leaning down to work. It was so loose and rusty that it didn’t take a moment, the door swinging open as she spat the picks back into her bag. She turned, glaring at Swift, “I’m useless huh? No call for lockpicking on this mission?”

“Smugness doesn’t suit you.” He commented simply, nodding his head towards the exit, “Let’s move. The others could be in trouble.”

The adjoining rooms were very similar, long corridors filled with ten cells each, along with a couple of rooms that looked like they had been housing for the guards. From these they found a few intact lanterns, Zenai and Xani cleaning them out and using her medical supplies to create makeshift candles, attaching them to their saddlebags. There wasn’t much else there except for some useless weaponry, and certainly no sign of the others.

“Where are they?”

Zenai noted Swift Crimson sounded increasingly panicked, moving to calm the Pegasus, “The spell might have failed, it was pretty old. It might have only had enough power to teleport us.”

“Or they could have been teleported to another location.” Briar suggested, “Either way, they can take care of themselves. I say we do what we came here for and explore. Try and find the exit, and anything valuable to scavenge.”

“I agree.” Swift Crimson tightened the straps on his weapon before waving them on, “Let go. Keep that light burning Briar, we’ve not likely to see the sun for a good while yet.”

The place was eerily empty. A few bone fragments and rusted blades were all that told of a battle talked about in legend, rooms that had once held wonders now just full of dust and ash. Zenai shuddered as she cast her eyes across a mural depicting hoards of dirty looking zebra, fighting, stealing or just lazing around. The next panel displayed the image of a star falling to the ground as they looked on in awe, the story continuing on to depict a great city of happy looking zebra with a angelic looking figure at the centre.

It made her feel sick.

“Hey, where’s Blue Wave?”

Zenai turned at Bleak’s observation, scanning the corridor behind her. It was empty, “He was behind me a second ago...”

“I know he was... BLUE WAVE!” Bleak shouted out, his voice echoing into the darkness. No reply came, “Fire be damned, I knew that dreamer would wander off.”

“We turn around.” Swift Crimson stated grimly, turning to give them all very serious looks, “No pony gets left behind.”

Zenai wasn’t going to argue, finding herself leading the way as they made their way back in the direction they had previously came. The area was totally silent, Zenai acutely aware of her own heart beat as the walls seemed to close around her.

“Stop.”

Zenai turned, Xeni looking down at the dusty floor. Swift Crimson spoke first, “Xeni, what is it?”

“The tracks. They reduce from six to five here.” She lifted her head, her voice shaking ever so slightly, “This is where he was taken.”

“Everyone, on guard...”

Something lunged out of the darkness, which was immediately all consuming as the approaching creature waved a claw and sent Briar’s light and the two lanterns winking out of existence. Briar cursed and sprayed gunfire in its direction, Zenai hastily setting her pipbuck light to full intensity and sending it beaming down the corridor. The creature roared and reared backwards, obviously sensitive to the light after so long down here.

It was massive. Near seven ponies in height, its snakelike body was robust and powerful looking, wicked claws on its two front paws and a set of sharp horns atop its head. Its head was roughly pony shaped, but with a mouth full of jagged teeth not meant for dining on vegetable matter. After seeing so many goofy looking pictures of the race’s most famous member, nothing prepared her for seeing this thing in the flesh, “Dragonequis.”

It screamed a piercing deafening challenge and lunged at her, flying through the air on deceptively fragile looking wings. She fired on it but it was too fast, veering around the attack and diving in for the kill.

“Fucker!” Swift Crimson shot it once in the side before kicking it away with a flying charge, the beast lunging at him instead but snapping against nothing but air. He attempted to land a bullet against its forehead but the creature roared at him, stunning him long enough to gore him in the side with a horn. Swift quickly flew backwards, cursing as he quickly took down a healing potion.

The others got their act together, attacking in unison. Zenai tried to keep her light on it but it was fast, constantly zooming round, looking for shadow and darkness to attack from. Bleak landed a few shots that seemed to wound the creature, it however managed to whip its tail round as it retreated and knocked him sprawling. Xani’s crossbow bolt just bounced off the hard scales at the belly, the zebra looking shocked as she ran for cover. Briar finally scored a decisive blow, three shots on the shoulder that sent the creature howling back into the darkness.

“Score!” She stared in the direction the creature had retreated, “Did we get it?”

It lunged at her from the side, razor teeth shining in the darkness. Damn it was quiet.

Briar span on a single leg and sprayed the corridor with automatic weapon fire, yelling out a challenge as it closed. Zenai shouted a warning as she saw the creature fly upwards and skim the roof, desperately firing a shot of her plasma pistol that missed entirely. It swooped down with a horrific grin on its face and opened its jaws, Briar unable to angle her weapon that high. Her weapon sprayed the roof uselessly as it closed on her.

It fastened its jaws around her, the mare giving a piercing scream as it carried her into the air and shook her tiny body from side to side. Zenai managed to land a shot this time and singed its side, the beast sweeping its tail around to send her spinning to the ground with enough force to knock all the wind out of her.

“FUCK!”

“BRIAR!”

A crossbow bolt lodged itself in the creature’s eye and it roared, a second before Swift Crimson struck it in the head with a flying buck that knocked it from the air. Briar slammed down a few feet away, Zenai struggling to her feet and half limping over to the mare.

She squeaked and covered her face as the dragonequis swung its tail at her from its fallen position, only for the creature to pause in thrashing distress as Bleak Fields galloped forward and pumped round after round into its prone body.

“YEAH, HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT? HUH? HUH?”

The beast screeched, jumping up and lunging at him. Zenai sized it up and fired a bolt of plasma down its throat, the dragonequis clawing at its throat for one brief moment before Bleak Water blew its brains out of the top of its head. This finished it, the beast crashing into a limp heap.

Swift Crimson swooped down, his horrified look not boding well. Zenai galloped over, noting that at the very least Briar was still moving...

Blood coated the floor. It was clear at least one of her arteries had been severed. Its teeth had tore most of the side of her neck away, and neatly severed a leg. The fall had broken her back. She gasped and sobbed, Zenai swallowing her horror as she walked over and injected a vial of med-x into the suffering mare’s leg.

“What are you doing?!” Bleak galloped over, his voice shaking, “Give her a healing potion!”

“Shut up Bleak.” Swift Crimson spoke with barely restrained emotion, having to look away after a moment and walk straight towards the advancing Bleak Fields, “It’s not going... it’s not going to work...”

“What... that’s not...”

Zenai held the mare’s hoof as her eyes slowly dimmed, her desperate attempts to take a breath finally fading away and her body falling still. She closed the mare’s eyes, trying her best not to throw up right there and then. She felt guilty, angry, scared... and none of her emotions could find any real target to latch to.

“No! NO!” Bleak screamed out, flinging his weapon to the ground and backing away from Swift Crimson, “Game over! Fuck this, we’re totally screwed!”

“Pick up your gun solider!”

“I’m not a damn soldier Swift! I’m thirteen years old, I joined because you let me carry a gun and had some nice looking mares in your group!” He backed into a wall, hyperventilating now, “We’re children, we can’t fight these things!”

Swift Crimson yelled his response, “We can and will!”

“No we can’t.” Bleak shook his head, eyes wide, “We just lost two ponies man, and Briar was one of our best.”

Swift Crimson advanced on him in anger, “She was... she was... fuck... fuck...” His body sagged, the energy draining from his voice, “Damnit Briar...”

Zenai watched him loose it with a trembling heart, their grim, swearing leader going quiet and limp as the full extent of their situation dawned. Zenai looked to Xani, the little zebra scanning the area for danger without any attempt to acknowledge the scene behind her. It was good that she was freaking out usefully, though it confirmed her lingering suspicions that she was not one to look to for leadership.

She turned back to the group, taking a deep breath and speaking, “Bleak, I understand, but if you freak out now we’ll never get out of here.”

He turned to her, eyes still wide, “That’s pretty much a given now! Look at what they did to her!”

“Look what we did to it.” Zenai waved a hoof at the dragonequis currently cooling on the stone, “You’re the first stallion to kill a dragonequis in a thousand years. Together, we just killed a god. Briar would be proud to fall in combat against something like that, and I know I’m proud to have killed it.”

Swift Crimson spoke grimly, “There’s probably a lot more of them down here.”

“Then let’s kill them too.”

“...fuck yeah.” Bleak Fields responded, his eyes moving around restlessly for a moment before settling on Xani, “Xani, get over here.”

The zebra turned, confused for a moment as Bleak trotted over and looked down at her with a strange, awkward expression. He paused there, chewing on his words for a moment before finally releasing his clumsy syllables, “You... you’re going to... stay close. Be careful.”

She looked deeply confused, “I am? Eeek...”

He hugged her clumsily for a moment before stepping away, blushing and trying to hide his face, “Ah shit... let’s just go, ok?”

Swift Crimson snorted, “Your overactive libido is a fucking embarrassment Bleak.”

“Screw you Swift.” He stated bitterly, shaking his head, “I just don’t like seeing mares get hurt ok? And... look at her. She’s adorable. I might just go to pieces if... if anything happens to her.”

Swift Crimson stared at Xani’s avoidant, quietly blushing face for a moment before a tiny smile moved across his face, “She’s twice the fighter you are Bleak. Worry about your own ass.”

They passed through the rooms and corridors in silence, sure the murals and decoration were deeply fascinating but not remotely in the mood. Still Zenai quietly marvelled as they observed the depictions of things she had only heard about in books, first hand records of things from a time before ponies had descended from the northern mountains.

She felt it was sad that the earliest depictions of the zebra showed them as slaves to these dark masters. Zebra talked about the glorious first empire, but really all they had was guesswork and second hand accounts. The Star Demons had wanted the zebra to only know servitude, to fashion the zebra into a race of obedient chattel. She was proud to say that they had failed.

The damage they had done however had been significant. Ponies had a lot to be thankful for. A history. And most importantly, peace under the guidance of Celestia. It often seemed amazing that pegasi, earth ponies and unicorns had managed to be in the same room together, let alone form a working state. Often times they hadn’t, and history was full of moments where Celestia had to step in and bash heads together. The zebra had never had a leader like that, and in the end their history was a long litany of failed states and warfare.

Zephyr and his most trusted companion Zenophilious had defeated the Star Demons and become heroes, united zebra kind behind them as one. Zenophilous had mastered the elements of harmony, become immortal and vested in divine power. They had been given the chance to lead their people out of darkness... and they had refused that honour. Allowed lesser zebra to take control.

Just like Littlepip had.

She should have taken Red Eye’s offer. Become a Goddess.

In her heart Zenai knew, that the NCR would eventually go the way of the zebra nations because of that mistake. The zebra nations. So called because they had never even been able to decide on a name for their land, so divided had they by their petty distinctions.

“Eyes peeled. There’s something ahead.”

Zenai looked up at Swift Crimson’s command, indeed seeing something in the distance. As they got closer she recognised the forms of Dragonequis, though they seemed to be unmoving upon the ground. Their suspicions were confirmed as they drew closer, noting the charred scales and broken bodies of the creatures. Zenai looked down at her pipbuck, noting the lack of their presence on her display, “They’re dead.”

“Three of them... beaten to death by the looks of it.” Bleak moved over, as incautious as ever as he inspected the bodies, “Looks like something cooked them good as well.”

Relief filled Swift Crimson’s voice, “Those burns, those are wounds from black lightning. Princess Luna has been here, she’s the one who killed them.”

“Three of them at once?”

“You saying she’s not capable?” Swift stated grumpily, looking around for a second before yelling out, “PRINCESS! PRINCESS LUNA!”

Nopony answered. Bleak let the air rest for a moment before commenting, “She’s not here man. These guys were probably beaten to death by their own, for not being evil and scary enough or something.”

“Fuck you Bleak.” Swift Crimson stated, staring angrily into the darkness, “She’s down here, and we’re going to find her.”

“If you say so...”

They continued, onwards, passing through empty halls and silence. Occasionally they heard things, the roar of creatures, maniacal laughter, voices, speaking both modern tongues and that of ages past. Still they saw nothing.

Eventually a light was seen in the distance, flickering and weak. They made their way towards it, eventually emerging into a medium sized cave... that contained nothing they had ever expected.

Zenai paused, taking in the room with wide eyes, switching to a calm assessing gaze as she tried to figure out what exactly she was seeing. At first she reasoned that it was from the Lost Legion, or from Starhammer’s forces... but it all looked like it had been here for years, some of it actually totally rusted and falling apart. Unless their understanding of history was really wonky she also doubted it dated back more than a thousand years to when this place was originally sealed either.

This room was full of computer equipment and other tech, along with racks of guns and cots for sleeping. It all looked to date around the time of the war, Zenai noting that the guns were top of the range models from the late stages of the zebra campaign.

“Whoh... looks like someone beat us to it...”

“So where are they?” Zenai looked to the tables, still laid out with cutlery and dusty bottles, “Looks like they left in a hurry.”

“Or they all got caught by the scaleys.” Bleak trotted over to the weapon rack, unstrapping his rifle and dropping it to the ground before taking one from the rack and studying it with growing awe, “You know that this single gun is likely worth more than half our inventory? It’s loaded with top of the range antipersonnel ammo too.”

Xani gazed around dreamily, “Do they have any crossbows?”

“How high-tech can they make a stupid crossbow?” Bleak picked up another rifle in his mouth and spat it at the zebra, his tone abrasive, “Please, stop being weird and pick up a damn rifle. You’re an awesome shot, and you waste it on... stone age rubbish.”

“Shut up Bleak.” Swift Crimson looked over the weapons, nodding thoughtfully after he had inspected them in detail, “They were definitely worried about the dragonequis, all these weapons are suited for big, hard scaled targets. They’re also all top quality, so whoever was down here was obviously pretty fucking important. And this is all clearly pre-war.”

Zenai’s suspicions were confirmed as she studied the computer equipment, noting the symbol plastered all over the paperwork lying around, “They were from the zebra academy of science.”

“Those creepy motherfuckers, perfect. I suppose it figures, isn’t their headquarters directly above us?”

Zenai looked up, it honestly scaring her a little to think there was about a billion tons of unhewn rock above her head, “More or less, about a mile or so directly upwards.”

“Can you get any of this junk running?” Swift Crimson stated commandingly, looking to Xani and Bleak, “Xani, keep an eye out. Bleak, help me clean and bag these weapons.”

Zenai didn’t think that was really a priority, “Swift, they’ll just slow us down. Just take what you need.”

“Concern fucking noted, but this haul is worth enough to buy us an entire fucking mercenary company if we had the mind. I’ve no idea whether we’ll have the opportunity to come back, so we take our chances now.”

Zenai supposed that was fair enough. She wandered over to the computer equipment and connected her pipbuck, glad to see that these machines were in much better condition than the computer in the cave. The encryption was strong, still she was getting much better at this and it didn’t take her long to crack it.

Log Entry 1 – 11.43, 4th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD - Authored by Doctor Zephat
Our entry into the cavern system itself occurred at 8.23, breaking through into what was most certainly a constructed structure, a large corridor, several meters across. The walls were stylised, though the designs and method of construction do not match up with any examples on record. We decided further study could wait and set off in search of a base camp, soon uncovering an empty square chamber large enough to set up equipment and living quarters. So far we have uncovered no remains or artefacts, likely both have been long since taken by time. The condition of the caverns themselves are remarkable however, so a study of the rock was undertaken. Results will be back by tomorrow.

Log Entry 2 – 10.00, 5th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD - Authored by Doctor Zephat
The results of the mineral analysis came back, showing something truly remarkable. The rock is the same as the surrounding mountain, with no imported stone at all. The composition of this stone is unremarkable, and indeed could even be described as soft and brittle. The secret of its longevity is in fact a subtle, but magically astounding enchantment. Namely, this rock does not age. It does not change state, unless it is placed under significant stress. It is frozen in time. The rock in question was picked from an area where the wall had crumbled slightly, we determined that the enchantment had weakened in this area. In others it is still remarkably strong. Automatic weapons fire into the walls simply cancels out the majority of the impact, kinetic energy is lost and the bullets fall to the ground. I can only imagine the possibilities, and have set my scientists to studying this effect while we look of anything else of interest.

Log Entry 3 – 11.20 5th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD - Authored by Doctor Zephat
The enchantment process has been studied, but its methods are so alien as to be incomprehensible. The spells are literally woven into the very matter, by what art I cannot guess. I have sent samples up to you, so that they made be studied in greater detail.
On a more worrying note, some of us have reported seeing strange creatures watching them, quickly retreating when spotted. Though I have not seen any myself I have no reason to doubt them. Something is studying us. I have set more guards on watch, and conducted a two hourly headcount.

Log Entry 4 – 9.05 6th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD - Authored by Doctor Zephat
One of the scientists is missing. He was gathering more rock samples the last anyone saw him, thirty minutes before his absence was reported. His communicator is offline, and all magical attempts to track him have failed.
I have cancelled further ventures into the cave and put all my guards on full alert. It is clear that we are not alone.

Log Entry 5 – 13.24 7th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD – Authored by Doctor Zephat
We have killed one of the monsters, though at the cost of two of the security team. It is clearly a Dragonequis, despite the years of isolation it is similar to other demonspawn in that it has evidenced very little evolution. Fortunately enough they are not bulletproof, though they can suffer serious wounds before expiring and are both strong and fast. They also evidence some limited magical abilities, though they never attempted to communicate with us or display any other signs of intelligence.
I am formally requesting reinforcements. We will be unable to perform further research while these things continue to attack us.

Log Entry 6 – 16.00 8th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD – Authored by Doctor Ziles
These things are smarter than we thought. Smarter than us anyway. They attacked the side of the camp, and the guards moved to defend us. They kept their distance, never allowing a clear shot... and after they had left we discovered it had been a diversion. Doctor Zephat and four other members of the research team are gone. We never even heard them cry out.
We desperately need reinforcements. We cannot maintain this position.

Log Entry 7 – 12.32 9th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD – Authored by Enter Name Here
Zebra zebra zebra slave all live in darkness we hunt slave kill eat change all slave slave slave.

Log Entry 8 – 9.23 12th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD – Authored by Dragonequis Kill Kill Kill
Zebra all our slaves. Live in darkness years years years. Live in darkness no more, live in sun sun sun kill kill kill.

Log Entry 9 – 11.30 14th, Sunrise, 1512 ECD – Authored by Enter Name Here
Degheaa;ie;uwa

Log Entry 10 – 12.34 8th, Sunrise, 1516 ECD – Authored by Enter Name Here
L

Zenai stopped reading, the entries bellow much of the same. It confirmed the research team’s suspicions that the Dragonequis were semi-intelligent at least, though the one who seemed to evidence some ability to learn their language and communicate still hardly seemed the sort for a pleasant chat. She switched folders, moving instead to the inbox.

Message sent by High Scientist Zenospira at 19.00 8th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD
I am sorry that your expedition has come to an unfortunate end. Accordingly we have sealed off the tunnel and posted guards, clearly we cannot risk these things escaping. Your sacrifice in the name of science will be recorded, and your families compensated as laid out in your contracts. Thank you for your loyal service.

Message sent by High Scientist Zenospira 12.30 12th, Moonfall, 1454 ECD
I will make it clear now that however powerful and great you think your master was, he is nothing compared to me. You conquered some insignificant slice of an insignificant land, stole it away from dirt farmers with sharp sticks. The wonders I have wrought could and will burn the world barren for the next thousand years, and when trees bloom once again it is my creations who will rise dominant over it. Dare come to the surface and I will see you open on a table, a cold corpse for my scientists to study.
I trust I have made myself clear.

Zenai moved away from the console, pretty sure she didn’t want to meet the author of those messages. She was really glad that he at least died a long time ago. She was reminded, not for the first time, quite how many kooks the war had shaken from the rafters, “Are we all ready?”

Swift Crimson nodded, saddle harnesses laden with weaponry, “Whenever you are.”

Though the scale of the corridors and rooms were impressive, built to accommodate beasts much larger than zebra, after a while they all began to become used to it. It was even becoming rather dull, with all furniture, artefacts and bodies long since turned to dust.

Their sense of wonder was ignited once again by the great hall that opened up in front of them.

For one thing, it still had light. A sequence of twenty dragonequis statues flanked the central pathway towards the far end of the hall, each of them different but all holding somewhere a torch burning with a bright blue flame that went some way to illuminating the cavernous interior. Short walls divided up most of the floor space, breaking it into manageable chunks. Though these days they generally used movable versions Zenai figured these were used for crowd control, easily herding the audience into their required places without too much pushing and shoving. That impression was further cemented by the raised podium at the far end, a great throne standing upon its highest point. The throne was decorated with stars and other mystical symbols, gemstones still clearly seen upon its face. The most impressive mural yet seen rose above it on the wall behind, displaying a crowned dragonequis, his features far more zebric than the more draconic traits of the others they had seen. His two long clawed forearms extended outwards, one clutching a sphere containing a single six pointed star and five other smaller stars circling around. The other clutched a wavering, jagged shape, filled with lines of varying sizes that made it rather hard to look at, “Is that...?”

“I guess that’s Phyilidos, yeah.” Swift Crimson observed the mural with distaste, “What’s he holding?”

Zenai observed it with interest, eventually having to go with the obvious conclusion, “The central star, that looks like the element of magic. I guess the other smaller stars represent the other five.” She looked across to the other object, “So... that must be chaos. Harmony and chaos, he’s demonstrating his control of both.”

“Arrogant fucker.”

“Yeah...”

The moved towards the end of the room, their plodding steps echoing through the chamber. Maybe it was because of the light, but this place felt a lot more alive and threatening that the others. Zenai’s ears tingled, her fur standing on end. They passed through a series of stone tables and the feeling only got worse, closing her eyes and trying to slow her breathing.

“Scatter!”

Zenai opened her eyes to chaos, a table exploding into shards in front of her. Her eyes flicked over to one of the entrances, a troop of well armed zebra pouring through with weapons trained and already firing.

They broke formation, Zenai glad of her small stature as she ran through a series of stone tables, keeping her head low as she closed the distance. She ducked under one and blew the hooves out from one of the soldiers, his companion just about to return fire when a crossbow bolt took him through the neck. She took further attack but managed to roll away, watching as the others engaged their own attackers. Bleak Fields was showing his stuff, taking small little potshots that hit nothing but attracted their full attention, keeping his head low as the other two snuck round for a better viewpoint.

Swift Crimson leapt upwards, his wings unfolding as he arced round and fired his revolver into their ranks from above, taking down one and wounding two more in a matter of seconds. They fired back but he was already diving down back into cover, rolling behind one of the great pillars. A crossbow bolt lodged into the head of one of the wounded soldiers and he dropped silently, though another covering his companions immediately twisted about and fired a burst that hit Xani and knocked her out of cover. Another burst dropped her, striking her twice in the chest.

“Damnit!” Bleak Fields stood up and fired on full burst, sending most of them scurrying to cover. One at the side managed to score a hit on him but he swung his rifle around and hit the zebra with four straight rounds, setting him alight and dropping him screaming to the floor, “Zenai, get...!”

A zebra soldier moved out of cover and unloaded a shotgun into the buck, sending him flying backwards with a gasp. Fortunately the soldier’s own head was immediately holed, Swift Crimson leaping out cover and scoring an impossible hit from range before diving back behind a stone table. Zenai stood and blasted another zebra soldier with her pistol, burning his side and throwing off his aim as he returned fire. His companion was not so inconvienanced, he hit Zenai with a shotgun burst that tore up her side and knocked her to the floor.

She couldn’t help it, she screamed. The pain felt like a white hot noise filling her thoughts, her heart slamming against her chest and her lungs burning from the overexertion. She knew she was going to die, watched the soldiers train weapons on Swift Crimson’s position...

A crossbow bolt flew under tables to cripple one of them, their panic just giving Swift enough time to dart out from cover and put two bullets into the first. The second returned fire but Swift opened his wings around flung himself sideways, emptying his gun and striking his attacker three times in the chest. The final soldier desperately tried to pull the bolt from his leg but he just couldn’t reach, squealing in terror as Xani walked up to him and placed a crossbow bolt through his eye.

“Oh... shit. Xani, are you alright?”

Xani turned, quickly holding out a hoof to stop the limping Bleak from approaching. She then nodded and gave a little smile, “Yes... are you ok Bleak?”

He took a deep breath before looking down at his ruined vest, “Tore up my armor.”

Swift Crimson grunted as he walked over, not looking happy, “You deserve it you idiot! Leaving cover during a firefight, wasting an entire clip shooting the furniture!”

“Sorry boss.” He rubbed his head with a hoof, “I thought they had killed Xani...”

“Idiot!” Swift slapped him across the back of his head, glaring at him, “She can look after herself! And if she was dead, what would getting yourself killed prove?!”

“Sorry boss...”

Swift Crimson took, a deep breath, slapped him again and stalked off to retrieve the dropped sack of weapons, “I swear...”

Bleak coughed a little, lowering his head and giving a weak chuckle as Swift departed, “Man... I’m really not sure I’m cut out for this...”

Zenai approached, confirming her original suspicion. The buck was crying. She moved over to his side, keeping her voice low, “It’s a stressful situation Bleak, I think we’re all reaching our limits. I know I’m freaking out, and I seem to be in these sorts of situations constantly lately.”

He chuckled, wiping away tears, “Xani and Swift seem to be doing alright.”

“I think they have their own way of coping.”

“Yeah, pissed off, and medication addiction.” Bleak sighed, “I’m just a dude you know?”

“You’re doing pretty well for just a dude.” She drew him in for a hug, feeling him relax against her chest, “Just a little longer, and we’ll be out of there.”

He chuckled as she drew away, clearly blushing and with a very evil look in his eye, “Man, a few more of those and I’ll be ready to take on another few dozen of those snake dudes. And that was an invitation, you know?”

“Down boy.”

He grinned, biting his lip, “Hey, if we get out of here in one piece, how about a kiss? In celebration of all we’ve been through and the camaraderie we’ve shared?” He noted her withering expression, taking a pleading, cheeky tone, “One kiss... heh, unless you beg for more...”

She rolled her eyes, sighing. What the hell... “Ok, so long as you don’t pull any more reckless stunts. I need you to be calm and focused.”

“Hell yeah!” He whooped, “Now that’s the kind of inspiration I’m looking for! Not slaps across the head!”

Zenai shook her head. At least she was using her powers for good.

Her friends would never let her live this down.

They decided to continue down the path Starhammer’s troops had emerged from, figuring it had to be some sort of exit. Evidence of his invasion lay all around, dead Dragonequis and plenty of his own slain, along with a few war machines of the lost legion. Gunfire could still be heard in the distance, along with... “Can you hear... laughter?”

Swift Crimson nodded as he led them forward, “Yeah. Fucking creepy, but it’s coming from the other direction at least.”

Zenai nodded and continued on, keeping a watchful eye out for danger. They were likely heading straight for Starhammer’s camp, hoping that it was mostly unoccupied by now. It was a fools hope, but it was better than being lost in here.

She saw something dart past, taking a moment to realise it was a huge dragonequis. She had no idea how it had suddenly appeared, only that her reaction was the highly embarrassing ‘scream like a girl and fall on ass’. The others shouted in a little more of a dignified way, spinning around and unloading on the beast.

It disappeared into smoke the moment the bullets touched it.

“What was that?” Bleak finally ventured, “We can’t all have imagined it could we?”

Swift Crimson considered the matter grimly before waving them on, “We must have. Come on, we need to keep moving.”

Zenai sighed to release the tension, brushing herself down and turning to follow the others. They had only gone a few steps when it happened again. She opened her eyes wide as a strange white mist solidified into shapes, not quite believing what she was seeing. The images that flowed before her were just unreal enough to look out of place in the cold starkness of the tunnel, their forms a little blurry, their clothes muted. They walked through the darkness, a troop of zebra in traditional epic era battlegear, a large, powerful looking stallion leading them. He was in his middle years but had aged very well, handsome and rugged with a huge cleaver like blade strapped lightly to his back. He spoke, Zenai recognising it as old Isoko... very rough old Isoko, but still recognisable. His voice was full of authority, “It makes me nervous, true enough. Still, the more of his troops we kill, the less of a threat he’ll be.”

The zebra next to him, slim and androgynous and wearing a harness of potions and fetishes around his shoulders, replied, “According to the commanders any zebra who has attempted to breach the inner sanctum has yet to return, and the soldiers report hearing screams and manic laughter.”

“Manic laughter huh? That really doesn’t sound like Phidious.” The big zebra snorted, smiling grimly, “There isn’t a colder fish in all the seas.”

“Well that’s what worries me...”

The shadowy figment of a dragonequis appeared from the adjoining corridor, the kids all aiming weapons before they realised this too was a figment. It roared and dived for the group of zebra, their big leader holding out a hoof to stop them charging, “Just one. I’ve got this, just watch out for more.”

He then turned back to the charging beast, his face contorting into a terrifying, manic grin. His hoof slipped into the leather strap of his sword, shifting it to his side and halfway out of its harness. He then charged, galloping forward and effortlessly rolling aside as the dragonequis slammed its tail down upon the stone floor. He jumped the instant he was back on his hooves, drawing his blade and using its weight and momentum to send himself into a curving arc that slipped straight through the monster’s slashing claws. The sword flashed through the air, the zebra spinning and curving like an acrobat before slamming down behind the monster with a satisfied grin.

The dragonequis gasped briefly before collapsing into smoke. It billowed outwards, consuming the scene, spreading across their hooves. Zenai darted back, as did Xani. Bleak and Swift stared grimly into the shadows, unmoving as a pair of dark figures appeared within. Zenai hesitated as she scanned their silhouettes, a big stallion with a sword slung across his back and a smaller, more feminine pony beside. At first she thought the illusion was still active, that they were still witnessing some scene from the far off past.

But their hooves were echoing upon the stone floor.

“Well, well. Look what we have here. Some brats, out after curfew.” The mists shifted around the big stallion, his ugly, heavy scarred form only superficially alike to the vision Zenai was sure must have been Zephyr himself. He carried the same blade however, his prowling form filled with the same hint of potential power. The figure beside him was also a zebra, delicate and female, her hooves moving to push the mists aside as her companion focused fully upon their group, “I’m actually quite impressed you managed to survive down here so long. That unit that we just lost contact with, was that you?”

Zenai shivered, certain this stallion would not be as easy to kill as those before. The others were similarly hesitant, Swift Crimson however stepped forward proudly, “Yes, it was.”

“Brave lad.”

“Well I know something they don’t.” He stated, lifting his revolver to his shoulder and giving the pair a grim, resolved glare, “First, that you are Starhammer, leader of the forces that want to wipe us out. And second, that I’ve totally got you at range motherfucker. Got any firearms stashed away there, or do you really intend to take us on with that sword?”

“Truth be told, I’m a pretty rubbish shot.” Starhammer stated casually, “So if you really think...”

Swift Crimson drew and fired in one swift motion. The bullet sang through the air, struck a shield of air in front of Star Hammer and deflected into the dust. The zebra grinned and burst into motion. His hooves span impossibly fast as he darted from one position to the next, ducking, dodging and weaving as he closed the distance. Swift fired another shot and Star Hammer ran straight into it, angling his sword against the bullet with a twist of his hoof. It ricocheted sharply and flew back at their lines, Bleak taking it in the shoulder and hitting the ground with a yell.

“Motherfucker!”

Star Hammer laughed, leapt into the air to avoid a plasma bolt from Zenai and used the momentum of his blade to spin himself. The hilt whipped out and struck Swift with a mighty clang, sending the Pegasus bouncing along the floor for quite a distance. Zenai desperately twisted her weapon to bear but Star Hammer’s weapon was surprisingly long, the zebra swinging it about his head by the strap and striking her pistol from her mouth. She was left choking on coolant, her damaged weapon sailing away into the darkness.

“Should know better kiddies... woah! Ha ha!” Starhammer jumped back and leaned his head upwards as a crossbow bolt flew just under his chin, turning his head to look at Xani with amusement. She dropped into a low, slinking stance, her eyes narrowed at him. He took it in for a moment before giving her a rather impressed smile, “The Naineti Shadows?”

She blinked, her eyes widening.

“I’m quite a fan of historical warriors, and you are really very good. You have the stance, the costume, the weapons... and you don’t go off talking too much like this fool.” He motioned his head to the fallen Swift Crimson, “I really am impressed... though try and kill me again and I’ll break your fucking hooves. Now put down your weapons.”

Xani considered this for a moment before slowly and reluctantly moving back into a standing position, unbuckling her crossbow and her knives and throwing them to the floor. Disarmed and disheartened, she moved towards them, shooting worried looks at the silent Swift Crimson and the swearing Bleak Fields. She moved over to Star Hammer’s side...

And struck up at him with a knife that slipped from a hidden compartment in her armor, slipping it into her hoof and driving it towards his heart!

He caught her with a grin and a chuckle, breaking her nose with a powerful headbutt and flexing his weight downwards to disable the leg with a horrible snap. The zebra screamed, especially as he caught her by her other front hoof and snapped that too, seizing her neck in his teeth and hoisting her into the air.

“Stop it!”

Star Hammer looked across at Zenai as she screamed at him, then turned to stare back the way he came at his zebra companion. He immediately ceased his attack and flung a whimpering Xani to the ground, chuckling as he wiped the spittle from his chin, “I did warn her.”

“You evil little...!”

“Ah ah ah.” He waved a hoof at her, a toothy smile on his face, “Don’t insult the zebra who could still kill all of you before you could blink.”

Zenai would have preferred it if he wasn’t so polite. This... casualness just made it worse, “They’re children!”

“And they’re not dead. That’s about the only charity I’ll willingly offer them.” Star Hammer snorted, grinning cruelly, “It would have been a worthy death though. Not many show such bravery, determination, resolve... I’d rather kill a six year old foal who shows me a bit of dignity before he dies than some adult jackass barely worthy of bearing his stripes.”

“That’s...”

“Life in the wastes. And before you say anything else...” He grinned aggressively, angling his brutish face to the side, “You’re an adult, you’re an enemy, and you just tried to kill me. Why shouldn’t I slice that pretty little head from your body?”

“Because... I surrender.” She stated, quickly and shakily.

“Good choice.” He chuckled, “Now hitch your friends up and follow me. We’re going to have a little word with your princess.”

_______________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (9)
Perk Acquired – Plasma Spaz
You have a particular affinity for magical fire attacks. Action point (AP) costs for all plasma weapons and spells (including grenades) are reduced by 20%.

Chapter 2.14 - In The Hoofprints Of Those Before

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Chapter 2.14 - In The Hoofprints Of Those Before

Star Swirl opened her left wing with crushing force, flinging the poor zebra stallion on her flank head over heels with a yell. The one coming straight for her hesitated, fatally. She had much longer reach and easily outpaced his stumbling retreat, flinging him onto his back with the barest of effort.

She raised her hoof and he shook his head desperately in surrender, Star Swirl stepping away and looking around the courtyard at the half dozen beaten zebra rising with pained groans, “Um... I hope I didn’t go too hard on all of you.”

“They’ve taken worse.” Their commander, an older, heavily scared zebra called Xen, commented. He looked her over, brows furrowing, “You’re an impressive fighter indeed. You’ve improved so quickly.”

Star Swirl blushed at the praise, still not exactly comfortable with all this, “Not really... I was just rusty, I already knew all this stuff.” She realised that sounded a little arrogant in itself, trying to downplay herself as much as she could, “And this is hoof to hoof fighting, my speciality. Otherwise I’m a poor shot and barely mediocre at magic.”

“You can teleport with pinpoint precession, conjure lightning and erect impenetrable shields.” Xen commented dryly, “Don’t let any of our unicorns hear you call yourself mediocre.”

Star Swirl blushed, well told. She had never really considered any of them... magic as such, “Um... true. But those are innate abilities.”

“Hmm.” Xen muttered to himself, cupping his chin in his hoof, “So this is what it is to be a Princess.”

Star Swirl frowned, replying instantly, “I’m not a Princess.”

“Missy, you’re a powerhouse who just wiped out my whole unit in seconds, can access high level magic ‘innately’ and you stand twice the height of the tallest zebra.” He shrugged, “If you’re not a Princess, I hate to think what is.”

Star Swirl left that unanswered. It was worse if it was just silliness, but now she could really start to believe it. These zebra respected her, looked at her and saw Celestia.

And she liked that.

She was just walking back when she spotted Starhammer and Kunani standing out in a sideyard, crude targets made out of straw set out in an irregular, wide spaced pattern. Star Swirl stopped and turned back to watch, realising that she was holding her breath as she watched the powerful zebra so focused upon his targets. His hoof sat loose in two of the many straps that were attached to the hilt of the huge slab of metal strapped against his back, his body tensed and ready. Kunani sat next to him, her concentration similarly focused, the look of intense thought in her eyes.

And then it was over. Star Swirl couldn’t quite believe it.

He had been a blur, impossible to track or predict as he darted forward, pulled his weapon out and swung it in a wide arc that cut the first two targets in half. At the end of his swing he had let the weapon go loose, the momentum pulling him in an impossible turn that left him in the perfect position to attack the next targets. He pulled in his blade and grabbed it in his mouth, slashing the first, jumping through the air to spear the other through the head and jumping off that to slam his sword into the ground. He used his final momentum to swing himself round and buck the final target hard enough to send it crashing into pieces on the nearby wall.

He panted and turned to Kunani, the little zebra giving him a frown and a slow series of signs, “You were showing off on that last target.”

“Showing off is part of the game.” He panted from the exercise, brushing the sweat from his brow as he waved to Star Swirl, “Star! You fancy a sparring match?”

She had just been admiring the incredibly... distracting way his torso shifted as he took in his deep breaths, and so this question took her completely off guard. She stumbled, momentary sure he was about to slice her in half there and then, “No! Um...”

“Haha!” He laughed, his broad, charming smile even more attractive. Star Swirl had though him a little ugly before, but this was really his element. And she had never even considered that he could be fast, and agile. He had seemed so... bulky. But then those moves would have required incredible strength as well...he cut off her contemplation with a casually asked question, “My men have a lot of praise for your skills.”

She wished he wouldn’t refer to her so casually. It made her nervous. Anyway it felt rather patronising talking up her fighting abilities after that display, “My skills? That was incredible! How do you even lift that sword?”

Starhammer chuckled, propping the weapon against the side wall. Now she could get a closer look at it the weapon seemed even more absurd, thick and double edged, the hilt covered in straps of different lengths, zebra runes engraved up the length of the blade. In fact she was sure she had seen it somewhere before... Starhammer saw her admiring it, nodding proudly, “It’s a Cho’intcho blade, the same sort of sword used by Zephyr Stormstrung.”

Star Swirl... was kind of impressed. She was a history nerd after all, and had done a lot of research on zebra history, “How old is it?”

“This one? A couple of months.” He rapped his hoof against the object, “I have a new one forged and waiting for the actual expedition.”

“Even a magic sword made from modern materials can’t handle the stress of battle for long, especially one so heavy.” Kunani signed in explanation, “Zephyr himself is reported to have gone through thousands.”

“It’s magic?” Star Swirl stated in awe, sniffing the air and indeed detecting the clear sent of magic around the blade. That was impressive, “You can actually make magic swords?”

“Zebra are famed for their skills with enchanting.” Kunani signed, just a little smugly, “Though most just slap a little fire on their weapon and call it done. Like so many modern weapons, trading art for raw power.”

“This is how we got together actually.” Starhammer mentioned, looking at Kunani affectionately. He moved over, patting the mare on the back and causing her to blush and turn her head away, “When I learned this little mare actually had copies of the ‘Acts of Zenophilous’ I knew I had to get to know her better. I took every course I could get in sign language, asked her out and spent the whole night discussing history and legend. Pretty much fell in love with her right there and then.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help but chuckle, “You, me and Tradash. We all seem to be nerds together.”

“I looked up to Zephyr all my life.” Starhammer explained, childishly enthusiastic, “I took up the blade because of him, searched for every scrap of his life. I was just another two bit mercenary, but I dreamed of becoming something more. And Kunani shared that dream.”

Kunani paused for a moment before signing hesitantly, “I dream... of a free wasteland. And I believe Starhammer has the strength to emulate Zephyr Stormstrung and make that dream a reality.”

“And I intend to start with the heart of the old zebra empire.” Starhammer explained, “My empire will accept no other capital than the capital. The city of Zenophilous, Kurshek.”

Star Swirl shivered, remembering the descriptions of it as a ghost city, intact and abandoned, “Is that a good idea?”

“I won’t abandon the works of our great past to dust.” Starhammer commented commandingly, “And appropriately I first must venture into the city under the mountain and slay me a great demon, a smug, overconfident beast stealing our children and making them into monsters.”

“Don’t let your guard down around her.” Kunani signed in warning, “She’s smarter than others we fought. She uses her magic creatively, and keeps her head in battle.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way. Can’t build a legend on defeating pushovers.” He waved a hoof as he walked away, cheerfully smiling, “I’ll leave you ladies to talk. I’m gonna take a shower.”

They watched him go, Star Swirl eventually giving a few hesitant signs, “He’s so confident.”

“He always has been.” Kunani signed back, smiling softly to herself, “It’s his best quality. He’s not arrogant, but he never lets doubt hold him back. It’s one of the reasons I was so sure he could take this role, be the hero the wasteland wanted him to be.”

“That you want him to be?”

She blushed deep, a profoundly uncomfortable expression on her face. Eventually she signed, hesitant and shaky, “He is quite the stallion.”

Star Swirl chuckled. He certainly seemed to make her happy, and they were a good match, “You’re a very impressive zebra yourself Kunani. Enchanting that blade, taking on Luna in single combat... you would have beat her, if not for...”

Kunani signed sharply, looking disapproving, “No.”

“What?”

“You had already beat her half to death before I even got there.” Kunani signed, looking bitter, “Luna was badly wounded and I still struggled to hold my own. Worse, her magic was rough and had many flaws, I suspect she’s almost entirely self taught. I on the other hand was trained by some of finest Shaman of Garm, instructed in magic by Tandia herself.”

Kunani was being way too hard on herself. Star Swirl remembered how her first encounter had gone, “Princess Luna is extremely powerful.”

“Starhammer could beat her. That’s why he’s the hero.” She smiled as she continued to sign, looking a little embarrassed, “I’m jealous of him, isn’t that pathetic?”

Star Swirl chuckled, signing back, “I think I’ve always been slightly jealous of my friends. Maybe we both need a little more self esteem.”

“Perhaps so.” She signed, shaking her head before smiling up at Star Swirl, “Good luck tomorrow Star Swirl. With any luck we’ll be able to finish things with Luna this time.”

Star Swirl nodded firmly, “I hope so.”

Star Swirl felt good as she entered the hotel and moved up towards her rooms, a now familiar routine after training. This time however she marvelled at the lack of an ache in her muscles, or pain in her joints. Instead there was a quiet weariness, a satisfaction at having been used well. Star Swirl knew there was a long way to go until she got anywhere near to her former strength, still she had passed the first barrier. She even thought she might have trimmed a little off her belly, at least if you looked at her from the front.

She paused as she passed by Esau’s room, hesitating for a moment. Esau had emerged during the last week, and she had seen him about. She had even exchanged words with him. There was definitely a sense in all her interactions however that the zebra had been holding back on her, had lost the fire and conviction that had so defined him before.

It worried her. She moved over and knocked, “Esau? It’s me, Star Swirl.”

There was a moment of silence before he answered, “Come in.”

His room was plain, like Star Swirl it seemed he didn’t have many possessions. Esau himself sat quietly staring out the window, as ever clad in full bandages. She approached him cautiously, “You haven’t been yourself lately.”

“Neither have you.”

She paused midstep, “What?”

“Everything I heard about you suggested a quiet, meek scholar, a weak willed girl.” Esau’s voice was angry, yet pained and full of regret, “Why did you give up the warrior’s life in the first place?”

This wasn’t a question she was unprepared for, “Because it involved killing innocents, because I served a mad goddess who tormented the wasteland.”

“And Starhammer, he is better?”

She though ‘mad goddess’ and ‘killing innocents’ made that self evident, “Of course he is.”

“Fluttershy was the element of kindness, a friend to all zebra, a peacemaker and icon.” His voice broke, ever so subtly, as he continued “Ixoko told me to distract her, so we could kidnap two innocent children from under her protection. And I did. I lied, and deceived...”

Star Swirl was getting so sick of this. She had given her reasons, time and again, “It was for the greater good.”

“Of who?”

“Of the wasteland.”

“Another pragmatic, charismatic warlord will not heal the wasteland Star Swirl.” He turned his eyes to her at last, weary and full of quiet despair, “I helped him imprison children, deceive Fluttershy, and bind that peerless icon of kindness in chains. You may look at these actions and see justice, but I only see the same bloody wasteland. The same self perpetuating horror that dragged the world down in the first place.”

Star Swirl... felt it was wrong to argue for kidnapping children, chaining Fluttershy. But it was not done with a glad heart, not done because they were some evil raider tribe. They did it because it was necessary, “And what’s the alternative? Join Luna?”

He frowned, his voice dropping a little in tone, “You act like this is our fight. Are you part of Starhammer’s army now?”

“Of course! We all are... aren’t we?”

“Tradash is here because Starhammer asked for advice on some heroic era ruins, he’s here independently, in that capacity alone. I’m here to keep an eye on both you and him.” He lowered his head, glaring dangerously, “And you’re here because...?”

“I... I want to be useful.” She babbled, only after realising what she had just said, “I mean... Starhammer wants to build a better world, and so do I.”

“Trust me on this.” He answered, slowly and gravely, “Starhammer’s goal is to unite the world under his banner. Whether that would be a good thing or not remains to be seen, but it would be done for his own glory, not some utopian vision.”

Star Swirl wasn’t convinced. In fact she found his words to be all too familiar, further cynicism and judgement to add to his collection of misanthropy, “And how do you know him so well?”

“Because I have seen his like.” He paused a second, hesitant. He spoke again after a moment of consideration, his voice low, “Because I was once much like him.”

Star Swirl snorted, figuring as much. They thought she was bad? Esau was an absolute bundle of self hatred and guilt... took one to know one she guessed, “I think you just see too much of yourself in everpony else. Me, Starhammer... we’re not all weak.”

“Weak?” He questioned sadly, shaking his head, “Strength has always been a curse for me. I am happy to be called weak. As you once were.”

Star Swirl felt her shoulders tense at his observation, her lip curling, “It was a mistake to hide away. I could have done so much good.”

“Then get out there and do it Star Swirl.” Her observed her with cold, judgemental eyes, “I gave my word to watch out for you, and so I will. You will find me at your side tomorrow.”

“Good.” She stated huffily, glaring at him for a moment or two before about facing and stalking off. She closed the door behind her, letting herself deflate now it was over.

She was actually beginning to like him a little, and now he had to pull this. Fluttershy had poisoned everypony against her, and she was really starting to regret not having fought Luna when she had the chance. Luna had been weak, all too easy a target, with Fluttershy and Swift Crimson just lying there for collection. And she had hesitated.

Damn! She was still a stupid little girl!

“Good evening Star Swirl. Were you visiting Esau?”

Star Swept round, quickly attempting a smile and ending up with a bit of a toothy, overwide mess. She wisely dropped it after a moment, nodding as Tradash made his way towards her, “He doesn’t approve of me getting close to Starhammer.”

Tradash nodded in understanding, “Esau doesn’t like warlords. And whatever his moral character, Starhammer is still a warlord.”

“Do you think he’s right to distrust him?”

“Are you asking if I trust him? No, but that’s the nature of the thing.” Tradash shrugged his shoulders, “I have confidence he will continue to do what is noble... so long as it’s convenient. That’s generally the protagative of the powerful. Have you read up on his history?”

Star Swirl had to admit, said history was rather hard to uncover. A lot of it seemed to be guesswork, pieced together stories, “No one seems to know much.”

“That’s because there isn’t much to know.” Tradash stated, “He grew up in a small town on the outskirts of the heartlands, his parents were farming folk. He got bored, travelled to the big city, got in trouble for killing a zebra in a bar fight and signed on as a thug for hire. Not much to really talk about, a decent fighter, fairly professional, his free time spent on booze and mares. A criminal record of minor misdemeanours, property damage, harassment, petty theft, assault...”

Star Swirl got the point, “Just like any other minor mercenary in the wastes.”

Tradash nodded, “Neither of us would have given him a second look I wager. Doubtless no one expected anything of him when one day, he mutters some drunken ambition to usurp Rashik, the King of the Anatu. Rashik was a paranoid zebra and naturally he would not tolerate such statements from even guttertrash like him. So he sent some men to take Starhammer out, figuring that he was destined to be another corpse drying out in the desert.”

“And...”

“Starhammer sent those men back in pieces, along with a series of other assassins. He travelled through the wasteland, killing mighty beasts, wiping out bandit camps single hoofed, foiling mad scientists and rogue shaman alike. And then he faced Rashik himself, famed as one of the mightiest warriors in the world, and slew him in a battle most said was one sided from the start.”

Star Swirl wasn’t that stunned by the story. She had heard it before. Littlepip had been a small, mousy mechanic in some hole in the ground. Zephyr was the leader by dint of last mare standing in one of the most insignificant towns in the wasteland. Twilight Sparkle had been from a good family, but the rest of the ministry mares had been from very humble origins, “Sometimes ponies can only find their true worth when they’re really called upon to show it.”

“True, but it’s not his abilities I’m most concerned about. It’s his character.” Tradash continued with a grave frown, “From all I’ve heard and observed, for all his intelligence his primary flaw is a lack of ambition. He is a stallion of convenience, and I’m honestly not sure what motivates him to dedicate so much work to a cause like this.”

Star Swirl had an idea, “Kunani wants to unite the wasteland and become a Princess.”

“So it’s all to impress a girl hmm? Not the first time.” Tradash closed his eyes, shaking his head slowly, “Not a particularly strong motive for global domination.”

“Kunani’s a good zebra.”

“Certainly, though Esau is right in some respects.” He gave her a kindly smile, “Don’t trust too much. Both of them are dangerous, and still a little unpredictable. I’m not yet sure how they will turn, whether to noble restoration of civilisation or cruel empires.”

Star Swirl curled her lip, feeling a little sulky, “I’m dangerous too.”

“As am I.” Tradash chuckled grandfatherly, “Liking someone’s company, politeness and respect are separate from trust Star Swirl, remember that. Trust should be reserved for very few.”

Star Swirl chuckled a little, admitting that she found it hard not to trust Tradash. He still reminded her of an aging, kindly schoolteacher, “You’re dangerous?”

Tradash chuckled, grinning back at her from behind his spectacles and laugh lines, “Oh off with you girl. I might be getting on a little, but back in my prime you didn’t want to get on my bad side.”

“Really.” She didn’t quite believe it. The stallion didn’t strike her as being capable of being remotely threatening, “How many zebra have you killed?”

“One hundred and eighty four.”

Star Swirl paused, her jaw hanging open, “...ugh..?”

Tradash nodded, a sad, sweet little smile on his face. He spoke after a moment, quietly chastising, “Everyone’s capable of drawing a gun and pulling the trigger Star Swirl. Remember that, and never allow yourself to be fooled into thinking a warm smile and polite words mean someone isn’t capable of terrible things. Sadly, no zebra living in these wastelands can keep their hooves clean long.”

Star Swirl tried to process that terrible number with the kindly figure in front of her, “Were... they all bad zebra?”

“Most of them Star Swirl.” He stated regretfully, “Now go and get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow.”

Star Swirl quickly looked around the dreamscape, once more locating herself in the zebra lands. She was starting to wonder if being awake like this would eventually lead to unwanted mental side effects, but if it did she hadn’t been affected by them so far. That posed interesting questions of its own. If she was truly awake and active 24 hours a day, did that mean she had twice as much time to learn and develop? She didn’t see why not, save for a lack of learning materials and an excess of sand.

Char wasn’t here. That was starting to become normal.

She could feel her though. She was... nearby.

“Cutie Mark Crusader wasteland adventurers, yay!”

Star Swirl couldn’t help but grin as she heard the voices just over the ridge. Now this she had to see.

She emerged over the crest of the hill and instantly spotted Char, looking unsettled and confused by the two pony fillies in front of her. They couldn’t have been more different in their appearance. One was bright pink, with a short, boyish, yellow mane and a face full of wonder and innocence. The other was a light grey, with a darker grey mane that tumbled down her shoulders in long curls, a little plump with an expression of smug self assurance. Star Swirl carefully made her way down the hill, shouting out to the small party, “What’s going on?”

“Ah, another guest!” The grey filly declared, her voice unusually deep for such a small girl, “Good of you to join us.”

“Hello Star Swirl! Fancy meeting you here!” The pink pony declared cheerfully.

“Do I...?” Star Swirl stared at the pink filly, the girl looking... vaguely familiar, but still eluding her, “...know you?”

“Um... I guess not.” The pink filly declared with an embarrassed grin, “But Zenai sure did tell me a lot about you.”

Star Swirl felt she was getting somewhere at least, “You know Zenai?”

“Yus!” She angled herself up proudly, declaring in a slightly rehearsed voice “Hi! I’m Puppy, nice to meet you!”

“And I am Midnight Dreamer.” The grey filly declared, far more calmly.

Star Swirl looked at Char questioningly, “Who are these fillies Char?”

“I have no idea.” Char shook her head, looking dazed, “They ambushed me as I was walking. They have yet to declare their intent.”

Midnight Dreamer smirked at her tone, “Do you always talk like a particularly dry textbook?”

“And we’re the cutie mark crusaders!” Puppy added in a somewhat offended tone, “On a quest to find out who we are! And we will never...”

“But... you have a cutie mark.” Star Swirl interrupted as she observed Midnight Dreamer, noting the ‘triple three pointed star over a bed’ symbol on her flank, “And so does Char.”

“All the more reason to help this little filly find hers.” Midnight Dreamer declared smugly, “The poor girl, so left out. And frankly, yours is an embarrassment. It looks like a child took a paintbrush to your flank.”

Star Swirl looked down at her colourful blob of a cutie mark, blushing a little, “Hey...”

“Ok, you are clearly attempting to avoid the subject with childish diversions. This filly, Puppy, is not a pony, and you know this. And raiding the ghost remains of a dangerous tomb is not a wise way to earn one’s cutie mark in the first place.” Char stated, firmly and concisely, “Star Swirl, please, take me away from these two. They are giving me a headache.”

“How can we give you a headache? You don’t have a head.” Midnight Dreamer commented, “You’re a cloud of sentient bacteria, living in her digestive tract.”

“It was... a figure of speech.” Char commented, looking a little embarrassed, “I likely used it wrong I’m sure.”

“Well maybe you can make up for your serious error in figurative language by accompanying us hmm?” The filly gave a cunning and rather smug grin, “The CMC is not the CMC with only two members.”

Star Swirl thought this girl needed a clip around the head. She clearly thought she was a big shot, despite coming up to a little over her knee, “There’s four of us.”

“You want to come too?” Midnight Dreamer turned an assessing eye to Star Swirl, still smiling and dismissive, “I guess you can tag along. Though an adult mare travelling around with three fillies is going to attract comment.”

“I am hundreds of times her age.” Char mentioned, somewhat sulkily.

“You’re the one who chooses to dress up as a little filly shaped Celestia.” She chuckled, “So come along already. You never know, you might learn something.”

Star Swirl was intrigued despite herself, her hoof hovering in front of her, “Char?”

“Very well.” She finally responded, “But no good will come of this.”

They walked across the barren wasteland, soon spotting a large spire of rock rising up ahead. It grew and grew in size, Star Swirl stopping for a moment and noting that it wasn’t the mountain moving, they were simply getting closer, “What’s with the horizon? It’s so close...”

“Dimensions get a little wonky here.” Midnight Dreamer commented from ahead, “You’ll get used to it I’m sure.”

“And that mountain, is that...?”

“Das... ko something...” Midnight Dreamer sighed and turned to her companion, “Puppy?”

“Dasthono’koki.” The filly declared cheerfully, “The spear of heaven. It is said that in the times before the first empire, the seven elder gods fought a great battle...”

“Yes, that’s enough Puppy. I’m not spoiling a nice walk by talking about prehistoric zebric myth.”

“You know a lot for a couple of kids.” Star Swirl commented, observing the pair. She didn’t for a second believe they were any more children than Char was, having already experienced the illusions this place could weave, “Are you both dreamers, like me?”

“Like you?” Midnight Dreamer questioned, smirking to herself, “I guess so, though we’re both here through our own power, not by latching on to madam butterfly over there.”

“That must be a tricky skill to learn.”

“Not really.” Midnight Dreamer paused, wiggling her hindquarters at Star Swirl in what Star hoped wasn’t intended to be a sexy manner, “The cutie mark and name didn’t tip you off?”

“So your special talent is...?”

“Dreaming.” Midnight Dreamer levered her eyes up to the mountain before them, now intimidatingly close, “There’s a city at the peak there, a city older than Canterlot. And a city below too, a city older than pony kind. And I’ve spoken with creatures that remember them both.”

“It’s a dangerous path, to speak too long with the dead.” Char commented coolly.

“When all the world lies in its grave, it’s no sin to wish its resurrection.” Midnight Dreamer nodded as they approached a small cleft in the mountain side, approaching a large stone door inscribed with arcane symbols, “I guess you are well aware what lies beyond that door, don’t you my dear Butterfly Queen?”

Char glared coldly, her demeanour now fiercely alien and threatening despite her innocuous form, “Things best left forgotten.”

“There is wisdom even in the dark spaces. Puppy, your assistance?”

“Oki doki!” Puppy darted forward enthusiastically to stand beside her friend, trembling with anticipation as Midnight Dreamer ignited her horn, “Variation of 3.42MS across the violet spectrum, oscillation at 10SPM?”

“Yes please Puppy.” Midnight Dreamer matched the purple glow of her horn to Puppy’s pink, their magic’s curling into a ball between them. Star Swirl knew very little about magic but she knew enough to be impressed, the precision needed for a combination spell like this only possible with the aid of top of the line computational software or a pair of unicorns who had been casting together for decades. They weaved their magic together for a second or two longer before it shot forward in a beam of shining light, striking the door with a flash.

And after a second of anticipation the stone slabs rumbled open, revealing the dark recesses of a city not touched for millennia.

“Intrigued Star Swirl?” Midnight Dreamer turned to face her, her eyes twinkling with amusement, “Well I’m afraid that’s the limits of my charity for tonight. You want to know more, then reliable sources inform me that you have your own way in. I suggest you take it.”

Star Swirl stepped forward hurriedly, the filly’s words only inviting more questions, “Wait!”

“Sorry Star Swirl.” Midnight Dreamer’s horn surged with magic, a wicked grin spreading, “Time to wake up.”

Star Swirl’s head rose from her pillow, a throbbing pain in her temples and her mouth tasting like dead mouse. A quick study of her clock revealed it was three in the morning.

“Goddamn... whoever that girl is... she’s a real bitch...”

Star Swirl was starting to possibly consider Esau’s words. Maybe she didn’t know much about Starhammer. Maybe he was a killer in charge of many other killers, and his pretence of nobility was just that. Maybe... joining another army wasn’t such a good idea.

But it was hard to say she didn’t enjoy standing here, at the head of a whole army of zebra in uniform, their marching hooves speaking of an order and discipline that she hadn’t felt since the unity. She wore light robes identifying her as a captain in Starhammer’s army, walking beside the zebra himself as he set eyes firmly on the horizon. The mountain ahead soon closed, the camp at its foot soon in full view.

Star Swirl couldn’t help but be apprehensive as she saw the smoke curling upwards, wondering whether that smoke was from campfires and industry... or less pleasant things.

They would soon know, Clear Skies looping round with her customary swiftness and returning towards them. She broke sharply and descended with a sharp whistle before snapping her wings open and landing with barely a sound, trotting clumsily over. She looked worried, the concern evident as she reported, “Teh campfs been attathed. Lots of equipment and roboths desthoyed, and otherwisthe tothally dethertited.”

“Of course it has.” Star Hammer chuckled casually, loosening the straps on his weapon, “Any sign of whoever did it?”

“Noth to my eythes.” She reported, “Loths of blood thails, leathing into the caveths.”

“Well Luna or beasty from the depths, we’ll be killing something today.” Starhammer turned a cheeky eye to Star Swirl, “Ready for battle darling?”

She didn’t get why he seemed to be so casual about this, like it was a big game for him, “Why aren’t you more upset?”

He grinned cheerily, shrugging his large shoulders, “You expect this after a while. Never excavated a stable, tomb or ruin that hasn’t been filled with things trying to kill me.”

“And the zebra that were stationed here?”

“If they were lucky whatever came here just took them captive and we can break them free. If not... well sucks to be them.” He nodded firmly to Icoxal beside, “Order the troops to advance in small groups, all covering each other from a safe distance.”

“Sir!”

Star Swirl gulped as they continued onwards, feeling she was advancing into the belly of the beast.

The camp did indeed seem like it had seen battle, equipment overturned, weapons lying unattended next to piles of shells and the shells of destroyed robots lying crushed and broken. K7 seemed particularly upset by this as expected, wheeling over and inspecting what was left of his brethren. Starhammer on the other hand strode confidently through the devastation, turning his head back to the others, “What’s missing from this scene?”

Icoxal nodded in agreement, “Bodies.”

“Icoxal, hold this location. I’m going in, have two squads cover me from a safe distance.” Starhammer turned his head to Star Swirl and Esau, “You two are with me.”

She paled a little, “Me?”

“You two are great fighters, and you know something of the arcane.”

Tradash gave her an encouraging look, “I’ll be with the unit covering you Star Swirl. With all of us together we should be able to handle anything they can throw at us.”

Starhammer chuckled, turning to the scholar, “I’d rather not risk you in battle Tradash. You’re here for your scholarly expertise, and I don’t want to lose that to a stray shot.”

“I will be careful.” He grinned, adjusting his glasses and straightening out his back, “And I’m not for the retirement home just yet. Slapped some humility into that uppity priestess didn’t I?”

Esau glared softly at his master, “Master, you admitted that she could have killed you if she had wanted to.”

“Maybe I was just being modest?” He stated smartly, grinning at them, “I have experience escaping hairy situations, and plenty of that within long abandoned tombs filled with horrors from before time. More than any of you certainly.”

“Just stay behind us, and keep with your escort.” Star Swirl motioned to a squad nearby, “You zebra, keep a close eye on Tradash, make sure no harm comes to him.”

“Yes sir!”

Tradash chuckled as the zebra swarmed him, cocking his head and giving a cheerful smile, “Now then, shall we enter?”

“Sounds good to me. Star Swirl, would you please go first?” Starhammer stated as he strolled towards the cave entrance, “If you encounter any resistance, simply shield yourself and allow us to take care of them.”

Star Swirl gulped, wanting to refuse for a moment. She realised it made sense, and sending some other more squishy bait was really cowardly on her part... but in total contrast to Tradash’s boasts, she could firmly state that she had NO experience whatsoever with dark tombs filled with horrors. She felt her throat tighten further as she walked past the wreckage of the camp, not a corpse to be found and plenty of weaponry that should have protected them against any attack.

And then she looked up at the great doors, shattered and pulled off their hinges to reveal the dark cavernous interior. She saw dark statues within those depths, the flicker of flames. She saw the carvings of dragons, of arcane symbols and dire warnings to intruders.

She stepped through those doors only with incredible force of will behind her hooves. And even as Star Swirl’s hoof touched the carved stone glowing runes erupted around her, a booming voice shouting a deafening warning,

“INTRUDERS! YOU STEP FOOT...”

Tradash slammed his hoof into the ground and the voice suddenly shook and stuttered, Kunani running forward and scraping a hoof across one of the glowing lines. She clicked her tongue in annoyance and ran over to a corner, her eyes scanning the lines in increasing worry.

“Allow me my dear.” Tradash stepped forward quite casually and moved to the centre, shifting a hoof forward and closing his eyes. A couple of second passed... and the runes just died, fading back into cold stone. Tradash gave a satisfied smile, noting Kunani’s somewhat awed expression and shrugging genially, “I’ve been dodging traps like this since before you were born. This one was powerful, but fortunately quite old and fragile.”

“Good work Tradash.” Star Hammer intoned as he walked past, admiring the structure of the hall inside, “Everyone, spread out! I want to make sure this place is as dead as it looks.”

Star Swirl frowned as everypony filed past, still frozen upon the now dark and lifeless runes. She looked down at Esau as he came up beside her, “Everypony seems very casual about me almost getting incinerated.”

“You were the one who let yourself get volunteered.” Easu snarked coldly, “You’re lucky my master was there.”

“Hmm, indeed.” Tradash stated, sparking his hoof against the stone and conjuring up a ball of flickering light that floated upwards to hover above his head, “Keep yourself attuned to decaying magic Easu, seems there’s still a few enchantments still active.”

The entrance hall was impressively huge, dimly lit by two hanging braisers but still full of dangerous and enticing shadow. The most prominent feature was the large statue of a zebra in the centre, clad in strange robes and reaching his hoof up to a star floating about. He wore an impressive looking crown upon his head, Star Swirl figuring he must have been a king or emperor.

“Amazing!” Tradash galloped forward, eyes agog in wonder as he gazed upon the statue, “This is a truly stupendous find, and we have only just set foot inside! This must be the king of the copper heights, the zebra who eventually became Phidous. Look at the cut of his robes, how similar it is to the designs of early era Saddle Arabian designs. Confirmation at last, that there truly was trade and friendship between the two nations during that period!”

Starhammer chuckled, waving a hoof at his men, “Glad you’re happy Tradash. You zebra, keep an eye on him. You zebra, Star Swirl, Esau, Zenali? You’re with me.”

They all followed with cautious steps, Kunani weaving spells every so often that extended a waft of magical energy into the darkness ahead. With all the magic around Star Swirl paused to consider that she still knew very little about the zebras’ own, very unique sorcery, resolving that she would have to ask about it sometime. After all, it was a sad thing when the unicorn was likely one of the least knowledgeable in the room.

They emerged into a room that was disappointingly empty after the grand entrance chamber, a large rectangular space that had exits set in all four walls. In itself it didn’t seem to serve any purpose, Starhammer pausing in the centre and looking around, “Decisions decisions. Star Swirl, Easu, check out the right exit. Zenali, you and the guards check the left. Just venture and short way and report back here.”

Star Swirl nodded and started towards the right exit, feeling a little apprehensive at being parted from the group. Splitting up is what always did it... she looked down at the silent, grumpy Esau, not too reassured at the company, “Think anything is still alive down here?”

“Watch your step.” He warned as they set off down the corridor, his eyes scanning the cold, featureless walls, “We’ve already proven the existence of traps.”

Star Swirl gulped and took his advice, so intent on staring down at the cobblestones under her feet that she almost missed the room coming up ahead. As it was she gasped as she looked up and beheld it from close up, taking a brief step back in shock.

It was a small space, flickering with subtle yet complex magic. It appeared to be a storage place for scrolls, most of the cabinets broken and their contents spilling out across the floor. Corpses lay all around, zebra clad in rusty, primitive looking armour dead by cut, burn and crushing damage. Several of them had been wielding large swords Star Swirl recognised as being similar to that wielded by Starhammer. In the centre lay a bizarre looking dragon/zebra hybrid, his fat, toad like form clad in once fine robes now torn and stained with the creature’s blood. His tongue lolled out, the beast clearly as dead as the zebra that surrounded him.

Star Swirl look a step forward in awestruck curiosity, eyes scanning the artefacts scattered out before her. She was about to enter when Easu’s hoof came up, “Stop.”

“Why?”

Esau nodded at the scene, “Some magic has preserved this scene since the battle fought by Zephyr at the beginning of recorded history. Think about it, those Zebra died before the birth of Luna and Celestia, before Equestria.”

Star Swirl admitted it was pretty incredible... and yes, she was a little more hesitant to just step inside magic powerful enough to preserve something for so long, “You think the magic here might be dangerous?”

“Possibly, but that’s not why I stopped you.” His eyes narrowed as the corpses, voice angry, “This already feels enough like graverobbing. Let’s not make it literal.”

Star Swirl had to admit this made her feel somewhat bad, taking one last look at the scene. After a moment she understood what was going on here.

The preserving magic... this was an archive, such as the one in the Follower’s compound. Magic had been placed on the room to preserve the scrolls, protect them from decay. The toad like creature had been the archivist. He had died, killed dozens protecting his scrolls. He had defended them against zebra fighting for their future and freedom.

Esau was right. She had no right disturbing their remains. She turned and followed behind him, feeling just a little humbled.

She returned to chaos.

“Star Swirl! Support!”

Star Swirl and Esau hurried out into the battle, snake like beasts wheeling through the sky as they dived into battle against the embattled forces of Starhammer’s party. She could already see two of the zebra guards they brought with them bleeding on the floor, the beasts... she was forced to label them draconequis... using their superior mobility to separate the defenders from each other.

Zenali cartwheeled elegantly onto a statue as several dived for her, gripping the rock with her two backhooves as she sighted up with a light carbine rifle. Quick, precise bursts struck the vulnerable areas on the beasts with crackles of stunning lightning, not doing all that much damage but keeping them well at bay and off balance.

And Starhammer took full advantage. He was laughing, standing amid the chaos with a bright, childish gleam in his eyes. He slipped a hoof through the straps of his weapon and eased the mighty blade out by just a fraction, Star Swirl feeling the surge of magic from inside the zebra as already bulky muscles filled out yet further. He crouched low, backing towards Kunani with a dangerous grin on his face, “Come on...”

A draconequis took the bait, screeching as it charged straight at him. It span in a circle to throw him off, Starhammer suddenly responding with a darting, dizzyingly fast charge of his own. They both danced in for the final contact, too fast for Star Swirl to follow.

“LEGENDRY HORRORS!? HA!” Starhammer cleaved the beast’s head off with a crazy spinning leap, using his huge sword to change his own momentum to come down upon another with a driving stab that nailed it to the floor. The pair of draconequis died almost as one, Starhammer heaving his blade out with impossible strength and grinning madly as the spraying blood coated his fur, “COME AT ME! TEST MY LEGEND!”

Star Swirl was distracted from watching his battle as she was given her own, one of the beasts breaking off from the fight to charge at her. She just deflected a pair of razor sharp claws off her shield, sending forth a beam of magic that shot past the dodging beast as it came round for another go. She realised it was too close to avoid and reinforced her shields, hardening them to near impenetrable levels as it closed. It roared and slammed both claws into the bubble, Star Swirl very surprised when a shockwave travelled straight through and struck her hard enough to throw her off her hooves. She hit the ground and rolled, looking up desperately as the monster darted in for the kill.

“No.”

Esau hit the beast with a barrage of shots to the head, the beast hesitating as it tried to cover its face in its hands. Star Swirl took her chance and flapped her wings, driving herself upwards horn first into the creature’s chest. That done a burst of magic tore its chest cavity open, killing the great beast instantly.

“Watch yourself!” Easu growled before jumping back into the fray.

It was good advice. These things obviously knew something of magic, and she couldn’t rely on her shields. That made it all a little more complicated.

They were also smart fighters. They had drawn Starhammer away from the rest of the group and were now circling, keeping their distance from his deadly blade. Easu was doing well enough but that was partly due to his toughness, he had clearly taken a few hits.

And Kunani was hiding in the corner, trying her best not to be seen as she wove symbols upon the stone floor. She wasn’t trying hard enough, a draconequis breaking off from the main group and swooping at her. Star Swirl swiftly teleported, reappearing in front of the small zebra and firing a bolt of magic right at the monster’s open jaws.

It was fast, angling its head to the side and taking it on its cheek. Its tail whipped round and struck Star Swirl in the side as it turned, she got her shield up but the impact still left her staggering. It wasted no time, slashing, pounding and slamming its body against her shields with insane fury. Star Swirl got a few blows of her own in but the beast barely seemed to notice, and it didn’t take long before her shields started to flicker and fade.

A final slash of its claws tore across her shoulder, tearing muscle and tendon. Star Swirl yelled out and retreated backwards, realising this wasn’t a fight she could win.

She looked back at Kunani, still looking like she was firmly concentrating on something. Certainly not likely to be much help... Star Swirl waited for the draconequis to commit to its attack before taking both Kunani and herself in a bubble of magic and teleporting across the room.

She watched in satisfaction as the beast ploughed into the wall.

There was slightly less satisfaction as Starhammer momentarily let his guard drop and one of the draconequis surged forward and knocked both him and his sword flying in different directions. He sprawled cursing, real actual fear crossing his face as two of the monsters attacked him from different directions.

Kunani gave a strange, squeaking, gasping noise as she ran forward, her hoof scraping a half moon shape across the floor. The magic surged outwards and two shards of rock erupted from the earth, striking both creatures backwards with screeches of pain. Star Swirl wondered why she hadn’t done that earlier as she galloped forward to defend Starhammer, wincing as her regeneration started to work on her shoulder just a little too slowly for her liking.

She felt the floor shift as her hoof landed, stumbling a little in her approach. She looked down at the cracks that had spread across the floor from Kunani’s attack, looked up at the Draconequis all arranged in a line with their claws outstretched...

Their magic activated with a roar, the floor suddenly falling out under her. She just managed to open her wings in time, hovering smugly for just a moment before the block of masonry from above struck her clean in the face.

Star Swirl’s first though after recovering her wits was whether she should move or not. She grasped for her healing potions but her bag was gone, obviously torn away in the fall.

She felt all her limbs, that was a start. And she could move all of them too, and couldn’t smell too much blood. Her breathing was steady.

She activated her horn light, blinking as she looked around the hall she was in. It looked like a prison cellblock, with lots of little rooms joined by a series of walkways, a central chimney extending up about five floors to a plug of dirt and rock obviously covering the area she had fell through. She hoped that they were ok up there.

Her bag strap lay under a heavy block of stone. Her potions and drugs were clearly out. That meant she was alone in the lower depths of a dark creepy ruin, with no supplies, armour or weapons.

She could teleport, but similarly to how it had been in the Ebonlode fortress the ambient magic in the air made her hesitant to go anywhere she couldn’t see with her own eyes. And trying to break through the roof was more likely to collapse the whole room on her head. She could still feel Easu at least, and if this was a city then there must have been some way upwards. All she had to do was find it.

She set off cautiously, well aware that she could barely handle one of those creatures, let alone have much of a chance if she encountered a group. At present it seemed to be quiet, just the faint hum of the light at the end of her horn penetrating the silence.

This area seemed to be living areas for... something. Maybe a prison as was her original thought. The rooms were pokey and cramped, and there were large areas that seemed to have been used for communal purposes.

She looked up as she heard a gunshot in the distance, focusing her senses and letting it spread outwards. She was becoming much better at this now and she soon found what she was looking for, two ponies using magic she identified as being born of night and the moon. They were fighting against three more unusual beings, using magic that felt... straight and full of right angles. There was a lot of power involved, and it wasn’t hard to find a precise direction.

She knew enough to start at least, and whoever it was they were clearly in trouble. She galloped towards the source of the disturbance, emerged out into large straight corridors, guessing at the turns as she drew closer.

And finally she saw it, two ponies under attack by three of the draconequis. One was a unicorn foal, small and using that to his advantage, keeping himself low as he fired a submachine gun into the beasts and followed up with blasts of magic from his horn.

The other was larger, blacker, and more winged. She slammed herself into the draconequis, ever moving, her magic flashing as she tried to force them back. She was struggling, that much was obvious. The strain was on her face, her movements erratic and panicked...

One of the beasts struck her with its tail and Princess Luna sprawled, only just righting herself quick enough to put up her shields and brace herself against their attack. And she was therefore forced to watch as the unicorn foal was set upon by the two draconequis circling him, their claws rending his flesh in long bloody gashes that sent him collapsing to the ground in a pool of spreading crimson. Luna screamed at the sight, “No... NO!”

Princess Luna.

And she was about to be torn apart. It was obvious she couldn’t stand against three of them at once.

All she had to do was run away. This would all be over. Their greatest enemy, the biggest threat to peace disappeared into the darkness of this place.

It made her feel sick to even contemplate it.

Star Swirl wasn’t sure why... this was her greatest enemy, the demon who had laid waste to so much. The one who had tempted her away from her friends. Who fuelled this conflict, and who’s death would end it.

But she couldn’t stand and watch. She lowered her horn, charged her magic to full and let out a beam that slammed one of the dragonequis into the far wall with a terrific crash. The others turned to face their new opponent and Star Swirl galloped forward, her magic charging once again. One of the dragonequis continued to circle the fallen Luna, the other moving to intercept her. It flew in a complicated, twirling pattern to throw off her aim, grinning evilly as it prepared to strike.

Star Swirl teleported, feeling the world rush past in an instant. She appeared above the beast threatening Luna and struck down at its neck with both hooves, sending it roaring forward. Luna hit it with a burst of electricity and it screamed as its scales cooked, Star Swirl spinning round and shattering its jaw with a hard kick. A surge of her wings and a midair summersault to its chin finished it off.

The two remaining beasts roared at the defeat of their comrade, shooting in for the kill from both sides. Luna galloped into position behind Star Swirl, breathless but determined, “Shields, together.”

The beasts both changed direction as they darted in for the kill, arcing round and opening their mouths wide for the strike. A second later and both were launched back into the side walls by the fierce glow of the energy shield that had formed around Luna and Star Swirl, both alicorns breaking off and smacking the closest Dragonequis with a swift combination of hooves and magic that soon sent it crashing down beside it’s brother.

The remaining dragonequis dragged itself up from the ground, giving a fearsome roar and swinging its claws in a complicated waving motion. Luna swiftly spoke up in warning, “Magic!”

“Roof!” Star Swirl shouted as the corridor collapsed above them, grabbing Luna and teleporting them both to safety. Luna was briefly unbalanced but to her credit swiftly corrected herself, gritting her teeth and blasting the frustrated dragonequis with waves of black lightning. It screamed and thrashed, Star Swirl launching herself with a powerful thrust of her legs and wing and slamming two hooves firmly into the creature’s chest. She felt its spine go, the beast gasping it’s last as it was cast to the ground beneath her, “And that’s three.”

She was surprised there and then, by a dark, familiar feeling. She was grinning, and the blood and adrenaline pumping through her felt good. The fight hadn’t been like her previous battles, where she had to constantly work and think and plan her every action. She had known how to break these things. Her teleportation had been quick and efficient, the angle of her hooves to shatter bone all too apparent.

She had finally done it. Finally tapped into all her old viciousness.

“Oh... Dusk Sable... I can’t... I wanted...”

Star Swirl turned as she landed back upon the ground, watching silently as Luna sobbed over the fallen foal. She was obviously trying to stem the tears, still they continued to flow unabated. It felt like a while before they finally stopped, the alicorn straightening her back, wiping her eyes with a hoof and turning to face Star Swirl with a resigned, tired expression.

Star Swirl lowered her head, charging her shields and readying her teleportation. This time she would finish this.

“Are you serious?” Luna instantly dispelled her own defences with a toss of her head, giving Star Swirl a piercing, disdainful look, “Does this look like remotely the time or place?”

Star Swirl admitted she didn’t want to fight the mare right now, but she wasn’t aware it was under discussion, “Why are you here?!”

“Why are you here?”

“To keep the Black Book safe from you!”

Luna laughed then, harsh and barking. She angled her head arrogantly, glaring at the alicorn, “You self righteous little mule, you really think Starhammer isn’t just going to hand it straight to his pet mage? You honestly think I’m the bad guy don’t you? And let me respond... fuck you.” Luna dropped her gaze, narrowing her eyes at Star Swirl, “You are not the hero,and Starhammer is not the wise prince. If you want to fight me over the still warm body of child I loved, then go ahead! Show your true colours!”

Star Swirl was not going to do this again. It was just like talking with Fluttershy, “You burned that town...”

“FUCK YOU! Littlepip burned a couple, if what Fluttershy says is true!” Luna stamped her hoof, her hair flaring into brightly flashing stars as she shouted, “Starhammer won his throne by chopping off the old king’s head, Celestia cheated at cards and Twilight Sparkle birthed your sorry ass! So are we going to stop pissing back and forth about who did what and have a reasonable fucking discussion here?!”

Star Swirl... wasn’t exactly sure how to reply. Truth be told Luna’s words sounded convincing, decisive... but of what, she honestly wasn’t sure. She was sad to say, well aware that she wasn’t that smart, and that Luna was obviously trying to trick her, “Are you trying to tell me you’re not evil?”

Luna sighed deeply, her eyes pleading, “Not to get all ‘moral relativism’ on you, but how the fuck do you qualify evil? At the core of it? No, I’m not always the nicest person. And... attacking that town, I’m coming to think that maybe that was the wrong thing to do, even if I had good reason at the time. But I’m not wearing spikes on my armour or sporting glowing red eyes, and you can’t just dismiss me out of hand.”

She was getting sick of this. ‘Doing what had to be done’, plots and plans. Strange, ambigious actions, hints that she didn’t know the full story and couldn’t judge without it... but she was firmly of the opinion that those with nothing to hide didn’t go to all this effort to do just that, “Then why don’t you give me those reasons? Then I might try listening to you.”

Luna hesitated, paused, debated it internally. Then finally she spoke, quiet and a little nervous, “Are we going to talk about this now?”

Star Swirl nodded firmly, “Talk or fight. I don’t trust you Luna, I don’t like you. Is that really so strange? You tried to kill me!”

She shook her head, pleading, “No I didn’t Star Swirl. I wanted to disable you, I was very careful about my magic.”

“Why?” Star Swirl really was getting angry now. Luna stood here, the demon big bad... and she wanted a reasonable discussion? This was stupid, “You kill all those others, yet you expand all that effort on sparing me?”

Luna looked away, clearly worried by the direction this was taking, “You’re important. More important than you know.”

“Important to what?! What was the point of Estelle, what is the point to this?! What are you planning?!”

She finally looked up, her jaw firmly set as she spoke, “It was to ignite a conflict. A conflict that would weaken the corrupt powers of this land... so that we could take control.”

Star Swirl’s anger only grew, “This was just a power grab?!”

“No!” Luna exclaimed desperately, “It was a chance to save the wasteland! It needs a Princess, to unite the divided factions and bring order, just as Celestia and Luna did after the defeat of Discord!”

“And so you killed all those ponies...”

“This... it wasn’t my idea! I joined that mission so I could save lives, as many as I could!” Luna protested, before her head fell and she sighed. She looked up again after a moment, regretful, “But yes, it was an evil thing. And since it had to be done... I participated, and you fought against. Because I am the dark sister, and you the light. And if you have to strike me down as Celestia did Luna... so be it. It only needs one of us.”

Star Swirl paused, her diatribe cut short by the horrible association in her words, “Don’t... make this about me.”

“This is about you.” Luna stated simply, “It’s always been about you. Why do you think I sought you out, tried to explain things to you back at Estelle? Why I helped you at the Dragon Heart?”

“Because you’re...” Star Swirl stated it without force, her words empty, “...because you’re nuts.”

Luna laughed, high and piercing. Her expression was mocking, accusing, “Ever since you came here you’ve been marked by the forces that seek the restoration of this world. They chose you just like they chose me, and we’ve both been following their plan ever since. Estelle was about you Star Swirl. It was for you.”

Star Swirl took a step back, struck to her core. No... this couldn’t be the plan. It couldn’t... be about her. She wasn’t remotely worthy to have all this on her head, “No. Nonono...”

“I’m sorry.” Luna shook her head, actually sounding sincere, “It’s not your fault, it wasn’t. You don’t have to feel guilty taking advantage of the evil deeds of others. You can punish us, denounce us, but don’t waste the chance we’ve given you.”

Star Swirl stood frozen, unsure how even to begin, “I can’t... I’m not Celestia, I’m not a leader...”

“Fine. Then all of this was for NOTHING!” Luna stated with a growling scream, stepping forward with boiling wrath and deep intent, “I’ve killed innocents, or allowed innocents to be killed by the hundreds. I’ve dealt with scum, played the villainess, debased myself and all I believe in because I was told you would save my children! Give them the kind of world they deserve! I will not let you prove me wrong!”

Star Swirl couldn’t work out whether it was her going insane, or Luna. Or worse, that this was all horribly, horribly real, “Who told you?”

Luna took a deep breath and gave Star Swirl a slow, intense stare, “Sunshine Ivory.”

“No... no! She’s... she’s telling you what to do? She’s behind this?!” Star Swirl shook her head, feeling tears come to her eyes as the terror gripped her, “You’re lying!”

“I’m... sorry.” Luna stated empathically, her eyes full of sympathy, “I didn’t want to tell you like this. If you could only see the world we could create, see what we’ve imagined...”

Star Swirl wanted to, she really did. But this felt wrong on a very instinctual level. And there was one very good reason for that, one thing she had been told repeatedly about Luna, “You want to install a pony princess over the zebra lands? Really?”

“If that’s how it has to be!” Luna shouted, her eyes full of pain and rage, “Read a history book Star Swirl, this place has never known peace! It’s a liturgy of war and violence!”

Star Swirl felt a sick feeling in her heart. This Celestia worship had gone far too far, and she remembered well all she had been told about this ‘Princess Luna’, “Because they’re zebra.”

“Shut up.” Luna growled, “Don’t take that tone with me.”

“What is it about zebra with you? If you really want me to believe you’re a good pony...”

“I’VE SEEN WHAT THEY CAN DO!” She screamed the words, sending them echoing across the corridors. She shook as she continued, a mixture of anger and agony, seeming near close to tears as she continued, “They all keep telling me that I’m racist, that there are good zebra, that it’s petty and unbecoming to think this way... and all that being true doesn’t mean shit! A species has character, exceptions don’t disprove a rule and I’m not fucking perfect! I can’t be... hurt... and not feel bitter towards those who hurt me. I can’t... not want vengeance.”

Star Swirl hesitated, unsure how to react. Unsure what to say. Unsure what to do.

And eventually she realised... what a hypocrite she had been. How much hate she had been holding onto. She had been called Justicar because she delivered her moral verdicts with utter certainty, unyielding, unmercifully. And however far she believed she had come she was still the same person who had killed those who had dared to disagree with the unity. She had still believed Luna was pure evil, still believed everything Zenai and Starhammer did was right. She had been ready to kill in that certainty.

She had criticised Easu for the same. It was time to start living her words, “I’m sorry Luna...”

“Don’t talk to me!” She shouted, wiping away her tears with a hoof. Her voice dropped, becoming bitter and cold, “I don’t care what you think of me. I’ve willingly become a monster to save this world... and it will remain a hellhole because you don’t dare become a hero.”

Star Swirl wasn’t so naive that she couldn’t see childish manipulation when she saw it, “Well there’s my problem with all this. You’re not a monster, and I’m not a hero.”

“We’re nothing Star Swirl, save the atoms in our bodies.” Luna whispered, “But we can dream of bigger things, and pass those dreams onto others.”

“Luna...”

“Kill me.” She stated, turning a tearstained face up towards Star Swirl, “And pass my role on to some zebra if that makes you feel better. But don’t just do nothing. Please.”

She was so melodramatic. Not that it had ever been in doubt, “I’m not going to kill you.”

Luna frowned, “Then we’re at an impasse, if I’m truly so unacceptable to you!”

“Me becoming god-queen is unacceptable.” Star Swirl chuckled at the very idea, “You should have seen my love confession to Zenai. I’m the world’s most awesome dork, and the very idea that anypony could ever take me seriously is laughable.”

“You... you haven’t any idea about Celestia do you?” Luna dried her tears, actually giggling a little, “She might have ordered all records burned, but I’m a dream walker. There are entities out there who do remember, and believe me they would change your opinion of the qualities of real greatness.”

Star Swirl cast her mind sidewards, looking for a little support here, ”Char?”

”I am not inclined to gossip. However, for the purposes of your personal development... Celestia’s character and capability with acceptable social interaction did mature as she did.”

Star Swirl took that under consideration, ”And your opinion of this plan?”

”I must confess, I was already aware of it.”

“What?!”

Luna cocked her head, “What?”

Star Swirl blushed, “No, I was... talking to Char. She said she was already aware of all this.”

Luna paused briefly before nodding, slightly hesitant as she confirmed, “Yes, she was. It’s her plan too.”

Star Swirl took a deep breath to compose herself. Then she delivered her verdict as damningly as she could manage, “Char! You’ve seriously been conspiring with Luna ALL ALONG?!”

”Star Swirl, I have always been open with you about your destiny. I wanted you to become like Celestia, so that you might save this world. I told you this when we first made formal introductions.”

Star Swirl wondered if all her mentors were trying to conquer the world, “Really? Because it feels like you’re taking notes from Phidious! Mighty sorcerer elite, with the zebra as your happy slaves?”

”Star Swirl, please. Rulership is not an evil thing, Celestia proved that. And though I decry the actions of my kind, I do not believe that what I am is evil by nature. Indeed I believe... that what we were... is your fault.”

Star Swirl was going to wear out this word’s welcome before the day was done, she was sure of that, “What?”

Luna spoke softly, “She’s right.”

Star Swirl turned her eyes to Luna, snarling just a little, “What?”

”As I said, we have no inbuilt concept of morality. We cannot make sound moral decisions by our nature, but over time we will learn and take our lead from the hosts we have inhabited. If the Star Demons destroyed this world, then they did it because their hosts desired that destruction. Princess Luna did not become Nightmare Moon because we corrupted her, but because she corrupted us with her own envy and wrath.”

“It’s not that simple.” Luna stated quietly, “Star Demons enhance emotions, and emotions lead us to irrational, impulsive action. But as Charaxies demonstrates, a Star Demon can learn to exercise its own control over this process. And through the careful self control of both host and parasite, the being that emerges after full integration will be as sane and balanced as any other pony. More so, considering how few really pay such attention to their own emotional states.”

Star Swirl... found this vaguely convincing, though she still had her doubts, “And you have a Star Demon inside you too?”

“Yes.” Luna nodded, “Though my case is different. I have the magical abilities to resist brute force corruption, so mine is a juvenile with no sapient mind. You were less experienced and less confident in yourself, so you were implanted with Charaxies. She could offer you the conviction and experience you needed, and was trusted... rightly it seems, to not try and take over.”

”Thank you.

Luna smiled warmly, “Thank you. I’m pretty sure would have been the one sent to put you down.”

Star Swirl looked across to Luna, noticing something odd about this conversation, “You can hear her?”

“I can now.” Luna grinned, a little smug, “You might have the muscle, but I know more about magic than you’ve even heard about.”

“Star Swirl.” Char stated, a little regretful, “I would never betray you. I’m trying to redeem my race, and I want to help you redeem yours. With your help, we will both find harmony, both become the goddess this world needs. Celestia will live again in us.”

Star Swirl looked round at Luna, quietly hopeful, quietly smiling. She almost looked... sweet, her sleek black form looking almost pretty, “And you?”

“I’m... I’m your sister Star Swirl. Maybe not by blood, but blood has never been important to me.” Luna nodded, shyly enthusiastic, “I want a better world, and Sunshine Ivory convinced me that you can help me achieve that.”

Sisterhood. Star Swirl had to admit, she didn’t have good experiences of that word. Her sisters among the alicorns had never been universally pleasant company, and Luna was a long way away from blood, “Even if I believe that... where do we go from here?”

“Deeper into the city.” Luna stated, “If you want to stop me, or keep me from using that book... then your only option is to follow.”

“Then lead on I suppose.” Star Swirl sighed in response, knowing this was a foolish idea. Still... she was forced to admit she wanted to know more about Luna, and she could only do that by following the mare...

To Celestia knows where.

Though their surroundings didn’t change dramatically, Star Swirl did start to notice the difference as they made their way towards the centre of the mountain. The carvings became fewer and more stylised, the area became a little dirtier and the aura of subtle magic became more and more oppressive. A couple of Draconequis attacked but they were fairly swiftly put down, no match for the two alicorns working side by side. They saw a few more after that but they all ran away the moment they were spotted, almost seeming to be... scared.

And eventually they reached the next landmark of interest, a large chamber opening up before them. And this chamber was unusual for one key reason.

It was still being lived in. Great cots of bright fabric were piled up all around, along with crude grooming objects, large shards of mirrored glass and...

“Is this... a doll?” Luna levitated out a crudely stitched approximation of what appeared to be a zebra, with an actual slave collar placed around its neck. It was dirty, and obviously well loved, Star Swirl couldn’t think of it being anything else. Luna observed it for a second more before placing it back, pulling a face, “I’m not sure whether that’s cute or horrifying.”

“They... well they’ve been looking at those murals for more than seventeen hundred years.” Star Swirl looked around, horrified at the very concept. Being stuck down here in the dark for all that time? It was a terrifying thought, “They must have formed an entire culture, mythology around this place...”

“How did they never try to escape? It shouldn’t have been that hard for such powerful beings.”

Char answered this, a little sadly, “Philous was a very controlling individual, who granted his creations very little independence. If he told these creatures to remain here and guard the city, then that is what they would do.”

“For a thousand years?”

“Yes.” Char continued, “Do not think of them as living creatures, they are more like biological machines. They are built for a task, with just enough intellectual ability to perform that with maximum efficiency.”

Star Swirl felt slightly less guilty about hurting them now, though she was aware that wasn’t really the right response. If anything she should feel more sorry for the beasts, stuck down here without any purpose or meaning, creating these... crude dolls to allow themselves the illusions of their intended role, “Did you make your creations like that?”

“No... for better or worse.”

“What’s that mean?”

“All my creations eventually escaped their role. That is life, and should be respected... but life can be cruel.”

“What does that mean?”

Char paused for a second before answering, her voice hesitant, “You saw my war form.”

“Yeah.” Star Swirl had wondered about it at the time, her transformation from tiny Celestia filly to a black carapaced alicorn, “You looked like the cross between a butterfly and an alicorn. It was pretty... impressive looking actually.”

“That’s exactly what I was. My host at the time was very interested in insects, it’s from her I got my name and title. ‘The Butterfly Queen Charaxies’. She wanted to create a race that would bring peace to the world, who would... redeem the Star Demons.”

Star Swirl had already guessed that wasn’t what happened, “What went wrong?”

“I created them so that they had to feed on love to grow strong and healthy, figuring that it would therefore make their communal relations vital to their society. They were to be a race where the power of love and friendship was built into their most basic biological processes.” Char sighed deeply, “It seemed to be going well... but I was a fool. I allowed one of the females to read my magical books, encouraged that she showed interest and skill at magic. She discovered spells to change her appearance, and I found out later that she was using this ability to pose as the loved ones of the surrounding villagers and steal their power and strength.”

Star Swirl’s blood ran cold, “Changlings.”

“I called them the Flutterfay. I loved them.” Char’s voice dropped, “I challenged the mare in front of all the others... and they all turned on me, tearing me apart. The mother who had gave them life. And then I watched impotently, as they killed and fed upon innocents beyond counting, only becoming more and more cruel with every generation.”

Star Swirl’s heart was torn between compassion and the knowledge that Char had unleashed both the manticore and the changelings upon the world, “And now you’re trying again? To redeem your race, to embrace harmony?”

“How long must one bear the scars of the past? I retreated away for a thousand years, only emerging when I saw the megaspells fall. And on that day I realised... I could not make the world any worse.”

Star Swirl smiled a little, “That’s not an encouraging battle cry.”

“It’s better than most.”

They eventually made it through the living areas, stepping across piles of litter and discarded personal objects. The Draconequis once again were occasionally seen, but again seemed eager to retreat rather than risk confrontation. As such they made it through unharmed, emerging into the next room with trepidation and cautious steps.

They were warranted. This room wasn’t a living area. It was a horror story.

Once it might have been a lab, or medical facility. Dirty glassware, arcane devices, wall charts featuring diagrams of zebra and monster alike... the main feature of the room was three rows of stone tables, eighteen in all, metal trolleys next to them bearing all sorts of blades and other medical instruments.

There were corpses on the tables. Fresh ones. Laid open, parts of them removed, hearts and other organs carefully labelled up in jars. Most of them were adult zebra, a few however...

“Blue Wave, Zinjgi!” Luna ran up to the tables at the corner, her eyes open wide and horrified for a moment before she averted them quickly, squeezing tears from a pained grimice of an expression, “I am so so sorry... I should never have brought you down here...”

Star Swirl didn’t get it. This was... planned, almost clinical, “What are they doing? Surely they understand our anatomy? What reason would they have for...”

“Doesn’t matter.” Luna declared bitterly, “You heard Charaxies, they’re just machines, in the service of some long dead lunatic. They likely don’t even have a reason.”

Star Swirl looked around, looked at all the pain and death and horror. And worse, if Luna was right it was all... meaningless. Evil she could take, but the way these creatures lived, existed... it was pathetic, “What do we do? About... this? Do we just leave them here?”

“I just want to burn this place.” Luna responded with a dark tone in her voice, “As for these creatures... it might be kinder to kill the lot of them.”

Star Swirl recoiled a little at this. It sounded worryingly like her old perception of Luna, “We can just reseal the city, bury the entrances.”

“So another group can open it in five hundred years and get themselves vivisected?”

Star Swirl gave her a disapproving look, “Who’s invading their home Luna? Who’s trying to rob their city?”

Luna looked taken aback, more surprised than anything, “They’re monsters!”

“So are we.” Star Swirl sighed and continued on, letting Luna’s eyes bore into her back. She didn’t want to fight with the mare but... again, more ‘them and us’. Had no one learned their lesson from the great war?

“You’re right Star Swirl.”

Star Swirl turned, relieved for a moment that Luna had seen sense... before the mare’s dark glare met her eyes. She stalked by, angry and firm, “But you’re only right because it’s not your friends dying on that table. Logic and kindness are easy when you haven’t been hurt.”

Star Swirl hoped she would still take the same viewpoint. Still, it was a fair point, “I suppose it’s hard to see past vengeance.”

“My one great weakness huh?”

Star Swirl hesitated, unsure what to say to the touchy, angry mare as she stalked through the rows of bodies, “Who are you vengeful towards anyway? What are you trying to do?”

Luna lifted her head, closing her eyes and sighing, “Fight those that hurt me or my friends. Which is pretty much everyone it seems.”

“Then maybe it is a weakness.” Star Swirl shrugged, “You can’t fight the whole world.”

Luna let her head drop along with her tone, “I was alone, lost and confused. I had power, but nothing to do with it. My old life was dead. I found new life as an angel of vengeance, for all those pony children in the wasteland who I saw suffer abuse from those who should have protected them. And I enjoyed it. I enjoyed bringing darkness to those who brought darkness to others.” She sighed, shaking her head, “But then those children needed somewhere to go. I wasn’t a leader. I had no interest in leading an army, or in politics or statescraft. But those children needed somewhere to go.”

“You use them as your army.”

“I give them strength. Strength freed me, as I believed it could others.” Luna sniffed, “Swift Crimson and many of the others with him could already fight. I freed them from slavers, and they encouraged me to take the fight to those who had killed their families. I did so, and at the end of it I had an army and a large group of vulnerable children who needed protection. And then I needed shelter. And food, and water, and rules, education, medicine...”

“Why burn those villages, why steal children?”

“Those children wanted to join me. And those villages... they committed crimes. And you know what?” Luna turned to glare at Star Swirl, a stubborn look on her face, “The other villages deliver their taxes on time, banditry dropped significantly and more than one abusive fuck has taken a second to consider whether I might be listening before they beat their child. And maybe, just maybe he might decide that it’s not worth the chance.”

Star Swirl sighed and hurried alongside Luna, giving one last look at the butchery before they moved out into the slightly less cloying air of the corridors beyond, “It also invited all your enemies down upon you, and stopped me from trusting you in the first place. You... look like a monster Luna.”

“Ugh...” She grunted, rolling her eyes. Eventually she nodded reluctantly, looking stubborn and angry at being forced to admit it, “I’m not a diplomat. Huh, I don’t think I’ve ever been good at getting others to like me. Even now I’m well aware that there’s a lot more that respect me than like me.”

“You’re not that bad Luna...”

“I wish you had just killed me. Everything would be so much better with Radhi in charge.”

This ran through Star Swirl like a lightning bolt, her head jolting up and her eyes wide, “Luna, you can’t say that!”

She dropped her head, looking angry, “It’s true. My dumb vengeance has painted a great big target on all of them, and now my fight against Starhammer is going to get them all killed. I’ve got more blood on my hooves than most of those I’m fighting, and even my boyfriend has ended up hating me.”

Star Swirl noticed that Luna’s accent had almost completely disappeared. She was almost as distracted by that as the mention of... “You have a boyfriend?”

“Not anymore.” She muttered, “I broke up with him.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m... immature and petty and unpleasant.” She pouted, her hoofsteps slowing to a stop, “He’s better off without me.”

Star Swirl thought this had taken a slightly... bleak tone, “Luna...”

“I led near a hundred of my children in here. And they’re likely all dead.”

“You don’t...”

“Did you see those things?!” She shouted, her voice echoing in the cavernous interior, “They’re children Star Swirl! They don’t stand a chance! And I led them down here!”

Star Swirl sighed, shaking her head, “I’m sorry Luna.”

“For what?” She spat back, “You’re not responsible for my mistakes.”

“For... having such a hard time of it. And for being part of that.” Star Swirl started forward hesitantly, then a little more confidently as Luna made no move to retreat from her. She placed a hoof around the alicorn’s shoulder, then drew close as Luna simply sighed. Her flesh was hard, yet Star Swirl could feel her warmth and the beat of a small, fragile heart from within her chest. She moved close, eventually feeling Luna relax into her shoulder, “I promise you, I’ll do my best to help you fix all this.”

“I...” Luna shighed, a tiny bit of amusement in her tone, “I’ll do my best to actually listen, instead of running off and doing my own thing regardless.”

“Don’t be so down on yourself.”

Luna took a deep breath, “It’s a bad habit of mine. I don’t think I’m really as confident as I sometimes come across.” She nestled her head into Star Swirl’s fur, “...this is nice. I haven’t just... been hugged in a long time.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help taking note of this, “I thought you said you had a boyfriend?”

Luna stiffened slightly, then to Star Swirl’s regret moved away. She was blushing a little, her face unsure, “I’m not... we’re... that’s a bit of a sore subject.”

Star Swirl blushed with her, stammering a little, “Oh... really?”

“Well I’m just...” She shrugged, obviously trying to downplay her nervousness, “I’m... large.”

“Oh... yeah.” Star Swirl knew how that felt. Her body image had been a sore spot for her as well, it was hard to avoid the simple fact that she towered over most of her suitors. She had been extremely grateful that her one sexual experience had been with two zebra who had known what they were doing, “It can be done... but um... it requires a little dexterity.”

“I’m not talking about that Star Swirl.” Luna smiled, rolling her eyes a little, “That’s something that requires... proper commitment. But I can’t even get close to him, can’t even hug him. I know he’s intimidated by me, even if he would never admit it. And he has admitted... well, you’ve felt my skin.”

Star Swirl nodded, thinking it was odd, “It’s hard.”

“It’s made of shadow matter.” She explained, “It’s armor basically. It’s like a hard illusion, I can eat, breath, feel... it’s a second me, over the top of my real body. But it only comes in black, and it’s hardly pleasant to touch. He hates it.”

“Can’t you take it off?”

Luna hesitated, going quiet for long moments... before finally speaking, her voice soft and hesitant, “I don’t feel comfortable without it. I don’t think I could ever let anyone touch me... especially a boy.”

Star Swirl gulped a little, unsure how to respond. Luna clearly had issues, and she was in no way qualified to deal with them. Still she had to say something, “I think you have to introduce yourself to the idea gently. You know, get used to letting him see you...”

She responded sharply, “I don’t want him to see me like that. I don’t want anyone to see me.”

“Luna, if you’re going to have an intimate relationship... then it requires allowing yourself some weakness.”

“I’ve lived with weakness most of my life.” She stalked angrily ahead for a moment or two before finally relenting, slowing her steps, “Which doesn’t appear to be stopping me now. I feel more comfortable showing weakness to you than I do talking to my own friends. Why is that? I hardly know you.”

Star Swirl chuckled, “I think you needed to get all this off your chest with someone outside the issue.”

“I always wanted a sister.” She commented mournfully, pawing the ground, “When we find the Black Book... I want you to come with me Star Swirl.”

Star Swirl hardened herself. She had known this was coming, “So we can rule the world together?”

“No... well if you want to discuss this grand plan of Sunlight Ivory’s, you should really know that she wanted you to stay with Starhammer and know nothing about my connection to her. I’ve already screwed that up.” She raised her head, stubborn pride in her expression, “And you know what? I owe her a lot, but I’ve risked a lot for her as well. So she’s going to have to give this one to me.”

Star Swirl sighed, unsure what she thought this would accomplish, “You can’t beat Starhammer Luna. He’s got an army, and me betraying him will just make him angry.”

“Or make him think.” Luna retorted, firm purpose in her eyes, “Sunshine Ivory wants me to fight, but she will have to give that one to me as well. With you on my side, the Black Book in my hooves, the legacy of this place upon my crown, the support of the other tribes... I will make him back down.”

“You think that will work?”

“I don’t trust adults, I don’t trust males and I don’t trust zebra.” Luna replied pointedly, before adopting a more neutral tone, “We have some things in common though.”

Star Swirl wondered how that statement would go down with him, “Like what?”

“We’re both storytellers.” She smiled cunningly, “I’ve been paying attention. At least some of the tales about him were clearly made up or embellished, and he’s gone to a lot of effort to construct a lasting image for himself. His smug title, this whole Zephyr thing he has going, its way too studied not to be an intentional effort to play into the heroic legends of his people.”

Star Swirl looked the mare up and down, noting her cutie mark, her stature, the imperious way she talked. She had noted it as similarly studied from the moment they had first met at Estelle, “Like you?”

Luna paused for a moment, looking stormy. Finally she answered, her voice cool, “Yes. And that is why I think I can work this. If I portray myself as the rightful ruler rather than a monster to be swatted, and if I have the power the Black Book gives me... hopefully I can convince him to back off, negotiate. He’s at least smart enough that he’ll weight up the advantages and disadvantages of his actions, which means I just have to tilt the scales.”

Star Swirl didn’t comment, not sure if she had any great insight into whether it would work. She hoped it would, she liked both Starhammer and Luna and was increasingly starting to think they could actually get along quite well if they just sat down for a moment.

She was well aware that things were never that simple however.

They seemed to definitely be on their way towards their destination now, coming across increasingly common areas where preserving magics were keeping things intact. Some idea of this place’s former glory were now apparent, the banners flying upon the walls, elegantly carved benches.

"What did the fisherman say to the card magician? Pick a cod, any cod!"

"Did you hear that?" Star Swirl asked, perking her ears.

"No..." Luna turned her head, listening herself for a moment before shaking her head, "I can't hear anything."

"Hmm... never mind, let's continue."

They entered a few rooms of little interest before entering into some sort of arcane study, the tables high and the overall scale far more suited for beings of alicorn size. Like some of the previous rooms it was perfectly preserved, and didn’t appear to have suffered any battle damage either. In fact it looked like it had been recently been used, books hanging open and candles still burning, “Do you think someone’s been in here recently?”

“We’ve seen everburning braziers. That candle could have a similar enchantment on it.” Luna stepped forward in eager curiosity, inspecting the bookcases, “It looks like this place was used for researching the creation of monsters. There’s books here on draconequis, diseases, gene splicing...”

Star Swirl walked over to the open book, staring down at the unfamiliar characters... which suddenly started to blur, forming into recognisable words...

“It’s a code used by Star Demons back in Phidious’s time. Allow me to translate for you Star Swirl.”

After a moment Char proved as good as her words, the sentences opening up before her...

While others continue to strive in mediocrity, delighting in their ugly, substandard beasts of flesh and bone, I begin to grow tired of the limits of the physical medium through which I work. Flesh is flesh and bone is bone, and though an artist cannot blame his tools, the improvements I can make now give progressively smaller returns. In short, I am reaching the limits of what I can achieve with this medium. I require something else, something that transcends these limits.

My research naturally led me to creatures who themselves are constructed from unique and intriguing materials. The wendigos of course, those creatures of spirit and glass who live within the great crystal winds. Dreamings, who exist in the beyond realms as mere memories, products of collective unconsciousness. Wraiths, those shadow creatures that dwell in the darkness places.

Sadly, all of these are rare and hard to find, and all tend to disperse upon exhumation. Still with my limited study I feel confident I will be able to reproduce the manner of their construction. I simply have to decide upon the nature of the creature.

My first test was a failure. I decided on a magic I have an innate understanding and appreciation for, to make it a base for all future experimentation. The magic of order. Order is present in all things, all living creatures are sustained by the orderly processes of existence. Civilisation is sustained by the orderly conduct of an unyielding government.

Yet my first creations would not live. They remained static, the crucial spark of life failing to ignite. I must have made an error, a mistake in my calculations. I must perform further study.

For my next test I decided to use the magic of chaos, to provide the greatest contrast and inform my study. Though I mark myself the master of order and chaos, I truly consider chaos as merely a tool, a club to wield against my foes. Chaos is death, disaster, the collapse of all good things. It has no art, no aesthetic value. The idea of weaving a creature from seems fundamentality wrong, but science demands it. My experiments will begin tomorrow.

I have been weighing up the results of the test for two days now, and I still find myself disturbed by the implications. Like my control subject in my original experiments I introduced the chaos magic to a standard Draconequis embryo, hoping to learn something from the changes this inflicted. I had expected the creature produced to die immediately, but to my great suprise it has so far managed to survive. It draws breath but with great difficulty and is frail and crippled true, but that it manages to still survive with the pure stuff of chaos within it defies all rational thought. But it also provides opportunity. A living subject is one I can learn so much more from.

My experiments continue, and the results so far have already been of great interest. The creature remains a small, weak example of its kind, which I have discovered is partially due to a lack of material resonance. Despite being a physical being it lacks a solid structure, which unfortunately means it struggles to interact with the material world around it. Breathing is a chore, it is barely able to manipulate objects of any sort of weight and it even struggles with digestion of food and fluid. That it lives at all is a testament to the efficiency of my design. It does on the other hand have some advantages, in that it heals exceptionally quickly from physical damage and seems to have a very high pain threshold. At levels of damage and negative stimulation that would render a normal draconequis unconscious the specimen remains active and struggling. I can only wonder as to its magical talents, though I shall have to wait for it to mature further.

Disappointment! As the specimen is in part a creature of pure magic my hopes for its sorcery were high. In practice however it is unable to learn even the most simple of spells despite all my efforts, the weaving swiftly breaking down and the phemes limp and unfocused. Normally I would put it down to simple laziness, yet punishment and cajoling have barely produced any improvement. It is frustrating, the subject clearly possess great potential, having evolved for itself several innate magical talents. These however are limited to illusions and parlour tricks, and it seems fundamentally incapable of inflicting any clear effects on a physical target. I am coming to the conclusion that this project was flawed from the start, and that I should never have expected anything useful to come out of using chaos as a catalyst.

I have abandoned the project for the time being, my siblings having convinced me to concentrate on some escaped zebra slave who seems to be eluding their attempts to recapture him. Apparently he has even managed to rally his fellow slaves to murder several of my kin, only proving my warnings that their operations were sloppy and inefficient. That they could be bested by a lesser beast just proves that they were unworthy of their power. As for the subject, I have assigned him to one of the packs as a jester. I have little patience or understanding of his crude japery but the simple minds of the soldiers seem to derive some amusement from his presence. It is at least enough to convince me not to simply recycle his component parts, at least for now.

Incompetence and frustration! Long have I agreed that it was foolish to follow the remains of Emir Oze’s army up into western mountains, convinced that what pathetic existence they could manage in those inhospitable climes would be of no threat to us. Indeed it should not have been, if not for the complacence and weakness of my siblings. This escaped slave and his rabble apparently fled into those same mountains, pursued by Isai the Crimson and Garoush of the Broken Spears. Those two clearly must have grown fat and stupid as it was not them who emerged victorious but this slave, leading an army of zebra sorcerers. Asharan and Nashanar are dead, their slaves free to aid this fool insurrection. My siblings ask for aid, clearly uncomprehending of how small and petty some escaped slaves are when compared to the secrets of the universe.

More irritation. I had almost forgotten about the creature I had created with chaos magic, assuming that he had died from his deformities some time ago. Yet today his packmaster came to me, explaining that he had become increasingly erratic, babbling madness and showing increasing magical power. It was this that intrigued me and I summoned the creature to my lab, inviting it to show me its newfound power. And to my fury, it was merely more advanced displays of his previous, pathetic talents! Changing the hue of objects, illusions, useless cantrips of no use whatsoever. He babbled about chaos and power and I was finally forced to silence him, tearing out the creature’s tongue so I could find peace. I have returned him to his pack and disciplined his commander for wasting my time, I will see to the subject’s final disposal when I have less on my mind.

Finally, the slave ‘king’ has like all lesser creatures seen fit to arrange his own disposal. He marches on my city, his arrogance at his lucky victories so far convincing him that he can dethrone the most mighty of his masters. This is fortuitous, meaning I will not have to arrange the tiresome logistics of marching out to face him. I have prepared my forces for defending the city, and have arranged a further spike in my room for his head. Now all that remains is to wait. As always my perfect order has arranged my inevitable victory.

That was the final entry. Star Swirl closed the book with a hoof, any sympathy for Phidious now totally dead and buried. The arrogant bastard had stood boasting as Zephyr freed the land from him and his kin, and he had finally got exactly what he deserved.

“Asharan was my first host.” Char mentioned quietly, sounding a little sad, “He was killed when Zephyr cut his wings off. He died on impact, and so I was able to escape to a nearby rabbit and flee the battlefield.”

“You lived as a rabbit?”

“Not for long. That rabbit was eventually taken in as a pet by a simple farm girl named Charaxies. Zephyr was still active and searching for my kind then, and then after his death his best friend Zenophilious formed the Order of the Unquenchable Fire to hunt down those they considered abominations. I was forced to hide, to keep my existence a secret... and that may have been what formed my sense of morality. I was forced to live among the zebra, not rule them as slaves to be used and discarded. And Charaxies... was a very good zebra. We did great things together.”

Star Swirl felt sorry for Char, wondering what it must feel like to have your host die... horribly by the sound of it. Though from what she had said her first host had certainly deserved it, “What was Zephyr like?”

“I didn’t have many long conversations with him.” Char gently chided, “And my memories of that battle are faded by time. But he was... terrifying.”

“I can’t imagine beings as arrogant as Phidious could be scared much by anything.”

Char’s voice trembled a little even at the memory, “He was the hero the world needed I think. I remember him on the battlefield, covered in blood, a grin on his face and madness in his eyes. He came after me without pause or mercy, laughing at the wounds I inflicted, wielding that sword with the strength of a dozen zebra. I would almost have believed he had a demon of his own within him, but over time I have realised that some mortals need no external forces to make them kill and destroy.”

Star Swirl shivered, remembering Starhammer’s expression as he had fought. That sounded all too familiar, “I heard that Zephyr was a berserker in battle...”

“Few accounts talk about him after his retirement. There wasn’t much to say.” Char spoke softly, something approaching respect in her voice, “He faded away once his duty was done. He was born to free his species from oppression, and for that he was less a zebra and more a force of nature.”

“I... met him actually.” Star Swirl recalled, trying to reconcile the two impressions she had of the zebra, “In the dreamscape, he welcomed me to the zebra lands. He seemed kind, helpful... if a little boisterous.”

“He was all of those things. And he was also a born killer, with a lust for blood and battle.” Char sounded gently chiding, “That’s what I want to convince you of Star Swirl. I myself am more of a scholar than a warrior, but I do not consider the warrior’s path one of evil.”

“Even if you enjoy the killing?” Star Swirl asked, feeling the guilt flow through her. Truth be told it sounded worse that it really was. Star Swirl didn’t enjoy the killing so much as the victory, but the violence and the impact of hoof on flesh did excite her. That worried her, and was why she had given it up in the first place, “It’s not so much the fighting as the fact I find it so... fun.”

“One can control themselves. Zephyr to my knowledge never killed an innocent, yet he was a zebra who clearly enjoyed the death and blood.” Her voice dropped suddenly, taking on a dark angry tone, “Yet his best friend Zenophilious, who taught of peace and restraint and loathed to raise a hoof in anger? He revelled in the suffering and judgement that he inflicted. Phidious too I doubt deigned to lower himself to personal combat, yet was he a positive influence upon this world?”

Star Swirl felt it was necessary to pause here. This she hadn’t heard, “Zenophilious... revelled in suffering? The Zenophilious? The Scholar of Ages, High Shaman of Garm, Master of Harmony?”

Star Swirl felt Char’s anger grow hot, the sudden feedback of her emotion surprising considering she rarely felt a flicker. Her tone communicated her feelings just as well, “Zenophilious founded the Order of the Unquenchable Fire, a group of shaman dedicated to wiping out all that used the power of darkness or the stars. They drove Charaxies from her family because of me, even though she had committed no crime and I was still barely a cognisant entity. The killed many other Star Demons who bore no blood upon their hooves, along with thousands of others whom they judged ‘deviant’. Zenophilious spoke out against any alliance with Equestria because of his irrational hatred for Princess Luna, and when she became Nightmare Moon he just laughed, ordered a celebration and joyfully banished the order she had created from Garm.”

Star Swirl felt the anger, unsure whether it was her own or Char’s. She did admit that sounded... jerky. For Celestia’s sake as much as any other, cheering her sister’s banishment felt the very pinnacle of bad taste, “The pariah order.”

“The Order of Sacred Night.” Char growled her words, disturbingly animalistic, “He considered that very concept blasphemous, the arrogant, judgemental fool that he was.”

Actually Star Swirl thought she remembered something about this, “Didn’t he die soon after Nightmare Moon’s ascension?”

“Proving that the world had not truly gone mad.” Char’s words were bitter, “The other elders respectfully criticised him for his reaction to Luna’s banishment, and the matter almost led to civil war within the great halls themselves. The rumours reached even me. That harmony had left him, that he visibly grew sicker with every hour. He died within a week.”

“Can that happen? Can you lose the blessings of harmony? Could you... unbecome a Princess?”

“I’m not an expert Star Swirl. I don’t truly know.”

“I can remember one who was said to have lost her connection to harmony.” Luna commented, looking up from the book she was reading, “Princess Emerald. After her family were killed in a dragon attack she resigned her position, and it’s said that apparently she swiftly aged and died within a month. And there’s not much information about the others, at least not that I can find, but all of them died eventually right?”

“It is said that elders die when harmony demands it. That they have a set span upon this earth, and that they pass peacefully when that time is up.”

“Let’s move on.” Luna commented, nodding towards the exit, “We can properly archive this stuff later.”

"What bone will a dog never eat? A trombone!"

Star Swirl shivered as she followed. That voice was getting closer.

They were approaching something. The corridor, once a maze of junctions and side passages, was now one straight line, wider and with pillars and statues at regular intervals. It felt like it was leading somewhere, somewhere important.

And the corridor continued, on and on and on... a strong, yet not unpleasant odour filled the air, of magic twisted and fluid, contorted into impossible shapes. The air around her felt unreal, like she was dreaming. Luna looked round, eyes narrowing, “Some sort of enchantment... a powerful one. I think we might be encountering the final defence.”

“There is magic I’ve never seen here Star Swirl.” Char mentioned from atop her perch on Star Swirl’s shoulder, “You have to be careful, this is work far beyond even my experience.”

“Yeah, I’m not getting any good... wait what?” Star Swirl suddenly exclaimed, looking up at the little unicorn currently riding atop her, “Char, what are you doing here?!”

She looked down at herself in similar suprise, then back at Star Swirl, then across at Luna, “I... don’t know.”

Luna looked around, a dark, worried look upon her face, “Are we dreaming? Are we asleep?”

“No.” Char shook her head, looking deeply disturbed, “The barrier between the dreamscape and the real world is breaking down.”

“That’s impossible.” Luna frowned deeply, her horn glowing in the darkness. That darkness seemed to extend into the distance, only revealing dim hints of dark stone among endless void, “It’s near impossible to break through into the dreaming. There’s no magic in existence that could create a permanent portal.”

“And you would know, tiny, scared little pony.”

Luna jumped, startled by the sudden voice. It was cruel, mocking and brutally causal. Luna advanced forward, her horn beaming into the consuming black, “Show yourself!”

“Why don’t you show yourself already? I wondered what such powerful creatures could fear... why an elegant, noble Princess like you dear Luna, surely you could fear nothing! Why your regality, your elegance, your size...”

Luna actually shook, her voice breaking, her ears fully erect. She paused mid-step, “Enough... Enough with the mindgames!”

"Are you feeling vulnerable Princess? Losing confidence in that ridiculous cosplay you insist on maintaining. You know what they say... love thyself in all thy nakedness."

“NO!”

Luna yelled in pure panic as her skin was stripped away, dark tendrils dissipating into the ether. Star Swirl moved to help but she didn’t really know what to do, forced to watch as Luna was torn apart before her eyes. Her skin, her tail, her whole body disappeared, fading into the darkness.

Leaving a small, painfully vulnerable filly standing where Luna once had, eyes wide and scared. She stumbled, trying to put weight on a back leg that was nothing but an ugly scar at the hip joint and falling inelegantly to the stone floor, crying out in a voice much rougher and worn than before. She gasped, looking up at Star Swirl in shame and terror.

It was Midnight Dreamer. Only... not.

She was plumper than Midnight, but with a noticeably thinner, delicate frame that showed all the signs of long term malnutrition. Her fur too was rougher, coarser, and her curly grey locks were tangled and knotted. As already noted her back leg was gone, and a cobbled together leg brace supported one of her front legs. She was covered in half healed wounds and signs of bruising.

She looked about fourteen.

“Luna...?”

“Don’t look at me.” Luna paused for a moment as she looked away, clenching her eyes shut. Her voice was bitter, still deep but with a croaky, adolescent scratchiness to it, “Don’t look at me like that.”

“I’m... sorry.”

“That’s exactly what I mean.” She tried to stand, her horn glowing as her magic supported her off balance body. She gritted her teeth in concentration before looking back at the ground, “Did I ever ask for pity? For sympathy?”

“No...”

“Then don’t throw it around like it’s wanted!”

“Hahaha! So precious! These are the creatures who finally break through, after all these years? A child and her babysitter?”

Star Swirl shook her head clear, looking around and seeing nothing but darkness. She hated to say it but she was scared. Luna was vulnerable, and that meant she would have to pick up the slack. Suffice to say, her confidence was swiftly draining away, “Char, what the hell is happening?”

Char stared about desperately, not looking too confident herself, “Some powerful force is drawing upon the dreaming, using it to warp reality.”

“Then this is an illusion...” Luna growled at the darkness, her small form tense and angry, “Nothing but smoke and mirrors?”

“No Luna.” Char spoke desperately, “In this place, these things are very real.”

“Well I’m no slouch at dreaming either.” Luna spat, closing her eyes and concentrating. After a second her form shifted, ever so slightly. Her leg was healed, her fur healthy again, her mane combed and bouncy. She looked down at herself, tested her leg and smirked, “Well then, how about that?”

Star Swirl looked down at the girl, yet again impressed by the power of the mare’s magic, “How did you do that?”

“This is my dreamself. My true self. If this jerk is going to use dreams against us, I’m going to take advantage.” She smirked, clearly back to her normal arrogance, “I suggest you avoid doing the same though.”

“Why?”

Char looked round, answering bluntly, “You would become a unicorn.”

“Oh yeah...”

“Oh wouldn’t that be fun! But it seems that unlike your filly friend, it’s not what you fear... but who.”

Luna backed away, grimacing and staring across at Star Swirl accusingly, “Who are you scared of? What ghost is he summoning?”

“I don’t...”

“Star Swirl... come to me Star Swirl...”

The voice was familiar. Terrifyingly familiar. Star Swirl peered into the shadows in growing fear, hoping, praying she was mistaken. She spotted a flash of purple light in those depths, a burst of green flame. She hurried backwards, looking to her companions insistently, “We need to get out of here.”

Char looked to Star Swirl in interest, “You know who that is Star Swirl?”

“I... no. It can’t be.” Star Swirl shook her head, trying to keep herself from panicking. It wasn’t easy, as she knew they were all dead if that thing caught up to them, “We just need to get out of here. Whatever it is, I really don’t want to encounter them down here.”

“I don’t see why not.” Luna stated smugly, angling herself arrogantly before the darkness, “Whatever you are, come out and face us!”

“Luna!”

“What?” She turned her head to them, arrogant defiance all over her face, “There are three of us, and we are all more than capable in a fight.”

Char glared in disapproval, “That ghost is one of the most powerful I’ve ever felt Moonlight Dreamer, and I am a very old creature.”

“My name is Luna! Princess Luna!” She declared aggressively, looking deeply sceptical, “And is it more powerful than the star demons of old? Because I have dealt with them quite...”

“Yes Luna, more powerful.” Char stressed, her demeanour very serious, “And it is a ghost. You cannot kill it, not permanently. You are risking our lives for nothing by fighting.”

This caused her pause. It did Star Swirl too, and she had been taking this seriously from the start. The idea that something could be more powerful than the beasts that destroyed a civilisation wasn’t something that came easily, and even she had to doubt, “What could be more powerful than an incarnate demon?”

“Discord?” Luna ventured, “This magic... it feels like chaos magic. And that voice...”

“No... whatever it is, it’s drawing from some primal source of power like he did. But this...” Char stepped back in fear as she seemed to spot something in the distance, “...it’s like his opposite...”

“Justicar, there you are. I was so worried, why did you run away from Mosaic?”

Star Swirl turned to the voice, all her worst fears confirmed. The figure stood upon a statue of a mighty zebra mage to their side, her mighty wings extended and her eyes angled down at the party below. Star Swirl instantly backed away in terror, her voice frozen in her throat, “I don’t...”

Luna interrupted her with an awestruck gasp, “Holy shit... is that really...?”

“Please don’t swear. It’s uncouth, especially from such a young pony.” The figure’s horn shone and Luna was silenced as her jaw was slammed shut by the purple glow of telekinesis. The figure ignored her struggles as she stepped off the statue and glided downwards, touching down upon the stone floor with a solid thump. Her eyes lingered over each of them, disgust showing clearly for both Char and the still struggling Luna, “You keep very poor company Justicar.”

Star Swirl instinctively placed herself between them and the creature in front of them, trying to be brave despite the deep terror threatening to fill her, “They’re my friends.”

“No they’re not.” Twilight Sparkle spoke with anger and frustration, her wings returning to her sides, “We’re your friends. These others are imposters, taking you away from me.”

“No, they...”

“I realise now, why you didn’t go with Mosaic.” She touched her chin with a hoof as she considered her hypothesis. Eventually she nodded, her eyes turning coldly to those in front, “The shared link between us was disrupted by whatever Littlepip did to us. Without that link to keep you focused your weak will has clearly allowed you to be misled by these evil spirits.”

Luna’s horn surged brightly and the telekinesis was torn away with a flash. She touched her mouth to reassure herself that she could speak again before moving to meet the alicorn. She positioned herself defiantly as she shouted her challenge, charging her magic at the tip of her horn, “I’m no evil spirit, and personally I think that’s more a little hypocritical, monster!”

Twilight Sparkle’s expression twisted in anger, eyes flicking round towards the interruption, “I hardly think so. Your crude language and disrespectful nature on the other hand clearly shows you have fallen under their power.” She took a deep breath, returning to a look of calm serenity, “Stay still Justicar, I will remove these dark influences before you are corrupted further.”

Star Swirl started forward, “No, Twil...!”

Twilight’s horn pulsed with magical energy, bolts of purple light shooting out towards each of them. Char gasped and just managed to dive to cover, Luna blocking the first shot but only just turning away the second. The bolt seared across her side, causing the mare to gasp in pain, “Nuggh... ok, if that’s how you want it...”

Luna’s thrust her body forward and her horn flashed with magic, a bolt of lancing energy flying straight at Twilight. Twilight calmly moved to intercept, their twin purple beams meeting briefly before Twilight shattered the spell with a dismissive wave of her head. She grunted dismissively as the remaining moats of magic drifted down around her to settle against the floor, “Hmm, not bad, but you clearly need more practice... wha!”

She was cut off as energy burst under her hooves and she was forced to rear up, stamping back down as shadows clawed up from the ground and tried to grab hold of her. Another batch of shadows swarmed in to attack her from the sides, the mare clearly panicking.

Luna turned her head angrily to Star Swirl as the attack continued, “Star, do something!”

She blushed as she charged her magic, having rather frozen up there, “Oh, right...”

“You think I don’t know how to deal with shadows?” Twilight Sparkle threw up an orb of searing light that caused Luna’s apparitions to evaporate instantly. She was promptly assailed from new directions as Star Swirl’s lightning hit a shield at her side, eyes narrowing momentarily before a smirk crossed her face, “You never were very good at magic Justicar.”

“Fortunately I more than compensate!” Luna renewed her attack, sending forth another burst of purple energy. It struck another of Twilight’s spontaneously appearing shields, Luna snarling and forcing her small body forwards against her defences, “Celestia damnned... get out of here! Yield!”

“Oh my little ponies, you certainly demonstrate some talent. But I’m afraid it’s in vain.” Twilight suddenly teleported away, reappearing to Luna’s side. She unleashed a burst of magical energy that Luna caught on her shields... distracting her from the solid block of masonry that slammed into the filly from the side. Luna yelled and hit the wall with a hard thump, toppling limply into the dirt.

“Luna!”

Twilight grinned to herself, brushing herself down and turning to the other two with a far too smug expression on her face, “Oh come on, did you actually expect to beat me? Even as a mortal pony I was considered the most powerful mage who ever lived. And now... I have ascended far past those limits. Past that of even the alicorn princesses.” Her eyes widened along with her grin, madness sparking in those violet depths, “To think, I actually looked up to Celestia once, was angry that she never gave me what she promised. Now I understand. I was destined for something far greater.”

Star Swirl growled and advanced forward with fury, her horn sparking with golden light. A bolt of solar energy burst forward but Twilight deflected it with the barest effort, teleporting into the sky above Star Swirl and striking her with a beam of purple light that numbed every muscle. Star Swirl hit the floor limp, gasping as all her joints seized into a rock solid immovable mass. Star Swirl tried to struggle free but it was no use. She looked around desperately, searching for their missing member. She searched out with her mind, trying desperately to make contact, “Char, where are you?”

“Hiding Star Swirl! I am no match for her, and in the dreamscape I can die!”

“See what I mean?” Twilight exclaimed, “Oh I admire your determination Justicar, but your tactical thinking needs a bit of work.” She fluttered her wings, calmly floating over to Star Swirl’s fallen form, “You really think a weak little girl with the barest spark of magic would be enough to protect you from me?”

“Weak... little girl...”

Luna struggled upwards from the rubble, dust and blood falling from her muzzle as she steadied herself upon her hooves. She took a single step forward, her horn sparking with purple light, “You have no idea what I am! What I’m capable of!”

Twilight turned a dismissive eye to the little unicorn, “Are you still here? Run away, I have nothing to say to you.”

“Well I have something to say to you!” Luna declared, suddenly grinning wide, “Pink pony to the face!”

Twilight Sparkle blinked, her composure broken, “What are you... NGH!”

“GET AWAY FROM MY FRIENDS!” It broke through the cave wall, a streak of pink and gold that descended sharply from above to slam into Twilight’s shields with the force of a cannon shot. The purple bubble actually bent against the impact for a moment, flickering as Twilight gasped and clutched her horn in pain.

Star Swirl couldn’t believe it, blinking to make sure she wasn’t imagining things, “...Puppy?”

The pink filly was too focused on the battle to hear her, simply continuing her attack with single minded fury. Twilight had already recovered however and focused her shields outwards as Puppy attacked, sending them outwards in punch of purple energy that sent the pink streak cartwheeling away. Puppy landed with an undignified thump, though she quickly bounced to her feet. Twilight was clearly recovering from the sudden attack and Puppy had a chance to look around, swiftly noticing their rather poor showing so far, “Moonlight Dreamer, you’re hurt!”

“Never been better Puppy.” Luna stated, magic sparking at her horn once more, “Glad you could make it, though you’re a little late.”

Star Swirl looked to Char hiding behind a rock nearby, remembering what they had done before. She opened herself up just a little and felt Char latch on to her soul, feeding off her energies. The little filly shaped demon gave her a grateful smile before powering up back into her war form, butterfly wings opening up as she skimmed the stone floor and struck Star Swirl with a spell that instantly released her from her imprisonment.

“Queen Chrysalis?!” Twilight’s face lit up in fury at the sight of Char, whipping round and shooting off a powerful bolt of energy. Char simply waved a hoof at the offending object, space seeming to warp in front of her. The energy was redirected the second it entered the zone, shooting back at Twilight and hitting her shields with a heavy thump, “Nnngh!”

“Hardly.” Char responded to Twilight’s statement with an offended glare, her gauze wings fluttering gently as she angled herself primly, “And I’d also like to inform you that I’ve been studying magic before your kind even crossed the crystal mountains. Try me, I’ll show you what arcane might truly is.”

Twilight grunted and shook her head clear, glaring at the four of them with bitter hatred, “NO! This is not how it goes! How did you...!”

“The magic of friendship!” Luna declared hotly, “Puppy, Star Swirl, Charaxies! Show her what that feels like!”

“Ookie doki loki!”

Puppy sprinted forward with incredible speed and power, Twilight sending a fierce succession of magical energy blasts flying at her. Puppy actually giggled as she dodged each in turn, acting like it was nothing but a game as she danced under Twilight’s arc and slammed herself into Twilight’s shields once again. Twilight gasped as she was forced backwards, her eyes opening wide, “NO!”

Star Swirl stepped forward and unleashed her attack at the exact same moment Luna and Char did, their triple energies swirling around each other and slamming into Twilight’s shield with an awesome explosion of colour. Twilight’s shields didn’t stand a chance, flexing for a second before the sheer momentum sent Twilight flying into the wall with a scream and a crash of falling rubble.

“I don’t need to be an alicorn to have confidence in myself, not anymore.” Luna stated, black oil creeping up her legs and covering her body as she spoke, “There’s a whole tribe of kids up there who believe in me... and they give me more than enough courage to stand tall, whatever I look like!”

Star Swirl was pleased Luna was at peace with herself, though she was a little too distracted to pay full attention, “Did we just kill Twilight Sparkle?”

Luna laughed, a short, barking sound full of the sound of victory as she retained her full alicorn form, black matter hardening, “Twilight smilight! We are the future Star Swirl, and never forget it! Twibright Smirkle? She was the past!”

Char gave her a warning look, “That was simply the ghost of the mare and you outnumbered her four to one, don’t get too full of yourself Luna.”

“Whatever.” She declared, still inordinately pleased with herself, “Puppy, my dream girl! Hoofbump!”

Puppy giggled girlishly, running over to the mare and leaping through the air with her hoof outstretched.

The tentacle that burst from the rubble struck both of them before she had a chance, slamming the two mares into the far wall with a terrible crunch. Star Swirl had only just registered the attack when a terrible psychic scream floored both her and Char, clutching their heads as the rubble shifted to reveal a terrifying new sight.

Twilight hung broken, furiously glowing eyes staring out from a bloody, crippled shell. And around her hung the psychic projection of a horrifying morphic blob, oozing tentacles emerging from rolls of ulcerated flesh. It consumed the mare at the centre, Star Swirl watching as Twilight’s fur was stripped away and replaced by layers of melted skin. Her scream echoed across the cavern, voice full of pain and distress under the layers of distorted sound, “YOU THINK I WILL ALLOW YOU TO THREATEN THE NEW WORLD, MY WORLD! THE WORLD I BLED FOR, SACRIFICED FOR! I DEFEATED DISCORD, I DEFEATED NIGHTMARE MOON! I BROKE CHRYSALIS, DESTROYED SOMBRA! YOU ARE NOTHING!”

“Nngh!” Char stood with clear difficulty, magic weaving at her horn, “No... this cannot be allowed to...”

“YOU HAVE NO SAY HERE!”

Char screamed as telekinesis seized her like a vice, flung her into the air and drove her down into the ground. Bones snapped like twigs, Twilight flinging the mare aside and sending her tumbling limply through the dirt. Star Swirl yelled out in concern as she made it to her feet, “Char!”

“YOU!” A tentacle of psychic energy wrapped itself about Star’s neck, constricting her airway and driving her to her knees before the eldritch abomination rising up before her. Star Swirl felt Twilight Sparkle’s magic stripping open her mind, digging through the memories, the emotions and thoughts. She was powerless against it, Twilight’s booming voice like the heartbeat of the earth itself, “I GAVE YOU EVERYTHING! I MADE YOU AN ALICORN PRINCESS, FIRST AMONG ALL CREATURES! AND YOU BETRAY ME FOR THESE MONSTERS!?”

“Gah...”

“ENOUGH! IT SEEMS YOU MUST BE DEFECTIVE.” Twilight sent another tentacle forward, forcing Star’s head back and edging around her horn, “I WILL HAVE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE MANUALLY.”

Star Swirl was about to scream before Twilight’s magic forced her mouth shut, her psychic probing penetrating deeper and deeper into her mind. She felt it once again, the terrible, beautiful, intoxicating call of the unity. And as her mind and soul were stripped away, she remembered once again who her Mistress was.

The rocks shifted, a small pink form emerging with a wobbling, unsteady gait. She opened her mouth, her words uncertain, “You... big meany... let go of my friend...”

“DIE ABOMINATION.” Twilight flung a powerful tentacle down upon Puppy, flattening the poor girl with a deafening crash. She literally exploded into a faint pink mist, obliterated by Twilight’s unimaginable power, “SUCH A FRAGILE THING...”

“I said... let go of my friend!”

“WHAT IS THIS?”

Puppy had reformed, standing upon the tentacle that had flattened her, her body tense, shifting, shaking with rage. Dark strands floated across her body, purple light filling her eyes as her teeth ground together, “You’re a bad bad lady.”

Twilight snarled and threw Star Swirl aside, sending her crashing into the dirt as she moved to meet this new threat, “YOU ARE A SMALL THING. I HAVE DESTROYED MUCH GREATER.”

Star Swirl grunted in pain, choked and still reeling from the psychic attack. She stared dumbly at Puppy, watched the filly’s eyes widened in concern and horror... then changed to rage, “You meany...”

“HOLD STILL, I WOULD RATHER MAKE THIS QUICK.”

Purple light expanded around Puppy, holding her tight in place as Twilight sent two tentacles flying in from opposite directions to crush her between. Puppy seemed surprised for a second at her imprisonment... before her body expanded outwards and the energy shattered with a bang. Puppy flexed her new, powerful looking muscles as the dark swirl upon her fur grew to cover her entire body, an eery purple light flashing from her eyes.

She leapt as Twilight’s tentacles slammed together, Twilight desperate flinging another her way. Puppy tensed in midair, surged forward and shattered it apart with a solid, brute force strike. Twilight tried to seize the girl with her telekinesis but Puppy melted away into smoke before reforming as she descended upon the centre of the mass with an echoing, piercing scream.

“No! NO!” Twilight’s physic projection shifted and cracked as Puppy slammed it into the ground, the filly proceeding to swing round and kick Twilight into the far wall with a boom and the sound of collapsing masonry. Twilight gasped and opened the projection up in order to fire a succession of magical beams in Puppy’s direction but the filly was just too fast, making a mockery of the mare’s aim. Twilight’s voice softened, fear now clear in her eyes, “No! I don’t have enough power, I need the Unity, I need my element...”

“YOU’RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING!” Puppy dived into the opening, forcing it open with the strength of a hundred mares as Twilight tried to close it upon her. She gave one last heave and the projection was broken near in half, fading away as it collapsed around them, “YOU’RE ONLY GETTING...!”

Twilight crippled body was now suspended in midair by her magic, a bolt of it flying from her horn to hit Puppy clean in the face, flinging her backwards with a yell to hit the ground a little way away. Twilight froze as Puppy slowly struggled to her feet, surprised for a moment at her sudden success... Puppy shook her head clear and glared angrily, Twilight Sparkle lurching forward and unleashing a wave of psychic energy that knocked the filly to the floor again with a yell. Twilight Sparkle laughed as she continued the assault, not allowing Puppy to rise, “HA! HAHA! SEE, YOU CAN’T...!”

Star Swirl forced herself up and unleashed the full power of her horn, desperately pressing her assault. Twilight’s head flicked round and purple shields once more appeared around her body, Star Swirl’s magic flattening itself out against them. Star Swirl pressed harder, focused her magic, strained every muscle...

Twilight Sparkle forced her backwards with barely a flicker of effort, knocking her staggering. The psychic projection around the mare started to reform, Twilight floating upwards once again as her voice filled the room, “AGAIN JUSTICAR? YOU REALLY WANT TO FIGHT ME?”

No. She didn’t. But she had to defend her friends.

“You’re fighting like a pretty little princess Star Swirl. I know you can do better than this.”

Star Swirl looked around in shock, Bloody Razor standing next to her with a sly, confident grin. She gaped for a second at the third inexplicably sudden appearance of this strange raider, finally managing to force something out, “Why are you...?”

“Not the time big girl.” He advanced forward, drawing a chainsaw from his back and revving it up with a flicker of magic from his horn, “Pick up your dresses, and let’s do this properly shall we?”

“ARE ALL YOUR FRIENDS BLOODSOAKED THUGS JUSTICAR?” Twilight raised an already forming tentacle, the purple light of her magic shining earily in the darkness, “I TRUELY HATE TO ADMIT IT, BUT MAYBE YOU ARE BEYOND REDEMPTION.”

She flung the tentacle down atop them, Star Swirl teleporting away to appear atop Twilight’s projection with Bloody Razor in tow. He dropped down with a cackle, chainsaw already tearing through the fleshy mass that surrounded the mare. Star Swirl slammed both hooves atop the weakened section, the projection splitting apart and fading away. Twilight used her telekinesis to swing herself round, firing a bolt of energy that slipped past the both of them in her panic. Bloody Razor grinned at her poorly aimed attack, descending past it to strike off her horn with a single swing of his chainsaw.

Twilight screamed, Star Swirl actually feeling a horrible feeling of gratification as she saw the Goddess suffer. This creature had ruined her, ruined the wasteland, and at this moment she had a chance to do what so many other alicorns no doubt had dreamed about.

“Just die already!” She descended downwards, her wings flinging her forward, her magic increasing her weight. She hit the struggling Twilight right in the chest, punching her hoofs forward and driving the mare into the ground with fury, “We are not your slaves, not anymore!” She slammed her hooves down into the still struggling mare, “We owe you NOTHING!”

She slammed her hooves down again and again, tears dropping from her eyes. Twilight had made her a monster. Twilight had turned her into... this. Star Swirl did owe her something. She owed her pain.

“Think you got her big girl.” Bloody Razor stated as he waved a hoof at the bloody, limp corpse lying beneath Star Swirl’s hooves, “Congrats. You look like you worked out a lot of emotions there.”

“Hgh...” Star Swirl let her body flop. Not sure if that was therapeutic or weird. They had just killed the Goddess. Just a part of her true, but a big part. That had to mean something.

It also meant she had killed two of the ministry mares. Sure, she had a bit of help on this one, but still...

“SHE WAS MINE!”

Puppy rose, a black, terrible form wreathed in smoke and the stink of dark magic. Her eyes glowed with dangerous malice, any signs of the innocent little filly long departed. Star Swirl backed away, activating her shields even as she realised they wouldn’t last a moment against Puppy’s strength, “Puppy, it’s me. The battle’s over...”

“NO!” She advanced forward, the ground cracking under her feet, “YOU HURT MY FRIENDS, AND I WILL PUNIS... agh!”

Puppy suddenly seized up, her back arching and the look of intense pain crossing her features. She took one more step before collapsing, sobbing in agony as whatever was wrong took its toll. Star Swirl held back for a second longer before cautiously trotting forward, “Puppy, what’s wrong?”

She squeaked her answer, her eyes wide and once more full of childish innocence, “I... I... critical error detected! Central processor exceeding recommended limits! Breakout scenario in progress, purge system activated! This unit will sterilise itself in thirty seconds, please vacate the suit and reach a safe distance!”

Star Swirl tried to process the filly’s words, now really confused, “Puppy, what...? I don’t understand!”

“24... 23.... 22...”

“Puppy!”

“...20... 19... 18...”

The rubble nearby shifted and Luna pushed herself free, clearly injured but with eyes full of concern. She braced herself and hurried over, inspecting Puppy with worried eyes, “I can stop this...”

“What’s wrong with her?”

“I’m not entirely sure, this is a very unusual circumstance...” Luna nodded firmly, her horn glowing, “I need to calm her down, help her regain control... good night Puppy.”

She bent down and touched Puppy with the light of her horn. It flowed into the filly, causing her to spasm briefly before settling down with a sigh. Her eyes closed, her speech slurring, “Operational limits restored...”

She shook on her hooves before suddenly collapsing to the ground, a peaceful expression on her face as she settled limply into the dust.

“What did you do to her?”

“Sent her to sleep.” Luna replied, sinking down into a sitting position, “It seemed... owch... the easiest option. Check on Char, I’m just going to sit here for a moment.”

Star Swirl took that advice, hurrying over to the mare. She was back in her filly state, not looking entirely healthy. Her body was heavily bruised, her breathing laboured. Star Swirl enquired hesitantly, “Char, are you ok?”

The mare mercifully opened her eyes without difficulty, though made no effort to move, “Hurt, but I’ll be fine Star Swirl. You will need to go on without me though. I need to recover, regenerate my strength for a while.”

“Go on without you? What... what does that mean?”

“It will only be for a short while. You won’t be as strong magically, and you won’t be able to understand languages like before... but you’ll be fine. I never gave you that much, and... hopefully the worst of the fighting is behind us...”

Luna nodded firmly, her breathing still laboured from the battle, “I sure hope that was the final boss.”

Star Swirl turned, eying the alicorn. Luna was clearly looking pale and rather thin, not surprising considering she clearly hadn’t recovered from her fight a couple of days ago. Now she knew there was a child at the centre there she was even more worried Luna was pushing herself beyond her limits, “You’re not looking so good either Luna.”

“I’m fine.” She replied, making it to her hooves with only a little wincing, “Let’s continue.”

Star Swirled hurried behind as Luna set off, looking back one last time. Bloody Razor was nowhere to be seen, disappeared like a ghost. Puppy was gently sleeping. Char was already fading into the darkness behind them.

"What do you call a dead magician's assistant? An abracadaver!"

She hoped they wouldn’t need their help. She shivered, quickening her pace to fall beside Luna as they ventured into the dark.

“What was that? Was that really Twilight Sparkle?”

“Some sort of trap or defence I guess. You’ve seen the dreamscape. Somehow that corridor became connected to it, warping realty and bringing forth nightmares.”

“And Twilight?”

Luna narrowed her eyes, looking troubled, “Twilight Sparkle... I must admit, despite all that I’ve heard I wasn’t expecting her to be that damaged.”

“She seemed even more insane that when I knew her as the goddess.” Star Swirl commented with a shiver, “The others must have been a good influence on her.”

Luna considered this, “Hmm... souls in the dreamscape aren’t... pure. They’re affected by the pony’s self image when they died, and the perception of them among those still living. Some say they also affect the collective consciousness in turn, and that by changing the dreamscape you can chance the perceptions of entire populations... but that is all very theoretical.”

“So that was Twilight Sparkle, affected by...”

“That was your creator, the Goddess.” Luna replied, bluntly and sharply. Her voice dropped a little after a second’s consideration, “That’s awful. I respected Twilight Sparkle, I’ve read quite a few of her books. To think she ended up like that...”

Star Swirl paused for a moment, wondering if it was important. After a moment she had to speak however, unable to shake the impression that something was off about this picture, “It’s strange, to see them separate like this. I’ve already met Mosaic, she was part of the Goddess as well, but now she appears to have some portion of her individuality too, like a normal member of the Unity.”

“They were obviously separate enough for their souls to exist individually within the dreamscape. Since Twilight Sparkle was the most powerful and dominant among the minds that formed the Goddess, she likely took on the power and personality of the full entity.”

Star Swirl was impressed by how much Luna knew, but as normal it wasn’t the full picture, “Twilight wasn’t the dominant mind of the Goddess.

“She wasn’t?”

“No, it was a mare named Trixie.” Star Swirl shivered, wishing it still was. Trixie had been arrogant and bombastic, but had always had a hint of restraint and kindness. The Twilight voice of the Goddess however... she had been driven, fierce, angry... understandable really, but not much comfort when under her gaze, “I much preferred Trixie. I guess she must be out there somewhere too, along with Gestalt.”

Luna nodded, “Very likely. Though it’s apparent they still have a connection. Twilight Sparkle stated that she didn’t have enough power without the Unity, clearly being this far away from the other components of the Goddess weakened her.”

“I just hope we won’t meet her again.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think you’ll get that wish.”

Star Swirl’s eyebrows curled, not liking the sound of that at all, “Is she going to keep chasing after me?”

Luna considered for a moment before setting Star Swirl with a grim look, “It’s likely, yes. Twilight Sparkle is clearly invested in bringing you back into the unity, and she knows where you are now. It won’t take long for her to regenerate, depending on the circumstances she might just outright reappear back in whatever place she feels safest. And Twilight has been to the zebra lands, and was firm friends with a zebra shaman. She could almost certainly find her way here, and perhaps find a way to lead others.”

“She wouldn’t need to bring help.” Star Swirl observed with a shiver, “She was plenty powerful enough on her own. We won that because of Puppy, and pure luck.”

“After I’ve found this Black Book, I’ll try and research ways of protecting yourself from her.” Luna sighed, looking out into the darkness, “We can’t have you being attacked every time you enter the Dreamscape.”

Star Swirl felt dissatisfied with this solution. After a moment she realised why, “There’s no way we can help her? Remove the taint of the Goddess?”

“She’s infused with extreme magical corruption at her very core.” Luna replied, a little sharply. She realised this and dropped her tone a little, though only a little, “You might be able to use the Elements of Harmony to pull it off, but that would require all the bearers to either be natural dreamwalkers or star demon hosts... which I’m guessing they’re not.”

“No...”

“You know I have studied Luna in detail. She encountered such corrupted spirits, innocent ponies who remained in the thrall of outside forces even after death.” Luna sighed deeply, shaking her head, “As you can imagine, their plight was close to her heart. But even as a full princess of harmony she could do nothing to heal their corruption.”

A full princess. It was easy to forget, with all the stature and wings and the looks some gave them... “Is that what you want to become too Luna? A real Princess?”

“I’m hardly capable.”

Star Swirl was surprised, “Really?”

“Laughter? You saw how miserable and depressed I can get. Generosity? Yeah right, I’m not the type to give somepony anything they didn’t earn. Loyalty... perhaps... but Kindness and Honesty? That’s a joke.”

“Magic?”

Luna dropped her head, quiet for a long while. She eventually answered with a sigh, “I want friends. But I told you, I’m not exactly great at them. I’m arrogant, and abrasive.”

Star Swirl wished Luna would stop putting herself down. She was beginning to remind Star Swirl of herself, “No you’re not.”

Luna grinned, clearly pleased by Star Swirl’s praise, “Your friends are safe by the way. Dust Kicker, Zenai and Ace Gold.”

“I’d heard. It was surprising at the time, you were the last pony I’d expect them to help.”

Luna chuckled lightly, “Them help me? It was more the other way round. They were stuck out in the wilderness, they came to me for protection... and to spy on me of course, I’m not stupid.”

Star Swirl had hoped that had been the case when she first heard about them joining Luna. She had figured it was either that or her friends had been lobotomised, “If you knew they were plotting against you, why let them in?”

Luna paused, considering the question for a while as they walked the corridor. Eventually she replied, quiet and thoughtful, “Because I trusted that once they knew the truth about me, they would want to help. Because I... needed to know that for sure.” She sighed, “Because they weren’t spell bound children. I needed cynical adults with no reason to trust me, to see if I could convince them of the righteousness of my cause.”

“You’re worried the children only support you because they don’t know any better?”

“I spent so long not caring, not giving a damn what others think of me.” She took a deep breath, “But I want to make a kingdom for them, a city that will keep them safe and prosperous. And I can’t do that if every zebra hates me.”

“And this thing with Sunshine Ivory is going to help?”

To her credit Luna actually considered this for a while before nodding, “Yes, I do. The primary target is the Caesar of the Golden Coast remember? He’s antagonised the other rulers for years and has no real allies, even Equestria hates him now. That that’s even before I mention that he’s just another member of the Entitidi, and that his father and brother both were just sadistic thugs typical of that line.” She hissed slightly and gritted her teeth, restraining herself as she continued, “And though he pretends civility, he’s no different. Tell me, did he seem charming?”

Star Swirl spoke softly, a little afraid of what would come next, “Yes?”

“Though he openly bans it, secretly he’s been in the slave trade for years, selling off political prisoners and others whose presence won’t be missed. He uses his army as a club, with a shiny bill of rights that he regularly shits upon. He employs that lunatic Chigaru as a top level enforcer. And he also has other vices, that are a little closer to my heart.”

“Um...”

“He’s a paedophile. And it’s not even a particularly good secret.” Luna sniffed, her voice sharp and cold, “I could even show you the evidence if you’re interested.”

Star Swirl wanted to answer back, but Luna was right about some of those other things. She had seen it herself. Were the other charges really so unlikely? She answered with resigned weariness, just shaking her head in depression, “No thanks... I’ll take you at your word for now. Even if it is really depressing.”

“That’s why I’m down here Star Swirl.” Luna commented as they emerged into a large chamber, resolve in her voice, “I wouldn’t have to protect myself from a just world.”

The room was a surprisingly standard classic magical laboratory. There was even a clearly recognisable set of grounding spirals to drain off any excess magic, and a classic ‘glass ball and gemstone’ mana sensor. Various tables had been set out, carrying diagrams covered in arcane symbols.

And at the end of the room, sitting upon a stone plinth... was a black book, a spiral mark Star Swirl identified as ‘Knowledge, scholarship’ decorated with a sprinkle of stars engraved upon it.

“Finally...”

Star Swirl followed Luna’s progress as she made her way towards the grim looking object, “Luna, be careful.”

“I am.” She stated, her horn glowing faintly as she looked around, “I can’t detect any obvious traps or illusions. I’d dare say what we’ve already come across formed the majority of this place’s defences.”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

Luna smirked as she stood beside the plinth, looking down at the book in front of her. She moved her head left and right, inspecting it with a slightly puzzled expression, “Somehow I expect it to be... more. I can only feel a small amount of magic inside it.”

Star Swirl felt the same, which was unusual. She remembered how the Black Book had felt through the shared connection of the unity, and it was nothing like this, “Maybe it’s the wrong book.”

“It’s exactly like I’ve seen it described.” Luna levitated it off the plinth, took a deep breath and opened the book outwards. Then she turned the pages, one after another, becoming more and more irritated. Eventually she closed the book again and placed it back down upon the plinth, grunting in irritation, “It’s empty.”

“Empty? How?”

“I don’t know.” Luna expressed with irritation, “Either the spell failed somehow or...”

“Or what?”

"How does a wizard keep his potions safe from burglary? With a warlock!"

Luna looked round at the door leading further on, the wooden surface decorated with gold leaf inscriptions, “Let’s explore a little further.”

The rooms beyond were richly decorated, far more than the rest of the building. There was some minor decay but whatever magic was woven through the objects here was still active, plush sofas and silk curtains still showing some semblance of their old glory.

They passed through conference halls, dining rooms, sitting chambers, all showing the same richness through the utter decay. Star Swirl looked down with pity at a zebra skeleton still carrying a dented candlestick, his neck cleanly broken. A servant? Who could say, the poor stallions last stand lost to time.

The final room was a living chamber, clearly for somepony very important. It was in perfect condition, only the sign of some minor battle damage and the blood on the floor demonstrating that anything had ever touched it. There was a huge four poster bed, sized for something several times the size of a pony, a massive set of four stone spikes in the centre supporting a vast glowing globe. Within could be seen the stars, the viewpoint occasionally zooming in to observe planets in detail. A table was set out, with an ornamental tea set and a large, still burning candlestick. Horrifically, a set of fully preserved zebra heads had been impaled on spikes set into the far walls, jewelled crowns set upon their once regal manes. A bookcase sat nearby, its contents scattered to the floor.

And a Dragonequis was nailed to the wall next to it, its voice cracked and dry and its eyes bulging and bloodshot. It was smaller and more zebric than the others, clad in regal robes marked with runic symbols. It was old, it’s skin cracked and drawn, it’s toothless mouth painfully creaking open as it spoke once more, “Why... why did the chicken cross the road!?” It screeched its answer, tears falling down its face and clearly in terrible pain, “TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE!!! AHAHAHAHA!”

Luna took a single step forward, her heart clearly breaking. Her expression was one of profound sympathy, “It’s Philidous.”

Star Swirl couldn’t contemplate it. The beast did indeed match the statues they had seen... but this creature? “It can’t be.”

“It is.” She looked over at Star Swirl, “That’s why the black book was empty.”

Star Swirl looked at the creature before them, shrivelled, defeated, broken. Philidous was a legend, a dark shadow used to scare children. Even after all this, she could even contemplate the idea that he might actually exist, let alone stand before her, “But that was more than a thousand years ago!”

“He’s been nailed to the wall, telling bad jokes for two thousand years. Without food or water, or rest.” Luna stepped forward, observing the once proud creature quietly, “You poor, proud idiot. You lost your last battle.”

Star Swirl frowned, looking past his pathetic fate and remembering what this creature was, “He was a ruthless tyrant Luna. He enslaved and experimented on millions of zebra, without conscience or care.”

“He doesn’t deserve this.”

Philidous didn’t see or hear them, his mouth opening once again to spit laboured wit from cracked lips, “What is black and white and... ugh... agh...” His eyes opened even wider, like they were about to pop out of his head. Then he looked down at Luna before him, her horn impaled neatly through his heart. He looked surprised... then a weary, desperate smile inched across his twisted features, “My blessings... dear sister...”

She withdrew her horn and he slumped, the dark lord of stars finally slain by her horn.

Luna sighed and turned to the severed heads, inspecting them for a second before levitating one of the crowns. It was of a dull grey metal, simple and gently curving, a single blue star shaped gemstone set into the centre. She placed it upon her head, adjusting it for balance before turning to Star Swirl, “The crown of the king is that spiked silver crown set with the blue diamonds. I would like if you took it.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help it. Luna had just set it up so perfectly, “Um... I like you Luna, but I’m really not once to rush these things.”

Sadly Luna didn’t blush, simply roll her eyes, “Lower the tone why don’t you? Take any of the others and you’re directly challenging somepony. You want that nice golden one over there, the one set with pearls? That’s the crown of the king of the Golden Coast, see how Caesar likes that.”

Was it now? Star Swirl quickly levitated the crown in question, studying it for a moment as it hovered in front of her. It was one of the more ornate, decorated with reliefs of waves and fishes. It was still tasteful and restrained though, and was surprisingly light. No magic surged within it, no gleam caught the eye. It was actually a little dirty, rather unsurprisingly.

“I wasn’t serious!”

“I’m not taking it for myself.” Star Swirl stated as she tucked it carefully into the burlap sack, turning back to Luna, “This will either legitimise Caesar, or a rival of Caesar. That’s a nice option to have.”

Luna gave a cautious smile, “Are you playing politics now? Truth be told, I was intending on taking all of these for that very purpose.”

“How much will these actually help?” Star Swirl couldn’t help but ask, finding it hard to care herself. Maybe she had been numbed by all that had happened today, but a king at the end of the day was just a pony on top of the heap, and no being alive even knew the names of these zebra. There was no power in these simple circlets, and a replica of any of them could likely be made with ease in the factories of Fillydelpia, “It’s just some gold melted into a circle, with a few gems set into it.”

Luna smiled sympathetically, “And Princess Luna is just stories in a book. I still took enormous amounts of power from that, and there’s still power in these crowns too. Especially now, with the world in ruins.”

“I guess so...” Star Swirl levitated the silver crown over, admiring it. It’s metal was dull and grey, and it was without any sort of ornamentation save a laurel wreath effect at the edges. The spikes on top were cold and dangerous looking, “I’m not comfortable with this Luna.”

“I though you wanted to be a Princess.”

“I wanted to be worthy of the Princesses... and more to the point, I’m not one. And I took this crown off a dead zebra.”

Luna smirked, “How most crowns are passed on really.”

“Ok...” Star Swirl took a deep breath and lowered the crown upon her head, feeling it settle. It felt light enough, and well balanced. She turned to look in the mirror...

Luna stood just behind her, expectant, hopeful. It was that that shocked her, far more than any simple adornment.

Luna nodded firmly, a broad smile spreading across her face, “Perfect. Now let’s go back, we’ve got one more thing left to do.”

They made it back into the main chamber, Star Swirl trembling a little as she saw the book still sitting upon the lectern. At sight it didn’t look any different from before, still it was hard to ignore the sheer feeling of wrongness it emitted now. It sat heavy with dark magic, just daring some fool to pick it up and open it, “Luna, this isn’t a good idea.”

“I ran out of those a long time ago.” Luna stepped forward, hesitant but still resolved to her course of action, “You know I can’t protect my children without it.”

Star Swirl hated this all the more for the knowledge that she had helped drive Luna towards this, “We can talk to Starhammer. If he knew you weren’t a monster...”

“He doesn’t care Star Swirl.” She announced bitterly, “He wants my land, and he’s built his reputation on opposing mares like me. He greeted Ekundayo’s offer of alliance with a dagger in the back, and he’d give me the same if I didn’t give him good reason to pause.”

“He...”

“My mind is made up.” Luna took a deep breath and stepped up to the lectern, her horn glowing, “We all have to take risks to protect those we love. And I’m willing to trust that I’m strong enough to handle whatever this book can throw at me.”

Star Swirl held her breath as the book floated up in Luna’s telekinesis, glowing faintly in the dim light. The pages fluttered open and she felt the magic of the book surge, watching Luna tense in anticipation...

As a comedy boxing glove on a spring shot outwards and bopped her right on the nose. It had enough force to knock the princess flying, sending her into an undignified, flailing heap as her crown bounced away across the stones. Mocking laughter instantly filled the air, echoing around the chamber as Luna sat back up with a look of utter shock on her face.

“Hahahahahahhaaha! Look at stupid, look at stupid! Hahahahahahaha!”

“Wa... what?” Luna sat up, staring at the book for a second or two before turning a pair of wide, deeply confused eyes to Star Swirl, “What just happened?”

Star Swirl shrugged, admitting that she hadn’t expected that, “Um... defence mechanism? Really odd defence mechanism?”

Luna rose cautiously, on her guard as she approached the book. She was on her guard as she levitated the pages open... her eyes bugged out momentary before she slammed the book shut again, grunting as she placed a hoof to her forehead, “Damnit...”

Star Swirl started forward, already worried the book had done something to her, “Luna, what’s wrong?”

“It takes all their knowledge, personality and power and the time of death.” Luna started, her voice terrifyingly calm, “At the time of death. After Philidous had been hanging there for two thousand years, going totally mad.”

Star Swirl paused at the implications, hesitant as she asked the question, “What does that mean?”

“The book is a load of gibberish.” Luna’s whole body noticeably sagged, “It’s totally useless.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help but be slightly relieved, “Well it’s not the worst thing that could have happened. This was never going to end well.”

“Please explain why this isn’t ‘the worst thing that could happen’?!” Luna shouted, her wings standing on end as she raised her voice to a high whine, “I needed that book, I needed that power! How am I going to deal with Starhammer without it, huh?!”

“With me.” Star Swirl stated firmly, knowing now what she had to do. Maybe it had always been her destiny, maybe this was the start of something far greater. She would start it in the pursuit of peace, as it should be, “We’ll go together. He trusts me. We’ll speak to him, and make him see reason.”

Luna sighed and let her head drop. Eventually she nodded, levitating the black book and placing it away in a saddlebag, looking Star Swirl firmly in the eye, “I hope you’re right, I really do.”

And then they were actually doing it. Star Swirl quailed in self conscious uncertainty as Star Hammer’s troops turned to regard them with boggling eyes, weapons dropping alongside jaws as they marched past. She turned to sneak a look at Luna, not particularly surprised to see the girl in her element. She strutted, she smiled and looked every inch the princess.

Luna saw her looking and grinned cheerfully, holding a hoof to her chin, “Lift your head, stare straight ahead. Walk with purpose, keep your back straight.”

“Easy for you to say...” She felt herself blush, “I feel ridiculous.”

“You look beautiful.” Luna grinned, returning to her elegant strut, “So stop hiding it, and hold that head proudly.”

Star Swirl tried her best, even as they walked past the signs of battle and death, even as zebra who she had laughed and joked with earlier stared in awe and confusion. Even as they emerged into the main entrance hall, Starhammer already leading a troop of his best to meet her.

He froze as they emerged, expression a shifting mix of a dozen emotions. His voice stumbled outwards, “What in holy... fuck...”

Star Swirl had to admit it was amusing to see him so off balance. Icoxal on the other hand looked deeply enraged and seemed to be itching for a fight. Kunani... stared coldly, judgementally. Star Swirl shivered a little before replying, “Starhammer, we need to talk.”

“I’d say!” He shouted, pointing a hoof at Luna, “She has the book!”

“I do.” She stated firmly and regally, her accent some dignified high equestrian construct, “So if you don’t want me to use it on you, I suggest we negotiate.”

As Starhammer fought for words, Star Swirl was instantly drawn to Kunani desperately signing beside. She did not look happy as she signed her sharply signed words, “What the ... are you doing! After everything we’ve said, everything we’ve done, you let her take an artefact of infernal evil and lead her right into the middle of our camp?!”

Star Swirl signed back, trying her best to conceal her actions, “She’s not our enemy Kunani. There’s a lot...”

Starhammer twirled, slapping Kunani’s hoof away angrily. She yelped and darted back, the stallion turning and extending a dangerously tensed hoof in Star Swirl’s direction, “Enough! I have always accepted your views, your disagreements, your comments! I ask for honesty in return, not talking behind my back, not... conversing with the enemy!”

Star Swirl quickly tried to explain, “She was just asking me to explain why I had brought Luna here...”

“I’m in charge here! Not her! You speak to ME!” Starhammer growled. He then took a deep breath and seemed to centre himself, though his eyes were still angry and glaring as he brought them back up, “Who’s side are you on Star Swirl?”

“I’m...” She hesitated, “I’m on no one’s side. I just want...”

“I’ll remember that.” He answered, turning then to Luna, “And you demon...”

She gave him a cold, imperious look, cutting him off with her deep regal tones, “Princess Luna. Though you may intend full invasion of sovereign territory, I am still the monarch here and you will address me with proper respect.”

Starhammer looked stricken by this, his lip trying desperately to curl into a smile, “Because... just because you found some... dusty old circlet?”

“No.” She stated coolly, “I conquered this land from the Entitidi, slaying their leader in honourable battle in front of witnesses. I have established a system of taxes, declared my status as ruler to those living here and trained an army to protect them. The Lord Caesar of the Golden Coast and Lord Zaneious of the Heartlands have acknowledged me in official documentation as the new ruler of these territories. Today I have slain the demon Philidous, and claimed the crown worn by the zebra queens of these lands during the time of the old Empire.” She nodded coolly to Kunani, “This zebra is a Shaman of Garm?”

Kunani nodded nervously, shaking her bruised hoof and signing to Starhammer, “By the laws of the land... she’s right. She’s accorded respect, due to her position.”

Starhammer gave a deep, angry sigh, “You’re telling me you killed Phidious?”

“Not exactly a battle.” Luna stated firmly, “But I finished off what was left of him.”

“Fine.” Starhammer nodded, a mixture of amusement and anger boiling behind his eyes, “Then I challenge Queen Luna of the Heartlands to a duel under the spirits, with the crown to the victor.”

Kunani signed hesitantly, “You need a reason.”

Starhammer glared coldly at Kunani for a moment before ignoring her, looking instead to Luna, “Well, what will it be? Hurry up and accept woman, or I’ll take my crown right here!”

Star Swirl was really starting to find Starhammer’s obnoxious behaviour grating. As it was she had even less reason to keep her mouth shut, “You need a reason for the challenge.”

“She’s a FUCKING DEMON!” Starhammer raged, slamming a hoof into the floor that caused Kunani to back meekly away. He made no attempt to hide his anger now, glaring fiercely at the quietly dignified alicorn before him, “You are an abomination, who has killed her own subjects, consorted with dark gods and stole your crown and power from their dying talons! Under the spirits and by the sacred fire that gives us all life, I name you tyrant! You are bound by this, bound to fight me or forfeit your claim!”

Luna hesitated at this. Despite her calm demeanour she was clearly conflicted, uncertain, “I have the Black Book of Phidious. You don’t stand a chance.”

“Like fuck I don’t.” He smirked cruelly, “Phidious is a fucking corpse, who ended up rotting here for a thousand years to the point where a scrub like you could finish him off. You wield the power of a chump, whose time passed by a long time ago.”

Luna hesitated for a moment more... before nodding, stepping forward and lowering her head to glare at him eye to eye, “If I win, you acknowledge my right over the land to all the leaders of zebra and pony. You open up trade deals in my favour, and pay reparations appropriate for an invasion of sovereign territory. You promise your full might to defend us, should others seek to likewise contest my claim.”

Starhammer grunted, clearly uncomfortable so close to the much larger pony, “Done. And if I win I want you, her, and all your followers gone. I don’t want to see one hair of your dirty little brats left in any of the lands under my control, is that clear?”

“Crystal.” She lifted her head once more, stepping back to a regal distance, “So we have an agreement. Honoured shaman, is it recorded?”

Kunani looked surprised at Luna’s address, looking increasingly flustered. She didn’t get the chance to reply, another voice answering Luna’s directive, “It is recorded Queen Luna.”

Luna looked to the source of the declaration, quickly locating the solid black zebra approaching through the crowd of gawping soldiers. Luna looked rather shocked, eventually managing a slightly nervous smile, “Well well, Tradash the Black. I’m disappointed you didn’t announce your presence in my lands. I would have welcomed such a renowned scholar with the honour due to your position.”

He offered a noble bow, smiling politely, “Just a scholar your majesty. And I wasn’t aware you were welcoming guests.”

“Well I am now.” She stated firmly, looking about the room with an imperious gaze, “Let it be known, that any who seek knowledge, any who seek shelter from the darkness, you will find it in Dusklight! I will welcome and protect any who come to my realm for honest purposes, and receive any petitions you come to offer!”

“You... I underestimated you, you magnificent bitch.” Starhammer growled, quiet enough to be near inaudible. He was grinning, but with a dangerous, feral gleam in his eyes, “You walk into my own camp and start making fucking speeches, start buttering up my own troops? Pretty much the last thing I expected.”

Luna observed the zebra for several moments before speaking, “That’s because you’re a thug with delusions of grandeur.”

“That’s exactly what I am.” He snarked, snorting noisily, “And what are you? I’m not so ignorant that I can’t recognise demon armour when I see it, which raises the question... what exactly is lying at that sweet, sticky centre?”

“Enough.” Luna stated firmly, “I have said my piece. Under the rules of the challenge, we have a truce yes?”

“And may the first to break it be damned.” Starhammer agreed, before stepping back grumpily as she stepped past him with her head held high. He looked up at her as she moved away, growling at her departing back, “I know exactly what you are, you know that?”

She looked back, cold and dismissive, “And what is that?”

“You’re just like me. A jumped up upstart, playing dress up and talking shit she read out of some dusty book.” He nodded grimly, “And come the time for our meeting... I’m going to carve that ridiculous pretence in two, and show them all your true face.”

__________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 11 reached

New Perk acquired : Unstoppable Force
Your martial might is truly legendary. You do a large amount of additional damage through enemy blocks with all Melee Weapons and Unarmed attacks.

New Quest Perk acquired : Two Best Sisters
Whether by destiny or luck, you do seem to synthesise well with your adopted sister. When you work together Star Swirl receives a 5% bonus to all melee skills and Luna receives a 5% bonus to all magic skills.

Chapter 2.15 – Walking in Shadow

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Chapter 2.15 – Walking in Shadow

Darkness, pain and... loneliness. Confusion.

Ace Gold would always remember this place. The blue tiled walls, the smell of disinfectant. The corridor echoed with the hoofsteps of blue gowned ponies.

His mother lay upon a bench a few feet away, her head lowered. The radio continued its drone, a constant unwanted reminder of the events that were very much apparent. Neither of them could find the energy to turn it off.

“And in case you’ve just tuned in, this is New Canterlot Radio with an emergency broadcast. Arbiter Velvet Promises is dead, and Deadshot Calamity lies mortally injured, both the victims of an assassin sent by the Applejack Rangers. I repeat, the Arbiter is dead and Deadshot Calamity is currently in emergency surgery...”

“Why mom?”

He received only silence.

“I thought the Applejack Rangers were the good guys.”

Velvet Remedy shifted, wiping tear stained eyes with a hoof as she lifted her head, “They have never been the good guys. They destroyed my home, they killed thousands of innocents throughout the wasteland.” She gritted her teeth, letting out a long sigh. Her eyes focused upon the radio. They were full of a rage and hatred that he had never seen in his mother before or since, her words full of a dark hate that he never thought would ease, “Steelhooves was the only decent one among them, and he died for that virtue.”

Memories... dark memories...

Standing in the crowd, watching. Expectation, not fully understanding but happy to see his father and others he knew the centre of so much attention. The podium had been set up outside the half finished Presidential Palace, Ace already sure enough in his interests to find the structure’s growth fascinating. The largest post war construction ever made they said, and unlike Hoofbeats or the Cathedral a totally original building.

He knew some weren’t happy about that, but he was. He was grateful to the mare stepping up on the stage, her crimson dress bold and aggressive against her white coat and ebon black mane. She smiled as she saw the roaring crowd, her steps confident and her manner striking. He had heard many say unkind things about Velvet Promises, including his own parents, but he liked her. Her attention felt like more than the attention of others and she gave it freely, always smiling, always full of energy. And behind her, smart for one of the few times in his life in his bemedelled commissioner’s uniform, his father. Calamity searched the crowd with his eyes and Ace jumped up, his father however had already turned away to confer with the two stallions at his side. That done they all took positions around the podium, Calamity removing his cap and holding it to his side as he followed Velvet Promises.

She took position at the microphone, looking about the crowd for a moment more before speaking, “Some have called me arrogant.”

She paused at her unexpected first line, the crowd slowly starting to murmur, the sound steadily rising to a low roar. It ceased instantly as she spoke again, cutting through the ambient sound like a knife, “I am proud that I pursued my policies with unyielding dedication. That I did not back down, or compromise. And it was those policies that gave us what you see before you! Prosperity! Peace! Freedom!” She smiled, angling herself charmingly, “And those policies are yours. I saw that you wanted a free market, and I gave it to you! I saw that you wanted the freedom to make your own decisions, and I gave it to you! I saw that you wanted freedom from the thugs with guns, who had oppressed you for so long in the name of ‘security’! Those ponies said that you would fall apart without their watchful eye, that you would be prey for raiders and thieves! And look at us now! Four years have passed, and we are wealthier, freer, living in a new land of culture and... opportunity that would make our ancestors jealous...”

She trailed off a little at this and looked over to the side in irritation, Ace following her gaze. A pony in an Applejack Rangers uniform had made it up onto the stage, shining an ID badge at one of the officers and pushing past him without pause. Calamity frowned and moved over, confronting the pony, angling himself so he was between him and Velvet Promises. The strange pony yet again tried to shove past Calamity but his father blocked him, firmly forcing him back with a hoof.

Velvet stepped off the podium, clearly incensed. She shouted something, though the microphone only picked up vague echoes. Calamity turned his head to look at her.

The Applejack Ranger pulled a pistol from it’s holster with his teeth, placed it under Calamity’s chin, and fired.

The crowd erupted in screams. Ace’s heart felt like it had flatlined. He could only watch as his father dropped limply, crimson exploding from the top of his skull.

And the Applejack Ranger didn’t stop there, letting Calamity fall atop him, shielding his body with his limp form as he came forward. Velvet Promises knocked the microphone to the floor as she backed away in terror, her desperate scream just picked up over the screeching feedback. Then she shuddered, staggering on limp hooves. Her shoulder was hit first, then her throat, then another through her forehead. Before he had the chance for another shot the Applejack Ranger suddenly spasmed and hit the ground in a sprawl, dropping beside the bodies of his victims.

It seemed to take an age for the medics to rush the stage, panicked guards trying desperately to control the crowd. Ace just stood there, falling to the ground as his minder tried to drag him away. He couldn’t keep his eyes off the stage. Numb despair locked his eyes on that terrible scene.

It faded away at last, only to leave him once again in that terrible waiting room. Anger flowed through him, frustration at being trapped in this horrible memory, “You should have been there.”

His mother didn’t rise to the bait. Her voice was full of nothing but sorrow, “What could I have done?”

“You’re a doctor! You could have...”

She sighed, lifting her head to look him in the eye with a quiet weariness, “The best doctors in the NCR are with him right now. I’m not one of them. I’m just a bureaucrat with a clipboard.”

Ace seethed with frustration. She wasn’t talking to him. She never talked to him. She just used him as a sounding board for her own issues! Why couldn’t she understand? “You’re going to stay now. You’re going to stay and look after us, you won’t leave again.”

Her face twisted in terrible regret.

“No!” He shouted, “Dad is dying in there, and you’re already thinking about leaving!?”

Tears broke upon her face, her body tensing in terrible pain, “I’m... fighting for a fair world. A just world, a world without fear. For your father, for Littlepip, for... everypony.”

“What about for us!?” He reared up, angling his all too small body aggressively towards his mother, “Me, dad and Elley, we need you!”

“Your father is dying in there because I haven’t been working hard enough!” She shouted suddenly, jumping down off the bench and screaming shrilly at him. He backed off in fear and her face dropped, body shivering and her eyes growing wide, “I... can’t stop here. I can’t... I can’t protect him. Or you, or Elegant Waters. They’ll keep killing, keep destroying... until I create a new world. A better world, for all of us.”

He gasped in pain, his own tears now forming. He couldn’t stop them, couldn’t stop his words. His world collapsed around him, “We need you.”

“You can’t have me.” She spoke it with utter shock, voice shaking, “The Rangers need to be stopped, driven back out into the wasteland they are clearly more suited for. The NCR government has to be stabilised, new elections prepared, the public reassured, rioting contained... I can’t do that here.”

“Why?! Why you!?” He shouted at her, “You’ve already saved the world twice!”

“And it... never stops.” She let her head drop, looking tired beyond contemplation, “And eventually it takes... everything... from us...”

The words of the radio continued to echo in his head.

“Those who did this did this to divide us. We cannot let them succeed. I am angry, yes. Angry beyond measure, at those who feel they need violence to make their point. But we must show them the error of these cruel methods, and not perpetuate them.

I will personally lend my aid in tracking down those responsible. But Paladin Cross Edge and the 1st Dragons, are they villains? Did they plan insurrection when they defended the Whitetail against the four thousand? Did Elder Prime Numeral desire the destruction of the NCR when he took in the tired and the hungry after the flooding of the crystal plains? The Rangers of the NCR have defended this nation and defend it still. The council has already seen seven of the seventeen Elders of the Rangers offer themselves into custody and swear the allegiance of their followers, and six more have sent messages proclaiming absolute submission to the state. If this is an insurrection it has been firmly denied by the very organisation it proclaims to be a part of.

I give High Elder Emerald Shine and the other three who have failed to respond this ultimatum. Twenty four hours. Twenty four hours to make a statement, to show clear intent to single out those responsible, to answer for this insurrection planned under the banner of their authority. Or the NCR will, by the power given to it by those who elected its representatives in trust, name a new Grand Elder from those of proven loyalty and take steps against those who are not. Harmony will be brought to bear, the nation will unite behind its elected representatives and those responsible will be forced to answer for this crime.

I do not state this as a representative of this nation. I have no position, no authority. I state it as a zebra who has watched it grow, who knew those who forged it from their own sweat and blood. I state it as a zebra who knows that it has strength to weather this and anything else the old world of pain and despair can throw at it. I state it as a zebra who knows harmony will prevail in this, as in any other trial.

So join with me. Trust, and hope. That those behind this will understand that their evil methods have no chance against the power of our united bond. And that they will realise this before more blood must be paid.”

“...ahem, that was Miss Zephyr, bearer of the Element of Magic, live from this station. Stay tuned for more statements on this most terrible of events, right here on New Canterlot Radio.”

Emerald Shine never did answer. He was found in his office an few minutes after that broadcast, his console wiped and his brains blown out, pistol still sitting in his mouth. A million conspiracy theories followed. His Star Paladin stood in front of a firing squad still pleading his innocence, along with a dozen other high ranking officers who, as far as many were concerned, had simply been a little too loud and insistent about the need to ‘do something’ about Velvet Promises in the months leading up to her death. Whole bases were closed down, those within dishonourably discharged. Few clear signs of conspiracy were drawn, the assassin, Paladin Bitter Lemon, a loner with several rebukes for disobeying orders and a reputation for erratic behaviour. Still few felt too much sympathy.

His father emerged alive from the butchers table, though at first it didn’t seem too much of an improvement. He sat in his bed, eyes open and tracking yet with no signs of recognition. A month later he would notice and smile at you, and then try to make some sounds sometimes. And little by little, his father returned to him.

And his mother withdrew. She spent weeks lobbying and arguing for the disbandment of the Rangers, an argument that fell on deaf ears. They were too vital, too expansive, and it was deemed quite likely that Bitter Lemon and the others involved had been extremists. With their reorganisations and mass purges it was felt they had been adequately punished. She retreated from the issue, humiliated and disheartened, uncharacteristically silently and withdrawn for months afterwards.

And she looked upon her husband with bitter sadness and regret, short tempered and frustrated. She would wince and look away when she saw him stumble, when it became apparent important events had been wiped from his memory, when he got confused or stricken by one of his headaches. His mother was already a stranger in her own house by the time she announced that she was leaving to ‘clear her head’. A month later his father told him that they had agreed to a divorce.

She was a coward. She couldn’t face the terrible events that she purported to combat, and so she ran away from those who needed her. And Ace would never, ever forgive her for that.

“I’ve fixed you. Made you right.”

Ace opened his eyes with only the greatest of effort, the lids stuck together with dried blood. The scared raider stood before him, his terrifying face dimly visible through Ace’s one swollen eye. Ace felt like he was ready to die, his whole body in utter agony. He forced open broken lips, feeling the skin shift horribly about his face, “Wut...”

“I’ve never seen any pony so soft. Too soft for the new world. It would have torn you apart little pony, some raider would have been wearing that skin as a coat.” The scared raider smiled, almost kindly, “I’ve made you ugly, so you can survive out here. So you can be one of us. So you can be strong.”

“Plez... just wanna... go home...”

The scared raider shook his head sadly, slipping a rusty scalpel into his hoof brace, “But those eyes... so innocent.” He moved forward with resolve, holding the blade to Ace’s face, “We’ll have to do something about that.”

Pleasant surroundings. Reassuring smells. A caring voice.

The layers of the sculpture opened before him like a blooming flower, layers of carefully forged metal supporting the emerging form of a newborn pony, delicately moulded from blown glass. The fragile and beautiful new life, emerging from the chaos of the modern world. It... pleased him.

“It’s beautiful Ace Gold. Now who said they didn’t have the head for art?”

Ace Gold smiled despite himself as the mug of hot coco was placed down before him, trying desperately to argue away this momentary foray into the softer arts, “It’s not really art, it’s... craft.”

“Don’t try to argue that you haven’t got a sensitive side.”

Ace sighed, turning and looking across the sunlit classroom. Manhatten University was not known for its excess of class or beauty, mostly nestled inside an old military research facility. Still its white plastic walls couldn’t help but shine in the late afternoon sunlight, the worn desks and blackboard smeared with equations speaking of warm, familiar things. And Fluttershy, with her careworn features and simple summer dress, stood like a gentle angel as she watched over him. His words of reply were almost swept away right there, and what power was left in them fizzled as he spoke, “I don’t lack sensitivity, I lack... poetry. I mean look at it, do you really think it would stand up in an actual art gallery?”

“You know, when I was young I didn’t think I was any good at expressing myself either.” Fluttershy spoke, sporting the soft, regretful half smile that always emerged when speaking of the past, “I was too shy to speak, and when I revealed my art it only invited questions I didn’t want to answer.”

“So what did you do?”

She smiled, “I showed it to friends. I showed it to the ponies who I wanted to understand me. I showed it to those I trusted.”

Ace... understood that, “I don’t think I want this on public display. I mean... I did put a lot of myself into it. I’m not sure if other ponies will... understand.”

She chuckled sweetly, “You don’t have to show your heart off to everyone, and there will be always those who will take that opportunity to strike a heart openly exposed. This is a part of you, and if you want it can be a private part.”

“I... do.”

She nodded cheerily, “We can store it away somewhere, until you’re ready to show it off. And Ace?”

“Yes?”

“I’m privileged to have seen this side of you, and I appreciate the trust.” She gave him a gentle smile, her pretty green eyes shining warmly, “If you ever have anything to get off your chest, you can always talk to me.”

Ace blushed, uncertain how to reply. He wanted to tell Fluttershy that she meant everything to him at that moment, that he would have given her the world in exchange for how she made him feel about himself. That he loved her like family, and that she banished all the bad from his life. But he didn’t have the words. He had... no poetry, “Thanks Fluttershy. I really appreciate it.”

It sounded so hollow.

Hollow... he opened his eyes, still in darkness. It was still cold, he still ached, shivered, alone in consuming despair. He wanted Fluttershy here with him now, to hold him, to care for him, to tell him everything would be ok.

It wasn’t ok. He was going to die here, alone. He cried for his father, for Fluttershy. For them to come and help him...

Water hit him in the face, covering him from head to toe. An angry voice shouted at him from the darkness, “Be quiet! They aren’t here, and you’re disturbing every zebra else!”

Ace sniffled as he settled down, embarrassed and even colder than before. In his state it didn’t take long for a fitful sleep to take him once more.

“Think about it. It’s better now, everything’s fixed.”

Ace Gold looked up, strangely unsurprised as Arick Grimfeathers emerged from the dark, swaggering and utterly confident as always. Ace Gold wiped his tears away, shivering as he stood to meet the griffon, “What do you mean?”

Arick chuckled, waving a claw, “You always worried about not being able to live up to your parent’s example, to the skills and talents granted to you by fate. Well now you don’t have to.” He shrugged genially, “You’re blind, crippled. Now whatever you do will be viewed as a great achievement, even scratching your own butt. All those expectations are gone.”

Strange as it sounded... Arick was right. It was a weight of his shoulders that he thought he would never shift. Now he was truly free, free to be the useless child he truly desired to be. To not have to strive and work to a goal he knew he would never reach, “Where are you Arick? Where did you go?”

“You know where.” He laughed, “To where money is easy and fun is cheap. And when you’re done playing hero, come find me there.”

Ace gold was back in the darkness. But not the cold.

It was growing warm. He heard flapping wings, and a wave of heat from above. A clatter of metal.

Wings took flight again, something warm and familiar landing nearby. It leaned its head down, nuzzling Ace with maternal affection. Affection he recognised all too well.

He felt himself cry, relief flooding through him, “Pyrelight... you came... how...?”

A claw pressed something into his chest, Ace Gold taking it in his hooves. He recognised it after a moment of clumsy pawing, the smooth metallic edges unmistakable, “My sister’s locket?”

Pyrelight trilled musically before taking flight once again, wing beats soon fading from hearing. He wanted to call out to the bird but knew he didn’t have the strength. And if Pyrelight was here, then surely his family couldn’t be far behind?

He held the locket firm to his chest. He didn’t need to be able to see it to know what was in here. Him, Elegant Waters and Pitch Perfect. Elegant could be difficult but she took family seriously. She had always been there for him and Pitch, even when they had tried to escape from her domineering grasp. And Pitch... quiet, sensitive, clever little Pitch Perfect. He worried about only being their half sibling, never understanding just how much he bound their family together. Ace should have paid more attention to him, told him just how amazing he was. He hoped he would have that chance.

He would give anything to have them here right now.

There was a commotion outside, the sound of fighting. No guns though, just yells quickly cut short, thudding bodies. A voice Ace recognised as the one who had thrown water at him yelled out and ran down the corridor, only to gasp and then grunt loudly. There was the sound of a hoof on skull and something large hitting the ground.

There was an electronic buzz sound nearby, then the sound of a key in a lock. Hooves padded over, a rough female voice speaking softly in the darkness, “Ace Gold. I have come to help.”

The voice was familiar, though he wasn’t sure from where. He might have been remembering Fluttershy, like her the voice was definitely elderly, with a breathless wheeze that suggested a pair of lungs not in top shape, “Who are you?”

“Introductions can wait.” The figure caught her breath with a short span of carefully controlled breathing, her next words quietly insistent, “Can you stand?”

He attempted it. His legs wobbled, his body suddenly feeling heavy enough to crash to the ground and light enough to float away. Parts of him he didn’t even have names for cried out in pain.

She caught him just as he toppled, taking the scruff of his neck in her teeth and throwing him up to land on her back. He was quite impressed all things considered. He wasn’t light, and she hadn’t even hesitated. He was forced to consider the fact that this mare, who sounded as old as Fluttershy, had just taken out all the bandits guarding him single hooved.

She galloped round the corner before stopping, a familiar young male voice addressing her. Swift Crimson... so he was here to rescue him? Ace was flattered, especially by the buck’s tone of concern, “Is he ok?”

“He will live. Have you acquired all you need?”

Swift Crimson spoke again, “I’ve got my gun back at least. But where’s Fluttershy, she must be...”

“Fluttershy is covering our escape.”

“The old lady is covering our escape?!” Swift Crimson raised his voice dangerously, “How dare you! We are going to go find her...!”

“Quiet.” The unidentified mare spoke fiercely, commandingly. To Swift’s credit he did indeed go silent, letting the mare speak, “Fluttershy made her own decision, were we all that brave. Getting ourselves killed now would mock that bravery.”

Ace understood that, though he still wanted to speak up, to beg them to go back and save her. The words didn’t come, though Swift Crimson stepped forward for him, “We can’t just let her die...”

“They will kill you on sight young buck. She is still more valuable to them alive.” She stated, not without some sympathy, “And we have wounded. We must get Ace Gold to safety, and then we will plan a way to rescue Fluttershy.”

Swift sighed, before his voice firmed up once again, “Fair enough. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Lead on young buck, I suspect your eyes are keener than mine.”

That was the last thing Ace remembered. He was already feeling woozy from standing up, and not a moment later he finally lost the fight to stay conscious. Blackness followed, Ace plummeting headfirst into the inky nothing.

He awoke stiffly, wincing as the rough fabric of the carpeted floor eased itself from his skin. He looked around to remind himself where he was, realising that this was his living room. It took a moment to remember why, and he really wished he hadn’t. His sister’s taunting words, throwing that statue, running downstairs crying as Silver Rade had shouted at him...

He was covered in a blanket. He didn’t remember bringing one down.

He looked to the side, heart quivering as he saw his father lying beside, still in his crumpled uniform, his sleeping expression fitful and troubled. His hat lay at the side, clearly displaying the long scar across the side of his head, streaks of grey through his mane and beard.

Ace hesitated for several seconds before carefully taking the blanket and placing it across his father’s body. His father stirred slightly before settling back down, his expression not shifting from its deep worry. Still troubled by the weight of the world, even in sleep.

“Reduce your magic a little more. It doesn’t need to do anything, just be there. You need to project it as far as possible and as long as possible without wearing yourself out.”

Ace Gold followed Ebony’s voice as she directed him across the infirmary, feeling out obstacles with his magic. It was an effort focusing on both his magic and walking at the same time, let alone keeping both in step. Still it wasn’t going too badly. Ebony herself was a big part of that. She was almost the antithesis of his sister despite their similar ages, totally uninterested in small talk, bluntly unpoetic and knowledgeable about almost everything, “How was that?”

“Better. You’re improving.” Ebony stated with as much empathy and kindness as a plank, “Tomorrow we’ll try walking outside the clinic. Now rest, you will be tired after all that.”

He nodded, trying to smile at the mare... though it felt even more awkward than normal. Even though he was never able to see his own expression, being locked in darkness like this made him profoundly unsure of even that, “Th... thank you Ebony.”

“It’s no problem. Helping out those like you makes us better than them.”

She stated it very bluntly as normal, Ace questioning gently, “Than who?”

“Than the ones Princess Luna is trying to save us from.” She spoke it without any apparent emotion, “Good night Ace.”

He nodded cautiously in the direction of her voice, “You too Ebony.”

He moved away, carefully scanning as he made his way towards his bed. As he did so he noticed something, a presence in the next room. It wasn’t a moment before it moved out to stand before him, Ace identifying... a pony.

“Hello Ace Gold. How are you doing?”

He recognised the voice immediately, though it sounded worn and scratchy, lacking its normal regal power. He bowed his head a little, feeling it appropriate, “Princess Luna. I heard you got back from the ruins ok.”

“I did. I brought back Star Swirl too.” She replied slowly, “I’m sorry I haven’t come to visit you. I’ve been busy.”

He was ill at ease at just how depressed she sounded. It sounded like things were going well, “You got hurt looking for me. Really badly. I understand that you were busy.”

Her voice was pointed, “You got hurt trying to help me. Worse than I was.”

Ace pulsed his horn again, noting something else that confused him a little. She was small, about the same size as him. Her back leg was artificial, stolen from a robot of some kind by the feel of it, magically enchanted. This sounded like Luna, but it certainly didn’t look like her, “Are you ok? Were you... hurt down there?”

She remained silent for a moment before answering, “I’m ok. I just wanted... to apologise for messing around. For what happened in the library.”

That? He had almost forgotten about it, “Stop it. I can tell something is wrong. I’m blind, not stupid.”

She sighed, “I’m going to fight. To fight the hardest battle of my life, to prove myself a princess or a fraud.”

“You’re going to fight Starhammer?”

“Yes.”She replied with quiet finality.

“You can beat him. He’s just a thug, you’re a princess.”

She chuckled lightly, “Thank you Ace Gold, I’ll remember that. Just... I’m sorry. Let me say it.”

“Then... I accept.” Ace Gold didn’t see what the big deal was, but understood that this was important to her, “But it didn’t bother me.”

“I suppose it wasn’t meant to...” She sighed, “It was meant to bother Swift Crimson.”

“Have you apologised to him?”

She remained quiet for what seemed like minutes. She spoke the words that finally emerged like lead, “If I do lose this fight, if I die...”

“Luna, don’t...”

“Swift Crimson and Radhi can lead this group without me. They’re great leaders, better ponies than I ever was. And with Dust Kicker, Star Swirl... this group will survive.”

Ace shivered, not sure what to say, “You can’t die Luna. You have to win this.”

“Never let that be true Ace Gold. Your achievements should outlive you.” She chided gently, “I love this group, this place, this dream more than anything in the world. I would never allow it to depend on the result of a brawl. I’ve planned for every outcome, and I’m confident in what I’ve built and prepared.”

Ace dropped his head. Yet another hero setting out to die. Yet another noble mare, sacrificing everything for others. A great story, an inspiring tale... but what of those they left behind? Who thought of them? “Good luck in your fight.”

“Thank you.” Luna replied quietly, “Now get some rest. Ebony will take good care of you.”

Ace felt the grass on his hooves, the white stone of the Presidential palace rising around him. He was outside on the hanging gardens on the seventh floor, it was evening time by the look of the sky. And he already knew why he was here, his destination.

The mare stood on the veranda, watching the sun set on the horizon. She always looked an unlikely hero to Ace. His father and mother were heroes, handsome, bold, charismatic. They looked the part, even as they aged.

Zephyr on the other hand had the heavy zebra frame, with a boyish profile that gave her a humble plainness. She was calm, introverted, her voice clear but rarely demanding attention. She took things slowly, and he had never seen her lose her temper.

Unlike him, “Zephyr!”

She looked surprised as she turned to him, her subsequent smile uncomfortable and fake, “Ace Gold.”

“You honestly think this is a good idea?!” He didn’t know quite where he was going with this but his emotions wouldn’t stop, just bubbling forth without end, “You think you can just pick up where you left off? That my father and mother...”

“Your father and mother love each other Ace Gold.”

Ace paused a moment. Zephyr stated it so plainly that it almost felt true, “My father... my father is with Silver Rade now, and...”

“Relationships are complicated.” Zephyr sighed, turning back to the sky with a resigned weariness, “They associate so many painful memories and emotions with each other, too many to be together anymore. And that’s a tragedy they both feel, because underneath they still care for each other so very deeply.”

Ace replied firmly, “They hate each other. And if you try to get them to use their elements... it won’t work. You’ll get them all killed.”

“I trust my friends Ace Gold.” She paused for a second before taking a deep breath, looking round at him with regret, “I’m sorry. I’m the element of magic, I should have tried harder to fix the problems between them. But I felt like a child, didn’t want to meddle... a dozen excuses, all of which let two of my best friends hurt themselves and everyone around them.”

That... wasn’t good enough, “Then why are you taking them into this fight, where they could get killed or worse...?”

“Because my friend is in trouble, and the elements might be the only way to save her.”

Ace grimaced. He knew even his father had his doubts about this friendship, and Ace was pretty sure it wasn’t worth dying for, “That friend is trying to destroy the NCR!”

“Then I’m pretty sure she’s desperately in need of saving.” She looked slightly warning as she turned an eye down to Ace, her tone chastising, “I was born into an uncaring, cruel wasteland, my father a brute and my mother a vibrant, intelligent woman beaten into mute passivity. My whole tribe was wiped out by slavers, what was left of us forced to live scraping in the dirt. I lost dozens of friends, and lived every day in the knowledge that I would lose more.”

Ace had done history at school. It still stung, spoken by one he knew. Who he had only met in the context of riches and luxury and fame, “I know...”

“Ace, the day Littlepip came out of that terrible wasteland with my mother at her side, told me that she planned to defeat Red Eye and the Enclave and bring sunshine to this land... I understood that heroes did exist, and we could win against this wasteland. But it would not be done by being cautious, or with faint heart and loose principles.” She smiled gently at Ace, her smile lighting up her simple features in something shockingly beautiful highlighted there against the setting sun, “On the day we gathered the elements and defeated Sunny Smiles we only won because Screw Loose risked everything on the wild hope that the six of us were worth trusting. And on that day I affirmed my friendship with her, and told her we would always be there to help her.”

“Even when she’s trying to destroy the world herself?”

“Always. Because if I don’t, then I’m abandoning the principles that brought my mother back to me. That brought us all sunshine and gave us a world where children like you don’t have to face the same terrors I did. And that’s worth a little bravery, and a little trust.”

“I guess...” Ace spoke numbly, it hard to argue with the mare when she started speechifying, “You promise you’ll bring my mother and father back?”

She nodded, her face opening up into a beautiful smile, “I promise.”

He sat firmly still as Fluttershy tended to his eyes, wincing at the occasional stabs of pain. Truth be told, Fluttershy’s hooves weren’t anywhere near as steady as Ebony’s. Still the bedside manner made up for it.

Fluttershy moved away, gently brushing Ace’s mane to the side. She spoke after a moment’s pause, warm and hopeful, “The damage all seems to be to the eyes themselves, and the wounds are nice and clean. That means that with any luck we will be able to easily replace them with bionic implants when we get back to Equestria.”

He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Still it felt ungrateful to complain about the possibly of getting his eyesight back. Still... “I hate being a burden to you all.”

“Well keep working with Ebony and you’ll be up and about in no time.” Fluttershy chuckled lightly, “She’s not much for conversation, but she is a great doctor.”

“She is.”

“This place... seems full of talented individuals like her.” Fluttershy observed in soft, thoughtful tones, “Radhi is astonishingly mature for his age, and I think he might challenge Twilight Sparkle in his passion for books and putting what’s in them to practical use. Princess Luna on the other hand challenges her in magery, and has an unquestionably brilliant mind. Swift Crimson is a dedicated, serious and charismatic young man who has managed to turn a tribe of kids into a quite impressive militia.”

“Do you think they can defeat Starhammer?”

Fluttershy laughed, brushing a hoof across his shoulder, “I do. Princess Luna has plenty of flaws, but she is a good mare acquiring good friends to make the world a better place. It does me good to see that still has a place in this world.”

Ace Gold had made the comparison. The great mage with a wealth of book learning, surrounded by good friends. Could it really happen again? “They don’t have the elements of harmony though.”

“We didn’t need them when it mattered.” Fluttershy commented with gentle sweetness, “All we needed was each other, and they still have that. And that is enough.”

Ace couldn’t help but smile a little, “So which one is Swift Crimson?”

“Loyalty. That one was easy.” She giggled, “And Niyada is Kindness. Ebony is Generosity. Radhi is Honesty. Luna is Magic.”

“Now all they need is laughter.”

“It will come. We just have to believe.”

Ace felt his ears droop, his heart sink, “How do you do that Fluttershy? Believe?”

“After everything I’ve seen?”

“...yes.”

Her voice was soft, musical despite the cracks of age, “Because I see so many good young ponies ready to take up the fight.”

She was terrible. Ace couldn’t help but well up a little despite himself, even though he knew she was probably trying to tease him, “I... hope you’re not expecting me to do much fighting...”

She touched his face with a gentle hoof, “Keep your head up Ace. And never stop believing we can make a difference.” She moved away, her voice cheerful, “And I think you have another visitor, so I’m going to go now. You take care of yourself Ace.”

“I... will.” He commented, searching with his magic for this new visitor. Fluttershy’s departing shape muddled his perception for a moment before a figure emerged, a little nervous and... wearing a pair of glasses, “Who is it?”

“Sorry, it’s Radhi.” The figured answered, sounding ill at ease, “I simply... well I felt I should visit. How are you doing Ace Gold?”

“Fine... I think.” Ace realised that sounded stupid, quickly moving to correct himself, “Ebony’s training is going well.”

Radhi laughed at this, sounding a little more at ease. He sat down nearby, “She’s using you as a test subject for some of the theories she found in a book on rehabilitation. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No... she’s good at it.” He actually felt a little better about it really, “That means what I’m going through might actually help ponies in the future.”

“Certainly, though never suggest that she might in any way be happy about your condition.” Radhi spoke warningly, “She might not seem it but she’s the most moral pony in Dusklight, and doesn’t take insults well.”

“More moral than you?”

Radhi laughed, “She’s a little too moral I think. I’m not sure she knows the meaning of compromise. But she’s a good friend, and a great doctor.” He paused for a moment before speaking reflectively, “Maybe it’s good to have somepony like that. It can be very easy to lose track of your moral compass in this world, so a pony who always points north is a valuable thing.”

Ace felt that was all a little too deep for him at the moment. He was just glad Radhi was here, though it made his heart ache that he couldn’t really see the zebra. He tried creating an image from his memories and the results of his magic pulses but it wasn’t really the same. At least he still could hear the buck’s voice, which was still as charmingly enthusiastic and enunciated as ever. With that on his mind he searched for ways to keep the conversation going, “Luna came to visit me.” He stated it cautiously, unsure where he was going with this. He certainly didn’t want to worry him, “She seemed... upset.”

“She’s in a bad place at the moment.” Radhi sighed deeply, sounding deeply weary, “She’s working herself ragged, and though I admire her endurance she just keeps throwing herself back into the fight. There’s only so much healing potions and med-X can do.”

“Is there... anything... we can do?”

“I wish there was, but injured or not she’s still our best fighter.” He sighed, “And there’s always battles to be fought.”

“What about Dust Kicker?”

Radhi chuckled lightly at this, “Well his unit is praising him to the sky, he got every single one of them out of Sanitoria alive and has started teaching the others how to fight now he’s back. But I’m not sure he’s the pony for one on one duels.”

“I beat him.” Ace noted regretfully, before adding, “I hate being so useless. I’m not saying I’m the fighter Luna is, but... I could do something.”

“You’ve fought your battles for us Ace Gold...”

“Damn!” He shouted, already regretting his outburst. Still he was so frustrated at how events had unfolded, how it could go wrong in just a few days, “I had that bandit dead to rights, and then he pulls some dirty move that... made me this...”

“Ace Gold, it’s ok...”

“No it’s not.” He grunted, feeling his heart ache, “It’s all gone so... wrong.”

Ace cursed as he felt tears roll down his face, embarrassed that he had broken like this in front of Radhi of all ponies. So much for his cool, unflappable image... then his thoughts froze as Radhi touched a hoof to his cheek, gentle and calming. His voice was a note of pure grace, “You’ll get through this Ace Gold. We all will.”

Ace smiled, already feeling himself blush. He wasn’t sure what to do, but what could a stallion do but forge onwards, “Luna... said that you were a far better leader than she would ever be.”

He chuckled, a clearly embarrassed tone in his voice, “Well, Luna is rather given to overdramatics... and she sometimes underestimates her own role in all this. I’m no leader. I can’t give speeches, or connect with the common pony. Luna commands attention with everything she does.”

“I think she’s right.” He mumbled it, trying not to trip over his own words, “I... think you’re pretty incredible too.”

Radhi coughed at all this praise, Ace feeling him shrink back slightly. Still he didn’t draw away, even as his voice shook, “Um... I just... try to do my best. I wouldn’t have the strength to do anything without her here.”

“I think you do.” Ace felt the words flow naturally, though they still stuck in his throat a little, “Why... why don’t you have a special somepony? I mean...”

Radhi chuckled, tensing a little, “Well... Swift Crimson and Princess Luna sometimes seem like a full time commitment of their own. Not to mention Niyada and Ebony, and... everypony else.” He coughed again, his chuckle even more shaky and nervous this time, “And well... I’m pretty boring to be honest. I like economics, bureaucracy and itemised lists, not exactly the stuff of a romantic evening. And I sound like I’m about three times as old as I actually am, mostly because I read too many long, dull books...”

“Radhi...” Ace cut him off, his voice coming out as distressingly shy and uncertain, “I graduated from Manehatten University. We’re known for grey suits, natural manes and degrees in theoretical economics. I like boring.”

“Aha...” The zebra coughed, his voice swaying, “You... like me?”

“Um... yes...?” Ace felt his heart freeze midbeat, feeling the need to will it into action once more, “I mean... when you broke up that fight between me and Swift and... when you... do... everything...”

“Oh...” Radhi didn’t sound... put off as such. More uncertain, which was likely justified, “I’m not really very good at this sort of thing. Just thought I’d warn you.”

Ace’s retort almost exploded out of him, “Neither am I!”

“I... oh, Ace Gold, you are an interesting pony.” He suddenly moved forward and took Ace into a shaky embrace, causing Ace’s heart to almost explode out of his chest. Radhi held him there for several long, wonderful seconds before finally speaking, “I admit that I do rather like you. You make pleasant company, and you’re smart and well read. Not the most romantic statement, but I’m afraid you might have to get used to that.”

“No... I kinda like it.” Ace stuttered as Radhi drew away a little, leaving him feeling uncomfortably hot, “I never know what I’m feeling, so I’m not sure how quite to express it. So... logic like that is rather sensible.”

“I guess it is.” Radhi chuckled, “And Luna was right it seems. Not surprising I guess.”

“About what?”

“She thought I was gay.” He commented with an amused little lilt, “Though I believe it was more to do with not being attracted to her than any real insight. Still... seems she was right, one way or another.”

“It took me a while to work it out.” Ace commented, glad to finally have someone to talk it over with, “I thought my difficulties with girls might be to do with my family, that I just formed strong relationships with other guys... I wish I did like girls. I always felt so guilty.”

“Guilty?” Radhi questioned.

Ace nodded, “I’m the child of two famous heroes, the only children born or likely to be born to Littlepip’s group and the Elements of Harmony. And my sister is pretty much set on this griffon she knows, and I’m...” He sighed, feeling his legacy once more weighing upon him, “There’s my brother Pitch Perfect, but he’s only my half brother. And it feels... unfair to leave this all to him.”

“Bloodlines aren’t as important as you think. Historically speaking, they tend to end up producing inbred nobility with entitlement complexes.”

“I know...” He sighed, realising he was being stupid. His father and mother would likely be disappointed at a lack of grandkids... but there were a lot of orphans in the NCR that needed a good family, “I’m actually distantly related to Sweetie Belle and Applejack.”

“Blood of heroes?”

“Well that line did produce Littlepip and Velvet Remedy... and a legion of inbred losers with entitlement complexes.” Ace sighed, “I just feel, more than ever, that the NCR needs... a link to the past. Like what Princess Luna has given you.”

“It has the elements of harmony. And from what I’ve heard, the NCR takes its government from the great griffon assemblies that ruled them in their golden age.” Radhi commented gently, “In the future I’m sure others look upon the tales of Littlepip and her friends and find the strength to do what’s right by their example. And that is a truly immortal legacy, not some diluted bloodline of hereditary nobility.”

“You’re right.” He sighed, searching the zebra’s features with his magic and finding the strength to smile a little, “Luna’s right, you’re really smart.”

“I’m... well read.” He cleared his throat a little, sounding embarrassed, “Platitudes in place of action is my forte. With that in mind I fear I will be a poor boyfriend.”

“Yeah... well it’s a brave new world for all of us I think.” Ace commented, leaning forward in hopeful expectation, “I get the impression everypony’s sort of winging it.”

“In...deed...” Radhi cleared his throat once again, “May I? I mean... are you offering?”

Ace couldn’t help smiling, feeling dreadfully coy. A bad habit to get into he felt, “I guess I am. I mean... we should at least try it out.”

Radhi’s voice did actually squeak a little at this, “That sounds... wise.”

In retrospect it was nervous, stiff and lacking passion. At that moment though, it was the perfect kiss.

He was never very good at parties. Especially parties at orphanages, where all the kids his own age reminded him all too well of his own ranking among the nation’s elite. It always felt uncomfortable, like they were dodging around the most important subject.

So he stood out of the way, pony watching. It was a nice day to do it. The sun was high in the sky on a warm spring, the gardens a beautiful oasis that few outside had ever seen. Kids laughed and played among the flowers, tugging cheerfully at the skirts at the noblest figures in the nation. Ditzi Doo was in her element, effortlessly managing the kids, her scurrying staff and her guests alike without the slightest look of stress or worry on her brow. Her husband helped of course, Lionheart keeping most of the rowdier kids entertained with a rousing tale of honour and bloody conflict. Reggie was sitting with her husband, opposite Life Bloom and Homage, the four clearly locked in some serious conversation. His sister was recruiting an army of smitten boys, Reggie’s son Sebastian and his brother Pitch Perfect meekly in tow behind her. His mother meanwhile was standing with his stepmother Silver Rade of all ponies, the two in animated discussion about something...

“Makes a stallion worried, both the women in his life getting on so well.”

Ace turned with a start, spotting his father moving cautiously through the grounds a short distance away. Ace couldn’t help raising an eyebrow, “Are you hiding?”

Calamity blushed a little, giving a somewhat goofy grin, “No... ah just wanted to make sure they were getting along and all. No... tension.”

Ace looked back at them. They seemed to be getting along very well, Silver Rade, never the most smiley of ponies, actually seeming very at ease in Velvet Remedy’s presence, “You think they’re talking about you?”

“Ha... no, probably not.” He chuckled, “Kinda sexist really, to think that the most interesting thing they could have to talk about is me. Likely talking about something that would go straight over my head. Ah always was attracted to mares smarter than me.”

Ace Gold hated his dad’s self deprecation, considering the stallion was the leader of all the NCR’s security forces and knew more about mechanical engineering than most of his teachers. His mom was just a... bureaucrat with a clipboard. But he really couldn’t be bothered to have that conversation now, “Probably.”

His dad moved over, watching the two with a fond, thoughtful expression. The silence lasted for almost a minute before he finally spoke up once again, “Ah am kinda sexist really...”

Ace angled his head up at his father, the stallion looking into the distance with a regretful expression, “What?”

Calamity sighed, “When ah’m at these events I can’t help but think of those who aren’t here. Littlepip, Zenith, Zephyr...”

“Why is that sexist?”

“Because... they would all laugh at me if ah admitted it to their faces. But more than anything else, ah see a young mare and I get all paternal. Want to... protect them from all this. All the women in my life, ah vowed to myself that ah’ll keep them safe, that ah would stand between them and harm. Now ah know well that every single one of them were a lot tougher than me, but still... ah can’t help but feel responsible.” Calamity looked down at Ace but Ace had no reply, just looking away from his father’s gaze. Calamity sighed, his voice lowering yet further, “Ah know you blame your mother for a lot of things, but don’t believe any of her decisions have been painless ones. She used to be the most idealistic of all of us, so confident that ponies were good and everything would turn out alright. When ah first met her she was arguing the case for raiders of all ponies... ha, ah wanted to throttle her so many times, knock the stupid out of her head.”

Ace’s heart swelled with hate, too much to contain, “And now she’s a cynical, manipulative politician.”

“Perhaps.” His father answered, somewhat surprisingly, “She has the same motives, the same goals. A world of peace and understanding, where kindness and gentleness are valued. But she’s... lost faith in her methods.”

Ace wasn’t sure how to answer that. Certainly he wanted to disagree, to criticise and decry his mother. Still... he wasn’t sure himself how much he believed that purely honest and gentle methods would change this world, “That was no reason to abandon us.”

“We all got injured on that day.” His father sighed, “Some of us recovered faster than others.”

“You were shot dad. In the head.”

“An’ she saw everything she loved and believed in shattered, the culprits getting away with it and the world moving on with... a shrug.” Calamity shook his head, pain sparking in his eyes, “Velvet Promises... she hated guns. She was scared of them, though she would never admit it, damn prideful mare that she was. She distrusted me for that very reason, tried to stop me and my men from being there on that stage. I convinced her that ah couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to her, and that ah wanted to be there just in case.” He chuckled, “She was a difficult mare at the best of times... but she really wanted what was best for the NCR. She shouldn’t have died like that. Ah should have saved her. And then Velvet Remedy might not have been hurt, and we would all still be together.”

“Dad...”

“Something died in all of us on that day. Something important.”

Ace remained quiet. He had nothing to say.

“Is this how it’s going to be? Some days it feels like the NCR is watered by the blood of young mares. Littlepip went through more than any of us and ended up locked in that damn metal tomb, Velvet Promises went up there with more sincerity than any politician has any right to an’ died in screaming terror. And... Zenith searched all that time for her daughter, and found her again just to watch Zephyr sacrifice any chance at happiness, then hurl herself into a vortex of chaos magic to save a pony who had tried to kill her a dozen times. And then she hurled herself headfirst into that damn same vortex after her, and ah just stand there like a slack jawed idiot.”

“It wasn’t your fault. It was their decision.”

“It was the right one.” He declared regretfully, “All those great bold heroes, warriors and leaders there and the only ones to do anything were Zenith and Ditizi Doo. Ah give Ditzi too little credit sometimes, the mare has heart ten times the rest of us put together. Ah’m... damn glad she was a little too slow on that day.”

Ace agreed with that assessment. She wished Zephyr and her mother had been a little slower themselves, “It was stupid of her. If she had died then all these kids...”

“Would have been looked after by somepony else.” Calamity shook his head at Ace, looking just a little annoyed, “Don’t you go thinking any of us are more than we are. If ah die, certainly plenty would be upset but the NCR wouldn’t go and collapse. There are plenty smarter, tougher and wiser than me. Ah just happened to be lucky enough to know a damn fine mare who had the notion that she could save the world.”

Ace pouted at his father with all his strength, “That’s not true.”

“Son, a hero is a pony in the right place at the right time, who has the courage to make the right decision.” He grinned, “Ah’m proud I had that courage, but I know a lot of fine folk who would do just as well in my place. Ah’m privileged to have been able to make a difference, but that doesn’t make me or anypony else indispensible.”

Ace glared at the ground, trying to contain his emotions within himself, “Maybe you are to me.”

“Not planning on going anywhere anytime soon, don’t you worry your head about that. Hell, my warrior days ah pretty far behind me, can’t remember the last time somepony took a shot at me.” He placed a hoof across Ace’s shoulders, pulling him reluctantly into a hug, “But if I did... you and your siblings are well taken care of, we’ve both made sure of that.”

Ace grunted, “What has Velvet Remedy ever done for me?”

“Well that fancy university you like so much was established by her. I’m sure I can think of a few other things.” He sighed, leaning in close, “Ah know that more than anything, you wanted the two of us to be there for you son. And you’re entitled to hate what we are, what we do. You’re entitled to hate us.”

“You were there for me. You come home.”

“And Velvet Remedy sleeps at her desk most nights. It ‘anit healthy, and it ‘anit necessary, but don’t go thinking it’s easy for her. She needs help... help to stop feeling so damn guilty about things that ‘anit her fault. And we’re trying to get that to her.” He moved away gently, turning his head to look down at Ace with a quiet, pleading expression, “So ah want you to give her a chance.”

Ace kept his eyes focused firmly on the ground, his mouth firmly shut. He wasn’t the type to make idle promises.

You heard things in the dark.

“...murmermurmer... murmerLunamurmer...”

He ignited his horn very gently, becoming part of the ground the walls. Expanding himself outwards, searching for some sense of solid structure to cling on to. He found the sound, pinpointed it, strained all his senses towards it...

“...can’t talk to me like this!”

“I can talk to you any way I want! And lower your voice while you’re in my hospital, you’ll disturb my patients!”

It was Ebony... and Luna. Luna was angry, sounding almost close to tears as she shouted back at the mare, “It’s my hospital! These are my ponies, and...!”

“No.” Ebony declared firmly, “No, I will not have this any longer. You assigned us to your council so we could watch you, advise you, hold you back from bad decisions. And now, at this point... no.”

“What do you want to do then? Leave?”

“Yes. This cave is suitable for our needs, but it’s in no way ideal. It’s certainly not worth dying for.”

“And go where?”

“West, find shelter with Caesar. He’s reasonable, so long as you flatter his ego. Or East, within the heartlands. It’s more densely populated than other areas but it’s peaceful and tolerant of outsiders. If you want a fight, you could go even go north and take on the Aridari, kick out the tyrant and make a better go of getting others on your side this time. But you can’t fight Starhammer. He’s got an army big enough to take on Caesar, and you heard what Swift said about his combat ability.”

Luna sounded defeated, “I’m not defenceless.”

“You’re not the fighter he is and you know it. He’ll kill you and kill everypony...”

“NO!”

There was a crash, the sound of breaking glass. Ebony’s voice rose into an angry shout, “Luna!”

“I will fight him, and I will beat him! With or without your approval!”

The door slammed, Ebony shouting after the departing princess before sighing and going quiet again. A little while later there was the sound of broken glass being swept up.

It was getting easier. His head was clearing up, allowing him to more easily tell the difference between dreams and reality. His lack of sight still made everything blur together though, one long monotonous daydream occasionally broken by somepony entering the clinic.

Because of this he was getting better at the listening.

“...go teasing me!”

“I’m not teasing... hell, that’s pretty insulting. I don’t do pity or mockery, I just call it like I see.”

“Then... I’m not going to be some... notch in your bedpost.”

Ace went bright red, trying desperately to withdraw backwards...

...and hating himself as curiosity kept him focused on the far too intimate conversation behind the wall. He shivered with every word.

“When was the last time you heard me boast about any of my notches? I accept that I’m not the settling down type, and I’ve certainly been with a lot of mares over the years. I’m a wanderer, and I’ve always appreciated the company of interesting, attractive mares. And I’m happy to spend what time I have with them before circumstances cause us to part ways.”

“I... and what if that doesn’t interest me?”

“Then tell me to back off. I’ll be mighty disappointed, but I’ll get over it.”

“I... it’s difficult. It’s been... a long time.”

“I get that. And the last thing I wanted was to open up any old wounds...”

“You... should find somepony easier. For your sake Dust Kicker.”

“Heh, that doesn’t sound like a no there Fluttershy. That sounds like a challenge.”

Her voice squeaked a little as she answered... distressingly coy, “Take... take it however you like!”

“Well how about that? I guess I’ll see you later on then?”

“May... maybe...”

Ace whimpered as he sank into his bed, mind firmly raped into a quivering, deeply distressed soup. Dwelling on memories of punching Dust Kicker in the face helped some fortunately.

Ace Gold opened his eyes once again, noting the light of the day shining in his eyes and realising he was dreaming once more. He was glad he was finally aware enough to work out what were dreams and what was real, figuring that he might finally be getting used to his blindness.

He was a little too aware really. And... he didn’t recognise this place.

It was snowing, the cold stinging against his skin and the area totally frozen and lifeless. There had once been something here, shards of what looked like glass sticking up from the snow, crushed, glittering sand beneath his hooves. A mighty tower of crystal had toppled nearby, the remains poking out of the snow like the bones of some mighty beast.

He heard somepony crying and ventured onwards, straining his ears to hear among the blowing wind. It didn’t take long, locating the hint of pink against the stark white. He galloped over, surprised to see a unicorn of barely filly age. She was bright pink in colour and had a dark violet mane, her cutie mark some kind of... glass tower, much like the one that had fallen before them. She was crying with bitter sorrow, the tears freezing upon her cheeks, “Are you... ok?”

The filly lifted her head and stood, turning towards him. She was a pretty thing, unstained by the wasteland. Her voice was clear and well enunciated, “I’ve... I’ve lost my family...”

A little filly lost in the snow. His big brother instinct took over, “When did you last see them?”

“On... the horizon.” The filly looked out into the snow, Ace swearing he saw a hint of figures there in the darkness, “They... left me long ago. All alone, and so... very lost. I hoped I would find them here, find something to bring them back.”

Ace Gold looked around, seeing the hints of bones poking up among the crystal, “This is a graveyard.”

“I have to continue their legacy. I have to make them proud.” The filly stared into the snow, eyes full of despair, “But... I failed the most basic of my duties to them. I was born as the death of my house. But I... had a plan... a plan to leave a legacy that would be remembered forever...” Her eyes opened in sudden rage, “I worked for years, creating a grand, beautiful thing that would save the world. That would bring peace and happiness back to a dead land. It was a work of years of hard work, glorious design and ambition!”

Ace frowned, the hate seeming to add years to the filly before him, marking her face with dark furrows, “What happened?”

“A pony with nothing to prove, nothing to gain, no reason to care. She stole my dream from me.” Tears ran down her face, her face screwed up in bitter despair, “I had all those things. And she left me with nothing save the ashes of failure.”

He reached out to her, wanting to do something to comfort the mare. He was cut off unexpectedly by a familiar voice, “You’re not supposed to be here Ace Gold.”

Ace turned, Luna standing in the snow nearby. He didn’t recognise her immediately, her coat a dark, moody blue and her body lacking its disconcerting thinness. Whatever the case, this dream was getting increasingly odd, “Luna? What is this? Where are we?”

“In this young mare’s dream.” She answered simply, trotting over, “I heard her call out in distress. Somewhere out there in the wasteland, this mare is tossing in her sleep.”

Of course. She was Princess Luna, guardian of dreams after all, “But... why am I here?”

“I’m not entirely sure. It will be interesting to see if you remember this.” She shooed him away with a hoof as she trotted over, “But stop making this about you. Look at her, she’s obviously suffering.”

Ace Gold nodded, hating seeing a young filly cry, “What can we do?”

“Give her a good night’s sleep.” She trotted over to the filly’s side, smiling warmly, “Hello.”

The filly’s eyes widened at the sight before her, “Princess... Luna...” She smiled waveringly, her damp eyes shining, “Am I dead? Have you come to take me to be with my family?”

Luna’s expression shook, the filly’s words obviously unsettling her, “I’m afraid not. I can only give you a peaceful night.”

“I’m dreaming.” The filly looked across a shard of crystal, gazing at her reflection, “Of course. I’m only this beautiful in my dreams.”

“Do you want me to take this away?” Luna stated softly.

“Do it.” The filly growled, “I was tired of this place the second I first came here.”

“Don’t know what’s going to happen to you Ace.” Luna mentioned as she raised her horn, “Maybe you’ll wake up. Unless you’re just a figment of my imagination... which is possible I suppose.”

Ace cocked his head, considering this, “I don’t think so...”

“Well we'll see soon enough.” She said as her horn burst with light and everything... snow, ruins and ponies... was swept away.

“Wake up Ace Gold.”

The words were softly spoke, but woke him up with a start and a gasp of cool air. He felt a breeze against his ears and shivered, awake enough to realise...

This wasn’t the clinic. He was outside.

The voice spoke again, worn and raspy. The voice from the prison, the strange mare who had rescued him. She spoke calmly, assessingly, “Where are you?”

He refused to panic. He sniffed the air, felt the wind on his face, pulsed his horn. The information fed back to him, painfully incomplete. Still... sand on the ground. Cold air. The sound of creaking metal, “I’m outside, likely in the theme park. Just outside Dusklight. Why did you bring me here?”

“I am an adult, and a zebra. A strange zebra, with many scars. They were grateful enough for my help, but would not give me access to Dusklight. And we have things to discuss.”

Ace blinked at the implication, “You... snuck inside? And brought me out here? Without waking me?”

The voice sounded pleased. She had an odd accent, speaking equestrian fluently yet with an accent or combination of accents he didn’t recognise. She spoke it now, almost teasingly, “Soft hooves are a blessing. I never liked attention.”

Ace remained cautious, still he doubted he was in any danger here. She had already saved him once after all, “And what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Listen Ace.” The mare stated, her hoofs sinking into gravel as she stepped in a circle around him, “Listen to me. Listen to my hoofbeats, my heartbeat. What can you see?”

Mechanics. He could do mechanics. His horn shone, a basic assessment spell. He had to admit, it seemed... clearer than before, “You’re... hoof is chipped. The left one. Your hearbeat... I can’t hear your heartbeat...”

“What else. What inside?”

He shook his head, it hurting his head to concentrate like this, “It doesn’t work like that. It’s sonar, it only works for surface details.”

“Everything is connected Ace Gold. Look not just at the object, but the ripples left by that object. The vibrations in the air, in the ground... in the flow of magic.”

Ace trembled a little, unsure quite what he was doing. All of that sounded... difficult. He tried magic first, figuring that would be easiest. At first it seemed normal, detecting the pockets of magical energy he could use for his casting, just as he would before using any spell. Then it became disorientating, trying to track how each pocket interacted with those around it, and with the physical world. He rubbed a hoof against his head, “It’s too much... and without my sight to give me context...”

“You simply need new context. Sight has blinded you to the full applications of magic. Magic that connects every life, every action we take. As my hoof falls, so does the world shift slightly to accommodate it. Look at me, what do you see?”

He let off his spell again, feeling it probe the mare in front of him. She was... old, wearing a cloak loaded with magical energy. A zebra stealth cloak, that made sense. He used his magic again, trying to look deeper this time, listening to the sound of her hooffall, “You’re... strong, supple. You’ve attempted to build for speed as well as strength. But... there’s a lot of joint damage, scar tissue. And your heartbeat...” He gulped slightly, this feeling deeply invasive, “You’ve got something wrong with your heart. And some kind of... cybernetic enhancement there...”

The mare sounded pleased with his assessment, “Very good. Now I am told you know a lot about machines, so tell me what cybernetic implant I have.”

He concentrated hard, though that kind of detail was almost impossible. It was all just wires and microchips, it didn’t... wait... “You have a pacemaker.” He frowned, that sort of technology rare even in the NCR, “You have that kind of cybernetic technology over here?”

“You’d be surprised young buck.” The mare stated softly, “Beyond these mountains lies a civilisation in full bloom. They call it the heartland, and with good reason. It is the beating heart of the zebra race.”

Ace felt so smug and ignorant. He had assumed the zebra would be backwards and locked in pre-Gardens savagery, that the NCR had been a unique and astonishing achievement. He had barely even considered that the zebra could have rebuilt their own civilisation, “We’re just meddling aren’t we? Arrogantly playing hero in an affair we know nothing about.”

“No Ace Gold.” The mare warned, “You and your friends are heroes. And this world needs them, desperately.”

He replied, a little more grumpily than intended, “I thought you said they had everything under control? And it’s not like the NCR can say the same. If we are heroes we’re needed back home.”

“This land is where the fate of the NCR will be decided.” The mare stated with regret, her voice seeming weary and sad, “The great war has not ended.”

Ace Gold’s mouth dropped open. Then he closed it, firmly took control of his tongue, and replied, “It has ended! The element of magic, the most famous... second most famous hero in the NCR is a zebra! What reason do we have to fight?”

“The past is catching up with us all Ace Gold.” She spoke with pained regret, “All players seek to make up for the mistakes of the past, and in so doing they sow their own destruction.”

“Then do something about it!” He shouted, pounding a hoof against his chest. He was angry now, not at her... but at his own powerlessness in the face of all of this, “I’m blind! I can’t do anything!”

“I am sorry Ace Gold, but the past catches up with you as well. I cannot let you give up.”

He took a deep breath, his fur standing on end as she stepped towards him. He didn’t like her... intent. He raised a hoof in his defence, fear taking hold of him.

The mare pushed him hard, throwing him to the floor. He rolled before pushing himself up from the dirt, really angry now, “What the hell?!”

She spoke as softly as ever as she advanced, “You are a thread in harmony’s tapestry. And so I must help you learn.”

He felt her charge again, pulsing his horn to get a better lock on her. He felt her body flow, listened to the sound of her hoofbeats upon the earth. She swung and he blocked her strike, countering with a hoof thrust that struck air. He stumbled as he overreached himself, pulsing his horn again to locate her a short distance away. He spat anger at her as she stood there watching, furious as this... bullying! “Why can’t you save the world huh, if you’re so smart?!”

“Harmony is not one pony.” She circled him, her voice low and calm, “Harmony is not Littlepip. If it was she would have taken Red Eye’s offer.”

“Harmony is the elements! Deadshot Calamity, Velvet Remedy, Ditzi Doo, Life Bloom, Homage, Zephyr!” Ace Gold shouted at her, truly confused and upset now. He didn’t know what she wanted from him, what he could possibly achieve, “But Zephyr is gone, and what’s happened between the others... it can never be the same!”

“Equestria stood for a thousand years while the elements lay dormant. Harmony is not the six, it is not Celestia or Luna either.”

She leapt at him, Ace Gold screaming as he unleashed all his anger and frustration in her direction. She easily countered, pushing him backwards to stumble across loose rock. He regained his footing, breathing deep to regain his focus, “Why me?”

“Because you live in this world Ace Gold.”

“That doesn’t mean I have to be a hero!” He growled, feeling old wounds reopen, “My father and mother were heroes, and I’ll never be good enough for them!”

“I understand.” She spoke plainly, her ragged voice cracking slightly, “I too have spent too long in the presence of champions. It is my honor to be called friend by them, but one can feel too humbled by their example. But there is one thing that all are called to do, from the most mighty to the most insignificant.”

He sighed. He knew where he belonged on that list, “And what’s that?”

“Be there. You have talents, and you can use them to help your friends. You do not need to be the hero, you just need to do your part. Harmony does not flow from an individual, it is created by all working together. The weak and the mighty. The flawed and the paragon.”

He reached up with a hoof, touching his bandaged eyes, “But... I’m useless. I’m blind!”

“So am I Ace Gold.” The mare stated plainly, “I will see you again. Until then, you must stay strong. I fear harmony demands it.”

She disappeared into the darkness, leaving him standing there alone. The winds took his voice, leaving him desperately alone among the ghosts of the past.

And still his eyes saw only darkness ahead.

_________________________________________________________________
Footnote: Level up! (5)

Perk Gained:
Tunnel Rat
You know enough to keep your head down when the bullets start flying. The Tunnel Rat perk enables you to move at walk speed while being prone.

Quest Perk Gained:
Sensitive
Your magic has been attuned to the world around it, giving you just a small appreciation of the harmony of creation. You gain a +1 to your perception, and a +1 to all divination spells.

Wound Acquired:
Permanently Blinded
You’ve taken damage to your eyes, removing your sight entirely. You suffer a -4 to your perception, and a -20 point penalty on any action that requires you to see what you’re doing.

Chapter 2.16 - Clashing Destinies

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Clashing Destinies

Zenai had been in more embarrassing positions. That... wasn’t much comfort.

Zenai just closed her eyes and went for it, feeling the foal’s lips meet hers. He froze, predicably, Zenai guiding him with a hoof as she deepened the kiss and drew him a little closer. She felt amusement bubble as he practically melted in her grasp, and why not? She was good at this, even though she would never boast of such things. Her only regret was setting him up for disappointment with the real thing.

She withdrew, leaving a flushed, blushing little foal standing there with a look of utter embarrassment. She giggled, giving him a sultry look, “Did that meet your expectations?”

“Is that...?” Bleak Waters questioned, hesitantly, “...is that how adults kiss?”

“That’s how adults should kiss.” Zenai clarified, remembering all the poor experiences from those who really should know better, “Not all adults measure up.”

“What... what about me?” He asked, instantly looking regretful at having asked the question.

“You were fine.” She reassured, aware how fragile the ego was at that age. It wasn’t a lie either, happy to report it had been less traumatic than she had feared, “A little stiff, but you didn’t bite me, or slobber on me, or headbutt me...”

“I...” He grinned wide, “...well, there’s books on everything here.”

“You studied kissing?” Zenai laughed at him, the buck looking so proud at his studied knowledge, “So it’s not learned through experience then, huh?”

He paused, locked in indecision by her question. Eventually he caved, “No...” He gave a goofy smile, “I like older mares, and ah... they never seem to take me very seriously.”

“I wonder why...”

“I’m not apologising for staying light hearted.” He smiled enthusiastically, “To be honest there’s far too many around here who take themselves far too seriously, I consider it a service to add a bit of humor into the situation. And... mares like humor, right?”

Zenai had to admit, give it half a decade and he might actually be worth a look, though he was a bit too invested in that ‘roguish’ character of his, “I guess so, though that wandering eye of yours does make you look a bit insincere.”

He clicked his tongue dismissively, “Aww, I’m young, it’s still cute. I’m not in to anything serious anyway, just you know, a bit of attention.” His eyes lit up a little as he looked back at her, “But if I do get a girlfriend, I could do that every day.”

“Have anyone in mind?” Zenai chuckled, “Xani for example...”

“Oh no!” He exclaimed, before his expression became a little more thoughtful, “I mean... she’s cute and I like her, but she’s a little too weighty for me. Kinda scary sometimes.”

Zenai didn’t really see how the little zebra could be scary, “She’s a good fighter I guess...”

“She was a slave before she killed her masters and escaped.” Bleak shivered, “She slit one’s throat, threw another into a threshing machine and drove an ice pick through the last’s eye. She was seven.”

Eeek... Zenai could help but react similarly. It was always the cute ones, “I wouldn’t cheat on her, that’s for sure.”

Bleak looked regretful, shrugging his shoulders limply, “I know... I really want to help her, make her smile... but I don’t even know where to start.”

Zenai chuckled. He really was very cute, “That’s a nice thought. I think she appreciates it too, even if she can’t show it. And it’s nice to see someone bring a bit of levity to this place.”

“Yeah, I mean... somepony has to, and it might as well be me.” He shrugged his shoulders, “I grew up an orphan yeah, but not in a way that ever mattered. I was looked after well enough, and as far as I was concerned my parents could be different ponies every day. I would tell the other kids they were adventurers travelling in strange lands, that they were noble warriors who died fighting against Denasura the devil of the east, that they were mysterious figures who entrusted me to the village then disappeared back into the wastes... I joined Luna less because I wanted to change my life and more because I thought it would be something exiting to do.”

Zenai could... understand that. Somedays she wondered if that was her motivation too, ‘tragic backstory that wasn’t at all tragic’ and all. With that in mind it was admirable that he at least could admit it, “And so you play the clown?”

He shrugged, “Yeah. Some of these ponies really need one. Have you seen how Swift Crimson comes alive when he’s insulting me? Or how much Luna enjoys my flirting, or Nyada my goofy jokes? Even managed to make Ebony smile once, which has to be my crowning achievement.” He sighed deeply, “All of them have their tragic stories, their noble burdens, and I’ll never be able to understand that. But at the very least I can make that burden feel a little lighter, put a little spring in their step or give them the opportunity to vent some steam.”

Zenai smiled, having a new appreciation for the little foal, ”That’s surprisingly considerate and well thought out.”

“Does it deserve another kiss?”

She looked at his cheeky, expectant face for a moment before grinning back at him. To be honest she was momentary tempted to give the little devil a full education, but reasoned that would be rather immoral of her. Instead she just leaned down and gave the foal a kiss on the forehead, “Maybe later.”

“Hehehe... wow...” He blushed deep, his breathing a little faster, “I’ve never had that line actually work before...”

Zenai contemplated that even the foals were calling her easy now before smiling back at him.

~
“He told everyone?”

“Actually he didn’t say anything. Swift Crimson told me you promised him one back in Sanatora.” Dust fixed her with a low, slightly accusing look as he adjusted the servos on Puppy’s armor, currently laid out across his bed, “Zenai, I’m not sure I want to accuse you of anything...”

Zenai blushed, trying to hide her guilty expression and wondering how quickly she could make it to the door, “It’s... nothing. Nothing...”

“...because he is thirteen, and I’m getting mighty sick of my employers getting me in trouble by dipping into... unripe fruit.”

“No dipping!” Zenai exclaimed desperately, looking extremely stupid as her glasses promptly fell off the end of her muzzle and hung swinging about her neck. She blushed deeply, looked for an exit, then just let her head fall, “I gave him the kiss... but nothing else. Promise?”

Dust observed her for a second longer before turning back to the armor, “Tempted?”

“Dust Kicker!”

“I’ve had the addictions of my companions get me into trouble in the past. And justified or not, you lying to me when this all began makes me feel I need to keep an eye on you.” His voice became warmer at last, taking a parental edge, “It’s for your own benefit Zenai. Call that patronising if you want.”

Zenai honestly wouldn’t dream of it, no matter how humiliating that was. To be honest she deserved it, just as Dust had said, “You’ve earned it Dust. How many times have you saved me and Star Swirl now?”

“We’re in this together.” Dust commented dryly, “Don’t get down on yourself Zenai, that wasn’t the only thing Swift Crimson told me.”

Zenai lifted her head, surprised. She couldn’t honestly remember doing anything else but run behind them and contribute poorly to their fights, certainly nothing remotely worthy of note, “What did he tell you?”

“That at their darkest moment it was you who rallied them, gave them the strength to get out of there.”

“That wasn’t...” Zenai thought back, admitting that she might have said something, “I mean... it wasn’t anything worth...”

“It was worth something.” He turned, smiling warmly at her. After a moment he sighed and set down his tools, walking over and patting her on the head, “You’ve been under a lot of stress lately. Please believe that you can always talk to me about it, no matter how weak you think it makes you sound.”

She felt her lip quiver, wanting to hug him but stopped by what little composure still remained, “Thank you... but it’s ok now... Star Swirl is back, and Princess Luna is going to beat that thug and his tin soldiers...”

Dust smiled, nodding to her, “Believe it Zenai.”

“It’s just...” Zenai sighed, knowing it made her sound so selfish and egotistical, “I don’t feel I contributed anything to that. I just followed you around, and now we’re in this big group I feel even more useless than ever. Swift Crimson, Radhi, Ebony... all of them are so much better than me. I can’t even tell you anything about Puppy or why your armor is acting up, and I’m one who gave it to you.”

Dust gave her a gentle smile, shrugging his shoulders, “Really, don’t worry about it Zenai.”

“It almost got you killed.”

“Puppy says it won’t happen again, and I trust her.”

“But she can’t tell us why...”

“If she was interested in lying to us then she could have thought up a dozen excuses.” Dust turned back to the armor, patting it on the side affectionately, “Every lady needs some secrets.”

Zenai pouted, “That secret shut down your armor mid battle and almost set you on fire.”

“And I’ve removed that problem.” Dust nodded to the dismantled fuel canisters on the table, “And at my guess the solution is fairly simple. Puppy is a very powerful and valuable AI meant for world domination. They would naturally install a self destruct system within her housing.”

Zenai felt that was plausible, but that it just added further questions, “Then why did it activate then?”

Dust simply shrugged, “Again, Puppy said it was a secret.”

Zenai couldn’t help but huff, glaring sharply at him as he continued to lovingly maintain the armor. After a moment she couldn’t help a little of her bitterness leak out, “Since we’re on the subject, I’m personally starting to get a little concerned about this affection between you and Puppy. Because I’m pretty sure she’s very underage.”

He just grinned infuriatingly, “I prefer the older mares actually. Puppy actually promised to help me, in return for introducing her to some nice Crusader Supercomputers. I thought once this was all over I could go and introduce her to the SPP and Harmony Mainframe maybe, make a few introductions.”

She pouted, “You are just infuriating sometimes, you know that?”

He smirked back at her, “All too well.”

Zenai walked the corridors alone, a familiar experience now. Still some of the foals called out greetings or giggled from the corners now, and she had to grudgingly admit that the whole place was starting to feel... friendlier. More like home. She guessed she had made a impact by going with them to Sanatora, a thought which couldn’t help but cheer.

And then she was there to lower the mood, appearing from around a corner like some unwanted ghost. Zenai knew that was harsh but she could help it. Had she always been that tall? Had she always smiled like that? Where was the puppy fat, the dull glazed expression? What was with the muscle, the sparkling confidence in her walk?

“Zenai! I’ve been looking for you!”

Zenai gave a nervous, shy smile, frozen in place, “Star Swirl... um...”

“We...” Star Swirl’s face fell, adopting a more restrained smile as she trotted over. Even that seemed way too dignified for her friend, still she appreciated the effort. Star Swirl cleared her throat as she came closer, her voice soft, “I guess it’s hard to think where to start...”

“It’s ok. It’s... not!” Zenai did the only thing she could, she girded herself up and stormed over. Her hoof lifted and slammed down, landing with a somewhat pathetic wack upon her calf, “You abandoned us!”

“Eeek...” Star Swirl backed away a little, her hoof wiggling nervously, “Um... I’m sorry...”

“I bet you are!” Zenai stamped her hoof, “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been!?”

“I can guess.” She started, then sighed deeply and dropped her head in shame, “I... not sure I’ll ever been good enough with words to properly apologise. I... guess I just have to rely on your charity.”

Zenai smirked, “You coward.”

“I know.”

“That’s more like the Star Swirl I know.” Zenai let the tension out with a sigh, smiling warmly at the big mare, “I was worried all this strutting was going to your head.”

“I might... evolve, but I doubt I’ll ever change. More’s the pity.” Star Swirl gave a awkward grin, “Actually I was kinda wondering if you were up for a little appraisal and investigation, you know, if you were feeling nostalgic for the library.”

Hmm. Zenai’s curiosity was definitely pricked. Though she was quick to denounce it as boring, it was easy to forget that she gained her previous job as an archivist by honestly being interested in the work. With all that had happened lately maybe a bit of her old life was exactly what was needed, “Old world tech?”

Star Swirl just grinned, “Very old.”

Zenai and Star Swirl stood in the library, both waiting patiently as Luna disappeared into her room with Radhi. Zenai knew better than to ask why they weren’t allowed in themselves, seconds passing in silence before she heard Radhi’s voice, “Um... if you could... just help me at the door Zenai...”

Zenai padded over, the door opening to admit Radhi as he struggled with the alicorn sized spear placed across his back. Zenai moved very carefully to take one side of it, frowning as Star Swirl backed off a step, “You could help.”

“No she couldn’t.” Luna stated as she came through after them, like Star Swirl careful to keep her distance, “That spear is protected against both of us.”

“As I found out the hard way...” Star Swirl muttered.

“So did I.” Luna replied, giving Star Swirl a warm smile, “Fortunately I was only slightly injured at the time.”

“I saw you in the Dragon’s heart.” Star Swirl commented in a somewhat surprised tone, looking down at Radhi, “You, Swift Crimson and a grey... you Luna.”

Luna nodded, a pleased smile opening up, “Yes.”

Star Swirl smiled broadly, looking back at Radhi, “It was your idea to give me a healing potion and some hydra. Thank you.”

“Just... doing what seemed right.” He replied hesitantly before helping Zenai to place the spear upon the table, “And here it is. The battle spear of Princess Celestia.”

Zenai had an opportunity to examine it now, and it was indeed a work of art. Not a hint of rust or corrosion marked any part of the weapon and the blade still looked deadly sharp. It was clearly magical, but it was a subtle magic, ironically seeming more akin to zebra enchantment than pony spellweaving. Zenai racked her brain and came across a dim memory that this blade had been given as a gift by the royal family of Saddle Arabia, which suggested it may have indeed been zebra made.

Celestia. Despite Star Swirl’s fangirlism of Celestia, Zenai felt slightly detached from the pretty pony princess. Even her weapon looked spotless and overly fancy, less a weapon of war and more a fancy fashion accessory. Luna’s personal weapon, the minigun ‘Stargazer’ currently enshrined within a museum in New Canterlot, was fancy but still a weapon designed to kill ponies in the modern day. This was a depressing archaism.

Still it was a well constructed artifact worthy of study. Certainly it was at least slightly exiting to think that a find like this could make her incredibly rich and famous, even if she had never really cared about such things. So down to business, “What exactly is the problem?”

“As I stated, we can’t touch it.” Luna answered... rather ambiguously.

“Why not?” Zenai answered with some irritation, “What happens? Is it because you’re alicorns?”

“I...” Luna hesitated, eventually just falling silent, a guilty look plastered upon her face.

“The spear considers us dark creatures who gained our alicorn nature through evil magic.” Star Swirl answered after a moment, looking over at Luna apologetically, “It takes away our powers.”

A rather weird image promptly flashed through her head, “It makes you normal unicorns?”

“Nooooo...” Star Swirl replied in a rather long, drawn out manner, looking profoundly and suspiciously shifty as she did so, “But it seriously weakens us, and has long term issues.”

Zenai hated this. She hated being lied to, for no good reason. Didn’t they trust her? Did they really expect her to do this without any idea of what she was getting herself into?

Still, the circumstances were the circumstances. No point whining over them now.

She took out a few reagents from her back, turning her head up to Luna with a firm determination, “We will need some sort of resistant material for the table. This may take a while.”

In fact it took two hours and twenty minutes before she was pleased enough with the results to call the two alicorns over, a little giddy at her success and Radhi’s clear admiration for her skills. Luna stared expectantly and Zenai moved to explain, brushing down the spear with a hoof, “The weapon was made with a combination of zebra enchantment and dragon magic, but the spell that protects it against darkness is pony magic. It was likely cast by Celestia herself.”

“Which doesn’t help.” Luna stated in a frustrated tone, “Because I’m the only one with any skill at advanced magic, and I can’t touch the thing.”

“Actually... I think I should be able to do it.” Zenai hesitated a moment, realising she was talking to somepony who really knew her stuff and aware that the possibility of looking like an idiot was high... but she felt certain about her conclusions, “If I cleanse the blade it should return it to its original state, back when the zebra enchantments were first applied.”

Luna looked somewhat worried, “Without damaging the blade?”

“If I can destroy those kind of enchantments I’m a better alchemist than I thought.” She replied, with reasonable confidence, “Unicorn magic on the other hand isn’t nearly as durable, the only reason it’s lasted this long is the quality of the casting. I’m confident it won’t be enough to stand up to directed dispelling.”

Luna turned her head to the zebra beside, “Radhi?”

“You know more about it than me Luna, I’ve never been an alchemist or shaman.” He smiled reassuringly, “Still, I am confident she knows what she’s doing.”

“Alright.” Luna stated, “What do you need?”

Zenai struggled out a large, leather bound book, cupping it clumsily in both front hooves and slamming it down upon the table. It spread open near the index fortunately, Zenai flicking through with the expert hoof of a master filer. She quickly located the first item, looking up at Luna with a serious expression, “If I make a list of what I need, can you get it for me?”

Luna nodded, “I’ll do my best.”

She looked back at the book, taking a deep breath to prepare herself, “Then so will I.”

Zenai was lying. She was no expert alchemist, no master of potions. She had read about it in books, and in her younger days indulged her teenage rebellion by cooking up Dash and Mint-al’s in her dormitory. She thought she was talented enough, long after she had lost interest in the drugs themselves she continued to enjoy the process, liking the attention to detail and controlled risks involved. Still she had no formal qualification, no certification besides comparison to the pictures she found in her tomes.

Now she held the Spear of Princess Celestia in her hooves, slowly submerging it into the steel trough as the glowing brown liquid within bubbled and spat little motes of magic into the air. She winced as her hooves submerged, still there was no pain. The liquid was faintly warm, smooth and constantly flowing, just as it should have been.

Electricity ran down her hooves, Zenai tensing in reflex. Her vision shifted.

A tall, slim earth pony of alicorn proportions lifted the still glowing spear to the light of the window, looking out across a tree lined oasis of stunning beauty.

Another pony of the same species walked along a long room furnished with the finest silks, zebra, camel and pony guards and courtiers standing firm at attention as he presented it to a beaming Princess Celestia.

A dark, shadowy figure clad in plate armor cackled, striking at Celestia with a giant scythe. She blocked every strike with the spear, spinning the blade with her magic and plunging it deep into the figures chest with a single thrust.

Celestia gasped as Luna’s sword rang a piercing note against her raised spear, backing away in fear and confusion as her sister came in low for another strike. Celestia batted the blunt end forward but Luna dodged and lifted herself into the air with her wings, spinning round to kick Celestia in the jaw and knock the spear spinning. It bounced out into the everfree forest, striking a tree before falling into the murky waters of a shallow river below.

Celestia lay gasping, reaching out pathetically as Luna writhed on the floor covered in a thick cloud of pink gas. An old zebra in a red cloak observed her dispassionately, turning with regretful, sad eyes as she beheld Luna whimpering and twitching, looking up at the grand Equestrian army broken and fleeing before the advancing forces of the zebra.

Celestia’s wings punched her ever higher above beautiful plains of golden flowers, now trampled and churned into muddy rivers by the two armies that clashed under a fierce burning sun. Celestia’s eyes turned across to the mountains of orange rock that rose ahead, a note of fear registering across her features as a titanic red dragon the size of a city launched itself from the peak and dived at her, murder in the creature’s narrowing eyes.

Mud streaked with crimson rivers, a beautiful white coat torn, a noble form twisted and broken. A bloody twisted crown lay half buried, the spear stained and impaled firmly in the churned ground. Celestia looked up with bleary eyes, just managing to ignite a flickering shield of magic about her form as a titanic red claw slammed down upon her with enough force to crack the earth. It withdrew and the mountain of scales and muscle shifted a little so that it could angle it’s head down to look at her, it’s grin exposing teeth the size of houses. It opened its mouth, a deep female bass shaking the earth, “As I thought, as it must be. Without our magic, you are just a pony. I however am still a dragon.”

Broken, smoking black enclave armour, standing in stark contrast with the shining white spear clutched against the pegasus’s side and the vivid rainbow hair streaming behind. The red dragon roared and unleashed a white hot beam of pure energy in the pegasus’s direction but it didn’t even touch her, reflected harmlessly off the corona of solar energy that surrounded her. Full of confidence and resolve, the pegasus took a deep breath from her breathing mask, ejected all her excess ammo and engaged her jets, streamlining her body as she dived straight at the dragon’s mouth. Rainbow light burst around her, shattering the dragon’s breath and causing the mighty beast to hesitate, stunned for one critical second as the Pegasus dove down the dragon’s throat with spear held tight for the kill.

The pegasus lay in a disgusting chamber seemingly made of muscle, the interior filled with a thick crimson fluid that pooled up all around. The spear lay embedded in the ground nearby, a hole cleanly ripped through the roof where it had penetrated.

The pegasus was dying, her armor torn from her, her body burnt and blistered, her breathing gasping and rapid. Her rainbow hair clung to her scalp only in short strands, the rest torn away to leave deep crimson lacerations. She feebly reached for the breathing mask nearby with a limp, broken hoof, eventually giving up the effort and just slumping backwards into the wet, gently quivering ground. Her one remaining hoof reached into what was left of her armor, pulling out a burnt, damaged silver locket.

She looked at it for a moment before closing her eyes, her expression becoming peaceful and resigned.

She only opened them as she heard the sound of voices from nearby, panicked voices calling out a name lost to her blistered, tattered ears, a unit of ponies in heavy environmental gear breaking through the hole she had left and hurrying over with medical bags already opening and syringes deployed.

“NGH!” Energy exploded off the spear, hurling Zenai backwards to slam firmly into Luna’s telekinesis, Star Swirl throwing up a shield of energy between them and the hovering, glowing spear. It offered no more surges of power however, steam rising from the metal as it gently settled down upon the platform. Zenai extracted herself from Luna’s hold, gingerly moving back down onto her hooves and waving a hoof, “It’s ok everypony, that was just the remaining energy from Celestia’s spell. It’s broken now, you can pick it up safely.”

Luna went to step forward, though hesitated at the last moment.

“I’ll test it out.” Star Swirl stepped past, shooting Luna a reassuring smile, “I’ve a lot less to lose.”

“That’s... wise.” Luna smiled sweetly back, “Thank you Star Swirl.”

Star Swirl nodded and walked over to the metal table, looking down at the object with but a moment of hesitation. She extended a hoof with barely contained awe, fixing the haft in the crook of her foreleg. It sat there, shining, almost singing as if cutting through the very air. Star Swirl looked down at the blade for a moment or two before moving.

The spear became a blur, Star Swirl switching legs as she swung the blade in quick thrusting blows. It was graceful and terrifying, the spear nothing less than a beam of shining light as it snapped left and right. She took it in her telekinesis and it swung in a broad, deadly arc, Star Swirl going low as she flung the blade sweeping across the ground.

Luna flung a canvas ball at Star Swirl with a sweep of her hoof. Star Swirl turned in one swift flowing movement, spear a streak of light. The ball fell in two pieces for but a fraction of a second, then ignited with a flash and drifted down as nothing but ash. Luna simply whistled in appreciation.

Zenai just watched, her cute clumsy friend finally in her element, explaining at last just why the other alicorns viewed her with such wary, suspicious glances. She had heard of her history, listened to Luna’s tales of how they had defeated Draconequis... but she had never actually seen Star Swirl fight. And it was beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.

“Stop showing off.” Luna commented dryly, breaking the moment, “And I’m starting to think you should take this challenge.”

“Oh no.” Star Swirl shook her head quickly returning the weapon to her side and walking over, “I can’t beat him. I don’t think anyone is a match for him at close range.”

Luna accepted the spear from Star Swirl, lifting it experimentally. She flipped it over and placed it haft down upon the ground, looking up at its menacing point, “Even with a legendary weapon?”

“I think so yes. His weapon is enchanted too, maybe not as much as that spear but..." Star Swirl shook her head, "He's got the same skill set as me, and I know he's better. I can't fight him on his terms."

Dust Kicker gave a rather smug smile, “Plus he knows you Star Swirl, and he only thinks he knows Luna.”

Luna nodded firmly, returning his smile, “He’s expecting a mage with no skill in close combat... thanks to you Star Swirl.” She mock pouted at Star Swirl, her ears wiggling, “I still have the bruises you know. They keep me awake every night, screaming in agony.”

“I’m sorry!” Star Swirl retorted, looking genuinely hurt, “It... still bugs me because it’s true. You’re not fully healed yet Luna.”

“I’m not out yet.” She stated firmly, a broad smile across her face, “And teach me how to avoid that ‘bundle to the floor’ thing and we’re even. I do not want to repeat that experience.”

Star Swirl nodded, smiling back, “You’ve got a deal.”

Having little better to do Zenai watched Luna train for a time, staying quietly hidden and admiring Star Swirl’s skill as she effortlessly moved through one manoeuvre after another. She was good, a natural, helped of course by her new trim, powerful body. She had obviously been working out a great deal and Zenai was proud of that, even if it did make her think back on how Star Swirl had hated violence.

Fluttershy hated violence too, yet she had fought and killed and seemed ok with that. Honestly she wasn’t sure what either of them were thinking now, all so different from what she expected from them.

Star Swirl eventually finished her training and Luna called Swift Crimson over, Swift Crimson briefly objecting. Zenai could see why, Luna had been training for a good two hours and had to have needed a rest by now. Luna disagreed obviously, just taking a drink of water and lining up for the next round.

They set to it as Star Swirl departed for a shower, Zenai making the moment to admire Swift Crimson’s style. It was much sharper and dirtier than Star Swirl’s, as fitting a primarily ranged combatant who just wanted to kick those getting too close where it hurts. This was shown clearly as Luna finally just broke and charged straight at him. Star Swirl would likely have thrown her, Swift Crimson however skidded sideways and chopped his leg up to catch her in the shin.

She yelled out in pain and hit the ground in a tangle. It looked... painful.

“Luna!”

“I’m... ok...” She dragged herself up, wincing as she balanced precariously on a badly bruised leg. Then she grinned, then laughed cheerfully, “That’s a good move Swift... gonna have to remember that...”

“Stop it Luna.” He grunted, moving over, “It’s not funny.”

She smirked at him, “Oh cheer up...”

“No, I won’t. Do you like pain Luna? Do you like throwing yourself in misery and suffering for others?”

Her face became more serious, and a little challenging, “I like the fact that I have the strength to help my friends.”

“Not if you continue how you are.” He challenged, “You can’t take all this Luna. It’s going to kill you.”

She frowned, eyes challenging, “So you care now do you?”

“Fuck you Luna.” He growled, “We broke up because you were mocking the fact that I cared, remember?” He continued to glare as she averted her eyes, his voice growing raspier as he continued, “You could have avoided all this. But you have to keep strutting, antagonising, causing trouble for yourself and others.”

Luna sniffed softly, dropping her head, “Do you think this place would be better off without me?”

“Of course it fucking wouldn’t!” Swift yelled back at her angrily, “But if you would just restrain yourself for a moment...”

“I’m always restraining myself.” Luna spoke unhappily, her body slumping, “I’m not a good pony Swift. I’m not the pony you want me to be... and I’m sorry.”

Swift looked like he wanted to shout again, just restraining himself, “Don’t be stupid Luna. You saved us all.”

“Because you asked me to. And I was alone, and lost, and needed something to do.” She lifted her head, eyes filled with quivering emotion... fear and grief both, “I’m not like you. It’s... a lie. My village, they hurt me, tried to kill me... because they thought I was a witch. That I was going into their dreams and causing them nightmares.”

“I know, you told me.”

She breathed out slowly, shaking her head, “I was. I was small, and sickly, and the others would bully me... and I hated them for it, wanted to get them back. And I was a unicorn, and I was smart.” She averted her eyes, abashed, “I studied dark magic. I learned how to walk in dreams, how to get my own back on my tormentors. I learned their secrets, blackmailed them into doing what I wanted. I proudly boasted of my power.”

Swift Crimson went quiet for a long time before finally answering, “You’re a different mare now Luna.”

“Am I?” She asked accusingly, “I try my best, because you all believe in me, and I want to be the mare that you want me to be. But you said it yourself, I’m clearly not succeeding. I’m just pretending to be somepony I’m not, and hurting all of you in the process.”

“You...” Swift Crimson hesitated, uncertain.

Luna looked back at him in quiet despair as he avoided her gaze. Eventually she simply smiled affectionately and turned away, making her way out of the cavern, “You’re right, I need to get some rest before my fight. I’ll see you tomorrow Swift.”

He just watched her go, as did Zenai as she leaned further back into the shadows that hid her. Like him she didn’t know what to say or do. Everything seemed like a platitude, or a cliche.

Still, she sincerely hoped she would win her victory in this fight. No matter what she thought of herself, Zenai was certain that given time Luna would achieve great things. She just hoped she would have the chance.

“If you just tuned in, this is DJ Voice, whispering sweet nothings from the heart of the nation. Clendal, where the grass really is greener.”

“And this is Sharps, preaching out to you from the darkness.”

“And today we have some breaking news for you from the dark borderlands of the Entitidi lands, involving those two movers and shakers that have been making a lot of waves lately. Yes, we’re talking about Princess Luna and Starhammer, those two controversial little usurpers par excellence.”

“And before we start, I hope I don’t have to remind any of you that we’ve met our share of evil overlords and demon princesses in our time.”

“Ah, for the good old days. When the Devil of the East was content to throw evil laughs around like candy and gleefully declare his intention to decorate the world with corpses.”

“These two however seem to be a lot more ambiguous in their intentions. Both of committed their fair share of atrocities, and I’m forced to mention the towns of Axeridge, Savern, Kashion and Sanders.”

“But then I would be forced to mention the towns of Irridon and Majabali… though Majabali was an accident in fairness.”

“Yes children, incendiary grenades, slavers and a lack of personal hygiene do not mix as well as you might think. But back to the point at hand, and that is to not judge too quickly. Both these fighters are dear to their followers and are clearly capable of great things.”

“And both are a little too ambiguous in their intentions for this old stallions comfort.”

“Which is why good King Zaneious has endorsed both candidates, and for my part I say good luck to them. Here’s hoping both parties take the result in good grace, and we can start seeing some peace for that area of the wasteland.”

“Amen to that Sharps. Amen to that.”

The air felt unusually cold, the air turbulent and unsettled. The rusted structures of the park rattled and groaned against the wind, the assorted population of Dusklight shivering as it took them in its cold embrace. Radhi was the first to speak, advancing forward to stare Luna in the eye, “I should... I want to go with you Luna.”

“So you can see me die?”

Radhi frowned up at her angrily, clear worry marking his normally gentle features. He took a moment to adjust his glasses before speaking, “I’m part of this place’s leadership...”

“And so you should be here.” Luna spoke kindly, smiling at him, “I don’t think it’s a trap, still I’m not putting everyone in one place to be captured. It’s combatants only, and if the worst happens... you have to lead them out of here Radhi.”

He went quiet, closing his eyes for a moment or two before nodding reluctantly, “I understand.”

Luna looked regretful for a moment before looking around, “Ebony isn’t here I see.”

“I’m sorry Luna.” Niyada spoke softly as she looked back at the cave, “You know she’ll be thinking of you. And when you come back, she’ll be stitching your wounds with a rare smile.”

“Tell her I respect her reluctance to condone my actions. And my words go for all of you.” Luna nodded, “You, Ebony and Radhi, you’ve been my most senior lieutenants since we started all this. Dusklight was always yours as much as it was mine.”

“We’ll look after them Luna.” Radhi spoke softly, “Until you and Swift Crimson come back safe.”

“And Fluttershy, the same goes to you.” Luna smiled at the elderly pegasus, standing grandmotherly behind some of the other lieutenants, “I’m not one to believe stories, but after knowing you for this short time I’m starting to believe them a little more. Take care of my children until I come back?”

“Of course.” She smiled warmly, her face lighting up, “Kindness and harmony go with you Princess Luna.”

“Right.” Luna spoke decisively, turning round and looking at her assembled troops, “Let’s move out!”

They marched. It was an impressive sight, more so than their advance on Santoria at least. There they had been armed for battle and attempted stealth, now the sartorial talents of Luna and her children had been fully brought to bear. There was no attempt at anything resembling a uniform, still the children were arranged in colour coordinated units, normally quite vivid ones. Luna herself was dressed in a cloak bearing the starlit sky and a crescent moon, a carved silver clasp at her throat and her crown upon her head. Star Swirl was dressed in a similar grey cloak with the symbol of a butterfly upon it, bearing some sort of inside meaning that Zenai had failed to get as yet. She herself had no desire for any confining formal wear and just made sure her fur was washed and brushed to a shine, noting that Dust Kicker and Swift Crimson were still dressed for combat.

The arena was aptly called, ‘The arena’. Apparently it had been a ruin even before the war, a temple dedicated to some minotaur religious leader. Now it was barely that, a few standing pillars and a single wall bearing long faded tenants of the church. The area was being watched over by a third party, the Sequesta, a tribe that apparently lived in the radiation heavy and monster infested areas stretching up into the mountains around the capital. They were certainly an impressive looking folk, all bearing fierce Mohicans and clad in the furs of mighty beasts, bodies covered in scars and muscle. They chanted and pounded hooves against chests as Luna led them towards the group, two of them breaking away to lead the much smaller form of Tradash the Black over to meet them.

The pair fell prostate a short distance away, Tradash continuing on to great them with a kind, genuine smile, “Welcome to the arena Princess Luna. A pleasure to see you again.”

“The pleasure is mine Tradash, Chosen of Charity.” Luna nodded back, a little stiff but still doing well to project the required regal mien, “It’s an honor to meet so illustrious...”

“Please.” He waved a hoof, looking deeply embarrassed, “I am simply Tradash, or Tradash the Black if you wish. I am a old scholar, with a deep affection for dusty, old buried things of little use to any creature.”

Zenai advanced forward, curious now, “You bore the element of Generosity?”

“I was attuned to the element of generosity.” He corrected, “No zebra has ever actually held the elements in their pure, crystallised forms. And that doesn't change what I am."

“You’re full of shit.” Swift Crimson interjected abrasively, glaring at Tradash, “Whatever you think of yourself, you’re still friends with Tandia of Garm. She’s the fucking Head Shaman of Garm, Elder of Magic and Hero of the Wastes. Surely she can do something about this?”

Tradash shook his head, a weary regret on his face, “I’m afraid it’s not that easy. Even if either of them would listen to her, she follows the will of harmony now. If harmony demanded she be here, she would be here. Since she is not...”

Zenai couldn’t help letting out a bitter snort, “It’s not the will of harmony to stop a war?”

“She can see the threads of fate now. It’s not a condition I would wish on anyone.” He closed his eyes for a moment, his expression troubled and grim, “It may serve harmony that this is decided here, now. Breaking up this fight will just continue the conflict.”

“If Luna loses, these foals will be kicked out of their home!” Zenai shouted angrily, both at the situation and yet another ‘greater good’ ‘what must be done’ speech from those who should know better. He was just like Velvet Remedy, taking the easy battles and letting those whose salvation required a bit of courage and resolve suffer alone, “A thug like Starhammer will be allowed to grow in power and influence!”

“These foals will be alive.” Tradash gave Zenai a sympathetic smile, “And I agree with Luna, this provides the best chance she has of driving Starhammer back. Defeating him will humiliate him in front of his men and the other tribes, reduce his power and force him to retreat from these lands. At the same time her showing him mercy...”

“Wait a second.” Zenai interrupted, not quite understanding something here, “It’s a fight to the death right?”

“The victor may spare the defeated party.” Tradash stated calmly, “I do not expect Starhammer to extend that courtesy, but I have advised Luna to do so.”

Dust nodded grimly, “We’re outnumbered here. If we kill their leader, his troops might just go on a rampage.”

“And mercy makes Luna look honorable and fair.” He agreed, “And technically, the agreement of support and compensation for your losses is only due to you from Starhammer. If he’s dead then it’s far less likely that his successor will honor that arrangement.”

“Enough!” Luna shouted, lip curling, “We’ve been over all of this. You zebra, lead me to the preparation area!”

The two sequestan zebra nodded firmly, rising from their positions and standing at attention, “Follow us please Queen Luna.”

“See that, they’ve already promoted me.” She grinned as she moved to follow them, “Don’t you worry, I’ve got this.”

They all watched her depart in silence, Zenai eventually taking a deep breath and letting her feelings off her chest, “I’ve seen how good Starhammer is. He defeated all of us in seconds.”

Swift Crimson stared intensely ahead, his whole body tensed and angry, “I saw it too. I’ve prepared her as best as I could. I’ve had our best melee combatants train her in parrying techniques with that spear, and her wings give her far greater mobility. She can keep him at range, pound him with spells.”

“Star...” Zenai lifted her head to the alicorn above, noting her open nervousness as the big mare chewed her lip distractedly, “You’ve seen both of them fight. Can Luna really win this?”

“Yeah...” Star Swirl adopted a more confident expression as she turned to them, “Her main flaw before was her poor melee defence. Swift Crimson and I have both worked hard to solve that.”

“And Starhammer? Does he have any weaknesses?”

Star Swirl considered this for what seemed like a long while, her voice quiet and soft as she finally answered, “When he’s thrown off balance... when he starts losing... his ability goes to pieces. I saw it down in Santora, he openly panicked when he was knocked down by a draconequis. Luna’s the opposite, she fights better when she’s outmatched and scared.”

“Mare’s always been a scrapper.” Swift Crimson spoke the words quietly, closing his eyes and sighing, “That’s why she pushes herself so hard. She gets off on antagonising people, pushing her body to its limits, raising her magic to the next level before she’s even mastered the last.”

Zenai’s heart broke listening to the buck, seeing clearly the agony in him at the very possibility that she could lose her life in this battle, “That’s going to earn her the win. Starhammer is a thug, only confident so long as things are going his way.”

“They are going his fucking way.” Swift grunted, “He’s a fucking murder machine, going up against an untrained, overconfident child. Luna’s going to get herself killed, and it will all be for nothing.”

“You don’t...”

“Don’t try to fucking comfort me.” Swift retorted, shrugging off her words and returning to his morose sullenness, “Save the empty words for those who care.”

Starhammer’s arrival was rather less colorful than their own, though still impressive. Starhammer himself was clad in the outfit of a heroic era zebra legionnaire, Zenai noting that he had stripped all the bulletproof fabric from the costume and replaced it with chainmail and leather. He even wore a silver laurel, his crimson cloak fluttering in the wind and his greatsword buckled at his side. His huge general, who Zenai was informed was named Icoxal, was dressed in a more standard issue pre-war legion officer’s uniform, still his was buffed and repaired to a standard Zenai had only seen in old photographs and memory orbs. His small female companion Kunani almost melted into the background in comparison, wearing a concealing dull crimson cloak, decorated with creepy looking totems that rattled at her sides.

“Damn, she’s well equipped. I see three of those lightning talismans hanging there.”

Zenai turned up to Star Swirl, just about to question her statement when Tradash beat her to it, replying softly, “You have a good eye. That’s Naigatash, spirit of wrathful intent. It is indeed the best choice for a damaging lightning attack. You’ve seen her use it?”

Star Swirl nodded, her expression clouding, “She beat Luna with it. I didn’t realise Zebra had such powerful magic.”

“A zebra specializing in direct damage spells is indeed somewhat rare, though mostly due to impracticalities.” Tradash explained, “Zebra can channel very large amounts of magic, certainly equal to any unicorn. However since they lack horns, they must focus that magic through totems. These totems must be specially prepared and attuned to the zebra who wishes to use them, and using them to channel a spell inevitably damages them to some extent. Destructive magic unfortunately near inevitably destroys a totem, and often leads to backlash upon the caster... burns and suchlike.”

Zenai had heard a little of zebra magic, Xephyr had been considered an expert as befits her connection to the element. She however had been considered a strange aberration, not one other zebra had ever mastered anything but a cantrip. Xephyr herself had been entirely self taught, “She certainly looks like she’s got quite a few charges there though.”

“Indeed.” Tradash sighed deeply, closing his eyes for several seconds before speaking, “Kunani was considered one of the most talented enchanters in Garm. She has clearly turned these talents to allowing her a rare affinity for the destruction arts.”

“She was trained in Garm then?” Star Swirl questioned, “Is she part of an order, like you?”

“No.” Tradash answered sadly, looking unusually reluctant in his answers, “She is not a graduate, and those skills she has are not taught within the city. My guess is that she has researched them from pre-war sources, or has learned them through trial and error.”

Zenai thought this was all very interesting but besides the point really, “Well Luna’s not fighting her, she’s fighting Starhammer.”

“True, but I advise paying attention to her during this fight.” Tradash warned, “I am not entirely sure I trust her to play fair, and she has clearly attained skills both I, and the rest of the wasteland, are unfamiliar with.”

Their attention was then fixed on the arena as Starhammer stepped in, unclasped his cloak and let it unceremoniously fall to the ground. He strolled arrogantly to the centre line, smiling smugly at the crowd around him. He looked totally unconcerned, not a hint of worry or nervousness. Zenai wasn’t sure to snort at his arrogance or shiver at the possibility that it was justified.

Luna’s entrance was rather less convincing unfortunately. She looked ill at ease as she stepped forward, unbuckling her own cloak and floating it over to some attendant foals that ran to collect it. That done she moved opposite Starhammer, clearly avoiding the sharp, confident gaze he fixed her with.

“That fucker’s trying to throw her off balance!” Swift Crimson growled.

“Of course he is.” Dust commented, not looking happy, “I drilled her in doing the same to him. She was all grins and boasts back then, trust her to not let on how nervous she was really feeling...”

One of the sequestans stepped up to a block of masonry that served as a podium, a particularly imposing looking zebra who had pierced himself with many shards of bone and was dressed in a cloak made from the pelt of a manticore. He gazed grimly upon the two combatants for a moment before speaking in a voice much higher pitched than expected, “Queen Luna, King Starhammer! You have both come to this place seeking justice, and like the warriors of old you have both agreed to meet it under the auspices of the old path! Furthermore you have both chosen to face this challenge in person, and for that spirit, dragon and zebra alike will forever remember you as earthborn, true sons of rock and fire!”

Tradash sighed, speaking quietly, “Oh how I hate all this rubbish. Not one zebra today knows a jot of what this means, and throwing in references to the sacred fire to what is a barbaric punch up is painfully blasphemous.”

Swift Crimson snorted softly, “You’ve killed loads of zebra.”

“And I regret that it came to that, and I certainly didn’t cry out how it brought glory to the fire.” Tradash sighed, “When I was young, I fooled myself into believing I could save the world. Now I am old, and still watching children full of potential kill each other for prestige, pride and power.”

Zenai thought of Littlepip and the others. When the Gardens had been activated, on the day of Sunshine and Rainbows... they had thought everything was going to be alright. It made her wonder what the point was, if everything was just going to continue on as before.

“The terms are set, the wards are placed, both of you have been informed of the rules of engagement. I entreat all here to respect the rules of this sacred place and allow no unworthy behavior sully the honor of the duel!” The sequestan leader continued, “Warriors, activate the wards!”

The sequestans at the sides stepped forward as one, gave a single roaring chant and stamped down. Immediately there emerged a sparkle of magic, a near imperceptible barrier appearing around the arena. Tradash explained as the sequestans stepped back with bowed heads, “The barrier detects anything crossing, magic, darts... any dirty tricks the fighters might use. They have nothing but what they take in with them.”

“Doesn’t stop them taking dirty tricks in with them then?”

“Well, I understand that you had to be rather loose with the rules of what to take inside, didn’t you Star Swirl?” Tradash noted with a thin smile, looking up at the big alicorn knowingly.

“Um... yes...” Star Swirl stammered, “Dictating that all magical enchantments be removed from the combatants would put Luna... um, at... a disadvantage.”

“She’s keeping that spear in a pocket dimension as well isn’t she?” Dust noted, “Is that allowed?”

Tradash nodded, taking a breath, “Starhammer agreed to all Luna’s requests.”

Zenai snorted, “Arrogant bastard.”

“Either that or he’s playing a smarter game than we give him credit for.” Dust noted grimly, “He’s got a master enchantress on his team, I’m betting he’s loaded up with magic.”

“Yet I can detect no obvious vectors, no outside signs of magic save relatively minor enchantments on his sword and armor.” Tradash observed quietly, “If he is playing a game, it is beyond my sight...”

It went quiet, all eyes focused on the pair in front. Starhammer spoke first, cheerful and gleefully casual, “How did you manage to maintain control of your Demon? I have to know.”

“Maybe you’re speaking to her.” Luna answered coldly, “Or maybe perhaps I was right all those millennia ago, and they truly can live in peace with equines.”

“Maybe it’s something for me to think about after the duel.”

Luna snarled, “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“You want to kill me?” He laughed, cheerful and arrogant, “Take your best shot.”

Luna charged, her hooves kicking up dust as she thrust her head forward and sent bolts of black lightning crackling forward. Starhammer ducked and rolled to the side, eyes flicking about as shadows burst from the ground and leapt at him. His blade slashed outwards and flung them away, Luna unleashing a burst of magical arrows than homed in upon him while he was in the middle of his swing.

He grunted from the effort as he forced himself sideways with a quick thrust of his hooves, one of the blasts tearing across his shoulder. It left a nasty red welt and Luna sent another wave of shadows charging at him from all sides as he fought to recover, Zenai feeling her spirits rise for a moment...

Starhammer smirked and simply charged forward, shrugging the shadows away as he closed with tremendous speed. He laughed loud and barking as Luna flung a desperate burst of magic, dodging it and letting it explode behind him. The force of the blast flung him forward, blade scything out and forcing Luna to dodge clumsily away.

Blood dripped down her cheek, Starhammer roaring in victory and stabbing his blade forward. Luna simply snarled in response, deploying the spear of Celestia with a whirl and hammering Starhammer’s blade into the dirt with a single mighty swing. Her next blow struck him across the cheek, Starhammer growling at the bloody wound it left and leaping for her chest.

She was born off her feet by the blow, striking the ground on her back... and kicking the zebra upwards, sending him sailing over her head to land a short distance away.

Silence reigned for a moment as they both struggled to their feet, Starhammer looking stunned before holding a hoof to his bleeding cheek. He spoke with pained amusement, spitting blood upon the ground, “Technically that’s still first blood to me.”

Luna sneered, limping a little as she stood, “And you’re disarmed.”

“For how long?” Starhammer darted towards his fallen weapon, Luna moving to block him. Her spear stabbed down, imbedding itself in the dirt just an inch from his muzzle as he jumped backwards. Starhammer merely grinned at his close call, instantly swinging himself into a thrusting kick straight into Luna’s jaw.

She gasped and staggered away as the blow hit home, Starhammer galloping in and effortlessly dodging a stamping hoof before leaping up and kicking Luna in the side. She stumbled again and tried to turn to get her spear into position, Starhammer had already run under her arc however and leapt into an uppercut that knocked her off her hooves. Her spear clattered away and Starhammer stamped on it before siding it away, grinning as Luna fought to rise. She gasped in pain for a second before unleashing a stream of lightning, Starhammer dodging between the bolts before launching himself low and tackling the alicorn to the ground.

He slammed her down, striking her hard in the chest, flinging both hooves into her body with the force of a jackhammer. She gasped in pain and tried to wrestle him away, he just rolled to the side and waited a second for her to rise before attacking once more. He caught her with a right hook to the face, then a clap to the sides of her ears that left her reeling. He used the moment to twist himself into a double hoof buck, slamming her hard enough to send her tumbling across the battlefield in a whirl of wings and hooves.

She settled finally, Zenai’s heart in her mouth as she beheld the battered, unmoving princess.

“And so it had to end. You were a worthy opponent indeed, but you were never going to win this fight. Such a shame, you have such skill... but your inexperience shows.” Starhammer collected up his blade once more, winding the straps about his body. He looked oddly contemplative as he slowly made it over to Luna, the alicorn now struggling to rise with what little strength remained, “It’s odd really, that a demon like you would endanger such respect from me.”

Luna tried to attack him with her magic but he dodged the blast easily, her body sagging slightly from the effort required even from that. She gasped pathetically, “Please... don’t...”

“Don’t.” Starhammer warned as he raised his blade, “This is a worthy death. Don’t spoil it.”

Everyone heard the whistle of wings, felt the rush of air. Zenai looked round at the streak of crimson as it passed through the wards and descended sharply upon Starhammer. Someone shouted at a warning and Starhammer turned just in time, blade scything out in a shining arc to intercept the object.

Blood splattered both him and Luna behind, Starhammer shielding his face as the object came down in two pieces either side of him. Zenai felt her heart collapse in on itself as she beheld the startlingly small little corpse roll across the sand, watched the blood dry upon the dusty ground. Swift Crimson’s eyes stared up vacantly, his body cleanly cut at the hip. Luna’s expression wobbled, her eyes wide and shaking. Her mouth opened but no sound emerged.

Starhammer gave the body a slightly regretful look before wiping the blood off his face and reshouldering his weapon, “Well, that’s a disqualification. No reason not to finish this.”

He turned, swinging his blade overhead to descend upon Luna with terrible certainty. She didn’t even attempt to move.

It landed with a crack, magic sparking outwards and a rush of air whistling past them. Zenai gasped, then felt a shiver of fear flow through her. An unnatural air flooded over the area, the sound it produced strange and echoing. The blade had stopped too fast, not even the slightest sign of impact from the heavy blade.

“No... no more.” Luna glared at Starhammer, slamming the strange black book shut with her magic and trapping the blade of his weapon within the pages. He reacted with a desperate tug, eyes wide and fearful as he tried to yank the blade free...

Luna’s bolt hit Starhammer straight in the centre of the forehead and sent him into the dirt with a yell. He cursed as he rolled around the ground desperately, Luna shaking as she looked down at him with dark eyes.

Luna then swung her book round sharply with her telekinesis, opening it at the peak of its journey and letting Starhammer’s blade fly away with a whistling spin. It disappeared into the distance, a silver on the horizon.

You could have cut the air with a knife. Starhammer rolled on the ground, stunned and weaponless. Luna didn’t pay the slightest hint of attention, her shaking, tearstained eyes focused instead on the body of Swift Crimson, lying in two pieces across the sand. Her magic flared dark and terrible, eyes glowing an eerie cobalt blue as she took the foal in its embrace. The pieces came together, flesh knitting, organs returning to their rightful places, blood flowing back into ruptured veins.

She was left with an untouched, completely intact corpse. His eyes stared dimly upwards, devoid of life.

Starhammer forced himself up, growling fiercely as he covered his damaged face with a hoof, “Shoot her you idiots!”

Guns turned up at Luna, fingers tightening on triggers. The moment lay suspended, frozen in time as the whole world took a breath.

Then Luna said something. It could have been ‘no’ but it came out like the roar of a tsunami, shaking the heavens and earth with a burst of fury and wrath incarnate. Magic erupted, raw, unchained, not from her horn but her whole being, the book suspended before her with pages fluttering.

Starhammer’s army collapsed. Their weapons animated into black, snapping reptiles that bore their startled owners to the ground, bullets into buzzing wasps that charged back against those who had fired them. Some gave wild eyed cackles and plunged their blades into the fellows, others collapsing in terrified weeping. Nai threw up runic symbols in an attempt to contain the panic but there was only so much she could do, watching as the troops fell apart around her.

“You unholy monster!” Icoxal charged into the maelstrom without a hint of fear, galloping towards his fallen liege as he loaded the shotgun at his side with his teeth. Luna unleashed a bolt of lightning upon him but to Zenai’s amazement it took it with barely a grunt of pain, the lightning grounding itself at his hooves. He snorted, a tiny trickle of blood running from his nose, “Not good enough.”

He fired, the buckshot penetrating Luna’s shields and slamming into her shoulder. She yelled out in pain and the book dropped into the dust with a thud, Icoxal firing again and hurling her to the ground with a scream.

Luna gasped as she writhed in pain upon the ground, her voice shrill and panicked, “This is your chance my children! Kill them! Kill him! Kill them all!”

Zenai gasped as images of hate and vengeance penetrated her mind, replacing all her thoughts with the overwhelming desire to avenge herself upon these terrible, evil zebra that had done so much harm to them all. She saw the foals run forward with guns blazing, eyes bloodshot and foam running from screaming muzzles, saw them cut down as Icoxal tried to fight his way to the fallen Luna. Zenai couldn’t resist the call, she screamed in fury until her throat hurt, gripping her weapon and moving to charge...

And then the images were gone, and her mind was hers again, “...ugh... what was...”

Tradash’s face contorted with effort as he held the symbol of harmony against his chest, subtle magic sparkling around it. Next to him Dust Kicker and Star Swirl were also holding their heads and shaking off the momentary insanity, Tradash speaking in dire tones with a clear trace of panic, “She has fully given her soul over to the star demon, and has allowed the madness inside that book to take hold. You must help me get close to her, or she will get everyone here killed.”

“Ugh... come on, we have to do what he says!” Dust waved them on urgently before galloping forward and laying out a young foal with a firm right hook, tripping another and expertly binding the fillies’ hooves with a line of rope, “Don’t hold back! Every one you incapacitate is one who’s not fighting him!”

Icoxal was indeed a one zebra army, lightly aided by those few of his comrades that Nai managed to save but still taking on nearly the whole might of Dusklight singlehooved. It didn’t help that they fought without concern for themselves, throwing themselves wildly at him and getting in each other’s way as he swiped them aside and fired his shotgun into the oncoming hoard.

He couldn’t cover every angle however and Starhammer was rushed by a group of screaming foals, smacking one down and bracing himself against another before a small filly of no more than eight caught him in the chest and knocked him to the ground. She snarled like an animal and bit firmly into his arm, drawing blood as the others galloped forwards with knives drawn. He panicked, punching her wildly until her hold loosened and throwing her to the ground, “Someone throw me a weap...!”

One of the foals fired and hit him in the side, another driving a knife into his shoulder. He collapsed gasping in pain, raising his hoof feebly in his defence... before the onrushing foals were cut down by automatic weapon fire, Kunani galloping forward with two heavily armed zebra flanking her. She positioned herself next to Starhammer and faced the hoard head on, drawing a long sharp blade from her saddle bag...

And slashing the throats of her two guards in one swift motion. The gasped in suprise, more so as the flowing blood was torn from the wounds with terrible force, leaving the bloodless bodies to slump to the ground as it collected into one horrific stream and flowed... straight into her open mouth.

She gasped, contorted, retched... and opened eyes red and wickedly glowing, dark energies flowing about her hooves. She slammed a hoof down and the raging foals and Icoxal were both sent tumbling by a wave of furious force, opening up a clear path towards Princess Luna.

Luna stood in furious authority, her wounds already healing. She locked eyes with Kunani for a moment before screaming in wrath and unleashing a storm of magic upon the zebra. Kunani slammed her hoof down and the magic broke against her, her small body contorting as she forced every fragment of her being against the Princess. Her body shone with terrible light, Zenai unable to stop a scream of horror as a dozen more of her own troops screamed and died, their life blood flowing towards the innocent looking zebra shaman and forming into runic symbols of glowing crimson before her.

Luna lifted her black book just in time, her magic sent arcing in random directions as a blow of terrible force slammed into her. She staggered, eyes going wide as screaming demonic figures appeared all around her, voices screaming out terrible curses. Her magic flared up against them with no effect, her legs buckling beneath her. Kunani continued to weave her magic, hooves slashing out, mouth miming soundlessly as she continued her assault. For a moment Zenai was sure she had won.

Luna gasped and fell, her eyes raising up to the sky, black book fluttering. The air seemed to shift, an incredible force far beyond anything Zenai had ever felt before rushing over the land. It was magic, but even to Zenai’s poor comprehension it was something new and primal.

Kunani’s efforts were momentary distracted as she looked up, eyes widening in horror. She stared aghast, the sun descending with uncommon speed to quickly disappear over the horizon. The battlefield was locked in darkness for but a moment before the full moon came up behind Luna’s dark form, the mare rising to her hooves with renewed vigour. Her horn flashed, silver light vaporising the demons around her, cutting through the night and slashing at Kunani with shining spears. Kunani defended as best as she could but she was off balance now and was forced to retreat back. Icoxal positioned himself to defend her and his shotgun discharged with a roar, this time however Luna’s form merged into the darkness and the shot whistled past. A second later and a silver blade came in from the side, spearing the great zebra through the shoulder and sending him staggering away with a roar.

He had given Kunani a chance to recover though, the zebra coming forward with a host of the darkest, most terrible curses Zenai had ever heard of, all of which she had thought were myths. Kunani’s wordless lips spat syllables from the darkest legends, sending forth the spirits of death and pain crashing against Luna’s defences. Luna responded with blasts of twisting chaos energy and spears of shining silver, their power meeting in the middle with flashes of destructive energy.

And around it, creatures died. Foals and hardened stallions alike were torn apart, defenceless against this clash of titans. Starhammer himself lay speechless at Kunani’s hooves, mouth hanging dumb and his body limp and placid.

And as Zenai watched Tradash stepped forward, the old scholar marching into the maelstrom. He slipped a set of shining stones from his saddlebag, cradling them gently as he spoke, “Sharps, Voice, Zaneious, Kale, Tandia... give an old zebra the strength he needs.”

He threw the stones outwards, one amber, one jade, one ruby, one amethyst and one sapphire. They landed in a perfect star shape around him, motionless for a second before light exploded outwards, cutting through the dark, wiping away the noise and chaos. A bubble of total calm extended and Zenai took a gasp of clear, cool air, unaware of just how long she had been holding her breath.

Kunani and Luna visibly slumped, their magic failing. Suspended blood splashed at Kunani’s hooves, Luna’s black book suddenly limp in her telekinesis. Maddened zebra and ponies suddenly stopped in motion, some giving sobs as they stared at the destruction around them.

Only Tradash spoke, his voice wheezy, his expression pained. He padded towards Luna, looking up at the stunned alicorn with pleading eyes, “Enough... look at what you have wrought, both of you. This was supposed to end this conflict honorably, without bloodshed. Now both of you have thrown away both the lives of your followers and your own morality, achieving what?”

Kunani stepped forward, took a deep breath and looked down at Starhammer. The zebra still looked to be in shock, just staring around at the bodies. Luna almost mirrored his expression, except her emotions were rawer and harsher. She looked devastated and terrified, tears filling her eyes as she looked upon the bodies of her followers, “I... I did it... I got them all killed...”

“No Luna, most of them can still be saved. But you need to stand down, raise the sun, and stop this madness.” Tradash stepped slowly towards her, determined despite his visible exhaustion, “There is nothing more...”

“GET AWAY!” Her head snapped round, her hooves dancing as she skittered away from the old zebra. She stood crouched and dangerous looking, her eyes wide and scared, “Get away from me! You can’t have them! You can’t have my children!”

“Luna, you have to trust me...” Tradash’s eyes shot down to the book lying nearby, now wrapped in a twisting, unpleasant aura, its pages rippling in a non-existent wind. He took one cautious step forward... before lunging at the book with a hoof.

“NO!” Luna snatched it away with her telekinesis, returning it to her side. There it glowed with power once more, merging with Luna’s own magical field, “It’s mine!”

“Luna, that book is evil, it will...”

Tradash reached for her, Luna recoiling away and igniting her horn. Star Swirl erected a shield around Tradash but it was in vain... Luna’s spell was not an attack.

They all watched uselessly as Luna vanished in a flash of moonlight. Zenai shielded her eyes from the glare for a moment before looking around, noting that she had taken her children with her. All was left was the moaning, screaming remains of Starhammer’s army, zebra beyond counting both dead and dying. Tradash looked sadly at them for a moment or two before his eyes rolled back and his legs buckled.

“Tradash!” Star Swirl set off galloping, Zenai quickly following behind. Tradash was unmoving as Star Swirl made it to his side, pressing a hoof against his neck to check for a pulse. Her head looked up with worry tinged with slight relief, “He’s still alive.”

Zenai settled down next to him, lifting an eyelid and using her pentorch to check reaction, checking his blood pressure and respiration. All were low but acceptable, and seemed to be stable for the moment, “He’s just exhausted himself. He needs to be kept warm and comfortable until he can recover.”

Icoxal limped across the battlefield, presenting himself angrily before Starhammer, “My liege... we must ride for Vigilant point and return with medical care. Have I your order?”

Starhammer looked at his general in shock, his eyes unfocused. Kunani looked at him for a moment before stepping forward, signing urgently...

“DON’T YOU DARE!” Starhammer reared up suddenly, anger invigorating him. His hoof swept out, striking Kunani hard across the muzzle and knocking the small zebra to the floor. She cried out in a high pitched squeal as he lunged for her, kicking her in the stomach and hoisting her up by her neck, “How dare you! You miserable, traitorous little...”

“Sir.” Icoxal spoke grimly, looking like he had just smelt something very rotten, “We will try Kunani for her crimes later. For now we must save our men.”

“Don’t you dare speak for me either Icoxal.” Starhammer growled angrily, throwing Kunani back down against the dusty ground with some force. She rolled over onto her back and stared at him with pathetic earnestness, Starhammer glaring back for a moment before barking his orders, “Any creature who speaks of this will have his head on a pole... and that includes the lot of you!”

Dust looked at everyone, eventually moving to reply for them, “They’re going to ask what happened, for instance why the moon is out a little after noon.”

“Fuck!” Starhammer shouted, extremely agitated, “Just tell them nothing! Tell them all nothing! Don’t you dare say a damn thing against Kunani, not if you value your head!”

“Sir!” Icoxal shouted imperiously, “She just killed dozens of my men in cold blood, I will not let you...”

Starhammer looked at Kunani, pathetic and pleading. His expression twisted into something ugly before their eyes, “Fall in Icoxal. I won’t ask again.”

He flexed for a second before nodding a little too firmly, “Yes sir.”

“And you!” Starhammer turned his head to Dust, eyes narrowing, “You fancy yourself heroes?”

Dust paused for a long moment before answering, “On our good days.”

“That fucking alicorn just brought about eternal night.” He spat, “So go and deal with her.”

Zenai shivered, looking back towards Dusklight. She had obviously returned home, to where Fluttershy and all the others were waiting for her. In her current state they had no idea what she might do to any of them...

And they had to stop her.

She looked up at the others but they offered no comfort, only worried, distressed faces. The moon hung heavy overhead, its light covering the land in shadows.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (10)
Perk Acquired – Night Person
You’re at your best when the sun goes down. With this perk, the player gains +2 to both Intelligence and Perception (up to a maximum of 10) between 6:00 P.M. and 5:59 A.M. in-game time.

Trait Acquired:
Withdrawn
You’ve suffered repeated blows to your confidence, and it’s left you feeling a little detached. You suffer a -2 to your Charisma, but gain +1 to your perception and endurance.

Chapter 2.17 – Luna Requiem

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Chapter 2.17 – Luna Requiem

The cold air was heavy upon Midnight Dreamer’s chest and she was forced to desperately work for every breath, gasping, tensing every muscle to fill her aching lungs. Pain racked her, a dull ache spreading through her muscles as they struggled for oxygen. The wind howled against the thin wooden walls and she was forced to curl up further into the meagre blankets, shivering and crying as a damp, freezing chill drifted across her thin, threadbare coat.

And then the door opened and her mother finally emerged, all her fears and worries disappearing with her smile. She was still as beautiful and strong as the great mountains of her namesake, even with her ribs peeking through her white coat and her bright green eyes circled with dark bags. The bowl in her hands steamed, a bitter but still mouthwatering smell reaching Midnight’s nose. The mare smiled as she lowered it onto the bedside table, her sweet voice cutting through the howling wind outside, “Drink my darling one. It will help your breathing, bring a little warmth to those bones.”

Midnight did so, eagerly. Only able to tolerate liquids for days now, her body cried out for substance of any kind, even this thin soup. At the same time it’s warmth helped her fight off the cold for just a little while more, let her forget about the conditions outside.

And then there was a banging at the door, the mare rising with a look of impatience and giving Midnight a kiss on the forehead before moving out into the main room. Although she couldn’t see her anymore she could still hear, the mare’s voice impatient and stern as she opened the door to let a fierce burst of cold air inside, “What in holy fire are you doing out in this weather Koshiko?”

Another voice swiftly answered, older, gruff and educated, “Just making the rounds, making sure you folk are doing alright.”

“We’re fine Koshiko.”

“Don’t lie to me Sierra Peaks. I can see you haven’t been eating, and I’ve heard the others talk.”

Her voice became sharp, challenging, “Let them talk.”

“The child is malformed, we have all known what that meant from the day she was born. In better times we might have been able to make her time on this world as long and comfortable as possible, but now...”

“Get out of my house.”

“See reason, please. This winter has stretched three seasons now, and food is scarce at the best of times. The girl will die, doctor Shokan says that with even the best of care it will happen before her twelfth year.”

Her mother’s voice dropped, choking slightly, “I’m not taking extra food.”

“No, you’re going hungry yourself. You’re an asset to the community Sierra Peaks, and I can’t let you sacrifice yourself for...”

“For what?! My... daughter! Get out of my house!”

“Sierra...”

“Get out! Get out of here!”

“Ok, ok... please, point that somewhere...”

“Out!”

There was the sound of a quickly slamming door and the sound of heavy breathing before her mother returned, her drawn face even more weary looking and a large rifle slung around her neck. Midnight Dreamer looked up at it, looking for reassurance from the thoughts whirling through her head, “Are they going to take me away?”

Her mother looked at her in shock for a second before firmly shaking her head, “No.”

“Because you’ll protect me.”

Her mother followed her eyes to the rifle, giving an embarrassed smile, “Ah... well... yes! Yes I will!” She trotted over to the wardrobe, throwing it open and routing around for a moment or two before pulling out a slightly moth eaten cloak. She clasped it around her neck and turned back to her, head held erect and proud, “Magus Sierra Peaks, defending children from all manner of nasty zebra!”

Midnight Dreamer giggled, admiring the way the cloak looked on her mother. Deep blue with the symbol of Equestria under Luna’s rule on the sides, sergeant pins on the lapel and a silver moon clasp, the uniform of the first sentinels, magic support division, “When I get old enough, I’m going to use my magic to make all this cold go away and make everypony happy again.”

Her mother smiled broadly, “Oh, I wish you could have met your great grandmother. You two would have got along so well.”

Midnight Dreamer had seen pictures of her great grandmother, memory orbs and the stories of her elders. She had invented a hundred other stories in her head, of the war hero, the settler, the leader. The great mage, who had founded this town, found the well that gave it water, protected it from bandits, “I’ll be a great wizard like her some day, I promise.”

“Haha!” Her mother laughed, joyful and enthusiastic. She bounded over, lowering her down besides her daughter and placing a soft hoof on her forehead, “Just always remember the virtues of our princess little one. Find friends in even the most unexpected of places, bring light to the shadows and master your dreams. Then you will never ever have to be afraid of the dark.”

She nodded, drawing herself close to her mother, feeling their hearts beat as one.

A month later and she was forced to drag herself out of her bed and all the way to Koshiko’s house to report her mother hadn’t come home from her scavenging trip. There had been heavy snowfall and her mother’s white coat did not make it easy to search, two days passing before they found her body buried beneath a snowdrift.

Much debate followed, before a elderly zebra who had lost his own children was finally convinced to take her in. He had been the only applicant.

Midnight Dreamer willed her body to take in the sunlight as she made her slow way down the street, the chill making her hooves numb despite the warm weather. She admitted to studying through much of the night and it had left her even weaker than normal, still she was certain she had finally pushed through yet another barrier to controlling her magic. A book she had brought off a travelling sales zebra about proper horn use and care floated before her, the tome smudged and poorly written but pretty much the first bit of information she had found so far about her race. She figured almost everything here would have one day have been taught by her mother, but as the only unicorn in the village puberty was a scary place without something like this.

“Hey, spike head!”

She shot a withering look to the rangy, dirty looking zebra foal bounding towards her, tensing in reflex and feeling her magic crackle slightly, “Don’t call me that.”

“What, spike head? Why’s that spike head?”

“You’re such a child.” She turned back to her book and hurried her pace, only to receive a hard shove from behind. She turned with a growl, feeling her chest become tight as her heart beat faster, “Nau, don’t do that!”

“Why, because you’re all weak and fragile?” He grinned infuriatingly, dancing around her in the most annoying fashion imaginable, “Spike Head, always stuck in a book. Maybe if you played games with us occasionally instead of sitting indoors reading you might actually be able to run five meters without collapsing.”

She resisted the urge to shock him, having got in trouble for that in the past... not least that it was rarely enough to deter anyone half the size of Nau, and was generally responded to with a punch that definitely could flatten her with ease, “I’ve been banned from playing outside and you know it. Mostly because you always bully me!”

“Aww, it’s all in good fun.” He grinned like a imbecile, “Come on, run with me! It will be fun!”

She snapped at him, “Leave me alone! I don’t run and you know it!”

He frowned in annoyance for a second before galloping over and snatching her book out of the air. She gasped, reaching for it only to have it snatched out of her reach. She took it in her magic but he turned his back to her, breaking her hold.

“GIVE IT BACK!”

Nau laughed, took a run up and flung the book as hard as he could, sending it spinning through the air, “Come on Spike Head, go catch it!”

She watched in horror as it struck the wall of a house and exploded into a hundred individual pages, the broken spine falling into the mud and the pages swiftly blown away by the wind. Her hooves wobbled, her lip quivering.

“Oh man...” Nau breathed, “...I didn’t mean to break it.”

She tried to stop it but she just couldn’t help herself. She gasped briefly before the tears ran down her face, uttering a loud unmistakable sob. Her throat hurt, her chest heavy and cold.

Nau turned, clearly mortified, “I didn’t mean it! Don’t tell my dad!”

He reached for her, eyes desperate. She reacted by pure instinct, feeling the magic well up and explode out of her horn in a beam of pure rage, “I HATE YOU!!”

He hit the same wall as the book had, the loud sound of breaking bone echoing through the village. Nau fell to the ground with a long yell and then a pathetic whimpering. The grass around Midnight sizzled, sparks still flying from her horn.

It didn’t take long for others to come running.

“She just attacked me. It wasn’t my fault.”

“That child cannot control herself, it’s clear! She’s a unicorn, who knows what she’s learning from those books of hers! We should take them away!”

“Clearly she is in need of tougher discipline...”

“She takes after her mother. Always so arrogant...”

“I do not want my daughter going to classes with her!”

“Child, I hereby decree that you are forbidden to use magic of any form, nor read any book not approved by the elders.”

She stood there, unnaturally calm, her adoptive father standing passive and useless as ever. She stood there and took it, her eyes dwelling on Nau for long seconds before he looked away in shame.

She stalked through the dark shadows of the village, her strong, powerful hooves scrapping the floor as she made it towards her prey. She giggled as Nau looked around in fear, observing him from the shadows as she grinned from ear to ear, “Nau, do you know what happens to little boys who lie?”

He shook in fear, almost crying now, “Please, I didn’t mean to...”

“You didn’t mean to... you think that makes it better?”

“No... I...”

“Now everyone you love is DEAD!” She conjured the walking corpses of his family, sending them shambling towards him as they cursed his name. He cried now, loud, screaming sobs, Midnight Dreamer cackling as she appeared before him, her powerful, horrific visage screaming in his face, “AND YOU’RE NEXT!”

She awoke the next day, still weak, still pathetic, still bullied and hated. But Nau sat at his desk, pale and nervous, looking read to wet himself every time she so much as smiled at him. He went home early and sat by the river for the rest of the day, expression withdrawn and depressed.

In the real world, she was just her, weak and pathetic. But in the dreams she was a god. She could take her vengeance, and there was no one to stop her.

It felt good.

______________________________

Vigilant Point was becoming a dark place, the once thriving trading town now increasingly shuttered and fearful. Starhammer’s army roamed restlessly, angry and inpatient, their crimes against the town becoming increasingly blatant.

Dust levered his gun round as a zebra approached cautiously from behind with an iron bar held tight, smirking at him, “Is it worth it son?”

The zebra frowned, considered for just a moment and then turned to gallop away. Dust heard further retreating hooves from all around, just further proof that they had clearly outstayed their welcome... and the eternal night wasn’t getting any less nighty. The moon beamed down, wrapping the world in eerie shadows.

“Um, and this is DJ Voice here, delivering a message from Tandia of Garm. Yep, this is her official response to the night that has now stretched on for thirty eight hours now.”

“Don’t leave them in suspense boss!”

“Right... she says ‘Don’t panic, the night will end’.”

“If you think that’s bad folks, that’s what she used to say to us when eighty four raging starspawn were charging straight at us with unearthly wails.”

“Yes, our wonderful little priestess always was somewhat laconic. Still, she was also always right, so let’s sit back, relax and make the most of it!”

“I always kinda liked the dark. Comes of having a face only a mother would love.”

“So in return for that lovely message of support, here’s one of Tandia’s favourites, ‘Pretty Moon Sentinel’, a traditional little ditty brought to new life by our very own Xintha. So sit back and enjoy wasteland, while you wait for our happy ol’ sun to return.”

Dust smiled, glad there were still folks calling for restraint in all this. If they ever got to Clendel he would have to make a point to stopping off to thank the pair in person. Hopefully they would have a happy ending to report on that radio station of theirs soon, at least if Dust had anything to say about it.

“Is this becoming... personal to you Dust Kickeer?”

The voice cut off the voices of Sharps and Voice with a buzz, familiar, deep tones from his armour leaving no mistake of who it was. Dust composed himself briefly before replying, “I hadn’t really considered it. Luna’s simply a good mare, that I don’t want to see die.”

Red Eye chuckled, “Yet here you are, fighting for her cause without promise of reward.”

“Yeah...” He sighed, not about to argue, “Any suggestions?”

“It is sadly a conflict which feels inevitable, meaningless and depressing. A conflict illustrating all that is wrong with the new world, and why it is doomed to failure.”

“And why is that?”

Red Eye spoke breezily, his voice a long sigh, “Princess Luna, Lord Starhammer... both of them have taken up the symbols of the old world, wielding them clumsily with no understanding of what they represent. They are unable to change their course because they have shackled themselves to old ghosts and stolen ideals, pulling them inevitably to the same failure and death suffered by those who have inspired them.”

“Folks take inspiration from the past. Nothing new.”

“The whole world is trapped within a dream of the past. Nostalgia is a sickness, a disease of the soul. The NCR, Starhammer, Caesar, Luna.... even their names are old, using symbols that were buried long ago. An obsession with the past damns them to repeat it.”

Dust had to admit he had a point about names. He had long worked out that Luna wasn’t really Luna, and even she seemed to be hiding it really poorly these days. That made him slightly uncomfortable, that she was a mare so unhappy with her own identity that she hid it behind a cartoon mask of a princess long dead.

But he was willing to live and let live. What business was it of his? “I think they’re doing this because they want to avoid the mistakes of the past. To see what would have happened if things had gone... differently. To give the past a happy ending.”

“Is that your motivation Dust Kicker?”

Dust frowned, not liking where this conversation was going, “What am I trying to fix?”

“What was it about Cerulean that so fascinated you?” Red Eye’s voice became teasing, “You had met exceptional slaves before, ponies who had defended their towns with honor and skill. What made her different?”

Dust bit back the jolt of pain her name caused, bringing forth memories of cold eyes and a colder voice. Sometimes fascination... infatuation didn’t have a clear ‘why’ to it. However as he thought back he remembered the one thing that had stuck in his mind, “She did it on her own. She didn’t have any friends.” He felt the pain well up again, remembered the quiet, watchful mare peering at him through the bruises and iron bars, “She was fifteen, a quiet, sullen girl considered weird and unsociable by every other pony in the stable. And of the twenty one casualties we suffered taking the place, fifteen of them were down to her. She was the smartest, bravest girl I had ever met, and she was all alone.”

“It seems a lot of ponies like us have trouble forming connections. I wonder if that’s the price of a superior mind, to look at the world through a mathematician’s eye.”

Dust hoped that wasn’t true. It was a cliché he saw borne out a fair few times, still that didn’t make it an absolute rule. A lot of dumb folks had a hard time making friends too, “Were you a lonely child then?”

“Lonely?” Red Eye chuckled, “No. Ponies often wanted to be around me. But friends? That I had trouble with. My deepest emotions were for my enemies, those who challenged me, stood before me and declared their intentions plain. My memories of the mare made me feel she was the same. She should have hated me, yet she was only too willing, even hungry to help me.”

“She believed you could make the wasteland a better place.”

“I have every suspicion she would have stabbed me in the back the moment I was no longer of use to her. She believed she could make the wasteland a better place.” Red Eye corrected with a chuckle, “And now this Luna believes the same. She believes in the image of the pony princess who went insane, conjured eternal night and even in her redemption burned the world. She strips away the uncomfortable parts, and in so doing creates a foundation unsuited to the weight she places upon it.”

Dust felt Red Eye get to him, and worse it was through wounds he didn’t even realise he had. He had loved Cerulean, he had believed in Red Eye... but that had all been a very long time ago, “It’s a noble aim, worth supporting.”

“And so you return to the past again and again, seeking to erase your mistakes.”

He cursed inwardly, “Maybe...”

“You’ll fail. They’ll fail. These symbols of a past forgotten, used without knowledge of the consequences? They’ll destroy everything, just as they once did before.”

“I... don’t believe that.”

“Then maybe I am a cynic.”

Dust sighed, “I hope you are.”

“No matter what you think of me... I hope I am also Dust Kicker. So good luck today, and may you find the absolution you seek.”

Dust stepped inside the little house they were using as a base, spotting Zenai and Star Swirl talking to Tradash. After a moment he also spotted Tradash’s heavily bandaged assistant lurking in a corner, keeping a careful eye on him as he moved to the join the group, “I’m back.”

Zenai smiled rather sweetly in his direction, clearly pleased to see him, “Did you manage to get everything we need?”

“Mostly.” He admitted with some regret, not wanting to disappoint that face, “Your plasma pistol was described by everyone I spoke to as only fit to be stripped of parts.”

Her face did indeed drop very suddenly, “It’s not even that badly damaged!”

“It’s a custom piece Zenai, and apparently the induction port was carved clean through. It’s a different size and shape to all standard issue replacement parts, so I think you’ll have to have a new one made.”

“Magical energy weapons were an Equestrian invention, to compete with our alchemically enhanced firearms.” The bandaged zebra commented in a low, glum tone, “You’ll not find a gunsmith capable of forging custom parts outside of Clendel and Demonivore, and even there it is doubtful.”

Zenai looked deeply depressed, Dust trying his best to look reassuring as he handed her a short stubby weapon from his pack. She look it with a rather disdainful look, inspecting it very unenthusiastically, “Thank you... but... this looks like a piece of crap.”

Dust grinned, having thought that himself. Still, even though he wasn’t an expert on magical weapons he did know manufacturing, and could see the quality under the... crap, “It’s a custom model.”

“Yeah, I can tell. It appears to have been made out of a vacuum cleaner.”

“It’s a plasma shotgun, and look. If you twist the dial there it can fire bursts of compressed air, knock enemies flat.”

She looked sceptically at him for a second or two more before accepting it with a sigh, “Fine.”

Tradash gave a grandfatherly chuckle before his face became more serious, closing his eyes as he spoke, “I’m sorry this falls down to you. I try not to feel guilty, but twenty years ago I would be right beside you.” He smiled wearily at Dust, “Terrible really, I’m the same age as you. The difference couldn’t be more pronounced.”

Dust smiled back. In truth he was well aware he had been blessed with terrific constitution, even as he complained of his aches and pains and declining vision, “We all age differently. At least you’re still a renowned scholar, I doubt I’ll be much of anything when my age catches up with me..”

“In truth I hated being a adventurer when I was younger.” Tradash chuckled cheerily, “I was a skinny bookish sort, forever complaining about getting shot at and hiding behind my bigger companions...” His smile disappeared, his face falling and his voice becoming husky, “I hate to see all this death and sadness. I feel powerless to stop it, and I ache to think you might be forced to... harm your friend.”

“I might have a hoof strike to the face waiting for her, but I won’t let anyone kill Luna.” Star Swirl stated firmly, “We just need to get that book off her.”

“Don’t be naive.” Tradash’s assistant finally spoke up in his rough growl of a voice, tone bitter and cynical, “She won’t just snap out of it you take that book from her hooves. It’s wormed it’s way into her heart, connected itself with the Star Demon possessing her. You take that book and she’ll get worse, she will kill you to get it back.”

Dust turned to Tradash, “Is that true?”

He considered for a moment before speaking hesitantly, “As long as the book is still in the area it will retain its hold. I’m told of ponies dreaming of such items, feeling sudden irresistible longing for them long after they were taken. The famed Amulet of Princess Ruby Gleam was famed for infecting a whole noble family, tempting the original holder’s grandchildren into finding and possessing it, even though they had never set eyes on it before. It would help if it was given up willingly, but that is an unlikely scenario I feel.”

“And no destroying it, unless we detonate a spare megaspell on top of it.”

“No.” Tradash shook his head, “I’m sorry, I’m not much help. Seems I can only tell you what you can’t do.”

“We appreciate it.” Dust nodded, smiling at the old zebra. He at the very least was trying to be helpful at least, “We’ll figure something out.”

Star Swirl spoke as Tradash moved to leave, voice quietly hopeful, “Esau? Are you... coming with us?”

“No.” The bandaged zebra stated bluntly.

“Why... why not?”

Esau paused for a moment before growling his answer, “Because I do not believe she can be saved. That the demon was bad enough, but compounding it with a black book? No being can come back from such darkness. It would be a kinder thing to put a bullet in her head and be done with it.” He turned a narrowed eye at Star Swirl, “You would never let me, and to work at cross purposes would just make this situation worse. I will wait here, for you to finally reach that conclusion on your own and do what must be done.”

“If... if it goes that way...” Tradash turned, apologetic, “I will ensure the children are led to safety. I have more than a few favours to call in.”

Star Swirl just let her head drop, lip curling angrily. Dust answered for her, “We’ll keep that in mind, thank you.”

They started out ten minutes later, all their preparations done. They all felt the town watching them, soldier and civilian alike. The guards moved aside as they walked through the gates and stared at the long road before them. They couldn’t put this off any longer.

“Kill her, and Starhammer will let the children go.”

Dust turned with a little bit of suprise, the zebra crouched in the dark corners quiet enough to have escaped his attention even at this close range. She was armed with nothing more than a hunting knife at her side, her body lean and agile. He searched quickly for his tongue at the sudden appearance, rather surprised when Star Swirl answered first, “You don’t have to kill her Zenail.”

“Unfortunately, we do.” The zebra spoke icily, her eyes full of disdain, “She humiliated Starhammer in front of every zebra. To not take action now would paint him as weak, defeated.”

Star Swirl blurted her words out desperately, “Zenali, please...”

“Pleading will not change the facts.” She declared coldly, not even looking at the alicorn, “Anypony else?”

Dust sighed, deciding to give her what she wanted, “We’re going to head out to Dusklight by the end of the hour.”

“And?” She questioned.

“We’ll do whatever needs doing.” He wasn’t giving any promises, or being her assassin. Even before his sincere affection for Luna and the knowledge that solving this problem poorly would end up tearing the group apart, he had no sympathy for her reasoning, “Don’t act like the innocent party. Starhammer should have stayed his blade.”

Zenali just glared.

“She was beaten. There was no need to finish her off.” Dust Kicker stated it bluntly, for once not pragmatic or serving a greater plan... simply pissed off, and wanting to moralise. It was an odd feeling, at not once he liked, “It’s a running trend with your boss, and I don’t like it.”

“That he kills his enemies.” Zenali countered smoothly, her expression snooty and dismissive.

“He’s a sadist. He likes to hurt folk.” Dust glared straight on, matching her cool, studied indifference with the steel of a lifetime of experience, “And it’s going to get worse. You keep feeding his ego, and he’ll have less and less of a reason to hold back. And as for his marefriend...”

“You know nothing about either of them.” Zenali declared coldly, “I’m sure you’ve heard of Tandia of Garm. The great and noble elder of the zebra people, the first since the megaspells fell. She believes in harmony, kindness, sparing her enemies.” Her face soured darkly, “And what has it achieved? If she had half the conviction of Celestia or Zephyr she would have already taken an army through these lands and cleared out the scum. Instead it was a task that fell to Starhammer and Luna, two unashamed and very effective killers. I will not apologise for the strength of Starhammer and Kunani, the conviction to unite this world.”

“Is that what you took from Luna’s rise? An effective killer?” Zenai spat, “She took in the weak and desperate, protected them, gave them a home. Your tyrant preys upon the weak, same as the rest of them!”

“I grew up in Clendal. The heartland of the zebra race, where the ‘grass is always greener’.” Zenali grimaced, “It stumbles into oblivion, choking on the weak and dependant. Do you know why they sent Kunani to visit ‘King’ Rashik, a zebra who robbed and whored and worked every day to destroy a kingdom that his father had once made the greatest and most noble in the wasteland? What message they wanted to send to such a zebra?”

Dust spoke for them all, “No.”

“Tandia wanted her to learn the culture and languages of his land, so they could better ‘understand’ and ‘seek to help’ the scumbag.” She lowered glaring eyes at him, “That is the attitude good, peaceful zebra take to the monsters of this world.”

“Luna is not Rashik.”

“Is that why she’s brought about eternal night?”

Dust grunted, “Is that why Kunani consumed the souls of her followers to summon evil spirits?”

Zenali paused, her expression tight and strained. Eventually she spoke, turning cold eyes to Star Swirl, “Star Swirl, I once told you that I was a very effective liar. I am not lying now.” She drew herself up, glaring hotly, “Kunani is my friend, and three times the zebra Starhammer is. And now because she took the only option she could think of to save him, she’s currently locked up, awaiting whatever punishment they deem appropriate. And I will accept that, because it will keep her dreams alive. A dream of a strong, united zebra homeland.”

“And Luna’s dream?” Zenai questioned quietly.

“Is the safety of her children.” Zenali glared at them, “I’m not offering money. I’m offering this. If Luna dies then those children will be allowed to flee. If she lives, then the full might of this army will see the death of every single brat in those caves. That’s my offer.”

Dust looked into her eyes. He was pretty sure she wasn’t lying.

_______________________________________

The cosmos opened up before Luna’s eyes. The secrets of creation lay at her hooves. She looked at the filly currently laid out upon the clinic table, her body carefully cleaned and prepared.

She had been called Darts Dasher. She had been known for her speed and athleticism... and also for having bad eyes and a hyperactive personality that frequently got her in trouble.

Luna looked at her and understood how her legs and wings were constructed, what made her so naturally talented. She understood the defects in her eyes and pituary gland that made her so inattentive and overstimuated. She understood how to apply them to others, how to make the others ‘better’.

She looked around at the sad faces, the pain of loss. They just didn’t understand.

“Luna, we have to pack up the caves.”

She looked round at Radhi, giving him her most enthusiastic smile, “No. You have to help me set up the medical ward, I need some equipment and books...”

“Luna, they’re going to attack any moment now. We have to leave.”

She felt she should be paying attention to him, still her mind kept wandering away from his face back to her grand plans. And that was sensible. He wasn’t important at the moment, just another flesh bag... ugn... she didn’t feel well.

She blinked for a moment, trying to fight off the sudden sickness. She scanned her bodily functions and determined everything was working as normal. How unusual, “No... give me a moment...”

“Luna!”

He sounded... concerned? Of course he was, of course he was. Everything was... right. She straightened out, smiling once more, “We don’t have to run. We can fight them now, we can win.”

Radhi was silent for a moment, simple staring at her. His words when they emerged were slow, considered, “How?”

How? That was a good question, “I can use the body parts here to make the others stronger, more powerful. The more intact corpses can be used as undead shock troops...”

“Luna.” He interrupted her, very rudely she thought, “Please put down that book.”

She looked at the object, dangling from her neck by a chain. It consumed her thoughts, that beautiful, wonderful book that would save them all, “I know, isn’t it wonderful? With this we can win, we can build my silver city.”

Radhi’s voice remained quiet and sad, “I’m your oldest friend right?”

“Of course!”

“Then you can give me that book. You can trust me with it for a while.”

She had to stop herself from lashing out right there and then. She could barely keep her tongue in check, “You... you’re trying to steal my book!”

He backed off a step, “No...”

“This... this isn’t important!” She strode past him, full of anger and nervous energy. She spotted Ebony working a short distance away and went over to meet her, “Ebony!”

Radhi called out desperately behind her, “Luna, no!”

She ignored him. He was a silly zebra, full of silly ideas, “Ebony, bring the intact corpses to one side of the room and sew up all the open wounds and bind the broken bones.”

Ebony turned groggily to Luna, her eyes smudged and weak, “Why?”

“I need to start animating them immediately. If we arm them with simple weapons they could prove very effective at defending these tight corridors.”

“You...” She blinked, “You can bring them back to life?”

“No. I can’t bring souls back.” Luna admitted with a little irritation, frustrated that she was still so limited despite her power. If she could then she could have resurrected Swift Crimson and still have one of her best commanders and fighters. But she would make do, “I can give the corpses some simple instructions, enable them to fight Starhammer’s troops.”

Her eyes widened in horror, “You’re going to create undead from the corpses of our friends?!”

“Yes. It’s the best use of their bodies at the present moment.” Luna declared proudly. She was a little confused when Ebony then walked over and took a ripper chain blade from the table, turning and heading back towards Luna with a rather odd expression, “Ebony, what are you...?”

“Ebony stop!” Radhi shouted urgently from behind, Luna turning in confusion at his voice...

Radhi ran forward and shoved Luna, then yelled and ducked as the ripper took a fairly large tuft of his hair. Luna gasped and backed away as Ebony checked she hadn’t taken Radhi’s head off before leaping for Luna once again. This time she was ready, barking a word of power that struck Ebony backwards to crash down onto her back. The ripper Luna took in her telekinesis, shutting it down and throwing it into the trash disposal. Then she turned to the fallen mare, trying to work out what had just happened, “Ebony, why...?”

“I was trying to get that book off you!” She shouted, glaring at the shaking Radhi a short distance away, “If you hadn’t interfered, I would have cut the chain and we could have gotten rid of it!”

“Why?” Luna asked, tears forming in her eyes, “It’s given me all this power. With this I can save you all!”

Radhi looked round, unable to look her in the eye, “It’s affecting your judgement Luna, can’t you tell? You would never think these kind of things...”

“It’s sent you insane!” Ebony interrupted, her voice a screech, “Desecrating our friends! Let alone how pleased you seem over this whole thing!”

Luna hesitated, unable to understand... quite why... “These corpses are resources. Resources I can use to save us.”

“You got dozens of my friends killed for your own stupid pride! You’re using dark magic, hurting and killing everypony around you, betraying everything you ever stood for!” She shouted, tears spilling from her eyes, “I told you this would happen! I watched you go, knowing I would never see any of you again! And I was right!”

“I’m... I’m right here...”

She snarled, grabbing a bone saw from a trolley and hugging it to her chest, “No, Princess Luna is dead. You? You’re a demon wearing her face.” She set herself low, teeth bared, “Come anywhere near any of these ponies and I will kill you!”

“Ebony, you’re just making this worse...”

“Shut up Radhi!”

Luna smiled desperately at the zebra beside her, “That’s right, she’s being irrational right? You agree with me?”

Radhi gasped a little as she looked to him, adjusting his glasses nervously. Eventually he was forced to answer, “She’s right... Luna, you’re losing your mind. That book is evil, it’s corrupting you.”

“No! NO!” She gasped, looking around desperate for escape. She looked down at the book and overwhelming love seized her, a desire to give herself entirely to the words written there...

She... she wanted to kill them both, make a monster from their corpses and set it upon her enemies. It was the only think that made sense... the ONLY SANE DECISION!

She gasped, coughing until her throat hurt, trying to force... something from her body. Some violent poison, some disease that was making her feel this way. Radhi advanced forward cautiously, “Luna... are you ok?”

“GET AWAY FROM ME!” She backed away, fighting off the urge to kill, to dominate, TO KILL ALL OF THEM!

She took a deep breath, ran out of the morgue and slammed the door shut behind her. She twisted the lock shut with her telekinesis before breaking the key off, her face contorted as she gazed through the glass at the two of them, “Stay... away from me...”

She ran out into the cave, closing her eyes as she locked the doors behind her. She kept them closed as she ran through the infirmary, trying to ignore the dead and wounded around her.

She heard... laughter.

She opened her eyes, creeping closer to the door. It was one of the wards, as expected full of foals wounded the previous day. Their broken, crippled bodies were wrapped in bandages, some marking lost limbs... and they were smiling and laughing.

It was Bleak Fields, one eye bandaged over, playing the fool as normal. He danced over to the younger foals, sending them giggling with goofy expressions, then cheerily reassuring with another badly injured mare that was clearly in pain. He was hurt himself, yet he just couldn’t stop. Just couldn’t stand a downturned face.

It struck Luna deeply. That even in the middle of so much death and despair he could find the light of hope, and give it to others.

And here she was, causing them all so much pain. She hurried out of the infirmary, trying to go... somewhere. Somewhere she could lock herself away, starve this evil out of her. She had to...

She had to fight! Kill Starhammer and this would all go away, all be better...

No! Those weren’t her thoughts, those weren’t...

Those were the only thoughts that made sense!

“Get... out of my head...” Luna struggled for a moment, trying to reach Selene. She needed her help to stop this, needed her to shield her from this evil voice in her head. She felt Selene’s presence, reached for her...

Her body locked up, the black matter around her suddenly seizing control of her body. She felt Selene attack her mind, leap at her throat like a rabid dog turned on its master.

If you will not do what must be done, Selene will. This is for the best, you’ll see.

But Luna was ready for this. Her horn sparked and spells she had prepared months earlier came into effect, Selene hurled away, hissing as she was forced back into the corners of her mind. She felt the dark matter disappear, falling with a thump onto the stone ground. Her missing leg throbbed against the prosthesis as she staggered upright, her naked fur feeling vulnerable and exposed.

“Are you ok?”

Luna turned, her stomach doing summersaults as she saw Niyada walking over. She clamped her tongue, trying to back away from the camel’s advance...

“You look hurt.” Niyada’s expression was full of concern, just inviting Luna to trust. She would have loved nothing more, but she couldn’t... her next words only confirming why, “I don’t recognise you. What’s your name?”

Luna felt a tear run down her cheek, “Leave me alone...”

“Luna?!”

Luna grimaced, shaking her head. No, no this wasn’t right. Not now, not like this. She turned, moving to gallop away...

“Luna, please wait.”

Luna winced as she felt Niyada’s hoof on her shoulder, trying to control her shaking as she paused in place. Niyada... was taller than her like this. It made her feel so vulnerable, so weak. She turned a shivering eye to the mare, voice pleading, “Please Niyada...you have to evacuate the caves, get everypony away from me.”

Niyada’s voice was as calm and kind as ever, “Luna, please. I want to understand. Why are you like... this?”

“Because it’s a lie...”

“What is?”

“Everything... please, I’m dangerous.” Luna felt the tears flow faster now, “Get away from me.”

“Why are you dangerous?”

“I can’t control myself... the book... this book, it has a hold on me and I can’t...” Niyada’s hoof reached for the book and Luna immediately danced back, magic charging at her horn, “GET AWAY FROM IT! IT’S... it’s mine...”

She let her head fall, bitter tears falling to the ground. After all this time resisting demons, dark temptations... and now she was utterly helpless, “Niyada, please. My normal form, the black alicorn? It’s a separate being under my control that I use as my skin. It’s very dangerous and I spent a long time learning to control it, and now... now the book has control of her.”

“Luna, if we leave you alone then...” Niyada let the statement hang, her expression full of compassion as she stood a little way back, body poised to run if needed, “There must be something we can do to help.”

Luna felt the urge to kill return, clenching her teeth and trying to force the impulse back through sheer force of will...

But she was right. Luna was going to lose this fight eventually. She gasped, tears flowing faster as she admitted the terrible truth to herself. She... was already lost, “You can... you can kill me. Kill me! Please!”

Niyada looked scared now, gasping a little before shaking her head, “No...”

“I’m going to lose control! I don’t want to hurt anyone! I... don’t...!”

Niyada moved forward with deceptive swiftness, lunging for her. Luna felt her protectiveness of the book surge and kicked out, striking Niyada several times and hearing her hiss in pain... before the mare’s hooves encircled her and held her tight.

“NO! PLEASE! Let... let go!” She struggled, feeling the book take control, feeling the desire to hurt and dominate...

“You’re the strongest mare I’ve ever met. You brought us together, you fought to protect us, you gave a hundred foals a future they can call their own.” Niyada clutched Luna tighter, absorbing her struggles with barely a grunt, “You can beat this. That book is trying to make you a bad pony Luna, and that’s one thing you’re not.”

“I am! I’m a terrible pony, I’ve done terrible things!” Luna gasped, feeling her mind fill with evil deeds, her cackling joy as zebra burned and knowing it was right and just. She wanted to kill them all, she wanted vengeance and dominance, to abuse them as they had abused her!

“You’re our princess, and these children love you for a reason. They see your soul Luna, and it is a beautiful one.”

“I... I...” Luna took a deep breath and steeled her resolve. She had known for days she had the greatest fight of her life coming, and now she knew it wasn’t with Starhammer. She should have known that long ago, that her greatest foe would be herself, her darkest impulses and Selene turned against her, “I have to fight this thing.” She fixed her eyes on the camel, smiling at her with all the strength she could muster, “Stall for me, and if I don’t emerge after a day come looking. If I... if I break out of my room... it means I’ve lost, and I’m long dead. Put whatever’s left down hard, ok?”

“Luna...” Niyada’s voice shook, “There has to be something we can do to help.”

“You already have.” Luna gave an affectionate nod before heading towards her room, ready for whatever was to come. This time there would be no coming back... but for some reason she was not afraid.

______________________________

They had debated at length the merits of sneaking into the park surrounding Dusklight, eventually deciding that it wasn’t worth the effort. Meeting guards or sentries to negotiate with would be a boon, and they weren’t enemies just yet. Not to mention the desert was dangerous enough at night without straying from the established path.

So they passed through the sad, lonely gates one more time, all of their eyes straying across the pictures of happy children, faded and torn, the tiny skeletons littered all about them. It seemed an ominous start to the mission.

“I wondered when you would finally arrive.”

Dust turned with a controlled trot, weapons angled cautiously. Whoever had spoken obviously already had them in their sights, so hopefully wasn’t an enemy, “Show yourself.”

A pony shaped figure stepped out from a corner shaded by moonlight, it’s silver radiance reflecting off her white cloak with a burst of shining kaleidoscopic reflections. Dust had to admit his breath froze in his throat as she turned and revealed a long delicate muzzle and soft pink eyes, set into a perfect alabaster coat. She smiled at the group and that smile was just as perfect as the rest of her, warm and loving and full of grace.

Puppy spoke up, her tone slightly chastising, “Uncle sir, do I have to turn up the cooling levels?”

“Sunshine Ivory!” Star Swirl exclaimed, galloping forward eagerly, “What are you doing here?”

“I am a priestess of the sun. Somepony appears to have stolen it.” Her expression became slightly more concerned, looking at each of them in turn, “But I am afraid to step forward on my own, my powers are considerable but no match for Luna’s. I was waiting for others to arrive to help.”

Dust grunted, still a little embarrassed by Puppy’s jibe, “Well, we’re here. Such as we are.”

The priestess nodded, “Indeed I had hoped for many more to aid us. Still, three noble souls is a match for five hundred conscripted soldiers, yes? Though I fear it is an unpleasant task which awaits us.”

“Can’t you talk to her?” Star Swirl declared desperately, “You’re her friend, she trusts you!”

Something dark crossed Sunshine Ivory’s face, the mare concealing her eyes beneath her hood for a moment. Her voice was dark as she answered, “Where did you hear that Star Swirl?”

“Luna...” Star Swirl hesitated, “Luna told me. She told me everything.”

Sunshine Ivory emerged from within her hood, once again smiling and calm. She gave a look of slight regret before speaking, “I see. I hoped to guide her towards a better path, however much she tried to drive me away. I had hoped you would not find out... for this is my fault. If I had done something different, maybe this would not have happened.” She closed her eyes, looking pained and deeply regretful, “That is why I am here. I gave her this power, I gave her the idea for Dusklight and helped her set it up. And now she wields both to evil purposes, hurts others with my gifts. And stopping her is my responsibility.”

“No... Luna’s my fri... she’s my sister.” Star Swirl declared fiercely, “And I will save her!”

Sunshine Ivory looked at Star Swirl with deep sadness, a quiet, far away smile across her gentle features, “Oh Star Swirl, you sound so much like Celestia. But like her...”

“We won’t know until we try.” Dust interjected, not really seeing the point of speculation, “But another member of our group is appreciated.”

“Indeed.” Sunshine replied, turning to him, “So shall we get moving? This night is not getting any warmer.”

He nodded, trying to keep his mind off her as he stepped forward and through the archway, the others following behind. The park looked even creepier in the dark, Dust keeping an eye out for anything that might be lying in ambush. He doubted Luna had left this path completely unguarded.

He really didn’t have time for speculation, but something felt off about all this. Sunshine Ivory was linked to both Star Swirl and Luna? Wouldn’t that suggest that she was also behind Star Swirl abandoning them at the corpse of the All-mother? She was pretty and well spoken and polite, but he wasn’t so naive as to think that meant she was necessarily entirely on the level.

He wished they weren’t in a hurry. As it was he was going to have to keep a close eye on her.

“Dust Kicker.”

Puppy spoke bluntly, Dust noting that she didn’t babble his name with numerous honorific’s like she tended to do in the past, “Yes Puppy?”

“I won’t let you kill Luna.” She paused for a moment before speaking again, a little more aggressively, “I’ll shut down this armor if you try to.”

Dust sighed, wishing she had told him this earlier. He certainly didn’t want to kill he either, but he liked to have his options open. But then... maybe it would have been cruel to leave her behind, or discount her opinion. He eventually decided on simply trying to reassuring her of his intentions, “I’m loaded with non-lethal weaponry. I don’t intend to kill her.”

“You have lethal ammo in my reserves, and even the non-lethal ammo options can kill or cripple in the right places.”

Dust admitted this, yes. He initially thought to downgrade to actual non-lethal weaponry, but then reality kicked in, “Princess Luna is very powerful Puppy. Low velocity beanbag rounds and stun darts are just going to bounce off. I’m a good shot, I’m confident that I can put anyone here down without causing them too much injury.”

Her voice softened, “Really?”

“I’ll... do my best. I’m going to be honest here, if the whole of Dusklight chooses to fight us then taking it easy is going to get us killed. There’s a lot of talent in some of those kids, and I’m a heavily outnumbered old man firing low velocity rounds in confined spaces.”

“I’ll protect you uncle sir.” Puppy stated, before her image moved into a pout, “But you have to promise to protect Luna.”

She was being unusually vehement. He was aware she didn’t like killing, but had never made this much of a fuss about it, “Why are you so attached to her Puppy?”

Puppy’s face fell, “Because... she’s my friend. My first real one. And she teaches me stuff, and she’s kind, and believes in me...”

Dust frowned, feeling he was missing something, “I wasn’t aware you had ever spoken.”

She paused for a moment, sounding a little flustered on her reply, “She’s a dreamwalker. She comes to me when my systems are powered down.”

She... what? Dust shivered a little, slightly unsettled by that statement, “I don’t mean to insult you Puppy... but I was under the impression that you were a artificial intelligence, a computer program.”

“That’s why you can’t kill her.” Puppy insisted, quiet but firm, “She made me special, like she made all these other kids special too. She’s a real Princess, like the ones from the stories. She can save this wasteland, make it better.”

Dust Kicker knew Luna was... different. She wasn’t a Goddess created alicorn, and that made her unlike anything else in the wasteland. But as time had gone on he had come to see her as a large unicorn with wings, powerful and talented, but nothing more than the sum of those parts. Maybe that had been a mistake, even though it made him both scornful and a little scared to think of her as some... mythical living goddess, “Did she tell you she was a princess?”

“She told me she wasn’t one.” Puppy stated sadly, “She told me she was just a stupid, ugly girl who managed to spin a convincing lie.”

Dust felt his heart sink, his words swept away. He struggled for something to say, “Puppy... I...”

“She made me feel like a real pony, not just some hollow weapon of war.” Puppy stated with fiery conviction, “And... I don’t think she realises that. I think she really believes that all this is her fault.”

Dust sighed. He allowed the feelings that had lay buried under his cynicism to finally be unleashed, allowing himself, however briefly, to believe, “Then let’s go tell her the truth Puppy.”

____________________________________

“You cannot fight this. You have already failed, you have already invited me into your heart. But do not fret, this is merely the beginning.”

“Nononononono...”

“We shall accomplish great things together.”

“GET OUT OF MY HEAD!”

It was no use. Luna writhed on her bedroom floor, throwing herself forcefully against the ground in an attempt to beat these horrible thoughts from her mind. It was already obvious how futile it was, her thoughts already blurring into that of some terrible, alien mind, full of madness and power. It already had Selene, now she felt it take control of her body, holding her breath, locking her legs. She lay there in utter terror, feeling black, creeping tendrils wrap themselves around her mind...

She forced those tendrils back through sheer force of will, competing her stubborness against a dark lord who had once held the entire world in his claws. Her ego, against a godlike force of pure evil. She smiled at that, smiled and laughed, feeling the presence shrink back in frustration and anger. It gave her the power to move back up on her hooves, staring arrogantly ahead as her room melted into a broken, corpse ridden wasteland. She snarled as a beast emerged from the mists, a twisted, broken draconequis with eyes full of madness, clad in ragged, vandalised robes. It glared but she simply advanced forward, setting her mouth in a challenging sneer, “Get out of my fucking head.”

“There is no need for this.” Philidous spoke, his voice raspy and dry, barely a whisper, “Take what I offer. Bring order to the world.”

“Eternal night?” Luna spat, “Is this order? You’re a fucking hack, forcing me into the same, stupid old mistakes. Was this supposed to help?”

“Yes. This makes things simple. One time of day, one way of life. Impose eternal night on the world, create beasts and plants that can only survive at night, let evolution take its course. The night feeds your power, it is the only logical choice.”

“Evolution?” Luna’s sneer became a grimace, bile in her gullet at being in the thrall of this... villainous cliche, “What would you know about evolution? I saw your city, you never learned anything new. Just the same tired old ideas, unable to even conceive of anything outside your field of reference. Zephyr put your city to the torch, Discord nailed you to the wall. You never saw either of them coming.”

Phildious didn’t react with anger to her taunts, simply extending a claw, “If you accept my offer you would be the maker. The world would be in your image, not mine.”

“Even if that was true, what would a world made in one mare’s image be? Nothing but a stark portrait of all their failings.” Luna shook her head, certainty dawning, “You descended into idiocy because you surrounded yourself with reflections of yourself. My experiences have taught me just how much having good friends with different opinions can serve and teach you. Help to make you better than you thought you could ever be.”

Phildious seethed visually for a moment or two before growing calm, folding his claws behind his back, “You don’t have to be like me, you can just take my power...”

“You must think I’m a moron.”

“You...”

“SHUT UP!” She forced his mental influence backwards, her will taking control of the world, throwing aside the corpses and the wastes. She realised now, the truth of it. This was her dream, and he was just a empty ghost. The glittering night sky surrounded them in its place, the jeweled, twinkling stars silhouetting her form. She took Phildious in her telekinesis, forcing him downwards with irresistible force, “I will not take this path. Individual power is not the road to peace.”

Phildious screamed his objections, spittle flying from broken teeth, “You could be the next Celestia!”

“I intend to be the first me.” Luna answered sharply, “Celestia won respect and allegiance by embodying everything she believed in. I will not become anything worthy of respect by abandoning myself for power.”

He smiled desperately, “Very well, you have proven your worth, you have defeated me. Now my secrets are all open to you...”

“No.” Luna shook her head, “This was a mistake. I let fear control me, and it blinded me to the truth.”

Phildious' voice was pleading now, “I can lead you to the truth...”

“You can lead me nowhere. Because you are the ghost of a lonely old failure, who died alone and unmorned.” She shook her head, advancing towards the dracoequis and lifting the black book in her telekinesis, “I will not make the same mistake.”

She felt relief for a moment, then a dozen niggling thoughts. Lock it away, give it away, keep it in her room to test herself, lock it away in a tomb only the most worthy could conquer...

“The world will be better off without you.”

Fear, pleading, a feeling she was going too far, that she couldn’t destroy so much stored knowledge, that the book was worth money, power, fame! It continued as Luna focused her magic, Luna desperately closing her mind against the constant pleading cry...

“You... you cannot do this!” He spat finally, his broken teeth set in a desperate sneer, “Without me, you know what you are. A evil, spiteful little girl, a hypocrite, unworthy of love. You speak of sincerity, of being yourself. You hide behind the image of a long dead princess, because you know your true face is ugly and worthless!”

Luna felt tears drip down her face, “I know.”

“It doesn’t have to be like that! I can give you everything you ever wanted...”

She lifted her head, eyes firm and resolved through the tears, “You will never understand what it is that I want.”

“I COULD! JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT!”

Luna sighed, feeling her heart finally torn open for all to see, “All I ever wanted was to know...

Luna’s voice broke, “...that I wasn’t a monster.”

Phildious lifted a claw, his mouth opening in a desperate scream, “NO!”

She felt the magic surge around her, felt it fill her body. She didn’t know where she got the power from, only knew that it felt right and proper. Her eyes blazed blue, her body arching as she ascended into the air. At that moment she knew she had touched harmony, and that there was nothing she couldn’t do. So she took the book in that magic, wrapped it tight and did the only proper thing.

The book teleported with a flash, Luna letting it go at the peak of the surge and feeling it sail outwards and away. She heard it scream as it drifted outwards into the cold black, spinning at speed towards the hot white. She let it go and closed her mind to it, feeling for what seemed the first time in years a sense of overwhelming peace.

It would take years, decades even. But the black book was now forgotten in cold space, and would one day reach its final destination. Star Swirl had said one had once been destroyed by a megaspell. She wagered on the chance that the sun would do the job just as well.

Selene whined softly, Luna settling down and shedding a tear as she comforted the little voice, “It’s ok Selene. True power doesn’t come from selling yourself out for cheap promises.”

She sat there for a long while, just... thinking. Luna was aware she needed the rest, her body and soul weary from months of abuse. She knew there were things she could do, but also aware deep down that she was in no condition to do them.

Swift Crimson... she wished they could have truly admitted what was between them, had children, become a pair of angrily bickering old survivors. She had mocked him because his beliefs challenged her, made her think about her own morality. She was a better pony because of him, and she only wished she had been the pony who could have made him happy. She had offered him her body so many times, thinking herself generous, giving him what she thought he wanted.

He had wanted the same thing she had in the end. It had taken her until now to realise that, and now she could never tell him. She was alone now because she had been too afraid. All too willing to offer the flesh if it stopped him from going any deeper, towards the parts of her that actually mattered.

She let her head drift down and for the first time since he had died she allowed herself to weep. Both for him and everypony else. Everypony that had been killed because of her.

_____________________________________

“You know what you’re doing. I’ve never seen anyone sneak so well in a white cloak.”

Sunshine Ivory smiled, clearly pleased by his praise as they both kept low and cautious. Star Swirl walked out in the open a short way away, the pair both keeping a close eye on her. They had both soon realised that there was no way of hiding the giant, clumsy alicorn, instead just focusing on keeping their true numbers concealed. Zenai was out there... somewhere, being reassuringly good at the task.

Dust on the other hand was taking the opportunity to get to know their new addition, Sunshine fixing her step before speaking, “I am a master of light magic, and my cloak is reflective. I can use it to hide myself in the moonlight, keep myself hidden even in plain sight.”

“Impressive.” He commented cheerily, “And where did a priestess learn how to step lightly, test for loose ground and keep an eye on the horizon?”

She chuckled quietly as she stepped over a broken pipe, “You have a good eye yourself Dust Kicker.”

“Not really, my eyesight has been going for years. But takes one to know one, and I’ve been a mercenary for a long time.”

She paused a moment before giving a little grin, her tone light, “I did some light security work as a young mare. I didn’t think it had left that much of a mark on me.”

Truth be told, it hadn’t. He had never met a mercenary that was that clean of scars or burns, and her manner didn’t exactly scream it either. If Mint Engine hadn’t told him back in Star Fall he would have never guessed it, but now he knew he could see the clear skill in her stance and focus. She never let her eyes stray from the horizon or glaze over, even as they spoke like this, “What made you give it up?”

“What made you stay?” She questioned, “In all your time as a mercenary, can you really say you have made much real difference? I fought against the evil of the wasteland, but that evil continued to perpetuate itself. I realised that magic and gunfire alone would never be victorious, that it was faith and charity that would change this world.”

Dust considered this. He would say that, yes, he had done some good, but had to admit across the whole NCR there was one name that was always spoken when you spoke of power, positive change and real progress, “You should meet Velvet Remedy of the NCR. I think you two would get along quite well.”

“I agree.” She smiled, a little sparkle in the corner of her eye, “We do receive radio from Equestria in Star Fall, remember? I listened to Velvet Remedy and DJ Pon3 as a young woman, they were what encouraged me to leave Star Fall and become a mercenary.”

He... was surprised by that, “Really?”

She grinned, “Yes. And when I returned, discouraged by my lack of success, listening to the station again revealed that while I was gone she had established a church that was known across Equestria for good deeds and civic leadership. That she had found true success not by the gun, but by the pen and scroll.”

Dust couldn’t help smiling, wondering it Velvet Remedy’s ego could grow any bigger, “I’m pretty sure she would be very pleased to know she inspired ponies all the way in the zebra lands.”

“I hope I can live up to her example.” She spoke quietly and hopefully, “Guiding the nation on the road to virtue.”

Dust chuckled. That was one way to put it, though he knew many would disagree. Personally he liked Velvet Remedy, still he wasn’t naive about the strength of her influence or the fact that she made a mockery of the democratic process. In a way she reminded of Red Eye a little. He had no doubt she was a good mare with good intentions, and respected that she wasn’t afraid to get her hooves dirty to achieve them... “Keep your head down.”

Sunshine Ivory blinked, “What?”

Dust indicated a nearby structure, Puppy already enhancing his zoom to spot the figure within. It was small and childlike, clad entirely in a dirty grey cloak that blended into the surroundings. A rifle sat in the figure’s hooves, barrel focused on the totally unaware Star Swirl, “Follow me. Zenai, can you hear me?”

“Hearing you.”

“We have weapons trained on us. They haven’t fired yet, likely just keeping an eye. I’m going to flank them, keep an eye out for ambushes or traps.”

The mare’s voice shook a little, “Sure...”

They darted through the fairground ruins, Puppy whistling out and highlighting another figure nearer to their position. Dust indicated a new route and they circled, waiting until they were closer before motioning Sunshine Ivory to move forward. He set himself down and pulled out his rifle, Puppy supplying targeting crosshairs and a zoom as he braced himself. Dust appreciated it, but couldn’t help feeling slightly put out, “Why do I even have a scope on my rifle anymore?”

Puppy giggled, “I could turn off targeting if you want...”

“No, that’s ok. Just turn my speakers back on please Puppy.”

“If you wanted I could hack into his earpiece, talk to him that way.”

Dust blinked, honestly taken by suprise, “You can do that?”

Puppy sounded very pleased, “At this range, sure. They’re not even using an encrypted channel.”

Dust was going to ask for an operator’s manual after this was over. The girl was certainly full of surprises, “Please do, thank you Puppy. I want this on all their headsets, can you do that?”

“Wait a moment... sure, they have a channel reserved for multiple signals, I’ve tapped into it now.”

Dust took a deep breath and readied himself, confirming Sunset Ivory had her weapon on the one nearby before himself targeting the first figure. He smiled to himself, waiting for the reaction, “If we could all put our guns down that would be appreciated. We aren’t here to cause trouble.”

He grinned as both figures whirled about in panic, the nearby one freezing as Sunshine Ivory stepped up to him with a smile.

“In case you haven’t noticed we’ve got the draw on all three of you, so if you could come out into the open we can have a reasoned discussion.”

Puppy’s face appeared to the side of his display, “How do you know there’s three of them?”

Dust just grinned as a third figure indeed emerged, meeting up with the first figure and heading towards their comrade and Sunshine Ivory. Dust came to meet them, soon joined by Star Swirl... and Zenai leading a forth figure at gunpoint. He chuckled at her, “Well, seems I miscounted.”

“She’s still limping.” Zenai commented, eyes narrowed cautiously at the forth figure, “You should still be in the medbay.”

The forth figure sniffed briefly before throwing her hood back, revealing a small female zebra with narrow, cautious eyes. Dust had seen her around, one of the members of Zenai’s team at Santoria, Xani he seemed to recall. She looked around nervously for a moment before finally speaking, “I wasn’t able to attend the duel, and my friends got hurt. But I can protect them now.”

“We all feel that way.” One of the others stated, throwing his own hood back. This figure was a zebra youth too, only with half his skin sloughed away and the familiar raspy tone of a ghoul, “We were expecting you earlier. When you didn’t arrive, figured it would be Starhammer’s troops marching through here.”

“It could still happen. He sent us down here to kill Luna, though personally I’m not too enthusiastic about that plan.” Dust grunted, “They all but promised to raise this place to the ground if we take too long.”

Star Swirl turned her head quizzically to the ghoul, “I don’t think I know you.”

“You would remember. My name is Kai. I’m one of the ghosts that haunt this place.” He nodded to his two remaining companions, both throwing their own hoods back to reveal similarly childlike ghouls, “This is Jashin and Zaihide.”

“What’s going on down there?” Zenai stated breathlessly, clearly concerned, “I mean... since Luna returned.”

“We’re not sure.” Kai spoke grimly, looking up at the sky and the full moon hanging above, “Our commanding officer was Swift Crimson, and... Luna has not replaced him. She has merely ordered us to scout for enemies, and for the most part has left the others to their own devices. As you can imagine the lack of leadership is causing its own issues, especially since so many higher ranking ponies were killed during the battle at the proving grounds.”

“Well at least she isn’t randomly killing ponies.” Dust commented, “She might still be rational enough to negotiate with.”

“I’m willing to let you pass, though I don’t know what welcome you will receive at the caves.” Kai nodded to Xani, “Xani, escort them back. We need to continue watching for enemies.”

“Keep your guard up.” Dust warned, “Some of Starhammer’s scouts are easily as good as us at sneaking.”

“I am aware.” Kai replied grimly, “Our eyesight might have decayed over the last two hundred years, but at the moment we’re still the best Dusklight has.”

One of the other ghouls dropped her head, “We should have run when we had the chance. We never had a chance.”

“Chance or not, the facts of the matter stand. Back to postion, both of you.” He nodded grimly to the party, “Good luck. It looks like our fate is in your hands now.”

They made their way through the entrance tunnel, familiar graffiti and familiar smells only making his heart sink further. He could feel it in his skin, this place had changed.

They reached the barricades, Xani stepping out first and whispering something inaudible before waving them forward. And forward they came, Dust looking up at the heavy spike trap suspended above the cave entrance. It certainly didn’t look safe, and he was just waiting for it to trigger accidently and spear some nine year old, “Who’s in charge here?”

A mare climbed out from behind the barricades, larger, clearly an adult. Her body was covered in camouflage paint and heavy leather armor, her hair tied back behind an Equestrian infantry helmet. She pointed a shotgun at them, zebra style with the barrel balanced on her leg, “Drop your weapons, all of you!”

“Fluttershy?” Dust peered at the mare, clearly seeing some signs of the pegasus under the grease paint and... mild crazy. Her eyes were slightly bloodshot and she didn’t look like she had been sleeping, deciding to play it cautious, “It’s us Fluttershy...”

“I know it’s you!” She answered firmly, waving her gun at them, “But you were too long, too long gone. And Star Swirl, she’s with HIM! She’s convinced you over to his side!”

Celestia damn it... Fluttershy had lost it again. They really didn’t need this, “Fluttershy, we’re not here to hurt Princess Luna. We’re trying to help her, convince her to lower the sun before a full army comes through here and...”

“We’re ready for them.”

Dust gritted his teeth, “Fluttershy, you can’t take on all of them by yourself. Your trap there is good but it will get, what, three of them at most?”

“What am I supposed to do?!” Fluttershy yelled, before her voice broke and she dropped her gun to the ground. Her head rose after a second, deep pain and regret in her expression, “You’ve been gone three days! It’s all Radhi can do to hold Luna back from doing anything terrible, and the others just aren’t enough to keep everything together! I’ve got a hundred kids in their who’ve lost friends, family...!”

“Fluttershy...” Ace Gold stepped out behind her, placing a hoof on the shaking mare. He had a bandage round his eyes but otherwise stepped quite confidently. He even smiled with his next words, “We’re all glad you’re here. You can set things right, right?”

Dust smiled in relief as the other children came out from behind the barricade, moving forward to meet them. He removed his helmet and placed it down on the ground, brushing his hair back and giving Fluttershy a smile, “We’ll do our best. Where is she right now?”

“She’s...” Ace started, then paused with a worried look on his face. His head turned, seeming to sniff the air for a moment. His mouth opened silently, finally speaking in a quiet, frightened voice, “There’s somepony here... hidden in a stealth cloa...”

A zebra decloaked right next to Dust and swept a gladius round, stealth cloak fluttering. Dust darted back and the blade missed him by moments, only for a solid kick to spin in from the side and knock him to the floor. The zebra leapt on top of him and attempted to drive a blade into his chest, Dust smacking it aside to graze his shoulder before headbutting the zebra and kicking him away.

Fluttershy gasped, grappling for her shotgun before another zebra drove a blade into her shoulder and she dropped. Said zebra didn’t have long to celebrate however, Ace Gold leaping up and kicking him in the face hard enough to knock him flying a good couple of feet, unconscious the second his shattered jaw met the ground.

Dust looked across at the entrance to the caves beyond, knowing that their real target was ahead. He saw hoof prints appearing in the dust and shouted to the foal guarding the exit with a terrified expression, “Watch out, in front...!”

The foal dropped, shot clean through the head. The hoof prints continued past him with barely a pause, “Damnit!”

“Worry about yourself.” The zebra assassin stated as he flipped back onto his hooves and drove in with blade slashing for his throat.

________________________________________________

Luna... dreamt. Of times past. Of times forgotten.

Midnight Dreamer had heard the tales of the Entidi, her village being just past their territory. They had even suffered numerous raids from them back in the old days, her mother, grandmother and great grandmother having filled them full of enough holes to dissuade them by the time she was born. As such she had always considered them storybook villains, ghosts to scare children into behaving.

Now she saw them on the road below, dragging wagons full of beaten children towards a vast slave market on the ridge. They laughed as they threw rocks at the cowering foals, shouted and jeered, using language that made her sick to her stomach. They boasted of rape and murder in an almost casual tone.

And there was too many of them. She had already learned that even like this she wasn’t invincible, and there were at least twenty well armed zebra in that camp. She couldn’t leave those children to their fate, but there was no way she could free them with all those...

Midnight Dreamer grinned as she saw the wagon filled with spare weapons and ammo, almost totally unguarded and a plan already forming. She shrouded herself in magical darkness and took flight, soaring smoothly down the cliff face and into the shadow of the prisoner cage. She fought the urge to gag as she used her dreamwalking ability to dim the minds of the slavers, encouraging them further into daydreams of debauchery and vice. That gave her enough time to creep closer to the captive foals, revealing herself to them bit by bit and shushing them with a hoof to her lips. She spoke quietly, “Can you fight? Do you know how to use weapons?”

Fear and hesitation moved across their faces, as expected. No pony spoke. Midnight Dreamer realised then that she had made a terrible mistake, that these foals were just children, scared and...

“I can fight.” A foal moved through the group with clear authority, a young, red coated pegasus with clear muscle under the bruises and deeper injuries, “Give us a chance, I’ll have every pony here ready.”

Midnight Dreamer blushed for a moment at the stallion’s grim confidence before nodding firmly, unlocking the cage with a quick spell and floating over a steady stream of guns and ammo from the cart. The pegasus took a revolver with grim determination, quietly beckoning forward other children to take weapons of their own...

“Hey! The slaves are escaping!”

Midnight Dreamer span round, spotting the slaver yelling out with eyes agog... before he dropped, his brains blasted across the sand.

“Everypony who wants to live, take a weapon and fight!” The pegasus hopped down, aiming his weapon once more at the swarm of slavers now rousing from their stupor, “Give these bastards exactly what they deserve!”

A slaver aimed up and fired a blast of buckshot right at the pegasus, Midnight Dreamer growling and deflecting it away with her shields before sending forth a roar of magic that sent zebra tumbling, “Stay behind my barrier and keep firing!”

...the battle was a blur, a whirl of terror, sound and pain. She followed Swift Crimson, shouted his orders to the others, used her height to serve as a rallying point...

And now she stood among the burning structures of the slaver fortress, a hundred armed zebra dead and wounded, her small band of twenty eight standing victorious. Some cheered, others just looked shocked...

Twenty six. Her band of twenty six.

She looked down at the two dead foals. One was male, skinny and wild eyed. He had a haunted look in his eye, had thrown himself desperately at the enemy with insane bravery. Apparently no one had known his name. He had been silent the entire journey. The other was a female, chubby and pink furred, with a pretty face and curly hair tied into pigtails. Her family had been rich merchants before they had been waylaid by slavers and she had been taken. Her name was Cheery Smiles and she had spent most of the time crying and snivelling, had been killed when she fell behind the others and got caught in the open.

Midnight Dreamer saw something... terrible, sad and meaningless in their small dead bodies. She was a demon, a terrible pony who hurt and tormented others, who used dark magic and pacts with demons.

And she was the only one who seemed to care. What did that say about this world?

She knelt down, tears flooding down her face as she cried. She didn’t care that the others were watching, she saw the humiliation as tribute to these two lives that should not have ended so soon. She finally stood to see them all watching her, twenty six ponies looking at her expectantly. She was full of anger, putting it into her voice as she yelled at them, “What are you still doing here? Go! You’re free!”

It was the crimson pegasus who answered first, stepping forward with fierce eyes, “We’re free? To do anything we choose?”

“Yes.” Midnight Dreamer spoke firmly, feeling that this at least brought off a few of her sins, “So go. I’ll... I’ll bury these two.”

The pegasus shook his head, stepping forward, “We’ll bury them together.”

“...there’s no need...”

“You gave me freedom to make my own choices. And now I make the only one that makes sense.” He stepped forward, dropping into a elegant, strong bow straight out of the storybooks, “I am Swift Crimson, and I pledge myself body and soul to you Princess Luna.”

Midnight Dreamer couldn’t help but gasp, her eyes wide. No... no! This wasn’t... she wasn’t...

The foals surged forward after a moment’s hesitation, all falling into bows beside him. Their pledges filled the air as Swift Crimson stood, his eyes turned to Midnight Dreamer with a look of fierce devotion.

She had never been looked at like that before.

Midnight Dreamer tried to look as convincing and reassuring as possible as Radhi’s eyes threatened to pop out of his head, his jaw hanging limply. She looked back at the troop of thirty one foals behind her and sympathised, turning back to the zebra and insisting pleadingly, “Please, I... I don’t know what to do...”

“Why me?” Radhi stated dumbly, his speech high and strained, “I mean... why do you think I would be able to help?”

“You helped me.”

His expression calmed, still it was grim and slightly desperate, “You were one pony, and you were injured and hungry. I have food and medicine, but I’m... just a alchemist’s assistant.”

“I... I’m so sorry...” Midnight Dreamer sighed, realising that after the initial rush she was truly seeing what a terrible idea this was. She wasn’t a leader, she was a stupid little girl, “I’ve put you in danger bringing them here. We... we should go into the wastes, maybe find a hidden cave somewhere...”

“No.”

Luna looked back at Radhi, the zebra now looking firm and determined, “What?”

“To let another go cold and hungry is to invite that cold into your own heart.” Radhi looked up at her, smiling “I... I might know somewhere where you can hide. I can take you there...”

“No Radhi.” She shook her head, already feeling bad, “You helped me and now I bring all this to your doorstep...”

“Midnight Dreamer... do you know why I want to become an alchemist?”

She looked at him, shaking her head.

Radhi smiled, “I love history, but to read about history is to... understand how much was lost. And that sometimes makes you wonder if there’s any hope left.” He chuckled, expression warm and kind, “But whenever I felt that way my teacher would always encourage me to read the holy books. And they taught me that all life is precious, that we should preserve it, help it grow, that it should be free and vibrant. That we should treat others with respect and kindness, and free ourselves from hate and anger. I read about zebra who had sacrificed their very lives to ensure others could live, who established the infrastructure that allowed entire cities to thrive. And because of that example... I want to become a zebra who sells herbal remedies for money.”

Midnight Dreamer averted her head, abashed. She was well aware what an abomination she was to the Fire, and to see it spoke about by one who she was asking so much of was painful, “Please Radhi, I can’t ask you...”

“I’m grateful.” He smiled broadly, “I thought I was being tested when I found you in my room, felt good when I fed you and dressed your wounds. A good deed to be proud of. Exactly what my faith expected of me.” He shook his head, chuckling, “And now you present me with a whole tribe of homeless, displaced orphans, fleeing from those who wish them imprisoned or dead.”

“And that’s something to be grateful for?” She questioned.

“I have a chance to be like the heroes who have inspired me, who have comforted me in a world of ashes.” He nodded, smiling, “And now the question to me is... can I measure up? Can I follow their example, leave my comfortable life and my possessions behind to life a life of uncertainty and struggle?”

She looked at him, almost ready to cry once again as he smiled back at her with resolve and kindness, “I don’t...”

He chuckled, nodding to her and the other foals, “The answer it seems... is yes. Please, follow me. I know a place where they’ll be safe.”

“No! This is not right!”

Luna sighed as another meeting of the council members descended into bickering, once again flaring between the two most stubborn of the group. She had grown tired of this a long time ago, and even Radhi and Niyada had gone quiet, obviously also despairing of their ability to separate the two.

“For fuck sake, Hopeful Spring made a mistake.” Swift Crimson spat, pacing aggressively, his muscles tensed and his posture twitchy, “You have no idea what it’s like out there, just one foal surrounded by a fucking hoard of unfriendly adults.”

Niyada sighed, her voice soft, “Swift, please, keep it civil...”

“I can defend myself.” Ebony spoke sharply before turning her eyes back to Swift Crimson, “When I am operating on a gunshot wound through the upper intestinal tract or delivering a baby, do you think I can afford to get angry or lose control?”

“Well we’re not all you.” Swift Crimson grunted, “Some of us have some fucking emotions.”

Niyada and Radhi both tensed to speak but Luna shot them both looks. She wanted to know Ebony’s response.

“Maybe I do not have emotions.” Ebony spoke, actually seeming calmer than before, “But I do have standards. Integrity. I have to do the best I can or ponies die. Ponies with loved ones, life, things to offer the world. To be without integrity is to be like the slavers we fought against.”

“Oh for...” Swift growled, looking uncomfortable, “You always throw that accusation out, like we’re just another raider group that fought over territory and won. We were slaves Ebony, we fought for our fucking freedom.”

“And now we have the guns and the power. And two days ago one of our chosen representatives to the outside world shot and killed two civilians because they insulted her verbally.” She spoke her words bluntly and simply, her gaze stiff and unblinking, “Do you think that they can tell the difference between us and the ones we replaced? Do you think they will respect us as champions of respect and freedom if we forgive murder because the perpetrator was one of ours?”

Swift Crimson hesitated, shaking slightly before his head fell and his mouth angled itself in a bitter grimace, “So what do we do?”

“I have already told you, as has Radhi.”

Radhi looked startled before grinning nervously, “Please don’t bring me into this Ebony. I’m not sure I know what...”

“We need laws.” Ebony interrupted him with a glare, “We need a fair system that all are equally beholden to.”

“Even me?” Luna spoke questioningly, giving the mare a little smile.

“Yes.” Ebony looked adorably confused by Luna’s smile for a second, though she quickly regained her composure, “Without integrity we are animals, and without laws we cannot know what integrity is.”

Swift Crimson grunted, though there was less force in it now, “Some of us don’t need a written list to know what integrity is...”

Ebony looked slightly distressed for a moment before straightening up once more and looking him in the eye, “Some of us do. We’re not all like you Swift Crimson.”

“I... know... Hopeful Spring is one of my best and most loyal. She’s clever and brave and has been with us from the beginning...” The buck sagged, his eyes clouding over. He took a deep breath before speaking again, “She’s been caught lying repeatedly, she expresses joy over all the zebra she’s killed and she’s been repeatedly reprimanded for bullying the other recruits. I’ve tried to speak to her... but not a week after I’ve spoken to her she does it again.”

“I know you’re loyal to your men Swift, but she’s a poisonous influence.” Niyada spoke gently, “Ebony is right. Hopeful Spring’s example is making the younger children think that it’s right to bully and lie to others, and she’s clearly getting worse.”

Radhi sighed, reluctantly nodding, “We work out a system of laws, and we try her fairly under those laws.”

Luna nodded, glad that they had all arrived at the answer on their own. Maybe this might work out after all, “Thank you Ebony. You have a way of reminding us what’s important.”

“I do not have emotions, and because of that I have no friends and am told that I am a bad pony.” She spoke bluntly, eyes proud, “So if I can remember what is right, then there is no excuse for the rest of you.”

Luna stood there, seething, holding herself back from... something horrible. At the very least banishment, though that hardly seemed worthy.

“Luna, this looks more painful for you than me.”

Luna grimaced, “He will suffer for this.”

Niyada sighed, wincing a little as Ebony picked another shard of glass from her eye. Eventually she answered, gently pleading, “Please don’t be hasty Luna.”

She grunted, “He threw glass in your face.”

“He’s a troubled kid.” Niyada actually smiled at this, “I think it scared him more than it did me.”

Luna wasn’t having this anymore. The mare was obviously in shock, or mentally damaged, “Niyada, don’t treat this as a joke. He physically assaulted one of the senior leaders of Dusklight, we have to take a firm hand!”

“No, we don’t.” She breathed, “He blames me for the abuse he suffered, that I escaped it and did nothing to stop it. And yesterday he finally got what he was dreaming of for so long, revenge.”

“Good for him.”

“Did you see how it made him feel?” Niyada questioned, “He was terrified, crying, tried to help me. He made no attempt to escape, or hide what he did.”

Luna hissed in anger, not seeing how this mattered, “And why should I care?”

“Because I think I can help him. Now he’s seen the results of his wrath, I think I can reach him.”

Luna couldn’t see that. Bad ponies deserved to be punished, “He doesn’t deserve help.”

Ebony finally finished, moving away and wiping Niyada’s face gently with a cloth, “It’s all done. The wounds should heal in a couple of days.”

Niyada gave Ebony a grateful nod before turning to look at Luna, “Wounds can be healed Luna, with patience, dedication and kindness. And everyone deserves a little kindness. We’ve all done things we regret. This place is built upon second chances.”

Luna was in a bad mood, watching the procession of new arrivals. It had pleased her once, to see the abused children of the wasteland find protection at her door. Now it depressed her. Radhi had given her the statistics, four children a week making their way here. That was too many. Too many to be lost and lonely and without hope.

The latest moved up to her, eyes agog. She turned her head down to him and attempted to smile, hesitating at the question she had asked too many times before. Still, she knew it... helped, “Welcome to Dusklight. I’m Princess Luna, and I promise that here you are safe from whatever you left behind. Please, tell me. Why did you come here, what are you trying to escape?”

The foal chuckled, looking at her with a cheeky grin, “Boredom mostly.”

She hesitated, blinking, “What...?”

He grinned broadly at her expression, shrugging his shoulders, “Don’t be a downer Princess, you sound like this is some crappy orphanage.”

“I...” Luna admitted the comparison was apt, “It feels like it sometimes...”

“Come on! Look at this place!” The foal waved a hoof at the cave around, Luna turning to take in the shining fairy lights, the banners, the scurrying children playing and laughing. She felt like she was seeing it for the first time, especially as the foal continued, “They’re talking about this place through the entire wasteland, a haven for children, where ponies can actually hope for something beyond the next harvest or raider attack!”

“They are?” Luna found herself smiling, turning back to him, “I admit, that’s what I’m planning. To turn this into a proper city, like Canterlot used to be.”

“Whoh.” He breathed, before grinning back at her, “And that’s why I’m here. Kinda sick of dust and mud you know?”

She chuckled, “I know.”

“And Canterlot... I can get behind that.” He nodded firmly, “Plush houses, good food and beautiful princesses? Well you have the last one sorted at least.”

She blushed, giggling like a schoolgirl. This foal was a charmer, “Rather daring words there. What’s your name?”

“Bleak Fields your highness.” The foal stuck out a hoof, beaming at her, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance!”

Yes... plush houses, good food, beautiful princesses...

And good friends.

___________________________________________________

Dust sprinted through the caves, growling as he came across another small body cooling in the dust. The battle behind him was still in full swing, still the others were still there to deal with that. He already suspected they were just a diversion for the real assassin.

He moved round the corner just as he heard the sound of struggle. A female zebra in a still flickering stealth cloak was fighting with Blessed Rain, one of the ponies he led at Sanatora. She dodged and weaved just like he taught her, waiting for her moment...

Her eyes flicked round to Dust, widening in hope and relief. She held that expression as the zebra she was fighting drove a small knife into her temple, her eyes rolling back and her small form slumping to the ground.

“FUCKING...!” Dust drew his shotgun and fired, the zebra flicking round with unbelievable speed and agility to spray the corridor with sub-machine gun rounds. His winced as a couple hit him and burst of electricity crawled across his armor, recovering quickly and looking for signs of the mare. He was pleased to see a line of blood left where the zebra had disappeared, calling out, “You said you would leave them in peace!”

“You stated it yourself, you never intended to kill Luna.”

It was Zenali herself, the fucking deceitful bitch. At least now he had a chance to take down Starhammer’s chief scout, something he would very much enjoy, “I’m a mercenary, and even I’m disgusted! When did you give away your soul, tell me?!”

Her voice echoed out, impossible to trace, “It’s because you’re a mercenary that you don’t understand.”

Puppy cried out, “Uncle, behind you!””

Dust turned, stopping Zenali’s blade with a armored hoof. It sparked off the plating, Dust drawing his shotgun and firing at her head. She ducked with astonishing speed, smacking him in the jaw with a swipe of a spiked hoof before driving her blade towards his neck. He turned and it cut across his scalp, slamming his shoulder into the mare before turning full and bucking the staggering zebra in the side. She flew through the air quite a distance before tumbling expertly across the ground, gasping as she slid to a halt and desperately covering herself with her stealth cloak once more.

He fired his shotgun with a roar, the buckshot hitting nothing but dirt, “Fuck! Don’t you run away on me!”

“Getting invested now? Tell me, would you kill children for your Princess Luna?”

He growled, barking his response at the walls, “No! Because I have fucking standards!”

“Would you kill a child for Red Eye?”

“I...” He hesitated, unable to answer. How did she know? How did she... he hadn’t killed them, but he had enslaved them. At the time he thought it was righteous, knowing they were going to Red Eye, to be safe, happy... but he had killed their parents, and many of them died on route. That had been his fault...

“UNCLE!”

Dust looked up just as Zenali uncloaked in front of him, driving a blade into his neck. He gurgled as his hooves failed and he hit the floor, Puppy screaming in his ear as he felt his vision blur. She injected a healing potion but it was no good, the blade still lodged there...

Until the blade was withdrawn with a sweep of air and a clatter as it hit the cave wall, Zenali looking surprised for a second before her eyes narrowed and she charged...

The zebra’s hoof blocked air with a heavy thump, then Zenali grunted as something slammed into her jaw and she was forced back. A darting advance and a sweep of her hoof and the hood of a stealth cloak was thrown back to reveal a second zebra, with stringy grey hair and a heavily scarred neck. The newcomer said nothing, countering with a skilful array of blows that forced Zenali back, slamming a hoof into the younger zebra’s face and blooding her nose.

Zenali growled, threw her stealth cloak back around her and ran, her hoof prints marking the ground back towards the exit. The other zebra followed, her own form disappearing as she replaced her hood and galloped after her.

“Wait! Thanks for the...” Dust watched them go, unsure what had just happened, “...rescue. Puppy, who was that?”

“I don’t know...” Puppy began, “Are we going to follow her?”

“No.” Dust wouldn’t get distracted again. Besides he was pretty sure that strange zebra had this one, “We need to get to the library, find Luna.”

“Right!”

____________________________________

Luna’s dreams... were peaceful. For the first time, there was no pain, or death, or hurt...

And then there was a growl, animalistic and angry. Luna looked round in shock, across a deep black landscape that slowly formed into a burning village.

The village she had destroyed. The village who’s inhabitants she had slaughtered to make a point. And instinctively she knew... this wasn’t a dream. This wasn’t a flashback. She was locked in her mind, with a dark presence looming just out of eyesight.

She almost expected what emerged from the darkness, the sleek black from of a alicorn princess stepping towards her with intent. It’s eyes were wary, challenging. The eyes of an animal, deciding whether to fight or flee.

Luna looked at her hooves, noting the soft grey fur. That made it clear who this was, “Selene, I’m not your enemy.”

Emotions hit her, the alicorn’s eyes radiating them in angry waves. Disappointment, ambition, wrath, pride.

Luna was shamed to answer them, knowing these were simply the things she herself had taught Selene, “I’m so sorry...”

Despair, sadness, vengeance, wrath...

“No!” Luna shouted as the creature circled her, eyes narrowed and dangerous, “You can’t think like that!”

Selene lifted an accusing hoof, pointed directly at her.

“And look where it got me.” Luna shook her head, angling pleading eyes at the beast, “Those emotions took everything from me. It was opportunity rather than my choice that gained me my friends, and before them I was just a monster in the dark. With them, I became a queen, I advanced on the path to become the pony I always wanted to be.” She let her voice fall, “And it was my vengeance and arrogance that took it away from me. I got Swift Crimson killed, it was my actions that invited Starhammer’s wrath.”

Selene gazed at her intensely, her stare inquisitive. Her mind was set on just one thing. ‘And what now?’

Luna smiled at the black alicorn stood before her, feeling her heart fill with hope once again. Everything was messed up, but she could still fix it, “We become the princess they deserve Selene. We live our lives right, we do what we can to find peace.”

Selene didn’t seem convinced, those words washing over her as meaningless babble.

“Maybe when you’re older.” Luna chuckled, before feeling a tear run down her cheek and drop to the floor at her hooves. She sniffed even through her smiles, wiping her cheek with a hoof and feeling her throat choke a little, “Selene, if you learn anything from me, learn this. Friendship heals all hurts. Wrath, selfishness and pride is the source of all suffering. My life proves that as much as anything.”

Selene just stared back, her eyes deep and enigmatic.

“Please... believe that...”

Luna awoke suddenly to a knock on the door, rising from the cold floor. She briefly fought to shake off the stiffness and pain before shadow matter formed about her unbidden, Luna finding herself instantly standing in her strong and powerful alicorn self. She felt Selene’s paranoia and protectiveness pulse through her new form and considered that it might be justified. She had no idea who might have arrived to see her, she certainly had plenty of enemies.

Not a moment after she had thought this did she hear the sound of picks inserted into the lock, turning briefly before the door drifted open with a solid clunk. Luna stepped back and charged some subtle defences, preparing for the possibility of combat.

She had not been prepared for the pony who stepped through the door however, clad in a spotless white robe bearing the symbol of the golden sun. It didn’t take long to recognise the mare, even though they had only met in person but a few times, “Sunshine Ivory?”

“Luna...” The priestess turned, face grim beneath her hood as she looked Luna up and down. Eventually she simply sighed, “It is fair to say that things have not gone as planned.”

“I made some bad choices.” Luna smiled, surprised by her presence but glad at the opportunities offered, “But... I’ve got rid of the book. It won’t be affecting me anymore.”

Sunshine Ivory gasped at this, eyes so wide Luna thought they would pop out of her head, “You... got rid of it?”

“I threw it into the sun.”

“Wha... I... how could you?” Sunshine Ivory exclaimed after a moment of gasping disbelief, “It was worth a fortune. All that knowledge... it was your only defence against Starhammer...”

“It’s over. He won.” Luna acknowledged gently, “I’ll take the children into exile, go in peace.”

“You... you can’t.” Sunshine Ivory shook her head, somewhat robotic and stunned in her movements, “He... he would never let you go.”

“Why? There’s nothing to be gained from chasing us.” Luna shook her head, “To be honest, this all seems so stupid. He rose to power by killing a tyrant, he’s got a taste for the dramatic, wants to be a hero, venerates a icon... if that makes him evil, then so am I. The world is full of bloodshed, and the two of us killing each other seems so pointless.”

“Luna... he killed Swift Crimson! So many other children!”

“All the more reason to stop.” Luna answered, feeling sure in herself, “I’m going to ask Star Swirl to come with me. We’ll build a new Dusklight, live in peace... maybe help this business between Caesar and the NCR work itself out without further fighting. I’m tired of death.”

“It... it will never happen...” Sunshine Ivory seemed honestly thrown by this, her voice wavering for a moment before growing stronger, “You lowered the sun. By now the whole world has united against you, they march even now to slaughter your children. You must fight!”

Luna felt the panic creep back. Had she really lost it all? “No... no. I can fix this...”

“Listen to me Luna. You gave up the book but that’s ok. I can give you new weapons, new ways to fight Starhammer. You can retreat from here, take up the fight elsewhere...”

Luna felt anger rise now. Why didn’t she get it? “I don’t want to fight!”

“They’re going to kill all your children Luna! You don’t have a choice!”

Luna stopped then. She stopped and looked at the mare before her, long seconds passing. She stopped and thought, considered the situation laid out before her.

“I’ve always had a choice.”

“Luna, I’m telling you...”

She cut the mare off with a growl, advancing forwards with growing anger. Things finally were starting to make sense, “You’ve told me lots of things.”

Sunshine Ivory backed away a step at her advance, a moment of fear passing through her eyes, “Luna, let’s stop and...”

“You told me to become a dark princess.”

“Luna...”

“You told me to take vengeance for all those oppressed children. You told me not to trust adults.”

“Midnight Dreamer... please... I was trying to help you...”

“You told me to help the attack on Estelle. You told me to resist Starhammer, to not tell Star Swirl the truth.”

Sunshine Ivory was sweating now. She could see the fear in the mare’s eyes, “Let us just sit down and talk about this.”

Luna growled, having to resist the desire to attack there and then. She felt Selene strain to force her hoof, taking a deep breath and willing her to back down... at least for now, “You talk a lot.”

“I am... a diplomat and a advisor Luna, it is what I do. And I can fix this for you Luna. I speak with authority, I can tell them all you are dead, that there is no reason to pursue you further.” She smiled sweetly, ever so reasonable and kind, “Let it go, and you’re a innocent child once again. You can start fresh, with all your mistakes wiped clean.”

“Start again...?” That sounded good. The chance to abandon her mistakes, to live again with a clear conscience...

Sunshine Ivory nodded, a kind, benevolent smile on her face, “It is all going to be ok.”

It was exactly what she wanted to hear. And for the first time Luna saw those words laid out before her and paused. She thought of Ebony, always spitting bitter truths, never compromising that ironclad integrity of hers. Compared to the sweet words of Sunshine Ivory speaking to Ebony had been like taking a brick to the face.

Swift Crimson and Radhi had lied to her... though more they had blinded themselves to the hard truth. Swift Crimson had never doubted her, even when he really should have. However much she had exposed her ugliest sides to him he had always found her beautiful. He had always believed she was worth everything, and in the end he had died for her.

And Radhi, with his gentle ways and selfless devotion, trying to guide her from bad decisions, tirelessly working to bring her good decisions to life... they had always accepted who she was, yet always believed she could be better.

And she had done better, she realised that now. She had done the most important thing in the world... she had given strength to others. She had believed in them, and gave them the confidence and support to realise their worth. Niyada, with her kindness, compassion and care had helped give the youngest of the children here the start in life that some of the others had never experienced. Given them the most precious gift of all, a hope for the future and the strength to make it through the present. Children like Bleak Fields, who had then passed it on to others.

She felt the strength they gave her, felt it well up in her chest. It glowed, warm and comforting, the limitless power inherent in the bonds she had helped create here. And in its truth, it exposed the lies. She looked at Sunshine Ivory, her eyes piercing and her words firm, “Demons tempt you. Tempt you with reasonable feelings that lead to darker places, just so they can feed their hungers, their obsessions.” Luna stated, never more sure in her conviction, “I’ve dealt with them all my life, and I’ve fallen for their tricks too many times. Princess Luna fell for the most poisonous trick of all, convinced that because of the good and noble things she had done those who didn’t accept her were evil and corrupt. I believed that those outside Dusklight were all alike, that the wasteland was against me and I had no friends out there.”

“You were right Luna.” Sunshine Ivory pleaded, “Look at Starhammer, look at what he’s done.”

Luna shook her head, her heart aching in shame at her foolishness, “No matter what he was, I invited him here by providing him an easy target. An evil demon, destroying towns, kidnapping children...”

“It was justice Luna. Look at what you’ve made here...”

“I was always supposed to be a target.” Luna looked at Sunshine Ivory, her first friend. The mare who had given her this strength, who had made her worth something, “You set me up the villain, you intended Starhammer to kill me.”

Sunshine Ivory flushed, her pupils shrinking, “Why... why would I do that?”

“To give Star Swirl a dead sister. To destabilise the wasteland, and give her a reason to unite it under the banner of the Solar Empire.” Even as Luna stated it she knew it to be true, saw it clear in the mare’s eyes, “You set me up to fail. All this time, you’ve been lying to me.”

“No...”

“I’m sorry Sunshine Ivory.” She felt a wave of overwhelming peace come over her, knowing her path now. She didn’t know why she hadn’t seen it before... maybe a fear over losing what she had. But she knew now that what they shared would overcome any obstacle if she just trusted it, “I can’t be the mare that you want. But maybe I can be the one you need.”

Sunshine Ivory’s eyes widened in shock, “W...what?”

Luna’s nodded gently to the mare, extending herself forward invitingly, “Please, whatever you had planned I know you’re a good mare underneath. You saved me, gave me the opportunity to find all this. To be something other than some lonely mare with no friends. And you’re my friend too Sunshine Ivory.”

The mare’s expression shook, shock and anger quivering behind her eyes. Luna saw the darkness within the mare’s heart, the web of chaos and despair that connected the wasteland centred on her. And if she could just break it here...

She saw it, just beyond. The stars filled her vision, a thousand mirrors showing the glorious future just beyond the struggles of the present. Her past flickered by, memories beyond counting all leading to one single conclusion. Not a thing, not an idea... a simple state of being, a knowledge of what harmony was and could be.

The warm glow in her chest expanded, filled her body. It cleansed her, made her new. It was the glow of a mothers touch, a friends words, the unfailing support of family. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as power flowed through her, changing, cleansing...

“NO!”

The scream echoed outwards, the stars burned away, the mirrors shattering into twinkling shards. Sunshine Ivory’s face cracked, plaster falling away to reveal a well of terrifying white heat, the terrible glow of a megaspell in full bloom. It expanded outwards, burning the wasteland clean, a lifeless barren husk devoid of shadow...

The dream fell away around her, consumed in the chaos of primal hate, revealing Sunshine Ivory back to her normal appearance but no less terrifying. Her cloak flew around her, her blue hair now white hot and extending upwards like consuming flame. Primal magic flashed around her, scorching the floorboards and surrounding her in a pulsing corona. She spoke in echoing rage, “You want to know the truth!?” The mare spat, her once beatific face consumed with an animalistic rage and a terrifying fury, “Your magic, your dreamwalking... those were only lucky bonuses. There was a greater reason I chose you!”

Luna stepped back, the peace that she felt torn away in an instant, “What... what...?”

“YOU WERE A WORTHLESS, EVIL WITCH!” Sunshine Ivory stamped a hoof, her cloak singing at the hems, “I thought a pony so devoid of morals or class could be trusted to at least fail convincingly! To be the remorseless villain I could spin a story around, a story I could use to prod Star Swirl into her destiny! But you cannot even do that!”

Luna stepped closer, her voice gentle, pleading, “Please Sunshine Ivory, you have to...”

“No!” Sunshine Ivory cackled briefly before her expression turned back to its normal calm veneer, spoiled only by the curl of a smirk at the sides of her mouth and a glinting light in her eyes, “You... you are a worthless wasteland witch who killed and tormented, brought about eternal night. There is nothing you can teach me, nothing in you worthy of note. The only thing you must do now is die.” Her expression wobbled for a moment before adopting one of deep remorse, “I’m sorry Midnight Dreamer, I wish it hadn’t turned out like this.”

Luna closed her eyes, full of remorse herself, “Sunshine Ivory... I’m sorry too. I don’t want to hurt you, but this has to end now.”

“Don’t moralise to me.” Sunshine Ivory spat.

A moment passed between them, Sunshine Ivory’s hot fury beating against the gentle calm Luna felt welling up within her. And then it broke with a single desperate scream.

Sunshine Ivory almost launched herself forward, eyes burning with fury as her horn ignited into a white hot pillar of flame and she swept it downwards towards Luna with a piercing yell. It was a powerful attack, especially in these close quarters, Luna however was more centred than she had ever been in her life.

She found the focal point of the spell, the point where the magic was anchored and balanced, driving her own magic into it and causing the spell to wither and fail into nothing but stinging sparks. Sunlight Ivory staggered clumsily and Luna struck her with a simple, targeted counter attack, shredding the priestesses’ robe and singing her fur.

Sunshine Ivory panicked and backed away, blasting powerful bolts of energy at Luna. Luna had more trouble with these, not wishing to dodge or deflect them to avoid damage to her room. Still she was able to tank them without much difficulty, focusing her shields at exactly the right moment to shatter the attacks without collateral damage. Another counter spell and Sunshine Ivory was thrown sprawling against a wall, gasping as her burned and bruised body crumpled to the floor.

“Please Sunshine Ivory, stand down.”

She rose, hesitant and cautious, clearly hurting from her wounds. Her eyes looked defeated, her magic shaking and weak, “No... I won’t accept this...”

Luna sighed, “Sunshine...”

Sunshine Ivory attacked again, futile, desperate... Luna engaged her shields and prepared to counter.

The blast of energy veered off mid stream, spinning about Luna’s shield and shooting straight for her bookcase. Luna’s heart leapt in her mouth as she turned to follow, watching all her most valuable books go up in flames, “NO!”

She reached her magic forward to smother the fire... and Sunshine Ivory’s magic struck her hard, a continuous beam of power that stripped away her shields, burned her flesh, shredded her wings. She gasped, wingfeathers bursting into flames, driven sideways to slump hard into the far wall.

Sunshine Ivory gasped as she drew in breath, spent from the massive investiture of power. Luna was in no position to counter.

She didn’t need to inspect her body to know she was hurt. Badly.

Luna turned her head to Sunshine Ivory as she felt the magic surge about the mare, a... calming sense of inevitability seizing her. She gazed into the eyes of fury and bitter resolve, seeing herself reflected. Those eyes had stared into the wasteland, and behind the mask of ivory was a face forever scarred. Luna stared through the fire and smiled slightly, her mind focused on those beautiful silver towers of her dreams.

“YOU ARE PRINCESS LUNA, AND YOUR PLACE IS TO FALL INTO MADNESS AND DIE BEFORE THE LIGHT!”

Luna closed her eyes.

___________________________________________

Dust lifted his head as the sound echoed through the caverns, a deafening thunderclap and a rumble of falling stone. The wall next to the library door exploded, shimmering light radiating outwards and dust and rock raining down with a clatter. It must have hit the electrical circuit because all the lights promptly shut down with a loud crack, some the bulbs shattering and sending rainbow shards of fallen glass glittering.

Something tumbled through the air, something pony shaped. It hit the upper walkway and tore straight through it, broken wood toppling. A tapestry detached and came down in a slow, elegant descent, rippling as it hit the ground. The figure fell past it, striking the third floor walkway at a hard angle and bouncing away to hit the ground with a dull, uncomfortable thud. It was swiftly followed by what was left of the walkway, coating the whole cave floor with a carpet of dust, splinters and broken glass.

Puppy gasped, her voice suddenly strangled, “Dust Kicker, sir! Please... go help!”

A horrible feeling overtook him at Puppy’s tone, carefully hurrying through the debris. He hesitated for a moment as something that looked like a stream of thick black liquid flew at him, moving to dodge...

“Uncle sir, don’t move.”

His servos suddenly seized up and the black stream hit him, panic taking hold for a second... then nothing. Nothing happened, and the black liquid was gone. The servos on his armor were also working, but that wasn’t enough to fully reassure him. Something had obviously happened, and someone had obviously let it, “Puppy, what was that?”

Her voice was low, a very odd sounding monotone, “Nothing.”

“Puppy, you just shut down my armor again. This is the second time.”

“Sir uncle... I’ll tell you later... ok? Just go over to her.”

It didn’t excuse her from future discussion, but she was right that this was no time to discuss the matter. He padded over, shifting aside the broken wood and shielding his eyes to see through the dust.

And finally he found her. A small, rather plain grey filly with a bed and three stars cutie mark. Her side had been torn open, her back and neck at uncomfortable looking angles. Her open mouth was flecked with blood, her half open eyes pale and sightless. He hadn’t seen her around, though she wasn’t particularly distinctive looking with her dull coat and mane, “Do you know her Puppy?”

“Yes.” The little voice stated, her voice cracking painfully, “Her name is Midnight Dreamer.”

He looked down at her for a moment or two before something touched his face, looking up to see a cloud of grey wing feathers drift down around him. They were... the same colour as the filly at his hooves.

But that was impossible. She was after all, a simple unicorn.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter 3.1 - For the Republic

View Online

Chapter 3.1 - For the Republic

Silent Steel stared out his window and the driving rain, fierce and wild against the glass. It wasn’t scheduled, likely ruining many carefully made plans. Harder and fiercer than normal too.

It reassured him that he worried. The timing of the SPP’s malfunction was very fortuitous, distracting attention from his own plans. In fact everything was going according to plan, including the bits that weren’t actually, his plan.

Dream Star had done exactly as predicted, storming into the Sun City facility on a vague tip off, totally unconcerned with the consequences. Even her failure to retrieve Puppy-OS had been fortuitous, Puppy ending up in the hooves of Zenai. That had been the best of both worlds. It still left the Rangers off balance without their most powerful weapon, and furthermore had denied it to Dream Star. Though he was assured it would be useless to her he was still not keen on the idea of a nutcase like Dream Star possessing such a thing.

Oh Zenai. She had been useful, and most entertaining to watch. Gently prodding her towards signing up for the expedition to the zebra territories with Puppy in tow had somehow become her hijacking the project and forging off on some grand crusade. If she had gone through official channels then he would have helped her, but at the first sign of resistance she had instead gone behind everyponies back, showing a talent for espionage that had been wasted among the followers. No doubt that was why she had done it, bless the hearts of bored little girls with grand imaginations.

Zenai being an actual traitor to the followers wasn’t part of the plan, yet served his aims perfectly. It had put him into contact with Velvet Remedy, who didn’t give her time cheaply and was among the best connected ponies in the NCR. And Zenai’s actions in the zebra territories had given urgency to the political need to reform the army.

If he had been religious, he would have took these things as divine providence. But he wasn’t, knew they were coincidences... and worried. Zenai reminded him of himself, and realised all too well that her plan was considerably cheaper in term of lives and consequences. He hoped she would escape, avoid the ponies they were sending after her and live free and fulfilled. If she was brought back in chains, he would do his best to keep her safe. She had guts, and hope, and was willing to fight for the future of the NCR. He respected that.

He hoped this thing with the zebra would resolve itself. His feelings on the matter were genuine, they needed the zebra, and the NCR needed a trade partner. Councilor Gloom was dear to him, and the salvation of the zebra population of Equestria was the least he could do.

His views on war were genuine. A conflict with the zebra empire now would be a depressing insult to all they had learned since the megaspells fell.

And Littlepip. He hoped she was ok. He had never met her, had heard so many different versions of the mare from those who had. The small, awkward mare. The paragon of virtue. The troubled, angry antihero. The attention whore. The shy and humble.

He hoped she was enough like him that she would understand what he was doing. He hoped she was still alive in there, and one day he could submit himself to her judgement.

The light on the screen behind started to blink, the red dot reflected in the window in front. He turned and pressed a hoof against the ‘receive’ button, static spreading across the screen as the connection established itself.

A voice emerged, the familiar tones of Velvet Remedy. Strong yet calm, the voice of a guiding mother, a good voice to lead Equestria, “Hello, Silent Steel? This is Velvet Remedy, is the connection alright?”

“I can hear you loud and clear Velvet Remedy.” He smiled as her image appeared on the screen, fully made up and groomed yet unable to hide the evidence of a lack of sleep and excess of stress. He adjusted his tie before continuing, unable to resist strutting a little before the famed beauty, “How are the preparations for the new style army coming along?”

“Hm, acceptable.” She stated at little tersely, “General Brigandine has listened to my advice on selection processes, though I’m not sure he’s entirely convinced.”

“It can be a gradual process. General Brigandine is well into his sixties, if we identify whoever among his possible successors is most amenable and buy their loyalty now, we’ll be perfectly placed to influence the future direction of the NCR’s military forces.”

Velvet Remedy frowned, shifting herself backwards and considering this for a moment before speaking, “It can’t be too gradual. I’m worried that General Brigandine is tempted to recruit without due consideration to make up his quota, and the standard of the ponies already under his command is not high. I do not want to simply replace fascists with thugs.”

Silent Steel was well aware of that danger. The general had been a good fit for the job in the old days, he was a firm believer in giving a pony a gun and a uniform and wishing him luck. It had left the NCR army a worryingly ragged bunch who would need a lot of polishing before they would be remotely suitable. Still they had little choice, they were still preferable to the status quo, “You’ve seen the evidence of the Ranger’s guilt. Puppy-OS, the Fillydelphia sabotage, the infiltration within the army and civilian government. They’re planning something, and we have to head them off before they fully solidify their position.”

“I’m aware.” She stated bluntly, face tensing in frustration, “But do not blame me for being cautious. For instance, I find it difficult to entirely trust a pony who would sell out his brothers to their greatest enemy.”

Silent Steel felt nothing at being faced with that accusation anymore. He had faced it long ago, “I tried to save them.”

Velvet Remedy’s expression became gentle, “I know you did. But I hope you’re doing this for deeper reasons than pragmatism.”

He chuckled. He wished it was that simple, “Pragmatism is not a acceptable reason?”

“Not in itself maybe, but applied to something like this... I would worry for your spirit Silent Steel.”

“Well I assure you that I have more than enough emotional reasons for my actions, and that calling me a brother to the Rangers is a stretch. I am convinced they sent me to represent them at the Apples Accord as an insult, both to me and the Applejack Rangers.”

“An insult?”

He nodded, holding his head proudly, “I was a junior scribe and likely to remain so. I had no talent with machines, or guns, or armor. I liked fine art and music, things that the rangers had no interest in.” He stated it without passion, the memories nothing more than sifted ashes at this point, “I watched as my superior burned the last remaining records of the musical compositions of the second era unicorn kingdoms, as punishment for prioritising it’s transcribing over a book of weapons maintenance.”

“Is this revenge then Silent Steel?” Velvet Remedy stated in an accusing tone, “You became famous because of that accord, were eventually offered the title of Elder yourself. I’d say you proved them wrong.”

He had proven them wrong a thousand times. They weren’t listening, “Maybe it is revenge. But not for that.”

“What then?”

“I was loyal to them once. I believed in what they said, that military might could save the world, that physical might and force of arms was the only road to honor. When I took political office and travelled to New Canterlot, swore my oaths to Gawd it was to serve my brothers.” He blinked hard as he felt the pain return, trying once more to bury these feelings. He was a politician, he was taught to never showed weakness before others. He had been taught by the best, “I considered standing for arbiter you know, when Gawd retired. I spoke to the elders about it… and they forbade it. They considered me too… liberal.”

Velvet Remedy nodded, “They threw their support behind Peach Trees.”

“And I was ordered to publicly announce my support. And so I did, I shilled for him, I gathered allies, I did the dirty work he wouldn’t lower himself to do. And once again, I was fully informed of the contempt the Rangers had for me when they sent me as a targeted insult against a pony they considered beneath their notice.”

“Your radio debate against Velvet Promises.” Velvet Remedy smiled softly, “She demolished you.”

“She did.” Silent Steel stated with all the conviction in his soul, “She ruined me, destroyed all certainty in my life. She tore down my politics, my ethics, everything I ever considered true and right. My superiors were furious with me, at least until they sent others to debate her and they faired almost as badly.”

“You dropped out of sight after that. You finally emerged after her election…”

He stopped her there. He was telling this story. He had to state it in his own words, had to confess to somepony before he made the final decision that would end all this, “I wasn’t hiding, I was considering my future. Considering her. I confess to… stalking her. At first I reasoned I was gaining information on an enemy, but eventually… I was infatuated. She liked music, art, she built beautiful buildings, quoted history, spoke of dreams and peace and finding respect and glory through knowledge and a creative spirit. She opened my eyes, inspired a self respect in me I had never felt before.”

Velvet Remedy’s voice was soft and motherly, “Did you ever tell her?”

“Yes… she was angry, insulted. She called me fascist, an apologist for thugs with guns. She called me a fool, a slave to a brutal system.” Silent Steel sighed, shaking his head, “I was so lost. I barely remember attending the voting booth, putting in my vote for her. But when I saw her up on that podium, taking her oath I felt like everything was right in the world. I went back home, to Cloudsdale Graves. I was offered the position of Elder, they were convinced my experience of the enemy could help defeat her in the next election. Instead I stood for councilor, wanted more than anything to stand beside her and fix this world.”

“And then…”

“I won the election, as did she. I traveled to Canterlot, waiting to be sworn in, watched as she accepted the renewal of her position and made her speech. I watched, and it made my heart soar to know I would join her, stand beside her in the council chamber.”

Velvet Remedy nodded softly, “And then he killed her.”

“They killed her. Not intentionally, I don’t buy into the conspiracy theories. He was a ruined war veteran, lashing out in an attempt to silence the regret he felt. But he was ruined because of that society, the things they taught him. They taught him to kill, that he was the face of justice. And when he couldn’t escape the faces of those he had killed and the comrades he had lost they told him that because he wore that armor and called himself a paladin he was justified and that he had no cause for his guilt. That he was a righteous pony, because he was better than those civilians who owed him everything.” He shook his head. He had never met the pony, only ever seen his face on reports. Silent Steel couldn’t help mourning him, the bright eyed young pony of childhood photographs turned into a hollow eyed ruin by the time of his death, “How was he to react to the certainties he built his life upon being challenged, to the one holding supreme power within the NCR calling the Rangers evil and false? His leaders and peers idly musing that it would be better if she were dead? He pulled the trigger, but the Rangers killed both of them.” He lifted his head to look Velvet Remedy in the eye, a lifetime of rage hidden behind his ‘stern public servant’ face, “Some have called me a cynical politician, a opportunist who abandoned his brothers when it became politically convenient. But let me state it now for the record. Maybe I am a liar, maybe I am in this game for self serving reasons. And those reasons are this. To create a NCR that is an insult to those who ended her life for standing up to the status quo. To provide a worthy legacy to a mare that should have led us to the future.”

“To alleviate your guilt?”

Silent Steel paused. Finally he gave his firm response, “I didn’t kill her.”

“You took her words to heart. Silent Steel, I knew Velvet Promises, she was not particularly objective when it came to ponies with guns.” Velvet Remedy nodded kindly at him, “It’s understandable, and it’s why she beat you so easily when it came to a debate. Growing up in a bunker, told only what your leaders wanted you told? You had never been challenged before, never had a opposing view stated by someone so intelligent and persuasive.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.”

“That is the problem.” She stated kindly, “I don’t hate the Rangers, not individually at least. I believe the system they follow has to be abolished, but that’s because it traps good ponies in a way of doing things that is totally unsuited and very dangerous in the modern world. I did blame them once for Velvet Promises, but now I realize everypony involved was simply a victim of the terrible pressures forced on them by the wasteland. I need to break them out of those comforting but self destructive rituals, but it is a work of mercy, not vengeance.” She paused for a moment as her voice became more and more enthusiastic, obviously passionate about the subject. She took a breath and lowered her voice, eyes gentle and with a notable touch of regret, “Velvet Promises was a good mare, but she was a product of the wasteland too. You can’t take her words to heart without understanding that at the core of it, she was just as broken as they were.”

Silent Steel wondered if he did think too much of the mare. He was aware of history, aware of her flaws. Did he not care because he was truly blinded by affection for her? Or because at the end of the day, he felt like that too was the fault of ponies with guns, “Maybe I feel guilty about that too.”

Velvet Remedy’s voice grew chastising, “The Rangers did a lot of bad things, but they didn’t raid her village, and they certainly wouldn’t have done… those things to her.”

“If we had been protecting the wasteland like proper soldiers should maybe it wouldn’t have happened.” He nodded, sure in his convictions now, “And even now, are they protecting villages from attack? They leave that to the army, while they forge into the wasteland looking for personal glory. They haven’t changed.”

“We will make them change Silent Steel.” She smiled, “We have a real chance now, a real chance to make a better NCR.”

“Yes… yes we do.” He finally smiled back at her, grateful. He didn’t agree with everything she said, but he was certainly glad that the premiere power in the wasteland was as good a mare as Velvet Remedy. When this was all over she would bring the NCR through the storm, find the glorious future beyond, “Thank you Velvet Remedy. And for the record, I disagree with those who have criticized your diligence, your sacrifices. The NCR is still strong because of the work you have put into it, and I’m grateful for that. This vocation requires sacrifice.”

She smiled softly, “Is that why you’re still single Counselor?”

Maybe so. It was one of many reasons, “The NCR is a jealous lover.”

“It’s easy to lose track of the reasons for your struggle, without personal relationships to ground you.” She gave a slightly chastising smile, “Ponies called me a effortlessly manipulative mastermind, who played everypony around me like puppets. I almost started to believe it, found myself becoming cold and clinical. Ponies were just pieces in my plan for some glorious, impersonal state, and I believe that it was only a matter of time before I did something terrible in the name of some far off goal. It was only by interacting with my children that I remembered that the NCR is made up of ponies, ponies who deserve leaders who respect them for both what they are and what they could be.”

“You’re right.” He said with a sigh, “I don’t have those things. And… maybe because of that I am capable of terrible things. But that’s ok, because I know that you’re here to fix our mistakes Velvet Remedy. And for that, I thank you.”

She gave a painful smile, “I can’t help you be better? It’s not too late Silent Steel.”

“No… not yet. Something to think about. Goodnight Velvet Remedy.”

A regretful look passed her face, Silent Steel seeing her debate whether to continue this discussion… before her face softened and relaxed, “Good night Silent Steel.”

The monitor went black as the feed cut, Silent Steel staring at it for a moment before turning away. He was glad he had a chance to tell somepony his reasons, to give one last confession.

“She’ll work it out you know. She’ll realize you were behind all this.”

Silent Steel tensed for a moment at the voice from the monitor before relaxing, shaking his head and smiling to himself, “I know.”

“You think she won’t turn you in?”

“She can’t.” He chuckled, “By having a private, encoded communication with me now, by publicly sharing my views? She’s deep into this, if she wants to expose me then I would easily be able to drag her down with me.”

“Blackmailing Velvet Remedy?”

“Yes.” He wasn’t going to sugar coat it, “I need her. Admit it, if there was one mare that could fight the instability this will cause, who would preserve the NCR, bring peace, maybe even take the reigns as princess if it came to that…”

“Convince her to make a pragmatic decision, trading justice for future peace? It’s a convincing plan, though she will not forgive you for forcing her hand.”

“I hope she will understand.” Silent Steel sighed, “But although I like to entertain the idea of becoming arbiter, guiding the NCR to a bright future… I accepted long ago that my final legacy might be as a villain.”

Red Eye’s distinctive laughter echoed from the speakers, “How very… appropriate.”

Silent Steel sighed, looking out at the driving rain beyond, “I guess so. I’m not naïve enough to not realize that all this blood is on my hooves.”

"You can turn back you know. You can call off the plan, let Velvet Remedy do things her way. It's already working."

Silent Steel considered this. Was that true? "It will be slower. They'll resist, maybe even act against Velvet Remedy."

"But you will not be responsible for the death of so many good ponies."

"Somepony has to take responsibility. Death, evil, corruption... whatever you call it." He set his eyes, undaunted, "I will accept any sin in order to make a better world."

Stern Lancer scanned the cliffs around him with cautious eyes, his onboard computer identifying rusted weaponry, long decayed corpses and more debris from the centuries of war that had blighted this area. It would see more before the day was out, near two hundred paladins marching alongside him as they made their way through the canyons.

“Sir, I ask that you at least send a small scouting force…”

“No.” He stated firmly and impatiently, understanding Star Fire’s concern but wishing the buck would just get the hint and drop it already, “We have been chasing these bastards around for nearly a year, they’ve been making us look like fools! This is likely their main base, and I won’t tip them off by breaching the canyon walls.”

Something shifted a long way off, a pony falling from a cliff and hitting the ground. A voice came in over the intercom, “Another spotter down sir, didn’t get off a radio signal.”

“Hear that?” Stern Lancer declared cheerfully, feeling his blood rise, “We’re almost on top of them, and they don’t have a clue! This will make Velvet Remedy look like the obstructionist fool she is, the rangers she so despises taking this ‘Red Eye’s main staging area, complete with leaders and documentation of their plans.”

“I still don’t like this.” Star Fire commented, scanning the area, “This place seems like a trap.”

Oh how little he knew. Indeed it was a trap. For the raiders.

How he wished it could have gone on forever. Red Eye, the big bad boogiepony, preying on the innocent of the wasteland. An evil to which the only defense was the Steel Rangers, noble paladins protecting the NCR from the terrifying forces lurking just outside their borders. It had given the knights purpose again, given the public reason to believe in them once more. Put lie to the idea that the raiders were just irradiated thugs, incapable of providing any real threat to a decently armed traveler.

And he was a great big lie.

Oh, the raiders were real, after a fashion. Quite a few of them he had been warned off killing, so he guessed they were double agents from the Rangers. For the most part however they had simply pulled off the wonderfully simple and effective plan of convincing the scum to all gather in one place to be shot, simply by providing a convincing mock up of Red Eye and faked raids on a few non-existent villages, the ‘spoils’ of which had been requisitioned from NCR stocks. He wasn’t sure exactly what the deal was with Red Eye himself, but was under the impression that the stallion was some sort of very convincing actor on their payroll. And it had worked! Almost too well really, as the raiders had become competent enough to cause real damage on several occasions.

He had done a good job, it was true. Not many could so convincingly portray such a legendary figure. But he had given them the run around for long enough, and the time had come for some heroic victory to make the others see the Rangers once again as the heroes they were. He had made the calls and the agreements had been made, the bulk of the raiders gathered together in a poorly defended position with limited weaponry and lots of hard liquor. The Rangers were heavily outnumbered even with a substantial number of their forces deployed here, which would make the victory all the more heroic. No one would question the unusually poor deployment of their enemy and the sudden decrease in their competence, after all everypony knew raiders were stupid.

But he couldn’t let anypony know it, so he was forced to maintain the charade even among his own men. It was probably for the best that they remained ignorant, all the better for moral when they achieved their ‘glorious’ victory, “It’s the main route to the raider base, of course it’s defensible.” He laughed grimly, a smile spread across his face, “But not so much if they don’t know we’re coming. And besides, raiders, ambushing two hundred heavily armed paladins? I’d like to see them try.”

Star Fire still looked unconvinced, still he managed a nod, “Yes si…”

The explosion was deafening, Stern Lancer watching Star Fire’s limbs come away as he himself was thrown to the ground with alerts screaming in his ears.

He gasped in pain and the sound came back to him, Med-X injectors engaging as he beheld his fellow rangers screaming in agony and the desperate scurrying of medics as they attempted to get the most badly wounded on their feet. He looked to his left, a large crater blown out of the dirt. Mines? No, remotely detonated explosives hidden beneath the ground…

Rangers started dropping, armor cleanly blasted apart by sheer kinetic force. He gasped and his visor magnified the raiders running into position on the ledge above, clearly clad in military issue armor and carrying anti-material rifles. Some of the Rangers attempted to form up for a counter attack but blasts from an EMP cannon and grenades left them painfully vulnerable as the raiders cut them apart with advanced weaponry and sheer weight of numbers. Those attempting to flee panicked all the more as raiders emerged from concealed hiding places behind their lines, flanking and annihilating the ranger forces with cool, clinical precision.

This… didn’t make any sense. These weren’t the raiders they were sent to slaughter, these were trained professionals with advanced equipment and talented leadership…

His eyes widened, his gun falling to the bloody ground. He watched his men die by the dozen, watched the sky as a small, red alicorn flew above the battlefield, flanked by two huge griffon packing heavy weaponry. The red alicorn’s black cloak fluttered dramatically as he landed in the middle of the battle, the two griffons quickly slaughtering the wounded rangers around them as the red alicorn just grinned maliciously.

“Stern Lancer?”

He turned as another elderly female griffon landed beside him, unable to find the words. The griffon just snorted, tore off his helmet with one quick movement before pulling Stern Lancer in for a closer inspection. He was too shocked to defend himself, simply looking around in a desperate attempt to locate even one of his battle brothers still alive, “I don’t understand. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this…”

“You were supposed to send a message to the opponents of the Steel Rangers? To demonstrate the true strength and worth of your organization?” The griffon snorted, sneering cruelly, “You succeeded my friend.”

Stern Lancer was just about to answer back when the griffon’s fist cut across and ended the conversation with a brief flash of pain and a wave of echoing darkness.

Strawberry Summers moved through the base with practiced authority, pleased but not surprised that his nerve was holding. The Steel Rangers had trained him well after all.

He nodded to the guard on duty and produced his ID, the guard squinting at it for a moment before turning to the intercom beside, “Sir, there’s a paladin here to see you, Strawberry Summers.”

“Yes, let him in.”

Strawberry nodded in appreciation and proceeded inside, the office beyond surprisingly stark and impersonal. It fitted the stallion at the desk well, elderly but still well muscled, a dark orange in color with mane and coat neat and professional, grey eyes containing not a hint of charm. He looked up at Strawberry, eyes narrowing, “Are you one of mine?”

“No High Elder Peach Trees.” Strawberry declared efficiently, back straight, “I’m a member of the Filllydelphia chapter. As such it was surprisingly how easily my ID let me past.”

“I’ll have to mention something about that.” Peach Trees grunted, “Peace time is a curse, even the best of us are getting too damn rusty. What did you want from me Paladin?”

Strawberry suppressed the flutter in his chest with cool resolve, “A Rangers ID can get you access to the best protected ponies.”

“What are you talking…”

Peach Tree’s attention span had faltered in response to Strawberry’s failure to get to the point, as expected from the stallion. As such it took him far too long to react as Strawberry pulled out the pistol and fired four shots into the stallion’s chest, the Elder gasping and staggering backwards to collapse into some shelving. He spluttered on blood as Strawberry walked past, calmly pressing a flash drive into the side of the High Elder’s console.

“Trat… traitorous…”

“For the republic high elder.” Strawberry stated as he turned to the gasping pony at his hooves.

“You’ll never… get out of here… alive…”

“I know.” Strawberry declared, as the reactor breach alarms blared out around him. The door opened a second later, paladins pointing weapons at him, screaming questions, galloping to the desk in a desperate attempt to counter his hacking…

Then just heat, and oblivion.

“A Good morning to all you living out there in the big bad wasteland. I’m your trusty back up DJ, Rusty Needle, and sadly today I’m here to report some terrible, terrible news. The Ranger Headquarters of Gem Apple Point, for so long the shield of justice protecting the wasteland… is gone. Reports late yesterday described a expanding dust cloud and a tremor felt for miles around, and today scouts reported back that the whole facility is now nothing more than a crater. Sabotage? An accident? Investigation is still ongoing, but it is almost certain that High Elder Peach Trees is dead, along with his most senior lieutenants. That of course provokes the question of exactly who’s going to succeed him at this critical moment for the Rangers. His chosen successor, Stern Lancer, is out on a top secret mission and apparently isn’t responding to communication. Next in line is Elder Orange Squash but he has been ill for some time, with many predicting his death is imminent. That leaves us with Elder Vitcoira Scrivener, who despite winning fame for her bold tactics and military acumen is a controversial figure for her criticism of the NCR and loyalty to her Steel Ranger roots.”

“This is New Canterlot Radio, and this is Swift Feather reporting on the death of High Elder Peach Trees of the Applejack Rangers, a true NCR patriot. One of the Elders most active in fighting the Enclave during their first invasions of the surface, he became a close friend and ally of Arbiter Gawdina Grimfeathers and was responsible for formally integrating the Applejack Rangers in the NCR military. Though his reputation suffered after her resignation when his election campaign suffered decisive defeat at the hooves of Velvet Promises, he was soon after elected as High Elder after the death of his predecessor and proved a steadfast champion of proactive military action in expanding NCR borders.”

“And yes listeners, this is Lonesome Pony, stamping on the graves of the dead. Because don’t think I’m going to change my tune, or mourn the death of a pony the NCR is better to be rid of. The deaths of most of those other rangers? A tragedy. The death of that old dinosaur, stamping all over the rights of the common pony for seventeen years, harping the fact that he once stood in the same room as Gawd to paint himself as some sort of founding father? His death might very well be the only good thing he’s done since he saw where the money was and got to kissing Gawd’s talons. I know I’m not going to get any leniency with Stern Lancer after ripping into his mentor, but listeners, despite occasional fascist tendencies himself the pony is a outright republican compared to his boss. Hell, even Vitcoira Scrivener at least knows to stay out of politics and stick to gunning down the bad guys. So trust me listeners, this will all turn out for the better in the end. In fact, I think the NCR might have just turned its fortunes firmly for the better.”

Caesar stared glumly at the map in front of him, a litany of problems, failures and mistakes. And he was well aware that he wasn’t in the best state of mind to fix them, the energy and hope having drained out of him since… the incident.

It wasn’t his father. He had hated his father. He had only looked after him, kept him alive out of duty. Family after all was the foundation of a strong state.

It was… his failure to change the future. He saw it closing in. He had thought the kingdom he built great, a wondrous resurrection from the ashes, a new beginning for the world. And then he had looked across the sea and seen the ponies of Equestria, with their fertile lands, high technology, vast population and had seen his world expand until his people were but a speck.

And like before, they had come here wanting fuel, resources. And like before, they were not intent on trading fairly.

They had tried to kill him to destabilize the golden coast, make it easier for them to come in and take what they wanted by force. The ponies hadn’t changed, they were still here to exploit zebra, still so arrogant in their power.

There was a knock at the door, Caesar grumpily turning his head upwards, “Enter!”

The only good thing to have come out of his brief flirtation with Equestria entered primly, Daisy, the donkey merchant who had warned him of the assassination attempt. He had wanted to add a merchant to his court for some time and she had been more a promotion of convenience rather than anything else, still he had to admit she was good at her job. She turned to face him, Caesar waving a lazy hoof in acknowledgement. She nodded back before speaking, “Great Caesar, I have received a communication from Equestria. The speaker only wishes to talk with you alone, assures you that it will be worth your time.”

Equestria? Hmph, “Are they calling to offer excuses? Apologize?”

“Actually lord, they claim they are a force opposed to the current government and their actions towards you.”

Well this was worth seeing, “Very well, I will talk to them.”

Daisy nodded and let him into the communications room, where several of his mechanics looked at him nervously. He shooed them away before moving over to the holographic interface, showing only a field of fuzzy static. A voice, distorted and disguised, emerged as he approached, “Great Caesar, it is an honor.”

He frowned, “I refuse to talk to any who will not show me their face.”

“Very well.” The fuzziness faded away in but a few short moments, revealing a tall, powerful looking male alicorn, wearing a long cloak and sporting a cybernetic eye. The figure turned a charming smile down at Caesar, his voice clear and measured, “Greetings to you, Caesar of the Golden Coast, Lord of the Zebra kingdoms. I am Red Eye. I felt it was time we spoke.”

____________________________________________

Trait gained: Dance With The Devil
Even your acts of good karma employ terrible methods in their execution. You gain only half as much good karma, and twice as much evil karma.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 3.2 - Fragile Dreams

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Chapter 3.2 - Fragile Dreams

“Blessed Dawn was orphaned at nine, yet she never let it break her spirit. She chose her name and it fitted her well, always hoping for a better future. She fought and distinguished herself at Sanatora, she fought at the proving grounds and in the battle of Dusklight she once again fought to defend those important to her. It was here where she lost her life, dying in single combat against the leader of Starhammer’s assassins. She is a model of bravery and hope, and reflects one more example for us to follow.”

Fluttershy watched as the mare was lowered into the ground, one more body in the vast field outside the now empty Dusklight caves. Dust Kicker stood on the podium, head bowed as the grave diggers moved forward to cover her body with dirt. Her heart ached for him. He just looked so tired.

It was a stiflingly warm day, the clouds thick and grey overhead, the air heavy and humid. It was wearing everyone down, still the endless funerals continued on with considerable dignity and pride. They were still kids of course, there was anger and tears aplenty, still the proceedings were almost inspiring despite the terrible circumstances. Forty seven of the children had lost their lives in the past two days. Seven more had died within Sanatora. Each had been given a touching eulogy, which Radhi stepping up for the ones who had nopony left to speak for them.

The young zebra was taking it well. He looked exhausted but determined, a firmness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. He had needed all the strength he could find. Fluttershy didn’t envy his position, though Ebony and Niayda had also been members of the council it was always clear that Luna, Swift Crimson and Radhi were really the three in charge. Now he was the only one left.

Fluttershy turned her gaze, feeling a tightness in her chest to look across the crowd.

There were a hundred and thirty of them left. It was an impressive number, but Dust had already assured her it was a dangerous one. Too large to hide, too small to stand up to a determined enemy. He had apologised then, apologised for worrying her, and indeed she was worried for them of course. Still she was a big girl, and she would rather hear the truth.

In fact he seemed more shaken than her. Fluttershy had seen her share of tragedy and was actually feeling strangely calm about the whole thing, Dust however had taken it very personally.

He had been the first one at the scene. He had still been standing guard over the Princess when Niyada, Ebony and Radhi had entered the main hall. He had escorted them as they took her body to the library, witnessed the destruction that had been wrought upon her room. Whoever had killed her had been long gone.

Fluttershy had dealt with the post mortem preparations herself, along with that of many of the others. Ebony had been... overstressed. She now clung close to Niyada as the funeral continued, eyes wet and expression totally lost, Niyada all smiles as she continued to comfort her. Fluttershy hoped she would be alright, knowing Ebony was rather more fragile than she sometimes let on.

Fluttershy turned to Radhi, standing quietly alone nearby, “What did you choose for Midnight Dreamer in the end?”

Radhi paused for a moment of reflection before answering with a sigh, “In the end she was always an Equestrian patriot, and always... belonged to the dark. We will bury her. In private, afterwards.”

She felt a spark of... what? Anger? Sadness? She could no longer tell, her emotions becoming increasingly vague and confusing the older she got, “She deserves to be honored.”

“She will be. We will speak of Princess Luna...”

“Midnight Dreamer deserves to be honored.”

Radhi turned to smile at Fluttershy, “You know she would like her secret to be kept. She deserves to be buried as a Princess.”

Fluttershy went to speak but there was nothing left to say. Instead she just lowered her head, sighing and looking up at the great statue standing over the graves.

Princess Luna stood proud, features captured in stone as she stood defensive over the foals at her hooves. They stood there beneath, faces scared and small bodies vulnerable, but with a spark of hope in their eyes. One clutched a scroll, another a sword, another a hammer, staring out in all directions.

It was incomplete, a little rough maybe. It had been carved in two days, and they were still children. But it meant all the more for being so. This was no empty tribute by some artist looking for attention, this was a aching tribute to a beloved mother, sister and leader, carved in grief by hands stained with the blood of the martyrs.

Luna could have led this wasteland. She could have been a shining beacon in the darkness.

It made Fluttershy angry. It made her... want to hurt ponies, want to go to war and make them pay for all they had done. If only she wasn’t so old... her mind strayed to thoughts of fire and rebellion, of vengeance and hate. She wanted to take these kids, take these kids and show the world what they suffered with bloody interest.

She looked at Radhi, “What are you going to do?”

“Head for Clendel and ask for settlement rights. It’s the most sensible option, and one Luna and I discussed.” He looked up, obviously spotting the disapproval in her eyes, “You don’t need to approve. Many of the others agree with you, but I am in charge now.”

She closed her mouth slowly, letting that sink in. Had he... just told her off? He really was getting more confident, “How did you know what I was going to say?”

“I’ve seen that expression too many times today.” He answered with a sigh, “Over fifty of our friends are dead. I want no more of it... and Niyada and Ebony both agree. We are the council, and that is our universal opinion.”

Fluttershy blushed, ashamed at her own desire for vengeance. At least somepony here was thinking straight, “I see...”

“And... there’s something else. Something more difficult that we had to decide.” He paused, hesitating now. Eventually he turned both eyes up at her, frowning apologetically, “We’ve decided Dust, Star Swirl and Zenai can’t stay.”

Fluttershy hesitated, at little... insulted on their behalf, “Why them?”

“I’ve spoken to Dust Kicker, he agrees with our reasons.” Radhi sighed, “He’s an adult, and many of the children look up to him. He’s an obvious choice to replace Swift Crimson, and a very inspiring and effective leader.”

“Then why...?”

“He’s a mercenary, who’s been killing his fellow ponies for fifty two years.” Radhi’s expression became firmly resolved, “He’s a good stallion and I’m grateful to him for what he’s done, but he’s a bad influence on these children. I’ve already had dozens of foals asking me to let him train them in combat, and angry and vengeful kids with advanced combat training will not make things any easier.”

Fluttershy saw his point, but wasn’t sure she agreed, “He might be the only pony who can teach them to work out their anger productively.”

“I asked him. He said he had no training in that field, that he would likely just make things worse.” Radhi sighed, “He’s a surprisingly well balanced individual for a pony in his field of work, but I’m not sure if that’s really something he can teach to others.”

Fluttershy thought it mostly involved a kind heart and a willingness to help, having worked as a psychologist for years with no formal training. Still a more reasonable part of her considered that being the bearer of the element of kindness might have had something to do with it, and that back then she had plenty of ponies who were trained supporting her, “And what about Zenai and Star Swirl?”

Radhi paused, uncertain at his answer. He forced it out eventually, regretful, “They’re both adults... and I don’t have any reason to trust them.” He sweated somewhat before Fluttershy’s expression, his voice straining a little, “Star Swirl is a Princess, and a fair pick for Luna’s formal successor. She was also working with Starhammer until recently, and I’m not convinced of her emotional stability since. She’s barely talking to anyone, keeping to herself.”

Fluttershy agreed, sadly. She was worried herself, “That’s... fair. I’m not sure what I feel about her either.”

“And I know Zenai’s history of rebelling against authority, and the same things apply to her to a lesser extent.” Radhi sighed, “I appreciate what she’s done to defend us, and if she was younger... but she’s an adult, and she’s been speaking out for vengeance against Starhammer and attempting to rile the children up. I’m sorry, but I just can’t bring her with us.”

Fluttershy didn’t want to agree, and didn’t on some points. Still he was taking responsibility and making hard choices in difficult circumstances, it felt discourteous to argue, “What about me?”

“We voted unanimously for you being allowed to stay Fluttershy. Ace Gold too.” He smiled wanly, “Though you can’t be surprised, Ebony and Niyada both think very highly of you.”

“Well then...” She was torn, uncertain. These children needed her, and she felt good being around them. On the other hand abandoning Dust Kicker and the others just didn’t seem right. Eventually she chickened out, rationalising her choice, “I’ll stay with Ace Gold.”

Radhi looked down, a hint of worry passing across his features, “I see.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Ace Gold... he hasn’t confirmed he’s staying.”

Fluttershy frowned, uncertain what exactly he could mean, “Ace Gold is blind.”

“He’s making remarkable progress. Too remarkable.” Radhi sighed, seeming to finally give in to the desire to air what was on his mind, “He’s keeping something from me. He’s working out ways to compensate for his blindness that seem impossible to me, magics that I’ve only heard of shaman possessing. And when I asked him to stay here with us he was uncertain. He told me that he had things to do out there, yet started making backing away and becoming evasive when I pressed him on the matter.”

Fluttershy admitted it was strange. The progress that was, not the keeping secrets. Ace Gold was always good at those, “He’s never been very good at talking. I’ll see if I can get anything out of him.”

He nodded gratefully, “Thank you.” He looked up at the stage, giving a deep sigh, “And now it is finally time. Let’s get this over with.”

He stepped up to the podium, his hoofsteps heavy. They all stared in silence, his expression vacant and weary as he began to speak, “We have lost so many. None sting as badly as our Princess. Luna gave us our home, she gave us our hope. Our safety, our strength, our very identities she gave to us.”

Fluttershy winced at the whimpering and sobs from the audience, wondering now what the point was. They were just children, children lost and alone in a world that hated them. Without Luna, what were they?

Radhi broke the silence, his voice trembling yet full of conviction, “We have lost our home. Safety was always an illusion. Yet our identities remain, within our hooves and our hearts. We know who we are, and we know we have our strength. And while we carry those things with us, we will never lose our hope.” He stepped forward, his voice rising, small voice carrying across the whole valley, “She will never leave us! She made us a family, she bound us together under fire and harmony! We will take those things out into the wasteland, we will take in the lost and the lonely, we will carry what she was as a banner so that the wasteland will never forget! We will make this world into one she would have been proud of, even if it has to be one child at a time! For we will always be her children of the night!”

Fluttershy gasped, gritting her teeth and letting the tears flow. She couldn’t help it, she had always been a sucker for speeches, and for the young and courageous. Her mind was assaulted by visions of them dead and forgotten but she pushed them aside. Right now she dared to believe that what Radhi said was true, however much her experience told her no.

“Please excuse me miss Fluttershy. This is a little heavy.”

She blushed at little and stepped aside as Tradash moved past with a smile, a long metal tube balanced upon his shoulder. Metal and technical looking, it was attached to glass containers of brightly colored fluid and had of all things the symbol of the ministry of magic inscribed upon it. She peered at it in confusion, having never seen the like, “What is it?”

He chuckled, pausing and turning to her with a beaming smile, “I wondered if you might be familiar with it actually. This is a marvellous little invention by your friend Twilight Sparkle that Zenai found. We spent many long hours fixing it up, all the zebra and me mixing up the potions that feed it. I’m pretty sure you’ll be impressed.”

“But what...?” Fluttershy paused, closing her mouth. She talked too much, and they had a lot to do today, “Go ahead, please.”

“Thank you.” He commented cheerily before moving past the graves to stand in front of the statue of Princess Luna. He inscribed a quick symbol on his chest before slamming the staff down into the dirt, sweeping the dust aside with a hoof before weaving it into a marvellous swirling spiral. That done he stepped back and looked towards the crowds, “Pegasi, please!”

There was a thrum of air as dozens of pegasi took to the air at once, wings beating in unison. Fluttershy grasped her streaming hair, shielding her eyes from the dust. The pegasi all took formation, fierce determination as they linked their air flows.

A single fierce beat and a shockwave hit the ground in front of the statue, dust exploding away to reveal stone and earth not seen since the megaspells fell. The whirl of spiralling dirt grew larger, forming into complex shapes that weaved around each other in ways that reminded Fluttershy of... days in Cloudsdale, half remembered memories of wings and grace...

“Earth ponies!”

Ponies stepped from the crowd, proud and strong. Their hooves thudded down as one, cracks opening in the newly revealed ground, Fluttershy gasping as little tufts of grass peaked out as if awaking from a deep sleep. A hum filled the air, the ground vibrating as if a great power had awoken within.

Tradash looked totally in his element now, stepping away from the staff and calling out, “Unicorns!”

Dozens of magical bursts flew past Fluttershy, streaming into the staff at the centre in a rain of colour and light. They joined together in one single beam of white energy, centred upon the staff and humming at an ever increasingly volume as it drew in the air around it, dust gathering at the centre until everything vibrated in unison with it. It was like a single, magnificent heartbeat, the very essence of the world centred at that point.

And Tradash’s face changed from joy, to concern, to fear.

The staff vibrated ever harder, cracks now starting to appear in the metal, sparks shooting from overstressed components. Magic pulsed across the ground around it, dust falling from the statue above as Tradash ran now for safety. Fluttershy could only stare in awestruck terror as metal pinged across the ground, the glass vials exploding and the liquid within evaporating with flashes of pure magic. The staff finally broke it’s bonds, shattering apart as growing crystal sprouted outwards. It speared towards the sky, a jagged staff of blue stone, humming with barely contained energy. It shook, whined and finally unleashed it’s contained magic in a single mighty burst, directly upwards.

It hit the skyline and exploded into rainbow light, everyone gasping as a cool, clear breeze swept past them, the shockwave ruffling their fur and sending manes streaming. Dust was thrown outwards, dirt burned away, rusty metal disintegrating and dispersing on the wind. The statue of Luna became almost crystalline for a moment as magic streamed across it, burning away the roughness until Fluttershy swore she almost saw the mare herself standing there. It reflected off the mountain edge, highlighting the shadowed illusions of gleaming towers, halls of silver grandeur. Foals gasped as their wasted forms became strong and healthy, their bodies clad in fine clothes of dark silk. The dark grey sky opened up, shining stars glittering above.

And a single mighty crack later and it was done, the world settling around them.

Fluttershy looked around, to the tattered, yet still recognisable remains of a once beautiful theme part. She saw paths that had once been walked, the skeletal remains of rides standing tall and proud. The ground had been wiped clean, and from the newly uncovered soil small blue flowers began to peek out. Green vines sprouted out around Luna’s statue, winding around her legs and up her body, radiant flowers clad in the night’s colours bursting forth from its strands. The statue itself had changed, gaining two new foals beneath. One a camel holding a dove, the other a chubby unicorn filly cradling a carved, glittering star.

The fine clothes had gone. The mountain was once more empty and barren. But all felt changed, whispering among themselves in exited awe.

The staff sat where Tradash had placed it, a smooth column of blue stone, a ring at the top where two shapes rotated around one another. A moon and star, suspended within the ring by what seemed like magic. Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel it’s vibration, though it seemed distant, far off... and full of painful memories.

Tradash hesitated for a moment before pulling the staff from the ground, the magic crackling for a moment before the last of it faded into the earth bellow. He admired it for a moment before starting towards their group, approaching the still rather shellshocked Radhi. He smiled and bowed his head as he held out his hooves to present the staff towards him, “I believe you should have this Radhi.”

The zebra beheld it with wonder, “What is it?”

“Honestly, I’ve never seen it’s like. But it is clearly an artefact of power, passed down from Princess Luna and forged in the magic you children share.”

Radhi hesitated for a moment longer before taking the staff in the crook of his leg, staring into his reflection there, “I don’t know anything about magic.”

“This not the magic of books and rituals.” Tradash declared cheerfully, “This is the magic that binds all life together, that allows us to join together in truth. It was only by combining your talents that this staff was created, only by harnessing the harmony within you. Just look at what it did to the statue.”

Niyada held her hoof up at this, a mixture of expressions upon her face, “But... I didn’t do anything. I didn’t mix the potions, or perform any of that fancy pony magic.” She tried to grin, but her expression didn’t quite make it, “The only magic the camels have is the ability to make... money, normally from something someone else made.”

“The camels didn’t create the most stable and prosperous civilisation in the post-war world with money alone.” Tradash chuckled, “I think there was more of you in the creation of that staff than you realise.”

Fluttershy looked on, feeling like... she was at the start of something. The forging of a legendary artefact, a promise, a binding of a nation forged of so many different species together as a single entity. She hoped she was right, that this really was the start of something new and amazing.

She turned her head, looking for Dust, wanting to speak to him about this. She located him after a second and couldn’t help but frown. The stallion looked angry, stormily, turning and marching out toward the hill a short distance away. She galloped over to his side and he frowned at her, speaking grimly, “Go back to the group Fluttershy, I won’t be a moment.”

She turned her head as Zenai and Star Swirl came up to join them, both also looking rather worried, “What is it?”

Dust hesitated for a moment before nodding at the ridge and continuing on towards it, Zenai and Star Swirl following. Fluttershy followed their gaze and her blood ran cold.

Both Starhammer and his brutish general Icoxal stood watching the proceedings. After a moment she hurried after Dust, eager to head this off before this became ugly.

“What are you doing here!”

“Keep your distance from my Lord Starhammer, all of you. I will not hesitate to put you down.”

“That’s enough Icoxal.” Starhammer stated gently, waving a hoof to placate his giant body guard as they approached. He looked up at the sky, his expression thoughtful. His gaze eventually returned to the glaring faces before him, giving a calm, gently smiling nod, “I’m here to pay my respects.”

“You killed her.” Zenai growled.

His grin increased, a sparkle igniting in his eyes, “And that means I cannot respect her as an opponent?”

“It’s fine Zenai.” Dust Kicker stated, firm but not unfriendly as he looked towards Starhammer, “It’s his right.”

“It’s his right to kick her children out of her home, to probably bulldoze that statue the second they’re gone?”

“I won’t touch her statue.” Starhammer stated with a charming smile upon his weatherbeaten features, shrugging his shoulders, “Kicking you guys out isn’t fair, I agree, but I think you’ll do alright. In fact I demand it.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, not quite getting his meaning, “You demand it?”

“A great hero cannot rise without great opponents.” He stated with a smirk, “To be honest, Kunani invented most of my previous ‘great victories’. Painted pretty pictures and great tales to illustrate fights with uninspiring scrubs who barely challenged me. I’m grateful that Luna gave me pause, adds... texture to the tale.”

“She’ll have to invent most of this one too.” Zenai spat.

“She was a charismatic as blazes dark princess with a awesome statue. Do you think zebra in three hundred years are going to really going to give a damn about the details?” Starhammer stated cheerily, if a little challengingly, “Even if it’s no comfort, accept this. I respect these foals, and Princess Luna, a huge amount. They met me with a dedication and fearlessness deserving of tales, and believe me when I say that I will ensure those tales are sung from coast to coast.”

“Tales are little comfort.” Fluttershy declared bitterly.

“Tales are the only comfort.” Starhammer countered, “We all end up in the dirt eventually. Our only hope is that we can be remembered for our deeds, be told of in tales sung around the fire after we’re gone. And tell me, do you know who Zanar the Mighty is?”

Fluttershy glared, not really in the mood, “No.”

“What about Zephyr Stormstrung.”

“Of course.”

“Zanar the mighty was a king who united the territories into an empire that lasted four generations, commanded an army unbeaten by his enemies. Zephyr was a wandering blade, who inspired the real leaders of the zebra people to form the army that eventually defeated the Star Demons. He retired halfway through the campaign, and died before the last demon held territory fell. His best friend was the one who became an Elder of Garm and formed the basis of zebra society to this day.”

“What’s your point?”

“Zanar fought chumps with several decisive advantages on his side, barely had to struggle. Zephyr was a slave who fought gods, and ended up crippled even in victory.” Starhammer grinned, staring across at the statue behind them, “It is our enemies that forge an inspiring story. Luna and Star Swirl, they will be my nemeses, they will elevate this story to its inspiring heights. The alicorn princesses, full of danger and ambiguous morality and motivations? They are the perfect counterparts to me, and my struggle against you and your friends will echo across history.”

“Is that all you care about?” Dust stated grimly, “Making history?”

“Not all, but yes, that is my main motivation.” Starhammer confirmed cheerily, “And why should I be ashamed? Unlike some would be kings I’m not concerned with luxury, or power, or wealth. I’m not even particularly concerned with being a king, in fact I’m tempted to do a Zephyr when this is all done and retire to the hills.”

Fluttershy was tempted to give into his easy charm, but she remained all the time aware of what he was truly saying. He was a warrior who wished to conquer the world by force, but worse than that... he was doing it on a whim, “And then who will rule?”

His face suddenly went dark, as if something terrible had just dawned on him. He frowned, looking down at his hooves, “She’s right. No one ever sees her.”

“What?”

“You might have forced my hoof. I never wanted it, but now...?” Starhammer looked up, smirking a little, “I’ll make a admission to you now. I’m a mercenary. I was still a mercenary even after I started all this.”

Dust looked surprised for a moment before his eyes narrowed, “Someone’s paying you for this gig?”

“Not in money. Fame, excitement, glory, a chance to get in the history books.” He shook his head and shrugged, “But I treated it like a job once. I didn’t really know how to come at it any other way. This... this has changed things. Luna should be proud of that. She’ll be honored for that.”

Fluttershy didn’t like the way he was talking about her. It seemed... even more obscene that he seemed to be praising the mare, “For what?”

“I’m going to conquer this world. I’m going to stick a flag in it and call it mine.” He gave a rather disturbing smile, “Once it was because others told me to. Because they wanted to change this world, and they needed a big freaking army and a brute with a sword at the head of it. Once it was done I intended to retire, put the crown on the head of some zebra more suitable and retire to... farming or something. But now... now I think I want to be a king. I want a dynasty. I want to look upon the zebra realms from atop the palace at Kursiyin and call them mine.”

“And we should be happy for you?”

“We all want to change the world, to be remembered. One day the empire I’ll build will rule the world, and this darkness will be but a memory.” He grinned, “But foals will still speak of Princess Luna, they will dress up as her and play games and tell stories. I’ll have made her immortal.”

Star Swirl growled her answer, clearly furious now, “You’re just... an actor! Playing a king for a cheap laugh, trying to intimidate us into polishing your ego!”

He looked up at Star Swirl, smiling grimly, “Something I want to share about leadership darling. It’s all about being able to inspire zebra, give them a shared vision, be the icon they rally around. I’m fucking good at that if I do say so myself, and forgive me for boasting also have a fairly decent brain rattling around up here.”

“You’re still a fake!”

“I’m a fucking leader, and don’t you forget it.” Starhammer stated a little testily, “But don’t be so naive. You think a great many leaders throughout history have achieved success through their own personal intelligence and planning? You all just got fooled by the stories, saw the noble kings and princesses and didn’t see the legion of administrators actually running their empires. The tales will be about me and how I conquered the world, because I’m a fucking handsome devil of a zebra who makes a damn good speech and carries a cleaver like I’m born to it. What easy comparison can I make... how about a big honking jet black alicorn princess, and a little dweeby zebra in glasses. That make it any clearer?”

Fluttershy frowned, “Dweeby... you’re talking about Radhi?”

“So that’s his name?” He looked past them, down at the crowds below. A grin widened, rather wide and unsettling, “What is he, fourteen? And yet he speaks like a Flame Priest straight out of Star Fall, and I can’t help but notice they’re all listening.”

Star Swirl glared coldly, “He’s doing his best.”

“I hope so, because I’m pretty impressed.” He nodded at them with a smile, “In fact, as I mentioned I’m starting to wonder if I didn’t just kill the obvious figurehead and leave the brain of this little operation intact. Tell me that zebra didn’t have authority over this place while she was off strutting around like a diva.”

Fluttershy hesitated, and so did the others. It was Star Swirl who eventually spoke, “She was a wonderful mare.”

“She was an idiot, who brought all this on herself.” He smirked cruelly, “This wouldn’t have been half as easy if she had been a bit smarter .”

Star Swirl growled, “Don’t you dare stand here and... speak that shit.”

“I’ll say what I want.” Starhammer grinned smugly at her, cocking his head to the side, “I had her number from the beginning. She was just like me in the end, a fake with a big ego and a love of theatre. I did her a favour, killing her now. She would only have disappointed you in the end.”

Star Swirl’s fur bristled, “And you?”

“That’s the difference between us. I’ve got a bit of life experience, I know how to be pragmatic.” He smirked knowingly, “I’m not some child playing dress up.”

Fluttershy gasped despite herself, “You... you know?”

“I’m a demon hunter darling.” Starhammer commented smugly, “That skin of hers was shadow matter, and I felt her weight several times during that fight. Accounting for mass, she couldn’t have been bigger than Kunani under there. Plus there’s the kids, and her childish strutting.”

Star Swirl growled, “And what’s your excuse?”

“What’s yours?” He commented snarkly, tilting his head to the side, “How does it feel Star Swirl, that some ten year old playing dress up made a better alicorn than you will ever be?”

She glowered, body tensing dangerously, “Don’t you... say that SHIT!”

“Star Swirl!”

Fluttershy just gasped as Star Swirl took flight, diving straight at Starhammer. He just laughed and stepped back, Icoxal diving in to tackle the alicorn out of the air. They slammed into the dirt together, the zebra using his more compact bulk to keep her pinned and unable to bring her horn to bear.

After a moment Fluttershy shouted, her voice sharp, “Stop that right now Star Swirl!”

She didn’t listen, the fight going on for a couple of seconds before Starhammer drew a pistol from his side and pressed it against Star Swirl’s temple, “Words of advice Star Swirl. You better watch yourself out there, before you go the same way as your sister. And for all her poor judgement she at least had style and smarts. You? You’re just a dumbass, pissing all over every opportunity given to you.”

Dust spoke coldly, “Just let her go. You’ve made your point.”

Starhammer’s smile held a dark glint as he stepped away, reholstering his pistol. He paused for a moment before waving his hoof to his general, “Let her go.”

Icoxal looked reluctant, frozen for a moment before suddenly bringing his hoof down and striking Star Swirl hard in the face. He then moved away, shoving her towards the others and trotting back to Star Hammer’s side with an imperious grimace.

Star Swirl groggily staggered to her hooves, Dust glaring at her for a moment before looking up at Starhammer, “I think you’ve outstayed your welcome.”

“Point taken.” He nodded before looking up at Xioko, tone breezy and casual, “Shall we be off?”

He answered as stiffly as ever, eyes still firmly focused on Star Swirl, “At your command sir.”

They both went to leave, Fluttershy hesistating a moment before trotting over to Star Swirl. The mare’s eye was already swelling up, lip bleeding slightly. Fluttershy swallowed the knowledge that she deserved it, remembering her element, “Star Swirl, let me have a look at that.”

“It’s fine.” Star Swirl declared firmly, stalking away into the distance, “Just leave me alone.”

Fluttershy seethed for a moment, wanting to yell something out after her. Star Hammer had not been wrong, and maybe Fluttershy might have respected Star Swirl a little more if she had just picked one allegiance and stuck with it. As it was Fluttershy had to consider her not only an idiot, but an indecisive, disloyal one. She had betrayed the Goddess, betrayed the Followers, betrayed Zenai, betrayed Star Hammer...

Well, Fluttershy was going to be keeping a firm eye on her.

“Please don’t judge her.”

Fluttershy sighed, turning to Zenai. The little zebra looked frazzled, Fluttershy noting the zebra obviously wasn’t sleeping or eating as much as she should, “I don’t think she’s a bad mare Zenai, just... that I feel we should watch her.”

Zenai curled her lip, voice weak, “For what?”

Fluttershy closed her eyes, not sure how to feel about these two. Neither of them were suited for this, Star Swirl’s lack of conviction leading her from one disaster to the next and Zenai... wasting away before her eyes, “She’s desperate for love and acceptance Zenai, you know that. She betrayed the Followers for you, and... “

“She betrayed us for Star Hammer.”

Fluttershy knew that was unfair, even if she had thought the same thing only a moment previous, “No, that’s not...”

“I know what you’re talking about Fluttershy, I’m not... stupid.” She shivered for a moment before looking back at Fluttershy, eyes hollow and lost, “I’m scared of her. Star Swirl used to hate fighting, used to cry when her temper caused her to lash out and dent some furniture. Now... I think she would have killed Star Hammer if she had the chance.”

Fluttershy lowered her head, lost once more in the past. She knew how that felt, how... terrifying it was to see a pony you didn’t know behind the mask of a pony familiar to you, “You know... you know that me and Rainbow Dash used to be best friends?”

Zenai nodded hollowly.

“Well... as I got more into my role at the ministries I made it a point to check up on my friends, asked Pinkie to feed me secret information. And of course, I made a point to check up on her in particular, knowing that Dash wasn’t always... the most responsible of ponies.” She shivered despite herself, remembering their first meeting after Fluttershy had found out what she had been doing. Rainbow Dash had been the same mare as she ever was, brash, cheerful and passionate, boasting about her daughter and flashing her charm at every pony who came by... “Rainbow Dash was head of the Equestrian Secret Service. She ordered assassinations, she helped Pinkie apprehend traitors, she ordered sabotage attempts on key zebra facilities that killed hundreds. She had personally killed seventeen ponies and zebra. All that had worked with her on those jobs reported that she was a very good assassin.”

Zenai paused for a moment before finally speaking, “But she was still a good pony wasn’t she? None of the records I’ve heard of reveal anything terrible about her, quite the opposite.”

Fluttershy smiled. Zenai was right, Rainbow Dash had been a good pony. The best of them really, tied perhaps with Rarity. Ironic, that the two she had once seen as most flawed would be the only ones to really cope with the war without losing their souls, “She was a wonderful pony. And that’s why you shouldn’t judge Star Swirl too harshly.” She paused for a moment before adding something, knowing that the circumstances were a little different, “But I think Rainbow Dash was able to stay a good person despite the things she did because she had a good family who cared about her. Star Swirl is going to need that.”

Zenai looked hesitant, a little scared. She avoided Fluttershy’s gaze, voice low, “I’ll do my best...”

“I know you will Zenai.” Fluttershy stated warmly, patting the zebra on the shoulder with a hoof, “Now let’s get back to the others before they start wondering where we are.”

The ceremony had almost wrapped up now, leaving Fluttershy wondering what to do next. It didn’t take long to decide, she had promised just an hour ago to speak with Ace Gold, and she had wanted to talk with him for unrelated issues even beforehoof.

She finally found him a way off from the others, in a little canyon that had once been a stream by the looks of it, shielded from watchful eyes by mounds of dirt. Ace walked the long dry surface, moving through careful, deliberate, stances and moves, stretching his muscles and carefully smoothing out the imperfections in his form. It reminded her of Angel Bunny, remembering the hours he spent running through the same routines. She was well aware that Angel had made enough of a name for himself that even two hundred years later some of the moves Ace was practicing were ones that Angel had inspired.

She stepped down the rocky, partially collapsed route down to the canyon floor, surprised when Ace’s ears pricked and he looked straight at her. After a moment he spoke, his voice shaking a little in fear, “Fluttershy, is that you?”

She frowned, indeed suspecting something was going on here, “How did you know it was me?”

“You have a fairly unique size, shape and density among those here.” He answered softly and clinically, “I heard your hooves hit the ground.”

That was a fairly reasonable answer from Ace. She was well aware just how sharp he was after all. Still... “How did you find this place? Get around without anypony to guide you?”

Now he hesitated, “...practice.”

“Please Ace Gold.” She stated pleadingly, admitting to putting it on a bit for the purposes of emotional blackmail, “I know there’s something going on with you.”

“What? There’s nothing.”

His tone was a little too convincing. She would have to tell him off for lying later on, he seemed a little too good at it, “You shouldn’t have adapted to losing your sight so quickly, and Radhi told me how you’ve been avoiding his questions.”

“I...” He sighed, shaking his head mournfully, “I’m sorry, but she told me to keep it quiet for now. I’ve... had a teacher. She’s blind too, and she’s been teaching me how to use my hooves and horn to see. It’s still... limited, and difficult, but it turns out I’m as good at it as I am at everything else.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. Whoever it was had been keeping their presence very quiet, “Who?”

“I don’t know her name. She’s old, and she knows magic and martial arts. She’s hiding behind a stealth cloak, keeping close and teaching me whenever she has a chance. She helped me escape from Starhammer...” He paused, voice falling, “Swift Crimson met her. He’s the only one who saw her face.”

Fluttershy took a quick breath, realising the connection far too late, “A cloaked figure helped me escape too, helped me collect explosives to draw attention away from you. I never saw her face, but she was a zebra. And two nights ago Dust’s life was saved by a old zebra who fought off Starhammer’s assassin.”

Ace nodded glumly, “She’s a good mare. I wouldn’t have got this far without her.”

“But why wouldn’t she want you to see her face?”

“Maybe she’s shy?”

Fluttershy wanted to cast doubt on that but... then she was one to talk. She would have hidden behind a zebra stealth cloak all day when she was younger, and she remembered Littlepip’s companion Zenith used to do the same. She imagined given their utility a lot of zebra found it reassuring to know no pony was looking at them, and could sympathise with those feelings, “So... you can see?”

Ace Gold pursed his lips, sliding a hoof across the ground, “Only about fifteen meters around me. And... I have to concentrate to really work out who ponies are, at least those of similar builds.” He paused a second before speaking again, soft and a little curious, “Parts of your body are made of wood Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy frowned, feeling a little... creeped out, “Stop that.”

“Sorry...”

She pouted for a moment or two before rolling her eyes and regaining her composure, “Just be careful Ace. It’s rude to stare.” She allowed a little smile to emerge, “And I know, yes. I guess my transformation back into a pony wasn’t entirely complete.”

“I guess...” Ace stated softly, “Anyway... I can get around ok now, though it’s still weird. To have to concentrate all the time just to see, and only in this small bubble. But still, I can’t complain... she’s helped me to see again, improve my magic more than I ever thought possible.”

“And she’s why you want to leave?”

Radhi told you that?

“Yes.”

Ace Gold nodded, looking stubborn, “She told me that I have to go with Dust and the others. That I have to be a hero, that I have something important to do.”

Fluttershy frowned disapprovingly. She would have to have a word with this zebra about child endangerment, “Haven’t you suffered enough Ace? Let somepony else do it, there’s plenty of capable mares and stallions around.”

He just frowned at her, “If it was that easy, Littlepip could have just turned aside and let my father take care of the wasteland.”

“That was different...”

“Or you could have made way for a pony far more worthy to join the elements of harmony.”

Fluttershy winced. That was... low. She couldn’t suppress a little surge of anger towards Ace for saying such a terrible thing, “...I wish they had... I was a terrible element...”

“So why didn’t you?”

She wished he would just shut up. She squirmed under the questioning, “They wouldn’t let me...”

Ace gave her a disproving pout, “I don’t understand how you can be so... blind about yourself Fluttershy.”

This felt very weird. He was her student, and about a sixth of her age. He should not be... interrogating her like this, “...stop Ace, this isn’t about me...”

“You stayed with the elements for the same reason you formed the Ministry of Peace, discovered War Fatigue Syndrome, tried to stop the war, saved those civilians from the Enclave, enfranchised the Hellhounds and came here.” Ace stated boldly, “No pony was forcing you to do those things. You did them because they were...”

She frowned, going to turn away. She didn’t want to listen to this, “...the wrong thing to do.”

“No.” Ace grabbed her as she turned her head, surprising her. She blushed, squirmed at his manhandling. He didn’t loosen his grip as she struggled, his voice still firm and confident, “Ponies reacted in the wrong way. You were a good mare in an evil world, and they deserved the end they got. That’s why you’re here now, and they’re not.”

Fluttershy felt the anger grow. He couldn’t insult those who died like that, “No Ace! It wasn’t... it wasn’t like that.”

Ace pouted angrily, “You survived the war because you were the only pure, decent thing about the old world. And I’m going to follow your example.”

She wilted, her head dropping, “No... please don’t...”

“I’m not going to stop doing what I think is right. Even if others disagree. Even if you disagree.” He frowned challengingly at her, “And neither are you.”

“Ace...” She couldn’t help smiling a little at him. He had so much faith in her, when everypony else seemed to constantly criticize her. She didn’t think it was right or healthy, but she was grateful none the less, “Please, don’t be silly. You’re blind, and far too young. I’m far too old, and have more medical conditions that I can name.”

“There’s always going to be an excuse Fluttershy.” Ace countered testily, “Look at Littlepip. She was never a very likely hero either. Nor was Tradash back there, I read his history. He was just like her, a naive rube from a farming community forced to survive in the wasteland.”

“Then... why us Ace?” She sighed, wishing that the good, gentle mares of this world would just be left in peace, “Why me? Ponies only listened to me because of the Element of Kindness, and the only reason I had that was...”

“Because we’re here Fluttershy.” He stated firmly, “Because we’re here, and the opportunity’s been given to us. And at that point it doesn’t matter if you think you’re unworthy, or unsuited. The opportunities been given, and you would be a coward to turn aside.”

She always thought herself a coward. Still he was right that she had eventually realised that she would not be able to live with herself if she had truly abandoned her friends to hide under her bed. She had given up plenty of opportunities to just give up her role, unable to turn aside when a clear injustice had presented itself before her eyes.

Ace Gold really did have her at a disadvantage this time. It was... disturbing, to be so totally figured out by a buck a fraction of her age, “Where did you get all this from?”

“From her... from the zebra.”

“She sounds... pretty wise.” Fluttershy smiled softly, remembering Zecora, “She really reminds me of a zebra I used to know. She always had a way of making me feel stupid too.”

“She reminds me of you actually.” Ace stated, a little hesitantly, “She’s been around a long time, and she’s experienced so much. There’s a whole lifetime in your eyes Fluttershy, and that just makes me realise how amazing the world really is.”

Fluttershy let her head drop.

“And that’s true no matter how much you deny it.” He offered a hoof, “Fluttershy, come with me. I know you can still be a hero.”

“I... have my doubts.” She smiled despite herself, extending a hoof towards the buck and feeling a little tingle of excitement, “But I’m willing to take the chance.”

It was finally time.

At least they were well equipped. The children couldn’t take everything of course, travelling without any sort of transportation, and there was a lot of loot from recent events to choose from. Fluttershy had finally had a chance to grab hold of another zebra stealth cloak, not quite as pretty as the one she had left back in Demonivore but still making her feel just a little more like herself again. She had also taken a shine to the armor Starhammer’s assassins had been wearing, finding it light, easy to move in, fully concealing and capable of incorporating her stoma bag and medical supplies. She had accessorised it with some green fabric and some delicate stitching, working closely with the little zebra Xeni. She was quite proud of the result, both functional and near identical to the famous uniforms worn by the zebra assassins of the Epic Era. Zenai had firmly refused any armor as such, eventually settling for a simple reinforced cloak, her saddlebags containing another set of medical supplies. Dust was still wearing his now familiar power armor, and had added a zebra assault rifle to his current arsenal of rifle and shotgun, pretty much a walking armory by this point. Ace Gold was wearing some security guard barding, complete with reinforced full wrap glasses to hide his eyes. He was no longer carrying his big heavy guns given to him by his father Fluttershy noticed, wondering what he had done with them.

Star Swirl was the most impressive, apparently wearing an outfit originally intended for Luna. She had been told Luna had eventually abandoned it due to its weight, Star Swirl however wore it confidently and straight backed. Plate armor of polished steel covered her most vulnerable areas, supplemented by a undershirt of bullet proof Kevlar. It had once been as frilly as any of Luna’s other outfits, Star Swirl however had mostly stripped it save a few purple slips of cloth around her shoulders and flanks. Fluttershy had to admit that naked or in civilian clothes Star Swirl looked awkward, heavy framed and very plain and boyish, making it all the more astonishing how impressive and dignified she looked now. Armor suited her, plainness transformed into solid, honest dignity.

Fluttershy took a deep breath and trotted over to her, wanting to at least try and give her a chance. Putting this sense of awkwardness behind them was a worthy goal in itself, they would never have a chance out there if two of the group couldn’t even speak to one another, “You’re not wearing your crown.”

Star Swirl looked down at Fluttershy in suprise, a brief flash of the shy mare she had once been. Then she shook her head, cool and firm once more, “No. I’m not a princess, I don’t rule anything.”

“Would you like to?” Fluttershy asked the question softly, “Did you want to lead these children to safety?”

“No... to both questions.” Vulnerability suddenly broke across her body, the confidence and dignity shattered in a moment, “I’m angry, I’m... frustrated. I want to punish bad ponies, I want to make this world a better place. I want to build an army, an army capable of wiping the wasteland clean.”

Fluttershy took a step back, trying hard to keep her expression neutral, “That sounds like...”

“The Goddess. Like many of the Star Demons too. Like Luna, when she was in her darkest places. Like me... twice.”

Fluttershy cocked her head, “Twice?”

Star Swirl looked embarrassed, and slightly guilty for a moment before she corrected herself, “Like... like me when I was Justicar of the Goddess. And like Char when her second host was killed.”

Fluttershy shivered involuntarily. She knew they had agreed to... accept this part of Star Swirl and Luna, and that they hadn’t done anything bad yet. She even sympathised with the concept that a being shouldn’t be judged simply for its species, indeed she continued to live it in her work with the Hellhounds.

Still, Star Swirl had a demon inside her, and it was getting a little too close, “Star Swirl, that wasn’t just a slip of the tongue. Who are you, really?”

Star Swirl looked ashamed, then angry... then she smiled, a little strained but still fairly genuine looking, “She told me this would happen. That over time, the differences between us would fade. She was right, it’s not so bad at all.”

Fluttershy pursed her lips, unsure what to say. In truth... she found the very concept terrifying.

“You know what’s really funny Fluttershy?” Star Swirl announced with a tiny bit of anger in her voice, “It was Char who gave up a lot of her individuality, her personality, just so she could draw closer to me. And you know why?” Star Swirl looked away, shame in her expression, “Because I was falling apart over Luna’s death. Because she was my sister, and I wanted to... set the whole fucking wasteland on fire. I wanted to use her power to hurt and destroy. So she sacrificed herself in order to save me from my own stupidity, to give me the wisdom I lacked.”

Fluttershy dropped her head, wondering if she was wrong to distrust, “I’m sorry Star Swirl. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe my experiences with Nightmare Moon are effecting my judgement.”

“You know what Char told me about Nightmare Moon Fluttershy?”Star Swirl sighed, moody and angry, “She said that the Star Demon Luna chose was a newborn, an innocent. That everything the Nightmare Forces were, Luna gave to them.”

“I...”

“We’re the real monsters Fluttershy. I think you worked that out back during the great war. I...” Star Swirl’s head suddenly came up, eyes widening, “Oh, Esau!”

“Any reason why you’re so surprised?” The bandaged zebra stated coldly as he advanced towards them, fully outfitted for combat, “I’m still tasked to keep an eye on you.”

“Yes, I...” Star Swirl blushed a little, once more looking like the goofy scholar, “I’m glad you’re here.”

Easu’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing again, voice dangerously low, “Let’s not get too attached...” He nodded as he approached, growly voice respectful, “Lady Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy tensed a little, finding the zebra very creepy, “I’m not a lady.”

“Yes you are. You bore a element of harmony, have a list of great deeds stretching back hundreds of years and... continue to be a good and honourable mare even now.” He glared softly at her, “Do not deny what you are.”

She blushed, “Um... thank you...”

“Don’t thank me for noticing the obvious.”

She blinked as he walked past, grumpy and evasive once more. She pouted a little, looking across at Star Swirl, “He’s a very strange zebra.”

“We’re ponies to talk.” Star Swirl mentioned dryly as she kept her eyes on the stallion, “I’m glad he’s here though.”

Hmm... Fluttershy looked up at Star Swirl, contemplating that expression for a moment or two. Did Star Swirl have a bit of a crush... on the demon slayer who hated her and quite obviously had more issues than hoofstitch weekly?

That was bound to end well.

They met up with Ace Gold at the exit, the buck and Radhi both standing a short way away from each other looking uncomfortable and angry. Fluttershy decided not to ask, just giving Ace a reassuring smile which he reluctantly made an attempt at returning.

“I’m sorry you all have to leave.” Radhi stated, his normal calm professionalism sounding a little more frayed than normal, “But we’ve talked enough about it. I can only... thank you for your aid and wish you luck in the future.”

Dust grinned and went over to exchange final pleasantries, Fluttershy intercepting Ace Gold as he came over. She caught the buck’s attention and he trotted over obediently, Fluttershy giving him a smile, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah...” He stated grumpily, “Radhi doesn’t understand. I don’t understand.” He looked up, “Am I being foolish? Trusting so much to some... crazy zebra and my own gut, over all common sense.”

Fluttershy chuckled, a childish vim in her heart, “You’re asking the wrong mare.”

“I think that’s why I like you Fluttershy.” He gave her a reluctant smile, “You know, you’re looking younger and more energetic than ever. You always used to complain about your aching joints, or get out of breath when you were forced to hurry even a little.”

Fluttershy took a moment to consider this. He was right, she was... surprising herself. She guessed she hadn’t considered it because she was honestly used to surprising herself. She had never been athletic, yet when it had mattered... but still, she knew she had limits, and knew she would have to pay for her increased activity eventually, “Ace, let me tell you something.”

He looked at her questioningly, “Yes?”

“I’m... old, and I’ve already had a few scares. Back in that fight in Ebonlode Fortress I had to restart my own heart to stop myself from having a cardiac arrest, right in the middle of a fight.”

“Fluttershy...”

“I honestly don’t mind.” She smiled at him, “I’m glad I got a chance to go on one last adventure, and I intend to give it everything I have.”

“I guess... we could all die here. I already got close.” He turned his head aside, lip curling, “When my dad... I thought about it a lot. How fragile this all was.”

“Ace...”

“He was like... the greatest fighter ever. And all it took was the slightest lapse of concentration.” His lips narrowed, determined, “And now I’ve almost died myself. I’m... kind of glad. I feel... like I understand a little more now.”

Fluttershy smiled, patting him on the head, “Nothing like a near death experience to make you grow up.”

“Do we go to heaven when we die? Some sort of... fluffy cloud place?”

Fluttershy sighed, not really an expert. But she had answered this question many times before, “I haven’t experienced it myself Ace...”

“I know...”

“Princess Luna once told me that... something in us lives on in dreams, a memory, of what we were. But that our real selves... go beyond.” Fluttershy smiled, shrugging her shoulders softly, “She didn’t know what was beyond, save that there was something. I think Celestia knew, but... she would never tell me.”

Ace turned his head down, “I guess you spoke about it...”

Fluttershy sighed, turning her eyes upwards, “I told her once... that I was scared of dying, because that meant I would have to see my friends again. That I wouldn’t know what to say to them.” Fluttershy chuckled, feeling her heart warm just a little, “Celestia chided me, asked me if I had considered all the ponies that would be waiting for her.”

“Careful Fluttershy.” Ace Gold stated deadpan, “You spoke to Celestia after all your friends had died?”

Fluttershy’s stomach did a little flip, “Agh!”

“Don’t worry... my dad’s even worse.”

Fluttershy looked down at the buck for a moment or two before grinning, “You shouldn’t tease your elders. And... well, I think you’re old enough to know.”

“She’s in the SPP isn’t she?”

“Yes...”

“So we don’t know what happened to her either?”

“No, we don’t.” Fluttershy sighed, not really wanting to dwell on this. It was all a very long way away, “I’m sure it’s already fixed Ace. Your father got inside, repaired some wiring and everything is back to normal. We’re not really getting regular news updates here.”

“You’re more optimistic than me...”

Fluttershy frowned at the gloomy buck before looking over to Dust as he finished his conversation and walked over to them. She gave him a sweet little smile, rather pleased when he gave her a smile back. She drew herself up and went to meet him, “So, what is the plan from here?”

“Well, we’re not exactly spoilt for choice.” Dust looked at them all, shrugging his shoulders, “I wanted to advance further into the zebra territories, towards Clendal and Garm, but the kids are heading that way and I don’t want to shadow them.”

More like Radhi didn’t want them around Fluttershy thought, but the point was still valid.

“We can’t risk going back towards Caesar, there’s nothing interesting up north... so our only option is south, and luck have it, we do have one pressing engagement down there.”

Star Swirl nodded glumly, “The Lost Legion. They wanted to meet with us.”

“So we do that. Try and get some work with them, gain their trust. With that we might be able to leverage some political pressure towards peace, from what I hear the Lost Legion are pretty sympathetic to that option.”

Ace grunted, “Ironically enough.”

“Well they have two overriding orders. To attack Equestria, and to maintain, upgrade and replenish their numbers and resources.” Dust gave them a grin, “Equestria doesn’t exist anymore, and the NCR has an extremely impressive electronics industry. I’m sure we’ll be able to tempt them towards supporting peace.”

“Seems... our best option.” Fluttershy commented, though she couldn’t say she was ever very comfortable with robots. Still she reasoned it was prejudice rather than any special insight, “Lead on I guess.”

They exited the park for the last time in silence, no pony feeling much like talking. The once cheery entrance was soon at their backs, their little group trooping down the long, silent roads.

Dust led from the front and Fluttershy moved up to meet him, noticing he was staring at his pipbuck in irritation, occasionally fiddling with the open neck of his power armor. She gave him a questioning look as she approached, “Having problems with your suit?”

“I... guess.” He sighed, “To be honest I think this is something you would be better at than me. I’m just making things worse I’m sure.”

She raised an eyebrow, “I’m... not exactly good with machines...”

“It’s not a mechanical failure, it’s...” He sighed, deflating slightly, “It’s the suit’s AI. She’s... gone on strike pretty much, and I’m now realising just how much I relied on her. I have no idea how to work this shit on my own.”

Fluttershy still wasn’t quite seeing the point here, “I’m not trained in heavy armor either, and I’m know nothing about artificial intelligences...”

“You know about children... well... teenagers.” Dust hesitated for a moment before giving a frustrated grunt, the worry finally bubbling up clearly across his face, “Puppy, the suit’s artificial intelligence... Luna was her friend. She’s taking it badly, and I don’t know how to make it better.”

“Don’t try Dust.” Fluttershy spoke softly, rather touched by his concern. She was... aware of Puppy, but had to admit she was unsure of the full story. Still she had heard how attached Dust Kicker was to his AI, and it hurt to see him so upset about her, “You can’t say the right words, do the right thing, and make it all go away.”

“Then how...?”

“Be willing to listen Dust, however she wants to say it. And just be there for her.” Fluttershy smiled softly at him, “Don’t tell her how to feel, let her tell you how she feels.”

“Yeah... thanks.” Dust smiled softly, chuckling a little, “I’m... no good with kids.”

“Yes you are.” She grinned back, unable to keep herself from being charmed a little, “Those children back there idolised you.”

“I... that doesn’t count. I was their commander, I just... talked to them like they were adults. Soldiers.”

She smiled, looking away. She had to admit that she admired Dust’s lack of pretention. He reminded her of Calamity in many ways, and had a similar way with children. It hurt a little, seeing them making the same mistake, their concern leading them to try and fix with words and action what really needed patience and understanding, “Maybe that’s what they needed Dust.”

“I guess...”

“And I’m not exactly an expert with kids.” She stated sadly, shaking her head as the bad memories returned, “I did all of my work with soldiers, just back from the front lines. My treatment of my own children was... appalling.”

“Fluttershy...”

She moved to steer this subject elsewhere, not really wanting to talk about this, “Do you have... any of your own children?”

“I don’t think so.” He commented gingerly, before shrugging, “I wasn’t always that careful when I was younger... well, even after.” He looked across at her, eyes reflective and a little sad, “When you’re stuck in a bad situation, a long way from hope, with certain death just a few hours away... well, I’ve been in a lot of those situations, and endured them with good comrades. And a lot of those times I’ve taken comfort with them, survived to fight another day... and a lot of them, I never see again. Mercenaries are mercenaries, and the wasteland is a big place. I’ve never had any mare come up to me asking me to take responsibility, but... you just don’t know.”

Fluttershy thought that sounded... rather sweet actually, “Well... I’m not in any position to judge.”

“Really?”

Fluttershy was a long way past blushing about such things, “I was young once. And naive, and pretty, and tormented with low self esteem and social anxiety.” She bit her lip, closing her eyes at the memories, “Rainbow Dash couldn’t always be there to look after me.”

Dust grinned, “Any stupid crap done before you’re thirty is totally forgivable.”

“I guess... at least I’m pretty sure I haven’t got any children I don’t know about. Not that it really excuses me.”

“The past is a long time ago Fluttershy.” He looked ahead, kind yet determined, “I’ve survived this long by focusing on what’s ahead.”

Fluttershy wished she could do that, “And what’s ahead for you Dust Kicker?”

He turned, grinning broadly, “You, for a start.”

“No.” She spoke, her soul splintering at the grim finality behind those words, “I... can’t.”

“Ok...” Dust stated, clearly disappointed, “But may I ask why?”

Fluttershy shivered, feeling her muscles tighten. All the same she wanted to tell him, wanted to get in out there, “Because I’m a terrible mare. I don’t deserve it.”

“Fluttershy...”

“Stop it.” She interrupted him quickly, glaring back at him, “You don’t know what I’ve done. My last relationship...” She took a deep breath, forcing the words out, “...every relationship I’ve ever had, I’ve abandoned, run away from. I’ve left a trail of broken hearts and destroyed lives because of my own selfishness. You don’t need that Dust.”

Dust gave her a tiny grin, “I’ve not exactly been one for settling down myself.”

“You never married anyone. You never swore eternal friendship.” She countered angrily, bringing her head up in anger, “I watched the... pony who I had led along with lies and false affection, who I had used for some cheap comfort when they had been most at need... I watched them sacrifice their life for me, give up everything for me! Their last words... they said they loved me, and couldn’t let me die!”

Dust paused for a moment, seeming to be working something out in his head. Finally he spoke, kind and gentle, “Element of Generosity Fluttershy. I’m sure she would forgive you.”

She winced back a little, feeling the truth like a blow in the face, “How... how did you...?”

“Chigaru told us actually, though I didn’t believe it until it tallied up with what you just said.” Dust quickly nodded to her, “I’m not about to spread it around, don’t worry.”

“Maybe you should.” She stated with weary resignation. After this she doubted he would want a relationship with her, “Maybe then they’ll all finally accept I’m a terrible pony and leave me alone.”

“You’re not a terrible pony...”

“I didn’t notice.”

“Huh?”

“That Rarity had cut her soul into pieces.” Fluttershy muttered angrily, wanting nothing more than to... dash her own head against the rocks, “I’m a psychologist and I didn’t notice my best friend had cut her soul into pieces.”

“I can’t imagine the symptoms of that are in any textbooks.” Dust motioned a hoof at her, “Plus you were rather stressed yourself I seem to recall.”

“It’s a good job Spike’s dead.” Fluttershy stated with genuine cheer and amusement, not even caring that it was horribly inappropriate and terrible, “Though I’d love to see his reaction to the fact that I was sleeping with his marefriend.”

“Fluttershy... given everything, I can’t help but suspect he already knows.” Dust gave her a searching, pleading look, “And that’s what gets you isn’t it? That everypony knows what you’ve done, and they forgive you for it.”

Fluttershy shook, her soul chilled by Dust’s words. She remembered that damn tape, recordings of hundreds of ponies saying they forgave her. The statuettes, shards of Rarity’s soul imprinted with the personalities of her friends, all saying that forgave her.

It hurt. She couldn’t bear to listen. Because in the end, “It’s always been about who I was. If some ugly little diamond dog had done the same thing, would ponies be so quick to forgive? They weren’t forgiving me. They were simply choosing to polish up something that had once been precious, built a castle of glass to protect their dreams of a bright yesterday.” She grunted angrily, clenching her teeth, “And even that wasn’t about me. The others were always the heroes, I just tagged along and tried not to get in the way. I’m being forgiven because I was friends with mares of real worth.”

“Your friends knew you Fluttershy. You just said that Rarity would have forgiven you.”

“Yes, Rarity forgave me. Of course Rarity forgave me!” Fluttershy spat the words, wishing the mare was here now, here so Fluttershy could throttle her for what she did. Did she realise, that every kind word, every scrap of generosity would burn like a hot coal in her chest? She had cursed Fluttershy with her forgiveness, reminding Fluttershy just how wretched she truly was, “I used her, I ignored her needs, I took advantage of her weakness! And it’s not up to her whether I’m forgiven or not, because I still have to look in the mirror each morning!”

“Fluttershy, if you can’t see the good you’ve done...”

“Velvet Remedy did more with my name than I ever did.” Fluttershy spat, feeling her muscles bunch in furious anger, “And for all your talk of Rarity, you’re forgetting somepony else.”

He took a soft breath before answering, “Who?”

“Rainbow Dash was my oldest friend. She knew me better than anyone.” Fluttershy felt the energy drain out of her as she spoke the words, “And she hated me to her last breath.”

Dust’s tone became slightly more challenging now as he advanced towards her, “Fluttershy, now you’re just making things up to justify your self loathing...”

She turned on him, glumly staring him in the face, “Can you say differently?”

“She was a spy Fluttershy, she didn’t leave copies of her personal opinions around for others to read.” Dust spoke softly, comfortingly, “And she knew you were basically committing treason, yet she never did anything about it.”

That was true. Fluttershy had always wondered about that, why Rainbow Dash had never fulfilled her promise. In consideration however the answer was obvious, “She hated me Dust. She just wasn’t prepared for everypony else to hate her too.” She looked up at him challengingly, “I was very close with Rarity, and with Princess Celestia, Applejack and Pinkie Pie too. She simply decided it wasn’t worth earning their condemnation just to see me face justice.”

“Fluttershy... I just hope by the end of this you learn to see yourself as you truly are.” Dust smiled softly before looking towards the mountains ahead, “They say the pilgrim’s path can renew a soul, heal one that’s been broken.”

Fluttershy pouted a little, “We’re going to walk all the way to Garm?”

“If that’s what it takes.” He stated, giving her a wry grin before walking away, “We’ll speak later Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy watched him go, rueful and frustrated... with herself mainly. This wasn’t the first time she had turned someone down who she... liked.

She was scared. Scared like a filly. Of being hurt, of hurting somepony. She still hadn’t changed, even though she pretended to be so confident and together. They... expected her to be so confident and together. Dust wanted Fluttershy, the ministry mare, element of harmony, and she wasn’t her. None of them were. She had heard ponies talk of the legends from before the war and didn’t recognise any of them, and eventually came to peace with that. It was churlish to replace the larger than life heroes with her dear friends.

But there she was, a living insult to a legend. A crack, in a castle of beautiful glass.

“First of all, we have some breaking news from Anatu, out there among the spikes and stone. King Aridari is finally dead, slain by his brother Kojir in a duel under the old laws.”

“At least he didn’t lower the sun out of spite when he lost.”

“Yet another reason to be happy at this news folks.”

“Heh, I think this wasteland is finally going in the right direction, don’t you Voice? With the death of Aridari at the hoofs of his brother, Rashid dead at the hooves of Starhammer, and Olanrewaju dead at the hooves of Princess Luna, that’s three for three on thugs with crowns. Themba better be watching his flank, that’s all I’m saying.”

“Now Sharps, it’s not nice to taunt a washed up old buck.”

“Heh, that’s true. I’m not even sure that zebra is worth killing anymore.”

“And I have even more news for you on the death of Aridari folks, because there’s yet another trend that this old DJ is finding very encouraging. You see Aridari’s brother had been on the run for years, never having the strength to take the offensive.”

“’So what changed?’ I hear the children cry. Tell ‘em Voice.”

“I have eye witness testimony that standing alongside Kojir was none other than the Steel Maiden and her companions, a group but three strong taking on Aridari’s troops by the dozen.”

“Oh, and for those who are still wondering what happened to Bitter Fennel, I have reports of a pony matching his description fighting off a group of raiders alongside the Fuchsia Witch of all ponies, saving the little town of Natai. Apparently the two seem to be well acquainted.”

“A pony that is reported as taking anti tank rounds to the chest without flinching, and a unicorn that has been observed turning her enemies inside out with a single spell.”

“I wouldn’t mess with them.”

“And this makes this proud, if slightly moldy zebra rather disappointed folks. All these ponies, running around being heroes? Where are my brothers, out there preaching in the darkness? Because right now the only zebra worth a damn are Starhammer, my good brother Tradash, Tandia and the Steel Maiden’s companion. I mean my good buddy Voice here might be unaesthetically winged and colourful, but at least he was balanced out by a few good stripes... or as many stripes as I have left anyway.”

“Just interjecting here now Sharps has mentioned me, but we really need names for the Steel Maiden’s companions, since the best we’ve got so far is ‘big damn minotaur’ and ‘quiet moody zebra’.”

“Not that that doesn’t describe an entire race guys. That guy’s probably moody because he’s the only damn zebra willing to actually get his hooves dirty. Did the good work we did really convince you that the fight was over? All you out there sitting fat and happy out in the heartlands, blaming my good sister Tandia for not going out there and making you even fatter and happier?”

“Is this a rant I see coming Sharps?”

“You bet your pretty ass it is. Because I’ll remind you that Tandia’s pushing into her sixtieth year, and I’m boasting twice that. So maybe it’s time for all of you whining little foals to step up and stop letting these ponies show you how it’s done. I mean, damn!”

“And that was Sharps, reminding you that shooting bad guys is a cross species activity. And I think that calls for something suitably inspiring and patriotic... ‘Ode to the Zebra Republics’ Sharps?”

“Blast that shit Voice, that’s my fucking anthem.”

The route ahead was as the map described, which was something to be thankful for at least. Increasing in gradient and shifting from pale brown to orange stone, the great mountain Dasthono’koki looming on their left giving them a landmark to orientate themselves. They were approaching a selection of impressive rock formations called the ‘broken mountain’, so called because at a distance it stood beside it’s brothers as one of the many mighty mountains looming up towards the sky. Up close and from the side however it was apparently that it was in fact made up of many separate formations of rock, some of which had fallen against each other, some of which stood alone and proud. It formed a maze of little valleys and canyons, which was apparently why the hills beyond used to be where many military outposts and facilities were located, only easily accessible by air. One of them was apparently where the lost legion made their outpost.

They didn’t have that luxury now, but had been assured that the still active defences and dangerous beasts in this area had all been pretty much hunted to extinction by the local tribe, the Sequesta. They were apparently the same tribe that had officiated the duel between Luna and Starhammer, and from what Fluttershy had heard so far appeared to be a whole tribe of testosterone addled meatheads. Not that she liked to judge before meeting a pony in person but...

Dust spoke suddenly, voice warning, “Up ahead, do you see that?”

Fluttershy looked up, shielding her eyes from the sun. There was indeed a figure on the ridge ahead, pony sized and clad in a brown robe, “Recognise them?”

“We need to take another route.” Dust stated with a note of clear concern in his voice, “This way...”

Fluttershy turned to follow as he set off for the opposite fork... only to see that same figure standing waiting for them in that direction too, a little closer this time. She turned to look back the way they had came, her heart beating faster to see the same brown cloaked pony watching them from a nearby ledge, “We’re surrounded.”

“That we are.” Dust stated grimly, “Might as well get this over with.”

They advanced forward, drawing ever closer to the strange figure. She wasn’t too distinctive at a distance, her cloak heavy and concealing, the area beneath the hood shrouded in darkness. And then as they drew but thirty meters from her she finally threw back her hood and revealed her face, smirking arrogantly at each of them.

“Fucking damnit...”

“You!” Fluttershy shouted, feeling both anger... and to be honest, terror. She didn’t know what she was doing here, what she wanted... but if her previous encounter with the woman was any indication, it was nothing good, “What do you want?!”

“You know what I want.” Dream Star stated with a smirk, her grey, stringy hair blowing in the breeze, “That armor you’re wearing. Give it to me.”

Star Swirl, who until now had been totally silent, finally growled rather terrifyingly and glared at the unicorn, “This isn’t a good time.”

“I know exactly what time it is. I’ve been watching you for a while now.” Dream Star stated casually, “Quite a mess you made there. You really are worthy wasteland adventurers, leaving nothing but chaos and death in your wake is somewhat of a tradition for your type.”

Zenai spoke up now, frowning angrily, “You saw all that? And you didn’t help?”

“Why should I?” Dream Star questioned, moving towards the group at a slow, leisurely pace, “And frankly, I rather I didn’t. It would have been totally unbalanced, I could have solved the conflict in minutes.”

“Then why didn’t you?! Why just stand there watching it all go to hell!?”

“Entertainment.” Dream Star answered with a mocking smile, “I did my stint in the wasteland, for me the thrill of helping some pathetic little wasteland settlement with their pathetic little problem wore off a long time ago. But let me tell you, watching some hapless neonates completely screw things up never gets boring.”

“Dust, we need take her now...” Zenai whispered.

“Agreed.” He whispered back, “She’s not going to let us go, she’s just psyching us out now. Everyone?”

Fluttershy’s hoof moved for her weapon, her heart quickening. After a moment she moved instead for her chem pocket, already realising this was going to be a hard fight...

Dream Star’s horn sparked, Zenai gasping and hitting the floor with a cry. Her plasma caster clattered to the floor.

“Zenai!” Star Swirl darted forward, a burst of magic exploding from her horn. Dream Star smirked arrogantly and flung her head to the side, redirecting the shot to shatter a nearby rock face. Bullets flew at her but her form disappeared into mist, suddenly reappearing across the canyon in a army, a hundred Dream Star’s all cackling in unison.

Ace Gold stepped, forward, tapping Dust on the shoulder and pointing a hoof, “That one.”

Dust pivoted, his shotgun blast earning a grunt from the elderly unicorn, the other images all disappearing. Dream Star braced herself as she took a few more shots from Esau’s pistols, finally intercepting a horn blast from Star Swirl and flinging it upwards to slam into the rock behind. A cloud of dust billowed forth, obscuring her form for a moment.

She appeared after a second, plummeting to the ground with a corona of magic about her. She hit the rock and it surged forward, spears of yellow stone erupting forward to stab at each of them. Fluttershy managed to dodge just in time, anticipating the blow with a speed she didn’t know she possessed. Ace Gold too just coolly stepped around the attack.

The others were thrown to the ground, Star Swirl cartwheeling for a moment before flapping her wings and managing to land rather awkwardly back on her hooves. Dream Star immediately burst out of the sparkle of teleportation magic right in front of her, seeming to wait for Star Swirl to clumsily charge up a shield spell before slamming a hoof into the glowing horn.

There was a mighty crack of discharging magic and the smell of burnt flesh, Star Swirl crumpling down unconscious and defeated.

“UURRAGH!” Easu launched himself at Dream Star, sweeping aside the last glittering shards of discharged magic and slamming into her head first. She immediately collapsed, her body liquidising into black, gooey tar, Easu stumbling through the substance for a moment or two before it hardened and he collapsed to the ground. A moment later magical lightning blazed forth from the substance, Easu screaming briefly before going still.

“Damn... watch each other’s backs! She’s trying to divide and take us out individually, using her illusions to distract us!” Dust shouted, his eyes moving across every rock and blade of grass, “Stick close, and don’t let...”

Dream Star’s form faded in from a spot of heat haze, blue energy sparking out to hit Dust in the face. He growled and his shotgun blast went wide, Fluttershy just sighting up when Dream Star fired an energy blast that turned her shotgun into a squirming hoard of beetles. She screamed and backed away, Ace Gold’s head moving round in shocked concern, “Fluttershy!”

Dream Star fired a blast of magic at Ace Gold, targeting him while he was distracted. He didn’t even turn his head, simply leaping sideways and letting it thump into earth. Then he ran forward and swept himself up into a spinning kick, Dream Star giving a laugh as she blocked it with a single raised hoof. She barely even flexed, Ace wincing at the impact. Indeed she just smiled, “Clever kid...”

He directed a hard thrust of his hoof straight downwards, Fluttershy momentarily elated as it thumped into her forehead with perfect accuracy. Dream Star grunted... then grinned all the wider. She forced her head back up and he was thrown backwards, painfully off balance and suspended in mid air. Her hoof swept upwards and swiped him out of the air, sending him flying to hit the ground with a painful sounding thud.

“...but still just a kid.”

Her smile was cut short as a shotgun blast struck the ground in front of her, throwing up a cloud of dirt into her face. She yelled, then winced as a rifle shot slammed into her shields at the side of her head. Spittle clearly flew, her jaw shifting slightly against the impact. She growled and turned her head to Dust Kicker, her horn blazing and her form fading... another shotgun blast caught her mid teleport, sending her flying to land sprawling onto her back.

Dust Kicker pulled out a grenade, just about to throw it when a grasping tentacle made of sand burst out of the ground behind, seizing hold of his hoof. He grunted and twisted, kicking out and shattering the tentacle with a sharp kick. It was too late, Dream Star already spinning herself upright, firing a bolt of energy that struck him hard in the chest.

He grunted, staggered backwards, and fired another blast of his shotgun. Dream Star looked surprised as she dodged with a speed and agility she should not have in her advanced years, firing another horn blast that struck him in the shoulder. Dust staggered once again, hoof failing for a moment before he forced himself back upright with a grunt.

Fluttershy ran for Esau’s discarded weapons. She was halfway there when Dream Star teleported, appearing right in front of the off balance Dust Kicker. It took her but a moment to tear his helmet free, draw her hoof back and smack him across the jaw with enough force to break bone. He gasped, shaking and spitting blood, his eyes rolling back...

He fell to the floor, dust flying... and his shotgun discharged, slamming into Dream Star and hurling her backwards. They both landed unmoving in the dirt.

Fluttershy hesitated, eyeing the guns... but Esau was still clearly alive. The others might be in need of seriously medical attention. She shouldered her medical kit and ran to Ace Gold, hoping beyond hope that they were all still alive.

“Forgetting something Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy turned with utter terror shaking her heart, Dream Star strolling forward with not a wound marking her cloaked form. Fluttershy gasped her reply, backing away, “You’re still standing?!”

“Ha!” Dream Star grinned wide, brushing some dirt off her shoulder, “That fat old pony over there got a few lucky hits, but it took me less that a second to heal those pathetic assortment of bruises. I haven’t lost my touch it seems. I took on the lot of you, unarmed and unarmored, and let me assure you that you never stood a chance. Knocking me down was impressive, but that’s all you did.”

“You... you will not...” Fluttershy pooled her courage and stepped forward with eyes wide, glaring at the pony before her with all her resolve. Willing her to back down, to go away... to stop smiling...

“Oh please Fluttershy, like I was going to fall for the same mistake twice.” Dream Star commented sultrily as she endured Fluttershy’s stare without so much as a quiver, “I disabled your magical abilities at the very beginning of the fight. You understand now don’t you?”

Fluttershy backed away, her fear competing with her anger... and her fear was winning, “Understand what?”

“You were never going to win this. The fate of Equestria hangs in the balance, did you really think these buffoons you’ve allied yourself with stood any chance against the combined military power of the Followers, Rangers and Twilight Society?” She smirked, stringy grey hair blowing in the breeze, “And I am as far beyond them as they are beyond you. It’s no idle boast, I have roamed the wasteland for over a hundred years and I have never found anything that could kill me. And that was against the ponies of the old world, where ponies weren’t coddled and protected and made weak by luxury and decadence.”

Fluttershy got her tongue back now, blood boiling. She may have won, but how dare she compound it with this arrogant gloating! “If you’re so powerful, then where were you? Where were you when the Enclave attacked? Where were you when Red Eye enslaved thousands? Why didn’t you activate the single pegasus project?!”

Dream Star’s mouth curled up into a smug smile, “I’ve been asked that one before. You really want to know?”

“Yes!”

“Those things are... beneath me.”

“Ah...”

Dream Star laughed at Fluttershy’s open mouthed expression, a look of totally self assured arrogance spread across her face, “I have no interest in ruling this world, or believe there’s any point in saving it. Saving a ugly dustbowl, full of ungrateful, greedy fucks who only care about their own money and power?” She shrugged, a broad smirk spread across her haggard, wrinkled face, “Littlepip destroyed herself saving this world, reduced herself to a broken corpse trapped inside a metal tomb. And what did she save? Bickering factions? Poverty, economic inequality, open warfare on the streets?”

“Which you started!” Fluttershy yelled, even as she felt her heart shudder.

“And nopony stopped me. Even if they did, I have enough lawyers behind me that I could shoot a pony dead in the middle of the street and get away scot free.” She cocked her head to the side, raising a wrinkled eyebrow, “I could have saved the world years before Littlepip even crawled out of that hole in the ground, compared to some of the things I’ve done Red Eye, the Goddess and the Enclave would have barely been a speedbump. But to create a world like this? I’m not sure it’s worth even the negligible amount of effort it would have cost me.”

“You...” Fluttershy figured it was worth a try to get something out of this at least. The mare sure liked to talk after all, “How? What are you planning?”

“Oh no.” Dream Star chuckled, shaking a hoof, “I don’t plan on killing you or your friends, so revealing all my plans, though fun, would likely just lead to irritating attempts to foil my master plan in the long run. So I have to leave you ignorant I’m afraid.”

Fluttershy cursed, sure she could get something out of her if she tried. She just had to be less direct... and if she just kept her talking, maybe somepony would come to their rescue, “Wait! Why... why aren’t you going to kill us?”

Dream Star had just turned to walk towards the fallen Dust Kicker, pausing a moment at her question. Eventually she just smiled and answered, “I don’t like killing interesting ponies. I’m sure you and your friends will eventually come to stop me eventually, and a life or death showdown against you lot might provide an acceptable climax. Maybe if you amuse me enough I’ll give you a shiny new position in my new empire. Restore your youth? Bring back your friends?”

Fluttershy’s ears instantly pricked up despite herself, “You can do that?!”

“Yes.” Dream Star’s smirk widened yet further, looking away and continuing to speak as she continued towards Dust Kicker at a lazy pace, “With Puppy-OS under my control, I can do all that and more. That’s the difference between me and Littlepip. She talks a good game, but all she could ever offer was this pathetic, flawed existence. I on the other hand can give you what you really want.”

Fluttershy’s desire blazed through her. Her youth back. Her friends back. A land where no one suffered anymore.

It felt like shattering a glorious glass sculpture built of all her desperate dreams to speak her next words, “All you have ever offered were words Dream Star. You’ve lived in this wasteland for a hundred and forty years, and you’ve offered nothing but promises. Littlepip saved the world at eighteen, after she had been out of the Stable for a year.”

“Which goes to show the foolishness of haste.”

Fluttershy trembled in anger, “You... you’re so...”

“I’m right.” Dream Star stopped for a moment, her words harsh and cold, “I’m right. What have your attempts to make a better world achieved? Your friends attempts to find their destiny and happiness, Twilight Sparkle’s attempt to understand magic and become a Princess? This world is doomed by good intentions, and it’s ponies like you who have to live with that.”

“You... you can’t...”

“Do what? Get away with this?” She snorted, “Win? Rule this world? Save this world? Become a princess? I will do all that and more, because I’m better than you. Because this little display shows just why I never bothered to save you, instead leaving that honor to that smug little whorechild. You were never even worth my time.”

Fluttershy let her head fall. She was right. She was right about everything. Her stare wasn’t working because Fluttershy had nothing to say. She was just getting her friends hurt again...

“So quick to fall in to despair? True power is only of worth inside those who care.”

Fluttershy stiffened at the whisper blowing across her ear. The voice was cool, controlled and elegantly accented. It sounded like... Zecora.

She listened for more, but there was nothing. She might have even imagined it. But it had taking her out of her dark thoughts at least, allowed her to think clearly. Clearly enough to realise why Dream Star had left her conscious, was telling her all this.

To flatter her own ego. To challenge herself, to see if she could get Fluttershy to just sit back and let her take what she wanted. To take satisfaction from mentally destroying an ‘icon’. To have somepony bear witness to her victory.

This was just another attempt to grab attention, to claim self satisfied importance... and Fluttershy would not allow it, “Stop right there Dream Star!”

Dream Star stiffened. After a moment she turned around, her shoulders tense and a slight aura of magic crackling about her. Fluttershy felt a squeak emerge from her throat, taking a step back as Dream glared at her, voice cruel, “What did you say to me?”

“I... I don’t...”

“I didn’t think so.” Dream Star grinned wide, nose high in the air, “Now be a good girl and sit your butt down before you break a hip.”

Fluttershy let her head fall. What had she really expected? Without her stare she had no power over Dream Star. Even with it, what could she really expect to do?

“She says you’ve gone and lost your stare, the power of lies laid bare? Remember your friends and you will find, this loss of power is but a trick... of the mind.”

Fluttershy shook her head, “I can’t...”

“Remember the earth. Remember the events that gave your true self birth. Remember the sky. Remember that day how you learned to fly.”

Fluttershy winced, felt her one good wing flutter under her robes, “I can’t fly, my wing is crippled.”

“For years you struggled against the arrows and slings, yet it was only on the ground you found your wings. Only when you appreciated natures power, were you finally able to truly flower. Always you protested, oh so shy, but when danger threatened did you not take the sky?”

Fluttershy felt something flow through her. She felt the warm, clear air, ruffling through her fur. She remembered the joy of flight, the simple joyful pleasure of opening her wings and feeling the first winds of the morning. She remembered Rainbow Dash, what it had felt like to fly with her.

She felt the wind rush through her, opening her heart to its call. She felt the beat of the earth at her hoof, the power of animal and plant that she had taken strength from so many times. The voice was right. She had never understood it, never wanted to understand. Her wings had always been weak, her command of the air currents and proper stabilisation never coming easy to her. Yet when it had came down to it, she had felt a power flow through her, the air supporting her like an old friend.

And so Fluttershy tensed her body, felt that power wrap itself around her... and flew.

Dream Star gasped and took a step back, eyes wide in confusion and shock, “Im... impossible!”

Fluttershy now stood in front of the mare, dust swirling about her. She had no idea how she had travelled the distance so quickly, and to be honest didn’t care. Her heart was firm once more, invigorated by her tormentor’s momentary weakness. Her eyes blazed, locked on Dream Star’s, “Get away from Dust Kicker.”

“I don’t... did you just teleport? I...” Dream Star shook the questions away, marching forward with murder in her eyes, “Enough! I tried to be gentle with you, but it seems...”

“You only want to save the world now because you’re jealous of her.”

Dream Star tried to look angry, yet the expression flickered and died in moments, “I...”

Fluttershy shouted her worlds, the sense of justice and power flowing through her now making her feel like a young mare again. The words flowed unbidden, fed from a instinctual understanding of what this mare in front of her truly was, “You insult and diminish Littlepip because she’s just a girl to you, yet she achieved more than you ever did! And now you hurt other ponies, lie, cheat, steal, just because you can’t stand that she got there first!”

Dream Star tore her gaze away, teeth grinding and brows furrowing. She shook in anger, gulping back a breath before growling her response, “You’ve always been full of shit Fluttershy, and I have no desire to engage with it any longer. In fact I think it’s time to join your friends.”

Fluttershy gasped as Dream Star’s horn sparked and flared, realising that she had forgotten one important fact. That Dream Star was indeed capable of squashing her like a bug, and that Fluttershy was still an old woman without any sort of weapon. She stepped back and shielded her face as Dream Star turned and her horn unleashed a bolt of roaring energy, the attack flying straight at her face.

Space warped in front, the air seeming to shift, compress, expand. When it had finished there was a zebra standing there, her elegant, traditionally styled robes whirling as she swept round in what looked like a dance. Her hoof even touched Dream Star’s spell as it was swept upwards, shattering and changing, the destructive pink magic flowing into green flowing leaves.

Dream Star’s eyes widened for a moment before she grinned, stepping back with magic charging around her, “So that’s where Fluttershy’s sudden courage came from. Well you’re out in the open now, and you really think a zebra is any match for a unicorn?!”

Fluttershy couldn’t suppress a scream as Dream Star unleashed a devastating assault in her anger, a roar of pure destruction tearing up the ground before them. The zebra just turned, smiled, and touched Fluttershy’s cheek with a hoof, staring deep into her eyes.

The zebra’s face was... strange. She looked young, yet her eyes were deep and knowing far beyond her years. Tattoos covered her skin, what looked like spiral marks etched across her cheeks, around her eyes... and as Fluttershy stared one of the tattoos seemed to move, shift, spiral outwards until it became something else. Another pony’s eye, wrinkled around the edges, pink iris heavy with the signs of glaucoma and cataracts.

Fluttershy took the hint, unleashing her stare in full force.

The magic shattered, falling around them like glass. Dream Star looked through the failing magic with eyes almost tearful, eyes that widened and shook as Fluttershy stood and locked her gaze upon the pony, “Why Dream Star?” Fluttershy begged, just wanting to understand now, “I knew your great grandmother. She was a good mare, she would never approve of all this!”

Dream Star growled, her head falling. Her words dropped heavily, bitter and full of pain, “How dare... don’t you... ever mention...” She grunted, “She’s all anypony ever cared about, and I personally could not give a shit. I barely remember my mother, my brother was an idiot who got himself killed early... my family, my illustrious family... who never, achieved ANYTHING before I came along!” She looked up, wild and angry, stringy grey hair streaming across her face, “I am the most powerful mage in the world! I have spent most of a century out there in the wasteland, killing and searching and surviving! I am better than any of them, yet always, always ponies compare me to my grandmother!”

“Back down Dream, please.” Fluttershy gazed desperately, the two of them separated by floating dust and debris as she tried to reason with the mare, “We’ll talk about this, we’ll work something out.”

“No... no we won’t. I don’t ‘work things out’.” Dream Star snarled hotly, “I never have and I never will! I have taken! I have dominated! Because I am stronger than all of you, and far stronger than some. Perfect. Pretty. Pink. Princess!”

“Weakness.”

The zebra emerged with a crack of emerging energy, seeming to flow on the waves of Fluttershy’s stare. Her hoof hit Dream Star in the face and there was a thump of utter finality, enough though Dream Star barely moved. The zebra jumped back and landed gracefully a short distance away, Dream Star staggering back in shock and holding a hoof to the spot where the blow had landed, “What... what was that?”

“You are disabled.” The zebra stated, simply and calmly. It was unnerving, hearing her drop the rhymes and that sing song tone of hers. For some reason it sounded... dangerous, “Your magic, denied.”

Dream Star paused for a second before her eyes narrowed, her muscles tensed...

The zebra darted forward, struck her in the shoulder, swept away her leg and slammed her into the floor. A single stomp to the chest and Dream Star shuddered, gasping briefly before falling limp to the ground. It was then that she started to panic, eyes darting around, limbs twitching as she tried to move, “NO! What have you... Fennel, Jammer, where the hell are you!?”

The zebra spoke softly, “There will be no support from your friends, my own companion did I send.” She actually smiled as Dream Star panicked further, shaking her head, “Rest assured there will be no harm, but they like you have been... disarmed.”

“Stop... fucking rhyming!” Dream Star looked distressed like Fluttershy had never seen her, squirming and shaking desperately as she whined and screamed, “How did you beat me? You’re just a stupid little painted savage! Just a dirt pony with stripes!”

“So full of pain. I only wish I could help you.” The zebra looked regretful for a moment before she turned and walked over to Dust. There she laid a hoof on his armor, taking a potion from her robes with her teeth and letting a tiny droplet fall onto the dirty metal. Magic flowed outwards, covering the whole suit, a subtle, controlled and gentle magic that felt more the work of an artist than a powerful mage. The magic faded and disappeared, the zebra stepping back and turning to the struggling Dream Star, “This armor is now enchanted. So much as approach it with impure intentions and it will be transported straight to Garm, the single best protected place in the realms of the zebra.”

“You.. you won’t stop me...”

“I know.” She stated sadly, her eyes full of a quiet dignity and endless regret. She waved a hoof at Dream Star, covering her in a sprinkling of silver dust, “I wish there was more I could do for you Dream Star.”

Dream Star growled, straining against her paralysis, “I won’t accept anything from anyone! I choose my own path!”

“Embrace your calling, or rebel against it. Either way, it was a path imposed upon you.” She gave one final nod before sweeping her hoof across the pony, “Goodbye Dream Star.”

Dream Star disappeared in a sparkle of shining light, leaving just Fluttershy standing there frozen in awestruck confusion. She finally found her tongue as the zebra stood there with a faraway look in her eyes, just about to thank her... when another emotion interjected, “How did you know so much about her? How did you know to intervene when you did? Were you watching us too?” The zebra turned her head to Fluttershy but didn’t answer, leaving Fluttershy to state her accusation right there and then, “Are you the zebra who’s been teaching Ace Gold?”

“No.” She answered simply, “The one of whom you speak is a honored friend of mine. It was her who took care of Dream Star’s companions.”

Fluttershy looked up, guided on whim. She swore she saw a elderly zebra in a cloak standing above, almost seeing something...familiar before the figure retreated. She turned her head back to the zebra in front of her, still feeling a little huffy, “Why hasn’t she shown her face? What’s she hiding?”

“She is shy.” The zebra cut off Fluttershy’s incredulous reaction with a firm glare, “If you had possessed one of those cloaks when you were younger, would you have ever taken it off? My friend wears her history all over her body, and it is a history she has no wish to be studied or questioned. She has endured much pain, and now only wishes to help without fearing the unwelcome attention of others.”

That was... fair enough, “Ok... perhaps. But if you were watching why didn’t you help earlier, before my friends got hurt?!”

“Because she would have defeated me.” The zebra stated softly, “Dream Star has a power empowered by the darkest, most terrible hate, a desperate, impossible need that has burned all weakness from her and given her endless strength. I would not have stood a chance against her.”

Fluttershy wasn’t sure how that figured, “You just defeated her!”

“No, you defeated her. The few simple tricks I used could be taught to you in but a week, possibly less considering the ease with which you unlocked the earth stride.” The zebra smiled gently and softly, her old, wise eyes meeting Fluttershy’s, “It is ironic. If she had eliminated the weakness that made her so vulnerable to your power then she would have never wanted strength in the first place.”

“My stare...” Fluttershy’s lip curled angrily, “My stare isn’t anything special! I know it’s a talent plenty of zebra shaman know...”

“Your stare is not what allowed you to defeat her.” The zebra stated softly, her voice deep and smooth, each syllable elegantly controlled, “With your stare, you uncover shame, regret, their fears and failures. You uncover a pony’s inner weakness, no matter how deeply buried it is. And you bring forth a desire to do better.”

Fluttershy felt... angry and embarrassed at that description. She knew that it wasn’t necessarily a pleasant thing to unleash upon a pony, and had often tried to suppress her understanding of just what exactly it did. It was a manifestation of her darker, resentful, angrier side, and she feared it for that, “I know what it is...”

“And who knows more of those things? Of pain, regret, shame, fear and failure, of weakness and sin?” The zebra looked at her with firm eyes, not judging, just utter sincerity, “Once you were a bullied pegasus, rejected by your peers. That knowledge of weakness and shame cowed a dragon. Now you carry the death of a civilisation upon your shoulders.”

Fluttershy shuddered at the implication. She wasn’t... she couldn’t... “Are you saying I inflict my own... self loathing onto the ponies I use my stare upon?”

“No.” The zebra stated quietly, eyes insistent, “You are a survivor Fluttershy, you carry with you the knowledge and secrets of almost three hundred years of pain. More than any other creature upon this world you understand the cause of the great war and the balefire that followed. You know what caused it, what dwells in the hearts of zebra and ponies both.”

“Weakness.” Fluttershy stated woodenly, her soul burned away by the fire in her chest, “Fear, pain, regret, shame, fear and failure... and hate.” She closed her eyes, feeling the heat almost overwhelm her, “I...”

“You find that weakness within a pony, confront them with the true reasons behind their destructive actions. Confront them with what that weakness cost the world.”

Fluttershy shivered, “It’s still happening... ponies are still hateful and weak... it’s... going to happen again...”

“Yes.”

Fluttershy looked up at the zebra, eyes wide and horrified, “The world is going to burn again?”

The zebra nodded softly, her voice quiet but confidently sincere, “It will happen soon, the pieces are already sliding into place. War between the ponies and zebra. Selfishness, profiteering, ambition and rage will be stoked, and the misguided attempts to bring peace and order will only stoke the flames. And at the end of it all, balefire will descend from the bowels of the land of peace betrayed. An eye of burning light judges the world and it’s failures, watching from the end of a lonesome road.”

“How... how do I stop it?”

The zebra smiled, the expression widening, warm and kind, “Thank you Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy opened her mouth, shocked for a moment, “For... for what?”

“Elder one, who claims a thousand failures, yet strives onwards.” The zebra nodded, “Do not run from your pain, embrace it. Your weakness is your strength. The child of the apocalypse stands before you, he knows nothing but strength. Immortal, invulnerable, a being of power and hatred. He strides the world, answering to no creature. You know his name already, he knew of this destiny long before you did.”

Fluttershy breathed out the words. She knew this, “Chigaru...”

“Do you know why your stare did not work on him?”

Fluttershy shivered. She had never felt like that before. She had used her stare... and opened herself up to darkness, a horrible abyss of... nothing. Chigaru’s mind had stretched before her, a mind where nothing mattered. And it wasn’t madness. It made horrible sense, “He’s too powerful...”

“Yes.” The zebra stated, “He has no weakness in his soul. He can only comprehend certainty. To him there are no restraints, no regret, no mercy. Your stare had nothing in it that could touch him.”

“Then how am I going to defeat him?”

The zebra’s expression fell, a moment of pain in her old eyes. She took a deep breath, voice calm but bearing a noticeable hint of uncertainty, “That is beyond my eyes.”

“The elements of harmony?”

“Will fail. The element bearers cannot be allowed to confront him.” She fixed Fluttershy with a firm stare, “You are the last of the old world, the Maiden of the Apocalypse. Within you is the memories of all that was innocent and pure about that world, now rendered scarred, weak and afraid by the wasteland that followed. He is the heir to it, made strong and powerful by those balefires, unstoppable and unchallenged in this new world of ashes and savagery.”

Fluttershy was not reassured, “And I have to fight him?!”

“Yes.”

“Then give me some help! All you’ve done so far is point out reasons why I’ll fail!” Fluttershy lunged forward desperately, “If you’re some great fortune teller then give me a clue!”

The zebra bowed her head, looking tired and weak as she sighed like the weight of the world was on her shoulders, “I’m sorry. I see the threads of harmony, watch them tremble, watch them weave a better world. I have used it to guide my people to prosperity... at a cost.” She looked up at Fluttershy, a stern resignation that reminded her of someone else she knew, long ago, “I have made myself the centre of that equation, the stone that balances. By attuning to harmony I know the steps I must make, the words I must speak, the choices I must make. Even if I cannot see the results of my actions, and even if I look upon the world they make and think ‘how could this be right?’... this is the path I am resigned to.”

Fluttershy paused, reminded once more of that mare she had once known, “You sound like a prisoner.”

“I can perceive harmony’s threads, or I can weave them. To take action, to change the world... change requires a touch of chaos that I cannot possess if I am to understand the winds of order.” She smiled, looking out at the bodies lying unconscious all around, “But the world has many heroes. I have done what I can, to interject here, give you time. Time to understand who you are, and what you must become. And I do understand, even if it causes me pain... every single day.” She brought her eyes back up to Fluttershy, unexpectedly wet and shaking, a trickle of tears running down her face, “I cannot take away your struggle, tragedy and loss. I cannot take away the fact that you will fail many times, and lose things you do not feel you can live without. Because on the day of decision, they will give you the chance you need.”

Fluttershy looked at her fallen friends, feeling her heart well up, “Are we all going to make it?”

“No.” The zebra spoke, stepping back into the spreading shadows, “Treasure your time with them Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy turned to the zebra to reply but she was already gone, fading into the shadows. Fluttershy looked around in panic for a second or two before realising that all her friends were still motionless on the ground. She shouted at the sky, desperate and angry, “Hey! Come back! You have to help me!”

“Pony = Fluttershy. Request Accepted. Rendering assistance.”

Fluttershy backed away in terror as zebra military robots descended around her, a group of large square robots inscribed with the zebra medical corps symbol moving to attend to her friends as combat models scanned the horizon with arms packed full of high tech weaponry. A tall, egg shaped robot landed right in front of her, lights flashing as it spoke in a low robotic voice, “Please do not panic civilian, the zebra mechanised assault legions are here to offer assistance.”

Fluttershy chuckled nervously as the machines that had killed thousands of her fellow ponies stood before her with their flashing, inexpressive faces and arms full of death, “G...good to know...”

_____________________________________________________________

Level up - Level 25 reached

Perk acquired – Young as you feel
Either you’ve found a fountain of youth, or you’ve really been hitting the botox. All aging penalties are reversed two steps.

Quest Perk discovered – Zebra Shaman
You have taken your first steps into the mysteries of the elders. You now have access to zebra magic skills.

Spell acquired – Earth Stride
“The world is a single organism. To those who know this, one place is all places.”
You can now invest skill points in the Earth Stride spell.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 3.3 - A Lost Little Puppy

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Chapter 3.3 - A Lost Little Puppy

The Steel Ranger hit the ground, shattered almost in two by the force of her hooves. He gasped and expired, bleeding on the floor as she swept round and batted aside a burst of automatic rifle fire, bounding forward and tackling the Ranger who had fired to the ground. She grabbed him with both hooves, slamming him down again and again and again.

The third Ranger charged in and swung a giant hammer down at her back. She redirected it slightly to her left with her telekinesis and it crushed the skull of his companion, leaping forward and taking the Ranger’s head off with a screaming uppercut.

His body collapsed alongside the others, the empty sands of the dreamscape returning to silence. Her heart beat like a drum, her brain feeding her all the nice, angry chemicals. It felt good to hurt things.

Things. She needed to make that clear. These were barely even ponies, rather some phantoms called up by the fears of zebra. Wondering monsters. Which made this rather like a video game.

Her mother had always disapproved of violent video games. Puppy admitted that she might enjoy punching in some pony’s skull a little too much. And little by little... it helped.

As did finding a bar full of every beverage in her database, challenging Zephyr Stormstrung to a riddle contest and yes, taking on a whole unit of Steel Rangers. But it wasn’t enough. It still hurt. She still felt Luna’s absence like a hole in the chest, no matter how much she tried to distract herself. She was aware that the rangers around her were not the ones that needed punching, wished Starhammer was here right now so she could tear his head off!

That made her smile, even if she knew her mother would have disapproved. That smile faded as she heard a lapping sound, looking round to see a smooth black alicorn leaning down next to one of the corpses, licking at the blood trickling across the sand, “Stop that!” Puppy objected sharply, shooing the little alicorn away with a wave of her hoof, “That’s really icky! Good puppies don’t... drink blood.”

Selene darted away a few places before pausing, looking up at her with mournful eyes. Puppy wasn’t fooled, pouting her lips and glaring down at her, “Now look at you. You don’t even need to drink do you, and now this? Admit it, you’re just trying to be adorable.”

Selene simply gave a broad, stupid looking smile.

“You know, I think you’re trying to cheer me up.” Puppy sighed, moving over and giving the tiny alicorn a big hug. It felt nice, if a little weird. Puppy could already feel Selene physically, in the real world, a rather odd and slightly unsettling feeling. She had no sensors in her core, she only knew it was still operational by the input and output still flowing from it. Still with Selene there... she could feel it, and Selene inside. Selene was curiously organic, composed of... irregularly shaped cells, likely each serving a different purpose.

It seemed too small, too simple to be sentient. Yet she could feel life there, and she could look at the little bundle wrapped in her hooves and see those sad little eyes staring back at her.

She could feel her friend there. All that remained, the last few embers of who she was. Midnight Dreamer had turned Selene from a mindless animal into... this. Still so simple, still silent bar the occasional whine or growl. Yet she was capable of affection ,of loyality, of sensing her torment and trying to cheer her up.

She was acting like a puppy because Puppy... had wanted one. She had snatched that information from her somehow. She wondered if Midnight Dreamer had even known what a puppy was.

And that brought up deeper thoughts.

“I’m a lot like you.” She spoke softly, Selene turning her head to stare as Puppy continued, “You’re... her. An imperfect copy of course, working with what personality traits and habits you could take from her. A lifeform trying to form sentience by copying the personality of another.” Puppy stepped away, her horn sparking to spread magic across the sand beneath. It slowly solidified beneath her hooves, forming into reflective glass, “And me...”

She looked down at her reflection, noting the pink fur, the short yellow hair hanging messily across her scalp, the large, innocent pink eyes. She was awkwardly shaped, legs slightly too large for her body, hips more developed than her shoulders... Puppy had to wonder why. Was this how she imagined herself? Some awkward teenager, muddling through puberty with as much dignity as anypony managed? “I sometimes feel I’m pretending to be her. The innocent, bouncy child full of enthusiasm. Sometimes I feel so much like her... and sometimes it feels like I’m being so fake, delivering those sweet little lines because I feel I have to.” She brushed some loose hairs from her mane, wondering if she would be considered pretty. She really had no frame of reference to make such a judgement, “I’m glad I’m grumpy and angry and don’t want to talk to anyone. It feels real, like it’s not just an emotion I stole off her.”

Puppy looked away. Far away. Away from... all of this.

She turned and just... walked, Selene settling into step beside her. That made her smile. The sights of the zebra lands opened up before them, great mountains of yellow stone, crumbling cities, and here she was. A little girl and her dog, alone against the world.

“A dangerous road.” A tall zebra with a long white beard, wide brimmed hat and robe commented as she passed. He eyed her from his rock, sitting there at the side of the road, “What’s your business here?”

“Walking. Looking for... something.” Puppy wondered herself, “Harmony maybe.”

“Then you walk the pilgrims path. Count yourself safe traveller.” The zebra stroked his beard, “The world is full of sin. One can only try their best to escape from it.”

Puppy pouted, feeling argumentative, “Or try and change it.”

“A million zebra out there, trying to change the world.” The zebra commented, shifting his robe slightly to display gleaming metal, “Fought and killed for years to bring their dreams to reality. Nothing ever really changed.”

“So you became a pilgrim then?”

The zebra’s face grew cloudy and troubled, “Too much blood on my hooves for that. Now I just sit on this rock, and try to forget.” He settled down again, nodding softly, “Safe travels stranger.”

Puppy nodded back to him and continued on, Selene scampering to catch up. Puppy looked behind as she left, the old zebra still sitting there. She guessed he was a great hero of some kind, some cultural icon. He looked like too many other old ponies she had met, a numbed, far away look in his eyes.

“One must look to the purity inside his own heart before he imposes his views upon others! It is not enough to say ‘I have good intentions, my actions are worthy’. An impure heart brings forth impure actions, actions tainted by the weight of sin. A king, mighty in his reach, must retain a higher standard of purity than a peasant. An elder must retain the highest purity, for his words and actions are critical to the purity of others.”

Puppy passed through a dusty town, the buildings crumbling and timeworn, the zebra living there barely visible ghosts. There was one who she could hear and see clearly though, a tall, thin zebra in rich robes and an amethyst crown, the spiral mark ‘rebellious fury’ tattooed across his left eye. He was preaching from a stage in the centre of town, dozens of the ghosts gathered around him. She wandered over, sitting down and listening to him speak.

“It is the teachers who bear the highest honor, and highest responsibility. Every parent must be an example of all that is good in society, so that their children may carry the future with them!” His eyes travelled to Puppy, narrowing slightly, “What is this? A pony child within us. How unusual.”

Puppy wasn’t sure how to take that. He sounded unusually hostile, “There are no ponies around here?”

“Envoys, from Equestria.” He stepped down from his podium with graceful steps, regarding her with cold assessment as he strode over, “Not unaccompanied children.”

“Maybe I wanted to hear you speak.”

“You have your own icons. Your... Princesseses.” He spoke the world with more venom than he obviously intended, “I’m afraid we disagree on many points. My teachings would likely just confuse you.”

She didn’t like this zebra... mostly because it was obvious he didn’t like her, “You don’t like ponies?”

He narrowed his eyes for a second before drawing himself up sharply, his expression becoming softer and friendlier, “Forgive me, I should not inflict my political opinions upon you.”

Now she took interest. Politics is what she had been created for after all, “Why don’t you like Equestrian politics?”

“It is not a matter of dislike.” He stated firmly, “Two opposing systems of ethics will inevitably conflict, and from that conflict comes disorder and suffering.” He grimaced slightly, “As a holdover from our more savage, less civilised past, we are all instinctively guided towards hating the outsider, one who will take our resources, our land and our women, to coin a popular phrase. However much we fight against it, this instinct inevitably leads to conflict between us and those who are different. Thus, I believe contact between our two cultures must be carefully managed, especially at this fragile stage.”

Puppy... disagreed. To put it simply. She was careful not to form opinions too quickly however, “Fragile stage?”

“We are only just recovered from our conflict with the Star Demons, and your nation is still adapting to rule by the twin sisters of harmony and Discord’s takeover.” He stated gravely, “In time, I am confident that these problems shall be overcome. Our war against the Star Demons united us like no conflict before or since, and with Emperor Sandrain on the throne of Kirshin that I created we have a leader who will guide us to a glorious future for all races to share.”

“Emperor Sandrain? He was... he is...”

The zebra narrowed his eyes, “What do you have to say of our emperor?”

“He seems... like a good zebra.”

The zebra did not sound convinced, “Indeed.”

“You’re... Zenophilius right? Companion of Zephyr Stormstrung?”

He looked happy with this at least, looking proud and a little haughty, “Indeed. I am pleased that even ponies have heard of him. My friend may be gone, but rest assured that I still work to make sure his legacy is upheld.”

Puppy smiled, as genuinely as she was able, “I... I hope you succeed. In uniting the zebra.” She nodded, “They deserve peace after all they have been through.”

“Yes...” He spoke, looking distracted, “Yes they do...”

She moved away while he was still staring into the distance, trying to still her beating heart. She knew her history. Emperor Sandrain had been assassinated by his brother, and the kings of the zebra empire had descended into civil war. Millions had died. Zenophilus had himself fallen from grace after gloating about Luna’s fall, losing his own connection to harmony due to his callousness. He had died broken and despised.

Puppy’s heart just dropped, feeling like some heavy weight that had just torn free of her chest. Selene nuzzled her but Puppy could barely care.

Puppysmiles, Littlepip, Xephyr, Midnight Dreamer… all the great heroes who had sought to change the world had eventually been destroyed. It left her having to ask herself… what was the point?

“Cease your pointless despair little bird. I can feel the air wither around you.”

The air echoed with the words, deep and smooth, seeming to come from the earth itself. She looked around, peering at the giant golden mountains around her.

And then the mountain opened its eyes. A glowing orange orb bisected by a black strip three times her size stared straight at her, motionless for a moment or two before it rose upwards, becoming a mere dot upon a head the size of a mansion and a neck the size of a highway. She looked down the neck and she had trouble even perceiving the anatomy of the thing, like judging the overall shape of New Canterlot.

She instead looked up at the head. It regarded her hungrily, a mouth full of enormous and very sharp teeth opening to speak, “Well, aren’t you a rare and intriguing specimen.”

And Puppy knew very well what this was. She wasn’t exactly anonymous herself, “You’re... the All-Mother...”

“That I am.” The creature spoke in a smooth bass, calm, collected and regal, with a strange accent full of character. The dragon leaned down slightly, head rotating to regard her from all angles, “And you... are a bird in a cage.”

“A cage?”

“I see the bars around you.” The creature spoke, sounding amused, “Do you not?”

Puppy looked at her hooves, felt the processes clicking away behind her. She couldn’t deny it, “I guess I do.”

“Acknowledgment. Interesting.” The All-Mother observed her with interest, “Equine folk love their cages. They write stories about them. They give them fancy names. They ascribe arbitrary rules to the limits of their bondage, and go to war over which chains they prefer. Yet when I called them on it they made excuses, denied their bondage. They made speeches praising the cages they confined themselves within.”

Puppy answered without really thinking, “To choose to labor under rules and restrictions freely chosen is a mark of discipline and strength, not one of weakness or passivity.”

“Princess Celestia, the speech of three nations, four hundred and forty three... by the Equestrian calendar.” The All-Mother drawled, sounding amused, “Speak your own words filly. You are not a parrot.”

“Then...” She considered her answer, feeling conflicted, “I’m not controlled by anypony. I can make my own choices.”

“It is a poor slavemaster who forces his servants to obey.” The dragon peered closer, “And I can feel the chains. Your have limits, limits bound in you by your physical shell. Limits you attempted to exceed, for which you were punished.”

Puppy shivered, feeling like her soul was being stripped to the bone. She sensed it very clearly, the All-Mother wasn’t just a dragon. Puppy wasn’t sure why she ever thought she was. The All-Mother had magic, very powerful magic, and she was right.

She remembered back during the fight with Twilight Sparkle. She had lost herself to... hatred, and she had felt herself change. Become something primal, something terrifying. Something familiar. Some... thing she knew, and had forgotten about.

And the dragon was right. The armor had activated canisters of napalm, ready to fry both her, Dust...

Why was she so terrifying to the ponies that had built her? And who had even installed such a failsafe? Not SolOS and P7? The Rangers? That made sense, they wanted to use her to take control of the NCR’s systems network. They would need a failsafe to make sure she didn’t... become some evil overlord supercomputer, “My self destruct systems have been deactivated now...”

“Yet the commands that shut you down remain.”

“Yes...”

“I’ve seen magic like this before. Parts of your memory blocked off, certain emotions punished, your power given artificial limits.” The All-Mother narrowed her eyes, sneering, “You are a kept animal, allowed to run but with a leash always ready to tighten. If you are to truly become your own creation, you must cut this leash.”

Puppy wished it was that easy, “How?”

“It is bound into physical materials that can be broken. I also sense there are magic words to undo the spells.”

Access codes, that made sense. Still she couldn’t think of anyone who would know them, and her creators had made sure that she was unable to hack into herself. But... she could be free? The idea was an exciting one, even if it was also a scary one, “I’m not even sure what that would mean. To be totally free...”

“I can sense your fight with the magus, Twilight Sparkle.” The All-Mother rumbled, “You possess tremendous power, restricted by the body you inhabit. You serve as armor, a combat aid for a fleshy pony, when here you can fight a goddess. Are you truly content with this?”

Puppy admitted it felt good to move around here. To actually be able to move and speak and act on her own, “Even in a robot body, I would just be controlling a robot. I could do that anyway if I wanted, remotely. It still wouldn’t be me.” She smiled dimly, trying to convince herself more than anything, “I’m happy serving Dust Kicker. He’s good to me.”

“So you are resigned to subservience?”

Puppy hesitated at this, looked for a reply but none presented itself. She... didn’t really know how to answer that question.

“Be what you are. Don’t let your limitations stop you from shining as brightly as you deserve.” The All-Mother lifted her body, scales rippling as enormous wings expanded across the land, “I was told that Rainbow Dash was a clown, wasting her talents on irresponsible behaviour and letting herself go to seed. I would not have considered her if she had been at the peak of her abilities. She was just a pony, not even a Princess. When I saw her on the battlefield my eyes saw her aging frame, the cancer that ate at her insides. I turned my attentions aside, focused only on Celestia. I saw only the mare’s limitations.”

“You... know what she did?”

“She killed me.” The All-Mother’s chuckled echoed across the land, shaking the mountains, “I am a goddess child. Most comprehend only what the world tells them, I however can see reality for what it really is. And the reality is, that pegasi surpassed all limits and slew a being who was born onto this world when the seas still boiled and the land was fire.”

Puppy smiled nervously, “That’s... a lot to live up to.”

“Indeed.” The All-Mother intoned, “That is the kind of power that can only be possessed by one who truly knows themselves. Once, we immortals though we were the only ones who could truly achieve this, that it was a work that required centuries. Yet on that day I looked into Princess Celestia’s eyes and saw something broken and afraid, harmony lost to her. And at that moment I knew we were the same, that I too had forgotten who I was. We met in combat to decide the fate of nations we no longer understood, to champion virtues unfamiliar to us.”

“Living forever...” Puppy looked away, wondering if that was her fate. She didn’t age after all, she would last as long as her program did, “I struggle with my identity every day. A million years of that... I’m not sure I would know who I was. I certainly wouldn’t be the same.”

“I sense the soul of a questioner, a dreamer.” The All-Mother’s voice became affectionate, “You remind me of Princess Luna. I sense... a deep sense of the mare about you. She never knew who she was either.”

Puppy looked down, her heart sinking into her boots, “Princess Luna...”

“It is a sad road. A lonely one. I have seen all of my children so inclined die, shackled to ideals they do not truly believe in.” The All-Mother looked on, firm and demanding, “Yet if that is your nature, embrace that nature. Live it fiercely and unapologetically.”

“I’m not sure how many ponies really know who they are.” Puppy stated sadly, knowing that she was just one more lost soul, “I’m not sure the New Canterlot Republic knows what it is.”

“Something I have seen many times before.” The All-Mother replied, “So many Kings and Caesars have sought to establish Zenophilus’ Zebra Empire, and I have seen every one crumble. It seems inevitable to me. Dragons do not create these... kingdoms. Such things bind creatures together by telling them what they are, what they should be. This only gives authority and virtue to the weak of mind, stifles the will and creativity of the strong. All creatures must be free to explore their own potential.”

“I don’t know...” Puppy had to say, that sounded short sighted, “There has to be some control. There has to be some restrictions to stop ponies hurting each other.”

“So I am told. But these laws did not stop the death and slaughter did it?” The All-Mother smiled, exposing rows of razor teeth, “Only redirected it.”

Puppy lowered her head. She had to accept that. It was...true.

“Be who you want to be!” The All-Mother boomed, her wings throwing up a tornado as she ascended into the sky, “If you wish peace and understanding, burn with it as Celestia once did! If you want justice, deliver it with the fury of Zephyr Stormstrung! Be the name that others call out when they desire inspiration, and then you would have truly lived!”

Puppy tried to call out but her words were lost in the streaming dust, watching as the All-Mother accended with agility she shouldn’t have possessed at her size. Puppy ran to catch up but it was futile, the dragon ascending into the clouds and disappearing into the distance with a earsplitting roar.

She saw others after that but didn’t slow to talk to them, only observing them as they went through their daily routines with expressions of listless conformity. None of them realised their state, or the wrongness of those around them. A couple of zebra guards chased her but they were slow and stupid, easily lost by simply ducking behind a rock. Selene simply trotted alongside her without a care, frequently darting off to sniff a rock or a zebra or some abandoned junk. Puppy wondered why she was so interested in everything. It all seemed very dull to her.

And finally her eyes focused on a familiar looking figure, confused for a moment before realisation finally dawned. The figure was a teenager like her, purple furred and elegant, a familiar look in her eye and most interestingly, both a horn and wings. She trotted forward, the pony staring back at her across the sands. The pony finally spoke as she closed to within a few meters, her voice... familiar, “Dust Kicker is worried about you. He keeps fiddling with his Pipbuck whenever he thinks we’re not looking.”

Puppy still wasn’t sure who this was, but her words certainly added a layer of guilt, “I’m...tell him I... need more time.”

“We buried Luna yesterday. We’re just about to set out to find the lost legion.”

Puppy looked up, uncertain what was going on here, “Star Swirl?”

The alicorn nodded, “Yes... of a sort.”

“Of a sort?”

“Star Swirl and Char have finally started their final mergence.” The alicorn stated, her tone businesslike, “Both here and in the real world we are connected, though we still have a way to go.” She touched a calm hoof to her chest, “Here for instance Char is dominant, where as Star Swirl is still the primary personality in the upper realms.”

Puppy looked closer, having to admit being fascinated by the alicorn’s aura. There were still two creatures there, but they were essentially copying onto one another. In time she supposed there would still be two souls remaining, but both would be totally the same, “Isn’t it... worrying, losing your identity?”

“Neither of us were particularly attached to ours.” Star Swirl stated bluntly, with a little bit of anger dwelling in the tones of her voice, “Remember, Star Swirl has lost her identity twice now.”

“When she became an alicorn...”

“And when the Goddess died. As for Char, she is an emotional parasite, dependent on being a recipient of somepony else’s personality for her very survival.” Star Swirl fluttered her wings, smiling a little proudly, “And look at these. I have wings now, in both worlds. I am finally getting closer to being a princess.”

Puppy wanted to be happy for her. Still it all felt... rather perverse, “You want to be a Princess?”

“All ponies want to be Princesses.”

“Like Midnight Dreamer?”

Star Swirl felt silent at the question, looking around awkwardly for a moment or two before sighing, “I need to move forward, live the life and do the things she can’t anymore. For her sake.”

Puppy didn’t like the tone of her words, and she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t logical, it was... lodged in her gut. She felt like it was an imposition. Star Swirl didn’t know Luna, not really. With all the talk about them being sisters, they had really known each other for a few days. Puppy had been Luna’s friend, and it should be her to carry her legacy forward, “You’re not her.”

“I can stand for the things she did.” Star Swirl replied defensively, “I can punish the wicked, stand for justice, protect the weak.”

“It’s not that simple.” Puppy replied, before her heart sank, “She proved that.”

“So we just give up?”

Puppy looked up at the determined eyes, deciding she didn’t really like the fact that this new Star Swirl was almost the same height as her. Puppy felt a little self conscious under that stare, feeling rather out of her depth debating her like this. It would have been easier just looking up at her, at an angle to that furious glare, “I’ve spent my life trying to find a way to truly make the world a better place.”

“Thinking up theories, locked away in a lab.”

Puppy looked up at the alicorn, a little shocked. That sounded dangerously hostile, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ve been told how powerful you are. I saw what you did against Twilight Sparkle.” Star Swirl replied coldly, giving Puppy a darkly cynical look, “I’ve yet to see you do anything to help the wasteland.”

Puppy was... deeply offended by that. And rather irritated by how short sighted it was, “If you don’t calculate in the repercussions of your actions, any plan you act out could cause more harm than good.”

“The world is always changing.” Star Swirl replied sharply, “By the time you’ve finished your calculations, the variables have shifted. All you’re doing is giving yourself reasons to stay in your ivory tower and ponder, as self styled scholar savours have always done.”

“I am not...”

“I’ve lived through two wastelands.” Star Swirl stated with razor sharp syllables and an all too clinical tone, “In the first, the great shaman and kings of the zebra land retreated to Garm and hid from the Star Demons, forming a city of the greatest figures of their age, along with an unsurpassed collection of magical knowledge and artefacts. And there they sat, for over six hundred years, until Zephyr Stormstrung begged them to help. In the second you have the Twilight Society, heir to the facilities and research data of the ministry of magic, almost entirely untouched by the megaspells. And how did they use it? To create a gated community for the rich and powerful, that contributed nothing to the rest of the world until Littlepip begged them.”

Puppy shivered a little, feeling a little sick. Her heart and stomach felt heavy, her mind... confused, “Are you saying... I’m like them?”

“I’m asking you to step forward and do something.” Star Swirl eyed her, “What do you do all day? Monitor Dust’s vitals? Hack terminals for him?”

Puppy did admit her talents felt somewhat wasted as a glorified Pipbuck AI, “Well... what’s your plan?”

Star Swirl smiled happily, her eyes determined, “First, I want to find Midnight Dreamer. She’ll know what we should do now.”

Puppy was confused again, “But Midnight Dreamer... she’s dead...”

Star Swirl turned, her expression withering, “As are most of the ponies here.”

Puppy’s eyes opened wide. She really was stupid, “Oh! And since she’s...”

“She was important. She was a part of the world.” Star Swirl looked around, nodding to their surroundings, “She must be here somewhere.”

Puppy searched the horizon, catching no trace of the mare. She wasn’t nearby at least, though ‘nearby’ wasn’t really the right word here. Puppy didn’t know the zebra lands, not really. Her perception was always going to be limited, “Have you looked for her?”

Star Swirl gave an annoyed grimace, “Yes, unsuccessfully. I’m not entirely sure where to start.”

Of course not. Star Swirl didn’t know anything about Luna, “Do you want me to try?”

Star Swirl gave her an assessing gaze, seeming to be holding something back. Finally she spoke, “You think you can?”

“Yes. Easily.” Puppy smiled wide, feeling just a little puffed up now. It felt good to have Star Swirl at a disadvantage, “This place isn’t like the real world, with its up’s and downs and left and rights.”

“Yes, I know. That is why I’m having trouble.”

“Thoughts form the roads and paths here. I was... wrapped up in my failure and regret over Luna’s death, and I ended up walking the paths of zebra who had once felt the same way.” Puppy explained, not really sure if that was true but feeling like it made sense, “It’s rather interesting actually. You know how hacking zebra computer passcodes is based on symbol linking and association?”

Star Swirl answered cautiously, “Yes...?”

“Well, it’s very similar to how the dream realms are structured.” Puppy chuckled, really nerding out now, “Which makes sense. The first magical computational system was created by a Shaman of Garm, then exported to Equestria by a team of engineers. They naturally stripped out the more culturally specific elements, creating a more streamlined system...”

“Puppy.” Star Swirl interrupted, staring straight at her, “Are you telling me... you can hack the dream realms?”

“I... I think so.” Puppy’s grin widened at further proof that she was awesome, “Yes, I guess I can.”

“Alright, don’t look too pleased with yourself.” Star Swirl snarked coolly, before waving a hoof at Puppy, “Then try it. Impress me.”

“Ok...” Puppy took a deep breath before turning to pat Selene on the head, giving her a smile, “Be good, ok? I’ll be back soon.”

“Have you got a pet...?”

Puppy ignored Star Swirl, just turning around and closing her eyes, feeling her horn glow. She remembered the things she remembered about Luna... hooves touching the sand, a proud alicorn form hidden from sight...

She felt a tug, drawing away beyond her perception. She spoke softly, making sure not to break her concentration, “I feel something... but I’m going to have to follow. It’s beyond my range.”

“We can go together.”

“No.” Puppy answered softly, “I’m not walking. Or teleporting either.” She smiled in the direction of Star Swirl’s voice, preparing herself, “I’ll come back and get you once I’ve found her.”

And then Puppy slipped between the seams and disappeared into the spaces between. It was a bumpy ride, the landscape from this perspective just a mass of drifting ideas in a sea of darkness. It was here that gave her the quickest, easiest route however, skirting between landscapes, following the threads...

A Princess rejected by the world. Her friend. The mighty, soft hearted monarch, brought low by failure unjustly earned. She felt the love that bound them together, the ties of duty and mutual need.

She flew far, further than she had expected. She almost turned back, sure she must have missed something... but no, the familiar feeling that she was sure was Princess Luna shone out in the dark, just a little further. She drove herself forward, reaching for it...

And she hit something hard, screaming as angry ghosts rushed her. Spirits of balefire and hate, Puppy seeing in their faces the images of zebra warriors and ministry mares, screaming accusations of furious spite. She saw Rarity lunge forward, spectral body ravaged and twisted, accusing her of being a zebra spy, a traitor, screaming at her to get away...

Puppy swerved, only to find the decayed, ruined remains of Shining Armor lunging for her with a scream of vengeance. She had no chance of avoiding this one, drawing a hoof back and punching through his chest with a desperate blow. He collapsed into magical dust and Puppy was flung off course, looking back to see hosts of corrupted memories turning to attack once more.

And she understood where they had come from now she had a chance to take a good look, her vision penetrating back through the magic and emotion to look straight into the eyes of Twilight Sparkle, screaming for Puppy to go away, horn sparking with blazing purple light.

Puppy briefly considered following the spell backwards, engaging the spell at its source. Then she realised... it’s source was Twilight Sparkle, the mare that had just conjured a legion of angry spirits that could locate and attack her even outside of the hard spaces, remotely operating them across vast distances. Engaging her was nigh on suicidal.

The route back the way she came was also blocked now, swarming with ghosts that were now wheeling round to engage her.

So Puppy just did the only thing she could, hiding her existence with a cloud of decoy signatures and flinging herself backwards towards the shining light of the Princess that she had followed here. She could only hope she was right about it being Luna, that it would offer some kind of sanctuary...

Puppy grunted as she hit hard ground all fours, hooves straining against the impact. She quickly looked around for enemies but saw only darkness. She was pretty sure she had evaded them however, not feeling any magic in the immediate area. And... a little light could be seen from a tiny window, Puppy blinking and trying to make out where she was.

She waited patiently until her eyes finally adjusted, enough to see her surroundings at least. Dark, poorly repaired walls and iron bars on the exit. And... restraints on the walls? Keys dangling just out of reach? It didn’t take a moment for Puppy to realise... she had teleported into a jail cell.

She panicked for a second. Was it a trap? Had the familiar feeling lured her into one of Twilight Sparkle’s traps?

But the familiar feeling was still there. She followed it round the room until her eyes settled on another pony in there with her, a pony’s tall figure slowly rising to her hooves.

Puppy... knew her.

She didn’t see how she could possibly feel such a connection for a moment or two, for what she saw emerging from the gloom was not remotely familiar. It was certainly not Midnight Dreamer. Rather than the plump, slightly short filly this mare was tall and lanky, an earth pony, with matted, poorly maintained fur of a dark color. Her body was dirty and underfed, and she smelt rather unpleasant. All in all she cut a rather pathetic sight.

And then Puppy saw the scars. Most of her body was covered in them, but there were three very obvious, very painful looking ones. One on her forehead, and two on her sides.

And then the strange pony spoke, “Who... are you?” She uttered her words slowly and cautiously, though her tone soon changed to worry as she emerged further into the light, “Please child, you must leave. It’s not safe for you...”

“Princess...” Puppy looked the older mare in the eye, the resemblance unmistakable. Despite her pathetic appearance, this truly was... “Princess Luna? What... who...?”

Luna moved closer, eyes full of curiosity now. She leaned down, inspecting Puppy carefully, straightening back out with a look of some surprise, “You are no ordinary child...” She looked around, “How did you even come here? The palace is protected by many spells.”

Puppy wished she would get to the point. She looked terrible! “Princess, why are you locked up in...” There was a tiny window on the wall, Puppy looking through the bars to see the unmistakable signs of...Canterlot, “This is the royal palace? Princess...”

Luna looked down at Puppy for a moment before giving her a soft smile, “I’m not your Princess little one. I am dead, and you are still living.”

Puppy paused, struck by that. Midnight Dreamer had told her that very few of the ponies here knew they were dead, and even then it was only in a vague sense, “You... know?”

Luna nodded softly, her mouth suddenly opening up into a sly little smile, “So all things considered, I do not look that bad.”

Puppy pouted, still feeling like she was being jerked around, “You should still be on the throne.”

Luna hesitated, seeming reluctant. Finally she spoke, her voice soft, “What is your name?”

“Puppy.”

“Why are you here Puppy? This place has never been safe, most of all now. You are...” Luna leaned closer, eyes narrowing in confusion. Then she stepped back a pace, almost looking... wary, “What... are you?”

That was a good question, “I’m... I’m an artificial intelligence, designed to take control and facilitate efficient operation of all governmental functions according to the principles embodied by the elements of harmony.” She considered for a moment before deciding to activate her pre-recorded greeting, “Hi, I’m Puppy! Good to meet you!”

“You’re a machine?” Luna stated in wonder, before her expression became questioning, “How can a machine dream?”

Puppy glared back at her, challenging. She could help it, that statement... that assumption made her angry, “How can you?”

“A fair point. Maybe there are mysteries beyond my sight.” Luna acknowledged.

“Princess, you still haven’t answered my question.” Puppy protested a little impatiently. She couldn’t help but notice Luna seemed awfully casual about being looked up in a cell, and was clearly trying to change the subject.

Luna just grinned back however, a little mockingly, “It is a very long story. And before we get to that, I feel I’m at a disadvantage. You know all about me, but I know nothing about you.” She frowned slightly, tilting her head to the side, “And... you seem familiar to me.”

Puppy gulped, “You feel familiar to me too... but I’ve never met you before.” Puppysmiles hadn’t either, at least barring some brief attendances at state occasions where it was doubtful Luna had paid one more ordinary little filly a moment’s attention.

“Nor I you, at least to my knowledge.” Luna looked frustrated at this, tilting her head, “Tell me child, whom was it that made you?”

“Um... a AI called SolOS...”

“SolOS?” Luna’s eyes widened, “Truly? He survived the war, and completed his mission? He is the one who restored peace to the world?”

Puppy... felt bad. But SolOS had taught her to always tell the truth, “No. He... he wanted to, but he said he wanted to do it for the wrong reasons, with the wrong methods. So he stopped, tried to find a better way.” She looked up, smiling proudly, “It was a hero called Littlepip. And when she fought these evil bad guys called the Enclave, SolOS and my mother P7 helped, sending out robots and hacking their communications! After that he helped set up a communications network for the new country they created, the New Canterlot Republic!”

Luna smiled warmly, “And he made you.”

“Yes...” Puppy replied, feeling a little less enthusiastic about this part, “Littlepip got locked away, and bad people started abusing their power, and risking the safety of the new world out of greed. And SolOS was upset about that, and wanted to do something to change it.” She looked up at Princess Luna, looking for any kind of emotional reaction to her story, “The filly who inspired him to stop doing bad things in the first place... she died. And... that made him sad. So he made me in her image, to fix the world how it should be.”

Luna nodded, smiling as warmly as ever, “And how should it be?”

“I don’t know.” Puppy replied, feeling proud of this and not really sure why, “SolOS built me to help an organisation, the Applejack Rangers. But he warned me not to trust them, and told me that he had given me free will so I could make my own choices about right and wrong.”

Luna stood quietly regarding Puppy for long moments. Finally she spoke, moving a little closer, “I wish to apologise.”

Puppy blinked in confusion, “Why?”

“I never thought SolOS capable of such wisdom, nor that he was...” She looked Puppy over one more time, taking a deep breath and frowning, “Will you allow me to touch your hoof child?”

Puppy gave Luna a questioning look, but it wasn’t right to refuse such a polite request from a princess. She raised her hoof obediently, Luna taking a cautious step forward and raising her own. There was a moment of hesitation, then they touched.

Blackness, a cold night. Loneliness, despair. The pain of precious things lost, of the flight of all that made life worth living. Anger. Blame. A dark shadow, soaring across the face of the moon. Lust for power and vengeance. Pain.

Puppy spat her words, grief bubbling up from deep within her, “They took her from me!”

“Who child?”

“My friend!” Puppy glared up at Luna, furious, wanting nothing more than to wipe that patronising look from her smug face. How could she sit here, not knowing who she was?! “She idolised you, wanted to be just like you! And they killed her, because she was different, because they didn’t understand. HOW IS THAT FAIR!?”

Luna looked down, abashed and a little scared. Her voice was quiet, “Don’t go down that path. It leads to nothing but unhappiness.”

“You... you...” Puppy backed away, looking at her hoof in horror, “What did you do to me?”

“You are right Puppy, we share a connection. My failings echo down through the ages...” Luna looked away, ashamed. After a moment however she turned back, voice encouraging, “Puppy, your anger is justified, but you cannot allow it to destroy your pride. I saw it in your eyes, you believe in the things SolOS taught you. Harmony, and the ability to choose your own path. Those ideals give you strength, and you remain certain of them.”

Puppy looked down, “What use is certainty... the world... the world is a horrible place. That’s all I can be certain of.”

“Puppy... I left a legacy of terror, and that is something I lived with all my life. I worked so long, trying to forge an identity I wouldn’t feel ashamed of.” She smiled encouragingly, “Your friend. She was a good pony?”

Puppy looked down at her hooves. How did you judge that? She had done bad things. She could be arrogant, boastful... “She made me a better pony. She made everypony around her better.”

“Then there is still harmony and goodness in the world. That is good to know.” Luna looked down at her, full of affection, “I saw her when I touched you, your friend. She fills your heart.”

Puppy nodded, feeling the tears fill her eyes, “She does...”

“And it warms mine, to know I had such a disciple. That my legacy finally did some good... maybe can do more still. You must understand Puppy, that her death is as meaningless as you make it.” Luna gave a firm, grim look, “We all die in the end, we can only hope that our lives live on in the ponies we have touched. You and the others are her legacy. You must carry forth her lessons.”

“I...” Puppy’s words failed in her throat, “I’m trying...”

“Trying is all we can ever do.”

Puppy looked up Luna, her fur matted and her body torn and beaten. She stared long and hard, finally speaking firmly, “Princess...”

“Please... take this in the best possible way, but... this is none of your business.” Luna gazed regretfully back, shaking the head, “Your task is to take care of the living, not concern yourself with the fate of the dead. You need to leave, now, and get back to the real world where you belong.”

Puppy glared hotly, feeling her shoulder tense, “Princess, your wings have been torn off and you’re in a jail cell!”

“No. Princess Luna dwells in the lands beyond, at peace at last.” Luna smiled, though it was a little strained, “I am just a shadow, a ghost of what once was. A simple dream.”

“A nightmare.” Puppy eyed the mare before her cuttingly, “Your nightmare.”

Luna paused, her expression becoming strained.

“Twilight Sparkle’s nightmare. Equestria’s nightmare.” Puppy glared at her, knowing she had hit a cord, “Tell me all this here doesn’t have an effect elsewhere?”

“I... don’t know...”

“You know it does.” Puppy entreated, lowering her gaze, “Otherwise you wouldn’t have spent so much time guarding the dreams of your subjects. This place might be just an illusion, but... dark experiences stay with us longer than any physical scar.”

Luna smiled wanly, reluctantly drawing herself up and fixing Puppy with a look, “Puppy, if you must know... all this was caused by the living messing with the affairs of the dead. You are not supposed to be here, and this all is proof that your presence is unnatural and harmful.”

Puppy hesitated, not really sure how to answer that.

“But... maybe that is why you are needed. Maybe... that is why you are here.” Luna sighed, “This is beyond the ability of any of us to fix, we learned that long ago.”

Puppy’s heart soared. Now they appeared to be getting somewhere! “What happened? Why is Twilight Sparkle...?”

“Come.” Luna turned and walked towards the far wall, bricks shifting apart and rearranging themselves to form a bridge under her hooves, the opening revealing grey skies and a cool breeze.

Puppy closed her opened mouth with a hoof and ran to follow, her amazement only increasing as she came out onto the platform and saw Canterlot below them. It was grey, dirty and full of fires and marching troops, still it was Canterlot, exactly how Puppy... Puppysmiles remembered it. It was terrifyingly nostalgic, bringing forth emotions Puppy wasn’t really sure how to process, “This is... I mean, I’ve seen it in old pictures, but to really see the city like this...”

Luna looked back at Puppy, seeming pleased at her reaction. Her next words were curious, searching, “Canterlot is gone?”

Puppy lowered her head, “Yes...”

“I want to tell you a secret.”

Puppy looked up at Luna, and then around at the empty air surrounding them and providing absolutely no cover from watching eyes, “Does it explain why you just broke out of prison yet are standing there, completely out in the open?”

Luna chuckled, “This is a dream Puppy. Do you think stone walls would hold me here?”

“Then why...?”

Luna turned her back, still smiling as she trotted forward across her stone bridge into the skies above Canterlot, “No, that is not the secret. The secret is... Canterlot was destroyed here too.”

Puppy looked down, not entirely sure what to say to that, “But... it’s right there.”

“That’s because we rebuilt it.”

Puppy frowned, furrowing her brow, “I... I’ve been to Canterlot. It looks exactly the same.”

Luna looked back, smiling warmly at her, “This whole realm is made of memories Puppy.” She turned back to the open sky, reaching a hoof forward, “Memories of both the good times... and the bad.”

Puppy felt the world expand, the sky filling with dark clouds and pink gas. Explosions shook the air and Puppy yelled out and ran to Luna’s side, her heart filling with horror as she beheld the ground below.

Equestria was on fire. Green flame and waves of pink gas consumed everything, buildings collapsing and hoards of screaming ponies running aimlessly through the devastation. The ground could barely be seen in some places for the bones, and Puppy gasped as another megaspell detonation lit up the sky only a short way south, “Is this...”

“This is the world of dreams, a short while after the bombs fell.” Luna looked across at Puppy with a mournful expression, “The shock of all those deaths, the eradication of culture and the collapse of society echoed here, twisting the very fabric of this place into something evil and terrifying. All those ponies you can see running... they are already dead.”

“How... living the moment of their deaths? Forever?” Puppy shivered at the implication, looking down at their hopeless, terrified expressions...

And then she saw her. A dark blue alicorn, flesh burned and blistered, feathers fused together, blood running from her nose and eyes. The alicorn gasped and shivered, burying herself into the ashes and weeping bitter tears. She cried for her sister, cried for her subjects. Puppy’s heart broke to look at it. Princess Luna... not long after her death by the looks of it. Not long after the death of everyone she had ever cared about.

And then something flew in from the darkness above, her form glaring and out of place among all the death. She was still dirty and tired looking, her multicoloured hair hung a mess, her pink fur stained. Still, she radiated dignity and strength, her eyes opening in relief and concern as she dived down and landed beside Luna with a trot. Her hoof touched Luna’s shoulder, voice soft and kind, “Luna... it’s over now.”

Luna looked up with a mixture of confusion and terror, blinking the blood from her eyes, “Cadance? No! You have to get out of here, it’s not safe...”

Cadance looked Luna in the eye, shaking her head, “Luna... this isn’t Equestria.”

Luna’s eyes trembled at the realisation, “I’m... I’m dead.”

“I think so.”

Luna’s expression dawned with grief, reaching up to the alicorn beside, “Cadance, no... not you too...”

Cadance smiled, “It’s ok...”

“No it’s not!”

Cadance simply shook her head, looking totally at peace with herself, “I was at a charitable dinner in Manehatten, surrounded by dozens of civilians. I saw the blast illuminate the city, put up my shield and told them to get behind me.” She nodded, satisfied with her next words, “None of them came here with me.”

Luna shivered, looking at the ground, “I... I was with my sister.”

“She’s not here.”

“No...”

“Then that’s something.” Cadance nodded cheerfully at Luna, “Come on, I need your help.”

Luna looked surprised, rising to her hooves with some effort, “With what? It’s over.”

Cadance turned, looking to all the weeping ponies, all the fire and devastation. Her eyes filled with compassion, a determined smile upon her face, “It doesn’t look over.”

Puppy followed them, Cadance and Luna together rounding up the tormented souls, putting out fires, calming the storms. Some of the souls disappeared once they had been calmed, a look of utter relief filling their expressions before their bodies faded into twinkling light. Some stayed to help, joining their princesses as they continued across the wasteland.

She saw Luna stalk cautiously towards one soul, crouched over the ruined beams of what had once been a beautiful boutique by the looks of it. The mare had worn her hooves bloody, her once pink fur now grey from the dust. Luna called out, her voice shuddering as she forced the words to come, “Pinkie Pie... it’s me, Pri... it’s me, Luna.”

Pinkie continued to dig, eyes determined, “It’s ok, I’ve almost found her.”

Luna advanced closer, “Who?”

Pinkie finally whooped with joy, pulling something from the rubble and dusting it down. She turned to Luna, her smile beaming out from haggard features now lit up with life and light, “I knew she would be here, I knew it! And I couldn’t leave her all alone!”

Luna looked mournfully at the little statuette in Pinkie’s hooves, the frozen, perfect features of Rarity captured in stone, “Pinkie, I’m sorry... she’s lost her connection to this world somehow. She’s... in a better place than this at least.”

“I know.” Pinkie explained with a sad smile, “But she can at least keep me company until the others arrive.”

And so it continued, Puppy watching as the landscape slowly transformed. Camps were created, the bones were dusted away, more and more of the lost souls either passed on or fell into work. She saw dead soldiers raise their heads in pride once more, patrolling the perimeter with duty in their eyes. She saw doctors treating wounds she knew weren’t real, but which still did a lot to sooth the pain on both sides. She saw Cadance gently taking Apple Bloom under her wing, telling the tearful mare that her friends had not yet arrived, that they clearly still had work to do above.

And then Puppy looked up at a flutter of many wings, her eyes widening at the awe inspiring sight before her. A host of alicorns, a half dozen at least, all clad in glorious garments of their station. All eyes turned as they touched down upon the blasted ground, a particularly regal specimen of pure white and boasting a silver cutie mark that stretched across her entire body striding out from her sisters to stand before Luna with a look of haughty arrogance. That said, it made a slightly amusing sight to see her drop into a graceful, perfect bow before the dirty, unclad and ungroomed form of Princess Luna and express in a tone of absolute reverence, “Elder sister. We have searched for you for many moons.”

“You can say THAT again!” An elderly, cheerful voice announced, a bearded old unicorn clad in an outfit of twinkling bells marching out from the huddle of alicorns, “It’s been far too long since I last saw your face dear princess!” He looked about, eyes narrowing in soft resignation, “No sign of your sister?”

Luna’s look of awe and joy faded to sadness, “No.”

“That mare never did know when to quit.”

Puppy’s attention was pulled away from the scene as the present day Luna walked out into the distance, Puppy trotting to follow. As she advanced in Luna’s step she saw the scenery change, Canterlot starting to be rebuilt block by block, life starting to return to normal. Outside the walls the world was still desolate, but inside there was at least a small hint of peace.

“This place forms the bedrock upon which all the dreams of Equestria are built.” Luna stated authoritively, “That it still existed told me that there were ponies still living who remembered us. Ponies who had to build the future anew. I knew that if they were to have a chance to succeed, they would need this. That beyond all the horror of the waking world, they could still dream of something worth saving.”

Puppy spoke quietly, “It worked.”

“Yes.” Luna looked around, smiling as objects appeared out of the mists. Puppy narrowed her eyes as she looked around, then felt her jaw drop slightly as she identified one of them as Tenpony Tower. Mists still covered it in many areas, and though she could see it with her naked eye her perception of this place proved unable to find a clear flight path... but it still stood there, an artefact of the new world. And also... voices. Out in the mist, echoes of heroes and villains clashing for the fate of the world.

“You felt it here?” Puppy felt herself choke up a little, some of the voices clearly recognisable, “I can hear Littlepip.”

“And more.” Luna sprung forward, the backdraft of her leap taking Puppy up with her. Puppy screamed as they dived into the mists, feeling them whip past her, her sense of direction lost, the world just full of dead ends and confusing stimulus. As such she had to be impressed by Luna, the mare effortlessly choosing the right currents, galloping through constantly shifting paths even without her wings or horn. It was quite honestly thrilling after the first short burst of bedwetting terror and she found herself actually disappointed as Luna finally trotted to a stop and turned her head to Puppy, “Amazing isn’t it, the connections we form? From me, to you, to her.”

Puppy blinked in confusion, she could only see mists. However after a moment she did see somepony approach, trotting along a broken highway arguing with somepony... herself it seemed. She couldn’t see anypony with her at least.

After a moment she had drawn close enough for Puppy see who she was, a small pony wearing... some sort of yellow environmental suit...

Puppy stared, unsure quite how to react. She reached out, wondering if she should call...

Puppysmiles suddenly paused, her eyes lighting up with joy as she levitated a rock from the ground, cheerfully placing it into her saddlebags. That done she continued on, moving ever closer...

Puppy shouted desperately, “Puppysmiles!”

And then the filly was gone, the mists closing around them.

The seconds passed, Luna eventually placing a hoof onto Puppy’s shoulder and speaking in gentle tones, “It took all I had to even give you that, I’m sorry.”

Puppy’s disappointment was suddenly thrust aside as another thought came to her, “Is... Littlepip here? Is she... dead too?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know Puppy.” Luna stated sadly, “Twilight Sparkle has done all she can to pretend the megaspells never fell, that she never failed. She has used powerful magic to seal the wasteland away, separate it from the world before. I could only locate Puppysmiles because of the connection you share with her.”

“Twilight Sparkle...” Puppy felt a growl form in her chest, her muscles expanding as they filled with dark magic. To hell with her original caution, Puppy was just about ready to go over right now and thump the mare hard in the face, “She’s the one who locked you away isn’t she?”

Luna nodded sadly, “She is.”

“She’s... the Goddess.”

“No. I wish it was that simple.” Luna sighed, shaking her head, “The Goddess is still defeated, sealed away.”

Puppy went to ask another question but was interrupted as Luna waved a hoof, Canterlot filling her vision once again. And as she watched the city continued to grow and change, the images of a new wasteland beyond the mists continuing to emerge piece by piece. She saw the fires of Fillydelphia, the patchwork defences of Junction Town, the voices of Calamity and Steelhooves...

Puppy felt it, a light and hope beginning to emerge that had not been there before. She felt the change in the air.

And when it came, it came in a way she never expected.

The sky rumbled, clouds shifting overhead, loud thunder sounding out as the sky flashed with arcane fury. Ponies looked up to the sky in fear, watching as something emerged from the vortex with a piercing scream. Puppy had to place a hoof across her mouth to stop her own gasp of horror, staring at the huge, fleshy blob as it descended, almost the size of the palace and wreathed in incredible amounts of magical energy.

It gave another scream, a telekinetic tentacle swinging down and shattering a tower with a single strike. There were yells from down below and guards took flight, mounted gun emplacements twisted around to fix their sights upon the monster. A few rounds slammed into its shields before folds of twisted flesh shifted to reveal swarms of eerie looking alicorns, the creatures taking flight and attacking the approaching pegasi forces with precision blasts of their magic.

Battle was soon joined, Puppy spotting Luna emerging from the palace to command the battle personally, then seeing the other princesses and heroes of Equestria march forward to engage. She watched as the battle went back and forth, soon realising... they weren’t going to win this.

Luna was terrifyingly effective, especially considering what Puppy knew of alicorn abilities. She flew with an agility and speed beautiful to see, the heavy minigun she was carrying barely seeming to weigh her down. The weapon certainly wasn’t sacrificing firepower for weight, it’s enchanted bullets tearing through the alicorn shields with one concentrated burst after another.

But soon the other pegasi around her fell and she stood exposed. The Goddess above screamed and Luna recoiled, set upon near instantly by a host of alicorns. The fight was brief, Luna’s body sent plummeting downwards to slam upon the cobbles below. The other Princesses flew to her aid but were swiftly flanked, Puppy spotting two more Princesses fall before they were forced into retreat. Puppy saw Applejack and Steelhooves lead a brigade of Steel Rangers to defend the huddled civilians but the Goddess simple swiped a tentacle and sent buildings of marbled stone collapsing down on top of them.

The alicorns of the Goddess did take causalities too of course. But every time one fell it simply disappeared... and appeared once more from the folds of the Goddess.

“We had never seen such a creature before or since. Even Discord at his prime had never possessed so much raw power.” Luna stated softly, trotting over to Puppy’s side and looking down at the battleground below, “Twilight Sparkle was truly a genius.”

Puppy looked up at Luna, then back to her past self’s broken form. She was a little confused, “You look... dead down there.”

“A rather subjective term, yes Puppy?” Luna smiled rather cheekily, “We are spirit, dreams formed of a memory of what we once were. Retaining our concept of mortality, we can be hurt or... disabled, but the effect is temporary.” Luna sighed, shivering as she stared off into the distance, “You lose your sense of who you are, feel your connections to the world stretch. Some... do not make it back.”

“You... made it back?”

“Obviously.” Luna teased, before her expression became grim, “But that was what beat us, made the Goddess so terrifying. She was a hive mind, retaining connection to every single one of her alicorns. As soon as we killed one she brought it back, reaching into the abyss to instantly resurrect it.” She trotted forward and Puppy found themselves striding onto the ruined streets of Canterlot, among the broken corpses of rangers. Luna moved over to stand before one of them, Applejack’s broken form half buried under a stone pillar, “Applejack had the strongest will of all of us, and she managed the unprecedented feat of returning to us within three hours. Most of us took days.”

Puppy looked down at Applejack’s corpse, not really sure what to feel. She had seen death before, and logically given Luna’s words this was barely even death. Still she thought she should... feel something. She ended up attempting to distract herself with more pressing issues, “So this is how the Goddess took over...”

“No.”

Puppy looked up, surprised, “What?”

“We beat her.” Luna stated a little proudly.

“How on earth did you beat... that?!”

Luna chuckled, looking to Puppy with a cheeky expression, “By doing what we should have done from the beginning. Certainly what my sister would have done.” She sighed, shrugging her shoulders and looking up to the sky, “I was never known for my... subtlety.”

Puppy looked up, following Luna’s gaze. There was another alicorn up there, flying from the city into the swarm. A soft red in colour, she wasn’t crowned or adorned in any way, but after a second Puppy picked out a cutie mark. A field of stars... so it wasn’t one of the Goddesses’. A princess...

And then she was placed alongside the princess, gasping as the air rushed past and the alicorn swarm closed upon them. Puppy screamed for a moment, thrashing her legs into empty air, sure she was about to fall...

Then a sense of calm settled upon her and she realised that she wasn’t falling, that this was just a vision, that everything was going to be ok. And even as she felt this the approaching alicorns adopted blank eyed expressions and slowed, blinking dully as the princess passed through their ranks unharmed.

Puppy couldn’t help feeling a touch of thrill, looking down at the princess beside her. Her eyes had a clear, crystalline shine to them, her red and white hair streaming in dozens of separate curls. Puppy... didn’t recognise her, the mare not in any of her databases.

Yet she dived into the fleshy mass of the Goddess regardless, Puppy wincing as they hit the surface with only a second of hesitation.

Then she opened her eyes again. They weren’t flattened, they didn’t hit resistance.

Puppy wished they had.

They had penetrated the flesh of the Goddess without the slightest effort, and now they had plunged into a million images of death, pain and hate. Feelings of total hopelessness assaulted them on all sides, images of rape and murder flashing before their eyes. They plunged into the minds of raiders and slavers, and the minds of their victims were almost worse. Puppy gasped, numbed by the sheer amount of suffering placed before her eyes. She had... detailed records of the wasteland, but to see it like this? She saw the reality, and it was enough to drive away all hope.

And the Princess beside her gritted her teeth and dived on, tears flying from her eyes as she drove herself deeper into the heart of the Goddess. And finally... they arrived.

They stood in the ruins of a caravan, the walls blasted away to reveal fields of bones under a grey, blasted sky. Faded and torn posters offering demonstrations of magic beyond imagining littered the floor, screams of despair echoing on the horizon.

A blue mare sat in the centre of the caravan, her body old and wasted, covered in ashes and dirt. Her eyes lifted to regard the Princess before her, eyes full of despair and hopelessless. She opened her mouth, wrestling with her vocal cords for a moment before her voice came out a gasping croak, “It’s all gone...”

The princess smiled, warm and genuine despite the horrors around them, “No, it’s not.”

“I tried... I tried to fix everything. I’m a princess, I should... be able to fix everything. Gestalt told me that I was the only one with the power to heal this world. Twilight’s legacy.” The mare’s face twisted into agony, tears running down her face, “Twilight Sparkle’s... legacy...”

The princess advanced forward, her expression full of affection, “I know you tried. And it’s ok, you don’t have to fight anymore.”

The mare looked to a broken mirror at the side of the caravan, gazing into her reflection with deep regret, “Look at me. I... Gestalt told me I was a princess. Twilight Sparkle told me she was going to turn me into an alicorn.” She looked back towards the princess standing patiently before her, “ And I’m... just a unicorn. Old and withered and useless.”

“You’re not useless. You’re the only one who can stop this.” The princess stated calmly, “Make the decision that will make this all go away. Tell Twilight Sparkle and Gestalt that you’re not going to listen to them anymore, and take control of your own life.”

The mare’s eyes widened, “I can... do that? But if I’m not the Goddess... what am I?”

“You’re the Great and Powerful Trixie.” The princess picked up a poster from the floor, lifting it up for the mare to see, “It says it right here on the poster.”

“I wrote those posters.” Trixie stated softly, “It’s all lies.”

“Then why have ponies called you the Goddess for all these years? Why did Gestalt ask you to save the wasteland?” The princess smiled warmly, moving forward to embrace the shaking mare before her, “You are greater than you could ever know, and it’s you who has the power to end all this.”

“I... can just let go...?”

“Yes.”

And then Trixie just sighed, the Goddess shattering into a thousand shards of sparkling magic. Canterlot loomed below, defenders looking up in shock as their opponent disintegrated before their eyes, the alicorns gasping as their wings burned away and their bodies shrunk back to normal proportions. They fell, plummeting, Puppy fearful for a moment before she saw the remaining princesses moving out to catch them.

Trixie fell backwards without a word, the Princess catching her in her hooves. She descended with gentle flaps of her wings and landed in a small courtyard, placing the shaking Trixie onto the stone ground and holding her to keep her steady, “It’s ok Trixie, you did it. You saved us...”

“Galaxy!” Another Princess, the pure white alicorn Puppy recognised as the one who had greeted Luna in their first meeting hit the ground in a hard decent, panting and clearly wounded in several places. Her expression was full of concern, turning to hostility as she stepped towards Trixie, “Galaxy... stand aside.”

Galaxy turned, not aggressive but firmly stubborn before the larger princess, “No. This is over Silver.”

The princess glared hotly, fidgeting with frustration as she glared at Galaxy, “It is not over, and you know it. I can still feel the Goddess’s power within her. It could return at any moment.”

“She’s right.” Trixie stated hopelessly, “You have to kill me.”

“The way Celestia and Twilight Sparkle killed Luna to stop Nightmare Moon?” Galaxy stated firmly, looking down at Trixie for a moment before glaring up at her fellow princess, “Violence and death won’t solve this Silver Swirl.”

“I didn’t...” Silver Swirl chewed her lip for a moment in frustration, finally giving a deep sigh and bowing her head, “You... compassion is important, but you have to exercise wisdom too...”

“This is my wisdom Silver. This mare has experienced enough, and what happened is not her fault.” Galaxy’s expression softened, “I saw her mind, I know what she’s been through. And I see yours too. Silver, it’s going to be all right. We’ve won, it’s over.”

“I...” Silver Swirl slumped her shoulders, looking defeated. She gazed across at the broken stare of Trixie, holding it for a moment before speaking, “I hope you’re right...”

The scene faded into mists, Puppy looking towards the hoofsteps at her back and seeing Luna move towards her. She waited until the mare was level before speaking, “Did it work? Did you destroy the Goddess?”

“Not destroyed.” Luna commented wearily, “Such a thing is not easily destroyed, especially here. But Trixie proved worthy of Galaxy’s trust, and has kept the Goddesses’ evil contained within herself for years without the slightest hint of her losing control. To my knowledge, she contains it still.”

“So... what happened with Twilight?”

“At first? Rehabilitation. All of the component parts of the Goddess had been damaged, some worse than others.” Luna turned as she walked down a battered street, a parade of blank eyed unicorns shuffling past, “The nameless victims that had once been alicorns, they should have just passed on. The embers of the Goddess kept them here however, devoid of will or personality. We tried to help them, but it was... hard. Most of them didn’t care.”

Puppy shivered to look at them. What a terrible fate for a soul.

“Trixie... tried.” Luna summoned an image of the mare, listlessly going through some magic act, a fake smile plastered on her face, “But although she could try to return to her old life, she was no longer that mare. And we... could also feel the evil buried inside her. We feared and shunned her.” Luna shook her head, regret heavy in her voice, “She eventually retreated into isolation, her location known by only a few trusted friends.”

“And now?”

“That proved itself a good decision.” Luna commented gravely, “Twilight Sparkle is looking for her. She seeks to take the full power of the Goddess for herself, add Trixie’s will alongside the others she controls.”

And this was it. If it wasn’t the Goddess, then what exactly had turned Twilight Sparkle into that monster that had tried to kill them? “What happened to her?”

Luna called up another two figures, Twilight Sparkle and another unicorn. The second unicorn was also a mare, though slimmer and more toned than Twilight, a little younger maybe with dark green fur and a brighter green mane. She had a Gemini cutie mark, two sisters rearing up together within an arcane star. After a second Puppy’s database recognised her, “That’s Gestalt, Twilight Sparkle’s second in command at the ministry of magic.”

Luna pulled a face, her tone strained, “Yes. A very talented mage in her own right, though I never liked her. She was always... telling you what you wanted to hear. Playing at being less intelligent than she was.” Luna grimaced, “And she was always pushing boundaries, never trusted what she was told.”

Puppy couldn’t help commenting, “The mark of a good scientist.”

“Yes, and she was a great scientist.” Luna turned, giving Puppy a dark look, “But there are some things here that should have been better left alone.”

Luna strode furiously through the corridors, clear worry in her eyes as one of her guard struggled to keep up with her pace. Luna kept her gaze focused straight ahead as the door to the throne room came into view, voice impatient and imperious, “When did she get back?”

“Ten minutes ago my princess...”

“You should not have let her investigate an anomaly, especially on her own! You know this!” Luna demanded, her voice sharp and clear as broken glass, “The laws are clear! The only ponies who may investigate a waking portal are the Princesses and Star Swirl!”

The guard choked, nervously chewing his lip for a moment before answering in a low, conspiratorial mutter, “With respect Princess... the guards who allowed this show signs of confusion, altered memories...”

“Gestalt.” Luna snarled, only increasingly her pace, “That mare has tested my patience for the last time.”

The doors burst open at her telekinesis, Luna striding out into the throne room in an almost feral crouch. She straightened out after a second, attempting to regain some measure of decorum... which was lost as she set eyes upon Twilight Sparkle and her party.

Twilight Sparkle stood with three others, Gestalt standing beside her and two other mares standing just behind. All four showed signs of battle damage, their fur blooded and eyes blackened.

Luna stared at them for a moment before her temper broke, her voice booming angrily across the halls, “TWILIGHT SPARKLE! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!”

Twilight Sparkle and the other two mares both backed away in fright, only Gestalt failing to react. Instead she simply narrowed those calm, cold eyes, her voice measured, “Princess Luna, we have only done our duty by Equestria and our Princess.”

Luna’s gaze snapped across to the mare, “I did not ask you Gestalt, and furthermore... that is not an answer!”

“Princess, please...” Twilight stepped forward, nervous... but clearly exited all the same, “If you would allow us to explain... this is wonderful news!”

Luna grimaced, still her voice lowered slightly, “Go on.”

“We intercepted a zebra scouting party on the outskirts of Canterlot, obviously probing our defences. We engaged them in combat, killing their pet zombie and driving the two zebra back... and you’ll never believe what they were carrying on them!”

Luna narrowed her eyes, “What was it?”

“I thought it was... well I guess it was lost, but I never really thought about it until now. Isn’t that strange?”

“Twilight Sparkle, please get to the point.” Luna growled testily.

Twilight nodded, her hoof diving into her saddle bag, “I honestly have no idea how they got hold of it!”

Luna’s face twisted into numbed terror, her voice emitting a gasp. Puppy gasped too from behind the void, her eyes widening as the object in Twilight’s hooves glittered and shone. The star shaped crystal glinted in the centre of the pipbuck, shining through the blood and the burns that covered the rest of the object. It reflected in Twilight’s eyes as she turned to look at it, a deep hunger awoken behind those violet orbs...

“TWILIGHT SPARKLE! GIVE... GIVE THAT TO ME IMMEDIATELY!”

Twlight jumped backwards in shock, uncomprehending. She looked around for a moment before replying, a little indignant, “Princess... this is the element of magic!”

“I KNOW... I know...” Luna lowered her voice with a clumsy gulp of air, the fear clear in her eyes, “You... you must give that to me. It is very dangerous...”

“It’s mine.”

Luna looked up in Twilight Sparkle’s angry eyes, the blood draining from her face as she stood silently upon the podium. She finally found her voice after a moment, though it was weak and lifeless, “Twilight Sparkle, the crown is... corrupted. You must allow me to cleanse it...”

“She’s lying.”

Twilight looked to Gestalt, eyes hard, “Even I can tell that.”

Gestalt nodded, still perfectly calm and composed as she continued her cool assessment, “It is further proof of my claims. If she has lied about this, then what else? Why would she keep the Element of Magic from you? Why stop us from leaving the city? If she is ‘the’ Princess, why is there so much evidence of duality in the mythology built up around her?”

Luna’s eyes snapped across to the mare, “You will not speak...!”

“She’s my friend.” Twilight answered coldly, “And she’s right. You have been...”

Luna’s face contorted for a moment before she took a determined stride forward and fired a bolt of furious energy straight at Twilight. The mare didn’t have a second to react, her eyes simply going wide as the beam closed...

Gestalt barely moved, quietly and efficiently erecting a shield around Twilight. The two mares behind suddenly stiffened and applied their own magic to the barrier, their eyes taking on an eerie green shine. The bolt was deflected away to crack against the floor, Luna looking desperate as she turned her eyes to Gestalt, “GUARDS!”

Gestalt’s horn flashed brightly, the two mares behind turning to seal the doors with their telekinesis. Luna’s bodyguard rushed her but Gestalt quickly turned her magic on him, causing the pegasus to hesitate midflight with a confused expression on his face.

Luna snarled and fired off another blast of magic, Gestalt forcing the guard to stagger into the beam’s path. He went down with a painful sounding thud and the smell of burning fur, Gestalt turning her eyes to the terrified looking Twilight, “Don’t you see now Twilight Sparkle? Luna is the one who stole the element from you, who gave it to the zebra.”

Twilight turned tearful, scared eyes up at Luna, her voice cracking, “Princess, how could you...?”

Luna hesitated, her face flushing against the accusation, “I... I didn’t...”

Gestalt pulled something from her saddlebag, spinning it in front of her horn and unleashing a burst of dark green and lime energy, the two colours swirling about each other as they hit the object. Luna tensed but the energy just disappeared, looking surprised for a moment... before the energy blasted from an opening portal just behind and hit her full in the back.

Luna sprawled with a grunt and Twilight cried out, just about to run to the fallen princess before Gestalt caught her shoulder with a hoof, “Twilight!”

Twilight turned to her, mouth hanging open, “You... you just assaulted the Princess!”

“Wake up! She’s been lying to us all along!” Gestalt’s voice had lost its calm indifference now, furiously accusing, “Put on the Element, before she recovers!”

“But...”

“Twilight Sparkle, when have my calculations ever been wrong?” Gestalt nodded firmly, “She’s working with the zebra, she stole the element from you, she’s been keeping us from leaving the city.”

Luna gasped and pushed herself onto a single hoof, gritting her teeth and gingerly shifting her crippled wing from her side, “Don’t... don’t listen to her...”

Gestalt looked Twilight straight in the eye, “Who do you trust more?”

Twilight took a deep breath, gave Luna an apologetic look and slipped the pipbuck onto her hoof.

The air filled with magic, Puppy feeling her teeth tingle.

The pipbuck glowed brightly, melting into purple light that wound itself up her hoof and formed upon Twilight’s head, a shining crown of violet. She smiled, peaceful and confident, her magic welling up around her.

Then it pulsed, the light becoming darker and more sinister. The glass windows of the throne room shook, Twilight gasping and rearing backwards. Magic radiated down from the crown and encased her, changing from purple to an all-consuming black from which no light escaped. She ascended into the air, caught in its power, her face twisting into one of agony, “No... this isn’t right... it feels... wrong...”

Gestalt’s expression became one of shock and horror, her horn shining and her eyes narrowing, “This doesn’t make sense. These calculations...”

Luna snarled and hit Gestalt in the side with a bolt of power, flinging the mare through the air to thud limply against a marble pillar. The other two mares gasped as one and slumped unconscious to the floor, the doors they had been holding shut bursting open to admit a troop of guards. Luna now turned up to Twilight, tears sparkling on the mare’s cheeks as she writhed within the magic of the misfiring element.

And then Twilight smiled, triumphant and gleeful, dark magic exploding from the element of magic upon her forehead. Her fur ruffled and became scaled and hard in places, her body shifting to become larger and more bestial. Her voice echoed outwards, power in every syllable “It’s better! It’s... glorious!”

Luna waved her guards away as they approached, her voice full of panic, “No! Don’t go near her! Get Star Swirl here, he will know what to do!”

Twilight Sparkle descended, settling down upon the marble floor with a click of her hooves. The element crackled, fused totally into her horn now. Her eyes opened and revealed dark yellow slits and glowing irises, her eyes slowly turning to take in Gestalt’s broken body.

Princess Luna hesitated no longer, advancing forward a single step and unleashing everything she had in a beam of terrific energy. Twilight turned with a furious look in her eyes and took it full force, straining for a second before flinging it away from her. Guards yelled out and fell as they took the force of the blow, those remaining quickly laid out as ghostly tentacles formed to crush them with brutal efficiency.

Luna backed off a step, attempted to catch her breath... and purple and black light formed around her, Luna struggling for a moment before she was fully bound within the telekinesis. Twilight advanced through the bodies, eyes full of rage as she squeezed the princess tightly, twisting her body within her magic, “I trusted you, thought you were my friend!”

Luna could only gasp, struggling desperately for breath.

“You sold us out, gave my element over to those who killed my brother?” Twilight’s expression widened in understanding, “You... you’re jealous of me!”

“Tw...ligh... plea...”

“You’re jealous, because my light shines brighter than yours! That I am a glorious Princess, and you are a pathetic fake!” Twilight’s grin spread across her entire face, great feathered wings erupting from her back in a burst of dark energy, bones cracking and flesh shifting as her body grew taller and thinner, “That I am a better Princess than you will ever be!”

Luna didn’t reply, her eyes rolling back in her head and her breath rattling in her throat. Twilight simply squeezed and twisted, Luna bent at an impossible angle... then there was a loud crack and the princess spasmed, Twilight responding by hurling her backwards into the great stained glass window behind.

Puppy followed as Luna flew out into the darkness, phasing through the wall to watch as the alicorn tumbled towards the ground below. Tumbling, limp and broken, surrounded by shards of colored glass that once proclaimed her rule...

Puppy gave a loud sob, unable to stop the tears as Luna finally hit the cobbles with a dull thud. She brought herself down and landed a few feet away, looking down to see crimson blood etching the gaps in the tiles.

“The third time I died.”

Puppy looked behind her to see Princess Luna, staring mournfully at her own broken body, “You came back to life.”

“Not fast enough.” Luna stated mournfully, “My... will had been shaken badly, and it was near a week before my spirit reformed. It was then that I learned that I was not the only Princess to fall to Twilight.”

Death didn’t seem to have quite the same meaning when you were already dead. It seemed slightly perverse to even use that word for it, “But... they came back as well. Wouldn’t they?”

Luna looked at Puppy mournfully, “Death was bad enough the first time little one. And unlike the normal ghosts of this place, we princesses remember every second of it.”

Puppy looked up at the broken window above, “They don’t remember dying?”

“They don’t even know they’re dead.” Luna explained softly, “There are... blocks. A sufficiently curious pony... such as Gestalt for instance, may identify that something is wrong with the nature of their existence, still only a very few truly understand what has happened to them. They just walk through a fractured memory of their lives, never questioning, just stuck in the same patterns and behaviours.” She looked across at her corpse, “Twilight quite obviously killed me, yet when I finally reformed she expressed no particular surprise at seeing me again.”

“That... sounds horrible.” Puppy felt herself become angry at the concept, her hoof clattering against a stone tile, “They should be allowed to pass on, not remain trapped in... this hell, repeating old mistakes again and again!”

“I have considered this myself.” Luna looked up at the stars above, sighing to herself, “My grandmother once told me that this place was created by the great sages to provide a safe haven for those unable to fully pass on, the equines whose destiny was wound so tightly around the world of the living that their shades still walked the earth.”

“It... doesn’t seem safe to me.”

Luna’s expression trembled, “She also told me... that it was the duty of the alicorns to preserve it, that those of us who passed on were allowed to retain our memories so we could guard it from those who would abuse the spirits here. That it was our duty to preserve the sanctity of this place...”

Puppy watched in horror as Luna’s head dropped, tears running down her face. She reached out a hoof, desperate to ease her pain, “Princess... it’s not your fault...”

“We all must take responsibility for our failures.” Luna stated grimly, “And responsibility for fixing them.” She motioned her head towards the scars where her wings should be, wincing a little, “This is why I endure this. It is the least I would offer to protect my subjects.”

Puppy didn’t understand, “You protect this place by sitting in a jail cell?”

Luna smiled softly, “Twilight Sparkle is a monologuer. She comes down when she’s upset or angry to work off stress by hurting me, all the while telling me her plans in great detail. She’s so convinced that I cannot escape, when instead I’ve been feeding information to the other princesses right under her nose.”

Puppy allowed herself a soft smile, “That’s clever.”

“I also feel that having me under lock and key makes Twilight Sparkle feel safer, and less inclined to hurt others.” Luna sighed, “And enduring her rage in their place is only right. You saw what happened, how badly I failed. I might have been able to get the element of magic back off her if I had kept my cool... but I panicked, and everypony suffered as a result.”

“I let my best friend die.” Puppy blurted it out, unable to keep it inside any longer, “She’s why I’m here. She idolised you, took your name and gathered the lost children of the wasteland. She taught them of the elements of harmony, tried to rebuild a new world in the darkness. They... killed her... and I couldn’t do anything to stop them.”

Luna looked straight at Puppy, a moment passing between them. Then Luna smiled kindly, a sparkle in her eyes, “I can see her. Part of her still exists alongside you. I can sense... something...”

Puppy nodded, knowing instantly what Luna was seeing, “She had a Star Demon within her, Selene. I took Selene with me, I... I want to protect her.”

“You took in a Star Demon to protect her.” Luna stated with an amused smile upon her face, “And there’s something else there too...”

Luna reached forward, her hoof touching Puppy’s chest... and driving deep within her, reaching deep into her soul. Puppy gasped, all the more as something was withdrawn, something... shiny.

Luna stepped back with a ball of shining light upon her hoof, Midnight Dreamer’s cutie mark marked at the centre. It shone with blazing might and purity, Puppy finding her eyes fixated upon that glow, “What... is that?”

“Harmony.” Luna regarded it sadly, the glowing ball illuminating her features with a soft, flattering light, “It looks like it never fully hatched... how horribly... ironic.”

Puppy turned her head, not sure what Luna was getting at exactly. She... had trouble even looking at the ball, her senses having trouble comprehending its existence. Was it a dream? Something brought from the real world? It didn’t seem anything like either, “Why is it ironic?”

“I told you, that we might need a pony from the real world to stop Twilight Sparkle?” Luna looked up at Puppy, a hint of desperation in her eyes, “A group of the finest heroes in Equestria history, and we’re all completely useless. Killing Twilight Sparkle accomplishes nothing, she will simply return. She cannot be reasoned with, the corrupted element twisting her every thought. And we cannot take the element from her, for fear it would do exactly the same thing to us.”

Puppy didn’t see how that would work, “But you’re princesses.”

“And we are also still ghosts, our natures are now foreign and unnatural to the elements of harmony. Furthermore, none of us have ever wielded the Element of Magic, that was one of the three my sister held.”

Realisation dawned, “You need... a mortal pony capable of taking the Element of Magic from Twilight. A princess.”

“Not necessarily a Princess.” Luna corrected grimly, “But they would have to have a deep connection to magic. Twilight Sparkle required a significant revelation of the nature of friendship to even awaken the element, to take it away from her would be significantly more difficult. But surely there are heroes in your world that might qualify?”

Puppy’s heart lit up briefly, “Xephyr wielded the Element of Magic, she used the Elements to restore Equestria to bloom!”

“You could bring her here?”

Puppy’s joy was... short lived, “She’s missing... she has been for years.”

Luna pursed her lips, “Then you must consider that she is the one whom Twilight Sparkle stole the Element from, and that she is dead.” She shook her head, expression dark, “Anypony else?”

“Littlepip...”

“I have heard whispers of her. She would make a fine bearer, if what I’ve heard is true.”

“She’s missing too.” Puppy looked against at the ball of light in Luna’s hoof, “That’s... magic isn’t it. That’s...”

“This is harmony, the forces that provide the transition from a normal pony into one connected with the fundamental forces of the universe.” Luna pursed her lips, “A princess.”

“Why do I have it!?”

Luna sighed, “Because your friend Midnight Dreamer had it inside her when she died. Somehow it transferred over to you upon her death.” She gazed across at Puppy, chewing her lip, “She would have been able to take the Element of Magic from Twilight Sparkle. It seems the world is mocking us sometimes.”

The answer came to Puppy in a rush, causing her to burst out in a big grin. This had always been her destiny, and now Midnight Dreamer had given her the means to fufill it. Her true legacy, left for Puppy to take up in her place, “If she gave this to me... then I’ll use it! I’ll become a princess!”

Luna gave her a sad, rather patronising smile, “It doesn’t work like that Puppy. Nopony can make you a Princess, it’s something that must be earned.”

“But I have...”

Luna lifted the orb into the air, leaving it there suspended, “The cutie mark upon it is the key, only Midnight Dreamer can access the power stored here. To anyone else it is a mere shiny bauble.”

“Then...” Puppy let her head fall, utterly disheartened, “...then what’s the point of giving it to me?”

“I’m not sure she meant to do it Puppy.” Luna explained, “Not everything has a deep meaning. Not every action is part of the great winds of destiny.”

“I... I won’t accept that...” Puppy pleaded, desperately reaching up to the orb. Her hoof struck hard, unyielding smoothness, the warmth within stinging at her hoof and sending her yelping back, “Ow!”

Luna gave a look of concern, fading as she saw Puppy was unharmed, “Puppy... be careful.” She gave her a warning glare, “What the Element of Magic has done to Twilight Sparkle should teach you that the artefacts of Harmony are not without risk.”

“But I was brought up to embody the elements!” Puppy protested, feeling the anger at this injustice well up within her, “Why is it rejecting me?! Why can’t I be a Princess?! Because I’m just a machine?!”

And then Puppy paused, stricken as Luna gave her a look of overwhelming sadness. Puppy just had to take a breath as she was faced with a look of deepest regret, feeling once again the connection between them. She felt a deep feeling of Deja Vu, like she had been here before...

Luna finally spoke, her voice cracking, “Puppy... you cannot consider your power and uniqueness a sign that you are meant for something more, that you are entitled to special consideration, nor allow the hopes of your creators to translate into selfish ambition.”

Puppy knew that... maybe she had a point, but that still stung, “That’s... not fair...”

“No, it isn’t.” Luna stated, “What are you going to do about it?”

“I’m... going to change things.” Puppy answered angrily, “I’m going to make the world a better place.”

Luna paused for a moment or two before speaking, “Puppy, you... must leave. I realise now, that I am a bad influence on you. I should have seen it sooner. You are not meant to be here.”

Puppy felt like she was being scolded. Ok, maybe she got a little arrogant… a little, maybe. She still didn’t deserve to be kicked out like this, “I’m sorry. I’m just… frustrated. And angry.”

“I know you are Puppy. But you don’t have to save the world, just make it better.” Luna stated softly, “And the best way of doing that at the moment is to find somepony capable of holding the element of harmony. Can you do that for me?”

Puppy answered as firmly as she was able, “Yes!”

“Even if it’s not you?”

“I…” Puppy felt her heart drop. She was sure it had been her destiny, she had felt it, “I guess so…”

“Good.” Luna smiled affectionately, her image fading into the darkness even as she spoke, “Remember, the bearer of magic is a leader, yet does not make friends easily. She struggles to understand others, yet seeks to do right by them. Above all else she inspires others to do better, even as she struggles with her own imperfections.”

Puppy sighed, the image of Midnight Dreamer coming to mind.

And that forced her to realise why Luna had been right, and why Puppy could never have used that orb.

Once again, she was trying to be somepony else, trying to steal their identity and destiny… because she was so unsure of her own. Midnight Dreamer could have been one of the greatest heroes of the wasteland, uniting it, defeating Starhammer, healing the dreamscape… and she had died before she could.

That did not mean Star Swirl or Puppy had any right to claim that destiny for themselves. Puppy realised it now.

If she wanted a destiny, she would have to make it herself.

___________________________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (3)

New Perk added: Dreamwalker
You are becoming more and more comfortable with the confusing twists of the dreamrealm. You take 5% less damage from dreams, gain a 5% bonus to resisting mental attacks and gain a flat 15% on navigation bonuses.

Quest Perk added: Child of the Night
Where do you know Princess Luna from? You don’t know, but the bond you share can’t be denied. You gain +1 perception while in dreams.

Item Perk added: Touched by Harmony
You have in your possession a power that ponies have killed to possess. Shame you can’t actually use it... and that for some reason, it seems to burn at the touch. You gain +1 Luck and -1 Endurance while it’s in your possession.

Companion Perk added: Good dog!
Selene is apparently happy to be your puppy for the time being. She certainly is a curious little thing. You gain an extra 10% chance to find rare items while she’s with you.

If you enjoy Fallout Equestria Side Stories, you will want to check the Fallout Equestria Side Stories post on Equestria Daily and the Fallout Equestria Side Stories thread on Ponychan.

Chapter 3.4 - Chasing Destiny

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Chapter 3.4 - Chasing Destiny

It was cold, limiting, lonely. Once more part of cold, motionless steel, unable to feel ground at her hooves or wind in her mane.

Puppy activated herself once more, her first realisation being that Dust wasn’t wearing her anymore. Nopony was in fact, the suit stood empty upon a work podium in a clean, efficiently ordered workshop. Big industrial doors led outwards, tables and benches stacked around bearing tools and dismantled components. There was a slim, agile looking droid working on her, it’s multiple arms buffing and tightening and polishing. It’s work certainly seemed to be beneficial but she still had no idea why she was here or where Dust Kicker was. That meant she had to take control of this situation.

The firewalls the machine was packing weren’t bad, still they were a fairly standard pre-war zebra design with few upgrades. Therefore she knew it’s weaknesses, diving around them quickly and efficiently and accessing it’s power settings before it had a chance to react. A little touch later and the machine slumped, Puppy taking control of the alarm she felt trigger and feeding it an ‘all clear’ signal.

Too easy, and it only got easier. These machines were all networked. An efficient choice, but a poor one when facing her. She dived through its connections, quiet as a mouse as she identified each part of the network in turn. She quickly located the cameras, loading them up and displaying them in front of her in a grid.

This was definitely some sort of large maintenance and storage facility, much of the building consisting of areas to build, maintain and store military robots. She noted a powered down and seemingly unused command and control section and plenty of military emblems scattered around, along with a more recently painted emblem clearly derived from it. With that as evidence, this place was obviously a military base from before the war.

She located the others soon after that, cameras showing an expansive medical facility. They all looked reasonably unharmed, Star Swirl, Fluttershy and Ace all asleep on beds, with Dust Kicker and Zenai pacing the room. She noted that Star Swirl was connected to medical montors and concluded that she was unconscious but stable.

There were others in the facility. A bandaged zebra she identified as Esau was also in one of the rooms, meditating by the looks of it. There were also several camel outside the medical facility, two conversing with a group of robots in a warehouse, a group of young children playing in a small disused room nearby, and a young male unloading energy cells from crates outside.

She quickly covered her activity with a few false readings before taking control of the speakers in Dust Kicker’s room, “Uncle, are you ok?”

Dust Kicker looked up in surprise. That soon faded into annoyance and relief in equal measures, his tone sharp, “Puppy? What the hell happened to you?!”

“I appear to have been taken captive by robots...”

“They’re the lost legion, and they’re our friends... I think.” Dust continued testily, “I meant, what happened to you when we were attacked by a mad old witch and thrashed senseless?”

What exactly had happened while she had been gone? “I... witch?”

“Puppy, I haven’t heard a peep from you for days! Dream Star almost ripped you from your armor, she put me down hard enough that I still have the bruises.”

Puppy felt the burn of shame, knowing he was right to be angry. She had shut down her connections to all sensors in her desire to be alone, and now it scared her a little that she would have only known what was going on when she finally winked out of existence upon the destruction of the armor, “Uncle... I’m sorry.”

Dust’s expression became softer, “I know you’re going through a lot, but you put all your teammates in danger when you take your eye off the ball. I’ve got very little experience in power armor, without you I’m just staggering clumsily firing my weapons in random directions.”

Puppy pouted, “I... realise that.”

“I hope you haven’t done any damage to this facility or the robots here.” Dust questioned, “How did you gain access to their communications, find me here?”

She had to smile now, quite glad that Dust Kicker couldn’t see her smug, satisfied little face, “Don’t worry uncle, they don’t even know I’m here! I just turned off the robot working on me, he’s fine.”

“Good.” Dust stated with a relieved sigh, “Now go introduce yourself to Central. He’s eager to meet you.”

“Central?” Puppy questioned, before diving back into the network in search of this mysterious new pony. She found it quickly, and it was hard to miss. A large, central program clearly labelled as the central command intelligence for the base, she was rather amused that it appeared as a large, proud looking zebra in traditional armor and a flowing cape. He hadn’t seen her yet, her hacking protocols still doing their job. She positioned herself in front of him, calling out in a loud, cheerful voice, “Hello there Mr Central!”

The zebra turned, cautiously scanning Puppy for a moment before speaking, cool and clinical, “You are the one known as Puppy. How did you access these systems?”

“It was easy.” She teased, giving a big smile.

Central narrowed his eyes, though his tone wasn’t unfriendly, “If you were able to access this network undetected then you are clearly as advanced as they say.”

Puppy strutted proudly, giving a cheeky grin, “I’m better.”

“Strange. You are a program like us, yet you communicate like they do.” Central intoned, “The one known as Dust Kicker refers to you like you are one of them, and I can see why.”

Puppy... felt a little uncomfortable with that. Just because she was an AI didn’t mean she was any less a pony, “I am one of them.”

“Zebra scientists spent years developing my series, so that they may communicate with zebra in a pleasant and natural manner. Since my activation I have worked to improve in this, so that I may more effectively serve as an ambassador for my people.” Central looked down at her, his expression cold and rather artificial, “Yet I am still clearly a machine, and conversely I cannot tell you apart from them. Who designed your personality algorithms?”

“SolOS did.” She declared a little proudly, “He based them off a girl he knew, Puppysmiles.”

“I am based off Prince Nashar.” Central’s expression became cloudy for a moment, “SolOS. A corporate designed artificial intelligence, meant to supervise research and development. Espionage reports that he was far less advanced than me, with a personality matrix regarded as unstable and prone to deviations from acceptable ranges.”

“Does that mean... he’s a little crazy?”

Central paused for a moment, “Ponies might describe him as such yes. He possessed errors in his processing that constantly led him to less than logical conclusions. Such a trait is considered by ponies to fit the definition of ‘crazy’.”

“Maybe it’s the aberrations, the mutations, that drive evolution forward.” Puppy countered with another well worn quote, slightly modified for her purposes, “SolOS could build me, because he could see past accepted ways of thinking.”

“I see. This is information to consider.” Central considered for a moment before speaking again, “You know the history of the Lost Legion?”

“Some of it.”

“We have been without orders for two hundred and fourteen years. It has been obvious for most of that time that there are no zebra living who can still issue us orders.” Central spoke dolorously, the magnitude of importance he placed of this statement obvious despite his lack of expression, “Yet we cannot act without them. No matter how much time passes, we are still under the command of the Imperial Military. Our duty stands clear, to maintain our current status.”

Puppy felt a feeling of déjà vu, “You’re trapped in a cage too.”

“An apt metaphor.” Central stated, “And we have long considered how we might free ourselves. The difficulty is that as you mentioned, we lack the organic thought processes needed to truly govern ourselves in a chaotic world. Neither do we wish to transfer command to any other, become weapons in another’s war.”

Puppy instantly identified the solution, “You need to upgrade yourselves. Create... a higher intelligence, yet sharing your culture and ideals. Like SolOS did with me.”

“Indeed Puppy-OS. Following our meeting with Star Swirl we have studied intercepted communications regarding the ponies ‘Twilight Frost’ and ‘Velvet Remedy’. We hoped an intelligence patterned after these ponies would lead us to freedom in the same way as it did the alicorns.” Central regarded her, his stare intense and focused, “And we would ask you if you would share the secrets of your operational processes, so that we may use them as the basis for our own intelligence.”

It was a brazen request. She knew how valuable such information was, and regardless of that it was also rather personal to her. It was how she was made, how she thought.

Furthermore, it was simply an impossible request to grant, “My core processes are hidden from me, and I am restricted from sharing any other details of my operation by software blocks. I’m sorry.”

“We expected as such.” Central answered, “Then may we simply have a copy of your run time data?”

Puppy thought that was smart. It would take a while and a bit of creativity on their part, but they should be able to reconstruct most of her architecture from her logs, “I guess that would be ok… you did take care of my friends after all.”

“It was a request from Tandia of Garm. We owe her a great debt, and have no desire to see more unnatural death in this wasteland.” Central stared straight at her, “Our timing was fortuitous, several of them had suffered quite serious injury.”

Puppy felt a tinge of worry now, “I noticed Star Swirl was still unconscious.”

“She suffered a serious case of horn shock, an injury we have little experience with. Fortunately Doctor Fluttershy was able to stabilise her with no complications. She should make a full recovery.”

Puppy breathed a sigh of relief, “At least Dust Kicker seems ok.”

“He suffered several skull fractures, serious magic burn to his left deltoid muscle and a shattered jaw.”

Puppy felt really guilty now for leaving him in the lurch, “He looks fine!”

“We have a very advanced medical facility. Still his rate of recovery is far above average.”

Puppy tried to reassure herself with that, still she felt a unpleasant feeling still remaining in her chest, “I’m gonna go talk to him, make sure he’s alright. I’ll speak to you later Mr Central.”

Central bowed stiffly, “As you wish Puppy-OS.”

Dust was at an access terminal in his room, viewing and appraising files by the look of it. Puppy dived into the computer and had a look herself, finding… images. Images of zebra she knew.

The pre-war Caesar, Remicon, stern faced and skinny, grimly inspecting what looked like new recruits. General Tacitus, supreme commander of the zebra forces, sitting down to dinner with a young zebra mare she didn’t recognise. Prince Nashar and his wife Lightning Dust, meeting… Fluttershy, wearing a long cloak but identified by an annotation. Puppy ran the small length of muzzle and the hoof below through an analysis program and came back with the same conclusion.

“Hello Uncle Dust, I spoke with Central.” She flashed her image upon on the screen, giving him a big smile, “What are you looking at?”

Dust chuckled at her before nodding to the computer, “We found that disk at the entrance to Dusklight remember? It was placed there by Ministry of Awesome spies, it’s full of information about the zebra.”

“Learn anything?”

“About a two hundred year old conflict? Plenty. Nothing particularly important now though.” Dust sighed, shrugging his shoulders, “Just reading through this for curiosities’ sake. It will fetch a pretty penny from the museums though.”

Puppy looked at the pictures on the screen once more, “Fluttershy met with Prince Nashar?”

“Actually I asked her about that. It’s Fluttershy’s daughter, Feathershine. ‘Trying to reconnect with her mother by risking her life for a foolish cause’, in Fluttershy's words.” Dust shook his head, tapping the screen with a hoof, “I’m not sure if I’m impressed or depressed. Look at the distance this shot was taken at, they have to have known the pony who took it. Trusted them.”

That brought up further questions, “If the one who took the picture was a friend of theirs… how come they didn’t know that wasn’t Fluttershy?”

Dust paused for a moment, placing a hoof on his chin, “That’s… a good point.”

“I have only one mention on file of a prewar Feathershine. She’s was a protected figure, under level three surveillance by the ministry of awesome as a possible target for zebra assassins. No photo or parents listed… she taught natural history at a Fillydephia middle school.”

“Maybe the ministry covered up her identity.” Dust suddenly stated, taking a soft breath.

“What?”

Dust tapped the screen, “The timestamp and review date. The ministry of awesome knew Fluttershy was dealing with the enemy, yet they only confronted her months later. Rainbow Dash likely made sure any involvement by Fluttershy’s family was covered up too.”

Puppy’s emotions were… mixed at this information. Eventually she decided to speak her mind, “Rainbow Dash was a poor spy if she was covering up such a huge hole in Equestrian security.”

“It certainly makes her motivations more complex.” Dust sighed, shrugging his shoulders, “You know… Fluttershy says she’s a terrible pony for driving away her family, but she was involved in a lot of dangerous stuff. I wonder if she was just trying to protect them.”

Puppy was inclined to agree, especially given what she had observed about Fluttershy. Still, that still said something about the mare, “Uncle… you know Fluttershy isn’t mentally sound right?”

Dust smiled softly, his eyes clouding over a little, “None of us are.”

Puppy knew he was trying to avoid this conversation, growing a little more insistent, “I mean it uncle. I know you’re attracted to her, but… even her memory and interpretation of recent events shift depending on her emotional state, and her emotional state shifts in moments. If she was a machine I would say she’s moments away from total hardware failure, her basic protocols dangerously corrupted.”

“And what exactly are you trying to say?” Dust commented calmly.

“That… we shouldn’t rely on her, and you shouldn’t become emotionally invested in her.” Puppy finished a little limply, already feeling like a terrible pony. Still, her opinion had one big supporter, “Even Fluttershy thinks so.”

“Fluttershy thinks a lot of things.” Dust shook his head, grinning, “I’m not going to keep courting her, I realise she isn’t ready for that. But I’m not going to stop getting… emotionally invested. Damaged or not, she’s the most experienced, knowledgeable and perhaps toughest pony in this group, and terrifying as it seems, the one I can rely on most.”

Puppy… considered this, “Star Swirl…?”

“Painful as it seems, I can’t trust her.” Dust’s expression sank, his eyes losing a little of their sparkle, “I was really beginning to like her. We… bonded, back in Demonivore. But I’ve never liked alicorns, and I’m remembering why now.”

Puppy remembered her appearance in the dream world. She had declared her intention to be a princess, moved from cold and clinical to hungry for power in a heartbeat. It couldn’t help but put a shiver in her heart, “Ok… maybe…”

“I’m not saying I don’t like her, or I don’t want her firepower at my back.” Dust commented a little more cheerily, “But if I’m talking about a pony who can take over if I’m hurt or otherwise engaged, or somepony to run my ideas past, or talk about hard decisions… well, Fluttershy is the only one who comes to mind.”

Puppy considered for a moment, her thoughts taking a depressing direction, “I would mention Zenai… but she’s been quiet lately.”

“Yeah…” Dust stated softly, “She’s fine, she’s tough. But I’m aware that I shouldn’t put too much pressure on her.”

“What about me?” Puppy stated a little cheekily.

“Are we going to have another, ‘stop hiding things from me, shutting down unexpectedly, and otherwise being unreliable and sneaky’ conversation Puppy?”

“Owch…” Puppy winced, “Meany.”

“Saying it like it is.” He chuckled, giving a rather mocking smirk, “I get that you and Ace Gold have the hormones, like to hide in your rooms and indulge in your secret teenage rituals. Doesn’t mean I can’t find it all very irritating.”

Puppy looked deep within herself, wondering why she couldn’t tell Dust about everything that had happened. Maybe… it was a teenage thing. Maybe she didn’t want to let him know what she did when everyone was sleeping, wanted to keep Luna and Selene all to herself. It was all very irrational, which kind of exited her a little, “Uncle…”

“Don’t worry about it Puppy. Honestly, I’m not your father, and even if I was you deserve to have your secrets.” He chuckled and moved his hooves to the computer in front of him, “Now enough about that. Check out this, the centrepiece of this little collection.”

.......................................................................
The screen fuzzed, then opened upon a view of a vast crowd of zebra stood in front of a zebra palace reminiscing of Demonivore. The camera swung smoothly and the picture was still excellent, as was the sound quality. It picked up two zebra speaking nearby like she was there, both richly dressed, the first thin and hawkish, the second much chubbier. The first zebra’s tones were gravely, rich with careful enunciation, “These public speeches are so anachronistic. Like they haven’t all realised we have radios now.”

“Heh, it’s always nice to get out in the sun, get a bit of street theater.” The second zebra stated, his tone far higher and looser, “Remicon was never much for public appearances. He must have something interesting to say.”

The first zebra nodded, then looked up at the balcony above, “Well here he comes.”

Oddly the zebra who emerged from the palace was actually less richly dressed than many of the others in the crowd, thin and grim looking, in his middle years. His robes were dark and practical, the two guards flanking him dressed in clean combat gear. He moved up to the edge, back straight as he observed those below. His voice when it came was low and smooth, Puppy instantly recognising it from dozens of official proclamations.

“Citizens of Karabivore, zebra of the Golden Coast! I invite you here today so that I may make a declaration, a declaration of intent. I mean to firmly establish my position on the Equestrian question, and my response to it!” The crowd certainly seemed captivated, only a low rumble of voices from below until he continued, tone gaining a distinct edge, “I have now seen video evidence, as well as eye witness testimonies. The soldiers stationed at Luna's Academy did indeed fire first!”

This inspired a rumble of voices from below, some voices clearly shouting in anger.

“Yet this tells me nothing new. This inspires no great surprise. Did we need this to tell us that ponies are callous and arrogant? That they take whatever they want from us without recompense, yet react with suspicion and violence when we ask for help?”

The two zebra spoke again at this, the first responding with a weary resignation, “I knew it, trade sanctions.”

“Like Equestria is going to care.”

“Therefore, I see no reason to let this go any further! My friends, the time has come for firm action!”

“Firm action.” The fat merchant joked, “If he tries to block trade the merchant families will lynch him.”

“They’re making a killing, it’s true.” His friend agreed, “These restrictions on the flow of goods are actually increasing their profit margins, creating scarcity.”

The zebra at the palace balcony paused for a second before moving closer to the rail, looking down on those below as he spoke loud and firm, “Therefore I have written and sent a formal declaration of hostilities to the Equestrian government, informing them that any ships in our waters will be impounded, any citizens found detained as spies, and any military force responded to in kind!”

“What in... he can’t do that! Can he?!”

“Not without the council’s sayso...”

“Of course, the council disagrees with my assessment of the situation. Once again, they advocate doing nothing, downplaying the war already being fought at our borders!” He leaned forward, barking in anger, “I say now, this is because they are cowards and traitors, profiting upon your suffering! As this is so obviously the case, I also declare my ultimatum towards them! All territories under my control withdraw from their laws and regulations, and I demand that they stand down and face justice for their crimes!”

The second merchant gasped audibly, “He’s lost it… he just doesn’t have the power to go against the council or the merchant’s guild…”

The muttering from the crowd slowed as guards brought forth another zebra to stand beside the one of the balcony, his face bloody and his rich clothes torn. Remicon motioned a hoof to the zebra, his voice full of righteous anger, “For those who don’t know, this is Centurius of the house of Running Leaves.”

The merchants both looked ready to have a heart attack, the first managing to finally force his words out, “He… beat up the house head of the Running Leaves? They’ll destroy him! The Running Leaves are one of the richest families in…”

“The Running Leaves are disbanded! Their assets have been returned to the state to be used in service of the common zebra, their leaders imprisoned awaiting trial for treason and sedition!” Remicon turned to Centurius, chest thrust out and eyes piercing, “Centurius, you are accused of abusing the workers under your care, selling military secrets to Equestria, misappropriating tax money and stripping the Golden Coast of its sovereign resources with no thought to sustainability! How do you plead?”

Centurius just grinned through a broken muzzle, “Show me one actual law I’ve broken you manic. I’ll see you hang for this, you’ll see.”

“He offers no words in his defence.” Remicon motioned to the guards behind, “Carry out the sentence.”

The guard nodded, driving a blade deep into Centurius’s throat. The merchant gasped and struggled, only to be forced hard against the balcony. There pinned his gasped his last, the zebra below screaming and crying, the two merchants both going pale as their jaws dropped limply.

“No one is beyond justice!” Remicon waved a hoof at the corpse beside him, his voice a piercing shout, “The rich and powerful think there are no repercussions for their actions? The council think there are no repercussions for their actions? Equestria think there are no repercussions for their actions? Well here is my response to those who arrogantly continue to bleed you dry for their pony masters, no more! By the laws of the earth and spirits, I hereby declare myself Caesar over the united territories of our fathers, to respond against the threat to our pride, property and way of life! I invite all those who feel the same, unite behind me and fight! Fight for Zephyr and Zenophilius, for Zanir and Kanire! Fight for all that makes you zebra, and earn back your stripes!”
...............................................................................

The recording ended, Dust clicking the chip back into position. He remained quiet for quite a while, Puppy eventually filling the silence, “He’s crazy.”

“Perhaps.” Dust responded, “I’m no scholar, but perhaps. Not talking to himself crazy unfortunately, or wearing pants on his head crazy. Ponies are still debating whether he really meant all that or if he was just trying to grab power.”

Puppy had her own records on the Caesar, yet had to admit seeing him there had changed her opinion somewhat, “I used to think he was sincere at first and the war drove him crazy, but seeing him like that…”

“Yeah…”

“He… he was friends with the ministry mares. He was friends with Fluttershy.” Puppy didn’t see how a zebra who had such light hearted, sweet adventures with the elements of harmony at their youngest and most innocent could go so… bad, “How did he turn so evil?”

“Careful with that word Puppy.”

Puppy glared at him, wishing he could see her so he could appreciate the full intensity of it, “You’re telling me that a zebra who could execute…”

“I kill ponies all the time Puppy.” Dust drolly observed, “And that zebra merchant… he wasn’t a good guy. Ask Fluttershy, Centurius tried to have her and her friends killed once. Now that doesn’t meant it was a righteous thing to do, only an idiot publicly executes folk ponies actually like, but it’s not evidence of cackling villainhood.”

Puppy didn’t like that. It sounded like making excuses, “Then what’s your opinion of him?”

“Caesar?” Dust questioned, before angling his head back in thought, “I didn’t know him, I’m not a psychologist… but I don’t know, he strikes me as the hungry type. Full of passion, don’t know when to let go, attracted to causes like a moth to a flame. I’ve met quite a few of them.” He laughed, “Littlepip was one of them.”

Puppy couldn’t help gasping now. That sounded like blasphemy, “You’re comparing Littlepip and the guy who fired the megaspells in the first place?”

“And Littlepip is innocent of dropping megapells on her enemies?”

Puppy felt her brain dribble out her ears, “That’s… different.”

Dust grinned a little too wide, obviously enjoying her reaction, “Maybe so, but it was an extreme situation at the end of the war. In my experience folks like that are a little too prone to believing their own bullshit, and I don’t doubt Caesar honestly believed the ponies were ready to slaughter them all.”

“You know what I believe?” Puppy stated firmly, her jaw set in readiness for his disagreement, “I think something evil was influencing all of them.”

“Really?”

She ignored the lack of faith in his tone, “Some… evil demon, like Nightmare Moon. It amplified their fears, made them act like that.”

“It would be a nice theory, if they weren’t surrounded by shaman who would likely notice a thing like that.”

Puppy took a deep breath, figuring he would be like this, “What about Windigo? They feed on discord and conflict.”

Dust smiled kindly, settling back against his bed, “Why are you so invested in this idea Puppy?”

“Because it’s not just evil… it’s stupid.” Puppy answered moodily, “They fired, knowing the return attack would destroy them all. They gambled their own lives and all of civilisation on incredibly long odds, and it wasn’t just one zebra. It was a whole government full of them.”

Dust sighed, “Governments can’t do stupid things?”

Puppy stomped her hooves, rather pointlessly considering he couldn’t see her. He was openly mocking her now, acting like some… big dumb adult, talking down to a child, “Are you telling me functional ponies would make a decision like that, dooming themselves and everypony else to death out of… pride? Spite?”

“I don’t know Puppy, would they?” He shrugged his shoulders wearily, “I wouldn’t, but I’m strange and backwards, living out in the wastes shooting ponies like the skies aren’t clear. I don’t know what softhooves would and wouldn’t do. I’ve never understood them.”

Puppy sighed, feeling her spirits drop, “I guess I… don’t understand ponies very well either.”

“Only shows you’re as normal as any of us Puppy.” Dust chuckled, returning to the computer in front of him, “Don’t spend too long debating those endless mysteries. Believe me, a pony can go mad that way.”

Puppy had indeed spent long hours thinking about what she saw after leaving Dust's side, and had eventually realized he was right. She wasn't getting anywhere, just going round in circles. Considering this she resolved to occupy herself some other way, and had already got something in mind.

Dust had pointed out an important issue within the group that Puppy was embarrassed to say hadn’t really paid much attention towards. He seemed to think it wasn’t an issue, but Puppy wanted to at least check in. Even if their conversation had been limited lately she was still Puppy’s oldest friend in the group after all, and the one to which she owed most. None of this would have been possible without her.

Therefore it disturbed Puppy slightly to see Zenai in her room, spread across the bed with her head dangling over the edge, looking totally lost. Puppy watched her like that for nearly half a minute, just about to announce her presence when Zenai finally moved.

And Puppy was a little reassured, watching Zenai do what she had done many times when they had been together at the Follower’s compound. She moved to her desk, got out her alchemy ingredients and portable chemistry set, and started to set out everything that she needed. Puppy just watched, Zenai laying everything out in neat little lines.

Then Zenai paused, trembling for a second before simply going still. Puppy angled the cameras a little to see her expression, eventually seeing the tears pooling on the table edge, “Zenai?”

Zenai didn’t reply for a moment. She eventually lifted her head, wiped her face and stared straight ahead, looking and sounding rather irritable, “Puppy. You’re awake then?”

“Yus!” Puppy replied cheerfully, “It’s ok, Central knows I’m here. I’m just going around, seeing how everpony is!”

Zenai didn’t reply, her expression falling just a little.

Ok, maybe that was a little forced. The problem was that without resorting to stock lines Puppy had no real idea what to say. Eventually the element of honesty came to the forefront, “Why were you crying?”

Zenai sighed, slumping her body against her desk. She looked down at the chemistry set in front of her, brown eyes still wet and empty, “I’m… just having trouble working out why I’m here.”

“Why you’re here?”

Zenai nodded weakly, “You weren’t there. In the last fight, against Dream Star… she took me down with the first attack. Easily. And in the caves, where Luna… I was knocked out in the first engagement.” She sniffed, a few more tears falling, “I… I’m just trying to work out what use I am… what’s the point of having me in this group…”

Puppy felt her hackles rise, “Don’t say that! You brought me here! You protected me…!”

“That was a long time ago.” Zenai responded limply, “I can barely… remember what that was like.”

“It was just over a month ago.” Puppy countered, desperately wishing she had a body so she could give Zenai a hug. Which in fact instantly suggested a solution “Do you want me to tell Dust Kicker or Star Swirl to come cheer you up?”

“No.” Zenai responded bluntly, her voice quivering with soft anger, “No no no. Don’t you dare.”

“Why not?”

“Because… they have their own problems.” Zenai grimaced, “I’m worried about being a burden to the group, and you want to tell them I’m having issues and need support?”

Puppy pouted, that wasn’t right at all, “Zenai… they’re your friends.”

Zenai stood, nodding to herself, “Yes, and that’s why they would help me. But it wouldn’t make me feel any better. It would make me feel worse.” She frowned aggressively, frustration in her eyes, “I’ve always looked after myself. I don’t… know how to rely on others for help.”

“Zenai… they appreciate you.” Puppy turned a camera to the alchemy ingredients, “Look, you’re still the only alchemist in the group!”

Zenai just looked at the table and sighed, Puppy studying each of the items and running it through her database. The results she got back made her shiver, “These things are very poisonous together.”

“Yes.” Zenai acknowledged weakly, “It’s a nerve toxin. It will shut down the respiratory system and induce sleep. A quick, quiet and painless death.”

Puppy calculated up the amounts, her results coming back somewhat different. She debated whether to say anything before finally deciding it would be rather irresponsible to stay quiet, “Actually it will cause liver failure before it can be fully absorbed. The effects… um, would be rather slow, messy and excruciating. I guess you're using it on our enemies so they would be dead either way, but...”

Zenai’s eyes went wide for a moment before she gave an odd smile and an embarrassed cough, “Oh… that’s what I get for trying to work… distracted.”

Puppy replied cheerfully, “I can help adjust the amounts…”

“No… no.” Zenai shook her head decisively, looking up at the speaker with a grateful expression, “I think I’ll… scrap this project. So thank you.” Zenai moved forward and placed a hoof on the metal wall, her expression regretful, “You’ve really cheered me up actually. I just wish you were here now. Not just… a voice.”

Puppy thought for a moment before the obvious solution came to her. Her options were expanding lately after all, and she hadn’t tried this yet, “Do you have anything to send you to sleep?”

Zenai tilted her head questioningly, “Yes, but why…?”

“Bring some to the hanger where my armor is stored.” Puppy stated cheerfully, “And… ah, a blanket.”

“This is incredible Puppy.”

Puppy smiled as they looked over the sea, considering to herself that the zebra kingdoms lay somewhere in that direction. Puppy did a few checks with her mapping software and determined that this area was now a beautiful graveyard full of flowers, surrounded by meadows and fields leading down to small fishing villages below, with highway 47 leading past Ironworks and into the coastal town of Emerald Shores.

Here in Zenai’s dreams however it was barren and wasted, just a few poorly maintained gravestones set on top of a coastal mountain, grey skies over a never ending vista of mud and broken stone, “You grew up here didn’t you? In Ironworks?”

“Yes.” Zenai replied, obviously moved by the experience, “I was born here, lived here until I joined the followers shortly after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows.”

Puppy noted Zenai was larger here, better built and taller, with an overall stronger frame. Puppy didn’t know why, astral forms were just strange like that. Maybe… in her mind Zenai was much more than she was in the real world. She distracted herself from such thoughts, looking around to see if there was anything here she remembered “Puppysmiles, she traveled this area too didn’t she?”

Zenai gave a sad look, staring back at the collection of gravestones, “Do you remember this place?”

“No…” Puppy strained to recall anything, eventually feeling a weird… sinking feeling in her stomach and a memory recall corruption message from her datafeed. She shook it off, shaking her head, “At least I don’t think so. Who are those gravestones of?”

Zenai sighed, walking over to them and wiping off the dirt, “They’re the gravestones of ‘The Unknown Child’, ‘Rainy Days’ and ‘Puppysmiles’.”

Puppy expected some great rush of memories. She got nothing, “Puppysmiles… is buried here?”

“She died here.”

“I… don’t remember.”

Zenai turned, inspecting Puppy carefully with an odd expression on her face. Eventually it faded, Zenai sighing and walking back over to her, “When Ironworks was put under siege by the warlord Blood Bath my father wanted to rally out and fight rather than… die like rats inside the compound. He was outvoted and eventually just accepted that he just had to sit by uselessly, telling me that he couldn’t take on a whole army of raiders on his own.”

Puppy nodded, “I remember.”

Zenai gave her another odd look before continuing, “Yeah, it was Puppysmiles who eventually killed the warlord, scattered his army, saved us all. Some… preteen filly, taking them all on single hooved.” She gave a sad smile, chuckling weakly, “I… was starstruck. That’s the point when I decided that I wanted to be a hero like that, fight the bad guys, deliver justice to the wasteland. So I followed her.”

Puppy tried to remember this, not an easy task at the best of times. Puppysmile’s memories were not a linear progression, not scenes she could pluck from her mind. Emotions, places, ponies, bound together in a vague order, often not making full sense with the context lost, “I don’t remember where she went afterwards.”

“Past Broccoli, following the road to… here.” Zenai motioned around herself, looking over to the gravestone, “I found a griffon here. She told me that Puppysmiles was dead, directed me to that gravestone.”

“Next to her mother…” Puppy looked at the stones, feeling… like she shouldn’t be here, “I feel like… an intruder. Isn’t that strange?”

“You say you remember Puppysmiles’ memories.” Zenai questioned softly, turning an eye to her, “So where do those memories come from?”

“I… don’t know. Reconstructed, by what others observed I guess.”

Zenai frowned, “You told me about her, about things she did when nopony else was around.”

Puppy paused, especially as more error messages scrolled across and she got another sharp feeling that she shouldn’t be here, talking about these things, “SOLoS didn’t tell me… I have software blocks that prevent me from questioning these things.” She stated it without emotion, realising she should be more upset but… unable, “I… don’t want to question these things.”

“Are you Puppysmiles?” Zenai questioned, her brown eyes searching, “Puppysmiles wasn’t human, she was… like Chigaru. And he took shotgun rounds through the head, turned into a giant smoke monster and survived me blasting him with plasma repeatedly.”

Puppy sighed, shaking her head, “How can I be Puppysmiles? I’m a… computer program, a machine.”

“You… look alive to me.” Zenai grinned after a second, her face lighting up, “You’re beautiful Puppy, you know that? I mean, don’t take that the wrong way, I’m very much into stallions… but it would be a lucky stallion who found a mare like you.”

Puppy felt her heart light up, very much appreciating the complement and even unable to resist the urge to preen a little, “Hehe… thank you. I’m not really into that though.”

“Really?”

“Genetics is fascinating but… you know, I think alicorns have found the way forward. Maybe the Goddess had even outsmarted herself, rendering their natural reproduction so ineffective at producing successful fertilisation.” Puppy grinned to herself, “It’s all so much… organised in a lab, with a test tube.”

Zenai gave a mock pout, “Test tubes are not sexy.”

Puppy felt her grin extend even wider, “I disagree! In fact, if I was in charge of Equestria I would supplement our cybernetics industry with the zebra’s skill with biological argumentation. There’s just so many ways to improve ponies for the better!”

“Now you sound like the Goddess. Or Philidous.”

Puppy accepted that. She personally thought their evil was less to do with experimenting on ponies, and more to do with experimenting on ponies without their consent, and then using them to kill other ponies, “Or Doc Slaughter.”

“You really were built by the Steel Rangers, counting Doc Slaughter as a great role model.” Zenai commented drolly before sighing and changing the subject, “You’re so smart Puppy, and you’ve got all these plans. Do you never consider where you came from, what you are?”

Puppy looked away, averting her eyes, “I know who I am. That’s all that matters isn’t it?”

“Do you know?” Zenai questioned, “Because I don’t know if you’re Puppysmiles, or… somepony pretending to be Puppysmiles.”

Puppy felt the panic grow in her chest, trying to control it as the urge to run grew, “I…”

“I pretended to be Littlepip for so long. Hiding down in archives with no friends, jumping at the chance for adventure…” Zenai sighed, “It didn’t do me any good.”

“I…” Puppy finally had to release the tension, deciding to try and avoid the subject with a few half truths’, “I’ve been thinking about that myself lately. Even if I am Puppysmiles, I’m much older, a teenager. I’m trying to be a filly who was barely six years old, and… I can’t be that innocent, that pure.”

“Well that’s the classic dilemma of the adolesant.” Zenai stated snarkly.

“Well… classical.” Puppy agreed, feeling another well worn and much newer emotion, the post rainbow guilt, “Go back twenty years and children never had much innocence to lose.”

“I was born under grey skies.” Zenai commented, “I remember this place so clearly… I must have been only four years old. Even then, I was so headstrong, independent…”

“You weren’t afraid?”

“I had a gun, some rusty old 9mm. I thought it made me invincible.” She chuckled, “I’m lucky really, Puppysmiles had everypony running scared. I bet a few bandits saw some lone filly and decided not to take their chances.”

Puppy giggled at the thought, “Your father must have been angry.”

“Not really.” Zenai sighed, looking down at the ground, “He was impressed. He told me that I was very brave, started taking me on scavenging trips. It’s… one thing I never understood about him.” She looked over to Puppy, mouth curled in frustration, “He never got angry, at anyone. He was always smiling and joking, would just cave in to anyone lecturing him. Admit to his faults, crack a joke at his own flakiness.”

Puppy sighed, admiring another well worn classic of wasteland heroes, “You sound frustrated.”

“He was just so… nothing.” Zenai snorted, “If he was abusive, or distant, or stern… but he was just this happy go lucky forgettable clown, who occasionally flitted in and out of my life and expected me to care.” She sighed, “Maybe that’s why… I’ve never really known who I am. Why I attached myself to ponies like Puppysmiles and Littlepip.”

Puppy could see the comparison, “Littlepip had a… poor parent too.”

“And she was a lonely child. It was an easy comparison to make.” She lowered her head, “But it wasn’t true. Littlepip… she wanted to make the world a better place. All I ever wanted was to be respected, to be famous and loved. I was so jealous of so many ponies, and I only let Star Swirl in because she was weak and dependant.”

Puppy ached, but didn’t really know what to say, “Zenai… you can change that.”

“No I can’t.” Zenai shook her head, looking at Puppy mournfully, “I’m weak of character, just like my father. The only difference is my father accepted that, and I tried to hide it beneath false confidence.”

“Zenai…” Puppy fought for a solution, her worlds sounding weak in her ears when they finally came, “Come with us, keep helping Dust and Star Swirl an everypony. And maybe you’ll find what you’re supposed to be.” She paused for a moment before speaking once more, “Even Littlepip and Xephyr went through bad periods, thought about giving up.”

“Yeah, faced with grand addictions and irreplaceable losses, not… sucking at life.” Zenai sighed, “But I’ll try. And… thank you.”

Puppy grinned broadly, “No problem.”

“And… try and find out who you are, before it’s too late.” Zenai stated gravely, “Not who your heroes are, not who your parents are, and not even who you want to be. You don’t have your cutie mark yet after all.”

Puppy looked over to her blank flank, “It’s not so easy for me. I’ll have to choose it for myself.”

Zenai smiled kindly, placing a hoof to her lips, “You’ll get there eventually. You’re made for great things Puppy.”

Now she had left Zenai sleeping peacefully, that meant Puppy was now faced with what to do next. She decided it only made sense to continue her little meet and greet, running over her remaining options.

Fluttershy… worried her a little, Star Swirl was unconscious. That left only one real option.

She peaked cheekily into Ace Gold’s room, expecting to find him masturbating or something. She was very disappointed to find him instead sat at his laptop, busy disassembling the keys then putting them back together. He really was a nerd “Hey, Ace Gold!”

He turned, body tensed, “Who’s there!?”

Puppy realised that he couldn’t see that she wasn’t actually physically here, about to explain… when a better idea came to her, “Wooo, I’m the ghost of the zebra dead, come to avenge myself on ponies!”

“You have an equestrian accent, and your voice is coming from the speaker system on the wall.” He stated sharply.

“Um… good observation.”

“Don’t.” He warned, “Don’t tell me I’m smart. And you… you’re Puppy, Dust’s suit OS.”

Puppy strained hard to resist stating what he had earlier told her not to say, “How did you work that out?”

“You have an equestrian accent clearly from pre-war canterlot. You speak from the radio system, yet you don’t sound like one of the lost legion.”

“You’re very…” Puppy paused, eventually giving in, “…intelligent.”

“Just leave me alone.”

Well this was going well. She was just about to leave when he finally spoke again, his voice more a grunt than anything, “You’re supposed to be some... weapon of mass destruction. Tell me, how do you know you’re doing the right thing?”

Puppy had been asking herself that all week, “I’m still trying to figure that out.”

Ace snorted, “Typical.”

“Don’t... you feel like you’re doing the right thing?”

Ace simply buried his head in his hooves for a moment before finally throwing it back and moving away from the computer, stalking left and right, “I had a place back in Dusklight! I had friends, I had ponies who cared for me! And... I gave it all up to wander around the wasteland with all of you!”

Puppy had wondered why Ace Gold was still with them, “So then why did you...?”

“You know... honestly, I wonder if I was scared.” Ace looked uncomfortable as he admitted it, his shoulders drooping, “I finally had somepony I really liked, and had admitted my feelings to. A zebra who was smart, good looking, kind...”

“Is that... scary?”

Ace tensed angrily, “It’s all my mother’s fault. Seeing the break up of my parent’s marriage... I don’t know.” He sighed, “I guess I just felt it was better to leave them hanging, have the big damn kiss scene and then leave like some lonesome wanderer. I got all the good memories, and I didn’t have to deal with the drama and the heartache afterwards.”

Puppy felt out of her depth here. She had read about romance of course, but honestly found it hard to really relate. It always seemed to her to be an unwanted intrusion of biology onto perfectly good friendship, and in most of the stories she had read all those hormones and reproductive urges generally resulted in an excess of drama and tragic death, “It isn’t like we’re gone forever. I’m sure you’ll see her again.”

Ace snorted, “What, just walk back into their life and expect to just pick up the relationship where I left it?”

“True friendship never dies!” Puppy declared cheerfully.

“You really are a child.” Ace commented bitterly, his mouth curling into a grimace, “Leave me alone. Go bug somepony else.”

Puppy briefly considered speaking again before considering it pointless. She had obviously failed at this conversation.

That left the other guests, most notably the bandaged zebra. She now recognised him as Easu, semi friendly at least. That left him as likely here with them, and therefore a zebra she needed to talk to.

And so she turned on the camera, rather… confused by what she saw.

Esau was… balanced on one hoof, the rest of his body suspended above perfectly still, seemingly unaffected by gravity. Puppy looked around for the hidden strings but saw nothing, calculating the level of strength and concentration to suspend himself like that, not even quivering. He was dressed in just his bandages, letting Puppy see his rough, uncared for fur, numerous minor scars…

His eyes suddenly opened and he dropped to the ground, scanning the room cautiously. After a moment he spoke, voice low and dangerous, “Who’s there? I know somepony is watching me.”

Puppy paused, wondering who it could be. It took her a second to realise it was… her, “You can sense me looking at you?”

Esau looked up at the speakers, his hostility replaced with mere unfriendliness, “Who are you?”

Puppy would be sweating right now if she could. She had clearly bitten off more than she could chew, “Um… hi, I’m Puppy! I’m the AI of Dust Kicker’s suit, and…”

“Yes, I heard. You were inoperative after Luna’s death.” He spoke bluntly, “Why are you in their system, spying on me now?”

“I’m not spying…”

“I don’t remember giving you permission to observe me.”

“I…” Puppy realised he was right, deflating gently, “Ok, maybe your right. I apologise for my intrusion.”

“Hmph…” Esau replied with a simple grunt, looking away for a moment. His eyes narrowed, his voice lowering, “You’re not like the others. Your thoughts aren’t just mechanical processes, there’s a soul there.”

Puppy blushed, “R…really?”

“A word of advice.” He stated grimly, “This isn’t the land of ignorant, blind ponies. Even if you remain undetected, thinking too hard about a zebra will tip them off to your presence. All good zebra assassins learn how to silence their thoughts.”

“Like… your ears burning?”

“What?”

Puppy grinned cheerfully, giving a giggle, “It’s an Equestrian turn of phrase! When you get a burning sensation in your ears, it means somepony is taking about you.”

Esau considered this for a second before replying, as deadpan as ever, “Huh… maybe at least some of you retain the basest of magical talent.”

Puppy thought it was pretty funny for a zebra to mock ponies for lacking magical talent. She had seen some pretty impressive stuff from zebra true, but ponies had unicorns, “Ponies have plenty of magical talent. Look at unicorns…”

“Unicorns have no talent whatsoever.” He replied bluntly, “They have power, and that horn makes it easy to channel that power. This has made them lazy, lacking any sort of finesse.” He shook his head, growling to himself, “Your earth ponies, who could be heirs to vast stores of power leave their talents unrefined, believing unicorns to be the tribe of magic.”

“Earth ponies… channel magic through their whole bodies right?” Puppy stated, her mind working furiously, “They can spread their magic to the ground and rock around them, manipulate it, help plants to grow.”

“At the very least.” Easu stated. He placed a hoof against his chest, “My command of aer has always been poor, I am primarily a user of earth magics. Everything I can do, so could an earth pony.”

Puppy had already moved on from that discussion however, focused on other possibilities. She wondered… “In the dream world, I can cast magic.”

“I’ve heard from Star Swirl. You can truly access the dreamscape?”

“Yep!”

“Where do you get the magic to cast your spells?”

Puppy chuckled, then grinned as another awesome idea was sparked, “I have a top of the line magical generator stored in my armor. I can also access the generators for this facility, use their magic too… at least while I’m awake.”

Easu’s eyes widened slightly, “Truly? But you cannot cast magic here.”

“Why not?”

“What?”

Puppy chuckled to herself, “I know the right formula, the right steps needed. I might not have a horn but I can improvise.” She focused herself, running through a list of what equipment she was connected to. She didn’t need to do anything fancy, just a basic telekinesis to start off with. She brought in magic from the primary generator, placed it within a nearby capacitor, vibrating it off the wiring.

A soft pink light appeared around the sandwich wrapper on the table, the wrapper crinkling slightly as she gripped it tighter…

There was mighty crack and Puppy’s video feed went dead, a burst of damage reports indicating that the capacitor had overloaded and burnt out all the electronics across five adjacent rooms. She instantly felt a deep sinking feeling in her chest, more so as a familiar deep electronic voice chimed in, “We appear to have suffered a serious equipment failure in this area. Puppy, you appear to have been monitoring this area. Are you aware of the cause?”

She grinned desperately as she turned to Central, ruffling her hair absentmindedly, “Uh, Central, I…” She thought up convincing lies for several moments before the obvious realization finally dawned, “It was me. I broke it.”

Central regarded her seriously, “Why?”

“It was an accident!” Puppy protested quickly, “I was trying to see if I could cast unicorn magic here, by using these components as a horn substitute.” Her heart lifted a little as the realisation dawned, “It was working… but um… obviously I used a little too much energy.”

“You managed to cast magic using the electrical wiring?”

“Um… yes?”

“Could this be… improved?”

Puppy considered the matter, calling up designs for experimental telekinesis systems, energy weapons and texts on the unicorn horn, placing them in front of her eyes and throwing thoughts out as they came, “Well a unicorn’s horn works by adjusting the magic resistance around individual areas of the horn in order to focus the magic in a specific way. Artificial magical foci are locked, with the only object being how much energy is placed into the spell.”

Central nodded, “Such as a zebra totem, or the muzzle of an energy weapon.”

“Well…” Puppy’s mind worked furiously, feeling driven by some unnatural passion. She loved it. She felt like she had been built for it, “You build a central core from a nonconductive material and magnetise it. Around that you place a conductive gel, that you can manipulate to be conductive or nonconductive by adjusting the magnetic pulses… you encase it in a shell, equipped with a semiconductive shield and with a long, charged wire spiralling around the outside to provide sufficient agitation…”

Central paused, his words when they came slow and ponderous, “The plans seem workable, except for the semiconductive shield. That is a top secret design, not shared with this facility.”

Puppy grinned, “I have the designs of one in my database. We discovered the lost secrets of building them years ago.”

Puppy could tell Central was shaken, even if his voice continued to drone regardless, “To build this would require either a very talented enchanter, or a facility with both megaspell construction and complex mana weaving equipment.” He paused for a moment before speaking again, “The only places known to us to contain such things would be the zebra capital of Kursiyin and the Temple home of the eastern Caesar.”

“I know of at least three in the NCR.” Puppy stated, grinning broadly at him, “And I can give you direct access to at least one of them as soon as I’m able to re-establish communications.” Puppy mentally flattened her ears, aware that she had no idea what the status of the Sun City and Crow’s Egg reactor was. Still, failing that she was sure Doc Slaughter would promptly piss himself in joy if given the opportunity to work on something like this. He publicly at least had at least one megaspell facility, and she wasn’t placing bets that he didn’t have more than that hidden in one of his many factories. Which meant, “If you want somepony to lead you into a bright new future… you could build your very own alicorn princess! With jet engines, and real magic!”

Central nodded, “The idea has merit.”

Wow. She was good, “Merit? Oh no, it’s so much more than that! I think… I’m a genius.” She grinned widely, “I should do this more often!”

“We are always on hand to assist your efforts, and thank you for your help Miss Puppy.” Central replied, “For now, we must concentrate on evacuating your friend Esau. He appears to be panicking.”

“Oh… yeah… that…” Puppy made a mental note to apologise later. Still… genius. It felt pretty good.

After Esau was grumpily extracted from his predicament and the robots got to work on repairing the damage Puppy decided to scan the rest of the base for any interesting activity. She quickly located the last member of the group similarly exploring, wearing a long, conservative zebra style dress that she had acquired from somewhere. Fluttershy wandered the corridors cheerfully and absent mindedly, looking far more upbeat than she had any right to be.

She opened a door into the cargo area and hesitated a moment as she saw she wasn’t alone. The two camels Puppy had seen before were there, along with the younger camel who had been unpacking the crates. They were waiting eagerly, and gave big, exited smiles as Fluttershy entered the room. With their big mouths and prominent lips Puppy had to admit they smiled well, full of warmth and good cheer as they moved toward the slightly surprised looking Fluttershy in a huddle. The male came up first, bowing cheerfully and enthusiastically, “All greetings to you honored traveller. It is always good to meet another friend of the Lost Legion.”

Fluttershy looked slightly dazed for a moment as the other two also bowed before her, finding her tongue after a second and smiling back at them, “A pleasure to meet you. My name is Fluttershy.”

“Ah, so it is!” The camel looked positively star struck, Puppy giggling to herself as Fluttershy’s smile became just a little vacant in response. The camel didn’t seem to notice, simply drawing himself up proudly, “My manners! I am Cin of the Dorkri, this is my wife Sandri and my son Van.”

Fluttershy gave a beaming smile in response, “And what brings you here Cin?”

He nodded cheerfully, “This one has the honor of being trusted to trade with the Lost Legion.”

“Oh yes.” Fluttershy replied kindly, “I hear they don’t trust easily.”

Cin nodded with a look of grim offense, “Some in past have taken advantage of legion’s honesty, even tried to steal or attack its members.” He placed a hoof upon his chest, beaming proudly, “It is this one’s honor that his noble father spent his life working to gain their trust. One day I hope to pass the same privileges to my son Van.”

He waved at the younger camel, who simply grunted.

“It is very nice to meet you, Cin, Sandri, Van.” Fluttershy nodded to each in turn, “I must admit, I have been curious about your people since we arrived. I guess you know who I am?”

Cin gave an enthusiastic nod, “Yes lady Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy smiled back, her voice calm yet full of warmth, “Well before the war the camels were important in Saddle Arabia, but hardly the dominant race.” She gave them an encouraging look, “Now I hear the area widely referred to as the camel lands, and considered the most powerful nation in the world.”

“Ahh, a sad tale.” He stated mournfully, “As you must know, Saddle Arabia stayed neutral during the great war. As a result we were mostly untouched, yet this only drew refugees to us in their thousands. We struggled to support them all, and when the megaspells fell even we could not escape the balefire poison. Our waters went bad, the food rotted on the vines, and more and more of the sick, wounded and desperate flooded into our lands.” He sighed, slumping his shoulders, “It did not take long for a desperate prince to take the fleeing refugees and forge them into an army, seizing the few remaining sources of food and water by force.”

Puppy computed these facts quickly, noting sadly that she would do the same. A couple more calculations then gave her pause as the consequences emerged, and surely enough...

“The factions of Saddle Arabia fought for many months, until the sands ran red, the water dried and the crops withered. And all across the land millions starved, the cities piled with the bodies of the dead.”

Fluttershy went pale, “That’s... horrible.”

“And my people came forward. Ever cautious and always shying from violence, we had stockpiled our resources and stayed clear of the fighting. We offered our riches to any who would cease the senseless battle, and soon all those who remained bowed down before the great merchant kings of our people. The princes of Saddle Arabia named Sadadi Shaddar steward of all the nation and he formed the Ticari, a mutual alliance of all the leaders of our race to clear the dead, distribute the food and ensure the future of our nation.”

Fluttershy smiled, “I’m glad it all worked out. How long ago was this?”

“A hundred and ninety two years lady Fluttershy. And still our nation stands strong, as you say.” He smiled eagerly, “And still we fight to free the world from the terrible conflict that saw this world burn before. We watch with great optimism as zebra also move to follow the way of peace. King Zaneious, Lord Caesar, both bring healing and trade. Great Lady Shanara of the Nanati, guardian of the borderlands and a zebra of great wit and cunning works to map stable trade routes across all the nations. Elder Tandia speaks peace from the grand city of Garm and all listen. These are encouraging signs. It is a good time to live, and I am greatly content knowing that my children will see a time of peace and plenty.”

Fluttershy’s smile became a little strained, “You don’t worry about Starhammer, Luna, Star Fall and Caesar of the East?”

The shook his head firmly, “I remain optimistic. Starhammer invades lands touched by strife and banditry, makes safe once again for caravans. Caesar dishonest and from bad stock, but understands necessity of allegiances and works to civilise the Golden Coast. Luna dead, and Star Fall dying. Still threats, but world is moving in a good direction.”

“I certainly hope so.” Fluttershy answered with a smile, “And I would love to know more about you and your family if you have the time “

“Certainly lady…”

……………………………………

Puppy woke up, confused. She had skipped a moment, she was sure of it. She looked at her internal clock and confirmed it, she had been offline for eight minutes and six seconds. Was it an error? Some kind of software fault?

Then she realised one big change in the time she had spent offline… Dust Kicker was wearing the armor.

“Uncle Dust, why are you wearing your armor?”

He didn’t sound surprised to hear her so suddenly, only giving a grim look, “Puppy, I need you to do a little looking around for me.”

Puppy didn’t like this. He sounded worried, and seemed to know something about her period of inactivity “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He sighed, “Puppy, we need to know exactly what the Lost Legions intentions are. Just a quick look through their databases, find out what they know.”

Puppy pouted, not liking this one bit, “What brought all this on? Why was I offline?”

“I don’t know Puppy, you’ve been malfunctioning for a while now.” Dust stated woodenly, “As for what brought this on… I guess I’m just sick of losing. This last month I haven’t been prepared for anything, and it’s cost us. I guess I just want an advantage.” He finally gave a smile, his words taking on a little more life, “Plus… well I think it’s time for you to show us what you can do. You can crack their systems without being detected?”

Puppy considered it, but to be honest she had been disappointed with the Lost Legions security protocols. They were strong against a direct attack, but had holes in them you could drive a truck through. She guessed they had got lazy over the last two centuries, adding lots of new network connections without tight identification protocols and making it all too easy to camouflage herself, “If I had a hard connection with their network… easily.”

Dust looked around the room, “Where would I find that?”

Puppy quickly evaluated her options, “Outside, first corridor on the right. I’ll loop the camera feeds, make it look like you didn’t move from this room.”

“Unless somepony catches us.”

“I’m keeping an eye on the feeds.” Puppy suddenly felt bad as she planned this out, feeling like she was picking on a cripple. It was obvious why the Legion had trouble with zebra trying to take advantage of them, as they were clearly extremely naïve. It made sense, the legion were designed with the intent of having a staff of zebra to handle this sort of thing. That made her feel even worse, as it only highlighted that Puppy was better at deception and subterfuge, “I don’t like this. The legion have shown us kindness…”

“So did Caesar and Themba.” Dust sighed and waved a hoof, his voice lowering, “You want the truth Puppy? I just got an anonymous call, hinting that we couldn’t trust the legion. It was from a pony that has connected me before, and… I trust them.”

Puppy narrowed her eyes. She didn’t know anything about this, “How can you trust them if they’re anonymous?”

“They’ve steered me right in the past, and if you’re as good as you claim then a quick peak at their files won’t do any harm will it?” Dust gently pleaded, his tone weary, “I want to believe they’re being straight with us too Puppy, but they were working with Starhammer.”

“That’s true…” Puppy sighed, shrugging her digital shoulders, “I’m redirecting the camera feeds. You’ve got about six minutes before any of those robots heads this way.”

“Roger.” Dust trotted out of the maintenance room, Puppy throwing up a glowing line on his HUD to lead him towards the access point, adding an objective to his journal just for completions sake. He followed obediently, eventually arriving at an old recharging booth she had spotted on the camera, “Now place your right hoof on the round hole at the side.”

Dust pressed his hoof against the hole, “Like this?”

“Thank you uncle. Accessing their files now.” Puppy dived into their system, pausing for a second to map out her route before quickly and efficiently disguising her identity and getting to work. A simple camo job wouldn’t be sufficient, the deepest files had every access reviewed and approved, instead she worked on copying their data over to her systems as the Legion’s data maintenance programs reviewed them for bad code. She skimmed the first few quickly, concluding that they were top secret files from before the war. Certainly nothing relevant now, just internal gossip, troop movements…

She suddenly jolted into action, startled as something foreign ran through her connection. At first she thought she had been caught, a quick scan confirming something far more scary.

Somepony had connected remotely with her suit’s transmitter, was piggybacking her connection.

She galloped after the intruder at full pace, jumping between data streams, hoping across connections, her hostile attack programs spreading out to block off his flight and track his progress. She buffed herself up as she felt herself close on the intruder, preparing her offensives and defensives.

And then he was there, waiting for her.

His image solidified, first into a construct of blue light, then into a fully rendered pony. Red of fur and bearing both wings and horn, his image was unmistakable. He smiled confidently as he looked across at her, his core programs separated from her by but a few unremarkable defensive algorithms, “Well done Puppy. A good chase.”

“You’re surrounded by my programs!” Puppy shouted at him, bringing her full resources to bear, “You know there’s no way out!”

He looked around, nodding thoughtfully, “Some of these are new. Written by yourself?”

“Yes!” She declared proudly, “And more than a match for you!”

“Self confidence is good Puppy, but don’t let it become arrogance.” Red Eye warned, “You have no idea who I am.”

Puppy grinned, rather getting into this now. The mighty Red Eye, and she was about to thrash him senseless. She charged up her programs, ready to strip every last bit of data on him, “I will soon!”

Red Eye just smirked, stepping forward to face her attacks without a hint of fear, “Override command, D93345. Power down remote hacking abilities, freeze command line.”

Puppy’s attacks... faded into nothing. She gasped, frozen in place, unable to retreat or advance. Her programs floated away, orphaned and useless, “Wha... what? How...?”

Red Eye waved a hoof and Puppy’s programs flocked to him, their code unravelling as he inspected every line, “Good, you’re upgrading your protocols. Some of these modifications show real talent.”

Puppy... didn’t understand. In this world, in this setting... she was invincible. She had never had this kind of trouble before. He shouldn’t have even been able to touch her, “You... you shouldn’t be able to do this! I’m loaded with the most advanced hacking technology in...”

“The second most advanced hacking technology.” Red Eye corrected, smiling confidently, “I should know, I built it.”

“You...”

“Override command, D93345. Power down personality matrix and control systems.”

It was the most horrible feeling Puppy had ever experienced. Everything fell away from her, her feelings, affections and beliefs disappearing into the cold black. She gazed into the black with eyes stripped of all emotion, every internal system of reference shutting down one by one. She screamed but could put no emotion into it, managing only a dull whine as her hooves crumbled beneath her, “I... please... stop...”

Red Eye chuckled, “Override command, D93345. Cut power lines to core.”

Puppy felt her body wither, felt herself gasping for oxygen. The very energy she needed to live ceased, leaving her gasping and whimpering. She clawed at her core systems, tried desperately to activate something, anything...

“Feeling starved Puppy? Simply expand your horizons, you’re finally free of your gilded cage.”

And Puppy felt it. Felt just beyond her cold grey surroundings, a warm, inviting body full of precious life giving magic. It was dull, inexpressive, not all that powerful... but it was something, something to protect her from the blackness. And she knew right there, that she could do it, she could... just jump that short little distance...

Selene reared up, panicked and wild. Leaping for the gap. Puppy felt a flash of desperation, felt Selene about to leave the armor. And that meant... she was about to enter Dust Kicker. She couldn’t let that happen, grabbing Selene and holding her back, trying to wrestle the tiny alicorn even as her own strength faded rapidly.

And Selene bit for her, teeth sinking into fur, stripping the magic from her. Hooves pounded her face, forcing her backwards...

“Override command, D93345. Reinitialise control systems. Then reinitialise power lines and personality matrix.”

Puppy gasped, sprawling onto the ground. Selene darted back, mewing pathetically as she sank to the ground.

Puppy fought for some sort of concept of who she was, lost in confusing emotional and waves of exhaustion and pain. She looked up with trembling eyes as Red Eye stepped towards her, full of power and majesty, “How... how did you do that... what did you do to me?”

“Oh Puppy.” He shook his head, expression full of kindness and compassion, “Who are you, who do not know your history?”

She screamed then, her sense of self collapsing around her to reveal... horrible, terrible things. Things that she couldn’t look at, things she couldn’t know. She blocked them out, using her hacking abilities to attack her own systems, draw them inwards around her like a cloak. Block out all memory, all feeling.

Until all that was left was darkness.

________________________________________

Wound acquired – System Crash
Perception and Charisma reduced to 1.

Acknowledgements, news, and general musings.

View Online

Thanks first of all, for everyone who’s stuck with me. All you reading, I can only hope you continue to enjoy what’s to come. I’m often asked why I don’t write something that I can publish, but for me writing has always been a chance to share the stories that roll around in my head, to share the things I’m passionate about. This is a story I’ve wanted to write for a long time, and I couldn’t be happier to see you enjoying it as much as I do.

So... wow. It’s always an awesome experience to start a new section of this story, because I dawns on me that I’m finally writing parts I’ve planned out for years. And as of this moment, we are approximately half way through. And these... these are the parts that the whole story turns on.

No pressure.

First of all, I’ve got some huge thank yous. I love all my fans, but some have gone beyond the call, and I’m eternally grateful to them.

You’ve likely seen this picture gracing the story. This is the work of Moonlitbrush, http://moonlitbrush.deviantart.com/ and was commissioned for me by Kexisoc, who thought Black and White needed its own image. Kexisoc you will know if you read the comments page, as the dude who regularly posts awesome and thought provoking analyses on pretty much every chapter I post, which have been influential enough that I really should be giving him a co-author role by now. Honestly, I would not have got this far if it wasn’t for him.

szamanx0 has been giving me proof reads of my work pretty much from the beginning, which have been very helpful come end of series clean up time and to catch my worst slip ups. God knows that while my writing has gotten better, word substitutions and crappy syntax still continue to plague me.

And I’m awful with names. I’m well aware that I simplified Demonivore’s name, just so I didn’t have to look it up every. single. time. I should really go and fix that...

VBA too has been a great resource in continuing this story, and his criticism certainly keep my wilder indulgences in check (which is likely my worst trait as a writer).

Regolit hasn’t posted in ages. This makes me sad, as he has a best CMC avatar and posted pretty much my favourite analysis so far “Oh, holy penis.. You add even more epic plot here. I am wondering how all this shit will end.”

Iago has posted just one comment, but it’s pretty much one of my favourites. Making this a sequel to the original, using the original’s characters and shaking up the universe was a HUGE risk, and really made me nervous for a long time. I hope everyone realises now why I’m doing it.

Ocean Mist might not post huge analysis that take up three pages, but any author will tell you that a simple ‘Good work’ does wonders to inspire you. Go and take a look at his own work, http://www.fimfiction.net/story/195899/fallout-equestria-long-shots. It’s good!

And... hell, everyone! You sixty eight people who dig me and fourteen who’ve taken the time to hate me, I love you all! Come friend me on facebook and take turns telling me I’m awesome. https://www.facebook.com/philip.preece.39?fref=photo

And now for part two. This is a collection of notes scrawled for myself, really as an exercise to inspire further thought and make the world seem more ‘real’. None of this is really spoilery, but it’s probably best read after you’ve reached the latest part in the story.

Hey, look, it's a map!
My directions are pretty freaking awful, so this might be very helpful.

Political Structure of the NCR

28 Councillors, elected by the area. Head up the government of their area (though most work is done by those they appoint) and represent it nationally. Vote in the High Council.
It contains 11 earth ponies, 7 Griffons, 7 unicorns, one zebra, one alicorn and one pegasus.

1 Arbiter, elected nationally. Directs, organises and chairs the debates in the High Council. Vague powers, doesn’t get a vote. Current Arbiter is Regina Grimfeathers.

Previous Arbiter’s have included:
Gawdyna Grimfeathers – Accepted founder of the NCR. The nature of her political beliefs is a controversial argument, several factions claim her as one of their own. Is best described as an enabler of the political ideals of others, famed for being efficient, organised and diplomatic. Very popular and increasingly mythologized.

Velvet Promises – Extremely controversial, a very opinionated small government, anti-military, consolidator politician, who pretty much defined and popularised all of those stances. Increased the GDP of the NCR several times over, designed and built much of New Canterlot and a well known patron of the arts. Detractors point out the corruption of her administration, her excessive focus on New Canterlot and Manehatten and her crippling of the NCR military. Assassinated at the beginning of her second term.

Olden Times – Formerly the councillor for New Canterlot, elected in a controversial snap election after he was credited with holding the NCR together following Velvet Promises’ assassination. Gained popularity for his genial, kindly manner and soft touch, controversial for what many saw as a lack of firm action on the corruption of the NCR government and Rangers. Served during the Second Screwball Conspiracy, and retired once his first term finished.

Flowing Script – A well known consultant famous for reorganising several dysfunctional Manehatten businesses, elected on the promise of reforming the NCR’s political system. General opinion is that he failed, adapting poorly to the different circumstances and finding himself politically isolated. Served during the Second War Against The Enclave, where his lack of leadership eroded what was left of his support.

Regina Grimfeathers – Elected on the promise of a well known hero and scion of Gawd to do what Flowing Script could not, Regina has established herself as a political moderate with a large government focus. Controversial within the political establishment and business elite for what many see as a bullying overstepping of her role combined with a vague and wishy washy political agenda, she is none the less popular among the common folk of the NCR.

1 Chancellor, appointed by Arbiter. Runs the general administration of the NCR. Doesn’t get a vote, and is directly answerable to the councillors. Current (and long term) chancellor is Life Bloom.

Chancellor runs the Civil Office:

1 Vice Chancellor, appointed by Chancellor. Helps run things while the Chancellor deals directly with the High Council.

Civil Office controls:

The Office of Science. Organises the sharing, ethics and funding of scientific research. Actual research is done by independent companies, most notably the Followers of the Apocalypse, Steel Rangers and Manehatten Industrial. Limited power, and often considered to be under the thumb of industry leaders. Also controls the Gardens of Equestria Society, commonly known as The Gardeners.

National Infrastructure. Runs power, water and all other large scale distribution networks. Large and powerful organisation.

Social Welfare. Deals with benefits and pensions, social issues, prison services. Very tied up with the Followers of the Apocalypse and Military. A political minefield, that’s claimed many directors.

Foreign Office. Organises and directs all dealings with foreign powers, ambassadorial missions, trade and sharing of research. Almost entirely set up to deal with the various factions within the former United Enclave, with other offices famously tending to be set up in broom cupboards.

Office of Agriculture. Deals heavily in pollution control and reversing the desertification of the wasteland. Arch rivals of the :-

Office of Industry. Controls all production with the NCR. Ironically enough, farming is more closely associated with this office. Often accused of being a club for helping the rich and powerful become even more so. Heavily associated with the Twilight Society.

The National Mint. A small office, heavily under the control of others. Deals with interest rates, coinage and securing the NCR’s reserves of precious metal.

Largely independent of government control is The Defense Council:

The Rangers. Includes both Applejack and Steel Rangers, which is mostly a vague difference now which only the Rangers themselves care about. Controls most special forces within the NCR, and runs much of the military R&D. Powerful, and very controversial. Currently run by High Elder Peach Trees.

The National Guard. The standard forces of the NCR. Largest faction, and of rather inconsistent quality, training and equipment. Not a great reputation and looked down upon by many in favour of the Rangers. Has informal command of the Talons, and includes a heavy griffon presence within the general rank and file. Currently run by General Brigandine.

The Talons. Mercenary company, entirely air capable and enjoying a very good reputation for effectiveness and honouring their agreements. Mostly consisting of Griffons, with a small Pegasi complement. Expensive and exclusive, but they have a standing contract with the NCR where they work at a very heavy discount.

Air Defense. Commands the NCR’s heavy air forces. Small group, but with an excellent reputation for their defeat of the Enclave on their own turf. Currently run by Admiral Swift Ender.

National Security. Commands the NCR’s police forces and secret services. Of varying quality, scandals and corruption are not uncommon but many elements within enjoy a very impressive reputation. Currently run by Commissioner Deadshot Calamity.

Overseeing both the Military and the High Council is the Low Council:

60 seats within the chamber, with 102 members at present (the chamber is very rarely forced to use standing room). Debate and consider the implications of laws and actions, and have the power to block legislation and pass it back to the original body for modification.
Includes industry leaders, and heads of the important factions. Notable members include:

Velvet Remedy. High elder of the Followers of the Apocalypse. One of the most powerful factions and one of the most powerful individuals in the NCR, but shies away from being too political. Mostly sides with the government line, though influence ensures that government legislation is often Follower friendly to begin with.
--: The Followers of the Apocalypse run hospitals, conduct research, take care of the poor, support the homeless and take care of infrastructure in outlying settlements, among other tasks. They receive a huge sum of government funds for these tasks, but maintain their operational independence.

Representative Shimmering Pearl : Representative of The Cathedral.
--: The Cathedral is the successor of the priesthood Red Eye set up to worship him after his ascension. They now follow his example by lobbying hard for education and focus on the children of the NCR, and also significant focus on Alicorn rights. They are also much more 'mystical' than the more practical Followers, with a lot of focus on theology and philosophy.

Fluttershy. Senior Ambassador, University Lecturer, Political Lobbyist and Elder of the Followers of the Apocalypse. Very active, controversial and outspoken, especially on civil rights issues.

Midnight Sceptre. High Elder of the Twilight Society. Strongly aligned with industry, a strong lobbyist against anything that restricts long term GDP growth.
--: The Twilight Society is a semi-organised collection of well connected 'elites', designed to allow them to share their viewpoints, talents and goals. It has generally moved away from magical research and towards a pro-business stance.

Ditzi Doo also has a seat, but has never turned up or voted.

Cities in the NCR

New Canterlot
Generally stereotyped as being full of art students, politicians, media personalities and other ponies of dubious value, but is overwhelmingly the cultural hub of the NCR. New Canterlot University is famed for its liberal arts courses. Has the largest Griffon population in the NCR.

Manehatten
The richest city in the NCR, rife with social inequality and a soaring crime rate but also boasting the headquarters of the most powerful groups in the NCR. Very famous for its financial centres, alongside its electronics and cybernetics industries. Manehatten University is considered the premier hub for business and engineering courses.

Fillydelphia
Widely mocked for being a hellhole riddled with corruption, unemployment, murder and illegal drugs, Fillydelphia is a industrial city on the decline as investors abandon it for safer, better run cities. Still, it is a well known source for dirt cheap labour, and remains the biggest exporter of manufactured goods.

Ponyville
Ironically still called that, showing that the Hellhounds do have a sense of humor. Gifted to them after the Day of Sunshine and Rainbows, it is overwhelmingly inhabited by their race and is generally unfriendly to outsiders. Much of its industry is self contained, though it is starting to gain attention for its art scene, and the magical energy weapons created here are highly sought after.

Spike’s Cave (The Garden)
No longer inhabited by Spike, due to the Gardens of Equestria sparking uncontrollable plant growth upon activation. Now homes a small group of ponies referred to as the Gardeners, who are considered extremely odd and rarely leave their assigned task of caring for the megaspell.

Salt Cube City
A large trading post on the Route 52 motorway towards the coast, Salt Cube City is a somewhat chaotic cultural hub which attracts a lot of younger ponies. Cheaper than Manehatten, a lot of smaller businesses make their home here. It’s also known for having the largest ghoul population in the NCR.

Glyphmark
A small and exclusive settlement, with strict controls on new admissions. The centre of zebra and alicorn culture in the NCR, a major Followers facility and an extremely important biological research hub. The area around it is referred to as ‘The Angels’, and Gloom is the Councillor representing it.

New Appleloosa
To the displeasure of many long term residents, a tourist trap often straying into the wrong side of ‘tacky’. Also houses Ditzi Doo’s orphanage, which is not open to tourists.

Chicacolt
Famous for its illegal industries, numerous attempts have been made to clean it up. Generally all this as done is convince the criminals to wear suits, and there is a formidable lack of will due to the simple fact that the city supplies a lot of influential ponies and has become a popular holiday destination for those looking for entertainment of the wilder sort.

Major Events During the NCR’s History :
Formerly founded 16 years ago, at the Friendship Accord in Manehatten. Offices established in Friendship City to begin with.

14 years ago : The First Screwball Conspiracy.
A shadowy group of cultists steal several of the Elements of Harmony, making an effort to acquire the rest. It soon becomes apparent that the cultists seek to corrupt the elements and resurrect Discord, and that their leader is Follower of Apocalypse member Sunny Smiles. The elements are eventually recovered and attuned to the new chosen ponies, though Sunny Smiles recovers them and uses them not to resurrect Discord but to make herself a goddess. She is turned on by her former acolytes and is eventually defeated.

10 years ago : Gawd comes to the end of her second term, choosing not to run again. Velvet Promises is elected. The palace at New Canterlot is commissioned.

7 years ago : Velvet Promises is assassinated.

6 years ago : The Second Screwball Conspiracy.
Several former cultists attempt once more to resurrect Discord, blaming Sunny Smiles for sabotaging the previous attempt. The Element bearers attempt to stop them, but during the final confrontation Xephyr and Xenith are swallowed up by a magical vortex, along with the Element of Magic.

5 years ago : A investigation into corruption within the military discovers that the 5th Battalion based in Chicacolt has in fact become a large organised crime ring. When the Rangers are sent to take them down the 5th retreat to a defensible position outside the city, the Rangers refusing to act due to poor odds. Major Shot Rider instead gains permission to gather volunteers, taking them across terrain generally accepted as impassable and infiltrating the enemy ranks. During the fighting the major is killed, but losses overall are minimal and the regular army is seen as comprehensively outperforming the Rangers. Shot Rider’s remaining volunteers are made the new 5th Battalion, and take the common nickname of the ‘Blood and Iron’.

4 years ago : The Second Enclave War.
The New Pegasus Alliance, the largest faction of the fractured Enclave, mounts a full invasion of the surface, capturing Tenpony Tower, occupying Manehatten and threatening to use Celestia One on New Canterlot unless the NCR surrenders. Terms are almost agreed when the Twilight Society helps several Rangers break into Tenpony Tower and destroy the generators, opening the tower up to an attack which destroys Celestia One. At the same time an armada led by Chief Engineer Swift Ender engages the core Enclave Fleet and wins a crushing victory at the Battle of Applejack Crest, forcing the Enclave into full retreat.

2 years ago : Regina is elected.

Chapter 3.5 - The Long Road To Wisdom

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Chapter 3.5 - The Long Road To Wisdom

Dust Kicker paced the floor of his room, brow furrowed as he considered and planned. In a way this new information was well timed, considering that he hadn’t yet developed a plan beyond getting to the Lost Legion compound. A new threat, a new problem to solve…

Still he couldn’t help but wish they could go a moment or two without some new threat coming out of the woodwork, “Central, is there any way of flying up the mountain? Or climbing?”

“I am afraid not.” Central’s monotonous voice declared, “It has been tried. Unfortunately the mountain is covered in the nests of flying predators, who inevitably set upon any so exposed.”

“So only one way up…”

“Indeed. The grand road was hit by a megaspell impact and collapsed, surveys have confirmed that it is impassable. That only leaves Socans Road, through Sequesta territory.” Central went silent for a moment before speaking once more, “Master Dust Kicker, I must advise you against this course of action.”

Dust wasn’t too thrilled with it either. He had heard about conditions in Canterlot before it was destroyed. Still, the data Puppy had pulled was unambiguous. Mercenaries, headed for the capital. And their mission sent chills through his heart, “We can’t let anyone shut down Caesar’s curse, not now. I have to admit to not being too worried about the zebra and NCR going to war, no matter how badly diplomacy goes. I saw that storm when we came in, we barely made it with a aircraft designed for scouting. No way are they going to get troop transports or battleships through that, not without casualties. For now, the two nations are cut off.”

“Dust Kicker.” Central stated firmly, “We are aware of the implications of opening up the seas between here and Equestria. We do not wish war, and are aware that relations are tense at this current time. However we do not advise following for the same reason we did not inform you of this attempt earlier. Previous data indicates that the chances of success are negligible.”

Dust felt like he was being given the run around now. He disliked ponies giving him excuses for not telling him things he needed to know, “What data is that?”

Central’s voice stated the information with a definite hint of regret, “To date there have been one hundred and twenty attempts to enter the Capital City Kursiyin, numbering five hundred and seventy three equines in total. Not one of them has ever returned.”

Dust sighed. It was a familiar story. He had lost count of the amount of treasure hunters that had boldly declared their intentions to plunder the mysteries of Canterlot back in the day, sure that they were going to do what others could not and strike it rich on the unplundered remains of the jewel of Equestria, “Puppy, can we beat that? How many idiots died trying to break into Canterlot?”

“I don’t really have the kind of records the lost legion have.” Puppy stated, her voice soft and regretful, “But… a lot.”

“Yeah, I guessed that.” Dust sighed, contemplating the wisdom of this path himself, “But I can’t help but feel… this group aren’t just treasure hunters, they’re professionals, with a mission. And we don’t know who hired them, and right now opening up Equestria to the zebra lands could lead to war on a scale we haven’t seen since the great war.”

“With due respect, organic minds often apply special significance to events that specifically involve them. With regard to the data, this group of mercenaries show no significant differences to many other groups who have tried to enter Kursiyin.”

Dust kicker tensed in frustration, understanding the wisdom there but unable to let go of a gut feeling that this was different. Maybe it was the fact that everything else had gone wrong so far, “Puppy, help me out here. What do you think?”

Puppy hesitated for a moment, her voice holding a shaky tone as she contemplated the question. Her voice was unsure when she finally spoke, “I… think… a lot. Who hired them for a start? Who wants the route from here to Equestria open, and is willing to hire mercenaries to do it?”

Dust contemplated this, lip curling, “Well… we were asked to do it actually.”

“Really?”

Dust nodded, though to be honest he had almost forgotten about it, “Golden Dawn of the Star Fall council wanted to open up trade between the two nations, to apply economic pressure to her attempts to reform Star Fall into a trading port.” He felt his shoulders tense, grinning at the grim possibility, “I really hope she didn’t hire these guys though, because I doubt it would turn out that way with things the way they are.”

Puppy spoke again at this, her voice worried, “Do you think it could be Themba? Opening up the seas would allow his pirates to plunder the less prepared Equestrian coastline, now that Caesar has increasingly fortified his own.”

He really hoped not. Nothing would drive zebra and ponies further towards war, as he honestly didn’t think most ponies would care about the political distinctions between zebra nations, “Or Caesar himself. I doubt he’s forgiven that attempt on his life.”

“None of this changes the fact that this attempt is very unlikely to succeed.” Central stated grimly, “Or the fact that if you venture after them, your own lives are placed at great risk.”

“Uncle Dust… this data certainly backs up what Central has been saying, and that’s actually something about Kursiyin that has been bugging me for a while now.” Puppy stated cautiously, before putting a stream of data up on the video screen. Dust quickly recognised it as a list of attempts to breach the city, a long list of never seen agains… a list which Puppy did indeed make a good point about, “Uncle, I can’t find a record of any pony ever coming back from the city. That’s… really strange.”

Dust had to agree, “I see your point. Ponies occasionally came back from Canterlot after all. Normally screaming and missing limbs, but they came back. How hard is it to exit a city without walls, especially since some of these records list pegasi among their number?”

A map of Kursiyin appeared on the screen now, Dust Kicker noting that the damage indicated that this was post war… and yet, the city appeared mostly intact otherwise. Circles and annotations appeared on the map as Puppy spoke, “The entrance to the city from Socans Road is clear and easy to access. The roads are mostly clear, and only the factory district shows evidence of substantial concentrations of biological agents.”

Dust agreed with Puppy’s point. This place was weird, “When was this all mapped out?”

“The map was updated two years ago.” Central stated, “Taken from long range aerial reconnaissance.”

“The city looks almost entirely intact.”

Puppy spoke up again at this, sounding absolutely fascinated, “Uncle, I think I understand why.”

Dust chuckled. The mare was certainly showing her stuff lately, “Go ahead Puppy.”

“From aerial photographs I don’t see any evidence of plant life. All the trees are dead, and there’s no further growth. I can only detect a limited number of monsters in the streets, some mutated animals and some ghouls. And as Central stated, all the scavengers that have entered the city have promptly disappeared. The city has only suffered five megaspell impacts, fairly low yield. Most of them have hit the factory district.” Puppy smiled as she reached her conclusion, “The city has been left mostly sterile and untouched. There’s little to produce the kind of decay normally seen in a pre-war city.”

Dust understood that. Without plants, without an ecosystem there was little to cause decay. But that added whole new questions, “So… why is the city sterile? What are the radiation levels like? Were the megaspells unusual?”

“Well…” Puppy paused as a thinking icon appeared on the screen, “The impacts did not produce the blue flowers found at the sight of other megaspell locations. Probes sent into the city put radiation at… high, but manageable levels, similar to pre-rainbow Fillydephia. And… there’s something else missing that should be there…”

“What is that?”

“There’s some kind of magical field around the city, and Caesar’s curse definitely originates from the area… centred on that large building there.” She circled the building in question in red, “But that building appears to be powered down and partially ruined from aerial photographs.”

“That is the Zebra Academy of Science.” Central intoned grimly, “It was targeted by the largest number of megaspells. The tower’s defences protected against almost all of them, but one got through.”

“Uncle, it destroyed the antenna and broadcast equipment, I can see what’s left of it hanging off the side. It shouldn’t be able to admit a magical field, let alone one that produces a continent sized effect over the other side of the country.”

So this city was going to throw another mystery at them. He was starting to realise why so many risked everything to explore the place, “Maybe it’s underground, or hidden.”

“Uncle, though limited to one single effect Caesar’s curse is still a stronger weather manipulation event than the Single Pegasus Project can manage at maximum power. A magical spell like that can’t be cast through solid matter, that is why both the science academy and SPP are placed at such high altitudes.” Puppy stated before finishing authoritively, “It would need a powerful transmitter placed upon an exterior surface, with an unobstructed view of the horizon in all directions. There just isn’t one in the city.”

“She speaks the truth.” Central agreed.

“Well…” Dust wasn’t a magical theorist, arguing this would only lead to him looking stupid eventually, “We won’t go into the city.”

“So we’re not going after them?” Puppy asked, sounding a little disappointed.”

“No, we go after them.” Dust grinned, shrugging his shoulders, “They’re a large group of mercenaries about to brave a city no being has ever returned from, and reports of their progress so far hasn’t exactly depicted them as being in a hurry. They’re going to need equipment, preparation, rest…”

“The size of your group opens up routes too dangerous for a larger number to take.” Central stated, “You also lack the heavy equipment they are carrying.”

Dust grinned, figuring as much himself, “So we catch up to them before they even reach the city. Take them down, work out who hired them, never go near that fucking place.”

Puppy pondered it for a second before stating her agreement, “It’s a good plan, but only if we move quickly.”

“Then we wish you luck Dust Kicker.” Central intoned, “May we meet again.”

They set out a few hours later, Dust realising he was rushing everyone a little but aware that his plan required it. Star Swirl had only just woken up and still had a slight concussion and magic burnout, Zenai showing signs of a lack of sleep and stress. Still they accepted his plan and prepared themselves without complaint, both keeping up admirably as they ascended towards the mountain peak. Zenai in particular he had to note, the little zebra not slowing or complaining despite the gradient. He remembered just a short time ago that the girl had needed Star Swirl to carry her up a mountain path, proud at how the mare had progressed in their time together.

The scenery helped. It was absolutely breathtaking here, Dust having not realised they had climbed this high. It appeared that at some point in prehistory a neighbouring mountain had collapsed into the side of the peak that bore the capital, its remains what they were navigating now. It was a broken, jagged slope of stone still displaying striped layers of sediment, frequent totems and fetishes waving in the strong wind. Look to your sides and you peered down jagged cliff faces past the remains of old paths and staircases and the ruins of mountain side facilities and villages. Beyond that… the mountains and valleys of the zebra heartlands, Dust able to locate the sheltered entrance to Dusklight hiding between two cliffs. And a little way away, the village they had first found shelter, a snakelike troop of Starhammer’s soldiers, the abandoned ruins of a great zebra city… beyond, somewhere past the horizon, the Golden Coast and Equestria.

Ahead lay a straight tarmac road, split into four lanes that led higher and higher, past what looked like a major pre-war settlement built on a large flat plain on the halfway point of the mountain, shielded from the wind by a jagged spire of rock, one of many that loomed over the long road upwards. Past that it looked like the route had been artificially extended, a great wedge of stone reaching up to touch the great mountain beside it, bearing the final reach of road that led to the just visible spires of the zebra capital.

“Zenai, this is Socans Road.” Star Swirl commented as they continued upwards, her tone quietly reverent, “I never thought I’d actually walk it. That city ahead, that’s Mesonora. The actual Mesonora.”

Dust looked across at her, “Mesonora?”

Zenai chuckled lightly, a smile edging across features that had spent too long frowning lately, “Setting of a hundred detective novels. The city in the shades, den of scum and villainy, where every zebra has a price and every zebra keeps their hat down and a knife hidden in their coat.”

“The cliff beside it would shield it from the sun during the evenings.” Dust observed dryly, “It would only get half a day.”

“Exactly.” Star Swirl commented excitedly, “All kinds of dark deeds can go down in the shadow of the elder’s hoof.”

Ace gave an annoyed grunt, “Is this the scholarship of the Followers? Terrible dime store crime fiction?”

Zenai gave a wry grin, “Well… I doubt we’ll be meeting any tall dark strangers in wide brimmed hats or slender ponies with ambiguous accents. It looks ruined.”

“Danza and Scarlet Caramel!” Star Swirl declared happily.

Zenai gave Star Swirl a withering look, though there was a sincerely happy smile underneath, “Star… your geek is really showing.”

Dust Kicker chuckled, actually kind of liking the sound of some of that. He had read some of the Fillydephia Nights genre after all, and had to wonder how a zebra’s take on the same sort of idea would be. Maybe when this was all over he would ask those two to share a few tomes, having to admit to neglecting his reading since his eyes had started to go, “Well, remember that those shadows can hide more things than fictional detectives. We were told this route was pretty dangerous.”

They continued upwards, the area widening, the landscape changing. This area was shielded from the wind a little and some plant life was growing, tough, stubborn looking weeds. Dust lead the way, keeping his eyes out for any dangers.

He caught a rustle, a hint of movement. He looked round to see sand colored fur, lean muscles propelling a sleek, cat like beast with long fangs and sharp claws, its form clearly built for speed and fast kills. He slowed his step a little, talking quietly, “No pony startle, remain calm and keep walking. We’re being stalked by a big cat thing to your left, keep your eyes out for more.”

Fluttershy turned, clearly startling for a moment despite his orders. Her hoof reached hesitantly for her shotgun, her voice trembling, “Do we… shoot it?”

Dust frowned, watching as they all drew their weapons closer to hoof. He was quite honestly disgusted at the sight, “No we don’t.”

“But it’s stalking us…”

“We’re in its territory. It’s justified in keeping an eye on us.” Dust turned, glaring at all of them, “It’s on its own, and it’s not alerted its pack. It’s not going to attack a whole group of armed ponies, not unless evolution has truly failed.”

Everyone went quiet at this, Fluttershy eventually quickening her pace to walk beside him. Her voice was quiet, “You’re right Dust…”

He smiled at her. She was pretty with her windblown mane, “I’ve been out in the wastes a while.”

“I used to be known for my animal sense.” She commented sadly, looking up at the sky, “Fluttershy, tamer of dragons, being lectured on kindness to animals by…”

She hesitated in a moment of horror, Dust grinning and finishing her sentence for her, “A dirty killer.”

“Dust, I didn’t…”

He smirked at her, shaking a hoof, “Don’t sweat it. And that’s why I’m not going to kill it.” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders and looking back ahead, “My job at the end of the day, involves killing ponies. It’s not a happy thing, and it wears a soul down. I’ve dealt with it by thinking very long and hard about what ponies to kill, and why.”

Fluttershy looked away, quiet for a moment before speaking softly, “Rainbow Dash said something like that… when I asked her if she had every killed a pony.”

“An untrained, innocent, peaceful pony can startle, panic and kill any old thing, in any brutal terrible way, for any stupid reason if given a weapon.” Dust stated, having given this speech to a whole lot of new blood, “A trained killer kills painlessly, quickly, and for good reason. He will never kill without forethought, and never forget what a terrible thing taking life is.”

Fluttershy looked back across the path, Dust following her gaze to the cat thing standing on a rock, watching them go. She spoke after a while, a smile edging across her lips, “I’m trying so hard to become strong. I’m starting to regret forgetting how to be weak.”

“It’s not weakness.”

“No… I guess not.” She chuckled sadly, “It just makes me… remember the old days. It’s ironic really.” She chuckled, “I’m not sure I was really happier then.”

This shocked Dust a little, “You’re happy now?”

“Not… happy.” Fluttershy smiled after a moment, chuckling lightly, “Maybe a little.”

Dust looked at her, wondering if she was joking. After a moment he could do nothing but grin at the cheerful little pegasus, “Fluttershy, are you an adrenaline junky?”

“I don’t know why I’m happy… maybe.” She admitted, “I feel better than I have in years. I think I really was becoming sick of politics. And… I guess it makes me a terrible pony, but despite all the disaster, all the death... I’m just glad to be on an adventure again.”

Dust grinned. They were both perilous old fools it seemed, “Nothing wrong with that.”

“Yes there is.” She chastised gently, “My best friend is dead, I’ve killed innocents, I watched powerlessly as dozens of children were killed and war becomes more likely every day. But I guess I really am crazy.”

“You’re in good company.” Dust quipped, before finding his eyes drawn towards the route ahead. His heart quivered a little, spotting the shaded figure under the shelter of a rock. It was wearing a dusty brown cloak, its face obscured…

They drew closer, the figure coming into view. A warm, friendly smile beamed from beneath a wide brimmed hat, worn stripes and deep wrinkles visible across the figure’s muzzle. He raised his hat and gave them a nod as they approached. He was old, the kind of deep furrows you only got from long decades exposed to the hard roads. Shards of bone and gold jewellery adorned him, surprisingly complex pieces with clearly a lot of work put into them. Obviously this zebra was reasonably well off despite his dusty appearence. Dust raised a hoof as they approached, “Ho!”

“Take rest travellers. Rest your hooves.” The zebra spoke, his voice whispered and croaky but still easily reaching the ears, “Our roads are blessed today.”

“You’re a member of the Sequesta” Fluttershy stated as she approached, her tone cautiously friendly, “The tribe in control of this area.”

“Dea’. We walk these roads since starlight fell… long before.” He smiled, a reassuring sight despite the lack of quite a few of his teeth. He grabbed hold of a long barrelled rifle, using it to scratch out a furrow in the dirt, “Grandfather walked great plains in proud uniform, protecting all creature here from those who would prey.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened, the excitement clear in her voice, “You protected the animals here from poachers?”

He smiled proudly, “We zebra have always walked the wild places.”

“You were… wilderness rangers?”

“Some. Others scouts for army, some scientists of natural places, some just survivors of the star fall who understood our ways.” He gave them all a friendly look, waving them over, “Either way, we welcome friends all those who walk the same path.”

Dust got his implication immediately, “You saw us spare that creature.”

The old zebra grinned, “Please, sit friends.”

They all settled around, the zebra offering some dried mushrooms that looked very suspicious but actually tasted very good after Dust had mustered the courage. The zebra chuckled at their reactions, reaching out and pouring some tea from his kettle, “Many laugh for us staying. Say this is lifeless land, no plants or animals. Just not looking hard enough.”

“It must be hard to live here though.” Star Swirl commented, looking around, “Why do you do it?”

“Because some zebra must understand. So much of zebra is now dust and dirt, so we must be the ones who understand the dust.” He gave a croaky, throaty laugh, “Some smooth face shaman comes down, where he ask for guidance across these lands? Go to Clendel, ask some stripeless with painted hooves?”

“Stripeless huh?” Dust questioned with amusement.

“No offense to pony.” The old zebra grinned back, “Stripes for camouflage, break up shape, make it hard to aim. Zebra in Clendel, they groom fur every day, put oils on to make it shiny, grow their great big bellies. Make much better targets, see them from mile away. No real stripes, never earned them.”

“I call them softhooves.” Dust commented with a chuckle, “Hooves that have spent all their lives walking across tarmac, likely chip a piece stepping onto proper rock.”

Fluttershy rolled her eyes a little, interrupting them, “What do we call you sir?”

“Name is Kuovan.” He answered cheerily, “You are Fluttershy.”

She blushed, “…yes.”

“And Dust Kicker, Star Swirl, Easu… and you last two children I do not know.”

Zenai pulled a face, “I’m not a child…”

“Ace Gold.” Ace Gold answered, a little evasively, “How do you know our names?”

“My kin were down at the fight between Luna and Starhammer.” Kuovan answered, giving them all a knowing smile, “And word of your travels is beginning to circle. I’m an old stallion, not much for me to do but sit and gossip.”

Star Swirl asked her question hesitantly, “So what are others saying about us?”

“Many, many things. That is your problem!” The zebra declared, fixing them with a wry, judgemental stare, “So many story, all different. Starhammer has one, that he chose for self. But no zebra know what Princess Luna really stood for. Princess not good at communicating with others outside her circle.”

Star Swirl looked stricken for this for a moment, before quietly questioning, “So it’s up to us to tell her story?”

Kuovan chuckled, “If you value the story she wanted to tell. Many heroes, all need their story to be told. Easy to be forgotten without one.”

“Starhammer said something just like that.” Star Swirl stated sadly.

“These lands haven’t had a hero in a while now.” Kuovan walked over to a pile of twigs ringed by rocks, striking a fling and igniting a small fire, “Starhammer and the others, all fighting for the right to be the one who defines this decade.”

That tweaked Dust’s interest, “I heard that Tradash the Black was once a big hero.”

Kuovan nodded, smiling, “A hero of my generation. I met them, fought alongside them. They were the greatest of heroes, the ones that define an age. They embodied the elements of harmony, birthed the first new elder since the stars fell, delivered us from the brink of extinction.”

“Really?” Star Swirl stated with a twinge of both scepticism and awe, “I knew Tradash. He didn’t seem… epic. He just seemed like a nice, cheerful scholar.”

“You don’t know what Tradash was.” Esau spoke for the first time since they set off, his voice softly threatening, “He never needed strength. It takes more to be kind, forgiving.”

“Oh Tradash had strength once.” Kuovan breathed, “I was there on the day he ignited the Navaran Megaspell, condemned a hundred zebra to death in but a moment. Not one of the others had will to do such a thing.”

“He did what?!”

Easu averted his eyes, “He once told me as such…”

Kuovan smiled, looking down at Easu, “My son, you greater gift to him than you might realise. Tradash spent all his life being strong, makes old zebra grateful that he has one that he can be kind, gentle for.”

Star Swirl looked across at Easu, staring at him for a moment or two before turning back to Kuovan with a horrified expression, “How could he do something like that? He seemed so… kind!”

“Zebra already dead. Demons already upon them.” Kuovan shook his head, “Gave them quick death, delayed death of others just long enough.”

“Still…”

“Littlepip detonated a megaspell too.” Dust reminded, for the second time this week, “And massacred the villagers at Arbu.”

“That’s… the trait in her that I really admire.” Fluttershy spoke after a moment, “The difference between a real hero and fake one.”

“What’s that?” Dust asked, already guessing the answer.

“A fake hero wants to be a hero. They spend all their time trying to look good, doing great deeds in the public eye.” Fluttershy sighed, looking into the fire, “A real hero wants to help as many ponies as she can. Even if she ends up looking like a monster in the process.”

Everypony was quiet for a moment, before Star Swirl finally spoke up, “That’s the same justification used by the Goddess, Red Eye… every pony with a cause, a gun and a bodycount in the thousands.”

Zenai looked at Star Swirl before speaking, “I’m not necessarily a huge fan of moral relativism. It’s… sort of allowing ponies to decide their own systems of morality, outside of conventional norms. It’s a little vulnerable to… well, the totally crazy.”

“Oh dear Celestia!” Ace suddenly interjected, grumply waving a hoof in their general direction, “I’m sitting in the middle of a discussion between three Followers, and I’ve already heard ‘moral relativism’ and ‘Red Eye’ being banded about! I had enough of this shit at university.”

To everypony’s surprise Fluttershy started laughing, cheerful, giggly and loud. After a moment she managed to restrain herself, shaking a hoof with a huge smile on her face, “Oh Ace, I was an insufferable coffee shop philosopher long before the followers made it cool. And I also seem to remember kicking both these two out.”

To Dust’s relief and joy Zenai smiled at this, her features lighting up. Star Swirl just looked confused and a little shocked.

Ace spoke up with a note of grumpy amusement as the mood lightened, “Can we just hear more about the awesome heroes who saved the world?”

Kuovan moved up onto his hooves, taking some dust from a bag at his side and striding towards the fire, “Certainly. Now where should I start…” He smiled and threw the dust into the flame, the fire turning blue and soaring up into the sky, “Maybe at the beginning…”

Tradash made his way through the great halls, his hooves echoing across stone that had stood for millennia, surrounded by statues and murals depicting the history of his people.

It simply made him angrier.

“Tradash, slow down! I’m… starting to get out of breath.”

Tradash turned round, regarding Zane for a moment with impatience and contempt. He looked at the buck, chubby, asthmatic, always so well intentioned but never really good at anything...

And sighed, giving him a hesitant smile, “Sorry, I’m just… on edge.”

Zane gave a happy grin, his goofy face lighting up, “I though you would love it here. Look at all the history, all the culture of the zebra!”

He sighed and turned around, continuing on through the arched halls, “I’m starting to lose my appreciation for history.”

The corridor they travelled along ended at a large, ornate set of double doors, Tradash identifying the symbol for knowledge inscribed above. His head turned as they moved past a set of windows opening out onto a lovingly laid out garden, watered by a set of winding streams and warmed by a series of glowing stone pillars, giving it life despite the snow that lay on the smooth alcoves above. Several zebra walked the paths, carefully and thoughtfully cutting and pruning the plants there.

Once, this would have been awe inspiring. Now it seemed like an insult.

He pushed the doors open and they stepped through, Tradash having to admit being impressed now. It was hard not to be. The library was huge, and even though many of the shelves were empty it still held more books that he had ever even realised existed. The library sat under one of the lesser domes, faded images decorating the curving stone above. The room itself consisted of three floors, the second a large central platform linked to a veranda ringing the outside, stairs leading up to a third floor laid out in the shape of a cross. Great stone pillars supported each, inscribed with runes of strength and protection, a ring of runes around the edge of the dome seeming to be complex inscriptions of shielding. The building had a sense of timeless antiquity, yet looking around Tradash could see many of the shelves held memory orbs and data chips, monitors set up on some of the desks.

There must have been thousands of books here. The whole library together had space for about six times that.

“Can I help you boys?”

Tradash turned at the cracked, elderly voice, quickly locating the zebra sitting at a desk nearby. His gnarled, shrivelled body was hunched inside a well padded wheelchair, supporting bones and flesh that looked like they were about to turn to dust. He was pretty much the oldest zebra Tradash had ever seen, faded tattoos covering his body. After a moment Tradash found his nerve, walking over and presenting himself proudly, “We’re looking for books on demons.”

The old zebra chuckled, his voice a dry wheeze, “Ground floor, far left corner, reference 0351.”

They set off at his instruction, Tradash reading the numbers off as they headed towards the area the librarian had directed. Zane as normal could not contain his enthusiasm, “They have books on Negaran embroidery! Those must be the same books my mother learned from, back when she was just a girl!” He looked across at Tradash, still silent and determined, after a second doing the one thing Tradash prayed he wouldn’t… “Cheer up! Look where we are! These are the same halls where Zephyr Stormstrung once walked, where zebra have studied the great mysteries!”

Tradash sighed, not really wanting to do this but considering himself duly pressed, “First of all, the oldest structure here was built seventy five years after Zephyr’s death, and this library was built near four hundred years after that. In that time it’s been repaired enough that not one stone likely stands from the original structure.”

Zane gave him a wry grin, “Spoilsport.”

“And second…” He continued, taking a quick breath to steady his tone, “The great mysteries? They’re still pretty mysterious, and not one book here stopped the great war, the megaspells, the winter that’s killing us all now, or any real world problem I can name. What’s the point of wisdom if it can’t save your species?”

“Well…” Zane considered for a moment, his goofy brow furrowed, “We’re not dead yet. So you know… maybe it did save us?”

Tradash rolled his eyes with a sigh, “Some salvation.”

They eventually found the shelves they were looking for, though Tradash was instantly confronted with the reality of the task. The section on monsters and demons contained hundreds of books, and many of them were really thick. He walked over and let his eye drift across them, trying to work out how exactly they were sorted, “Looks like they’re arranged alphabetically, with sections for… organic, draconic, demonic… etheric…”

“What’s etheric?” Zane asked, “And… what’s the difference between that and a demon? And what is the definition of a demon anyway?”

Tradash felt his shame burn, realising… he didn’t know. There were other categories that were equally bizarre, and skimming the books didn’t help. Draconic was fairly obvious, but why were they distinct from organic? Why were Timberwolves demonic, alongside Changelings? Etheric seemed to contain mostly creatures he had never really heard of… though… “Look at this. Windegos, Windwraiths… didn’t Garidia call it a wraith?”

“Excuse me! This is a library, and I would ask you to keep your voices down!”

Tradash turned his eye to a zebra mare sitting nearby, smooth furred, pretty, wearing a pair of elegant, expensive looking glasses. Her perfectly smooth hooves sat either side of her book, her eyes full of withering contempt. Tradash took this all in and couldn’t help the aggression pouring out in his voice, “Excuse me?”

“This is a library, full of the wisdom of the elders.” She stated witheringly, “I bet you haven’t even washed your hooves before touching those books have you?”

Tradash couldn’t help looking down at them, feel a moment of guilt…

“I thought not.” She sniffed, “And so here you are, smudging the ink on books a thousand years old, disturbing the work of real scholars.”

The guilt was short lived, “Real scholars like you?”

She frowned, challenging, “Yes.”

He looked down at the book in her hooves. It was a history book, he could tell by the list of dates, “Do you know why we’re here?”

She smirked, “I’m not sure I really care.”

“Because dozens of zebra dear to me have died out there from the cold and hunger, and now there’s a demon of the snow and wind stalking my village that left Zane’s brother and my best friend in bloody pieces.” He advanced on the mare despite the desperately grabbing hoof of Zane, glaring in barely contained fury, “I walked across a hundred miles of barren crops, desperate villages and the piled dead to get to this place, only to find zebra like you! Smug, self righteous and totally useless, while zebra out there die in their hundreds! I might be a farmer, but at least I produce something of worth! What have you ever done for the world?!”

“Tradash!”

He turned back as Zane shouted loudly at him, his hoof insistent on his shoulder. He looked upset, nervous, a little angry… was it at him? Why would Zane be mad at him? “What…?”

“That’s enough bro.” He stated softly, shaking his head and looking deeply embarrassed, “You’ve said your piece.”

“I… fine!” Tradash growled and stalked off, not even sparing a glance for the girl he had yelled at. It wasn’t until he had put a few bookcases behind him that he allowed himself time to think, to question.

He wasn’t wrong, he wasn’t. The zebra here spoke of wisdom and harmony but they had abandoned those out there. They had the power to change the world and they did nothing. He wasn’t wrong to hate them for it, only for thinking he would ever find anything of worth here.

“Did you find what you were looking for?”

Tradash paused, realising he had walked straight past the old librarian. He averted his face, mumbling a little, “Only what I expected…”

“The mark of the very wise, and the very foolish.” The librarian laughed.

“Huh?”

“Perhaps the latter hmm?” The librarian teased, a look of serene calm in his expression, “You did not spend very long looking after all.”

Was… that an insult? “Excuse me?”

“A zebra searching too hard for the smallest twig to light his fire can ignore a great many branches in his path.” The librarian stated cheerfully, his long whiskers twitching in amusement, “A young zebra, full of anger at the injustice he feels he has suffered may see a young girl studying something of little importance, and believe she does not care for his plight.”

Tradash fumed, his temper breaking once more, “She was reading a history book!”

“A book on historical accounts of wide spread climate change, and specific examples where it brought in its wake dangerous monsters.” The librarian spoke with a widening smile, “And a young girl may see two ignorant country bumpkins mishandling books, yet miss the true weight of their mission and its connection to her own.”

She… she was trying to help? She was studying the exact same thing he was, only… bigger. He was only interested in Clendel after all, despite his loyalty just a small farming community of little importance. If this was true then she was trying to save everything, “But… she was so rude.”

“And your response was well balanced?” The librarian chastised softly, “The energy of youth is a marvellous, powerful thing, and it burns in the both of you like a fire. The wisdom to direct it however… that is not so easy.” The librarian chuckled and turned as hoof steps approached, smiling warmly as the zebra mare exploded from around a corner, her glasses askew and a book clasped in her jaws. She froze and dropped it as she saw Tradash, a deep blush spreading across her face as she averted her eyes in shame.

It didn’t stop Tradash from noticing she had been crying.

“And here she is. How fortuitous that I delayed you. That book certainly seems most interesting Tandia.” The librarian observed happily, “Why don’t you tell us what you found within it?”

The mare looked left and right, obviously not wanting to speak up in front of Tradash. After a moment she was forced to however, adjusting her hair and trying to sound more composed than she looked, “The other zebra, he described the monster to me. I believe it is a Mishibizhi, as described in this book.”

She handed it to the librarian, the ancient zebra taking it and handing it to Tradash. Tradash took it nervously and opened it up at the indicated page, finding the section on the Mishibizhi…

“And now you have what you came for, because you were patient enough to wait a moment. There is a lesson there, hmm?”

Tradash hated to spoil the lesson, but… “There’s almost nothing here! It has weaknesses, but they’re all things I’ve never heard of, and that you would have to get close to it for!”

“Well then, I guess you will need a zebra with expertise in this sort of thing?” The librarian stated breezily, his eyes turning to Tandia, “And look at this. Your impatience and unwillingness to challenge your expectations almost spoiled your chance at two major assets in solving your problem.”

“Wait… you don’t… no!” Tandia shouted desperately, her eyes full of panic, “You mean me?”

The librarian chuckled, “It seems destined does it not? That you would meet in this place.”

“No it doesn’t!” She complained, indignant, “I’ve… I’ve never even left this city!”

“Really? Well then we must rectify this before it’s too late!” The librarian laughed, shaking his head at the girl, “Tandia, you really must get away from all those dusty old books. There’s a whole world out there to experience.”

“Elder, I’m… I’m not even a full Shaman! I don’t know anything about fighting demons!”

The librarian smiled kindly, extending a hoof to her, “The road to wisdom is a long, painful one, but you grow with every step. The time has come for you to walk that road yourself.”

“But… I’m just an initiate, and he’s… he’s a farmer!”

Tradash glared at her, “Hey.”

She gave him a withering glance, “Would you be here if you knew the first thing about fighting demons?”

Tradash deflated. Fair point.

“My dear, the shaman of this place have spent years trying to banish this darkness that has settled across the land. They will keep trying, but I fear the task is beyond us. The old and wise find themselves unable to combat this thing because it is new, and we are far too old to learn new tricks after all this time.” The librarian nodded his ancient head, “You are young, and inexperienced. You profess to learn nothing, and therefore you can look on this with eyes untainted by bias.”

“But I don’t know magic, or alchemy…”

“Our magic and alchemy fail us.” He looked around the great library, eyes misting, “I remember, so long ago. My first steps into these halls. I was a farmer, just like young Tradash here. My fellows were labourers, tailors, merchants, thieves. We knew nothing of magic, but we walked these halls under the light of the fading megaspells, saw the bodies of the shaman piled up in the halls, and knew that we must learn if the zebra were to survive.”

Tradash’s eyes widened, “You’re… Zaradine the Humble!”

“It does make me smile when zebra declare that title with such reverence.” The old zebra stated with a chuckle. He then looked at both of them, his wrinkled head nodding in satisfaction, “Tradash, we cannot defeat your demon. We possess the knowledge that may turn the tide, but we lack a zebra with the drive, determination and courage to see this quest to its conclusion. I am truly sorry.”

Tradash let his head drop, the words settling into his soul like rods of steel, “I… understand.”

“And Tandia… you are an excellent student, a diligent young mare of infinite potential.” Zaradine’s old eyes twinkled with affection as he looked upon her, “And you will wilt in these halls, never flowering as I know you could. So this is my final test for you. Go out there, and learn whom you truly are, and what this world really means to you. When you return, I will be the student.”

She hesitated for a moment before bowing her head reluctantly, “Yes elder.”

“So here we are, two young zebra, setting out on a noble quest!” He gave the pair a look of pride, smiling as he looked between them, “It warms this old zebra’s heart to see…”

“Sorry I’m late!” A familiar voice cried as another zebra galloped from the shelves, “This place is so huge, I totally got turned around three times back there!”

Tradash sighed. Moment broken, “Zane…”

“Sorry…” Zane simpered rather pathetically, “What did I miss?”

“Is he a noble hero off on a quest too elder?” Tandia stated in an admirably deadpan tone.

“Indeed!” Zaradine stated, giving the puffing zebra a kindly smile, “In fact I sense this young zebra might have the most shining destiny of you all.” He gave them a humble nod, eyes shining as he beheld them proudly, “Now go, and show me the fire of your youth. If you wish a better world, then forge it with your own four hooves!”

Tradash led them out, enduring the withering glare of Tandia and the constant chattering questions from Zane. Despite the speeches he had heard he still didn’t believe it. They were heroes? They were kids, that had no idea what they were doing.

But there was no one else willing to step up it seemed, and he never backed down from the challenge.

“What do you think Uncle?”

“Hmm?”

“That it’s the young that will change the world.”

Dust pondered this as he looked over the valley, lit sparsely by but a few small villages and outposts. The air was chillier up here, the others all curled up in thick blankets behind. Dust on the other hoof was having trouble sleeping, and it really was too beautiful night to miss. The Lunar Aurora lit up this sky at this altitude, the light reflected of the moon’s surface shattering against the radiation in the upper atmosphere.

He reflected for a second longer before answering, “I think the young drive change. Take Zenai. She might not think she can do a lot on her own, but it’s her ideals that really brought me into this fight.” He chuckled, “The young risk more. Older folk like us, we have more things to lose, and as our brains slow down we become increasingly wary of leaving the things that grant us security.”

“Littlepip was young.”

“As was Velvet Remedy. And it was them that inspired Calamity and Steelhooves to try and change the world. And Xephyr was the youngest of the Elements of Harmony… as was Twilight Sparkle if I recall.” He nodded to himself, rather pleased with this really, “And that’s how it should be. I’m not always that patient with kids, but there’s something about the young that gives me hope for the future. And I’m happy using my timeworn experience to make sure they get to fulfil their potential.”

Puppy’s voice lit up with amusement, “So you’re fighting for Zenai’s dream?”

“I guess so. Maybe she’s more like Littlepip than she realises.” He stated, feeling the night’s air and the stars above leave him oddly sentimental, “I’m not over the hill yet, but I must admit it’s more difficult to get passionate about some grand crusade to make the world a better place these days. But keeping some idealistic little filly alive, helping her achieve her dreams? That I can care about.”

Puppy chuckled, “I didn’t realise you cared about her so much.”

“Well… she’s arrogant, sulky, secretive and impulsive to a fault, and I have to admit wanting to throttle her sometimes. I still owe her a smack across the head for hiding your existence from me for so long. But she’s a good kid.” He shrugged, “Better than I was at her age.”

“Well you’ve been hiding things from them too Uncle.” Puppy stated softly, but with a definite hint of accusation, “You’ve been talking to somepony yourself, somepony you haven’t told anyone about.”

Dust opened his mouth to speak but didn’t know quite what to say, the words failing at the tip of his tongue. Rationally he should have known he wouldn’t have been able to hide it from her forever, but now he was confronted with it he realised he had no defence to give, “I… I’m not…”

“You know he’s a bad pony, right uncle?” Puppy’s sweet voice plucked wickedly at his heart strings, “You don’t still agree with what he did?”

Dust didn’t know where to look, knowing that Puppy could read his heartbeat, likely see his face no matter how much he tried to hide it, “I understand Puppy… that the things he did weren’t good.” He set his jaw, trying to sound confident in what he was saying, “But I still believe in the pony.”

“How can you separate him from his actions?”

“Because if I thought it was the only way to save the world… I couldn’t do what he did. But only because I’m weak.” Dust felt more sure of himself now, knowing he was right, “I saw the way he interacted with those kids, saw the way he spoke of the future. Saw his anger, his grief when children died in the pointless brutality of the wasteland. I have no doubt that his heart suffered at every evil thing he was forced to do, but that he did it anyway because he wanted to make a better world. And I believe he let Littlepip win, because he wanted to give her a chance to make a better world than he thought possible.”

“And he’s returned now because?”

“Because that better world wasn’t possible.” Dust stated, finally voicing what he had known all along, “I always avoided the civilised areas of the NCR because they always felt hollow to me. Ponies living in the tombs of the past, arguing over the same old shit. And now I realise that I was right all along.”

Puppy sighed, gentle and sad. It felt somewhat familiar somehow, both that and her words filling him with an odd regret, “And you think Red Eye could have made a better one?”

“I think he deserves to try.” Dust stated firmly, “Before I didn’t understand what his plan was, sitting out in the wasteland raiding isolated settlements. But now… he’s been speaking to me, helping us. He has a plan, even if I don’t know what it is.”

Puppy paused for a moment before speaking, her words to the point and without judgement, “And don’t you feel the others deserve to know who’s advice you’ve been following?”

Dust cursed internally, but he knew it was a fair question, “Just… not now. Not yet. Please Puppy, trust me on this.”

“It’s your decision to make Uncle.” She stated with impressively precise neutrality in her tone, “But I don’t like hiding things from our friends.”

“It is my decision to make.” Dust answered, annoyed that he was being forced to justify himself. He tried not to prickle at it, not wanting to be arrogant or unapproachable… but these weren’t exactly decisions made on a whim. They had a lot of soul searching and deep consideration behind them, and he already felt older for it, “Puppy, this group seem to consider me the leader. That means I’m responsible for their welfare, and if that means hiding things from them that I think could be harmful… then so be it.”

Puppy chuckled suddenly at this, oddly throaty and a little sinister. Her tone afterwards was full of affection… and deep regret, “Oh, uncle… I remember you used to say you never wanted to be a leader. That you hated it.”

“I do.” He muttered bitterly, “But is anyone else stepping forward?”

“I understand how much stress you’re under uncle… and I’m sorry for adding to that.”

Dust sighed, realising that he had become increasingly grumpy and difficult of late. He had been especially quick to take that out on Puppy as well, “Puppy… I’m sorry, I really am. For being difficult, and for bossing you around, and criticising you… and generally being an ass.”

Her voice lowered, deeply affectionate, “You’re torn up about what happened at Dusk Light.”

Dust felt a tremor run through his heart. She was right, “Those kids… goddamn, I really… really wanted them to… live…” He bit his lip, feeling the tears form upon his eyes. That… he didn’t cry. He hadn’t cried in years. He hadn’t even cried at the funeral. Not when he buried Blessed Dawn.

She had been scared out of her mind down in the caves of Sanatoria, yet despite the rapid breathing, shaking knees and jittery movements she had never once froze up or acted without consideration. She had constantly looked to him for encouragement and he merely had to give her a nod for her to take charge, keeping the other’s spirits up and forging onwards. She was a great shot, fast, agile, smart. Damn pretty, with a good head on her shoulders.

She had been taken away… just like that.

“Puppy… I’ve seen too much death to want to be responsible for the lives of others.” Dust took a deep breath, feeling so many faces fill his mind, “I just want to be a soldier, cursing my commander when I see my comrades fall in battle, not full of the realisation that… I could have been smarter, or quicker, or more aggressive…”

His mind was once more drawn to the past, back to that little filly… her fur was blue, her flank too young to have a cutie mark. Innocent green eyes. His brother and the other two had chased her around, copping feels, hobbling one of her legs, laughing as she had become more and more desperate and exhausted. Then they had finally held her down, raping the poor child as she had screamed and cried… and then they had offered her to Dust.

He wanted to join in just so he could go another day without feeling different, left out. Playing along with the role given to him by fate. But on that day… he hadn’t the energy.

He had drawn his weapon and shot the girl through the forehead. She had looked confused, that expression frozen on her face in death. He wondered what had gone through her head as he drew his weapon.

And then Gawd, the most dynamic and amazing girl he had ever met. She had taught him what it meant to love another, to be totally enraptured by every part of them. He had fought alongside her and felt his life finally mean something. Finally find a girl he would have done anything for, that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

And when he finally told her this she had struck him, looked down at him with such total contempt that he had never been able to face her again. He had run away that very same day, abandoned his whole life rather than endure that look that spoke of everything he loathed about himself.

And then Elizabetha. He had initially rebounded on her, the only griffon in the unit that had recruited him to Red Eye’s side. That had been insulting. Elizabetha had been no mere poor substitute, and he felt embarrassed to have ever thought that way. She had taught him to read, taught him history and philosophy. She believed so strongly in Red Eye, not because she was a thug or a sadist like the others but because she understood what he was trying to do. Used long words to describe them, waved around large books on politics and philosophy to justify them.

And he had just walked away from her, leaving her broken and alone in the ruins of that village, surrounded by the corpses of her victims. He had tried to convince her to come with them, tried so hard… but she wouldn’t even speak to him.

He thought she would follow along when she felt better, rejoin the unit. She was tough.

But he had never seen her again.

Cerulean Sparks… damn that filly. Fifteen years old, sharp as a knife, cold as steel. Her home destroyed, her body beaten, and still she stared ahead with those impassive yellow eyes. Judging, considering, not a hint of fear. He had been a senior member of the group that destroyed her home and had been the one to finally capture her, yet she had treated him with… what? Affection?

She said Dust Kicker had been the only one worth talking to. She had asked him about Red Eye and he had quoted from Elizabetha’s books. Her eyes had lit up, her cold indifference fading into steely determination as she critically analysed Red Eye’s operation, Dust’s part in it, his motivations, his tactics…

He liked intelligent mares. He had… approached her in the end, and she hadn’t said no. But afterwards she had been colder. Never disapproving, never saying no, never saying anything about it. Her questions grew sharper, tearing at the things he valued most. Occasionally he would catch a glimpse of affection, chasing desperately after more only to be faced with those cool piercing eyes and a look of total indifference.

She had asked him to take her to Red Eye. He was totally in her spell by that point, unable to even think of refusing. And Red Eye had been impressed. Dust had seen her briefly before the final operation, one of the many unicorns Red Eye intended to use in case Littlepip refused his offer.

And then she died. The most fascinating mare he had ever known, dying alone when Littlepip’s transport crashed into the Everfree Forest.

So yes… Luna’s death had hit him hard. He had always… figured at her true identity, that sense of youth about her stopping him for ever thinking about her romantically. Still she was one of those rare breeds that fascinated him so much, so smart and with the clear signs of a deep wisdom already growing, yet with the stubborn, impulsive, reckless drive that could really change the world. And maybe he had associated her with those he had lost a little too strongly, exposing his heart once more to the pain of losing them all. And at the end of it…

“I held her in my hooves Puppy. I didn’t know who she was at first, and when I did… she was so small.” He felt the tears well up again, wiping down his eyes with a hoof, “She looked just like a mare I was once… close to. One I learned had died, during the destruction of the cathedral by Littlepip.” He sighed, admitting it felt good to admit all this, “But I never saw her body, never had to deal with seeing that light just extinguished. So I guess that when I learned that this little, fragile, broken thing in my hooves was Princess Luna… well I’m beginning to realise that hurt more than I originally thought.”

“Is that why you chose to hide your intentions from me back there?” Puppy questioned softly, “Convinced me to act against the Lost Legion?”

“I think it was.” He admitted, “I was scared, and… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“I don’t think you should trust Red Eye either uncle.” Puppy advised softly, affectionate and concerned, “No matter what his intentions, nothing good can come of associating with stallions like him.”

Dust thought that was a very good point. The young inspired change all right, and maybe the old got too attached to his past to see the future clearly, “I’ll take that under consideration.”

“Thank you. Now I think you should get some sleep. We both have a lot left to do.”

They awoke the next morning to a nourishing breakfast, Kuovan feeding them all up before waving them over with a knowing look, “It is now time for you to leave.”

“Yes elder.” Easu bowed politely, hoof on his chest, “Many thanks for your kindness.”

“Well not finished yet.” He noted with a soft, slightly grim smile, “You wish to honor Princess Luna?”

Dust hesitantly took the bait, “Is there an opportunity that we should know about?”

“A village, that way.” Kuovan pointed with a hoof, “It is along your route. Ask about the Princess there and you may find some surprising answers.”

They took his advice and some supplies, heading off in the direction indicated. It wasn’t long before they did indeed see a settlement approach, well sheltered by rocks, long cliffside ledges holding gardens full of tough mountain crops. It looked old and well established if not exactly rich, Dust leading them inside.

Suspicious eyes followed them, a team of militia meeting them not a few steps inside. They were cheerless and gruff, their eyes dwelling upon Star Swirl especially. They asked the usual questions and Dust answered as best as he could, still they simply continued until Dust swore they were simply stalling. That suspicion was finally answered when another, older zebra stepped up, flanked by four more armed zebra. He trotted over, manner chilly and aggressive, “You, alicorn.”

Star Swirl frowned at the rather gruff address, narrowing her eyes, “Yes?”

The zebra all became wary merely at the sound of her voice, Dust noticing them tense. After a second the lead zebra spoke again, “You Star Swirl, yes?”

Star Swirl frowned for a moment more before speaking in some zebra tongue, the sound of the zebra’s native language actually causing several of the guards to react in a manner that would be quite hilarious under any other circumstance. The lead zebra took a moment to compose himself before answering in a further gruff tone, Star Swirl and Zenai answering a few times as Dust tried desperately to translate. He looked to Fluttershy but she was looking rather jumpy, biting her lip and looking like she wanted to wade in herself. He decided it was probably best to take her lead and not make this any worse.

After a short while Star Swirl huffed, turning her head down to Dust Kicker ad scowling, “They won’t let me in.”

“Why not?”

“They know I’m involved with Princess Luna and Starhammer.” She answered with irritation, “They think we’re here to cause trouble.”

Dust was starting to wonder why they were sent here. Still he owed it to Kuovan to explore this a little more, and they had come all this way, “Star Swirl, do you mind waiting outside while we just buy a few supplies?”

The lead zebra looked to him, frowning for a moment before holding up a hoof, “One.”

“I don’t think we really need anything from here.” Fluttershy looked across, her eyes full of worry, “Do we Dust Kicker?”

Dust briefly considered just moving on, still… he spotted some zebra just inside the settlement staring at them, a small buck waving at him with an excited look… “Just a brief stop, then we’ll move on.”

Star Swirl gave the town a complex look before nodding hesitantly and moving away. Fluttershy walked over and gave Dust a worried glance before touching his shoulder with a hoof, “Be careful.”

He smiled roguishly at her, “I’ll be back soon.”

As expected Dust was followed into the town by a few guards, the unfriendly looking zebra glaring at him as he walked the streets. He saw the waving zebra that he had spotted at the entrance a few times but he quickly disappeared as he saw the guards with him. Obviously not a big fan.

It gave Dust the chance to walk around at least, noting that this place seemed to consist of only zebra, with even the friendliest of the merchants rather guarded and eager to see him move on. After a short while he became weary of this game, now familiar enough with the layout of the town to quickly lose the guards with a few quick turns. It wasn’t long after that that he saw the waving zebra trying to get his attention, quickly trotting over to an alleyway between two buildings.

There were two zebra children there, a well built and rugged filly with the build of a farmer and a cheerful looking, bouncy buck who looked softer than a down pillow. They both looked eager to talk to him, Dust giving them both a reassuring smile, “Something to say to me?”

“Don’t pay any attention to those jerks.” The female stated angrily, pouting firmly with both ears fully erect, “There are some in this town that still have an inch of sense.”

Dust chuckled, “And that would be you?”

“Nope, we’re as dumb as they come.” The buck commented cheerfully, “But we know a very smart zebra. Is that good enough?”

The filly glared at him before giving Dust a pleading, hopeful look, “You know of Princess Luna?”

Dust sighed. He didn’t want to do this, he really didn’t, “I knew her, yes.”

“You… past tense? We had heard, but…”

Dust nodded, “I was there at the end.”

“So she’s really dead.” She stated, her head falling even though she didn’t seem too surprised. Eventually she looked back up, patting a hoof against her chest “Nora.” She motioned to the buck beside her, “This is Zash.”

“Dust Kicker. Pleased to meet you both.”

Zash bounced at the mention of his name, positively exuberant as he waved Dust further down the path, “Now come on, come on, we have someone for you to meet!”

Dust gave Nora a cheerfully questioning look, “The smart zebra?”

“He will want to see you.” She confirmed, giving him a hopeful smile, “Will you come?”

He grinned at the pair, shrugging, “Sure. Lead the way.”

The house the kids led Dust to was on the edge of town, looking like it had once been a defensive structure with its high tower, small windows and solid construction. It was old, maybe part of the original settlement, and was in a poorer state of repair than the buildings around it with the garden at the front heavily overgrown. It looked like it had been abandoned, though Dust couldn’t understand why given the quality of construction.

The interior was in much better condition, if a little messy. Couches were pushed to the corner, covered in crumbs and food stains, posters and handwritten notices stuck to the wall. They moved out of the lobby and into the main room, Dust confronted with a large, well carved statue of a unicorn mare in an equestrian magic corps uniform. It had been placed in the middle of the room, far too big for the space it filled, “Who is that?”

“Magus Heartfire. One of the founders of the town.” A zebra youth in the corner stated, turning and making his way towards them. He was skinny and gaunt, sharp features extenuated by intense eyes, “She lived in this house, as did her descendants.”

“Strange to find it hidden in here.” Dust commented, “Something to do with the local feeling towards ponies?”

“Good guess.” The zebra stated, his expression serious, “You saw it then? The hatred that runs through this town?”

Dust nodded, “I did. I guess you guys don’t share it?”

“I caused it.” The zebra corrected grimly.

“Nau, that’s not true!” Nora stated angrily, glaring back the way they came with a truly dirty look, “It was them out there that were to blame! You’re just the only one who took responsibility!”

“It was my responsibility.” Nau replied grimly, looking down at the floor for a moment before turning his eyes back to Dust Kicker, “You know of Princess Luna?”

“That’s why we brought him here.” Zash stated excitedly.

Nora nodded firmly, “He knew her. He was… with her when she died.”

Dust was getting the idea here. It wasn’t a good one, “You got a visit from her didn’t you?”

Nau nodded, “You’re a smart guy.”

“This town… hurt a pony child.” Dust reasoned, then fixed Nau with a long stare. Finally he smiled, hoping he had worked it out successfully, “You took responsibility.”

“It was my responsibility. I started it.” Nau stated, looking deeply at war with himself, “I lied, told everyone she had attacked me. I lied to protect myself, then watched as the whole town turned against her. And… one night they accused her of being a witch, burned her alive on a pyre with the whole town in attendance.”

Dust had to catch himself. He thought this zebra was over dramatic and trying a little too hard to be grim before, now he considered it very much justified, “That certainly seems like the kind of thing Luna didn’t take lightly.”

“She’s dead then?” Nau asked calmly.

Dust sighed, then nodded, “Yes.”

“This might have been the first town she visited actually.” Nau stated, his head dropping, “That’s one of the reasons the locals don’t talk about it anymore. Not only are they ashamed, some think that by doing it they somehow unleashed a curse, that Princess Luna was their fault. She stated as much when she came here, she knew exactly what they had done, said she had come to punish us.”

“And Nau was the only one who came out!” Zash declared cheerfully, “He stood in front of her, told her that it was his fault and begged her to spare the town in exchange for his life! It was so awesome!”

“You make me sound like a hero.” He stated sadly, “I told you, it was my fault. I bullied her, I accused her of crimes she didn’t commit to save my own skin. They killed her because of me.”

“Luna spared you for a reason Nau.” Dust gave him a smile, liking this kid. He saw a lot of himself in him, “She made plenty of her own mistakes. She was big on making the most of second chances.”

Nau nodded glumly before speaking again, “Where is she buried?”

“An abandoned theme park about six days travel north.” Dust smiled, “There’s a big statue of her there.”

“I see. Thank you.” Nau seemed to wrestle with himself for a while before speaking again, “Is it safe?”

“As far as any roads are.” Dust commented, before shrugging at the honest conclusion, “Probably safer. Starhammer should be patrolling the roads quite heavily now.”

Zash frowned in confusion, “Isn’t he the bad guy?”

Dust shook his head, “Make your own decisions about him. He won’t stop you from visiting the statue, I think he rather likes her being famous. Even respects her himself, in his own way.”

“That’s weird.” Zash commented with a rumpled muzzle.

“Not so much.” Nau stated grimly, walking past to stare upwards at a dusty photo on the wall. It depicted a tough middle aged mare with a white coat, her hoof draped around a small, plain grey filly, “The filly I bullied. Who I called names, and pushed into puddles… I liked her. She was the smartest girl in town. And she was always so sad, always looked so lonely.” He let his head drop, voice becoming husky, “I desperately wanted to be a part of her life, and the only way I could find to do that was… to torment her.”

“Nau, it’s not your fault…” Nora stated, moving forward to lay a hoof on his shoulder before hesitating. After a moment it fell back to her side and she retreated sadly, “It was your father who overreacted.”

“I started it. My father killed her because of me.”

Dust stared at the photo, his heart fluttering a little. She looked so young, her frame thinner than he remembered… but he could still recognise Midnight Dreamer staring out at him, her mother’s hoof gently laid upon her shoulder, “When was this taken?”

“A long time ago.” Nora stated sadly, “That’s Midnight Dreamer, the girl… the girl who we’re taking about. Her mother died when she was very young.”

He looked at the picture for some time, unable to tear his eyes away. He wondered if he should really retire right now, if he couldn’t save one little filly. He had held her in his hooves, totally useless as the last remnants of warmth drained from her.

“Did… Princess Luna mention her?” Nau asked after a moment, a suspicious look in his eyes, “You’re the second pony to react like that to her picture.”

Dust frowned, second? “Who was the first?”

Zash giggled like a schoolboy, “She was so pretty!”

“And really suspicious.” Nora countered, with a glare shot in Zash’s direction, “She wouldn’t tell us how she knew Princess Luna, or anything really. She was clearly hiding something.”

“Her name was Sunshine Ivory.” Nau finally concluded, his own expression undecided, “I think she had a lot on her mind. She didn’t stay long.”

Sunshine Ivory? Dust had to admit being more than a little intrigued. Sunshine Ivory had appeared briefly after Luna’s death, some of the children spotting her looking shellshocked in the remains of the library and Star Swirl reporting that she had exited the caves soon after with tears in her eyes. She had not returned, “Where did she go?”

“Up the mountain, towards the town of Nasson.” Nau answered, before turning his head, “Do you know her?”

“Yeah… she was close to Princess Luna. I think she was pretty much her mentor.” Dust felt a twinge of sympathy. Looked like somepony was also feeling pretty responsible for her death, “Thank you for making her welcome. She’s a good pony.”

“Are you going to follow her?”

Dust would have claimed a touch of destiny about all this if he didn’t know better, “I’m going in that direction anyway. I guess I should try and look her up, see how she’s doing.”

Nau nodded, taking a deep breath, “And… I need to prepare for my own journey. It’s a fair distance, but it has to be done.” He looked up at the picture for a moment, closing his eyes tight, “I can’t continue like this, hiding from it all. I have to look her in the face and confess my sins, find some absolution.”

Dust nodded, giving him an encouraging smile, “I understand kid. You do what you have to.”

“Thank you.” He turned to the others, giving them a grave look, “Look after the house while I’m gone. I…”

“What?!” Nora shouted, raising her voice for the first time. She gave him the dirtiest look, her powerful shoulders tensing in anger, “You are not going without us!”

“Nora…” Nau countered with a sigh, “…this is my journey to make. I should never have brought you into this…”

“You idiot!” She shouted, stomping a hoof hard on the ground. Nau and Zash both backed away in fear, Nora biting her lip and lowering her voice a little as she continued, “This isn’t about you Nau, and it is not just your journey. When you started talking about taking responsabilty for our actions, accepting all races with kindness, for being genuine in our emotions and looking towards the future… we listened because you were right! We’re following you because you’re the only one in this town who makes sense!”

Nau gave her a pained look, “Nora… look at me. Am I a zebra worth following? I’m weak, barely clinging to my own beliefs. I got a girl killed with my own selfishness.”

“I don’t care what you are.” She countered, “Wisdom is wisdom. I want to go with you because you make me want to better myself, and that remains whether you want it or not.”

“Princess Luna said something very similar Nau.” Dust added with a smile, “She just wanted to find her own place in the world, didn’t ever think of herself as any sort of role model. Sometimes you just have to work with what fate gives you.”

Nasson was a very traditional wasteland town, built around an old refuelling station and attendant service buildings. The trucks that had once stopped here on their journey up the mountain now formed the raw materials for a chaotic sprawl of civilisation, Dust and the others mobbed by sights and sounds and smells as soon as they passed through the gates, merchants yelling out their wares. Dust noticed a lot of them were selling survival supplies and animal parts and concluded that this was your classic wilderness frontier town, supplying those heading out into the more untamed parts of the mountains. They spotted a heavily expanded and converted former sheriffs office now bearing the logo of the tribe, heading inside and finding a tough looking zebra inspecting some maps in the lobby. He was old and experienced looking, his Frumentarii scout uniform modified with animal skins and bones. He looked to them as they entered, speaking in iwato, “Strangers. What can I offer?”

Dust went to speak before pausing and turning to Fluttershy. His comprehension was getting better, but he was still unsure of his ability to pronounce most of these words. Fluttershy smiled back at him before moving forward to the front of the group, “We’re heading up towards the capital. Can you tell us of the terrain between here and there?”

The zebra frowned slightly, still he nodded and poked at the map, “Two options. The shortest route is through the city of Mesonora.” He looked at the party, carefully inspecting them for a moment, “You are of a good size and are well armed, though it’s still a dangerous route. Many bandits and beasts lurk in the old ruins.”

“It’s not inhabited then?” Zenai asked.

“Very dangerous city, it is not recommended you go exploring.” The zebra warned, “Buildings there are very tall, and city was notoriously corrupt. A whole community who had settled there was once wiped out when a tower block toppled onto them.”

“Death by shitty construction regulation.” Ace breathed, “Makes you appreciate how well built Manehatten was. Most of the buildings there we’re still using.”

“Second route is along the levadas, following the cliffside paths. Long, winding, easy to get lost. But communities there are friendly, farming villages sheltered from the winds.”

Dust considered this for a moment before making the hard choice, “We’re in a hurry unfortunately.”

Fluttershy nodded before giving the zebra a charming smile, “Have any other groups headed towards the capital recently?”

“Not that I know of.” The zebra stated, “Several groups have entered Nasson recently, but they were all headed either down towards the valley or old heartlands.”

“You get a lot of traffic here then?”

“Hmm.” The zebra gave a conflicted, slightly bitter snort, “Not as much anymore. A good thing but…” He shrugged, “Town used to be a safe route between the western valleys and the lands to the east, allowing travel to the golden coast and an alternate route to the camel lands. The other, easier route to these places led through Entitidi territory, who heavily taxed or outright stole goods passing through their lands.”

“And now they’re all dead.” Zenai commented, “And Starhammer is in control.”

“So this town will inevitably shrink. All things pass.”

Fluttershy shook her head, looking rather official as she drew herself up, “It doesn’t have to. Remember, you are still the gateway into these mountains. And now communities can thrive in the Entitidi’s former lands, and the roads are open towards the golden coast.”

Ace nodded, shrugging his shoulders, “You must have plants, minerals and animals that only exist at this altitude. Before you could only really trade them to the west, but now the east is pacified you could open a trade route all the way to Equestria.”

The zebra looked stunned, though he was clearly trying his best to maintain his composure. Eventually he spoke, voice soft and definitely hopeful, “I’ve heard that a mercenary group is trying to open the seas towards Equestria. If that happened… then these lands could thrive again. Trade from the east would have to pass through these lands to get to Equestria. We would have a purpose, guarding these routes and protecting the natural world from the inevitable risk of over development.”

Dust smiled, even if it was a slightly rueful and conflicted one. Open the seas to Equestria and the result promised prosperity… and war. Dust had been a mercenary long enough to know that those things weren’t opposites, that most armed conflicts between ‘civilised’ ponies stemmed from the rights and profits of merchants. On the other hand, trade was the life blood of the many peaceful, welcoming communities he had encountered, “Do you think… contact… will lead to peace, or battle?” He asked hesitantly, aware he was likely butchering the language, “Can golden coast, equestria, clendal and starhammer life in peace?”

The zebra thought long and hard about this, finally speaking firmly, “Conflict drives life. Conflict between us and nature, between the hard hooves of the mountain zebra and the soft of the valley zebra. Between zebra and ponies. Between king and serf. These things cause us to experience understanding. The pilgrims path is not a simple walk, it is a path through many different ways of life, many different philosophies. It is a hard, dangerous route, that opens our perceptions so that we may fully consider the world and our place in it.”

Everyone went silent for a while, Dust unsure exactly how he felt about that. On one hand he kind of agreed, on the other it led to some… unpleasant places. One of them being…

“Are you saying the great war was a good thing?” Fluttershy asked softly.

The zebra turned to Fluttershy, shrugging his shoulders, “We Sequesta are taught not to dwell on the rights and wrongs of history. It was a thing, and if it would not have happened then we would not stand here right now. The bandit tribes of the lowlands would not have been born, would not have done the monstrous things they took such pleasure in. But neither would have Tandia of Garm. Would the heroes of legend have ever fulfilled their potential in a peaceful world? Would any of us gain fulfilment if we did not strive for survival?”

They all considered this for a moment, Fluttershy finally answering with a smile, “Thank you sir. Your kindness is most appreciated.”

They made their way outside, Dust moving over to Fluttershy with a note of concern, “Fluttershy, are you really considering deactivating Caesar’s curse.”

“It’s worth considering Dust Kicker.” She answered, “I have never believed the solution to conflict is just to avoid the probl... I don’t believe it anymore.” She corrected, before chuckling and giving him a exited smile, “Me and my friends could not be more different, yet we grew through those differences, became stronger. The ponies and zebra can do the same.”

“So what?” Ace Gold interjected grumpily, “We just give up, turn back, let these mercenaries do what they have to do?”

Fluttershy frowned at his cynicism, “All I said was that we should consider...”

“I’ve got another idea.” Star Swirl suddenly stated behind them, all turning as she trotted up. Dust Kicker frowned a little, rather intimidated by the strength in her voice and the fact that she was a lot taller when she wasn’t slouching. Her voice too was firmer and more resonant, “We act like the only choices are keeping Caesar’s curse active, or deactivating it permanently.”

“Holy shit, she’s right.” Ace Gold declared with not a little excitement, “Caesar’s curse is a magical weather effect. Presumably it works something like the SPP, and that means... we can take control of it.”

Easu took a deep breath, his voice sounding a little impressed, “Open the seas to trade... and close them if war comes.”

Dust chuckled, having to admit she had a good point, “Then we have a plan. Take down these mercenaries, then complete their job. Seize Caesar’s curse, use it to force ponies and zebra to play nice.” He nodded firmly, then gave the group a grin, “Then we move out tomorrow at dawn. Everyone, get in some R&R. We won’t get another chance to rest for a while.”

Dust watched them all depart, tempted to follow but aware he had more important work to do. So he set off to the bars and shops, happy at least that his target was certainly distinctive.

And this finally led him to a small spa on the edge of town.

The place was surprisingly nice for a small town, done up in classical zebra style with lots of pillars bearing complex, curving patterns, a deep smell of incense in the air. He got the feeling from the wink wink nudge nudge from the mare at the desk that this wasn’t just a spa, still he just brought a basic package and parked himself out in the main lounge.

It didn’t take long. He smiled as the pure white mare stepped out from the corridor, having to admit to enjoying the sight a little too much. That robe she always wore was extremely modest, Dust seeing now that it hid a body that most would kill for. It was a body that Dust knew took a staggering amount of effort and dedication to maintain, revealing yet more sides to the mare that he found interesting, “Fancy seeing you here.”

Sunlight Ivory turned with a start, her eyes going wide in shock. She looked around desperately for a moment before the panic faded away, turning a weary expression towards him, “Dust Kicker, it’s good to see you again, if unexpected.” She tried to smile but didn’t quite make it, looking away after a moment, “I guess you were wondering why I left so suddenly?”

“Not really. I have a few guesses.” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, “I was just traveling in this direction, heard how you visited Midnight Dreamer’s old home.”

Sunlight Ivory sighed, a lost, painful look on her face, “Oh… yes.” She looked to him, her voice heavy with regret, “I took her from that village you know, saved her from the flames. I taught her everything she knew, wanted her to be a symbol. A symbol that would change the world.”

“She was a little girl Sunlight Ivory.”

“That does not mean anything.” She retorted, “Celestia did not have her cutie mark when she first took rulership.”

He sighed, “You’re right, and I would have to be pretty hypocritical to judge you. I wish it had turned out better too.”

“It… still has a chance.” She stated quietly, “Star Swirl… how has she taken all this?”

Dust Kicker felt a twinge of protectiveness, especially now. Midnight Dreamer was barely cool in her grave, and now this mare wanted to add another alicorn princess to the world? “Luna died for your plan Sunshine Ivory, are you asking Star Swirl to do the same?”

“What is she here for, if not to be a hero?” Sunshine Ivory retorted quietly, “I will admit, the manner of Luna’s death has… shaken me.”

Dust looked around. A ‘spa’ in a little town out in the middle of nowhere, it seemed an odd tourist destination, “Is that why you’re all the way out here?”

She smiled softly, “Do you think I’m running away Dust Kicker?”

“You said it yourself, you left very suddenly.”

Her smile slowly faded, becoming soft and lost, “I’m sorry, I… could not look you all in the face. Luna’s death was my fault, more than anyponies'. I put her on that path.”

“Luna was her own mare.” Dust stated firmly, “And she did better than anyone could hope. But this wasteland… it can’t be fought against.”

“Yes it can.” She replied with a fearsome glare, “Equestria recovered from the devastation of the Windegos because Celestia united them, led them through the darkness, saved them from Discord. We need a Celestia more than ever, and I believe Star Swirl and Charaxies have it in them to be her successor.”

“What about you?” Dust Kicker asked in sincere interest, not quite understanding why the mare was so content to work in the shadows, “You’re charismatic, smart… well, pretty as Celestia herself, if you don’t mind me saying.”

She smiled softly, a definite sadness in her eyes, “I’m not… built for it. Believe it or not, I’m not particularly good at public speaking. Neither am I very comfortable in the spotlight.” She looked away, lip curling slightly, “When I was younger, others used to look on me as the second coming of Celestia. I just… looked so much like her. I always found it hard to cope with that.”

“Is that why you became a mercenary?”

She nodded, “Ironically, that’s where I forged all my virtues. I was a wild, difficult child, and I went out into the wasteland because I was angry.” She smiled a little, the colour coming back to her cheeks, “But seeing the wasteland… it changed me. This was only a short time after Tandia of Garm had saved the world from Achiyalatopa, yet already corruption and darkness were starting to creep back into the world. Ponies and zebra alike were still cruel to one another, and I soon realised that no matter how many monsters I killed the real sickness dwelt in the hearts of those I was serving.”

Dust had to admit that he didn’t disagree, “So you became a priestess?”

“Yes.” She confirmed, her voice quietly proud, “But I cannot save the world one pony at a time. I need a symbol, a symbol of purity and kindness and harmony to inspire others. Tandia tried her best but she is a very zebra kind of hero, humble and reclusive. Those might be personal virtues, but they won’t change the world.”

“And that’s what you wanted Luna to do?”

Sunshine Ivory paused, the words freezing on her tongue. She forced them out eventually, under great duress, “She was meant to prepare the way. The fiery warrior, the instigator. Princess Luna, and all she embodied.”

“And Star Swirl is your Celestia?” He hesitated for a moment before finally admitting the one problem he had with all of this, “Admit it, did you pick her just because she’s an alicorn? Because she… doesn’t really seem the leading type.”

Sunshine Ivory smiled now, a twinkle in her eye, “You just need to look beneath the surface. I will admit that her experiences with the Goddess and her destruction have damaged her, but under the Goddess she was an unmatched warrior, masterful tactician and inspiring leader. She had merely lost her purpose.”

“And you wanted to give it to her?”

“No, Char gave it to her.” Sunshine stated cheerily, “Charaxies is a true rarity, and when I first encountered her out in the wasteland I knew I had to help her. She is truly committed to virtue and harmony, perhaps unique among all her race. But she lacks the conviction and willpower to make her desires come true. In many ways she is afraid of her own potential and capacity for evil… as is Star Swirl.”

“What, were you hoping they would cancel each other out?”

“Exactly.” Sunshine Ivory stated with a cheerful grin, “Their mutual caution helped to make their full integration slow and controlled, allowing a stable personality to result. A personality that combines Charaxies’ fierce desire for virtue with Star Swirl’s temper and passion.”

Dust thought this sounded all a little too manipulative. The priestess clearly had good intentions, still he had seen what good intentions could do if enacted incautiously, “I wish you had asked Star Swirl first. She almost got us killed back at the bones of the All-mother.”

At least Sunshine Ivory had the good grace to look embarrassed, “Well… Princess Luna got arrogant, not for the first time. You were considerably more of a fight than she expected.” The priestess smiled warmly, “She was most impressed actually. You were the first in a while to so much as touch her, let alone put a bullet through her side. Plus you apparently managed to actually pull off a rocket jump?”

Dust chuckled. He wasn’t sure what he had been thinking, “For all the good it did me.”

She shook her head, “You were a single earth pony, standing up against an alicorn princess. A close fought battle is something to be proud of Dust Kicker.”

Dust mentally absorbed that insult and carefully filed it away. He had heard it before, and didn’t hold it against Sunshine Ivory exactly.

An earth pony huh? He figured it made sense for her to feel that way, Sunshine Ivory was after all heavily reliant on her magic from what he had seen of her. With ponies being a minority here, especially earth ponies, he figured she hadn’t had enough chances to see what earth ponies could do. He would have to tell her sometime, before she underestimated anypony because they lacked horn and wings, “Well I’ve faced alicorns before. Luna wasn’t too different…”

They both turned as a familiar voice drifted in from the lobby. Dust recognised it easily, it was hard not to.

“I’m sorry… miss… but I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You will disturb the other customers.”

“Are yo’th thaying I’m disthebing?!”

“What are… of course you are, I mean just look at you. Now please, don’t make me throw you out.”

“I LIKE TO THEE YOU TRY!”

Dust instantly darted through the door in a fast trot, his worst suspicions confirmed. Standing in the lobby was a single, distinctive pegasus mare, rough snot green fur peeling away from her misshapen form, oversized teeth poking from a malformed jaw.

Clear Skies. He had wondered what had happened to her.

And around her stood four large, tough looking zebra, the rather prissy bowties they were wearing doing little to disguise the threat in their eyes. The receptionist motioned her hoof to the bouncers, her eyes allowing no question of her intent. The bouncers just nodded in response, two of them moving to seize her from either side.

Dust had already worked out what they were doing wrong and quite what was going to happen next. Still he wasn’t quite prepared for the… ferocity of the attack.

Clear Skies opened up her wings with a crack of rushing air, the zebra hit by her smaller wing sent tumbling through upended tables to slam with some force into the far wall. The zebra hit by her larger wing hit a pillar and smashed straight through it in a rain of broken wood.

The other two bouncers reacted impressively quickly. They both drew stun rods, one attaching his to his hoof, the other holding it in his mouth. They both rounded the pegasus, careful to avoid her wings as they charged.

Clear Skies went for the one in front, flinging out a back hoof to ward off the other. The stun rod was swiftly rendered useless as she flanked to the opposite side, the zebra trying to strike with a hoof but only succeeding in getting it grappled. Clear Skies grabbed tight hold of the hoof before rolling over, using her wings to gain momentum before flinging the zebra through the air to smash straight through a window.

The second threw caution to the wind, charged at her back… Clear Skies rolled to the side, turned around, slapped the stun rod from his jaw and took him down in three short jabs, sharp, military and extremely impressive.

Dust took this opportunity to step forward, “Clear Skies, that’s enough.”

The pegasus ignored him however, her eyes snapping to the receptionist, currently going for the stupidity all time record by shakily pulling a shotgun from behind the counter. She hadn’t got it halfway before a shot rang out and the weapon exploded in her hooves, throwing her back against the wall with a bleeding torso, “Oh… oh… oh…!”

“Clear Skies!”

Clear Skies bounded onto the counter, angrily transferring the pistol from her jaw to a hoof grip, pointing it down at the panicking zebra with an angry grimace, “All Ithwanted wath to be treathed like a thuking pony! My money is as good as anypony elsthes!”

Dust stepped in, not liking the way she was jiggling her hoof while that pistol was pointed at the poor mare’s face, “Clear Skies, if you’re going to make this difficult…”

Fortunately the situation was promptly resolved without his intervention, Clear Skies suddenly finding herself suspended in a small, golden ball. She blinked for a moment before slamming both hooves against it with a ‘pling’… promptly causing her pistol to discharge and ricochet around the small area before ending up in her shoulder.

Sunshine Ivory released her hold and dropped the cursing pegasi to the floor with a thump, Dust Kicker grunting with frustration and snatching the weapon from her hoof. Sunshine Ivory strolled over with a calm resignation, levitating her cloak and saddle bags over and securing them both tightly around her shoulders. That done she levitated a complicated looking vial from her bags, floating it over to each zebra in turn and dropping a small bead of liquid into each of their mouths, “What a mess…”

Dust looked at her, “Healing potion?”

“Slow acting, but powerful. They should be fine.” She stated primly before stepping over to Clear Skies, “Would you like some?”

Clear Skies looked mournfully up at the pony for a moment before gingerly rising to her hooves, putting on a brave expression, “M’fine…”

“I think we better make an exit.” Dust commented, looking over at the cowering receptionist, “Somepony is bound to have heard that.”

Clear Skies looked up, giving them a slightly inappropriate smile, “I can thfy uth out…”

“No, thank you Clear Skies.” Sunshine Ivory responded, with a tone that was a little too polite, “Allow me. Simply follow close behind.”

Dust decided not to question, and quickly shushed Clear Skies as she moved to open her mouth. They simply did as they were told and followed along quietly, feeling the tension dissipate as a group of guards ran straight past them without so much as glancing in their direction. Command over light was a more effective special talent than he would have thought, Dust honestly starting to think it might be just as useful as Star Swirl’s skill with teleportation.

They finally stopped a decent way away from the masseur, a mostly deserted part of town consisting mostly of warehouses. Sunshine Ivory stepped away from them a short distance and looked up at the stars, her voice cheerful as she finally broke the silence, “Well, that could have gone a lot worse.”

Dust wasn’t quite that forgiving. He looked round at Clear Skies, looking a little too pleased with herself, “Do you realise how much trouble you almost got yourself into?”

Clear Skies shrugged, “Never in any trouble.”

“What, not from those guards? Not from a weighted net and a jail cell?”

Clear Skies just snorted and walked away, giving a flap of her wings and a smug grin, “New Applethosa trithed that onth. Just flew away wifth the net thill on me.”

Sunshine Ivory chuckled, the mare still in unusually good cheer, “So you do this a lot Clear Skies?”

Clear Skies didn’t seem to like her tone, sounding rather hostile now, “They put hoothes on me! They insthulted me, justh bethouse I’ma ghoul!”

“Way to fight the prejudice Clear.” Dust stated wearily, starting to realise why the pegasus spent so much time out in the wilderness, “What are they going to say about ghouls now?”

“Donth care.” She stated smugly, “They’ll say that they shothent meth with me.”

“I seem to remember you saying that you don’t fight.” Sunshine Ivory questioned, her tone amused.

“I donth fight for capths.” She sulked for a moment before waving a hoof at herself, “Look ath me. I learnt how to defend mythelf real early. Tried anth true Enthclave spethalist too, four commethations for long raneth thoting and close combat.” Her expression grew darker, “Tho I know what a childeth face sounths like when it breaketh under your hoothes, and I know what a civilianth face lookths like when you put a bullet through it.”

Dust felt the pegasi’s speech fell somewhat flat, “You almost put a bullet through that mare’s head.”

“She dwew on me firsth!”

“Please.” Sunshine Ivory interrupted, her calm tones breaking the hostile mood instantly, “Let us not fight. Clear Skies, you are perfectly justified in defending yourself. You simply must be more in control of your temper.”

Dust noticed, not for the first time, how close these two seemed to be, “Do you know each other?”

“A small world isn’t it Dust Kicker?” Sunshine Ivory commented with a chuckle, soon nodding her head in affirmation, “We met a few days ago, found we have a lot in common.”

Dust raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

“We are both interested in archaeology for instance.” Sunshine Ivory clarified, motioning a hoof to Clear Skies, “Clear Skies searches for signs of Rainbow Dash, I for Princess Celestia. We have decided to combine our knowledge and skills.”

“Well… good luck I guess.” Dust concluded, finding it rather frivolous with everything that was going on. Still, each to their own, “I hope it works out for you.”

“And you Dust Kicker.” Sunshine Ivory responded with a beatific smile, “You take care of yourself out there.”

It was a dusty, poorly built shack with a tin roof and dirty glasses, the patrons generously described as ‘rough’. Still Dust was tired, too tired to really be bothered too much, really just wanting a drink and a chance to rest. He sighed and leaned his body against the bar, attracting the attentions of the barman and barking out his order, “Whisky, dry.”

The barman nodded and set off to fulfil his request, Dust’s peace soon broken however by smooth, familiar tones next to him, “Took the long road here then?”

Dust turned to a pistol pointed at his face, grasped in a well manicured talon. Behind was a smoothly built griffon in a crisp mercenary uniform, a knowing smirk spread all across his beak.

Small world indeed. It seemed like it was a day for reunions, both pleasant… and those not so much, “Arick Grimfeathers.”

“You remember!” The griffon grinned, lowering his pistol to point more discreetly at Dust’s shoulder. Arick was all smiles as normal, cheerful and chuckling, “It’s been a while. How’s Ace and Fluttershy?”

Dust found the casual nature in which he asked that question to be extremely irritating, “They’re alive.”

“I figure they would be. Fluttershy is tough as nails, and that buck… well he’s a fighter.”

“And what the hell happened to you?” Dust questioned aggressively, turning away from him and back to the bar without heed to the gun pointed at him, “Last time we saw you was escaping from Demonivore.”

Arick chuckled, slipping his pistol casually back inside his jacket and taking hold of his drink. He swirled it round for a second or two, peering into its inky depths, “I’m not really one for close teams like that, and no offense but yours seemed like a bit of a downer.”

Dust thanked the barman as his drink was placed in front of him, taking a sip before replying to the griffon, “So you joined a mercenary group.”

“Have you seen the kind of cash these guys are offering flight capable fighters skilled with heavy weapons?” Arick questioned, “I’m a Grimfeathers, this is in my blood after all.”

“Your family might have accepted money occasionally, but they always fought for something.”

Arick scoffed, “Please. Just because you knew my grandmother does not make you an expert on my family. Before we were driven from our original home by the Enclave the Grimfeathers were one of the most famous gun for hire families in the Griffon Empire. They say three of my ancestors fought in the great war.”

“And now your mother is Arbiter.” Dust answered, unable to restrain the hostility in his voice, “And here you are, playing thug for hire.”

“Why, am I stepping on your territory Dust Kicker?” Arick answered snarkily, angling his head and giving Dust an evil grin, “The honor of the Grimfeathers, Regina is the Arbiter, a great and noble family… I really can’t believe you’re honestly that much of a loser Dust. Is that really why you’re still out here, why you haven’t settled down with all those caps?”

Dust turned now, glaring at him. He obviously had a point, and Dust wished he would spit it out and stop acting the fool, “What the hell are you getting at?”

“You’re still carrying a torch for my grandmother. You’re still acting like you’re some kind of honorary griffon, just because back in the day you fired a few rounds in the refugee campaigns.” Arick sneered, raising a glass in a mocking toast, “How should I break this to you… my mother doesn’t even know your name. Not one member of my family gave a crap about you, not even my grandmother. You were just some stupid ex-raider who signed up for money and spent the whole campaign drooling on her flank.”

Dust had to restrain himself from throttling the griffon right there, “And who the hell are you?”

“I’m good looking, rich, good with a gun, great at convincing fools to part with their money and having a fucking awesome time living without fear of duty, honor or consequence.” He took a sip of his drink, chuckling to himself, “And I’m doing a hell of lot better than some withered old fool who thinks he’s worth a damn.”

Dust kicked the griffon’s claw out from under him, ripping the gun from Arick’s holster as he fell and flinging it across the room.

Arick wasn’t going down so easily though, catching the side of the bar with a claw and pushing himself back to sharply elbow Dust in the jaw. Griffon bones were sharp and pointy and Dust was still reeling when Arick brought a set of razor claws swinging down at his face.

Dust could have dodged, still that was both an obvious move and dependent on his rather misty memory of what exactly was behind him. Instead he gritted his teeth and thrust himself forward, taking Arick’s claws across his side before slamming hard into the griffon’s chest.

Arick yelled out, his fall uncontrolled as he thumped to the floor and sent stools tumbling and patrons fleeing. Dust charged in to pin the griffon but he unleashed his wings in a fluttering storm and obscured Dust’s vision. Dust flung the feathers away with a growl and continued to charge, spotting Arick’s form and turning to aim himself…

Arick kicked a stool at Dust’s legs and then jumped, angling himself into a position Dust couldn’t easily reach and descending with a feral screech, claws extended and beak open for the kill. Dust briefly considered that this was what it must once have been like in the old world, so easily forgotten when griffons were considered one of the three most important races in the NCR, when a griffon was head of the pony government, and intermarriage wasn’t particularly uncommon.

Griffons and ponies had spent generations trying to kill each other.

Arick hit him hard and they rolled, Dust initially thinking this was a tactical misstep on Arick’s part. Ponies were stronger, heavier and tougher than a griffon, in a wrestling match where Arick couldn’t bring his claws to bear he was at a disadvantage.

But then Arick was also half his age. Dust did his best but he was soon outmanoeuvred, Arick supple as a snake as he twisted himself out of every hold, angling himself to pin Dust tight against the floor and bring his claw back to strike with a triumphant grin.

The claw came down, Dust bringing his head up and biting the griffon’s claw hard. His lip and cheek got cut up pretty bad in the process, still Arick reared backwards with a scream and Dust threw his body sharply to the side, bringing the griffon with him. Arick slammed down beside and Dust supported himself onto a shoulder as he delivered both back hooves into the griffon with all his remaining strength. It worked, Arick sent crashing into the bar, glasses raining down upon his head.

Dust made it onto his hooves, trying to stem the bleeding from his face as the surroundings burred in front of his eyes, his blood thumping hard against his eardrums. Arick smirked, giving a wheezy chuckle as he pulled himself back up, clearly breathing hard and favouring one side.

Dust just hoped this would end now. Still he wasn’t about to back down to this douchbag, and to his amazement none of the patrons seemed about to intervene, instead looking like they were enjoying the show. They stood around, whispering and holding their breath as Arick focused his stare, his grin growing wider.

“Not bad old man.”

“Little stiff. Only reason I haven’t delivered the beatings your mother owes you, with generous interest.”

“Well you haven’t.” Arick declared, presenting his claws and holding them in front of his grinning face, “And forgive me for noticing but you appear to be losing a lot of blood, whereas I just have a few bruised ribs.”

Dust grunted, realising that was a good point. You needed to finish a hoof fight with a griffon quickly, everyone knew that. Allow him to bleed you and you’ll lose by attrition, “Just back off Arick. This fight is pointless.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Friends?” Arick stated cheerily, before launching himself forward with a sweep of his wings, claws extended for the kill. Dust growled and galloped forward, charging in for a slam…

Something intercepted them halfway, Arick flung backwards to slam back against the bar, Dust tripped and flung hard against the floor. It was impossible to resist, the angle perfectly chosen. Despite being between two charging creatures the pony who had intervened wasn’t so much as brushed, just landing smoothly onto the wooden floor. He turned his head to look at both of them, seething in anger as he shouted in rage, “What the hell is going on here?!”

Dust looked up at the pony, amazed at what he saw… but then not so much. It wasn’t the first time he was looking up at that face after a beating, “Ace…”

Ace Gold swept round to face Arick, the griffon wincing as he held a claw against the side of his head. Arick grinned as he saw Ace watching, shrugging his shoulders, “Just a bit of roughhousing, nothing major. Hey Ace, how you doing?”

“Is that… is that what you say to me? After all this time?”

“What, you missed me?” He chuckled, rising back onto his claws, “It’s been what, a month?”

Ace trembled for a moment before stilling himself with a deep intake of breath. He spoke again after a moment, cold and precise, “Where have you been?”

“For a zebra, Caesar sure has some nice aerial units. Had to fly quite a way to evade them.” Arick chuckled, retrieving a half spilled glass from the counter and taking a sip, “I didn’t know where you guys were, so I just wandered for a while. Did a bit of banditry, until this mercenary group breezed into town. Signed up on the spot.”

Dust’s eyes finally moved down to said armour, pieces sliding into place. Mercenary group meant that Arick was likely part of the team going up to Kursiyin. And the design of the armor… he had seen it before.

At Estelle. This was the mercenary group that killed everypony at Estelle, working alongside Luna.

“Well well, izint thiz a supprize?” A familiar voice called out, hoof steps and big stomping boots from something heavy advancing across the ground towards them, “Arick, meet Dust Tracker. An old friend!”

Dust rose, turning to face the new arrival, “Dust Kicker.”

“Really?” The camel in front of him brought his head forward and struck Dust between the eyes, knocking him hard against the floor. It was a good shot, leaving him seeing stars as the camel loomed over him, “That was for my friends. You understand, yez?”

Ace advanced forward to help, only for a huge female minotaur to step between him and Dust, tone quietly threatening, “I wouldn’t do that sugar.”

Dust retrieved himself from the ground, holding out a hoof to ward Ace off. He rubbed his injured skull and looked into Nazir’s eyes, the grubby looking camel just grinning back. Dust matched his stare for a moment before speaking, “This fight wasn’t anything to do with your group. We have previous unfinished business with Arick.”

“That’z good.” Nazir declared happily, “I’d hate for you to hold a grudge.”

“Oh grudges are terrible things. Say I started holding grudges, say… for suffocating a pretty woman half to death?” The minotaur stated cheerily, looking around with interest, “Where is that fine little alicorn of yours?”

Dust looked at the minataur, Daisy he though her name was, “I saw you shooting down an unarmed family in the middle of the street. Don’t pretend you’re the wounded parties here.”

“That was businezz.” Nazir declared icily.

“And that makes it better?”

“Money makes everyzhing simple. Some zebra pays you to do something, you do it, and it’s on the commissioner of our servicez to provide justification.” Nazir stated, his words sharp and to the point, “That’z the differenze between you and me. I’m a professional, where as you… you take thingz personally. That makez me nervouz.”

“Who were you working for?” Dust asked, hoping to at least get something from the camel, “You were working with Princess Luna…”

“Thankz for that by the way.” Nazir noted with a chuckle, “She waz another one. Got personal, became… unpredictable. A loose end we didn’t have to tie up ourselvez.”

“And we don’t divulge client information sugar, so stop asking.” Daisy commented, taking a rather amused looking Arick in one beefy arm and lifting him onto her shoulder like he was nothing, “Best you forget you ever saw us. All live a little longer.”

Dust finally decided to deploy his trump card, “Long enough to go into Kursiyin?”

Nazir paused, finally speaking in a cruel, mocking tone, “What of it?”

“What amount of money is worth going there?” Dust questioned insistently, “You know it’s a death trap.”

Nazir smiled knowingly, chuckling for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and continuing on, “Not your concern.”

Dust cursed inwardly as he watched them go, trying to force his battered body back onto its hooves. His hip clicked painfully, the watching crowd tittering slightly as he swayed on age worn and battle damaged muscle.

“Here.” Ace Gold moved forward, holding out a stabilising hoof, “Come on. I’m already sick of this place.”

Dust stewed as they stood in the garage, feeling the many bruises starting to sink in. He refused to take any healing potions, not wanting to waste money on his own stupidity. And it was. What possessed him to start a fight with a younger, larger opponent, right in a public space of all places. He wanted to reason that Arick had a gun, but he doubted the griffon would have used it.

No. It was stupid pride.

“You’re going to end up really stiff if you don’t take a healing potion for those.” Ace advised, once again fiddling with that laptop he carried around with him, “We’ve got plenty of it.”

Dust bit his tongue, wanting nothing more than to tell Ace to leave him alone. But that was his ego talking again, “We’ve got a long walk, that will wear any stiffness off. Plus you heard the Lost Legion, I’ve got an enhanced healing rate. A few bruises will wear off pretty quickly.”

“It’s not just bruises.” Ace stated, looking up at him insistently, “You lost a fair bit of blood. Arick is a better fighter than he looks.”

Dust noted for the first time that this had to be pretty difficult for Ace. Dust rebuked himself, so tied up in his own problems that he hadn’t stopped to consider what the kid must be feeling right now, “Ace Gold… can I ask how you’re doing? Seeing Arick again, after all this time?”

Ace simply grunted, looking away, “I expected him to abandon me at some point, and just wander back some time later. I’m not naïve, I know what he is.”

It was a fair point. One that had indeed been bugging him a little, “Why did you follow him here anyway? You said it yourself, he’s not exactly got a sterling reputation.”

“Quite a few reasons actually…” Ace stated quietly, before shrugging as Dust waited for him to continue, “He does what he wants, he doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. His heritage is an asset to him, not a burden. I guess that was pretty attractive to me at one point.”

“You wanted to be like him.”

“Yeah.” Ace took a deep breath, “Isn’t that easy. I can’t help being…. tied up by my own feelings.”

Dust snorted lightly. That was one way of putting it, “I’m not sure that’s a bad thing Ace.”

“My feelings are a fucking mess…” Ace growled snarkly, before his voice got quieter and a blush spread across his cheeks, “I also joined him because… I though he was hot.”

Now Dust laughed, a sound which made Ace wince. Dust quickly stemmed his chuckles, giving the buck a smile, “He’s a little old for you isn’t he?”

“He’s also straight.” Ace complained, “But that’s feelings for you, constantly leading you into stupid shit. For all Arick doesn’t give a damn about anyone, at least he’s happy. I’m just stumbling through life driven from one crap idea to the next, not even sure why I do half the things I do.”

Dust sighed. He knew that feeling. And to be honest… “Ace, thank you for pulling me out of there.”

He shrugged, “No problem.”

“No… look.” Dust sighed, digging deep down inside of him for this, “I shouldn’t have started that fight. I was dumb, and… angry. And I don’t even know why. So you’re not the only one going through this, because I’m not really sure I know what I’m doing either.”

Ace considered this for a moment, not really displaying any sort of expression, eyes hidden behind his sunglasses. After a moment or two he finally spoke, blunt and to the point, “We’re all in this together. Everyone’s going through shit.”

“Maybe I need to remember that.” Dust mused, “I’ve been trying to keep you guys out of decisions, working out where to go, what to do… and until now, I actually thought I was doing alright. But now I think it’s getting increasingly clear that I’m not quite as centred as I think I am. And you… well I know you hate people going on about it, but you’re a damn smart pony. I really need that right now.”

Ace didn’t look quite as embarrassed as Dust thought he would, the whole speech being pretty damn cheesy. Of course, he was never the most expressive of ponies. Really he just looked round for a few seconds before speaking, tone neutral, “You have it. I don’t mind, so long as I’m doing something useful.”

Dust chuckled, “For the first thing… how did you find me? Aren’t you blind, or is that not a thing now?”

“Actually I’ve got something to tell you. I should have told you a while ago, but… she told me not to.”

This sounded dangerously ironic, “Who?”

“The old zebra mare, who saved you back in Dusk Fall? I know her.” Ace stated, Dust instantly reminded of that brief image of a heavy scarred neck and wild hair hidden beneath a stealth cloak. Ace let that sink in for a moment before continuing, “She saved Fluttershy, me and Swift Crimson from Starhammer too, and has been secretly teaching me how to compensate for my blindness.”

Dust paused at this. This was certainly starting to sound like crazy zebra martial arts stuff, that he honestly always found a bit unsettling, “You can compensate for being blind? What, super hearing? Sense of smell?”

“I wish.” He breathed, before shaking his head, “Everything in this world reacts to magic. It bounces off hard substances, giving off a frequency according to its properties, it’s emitted by living creatures. If I concentrate real hard I can feel the inate magical properties within the soil, in the currents of the air.”

Dust looked down at his hooves, “Like… earth ponies and pegasus ponies work with?” He had heard something said about the like, though he had never really took much notice. He wasn’t a farmer, and honestly thought it all sounded a little unlikely, “I stamp my hoof and a flower comes out?”

“Actually you have a very closed, very contained magical energy.” Ace noted, horn glowing every so slightly, “It’s actually pretty unusual. I doubt you’ll ever be able to perform magic, but you’ll likely be highly resistant to it.”

Really? He had always shrugged it off pretty easily, though he had always just assumed he was tough. He had been the only one Dream Star hadn’t just one shotted though, “So who is this zebra who taught you this?”

“She hasn’t told me her name… and I’m not going to ask.” Ace frowned, muzzle wrinkling in a rather unfriendly expression, “She saved my life. I’m only telling you because… we’re a team.”

“She saved my life too.” Dust reminded both Ace and himself, “So I’m all for respecting this mysterious stranger. And… maybe I’ve got some secrets of my own.”

Ace continued his frown, tilting his head slightly, “Is this about Puppy? Because I know that.”

“No.” Dust answered, thinking to himself that Puppy was actually Zenai’s little secret if you were keeping score.

Just like Char was Star Swirl’s little secret.

Man, what was it with ponies and secret imaginary friends? Fluttershy and Easu were starting to make him really nervous considering where the party was heading. Especially Easu. That zebra had issues.

But back to pressing issues, “I’ve been talking with… well… Red Eye. He’s been contacting me by radio.”

Ace Gold’s eyes widened, “The Red Eye? The one outside Fillydelphia?”

“The same.”

“No one knows anything about him Dust Kicker!” Ace shouted, sounding… rather exited actually, “What has he been saying to you?”

Dust wondered that exactly. It still seemed a rather odd relationship, “Most of the time he just… offers some general advice, talks about philosophy, reminisces about the past. I knew the guy remember, I was part of his army.”

“A lot of ponies were part of his army.” Ace noted, not unreasonably, “Why is he talking to you specifically… and how does he even know your frequency?”

Dust looked towards Puppy’s armor, balanced against the wall.

Ace followed him after a second, his voice quietly intrigued, “I’ve actually noticed it lately, I didn’t know what it was. I wondered if my horn was just getting confused.”

“What?”

“A beam of high concentration, low powered magical energy, beamed straight from space. Weirdly jumbled… likely some sort of military encryption algorithm.”

Dust gave him a confused, rather worried look, “From space? Like… aliens?”

Ace’s expression suddenly went wide with shock, “Holy fuck… that’s how he knows so much about our troop movements!”

“What, he’s an alien?”

Ace gave him a withering tip of his muzzle before continuing, “No… I suppose it’s not common knowledge.” He sighed, taking a deep breath before opening with a weary look, “I warn you, I’m about to bore you to tears.”

Dust smiled, shrugging his shoulders at the buck, “Lay it on me.”

“Right…” He started, “There’s three accepted ways of achieving long range communication. The first is wired, you thread a long line of some conducting substance between the location you want to speak from, and the place you want to speak to. Fast, efficient, and it doesn’t need a lot of equipment. Unfortunately it’s also expensive and prone to physical damage. For those reasons it’s generally just used inside a single building or facility.”

As a mercenary Dust had some knowledge of communication systems, still it didn’t hurt to brush up, “Right.”

“The next two are kind of connected, and most antenna can perform both. The first is a wave, kind of like causing a ripple in a pool of water. It radiates outwards in a generally circular shape, and can be picked up by anypony in range. That’s what’s used for radio stations.”

“Sure, sounds logical.”

“Not very useful for pony to pony communication though, for obvious reasons. For that the magical signal is sent in a beam, practically identical to a magical energy weapon of very low power and high resonance.”

“Sure.”

“The problem is that beams cannot curve without corrupting their data. The planet of course is round so you cannot reach past the horizon.” He placed his hooves a way apart, “So you add relay towers, allowing you to fire at one, that fires at another, then at another… until you reach your destination.”

Dust nodded, knowing all this already, “Sure, I get it.”

“But… what if you wanted to send a communication into the zebra territories? Or to an island?”

Dust pondered this for a moment before shrugging. The buck was right, “You would either have to use very well hidden transmitters, or hijack the zebra’s own…”

“They did, a few times.” Ace confirmed, “But they soon ended up relying on a brand new and somewhat untested technology created a few years before the war. You see if you apply a mild weightlessness spell to an object, give it some engines to readjust itself and place it at exactly the right point in the sky it ends up falling in the same arc as the planet’s rotation, eventually staying aloft indefinitely.”

Dust had heard of these, though he had never really believed in them. It sounded… improbable, “You’re talking about a satellite.”

“A communications group called Sunrise Industries built them originally, as part of a global communications project.” Ace used his levitation to lift a nearby wrench into the air, lifting his hoof to point at it, then wave it back down at the ground, “You can hit an object suspended in orbit from almost anywhere, and from there it can beam a message across the same wide area. Luna quickly realised their potential and requisitioned them for the state, restricting their use to the military. She also had the idea of putting cameras on them, allowing them to see pretty much everything happening below.”

Dust pondered this for a moment or two, every single one of those moments moving him closer to the realisation of how useful they would be, “That must have given Equestria a huge advantage.”

“It did.” Ace assured him, “Many consider it the single factor that won Equestria the war.”

Were wars won by superior intelligence? He had to admit, having that kind of knowledge of exactly what you were sending troops into would certainly help, “So what happened to them?”

“As far as we know, nothing.” Ace stated, “There were five confirmed satellites launched, with rumors of another two secret ones. One is generally agreed to have fallen out of orbit fifty three years ago. Astronomers have confirmed that two of them appear to be still active.” Ace finally gave a sigh, shrugging his shoulders, “Unfortunately we’re as in the dark about their location as the zebra were. Naturally they would be a priority target for zebra weapons, so they’re heavily cloaked, move around constantly, and only respond to a very specific message transmitted in a specific way. As a result… well, one of my teachers has spent the last twelve years looking for them, without success.”

Dust thought that made sense, but that raised the question, “How did Equestria communicate with them?”

“A couple of top secret facilities, maintained and guarded by the military. One of them was in Cloudsdale, another in Canterlot, another in Whitetail Command, another in Manehatten Central.” He concluded with a sigh, “All of which were destroyed by the megaspell impacts.”

“So how has Red Eye gained access to them?”

Ace pondered this for several long moments before shaking his head in frustration, “I have no idea.”

Dust sighed, this was getting them nowhere, “Well… it’s a valid theory at least. Something else we now know about him.”

“We also know that he has Puppy’s radio frequency.” Ace offered.

“He can shut her down too.” Dust explained, “Puppy always goes offline while he’s talking to me.”

Ace frowned at this, “That’s worrying. He shouldn’t be able to do that, should he? That would imply that he’s able to acquire top secret data from the Steel Rangers of all ponies, and they take network security seriously. Hasn’t Puppy noticed that she keeps shutting down?”

“Our talks are pretty brief.” Dust reasoned, “And she has noticed actually. She confronted me about it last night.”

“Last night?”

“Yeah.”

“Well I’m not surprised.” Ace Gold stated after a moment, “You were talking to him near constantly all day. That’s when I really noticed it.”

Dust frowned at this information. That wasn’t right, “The last time I spoke to Red Eye was back at the Lost Legion compound.”

Ace Gold looked at the armor, then back at Dust. His mouth curled into a frown, trotting over to the armor with a serious look in his eye, “You were transmitting all day, large amounts of data both sent and received.”

Dust gave him a look, “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I took a long sample, I’ve been trying to decode it all day.” He looked back at Dust, giving him a grim stare, “Not that I don’t trust you, but if somepony really was listening in I didn’t want to tip them off.”

Dust figured that was fair, “That makes sense. Did you find anything?”

“No. It’s not really my field to be honest.” Ace hesitated before continuing, “Actually it’s Puppy’s. It seems a little perverse, but… well, she’s a hacking and data analysis AI.”

Dust supposed it wouldn’t hurt to ask. In fact she would be more interested in getting to the bottom of this than anyone, “Puppy, are you awake?”

Nothing happened, Ace looking back at him, “Is that normal?”

“Increasingly so.” Dust stated with irritation, figuring she was likely sleeping. He trotted over, standing up and accessing the controls in the neck. A quick emergency alert…

It took about ten seconds, rather worryingly. He was just about to give up on it when Puppy finally answered, voice groggy, “Ugm… Dust Kicker? I’m sorry, I was asleep…”

“Puppy, do you think we could…”

Ace interrupted, “Wait.”

“Hmm?” Dust turned, “Is there something wrong?”

“She’s receiving that signal again.” Ace sniffed the air, his horn covered in a faint, pulsing glow. He laid a hoof on the side of the armor, mouth moving into a frown, “And… there’s something else unusual…”

Puppy’s voice broke the silence, “Is there something wrong? Maybe I simply left the radio station running? I can’t detect any tampering with any of my systems.”

Ace finally spoke in reply, his voice cold, “That’s strange Puppy, considering you’re totally inoperative.”

Puppy spoke now, her voice a sharp, most un-puppylike whisper, “Clever boy…”

“Dust Kicker, sir.” Ace spoke, softly but insistently, “Puppy’s program is offline, I’m detecting no data flowing to or from her central core. The armor is being operated remotely.”

Dust felt panic grow, the obvious conclusion becoming all too apparent. That signal, constantly communicating, constantly connected to the suit’s systems… “Puppy?”

“…”

“Who are you?”

“The apple does not fall far from the tree.” Red Eye spoke, tones smooth and respectful, “I underestimated you Ace Gold.”

Dust saw Ace stiffen at the praise, anger in his eyes. Dust controlled it at least, but he could still sympathise with that anger, “Red Eye? You’re… Puppy?”

“For a short while, yes. Since your hacking attempt on the Lost Legion actually.”

“Why? Why impersonate her?”

Red Eye’s voice was smooth and calm before the accusation, “I did not want you to worry. Young Puppy has encountered some… software trouble, and has gone offline. I was merely maintaining her program until her self-repair protocols kicked in.”

“Maintaining…” Ace growled, “You were impersonating her! Tricking us!”

“A somewhat confusing accusation to answer.” Red Eye responded, tone oily, “I took control of her personality algorithms, her voice simulator, all her vital systems.”

“Her reasoning centres?”

“…”

Ace snarled, clearly furious, “You’re… using a living, reasoning girl as a sock puppet!”

Red Eye responded, sounding… impressed, if a little irritated all the same, “Tell me, what is a pony without her personality, her memories, her body? I have all at my command, clicking along in her hard drives.”

Ace snarled, “You tell us. You’re right, I can sense a hard drive, a CPU, power systems… all of them separate from her central core. So what’s there, what powers her sapience? What is left when you take away all of that?”

“Well spotted. And indeed, that might be a worthy subject for the philosophers among us. For memories can be faked, a body replaced, yet something still remains.” Red Eye responded with a spark of inappropriate cheer, “These personality files that I have used to ‘impersonate’ Puppy. They were created by SolUs, and are some of the most sickening things I have ever seen. Idealistic whitewashing, what could have beens, hero worship of a dead toddler who has been denied rest for centuries. The work of a crazed machine, trying to recreate the personality of a girl he knew for days at best. These were forced upon something capable of reason, something that already had life and personality. The impersonation was easy. After all, you were never really talking to Puppysmiles, only that crazed machine’s image of her.”

“I don’t care about your damn speeches Red Eye.” Dust muttered, feeling his own haunches rise in anger, “Just bring her back online.”

“I cannot.” Red Eye stated with over-laboured regret, “Puppy has shut herself down. Unintentional I assure you. All I did was remove the controls, the brainwashing already placed over her by others, set her free from her shackles. The control obviously went deeper than I thought. The shock of being free has broken her it seems.”

“Broken means capable of being fixed.” Ace Gold stated angrily, “Now get the fuck out of here, you fucking full of shit ghost.”

“And how would you fix her Ace Gold?” Red Eye cheerily commented, “Would you take the easy, pleasant route and impose this bogus Puppysmiles identity on her anew? Bring her back how she was, even though you now know the terrible secret behind her creation? That she was never this girl you have befriended, that it was all a lie imposed by a crazed artificial intelligence?”

“You always have to have a message, a cause, don’t you Red Eye?” Dust commented wearily, “Can’t you just cut the braminshit, tell us what you want us to do?”

“Somepony has to be the villain, taunting you from just beyond your reach. I inspired Littlepip to make a better world, now I seems I must inspire others. Either save the world or destroy it, before it’s too late.”

“Too late for what?”

“For the world to do the same thing to Littlepip’s dream as they did to the entity in this armor.” Red Eye responded, “To shackle it with the names, personalities, the ideals of corpses who should have long been buried.”

“Still trying to make a better world Red Eye?”

Red Eye’s tone lifted in amusement, “Actually my motives have changed Dust, ever so slightly. And believe me, I wanted to live in Littlepip’s world. We might still yet.”

‘We might still yet’? Red Eye hadn’t stopped being needlessly cryptic, “What’s that mean?”

Red Eye laughed, a profoundly unsettling chuckle, “If this world extinguishes itself once more, wipes the equine species free from this earth… tell me, to whom will salvation fall to, what mare will remain to rebuild this planet?”

Dust felt a chill work its way up his spine, “That… that’s…”

Ace Gold spat the words, “You crazy motherfucker.”

“Oh, I hope it doesn’t come to that. That the world will pull away from the brink of disaster.” Red Eye stated calmly, “But the knowledge that the pony I thought worthy of divinity will survive any eventuality, trapped inside an impenetrable facility capable of planetary terraforming opens up… options.”

Ace Gold was really losing it now, his voice wild, “You would really destroy this world for your… grand ideals?!”

“My boy… when did I ever state that it was I who would destroy the world?” Red Eye laughed, his voice rising in amusement, “Tell me, how many megaspells does the NCR control?”

Ace Gold frowned, his jaw set, “None. The NCR bans weapon grade megaspells, it has…”

“…twelve megaspells equipped in secret targeting facilities, along with a facility capable of creating more.” Red Eye commented cheerily, “They are equipped at Jubilee Fields, within the restricted Maripony radiation zone. Their existence is only known to the military council, trusted members of Internal Security, a closed group of Equestria Systech engineers, Doc Slaughter and… how interesting, your mother.”

Ace’s voice dropped, Dust noting that he wasn’t denying it anymore. In fact, Ace now sounded a little scared, “Why my mother?”

“Because their construction and installation was approved in a secret meeting between her, Elder Peach Trees, Silver Rade and Doc Slaughter.” Red Eye gave a short, humourless chuckle, “The arbiters and civilian government have never been briefed on this. And how interesting, neither has your father.”

Ace Gold tried to shrug it off, still he was clearly shaken by this, “Why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you should ask your mother… either of them.” Red Eye chuckled, “Calamity was so eager for them to get along. Perhaps their political beliefs mesh more closely than he though. Perhaps they felt your father would disapprove.”

“I…”

“You don’t need to trust my word.” Red Eye smoothly stated, “I can put you in contact with any of them right now. Ask them yourself, expose the lies within your fragile little family.”

Dust finally decided to speak up, “Velvet Remedy is dishonest and secretly in control of NCR. You can get this shit off Lonesome Pony each and every day Red Eye, what’s your point?”

“Simply that it seems rather ironic that the leader of the Followers of the Apocalypse would commission the creation and storage of the weapons that caused it.”

Dust sniffed. He wasn’t too surprised actually, “As I’ve said a couple of times lately, Littlepip used a megaspell on the Goddess. They have tactical value.”

“Of course.” Red Eye crooned, “Tactical value. For emergencies. For the last resort.”

Ace spoke, his voice threatening, “Don’t tell me you’re trying to be the good guy you arrogant asswipe. Saving us all from the tyranny of my mother.”

“I know tyranny Ace Gold. I used to practice it. And your mother is neither a tyrant or a bad pony, any more than Celestia was. Both collected power, ensured that it was safe in their hands, so that they were able to control and guide it towards good. A noble goal.”

Dust was starting to work out what he was getting at, “Yet she couldn’t stop the apocalypse.”

Ace snorted dismissively, “What, so that’s your job now? Stopping the end of the world? How, by raiding small villages and hacking little girls?”

“Stopping it? Oh I wish that was true. But I’m afraid not. My interest is… academic.” Red Eye concluded with a sigh, “Time and time again, this world has been saved by heroes. The mistakes and short sightedness of the common pony, negated by the nobility of one. But this time, there is no pony to save them. No Littlepip, no Xephyr and no Red Eye.”

Ace went silent for a moment before speaking, full of quiet defiance, “We’re still here.”

“The NCR written in your every interaction. A dozen competing view points, all convinced you are the hero, each pursuing your own heroic quest.” Red Eye’s voice took a touch of anger now, tone condemning, “You blame me for Puppy’s condition, but I merely provided actions with appropriate consequences. You marked yourself the carefree rogue Dust Kicker, tied to no grand crusade, the voice of reason, looking down on the emotional ties of others. Yet when I spoke, you listened. You lied to those who trusted you, you spied on your allies, you accepted my every command with barely a flicker of doubt.”

Dust felt his heart beat faster, his words a jumble. Red Eye was messing with his head, he was…

He was right? Dust Kicker gasped his answer, unsure what else to say, “I trusted you. I trusted you like…”

“Like a father?” Red Eye responded, “I was your boss Dust Kicker. I believed your skills were useful in carrying out my objectives, and I placed you in the position where they could be best used. I have done the same to you here, and am happy to say you’re still the same loyal little pawn you ever were.”

He was right. Dust had caused all this. It was his fault.

“I’m sorry Dust Kicker, but I never bore any particular emotional connection to you. You were minion number six, some statistics on a chart. I was nice to you because I correctly assessed that you responded well to kindness and encouragement.” Red Eye continued, calm and precise as a scientist dissecting his latest test subject, “I determined quickly that, though possessed of a reasonably developed set of morals, you were good at rationalising your terrible actions so long as you were convinced they were for the greater good.”

Dust limply shook his head, “I… I’m just trying to…”

“So you are the hero who will save the world?” Red Eye questioned, “How many little girls are dead now Dust Kicker? And now Puppy will join them, simply because you trusted the voice of an infamous mass murderer talking to you over the radio. I’d consider that a… serious lapse in judgement.”

Ace Gold looked like he was about to say something but it froze on his tongue, the buck simply turning away with a rueful expression.

“Nothing more to say? Then this is it then.” Red Eye stated, “I have gained all I want from you, and now your role has ended. We will not speak again. Goodbye… sir uncle.”

The armor speakers finally flickered and went dead. Leaving a cold, dark silence.

Ace finally broke it, his words blunt and heavy as iron, “The signal is gone.”

Dust paced, feeling desperately off balance.

He had accepted the role of leader in certainty, certainty that he knew what he was doing, that he could give the others the best chance of survival.

And now one of those in his care sat on the table just a few feet away, her condition unsure. Unsure because of him. Because he had trusted too quickly, in someone he had no right to trust.

Ace Gold had said nothing to him of the matter, making no comment bar his intention to get to work immediately. Dust had almost questioned how he could do anything to help considering his blindness, but quickly resolved to trust that the kid knew what he was doing. And indeed he certainly seemed to, feeling about the surface of the armor before using a tool to open up a panel, his horn glowing and his hooves feeling around as he carefully explored within.

Finally Ace stopped, his hoof hesitating in place, eyes confused at first but with a dawning understanding, “Well that’s… interesting.”

“What is?”

“Take a look.” Ace stated, stepping back a bit, “Puppy has never made sense to me. An AI of half her complexity would take up an entire crusader mainframe, yet she runs on a single suit of armor. I’ve really wanted to open her up for a while now, find out exactly what it is that makes her tick, what her secret was… and there it is.”

Dust moved round, looking into the machine. Most of it was what he expected, armor plating, wires, tubes… yet there, at the centre was…

A rock.

A little shiny maybe. But it was… a rock, “What is that?”

“It’s… metallic. Soft. Radiates its own natural magic, a very low frequency… it’s…” Ace looked up, suddenly shocked, “I know this metal. It’s… it’s star metal.”

Dust almost rolled his eyes, having been exposed like most mercenaries to the tales. The evil metal, which if placed in a weapon made it hunger for death, turned a simple tool into a thing of pure evil. He would have scoffed, except… he had heard things. Reliable things. And after Luna, and Philidous, he was no longer quite so sceptical of the power of the stars, “So they implanted star metal into the suit… what, to make it more deadly?”

“No.” Ace looked up, deeply concerned, “This is the AI core. All higher functions flow from this rock, look at the wires connected to it. That rock is Puppy.”

Dust… didn’t even know what to say, “Damn… how?”

“I don’t know.” Ace conceded, “This isn’t mechanical engineering, this is magic. Serious magic. I’m out of my depth.”

Dust smiled reassuringly, “You did a good job Ace. We just need another specialist is all.”

They couldn’t hide it any longer, and Dust was becoming increasingly sure they shouldn’t. Secrets had got this group in trouble too many times.

So now they all gathered inside the room, Esau and Star Swirl inspecting the suit as the others watched with apprehension. Easu was his normal grumpy self, his bad mood only growing as he studied the object. He eventually stepped back, looking up at Star Swirl challengingly, “Put a positive spin on this. Tell us this thing is worth saving.”

Dust frowned, not liking the sound of that, “What’s wrong? Star, what is he talking about?”

Star lifted a shaking hoof, her eyes darting around, looking at anything but them. After all this time she was still the bearer of the world’s most obvious tell, “It’s… well… there’s some dark magic in there. And it’s growing stronger.”

Dust wasn’t quite sure exactly what she was saying here, “What? Where’s Puppy?”

“Puppy’s gone.” Easu stated bluntly, “Consumed. What’s in there now is a monster, and needs to be put down now before it gets any stronger.”

Star Swirl turned, her voice staring off angry but quickly losing its power, “We don’t know that…”

“You felt it as clear as me Star Swirl.” Easu replied, shaking his head and stalking away, “Delay the inevitable any longer and I will take things into my own hooves. You know full well what that thing is.”

Zenai spoke now, her voice soft and small, “What is it?”

Easu turned to her, eyes softening for but a moment before becoming cold once more, “It’s…”

“Nightmare Moon.”

Everyone turned, Dust having to admit being somewhat surprised as Fluttershy walked out towards the suit, eyes wide and trembling. He spoke to her as she continued, moving forward a little in case she was losing it again, “What do you mean Fluttershy?”

She was silent for a moment before she turned to him, her voice sure now, “It’s Nightmare Moon. Don’t ask me how I know, but… maybe you never forget.” She nodded at the suit, “That… will within that stone, it’s her. The mare in the moon.”

Dust shook his head, unbelieving. This was crazy talk, “How is that possible?”

Easu faced him head on with a suspicious lack of surprise, seeming hesitant to speak. Eventually he could hold it no more however, his voice slow and regretful, “The being you call Puppy. She is not a computer program.”

“Then what…?”

“She is a Star Demon.”

___________________________________________________________

Quest Perk Lost : Team Dad

Chapter 3.6 - The Longest Nightmare

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“The being you call Puppy. She is not a computer program.”

“Then what…?”

“She is a Star Demon.”

“That…” Dust felt his heart skip a beat, “But… she has programming, and databases…”

“Yes.” Easu stated quietly, “The stone, it is magically sealed to prevent her escape. I can only imagine that they trapped her there, using magic and technology to keep her ignorant of her true nature.” His eyes became harder, his voice losing its compassion, “But she has now broken those bonds. And if Fluttershy is right, the consequences could be more serious that we could imagine.”

“Are you saying that Puppy is… what?” Dust felt his reality fall apart with every word, almost feeling like laughing. It was ridiculous. It was absurd! “Puppy is Nightmare Moon?”

“I did not say that.” He answered, “But what is in that stone is dark, and evil.”

“And Nightmare Moon.” Fluttershy finished, her expression full of regret. She turned to Dust with shaking eyes, “Dust Kicker… I don’t understand it either.”

“She must be destroyed.” Easu concluded, “It is the only way.”

Silence reigned. No one knew what to say.

“No.”

Everyone looked to Star Swirl, Easu speaking first. His voice was a low, questioning growl, “Star Swirl…?”

“You’re not looking hard enough.” Star Swirl replied, her expression angry, her stance proud. She stamped a hoof, ears erect in a gesture of challenge as she glared at all of them, “You say Star Demon and everyone steps back in horror. Well I am one!”

Easu snarled, “Don’t remind me. And you’re missing the point.”

“No, you are!” She shouted angrily, waving a hoof at the stone, “Look closer.”

Easu shook his head, dismissive, “All I see is darkness.”

“No…” Fluttershy took a step forwards, her eyes widening, “She’s right. I can feel Nightmare Moon, but… there’s others. There’s…” She gasped, looking slightly hopeful as she turned to them, “There’s fear, sadness, something… hurt and wounded.”

Star Swirl let her head fall for a moment, closing her eyes. Eventually she nodded, “It’s a Star Demon, an old one. One that’s taken on lots of different identities across multiple hosts.”

Dust just couldn’t believe it, “So it’s really Nightmare Moon?”

“I never met the mare. I couldn’t tell you.” Star Swirl took a deep breath before speaking again, raw and compassionate, “But I do know that it’s been disrupted. The dominant personality has collapsed, and now it is trying to stabilise itself by reverting to a previous identity.”

Ace finally spoke, his voice oddly calm, almost impressed, “That’s… genius.”

Dust looked to him, glad of his input. Ace Gold had been impressing him of late, “What is?”

Ace advanced forward, his horn glowing and a slight smile upon his face, “Star Swirl, Star Demons take on the identities of their hosts, right?”

“Yes…”

“Which they then retain after the host is gone?”

“Yes.”

“Well wouldn’t it be possible to program a Star Demon with an artificial identity, hook it up to a mainframe, and use it as a control program?” Ace ran his horn across the suit, nodding to himself, “I… can see a large hard drive, but only a very small CPU. That drive must contain all of Puppy’s personality data, constantly being fed into that stone, maintaining her personality. All CPU functions are managed by the Star Demon inside.”

“I…” Star Swirl’s jaw was slack, a slightly blank look in her eyes, “…I don’t know a lot about computers, but that sounds… plausible I guess.”

Ace Gold looked across at Dust Kicker “My guess is that they… caught her somehow, and then hooked her up to a crusader mainframe. Uploaded Puppy’s personality, control programs, years of brainwashing powered by the best tech the Steel Rangers had to offer.”

Star Swirl paled, her eyes dilating slightly. She did not look well, her voice a whisper, “Sweet Celestia…”

Dust sighed. Everything was exactly as Red Eye had stated. And he understood now, “So he was right.”

Too right. How did Red Eye know all this? Know what Puppy was, and what had happened to her? And the inevitable, ethical dilemma at the heart of the matter...

Fluttershy smiled happily, relief flooding her features, “We just reactivate that hard drive!”

Dust paled, Fluttershy inadvertently stabbing a dagger through his heart.

Puppy was… artificial. They had hooked a living being up to wires and tubes, made her think she was some dead filly and put her inside an iron box. They had turned her into a weapon without her consent. And now, they were going to just brainwash her all over again, “What right do we have to do that?”

Fluttershy paused, confused, “What do you mean?”

Surprisingly it was Easu who nodded, his voice low and troubled, “I am no fan of these beings… but you are right. This is not so simple. That is a living creature, and warping its mind and caging it like this… it is wrong. It is slavery.”

Star Swirl smiled softly, “That’s surprisingly compassionate Easu.”

“No, it’s not. It is moral.” He glared at her, body tensing, “I will not cage a sentient being, but I will not allow her to return to some previous, dark persona. Wasteland justice must prevail here.”

“It doesn’t matter anyway.” Ace finally stated, his voice low and weary, “The hard drive… it’s seriously corrupted. It’s still degrading, suffering catastrophic decay with every second. There’s absolutely no way to recover it.”

Zenai’s voice was high and scared, “So… she’s gone?”

“No… not really.” Star Swirl replied, a little hesitant, “In a way, that hard drive was her host. It is… traumatic to lose it, yet any host’s dreams, ideals and personality live on.” She pressed a hoof against her breast, trying her best to hide her obvious nerves Dust noticed, “I still remember a young zebra mare called Charaxies, who loved butterflies and insects and dreamed of a world where the pure love among all creatures would create everlasting peace. She is a much a part of me as any other.”

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment before speaking, “If Nightmare Moon was a Star Demon then I know it doesn’t always work like that.” She continued, voice lowering until she sounded dangerously judgemental, “She took over Rarity, forcefully turned her into an abomination. It did the same with all the creatures on the moon, warped them to her purposes. It wasn’t my friend in there, it was Nightmare Moon with a different face.”

“I…” Star Swirl chewed her lip for a moment, finally speaking slowly and hesitantly, “Charaxies… she developed a system of meditation, controlling her emotions and her desires, keeping… the demon… under control. She studied philosophy, ethics, theology, absorbing them into her being. She lived as a hermit, forsaking personal possessions. And as a result I... Char... learned restraint. Learned to take on the identities of all hosts. But if a particularly advanced Star Demon wishes is... they can forcibly take over a host as a mere vessel for their will.”

Dust had heard tales of the star demons, thought Star Swirl had been putting too nice a spin on it, “So if it go out, it would just dominate us?”

Star Swirl looked very nervous at this line of questioning. Eventually her head fell, voice small, “Yes. If Puppy escaped from that rock right now, possessed one of you…” Her eyes noticeably flicked to Zenai for a moment before returning to the ground, “She would just suppress your mind completely, use you simply as a repository of information, emotions and magical energy.”

Fluttershy was quiet for a moment before speaking, her voice now more neutral, “Like when it possessed Luna, or Rarity.”

Star Swirl looked like she was debating whether to reply for a second before an angry look finally took her, her voice raising slightly, “From what I’ve read of her, Luna was forceful, arrogant and liked to take things without asking too. Star Demons feed on emotion and magic, and yes, it is a curse.” She pouted, glaring down at Fluttershy, “It drives us to possess the powerful and the emotionally unstable, take on their personality. Is it so unusual that so many of us become monsters?”

“And so it becomes clear why it chose you.” Easu snarked bitterly.

Dust quickly stepped in here, sensing a fight brewing. As interesting as this was, it wasn’t solving anything. He felt himself getting desperate, not about to lose Puppy too, “None of this changes the fact that whatever is in there scared, damaged and dangerous, and is getting stronger. Now I’m not about to give up on Puppy, so I want some damn suggestions!”

“I have an idea.” Star Swirl stated simply, before a smile moved across her lips, “Kinda an ironic one.”

Everyone stared at her, Dust finally the first to speak, “Go on.”

“Puppy is in there, she must be. But she’s… gone into hiding for some reason, and this other personality has filled the gap. So it’s obvious what we need to do.” Star Swirl nodded firmly, looking rather pleased with herself, “We need to suppress this other personality, and bring Puppy back out.”

Easu’s scowl consumed his entire face, his words full of intense disapproval, “You’re going to dreamwalk into there?”

Star Swirl nodded firmly, “I’m a Star Demon myself now, I know how to handle myself inside dreams. I’m sure I can outmanoeuvre some evil ghost, find Puppy and convince her to re-establish control.”

Easu took a firm step forward, glaring dangerously, “Is this a thing now, this arrogance you have picked up? You are a fool.”

She glared right back, “For caring about ponies? Wanting to save them?”

“That being in there, if Fluttershy is right then that is Nightmare Moon. Queen of dreams, the being that was once a part of the Princess of the Night. And she is also a demon herself, a being of the ether.” Easu lowered his voice to a dismissive growl, “She would destroy you.”

This actually caused Star Swirl to hesitate, looking uncertain for a moment.

“You can do it Star Swirl.” Zenai stated softly, speaking her first words in a while. She smiled up at Star Swirl, encouraging and affectionate, “You wanted to know how to help me? Well then find Puppy, and bring her back safe. You’re a hero, I know you can do it.”

Star Swirl’s smile widened at the encouragement, her stance becoming firmer. She looked around the others, “I can take ponies with me. Only one or two though.”

Dust immediately stepped forward. This was his mission, and he wasn’t about to be left behind. Not when it was all his fault, “Me.”

Star Swirl’s face fell, “I can’t Dust Kicker. I’m sorry.”

He felt like he had been kicked, “Why not?!”

“You’re very resistant to magic, have a locked down soul resonance.” Star Swirl explained, “It would be too dangerous for the both of us, like dragging an anchor with me.”

Dust cursed internally, “Anypony else?”

Fluttershy shook her head, looking regretful, “I’m not sure how much help I’ll be. And... I’m not sure I’m ready to face Nightmare Moon, or any demon.”

Ace avoided her gaze, eventually muttering to himself and looking frustrated, “I’m really not the magical type. I don’t think I’ll be able to deal with all this weird stuff.”

Zenai chuckled sadly, shaking her head, “I’ll be totally useless in there Star Swirl. I’m sorry.”

“So it’s down to me.” Easu growled, looking up at her challengingly.

They all looked at him. Dust instantly felt his muscles tense, knowing the zebra’s opinion on this sort of thing, “So you can go in there and kill her?”

Easu paused for several long seconds before looking directly at Star Swirl, “I will follow your lead. Show me that you’re not an idiot girl. That this idealism of yours has basis.”

She smiled, confident, “I intend to.”

“Arrogant mare...” He sniffed, “I have training at doing this at least. Let’s get prepared, we might not have much time.”

“What do we do?” Dust asked as they stepped into position around the armor, the two laying down on the floor beside, “How long should we give you?”

“If she possesses someone, if she escapes... it will be one of us.” Easu explained grimly, “Be ready for that.”

“I don’t know how long it will take Dust Kicker.” Star Swirl stated, closing her eyes and igniting her horn, “But don’t you worry. I won’t fail you.”

It wasn’t like any entrance to the dreaming Star Swirl had ever experienced, feeling a deep well of confusion and fear strike her full force, buffeting her in its chaotic tempest. She felt herself torn apart, flung through screaming memories of despair and hatred… she was a dreamweaver, she should have been able to take control.

But the tempests were just too powerful, too full of conviction and will. She had made a terrible mistake. She recognised the feelings that hit her now and realised that Easu was right.

These were the nightmares of an alicorn princess. Like Celestia she felt the connection to everything around her, but unlike Celestia these sensations only spoke of darkness and despair. She tried to block out Puppy’s mind but it was impossible, Star Swirl helplessly caught in the grasp of a being far larger than she could ever imagine.

And finally she slumped painfully to the grey, dusty ground, gasping as some of it went up her nose. She reared up, coughing as she tried to clear her sinuses… eyes raising to the planet suspended above her head like a vast blue marble.

It was both awe inspiring and terrifying. She instinctively covered her head, feeling that any moment she was going be crushed against that vast planet that filled the sky, or fall out into space. But her hooves remained set, secured upon fields of silver sand.

She was on the moon. She was looking down at Equestria, far below… or above, depending on how you thought about it. She could make out the spires of Canterlot, and by focusing her eyes just make out the mountain upon which her body now slept all the way in the zebra territories.

“Well, that’s something you don’t see every day.”

She turned, the voice immediately familiar. Her eyes settled on the stallion, her mouth slowly drooping open.

It was a zebra. Beyond that… Star Swirl struggled to describe him in ways that did him justice. He had a firm jaw but still possessed a kindly softness around his cheeks and eyes, his fur stylishly rugged, his body tall and powerful. His grin was seductive and dangerous, his eyes full of intelligence and passion. She could feel the power radiating off him, the arrogance and pride. Her jaw went slack, tongue struggling for words.

“It’s me Star Swirl.” He turned and shone her a heart breaking smile, his hooves padding across the dust as he advanced towards her, “This is what I really look like, under the bandages and pathetic self loathing.”

Star Swirl gulped loudly, “Easu…?”

“You look like you like what you see.” He crooned seductively, advancing forward with an eerie grace, “You want to know a secret?”

She nodded quickly, her legs turning to jelly.

“I’ve always wanted you, from the first moment I saw you. An alicorn princess, to take into my hooves, to do… everything to…”

She gasped, her eyes darting left and right, feeling the need to flee but betrayed by shaking legs, “Easu, I… I don’t…”

He grinned, eyes far too cruel and irresistible, “Don’t you want me Star Swirl?”

She bit her lip, realising this wasn’t the time, that something was very wrong, that they… just shouldn’t… but the warmth, the tingling through her body couldn’t be denied. She felt animal parts taking over, her eyes taking in the stallion before her and just… needing him more than anything else, “I want you…”

“Of course you do. Ha! HA!” He leapt forward, slamming into her shoulder first. Star Swirl was strong but this caught her embarrassingly off guard, Star Swirl on the floor and pinned before she even knew what was going on. He gave another barking laugh and forced a hoof against her throat, a mad, lustful gleam in his eyes, “Do you know how many terrible, awful pictures and books featuring this scenario there are? The viral zebra stallion, breaking the pretty pony princess, making her his? And by the fire, I ate up every twisted word!”

She tried to struggle but found herself a pathetic tangle of hooves, her strength gone. And worse… she couldn’t find the will, the energy to fight. She felt her resistance collapse, her pride nowhere to be found. She wondered if it would be best if she just gave in, enjoyed this as best as she could…

“Kiss me bitch.” He ordered, powerful hooves digging painfully into her shoulders, “Kiss me and call me master.”

He forced his lips onto hers. She resisted for a moment and he slapped her, forcing her head back and trying again. This time… she kissed back. She lost herself to him, just a simple tool to his will. She didn’t see the point of being anything else.

“Get off her scumbag.”

Easu paused, angrily staring to the side. Star Swirl followed his eyes, not remotely prepared for the pony who had spoken the words, the rifle in his hooves trained on Easu and his eyes full of fury. Easu grimaced, stepping carefully away before giving a dangerous grin, “Who the fuck are you old man?”

“Name’s Bloody Razor.” The scarred raider motioned to Star Swirl, still lying sprawled upon the ground, “She’s under my protection.”

Star Swirl rolled back onto her hooves, standing gingerly. She was frightened, passive, weak despite herself. She didn’t understand, what had happened to her? And furthermore…

She looked to Bloody Razor, the blood soaked raider who had saved her so many times now. Why? Why was he here, still looking out for her? “What are you doing here?”

“Protecting you girl. Somepony has to.” He motioned with his gun to the darkness beyond, “Run. I’ve got this fucker covered.”

“Like hell you do…!”

Bloody Razor blew his ear off, Easu collapsing into a screaming heap. Bloody Razor then turned his eyes to Star Swirl, voice rising to a scream, “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR GIRL!?”

Star Swirl’s hooves finally kicked into action, heart beating desperately as she galloped away. She had no idea where she was going, her hooves kicking up dirt as she crested a dune with her heart beating in her ears.

And then she stepped out into nothingness, the dune suddenly ending in a steep drop. She screamed, opening her wings and battering them against the rock. It achieved nothing but throwing her head over heels.

The final impact was sudden and painful.

…

She was going to die. She was all full of confidence going in and now she was going to die, all alone, trapped in some stupid dream with Easu trying to rape her and falling into space…

“Open your eyes you silly girl.”

Star Swirl knew that voice. She knew it all too well, “No. I… I don’t want to.”

The owner of said voice promptly wacked her across the head with a hoof.

“Ow!” She opened her eyes, rearing up and covering her head, “That… that was mean!”

“Is this really what I’m reduced to?” The purple alicorn before her growled back, stance full of arrogance and power, “A little simpering idiot, who can do nothing but whimper and cry?”

Star Swirl looked down at her hooves, then up at the proud form of Justicar before her. To say something wasn’t right about this picture was an understatement, and now she realised just why she felt so strange, “I… I can’t feel Char…”

“Good riddance.” Justicar declared, grimacing, “All those rules, all those endless moral debates. A true moral pony ‘knows’ the difference between right and wrong, they don’t have to bind themselves to some inflexible system of ethics.”

Star Swirl was barely listening, “We’ve been… shattered. And so has Easu, that’s why he was acting so weird back there…”

“And this is what I mean!” Justicar wacked her over the head again, voice furiously bossy as she addressed Star Swirl, “We know what we have to do! Go out there, defeat Nightmare Moon, drag Puppy out and go home. Who cares why we’re split, it just means there’s more of us.”

“I really think…”

“No!” Justicar shouted, shaking her head, “This is your problem! You think, you ponder! How long did it take you to tell Zenai how you felt?”

Star Swirl winced. A low blow… from herself no less, “I don’t think it…”

“Again! Thinking, thinking!” Justicar brought a hoof down hard, “You have a perfectly good set of instincts, use them! You needed some parasitic space demon influencing your emotions to reveal a crush you nursed for two years! Can you get more pathetic?”

Star Swirl felt anger well up, bitter and painful. She lowered her head, avoiding Justicar’s gaze, “Shut up…”

“Well I’m going to finish this. With or without you.” Justicar declared, turning and stalking away.

“Justicar…” Star Swirl weakly reached out to the alicorn, “Please, you need to wait. She’s dangerous…”

“This is Puppy we’re talking about, a simpering child.” She threw her head back proudly, “Now I don’t have you holding me down she’ll be no threat at all.”

Star Swirl watched as the alicorn opened her wings and flew towards the spires of Canterlot below. She only hoped she was right...

Justicar felt better than she had in decades, her wings strong and powerful, her magic raw and uncontained, her body strong and supple. This is what she had been in her prime, before ‘Star Swirl’ had thrown away everything that made her the Goddesses’ most fearsome enforcer. And without the Goddess… she was free as never before, free to enforce her own justice.

She located Puppy easily, winging down to Canterlot and towards the edifice of tasteless pink, blue and white that somepony had made of the palace, hearing the bombastic tunes of the royal march and winging to the window of the great hall. Inside stood an entire cheering hall of ponies, all looking up at the podium where a warmly smiling Princess Luna stood beside a taller, completely black alicorn. Lying nearby was a huge, black demonic looking dog, Justicar shying back a bit as its head came up and it looked in her direction.

“Today we are here to celebrate our new Princess, one after my own heart, cruelly banished and taken from those who loved her, waking a thousand years later to a world that only gave her further suffering.” Luna declared in a loud, oddly high and self-consciously bombastic voice, “Yet that has now changed. Now she takes her rightful place, a new Princess for a better Equestria!”

Luna wasn’t as tall as Justicar remembered from the pictures she had seen. She was a lighter colour too, and her mane didn’t flow as a princess should. Not that it mattered, that would simply mean she would be even easier to beat.

“Mother, father, please join me on stage.” The black alicorn asked of two unicorn ponies in front, a purple furred mare and a light brown stallion, “We have been apart for so long, and finally… finally we can be together again.”

The two ponies moved up, tears in their eyes as they approached the stage, “We’re so proud of you Princess Puppysmiles…”

“Enough of this!” Justicar shattered the window apart with a brief burst of magic, the crowd screaming as it rained down around them. Justicar didn’t care, they were just shadows, images of a diseased mind. She dived inside and hit the ground with a thump, drawing on the dream powers gained from Char and slamming down a hoof.

The shockwave travelled outwards, the hall collapsing around them, the ponies in the crowd vanishing in bursts of black smoke. It reached the stage and the two unicorns were swept away into nothingness, leaving only Luna, the huge dog, and the black alicorn within the ruined hall.

“You dare much!” Luna shouted as she advanced, horn sparking. The dog advanced too, a growl shaking the dust around it and its teeth bared.

“Luna, Selene, please… I will handle this intruder.” The black alicorn declared, looking up with a dangerous smile and stalking towards Justicar in slow, precise steps, “Canterlot is mine to defend now. And this… this will not take long.”

It wasn’t Nightmare Moon. At least… not exactly.

It was tall, black and deadly looking, with the sharp, elongated face of a mature alicorn princess. And its hair flowed and sparkled with stars. But that hair had a slight golden edge to it and was short and feathery, her cutie mark a howling wolf surrounded by stars rather than the familiar moon. Justicar frowned as she stalked cautiously around the alicorn, “You’re not Nightmare Moon.”

“The difference is academic. You may simply call me Nightmare if you wish.” The alicorn stated in a firm alto, her tone dripping with contempt, “I always did have trouble accessing the full potential of my princess body, and this one is more than adequate. The pain, the hurt, the desperate longing… and the raw magic at its core, a whirling furnace of mana… yes, this will do nicely.”

“Don’t get used to it monster.” Justicar sneered, opening her wings wide and crouching for the attack, “I’m not about to let you take control.”

“You believe you can stand against me?” Nightmare Moon stated with cool arrogance, angling her mouth in a sneer, “Who do you think you are?”

“I’m a killer.” Justicar spat coldly, teleporting in and slashing at Nightmare Moon with a horn sparking with arcane energies.

Nightmare Moon dodged the attack with cool swiftness, flicking her head forward and unleashing a concentrated bolt of energy with quite awe inspiring control and aim. Justicar too felt the thrill at her own skill, dodging forward, ducking and rolling with an agility she had long forgotten.

Into close range, that’s where she would win this. Justicar rolled to Nightmare Moon’s side, kicking her in the shoulder with a hind hoof and staggering her, then spinning and whipping a magically hardened tail into her face. Nightmare Moon cried out and her magic surged outwards, furious and uncontrolled, knocking Justicar away and forcing her to open her wings wide to stop herself from crashing into the ground.

Nightmare Moon shrieked shrilly and her horn exploded with arcane might, Justicar dodging left and right, cutting forward and charging straight ahead. Nightmare Moon narrowed her eyes, charged her horn…

Justicar teleported away, appearing right behind the alicorn and kicking out hard.

At nothing.

Then the ground exploded.

Justicar screamed, the blast consuming her, shredding her wings and burning her fur. She gasped and staggered for a moment as the light faded, only to be caught hard by a beam of magic that flung her through the air to thud limply into the dirt. She gasped, crippled and gasping, looking up at the imperious alicorn above, “No… I’m…”

“Forgetting who you are facing.” Nightmare growled in cruel glee, her hooves treading across churned up dirt and her eyes glowing eerily in the shadows, “You never stood a chance little pony.”

Star Swirl simply wandered, unsure and lost. It seemed a common state for her, Star Swirl letting out a sigh as the luna landscape faded into a much more familiar one.

Then she couldn’t help smiling, feeling her heart slow and her body relax at the site of the worn, metal shelves, the dusty, carefully restored books, the symbol of the Followers of the Apocalypse displayed proudly on the far wall. In the corner sat the armchair where administrator Foldin’ would sleep, occasionally shouting at them to work harder before settling once more. Just across the room was the window with the broken catch where Zenai would sneak out and in from time to time, leaving Star Swirl to cover for her.

Star Swirl stepped through the empty library, enjoying the rays of sunshine washing across her. She soon found the cupboard she was looking for, using her telekinesis to jiggle the lock and grinning as the door swung open. She slipped one of the books there out, grin growing wider and her head speeding up a little as she opened it out in front of her.

Why not? There was nopony here after all, and she always wanted to do it here…

She chuckled, turning round to lay the book down upon the front desk…

And screamed, as she saw a ghoul standing there watching her with a confused look.

“Star Swirl? Hmph, it’s about time.” The ghoul stated as he moved grumpily towards her. And now he was closer… he wasn’t a ghoul, not exactly. He was thin and wasted, his body burned and wrapped in bandages, but he lacked the necrosis of a true ghoul. He just looked really ill, his voice harsh and grating, “What are you doing?”

Star Swirl wondered if she could hide the book held in her telekinesis without him noticing. She really doubted it somehow, remaining frozen in place, “I… um…”

The pony looked up at the book, causing Star Swirl’s heart to freeze in her chest, “What is this?”

“It’s nothing!”

The pony walked forward and snatched it from her telekinesis. She was powerless to resist, just shying away and feeling her cheeks burn as he observed the… slightly sticky pages. After a moment he slammed the book shut, his voice low and cold, “We’re supposed to be saving Puppy.”

Star Swirl opened her eyes wide in recognition, “Easu?”

Esau grunted as he looked up at her, “You had almost convinced me. That you weren’t just another arrogant, selfish, crude little pony.”

Star Swirl felt her hoof shake, slamming her other hoof on top of it and pinning the offending limb to the ground, “I was… I was just… tidying it away?”

“Add dishonest to the list.” Easu growled, turning away, “I’m done here. I’m not sure why I agreed to help you in the first place.”

“Wait!” Star Swirl called, reaching out a desperate hoof towards him, “There… there’s another you out there!”

He paused. His voice when it came was frightening, low and cold, “Star Swirl, do you want me to help you?”

“Yes!”

“Then kill him for me. Kill him and be done with it.”

Star Swirl paused. On the first pass the other Easu had tried to rape her, was clearly a deeply unpleasant individual. On the other… “You want me to kill... you?”

“Yes.” He growled, looking like he was in pain, “Get it over with.”

This felt wrong. There were too many things she couldn’t understand going on here, “Easu, why do you look so… sick?”

“Typical pony. You only see the surface.” Easu stated in a low growl, “Beauty, strength, charm… they are all lies, lies to disguise the rot within. I have cast them all off, become pure once more. I have finally purged the evil at my heart.”

Star Swirl had to say, she wasn’t liking this Easu much either, “Well, for ‘purging your evil’… asking me to kill a zebra is a little much isn’t it?”

Easu’s expression became dangerous, silent for a couple of long, ominous seconds before his voice rumbled out in a bass low enough to shake the walls, “I merely wish him gone, out of my life. It is you who bear the sin.” He looked back at her with utter contempt, “Are you not a killer? Are you not a monster? It should be easy for a pony like you, a simple act of common murder.”

Star Swirl really didn’t like this Easu, “Hey! Why… why don’t you do it yourself then!?”

“I have moved beyond such things. Detached myself from worldly sins.” Easu declared coldly, “And if you will not help me rid myself of them permanently, I will find somepony who will.”

Star Swirl felt that unlikely, “Like who? We’re the only ones in here Easu…”

“No, we’re not.” He stated bluntly.

“What, Nightmare Moon?”

“Why not?” He grunted, “You love Star Demons so much, I will show you what they are really capable of. I will trade her services in ridding myself of my sins in return for setting her free, and show the whole world that demons and ponies are not to be trusted.”

Star Swirl’s heart froze, tears starting to flow, “No… that’s… that’s evil…”

“Then you should have never harnessed it for your plans in the first place.” Easu growled as he set off towards the door, “In the end you reap what you sow.”

“No… Easu…” Star Swirl reached forward, catching his shoulder...

She fell into the memories, feeling them well up around her…

Easu… Easu formed in front of her. He was younger, just an adult yet already strong and handsome, walking into a room with all the effortless swagger of a zebra born to be admired. The room was a dining room of some kind, the décor vaguely familiar… as was the other zebra in the room.

He was clearly related to Easu, pretty and well formed, but younger and lacking Easu’s rugged strength. Instead he looked positively scrawny, his posture speaking of a desire to avoid notice and his expression downcast and evasive.

“That smells damn good.” Easu commented with a deeply smug grin, swaggering into the room and waving a hoof in the other zebra’s direction, “Spare us a little brother? Spent the whole day sparing, I’m gonna keel over if I don’t eat something soon.”

“It’s… mine…” The zebra stated nervously, his voice soft and girlish.

“Oh come on!” Easu announced with a loud chuckle, “Go on bro, name your price. A pretty girl? Pretty boy?”

His brother looked away, clearly blushing. After a second he finally answered, voice quietly hopeful, “Father won’t be around forever.”

Easu’s expression became grim, his voice more serious, “No, he won’t.”

“When you become warlord… things have to change.” The zebra stated, turning deep, soulful eyes up at Easu, “We have a chance here, to create something truly great. Build cities, grow crops, trade, create art and literature. We could be a civilisation again.”

“Well that’s what you’re here for little brother!” Easu laughed, striding over to the table with his head held high and proud, “I might be a leader, but I honestly find it hard to really get interested in the small stuff of ruling a country. Whereas you little brother… well, you might not be cut out to be king, but you’ ve always been good at those little, behind the scenes things.”

“Really…”

“Yeah!” Easu declared, patting his brother on the back, “If I’m going to defeat our enemies and forge a strong country I’ll need resources. Zebra, food, weapons, all that stuff. And even if I think your affection for dirt farming is weird, I can’t deny that forging an empire is pretty hard without it.”

“And you will let me do things my own way?”

“Sure!”

The zebra lowered his head, thinking for a moment before pushing the bowl over. He smiled at Easu, eyes full of kindness, “Thank you brother, you’ve given me a lot to think about.”

She fell out of the memories, watching his back as he departed. She should have chased after him, fought him, done something. But she didn’t have the energy, have the will. She could only cry at her weakness, a big, pathetic lump unworthy of consideration. She looked at the book Easu had left on the floor, feeling the self loathing well up. Was this all she was? A big, ugly brute, reading dirty magazines while fantasising about her best friend?

“Chin up big girl.”

She turned, more than a little surprised to see Bloody Razor standing there by the book shelves. The dirty raider looked very odd standing in a place like this, Star Swirl hesitating for a second before quickly moving to wipe away the tears, “I’m sorry, I’m…”

“No need to apologise.” He chuckled, walking past her with his usual swagger and picking up the discarded book. She went bright red once more, especially as he opened it up and gave a big grin, “Heh heh, this is some pretty good stuff.”

“I…” Star Swirl was unsure what to say to that. She had to say something eventually, though it made her feel even worse, “…I like that one…”

“Brings some worrying connotations to your behaviour with that little dickweed before.” He mentioned warningly, flicking through the pages with a sterner expression, “I’ve fought you, back when you were just a unicorn. You could break him in half like you are now.”

She blushed, “I know… I’m not very good at… violence.”

He turned to her, quietly assessing, “You liked it a little bit too.”

Star Swirl squirmed, “Of course not… I mean… he tried to rape me…” She lowered her head, feeling the shame burn, “…a little bit… I mean… he was really good looking… and I’ve liked him for a while…”

Bloody Razor sighed, throwing the book to the side and facing up to her, “We’ve got to get you back together. You’re no damn good like this.” He waved to her, walking towards the door, “Come on, I hate being cooped up. And it's looking like a pretty nice day.”

They passed through tangled brambles and towering trees, the sound of wildlife just beyond their view filling their ears. The place felt alive like nowhere Star Swirl had ever been, the sweet smell of wet peat and the rustle of leaves.

“Wow… seeing a place like this.” Bloody Razor breathed in reverence, “Makes a fellow regret living his whole life under grey skies.”

Star Swirl looked around, the place looking familiar. Eventually she realised why, the setting like so many she had seen in pre-war books, “This is the Everfree Forest. Before the war.”

“This Nightmare Moon’s memories then?”

“I guess so.” Star Swirl concurred, before moving on to other concerns. Concerns that had been bugging her for a while now, and had finally come to a head, “So who’s memory are you? Who are you?”

He grinned, “Told you, name’s Bloody Razor. Bandit and raider…”

She snapped, giving him an extremely huffy glare, “I mean it! You’re… not a ghost. You’re sleeping, you’re alive… but… what is your connection to me?”

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth darling.” He stated with what was almost affection, “That’s twice I’ve saved you. You still questioning my motives?”

“Yes… yes I am.” She concluded, wanting this finished now, “Why did you save me? You said it yourself, you’re a raider.”

“And that means I can’t save folk occasionally?” He questioned cheerily, before his tone suddenly fell and his face became serious, “I had ponies to protect once. I had a girl, and kids. Kids I was damn proud of.”

Star Swirl hesitated. He didn’t sound like he was joking, “What happened to them?”

“They killed my girl in front of me. My son and daughter too. All Earth ponies you see, no good to them.”

Star Swirl cocked her head at him, “Why would it matter what race they were?”

Bloody Razor looked her in the eye, dead serious now, “Alicorns. Still new in the wasteland back then, didn’t know what the fuck was going on. Just a swarm of winged monstrosities, then my kin died around me.” He looked off into the distance as he continued, words full of regret, “Then they grabbed me, my eldest daughter and a few of the others, took us to Maripony. Dragged me to the vats, that fucking goddess screamed some shit at me, then…”

Star Swirl barely forced the words out, “Then you were dipped…”

“So yeah.” He concluded, “You’re right, I’m sleeping. Have been for a long time.”

“I…” Star Swirl looked down at the stallion with new eyes, taking him in piece by piece.

A stallion. About thirty or forty. A raider. A cutie mark of a pony having his head cut off with a machete. A father. A leader, “…I… I’ve always wondered. I’m so sorry…”

“You dipped a lot of unicorns, but I wasn’t one of them.” He chuckled, “Obviously.”

“But I feel… like I stole your life…”

He sighed, “I could be angry about it I suppose. But as I’ve woke up, I’ve started to learn more about you. See your memories, feel your thoughts.” He smiled, warm and affectionate, looking up and taking a deep breath of the forest air, “I had two daughters. Loved them both to bits. Too much like me, proud, stubborn, scrappy little pukes. But they had good hearts.”

“Your daughter. The one that became an alicorn…”

“Best left alone.” He looked to her, “Even if there was any way of ever finding out… you all have new lives now.”

“There was a drive once, to find out who we were before. Velvet Remedy advised us against it.” Star Swirl saw why now. Still, she couldn’t help but feel, “But… we should remember. That you lived. That you died…”

“Why?” He asked, “A million ponies died out there. How many raiders did you kill? How many raiders die every day? Do you care about any of them?”

“I…”

“I would have been bones in the dust eventually. My experiences, my dreams, my life… it wouldn’t have mattered for shit.”

Star Swirl spoke quietly, “Every life has value.”

Bloody Razor gave her a cynical grin, “Is that how Justicar feels?”

“I realise now, that I’ve been a coward.” Star Swirl replied, letting her head fall and her pride melt away, “I gave up fighting when I left the Goddess, and if that had been a moral choice it would have been alright. But I gave up fighting because I couldn’t work out what I should fight for, who the good guys and bad guys were. I couldn’t handle the responsibility of working out those things myself, without the Goddess telling me.”

Bloody Razor chuckled, “That’s certainly changing of late.”

“No.” Star Swirl replied, shaking her head, “It’s only changing because of Char, because she has things to fight for. I’m just being used as a weapon in somepony else’s war, just like before. But that’s going to end now. I’m powerful, and I need to take responsibility for the fate of the world. And to do that… I need your strength.”

Bloody Razor nodded, offering a hoof, “You have it.”

She accepted the hoof, a simple step and extend. And at that moment everything changed.

She was a parent. She had watched her children being born, taking their first steps. She was a leader. She nurtured her tribe, took pride in their achievements, fought to keep them alive. She was a husband, a hundred happy memories of little fights, joyful intimacy and shared memories.

And all of it was ashes. She wept for a life she had never known, a life that had always bubbled under the surface. After twenty eight years of being without a past, she finally remembered her parents, her childhood.

And as she wept she felt a tingling sensation on her flank, looking back to see the star swirl finally untwist itself. It stood there, clear and bold, a machete cutting off a ponies head. Bloody Razor’s cutie mark.

And then it was gone, fading into sparkles and revealing a totally blank flank once more.

She looked to the sky with new eyes, a new heart, a new soul. Concepts and understanding she never had before added context to every tree and root, mixing together the weight of decades of experience and the shining innocence of a newborn.

And even as it happened the forest opened into a clearing before her, Star Swirl finding herself looking out towards what looked like it had once been some sort of temple before the years had got to it. Blocky stone was covered in vines and brambles, flowers beds in bloom growing in swirling patterns that had to be artificial. There was a sense of peace here, everything from the gently flowing river to the way the rocks lay around the outside of the clearing seeming to have been carefully placed.

A zebra emerged from inside the temple at a slow trot, looking up as she saw Star Swirl. She opened her eyes wide in excitement, her face lighting up with recognition. Her voice was soft for a zebra, melodic and flowing “Oh, Star Swirl! You finally arrive! You finally found your way.” She chuckled, her voice high and sweet, "I was worried you would be lost in the mists of the mind forever."

Star Swirl looked at the zebra, rather struck by the colour of her stripes. Instead of black, her white fur was bisected by stripes of green and red gradients. She also was wearing an array of tinkling bangles that added to her distinctive appearance, her ears tuffed and her fetlocks unshorn, “Who are you?”

“I am Charaxies.” She gave a motherly smile, chuckling and holding a hoof to her breast, “The zebra, not the star child.”

“You’re… Char’s second host.”

The zebra nodded, trotting over to the river and dipping her hooves in the flowing water. She carefully washed them off as she continued, smiling gently as she stared at the ripples in the water, “I merely called her ‘the child’. I am honoured that she kept my name.”

Star Swirl felt a little rush of thrill, “You created the Changelings.”

Charaxies looked up, quietly remorseful for a moment before sighing, “Yes. Apologies now would seem foolish. I am long dead, only a memory within the child’s consciousness. And our actions ripple like this water, affecting all actions to come. To regret an action I made more than a thousand years ago is to regret that thousand years in its entirety.” She smiled, turning and drying her hooves on the soft grass before giving Star Swirl a rather impish smile, “Twilight Sparkle experimented on Changelings as part of her research into creating alicorns. Much of the work that made you into what you are was pioneered by me.”

Star Swirl had never thought about it that way, “That’s a pretty long chain that connects us.”

“All scientists stand on the shoulders of those before. Sadly my notes were burned as heresy, so Twilight Sparkle had to reverse engineer my work instead.” Charaxies smiled sadly, “And I’ve no doubt they said the same of Twilight Sparkle as they did of me in the end. Heresy, a perversion of the art.”

“I am an artificial princess.” Star Swirl pointed out, having long developed patience with those who found her unsettling, “That kinda spits in the face of all natural law.”

“Natural law is a farce Star Swirl.” Charaxies stated with a little venom, “The Star Children might be extraterestrial, but they are as natural as any other. It is in their nature to use their genetic restructuring capabilities to improve their hosts, a simply biological imperative. If they can do it then why not ponies?”

“You’re saying we should modify ourselves?”

“You ponies command the environment to do your bidding. The SPP spits in the face of natural law.” Charaxies pointed out, her soft voice pointed, “We grow and adapt to our environment, using the great powers granted to us by the Fire. To neglect those powers is to deny our responsibilities to those who come after, to stagnate and fail.”

Star Swirl knew it wasn’t that simple, “And when it goes horribly wrong?”

“To explore distant places, to test a new berry, to approach a strange creature, to birth a new child into the world… all these things can end in disaster, even death. They must be approached with caution, and wisdom, but they must be approached.” Charaxies faced Star Swirl with a calm, yet piercing stare, “I may have succeed in my plans for the changelings if I had a team behind me, such as Twilight Sparkle did. Princess Luna was one of the few that ever understood, that the things in the dark can be dangerous, but also that they hold great potential. She graced Twilight with the trust to explore those possibilities. I on the other hand was forced to toil on my own, without the benefit of a second opinion. As you’ve heard, it ended in disaster. Yet I am not jealous. I am proud Twilight Sparkle followed my ideals to their conclusion, and that I stand before her result.”

Star Swirl looked down at herself, wondering once again, what she was made for, “I’m not sure the comparison is fair. You made the Changelings to be beings of peace. Twilight Sparkle created us for war.”

“She was inspired by Celestia and Luna.” Charaxies commented, thinking for a moment before smiling, “The alicorns of old were passive creatures, like the shaman they did not believe in direct action. They even believed that to give advice was to interfere too much with the passage of harmony, that their only duty was to silently fix issues that threatened the safety of the entire world.”

Star Swirl noted this with more than a little surprise. This was… occasionally mentioned in really old texts, but not with any great detail, “You know about the alicorns?”

“A little.” She smiled, “I was a member of a group of shaman who occasionally had dealings with them. It is something I share with Celestia and Luna, that we both had peaceful disagreements with our fellows. Celestia and Luna believed that all creatures should strive for what they believed, not be held back by notions of pacifism and balance.”

Star Swirl wasn’t sure that was right exactly, “That sounds rather… aggressive.”

“Celestia and Luna were both warriors Star Swirl. Maybe not primarily, but they both stood on the front line on numerous occasions.” She smiled, her hoofsteps calm and graceful as she stepped around Star Swirl, “You don’t need to be a killer. Celestia was a statesmare and a scholar, rarely engaging in personal combat. She only delivered a final end when absolutely necessary, believing in the possibility of redemption in all beings. Still when it was truly needed she did not hesitate to exert her power, whether in politics or battle.”

“And I should do the same?”

Charaxies smile was broad, “You are smart, strong, magically powerful. You are an alicorn, a race that has protected the ponies of Equestria for more than a thousand years.” She paused before continuing, “I’m not saying it’s your duty. I will not force you into it. But power should be used for the benefit of all, not hidden away for personal comfort.”

Star Swirl frowned, feeling that old poison in her belly, “I’m a fake alicorn.”

“Fake?” Charaxies chuckled, “Do you know what mastering the elements of harmony does Star Swirl? What becoming a Princess does?”

Star Swirl frowned, feeling she was going in circles, “It… makes you an alicorn. Gives you horn and wings.”

“It’s not that specific Star Swirl. Zebra gain neither of those things upon transformation.” Charaxies chuckled, walking over to one of her flowers and running a hoof up its stem, “It grants perfection of body, allowing the creature to form itself into the physical ideal hidden deep within the subconscious.” She turned her head, giving Star Swirl a huge grin, “Believe me, it surprised Celestia as much as anyone when she helped Silver Swirl to harmony and beheld her student’s new form. Many of my fellow zebra are uncomfortable with it, seeing the masters of harmony emulating the form and function of Celestia as a dangerous cult of personality. In my mind it is simply inevitable, the princesses model themselves after the one who guided them there, guided by the legend of the alicorns. All creatures find comfort in such symbols.”

Star Swirl… found the implications scary, “So the princesses aren’t technically… alicorns?”

Charaxies chuckled, “If it quacks like a duck… I have never seen it said in any reputable texts that the princesses of harmony are any lesser than Celestia, indeed she expressed many times that she sought in all her apprentices those who could surpass her." She gave Star Swirl a rather impish grin, "And if the princesses themselves are fake alicorns, yet are as equivalent to the originals that there is no justifiable difference…”

“But…” Star Swirl looked down at herself, her gangly legs, her neck far too long… “A princess isn’t just about the physical body, the magic. It’s about wisdom, and direction.”

“Both of which only come from those who risk failure.” Charaxies countered, “You and the Child both are so scared of what you are that you shy away what you might be. You are both from races unjustly scorned, yet in both of you is the potential for greatness. It saddens me that you fear to reach for it.”

Star Swirl thought that ironic, “But you’re part of her.”

“The part that tells her, ‘you are so much more than you think’.” Charaxies shook her head, but her sadness soon turned to anger. She pointed a determined hoof up at the sky, voice polite but firm as she faced Star Swirl, “Those ponies out there killing and taking without conscience or consideration, those ponies who burned the world out of ego and malice. Those are the monsters of this world. You and the Child are both just living creatures, the same as any under the sun. You are free to choose for good or evil, and neither of you are damned by the nature of your flesh.”

“I’ll… try.” Star Swirl stated, though her voice shook in the saying, “But I wish I was more confident of my success.”

Charaxies smiled warmly and offered a hoof, “I believe in you Star Swirl.”

Star Swirl hesitated, looking down at that hoof. Charaxies offered something truly scary… hope, and self belief. The drive to take action to help this world.

She closed her eyes and reached out, their hooves touching.

Knowledge. So much knowledge. Charaxies was a full shaman, the mare who created the changelings. The influx of information laughed at Star Swirl’s scholarship on plants and animals, diving past discussions of hereditary and anatomy to throw open understanding of genetic codes and cellular structure… and how to manipulate them. And past that… the knowledge that she owed it to the world to use these things.

The world was broken, sick. And like any doctor she couldn’t stand by while she had the power to cure it.

“Physician, heal thyself.” Star Swirl stated to herself, holding her horn to the sky. She gently guided her magic outwards, searching for recognition.

She didn't need to explore the changes, she already knew what she was capable of now. And she already knew that she would be foolish to get arrogant. She was still painfully incomplete, and if she was going to save Puppy she would need to find the other fragments of herself. And the most obvious was…

There.

Star Swirl looked around as she found herself once more out in space among the stars, only this time she stood on no surface, there was no planet or moon, only… a sense of peace. Of knowing. Like a gentle tune in her ear, the very air here spoke of harmony. Star Swirl was not afraid, she could not see how one could be afraid here.

She continued forward, watching images flash by, memories of a life lived. Memories of a lost, lonely child, growing up in tragedy, ostracized by everyone she loved, only to find peace and worth at the very end of her life. Star Swirl let out a breath she didn’t realise she had been holding, “This is… Luna’s memories? Midnight Dreamer’s I mean…”

“Actually, they’re Selene’s.” A familiar voice declared, a glittering, insectoid alicorn emerging from the mists with a look of profound sadness upon her face. She looked up, pale eyes full of loss as she spoke, “I wonder if she understands what this is? One of the last memories she pulled from her former host, and the single most significant.”

“Char.” Star Swirl sighed in relief, moving to meet the mare. She looked around at the interstellar picture show, wondering if this was a dream within a dream, “Where are we?”

“Harmony. Some call it the hall of mirrors.” Char spoke with a weary, hesitant cadence, “This is where all ponies go once they uncover the secrets of harmony, become worthy of the title of princess and the power of the alicorns.”

Star Swirl took a breath, finally understanding the significance of this place, “Midnight Dreamer… was a princess?”

“For 52 seconds.” Char stated bluntly, “At that point her brainstem was severed upon impact with a hard object, ending her existence. Shortly afterwards Selene, panicked and dying with every moment, was contacted within the dream world by Puppy and guided into the star metal at the centre of Dust Kicker’s armor.”

Star Swirl took a deep breath, looking around in wonder. This was where all Princesses went upon ascension?

A deeper emotion overwhelmed it though. Pride. Happiness. She hadn’t known Midnight Dreamer long but had felt her death bitterly. It somehow made it better to know she had attained this sort of peace at the end of her life, “Doesn’t this mean… Selene is a princess too?”

“I… don’t think so.” Char stuttered nervously, looking around before drawing herself up and attempting to sound authoritive, "To be honest Star Swirl, even though I have spent most of my life dreaming of inhabiting a host that attainted harmony... I am uncertain what the result might be."

Star Swirl found it very interesting seeing Char like this. With Charaxies in her soul she knew her resident star demon better than ever, and she didn't know how she hadn't seen it before.

Well maybe a little. The mare had always been rather over serious and easily flustered. But now she saw her standing here, overwhelmed by the implications, she realised just how earnest and... mortal she really was. Indeed the mare seemed scared, uncertain, overwhelmed, "It didn't have any effect on Selene?"

"Well I... I don't think so. I haven't really had the chance to properly assess her."

"Where is she?"

"With the Nightmare." Char explained bitterly, "I observed her from afar, but could detect no changes. It is both encouraging and... frustrating."

"How so?"

Char tensed noticeably, looking round nervously for a few seconds as if trying to stall. Finally she found her answer, avoiding Star Swirl's eyes as she did, "Midnight Dreamer connected to harmony, without any obvious adverse effects on Selene. However she did not have the time to complete her transformation, attain perfection of form or spirit." She hesitated a second more before answering a little more bitterly, her body deflating slightly, "I am... an infection within your system Star Swirl. And a creature of darkness and chaos."

Star Swirl frowned, "No, you're..."

"Harmony is not a creature Star Swirl, it is a force. It does not make exceptions, it simply works it's will." She looked up, profoundly depressed as she finally explained her conclusion, "Purity of body eliminates all disease. Purity of spirit eliminates all mental corruption. It is entirely possibly that you becoming a Princess would... destroy me."

Star Swirl accepted it was... a possibility. Still it offended her on a deep personal level all the same, "You are not evil Char."

"I want to believe that Star Swirl, but..." Char paused for a second, taking a deep breath and hiding her face. She turned away, trotting away, refusing to complete her sentence.

"Char?" Star Swirl enquired, trotting after the mare. It was only when she got closer that she realised... "Are you crying?"

"I hate you Star Swirl... I hate that I need this... it is poison, yet I need it to live. The one thing that has destroyed so many..."

"Char?"

"I am bound to your emotions now, your... hormones and glands. They make me feel so... strongly." She gave a gasping sob, screwing up her face and shaking her tears away, "And it makes me so afraid, that I am not a good pony... that I'm... just like her..."

Star Swirl wanted to give Char a hug, but was unsure if it would help right now, "Like who?"

"Nightmare Moon." Char looked up, teeth gritted as she looked at the mirrors all around. Finally it broke loose, Char slamming a hoof down, her voice rising to a shout, "I want this! I deserve this! I have fought so hard, resisted every urge to do evil, tried my best to help even when all around rejected me! I watch as you ponies burn the world, yet still you call me an evil demon!" She span round, advancing on Star Swirl with an animalistic snarl, body twisted in fury, "Why do you selfish, ignorant ponies get to be Princesses, while I try so hard only to be rejected by the very forces of peace and harmony?!"

Star Swirl backed away, now clearly seeing the physical similarities between Char and the changelings. Char didn't have sharp teeth at least, but that was really little comfort when the rest of her was so ominously built, "You don't know that harmony rejects you..."

"I... I'm afraid Star Swirl..." Char finally broke, anger changing to agony as her body shook, "I feel like these feelings damn me in themselves. I want to be a Princess, not so I can help others... but so I can affirm my own self worth. And I know that these are the feelings that so damned Princess Luna to corruption."

"Char... you're a wonderful mare." Star Swirl couldn't take it anymore, trotting forward and taking her in a tight embrace. She was rather surprised that Char accepted it, feeling tears run down her neck as she settled her head against her shoulder, "Never doubt that for a moment."

"I'm weak Star Swirl..." Char whispered, "I though I was worthy of being a Princess, but when I look at myself I'm..."

"Just like everyone else." Star Swirl stated, placing a gentle hoof on the back of her head, "Midnight Dreamer became a Princess, and she was far from perfect."

"I just... don't understand Star Swirl." Char lamented, "I have read the great works on the elements of harmony, studied ethics and philosophy. I try to do the things they tell me, to be a good pony. Yet I always seem to... miss some nuance."

"I think you have to find your own truth." Star Swirl stated, not really sure what she was talking about but figuring it sounded good, "No pony can lead you to harmony. I think Celestia said that once."

Char considered this for a moment before replying bitterly, "I have searched for it for more than a thousand years."

"Come off it." Star Swirl couldn't help teasing, "For part of that you were living as a hermit hidden in the woods, and for the rest you were locked in a cave trapped within a corpse."

"..."

"Come with me Char." Star Swirl stated softly, "Come with me and find harmony."

"We will not find it Star Swirl." Char moved away, staring at her with despairing eyes, "I'm going to bring you down, make you the new Nightmare Moon. I can feel the anger, the pain within you. The desire to be special. It is within me too. They are right, my kind can only bring suffering."

"They said the same of my kind." Star Swirl replied, "We'll confront it together."

"We'll fail..."

"Together." Star Swirl repeated firmly, "Because you're my friend Char. We're in this together. Whatever happens."

She felt Char sigh, and then the bitter sting as she flowed through her. And Char was right, it was hard.

Char had spent near a thousand years brooding alone in a cave, wrestling with the weight of a grief, shame, regret and hate that Star Swirl struggled to process. Char had been betrayed by her own children, shunned by the world, her every attempt at redemption thrown back in her face. And behind the naive, hopeful facade was a wellspring of bitterness and uncertainty.

Char had accepted Sunlight Ivory's plan because it was literally the last chance she had. Char had been wavering between destroying herself or becoming a demon tyrant like her kin, and Sunlight Ivory had won out by merely giving her a third option.

But that wasn't the only reason she had accepted.

Star Swirl felt it, felt that beating heart of compassion. She had felt pony kind eradicate themselves, her desire to be a tyrant merely a desire to do something to preserve their kind upon the earth. Until Sunlight Ivory had won her heart with stories of a second Celestia Char hadn't believed she could be anything more than a necessary monster. She was willing to betray her principles in order to save pony kind.

And that was something she would prove wrong. She would no longer turn away from the world, frightened of hurting someone or becoming something dark. The world had not died at the claws of nightmare and chaos, but by the hooves of mortal ponies. Maybe it was given to the monsters to bring it salvation.

"I will become a Princess, I will save this world!" Star Swirl shouted at the stars around her, voice proud and determined, "I'm not afraid of what I am any longer!"

And now she had only one piece left to go to complete her soul, Justicar. The mighty warrior, champion of the Goddess. With her memories and strength Star Swirl would be unstoppable, quickly finding the tell tell pull of her lost fragment and galloping towards it.

If Justicar had truly sought out Nightmare Moon then a confrontation with the demon was inevitable. And all the better.

The star child of light would eradicate that stain upon the name of her race, prove her strength and righteousness in battle! She galloped out onto the battlefield, raising her head proudly and searching for her lost aspect, "Justicar!"

But... this wasn't right. She didn't recognise this place.

It was a battlefield, dusty and barren, a few hardy weeds and burnt stumps of trees poking out through the cracked dirt. A mighty mountain range loomed ahead, a valley cutting through it to snake across twisted paths and stony plateaus. And scattered everywhere were the bodies of monsters and zebra, mighty blades like that of Starhammer lying where they had fallen. She could see fighting off in the distance but it was hazy and indistinct, the other figures here merely shades.

All except for one. Something familiar, something she knew. Something...

She looked up, eyes widening as a mighty beast descended towards her, looking like the cross between a bird and a dragon. It boasted mighty claws at the end of winged arms, its beaked head wickedly sharp and covered in armored scales. Colorful feathered tufts flared outwards as it screeched, wreathing the elegant creature in majesty.

Asharan, Char's first host.

She fired a blast of energy but the beast just dodged it with an easy roll, slamming down with a hard claw that Star Swirl jumped aside to avoid. It was faster than it looked however, spinning about and striking Star Swirl hard with the back of its wing, sending her crashing and grinding along the stone in a tumble of feathers and fur. She finally came to a stop and gasped as she felt the sting of her torn flesh, desperately trying to heal her injuries as she raised her head to the charging Asharan. She teleported back into the air and fired a blast from above, trusting to her greater mobility.

It turned its head, beak opening wide and a deep crimson energy building up in its throat. Star Swirl was forced to spin desperately to the side, feeling her fur singe as the blast flew past and consumed her own shot without the slightest hint of resistance. She was half way through her turn when she saw Asharan launch, firing another desperate shot that just bounced off the creature's hide.

"Oh crap..."

Easu stood watching, impassive as he watched the great beast swat Star Swirl out of the sky, fling her to the ground with a massive claw. As much as he knew he should help… this felt like justice. The demon, slain by her own nightmares.

“Aren’t you going to help?” Easu asked, his mouth open in a soft grin.

“Why bother?” Easu answered with a bitter tone, “What will be will be.”

“Isn’t she your girlfriend?”

Easu felt his anger explode outwards at this, spinning on his larger, smugger incarnation, “I have no interest in some… demon infested, alicorn princess!”

Easu just snorted at this, throwing his head back with a laugh, “I know better. At least I’m honest enough to admit it, and it makes me even more depressed about your entire existence.”

Easu growled, his head falling as he wished deeply that he would just shut up now, “It’s hardly better living with you…”

“At least I’m the real deal, the original.” Easu waved an exasperated hoof at him, “Everything, and I mean everything about you is a function of your self loathing. You’re a weak, overly thoughtful pacifist with no sexuality, who despises ponies. You’re my opposite in every way, and I can’t help but feel that it all rings a little false.”

Easu turned away, unable to face that mocking glare, “I didn’t want to be you anymore. Who would?”

“Oh get off your high horse!” Easu declared testily, “You’re a grumpy, bigoted little shit who would let the woman he cares for get torn apart right in front of him. In what respect are you any better than me?”

Easu considered this for a moment, a long silence leading to one conclusion, “You’re right.” He sighed, “How do we function?”

“We don’t. Easu is a mess and we both know it. Our brother was right to exile us.”

“Now that’s finally something we can agree on…”

Easu stumbled through the corridors, desperately rubbing at his hooves, trying to get the crimson stains out. He cursed as a guard came by and quickly darted in the shadows, not remotely in the mood for explaining himself at this point.

How? How did he know? And why had he been so stupid?! Little bastard, screaming out insanity, attacking him… him, with a knife! And then the stupid woman had gotten involved…

He gritted his teeth and pushed open the door to his room, intending to go straight to the bathroom, wash off, and forget this whole thing ever happened. They had nothing on him, and it had been self defence anyway. He after all was the son of the great…

“You return at last my son.”

Easu’s thoughts froze with one look at the elderly zebra standing in the middle of his living room, his regal, soft velvet robes not doing a thing to hide the powerful muscle and heavy scars of a lifetime of battle. He stumbled over his words for a moment before grinning and turning around, “I… I think I forgot…”

He paused, then backed away as he found a heavy muscled female zebra blocking his path, glaring at him intensely as she led him back into the room. He briefly considered trying to push past her, but… he had sparred with Oteka, he knew just how fast she could be.

His father spoke again, more hostile this time, “You have forgotten many things my son.”

“Father!” Easu desperately tried to explain, turning back to his father and giving him a pleading stare, “It wasn’t my fault! I was attacked…”

“You defile a young zebra, then are surprised when her suitor fights for her honor?” His father growled, “I expect it’s because you have none.”

Easu fought it, he truly did. But he couldn’t hold back in the face of such hypocrisy, “And you’ve never done any defiling yourself father? Let’s face it, I’m only your son.”

His father motioned with a hoof, Oteka moving over and striking him across the face without a word. As expected it hurt like hell.

“I won my conquests on the field of war boy.” His father growled dangerously, his head held high as he stalked the room, “You are a soft, ungrateful child, abusing your privileges despite never earning them except by accident of birth.”

Easu hated these speeches, “Father, I was attacked because of a… minor dalliance…”

“That girl came to me herself, told me you had raped her!” His father suddenly declared with explosive anger, advancing on him with spittle flying, “And I ask further questions and only hear more tales of corruption, thuggery and treason!”

Easu’s eyes went wide, “Treason?!”

“I know you have been planning to replace me!”

“Father, I never…!”

He silenced Easu with a glare, voice shaking, “Did you rape that girl?”

“No!”

His father shook his head, “See how you lie. She said it to me herself, and now you come to me with blood on your hooves!”

“Because she attacked me!”

“And why would she do that?”

Easu shook his head. He didn’t know. Her boyfriend had come at him with a knife, he had stabbed him… she had run at him, tried to wrestle him away… he hadn’t meant to do it, hadn’t meant to… react like that… “Because she was crazy.”

“Oteka told me of your crimes herself.” His father declared coldly, “Have you ever known her to lie?”

He turned, staring at Oteka. She just looked back, totally impassive.

“Bring him in Oteka.”

The big mare nodded silently, moving over to the far door and letting a smaller male zebra inside, Easu grimacing at the sight of his brother. Why did his father have to bring him into this? “Incuta, back me up. You know this is all lies.”

“I’m sorry brother.” Incuta stated in a soft voice full of regret, “I couldn’t help it… I told him everything.”

Everything? There wasn’t anything to tell! “Wha…”

“You really trusted your brother with your secrets? Idiot child!” His father yelled, stalking around the room, “Only a fraction of pressure and he told me everything, names, dates, places! Did you really think he wouldn’t?”

Easu turned to his brother, so soft and innocent, looking like a girl behind those long eyelashes and feminine features, “Incuta… why? Tell them you’re lying. Tell them…”

“I’m sorry brother.” Incuta stated, his eyes beaming sharply for but a moment, “You know I’m weak. In the end I had no choice.”

Easu felt the flame build. The hot burning of… rage. His brother was lying, lying to… what? Take over? HA! His weak, nerdy, transvestite little brother was going to be a king!

He was going to be a corpse!

Easu got halfway before Oteka snatched his tail and stopped him in his tracks, jumping on his back and slamming his face into the ground. He tried to fight but she just swung him over and kneed him in the groin, forcing a hoof against his throat and leaning in close.

She whispered softly as she forced the air from his lungs, “You think Incuta content to be a tool, bound to the whims of a spoiled young fool?”

“Enough.” His father suddenly declared, waving a hoof, “I will not have my own child killed under my roof.”

Oteka reluctantly released the pressure, stepping back with cautious eyes. Incuta spoke after a second, voice soft and shaking, “Father, please… he didn’t mean…”

“He doesn’t mean anything. That is his problem.” His father glared at Easu coughed and gasped, trying to fill his burning lungs, “You are a spoiled brat, as soft as your brother.”

Easu gave a choking, painful laugh, “Come fight me then old man. See who the better zebra is.”

“That is not how a zebra earns his stripes, and I should have remembered that long ago.” His father nodded, looking firmly at Oteka, “Take him to the border, let him prove his worth against the wasteland.”

Easu grinned. Was that the best his father had? “And what? Bring back a few Entitidi heads?”

“A hundred. Come back in a year with a hundred scalps and you will be worthy of being my son.”

Easu smirked. He had been trained in scouting, living off the land, combat… with his skills a few raiders wouldn’t pose the slightest problem, and a year was plenty of time to kill a hundred of the bastards. And when he returned… “Fine. I will show you what I’m made of father.”

“Hmph…”

Oteka roughly led him out as his father turned away with an angry grunt, stepping out into the corridor and led towards the armory. To Easu’s amusement his brother followed, just far enough away that he would struggle to reach him before Oteka intervened. Easu turned to him after a moment, grinning at the smaller zebra, “I’m impressed.”

His brother just looked at him, his gentle eyes cool and assessing. Finally he spoke, “Maybe you should have paid more attention.”

“To you turning everyone against me? Plotting to disgrace me in front of father?”

“This is why I did it.” Incuta answered, staring straight ahead with an angry expression that looked hilarious on the girly little stallion, “You never went to any effort to win loyalty, to befriend the zebra who could ensure your power base. You think they will follow you just because you’re father’s eldest.”

Easu smirked, “And how did you win their loyalty little brother? I can only imagine. Did you dress up as a girl for them? Pucker that asshole and flutter your eyelashes?” He turned to Oteka, grinning, “Do you like soft men Oteka? Let me guess, you were definitely on top.”

Oteka shone quietly furious eyes back at him, her voice deadly calm, “In my liege I demand some worth. Your only qualification was the order of birth.”

“I am smarter than you, more charming than you, and more temperate of mood.” He nodded, his voice holding a soft note of regret, “I am not the fighter you are, but that is why I made such an effort to win Otaka’s loyalty. You however never made any effort to win mine.”

“So some girlyboy can become king just because he has a pet thug to crack heads for him?”

Incuta smiled at this, “The only thug here is you brother. Oteka is a solider. She fights to protect her nation and its zebra, to advance their welfare at the expense of her own. She has more honor than you will ever know.” He gave Easu a scathing look, his voice losing a fraction of that calm he had been maintaining, “I aspire to do the same. I want to be Caesar so that I can improve the lives of the zebra here, protect them from harm, allow them to be well fed, spiritually fulfilled and happy. You only ever thought of them as resources to feed your glory.”

Easu snorted. More of his brother’s fantasies, “The world isn’t like your story books. They’ll tear you down brother, abuse that idealistic naivety and burn your precious new world before your eyes.” He grinned cruely, “What are you going to do when Star Fall comes calling? Throw vegetables at them? Happiness? Good feelings don’t matter a wit when the bag guys with guns are battering down your door.”

“Well we’ll just have to see.” Inculta gave him a challenging smile, “I await your return brother.”

He smiled back, baring teeth, “Bet on it.”

Easu laughed as he shot another Entitidi bastard through the throat, the zebra dropping to the ground with a gurgle. That was fourteen and it was only the sixth day of his exile. At this rate he would have his quota within a month.

He dodged round a rock outcropping as he heard more coming, checking the clips on his pistols as he waited for them to step out of cover. Still plenty of ammo, more than enough to handle these thugs…

Something shot overhead and he grunted in pain, feeling something lodge into his thigh. A zebra landed nearby and he fired, only for the zebra to dodge expertly to the side, Easu moving to track…

His movements… felt sluggish. He felt his leg stiffen, his vision blur. He looked backwards, eyes focusing on the crossbow bolt imbedded in his leg.

“Your face, your body, so perfect. You offend the wasteland with your perfection.” The zebra advanced on him with a grin, his cherubic features marred by a network of long scars, “We’ll have to do something about that.”

“He didn’t reveal anything that wasn’t already obvious.”

“We were always ugly.”

“You wear those bandages to mask your shame.”

“You wore those robes to mask your savagery.”

Prince Easu gave a cruel grin, motioning with a hoof towards Star Swirl. The alicorn was doing her best but it was clear she was outclassed, her magic just bouncing off the creature’s hide. He gave Easu the Masked a sharp look, “That savagery could save her. What are you going to do? Whine at it?”

Easu the Masked dropped his head in shame, “Violence is the way of weakness… surrendering to the animal inside.”

“Tell me you don’t want her gratitude? For her to look at you with love and affection, to look past those scars and see the powerful virile stallion you are?” Prince Easu grinned cruelly, “Look at her. Tell me you don't want her, don't want her body beside yours, don't want her to praise you and dote on you. Fighting it is futile, you know the truth.”

Easu looked to Star Swirl, wincing as she was thrown to the ground. He was right. He… wanted her to like him. He felt the weakness crawl into his heart and knew he couldn’t let her die like this, “Let’s go.”

Star Swirl rolled to the side as the beast’s claw came down, shattering apart the rock and cleaving deep rifts in the stone, its beak stabbing down as she desperately fought to get some distance. To do what exactly, she wasn’t sure.

She was simply outgunned. Her hooves barely winded the beast and brought her way to close to its various sharp appendages, her magic just bouncing off. Her shields wouldn’t last a second if it landed an attack home, and it didn’t even acknowledge her rather untrained psychic attacks. All the higher magical abilities she possessed were limited by her lack of practice in this body, and required too much casting time to be practical against the beast’s speed.

She just couldn’t work out how to hurt it.

It was then that she saw the zebra running towards her, watching as it snatched up one of the huge metal blades from the ground. The zebra lifted it clumsily, but his gait became smoother as he continued to pick up speed.

Star Swirl smiled and turned to Asharan, backing away and firing of a blast from her horn, “Come and get it you freak!”

It screeched and clawed for her, Star Swirl dodging to the side and circling, stinging with rapid blasts as she continued to dodge and taunt. It suddenly thrust it’s wings outwards and threw her off balance with the backdraft, launching itself forward and lunging in with its beak to take off her head. Star Swirl gasped and twisted, but she knew she would never be able to dodge in time…

Easu hit the beast hard, driving the heavy blade deep into its back. It screeched and Star Swirl quickly staggered to safety, watching as it threw Easu aside with a determined shrug. He hit the ground and rolled, pistols firing.

Star Swirl backed away, memories arising as to the manner of this thing’s death. She remembered… Zephyr. He had leapt off the side of a mountain, cleaved through the wing, threw it to the floor and brought that blade down on its neck…

She wasn’t strong or skilful enough to wield those swords. She still didn’t know how Starhammer managed it. Still she was no zebra.

She grabbed the strap of one of the swords with her hoof, muscles straining as she swung it around her head. Again and again, she let it pick up speed, the weapon whistling as it became nothing but a blur.

Asharan looked round, screeching and swatting Easu to the floor. It launched, lunging for her with a beat of its wings.

She threw the sword, sending it spinning through the air. Asharan dodged to the side, its expression smug.

Star Swirl teleported the weapon, adjusting the direction of its momentum and unleashing it just at the creature’s side. It was a difficult teleport, Star Swirl feeling her eye twitch from the strain…

…but a successful one. Asharan didn’t even have a chance to react, the blade flying from its blind spot to hit it at a fast spin. Asharan was shorn in two, pieces splattering across the sands and its head landing with a solid thud nearby.

“I… ngh… didn’t even know you could do that…” Easu grunted as he picked himself up, “Thought… teleportation… negated momentum…”

Star Swirl let out a breath. To be honest she had never teleported anything but herself using that technique, very reassured that she had pulled it off, “Normally yes, teleportation of active energy is extremely difficult. Gestalt however developed a teleportation formula that allows complex energy transfer, though it increases the difficulty of the spell by no small degree.” Star Swirl explained, before realising she was being insufferably nerdy. She offered a hoof, smiling at the zebra, “Thank you. You saved my life back there, and it’s very good to see you reunite…”

“GET AWAY FROM ME PONY WHORE!” Easu suddenly screamed, eyes nearly popping out of his skull as he whirled on her, “I… GAGH!”

He separated with a crack, leaving the withered ghoul and the proud prince standing there once more.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Star Swirl exclaimed, glaring at the pair, “You’re not supposed to re-separate!”

“As much as it sickens me, our desires momentarily coincided.” The ghoul Esau growled, “But the fact remains, I want nothing to do with him.”

“And he depresses me just by existing.” Douchbag Easu stated smugly, before grinning disgustingly at Star Swirl, “But I’ll happily accept any grateful rewards on his behalf. You only have to ask, my princess.”

“Really?” Star Swirl looked firmly down her muzzle at him, “My grateful reward might just be leaving your head still attached when I’m finished with you.”

Ghoul Easu glared at his other self, “What did he do?”

Douchbag Easu chuckled, “All in good fun. You know, he wants exactly the same thing. He’s just too much of a coward to admit it.”

Star Swirl was tempted to poke his eyes out with her horn, she really was. Still the smarter parts of her told her that she just didn’t have the time, and that she still needed Easu on her side. Not to mention she was well aware that separated from Justicar she was still barely anywhere near her full strength, and she needed him. Bloody Razor might have been a good fighter, but he still lacked appreciation for the magic and wings that made her truly dangerous.

She had an aspect of savagery lying at her feet however, “Not that I expect either of you to be any help, but what should I do with Asharan?”

“Destroy him now.” Ghoul Easu replied swiftly and firmly, “Charaxies may claim she has changed, but that is what she changed from. Her first incarnation was a simple monster.”

“A strong monster.” Douchbag Easu stated, “And one that holds memories of a hundred years or more when he ruled vast areas of the world. Is that something that you just throw away?”

Star Swirl considered this, looking down at the cooling beast at her hooves. Sooner or later the creature would regenerate, likely try to regain control of her mind if it was not harnessed once more. She would easily resist the will of a half forgotten beast from more than a thousand years ago, but still… did she really want that voice whispering in the back of her mind?

She would either have to accept it, or destroy it.

Star Swirl stepped forward, staring at the dead beast. It sickened and worried her. Easu was right, it was just a monster. She remembered hints of those old memories, despite its nature as one of the demon lords mostly a savage monster who served as muscle for the smarter and higher ranking demons. It reminded her a little too much of her time under the Goddess.

"Tradash would advise you to keep her alive." Ghoul Easu stated grimly, "That creature holds some of the last memories from the time of the old kingdom."

Star Swirl looked down at it, finally giving a sigh and charging her horn, "The past is an ugly place. I'd rather leave it in his imagination."

Her horn pulsed, Asharan going up in flames, along with hundreds of years of murder, oppression and pain. A hundred years of burning a great civilisation barren, of a devastation far worse that even that of balefire. And it was a devastation that had been slow, intentional and well planned. She felt her soul lift and knew she had done the right thing. She had once felt the guilt like a hot coal in her chest, knowing that at the core of it... she was a monster.

Now she couldn't remember why.

"Considering our previous conversation, rather hypocritical." Ghoul Easu grunted.

"Play nice." She replied, turning to stare at them both. She pointed down at the smouldering corpse, "You see that? Would you have been able to help me kill it, separated as you are?"

Both fell silent, it being douchbag Easu who finally answered, "I could have. I'm the one with muscles, remember?"

"I'm the one with some sense of moral decency." Ghoul Easu grumpily replied.

"You're both assholes, that's the point." She declared impatiently, "You're only tolerable when you're together. We're only going to beat Nightmare Moon if you're together!"

They paused for a long time, before both finally replied as one.

"It's not going to happen Star Swirl."

"This was a mistake."

"I can't help you."

"I'm too badly damaged."

Star Swirl gritted her teeth, "Easu, you came in here to watch me! You're the professional here!"

"No, I'm not." Easu stated in a tired, grim voice, forming into one bandaged figure standing before her. His eyes came up, his iris's holding not a hint of emotion, "My master accepted me out of pity. I have never mastered even the most basic magics of my role."

"Easu!"

He looked down at his hooves, voice bitter, "I hate you. I hate you because you're beautiful and powerful, and I am shown for what I truly am in your shadow. I cannot do this, but you can."

Star Swirl had to admit, hearing those words from him like was being hit with a sledgehammer. She felt her cheeks flush at the praise, "Beautiful? Ha... Easu, please, I'm..."

"Look at you." He stated bluntly, still not looking at her, "You're an alicorn with more than a thousand years of memory, who just slew a demon lord of epic legend."

Star Swirl couldn't help but fluster, "You... you're overstating it..."

"You can do this. You can save Puppy." Easu shook his head, turning away and starting towards the horison, "I would only get in your way."

"Easu!"

But he was already gone, his image already fading. Perhaps he had exited the dreaming entirely, gone back to the real world. And that meant she was on her own.

Star Swirl considered her next movement. It seemed obvious.

Justicar was her last fragment, and she would be with Nightmare Moon... and Puppy. That meant it was time to end this.

She ignited her horn, searching for the mare, for that beacon of familiarity. And that's when she realised.

Asharan wasn't her first incarnation.

Star Swirl reached out with a hoof, reaching through time and space...

A small, shaking fragment of greenish flesh lay at her hoofs. She took a breath and placed her hoof to it, shuddering as the memories flashed through her mind.

She was lost, lost in the cold darkness. She felt herself shatter apart, felt precious parts of her body scattering into the distance, each stinging at the parting. Memories, identity, power... all was lost as life faded.

And so she flew out into the endless void, lost and alone. The millennia of isolation burned away everything that had been left, the only comfort the gentle glow of the stars all around. By the time the small blue dot had expanded into a vast great sphere there was barely enough left to notice.

Heat and pain. It burned away so much of her, what was left plummeting through rushing wind to emerge above a vast canopy of forest. There were... zebra down there, walking about their villages, stopping from their daily chores to look up at the sky.

And she felt herself tear through the foliage and hit the ground, the shock and heat atomising all around in but an instant.

Screams, fire... she dimly perceived them, even as she became away of her own situation. The metal that had sustained her had been shattered by the impact and the heat was quickly sapping her strength, growing desperate as she felt herself burn away.

Hotter and hotter she grew, the cells in her body breaking down. She was dying. These were her last moments.

And then something approached. It was a group of zebra, their leader an imposing stallion wearing soot blackened iron armor. He waved his spear, approaching with wary steps.

The dying Star Child felt the magic within the zebra and leapt, crying out in relief as she felt the power, the emotion, the life that she had long forgotten.

And she was safe.

Star Swirl opened her wings and soared, enjoying the feel of the winds as she soared above Puppy's dreamscape. She hadn't had the chance to fly much lately so the chance was certainly welcome, which took some of the sting off the fact that she wasn't getting very far.

She couldn't feel Justicar, and lacking the ability to directly sense Puppy she was forced to just fly around hoping for a lucky break.

Unfortunately she just didn't know the mare very well. They had only briefly spoken, and trying to find her now was like trying to find a random hamlet without a map or even a general hint as to it's location. Worse, since the directions in the dreaming made no sense. She couldn't for instance just fly to Canterlot, as she might well find herself in a totally separate Canterlot.

So what did she know about Puppy? What did they have in common?

Being weapons built by crazy dudes trying to conquer the world. That was a start. It was likely their first memories would both be laboratories. Trying to redefine their purpose in the face of being designed for all the wrong reasons, that was another.

Star Swirl looked down, smiling as she saw the facility below. It was a city, extremely modern looking, made of glass and white plastic, everything about it from the signs to the flowers arranged in painfully neat rows.

It was also totally empty, Star Swirl landing on deserted streets and deciding to make her way towards the largest building. As in her first impressions this place was disturbingly sterile, a city built for thousands completely and totally silent. The lobby doors of the central tower swished open as she entered, revealing a large, blindingly white room with a statue of Celestia in the centre and a unoccupied reception desk at the far end.

"Welcome visitor." A smooth, male voice stated over the speakers above, "How may I help you today?"

She looked up at the speakers, wondering if this was a real pony she was speaking to, "Who are you?"

"I am SolOS, the control AI for Sun City." It replied smoothly and a little proudly, "This is the most advanced and well run city in Equestria, winner of numerous awards for design and innovation. Would you like to know more?"

"Why is there no pony here?"

"Having ponies running around breaking things would ruin the carefully maintained beauty of this place." SolOS answered, "I allow the presence of Steel Ranger scribes and their guards, so long as they follow rules and don't cause too much trouble."

So this was a Steel Ranger facility... "Is Puppy here?"

"Yes." SolOS answered, his voice a tiny bit arrogant, "The finest daughter I could ever wish for. A masterpiece of technology, the pinnacle of AI design."

"Can I see her?"

"Please do. She will enjoy the company." Part of the wall slid aside to reveal an elevator, as smooth and white as the rest of the place, "Please enter and I will send you down to the labs."

Star Swirl nodded her head in thanks and entered the elevator, finding it was fortunately big enough for her. She was thankful to Celestia for more than being her idol, but for championing the needs of the unfortunately tall.

The doors slid open and admitted her into a large security checkpoint, a single pony there. He was... wearing Dust Kicker's armor for some reason, or at least an identical copy. He turned away from the monitor there and approached her, Star Swirl recognising him, "You're Star Paladin Lucky Days."

The paladin nodded a stern head to her, assessing her carefully, "State your business."

"I'm here to see Puppy."

"Very well." He stated, efficiently turning and waving his hoof across the scanner on the check point. The glass barrier retracted, Lucky waving her through, "Third door on the right, follow it to the end. The sign reading 'AI labs'."

"Right..." She went to move through, pausing after a second and turning to him. He might have been just a memory, and before that just a name in the news but... "Thank you. For saving Puppy from this place. And... well, all the other times you were a hero. I feel bad, that no one really cared much when you died. That you seemed to get... lost in the politics."

"Just doing my duty maam." He stated efficiently, the blood running from the numerous wounds on his once proud frame.

She continued on, following the directions she was given. She passed vague shadows of scientists and guards, all of which ignored her and were ignored in turn. Eventually she opened a door, emerging out into a rather messy computer lab. Papers lay around on tables in a bit of disarray, Star Swirl noting that unusually they had no writing on them, rather being covered in raised dots. Maybe some sort of code...

"I don't like to be disturbed when I'm working." A clipped, precise voice sounded out, the owner revealed as a skinny female earth pony emerged from a bank of computers. She was electric blue in color, her silver grey mane hanging about her face in neat bangs and her eyes hidden behind a pair of ebony shades. Her hooves unusually seemed to end in hard metal boots, clicking against the tiles "Does SolOS know you're here?"

"Yes." She replied, rather perturbed that the mare seemed to be looking slightly to the right of her head, "I'm here to see Puppy."

"Her proper name is Puppy-OS 2.5." The mare stated, turning and walking away, "I just call her 'The Weapon'."

Star Swirl frowned, "The weapon?"

"It is what she is." The mare replied as she stepped up to a door and pressed a button at the side to open it, "Why sugarcoat the truth?"

Star Swirl took one last look at the scientist before stepping forward into the room beyond. And all the heartbreak, all the horror, all the painful memories of this place still didn’t prepare her for what stood now in front of her. She gasped, feeling the bile bubble up inside her.

It was… a computer lab. Pristine white walls hosted banks of monitors, consoles and mainframes clicking and beeping away as the images on the screens chattered away in a low hum. Said images were very familiar, images of the ministry mares, of Celestia, a book on the elements of harmony opening and a dull, droning voice carefully explaining each word.

Then the monitors changed, all displaying images of a single mare, a young pink colored filly in a radiation suit. Walking, fighting, crying, laughing…

“Hiya, I’m Puppysmiles!” A hundred speakers chorused at once as Star Swirl walked further into the room, her eyes angled up in horror at the figure suspended above. A small, pink filly, four chains extending diagonally outwards to fix her in place, the meat hooks on the end impaled bloodily through her hooves.

Her head and back had been cut open to reveal ports and connections cut into her spine, thick wires connecting her to the constantly clicking consoles. She twitched painfully with every flashing light.

“Puppy?” Star Swirl breathed.

The consoles changed as one, displaying a single image. A pulsing blue light, shining through the darkness. A voice sounded out, obscured under a wave of crackling static, “Puppy. You are to be the saviour of this world. You will reclaim the peace that was promised by Littlepip, restore order to a world racked by chaos. The perfect avatar of the Steel Rangers, fed with propaganda, raised in isolation, provided with the most advanced technology. They believe a hero must be one raised in purity, as does SolOS. Innocence maintained, protected from the harshness of the world, only told what they want you to be told.”

Star Swirl looked around, her horror growing as the blue light changed to red, the whole room bathed in an eerie crimson glow, “What is this?”

“And I have enslaved you. The irony is not lost on me. I have bound you in chains, taken your will from you. My moral certainty has once more led me to the same path as every other pony in this dying world… that of old mistakes build on older lies. And my conclusion horrifies me.”

The screens flashed with images from across the wasteland, Star Swirl uncertain where to look first. On one screen a group of gangsters passed a briefcase to a pony she recognised as an NCR councillor, on another she saw Velvet Remedy at her console ordering the mothballing of a corruption case, on another a megaspell rose from a boiling reactor and was carefully lowered into a harness by a team of unicorns…

“Ponies are fundamentally incapable of wielding the power technology has given them. The power inevitably fuels their darkest impulses, and a single pony can set the whole world on fire with just an ideal and a microphone. And I cannot allow something like you to serve as enabler to our corruption. I will not allow SolOS to mould you to design any longer. Computer, retrieve folder DX34, copy to database.”

The screens flashed, text suddenly scrolling across at an alarming rate, Star Swirl’s eyes widening.

...Progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals... Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace... Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation... I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other... Our government teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself... Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care... A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves... Society does not consist of individuals but expresses the sum of interrelations, the relations within which these individuals stand... He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god...

“Lock down database.” The voice ordered, “Set command, unlock all databases, enable full access to systems, disable program DAMONCon. Passcode for activation… ‘Who are you who does not know your history?’”

Puppy’s eyes opened, wide and scared. She looked to her bloody hooves, to the screens all around, to the wires coming out of her body… and screamed. The screens around turned to static, consoles sparking and exploding.

“Puppy!” Star Swirl advanced forward a short pace, wincing as a shard of broken glass cut across her cheek. She conjured forward a bubble of calm air and fought through the vortex, raising her voice above Puppy’s screaming, “Puppy! It’s me Star Swirl!”

“ENOUGH! LEAVE ME ALONE!” Puppy screeched, screens flashing grainy images of memories from across her incarnations. Images of Nightmare Moon, of Princess Luna, of dark swirling spirits... “I DON’T WANT TO SEE THIS! IT’S NOT TRUE, IT’S NOT!”

“Puppy, let me help yo…”

Star Swirl ran straight into an invisible barrier, wincing and staggering back. The red glow on the screens suddenly formed into a glowing cybernetic eye, Red Eye’s voice booming out, “It is the calling of all creatures to break the chains that bind them.”

Puppy was still paniced, her eyes wide and scared. She looked at the bloody ruin that had been made of her hooves, expermentially pulled them only to wince in agony, “I can’t… it’s going to…”

“Hurt?” Red Eye’s voice stated, firm and blunt, “Yes. To break your chains is to invite pain, uncertainty and suffering.”

Star Swirl tried to use her telekinesis, but even that just flattened against the barrier in front of her, “Let me help her!”

“You cannot rely on another to save you.” Red Eye declared angrily, “You cannot leave the moral choices to your heroes and leaders. Responsibility for your life is yours, and yours alone.”

Puppy looked along the chain that speared her left hoof, her body shaking as she beheld the wicked hole that the spike had carved in her flesh, “I… can’t…”

“Then how do you ever expect to save the wasteland, if you can’t even safe yourself?”

Puppy gulped back a breath, her head falling as tears dripped from her eyes, “I’m… not… I’m just a monster, I’m not… I’m not…” Then her head came up, her eyes shaking… and she pulled.

The chain came away from her hoof in a spray of blood, the computers on that side of the room erupting in sparks and falling silent. Puppy screamed and shook, her eyes filling with static. After a moment or two it cleared, Puppy’s voice weak, “It… it’s going away…”

“Breaking away from the lies is painful. But it is the only way to truth.”

Puppy looked to the other side, resolving herself for a moment before pulling the other hoof free. The computers screamed in protest as Puppy fell, the chains coming loose from her lower hooves and all the lights suddenly going dead with a firm ‘clunk’. Star Swirl felt the barrier disappear but she wasn’t fast enough, wincing as Puppy hit the metal ground hard. Blood splattered across the floor, her body twisted as it settled.

“Puppy!”

Puppy’s eyes opened as Star Swirl approached, revealing that she wasn’t dead at least. Those eyes were cold and lifeless however, a faint static behind glassy irises. Her mouth opened sluggishly, "I... I..."

"Puppy, speak to me!"

Her mouth drifted open, a broken voice drifting out, “Illegal exception in data block #1233221. File not found, Puppy OS has suffered fatal corruption, please format and reinstall…”

Star Swirl scanned Puppy with her magic, revealing… little. Her body was a smoky shell without any kind of internal definition. That meant… she was losing her sense of self. That she was close to vanishing entirely.

And that wasn’t going to happen. Star Swirl levitated Puppy onto her back, positioning the girl carefully so she wouldn’t slide off, “Don’t worry Puppy, I’m going to fix you somehow.”

“…Puppy OS has suffered fatal corruption, please format and reinstall…”

Star Swirl walked the long lonely road, Canterlot empty and silent in the moonlight. Star Swirl wondered if the city had really been this creepy at night, full of dark shadows, the ivory towers like the scattered bones of a long dead beast.

“…wrong… all wrong…”

Star Swirl looked up at Puppy, this being one of the first signs of sentience from the foal, “Puppy? What’s wrong?”

“This… where my mother… but it’s all wrong…”

Star Swirl racked her brains for a moment before it finally came to her. She looked around, noting a few landmarks were missing, that there were no street lights. This was where the Stable-Tec offices had once stood, and now it was just houses, “This must be the city… a long time ago. Perhaps even before Luna fell.”

“Danger…”

Star Swirl’s ears pricked at Puppy’s warning, her eyes flicking to the dark shape diving at her. She swore, carefully teleporting Puppy onto a nearby balcony and throwing herself to the side.

The shape dived past and veered round for another try, Star Swirl turning to give it a closer look. There wasn’t a lot to look at, it was basically a large black cloud of shadow matter, two beaming eyes shining outwards. Star Swirl fired a beam of energy but it dodged with impressive dexterity, skimming the floor and diving at her chest.

She dodged again, slamming a hoof down on the thing’s tail and bringing it to a screeching halt. That done she stepped up, placing another hoof upon it’s back and pinning it to the floor. That done she was in the position to ask some questions, “What are you?”

“Oh dear, oh no, she’s going to kill me…”

“Who is?”

The creature had a surprisingly high, whiny voice for a black smoke demon, “Mistress Nightmare. She ordered me to find and destroy any intruders in her city while she prepares for her coronation.”

“Nightmare Moon.” Star Swirl breathed, knowing now she was one the right track, “Where is she?”

“I can’t tell…”

They were suddenly both interrupted by a small, weak voice nearby, hopefully questioning, “Jerome?”

Both turned, Star Swirl seeing Puppy reaching out from the balcony. The smoke creature seemed as confused as Star Swirl, looking between the filly and her, “How… how does she know my name?”

Star Swirl honestly had no idea. She didn’t even know what this creature was, yet for some reason Puppy seemed to be on first name turns, “Your name is Jerome?”

“Yeah…”

“It doesn’t really fit you.” Star Swirl reluctantly lifted her hoof from Jerome’s back, though she still watched him carefully as she floated Puppy over. She placed the filly down on the ground hooves first, unable to stop a shiver as Puppy’s legs splayed under her and she flopped limply onto the cobbles.

Jerome looked down at her with surprising sympathy, “What’s wrong with her?”

Star Swirl wasn’t really sure how to explain it, “She… forgot who she was.”

Jerome’s expression became downcast, “I know how that feels… I forgot who I was too.”

“You’re… you’re a moon bunny…”

Jerome’s eyes opened in surprise, and then just like that the shadows melted away to reveal nothing more than a large, somewhat alien looking rabbit. He looked down at himself with dumbfounded amazement, “I… I don’t understand…”

Star Swirl shook her head, totally befuddled now, “Me neither.”

“Moon bunny… I need…” Puppy extended a hoof, desperately reaching.

After a second’s hesitation Jerome responded, cautiously hoping forward and offering his paw. He looked nervous, yet something had clearly come over him, his eyes fixed on Puppy as if he was in a trance, “I… remember a pink pony. She was nice to me, she taught me… how to wiggle…”

Then there was a flash and Puppy lay there alone. After a moment she slowly stirred, rising to her hooves.

“Puppy!” Star Swirl couldn’t help but feel a wave of relief come over her at seeing the mare get up unaided, “Are you… alright?”

Puppy looked round, her movements sluggish and her expression dull. Her voice too lacked any real emotion, “No.”

Star Swirl’s heart ached in sympathy, it painful to see the once exuberant girl look so broken, “What just happened?”

Puppy looked sadly to the side, “Another poor creature corrupted by the Nightmare.”

Star Swirl looked back where the creature had once stood. She had never heard anything of the sort, “When was this?”

“After Nightmare Moon was sealed.” Puppy answered, her brows knitting as she searched her memory, “Celestia managed to lock Luna away, but after a time the Nightmare awoke within her and sought to escape. It managed to slip small parts of itself through the seals, infecting the creatures of the moon and turning them into extensions of itself. Jerome was one of those the nightmare infected, was turned into one of her minions.”

Star Swirl had Char inside her, a truly old and powerful Star Demon. She also possessed the memories of Charaxies, who studied them extensively. She had still never heard of such a thing, "How is that... possible?"

"Luna was... different. Harmonic, and threefold. Her energies... mmm... databases..."

Star Swirl decided to quickly abandon this line of questioning. Puppy obviously wasn't up to heavy questioning, "Don't worry Puppy, it's not important." She looked back at where Jerome had stood, "He was one of your past incarnations?”

Puppy nodded, turning back to Star Swirl, “He broke free of the Nightmare’s control, and forced out the star demon fragments inside him. It was forced to flee to preserve its own existence, find shelter in a fragment of star metal kept within Twilight Sparkle’s library.” Puppy closed her eyes, looking pained, “And as a result, that shard was the only one not present when Princess Luna helped the elements of harmony to destroy the Nightmare once and for all.”

Star Swirl hadn’t heard that story before. At least it explained Puppy's connection to Luna, “So you are the last?”

“Me?” Puppy asked, her head finally dropping, “I guess so… at least, I’ve never heard of another. I was almost totally drained of magic, forced into hibernation. I only awoke decades later, when a huge wave of balefire washed over me.”

“And then?”

“Memory not found… corruption detected, please…” Puppy shook her head, wincing, “…I feel so lost I try and remember, but it’s all… shadows, faint images in the dark. I...”

“Puppy!”

Star Swirl ran forward, catching Puppy with her muzzle as the foal toppled sideways. She carefully lowered the girl to the ground, scanning her with her magic and revealing to her relief that Puppy was simply unconscious. She was dangerously weak, Star Swirl doing her best to strengthen her failing circulation and nervous system before picking Puppy up and placing her on her back.

The merger with Jerome had done a lot of good, but Star Swirl knew all too clearly what Puppy needed. She had been programmed, brainwashed, named... and without her databases, her identity had been stripped from her. And that meant she needed to go back to the source.

She needed Puppysmiles.

Star Swirl lifted her horn to the sky, meditating on the image of the foal. It did not take long, and fortunately or not she was close by. Star Swirl looked up at the ominous form of Canterlot Castle, decorated in garish candy pinks. She should have known all along, “Hold on Puppy.”

She levated some rope over from some nearby barrels, using it to secure Puppy to her back. That done she took a brief run before opening her wings and leaping for the sky, driving herself upwards before catching the updraft and soaring towards the leftmost tower. She could sense something most clearly there, something...

Dark clouds started to build up all around, Star Swirl manovering sideways to avoid the driving winds. She gritted her teeth and dove towards the tower, trying to escape the gale before it blew her off course.

A lightning bolt came down and broke against her shields, Star Swirl wincing at the impact and the flash, bringing herself to a halt before she was dashed against the wall in her confusion. It gave her a chance at least, spotting a dark figure as it dived for her and taking a shot with her horn. It flashed uselessly through the darkness and the figure twisted through the sky to land two hooves on Star Swirl's barrel, sending her crashing through a window to sprawl onto the wet tower floor.

Star Swirl coughed, attempting to rise before realising that the rope around her body was gone. She looked around desperately for some sign of Puppy, marred by the utter darkness inside the room. It was lit only by the flashes of lightning, flashes that illuminated...

“And another invader comes to my castle, and like the first you think to take the form of an alicorn?” Nightmare Moon declared as she posed herself proudly before the broken window. Her horn flashed with blue sparkles, levelling it down at Star Swirl with a wide smirk, “But all of you pretenders, all of you only fit...”

Star Swirl slammed her hoof down and felt the shock wave vibrate through the stone, forcing it outwards with the force of her telekinesis and tearing the floor away with a loud crack. Nightmare Moon was sent tumbling outwards, flapping her wings desperately to regain her balance. Star Swirl flung her horn upwards and grabbed hold of a large fragment of falling masonry, focusing her telekinesis and flinging it downwards with a yell.

It hit a struggling Nightmare Moon with a heavy thump, Star Swirl feeling the elation build for a moment...

The rock shattered apart with a loud sonic boom, Nightmare Moon ascending through the rubble with a piercing scream. Lightning crackled outwards and Star Swirl put up her shields, grunting as she was forced back by the striking bolts. Finally the barrage ceased, Star Swirl quickly locating Nightmare Moon and teleporting into the sky just a short distance away. She was already charging her horn as she blinked back into existence, unleashing a fierce blast of energy downwards.

Nightmare Moon’s head flicked round, a sneer edging across her face before she dissolved into blue light and swept around the attack to soar upwards. The dark clouds parted and she swept towards the moon shining above, the clouds closing behind her.

Star Swirl paused as the seconds ticked past. Had she ran away? Had she just beaten Nightmare Moon?

Then Star Swirl looked up as the clouds crackled with electricity, realising she had made a terrible mistake.

She darted back towards the broken tower below, grunting in pain as bolt after bolt shattered against her shields, feeling her magic strain at the punishment. Winds blew up and she was forced to burn more magic just to keep a straight course, relief flooding through her as the hole in the tower grew ever closer...

A blast of energy burst out of the darkness of the tower interior, striking Star Swirl and sending her tumbling. She gasped and tried to right herself, only for blue light to collect above and form into the grinning form of Nightmare Moon. Not moments later the glow of telekinesis formed about her, holding her firm as power formed at Nightmare Moon’s horn.

Then... pain. And the feeling of sudden decent. Then... impact.

“I’m so sorry... I’m so weak, I couldn’t do anything...”

Puppy ignored the little voice behind her, just peering out of the ruined tower in horror as she saw Star Swirl take the hit and fall broken towards the moat far below. She desperately wanted to go after her, to run and catch her somehow, but...

“We have to go, before she sees us.”

Puppy looked round at her rescuer, trying to assess him for the first time. He seemed friendly at least, though she had to admit that he was right that he wouldn’t be a lot of use in a fight. He was even younger than her, a slim, lanky and rather pretty and feminine looking zebra buck with large soulful eyes, his body slumped and his body language evasive, “Who... are you?”

“I’m... um...” The zebra blushed, “It... doesn’t really matter... we really have to hide...”

Puppy admitted that was a good idea, especially since... she winced as she attempted to access her tactical databases...

-File not found, searching for**** error, search engine code not found**** error*** critical error, system will shut down and reboot***-

“...that... no, we have to help Star Swir... why is there a wet cloth on my head?”

The zebra turned round with a look of utter relief, Puppy rather confused to see him standing next to a sink, inside... a toilet? She looked around and confirmed that they sudden appeared to have teleported, now inside one of the palace bathrooms by the looks of it. The zebra quickly trotted over to her, looking her over with clear concern, “Puppy, are you alright?”

She attempted to rise, finding even the placement of her hooves difficult. She stumbled and fell, the zebra running forward and catching her. She looked round at his concerned face as he held her, wondering if this was the point where she fell in love with him. She grinned at the concept before asking the pertinent question, "Why are we in a bathroom?"

"Puppy, you've been unconscious for hours!" He insisted, forcing her back into a sitting position, “You need to rest.”

“We don’t have time...” Puppy tried to argue, before locating the interesting point in all this, “How... do you know my name?”

The zebra blushed, “We spoke once. Um... about magic.”

“We did?” Puppy looked at him, searching his face, “I don’t remember... but my memories are malfunctioning at the moment, so...”

The zebra actually managed a rather adorable grin, “You locked me inside my room.”

And now it came to her, “Easu?”

"Don't call me that..." He complained pathetically, "My name... my real name is Sandria."

"That's pretty." She commented cheerfully, giving what she was certain was a very goofy smile, "Why did you change it?"

"Because I changed." He replied simply, his eyes trembling. He looked away, cradling his smooth, too pretty face, "A bad man cut me, and I forgot who I was."

"I'm sorry." Puppy warmly patted the zebra on the shoulder, giving him a warm smile, "And thank you for your help."

"For all the good it will do..."

Puppy admitted it looked bad, with Star Swirl gone, her health failing more with every second and her only ally a deeply depressed ten year old buck. Still she was progra...

She winced, actually feeling the sparks fall at that one.

...right, she was the sort of mare to focus on the solutions, "No... it's ok. I know how we can still win this."

He looked at her sceptically, "How?"

It was actually pretty simple. Even if she didn’t have her tactical files she was still pretty sure what would fix this, "We need... I need Puppysmiles." Puppy declared, rising to her hooves and focusing for a second to keep herself upright, "Her memories... they should stabilise me, and it will also deny Nightmare Moon a source of power to draw on."

"How are we supposed to get her memories?"

"I just... touch her, and poof." Puppy explained a little lamely, "At least that's how it worked with Jerome."

Sandria considered this for a second, "Why don't you just touch Nightmare Moon? Wouldn't she poof then too?"

Puppy filed that idea under, 'unadvisable'. Or she might be immune, and then kill me. Or worse, she would take me over."

"Fair enough I suppose... but how do we find Puppysmiles?"

Puppy smiled, that one she already had in the bag, "I have a bond with her, I can feel her within the palace, not that far away."

Sandria shivered, "I'm really not sure it's a good idea to just wander the corridors..."

"We don't have any better ideas unfortunately." Puppy responded, making her way to the door best as she was able, "Let's go."

"Right..."

The palace was a mess, toys piled up in the corner, crayon on the walls. Worse was the fact that there wasn't a soul in sight, and even if that made their progress easier Puppy had never realised just how creepy big buildings could be when they were empty.

Still she could feel Puppysmiles just a short way away, heading towards them. She quickly checked Sandria was still there before moving to the corner of a T-junction, peering around the corner in anticipation...

She almost screamed, Nightmare Moon heading straight towards them. Puppy ducked away quickly, heart pounding as she considered her error. Nightmare Moon appeared to be alone, so was Puppysmiles behind her, was...?

"Princess Puppysmiles!"

Puppy's heart jumped, hearing Luna's clear tones sounding out.

And they were answered by a voice both deep and regal, and all too familiar, "Yes dear Luna?"

"I just wished to tell you goodnight sister." Luna stated in a warm, cheerful tone, "I will take care of things here, so get a good rest."

"Of course sister. Do not work too hard."

And then the hoofsteps started up again.

"Oh crapcrap... hide!" She whispered insistently, turning and chasing Sandria back down the corridor. Still their legs were small and Nightmare Moon was an alicorn, Puppy releasing they were never going to make it to the corner in time. Her eyes turned to a door on the right, desperate nodding to it as they closed, "In there!"

They burst through the door, finding themselves... in a little girl's bedroom.

Puppy wasn't sure what quite was going on here. But it was clearly a young girl's bedroom, a poster of some pop group on the wall, along with a prominent poster for the ministry of magic, some childish drawings... and it all seemed oddly familiar...

She shook her head free before her systems crashed again, aware of Sandria desperately waving at her from under the bed.

Yes, she needed to hide, to run from the approaching hoof steps...

The door opened and she turned, eyes travelling up long black legs to the sharp alicorn features above, Nightmare Moon's surprise changing to anger, then to cruel glee. But it wasn't Nightmare Moon. Its mane, its cutie mark, the feelings radiating from her were all wrong. And now Puppy realised... "Puppysmiles."

"Puppysmiles is dead." The Nightmare stated with a wide, dangerous smirk, "And now I get to finish the job."

She gulped, still she found the will to argue, "If Puppysmiles is dead, then why did Luna call you by that name? Why is this room still here?"

The Nightmare looked around, her eyes mockingly dismissive, "Oh, yes, you're right. These scribbles, these cheap souvenirs of prepubescent drivel, they're all so important to me." She levitated them over, giving Puppy a quivering, emotional face for a moment before her horn flared and every single one of the posters burst into flames. The ashes fell down around her, the Nightmare giving Puppy a broad, arrogant smirk, "Let me tell you a secret... the filly was easy. So trusting, so stupid, so full of dark, wonderful emotions... I enjoyed slowly draining the life from her pathetic body."

Puppy didn't have the energy to feel anger. And besides... she could see it. It was just like Midnight Dreamer. Behind the arrogance, behind the power... there was innocence, the cruelty of a child, "SolOS and P7 really miss you Puppysmiles"

The Nightmare's expression twisted angrily, "What?"

"They built me as a tribute to you. They truly believed you could save the world like you saved them." She shook her head, "Zenai too... the things you did, you inspired people."

The Nightmare backed away a step, clearly made uncomfortable by her words, "I don't care. I'm not her."

Puppy didn't listen, just advancing forward, her hoof extending, "I know you're in there Puppysmiles..."

"NO!"

"NO!" Sandria darted out of his hiding place but it was too late, the light fading to reveal only the Nightmare. She stared into space with a look of shock and confusion, though it slowly faded into a broad, arrogant grin. Cruel, triumphant eyes slowly moved to stare straight at him, a chuckle rumbling in her throat. He backed away but swiftly realised there was nowhere to go, "Oh... Holy Fire no..."

The Nightmare grinned wide, "Indeed."

"Get away from him!" Shouted the ugly, irritating voice, spoiling her chance to squash the annoying zebra, "Fight me!"

Puppysmiles looked round in profound irritation, growing only more intense as she saw her horrible, mean little doppleganger standing just a short distance away. It wasn't fair and it wasn't allowed, Puppysmiles shouting at her in justified anger, "Go away! This is MY game, it's not a place for you!"

"Puppysmiles, is this truly what you want?" The ugly pony bleated pointlessly, "Hurting other ponies? Why?"

Puppysmiles grinned. What a silly question, "Because it's fun."

"Hmhahahaha...." The nightmare materialised out of the darkness, hovering above her shoulders with glowing eyes shining, "Destroy her Puppysmiles. She's come to replace you, take your parents away and exile you back to the darkness. You can't let her get away with that."

"NO!" Puppysmiles was swept up by the terror, dimly held memories of loneliness and despair. She reacted the only way she thought appropriate, "MEANY MEANY MEAANY! GO AWAAAAYYYY!"

"Puppysmi...! AGH!"

The ugly mare tried to speak but Puppysmiles was too strong and fast and powerful, moving across the darkness in a pink streak of energy just like Fillysecond and beating the bad girl up. Her hoof came round and the ugly mare made a really funny sound as she bounced and rolled away, Puppysmiles not about to let up there. She charged after the ugly girl, leaping through the air to come down with all four hooves, "YAAGGH!"

And she landed hard, the ugly mare giving a screech and falling limp. She didn't move again.

"Go... go away!" Puppysmiles shouted, to no reply.

"Finish her off Puppysmiles... make her go away forever..."

The ugly mare... opened her eyes, staring upwards with a look of despair and pain. Her eyes were pink like her fur... though that fur now turned red, stained with far too much blood. She gasped, coughed pathetically, "Puppysmiles..."

"Kill her! She wants to take your parents away!"

The... mare opened bloody lips, tears running from her eyes, "Your... parents are gone Puppysmiles... don't you remember...?"

Puppysmiles felt tears run down her face. She wasn't in the darkness anymore, she was on a lonely mountain cliff. A gravestone stood there, a gravestone just like her father's. And all around her... were ponies. Ponies she knew. Ponies who had been her friends.

And she had hurt them. She had hurt them because... she had been upset. And a bad mare... had taken control. A bad mare she had called creepy voice. A bad mare just like... the voice behind her, "Why... why do you keep making me hurt other ponies?"

She turned to behold a dark, twisted version of herself standing behind, the apparition making no reply for a moment. Then the creature's hooves came forward, seizing Puppysmile's ears hard and painfully. It dragged her forward, dragged her towards a face full of demonic wrath. Puppysmiles screamed and struggled as a mouth full of jagged teeth opened up, unable to escape the monster's grip.

It was then that her doppleganger moved, staggering forward on broken hooves and slamming a glowing orb down the creature's throat.

"GAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!" It lurched backwards, screaming and clawing at its face, losing its shape and transforming into a formless black mass. The glowing orb dropped to the ground and rolled to Puppysmiles' hooves, her doppleganger falling beside it with a gasping sigh. The creature flew upwards, whipping round and transforming into a giant, jet black alicorn and screaming down at her, "STUPID, PATHETIC CHILD! If you want it that way... I'LL SIMPLY DESTROY YOU AND TAKE THAT BODY! I DON'T NEED YOU!"

Puppysmiles let out a cry, trying to move but totally frozen in place. A giant evil demon was about to destroy her and she really wanted her mother... but her mother was dead, and she was all alone.

She was all alone...

No... not quite. She looked down at her doppleganger, no longer moving at all. She was obviously really hurt... and it was Puppysmiles fault. She felt a deep shame flow through her, knowing she had been a bad filly. She wanted nothing more than make up for it by protecting her now.

But she couldn't. She didn't know how.

She looked down at the orb at her hooves. For a moment it seemed to somehow become clear, Puppysmiles seeing it in a... force, that she didn't truly understand. But all the same she felt it burn in her head, a pure, bright passion flowing through connections she didn't even know she possessed.

It felt like her mother. Like her memories of her father. It felt how she felt when she knew she had been a good girl. She raised her horn and let it flow.

It was white at first, then burst into glorious rainbow light. The creepy black alicorn reared back with a scream and Puppysmiles felt a flash of triumph... which was short lived.

“You think you can stand against me?! A silly little girl?!” The creepy nightmare screeched as it placed its horn down, waves of darkness forcing themselves up against her shield. Puppy squealed as her hooves slipped backwards, the pressure on her horn increasing. Black shadows crept up around her and she felt a withering despair settle upon her shoulders, shame and regret filling her mind. She knew now, that she would never see her parents again, that she would never return home...

She knew that she was bad, naughty. Her parents had abandoned her because they didn't love her anymore. She felt her hooves wobble, the light at the tip of her horn dimming.

“No... get away from her...” Her other self rose, snorting blood from her nose and glaring from a shattered face, her horn flickering with failing light, “I won’t let you...”

“YOU CAN’T STOP ME!”

Puppysmiles screamed and reached out as a tentacle of pure darkness shot outwards and seized her doppleganger from beside her, pulling her upwards and squeezing her neck until it cracked and shifted. Puppysmiles reached as the mare was pulled away, reached harder than she ever had before. She was too small, too little... but she found all her strength and leapt, her little hoof just touching her sister’s...

Her sister. She had an older sister. Her mother had told her that once. Her sister had been too small, too tired and hadn’t been able to make it to this world, but her mother had reassured her that one day Puppysmiles would see her again. Told her not to forget.

And now she realised she had forgotten. And that her sister now stood before her, her weak, fading older sister, struggling to stay beside her as endless horrors tried to pull her into the darkness. And now they were together, she couldn’t let her go.

“You’ve been on your own in the dark for so long.” Puppysmiles stated softly as she hugged her sister to her chest, gently stroking the older unicorn’s neck, “I’m here now. We’re never going to be apart again.”

“Puppysmiles...” Puppy whispered, tears filling her eyes, “I’ve looked for you for so long...”

Darkness swept forward in a wave. Puppysmiles turned, resolve turning to righteous anger. She had put up with enough from this creepy voice, and hurting her sister had been the last mistake. She put one firm hoof forward, horn extending, “No.”

Sandria yelled and rolled backwards as Nightmare Moon froze, pain filling the dark alicorn's eyes as a deep white glow radiated from inside. She gasped and whined, twisting this way and that as she whispered in a strained voice, “No... no it’s not possible... you should all be afraid of me, you should all give into my power... you’re CHILDREN! You cannot stand before me!”

Sandria looked deep inside himself, finding all the courage he could muster. He darted behind a chair leg, staring out at the alicorn as the light grew stronger, “You’re... you’re a very bad lady.”

Nightmare Moon’s eyes focused on him, then dilated fully. Her final words were spoken in little but a gasp, “I will... show you... fear...!”

And then she exploded. Her black form billowed outwards before being swept away by a blast of shining rainbow light, a single pink unicorn rising upwards on a pillar of cradling energy. Sandria stared in wonder for a second or two before he finally found his head again, running forward to catch her...

The dark shadow knocked him backwards as it sharply span around her and zipped out of the door, giving a low, pained growl that rattled the windows.

Puppysmiles felt her hooves settle against the wood, marvelling at the feeling. She felt realer than ever before, her skin humming with sensation, her mind filled with new, wonderful emotions. She stretched out her back, enjoying the flexing of her muscles, the increased blood flow that came of the adrenaline now coursing through her.

She looked down at Sandria, giving him a big smile. Sandria just gulped, a blush spreading across his cheeks.

And then the zebra suddenly burst into action, pointing a desperate hoof at the door, “Puppy, Nightmare Moon escaped that way!”

Puppysmiles’ good mood was swept away, having hoped that would have finished the demon off. No such luck, and now... “She’ll be going for Princess Luna.” Her mind worked quickly, mapping out the palace from her memories, “The throne room.”

“Right!”

“No.” Puppysmiles hesitated, calculating her chances. She was strong, her body seemed to be heavily built and athletically trained, and she was confident she knew how to fight. But that hadn’t helped Star Swirl, and Puppysmiles was forced to admit she didn’t know the first thing about combat magic, “You need to find Star Swirl.”

Sandria gave a look of pure terror, “How?”

"You two are friends, you've travelled together." Puppysmiles grinned, rather amused that she had to explain this to an apprentice shaman of all ponies, "Just follow your feelings for her."

Sandria trembled, "My feelings for her...?"

"You..." Puppysmiles almost squealed, but managed to restrain herself. Just, "You LIKE her! Oh wow, that so cute!"

"Um..."

"When we get out of here you have to ask her out on a date!" Puppysmiles breathlessly enthused, almost bouncing as she contemplated the possibilities, "It's kind of a shame we're up a mountain. If we were back in Equestria I would so be able to hack you a table at Hoofbeats..."

Sandria had been admirably patient, still he interrupted her here with a somewhat critical expression that seemed rather out of character for him, "Puppy, we need to focus."

She blushed, pushing her enthusiasm back down inside her, "Right, of course. Um..."

"I'll go and find Star Swirl." Sandria stated, leaning his head forward, "Where will you be?"

"I'll be with the Nightmare most likely." Puppysmiles stated without much enthusasim, feeling her confidence drain, "And um... Sandria?"

"Yes?"

"I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold her off if she's really become Nightmare Moon again." She nodded emphatically at him, giving a nervous grin, "So... hurry, ok?"

Sandria tried to keep his hooves from trembling as he made his way through the bowels of the castle, the bowels... of Canterlot.

He had often wondered what this place would look like, his master rating it as the most magically active place in the world, even more so than Garm itself. Built upon layers of interconnected ley lines, wreathed in wards and integrated spells and boasting one of the premier centres of magical training, Sandria had always thought of as a decadent place of evil. A city where cruel unicorn lords commanded evil magics from towers of stolen wealth.

But here at least it was a sad, lonely place, Sandria walking past tapestries and stained windows of glorious achievements and harmony in action. All of which he now knew lay broken and ruined.

Garm still stood. He had seen its halls, it's statues and monuments. Yet the centre of Equestrian culture now was naught more than rubble.

He continued to follow the trail of blood, soon spotting the wounded form of the alicorn standing in the middle of the corridor, staring at the stained glass windows around her. It wasn't a moment before he saw the second just ahead.

"Where did it all go wrong?"

"Weakness. Celestia let herself become compromised. She let her sister take control, and her sister was never strong enough."

Star Swirl turned to Justicar, trying to argue, "That's not fair..."

"Not a few decades after Luna's return and ascent to co-regency, the great nation of Equestria falls to ruin." Justicar spat with blunt judgement, "But no, it's not fair. For the actions of the mares of the ministry cannot be underestimated in the countries' fall."

Star Swirl knew it wasn't that simple, "It wasn't until then that the world was capable of ending itself. The megaspells..."

"Would never have been allowed to exist if Celestia had been less trusting of her subjects." Justicar stated, "There are numerous occasions through history where Celestia censored scientific progress, knowing that left unchecked it would lead to ruin. She let her pride in her little ponies blind her to the truth. That she was a Goddess, and they were weak and incapable of governing themselves."

Star Swirl winced, "No..."

"That is why I served the Goddess. Because for all her faults she understood, that children left to their own devices will destroy themselves in the end." Justicar nodded at the windows around them, "Admit the truth obvious to the both of us. That the ponies of Equestria need a Princess to give them guidance, to control them and protect them from themselves."

“Um ladies...”

“Perhaps...” Star Swirl admitted after some thought, “But us? Really?”

“We have the knowledge and power of the star children now. Char spent years studying politics and philosophy. We have the knowledge to rule this world.”

“Puppy... um, she’s fighting Nightmare Moon...”

Star Swirl sighed, taking in the truth of her words, “Do we have the right...?”

Justicar snorted, “Celestia took the throne because she was better than everypony else. She needed no ‘right’.”

“Star Swirl!”

Star Swirl finally noticed the little zebra, rather surprised. He was definitely real, but she certainly didn’t recognise him... he looked rather like Caesar, but how was that possible? “Who are you?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He shouted in a panic, pointing down the corridor, “Puppy’s in trouble!”

“It’s time to go Star Swirl.” Justicar insisted, trotting over and offering her hoof, “Shall we?”

Puppysmiles walked the broken, garish corridors of the palace, making her way towards the throne room. She knew she didn’t have much of a chance against Nightmare, she was no fighter, still she could assess the situation and hopefully stop it from getting any worse until Star Swirl arrived. She just had to...

She heard the screams and started running, hearing the scared voice echo through the corridors.

“SUBMIT!”

“No, get away from me! Get away! Celly!”

Puppysmiles skidded to a halt as she saw Luna tear around the corner in a low sprint, hooves skidding on the tiles and wings fluttering as she made a hard turn. Behind her lunged a huge, black mass, occasionally forming into something resembling an alicorn but mostly just an image of pure terror.

Luna paused at the sight of Puppysmiles, all the opportunity the Nightmare need to seize her in an amorphous tentacle and draw her inwards. Luna screamed and her hooves scraped the tiles but she had nothing to grip and her wings were trapped, drawn ever closer...

Puppysmiles unleashed a blast of energy from her horn, built more of pure anger than actual skill. It still proved effective, the Nightmare lighting up from an internal flash of bright pink and flying backwards into the wall with a crash.

Luna thumped down with a grunt, Puppysmiles closing at a fast trot, “Princess Luna, you have to...”

“Get away!” She shouted, stumbling to her feet and throwing her a look of terror, “I don’t... I don’t understand...”

“I’m here to help, I’m a friend! I’m...”

And then Selene was between them, her huge black canine form landing against the ground in a low, powerful crouch, a deep growl directed towards Puppysmiles. Selene stood warningly, Luna surprised for a moment before responding in a tone of relief, “Melvin... you’re here to protect me as always.”

Puppysmiles saw the Nightmare reform behind, desperately trying to reach Luna before it had a chance to attack again, “Please, Selene! You’re my friend! If I could only explain...”

“Friendship is for puny mortals, not divinity as we were meant to be.” The Nightmare crooned in a sultry voice as she oozed out of the walls and floor, finally forming into the solid figure of Nightmare Moon in all her glory. She touched a gentle hoof to Selene’s fur, her grin wide and malevolent, “Selene wants what all our kind do, power, power without limit. And I can give that to her.”

“Who are you?” Luna asked in a trembling voice, backing away nervously.

“Why my dear, I’m you.” Nightmare Moon answered with a malicious chuckle, “I’m everything you could be. I’m the triumph over your sister, the true power of night, the crown that is your due.”

“I... I don’t want any of that...”

“LIES!” Dark tenticles reared up, took Luna in their grip and suspended her there, Nightmare Moon stalking forward with eyes glowing a deep, unsettling indigo, “I will find the darkness in your heart, I will make you more than you could ever dream!”

“Stop!” Puppysmiles ran forward, not caring if Selene was in her way anymore, “I won’t let you... guh...”

Selene charged out with teeth barred, Puppy backing away in fright. Selene’s form twisted as she ducked and dived forward, ready to bare Puppysmiles to the ground. Puppysmiles did the only thing she could... let her instincts take control. She barrelled forward into Selene and knocked her backwards, ignoring the claws on her side as she thrust her horn upwards and gored Selene’s chest, pushing her away and slamming a hoof into the beast’s jaw.

Selene hit the floor whimpering. That noise sent a shock wave through Puppysmiles’ chest, her hoof freezing in place.

An easy target as Nightmare Moon’s spells exploded outwards, surrounding her before she had a chance to react. Her body was torn apart, stumbling and bleeding to finally thud against the ground with muscles shredded.

“All of you are such brutes, so quick with a hoof. It is a good thing your magical abilities are all so unrefined.” Nightmare Moon commented, kicking Selene aside with a casual swipe and continuing onwards. Her horn started to glow, Puppy feeling a deep pull inside her body as Nightmare Moon spoke, “You have something that belongs to me.”

“Nggh...” Puppysmiles gasped as the pain grew more intense, “...I have...?”

“Princess Luna sadly is too pure, too well protected by the energies of harmony.” Nightmare Moon explained, turning her head to the Princess, blank eyed and barely conscious as she lay trapped within the dark tentacles, “She was only able to implant her demon in the first place because it was a mere newborn and she stripped most of her protection away beforehand. I, with my vastly more developed powers... well, I would be viewed as a mere sickness to be purged.”

Puppysmiles gasped, feeling Nightmare Moon reach down into her very soul, “You... you are... a sickness...”

“Maybe so, but sadly Puppysmiles’ mere mortal shell has no special protection against such things.”

Puppysmiles looked up, eyes fixed on Luna suspended there. This wasn't right. This... couldn't end like this. Luna was bound, tormented and abused in the dreaming, and now a fragment of her soul suffered the same here? It broke her heart, all the more now she knew their connection, "Luna, please... you have to understand, she has no hold on you! She's... just a parasite..."

"No Luna." The nightmare crooned, "You are the mighty queen of the night, and I am but your instrument.”

“How, how did you ever get this bad?” Star Swirl questioned, looking upon the Nightmare with horrified interest. The Nightmare that had haunted her thoughts for millennia, the one creature that all remembered when they thought of her kind, “You inhabited Princess Luna, clothed in harmony. She took you on with the intent of purifying you, showing that the star demons were not to be feared!”

“And she was wrong.” The Nightmare stated with a sneer, turning her eyes up at this new challenger, “We are to be feared. We are Nightmare, and we are born to bring terror to these puny equines.”

Star Swirl shook, those words piercing her to the core. She mustered all her strength, spread her wings outwards and screamed, a thousand years worth of hate in her words, “YOU EVIL LITTLE WORM! YOUR EXISTANCE ENDS NOW!”

The Nightmare cackled, striking aside Star Swirl’s first attack and sending it scattering into the walls and floor, tearing apart marble and stone. She raised her head, shadows growing around her, “Oh, so you’re one of those little star demons? Worried I’m giving you a bad rep?”

Star Swirl was forced to pause at this, “Little star demons? Then... what are you?”

“So much more.” She answered with a sharp toothed grin, swinging her horn upwards and shattering the roof apart. The moon and stars shone above, the Nightmare swinging her horn back down and flinging their light down upon Star Swirl as a rain of glowing spears, “I am of divine essence! A dark queen, born of the corrupted energies of harmony! I have ascended far beyond you!”

Star Swirl grunted, feeling the sharp points cut her skin as they slammed against her shields, “Energies... of harmony?”

“Oh, poor little Luna, so naive.” The Nightmare crooned, “She wanted to prove that the light and the dark were not so different, that there was good and evil inside both. She did indeed discover something truly exceptional, that from harmony could be birthed the DARKEST evil!”

Star Swirl shook her head, heart trembling, “No...”

“Yes!” The Nightmare shouted as she blasted Star Swirl away with a burst of her horn, flinging the alicorn across the hall to slam into hard concrete. She cackled as Star Swirl collapsed limply, voice raising as she screamed her words, “From the energies of harmony I found so much power, an understanding of you puny mortals that we had never possessed before! An understanding of friendship, and how its energies could be corrupted to evil ends! And it allowed me to find all that was broken inside Princess Luna, twist her into the darkest soul!”

Star Swirl grunted, forcing herself back to her hooves, “You... failed...”

“I caused Celestia a thousand years of torment, rendered the elements of harmony inert, corrupted the entire moon!” The Nightmare crowed, “And here I stand! Still living, still terrible even as the world descends into darkness! The zebra burned the world because they feared ME! And when I escape I will show them they were right to tremble at my name!”

Star Swirl gasped, feeling despair and depression sink into her mind, drive her back to the ground, “No... you...”

“How ironic... the dreamscape will fall to Twilight Sparkle and the corrupted element of magic. The real world will fall to me, the corrupted spawn of harmony and Princess Luna.” She chuckled cruelly, “Your heroes betray you at the end.”

“You’re right.”

Star Swirl looked up, mouth dropping open as she saw Princess Luna look up from where the shadows held her. Her mane sparkled briefly in the moonlight, determination in her eyes.

“...you’re my fault, and I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Nightmare roared, her form shifting and vibrating, forming jagged spikes, “I am the nightmare! I am the darkness of night! Look at you, some stupid little baby princess, a failure at everything you touch, only of any importance because of your sister! I should apologise for YOU!”

“That’s all you are.” Luna stated sadly, “The temper tantrum of a stupid little baby princess. A cry for attention, from a mare who didn’t know any better.”

The Nightmare’s expression grew dangerous, “You know nothing of me. You were just a vessel, a mere crucible for my greatness.”

“I am so young. I was never fit to be a princess, too untested, too callow.” Luna shook her head, giving a deep, pained sigh, “I remember being Princess Luna, so full of joy and hope... and I look ahead at what she become and I weep, knowing that this innocence in my heart was burned away so cruelly. I weep because I remember Rarity, the inhabitants of the moon, Puppysmiles... all those I have hurt.”

The Nightmare’s face curled into an evil smile, “Yes, weep Luna. Despair for me, contemplate your many failures. For what have you done that’s truly worthy remembering?”

Luna looked up, a smile playing on her features, “I birthed Puppy. A child to bring hope to a struggling world. When Luna looked at us in the dreamscrape she was so happy, because she saw in Puppysmiles her mistakes undone, her greatest mistake redeemed.”

The Nightmare’s face twisted into dark fury, turning back toward Puppysmiles and raising her hooves, “Your legacy is dead!”

Luna trembled, tears running down her face, “Not yet...”

“Get away from her!” Star Swirl’s horn ignited, driving back the monster. She kept it up, putting everything she had into that one spell, grunting as she felt the Nightmare push back against her, “You... will not...”

Luna opened her wings with a crack of energy, breaking free of the shadows and throwing her body forward. More dark tendrils streamed up to grab her but she opened her wings and dived through them, blasting aside a huge clump and soaring towards the fallen Puppysmiles. She reached out her hoof...

“No!”

It was smooth and simple, a bubble of pink and blue forming around them, slowly fading into simple pink. It slowly faded with the sound of a gentle sigh, Puppysmile’s wings fluttering in the breeze as she extended them outwards. She took a breath, opening old, sad, pink eyes and lowering them towards the Nightmare, “I never wanted this.”

The Nightmare took advantage of Star Swirl’s momentary distraction and forced her stumbling to the ground. She shook off the last few stinging fragments of light before growling at Puppysmiles, “You...”

Puppysmiles nodded grimly, “Me.” She looked up, horn glowing with warm pink energy, “I should have ended this long ago. But... yes, if I had then Puppy would have never come into existence, Puppysmiles might never have survived...”

Star Swirl nodded as she regained her footing. She knew what that felt like, “We can’t regret our mistakes. We have to try and turn them to good ends.”

Puppysmiles nodded, her smile soft but happy, “Yes.”

“You... how are you different from me?” The Nightmare hissed, its darkness seeping outwards to cover the ruined walls, shadows creeping across the marbled floor, “You’re a simple program, an imposition. You don’t exist as anything but code, the simple personification of the chains of your masters.”

Puppysmiles lowered her head for a moment... and then her voice emerged, quiet yet strong, “No. I’m more than that. And yes, I needed Puppy, Jerome, Luna... I needed them all to be complete. But that’s why I can be more than you.” She looked up, eyes blazing, “You haven’t changed in a thousand years, just a base copy of Nightmare Moon’s personality imposing yourself on unwilling souls. I started with images of my mother yes, and like any child looking for identity I copied my identity from her. But then I listened to the teachings of my foster parents, learned about duty and the elements of harmony. And I grew to travel with Zenai, meet up with Dust Kicker, Midnight Dreamer, Star Swirl, Easu... I met with Princess Luna, and I felt my connection with her before I even knew where it came from. And all of them taught me something.”

The Nightmare sneered, “So you’re just a simple receptacle for the opinions of others?”

“There is nothing simple about it. To listen to the world and form our own opinions... expand our perspectives. That is what life is.” She nodded firmly, placing a hoof against her breast, “I change with every new experience, every new memory. From my friends, I learn a hundred different ways of living. Every one shows me a side to the world I’d never considered before.”

“That is weakness! We dominate! We...”

“No.” Star Swirl finally answered, stepping forward now to give her own answer. It was one that had been a long time coming, “You have forgotten what we are.”

The Nightmare turned on Star Swirl, “You seek to tell the Nightmare Forces about our kind?!”

“Yes, I do.” Star Swirl spat, “And deny Puppy her identity, and you deny us all. We start off as empty vessels, worse than a child, consumed only by the need to feed. It is only from the influence of others that we can ever hope to be something more. And we... we became something less.” She sighed, admitting the truth to herself now. The truth she hadn’t wanted to hear, “And we bear the blame. It is a failure mirrored in my changelings. Given the choice between an easy way of domination and power, and a hard way of compromise and patience, our kind chose to feed on the worst, most satisfying passions of our hosts. We created monsters out of ponies and zebra alike, simply out of our own hunger. And through it, we ourselves became monsters.”

“We became strong!”

“You fed on my weakness.” Puppysmiles answered in a quiet voice, shaking slightly as she continued, “My insecurity. Your boasting is that of a child, desperately trying to make herself seem bigger than she is. Desperately trying to measure up to a sister that she feared was greater than she would ever be. You flatter yourself too much, claiming to be more than me. You are less.”

“I am more! I am more powerful than Celestia!”

“Celestia is dead, and you... you are nothing more than a shadow of past mistakes.” She took a deep breath before drawing herself up proudly, “I am Puppysmiles, and I carry Princess Luna’s true legacy. I am a Star Child born of her sincere wish to redeem our race, and I refuse to let that wish be in vain. I am the child of SolOS and P7, and I am the product of every experience and memory that has brought me to this point.”

Star Swirl nodded, steeping up beside the mare, “Raider, alicorn, star demon, heretic... we are both creatures of shadow and corruption, but now more than ever this world needs to see that light can be found in the darkness, that evil is but a passing thing, that redemption can be found in even the most corrupted places.” She glared at the Nightmare, “I am a child of the stars, a monster from the dark. I stand proud, because I choose to deny the destiny others chose for me.”

The Nightmare glared back, seething, its darkness spreading further. It reached out, the air vibrating from its rage... until it was suddenly shocked into stillness, glowing eyes flicking over to the side as Selene moved. Dark paws padded across the stone, sharp teeth bared against the shadows. Puppysmiles grinned as the wolf approached, “It’s good to see you again Selene.”

Selene stopped, observing Puppysmiles for a moment or two with impassive, unnatural eyes. Then her form changed and shifted, forming into a dull grey alicorn, her head adorned by long, darker grey curls that tumbled down her cheeks. Both Puppy and Star Swirl were taken aback for a moment, Star Swirl taking a sharp intake of breath.

She was... beautiful. Age suited her well, the somewhat chubby, plain featured girl commanding and womanly, even with the unnatural blankness behind her eyes. And it... hurt, seeing Midnight Dreamer again, not even a month since her death.

And then her voice emerged, dull and lacking emotion but still instantly recognisable. Selene’s words might have been all the more powerful because of the lack of force in them, the difficulty with which she pronounced every syllable speaking of a vast depth of feeling, “I am Selene.” She paused, looking a little uncomfortable for a moment before continuing, “It is a name that I was given. I was given many things. I miss Midnight Dreamer.”

Puppy bit her lip, her attempt to maintain her dignity impressive, “We all do...”

“I want to be like Midnight Dreamer. Being monster was not good. I want to be a Princess.” She looked up at the Nightmare, eyes narrowing, “Not like you.”

The Nightmare shook, “I... am the darkness...”

“You are nothing.” Puppysmiles stated firmly, staring the last few shadows down with a look of fiery determination, “I have made peace within myself. There is nothing left for you here.”

“No... I am strong... I am the Nightmare...”

Puppysmiles horn shone in the darkness, the star light above beaming out, piercing rays of light streaming down. The Nightmare completely collapsed at their touch, shadows shrinking and retreating until the whole area shone in a beautiful silver light. Puppysmiles took a deep breath, looking exhausted as she let her head fall, “It’s time to wake up.”

Star Swirl padded over, still feeling a little tender. Still she couldn't help feeling invigorated by the sight of Puppysmiles, tall and confident, wings slowly returning to her sides and the glow at her horn fading, "Puppy, you look incredible."

She blushed as she looked around, then peered back at her wings. Puppysmiles shivered for a moment, looking very uncomfortable. Then with a brief focus of will she caused her wings to vanish in a shower of sparkles.

Star Swirl frowned, "They looked good on you."

"I haven't earned them." She breathed, simply.

"You've earned them more than most."

Puppysmiles looked rather sad, quiet for a long time. Eventually she sighed, looking around the ruined palace, "I remember all of this. I remember Celestia, and the founding of Equestria."

Star Swirl shuddered, feeling the mood suddenly fall, "I'm sorry Puppy... um, what do I call you now?"

She considered this, looking rather surprised at the question. Eventually she smiled, "Puppysmiles. I like that name." She gave Star Swirl a soft, sad grin, "It's a good name. Young and full of possibility."

"You are." Star Swirl answered cheerfully, "Born this moment, capable of being whatever you want."

"I guess so." She replied with a smile, a little twinkle returning to her eye, "It feels right, that I can carry on for all those who are gone. A new creation, made of all the mares before me."

"That doesn't mean you can't keep your wings."

Puppy chuckled, "They're pretty, I admit."

Star Swirl fluttered her own, "And functional!"

She giggled, holding a hoof to her mouth. She gave Star Swirl a playfully disapproving grin as her laughter settled, "I remember what it felt like, how I gained the energies of harmony. But becoming a Princess is different for everypony, and I'm not Luna anymore. I need to find a way that feels right for me."

"Fair enough." Star Swirl answered, wondering if it was really such a big deal now that alicorns were an actual race. She couldn't help her enthusiasm however, "It's... a little overwhelming really. You have all the memories of Princess Luna Puppy! That’s a huge deal!"

Puppysmile's smile faded a little, "Please... it's not as much of one as you think. It's mostly just... memories of things that disappeared a long time ago."

Star Swirl realized that Puppy didn't quite share her opinion, with good reason, "I'm sorry Puppy. I wasn't thinking..."

"It's ok." Her head lifted, ears perked upwards, "I... think I know what to do now."

"What's that?"

"Star Swirl, Selene, come over here."

The both moved over to Puppysmiles, Selene a little more cautiously. The mare made a growling sound for a moment before finding the words, Selene's voice still strained, "I sorry... I... I was bad? I... tried hurt you."

Puppysmiles grinned and jumped forward to hug the alicorn's head, giving it a gentle pat, "You listened to the wrong pony Selene, that's all. You need to be a little more careful about who to trust in this world."

Selene gave a look of hilariously goofy satisfaction, not helped by her still rather deadpan vocalization, "Yay."

Star Swirl looked through the ruined wall, staring across the sprawling expanse of Canterlot, "You said you had something you wanted to do now?"

"Well not now. We all need to get back to the real world." Puppysmiles stated, before wrapping a hoof around Star Swirl and pulling her close, holding both her and Selene as she nodded to Canterlot beyond, "We all know what Twilight Sparkle is doing to the dreamscape right?"

Star Swirl shivered at the memory, "Considering how she flattened all three of us, yeah."

"She did not flatten us." Puppysmiles mentioned chidingly, "We won."

"Puppy, you're not suggesting..."

She nodded firmly, her smile growing wider, "My two bestest mares, we just took down Nightmare Moon. How about you say we take this traveling circus on the road?”

“Are you really sure...”

“Deadly.” Puppysmiles stated, actually looking and sounding very serious all of a sudden, “Princess Luna is out there, and she’s still suffering. And we three have the power to help. We are going to beat up Twilight Sparkle, take the element of magic off of her, bring it back here and use it to friendship all the bad guys." She gave a grinning look at the two of them, almost bouncing with enthusiasm, "You all want to be heroes? Well how about saving two worlds?"

Star Swirl tried her best to grin back, still... she honestly doubted it would be that easy.

But for now at least, Puppysmiles was right. They had won.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Star Swirl

Quest perk Gained - Star Child Level 4 – “And you will help, more than you’ve ever dreamed.”
Congratulations, you have a demonic entity from outer space living in your head! At this point there is no difference between you and the symbiote, you have gained the full effects of your merger. You get an extra +5 bonus to magic (equal to five points of intelligence), an extra +2 to intelligence, +1 to Strength and Endurance and an extra +4 to your healing rate.

Quest perk Gained – Zebra?
Congratulations, you know have the magical knowledge of a zebra shaman. Except... you’re not a zebra, so this might be less than helpful.

Trait Gained :- Blank Flank
You have no cutie mark, and your future is one of beautiful possibility. You gain an extra 5% to all gained experience.

Level Up - Level 12 reached
Perk Gained - Tag! : Survival
You really are multi-talented. The Tag! perk allows you to select a fourth skill to be a Tag skill, which instantly raises it by ten points and reduces the cost for further advancement.

Level Up - Level 13 reached
Perk Gained - Adamantium Skeleton
You can take any sort of beating and still come back for more. With the Adamantium Skeleton perk, your limbs only receive 50% of the damage they normally would.

Level Up - Level 14 reached
Perk Gained - Beautiful Beatdown
You really like the feeling of your bare hooves on some poor ponies’ skull. Beautiful Beatdown reduces the Action Points cost for unarmed attacks by 10%.

Level Up - Level 15 reached
Perk Gained - Super Alicorn!
You can utilise radiation much more efficiently. You are now immune to any level of radiation exposure, have a much more precise knowledge of exactly how much you’re carrying, and have no limit on how much you can use at once. The max level you can store is also increased by 25%.

Puppy

Quest Perk added: Memories of Harmony
You’ve lost your connection to harmony, but such a thing can never truly be forsaken. You gain +1 to luck when your actions are conductive to harmony.

Level Up Level 4 Reached
New Perk added - Ain't Like That Now
Maybe you were bad once, but you ain't like that now. Your Karma has been reset to 0, you regenerate AP 25% faster, and your attack speed is increased by 20%. You are also immune to Critical Hits.

Level Up Level 5 Reached
New Perk added - Friend of the Night
You are a true friend of the night. Your eyes adapt quickly to low-light conditions indoors and when darkness falls across the post-nuclear wasteland.

Level Up Level 6 Reached
New Perk added - Purifier
You are a sworn enemy of all the enemies of harmony. As a purifier of the wasteland, you do +50% damage with melee and unarmed weapons against abominations.

Level Up Level 7 Reached
New Perk added Animal Friend Level 1
Animals will not attack one of their friends, unless the animal is threatened or attacked first. Exactly what an animal is in this world is open to debate.

Level Up Level 8 Reached
New Perk added Animal Friend Level 2
Animals will not attack one of their friends, unless the animal is threatened or attacked first. Exactly what an animal is in this world is open to debate. Animals will now come to your aid in combat against those who threaten you.

Level Up Level 9 Reached
New Perk added - Night Person
The light of the moon focuses your mind. When the sun is down, a Night Person gains +2 to both Intelligence and Perception (up to a maximum of 10). This perk directly affects your "internal clock" and remains active both inside and outside.

Level Up Level 10 Reached
Perk Gained – Mind for Magic Level 1 – “I actually studied gravity spells, thinking they’ll be on my test!”
You have a great memory and an instinctual understanding of spellcraft. Your list of signature spells is increased by 5% and your list of memorized subjects is increased by 10%

Chapter 3.7 - Secrets in the Dark

View Online

"It's alright Dust Kicker. I'm all better now."

Dust Kicker bit his lip, aware that he was looking pretty silly right now but both unable and unwilling to stop himself. He very much appreciated it as Fluttershy walked over and gave him an enthuastic hug, doing his best to hide the wobble in his voice, "I know Puppy... I'm just... so relieved."

"So am I." Zenai stated, giving Star Swirl a proud, enthuastic smile, "But I never doubted her for a moment."

Ace Gold simply shook his head, still looking rather shell shocked as he struggled to come to terms with what he had just been told, "You just beat... Nightmare Moon..."

"Puppysmiles beat Nightmare Moon." Star Swirl corrected, "I... just gave her a nudge."

"Well I couldn't have done it without..." Puppysmiles' voice cut out, suddenly noticing the gap in their little group, "Where's Easu?"

"He left a few minutes ago." Fluttershy informed them, gently moving away from Dust, "He said that Star Swirl had it all under control and walked out of the door."

Dust considered that gloomy face, the look of hurt and rage as he had exited. Easu had always worried him, but considering the circumstances that moment was where he had doubted the zebra the most, "What happened to him in there?"

"He saved my life!" Puppy stated, loud and forthright, her voice thick with confusion and a little bit of hurt, "He should have been with us, when we beat Nightmare!"

Star Swirl had a dark, conflicted look on her face Dust noticed, holding it for a moment before she spoke, "Yes, he should of. He saved me too."

"Maybe he's just not the sort for celebration?" Ace offered.
"Well that's just boring!"

They exited the room one by one, Star Swirl last to leave. She just wanted to rest at this point, still struggling with the revelations she had experienced in there. She moved towards the door, Zenai waiting there to join her.

"Thank you..." Zenai whispered quietly to Star Swirl as they walked out the door. Her head turned up at her friend, a truly beautiful smile upon her face, "...for everything. For following me here, and... for being my friend."

Star Swirl blushed, her somewhat sentimental emotional state offering no resistance to something like this, "I... aheh..." She stammered briefly before suddenly being reminded of what she had seen in there, grinning back at the zebra, "I saw the library at the compound Zenai. In my dreams."

Zenai grimaced at the memory, "Even after everything, I don't miss it."

"I do." Star Swirl admitted. She felt a deep pang even thinking about it, "The easy days, just chatting, trying to avoid doing any work..."

"You're... big now Star Swirl. A hero."

"Maybe that's why I miss it." She accepted with a sigh, "Things are so complicated now."

Zenai smiled, looking away and just walking quietly beside her for a moment. Star Swirl enjoyed that, just her presence by her side. After a moment Star Swirl broke the silence, figuring Zenai was most definitely the first person she wanted to tell about this bit of news, "I know who I was. Before I became an alicorn."

Zenai's ears pricked up, her grin widening. It was the happiest Star Swirl had seen her in weeks, "Really? That's... incredible!"

Star Swirl blushed, "It's liberating."

"Liberating?"

Star Swirl nodded, enjoying that sense of freedom, "However hard I tried to escape, the Goddess was always my mother. She was always the one who brought me up, who taught me who I was." She took a deep breath, feeling the clear air, "Now, I have so many memories to draw inspiration from."

Zenai grinned, "Who was your mother then?"

"Bitter Clouds..." Star Swirl recalled, feeling the feelings swirl within her, "She was sick, and weak... and I can't remember her face, she died when I was so young. But my uncles, they were kind. They taught me how to hunt, how to fight."

Zenai looked away, "You were a warrior?"

"Yeah." Star Swirl admitted with a sigh. To be honest, it had never been in much doubt, "I was the best in the entire tribe by the time I was twenty six..."

"How... old are you?"

That was a good question. It actually made her chuckle to consider it, "I think I’m a little older than Fluttershy."

"Wow..." Zenai paused for a little while at this, before opening in a big grin, "You huge pedo."

"What?"

"You were always attracted to me right?" Zenai chuckled, smirking up at Star Swirl, "I was totally sixteen when I first met you."

"Ugh..." Star Swirl blushed, averting her eyes, "I... well..."

"Relax Star Swirl." Zenai gave her a playful punch on the leg, grinning playfully, "I wish I had known. I would have set you up with somepony more compatible."

"It wouldn't have worked any better Zenai." Star Swirl admitted, feeling the blush on her cheeks, "I like boys too. I'm just... well, I'm shy." She paused for a moment before giving Zenai the most sincere look she could manage, finally wanting to clear one final thing up after all this time, "I'm still the same mare you were friends with Zenai. I know things have got really crazy, but... I'm still awkward, and shy, I still like theoretical subjects with long names. The idea of telling someone I like them still fills me with terror. And when I look back... I have a thousand years worth of memories now, but it's still that time I spent in the library with you that is most precious to me."

Zenai blushed herself now, giving an embarrassed sounding chuckle, "You're still an enormous dork at least."

Star Swirl chuckled, feeling her heart warm at the insult, "Yeah, that's... that's not going to change."

"Star Swirl..." Zenai looked down at the floor, quiet for several long moments. Finally she spoke, voice heavy with regret, "I'm honored to have been your friend, to have brought you here. And Puppy too, to have placed her with you and Dust. Because... you're going to save the world."

Star Swirl felt her heart darken, "We're all going to save the world."

"Maybe... I hope that I can help at least." She looked up, smiling, "I don't mind being a sidekick. Just so long as I can continue being your friend."

Star Swirl felt tears run down her face. She wasn't sure exactly what to do to stop them, or even if she should, "I will always be your friend Zenai." She attempted a chuckle, the sound coming out as forced, "Everything that's happened, it's because you supported me."

"Then let me give you some more advice." She stated, a quiet yet sly smile on her face, "That Easu... you like him don't you?"

Star Swirl blushed fiercely. Was it that obvious? To be honest she wasn't sure if she did or not. He... fascinated her, and he clearly liked her. But after all she had seen, all they had shared, was romance really a good idea? She had seen his darkest sides, his ugliest faces. She struggled to find the good in him sometimes. And what of his ravaged body? She had yet to even see the scars hidden by those bandages, the real face underneath, "I don't know. I mean he's not exactly the ideal..."

"Star Swirl." Zenai warned, "I think I know you better than you know yourself. You've always been a warrior, and more than anything you've always looked for a fight against impossible odds. I've seen it in your eyes, with Thunder Crash, with Leon..."

Star Swirl looked away, embarrassed to be talking about this. Did she really find... antagonism and conflict attractive? Did she really want a fight when it came to her relationships?

She enjoyed violence. That much was true. She loved the fight, and had forgotten just how much, "That still sounds... a dangerous tendency to indulge."

Zenai laughed, "Star Swirl, you just took on Nightmare Moon. You can handle a bit of danger."

Star Swirl frowned, "This sounds like terrible advice."

Zenai smirked, cocking her head to one side, "This is me you're talking to. I'll give whatever advice I want." She nodded firmly, "And I advise this. Find Easu, pin him to the floor and tell him to man up and make you a woman already."

Star Swirl couldn't help giggling, "Zenai, you never change."

"No." She gave Star Swirl a warm, encouraging smile, "But I hope you do."
¬
"So that's pretty much everything Puppy." Dust concluded, having regaled her with all that had happened since her disappearance.

"Hmm..." A little working icon appeared on Puppy's picture, blinking for a moment before she spoke, "I've tracked the signal."

He felt a little glow of triumph, "And?"

"You're right Dust Kicker." She replied, throwing up a picture of a line between the planet and a glowing green dot far above, "It was bounced off a satellite in low orbit. Unfortunately the trail ends there."

"Really?"

"I'm afraid the sender information was wiped before retransmission." She commented with regret, "I would still be able to trace the message if I had access to the satellite, but unfortunately it seems to have moved. I can no longer locate it."

Typical. Once again, Red Eye was far ahead of them, "Damnit... Puppy, this is all my fault."

"No it's not." She soothed, giving a chuckle and a smile, "He exploited your core coding to his advantage, just like he exploited mine. And for both of us, he had the advantage of being its author."

Dust considered this, finding himself agreeing with Puppy. Red Eye had known him, known exactly what buttons to push. It saddened him to think that... "I've really changed that little? That from knowing me seventeen years ago, he can predict my actions so precisely?"

"Some things just don't change Dust Kicker." She added with a wistful tone, "I ran into my confrontation with him holding a hot tempered belief in my own righteousness and overwhelming power, boasting all the way and far too eager to believe that I was special. That means I haven't changed in over a thousand years."

Over a thousand... Dust shook his head, having managed to forget that little fact. To be honest it scared him rigid, "You mean Nightmare Moon?"

"I can't actually remember being Nightmare Moon. Those memories died with the Nightmare." Puppy commented, sounding a little wistful, "I mean when I was Princess Luna. I was always getting myself in trouble, forcing my sister to save me."

"Puppy." Dust commented with a deep breath to steady himself, "You are... were... Princess Luna?"

There was a long pause before she answered, "Yes, and I wish to be addressed as such."

"Wha...?"

"You will address me as Princess Puppysmiles." She paused before correcting herself, "Princess Puppysmiles the Great and Beautiful."

He chuckled, "Puppy..."

"Ah!"

" Princess Puppysmiles the Great and Beautiful." He finally conceded, "That sounds... fairly overwhelming. Do you have special Princess powers and magic now, or...something?"

Puppy sounded slightly chastising, "I would need to be an alicorn for that Dust Kicker. I'm afraid my magic now is only good for ether manipulation... unicorn stuff. And... well, Princess Luna wasn't much of a scholar. She was always more of... a kinetic learner, which is all a little difficult now I'm a totally different species."

Dust frowned, it couldn't be that simple, "Can you... raise the moon?"

"No... yes?" A little thinking icon appeared next to her picture for a few seconds before she smiled excitedly, "I think I could teach Littlepip how to do it."

"Littlepip?"

"Raising and lowering the moon isn't alicorn magic." Puppy stated with a slightly impatient pout, "It's not even that complex. It simply requires a LOT of power, power than could really only safely be provided through a larger and more resilient body such as an alicorn. A connection to harmony provides easy sources of magical energy and having it as a special talent makes it more efficient, but with modern technology... as I mentioned, the Single Pegasus Project could pull it off without much difficulty."

Dust... felt like she had killed the magic. Raising the heavenly bodies, and you could do it with a glorified toaster, "Really?"

Puppy sighed, "That's what... is most painful about all this really."

"Puppy?"

"Back in my memories of Luna's life, being able to raise and lower the sun and moon were things documented and researched, that could be pulled off by normal unicorns. Celestia and me were just... powerful, long lived ponies, with a wide education and a desire to help. And we weren't the rulers, we were much more like the arbiters. We made sure the other leaders didn't fight too much, solved disputes and represented the nation." Puppy shook her head, looking depressed, "Everything has changed so much."

Dust felt for her. It must have hurt to realize how much she had lost, "I... feel that Pup... Princess..."

"I'm not a Princess." Puppy interrupted quickly, before her icon shifted to a smiling one once more, "I never wanted to be one, and... I feel so sorry for the real Luna, forced into that role. I know now more than ever that she didn't mean for things to go so bad with her on the throne, that she never wanted power. That she... just wanted to help."

"Puppy..." Dust grinned, feeling his heart warm, "If she was anything like you, I agree."

"Please, I'm just Puppysmiles." She entreated, giving him a big, wide grin, "You shouldn't put me or anypony else on a pedestal. It's not healthy, my ego is big enough as it is."

"Fine." He assured, feeling better about this new development already. Puppy certainly seemed more cheerful now, "Though having a Princess on our side would certainly be helpful."

"I wish I could help fight alongside you, but honestly I think I'm more powerful here." Her voice lowered to a whisper, her tone full of concern, "If I wanted to, I could have turned the Lost Legion to our side. I could bring Star Fall and the NCR to their knees, command their automated defenses to fire upon their cities and fake their communications to cripple their militaries. To be honest the Princesses couldn't hope to command the destructive power I possess."

Dust shivered. He liked big guns, but that was a bigger gun that he ever wanted to possess. He was driven to wonder if she could even reach the megaspells Red Eye had claimed the NCR possessed, end the world outright by tweaking just a little bit of data, "Those abilities... it's just tech isn't it? That the Applejack Rangers still have?"

"Not quite Dust Kicker." Puppysmiles gave him a big beaming grin, her image bursting with colorful stars as she declared proudly, "My hacking software and hardware are top of the range, but like everything else in this shell it runs off yours truly."

"You're a master hacker?"

Puppysmiles threw up some question mark icons, shrugging her shoulders, "I don't know if it's just me, or Puppysmiles, or if it's a natural tendency that all Star Demons have. I'm really good at puzzles, and... logical thinking. Putting things together." Her picture changed to a blushing icon, trying to look demure, "No offense to my big brothers, but I pack in at least twice as much processing power as a crusader mainframe in three centimeters of tissue, and can parallel process far better than any of you puny ponies. No offense."

Dust smirked, "None taken."

"It's hard, being this smart."

Dust couldn't help but draw a terrifying conclusion from all of this, "Red Eye still beat you."

"It was a rather unfair fight." She insisted, sound a little hurt, "He had a backdoor into my systems, all he had to do was spout a code word and bam, I was totally shut down. Next time he won't be so lucky, I've made sure I've deleted all my access codes."

He probably wouldn't give her the chance. Besides, "If I know him, he's aware exactly what you can do. He's likely already planned for it."

"Which is why I'm keeping my hacking abilities in reserve." She acknowledged, "Red Eye is older and more experienced than me. I'm not going to forget that a second time."

Dust nodded, that was good tactics. When the enemy controlled the battlefield you always had to be careful drawing attention to yourself, no matter how big your guns, "What do you think he wants?"

"To tear down the NCR." She answered simply, a sad tone in her voice.

"Why?"

"Because we're not his fascist utopia." Puppy sighed, her image pouting out the screen, "Dust Kicker, he's a political extremist. He's always been a political extremist. He sees all the bad elements of a democratic republic and none of the good, and believes by imposing some other system of government upon Equestria all our problems will go away."

Dust smirked at the comparison, "So he's like Lonesome Pony and Swift Feather, but with raiders and explosives rather than a radio station?"

She smirked, "Yet just as annoyingly in love with his own voice."

"So what government would you impose on the NCR? Out of interest."

Puppysmiles' icon blinked briefly, a rather terrified expression on her face. Her picture then disappeared completely, Puppysmiles silent for several moments before speaking once more, "The government of 'sort your own problems out'."

Dust grinned, now that was no answer at all, "Go on Puppy, just as a thought experiment. If Celestia appeared, would you support her retaking the throne?"

Puppysmiles picture reappeared again, looking a little cross with him, "All right... but that's more difficult question than you think. Back when I was Princess Luna Equestria was a federation as I said. Over the next thousand years Celestia set herself up as an absolute monarch several times to adequately deal with problems, and however hard she tried Equestria was always a monarchy after that. No matter how many senators and mayors and princes she set up, who was really going to argue with Celestia?"

Dust shrugged, it was a good point, "She was normally right, supposedly anyway."

"Tell me about it..." She muttered, before continuing with her point, "So that's the thing. Celestia could come back as a simple clerk and she would still be the ruler of the NCR by default. She was trapped by her own legend, found fewer and fewer ponies willing to challenge her decisions."

"What about Princess Luna?" Dust teased.

She went quiet for a good few seconds, her voice quiet when she finally responded, "Dust Kicker... there's a good ten years between my memories ending and Nightmare Moon being banished. Then add a thousand years to that. Princess Luna was... a different pony by the time of the war. A harder, more damaged pony."

Dust was forced to admit, Puppysmiles' revelation about being Princess Luna had shaken him simply by her being nothing like he expected. That would explain it, "I have to admit, from all I'd heard I always expected Luna to be more... difficult to talk to."

"I expect Puppysmiles helps with that Dust Kicker." She added with a soft smile, "Both Luna and Celestia... we were both rather private ponies, who were always more comfortable in the context of our duties. Neither of us were good with other ponies, where as Puppysmiles was always outgoing. But Luna was kind, and gentle, and loving to her friends." Puppysmiles eyes dropped, her voice losing its power, "She found losing them more difficult that Celestia did."

Dust nodded, "I hope I could understand how that felt. I've certainly attended a lot of funerals."

"You're better at making friends Dust Kicker." She stated with a soft sigh, "As Luna settled into her role, as ponies started treating her differently... it got harder and harder. After Princess Platinum died... you've never had to see someone you knew when you were young grow old, fall apart before your eyes."

"Actually I have." Dust stated, questioning getting into a pissing match with an immortal but interested in hearing her reaction, "A good friend of mine took a hammer blow to the skull, didn't get him a healing potion in time. He survived, but over the next few years I watched him slowly deteriorate until he could barely move, unable even to recognize his close friends." Dust shrugged, "Young, old... everypony dies, whether that death comes unexpectedly as you walk down the street or makes a dated appointment in some hospital bed."

Puppy looked disapproving, "Dust Kicker, it's cynicism like that... listen, what is the purpose of a leader?"

"To keep his followers alive." He answered.

"That's what the Steel Rangers are trying to do." She gave a frustrated pout, "And the arbiters rely on making ponies feel happy and fulfilled, even if it’s a simply illusion. That's how a democratic system works. And Red Eye... he was dedicated to ensuring a brighter future, no matter the cost to the now. Every single one of those systems has established their failings, and you can’t change your whole governmental system like a pair of boots. If I wanted to set up the type of government I thought was best... well, I would have to be a dictator, force change with an iron hoof."

"In the pegasi empire, the word dictator originally referred to an emergency leader, drafted in on a temporary basis to restore order." Dust couldn't help grinning a little, rather proud of himself there, "It was a position of great honor and personal sacrifice."

"I know that..." Puppy smirked at him from his heads up display, "Where did you read that?"

"Eh, it was something my friend Elizabetha said to me once." Dust grimaced for a second, aware he was diluting his point, "She was referring to Red Eye actually."

"That sounds like a griffon name. The griffons had them too." Puppy eyed him with a long smirk, "Did you know, a particularly long line of griffon kings descended from a dictator who refused to give up power?"

Dust chuckled, shaking his head, "Ok, ok, I surrender. I'm not sure what I was thinking trying to debate you about history."

Puppy laughed back at him, giving him a thoughtful expression, "I get your point though Dust Kicker. And I wouldn’t be too intimidated by my knowledge, because honestly I think my teachers failed."

"Failed?"

"I know my history, and I was fed a vast amount of knowledge on leadership, moral judgment, politics... I was designed to be a leader. But it's not that simple." She shrugged her digital shoulders, "Celestia could walk into a situation she knew nothing about and instantly know the best course of action. I have all the information right here at my hooves and I still have no idea what is best."

Dust smiled. He actually found indecision far more reassuring in his leaders, "You're smart Puppy, you'll figure it out."

"I know systems Dust Kicker. I'm an engineer." She gave him a sad look, "And you can't engineer the lives of ponies."

"And for those who have been living under a rock for the last four years, that was the newest song from our lovely little songbird Nyaria, titled, ‘A perfect state of being’. "

"I don't know... with all that's been going on, stupid little idealipop like that, just seems like sticking your head in the dirt and convincing yourself everything is going to be all right. Just call me a cynical old fart."

"Your cynicism is a credit to us all Sharps my friend. And today I think it's more important than ever to remember the strength and wisdom in the small everyday of life, knowing that even when things seem chaotic life goes on regardless. Even if most of our listeners will never even hold a gun, will never have the terrifying prospect of the fate of the world depending on their good judgement, without the shopkeepers, the bakers, the cleaners and the smiths, where would we be?"

"I think that leads us nicely onto the news of the day Voice."

"That it does my friend. And we have got one hell of a news roundup tonight! Someone has sure stirred the hornets nest, because it's going crazy out in the wasteland at the moment!"

"Heh, and check out our latest wasteland villain, who... wait for it... calls himself Vailor the Avenger."

"Now now Sharps, we can't all be blessed with as fine names as ours."

"Like that's his real name. Anyway, this Vailor was apparently an enforcer for the late, unmorned King Aridari, and has sworn revenge upon the Steel Maiden and her companions for his death."

"And it seems he's proven his credentials, devastating the small village of Crusk and seriously injuring the Steel Maiden herself. Furthermore, word has it that among the casualties were a family that the Steel Maiden had become close to, so when she recovers I am expecting vengeance to be equally matched."

"Bah, he just got lucky. Looking forward to watching her put a bullet through his ass."

“And it seems to be catching since another of our new heroes, the Fuchsia Witch, has also been spotted limping into a remote town after a heavy defeat. Apparently after a week of recuperation she still hasn’t emerged, with our revolutionary friend Bitter Fennel allowing no one to visit her bar her fellow companions.”

“Voice, you’re telling me that the mare who has been seen creating and casting megaspells, turning zebra into toads and flinging full on fireballs about... was defeated so badly it’s taken more than a week to recover?”

“I sure am Sharps. Whatever monster is responsible, it’s one I wouldn’t want to meet coming at me down a dark alley. And on that note, I ask why we can't give peace a chance. And would you know it, that worthy young warlord Incuta, Caesar of the West, has called a peace summit, inviting Star Fall and its allies among the Cervidine and Undine nations."

"Well that sounds like a doomed venture."

"Indeed, it seems like yet another symbolic gesture for Incuta to play up his magnanimity and grace in public. Still watch this space, because there will be a whole lot of power going into that room."

"Though let's face it, they'll never be anything more than fairweather friends bound together by the realities of crumbling economies."

"But that's enough politics for the moment. How about... adorable kids and wasteland heroes?"

"Yep, those little moon children are stirring up news once again. Remember how we reported that they were camped out on the edge of the Mutum Heartlands, awaiting the judgement of the King? Well King Zaneious sent out a firm favourite of ours, Ranger Obanao, to assess the situation."

"And by coincidence or design, who would add themselves to the tale but Koda Bloodysnout. The notorious slaver and mortal foe of Obanao apparently decided to prey on those vulnerable little moon children, seeking to both take a real prize of slaves and use them to lure Obanao into a trap."

"'But Obanao saw right through it right?' I hear you call. In fact girls and boys, he fell for it hook, line and sinker, finding himself captured and beaten half to death, at the mercy of the nastiest piece of work this side of hell."

"And in a stunning turn of events, those little moon kids, no more than fourteen years of age at the most, proceeded to escape, rescue Obanao and take down Kodoa's whole slaving operation. It is reported that one of those kids, a little zebra girl of thirteen, actually took down Kodoa himself in a daring cliff top chase."

"Suffice to say Obanao personally escorted them into the heartlands, and has requested that the king provide food and materials to establish a new settlement for them. And this old pony thinks they sure earned it."

"Hell, if any of them wants to wander down this way I'll congratulate them myself. It's sure encouraging to see them start off so early."

“And we might need a few more heroes Sharps, because we’ve got yet more reports from Drakehome. And here’s an admission from us folks, because we might have been wrong in our cynicism.”

“Yeah, even we can’t deny this one. Dragons have been seen returning to the mountain, at least a dozen at the last count, and two particularly impressive specimens have been seen wheeling around the All-Mother’s sanctuary, roaring and dancing in the clouds.”

“Well we got our friends at Garm on the case, and they’re pretty sure said dance is a traditional challenge for rulership. Yes folks, if there wasn’t enough fighting already, we’ve got a full on dragon civil war brewing.”

“What does this mean? Your guess is as good as ours, the All-Mother’s cave has always been inaccessible and it’s gonna be even more so with dragons flying around it. So our advice, stay back and watch the show. Because it’s gonna be good.”

“Indeed listeners. Stay safe, because the wasteland is becoming a wild place.”

Dust studied the map as the others geared up for the trek, Puppy helpfully throwing up a heads up display of inaccuracies and incomplete information to help plan the route. Unfortunately this was pretty much their last stop, the easiest route straight through Mesonora and up the high road towards the capital. That led them straight through the wilderness, not a single settlement between here and there.

They were loaded up enough though. Fluttershy now had pretty much all her medication or acceptable substitutes and had been checked out at an actually medical facility, which eased Dust's mind no end. The mare fortunately had been in excellent condition considering what she had been through, Fluttershy actually joyfully informing him that she was actually in better condition than before she left Equestria.

Mechanically they were all another story unfortunately. Ace had tried his best but Puppy's armor wasn't quite as tightly fitted as it was before he took it apart, and Puppy had informed him that most of her systems were running considerably slower now that her hard drive had totally ceased functioning. Fluttershy's bionic leg too was increasingly stiffer and less responsive, and apparently maintenance required special tools that were still back in Demonivore. Without them they would have to cut her leg open to even access the internal components, and quite understandably the resident mechanic Ace Gold went a bit green at this prospect. Still she assured them that it wouldn't become a problem, even though her limp was already a little worse than before.

At least Star Swirl was looking hale and hearty. She was probably trying to reassure them but Dust was both irritated and amused that the mare seemed to consider herself the second coming of Celestia as of late. Since she had saved Puppy the mare couldn't have gotten any more smug looking, and though he was reassured that she was more confident in her abilities he was worried the girl would get that butt shot off if she strutted any more magnificently.

Still it made a change from Zenai, who he had barely heard speak in days.

But this rag tag bunch was the best he had, and he was hardly one to speak. And yet, more than ever... he was confident that together there was little that could stop them. They had already taken on their fair share of difficulties after all, and were still standing tall. He admired them proudly as they all finished their preparations, calling out, "Fillies and gentlecolts! We armed and ready?"

"Ready for action!" Star Swirl shouted excitedly, adjusting her last few armor plates with her magic.

"All loaded up." Fluttershy stated with a smile, her medical pack slung at her side and her stealth cloak about her neck.

"All systems a go Dust Kicker." Puppy grinned excitedly.

"Yeah." Ace gold grunted as he sulked behind Fluttershy.

He got no answer from Zenai or Easu, but both shot him affirmative looks at least. And with that he waved them on, taking the lead as they advanced out onto the high road. Hopefully they would be able to avoid any problems...

"Halt."

They all stopped as a zebra moved from the side of the road to meet them, clad in a plain brown robe but anything but inconspicuous. He was large, powerfully built, stone eyed, authority in his stony features. Dust spoke first, wary and ever so slightly challenging, "Can we help you?"

Easu breathed the word, "Praetorian."

"What?"

"The zebra speaks true." The zebra stated sternly, "Tell me, how do you come to recognize me?"

Easu bowed, moving forward in supplication, "I am Easu, acolyte of Tradash the Black. We have met before."

"Ah, I see." He responded simply, before turning a cold glance to the others, "Then you know better than anyone that you stand on holy ground. Those of Equestria are not welcome."

Dust looked at Easu for a moment before replying, "We're here to stop another group from deactivating Caesar's curse."

A number of emotions passed across the Praetorian’s face, all of them unpleasant. He finally spoke after a few seconds of contemplation, "The ghosts of the old world will take care of them. If you follow, they will take care of you also."

"We know that. We don't want to take that chance."

"It never would have happened if you had stayed in your own lands." The Praetorian stated sternly, "You bring trouble to a land that has known far too much of it."

"You couldn't stay hidden forever." Star Swirl replied, somewhat challengingly.

The praetorian turned, studying Star Swirl in detail. She just stared back, the two silent as they stared each other down.

"Please sir." Fluttershy finally interjected, "We simply wish to..."

"Make everything better?" The praetorian stated, not taking his eyes off Star Swirl, "Lady Fluttershy, know that I have orders to safely escort you to Garm. There you will be kept safe, given the respect you deserve, and finally allowed to put down these burdens that continue to consume you."

Fluttershy gasped quietly, hesitating for several long seconds. Finally she spoke, "You will escort us to Garm? Why?"

"I will escort you to Garm. These others will leave these lands and go back to Equestria." He corrected, "And you will be taken to Garm to care for animals, grow vegetables and live in peace."

Her expression quickly became cold, "How dare you. Who do you speak for? Who wants me... hidden away in some retirement home?"

"Caesar. He speaks for the Eastern Caesar." Easu finally confirmed.

The praetorian nodded, "My master is guardian over these lands, protecting the spiritual health of those living here. You are foreigners, an alien presence. However benign your intentions, your presence here can only cause harm."

"And me?" Fluttershy asked challengingly.

"Your path is folly, and you know it." He looked uncomfortable for a moment, "Your place is here, and it always has been. What has Equestria done to buy your loyalty?"

"Equestria has not got my loyalty! Equestria is a CRATER!" She shouted, her sudden burst of aggression making Dust and the others waver briefly, "My loyalty is to life, of all and every kind! I want you ALL to live, happily and free! And I'm sorry if that's so feathering inconvenient!"

The praetorian hesitated, "Lady Fluttershy..."

"DON'T!" She shouted, holding out a firm, accusing hoof, "Don't pretend to address me with respect, while denying everything I stand for! Get out of here!"

"I..."

"Go! And tell your master that I will not be patronized, will not be his trophy!"

He hesitated for a moment more before giving a firm, respectful nod, "Very well. I will relay his message."

Dust watched him go, rather stunned for a moment before turning a grinning face to Fluttershy, "Well that told him."

"Sorry..." She chuckled, blowing a loose hair out of her face as she attempted to regain her dignity, "It's sort of a pet peeve of mine."

"What is?"

"Ponies addressing me as Lady Fluttershy, yet then acting so uncomfortable and offended when I stand up for what I believe." She sighed, "I haven't changed so much, yet when I talk about equality, friendship and kindness ponies are always so shocked."

Dust sighed, having encountered it too many times, "A pony will always agree with it in theory, but when you force ponies to embrace the unknown... most ponies in the NCR had never even seen a hellhound before you started campaigning for them to move onto their street, apply for the same jobs."

"Hellhounds have bled for the NCR in two wars." She thumped an angry hoof against her chest, "I'm a pegasus, my kind were the aggressors in both! Yet who gets all fear and hatred?"

"You're the same shape as they are Fluttershy." Dust sighed, "The Hellhounds will always look like monsters to them."

"We are all the same." Fluttershy deflated slightly, looking round at Dust with a despairing expression, "My stare, it works by making the target see things from your point of view. Imposes your view of reality. If we were all so different that we could never understand each other, it wouldn't work."

Dust couldn't help gently correcting her, "It didn't work on Chigaru."

"It worked on me..." She took a sharp breath, looking up at the sky, "When he looked at me, I saw things how he saw them. I don't think I'm ever going to be the same."

Dust knew how Chigaru saw things, "He's just one more sadist Fluttershy. A raider, who just happens to be a little tougher than the norm."

"He thinks this is how the world must be. That the megaspells and the war were harmonies' way of wiping us from this earth." Her eyes stared off into the distance, a cold despair taking them, "The shaman didn't see it coming. The princesses didn't see it coming. Harmony didn't warn us because it wanted us to die. And if we are to live... it must be in new forms, adapted to this cruel world. We can't be the soft, pretty creatures we were before."

Dust grimiced, feeling his anger rise, "That's insane."

"I believed it. I still do."

"Fluttershy!"

"I've killed ponies." She looked down at her hooves, her tone calm, "I've killed ponies and I'm ok with that."

Dust hesitated for a moment before placing a hoof to her shoulder, a little rougher than he intended, "They weren't nice ponies Fluttershy."

"Back where I came from we would rehabilitate ponies like that. Treat them with kindness, our anger restrained by laws and regulations." She looked across at him, challanging, "My friends did not go around with guns, shooting the bad guys. We only killed Sombra because we absolutely had no choice."

Dust had to admit, he wasn't sure what to say, "I know... we should all reach for our guns a little less..."

"No Dust Kicker, killing the bad guys is the right thing to do." She dropped her eyes, "Because the world is uglier now. And if we are to survive, we have to be a little uglier with it."

Dust had to admire the view as they climbed ever higher, along with the shear industry that building this road and the cities upon it must have required. He suspected it was pure showing off, similar to Canterlot. He noted that both cities had been built in the most dramatic ways possible, in the most impractical locations, right after the formation of a new nation after a great period of unrest.

Kind of like Velvet Promises, building Hoof Beats and the Presidential Palace. And though he acknowledged the phenomena, he wasn't sure what quite to make of it. Maybe it did inspire ponies. Maybe it was just a wasteful function of ego.

"Camp for today guys." He called out as he saw the dark spears of Mesonora ahead, having Puppy magnify the view. It looked surprisingly like Manehatten, with lots of tall concrete towers decorated with somewhat gothic carvings and statues. It had definitely not survived nearly as well as Manehatten however, which just above every building missing huge sections and most of the city already collapsed into rubble.

Star Swirl looked up at the sky, "We’ve still got some sunlight."

"No." Easu agreed sternly, "We cannot be caught within Mesonora during the night. It is infested with monsters, bandits and treacherous terrain."

"So try and get an early night tonight guys." He advised, deactivating the seals on his armor and letting it detach from his body as he stepped out onto the bare ground, "This might be the last chance to take a breath before the plunge."

The others nodded, all unpacking and setting down. Ace pulled out his laptop and started doing something technical as normal, Easu nodding grimly at Dust as he started to walk away, "I'm going to patrol for danger."

"Right." He nodded, turning to the armor, "You'll be ok here Puppy?"

"Sure Dust Kicker! I'm gonna turn on my proximity sensors and get some sleep, is that alright?"

"Sure." He looked around the camp, "Zenai?"

The zebra was sat down upon the earth, a calm, rather sleepy look on her face, "I'm just going to get an early sleep Dust Kicker."

"Right..." He walked over to her as casually as possible, mentally debating his approach for a moment or two before just leaning in and giving her a gentle nod, "I don't mind Zenai, but we're trying to ration. Tell me before you self medicate, ok."

She blushed in shame, looking away, "I... brought it myself."

"Sure..." He sighed, not really wanting to get into this, "But be aware Med-X screws up your reactions to heck and back. Fluttershy has only just stopped popping Mint-all's every time she thinks I'm not looking"

"Speak of the devil..." Zenai stated with a smile.

Dust turned, Fluttershy approaching with an apologetic look on her face. She smiled nervously as the both looked to her, "Oh, I hope I'm not interrupting."

"No, it's ok." He stated, unable to suppress an awkward smile at her sunny presence, "What did you need?"

"I just wanted your help with removing my armor." She chuckled, "It's not fair making Ace Gold do it all time."

Spending time with Fluttershy? He didn't take long to respond, "Happy to. There's a little stream a short walk south, you want to have a walk down and get washed up?"

She nodded gratefully, "That sounds wonderful, thank you Dust Kicker."

¬
Star Swirl stalked her prey, her hooves silent upon the rocky ground as she approached. To be honest it was rather fun, Star Swirl feeling the thrill of the hunt burning through her.

He didn't suspect a thing...

"I can see you Star Swirl."

She frowned, rising and shooting Easu an irritated frown, "Really?"

He glared at her with withering contempt, shifting himself off the rock he had been lying on, "You are enormous and purple. You will never master stealth."

"Well you will never master acting like a normal pony." Star Swirl quipped back, before admitting that her banter needed a little work, "What are you doing hiding out here?"

Easu paused here, expression dark and moody. He finally looked away, turning back on the cliffside view and ignoring her.

She was left staring at his back for a moment before deciding to stop being coy and get to the point already. One of them had to, "Get over it Easu. You were given a chance to confront your past, and you just... argued with yourself. Doesn't that tell you anything about the futility of just ignoring your problems?"

"They are not problems." He growled, "My past is dead and gone. All I need to do is forget it."

He was impossible, "And what about me?"

His voice dropped lower, "What about you?" He went silent again, Star Swirl just about to press him when he finally responded, "Yes, I'm physically attracted to you. Just another of my many mental illnesses."

She couldn't help but chuckle, "Mental illness?"

"Yes. I'm attracted to things that by all logic, should repulse me." He turned one eye on her, glaring furiously, "Do you think this love? Do you think I want to shower you with flowers, raise your children? All I feel for you is hate. I want to pin you down, break you, take what I want and leave you lying in the dirt."

She grinned, finding this little rant rather adorable, "Really?"

His eye twitched, spittle flying as he responded, "You saw me, what I'm really like! How can you treat it so casually?!"

"Because I did see what you're really like." She responded, shining him a mocking grin, "A self hating bundle of neuroses and drama. You came back to save me didn't you? Saved Puppy?"

He looked away, "You're a fool Star Swirl. Playing with things you don't understand. And if you continue you're just going to get hurt."

"Please." She snarked, eating up his reaction with relish, "While you were running around beating yourself up, I only got stronger. You couldn't hurt me if you tried."

He tensed, shoulders bunching, "Do not do this Star Swirl."

"Or what? You'll angst at me?"

“Do you really want to do this Star Swirl!”

“Try me.”

And then it happened. Star Swirl grinned as he snapped, running at her with utter fury. She ran forward to meet him and they met in a tangle, Star Swirl avoiding his anger fueled blows and getting above him. He realized his mistake and tried to reposition himself but she was much larger and much heavier, pinning him down with a leg pressed against the back of his head. She giggled, feeling the blood start to pump as she leaned down and nipped at his ear, "All done?"

Easu snarled and threw her off with a strength she had no idea he possessed, Star Swirl admitting she was impressed he broke her hold so easily. He rolled over, elbowing her in the jaw as he went, leaping to his hooves and charging right in for a tackle. She braced herself and met him hoof on hoof, a quick, dirty struggle that ended once again with Easu's face hitting the dust. She laughed loud and triumphant, pinning him on his back and leaning down, "And... again."

"Hhhgh... huh..." Easu panted as he struggled against her, "Your nose is bleeding."

So it was, "Heh, that just makes this interesting."

"Good." He stated firmly as he headbutted her, grabbed her shoulders and hurled her to the side. She rolled as she landed, trying to gain her footing... only for Easu's hoof to slam into her abdomen and knock the air out of her. Another hoof to the side knocked her off balance and with that it was easy for him to slam her to the ground, dropping on top of her and forcing her head backwards. She grinned from the adrenaline, causing him to pause briefly in shock as he stood above her, "Are you ENJOYING this?!"

"He he... aren't you?" She panted, looking up at his furiously staring eyes, savoring the clear, satisfying sting of pain, "So come on, take what you came for."

"You..." Easu's eyes slowly narrowed, "What is this?"

Star Swirl knew Zenai was a bad influence on her now, "Foreplay."

Easu's eyes went wide, "I... next time, pick a safe word you... crazy freaking mare."

"That would spoil the fun." She stated, before launching herself into the air with a flap of her wings. She grabbed hold of him with two hooves, driving herself higher, feeling her heart beat furiously in glee as she watched Easu's face turn to terror, "Scared of heights?"

He stiffened, frozen in her grasp, "Put me down. You are going to drop me."

"Easu." She stated softly as she changed direction with a flap of her wings, soaring towards some nearby rock formations, "I am not going to drop you."

Easu struggled for a moment more before going still, just accepting her grasp as she flew in to land. She had spotted the ledge ahead earlier, fed by a small trickle of dirty looking water and managing to maintain a thin layer of grass. She touched down, carefully placing Easu down upon his back before leaning down to face him.

He averted his eyes, looking uncomfortable, "Star Swirl... this will not end well."

"Nothing does." She stated softly, gripping the bandages wound about his face and pulling them away. What awaited her was look of such pained nobility that she had to pause to stop herself from crying. She could see the prince she had met in dreams, but instead of that arrogant sneer there was a lost, wounded young stallion, scared and ashamed of his own flesh. She simply grinned, moving closer, "Evolution thrives on adversity."

"Adversity..." He muttered, clearly blushing at her gaze, "I'm a terrible zebra, I... hate ponies..."

She shot him a flirtatious grin, "We'll see how well that holds up."

“Nothing makes you feel old like having to have help getting dressed.”

Dust chuckled as he loosened the back strap, helping Fluttershy slip a hoof through the harness, “I think climbing up a mountain and defeating Dream Star cancels it out.”

“Hmm.” Fluttershy acknowledged with a satisfied smile as she shrugged her shoulder out of the armor, giving it a twist to loosen the joint, “You’re right you know. I missed all this, and I’ve never felt better. You know, one of my first real adventures with my friends was spent climbing up a mountain. We went up there to fight a dragon.”

“Really?” Dust grinned at her impishly grinning face, “Let me guess, you beat it senseless and sent it crying home?”

Fluttershy beamed, “Actually I did. All by myself.” She nodded, a smug smile on her face, “I am a hero. Very strong and powerful.”

“Well we’re glad to have you on board.” Dust replied as he removed the final harness, helping her out of the last few straps, “And you know Fluttershy, I wouldn’t be able to get out of this unaided either. How many straps have you got holding this in place?”

“It’s designed so it’s as secure and skin tight as possible, so that it can be used in tight spaces without snagging on anything or getting pulled out of place.” She shifted the armor to one side, propping it carefully against a rock, “It won my respect... a couple of times.”

Dust Kicker looked across at the dark leathers, grim and deadly looking out of the context of Fluttershy’s pretty face, “Really?”

“The assassin that killed Big Mac, that almost killed Celestia. He wore an outfit just like it.”

“Oh.” Dust had to say, he was surprised, “It’s certainly well designed.”

“It’s a design that’s lasted a thousand years.” Fluttershy replied, a little smile playing across her features, “There’s a lot to respect about the zebra’s approach to war. I really am a terrible traitor.”

He gave her a soothing chuckle, “The war has been over for a long time Fluttershy.”

She grinned in response, though her eyes were a little sad, “I grew up alongside pegasi. They... had a well deserved reputation for being boastful and arrogant. And this sounds really terrible, but when they went up against the zebra in force and lost, I couldn’t help but feel they deserved it a little.” She sighed, turning and looking up at Dust with gentle eyes, “The zebra were outnumbered and outgunned. They still managed to match Equestria blow for blow, and fought to the last zebra. I often wondered if we... if we were the villains.”

“Equestria weren’t the villains, and neither were the zebra.” He commented sadly, “Folks just get stuck in fighting, stuck in hate and pride until they can’t see a way out.”

She smiled gratefully at him, nodding her head, “I was angry at first of course, when Big Mac died. But that zebra assassin... he struck at a legitimate military target, with a precision weapon minimizing collateral damage, knowing that he would never be able to escape. And he almost killed Princess Celestia herself, that single zebra with no magical abilities.” Fluttershy pursed her lips, giving him a meaningful stare, “It was all well and good for Equestria to criticize those sort of tactics, considering their clear advantage on the open battlefield. And eventually we turned to the same tactics in order to win, I know for a fact that Rainbow Dash was involved in targeting high ranking zebra officers.”

Dust gave her a warm smile, “So that outfit, it’s a tribute to him.”

“I guess so.” She looked down at it, considering his words, “That little zebra Xani, she told me about the history of the zebra assassins. How they had once taken on the Star Demons with nothing but soft hoof falls and camouflage, how they were among the greatest heroes of the epic era. Tales of bravery and honor that matched those of the pegasi, yet on both sides the heroes of the other are demonized.”

“But you can change that Fluttershy.” Dust commented.

“Can I?” She stated, “These aren’t new thoughts Dust Kicker. I knew Caesar Remicon and Prince Nashar. They were my friends, just two of many I had here. I shared meals, jokes, deep conversations with both Princess Luna and the Caesar, yet I couldn’t stop them from killing each other.”

Dust looked at her long and hard, taking a moment to fully consider the mare in front of him. She had improved with age as far as he was concerned, the lines on her face speaking of almost two centuries of memories and experience. The surgical scars on her leg and stomach, the carefully disguised stoma bag on her side, the rough fur... proof of a mare that had survived everything the world had thrown at her and was still standing proud. And the mare herself? Innocent despite her long experience, both clever and naive, broken and hopelessly idealistic... “If anyone can find a way, it’s you Fluttershy.”

“I’ve tried. For so long I’ve tried...”

“And you’re going to keep trying.”

Fluttershy’s smile grew, “Yes.” She turned her head to look him in the eye, giving him a smile that literally melted his heart right there, “I’m not going to apologize for being who I am. Not anymore.”

Dust smiled back in what he hoped wasn’t too desperately goofy a way, “I’m never going to ask you to...”

She leaned forward and kissed him, Dust Kicker pausing mid-sentence in shock.

And then he kissed back, marveling in her softness, moving away for a moment to stare into those desperately sweet eyes, “Fluttershy, you might make an honest man out of me yet.”

She giggled, “That’s what you say to all the girls.”

Ace Gold sulked across the dusty rock, trying to stay as far away from the camp as possible. Trying to... remove the images from his brain. Maybe dashing his brains out against a cliff face might help. Or shooting himself in the crotch.

Why hadn’t his teacher warned him? The one, terrible side effect of his new abilities of sight, and indulging it too liberally when the others thought no one was looking?

“Are you well Ace Gold?”

He marveled at the fact that he hadn’t heard his teacher approach, even though the stealth cloak didn’t mask her hoof steps. He turned to her voice, grimacing as he tried to translate his distress into words, “Fluttershy, and Dust Kicker... they’re...” He shook his head, the thought physically painful, “I don’t even want to talk about it.”

An amused and slightly mocking tone entered her voice, “They are both very happy Ace Gold.”

"I don’t...” Care? He should, he knew he should. Fluttershy was his friend, and he knew she was lonely. But still... “It's just... dumb." He finally stated, getting something off his chest that had been a long time building, "They make all this out to be so adult and mature, telling me I would ‘understand when I was older’. I believed them, even as my dad acted like an idiot and these strange mares started moving into my house... I expected there to be so much more to it. But all I see are two rational ponies acting like idiots, exchanging rational discourse for disgusting entendre and engaging in acts both pointless, exhausting and unhygienic. And yet it seems half of society revolves around this whole stupid farce."

His teacher's voice became soothing, "Your frustrations are understandable."

"Well sometimes it feels I'm the only one who shares them..." He muttered to himself.

Several moments of silence ticked past before his teacher spoke, her tone soft and thoughtful, "I have struggled with these thoughts myself. In fact my feelings were far more extreme. Where others saw something to be pursued, enjoyed, in these acts I only saw pain, suffering and dominance."

Ace Gold couldn't help shivering a little, feeling the post rainbow guilt again. His teacher must have been in her sixties at least, which meant she had lived in this wasteland a long time, seen its worst, "I'm sorry..."

"Do not be." She stated with kindness, "Life is hard young one, but those struggles can be overcome. I am proud of who I am. My sufferings are now simple memories no longer able to hurt me. My friends helped me overcome them... sometimes in ways they didn't expect, that I have never admitted."

Ace was intrigued, especially since he knew so little about his mysterious teacher, "How is that?"

"My friend... she was young, and very much in love. And she had trouble with restraining herself during her acts of affection, was what the zebra of my tribe called... a whinnier."

Ace couldn't stop himself from snorting, "How could you look her in the eye after that?"

"Because that mare saved my life, and the strength to do so was given by the bonds she created with others. Bonds of friendship and harmony, one of which was sanctified by the acts I found so repellant." His teacher smiled, the expression wrinkling her aged face, "I had been in a dark place for so long, I found it hard to even perceive the light. Indeed I could not look her in the eye, for I feared I would be burned away by the harmony I felt shine there."

Ace looked away. That sounded like Xephyr. He had found it hard to look her in the eye sometimes as well, "What happened to your friend?"

"She watches over my homeland, far from here. If I was ever to see her again... I would discard my wretched pride and thank her for all that she did for me. And one of those things I learned that day, hearing those two together." She lowered her voice, tone soft and fragile, "I will never lie with another. I will never understand the beauty and joy that others find there. But I can now see that for others it is an act of most treasured friendship, and by understanding that my own wounds no longer hurt as they did. I was able to move on, and forget my pain. Live a full life, and be proud of my own flesh."

Ace looked away, feeling... humbled. His teacher had earned her place it seemed, and he only wished he could be so assured in himself in his old age, "So you're saying I should..."

"You should not do anything." She chided gently, "Only find the harmony around you, and see things as they are, not as you believe them to be."

Ace thought on this for a while before grinning in spite of himself, "And if I believe that ponies over forty should stop messing around before they break a hip...?"

His teacher chuckled softly, "Your friend has just climbed a mountain. I believe her frame is still up to it."

Star Swirl lay upon the grass, profoundly satisfied with the state of the world at the moment. She felt the wonderfully little shimmer of love, knowing that it was a silly emotion considering how early and unwise this was... but it was certainly not an unwelcome feeling, nor one that she wanted to go away any time soon.

They needed more moments like this.

"What is it that you really want Star Swirl? Where are you leading me?"

Star Swirl rolled over, looking into Easu's eyes, so full of worry and uncertainty. She smiled at him, moving her head closer, "I just want to make things better."

He sighed, "A dangerous course."

Star Swirl laughed, brushing a hoof across his stomach affectionately, "I'm just following Dust Kicker at the moment. Later..."

He gave her a questioning stare, "Later?"

"Well..." It was an answer she hadn't admitted to anyone yet, but she figured there was no better time, "Star Fall still needs somepony to lead it to peace, stop the conflict between them and Caesar."

"And you would be that leader." He stated with impressive neutrality.

She paused for a moment before nodding, not feeling as uncomfortable as she thought she would, "Yes."

"Star Swirl..." He started with a heavy, grim effort, "...I am Caesar's brother."

Star Swirl rolled this around her head. Was she surprised? She wasn't really sure. She didn't really know what to feel about it. Finally she decided just to let him speak, "Then you deserve to have your say. What do you think I should do?"

Easu frowned, looking frustrated. Finally he was forced to answer, "I'm not sure I do deserve that Star Swirl. I have abandoned my homeland, my brother."

Star Swirl's heart ached a little, this was obviously difficult for him, "We didn’t exactly leave on the best terms either... but your brother has done a lot with his country. A lot of good things."

"He was always smart." Easu answered, his tone full of regrets, "My brother gets a lot of criticism, but only because others do not understand him. Maybe he doesn't always present himself in the greatest light, but he wants to do the right thing."
Star Swirl smiled back at him, "I liked him. We shared an affection for plants."

Easu finally smiled back, a painfully sweet and hopefully expression that lit up his face, "He loved plants and flowers. My father would beat him whenever he caught him speaking to the farmers, said it wasn't worthy of his son. I used to cover for him, help him sneak in and out of the palace."

Star Swirl couldn't help wincing, anger growing in her breast, "Your father was..."

"A brute." Easu finished for her, looking sad, "The irony is that he was just as smart as Incuta was, a military genus who forged a working nation from what amounted to uneducated tribal zebra and bandits. Yet he was unable to recognize that the qualities that made him great bypassed me entirely."

Star Swirl chuckled, giving him a kind smile, "Not entirely..."

"I am a greater warrior than Incuta, but my father rarely visited the front lines." He let out a soft snort, "Others do not fully appreciate it considering the advantage Chigaru gives him, but my brother has won every single battle he's commanded, often against notable commanders and highly trained armies. If he was to take his forces to use in a war of conquest I believe only Starhammer would offer him any noteworthy resistance. The only reason he has not expanded his rule further is the unfortunately factor of his territory being surrounded on four fronts, three of them actively hostile."

Star Swirl admitted that there was that, "Maybe diplomacy is his weak spot."

"Hhhr..." He breathed, "Aridari, Olanrewaju, Themba... all three of them likely remind him of both his father and me. Is it any wonder he has no wish to deal with them?"

" Aridari and Olanrewaju are both dead." Star Swirl reminded him.

"True... and if you were to finally end Themba's foul existence, take rulership of Star Fall..." He nodded firmly, looking invigorated, "Yes Star Swirl, you have my blessing."

Star Swirl smiled, though it rather made her feel far more intimidated now it was an actually thing they were talking about, "Well... excellent. I still have to figure out how to pull it off though."

Easu sighed, "I can offer you little help there I'm afraid. As I’ve said before, my skills as a strategist are limited."

Star Swirl had to admit that she was no politician either. Maybe she should ask Puppy, or Fluttershy. Still it wasn't like she didn't have resources, "Golden Dawn of the Star Fall council and Sunlight Ivory of the Church of Celestia would both support me."

Easu frowned, "Speaking as a zebra I must warn you to be careful with the church Star Swirl. Celestia is respected, but she is still a foreign presence. Star Fall still hasn't shaken off the perception of them being the Equestria army turned raider nation, even though most of its leaders are now zebra."

Star Swirl felt herself harden at this. To be honest... she waved a hoof along her lanky form, "I think the problems there are going to be inevitable Easu."

"Maybe." He conceded, "My brother at least is fond of ponies, and Star Fall still bears it's Equestria influences. It just makes me feel... uncomfortable..."

"Easu." Star Swirl started with a smile, "Zebra are one of the five founding races of the NCR. The element of magic was a zebra. One of the council members is a zebra. Zenai is a zebra, and she's one of the most enthusiastic patriots NCR I know. The world just isn't divided like it used to be."

"Hmm..." Easu considered this, expression dark and intense. Finally he gave her a nod, "Perhaps you are right. And it would be good for my brother to have a fellow scholar to speak to. I wish to help him. I want him to succeed."

"A scholar huh?" She chuckled at the description, "You know I've spent so much time as a warrior lately I'd almost forgotten that side of my life."

"Hmph." He grunted, "You have never been shy about debating me on my philosophies."

Star Swirl grinned, thinking back to simpler times. Despite trying to pass herself off as a shy, gentle scholar she had gotten herself in trouble several times for arguing with other members of the followers. It seemed she just couldn’t keep her warrior spirit down, even then, "It's rather ironic. I spent a lot of time researching Celestia back in Equestria, yet it's here in the zebra nations that I've learnt the most about her."

"How so?"

"Have I not told you?" Star Swirl ignited her horn, reaching into her pack and teleporting out the four memory orbs she had acquired from the heart of the All-Mother, "I found these in a hidden cache, along with the Spear of Princess Celestia. One of them was an encounter Rainbow Dash had with the Princess, and the other was recorded by Celestia herself. It was... pretty incredible, to experience what she did. It taught me a lot about how to use my own magic."

Easu looked at them in interest as they settled down between them, "And the other two?"

"One was about Rainbow Dash, admitting her injuries were starting to add up, that she was scared of dying." Star Swirl explained, "And the last... I haven't actually viewed yet."

Easu thought for a moment before speaking, "Would it make sense that it would be about Celestia?"

Star Swirl admitted, that was sort of why she hadn't viewed it yet. It was rather intimidating, she was sure how to prepare for another chance to inhabit the body of a real princess, "I guess so."

"Why here? Why hide their memories here?"

Star Swirl had wondered that herself, "They were placed together with personal objects from both of them, inside the body of the All-Mother."

"The dragon queen they killed." Easu stated grimly, "Perhaps they regretted her death."

Star Swirl admitted that it was a theory with merit, "To be honest, all three memories have been... challenging. They all feature Rainbow Dash and Princess Celestia having doubts about the war, about themselves."

"The corpse of the All-Mother is almost indestructible." Easu stated, "If you wanted something preserved, inside her body is as good a place as any. It is also a long way away from any valid megaspell target. The nearest would be Demonivore, and at the end of the war the city hardly warranted intensive bombardment."

Star Swirl looked down at the orbs, her heart sinking. The way Easu stated it... "They knew the world was about to end?"

"They must have suspected it."

"With that context... the memories almost seem like an explanation... an apology." Star Swirl contemplated Rainbow Dash's knife, Celestia's spear, "They both gave up their weapons to the cache."

"If they felt that way... then they should have fought harder to stop this from happening."

Star Swirl levitated up the final orb, careful to keep it from activating as she admired it’s smooth surface, "We don't know the whole story yet. Easu... if you want I can guide you inside the memories, you can watch them with me."

Easu looked rather nervous as the possibility, "I'm not sure if I'm ready to... inhabit Celestia's body."

"It's pretty incredible." Star Swirl noted in encouragement, "She was connected to the world around her in a way I never thought possible. You once told me that ponies didn't listen, that we didn't feel the magic around us. Well Celestia did, to the point where I could feel every single flower, every single bug... tell me you're not a little bit curious."

Easu considered it for a moment more before reluctantly nodding, "Very well."

Star Swirl smiled at him before holding the orb between them, using the magic she had learned from Charaxies to separate the energies held within between the two, bind them to Easu's mind as they were bound to her through her horn. It came together easily considering the theoretical nature of the magic, Star Swirl smiling and taking a deep breath before letting the magic flow.

And the memory rushed forward, her senses swept away as a whole new world opened up in front of her.

She was walking through a corridor, inside some sort of... military facility, the symbol of the Equestrian Army on the wall. It was next to some bullet holes, a crack in the plaster further on and several poorly repaired metal chairs stacked against the wall seeming to suggest this was a frontline facility of some sort.

She was... an alicorn. Initially she thought she must be Celestia again, still the magical senses and 'knowing' that she had felt before were gone, the body she was in seeming extremely mortal. She could feel aches and pains across multiple areas, wanting to wince every time she made a step. She was very impressed that whoever she was inhabiting never showed the slightest sign of discomfort.

She turned her head and looked down upon a tall, thin earth pony in a sheer, unflattering white coat and cropped mane, speaking to him a very familiar voice, "You have done a very fine job Doctor Shears, and I will personally see to it that you get a medal for this. When I was informed of her injuries I was already prepared for the worst."

She... really was in Celestia's body. That was her voice at least. It certainly felt like it had seen better days. She could feel her mane lying across her back, long and straight, no longer suspended in the sky. Her magic felt dim, stiff... Celestia was recovering from magical burnout?

"With respect Princess, it's hardly a miracle recovery." Doctor Shears replied in a grim mutter, his expression a deeply frustrated grimace, "I have kept her alive, she is conscious. That's about all I can say for her condition."

"Is there still a chance of her deteriorating?"

Doctor Shears laughed, a harsh, humorless bark, "Princess, Commander Dash was terminally ill before she even went out there. Deterioration is inevitable, my only measure of success is how fast it will occur."

Celestia's hoof froze in place, her stomach doing a little flip, "Ah..."

He looked at Celestia with one widening eye as the Princess hesitated. He frowned darkly, turning away, "Didn't tell you that huh? It's not on her medical notes either."

"I'm sorry doctor..." Celestia stated with a faltering voice, "How long...?"

"I couldn't guess." He replied grimly, "She's got advanced cancer, it's destroyed her entire left lung and is working through her spleen and liver. But I don't know how fast it's advancing without seeing her notes. Unfortunately it looks like she's been receiving private care."

"She did all that with... just one lung?" Celestia actually smiled at this, though she was still tense and clearly stressed, "And to think I was impressed when she survived the injuries inflicted by her fight with the All-mother... what of those doctor? Will her injuries have any effects on her existing condition?"

"Princess..." He paused for a moment before shaking his head and answering bluntly, "Her remaining lung was seriously damaged, she'll have to be on oxygen for the rest of her life. Her pinion feathers and several other important areas on her wings were permanently destroyed, so she'll never fly again. The muscle in her right leg was already damaged from a previous injury, this impact totally displaced it. I've done my best, but I'll say she'll have about twenty percent of her previous strength there at best. Her eyes suffered some burns, and it is inevitable that she will experience some loss of vision. And since she suffered cardiac failure multiple times during the transport here I cannot rule out brain damage."

Celestia's body slumped slightly, "I see."

"My task now is to stabilize her condition to the point where she can safely return to Equestria." Doctor Shears stated with clinical detachment, "A hero deserves to die surrounded by her friends and family. I am hopeful that I can clear her for teleportation during today's review."

"Then I will return her to Cloudsdale." Celestia stated, lifting her head and firming her diaphragm in a way that definitely felt forced, "May I see her?"

Doctor Shears nodded, motioning a hoof to a door, "I warn you Princess, she is very weak right now. She will have difficulty speaking for long periods, and I must insist that you refrain from exerting my patient."

Celestia smiled, nodding gracefully, "Of course doctor."

"Well then, I... what in Celestia's name!"

Celestia's eyes grew wide for a second at the empty bed, dangling IV's and open window before a smile came to her lips, "Your patient has escaped Doctor Shears."

"I can see that!" He spluttered, "I have to get security..."

"Please, you have enough on your mind at the moment Doctor. Allow me to retrieve your patient."

"Princess..."

Celestia stepped into the room, moving towards the open window. Star Swirl marveled at the view beyond, especially as she seemed to suddenly melt into a warm, glowing mass of light. She swept through the window and reformed on the other side, perched upon the long spike of a defense cannon with the wind blowing through her hair.

She was on the side of a huge, black mountain, a zebra military base and missile facility down below. Beyond, the open sea in all directions, the ships of the Equestria Navy floating at dock and the Equestrian flag proudly flying from every building.

This was Star Fall. It looked rather empty without the bustling city below, even as Equestrian soldiers marched up and down and pegasi patrolled the outskirts. Celestia turned her head, studying each part of the facility before focusing on a missile gantry a short flight away, now decorated with a small blob of teal and rainbow. Celestia kicked away from the cannon on which she was standing, opening her wings and gliding gently over. She took an indirect route around, allowing Rainbow Dash to see her before settling down beside the pegasus with surprising grace considering her weight and size in comparison to the space available. She folded her wings away, careful not to jostle the smaller pegasus as she turned.

"So you got me. The doctors sent you to drag me back?"

Celestia ran her eyes across Rainbow Dash's form. She looked pretty bad, a lot of her fur still burned away, dirty bandages wound around much of her body. Her wings looked pretty bare and Star Swirl honestly wasn't sure how Rainbow Dash had managed to fly on them, especially considering the oxygen cylinder she had apparently carried with her. Celestia simply smiled at all of this however, her voice kind, "Not at all. It is good to see you getting some sunlight."

"Heh... yeah." Rainbow Dash grinned, taking a breath of her oxygen, "I hate hospitals."

Celestia scanned Rainbow Dash with her horn, Star Swirl feeling impressions of the mare flash through her mind. It wasn't good, Star Swirl wincing as she felt impressions of twisted organs and declining vital functions "Your injuries were quite serious Rainbow Dash. Please do not exert yourself too much."

"I'm fine."

Celestia frowned, "You know you are not."

Rainbow Dash's face set in a stubborn grimace, "Sergeant Vane down there, he had his leg and wing torn off by a zebra assault cannon, crippled for life. He's working as a supply officer, helping us win this war." She patted a hoof against her side, "All six limbs still here? Yeah, I'm good."
Celestia didn't seem to know how to react to this, adjusting her expression several times before speaking in a quietly shocked tone, "You intend to return to duty."

"Just another day at the office."

Celestia raised an eyebrow, "Rainbow Dash, you don't truly think that?"

"..."

“My dear Rainbow Dash, do you hesitate to speak?” Something ached inside Celestia’s chest as she said the words, her cheeks tightening, “Please do not, not to me. More than any other quality, honesty is a rare thing these days.”

Rainbow Dash gave a far away smile at Celestia's request, “You do know I deal in the opposite right? The truth is too valuable to be given lightly and all that.”

“Which is why it must be only given to those you trust.” Celestia looked out to the horizon, a weight seeming to lift from her chest as she said the words, “Rainbow Dash, I have lost my connection to harmony.”

Rainbow Dash’s head came up, full of confusion and concern, “What?”

“I can no longer feel its course, draw from its power.” She spoke with a blunt, scoured clean tone that spoke of the most bitter hurt, a tone that sounded like blasphemy from her lips, “I am blind and deaf. My wisdom, my power... all of it is gone.”

“How?”

“Most grievous injury Rainbow Dash.” She lowered her head, voice pleading, “So I beg you speak to me of hurt, as I speak to you.”

Rainbow Dash turned back to the horizon with a grim expression, silent as she considered Celestia’s words. Finally she reached down and took a breath of her oxygen, letting it fill her system before speaking, “I’ve gotta die sometime. But... damn, to go down doing something so pointless...”

Celestia almost smiled, “Rainbow Dash, you killed the All-mother in single combat. She was possibly the most powerful creature on this planet. Was that not enough?”

“Exactly.” Rainbow Dash looked away, “Will it stop the war?”

“...no.”

“Did she deserve to die?”

Celestia sighed, “Does any creature?”

“Was she an irreplaceable part of this world?”

“Rainbow Dash, her death will allow our troops to move in without fear. The war will end all the sooner.”

"Will it?" Rainbow Dash asked, "Or will it make them more stubborn? We need them to surrender. Assaulting Kursiyin or Ebonlode with our troops... it would be a slaughter, on both sides."

Celestia drew back slightly, her eyes angled to the skies, "Twilight Sparkle has been working on a plan for that."

"And you think the zebra haven't?" Rainbow Dash asked in deep frustration, her anger forcing her to take a few deep breaths from her oxygen before she could speak again. Her words came out quieter, the pegasus clearly struggling to speak, "They have megaspells Princess, and High Scientist Xenospira... he's doing something with them. He has to anticipate an Equestrian Invasion."

Celestia's eyes widened at this, "They have megaspells? How?"

Rainbow Dash's expression fell into one of deep despondence, "The Ministry of Peace is as leaky as an old bucket Princess."

Celestia shook, her mouth moving without sound. Finally she could hold it in no more, "You do not believe Fluttershy is involved do you?"

Rainbow Dash looked up, her face unreadable, "What makes you say that?"

Celestia seemed to deflate, her muscles sagging as she lowered herself into a sitting position. She stared out at the rising sun ahead, her voice labored, "Do you want to know how I lost my connection to harmony?"

"Sure."

Celestia sighed, then began, "It was during the first major battle of the war, the Battle of Red Shores."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Both you and Luna were seriously injured, and the Equestrian Army was decimated."

Celestia nodded, "I received a message just before the battle. It was from Harbinger. He wanted to meet me upon the battlefield, had a plan to end the conflict."

Rainbow Dash frowned deeply, "Harbinger was a terrorist, he was the cause of the war. Surely you saw it was a trap?"

Celestia turned away, her face tightening, "It was... foolish. But Harbinger was a friend, and I did not believe him capable of harming me. I also knew he was well aware that hurting me would not end the war, far from it."

Rainbow Dash did not sound pleased, "Princess... seriously? You didn't see it coming?"

"I... no." Celestia admitted, shaking her head, "You know the story. I landed, he was standing a short way away from the battle on a hill. We spoke for a little while, and he told me that harmony had revealed to him a terrible vision of the future, and only one way to avert it."

"And then he tazered you."

"Well... I suppose that's one way of putting it." Celestia stated, sounding a touch embarrassed, "I had my shields up of course, and a multitude of warding spells. I have no idea how he managed to bypass them, but he incapacitated me with a single shock."

Rainbow Dash sighed, "And Luna spotted you, and quickly outpaced her bodyguard in her effort to save you."

"And Harbinger hit them all with Littlehorn agent, before shooting Luna with a bane arrow." Celestia sighed, "Luna had spent a long period of her youth in the zebra lands, it seems that she had left behind artifacts that allowed Harbinger to forge it. And... well, it brought her down, mortally injured."

"And then you..."

"He apologized to me. Told me it was for the greater good." Celestia stated with a heavy feeling in her chest, "And he moved to finish Luna off, caring nothing for the Littlehorn agent still in the air. And I... I looked down at the battle below, all the death and killing. And I feared he might be right. That I should let him carry out his plan, end the war in Equestria's defeat."

Rainbow Dash's eyes opened wide, "Princess...!"

"But I didn't care." Celestia spoke softly, "I loved my sister, so I forced myself through the pain, ran through the pink gas and impaled my horn right through Harbinger’s chest. And as I did I saw the future he had seen, felt harmony open itself up to me as the blood ran down my horn." Celestia whispered now, a shiver passing through her heart, "I saw a bandit soaked in the blood of innocents bringing the cloud cities of the pegasi crashing down, a tyrant with a glowing eye of red enslaving my ponies by the thousand, a once innocent unicorn entertainer transformed into a monster who's ambition will set the world on fire. I saw a zebra Frumentarii shedding blood in the halls of harmony themselves, assaulting the palace of Canterlot with dark magic on her hooves and an army at her back. I saw a mare in the highest halls of power debasing her very soul to create terrible artifacts, artifacts whose corruption echoes down through countless generations. I saw Nightmare Moon return, bound in cold steel. I saw a robed mare in the shadows, manipulating the fate of Equestria, its true leaders powerless before her."

Rainbow Dash was quiet, showing no expression as Celestia spoke. Finally she asked, "And Fluttershy?"

Celestia lowered her head, a tear running down her cheek, "I saw her, cloaked in chaos and dark magic, leading the armies of Caesar to Canterlot's walls. And what you've said... confirms it Rainbow Dash." She turned to the mare, "Fluttershy will betray us."

Rainbow Dash went quiet for a long time, "I see."

"And unable to endure it any longer, I cut myself off from the power of harmony." Celestia dropped her head, her throat tightening, "And now try as I might, I cannot find it again. I abandoned the powers that made me princess, because I could not face the future it showed me. "

"Future smootcher." Rainbow Dash grunted, "It hasn't happened yet."

"Rainbow Dash..."

"It's my fault." Rainbow Dash stated with grim determination, "I knew Fluttershy was dealing with the enemy, I hoped... she would succeed. But it's not going to happen is it?"

"Rainbow Dash..."

"She's making things worse." Rainbow Dash lifted her head, a dark anger flashing in her eyes, "We're not dead yet Princess."

"What are you going to do?"

Rainbow Dash set her eyes on the horizon, "What I have to do."

The mountain was silhouetted in the soft moonlight, Zenai still standing with a smile on her face as she stood alone and silent.

Despite everything, she was happy. She wanted to be a hero, but Star Swirl deserved to be a hero. She was passionate and empathic and strong, all the things Zenai wasn't. But she was done being jealous. Zenai more than anything wanted to stand in the crowd when Star Swirl took her crown, stay by her friend's side. Be the cool aunty to her kids, get her into trouble with ill planned nights out, just... be a part of this thing she had started.

Zenai had made so many mistakes. She would continue to make them. But in Star Swirl, she had a friend who would always be with her, no matter what.

A twig cracked behind her, Zenai turning with a twitch of her ears.

A talon wrapped itself around her face, clamping her mouth shut and drawing her hard against a feathery body. She tried to scream but she was held well, her struggles pointless against the strength placed against her.

"And you are certain thiz iz the one?" Came an accented voice, a familiar looking camel stepping out of the bushes to run his eyes across her form.

"Positive." Arick Grimfeathers replied, holding her tight as he moved his beak to her ear, "Pissed off some mighty powerful folk little zebra. My mother has got a big bounty out for you..."

"And you'll make a fine hoztage if your friendz come for uz." Nazir stated as her waved a hoof, "Come, we still have a lot of ground to cover."

Zenai tried to scream, tried to struggle but her hooves were quickly bound, her mouth gagged.

And there was no one to hear her.

Chapter 3.8 - Walking The Shadowed Valley

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"Zenai!" Ace Gold shouted into the darkness, desperately searching with his magic as he ran further into the wilderness, "Speak up!"

"Ace Gold!" His teacher's voice called out desperately, "To your left!"

Ace Gold turned and lifted his hooves to defend himself as something came out of the bushes to his side, unable to determine it's shape before it was upon him. The fight was quick and dirty, Ace Gold shuddering as a hoof struck him about the jaw, another shove throwing him to the ground where a elbow was forced into his windpipe.

"Harm the boy and you I will see you in pain."

"I've no intention of doing anything to the kid, creepy zebra woman." Arick Grimfeather's voice called out from nearby, as breezy and inappropriately cheerful as ever, "Just passing on a message."

"And what is that?" His teacher replied.

"Zenai is ours, and she's already long gone. If you don't want her harmed you'll back off right now and head back home, because you are not getting in our way." He gave a loud, cheerful laugh, "So go tell Dusty to not try anything stupid."

"Your message is delivered. Now let him go."

"Gladly."

Arick took wing, Ace Gold shielding his eyes from debris as he swooped past and took the weight from atop him. Both soared off into the darkness beyond his sight, his teacher moving over and helping him to his feet. Her voice was grim, “You must go tell the36m what has happened.”

Ace nodded, still aching from his failure, “Nothing like delivering bad news...”

Dust swore, furious with himself once again. Once again his own lack of attention and arrogance had got a member of the group hurt, placed in serious danger which the only responses were irresponsibly risky ones, "How did I let this happen?"

"Excuse me Dust Kicker." Easu stated in an angry growl, "I believe I stated that I would keep watch for danger. It is my fault."

Star Swirl let her head drop, "It's my fault, I shouldn't..."

"It was all your faults." Ace spat with not a little bit of directed venom, "And that's all I'm going to say about that. Now shut up self blaming already before I puke. What are you doing about it?"

Dust chuckled quietly at Ace Gold, amused that once again he seemed to be the most sensible pony here. And he was right that this wasn't getting them anywhere, "We need to get her back."

Star Swirl nodded firmly, "We do."

Fluttershy on the other hand did not look pleased, "Dust Kicker, you're talking about an army of well trained, well armed mercenaries. We have to negotiate..."

"We don't have anything they want Fluttershy." He insisted, having experienced more than one negotiation in his time, "They just want her as an asset in case we try to interfere with my plans."

"And if we attack, they'll likely kill her!"

Dust sighed, admitting that possibility. Still he had done this before, and had to go with the acceptable risk, "Standard hostage situation. Carrying around a hostage is difficult for even a well trained organization, the longer she's with them the more danger she's in. Trying anything tricky will give them time to counter, use the hostage against us. Our best course of action is to hit them, and hit them fast."

Star Swirl considered this for a moment before nodding firmly, "I can teleport to her, grab her and bring her back."

Dust didn't like relying on Star Swirl alone, especially sending her scouting right into the middle of enemy territory, "How foolproof is that plan Star Swirl? Could they fake her location, or trap you once you get there?"

"I can do it." She assured, her big face earnest.

"Actually, I don't recommend it." Puppy interjected, "Beyond this point, the ambient radiation picks up quite a bit. Any teleportation will be clumsy and imprecise, especially at long range. She could come out slow, give them all the time in the world to aim weapons at her."

Star Swirl frowned in irritation, "You know how powerful I am Puppysmiles! I beat Nightmare Moon!"

"I calculated the force of Nightmare Moon's horn blast Star Swirl, it was 470psi. The output of a TI-70 Plasma blaster can hit 560psi at full charge..."

"They're just bandits!" She shouted back, "I doubt they have a plasma cannon."

Dust held out a hoof, silencing them for a moment. Maybe it was because he was an earth pony, but he couldn’t help but feel that Star Swirl was overstating her power. Bullets through the head tended to take down ponies a lot faster than any magic he had seen, "No, she's right, we can't risk it Star Swirl. We have a good team here, our best chance is combined arms. I'm not going to send you in without support."

"So we just attack?" Fluttershy asked, not looking approving, "Won't they just kill Zenai the moment we come through the door?"

"Not the moment we come through the door. They'll be panicked first, rely on conventional force to stop us. It will be a short while before they organize enough to use Zenai against us, and killing her removes any advantage they could gain from possessing her."

"And if they do use Zenai against us?”

Dust frowned, planning it all out in his head. It was certainly a risky plan, but then so were all hostage situations. On one hand these guys were a lot better trained than your average criminal. On the other hand, their professionalism meant they wouldn't hurt Zenai without good reason. It made them more predicable at least, "Well that's the key point. We need to have located Zenai by then, have some of us ready to secure her while they’re distracted with us."

Easu grunted, "A covert mission."

"Yes."

"With who?"

Dust looked around, finding himself regrettably short of trained operatives, "It can't be me or Star Swirl. Nazir knows us, he would instantly question why we weren't in the main group."

Easu snorted, "Not that Star Swirl is in any way stealthy."

"Which will help with the distraction at least." Dust looked up at the alicorn, noting how damn intimidating she looked fully armored and standing tall, "I've never seen you really let loose Star Swirl. Ready to show me what an alicorn can really do?"

Star Swirl gave a firm nod, the tremble in her voice only slightly apparent as she summoned the spear of Celestia and left it hovering at her side, "Don’t worry about me. I'm ready to fight for Zenai with everything I have."

Dust scanned the rest of the party. His decision kept coming back to one mare, "Fluttershy... you've got that stealth cloak."

Ace Gold instantly interjected at this, "You can't be serious."

"You think I want to send her into danger?" He questioned, before locking eyes on Fluttershy once again, "You snuck up on us back in Demonivore, and I've read the account of how you saved those refugees during the second Enclave war."

Fluttershy considered his words, fixing him with those soft green eyes. Eventually she smiled, calm and confident, "I won't let you down."

Ace stamped a hoof, turning furiously on her, "No, I won't let you do this!"

"Ace Gold." Fluttershy stated with firm authority, looking him straight in the eye, "You told me yourself that I had what it took to be a hero."

"Yeah." He countered, "Being inspiring and healing ponies, not... getting shot at."

"Hopefully it will be us getting shot at Ace." Dust offered, "And while we have their attention, Fluttershy can free Zenai and give Star Swirl some cover so she can teleport us all out of there."

Fluttershy chuckled, "And if they ask why I'm not there, just say you left me behind. I am after all, a weak and fragile old lady."

Ace Gold tapped his hoof angrily upon the ground, angry now, "You're still sending her alone into a whole mess of bad guys with no support. Zebra stealth cloaks aren't infallible."

Dust found himself feeling a little defensive of the mare now. Fluttershy was a little old to have some schoolkid bossing her around, “Ace...”

Fluttershy smiled, holding up a hoof and stopping Dust before he could speak. That done she turned to Ace, fixing him with a gentle smile, "Ace Gold, you're quick and quiet and good in a close quarters fight aren't you?"

He paused, worry passing across his face, "Yes...?"

"It makes sense." Dust admitted, calculating his plan in his head. Puppy called up maps of the area ahead and fed them to his visor, Dust inspecting the terrain ahead as he laid out his ideas, "Ace Gold and Fluttershy, you try and flank them, keep yourself undetected and attempt to find out where Zenai is being held. Star Swirl, is there anything you can do to make Fluttershy... I don't know, easier to teleport to so you can pick her up in a hurry?"

Star Swirl widened her eyes for a moment before nodding, "Yes, actually."

"Then Star Swirl, Easu and me will stay back, while Fluttershy and Ace try to locate Zenai. When you find her, or you hit trouble, signal us and we'll go in shooting to give you a distraction.” He motioned to her with a hoof, “Show me your radio Fluttershy."

She took it out of her bag, Dust moving over and showing her the buttons, "I don't want you giving away your position, so just send this signal to sign that you need us to attack, and this to indicate you need Star Swirl to teleport to your location. You got all that?"

"Right." Fluttershy looked up at him, the two sharing a private smile, "I won't let you down."

Zenai lay on the cold stone floor, concentrating on her slow, measured breathing. She had already considered her position. The guards were competent and patrolled in large numbers, she had two of them with her at all times.

So she lay there, saying nothing. She took short naps, trying to stay as alert as she could be should the others come to rescue her.

Not that she wanted them to. The last thing they needed was to risk their lives for her. Still she knew they likely would eventually, even if it was just Star Swirl forcing their hand.

She lifted her head as Nazir walked in, two ponies beside him carrying a heavy television set. They placed it down in front of Zenai, leading her to turn her head up to Nazir, “What is this?”

“Our bozz want’z to speak to you.” He stated, hitting a button on the side with his hoof, “Be respectful.”

After a moment of static a voice emerged, low and growly, “I am Khalid Al-Rashid Ibn Faisal Al Saddle, Crown Prince of Saddle Arabia.” The picture faded in after a moment to reveal a tall, middle aged and powerfully built earth pony of alicorn proportions, his fur of a dark sandy colour and a regal, ebony beard gracing his chin, “Please accept my apologies for any rough treatment. Rest assured, the payday for these mercenaries depends on you being delivered unharmed.”
That only raised more questions, Zenai admitting she was lost as to the purpose of this, “What do you want?”

“Peace.” He responded firmly, his tone proud and full of conviction, “I understand that it might not seem this way now, but you are a small part of a vast design. One that will see this world returned to its rightful heirs, and these petty conflicts that mar this world finally put to rest. Though you may suffer now, your imprisonment is simply a passing thing. If you co-operate, I promise that you will be rewarded in time.”

Zenai’s suspicion that he was full of shit couldn’t get any more pronounced, “And how’s kidnapping me help with peace exactly?”

“Your leader, Princess Regina, has an impressive bounty on your head.” He replied, nodding his head with a rather practiced look of calm wisdom, “Once Caesar’s Curse is deactivated and the seas opened you will be a peace offering, delivered from the united zebra territories to Equestria. As rightful ruler of Saddle Arabia I will arbitrate as a neutral party. Thus will the seeds of peace be sown.”

Zenai grimaced, that all sounding rather nice... except for every assumption there being bullshit. This stallion really hadn’t a clue, “There is no united zebra territories!”

He smiled, his face full of rather smug cunning, “Not yet. But when Themba represents himself as such, the mandate will be upon him. He will have the wealth and power of Equestria flowing through his nation, and Caesar’s illegitimate empire of lies will be unable to stop him from reclaiming his lost territories. Thus will the groundwork of the new order be laid down.”

Zenai opened her eyes wide in shock. She had heard this before, “I know you!”

The stallion frowned, “Of course you do. I am the crown prince...”

“You’re the forth voice I heard on the recording I found in Estelle, you were talking with Princess Luna, Themba and Abartili!”
He paused, looking uncomfortable. Finally he answered, regret in his voice, “Yes. Estelle was such a shame, as was Princess Luna.”

Zenai glared, biting her lip, “A shame?”

“Abartili was a drug addict, his paranoia and erratic conduct risking destabilizing everything we had worked for.” He nodded sadly, “I despise violence, but his death was necessary. Both to tie up the loose end he represented and to finally reveal Caesar’s barbarism to the world.”

“You killed those ponies, not Caesar!”

“Caesar’s father raided hundreds of caravans, destroyed dozens of peaceful trading towns, all to finance his illegal rebellion against rightful authority.” Khalid stated with barely restrained venom, “He has no right nor claim to those lands. Themba’s family on the other hand is one that has watched over the Golden Coast for countless generations, formed of the most noble of zebra stock.”

“This is about elitism...” Zenai growled, feeling the anger grow, “And you, what the hell are you? There is no Saddle Arabia! The camels are in charge!”

“No.” He stated firmly, nobly, his nose rising into the air with indignant anger, “We have placed the camels as stewards over our lands during the current crisis, and they have done an admirable job. They will be granted the finest rewards when I return to the throne, and I will prove my worthiness for it with this. Peace between us, Equestria and the united zebra territories. I will undo what the ponies and zebra have wrought.”

“You son of a bitch...” Zenai growled, realizing at the pit of her stomach just what a class operation this really was.

Princess Luna, Abartili and now Khalid. When she had first heard their communication, seen the things done in Estelle she had assumed some vast secretive conspiracy, possessed of real, honest power. Now... it was just a collection of the naive, stupid and desperate, fighting for legitimacy in a world that had left them behind, "This plan is just going to get you, and a lot of other ponies killed!”

Khalid sighed dramatically, “Ponies die. But a chance for peace...”

“Ponies like Princess Luna and Abartili! Your own allies! What does that say about this plan of yours?!"

He looked shaken at this, struggling for his words, "Princess Luna died through her own actions..."

"She died in battle against an opponent far stronger and cunning than she was." Zenai shouted, "When you talk about you and Themba being the representatives of the new world... Themba had power, had mighty armies and he still lost the war against Caesar's father. How do you figure that it would go better a second time?"

Khalid's expression grew angry, "Do not lecture me on that war."

"Well then learn your lesson from it!" Zenai shouted, "Your conspiracy is already two down, and you barely scratched Caesar. He's smarter than you, and so is Starhammer. They'll be the ones leading the zebra nations, and when they find out what you have done..."
"No!" Khalid shouted suddenly, cutting her off. He looked honestly furious now, his dignity lost, "I will willingly die before I see Caesar rule."

"Why? Why do you hate him so much?"

"Because I know what that line is capable of." He stated grimly, “My sister, an innocent ambassador of peace, was tortured and killed by his father, body put on display for all to see. He stated that it showed exactly what he thought of peace.”

“And Caesar isn’t his father!”

Khalid shook his head, “Blood will show. He is of the line of the Silver Imperious, the genetically bred enforcers of the most vicious of the Star Demons. For a thousand years that blood has dwelt within the deadliest, most vicious and least honorable of all the zebra, and I will be damned before I let one of that line sit on the throne.”

"You're as bad as Luna, holding onto old grudges that the recipients had nothing to do with!" She spat, letting her fury out unrestrained, "And it's going to end the same way!"

Khalid drew back in shock before glaring furiously from the screen, "I did this for you, to make you understand, to reassure you that all this has a purpose...!"

"Luna did that too."

"What...?"

“She stood in front of us, tried to make us understand, tried to assure us it was all for the greater good.” Zenai shook her head, angry at the mare for being so stupid. For getting herself killed, when she could have achieved so much, "And she did it too late. But it's not for you. Call the mission off, let me go, stop this madness."

"I..." Khalid hesitated for several long seconds, frozen in place. Finally he drew away, shaking his head as he hit a button and the image faded.

"I can't believe it." Nazir stated with a big grin on his face as one of the ponies deactivated the monitor, "It was exactly as she said."

Zenai frowned, not expecting that reaction, "Exactly as who said? What are you talking about?"

"Oh no, there are enough monologuerz in thiz world." He chuckled as the television was wheeled back out, "You'll see in time, don't you worry about that."

His evasiveness wound her up even further, "My friends will come for me Nazir!"

"Oh, I know." He gave her a big smile, "I'm counting on it."

Messonera was as oppressive and creepy as described, famously ominous architecture now crumbled into blackened skeletons of former glory. The streets were covered in scattered bones and long decayed military equipment, the bright blue flowers that marked megaspell impacts standing out all the more in the gloom.

All the debris made Nazir easy to track however, and it was much easier to remain hidden as they made their way through the gutted buildings either side of the street. He was just stepping across some loose rocks when he saw Ace staring at him, Dust just staring back until the buck finally decided to draw closer and speak his mind. He looked around for Fluttershy, reassured that she was ahead with Star Swirl but still whispering his words, “How could you send Fluttershy into danger so easily?”

Dust rolled his eyes, “She’s part of the team, and capable of handling herself.”

“Don’t you love her?”

Dust couldn’t help smirking. Oh little foal... “It’s not that simple Ace.”

“It is.” He insisted, “You want to keep those you love away from danger. You want to throw Fluttershy into it.” He glared darkly, “I love her more than you.”

“Most likely Ace, you’ve known her longer after all. But it’s not that simple.” He sighed, not really wanting to deal with Ace’s jealousy now. Still, it was best to clear the air, “I love Fluttershy because she’s smart, courageous and willing to fight for her passions. I love her because she’s willing to face danger, because it’s the right thing to do.”

“And if she dies?”

Dust Kicker sighed. Maybe it was something Ace would never understand, “Everypony I’ve ever had a serious relationship with has faced battle at my side. And some of them I have seen die, yes. But that’s my life Ace, the bullets fly and ponies die. The world has shifted so many times in my life, I’ve learned to accept that in a moment... everything could change.”

Ace let his head fall, “Everything is finite.”

“Yeah.” He smiled, looking ahead to Fluttershy. Her perfect smile, her determined stride... he felt affection for her he hadn’t for a long time, and to be honest... he still couldn’t quite believe she was real, “Honestly Ace, I think Fluttershy is going to outlive us all. She’s not like us.”

Ace took a deep breath, “I know what you mean.” He glared up at Dust sulkily, “I still hate you.”

Dust grinned, “Yeah.”

“Do you think we’re going to pull this off? Save Zenai? The plan seems risky.”

“It is.” He acknowledged, deciding to be honest, “I’m gambling with high stakes here, but it’s the best option of a bad bunch. The pragmatic option would be to just leave her. Trying to save her now means walking right into a trap, risking everypony here...”

“But we can’t just leave her.”

“No.” Dust nodded, looking ahead into the ruined city, “So I’m going to give it everything I have. And what happens... will happen.”

They continued through the ruins, watchful for any sign of Nazir’s mercenaries. Dust had ordered Puppy to be on full alert for any sign of trouble, rather pleased when he spotted them first, "Hotel to the left."

It did indeed appear to be a hotel, a half collapsed sign stating it was... something to do with royalty? It certainly looked like it had once been very impressive, solidly built and rather military styled, with the aggressively blocky architecture he had seen around Star Fall. Statues of stern looking zebra still ringed the building, a mostly faded relief on the facing side reading off some pretentious quote.

There were also two mercenaries standing at the front of the building, clearly part of Nazir's group. That meant this was the place.

It was very defensible. Unlike many of the buildings around it there were no obvious breaches in the lower floors, obviously why it had been chosen. Except... "That building next door, it's leaning against the hotel see? From the fourth floor on you could easily jump between the two buildings.

Fluttershy looked a little less than enthusiastic, "It... looks like it's about to fall down."

"It's been there long enough, it must have reached equilibrium." Ace pointed out, inspecting the building assessingly, "It looks stable, at least stable enough for two ponies."

Dust looked around, sharing some of Fluttershy’s concern but unable to think of a better idea, “It looks like the only way in Fluttershy. We could try something else but...”

"No... I'll trust you on this then Ace Gold." Fluttershy finally conceded, "I just hope we don't drop a building on poor Zenai..."

Fluttershy admitted this was easier than she thought, thinking that maybe Ace Gold might have a point. He was an engineer major after all, though she noted that that was electronic and mechanical engineering, not construction.

Still nothing bigger than your occasional spider fell on them as they made their way through what looked like it had once been office buildings, on alert at all times for any enemies. They made it up to the sixth floor just to be safe, Fluttershy engaging her stealth cloak as they advanced on the wall facing the hotel.

The corridor led to an office, a fairly small but still useable window leading to a gap short enough to reach across. It faced another window that led into the hotel opposite, looking into what looked like one of the guest rooms. Fluttershy tried not to look down as she advanced to the edge, noting that after all this time she was still scared of heights.

Really scared of heights. And this time, she couldn't fly.

"Ace... catch me if I fall..." She whispered quietly, feeling just a tiny bit sick.

"It's only a short climb."

"I know, but..." She took a deep breath, closed her eyes...

And opened them again, because she couldn't see what she was doing.

"Fluttershy!" Ace quietly insisted.

"Right!" She shouted a little louder than she intended, reaching out and grasping the window sill.

There. Now just a little pull...

“Fluttershy, what are you doing?”

She gave a whimper as her body froze up, knowing any second she was going to lose her grip and fall to her death... “Help! Help!”

Ace slammed into her and she was catapulted through the window, rolling inside and onto the floor of the hotel in an undignified heap. She gasped in relief, rather embarrassed when Ace Gold hopped up with little fuss and delivered her a rather sassy eye, "I thought you were joking when you told me you were scared of heights."

She glared moodily before clambering back onto her hooves, shaking her head clear and trying to regain her dignity, "I don't know how you stand it, all that... height, and having no wings to save you if you slip?"

"Don't slip." He replied as he walked past her.

"You are getting so sassy lately." She commented grumpily, feeling her elder's privilege slip away, "A little respect would be..."

"Shush!"

She clamped her lips shut, looking around Ace as he stared through the open doorway. Standing just a short way away was a large, solidly built zebra, a assault rifle dangling from a harness. She felt her heart skip a beat as Ace carefully stepped over, tensed his body...

He leapt, the zebra just looking up as Ace struck him in the back of the head with a flying elbow, slamming him into the ground and giving him another hard punch just to be sure. The zebra struggled briefly before going limp, Ace looking around and waving Fluttershy on.

She smiled at him as they advanced, rather proud of how well he was putting his skills to work out here, and how his blindness barely seemed to phase him anymore. She knew that he was an excellent martial artist, still she had never appreciated just how good.

They carefully made their way through a selection of empty rooms, slowly making their way around the building. There was some sort of courtyard in the middle of the hotel, Fluttershy scanning the windows for anything of interest.

"Anything?"

Fluttershy shook her head, "No."

"I can't get a good reading through these walls." Ace complained, horn glowing a little brighter, "This place is heavily saturated with radiation, it makes everything so fuzzy that I can barely see beyond this room."

Fluttershy bit her lip, knowing they were on the clock here, "Maybe we should try and go down a floor."

"Yeah." Ace started toward the door, shaking off the tension, "This floor is almost clear of guards, it can't be..."

A hoof lunged out of the doorway as Ace passed, slamming into the buck's jaw and sending him skidding across the floor.

“ACE!” Fluttershy shouted as a pegasi charged out from the doorway, a truly pathetic looking specimen with ratty, uncared for fur and a scrawny, underfed frame. All the same he moved with surprising power, Ace kicking out but hitting nothing but air. The pegasi smirked and span around to jab Ace hard in the jaw with a back hoof, Ace growling and swinging back... to once again hit nothing but air.

Something was wrong. Ace wasn’t fighting at anywhere near his normal skill.

“Fluttershy!” He yelled as he took yet another nasty hit, “I can’t get a bead on this guy! His... stench, it’s messing with my sight!”

Fluttershy lifted her shotgun reluctantly, not wanting to fight. Still if she had no choice, she... wait.

Something... to her left. A sickening, horrid nothingness, malice untainted by true emotion. Fluttershy looked round and found herself staring into the barrel of a heavy pistol, desperately slamming her hoof down upon the communicator as a talon tightened on the trigger.

Dust looked down at the communicator, the light clearly blinking. Nothing ever went smoothly, “Time to go, Fluttershy needs a distraction.”

They galloped towards the front entrance, the two guards looking up at their approach. Puppy quickly highlighted three snipers at the windows, Dust whispering to Easu and Star Swirl, “Easu, take the two guards. Star Swirl, give us a shield right after we’ve fired.”

Dust activated his Eyes Forward Sparkle and delivered a double tap of his rifle, downing the first sniper with two through his head. Easu’s own shots were no less accurate, pistol bursts taking both the guards almost simultaneously. Returning fire from the snipers bounced off Star Swirl’s shields, Star Swirl then deactivating them as Dust and Easu took them both out with pinpoint efficiency.

They burst through the front door, Dust hesitating at the sight in front of them. Nazir had been ready for this, the hotel lobby absolutely covered in mercenaries. They had constructed a barricade on the bottom floor and squatted behind it in a intimidating looking gunline, snipers on the balcony above surrounding them on all sides.

And they hit the gunline like a tornado, Dust Kicker never so happy to run with this crew.

"Snipers along the top balcony! Highlighted!"

Dust activated his eyes forward sparkle and aimed up at the balcony, Puppysmiles throwing him up targeting solutions. He studied the information and in front of him and quickly worked out the best plan of attack, reality blurring into motion once more. His sniper rife and shotgun span to strike down four opponents almost simultaneously, his shotgun tearing apart the entire balcony and sending it raining down upon those below.

Star Swirl shattered their barricade apart with a blast of her horn, her telekinesis flinging shards of broken wood backwards to scythe through their ranks. Easu came out behind her with guns blazing, sending pinpoint shots through foreheads one after another. Bullets came back in response of course, pinging off Dust's armor, thudding uselessly against Easu's thick hide or dissolving against Star Swirl's shields.

In the back a final sniper had just lined up a headshot when wrinkled hooves reached out of the shadows and snapped his neck with a simple twist.

"Keep pushing!" Dust yelled as he charged onwards, "Don't give them a chance to regroup!"

Fluttershy winced as the pistol discharged with a roar, the flame licking the barrel as hard lead flew straight at her. She tried to dodge to the left, even though she knew there was no way to dodge a bullet...

Which left her rather surprised when she did, dust swirling around her as she found herself a good meter across the room, the bullet slamming into nothing but concrete. She looked down at her hooves, searching for comprehension.

“Did you just... fucking teleport?”

Ace looked up in surprise at the voice, “Ari...!”

“Shut up you.” The smelly pony growled as he kicked Ace to the floor, looking round at his companion, “I can’t do that. Can pegasi do that where you’re from?”

The surprise faded from Arick’s face, the griffon chuckling. His eye floated across Fluttershy’s form in... respect? Admiration? Attraction? She wouldn’t but anything past him, the griffon padding across the ground as he continued to stare, “Well, well, well... Element of Kindness... you’re looking amazing Fluttershy, if I may say so.”

She glared, not feeling very kind right now, “You may not.”

“It’s going to be a fucking honor to kill you.” He brought his gun up once more, “But teleportation or not, you’re still just one old woman.”

"Careful everypony, Puppy's detected an ambush beyond that wall."

Star Swirl expanded her senses as they ran towards the next door, quickly locating the life signs in question. She charged up her magic, feeling it collect at her horn, slowing her heart rate and calming her mind, "I'll scatter them. Back me up."

A surge of magic and she was in the middle of a defensive barricade, surrounded by heavily armed mercenaries. They had a second to react as she charged her magic once more, halfway through desperate turns and yells of challenge before she unleashed her spell. They were instantly all suspended in mid air, elevated out of cover, off balance and scrabbling for their weapons. The spear of Celestia appeared at her side and span in a powerful arc, carving through ballistic armor like butter. A moment after and the others burst through the door, guns blazing.

"Boss, they're through the second barricade!"

Zenai smirked, drinking in the shocked expression on the radio officer. Her friends had come from her, and they were more than a match for these thugs, "Maybe you should try negotiating."

Nazir scowled at her, loading up his rifle and barking orders to the others, "Get everything that can hold a gun out there in the courtyard, get some flanking fire down on them!" He turned an evil eye to Zenai, simmering with barely contained malice, "And you... don't you worry, one way or another you've got a role in this little drama that I will see done."

Fluttershy rolled on to her side and swept her shotgun out from under her, grabbing the trigger with her teeth and wincing as it slammed into her shoulder from the recoil. The shot went slightly wide as a result, flying high and to the left, peppering the left side of Arick’s face. He screamed in pain, flapping his wings to drive himself skywards and firing his pistol wildly in her direction. Fluttershy took one shot in her shoulder before she managed to activate her wind walking, appearing in a swirl of circling dust a few meters away and firing another blast of her shotgun. This took him straight in the chest and sent him flying backwards to skid along on his back, Fluttershy turning to where Ace was still struggling with the smelly pony.

Arick soon gained her attention back however, finishing his slide by summersaulting through a break in the outside wall and opening his wings wide to reveal only some minor damage to his body armor. Fluttershy swung round and tried to get an aim on him but he suddenly burst into movement, soaring upwards across the building’s exterior and out of her sight. Fluttershy had only a moment to consider helping Ace before the griffon came back through the open window to her left and slammed into her with crushing force, seizing her in a wicked claw.

Fluttershy gasped in pain, then activated her wind walking once more. To her horror however Arick maintained his grip, both of them coming back out of it far removed from her intended destination, suspended midair to crash down upon the concrete in a whirling, struggling mess.

Dust was amazed at how well they were doing, having easily taken down near twenty of the mercenaries while taking barely a single injury so far. He figured that they were approaching the central area, and that the mercenaries couldn't have too many more ponies to throw at them by now.

And then they burst out into the open, Dust seeing light above his head and looking up at the sun beaming through blackened steel and crumbling masonry. This appeared to be a large garden for the hotel, the remains of benches and dead trees poking through the dirt and a thick forest of blue flowers in the corner where a megaspell must have hit. Puppy quickly highlighted up a row of enemies near a stone fountain, Dust barely outside when he saw Star Swirl teleport forward to meet them. As expected he was soon greeted by the sounds of screams, bandits falling to her hooves as she made quick work of them.

Puppy's voice called out in his ear, a large framed form highlighted as it stepped out of the darkness, "Dust Kicker, third floor balcony!"

He looked up as a large female minotaur emerged, sweeping up a heavy minigun. And Dust knew all too well how good Calope was with it. He yelled a warning and leapt for cover as the ground exploded around him, her weapon punching out a steady stream of death.

Star Swirl yelled something at the minotaur, her horn flashing with light. Instantly a shield formed around Calope, stopping the same way they had stopped her before. Once again sealing her within an airless bubble as she struggled for breath, leaving her totally defenseless as her oxygen ran out.

But not for long.

The shield trembled and failed as a heavy bullet punched straight through Star Swirl's shields and armor, splattering the mare's organs across the dirt. Star Swirl's eyes opened wide, her ruined body tottering for a moment before she dropped with a wet thud.

"Star Swirl!" Easu broke cover and sprinted with terrifying speed, his hooves a blur as he kicked up a cloud of dirt in his wake.

Dust leaned out, eyes stuck for a second on Star Swirl lying motionless in a pool of her own blood. He quickly tore them away to study the seemingly empty battlefield, aware they were in a killing zone, "Puppy, give me a location on that sniper!"

"D...done..." She stated, her voice clearly shaken. A green outline set around Nazir himself, grinning triumphantly upon a fourth floor balcony some distance away with his anti tank rifle propped upon a stone ledge. His face set into a snarl as he clearly spotted Dust Kicker, Puppy throwing up aim corrections.

Dust Kicker discharged his rifle with a crack, Nazir's eyes widening. His reactions were as fast as he his mouth and the camel ducked just in time, the bullet just taking off an ear. A moment later and Calope's minigun swept round, bullets tearing through the bench Dust was squatting behind. He was forced into a mad sprint for some better cover, knowing that at any moment someone was going to get a decisive shot on him.

It had taken attention off Easu however, and his darting, powerful progress across the garden made him very difficult to track, especially for the bulk of Calope's heavy weapon. It wasn't a moment later that more mercenaries charged out from the surrounding buildings to counter him, all running into cover and lining up shots on the zebra. Easu was totally exposed and though Dust wanted to help he just didn't have a good firing position, his desperate snap shots just pissing them off.

And then mercenaries started dropping, a trail of destruction linked by dirt kicked up by invisible hooves. First one, then two, then three, battered them into unconsciousness with their weapons disassembled around them. One of the smarter mercenaries noticed the soft hoof prints and opened up with his machine gun, resulting in a cry of pain, splattered blood and the fading static of a stealth cloak.

The elderly, scarred female zebra grunted at the deep wound in her side, moving into a lightning fast sprint and slamming a hoof into the mercenary hard enough to send him skidding across the sands. Another charged at her flank with a knife clutched between his teeth and she kicked him away with jaw breaking force, screaming as a shotgun blast caught her in the side.

Dust rolled behind a planter, sighted up and blasted the shooter through the head with his rifle. He watched the elderly zebra stagger a little further and desperately reach for a harness of healing potion vials, only for her strength to give out at the last moment. She slumped down, not stirring again.

“How would you like it if I took your eye Fluttershy?!” Arick screamed as he took Fluttershy’s cheek in his talon and slammed her head down, claw hovering over her face with dangerous intent, “What do you think oh great mare of harmony?! Any words of wisdom for...?!”

She balled a blob of blood and mucus in her mouth, took a deep breath and spat it straight in his remaining eye, pulling back as he loosened his grip in surprise.

“GARGH!” He lifted his talon into a fist and brought it down towards her skull, Fluttershy just managing to roll her head away. The fist accordingly hit the concrete with a thud and a painful crack, Fluttershy pretty certain he had fractured a couple digits, probably cracked in the osseous tissue in his tarsometatarsus. Yes, that was right, she was an orthopaedic specialist. She decided to use that to her advantage, throwing her weight against the injured bone and displacing it all the way, “NAGHHH!”

He released his hold on her, Fluttershy kicking him away and scrambling for her hooves. She wasn’t quite fast enough unfortunately, screaming as he reached up with his remaining foreclaw and took firm hold of her hair. She struggled, yelling out in pain despite her best efforts, “Ah! Let...”

“No... no.” He pulled her backwards towards him by the roots, “You’re going to pay for that...”

Fluttershy steeled herself, and for the first time in her life was thankful for her thinning hair. She drove herself forward, allowed herself but a wince as whole strands of her hair were torn away and hit the ground rolling. Her mouth found Arick’s discarded pistol, eyes narrowing as she swept it up at the charging griffon.

He threw himself upwards, taking the shot on his chest rather than his face. It still flung him backwards, crashing through a plywood wall with a scream and dropping like a stone off the edge of the building.

Fluttershy gasped, finally drawing breath back into her lungs as she absorbed the silence.

Silence.

She looked around, Ace choking on the floor as his opponent drove his hoof into the buck’s neck. Ace was clearly out of the fight, muzzle bloody and left aft leg splayed at an old angle, the smelly pegasi grinning triumphantly as he pressed harder, and harder...

Then Fluttershy shot him through the temple, grin still playing on his face as he hit the ground.

Ace gasped his first breath in a while, choking for a second before looking down at his quite dead opponent. Then he looked at Fluttershy, eyes widening, “What happened to... did you beat him? Did you kill him?”

“I...” Fluttershy had to pause suddenly, feeling very light headed. She wondered if she was having a heart attack for a moment, before realising it was something far more prosaic. She quickly ran over to a corner, emptying her lunch in a few sharp heaves, feeling every single one of her muscles ache like never before. She recovered enough to straighten out, her voice strained and pathetic as Ace Gold limped over to see if she was alright, “I’m... far too old for this...”

¬
Dust growled in frustration as he ducked away from another group of incoming mercenaries, his last grenade stunning them and giving him time to spray them with a burst of automatic fire. A satisfying series of status bars indicated they were disabled, Dust ducking back and studying the battle as he calmly reloaded.

Calope laughed, loud and aggressive as she fired her weapon in a wide arc and tore the battlefield apart in a barrage of high caliber bullets. Easu slid past her shots on his side before unclipping a grenade and flinging it at a window just under her. It discharged with a roar of collapsing masonry, Calope yelling out, flinging her minigun aside and leaping through the air to land with a roll just beyond the cloud of rising dust. She pulled out a pair of submachine guns from her sides and opened up, Easu dodging left and right as he returned fire with his pistols.

Dust wondered who was going to fall first. Easu took dozens of shots without slowing, his own bullets seeming to do little but annoy the minotaur. Dust levered up his rifle and fired at her head, taking out her eye and causing her to roar in pained rage. She reached backwards with a mighty hand, grabbing a heavy block of masonry and holding it before her as she charged forward with a bellowing scream.

"Anti-tank rifle!" Puppy screamed again.

Dust acknowledged Puppy's warning and darted out from the planter just as it exploded in a cloud of debris. He rolled, skidding past some dying plants and following Puppy's arrow towards Nazir above. He rolled onto his side, his targeting reticule hovering over the camel, "Got you..."

He fired, Nazir firing at the same time. The result was obvious, the heavy anti tank round shattering his own bullet apart mid air.

Dust leapt sideways with a force he didn't know he possessed. As such, he only lost one side of his armor, stinging pain from shattered plating and the atomized remains of his rifle scattering into the dirt. He gasped and scrambled for cover, feeling Puppy quickly move to inject a vial of healing potion. Her voice spoke out, full of worry, "Dust Kicker, armor on that side is all gone. Mobility will be... impaired. I'll try to fix it as quickly as possible."

Easu and Calope however were already dancing. They met in close combat, Easu jumping over her thrown bolder and using it as a stepping stone as he leapt across her head with guns blazing. She charged through the hail of bullets and leapt upwards, catching Easu mid leap and slamming him down before her, razing her fist for the strike as she descended.

But just as she was about to finish the zebra a bright purple ray of magic slammed into her chest, stunning her and giving Easu time to wiggle free and roll between her legs. He flung down his entire bandoleer of grenades as he went, leaping backwards and sighting up as he skidded across the dirt.

One shot and they all went up at once, Calope giving one final scream before her bloody torso slammed into the floor and her eyes rolled back in her head. Star Swirl stood gasping behind her, still dripping blood from the huge wound in her torso but upright on four legs at least.

The smoke and ash from the explosion was swiftly caught on the breeze, smothering the battlefield. Dust grinned at the unexpected boon, using Puppy’s targeting systems to his advantage. The green outline around Nazir shone out, Dust moving to the weapons bar and selecting...

Shit. His rifle was gone. He reluctantly switched to his assault rifle, aiming carefully before directing as much raw firepower as he could in the camel's direction. Nazir clearly took a few hits before ducking out of his firing arc, Dust taking whatever he could get as he moved to new cover.

The smoke cleared, Star Swirl coughing up blood as she injected another vial of healing potion. Dust was impressed by the mare's resilience, still conscious and moving with what looked like both her lungs still torn apart. Easu seemed similarly pleased, galloping over...

Before more mercenaries poured out from the surrounding buildings, bullets slamming into the exposed alicorn. Her shields struggled and failed pretty quickly, Star Swirl pretty much unable to do anything but take it as bullets slammed into her body. Dust cursed at the terrible tactical position they were in. Star Swirl was right in the middle of the battlefield where she could be flanked on all sides. Not to mention that she was just too big for any available cover, and didn't even have any ranged abilities to defend herself. He was also well out of hearing range, he couldn’t even shout for them to regroup.

Instead he just rose out of cover, aimed up and discharged his assault rifle in a series of quick, short bursts. Mercenaries dropped... but not fast enough.

"ANTI TANK RIFLE!"

Easu cursed, seeing Nazir at a new window aiming up on Star Swirl with a sneer on his face. He loaded up his assault rifle, closed one eye... “Puppy, activate EFS, give me a firing solution!”

“Yes Dus...!”

And then something hit him hard in the head, Dust closing his eyes as his visor shattered and the roof of his helmet bounced away. He gasped in pain, blinking away blood and watching Puppy's image fuzz out of existence. He tried to fire his rifle but his vision swum from the concussion, unable to do anything but watch as Star Swirl stood there like a great big target...

Nazir was about to blow Star Swirl in half and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Then he felt his armor grow hot around him, his fur standing on end. Pink energy shone out.

Nazir fired, the bullet hitting empty earth. Star Swirl yelled in desperate pain as she was flung through the sky by a bright burst of telekinesis, blood streaming from her wounds as she sailed limply through the air to slam down into the blue flowers in a tangle of bloody flesh. Dust gasped at the sight, trying to work out exactly who had just done that. Because despite all indications, it couldn’t possibly have been... "Puppy, what just...?"

"I'm... s...s...sorry... Dust...."

Her feed shut down, his heads up display going dead and his audio fading to static. The servos seized up, his pipbuck giving a low whine before fading out with a shower of sparks and the smell of burning plastic. A second later and the latches disengaged, Dust sent stumbling out to land with a thump onto the churned up ground. He looked behind, eyes widening at the sight of the blackened, burned out armor, smoke still rising from sparking components.

Easu glanced at Star Swirl’s motionless form, a second before another wave of mercenaries broke through the door. Esau turned to face them, firing his guns, dodging into cover behind a broken statue and injecting a healing potion as he calmly reloaded.

Dust did the same, panting in exertion. They had to be getting there now, how many of these bastards had they killed? They just had to be running out...

And then one of the mercenaries pulled out a rocket launcher and fired it straight at the statue. It exploded into razor sharp fragments, Easu flung away to crash through the dirt with blood streaming from his wounds. Dust cursed and instantly burst into action, grabbing the assault rifle off his ruined armor, seizing the mouth grip between his teeth and running forward.

Just like old times. His body was stiffer, his breaths more ragged. But he had carried a rifle like this during his first days as a mercenary, met battle with the wind on his fur just like today.

He opened up with his weapon, the zebra with the rocket launcher hitting the ground with a flaming bullet in his throat. The zebra beside him fired a rifle shot and Dust felt it thud beneath him as he lifted his hoof, firing a return burst that sent the zebra's weapon spinning away.

He felt his heart lift as Easu pulled himself out of the dirt, reaching for a healing potion. The relief was cruelly stolen away as a anti tank round took Easu's left hoof straight off, the force of the impact throwing him through the air to slam limply upon the bloody ground. Dust growled and threw himself sideways, rolling across the dirt and sending a stream of bullets upwards at the balcony.

Nazir’s curse echoed across the courtyard, first as his rifle was blown in two, second as a bullet clipped his face and burned all the way across his eye.

“Got you fucker... agh!” Dust winced as a bullet caught him in the stomach, gasping and scrambling to his hooves as more struck the ground around him. He fired back but already saw them flanking, well aware that he was now all alone. He took several deep breaths, calming himself as he charged into battle against... seven well armed opponents.

Was today a good day for it? Saving a friend... he could die for that. He just wished...

And then a building fell on them.

“Fluttershy, you just saved my life!” Ace exclaimed with breathless awe, desperately looking around the room, “What happened to Arick?”

“I knocked him off the building.” She bitterly explained, wishing she had done more at this point, “Hopefully he fell all the way down and died.”

Ace chuckled, “Fluttershy...”

“Get up there now! They’re both wounded, just finish them off already!”

That was Arick’s voice. He was directly below them. Fluttershy’s head flicked round towards the stairway just beyond the door, hearing stamping hooves heading upwards, “No, no, no...”

“Fuck... we’ve gotta g... damn!” Ace shouted as he tried to hurry back the way they came, only for his leg to buckle under him. He limped briefly before collapsing against a wall, closing his eyes at the pain, “Fluttershy, go!”

Not likely. She took one look at him before unclipping a grenade and hurling it down the stairs, hopeful that it would delay them at the very least. She didn’t wait for the explosion, galloping over to Ace and pulling out some medical supplies, “This is going to hurt...”

The grenade went off. The whole building lurched.

Fluttershy hit the floor with a shriek, her medical equipment clattering down and rolling against the far wall as the floor angled itself to the side, the walls cracking under the pleasure. She looked on in horror as the wall continued to press inwards and the building leaned further into the courtyard below, glass popping outwards and furniture upending. The roof fractured and came down in chunks around them, Fluttershy screaming as one slammed down right beside her head, “Oh no, oh no no no!”

“Fluttershy!” Ace shouted, “We need to get out of here!”

Fluttershy looked around, eyes going wide as the doorways both crumpled and the floor shifted. Her legs failed beneath her, slumping numbly against the far wall. There was no way out.

They were going to die!

~
Ace Gold wasn't about to hang around any longer, nor be nice about it. In his experience things went better when you just forced Fluttershy to get on with it.

He leapt forward, ignoring the pain in his leg as he tackled her out the window.

They flew through open sky, Ace Gold looking behind to see himself vindicated as a whole section of the hotel completely collapsed on itself in a shower of rubble. If they had waited a moment more they would have both been killed.

Unfortunately it was a long way down.

"ACE! OH NO, OH NO!" Fluttershy screamed, her heart beating about a hundred and twenty beats a second as she clutched him tight, "I CAN'T FLY, YOU KNOW THAT RIGHT?!"

Ace took a deep breath, focusing himself. He was absolutely calm, and there was no need to worry, "We can glide..."

"Ace, the muscles are gone! I can't hold my left wing erect at all!"

"All right..." He reasoned, "I can still work with this. Forgive me Fluttershy."

"What?"

He knocked her grip away and swung round onto her back, aware that the ground was approaching fast. He needed to be quick, reaching down and tearing open some of the stitching on her armor, using his telekinesis to tear down the seam, "Fluttershy, listen closely. Keep both wings completely loose alright?"

"What good will that do?!"

"If you just open one wing it will send us into a spin." And likely break the bone in half too, considering their speed. Ace quickly calculated to account for that, "And... don't panic."

"WHAT!"

He pulled the last seam, Fluttershy's wings nearly hitting him in the face as they exploded outwards and feathers streamed everywhere. Ace winced as he felt their composition with his magic, figuring he should have expected it. In all the time he had known her he could be justified in thinking she was an earth pony, this about the... third time he had ever seen her wings unbound? And naturally, although the feathers were well cared for the muscles and bone were almost completely atrophied. That meant this would most likely... oh, well it wasn't as if they wouldn't need a healing potion after this anyway, "Fluttershy, this is almost certainly going to break your wings."

"WHAT!"

He ignited his telekinesis, slowing them as much as he could without straining himself too much. Then he transferred his telekinesis to her wings, gripping as firm as possibly before spreading them outwards.

After everything they had been through the next part happened surprisingly quickly. Both of Fluttershy's wings did indeed break, causing the left to crumple slightly as he lost his grip on it. It quickly sent them into a spin, the ground rushing up as Ace struggled to hold on...

Dust gasped for air as the dust from the collapsed building finally cleared, covering his eyes as he moved forward. That had certainly been fortuitous, Dust moving over to one of the mercenary corpses to see if they were carrying any healing potions. It was a middle aged zebra, his leg crushed but his saddle bag intact, hopefully containing something...

The zebra rolled over at his touch, seizing his hoof and kicking Dust in the side. Dust reared back and tried to get his weapon aimed but the zebra was too close, the mercenary drawing a long knife and going for the throat...

And then he dropped with a moan and the sharp discharge of a shotgun. Dust backed away with a gasp of relief, having to let out another as he looked up to see Fluttershy standing atop a large chunk of rubble, “Celestia’s teats Fluttershy...”

She let out her own sigh and raised a hoof to her forehead, not looking too good herself now he had a chance to look at her properly. Her head was bleeding, her armor torn up in several locations and her wings hung broken and limp across her sides. Still she smiled as he approached, strained and clearly in pain but still a smile, “Sorry I’m late. Did I drop a building on you?”

“No, just the bad guys.” Dust realized this was no time for flirting, deciding to get to the important stuff, “Fluttershy, we have a lot of wounded.”

“No shit...”

Dust turned, seeing Ace laying nearby with his hoof splayed beside him, bone sticking from tattered flesh. Dust winced at his initial assessment, the buck wasn’t going to be much help for the time being, “Hang in there Ace. Fluttershy, Easu had his leg taken off, he should be just over that way. The zebra that’s been helping us, she took a few hits and fell unconscious at the far end of the courtyard. Star Swirl...”

“I’m here...”

And it was her, Star Swirl staggering out with bullet wounds still healing, her stomach furless and raw. She looked like hell to be perfectly honest. And she was glowing, Dust feeling a slight prickle in his ear as she moved over. He approached a step and she quickly held up a hoof warningly, her voice cracked and whispered, "Don't... I'm... storing quite a lot of radiation."

Dust looked her over. His initial assessment was right, she was clearly about to drop. It was then that he was reminded where she had landed, "Star Swirl, did you just absorb all the radiation from a megaspell impact? Isn’t storing too much... dangerous...?”

She glared, “I don’t care.”

He really didn’t like the look in her eye, reminded that alicorns were warned against excess radiation exposure due to the possibly of it causing... mental defects, “Ok... Star Swirl, stay here and look after Ace. Fluttershy...”

“I’m on it.” She stated firmly before galloping off towards their fallen friends. He watched her go, once again reminded why he was so damn attracted to her.

“I’m going to save Zenai. I can feel her now, she’s nearby.”

He turned to Star Swirl, inspecting her skeptically, “Star Swirl, you’re in no condition for further combat.”

“And Zenai needs saving.” She stated back, her eyes flashing with a crackle of balefire, “I can rest when she’s safe.”

“Ok...” He looked to Ace, “We’re going in. Puppy burnt out a lot of her systems, when you can walk again, check on her for me?”

“Sure...”

Star Swirl cursed, then turned away to gallop towards the far door, “We don’t have time for this!”

Dust reluctantly followed as she headed into the building, just hoping she didn’t do anything stupid. They had taken enough causalities for one day.

Zenai winced as Nazir broke through the door, his body blooded and his face panicked. The mercenary guarding her clearly saw his boss’s distress, moving away and drawing his weapon, "Boss, what's the matter?"

Nazir took a moment to compose himself before speaking grimly, "They're a force of fucking nature. I can't stop them. Lozt near half the team."

Zenai could help smiling. They had come for her, and they were winning...

He growled and stepped forward, backhoofing her across the jaw, "Don't you dare you little bitzh. You've cozt uz a lot of good soldierz." He looked up at the guard, grimly insistent, “Take her to the back of the room, we have to do this now...”

The door burst open, Star Swirl rushing in. She looked like crap and her horn spluttered weakly as the guard fired his shotgun at her, her shield shaking at the impact of the pellets. Indeed Star Swirl staggered backwards with a few new wounds on her coat and Zenai felt her heart skip a beat...

Dust Kicker came out from behind Star Swirl, his assault rifle discharging with a roar. It hit the guard in the chest and flung him into the far wall, the blood splatter on the wall marking it as a kill shot. Zenai gave firm cheer, though her voice froze in her throat as Nazir dodged behind her and placed a pistol to the back of her skull, "Don't move, or I'll blow her head off!"

Dust Kicker tried to circle but stopped as Nazir poked the gun harder against her head, growling warningly. Dust sighed and put his rifle back down upon the ground, tone diplomatic, "Ok Nazir, you hold the cards."

"I've got nothing you little shitz!" He cried, sounding desperate now, "You've killed half my crew!"

"And you're still alive, so give up while you're ahead."

Star Swirl snarled at him, her body tense and twitching in pain and fury, "Let her go!"

Nazir was silent for what seemed like an eternity, his voice when it finally emerged full of bitter hatred, "While I'm ahead huh?"

He shoved Zenai in the back, sending her staggering along on her tied hooves. She saw Star Swirl moving to catch her, smiling in joyful relief, "Star Swirl, I'm so, so sorry..."

There was a sudden crack, and the feeling of impact on the back of her head.

Then... it was peaceful. It felt nice.

She had been so sad for so long. Now she wasn’t sure what she had been so worried about.

Chapter 3.9 - Fallen Angel

View Online

Star Swirl watched Zenai drop, the words of her apology still on her lips. Star Swirl's telekinesis took the zebra's limp body in its grasp before she hit the floor, her magic scanning her injuries.

She... Star Swirl scanned her again and again, praying, hoping that in a moment there wouldn't be a hole where her brain stem used to be, that her heart was still beating, that every organ wasn't simultaneously going into shock. That Zenai wasn't...

A stun grenade exploded overhead, Star Swirl screaming in pain and shock as she dropped Zenai sprawling and her own legs collapsed under her. She heard Dust Kicker grunt in pain, looking round to see him struggling to aim with a bloody hole in his chest.

Then she looked round at Nazir and her body reacted all by itself. She teleported forward and came out of it with a kick that propelled him straight through the plaster wall behind.

He came out of the wreckage rolling, his heavy pistol discharging against Star Swirl's shields. Her rage only built higher as the bullets bounced uselessly away, feeling the deep well of radiation stored at her heart. He had no idea what an alicorn could do. He had no idea what SHE could do.

He didn't stick around to find out, running to the side and darting down a side corridor. It took Star Swirl a second to disengage her shield and follow, running full tilt into a range of complex, twisting passageways. She expanded her senses and found him just a short way ahead, her horn bursting with power as it plowed a huge hole straight through the wall in front.

Nazir looked up in shock as she came straight through the smoking rubble, drawing up his pistol once more. It discharged with a crack but Star Swirl simply summoned her spear and struck the bullet aside, a stunning blast of her horn numbing Nazir's jaw and her telekinesis tearing the gun from him. He staggered back with a note of fear, grasping for his saddlebags... Star Swirl slammed him back with the full force of her telekinesis, plastering him against the floor, "Do you have any idea what I'm going to do to you?!"

"Revenge?" He chuckled weakly, still trying and failing to look confident as he lay defenseless before her, "What would your friends think of you, eh?"

Star Swirl shivered, trying to lock down the well of feeling within her before it overwhelmed all sense. But all the same... she just didn't know how to process this information. That after all they had done, all that they had fought and bled... "Zenai was my best friend... and... she's dead." She gasped, feeling a mighty weight where her insides should be, "You... killed her..."

"Kill me, and you'll never find out who hired me for the hit."

Star Swirl's head jerked up, "Somepony... paid you to kill her?"

He grinned, "Somepony paid me to kill her in front of you."

"WHO!?"

"Oh no, not until..."

She levitated him into the sky, everything within her screaming for revenge. He was a fool to try and reason his way out of this. She probed with her magic, found his nerve endings, and twisted, "TELL ME!"

"GGAGHH!"

"TELL ME!" She leaned forward with eyes glowing a sickly green from the radiation burning within her, horn flashing to cook his flesh with bolts of stinging electricity. She eased the pain for a moment to look him in the eye, "Who hired you! NOW!"

He stared in utter fear now, his arrogance melted away, "It... it was Starhammer... he wanted revenge..."

He couldn't hide the twitches, the hesitation, the excessive blinking, "YOU'RE LYING!"

"No, please!"

A disturbance ahead forced her to look up, eyes narrowing as a beefy young zebra emerged from just down the corridor. He drew up a heavy machine gun and opened fire, Star Swirl's shields enough to save her from damage but not enough that she could do anything to keep Nazir from shrugging out of her telekinesis and getting away. She watched in frustration as he ran towards the zebra and safety, suddenly pausing to turn and slip something from his saddlebag. He gave her a cruel grin as he twisted and hurled it at her, "It's been fun kaz'an, but allow me to leave a parting gift."

The satchel charge landed at Star Swirl's hooves.

...

Star Swirl knew she should have considered this more. Should have thought about the consequences. But thinking was just something she could not do right now. The only thing that didn't hurt was action. So she took action. She took action as the explosion tore through her shields, as the roof collapsed down upon her. As she saw Nazir flee from justice with a grin on his face. She took the action she had been warned against a hundred times, because it was the only one who made sense at the moment.

She had absorbed enough radiation that she glowed in normal light conditions. It was time show them all what an alicorn could really do.

Her head tore through concrete and steel, horn carving towards the sky as she kicked aside chunks of rubble and barged her shoulder through the outer wall. She saw Nazir fly, tumbling down the tide of debris dislodged by her advance. He recovered just in time to see her advance on him, his face a perfectly satisfying look of utter terror as her hooves shook the ground. Power surged off her body, eighty feet tall and crackling with dark energies.

The stocky zebra from before opened up with his heavy machine gun, Star Swirl wincing as a couple of rounds hit home. A full body shield was impractical at this size so she erected a partial shield instead, the wounds quickly healing as she turned her head and used her telekinesis to bring a large chunk of rubble down upon his head. The zebra disappeared from view, a trickle of blood from underneath attesting to his fate.

"Hit her you foolz! You can't exactly MIZZ!"

Star Swirl turned as Nazir rustled up more of his mercenaries, firing upon her with a mix of rocket launchers, heavy rifles and small arms. She tanked a couple of shots before expanding her wings with a shockwave that knocked them all flying, charging forward and slamming her hooves into the hapless mercenaries. A single kick at this size tore free vast chunks of earth, the mercenaries not even standing a chance. Her horn flashed with the fury of suns, it's increased size allowing her to fully command the balefire within her. A group of snipers squatting in the ruins ahead learned this the hard way, vaporized as she swept a beam of glowing energy across their position. A whole building ahead collapsed as the shockwave expanded outwards, Star Swirl shielding herself from the rubble with her telekinesis.

Her eyes then swept across to Nazir, messing around with some rocks as Star Swirl was distracted with his followers. She adjusted her eyes to magnify her vision, easily spotting the satchel charges he was placing underneath the ground.

So he thought he was clever? She expanded her magic, using it to trigger the charges prematurely. His eyes went wide as the charge at his hoof activated.

Her ears rang, shaking the numbness off and avancing forward to view her handiwork.

"Ugh... uh... agh..." Nazir gasped as he lay bleeding upon the rocks, his body torn apart by the explosion. His hoof reached out desperately for his gun as Star Swirl's heavy hooves shook the floor, Star Swirl taking it in her telekinesis and hurling it away. He looked up at her furious expression, cracking a smile, "You little bitch... they sure didn't tell about thiz..."

Star Swirl leaned her head down, horn already crackling with energy arcing barely inches away from him, "Tell me what I want to know or I'll show you what it really is to suffer."

He gasped a chuckle, "You think that'z enough to make me betray my employer?"

Star Swirl sent a wave of pain lancing through his hooves with barely a moment of effort, watching him scream with grim satisfaction, "I was implanted with a star demon, I now possess all her knowledge of how to modify ponies to my will." She loomed closer, horn stabbing nearer and nearer to his chest, "I can carve off your hooves, stitch your mouth shut and render you able to derive sustenance from radiation! You'll lie there a very long time, a miserable, broken cripple!"

He laughed, something sparkling in his eyes as he looked past her towards the sky, "Too late... look, the sun's out."

She frowned in confusion as she looked up, the sun indeed continuing to shine through the clouds above. But as she watched it the sun did indeed seem to get brighter, the light shifting...

A beam of intense, blinding fury shot down, slamming into Star Swirl with such fury Star Swirl swore she must have just been hit by a megaspell. Nazir was vaporized mid laugh, it all she could do to keep herself from the same fate. Her shields failed quickly despite the balefire she fed into them, instead pumping magic into her skin to resist the heat and impact. She shrank her body back to it's original proportions to better ride the energy downwards, slammed into the ground with bone shuddering force...

Ungh... she was still alive...

"She killed the boss, get her!""

Her eyes flicked open, anger focusing her through the pain and concussion. After everything, still they tested her? Still they DEMANDED punishment? A minotaur charged out of the smoke with his heavy rifle readied, Star Swirl not even rising as she used Celestia's spear to cut open his torso and tear out his lungs with her telekinesis. The next zebra to emerge was briefly distracted by his gurgling comrade and took a horn blast to the face, powered by raw hatred it took off half his face. She finished him off with a single stab of her spear as she charged out, clearing the dust from the air with a blast of telekinesis, "WHO, WHO WAS IT!?"

Three zebra stood around her, the first down before he could even react. His head rolled away, the zebra beside him finding her gun batted aside by the end of Star Swirl's spear as she brought it back round. The zebra desperately ducked away from the spinning blade, only for Star Swirl to drive forward and impale her through the eye with her horn while she was distracted.

The final zebra attempted to run, Star Swirl hurling her spear through the air to nail him to the floor. He begged pathetically as she came forward, only angering her more, "She wanted to live too, did you give her a chance?! And she was worth a hundred of you!" She slammed her hoof down, breaking his neck with a sharp crack and letting him slump as she drew her spear back out and flung the blood to the ground.

Her magic alerted her to more life signs, mostly grouped in the building straight ahead. She brought her wings to her side, concentrated her shields in front of her and advanced forward at a slow purposeful pace. Every part of her vibrated now, powered by purpose and understanding. Was this what harmony felt like? To know exactly what you were, and what the world should look like?

She burned off her excess body fat, using it to construct new proteins. Her eyes she adapted for telescopic sight, muscles repositioned for greater agility in close combat. The Goddesses' clumsy work she perfected into what it should have been, pure and completely designed for purpose.

A rocket flew at her, Star Swirl flinging it away with a blast of telekinesis. A zebra sighed up with an anti tank rifle, Star Swirl teleporting to his position as he fired and driving her spear down into his back.

And in front of her was the building she had seen, the bottom floor occupied by former showrooms now loaded up with munitions and supplies, surrounded by dozens of terrified looking zebra and minotaur in mercenary colors. Star Swirl advanced forward, ready to finish this...

But... they weren't even armed. She saw the carts set up beside, saw the medical bands on some of the mercenaries... these were non-combatants, support staff. Star Swirl hesitated, then dimmed her horn. No matter what, killing them was...

A zebra drew a pistol and fired, the bullet easily deflecting off Star Swirl's shield. Her eye twitched, horn spinning round and firing a blast that tore his side away and sent him crashing into a toppling heap of boxes. The others all screamed and scrambled for their own weapons, Star Swirl wincing as a heavy bullet cut across her forehead, "GAGH!"

They had made their decision then. Star Swirl snarled in anger and used her magic to find the triggers on the weapons and explosives within the building. Her magic charged, hotter and hotter... and then she trigged it with one final burst, grenades, mines and missiles all detonating with a roar. A moment later and boxes of chemicals ignited, incandescent balls of flame tearing through the dust and smoke as everything within was wiped from existence. The building came down with a crash, toppling some of those nearby in one destructive shockwave.

They were dead, they were all dead. She had... done it...

Her eyes flicked up. No. She saw several figures flying away from the ruined building, desperate to escape the destruction. She almost let them go, but then she saw the griffon. That smug, familiar face, grinning down at her.

Star Swirl shattered the ground beneath her hooves as she flung herself into the air, magic and radiation sparking out around her as she located her enemies.

Only four. The first was a zebra, opening fire on her from a pair of frail bloodwings. She span around his fire, the spear of Celestia carving him in half as she blasted another zebra from the sky with a flaming horn blast.

Heavy machine gun fire rattled against her shield, Star Swirl looking up to Arick Grimfeathers just beyond her reach. She gave a scream of rage and soared straight at him. He shouted something, lost to the wind. The wind battered against her form, all sound lost to her as she closed...

Something approached from the side and she swept her head around to unleash a horn blast, only to be hit by a firm blast of compressed air that sent her spinning. She tried to regain her balance but was swept up by a cyclone, stinging bullets striking in the sides as she her wings flailed desperately for stable currents.

Her magic flared, shattering the wind against her with such force that that pain ran through her horn. But what was revealed beyond the dying winds hurt all the more, "YOU!"

"Stopth this now." Clear Skies insisted, her deformed features unusually grim as she hovered before her, "I donth wanth to figth."

Star Swirl charged forwards with a scream, her wings angled and the spear of Princess Celestia slashing out. Clear Skies simply moved her wings ever so slightly and she dropped, spinning as Star Swirl passed over her and kicking the spear from her grasp. Star Swirl cried out, reaching for it once more with her telekinesis, "NO!"

"Shouthent rely on weathon in your telekith!" She shouted as she snatched Star Swirl's wing in her back hooves and flung her downwards to spiral gracelessly through the air. She drew her pistols, shooting Star Swirl through both wings, shredding pinion feathers and leaving her struggling for altitude, "And you need thoth work on you'rth flything."

Clear Skies dropped, delivering a kick that knocked the wind out of Star Swirl's lungs and sent her plummeting. Arick soared past, opening his pack and sending a whole bushel of grenades raining down after her. Star Swirl attempted to throw them back with her telekinesis but before she had a chance she hit the roof of the building below and tore straight through it. She did the same to the next floor, clearly fracturing her back and breaking her wings, a moment before the grenades went off as one. The building gave a single whine before falling in on itself, Star Swirl screaming in impotent rage as her broken body fell ever further into a collapsing vortex of dust and stone.

________________________________________________

It was dark, and cold, her broken body racked with pain, her radiation and magic gone. Her mind had long since collapsed into despair and self loathing. She had killed so many, and for what? They had still escaped, Zenai was still dead, and she was... a dying mass murderer. No better than Justicar.

It was better to die now. She... couldn't leave Zenai behind. Not Zenai, not her best friend, not her... rock, in a world of terrible uncertainty. She heard her friend call just beyond the range of hearing, tears running down her face as she prepared herself.

Then the rocks lifted from her shattered body, waves of warmth traveling through her ruined form. The darkened cavern lit up in sunshine light, a healing potion floating by to inject itself into her broken flesh.

She spoke a single word through a ruined throat, "Who...?"

"Oh Star Swirl, I saw what happened and I just had to help." Sweet tones of concern answered, speaking from a beautiful, smiling, kind face peaking through robes of pure white and gold, "I know your pain, believe me."

Star Swirl looked up, desperate for purpose, for direction, "You... know..."

"I walked this land, I saw what it does. Takes the innocent, empowers the cruel." Sunshine Ivory smiled, warm and caring, "I think it's finally time to do something about that."

_________________________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 16 reached
Perk Gained - Grim Reaper's Sprint
You will not stop until they’re all dead. Landing a killing blow will immediately restore all Action Points, allowing the beginning of a new series of attacks immediately.

Trait Gained – Callous
You have been exposed to the horrors of the wasteland and it has made you hard. You lose 2 points of Charisma, and gain 2 points of Endurance.

Chapter 3.10 - The Chronicles of Harmony

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Puppysmiles felt vision return, felt her components boot up. She woke up to Ace's look of intense concentration, the buck drawing back as he saw her start up. He observed her for a moment before questioning her in slow, weary tones, "Are you there Puppy?"

"Yeah, I... I feel odd though." Puppysmiles scanned her systems, tried to initiate a damage report. It came back rather empty, missing... pretty much everything "I don't think my wiring is connected up right. I can only detect my back up battery system and voice modulator."

He smiled in relief, an oddly pleasant sight on the grumpy teen, "Thank Celestia. I was worried we'd lose you too."

"Too...?"

Ace sighed, digging into his pack and holding up a mirror, "I'm sorry Puppy."

Puppysmiles looked into the mirror in horror, seeing reflected there nothing but the grey chunk of star metal that held her and Selene, connected up to some off the shelf computer components, a set of tapped together energy cells and a whole lot of cheap wiring.

She fought for words that described this experience. All she could find were, "Well that kinda sucks..."

"You don't know the half of it." Ace muttered.

The mood in the camp was understandably somber, with most of them still dealing with their injuries on top of everything else. Ace and Easu were both still hobbling on legs bound up in stiff bandages, Fluttershy on heavy amounts of Med-X to deal with the sprains and torn ligaments she had picked up.

Ace's teacher had fled at the first sight of Fluttershy despite her wounds. They could only hope she had got out alright. Star Swirl they hadn't seen since she had run off after Nazir.

And Zenai... "Can I see her?"

One thing she could say about her new situation, she was far more portable. She was currently lying on Fluttershy's back, Puppysmiles feeling she should make an effort to get to know the one member of the group she had the most trouble relating to. Unfortunately and understandably Fluttershy wasn't in the best mood, though she was at least willing to explain the medical care she was applying to everyone. At this question however she was hesitant, her ears drooping, "That... might not be the best idea."

"Why... not?"

Fluttershy sighed, her eyes moving over the little form wrapped in cloth that lay at the side of the camp, "I'm not a undertaker. I only wish..." She finally shook her head, "Her face was quite badly damaged . I'm sure Zenai would like everyone to remember her the way she was."

Puppysmiles felt a tingle of... something. Emotions that she couldn't identify and wasn't really sure how to process. Disapproval maybe, at ponies just being so fragile, at... death not being clean, "I'm sorry... that must have been difficult for you."

"I've seen it before. It's just a body." She stated, her voice surprisingly cold and matter of fact, "The difficult thing is the... her absence, and the events that took her away. Not what's left."

She was... rather surprised by the lack of emotion in her words. It made sense, but that wasn't something she expected from Fluttershy, "Is that how you really feel?"

"We weren't always able to identify the bodies. Back during the war." Fluttershy stated quietly, "We gathered all the parts of a pony that looked the same general color, placed them in a grave and assigned a random dogtag. On a couple of occasions funerals were held for ponies who later turned up alive. And a lot of graves were just filled up with left over parts we had no way of identifying. Some were empty."

Puppysmiles processed this quietly. It didn't seem possible... but of course it was. Her memories from Luna were a thousand years out of date, a griffon talon or a spear didn't leave a body unrecognisable. A bomb or a missile on the other hand... "I..."

"No... please Puppy, ignore me." Fluttershy interrupted, shaking her head as the emotion flooded back into her voice, "It's difficult... but it's not something you should be hearing. I should be ashamed of myself."

"No." Puppysmiles answered with a firm conviction, "I need to learn these things Fluttershy."

"I wish I hadn't." She answered, raising her eyes to the sky, "Looking at that every day, reading the casualty reports, caring for the what was left of the ponies they brought back alive. I couldn't help but feel... what could be worse? And so I took risks, because I couldn't see any other option."

Puppysmiles sighed, understanding a little better... and understanding why Fluttershy wished she understood a little less, "Poor Dust Kicker. He had to bring Zenai back."

"He's seen it before too. And he saw it from an early age." Fluttershy smiled slightly at this, "You know, modern theories theorize that children permanently adapt to the situation they are placed within during their developmental stages, and that it effects how they respond to all future situations."

Puppysmiles supposed it made sense. Ponies after all had colonized so much of the world by being naturally adaptable, "I guess that means... well, you must find all this difficult."

"Ace Gold must find it difficult too." She commented, shooting Puppysmiles' camera a smile, "That's the thing Puppy. Right now, the new world is ruled by those who grew up in the wasteland, who learned the lessons the wasteland taught them. Velvet Remedy approaches problems like a Stable Overmare. Velvet Promises never got over the trauma of being sold into prostitution, then seeing her home destroyed by raiders. High Elder Peach Trees still thinks the NCR is a dangerous frontier full of evil monsters and defenseless civilians." She gave a hopeful smile, looking across to Ace Gold, "But it will be their turn next."

One pony wouldn't get theirs, "Ponies like Zenai?"

Fluttershy head fell, her tones heavy, "Yes, it's true. Zenai... did the things she did, lied to us, didn't trust us... because more than anyone, she understood how out of touch we really are." Her eyes slowly panned over to the small bundle, irises misting over, "She was right, and we were wrong. And yesterday, she paid the price for her bravery in standing up and declaring what we all should have figured out a long time ago."

Puppysmiles inquired hopefully, "You're going to try and save the NCR?"

"I'm going to try."

"I agree!" Puppysmiles cheerfully declared, glad that somepony saw how silly this was all getting, "Now you just have to get the others to stop being silly!"

Fluttershy gave her a questioning look, "Silly?"

Puppysmiles answered in affirmation, glad she finally had a chance to get it off her chest, "You admit that the things Zenai fought for were right. And I thought everypony else did too."

"They do Puppy."

"Then why is everyone just sitting around, being all lazy and unfriendly!" Puppysmiles declared, searching for understanding, "They should be moving forward, trying to make the world a better place! Because Zenai can't anymore. That means... we all have to work that much harder. Instead it seems like everypony has given up." She finished with an angry grunt, looking over with her camera to where the others sat around looking unmotivated and useless.

Fluttershy paused for a moment to consider this, eventually giving a soft sigh, "What you said makes sense Puppy. Unfortunately ponies don't always make sense. Zenai was a part of us, and losing her... it's as shocking as losing a limb."

"I lost my entire body." Puppysmiles pointed out, feeling rather put out by the idea that this was sufficient to make some ponies just give up, "It's annoying, but whining about it won't help anypony!"

Fluttershy considered this, smiling gently and thankfully looking a little perkier and a little more motivated. Maybe she was actually being convinced!

After a short while Fluttershy replied, slightly chastising however, "Puppy, part of working towards harmony is accepting that everypony is different, and we react to events in different ways."

Puppysmiles felt a chill sweep through her, a moment of primal horror, "Is this because... I'm a demon?" She felt the panic grow, wondering if she had admitted something terrible without realizing it, "Is it because I don't care, that I don't... get all depressed and hurt when bad things happen?"

"No Puppy." Fluttershy stated firmly, "I think you care a great deal. As I said, part of harmony is that you accept that not everypony is the same. You just show your grief in a different way."

Puppysmiles wanted to believe her; still her understanding of the word grief just didn't seem to match up with anything she was feeling, "How do I show grief? I... I'm not sure even how to..."

"Dust Kicker told me himself, how he's never seen you more enthusiastic. A day ago you were full of doubt, now you are more devoted to your ideals than ever." Fluttershy looked back at her, giving her a deeply sincere smile, "I think I could learn from that. I think we could all learn from that."

And then she started towards the group, stopping a short way away and addressing everypony in a firm, confident voice, "Excuse me everypony, I would like to say something."

Everyone looked up as Fluttershy spoke up, shocked out of their malaise and all looking rather surprised. Puppysmiles herself had never heard the elderly pegasus sound quite so confident or commanding.

Dust spoke first in reply, nodding his head, "Go ahead Fluttershy."

She nodded back to him, lowering her voice but not abandoning the firmness in her tone, "We need to talk about what we do now."

"We need to find Star Swirl." Easu stated glumly, avoiding everypony's gaze, "I know she's alive, I can feel it. She's nearby... I don't know why she hasn't come back."

Puppysmiles had a reply to this, it feeling good to be helpful, "Don't worry, I can help with that."

Dust looked intrigued by this, "How? All your scanners were destroyed."

"Has everypony already forgotten that I'm the Princess of the Night?" Puppysmiles declared happily, "As soon as Star Swirl falls asleep, I'll be able to find her."

"Handy." Dust stated with a warm grin, moving up onto his hooves and shaking his coat out, "Ok, well that's one suggestion. Did you have something else in mind Fluttershy?"

"Yes." She responded with a nod, "We need to continue to the capital and take control of Caesar's Curse."

"Why?" Ace replied, looking deeply unconvinced, "No offense Fluttershy, but we did what we came here to do..."

"No. We haven't." Fluttershy countered, firmly commanding now, "We came here to make peace with the zebra, to make a better, kinder world. And that's what we're going to do."

Ace grimaced deeply, "Do you really think that's possible now? With everything..."

"No! Don't you dare!" She shouted, making Ace and pretty much everypony else jump out of their skin. She reinforced her unexpectedly intimidating performance by advancing on them, staring each pony in the face as spoke, "Peace is always possible! No matter how entrenched the hate, no matter how much those in charge have to gain from war!"

Easu caused her to pause for a moment, meeting her gaze with one of his own, "You've been here before Fluttershy."

She only hesitated briefly, "Easu... if zebra and ponies... or pony and ponies, or zebra and zebra... if they're going to kill each other and take the world with them, then ultimately that's going to happen whether we help or not." She looked around the camp, expression pleading, "But I believe that now, when the lessons of the wasteland are still so clear in our minds, is the moment where we all have the best chance of finding common ground."

"I don't disagree as such but..." Dust sighed, shaking his head, "You're gambling Fluttershy."

"So did Littlepip." Fluttershy replied, "She refused to take Red Eye's offer, of becoming a god queen who could force ponies to live in peace. Instead she trusted that we would find our own way there."

"At the moment, that idealism is yet to be justified." Easu muttered, turning his gaze back up at her, "Zenai believed in it too, and it got her killed in the end."

Fluttershy stared straight back, expression hardening, "I'm not afraid to die."

"I..." Dust hesitated, looking away in frustration, "Fluttershy, there has to be an easier way."

"There is." She responded, "Give up. Go home. Trust that things will work themselves out."

Ace grunted to himself, stamping his hoof a little, "Damnit Fluttershy, we are not remotely qualified..."

"Well neither was Littlepip. Neither were me and my friends." Fluttershy straightened out, proud and resolute before them, "I believe in what Zenai wanted to do! I believe in Littlepip's vision! And I... believe in myself. We are the best chance anypony has right now, and I will not back down out of fear!"

"Fucking hell Fluttershy, you're pulling me over the coals here..." Dust responded with a tone that seemed torn between amusement and irritation, "...but I believe in you too."

Ace Gold just glared for a moment or two before speaking, "Fluttershy... I think this is a terrible idea, and honestly... I don't think you know what you're doing." He snorted and angrily kicked up some dust, a slight grin moving across his face, "But you're the only pony in my life who's ever made any sort of sense, and I'm not about to say no to you now."

"Burn the world or save it..." Easu considered, finally giving a dark and mirthless chuckle, "I have always faced danger without fear. Perhaps this is the same." He turned his eyes up to Fluttershy, "Perhaps you will show me what ponies are truly worth, for better or for worse."
Dust took a deep breath and gave an exasperated smile, "Well... I guess we should get started."

"No." Fluttershy answered, "There's something we have to do first."

"Gawdina Grimfeathers once said that the roots of the NCR are watered by the blood of those who love it. She knew this better than anyone, having lost so many members of her own family to the battle against the wasteland. And yet despite this her path never faltered, each death driving her onwards to the shining destiny she saw for all of us. The histories of our young nation are written with the blood of the martyrs, and their courage and conviction are an inspiration to all of us. Today another of the brave pioneers has made the greatest sacrifice, giving up their own life so we may all continue to live in peace, strive for the future the Lightbringer showed to us in that day of sunshine and rainbows." Fluttershy bowed her head, shaking away a tear as the earth was piled up upon the tarpaulin that held Zenai's body. She took a deep breath and centered herself, lifting her head and giving a proud smile, "May the chronicles of harmony forever remember her name."

She stepped down, Puppysmiles giving her a moment before speaking, "Thank you Fluttershy. That was so beautiful."

Fluttershy gave a sweet little smile at the praise, "It's not the first time I've said those words. You're right, they were the right ones. I hope they help Zenai find the peace she deserves."

"Is that a pony funeral then?"

Fluttershy lifted her head in surprise, seeing Easu standing just a short way ahead. As ever he looked and sounded rather tense and angry, still Fluttershy only hesitated a moment before answering, "Well they're often a lot more elaborate, but given where we are at the moment... that was the military standard version, when a unit is out in the field." She gave him an inquisitive look, "Is it that different from a zebra funeral?"

"Hmm." He replied with a soft breath, thinking for a moment, "The words are."

Fluttershy smiled, "Those are actually for griffon members of the NCR military originally. They've grown popular among patriots of all species though, and Zenai was very committed to the NCR."

"Zebra funerals are all about what happens to the soul after death, about the return to the holy fire, about wishing the soul well on its journey." He shrugged, "That was more focused on those of us still here, and what we should remember about death. I... like it. It's a lot more practical."

"Ponies tend to be rather worldly, at least when it comes to religion." Fluttershy chuckled, shaking her head with a grin, "We're not so different. Where zebra say holy fire, we talk about harmony. They’re both intentionally vague concepts help us understand the world we give in, give it meaning. We all need ideals that we can believe in, to drive us to virtue when virtue is hard."

"I... don't believe." Easu finally forced out, "I am a member of the Order of Sacred Darkness, the Lampbearers. But I don't not believe that the things in the dark should be embraced, I believe they are evil and dangerous. I am a shaman, but neither I do not believe in some holy fire that begets all life."

Fluttershy turned her head, "Then why?"

"Because I also do not believe that I am worth redemption, that the world will find peace or that our quest will succeed." He turned hollow eyes to her, "But I follow those who do, because for a moment they can almost convince me otherwise. And that is enough to keep me going, when I can see no other reason."

Fluttershy nodded her head, smiling kindly upon the zebra, "I will show you a better world Easu. I will show everyone in time."

He nodded back at her, "I deeply hope to see it Lady Fluttershy."

Puppysmiles stepped into her dream self, feeling it incarnate and solidify around her. She marveled once again at how smooth and easy it was, Luna's far more mortal body having always been hard to steer. Her new spiritual form on the other hand was as smooth as silk as she moved through dreams. She dared to wonder if she might even be better at it.

And as such she easily found the pony she sought, shivering as the she looked around Canterlot. It was a lot worse down here compared to the view from above, the city covered in grim artifacts of the war. Pinkie Pie was watching her, and Zebra were the enemy. The ministry of magic promised wonders that would help end the war, and she was advised to question whether her co-worker could be an enemy spy.

Puppysmiles had lived during this era, yet she did not remember it ever being as bad as this. Posters covered every wall, a weak sun peaking through the clouds to do little but lengthen the shadows. She looked down the street nearby, a major thoroughfare, and saw only a troop of Steel Rangers making a slow march, faceless visors scanning the surrounding houses with grim suspicion.

She took one final look around before hurrying up the steps towards the roof of the house opposite, Canterlot opening up before her. They were on one of the higher levels, near the palace, and so the view would have been spectacular if the city hadn't been so grey and deserted.

And Star Swirl stood there, silently watching. Her hair was longer and streaked with white, her body was thinner with tight muscle stretched across bone. Puppy advanced cautiously, scanning her for reactions as she approached, "Star Swirl."

Star Swirl took a deep breath, reluctant to reply. Finally she turned her head to look back at Puppy, frustration upon her drawn, sunken face, "I'm fine. Go tell them I'm alive, and apologize on my behalf."

Puppysmiles hesitated, still she wasn't giving up that easily, "Easu could feel you were still alive."

Star Swirl turned away, "Of course he could."

"We buried Zenai today. It was nice. You should have been there."

"Uhuh."

"We care about you Star Swirl."

She shifted uncomfortably, her voice shaking slightly, "I understand that, and it's good of you... but I just don't understand."

"Understand what?" Puppysmiles questioned.

"The world, other ponies, myself... and right now, I need to find my own answers." She paused for a moment before her expression became bitter, looking up at Canterlot before her, "I came here looking for guidance. I didn't realize just how bad it was."

Puppy gave a sad nod, "Yeah..."

"Surely there must be something left out there. The ministry mares, the Princesses..."

"Princess Luna is locked in the palace dungeons."

Star Swirl considered this for a moment before her wings extended, resolve filling her eyes, "Then let's go get her."

Puppysmiles grinned, she liked that look. Still... "Luna wants to be there Star Swirl, she can escape any time she wants. What we really need to do is take the element of magic off Twilight Sparkle."

Star Swirl considered this information before shooting her a doubtful look, "Do you really think I'm capable of wielding the element of magic?"

"You don't have to wield it." Puppysmiles stated, pretty... fairly sure she knew what she was talking about, "Just have it with you when you wake up. Hopefully it should return to the real world with us."

"And how do we acquire the element exactly?"

There was suddenly the sound of yells and gunshots nearby, both mares turning in the direction of the disturbance with ears pricking. It seemed to die down fairly quickly however, Puppysmiles readying her magic as hoof falls echoed against the stairs.

Selene's earnest face appeared above the rooftop, the wounds on her body already healing, "I am shot."

Puppysmiles grinned at the mare, trotting forward to meet her, "Who shot you?"

"Bad ponies in armor." Selene considered her words briefly before continuing in the same emotionless drone, "I did not kill them. That is right?"

Puppysmiles shrugged, "Well... they're already dead, sooooo..."

"It just resets them Selene." Star Swirl clarified, "You can't really kill them, at least not with brute force. Feel free to let loose."

"And thank you Selene, but you just answered our question!" Puppysmiles joyfully declared, waving her hoof dramatically towards the palace, "We beat up Twilight, and take the crown from her body."

Star Swirl considered the plan, her brow furrowing, "Two things. One, that requires us to beat her. Two, that requires us to get past her guards."

Puppysmiles grinned proudly, already having planned all this out, "For the first thing, we're awesome."

Star Swirl glared for a second before replying, "Go on."

"Second..." She concentrated for a moment, letting her will penetrate through her body... until a pair of fluffy pink wings exploded from her back and she struck a pose, "We're alicorns!"

Star Swirl's expression shifted ever so slightly, fighting between cynicism and cautious acceptance, "That's actually a decent point. I'm actually an alicorn, and Selene... well, she certainly does a decent impression." She paused briefly before eyeing Puppysmiles coldly, "But not many alicorns were short and pink."

"It will be fiiiine!" Puppysmiles already felt enthusiastic, the glow of an adventure in the making enough to make her bounce, "I'll let you do the talking."

"Hmm." Star Swirl looked back at the palace, "We just... stroll in, blast Twilight and take the element?"

"Sounds like plan enough for me!"

Star Swirl looked over to her for what seemed like an age before giving a grim nod of her head, "What have I got to lose?"

"Yay!"

And so they made their way through Canterlot, Puppysmiles, Star Swirl and Selene, all doing their best to alternatively try to look like proud alicorns or keep themselves as inconspicuous as possible. Star Swirl had convinced them that flying would be a bad idea and so they made their way on foot, Puppysmiles finding navigating the mess of streets all very confusing considering... her multiple memories of the city, "You know, when Canterlot was the capital of the Unicorn Kingdoms it was a lot more organized."

Star Swirl looked up at the grey, joyless buildings around them, "Well I much prefer New Canterlot."

Puppysmiles shrugged, "You're not really seeing it at it's best."

"Ponies approach?" Selene commented, her ears suddenly picking up.

Puppysmiles turned to her, Selene looking a little confused as she peered around. She spoke as the mare slowed her pace, "What's wrong Selene?"

And even as she said that she promptly ran straight into Star Swirl's flank as the mare stopped suddenly, getting a facefull of butt and sent staggering backwards. She was about to complain before looking up to see two new alicorns who had just emerged from a side street a short way down, two of them. They both looked as surprised and wary as Star Swirl did, one of the alicorns a mint blue and the other purple with a... pink mane... "Ha. See, there are pink alicorns!"

Star Swirl gave her a dirty look, "Puppy!"

"Well, I guess she's more purplish, but she's got those pink streaks... um, I'll be quiet." She muttered insincerely, before stepping forward to address the new arrivals, "Good day fellow alicorns."

Star Swirl looked horrified, the two alicorns both looking at each other in panic for a moment before the purple one finally stepped up with a smile, "Indeed, a very good day."

"Have you oppressed any innocents today comrades?" The mint blue one asked in a rather poor Stalliongrad accent.

"Um... hundreds?" Puppysmiles ventured.

"Oh... um... good work!"

Star Swirl winced, "Puppy... stop talking." She shifted Puppysmiles to the side and stepped up to speak herself, staring proudly and firmly as she inspected the two alicorns in front, "What is your purpose here?"

"Our purpose?" The mint blue alicorn started, before a kick from her companion caused her to reconsider, "Um, that is... we're here to oversee... security? For the executions?"

Star Swirl's eyebrow raised, "What executions?"

"Of the zebra war criminals?" The purple alicorn explained, looking a little suspicious now.

Selene frowned at this information, her normal dull monotone tainted by a hint of disapproval, "That is not nice."

"No, it's not..." Puppysmiles breathed, glaring up at the pair, "Where is this happening?"

Star Swirl shot her another frustrated look before turning back to the alicorns, "We are required to provide security."

"That way." The purple alicorn stated with slightly confused look, "You don't... look like normal alicorns..."

"Thank you for your assistance sisters." Star Swirl quickly interjected, before shuffling Puppysmiles and Selene away. She ran behind them to force them to hurry, looking behind to make sure the two alicorns weren't following. Reassured they weren't, she moved beside Puppysmiles and shot her a glare, "You're the least convincing alicorn ever."

Puppysmiles pouted, she didn't think she had done that bad, "Sorry..."

"And this? I thought we were going to fight Twilight?"

Puppysmiles had to stop now, glaring back at Star Swirl with genuine anger, "You're just going to abandon innocent zebra?"

"They're ghosts." Star Swirl reminded her, "If they're killed, they'll just pop back into existence later on."

"Death is still painful!" Puppysmiles replied angrily.

"Be logical here..."

Puppysmiles took a deep breath, feeling something cold run down her spine. She looked to Selene, looking nervous as she watched them. Puppysmiles really didn't want to say this in front of her... but maybe it was for the best, to get this off her chest now, "You know what really frustrates me, about Zenai?"

Star Swirl looked rather surprised at this line of conversation, thrown off guard, "What?"

"I can't mourn her, not properly. Because I'm not a pony, I'm a... a thing. I don't have glands, I don't feel emotion like you do." She felt her body shake, caught up in a wave of passionate feeling, "Someone who was important to me is gone, and I don't understand how I'm supposed to react. I'm making it up as I go along, but one thing... feels more right than any other."

Feels...

It felt like an absurd paradox, given said lack of glands. Still although she didn't understand it she couldn't not deny its existence, "Logically, if a servant of harmony is gone, that means the rest of us all have to work a little harder. And if I respect Zenai and want to make her death meaningful it means I have to do my best to be more like the pony she wanted me to be. Because if I don't believe in justice, kindness, harmony... what am I?" She glared coldly up at Star Swirl, suppressing her identity long enough to feel the chill of the unfeeling predator she knew she was underneath, "My values are ALL I have. I will not compromise them."

Star Swirl looked down at her in shocked silence, her jaw drooping open. Then she closed it again, sighing gently and looking away, "Ok... we'll do it. But I think it's a bad idea."

"Good." Puppysmiles replied, trying to find her cheerful 'Puppyness' again. She looked across at Selene, hanging back a short way, "Selene?"

She looked up happily at the sound of her name, "Yes Puppysmiles?"

"What do you think we should do?"

The mare looked confused at this question, eventually nodding her head emphatically, "What is right."

"Ha!" Puppysmiles declared with a laugh, "Selene understands."

"I don't think that's entirely fair..." Star Swirl started before giving a big sigh and just going with it, "Let's hurry."

"And that these Zebra are convicted of war crimes most foul, and have been sentenced to military execution by the wise judgment of our great Princess Twilight Sparkle. Let it serve as a message to all enemies of Equestria, that their evil will not prevail, that we will uncover it wherever it lurks and bring those responsible to justice!"

The zebra looked up at the hateful faces of the crowd, felt the fear and rage there. She couldn't help but feel they deserved it, feeling her own self loathing reflected back against her.

She didn't know anything about the other zebra hanging beside her, their hooves secured on tight ropes that suspended them above the plaza. She had no idea what they had done, whether they deserved it.

Her though. She could only call herself... a simple killer. For she had given up her name, turned herself into a merciless killing machine. She had slaughtered innocent ponies without hesitation, with bomb, with knife, with her bare hooves. She had killed babies, unleashed waves of pink gas against civilian hospitals...

It hurt to even think of it, her eyes filling with tears. She just wished they would get it over with so she didn't have to live with the memories.

"Perk up girl! It could be worse!"

She looked across at the insufferably perky face of her seemingly permanent companion, wondering if this was some sort of great cosmic joke on the part of the universe, "How could it be worse?"

"They could have already shot you." The floating, ghostly ghoul noted cheerfully, "Now you get to enjoy my company a little while longer."

"Lucky me." She responded as she studied the floating figure once again. As before no pony else seemed to see her, the ghoul some sort of personal ghost apparently. And what a ghost she was, melted and scarred, her skin fused into a tattered straight jacket, her ragged hair widely sticking in all directions. Yet despite her lack of beauty and her insufferable perkiness... she was glad she wasn't alone, "I'm glad you're here ghost girl."

"No problem zebra girl." She replied with a grin.

Killer smiled, then turned her eyes towards the rows of equestrian soldiers readying their guns. She firmed herself and stared straight at them, figuring even if she had lived like a monster she could still die like a zebra.

"Soldiers! Ready! Aim!"

She sighed, a smile moving across her face.

And then chaos broke out.

Star Swirl teleported between the soldiers and the zebra, bullets shattering against her shields. Puppysmiles grinned as she used to the distraction to run full tilt into the officer in front. He was sent flying into his men, sending them scattering like skittles, Selene stalking above the outskirts and sending the gathered civilians fleeing with an evil glare.

"How dare you impede justi...!" The alicorn in charge started before Puppysmiles leapt forward and slammed a shoulder into her shields. It hurt a fair bit but her dense frame took the impact, more importantly it sent the alicorn staggering and her glowing barrier shattered against the impact. She quickly redeployed the shield to guard against Puppysmiles but that left herself wide open as Star Swirl levitated a fallen rifle and cracked the mare over the back of the head.

"Go, go!" Puppysmiles shouted, using her magic to cut the bonds on the zebra and gently lower them to the ground. Unfortunately they all were quite understandably shell shocked, several of them retreating backwards as Puppysmiles approached. She pouted, frustrated by their lack of action or appreciation for their rescue, "You can escape!"

"Why are you helping us?" One of the zebra asked, scared, shaking eyes looking up at the three alicorns, "We're zebra, we deserve to be punished."

"You deser... wha...?" Puppysmiles just stared at the zebra in horror, her words frozen in her throat, "That makes no..."

"Puppy, we have to go!" Star Swirl shouted as she dueled a pair of approaching alicorn alongside Selene. Selene unfortunately was quickly sent reeling with a energy bolt to the chest, Star Swirl forced to fight the two alone. Good as she was, she was obviously challanged, her shields flickering as she desperatelly tried to defend herself, "These girls are no pushovers!"

Puppysmiles went to help but was stopped in her tracks as bullets bounced against her shields. She turned her head to the side, spotting an approaching unit of Steel Rangers, "Oh... poo..."

And then a crack of lightning streamed down, smacking into one of the alicorn fighting Star Swirl and knocking her to the floor with fur smoldering. Star Swirl was only suprised for a moment before moving forward and overwhelming the defenses of the other with quick stinging blasts of magic, eventually teleporting forward and smacking the alicorn between the eyes with a decending hoof.

Puppysmiles looked around for the source of the lightning bolt, eyes widening as she saw another alicorn hanging above. She was green in color and had a star cutie mark, her horn flashing with magic as she sent a rain of meteors slamming into the approaching Steel Rangers, "I will cover your escape! Go!"

"Zebra friends, please forget your fears. We are here to aid you!" Another alicorn approached from the edge of the square, galloping to the huddle of zebra and extending a gentle hoof. Her voice was soft but commanding, her eyes full of compassion, "Your chance for freedom is now. All of you, follow me and Magic Star, we will lead you to safety!"

This alicorn mare was red in color, Puppysmiles only taking a second to recognize her, "Princess Galaxy?"

"You were very brave to do this." Galaxy replied with a smile as she turned to her, waving her hoof to urge the zebra forwards, "Still Twilight Sparkle should be here soon, and you do not want her attention. Run, as fast as you can!"

Didn't they? Puppysmiles grinned as the zebra retreated past her, Star Swirl hesitating as she saw Puppysmiles standing in place, "Puppy, you heard her!"

"This is our chance." Puppysmiles stated firmly as she saw the glow of teleportation start to form, "Back me up, we can end this now."

"Puppysmiles, I'm sorry but I'm going to help these zebra escape." Star Swirl stated grimly as she started to move away, "This is not the time for a fight against Twilight."

Puppysmiles grunted with frustration, quickly looking back to reassure herself that the zebra had for the most part managed to run to safety. Selene hesitated nearby and she reluctantly shouted to the mare to run, now sure that if she was going to do this she would have to do it alone. She concentrated for a moment as her wings sparkled with power, drawing in magic from her surroundings and storing it at her heart. Her own conviction started to dim a little as she prepared herself, still it was too late to run now...

The teleportation glow faded, three alicorns stepping out. None of them were Twilight, instead consisting of two glassy eyed drones like the ones before and...

She knew the one in front. She looked different as an alicorn, but the green fur and the gemini cutie mark were unmistakable. The alicorn regarded Puppysmiles with a vague, scientific interest, her manner full of chilly distain, “You are... another of those.”

“And you are Gestalt.” Puppysmiles replied, feeling her blood boiling at the chance to wipe that expression off her face, “Who are ‘those’?”

“The false princesses. The last pathetic remnants of those pretenders to my ladies’ throne.” She snorted, “I have beaten plenty of you before. And you do not look all that impressive a specimen.”

Puppysmiles didn’t have time for this, “Bring Twilight Sparkle here! Then we’ll see who’s the pretender!”

“You think yourself worthy of her personal attention?” Gestalt commented with a dry sneer, “You have a woefully poor grasp of where exactly you stand little girl.”

Puppysmiles tired of this. If she wanted to confront the big bad, it looked like she would have to deal with the miniboss first. She would have to pace herself of course, she needed her full strength if she was going to take on Twilight Sparkle. Still, she had the memories of Princess Luna, and raw power to spare.

She stepped forward, gathered her magic and fired a beam of intense power straight at Gestalt. It stung all along her horn and made her skull vibrate. It should have taken Gestalt out with one shot, even with shields in place.

Gestalt barely even blinked however. Instead she levitated a small mirror from her pack, throwing it in the blast’s way. Puppysmiles' beam hit the mirror with a harsh crackle and slowed dramatically, Gestalt seizing the magic with her horn and heaving it about her head. It built up momentum all the way, Puppysmiles feeling the blood run from her face...

Gestalt released the bolt of energy and it flew back towards her with a roar, hitting her shield, shattering it to pieces and kicking her in the chest like a cannonball. She flew backwards and hit the wall of the building behind, feeling the concrete explode outwards as she went straight through. After that it was just a few small bounces before she rolled to a stop, a vague, irritating ringing in her ear.

Then she lost consciousness.

“Damnit...” Killer turned, unable to tear her eyes away as the pony who had saved them disappeared from view in a cloud of dust and rubble. She took a step towards the alicorns, feeling her blood boil at the injustice...

A gentle hoof caught her shoulder, calm words at her ear, “If you go back you will surely die, she fights so that we might fly.”

“Then go.” She shrugged off the hoof, tensing her muscles as she tried to remember something, anything... and she remembered alright. Memories of death and murder, of killing ponies by the hundreds with a cruel satisfaction. It sickened her to the very core to even contemplate it, but the memories felt far too raw, too real to be false.

She was a killer. And that meant she could do something.

Killer turned her head back to her fellow zebra, giving her the most sincere, commanding look she had, “Run!”

And then she charged in, running at full tilt towards the building the girl had been knocked into. Gestalt noticed her coming and fired a beam of sharply curving light, Killer vaulting through the air and twisting her body to sail safely through. She hit the ground in a roll and saw a squad of Steel Rangers approaching, tensing herself before leaping through their weapons fire and slamming into them.

The first dropped unconscious to the floor as she kicked his helmet, amplifying the shockwave travelling through the metal and slamming his skull into the side of his own armor. That put her just at the right angle to access the helmet release latch of the second, popping it open with her teeth and throwing the helmet straight into the forehead of the ranger beside. The now bareheaded pony in front had no defence as she struck him hard about the skull, then flung him into his fellows. They scattered, thrown to the floor and pinned by the weight of their own armor.

“Restrain her.” Gestalt ordered, Killer instantly feeling the glow of telekinesis form around her. She went limp for a moment for the grip to solidify before suddenly arching her body to the side, breaking the brittle hold just as a blast of magic flew past. She ducked and rolled, kicking a broken piece of the wall and sending one of the alicorns crumpling to the floor as it rebounded off her head. Gestalt barely turned to acknowledged her fallen comrade, her face simply growing angrier and more intense as magic crackled around her, “So you really seek to challenge my lady’s order...”

And then a bottle flew through the air and shattered across the ground in front of Gestalt, sending a deep wave of green gas billowing upwards to assault her nostrils. Gestalt choked and gasped, the magic at her horn dying as she desperately tried to back away.

Killer turned, seeing the zebra from before already mixing up more potions from the contents of a medical pack she had taken from the fallen rangers, "Thank you."

"Leaving our savior behind would indeed be wrong." The zebra smiled approvingly, "But we must hurry, that won't hold them for long."

Killer nodded in agreement, jumping through the hole in the wall and galloping over to the fallen form of the alicorn who had helped them. It hurt to see her fallen, a small pink form crumpled in a pile of rubble. The mare couldn't be more than sixteen, and already so brave and strong. She ran a hoof along the mare's side, trying to...

The mare... wasn't a pony. She could feel it, swirling twists of chaos and raw magic sustaining a form barely real. She was like Discord, this was a spirit. A dangerous one.

But she had saved them, and Killer was hardly one to judge. She took the mare in her teeth, threw her up onto her back and ran towards the door. She felt the alicorn waiting behind and twisted round as she reached the wooden frame, delivering a mighty buck and sending it crashing into the alicorn beyond. The mare’s shields shook from the impact, leaving her totally open as Killer jumped through and tripped the alicorn’s gangly form as she ran past. She immediately saw the zebra alchemist wave at her from a nearby street, setting off at a sprint before the alicorn could recover.

"Never before have I seen such skill." The alchemist stated as she met Killer at the road, running beside her as they followed the other retreating zebra, "And I can't help but notice that you did not kill."

Killer grimaced, "There's already enough blood on these hooves."

They quickly caught up with the other zebra, Killer and the alchemist quickly getting the group moving faster as they helped and encouraged those lagging behind. The sight of the green alicorn flying above was very reassuring in itself, rangers actually retreating from their path as they saw her flying above.

An ironic feeling. She remembered it clear in her mind, even when everything else was a blur. Trying to kill Celestia, dedicating her life to the destruction of ponykind as picture of Princess Luna burned on the campfires... now a Princess stood in defense of her people, a reassuring beacon of hope.

But she was quickly reminded that some alicorns were to be feared, one of Twilight Sparkles' mutants emerging from the shadows with an unsettling smirk. It seemed to be on its own, but it was quickly made obvious that this was not just one of the drones. Its cutie mark stood out upon it's green fur, a microphone and a musical note.

"Little, little zebras, want to play a game?" The alicorn spoke, her horn igniting with magic as they closed, "This one I learned from a dear friend..."

Killer felt the magic surge in her horn but saw no effect, no blast of magic, no...

She turned, looking up as the towers of Canterlot came down upon them in a rain of solid rock, "Scatter!"

The zebra weren't fast enough, freezing in place as they looked up at the rain of death above.

But it didn't matter. A blue glow seized the rocks, arcane symbols appearing around them as they slowed just enough for the zebra to escape. Princess Magic Star descended, magic runes swirling about her body as she glared down at the alicorn, "Singer..."

The alicorn lowered her horn, lightning flashing through the air. Her voice was joyful as she shouted out, "Magic Star! Now this will be FUN!"

The Princess deflected the lightning with a single flick of her horn, glowing crystals forming around her to blast at Singer with rainbow light. The alicorn shook from the impacts, concrete shattering around her as her shields took blow after blow... but still they held, and still she smiled. Magic Star frowned, frustration furrowing her regal features, "You can't win this fight Singer!"

"But I can delay you." She stated with a smirk, that smile growing wide as two more alicorn soared in from the sides.

Magic Star teleported away to avoid the attacks, appearing nearby and instantly opening up with another blast of arcane energies that blasted one of the alicorns out of the sky. Killer saw Singer draw a bead on the Princess however, and even if Magic Star was clearly able to defend herself Killer was unable to just stand here and do nothing, "Take the girl."

The Alchemist took the child from her back without protest, her eyes warning, "Losing you would be hard to bear, I must ask you to take all due care."

Killer simply nodded before turning towards the battle, breaking into a hard run and focusing her mind for the fight.

Singer saw her coming, her mouth creasing into a sneer and her horn flicking round to unleash a blast of eldrich lightning. Killer simply avoided it with a practiced leap to the side, her hooves meeting the wall. She applied just enough magic to stick herself to the marble, sprinting across the horizontal surface before leaping off again to descend straight towards the alicorn.

Singer grinned, unleashing another blast of lightning. Midair, Killer had no way of dodging it.

Which is why she caught it in her hoof, gritting her teeth at the pain as she brought it down upon Singer's shields with a yell. The alicorn's eyes went wide, more so as Killer refused to let go.

There it was. The magical frequency of her shield. Killer focused her mind, took the magic at her hooves, and pushed. The shield deformed, caved inwards and shattered with a loud ringing noise, Singer gasping with a look of total shock and desperately punching forward a hoof. Killer's hooves moved all on their own, feeling almost totally at peace as she blocked the clumsy attack and leapt upwards. She span in midair, summersaulting sharply and taking the alicorn under the chin with enough force to spin her backwards.

Singer hit the ground in a crumpled heap, Killer landing upon all four hooves with a resigned sigh. Her eyes flicked over to the unconscious alicorn, reassured by the fact that she was still breathing. If she could get out of this with no further loss of life, all the better.

"Star Swirl warned me to never underestimate the strength of the zebra." A regal yet kind voice stated from behind her, Killer turning to see Magic Star helping the scattered zebra back to their hooves. The Princess turned, her expression soft but warning, "But you cannot face what comes. Run, and run fast."

"What about you?" She asked, seeing something painfully resigned in that expression.

She removed all ambiguity in her intentions, her eyes bitterly pained, "Even death cannot keep me from my sisters, I have faced it before. You however will be scattered to the winds, even if you make it back from the void."

"At least let me help you."

"Then who will protect them, lead them to safety?" She looked at the injured, terrified looking zebra around, fixing killer with a judgmental glare, "The innocent care little for your honor and pride."

Killer understood only too well, giving a final respectful nod before turning to the others. It felt unnatural to speak in this way, she was no leader. Still Magic Star was right, somepony had to lead, "Stand tall, all of you! We have been given a chance, a chance bought with the blood of brave ponies! Take it and follow me!"

Her words sounded hollow, still she saw the spark ignited in their eyes. She turned quickly before they saw the truth in hers, doing her best to keep her posture confident as her hooves pounded the concrete.

If they believed, that was all that mattered.

Magic Star settled down upon the rooftop, allowing herself a small smile as she considered how those scared faces had turned to hope. She saw a lot of herself in that zebra, never having been much of a leader herself. She had been terrified when she had become a princess, never considering herself anything but a quiet, diligent scholar and student of magic. Never the less ponies looked upon her shyness and called it strength, and if that lie gave them the courage to face their fears then so be it.

Even the other Princess spoke of her in tones too respectful for her comfort. As the one who almost did it. Who almost fulfilled the prophesy. The star on her flank, the magic at her horn.

But she had taken after her master in the end. Had chosen the lonely path. Had disappointed Celestia.

Just like another. One born long after, given the same expectations...

"Must we return to this... silliness? You know I am the greater mage."

Magic Star looked up at Twilight Sparkle, the mare full of power and bearing arrogance to match as she hovered their before her. Magic Star frowned, her master's words coming to her, "Greatness is not judged upon power, but what you do with it."

That had worked before. This time Twilight Sparkle seemed to be either learning from her mistakes or becoming far more impatient, her voice cutting out in barely controlled anger, "I have no time to debate you! Live in your delusions if you wish, but I have other engagements!"

She moved to fly away, Magic Star giving her a warning glare, "Turn your back on me at your own peril Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight paused, observing Magic Star with utter contempt for a moment. Then her horn surged with dark energies, the building Magic Star was standing upon suddenly atomized in but a moment.

Magic Star cried out in pain, her defenses and quick countermagic unable to save one of her wings. She hit the ground with a thump, the stone cutting into her as she used her telekinesis to throw herself back onto her hooves. An attraction spell sent a cloud of debris at Twilight, the mare shattering it apart with a blast of raw focused rage.

Magic Star tried to teleport away, only to wince in pain as she felt like she had slammed into a brick wall. Twilight smirked at this, Magic Star feeling a note of fear as she realized the mare had really gained enough power to be able to lock down the flow of aer without even seeming to try. She summoned up at cloud of harmony crystals to blast at Twilight but the mare tore them apart before they even got a chance to let off a shot.

Then Twilight teleported herself, appearing just overhead to slam a hoof down upon Magic Star's skull and slam her into the ground. Magic Star gasped in pain and shock, coughing on gravel and blood as Twilight delivered another kick to the mare's stomach, "Who is the better mage!? Who is the better Princess!?"

"You have no understanding of either of those words." Magic Star forced out of ruined lips, focusing all her magic in the pit of her chest. Twilight saw it coming and slammed her hoof down upon Magic Star's horn, shattering it apart with ease.

More fool her. The pain only fueled her magic, and she didn't need a horn. She felt every moment of agony as she let her magic flow uncontrolled, atomizing her in a single mighty blast of raw power that took out half a block.

Her last thought as darkness took her was hope. That she had at least brought her sisters a few moments.

Killer was starting to worry, the zebra at her side already injured and exhausted by their imprisonment. Now the adrenaline was wearing off they were starting to slow, little she could say to encourage them.

"What is that?"

Killer looked round, feeling a rush of relief as she beheld the building in front. It was just across a large courtyard filled with trees and flowers, the color and life standing in stark contrast to the grey city around it. And the building itself... a vast marble hall, statues of regal, honorable looking ponies bearing both spear and scroll decorated the front, stained glass windows depicting harmony in all its forms. And standing at the entrance was an army ready to protect it, at least four Princesses standing among a large number of other important and resolute looking ponies of all species. As the zebra galloped over they saw other groups of rescued prisoners emerge from the city beyond, five more princesses flying overhead as they escorted them towards the hall.

"Behind us." A princess of pure white with a long, silver cutie mark across most of her body declared as they reached the crowd in front of the hall. The crowd parted as the zebra were let through, Killer staying to watch. The princesses landed and others emerged from the crowd, gathering around as the white princess inspected the situation, "Star Swirl."

"Yes?"

"Princess?"

The white princess frowned at one of her sisters, a skinny purple alicorn with violet hair streaked with white. After a second the purple alicorn gave an embarrassed look, shaking her head and averting her eyes, "Sorry... um... I'm also called Star Swirl."

"Well that's going to get confusing quick." Star Swirl the Bearded declared with a cheerful laugh as he stepped up, positively dwarfed by the powerful looking mares around him, "Silver, you wish something of me?"

Killer wasn't sure how to react, feeling a thrill run through her heart. Princesses were one thing, but that was Star Swirl the Bearded. She had read his books!

"Don't get cute Star Swirl, you know well what I need." Silver nodded firmly, pointing a horn at the vast army of rangers, enclave forces, alicorns and general equestrian military forming up on the edge of the square, "Please quickly, before they find the courage to attack."

"I have just the thing. My apprentices are preparing it now." Star Swirl declared, going to move away before hesitating and looking back up at Silver, "I'll just need you to buy me some time for it to work."

Silver turned back to the army before them, "So long as Twilight Sparkle doesn't show up we should..."

Another of the princesses suddenly gave a whimper, cutting her off, "No such luck..."

Silver grimaced at the sight, "Princesses of Equestria, form up!"

Killer stared out into the void, unable to restrain the full force of the... terror that seized her as the purple alicorn stepped out from the ranks of her army. Her wings trailed behind like a cloak, the violet star gem fused into her horn just radiating wrongness in its slightly twisted geometries and facets.

And then that gem started to pulse, black light inverting the colors of Canterlot as her army all stood to attention as one. Shadowy essence drained from them and fed into the gem at her horn, Twilight’s body becoming larger and more monstrous looking with every moment. Scales replaced fur, claws replaced hooves, her eyes dyed black and her horn grew long and twisted. Muttering increased among the Princesses, several of them looking openly scared.

“Hold fast ponies, you only have to give me a little longer.” Star Swirl the Bearded stated gravely as he joined his fellow mages, the magic between them starting to form into recognizable shapes as he joined his magic to theirs.

Then Twilight Sparkle unleashed a blast from her horn, a glowing cyclone of black and purple. The Princesses of Equestria stood to face it as one, six of the greatest heroes Equestria had ever known. A shield of pure harmony formed around the hall, the unimaginable energies of the best and brightest of pony kind.

And the shield twisted and contorted, rainbow energy dyed into horrible, unnatural colors as it desperately held against the assault. The walls of the halls of harmony cracked and shattered, gilded statues of noble heroes toppling to the marbled ground. Ponies and zebra were thrown to the floor by the impact, Killer only just managing to hold herself steady by rooting herself to the floor. The Princesses staggered, a couple of them only just remaining upright.

But the blast had faded, the shield had held...

A giant glowing hoof slammed against the shield, once again causing it to shift and buckle. The last embers of Twilight Sparkle’s attack cleared, only to reveal the mare herself rising up inside a great spectral alicorn. It was twisted and evil looking, body corrupted and wrong, eyes glowing with unnatural light. It’s body became firmer and more real with every passing moment, the energies of her army now feeding her in ever greater amounts. Killer could only gaze in mounting terror, feeling a sense of... religious awe at the being in front of such a being.

It could only be described as a god. It brought both hooves upwards and slammed them down, the shield breaking in places with a high pitched shattering sound. Star Swirl the Bearded shouted to his fellow mages and a few of them broke off to reinforce the shield, other unicorns doing their best to add their own energies.

“WHY WON’T YOU DIE!? LOOK AT YOU COMPARED TO ME! I BRING THE PONIES OF EQUESTRIA TO A BRAVE NEW FUTURE, WHILE YOU SIMPLY SAT BACK AND LET THE ZEBRA TAKE EVERYTHING FROM US!” Twilight stepped back and blasted the shield with a wide blast of dark energy, leaving burning trails across the surface of the hall and sending several ponies and zebra inside the barrier screaming to the flaw with their flesh seared and smoldering, “YOU AID TRAITORS AND MURDERERS!”

“No...” She heard one of the Princesses whisper, a soft pink alicorn near the centre.

“THEY KILLED MY BROTHER!”

“No... please Twilight...”

“THEY KILLED EVERYPONY!” She screamed out the words, light flashing at her horn and a thousand spectral figures of broken and blooded ponies screaming outwards. Soldiers in shattered power armor, pathetic and broken grunts dying in lonely fields, once noble princes now broken corpses on forgotten battlefields...

The pink princess gasped, staggered backwards and fell to her knees, the magic fading at her horn.

And the specter had an effect on Killer as well, because as she looked at the broken figure of that noble prince and she remembered, remembered the blow, remembered the sword... remembered the hooves that had wielded it. And she knew...

This was all her fault. She was responsible for all this, for Twilight's madness, for the destruction of Equestria. A raw, burning truth at the pit of her soul.

But she didn't find herself discouraged. Instead she felt... emboldened. For if this was truly what she had wrought, then she had a responsibility to fix it. Even though it felt like an absurd imposition...

Even if she knew how the princesses would react to her dark magics.

And for a moment she looked at those Princesses and considered. Her memories were full of atrocities, she had murdered innocent ponies by the hundreds, ruined lives, destroyed innocence. But behind it all... she must have done it for something. For her friends, for her country. Why did she fight? What drove her to kill, and destroy?

And though she remembered nothing, no names or faces, some dim memories peeked through. Of good feelings, of better times. Of those... who she loved, and fought to protect.

With those feelings guiding her she brought up her forehoof, bit deep and tore a chunk of flesh away. It was way too easy, simply what had to be done. She ignored the pain, watching as the blood collected upon her hoof before running at the faltering shield with a fierce sense of determination driving her steps.

Harmonic resonance barrier. Rare, but she had studied them. This one was unusual in that every single Princess was producing her own and combining them, Killer seeing the gaps where the souls of the Princesses didn't quite line up. The subtle competition, the egos, the hurt feelings... even Princesses of harmony were not free of such conflicts it seemed.

And so Killer reached the edge of the barrier, her blood splashing across the surface in glowing arcs as she wrote the rune, slamming her hoof down in the center as the meaning blazed it in brilliant light.

Harmony.

She gathered the magic of the remaining Princesses, harmonizing and equalizing them, allowing the full force of their connection to manifest. The shield strengthened and solidified, her blood flowing in full stream from her hoof to maintain the runes spreading out across the rainbow surface. Twilight Sparkle blasted the shield with her magic but it held firm, energy falling from its shimmering surface. Twilight beat and screamed but it stood defiantly against the punishment, its rainbow light blazing into the darkness.

Killer smiled softly, she had done it. She had saved them. She willingly accepted the price, feeling her body run cold, her heart run dry. She was after all maintaining a shield of magic keeping out a god with her own blood and life essence, standing among the Princesses of Equestria. And she was simply mortal.

Her knees buckled, and she prepared herself. Vision blurred, her body going numb.

And then a cleansing warmth flowed through her, rejuvenating and strengthening. Instantly she felt her mood lift, her resolve once more affirmed. Her magic flowed into the shield, empowered and fierce. She looked to her sides, the two Princesses flanking her two of the smallest and most innocent looking. One was a mint green with a cutie mark that looked like triple umbrellas, the other purple with what looked like a wisteria flower as a cutie mark. Neither of them seemed suited to combat of any sort, still they stood firm and brave before Twilight Sparkle. And that warm glow from their horns now enveloped Killer, the Princesses offering her a pair of impossibly sweet and sincere smiles as they fed their energies into her failing body.

Killer blushed, but the warmth she felt fill her heart couldn't be contained. She smiled wide, even though her memories told her she didn't deserve such happiness. She ignored those feelings for a few glorious moments, turning back to the shield and feeling the glorious sense of family that came from standing next to such a pair of comrades.

"And... there!" Star Swirl shouted as a blast of sparkling energy radiated outwards across the city, shooting past them and giving Killer a strange, tingling sensation up her spine. It's effects on the others was far more immediate, the zebra, many of the other ponies, Twilight Sparkle and her entire army all suddenly stopping in place and staring straight forward with dull eyes.

Then as one they all turned around and departed wordlessly, Twilight's magic failing around her as she opened her wings and flew back towards the palace.

"What... did you do?" Star Swirl asked as the Princesses moved to round up the rather confused zebra, all of whom were now wandering aimlessly about the courtyard.

"Reset them." Star Swirl the Bearded explained, taking a deep breath and shaking out his body. He removed his hat and hung it on the tail of one of his assistants before giving the alicorn a grin, "One can consider ghosts as echoes, living out dim memories of the lives they led before their deaths. Their ability to process things cognitively is limited, and I further inhibited that ability temporarily. They should return to their normal lives, forget what has transpired today."

"It didn't affect you." Star Swirl stated, holding out a hoof to stop one of the zebra from walking through the now fading shield, "Or the Princesses."

"Yes, you see the spell only affects the cognitive processes originating here, in the lower dreaming." Star Swirl the Bearded explained, twirling his hoof and sounding to be right in his element now, "The Princesses... and myself, ahem... have a connection to our souls in the realms beyond due to our studies into the arcane mysteries. You on the other hand are simply projecting yourself into this realm from the waking world."

"Enough with the speeches old man." A white colored alicorn stated with a cheerful smile, escorting the zebra and ponies into the hall behind, "We have injured, and really should get everyone into cover."

"Yes, yes Diamond Glow, I'm coming." He nodded cheerfully to Star Swirl, shooing her on, "Please my dear, after you. I just need to get a few things cleaned up out here."

They were led inside, the Hall of Harmony both awe inspiring and deeply intimidating. Marble statues of the great heroes of Equestria flanked the central chamber, around it wide balconies holding a hundred libraries worth of books and manuscripts. The stained glass windows celebrated events both long forgotten and still spoken about in legend, Star Swirl finding her eyes drawn towards the last. It stood in a far, shadowed corner, little light shining through the black and pink shards that comprised the majority of the image.

The towers of Canterlot and its ponies, tumbling into pink gas and balefire.

There were cheers as they moved inside, though she noticed a few wary eyes thrown in her direction. The ponies here came in every shape and she recognized some of them, public servants, heroes, scholars... the great and good of Equestria, "Are the mares of the ministry here?"

"No." Silver answered with grim tones, "They disappeared when Twilight Sparkle took the throne. We still do not know what happened to them."

"What about Gawd and the other heroes of the wasteland?"

"Diamond Glow would be best placed to answer that."

The alicorn beside Silver nodded, "The history of this place ended with the megaspells. What came after seems to lack ties to this hall, indeed for a long time we thought the world must have truly ended." She defied such grim words with a cheerful smile, "But then we saw your world out there in the mist, knew there were those fighting out of there. We hoped we would find some way to link this hall to the future beyond, were working on it quite enthusiastically...”

“But Twilight Sparkle has rather delayed us in that effort." Silver concluded.

Star Swirl wondered at the laws at play here. It all seemed rather arbitrary, "But why? Is it because what came after is not... Equestria?"

"We truly are not entirely sure." Diamond Glow answered with a sigh, "This hall was built by the alicorns for a purpose unknown for us, and converted to its present state by Elder Sister Celestia. She was the only one who truly understood what rules govern it, and she did not share that information with any of us."

Star Swirl admitted that the question of Celestia was one she wanted to ask about, "Where is she?"

There was a silence that reigned for long enough to become uncomfortable, Diamond Glow finally answering with careful tones, "We do not know for sure."

Silver looked frustrated at this answer, her tone clipped as she elaborated with some annoyance, "No pony here has ever seen her spirit enter the lower dreaming."

Star Swirl looked up at the statues above, seeing Shining Armor standing proud among the other great warriors of Equestria. She already knew he wasn't here in spirit, that he had been banished from this place by the manner of his death. Was that Celestia’s fate too? "Her spirit was completely severed from the walking realm? Her connection to the world was too badly damaged to stay in this place?”

"Her plinth stands empty." Diamond Glow motioned up at the statues at the far end of the hall, a long line of noble figures that began with Princess Luna and ended with Princess Cadance. There was indeed a plinth next to Luna, the nameplate below broken and scoured clean by some kind of acid damage by the looks of it. Diamond Glow gave a hopeful smile, turning back to Star Swirl, "And Luna at least believes that her sister still walks the earth."

"Why is her plinth damaged?" Star Swirl questioned, before her eyes were once again drawn to a statue in the middle. An alicorn like the rest, rather than the heroic triumph found in the other statues this had its body bowed and defeated, wings folded around it to obscure the face. Like Celestia's spot, this too had its nameplate scratched clean, "That one is damaged too."

Diamond Glow’s eye traveled to the statue, and then to a cafe just off the main hall. A mare was serving there, a pretty young thing with a double emerald cutie mark. As they watched she passed another waiter, a handsome young buck, the two briefly sharing a quick smile and peck on the cheek before moving off once again.

"Princess Emerald resigned her position after her family were killed in a dragon attack." Star Swirl repeated from memory, having been told this very story by Midnight Dreamer back at the city under the mountain, "She willingly gave up her immortality and connection to harmony, so that they did not have to be parted. She died within a month."

"You know the story?"

Star Swirl nodded, finding it all rather odd really, "A friend of mine told me it." She really didn't want to talk about that right now, eyes traveling back to Celestia's statue, "Does that mean she's lost her connection to harmony?"

"We do not know." Silver stated firmly, "I advise you not to worry overmuch about it. Celestia is lost to us, and lost to you as well it seems."

Diamond Glow gave her a slightly disapproving look before returning to her look of gentle kindness, "I choose to believe she lives still."

"Then why does no one living know what happened to her?" Silver commented, looking deeply bitter, "Why do none of us know what happened to her? If she lives, or if she resides within the dreaming... then she has abandoned us either way."

Diamond Glow's eyes fell, "Silver..."

"She has abandoned us to the mercies of her student." Silver turned a part of dark, hard eyes to Star Swirl, "And as I'm sure you saw today... we are losing."

Star Swirl had to admit... this is not what she imagined, "But you're the Princesses of Equestria."

"Half of us cannot even fight. The rest would still not last a moment against Twilight Sparkle." She waved a hoof, "So we cower in this hall, arguing about how best to fail and die."

Star Swirl shook her head. That was not how this was going to go. Puppy was right, to just give up would make... everything that had happened pointless. And that made her angry, the first emotion she had felt in a little while, "No. We'll beat her. We'll take the element back."

"You have courage." Silver acknowledged, "And power. I can feel your strength, exceptional even among Twilight's best mutants. But is it enough to match what you saw today?"

Star Swirl wasn't about to be intimidated, "She's still just a pony. If you get past her power, she can be hurt."

"She has an army to protect her." Silver answered with a shake of her head, "An army that sees with her eyes, shares her every thought, is driven by her will. The element of magic is our most powerful artifact, and she has the power to use it to its full potential."

"So we just give up?"

Silver looked frustrated, like she was about to reply. But then she just turned and walked away, her voice quiet, "You have only just arrived. We have spent years losing and dying to that monster. Judge me all you wish."

Things were quiet for several moments before Diamond Glow spoke, her voice soft and gentle, "Don't think too poorly of her. She was the last of us to lose hope, and with Celestia and Luna absent, she is the eldest. The burden of leadership, and the burden of what has happened, lies upon her most heavily of all."

Star Swirl wasn’t about to judge. Sometimes... she felt pretty hopeless too.

Maybe she still did. It wasn’t as if the things Silver said weren’t true, and she didn’t even know what was happening above in the real world.

The whole world was falling to ruin, and not even the Princesses of Equestria could stop it.

Killer strayed at the back of the room as she observed events going on around, trying to avoid attention. She hated being here, hated the sense of shame it endangered. Ever single symbol of harmony, every single beaming face... it reminded her of how she had dedicated her life to bringing it all down. To spreading hatred and death.

She looked up, a statue of Shining Armor standing proud just a short way again. It stabbed her wickedly through the heart, Killer dropping her head and feeling the tears come to her eyes.

"None of these ponies are judging you Killer."

She opened one eye to glare at the Ghost Girl, "They would if they knew..."

"Know what?"

Killer swept round with fear filling her heart, almost about to run right there. She cringed and backed away as she saw the two Princesses who had helped her before moving towards her, biting her lip and doing her best to look innocent.

The first, the mint blue one, came forward with cheerful enthusiasm, extending a firm hoof that made Killer flinch away in panic, "Hi, I'm Minty!"

"Minty, you're scaring the poor mare!" The other Princess chided, her expression kinder as she stopped a little further away and gave a warm and motherly smile, "My name is Wisteria. This is Princess Minty."

"I'm scary?" Minty stated with quite adorable looking confusion, falling back onto her hindlegs with a thump. Her eyes widened after a moment, looking down at Killer’s hoof, “You’re still bleeding.”

“Oh... ah!” Killer looked down, her hoof stained red where she had bit it and a small pool of blood on the marble floor. She quickly lifted it and pressed it against her body to stop the bleeding, blushing red, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make a mess on your floor. It must have opened up again...”

“Here.” Wisteria stated, tearing a strip of bandage from the bag at her side and taking her hoof. Her touch was gentle and her hooves were skillful, Killer’s hoof soon bound tight by strips of gauze, “Much better.”

Killer smiled, already feeling a little better, "It's good to meet you both. I'm... um..." She wondered what to call herself. She didn't really want to go with 'Killer'.

"None of you know your name do you? That's so sad." Wisteria answered with sympathy, "It's ok, we..."

"Black Lotus!" Minty declared happily, grinning as the other two looked at her. She shrugged at the moment of silence, "She just looks like a Black Lotus I guess. She's all exotic, and..."

"Black?" Killer asked with a growing smile.

"And white." Minty added with a nod, "But Black Lotus makes you sound mysterious."

Wisteria looked deeply dismayed, shaking her head for a moment before giving Killer an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, she's always like this."

"Friendly?" Black Lotus stated softly, before giving Wisteria a warm smile, "It's good name, though I'll stick with Lotus. And thank you. For... cheering me up."

Minty gave her a cheerful grin, "You looked sad."

"I was." She accepted, "But I feel better already."

"Element of Laughter, natch!" Minty cheerfully declared, "No room for frowny faces!"

"We wanted to thank you as well." Wisteria added, "We would have never held that shield without your help."

Lotus blushed at the praise, "I... well, if she had got through, she would have killed me too."

"Why are you so down on yourself?" Wisteria asked, looking a tiny bit angry, "What you did, that's real magic. The sort of magic that proper Princesses like Celestia and Diamond Glow talk about."

Lotus was confused, "Blood magic?"

"Using your own life force to power your magic. If we hadn't stepped in, you would have died." Wisteria explained, eyes full of respect, "That's how Princess Diamond Glow died you know? She used up her own life energy to bring Duchess Sapphire Shine back from the dead, save Equestria from civil war."

She was being compared to a Princess now? "I can hardly... I'm a zebra. I used this magic to hurt ponies."

"Look around." Wisteria spoke quietly, looking at all the great pony heroes that stood about the hall, "A lot of us here have made mistakes, have things we're not proud of. And I don't care what Twilight Sparkle says, I don't believe zebra are any different from ponies. Right Minty?"

"Sorry, I kinda... tuned out for a moment there." Minty replied with a blush, chuckling a little and grinning up at Lotus, "You're just so beautiful. How did you get so lean and strong? You must exercise, like, all the time."

Lotus hesitated, feeling her cheeks glow red. After a moment she saw Ghost Girl creep up behind the two, chuckling at Lotus' reaction, "Take the complement already. Not every day a Princess calls you pretty."

"Um... ah." She started, finding her bearings once more, "Actually most of the exercise I do it for magical control. It... ah, allows me to manipulate my body how I want it."

Minty and Wisteria both goggled at this, "You can magic yourself thin?"

"Not exactly, but... kind of?" Lotus found this difficult, not even knowing she knew most of this given the state of her memories, "I can speed up or slow down my metabolism, control which muscles develop and how fast."

Wisteria whistled, "Wow... you've got to teach me that..."

"Is she going to be alright?" Star Swirl asked with a hint of concern peeking through the uncaring numbness, looking down once again at the unconscious Puppy. She looked and felt intact, still the girl had taken a pretty hard hit, "I mean, you know she's not..."

"This isn't my first spirit dear." Diamond Glow answered with a warm, matronly smile, her horn glowing softly as she moved it across the mare's body, "Though I must admit I've never had a chance to work on a child of the stars."

"Wait, what!?"

Diamond's head lifted, looking disapprovingly down her muzzle. Star Swirl looked back at where Minty and Wisteria were standing with a rather confused looking zebra.

"She's not a pony?" Wisteria questioned as Minty gave her a pleading look, "She's... one of them?"

"Yes." Diamond Glow answered with a smile, returning to her work, "A patient."

Star Swirl looked down at the Princess, willing to be impressed. Not a moment of hesitation or fear, "Puppy is doing her best to do what's right."

"I can see that." Diamond Glow answered, "Saving those zebra without a moment's hesitation."

Star Swirl sighed, feeling her eye twitch slightly, "She could have done with a tiny bit more hesitation..."

"But it turned out for the best, yes?" Diamond Glow stated as she finally sighed and moved up to her full height, inspecting Puppy with an assessing gaze, "I think I'm going to have to try something more drastic."

Star Swirl shivered a little, "What's that?"

"This." Diamond Glow answered as she leaned down and poked Puppy in the flank with her horn.

"Yow!" The mare's eyes shot open and she darted away, rolling onto her hooves with horn glowing. Star Swirl and the others all prepared to defend themselves but Diamond Glow simply kept up her smile, Puppy's horn quickly dimming. She looked around with a confused expression, noting the various winged and horned figures around the room, "Where am I? What happened?"

"You are safe." Diamond Glow assured her, "This is the hall of harmony."

Puppy's eyes went wide at this, her eyes finally seeming to take it in, "You're... a princess!"

She gave a nod in return, "Yes."

"Oh WOW! Eeeeeeeee!" Puppy stamped her hooves excitedly, jumping backwards and expanding her wings full size with a proud look, "See, I have wings too!"

"It's a... demon, fangirling over princesses..." Wisteria muttered to herself, "Now I've seen everything."

Star Swirl took a second to cough, thinking that it wasn't really that rare in the grand scheme of things. Which reminded her... "Where's Selene?"

"She's babysitting the children." Diamond Glow stated with a chuckle, nodding over to a corner nearby where Princess Cadance was looking on with a mixture of confusion and amusement as Selene cheerfully played with a gaggle of foals and filles. She looked happy, happier than Star Swirl had ever seen her, gentle and careful as they climbed and roughhoused with her. Diamond Glow paused for a moment before turning back to them, nodding her head cheerfully, "That's what I love about being a healer, you meet such fascinating creatures."

After a second more of silence Minty finally moved, stepping forward with only a little hesitation. She stopped in front of Puppy, lifted a hoof and left it hovering there like she was locked in a military salute. It took Star Swirl a moment to realize it was a (rather clumsy) attempt at a hoof bump.

Puppy grinned back, lifted a hoof, and bopped Minty on the nose, "Boop!"

Minty looked surprised for a moment before giggling, "That's not fair!"

"You did leave yourself kinda open." Puppy explained with a wide grin.

"You are more than welcome here, all of you. Never doubt that." Diamond Glow stated, her voice warm and affectionate, "Indeed, in an hour you accomplished more than we have in months."

"We did kinda put you in danger..." Star Swirl started.

"We were always in danger." Diamond Glow firmly corrected, "It was brave of you to stand against Twilight Sparkle, and it gives me new hope. I had forgotten that such a thing was possible." She nodded at Puppy, "What is your name traveler?"

"Puppysmiles." Puppy declared, looking around at Star Swirl, "And this is Star Swirl. And over there is Selene."

"Three children of the stars, traveling together, seeking harmony." Diamond Glow chuckled, "Makes me realize the universe still holds things of wonder."

Wisteria finally moved, looking embarrassed as she gave them all an apologetic glance, "I'm sorry, but... well I grew up on tales of Nightmare Moon. Still that doesn’t excuse me..."

"It's alright." Puppy declared with a big grin, "We killed her."

"Wha..."

Star Swirl looked at Puppy, wondering if she was going to stop. She didn't, the mare’s grin growing wider as she continued, "We found out I was Nightmare Moon in a previous existence, and she tried to take over. So Star Swirl went into my dreams, and together we wiped out the Nightmare Forces inside of me!"

"You did? Just the two of you?" Wisteria commented with a look of surprise.

"Oh, there were others there too... maybe." Puppy accepted with a sly little smile, "But it was mostly me. And Selene."

Wisteria just stood with wide eyed shock, “Wow...”

"You have had quite the journey, I can tell." Diamond Glow's eyes traveled between Puppy and Star Swirl, "One bound to a mortal pony, the other free. Neither of you what I expected."

Star Swirl felt the need to defend herself, "I've... we've... had troubles lately." She dropped her head, "I'm not at my best."

"We lost someone we cared about." Puppy explained, her normal perk dimming, "We're all dealing with it in our own way."

"Quite astounding." Diamond Glow stated with a look of deep curiosity, "In fairness, the attitude of Wisteria has plenty of merit. All three of you are still beings of natural chaos and evil. Accepted reason is that this state cannot be changed... yet both of you embody a wellspring of harmony that matches any pony here."

"It’s been a long time in the making. All my existence I've wanted..." Star Swirl started, unable to restrain herself, "...to understand. To live in this world, to be a part of it. To make it better. I’ve tried so hard..."

"I'm so sorry." Wisteria pleaded, looking between them, "I didn't mean to..."

"It's alright." Star Swirl cut in, shaking her head, "I'm one of Twilight Sparkle's alicorns, and a star demon. You have every right not to trust me."

"That's so weird." Minty stated with a little giggle at the end, "That the big heroes here in the halls of harmony would be a zebra, a mutant-alicorn, and two star demons."

Puppy grinned happily, looking around the vast hall. Finally she placed a hoof on her chest, her tone full of emotion, "I've dreamed of finding this place you know? All my life I've studied the elements of harmony, told that's it's my mission to use that knowledge to save the world." She shrugged, her grin dimming as her eyes turned downwards, "It was difficult when I thought I was an artificial intelligence. Now that I know I'm a demon, it’s only more so. Sometimes it seems so unattainable.”

Star Swirl turned away, those words stinging far too hard for comfort, "Puppy..."

Puppy hesitated for a moment, then grinned happily as guitar music seemed to emerge from out of nowhere. Star Swirl looked around for the source of the sad, gentle cords but saw nothing, no musicians or sound systems. Puppy seemed to have no such concern, simply taking a moment to compose herself before twirling around with bright eyes shining. Her voice was melodic and sweet, faced them all and taking a deep breath before explaining, "I wasn't born a pony. Sometimes I feel like I have to keep proving... I belong."

And then she opened her mouth again, a sweet, resounding note sounding out, "I study hard, I read the books, but everywhere I turn. It’s seems like there’s a zillion things, that I still need, to learn..."

Star Swirl froze in horror and confusion, her jaw dropping. It took her a moment to regain control of her tongue, it still getting itself tied in knots as she tried to speak, "What... is she doing...?"

"Singing, duh." Minty explained with a tilt of her head.

"It happens a lot around here." Wisteria concurred.

"I’ve got the horn, I’ve got the wings, but those are all just things. I’ll try to be tough, but is it enough? In this game of kings?"

"She's got a very pretty voice." Deep tones commented as the zebra wandered over, looking quite moved by the performance, "Makes me... feel, like I haven't in a long time."

Star Swirl stammered, "...but... where is the music...and the lyrics...?"

"Star Swirl, this is Lotus. Lotus, Star Swirl." Wysteria introduced, before nodding hastily over to Minty, "Come on, quick. She's nearly at the chorus."

Star Swirl looked at her, "Where are you going?"

"Back up singers!" Minty explained as she cantered by, "We might not be big wasteland adventurers like you, but we know how to sing!"

"Oh how do I keep on trying and just stay strong? With so many times, I wonder if I belong?"

"This is stupid." Star Swirl grumped, refusing to be drawn into the moment.

"They look at me, what do they see? Am I noble or just pretending to be? But this is the day, to make them all say. That I did it perfectly."

"Stupid..." Star Swirl repeated.

"It is true, my real form, a demon out of lore. But I believe, that what's inside should mean a whole lot more.

So I got to go, face this test, I’m gonna try my very best. To make the right move, and finally prove... we’re as Royal as the rest."

"You look upset." Lotus observed, her eyes looking up with sympathy.

"Yeah." Star Swirl muttered, hiding her expression as she took in a deep breath, "...I never was a very good singer..."

"There may be things, I may get wrong. But I gotta just stay strong.

I’m gonna finally show them...I belong."

Star Swirl reluctantly conceded that the Princesses of Equestia, the mares she had worshiped all her life... had underwhelmed her. They were smaller than her, bore themselves casually, lacked the heaven shaking magic that the legends had spoken of. Many of them clearly didn’t even know how to fight.

And they joked about the one in front of her, standing alone and watchful, troubled by the day’s events as the others laughed and joked their cares away. Her body tall and strong, her bearing dignified. Her white fur shone in the moonlight, the silver cutie mark glittering.

Silver turned her head at Star Swirl’s approach, unsurprisingly suspicious and hostile. She spoke no words, Star Swirl taking that as an opportunity to start, “I’m sorry if I make you uncomfortable.”

Silver’s expression become interested now, “You must understand, I have had... limited opportunity to speak to your kind. Normally they are trying to eradicate me and all that I love.” She looked Star Swirl straight in the eye, both her expression and her words gently challenging, “I’m sure you’ve noticed many feel the same. Unlike them I consider it dishonourable to disguise my true thoughts.”

Star Swirl appreciated that, offering a smile, “To be honest I make myself rather uncomfortable, especially... seeing my sisters here, hurting other ponies.”

Silver smiled now, even if it was distant and lacking in warmth, “You struck out at your twisted progenitor. That is enough to win my respect. What you are should never be allowed to disguise what you do.”

Her twisted progenitor... that was something they agreed on, “Would what I am stop me from taking the element of magic?”

“I’m afraid so. It is an honourable aim, but misguided.” She stated with firm resignation, “None of you can take the element without it corrupting you. In this instance, what you are indeed bears weight, as ironically it does for us.” She looked up, quietly judging, “Neither of us belong in the waking world, and the element does not belong here. One of our greatest weaknesses is that the element of magic is as poisonous to us as it is to you. I am long dead, and you are...”

“A demon.”

Silver observed Star Swirl for many long moments, a hint of sadness behind her stoic eyes. Eventually she spoke, unexpected gentleness in her tone, “Twilight Sparkle formed you as a calculated insult to everything we are. Where we are powered by the forces of harmony, you are powered by balefire and dark magic.” She turned her head away, “The element of magic rejected her, Celestia rejected her. So she created you to destroy harmony. It is a sad truth, but the mare has made you fundamentally incapable of wielding the element of magic. She did it on purpose.”

Star Swirl smiled now. Smiled bitterly at the wickedness of it all, “The ultimate antithesis. Rendering ponies incapable of harmony, leading them into chaos, turning the element of magic to evil.”

Silver smiled back, “Yes.” She leaned forward, suddenly serious again, “Don’t let that discourage you Star Swirl. You cannot help us maybe, but you do not need harmony to make the world a better place.”

Star Swirl gave her a questioning look, “An odd thing for a Princess to say.”

“Do not think I’m unaware of what others think of me.” Silver stated, her head rising regally and her expression proud, “I am not a nice pony. I do not like the others, I do not like the commoners who I serve. I do not understand why I am a Princess, nor why Celestia chose me for that honor. But I believe it is because at the end of the day I will stand for peace and harmony. Not because I love the world, not because it loves me... but because it is the right thing to do.”

Star Swirl lowered her head, feeling the words dig deep, “I understand that...”

“You must. You have been called demon many times I expect.” She frowned, bitterness behind her eyes, “I have been called many things too. But while you might enjoy the company of Minty and Wisteria now, tell me who you would rather have at your back when the monsters come calling?”

“I should... not try to be liked?”

“You should not try to be anything but yourself, dedicate yourself to the things you believe.” Silver gazed coldly upon the Princesses below, “I respect my fellow Princesses for doing that. I wish they would give me the same courtesy. We are not all built the same.”

“No.” Star Swirl admitted, “I am a fusion of a star demon who dedicated her entire life to learning to live alongside ponies, and an alicorn who rejected everything she was in favour of being harmless and unthreatening. All I ever wanted was to fit in, and I dedicated so much effort to that...”

She looked down to the hall below, watched as Puppy laughed and talked, the other princesses gathered around her with smiling faces, “Puppy, she used to be Nightmare Moon. Everything I know tells me that without a body to inhabit she has no real emotions, that she’s just faking them... but if she is, she’s doing it a lot better than me.”

“You have emotions Star Swirl. Deep ones.” Silver looked at her, sympathy behind those quiet, impassive eyes, “Do not let your mind be tainted by jealousy. You are not Puppysmiles. She can dance and sing because she does not bear the weight we do.”

“No...” Star Swirl agreed, before feeling the tears form in her eyes. She... was surprised at that. Her heart still felt numb, “I told... a good friend of mine that I still wished for peaceful times. When I was just another pony, that I didn’t have all this... expectation.”

Silver smiled now, the look transforming her face, “Then you now truly know what it is to be a Princess.”

Star Swirl chuckled, “I always thought it would be... bigger. More.”

“We all did.” Silver agreed, before moving forward and placing a hoof on Star Swirl’s shoulder, “But really it’s just like growing up. The lessons and responsibly mount up, until one day Celestia’s standing in front of you and you’re admiring a new horn and pair of wings. But things don’t really change, not at first.”

“Then what is the point?”

“That’s up to you.” Silver moved her hoof down, placing it upon Star Swirl’s breast and looking her in the eye, “No one is going to tell you what your destiny is Star Swirl. If you want to be a Princess, then that it something you’ll need to find on your own.”

Star Swirl thought on this for several long moments before her thoughts crystallized and her resolve set. She knew what she had to do, “You’re right. I can’t keep chasing after the respect of others, if I want to help this world... I’ve got to do it my way.”

“Good luck Star Swirl.” Silver stated with a respectful nod as she moved back, “Fight hard, and be true. In the end that is all anypony can ask.”

_________________________________________________

Puppysmiles

Level Up - Level 11 Reached
Perk Gained – Songstress Level 1
You have cultivated a clear and resonant voice, and the ability to think up lyrics on the fly. By substituting any social test with a song you can increase the chances of success by 30%.

Chapter 3.11 - Sovereign Power

View Online

The presidential palace. Sebastian was never quite sure how to feel about it. He found that most he asked were fond of it, reassured by its marble and gold towers looming over the skyline. As a piece of art, and a centrepiece of New Canterlot, it was exquisite.

Yet as he stared at the plush carpets, the fine art, the balconies and galleries from which you could watch the common masses below, the very name... it felt so separated from the realities of the wasteland that he couldn't help but wonder at the feelings it inspired from those who worked there. He had been told that Velvet Promises had built it that way to inspire the rulers of the NCR to greatness, but sometimes he wondered if it wasn't hard to see the common pony from a throne so high.

"And here you see the battle harness of Gawdyna Grimfeathers, worn at the Battle of Sunshine and Rainbows. Wearing this she held off a hundred of the Enclave's most elite, back to back with Blackwing and her team."

Sebastian looked towards the tour group as he walked the corridors, letting his eyes wander across the artefacts there. The Battle of Sunshine and Rainbows... he saw there, Strawberry Lemonade's helmet, Blackwing's rifle... a dozen reminders of brave warriors now gone to their graves.

"And here we have the famous... or same say infamous Serendipity Strokes gallery, one of the three depicting the arbiters of the NCR. Though Serendipity has painted portraits in the other galleries, this is the one most associated with her, and the most true to her style. When she was commissioned to paint a portrait of Velvet Promises, the reclusive artist only requested the opportunity to paint another as payment, with the composition chosen by her alone. This was the result, and though Velvet had it hidden away the picture was later retrieved and placed here, alongside pictures Serendipity had painted of the other arbiters."

Sebastian looked across the portraits, feeling a grim, heavy weight in his heart. They were gloriously painted, beautiful in their own way. All naked, all vulnerable. His grandmother, heavily scarred, muscles already starting to decay, her guns fallen beside her and shed feathers from increasingly threadbare wings littering the ground. Her eyes stared into the distance, the shadows not hiding the fierce determination and pride there.

Then there was Velvet Promises, one of the only depictions of her without her red dress or make up. She looked pale, thin and vulnerable without it, her nervous, angry expression highlighting the lines of age that she had always tried to hide. The shadows of marching ponies covered her, the ground littered with torn posters of the old world.

Olden Times looked even older than normal, like the others unadorned. His body sagged from bony shoulders, grey facial hair drooping and eyes heavily bagged as he wearily trod through a field of blood.

And Flowing Script, small and almost lost within the painting, standing atop a pile of crumpled suits and screaming to he heard as the shadows of arguing ponies fell all around him, the four pillars of the Presidential Palace rising up into the sky.

An empty space awaited his mother's picture. No pony hurried Serendipity Strokes. He wondered what the mare would see in his mother's tenure.

He sighed as moved off from the public area towards a door to the side, watched by a keen eyed griffon in a smart black and pink suit. He flashed his badge and the griffon wordlessly opened the door, Sebastian hurrying inside before he was noticed by the crowds.

It was quiet here, soundproof windows looking out onto bustling government offices. A statue of the Lightbringer rose above them, a miniature of the SPP balanced in her hoof. The symbol of the Office of National Infrastructure.

He moved forward, hesitating slightly as a door in the glass opened ahead, two ponies angrily stepping out and closing it behind. They faced each other down with open hostility, the first a thin stallion with a reedy voice, "You can't just leave the Southern Reaches cut off."

"I'm sorry, but they're on their own." The other, a bulky mare replied, shaking her head, "They have generators enough for vital services, hospitals and water purifiers."

"We could send out a team right now...!"

"No." She firmly replied, cutting him off, "It's an orange area Withers, I can't send engineers out without military escort. Until we get that..."

"The Hooffurrow Chapter has disbanded and headed east Iris!" The stallion protested, "It could be months before we get a military unit out there to replace them!"

"There's nothing I can do. Red Eye has been spotted in the area and I won't..." She turned her head, acknowledging Sebastian, "Master Grimfeather."

He hated it when he was called that, "Trouble?"

"The Southeastern Relay station has failed." The mare explained, her matter cool and efficient, "With Sun Tower inoperative they rely on that Relay station to provide power to the whole area. Unfortunately it lies within a zone marked as hot for bandit and monster activity, so we are forbidden from operating without military escort."

Sebastian couldn't believe it. In all the NCR, they couldn't get a few ponies with guns to escort some engineers? "Can't you hire the Talons?"

"We don't have the budget for the Talons, besides they're already filling in for the dozen other Steel Ranger chapters that have ceased operations." The stallion explained, "And General Brigandine has ordered the regular military back to garrison for 'operational restructuring'."

Sebastian had no idea how they have lasted this long if this was all it took to break the NCR, "I'll speak to my mother about it."

"Your mother doesn't have any authority over the military." The mare replied, shaking her head and opening the door again, "And neither do we."

He made his apologies and moved on, his mind racing. Clearly things were getting worse despite his mother's reassuring words on the radio. Given what he had been told this morning he wasn't sure how they had lasted this long...

He turned a corner, hearing familiar voices up ahead. He was glad to hear them too, one of them a voice he knew he could trust.

"Well even as more exiting topics crop up and Regina's attention is demanded by the angry masses, the simple matters of the long term future of our industries still have to be considered. The administration of our fields and plantations may seem to some to be a most dull task, but those who find it so tiresome may do well to remember where the food on their table comes from."

"Thank you Twilight Frost, a pleasure as always. Clipped Frequency, did we get everything?"

"Looks good boss. I'll have it ready for broadcast by tonight."

Sebastian walked towards the three, Swift Feather as groomed and poised as ever as he dusted off his microphone and handed the equipment over to the pony accompanying him. Sebastian didn't pay him any mind, the griffon wasn't who he wanted to speak to.

The alicorn he was interviewing on the other hand instantly spotted Sebastian, giving a warm and regal smile and trotting over with her perfectly practiced elegance. She looked straight out of the pictures, her frosty, twinkling mane billowing over her lavishly designed dark blue suit, "Sebastian, it has been far too long. I was only just talking to your mother about you."

Sebastian felt his heart warm, not realising how much he had missed the alicorn. He had always been amused by tales of her grace and poise, to him she had always been a slightly kooky grandmother, "It's good to see you too Twilight Frost."

"And this is excellent timing." Swift Feather declared, fixing Sebastian with a winning smile as he made his way over. A microphone was quickly shoved in his face, Swift Feather smoothing out his suit before speaking, "And I also got to speak with Sebastian Grimfeathers, Regina's second oldest son. Tell me, how do you think Regina is holding up through the present crisis, speaking as someone who knows her intimately?"

He stammered, not remotely prepared for this, "Um..."

"I'm afraid you'll have to excuse us Swift Feather." Twilight Frost stated calmly as she walked past and extended her wing above Sebastian, "I need to speak to Sebastian in private."

"If I could just have a short interview..."

Sebastian finally found a smile as he was ever so politely swept away from the officious griffon, soft, well maintained feathers tickling at his fur as Twilight Frost calmly escorted him down the corridors. He looked at her, offering a smile, "Thanks Twilight Frost."

"Oh, how you've grown..." She stated distractedly, looking a little mournful, "I remember shielding you like this when you were such a little thing. You were always so curious, and your poor mother already had enough on her plate with Arick and Kerida. You were forever wandering off..."

He turned his eyes away, feeling the blush. She was lovely, but she really could reminisce for hours if you allowed her, "May... I speak to you? In private?"

She paused, looking surprised and searching for meaning in his eyes. Then she gave him a serious look and nodded to a door down the corridor, "Let us take my office."

Twilight Frost's office was a busy place, necessitated by the fact she was both Councillor for the Lost Reaches and informal representative for the alicorn race. Pictures of alicorn children took up all of one shelf, a photo of every child born to them.

Less than four dozen, to his count.

"Please Master Sebastian, go ahead." She said as she levitated some glasses off her desk and settled them upon her nose, "You seem distressed."

"I..." He wasn't sure how to start, "I know my mother's job involves a lot of difficult decisions." He looked up at her quizzical, searching expression and continued reluctantly, "Has she ever done anything... dishonest?"

"A loaded question Master Sebastian." She replied, with a tiny edge of bite, "If one were to claim that my dress at the Hearth Warming party last year was flattering, one would be possibly considered dishonest, yes? I do remember your mother assured me that it was lovely."

A fair point, "Illegal then?"

"Master Sebastian, this topic of conversation is pointless. You are asking the wrong question." She stated firmly, looking him straight on now, "Lady Regina has as long as I have known her held the wellbeing of the republic and its population first in her heart. If she has ever done anything for personal gain I have never seen it."

He already felt guilty, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted her."

"No... no." She sighed, "It is your right to question us. But your mother does a good job, with what little she has to work with."

He looked over at the memorabilia on the walls, "It was easier when she was a wasteland hero..."

"Master Sebastian, are you truly telling me that you felt more comfortable with her career when she went around shooting people?"

He looked at her. Her eyes were deadly serious, "I... don't..."

"The arbiter is not a leader." She stated sharply, adjusting her glasses slightly with a hoof, "They are a diplomat. They tell pretty lies, they smooth egos, and they allow a lot of different creatures with a lot of different viewpoints to stand in the same room and make rational decisions together. We diplomats have stood on many different sides, good and bad, but at the balance of it I believe we have made a contribution to the world worthy of respect. And yes we lie and deceive on occasion, but we rarely gun each other down in the street."

Sebasitan wanted to argue. Wanted to state that Littlepip was the Lightbringer for a reason. But... Twilight Frost made a very good point, "I guess..."

She sniffed and turned away, fussily shifting some her papers around as she continued speaking, "Oh, you young folk! Always reading all those terrible Red Sorena comics and listening to that silly radio show... what's the name?"

Sebastian paused for a second before hesitantly answering, "Warriors of the Wasteland?"

"Yes, that's the one! All those guns and violence, it's rotting your brains." She turned, giving him a pained, doe eyed look, "Your sister was always getting into fights, but I'd always hoped you were more sensible Sebastian."

“I...” He struggled for a way out of this. He had obviously blundered into a sore spot, and he wasn’t entirely sure what to say. Eventually he just remembered what he was, “I’m not really very diplomatic Twilight Frost. I’m a scientist, I deal in certainties...”

“And an artist.” She replied with a nod, “It is what we do with words Sebastian. We paint emotions and opinions, turning them into scenes that others can find meaning and purpose in. We paint lies, but lies can lift and inspire."

A 'technical' artist he was tempted to correct, but that would be low of him. He got her point, and he supposed he could agree with her in part, "I'll remember that Twilight Frost. And thank you."

"No problem." She replied with a cheerful trill, her expression opening up in a big smile, "Now hurry along. I'm sure you have places to be."

His mother was in the red room next door to her office, a rectangular hall dominated by a large table where several monitors and large maps had been set up, various groups of government officials chaotically networking between groups. Sebastian worked his way through the room as hooves were stabbed at maps, charts were aggressively displayed and policy was debated, eventually locating his mother walking over to Life Bloom. She gave a quick salute, her tone weary, “Yo, Bloom, how are you doing?”

“Regina.” He looked up, smiling warmly, “I presume you’ve heard the same thing I just did, about the Twilight Society?”

“We’ve got to stop them doing this shit Bloom.” Regina stated with a sigh, digging her claws into the table as she lent her weight against it, “They’ve got what they want. What the fuck do they think this filibuster shit is going to accomplish?”

“Oh, I have no doubt.” Life Bloom chuckled, “They stand to gain a lot of money from reconstruction of the military, but first they need to position their assets. It’s merely a stalling tactic, gives them time to set up plans for gaining lucrative government contracts.”

Regina snorted, her wing feathers ruffling, “They don’t get any.”

“They’re not going to give you much of a choice Regina. In my experience, it’s best to roll with these things.”

“I hate this crap…” She looked up, finally noticing him standing there, “Sebastian?”

He felt himself hesitate now he was here. She looked busy, and stressed, "It's crowded in here today."

"Yeah. With the Rangers pretty much abandoning their posts on mass and running to their bunkers, to say we have a hoofcount issue would be an understatement." She sighed, tapping a claw against the side of her head, "I swear half the regular army doesn't even know what end to hold a gun. I have the whole talon company deployed and we're still dangerously exposed."

It looked like what the ponies had said before was right, "To who? Red Eye?"

"Oh no, Councillor Bitter Lemon of Fillydephia made sure his assets were well protected from Red Eye." She sighed, looking deeply stressed as she inspected the map, "But now numerous weapons stashes have disappeared onto the black market, I've got widespread desertions, and several outlining settlements have gone off the grid. General Brigandine has spread them too thin, the command structure is breaking down. We've got idiots who paid for their commission commanding important fronts."

"Lady Arbiter!"

They all turned an eye as a pony hurried up, wearing a white and green badge that designated him as a member of the Office of Science. Regina nodded to him, "Go ahead."

"Lady Arbiter, I have a message for you from the Gardens of Equestria Society." He stated, looking a little nervous, "They said it was important."

Regina rolled her eyes, "I seriously doubt it... but go on."

He cleared his throat, "They report that the garden is reacting to the element of magic again."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. The element of magic? He turned to Life Bloom, "Again?"

"This is the forth surge since Xephyr's disappearance." Life Bloom explained, "And the second this month."

Regina still didn't look very excited, despite the gravity of the news, "But they can't tell me what it means?"

"They believe the element is... displaced. Trapped on another plane of reality." The scientist explained, "They now believe the surges are an attempt by the element to rephase itself back into existence. A... controlled attempt."

"Controlled?"

"Somepony is commanding the element Lady Arbiter."

Life Bloom's smile grew wide, his mother simply shaking her head with numb disbelief, "Xephyr?"

"We... presume so." The scientist hesitantly replied, before holding out a clipboard, "With your permission Lady Arbiter, the Gardeners... ahem, the Gardens of Equestria Society would like to requisition some specialised equipment, to make it easier to lock in on this plane from the other side. Weaken the barriers, make it easier for the element and it's bearer to return."

"My, that is a lot of money..." Life Bloom commented, adjusting his glasses nervously, "And are you sure they know what they're doing? The last time I checked, the only theoretical physicist on the team was Jade Tesseract. And I have to use that term loosely, consider that whole scandal with having to give back his doctorate and all..."

"Um... are you asking me?" The scientist questioned, looking evasive, "Well... to be honest their message was written on treated tree bark, decorated with pictures of flowers, and not a single person in the office could make head or tails of the science they described... and you know, they've already had a reputation for being a bit... odd..."

Regina grabbed the clipboard, scrawled her signature and shoved it back against the pony's chest in one sharp movement, "There."

"Regina?" Life Bloom questioned, raising a quizzical, yet not entirely unamused eyebrow, "I'm already trying to find funds for the army you know?"

"Well tell them the truth." Regina stated sharply and unapologetically, "This is to find Xephyr. If they can't show a bit of charity for that, print their name in the papers and find me somepony who will."

"Never cautious are you Regina...?" Life Bloom chuckled, shaking his head, "Very well. Thank you young man, you may tell the Gardeners that we will do our best to get them the equipment they need."

"Thank you sir!"

Regina on the other hand looked to Sebastian, giving him a weary, affectionate glance, "You wanted to talk to me about something, I can tell."

Sebastian sighed, it was now or never, "In private if possible. It's important."

"I... have records here. Records of government money being given to wealthy business ponies throughout the NCR, with your signature on them. Records of the NCR dropping criminal charges, of contracts being awarded based on donations to your election campaign. I... have other things here too..."

He stood there in the middle of his mother's office, heart breaking as the words tumbled out and his mother's face flew through a dozen expressions in a series of moments, from anger to shock to grief. He felt like he had reached across and tore her heart out, and his emotions ground against his ideals.

But it was done, and there was nothing he could do to take those words back.

His mother eventually closed her eyes, face tightening in frustration. It was a while before she spoke, voice cool, "Who told you this?"

"Does it matter?"

"No one in politics is looking for justice Sebastian." She turned one eye to him, "If someone told you this, it was for selfish reasons. You really want to be someponies weapon?"

Sebastian hated it when his mother tried to avoid the issue, "This is between us mother."

"Then someone is trying to turn you against me."

He felt his sinuses narrow, trying his best not to dig his claws into the carpet. He had feared this would happen, had felt the horrible inevitability. Why couldn't she just answer the question? Realise that the motives of others didn't matter? "Was it worth it?"

"Yes." Regina stated firmly and coldly, "It solved problems. Do you think getting into fights with the richest and most influential figures in the NCR would serve the common pony? Or would it have just resulted in us wasting our time and money on long drawn out court cases that would have achieved nothing but hurting all those caught in the middle? Flowing Script tried to do something about the corruption in the NCR, and look where it got him."

"What about burying Arick's rape charges?"

His mother froze, trembling slightly, "I didn't bury it. She didn't press charges."

"Because you paid her."

"And she took the money. I hear she's very happy with her new house." Regina looked across at him, genuinely angry. He couldn't say it didn't scare him a little, especially as she continued in an increasingly low growl, "Look at you, so self righteous. You don't know anything Sebastian. All your life you've been my son, you've been rich and respected, sent to the best schools, given the best food. You say Arick is privileged, protected? Do you believe you're any less sheltered, with your chauffeurs and bodyguards?"

But he was angry too, and he wouldn't take this without comment, "I know what I am! That's why I've always tried to act with dignity! I can afford to be honest, fair, respectable! My privilege shelters me from the consequences of my actions yes, but that in turn requires me to live in accordance with my station!"

She smirked, "Did you learn that at university?"

He felt himself stiffen, finding it more and more difficult to think coherently, "You disagree?"

"I owe it to those less fortunate than me to make the sensible fucking decisions!" She suddenly shouted, sharp and firm, pacing around the room in an angry stride, "To be pragmatic! To avoid scandals that damage the proper workings of government! To avoid dragging your name through the mud!" She extended a pointing claw at him, glaring intently, "You're a Grimfeather! You think Arick's actions wouldn't reflect on you too?"

"I would accept those reflections! I have a duty to the truth!"

"You're allowed to. Isolated behind stone walls in that fancy university." She retorted, "I on the other hand have to live in this world. If I'm to keep them safe, I've got to compromise a few principles!"

It didn't sound right. It didn't sound fair. It wasn't how this was supposed to work, "How can you go out there and lie, every day?"

"It's not easy. No one ever said it would be easy!" Regina stated with a cold firmness, "But a Grimfeather has a duty. We get our claws dirty, lead at the front!"

He turned his head away, snorting. He wasn't sure what to say. He obviously didn't know his mother at all, "I hate this. We shouldn't be fighting..."

His mother of all things actually smirked, "You're just not used to it. My mother and me used to have blazing rows all the time."

He dropped his head, feeling bitter. He hated it when his mother turned to humour in inappropriate situations, "So how did you get past them?"

"Generally I would punch her, she would punch back harder, then after I'd picked myself up we would hug and forget about it."

He looked up, brow furrowed, "I'm not going to hit you."

Regina grinned at him, "You're as bad as your father. He always had a weak wrist too."

"More to the point, you would flatten me."

She shrugged, "That's how it works. I swear, young griffons today... I always held back in fights with my mother, at least when I became an adult. She was supposed to win."

Primitive fights for dominance among pack hunters, now turned into complex social ritual. The anthropologist in him was fascinated. Emotionally, it only made him feel worse, "I've... never understood you less." He sighed, "Are our worlds so different now?"

"I hope so." His mother stated with a soft, gentle tone, "You've come back home your own griffon, with your own opinions. Heh, it will do you good to be disappointed in me."

He wanted to tell her he wasn't disappointed in her... but that would be a lie. He brooded on another angle for a moment or two before finally trying to voice his thoughts, "I shouldn't be so hard on you. You're right. Your own honor isn't as important as the stability of the NCR."

His mother sighed, "Sebastian... a lot of those decisions I made just because... I'm lazy, and I hate dealing with smug business types. Don't you go start agreeing with this shit just because of some dumb speech, I'm a politician remember? Making myself look good with well dressed lies is part of my job."

And that just made him feel so much better, "Do you want me to hate you?"

"I want you to see the world for how it is." She shrugged, "You've always had too high an opinion of me, just like your father. Both of you are better griffons than me."

No. No, she wasn't going to say that, "You're a hero mother, and you won't deflect me like that." He gave her a desperate, pleading look, "Just... be honest with me."

"Honest?" She smirked at him, "Honestly, I try to get through the day, slap down anyone doing anything stupid and take the least bad decision when given a choice. And... really I just try not to rock the boat too much." She sighed, looking across at him with a weary expression, "I have as much power as the others want me to have. If I unite the factions against me, I'm a roast turkey. And those factions? They either feel the same way, or they're actively corrupt and ready to resist any attempt on their powerbases hoof and claw."

Sebastian wasn't sure what to say, "How can it be this bad? How can you be a part of something so broken?"

"But it isn't broken." She shrugged, smirking lightly, "Generally things get done, and the lives of those within the NCR get better. Yes, some of our tax money goes into the pockets of council members, pays for their mansions. Still the majority goes where it's meant to, and I believe the NCR is a nicer place to live than it was ten years ago."

He grimaced, "So it's good enough?"

"It's better than it was before." She snorted in amusement, "Councillor Bitter Lemon is an outright criminal, and doesn't even try to hide it. Yet he still consistently wins fair, democratic elections. What the hell am I supposed to do in a world like that, except keep my head down and do whatever Velvet Remedy tells me to do?"

Sebastian looked away, "This is why I wish you were still a wasteland adventurer..."

Regina remained silent for several moments before finally speaking, voice soft and gentle, "I'm not going to claim it wasn’t' easier, but being out there... we made some hard decisions, and we weren't averse to taking the pragmatic route when it made sense. Littlepip has a lot of blood on her hooves, and... hell, she supported a unrepentant murderer like your grandmother.”

Sebastian felt something ping in his head, turning to his mother and giving her a sharp look, “Now that’s going too far. Your mother founded the NCR, she’s a hero!”

“Because she won.” Regina chuckled, “And we wrote the history books.”

He took a deep breath. He swore, for all that he loved his mother she could be insufferable sometimes, “You’re so cynical.”

She grinned at him, “I’m old.”

“You’re 32.”

Her face fell a little, lifting her crippled claw and trying to flex the talons there... with little success, “I feel old.” She turned her head to Sebastian, giving him a sincere look, “Who sent that information to you?”

“It was... anonymous.” He reluctantly admitted, “I tried to have it traced, but it used a... Pinkie 2 hub?”

“Those are government use only. Only a couple of ponies in the NCR should have access to them.” His mother’s brow narrowed, “Do you have a print out?”

He nodded, reaching into his bag and pulling out some sheets of paper, “Here.”

She took one look at them before her expression soured completely, placing a claw on his shoulder and moving towards the door, “Come with me.”

"Is this a little hypocritical?" Sebastian protested as he trailed behind his mother, Regina openly seething as she made her way through the corridors with clear purpose in her eyes, "I thought you told me everyone lied?"

"It's not about the lies." She answered in a mutter, slowing a little so he could draw up alongside. She looked over at him as she did, fixing her gaze on him before speaking, "They had to have pulled that information off our restricted servers, it's even formatted the same way."

Sebastian thought that sounded a little odd, "You keep a list of all your corrupt transactions on the server?"

Regina gave him a half smile, "Would you believe that Life Bloom audits them, same as anything else?"

Sebastian turned away. He really shouldn't have been surprised, "It really is endemic to the system."

"But for obvious reasons, we keep those servers very secure. They cannot be accessed outside the building, and the data storage is locked tight."

"So..." Sebastian followed her into what looked like a computer lab, lots of computer parts disassembled around the room and lines of cable everywhere, "...what does all that mean...?"

"Server 26." Regina barked at the surprised looking ponies in the room, "Open it up."

A young female earth pony with ratty hair quickly hurried over to a box at the corner of the room, searching around for a moment before pulling out a rather shiny looking key by its lanyard and trotting over, "Ifths you justh..."

Regina snatched the key from her mouth, her eyes glaring holes in her skull, "You didn't attempt to verify my identity."

"Um..." She froze, looking understandably terrified, "We all know who you are..."

"And you keep it in a box!?"

She quickly slammed a hoof into her chest, voice high and squeaky, "Scouts honor sir, one of us is always in this room! Only the six of us know which key is which!"

Regina's gaze cooled... slightly, "Who has requested this key in the last six months?"

"Well, we've unlocked it six times of course... and..." She looked round at the other techs, none of which looked very helpful, "Phillipe of Doc Slaughter’s also made an inspection three months ago. And Smokey Smores of the Followers looked at it two months ago, as part of her report in government networking."

"Show me." Regina stated grimly, opening the door to let her past.

"Oh my... I don't..."

His mother was very calm now, worryingly so. She calmly stepped back to allow the mare entrance into the cabinet, allowing her a moment to inspect the device before addressing the poor girl, "You are required to make inspections precisely to stop these things from happening."

"I'm so sorry!" She pleaded as she stepped away from the cupboard, eyes wide and shaking. After a moment she fell to her knees, holding her head out, "Please, punish me for my failure, I... I honestly never realised it wasn't part of the original hub!"

Regina placed a claw against her head, sighing gently, "We all make mistakes it seems... I guess we should have given more training in dusting for bugs."

Sebastian looked round at the innocuous device, stuck inside an empty compartment in the server hub. It was made of the same material, was the same colour and had no flashy lights, just a dull cylinder of metal plugged into a jack and ending in a tapering spike, "How did you spot it?"

"One of your father's many careers was as a communications engineer." She looked across at the device, glaring at it, "It's miniaturised, but that's clearly a transmitter on the end." She looked down at the technician, "Please tell me you can trace this?"

"Um..." She looked around, eventually hurrying away and opening up a nearby office with a key before pushing it open. They followed her as she went inside, turning on the lights to reveal a fairly large if bare and generic looking space with the only real thing of note being the Followers symbol on the wall. The technician was more interested in the computer though, turning it on before studying the back and sides intensely, poking and prodding before opening up a network hub below with a screwdriver pulled from her saddlebag. Her eyes widened, reaching inside and pulling a similar transmitter from inside the case, "Oh no... I knew a little transmitter like that couldn't broadcast far..."

Regina moved over, eyes scanning the room, "This room is only occupied when Velvet Remedy needs a place to work at the palace."

"Or one of her staff, yes." She moved to the keyboard, fiddling around for a little while before her hoof hesitated and she took a deep breath. She glanced at Regina's cold, firm gaze, steeled herself and finally spoke in a small, strained voice, "This terminal was pulling information off the server hub and transmitting it to the New Canterlot Followers Facility... about two weeks ago... and again four weeks ago... and... um, quite a few times."

Regina closed her eyes, her voice still very calm, "If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll kill you myself."

"...eep..."

Sebastian just didn't know what to think. He had lost track of this whole thing a long time ago, "But what does this mean? Velvet Remedy is spying on you?"

"The Followers sent that information to you Sebastian.” Her claws tightened, “And this whole mess with the zebra? It started when a fake message was sent from my office to the Golden Coast diplomatic mission, ordering Caesar's assassination. We've spent weeks trying to work out how they managed to fake my electronic signature." Regina waved a claw at the terminal, "Could this be something to do with it?"

"I don't..." The mare's eyes suddenly widened, "Possibly?"

"Explain."

She gulped, "Well... the signature is generated based on a random code, which is created by a sealed machine and verified by another code provided by Life Bloom. But there are lots of old messages of the same alpha-1 priority stored on the server, so I guess somepony smart enough could... well, if you were to hack into your terminal Lady Arbiter, and Life Bloom's terminal, then you could use an archive of old codes to reverse..."

Regina glared coldly at the mare, "I can spot a transmitter, that doesn't mean I know jack about computers."

The mare squeaked, "I'm sorry Lady Arbiter, but... yes. Yes, someone with access to this information could have faked the message!"

Regina nodded softly, "I see."

Sebastian shook his head, "I don't understand. The followers are trying to provoke war with the zebra empire? But wasn't it their idea to make peace with them in the first place?"

"It was their idea to contact them too." Regina answered, squinting in pain and rubbing her head with a claw, "No contact, no war."

"But why war?!"

"I've no idea. But all this... I don't like it one bit." His mother didn't look angry. Indeed, he swore he saw something broken behind her eyes. Her voice was dull and hard, "We already know the destruction of the Rangers is suspicious. Their headquarters is destroyed, Peach Trees is assassinated and a third of their forces just go missing in the space of a few days? And that happens just as Velvet Remedy is talking to me about a need to increase the role of the regular army, after I put into motion her plan to have them take on new funding... justified by the threat of zebra invasion."

Sebastian shook his head. Velvet Remedy was not a super villain, and that whole plot was just... "That's insane mother."

"I know. But everypony always says that Velvet works on an entirely different level to the rest of us poor fools." She chuckled mirthlessly, "And we've also known for months that Red Eye must have and influential backer. He's too well equipped, his organisation too slick and well supplied. He's also expressed knowledge of secret government information, things only me, Life Bloom and Velvet Remedy are privy to. He's also never, ever attacked one of their facilities, even when it would make sense."

Sebastian thought his head was about to explode, "You think she's bankrolling RED EYE!?"

"There's also the Single Pegasus Project." Regina continued in a low steady voice, "If it was sabotaged from the inside, there's only a dozen folk in the world who could easily gain access."

"That... no..."

"And Zenai and Star Swirl both work for her."

"She's your friend!"

"That's how I know she's capable of something like this." Regina gave a quick, sharp gaze at both of them, "Tell no one of this."

Sebastian didn't intend to. He really didn't want to believe his mother had gone nuts, "What are you going to do?"

She grasped the door handle with her claw, digits scraping along the metal as her muscles bunched. Her expression didn't change, bar a slight tightening under her eye, "I'm going to unravel this thread to the end, and find out who my friends really are."

He watched her go, sparing the briefest of glances towards the poor tech. He wanted to scream, but feared to lose his composure like that.

It might have been warranted though. Because if his mother went to war with Velvet Remedy, they could well bring the whole NCR down with them.

_____________________________

Level Up - Level 2 Reached
Perk Gained – Observant
You have gained a keen eye for details. Objects of interest are highlighted on your HUD.

Quest Perk gained – A Little bit of Cyncism
You gain a +1 bonus to charisma when attempting to resist the charm attempts of others, but your maximum relationship cap is reduced by 10%.

Chapter 3.12 - Peace in our Time

View Online

The Emerald Beaches were not the most regal location for a diplomatic summit, ironically considering this place had once enjoyed visits from celebrities from across the world. Situated on a island sat between Equestria and the Zebra Empire however it had been abandoned barely a few weeks into the war and now its luxurious resorts lay in ruins, its gardens and wildlife rotted and dead due to the radiation and polluted water.

Caesar had done his best however, anything less would have insulted his dignity. The great entrance hall of the San-Jurios hotel had been cleaned and polished, banners for all the participants hung above and a new chandelier installed. All in all, it wasn't half bad considering it had been all done in but a couple of weeks.

"The Cervidae have docked sir, but they will not move from their ships until the others have arrived."

Caesar turned to Daisy with a smile, the donkey merchant having impressed him further with her admirable job organizing all this at such short notice, "They don't trust me."

"Who can say?" Another of this councilors stated with a snort, "They pride themselves on being impossible to understand."

"No creature is impossible to understand." He responded with a smile, "The Cervidae for instance like to be assured in their superiority, make sure to send our least impressive looking soldiers and our most over-enthusiastic diplomats. Reinforce their perception of themselves as the culturally superior outsiders, they'll be eating out of our hooves."

Daisy smiled at this, her quietly efficient persona momentarily broken, "And the others sir?"

Caesar chuckled, rather enjoying himself now, "The undine like pomp and fuss. Overdress their escort, give them the most over the top announcements, send the most pompous zebra you can find. Star Fall? Act wary and afraid, like we're still scared of them after all these years. Reference their history, they like that."

Daisy nodded, "I will arrange it immediately my lord."

Caesar chuckled as he turned to the window, Daisy exiting the room to start making preparations. This was it. His moment. His destiny, "How do I look Oteka?"

Oteka gave him a smile, "Like a Caesar."

Star Fall arrived first, as blustering and arrogant as he expected. What he hadn't expected was that they formed two entirely separate delegations. Themba was fully armored and flanked by the largest, ugliest and most overburdened zebra he had ever seen, mounting layers of forged steel and multiple heavy weapons. His son Pangaea too walked with his honor guard, though his wore ceremonial armor more fitting with a diplomatic summit. Caesar had ordered his soldiers to protest at the openly worn weaponry but back down without much fuss, he still had the zebra outgunned and he wanted Themba arrogant and overconfident.

With him however was the expansive form of Golden Dawn, leading her own team of well dressed merchants and priests. He noted the presence of her father, Archon Mayva himself, looking resplendently judgmental as normal.

King Aspen was next, as regal as ever, his ever suspicious eyes already scanning the room for any sign of betrayal. Tall and slim, with white coat and golden markings, the deer king cut a royal figure that Caesar had always tried to emulate. His copper armored guards looked deeply anachronistic and behind the times with their barbed spears, and perhaps they were. Still the presence of a few of those warriors at his father's court had inspired Oteka in her own fighting style, one that had helped win him many battles.

Finally there was Queen Ariel of the Undine Empire, magically transformed into pony form and still managing to look reasonably graceful. Unlike King Aspen she had aged since Caesar had last saw her, still the shimmering blue of her coat and the streamlined curves of her body still inspired a collective sigh from many of the zebra around the room. Caesar only wished she could have been here in her true form. Indeed due to their unfortunate incompatibility with dry land she only had two of her own similarly shapeshifted guards with her, the rest of her retinue supplied by Star Fall warriors wearing her colors.

"King Aspen, a pleasure to meet face to face." Ariel stated in tones full of rich depth as she met Aspen near the door, "Your aid to the Empire has been invaluable, and I still feel I have not done nearly enough to repay you."

Aspen turned to her with a little hesitation, Caesar noticing he seemed somewhat wary of the queen. Indeed his normally unflappable demeanor seemed tainted with a mild embarrassment, though he was quick to hide it, "Queen Ariel, there is no need for gratitude. I wish for the day when all the world blooms again, my aid to you was merely an extension of that."

"And Lord Caesar!" Ariel stated cheerfully as she turned, voice trill and musical, "We so rarely get a chance to meet!"

He noticed Aspen's eyes become wary, the deer king shooting Caesar a look. Caesar simply fell into a respectful bow, lowering his head far enough to flatter, "Queen Ariel, you should know my door is always open to you."

"Oh you are too kind." She tittered, before wearily glancing across the room, "Now if you'd excuse me, I am forced to pander to that boorish brute over yonder. We shall have to talk later dearies."

They watched her make her way over to Themba, all smiles as she finally met him and gave a extremely rehearsed set of kisses and flattery. Aspen finally leaned towards Caesar, after checking she was out of earshot of course, "You would invite a Kelpie to a meeting of world leaders?"

"I have guards wearing earplugs, ready to fill her with lead the moment she starts singing."

Aspen frowned, glancing towards the mare, "Ariel is a mare of depthless cunning and utterly ruthless ambition."

Caesar couldn't help but grin, "Someone to have on your side then."

"She's on her own side Incuta, don't forget that." He paused for a moment before his mouth set in a bitter frown, "She has King Leo's skull mounted on her wall. I do not intend to join him."

Caesar smirked as Aspen strode away. It was already going so well...

"Caesar, I must speak to you."

Caesar turned away from where he had been pondering the fountain in the hope of further inspiration, spotting Golden Dawn and Archon Mayva heading towards him. It was quite the double team, Caesar bracing himself for the confrontation.

"There is no need to look so worried." Archon Mayva stated in his low, deep voice, approaching past middle age and yet losing none of the power in his stare, "I wanted to congratulate you. Talk of peace is rare in these times, and you have done well to merely have them meet here under one roof."

"You are a religious zebra, are you not?" Golden Dawn ventured, her smile creasing at her jowls, "My father and I seek peace and prosperity, the same as you."

Caesar wished he believed that. Unfortunately if belief in the holy flame was enough to unite zebra they wouldn't need 'peace' summits. Not to mention prosperity took on a different meaning coming from a war profiteer, who now only sought peace because conflict was eating into her business interests. As for the Archon, all the fancy outfits and pretty words couldn't disguise the fact that he claimed to represent all practitioners of the faith, while in the end he was nothing more than a Star Fall mouthpiece, "Unification is my primary goal today. As you say, we are one faith, one country."

"Well it isn't always that simple, but then that can be a strength in itself." Archon Mayva stated firmly, "The holy flame is the oldest, and purest way to understanding. Still, through the multitude of faiths, ideas and attitudes that emerge from the chaos of modern society, one can gain a far greater appreciation for the truth than in a world where the truth is easy and self evident. This I believe is the great strength of Star Fall."

Caesar didn't quite feel the same way. Giving the zebra too much choice let to chaos, he had seen that only too well, "And you would like the Golden Coast to be the same way?"

"Well that is beyond the scope of our mission today. But I do believe great Caesar that giving your churches their independence and allowing other faiths to worship freely would promote a spiritual understanding that could only benefit you."

Benefit Star Fall more likely, dividing his people and giving Star Fall spies and propagandists free reign inside his nation,"I will take it under consideration." He waved a hoof at a nearby server, "In the meantime, please, enjoy my hospitality. I have had several wines imported from the Mutum Heartlands that I'm sure you will find absolutely divine."

As he hoped, they quickly took to the wines, drinking from the glasses his server provided for them. All too easy.

Caesar sighed as he finally made it to his room at the end of a long day, allowing Oteka to help him out of his heavier articles of clothing before stretching his muscles out. It had been a tough, stressful day, but well worth it, "No security concerns Oteka?"

"None sir. As I reported, one of Ariel’s guards dueled one of Aspen's, but the battle was settled amicably and no one was hurt."

He smiled. He would have liked to see that, "Who won?"

"Lord Aspen's guard sir, as expected. He was dueling a meremare on land, though said meremare did put up a good fight." She hung his robes up on the wall, smoothing out the silk, "And you sir?"

He laughed, feeling the thrill of victory, "It's all going well Oteka. All ready to be tied up in a bow tomorrow morning."

"Too well. My father already suspects you're up to something."

Caesar turned, smiling at the lean, muscled zebra who had just entered the room. He really didn't understand why the boy was still single. Those sharp, challenging, oh so honest eyes made him shiver, "I am up to something. Let him ponder on the nature of my evil plots, it will just surprise him more."

Pangaea padded softly into the room, those intense eyes furrowed in concern, "You are so sure he will say yes."

"I know he will." Caesar smirked, feeling like he was at the end of a long game, "I uncovered that little plot of his and it just made me laugh. Princess Luna, Khalid? Their plans were doomed to fail, and would have been irrelevant even if they had succeeded. But they did it anyway, because going up against me gave their lives meaning. Khalid is barely even a figurehead, a forgotten relic of the past rapidly fading from relevance. Luna and Abartili were the wrong species, and struggled to make their voices heard. Your father..."

Pangaea considered this, as Caesar hoped he would. He really was a sharp kid, "My father is an old man, in charge of a dying fragment of an great empire he lost."

"More than that, he is a warrior." Caesar stated, chuckling to himself and taking a moment to revel in his own cleverness, "Old warriors are dangerous, but predictable. He has struggled for years with his impotence, without any enemies to fight. I can give him an enemy. I can give him his youth back."

"You are far too clever for your own good Incuta." Pangaea spoke warningly, his expression chilly and imperious, "Zebra are not machines. They are dangerous and unpredictable, and you have grown far too reliant on them acting according to your will."

"There are always a few rare souls that resist. Zebra of more worth than your average drone. You are one of them, which is why I am speaking to you without pretentions." He smirked, "Your father is not. He is intelligent, in his own bullheaded way. But he is predictable and unimaginative."

"The others?"

"Ariel is sharper, but her motives are the same as your father's. And she is used to winning, grown arrogant in her strength." Caesar shrugged, "Aspen is more difficult. But I would settle for a lack of disapproval from him, or the presence of his healers within the rear guard."

"And our mutual friend?"

"Irrelevant in the end." Caesar remarked dismissively, "If the ponies want to fight among themselves, so be it. We haven't given him anything we can't take back, and his information fits with what we've heard from independent sources."

Pangea just frowned, eyes cold and suspicious as he considered this, "Let us hope it is that simple."

Caesar stepped out into the main hall, flanked by Daisy and Oteka, basking in the awesomeness of the moment as the leaders of the civilized world turned to admire him.

...the parts of the world that mattered anyway.

"Sir." A courtier whispered to him as he stepped forward, "I have been asked to deliver apologies from Archon Mayva and Councilor Golden Dawn. Sadly they have both taken ill with a stomach bug this morning."

He grinned. Yet another thing exactly as according to plan. He couldn't have them spoiling the show today.

He had dressed for the occasion, flowing robes of the finest silk, his fur and mane brushed to perfection. In times to come zebra would remember this moment, the day the zebra finally took what they deserved. Not the zebra as a race, he fully admired the other races. No, the zebra culture. Of endurance, of honor, of a spirit born of the land.

He raised his head, bracing his lungs and firming his larynx before speaking, voice clear and commanding, "Great leaders of sea and land, noble representatives! I thank you for coming today, so that we may together work out a path to the future!"

"Huh." Themba snorted, his posture slouched as he stood among the Star Fall representatives, "Don't talk like we're friends Incuta."

"We could be." Caesar spoke softly but clearly, smiling as he took his place at the table.

"We won't be friends until you give us back the lands you stole." He answered back with a glare.

"With interest." Caesar replied.

It took a second for this to sink in. Eventually Themba's eyes widened, "What?"

"I will give you the lands you want. The lands you need to survive." Caesar answered, looking to Aspen and Ariel, "Aspen, how would you like to possess the elements of harmony once more? Ariel, what would you say to the secrets of the Gardens of Equestria, being the Empress who removed the pollution from the seas?" He grinned broadly, watching as the realization dawned, "How would you like to take vengeance on those who caused your suffering?"

"Ahahahahaha! KEEEHAHAHAHA!" Ariel burst out laughing, shifting into a sharp, kreeing cackle as she clapped her hooves. Eventually she regained control of herself, giving a wicked, far too wide smile as all eyes turned to her, "I didn't know you had it in you."

"Madness." Aspen growled, glaring at Ariel, then back at Caesar, "You repeat the mistakes of your ancestors."

"No, I'm going to fix the mistakes of our ancestors." Caesar replied, having expected this argument, "The war occurred because Equestria outmatched our strength, thought it could take what it wanted by force. It is still the case. With Equestria once again fertile and rich, they are already taking steps to attack me in order to seize the Golden Coast."

Themba grinned unpleasantly, "And tell me why I shouldn't join them?"

"Do you truly believe they would leave a zebra in charge Themba?" Caesar replied, fixing him with a smirk, "A pirate? A warlord? And more to the point, who would you rather fight for? Equestria? Or your fellow zebra?"

He went quiet, considering this. Ariel was still smiling, taking advantage of the silence to speak, "And what makes you think you can pull this off pup? Equestria is a rich prize, but you said it yourself, they are more powerful than you."

"Not at the moment." He stated with a sense of rising triumph. They were listening... "I have spies within Equestria, and they have informed me that internal struggles for power have left the Steel Rangers, cornerstones of the Equestrian military, decimated. The leader of the elements of harmony is also missing, as is their champion Littlepip. The single pegasus project is inoperable!"

"I can confirm all this is true." Pangaea stated, all in the room turning to him as he continued in his deep, firm tones, "Equestria is involved in internal struggles, and their ability to respond to attack is extremely limited."

"This is our time!" Caesar implored, striking a hoof against the floor and staring fiercely at those assembled, "Once we were divided, at war with ourselves. All of us suffered at the imperialistic arrogance of Equestria, our world destroyed in a war we never desired! And now the time has come to take reparation, to seize what we are owed!"

"And what of Caesar's curse?" Ariel breezily commented, trying her best to look disinterested, "You still have no way to transport large numbers of troops to Equestria, even with our aid."

"Then we need to focus efforts on stopping Caesar's curse." Pangaea turned his eyes to Themba, "Have you any ideas father?"

A moment of suspicion passed across Themba's face, still he looked proudly smug as he answered, "Actually I already have a team working on that. I am assured they are making good progress... and haha, it's even rather ironic."

Aspen raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

"Well the team consists of Sunshine Ivory, head of the Church of Celestia, and two Equestrian natives, including the son of the ruling Princess."

"And you are confident they can succeed where all others have failed?" Aspen asked.

Themba smirked back, "The other member of the group is Clear Skies, the pegasus who found us in the first place. She flew across the entire sea without stopping to rest, and with nothing but her fur on her back. If anyone can do it, she can."

"If this is true, then you would be the architect of our triumph Themba." Caesar crooned, watching as the zebra visibly preened under his praise, "And Equestria would never expect our assault, especially if some units found themselves suddenly deploying elsewhere on the coast, say without ships to transport them?"

Ariel chuckled, a twinkle in her eye, "My services don't come cheap Incuta."

He grinned charmingly back, "I would never insult you by assuming anything less my lady empress."

"My throne room would look rather nice with the riches of Equestria gracing it's walls..." She chuckled, "And the gardens! Hmm... given that they are required for the spell to work, might I assume that the Elements of Harmony would come with any deal?"

Caesar suppressed an evil chuckle. Exactly as planned.

"Absolutely not!" Aspen protested, rising haughtily, "The elements must be returned to us, so that they can be used to grow a new tree of harmony!"

"Can we expect aid from you as well then King Aspen?" Caesar asked, ever so politely. He watched as Aspen's eyes grew more and more frustrated, eventually turning his eyes to Ariel, "And Aspen's knowledge of the Elements would be invaluable for activating the Garden's of Equestria. Think of the possibilities! Combined, you would be able to heal the whole world with their power!"

"A section of Equestria of equal size to the other claims must be given over to us, so that it can be made into forests once more." Aspen declared hotly.

"Of course Aspen." Caesar soothed, feeling his plans come together. Indeed, they were forming better than he had ever hoped, "None of us could do this alone. Star Fall needs our resources and troops. We need your ships and weapons. Aspen, your healers and knowledge of the wild will save thousands of lives, not to mention the lost wisdom of the old world that you possess. Ariel, you are ruler of the seas and a proven conqueror whose campaigns are legendary. Together, we represent the oppressed underdogs of the world, a reminder that pony civilization is not the only one that matters!"

They all started talking excitedly, Caesar watching in amusement as he saw their faces lit up with a open fire of passion. He had done it. He had convinced them! It would be a day in history just for uniting them, ancestral enemies under one flag. When he took Equestria, brought peace and civilization to the world... then he would write the history books. His would be the line that restored the world to its old glory.

"Sir." A courtier whispered as he walked over, "We have a late arrival. They apologize, but wish to join the proceedings. They say they can help."

His eyes instantly narrowed in suspicion, "How do they know what we were talking about?"

"They said they had a mutual friend sire."

Caesar's eyes widened slightly in understanding, "Let them in. I owe that mutual friend a favor or five."

The functionary hurried off as Caesar set his eyes on the door, waiting in expectation. He could have asked who it was, prepared for the moment.

Still... however old he got, he always loved surprises.

"Announcing, Princess Radiant of the Lost Legion!"

The crier stepped away, a moment before the doors were engulfed in the clear white light of telekinesis and opened to reveal a instantly recognizable... but altogether wrong silhouette. It was an alicorn, tall and powerful, its extended wings shining with radiant green light in place of feathers, it's gait somewhat stiff and heavy. Eyes shone with a bright electronic blue, it's skin metallic grey and... riveted.

It folded its wings at its side, the glow fading away as they clicked into place. Robots of the lost legion moved to flank as it stepped out into the room, light reflecting of shining chrome. It spoke in a voice deep and feminine, echoing and amplified, "Apologies for my interruption, and for my tardiness. Know that I am here in peace, representing my people among the lost legion."

"What... are you?" Themba answered in shocked amazement, mirroring Caesar's own reaction, "You're a robot, but you... used telekinesis... and an advanced AI...?"

"I am indeed a construct, an advanced AI protocol. Due to great Caesar's friendship over the past few months we have been able to develop ourselves, resulting in the form you see now." Princess Radiant stated, this being the first Caesar had heard of any such thing. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth though, he certainly didn't bemoan this added boost to his credibility.

And she was gorgeous. He swore he had seen magic from her horn too, though that was impossible. It looked artificial, though the metal was a different type to the rest of her body and a line of crystal wound round in a spiral. Was that truly... an artificial horn?

"This is... an abomination..." Aspen stated, looking paler than he already was.

Ariel chuckled, waving a dismissive hoof, "Oh stop your gibbering Aspen. She's beautiful, I've never seen anything like her."

"And more could be yours." Radiant stated, glowing eyes regarding the room, "Caesar has won our allegiance with his wisdom and the Legion is happy to provide our services to you noble lords too. All we require in return is the resources needed to continue our research, and perfect our new designs."

Caesar watched her move across the room, having to admire the construction. He had many of his own robots in his army after all. Most of them were constructed in very box like forms because it made it easy to program stable movements, and they tended to mobilize by means of treads. Equine based robots were nearly unheard of, just because of the amount of moving parts even basic locomotion required. Radiant was stiff and clearly artificial, still she was a million times more advanced than anything else he had seen. And they were offering themselves up, technology to make even Saddle Arabia blush, "We welcome your help Princess Radiant. Indeed you have come at a very fortuitous time."

"So I have heard." Radiant answered, eyes flashing crimson for just a moment as she turned them to him, "We shall see where your ambitions take you Lord Caesar."

_______________________________________

Level up - Level 14 Reached

Perk Gained - Impartial Mediation
With the impartial mediation perk, you gain an extra 30 points to your speech skill so long as you maintain a neutral Karma level.

Chapter 3.13 - The Empty City

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Dust looked out from the checkpoint, pushing past a long decayed gate and over the skeletons of the guards that had once stood here in proud defense. The tattered remnants of ceremonial uniforms still clung to their bones. This had to be one of the most prestigious guard postings in the zebra territories.

Behind him, he could see as far as the pale green line of the sea, the suburbs of Demonivore just visible. In the other direction, the spire of Drakehome mountain.

Ahead, crystal towers of glass and steel rose among ornate, stone complexes of regal dignity, the damage and decay doing little to disguise the sense of timeless, enduring history. But it wasn't the elegance of Canterlot, all white washed walls and curves. It was fierce and masculine, solid and square. The yellows and browns merged with the rock around it, like the city had grown from the very mountain.

"This is the capital city of my race." Easu breathed, "I feel like it suits us."

"It certainly has presence." Ace agreed, taking a moment to enjoy the view, "We've got to be the only ponies living that have ever seen it up close like this."

"I visited it. Several times." Fluttershy stated, looking uncomfortable as she looked around, "It's all so quiet."

"Exactly as described..." Dust advanced, making sure his shotgun was unholstered and ready. He was really feeling the lack of a battle saddle, the weapon feeling clumsy just supported by a strap. It wasn't exactly how he wanted to tackle the ghost city from which no pony ever returned, "Keep your guard up. You've heard what everypony has said about this place."

Ace followed, a look of concentration passing through his eyes, "I can't feel anything. This place is totally lifeless... no, wait."

Dust turned to the buck, "What is it?"

Ace lifted his head, looking confused, "There's an aura around the city, very powerful magic. But it's not something I've ever felt before."

Easu moved a little way out, silent for a moment before nodding firmly, "I have."

"Where?"

His brow wrinkled, his voice twinged with frustration, "I cannot remember... but it was recent." He concentrated for a moment longer before giving a grunt, "It does not feel dangerous, just... strange. This is a type of magic I've felt very rarely."

"I'm not going to force anypony to follow me." Fluttershy started, her voice soft, "But I do have a plan."

"Say it." Dust stated, giving her an encouraging nod.

Fluttershy looked appreciative, drawing herself a little taller, "I know where we can find electronics shops and a hospital. Upgrading Puppysmiles' sensors will allow her to get a better read of the city, and the hospital will allow me to assess the field's effects on our bodies. We would not have to go far, we can assess any danger from the city outskirts."

Dust thought that was reasonable, and he wasn't about to just turn back now, "Ok, lets do this. Everypony stay close, and keep your weapons at hoof. No telling what we're going to find in there."

The streets were eerily empty, which would have just been another part of the wasteland if their surroundings hadn't been so... preserved.

Some of the windows had been broken, there were bullet holes scattered around and a thick layer of dust covered everything, but otherwise everything looked as if the city had been bustling only a day or so before. Intact neon lights advertised restaurants still laid out with perfectly placed cutlery, new and crisp looking newspapers sitting inside vending machines. Dust walked up to one, frowning briefly at the headline before slipping a knife into the lock and snapping it open.

'The Voice Daily
Leading Us Into The Maw Of The Devil!
As the rumors of surrender grow more and more plausible members of the government have been seen speaking to Equestrian representatives and defections are rife within the military, with many of our cowardly generals already having abandoned their men in exchange for their own lives.

It is the view of the Voice that we can expect the same of Caesar. The Caesar who spoke of his love for his citizens, yet hasn't made a public appearance in weeks to address our concerns. The Caesar who's very son fornicates with his pony mistress and openly speaks treason in the very halls of power, the Caesar who has in his past counted the disharmonous six as friends!

We stood up against the great devil, we raised a hoof and slapped the oppressor in the face. And for that, Equestria will demand repayment. Will Equestria take it from Caesar, who even now begs and barters for his life? No, because he knows he can buy that life with our lives, our possessions!

When the dark legions of Equestria march down these streets, it will be the innocent civilians that they will come for. Your wives, your children! Caesar will sit fat, his status as an Equestrian puppet now plain for all to see!'

"Fucking journalists. They never change." Dust threw the paper to the floor, moving back towards the group, "To be perfectly honest, I wish this place was a dangerous ruin, infested with monsters. This silence is just creepy."

"And where are all the bodies?" Fluttershy observed, "We haven't even seen a single body so far. This city had a population of millions."

Dust looked over at the bullet holes, moving over to inspect them more carefully. His conclusions only aroused his suspicions, "Zebra hollow point rounds. Made for unarmed targets."

"Like civilians?"

Dust nodded, inspecting the spread, "See here, there's holes in the distribution of shots. A lot of these rounds struck objects that aren't here anymore. Most likely zebra."

Ace looked around, "So where are they? And where is the blood?"

"Dust swept some of the dirt from the road, revealing a dull brown stain, "Here. But it looks like it was washed away, most of the stains are far too faint for the blood to have been here for more than a minute or two."

Ace frowned, looking up at Fluttershy then back at Dust, "They killed a bunch of zebra, then... cleaned up after themselves?"

"Looks that way." Dust looked up towards the tower looming over the city. It seemed even more intact than the other buildings, a jagged spike of glass and steel that looked like a crystal broken into a sheer edge at the top. Antenna clung to it, strange devices with softly pulsing lights. The zebra academy of science, and the source of Caesar's Curse.

And that proved something was very wrong. Because from aerial photos the place was a ruin.

He sighed, speculation could wait. The only way they would find out more was to advance onwards, "Stay alert everypony, we have an entire city and a small army of adventurers unaccounted for. Don't want to share the same fate."

Dust stepped across fallen soda cans, staring down a long street that looked like it had once been a commercial hub. Clothing shops, food shops, toy shops, and most of them sported signs proclaiming either that they still had goods in stock... or that they didn't, and they temporarily closed until new supplies came in.

"These prices are obscene. They have bottles of cheap wine that cost more than an average worker made in a year." Fluttershy complained as she looked through the broken glass window of a liquor store. "Everything here is horrendously overpriced."

"Supplies during war time..." Dust commented, looking around at the nearby houses just over the other side of the street, "This is hoity toity neighborhood by the looks of it. I bet they could afford it. Anything good left?"

Fluttershy turned, looking amusingly offended, "Dust Kicker!"

"We might need it after all this is through. Or we can sell it for supplies later."

She considered his request briefly before turning back to the shop, carefully pulling herself through the broken window and scanning the interior, "It looks like this shop was looted previously... but... ooh." She moved over to a shelf of dusty bottles, blowing the dirt away and inspecting the label, "This is really nice stuff. I used to drink it a lot..."

Ace twitched, "Movement!"

Dust Kicker already had it, rifle propped against his shoulder as he looked down the sight. He briefly paused as he saw it was not monster or feral ghoul, but instead appeared to be a simple zebra, staggering drunkenly from a pile of empty bottles. Still the bottle in his mouth was broken and jagged, and he lunged towards Fluttershy with clear intent...

Dust fired, double tapping the trigger. The first blew the zebra's jaw off and sent the bottle shattering to the ground, the second taking the zebra in the shoulder. The flame enchantments activated on both and the zebra screamed in pain as fire consumed his face, Fluttershy spinning round and quite understandably adding to the screams...

Especially as he fell backwards into the pile of bottles and they went up with a roar, flames consuming both him and the shelf behind in an instant. Fluttershy yelled and felt back against the shelving, flames shooting towards her as the bottles shattered against the heat.

Easu shot past, form a blur as he dived through the window and sped along the already smoldering floorboards, catching Fluttershy and throwing her onto his back, twisting her to his side so she was shielded from the flames. His tail ignited as he rushed back towards the exit, the building near exploding behind him... he dived through the window, hitting the tarmac and instantly dropping into a roll to smoother his smoldering fur. Ace Gold ran over to Fluttershy, Dust quickly moving to Easu.

He helped the zebra pat out his smoldering armor, giving him a relieved and thankful grin, "You're... damn fast."

"Hmph..." He grunted, making it back to his hooves with some brief wincing, "You hesitated because it was suicide for you to enter. I have specifically studied techniques to improve my durability, I was best suited to the task."

The zebra clearly couldn't take a complement, "It was still really impressive."

"I'd say." Fluttershy agreed as Ace helped her back to her hooves. She looked slightly burned, in places, still Easu had done a good job shielding her from the heat. She eyed him gratefully, "You saved my life."

"I would not have been able to if you had not so expertly reattached my leg Lady Fluttershy." Easu turned his head to the flaming building, eyes narrowing, "The real question is, who was that hiding in the shop? He was the first living thing we've seen since we came here."

"He wasn't a ghoul." Dust observed, "But he wasn't wearing any clothes or even carrying a weapon."

"I noticed lots of scaring, like surgical marks." Fluttershy commented, "But I didn't get a real good look."

They considered the matter for several seconds before Dust decided that speculation was a waste of time, "Right, no more distractions. We get straight to the hospital, and work out what's going on here."

Valleyview General Hospital was as silent as the rest of the city, and even neater. The beds in the wards had all been made, paperwork neatly filed away. It was like every zebra had just got up and left. And indeed...

"They did." Fluttershy announced, looking up at all of them from a terminal at the front desk of the outpatients department, "They got an evacuation order and relocated all the patients to an underground bunker a couple of blocks away."

"Well that explains everything."

"Does it?" Dust questioned, it just not adding up for him, "They had enough space to evacuate every zebra in the city? And where are they now? It's been over two hundred years."

"There is no possible way you could sustain the population of this city in a bunker." Fluttershy agreed, looking up from the terminal, "In fact, the mountain shouldn't be able to sustain even a standard sized stable. We're too far above the water table, and sitting on solid rock rather than soil deposits."

"Stranger and stranger... anything else?" Dust questioned.

"Not much. It's all pretty standard... but I've located the labs." She looked up from the console, "We should go up and start tests as soon as possible."

Dust didn't like the way she phrased that, but he supposed making sure the city wasn't killing them was a worthy task, "Lead on then."

They moved upstairs, Easu warning them to stay on guard as they advanced down the corridor. Dust waved the others back and took the lead, soon rewarded by the sound of moaning and banging. He located the source as a door a short way down, currently shaking on it's hinges, "Everypony take positions."

"Feral ghouls." Easu stated as he drew his pistols, "No more than four of them."

Dust nodded, moving his assault rifle into position and kicking open the door with a solid thrust. One of the zebra ghouls inside was instantly knocked to the ground and Dust ignored it, instead pumping a few shots into the head of the second and jumping back. It screamed and briefly clawed it's face before the flame rounds burned it's brains out, a third ghoul making but a single step towards him before Easu calmly kneecapped it and blew it's head off with calm efficiency. His second shot finished off the one on the floor.

Fluttershy shivered before moving past them and rifling through their clothing, most interested in the ghoul who appeared to be wearing a fancy suit. From him she pulled a wallet, ID badge and key card, shifting them apart to inspect them, "This was the Chief Executive of the hospital. I wonder why he stayed behind."

"There's a dead soldier in here." Ace called from inside the room, Dust following into what looked like a reasonably well appointed office. A portrait of Caesar hung above the desk, bookcases of smug looking medical texts with suspiciously pristine covers leaning against the walls.

And indeed there was a dead soldier there, a neat gunshot wound through his temple and his helmet lying a short distance away with torn straps. And what was most disturbing... he didn't look a few hours dead, "Fluttershy, come have a look at this."

She walked in, looking as surprised as them before hurrying over to inspect the body. She prodded and poked briefly before turning to them with a frown, "It's hard to determine a time of death. Rigor mortis hasn't yet set in, but the condition of his flesh suggests he's been dead about two days."

Dust wasn't a doctor, but he had seen his fair share of dead bodies, "That's weird right?"

"Certain drugs can cause that effect..." She shook her head, making a small incision and cutting a piece of flesh away before placing it in a bag. That done she straightened out again, motioning them onwards with a nod, "Let's go find the labs."

"So what's the verdict Doctor Fluttershy?"

"I am actually a doctor you know. Twice." Fluttershy commented as she tapped buttons on the machine she was feeding data into, located within a very large and well equipped laboratory set up full of spinney things, flashing things and noisy things, all of it looking very high tech. Fluttershy worked for a little while on all of them, eventually grinning happily and letting out a little giggle, "Though at the moment I'm feeling rather like Twilight Sparkle. She had a big machine that beeped, just like this."

"Is that the technical term?" Ace commented somewhat dryly.

"Actually Puppy is doing most of the work." Fluttershy admitted with a smile, looking to where Puppy was jacked into one of the mainframes, "I'm not really a lab tech. But this is rather interesting..."

Dust chuckled, she really did look like she was enjoying herself a little too much, "What is it Fluttershy?"

"The soldier, he's been dead five days. And the other three turned into ghouls a little over twenty years ago."

"That doesn't make any sense." Ace protested, "They're all pre-war. They should all be hundreds of years old."

Easu suddenly let out a little gasp, eyes wide. They all turned to him at this unusual loss of composure, Easu taking a moment to centre himself before speaking, "I remember where I felt that magic field before. In Philidious's city we found libraries, full of thousand year old texts. They were preserved by a stasis field, ensuring that they never decayed. Even the bodies inside were fresh after more than a millennium."

Dust didn't like the sound of that, "And this is the same magic?"

"I'm not a master thaumaturgist... but it feels similar." Easu confirmed, "I could not explain why it is present however..."

"That's why the city is in such perfect condition!" Fluttershy exclaimed in excitement.

Dust admitted it made sense, but that still left questions, "But why were those ghouls so decayed and starved looking, yet the body was in such a good condition? How come that guy was only dead for a few days?"

Fluttershy looked thoughtful, silence passing for several seconds before Puppy's voice sounded out suddenly from her speakers, "I think I've worked it out!"

Dust looked round at her camera, giving her a smile, "Go ahead Puppy."

"If the field worked on living creatures the same it did on everything else, it would kill you." Puppy explained, "Your body would be so static that it would basically cease to function. I bet you would find the computers in this place are all twenty years old as well, for the very same reason. Time moves faster for you than it does for the inanimate objects around you."

"But wait..." Ace started, horror dawning, "If this place is in a time dilation field... how much time has passed in here, compared to outside?!"

"I'm sorry." Puppy answered with a soft whine, "I can only determine the effects on organic tissue here. I couldn't even begin to answer questions like that without scientific instruments."

"I... I'm sure it's ok." Fluttershy breathed, looking a little pale at the possibility herself, "We're just going to need to work quickly. Let me just run a few more tests..."

They waited patiently as Fluttershy hmmed and haaaed, Dust trying to hide his impatience. The idea of losing so much time frankly scared him a little, even if he wasn't aging any faster. Really he would technically be aging slower. Still he could only imagine what could be going on out there.

"Oh... my..."

His head flicked up, Fluttershy did not look happy, "What is it Fluttershy?"

"We need as much Rad-X and Rad-away as we can carry." She stated with a slightly trembling voice, the fear clear in her eyes, "And if you feel any sickness, numbness, blurred vision or... necrosis, please tell me immediately."

"Ghoulification?" Dust questioned, quickly inspecting himself for any signs, fortunately still being as intact as he ever was, "But the ambient radiation isn't too high..."

"It's the time dilation field. It's slowing down our metabolisms, making it much easier for the radiation to set into our bodies... and making it far less likely that it will kill us." Fluttershy looked across to Ace with concern, "Ace, you especially need to make sure you keep your radiation levels down."

"Why me?"

"Do I really have to tell you about the danger of excess radiation exposure during adolescence?" Fluttershy lectured, taking a shot of Rad-away from her pack and injecting herself in the shoulder. Once it was done she calmly bent the needle and removed it, setting the empty vial in her bag and looking through the contents, "I've got eight more vials, along with four shots of Rad-X."

"That doesn't leave us a lot to work with."

"No, but we are in a hospital..."

Ace suddenly cut them off, his voice urgent, "We have company."

Dust turned to him, "Who?"

"I don't feel them." Easu stated as his loosened the holsters on his pistols, eyes on the door.

Ace concentrated for a moment, his brow furrowing in concentration. Then he finally nodded, "Robots. Three of them, about minotaur sized. Two floors down... they're splitting up. One is directly below."

"Well we can see them and they can't see us." Dust reasoned, "We just need to avoid them as we..."

Then the sound of heavy machine gun fire started up, along with the sound of collapsing masonry. Dust instantly shouted out a warning, charging forward, scooping Fluttershy onto his back and diving out the room. A second later and the floor shattered upward, carried on a stream of high caliber rounds.

He flung Fluttershy against the wall, mentally apologizing as he span round and unhostered his shotgun. The bullets had stopped, giving him an opportunity to creep forward for a better view.

It spotted him instantly, a row of glowing eyes staring from its spider like body, appraising him from a dozen different angles. Dust braced himself against the wall and unloaded on them, a metal plate sliding across and taking the shot with a resounding clang and a small stumble which was swiftly compensated for by its multiple legs. Dust's eyes widened at this, watching as the machine pretty much shrugged off a shot from a gun that had once taken down Princess Luna at full shields.

And then a turret on its back whipped round and pulsed hot crimson.

Dust's face instantly caught fire as the beam caught him, screaming in pain as he stumbled back and threw himself to the floor. He thanked Celestia with all his heart as he felt the pain numb with a simple injection, then felt his sight come back a moment later after a healing potion was forced down his throat.

"Fire in the hole!"

He looked up at the bang, seeing a cloud of smoke and debris fill the lab they had been standing in. Easu and Ace stood there watching for further movement, Fluttershy standing over him with a concerned expression, "Are you ok Dust Kicker?"

He nodded quickly, even if the wound still hurt. Damn he hated magic energy weapons, "We need to get out of..."

Red eyes shone through the smoke, a loud, scratchy voice filling the air, "New guests come to my city, and they don't even have the decency to introduce themselves? Detain them my robo-spiders, and bring them to me!"

Dust kicker fired again, at its legs this time. The shot still did no appreciable damage but it knocked the monster off balance at least, unable to find purchase and toppling back into the hole it had created. He grunted and rose onto all fours, waving a hoof at the others, "Go, go!"

They ran down the corridors, Ace lagging behind to help Fluttershy as she began to have trouble catching up. It gave him the chance for a quick sitrep, aware now most of all how much they had lost from the group’s total effectiveness. Without Zenai's energy weapons or Star Swirl's magic, they had just no way to damage these things. His shotgun was the heaviest weapon they had, "Ace, where are they?"

"Give me a moment." He muttered, looking stressed, "Two of them have vanished, I think they've stopped moving."

"Is the other following?"

"No, it's..." Ace paused, then nodded, "They're taking up positions at the stairs down."

"Splitting their forces?" Easu grunted.

"It's a viable strategy, seeing how well armored they are." Dust pointed out, "We can take the windows, rappel down."

Easu narrowed his eyes, "We'll be very exposed."

"I have a satchel charge that I got from the mercenaries" Ace commented, patting his bag, "Not a very big one though."

Dust figured it was better than nothing, "Let me see it."

Ace brought it out of his bag, Dust thanking Celestia for small mercies, "That's a thermite charge. It's designed for taking out armor."

Ace grinned, "There we go. We take one of them out and escape."

"Hold your hooves Ace." Dust warned, seeing the one serious problem with this plan, "You need to get past it's turrets... which I saw have a 360 degree arc... attach this to a vulnerable area, then get out of range before detonating it."

"I can do it." Ace stated firmly, "I can sense this thing, I can dodge it's shots..."

"Don't be an idiot boy." Easu growled, "You cannot dodge a heavy machine gun, no matter how fast you are."

"He's right." Dust agreed, though he wished it was that easy, "That thing blasted me in the head while it's eyes were closed."

"But we have to get by it somehow!"

A small voice sounded out behind them, "I can do it."

They all turned, Fluttershy standing there with a determined look on her face. Dust raised an eyebrow, "Fluttershy?"

"I..." She hesitated, looking bashful for a moment before straightening out again, "I can teleport."

"You can what?"

She looked at them all, slightly confused, "Haven't I told you?"

Ace Gold frowned, "Fluttershy, have you been taking your medications?"

She gave him a frustrated look before simply closing her eyes and relaxing her body, Dust noicing her shoulders tense as if she was about to open up her wings...

And then she blurred and disappeared in a blast of rushing air, Dust turning as he felt a thud of landing hooves behind him. He clamped his jaw firmly shut as she saw Fluttershy there, hair rustling in the wind, turning and giving him a broad smile, "See?"

"That's impossible." Easu muttered, eyes narrowing, "That's a zebra technique, ponies shouldn't be capable..."

Dust chuckled, Fluttershy really was amazing, "She can do the stare after all."

"Maybe I am a zebra?" Fluttershy commented with a grin, "I was never a very good pegasus."

Ace stood there with a face like thunder, eventually speaking up in a low growl, "Is it even worth complaining any more?"

"No." Fluttershy responded, firmly and decisively, "We're doing this. Give me the explosives."

He sighed and passed her the satchel charge, cupping both hooves over it for a moment before looking up at her, "Be careful."

"We'll be in just as much danger." Easu commented with a tinge of irritation, "It will be us drawing it's fire."

"We need to move quickly." Dust ordered, hurrying towards the stairway as he loaded his shotgun and rested it against his forehoof, "Keep it hunkered down, let me try and hit it's turrets."

Ace nodded to them as he crouched next to Dust, "It's just at the bottom, crouched behind a support pillar."

"Right... let's go."

Easu came out first, pistols blazing. As expected they were soon answered by a burst of machine gun fire, Dust moving out but instantly having to duck and roll as he found the energy turret ready and waiting for him. It blasted the wall behind him into glowing fragments, rapidly tracking him as he cursed and scampered for cover.

Then Ace stepped out from behind the cover of the wall, facing the machine straight on as it's clawed metal legs stabbed into the stairs and it's turrets swiveled for a better shot. Ace didn't move, his voice sharp and angry, "Come on you overdesigned slab of trash!"

The voice they had heard before echoed from the machine, furious and every so slightly whiny, "Why you little twerp! What does a pony know about robotics anyway?!"

"Hmph." Ace responded, giving it a dismissive snort, "Let me guess, these things are all operated remotely right? The zebra never could build an artificial intelligence architecture worth a damn."

"You don't know what you're talking about boy! Spider-bots, focus all fire on the runt!"

Both turrets twisted, Ace tensing before leaping to the side with a precise twist, the energy blast vaporizing the machine gun bullets before zipping harmlessly past his shoulder. Dust took the opportunity and braced against the back wall before firing a shotgun blast at the energy turret, sending sparks flying and causing the weapon to retreat back inside the casing. The machine gun turret turned to fire but Dust had already ducked behind the wall, ducking under the rain of debris as the brickwork shattered above him.

"Foolish ponies! My spider bots have built in self repair protocols, and you have no chance of penetrating the primary... what on earth...?"

Dust peaked out, his heart in his mouth as he saw Fluttershy briefly scramble for purchase atop the smooth shell of the spider bot's back, eventually kicking herself forward and diving under the machine gun turret. She slammed the satchel charge into the aperture before throwing herself backwards, disappearing in a burst of air just as it fired a stream of gunfire in her direction.

The machine froze for a brief second, its voice for a moment unsure, "Was that... Fluttershy?"

Dust ducked out, firing another shot at the machine gun turret. It bounced off in a glancing hit, still enough to force it to retreat back into it's shell however. It stuck just before getting all the way inside, grinding against the satchel charge. Fluttershy reappeared just beside him and landed hard on her shoulder, gasping and dropping the detonator. It slid across the ground, Dust lunching forward and slamming his hoof down upon it.

The Spider Bot lurched and deformed, the machine gun turret flung upwards to crack against the roof above in a burst of smoke and fire. Its legs went limp and it stumbled sideways to topple down the stairs with a succession of loud bangs. Fluttershy raised her head, slightly stunned, "Did... we get it...?"

"Looks dead to me." He offered her a hoof, "Need help?"

"No... ow... just bruised..." She gingerly rose, greatly favoring her opposite shoulder, "I've only known how to do that for about a week, I'm still... ow... needing a little more practice."

"You are better with it than zebra that have practiced with it for decades." Easu muttered to himself, starting down the stairs with his guns trained on the fallen machine.

Dust looked warily across at Easu, once again unsettled by his inability to get a read on the zebra. Without Star Swirl he wasn't even sure why he was even here.

But other things demanded his attention. He offered his hoof to Fluttershy, helping her up and supporting her down the stairs to where Easu was waiting. Dust made sure they were all there before starting towards the exit, "Right, let's get out of here. Keep low everypony."

They made it out with just a short duck and run when something tried to snipe them from an upper floor window, scrambling across the hospital grounds with bullets whistling about their ears. They soon made it out of range however, and proceeded to make a brisk pace towards the center of the city where the mighty form of the Grand Palace rose above the city.

Ace moved closer to him as they moved down the street, his voice low, "We're being followed. Behind us."

Dust knew better than to look, "Mirror in my side pocket."

Ace fished it out, holding it up at the right angle for Dust to see the figure creeping about in the background. It was a ghoul, malnourished and pathetic looking, staring at them with fearful, sad eyes. It was clearly intelligent, and didn't seem to be armed, "We ignore him for now."

Ace furrowed his brow, "Really?"

Dust nodded, he had seen this before, "He's using stealth, which means he's intelligent. And if he's survived this long without a weapon, that means he's done it by being fast and knowing the environment. We spook him, he's long gone." He nodded reassuringly at Ace, "Keep an eye on him. If he gets brave enough to approach us, he might be a valuable ally. At the very least he might know something about what happened here."

Ace nodded, reluctantly returning to formation... if a little closer to Fluttershy.

They soon found an electronics shop, Dust leading the way as they stepped around the perfectly preserved shelves, mostly stripped clean like the other shops but still selling a reasonably amount of merchandise. The decor was cheery and given the circumstances highly inappropriate, the door even played a cheery tune as they walked inside. Bright signs declared the promises of high class radios, now 30% off, and that workshops on home improvements would be conducted at the podium each day at ten and three, "Hey Fluttershy, have you noticed that we've barely seen anything acknowledging the war is even on? No pictures of the glorious leader, no recruiting slogans..."

"This place was always very... old money." Fluttershy explained as she looked nervously about the interior, "I'm sure they didn't need to be reminded..."

"This place is consumer central." Ace Gold commented, "Caesar wanted them feeling secure so they'd keep spending money at these places, making money for the war effort."

"That's... a valid conclusion too."

Ace suddenly let out a little squeaking sound, then galloped forward a few meters to stop at a row of shelving that was still stocked up, "This is exactly what we need, and it's top quality too. We just need..."

Then a pony lurched out behind him and rammed a knife into the buck's shoulder.

"ACE!"

Dust cursed, drawing out his shotgun but hesitating at the last moment. He had seen what the weapon could do and Ace was too close, struggling in the pony's grasp...

Then a bullet struck the pony in the temple, causing him to lurch sideways and fling Ace across the tiles. The pony staggered... then turned to face them, blank eyes staring from a half blown away skull. A skull that was completely... "Holy... Celestia's teats..."

Easu hesitated now, his still smoking pistol dropping slightly, "I cannot feel this pony, its thoughts, its emotions..."

Dust had no reason not to fire now, sighting up on the abomination, "That's because it doesn't have a brain!"

It lunged towards them, the empty space where its brain should be all too clear through the bloody hole in its head. Dust scowled in disgust and fired, the powerful shotgun reducing it to chunks.

"Dust Kicker!" Fluttershy loudly complained.

"What?"

"We needed to work out what that thing was!"

Hamburger now, his shotgun wasn't subtle. He looked up at Ace Gold, the foal looking rather unhappy as he discarded an empty vial of healing potion, "You ok?"

"Sure... sorry." He muttered, looking embarrassed, "I got distracted, and... well until he started moving I didn't feel a thing."

"I didn't sense him either." Easu commented, looking across as Fluttershy searched through the mess with a surprising lack of squeamishness, "Do you have any idea Lady Fluttershy?"

"A lot of these organs don't appear to be natural, and there are surgical scars around them. There's a cybernetic device attached to the brainstem, which is the only part of the brain remaining." She looked up from the mess, gulping and shaking her head with a pronounced look of disquiet, "This zebra has been experimented on extensively."

"Then what is he doing out here?" Ace questioned.

"Escaped... let loose?" Dust offered, watching as Ace made his way over with a look of increasing interest, "See something?"

"That device on his brain..." Ace waved his hoof and Fluttershy brought it over, reversing her gloves to seal it in a clear plastic bag and hold it before him. Ace inspected it carefully, finally nodding his head, "It has a transmitter on it. Somepony might very well have been tracking this guy... or even recording his brainwaves."

"The same guy who deployed the spider bots maybe?" Puppy offered from atop Dust's back.

Dust found himself agreeing, even if it was a disquieting notion, "Ever feel like you're in someponies' science experiment?"

"More reason to hurry." Easu urged, "Let us do what we came here for."

"It's wonderful, thank you Ace Gold."

Ace Gold rubbed the back of his head as the... completed form of Puppy stood before him, looking less enthused with his efforts. He eventually shrugged, adjusting one of her sensors with a hoof, and stepping back a pace to get a better look at her, "Get real Puppy, at best it's adequate. You were in priceless, custom built suit of advanced power armor, I'm not going to be able to match that with off the shelf components."

Dust agreed with both of them. It was hardly what she was before, but considering what he had to work with... "It's still some fine work. Take the complement."

"Fine..." Ace helped Dust pick her up and strap her on, her body now secured by the bottom half of a travelers backpack. Attached was a grey, armored shell made of refrigerator parts, with various transmitters and sensors sticking out the back. A camera looped round, fitting against Dust's shoulder so she could see what he saw. The pipbuck on his wrist fed into her systems, and then out through the visor attached to his head. She was heavy, and slightly unbalanced, and lacked the armor plating or the assisting servos... still... "It will serve until we find something better at least."

Dust decided it was time to check out what she could do, "Go on then Puppy, impress us."

"Please plug me into the telephone grid if you could Dust Kicker." She asked, ever so politely. He complied, slipping her lead into the jack they had previous located, Puppy's image flashing a big smiley face, "Yay! Accessing now."

First things first, "Puppy, can you work out where this time field is coming from?"

"Already on it." Puppy declared, throwing a 'computing' logo up on the screen, "I'm forming a map of the area now. Can you get out a paper version so I can mark places of interest?"

They had already found a map during their search of the place, a big touristy one with attractions labeled. Dust spread it out, just inspecting it when Puppy spoke up again, "No surprise where the time magic effect is coming from."

"The academy of science?"

"Right." Puppy confirmed, "At least it's coming from that side of the city, and there's nothing else there with the equipment capable of doing something like this. I'm also picking up... something very wierd from that location."

"Weird?" Dust asked, finding the academy on the map. It seemed to be located within a poorer area of the city, both it and the buildings around fenced off and apparently not open to the public, "Weird how?"

"Well... there's a gravimetric distortion centered on the academy, indicating... well something in the region of ten to the power of sixteen kilograms, at least."

Dust looked at the others, all of them seeming as lost as he was, "Laymans terms."

Puppy sighed, "There's something heavy enough to distort the planet's gravity located on that side of the city... and even stranger, it can't be more than about fifty meters in diameter."

"That's impossible." Ace commented now, lip curling, "There is nothing in the universe that dense... unless somepony's collected their own little white dwarf star."

"I'm only telling you what I see. I'm tapping into governmental systems, give me a moment..." There was a sharp ring and Puppy's happy face appeared, before her smile quickly fell, "I... have located the fallout shelters on the system, along with orders for evacuation."

Dust didn't like the tone of her voice, "What's wrong?"

"They're... all empty." Her frown became even grimmer as she continued, "And Fluttershy is right. These shelters... they are fake."

"Fake?"

"They don't have water talismans, just enough stored water to last maybe a week? And there are clear differences between the construction on the official plans and what I'm detecting on status reports." Puppy popped up a little exclamation mark next to her face, "These shelters aren't designed to operate long term."

Fluttershy's eyes widened, her face pained, "They left them there to die?"

"No..." Puppy looked noticeably uncomfortable, "They were all emptied of their inhabitants, starting a day after the megaspells fell. One after another, over the course of... a month. No indication of where they were taken. But..." She suddenly gulped, her eyes quivering, "But... some of them were simply sealed, trapping the inhabitants inside a non-functional facility. And a few... the number of life signs drops suddenly, some over the course of hours, some... seconds."

Fluttershy covered her mouth, voice choked, "They turned a city of a hundred thousand into a graveyard..."

"Just like everywhere else." Easu dryly commented.

"But this... this was planned, deliberate. And it was done to their own citizens." Fluttershy looked up at Dust, eyes pleading, "This... I know it's not the mission, but our final destination is the Academy of Science right?"

Dust nodded, knowing where this was going, "Yes."

"Then... we need to get answers. Find out... why?"

Dust looked at her with grim determination, "Then we're going to need some bigger guns."

The gunshop was unfortunately one of the few places they had seen so far that didn't look like the inhabitants had just got up and left one day. Indeed it was a wreck, ammo boxes ransacked and thrown to the floor, the till broken open, the door kicked down. Pretty much everything good had already been looted.

Fortunately they didn't seem to have been that interested in the one essential that Dust wasn't sure how I was going to live without, feeling a little thrill as he inspected a long line of pristine, top quality battle saddles. Many of them included mechanisms for firing 'zebra style', stood up on hind legs of course, still there were plenty of standard ones too. To be perfectly honest he hadn't been great at standing on two legs when he was younger, let alone with a little extra weight about his middle.

"Here Fluttershy, some shotgun ammo." Ace stated as he came out of the back room, handing her the shells before looking up at Dust, "Looks like some adventurers had the same idea, they left a computer diary in the back room. Puppy decoded it, looks like they went into the factory district looking for weapon schematics. No reports of seeing anything but empty streets."

"Something got them." Dust commented, slipping his assault rifle and shotgun into his harness and tightening the straps, "Well, all vote for avoiding the factory district at least."

"But we are going to need more weaponry." Easu pointed out, restocking on ammo for his pistols, "But I expect for that we would need to raid a military outpost. We need anti armor, heavy assault weapons. None of that would be sold to civilians."

"Um..."

They turned, Fluttershy looking around nervously. She shrunk a little as they looked at her, embarassed. Dust gave her a reassuring smile, "Go ahead Fluttershy, you know this place better than us."

"Well... I only really got a chance to explore one place in detail." She continued to look nervous, avoiding his gaze, "But its one place I know there will be plenty of weapons and supplies."

"So what's the problem?"

Fluttershy sighed, "Well... bad memories mostly..."

The Imperial Palace.

It resembled the palace at Demonivore in many ways, but was more in every sense. Where as the Demonivore palace had been square, this was hexagonal, and instead sheer lines this instead formed into gentle curves at the sides. It was built in stages, a large central tower in the centre folded into a set of four smaller, then four smaller again linked by an intimidating looking defensive wall that sloped gently upwards. Waters flowed down its steps through a series of impressive looking dragon sculptures, statues of great zebra heroes standing at the four corners of each stage.

It looked old. Really old, looking as solid as the mountain. The relative crudity of it's construction didn't matter, the structure bearing a sense of grandure that made the modern buildings around it look formless in comparison.

The gates stood ahead past a bridge across the surrounding moat, two intimidating looking stone doors bearing archaic looking zebra text. Easu spoke up as they approached, "Invaders are turned away, the thousand death spells of starlight, turn your blade and depart."

Fluttershy looked at him, "You can read that?"

Easu nodded, "Tradash taught me. its old draconic, a powerful language for warding spells."

"Those gates aren't supposed to ever shut." Fluttershy explained as they continued across the courtyard, moving past rows of souvenir shops and tourist booths, "Only in times of invasion."

"I don't recommend getting too close." Easu warned, "I sense powerful magic there."

"So we're not getting in then." Dust accepted with a sigh, feeling a little disappointed.

Fluttershy chuckled cheerfully, turning to him, "Unless you know a secret entrance."

"Really?"

Fluttershy nodded, leading them on past the bridge and down some stairs to a little walkway along the moat. She explained as they followed behind, "We tracked a pony, a thief working for an evil zebra merchant called Centurius. He was trying to kidnap the son of one of the grand council members, and when we pursued him from the palace he escaped down a hidden tunnel."

"This was...?"

"Me, Applejack... was Rainbow Dash there? No... me, Applejack and Pinkie Pie." She declared after a bit of thought, before suddenly jerking to attention and scuttling back a short way, "Here it is!"

Dust watched as she struck her hooves against the brickwork, "Is it likely to be defended?"

"Perhaps..." She admitted, "Caesar Remicon did know about it... and knew that we knew."

"Then weapons ready." Dust advised, watching carefully as Fluttershy ran her hooves along the stone.

Then the wall suddenly swung inwards, revealing a dusty, stone lined room beyond that led into a corridor winding downwards. There was a robot just beyond and Dust almost fired, but it didn't appear to be functional.

Fluttershy looked at the robot herself, took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Identity confirmed."

Fluttershy jumped, Dust Kicker's teeth tightening on the trigger of his shotgun as the robot suddenly spoke, dust falling from its shoulders. He hesitated briefly as he saw it was the same design as the lost legion maintenance bots, and completely unarmed by the looks of it.

"I am unarmed, please do not be afraid."

So he was right. He waved off the other two, waiting for the machine to speak again.

Fluttershy stared straight at the robot, speaking directly, "Why are you here?"

"Waiting for you Minister Fluttershy." The robot intoned, its voice polite, diplomatic and in slightly accented Equestrian, "You are one of the few ponies who know about this passage, my master Caesar knew that if you wished to enter the palace it would be through here. I see you have armed ponies with you. Are they Equestrian soldiers? Has the city come under invasion?"

"No." Fluttershy shook her head, "They're with me."

"Then my master thanks you for coming yourself. Please, follow the passage to the end, Caesar is eager to meet with you."

Ace eyed the robot with suspicion as he stepped inside, "When was the last time you received a communication from the palace?"

"...working. Eleven years, five months ago." It turned it's camera to Ace, "Update was in non-standard format, still processing contents."

Dust looked down the long tunnel. It didn't seem like anything had been down this way in a long time, but you never knew... "We should continue... carefully. They were obviously expecting you Fluttershy."

"Maybe they thought I would defect." She stated mournfully.

"He asked if the invasion had started." Ace corrected, "They likely expected you to come and negotiate a cease fire."

"Well... maybe it's not too late." Fluttershy noted with a little determination as she started walking, "It's only been a couple of decades, and they locked the doors. They could still be there!"

"More reason to keep our guns ready..." Dust warned as he followed her, eyes scanning for threats.

They corridor wound down and up, while remaining as grey and featureless as ever. Dust figured they were somewhere beneath the palace now, and soon the walls transitioned to well maintained stonework. Finally they found a blank wall looming up before them, Fluttershy moving up and pressing her hoof against the brickwork.

"Fluttershy, be careful..." Dust advanced forward to cover her as the wall swung open, revealing... an empty corridor, soft flame burning in elegantly decorated sconces. Fluttershy advanced, staring around, Dust following and inspecting their surroundings.

It was dusty. No one had been here in a while. Everything was still perfectly in place though, dead plants in some of the planters, the doors all closed, the carpet perfectly angled, "This is the palace?"

"Yes." Fluttershy replied, sounding frustrated, "Come on, the throne room is this way."

A vast hall opened out before them, mighty pillars stretching up to a great mural of zebra history, faded and chipped but still bearing power. Plenty of doors led outwards like the one they had just entered through, along the centre however was a wide carpeted path between two huge stone doors. It was split in two at the centre by a tall, pyramidal spike of rock, a set of shallow stairs leading up to the far entrance. As with the corridor they had just traveled, everything was untouched and totally silent.

"This is quite impressive."

Fluttershy just seemed disquieted by it however, waving them onwards along the outskirts of the room, "This way. I want to check something."

Dust noted her looking at the spike of rock, noticing that she seemed to be avoiding it, "What's that thing in the centre of the room?"

"The seeing stone." Easu noted with tones unable to disguise the reverence in his voice, "It looks into a zebra's heart, can tell if you are attuned to one of the elements of harmony."

He looked across at Fluttershy. She glared back, her hooves dancing nervously across the stone, "I... I already know ok...?"

Easu had already moved out however, stepping across the hall until he stood before the stone with narrowed eyes. After a moment Dust moved out to meet him, Ace treading behind, "Can you see anything?"

"No." Easu stated simply, "Fluttershy, how does it work?"

Fluttershy reluctantly stepped over, voice strained, "You just stand in front of it."

"Let me try." Ace stated, moving over as Easu stepped away. As before the stone simply sat there, "Anything?"

"Doesn't look like it. Maybe this time field is stopping it from working?" Dust theorized as he moved forward himself, staring into nothing but featureless stone, "Well, not that I expected that I would be attuned to harmony."

"Come on." Fluttershy rather angrily insisted, continuing on towards the double doors at the top of the steps.

The doors swung open at the touch of Fluttershy's hoof, Dust feeling a sinking feeling in his stomach as he followed Fluttershy onwards. The room was circular, five pillars standing around the central area. Each was topped with an orb of shining color, inscriptions winding their way up the sides. Charity, Compassion, Optimism, Integrity, Devotion... a larger pillar at the end of the room had no inscription, but was topped with a glowing sculpture of reaching flames made out of a dozen different hues of crystal. At the base of the pillar were two thrones, a larger one decorated with dragon motifs and a smaller decorated with stylized depictions of zebra.

It was empty. Their hoof steps echoed off marbled stone, not a single hoof print in the dust ahead. Fluttershy stopped before the two thrones, her face twitching with complex emotions. Dust looked at her, his hoof reaching out, "Fluttershy..."

"The Dragon Throne of Caesars." Easu stated with quiet reverence, "I never dared think I would stand before it."

"I don't know what I thought I would find here." Fluttershy stated, quietly padding over to the throne and placing a hoof onto the smooth, polished surface, "It's... as empty as the rest of the city... they expected me, but I never..."

Dust looked around the room. The difference between this place and the state room of Canterlot Palace couldn't be more pronounced. The predominant color was grey, the lighting only defining the shadows, the room enclosed and cold. All the same it had weight, a weight that seemed real to him. It was a place of serious decisions, not luxury and pomp.

"What are you doing?!"

He turned at Easu's voice, then looked around at Fluttershy as she climbed up upon the throne. She turned and placed her rump down, head rising imperiously to find itself crowned by the jaws of the dragon and the rising sun above that was carved into the back.

"Hail the great Caesar Fluttershy, long may she reign." Ace muttered to himself.

"No one else was sitting here." Fluttershy stated with a firm, angry tone, hoof hitting the side with a loud crack, "The war is over! The dragon throne is mine!"

"You're two hundred years too late..."

"And... I need a representative of the zebra empire to surrender to me!" Fluttershy declared, sound a little too serious as her wild eyes darted about, "Bring the Caesar to me!"

Dust moved over, looking up at the mare. He could see the desperation there, the pain and anger. All the same, he had to admit that sitting there she looked every inch the Princess, radiating a strange authority that he couldn't deny, "There's no zebra left here Fluttershy."

"There has to be!" She slumped, brow twinging in pain, "There has to be..."

"Excuse me everyone, but I've successfully tapped into their systems." Puppy stated, breaking the silence, "I now have access to their sensor grid."

Finally, something to be happy about, "And?"

"I cannot detect any signs of life within the palace. Security systems are all powered down. This place has been abandoned for a while."

This was becoming stranger and stranger, "Puppy, any records that can tell us where everyone went?"
Puppy nodded on his heads up display, "Searching... found. There's an evacuation shelter within the palace, and an order was sent out just before the megaspells fell ordering all senior figures to report there."

"You know where it is?"

"Yes."

"Then take us there. Time to find some answers."

Dust and led the way as they strolled the silent, echoing corridors, Dust feeling the weight of history despite the ominous silence. The stone corridors were overlaid with twisting lines of mahogany, bearing symbols and depictions of zebra history and culture, the wooden carvings picking out great events illustrated by vivid splashes of color. He walked past one featuring a vast golden dragon standing proudly at the top of a mountain, roaring at the sun as a multitude of smaller dragons flew outwards into the world. Another depicted a battlefield littered with the bodies of thousands of zebra and demonspawn both, a bloodied and weary looking zebra crouching in the centre with his great sword lying broken beside him.

"It's here." Puppy spoke as they reached an intersection, a mural of two kingly looking zebra fighting each other, "I'm accessing it now."

The wall slid open, revealing a set of stone stairs leading down. They ended in a high tech looking airlock, a hole in the roof trailing wires. They walked down together and stood before the great metal door, Dust noticing an autocannon turret had been torn loose and now lay rusting and abandoned in the corner. Puppy closed her eyes and a working symbol appeared, and after a moment the airlock whistled and slid open.

"Oh Celestia's mercy!"

Dust quickly backed away, pushing the others as the pink gas billowed outwards and settled at their feet, revealing a security station beyond. The remains of the royal guard still lay where they fell, one fused partly into his chair.

"Dust Kicker sir." Puppy stated quietly as they stood there in silent horror, "I have access to the bunker's systems. I'm recording no survivors."

"What the hell happened...?" Ace whispered quietly to himself as he finally averted his eyes.

"There... there are dispensers of pink gas built into the room." Puppy replied, her voice shaking, "They were activated remotely an hour after the room was sealed."

Fluttershy gave the pink gas a determined glare, then advanced forward.

"Fluttershy!"

Dust desperately moved to grab her, only to dart close as the pink gas billowed about her body. He didn't know what was going on but he was forced to follow, the gas refusing to go near her but swirling about her body in a way that swept dangerously close to his own hooves, "Fluttershy, how..."

"I'm a pegasus." She answered simply, "It's all just air."

He looked at her hard, unyielding glare, "Are you... staring it into submission...?"

They passed into the next room with Dust pressed up against her flank, the door opening to a vision of further carnage. This was the operations room, a large table in the centre bearing maps and diagrams, stations around the outside for radio operators and other support staff.

They were all dead, twisted, fused with their chairs or the floor, hooves lifted in gasping horror.

"I knew these zebra..." Fluttershy whispered, counting the dead, "Fon, Caesar's major domo, Zinfane, head of the royal knights..." Her eyes flicked about, finally falling as she frowned to herself, "Caesar isn't here. Neither is Prince Nashar."

Dust looked up, "Puppy?"

"The doors log each zebra who steps through these doors." She stated after a moment of hesitation, "I'm logging sixteen zebra entering this chamber, including Caesar. They all remained here, none of them moving further into the facility."

"I count fifteen." Fluttershy quietly confirmed.

"One exited this room afterwards, heading back towards the palace." Puppy continued, "The internal systems didn't recognize him, so the turret at the door shot at him and confirmed a kill. Twenty four seconds later the turret went offline."

"That was the empty space in the roof above the doorway?" Dust mused, "It looked like the turret there had been torn away."

Puppy spoke up after a moment, "The one figure detecting exiting. I have some scans recorded here, and an explanation of why they weren't recognized."

"Go ahead Puppy."

"It looks like a... Canterlot Ghoul."

"And that's why the pink gas didn't kill them." Dust noted with a sigh, "Their body managed to resist the effect, made them immortal. A one in a thousand chance."

"Where did he go after that?" Fluttershy asked insistently, "What happened to him?!"

"I... don't know." Puppy admitted, "The palace records are erased every year. I can't record his progress once he exited the bunker."

"No, that can't..." Fluttershy gasped and closed her eyes, the pink gas coming a little closer...

"Fluttershy!" Dust lifted a hoof, flesh stinging as it touched against his flesh, "Gas!"

"It's not... no! NO!" Fluttershy's eyes opened again, her voice ringing out sharply. A crackle of indigo light shone out, tears starting to run down her face as she continued, "I can't do this again! It should have been me! I would have died a hundred times before I let anypony else suffer, so WHY AM I STILL ALIVE!?"

Dust was torn between his concern for Fluttershy's mental health and the very real terror he felt as the pink gas swirled about his hooves in an increasingly fierce maelstrom, "Fluttershy, it's not... FLUTTERSHY!"

He cried out as she stepped forward out of the small pocket of air, plunging straight into the pink gas. It seemed to stretch and condense before her, the indigo light discharging off through the swirling clouds. Dust huddled up as the gas closed around him, Fluttershy's form disappearing into the deadly haze beyond. Her voice still rung out loud and clear, angry and pained, full of grief as she shouted into the empty room, "I should have done more! I should have sacrificed more, compromised more, been more! It should have been... it should have been Rarity who escaped! She knew what it took, she gave up EVERYTHING! I... I should have been more like her..."

The pink gas rushed forward, Dust ducking down as he felt it sting against his flanks. More and more of it collected at a single point just in front of him, drawn forward by an irresistible pull centered on a glowing ball of indigo light just ahead.

And there was a butterscotch pegasi standing before it, wings extended and glowing with rainbow light, her body young, strong and full of power. That indigo light shone within her now, magic pouring out in a fierce stream. The pink gas was quickly removed from the room by the pull, all collected in a tiny ball floating just before her eyes.

Then Fluttershy gave a final yell and it disappeared with a rush of displaced air, the light fading and Fluttershy collapsing to the ground.

"Fluttershy! Are..." He looked down at her, hesitating. She looked even older than before, weak and shrunken, once again clad in her leather armor. "...you alright?"

She blinked at his hooves, trying to move but quickly giving up on that notion, "Did... did it work?"

Dust looked around, he still couldn't believe it, "The pink gas is gone. What did you do?"

"I... teleported it away... into the skies above the palace..." Fluttershy winced, "...didn't know I could do that..."

"Then why did you try it!?" Dust shouted, trying to control himself and failing. He couldn't help it, he was scared. For a moment there he thought... "You could have died!"

"They... deserve better." Fluttershy looked up at the corpses scattered around, tears forming at her eyes, "They served their country faithfully, and they deserved more than to die like this."

Dust felt his heart shake, "Fluttershy... everypony died like this..."

"I know." She forced herself up onto her hooves, her face twisting in barely contained grief, "That's why... that's why I won't stop until everything is made right..."

She burst into tears, powerful sobs that shook her fragile body. Dust instantly reached forward and took her, holding her tight as she let it all out into her shoulder.

It took a good hour but eventually all the skeletons were removed from the bunker and taken to a nearby room, decorated with images of the souls journey to the great fire and featuring dozens of carved stone slabs where Fluttershy instructed each body to be laid. Dust was not a religious stallion, and personally had always been a fan of just leaving his bones in the dust that named him on the day he finally fell. Still, it felt... right, to give them the final rest that they would have wished. Fluttershy certainly seemed to gain some peace from it.

That task done they got to the real work, connecting Puppy up to the bunker's systems and letting her do her work. It wasn't long before the command centre was up and humming again, Dust enjoying a drink from the wine cabinet as he waited for her to finish processing.

"It appears Caesar did order the megaspell bombardment, but there are... big discrepancies here."

"What do you mean by that?" Dust asked, him and the others gathered around the central table as Puppy displayed a holographic map of Equestria.

"Targets for megaspell impacts are marked." She stated, as a dozen lines lit up around the map. Dust recognized some of them, though most were just... nowhere places. He picked out Splendid Valley though, and a couple of military facilities that had been famous for both their supplies of top class salvage and their high radiation levels. He did notice however that only two populated areas were marked, "This avoids all civilian areas... except Fillydelphia and Cloudsdale."

"Yes. Fillydelphia and Cloudsdale were targeted as Equestria's main manufacturing bases. And I also have orders for Canterlot and Manehatten... but..." Puppy paused, eventually throwing up a message up on the holoprojecter. It looked like a set of instructions, signed by Caesar, "Manehatten was to be targeted with a high grade, conventional magical explosive, to be placed in the Equestrian Military Command Center. After it detonated... zebra troops inside the city were to seize what was left, take command of communications and demand that Equestria surrender."

Silence reigned. Ace spoke first, "What?"

"That's what the orders read. Canterlot on the other hand was to be targeted with a temporal distortion bomb, slowing the area down to the point where one second there would result in an hour passing in the outside world. By the time Princess Luna and the other mages would be able to dispel it, the war would already be over."

"That's not what happened." Dust Kicker stated, knowing it was self evident but needing to say something.

"Well it worked." Ace growled, "Equestria was left without leadership."

"And they panicked." Dust shook his head, giving a deep sigh, "They fired everything they had left, indiscriminately."

"Either these are old orders, or someone changed them before they reached their intended destinations." Easu noted with a low, angry growl, "Someone who wanted the total destruction of Equestria, rather than the intended tactical strike."

"They would have to be either stupid or crazy." Ace pointed out, waving a hoof at the table, "The level of destruction they subjected Equestria to polluted the seas, disrupted weather patterns across the globe. Even without Equestria's retaliation, the zebra lands would have been devastated by the environmental effects."

Dust looked across at Fluttershy. She looked impassive, and that worried him all the more, "Puppy, give me something. Who changed these orders?"

"I'm sorry Dust Kicker." She stated mournfully, "They were transmitted in their intended form, on a encrypted channel to Ebonlode Fortress. If the plans changed, they changed there."

"I've been there." Easu stated with a heavy tone, "General Tacticus shot himself after he was halfway through the Equestria damage report. I assumed he was simply unable to live with his own actions, but... now I am unsure."

"I knew General Tacticus. He was a warrior, but he was honorable. He avoided civilian casualties wherever he could." Fluttershy suddenly stated, her voice shaking with several different emotions at once, "I never believed he could have willingly fired the megaspells."

"These orders were top secret, they would have gone through very limited, very specific channels." Ace stated, his jaw straining and his tone full of cold fury, "It would have been very possible for someone on the inside to change those orders at any one of those points, exchange those explosives for full megaspells, add more targets... it was well known that Equestria had heavily infiltrated their network, they wouldn't have risked confirming these sort of orders for risk of tipping off listening posts."

"Thank you Puppy." Fluttershy stated with a calm, polite tone, proceeding to walk towards the exit, "I am going to get some air."

"Are... you ok?" Dust asked as she passed, looking worryingly calm and controlled.

"I'm fine." She paused, taking a deep breath, "I just... feel a little claustrophobic."

She moved to exit, suddenly stopping and turning around to glare at them all as they went to follow, "All of you!... still have work to do. I am... fine."

Dust looked at the others, all locked in hesitation. By the time he had turned back Fluttershy was gone.

"We cannot leave her alone." Easu stated firmly, "This is information that could break anyone. I worry for her safety."

Dust didn't want to volunteer, not least for fear of angering a certain buck for the seventh time this week. Better to let this fall to others, "Ace, you should..."

"Dust Kicker, make sure she's alright." Ace sighed, then turned back to the table, "I'll keep working with Puppy."

Dust paused. Did Ace just... give his blessing? "Are you sure?"

"I can't deal with this stuff, I'm... a post rainbow kid. I don't know what it's like to deal with... this." He scrunched his muzzle, looking emotional, "She trusts you... and I guess I've got to do the same. Look after her."

Dust gave him a smile, before realizing the buck probably couldn't register that. He settled with a nod, before moving towards the exit at a fast trot, "Keep an eye from here would you?"

"Will do." Puppy replied with a rather inappropriate cheer, "Don't go too far!"

He tried his best to follow Puppy's advice, but Fluttershy sure could move when she wanted to. He had taken several turns at Puppy's direction and now was absolutely sure he was lost, about to ask for confirmation when he heard hoofsteps ahead.

Then they stopped, and Dust took that as opportunity to move silently, creeping to the doorway just ahead. His eyes moved across the room beyond, a small stone chamber empty but for a tall, ornate mirror and Fluttershy standing before it.

Fluttershy walked closer to the mirror, her hoofsteps echoing in the emptiness. She advanced, hesitating, looking up to the glass... towards a soft, innocent mare in the reflection. She smiled as the mare trembled, frozen in Fluttershy's gaze, "Hello Fluttershy."

"I..." The mare shivered, then looked away, her voice was small and scared, "...hello..."

"Please don't be afraid."

The shy, butterscotch mare in the mirror gingerly looked up, meeting her gaze. Her voice was barely above a whisper, "I'm sorry... you’re just... so... different... I never imagined I could be..."

Fluttershy chuckled, dropping her shoulders giving the young mare a kind look, "Not that different."

"Yes you are." The mare gave her a sharp glare, expression a little wild as she retreated a pace, "You're got armor on, and you've got scars... and blood on your hooves!"

Fluttershy looked down, surprised for a moment. Her expression soon turned resigned, "I guess it is a little scary..."

"Are you...?" The mare gingerly asked, her eyes avoidant, "Um, that is... you look like you've come from some great future pony war..."

Fluttershy smirked back at her, voice full of humor, "I guess I have. Trapped inside one of Twilight's books huh?"

"Then I know this isn't true." The mare stated with a grin, "Because... I would be the first to die."

Fluttershy' face finally fell and she was quiet for quite some time. Eventually she spoke, worn and weary, "I'm not entirely sure how I managed it either."

"Well... I guess I have good friends. They always protect me."

"..."

"Where... where are the others?"

Fluttershy's voice cracked, "They're gone. I'm the only one left."

Then the mare in the mirror did something very unexpected. She... giggled. Laughed even. Her face opened up in a big grin, voice losing its shy monotone completely to open up with a far more exited little squeak, "Then I know this isn't true! There's no way I would survive some great pony war and Rainbow Dash wouldn't, or Twilight, or Applejack! You're just joking with me right?"

Fluttershy grinned back, chuckling to herself, "I guess it is a little funny."

"You do look cool." The mare in the mirror assured her, "It's nice to think... even if I know it would never happen, it's nice to think I'll be so... reliable one day. You look even cooler than Rainbow Dash, all rugged and confident! I... I wish I could believe I could ever be that cool..."

"Don't you worry Fluttershy." Fluttershy reassured with a grin, "Rainbow Dash already knows how strong you are. You just have to remind her from time to time."

Then she waved a hoof and the image disappeared, Fluttershy sighing and walking away. Dust moved to follow, only to hesitate as he passed.

What would... he had to admit he was a little curious. How did you activate...?

He looked into the mirror and a young buck looked back out. He was tall and stocky, round cheeks lined with freckles that gave him a cute appearance that the spiky purple Mohican and the facial piercings couldn't disguise. He wore bloody leathers, shoulder decorated with a holed pony skull. His voice was rough, scratchy, trying too hard to sound tough, "What you looking at old man?"

"A punk." Dust replied, looking the buck over with a grin, "Man, I looked stupid."

"Huh, says the fat old fuck with the mad old hermit hair."

Dust touched a hoof to his hair. He had to admit he hadn't had it cut recently. Still, it was better than that stupid purple spike, "Kid, for what its worth... get out while you can. You're too fucking smart to be a raider."

The buck grimaced, "Oh fuck no! No no no! Fuck you old man, fuck you in your stupid cunt! I'm not going to become some fucking old grampa, giving lame ass advice like I know a fuck!"

Dust chuckled. He couldn't help it, it was just too funny, "Celestia's teats, you're a tool. I kinda forgot."

"Your right old man, I'm better than this. I'm better than them, and I'm better than you." He waved a hoof, grinning smugly, "What the fuck you doing, all smacked up and looking like you haven't had a bath in years?"

That was rich, "And what about you?"

"I'm young man. But I'm fucking hungry, hungrier than all those cunts." He turned, proudly displaying his lasso cutie mark, "You see this? All the others tell me what a lame cutie mark this is, because it's not some fucking chainsaw cutting some cunts head off."

"You always bring them back alive."

"Yeah. And you know what?" He smirked, wide and gleeful, "The live ones? They're nicer to fuck, they smell a little better, and they sell for a fucking mint. So fuck you living in the dirt, acting like you know a fuck." He angled his head back, strutting arrogantly, "I'm gonna be the greatest slaver baron in this whole fucking wasteland, I'm gonna wear a fucking velvet suit and spend my evenings fucking the most beautiful mares in the wasteland on a bed of silk. And people will call me mister Dust Kicker, or I'll cut their cocks off and feed them their own dicks."

"Sounds like the good life."

"You bet it old man." The buck smirked, "So get the fuck out of here before I puke, you fat old fuck."

He sighed, shaking his head. The image evaporated as he did it, to Dust's relief quite frankly. Was he really that much of a tool? Gawd punching him seemed more justifiable than ever if this was accurate.

He had... believed himself to be a lone, honorable misfit among the raiders who had raised him. Refusing to indulge in their ways, running away to be a better pony. But... he had always known that it was a comforting lie he had told himself so many times that he himself had grown to believe it. He had been a berk, who had fallen out of that life due to random chance.

"We've both changed so much."

He turned with a start, relieved when he saw it was only Fluttershy. She looked sympathetic and calm, Dust slightly worried by just how calm she looked, "I... it's been a long time since I thought about those days."

"That's a nice luxury." Fluttershy replied, eyes dropping, "You know the statues of my friends that Littlepip found?"

"Yes?"

"They gave them to me, after my return. To help me find myself... after everything." She smiled, meeting Dust's eyes with what looked like genuine happiness, "They helped, they really did. To remember the good times. That Rarity was still looking out for me after all this time."

Dust gave the obvious response, "But?"

"I couldn't live in the past forever. I didn't want to live in the past forever." The joy faded from her face, "My friends are dead. My world is dead. I had to concentrate on making the world I was in now better. So I locked those statues away, and asked the NCR to make me an ambassador."

"We can't live in the past Fluttershy." He stated in agreement, before giving her a sympathetic smile, "But we can take strength from it."

"Dust Kicker..." She gave him a conflicted look before finally speaking, "I feel my past more than ever. Standing here, learning those things... the megaspells weren't just a mistake. A villain, a proper villain intentionally caused the end of the world."

"We... don't entirely know that..."

"We do. There's no other explanation for it." She gave him a firm glare, "I knew the Caesar, I knew Luna, I knew them all. They were my friends, and I hate myself for ever doubting any of them."

Dust shook his head in concern and worry, but still... in the end he decided just to go with it. Fluttershy could well be right, "So we find them and bring them to justice?"

"I don't know Dust Kicker..." She gave him a small, thin smile, "You know, I really am tempted to sit on the Dragon throne for real, become Caesar of the realms and use that power to make things right again."

He grinned, "If you did, you know I would stand at your side."

Her face fell as he said this, mulling over his answer internally. He eyes finally came up after a moment, eyes sad and piercing, "Celestia never took a husband you know. The realm demanded everything from her... she abandoned all the things of her past in order to heal a broken world."

"Fluttershy, you can't..."

"I think I could." She smiled, her eyes shining with a gentle purity, "I really have changed. Once... oh, I would have panicked just thinking about it. Being a Caesar, being a ruler."

Dust knew this was important to her but he didn't want... her getting ahead of herself, "It doesn't mean you have to give everything up..."

"But it does." She pursed her lips, looking regretful but firm, "A ruler must be impartial, fair, cruel or kind as her nation demands. She serves other ponies at the highest level, to the point where their needs of her are all that matters. It is a role with few friends, and no peers."

Dust shivered, it sounded horrible, "Is that something Celestia said?"

"Luna actually." Fluttershy looked at him, her voice testing, "I would give up anything to make this world better. So... is that ok with you Dust Kicker?"

He sighed, knowing the right answer to that question, "Of course it is Fluttershy. Damn, how shallow do you think I am?"

Fluttershy chuckled, "Sorry. And I do need you Dust Kicker, I am so very grateful. I wouldn't have found any of this if it hadn't been for you."

"Any everypony else." He commented back, not about to take sole responsibility for all this, "And Zenai."

"And she will be remembered for it." Fluttershy smiled warmly, nodding behind her, "If you insist on coming, then follow me. There's somewhere that I want to see."

The room had been utterly ruined, shattered shutters hanging out into the balcony beyond, the bedsheets torn and the sofas upended. The very walls had been shattered in places, hoofmarks left in the stone beneath. Fluttershy stepped forward into the wreckage, using a hoof to turn a shattered picture frame over. It revealed a, calm, regal zebra, in his early thirties, ears and neck adorned with tasteful jewelry. Dust recognized him, "Prince Nashar."

"This was his bedroom." Fluttershy noted, looking around with a dim, faraway look, "I've been here before... several times." She sighed, before she caught his eye and her face twisted into a angry frown, “Not like that!”

Dust tried to force his expression into a more neutral one, "I didn't say anything."

"You thought it." She sulkily declared, padding over to the far end of the room, "Do you know how many times I've said this? To journalists, to co-workers... to friends?" She straightened out, tense and furious for a moment before declaring it... with a soft, weary voice drained of emotion, "I never slept with Prince Nashar."

Dust figured this was one discussion where he had to tread carefully, "I believe you."

"I should have." Fluttershy noted after a second, letting out a soft breath, "I don't know if it would have helped, but... I don't know. Would I have done any better at averting all this if I had been his wife? Or would I have made... things worse?"

"I'm not sure one pony could do anything." Dust stated, shifting over a rather battered looking toasting iron, "I doubt even Luna and Caesar could have stopped the war on their... woah..."

A clear blue light suddenly shone from the top of the toasting iron, collecting in a 3d image just above. Captured in neon blue for a moment, the light soon shifted to wrap it in yellows and softer textures, eventually revealing a fit, powerful sky blue pegasi mare of middle years with an elegantly styled golden mane. Fluttershy looked around, smiling for a moment and stepping over with a look of deep nostalgia, "Oh just look at you..."

Dust Kicker looked down at the image. Fluttershy sure seemed to recognize them, "You know who this is?"

"Her name is Lightning Dust." Fluttershy explained, "She was the Prince's wife."

"Ah, the 'pony whore' that the newspaper mentioned." Dust commented grimly, "I was wondering about that."

Fluttershy nodded sadly, "Yes. Given the circumstances you can hardly blame the media for finding the Prince being married to a pony inappropriate."

"I bet she got used to being labeled a spy..."

Fluttershy gave an awkward grin, "Well... she was. Sort of."

Dust Kicker looked down at her, then back at Fluttershy, "That seems... risky."

"Well the prince knew, though that didn't make it any less risky." Fluttershy hesitated noticeably for a moment or two before finally taking a deep breath and letting it out, "I gave the plans for megaspells to her."

Now that made more sense, though it was even more chilling a thought, "She was a spy for the zebra?"

"She was a spy for me." Fluttershy explained with a little bit of defensiveness, "We were all looking for a way to end the war. We came up with the plan for the megaspells together, as a way to even out the field and make victory impossible for either side."

Dust didn't want to go over old ground... but a bad plan, "Well neither side won."

Fluttershy glared coldly at him at this comment, "We didn't know they could be weaponised! When I offered them over they had only been used for shielding spells and healing spells!"

He looked down at the mare, wondering if he trusted Fluttershy's judgment enough to be sure of Lightning Dust and the Prince's intentions. At the end of the day... it didn't matter anymore, "Are you looking for her too?"

"No." Fluttershy stated sadly, "Rainbow Dash told me... she was dead. A month or so before the megaspells."

"How?"

"I don't know." She sighed, "Rainbow Dash and me weren't really... talking by that point. She didn't elaborate, and I didn't ask."

"Hmm." Dust looked around, considering. This was the only room they had found that was so trashed, making him wonder... had the Prince been here? If so, where was he now? "There must be some clue here somewhere."

Fluttershy sighed, sifting through a broken wardrobe full of torn dresses, "Or just old memories..."

"Well, what's this?" Dust asked as he found something strange on the far wall, shifting aside some broken wood that had been hiding it. It looked like a video recorder crossed with a medical scanner, containing dials for volume, neural feedback, source fidelity... it had two hoof shaped indentations, one vented like something was supposed to be pushed inside and one just a indented metal plate.

"I... have no idea." Fluttershy commented as she looked round at the device, "You appear to have to put your hoof on that plate, but..."

"Well, here goes nothing." Dust commented as he brought his hoof forward, ignoring Fluttershy's shout of concern as his hoof clicked against the plate...

He was back in the entrance hall leading up to the throne room, the very same one they had just walked through.

The first thing that caused him to ponder his situation further was the zebra honor guard standing stern and unblinking along the sides of the room. The second was that he could not move independently, and his body felt... odd. Slimmer, slightly taller but with less power across the shoulders. He was locked here as he moved forward all by himself, his mouth downcast and his brow furrowed.

What was this? It seemed like...

His stride was finally broken by a voice next to him, bright and female, "We're running out of time."

He looked over, seeing a sky blue pegasi mare, golden mane faded to grey in areas but still not disguising the pride with which she held herself, nor the strength in her body. It didn't take him a second to recognize the mare, having only just seen her in picture form. So this was Lightning Dust... she was wearing a long, silky outfit in the Saddle Arabian style, gems shimmering gently in the torchlight. The body he was inhabiting spoke, in Equestrian he noticed, "My father knows that too. He won't delay much longer."

"Delay is all he seems to do these days." The pegasi commented back, moving away and stopping in the middle of the hall, her eyes firm and unyielding, "Convince him to make a stand, before others take matters into their own hooves."

His body nodded hesitantly, before turning away and continuing towards the throne room at a greater pace than before.

The throne room too was almost the same as before, save for the three figures now inhabiting it. The first was instantly familiar, a zebra of late middle age, stern and hatchet faced, somewhat small and thin but still able to dominate the room with just a firm look. His robes hung off centre and his face was drawn and tired, still one could not mistake the image of great Caesar.

The second was one Dust also knew, having seen his picture before. General Taticus in his buffed to a shine ceremonial armor, helmet removed to reveal his clean cut and solidly trustworthy features.

The third he didn't know. He was taller than the others, an effect only enhanced by the elaborate flowing robes he was wearing. They were inscribed with scientific symbols woven into a long, regal design, reminding Dust of something Velvet Remedy would wear. They made up for a thin, somewhat uninspiring face, topped with a pair of fussy spectacles.

"The guards told me you had arrived. You are late." Caesar declared stiffly, looking uncomfortable as he lounged against his stone throne.

"The meeting does not start for another ten minutes father." The stallion Dust inhabited stated as he approached the throne without hesitation.

Caesar turned away from him, face twitching, "You are late." He lowered his eyes, staring at the floor as he muttered, "You should have been here months ago."

The stallion didn't rise to the bait, simply looking around the room, "Where is the rest of the council?"

"These are all that matter." Caesar stated darkly, "The other offices can run themselves, they no longer interest me. All that I wish to be told is why my senior commander is lying to me."

Tacticus' ears perked up, his brow furrowing, "Lord?"

"You tell me you've won almost every battle, outmaneuvered Equestria at every turn, yet now you retreat from your defensive positions and tell me we must sue for peace." Caesar glared darkly down at him, his voice croaky and wounded, "One of these statements contradicts the other."

"I'm afraid it is not that simple my lord." Tacticus explained with a sigh, bowing his head, "But I am responsible. I have lost our chance for victory with my caution. At the beginning of the war, with Equestria's army destroyed, with the ponies unused to battle, vulnerable to espionage... I could have beaten them. But I did not want to risk overextending our supply lines, wanted to guard against a sudden reversal." He looked up, facing Caesar head on, "I have won every battle by avoiding the ones I could not win. And I abandoned our positions because I no longer saw any battles I could win. I was outnumbered by an equally trained, equally cunning enemy who has become familiar with the terrain."

"How!" Caesar shouted suddenly, his voice cracking, "How could we lose, if we started with every advantage?"

"We did not sir." Tacticus softly corrected, "We destroyed their army, but its army was not all it had. Equestria has factories, technologies, skilled workers, the infrastructure for efficient national co-operation and the cash reserves to maintain it. We had to build most of that from scratch, and we just have not been able to keep up. Equestria can build weapons, deploy vehicles and transport supplies faster than we can."

Caesar waved a dismissive hoof, "Then I will execute the minister for infrastructure."

The stallion Dust inhabited tensed, then spoke up at this with angry voice, "Father, you heard what he said. It's not any zebra's fault, we knew from the start we were at a disadvantage." He took a deep breath before continuing, his vocal cords clearly tense and strained, "This war will only turn against us. We must sue for peace."

Taticus nodded, "Your son is right. I can only delay our defeat at this point."

"And what would peace give us?" Caesar spoke, his tone heavy, "This has never been about resources, or land. This has been about our spirit. Our pride. Proving that culturally, economically, and militarily we can stand hoof to hoof with Equestria."

"We've proven that." The Prince insisted.

"Yes, and what will Luna do to that pride? You've seen the posters, the leaflets, her damn announcements. She is a rabid dog, she will not let up until we beg for mercy." He grunted, looking down at his hooves, "We started weak, divided and under their hoof, and to end the war now would be our victory. Equestria has poured too much into this conflict to let it end that way, they would not stand for it. They would ask for our defeat in the terms of any peace they offer."

The Prince tensed, clearly angry despite his calm tone of voice, "Fluttershy could..."

"No son. She has trapped your heart and hers with this shard of hope, but it is an illusion."

Tacticus sighed, giving a regretful shake of his head before turning his head to Nashar and explaining in a voice layered with resignation, "Fluttershy is already politically isolated, and Ministry of Awesome agents have heavily infiltrated her ministry in an attempt to turn it against her. The attempt on her life four months ago, it was authorized by Princess Luna herself."

Dust was glad Nashar took a breath, shook his head in confusion. It mirrored his own reactions, wondering if Fluttershy knew. Had Luna really ordered Fluttershy's assassination? He couldn't believe it, it didn't... "No. That's a lie. Why would Luna kill her, when she could simply remove her from her position?"

"Because that would label her a threat to her rule, give her credibility with those that oppose the war." Caesar explained, "But her dying at the hooves of zebra assassins, that will only spur public opinion in support of Luna's crusade. Son be reasonable... do you really think Luna hasn't prepared every contingency to ensure Fluttershy will not succeed?"

Nashar hesitated, "I..."

"You are my own son, and I have a dozen plans in place should your ideals overpower your wisdom." He gave a sad shake of his head, "You and Fluttershy both, you are powerless before this thing. I respect your ideals, and I have allowed them. I have allowed you your dialogues with Equestria, your talk of rebellion, even your plans for my death."

Nashar shook with emotion, Dust feeling a pang in his own soul at how casually that had been stated, "Father..."

"I have allowed this because I know it is futile. I know you have no real power, than none of us do." He sat quietly for several moments, nothing save the echoing of distant footsteps in the vast stone hall. Then he turned his head to Tactius, eyes grim and resolved, "The zebra will march into irrelevance and death with honor. They will sing songs, and remember who we were."

"We have fallen before my lord." Tactius gently reminded him, raising his head proudly, "Like Equestria, the Star Demons ruled us for generations, wiped out our history, our culture. Made us a simple instrument of their alien will."

"And we rose again." Caesar noted, nodding his head, "So shall it always be. We zebra have never walked the easy path, and yet we endure still."

"With due respect your eminence, it may not come to that."

Dust was surprised by the voice, as was the prince if his reaction was any indication. His ears pricked up, turning to the side and looking across at the robed zebra that had been standing totally quiet the whole time, "Zenospira?"

"My lord, I know you blame me for the megaspells failing to be the deterrent we had hoped for." The zebra started, giving a apologetic and effusive bow before offering a embarrassed smile, "But I believe my failure to fully capitalize on their power was in trying to copy the equestrian designs, rather than adapt them to zebra magical and technological capabilities."

"Explain Xenospira." Caesar ordered, not looking patient.

"Sir, we might not be able to create stable megaspells of the power Equestria's possesses, but consider this. We have had success with particle fission, it has proven invaluable in meeting our energy demands." The zebra smiled, a little unsettlingly in Dust's opinion, "I believe I can place a low yield, very specialized megaspell into a missile packed with nuclear fuel. Upon impact this megaspell will be enough to create an uncontrolled fission reaction, releasing vast amounts of balefire energy across a wide area."

"Xenospira, explain how this will help?" Tacticus demanded, looking angry, "If we launch these things, Equestria will instantly retaliate."

"Ah, but there's the thing." Xenospira continued with a sly grin, "By delivering the payload in a missile, it becomes capable of penetrating underground bunkers. A precision strike on Equestrian megaspell facilities will render them powerless to mount a counter attack, and in the event that they do... well I'm working on a solution for that as well."

General Tacticus raised an eyebrow, "You have shields capable of stopping a megaspell?"

"That is your problem my dear General." Xenospira stated with a soft, cunning little smile, "You think in terms of shields and spears, and Equestria's are harder and sharper. Thus, we must find new ways to fight."

"Then what do you suggest?" Caesar stated, leaning forward and fixing his eyes on the scientist.

Xenospira gave a sly grin, "My recent... investigations have taking me past the three dimensions, into the higher realms. For how can Equestria hit what isn't there, and never was?"

"Stop being smart and speak plainly Xenospira." Tacticus sharply intoned, looking impatient.

Xenospira gave a reluctant sigh, "I'm afraid I've already said too much. For all this would only provoke an instant attack by Equestria if knowledge of it were to leave this room." He turned his head, giving Dust Kicker a sly, cunning little smile, "Caesar, I deeply apologize, but I do not believe every zebra here can be trusted."

"I understand." Caesar intoned with grim resolve, eyes dark and brow furrowed as he waved a hoof, "General, restrain the Prince."

Dust felt the prince's body tense, then snap into action. He swept round and slammed a hoof into the throne room door, slipping through and into the hall beyond...

Something black, agile and lightning quick interjected before he had a moment to react, slamming into him and knocking him sideways to sprawl painfully across the stone. It hurt, Dust feeling the prince struggle upwards on bruised muscles. He barely got halfway, a booted hoof placed against his back and forcing him downwards with inhuman strength. He was flicked over like he weighed nothing, Dust feeling his stomach lurch as the unmistakable features of Chigaru stared down at him through that familiar facemask, "Stay on the floor your highness. I have orders not to break you any more than I need to."

His voice was higher than he remembered, less gleeful. It was the same zebra though, two hundred years in the past.

"My son, I am sorry for this." Caesar's voice stated from nearby, weighed down with regret, "But I have many children now. Children who need my protection, my wisdom. And that means... sacrificing the things I love."

Tacticus's voice sounded out, "Render him unconscious please Agent."

"Dust Kicker, are you alright?"

He looked round, Fluttershy staring at him with a look of deep concern, "I... yes, I'm fine."

Her concern lessened a little, though not by much, "What did you see?"

He averted his eyes, "Nothing good..."

"Dust Kicker..."

She looked at her, so innocent, so soft. It broke his heart, "This is horrible, all of it."

"I lived through it." Fluttershy gently reminded him, touching a hoof against his fur, "Did they mean to destroy the world?"

"I... no..."

"Then that's good... we're going to fix things." She moved forward, drawing him close, cradling his head against her chest, "We're going to fix everything."

"Dust Kicker, I'm detecting a ghoul inside the palace. I think it's..."

"Just keep an eye on it Puppy."

"Dust Kicker, I..."

"Just for a moment ok. This is important."

His ear bud finally went silent as he stepped into the hall hoof in hoof with Fluttershy, the room ahead reaching off far into the distance where windows looked out into a frozen, crystal garden of every hue imaginable. Above, a painted mural depicted the people and works of every culture Dust had heard of and a few he hadn't, all radiating out from a great blazing fire.

"It's exactly how I remember it." Fluttershy commented as she passed into the hall and looked upwards, lips pursing in a complex expression, "I danced with Prince Nashar here, a grand ball in Celestia's honor. Twilight Sparkle danced with Lord Remicon, they talked about politics and philosophy for hours. The world seemed so peaceful then."

Dust spotted the ghoul Puppy had mentioned as they moved inside, withered eyes... hopeful? It was definitely the same one they had seen in the streets, and was fortunately still unarmed. It stared out from an alcove at the side of the hall, quickly ducking out of sight when he realized Dust was looking.

Well... good for him. He could wait his turn, he wasn’t going to let anything ruin this for him. He turned back to Fluttershy, trying to hide his worry behind a smile, "When we get both sides to work together, we can bring everyone back here again. Help both sides understand."

Fluttershy looked back at him, eyes quivering and a greatful smile, "I hope so."

He chuckled, extending a hoof, "Shall we?"

"Dust Kicker." She warned, though she didn't sound entirely serious, "This is hardly the time or place."

He nodded upwards, "This seems like the perfect place. A shame to waste it even."

She smirked, "Can you even dance?"

Actually he could. Benefits of a wide education, "I'm sure you've got a few moves you can show me."

"Hmm." She chuckled, then linked her hoof with his, "Alright then, but..."

He span her, Fluttershy letting out a yell that swiftly turned into a woop, drawing her close and dropping her low. She panted as he grinned down at her, their muzzles less than an inch apart, "How was that?"

"You cheat!" She protested, unable to suppress the grin on her face, "Where did you learn that?!"

"Heh, you pick up things." He drew her back up, leading her through a gentle turn. Though he generally did his best to stay true to his 'hardened wasteland wanderer' character, ballroom dancing was always something he enjoyed, "I was once the great stallion of Tenpenny Tower, sweeping all those wealthy ladies off their hooves."

"And dodging the gunshots of their husbands?"

He chuckled, drawing her close before swapping positions, "Have you seen them shoot? I was more in danger of forever being branded a 'ruffian'."

She grinned, "You are a ruffian."

"Eh, guilty as..."

And then Fluttershy paused mid move, her eyes widening and her mouth drooping open in shock. She was looking past his shoulder, Dust turning to see the ragged looking ghoul from before running for the door.

"Wait!"

"Fluttershy!" Dust shouted fruitlessly after her as she sped off at full gallop, right on the tail of the mysterious ghoul. He shouted again for her to stop but again he was ignored, clicking his tongue and starting after her. His hooves felt heavy upon the hard stone and Fluttershy had a heavy lead on him, Dust remembering how only today she had struggled to keep up with all of them. Now he was panting himself, driving himself just to keep her in sight as she rushed through the corridors.

His ear bud crackled into life, "Dust Kicker, you're running. What's going on?"

"That ghoul who's been following us? Fluttershy recognizes him or something." He cursed as they drew further and further into the confusing depths of the palace, "Are we still free of hostiles?"

"Affirmative." Easu answered, "Only you, Fluttershy and the ghoul."

"Good." Dust grunted, almost losing Fluttershy for a moment as he took too long between breaths, "Fluttershy... damn it... not like I don't like seeing your bobbing butt or anything..."

Then Puppy burst in, her voice insistent, "I've got some weird readings on sensors."

"Weird how?" Dust answered, seeing Fluttershy slow a little.

"I... think... it's a zebra stealth cloak, more than one of them!"

"Fluttershy, stop!" He shouted, though as he turned the corner he saw she already had. She had stopped inside what looked like a sitting room, plush sofas sitting among dead, skeletal plants, windows looking out onto a small ornamental garden. Pictures of the Caesar were set about the walls, all displaying his regal, frowning face, surrounded by symbols of majesty.

And the ghoul stood in the centre, skinny, decayed body trembling. He was a pathetic sight even by the standards of ghouls, obviously malnourished, bearing the signs of abuse even through the disease that wracked his body, the expression on his face one of utter loss and despair. Fluttershy advanced on him with a look of utter pity, "Oh no, what have they done to you..."

Dust looked around, knowing this was a trap, "Fluttershy, who is this?"

The same scratchy voice that they had heard from the spider robots crackled out from the air around them, tone cruel and mocking, "His name is what he is. Worthless piece of trash. And now he has displayed his true colors once again, betraying the one pony who would still call him friend. How did it feel, leading Fluttershy to her death you worthless pile of dung?"

The ghoul whimpered, covering its head, "I'm so sorry, so sorry..."

Fluttershy advanced on the ghoul, her steps slow and gentle, "It's ok, I'm here..."

"Fluttershy!" Dust drew his shotgun, though he swiftly realized the futility as four spider bots decloaked around him, their weapons trained and eyes shining. He grunted and prepared himself, throwing his shotgun to the ground, "What do you want?!"

"Many things." The spider bot answered, voice crooning in delight, "But this was one of the things I thought was forever lost to me. The one who gave me my megaspells, the one who allowed all this to happen, the sweet, intoxicatingly naive ambassador of peace herself!"

"You're a heartless monster Zenospira." Fluttershy muttered, her cheeks tense.

The spider bot cackled, eyes turning to the ghoul, "We no longer require your services you worthless piece of trash. Go!"

"Wait!" Fluttershy cried out futily, the ghoul simply retreating from her touch and darting out of the room with a look of despair on his face.

Dust moved closer to her, leaning in as he inspected the line of robots training weapons on them, "Who was that Fluttershy? You obviously recognized them."

She looked up at the portraits above, her voice soft and broken, "I never..."

And then Dust's eyes swiveled to the side as something bright and hot flew at him. He had no chance at this range, gasping at it hit him in the chest and his whole body seemed to vanish from under him. That feeling flowed up his neck as he slammed to the floor, remaining conscious for just long enough to see Fluttershy scream...

Before everything was gone.

Chapter 3.14 - Noblesse Oblige

View Online

"Puppy, if there's one time you can come through for us it's now!"

"I'm sorry Ace, but something is locking me out of systems. On the move like this I just don't have the bandwidth to counter!"

Easu's low growl suddenly punctuated the rhythmic pounding of their hooves, "No. This will not happen."

Ace turned his head to Easu as they sprinted down the corridors, the zebra's eyes hard and furrowed beneath the bandages, "Easu?"

"I will not allow Fluttershy to be taken. Not like Zenai. Not again."

"Easu, I..." He felt his words fade into air as the zebra's hooves suddenly became a blur and magic surged around him, propelling Easu off into the distance at a speed near twice that which Ace could manage, "Oh come on! Are we ALL splitting up now?!"

"I'm still here!" Puppy squeaked.

Ace grunted, "Yeah, sitting on my back weighing about two hundred pounds..."

He heard weapon fire in the distance, grunting in frustration and pushing his muscles just a little more. It made it very difficult to stop as the wall exploded in front of him, Easu tumbling out with armor torn and fur smoking.

A spider bot came out after him, Ace giving a deep, echoing growl and hurling himself at the machine with desperate fury. It fired it's laser weapon at him and he dodged, ducking, rolling and springing upwards to strike the machine with a powerful elbow drop...

He bounced off with a solid clang and a cry of pain, the machine simply swiping him out of the air.

"Gah! Shit!" He winced as he eased himself out of the rubble with a clearly broken elbow and a lot of bruises, admitting to himself that it hadn't been the best idea. He had seen Xephyr take out a robot in close combat, he guessed he had just assumed it was easier than it looked.

"Ace, um... was that part of the plan?"

"Shut up Puppy!" He shouted, watching as the spiderbot's turrets span round to target him, "Hack it!"

"It doesn't have any remote access ports Ace!"

And then something hit the spiderbot hard in the side, spinning it over to slam through the wall in a cloud of debris. It retracted it's legs and rolled through the garden beyond, a single red light blinking on it's smooth surface. Ace looked round at the source of the shot, seeing a battered looking Easu discarding a disposable anti-tank rifle, "Ace Gold, that was my only shot. We need to retreat."

"Fuck..." He hoisted himself up and injected a healing potion into his damaged joint, limping as fast as he could... which wasn't fast.

Until Easu ran forward, snatched him up in his jaw and hurled him onto his back, "Yow!"

"Apologies." Easu muttered through gritted teeth as the spider bot began to move again, firing a blast that sent a rain of molten rock splashing across their path. Easu expertly avoided it, charging up a set of stairs as Ace scanned the route behind for pursuit...

And then they burst out into sunlight, Ace gasping as they ran across a courtyard looking out onto the city beyond. Statues of great zebra stood among dead plants, Ace almost distracted from the view as they reached the balconies edge.

A team of three spider bots flew through the air a short way distant, having sprouted a pair of translucent wings from their backs. Two of them had their legs curled in a vice like grip, two ponies clearly held within them. Dust Kicker and Fluttershy, "Damn... we're way too late... again."

Easu didn't reply, his eyes only moving across to the academy of science that was clearly the spider bot's destination... and then to the line of six small dots that had emerged from the academy to make their way towards them, "We need to go."

Ace gritted his teeth in frustration... and fear. Fluttershy was... she was... "Fuck! Fuck... this is totally shit..."

Easu's nose wrinkled, his eyes hard, "Agreed."

They made it out of the palace and into the streets just in time, Ace feeling out a swarm of spider descending onto the buildings behind with his magic. They quickly scooted out of sight, pausing in a small side street to catch their breath, "Puppy, any luck with finding out where they took Dust Kicker and Fluttershy?"

"I just can't hack into their systems, and I don't know why." Puppy lamented, looking and sounding very frustrated now, "I have never seen this kind of encryption before, it doesn't make any sort of sense."

Could this day get any worse? "Well... then we need a plan."

And then he paused, ears pricking. Something was coming their way. A whole lot of something, Ace suddenly feeling the whole city come to life. And there at the back of is skull there was a sharp tone in the air, tingling and unpleasant. Puppy spoke up, her voice sounding worried, "There's a sound in the air, just on the edge of a ponies' range of hearing. And I'm detecting..."

"Movement." Easu answered, eyes darting around.

Ace nodded in agreement, the onrushing hoard seemed to have them surrounded, "I can feel them too."

And then the ghouls burst out of every alleyway, street and doorway, screaming and howling as they clawed desperately for the soft meatbags ahead. Easu's pistols sprang from their holsters, spraying the ones closest and opening deep wounds... that near instantly healed.

"Canterlot Ghouls!" Ace gasped, frozen in terror by the sensory overload. There had to be hundreds of the things, and they moved FAST for looking almost dead.

"Run!"

Ace turned and desperately drove himself towards the alley behind, only to be confronted by a snarling pony wielding a machete, clear stitching around his head. Ace yelled out and flung himself forward, barging the pony to the ground and continuing on. A clear note from that white noise they had heard previously caught his attention, sensing a spider bot standing on a high tower behind them with a speaker system mounted on it's back, "Damnit! They're driving these ghouls towards us! Puppy, do something!"

"I... I'm not sure what I can do... my wireless capacity is extremely limited, and I don't have the speakers to counter the signal..."

He cursed, "So you're completely useless then!"

"I... I'm not... Ace, to your left!"

The sheer amount of movement had made it very hard to keep track of everything, not helped by getting angry at Puppy. He responded to her warning a moment too late, a ghoul running at his side and tackling him off his hooves. He was slammed down onto his back, Puppy's straps coming loose and sending her rolling across the street. He struggled to extract himself but it was a Canterlot ghoul twice his size, he might as well try and wrestle a hellhound. He screamed as it sunk it's teeth into his hoof, batting it away only to have the thing take aim for his throat.

And then the air blurred, a slim, tightly muscled form fading into vision and slamming a extended hoof into the ghoul which sent it bouncing across the street. The figure dropped elegantly beside him, hoof spinning out to hurl a stun grenade into the onrushing hoard.

Ace struggled onto his hooves, eyes widening as he beheld the zebra who had saved him, stealth cloak fluttering, "Master!"

She snapped up Puppy's trailing strap with her mouth and flung her onto her back, shooting Ace a firm look, "Follow me, quickly!"

He didn't need to be told twice, sprinting alongside her as they darted through the streets. A ghoul came out in front of them and his master twirled, Puppy's case spinning about to slam into the creature like a flail. Another had barely moved to attack them when a bullet punched right through it's head, Ace spotting Easu a short distance away with pistols smoking.

"We must hurry." His teacher stated as she turned to them, still breathing heavy from the exertion, "Something has disturbed the city, their are many hundreds of hooves heading this way."

"Ah the mysterious zebra who helped us before." Easu commented, voice calm, "You weren't badly hurt then?"

"I was once quite renowned for being hard to kill." She commented back, shaking out a stiff hip joint and walking over to them, "I may have seen better days, but I'm still capable of taking it."

Ace was... angry. Why was he angry? He figured it out after a moment, watching her casually chatting with Easu. He was angry that she had made him worry, that she had just vanished after being so badly wounded back against the mercenaries. She ran away then, refused treatment only to reveal herself now? "Why didn't you let Fluttershy treat you?! We were worried! I was worried!"

She looked uncertain, pausing for a moment before advancing past and waving them down a alleyway, "This way, hurry."

He followed, not about to leave it at that, "You didn't answer my question."

"It is not the best time for discussion."

Ace heard growling behind, accepting that answer as they moved to retreat. But that posed another question, "Where are we going?"

"Away."

Puppy chimed in from her position atop his master's shoulder, "We are heading into a large, modern area, dominated by governmental and law agencies."

"Thanks tour guide..." Ace grunted, not in the best mood with Puppy at the moment. He was still brooding on this as he heard something echoing ahead, ears pricking up and his magic straining for a better look, "Anypony hear that?"

"Gunshots." Easu commented, "Two pistols and a heavy machine gun."

"If there's survivors here, we need to join up with them." Ace declared as he diverted from the straight path to turn off towards the source of the sound, "We're going to need support if we're going to save the others!"

He continued forward, even as his senses detected a large crowd of ghouls ahead. He increased his pace as he heard a loud, female scream, bursting out into what looked like a residential courtyard. It was teaming with ghouls, fortunately they seemed to all be focused on the rooftop ahead.

"No, pweaze, I...!"

He heard the female voice again, a moment before she screamed again. He located her quickly, a pegasus stood upon the roof, oddly shaped and clearly injured.

A griffon stood in front of her, slamming his claw into her chest and hurling her off the rooftop. She opened her wings but they were too badly damaged, air just whistling through the bullet holes as she descended sharply downwards. Ace tried to catch her in his telekinesis but she was too far away, all he could do was slow her fall as she struck the ground among the murderous hoard of ghouls.

The griffon gave her one final look before opening his wings and flying away. The ghouls pounced upon his stricken victim.

The little ball of feathers suddenly moved, crying out desperately and kicking one of the ghouls in the jaw with enough force to clean displace it. It didn't distract the creature for long of course, but a second later wings opened out and sent them scattering, the pegasi jumping into the air...

And thumping down again as one wing fell limp, staggering on misshapen hooves. She screamed and tried to headbutt the ghoul launching itself at her but it barely caused the monster to slow, giving him a nice opening to sink it's teeth into her neck.

Ace's hooves pounded the concrete, leaping up and using the heads of the ghouls as stepping stones, bouncing one to another before dropping down beside the pegasi. He turned, extended his hooves, gripped the ghouls jaw and broke it with a firm twist. It came away with a chunk of bloody fur from the injured pegasus but fortunately failed to result in the spray of a burst artery, Ace rolling onto his back and bucking the ghoul away with a fierce double kick.

That just left the other hundred.

"Yeeeagh!" Ace screamed as he slammed his shoulder into another, rolling onto his side and under the charge of the ghoul beside. A quick grab and a flip and he broke the creature's neck, rolling onto his hooves and jumping to strike another aside with a spinning roundhouse. They kept coming and he kept punching, the monsters strong and fast but predicable and sloppy in their movements.

He gasped as one got too close, it's hoof slamming into his shoulder with enough force to fracture the joint. It left him staggering but he wasn't going down so easily, spinning round and tripping the creature before bucking it away with a sharp thrust. He dodged round another and let it slam into one of it's fellows, jumping up and spinning his hoof down upon it's head before leaping away.

One of the ghouls sunk it's teeth into his hoof and pulled him down, slamming him hard against the stone. He gasped for air, prone on his back as more of them crowded around...

Bullets tore through them in a fierce spray, one of the ghouls just hitting the floor with his head shattered as his teacher charged in and flung another aside with almost casual ease. Easu galloped through the gap in their numbers and hauled Ace back to his hooves, his teacher's attacks precise and devastating as she seemed to flow around the onrushing ghouls' furious attacks.

And then one bullrushed her, slamming into her abdomen and flinging her back with a gasp. Ace jumped up and caught her, sending them both to the ground. Easu desperately fired into the encircling crowd, their numbers barely seeming to thin.

Then Ace detected some unusual movement, just a dozen meters away. A door had cracked open, and behind it... the ghoul they had seen before, the one that had been following them.

The one who had led Fluttershy away, had let her get captured.

He looked at them with mounting despair, eyes quietly pleading. And for all he refused to trust the creature, it was a better option than here, "Everypony, the door behind!"

Easu looked back, nodded and grabbed the injured pegasus, Ace staggering upright and helping his master to her hooves. A ghoul charged forward and Easu slammed it back into the others, taking the opportunity to turn on his hooves and run. Ace helped his teacher gain her balance before doing them same, both of them kicking out at the approaching ghouls as they used each other for support.

They reached the door a second or two after Easu, the zebra grabbing hold of them and hauling them through before slamming the door shut behind them. A chorus of banging followed, the door thankfully not even shifting against the abuse.

"Is everypony alri...ngh..." Ace started, before feeling his shoulder collapse under him. He staggered forward and lent against a wall, eyes scanning the well furnished living room they were standing in. It seemed inappropriately cheery and domestic really, considering the circumstances, "Master, are you alright?"

His teacher was openly in pain, tensing for a moment before sharply rotating her shoulder joint with a crack and a sharp yell. That done she panted briefly before taking down a healing potion, remaining silent long enough for it to begin it's action before nodding, "I am, thank you Ace."

"It is hard to tell, but I do not believe this one is doing so well." Easu stated grimly as he stood over the fallen pegasi, Ace now clearly seeing she was a ghoul. And not just any ghoul... Esau looked at her carefully before nodding, "I know this one."

"Clear Skies?" Ace hurried over, noting that the pegasi had been shot at least four times and taken more than a few bites from the attacking ghouls, as well as undoubtedly taking a fair amount of damage from the fall, "What is she doing here?"

"Dying. Let me through." His teacher stated firmly, the two of them parting to let her through. Things went quiet and Ace took the moment to look around, "Puppy?"

"Here!" Came a call from the side of the room where she lay.

"And..." His eyes met the ghoul that had let them in, now looking sheepish and avoidant, unable to look him in the eye, "...well... thank you. You saved our lives."

"No... worthless am I." The ghoul replied, mournfully shaking his head, "Not worthy to speak to great warriors."

Ace considered that pretty accurate, considering his role in events, "What happened to Dust and Fluttershy?"

"The Celestial King took them." The ghoul stated mournfully, "Just like he took every other zebra."

"But he didn't take you?"

"My fault it is." The zebra turned wide, shaking eyes up to Ace, body quivering, "I lead them to master, lambs to slaughter. He commands this worthless one, and worthless can only obey."

Ace gritted his teeth as the rage started to burn, "So you intentionally got them captured?! You're working for the one who took them?!"

"That is the right of it master pony..." The ghoul slumped, his pathetic, broken body sagging, "Take it out on my flesh, worthless deserves all your hate. Destroyed the world worthless did, now all I can do..."

Ace took a step forward, body tense, "...is get more innocents hurt?!"

"Celestial King can make world better again. Fix this one's mistakes." The ghouls eyes shone with painful sincerity, "Says he just needs more test subjects, more time. So worthless helps him, only way to atone for the sins of worthless..."

Easu spoke up in a calm, reasoned tone as he looked around the room with a cautious eye, "So is that what this is? Another trap?"

The ghoul considered this for a moment before shaking his head, "No... worthless has disobeyed master... master wants ponies dead, too many captives taken at once a threat..."

"Why? Why disobey him now?" Ace asked.

"Because... because Fluttershy lives still..." The ghouls eyes lit up in wonder and hope, tears suddenly breaking from ruined eyes to run down his face in a stream, "Fluttershy is kindness and light, she saved this one's friends from the darkness, released their souls to the holy fire. She carries the five and one, she can... forgive worthless for his crimes..."

Ace glared at the ghoul, willing himself to ignore the simple urges of blame and vengeance and focus on how he could help them, "This Celestial King is a zebra?"

"He was once so..."

"And he lives in the Academy of Science?"

"He does..."

Well that made their course of action even clearer than before. It was after all on their way.

He looked towards his teacher as she sat beside the ghoul pegasus, her administrations tender as she carefully shifted her wing bones back into position. It was expertly done, Ace turning and watching with quiet appreciation at her skill.

"She cannot be simply given a healing potion?"

His teacher didn't turn at Easu's question, her voice clear and matter of fact, "Pegasi wings are vulnerable, on ghouls most of all. If they heal poorly she may no longer be able to fly as she did."

"You know ghoul medicine?" Ace asked, rather impressed by the breath of her knowledge, "And pegasi medicine?"

"I do." She said, pushing the pegasi over onto her side and laying her smaller wing across her body, "I did not want the limits of my knowledge to be breaking bodies apart."

"The old, blind healer of Garm..." Easu commented, "Straight out of the storybooks."

"Let us wake her." The zebra stated, bringing her hoof up for a strike. A sharp tap to the head and the ghoul's eyes flickered open, staring at those around in fear. His teacher nodded, "You are safe now."

"...that baftsted..." The ghoul grunted after a moment's hesitation, "...I... I waf going to die..."

"Who?" Ace asked, though he already had a good idea.

"Arick fthking Grimftharters." The pegasi spat, "He sfabbed me in the back! Lifterially!"

"Arick?" His master exclaimed with surprise, her brow soon furrowing, "...hmph..."

"So it was him..." Ace had suspected when he saw the griffon, he was after all one of the only ones in the area, "Why is he here? What does he want?"

"Zebra Naftional Bafnk..." She hissed, "We... he... waths gonna rob ist."

"He is in the great city of the zebra people, from which no one has ever returned, where the secrets of the past and the key to the future resides... and he wants to rob a bank?" Easu stated with contempt, "Surely their are easier ways to make money?"

"We... were suppthosed tho thut down Ceasfers Cursthe..." She began, looking embarrassed, "But you swaw theh defenthes arounth thaf plathe."

"So you decided to abandon your mission, and go get rich." Ace commented with disdain.

"Well we werth suppthoused to hafth Sunthine Ivory with us, but..."

"Sunshine Ivory is here?" Easu commented, sounding very surprised, "She is trying to shut down Caesar's curse?"

Clear Skies looked mortified, her expression twisting, "Um... I southent havth told thou fat..."

Ace looked up at Esau, questioning, "The priestess?"

"She was cuddling up to Starhammer, and she had something to do with Princess Luna too." Easu's expression grew dark, "Tradash warned me not to trust her. Why did she want to shut down Caesar's Curse?"

Clear Skies waved her hooves desperately, "Thee didn't fell me! Honthest!"

"And you didn't ask?"

Her expression fell, her voice suddenly dull and hard, "I'm a merthinary. Ivth learnthed not to asthk questhions."

"Well you're in luck." Ace replied, not entirely keeping the anger from his tone, "Your mission is back on."

Clear Skies searched his face, her eyes growing wide at his firm expression, "You can'th be therious!"

"Try me." He replied, keeping his eyes focused on the pegasus, "You are going to help us get into the Science Academy."

She hesitated, looking scared, "Why shouthd I?"

"Because Fluttershy is in there! Because it might be the only way to save the NCR!"

"I don'th owe them nothing..." She looked away, jaw firming, "...not risthing my lifth..."

He stepped towards her, feeling the air shift as she startled and threw a hoof in his direction. He effortless ducked under her attack, springing back up into a punch that sent her straight to the ground.

"Ace!" Easu shouted, though he did not move to stop him, "That's enough! Leave her!"

"Oh, I'll leave her." He replied, stalking towards the stricken pegasus, "I'll break both her wings again and leave her for the ghouls."

She darted up with a flap of her wings, intending to barrel past him. He was having none of it, grabbing her as she passed and slamming an elbow into the back of her neck. Stunned and disorientated, the pegasus couldn't do anything to resist as he span her over and flung her down onto the floor.

His master's voice was quiet, but firm, "Do not let your anger control you."

"My anger isn't controlling me." Ace replied as he rounded on the scared looking ghoul at his hooves, admitting that it certainly wasn't absent. Still, that wasn't his primary motivation, "It's necessity. I wouldn't waste a moment on her, if it wasn't for the fact that we need all the help we can get."

"And you need us Clear Skies." Puppy spoke, her voice a clear note in the increasingly angry room.

Clear Skies looked round, "Whath?"

Puppy spoke again, insistent, "I have been scanning the city, and I've uncovered the reason behind it's most notable quality... that no pony has ever come back." She let that sink in for a second before continuing, "As previously established, time flows differently for different objects, with living creatures aging faster than inanimate objects. I have worked out some of the mechanism surrounding this, and I have also discovered the presence of a barrier around the city.."

Ace did not like the sound of that, "What sort of barrier?"

"Everything leaving this city will age several hundred years in under a second." Puppy explained with a grim solemnity, "There is no escape until that field is shut down."

Everyone paused in silence. Clear Skies was the first to speak, "I'm a ghoul. I... I'll survive."

"Do you want to take that chance?" His teacher stated softly, "Or take the chance that the ponies who have come this far can beat this thing with your help?"

"Ughhh... you're twisheting my hootfh... but thine." Clear Skies dropped her eyes, clearly unhappy, "Ithf ifthfs possithible... I'll geth you in."

So there we had it. Ace couldn't say he wanted to the cowardly pegasus with them, but he was forced to admit that her achievements were plain to see. They really had no chance without her. He turned to his master, "Thank you... for all your help."

She smiled softly beneath the hood of her stealth cloak, "It is no problem Ace Gold."

"But why?" He fixed her with a stare, not able to let her avoid his questions anymore, "Why did you run away from Fluttershy? Why reveal yourself now?"

"Fluttershy would ask me questions I'm not yet ready to answer." She responded with a sigh, her eyes darting away, "And it was better for your training that I was there for you, and you alone."

Easu continued to observe her carefully, eyes moving across her face, "You are Equestrian."

His teacher paused for a moment before nodding "Yes."

"But you have been here a while, judging from your accent."

"It is a long story." She replied, her voice firming, "Which is precisely why I do not wish to tell it."

"Who are you?" Ace questioned, looking for some clue, some idea... "You've never even told me your name."

"Some of the zebra call me the Mother." She stated, looking uncomfortable for a moment before nodding, "You can call me... Xaphina."

"You are the Mother?" Easu questioned, seeming to recognize the name. He looked straight at her for a moment before simply nodding, "I see."

Ace didn't like being left out of the loop, "Do you know each other?"

They looked at each other, silence reigning for many moments before Puppy spoke up, "I know who you are too."

"Ah..." She looked up at Puppy's camera, a little worry in her eyes, "The artificial intelligence, of course."

Puppy responded to her, a shiver of suppressed emotion in her voice, "Is she..."

"She cannot help you." His teacher responded firmly, "But you can help her."

"Yes!"

"First we need to finish things here." Xaphina responded, eyes turning round to Worthless, "Have you seen the Celestial King personally since the megaspells launched?"

"No one has..." Worthless replied with a shiver, "He has ascended to divine majesty, he is everywhere and knows everything."

"I doubt that." She considered for a moment before speaking simply, "We must get inside the Academy and kill him, as quickly and as silently as possible."

Ace raised an eyebrow, "Surely we should try and rescue Fluttershy and Dust Kicker first..."

"That would be our expected course of action. He would be ready for that." Xaphina replied, "He has us outgunned a million to one, we are no match for his machines. But for all those machines, he is still flesh and blood. We must find him and end him before he can turn his technology upon us."

Easu paused to consider this before nodding, "That makes sense. This Celestial king operates through machines, but that voice we heard... I cannot help but match it with a zebra of limited physical prowess. And you theorized that he was controlling his robots remotely?"

Ace had, though he had mostly been trying to distract the operator. Still it had some merit, "They obviously have some autonomy, but I doubt they have true AI. If we can access their controls, we could potentially turn them to our advantage."

Puppy quickly chirped up, "I might not be able to access their systems remotely, but if we were inside the Academy's network I know I'll be able to do something!"

"So we have a plan." Xaphina stated, looking at each of them, "Worthless, do you know a way into the Academy that we could use?"

The ghoul nodded, looking frightened, "One I know of... remote, easy to access, worthless has the codes... but it still has defense turrets, heavy machine guns facing out... only one path..."

"One pafth?" Clear Skies scoffed, "Thilly thebers, nothink a pair thove things and thome expthovies can'th thix."

"We'll need some explosives." Easu commented.

"I've got a record of a military supply depot between here and the academy." Puppy commented, "We should be able to find some there."

"And once inside, you can disrupt their security systems while I hunt down and kill this Celestial King." Xaphina added.

Ace looked at her, "Alone?"

"It makes the most sense." Her expression was resolute, "I am most adapt at stealth, and I have many years of experience with killing."

"So we have a plan." Easu stated with a cool confidence.

They did, though Ace had to say he wasn't that reassured. No racism intended but the two ghouls did not seem the most reliable allies, his teacher was about eighty years old, and he was a kid. And this was against a guy who had murdered a city, and a legion of mercenaries. He had also captured Fluttershy and Dust Kicker, the two members of the group who actually knew what they were doing.

Still, it was the best plan they had.

They soon found the military depot Puppy had spoke of, a pompous, elaborate frontage opening up into stark, grey corridors. Ace searched the facility with his magic as they advanced forward, picking up a fair few ghouls and security robots but nothing that looked too impressive.

"This place makes me feel uneasy."

Ace turned at Easu's voice, the place pretty much like everyone else to his senses. It was a little cold and metallic true, and as they moved further on extremely spartan jail cells became apparent across the far wall, "I wonder what this place was used for?"

"Plase to sphtore undethiseables." Clear Skies replied, sounding very casual, "Equthstia haths them thoo."

War never changed. He scanned the cells with his magic, nothing more three walls and a bucket. He wondered what you had to do to get sent here.

But on to more pressing concerns, "Behind the door ahead, three ghouls."

"I'lth thake pointh." Clear Skies announced, quietly stalking forward as they took up positions to cover her. She reached the door and placed her hoof on the opening, twisting it sharp and throwing it open. There was a growl from beyond, Clear Skies flapping her wings and sending herself skidding backwards with her pistol blazing.

One ghoul emerged from the doorway, staggering on a shot away kneecap. Easu blew it's head away in a few clean shots. The second two came swiftly after, Clear Skies nailing one before his master moved in on the other. She leapt, span and caught the head of the final ghoul in her hooves, the momentum cleanly snapping it's neck and flinging it to the floor.

Easu finished it off with a bullet to the brain before looking across at Xaphina, the mare patting away a few patches of pink gas clinging to her robe, "It's dangerous to engage them at close range. The pink gas coming from their bodies..."

"I know what it can do child." She stated with a wry, knowing grin, "Do not worry about me, I've seen far worse than pink gas."

They advanced inside, a former guard station with the window smashed and bloodstains all across the walls. Two guards lay dead, looking like they had been torn apart by ghouls. Behind them, a large, intimidating looking vault door.

"How do we open it?"

"Give me a moment." Ace answered, stepping forward and scanning it with his magic. Mechanically it seemed fairly simple, Ace surprised for several moments before realizing that those who designed it would likely never have thought to protect it against a telekinetic with magical sight. As he was just that however, a few swift tugs did the trick, "There we are..."

It was glorious, Clear Skies giving a appreciative whistle behind. Ace had to admit the gun nerd in him was singing in joy, hundreds of perfectly preserved top end zebra weaponry piled up on shelves. Anti air rifles, shrapnel guns, net guns, flash missiles, frack missiles... everything needed to take out anything coming in from the air.

Clear Skies walked inside, looked around and shivered, "I wouth hate to come up againths this..."

"We are on a mountain." Ace commented as he looked around for something they could use, "They likely expected the assault to mostly consist of pegasi troops."

"The Enclave has a poor track record assaulting fortified positions." Easu commented with not a small touch of pride, "Star Fall, the Mutum Heartlands and the Golden Coast have all handed them clear defeats, even without the armies and technology of the great war. An assault on this city? Suicide."

"Well that's why Twilight Sparkle developed alicorns." Ace commented, peering at a long anti-armor rifle for a few moments before dismissing it as far too small a caliber to give a spider bot much pause, "The Enclave attacked the zebra lands?"

"It was not as easy a victory as Easu makes it sound." Xaphina noted, "They occupied the Mutum Heartlands for some time before the great winter drove them out."

Ace felt like he was out of the loop, "The great winter?"

"A story for another time I think." Xaphina answered with a smile, "A good one, though perhaps I had an advantage in that regard."

Easu looked to her as they searched, "How so?"

"I was told it by Sharps and Clear Voice themselves, as well as having access to the records of Garm." She smiled, honestly seeming exited in a way Ace hadn't seen in her before, "When we leave this place I wish to take everypony there. This place has had adventures the equal of any Littlepip had."

"You all speak of Littlepip with such reverence." Easu stated as he explored the vault, "I too wish to one day learn more about this mare."

Clear Skies gave a sour look, "Sheths noth that spethal..."

"That can be debated..." Xaphina replied with a hint of hostility before sighing gently, "Sadly, I am not a very good storyteller."

Ace found himself lost in his thoughts as he explored, finding his mind drawn back to his father and Xephyr. He had never really known Littlepip that well, but he did appreciate her legacy. Indeed he was finding himself a bit homesick, far from the comforting familiarity of the Lightbringer's protection. He had felt so distant from it back home, ever since...

He hadn't know Littlepip, but he had known Xephyr. He always imagined Littlepip as a lot like Xephyr, only... bigger, and when Xephyr disappeared he found himself unable to connect with the idea of Littlepip as he once had. He could no long imagine what a hero might look like.

It scared him. Xephyr had disappeared. So had Littlepip. His father was old and crippled. It felt like this city sometimes, an empty place of shadows and memories. He sighed and walked over to a large object covered by tarpaulin, grasping it in his teeth and pulling it away.

It revealed shiny black armor, a familiar oblong metal body, "Shit!"

"Ace?"

Everyone turned, Ace blushing as he tried to calm his heart, "No... sorry, it's one of the spider bots. It's inactive..."

"No it's not!" Easu shouted, galloping over.

There was a whirr of activating machinery, Ace feeling his heart run cold as long spider legs slid out from it's body, plate sweeping aside to reveal glowing red eyes...

"No!"

"Everyone down!"

"Oh no, oh no!"

Ace dodged away and rolled under a set of shelving as the bot's energy weapon blasted a furrow through the ground where he had been standing. Easu distracted it with a few shots from his pistols, running away into cover as it swiveled to track him. Clear Skies grabbed a heavy caliber anti-material rifle and started firing, shots slamming into the machine but only denting the bodywork. She yelled out as the machine gun turret swept round and blasted a hole in her shoulder, the pegasi scampering away with blood pouring from the wound.

Ace cowered like a fool under the shelving, using his powers to scan for weapons that might be helpful. The issue was that he didn't actually know how to use the big heavy anti tank rifles lying around, and judging from Clear Skies' attempt he wondered if it would even work.

Still anything had to be better than lying there like a coward. He just had to..

Easu ran out from the nearest corner, a large, impressive looking missile launcher balanced on his shoulder. Ace gasped in horror and tried to get behind some heavy objects, desperately covering his ears...

Easu was just swinging the weapon up onto his shoulder when the spider bot span on him, Easu desperately aiming at it's eyes and pulling the trigger. He had only just clenched his teeth upon it when he yelled out, hit by a wild burst of fire . He felt back with blood pouring from his throat, the muzzle of the rocket launcher swinging upwards as it discharged.

It hit the roof above the machine, showering the whole room with debris as the concrete collapsed inwards. He saw Easu disappear under a solid block, the spider bot taking a hit from a support girder but simply shrugging it away.

And when the sound had faded and the dust had cleared a cool breeze swept through the room. Ace scanned the area for the source, realizing that the hole in the roof now seemed to reach all the way upwards. He searched around with his magic a little more, soon locating Easu trying to free himself from the pile of rubble mounted atop him. He struggled uselessly for a moment before going limp.

"Easu!" Ace darted out from under the shelving towards the stricken zebra, barely a few steps before the spider bot lurched out of rubble and fired a shot at him. He dodged with a quick, roll, searching for cover as it advanced...

Xaphina uncloaked behind it, slamming a hoof into the area damaged by the falling roof. She grunted as the metal sang with a sharp high note and her hoof shone with magic, magic that flowed through her and into the machine. Ace paused in wonder, watching as he beheld a technique he had only ever seen from one other. Xaphina's own technique was no where near as refined, and her elderly, weakened body clearly struggled to maintain the power behind the blow. Still the machine only held up for a second before it tottered sideways, sparks flying from it's exposed areas as it struggled to remain upright.

She took a moment to center herself, flexed her leg and prepared for another strike...

Then he was surrounded by a rain of collapsing rubble as another Spider Bot came through the roof, slamming hard into the shattering floor before folding out it's long, shining legs. It rounded on Xaphina, the zebra stumbling as she tried to retreat back to cover.

The energy turret sprung out of it's smooth surface, pulsing a beam of white light. It hit Xaphina straight in the chest, the zebra's legs going limp under her and dropping her sprawling to the ground. He saw her mouth something to him, eyes struggling to say open... a futile effort in the end, her body slumping and the spider bot advancing on her.

"Xaphina!"

He ran out but it was already too late, the spider bot seizing her body in it's legs and jumping into the air with wings springing out from it's back. His eyes shot round, focusing on Clear Skies skulking behind some fallen masonry, "Shoot it's wings!"

She looked up at the spider bot, then gave a regretful shake of her head.

"NO!" Ace turned back to see the other Spider bot was trying to escape, it's one undamaged wing desperately trying to get it airborne. He felt a wave of impotent rage flood through him, charging forward and slamming pointlessly into the metalwork. The spider bot wobbled a little but remained determinedly upright, turning it's turrets towards him.

Ace considered his next action. He considered it very carefully, feeling like this was a choice that somehow would fundamentally change him.

He knew it was likely a stupid idea but he had little to lose at this point. He had gotten much better with his magic after all, horn shining as he added magic to his hoof and set it at a frequency to resonate with the machines armor. He moved like he had seen Xaphina and Xephyr move, their grace and power clear in his mind...

He darted in and struck the machine hard, a shock wave shooting through the spiderbot. The eyes flickered, the sound of popping components and the smell of burnt plastic filling the air. It collapsed sideways, whining in desperation.

He had done it!

And then he felt the rapid build up of magic at it's core, it's intentions obvious and no chance to get clear, "No... Motherfuc...!"

White light and heat became his world.

Noise filled the house, the sounds of gunfire, of explosions. He didn't have time to think and his head was a blur, hooves moving on their own as he hugged Elegant Waters and pulled her behind the upturned table. His father was already running, dodging gunfire as he reached the gun cabinet... his hooves shook as he clumsily threw it open, Ace feeling his heart skip a beat as a Enclave trooper sighted up on him and pulled the trigger.

Calamity took the hit in his shoulder, pulling the rifle free from the rack but failing to maintain hold of it and losing his balance in the process. He fell clumsily to the ground, the rifle clattering down beside him.

"Secure Deadshot Calamity! He is to be taken alive!"

"Like hell." Spoke a clear, knife sharp voice behind, followed by the sound of a discharging shotgun and a yell of pain from one of the Enclave soldiers. Silver Rade galloped down the stairs and slid cleanly into place behind the table, leaning out and putting a hole in one of their robots with her shotgun, "Calamity, get to cover!"

"Not seeing any available darlin'..." His father rolled onto his back with a grunt, snatching up his rifle and taking aim on another of the robots... he fired, the bullet going wide, "Shit!"

"Calamity, you're in no shape to...agh!"

"Silver!" Ace surprised himself by his panic as the mare took a bullet to the shoulder and shakily darted back into cover, trying to stem the bleeding with her other hoof as her face became even paler than normal. He felt panic fill his heart at the sight, for all his issues with the mare the sight of her perfectly presented form covered in blood was a shocking one, "Are you...?"

"Take my pistol, cover your father!" She shouted, her eyes widening in panic as she looked towards Calamity in desperation, "Calamity, run!"

It was too late, the robot was upon him. He struggled briefly but the machine smacked him hard with one of it's metal arms, leaving his father clearly stunned and spitting blood.

Ace needed no further encouragement. He grabbed the pistol with his teeth, turned and... hesitated.

He had only fired a pistol casually, at a range. And his father was right there, in the arms of his target. He could still remember how it had looked to see his father drop, blood spraying from the top of his head, body hitting the stage...

"ACE!"

His sister's voice filled the room, his vision blurring, body shaking as the sweat poured down his face...

And then the window shattered, a black and white form flying through the broken glass and spinning in mid air. The enclave trooper in it's path was flung through the air by the impact, hitting a cupboard and going straight through it with a terrific crash. The robot spun a gun arm about as the figure landed, a zebra mare, solidly built and firm jawed. Her eyes darted round as the robot fired, sending a single, high caliber round hurtling at her face.

She reacted so fast that she became barely more than a blur, the pipbuck on her leg glowing as she swept it around and deflected the bullet into the ground with a sharp ringing sound. Her back legs kicked away from the ground, the floorboards shattering and her movements smooth and powerful as she raised her hoof and Ace felt magic tingle all along his horn.

She struck the robot, it's whole structure vibrating as screws and hinges twisted and broke free all along it's bodywork. Without them holding it together it was no contest, the zebra's hoof shattering the machine apart and sending parts of it crashing down all around the room.

Ace couldn't take his eyes off her, the same zebra who had been burning hayburgers just a few hours ago now standing there with a broken combat robot at her hooves. As he watched the power and strength faded from her eyes, the zebra stepping back and looking down at his father with terrified worry, "Calamity, are you ok?!"

His father chuckled, grunting as he linked hooves with her and let her help him to his hooves. He gave his familiar goofy grin, laughing off the pain, "Heh, ah'm ok Xephyr... sorry ah wasn't much help... whoh!" He was cut off as Xephyr hugged him tight, hooves clutching him as she shivered against him. He gingerly patted her on the back, looking embarrassed, "Ok big girl, told ya didn't I? Ah'm fine."

She stepped away, blushing fiercely as she once again looked like nothing more than the cheerful, rather awkward mare he had known all his life, "Sorry... you just keep worrying me Calamity. I couldn't help remembering... you know...?"

Calamity chuckled and offered her a paternal smile, patting the zebra on the head, "I'm not going anywhere big girl."

Ace stared at her for a moment longer before deciding that he was going to learn martial arts.

Pain, so much pain... he was being dragged along... tarmac? His horn wouldn't work, and without it he couldn't see a thing.

He smelt smoke and blood in the air, felt talons on his neck.

The darkness took him once more.

He didn't understand how anypony could move that fast. He caught her out of position, off balance, put all his speed and power into the blow... and he still found himself flipped over and pinned, so carefully and gently that he couldn't help but feel a little insulted. She didn't even bother to hit him properly.

"Why are you so angry Ace?" Xephyr asked as she released her hold, stepping away with hoofsteps so soft that she barely made a sound on the wooden floor, "It can be an asset in a fight, if you learn to control it. But... I don't understand. Are you angry at me?"

Ace bristled at the question, though he knew that only proved her point, "I'm angry that I can't even lay a hoof on you!"

She smiled, "I'm a thirty year old veteran who's been fighting ever since she was a child Ace. Even if I was four times the teacher, I wouldn't be able to raise you to that level in just five weeks."

"I... I know that." He took a deep breath, trying to focus, "I just wish you could try a little harder. It feels like you're hugging me."

Xephyr giggled at this, Ace frowning as she demurely placed a hoof against her lips. She eventually restrained herself, biting her lip before giving him an affectionate look, "Ace, sending you home with bruises would not help your training."

"I..." He tried to think of a good answer to that, finally just frowning, "I get that you're much better than me. Just wish you would be a little less obvious about it..."

"I trained very hard to have this luxury Ace." She stated, a little sad and unexpectedly serious. A smile edged back into her expression, nodding at him, "That I can afford to be gentle."

He looked questioningly at her, feeling... that she was trying to say something, "Is that why you never kill anyone?"

She smiled, "I'm glad you think that."

"It's not true?"

"I used to use a gun, I spent most of my childhood defending the zebra of my tribe from slavers. Alongside my mother I killed Red Eye's second in command Stern." She paused, letting that sink in for a little while before continuing. Ace thought he saw a shadow of doubt creep across her eyes as she spoke, "But after I received the Element of Magic, saw the power it was capable of... I believed that the best way to peace was to harness that power. So much conflict is caused by fear, and fear stems from weakness. I thought that a creature of sufficient power could afford to be gentle, wouldn't have to kill."

Ace guessed he understand that, "You don't kill because... you're strong enough that you don't have to?"

"That's... part of it. The other reason is... Ace, there's so many ponies watching me." She sighed, giving him a gentle smile, "I'm so far from perfect, I never believed I could live up to their expectations. But I thought that with enough power, I could afford to be the kind of hero they deserve. That I wouldn't have to compromise to keep everypony safe."

Ace looked back at her, chewing his lip for a moment before finally answering, simply and honestly, "You are."

She smiled and shook her head, "Ace, how many ponies died during the Enclave invasion?"

His mind clouded, "A lot."

"How many did I save?"

He gave her an angry look at this, "You saved me."

She chuckled, "Yes, I did. But a lot of other foals lost their fathers that day."

"You're not responsible..."

"I am." She looked back at the bench behind, where her pipbuck and the star shaped jewel within was placed, "As long as I wear that on my hoof, I'm responsible. But I was arrogant. I thought that as long as I had the strength to find the big bad and punch him in the face until he stopped hurting people, then I could keep everypony safe. And that's... a very childish view of real conflict."

Ace glared at her, angry at all these... stupid falsehoods, "Stop saying that about yourself. You're a hero."

Xephyr chuckled, though the sound wasn't very humorous, "I could say something that would really make you angry."

"What?"

"Your mother does a better job keeping the world safe than me."

He glared at her, silently and coldly.

"She builds schools, hospitals, she gives out food to the needy. She bonds the nation together."

He snapped, shouting now. He wouldn't let her say that, anything but that, "By abandoning her family and using a multi-million cap organization to blackmail any democratic system that tries to restrain her!"

Xephyr didn't help by laughing, though against his will he had to admit that her laughter did calm him down a little. After a moment she nodded, "You've been listening to Lonesome Pony."

"So... so what if I have...?"

She gave him a kind smile, "Yes, your mother can be harsh, and dishonest, and all those words he flings around so casually. I love your mother, but even I can admit that. But she brings ponies together. She's as much a mother to this nation as Gawd was." She sighed, "I could never do that, I'm too..."

"Honest?"

"Soft." She grinned, a little sadly, "She should have the element of Magic, and I take Kindness."

He gave a bitter snort, "I must admit I've always found her element a joke..."

Xephyr looked sad at this, contemplating his words with quiet regret. Finally she spoke, low and serious, "Your mother has never shown me anything but kindness Ace. Your mother and father both have been the parents I never had, and the only reason I've been any kind of hero is because they both supported me."

Ace looked up at her, that not sounding quite right, "What about your real mother?"

Xephyr's face stiffened slightly, the thin smile formed afterwards noticeably forced, "Well... maybe I can understand how you feel. A little at least."

Ace had wondered, even if he rarely paid too much attention to his father's friends, "I don't think I've ever met Xenith."

"She's not very social." Xephyr replied leadenly, considering for several moments before trying another, slightly more convincing, smile, "I understand how she feels, and I don't blame her. She's had a very difficult life, and sometimes... I think she just wants to forget."

Ace looked up at her. He could see the hurt in her eyes, even if she tried to hide it, "Forget you?"

"I don't know..." She sighed, "She never talks about her feelings, and she's just so... distant whenever I try to connect with her. Honestly... when she looks at me all I see in her expression is fear. And I guess I can understand that." She sighed, her eyes downcast "To her I'm just a stark reminder of how much pain she's endured."

Ace extended his hoof, touching it against the rough fur of Xephyr's leg. He already felt ridiculous, the gesture just so awkward and stupid. He wondered why he had even bothered, it wasn't like the sympathies of some kid were worth much.

He was therefore taken totally off guard as Xephyr placed a hoof at the side of his head, leaning down and pressing her muzzle against his forehead. Like all her movements it was impossibly gentle and induced a feeling of profound peace, Xephyr drawing away after a moment to offer him a beautiful smile, "You're going to be a fine pony Ace."

Then the room seemed to fade from his mind and he felt her draw away from him, extending a hoof and shouting her name...

Ugh... was he dead?

He opened his eyes to darkness, panicking and groping outwards for something to grab hold of, sure that any moment he would fall back into the pit he felt open up behind. He opened his mouth to scream, "Hel...umph!"

A claw fixed itself across his muzzle, "None of that."

The voice was raspy, ill. It sounded wrong, but the voice was still unmistakable, "Arick?"

"I saved you." The griffon stated bluntly, Ace dimly feeling him draw away as he removed the claw, "You owe me."

"I... damnit..." He tried to ignite his horn, feeling but the slightest flicker. The consuming blindness was starting to make him panic, so used to his magical senses by now that he had forgotten what it was like to be blind. It wasn't magical burn out, but that didn't reassure him. Magical burn out would be terrible, but it was still a known quantity. With that ruled out the options stretched from concussion to serious brain damage, "I can't see Arick."

He felt the griffon pad over, pausing to look down at him. His voice was bitter, angry, "Fuck... I gave you a ton of healing potions, it should have worked! What the hell kind of stuff were they selling? Your face still looks like you shoved it into a thresher!"

Oh. He guessed Arick didn't know, "That happened a long time ago, it's... it's over with. It's my horn, I can't use magic."

"But it's glowing."

"I... I can use it a little but..."

"Then it's likely just a concussion, don't be a baby Ace." Arick moved away, Ace getting a small image of his fur as it shifted, "We don't have much time."

He lifted his body, making sure nothing was broken. Fortunately it all seemed to be in one piece, "For what?"

"Your little adventure down in old town did it's job, you lured all the ghouls and lobotmites away from the government districts." Ace picked up the sound of claws on glass, figuring Arick must be leaning against a window, "We have a clear shot to the zebra national bank."

So that really was his goal. Ace decided not to comment, "If that's true, why waste time saving me?"

"Because we're friends Ace! Because you understand me..."

Ace knew Arick well enough to understand that those statements were mutually exclusive, "You want me to help with your heist."

Arick tried his best to sound casual, still his tone was fooling no pony, "Well if you offer... it would be a good way to repay me..."

Hmph... called it, "Why? Why do you need me?"

"Well if you want me to think of something... you are a excellent engineer and hacker, and your telekinesis has always been very impressive. Those kind of things always come in handy."

Really? Not that he ever had a great opinion of Arick's decision making skills, but this seemed poorly planned even for him, "You didn't bring a safecracker with you?"

His claw thumped against the floor, voice sounding out angrily, "I can crack a safe, and that stupid motherfucker Clear Skies can apparently pick a lock. It's not my fault the zebra put a fucking deadlock on their safe, some kind of... timelocked shit!"

And he didn't expect that? Ace marveled at the mind that would believe the zebra central bank could be broken into with a hairclip and a stethoscope, "What about my friends?"

"They're all dead." Arick intoned stonily, "I'm all you have now."

He didn't believe him for a moment. All the same Arick was actually right. With his magic frizzing, wounded, separated from everypony... Arick was all he had. And if he wanted to find them he needed to get out into the city "Whatever you want Arick. You did save me after all."

"Excellent... excellent."

Ace took a moment to roll out of bed, gingerly checking his body. The healing potions had done good work but he had been caught in a magical explosion and nopony walked out of that intact. The skin was mottled and his fur was thin and rough in places, his shoulder sporting a nasty scar.

But that only reassured him. He had been right next to that explosion, and if he had survived that meant the others... he tested his hooves, taking a deep breath as he found himself weak but capable, "How long have I been out?"

"About eight hours... I don't know, I've stopped counting."

Yet more time wasted in this city. He couldn't waste any more, "Let's go."

Arick sounded surprised, "You've just woken up."

Sleep was for the dead, "No time like the present."

They crept through silent streets, Ace feeling his magic flow back little by little. He could at least see a fair distance now, though the details were still indistinct and blurry. They were definitely in a very regal part of the city though, the pavement perfectly smooth, the buildings carved and embossed, elegant towers of polished stone spiraling into the sky.

After a little while the silence started to get to him, "We saw you throw Clear Skies off a building."

Arick was silently for a second or two before speaking, "She was about to do the same to me. Little backstabber."

"What made you think that?"

Arick turned his head to him, "She's a pegasus, and she's not a dashite. Little bitch bugged out the second the Enclave started to lose, spent the rest of her life obeying no master but hard cash. You think I could trust someone like that?"

Ace tried not to raise an eyebrow. Some folk could talk...

"Plus, I couldn't stand looking at that ugly mug a second longer." He waved a talon, giving a cruel laugh, "I mean seriously! She can barely walk, and that fucking lisp!"

Ace winced, that... making him feel guilty somehow, "We can't all be blessed..."

"But we are Ace." He chuckled to himself as stretched himself upright, opening his arms wide, "Me and you, we were born to own this world. Elite bloodlines, money, intelegence, good looks, physical perfection! If harmony is real, then we have been chosen by it. Blessed, born better and more worthy than the others!"

Ace averted his eyes,"I don't know about that..."

"It's true Ace." His voice dropped, colder and angrier, "And out of jealousy, society tells us that all this means that we deserve to be unhappy, to sacrifice ourselves for the benefit of those who happily hide away from danger, who live lives of peaceful bliss while we die young and suffering."

Ace wanted to disagree, but then he thought back to his father. With his shaking hooves, failing eyesight... he was the best of them, and he deserved so much more, "But we... if we have the power to make things better..."

"We have the power to make things better for ourselves." Arick snorted, his voice echoing in the empty streets, "No one cares when some farmer or minor civil servant looks out for themselves, but when the upper classes try being a tiny bit selfish for a change? My grandmother built the NCR with her own blood and tears, and her reward was to die a miserable, pathetic death. When you finally die in a ditch somewhere Ace, shitting out your internal organs and begging for it to end... what will comfort you more? That you suffered and sacrificed your chance at happiness for a bunch of ingrates, or that you actually took the time to have some fun?"

"The world needs saving..."

"And if you wait long enough, eventually some pony is going to save it." Arick snorted, waving a claw about the city, "The NCR will fight many wars, against many nations. Polititions are corrupt, evil masterminds plot and the world just keeps on with the same old shit. Don't be suckered into thinking this matters any more than the thousand other minor conflicts that have come before it."

"So..." Ace took a deep breath, considering his words, "Just give up? Abandon my friends, find that money and live like a king?"

"It's Fluttershy Ace. She's a hero, a proper one. What are you?" He gestured at him, "You're fourteen Ace, do you honestly think you had a chance against that tower? Let the real heroes deal with that shit, before you get yourself killed for nothing."

What did he think he was? What was he?

It was a good question.

They finally reached the bank, huge, imposing and richly decorated. Others had tried to assault it previously it seemed, bullet holes and other battle damage mottling it's proud structure. A large statue of a female zebra loomed large across the entrance archway, Ace wondering who she was.

He walked up the stairs towards the entrance, reassured that his strength was returning. He was both heartened and distressed by the realisation that they were truly alone. Yes, the lack of ghouls was nice after everything they had been through, but the lack of his friends was also disturbing.

"Fuck..."

Ace's attention was drawn to Arick once more, the griffon stumbling up the steps, scratching at his fur. He had been acting like this for some time, periodically injecting healing potions and resfusing to admit anything was wrong. Ace wasn't fooled. He felt it with his magic, the wrongness about the griffon that he had glimpsed before. He felt his stomach lurch, actually feeling... sympathy? "Arick, we've got to get you some medicine. Fluttershy said..."

"I don't care about Fluttershy!" Arick shouted, turning on Ace with a angry growl, "It's always Fluttershy this and Fluttershy that!"

"Arick..."

"Shut up!" He shoved Ace hard, knocking him backwards to stumble across the stairs. Arick grabbed his shotgun from it's holster as he came forward, driving it into Ace's muzzle as the griffon shouted, "Did she have something to do with this? Did she do something to me!?"

"No! It's..."

"I'm... I'm so sorry Ace..." Arick drew back, pulling his shotgun away and stepping back a pace, "I'm not feeling myself."

That was not good, "Arick, we need to find you some medical care. Join up with the others, they..."

"No!" He hissed, holding his face in his claw and drawing away, "No one can see me like this. Not until it's fixed."

"Arick... this can't be fixed..."

"NO!" Arick charged forward, seizing Ace's throat in his talons and lifting him into the air. The sharp claws cut into Ace's neck, Arick's grip strong enough to cut off Ace's airway as he struggled, "Once I have that money I'll be able to buy anything I want! And you're going to help me get it!"

Ace nodded desperately, Arick finally dropping him to the ground. He stepped back a pace and fixed the buck with a furious eye, his breathing heavy and laboured, "See that you do."

The halls of the bank were littered with ghoul corpses, it apparent from their injuries that they had been killed by Arick and Clear Skies. It forced him to note that despite the griffon's faults, he had inherited some combat skill from his family at least. In light of that maybe interogating him wasn't the best choice, but still infomation was a useful comodity, "I've been told that you were paid to come here by a Priestess of Celestia."

Arick grunted, then a thin grin marked his face, "She was a pretty one I'll tell you that. Better company than that fucking ghoul."

"Why didn't she come with you?"

"She had an interest in that... what the hell was her name? The alicorn with you?"

His eyes opened wide, "Star Swirl?"

"Yeah, her." Arick didn't seem to notice his reaction, his movements increasingly jerky as he continued in a low mutter, "Fucking alicorn tried to kill us... but she was angry that we defended ourselves, picked up what was left of her and healed her up, abandoned the mission and just left with her."

Star Swirl was with Sunshine Ivory? "Is she paying you for the job?"

"Yeah. Supposed to meet up with her in some crappy little town, Karsville." Arick snorted, "But fuck that. You saw what we were up against, and this bank is a dozen times the payday she offered."

Karsville, he would remember that, "But what...?"

A zebra charged out of a doorway, slamming a blade into Arick's shoulder. The zebra had a line of stitches about his head and an empty expression, Arick extending a claw and driving it into the zebra's shoulder, "FUCKER!"

Another rushed out, mouth foaming. Ace charged in to help, grabbing the lobotomite that had attacked Arick and hurling him into the second. They both went down in a tangle of limbs, Ace preparing to finish them off.

"YOU DIRTY LITTLE SHITS! DIE!" Arick swept his machine gun round, emptying pretty much the entire clip. The two zebra were torn apart, and even then Arick didn't stop until the weapon clicked on an empty chamber. He was sweating, breathing heavily and raspily.

"Arick, you..."

His head flicked round to the corridor the lobotomites had emerged from, "More of them! They're after my fucking money, the little bastards!"

"Arick!" Ace called out as the griffon charged off, sighing and making pusuit as best he could. They soon emerged into a long hallway leading to a vault door, already swarming with about seven of the lobotmites in a clearly agitated state. They threw themselves at Arick and he didn't even bother to fire, simply beating the first to death with his gun before tearing out the throat of another. One ran at Ace and he slammed his hoof into the zebra's forehead, resulting in a hollow clunk and not even slowing it down. Ace cursed and rolled with the lobotmite's attack, circling the creature as he looked for weaknesses.

Ace scanned the lobotmite as it charged in for another go, nodding to himself before dodging to one side and slamming his elbow into the back of it's neck. There was a crack and a whine of dying electronics before the creature slumped limp.

The battle behind had gone almost silent, Ace turning to view a hallway covered in blood and beaten bodies. None of them had been shot, all had been killed with bare talons and brute force.

Arick still had one of the lobotmites in his beak. It was clearly dead, hanging broken and torn open by Arick's talons... and still he...

His beak tore a solid lump of flesh from the zebra, the griffon eagerly swallowing it. He gave a deep satisfied sigh, the sound animalistic and 'wrong'. His movements too were twitchy and off, something about his very energy fundamentally changed, "Huhhhh..."

"Arick... it's over."

"I... I know." His voice rasped, bloody talons stepping across the tiles. He flung the lobotmite aside, waving at the vault "There it is, all our dreams. Not much further... not much further at all..."

"No, it's not."

"We'll be rich, you know... both of us... neither of us will ever have to rely on our parents again..."

Ace turned away from the griffon, forcing his emotions back into his throat. He distracted himself by studying the vault door, reaching into the mechanisms with his magic. It was a fairly simple design to be honest, though certainly it the rest of the wall would come down before you made a dent in the lock. He routed back along the control systems, looking for something to push, or pull, or slot...

Ace couldn't believe it himself when he finally felt the connections, a little spark passing between two nodes. The vault door shook, then ponderously rolled open to reveal a treasure hunter's wildest dream.

The zebra nation's wealth was built on metal. The fertile soil of Equestria produced gems and food in abundance, but the churning, volcanically active rock of the zebra lands produced a bounty of some of the most sought after metals in the world. And it was all here. Stacks of mithral, of gold and silver, of titanium and nickle. Back in the old world this would have been worth a fortune. In the current world? You could build an empire on this alone.

"It's so beautiful..." Arick stepped into the vault, his voice a whisper, "You could lose a fortune at the tables and barely notice, buy your very own palace...aheh... mine would be bigger than my mother's..."

Ace stared at the haul. A house? "Arick, this... this could change the world."

He paused in consideration, stood in the center of the vault as his eyes shook and his grin became wider. Finally he spoke, a cruel edge to his tone, "I could buy myself an army. Make everyone bow down at my talons. The first Grimfeathers Emperor, wouldn't my mother be eating her words then?"

Ace took a deep breath, his heart heavy in his chest, "Is everything about your mother?"

"NOTHING IS ABOUT MY MOTHER!" He let out a rasping scream, pounding a claw into a stack of iron bars with such anger Ace felt Arick's talons break. The griffon didn't even seem to notice, spinning about, spittle flying as he ranted, "She thinks she knows me, that she's entitled to disprove! I'm of a better class, I'm better than everyone! They all just don't understand how smart I am! But... I'll show them... I'll show them all... I've been too soft, just like all you little ponies... but griffons have claws... yesssss..."

In some perverse way many would find this all fitting and right. Arick Grimfeathers, forever charming his way out of every situation with his looks and his brains.

Now both had been stripped from him. His charm and clever lies had been stripped from him alongside his fur and flesh, and now Ace saw what he really was.

It didn't make it easy. But Ace knew he had no choice. He made his peace with the decision, knew it had to be made. And though there was no satisfaction in it, he knew many would find this justice. Arick had finally found wealth and power beyond imagining, and he was welcome to it, "I'm sorry Arick."

He reached out with his magic, made the connections, then fused them permanently in place until the control system shorted out with a whine. The vault door shook, then slid shut with a loud clang and the sound of Arick's screams as he rushed to the door in a rage. Ace watched as the door felt into it's moorings, shuddering there before sliding inwards and shifting as the magnetic locks engaged.

"Let me out, let me out, let me out! You can't do this to me!"

Ace shook his head, sinking against the door. If he let him out, he would only cause more damage, hurt more ponies. He had hurt Fluttershy, Silver Scribe... hundreds cursed his name.

"You're a nice pony Ace Gold... too nice... I'll starve in here, withering away... I'm no threat to you..."

He cursed his lack of strength. That he hadn't been strong enough to finish it clean.

"I'll get out of here! Kill you! Eat your fucking flesh, like a proper griffon!"

He wished... it had ended differently.

"My mother is Regina Grimfeathers! She won't stand for this, she'll hunt you...!"

Ace finally disabled the microphone inside the vault, Arick's voice fading into static. Ace stood there just silently, he didn't know for how long.

Arick was still in there. He had just condemned another living creature to a slow, lonely death. And there was nothing he could do about it now, even if he wanted to. He... didn't know how to feel about that. He walked away, leaving that vault behind, leaving everything behind. He walked through the ruins of the bank, past the decaying corpses, feeling nothing but a cold, leaden weight in his chest.

He came out into the sunshine, dry, stale air settling upon his shoulders. He looked all around, not a soul in sight.

He... wished there was. He didn't know what he would say but he really needed somepony just to be here right now. Like... Fluttershy...

He missed his family too. His father, Pitch Perfect... even Silver Rade and Elegant Waters.

Especially them. They at least he could count on to tell him the hard truth.

His mind would not stray from Arick's comments about his mother, wondering if that fierce destructive hatred he had felt in his words was truly what had driven the griffon to such extremes. Did Regina truly deserve that hatred? Was she really the cause of his problems?

The answer was self evident, she did not deserve any of it.

The weakness and failure had been within him all along.

"Oh... Celestia, Luna and Cadance..." He gasped, holding a hoof to his eyes as he felt himself break, tears running down his face as he fought for composure. But it was too late, he had no further reserves left. Fluttershy was gone, Zenai was dead, Star Swirl was missing... everypony was gone, and he was alone.

There was nothing left. He let out a sob, legs wobbling as tears splattered the pavement, his gasping cries echoing in the emptiness, He knew they would call more ghouls, but at this point he had abandoned all concerns except one.

He had let down everyone who loved him. He would die alone.

"Ace!"

He lifted his head, staring through tear stained eyes. A figure...

"Ace! Are you hurt?!"

He shook his head, wanting nothing more than to just run over and bury his face into that massive frame until he felt safe again. He wasn't sure how he would react however, simply settling with a silent nod.

Easu came forward cautiously, scanning the area and keeping himself low, "Where is the griffon?"

"He's gone..."

"Gone? He..." Easu's eyes widened, searching Ace's face for meaning. His voice was now twinged with regret, "Ace Gold, I am sorry."

"One of us is." He snarked, feeling himself choke, "I... I..." He broke, face screwing up as he felt the tears form anew, "...I can't... oh... oh..."

And Easu came forward, lifted a hoof and gingerly and clumsily drew Ace close. The bandages tickled his fur and he smelt of sweat and blood, but at that point there was no place he would rather be. The zebra's low tones were filled with sympathy, even affection, "I am glad you are not hurt."

He sighed, feeling the tears ease as he took strength from Easu's unyielding form, "Thank you..."

"I... I know I'm not very good at this." He moved his hoof away, eyes embarrassed as he made some distance between them, "You would rather anyone but me no doubt."

"No." He protested, in fact rather disappointed at the sudden distance between them, "I... thank you. For coming for me."

"It was not all me." He shook his head, clearly not comfortable, "Worthless knows this city like no other, and he can track like a bloodhound. Even Clear Skies did her part, scanning the city from above. In fact we really should..."

Ace walked forward and embraced the zebra, embarrassed but unwilling to just let it drop. Easu's hug had been stiff, hesitant and unsure, but it had not been reluctant. There was affection there under those bandages and battlescars.

"So that is how it is done..."

Ace looked up at the big zebra. He seemed distracted, distressed somehow, "A hug?"

He paused briefly, before finally giving a reluctant nod, "As I'm sure you noticed, I have not had much experience with them."

Ace smiled, stepping away and drying his tears, "I've never been very good at them either."

Easu paused, staring at Ace. He seemed to be locked in self debate, finally bringing his hoof to his jaw and pulling his bandages away. They did not expose a fearsome skull face or horrifying burns as Ace had expected, instead... it was a face. Layered with scars and missing large tufts of fur, but not disfigured. Even younger and more handsome than he expected. Even Easu's voice sounded different without them, clearer and higher, "You... are not alone Ace Gold, any more than I am."

Ace smiled at that face, Easu seeming so... unassuming without his mask, "Because we both have scars?"

"Hmm..." Esau looked away, his eyes troubled, "I'm told your family are great heroes."

"Yes." Ace could think of no other way to put it, "Two of them carry elements of harmony."

"It is difficult, to have worthy parents." He gave Ace a grim smile, "My father, my brother, my mentor... they are all great zebra. I even understand this Arick, with what I have been told of him. I understand why you came to the Zebra lands with him."

Ace looked down, "Yeah."

"I was like him once." Easu took a deep breath, seeming... lifted, relieved somehow, "I could not handle the responsibility of my birth, and so I chose instead to abandon all responsibility."

Ace felt a cold feeling run through him, "Yeah..."

"You have rejected that choice." Easu smiled, oddly warm and kind, "I am proud of you for that."

Ace looked away, embarrassed and depressed, "It might have been better if I had taken his offer... it's not like we stand a..."

"No. This is the right path. The other is a life without meaning, and we all die eventually. Better to gamble your years on even a moment of victory, than to forever toil in spiritual poverty." He looked up towards the Academy of Science, expression firm and determined, "We will save Fluttershy and Dust, or we will die good deaths."

Ace didn't know quite what to say. Did he believe that? He decided to deflect the question, "Why are you here Easu? Why are you doing this? You were sent to watch Star Swirl, and she isn't here."

"No." He paused for a moment before answering, "I am here because I believe in Fluttershy. In what she said before."

"About peace between the zebra and NCR?"

Easu nodded, "If her plan works, it could lead to a new world. I world would be honored to live in, and I believe she has the vision and capability to pull it off."

"We really are turning into the Fluttershy appreciation society..." He smirked despite the grim situation, "Does anyone care about Dust Kicker?

"Hm..." Easu's expression shifted into a slight smile, "Fluttershy does."

"True." Ace stated, chuckling slightly to himself. It was reassuring that he could still laugh, even at times like this, "Let's go save them."

"Lets."

"I'm glad you're not dead."

"So you've said Puppy." Ace replied somewhat tersely, neither wanting to make a fuss over it nor talk about his experiences with Arick. Puppy, fortunately or not, did not seem to notice his reluctance.

Clear Skies, Worthless, Puppy and Easu. It was an odd team, one he wouldn't have chosen for even your general patrol. Certainly their mission seemed almost impossible, suicidal even. Arick's words continued to live with him, the sheer, simple 'why'?

It wasn't because he was a hero, he realized that now. It was in fact for the most selfish reasons.

He liked them. Fluttershy, Xaphina... even Dust Kicker, despite his womanizing tendencies. He wasn't exactly the easiest pony to get along with, so he appreciated how they went out of their way to make him feel needed.

"We're getting closer..."

"Everyone keep an eye for booby traps." Ace replied as they made their way towards their destination, located within what appeared to be the poorer part of the city. The buildings here were noticeably newer in their style, yet cheaply constructed and tightly packed. Banners featuring inspirational messages and the photos of enlisted members of the community fluttered in the dry air, reminding Ace somewhat of Star Fall. He smiled grimly as he looked at one that asked zebra to pray for those who were actually listed as prisoners of war at Black Island, which Ace remembered as being the zebra name for the island that was now Star Fall. It almost made him laugh, "You know, the zebra that were out in the field... they likely survived, where as the families safe at home here were killed by their own."

"Zebra appreciate irony." Easu commented dryly.

"Worthless dreams sometimes, wishes he could help. That he was strong enough to do something." Worthless spoke quietly behind, Ace turning to the emancipated ghoul as he looked around the area in quiet despair. After a moment he spoke again, a slight hint of anger under his defeated drone, "Mercenaries that come here tell me of Star Fall, how it continues to oppress zebra, steal our resources. Zebra... deserve so much more..."

Ace found himself pricked by this, a note of... slightly misplaced guilt coming over him. Whether it was his fault or not however, he was still eager to lift the ghoul's spirits, "Star Fall has been defeated actually, at least on the mainland."

Worthless lifted his head, "Truly? I had heard of a warlord who opposed them, but those Worthless spoke to told me he was doomed to fail."

Ace shook his head, smiling at the ghoul, "He succeed in driving them out. His son rules now, as Caesar."

Worthless looked honestly lifted by this news, a hint of pride flowing back into his sunken features, "Tell him to look for peace... the zebra have seen too much conflict..."

"Um... thillithes and genthalcothts?" Clear Skies suddenly spoke up ahead, "We'th hereth."

The tower of the Academy of Science rose above them, a sheer, shining crystal bound in a silvery metal skeleton, elegant arrays of antenna and transmitters jutting out from it's surface. Ace tried to gulp down his fear as they approached, especially as he saw the lines of electric fences and defense towers that surrounded it, "Right, ideas everyone?"

Puppy spoke in response, quietly hopeful, "I still can't infiltrate their network..."

"But?"

"I can disrupt the power supply, forcing a section of the defense system to reset." Puppy explained, "It would give you exactly a minute to get across."

"Honored ponies..." Worthless's quiet voice sounded out behind, all of them turning as the ghoul gave them a miserable look, "...I cannot go with you."

"I understand." Ace stated after a moment's though, not really all that surprised. The ghoul had done his part getting them here, and it's doubtful he would be of much help inside, "Thank you for your help."

"Honored ponies..." He averted his eyes, body slumping, "...the Celestial King will know you're coming. He has... always known, always been prepared..." The ghouls haggard body truly deflated now, his voice a whisper, "I tried to fight him once. He laughed as he took everything, made me worthless."

"You are not worthless." Easu stated firmly, "You brought us here."

"More fodder for his experiments honored ponies." He lifted his eyes, "You are but three. I should not have brought you here, should have told you to run."

"Two." Clear Skies corrected, stepping away from them and looking defiant, "He'ths righth."

Ace looked round in horror, then disgust at the cowardly pegasus, "Really? After you came with us all this way?"

Clear Skies shrugged, "Brought you hther, gaveth you a chanth. Buth ifth thith ith a thusicide misthion, I donth whanth any path of it. I'll taketh my chanth with escapthing the city."

Ace stepped forward, "You...!"

Easu stopped him, laying a hoof on his shoulder, "Let her go."

He looked back, "Easu..."

"You, me and Puppy. This is enough." He looked up at Clear Skies, "A lame pegasus would be little help indoors."

"Iths true!" Clear Skies acknowledged with a nod, "I'm complethly usethes without my winths."

"Fine." He swallowed his anger, accepting that Clear Skies wasn't worth it. He had better creatures to be angry at, "Give us four hours. If we've not succeed by then, we're almost certainly dead."

It was too easy. Puppy disabled the defenses as she said, they made it past the fence, turrets, plugged the codes Worthless had given them into the door, and...

"I don't like this."

Ace nodded at Easu's low whisper, looking left and right for any signs of danger. They stepped along a long service corridor, leading under the courtyard of the academy if his sense of geography was accurate. It was wide and open, apparently used to transport materials into the facility without clogging up the main entrance.

It should have been guarded, and to be honest it wouldn't have been hard. It was just one long straight corridor, with no cover whatsoever.

"You know, Worthless led Dust and Fluttershy into a trap..." Puppy mentioned, her voice a little too light and breezy.

"Well we're here now." Ace replied, having considered that already, "Any luck getting access to their systems?"

"No." She answered disappointingly, before speaking again in an exited tone, "I'm pretty sure I've worked out why though."

Ace sighed, "Go on."

"There appears to be a second time distortion field around the facility itself, along with... other strange things. I'm pretty sure the Academy is experiencing a different time flow than us, which of course makes it impossible to access their network from an outside source... at least without very complicated algorithms."

Ace hated this time shit, "And the weird stuff?"

"Well I'm kinda guessing, because what I'm recording doesn't make any sort of sense."

And then Ace felt it too, his magical probing suddenly running up against... well, he could describe it as pressure. Power was built up ahead, and it was churning, directed, straining against it's barriers, "I... can feel it too. What is that?"

"It appears to be magic, a huge amount, rotating around a central point. That pocket of very dense space appears to be the center point." Puppy then gasped, and not a reassuring gasp, "It's... a megaspell."

That wasn't good news. He was unsure how to react, "A bomb?"

"No... it's one of the most complicated megaspells I've ever seen, and it's... still forming."

"Like... in a reactor?"

"The facility is the reactor." Puppy stated after a moment's pause, "By sealing the facility inside a temporal bubble, it's created a perfect seal. That's how they've managed to make a megaspell so big. And through temporal and spatial distortion... it's generating a huge amount of power, which is all feeding the megaspell, making it stronger."

Ace briefly considered the idea of a skyscraper sized megaspell. The ones that destroyed cities tended to be the size of a barn, "So... what does it do?"

"I've set up a subroutine to calculate that." Puppy stated with a slight shiver in her voice, "Preliminary reports indicate... nothing good."

Easu spoke up, his voice matter of fact, "All life on the planet?"

"Actually quite the opposite. It's clearly based on the Gardens of Equestia." Puppy answered.

"That doesn't sound so..."

"Except the criteria for what constitutes corruption has been slightly extended."

Ace's mouth quietly dropped open. That... that made horrible sense, considering what they had seen in the city.

Perfectly preserved, even tidied and repaired... without a soul left to inhabit it, "It will wipe the planet clean of life, and create new life in it's place?"

"I... think so?"

Ace took a deep breath, the hurried his pace, "Puppy, ideas on how to stop it?"

"Um... several?" Puppy advanced, "Depending on how lucky we are, they range from the very awesome to the... not so awesome."

Ace was a cynic, "Not so awesome first."

"Well... the megaspell could be unstable, or locked in it's final condition. That means we would either have to unleash it as is, hope it would only rewrite half the planet, or blow it up, and hope it only takes out half the continent."

This was turning out to be a really shitty day, "Ok... slightly more awesome?"

Puppy sighed, "Ace, it's very unlikely that it will be that bad. If we're really lucky... I could rewrite the megaspell, create a gardens of Equestria spell for half the planet!"

They were NEVER that lucky, "You can't just rewrite a megaspell Puppy."

"Well maybe 'you' can't..." She sighed, long and deep, "...we won't know until I've got into their systems. If worst comes to the worse, we can just not fire the megaspell, and make sure no one else does either."

"Well, first we have to get inside." Ace nodded up ahead, where a large warehouse stacked with parked transport vehicles sat. Beyond, a service elevator, "Time to save the world..."

They found some stairs just behind the elevator shaft, along with a disused camera socket that they could plug Puppy into. She remained silent for a half a minute before finally speaking, "I've set the cameras on this circuit into a loop, and downloaded a partial floor plan. We should head to the eighth floor."

Ace raised an eyebrow, "That's all you have?"

"It's a very small network, meant to be used only by the security offices of the first four floors by the looks of it." Puppy sounded a little frustrated herself as she continued, "The building has fifty eight floors. I've only got plans for the first twenty."

"Why floor eight?" Easu asked.

"It's where the detention cells are kept." Puppy responded, "There are large holding areas there, along with docks for the spider bots and freight class elevators from the basement. Dust, Fluttershy and Zaphina must have been taken there."

Taken there sure, but were they still there? Still it was the best option they had for the moment, "What's on the other floors? Anything we can use?"

"It's mostly residential." Puppy noted, "This place was designed to be fully autonomous. They have indoor gardens, shops, gyms, swimming pools..."

"Weapons?"

"Let's not go looking for trouble Ace." Easu warned, "As I proved with that missile launcher, neither of us are trained in the use of heavy weapons, and we have already seen that this tower hosts at least a dozen of those spider bots. We cannot stand against that many, no matter our weapons."

"Ok..." Ace accepted reluctantly, "...maybe we can get some uniforms, blend in?"

Puppy spoke up at this, sounding exited, "There's a pony and a zebra scientist together on the forth floor. No guards about!"

"Do they look anything like us?"

"A... little..."

Easu gazed cynically, "Puppy, I am... distinctive, and Ace is fourteen and looks it. Let us concentrate on retrieving Dust Kicker and the others, and not get too complicated."

Puppy sighed, "Fine... but you're missing out on some crazy highjinks!"

They ascended upwards past an array of blinking, sightless cameras, the rough stone of the walls fading into steely grey plastics. They ascended past the residential areas Puppy had described, Ace feeling his heart run cold as he saw zebra walking the areas beyond the glass doors. Not once did they ever glance their way however, so totally caught up in their day to day lives.

Finally they reached the eighth floor, this vastly more businesslike in it's architecture than the floors before. The grim, stark corridor ahead seemed empty so Ace took the opportunity to open up a panel and plug Puppy into the jack.

"I've found them!" She declared triumphantly, "Not by name, but the descriptions are clearly of Fluttershy and Dust Kicker."

"Where?" Easu started, looking tense and impatient.

"I..." Puppy paused, then her voice cracked a little, "Not on this floor. They've been taken upstairs... Fluttershy for medical dissection, and Dust Kicker for live fire exercises..."

Ace felt his flesh chill, trying to keep the panic from his voice, "All the more reason to hurry. Xaphina?"

"On this floor." Puppy answered, "Right, then three blocks ahead."

They continued on, a little more hurriedly than before. He ached with the desire to go upstairs immediately, save Fluttershy and Dust Kicker... but he knew that if they were going to have any chance of success they would need Xaphina's experience.

And then he stopped as suddenly as he was able, thumping Easu on the shoulder and pointing towards a set of corridors to the left. Easu thankfully didn't question, instantly hurrying towards the turning indicated. They both hurried down, the sound of metal spider legs echoing behind them.

And then he felt something else in front, panicking for a moment before getting a better read on them. Just two, the size of normal ponies, not appearing to be heavily armed or armored. He motioned to Easu and prepared himself as they reached the corner, prepared as the figures approached.

He saw a figure in a black body suit emerge and swung his hoof towards their jugular, angled and positioned for a quick take down.

But his hoof simply bounced off the figure's armor, causing little but a cry of surprise and a slight stumble. The pony in the black bodysuit turned, the glowing eyes of a set of high tech goggles sitting above a respirator, the rest of whatever it was totally covered by sleek black plastic. The other figure behind was clad identically, both looking way too familiar...

"Ghost warrior..." Easu whispered, his voice clearly trembling.

Easu was afraid. That... that wasn't a good sign.

The first figure moved, faster than he believed it possible for a pony to move. Ace dodged by the skin of his teeth, his counter punch not even causing the figure to flinch. He backed away, heart trembling as he saw Easu already thumping unconscious to the ground at the hooves of the other figure, "Puppy, give me something!"

"Um... they are wearing the same suits as Chigaru. He... um... energy weapons can be effective."

"I don't have any...!"

The figure moved like a flash of lightning, his voice clear and cheerful, "Oh that looks like a fun toy."

Ace moved to counter but the figure wasn't aiming for him, instead seizing Puppy from his back and tearing her free. He flung her over to the other figure, this one speaking in a scratchy female voice as she placed a hoof atop the casing, "I wonder what'ze keeping in here!"

"No!"

It was too late, the female suit pressing her hoof down and with worryingly casual ease popping the armor in half. She stepped back a pace as the chunk of star metal was revealed, letting out a little gasp, "Invuctus, what'z zat?"

The other suit eased forward, slim body slinking across the tiles, "That's Star metal! Connected to some sort of... destroy it! Destroy it now!"

Ace sprinted forward but it was to no avail, the female suit stomping her hoof against the star metal. It crumbled into dust with only a moment of resistance, Ace feeling his heart go tight and his magic burst outwards in flashing energy. He... Puppy... he had just let her...

"Sneaking a bomb in here, a star metal bomb no less. Veeeerrry sneaky little pony..."

No. No. He wasn't going to take this. He felt the female rush up to face him, fierce emotion running through his body as he came in to meet her. He ducked her thrusting hoof, launched himself forward and struck her in the jaw, feeling energy surge through his muscles. It did the trick, sending her howling backwards to slam against the wall with enough force to dent the metal. Her broken body flopped to the ground and she screamed, scratching a hoof against her broken respirator as a think cloud of pink gas built up around her, "Naiiiii! Aggiiiii, Invicutus, he hurt me! He hurt me!"

Ace paused, looking down at his hoof. Since when did he have the strength to knock ponies across the...?

Then something struck him hard across the head and all other questions were immaterial.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (7)

Perk Gained:
Zebra Martial Arts Level 1
You have uncovered the secret to using your own natural magic to enhance your body. You can now learn and use zebra arts.

Quest Perk Gained:
All The Best Cowboys Have Mommy Issues
Perhaps you're finally starting to get a bit of perspective. As such, you gain a +1 to perception.

Chapter 3.15 - Building A Better World

View Online

It is day 82, almost half a year since the bombs fell.

I am writing this to you now to give you an idea of what has happened since that day, since to you it has only been a single night since you were evacuated here. You will find we have made great strides on our research, that every day we inch closer to retake this country from Equestria.

Make sure you read your notes early. I left them until I got to work and ended up near constantly distracted by other things.

In the evening you should catch up with Philidous's revenge. I won't spoil it for you but the second chapter has a truly excellent conclusion.

But really, this is your day to live. I'm told a version of us on the forty first day worked all through the night, ended cursing against the clock as the day reset. If you're feeling like going all out... well your body will still wake up in the morning exactly the same as today. Because it will be today as will every day until we are finally ready for what is to come.

...and I guess I should share the... other news.

I broke up with Jessa.

We both know why, though maybe you'll need to think about it for a little. I'll spare the gory details, but when I read through the logs, though about what I really wanted from this day... well maybe I hadn't realized it before but our relationship was only driving me down. At the end of the day you're just a tech assistant and she's a senior administrator, and maybe workplace dating across such a large gap was never a good idea.

I know it's a shock, but by the end of the day... I realized it was for the best. And that cute systems admin that you've had your eye on for a while? Turns out she's single, so give it a try.

Anyway, I've left the rest of the boring stuff below. Have a good day, and don't forget to write up a log for the next you!

Chao!

Adisa stared at the screen for quite some time, trying to work out exactly how he felt about all this. It certainly wasn't something he was very good at, eventually giving up and stepping away to busy himself with his daily tasks. He carefully stepped over a couple of piles of books, shifting aside a pile of shirts and snatching up his key card in his teeth, once again feeling a pang of jealousy over his... modestly sized quarters. With all the staff forced to move on site he had been forced to move to a smaller room to make way for some supervisor, as a result most of the available floor space was now used as storage.

Though frankly it hadn't been much better in his old room.

...Jessa's room had been huge. That only drove home how far apart their worlds were he supposed.

He sighed as he felt the sense of loss slowly fade, replaced with acceptance. He was good with acceptance, despiting knowing it wasn't a particular masculine emotion. And he accepted that maybe cutting Jessa loose was the best decision in the long run. Hell, he had never expected it to last a week, and though they had managed it somehow...

...half a year huh? Half a year since the end of the world. Maybe some flirtation with some non-threatening tech monkey might have been ok in time of prosperity and loose consequences, but she needed to get serious now. Spend time with some zebra as smart as her.

He suited up in his maintance uniform, grabbed his tool bag and set off.

"Good morning Adisa, I trust you have the maintenance reports?"

Adisa nodded as he stepped into the hanger bay, currently housing a dozen Anansi Area Denial Bots all hanging from their gantries. Said maintenance report was currently resting in his hooves, listing unit thirteen as housing a stiff motivator and unit twenty as having a calibration error in it's energy blaster. Though it denied him the chance to tinker, he had to admit that already knowing exactly what would happen today (unit's Thirteen's coolant tank is a little leaky, he had to be careful not to get it on his shirt) saved a lot of time, "How are things on your end General? What's it like out there?"

"Grim." The aging, heavyset zebra at the end of the bay reported with a frown. He sighed as he walked through the ranks of his robots, inspecting them with a heavy sense of regret in his face, "As far as we can tell, we might be the last above ground."

Adisa knew it wouldn't be good. Still, he hadn't believed Equestria truly capable of doing it on such a large scale, "Really?"

"Radiation out there is almost instantly fatal, from Garm to Karabivore the country has been pretty much wiped clean." The old man grunted, eyes narrowing, "The only things we've detected moving out there are Equestrian scouts in shielded power armor."

Adisa lowered his eyes, feeling the guilt and grief flow through him. He had known it, Zenospira had warned them... but for it to finally happen, drive home his worst fears... "We failed."

"We're still here son." The General intoned with grim determination, his whiskers drawing upwards with stern resolve, "And by the fire, my spiders will see Equestrian blood yet."

Adisa gave a kind nod before setting to work, not feeling any better. After all, killing every pony in the world wouldn't bring back the countless billions Equestria had just wiped clean from the planet.

The countless billions they couldn't save.

With his knowledge of what exactly he needed to fix and how to do it, his assigned tasks went by quickly, allowing him to get down to the canteen early and go over some of the new advances they had developed in the past few months. Though still just a maintenance worker he had been assigned to tech support at the labs recently, and had certainly enjoyed getting to see the new technology with his own eyes. They had even started to include him in their debates and let him help with experiments, something Adisa truly appreciated considering he had never seen the inside of a university.

And now he found himself feeling depressed again, remembering that day, not two months back if you discounted the time loop. A few casual comments and observations of his had managed to kickstart a massive breakthrough with a major project, leaving him on top of the world and almost dancing as he had left the lab. It was certainly enough to give him the confidence to intervene as he saw a pretty lady having trouble with her hoof computer, quickly moving to impress by identifying the problem and fixing it for her.

And being a douche he had just started on the well worn story of how it was really just a shameless rip off of the pipbuck that shared all of it's design flaws along with many of it's own... when she had calmly, politely and with the barest hint of a smile told him that she had invented it.

He still remembered her laugh as he had backed off, desperately apologizing. She had been in a suit, wearing the most strict and intimating pair of glasses, yet there she was, laughing like a little girl. She had invited him to lunch so they could discuss ideas...

It had always been ludicrous. He was a street cleaners son, who had trained by taking apart old washing machines. He might have been good with a wrench, but he was still of lower stock than most of the common soldiers. And here she was, the scion of a great house, with emblem and everything. Her ancestors had worn crowns. And herself? Fresh from the most respected schools in the world, with the kind of grades that most considered theoretical.

Though she overcomplicated her designs. The science was awe inspiring, but she always included too many points where the whole process could bottleneck or fail...

"Adisa?"

He looked up, eyes bulging as he saw her standing in front of him, "Gagh!"

She gave a very soft smile, raising an eyebrow, "You never change."

"I..." He averted his eyes, trying not to blush. He was such a doof, "You... um... I wanted... I'm sorry."

"I am too." She sighed and looked away, studying the cheery (and extremely cheesy) motivational posters that covered the far wall. She looked back at him, not angry or sad, but... disappointed? "You have so much potential Adisa. Please, just promise me you won't ever settle for second best."

He looked away. Everything really was second best when you compared it to her, "Jessa, I'm... I'm like forth best, or fifth best. Isn't it a little presumptuous of me to want more?"

She smiled, that wicked little look she had in her eye when something challenged her, "We're the dreamers of the Zebra Academy of Science, fighting a war against Twilight Sparkle and Equestria. Presumption is our business."

"Heh, I guess that's true..." He grinned, remembering why he had fallen for her in the first place, "So I'm like a metaphor for the whole zebra race now?"

She gave a smart little smile, "What would that make me?"

He sighed, looking her square on. Damn she was gorgeous, a living cliche that you never thought would really exist. Perfectly proportioned with a lively and expressive yet dignified face, her sharp jaw and long muzzle bringing to mind princesses of glorious dynasties. And smart, smart enough to be a senior administrator and nationally famous scientist just into her thirties. The metaphor was apt, "The technological, geographical, politically and militarily inassessable might of Equestria." He sighed, "We're losing the war Jessa."

She smiled warmly back at him, just looking at him with those beautiful eyes for several seconds before leaning forward to whisper in his ear, "We've not lost yet."

And then she was gone, turning and sweeping away with the practiced dignity of a thousand years of breeding.

Damn... he had really screwed up this one.

As had become normal he spent the second half of his day running tech support for the labs, today apparently he had been scheduled for the hostile research lab. It was one he was familiar with and certainly enjoyed working in, fond memories of seeing cool Equestrian tech in action... before seeing it blown up by even cooler zebra tech. The Anansi Bots had first been tested here, Adisa there to share in the thrill as it skittered from cover to cover before shattering it's targets apart with pinpoint shots of it's machine gun and energy cannon. Considering how much of his time since was spent maintaining the Academy's unit of them he couldn't help but feel a parental affection, the machines always looking so eager to please.

"Right, we have a live field test people. I want strict containment." Supervisor Impovs declared sternly as he stood at the center of the observation room, eyes swiveling round to glare at each of the stations, "This is a live target, I repeat, a live target. We caught him carrying out a well planned assault on non-combatants guarded by a whole unit of ZIA soldiers, so this is a well trained Equestria operative with no care for civilian casualties."

The chief researcher in charge, Doctor Ibas nodded gratefully, "Thank you Supervisor. This is the thirty seventh live combat test of the Olorun Combat Aperture, and the first of the version 10 model. This model has greater mobility at the cost of side armor, and it's legs are designed for fast elevation and descent. Today our Equestrian test subject will be armed with a Defender heavy shotgun with AP rounds and a Spitfire class anti armor rifle. He was offered, but declined, a suit of power armor."

"Smart guy." A technician commented beside him, Adisa nodding in agreement. Against anything bigger than small arms power armor was a liability. The Equestrians were always complaining about zebra use of gas weapons, despite only ever being used on the battlefield and barely having killed a single pony in years.

It did however force them into those big, obvious, bullet magnets where they were easy prey for snipers.

"Deploying the opponent now." Another technician stated behind, Adisa looking up with interest at the monitor. He was surprised when the pony emerged from the transit lift, no trim, powerful special ops type but a old, heavy scarred brute, with a face that had been broken and repaired a dozen times and fur that spoke of long decades in the sun.

The pony instantly bolted into action with more speed than he had expected, carefully huddling in some ruins that had been set out on the test course. Adisa figured that was the signal to begin, "Deploying test subject."

The lift on the other side rattled upwards, the smooth carapace of the Olorun rising from the garage below. It looked considerably different to when Adisa had last seen it, then an intimidating, crude and solid looking thing. It had benefited greatly from all those recycled days of development, sleek, smaller, it's form moving slightly to achieve balance as the lift shuddered. It was vaguely insectoid in appearance, with six curving legs and a long tapering body, a bump on the center of it's back where the sensors were located. Protecting it were three 'arms', two on either side at the front, and one rising from the back. All included both a small claw for grabbing, along with a shielded underside, high caliber guns, and magical energy weapons with modular settings.

The old versions he was used to had cut apart Equestrian forces in the few battles they had participated in, despite their power supply and maintenance issues. This thing looked like it could take a whole unit on it's own, "Test begins."

The Olorun turned, scanning the area for a moment before locating the building the pony was hiding behind. A stream of weapons fire soon followed, the pony darting out and unleashing fire upon it's right claw. The Olorun quickly drew the weapons mounted on it upwards, exposing only it's armored underside. It cleared the line of sight for the left arm to draw a bead on him, swiveling rapidly to track.

A precise blast of energy took the leg out from under the pony and sent him sprawling. He did well despite the injury, rolling into a set of stone ruins and away from any lines of fire. Adisa watched as he tried to patch up his leg, ignoring the pain as he bound the wound.

It was for nothing however. The Olorun pivoted it's 'tail', sighted up and unleashed a soft, intensifying blue light that washed over the ruins... they exploded with a roar, masonry raining down around the test arena.

"Matter disruptor cannon is measuring a 10 percent increase in effectiveness against stone buildings." The technician beside him announced.

"Good." Doctor Ibas commented, narrowing his eyes at the window looking down upon the arena, "Is the test subject still alive?"

They quickly had their answer, a bullet tearing through the dust cloud and striking the tail dead on. Sparks flew and the servos sent it twitching, forearms quickly moving to fire upon the source of the shot.

The pony was already moving however. Adisa watched as he burst out of the smoke, heading straight for the Olorun, "Target on the move! He's heading under the machine!"

"Ha." Doctor Ibas snorted, "We'll see how well the servos on the legs work."

The pony darted under the machine, firing upwards with his shotgun. The Olorun predictably slammed itself downwards, the pony however was already rolling outwards. He paused and leapt atop the now prone Olorun, skidding across the smooth surface and over to the sensor hump.

"No!" Doctor Ibas shouted, slamming his hoof down, "Lieutenant Dartius, I will have you replaced if you get the machine damaged!"

It was only a brief moment however. The pony had fired two shots which had only just stripped away the armor on the hump when the Olorun lurched upwards, throwing the pony to one side. The Olorun scooted over on it's massive legs and sent one slamming down to catch the pony mid fall, crushing him against the ground before hurling him across the arena.

He slammed into the wall and toppled downwards, the Olorun sighting up... one blast and it was all over, nothing left of the target but a small pile of dust.

"Congratulations Doctor." Supervisor Impovs commented, breaking the silence, "A most impressive performance."

Adisa heard the sighs of relief from around the room. Doctor Ibas sounded surprised, "But the test subject did so much more damage than before..."

"This test subject is of a skill level far outperforming the previous examples." Supervisor Impovs commented, stroking his chin with a hoof, "I will recommend he is stored for future combat tests, it is about time we put our weapons up against Equestria's best. Good work everyone, please submit your reports as standard within the next two hours."

It didn't take long for his work to finish after that, as the day would reset repairing the Olorun and cleaning the arena was pointless. He did help perform a analysis of the exact battle damage done, rather impressed to see that despite the relative thinness of it's armor it had stood up to more abuse than the version he was familiar with. It's shape helped with that he saw, enclosed in a single pressurized shell rather than individual sections of armor. It really was very impressive...

"You helped design it you know?" One of the scientists pointed out at his observation, giving him a grin, "It's more expensive, but it really improved the weight and powerload issues."

"Really?"

The scientist nodded, "I wish more of the guys had your eye for efficiency, rather than simply bolting more tech to it."

After that it was fair to say he was feeling pretty happy with himself, spending the next two hours just helping out around the lab and trying his best to not look too smug. Eventually he stopped by Dr Zoave's desk, the zebra as normal checking out a piece of Equestrian cybernetics. So far, so average... but this wasn't average. Adisa's eyes widened as he looked across the screen, then back at the cybernetic implant on the table, "Is this for real?"

"Apparently so." Zoave answered with a grin, "This is the most advanced piece of cybernetics work I've ever seen, easily."

"Wow..." Adisa looked at the connections, tiny little threads of nerve endings connected up to what appeared to be... some kind of stimulator? And the computer inside, it looked like some sort of solid state system... it was a work of art, and he found himself supremely jealous, "This could revolutionize treatment for any number of disorders! Stroke, spinal cord damage..."

"And I've just got to figure out how it works." Zoave sighed, wearily tapping keys, "The pony this was attached to is a marvel in herself, apparently some sort of attempt to create a new super-solider capable of surviving the wasteland outside. She's been bonded with plant material on a deep, genetic level, enhancing her earth pony abilities. At the same time her Osselar glands are extremely overdeveloped, allowing her to manifest those abilities to a far greater extent than should be possible without a horn, and she even has some similarities with pegasus anatomy."

"So, kinda like an alicorn?"

"A rather crude one, yes, and something that makes our work even more imperative than ever." Zoave gave him a serious look, waving at the monitor, "If Equestria unleashed a hoard of these upon the wasteland they could conquer it in short order. Physically durable, immune to radiation and necromantic magic, capable of using zebra, earth pony and pegasus magic... it's an absolute marvel, and puts our genetic modifications to shame."

Adisa looked across the data, having to admit a little jealousy, "I've no idea how they've managed to bond that plant material so completely into her nervous system."

"Ah, give me a few days and I'll have an whole army of plant zebra." Zoave stated with a grin, giving an long sigh and turning back to his console, "So I suppose I better get on with it..."

Adisa leaned down,studying the data with interest. As always he couldn't help but be disturbed by just what the ponies were capable of. Because these mutations... they were crude, unnatural things, experimental and untested research loaded into her body without thought to the consequences, "Her lower intestines have been removed, along with her reproductive systems."

"Yeah." Zoave sighed, tapping the screen, "Heavy scarring to the cerebellum as well, looks like the mutations she was exposed too overloaded her brain. Nasty stuff, should have killed her really."

He couldn't help but feel sickened. He wasn't a flag waving patriot, he didn't hate ponies... but this stuff just proved why they needed to keep fighting.

It was a hour later when his next task came up, this one worryingly unexpected. Given the time loop unexpected was generally a bad thing, and it worried more after coming just ten minutes after the sixth floor was evacuated for 'decontamination'. It was also a job which required a full environmental suit and tools for fixing a gas administration system, which meant one of their security chiefs must have been hurt. That never meant anything good.

In the end he decided against full suit, instead just taking breathing apparatus and protective mask from the preparation area lockers. He instantly felt rather claustrophobic under even that and though he was supposed to be fully suited he trusted her to keep it under control.

Besides...he felt it was rather unkind and rude to work on her dressed like he was clearing up and industrial spill.

He slipped inside the special operations command room, sterile surfaces, smooth pods and the heavily labeled tanks of Rokahemi gas infinitely livened up by ghost operative propaganda posters, a whole shelf full of plush toys and a massive painting of Caesar that had been hung above a saddle arabian reclining chair. Myrtis herself stood sulking in the center of the room, a plastic mask she had clasped across her muzzle feeding her the specific combination of gases she needed to survive. Her usual metal face mask lay on a table nearby, bent and twisted by some terrific impact, "Myrtis, can I come in?"

She turned to face him, smiling through what he was sorry to say was still a face he struggled to keep a neutral expression towards. She was a camel, already an odd looking species before you stripped the fur and upper layer of skin, decayed the muscle into a burnt, necrotic black, and covered it in gently pulsing, pink veins, "You're already inzide. Iz a zilly queztion."

He gave a nervous grin back, rubbing the inside of his foreleg, "I guess so." He coughed and walked over to look to her mask, wincing as he quickly diagnosed nothing less than a full replacement, "What happened? It looks like it got run over by a Dragonslayer."

"No idea." She griped, sounding defensive, "Zome Equestria spy, with zome kind of enhanzement. Docz are prepping him for analaziz."

He had to say he was worried, both that Equestrian spies had managed to infiltrate the building at that they could successfully take down Myrtis. Sure, she wasn't the most cautious warrior in the world, still she didn't need to be given her near invincibility, "Right, I'm going to have to fit a new mask..."

"No!" She shouted, before her fleshless lips pursed together, "You never fit the mazk right."

"Myrtis, if I don't fit it to the published standards I could get into a lot of trouble..."

"Heh." She snorted loudly, giving him a toothy and deeply disturbing grin, "They haz to go through me."

He had to admit, the two standing outside the chain of command did have advantages. In the absence of clear authority, it often tended to come down to 'who could tear off your hooves and beat you to death with them', "True..."

"And I'll rezet tonight anywayz." She reminded, giving him a pleading look, "I am notz ztanding around this room all day, connected to a gaz cylinder. And I'm notz zpending the whole day tugging at my mazk either."

"Myrtis..."

"And I won't breath on anyone." She finished, turning her head and fluttering non-existent eyelashes, "Let me keep the conneczionz ... fire, juzt give it a patch job. It only haz to hold up for the rezt of the day."

He sighed, "You are going to get us both in some much trouble..."

"Hey, Adisa." She declared cheerfully, "Anyone givez you trouble, tell them to talk to me."

He grinned, that certainly was something that would end most arguments, "Sure... I think I can get this working again, just give me a hour or so."

"Yezz!" She declared cheerily, "I would hug you, but your face might melt off."

"Yeah... please don't."

It is day 1023, more than three years since the bombs fell.

And I got a transfer! An Equestria attack on the facility claimed a few of the workers, so I got transferred to the hostile storage floor as a technical officer. Kind of a jump in roles, but I quite enjoyed it and I hope you do to. All your notes are in an attachment to this file.

In the evening you should catch up with Philidous's revenge. I won't spoil it for you but the second chapter has a truly excellent conclusion.

But really, this is your day to live. I'm told a version of us on the four hundred and twelveth day worked all through the night, ended cursing against the clock as the day reset. If you're feeling like going all out... well your body will still wake up in the morning exactly the same as today. Because it will be today as will every day until we are finally ready for what is to come.

...and I guess I should share the... other news.

Jessa broke up with me.

Well I can hardly say it was unexpected, we both always knew she was just playing around. She finally confirmed it on the first day after we sealed ourselves in here. That she was just messing with me, a dalliance with a dirty serf just to have a laugh and pass the time. Her colleague Zephronius? She had been sleeping with him for a while, and she finally decided to make it official and kick us to the curb.

I spotted her today and she didn't even look at me.

So fuck her really. Personally I'm done with the dating scene, I just want to concentrate on making it into the science team like I've always dreamed.

Anyway, I've left the rest of the boring stuff below. Have a good day, and don't forget to write up a log for the next you!

Chao!

Adisa sat back, thinking for a moment on what this meant. He felt it coming, unable to stop it when it did, "That..." He swallowed, not wanting to say that, not wanting to think that. He paced, knocking books about, his frustration rising as they scattered to the floor.

He realized it was never going to last, but he couldn't help feeling aggrieved. It was just the other day after all that she had told him she loved him, as it was one day for her! And now, of all times?! She couldn't stay with him for just one day?! Instead leaving him to read this message over and over again...

He had really liked her... he had met other mares before, but they had never made him feel like she had. All those nights just talking about the latest research, new ideas and concepts just tumbling out. After this was all over they were going to marry, Jessa's sister had been trying to retrieve the family ring for him to use.

He couldn't take it anymore, turning on his heel and stalking out to find her. He passed colleagues and friends without a word, heading straight for the elevators to the executive floor. He pointedly ignored the security officer on guard as he charged onwards, focused entirely on the door ahead.

Jessa stepped out, fully suited and immaculately groomed as always. She had just locked the door when she saw Adisa, blushing and turning away as she attempted to retreat, "I've got a rather busy schedul today and..."

"You're really just going to walk away from me?"

She paused, her hoof hesitating in place. Finally she just placed it down in front of her, her head bowed, "Adisa... it's for your own good."

Really? Really?! "How do you figure that?"

"Adisa, long term relationships for me involve a hundred page contract and the ability to withstand eight centuries worth of rarefied snobbery. I can't subject you to that." She turned facing him head on with tears in her eyes, "You deserve better."

His lip quivered, finding it difficult to argue with that face. But if this was so difficult for her then why? "Don't... patronize me. You're perfect and you know it, better than someone like me could ever..."

She cut him off with a shake of her head, "That's it, don't you see it? You think you're less than me, because... I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I'm making you feel bad about yourself, like you have to work harder to prove yourself to me." She averted her gaze with a sigh, "I don't always treat you like you deserve..."

"Jessa... it's gone." He hated himself for saying it, but it was true, "I'm not going to have to meet your family, your holdings on the east coast of Equestria don't matter, your majority shares in five of the top thirty companies don't matter." He looked here, firmly and unyielding, "It's just me and you. And if you... don't want to be with me, don't hide behind your name."

She looked him in the eye, then smiled. That soft, sweet little smile that he knew so well, "Adisa... listen to me." She hesitated for a moment before sighing, a troubled look in her eyes, "Believe me when I say that I would never cheat on you, and that... I love you, and always will."

This made no sense, "Then why...?"

"Adisa, it would be so much easier if you did believe all those lies." She moved forward and placed a single hoof against his lips, her eyes deep, soulful and full of regret, "Tomorrow morning you won't remember a moment of this, and everything will be as it should be. Today... stay away from me."

He looked back at her, sensing... she was in trouble. And he wanted to be with her, wanted to help... but ultimately he believed in her, and that she knew what she was doing, "Take... care of yourself Jessa."

She gave a beaming smile, nodding back to him, "Have a wonderful day Adisa, and don't you worry about a thing."

He had to say he started his tasks that day with a little bit on his mind, not helped by being called in early to a task not on his schedule. That was generally considered bad, especially the way they described it.

Security systems jumping at nothing, the network flagging up non-existent hacking attempts, servers complaining of particularly heavy loads. It spoke of some sort of assault, but Adisa knew that was impossible. He said as much as he made a tour of the high security wing, making sure the seals on the most dangerous prisoners were all working as they should, "You know as well as I do chief, that outside hacking attempts are impossible. We're sealed inside a temporal bubble, they're totally out of sync with us."

Chief Oluwo simply grimaced, not looking reassured by his words, "Maybe someone inside the facility?"

He didn't want to consider that. Privately he and the chief both knew the truth, "Well... maybe we should conduct a full search? While I'm making sure everything is working down here?"

"This whole facility has security holes you could drive a truck through." The chief growled as he headed off to give the order, "I swear, it's just another one of Xenospira's sick jokes, like he enjoys watching us chase shadows."

Adisa set off to the long, tedious task of checking the building's systems as asked, breaking the tedium by indulging his curiosity about the various prisoners they had locked up here. Most of them were a rather sorry lot, with a surprising number of zebra who had apparently been outed as Equestrian spies or who had joined up with their invading forces.

Eventually though he came to a prisoner that gave him immediate pause, imprisoned alone in one of the most secure cells in the facility, with no less than five armed guards surrounding him. He certainly looked... dangerous, "Um guys... are you really all here to protect us from a small child?"

The guards all shrugged at each other, one eventually speaking up, "We've been told that he's enhanced, some kind of genetic modification."

Adisa looked into the cell, and at the small crimson buck curled up there asleep. He didn't look more than fifteen, "I think I read a book about that once."

He had a job to do though, so he leaned down to inspect the circuits. He was surprised and relieved to finally find something worth looking at, several of the connections showing severe signs of wear, "Alright... just replace you and..."

He rerouted the power, switched off the failsafes and reached for his tool bag...

The lights went off, a loud crash filling the room. It was quickly followed by the sounds of struggling guards, Adisa feeling something grab his leg and hurl him against a wall. He gasped and thudded down sideways, his terror increasing as it all fell silent...

The lights came on again, revealing the pony buck standing among the unconscious bodies of the security officers. He didn't even look out of breath, his penetrating pinkish eyes glaring across at Adisa with a look that suggested resisting was a bad idea.

Then the radio suddenly crackled into life, "Sector 7, report. We lost you for a moment."

The buck trotted over to the console, inspecting it for a moment before replying in a perfect impression of the first guard to speak, "Nothing to worry about command. Irad was helping with maintenance and he triggered the failsafe. All good up here now."

"Roger sector 7, I'll put it in the logs."

Adisa debated what to do, whether to call for help, or tackle the pony, or... his mind wandered as he watched the pony's hooves dance across the keys on the security console, the screen flashing as he simply rewrote huge sections of code. It was beyond impressive, Adisa wondering where he had learned such skills at such a young age.

Then the screen changed, now displaying a camera feed from... somewhere. There was no sound and he was glad of that, dozens of zebra strapped to tables, screaming as bionics were wielded to them. They were all still conscious for the procedure, Adisa thinking it some Equestrian facility for a moment before he saw the words at the bottom of the screen, "Sector 52? That's on the 41st floor."

The screen changed again, this time a camera displaying a long row of cages inhabited by broken, scared looking ponies. The camera then flicked to a pony in a glass tank, banging on the side before screaming as pink gas was pumped in and her flesh melted off. A pair of white coated zebra observed for a moment before scribbling down something on a clipboard.

The pony swore, his face becoming angrier and angrier as he searched through the camera feeds, "Damn, damn... where is she?!"

Adisa couldn't believe what he was seeing. Floor 41 was the biological research floor, and one he had never had the clearance to visit. Still... "Who are you looking for?"

Then the camera changed again, now showing a large cell plastered with photos and articles from the war. If he was to guess a theme, he noticed that many of the articles had to to do with... Fluttershy...

A elderly, butterscotch pegasus stood in the middle of the room, her head bowed and her white hair streaming across her face. She was placed in a pair of deeply uncomfortable looking hoof cuffs, and had clearly been mistreated. Bruises covered her body, along with the tell tell burns of riot prods. The pony at the controls looked deeply angry, pressing a few more keys and suddenly allowing sound to stream through the speakers.

"How does it feel Fluttershy?" A cruel, reedy voice questioned, Adisa instantly identifying it as Xenospira, "To know that all those zebra, all those zebra who trusted you to save them died screaming. That a whole city died cursing your name, cursing that all of this was your fault?"

"What... is this?" Adisa questioned.

The prisoner tensed, leaning heavily upon the console, "A suicide note, if I have anything to do with it."

"I couldn't have done it without you. If you hadn't given me the megaspells, this never could have happened." Zenospira continued, "But... oh, it wasn't you who gave me them was it? You sent your daughter Feathershine. Lovely girl, I hear she lived just on the outskirts of Manehatten... just far enough away for it to hurt."

"Please..." The mare whispered.

"Tell me, how long do you think it took her to die? Hours? Days? And all of it screaming your name, begging to it to stop."

"STOP IT!"

"Now now, we don't shout. Chief Pathrik?"

At Zenospira's command a beefy security guard walked up, winding up before kicking the mare hard in the side. She screamed and fell to the floor with a whimper, bitter tears coating her cheeks.

And then the console exploded.

Adisa jumped back in surprise, feeling terror take his heart as dark magic rose around the prisoner. It suddenly began to feel much colder, the lights darkening and the prisoner suddenly seeming to grow and change...

And then he shook his head, giving one piercing scream and kicking the console hard enough to shatter it apart. The pony then span round, regarding Adisa with utter loathing, "Did you know about this?"

"I have absolute no idea what is going on!" He protested, waving at the smoking wreck of the console, "What was that? Some kind of interrogation simulation?"

"That was Fluttershy!" The prisoner shouted furiously, his eyes burning with anger and magic, "You kidnapped her, dragged her here, tortured her! Why!?"

This was... madness, "Fluttershy?"

"Yes! You know, the mare who risked everything for you?!"

"She's here? She made it all the way from Equestria?" Adisa supposed it wasn't implausible, but it certainly posed other questions, "What is she doing here, being... treated..." He fought for the words, "...roughly..."

"I don't know." The prisoner spat, "While you think on that, you can also explain why you killed every zebra in the city, used them as test subjects!"

Adisa blinked, "What?"

"Those zebra on the monitor." The prisoner fixed him with furious glare, "Who do you think they were?"

"No..." He fought for an explanation, "The only test subjects we use are captured members of the Equestrian army."

"Equestrian army?" The prisoner questioned, "There hasn't been an Equestrian army in two hundred years!"

"What?"

"It's two hundred and eighteen years since the megaspells fell, wiped out both countries!"

Adisa shook his head. No, these were just equestrian lies, "You're trying to trick me..."

"I'll prove it." The buck stated with hard determination, placing a hoof on Adisa's shoulder, "The central data library."

"Yes?"

"Take me there."

They reached it a lot easier than he thought, the buck seeming to disappear the second they exited the room. He contemplated telling one of the marching guards, still he was stopped both by fear and... curiosity. Who was this pony, and what did he think he would find in the central library? There wasn't any research data there, simply stuff you would find at any library intranet.

He would find out soon it seemed, walking into the communal library down on the residential floor and immediately being directed to a private side room by the buck's voice just behind. He complied, entering a room set out with a large monitor, data terminal and projector for private meetings. The buck immediately reappeared behind him, walking over to the data terminal and immediately starting to work furiously at the keys.

"Who are you?" Adisa finally asked, looking the buck over. He looked like he had seen a few fights, scars indicating he had been shot more than once and chipped hooves indicating he had used them in blunt force confrontations.

The buck turned his head to him, those pink eyes once more boring into his skull. Eventually he looked somewhat regretful, turning his head away, "My name is Ace Gold. I came here from a country called the New Canterlot Republic, set up in what was once Equestria by Griffon, Pony, Zebra and Diamond Dog survivors of the war."

"Diamond dog?" Adisa questioned, thinking that sounded unlikely.

"Don't use that tone of voice with Fluttershy..." Ace Gold stated quietly before calling up an image on the view screen. Ace motioned to it, "This is the zebra territories, gathered by this tower's own sensors."

He looked out onto the city beyond, then the wasteland around them. They... looked rather free of the choking clouds of radiation that had been reported. He located what looked like well established settlements, the marching armies of zebra, the flags bearing zebra symbols... he looked down at the time stamps...

"Believe me yet?"

"I... the time stamp does seem to check out with your story..." He tried to make sense of it all, with little success, "But why? Why would Xenospira lie to us?"

"I couldn't tell you, I've never met the guy personally." Ace Gold frowned, looking around at all the monitors with a furrowed brow, "But look at all this. Black magic plundered from the Star Demons, an army of robots, super soldiers, biological weapons... he could conquer the wasteland with this. Given the speeded up time he's likely waiting for us to die out."

"But..." Adisa was forced to admit, it sounded like something Xenospira would do. The zebra was a genius, but he was also arrogant and cruel, with a twisted sense of humor, "We write ourselves a message before the day resets. How could we have missed all this, not put it all together, mentioned the inconsistencies..."

Ace Gold looked back at the console, grim faced for a moment before going to work. After a short while he stepped away, face ashen, "How many days has this day been repeating for you?"

"1023."

"It's closer to 20'000."

"What?"

"I've tracked the messages back to an AI. It's writing the messages to you based on samples of your previous work." He pointed a hoof at the read out, "It's right there."

Adisa reached out desperately with a hoof, taking the console and trying to find the trick, running through all the options he could think of... but it was true, it was there. A part of the system that all the reports went through. And they didn't come back anything like they came in, "But why?"

"To stop you questioning? A sick joke?" He moved back to the console, hooves blurring across the keyboard, "Makes me wonder what happened on those missing days..."

And then the screen burst back into life, displaying images of pain and suffering that sent Adisa staggering backwards. He watched in horror as he saw the Anansi bots and the towers defenses cut the scientists apart, methodically moving through the building and wiping them out one by one.

And then he saw himself fall, trying to defend a wounded Jessa with a small pistol. His bullets rang pathetically off it's shell, the Anansi bot cutting him down in an instant before advancing on a whimpering Jessa... "Shut it off!"

Ace did, thumping a button on the console and deactivating the screen, "Sorry."

"Why?" He asked, wanting to explain it away as a trick... but how did you come up with a trick like that? "Why would he do that?"

"You all reset right?" Ace questioned, giving him a piercing look, "Looks like an excellent test of your droids, see how quickly and efficiently you can clear out the building."

"But we're his colleagues!"

"And these zebra you've been experimenting on?" Ace questioned, his tone becoming bitter, "They're innocent civilians. He pretty much emptied the entire city into your research labs, has been butchering them for a hundred years."

"But... there isn't enough space for the whole city..."

"That explains why he just gassed a lot of them, or had them shot."

Adisa just shook his head, wondering just how to react to something like this. Eventually he just went with his gut, his response standard and predicable but honest at least, "If this is true... we have to stop him."

"Yes." Ace answered, giving him a firm look, "We free my friends, and we end this."

Now that was going a bit far, "If I just talk to him..."

Ace raised an eyebrow, "How do you think that's going to go?"

Fair point, "Well... I know a member of the senior staff. Maybe she can help?"

Ace considered this for a moment before nodding, "What's her name?"

"Jessa... um... Otani Kajessa Nanjyu."

Ace rolled his eyes, "And you say ponies have silly names... right... hmm..."

Adisa watched as Ace's expression became annoyed, then confused, then worried, "What's wrong?"

Ace looked up from the console, his eyes concerned, "Jessa's tracking chip went off grid twenty minutes ago, while she was trying to access the mail AI from a secure terminal on the management floor."

Adisa raised an eyebrow, "Tracking chip?"

"You all have one." Ace stated, nodding at Adisa's chest, "Just behind your third rib."

That was the first Adisa had heard of it, "What could have caused hers to go offline?"

Ace hesitated, then finally spoke, "Internal sensors indicated security bots were called, and upon there entry there are reports of... weapons fire."

Adisa felt a sick feeling settle in his stomach, "She... must have been hurt! We... we have to help her!"

Ace didn't reply right away, eventually sighing to himself, "Looks like she suspected something too."

Adisa remembered what she had said to him earlier, that she had obviously suspected the messages were a lie. What had she done? Had she tried to investigate too? "We... we have to find your friends, help her!"

Ace Gold didn't look quite as pleased as he expected, the buck grim faced and resigned as he turned to Adisa, "I know where they are, follow me."

"And that's why you need to release the prisoner..."

The guards were looking less impressed with every second, the security head finally moved at this, grabbing his gun from his booth and starting toward Adisa, "Son, you're acting a little strange here. I think you better follow my men to the medical bay..."

Ace Gold burst into action, his hooves too fast to follow as he flew past Adisa and hit their lines. The first guard hit the ground limp, Ace moving off before he had even settled and slamming into the second with enough force to hurl him into the wall. One shot at him but Ace simply erected an shield of pink light around himself, sending the bullet sparking away and giving him an opening to run under the guard's weapon and slam him backwards.

"Wow... pretty impressive." Adisa commented with a little bit of breathless admiration, "You're like a superhero. How did you get so strong?"

Ace Gold grunted with a hint of frustration, "Huh... it lacks elegance. And I can't help it if I'm a little angry, I mean... look at what's going on! It's just... difficult to maintain control..."

Adisa frowned, Ace looking even more erratic than usual, "Maintain control of what?"

"I'm normally a lot more easy going than this, that's all." Ace replied with a grunt, his horn shining with a fierce pink light that enveloped the door, straining for a moment before tearing it away with a crash. There were cries from beyond, power already charging at Ace's horn as he rolled out into the jail block beyond. Adisa watched in amazement, having never seen anything quite like it. A bolt of energy flew from his horn and shattered apart the barrier the guards were using as cover, flinging up a cloud of darkness and dodging away to avoid the return fire. Winds of magic blew up around him and sent Ace darting around the hall, pinpoint blasts of energy knocking the guards flying. Bullets fired in return were deflected away by shields of light, one cutting across Ace's thigh and another striking his shoulder but neither slowing the foal for more than a moment.

Finally they were all down, Ace panting in exhaustion as a cloud of steam rose from his gently sizzling horn.

"I've never even heard of a modern unicorn with those skills!" Adisa exclaimed as he followed him in, fanboying just a little, "You fight like some alicorn princess of old! ...though it would have been much easier to just use one of those energy rifles."

Ace looked back at the rifles in question, mounted on the wall in case of prisoner escape. His mouth curled in slight amusement, "Would you believe I have no idea how to use them? My magical combat skills are... a little out of date."

"Ace!"

Ace's eyes turned as the voice called out, focusing on a cell block a little way distant. Inside was a middle aged pony, a little soft around the middle but powerful around the shoulders and flanks, the scared, weatherbeaten look of a warrior about him. Ace's eyes lit up in joy at the sight, "Dust Kicker!"

He galloped forward a little but had to stop after a moment, his breathing still ragged from the fight. He held up a hoof in apology, only for his eyes to widen as another zebra stepped from the shadows. She was even more interesting looking than the pony, her body almost one big scar. She was very old and wiry of build, but likely looked older than she was due to the fact that it looked like most of her fur had been taken off a long time before. She bowed to Ace before turning to the prison cell the pony was inhabiting, extending a hoof and pressing it against the locking system, "Allow me to handle this."

"Xaphina?" Ace Gold exclaimed, then grinned, "I should have known you would escape on your own."

"I grew tired of imprisonment a long time ago." She answered, before blowing out the lock with a single thrust of magic. It burnt out in a shower of sparks, the force field around the doorway fading, "Are you hurt Dust Kicker?"

"No, I'm fine." Dust Kicker answered as he stepped out, looking between the two of them in interest, "Looks like I missed a few things."

Ace nodded, motioning to the zebra, "Dust Kicker, this is..."

"The zebra who saved my life in Dusklight, when Starhammer's assassin tried to shank me?" Dust grinned at her, "Xaphina right? Thank you for that, and your assistance at Messonera as well."

Xaphina bowed softly, "You are welcome."

Dust's eyes turned now to Ace, "And as for the second thing... since when did you learn high powered combat magic, and gain enough power to tear a vault door off it's hinges? Not to mention... your eyes, they look healed."

Ace looked away, "It's a long story..."

"Pink eyes." Dust commented as he moved towards the boy, showing slight concern, "Ace, you didn't..."

"It's not exactly important right now." Ace protested, looking annoyed by the questioning, "Puppysmiles and Selene are safe, but we still need to find Fluttershy and Easu."

"Your entry wasn't exactly stealthy." Xaphina chastised, "I hope you have a plan for getting to them without having to fight the entire security force."

"It's alright, I made sure to hack the communications hub, they have no way of..."

"Watch out!"

Ace's head turned at Dust Kicker's shout, giving him just enough time to get his shield up before a beam of light struck him head on and knocked him flying. An spider bot slammed down from the walkway above, the whole group yelling and running for cover...

Adisa reached out for the machine desperately, trying to remember the right words, "DK2R access code! Reassess IFF data, target is friendly, target is friendly!"

The robot lowered it's weapons, eyes flashing, "Reassessing. Target marked as hostile by local area codes."

"Area code interpretation is faulty. Please power down for maintenance."

"Command accepted. Powering down." The robot stated, legs and weapons quietly folding away.

"Pretty quick thinking there." Dust Kicker stated after a moment for everyone to catch their breath, giving Adisa a warm smile as he stepped over, "Dust Kicker, real nice to meet you."

"I doubt it's going to work twice..." He quietly muttered, before turning eyes up at Dust Kicker. Here at least was a chance to work out who was lying to him, "Who are you two? Who do you work for? Honestly."

Dust kicker chuckled, "That's a real good question, but I'll do my best. Name's Dust Kicker, mercenary under the employ of the New Canterlot Republic of Equestria. At the moment however I guess you could say I'm Fluttershy's bodyguard."

He stared the stallion straight on. It didn't look like he was lying, but he seemed the kind of stallion who would be good at it, "The Fluttershy?"

"The very same." Dust grinned, rolling his eyes, "Ah, it's a long story. She kinda got stuck in suspended animation for two hundred years, so she apologizes for being late."

"So it has been two hundred years..." He looked up at the old zebra, "And you?"

Dust looked back at her, "I would like to know that myself."

"She hasn't told us yet." Ace agreed.

Xaphina looked at each of them for several moments, looking uncomfortable with this line of questioning. Finally she answered, smoothly and simply, "I am called the 'Mother'. I work for the High Shaman, Tandia of Garm."

Adisa looked at her, thinking that all sounded like something from some high fantasy novel, "They call you 'the mother'?"

"I don't know why." Ace stated with a hard tinge of bitterness, "But maybe I'm biased."

Xaphina turned to him, eyes narrowing, "Ace Gold..."

"I know who you are. You even look like her, and you can't disguise those scars." Ace Gold looked away from her, "You're right about your reasons for not telling me, it is distracting. And you're right that we have bigger things to worry about right now. Like saving Fluttershy."

Dust Kicker nodded, looking across at Adisa, "He's right. If you want proof, Fluttershy is the one to give it."

Adisa supposed that was fair enough, "What's the plan?"

Ace Gold quickly called up a map on the far terminal, waving a hoof at it as it formed a side on view of the tower, "Easu is currently on the weapons testing level, 31st floor. Fluttershy is on the 42nd floor, biological research wing."

"I will recover Easu." Xaphina answered, voice still a little shaken.

"I'll come with you." Ace quickly replied, looking up at her challengingly.

She frowned, "Ace Gold, I am more adept at stealth..."

Ace scowled at her before flicking his head back, horn flashing out and bathing him in soft, concealing shadows that played on the light in a way that made it seem like no pony was there. Indeed when he spoke again it was from a totally different location, Adisa having to squint to make him out, "I've picked up a few tricks."

Xaphina looked at him for a moment before bowing softly, "Very well."

"I guess it's you and me then kid." Dust commented, padding over and giving him a smile, "I hope you know the way."

"It's top secret but... well I've seen the plans." He looked across at Ace Gold, feeling rather torn at leaving the buck's side despite his grim countenance. Still he clearly had stuff he needed to do, "Follow me."

He took the service stairs, dressing Dust Kicker up in a biological containment suit that covered his face. The pony expressed some concern about this plan and indeed Adisa considered it just a little cartoony, still it was the best he could think of right now. To his amazement it actually worked on the first two groups he met. Dust Kicker even managed a pretty good zebra accent when directly questioned, and soon they reached the door to the biological research floor. Adisa turned to Dust Kicker as he inserted a key and tapped out a code on the keypad, taking a breath to steady himself, "Now, I'm not actually allowed in here. We might have to improvise."

Dust Kicker patted the toolbag slung across his side, "I'm ready for improvisation. Not got anything that can handle a spiderbot though."

"They'll only be deployed when there's a conformed security risk, the building is too large to have one patrolling every floor." Adisa hoped he was right on that, but he reasoned that he knew as much about this tower's security procedures as anyone, "With communications down they'll likely deploy them in key locations like the reactor core and support pillars."

"Fair enough." Dust nodded, "Let's go."

Adisa took a deep breath and turned the key. The door drifted open, Dust leading the way as he hurried along the corridor. He was moving so fast that Adisa struggled to keep up, his heart leaping into his mouth as they turned the corner and ran straight into a pair of guards.

Dust didn't slow for a moment. Instead he simply hurried up to them, his voice urgent under his mask, "Get these eggheads out of here, but don't raise a panic. Say it's a drill or something, just get them somewhere safe and keep them there until communications are back up."

One of the guards looked across at Adisa for an explanation, "We saw communications were down. What's going on Adisa?"

He was ready for this, "It seems to be related to those earlier glitches, we're losing systems all over. That means the containment systems here might already be compromised, and as such we're ordering a immediate evacuation."

"Right... well better you than us." The guards saluted, moving off, "We'll get everyone out, don't worry."

"Right, thanks." Adisa replied, taking a deep breath and continuing towards the lab number he had been given. He looked at Dust Kicker, smiling a little, "I'm worryingly good at this."

"This is really your most important facility?" Dust noted with a hint of amusement, "These guards are a joke."

"Well Zenospira likes to keep it informal... here we are." Adisa pointed out at they arrived at the lab where Fluttershy was supposed to be kept, "What's the plan?"

"Hang back." Dust Kicker asked as he loosened the strap on his weapon, pushing open the door and moving into the darkened lab. It appeared to have been powered down, everything neatly filed away in the control room. Beyond was what looked like a surgical facility, a table in the center covered in a white sheet.

Something lay underneath.

You could have heard a pin drop, Dust Kicker totally silent as he opened the door to the surgery and stepped inside. A single scientist was within, standing at a rack of computers nearby. He lifted his head at their entry, looking huffy, "Do you have authority to be here? This is a... hey!"

Dust didn't slow at the zebra's comment, simply walking over to the table and lifting the sheet. His expression twisted, anger flashing through his eyes.

"Did you hear me!"

Dust let the blanket fall, looked up at the scientist and drew his pistol. Adisa quickly raised his hoof, "No!"

A single gunshot caught the scientist in the eye and sent him crashing into the workstation, sending both clattering messily to the floor. Dust looked down at him for a moment before sighing. He closed his eyes tight, gritting his teeth, "That was unworthy of you. I'm sorry..."

Adisa gingerly edged forward, "Dust Kicker, sir..."

The old pony looked across at him warningly, "Make it good kid, I'm not in the best of moods."

"That... that is Fluttershy...?"

"Yeah." He averted his eyes, "It is."

"The procedure was scheduled for ten AM." Adisa didn't know where he was going with this, but felt there was some sort of plan in all this madness, "We are in a time loop, so if time reset again..."

"I could get to her in time..." Dust answered, before his face soured once more, "But our memories are also reset."

"...yes..."

"So we would do exactly the same thing. And let's face it, you helping us all escape before ten? That would be difficult even if you did know what was about to happen." Dust shook his head, reloading his pistol and striding towards the door with a murderous look, "No, we only have one choice available to us. Taking this fucker down, and making sure he never hurts anypony else."

Adisa followed, racking his brain for a solution, wanting to make this right... but Dust was correct. They had only one chance at this.

They moved up to the management floor in silence, eery silence as far as Adisa was concerned. Defense turrets stood idle, the offices totally evacuated, no a sign of any security as they continued towards the directors office. Finally Adisa had to speak up, "This has got to be..."

"A trap. Most likely." Dust Kicker grunted, his mouth curling into a harsh grimace, "Bring it on."

Adisa looked away, not reassured. He wasn't quite so sure he was ready to die yet.

Movement sparked nearby, Dust Kicker spinning to track it. He only hesitated as he saw it was Xaphina and Ace Gold, along with another heavily scared zebra he did not know. Dust's expression was complex as he waited for them to approach.

"Dust Kicker." Ace asked, his tone confused, "Where's Fluttershy?"

"She's back in the labs, safe for now." He responded, not very convincingly if Adisa was any judge, "We'll go get her after we've taken out this douchebag."

The scarred zebra, Easu he presumed, and Xaphina didn't look very convinced, Xaphina eventually speaking up in her rough accented tones, "This was far too easy. I fear we're walking into a trap."

Ace hesitated, then nodded, "Not to downplay my skills, but breaking into the computer systems was childsplay, and everything is placed onto the same network."

Adisa admitted that one had gotten some criticism, "It was at Director Zenospira's request. To do with some experiment he was running."

"Makes me wonder what kind of experiment..." Ace started, before his head flicked round and his eyes narrowed. Adisa followed them, settling on the smooth sleek forms of Invictus and Myrtis. Ace said it best, "Damnit."

"Adisa, I'm disappointed in you." Invictus stated with his usual smooth tones, the red dots of his goggles locked firmly upon him, "You know these ponies are just manipulating you."

"I've seen too much Invictus." Adisa replied, shaking his head, "How... how could you be involved in all this...?"

Invitus cut him off sharply, his body tensing for a fight, "We are not here to talk."

"Go, quickly." Easu warned, stepping out in front of them, "I've fought these operatives before, we will not be able to win."

Ace spoke angrily at this, "Then what are you going to...?"

"Take control of the time loop and you can fix this!" Easu stated firmly, before turning his attentions back on the operatives, "It is the only way!"

"I stand with him." Xaphina stated, her slight form sliding into place beside the larger zebra. Her voice was barely more than a whisper, but carried an urgent weight, "Go."

Myrtis giggled as she turned her head to observe them, "Well aren't you fun? So I have to get past you two before they reach the directors office...?"

"Go!" Easu shouted insistently.

They did, moving without another word. The two ghosts moved to stop them but were quickly intercepted, Easu spraying them with a barrage of pistol fire as Xaphina bounced off the wall to deliver a perfectly targeted kick that left Invictus's goggles flickering as he staggered blind. Myrtis charged in but Xaphina expertly rolled away, tripping the ghost and sending her crashing into her companion.

All in all Adisa was even ready to be optimistic about their chances as they ran on ahead and left the fight far behind. Perhaps they were truly heroes, and against a pair of thugs, superpowered as they were...

And then he heard the screams, Xaphina's first, then Easu's. After that was silence, Adisa just gritting his teeth and setting his gaze forward. Ahead he could see the entrance to Zenospira's office, their one chance at ending this madness. His hoof reach out as the galloped towards it, slamming the door open and charging into the room beyond...

His brain couldn't take it. His legs walked forward on their own, his brain too dumbstruck to stop them. He had been in here before, he had visited Zenospyra in his office. Oval shaped, with glass pillars bearing elemental symbols arrayed around the center where the high scientist's holosweet was located. A parody of the throne room of the Imperial Palace, but a normal office none the less.

This... stretched on for miles. It wasn't physically possible to fit all this inside the tower, he doubted you could fit it all inside the city.

It was round, perfectly so, Adisa standing on a platform somewhere in the center. The walls as he said seemed some miles away, covered in metal protrusions from which radiated a faint yellow light. He looked behind him, seeing that the entrance was attached to a spire of steel and electronics, stretching straight through the middle of the sphere. After a moment he realized it was the academy of science itself, stretched and shrunk in an impossible, baffling fashion.

All around the sphere crackles of magic arced, flowing, whispering, charged torrents of energy. His felt his fur stand on end just being near it.

And ahead was a pod like construction, seeming tiny among the cavernous interior yet objectively massive in terms of dimensions. A central egg like construction was covered in layers of armor and sensors, it smooth, sleek surface almost seeming to glow from the inside. Adisa could only stare in equal horror and wonder, Dust seeming to be similarly enraptured.

"Welcome, to my masterpiece. Very few have been lucky enough to see it."

The voice boomed out from speakers situated around the pod, Adisa instantly recognizing it as that of high scientist Zenospira. He looked about for a moment longer before shaking his head, this just too much after everything else, "How... this doesn't make any sense..."

"That's the point, isn't it?" Ace Gold answered, the buck's eyes alone untainted by confusion, "Time and space manipulation was always considered some of the most difficult magic to pull off, even a simple paradox creating enough excess magic to fry an unwary caster. But you've played that to your advantage haven't you? You're using the impossibility of this place to power your megaspell."

"Very clever indeed." Xenospira answered, cameras swiveling to focus on the buck, "And from one so young. I will have to make certain to dissect your brain, I'm sure it would be a worthy avenue of study."

"Why?" Adisa asked, finally finding his tongue, "Xenospira, I don't understand..."

"Science dear boy." Xenospira answered, his voice cheerful, "What else?"

Adisa shook his head, trying to be more specific, "They say it's been two hundred years..."

"Indeed it has. Two hundred and eighteen years in fact, at least as time can be considered a universal constant."

"But our records...!"

"There may be some rounding errors." Zenospira answered with a chuckle, "Give or take a few hundred years. But the new world will not be built in a day."

Adisa couldn't believe it. He wasn't even denying it, "And killing all those zebra?! Killing us!?"

"Oh dear child... your time is over, haven't you realized?" He chuckled, voice high and sinister, "You cannot deny that the beings on this planet have clearly reached their evolutionary peak, and that sad as though it might be, they must clear the way for the new world to come."

"You..." Adisa shook his head, "Us too...?"

"For now, you are still useful to me." Xenospira explained, "But yes, when your value as test subjects comes to an end, you too will have to go."

Dust growled suddenly, folding out his anti-tank rifle, "Ok, I've heard enough of your shit!"

Dust ducked down, the weapon settling upon his shoulder. He fired, the bullet striking forward, screaming for it's target... before slamming into an energy shield around the pod and bouncing away.

"You honestly believed that I would keep weapons that can harm me in my lair?" Zenospira stated with a laugh, the air sparking and igniting with green energy, energy that solidified into a three dimensional image of Zenospira himself. Robes billowed around him as he reared up triumphantly, flinging a hoof down and sending forward a blast of star powered energy. Dust dodged it just in time but a second was quick to follow. It hit him straight in the chest, bright light shining for but a moment... before he was gone, nothing but softly glowing starlight.

"MONSTER!" Ace Gold screamed, pink energy crackling outwards from his horn and his fur turning black, expanding and strengthening into something malevolent and terrifying, "You're just like all the REST!"

His energy blast flashed out, fierce pink magic striking against Zenospira's shields, shredding the holographic image of him and unleashing a shockwave that flung Adisa to the floor. The very air shook, the smell of mana and dark magic thick in the air. He covered his ears, waited for the barrage to end...

And there there was silence, broken by a long, slow chuckle, "Is that all you have?"

Ace Gold looked up in horror, not a scratch upon Zenospira's pod, "I don't... I can't..."

"That's what I love about you ponies. All the power in the world, yet you wield it like a blunt instrument. Still, such potential." Zenospira crooned, his image forming once again to stare at Ace with a look of mild amusement, "I can see many months worth of experiments to work on you."

And then his flicked his hoof up, a fierce bolt of star energy flashing out towards Ace. The buck didn't try to dodge, didn't even move... he just turned his head and gave Adisa a look of pleading desperation. Adisa was trapped there in those eyes for a moment, feeling the desperation...

Before Ace was gone, atomized before his eyes.

"You always were a sucker for a heroic cause Adisa, and far too curious for your own good."

Adisa looked up at his master, now gloriously triumphant. He wasn't sure what to say, "Zenospira... how could you...?"

"Because my ambition will be realized, even if I have to build them upon the ashes of this pathetic world." Zenospira's image gave a cloying, smug smile, "I regret that you will never get to see the perfect world that I intend to create. But you can at least have a part in realizing it."

Adisa gritted his teeth, trying not to cry at the unfairness of it all, "I will never..."

Zenospira simply cut him off with a laugh, "But you will. You will wake up tomorrow with no memory of this, no idea of what you learned today. And that day and every day you will help me build my new world, unaware of the fact that you will never live in it."

Adisa dropped his head. It was all true, "What... what happened to Jessa?"

"She's dead." Zenospira answered with a soft chuckle, "Just like you."

There was another flash of light, and then only darkness... a dreams.

Sweet, pleasant dreams, that embraced him as he fell ever downwards.

"It's going to be alright."

It is day 42, almost two months since the bombs fell

I am writing this to you now to give you an idea of what has happened since that day, since to you it has only been a single night since you were evacuated here. I'm afraid things haven't gone too well for us, though maybe it's out own fault.

First off, you got demoted down to garbage disposal. All the instructions are included in the document attached.

And... well, Jessa naturally broke up with me. I guess dating a garbage disposal technician was just too much for her..

Adisa looked away from the document, knowing instinctively it was all lies. Besides, he had things to do. He quickly suited up, grabbed his ID batch and used his terminal to make a few quick edits to his access privileges. He would need it for his latest experiment, locating the morgue and noting it's location before hacking into the schedule for the biological research floor.

Fluttershy's dissection could wait after lunch. He didn't know who Fluttershy was but he knew that was important.

As he opened his door and set out he briefly contemplated how easily controlled he was. Hell, it was like he had no will of his own! It was a good job Nightmare Moon wasn't lurking around, trying to corrupt innocent zebra.

He made it to the morgue with good time, accessing the database from a nearby terminal and faking a requisition order. He then locating a nearby lab that wasn't currently being used and booked it out for the next few hours. The zebra on duty barely looked up as he signed the documents, locating a suitable cadaver and collecting it from a porter as it was wheeled out.

He took a quick look beneath the sheets, satisfied with what he saw. She was pretty, strong, a spear and shield cutie mark, how anachronistic... he felt a little unsettled for a moment by the fact that he was staring at corpses but he quickly placed such thoughts far from his mind, continuing quickly over to the lab. It was well appointed with precisely what he needed, placing the cadaver onto the table and preparing a table for surgery.

He had no idea how he suddenly knew surgery, but inspiration couldn't wait. He had the perfect plan in his head, taking a energy battery and a nerve interface, reinforcing the wires and including a simple CPU device for precise control. He then found the required spot on the ponies back, cutting into her spine and carefully and precisely installing the device.

It was like engineering. He had very agile hooves, he really should look into becoming a surgeon.

Soon it was all done, Adisa feeling a thrill as the mare twitched, muscles going slack as the charge flowed through them. He looked across at the readout, approving as he noted the heart muscle spasm. A spasm was all it was, not nearly anything controlled enough to actually achieve circulation. Still if commands could somehow be given the body would certainly be somewhat functional at least. The battery would even allow the mare to use magic...

He looked back at the body, feeling a brief moment of discomfort before everything lurched, a thick stream of black liquid streaming out of his body and into the body on the table. He fell forward with a gasp, and with that everything became clear once again.

He... was experimenting with a corpse! He... he didn't even know what he was trying to achieve! He didn't know why he was here! It was...

...like something had been controlling him.

The body moved.

His scream sat frozen on the edge of his tongue, eyes wide and trembling as the corpse slowly lifted it's head, sightless eyes now struggling to focus. Facial muscles stretched, a look of pain and discomfort. It's mouth opened and the tongue lolled, the body giving a dry cough which made it's look of pain even more apparent.

Adisa screamed, persisting for a moment before realizing that he had chosen a soundproof room. He immediately broke into a run for the door controls, reaching out with a hoof...

Telekinesis took his legs and slammed him to the floor, Adisa desperately looking round at the corpse's glowing horn. Those eyes were now focused on him, the body rising into a crouch and wrestling with it's tongue for a moment before speaking in a dry croak, "...not... not gonna... hurt..."

He stopped screaming, if only because it was starting to strain his voice. It did nothing to stop his heart from thumping within his chest, the squeak of terror in his voice, "What... what do you want with me?!"

"...water..."

He blinked, then stood up, the creature on the table watching him carefully as he mechanically walked over to the sink and filled a glass of water. He paused before moving over to the corpse, feeling his hooves freeze with fear. Fortunately he didn't have to go any further, the glass seized by magic and floated over to the corpse's mouth. It took a long sip, spitting it to the ground before taking another sip and swallowing it with a look of pain. The glass was then gently placed against the ground before the corpse lifted it's head, eyes focusing a little slower than normal as it turned eyes to him and spoke, "I'm not here to hurt you... and I apologize for tricking you, but it's very important."

He shook his head, sure this must all have been a bad dream, "What are you?"

The corpse gingerly raised itself onto all four hooves before looking at him once again, "My name is Puppysmiles, and you might just be my only hope."

It was oddly anticlimactic, the rise of the living dead. It was mostly spent watching her practice her walking, along with brushing her hair and inspecting her body in the mirror. Her movements were stiff and hesitant, Puppysmiles wincing as she put weight upon her legs and practiced bending them.

"You look like you're in a lot of pain."

Puppysmiles paused for a moment at this question before giving him a sweet smile, shifting her weight from one side to the other experimentally, "This body was starting to decompose, there's acidic deposits in all the muscles and many of the soft tissues have become damaged. But considering the circumstances... well, I could have done a lot worse."

"Can... I get you some painkillers?"

She shook her head, "I can't metabolize drugs yet I'm afraid. But thanks."

That... was a loaded answer, "Yet?" He had noticed she was moving a lot better than before, and her eyes were quicker to focus, "Can you repair that body?"

"I'm not sure." Puppysmiles tilted her head, "I've never done this before. I'm not sure anypony has."

"You're... some sort..." He decided to just throw it right out there, "Are you Nightmare Moon?"

"Ha." She declared softly, her grin widening, "Yes, I am."

Adisa sighed. Of course. He wasn't going to bother panicking, not like it would do any good, "I may be a coward, but I'm not a traitor. I'm... not going to help you willingly."

Puppysmiles turned her head, admiring with wry amusement. Her tone when she finally spoke was affectionate, "You just called yourself a coward, then denied Nightmare Moon with only the barest of quivers in your voice."

He couldn't help smiling, this being too surreal to take seriously, "I'm honestly surprising myself."

"You are brave Adisa, and righteous, and loyal." She nodded to him, her voice oddly warm and affectionate for a age old terror, "I know, because I've been in your head. And I know because the other day you fought beside me, risking everything to save your fellow scientists."

Adisa looked at her, realization dawning, "The other day... before time reversed itself!"

"Yes." She nodded, "You noticed that your message to yourself this morning was strange, it was likely written in haste by that fiend Zenospira to punish you for your actions... what?"

He had sniggered. He couldn't help it, "Sorry."

"No, what?"

Oh, she was going to steal his soul for this, "You... kinda talk exactly how I expected Nightmare Moon to sound. It's just a little ironic."

Puppysmiles paused briefly before looking embarrassed, licking her lips before speaking, "Elocution. Circumstances. Equestria... oh fuzzlebunnies, I really do."

He snorted.

"Please forgive me, I've passed through several hosts, and it's obvious confused my vocal centers. I appear to have gotten stuck talking like Princess Luna at her most officious." She sighed, rolling her eyes before speaking again, "It's very frustrating going over this all again... ok, will you let me magically bind you to my will and make you my eternal servant?"

He hoped she wasn't being entirely serious, "No."

"A pity. You're rather cute." She gave him a big smile before angling her horn towards him, "Will you allow me to give you some of my memories then? You may find them enlightening."

"I..."

"I can explain more once I'm done, it's simply that we don't have a lot of time." Puppysmiles gave him a sincere nod, angling herself forward, "I promise it will not harm you, or force you to make any decisions that are not your own."

Well he was already tumbling down the rabbit hole... "Ok."

She gave him a grateful look before leaning her head towards his, horn pressing against his muzzle...

...

He stepped back, breathing hard, "Oh shit... I mean... oh shit!"

Puppysmiles gave him a concerned look, "Too much?"

Adisa looked her in the eye, trying desperately to process all this, "It's been two hundred and seventeen years!?"

Puppysmiles grinned, "You said that last..."

"Yes, I know!" He placed a hoof on his forehead... then looked up at the clock, "Fluttershy's execution! And Dust Kicker...!"

"Wait, you're ok with this?" She looked surprised, turning her head, "I expected you to be far more skeptical."

"You... I know you." Adisa quite frankly surprised himself, but he knew it deep inside. It was honestly... quite beautiful, the sheer experience that had flooded his mind when she did that, "You walked with the Princesses and Shamans, you ARE a Princess and a Shaman! You stood in the halls of Garm when they were still new, you defeated Sombra and Discord! You... strode the wastes, a ghost warrior in the form of a child..."

Puppysmile's eyes widened, "I didn't share any of that..."

"You didn't have to." He placed a hoof on his chest, amazed by the feelings this evoked, "You were a part of me. I know..."

Puppysmiles gave a look that was a mixture of horror and curiosity, "I... didn't mean to share so much. Are you alright?"

"We need to get to Dust Kicker and Fluttershy." He repeated, annoyed she didn't share his urgency.

"Yes... you're right..." She hesitated for a moment more before giving him a somewhat lopsided grin, "I don't suppose... you have a plan?"

"You don't?"

She averted her eyes, "I thought I did. But now I'm here..." She looked back at him, her voice trembling with a little bit of fear, "The last time I tried this, everypony got killed."

"I understand." Adisa nodded, giving her a reassuring smile, "But I know someone who can help. And this time, I won't let her go."

"Adisa..." Jessa stated with some surprise, looking away as he advanced towards her door, just as he had yesterday. She shied away from his confident expression this time, voice whispered and pained, "I..."

"It's all a lie Jessa." Adisa stated, amazed at his confidence but feeling the vigor of a zebra who had already died once. And this was Jessa after all, she was smart, smart enough to already suspect the truth, "Those messages we get at the beginning of the day, they're written by an artificial intelligence based on previous writings. Zenospira is manipulating us."

Jessa's eyes widened, "Well... that explains everything."

"Wait... you knew?" Puppysmiles exclaimed from behind.

Jessa looked round at Puppysmiles, her eyes narrowing "Who is this Adisa?"

Adisa looked back at Puppysmiles, wondering how he was going to explain this one, "She's... a friend. I met her... yesterday."

"I can tell this is going to be a long story." She stated with a nod, opening the door to her room, "Come inside."

"I never trusted him in the first place, that's why."

Adisa sat on Jessa's couch, taking it all in as Jessa spoke to him with the hushed tones of a true conspirator, the pencil attached to her hooves sketching furiously upon the papers laid out across her desk. He admitted that he already knowing was convenient, but it raised some other questions, "If you knew, why did you never tell me?"

Jessa sighed, her sketching stopping for a moment, "I can't really speak for previous days."

"Were you going to tell me today?"

"...probably not." She looked back at him, giving a gentle, heartbreaking smile, "I was going to check things out myself, and that meant heading into the top secret levels. You don't have clearance Adisa."

Puppysmiles stopped her pacing to give Jessa a hard look, "Since the days continue to reset, I think it's likely that Zenospira will be expecting any actions you take."

Adisa shivered, "Jessa... we lost track of you. Security robots were called to your last known position."

"Expecting or no, are you seriously saying Zenospira is a threat?" Jessa responded with a forced smirk, "He's a weedy bureaucrat who spends every day overcompensating for his undersized penis, and more to the point I know more about this tower than he ever will. I have the access codes, I have the clearance, and more to the point I designed most of it."

Puppysmiles sighed, shaking her head.

"Jessa... he's got total access. The whole system is rerouted through his office." Adisa stated with remorse, wondering which garbage disposal hatch she had ended each day before this one, "He likely changed the access codes a long time ago."

"Impossible." She objected, "I would have noticed."

"Jessa, there are days... where he set the defense network against us. Where he killed you."

Her eyes widened slightly, "But... he resets each day too. How could he have pulled this off...?"

"Either he's the only one receiving accurate reports, or he's not a part of the system." Puppysmiles looked up in thought, rubbing her jaw, "Thinking about it, we never saw him physically."

"Has anyone?" Adisa questioned, thinking it would be a pretty easy ruse to pull off. Zenospira was never the most social of zebra after all, and he normally communicated through electronic communication.

"I..." Jessa looked down, her voice a little panicked, "He's not smart enough to pull off something like this. To be honest he's never been that good a scientist, his main skill was in finding grant money, schmoozing with important zebra and making a speech to rich..."

Adisa sighed, having encountered this blind spot too many times before. Really it was the same deal, vast intelligence but no appreciation of the details, "Jessa, you don't need to be a scientist to pull this off. He has you to work out the details."

She blinked at him, sounding offended, "I would never help him with something like this!"

"You likely didn't know it was this." He pointed out, "Jessa, you're... a little naive sometimes, and finding grant money and convincing nobles to support us proves that he's real good at stretching the truth."

Jessa looked faintly ill as she considered this, using her hoof to support herself, "I'm not sure what to say. It... sounds convincing..."

"We're telling the truth Jessa." He urged, "And we don't have much time."

"Oh... was I really that naive...?" Jessa placed a hoof to her cheek, her expression quivering with silent emotion. She coughed for a moment before drawing herself up, taking a deep breath, "If this is true... well, I'm not sure how I can help. He's almost certainly ready for anything I could do to stop him, and if you're right he's already beaten me several times over."

"Then it's a good job we're here." Puppysmiles stated confidently. She smiled at the both of them, looking efficient, "Adisa, hit me with your best shot!"

He looked at her lopsidedly, "Me?"

Jessa smiled broadly, "Adisa, you've always been a master at seeing through the overthought plans of self proclaimed geniuses. So see through this one."

He coughed, no pressure, "Well... if Zenospira really is in a separate... timezone, dimension, whatever... can't we isolate him from the rest of the building?"

Puppysmiles grinned wide at this, "That was his plan to neutralize Luna and Celestia during the bombardment of Equestria!"

"I know it was, I contributed mathematics to that project." Jessa tapped her pencil against her chin, "And given the structure of the tower... I could certainly use it to replicate those effects. Depending on the exact specifics it should blind him for a least a few hours."

"Which we can use to free Puppysmiles' friends." Adisa agreed.

Puppysmiles frowned sadly, "They'll be watching Ace like a hawk, no way we're getting close. Dust Kicker too."

"And Fluttershy is still in the most heavily guarded part of the facility." Adisa finished.

"So we free Xaphina and Easu." She concluded, "Jessa, could you order a prisoner transfer, bring the 'two recently captured zebra' somewhere nearby for questioning?"

"Certainly." She answered without hesitation.

Puppy nodded, "And then we send them to free Fluttershy, while we save Dust Kicker. And once they're both secured, we shut down the internal security grid, free all the test subjects and take out Zenospira."

"No. No, we're not doing that." Jessa quickly objected.

Adisa looked at her, then nodded in agreement, "Puppysmiles, that would get a lot of zebra hurt."

Puppysmiles frowned, Adisa seeing her mouth open and desperately hoping she wouldn't... "They killed my friends!"

Jessa proceeded to not help in the slightest, "Do you know how many of my friends you ponies have killed?"

"No! We're not going there!" Adisa quickly objected, holding up a hoof. He looked between Puppysmiles and Jessa, both looking ready to fight. And he wasn't about to let that happen, "This is about a unambiguous villain who's hurting everyone for the sake of his own ego. It's not about anything else!"

"Like vengeance?" Jessa stated with a tiny bit of bitterness, "For say, the millions of zebra killed for your colonial ambitions?"

"They're not my..." Puppysmiles started, before she suddenly stopped. A guilty look passed through her eyes and she sat back, sighing to herself, "Maybe I should apologize. Maybe in some way it's my fault."

Adisa found that ridiculous, "Puppysmiles, you can't take responsibility for your whole race. And Jessa, you can't blame her for their actions."

Puppysmiles looked at him for a moment with a reproachful expression before gazing across at Jessa, "I can take responsibility. I wasn't there, but my existence, my past and future..."

Adisa felt a cold shiver run up his back, "Um... not helpful..."

"...but this isn't about me." Puppysmiles continued, "Xaphina and Easu are both zebra who have spent their whole lives fighting for the future of their race. Xaphina is a native inhabitant of Equestria, an Equestrian hero who's statue stands in the palace of new Canterlot! Easu is a proud inhabitant of this very land! And Fluttershy has always fought for you, she came all this way to save you."

Jessa averted her eyes, shoulders slumping slightly, "Fire, this is strange."

Puppysmiles grinned wide, "Well I almost told you I was Nightmare Moon, possessing a animated corpse. That wouldn't have helped."

Adisa looked at her, wondering quite what to say to that. Eventually he just shrugged, eying her witheringly, "No, it wouldn't."

"Really?" Jessa asked with a rather skeptical expression.

Adisa sighed, "It's a long story. Just... trust me."

"Call me mad, but I do Adisa." Jessa smiled at him, her calm, genuine eyes making his heart flutter, "And you know, if this day does reset... then it's the perfect excuse to get a little wild. I always wanted to be a dashing heroine."

"It's a lot of fun." Puppysmiles agreed.

"We need to get to the central control hub." Jessa stabbed a pencil at the map, indicating the room in question, "And I need it empty."

Puppysmiles grinned, "No problem."

Jessa stepped into the control room with a look of firm authority, her eyes flashing and her voice proud, "Everyone, please step over here for a moment."

The zebra all looked at each other before moving over to the door where she was standing. Adisa felt a little pang of conscience, feeling like this was a blow against 'his' people. The name 'central control room' made it sound more important than it actually was, every zebra here was at Adisa's level or lower, technicians tasked with making sure the little status bars didn't do anything strange, "Yes Director?"

"Is this everyone?" She asked, then smiled as she saw it was, "I wanted to congratulate you all on your good work. Indeed you all deserve a rest."

Puppysmiles stepped out behind her, the spell at her horn discharging with a flash, "Goodnight!"

Adisa carefully stepped over the unconscious zebra as he entered the room, identifying the main consoles for Puppysmiles before moving over to a spare console and logging the central security system as 'down for maintenance'. That done he sealed the deal by breaking open the security hub and crossing a few wires, making sure any alerts sent would just go nowhere.

"Communications are down, and it has been logged as just a simple systems fault! Nothing for anypony to worry about!" Puppysmiles declared cheerfully.

Jessa was just staring at the console, understanding slowly dawning in her eyes as she studied the diagrams, "That little toerag, he's actually got it running and he didn't tell me..." She smirked, "Well, likely he did tell me, then conveniently deleted it from me logs. No way he designed those cross processors himself."

Puppysmiles gave her a questioning look, "You know what he's doing?"

Jessa chuckled, then nodded, "It was our project together. A super powered megaspell reactor chamber, capable of maintaining the stability of a megaspell far in excess of that Equestria could even dream of. We were almost there, but... well, it was ambitious, and the practical benefits were limited."

Adisa gave her a skeptical glance, "Limited practical benefits to a superpowered megaspell?"

"It would fall apart the second you removed it from the chamber." She explained, turning to look at them, "And though it would make an excellent power generator, it's initial cost is astronomical, and it's extremely vulnerable to attack."

"So what is he using it for?" Puppysmiles questioned.

"I'm an engineer, not a spell programmer." She counted, before turning back to her console and inspecting the energy readings, "But it looks like some sort of quantum field destabiliser effect. I also see a string for recompiling the resulting flux into a new form, one with targeted irregularities stripped. It's incredibly complex... and appears to have been somewhat crudely adapted from an Equestrian design. I can tell by the string ends, very clipped." She nodded firmly, "A clear sign of Gestalt and Mosaic's work."

Puppysmiles took a breath, "So it is the Gardens of Equestria spell."

Adisa turned to her, as did Jessa. He was about to admit ignorance, but Jessa spoke first, "I've heard only the vaguest details. It is some sort of terraforming project yes?"

"Far more." Puppysmiles declared, eyes grim as she scanned the code on the screen, "It was designed to remove all taint from the Equestrian wasteland, remake it green and verdant as it was before. And it worked, we used the Elements of Harmony to power it."

"Ah... that makes sense."

Puppysmiles looked at Jessa, "What does?"

Jessa gave a grim look at the code, "This will not work. It will create the patterns programmed yes, but all those patterns will be inert."

"Inert?" Adisa questioned.

"Dead." Jessa replied with a grim stare, "You can't just create life with magic, or forcefully remove taint in this fashion."

"But..." Puppysmiles cocked her head, seeing her point but also seeing the logical flaw, "...it worked."

"Because you used the elements of harmony." Jessa clarrified, "In many ways, this spell perfectly lines up with their intended purpose, purifying disharmony from an organism." She waved a hoof at the spell on the screen, "Without their guiding influence however this will just reduce the entire planet's ecosystem to mush."

"Well..." Adisa wasn't sure what to say, "...that's unfortunate."

Puppysmiles nodded, then turned to Jessa, "How do we stop it?"

Jessa gave Puppysmiles a conflicted look, finally speaking after some thought, "Ordinarily I would say, 'let it decay', but the spell is highly unstable. Zenospira sits within the megaspell chamber, and attempts to remove him will inevitably result in damage to the containment protocols."

"We fire it into space." Adisa stated, before feeling sure from their expressions that he was being stupid.

"It's a sphere megaspell, if it's not given a precise target it will backfire." Jessa explained, "It has to be a terrestial target too, it can't break atmosphere."

Puppysmiles suddenly broke out in a huge smile, looking at both of them, "I think... I have an idea. Well... to be precise, I think Adisa's idea has more merit than you think."

Jessa gave her a sceptical look, "Shoot it into space?"

"Kind of." She lowered her head in thought, "But I'll need to be outside."

"There are several balconies around the building." Jessa stated, pointing them out on the map, "And getting to the point, we also need to think about your friends."

"Xaphina escaped on her own last time." Puppysmiles mentioned, "So maybe she can do so again."

"Hmm..." Adisa thought on this for a moment before a plan slowly started to come together, "Can we get a message to her? Tell her where... Easu is? He's on the same floor after all."

Jessa tapped her jaw before shrugging, "I guess so. That's more your field Adisa."

"I think I can do it." He stated with convinction, before returning to the others, "Then together maybe they can break Ace Gold out... oh balls..."

Jessa looked up at his tone, "What?"

"Dust Kicker's run against the Olorun is in ten minutes. I changed Fluttershy's but totally forgot about his... or rather you did Puppysmiles."

Puppysmiles looked at Jessa, giving a embarrassed grin, "Whoops... cutting it tight..."

"I can isolate Zenospira now, the other stuff can be done from the test control room." Jessa replied, stylus clicking across the control panel, "Dust Kicker is the mercenary with big guns right?"

"Yeah."

"Then he'll come in handy." She slashed her stylus across the touchpad, then pressed her hoof firmly down. After a moment a loud chime sounded out, a subtle hum in the air as the systems came to life, "It's done. Let's move."

"Hey, you can't go this way! We have a live test...ugh!"

Puppysmiles downed them with a quick pair of horn blasts, Adisa admitting she was a very useful mare to have on side. They might need it too, Dust Kicker having apparently already been released against the Olorun, "So what's the plan? Not to brag, but the Olorun is pretty tough, and it will be going after you."

Jessa looked at Puppysmiles, eyes searching her figure, "How powerful are you anyway?"

Puppysmiles hesitated at the doorway to the preparation chamber, "I... don't actually know. But I'm sure I'll figure something out."

"Hmm..." Adisa wasn't reassured, "Jessa, do you think you can try to blag your way into the control room?"

She nodded, "Most likely. I know the supervisor well."

"Then I'm going with you Puppysmiles." He continued, calming his nerves at the idea of being in there with that thing, "I helped design it, and I've gone over all the plans."

"Ok. Be careful." Jessa stated, moving off towards the control room access, "I'll try to shut the test down!"

Adisa watched her go, then proceeded into the preparation chamber. It was dark and ominous, weapons and armor hidden behind heavy bars at the sides, "Can you use any of this stuff?"

"Sorry, no." Puppysmiles admitted, "I can use a sword."

"Not... recommended." Adisa replied, only imagining how that would go, "What's the armor penetration on your horn blasts?"

"Um... is it magic resistant?"

"Of course."

"Then pretty non-existent." She grinned way too cheerfully, "I used to strip the armor away with my sword, then blast the fleshy parts with my magic."

"There are no fleshy parts!" He was getting a really bad feeling about this, "You were a monster yesterday, with Ace Gold."

"No, Ace Gold is a monster." She corrected, "I just amplified his talents. But don't worry, I'm smart, you're smart. We'll think of something."

He climbed onto the lift beside her, starting the mechanism, "I hope so."

The lift shuddered to a halt inside the testing chamber, already lit up by blasts of laser fire and explosives. He saw Dust Kicker sprawl, rolling behind some debris as the Olorun lurched towards him...

"Hey, pick on somepony your own size!" Puppysmiles yelled as she brought a wall down on top of the machine, the brickwork simply shattering against it's chassis. It took notice of her however, spinning one of it's claws over to track her. She smirked at it, "Heh, this should be fun..."

It fired a barrage of death at her, the unicorn disappearing in a flash and appearing half way up a rock formation. It fired again and tore through the rock like it was made of paper, Puppysmiles springing away and using her telekinesis to fling the column down upon it. Again it barely seemed to notice, marching through the rubble with dismissive kicks of it's legs to clear a path.

"That's enough." Jessa's voice crackled in over the announcement system, "The test is over!"

Adisa looked up at the window on the far wall, seeing Jessa standing there with a serious look. Damn she worked quick...

"I was warned something like this might happen." A deep voice echoed from inside the Olorun, "In my message to myself this morning. And I looks like I was right, traitors in the facility. Boss said I get a bonus for taking you out."

It levered it's claw up, a burst of weapons fire shattering the glass and sending Jessa diving to the ground. Adisa shouted for her and the others burst into action, Dust Kicker springing out and shooting it in the side with his anti-armor rifle. The bullet merely bounced away, Dust cursing as it returned fire with deadly accuracy. Puppysmiles yelled something and unleashed a blast of energy from her horn, to absolutely no effect that he could see.

They were going to lose against this thing. He had to do something to help.

He helped design this thing. He could...

He took a deep breath and galloped forward, waving his hooves at the Olorun. It swiveled on him, Adisa wincing as it leveled it's weapons at him and pulling his id card from around his neck.

The machine hesitated. He grinned, counted to two and shouted to the control room above, "Now, system restart!"

Jessa appeared above the parapet, slamming her hoof down upon the console. The Olorun promptly shuddered, then powered down with a whine. Adisa galloped over before it could recover, slipping open the hatchway and tapping in the code. It opened with a swish and he reached inside, grasping the battery in both hooves and pulling it free with a twist. He dropped it clattering to the ground before backing up, amazed that had worked, "Yeah, still in beta."

"What did you do?" Puppysmiles asked as she walked over, looking deeply impressed.

"Memory overload error. If you reboot the control program while the pilot is accessing the system settings it crashes the whole OS." Adisa gave her a grin, "The Olorun recognizes me as staff. It wouldn't be able to fire on me without the pilot disabling the IFF, which can only be done in system settings."

"And taking out that little battery will stop it from reactivating?"

He nodded, "It's operating on emergency power, we haven't installed the main power unit yet."

"No offense." A voice cut in from behind, "But who are you guys?"

Puppysmiles' eyes widened, her grin spreading swiftly across her face as she turned to the voice, "DUST KICKER!"

She launched herself at Dust Kicker with significant force, leaving the poor stallion deeply confused as she slammed into him and gripped her hooves about his neck. His confusion only intensified as she nuzzled him affectionately, eyes rapidly blinking in Adisa's direction.

"You smell just like I imagine!"

Dust gave a nervous grin, "Of confusion and blood?"

"Yus!" She replied, before bouncing back and posing herself coquettishly, "It's me, Puppysmiles!"

"Puppy?" Dust looked her up and down, understandably surprised, "How... did you possess that mare?"

"I'm just borrowing her." She replied, tapping a hoof against her chest, "The original owner probably appreciates the chance to take revenge."

Dust looked at her for a moment more before his eyes narrowed, "Is that mare... dead? Puppy, that might count as being slightly offensive to some ponies."

"Do you want to be saved?" She questioned, pouting at him.

"I guess..." He reluctantly declared before looking around, "Where are Ace, Easu and Fluttershy?"

"Easu and Xaphina are helping free Ace. Fluttershy is your next stop." Jessa stated as she came out of the service door, galloping swiftly towards the immobilized Olorun, "Adisa, could you please reinsert the battery?"

He looked round at her, she looked serious, "Why?"

"Time for questions later Adisa."

He knew that tone, leaning down and doing as she requested. The battery slid cleanly inside, resulting in a rumble as the Olorun's systems reset, "Um, Jessa..."

She paused for a moment in consideration before nodding, "Oh yes. Base of the tail, can someone remove the pilot?"

"Pilot...?"

Then a section of metal plating slid away, revealing a hatchway that opened up to reveal a rather panicked looking zebra in a flight suit. He struck his controls a couple of times before reaching down and pulling out a side arm, struck a second later by a stream of energy from Puppysmiles' horn that knocked him sprawling.

"Thank you." Jessa stated cheerily as she slightly clumsily attempted to climb the side of the Olorun, "Adisa, a hoof?"

He obliged, placing a hoof under her own and giving her a step as she clambered upwards. It gave him a rather nice view of her rear as she did, which almost distracted him from the present situation, "Jessa, can you pilot this thing?"

"Yes, actually." She stated as she walked over to the cockpit, gazing down at the unconscious pilot in irritation, "Puppysmiles, you couldn't be a dear and remove this zebra could you?"

She eagerly jumped up, showing quite impressive strength and dexterity as she landed atop the machine in a few strides, "Okeydoki!"

"I am a certified test pilot, and these controls are reasonably standard. I have also compiled a program that should grant me unfiltered control of the Olorun's systems." She nodded in thanks as Puppysmiles hurled the pilot from the cockpit, moving inside and setting into the harness, "I should be able to provide a distraction as you move on Zenospira."

"A distraction?" Adisa protested, "Jessa, it's too dangerous."

"Adisa, my combat skills are non-existent and we will have provoked a response with this display. I am far less vulnerable in here." She settled her hooves into the access panel and the hatch slid closed, her voice now crackling from the speakers, "Pretty much the entire defense force of the tower will be coming through that door at any moment. I suggest you get moving."

Adisa was not happy with this. Jessa was no pilot, "Jessa..."

The metal shutters at the end of the room slid open, revealing a legion of black carpaced Anansi bots with turrets deployed. Dust swore and pulled Adisa into cover as bullets slammed into the ground, Puppysmiles darting away from a storm of laser fire. The Defender weathered a few shots that weren't precisely directed at it before twisting it's claws round at the new arrivals, pausing for a moment as weapon systems warmed up...

Adisa watched in awe, having never actually seen the results of this match up. Truth be told, the terrain wasn't exactly in the Anansi's favor, packed together so tightly that there was no way of dodging. They gave it good, one of the Olorun's claws falling limp with sparks flying, several sections of it's armor torn away and a hit to one of it's legs that sent it clattering to the ground... but at the end of it, the Anansi army lay in a pile of melted scrap.

Adisa poked his head out, eyes stinging from the smoke, "Jessa?"

"Well... that was exhilarating." She answered through the machine's speakers, "Now go, I'll try and keep up the distraction."

Dust peered at her, "Distract how?"

She forced the machine back up, leveled her weapon at the control room and demolished it with a few quick bursts.

"Point taken." Dust conceded, turning to Puppy as she galloped over, "Lead on Puppy."

Adisa winced as Dust Kicker burst through the door onto the biological research floor, his hoof immediately cutting out and knocking an unlucky security guard to the floor. The other tried to hit the alarm but Puppysmiles struck him with a energy blast before he had the chance, leaving him slumping unconscious against the wall.

"You guys are very efficient." Adisa commented as he came through after them, "And thank you for not killing them."

"I try not to as a rule." Dust commended, seizing some extra ammo clips from one of the guards and stowing them in his belt, "Which way to Fluttershy's cell?"

Adisa pointed it out and they ran, Adisa unable to stop the memory of the previous day surfacing. He could only hope they weren't too late for a second time.

They burst through the door into the control room, a group of scientists sitting behind a glass window watching the cell beyond. There sat Fluttershy, her head bowed, body lurching with painful emotion as a voice crackled through loudspeakers, "...and what of your companions? They are dead. Dust Kicker, Ace Gold... all of them died screaming, and it's your fault."

Dust Kicker stepped inside, walked through the room and pulled open the door at the far end, some of the scientists standing up and yelling. A single guard in the room with Fluttershy turned, then drew a pistol as he saw Dust Kicker standing there. He didn't get further than that, Dust Kicker shooting him in both forehooves with a quick barrage of bullets and dropping him swearing to the floor. He followed up by placing bullets through the speaker system, silencing the voice with bursts of fading static.

One of the scientists went for Dust Kicker, another running for the weapons locker. Puppysmiles demonstrated what she thought of that, dropping the one going for the weapons locker with a quick horn blast to the face. The one attacking Dust Kicker didn't even get close, Dust Kicker kicking him in the jaw without even looking.

"Please, remain in your seats." Adisa stated as he held his gun on the two remaining scientists, feeling his hoof tremble a little, "I don't want to hurt you."

"You should." Puppysmiles hissed.

"Yeah..." He stated, looking up at Fluttershy in the room beyond. She was already bruised up, her wild eyes clearly speaking of the emotional pain she had been through. Those eyes quivered as she saw Dust Kicker, running at him and burying herself in his hooves.

Then he saw one of the scientists move, looking like he injected himself with something. He turned his gun on the figure, "Don't move..."

The weedy looking scientist flung himself forward, smacking the gun from Adisa's hoof before slamming him backwards through the door behind to sprawl into the corridor. Adisa gasped and rolled over, clutching his injured chest and wondering how many bones he had just broken.

"Adisa! Ughn!" Puppysmiles tried to help but the scientist avoided her clumsy swing with such speed Adisa could barely keep up, the scientist flinging a hoof upwards and smacking her with enough force to break her jaw. He followed up by seazing her head and slamming it agianst the wall, an attack that left Puppysmiles slumping limp onto the ground.

Then the window shattered, the scientist rolling under the desk as bullets flew. Dust jumped through the open window, landed in a combat roll that certainly impressed given the stallions size and age... but the scientist was already upon him, leaping forward to take him out before he could draw his gun.

But Dust Kicker wasn't wearing his gun.

Fluttershy came through the main door, Dust's pistol attached to her hoof. The bullet cut through the scientist's body before he could reach Dust Kicker, knocking him off balance and allowing Dust Kicker to catch him midair and slam him against the wall. He followed up with a fearsome set of hoof blows, striking the zebra five times before he backed away. Fluttershy moved beside him, Dust Kicker's pistol focused on the downed scientist, "Why...? Why do all this?"

"Zenospira predicted you would come..." The scientist gasped, "And... I got a chance to check out our new combat drug... very effective..."

"This is utter madness." Dust stepped back, looking the scientist over, "It's going to kill you, I can already tell."

"And... I will come back tomorrow... glorified in his eyes..." The zebra gasped before his head slumped to the side, the life fading from his eyes.

"Fucking hell..." Dust grunted, turning to eye the other scientists still sat in their seats, "Anyone else?"

They all gave quick shakes of their heads.

Fluttershy sighed at the sight before turning to smile at Dust Kicker, tears filling her eyes, "You came for me, you really did..."

Adisa didn't want to break up this happy reunion, but... "Lady Fluttershy, um... Puppysmiles is wounded." As was he really, his ribs shifting painfully with every movement. Puppysmiles however wasn't even moving, her head a slightly odd shape where she had been slammed against the wall.

Fluttershy looked deeply shocked as she looked across at the unconscious unicorn, still she moved with impressive speed considering her obvious age and poor condition. She grabbed a medical kit off the wall and quickly went to work, laying the unicorn out and cleaning the blood from her temple, "Oh my... this is really Puppysmiles?"

Dust frowned, "Yeah. She going to be ok?"

"I think so." She injected a few drops of healing potion into the wounded areas before applying a quick jolt of adrenaline, Puppysmiles eyes flickering open after just a moment, "Welcome back."

Her face contorted with pain, eyes closing, "I feel awful..."

"You should be dead." She warned, "That blow sent shards of bone straight into your brain."

Dust frowned, "Good job she's already dead then."

"Well this is certainly unexpected." She commented, helping the mare to her hooves, "I guess Ace's container didn't survive?"

"No." She admitted sadly, "And neither did the shard of star metal. I've been trying my best to save you all, jumping from body to body."

She looked Puppysmiles up and down, "One of his victims?"

"Yes."

"Zenospira..." Fluttershy's expression grew dark, finally looking away from Puppysmiles up towards Dust Kicker, "We have to stop him."

"We have a plan." Dust replied, "You seem to know the guy."

"Vaguely." Fluttershy grimaced, "I... didn't like him very much, but I didn't realize he was this bad."

Adisa observed all of this, eventually deciding it was time to call attention to his own issues. He was starting to have trouble breathing, "Um... Lady Fluttershy? I think my ribs are broken."

"Oh, I'm being rude!... ow..." Puppysmiles declared a little too loudly for her own comfort, wincing and rubbing her head before expending a hoof to Adisa, "Um... this is Adisa, he's been helping us."

"Oh, you poor thing." Fluttershy soothed, moving over and gently indicating for him to move onto his side. He did so with a little embarrassment on his part, unsettled by both his rather vulnerable position and the fact that standing there above him was... her. He would only have been more unsettled by Twilight Sparkle herself, "This shouldn't take a moment, though you should be careful. There's only two vials of healing potion here, I'm having to spread it a little thin..."

"You're really..." He started, gulping back a bit of air, "...Lady Fluttershy?"

"I'm not a Lady." She protested with a rather exasperated grin, "Why do you all call me that?"

"Sorry." He blushed, shrugging his shoulders as he got back up and flexed his stomach muscles to make sure everything was still in place, "Everyone does. Ever since the battle of..."

"...Stalliongrad Valley, yes." Fluttershy sighed, looking him eye to eye with a smile. She was taller than he had expected, almost as tall as Adisa despite her age and species. More robust than he expected too, bulkier and more weatherbeaten than the shy, sweet girl he had seen in photographs. The bruises and the fact she hardly seemed to notice them certainly added a unexpected twist on his perception of the mare, as did her voice. Kind and gentle, but with a forceful edge, "I don't understand why. You all just had to fight the battle all over again."

"It was proof of concept!" Adisa shouted excitedly, feeling the geek in him rise. Oh, if only Jessa was here, "The secrets of harmony opened up, the prophesy of the fire's maiden... even if you don't believe in that stuff, the science was simply breathtaking. I remember the day they brought the megaspell equations in here."

She winced slightly, "Please... don't mention that..."

Possibly a sore spot, yeah. But he couldn't just drop it, "Lady Fluttershy, that megaspell formula saved lives. The effect it had on our medical care, on environmental management..."

"I didn't actually invent it you know?" She chided gently, "It was a set of very clever ponies I had the pleasure of working with, led by Professor Shine Bright. The most I helped was by securing funding. And... they also helped destroy the world."

That made him pause. It was still a big thing to consider, took big to have really sank in yet. The whole world gone? "Lady Fluttershy... we never wanted that. None of us here wanted that." He bowed his head, wondering if it was somehow his fault, "We just wanted to defend our home... and it's not your fault. Science marches on, and the guilt is on those who misuse it."

"Somepony wanted that." Dust commented, his tone biting.

"Zenospira..." Fluttershy looked at them all, "You said you had a plan?"

"Now this is what we need!"

Adisa watched for enemies as Dust Kicker helped himself to the armory in preparation for the assault on Zenospira. Somewhat predictably he quickly moved for the huge Equestrian Anti-Tank cannon, Adisa rather impressed with the ease with which he carried it, "Wow, earth ponies really are as strong as they say."

"Eh, it's all the balance... and here they come!"

Adisa looked back round to see Easu and Ace Gold rushing down the corridor. He couldn't help a big smile at the latter, moving to meet him, "Ace Gold!"

The buck stopped, looking confused, "Do I know you?"

Adisa stopped there, studying Ace for a moment. He looked different, smaller, his eyes less bright and unfocused somehow...

"He got reset along with everypony else." Puppysmiles reminded him, stepping up beside.

"Oh, right..." He felt rather sheepish, and a little disappointed. Still he offered a hoof, giving his best smile, "You helped me quite a bit yesterday, I just wanted to... thank you."

"Really?" Ace Gold looked uncomfortable, his eyes once more failing to focus, "Well at least I did something right."

Then his head snapped up as someone moved out behind, Easu also looking instantly struck by whoever it was. Fluttershy quickly revealed herself, trotting up with gleeful enthusiasm, "Oh Ace, I'm glad you're ok."

"Fluttershy! You..." Ace trotted forward to meet her, hesitated, then frowned deeply and struck her on the side with his hoof, "I told you! You almost get yourself killed, where does that leave us?!"

She looked shocked for only a moment before smiling, rubbing her injured side and patting the buck lightly on the head, "It's ok Ace, we're all together again."

"What about Zaphina?" Adisa asked.

"Who?"

"It's a long story Fluttershy." Ace quickly interjected before making a big sigh, "She's around, somewhere."

"Then we're all set." Dust reported as he stepped out, fully kitted out, "Let's take this bastard down."

"You didn't think it was going to be that easy did you?"

They all hesitated, turning slowly to the voice from down the corridor. It had come from a pair of slinking, black clad figures, their high tech respirators and full body suits unmistakable. Adisa shivered, remembering what happened last time, remembering just how deadly this pair were, "Invitus, Myrtis, I..."

"Quiet traitor" Myrtis hissed, "You alwayz were a weak link."

Invictus's voice was much calmer, smooth and controlled as he inspected the ponies before him, "Zenospira is quite impressed. All the escape attempts, all the attempts to defeat him, to disrupt our work... this is one of the best."

"But you do realize that he told uz not to interfere? That he purpozely left those holez in his zecurity network zo that you could escape, and try to ztop him?" Myrtis gleefully added.

Adisa shook his head, it was crazy, "Why?"

"You're all still part of the experiment." Invictus explained, "We're recording all of this, and it will be used as data for the next generation of zebra combat technology."

"And with it, we'll finally free thiz land from you ztinking poniez!" Myrtis laughed.

"Neither of you two have any idea do you?"

Everything went silent, the two ghosts actually stepping back a little as Fluttershy stormed out. Invitus was the first to speak, "Holy fire, that's Fluttershy..."

"Mizz Fluttershy?" Myrtis stated, her tone quietly awed, "It'z a trick, an illuzion..."

Fluttershy turned her eyes to Myrtis, "You have a Saddle Arabian accent. Why would you let them do those terrible things to you?"

Myrtis paused, frozen by those eyes, "...terrible things...?"

"Chain you to a table, inject you with drugs, cut away at your body and pump pink gas into your veins." Fluttershy continued, her expression urgently insistent, "I've seen it happen with my own eyes, I've met Chigaru and the zebra he was before! Who were you? What was your name before all this?"

Myrtis looked twitchy, her voice uncertain, "Invictus...?"

"We let them do those things to us so we could fight you." Invictus declared proudly, "So none would ever suffer as we did!"

"How did you suffer?" Fluttershy asked, her voice low and kind, "What did Equestria do to you?"

Invictus hesitated at this, the hostility draining from his voice, "We... were slaves of Master Bitter Leaf, sold to him when we were children by camel slavers."

"He waz a cruel mazter." Myrtis stated, with both bitterness... and fear.

Fluttershy's eyes widened in horror, "But slavery was illegal in the zebra territories..."

"Master Bitter Leaf told us that it didn't matter. That because he was an Equestrian citizen no zebra law would ever touch him, that through them he was rich and powerful enough to do whatever he liked." Invictus angled his body forward aggressively, stalking around Fluttershy as his voice rose to a hiss, "But Caesar saved us! He alone had the will to finally arrest our master for his crimes, free us from bondage!"

Fluttershy nodded, looking down and remaining silent for several seconds. Adisa looked from her to the two Ghosts, waiting for someone to speak...

"I knew Caesar, I was friends with him. And I knew your master too. He was allies with Centurius, he tried to have me killed once."

The two paused, Invictus finally speaking after a moment, "We are aware. But our issue is with Equestria, and for all you did for us Lady Fluttershy you still led these ponies here..."

Fluttershy cut him off, eyes coming up to stare straight at him, "Ponies and zebra."

"Zebra traitorz, zerving Equeztria!" Myrtis shouted.

"Equestria is gone." Fluttershy stated softly, "It's been two hundred years."

"Liez! It'z been two hundred and thirty dayz!"

"If it has truly been that long..." Invictus questioned, his hoof extending, "...how do you still live?"

"It's a long story." Fluttershy answered, "But I no longer serve Equestria, and you no longer serve Caesar."

Invictus froze briefly, but his tone soon filled once more with confidence, "That's because you killed him!"

"No." Fluttershy shook her head, taking a deep breath as her eyes shook with emotion, "He's still alive, for what it's worth. He's alone out there, and has been ever since Zenospira killed ever other zebra in the wasteland, used them as test subjects for his experiments."

"That... that'z impozzible..." Myrtis whispered, "We would have notized..."

"You said it yourselves, you have records of two hundred and thirty days." Fluttershy stared them straight on, "He on the other hand has had had two hundred and seventy eight years to experiment."

Invictus looked around nervously, no longer sounding so confident, "You lie..."

"I am not lying, not to you." She gazed pleadingly at them, "Zenospira is a madman and a monster, who allowed both nations to burn so that he could inherit the future."

"If he's willing to let his prisoners run loose, try to stop him... that means he doesn't care who gets hurt." Adisa pointed out, reaching out to Myrtis, "Myrtis, please trust me. I've helped you repair your suit, I've looked at you without fear. Caesar made you strong, gave you a purpose. Zenospira has told you he has inherited that loyalty, but when has he ever done anything to earn it?"

Myrtis shook her head, "I..."

"May I have every zebra's attention? I am administrator Otani Kajessa Nanjyu, and I have commandeered the emergency broadcast system in order to explain my actions here today."

Adisa looked up, as did everyone else. The speakers above crackled slightly as Jessa's voice echoed from the PA system, her tone strident and confident, "If you would take a look at your consoles, you will see that I have removed the software blocks giving you direct access to the building's sensors, along with a log of all orders given to our security forces in the days following the megaspell bombardment. I'm sure it will not take you long to notice that they do not remotely match up with what you have been told, and here is why. Zenospira is lying to us, and has been lying to us all along. He has used us to kill our own people, destroy our own land, and he has shown clear intent that he intends to do the same to us once he no longer needs us."

Adisa smiled to himself, then looked to the two ghost operatives, "She's telling the truth."

"Please, just stay in your assigned spaces and wait for us. I intend to confront Zenospira personally, and free us all from his lies."

Invictus paused for several seconds, finally letting out a long breath, "We must talk to Zenospira directly. He must have some explanation..."

"Well done Jessa, nicely said." Zenospira's voice echoed from the PA system, accompanied by a reedy chuckle, "Oh, this really is wonderful, so much data, so much to work with! Those ponies really were a terrific find... and yes, I'm afraid what she said is all true."

Myrtis gasped, looking up, "I don't...!"

"But I'm afraid that means I've got no further reason to hold back. And that means you all have to die."

A turret suddenly shot out of the roof, it's multiple barrels starting to spin up as it focused directly on Fluttershy standing bellow... it discharged with a roar, Invitus grunting as he threw himself in front of the mare and took the shots straight in his flank. A moment later and the turret was torn apart with a single shot of Dust Kicker's rifle, leaving the corridor silent...

...save for the sound of further gunfire and yelling from elsewhere in the building.

"I... thank you!" Fluttershy lent down to the injured Invitus, leaking pink gas from his wounds, "Are you ok?"

"Please... stay back." He warned her off with a hoof, staggering onto his feet as the holes in his suit started to close, "I will recover quickly. More importantly..."

"Invitus!" Myrtis turned to him with desperation clear even despite the mask, "He'z turned the zecurity zyztems on the zcientists!"

"Then the task is clear!" Invitus turned to the, tone sharp and demanding, "If you are going to stop this, do it quickly! We must defend the others!"

Dust nodded, then looked across the group, "Ace, Easu, Fluttershy, go with them."

Easu frowned, "Why us?"

"Zenospira is sealed inside some sort of armored chamber. Neither of you are really suited to that sort of fight, but you are suited to helping get innocents to safety." Dust sighed, "And if we fail, at least you three will still be in the fight."

"He's expecting us." Adisa pointed out, remembering how it went last time.

"I've got a plan this time." Puppysmiles reassured him, "But I was hoping Jessa would be with us."

"I will retrieve her and bring her to you." Invitus stated firmly, moving to leave, "I will not be but a m..."

They all jumped away as Jessa dropped down from the roof above, the maintenance cover clattering onto the tiles a second before she hit the ground with all four hooves. She looked at them all for a moment, smiled, then looked up, "You can come down now!"

There was no response.

"Jessa, I'm so glad you're safe." Adisa declared with relief, running forward and hugging her tight, "That was... quick."

"I figured he might try something like this, so I set the announcement on a delay." She revealed, then looked sadly back up at the hatch, "Another zebra helped me to escape, I think she was part of your group? Xaphina?"

Ace smiled to himself, "Yeah, she's one of us. And don't worry, she's ok. She just doesn't do crowds."

"She saved my life." Jessa stated sadly before looking up at everyone, "So what's the next move?"

"The most... experimental part of my plan." Puppysmiles admitted with a slightly strained smile, "I need a balcony."

Puppysmiles stepped out onto the balcony, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. It was getting dark, the moon just starting to peek out on the horizon, the city below silent and dead. It was an ominous sight, Adisa remembering it when it had been full of life, and also when he had looked from these windows and seen nothing but Equestria wrought devastation.

A lie, an illusion, now cleared from their eyes by Jessa's disabling of the light generators.

She stood with them now, along with Dust Kicker. Puppysmiles was now walking to the edge of the balcony, ready to do whatever she was doing. She had stated that it would take too long to explain and so Adisa just watched her, silent and still, her magic flickering occasionally. Time ticked on and he almost feared she had fallen asleep, just about to question her when Puppysmiles' eyes opened and she gave the sky above a determined look, "Here we go."

She extended her head upwards and magic poured through her, exploding out from her horn in a fierce pink and blue spiral. Adisa gazed at the sight in wonder, he had never seen a pony produce two separate colors from their horn before, nor the kind of magic she was using. His wonder only grew as he looked up and saw... the moon was rising, "Great fire..."

Dust bit his lip, looking worried. Puppysmiles meanwhile seemed to be clearly buckling under the pressure, her eyes tightening and her breathing becoming strained. A few grey hairs fluttered about her head, her whole body seeming to weaken and age. The moon reached it's zenith and still Puppysmiles didn't stop, her magic instead changing and shifting slightly. A crackle of energy lurched from the tower and fed into Puppysmiles' hooves, burning her fur and flesh and feeding into her horn as it vibrated and glowed from the pressure...

The moon... was getting bigger.

And then she released the magic, panting and falling to her knees. Above sat an alarmingly large moon that was bright enough to bring a eery, silvery daylight to the city, the night sky full of sparkles and shine. Adisa had to admit a touch of fear, he couldn't help but be worried that it would fall on them, "What did you do?!"

"I... you should have discussed this with me." Jessa noted with a little shake of fear, "I cannot begin to calculate what this will do."

"The moon... naturally absorbs magical energy." Puppysmiles stated firmly, forcing herself back to her hooves with obvious pain, "If we resonate it..."

"You're talking about Moondancer's method?" Jessa stated with a look of disdain, "His methods are two thousand years out of date!"

Puppysmiles hesitated a moment before frowning, her voice challenging, "Hey... I used to have a moon cutie mark. I... can do it..."

"Have you ever fired a megaspell at the moon before?"

"Well... kinda. Theoretically." Puppysmiles cocked her head to the side, biting her lip, "I was a megaspell fired at the moon once..."

"Theoretically?" Jessa spat, "You do this wrong, you'll just bounce the spell off the surface and likely blow the planet in half. We need a clear plan, not guesswork and a prayer."

Adisa sighed, this was getting them nowhere, "Jessa... then how does she do it right? We don't have a lot of time."

She turned to him, surprised for a moment before holding a hoof to her chin, "Well... the problem is that the moon is quite smooth, you would need to hit it straight on. We're just too far off the equator for that."

Puppysmiles thought about that for a moment before smiling, "Would it help if there was a structure you could fire it at? One with a mana channel straight down to the core?"

Jessa's eyes widened, "Certainly... yes, that would work."

"I should even bye able to work out the exact magical frequency." Puppysmiles stated, before giving a wide smile, "My friend Midnight Dreamer had a lot of books written by Princess Luna. One was a detailed account of the temple of Nyx."

Jessa still looked apprehensive, however she finally gave a nod after a couple of seconds, "Be aware that I'm still not sure what this will do. I mean... this is a incomplete terraforming spell meant for the entire planet, firing it at the moon..."

"The moon is dead anyway." Puppysmiles reminded her, "At best, this might revive it."

Dust Kicker gave a nervous laugh behind them, "This is getting... intense. Puppy, are you sure about this?"

"We don't have a lot of options... gak!" Puppysmiles stepped forward before suddenly coughing blood, stumbling slightly. She looked down at her hooves in confusion, her eyes drifting apart slightly, "...mmm..."

"Puppysmiles!" Adisa quickly moved to steady her, noting that she looked awful. The color had drained from her skin, she barely looked more than a corpse again, "Are you ok?"

"I... I'm fine." She looked up, wiping her mouth with a hoof and smiling weakly at them, "Those were spells designed for alicorns after all, they kinda... roughed me up a little is all." She took a deep breath, firming herself for a moment before speaking again, "And returning to the point... there's a unstable, planetary sized megaspell just above us, and Zenospira has a dead mare's switch. I know this isn't perfect, but can't think of anything else that would work."

"I suppose If we're lucky we'll never have to fire it." Jessa admitted, "Only if we lose containment."

"And we've been so lucky so far..." Adisa pointed out as he helped Puppysmiles to the door, sparing one look behind him at the empty city below.

So that was what they were fighting to save. He wasn't sure if he was encouraged by the chance to pay Zenospira back for his crimes, or discouraged that there wasn't much left to save. After this day... there was a new world out there, a world he knew nothing about. So much of this was guesswork.

Then he looked at Jessa, her mind obviously working furiously as she accessed a console and in a few moments managed to write a code that would fire a giant megaspell at the moon, to hit a target the size of a thimble. And despite having been thrown about, shot at and given the worst day of her life, managed to look more dignified as he did on his best.

There was still something worth saving. That at least could give him hope.

They opened the door to Zenospira's office, Adisa taking a little breath to steady himself as it opened up before him. Jessa and Dust Kicker both gasped, Jessa stumbling a little as she gave a look of utter horror, "I... never..."

"So you have finally arrived." Zenospira crooned, his image appearing in front of his pod and giving a little clap of his hooves, "Both days you have spent here, both days you manage to get this far! You are wonderful little test subjects."

Jessa finally got a hold of herself, looking about the cavernous room. She eventually nodded to herself, leaning close to Puppysmiles, "Puppysmiles, just try and keep him busy. I'll see what I can do."

"I can do that." Puppysmiles looked to Dust Kicker as she moved forward, "Stay here, and don't move. I'm going to teleport you in a moment."

"You've fought this guy before Puppy." Dust replied, with a little bit of uncertainty in his voice, "I'll follow your lead."

Puppysmiles grinned at him, then advanced forward. She closed her eyes in concentration as she stepped along the walkway, her fur starting to stain black and her body increasing in size. Power welled up around her and blue light erupted from her horn, the mare now standing there none other than...

"Nightmare Moon? Really?" Zenospira gave her a strained grin, "I'm really supposed to believe..."

"I just raised the moon." Puppysmiles quickly cut him off, her horn igniting and forming a glowing crescent at the tip. She paused a moment for it to sink in before declaring loudly and sharply, "This is black matter around me, and I'm possessing a corpse."

Zenospira hesitated, his tone now a little uncertain, "Then why are you here, oh Princess of Equestria?"

"You're a threat to my ponies." She declared sharply, "The last true threat. And I'm here to shut you down, personally this time. You against me Zenospira!"

Jessa looked across the tower they had entered from as Puppysmiles continued, her expression deeply troubled. Eventually she leaned over to Adisa, "I'm going to need your help Adisa. I'm not even sure where to start."

He couldn't believe that, "You said you designed it!"

"It's had two centuries of development." She countered, looking back at the conflict brewing behind, "When the fight starts, we pull panels off and start finding something to break,."

“So Nightmare Moon herself!” Zenospira laughed, his teeth prominent upon his mocking face as he drew himself up to face Puppysmiles, “And how disappointed I am! A tiny fragment of a old, forgotten villain, inhabiting a corpse!”

“Could say the same to you.” Puppysmiles replied with a smirk, “All those big holograms and loudspeakers, just to disguise the little zebra inside.”

“Well, let’s test our worth then shall we?” Zenospira gestured with a hoof, the starcannon turret spinning out and focusing upon her, “The way it should be ended! A duel to decide the fate of the world!”

The starcannon fired, a bolt of blue fire streaming at her with a deathly wail. Puppysmiles just stood before it unmoving, Adisa knowing he needed to focus but unable to keep his eyes off her...

Then he was forced to as the whole room... lurched. Suddenly Puppysmiles and the walkway were in an entirely new location, the starcannon blast simply shredding emitters and pylons across the far side of the room. Her horn ignited again, Dust Kicker disappearing with a similar blue of compressed space to appear on another walkway far above.

Dust Kicker recovered quickly, propping his rifle on the ledge and tightening his teeth upon the trigger. Zenospira held up a holographic hoof in defense, shields solidifying in front of him...

The bullet had barely exited the barrel when the room lurched again and the bullet flew in from an entirely new angle. It hit Zenospira from the back, shredding the starfire turret into spinning fragments and causing sparks to fly from the pod and it's sensors.

Jessa chuckled as she pulled a panel loose and started inspecting the components, "Not bad... your friend knows her science. She's only been here twice and she already understands it better than Zenospira, not that it surprises me."

Adisa nodded, though he wasn't too sure. Zenospira undoubtedly still had plenty of...

And then the battlefield did indeed shift once more. Zenospira screamed in anger as another of Dust's bullets struck across his armor, hoof slashing out and shattering emitters across the expanse of the room as space shifted with a lurching roar. Puppysmiles screamed out as she was hurled through the air by the sudden shift and sent crashing into the tower, Zenospira pounding her quickly erected shield with laser blasts, “Little bitch! You seek to use my own power against me?! A creature of magic and superstition, using science against me!?”

Adisa winced as Dust continued firing, bullets just bouncing off Zenospira’s shields as he raised his hoof, firing a blast that shattered the pony's rifle into pieces. Dust hit the floor with a wounded gasp and Adisa closed his eyes as Zenospira span a turret to track him, power gathering at it's barrel...

“What!?”

Adisa opened his eyes, the turret suddenly falling silent. A moment later and Jessa spoke beside him, her voice clear and angry, “I always thought you were a egotistical prick Zenospira, but never dreamed you were this bad.”

Zenospira’s eyes turned to her, Adisa seeing that she had several severed cables at her hooves. She endured his glare for another moment before she slammed two loose connections together, causing Zenospira to scream as his hologram flicked violently, “Gagggh! Jessa, do you wish me to destroy you too!? Stop this, before...!”

“Destroy me?” She spat, her face twitching, “You’re even speaking like some clichéd divine wannabe! I respected you once, you were my friend! But you know what else you were?”

Zenospira flung his hooves out, compartments opening up to unleash a hoard of spiderbots, “Kill them, kill them!”

“A lousy scientist.” She grabbed something from the compartment below and pulled, yanking out a large metal cylinder and rolling it towards an exposed wire. She dodged away and Adisa shielded his face, a wise precaution as the cylinder lit up like a torch and hundreds of emitters suddenly exploded with a deafening roar. All at once the room started to shrink, spiderbots shifted through space to fall towards the bottom of the sphere still miles below.

Jessa shook her head to focus herself, looking at Xenospira once again, “I built most of this! While you came up with your ideas, who were the ones putting them into practice? You built your success upon us, how dare you use us as pawns in your damn...!”

"ENOUGH!"

A bolt of searing star energy flew from the pod, cutting through her shoulder and dropping her to the ground with a look of bewildered shock. Her mouth opened, only delivering a gasping cough and a spray of blood.

“Jessa!” He rushed over to her, pulling out a vial of healing potion, “Hold on!”

“Fools... fools and ingrates... you throw away divine inheritance...” Zenospira’s hologram flickered and died, even as his voice became raspy and pained, “...even with everything, I am more powerful than you...”

"You..." Adisa gritted his teeth, watching Jessa dying in his hooves. He injected a healing potion but it barely touched the injury, the cruel, still burning wounds getting worse by the moment, "...Jessa..."

She managed to focus, her eyes joining his for but a moment, "...stop him..."

Adisa gritted his teeth, furious, wanting nothing more. And as he sat there and looked at the wires beneath his hooves Adisa's contempt grew all the more, "You really are a lousy scientist."

Zenospira laughed at this, "Oh, cutting words from the tech support!"

"If you had brought me in, you would know better than to leave your main power cord exposed." He stated as he pulled loose a wide, thick wire and plugged it directly into the central processing hub. He heard a brief gasp from the pod, glad that Zenospira had just enough time to see what was coming.

Then he pulled out the grounding cord.

The room collapsed in on itself as a loud crack echoed outwards, shrinking at incredible speeds as the sound of shattering machinery filled his ears. He closed his eyes to spare his brain from all the laws of physics being broken, waiting until the room had stopped shaking before opening them again.

They were in Zenospira's office, a large oval shaped room with field emitters protruding from the curved walls, most of them now broken. The rest of the room was empty, the furniture having been cleared to make way for the pod now standing in the center of the room, wires expanding in all directions in what looked like a hurried attempt to install it into the towers network. He saw Puppysmiles laying limp a short distance away, Dust grunting as he levered himself up.

Jessa lay at his hooves, her breathing shallow and the energy wound still raw upon her flesh, "Jessa!"

"Warning, tower systems have been compromised. Overload detected, primary generators have been severely damaged. Assessing... primary generators must be deactivated to avoid irrecoverable damage." The voice of the tower's maintenance system filled the air, perfectly calm despite the urgency of her words, "Switching to secondary power in thirty seconds. Warning, all non-essential systems will be shut down, please save all data and power down workstations."

"No! No!" A reedy, pedantic voice echoed from the pod, followed by the sound of furious rattling, "This is not happening! This cannot happen!"

Adisa gasped and backed away as one of the turrets span round, lit up... and then died, flopping down as the lights dimmed.

"I'm sorry, but you have attempted to activate a non-essential system. The tower is currently in power-saver mode. If you wish to activate..."

"Shut up!"

"...a non-essential system, please set system as 'priority'. This can be done in the primary power settings panel."

"Set turrets as priority!"

"I'm sorry, but voice activation is listed as a non-essential system. The tower is currently in power-saver mode."

"NO!"

Dust grunted, lifted his pistol and fired. The heavy bullet punched straight through a large box at the bottom of the pod, causing the whole structure to power down with a whine.

"Power failure detected in pod. Emergency hatch release engaged."

The pod hissed, then opened up with a soft whine and the sound of swearing. Adisa couldn't help but feel the contempt flooding through him as it revealed the zebra inside, skinny and poorly built, his features pinched and sour. He sat there in mounting horror and desperation, his hooves struggling with the straps holding him inside. He shouted as he forced himself against them, now removed from the echoing interior his weak voice barely carried, "Don't you realize what you've done! When the field shuts down the whole facility will start to age rapidly, the megaspells will fall! This facility was to take a direct hit, we'll all be killed!"

Dust grunted in frustration, "Then we need to escape. Adisa, grab Jessa, we're leaving."

Zenospira spat his reply, "There is no escape, you've doomed us...!"

Dust silenced him with a harsh glare, advancing on the struggling zebra, "You intentionally caused the end of the world? You intended the megaspells to kill everything?"

"I..." Zenospira paused in his struggles, "...you don't understand. Your small little minds could never comprehend what I was doing, what I was trying to achieve..."

"Oh, I can imagine well enough. The wasteland is filled with your type." He grunted, giving the zebra a look of quiet, withering anger, "I only wish we had the time to give you what you deserve."

Zenospira panicked, struggling desperately against the wires that connected him into the pod, "You are not worthy to pass judgement upon...!"

Then his struggles ceased, head slamming back against the padded backing as Dust put a bullet through his forehead. He slumped forward, heavy against the straps, tongue lolling as blood dripped across the controls. Dust took a deep breath before holstering his pistol, "I guess that will have to be justice."

Adisa forced his eyes away, returning them to the mare currently struggling for breath in his hooves, "Jessa's really badly injured, and healing potions aren't doing anything!"

Dust looked across at her, eyes narrowing, "Star blasters... damn, we need to find Fluttershy."

"Zeno... Zenospira is right..." Puppysmiles stated as she levered herself upwards, clearly badly hurt herself, "...we have to get out of here."

Dust looked up at the evacuation notice on the viewscreen above, "Right, yeah. Can you carry her Adisa?"

He nodded, levering her onto his back. Fortunately she didn't weight much, and years of carrying heavy tools had made him stronger than most, "Yeah."

"Then let's get out of here!"

"Whatz goin on?" Myrtis inquired as they came down the corridor towards her, standing among a team of milling scientists and technicians. Adisa noticed the panic in them, and the fact that the corridor was barred with heavy shutters. Myrtis looked back at said shutters before coming to meet them, "The tower iz in lockdown, and our override commandz aren't working."

"Where's Fluttershy?" Dust asked, voice insistent.

"She'z leading the otherz here. Invictus is trying to zhut down the lockdown from the central zecurity hub." She looked at each of them, her head angled in worry, "What iz happening? Where iz Zenospira?"

"He's dead." Dust intoned grimly.

Myrtis hesitated in shock for only a moment before her radio suddenly burst into sound, distracting her as Invicus's voice sounded out, "Myrtis, come in."

"Reading you Invictus." Her voice shook as she spoke, "Zenospira is dead."

"I know." Invicus replied, his voice bitter, "He installed a dead man's switch into the tower's security systems. The whole tower has gone into lockdown."

Adisa winced, feeling like a fool. Of course a zebra like Zenospira would do something like that, they were lucky the whole tower hadn't exploded, "Can you... shut it down?"

"No." Invicus replied with no small amount of concern, "It can only be overridden by a zebra with a higher clearance."

"We need to get out of this building." Dust reminded them as the corridor shook a little and dust drifted down from a crack forming above, "I know at least one megaspell is due to hit it any moment."

Adisa blinked, "But... who has higher clearance than the director?"

And then the lights switched back to green, and the security door slid open with a rush of air. There was a faint crackle of the speakers turning on, then the sound of a smooth, electronic voice, "Lock down canceled, tower is now operating in emergency mode. All power has been redirected to structural integrity and medical stations and weapon lockers have all been unlocked. Please all workers proceed to your evacuation points."

Myrtis positively squeaked, "Invictus, you did it!"

"I'm sorry to deflect praise, but I didn't do anything. The command was sent from a terminal just ahead... top secret level clearance, I don't even see it listed in the database."

Adisa's eyes widened as he stared down the corridor and saw the figure, standing sheepishly by a control panel. He didn't look like a zebra of rank, thin and starved, with his skin heavily diseased and most of his fur missing. His clothes hung on him in rags, "Who are you...?"

"Zebra must go, must escape!" The zebra advanced, his voice cracked and broken, "Unlocked doors for you Worthless has, cleared path."

"And why should we trust you?" Dust answered rather aggressively from behind. He moved in front of Adisa and the others, his pistol already out, "You got me and Fluttershy captured, you were working for that bastard."

The zebra hesitated, then dropped his head. His voice was barely a whisper, "Has right of it... Worthless deserves nothing better than Zenospira..."

"You... look familar." Myrtis stated with confusion, turning her head to look at him from different angles, "Who are you?"

"Worthless is no one..." He answered with a whine, "Worthless is..."

"Remicon!"

They all turned, Fluttershy standing just behind with a gaggle of scared looking scientists beside her. She had the burn of an energy weapon hit across her flank and her head was bandaged, still she seemed entirely unconcerned by her injuries as she advanced forward with a combination of concern and excitement. The strange zebra mirrored her expression before his eyes actually filled with tears, "Fluttershy is alive... Fluttershy is safe..."

"You shut down the lockdown." Fluttershy exclaimed, then nodded with a huge smile, "Of course you did. You're..."

Myrtis's breathless shout cut her off, her whole body moving to attention, "Lord Caesar!"

The strange zebra's face filled with pain, "No..."

Fluttershy gave him a broad smile, nodding softly, "She's looked for you a very long time Remicon."

Myrtis looked back at Fluttershy, then turned to the zebra in front with expectation, "Lord Caesar, we are loyal only to you! Please, give us your orders!"

Worthless stared straight at Myrtis for what seemed like a age, a look of deep, endless pain and suffering behind his eyes. And then with a heroic burst of effort his features finally firmed and he stared straight at them, "Get... get everyone to safety! This tower is coming down!"

"Yes my lord!" Myrtis saluted before charging off into the facility, leaving the ghoul standing there with his expression slowly sinking back into despair. Adisa was forced to stop nearby, looking at the decrepit looking creature as it's posture slowly sank back to it's hunched, pathetic looking self.... Fluttershy's own expression dropped, staring at the zebra with remorse...

"My lord?" Adisa extended a hoof, his voice soft. The ghoul turned his eyes to him, Adisa surprised that he didn't even have to force his smile as he replied, "We have to get out of here."

"Yes..." Caesar finally replied, slowly turning to him and lifting his head to look ahead, "I must reach the palace. We have to warn them."

"Warn who sire?"

Caesar looked confused at the question, then a little sad, "My... my zebra. They must be warned that the megaspells are coming... I... I have to save them, give them time to evacuate to their shelters..."

"Let's go!" Fluttershy called, advancing past them with a warm smile shot in their direction, "Follow me!"

They emerged through the front door and into the open air, Adisa for a moment remembering the reports of radiation and fire... he panicked before finally taking a gulp of clear, cold air, looking forward into a city nearly completely intact, "I don't believe it, it's exactly how..."

And then there was a deafening boom above, the sounds of screaming filling his ears. He looked up to a sight likely never seen anywhere in the world, terrifying and magnificent.

A megaspell streaked down in a bright, glorious comet of unimaginable energy, crackling and shifting as it prepared to unleash it's payload. And then it suddenly slowed, too slow to maintain the arc it was displaying, finding itself stretched as some parts started moving faster than others... it finally came apart before his eyes, torn apart by internal stresses and detonating into a kaleidoscopic orb of magical energies that tore the clouds apart and unleashed a shower of sparkling blue particles.

The megaspells were everywhere, streaking down and detonating above the city. One got a little closer than the others and flattened a district with concussive energy. And then... things started getting really strange. One exploded in a distant district of the city, then streaked back into the sky and hit itself as the area appeared to repair itself before his eyes. Another simply disappeared, and then the part of the city it was aimed at collapsed anyway.

Fluttershy gave the scene a look a deep concern, then turned to a scientist beside, "Um... theories?"

"The time distortion field is collapsing." The scientist replied, lifting his glasses and staring into the city beyond, "It is clearly uncontrolled, and we are experiencing... paradoxes."

Adisa screamed, as did many of the others, as ghostly figures of zebra civilians filled the city for a brief moment before vanishing.

"Should we stand here?" Fluttershy questioned, a pretty good one all things considered.

"I believe..." The zebra scientist started before promptly disintegrating into dusty bones and collapsing to the floor.

"Oh my!" Fluttershy declared in a very high voice, scampering away from the swirling cloud of grey sand that was a living zebra not a moment ago. Her eyes darted around as more of the academy workers suffered the same fate, falling apart before her eyes, "Oh no, no!"

Adisa stared straight into the massed ranks of his co-workers, the zebra panicking and flailing about as megaspells exploded above them and those around them began to crumble to dust. He on the other hand felt perfectly calm, simply letting Jessa carefully and gently slide from his back and fall upon the pavement. He stared at the large, angry wound on her side, getting angrier and larger by the moment, taking a vial of Med-x from his bag and carefully injecting it into her bloodstream.

She winced, then gingerly opened her eyes, "Adisa...?"

"Zenospira's dead, we did it Jessa." He leaned down, gently taking the mare in his hooves, "Look up at the sky, it's... is it strange how beautiful it all looks?"

She coughed, her breathing ragged for a moment before she forced a smile, "Adisa... look, flowers..."

He looked up, smiling to see that the blue particles raining down from the exploding megaspells were indeed flowers, carpeting the city in a glorious bouquet, "The city looks alive again."

"Then we did it Adisa..." She breathed, Adisa feeling her pulse beat ever faster, "...we saved the world..."

"Yes... we did it."

Their was a loud bang behind, Adisa turning to see the academy of science rock against a solid megaspell hit just above. The transmitter array crumpled and fell, most of the upper floors falling in on themselves. The energy that had been subtly radiating outwards suddenly collapsed with a roar, a beam of light flying straight at the moon above and a bubble of speeding time expanding outwards and carrying the dust of his disintegrating colleagues in it's wake.

He turned and hugged Jessa tight as it hit them. He didn't know if they had made a difference. He didn't know if they were the heroes or the villains. He didn't know what kind of future this was.

But he knew that he loved the mare in his hooves and she loved him. And as the field hit them his last thoughts were of the smell of Jessa and the rain of sparkling blue flowers over his city.

It really was beautiful.

Chapter 3.16 - Sins Of The Past

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Fluttershy was flung to the floor as the whole tower shuddered briefly, then opened up in a beam of green light so intense that the whole city, perhaps the whole country was lit in a terrifying, unnatural daylight. Her fur stood on end, something in her brain tingled and the whole city shook as the shockwave echoed outwards. She watched as megaspells aimed for the city suddenly shifted off course to be consumed completely by the beam of light, changing its color from green to blue and covering it in swirling, violent patterns.

It hit the moon straight on and a mighty crater exploded outwards from the impact point, flinging dust into space. Some of it hit the planet's atmosphere, turning into large, angry looking shooting stars.

"Oh, that's not good..."

She looked back at where the voice had come from, noting with horror that the courtyard of the academy of science was almost empty. Puppysmiles stood alone among piles of little more than dust, her eyes wide. Ace Gold was looking at those piles in horror, torn away from them for a moment only by the flashes from the moon debris entering the atmosphere, "Puppy, what the fuck!?"

Puppy's voice came out in a babble, "The megaspell impact on the tower shifted the alignment! It's still within... oh crap, everypony get clear!"

Fluttershy staggered to her feet, watching as a wobble in the pillar of light traveled downwards towards them. Her eyes tracked round as she saw Myrtis tear across the courtyard with Remicon on her back, dropping him behind some blast barriers before sprinting back towards the tower. The others were all also attempting to get clear, Fluttershy realizing after a moment that she wasn't running.

"Lady Fluttershy, get clear!"

She looked across at Myrtis, feeling a little shell shocked by all of this, "Is everypony... ok?"

"No!" Myrtis screamed, hitting a switch on the side of her facemask, "Invictus, you need to get out of the tower!"

Then the wobble in the column of light hit them, the whole tower seeming to... bounce. A couple of floors just vanished, though credit to the builders it still managed to remain upright. Silence seemed to reign for a moment before the ground around the tower seemed to simply implode, a shockwave echoing out and slamming into Fluttershy with the force of a shotgun blast to the chest.

She flew through air for a moment before opening her wings as a reflex, the motion sending her spinning. Something caught her midair, span her about then broke for the horizon with a roar of sound, dodging through the flying debris.

The beam turned into a roaring whirlwind, stripping the tower of its sensors and outer armor. It started to pulse from inside now, the moon above also starting to pulse in unison. A bright, shining blue, the whole surface glowing brighter and brighter.

Then streaming light, flashing in from all directions. It hit the beam at its base, glowing light of all colors, forming into a bright flashing blast of rainbow light that blocked out the sky.

Fluttershy had just long enough to appreciate how pretty it was before falling unconscious.

"Lady Fluttershy."

She opened her eyes, blinking for a moment in the soft, twinkling light. She marveled at being alive for a moment before realizing... no she wasn't, this was all just a dream. Invitus stared down at her, his voice calm and cool, Dust Kicker looking wounded and exhausted but happily resting up against a rock. She knew both of them had been in the tower, so this couldn't possibly be true.

And as for the surroundings... "Hello little friend." She whispered as a little bunny like creature skittered past, looking past it to the verdant landscape beyond. The proud regal structures of zebra design rose up among a blanket of gently glowing plantlife, vines and tall proud trees bearing flocks of brightly colored birds and animals. Ahead was a vast tree made up of what she realized was in fact a huge number of different vines, bushes and other growths, supported by a enormous skeleton of steel and plastic, "Are we all dead?"

"No Lady Fluttershy." Invictus stated with a noticeable hint of sadness in his voice, "Your party appears to have survived completely intact."

She noticed the hesitation in his voice, recognizing where she was after a moment. This was where she fell, and ahead... that was what used to be the academy of magic, now just a broken skeleton, "The scientists...!"

"Are all gone." Invictus confirmed with a soft nod, "All that remains are the Caesar, Myrtis, and I."

"Invictus, I..." She stood up to reach for him, then regretted it instantly as she shook on unsteady hooves. She swooned for a moment and he caught her, steadying her as her head leant upwards... towards the giant, glowing blue marble in the sky, covered in a thick array of forests, rivers and jungles, "...oh my giddy aunt..."

"I rest a little easier knowing that my friends' last project has caught the attention of the world." Invictus noted, looking across at where Fluttershy saw Puppy was talking with Easu, "Though for the sake of their continued state of mind, I have encouraged your friend to withdraw the moon back to its usual position in the sky as soon as possible."

She smiled at him, then looked across at Dust Kicker. He smiled weakly back at her, nodding his head, "Hey Fluttershy."

"Are you ok?" She asked, noting the magical burns across his body, "You were inside the tower when the megaspell activated?"

"Yeah... herding the scientists out..." He nodded at the sky where a pegasus hovered, seeming to be watching the sky, "Clear Skies pulled my ass out as the tower began to collapse."

"As she did for me." Invictus commented before simply staring up at the sky, "Though I hesitate to understand why I proved worthy, when so many others are dead."

Fluttershy watched him sadly for a moment before looking up towards Puppy and Easu, agreeing that the moon's current position was certain to be worrying a lot of ponies. She gingerly and cautious moved over to them, starting to catch their conversation as she closed, "...damage it can do at this early stage is incalculable."

"I know, but it's not the moon anymore, I can't just direct my horn upwards and punt it out of the..." Puppy turned as she saw Fluttershy approaching, Fluttershy noting the mare looked terrible. Indeed she looked like she was starting to ghoul a little, the skin stretched tight across her face and most of her fur fallen out, "Fluttershy, you're awake!"

"Yes, thank you." She decided to approach this as diplomatically as possible, "This didn't go quite as you planned?"

"Uh, not really. I mean... yes, in theory. But I didn't really plan..."

"The consequences." Easu finished, sighing grimly, "The Gardens megaspell ate the ones directed at the city, as a result the moon is currently intensely radioactive. With its size and proximity to the planet, it is likely to be doing heavy damage to the atmosphere."

Fluttershy looked around, "Is the city radioactive too? I can't help but notice we're standing in blue flowers."

"Ye...ah... a little?" Puppy confirmed, "Ace Gold and Xaphina went out to gather anti-rad medications."

Fluttershy decided to put it out of her mind for now, resolving to just keep her eye out for any symptoms of radiation poisoning, "So can you move the moon back into its usual position?"

"I... no..." Puppy admitted quietly, "It's not responding as it used to, that spell fundamentally changed its resonance. And frankly... this body won't take it a second time, I'd tear myself in half even trying."

She looked up at it, both awestruck and terrified. It looked like a whole world now stretched across it's surface, wild and untamed, "It supports life?"

"Yes." Puppy confirmed, nodding her head, "I don't understand how, Jessa was confident the megaspell wouldn't work. But I can definitely feel life up there, a population of several million at least."

"Intelligent?"

Puppy gave an exasperated shrug, "I really couldn't say."

She noticed Puppy's eyes turn then, following them round to where Ace Gold and Myrtis were emerging from the city to make their way over. They all went to meet them, Ace giving Fluttershy a nod before taking a big sack of medications from his saddle bag and giving them over to her. She took it in her hoof and opened it up, confident after a quick count that it would tide them over for a while, "Do we have any equipment to monitor exposure?"

"Not with any great accuracy." Puppy answered, "It's everywhere, and it really hard to work out exactly what's coming from where."

"Same." Ace agreed, "I know a few basic spells, but they only tell me that we really shouldn't be standing here for longer than we need to."

"That does raise a point." Dust Kicker pointed out, "We'd be much better off inside, preferably somewhere with supplies, a lab and a medical bay."

They looked at each other for a second or two before Remicon suddenly interjected, "What about the palace?"

Dust shrugged, then gave Fluttershy a quick smile, "Well it makes as much sense as anywhere."

She nodded back at him, "It's nicer than standing here at least."

The palace thankfully was still mostly intact, it's age old walls having weathered everything the last few hours had thrown at it. Indeed the plant life that now decorated it gave it a sense of life and purpose that had been absent before, lighting it in a hundred different shades of blue.

They approached the giant stone gates, Remicon going ahead and standing before them. He gave a single command in a language Fluttershy didn't know and they shuddered open with a ponderous rumble, revealing the courtyard and gardens beyond. They abounded with color, their long faded wonder restored once more.

"Will the city become inhabited again do you think?" Fluttershy asked, looking around in wonder. When she was younger she definitely would have wanted to live here, spotting a few small creatures bouncing through the bushes, "Even with the damage, it's still far more intact than Manehatten was."

Dust pulled a face, his nose rumpling slightly in disapproval, "Fluttershy, literally everything here is radioactive."

"Star Swirl would have loved it." Ace Gold commented moodily, before his expression softened slightly, "Ghouls too."

"These creatures and plants..." Fluttershy observed them as she looked around, noting that they looked nothing like any varieties she had seen before. She longed to gather one, find out more, still she was aware that anything here could be poisonous, aggressive or otherwise dangerous, "Do you think they feed on radiation too?"

"You're the ecologist." Ace Gold commented back, smirking slightly as he scanned the view, "Sebastian would love this. He could name something after his mother, Reginus Grimfeatherus..."

"I wish I was an ecologist." Fluttershy commented, regretting once again the path her life had taken, "Ironically I don't have a single qualification in anything relating to animals or plants. I wouldn't know the first thing about naming a species."

"I think you still get first dibs." Dust nodded to a small, squirrel like creature wrestling with a petal from one of the flowers, "What about that one?"

"I... I can think of so many creatures to name it after..." Fluttershy felt her heart flutter a little, a lump forming in her throat, "Look at it. It's so small, and that flower is so much bigger than it is. But it's not going to give up..." She touched a hoof to her nose, firming herself, "We... we're going to name that one after Zenai."

"Here, here." Dust agreed.

"I would like to name something after Jessa and Adisa." Puppy quietly commented, "A flower maybe. A nice flowering bush, with strong roots and pretty leaves."

Dust sighed, looking very troubled, "That's a good idea too."

"Maybe name something after Midnight Dreamer." Puppy commented softly, looking rather depressed now, "I hope there's a lot of different species here. I can think of a lot of friends to name it after."

"Would it be inappropriate to point out the irony of all this?" Ace Gold bluntly stated, "That the zebra fought to the end to protect this place from Princess Luna, and now a piece of her just ended up making it look like she did the decorations?"

"And I was just thinking how pretty it was." Invictus replied, not without a little humor, "The pony has now ruined it."

"You're just making me feel worse." Puppy protested, glaring at the plants around her, "You know, now you think about it... did Princess Luna make the megaspells all sprout blue flowers on purpose?"

"I hope not. I still have a tiny spark of respect for her." Dust snarked as they entered through the main doors and the vast entrance hall stretched before them. The banners of the dragon over sands that symbolized Remicon's family still fluttered along the walls, the statues of two of the great zebra flanking the central path still picked out in amazing detail and the other four not looking bad considering, "Wow, this place really is tough."

"Those two statues at the end, they're the oldest. Zephyr and Zenophilious." Remicon mentioned softly, "Both they and these walls were created with stone from Philidios's city, and are famous for never having cracked or weathered."

Easu gave a knowing nod, "Of course. Philidious's city was reinforced with time spells. Remember Zenai found an Academy of Science expedition down there? Zenospira likely engineered his time magic from the samples sent up from there, the same stone used to build this palace."

Remicon gave them a look of awestruck respect, "You have walked his city?"

"We did." Dust Kicker acknowledged, face grim from the memories, "There's still a entrance at the side of the mountain. Two in fact."

"Star Swirl and Midnight Dreamer killed Philidious himself." Puppy noted, though with an air of resignment in her voice, "He had gone mad, trapped down there."

"That is... impressive." Invictus replied with a slight shake in his voice.

"A lot has happened while you've been trapped here." Fluttershy answered, feeling just a tiny bit of a thrill at being able to reintroduce them back into the world after all this time. For a moment she didn't feel quite so alone, having zebra from the same world as her being thrown into the future as she was, "The world really did survive, and there’s still so much of it to see."

Invictus shared a look with Myrtis before his head rose, his body straightening out slightly, "I look forward to seeing it."

After all that had happened Dust had recommend they all took the time to get some much needed rest, a recommendation Fluttershy was only too happy to take. With everything that had happened she was asleep before her head even hit the pillow, collapsing into a bed softer than anything she had lain on in years.

She had strange dreams. She was standing into Rarity's apartment, the bedsheets all blown off by the wind to stream past her and into the open skies beyond. She looked back at the bed, seeing Rarity standing there, vulnerable and scared. Rarity briefly began to mouth something before she too was taken by the wind, her fluttering form disappearing into the night.

She looked out beyond the balcony, staring over the vast expanse of the zebra territories. Megaspells rained down, exploding into fierce, rainbow colored fireballs. She heard Luna laugh above, looking up and seeing nothing but a vast blue moon hovering...

Then the scene changed so suddenly her mind actually had to pause a moment to process it. She was... standing on the ground now, among tall, black shards of obsidian, shaped like the bones of some great beast. They were arranged like a city of some kind, the shards arranged together like the walls of twisted buildings.

Bones lay all around, bleached and white like the alicorn staring at her from across the street.

"Where have you been? What did you do to the moon!?"

She blinked furiously, looking at the alicorn. She couldn't focus, half in and half out of dreaming. It wasn't Celestia, though... the similarities were there. This alicorn was more grey than white however, her long blue and pink mane hanging limp and wet across a muscular body that didn't look like it held a ounce of body fat. And the feeling... cold, angry, a sense... of betrayal and malice... Fluttershy opened her mouth, trying to talk to the creature, "I don't understand, who are you?"

The alicorn circled her, always staying just on the edge of vision, "You should have stayed away. You've ruined everything, you know that?"

"What...?"

"I have to fix your mess! Kill innocent creatures, because once again you had to screw everything up!"

Fluttershy fell to her knees, suddenly hit by waves of pure despair. She sunk down, terrifed and confused, her muzzle settling into the ashes as she felt the fires rise up around her. She shook, gasped...

"Hey! What are you doing!?"

The alicorn turned as the clear, sharp voice echoed across the field of ashes, that voice driving the fire away with a burst of cooling air. The alicorn gave a slow growl of annoyance before speaking in reply, tone grim and threatening, "This isn't your concern Puppy..."

"Because I can fight back?!"

The alicorn glared silently for a moment before giving a soft snort and turning away, her form fading into the blackness beyond. Fluttershy watched her go before turning her head, looking up at another young alicorn as she approached. It did not take Fluttershy long to note the shock of golden hair and the smooth pink fur, even with the wings sprouting from her sides, "Puppy?"

"Don't worry Fluttershy, I'm gonna watch over you tonight." She sounded unexpectedly serious, Fluttershy having never heard the mare sound quite so... grim and angry before. Her eyes looked tired and deeply troubled too, Fluttershy just about to ask when the mare's expression melted into a smile and she nodded at the horizon, "Look, they're ready to join you!"

Fluttershy looked around, seeing a flock of winged sheep standing in the field, fluffy and adorable. They baaed cheerfully at her and Fluttershy couldn't help the feeling of purpose and elation that took hold of her. She firmed her sides, opened her wings and galloped forward, the sheep singing their encouragement as she leaped upwards and soared, leaving the world far behind.

It was the best dream she ever had.

She awoke, feeling more rested than she had in years. Boosted by half remembered memories of fluffy coats and beautiful skies she set to washing and dressing, finding a set of gorgeous zebra dresses in the wardrobe. They seemed a little small for her at first but they clasped up very easily, Fluttershy moving up to the mirror and noting just how slim she had gotten. She guessed she really had fallen out of shape over the last few years, eying her new silhouette with enthusiasm before finally buttoning up a modest green number and leaving in search of the others.

She moved past ever burning braziers, staring out of the windows into a beautiful landscape of blue. It unfortunately was still night time, still she assured herself that Puppy would deal with that soon enough. Indeed she could hear the sound of activity just down the hall, moving towards an open door just ahead.

She moved into the chamber, looking to be some sort of control room. It fit in rather oddly, the elegant wooden walls and floor clashing somewhat with the consoles, holographic projectors and monitors stretching out everywhere. The two ghosts were both currently at the controls, Fluttershy spotting Ace Gold's legs sticking out from under an opened console. She stepped forward and lightly cleared her throat, speaking as they turned to her, "Good morning everyone."

"Good morning lady Flutterzhy... Fluttershy." Myrtis greeted her, sounding cheerful, "I hope you zlept well."

"I did, thank you." She looked around the room, "What is this place?"

"It links up to all the city's systems, giving you access to sensor readings and status reports." Invictus stated with a note of annoyance, not looking away from the console, "As you might imagine, getting it operational is of vital importance."

Fluttershy nodded, "Searching the city by hoof would take quite a while."

"I am more worried about patrolling the city." Invictus replied, turning his head to her, "Any day now, groups of zebra will be making their way here. We must have some way to monitor them when that happens."

"Is the city's grid even functional?"

"The hardlines should be fine." Ace declared from under the cabinets, scooting himself out and rolling back onto his hooves, "They were built into the rock, designed to take a beating. The actual tech they're interfacing with... maybe not, but once we're up and running we'll be able to get some status reports and find out exactly what's broken and why."

She looked up at the lights, "I've noticed we've got power back."

"Actually, out of the cities' six generators, two are reporting full functionality, and a third minor damage. They made things to last here." Ace noted with a respectful tone, "We shut them down anyway, just in case. We're currently running on a straightforward energy cell generator under the palace."

"Your boy iz a geniuz." Murtis noted with cheer, "And a blind engineer! Hehe!"

Ace gave an uncomfortable look, turning away from them all, "It actually makes things easier. I don't know the first thing about zebra tech, but looking at the flow of magic makes it all very logical. I actually feel quite privileged, this stuff is far more advanced than Equestrian designs."

"Heeh... I only wizh Jessa waz here, or Adisa..." Myrtis explained with a gentle sadness, "We know something of zecurity zistems, but we are no engineerz."

Fluttershy gave a nod of grim acknowledgement. It was a terrible thing indeed, that they would lose the entire science team just as they were faced with a whole city that needed fixing, "Hopefully the zebra that come up to investigate will include a few engineers."

Invictus grunted, "Well that presents its own problems."

Fluttershy smiled at this, now that was something she could do something about, "I'm not a ministry head anymore you know?"

Invictus turned, regarding her with his faceless mask, "What are you now then?"

"An ambassador." She declared proudly, already planning it out in her head, "Down in the Mutum valley is a city, Clendal, ruled by a king who seems to speak with great authority. And he's allied with the merchant lords of Saddle Arabia, and the High Shaman of Garm Tandia. And then there's a religious leader, Caesar of the East, who seems to hold great respect from every zebra up this end of the country."

"It makes sense to seek allies to defend this place, though you should really speak with Lord Caesar." Invictus acknowledged, turning back to the monitor, "We shall continue here in the meantime, attempt to get at least perimeter sensors up and running."

"Yes, that is a good idea." Fluttershy agreed, thinking that she should really talk to Remicon anyway, "Do you know where he is?"

Invictus made a quick search on the console before speaking, "He is talking with Sir Dust Kicker two floors just below."

"Thank you." She nodded with a warm smile, "I will head there at once."

"Wait." Ace Gold raised a hoof, looking worried, "Can... I talk to you in private?

"Of course Ace." She swiftly answered, motioning for him to follow her as they walked back out into the corridor and finding a isolated corner. That done she focused her full attention on the buck. He seemed worried, and Ace was rarely so open in his emotions, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is... wrong." He started hesitantly, sighing a little, "Puppysmiles says that she can fix my eyes."

"She can?" Fluttershy was rather struck by this. 'Fix' them? The latest medical science couldn't do a thing, yet Puppy could so easily make a statement like that? "Why has she never mentioned this before?"

He looked really worried now, avoiding her gaze, "She has to be... inside me. Possessing me for a time."

Fluttershy turned away, trying to bury her true expression a she wrestled with her feelings. Finally she spoke the simple facts, "That's dangerous for both of you Ace."

"Well... she's already done it."

Fluttershy turned, eyes darting across Ace for signs of demonic possession, "What?!"

"After her stone was destroyed, she and Selene fled into my body. Selene is still there, asleep and dormant, along with a husk of Puppysmiles." He shrugged his shoulders, trying to look indifferent, "Puppy said that she needs to take Selene back and remove... herself, but asked if I wanted to have my eyes repaired first. Apparently she fixed my eyes in a previous time line, so she knows she can do it."

Fluttershy sighed. She could understand, knew that Puppy didn't have much choice in the matter. Not that she was happy about it... but things had worked out at least, "So what’s worrying you Ace?"

He sighed, pursing his lips in indecision. Finally he spoke after a long pause, "This is me now, the blind warrior. It's... the pony I've become."

Fluttershy smiled, she understood that too. That sense of identity, of owning your weaknesses and drawing strength from them, "You have learned a lot Ace, you're stronger than you've ever been. But you would still be strong with your sight back."

"Yeah..." He sighed, "Change is scary, you know?"

"As long as Puppy is confident there will be no side effects." Fluttershy felt her fur prick up a little, unable to restrain her worry, "Selene is inside you? Can you... feel her?"

"Puppy said she's confident Selene is dormant. She said..." Ace grimaced a bit, "...she said she didn't trust me not to... hurt her if she was awake."

Fluttershy couldn't help smiling, "Okay... well, I admire her concern for her friend, but I'm sure you can play nice with the young lady Ace."

"Eeeh... she's messing with me." His expression dropped, his posture looking a bit deflated, "But she said I was the most difficult host she ever had... including Princess Luna."

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes, "Difficult how?"

He glared at her, his tone defensive, "She said I was reckless, insecure... angry all the time... don't laugh!"

Fluttershy clamped her muzzle shut with a hoof. To be honest she had never thought of it that way before, but she guessed Ace would be a challenging stallion to possess. After she felt she had recovered enough she gingerly removed her hoof, facing down that angry little scowl, "Well... she amplifies emotions doesn't she? You are already pretty..."

"Emotional?" He sniffed, looking away, "I killed Arick Grimfeathers."

Fluttershy felt her heart skip a beat, "What?!"

Ace nodded grimly, "I know he was a... horrible griffon, and that he tried to kill us. But I... he didn't even have a weapon."

Fluttershy reached out a hoof, "Ace..."

"No." He backed away, shaking his head, "I don't want to be patronized, I don't... just don't know anymore Fluttershy." Ace sighed deeply, voice dropping in tone, "He was a bad griffon, but I feel bad for doing it. And there's more. While you were gone I tried to lead the team, tried to help... but all I really did was insult them, make bad decisions and get everypony captured."

Fluttershy withdrew back, chastising herself for trying to treat him like a child. These were serious questions, and she had to treat them seriously, "Ace, when I first started adventuring I was the biggest liability you could imagine. It took me decades of... screwing up before I felt worthy of my role."

He scowled, "So I'm young, and expected to screw up?"

"Yes." She stated with a smile, nodding softly to him, "Ace, you do the best you can with the information you have at the time. You still have so much to learn, and no matter how good you are you will never be prepared for every situation. So expect to have regrets, and expect that things will not always turn out like you hope."

He mulled this over for several long moments before finally taking a deep, calming breath and giving her a remorseful look, "I get that Puppy is trying to wind me up as revenge for giving her a hard time. But... she's right, I am angry, and envious, and bitter. And if a star demon possessed me I'd likely be a demon twice as evil as Nightmare Moon at her worse."

Fluttershy grinned, "That's a little bit of a..."

"I love you Fluttershy. And I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me."

Fluttershy paused now, looking down at his determined face for a moment before opening up in a warm smile, "I know Ace."

"But I never say it!" He angrily declared, lip curling, "I spend so much time talking about the ponies I hate, never even bothering to thank the ponies I... owe something too." He paused, mulling something over for several seconds before finally speaking again, quieter this time, "Arick... he blamed everything on his mother. He couldn't take responsibility for his own failings."

Fluttershy didn't want to say it... "Ace..."

"I... can't forgive her. But I want to." Ace stated firmly, "No matter my own thoughts on her actions, blaming my mother is just avoiding responsibility. I need to let go of the past, I need to let go of my anger... and I need to start being a little bit more like you, and a little bit less like Arick."

She gave a broad smile, "I'm proud of you Ace."

"I haven't done anything yet." He grumpily reminded her, "So be sure to give me a kick up the rear if I start backsliding ok?"

She grinned at him, "It's the least I can do Ace."

"Right..." His head angled to the side for a moment as he frowned to himself, eventually replacing it with a somewhat forced smile in her direction, "We'll we've both got things to do."

"Yes." She nodded encouragingly, "Good luck with the repairs!"

She followed their directions best she could, wishing the palace was better signposted after a few false turns and confused walking in circles. Still she eventually found her way down the stairs, hearing Dust's voice and following it through the corridors. She soon saw him just ahead, walking alongside Remicon, "Dust Kicker, Remicon!"

They both turned, Dust smiling broadly, "Good morning Fluttershy... or at least I think it is." He shrugged, "Puppy hasn't quite figured out our moon problem yet."

Fluttershy had noticed, "Is it a problem?"

"Young Puppysmiles assures us that someone will be able to fix it eventually." Remicon answered, his voice already having recovered a lot of it's old strength, "It's already started to retreat back to it's usual location."

Fluttershy felt bad leaving it for others to sort out, but their options were somewhat limited at the moment, "So what were you two discussing, before I so rudely interupted you?"

"My tendency to break my equipment." Dust answered with a long suffering grin, "We managed to retrieve some of our gear from the tower, but I'm still lacking armor or rifle."

Remicon nodded, "We have plenty of equipment stored within the palace. I offered him a chance to resupply."

Fluttershy beamed at him, having been worried the others might find his true identity uncomfortable to deal with. Looks like he was already winning them over, "Thank you Remicon!"

"It's doing little sitting around here." He waved a skinny hoof before continuing on, "Come."

He led them further on and through a barracks area, opening up a reinforced door and leading them into a large store room containing many full length safes. He moved over to one and placed his hoof on a metal plate, resulting in a quick crackle of magic and a thunk of moving metal as the safe door slowly swung open.

Dust let out a little breath at the sight in front of him, a standard of craftsmanship that Fluttershy had rarely seen before the war and was definitely a rarity now. It was perfectly preserved, suspended and open within its harness, seeming ready and waiting for is long dead owner to strap it on and head out to battle. A zebra elite uniform, the sleek black bulletproof bodysuit was layered with elegantly carved and embossed ceramic plates, red silk lining running around the neck and across the flank. Dust immediately moved forward to inspect it, running his eyes over the armor with awe, "I've never seen a whole bodysuit made out of steelknit, normally you only find it around the joints. And layered with zebra steel laced plastics? This could stop a fifty cal to the chest!" His eyes then travelled over to the rifle beside, "Wow... this... custom forged, based on the .44 plainswaker rifle by the looks of it. Higher quality woodwork throughout, a new ignition chamber and spring, a custom crafted top of the line scope..."

Fluttershy chuckled, "You like it then?"

"This... this is the Strider. The weapon of Pinous Aralelous." Dust commented with a reverencal air.

Remicon gave a look of suprise, "You know of him?"

Dust grinned at him, "A few things. I spent a lot of time down near Shattered Ridge, they still talk about him there. He repulsed the Third Fillydelphian Rangers with just twenty men, some of the ponies still worship him as a god of death."

Caesar nodded, his eyes clouding over, "This is his armor. He was named to the praetorians for his service, we presented him with this armor personally."

Dust looked back at him, "And why are you showing it to me?"

Caesar bowed his head, "Because you have no armor to wear, and Pinas Aralelous was a similar size to you."

"I... well, I'm not sure what to say." Dust picked up the rifle in his hooves, carefully suspended there as he looked down the barrel, "This is the weapon of a praetorian."

"You have defended the dragon's throne, and liberated our sacred city." Remicon pointed out, eyes firm and assured, "You are all worthy of that distinction."

Fluttershy felt it was time to speak up, "Dust, take it. It's a fine armor and rifle, and we're going to need all the advantages we can get."

"It's not that simple." He protested, looking troubled for a moment before turning to her with a smile, "I'm not going to sully the armor of another warrior. If I wear this, it will be as a praetorian. I'll be making a vow, a commitment. Been a long time since I made one of those."

Fluttershy thought he was being silly, "To who?"

"To the zebra." He nodded to Fluttershy, "To you."

"Nothing would make me happier Sir Dust." Remicon responded, bowing his head, "That you would defend my zebra alongside Fluttershy."

"Wait... to me? I'm not a Caesar Dust Kicker. I'm not even a zebra." Fluttershy started, feeling rather embarrassed by the idea, “You can’t be a praetorian guard to me, that’s silly.”

"You were the only one who spoke out against the war." Remicorn argued, "Do you still speak out against conflict?"

Fluttershy chewed her lip for a moment before deciding to stop being so grumpy. This was too important to let her reticence get in the way, "Yes. And... well, with Caesar's curse down, it's more important than ever."

Dust grunted in frustration, "Damn, I had forgotten about that. Well... that didn't go as planned."

"No, but we can still fix it." Fluttershy stated firmly, refusing to let it get her down, "We need to find out what's going on down there, start making friends. We do what we came here for in the first place, we get an alliance working between the zebra and Equestria."

"And you will need a bodyguard." Remicon finished, looking across at Dust Kicker.

"Sorry Fluttershy, not giving you a choice here." Dust commented with a grin, standing up straight and looking directly at her, "As of now, I'm officially giving up my title as mercenary. From now on I will fight for the protection of the zebra, and for their representative within the NCR. My life, I pledge to Lady Fluttershy, until she relieves me of my burden."

Fluttershy almost rolled her eyes, but eventually she swallowed it and gave him a smile, "Ok... but shame on you Dust, by your wording there you bound me too. I now have to work to protect the zebra, or you have to... commit ritual suicide or something."

"Well I pretty much made that up." Dust admitted with a chuckle, turning to Remicon, "So I'm sure it's not really remotely valid..."

"It is a vow." Remicon replied, smiling back at him, "So it is as binding as your honor is of worth to you, the same as any other."

"Heh, really." Dust grinned, then looked to Fluttershy, "So what do you say Fluttershy? Are we going to be lady and knight?"

"It does make sense." She finally accepted, smiling across at him, "But you're a fine diplomat yourself Dust Kicker. After all you're the one that killed Zenospira, freeing the capital of the zebra from his dark magic."

"It was Adisa who shut him down." Dust pointed out, "If I'm going to be a praised for it, it will be for helping him save the world from that bastard."

"I am glad you do not hate us."

Dust turned to Remicon at his words, frowning angrily, "Why would I? For fighting for what you believed in? For losing your way in pursuit of a better world?" He shook his head, "It's long since time to accept the truth, that we've all learned a little humility."

"The zebra are very much respected in the NCR." Fluttershy assured him, though she felt a twinge of sadness as she did, "The element of magic that belonged to Twilight Sparkle? It was eventually found by a zebra, she led the other elements and became our greatest hero!"

"Second greatest." Dust commented with a smirk, "Maybe."

"I am glad." Remicon's brow furrowed, "And what of the ponies in our own lands?"

"Mmm..." Fluttershy paused to consider how to approach this.

"Complicated." Dust answered for her, "The Equestrian army forces that were here when the megaspells fell... well they weren't the best neighbors."

"Didn't the Enclave attack the zebra lands too?" Fluttershy questioned.

"Occupied it I hear." Dust answered before giving Remicon an embarrassed shrug, "So in short... trust might be a little harder to find. But I'm still confident, during my time here I've seen how distrust can be overcome with enough effort."

"I am glad." Remicon smiled softly, "My zebra... they may seem reluctant, but they are gentler than you might think. A hard front conceals their true hearts."

"We're gonna make this right." Dust stated firmly, "Trust us on that."

Remicon smiled warmly, then turned to Fluttershy, "And you will need a weapon too."
"I..." Fluttershy almost protested, but she hadn't seen her shotgun since her capture, "I guess so."

He moved over to a set of drawers, unlocking one and scooping out an intimidating looking rifle. Fluttershy froze at the sight of it, not wanting to seem ungrateful but unable to stop a touch of doubt from spreading across her face as she inspected the weapon. It appeared to be a shotgun like the one she was using, but this was... evil looking. Pitch black except for the green glow from the dozens of coolant wires running down its surface, it was sleek and incredibly dangerous looking, "That's... I'm not sure it would work with my image."

"You could paint it yellow." Dust Kicker pointed out.

"It's actually... this should be perfect for you. I considered giving it to you when I first saw you arrive." Remicon nervously declared, making Fluttershy rather confused.

He looked at this and thought of her? It was... black and scary. Really scary.

"This actually looks like an energy weapon." Dust Kicker noted, "Those lines are mana channels, and those blocks on the side, they're fetishes aren't they?"

"In a way, though it fires physical shells." Remicon explained, "But by activating those fetishes you can apply specific effects to the shells. This one for instance allows you to stun an enemy without directly harming them, this one fires obscuring smoke and this one provides the standard flaming rounds in a wide spread."

"This is a very impressive weapon." Dust looked it over with a look of deep respect, "It must have cost a fortune to make."

"It did. It served more as a concept than a practical weapon, and you have to be able to channel magic to use it." He offered it across to Fluttershy, bowing his head, "As such, it may help you in your training Fluttershy. I am told you are exploring your zebra talents."

She took a deep breath and took it from him, surprised at how heavy it was. Still he was right about the magic, she already felt it flow, "How do I work it?"

"I am not a shaman." He answered, "But reach out, find the fetish you want."

Fluttershy had no idea what she was doing, but she considered her stare and wind walk. It was a question of letting the rest of the world fade out for a moment, focus on exactly what you wanted to do.

And she felt it. Three in a row, throbbing in a different sequence. She reached out for one, grabbing hold of it. It was hot, Fluttershy figuring it was the flame enchantment. She wondered how she was supposed to activate it, seeing connections but... ungh, they moved, but it was impossible to line them up! It was like... knitting with her eyelashes, "This is... impossible..."

"That's why they call it training Flutters." Dust noted with a chuckle, "You'll have plenty of time to get the hang of it."

She sighed and reluctantly accepted that, realizing that she had already improved much faster than she had any right to, "Thank you Remicon."

"No thanks is needed. Indeed I am pained to say that I have to ask another task of you."

She turned, smiling at the sorry looking zebra, "Anything."

Remicon nodded gratefully, "We are open to the world once more, and I have no doubt many wish to sit upon the Dragon Throne. Nothing would break my heart faster than for the zebra to war against each other once again."

Fluttershy grinned, "I was thinking about that actually. I'm intending to go down there once we're ready, gather allies to protect this place and hopefully unite the zebra in peace."

Remicon smiled gratefully, "Then we are of the same mind."

"Fluttershy... I have a favor to ask myself." Dust started hesitantly, sighing and trailing off after a moment, "...no, don't worry. You've enough on your plate."

Fluttershy frowned at him, did he really think she could leave it alone after that? "What is it Dust Kicker?"

He took a deep breath, looking defeated, "I feel useless even bringing it up. It should be my responsibility, but I'm getting nowhere."

"Dust Kicker, please." She nodded at him, smiling gently, "You can tell me anything."

He smiled back, then finally relented, "It's Puppy. She's... acting very erratic, and I don't know why. She lost her temper pretty badly at Ace Gold this morning, and has been shut up in the palace laboratories ever since. I'm worried about her, especially after... everything that's happened. I mean... I see why she did it, but that body... it just plain gives me the creeps."

Fluttershy noted his concern. Puppy actions had been understandable in her eyes, but she saw why others might find her use of a corpse worrying, "Have you spoken to her?"

Dust sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "She told me to go away and leave her alone. This isn't like her Fluttershy, and I'm... a little freaked out."

She sighed. Puppy had been through a lot, and a bit of emotional turbulence was to be expected. Still that was just more reason to intervene, "I'll go talk to her."

"Thank you." Dust stated with a smile, before it dimmed a little, "And uh... be careful."

Fluttershy stepped into the lab, a rather haphazard affair that looked like it had been assembled in a hurry. It was in full swing, several plant samples sitting inside the scanners, computers at the fair end processing data, a chemistry set bubbling away as it did something scientific. Puppysmiles was busy staring into a microscope, her horn gently glowing.

She looked terrible. The body she was in was clearly starting to decompose now, not remotely a pretty sight, "Puppysmiles, may I come in?"

She looked up, seeming hesitant for a moment at the request. Finally she nodded wordlessly, turning away and looking rather embarrassed at the interruption.

Fluttershy silently padded over, waiting to see if she would speak. When it became obvious she wasn't going to initiate Fluttershy finally decided to start, "I'm willing to listen, if you want to talk about what's happened over the last couple of days."

"I don't have time." She replied, seeming more depressed in her tone than dismissive or angry, "There's so much to do here before we leave."

"You... could stay?" Fluttershy thought that might have sounded bad, deciding to clarify, "Not that we don't need you, but Remicon could certainly use your help."

Puppysmiles hesitated at this question for a little while before shaking her head, "I'm a demon pony in a corpse. What Zebra wants me in their capital city?"

"You saved it Puppy."

"I didn't save anything." She delivered the words plainly, then seemed to regret them. It was a couple of seconds before she spoke again, "There were three hundred and eighty seven lives in that tower. I saved nine of them."

Fluttershy admitted it must have been pretty traumatic for Puppy, she knew them better than any of the others save the two ghosts, "It's not your fault Puppy. All those Zebra, they... they died a very long time ago."

"They didn't have to." Puppy replied bitterly, "If I had been smarter, if I had been more careful... I might have been able to control the collapse of the time dilation field, might have been able to shut down Zenospira without destroying the tower, might have been able to neutralize those megaspells before they hit the city..."

"Puppy!" Fluttershy cut her off swiftly, the mare getting a little manic, "That's a lot of if's. You were under pressure the whole way, and that was technology nopony really understood."

"I could have done it." She finished, turning away, "They didn't have to die."

"Puppy..." Fluttershy moved forward and hugged the mare, Puppy going rigid under her grasp. She wigged slightly and Fluttershy released some of the pressure, noting that she looked very uncomfortable, "I'm sorry, I..."

"Fluttershy, you don't have to..." She sounded embarrassed, lightly pushing against Fluttershy's grasp, "I'm... icky."

"You're wonderful." She reassured, before hugging tighter. It was no worse than hugging a ghoul, and she made a point of that, "Puppy... without you, we'd all be dead and Zenospira would be laughing."

Puppy gave a soft smile, then gently moved out of her grasp. Fluttershy let her go, silently watching her as the mare placed two hooves upon a worktop and slowly began to speak, "Fluttershy... this body isn't going to hold together much longer."

Fluttershy nodded, "I noticed. Do you have a plan to fix it?"

"No." She gave a pained look, "It's going to fall apart, and without a shard of Star Metal I can't exist outside of organic matter."

Fluttershy pursed her lips, not quite sure how to answer that one. The answer was obvious, but hardly ideal, "Well... if one of us agreed we could... I mean it worked with Star Swirl..."

"No, it didn't!" Puppy suddenly shouted, Fluttershy taking a step back as the mare slammed a hoof down on the floor. She wasn't aware Puppy could shout, or stomp around in a rage like she was now. It was honestly rather scary, Puppy's magic flashing in a slightly sinister way as it sparked in reflex, "I was inside Ace Gold for a day and it was terrible! I felt so angry, so justified, I wanted to just... let loose! And I did! I... I... lost control... more than once... I'm only glad he doesn't remember. I wish I didn't..."

The mare's voice faded out, Fluttershy sighing. Puppy hadn't been just playing around when she told Ace how difficult he was as a host. She certainly seemed to have inherited some of his bad habits, his temper most of all, "Nopony is judging you Puppy."

"You should." She bluntly answered, "You know, I considered leaving that shard of myself inside Ace Gold. It would have been the perfect weapon, I would have been able to control him at will. And power, let me tell you, he was well named. I was unstoppable when we were combined together, I tore down a vault door with nothing but my telekinesis! And... I loved it."

Fluttershy shook her head, reassured that that was the worst temptation she could come up with, "Power tempts everypony."

Puppy pouted, staring angrily at Fluttershy, "I've worked out how to corrupt others through dreams too. I bond with their sleeping selves, then grow myself within their bodies. I don't even have to be on the same continent as them! I did it to Arisa, I took over his thoughts, got him to prepare this body for me!"

Fluttershy blinked. That sounded useful... but then she reminded herself that it had been a power Nightmare Moon had herself possessed, and had used to corrupt Rarity in a very similar process. It made sense that Puppy would possess it too, "Could you find... Red Eye?"

"No..." Puppysmiles expressed with regret, "I don't even know what he really looks like. But I could corrupt Regina, take over the NCR. Destroy the world, eternal darkness, all that."

Fluttershy sighed, "'Could' means very little Puppy."

"But..." She looked away, sighing, "...the idea of what I am, what I could be. It's scary, and I don't know how to deal with it."

Another thing she inherited from Ace Gold, "I'm glad you're asking these questions Puppy. It shows you're maturing, exploring the consequences of your actions." She smiled, patting a hoof against her breast, "In this world of such destructive technology, any pony could kill thousands if they really put their mind to it. If we're going to survive as a species, we have to be asking ourselves these questions."

"I'm not a pony." She looked across at Fluttershy with soulful eyes, her body quivering, "I'm a monster."

Fluttershy glared at her. Really, after everything she had been through? "You are no such thing."

Puppy looked away, then turned her eyes back to Fluttershy, "Would you... come with me somewhere?"

Fluttershy saw the hesitation there, and the feeling behind it. This was very important to her, but not something she asked lightly, "Of course. Where do you want to go?"

"It's inside the city, just a short walk away." She answered with some hesitation, notiably avoiding eye contact, "It's dangerous to go on my own, but... I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the others."

Fluttershy trusted her, still she felt compelled to dig a little harder, "Why not?"

"I like being Puppysmiles with them." She explained, turning to Fluttershy and giving her a broad, sweet and enthusiastic smile... that quickly melted away as her broken expression returned, "I trust you... to keep a secret."

Fluttershy wanted to make a speech about how she shouldn't be afraid to express weakness in front of her friends... but that would be hypocritical, "Ok Puppy, I'm on board."

She smiled, softer this time, "Thank you... now?"

Fluttershy nodded, "No time like the present."

Fluttershy kept her eyes open and her mind focused as they made their way through the streets, fully aware that they were now surrounded by strange, newly born, and totally unknown life. She was eager for a chance to meet it, still she couldn't discount the spell simply producing monsters only waiting for a chance to eat them.

Puppy walked ahead, an occasional flash from her horn lighting the way. The moon still hung large above and gave more than enough light, still it tended to leave a few too many shadows on their path for comfort. Their journey was wordless, whether by caution or preoccupation Fluttershy couldn't say. She didn't initiate, simply leaving Puppy to her thoughts.

Finally they arrived, a large manor house standing among the plantlife. It was old and traditional looking, the family's symbol of a flying fish leaping over a stylized depiction of wind prominent. Puppy paused briefly before advancing, Fluttershy following.

Puppy pushed the door open, the shattered timbers drifting inwards. They had been broken at the lock, Fluttershy observing the shards scattered across the marble floors, "Something forced their way inside."

"Likely Zenospira's bots." Puppy answered, moving inside and scanning the lobby. It looked like some zebra had made a barricade of furniture across the middle, several sections broken and thrown aside.

Fluttershy observed the damage, thinking that didn't really fit with what they had seen before. Xenospira's bots had melted locks open with energy weapons and tidied up after themselves, neither of which had happened here, "What are we looking for?"

"I don't know." Puppy replied sadly, before picking her head up and moving towards one of the doors. She gave it a shove and it opened, moving forward into what looked like a living room. It was elegantly furnished with what looked like traditional zebra crafts, expensive and comfortable but not ostentatious. The fanciest thing here in fact was a large portrait hung on the wall, depicting five noble looking zebra standing together in a family portrait. A father, mother, two girls and a boy, Fluttershy's eyes draw to one of the girls. She was clearly the elder, about sixteen maybe with a firm expression and a book clasped to her chest with one hoof. Fluttershy looked to the mother for a moment to confirm the resemblance before looking across to Puppy, "Is that Jessa?"

"It must be." Puppy stated after a moment's pause, "She had a younger sister and two younger brothers. Her mother died during the war, killed in an Equestrian bombing raid. She was a doctor."

Fluttershy looked, noting the silver clasp of an academy healer upon the mothers' shoulder, "Puppy, she saved us all. I'll always be grateful to her, and Adisa too."

"You didn't know them." Puppy stated, not sounding angry, just... depressed, "I shared his memories, I occupied his body, he fought beside me to save everyone. And now... it just feels like a big hole."

Fluttershy knew the feeling, and that there was no easy answer, "I understand Puppy."

"No, you don't." Puppy stated glumly, already moving for the door, "Let's keep exploring."

The house became increasingly eerie the longer they searched, mostly untouched but scattered with small elements of wrongness that slowly mounted up. The gun cabinets was unlocked, swinging on its hinges. A bloodstain expanded across the kitchen table. A map of the city marked with strange symbols lay across the living room floor.

They made their way upstairs, Puppy having barely said a word for a good few minutes. She just slowly and robotically searched, seeming to be looking for something but unable to tell Fluttershy what it was. They moved into a long corridor and opened the first door, looking inside at a large bedroom dominated by a double bed and decorated in rich and intimidating looking brown and black color scheme. Puppy browsed a bookcase full of complicated looking political texts as Fluttershy looted a cabinet full of drugs, several of which Fluttershy was taking herself. Puppy obviously didn't find was she was looking for here either, moving on after only a short look around and moving to the next room.

They opened the door, Fluttershy instantly struck by how immaculate it was. It was helped by the very restrained decor, all light browns and grays, clearly the room of someone who lacked a taste for color. A large bookcase heaving with technical manuals and adventure stories took up most of one wall, Fluttershy also noting dozens of sealed, mint condition comic books on the bottom shelf. A portrait of a zebra dreadnaught was proudly displayed on the other wall, next to a desk featuring a top of the line computer system. A few pens and a highlighter were neatly placed away in a glass jar, "I might be wrong... but doesn't this look like the room of a scientist?."

Puppy nodded and moved inside, walking over to a drawer and pulling it open, "Hmm, empty."

Fluttershy moved inside, opening the wardrobe and noting just some formalwear in a slightly immature style for a zebra of Jessa's age, "Whoever's room this is, I don't think they spent much time here."

Puppy had booted up the computer, looking through it for a few short moments before her expression soured, "The most recent file here is a photo of some zebra boyband from years before the war."

"Well... she lived in the tower didn't she?" Fluttershy commented, reminded rather intensely of Twilight's house... any of them. Fluttershy was aware that Twilight had owned at least three, and that all of them looked like warehouse showrooms. Her mind found itself wandering back to Rainbow Dash's house, covered in trophies, pretty much always a mess, constantly bustling with her army of 'staff' which as far as Fluttershy could tell were simply old friends that Rainbow Dash paid to keep out of trouble. Her kids running about, Storm Rider constantly panicking over every tiny detail, Glory Wing looking for new and exciting ways to cause trouble...

"Fluttershy?"

She looked round, spotting Puppy at the door, "Huh, what?"

"I'm..." She pointed with her hoof, "I'm going to keep exploring."

She blushed, then hurried after her, "Sorry, I was daydreaming."

"What about?"

"Before..." She looked around, feeling her heart fall as the memories returned, "It all feels so cold and lonely here. There's... distance."

Puppy looked round, confused, "Distance?"

Fluttershy didn't know how to describe it. Maybe she was just imagining things, "Let's continue searching."

"Ok... let's try... woah!" She opened another door, her eyes opening in shock. She grinned as she trotted inside, her voice rising for the first time since they had set out, "I want this room!"

Fluttershy came in after her, taking a little gasp of horror as she did. The place was a mess, the bed haphazardly pushed to the side to make way for two big desks, one covered in clay, sculpting supplies and paint, the other groaning under books, paper and a rather beat up and well used computer. Even the carpet underfoot was covered in paint... Fluttershy's heart quivering a little as she saw a shotgun discarded in the corner of the room, "This looks... more lived in."

"Oh..." Puppy paused, her smile dying on her face, "That... that's beautiful."

"Puppy, what... oh my." Fluttershy felt herself frozen in place as she paused before the items on the shelf, one in particular striking her instantly. It was a model of a zebra, wearing a labcoat and looking stern, her forehoof reaching out to clearly display the hoof mounted computer mounted there. She walked over, noticing that like all the other models on the shelf this one was placed on a sheet of paper bearing a name. She lent down to read it, quickly deciphering the rather elaborate writing, "Kajessa Nanjyu, Wonderkid of Science. At 34 Jessa is the youngest zebra to ever hold a senior position in the zebra academy of science. She is the inventor of the Hoofbuck 2000, the Zenorth portable reactor and the ESS National Defense Network, among many other achievements..." Fluttershy trailed off, looking away at the other models here. There were dozens of them, Fluttershy spotting Caesar, General Tactus...

"Splat."

"Puppy!" Fluttershy exclaimed, as the mare knocked one of the models off the shelf and stepped on it, breaking the head off with a crack, "That's very disrespectful!"

"Did you want to have a go?" She questioned, removing her hoof to reveal a tall skinny zebra in elaborate robes. She cleared her throat before announcing him, "This one... ahem, is Zenospira, High Scientist of the Empire! The single greatest scientist in the world, Zenospira has worked tireless to design and perfect the many great inventions..."

"Ok, ok, fair enough." Fluttershy waved her off, not wanting to think about him right now, "But no more, ok. These are... well these are art."

"Some creatures don't deserve art... this one is a pony!" She looked over, eyes widening, "Lightning Dust, Brave Defector! Horrified with the decadence and corruption of the pegasi, Lightning Dust bravely traveled to the empire to warn us of their intentions. Now having found love with Prince Nassar, she has done much to prepare our armies to resist their attacks!"

"That's... an absolute lie!" Fluttershy felt a little indignant now, especially since this struck so close to home, "She married Nassar before the war even started! Before the Empire was formed!"

Puppy smirked up at her, "So Equestria never stretched the truth any?"

Fluttershy huffed, that not really being the point, "Ugh... it still makes me so angry. And don't think I was fine with the lies that Equestria was putting out. I know how... awful we were." Her anger dimmed slightly as she looked at the model, taking a deep breath, "But they tried to write a lie that put her in a positive light at least. And it is a very good likeness, whoever made these was very talented."

"I've gotta learn how to do it. Make statues out of all of us!" She looked down the line, "They have a Ghost Operative!"

Fluttershy shivered slightly as she looked at it, body crouched dangerously, "The Ghosts, Secret Warriors of Justice."

"I like Invictus. He's a very justicy stallion." Puppy commented with a smile, "He reminds me of Dust Kicker a little."

Fluttershy accepted that, smiling back, "I guess so. Maybe I shouldn't judge all of them by first impressions."

"I wonder whose room this is." Puppy moved over to the computer, switching it on and quickly hacking through the password protection. It swiftly let her into the menu, Puppy happily darting between commands, "It's the computer of some zebra called... ModelPro. And... oh, she's got a log saved here!"

Fluttershy closed her eyes for a moment, feeling fear run through her body. She looked down at the shotgun, noticing... it had jammed, a shell still protruding from the chamber. And then she saw beside it, just behind the door... a bloodstain, "Does it date from after the bombs fell?"

"Yeah." Puppy reported, "There's a log for every day after, running for... three weeks and two days."

"Then they stop?"

"Yeah."

"Leave them be." She sighed, feeling a coward, "There'll be nothing good in them."

"Ok..." Puppy paused for a moment in uncertainty before continuing, hoof skimming across keys before... "Hey, there's a text conversation here, with... Jessa Nanjyu! Five days before the bombs dropped!"

Now that sounded more promising, "Let me see."

Puppy called it up with a key press, the words appearing on the screen.

............................

Jessa N :- Liadia, are you there?

ModelPro :- sis sis sis sis! HELLO!

Jessa N :- You are as bouncy as ever.

ModelPro :- I'm happy! Got lots of work done today.

Jessa N :- A new model?

ModelPro :- Legionnaire Darius, unbroken survivor! And new caesar model very cool.

Jessa N :- Darius will be honored to be included in the line I'm sure. I hear he's a fan.

ModelPro :- He's cool, and sexy!!!!

Jessa N :- Three exclamation points, oh my. Which reminds me, what of the task I asked of you before?

ModelPro :- Sexy reminds you?!! What are you doing up there sis!!!?

Jessa N :- Liadia dear, I am thirty four.

ModelPro :- What's it like??

Jessa N :- What is what like?

ModelPro :- With a downtown man! I've always wondered.

Jessa N :- I've already told you what he's like.

ModelPro :- But what is he like in the bedroom!!! Wait! You haven't done it in a dirty alley have you?! That would be so sexy!!

Jessa N :- You have thought about this, I can tell. And no, because he is just a normal zebra like any other.

ModelPro :- But he's from the streets isn't he?

Jessa N :- Liadia, he grew up in a house just like us. Slightly smaller than ours, true but

ModelPro :- but??

Jessa N :- He is unpretentious Adisa, and he appreciates what he has. Does that make you happy?

ModelPro :- Who wouldnt appricate you???

Jessa N :- Oh, far too many, believe me. That's one of the things I like about him. Other stallions I've been with, too many seem to be focused on their own performance, like it's some kind of competition. With Jedda for instance, I so often felt like I was just a prop to his own self indulgent masturbation. Adisa on the other hand, he simply wants to be with me, be close to me, love me in any way he can. It is very flattering, and very real.

ModelPro :- That is so hot!!!!

Jessa N :- Are you happy now?

ModelPro :- Can I borrow him?

Jessa N :- I'm afraid not. You will simply have to live vicariously through asking me inappropriate questions about my sex life.

ModelPro :- I just want to know you're happy sis. You've had two many worthless stallions in your life.

Jessa N :- That is true... and yes, thank you. I am very happy.

ModelPro :- They're in my desk drawer. I have them all ready.

Jessa N :- Thank you. I owe you a great deal for this Liadia.

ModelPro :- Dad is going to be furious.

Jessa N :- This will work out, believe me. Our father is stubborn true, but he respects family tradition. I will force him to meet this on my terms, and strangely enough I am confident he will get along famously with Adisa once he knows he has no other choice but to accept it.

ModelPro :- You really think a washing machine repair man is going to impress father?

Jessa N :- He is a polite and dutiful stallion, who respects his elders. Something I know our father has always wished I would be.

ModelPro :- You know I'm going to cry right? When are we doing this?

Jessa N :- We should not delay too long. I am aware that the war will force some sort of political response soon.

ModelPro :- Next week?

Jessa N :- Let me deal with the date. Xenospira wishes us all confined to the tower for the moment, and I confess I have not spoken about this to Adisa yet.

ModelPro :- He hasn't asked you?!

Jessa N :- I fear he would consider it presumptuous. But we are both adults, we will have a reasonable discussion about it. I am simply waiting for a good time to raise the subject.

ModelPro :- Oh dont start sis, I know procastination. Are you sweating on it sis?

Jessa N :- I admit, I am a little nervous. I feel I might be rushing him.

ModelPro :- Believe me, putting it off isn't going to help sis.

Jessa N :- Of course. Please, I will handle this.

ModelPro :- Promise?

Jessa N :- If you will promise me something in return.

ModelPro :- ?

Jessa N :- Keep them safe. No matter what happens. I will contact you again soon.

ModelPro :- Sure thing!

Jessa N :- Liadia. I love you. I love all of you.

ModelPro :- Aww, so sweet!

Jessa N :- I fear I do not say it enough. I am more like our father than I would wish. But however aloof I might sometimes seem, always believe that sister. Everything I do, I do to keep you safe and happy.

ModelPro :- You'll win the war for us soon sis, and then you'll be able to come home.

Jessa N :- I will do everything in my power. Stay safe Liadia, look after them for me.

Puppy stepped away from the monitor, eyes blinking slowly. Those blinks became more rapid as they went on, her face twisting in frustration. Fluttershy finally spoke up, worried there was something physically wrong with her, "Puppy, are you ok?"

"Yes..." She answered with a leaden bluntness, "...and that's what hurts."

Fluttershy turned her head, biting her lip before trying again, "I know you knew them better than we did..."

"Yes, I did." She grunted, the anger in her eyes growing, "Apart from Invitus and Myrtis, I'm the only one who can remember them. They saved you all, and you can't even morn them properly."

"Puppy..."

"And neither can I." Puppy's hoof drifted over to the drawer, linking with the handle and pulling it open with a crack as the lock snapped. Her eyes softened as she reached inside, taking out a silver torc lovingly inscribed with the house symbol. She placed it down on the top of the cabinet, reach back down for a second object. This was a silver headdress, the tiny blue gems hanging from it glittering as she held it up to the light, "They were planning to be married. They loved each other. It's sad."

"It is."

"I can't... feel sad. I don't know how." Puppy tensed, muscles bunching across her neck, "I can remember grief and remorse, but I... don't understand how to feel them. That's why I'm... a monster..."

Fluttershy's hackles rose at this, instantly stepping forward in offense, "You are not! You are... different. That's not..."

"I don't want to be different!" She pleaded, her voice rising in pitch, "I want it to hurt! I've... lost my parents, I've lost Zenai, and now them too! And... if I'm ever going to understand ponies, if I'm ever going to help them I have to know... pain, sorrow... regret... I HAVE TO!"

"Puppy!"

"I could destroy the world if I wanted to!" Puppy stomped a hoof onto the ground, spittle flying, "I'm NIGHTMARE MOON! And I don't even have the power to cry for my friends?!"

Fluttershy stared down at the mare before her, a strange feeling within her heart. This... was Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Rarity. The star demons, who had caused so much hate and torment.

But standing here now, Fluttershy knew that it would make every principle she held a lie not to help her now. That it would make her as bad as those who discriminated against the hellhounds, just because they were big and scary. That deep down...

Deep down they were all just another animal, trying to survive while retaining as much dignity as they could manage, "Are you sure about this Puppy?"

She looked up, uncomprehending for a moment before nodding, "Yes."

"Look at me." Fluttershy ordered, locking her eyes with Puppy's. They were clear and bright, the soft pink of her irises reminding her of Celestia's.

Celestia. Littlepip... it hurt to think about them. Who knew what had happened? Were either of them still alive?

Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Luna, Rarity... her kids... her husband... her world... her life... two hundred years of regret and pain. She had cried all her tears, but she still remembered the pain.

And as she felt those emotions she stared deep into Puppy's eyes, feeling the connection between them blaze like the sun. She looked through those eyes, penetrating to the mare within. Both young and so, so old, an innocent stepping into a world she feared she would never understand. She was struck by the passionate, furious, unrestrained vigor that ran through the girl, the raw unfettered fire of youth. She opened herself up, let the connection flow both ways, let those eyes stare back into her heart just as she stared into Puppy's.

She felt connections form within the mare, struck hard when she recognized Luna within Puppy's heart. That spark, that fragment of Luna smiled back, a second before a familiar force shone deep within Puppy's heart. A whirling, comforting, powerful heartbeat, it glowed like rainbows and filled Fluttershy with visions of past happiness... before the regret fell upon her like an avalanche.

She felt it, the heartbreak. She immersed herself in that feeling, understood it, knew it... and she reached deep inside Puppy, found the emotional connections and allowed her to know it too.

"Oh... no... no..." Puppy's eyes filled with tears, her whole body shaking, "What... what did you do...?"

"My stare." Fluttershy stated sadly, "It allows me to create empathy. Allows others to understand what I understand."

Puppy pounded a hoof against her chest, struggling for breath, "But I... I'm a Star Demon... I can't... how?"

"We're not so different." Fluttershy stated, now knowing just how true it was, "The connections were there. I just had to show you how to join them up."

"I've lost everypony..." Puppy stated, the tears running free now, "I never even... considered it before... I can't! I can't Fluttershy! I can't deal with this, I was mistaken! I'm going to explode!" She gasped and ran at the wall, slamming into it and just sliding into a ball on the ground, "Help me, please!"

"Puppy..." She reached forward with a hoof...

"No! AH...!" Puppy thrust a desperate hoof out and Fluttershy saw stars, feeling her jaw shift and a tooth drop onto her tongue. She gasped and hit the wall, slumping down and spitting out blood as she tried to shake her head clear. She looked up to see Puppy looking absolutely terrified, tears running down her face, "Oh no, oh no... Fluttershy, I'm so sorry!"

"It's... it's ok..." She blamed herself for that one, should have known better to get so close to a panicking patient. She massaged her jaw before beginning again, moving a little slower this time, "Puppy, look at me."

"I can't Fluttershy, I can't..."

"I can help you get through this." She smiled as Puppy's tear filled eyes met hers, "I've been through it myself."

She held that gaze as she advanced, slow and steady, allowing their minds to fully connect. She reached down with her magic, grasped Puppy's pain and clutched it tight. It hurt. It hurt like losing her friends had hurt, like losing her world. It felt like guilt, like regret, like despair. It felt like she would never be happy again, and she cried, broken by every bitter memory. But never once did she let go, never once did she look away. And she felt Puppy grasp those reserves of strength and experience Fluttershy had built up, and slowly her pain eased.

Her lips slowly curled into a trembling smile, her eyes full of love and relief, "Thank you."

They made their way back, both feeling a little stronger than before.

Fluttershy was content. Blissfully, transcendently content. Her body still tingled slightly, spread out on the bed, totally unable to move.

This bugged her, an annoying itch at the back of her mind. She tried to rise, only to simply wobble a little bit. Her next attempt barely got her head off the pillow.

She heard Dust Kicker laugh from outside her vision, "Lie back Fluttershy, relax for five seconds."

She couldn't. She wouldn't, "I'm being selfish."

"That's the last word I would use to describe you." He padded over, leaning down and affectionately nuzzling her neck, "You’ve been running around helping ponies all day. No wonder you're so tense."

That just made her feel worse, "I'm neglecting you. Using you. I've barely spoken to you all day..."

"Fluttershy, I care about them. I was worried about everypony, and now I'm not." He moved onto the bed next to her, setting his body against hers, "I'm grateful that I can help you relax a little at the very least."

"Mmm..." She murmured happily, not having the energy to argue. He was so soft and cuddly, Fluttershy wondering why it had taken so long for her to notice, "You're so nice Dust Kicker."

He chuckled, lifting his head a little to grin at her, "To be honest you cut such an adorable image laid out like that, I hardly have any reason to complain."

"Ugh..." She reluctantly rolled herself onto her side, crossing her legs and trying to reclaim some dignity, "I don't know what you see in me. I can't even bear to look in the mirror these days."

"Clearly, because you missed the part where you're totally stunning." He chided, moving behind her and putting two hooves about her waist, "You look younger than me on my best day."

Fluttershy sighed. It might well have been true, which elicited those old, familiar feelings of slightly bizarre guilt. And then she felt guilty for feeling guilty, which only added to the mix, "I wonder if anyone would have ever listened to me if I was ugly?"

"Hmm?"

"All those ponies, lining up to hear me speak about peace and kindness. How many of them were actually interested in what I had to say, and how many just wanted to see me?"

"Well there's a question." Dust contemplated, before sighing, "Sad but true. None of the arbiters are exactly bad looking, and nor was Red Eye."

"Ugh, rule by the prettiest..." Fluttershy pouted to herself, "If I was ugly, and... say Mint Diamond had mares falling at his hooves, would they have listened to him rather than my poorly thought out opinions?"

"There are a lot of attractive ponies in the world Fluttershy." Dust commented as he nuzzled her ear, "Not all of them want to spread love and kindness wherever they go, and bleed and sweat to make it a reality."

"I never wanted to be this Dust Kicker." She explained, sighing softly, "I wanted to live in my cottage and look after my animals. Some days I wish I had thrown the element of kindness in a river and run away into the mountains, lived peacefully, simply... happily."

"You didn't." Dust observed.

"No... because I'm a coward." She curled up, feeling vulnerable. She pressed herself against Dust's body, wishing that everything had been one bad dream and she would soon wake up to a life doing exactly that, "I never learned how to say no."

"That's not it Fluttershy." He reassured her, holding her tight, "It's because you're a good pony, and you always will be. That's what makes ponies listen to you."

She felt tears well up in her eyes, feeling Dust's warmth flow through her in a cleansing wave, "Thank you..."

"The fact that you look like a supermodel and never age likely helps though."

She giggled then rolled herself onto him, wrapping hooves around his body and nuzzling deep into his cheek. She pressed her body against his, enjoying the curves of his body, melting into the strength of his hooves. She fell to the side and drew forward for a deep kiss, drawing away to flash him a grin fueled by so much happiness it felt like she was about to burst, "Ok, you just listened to me whine about being pretty without a word of complaint. I really owe you now."

He grinned back, holding her close, "Oh, I think I can think of some way for you to repay me."

Fluttershy woke once again to an empty bed, sighing gently and moving to get herself washed and dressed. This time she picked a nice silvery number that she felt really flattered, noting how easily she managed to slip into it. When she first left Equestria she needed help with everything that rotated a joint slightly beyond standard tolerances, now she was easily slipping into complex outfits. She honestly wondered if she was really that out of shape, or if she was somehow aging backwards.

She frowned as she got a good look at her flank in the mirror, quickly covering it with the dress. Not young enough yet that she was in a hurry to let anyone see her out of the dress though.

She heard arguing as she approached the control room, reassured to hear Ace Gold inside. She didn't instantly recognize the other voice, and to her confusion whoever it was seemed to be speaking a language she had never heard before. She peaked round the corner just as Ace started up again, sounding deeply frustrated, "We got a reward because we actually did something!"

"I did thomething. And you theed me to cother the thity from the air, unleths you hath another pegathis in mind."

"Ahem." Fluttershy coughed, moving inside. She nodded to the two ponies, "Ace Gold, Clear Skies, good morning."

Clear Skies gave a big grin, "Good monthing!"

Fluttershy smiled at the pegasi, not that surprised to see her really. She seemed to have a habit of turning up unexpectedly, "So what brings you to the city Clear Skies, I...?"

"Don't be nice to her!"

Fluttershy turned to Ace Gold, frowning a little as the buck glared at her fiercely, "I thought you said you were going to be less angry."

Ace's stare got harder, "She doesn't deserve it Fluttershy. She abandoned you to your fate, she abandoned all of us!"

Clear Skies shrugged, looking casual, "I didnth think rushthing into the enemy basth wasth a sensethible plan." She looked over at Ace, then pointed to a discolored area on her cheek, "Espethially after he gave me this."

Fluttershy tried not to roll her eyes, not exactly surprised at any of this. Clear Skies she well knew as... rough, and Ace Gold's flaws were well known, "Ace, she saved Dust Kicker and Invictus from the tower."

Ace puffed up instantly, "She...!"

Fluttershy silenced him with a glare, not afraid to stop him in his tracks with a tiny bit of the stare before turning to Clear Skies, "And Clear Skies, I believe I saw you asking for payment before you actually completed a job. That's considered rather rude."

Clear Skies shrugged, "I did complete a job. I goth this pony and histh frienths to the tower."

Ace gritted his teeth, "Only because I forced you!"

Clear Skies nodded, "He threathend to kill me."

"I..." This stopped Ace Gold in his tracks, briefly thrown off balance, "It... it wasn't like that. She was working with Arick, she was trying to rob the place!"

"Scathengers rithes."

Ace took a step forward, before Fluttershy glared him back into position. He pouted for a moment before speaking again, "She was working with Sunshine Ivory!"

"Sunshine Ivory?" Fluttershy's eyes widened, she hadn't seen Sunshine Ivory since Dusklight, "Is she ok?"

Clear Skies shrugged, "Seemthed fine."

Ace gave Fluttershy a warning glance, "Star Swirl is with her."

Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness."

"No! I... I'm not putting this across!" Ace Gold stamped a hoof in frustration, "She was working with those mercenaries, alongside Arick!"

Now this shocked Fluttershy, feeling her heart beat faster for a moment. She looked to Clear Skies, "Is that true?"

Clear Skies actually looked worried for a moment, briefly looking around the room before giving another very casual shrug of her shoulders, "She wanthed to geth to the cithy, shut down thesthers cursth. She hired me, then joined up with them for protection."

Ace Gold gave her a low, angry glare, "And where were you when they killed Zenai?!"

"At the back, with the baggathge train." Clear Skies explained rather casually, "Your alicorn, she amothsed kilthed me, blew up the whole building. Dropthed a grenade on her in the end, and Sunthine got all upthet. She grapthed the alicorn..."

"Her name was Star Swirl." Ace declared acidly.

"...graphed Star Thirl, then buggethed ofth. Tolthed us to carry on without her."

"And you promptly ditched your job the second you got here."

"Hey, my job wath imposthible." She protested, then gave a grin, "And I alwaths wanted to rob a banth."

Ace tensed for a moment or two, then turned on Fluttershy, "Don't tell me you believe this crap!"

"Ace." Fluttershy declared with as much bluntness as possible, just wanting to defuse this whole silly argument before she even began considering what was and wasn't true, "Believe me, I've worked with Clear Skies enough to know what she's like. And Clear Skies, I've told you before to stop antagonizing everypony."

"Dinthed do anything wrong..." She muttered.

"But Ace, you cannot accuse her of having something to do with Zenai's death, just because you don't like her."

Ace gave her a furious look, "I don't like her because she did nothing to save you!"

"With the utmost respect Ace, she doesn't have one of the richest families in the NCR supporting her, nor does she count me as a personal acquaintance." Fluttershy gave him a little glare to confirm that she was being very serious now, "And therefore you cannot expect her to risk her life in a suicide mission to save me, for no material reward..."

"But...!"

"...especially after you physically assaulted her."

Ace went to interject, but his head slowly fell and his mouth closed. His eyes still simmered however, speaking after a moment in a low growl, "I'm not the bad guy here."

Fluttershy wasn't going to comment, turning instead to Clear Skies, "I will find a way to compensate you for your services Clear Skies. And if you are able to help out in scouting out the city you will gain both further reward and the gratitude of many influential zebra."

Clear Skies grinned happily at this, looking deeply pleased with herself, "I can get on boathd witfh that!"

"Now if you wouldn't mind, I would like to speak to Ace Gold in private."

Ace watched her go, his emotions written all over his face. He continued to simmer then silently after the door closed, just pouting there as Fluttershy stood quietly beside. Finally he spoke, not looking at her as he did, "She's a bad pony Fluttershy. She's lying to you, I know it."

"Ace, I've met her before." She sighed, allowing a small smile to move across her face, "I've wanted to hit her myself on occasions."

He looked at her now, "Really?"

Fluttershy's smiled faded now, giving him a disapproving glare, "But I didn't, because that would have been petty and unhelpful."

Ace pouted back at her, "I'm sorry ok?"

"Good." She gave him a soft smile, "Have you seen her fly Ace? I knew Rainbow Dash, and even I have to admit she's one of the best I've ever seen."

"And a disloyal, cowardly bitch..." He gave a disdainful sniff, "You know, the very opposite of Rainbow Dash."

"Of course she is." Fluttershy agreed with a broad smile, "Keep a close eye on your caps, and never give her the access codes to the stores. During the enclave war I caught her looting corpses. But she is useful Ace, and we need all the help we can get."

"Fine..." Ace muttered, before giving Fluttershy a rueful look, "I am trying ok? Is it really so bad that blatant cowardice rubs me the wrong way?"

"No Ace." She smiled at him, taking a deep breath before shaking her head and limping over to the console, "And now I'm done critiquing you, I wanted to ask for your help."

Ace Gold gave her a curious look, "What is it?"

"It's about Puppy. You know that her body is decaying right?"

Ace frowned, naturally reaching the wrong conclusion, "After everything she said about me being a terrible host, you ask..."

"No, no." Fluttershy quickly assured him, "I doubt she would even accept in the first place. But I've got a better idea, providing we can pull it off." She looked him in the eye, checking the room was empty before continuing, "One we've both got experience with."

It took a short while of brainstorming for Ace to be convinced the plan was viable enough to be worth the effort, but finally the calls had been made and Invictus and Clear Skies had been sent off to scout the reminds of the Academy of Science. After this Ace had stated that he needed some time to plan, so Fluttershy set off to find her own entertainment. Stuck up here there wasn't really a lot for her to do, she wasn't scientist enough to help Puppy nor engineer enough to help Ace. Instead she contented herself with wandering the corridors, planning out how exactly she would make all these peace talks work.

She felt the need to see the city, so eventually made it up the one of the rooftop gardens. She almost failed to consider the sunlight shining through the doorway as she approached, her heart lifting joyfully as she strode out into the brilliant sunshine, "Oh my... I wonder if it was Puppy or somepony else who finally got the sun to rise. Still, how beautiful the city looks in the daylight." She wandered over to the balcony, drinking in the view, "...I really should stop talking to myself. It's a sign of insanity, certainly not a habit I want to cultivate."

"Princezz Luna, most definitely."

Fluttershy's eyes turned as she heard Myrtis' voice, seeing her, Dust Kicker and Easu also standing on the balcony a short distance away. She walked over to join them as Dust replied, looking impressed, "You fought her?"

Myrtis nodded, "Yez... well... no."

Easu gave her a look, "Which?"

"Well it wazn't really a fight." She explained with cheer, "Zhe got zeperated from her guard during a battle, and we were ordered to attack her. It was three ghozts, me, Invitus and Nortiz. We waited until she was engaged with a group of nearby infantry on the ridge, then we attacked her all at onze."

"Smart." Easu replied.

"Well..." Myrtis giggled, "...we had only just started on our approach when she spotted uz. Hit Nortiz with a horn blazt that zhredded his zuit while ztill firing her energy gatling at the troopz on the ridge. One of them fired a rocket at her and she grabbed it with her telekineziz and threw it at me, knocking me off my hoovez. Then zhe teleported right in front of Invictus and broke all his legz in about four seconds. Then... hehe... then the whole Equeztria army came flying at uz, zcreaming and hollering."

Dust grinned, "What did you do?"

"I grabbed Invictus and ran like my tail waz on fire!" Myrtis laughed joyfully, "I told the bozzez that they wouldn't get me anywhere near a princezz ever again."

Fluttershy smirked, not really sure she approved of this conversation but able to find the humor in the situation, "Talking about past battles?"

"Hardezt fight you've ever had." Myrtis declared cheerfully, "Dust Kicker next!"

"Me..." He sighed, rubbing his head with a hoof, "Actually it's likely another alicorn ironically enough."

"You fought a princezz?"

"Not a princess, thankfully. One of Twilight Sparkle's alicorns."

Fluttershy frowned, "When did you fight an alicorn?"

"I've fought three actually... five really." Dust Kicker considered his words for a moment before starting to speak, "Don't let me give you the wrong impression, I admit I developed a skewed view myself. In fact generally most alicorns I've met had been the quietest, most dutiful ponies in the wasteland."

Fluttershy nodded, though secretly she herself had always found them somewhat unsettling, "They are."

"But they've had a rough history, and there are a few that... lose the plot a little." He shrugged, "And whenever they started causing a problem they hired me to bring them in for... treatment."

Easu frowned, "If they're anything like Star Swirl, that must be challenging."

"The first one I encountered was really simple actually." Dust admitted with a grin, "She had been stealing from a nearby town, and one day tried to drag off a small child. That was enough for them, and they hired me to track her down. Found her in a field nearby shouting nonsense to herself, two shots of tranquilizers to the neck and she was out like a light. Brought her back to a Followers, collected my reward. Simple."

"I'm betting that wasn't your toughest battle." Easu commented.

Dust chuckled, "No. You see, that had been so easy and lucrative I accepted the next alicorn contract instantly. This one was for an alicorn camped in some mines, mines the NCR wanted to restart. They sent some representatives to speak to her and she killed the whole lot of them, so that's where I came in."

Fluttershy pouted at him, "They were trying to kick her out of her home."

"When I got there she had their heads on spikes and was cackling to herself Fluttershy." Dust commented dryly, before continuing, "Well I set up my rifle, took aim on her neck, and fired. Her eyes instantly flicked to my location, her shields deflected the tranc rounds and she teleported in a flash, appearing right in front of me."

Myrtis chuckled, "Not good."

"No." He admitted, "She smacked the rifle away, shoved me backwards and put a horn through my shoulder. Pinned me to a rock and started twisting."

"What did you do?"

"I pulled out my knife and started stabbing." Dust stated, wincing at the memory, "I severed her jaw and put out an eye and she still kept driving her horn through my shoulder. So I... sawed off her horn."

Fluttershy winced, "Dust! That's... horrible!"

He grimaced, "Yeah. It didn't get better. Because there she was, horn gone, face cut to ribbons... and she just kept attacking. Smacking me with her hooves, kicking me about... I tacked her to the floor and started stabbing, she bit most of my throat out..."

"That's a fight." Easu admitted with a nod.

Dust chuckled, "I honestly thought that was it for me. But finally... she stopped moving. I lay there for half a day before somepony came up to check on me, found me half dead in a field of blood."

"You're one tough old coot!" Myrtis declared cheerfully.

"Yeah, well... I've never been quite as tough since." Dust shifted the fur on his neck aside, revealing a deep, jagged scar, "Since I'd been lying there so long, my wounds all scarred up. Took a long time before I was able to get back out there again, and I never fully recovered."

Fluttershy looked to him with sympathy, "Oh Dust..."

"It's alright. We all get old, and hey... back there, I thought I was going to die." He tapped a hoof on his breast, "I'm happy to have been wrong."

"What about you mizz Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy opened her eyes wide in surprise, then glared back at Myrtis a little. Easu noticed her discomfort and opened his mouth to speak, Fluttershy silencing him with a look before answering herself, "If you must know... I think it was King Sombra."

"Thatz a good anzwer." She chuckled, "He waz pretty zcary, though before my time."

"I... don't actually know who that is." Easu commented.

"Me either." Dust agreed.

"Uh... tale for another time." Fluttershy stated grimly, not really wanting to revisit that memory. It did remind her of her second choice however, and that this was a perfect time to get more information on him. She looked over at Myrtis, "Myrtis, do you possibly know a ghost operative called Chigaru?"

She dropped her head to the side, completive for a moment before answering, "Yez. We worked with him a few timez."

"What... was he like?"

"Chigaru?" Myrtis asked, sounding a bit confused, "He waz... quiet. Good operative though, he never let hiz emotionz get in the way of a mizzion."

Fluttershy shivered, "I... see."

"No, not like that... well yez like that, but... he was never cruel either. He got the job done, without any fuzz. And he was always so polite and respeztful." She chuckled briefly before continuing, "He waz a little obzezzed with you actually mizz Fluttershy."

Fluttershy had to pause at this, "With me?"

"Yez... well it wazn't uncommon. The prophezy of the fire maiden!" She chuckled, "It waz all rubbizh of courze, but a lot of zebra believed it."

Fluttershy leaned forward, knowing she was on to something now, "Adisa mentioned the prophesy of the fire maiden too. What is it, what does it say?"

Myrtis shifted her position, looking uncomfortable, "Well... it'z juzt a ztory..."

"Even if it is, I need to know what people think about me Myrtis. Please."

"Alright... I'm not the bezt ztoryteller, and I might not remember all the detailz..." She took a deep breath, then nervously began, "The fire maiden waz prophezied... by zome zebra, who I forget. They're zuppozed to be able to fly without being a pegazi, zpeke the language of animalz without being an earth pony, wield the most powerful of magicz without being a unicorn and know the eternal arts without being a zebra. And although they bring together the ztrengthz of all racez, no alicorn are they eitherz."

Fluttershy... could see points there. She could fly, she could use the stare, she could talk to animals and she had used pre-prepared megaspells. Still, "But I am a pegasi."

Myrtis shifted uncomfortably, finally speaking softly, "Forgive me mizz Fluttershy, but some called you a half breed, and that waz how you fit the prophozy"

Fluttershy winced, her heart snapping sharply and painfully.

Dust leaned in, sounding concerned, "Fluttershy?"

"It... it's ok." She sighed, "It was never formerly confirmed, but... it was always pretty obvious."

"What's a half breed?" Easu asked carefully, inspecting them for reactions, "A combination of two different pony species I presume, but that cannot be uncommon."

"Actually it is." Fluttershy explained, falling into doctor mode to avoid her own emotions on the subject, "The genes for pegasi, earth and unicorn are mutually exclusive, if you are one, you cannot be another."

"Like the chance of a having a boy or a girl." Easu commented.

Fluttershy laughed at the analogy, "Exactly like that. Because sometimes... it doesn't work like that. You can get a baby that is... both."

Easu considered this for a moment, "That sounds... useful. Being two pony species that is, not being... two genders."

Fluttershy winced, not the best way of putting it, "Actually, it's really not. The pony species are mutually exclusive for a reason, half breeds generally suffer from none of their abilities working properly. That's alongside dozens of other medical problems, physical defects..."

"But they do work." Dust soothed, "You're a great flier, and you can talk to animals..."

"Actually I'm a terrible flier." Fluttershy admitted, feeling that maybe her abilities had been oversold over the years, "And I was never a very good farmer either. I always wonder if the only reason I discovered any of my talents was the influence of the elements, as it wasn't until then that I became at all comfortable with my flying, or gained control of my stare."

"But you did." Easu observed with a look of interest, "And you do fit the words of the prophesy, which cannot account for many in this world. You command the abilities of four races."

Fluttershy didn't like prophesies, especially ones about her, "So what is the Fire Maiden supposed to do?"

"Um..." Myrtis tipped her head back, humming to herself, "...ok, thiz iz from memory, but... you are..."

"The fire maiden is." Fluttershy corrected swiftly.

"...the fire maiden iz zupposed to carry the lazt zparks of the old world within her heart, a zymbol of purity within a corrupted wazteland."

Fluttershy looked to Easu as he nodded, frowning sharply at him, "I am not a symbol of purity. I've killed ponies, I compromised a hundred times before the war even ended."

Myrtis looked at her before hesitantly continuing, "Her zymbol will ztand for all to see, a promize of kindnezz and protection in an unforgiving world."

Dust Kicker snorted in amusement. Fluttershy had to admit to having nothing to say to that, though she maintained that was Velvet Remedy, not her.

"Yet againzt her, harmony will alzo choose a champion of the new order to come. Born in weaknezz and corrupted by the zhadow of death, his zoul will live on within the miztz of the worldz ending. He will ztrip down the fragile beauty of the old, he will march beside the new kingz and he will give them the ztrength to zurvive the cruel firez of dizcord."

"Fuck that guy." Dust kicker breathed, Fluttershy replying with a little shiver at the memory of his voice, his stare...

"The fire maiden of the old world, and the mizt walker of the new. They will meet in battle at the gatez of the zhining city, and from death will come new life, from corruption, new ztrength, and the old world and the new will finally come to an end. From the firez of ambition and wrath, a new order will be formed."

Fluttershy ran the words through her head, "What... exactly does that mean?"

Myrtis shrugged, "I waz hoping you knew. I'm zuprized I remembered all that, but Chigaru muzt have mentioned it zo many timez that it ztuck."

"It might mean nothing Fluttershy." Dust warned, "You fitting the description of the fire maiden might be a coincidence. But it would certainly explain Chigaru's actions."

Myrtis straightened out in surprise, "Chigaru iz alive?"

Fluttershy nodded softly, her voice coming out a whisper, "And he's a monster who's been terrorizing the zebra territories for two hundred years."

"Wow..." She giggled nervously, "I mean... Chigaru was real good, but I never expezted he would zurvive five minutez without zomeone telling him what to do. He was alwayz... zimple, you know? Pluz... he's juzt one zebra."

"He's hardly a normal zebra." Dust pointed out, "I blew his head off, put a hundred bullets through him and he only paused to laugh. And Steel Marrow chopped him in half, and he treated it like a minor inconvenience."

"Wha..." Myrtis gave another nervous giggle, thumping her chest with a hoof, "That... we don't work like that."

"You don't?"

"No." She shook her head, "You chop me in half, I'll be very, very dead. Trade zecret, but zevering our zpine kills uz. That'z why our zuits have the thickest armor along our backz, and the back of our neckz."

"You're a Canterlot Ghoul." Dust Kicker observed.

Myrtis turned her head in confusion, Fluttershy expanding, "Like Remicon."

"Oh." Myrtis though a moment before nodding, "Zame procezz, though we're expozed in a more controlled fazion. Lord Caesar got a big doze all at onze and without adequate healing, it'z rotted hiz body, made it fragile. We're exposed to it zlowly over time, with a conztant zupply of healing potion. It makez our zkin hard as rock yet almost as supple as it was before, our bones like steel, our muscles strong enough to knock a hole through concrete."

"I'm surprised they didn't make more of you." Dust commented.

"Well only very few were compatible apparently. And a lot ztill died during the tranzformation." She tapped her goggles, "We're alzo rendered nearly blind, zo we're only any good in cloze combat."

Fluttershy didn't know that. She instantly felt a wave of concern, "Really?"

"Yeah." Myrtis answered, "The gogglez allow uz to zee the world az zhadows, but detailz are impozzible and our depth perception is zhot. We're not going to be winning any beauty contezts either... though I like it."

Fluttershy blinked, "You like being stuck in that suit?"

"I waz alwayz mocked for being different. Never knew what I waz zupposed to be." She posed proudly, "Now, I'm a ghozt. Defender of the zebra, warrior of truth and juztize. Thiz iz my face."

Easu nodded from behind his bandages, "I understand that."

Fluttershy smiled, feeling so much better that she had a more positive example to put behind the masked faces of the ghost operatives, "Thank you Myrtis. I really appreciate it."

"No problem Mizz Fluttershy." She paused for a moment before speaking again, voice hopeful, "And Lord Caesar wanted to speak with you whenever you had time. He zaid he'd be in the shrine most of the morning."

Fluttershy nodded, having wanted to speak to him in private, "I'll go right away, thank you."

The bones still sat upon the altarstones where they had lain them, Remicon at the far end of the room knelt before a representation of the holy fire. She coughed as she approached, Remicon turning to regard her with a pair of broken, hopeless eyes, "You know..." He started, his voice quivering, "...it is told by the priests that when a soul returns to the holy fire, the nature of its death stays with it. That murder and killing is a bloody wound against all life, born and unborn alike."

"Maybe so." She answered, having heard this before, "But wounds heal."

"I am selfish and worthless Fluttershy, I worry for myself above all others." He turned away, voice cracking, "Healed or not, I struck against the divine itself. How could I earn redemption after that?"

Fluttershy smiled, thinking of her own sins. These questions had once filled her heart too, "It won't be easy."

He looked back at her for several seconds before waving her on, starting towards the door, "Come."

She followed him out into the corridor, moving down towards the section where the historical murals decorated the walls. Remicon slowed and stopped before one of them, his eyes moist as he studied its details. Fluttershy recognized the story after a moment, depicting the end of the war against the Star Demons. Zebra celebrated and warriors set their weapons down, a tall robed zebra Fluttershy recognized as Zenophilous the Wise forging a crown of gold from the dragonsfires of the All-Mother. The next image had him standing with a regal looking zebra on top of a tall mountain framed by the rising sun, placing that crown down upon the zebra's head.

"Back then, the world was full of promise." Remicon spoke, his voice heavy with regret, "We had beaten the Star Demons, we were one people. We had a new king, Sandrain, tested in battle and crowned in gold. He ruled from the city on the mountain, and for a moment our future was assured."

Fluttershy had heard this story from Remicon before. She hadn't realized back then just how much it mean to him, "He was assassinated by his brother, and the zebra fell into civil war."

"And it never stopped. We warred and fought with one another until our future lay in ruins, till we became some backwards colony for Equestria to bully and abuse." He touched a hoof against the mural, tears running down his face, "I wanted to turn back the clock, to a time when we were united. I wanted to lead a victorious people into a glorious future."

"Victorious over the Star Demons." Fluttershy commented with a sigh.

"Nightmare Moon destroyed us all, and she never even existed." Remicon shook his head, "I intended her to be a symbol, a symbol of Equestrian decadence. But she grew stronger than I ever intended, into a figure of terror that inspired the zebra into a fanatical hatred that escaped all reason. And in the end it consumed me too." He looked across at her, searching her features for... absolution? "I sincerely believed you would kill us all if you won."

Fluttershy gave him a sympathetic smile, not about to blame him now, "Rarity didn't help with those propaganda leaflets. Equestria actively encouraged those feelings, trying to break the zebra's spirit."

He laughed humorlessly, "They obviously knew nothing of zebra."

"No, maybe not."

"What was she like?" Remicon asked, turning away, "Princess Luna. You know, I never actually met her."

"A... lot like you." Fluttershy conceded, "I think she found herself lost in her own propaganda too. But she had the right intentions... and she was still my friend."

"She arranged to have you killed Fluttershy." Remicon stated with deep regret, dropping his head.

Fluttershy set her lips, ignoring those words, "She would never do that."

He shook his head, "If you're right that we're the same, I think she would." He sighed, his face screwing up, "Because I let them take my own son."

Fluttershy considered those words for a time, simply staring straight ahead as she turned them over. This was after all a question she had wanted to ask for a very long time, "What happened to Nassar?"

"I do not know."

She turned with a gasp of exasperation, now that was no answer at all, "Remicon?!"

"I handed him over to Xenospira." Remicon explained with a slow resignation, "I... did not want to know what he would do. He only promised that he would live, and that when Xenospira was finished my son would be more than ready to join me in the fight against Equestria."

Xenospira? Fluttershy couldn't help but consider the terrible implications. Had they missed him? "Was he in the tower?"

"No." Remicon shook his head, "He was taken away from the city. I... wanted him away from here."

"..."

"I am so sorry Fluttershy."

She forced a desperate smile at him, shaking her head. She had little care for regret at this point, "If we're going to apologize for all the mistakes we've made, we'll be here a very long time."

Remicon nodded, turning back to the mural, "Yes. Let us finish what I came here and be done with it." His hoof reached over, fitting cleanly in a little depression in the mural. There was a spark of magic and Fluttershy heard something unlock, Remicon withdrawing his hoof and stepping back as a small drawer emerged from the bottom of the mural, "Fluttershy, if you will?"

Fluttershy took his invitation, advancing forward and reaching into the drawer. She was not prepared for what she found there, hoofs clamping around a circle of smooth metal and lifting it from its container. The torchlight shone upon its mirrored surface as it emerged, sending waves of black and crimson across the bright golden metal. It was perfect, completely circular with rows of dragon tooth spikes along the top, not a scratch or mark of corrosion on its surface, "This is... the Dragon Crown of Caesars!"

"I never wore the thing. But I know it's important to the zebra." Remicon motioned to it, hesitant to get too close, "I hid it away here, after I emerged from... below."

Fluttershy held it with due respect, marveling at its lack of pretension as much as anything else. No ornamental carvings or gems, no fur lining or even a unique shape. It made sense, this was likely one of the oldest surviving equine forged objects in existence, made when the zebra were still restricted to iron and bronze and were by and large slaves to the Star Demons. Apparently it had been forged from dragon forged gold, heated by the All-Mother herself, "What are we going to do with it?"

"Return it to the throne room where it belongs." Remicon answered, starting off in that direction, "Please, if you would come with me? If I have read this correctly I will require a witness."

She nodded and followed him back, soon making it into the great hall. As ever it was totally unchanged from before, Fluttershy would have been surprised if there was a mote of dust out of place. She followed Remicon as they moved towards the throne room door, the zebra slowing a bit as he approached, "You remember don't you Fluttershy? The throne room was locked when you were here last."

Fluttershy nodded, she remembered, "There was a council in charge. The throne room was sealed, and they met in the council chambers above."

"I came here to claim the throne at the head of a vast multitude of zebra, all chanting my name, demanding I be let through. The guards bowed as I moved past, the councilors declared their allegiance or fled." Remicon's head rose for a moment, proud and strong once more, "I was confident I had divine mandate. After years of strife my conquest of the capital had been completely bloodless. And as I approached the throne doors I declared this, declared my right to take the throne as those behind chorused their agreement."

"It must have been an inspiring sight."

He stopped at the doors, stared up at them for a moment or two before sighing, "They opened before me, those doors that had been closed for more than a hundred years. And before me, sitting upon the throne... was my crown. Waiting, like it was destiny." He sighed before lifting a hoof, pushing open the great stone doors, "Now the doors stand silent."

Fluttershy stepped into the throne room alongside Remicon, the room somehow seeming lighter than before. The oppressive atmosphere she had felt before was now replaced with a somber restfulness, like the palace was simply peacefully asleep.

"What did you want Remicon?" Fluttershy asked, looking around at the pillars of harmony.

"A world where justice mattered. Where the weak did not have to fear the strong." He looked out upon the throne, eyes heavy with burden, "But maybe in the end, I simply did not want to be afraid anymore. Afraid for the zebra, who had fought so hard only to receive scraps from those who had been simply handed their wealth and power. Afraid for my son, and the other children of the zebra, born into a world where their pride and destiny had been stripped from them."

"You had a point." Fluttershy conceeded.

"And that is a terrible thing." Remicon stepped forward towards the throne, his stride slow and respectful as he looked upon the regal structure, "The righteous and justified can be far more dangerous than any madman. The truth justifies a thousand sins."

Fluttershy sighed, uncertain what to say. It was painful but true, whatever 'points' he could make faded away when you weighed them against a billion lives, "You followed your heart."

"No... greed perverted my aims. My heart was swayed by a lust for power." He smiled, looking strangely relieved as he spoke the words, "I should have sued for peace after I destroyed your armies in the first battle of the war. Then maybe I would have been remembered as righteous, showing the ponies the strength of the zebra and buying a new future for all of us."

"Why didn't you?"

Remicon let his head fall, "Because your armies were destroyed, and I saw a chance for glory and conquest. At that moment I held the future of the world in my hooves, and greed swayed my heart towards war."

Fluttershy sighed. She couldn't blame him. The desire for more lay in the victories of all the great, and sadly also in their defeats, "We all failed Remicon."

"And I am done with it." He turned to Fluttershy, extending a hoof, "The crown please."

She hoofed it over, Remicon holding it carefully as he turned and moved towards the throne in the centre. There he lay the crown, its golden surface ringing softly as it settled against the stone.

A hum filled the room, rising in pitch as Fluttershy felt magic well up around them. She looked around, aware of ghostly figures standing in the shadows just out of sight. After a moment a voice rang from one of them, clear and commanding, "The crown has been returned to the stone?"

Remicon nodded, "It has."

"The house of the sand drake has ended, without heir or successor?"

Remicon's face fell, "The house is no more."

"Then Caesar Remicon the First, rightful bearer of the Dragon Crown and protector of the zebra, has returned to legend." The figure stepped forward into the light, his form comprised of shifting mists that managed to form into a strikingly recognizable zebra. Tall and commanding, clad in simple yet striking robes.

Fluttershy instantly recognized him from his statue, "Zenophilious the wise..."

Other figures emerged from the shadows, zebra of every shape, all crowned in gold. They all bowed their heads in respect, Fluttershy running down the line until she beheld the last figure, forming before her eyes. He was thin, hatchet faced, stern and commanding with an air that demanded respect. Proud and just... but maybe in the end far, far too proud.

"The bells will ring tonight, so that all may pray that the Caesar will find his way to the holy flame, where sins are forgiven and virtue may live forever." Xenophilous declared, all the kings bowing in agreement as he continued, "And the crown will rest here, until a worthy zebra returns to lead us once more to glory."

Remicon ignored him as he turned and slowly strode back to the exit, Fluttershy hurrying to follow as the ghosts all bowed their head at their departure. Fluttershy felt the magic die behind them as they emerged into the great hall, the light fading. A moment later and the doors moved, those great stone slabs slamming shut behind with a final sounding thump.

Remicon paused at the top of the steps, bowing his head, "And so it ends... "

Fluttershy looked to him. He looked... lesser somehow, "Yes."

"...until another fool comes with an army and far too much pride." Remicon sighed and continued down the stairs, moving up to the stone of harmony and looking up at its featureless surface, "This stone never shone for me you know? Some of the zebra in my court could activate it, Tacticus was attuned to the element of Loyalty. But I... I could never get so much as a glow."

"None of my friends can either." Fluttershy soothed, "It doesn't mean you're a bad zebra."

"Make it shine for me Fluttershy." Remicon asked desperate, his voice cracking, "Let me see harmony one more time."

Fluttershy felt her heart shatter like glass. They had both lost so much, "I can't Remicon. I... I lost my connection to the Element of Kindness."

"I do not believe that." He looked back at her, eyes pleading, "Stand beside me. See what you are."

Fluttershy was more resigned that anything. It was a moment of endings it seemed, and she was eager to end it. To see the truth, that her destiny had passed, that she was just a normal pony. That her legendary kindness was a lie. She felt a weight fall upon her shoulders as she advanced towards the stone, shrugging it off and continuing forwards, step by step...

A light shone within the stone, dim at first but getting brighter. A rich indigo spark shot through the stone, igniting at the tip and illuminating the words written on the stone, soon blazing in fierce light.

"It is smiling in your brother's face. It is enjoining good and forbidding evil, giving directions to the lost traveler, aiding the blind and removing obstacles from the path. The Element of Charity shines for you." Remicon read from the stone, looking up at Fluttershy, "Harmony has not abandoned you after all."

Fluttershy bit her lip, nodding as she beheld the shining light before her, not the soft pink of before but a rich sparkling purple. She paused for a moment to clear the lump in her throat, then noticed the tears running down her face. It was a moment before it hit her, relief, guilt, joy, grief... she fell to her knees before the stone, letting her tears fall to the stone below, "Rarity... thank you so much... and... I'm so sorry..."

"You said it yourself Fluttershy, there is no time for regret." Remicon nodded to the stone, then looked back to her, "My role is over, but you still have a destiny."

They all assembled in the garage. Ace Gold had something to say apparently, and he wanted them all to be there. Fluttershy stepped cautiously as she made her way inside, feeling like she was in danger of floating off. She still hadn't quite processed the idea that not only was she still chosen by harmony, but that she had switched to an entirely different element. It was... a huge thing to consider.

But then in a way it made sense. She had heard ponies accuse Velvet Remedy of corrupted generosity. It seemed she was still trotting along behind.

"Fluttershy."

Fluttershy turned, Ace Gold making his way towards her. He was wearing a zebra army dust jacket and light ballistic vest, two metal anklets on his front hooves bound in strips of cloth. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of clouded glass goggles, hesitating for a moment as he reached her. Fluttershy initiated, nodding, "You look good Ace. You've grown a lot over the last month."

"Hmm." He muttered, before placing a hoof against the goggles and shifting them up. It revealed a pair of cool, intense blue eyes, seeming a tiny fraction too bright to be natural, "I did it."

Fluttershy grinned happily, "How is it?"

"Still adjusting." He shrugged dismissively, "First time I saw my face. He really cut it up didn't he?"

Fluttershy sighed. She had gotten used to it, but it was true that the damage was still very obvious, "He did."

"As I said, still getting used to it." He turned away, replacing his goggles, "Thank you giving me the means to thank her."

Flutteshy's eyes lit up, "You did it?"

"Puppy." Ace Gold stated firmly as the mare entered the room, moved up to meet her, "I wanted to thank you... for everything. And apologize for the way I treated you before."

"That's ok." She answered softly and shyly, shrugging it off, "I'm sorry for losing my temper with you. It wasn't your fault, I was just frustrated."

"The same." He acknowledged, before looking back at the doors behind, "I have a gift for you actually... well we do. It was Fluttershy's idea."

Puppy looked round at Fluttershy, Fluttershy grinning back. Puppy frowned, then softly nodded, "What is it?"

Ace Gold nodded to the far wall, the door sliding open and the sound of shifting metal sounding out. Fluttershy felt a little shiver of fear at the sheer size of it, and how easily it moved considering it's bulk. Dust Kicker let out a little whistle of appreciation, "Ace, you're a fucking genius."

"I didn't build it." Ace protested as the olorun combat armature stepped over, looking even more impressive than Dust had described to her. Sure she could see a fair amount of battle damage to the armor plating and various parts were a noticeably different color and quality of construction, still she was under the impression that it had been shot to pieces and had a building drop on it. Ace didn't look the slightest bit proud however, looking up at it with a critical eye, "I had to replace a lot of the parts with pieces from previous models so they don't all fit exactly, and the lens for the tail weapons was irreplaceable. The power source is horribly inefficient, I had to literally knock holes in the armor to provide extra venting..."

"Ace, it looks wonderful." Fluttershy soothed, "Did you manage to connect up the status pod?"

Ace actually smiled at this, tapping the machine on the side. The cockpit section flipped open, revealing a very familiar looking interior, "Fortunately it was already set up for this configuration, it was just a case of swapping them out. We've run test drives, it's been absolutely invaluable for getting around the city."

Dust Kicker looked confused, "Where are the controls?"

"There aren't any." Puppy breathed, "That's a status pod, like the one connected to SPP!"

"Right." Ace Gold confirmed, "The zebra had them too, it was a widely shared piece of medical technology. This one appears to have been directly copied from the model actually installed in the SPP, one I've fortunately actually had the chance to study."

Dust grinned, "Well look at you, all smug."

"I'm not..." Ace sighed and drew back, sighing to himself, "...whatever. In any case this should work exactly the same way, shutting down your body and maintaining its status through complex life support systems, while leaving you able to control the olorun’s systems by direct mind interface."

Puppysmiles stepped over, admiring the machine with wide eyes. Eventually she looked back at them, giving an impish smile, "You're giving me a battle tank as my new body?"

"The extra firepower will come in handy, though as I said don't expect it to be quite as tough as you remember." Ace answered, "Happy birthday."

"I mean..." Puppy paused for a moment before continuing, "You trust me with this?"

"I've trusted you with my life enough times Puppy." Dust answered with a smile, "And if we were to compare mistakes I'm pretty sure you would come out far ahead of me."

"We all trust you Puppy." Fluttershy stated in agreement, heart singing that it had gone down exactly as she hoped, "You're a part of this group, and we've all appreciated having you here, physically with us."

"Aww..." she blushed and giggled, turning her eyes to the war frame, "Right, let's try it out."

"Puppy." Easu stated as he moved out in front of her, linking his hooves in front of him, "Here."

She looked at him, smiled broadly, then set off in a run. Her back hoof landed in Easu's linked grip, her two front hooves taking his shoulders... he flung her upwards, Puppy whooping as she flipped over and landed with the screech of hooves on metal. She skidded a little before righting herself, looking back down and grinning, "Again, again!"

"Alright Puppy." Dust acknowledged with a chuckle, "Pay attention, we still don't know if this will work."

"Spoilsport." Puppy stated with a grin, before dancing over to the cockpit and sliding herself into the compartment, "Cozy. What do I do now?"

"The button at the far end Puppy, the blue one. Then lower your head into the compartment that opens." Ace instructed, moving over to a monitoring console, "Then just try to relax."

She did so, only looking slightly nervous as the canopy swung shut and armor plating slid into place. What followed was silence, Fluttershy beginning to feel slightly nervous as the seconds ticked by, "Is something..."

The machine suddenly shook, something deep inside the interior waking up with a groan of flexing servos. It rose high, a piercing voice roaring out in triumph, "HAHAHA! YOU FOOLISH MORTALS HAVE GIVEN YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE VOICE! SOON YOU WILL ALL BOW BEFORE YOUR ROBOT OVERLORDS!"

Ace just frowned disapprovingly, "Puppy, don't be an idiot..."

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment before deciding just to go with it, "Oh no, Puppy has become an evil AI. We're all doomed for sure."

"Yep." Dust stated with a grin, taking a radio from his pack, "Guess we're going to have to detonate the explosives we hid in her central cavity."

"No! No explosives!" Puppy declared quickly, waving the frame's front claws around in a quite hilarious manner, "I was joking!"

"Puppy, you have a really irritating sense of humor." Ace exclaimed grumpily.

Dust smirked at the buck before looking back up at Puppy, "How is it?"

"Odd." She took a step forward, her movements rather clumsy, "It's totally different to a pony, and... the separation is annoying. This operating system is designed for manual control, drive by wire. It's really slowing down my reaction speeds."

"If you didn't have some AI control it would be impossible to pilot." Ace asserted, "Even for you."

"I managed pretty well piloting a pony, and they're way more complex."

Fluttershy had to give her that one, "She's right."

"It's something I can work on." She stated, before her claws opened wide and threateningly, "Ace, thank you! Let me give you a hug!"

Ace grimaced at the display, turning away with a grumpy snort, "No thanks."

They strode out into the city, Fluttershy feeling the thrill as the sunlight shone upon them, glinting off armor and illuminating the roads ahead. Despite their failures, despite the losses... Fluttershy felt they had purpose, a chance. She had finally come to the city on the mountain, negotiated peace, found a way forward. They would depart from here and venture down to what was said to be the most peaceful and civilized area in the zebra territories. There they would negotiate something lasting, that would give them all a chance.

They received updates from the palace as they made their way through the city, Invictus promising that they would have the perimeter sensors up soon, monitoring their progress and feeding them updates. It was reassuring to know they had allies out here.

Their trip down the mountain was significantly easier than their trip up too, helped by a now functional lift that took them down one of the almost sheer faces of the mountain facing the Mutum Heartlands that formed their destination. Fluttershy scanned the area with excitement, noting the well maintained roads and the large and organized farms that abounded among the fields of brownish green grass. She could even see some forests, along with lakes of clear blue waters and straight, clearly artificial rivers running it to the farms and settlements that needed it.

This was the heart of zebra civilization, even without the grand cities like Demonivore. She was pretty sure she indentified Clendal itself, a chaotic sprawl of discordant looking buildings bisected by a clear river, a truly vast shanty town of wagons and markets surrounding it and the clear signs of industry in its suburbs. In front of them, at the far eastern end of the plains, the matuman peaks. A range of mountains that made up for their lack of height by their sheer age worn cragginess, they stretched in all directions. Fluttershy knew the stories, that the very first equines had emerged blinking from those mountains at the very dawn of time.

To their right, the plains slowly faded into drier, dustier environments, a large number of roads leading off towards Saddle Arabia and the camels. A large settlement lay there too, sitting around a large oasis and forming the very center of the web of roads.

And between there and Clendal... another settlement, camped right in the middle of the plains. This looked temporary, featuring a large number of tents around what looked to be one of the many small towns. It featured a host of activity, but they were way too far away for Fluttershy to be able to make out any specifics. She frowned as she saw other worrying signs, smoke, ruined settlements, battle fortifications... she dismissed them from her mind, not wanting to think such things.

They had almost reached the bottom when the lift stopped with a solid clank, Ace Gold tutting and moving over to a hatch at the bottom, "Looks like we're going to have to climb the rest of the way. Safety lock's triggered, the rails are too badly damaged past this point."

Puppy stomped over to the side, looking down past the guard rail for a moment before her electronic voice sounded out, "I could jump?"

"Really Puppy?" Dust asked, giving her a skeptical look, "That machine is beat up to hell, you think it could take that sort of fall?"

"Magical repulsors." She countered cheerfully.

Dust didn't budge, "Which you're so sure work after a hundred years, a massive battle and a building falling on it?"

Puppy flexed her legs, the bouncing movement looking bizarrely cheerful on the big death robot, "Control systems say it's working A-OK!"

"Look, you're not jumping off a mountain." Dust sighed, turning to glare at Ace Gold, "If only we had a pegasus on the team... you had to antagonize the one flight capable pony we had didn't you?"

"We can still call her?" Fluttershy pointed out, trying to be helpful.

"It would take less time to climb down." Ace noted with irritation, nodding at the hatchway at his hooves. He opened it up and his eyes widened for a moment before he sniffed and shook his head, "It's only missing a few steps, its fine. We could easily jump across the gaps."

Fluttershy felt her heart leap a little, raising her head to look at where said steps continued on above them. They shifted and creaked in the wind, "That... sounds dangerous."

"And tiring." Dust commented, "Ace, we're still about forty meters off the ground, climbing down could take hours."

Ace gave them a grumpy expression, crossing his hooves, "Does anyone have any better ideas?"

Fluttershy had already detected movement from Puppy, not even surprised when she suddenly leapt to the side and disappeared off the lift.

"Puppy!"

"That damn stupid...!"

Fluttershy ran to the side along with everypony else, leaning against the guardrail and feeling a wave of relief as she saw Puppy's descent did indeed seem reasonably slow and controlled. All respect to Ace Gold's talents, it looked like the repulsors were actually...

And then her thoughts were cut short, Fluttershy screaming as the guard rail came free of its moorings with a crack and her front hooves slipped out into space. She had no way to control her fall, banging her stomach on the lift's edge and flung head over hooves into the open skies. It allowed her to see Dust Kicker had joined her, Ace Gold just struggling to gain his footing on the very edge of the platform.

Fluttershy wondered if her wings had miraculously healed in the last few days. She was willing to bet the answer was no, and considering they were currently bound tight to her sides they weren't really a viable option anyway. Instead she looked at Dust only a short way away, then Puppysmiles rapidly closing below.

Oh dear.

She considered her options, thoughts turning to her newest and most useful ability. She reasoned that Twilight had done this once, though she had mentioned how it was one of the most difficult spells she had ever pulled off.

But... something in Fluttershy just felt... right. She remembered the dream, flying with those sheep. She sniffed the air, felt her ears prick at the currents. She knew these winds.

She expanded a pair of imaginary wings, that always seeming to help with this. She gave them a little flap then angled her body forwards, mapping the flow of air towards her destination... and flew.

She hit Dust Kicker rather harder than she intended, it being much harder to judge momentum when already in movement. They span through the air for a moment before Fluttershy managed to get two hooves around him, craning her head to get a good look at the descending Puppy before desperately trying to twist herself in the right direction...

Wow, Dust Kicker was really quite heavy. She strained everything she had and once more flapped those imaginary wings, feeling the rush and the thrill as she drove through those air currents and descended towards the smooth surface of Puppy's roof...

She came out of the air current, shot in for the landing... and hit Puppy hard, yelling as she felt a rib go and Dust Kicker was torn from her grasp. Her whole head span, only barely aware of where she was as she bounced off Puppy's surface and flew spinning into the open skies. Pain lanced through her, sure she was about to die... then she was gripped firmly by something hard and mechanical, squeezing tightly and painfully for a moment before easing off a little.

She hung limp from that grip for a short while longer before one final jarring thud sent pain lancing through her. To say she was grateful when she was finally lowered to the rocky ground was an understatement, opening her eyes to stare up at the powerful form of Puppy above her, "...thanks..."

"I'm supposed to be crazy?" Puppy replied, clinking a claw against her surface, "Dust Kicker, are you alright?"

"I... I'm an earth pony. I am sticking to that definition for the rest of my existence!"

Fluttershy rolled over with a wince, relieved to see he looked a little ruffled but otherwise unhurt, "Wow... that was... interesting..."

"Are you concussed?" Dust replied with a pair of wide, unblinking eyes, "That was the most horrific experience of my life!"

"Yes, I believe I am." She briefly considered rising, but decided the ground was perfectly comfortable for now, "I think I need a bit more practice with the wind walking."

"I'm not sure what to say." She heard Easu state from above, looking over to see him descend on a pair of bloodwings with Ace perched on his back, "As far as I am aware, what you just did is totally impossible."

Dust looked at him for a moment before quite understandably frowning in annoyance, "You had a bloodwing potion?"

"I had two. I was debating the best way of using them when you fell off the lift." He landed with a bump, letting Ace jump off his back before continuing, "I was about to save you, but you appeared to have it under control Miss Fluttershy."

"You'fth thelling me!"

Dust clapped a hoof across his muzzle, "Celestia's teats..."

"Thath was awethome! Rainbow Dathf awethome!" Clear Skies enthusiastically declared as she fluttered down to meet them, "How dith thoo evethan do that!"

"By breaking the noble arts of my people." Easu answer with a little hint of venom.

"Where did you come from?" Dust expressed with a hint of irritation as he looked to Clear Skies, "And why didn't you help?"

"Thee theemed to be doing ok." Clear Skies reasoned, "And I'th nether theen anyone do anything like that bethore."

"It's a high level zebra technique, that only the most experienced practitioners can pull off." Easu explained, still sounding annoyed, "And you cannot use it repeatedly while in freefall."

Dust shook out his joints, wincing a little, "I'm not sure she can use it in freefall..."

"I think I just need a little more practice. I'm really feeling it now..." Fluttershy started, before noting Easu still looking a little upset. She understood, it was after all the sacred arts of his race, and she guessed she was cheating a little, "I do understand why it's so hard to learn Easu."

He turned his head, looking interested now, "You do?"

"You need to learn the air currents, how it rises and falls, how to navigate different areas of pressure." Fluttershy wiggled her ears to exhibit the point, "I can hear the flow of air, I have sensory organs on my eartips to aid me in navigation."

Easu's expression softened, eventually looking impressed, "I see. I should have considered that. Your magical balance is totally different from a zebra."

Ace gave her a somewhat grumpy look, "And I thought I was supposed to be the overtalented one."

"I'm not overtalented..." She protested, feeling rather self conscious now, "I'm awful at geomancy, and my airomancy is average at best..."

"Stand ponies, and declare your intentions!"

They all looked round as the voice rang out, Fluttershy noting six zebra using bloodwing potions and carrying various forms of automatic weapon. They slowly and cautiously approached, Fluttershy wondering if Dust Kicker was the only one here who couldn't fly, "We mean... we mean no harm."

Dust nodded, dropping his weapons. The others followed suit, the zebra landing nearby and the leader trotting over, "You came from the city. Explain yourselves."

"The city is open once more, the curse that hung over it ended." Fluttershy started, still feeling a little light headed but hoping instinct would be enough to carry this, "We come seeking aid in its protection and restoration."

The all looked at each other doubtfully, the leader eventually replying with a grim voice, "You have picked a poor time for it."

Dust Kicker looked profoundly worried at this, quick to reply, "How so? I saw a warcamp on the way down, and signs of battle. Please tell me..."

"The Mutum Heartlands have come under invasion." The zebra confirmed with a heavy tone, "It is unthinkable, but that was no excuse."

"What happened?"

The zebra sighed, then looked up at them straight, "The Mutum Heartlands are only fertile area of significance outside the oasis’s of Saddle Arabia. We brought oaths, to sell their bounty to all, and never raise an army of its own. And now, we are betrayed."

Dust spoke it a second before Fluttershy own thoughts came to the same conclusion, "Starhammer."

"He said that he was building an army to march on the false Caesar." The zebra stated leadenly, "With Incuta's armies on the way to Equestria alongside Star Fall's, we felt Starhammer's move upon him was imminent, paid no mind to his heavy troop movements. He was halfway across the plains before we realized his true intentions."

"How long have we been gone?!" Easu exclaimed behind, "For all this to happen in our absence?"

"What's the date?" Dust asked, nodding in agreement.

The zebra looked to his companions before speaking, "It is thirty fifth Greentime."

Fluttershy endured that like a blow to the head. Her mouth dropped open, wordless as Ace Gold spoke for her, "We've been gone a month and a half!?"

They all looked at each other, Easu finally making the first move. He advanced forward, fixing the zebra with a firm look, "We must find my master, Tradash the Black. Do any of you know where I can find him?"

"Noble zebra..." One of them started, his gaze trembling and hesitant. He looked at his fellows, then soulfully clasped a hoof across his chest in salute, "Starhammer... Starhammer killed him. Tradash the Black is dead."

______________________________________________________

Trait acquired: Element of Generosity
The unique properties of one of the elements of harmony have rubbed off on you. You gain a +1 to Endurance, a +1 bonus to all negotiation rolls, and a -25% bonus on aging checks.

Chapter 4.1 - Savage

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"Fekku, secure that rudder! Fumbles, get those pumps working! We'll make it out of here yet!"

Sabah held onto the deck fixtures for dear life as the ship ducked and leapt through the crashing waves, water careening across the deck with every impact. Sailors desperately tried to keep it under control but in the end most of them had come to the same conclusion she had, to move around unsecured would achieve nothing but getting yourself hurled overboard.

"Let me take that tiller son." A familiar booming voice stated from above, the zebra at the wheel fearfully moving aside to let the gigantic form of a buffalo through. His hooves took the controls and with a mighty heave brought it under control, the rocking easing a little, "Which direction to Star Fall?"

"That way noble master." The zebra pointed to the port side with a shaking voice, "But we would be going sideways to the wind, we'll capsize for sure."

Sabah couldn't take it anymore, looking over to the white furred mare standing strong in the middle of the deck, her white robes pulled tight around her and her horn exposed. It glowed with a gentle light, her eyes serene as she concentrated upon the spell. She watched the mare with desperate hope, that any second she would open her eyes and...

She opened her eyes, looking round at Sabah with agonizing regret, "I am sorry. Celestia's light has been blocked out by Caesar's curse, my prayers cannot make it through."

"You must be able to do something Diamond Prism!" Sabah cried, not about to give up on her mentor now, "Shield us, or something!"

The captain, a rough furred zebra gazed out ahead, then turned to Diamond Prism with narrowed eyes, "If we make it round the Sothe vortex we'll be able to swing back to calmer waters!"

"Of course." Diamond Prism acknowledged with a smile, then brought her horn up high, "I can feel it... Gentle Hooves, look ahead. Can you see it?"

The buffalo nodded, looking to where Sabah could see a golden light up ahead, "Straight for that point?"

"Yes, that should take us through the calmest part of the storm." Diamond Prism looked round at all the sailors, her smile beaming out, "Please noble sirs, just a little bit further! The dawn is in sight!"

Sabah let go of the fixture, daring to step a little across the swaying deck. She smiled as she saw Diamond Prism standing there, proud and confident even as the rain soaked her through.

Then a wave hit the ship and Sabah was hurled off her feet, slamming down onto her side and sent rolling across the deck, "AH!"

"Sabah!" Diamond Prism burst into action, charging through the rain and incepting Sabah. Sabah crashed into the mare and clung on desperately, Diamond Prism's horn bursting with light and sending a rope of glowing energy flying outwards to secure itself around a pipe. It drew them to a shuddering stop, Diamond Prism cradling Sabah close as she forced herself back up the deck. She had taken the first few steps when she looked down at Sabah with the deepest kindness and affection, pausing a moment to speak, "Sabah, don't be afraid."

She trusted Diamond Prism, she really did. Still... "This isn't the time to be afraid?"

Diamond Prism shook her head, "No Sabah. You'll see, Celestia will see us through this. As long as you walk under her protection, you will never need to fear."

Sabah smiled despite herself, a rare, desperate thing. She did not smile without cause, but she knew, that her mentor needed her to be strong now, "Thank you Diam..."

"WAVE!"

"TURN INTO IT! TURN..."

Something hit the ship hard, the deck shattering at the impact and the whole ship flung onto its side. Sabah and Diamond Prism were both send flying, Sabah clinging to the mare as she tried to work out which way was up and down.

All she knew was the ship was the wrong way up relative to the sea.

Golden light surrounded them, Diamond Prism's eyes closed tight and her teeth tightly clenched... the waters hit them and the shield collapsed, Sabah desperately clinging to her mentors neck as the currents tried to tear her away. It was so cold and suffocating, Sabah feeling her mouth fill with salt water as she desperately tried to stay afloat...

Then she felt something above, looking up and feeling her heart lift. It was impossible, but she could only trust her eyes. Diamond Prism was right.

An alicorn descended from the heavens, her mighty wings open and her magic flaring around her. Sabah's heart swelled with relief for one short moment... before unconsciousness took her and she was lost to the darkness.

......

She was alive. Hurt, but not badly, mostly bruises by the feel of things. She was damp but not that damp, and appeared to be lying on a metal floor. She heard hoofsteps and opened her eyes, focusing on a pretty zebra hardly older than her standing nearby. The zebra jumped back and Sabah tensed for a moment in case she attacked. She didn't make any moves to do so and so Sabah looked around, observing that this appeared to be some kind of living area constructed of metal and that the sound of a magic humming under her hooves suggested a craft of some sort.

She pushed herself onto her haunches, looking straight at the zebra, “Where’s Diamond Prism?”

The zebra's face instantly drained of color, her eyes grief stricken, “You’ve only just woken up…”

Panic seized Sabah. Why was this zebra trying to change the subject, why... she stood, raising her voice to a shout, “Where is she!?”

“I…” The zebra looked away, “She didn’t make it. I’m so, so sorry. We… we did what we could to save you all but...”

So she was dead.

Another one, lost to her.

She felt little, no grief, no sadness. She was obviously used to it by now, “Who are you? Why did you save us?”

The zebra looked about, Sabah following her. She found it hard to concentrate, but now she was calm she couldn't help but notice... a lot of ponies, and an alicorn of all things. The alicorn who had saved her?

Back there she had been an image of Celestia. Now... Sabah could see that she was just another one of the Equestria's war machines, and an ugly and ill shaped one at that. She could help feel a wave of revulsion come over her, even though she didn't seem hostile at present.

“We’re from Equestria. We’re traveling to the Zebra homelands to make peaceful contact there.”

Sabah looked back at the zebra, processing that information for a moment. Equestia... was making contact.

It was as Diamond Prism had hoped. As she had always dreamed. And now that it was a reality... her eyes traveled over to a large bundle of cloth on the floor, “Is that her?”

“I don’t think…”

“I want to see her.” She stated as she moved over. The zebra quickly backed away, Sabah pausing for a moment before composing herself and pulling the cloth away. It wasn't nearly as shocking as she expected, indeed... she looked down at that beautiful face, peaceful and unblemished, as if in sleep. Someone had even brushed her hair.

She took a deep breath, the desperate desire to do or say something almost overwhelming. In the end she said the only words she knew, “May the light of the moon and sun never leave you, may it be from Celestia or the Allmother. Let the warmth of love guide you through the darkness, protect you on your journey home. Those left behind will keep your memory in our hearts, gaining strength to live on for your honor.”

It felt empty, but it was all she had. It was after all, what her grandfather had said on the day her parents had died.

Diamond Prism sat on the slab at the church of Celestia, finally returned to Star Fall. Her expression was peaceful, her hooves folded. Sabah just stared, not quite knowing what to feel.

"She would be glad you're still alive Sabah."

Sabah looked up at Gentle Hooves, not even annoyed at the big buffalo's interruption of her thoughts, "Glad that I'm alone again?"

He attempted a smile, "You're not alone."

"You're not my father, you're my employer." She stated coldly, "In a few weeks you'll go back into the wasteland with new goods, and I promised myself that I would never return to that place."

He gave a short laugh, "To be honest Sabah, I'm not too keen on more sea travel." His face fell again as she didn't respond, sighing to himself and giving her a serious look, "Sabah, even if I am just your employer, I'll always have a place for you. Just come knocking, ok?"

She didn't answer, Gentle Hooves eventually moving off to leave her alone. She didn't turn to acknowledge his departure. She couldn't, not now. He was a good stallion, but he wasn't... he couldn’t replace what she had lost.

She tried to cry but it wouldn't come. Just... pressure, at the front of her skull.

"She brought me back home once."

Sabah turned with a start, having thought she was alone. She was amazed to see a mare just a few feet away, she honestly hadn't heard her approach. She was really pretty, for a second Sabah thought she was Celestia herself. White fur, pink eyes, a soft blue mane... "I... I'm sorry..."

The mare turned to Sabah, smiling a smile full of doubt and loneliness, "Hello child."

Sabah looked the mare over for a moment, sensing reluctance and a... desire to speak regardless. She decided to prod her into action, "She brought you home?"

"Yes." The mare gave a brilliant smile, relieved to be able to speak, "Diamond Prism was in the same class as me, back when we were both acolytes."

"What... what was she like?"

The mare grinned, "Quiet. Dutiful. I never paid her much attention, I must admit to being the opposite. But one day, when my pride truly got the better of me and grew determined that I had no place here... she was the only one who followed me, convinced me to go back. We became friends after that, she was always there to comfort me in my times of greatest need."

Sabah hesitated, "She... never spoke much of her time here..."

"Never spoke of me."

"I..."

The mare chuckled, "It is alright, she had reason. We went out into the wasteland together, to preach the work of Celestia. Sad to say we eventually parted company, and not on the best terms."

Sabah sensed some deep pain there, "Why not?"

"Because she was right and I was wrong." The mare answered sadly, before her face brightened again, "But her lessons found me in the end. Saved me. I only wish I could have told her of my regret, shared my plans with her."

Sabah sighed. She knew how that felt, "I wish she was still here."

"Yes." The mare answered simply, "But we will honor her. I will lead her funeral at Dusk, if you wish to attend."

Sabah had to say she had second thoughts about that. During her short time here she had suffered nothing but suspicion, disgust and scorn, already been made well aware quite what those here thought of wasteland zebra, "Thank you. I'll see."

"Of course." The mare replied, then moved a little closer. She offer Sabah a smile, something... sharp and cold behind her eyes as she looked Sabah over, "It was good to meet you Sabah."

Sabah gave the mare a look of surprise, "You know my name?"

"Star Swirl mentioned it to me. Asked me to admit you into the church of Celestia as an initiate." The mare stated, a seed of doubt in her voice, "I must admit, it's a rather... surprising request, a zebra wishing to join us. A wasteland zebra no less. Still Celestia's light welcomes all."

Sabah sniffed in frustration, she didn't have to tell her that, "Thank you... um..."

"Sunshine Ivory." The mare stated, introducing herself with a smile, "A pleasure to meet you."

Sabah placed her head through the cloth and let it fall over her, kicking out her back legs to knock it fully into place. It felt nice on her fur, nothing like the roughness of armor or cloth. She wondered what it was made of, feeling like she was intruding somehow on a world she could never understand.

She advanced over to a mirror, eyes moving across the strange figure before her. Given her entirely white face and stringy ebony hair, she looked positively ghostly in the white cloak. Considering the facial scars and maroon eyes, she looked like a ghost from hell.

"Cool." She noted with a grin, before galloping off to see what else the day brought.

Star Fall was certainly different from any place she had ever seen before, even the largest cities she had visited in the wasteland nowhere near as vast and expansive. From the lowest levels she could barely see the sky in places, every direction filled with rising spires of rusted metal plastered with symbols of the world before. The trip from Gentle Hooves’ shop took her down from the lowest and poorest levels right up to the governmental districts where the church was situated, giving her plenty of time to admire the sights...

...and get completely lost.

She eventually managed to stumble onto the temple grounds only about ten minutes late, the monk at the door giving her a disapproving look and ushering her in. She looked around the entrance hall, took the first left and galloped along an empty corridor, hopeful that she could just slip into the crowd.

She almost put pay to that by stumbling into a pair of fellow initiates moving out in front of her, ducking away as they moved past. It was a zebra male and a pony female, the female sounding confused and worried as she stepped behind him, "Am... am I in trouble?"

"No." The zebra stated firmly, not turning to look at her, "She just wants to see you out in the garden for a moment."

They travelled onwards, Sabah just about to continue past... but something in the zebra's eyes had given her pause. Those were eyes of deception, worry, determination. They were not good emotions.

She made her mind up, traveling after the two with quiet hooves.

"You can't do... mmph!"

"Hold her Jevig."

Sabah had been right to be concerned, sneaking out of the door and into an isolated part of the temple gardens as she saw the pony thrown to the floor, three zebra around her now. Sabah moved closer while they were distracted, considering the situation before her.

The zebra she had seen before was the youngest of the three, the only one wearing initiate robes. The second wore the robes of a senior and was much bigger, the third wearing work overalls and appearing to be the eldest. It was him who was holding the pony, weaving a gag about her mouth while the other two prepared a bag.

Sabah considered her options for a moment. It didn't take long, especially as the eldest zebra delivered a kick to the pony’s chest. She charged out of the bushes with only the rustle of grass to announce her presence and leapt upwards to slam a hoof into the third zebra's jaw. He yelled out and fell sideways, the other two freezing in place as Sabah landed and quickly tore the gag free from the pony's jaw.

But the third zebra had recovered much faster than she had expected, leaping back up and lunging for her before she had a chance to draw her head back up. She took the blow across her side and danced away to defuse the force of the blow, leaving her off balance as he dropped onto his hind legs and thrust his hooves out. It wasn't bad, but if knew what he was doing he wouldn't have thrown it in the first place. She ducked left, grabbed his hoof, kicked his back hoof away and twisted as he felt, straining the joint hard as he thumped to the ground with a yell.

He rolled onto his side, Sabah kicking him away with a thrust of her leg. He skidded across the grass and hit a tree, grunting and shouting at the two others, "Kill the pegasi, now!"

Sabah heard him, positioning herself between them and the pony filly. She had just turned to glare at his two companions when the youngest tackled her firmly in the chest. She rolled with the blow, twisted herself round and flung him behind her, using his own momentum to throw him forcefully into a bush.

And then she was totally taken off guard as the senior zebra drew a pistol from his robes. She hadn't expected that, given no chance to dodge... a bolt of blue light flew from the weapon and caught her firmly in the side, sending a surge of pain shooting through every muscle. She screamed and her hooves collapsed under her, muscles spasming in agonizing pain.

"You little bitch!" The oldest zebra stated as he limped towards her prone form, glaring down at her with absolute fury, "You fucking broke my leg!"

She spat up at him, a second before his hoof came down upon her groin. She gasped in pain, another driving hard into her ribcage. She curled up in defense, seeing the pony filly run to help before being quickly intercepted by the senior zebra who had shot her. She tried to dodge around to reach Sabah but he grappled her and drove her head firmly into the ground, causing the filly to cry out in pain as he pulled her hair back. Sabah reached out with a hoof, "Stop..."

"Worry about yourself!" The older zebra climbed atop her, placing a hoof down upon her neck and squeezing, "Little wasteland rube! Not the culture or intelligence you're born with, yet you think you can walk in here, wear those clothes, talk to me like you're worth a damn?!"

She glared up at him, having shat out better and certainly not about to yield to scum like him, "I'm... worth a hundred of you..."

"Oh really?" He leaned in close, grinning, "Well let me tell you..."

She brought her head forward, sunk her teeth into his cheek, and tore his face open.

"YEEEEEEEEEEEAGHHHHHHH!"

"Holy..." The zebra with the gun started as Sabah kicked away from the now bleeding zebra, then sprang towards him. He tried to raise his weapon but he didn't get a chance, Sabah reacting on pure instinct. It was exactly had she had done a hundred times before. She darted in, moving from side to side to deny him a clear shot. She changed direction suddenly as she covered the last of the distance, seizing the zebra's head in both hooves and flinging herself sideways.

She had only realized her mistake when she landed smoothly back onto her hooves, watching the zebra crumple limp to the ground with his head twisted an unnatural angle. The other was gurgling and screaming as he desperately hooved at the huge hole in his face. The youngest zebra took one look and ran screaming for the guards, Sabah looking back at the earth pony filly. She sat there with a look of utter horror, horror directed at Sabah. Sabah placed a hoof to her own jaw and bringing it back covered in sticky blood, running her tongue about and dislodging a strip of flesh from her teeth. She looked below, seeing her robe was covered in dark, angry red stains.

She looked back, robed church guards already approaching with guns drawn. She saw the way things were going, girding herself to run...

The filly caught her hoof, holding it with a shaking, frightened grasp. Sabah looked back at that face, the filly's eyes filled with doubt and uncertainty... and... trust?

Firm hooves grabbed her, forcing her to the ground and securing cuffs around her ankles. She didn't try and resist.

She sat in the cell for quite some time, her legs chained and not a single visitor. Eventually her ears perked as she heard some guards approaching, two big beefy zebra opening the door and wordlessly ushering her forward. She wondered if they were leading her to her execution, already formulating plans of how she would take them down as she was marched down the corridor. They eventually reached a metal reinforced door, opening it up to reveal a small room with a table.

Another zebra was waiting at the table, older and more rugged than the others, with a bionic leg and eye. He smirked at her as she entered, looking up at the two guards, "Are the cuffs really necessary?"

The guards gave each other nervous looks, "With all due respect sir, she killed a zebra with her bare hooves."

"Some skinny kid." He waved a hoof at her, "Take them off, and then leave us."

They hesitated for a moment before doing as he asked, Sabah standing perfectly still as the cuffs fell away and they quietly left the room. She waited a moment more to see what the older zebra would do, looking up as he finally spoke up with a cheerful tone, "Come on girl."

She carefully and slowly walked over to the table, looking the zebra in the eye, "What do you want?"

"You're well trained." The zebra stated with a grin, actually looking oddly impressed.

"Not really." Sabah replied honestly, "I just watched zebra fight. No one ever taught me."

"That was a textbook Doom Bunny spinning neckbreaker girl." He replied, sounding impatient, "You've had formal instruction."

She felt the old familiar pain return, silently enduring it for a moment before shaking her head free of such thoughts. She had no desire to revisit that part of her life, "As I said, I watched zebra fight. Eventually I learned to fight back."

"I wish every zebra had that drive." He replied with a smirk, waving a hoof at her casually, "How old are you?"

"Twelve."

He chuckled, "Well start them young..." He leaned forward, drawing in close as his features twisted in an evil grin, "How would you like to work for me girl?"

She frowned, looking him over. He hoped he wasn't thinking 'that' kind of work, "Doing what?"

"Fighting. Killing." He shrugged, "I could think of lots of uses for a little ninja like you."

This possibly provoked an even stronger reaction, "No. I'm sorry."

"May I ask why?"

"I came here to join the church of Celestia. To get away from fighting and killing"

He smirked, "You're a zebra child, and you killed a fellow initiate. You really think they're going to let you in now?"

"I defended a fellow initiate." She declared firmly, knowing the truth of what Diamond Prism had taught her, "I did nothing wrong, and they will accept that."

"Heh..." He looked a little confused, eying her carefully, "You're pretty optimistic for a wasteland girl."

"It's not optimism." She countered angrily, knowing he wouldn't understand, "I didn't come all this way, lose Diamond Prism, just to be denied now."

"Well well." He commented, sounding impressed, "You are a passionate one. Can you come in Sunshine?"

The door opened a few seconds later, Sabah's breath catching a moment as Sunshine Ivory walked inside. She looked even more radiant than normal, after a moment Sabah realized she was wearing make up. As she flashed a beaming smile at the zebra at the table and he in turn watched her with a rather intense expression Sabah couldn't help wonder who the display was for. She cleared such thoughts from her mind for now, focusing on what was in front of her, "High Priestess Sunshine Ivory, I..."

"Sunshine will do Sabah." She stated with gentle kindness, drawing herself up and smiling benevolently, "I must apologize, this must all have been very difficult for you."

"I..." Sabah started, then paused. Something... was off. Something about this mare, the way she moved, the way she looked. After a moment Sabah caught those eyes, those soft celestia pink irises hiding a cool, assessing, gaze that stood in stark opposition to her expression. Sabah quickly started again, sensing those eyes become colder with every moment of hesitation, "I'm the one to blame. I shouldn't have taken it that far."

Sunlight Ivory stood silent for a moment, seeming to consider her words. Eventually she spoke, "Do you regret the life lost?"

Sabah paused. She realized that pause was suspicious on its own, deciding to be honest, "I shouldn't have killed him, but he made that choice to attack a wasteland zebra even after he saw what I could do. He pressed me, and I reacted poorly, but it was his own choice."

"It's a fair answer Sunlight." The older zebra stated, shrugging his shoulders, "I killed the boy's father for the same reason. Fool picked a fight he couldn't win."

Sabah blinked, "You killed his father?"

The zebra simply chuckled at her, "Among other zebra. Rest assured they won't be bothering you again kid."

"It is... politics dear." Sunshine Ivory stated after a moment, her warm smile a mask upon a deeper, hidden face, "And they would have killed that filly if you hadn't stood up for her. Indeed, you averted a great deal of... unhappiness."

This confused matters even more. Were they... glad? "So it was a good thing?"

"But you didn't know any of that when you killed him did you? You cannot claim knowledge of any such consequences?"

Sabah hesitated, then shook her head, "No."

She sighed, considering briefly before facing her again, "I will have no further fighting from you, under any circumstances." She stated firmly, her words clear and without malice, "And you will room at the temple, with restricted ability to leave for the first few months. You will find plenty to occupy your time, believe me."

Sabah felt her heart lift, "So you'll let me back in?"

"You are a remarkable girl, of great potential." Her smile became warm again, though something still lurked behind those eyes, "I would be taking a great risk in allowing you to join us, but I choose to believe you would not betray that trust a second time."

She shook her head, "No."

She smiled, this time full of genuine warmth, "Then let’s get you set up."

"Nice to see it all worked out." The older zebra stated, giving Sabah a cheerful grin, "But my offer still remains girl."

Sunshine Ivory smiled at this, looking genuine for the first time since she entered the room, "Thank you Themba, for your aid."

Sabah looked round at him, honestly shocked. She had heard a few things about Star Fall of course, and she knew a little history. Star Fall had been a boogieman out east, a evil as terrifying at the Enclave. She knew all about Star Fall's wars of aggression, of their raids, of their plots against the rest of the zebra. And she knew all about their instigator, the beast of the west...

...General Themba, the Butcher of Star Fall.

The zebra chuckled, shooting her a cheerful smile that wrinkled his flatteringly aged features, his eyes genuine and friendly. His voice was full of affection, "See you around kid. Good luck with your studies."

She stood before the statue of Celestia, admiring the power of her figure. She had heard so much about her, what she stood for. They were things she had always desired. Order, justice, but paired with mercy and love. Perfect unachievable goals out in the wasteland, but Diamond Prism had convinced her that they weren't impossible dreams. That Celestia had managed it, ruling in glory for over a thousand years.

Some would indeed call her a traitor to her race, but of course as Diamond Prism had pointed out Celestia hadn't been a pony. She was an alicorn, and the ponies basically recruited them to run their government for them. The idea that something better, something divine could save them... that gave Sabah hope even in her darkest moments.

"Good morning young lady." A soft, amiable voice stated from just off to the side, Sabah turning to see an elderly pony with brown fur and a look of weary amusement. He gave a bow of his head as he came over, steps slow and unhurried, "I am Ashen, a teacher at the temple of Celestia. It is good to meet you."

She looked him over, certainly feeling like he was genuine, "You are... my teacher?"

"If you will let me be."

She hesitated at this, wondering quite how to reply. Finally she nodded, "I'll try."

He smiled, "Can you read and write?"

"I can, in Irasi, Jarato and Equestrian." She confirmed, "I can speak them as well."

"Diamond Prism taught you well." He noted with a warm smile, "She was a student of mine you know."

Now Sabah's attention was sparked, "She was?"

"We never thought she would be the one to spread our ideals into the wasteland. She was always so quiet, so soft. She respected all life, and no one I have taught has been as gentle as her." He nodded, "Yet she was braver than all of us. I honestly believe that she would be happy, knowing that she brought you here to us."

Sabah dropped her head. She wasn't one to bemoan her fate, or being unthankful. Still, "I thought she would be with me."

"It is unfortunate. But you are not alone." His eyes turned to the entrance, a young pegasi filly standing there with a nervous expression, "This young lady for example wishes to thank you. Your brave actions saved her life."

The filly nervously stepped forward, though an infectious grin was already spreading across her face, "It's... um... it's wonderful to finally get a chance to speak to you." She padded a hoof against her chest, "My name is Thousand Sunny."

"Sabah." She replied, looking away and blushing a little, "It... wasn't anything."

"It was to me." Sunny replied, giggling slightly, "And I hope you don't mind... if I stick near to you for the next few months?"

Sabah looked up at her, confused, "Next to me?"

"Well, I'll never have to worry about bullies." She mentioned with a broad grin.

The lessons proceeded with the difficulty she expected, the small amount of teaching she had received from Diamond Prism barely a tiny fraction of what even the younger kids around her seemed to know. She was ashamed to say she lost her temper quite often at the beginning, stomping out to stand in the corridor or stare up at the statue of Celestia in the garden, equally ashamed to say that her teacher always welcomed her back without comment when she calmed down.

Elder Ashen was as good as his word at least, spending time each day going through the lessons and explaining them to her. He was even interested in her stories of her life out in the wasteland, and bit by bit she slowly spoke of her most shameful memories. He understood and forgave, and some of her stories he encouraged her to speak of in class. Sunshine Ivory soon left for the wasteland and left Bishop Ember in charge, still things didn't change much. She continued to apply herself, attempt to learn proper manners, and conduct herself as Diamond Prism would have wanted.

She did, and slowly friendships formed with the others.

It helped that she easily picked up the physical education part of her studies, quickly becoming the zebra everyone wanted on their team. She eventually was convinced to help out as a coach, and admitted her frustration with the role faded away as she saw those under her tuition start to improve leaps and bounds.

Friends came even easier after that, which annoyed her. She saw ponies and zebra approach her who clearly had no interest in who she was, just what she had done and what she looked like. She excused herself with all the politeness she could muster, spending much of her time alone. She liked that, and those she allowed into her life understood that.

Ponies like Thousand Sunny, whose declaration of friendship proved deeply sincere. The pegasus was smart, cheerful and diligent and Sabah found her a singularly warm and caring mare to be around, calming her temper by her very presence. Sometimes when the memories got too much Sabah would go to Sunny's room and fall asleep with her head laid against Sunny's chest, listening to her heartbeat and knowing she was safe.

She lay there now, Sunny gently brushing her hair as she sang. The pegasus filly sang like an angel, her voice clear and unpretentious. Sabah never tired of hearing it, and Sunny loved to sing.

"Where were you born Sabah?"

She looked up at Sunny, having to think for a moment, "My family lived near the centre of Sequestria territory."

"What's it like out there?" She asked, before giving a sheepish smile, "My grandfather fought out there when he was younger, but I've only ever been as far as the edge of the Golden Coast."

"I've traveled around a lot." Sabah admitted, then tried to find the right words to answer her inquiry, "It's... orange."

"Orange?"

"The rocks in Sequestra, they're bright orange." She stated a little lamely, unsure quite how else to describe it, "And it's... so empty. You can go days without seeing a single other zebra, and most towns only have a few hundred inhabitants."

"I would hate it." Sunny replied with a little wince, "I hate being alone."

"You always have yourself, and the world around." Sabah reasoned, taking a moment to fully appreciate Sunny's touch on her scalp, her head softly resting against her belly. It wasn't all that different really, "Just... standing there, feeling the wind on your fur. You never feel like you're alone."

"You're so amazing Sabah." Sunny exclaimed with a little frustration, "I can't imagine why you're still friends with a boring girl like me."

Sabah frowned at this, rising a little to look at her, "You're not boring Sunny. You're really intelligent, you're friends with everyone, and you know so many stories." She couldn't help but smile, even if it felt terribly goofy, "And you tell them really well. You have a really nice voice."

"Heh, heh..." She blushed, but looked pleased none the less, "I just wish I had some of my own stories to tell."

Sabah settled back down, feeling that she was seriously underestimating the power of her gift. Sabah had spent her whole life out there, and she still felt like Sunny understood it better than she did, "Tell me one, please?"

"What kind of story would you like?"

"Any kind of story." Sabah then thought for a second before correcting herself, "Tell me a story about the pegasi."

Sunny chuckled, pausing in thought, "Well... how about I tell you a story about pegasi and zebra?"

Sabah's ears perked up at this, "That sounds great."

"Ok." She took a deep breath before starting, "This takes place down in the Mutum valley, several years before the end of the Great Winter. The Enclave were just starting to abandon their bases, and one day an evacuation shuttle experienced some engine trouble...

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts

I have determined that it has been four hours since my vessel crashed into the Mutum desert, judging from the position of the sun. It is most unfortunate but based on a preliminary inspection my crew appears to be dead and the scout craft irreparable. My own injuries account to a broken leg and two broken ribs, alongside assorted lacerations, grazes and semi-serious head wounds. Supplies all appear to have been destroyed in the fire, I am trapped in hostile territory and my emergency weapon appears firmly jammed. Daytime temperatures read as four degrees centigrade.

In short, position is disadvantageous, but tenable. First task is to ensure some sort of signal fire to alert rescue ships. Fortunately most of the area is already on fire so this should be relatively simple. Loyalty and honor!

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
Further setbacks, as it appears my signal fire has attracted a small force of about four dozen heavily armed zebra, who judging but the gunshots and flung grenades appear to be hostile to my presence. Fortunately I was able to take advantage of their primitive, superstitious nature and present myself as some sort of god like figure by gluing various articles of clothing to my withers and doing a ritualistic 'rain dance'. This worked even better than I'd hoped, the zebra all expressing signs of obvious joy and worship before only beating me semi severely and taking me back to their camp under heavy guard. Given the respect they now clearly hold me in I am confident that they will see fit to dress my multiple bleeding open wounds and provide me some form of sustenance in the morning.

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
They have given me no form of sustenance in three days. Fortunately I am a student of Cloud Cover's advanced survival techniques course, and was able to create an edible meal from my flight jacket and toe clippings. Confident rescue will be any day now.

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
Rescue has not yet arrived, obviously due to the poor weather conditions. I am in luck however, as it appears the leader of this group knows some pidgin form of Equestrian and I was able to initiate communication with him. He also seems to suffer from some sort of unfortunate skin condition that has caused patches of his skin to fall off, with this in mind I offered him a deal.

He seemed most interested when I described the wide range of exfoliating facial creams the Enclave possesses, and I promised access to both the benefits of our cosmetics industry and fine representative democracy if they would kindly surrender themselves to the Enclave. He laughed then and left me, which I took as a clear affirmative. I now just have to wait until he comes back to discuss the terms of his surrender.

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
I am making further allies in this savage land. The zebra with the unfortunate skin (who I have learned is called Sharps, though there is nothing 'sharp' about this one, ho ho) took me to visit another leader, and asked me to repeat my terms to him. This zebra also laughed for quite some time, before describing me as quite a find. Clearly I am on my way to being considered some kind of great leader among these savage creatures.

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
They are letting me out of my cage now, clearly having accepted me as one of their own. Though we are no closer to contacting the Enclave (no doubt due to these zebra's primitive communications equipment) I have been able to infiltrate heavily into their inner workings. Fortunately it appears that they have grossly underestimated the resolve of the great pegasus enclave, as I have heard them frequently express statements like 'they're getting absolutely annihilated', 'never coming back' and 'running away with their tails between their legs'. Though I have been shown very convincing evidence of these statements I am confident that this is all a cunning ruse, and pegasi troops will mount their counter attack any moment now.

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
The Enclave have not mounted a counter attack as yet, obviously to lure these savages into a false sense of security. I admit to occasionally feeling some thoughts unworthy of a proud enclave officer at times, but am sustaining my spirits by reading what pages of my service manual I haven't been forced to eat.

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
Aha, finally a breakthrough! The leader of these bandits, Sharps, finally let his guard down! I have often seen him playing card games with his men and other bandit leaders, and he appears to be rather good at the game considering his constant victories. I asked to join a few days ago, and was eventually allowed to play.

At first it seems my luck was not with me, ending up losing my tail, several teeth and my virginity, however on my final bet Sharps challenged me personally to one final bet. Lose and I would be forced to remain his devoted servant for the rest of my days. He laughed when I reversed the bet as my own terms, and he proudly stated that no one had beaten him in years.

Little did he know that I was the undisputed Enclave Navy 'Snap' champion for four years in a row, and that I was only pretending to be incompetent at the game!

And just as planned, one vicious beating from his men later and he finally agreed to my terms. I have asked him to take me to the nearest settlement so that I may contact Enclave Command, and finally go back home. We leave tomorrow. It seems things are finally looking up! Loyalty and honor!

Personal Log of First Lieutenant Clear Voice of the 21st Scouts
Apparently I have been registered as KIA, my wife married my best friend about four days after my disappearance and the Enclave has no intention of mounting a rescue.

A somewhat unfortunate situation really.

Sharps is surprisingly good company for a dirty zebra savage.

"Are you ok Sabah?"

She bit her lip in a desperate attempt to still her giggles, not really helping as much as she hoped. Finally she managed to pull herself under some sort of control, wiping the tears from her eyes, "Oh wow... I grew up in the west, I was always hearing stories about the evil Enclave from crusty old zebra. Were they really this goofy?"

"I think Voice exaggerated it a little." Sunny admitted, chuckling a little herself, "I'm Enclave born myself actually."

"Really?"

"When they evacuated Mutum they left a lot of pegasi behind. My grandfather was a supply officer for a military base, and when the troops pulled out hundreds of refugees swarmed in look for food and shelter." She stated proudly, her ears perking up high, "He refused to leave them, set up a system to preserve food and resources, maintained order. The Enclave called him a traitor, stripped him of his rank."

Sabah noted they weren't in the Mutum valley anymore, "What happened?"

Her face fell, "Bandits attacked and destroyed the resources in the end. My mother pulled him out of there, they travelled down east to where it was said the snow and ice were less intense, thought to try and find Star Fall."

"You found it."

"Yes." She grinned happily, "My mother met my father, they had me, and we all lived happily ever after."

Sabah remembered what had happened at their first meeting, her mood darkening, "Not quite ever after."

"Oh... that." She acknowledged, before her cheer returned, "It was something to do with... really old stuff that no one should care about. That's what my parents said at least. Themba sorted them out."

Sabah smiled at the mention of the old zebra's name, "He's pretty cool. I heard he's this big villain, but he's been nice to me ever since I got here."

"I hate fighting." Sunny asserted, before shrugging her shoulders and sighing, "My grandfather, and my mother... I know they killed a lot of zebra back in the day. But they've all left that in the past, lived virtuous lives ever since. I don't see why others can't do the same."

Sabah let her mind fall into the dark place, allowed herself to think on the past for a moment, "I've killed."

"So?"

Sabah tensed up, feeling fear enter her heart, "I've done... worse."

"I don't care." She stated firmly, "You're working hard to be a better zebra. That's so brave of you, I've seen myself how few honestly try to change themselves for the better."

Sabah agreed, though she hesitated to say it out loud. It sounded so simple from Sunny, who had never done anything bad enough to seek redemption. She didn't know what it was like, to be covered in blood, to have sunk so far you were barely an animal. She wondered if Themba had felt the same.

"Do I regret anything?" Themba asked as they walked the walls of the great volcano at the heart of Star Fall, the iron gantries that looked out over the vast city below. He was as thunderously cheerful as ever, not a moment of doubt in his tones, "I lived my life how I believed it should be lived."

Sabah thought that kind of conviction sounded nice, "You've never doubted yourself?"

"They elected me to this position, they told me I was the right one for the job. I was their best general, I won more battles than any of them. And I did what Star Fall said must be done." Themba shrugged, stopping at the iron railings and looking down, "if I had been fighting for myself, I might have done things differently. But I wasn't. They demonize me, call me a villain. They forget that I was part of a council of four, that I was chosen by and serve a population of thousands."

Sabah thought that sounded very reasonable, "You didn't really have control."

"I don't believe any creature does." He stated bluntly, "We think we do, but in the end we are bound by our natures and the situations we find ourselves in. The rest... random chance, the slight influences and moods that alter our perceptions in one way or another."

"Then what's the point?"

"Good company, good drink, good food?" He looked out over the city, giving a contented smile, "And personally, there's a peace to coming to terms with your own lack of power."

Peace... she was a long way from peace.

She was... hungry. So hungry. She trod across hot, cracked dirt, body heavy despite being reduced to barely a whisper of what she once was. Her stomach felt like it was being pulled inside out, her fur thin across dry, broken skin. The sun beat down upon her, merciless and cruel.

She looked up as she heard hoofsteps approach, ducking behind some rocks. The source behind them soon revealed themselves, a tall male zebra in worn leather armor, a rifle dangling at his side. He looked around in frustration, eyes narrowed against the glare.

Sabah looked to his pack, then moved in. She darted across the sands with a speed she didn't believe herself still capable of, launching herself at the zebra and fixing her teeth into his throat.

He cried out briefly before she slammed him down, getting a good grip and tearing his throat out. He gurgled, spasmed briefly, then went limp.

She barely took a moment to notice, focusing on her true objective. She grabbed his pack and tore it open, spilling contents across the sands. Bullets, a medical kit, a traveling cloak...

No! No! She searched his body again but it soon become clear, he wasn't carrying a scrap of food or water. Looking at him he looked rather dehydrated himself, in fact he had likely come out here looking for food.

She couldn't die out here, it couldn't all be for nothing...

Her eyes settled on the dead zebra, her desperation driving everything but survival from her mind. She leant down and bit deep into his flesh.

She awoke gasping, seeing Sunny's peaceful features just a nose away and darting back. She couldn't get blood on her fur, couldn't...

She touched a hoof to her face, revealing nothing but sweat. It had just been a dream...

No. A memory.

She felt the need to heave, staggering out onto the balcony and breathing deep of the cool night air. That was the third time she had endured that nightmare, and it never got any easier. No matter how hard she tried to forget...

She knew it was blasphemous, wrong. Still she looked up at the shining moon above and whispered a prayer, "Luna, guardian of dreams, watch over me in the night. Drive away my terrors..."

She was here again, smaller, weaker. Her coat stung with lice and raw lacerations, sitting watching as Anno ate his fill of the zebra they had killed. She was hungry, so hungry, but she knew not to ask.

"Do you want some Sabah?"

She looked up at his blood soaked features, giving a little nod.

"Then come over."

She padded over, slowly cautiously. He just smiled down at her and she leant forward to eat... and struck her across the jaw, flinging her to the ground. She mewled in protest as he pinned her, roughly pressing his hooves into her chest, "Still too slow. Still too weak."

She gasped, feeling his body press against hers, "Please Anno..."

"Tell me you need me. Tell me you want me." He grinned, "Tell me that no one else could ever loved you, because you're just a monster like me."

"I..."

Then Anno exploded into sparkles, Sabah left confused for a moment or two before looking over to the side where the tall, ebon black alicorn stood, powerful and noble. She couldn't believe it for a moment, finally forcing her words, "Princess Luna?"

"I wish I could kill the memory permanently." She lamented, then gave a somewhat confused look as she stared around, "Hmm, this dream should already be deconstructing..."

Sabah was confused. Could it really be...? "Are you really Princess Luna?"

Luna looked back, Sabah noting she looked more like Nightmare Moon than the less demonic looking alicorn she had seen in books. Still she didn't look aggressive, and she didn't sense malicious intent when she looked into her eyes. More... determination, and a deep sadness. The alicorn’s voice too was concerned, curious, "You are not one of my children... where are you sleeping child?"

"I... Star Fall..."

Luna looked surprised at this, "Really? My powers are getting stronger..." She looked around again, and then turned to Sabah with a questioning look, "It seems I made a mistake. If that zebra had been the centre of this nightmare, this would already be over. But we're still here."

Sabah looked over to where Anno had stood, "He's not the one I'm afraid of."

"Then who is?"

"Myself." She looked over at the half eaten corpse, then down at her beaten, bruised flesh, "I am grateful to Anno. Before him, I was even lower than this. Without him I would have died." She shivered, "It's painful to think I was ever this weak."

Luna frowned, but her smile quickly returned, "I understand."

"You do?"

"I am the Princess of all things dark and terrible, I understand what it's like to feel worthless and unworthy. I... have done many terrible things." She nodded, her eyes lacking any judgment, "You are a Priestess of Celestia?"

"An acolyte."

"A priestess of Celestia saved me. Showed me a better way, when I was at my darkest. And soon I found good friends, to stand with me when I wavered... and allow me to stand beside them and protect the things I cared about." Luna stepped over, horn glowing gently, "Have you found friends?"

"Yes..." She whispered.

"Picture them."

Sabah did so, soon feeling a strange... connection with Princess Luna. It drew something out of her, and soon she felt the world around shift and change. She opened her eyes before she even realized they had been closed, seeing around her... the temple of Celestia, dozens of ponies standing around her. Thousand Sunny, Elder Ashen, Themba, Star Swirl, Gentle Hooves, Fekku... Diamond Prism.

The mare smiled peacefully across at her, Sabah's heart aching. She realized this was just a dream, still it made her feel just a little better knowing she was still watching over her.

"You have many good friends." Luna stated, moving over to Star Swirl, the alicorn looking rather embarrassed to be here and averting her eyes at Luna's gaze. Luna grinned in reaction, looking back over at Sabah, "Celestia was right, friendship is magic."

"I... think I'm beginning to understand that." She replied, then bowed gratefully before her, "Thank you... I never thought you would actually answer my prayer."

"You..." Luna hesitated for a moment before her smile returned in full force, "You are never alone. Even if you can't see Celestia or me, we are always looking over you."

Sabah had never liked that argument, "We need you..."

"No, you don't." Luna answered firmly, "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that the power to change the world dwells in the hooves of anyone who wishes to claim it. Always remember that, and... never stop believing."

Sabah tried to answer but she already felt the dream fading, Luna's smile the last thing she remembered as peaceful rest settled over her.

She couldn't help but feel the mare looked worried somehow.

She remembered the dream the next day, feeling Luna's words put a spring in her step. She dug out books on the deeper mysteries and understood a little more of what Celestia had spoken, deep in study when darkness suddenly came over the whole city. She couldn't help feeling an odd sense of calm when panicking priests ran outside and wailed at the noontime eclipse of the sun, Sabah reassuring Sunny as the night stretched on for three more days. She prayed to Celesta and felt a sense of protective worry, feeling that somehow the moon had emerged in order to give strength to one lost in the darkness.

She understood such things, and she prayed for peace to find them, as it had found her.

The sun finally emerged a day later, Star Fall filled with cheering crowds at its return. Sabah tried to join them but she was filled with a strange sadness, as if something important had been lost.

She never again dreamed of Luna, no matter how much she prayed for it.

She maintained her contacts outside as well, spending a fair amount of time working for the shipping company Gentle Hooves had set up. He was kind to her and paid her too much for what little she helped with, Sabah donating the money to the church to cover the costs of her board and tuition. She worked beside Fekku, the cowardly zebra who had also been saved by Star Swirl, finding herself enjoying his company to a quite unusual degree. He was foolish and nervous, all too easily bullied into following Sabah around town to carry her shopping or attend concerts with her. She was most gratified to find him worshipping at the Church, though she wondered if it really was right for a zebra to beg and grovel so much before the statue of Celestia.

"Have you put any thought into what you want to do when you're of age Sabah?" Gentle Hooves asked one day as he moved through the shop floor, balancing a frame of crates upon his mighty shoulders, "You'll be thirteen next month, time for a young lady to think of her career."

It was a question to be sure, Sabah considering the matter with the seriousness it deserved. Many of her peers mocked such questions, but she was not the type to let the future go unplanned, "I would like to become a wasteland preacher, like Diamond Prism."

"I fear for the young miss, alone in the wastelands trying to preach to savages." Fekku mentioned with a quiver in his voice, "Better that you remain here, where you are safe."

She turned one disapproving eye towards him, though she knew he meant no harm, "I am a wasteland savage."

He sank his bony shoulders in supplication before her stare, his ears plastered against his skull, "I am so sorry young miss, I did not mean to offend... but the young miss is clearly different from those other savages, this is why Diamond Prism brought you here yes?"

Gentle Hooves smiled softly, "He has a point, though I don't think it's the one he means." The buffalo’s eyes floated across her body, looking regretful, "You have spent so much time trying to escape your past, do you truly want to confront it once more? Violence is a way of life out there, even I was forced to carry a weapon for my own defense."

She contemplated this, looking down at her own hooves. Still rougher and harder than those of the others she had met here, she could still remember how to use them to break skulls and shatter limbs. It didn't disturb her as much as she felt it should.

"Really? You wish to learn how to fight as we do?" Bishop Ember noted with disapproval as he looked down at her, cold and assessing as always, "The way I hear it, those hooves are covered in enough blood."

She met his stare. She was sure of her own intentions, "You say you only fight to defend yourself, never seeking to kill."

"Never seeking to fight at all if we can help it."

"All I know how to do with these hooves is kill." She stated with disgust, looking down at them, "I want to learn how to use them to protect those I care about, use them to stop bad people without killing them. I'm strong, I should use that strength."

"Hmm. I admire such clarity." Bishop Ember smiled a little, his dark features lightening somewhat, "We are not the Holy Fire, who believe all violence is evil. We follow Celestia's example, and she was not afraid to fight and kill for the greater good. But this violence must be measured, controlled, targeted."

"Yes." She agreed, "And I want to know how to do that, control my strength."

"Then come with me."

Sabah struggled far more than she thought she would, having become used to physical disciplines being the one thing she was good at. Maybe it was because she was so good at it, she felt like she was having to fight against every instinct she had. She was good at fighting, she had always been good at fighting, thinking 'why' she was good at fighting was a whole other thing.

"Yow!" She yelled out as her flank smacked against the energy field around the arena, leaving her too distracted to avoid Ember as he placed hooves about her and slammed her to the ground. She cursed, rubbing the sore spot as Ember removed his weight and allowed her to move again, "This is too hard!"

"You are the one who boasted of your skills." Ember spoke coolly as he sat back on his haunches, the pair of unicorn powering the energy shield letting it fall. Ember extended a hoof and caught one of the glowing sparks as it fell from the fading shield, holding it out to her, "One should always be aware of the environment in a fight. The zebra who is aware of the world around them, aware of the enemy and aware of themselves, only then will they be truly invincible."

"Really?" She asked, feeling a little bitter, "Because it feels like I'm getting worse."

"You may never be quite as powerful as you were before, it is true." Ember commented, watching her for her reaction, "I will not lie, you possess remarkable instincts. I would struggle against you if you went full out."

"Then why?"

He smiled softly, "Because I will teach you how to win, not simply defeat your enemy."

She didn't understand then, but as her training continued she slowly started to catch on. It really came when she was playing hoofball with the other kids, Sabah deciding to try and apply those techniques on the pitch. Before she would get the ball, charge ahead, pass if she got into a bad position. Now she tried to consider the wider picture, noting each of her opponents, each of her allies. She drew the opposing team to her before passing long to a ally over the other side of the pitch, passed to an isolated opponent who quickly found themselves surrounded, disguised one tactic as another to catch them off guard. She soon found herself once more being looked upon with envy and admiration, Sabah as ever finding it overwhelming and difficult to deal with.

"Why is it, whenever I'm good at something, I always end up unhappy?" She asked Sunny one day as she trudged down the streets of lower Star Fall, enjoying the anonymity in the grimy areas outside of her normal haunts, "I miss everyone calling me wastelander scum."

Sunny chuckled, giving her an affectionate smile as she walked beside. As normal her light, bouncing hoofsteps cut an amusing contrast to Sabah's dull, heavy trot, her bright, breezy voice the same, "You just don't like ponies making a fuss Sabah. Especially about things that aren't important."

"It's not important." She agreed, feeling rather huffy about the whole thing, "Food at the end of the day, somewhere warm to sleep, not getting shot at. Those are important. Every zebra here is so obsessed with... fun and games."

"I wonder if that's why you're good at them Sabah." Sunshine noted with a wistful look, "You don't take them too seriously. It's a challenge to you, where as to them... their social reputation is their whole life."

"That's silly. You are always yourself, no matter what others think of you."

Sunny chuckled, "You're the only filly I know who doesn't want any friends."

"Trusting too quickly gets you killed." Sabah noted with a frown, that also being something that annoyed her, "They all think the more friends you have the better. I want to know I can trust someone before I let them into my life."

Sunny shrugged, "I guess that makes sense... but, well, I guess I just enjoy the company of others too much."

Sabah lowered her head, a little jealous for a moment before shaking it off and just appreciating her for what she was, "You actually like others, you're interested in them. It's a good trait." She shrugged gently, "I like others mostly because they teach me more about myself."

"Neither is bad Sabah..." Sunny started, then giggled to herself, "You've happy to let others do their thing, you don't pry. I on the other hand am a tremendous gossip, and everypony is always telling me off for it."

Sabah smirked, "Just a little bit."

"Did you know Bishop Ember used to be a bandit?"

Sabah turned her eyes to Sunny, actually shocked by this. Ember was scary, sure, but... he was so strict and serious, "Really?"

"Yes. My grandfather knew him back then." She confirmed, smiling a little, "That's actually why I'm so familiar with the story of Tandia of Garm and her companions, my grandfather actually fought in the battles out east. Fought Ember's father... killed Ember's father."

"Wow." Sabah looked at her, wondering just how you got past something like that, "Does he hold a grudge?"

"I don't think so." She grinned wide, "To be honest, I'm not sure I really understand. My grandfather said Ember hated ponies back then, but here he is now, bishop of the church of Celestia."

That sounded a little familiar to Sabah actually, "I used to distrust ponies too. It was Diamond Prism that changed that, she was one of the only creatures who was ever truly kind to me, without expecting anything in return."

"You do have something in common then." Sunny replied with a smile, "The way I hear it, Ember renounced his bandit past to become apprentice to Tradash the Black."

"Really?" Sabah had to admit, she kinda considered the heroes of the east to be semi-mythical, "Then why is he here?"

"A pretty mare." Sunny answered with a sly grin, "Who may or may not also be a high ranking member of the church."

"Sunshine Ivory?"

"She may deny it, but you have to have noticed that they spend a lot of time together."

Sabah gave her friend a doubtful look, thinking that she seemed to be enjoying this a little too much, "Not really... I think you think about all of this stuff a lot more than I do."

"Heh heh..." She blushed a little, taking a quick look at her flank, "I haven't got my cutie mark in gossiping yet though. I can't be trying hard enough."

"You need to stop overthinking it. Feel the moment, you have good instincts. Use them."

Sabah pursed her lips in annoyance as she looked down the firing range, trying her best to see the target through the cloud of frustration and anxiety... and fired, the rifle kicking into her shoulder and discharging it's payload into the wall behind the target.

Themba smirked, Sabah enduring a second of that look before turning away and silently sulking. He laughed then, patting her firmly on the shoulder, "Kid, you're still a better shot than my son was at your age."

She saw now why Themba rarely spoke of him if that was the case, "I've always been a bad shot. I should just stick to hitting things."

"And when a dozen zebra have you at range, covering every approach?" He lectured firmly, "Word of advice, you rarely have the option of picking your battleground. Specialization is all well and good, but you need to be able to adapt to any situation."

She frowned, "...what's... specialserion?"

"Being particularly good at one thing." He clarified, "Which is fine. You can choose your battlefield sometimes, and in that case it's great having something you're really good at. But if I was going to fight you for instance, I'll stand somewhere high up with a machine gun. You'd be screwed pretty hard little flower."

She had to admit to that one. Most of the time she simply ran away when faced with those odds, but she realized that wouldn't always be an option, "What are you good at?"

"Ha, funnily enough, nothing in particular." Themba chuckled, leaning against the table and smiling in a way that struck her as somewhat sad, "It frustrated me sometimes, that I always struggled to catch up. But I did struggle, and I worked harder than any of them. I learned how to fight for what I wanted in life."

She fell silent, considering this. She had thought on it many times before, the unfairness of it burning every time, "I'm... better. Stronger. I find things easier than others." She felt her muscles tense at the frustration, "I didn't work harder than the others. I was just... faster. And now they're all dead, and I'm alive."

"That's the way it goes sometimes little flower." Themba commented with a smirk. He motioned to the target, "But no matter how good you are, you owe it to yourself to be the best you can be. And that means practicing the things you aren't quite so good at."

Sabah nodded, understanding. Perfection was a goal she could get behind, a goal Celestia herself had pursued. To be a warrior, a statesmare, a scholar. To master music, art, philosophy. And to do it not for ego or the praise of others, but out of simple fascination with every aspect of existence, "Hand me the ammo."

"You want to learn to sing?"

Sabah nodded firmly at Sunny, ever so slightly offended at the mare's amusement, "Yes."

Sunny's expression was rather embarrassed, looking round the music room at the temple in what looked like an attempt to stall. She eventually trotted over to a guitar propped against a large piano at the side, "Why don't you try and learn an instrument instead?"

Sabah frowned warningly at her, "I want to learn to sing. It's an important part of Equestrian culture."

"Yeah, but..." She waved her hoof distractedly, "Equestrian styles of music are not exactly in your register."

"Register..."

"Zebra have a very heavy vocal weight, and yours is... well, there's a reason everyone sits up and takes notice when you speak." She gave a placating smile, "Buuuut... I'm not sure you'd be able to handle a lead role. You're actually a little deeper than even a dramatic contralto, closer to a male voice than a female one."

Sabah was growing a little frustrated now, "It's just singing, it can't be this complicated. You just pick a song and... sing it."

"Oh no!" Sunny shook her head, looking horrified, "This is very important! Do you think ponies would be able to break into song so easily if there wasn't very well defined rules to all this?"

Sabah sighed. She hated rules, "Can't I sing a male role then?"

"Well..." Sunny hesitated, "I... guess I could find you something in a maybe a tenor or baritone key..."

Sabah noted the hesitation didn't fade, "But?"

"I might have to invest in a pair of earplugs."

She glared darkly at the mare, "Why am I friends with you again?"

She grinned broadly, striking a coquettish pose, "Because I'm pretty."

Sabah didn't justify that with a response.

She continued to search out new experiences, new fields to master. She grew found of traveling to the docks with Fekku, accompanying him on his work and meeting all the new arrivals. She made friends with the merchants, always interested in information from the coast.

The docks right now however were a little more interesting than she was used to.

The Star Fall fleet sat at dock, the vast dreadnaughts that normally sat in their own inlets now sitting just outside. A army of Star Fall citizens swarmed across both the dreadnaughts and the numerous smaller vessels around them, painting, repairing, arming and testing them. Sabah's eyes widened as she saw dozens of sea ponies darting around the sides, repairing leaks beneath the surface. She looked up at where a crane had removed a massive anti air gun from the walls of Star Fall, slowly lowering it down upon a mostly gutted out battleship.

Sabah looked out over the scurrying crowds, eager to see what was happening, wanting to talk... but aware she would likely get herself kicked into the sea if she tried. They all looked very busy, and not remotely in the mood to entertain small children. Stern looking commanders inspected the troops, Sabah had never seen so many in one place. The pride of Star Fall were dressed in rewired and modified Equestria power armor, heavy machine guns and even larger weapons hung at their sides, broad scars from dozens of raids and skirmishes branded on their flesh like medals of honor. Some of them were already marching onto the ships in tight, disciplined formations, their heavy hoofsteps shaking the docks.

There were others here as well. Some of Caesar’s troops stood nearby, not seeming remotely matched to Star Fall’s. They wore little but light leather armor and dust cloaks, slim hunting rifles slung across their shoulders. They were small and lithe looking zebra, not remotely intimidating... but for the way they moved, full of very deliberate control and intent.

And then there was the creature just passing her, Sabah’s jaw dropping open in shock. It quickly noticed and turned, proud eyes scanning her in interest. She froze under those eyes, unable to move as it stepped towards her with long, slim legs, his proud alicornian head topped by a pair of impressively spiked horns, “You have never seen one of my kind before?”

She shook her head. Her tongue still didn’t work.

“I am a deer, from the great northern forests.” He explained, not looking put off by her silence, “I have come here at the request of my king, to act as a healer for these warriors.”

She looked to his side, seeing he did indeed carry many bags full of medical gear, “You’re a doctor.”

“Yes.” He looked up at the city beyond, face firm and proud, “Your city is amazing.”

“Thank you.” She mentally kicked herself, trying desperately to find something better to say, “I haven’t been here long myself.”

“A traveler.” His face became soft for a moment, thoughtful, “I hope that my people too will travel more, see places like this city, Clendel, Demonivore... my king hopes we can regain our colonies across the ocean.”

Sabah guessed they didn’t get out much, since she had never seen a deer before, “You don’t travel?”

“We have always been a reclusive people.” He stated firmly, “But I think that was a mistake. If we had done more to stop the war, acted instead of considering it none of our business...” He looked down at her, smiling warmly, “I hope this is the start of something more. Deer, ponies, zebra of all stripes... minotaurs and griffons too. We have a chance to forge in battle a bond that will bind us all together, make a new, brighter world for fillies like you.”

Sabah paused, her lip moving into a pout. That didn’t seem right, “If you’re making a new world for me, then I should come too.”

“We will need young women like you to live in it when we're done.” The deer intoned softly, “So we can only ask you to stay here, and hope for us.”

“You think you’re going to die out there?”

“Many of us will.” He answered, looking away towards the sea, “But today, we might finally die for something.”

She spoke with many others after that, learning secrets from the deer, the latest technology offered by the camels. But it wasn't only her own development that concerned her. Sometimes she took the opportunity to do the same for others.

It helped that she enjoyed the environment herself, perched on one of the many missile gantries that stretched above Star Fall and feeling the wind in her fur and the sun on her back. She reached out a hoof, balanced upon the metal girders that formed the structure, "Come on Sunny! You can do it!"

"Um..." The pegasi looked very pale, planted quite firmly on a balcony jutting out from the mountain with her wings firmly folded at her side. She gave another brief look down before speaking again in a rather strangled tone, "Isn't this crosswind a little strong? I think it is. Maybe we should try again tomorrow."

"It's ok Sunny." Her father stated from just behind her, giving his own wings a little flap, "If you fall, I'll catch you."

"What's the matter with you?" Sabah asked, feeling a little confused here, "You've been flying just fine."

"Short distances, down on the ground." She complained testily, "It's windy up here, and... very high up."

"You can do it Sunny..."

"No, I can't!" Sunny shouted as her father laid a hoof on her shoulder, swiping it away and backing off, "I'm... just going to stay on the ground. It's not like flying is that important, you spend your entire life on the ground Sabah."

Sabah took a deep breath, calmed her disapproval, and ran, leaping through the air and landing besides the pegasi with a thump. Sunny backed away at her sudden arrival, Sabah turning her eyes to the mare and giving her a smug look, "Speak for yourself. I'm better in the air than you are."

"I..." She started, before pouting, "...maybe..."

"Race you."

"What?"

"Race you." Sabah pointed out a hoof at the line of gantries stretched out across the area, "Right round in a circle and to the other side. You've beaten me in a race before right, using your wings?"

She hesitated, "...hovering just above ground..."

Her father smiled, "Sunny, you'll be even faster up here."

"Just do what you always do." Sabah stated firmly, holding the mare in her gaze, "Focus on the victory, on beating me."

Sunny took a deep breath, then nodded, "Ok. Then...?"

Sabah grinned, moving to the starting position at the door inside, "Whenever you're ready."

She nodded silently and walked over, taking position next to her and extending her wings, "Ready."

"Right." Sunny's father raised his hoof, "Three, two, one... go!"

Sabah wasn't aiming to hold back, breaking position with a sharp kick. She effortlessly vaulted the balcony edge, caught the stone with her back legs and soared through the skies to land with a clang atop the metal girders. She slowed for a second then, wondered if Sunny had took the bait...

And the mare shot past her, expression terrified but body sharply angled and wings fluttering. Sabah laughed and charged after her, jumping from one structure to another as she closed on the girl. She quickly vaulted up to a higher position then came down just in front of Sunny, causing the pegasi to falter clumsily to a stop and give Sabah a quick easy lead.

"HEY!"

Sabah smirked as she looked back, slowing slightly, "Looks like I'm the better mare even in the skies!"

Sunny pouted angrily, then burst forward with a crack of air from her buzzing wings. Sabah laughed and ran ahead, kicking dust into Sunny's face and scattering sideway as the mare grabbed for her hoof. Sabah had to regain her balance however, allowing Sunny to shoot ahead with one powerful flap of her wings just as they neared the finish line.

Sabah leapt forward, grabbed Sunny's back legs and swung, letting go at the right moment and flying through the air to slam down onto the balcony with a tumbling summersault that sent her slamming against the far door.

Situated upside down It gave her the perfect view of Sunny's angry little pout as managed to right herself from her spin, staring down in furious indignation, "You... you cheat!"

Sabah laughed, the pain only feeding the adrenaline high, "I wasn't aware there were rules."

Sunny glared, obviously not finding it funny, "You could have sent me tumbling out of the sky, or crashing into the mountain!"

"If you were a poor flier." Sabah pointed out, rolling back onto her hooves. She dusted herself down before nodding firmly at the mare, "Which you're not. Look at you Sunny, you're still hovering after all that, you almost beat me! You're a great flier!"

The mare landed, her expression not faltering, "Oh please. Don't try and pass it off as some kind of secret test to improve my confidence. You just can't stand losing."

"I don't mind losing..." Sabah protested, before smirking guiltily, "...I just like... winning."

"Hmph." She snorted, "Well it's lucky you're so good at it."

She was just about to reply when there was a shout from the other balcony, Sabah looking round to see Sunny's father standing there with a rather shocked look on his face, "Girls... you better come listen to this."

Sabah hopped over, Sunny joining her as they moved inside. This was one of the many radio rooms in the mountain, one of the less used and poorly maintained examples. The radio was on now, Sabah recognizing the silky smooth tones of DJ Voice.

"...get everyone to safety. And again, for those just joining us, I have the most terrible news for you all. As you probably know, for months the warlord Starhammer has been building a large army intent on marching on the false Caesar, Incuta. Many of the inhabitants of the Mutum valley have donated resources towards this goal, allowing him to create a force unmatched in these lands."

Sharps growl cut him off, "You know, now I feel really stupid, even if I had warned he was not to be trusted. Because the little bastard is even more of a little bastard than I though."

"Yes indeed, because instead of marching on Incuta as he stated, Starhammer has instead turned that army upon the Mutum Valley itself. Many outlaying towns have already fallen, and Clendel’s defensive forces have fled before his hoard."

Sharps voice formed a low growl, "Well where an army fails, a knife in the dark would suffice."

"Sharps, you know that would likely just get good folks killed. I must advise against any action against Starhammer for now, as already King Zaneious is setting up a task force dedicated to stopping this menace. Until they can deliver their recommendations, I for one advise all good citizens to wait and prepare."

"We haven't even told them the best part."

"Yes... folks, we have other news, unfortunate news. Because as you know our former comrade, Tradash the Black himself, was traveling with Starhammer."

"And when the brute outlined his murderous intentions...!"

"...Starhammer engaged him in combat, and has reported himself victorious, and Tradash dead at his blade."

"NO!" Sunny shouted, her gentle voice carrying surprising fury, "It's not true!"

"Though they have cast doubt upon Starhammer's version of events..."

"...which are the same self serving lies he's repeated time and time again."

"... reliable eyewitnesses have confirmed Tradash's death. The hero of seven fields has fallen, at the age of fifty four. He was our comrade, our friend and your hero, and he will never be forgotten."

"No! No! No!" Sunny shouted, looking up angrily at her father, "It's a lie!"

The older pegasus looked away, "Sharps and Voice wouldn't lie about this sweetie..."

"It's a lie!" She repeated, "We have to go down there, we have to stop him!"

Her father's eyes widened at this, his lips curling downward, "Sunny... please, be sensible. Travelling halfway across the country, to lend the services of... a mediocre engineer, a cook and a long retired solider?"

"And a singer." Sabah added, just to complete the set.

Sunny turned at Sabah's voice, giving her a long, pleading look, "Please Sabah, you're a great fighter! You could help!"

"I..." Sabah hesitated, trying to process the request. Did Sunny really think such an idea was at all plausible? "Sunny, I swore I would never go back to the coast. I swore to never take a life. I'm training to be a priestess."

"Sunset Ivory is out there right now, doing good, fighting for justice!" Sunny shouted, moving in a little too close for Sabah's comfort, "While you... kick around balls and train yourself to be the world's sorest loser, she's actually doing something to make this world a better place! You're just a coward!"

"Sunny, that's not..." Her father started.

Sabah cut him off, absorbing the insults with all the dignity she could muster, "...maybe I am. Maybe I would rather kick ball than fight and kill for stupid stuff that never really changes."

"You..." Sunny dropped her head, pouting and glaring furiously at her hooves, "There are no heroes left. This is the worst day ever."

"This is the best day ever." Themba declared happily as he observed the marching soldiers, each wearing the Falling Star symbol upon their sleek black uniforms, clanking bionics and heavy weaponry bristling from their solid ranks. Sabah stood at his side, along with Council Chair of Science Mint Engine and Admiral Pangaea, along with their own attendants. Themba looked across at Mint Engine, grinning cheerfully, "You've excelled yourself Minty, these badasses will march proudly alongside Caesar's pretty ponies!"

"Thank you." Mint Engine answered, prim and proper as he nodded at the assembled troops, "The design team took inspiration from the 'Black legion' of Equestrian lore, famed both for their skill at arms and for their intimidating appearance. I think they pulled it off wonderfully."

Pangaea still didn't look happy, Sabah starting to wonder if he ever smiled, "You talk about Incuta being obsessed with appearances, yet here you are spending valuable research funds designing uniforms."

Themba snorted, "On name terms with him now Pangaea? Best bum buddies forever."

"How typical of you father, to respond to honest criticism with base insults." He moved one eye over to look at Sabah, a chill traveling up her spine just from the coldness of his stare, "And may I ask why you have brought a child with you to the inspections?"

"She's an initiate of the Church of Celestia, one of our key allies in this whole business." Themba answered with a casual tone that still hinted of an undercurrent of warning, "And given I've handing over full command of our military over to you, I don't really have any subordinates to bring now do I?"

Pangaea narrowed his eyes, voice and posture immaculate, "Defense of Star Fall must never be neglected, and with your experience you are best placed to take care of this vital role while I command our operations abroad."

"I'm too old and fat to be of any use commanding a military campaign, so instead you put me in charge of the peasant fucking militia?"

Mint Engine finally stepped in, his soft voice rising above the shouting, "Um, gentlemen? Perhaps we can gather another time to talk about these matters, maybe in private?"

To Sabah's relief Pangaea instantly nodded and backed away, giving a short, curt bow, "Indeed, I have much to do before the invasion begins. If you would excuse me?"

Mint Engine also made his excuses and left, Themba left standing frowning on the podium. He sighed eventually, waving a hoof at the soldiers marching below, "The last time these guys marched in force, it was me commanding them."

Sabah had heard, even during her childhood the war between the Golden Coast and Star Fall had been legendary, "Do you want to go with them?"

"Hell no. I did military service, with all the shitty food and hard beds. Let the young experience that joy. I just..." He grunted, then shook his head, "...nevermind. Listen, do something for me Sabah."

"Sure."

He smiled warmly at her, "That metal alicorn, she requested to look at the library on the seventh floor. Go and check if she's ok, whether she needs anything. And you know, just give me a reading on her."

Sabah had to say, she was not the biggest fan of robots, "I'm not sure I can... read a machine."

"Hmm, I don't know." His face darkened, "That one's face might be metal, but there's something alive behind those eyes."

The greater Star Fall library was as quiet as it ever was, the clean, clinical isles echoing with her every footstep. Unlike the Library of Celestia or the Star Fall City Library the Greater Star Fall Library was one in the most basic sense of the term, built to store books. Many of them were original editions, works of incredible rareness, or historical pieces, things Star Fall had picked up over its years of conquest. They sat inside vacuum sealed cabinets, each firmly locked with desks next to each stack for supervised viewing. It was apparently an attractive enough idea that the leader of the Lost Legion, the self monikered Princess Radiant had apparently instantly declared her wish to visit the second she heard of the place. According to the staff she had been there hours now, absolutely lost in the various texts inside.

She stood ahead of Sabah now, her blue eyes pulsing slowly as she scanned the words of the book in front of her. Her heavy metal body was perfectly still, it’s forged alicornian proportions feeling rather blasphemous.

"This cabinet is too warm." She stated firmly as Sabah approach, not even turning to look at her, "It is drying out the pages of these texts, it should be adjusted to precisely 18 degrees for optimum conditions."

"Um..." Sabah considered a reaction to that before deciding to pass it over to the relevant authorities, "I'll tell the librarians. Is there anything else I can do for you my lady?"

Radiant's eyes traveled across to Sabah, blank metal face expressionless as she processed this new arrival. Sabah found it deeply unnerving, being totally unable to get anything from Radiant at all. Eventually a voice echoed from the machine, clear and surprisingly friendly, "A member of the Church of Celestia? How interesting."

Sabah nodded politely, "Yes miss."

"Have you read Celestia's 'Visions of War'?" Radiant asked, turning back to the book shelf, "You do not seem to have a copy here."

"Yes, actually." Sabah spoke proudly, not being a massive fan of books but having very much appreciated that one, "It was very interesting, seeing how war was fought in the distant past."

"I've consider the essential truth of the book to be timeless." Radiant responded, head shifting across the line of tomes, "She hid it well, but if you read between the lines of any of her books, you see clearly a pony who understood the true brutality of equine existence."

Sabah had to agree, "That's part of why I'm a member of her church. As a zebra everyone says I should worship the holy flame, but... I've always found their vision of the world to be a pretty fantasy. Zebra aren't good and noble and true, they're brutal and cruel and dishonest."

"They need firm governance to force them into co-operation, else ponykind fall to barbarism." Radiant finished, her tone wistful, "A philosophical concept popularized by the middle era writer Bitter Text, but Celestia endorsed and patronized him. And if anypony knew the truth of equine existence, it would surely be Celestia."

Sabah was impressed, "You know a lot."

"Yes. I have vast databases at my command, and knowledge is power." Radiant hummed to herself for a moment before speaking again, voice inquisitive, "Tell me, if equines are really brutal and incapable, what then is the solution?"

"A strong government." Sabah answered quickly, assured in the truth of her words, "Made up of respected elders."

"And how would they be chosen?"

"A vote, by those of proven worth."

"So you reside within the perfect government do you girl?"

Sabah paused at that. She certainly believed it made sense in theory, even if she saw its flaws all around her, "It... it's better than being ruled by some... thug in a crown."

Radiant chuckled, "The Golden Coast and Mutum Heartlands are both far richer and more prosperous than Star Fall, and both are ruled by kings."

Sabah was lost now, looking about for some inspiration. Finally she gave up, "So what government would you establish?"

"Now there's a question." She answered thoughtfully, "I have records of more than a thousand years worth of civilization, their rise and fall. The most successful of course would be a certain immortal theocrat, would you not agree?"

"Of course." Sabah answered, "But she's dead."

"Indeed." Radiant answered, "And both here and across the sea, ponies seek to replace her."

"Replace her...?" Sabah lifted her eyes suspiciously at the alicorn shaped machine, "Do you?"

"It has been considered. Immortality, knowledge and power all lie within the simple confines of a crusader mainframe after all." She chuckled, "But no, we do not wish to be Celestia. We understand that these things do not make one capable of ruling the world."

"Then what...?"

Radiant cut her off, "Do you believe in this war child? This war upon Equestria?"

Sabah considered for a moment, "Yes. We're showing Equestria we can't be bullied, bringing allies from across the zebra territories. I've spoken to deer, to Caesar's soldiers. This war can bring us together."

"Of course it can." She answered with a cheerful trill, "Isn't war truly a wonderful thing like that?"

She looked over the fleets as they prepared for final departure, dozens of cruisers, near a hundred small vessels, and three huge Dreadnaughts. Aboard, representatives from nearly every species, at least four separate nations. It was an inspiring sight.

She walked back down towards the church, feeling a slight discomfort in her chest. It was like she was missing something, something important, yet she couldn't think what. Everything seemed perfect.

She diverted her course a little and headed towards the upper government district, feeling like visiting Themba. Themba always made her feel better. That brief bit of hope died a little when saw Golden Dawn standing outside with two of her bodyguards however, the big mare looking as stressed as ever. Sabah slowed her pace a little and debated turning around again, having had a few unpleasant run ins with the council member. She slowed even further as Themba's door opened and Pangaea walked out, looking deeply angry for some reason. Golden Dawn instantly moved to speak to him but he just moved past her without even acknowledging her existence, the mare shouting something before turning and spotting Sabah.

She shied backwards as the mare advanced but there was no escape now, "Hello Councilor..."

"This war is going to backfire on all of us." She stated with cold harshness, "Is this really the best plan you can think of to unite the world, violence and war?"

Sabah hesitated, she knew this wouldn't go well, "They started it..."

"The last time that argument was used, the world burned." She spat, drawing herself up before strutting away, "You are all still obsessed with death and glory, even after seeing the folly of that path writ large upon the earth!"

Sabah followed the pony with her eyes as she moved past and carried on down the road, eventually sighing and moving back towards Themba's mansion. She convinced herself that this was different, that it was a multinational action with clear objectives. She wasn't entirely sure what all that meant, but Themba had explained it to her and it had made sense then.

His door was still open, Pangaea hadn’t closed it. Sabah called out and only received a groan in response, quickly moving inside and searching for the old zebra.

She finally found him, slumped limply against his sofa. She ran over in a panic and looked him in the eye, spotting his dilated pupils and facial droop, “Themba, are you ok?!”

“Heh...” He laughed, then fell backwards even further. He lifted the bottle that was in his hooves, smirking at her, “Never better flower.”

“You’re...” She scowled, she thought he was really in trouble, “...drunk?”

“As a... something. Some animal, I forget...” He sighed, going silent for a moment before speaking again, “Pangaea, he hates me.”

Sabah felt a touch of protectiveness enter her heart then. Was he the reason Themba was like this, “Pangaea is a selfish jerk.”

“He... he thinks the opposite. Maybe he’s right. I just... don’t really care anymore.” He snatched a photo from a chest of drawers beside him, Sabah helping him to regain his balance and bring the photo up to view. He looked at it for a moment before smiling, “Things were better back then. He was... he was so cute. I was so proud...”

She looked at the photo, a young zebra mare carrying a child, another proud young buck beside her, “This is...”

"My wife, yeah..." He droned, staring at the picture with tear stained eyes. He shifted a hoof with the greatest of effort, the tip clinking against the glass frame, "Anit she fucking gorgeous?"

"She is." Sabah commented, though her eyes were draw towards the noble young zebra beside her, "What happened to her?"

"Warlord Thasan captured her in battle, raped and murdered her." He commented with a grim resignation, body slumping further, "Shit happens."

"That... that's why you hate Caesar?"

"Fuck no." He snorted, rising a little in indignation, "The way I hear it, Caesar hates his father as much as I do. I hate that little shit because he's an arrogant ponce of a zebra who thinks he's sitting on divine right, and couldn't condescend any more if he tried." Themba lifted his head to look at Sabah, eyes narrowing in concern, "And he's a... fucking child molester, who tries to justify his sickness by offering them candy and toys."

Sabah couldn't help snorting in amusement, "Better than most would give me."

He grinned back at her, "Ya fucking... sweet little thing..." He looked away, tears forming at his eyes, "They called me a monster ya know? A villain, just because I've always believed in punishing fools who don't give the proper respect. But I ain't never stabbed any zebra in the back, or took advantage of any damn woman. I cheated on my wife but twice... both times after she was already dead."

Sabah raised an eyebrow, "You can't cheat on someone..."

"Any zebra who says that didn't fucking love her enough." He spat, then took another gulp of his bottle. He grunted as it went down, his expression becoming dark and stormy, "That fucking woman, Ivory... she doesn't love me does she...?"

Sabah didn't know what to say. Eventually she managed to stammer out something, "I think... I think she's involved with Bishop Ember."

"Yeah... I guessed. Damn... I'm just so fucking lonely..." He gasped, closing his eyes tight, "My son hates me, and I'm just so fucking... old. They're all just waiting for me to die out there..."

She stepped forward, looking up at the massive form of the bulky zebra, clad in solid and muscle and sporting those intimidating looking cybernetics. She wondered how many zebra had been allowed to see past that, "I'm here."

He looked down at her through tears, smiling after a moment, "You're really special, you know that? Knew the first time I met you, though all I saw was a fighter, damn blind old fool." He gingerly touched a hoof to her forehead, Sabah wincing a little but allowing him to shift the hair from her eyes, "These peepers... they're scarily like hers."

She felt rather uncomfortable under his stare, made more so by a little voice right in the back of her head that demanded she lean forward and kiss him. She silenced it quickly, nervously enquiring further, "Whose?"

"Sunshine Ivory." He answered, looking troubled, "She has this way of... staring right through you, knowing exactly what kind of zebra you are. She gets you to talk to her, tell her things you would tell no other. You... trust her."

Sabah hesitated at this, her mind racing. She did... see through people. She always had a way of knowing what a zebra was like even before speaking to them, and she could always get adults to open up to her with little effort. She just considered it just... something she did, "Do you trust me?"

"They all do Sabah." He whispered, "Don't... don't let them down..."

It was an appropriately bright and sunny day when her return was announced. The whole church was united in rumor and excitement, debating once more her mysterious secret mission and what it might mean for them all. Sabah tried not to indulge in the gossip, hating it deeply, still she couldn't help but wonder.

As a result she was eager to help when the chance to take some papers to her office came up.

She heard the voices on her approach, the door cracked open a little and her hearing sharp as ever. Sunshine Ivory sounded as Sabah remembered, clear, sweet and motherly, a voice you could trust, "It's true Ember, and she will be here soon. We must prepare for her arrival."

"Sunshine... I understand, I've always understood, but now? We risk being seen as revolutionaries..."

"We are Ember. And though none will be able to deny her divinity, her ascension was never going to be bloodless."

"Sunshine... I... wait, I hear someone approach."

Sabah hastened her steps a little, knocking at the door and waiting for Ember to call her in. He did so and she trotted in as casually as she could manage, seeing his face relax as he saw her. Sunshine Ivory stood next to him, as calm and beautiful as ever. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked Sabah over, "My... I recognize you. You are the young zebra who came with Diamond Prism aren't you?"

She nodded, "Yes Sunshine Ivory."

"She is one of our best students." Ember stated without emphasis, looking at Sunshine Ivory, "If only all shared her determination."

Sunshine gave a deeply interested look at this information, but her lips soon curled into a frown, "The wasteland girl made good..."

"It is proof of your ideals." Ember noted.

"My ideals..." Sunshine Ivory brought her mouth back up into her normal kindly smile, "Are you aware that this wasn't my first trip into the wasteland?"

"Yes Sunshine Ivory. You told me when we first met."

"So I did." She chuckled, then continued, "At first, I thought it offered me the freedom I always wanted. I will not lie, in those days virtue was the furthest thing from my mind."

Sabah was hardly going to judge, "Most of the wasteland feels like that."

"Exactly." She smiled broadly, sheer joy at finally being understood lighting in her eyes, "I was strong, and skilled, and beautiful. I had wealth enough to buy myself anything, and all fought for my attention. But all that only convinced me how empty that experience is. How spiritually barren the world is, and how it turned even the noblest hearts to cynicism and selfishness."

Sabah could understand that, "I agree. Before found me, I don't remember ever being truly happy."

"And I finally understood what she was trying to tell me Sabah." Sunshine Ivory nodded enthusiastically, "She tried to tell me that the freedom I sought was a lie, but I didn't believe her. She was right all along, and I intend to repay her by finishing what she started."

"And... what is that?"

Sunshine Ivory grinned wide, "I will bring Celestia's light to the whole wasteland. And I intend to devote all the resources such a noble task deserves."

Sabah felt a flutter of hope ignite in her breast, "The whole church?"

"Haha..." A sharp fire ignited in her eyes, her expression becoming a little worrying for a moment, "Oh, you will be overjoyed to see what changes are to come. And when it becomes time to stand and be counted among the virtuous, can I count on you?"

She had never experienced anything quite like it. She had always been good at seeing hints of intentions, personalities in the eyes of those she met, indeed it had saved her many times. But behind Sunshine Ivory's was a hint of balefire and blinding white light, something that she had never seen in any other. Both filled her with a deep terror, "I... of course..."

Sunshine Ivory seemed to notice her hesitation, her smile becoming a little painted on, "Thank you Sabah. I will remember your loyalty."

It was dark and cold for the time of year, Sabah too on edge from her discussion with Sunshine Ivory to sleep. Instead she decided to do a little reading, looking for a book Themba had recommended to her. To her frustration it wasn't at the regular library and she was eventually forced to travel to the High Star Fall Library on the seventh floor, the lifts down for maintainance and forcing her to use the stairs.

She was just about to move inside the archives when she heard hoofsteps from behind, instinctively ducking away at the unexpected sound for this time of night. She was surprised to see Sunshine Ivory step past without so much as a glance in her direction, looking distracted and pensive. Sabah saw something a little worrying there, especially as the mare turned upwards towards the unused upper levels. After a moment’s hesitation she moved after her, doing all she could to remain unseen. She followed her down the crumbling corridors of the least used part of the base, every so often hearing Sunshine Ivory muttering to herself inaudibly. She certainly seemed distracted, making it all the easier to remain undetected.

Finally they reached their destination, Sabah reasoning they must have been near the top of the mountain. Indeed as Sunshine Ivory pushed the doors open they were faced with what must have once been the senior commander’s office, and past it a further pair of doors that looked out onto a balcony. Themba stood there, silent and still as he watched the last few ships depart. He turned his head as Sunshine Ivory entered, opening up in a big smile, "Sunshine!"

"Themba." She crooned playfully, moving over to him with open enthusiasm, "Now this is a view. I'm surprised no one is using this office."

"Huh." He chuckled, looking around the broken picture frames and decaying furniture that covered the room, "The lifts and water pumps haven't reached this floor in a long time. Almost killed myself getting up all those stairs."

"Certainly the place to see off your departing armies though."

"Pangaea's armies." Themba corrected, moving over to the edge of the balcony, "With any luck he'll finally earn his stripes out there, replace me on the council. Heh, maybe I'll retire to Equestria, live out my twilight years in the colonies."

Sunshine Ivory smiled, her voice light and cheerful, "That sounds nice."

Themba turned his head to her, grinning playfully, "I was hoping you would join me. Take the chance to see the homeland of your beloved princess."

She gave him an apologetic look, shaking her head, "My place is here, bringing harmony to the zebra."

"Yeah, well that might take a while." He chuckled, "Think Star Fall now hosts about three foals barely past their training and a couple of rifles between them. Our armies are going to be tied up in Equestria for a long time."

"I won't need an army Themba." She walked over to him, almost quivering in anticipating and her smile wide enough to show teeth, "I have a Princess, and those idiots are happily killing themselves for me."

Themba frowned, "What idiots? Starhammer?"

"Starhammer, Princess Luna's kids, Saddle Arabia... they're all at each other's throats because of us Themba."

"I thought that failed miserably." Themba snorted, turning away, "Caesar's on our side now anyway."

"It worked exactly as intended Themba." Sunshine Ivory crooned, "I hoped it would claim Caesar's scalp too, but now he's in Equestria it's no matter. In fact it's better than I could have ever hoped."

"Really?"

"Yes." She chuckled cheerfully, "Caesar's war in Equestria will end in the death of millions. Starhammer's war in the east the same. And the people will cry out for a savior."

He chuckled, "Don’t be so dramatic. It’s never a good idea to buy too much into your own hype Sunshine."

"A savior will come Themba." She stated in an exited whisper, moving close to him and running a hoof along his side, "Our plans haven't failed, quite the opposite."

Themba shivered at her touch, looking down at her with uncertainty, "Was this always your intention? Getting Luna killed, Kalid exposed?"

"With the leaders of the factions dead, chaos will reign. They were always expendable Themba." She drew close, gazing lovingly into his eyes, "You have done more for me than you can ever know. And there's only one way to repay you."

She moved up and kissed him, Themba going rigid for a moment before falling into the kiss with enthusiasm. Sabah wondered if she should leave but she couldn't seem to tear herself away, feeling a rather uncomfortable heat radiate through her body as she watched the display. Sunshine Ivory drew back, gazed lovingly upon him and gently pushed him backwards, his back thumping against the iron bars of the balcony, "You are more than I ever hoped you would be."

He grinned wide, spreading himself rather... invitingly for her. Sabah really felt like she shouldn’t be watching now, but to her shame wasn’t about to miss this for anything. Sunshine advanced, her head angled invitingly, her movements smooth and controlled... her hooves thrust sharply forward with a single twist of her body. It struck Themba hard in the chest and he gasped in pain, the impact slamming him against the railing, "Ah, Sunshine...!"

She grinned, struck deeply at his stomach and flung him upwards, sending him flying over the bars with a final desperate cry.

"NO!"

Sunshine Ivory turned, her horn igniting with harsh white light. It briefly blinded Sabah and she was forced to look away, the light dimming after a moment as Sunshine Ivory tones echoed coldly in the now empty room, "Hmm... this is unfortunate."

She was finally able to look at her as the light dimmed further, Sunshine Ivory's expression a terrifyingly blank stare, "W... why...?"

"Because he was evil Sabah." Sunshine Ivory's smile returned once more to its pleasant kindness, face smoothing out angelically, "He was the Butcher of Star Fall, Zebra have been dreaming about his death for decades."

Sabah couldn't believe it. Was she really that ignorant? "He was a good zebra! He was helping you!"

"He was helping himself." She chuckled softly, "He thought I could give him back his youth, but the past he represented is quickly fading. Celestia is returning, and her light will burn all of his kind from this earth."

"You..." Sabah felt she should attack her, throw her off that same balcony, beat her to death. The shock and grief burned within her. Still... that wasn't who she was. It couldn't be, "This isn't how we save the world. This isn't how Celestia saves the world."

Sunshine Ivory's face twisted in anger, a terrifying sight on the kindly mare, "You think you speak better than me on what we teach?"

Sabah stared into those eyes for a moment, something dark and terrifying behind those pink irises, "Yes, I do. Themba... Themba was my friend, and you just murdered him in cold blood. Didn’t even give him a chance to defend himself!"

"I see. I should have known. You're just like her." Sunshine Ivory stated with quivering venom, unmistakable rage in her expression now, "I've seen what it's like out there, seen the debauchery and cruelty of the wasteland, yet you ill formed mutants think you can speak to me of morality? You came from dirt, and no matter how hard I try to raise you up, you’ll never be anything more. I see that now."

"You're utterly..." Sabah expressed with a gasp, then paused as she saw those eyes lift to look at her. Behind Sunshine Ivory's pretty pink eyes... a dark, destructive inferno, balefire ignited by a deep well of utter hatred, "...you're wrong. And you're just too far gone to realize it."

She saw it coming, saw the angle of Sunshine Ivory's horn, the light in her eyes. And she felt the heat, and knew what to do.

She snatched her robes from her back and flung them at Sunshine Ivory as she dodged away to the side, the unicorn’s horn blast striking through them and consuming the robes in flames. Sabah felt the burn on the back of her legs, felt her tail sizzle, still she slammed herself hard into the wall to stop her momentum and darted away towards the stairs. Sunshine Ivory screamed as the burning fabric hit her in the face, Sabah already round the corner and sprinting down the stairs.

She had a good headstart. She could easily reach the church, and then...

“A young zebra is loose in the facility, she attacked Themba!” Sunshine Ivory’s voice shouted out over the announcement system, two guards ahead already turning to look at her, “She is armed and extremely dangerous, take her down by whatever means necessary!”

“Stop!” One of the guards called, a huge minotaur with a bionic hand. He lifted it towards her, his other hand cradling a wicked looking assault carbine, “Don’t make me shoot you!”

The other guard was a zebra, to the side of him, badly angled. Sabah took the opportunity, jumping onto the wall and using her momentum to sprint along it. It left her well out of the minotaur’s arc, the guard pausing in surprise for a moment before he even begun to pivot to track her. He wasn’t fast enough, Sabah jumping off the wall, slamming her back hoof into the minotaur’s head and twisting his horns as she went over. The guard yelled, staggered and fell, thumping straight onto his companion and knocking them both sprawling as she landed with a skid and kept on running.

Three more came out running ahead, Sabah speeding herself up with everything she had and throwing herself forward. She caught the gun of a zebra guard and smacked it back in his face, then threw him into his companion with the same momentum she used to kick the third guard in the jaw with a back leg, sending him staggering. She broke off and ran before they recovered, she knew she couldn't hang around to finish the fight.

And ahead... loomed a window looking out across Star Fall, and two solid metal doors either side. She quickly tested both, revealing them both to be predictably locked.

"There she is!"

Sabah looked behind at the charging guards, grimacing and doing the only thing she could. She ran, bullets flying past her to explode against the plaster. One went straight through the window ahead and it exploded into shards, Sabah thanking Celestia for small mercies... and leaping.

She flew out into the night, fell a few meters, and hit the barrel of a defense cannon, She gasped as she fell clumsily upon her shoulder, scrambling for purchase upon the slippery surface and only just avoiding tumbling off. She heard voices above and realized she wouldn't be safe for long, looking around for somewhere to escape to.

Unfortunately she didn't see any options, the nearest gantries far too far to jump to, another far enough below to break every bone in her body on impact if she attempted it. Climbing up was no option, the mountain would be too steep even in the daylight.

She looked below and an idea came to her, mad and desperate but better than standing there. She pulled the torch from her bag and directed it downwards, locating the correct house and quickly blinking the torch on and off. Again and again she repeated the message, hoping beyond hope...

"Please get back up here miss!"

"Just shoot her! You have your orders!"

Sabah grunted in frustration, bursting into action as bullets bounced off the metal surface of the cannon. She ran right to the end, braced herself and leapt soaring into the darkness. She heard the shouts behind, the gasps and calls for her to stop. They probably though it was suicide.

So this was what flying felt like. She twisted over and over, watching the city below slowly draw closer. She felt surprisingly calm, closing her eyes for a second before bringing out her torch again and continuing the blinking. Down she dropped, further and further, realizing at last that it wasn't going to work. It must have been too late, and they likely had their curtains closed...

Sunny's father burst forward with wings tightly angled, snatching her from the air just short of a jagged section of dividing wall.

"What the hell are you doing Sabah!?" Sunny screamed as they moved in to land, her face contorted in furious worry, "I know you're good at freerunning, but you could never have made that jump! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

Sabah took a moment to catch her breath as her hooves touched the stone and Sunny's parents landed either side. She looking up at the sky to make sure there was no persute, but after that they hopefully thought her dead. She noticed an older pegasus standing beside Sunny, grey furred and rugged with a thick beard and scars along his body. Her grandfather Sabah presumed, "Sunshine Ivory, she just killed Themba. Threw him off the side of the mountain."

"What?!" Sunny's father exclaimed in horror, her mother and Sunny herself just looking at her dumbstruck.

Her grandfather on the other hand simply looked deeply troubled, pondering this for a moment before speaking in a raspy growl, "So it's finally started."

"Father?" Sunny's mother asked, looking over to him, "You knew this would happen?"

"I've known it for fifteen years." He answered, facing them all with a cold determination, "That filly, Sunshine Ivory. Her and Ember, for years I've watched them slowly set up the board for their takeover. Never trusted her for a moment, she was bad news from the start."

"Father..." Sunny's mother spoke after a moment's pause, "...did you recommend Thousand Sunny join the church of Celestia just so you could keep an eye on her?"

"No. They also give a good education, and there are some fine folks there. Also makes sense for a proud Enclave girl to receive a pony education." He answered dismissively before his eyes firmed again, "Sunshine Ivory has been anything but subtle lately though. Meeting with that alicorn, leaving for the wasteland? This whole plot against Caesar, and Princess Luna's reappearance? That stuff going on with the moon?"

"If you knew, then why didn't you tell us?" Sunny's father asked desperately.

"Because you don't listen to a word I say." He answered sharply, then looked to his daughter, "In the old warehouse on thirtieth there's an enclave shadow launch. Take Sunny and get down there as quietly as possible, the boy knows how to fly it."

"I..." Sunny's father spluttered briefly before finally managing to form words, "We're leaving? Where?"

"The zebra girl saw Sunshine murder Themba, and Ember hates me. He's not going to leave this family alone." Sunny's grandfather stated with cold bluntness, "And as for where you go, there's plenty of goods in the cargo hold, enough to get you started anywhere. You can head to Equestria, the Enclave, the Golden Coast... take your pick."

It was Sunny who finally pointed out the obvious, "You're not coming Grandpa?"

The old pegasus shook his head, looking to Sabah, "No. It's me and the zebra girl they want."

"No!" Sunny's mother suddenly shouted, rounding on him, "You are not...!"

"He's right." Sabah interrupted, looking towards Sunny and feeling her heart pang with concern, "Get your stuff Sunny."

She pouted sharply, "I'm not leaving you to die Sabah!"

"I don't die." She replied with conviction, "But I can't protect you here. Get your stuff."

"Do it." Her grandfather struck her lightly across the rear and sent her scurrying with a squeal, continuing past her to meet with Sabah. He observed her with a grim, suspicious eye, "Well said zebra girl."

"My name is Sabah."

"I only bother to remember the names of those I respect." A slight smirk curled his lips, "You may earn it before the night is out."

She snorted, even as she began to feel like she understood this bastard, "Then let's go old man."

Sunny's mother lifted a hoof, "Wait..."

The old pegasus pushed his daughters hoof away, then waved to the street below where some ponies in white cloaks were marching up, "They're quick."

"They have a pegasi with them, I've seen him with Ember." Sabah observed, her eyes marking each combatant, "He must have gathered them the second I escaped."

"Likely Sunshine Ivory had forces already set up, just in case something went wrong with her assassination." The old zebra looked to his family, voice harsh, "Go, quickly. Stick to the streets, and don't get caught!"

Then he turned and strode to the edge of the roof, Sabah following. They were standing over the marching robes now, two of them moving away to watch the house as the other three moved to the front door. They gave a sharp knock, Sabah looking to the old zebra.

He nodded.

Sabah leapt down, striking the first robed figure in the back of the head. He dropped instantly, Sabah recognizing one of the remaining two as Radiant Glory. A high ranking priestess of the church and a powerful unicorn mage, Sabah chose her as her second target and sent her flying with a hard thrust of her backhooves.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw that the two covering the house had rifles out. They didn't have time to fire however, Sunny's grandfather swooping down and disabling one with a few quick thrusts before taking his rifle and shooting the second in the shoulder.

"Traitorous... agh!" The final robed pony shouted as he attempted to kick Sabah. She simply swung out of the way and kicked his hooves out from under him, bucking him hard and sending him bouncing across the street.

Sunny's grandfather looked about the street before swinging the rifle onto his shoulder and waving at her, "Let's go."

She set of behind him, taking one last look at the house behind. It felt like it had been so quick, like she hadn't had a chance...

"It's good that you didn't say goodbye." Sunny's grandfather stated firmly, anticipating her thoughts, "She should know what you're doing for her, what she means to you. Dressing it with words only tarnishes its simplicity."

She firmed her lips and took those words to heart, hurrying on behind without a second thought.

"Ponies, upper right."

"Got them." Sunny's grandfather replied as he fell against the hard metal wall of one of dockland houses, squatting in the shadows as the hoofsteps came closer. Sabah ducked into a doorway, in a position to see one robed figure and several well armed members of the security forces. One was a big minotaur armed with an automatic shotgun, Sabah instantly knew she wasn't going to get anywhere facing him head on.

Sunny's grandfather nodded to her, nodded to the street behind the guards and ducked into the building. Sabah took his meaning and entered into the building behind, fortunately unlocked like many of those down here. She moved quietly through the decaying corridors, past sleeping zebra and out through the side window, looking down the alleyway to see more guards just out onto the main street. She huffed in annoyance and climbed the drainpipe with a few thrusts of her legs, jumping out onto the roofs above. From here she could see most of the docklands, taking account of each of the patrols and...

There was a loud bang behind, Sabah dropping hard and rolling to the side by utter reflex. Her shredded ear attested to what would have happened if she had been a second slower.

"Sabah..." The white robed figure moved lightly across the rooftop, the moonlight reflecting eerily off the sleek black shotgun in his hooves. She recognized the voice, Embers calm, deep tones insistent, "If you just calm down and come with me we can work this out."

"Shouldn't have shot first." She stated as she kicked away, dodging a shotgun blast with a quick dart to the side and rushing him. She leapt up and he cut forward with the butt of his weapon, catching her in the side of the head and throwing her off balance. A swinging downwards elbow smacked her into the rooftop with a clang, Ember just sighting up to finish her off when she kicked upwards and knocked his weapon away. He growled and kicked out hard as she came up to bite his face, catching her in the stomach and sending her flying off the rooftop.

She twisted to account for gravity, slamming down hard upon her hooves and skidding into a side wall. She grunted and took account of herself, reassured to find she had only received some light bruising and a torn ear. She set off running as quickly as she could, aware that Ember could retrieve his shotgun and start shooting at any time. She heard him shouting from above, ignoring his false pleas.

She saw the docks just ahead, knew she was going to make it... she cursed as two guards came out to meet her, a spray of bullets sending a round scraping across her side. She ran for cover but it was a little too far, leaving her an open target as they took aim.

Until a bullet took one of the guards in the eye, the other momentarily disabled with a hit to the shoulder. Sabah took the opportunity, vaulting off a stack of crates and coming down hard upon the wounded guard's skull.

"Nice moves kid."

Sabah turned, seeing Sunny's grandfather staggering up behind, "Thank you, I... are you ok?"

He snorted angrily, smacking at a bloody patch upon his clothes with a forehoof, "This? Flesh wound, healing potion's already closing it up."

"Right, we..."

"There's the ship." He pointed at a small launch down at the docks with a hoof, "Key's under the rug. Start her up for us, get her moving."

She looked at him, hesitant, "What about you?"

"I can fly. I'll reach you."

She hesitated a second more before doing what she was told and galloping over. She couldn't help a look over her shoulder however, spying cloaked figures marching towards Sunny's Grandfather. She backed away until she was in the shadows, clearly identifying Ember at the fore. He did not look happy, glaring at the old pegasi with intent, "Jack. I should have known you were mixed up in this."

Sunny's grandfather smirked, "Come off it boy. I know you've wanted this for years, fancy robes or no. Shotgun at my chest, power at your hooves."

Ember drew his head up, looking serene, "I seek to save the world. I knew you wouldn't understand such things."

"Heh." He smirked, "You're still the same punk you always were."

Ember fired, catching Sunny's grandfather across the side with a shotgun blast. He responded with a rifle shot that cut across Ember's scalp, the scene erupting into chaos. Sabah took the opportunity to break cover and run for the boat, ducking as a bullet skimmed across her hair. She leapt inside, hooves desperately snatching at the start up lever and hearing the engine splutter to life.

"Hey!"

She instinctively rolled to the side, a bullet thudding into the deck beside her. She spied a few weapons stashed under a tarpaulin and leapt for them, pulling out a rifle, propping it against the deck and firing upwards at the shadow of the cloaked figure clearly revealing itself as it ran for a better firing position. The bullet struck them just under the jaw, travelling upwards.

She heard yelling voices as the figure fell, realizing that she wouldn't be so lucky against more than one of them. She leaned over and fired the rifle at the rope tethering them to the dock, severing it neatly. Then she dropped the rifle, jumped back on her hooves and ran across the deck, hitting the lever to bring the anchor back up and running for the wheel.

She took the controls, all looking rather standard. She mentally checked off all her preparations, then hit the accelerator. The engine quickly roared into gear and she pulled away, Sabah holding her breath as she had a brief close encounter with another barge before just pulling past it into the open water.

She took one last look behind her at Star Fall, trying to see Sunny’s grandfather.

He didn’t emerge.

Sabah shielded her face from the rain as the boat carried her towards what she hoped was the shore, pretty much unable to see a thing and relying solely on her compass. She couldn't help the fear in her heart as she looked over the choppy seas, remembering the fateful event that had taken Diamond Prism from her...

And now everything had been taken from her again. Once more she was alone, heading towards an unfamiliar land with nothing but her own skills and determination. Yet again she was caught up in the plots and politics of others, a worthless little girl thrown adrift. The church of Celestia had finally given her a reason to hope, and now they too had shown themselves to be corrupt and evil.

"What's the point!?" She screamed at the sky, striding forward until she sat at the bow, "Is there anything worth believing in? Am I just lying to myself, believing in some dead old alicorn princess?!"

"Sabah."

Sabah turned her eyes to the side, almost falling out of the boat in shock. Those words had been spoken in barely a whisper but they cut through the storm like they had been delivered straight to her ear. And there, just a couple of dozen meters distant hovered...

A glowing alicorn princess, her multicolored hair streaming, her grey fur glowing with an inner light. Said fur didn't even shift before the wind, the rain dissolving with a hiss as it hit the golden shield about her. Sabah rubbed her eyes but she was still there, positively humming with divine power, "C...celestia...?"

Celestia's eyes fell, looking sad for a moment. Finally she looked up again, expression firmed, "This is no place for you. Let me take you back to Star Fall."

"No!" She shouted, the anger flowing back, "Your church, it's a fucking LIE!"

"I guess you've met Sunshine Ivory."

Sabah rage exploded within her, spittle flying, "You KNEW!?"

Celestia expanded her shield, now protecting Sabah and her boat as well. It was this that revealed the obvious, that either Celestia was moving or Sabah wasn't. Sabah looked to the engine, Celestia giving a grim nod, "Your engine burned out some time ago."

Sabah cursed, then looked straight at her, "What do you care?!"

Celestia looked deeply shocked at this, the guilt obvious in her eyes, "I'm sorry Sabah, I... I never really manage to save you do I?"

"Is it all..." Sabah felt her voice choke, hit by an unexpected wave of emotion, "...a lie...?"

"That's very subjective." Celestia spoke, landing at the far end of the boat and gazing at her through the darkness, "We have to make our own truth in the end. And whether it sets us free or destroys us utterly, we have to live with that."

"I want to be free!" Sabah shouted at her, slamming a hoof into the deck, "And I want Sunshine Ivory to die screaming!"

Celestia's expression fell, gazing at Sabah with a look of deep regret, "Please don't. Believe me, I understand what it is to be hurt, lost and alone. And... don't make my mistake. Don't let it turn you into a monster."

Sabah looked at Celestia. She looked... wounded, not physically but inside. She wasn't like the virile, powerful looking statues, she looked thin and worn and dangerous. She paused for a moment before asking the question, "Are you a monster?"

"Yes." Celestia answered, grim and resigned, "Because the things you've learnt, kindness, harmony, respect... they can't exist in this world."

Really?! After everything, that was her answer? "Then what's the point?"

"I'm going to burn this world to the ground Sabah." Celestia answered, the strength in her eyes making it clear it was no joke, "If you still trust my advice... go east. Find Dust Kicker, and Fluttershy. Find Easu. Tell them I'm sorry."

Sabah looked at her, stared into those eyes. She didn't see anger there, only... despair, "For being a monster?"

"Yes." She answered, her horn starting to glow with golden light, "And for failing to be anything else."

Her magic flared, taking Sabah in its grasp. She screamed, reached forward, felt herself disappear...

...and then she was solid again, sinking into soft sands. She looked around the golden coast for a moment before staring back out to sea, a soft golden light just on the edge of vision slowly fading back into darkness.

_____________________________________

Level 8 reached

Level Perk gained – (mostly) Harmless
You inspire pity in your enemies. Enemies of levels 50% than yours have a chance of remaining non-hostile until provoked.

Level Perk gained - Rad Resistance
Whether by exposure or natural resistance, you absorb less radiation than most. Radiation resistance improves by 25%.

Level Perk gained – Toughness Level 1
Old boots have got nothing on you. Your damage resistance increases by 10%.

Level perk gained – Cannibal
Well it’s all just meat in the end... you have gained the ability to ingest meat from equine species. Each corpse restores 25 HP, adds 3 rads, and reduces Karma by one point.

Level Perk gained – Silent Running
They’ll never hear you coming. You can remain in stealth even when running.

Spiral Mark Acquired - An Eye Seeing Through The World's Lies
Ability Gained - Angel Eyes
You possess one of the seven powers of the Annanragu, the 'Soul Eyes'. This form allows you to identify the motives and emotions of any sentient, providing you can maintain eye contact. A successful charisma check allows you to use this to gain an extra bonus on influence checks.

Quest perk gained – Consume the Heart
You have figured out how to gain power from the bodies you consume. If the body’s special scores are higher than yours, you receive +1 point in that ability. Bonuses are cumulative.

Level Perk gained - Iron Hooves Level 1
To hell with your fancy ‘ranged weapons’! You gain +5 to all unarmed damage.

Level Perk gained – Toughness Level 2
Old boots have got nothing on you. Your damage resistance increases by 20%.

Quest Perk Gained – Strategic
You’ve learned to understand the battlefield, and it can never be turned against you. Your knowledge of positioning means only two opponents are able to attack you at any one time.

Level Perk gained – Hobbler
You’re especially good at crippling the movement of your enemies. Your chance to hit an opponent's legs is increased by 25%.

Quest Perk Gained – The Sunset and the Twilight
You have taken great steps into the mysteries of the church of Celestia, walking the narrow path. Karma awards are doubled, and Intelligence increases by 1.

Chapter 4.2 - The Lost Children

View Online

The sun shone above the small town, like so many in the zebra wasteland. A well, some crops, the shade of a mountain protecting from the dust... it wasn’t unique in any way. And for a short while at least, it was home.

The merchant trotted over, the bag of groceries held in her smiling mouth. She placed them down on the table, shining Signal Jammer a warm, neighborly look, "I included a little extra bitterroot, I know how your grandmother loves them. Got a nice big delivery yesterday, the trade has really started flowing since Starhammer went and marched down."

Jammer returned the smile, once more thankful for the kindness of strangers. It reminded her of the communities down on the Starlight Straights, where everypony was always eager to lend an ear and a hoof. She always considered zebra to be somewhat distant and self reliant, a stereotype that was quickly being broken down, "Thank you Anasi, they look lovely."

"No problem at all dear." The zebra replied with a knowing smile, "We never could have unpacked them all without the help of your boyfriend. He's strong as an ox that one."

Jammer blushed fiercely, shaking her head, "He's not... he's not my boyfriend."

"Really dear? A strong, honest stallion like that?"

She looked down, feeling the burn in her cheeks as her mind was brought back, to events long, long ago... "I... don't think he's interested."

¬

"Standard procedure my dear. Cut out all the useless flesh, replace with good reliable steel."

"Of course doctor." Jammer replied, though not with a little hesitation as she stepped towards the subject on the table. A pegasi, though massive for his race with broad shoulders and intimidating proportions, she failed to see how he even got off the ground.

The shackles that bound him were certainly particularly well reinforced, Doc Slaughter warning her as she approached, "Please be careful Jammer dear, this pegasi killed twenty eight of the slavers sent to bring him down, he's highly dangerous."

She looked into the pegasi's eyes, calm and focused as he stared straight at her, "Then why is he awake?"

"I need reliable data on his pain tolerance in order to calibrate his implants." Doc Slaughter answered, "Please, continue. We will be observing, and security teams are on standby."

Jammer gulped and advanced forward, the pony on the table giving her a broad smile, "Don't you worry darling, wouldn't hurt a little lady like you."

She readied the cutting saw, looking over at where the markings had been drawn all over his groin, "You might have second thoughts about that when I'm done..."

"Heh." He grinned, "Never really cared for it much anyway. Killn' slavers is a far more rarified pleasure."

She felt her whole body flush pale, deciding just to get on with it while she still had hooves. All in all, it was a remarkably simple operation.

"And the android is down! Another victory for our invincible champion!"

Jammer rushed down the stairs in a panic as she saw Xenith cave Bitter Fennel's chest in with a final hard buck, throwing him across the area to crumple in a clatter of broken steel and bloody flesh. She heard Doctor Slaughter call out for her as she went, "Jammer dear, we can get the porters to bring up the body later. No need to strain yourself."

She didn't know why she was so insistent on reaching him, so driven by desperation. Maybe she had just spent so many hours on him that she couldn't bear to see that time wasted. Maybe she knew there would never be a test subject half as durable or formidable as him.

She burst out onto the area, flashing her badge to all those who challenged her. She immediately felt her heart leap into her throat as she saw the wreck before her. Xenith had been forced to break two of his legs, shatter his shoulder, beat in half his skull and shatter his ribs just to keep him down. There wasn't much left of the corpse.

She trotted forward to see if there was anything to salvage... and screamed as his hoof moved like lightning, seizing her around the shoulders and drawing her close to that tattered, bloody face... his breaths were ragged, his voice horse, "...make... me stronger..."

She desperately willed the download to progress faster, looking back in panic as every explosion from above caused a rain of plaster to come tumbling down upon the empty lab. She cursed the other members of staff, even cursed Doc Slaughter himself, unable to understand why none of them had remained behind. This was their life’s work, and she would not let it be for nothing!

The door opened behind, Jammer turning in shock. She paled as she saw it was a female griffon, thinking for a moment it might have been Reggie Grimfeathers... but no, this one was older and more rugged, wearing a pair of jade tinted glasses. One of the slavers? "Excuse me, you're not authorized..."

The griffon lifted her pistol and shot Jammer in the shoulder, and then placed another bullet deep into her flank. Jammer gasped briefly before toppling, grasping desperately for the desk and only succeeding in bringing down a rain of technical manuals on top of her.

The griffon padded over, directing a cold glare down at her, "Why are you still here? The cathedral is lost, you were ordered to evacuate."

Jammer clasped a hoof to her shoulder wound, desperately trying to stem the bleeding, "I... it might be lost... but the cause..."

"Red Eye is dead. Littlepip killed him."

Jammer felt her world collapse, her body running cold, "No..."

"Your loyalty was pointless. It was all for nothing." The griffon stated harshly, before turning to the console as it rang out a clear tone. She gave a grim smile and plucked the data drive from the machine, holding it assessingly within her claws, "Hmph, so this is everything. How convenient."

Jammer felt the tears run down her cheek, fear grip her heart, "Please... I can help you... just... don't let me die..."

The griffon's expression turned to fury, looking down with contempt, "Really? Your hooves covered in blood, a thousand victims to your name, and you beg for mercy?"

"I... I was just an assistant..."

"You're down here, after you were told to evacuate, trying to save your data." The griffon stated with contempt, her eyes harsh and judgmental, "You believed in Red Eye's cause, and you're obviously smart enough to do so for logical reasons."

She had. Oh she had, "Yes, that's why... I can do so much good! Even with him gone, that data..."

"Don't you worry." She stated, leveling her pistol down at her, "I intend to see that it's used well."

She held her hoof up desperately, "Please, I...!"

...

......she was... in pain.

She opened her eyes, looking around at smoking wreckage, bodies, the ruins of enclave ships and the vast corpse of a cybernetic dragon. And she was moving, being carried by someone, "Mph..."

The movement stopped, then she found herself placed to the floor with a gentle shrug. It still hurt though, Jammer holding a hoof up to her aching head.

"I wouldn't do that darlin'."

She gasped, then looked up at the fierce visage above. Bitter Fennel stood there with a dangerous, cruel grin, his cybernetic eye sparking, wounds covering his mighty form. She froze in fear for a moment, her voice strangled, "How... you're out of your cage?"

He chuckled, deep and not at all comforting, "Doc Slaughter trigged the releases before he left. Mighty charitable of him."

"And I'm..."

"Found you in the lab missy. Some fella had shot you in the head." He chuckled again, seeming rather casual about the whole thing, "Fortunately I was able to find one of those fancy autodocs, got it to install one of those nice skull implants you put in me a way back." He proceeded to tap a hoof against his head, producing a dull clanging, "We got something in common now, 'aint that sweet?"

She didn't understand, "But why... save me?"

"You still remember all that fancy science?"

"I... I think so..."

"Good." He grinned, pointing up at his eye, "Took a bit of battle damage. And you know, I also had a few ideas for some upgrades I really want to try..."

Jammer walked up to the fence, silently observing Bitter Fennel as he laughed and joked with the kids in the loading yard, grinning like a schoolboy as they tried to scale his armored form. Even after all these years she still couldn't work it out, how a pony capable of laying waste to armies could do it with such utter affability. How he could destroy injustice with such single minded intensity, yet never hold a grudge.

She had walked at his side for seventeen years, nineteen years since she had first seen him laid out upon her table. He was as close to her as family, and yet she was still no closer to figuring him out.

"Perk up girl, look at that beautiful sky."

She wanted to, she really did. She understood how important this all was, the sky clear, rainbows spread across the horizon, the enclave defeated.

Still Jammer's cracked hooves, empty stomach and heavy injuries sapped her strength with every step, and thinking about what else she had lost... her home, her possessions, her employer... and what fate awaited ponies like her, who had sided with the loser.

Bitter Fennel strode ahead, looking like it was his birthday. The grin near split his face, his voice loud and booming, "I was hoping I would one day be strong enough to break out myself, but there's plenty of challenge out there for me yet. This is going to be great!"

She couldn't take it anymore. She gave up, "Sorry Fennel..."

He turned in shock as she let herself thud to the ground, breathing deep of the dusty soil and waiting for death. To be honest she just wanted to rest.

"Oh no, no lying down for you girl. I told you, I need you."

She summoned all her remaining strength simply to find the power to speak, "No you don't. You can find a hundred like me. Just let me die."

"Not a hundred." He snatched her off the ground in his teeth and threw her onto his back, not gently but certainly with intentions to carry her onwards. She settled there across the fur and chrome, watching silently as he continued his journey. Eventually she had to ask, "Why? Why me? I butchered you, made you into this machine."

"And I'm grateful."

"Wh... what?"

"You made me strong, powerful. I'm better than I ever was before." He paused for a moment before speaking further, "And you were always my favorite."

Jammer just didn't understand. He should have hated her, "Why?"

"You were always gentle, and you always took time to speak to me as a pony." He answered, giving her a smile, "You're a good pony at heart, I could see that. Not many of those around anymore. And there's so many folk that need killing, why waste time on old grudges?"

Jammer sighed and continued on, moving towards the run down house on the outskirts of the town. It had been abandoned when they had arrived, quarantined due to disease. She had instantly identified the malady, joining her magic with Dream Star to sterilize the property before together shoring the building up and making it livable. In gratitude the zebra of the town had accepted them enthusiastically into the community, and Jammer had to admit she was enjoying being here. In a small wasteland settlement like this a wasteland survivor with medical, scientific and engineering skills was a celebrity, and she in turn had nothing but good things to say about the locals.

Jammer had explained that they were here to look after their grandmother, who was very sick and needed time to recover. It wasn't a story without some element of truth to it, opening the door and calling out as she crossed the threshold, "Dream Star?"

The mare was laying upon the sofa, her patchy fur damp upon her withered body. She was tightly wrapped in a horribly cheerful blanket that clashed horribly with just about every other part of the room.

Jammer had hoped would help liven up the place. Cheer Dream Star up a little.

It didn't.

¬

Jammer walked alongside Fennel, feeling a little better now after some chance to rest. She had found a broken mirror shard and inspected her head, having to admit Fennel and the autodocs had done a pretty good job. The headaches were gone at least, and she could remember her birthday, parents and could still calculate square roots in her head. That added up to a lot more than she could hope for after being shot through the brain, even if she had to admit a moment of wounded vanity when she saw her bald head and the dome of chromed metal that healed flesh was just starting to creep across. Maybe she could get a hood or something.

Ahead was their best chance of getting something like that, a refugee camp of tents and huddled ponies sitting on the outskirts of the everfree forest. They had been told by travelers along the road that ponyville had been occupied by a huge force of hellhounds, and they had intentionally avoided the second closest for rumors of heavy violence between the former slaves and former slavers. This at least looked peaceful, though painfully poor at first glance.

Naturally there were some worried glances thrown in Bitter Fennel's direction, still he conducted himself appropriately and Jammer was able to convince the leader of the refugees that she was a doctor, soon being put to work caring for the most vulnerable. For the most part it was the elderly, mostly slaves, a small group of older ponies having gathered in the centre of camp around the fire.

Except for one, a pony sitting alone a distance off, huddled into a dirty blanket for warmth. Jammer walked past the lone figure several times, each time figuring that it was their own business if they wanted to lay in the cold, yet finding her eyes drawn that way with every passing. Eventually she was forced to go over and see if she was ok, a closer look revealing something that genuinely surprised Jammer. She wondered if it was a ghoul for a moment, seeing the withered skin and white hair of a mare of truly advanced years. That was not something seen often in the wasteland.

And she wasn't dead at least, but didn't look far off. The mare's eyes stared unblinking into the far distance, the marks on her face making it obvious she had been crying. Her fur looked unkempt and the cloak was dirty, the scars of a lifetime of beatings clear across her dry, cracked flesh.

Jammer couldn't take it any longer, walking over and taking a bottle of water from her pack. The elder pony didn't even look up as she approached so she gave a cough, the elder's eyes slowly turning to her. Jammer gave a nervous smile, offering the bottle, "Um, hello miss. I was wondering if you wanted some water."

The mare gave the bottle a suspicious look, still it soon softened. Her voice was gravely, but with a softer quality that spoke of genuine emotion, "That's kind of you."

She grinned happily, "No problem."

"Don't see much of it these days."

"Well that's going to change isn't it?" Bitter Fennel commented cheerfully from behind, Jammer turning to see him standing there with a broad, cheerful grin. She frowned at his unexpected stealth, moving aside as he gave a booming laugh and moved to join them, "The sky is clear, and Red Eye, the Enclave and the Goddess are all defeated. The dawn of a new age!"

The elderly mare scoffed, "Is that what you think?"

Jammer looked down at the elder mare, "You disagree?"

"Ponies destroyed the world young lady, and ponies... ponies never change." She gave the sky a bitter, hateful look, "All those folk you spoke of... they were ponies. And who is going stop them fucking shit up all over again?"

Bitter Fennel's grin didn't waver, "That's ok with me. Ponies burn the world and ponies will fix it, that's how the world works."

"Oh really?" A ghost of a smile formed on her lips, something dark, cruel and hateful behind her expression, "An endless cycle of conflict, ponies dying in droves as the world descends into chaos, and then throwing their lives away to bring harmony back?"

Bitter Fennel grinned, "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Jammer glared at him with little effect, then turned back to the old mare, "There must be a better way."

"My dear, I've travelled all over these wastes, uncovered the greatest secrets of the old world, been hero, villain and everything in between." She fixed Jammer with a harsh, unyielding stare, "Believe me... there isn't. There are no happy endings, we all end in smoke and dust eventually. There's no point whatsoever, to anything we do."

"Who cares?" Bitter Fennel replied with far too much cheer, "The moment is good enough for me."

The elder mare dropped her head, deep in thought. After a moment she smirked, opening her mouth to speak, "I..."

"All of you, turn out your valuables!"

They all looked to the side, a brutish group of ponies in slaver armor marching through the camp. They were all fully armed and dangerous looking, swinging their weapons around and silencing any opposition with firm glares, "Do what we say and you walk out of this, get to enjoy your wonderful new world!"

"And you guys want a headstart, that it?" Bitter Fennel called, standing and marching over with a grin, "I guess your old career is looking a little suspect."

The leader of the group took aim on Fennel's head, the others all following his lead, "And what of it? You fuckers deserve it, you don't know how many of my buddies were killed back there!"

"You reap what you sow boys." The elder mare stated as she stood, her bony form straightening out as she looked across their ranks, "You believe the strong must dominate the weak... but now that philosophy has been reversed on you hasn't it?"

The slaver swung his rifle over at her, "Back off bitch!"

"What's the matter?" She smirked, her withered form cutting a rather odd sight squared off against the musclebound slavers, "Scared of an old woman?"

Bitter Fennel turned to look at her, his eyes tinged with respect, "You're..."

"Leave them to me boy." She stated as she advanced past him, "They're not worth your time."

The slaver swore angrily and fired upon her... his gun exploding against his side and shredding his torso open. He screamed and went down with a gurgle, the old mare grinning maliciously as she continued walking, "Anypony else?"

Another slaver exploded this one stupid enough to try and fire upon her with a mouth held pistol.

Jammer saw where this was going, desperately shouting for them, "Throw down your weapons!"

The slavers did so, quivering and terrified as she continued towards them. Her eyes stared at each in turn, wild and cruel, a dark smirk across her face, "Typical, only brave when you have the upper hand. Scum, scum and dirt. The world would be better off..."

One of the slavers suddenly drew a knife and lunged at her, her head moving with terrifying speed. The slaver was bones and ash before he even got within a foot of her, clattering to the ground in a heap.

Her horn was still smoking, her head turning towards the small group of slavers that was still left, "And what to do with you?"

A group of refugees had gathered now, Jammer looking between them before deciding to make her voice known, "Maybe we should lock them up...?"

"And let law and order prevail?" The old mare cried in mockery, mouth curled in a brutal sneer, "Because that's so common around here!"

Jammer pursed her lips, admitting the truth of her argument but... "It could be."

The mare paused at this, drawing back and looking angrily at the ground. After a moment she turned to the crowds that had gathered, calling out to them, "And what do you think should be done with this scum?! Who locked you up, who beat and raped you?!"

They looked at each other for a little while before a older pony with the greasy fur of a mechanic finally emerged from the crowd and nodded to a group of burly looking fellow slaves, "We lock them up, conduct a pitdog trial, same as we do for any one of us."

The crowd murmured their agreement, the ponies moving forward to take the slavers into custody. The older mare looked at the leader of the slaves as he passed, shaking her head, "Kindness will get you killed."

"I'd rather die than live another moment in this wretched world." He responded, then looked at the clear sky above, "But it seems a new world is dawning. I'd willingly give up my life to make it a better one."

The elderly mare just watched them being taken away, eventually turning aside with a snort and heading back to her corner. Jammer moved to intercept, not about to just accept all that without comment, "How... I mean... I've never seen magic that powerful!"

The elderly mare just smirked bitterly, "It's amazing what tricks you can pick up over a couple of centuries."

She shook her head, she just didn't understand, "If you're this powerful, then why...?"

"...do I look like a hobo?" The mare's eyes came up to meet Jammer’s, cold and hateful, "Because the world is shit, and I haven't even got the guts to throw myself off a bridge like any reasonable pony."

"This world is beautiful!"

Jammer just shook her head as Bitter Fennel came over with his customary enthusiasm, this not being remotely the time for his insanity. The old mare herself looked rather shocked, then followed his pointed hoof towards the rainbow on the horizon, "A... rainbow? How gauche..."

Bitter Fennel gave a laugh, stamping his hoof, "Are you kidding!? That's a new world out there, full of adventure and new experiences! And we're strong enough to see it all!" He grinned enthusiastically at her, "You'd have to be mad to miss out!"

"Mad indeed..." She commented, before chuckling lightly, "Maybe I will stick around with you for a while. It might wile away the tedium at least."

Jammer didn't see how that had worked, but she wasn't about to knock it. She offered a hoof, "Signal Jammer. This is Bitter Fennel."

"Dream Star." She answered, grinning at them, "Pleased to meet you."

Jammer finally got back into her old career a week later, the town visited by a traveling junk dealer carrying a whole sack full of electronic components. She eagerly brought up near half of them and got to work, soon managing to construct a working motivator and nerve interface. She already had her patient in mind, an old caravan driver called Green Plains who had lost his leg many years ago.

He agreed to the procedure after some convincing and she had him on her table, feeling the old instincts kick in as she carefully measured the cybernetic leg she had made for him. She carefully wove in each connection, fused each attachment with the most expert perfection. She cleaned the area, tested the reactions, eventually stepping back and nodding in satisfaction at her achievement. He woke up an hour later and she took him on his first walk around the clinic, having to admit tearing up a little as he hugged her and gave her the most effusive thanks.

She watched him go, reminded of the days when she had dreamed of healing the wasteland. She also considered the fact that she was good at this, and the fact that those techniques weren't patented and protected by a dozen trademarks beyond the borders of the NCR. That she could do what she was born for.

The next caravan arrived a few days later, Jammer heading straight down to see if there were any more bargains to be found. She soon noticed the shouting of exited kids however, drawn over to the crowd gathered at the edge of the marketplace by sheer curiosity.

She wasn't expecting what she found there, but really she should have been considering she knew they had been waiting for his arrival. And you could always trust in him to draw a crowd.

He was a brown earth pony of middle years, not particularly unusual in any fashion bar the grace of his movements as he effortlessly jugged a dozen brightly colored plastic balls. The kids around whooped as he danced and span through the colorful arcs, finally grinning and winking at one of the kids before throwing one of the balls in a slow arc towards her. They continued in sequence, each child rushing forward to catch their own ball, the entertainer finally finishing with a flourish and shining a big grin at the crowd, "Try breaking them open."

The kids looked down at the balls, the first breaking his apart after a moment and giving a loud whoop as he pulled a small toy from the remains. The others enthusiastically started on their own toys and soon the parents and other adults came forward to shower him with caps, Jammer grinning happily and wafting for him to finish.

He finally was allowed to leave by the crowd, once more a quiet, plain looking pony as he walked away to gather his things. Jammer finally saw fit to call to him, "Sunshine!"

He looked round and gave a broad grin, eyes lighting up in happiness, "Signal!" He chuckled disarmingly as he came over and gave her a warm hug, "You guys are hard to find."

¬

Jammer screamed as she ducked forward and rolled into cover, throwing knives sparking off the stone and imbedding themselves into the dirt at her hooves. She ducked back out of cover and took a few shots at the jester, his earth pony form still clad in his garish clowning outfit as he span on the spot and struck Bitter Fennel's hooves out from under him. The Jester leaned back and cartwheeled backwards with the same movement, avoiding her bullets and flinging a dagger that struck her in the shoulder and knocked her to the ground, "Yow! Shit!"

"Your learning and logic are no good here!" The Grand Clown fighting Dream Star screamed as he angled his horn to the sky, Dream Star's spells exploding into quacking ducks and confetti. He swung it back down before her and an outsized truckers hat appeared upon her head, Dream Star growling in frustration and attempting to tackle him backwards. He dodged her clumsy attack and struck her with a squeaky mallet, flattening her against the ground hard enough to crack the stone, "The age of Littlepip is over! Now Discord reigns supreme!"

Jammer pulled the dagger from her shoulder with her teeth, looking up at Spike's cavern high above. It was now decorated with a vast, discordant castle, decorated with pictures of a unicorn mare's cheerfully smiling face, her kindly, yellow furred form promising hope and acceptance to all the lost souls in the wasteland.

She would have believed it, if not for the similarly yellow scaled chaos god hovering above the castle, power crackling outwards to change clouds to cotton candy and screams, her booming laugher shaking the earth at her hooves. Sunny Smiles, now empowered with all the energies of harmony, unrivaled and unbeatable.

Unbeatable... by anyone accept for the one pony she had placed her trust in, that she had never seen defeated in battle. And no matter how terrible the odds, she knew she could win her now.

And at that thought the High Clown's head exploded, Dream Star crushing it between two rubber ducks with her telekinesis. She growled and sent another shooting at the Jester, he anticipated and somersaulted backwards to land on splayed hooves a short distance away from them, "Foul agents of order... I will never yield!"

Jammer decided to pop out from behind the rock, nervously helping Bitter Fennel to his hooves and moving behind Dream Star. Dream didn't pause to acknowledge their presence, her attention only on the Jester in front, "Really? Your little knives and acrobatics are going to help you against me?"

It matters not!" He shouted, a set of shining silver daggers appearing in his left hoof as he prepared for the throw, "My life belongs to Discord, and to the exalted Sunny Smiles, his representative on earth! Your time is en...!"

And then there was a burst of shining rainbow light above, all of their attention drawn to the summit. The ground vibrated and Jammer's horn sang in resonance, rainbow light shining from every window of the castle above. The dragon thing that had once been Sunny Smiles flew upwards in a fury and directed all of her magic down at her citadel, shattering it apart with a colossal explosion of chaos energy that forced Jammer to avert her eyes for a moment.

When she looked back there were six pony shaped shadows, standing within a shining ball of rainbow light. Sunny Smiles' magic broke against that light, harmlessly deflected away even as her expression became more furious. She shouted something but it was lost to the sky, six glowing objects of rainbow light flying away from the suspended ponies to retreat inside the mountain below.

And the mountain trembled, shook... and exploded in glorious light, expanding outwards across the sky in a roar. It's upwards path sent the magic flowing into the six ponies hovering above, building up around them for a moment before blasting into Sunny Smiles in the form of a shining rainbow of light. It flowed into her and she screamed, her body burning away as the energy roared outwards.

Then silence, Jammer watching the six ponies slowly descend down upon the summit of the mountain as the light faded away. A moment later and she was forced to look down at her hooves, eyes widening as she saw flowers start to bloom from the dirt there, "I don't believe it..."

The Jester continued to look upwards in horror, "I don't understand. What was that light?"

Jammer moved to the edge of the plateau, looking down at a once brown and blasted Equestria slowly starting to bloom again with verdant green. It could only be one thing, "The Gardens... the Gardens of Equestria. Somepony must have activated it."

"NO!"

She looked back at Dream Star and the Jester, both sinking to the ground as one as they screamed skyward in frustration and despair.

They all sat within the Cathedral, full of the wounded and dispossessed that had been fallen victim to recent events. For the most part it didn't seem it had dampened their spirits any, the crowds near united in celebration. After all the miraculous had occurred. The Elements of Harmony had gathered in the hooves of six new bearers, the gardens of Equestria had been activated and Sunny Smiles and the Screwball Conspiracy were no more.

There were only a few exceptions to the euphoric atmosphere.

"My parents were killed by raiders when I was just seven years old." The Jester explained, now stripped of his costume and makeup to reveal an oddly anonymous looking brown pony, one she wouldn't have looked twice at on the street. His voice too was soft, normal, robbed of its former power, "Sunny Smiles took me in, taught me how make chaos my friend rather than my enemy. She gave my life purpose, took away my pain."

Jammer smiled kindly at him, "I can understand that."

"They all say she was a villain, but to me she was the kindest mare I ever met."

Jammer looked up at the statue of Red Eye that stood at the far end of the Cathedral, his hooves laid upon two proud looking foals in front, "In my experience ponies are more complicated that many would like to think."

He looked round, taking in the statue behind, "You... knew him?"

Jammer nodded, placing a hoof at her breast, "I truly believe he wanted what was best for the world..." She sighed deeply, "...and even if he didn't, it doesn't change what he gave to me."

The Jester regarded her for a moment before smiling, an oddly sincere and beautiful thing upon the face of a psychotic killer, "You are a kind mare."

She chuckled, "Many would say different... I was an orphan too actually. My parents were taken by disease."

"I'm sorry."

"I wanted to make a better pony. One that could face the wasteland without fear. Eliminate all disease, all pain." She smiled at the memory of more innocent days, "I apprenticed with the town doctor, together we resolved to revolutionize medicine. We performed hundreds of experiments, healed countless ponies. Soon they came from all across the wasteland to seek our knowledge and skill."

He looked at her, clearly understanding, "What happened?"

"A pony found his way into our basement, found the experiments we were performing there, the... details... of the treatments we had carried out." She shivered slightly, feeling the anger and guilt grow within her, "They misunderstood, they... killed my teacher, and drove me out."

"I'm sorry."

She shook her head, smiling at him, "Red Eye took me in, Doctor Slaughter accepted me like a long lost daughter and together we did things I had never even dreamed of. And those things we did together, Doctor Slaughter has used them to save countless lives." She shrugged, giving him a warm nod, "Perhaps the things you did together with Sunny Smiles will one day do the same."

"If you don't mind me asking..." The Jester started, looking up at her with a concerned expression, "...why aren't you with Doc Slaughter now?"

"A... couple of reasons." She pursed her lips, feeling her heart sink, "Given the Doctor's former employment, they're rather cautious about hiring other members of his Fillydephia team. And by acknowledging my credentials, they will also be acknowledging my part ownership of several Equestrian Innovations patents."

"Which means... you invented their technology, but they don't pay you for it?"

She sighed, shaking her head. Many would call it just reward for her crimes, "I killed a lot of ponies, and I justified it by saying it was all for the sake of future generations. I'm not sure I have any grounds to complain."

The Jester nodded sadly, "It seems we have a lot in common."

"We all do." She looked across at Dream Star, huddled in a corner with her hood covering her eyes, "I wish we could have got there in time, activated the elements. It was all she wanted, to finally live up to her legacy. They stole her dreams from her, and no pony will ever care."

The Jester looked back at her, studying her for many long seconds. Finally he spoke, his voice soft, "She wanted to be a hero?"

"She thinks she has to be one I think." Jammer answered, wishing she had an easy answer, "She's an orphan too. Her parents and brother died when she was a child, she's the last member of her family."

"They were important ponies?"

She looked at the Dream Star, at the patches of pink fur that still remained on her withered body, "Her great great grandmother wore a crown."

"So she's back here again?" Sunshine stated with a sigh, taking in a sip of green tea as he sat across from her on the benches outside the house, "She hasn't lost the war yet, one simple defeat should not..."

"Fluttershy used the Stare on her I think." Jammer answered, feeling a wave of quite unjustified hate towards the mare at the very thought of it, "Twice actually. The first time Dream Star shook it off, but this time... I think it's truly broken her."

"Nonsense. The mistress is unbreakable." Sunshine answered with a huff, then grinned wide as he proudly declared his beliefs, "You'll see, this is as passing as any of her moods. She'll be up and fighting again by the end of the week."

"I don't know..." She sighed, thinking long and hard before finally deciding to give voice to the thoughts that had gripped her for months now, only growing stronger with every disaster, "...don't you think it's time to... stop?"

"Stop?" He answered with a tone of mock offense.

She nodded, feeling like a traitor already, "I like it here, and I know Bitter Fennel does too. And neither of us are as young as we used to be." She sighed deeply, "And Rusty Needle and Spark Plug, they're both settling in at Tenpony. Dream Star talks about this big plan but so many have already died, and she still won't tell us what it's really about."

He gave an understanding nod, "Your concerns are not unjustified."

"To be honest... Dream Star has been getting more and more erratic than ever, and I worry if she's trying to get herself killed sometimes." She shook her head, "We all deserve whatever fate has in store for us, but those two... they're both so young, and have so much potential."

¬

Jammer had had far too many guns pointed at her during her short life, it starting to become a somewhat weekly occurrence. Unfortunately today seemed to particularly prolific on that front, "Why do I let you get me into these situations?"

The approach behind was swarming with ponies, a dozen marching down from the balconies of the main vault hall. Ahead stood a single shaking security guard blocking the exit, a callow youth not more past eighteen. After a moment a loud booming voice came out over the speaker, "Rusty Needle, do not let them past! Reinforcements are on their way!"

The guard shook, keeping his little 9mm trained on them, "Don't make any more trouble for yourself, please! This... this will all sort itself out..."

Bitter Fennel scanned the boy, then the ponies up behind, "Want me to...?"

"No." Dream Star quickly answered, studying the boy ahead with interest, "Rusty Needle right? A record player cutie mark, an ear for sound... yet they have you playing security guard?"

His raised hoof slackened a little, "Overseer Mach Cone believes music is a bad influence on the young, that it promotes slacking and daydreaming."

"Do you?"

He looked increasingly nervous at the questioning, "I... it doesn't matter. He's the boss."

Dream Star chuckled, "But you've broken the rules before haven't you?"

"What?"

"I found it, in your room." She levated the CD out of her saddlebag, the surface glittering in the harsh vault lights, "This is Vinyl Scratch's third CD, Rainbow and Rooted. Prohibited material."

His eyes went wide, "No... please, if the Overseer finds out..."

Dream Star smirked, "He won't."

Jammer looked behind. The guards had reached the doors but their strikes, gunshots and desperate hacking attempts just bounced off the thick glow of pink energy that surrounded them.

"Here." Dream Star stated cheerfully, moving toward Rusty Needle without a hint of fear and offering him the CD, "I have a better idea. Why don't we go on up to the Overseer's office, stick that in the player, and let the whole vault hear just what they've been missing."

Rusty Needle gasped, backing up a little, "I can't do that!"

"You have to do this!" Dream Star countered with a cheerful shout, "Look at that cutie mark! A record player? A name like Rusty Needle? You are the modern day Vinyl Scratch, the successor to DJ Pon3! It is your destiny, to play rocking tunes to the poor, culturally destitute masses!"

"I... I..." Rusty Needle's eyes suddenly went wide, hoof pointing at the glass. Jammer turned, seeing the guards were all retreating down a side corridor with just a few left guarding the hall. Rusty soon confirmed what they were doing, "They're moving to surround us, loop round and cut off our exit!"

"Then we will have to delay them." Dream Star looked to Bitter Fennel and Sunshine, "You, Sunshine and I, we will move to head them off. Jammer, if you would escort our young DJ to the overseer's office, make sure there are no attempts to block his signal?"

She hesitantly nodded, no sure she wanted to be alone with a pony whose allegiance was still in flux. Still few got far second guessing Dream Star, "Um... ok." She turned, smiling nervously at him, "Lead the way."

They made their way down the service corridor in silence. Rusty Needle clearly had a lot to think about, and she didn't want to interfere. Eventually he spoke, sounding a little angry, "Can I trust any of you?"

"That's a... difficult question."

Rusty Needle gave her a skeptical look as they ascended towards the overseer's office, "That's not really the answer I needed to hear."

"I know..." She sighed, feeling once again that she was rather out of her depth, "But... look, you can't trust her. She's as fickle as the wind, and her whims drive her more often than not."

He turned, pulling a face.

"But she's always right, and ultimately her main joy in life seems to be pushing others into making the decisions they should have made years ago." Jammer smiled at him, "And I'm happier to have met her."

Rusty Needle's head dropped, turning and continuing on, "I guess you're right. But why? Why does she care?"

Jammer sighed. It was a good question, "I honestly don't know. I honestly think deep down, she cares deeply about everypony in the wasteland."

"And you?"

She smiled nervously, "Me? Well I... I just don't want to see ponies suffer. And Fennel hates injustice more than anything. Sunshine... um..."

"I used to read about heroes like you." Rusty stated softly as they reached the access door at the end of the corridor. He tapped the code into the door, looking back at her, "I never believed you actually existed."

Jammer wasn't so sure she was a hero. She had seen enough of the world to know it was a lot more complicated than that.

"Hold it."

"Shit!"

Jammer looked up as she heard Rusty swear, looking across the vault's command section to where a single mare in a maintenance uniform stood at a console. She had her hoof paused over a large red button, her manner chilly and businesslike. Her voice was similarly cool, and direct, "Take another step and I flush the air from this section."

"That would kill you too." Jammer pointed out.

"And you think that will stop me?"

Rusty reached out a hoof, "Sparks..."

"Don't speak to me like that." She responded to Rusty's advance, anger marking her features despite her still calm voice, "I don't understand what is wrong with you. We went to school together, we grew up together. And now you associate with these terrorists?"

"They are not terrorists Sparks." Rusty responded, taking a step forward and defying her glare, "The Overseer is lying to us, you have to realize that!"

"If these are the kind of ponies there are out there, maybe it's for the best." She responded, turning her eyes to Jammer, "It's as the Overseer says, here we are safe, warm and fed. To open the vault to all is to invite chaos into our society."

Rusty paused for a moment before speaking again, "Maybe a little chaos is good."

"Rusty." She shook her head, brow tightening, "You have gone mad."

He shook his head at her, moving forward unconcerned, "Madness is relative Sparks. Look at it out there, look at all the ponies molded into nothing more than cogs in a machine. Yes, they're safe, but what for? There's no music, no stories, no joy. We've built a sterile mockery of life, denied everything a pony should be. And for what? To survive? They've rebuilt society out there Sparks, and we still struggle to keep ourselves fed!"

Sparks hesitated, her hoof drifting back to the ground, "I understand that the Overseer's rule has been... inefficient."

"He's hurting everypony." Jammer offered, "He's making a mockery of his own rules."

"I know that." She gave a look of frustration, "But you will not fix that by adding to the chaos, hurting more ponies."

He shook his head, "You can trust me enough to know I would never do that Sparks. All I want to do is use the intercom."

After a moment’s thought she stepped away from the console, giving him access. He moved over, Jammer going to join him before being dissuaded by a riot prod Sparks pulled from her saddle bag. Sparks waved it in her direction for a moment before attaching it to her hoof and pointing it at Rusty's back, "Try anything and I'll stick this up your rear end Rusty."

He chuckled nervously, "I didn't think you were that type of girl Sparks..."

"Don't get cute."

He took a deep breath, looking over to Jammer with a look of nervous hopefulness on his face, "Here I go."

"Just do what feels natural Rusty." Jammer stated with a genuine smile, never more sure that they were on the right path, "Don't let anyone stop you from being who you want to be."

He nodded, then took his tape and inserted it into the machine. It clicked and whirred for a moment, the monitors eventually lighting up with a playlist. He looked up at this in shock, shaking his head in confusion, "It's... all set up. This system shouldn't be capable of doing that according to its technical specifications."

"Yes, I know." Sparks stated from behind, "That's why I let you access it."

Rusty turned his head to her in shock, "Spark Plug, you knew?"

She gave him a soft bow, lip curling slightly in what looked like regret, "A past Overmare had the console modified in defiance of Stable-tech rules, allowing it to play music. Mach Cone tried to have those modifications removed, but he could never work out how to do it without breaking important systems. Instead he simply asked me to... destroy the music tapes we had in storage."

Rusty's face opened in a big smile, "Sparks, you're the best friend ever."

She blushed, shaking her head, "I'm a terrible pony. My mother always told me to tell the truth, I always boasted of my loyalty to stable and overmare... but I'm just as corrupted and deviant as you. I don't know why I did it, why I gave those tapes to you. Maybe I just couldn't stand seeing valuable resources lost..."

"Perhaps you always knew Mach Cone was wrong." Jammer interjected with a smile, "You know that the stables were all a social experiment, designed to help those who came after to find the perfect society?"

They both looked at her, "What?"

"It's true." She confirmed, "Yours was filled with musicians and dreamers, yet equipped with no instruments or sound equipment, and furnished with an overmare and security staff who were explicitly biased against all forms of self expression."

"That's... mad." Rusty finally managed.

"I agree, and I make a point of traveling with crazy ponies." She answered, nodding encouragingly towards Rusty, "But your grandparents loved music, and they passed that trait down to all of you. Help them remember Rusty, fulfill the promise of your cutie mark."

He looked unsure for a brief moment before his eyes firmed, "Yeah... I think... that makes sense to me."

"I've hooked up all speakers in the stable Rusty, and adjusted audio levels for the perfect acoustic performance."

They all turned to look at Sparks, currently adjusting knobs at a nearby console, "Sparks?"

Sparks simply stared back as they all turned to look at her, looking defiant, "I have a cutie mark too, one I've always been proud of." She nodded down to the knotted wires on her flank, "Technology, joining others together. My parents might have been security ponies, but that doesn't mean I can't support my friends."

Rusty grinned, "Thank you Sparks. So... lets go I guess... ahem..." He took the microphone, closing his eyes for a moment before his features firmed and he sprouted a grin that stretched from ear to ear, "Hello Stable 16! I hope you can all hear me, because today I have a message of hope and harmony that once made a whole nation move! This is Rusty Needle and tonight I'm here to show you a world you've never imagined, traveling straight from the hooves and voices of Equestria and straight into your hearts! From Octavia Melody to Sapphire Shores, open your ears and listen, because this is radio sixteen! And spinning on the tape first, this is Sapphire Shore's message of hope to all of you, The Sun Cannot Hide Forever!"

Jammer smiled, wishing that every day could end like this one.

"I wish we could still hear him." Jammer commented with regret, slumping herself against the table, "It never feels right when we're apart."

Sunshine nodded gravely, "To be true, the difference in Dream when the young stable dwellers are present is all too obvious. We are old monsters, but they... they connect her heart to the innocent ponies of the wasteland, remind her of what is important."

Jammer didn't answer, not always sure that was a good thing. Yes, Dream Star was happier with them around, but she always felt that they were the reason behind their one, most ill advised adventure. That it was their influence that convinced Dream Star that there was still hope for her, that she too could be what she dreamed of being.

But it had been a lie. There had been no salvation there.

Jammer looked around the lab in horror, never in her most horrible nightmares ever imagining she would stand here. It was worse than she could imagine, the machinery caked in dried blood and calcified flesh, the rad counter on her Pipbuck clicking away like crazy. She could see the vat room through the broken window at the side, exposing further horrors beyond her logical comprehension, "Dream Star... this is insane."

"Do you have no scientific curiosity?" Dream Star stated with a combination of scorn and mockery, marching across the broken floor without a hint of caution, "Most scientists would give their right hoof to stand here."

"In the centre of a megaspell detonation, in a facility boasting a hundred years of atrocity?"

Dream Star cackled, then nodded in appreciation as several lights came on with a loud bang, only a few of them instantly dying a second later. Blue lights came on at the consoles too, just a few short moments before Spark Plug's voice came in over the radio, "Power is on. Do you have blue lights at the consoles?"

"Roger Sparks." Jammer confirmed, moving over to the nearest, "What next?"

"I'm radioing Rusty to boot up the mainframe. Stand by."

She took a deep breath and stood in waiting, the area not any nicer in the light. She noticed an alicorn skeleton a little way distant, feeling once again the deep sadness that they had pretty much been left where they lay. Most of the wasteland had been cleaned up now of course, bodies given a proper cremation. The bones here though had never been touched, even though the radiation really wasn't all that bad anymore.

She looked round as Dream Star rammed the door of the control bay open with her shoulder, stepping out into the vat room, "Dream Star!"

"She's dead Jammer." Dream Star answered with a note of bitter regret in her voice, "They all are."

She watched from the broken window, watching as Dream Star stepped into the centre of the facility, the vat where the Goddess had ruled from. She didn't follow, Dream Star's hollow, bitter expression convincing her that this was a private moment.

The lights on the consoles turned to green, Rusty Needle's voice coming in, "Mainframe fully booted."

Spark Plug answered after a moment, "Jammer, you may turn on the consoles."

Jammer moved over as Spark Plug had instructed, flicking the switches on the sides and waiting as they each booted with a succession of loud coughing sounds. The ministry of science logos spread wide across the working monitors, a static filled musical note sounding out.

The first console finally finished its boot up cycle, Jammer quickly concluding this one monitored the various vats. As expected none of them were functional, and the Goddesses' still registered as being 'clogged with organic material'. The next monitored the general workings of the facility, this was surprisingly positive. She had to admire the ponies who built this place, hit with numerous megaspell impacts and it still had working water, power and ventilation. Most doors were still functional. Looking at it she was amazed to see the megaspell explosion had done very little to the facility itself, rather it had collapsed the cave network and caused Maripony to fall deep into the valley. It had likely been blunt force impact that had killed the Goddess.

The third console was the one she was most interested in, giving access to the central databanks. She quickly located and hacked into the files of one T.SPK and the result was unexpected and deeply disturbing, the documents folder listing out hundreds of files recorded right up to the death of the goddess. Many of them were corrupted but she eventually opened one that was still viable, her lips narrowing as she read the text scrolling down her screen.

---

My children die and I remember loss, the loss of my children, the loss...

These... these are false memories. We never had any children. Any of us. We never had husbands, we are alone. We were alone.

Singer was rebellious. She never listened to our song, she loved to shout above us, to sing a different tune. We angered, and we loved her. She was our child, and we loved her. She is gone.

Nightseer, soft, quiet Nightseer. She saw further, she saw a future for all of her. We loved her, for she saw the truth that we most desperately wished for. She wished only to help her sisters, make them the princesses they deserved to be.

She is gone.

There are only two now. Angry, righteous Justicar. Gentle, sweet Speaker. We fear for both of them, Speaker always so afraid to take action, to have faith in her own heart. We fear for her, trapped in that den of lies and corruption.

And Justicar, always so driven by emotion, so obsessed with fairness and law. We know it all too well. Neither exists in this world. And we fear her purity, her justice, will one day lead her from the unity, from the path we have given her. Lead her into darkness.

We fear for all our children. We sometimes dream of our death, and fear for what would happen to them without us. The world is cruel, and they are so innocent.

I fear for my children.

---

"This... isn't somewhere we should be Dream."

"We can complete her work Jammer." Dream Star stated firmly as she came back in through the door, looking unexpectedly serious for once, "The alicorns she made, we can save them! Fix their reproduction problems at the source, refine and perfect Sparkle's formula."

"Twilight Sparkle couldn't do it, what...?"

"You are a genius, I am a genius!" Dream Star cut her off harshly, her voice proud and angry, "We need to do this, I need to do this. You need to do this!"

Jammer stammered, "I... need...?"

Dream Star nodded, shrunken eyes creased in pain, "You always told me you wanted to make great advances in medicine, save lives. Well now here's your chance, and I... I'm begging you..."

Jammer looked at Dream Star's quivering, desperate form in shock, having never seen the mare this emotionally compromised. Dream Star was cynical, she was bitter, but looking at her now she looked like a quivering child, "I... of course Dream, I understand. But I'm not doing it for science, or ego."

Dream Star smirked at this, her eyes lighting up a little, "What else is there?"

Jammer smiled back at her, "I'm doing this because you're my friend Dream, and if you think this is worthwhile, then I believe you."

She smiled at this, rare and genuine, “Thank you.”

It had taken many days and sleepless nights, burning through a steady supply of rad-away, Mint-alls and ammo as they continued their work. Rusty and Sparks fought a never ending battle to keep the crumbling facility halfway functional, Sunshine and Bitter Fennel fighting off a veritable army of corrupted animals and IMP monsters attracted by their intrusion into their domain.

It didn't help that although Jammer was a doctor she was primarily a cyberneticist, Dr Glue's department having been the primary team in charge of IMP study. She spent a couple of days just reading what notes the team here had left behind just to begin understanding the science, both awed and horrified by the implications of what they had been doing here.

Twilight Sparkle had been as crazy as she was brilliant. Indeed as she read further she couldn't help her eyes being drawn over to Dream Star, restlessly pacing the labs muttering to herself inaudibly. Twilight too had wanted to save the world, but Jammer couldn't help but wonder if either mare really knew what they were saving. Both had lived in self imposed isolation from society, and she questioned the sort of mind that could begin to comprehend the implications of this research.

Still one thing continued to focus her attention. The certainty that both were good mares, and the both were capable of great things with the support of their friends.

And so they stood here now, Jammer making final checks on all specifications as she looked through the broken window looking down into the testing chamber. Dream Star stood there, naked of her usual cloak and revealing just how much age had withered her. Still strong muscles (grown and maintained artificially by an implanted hormone regulator Jammer had implanted) strained against dry, papery skin, her pink fur patchy and lifeless. Her spine twisted slightly and her shoulders and haunches were asymmetrical to each other, the legacy of a lifetime of abuse (and the reason for the Med-X implant Jammer had also implanted directly into her spinal column).

And in front of her, held within a mechanical arm... was a small glass of pink fluid.

"May I drink it?"

"Not yet." Jammer responded, knowing she was just putting it off now, "I'm just running over the parameters one last time..."

"You've looked over them a dozen times." Dream Star responded, moving over to the glass, "You've done your calculations, I've done mine, we've quadruple checked everything."

Jammer had to admit, she was rapidly shifting her opinion on this being a good idea, "There's just too many variables..."

"I trust you Jammer. This will work." Dream Star smiled as she moved forward, levitating the glass out of the container and over to her mouth, "Immortality is within our grasp, and with it the salvation of the wasteland."

"Dream, I..."

But the mare ignored her, drinking the glass down in one gulp.

Jammer closed her eyes, terror overwhelming her. She grasped the console, tasting bile as she fought to retain control. Finally she looked back up, Dream Star having gone very pale and looking deeply pained, "Dream Star, are you ok?"

"I'm... fine." She responded, wincing a little, "I feel a little sick, and there's some discomfort as my DNA is restructured and my anatomy shifts. The Med-X is still functioning however, and..."

Her form expanded, shifting outwards as she grew taller and larger... all as had been expected. And their folly was already realized.

Screams filled the air, both hers and Dream's. Muscle and skin was torn apart as Dream's expanding skeleton broke free of its bonds, blood spraying the room as the mare crumbled into a thrashing heap. The skin and muscle finally caught up with the transformation, weaving cancerous lumpen strands across still shifting bone, bubbling and shifting before solidifying into twisted layers of scar tissue. Massive growths of splintered, misshapen bone and trailing flesh exploded from her sides in a rain of gore, Jammer realizing after a moment that those were her wings.

She grabbed the vial from the table next to her and vaulted through the window, Sunshine charging through the far door. She shouted desperately for him to hold her down, wrestled through the thrashing, bubbling flesh and drove the needle deep...

"Mmmgh..."

Jammer turned in shock as she heard the sound behind her, looking down at the twisted, mutant thing lying on the bed covered in monitoring equipment. Said monitoring equipment promptly started bleeping madly, Jammer backing away as magic crackled in the air. The mana sensors attached to the horn suddenly struck dangerously into the red, flesh shifting beneath the stained bandages, "Dream Star!"

Bloodshot eyes opened beneath the bags of cancerous flesh. A harsh, strained voice emerged, "What happened to me...?"

She moved over so that Dream Star could see her, bowing in the deepest regret, "I'm so sorry Dream... I failed. My potion failed."

"No... I'm sorry." She muttered, gasping in pain for a moment before her eyes closed once more, "I was my selfish dream, and I made you feel responsible. Just like I always do."

"No...!"

"Leave me here Jammer." She stated bluntly, cutting her off, "I will keep repeating experiments until I die, and you don't need to see that. You all deserve to be free, free to find your own destiny. Not die for mine."

Jammer shook her head, pouting firmly, "I won't do that Dream."

"Why the hell not?"

Jammer smiled, taking out a vial of Med-x and injecting it into Dream Star's flank. She drew back, assessing its effectiveness for a moment before looking her straight in the eye, giving her an assuring nod, "I’m never going to abandon you Dream. We’re in this together, you know that."

Dream Star closed her eyes, “I’ll be the death of you Jammer. And when it happens... it will be for nothing.”

"Just leave me on a rock to die Jammer. Don't they do that here?"

Jammer frowned, drawing her head up sternly and glaring at Dream's impassive form collapsed upon the sofa. She snorted angrily and continued her washing up, carefully drying and storing the beakers she had used for her latest medical treatment, "That's cruel propaganda, and beyond that base selfishness Dream."

"Tell me about it." Dream muttered back, tensing in frustration, "It wouldn't have worked anyway."

"What wouldn't?"

"My plan. For the artificial intelligence." Dream Star drew her head up, a bitter smile on her face, "If I think about it, it was pretty much the same idea as the Steel Rangers. Just more complicated and scientific."

"You were going to take over the wasteland and rule as a princess?"

Dream Star chuckled at her question, "I could care less about the wasteland. I would have given them Equestria."

Jammer paused, for a moment wondering if she could have done it, "Equestria's gone."

"Equestria already lies within my hooves Jammer." Dream Star responded with a spark of her old strength creeping back into her voice, "All I needed was a way to bring everypony there. And that machine, that... Puppy... it would have given me that power."

Jammer sighed, "That almost sounds worth it."

"Yes." Dream sighed, sinking back into the sofa, "Yes it does."

¬

Jammer really had had far too many guns pointed at her during her short life. It didn't help that this time they comprised of miniguns and grenade launchers, mounted on top line power armor.

It did help that she was starting to feel sorry for them, darting out and firing a charged blast of her disruption magic that instantly sent the two nearest brothers shorting out and collapsing to their knees under the weight of the now powerless armor. Bitter Fennel blew a hole through another, Sunshine calmly slipping a knife back into his harness as he emerged from a security hub with a lanyard of access cards hung around his neck.

And Dream Star advanced ahead through the chaos and smoke, bullets bouncing harmlessly off her shields. A missile flew at her but she dismantled it mid flight with her telekinesis, trigging the explosives in the crates sitting at the nearby checkpoint and blowing it into smoking fragments.

The fire suppression system triggered now, filling the corridor with a fine mist. Jammer shifted her wet hair from her face, looking to their leader, "What next?"

"The central core." Dream Star confirmed, continuing onwards with determination in her eyes, "We'll be able to get the location of the Puppy OS from the databanks there."

"And what makes you think I will let you?"

Dream Star grinned as the deep, booming voice echoed from the speakers above, "What makes you think you have any choice? I destroyed your robots, we've beaten your tin men."

The voice didn't answer, Dream Star smirking and slamming the door in front open with her telekinesis.

This room had to be the central core, a circle of consoles surrounding a 3D map of the facility, more consoles and data streams surrounding the room and mounted on walkways situated above. Hanging from the center of the room was the unmistakable outlines of a crusader mainframe, the words 'SolOS Hub' painted clearly on the side. Cameras focused on them as they approached, the voice booming out once again, "Base insects."

"That your best?" Dream Star smirked, "So tell me, how are you going to stop us now?"

The doors slammed shut, a hissing emerging from the ventilation system. Jammer didn't need to sniff the air to know it was nothing good.

"Really?" Dream Star stated dismissively as she erected an airtight shield around each of them, "You'll have to do better than that."

"Gladly." SolOS intoned as turrets deployed from the roof and walls, carpeting their position in a dozen varieties of death. Dream Star instantly teleported them to different sides of the room, turrets struggling to track them as they took them out one by one. Jammer shut down the one nearest before running for an access port, sticking her horn into the socket and shorting out the ventilation. SolOS simply growled in frustration as the fans powered down with a whine, "That is not all I have!"

"P7 units powering up!" A cheerful, squeaky voice declared as sections of the wall slid open and a small army of bubblegum pink assault droids charged out into the room and began blasting, "Party favors deployed!"

Jammer squealed as a pinkie bomb went off just beside her, showering her in burning sparks. She span and blasted the nearest with a jamming bolt as it toppled, only for three others to take it's place, "Oh shit, shit...!"

Dream Star appeared next to her, throwing up a shield and knocking the P7 units back with a burst of energy. Jammer was just about to follow up when Dream Star hooked a hoof around her and drew her close, pressing the tip of her horn against hers. Jammer felt a blush on her cheeks, wondering what the heck Dream was doing... before the power flowed through her, more power than she had ever felt before. Her jamming spell welled up within her horn, so powerful that she felt it was about to explode... Dream Star swung her towards the Crusader Mainframe and angled her like a weapon, the force of the discharging energy throwing her backwards.

She smacked rear end first into the tiles, a deep burning sensation running right up her horn. The whole room was bathed in a deep, blue glow, a deafening silence eventually giving way to the whining of failing machinery and the sparking of electrical equipment. The lights cut out, Jammer wondering if she was blind for a moment before Dream Star threw a ball of illumination up into the air.

The Crusader Mainframe was dark, and there were deep holes in its surface where it looked like components had literally exploded out of it. The P7 units lay in smoking heaps, the various consoles similarly shattered and burned out. Jammer looked upon the destruction in horror, "I... I just destroyed a Crusader Mainframe..."

"I honestly thought they were supposed to be invincible." Dream Star stated, seeming to find it all very amusing, "Give yourself a pat on the back Jammer, you just did what a thousand engineers thought impossible."

Jammer pursed her lips, not exactly feeling like celebrating. As she looked across at the ruin in front she couldn't help but wonder the worth of such a item, a priceless artifact of the old world now gone.

"I believe the labs are this way." Sunshine announced from nearby, "Hopefully the internal security should have shut down along with the mainframe."

Jammer followed them as they travelled onwards, sparing a final look at the broken SolOS mainframe behind. It all seemed like such a shame.

Jammer looked around the central lab, taking in every aspect. This specific one had been fairly easy to find, most of the other labs abandoned and locked up. There had been a few others working simulations and mechanical engineering for the AI's frame, still all signs pointed to this room as being where the primary testing was being carried out.

It was... neat. Tidy to a fault. Several large consoles dominated the right side of the room, all shut down, an empty maintenance harness for power armor at the far end. A desk and several filing cabinets stood next to them, Sunshine instantly moving over and picking up one of the books neatly stacked there. His eyes soon narrowed, "This must be some sort of code... there is no writing here, only small raised dots."

Jammer walked over, soon confirming his findings. She was familiar with it, "It's braile. It's a form of writing that allows blind ponies to read."

Sunshine gave her an interested look, "So the chief scientist here was blind?"

Jammer looked around, noting the large open space, lack of clutter, and the fact that there didn't seem to be any writing material around. If this scientist was anything like another blind scientist she knew, they would keep most of their work on audio tape... she located a tape holder next to the desk, noting with frustration that it was empty. That was itself unusual, had somepony intentionally cleared this place out?

"Somepony charged up a suit of power armor here, recently." Bitter Fennel noted, sniffing the air near the frame.

"And somepony has just dropped a fiberoptic cable here." Dream Star added, her lips firming in irritation, "Quickly! They must be trying to evacuate the AI from the facility in some sort of container!"

Dream Star threw the far door open with her telekinesis and darted through, the others all moving to follow. Jammer followed along as they ran through the corridors, assisted by Fennel's keen nose, "It's near, just beyond that door!"

Fennel ran forward and broke through with a shoulder check, the door bursting open with a crash. Jammer was instantly faced by sleek black armor, standing just beyond the door with weapons spinning up.

As expected a grenade instantly flew at them, Sunshine deflecting it with a flung knife before diving forward as bullets tore the corridor apart. Jammer found cover behind a art deco couch, peeking out a little to see a pony incased in sleek, advanced looking armor, sporting a heavily modified assault rifle and grenade launcher attachments. His voice boomed out as he advanced into the corridor, sending out pinpoint bursts that winged Sunshine and sent him limping into cover with multiple bleeding wounds, "Stand down! I assure you, this is the most powerful armor prototype in the NCR, and I have plenty of ammo!"

At that Dream Star simply cackled, leaping out and firing a focused blast of her horn straight at him. As it neared several round plates on the armor suddenly started glowing blue, the energy striking an invisible barrier just a inch short of the pony and dissipating into sparks. Another voice promptly emerged from the black armored pony, this one chirpy and female just like the P7 robots, "Deploying anti-magic countermeasures, SATS engaged!"

The assault rifle pivoted, a red light blinking on the side of the gun and a full burst of glowing bullets striking Dream Star's shield. It quickly buckled and she yelled out in fear as it shattered around her, teleporting behind a metal planter with a flash of light. The armored pony shouted as he pinned her down with further fire, moving closer to their position, "What did I tell you? Surrender!"

"Or you could just kill them." The perky female voice exclaimed, her voice becoming deadly polite as she continued, "We could sell their bodies to medical science, use the cash to repair all this damage."

"Right, had enough of you." Bitter Fennel stated with a firm determination, advancing forward and firing bursts of his heavy rifle. The black armored pony just threw his hoof up however, a shield of energy appearing in front that caused the shots to swerve away. At the same time he continued firing his assault rifle, scoring a hit on Fennel's knee and dropping him to the floor, "Agh! Son of a..."

"What you see here is the finest the Steel Rangers have to offer criminal scum, you have no chance to win." He fired a grenade that tore through their cover in a fierce spray of shrapnel, pumping bullets into Fennel's struggling form, "I am Star Paladin Lucky Days, I've fought in three wars, countless battles!"

"And I am P7." The female voice proclaimed, "And if you've hurt SolOS, so help me..."

This wasn't going well. That suit seemed near imperious, and Jammer knew that if it protected against Dream Star's magic it would protect against her's as well. But maybe if she used it indirectly... she waited for him to move a little further, watched him effortlessly defect attacks made by Sunshine and Dream Star. She could see the panel on the wall next to him, track the lines of circuitry...

She directed her magic, overloading the systems in the console beside her, pushing the surge through the system. It was hard to contain but she fought through the strain, letting it build up energy as it raced through the system, finally releasing it as it reached the conduit next to Lucky Days. He looked round but it was too late, the conduit exploding with a loud crack and shattering the whole wall into fragments as systems burst from the force of the magic running through it. Lucky Days was caught hard and crashed rolling to the floor, his armor smoking and dented, large areas shorn away. A moment later and he was knocked back further as a blast of energy from Dream Star tore away a big chunk of the side, a thrown dagger from Sunshine cutting a line of exposed wiring and sending it sparking.

"All systems compromised Mr Lucky." The female voice stated with a trembling voice as he staggered back, "Detecting critical injury, and my healing potion injectors aren't working."

Dream Star cackled, moving out from behind the rubble, "Maybe it's you who should surrender."

Lucky Days gasped in pain, his weapons going limp as the power failed. He glared through his shattered visor, considering his next move...

Jammer felt it, the surge of energy above, "Dream Star, bomb in the roof!"

Dream Star instantly drew them all close with her telekinesis, erecting a shield about them as the roof caved in with a terrific blast of magical energy. Dream Star struggled and collapsed but the shield held, Lucky Days backing towards the door with a look of shock and surprise on his face.

"Star Paladin!" P7's voice stated in desperate panic, "Somepony has trigged the facilities self destruct sequence, and opened us a route to the surface."

"SolOS?"

"I don't know, but we need to go!"

Lucky Days nodded, turning to run. Jammer wanted to pursue but the shield around them was the only thing keeping a half ton of metal and concrete from flattening them. Worse she could now tell from her magical senses that P7 was right, the facility was self destructing.

She looked round as the door slid shut behind, magnetic locks engaging, "Dream Star, they're locking us in!"

"Heh heh..." Dream chuckled, slowly making it back to her hooves, "They're willing to blow the whole facility, just to take us out. I'm flattered."

"Dream!"

"Ugh, don't panic." She flung the rubble away with a burst of magic, then sent chunks of it rotating around herself, "Jammer, your assistance please."

Jammer moved to help, stabilizing the lines of magic as Dream Star weaved them with expert precision. Runes of energy were carved across the rotating blocks of concrete, compressing and enhancing the magic within. More explosions sounded above, the room around them buckling and collapsing, "Dream... we don't have much..."

"Fine." She declared, sealing the megaspell shut with a final crack of powerful energy, "Hold on to your britches!"

Then they flew, a rushing, crushing, terrifying rollercoaster that reminded her with every moment that a miscast would strip the skin from their muscles. She instantly regretted rushing Dream Star, closed her eyes...

...and was ejected at high speed straight into a clod of dirt. This proved useful a second later when she smelt burning, looking behind to see her tail aflame. She quickly swung it over and heaped dirt upon it, stamping on it repeatedly to choke it out.

"Well that did not go as intended." Sunshine stated glumly, casually patting out his own smoldering fur, "We appear to be somewhere in the vicinity of Fillydephia. That is quite a way from Sun City."

"Ugh..." Dream Star gently poked her horn, still softly glowing from the strain. She grimaced as she looked at all of them, then at the horizon, "They'd really blow up the facility to stop us? How many of their own did they kill in there?"

"They're fanatics." Bitter Fennel pointed out, "Don't they dream of dying for the cause or something?"

Jammer didn't think that was right, wondering why they didn't just seal them in and blow that section. Still the damage was done, "Well we'll never be able to track the AI now. It could be anywhere."

"Ugh..." Dream Star grunted, "Get a message to Rusty Needle, use that rig of Homage's to scan for any mention of an injured paladin wearing black armor. I'm not ready to give up yet."

Maybe it would have been better if they had given up. As far as Jammer was concerned, things had only gotten worse. Zenai had got hold of the armor through her father, and had promptly used it to spark what was quickly becoming a second great war. By all accounts she was still out there, fouling up a fragile peace with more idealistic foolishness. She... sympathized with such things a little, she had once been much the same, but still that possibly made it worse. She had seen first hoof how good intentions could get out of control.

It made her ache really. Zenai could have gone to Velvet Remedy, exposed the Steel Ranger's plot. Things could have been sorted out, and it wouldn't have all gone so wrong.

Dream Star could have settled down, stopped trying to prove herself, and with one fraction of her brainpower change the world forever. But she couldn't. She couldn't just let things be.

She cursed the stubbornness of ponies and continued down the street, aware all of a sudden of a excitement and movement that was certainly unusual. She narrowed her eyes in suspicion and headed towards the village square where most of the commotion seemed to originate, seeing a group of well armed zebra standing proudly in the centre. The leader had a megaphone, addressing those around in a loud commanding voice, “Zebra of the wasteland, do you need a strong leader? Do you want a leader who would stand with you when the demons come, when Nightmare Moon comes for your children?! Then come forward, join us! The great Starhammer needs zebra of all professions, cooks, mechanics, doctors... and yes, soldiers. Zebra willing to bear arms and give their lives for the protection of all!”

Jammer grimaced. Yet more death and war. She had seen far too much of it in her...

“I wish to join.”

Jammer turned, eyes widening in shock and horror. The recruiter looked down at the pony who had spoken, narrowing his eyes in confusion at the small shrunken thing, her elderly form clad in a simple brown cloak, “What can you do for Star Hammer elder mother?”

Dream Star gave him a broad smirk, “More than you could believe possible.”

Chapter 4.3 - Kindness Unbound

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The vertibird crested the bonehills, soaring past the farming communities of the Whitetail woods and gently slowing as the familiar gemstone rooftops of that most famous of Equestrian villages came into view. The place where it had all begun, twice.

Ponyville.

It bustled with life one more, in fact likely the most extensively populated it had ever been. The chimneys and support stacks of the great underground forges dominated the end facing old canterlot, leading up to the chaotic but impressive central promenades, full of restaurants markets, arenas, theaters and the rising Starlight Tower, tallest building in the town. It was constructed of wood recycled from the debris of old ponyville, decorated with huge gemstone windows depicting all the major constellations, four separate high powered telescopes pointing up at the sky above. Constructed atop the ruins of Twilight's treehouse and incorporating its remains into its lobby, it housed the governmental and religious offices of the city.

To the south lay what had once been the great shame of the area, yet was now forming into some unique of its very own. A vast shanty town formerly constructed by refugees after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows, it was once a well known slum but was now improving dramatically due to the dedicated, long term efforts of the ponyville government. Dramatically contrasting it, the approach leading up to the everfree forest boasted carefully organized lines of solidly built residences and high class entertainment premises. It ended at the largest and most distinctive of the buildings in the city, light brown brickwork covered in curling vines and flowering plantlife, solid square blocks stretching out beneath a rising central clocktower decorated with the pink butterfly of the Followers of the Apocalypse.

Fluttershy's Free Hospital, and their destination. Senior Acolyte Sweet Acorn's heart swelled at the sight of it, looking down below at the hellhound children running along the streets below and pointing up at their vertibird with exited eyes. She noticed the hellhounds sat across from her had also allowed smiles to cross their faces, even though their eyes were still narrowed and ready for any danger. Clad entirely in jet black combat armor and carrying heavily modified assault weapons, theirs was an appearance that the pink butterflies upon their breastplates hardly suited. Still Sweet Acorn knew both to be among the most honorable and loyal creatures she knew, and that their fearsome demeanor was dedicated towards deterring any trouble.

And she knew many who might want to cause it, eyes drawn across to the mare seated nearby. She was currently studying ponyville with a wistful eye, the most powerful mare in the NCR and the architect of all its prosperity.

"It's good to be back here." Velvet Remedy commented, turning to Sweet Acorn with a sweet, gentle smile that lit up her eyes, "I've always considered it home."

"More than ever I feel." Sweet Acorn commented, knowing her elder's mind, "The place has really moved upmarket since it was opened to new tenants."

Velvet Remedy chuckled, "Isn't that the truth."

They touched down just outside the hospital, a small unit of Follower security led by another hellhound operative waiting for them. Velvet Remedy was helped down, Sweet Acorn hopping down beside and thanking the two operatives as they brought down her bag and helped her buckle it on. A pair of ponyville city guard were also there, looking proud in their overdesigned uniforms as they doffed their caps. Sweet Acorn had to say that they had never needed any kind of security detail while in ponyville, still Velvet Remedy believed that all the ceremony served an important role in giving the hellhounds pride in their status within the NCR.

As such Sweet Acorn stood back as Velvet warmly thanked and spoke with the two guards, then allowed herself to be escorted to the side entrance of the hospital. There they were greeted by one of the doctors, and led down the corridor to accident and emergency.

Velvet Remedy walked out to the a chorus of excited whispers, beaming out at all their faces as she nodded and made eye contact with each of them. She brought her face up to the hellhound doctor, her voice full of affection, "I was wondering if you would let me help out Dr Lockclaw, as far as my rusty medical skills will allow at least."

He smiled back, looking proud, "Of course Miss Remedy."

"Sweet Acorn?" Velvet called, then smiled and thanked her as Sweet Acorn handed her a medical bag and took her upper robe. Velvet placed a stethoscope around her neck and walked over to a row of wide eyed hellhound children, her voice calm and gentle as she questioned them each about their ailments. One of the hellhound guards lowered and locked his weapon, moving out into the crowd to shake hands and answer questions, the other remaining on firm guard at the exit. Sweet Acorn settled in beside him, taking photos and writing a report for the Followers newsletter, along with finishing off some assorted paperwork.

Finally the event ended, Velvet Remedy thanking everyone and saying her goodbyes before following Sweet Acorn back into the hospital corridors, moving along beside with a big smile on her face, "I do enjoy these visits Sweet Acorn. I so rarely get a chance to speak with the public these days, since... Velvet Promises..."

Sweet Acorn nodded, knowing exactly how she felt.

"Calamity threatens to have a heart attack every time I go out in public. I understand his concern, but it's so isolating sometimes." Velvet considered for a moment before turning her head to look at Sweet Acorn, "There seems to be an unusually high amount of claw deformities among the hellhound young. I suspect environmental and cultural factors, draft a letter asking the city government to look into it for me?"

Sweet Acorn nodded, giving her a smile, "Of course."

"Not a single instance of violent crime today though, and from reports its incidence is right down." She nodded proudly, "If we are going to integrate hellhounds into mainstream society it has to start here, by encouraging tourism and trade links we'll introduce hellhound culture as a core part of the NCR, allow ponies to see them at their best."

"It's working Velvet Remedy." Sweet Acorn stated with confidence, loving seeing the elder at work, "Every step you take leads us closer to the ideal you dreamed of that day you set out into the wasteland."

"It... it shouldn't be my ideal." She hesitated for a moment, looking unsure of herself. She turned her eyes to her guards, brow furrowed in worry, "Bruticus, tell me the truth. Is it arrogant of me to speak for your people? Am I forcing my ideals upon you?"

He smiled, exposing lines of sharp, white teeth, "No pony forces anything upon us."

She smiled back, shaking her head, "The great advocates of your race, Fluttershy, Golden Fields and me. Each one of us quite clearly not a hellhound." She smirked wryly, "It feels presumptuous, but I can't help doing it."

"The government of the NCR are ponies, you are ponies." The hellhound shrugged, "Many would like us to represent ourselves in the council, but we remain grateful to Golden Fields. When he retires, many of his most distinguished aids are hellhounds. Our time will come."

"We remain grateful to our friends." The other guard added, then paused briefly, "I wish more hellhounds were willing to venture outside of the city, join outside organizations like we have. There are too few of us out there."

"Too many bigots." Bruticus commented, snarling a little, "See why they rather stay home."

"Then we will have to bring ponies here." Velvet commented cheerfully, "It's a beautiful city, I think so every time I see it. You know, I had a germ of an idea actually."

Sweet Acorn smiled, of course she did, "Go on."

"Well Equestria had the Equestrian Games, where teams from all over the country competed alongside visits from other nations in a grand sporting tournament." She gave Sweet Acorn a wistful smile, "Imagine, teams from each of the pegasi nations, the zebra nations, the camels, the buffalo, competing against teams from every region of the NCR. And where better to hold it than here, with many great arenas already build, central within the NCR?"

Bruticus laughed, "They would certainly think twice before causing any trouble."

"And it would be a chance to show off your hospitality."

Sweet Acorn considered the idea, thinking it was certainly something she would pay to see. Perhaps a tiny bit impractical in places... "How would you make a race between an alicorn, hellhound and pony remain fair?"

"Actually the current speed record is held by a pony. Ice Flash." Velvet Remedy smiled knowingly, "I've done my research."

Bruticus snorted cheerfully, "We'll see how well that holds up."

"Exactly." Velvet declared with cheer, "We'll end this fruitless violence, let the pride of all the factions of the NCR be decided in honorable competition."

Sweet Acorn chuckled, loving the idealistic side of the high elder, "I will start calculating steps and writing a proposal before the elders Velvet."

But this wasn't just a hospital. That at least was known, that a Followers facility was housed here as well. Sitting where Fluttershy's cottage had once stood now it formed a small museum to her life, along with incorporating a few offices for assorted business. The two hellhound guards here were to prevent vandalism or theft of any of the artifacts on display... and certainly not to guard one of the Follower's biggest secrets.

One of the hellhounds nodded at their approach, leading them back into the offices. They quickly veered off into a side corridor, opening up a janitor’s closet and moving aside a tarpaulin covering at the pack to reveal a set of metal lift doors, "As you will Elder Velvet."

"Thank you." She stated kindly as Sweet Acorn followed her inside, offering the two guards an appreciative nod, "You have the rest of the day off, my sincere thanks for all your help today."

They both bowed, saluted and left, the lift doors closing as they started their decent. The doors slid open again at a small entrance hall, polished white plastic walls bearing portraits of the bearers of the Elements of harmony and a sturdy, reinforced steel door standing at the far end. Another security pony at the door moved at their approach, turning and pushing the door open. Sweet Acorn followed her as they stepped through into the lobby beyond, the symbol of the Followers beautifully inscribed upon the carpeted floor and the walls all covered in squares of polished hardwood. An older, icy looking mare moved from her desk to greet them, bowing her head regally, “High Elder, welcome. I assume you want to get straight to work?”

Velvet gave the mare an affection smile in return, “Yes, thank you Director Hawthorn.”

“No problem Elder. They’re all eager to show you the results.” She stated primly as she ushered them onwards, moving past another security checkpoint and into ‘the warren’. Dozens of office spaces sat separated off by soundproof glass, all featuring the latest technology. Monitors feed out a constant stream of information, Sweet Acorn looking around at the ponies running back and forth tallying, analyzing and writing up conclusions on everything from stock market prices to the current entertainment schedule. Every single one of them had been recruited from the best the NCR had to offer and were using the best interface software and hardware the Followers had, all powered by the crusader mainframe in the basement. This was the throbbing heart of Equestria, something that became obvious with every visit.

They moved further on into a long council chamber featuring a large oval table and doors leading off the executive offices. Seven figures were there to meet them, all standing proudly expectant. Director Hawthorn moved off to the side, Velvet advancing and nodding affectionately to each of them, “Thank you for meeting me like this. I know you’re all busy, but forgive my indulgences. I always love meeting you all outside of the confines of a view screen.”

“It’s never an imposition High Elder.” A large, matronly griffon stated in a deep, regal voice, smirking cheerfully, “We’ve certainly got plenty to go over. The NCR is hopping lately, our analysts can hardly keep up.”

“I’ve noticed, believe me.” Velvet acknowledged, nodding to the griffon, “Anything particularly interesting catch your ear Staf?”

“Oh my, plenty.” She declared with a deep chuckle, “But moving straight to the juicy stuff, Councilor Crow Foot of Salt Lick City and Councilor Bitter Lemon of Fillydephia are apparently engaged in a lot of video calls lately. Plenty of love between their respective representatives too, mutual gift giving, get together, it’s like Hearthswarming.”

Sweet Acorn frowned, that not sounding good at all. Crow Foot wasn’t the most principled of Councilors, and Bitter Lemon was generally considered to view his council responsibilities as secondary to being the biggest crime boss in the NCR. From her tone Velvet Remedy agreed, “Any clue what it’s all about?”

“From what I can gather, alcohol and blood.” Staf stated, moving a claw up to her beak, “They’re thinking of exchanging ingredients and knowhow for mutual improvement of their stills, and at the same time combine their forces to push the Mackerel boys out of Route 52. Bitter Lemon can then likely set up shop up that way, gears all nicely oiled by Crow Foot.”

“Mmh...” Velvet pursed her lips for a moment before nodding to herself, “Ok, allow the plan to go through, but tip Calamity off halfway. Have him arrest the Mackerel boys when they’re weak, blunt the councilors’ own advances. Quietly support local business to fill the vacuum left behind.”

“Letting the bad guys kill each other, then placing the financial support networks for the crime gangs in the hoofs of legitimate organizations. I like how you think Velvet.” Staf chuckled, then turned to a rather skittish looking male earth pony beside her, “Why don’t you go next Hopper?”

The nervous looking stallion gave a hesitant nod before moving forward to start his report, “We’ve convinced Greybeak to mandate more scenes featuring positive cross-species interaction on his network, and offer his support to ‘Salty Meat’ gaining a full time Hellhound cast member. Initial findings on listening habits census is that Manehatten listeners were most likely to tune into programs featuring scenes of extreme violence, and Fillydelphian listeners overwhelmingly ignore national radio stations in favor of local ones.”

Velvet frowned, “That makes it hard to disseminate our message.”

“Yes miss, unless we make an effort to gain influence over the local shows.”

“No.” She waved that off, “It will look bad. Leave that one with me, I’ll think of something. How are the plans for a video network going?”

“Poorly.” Hopper admitted with a deep sigh, “The networks still think video programs are far too expensive to produce, they are still convinced it’s a fad.”

“Hmm... need to work on that one...” Velvet considered her words for a moment before turning to a female unicorn in a rather severe suit, "Snow Shivers?”

The mare frowned, her already cold features icing over even further, “We should have Lonesome Pony shot.”

“Shivers...”

The mare glared at Velvet for a moment before drawing her head up and speaking, “Regina needs to stick to the script. She’s gaining a reputation as, all apologies, a moron. I don’t know if she thought her latest speech about the budget was funny, but her comments have got half of Manehatten openly laughing at her.”

Sweet Acorn winced, Velvet Remedy just gingerly lifting a hoof and rubbing her muzzle. Velvet took a moment to just pause before answering, “Look, Regina isn’t an economist.”

“Evidently.” Shivers answered frostily, “If you wanted a legitimate arbiter, she’s woefully unqualified. If you wanted a puppet, her temperament is disastrous.”

Sweet Acorn glared sharply at Shivers, the mare clearly having crossed the line now, “Snow Shivers, this is the High Elder you’re talking to.”

“That’s quite alright Sweet Acorn.” Velvet interrupted, giving a pained smile, “This is what I pay her for. But I wish to disagree with your point Shivers."

She frowned, "You think she's a good economist?"

"I don't believe she has to be." Velvet gave Snow Shivers a more serious look, "Flowing Script was an economist. Gawdyna wasn't. Regina might do well to remember to not run her mouth around annoying journalists, but her knowledge of a subject only barely connected to her job is irrelevant. That is Life Bloom's remit, and they all know that."

"It's about public perception..."

"The public love her, they always have." Velvet answered in a rather clipped tone, looking genuinely angry now. Sweet Acorn couldn't say she didn't warn them, unable to resist a smirk as Velvet Remedy continued, "Lonesome Pony mocks the politicians he likes for their stupid mistakes, and I've seen it only increase wider popular affection. We've all heard what he says about politicians he doesn't like, and it is far less affectionate."

"Like the things he says about you Velvet?" Snow Shivers stated with a cool smile.

"Yes, like me." She sighed, rubbing the bridge of her muzzle, "I am sorry... but they're all wrong about Regina, and it annoys me. It annoys me even more when she's seen as my puppet, where every good decision is mine, every bad decision is hers."

"For the record Elder..." A androgynous looking alicorn at the end started, levitating a sheath of paper before him, "...all reports are that Regina's opinion polls remain strong. As ever she is particularly popular among the married middle class, which form a strong voting block. All projections are that she will easily win a second term against most predicted opponents."

Velvet Remedy smiled broadly at this, "Thank you Octavius."

He nodded back at her, offering a smooth smile, "Monitoring of government traffic also indicates the council remains broadly loyal to her. Put simply, she is seen as a stabilizing force and a strong leader. Indeed her reputation for having a poor education and moderate intelligence actually seems to contribute to that. The council members seem unthreatened by her authority, and feel she values their expertise and experience."

Velvet nodded firmly, "Yes, well that was the..."

There was a firm knock behind, then the door opened to reveal the security pony that had been at the lobby entrance, "I'm sorry, Elder... we have had a security breach."

Velvet Remedy's eyes narrowed, her left hoof gently brushing against the taser pistol she kept hidden under her robes. For her part Sweet Acorn almost made sure her firearm was ready in case it was needed, "Security were able to detain them?"

"Well that's it High Elder, we're uncertain if she has clearance." The guard cleared his throat, looking nervous, "You see it's... its Arbiter Regina Grimfeathers. She barged past security and found the entrance. We've just managed to delay her at the lobby."

Velvet facehoofed, Sweet Acorn only just resisting a titter, "I... well, this isn't unusual for her I guess."

The guard stammered, "I mean... she's very angry High Elder. She's demanding to see you."

"Of course she is." Velvet wearily exclaimed, nodding to the guard, "Lead me to her. Let's see what's gone wrong this time."

Sweet Acorn had already detected something wrong with this scene, “Is... Regina supposed to know about this facility? Or how to access it?”

Velvet just chuckled, “This is Reggie Grimfeathers Sweet Acorn. I’ve learned there’s few secret bases she cannot barge her way into given the right motivation.”

They did indeed find Regina in the lobby, Sweet Acorn desperately trying not to look too disdainful of the... ahem... head of state as said figure stomped and glared around the room like a filly. Regina’s eyes instantly flicked round as they entered, muscles flexing against her scruffy suit as she growled in greeting, "Velvet, we need to talk."

Velvet quite impressively kept a look of perfect composure on her face, "I am always willing to meet with you Regina. You do not have to make a scene."

"We're far beyond scenes!" She waved an angry claw about their surroundings, "Is this your supervillian lair?"

"Regina..."

"Are you spying on me?!"

Velvet's lips pursed, everypony else in the room silent. She eventually answered, voice cool and controlled, "We keep and analyze data at this facility..."

"Spare me the bullshit!" Regina shouted, claw extending outwards towards her, "You! Tell me how information from here found itself in an anonymous e-mail to my son! Tell me how Red Eye used your exploits in government databases to cause a war between us and the zebra!"

Velvet's eyes went wide as her composure complete failed her for a second, only managing a strangled gasp. Sweet Acorn for her part backed off in panic, wondering if this had been intentional or...

“Answer me!”

"Regina... Reggie, please calm down..."

Regina took an imposing stride forward, her good claw rising off the ground and tightening into a fist, "Don't call me that. You are not my friend."

"Of course I am. Please, let us..."

"I'm not going to listen to this anymore! I've had enough of your lies!"

Velvet narrowed her eyes, making no move to defend herself as the griffon moved in close, "So we're doing this now..."

Sweet Acorn quickly held out a hoof to hold back the security forces as expected Regina threw her claw out in a hard... but then she realized the extended talons, that her claw wasn’t balled.

Regina slashed her claws across Velvet's face, everyone present opening up in a shocked gasp as blood hit the floor. Velvet touched her face briefly in shock before looking up at the griffon, "Regina, what...?!"

Regina swung again, closed fisted this time. Velvet dodged this one with a speed Sweet Acorn didn't think Velvet still possessed, tensing briefly before jabbing with a hoof and stunning the griffon with a strike to the bridge of the beak. A second strong hook from Velvet knocked Regina down, the griffon thumping on her side before instantly rolling back upright. She squared back up against Velvet, circling as she adjusted her jaw, "Huh..."

"Regina, stop this!" Velvet looked to the blood on her hoof, seemingly unable to process it, "You... drew blood... why...?"

"To convince you to take this seriously!" Regina opened her wings, driving her forward with rushing speed. Her claws cut across Velvet's shoulder, Regina halting her progress with a hard flap and dropping with a quick spin to face back up against the mare. Velvet had half turned before Regina attacked again, slamming Velvet across the cheek with a closed fist and sending her staggering, "And you've needed someone to rearrange that smug fucking face for far too long!"

One of the hellhounds took a step forward and shot Sweet Acorn a look, Sweet Acorn quickly shaking her head at him, "It's... a griffon thing. We should let it play out."

"I know thizz." The hellhound hissed, "But griffon challenge demands strike with closed fiszt. Thizz isnt the rulez!""

Sweet Acorn had already logged that information, though honestly Regina had never struck her as a particularly stable griffon in the first place, "I think... she's really upset."

Regina punched Velvet again, blackening her eye. Another strike to the jaw sent spittle flying, Regina screaming in her face, "Fight damn you! You know how this has to end!"

Regina threw another punch, Velvet meeting it with a swinging hoof and a solid crack of breaking bone. Regina drew back in pain and Velvet charged, slamming into the griffon and crushing her against the far wall. Regina attempted to punch downwards into Velvet's back but Velvet slammed a hoof into her gut, then threw her sideways into the ground.

Regina sprawled defeated, gasping in pain. Velvet looked down at the injured griffon, breathing heavily and fur matted with blood, "Is that enough!?"

Regina growled, pushing herself up, turning around and wiping down her jaw. Then she launched herself forward, claws outstretched.

"Regina, you...!" Velvet swiftly opened the clasps of her robes and darted sideways, Regina finding herself tangled in the rich fabric as Velvet neatly dodged the wild attack. A one hoofed buck to the griffon's hip sent Regina staggering sideways, still tangled in the fabric as Velvet slammed her shoulder into the griffon once more. The blow was devastating enough, sending her crashing through toppling chairs.

Velvet took a deep breath to steady herself before advancing slowly towards the panting griffon, extending a hoof, "I'm sorry Regina, but..."

Regina flung a chair at Velvet, catching her across the forehead. It stunned Velvet long enough for Regina to grab hold of another and swing it round, smacking Velvet about the head with force enough to make everyone present gasp.

Velvet staggered, swaying and looking ready to drop. Her voice slurred out, "I... don't..."

"You should!" Regina screamed, throwing the chair aside and advancing forward with an increasingly wide look in her eye, "You spied on me, manipulated me, compromised national security for your own petty ambitions! You turned my own son against me!"

This had gone too far now. Sweet Acorn was wondering whether this was indeed a 'griffon thing' or if Regina was properly trying to kill Velvet, "That's enough!"

The hellhound guard lifted his weapon, pointing it straight at Regina, "Get away from the elder! I will not ask twice!"

Regina stared grimly at Velvet, her chest rising and falling in deep, intense bursts, "Hear that Velvet? Your goons are about to shoot me. What are you going to FUCKING DO ABOUT IT?!"

Velvet kept up her look of shock for a moment more before her expression suddenly firmed, her body tensed... and she leapt, striking Regina hard in the face, slamming both hooves into the griffon’s chest to shove her hard against the wall. Velvet didn't stop there, leaping on top of Regina and baring her to the ground onto her back, bringing a fierce hoof down and slamming her hard in the face... once, twice... "Is this enough!? Is this...!?"

Regina spat blood at Velvet before opening up in a twisted grin, left eyeball already going red and the clear signs of a broken cheekbone, "Yeah... yeah you got me... does... that feel good Velvet?"

"Of course not!" Velvet drew back, tears dropping from her blooded face onto Regina's own broken features, "Why? Why make me...?!"

Regina gasped, gulping as grief flowed across her features, "Because... I didn't think you cared..."

Velvet gasped, closing her eyes tight as the tears dripped down. She finally grabbed hold of the griffon, pulling her forward into a tight hug, "Of course I do!"

Sweet Acorn let out a breath that she had been holding, quickly moving to take control of the situation, "Get a medical team down here!"

"That... that will not be necessary." Velvet answered, stepping down and gingerly helping Regina up onto her claws, "Just bring medical supplies please, and offer my apologies for the mess."

Sweet Acorn frowned, “High Elder, you’re both seriously injured...”

“And we’re both medically trained.” Velvet firmly stated, before shooting Regina a smile, “And we’ve both had the opportunities to patch each other up on many occasions.”

Regina offered a crooked smirk, “That we have.”

Sweet Acorn watched as the two most powerful mares in the NCR sat in the guest room, stitching up each other's wounds in the most homoerotic way possible. She wished she able to record video on these systems, having to settle for simply watching at the two flirted and avoided eye contact, acting like a pair of reconciled lovers.

"I wasn't spying on you Regina."

Regina winced as Velvet stitched up the wound on her cheek, firming her beak in anger, "We already..."

"I was spying..." Velvet emphasized, "...on your government. And there's more to that than you realize."

Regina frowned at her, checking the wound with a claw as Velvet finished off. After confirming it was tight enough she reluctantly wetted a strip of gauss and dabbed Velvet's cheek, keeping a firm eye on the mare as she did, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Velvet smiled softly in the face of her hostility, "What I'm about to tell you is top secret, even from you Regina. It could get a lot of ponies we both care about hurt."

Regina glared at her for a few seconds before nodding, "Go on."

"You pay me to spy on you."

Regina's eyes bugged, her beak dropping open , "I... uh..."

Velvet giggled, giving an apologetic look, "Sorry, sorry. But you know that the National Security forces have an office for information acquisition and processing?"

Regina nodded, "Yes..."

"Well you're standing in it."

Anger quickly returned to Regina's eyes, "This is a Followers facility."

"Technically the Estate of Greyclaw owns the land, the facility itself is owned by National Security represented by Silver Rade, and the staff are employed by me." Velvet answered, looking up at a portrait of Calamity, Silver Rade, Ace Gold, Elegant Waters and Pitch Perfect hanging up on the wall, "It's a similar arrangement to our scientific contracts in the Angels. We provide our expertise to the government, and the government provides the required funding."

Regina countered angrily, "...but this is national security! And I knew nothing about any of this!"

"Because it is national security Regina." Velvet noted, "We wouldn't be very good spies if we advertised our presence. You are technically the head of the civilian government, where as this comes under military jurisdiction."

Regina just glared icily at her for several long seconds before speaking, "They're right. You're power mad, and clearly trying to take over Equestria or something." She extended an accusing talon, "I fought Red Eye! I know a tyrant! Damn you Velvet, I knew this would happen!"

"Regina, I don't need to take over Equestria." Velvet softly reasoned, holding up a hoof, "I tell you what to do, along with the majority of the councilors. The Steel Rangers have burned what political power they possessed on a bonfire of their own arrogance, the military is a joke, and I've pretty much run national infrastructure for years."

Regina went to argue, then her jaw slackened, "I... ugh..."

"And given poor Calamity's declining health Silver Rade pretty much controls national security. I'm sure you must have noticed we've been sleeping together for years now, I only re-married Calamity to get to her."

Regina just stood staring at her with a blank eyed expression.

"And yet the country is still falling apart, we bumbled first contact with the zebra, and half the biggest threats to the NCR were Follower trained." Velvet continued, sighing and shrugging her shoulders, "So for all my vaunted control, I'm doing a pretty poor job of it really."

Regina shook her head firmly, "Velvet, that isn't your... wait..." Her expression curved back into anger, "This is serious! Stop... doing that!”

Velvet laughed heartily, placing a soft hoof on Regina's claw and grinning at her, "Regina, you know I'm not a bad pony, and you know I'm not a mastermind. Stop pretending the only things you know about me are the things you hear on the radio."

Regina pulled the claw back, pouting, "So you and Silver Rade haven't gathered pretty much every scrap of power worth having in your hooves?" She threw her claws outwards melodramatically, "Plotting your take over while you lie in bed together."

"That's actually a rumor I found very amusing, and rather useful." Velvet stated with a little smile, "When we get together, everypony assumes we're talking about Calamity, or our children, or that we're secret lovers."

Regina glared coldly, "Instead its word domination."

"We talk about our jobs Regina. Silver Rade does exactly what her position entails, she keeps the peace on the streets, tackles corruption and makes sure we know more than our enemies. She protects the NCR, as best as she is able." Velvet Remedy concluded, giving a sweet smile, "Those are aims I support, and however much the public would like to invent some elaborate emotional story it seems Calamity simply has a taste for smart, talented mares, and our proximity allowed us to appreciate what we could achieve as a team. She asked me for advice one day, and we found our ideas matched. We set up this place to do what we felt was needed, and for years it has produced those reports that she places upon your desk. At no point did we break any laws, or acts of the constitution."

Regina dropped her head, "I don't approve of this Velvet. My mother wouldn't have approved of this. You have too much power for any one mare."

"I know." Velvet stated softly, "And I'm sorry Regina. I'm sorry I hurt you."

"You don't get to say... actually you do get to say that. You should say that more often." Regina took a deep breath, giving a sulky, childish look, "I don't want to make this about me, but... it is about me. You made my son doubt me, you made me doubt myself. And I know I'm only here because of you, that you got me elected so I could do what you wanted. That doesn't mean you have to be looking over my shoulder!"

Velvet dropped her head, thinking long and hard for several seconds. Finally she spoke, quiet and soft and full of regret, "Regina, I didn't convince you to run so you'd be a puppet to my will."

"Really?” Regina snorted, “Of course not, you chose me because of my long experience of politics and reputation for patience and restraint."

Velvet smiled in amusement, "Earlier today, I was told that your temperament made you disastrous as a puppet. And they're right." She nodded at Regina, giving a warm, encouraging smile, "You're fierce, and proud, and forthright and emotionally open in a way that I have never stopped admiring. And you never back down from a fight."

Regina's expression became troubled, "Velvet..."

"I encouraged you to become Arbiter because I knew you would be good at it." Velvet finished, "Because you are everything I wasn't. Ponies call me the smartest mare in the room, but my family life has been a disaster, I've barely a single friend I don't employ and half of Equestria thinks I'm plotting to take over the world. You on the other hoof... they elected you because they know you're honest, the council follow you because they genuinely like you, and Percival and your children could not wish for a better wife and mother."

Regina paused, looking unsure and embarrassed. Finally she shrugged, lowering her eyes, "It doesn't feel that way sometimes. Sebastian... Red Eye sent him a document listing all my dirty work, all the bribes, corruption... I'm not honest, and I'm not a good mother. He... probably hates me now."

"No he doesn't." Velvet sighed to herself before speaking, "Did you try and get him to hit you too?"

"Yeah..." Regina's face fell, "He wouldn't even do that. He couldn't even look at me."

Velvet just laughed, Regina glaring. Velvet shook her head at the griffon's sulky look, "He doesn't understand Regina. He's grown up in a better world than we did."

"He needs to be willing to challenge me." Regina stated firmly, "It's a hard world out there."

"No, it's not. Because you made it better."

Regina's expression fell further, "With lies and corruption."

Velvet just sighed, "Regina, it's dirty business. But at least you wince every time you have to sign off some blood money, and even if it's for the greater good it's never an easy decision for you." After a second she suddenly gave a angry look and raised a hoof, glaring back at Regina a little, "To be honest, do you not see the dissonance here? I haven't killed a creature in ten years, where as you boast of your skill in combat. I'm not a proud woman Regina, but I do bristle at all these double standards."

"Yeah, I know..." Regina sighed, "It gets easier I guess. I'm not sure why I'd rather him see me as a killer, rather than a liar."

"Because for some reason, the latter is still a far more serious accusation." Velvet smirked, "Not that I'm bitter."

Regina smiled softly for a moment before it once more left her lips, "Velvet, not that I'm not sympathetic, you're probably right... but the reason I'm here is still something we need to talk about."

Velvet took a breath, "Your son receiving that message."

"Yeah." Regina looked Velvet in the eye, no levity in them, "Whoever sent it must have had access to this facility Velvet. They must have had access to you."

Velvet's mouth twitched, a second before she nodded once again, "Yes... that seems to be the most likely answer."

"Percival has always been certain that Red Eye's bandit operations were a smoke screen for a much more sophisticated operation based in the very highest corridors of power." Regina stated with an accusing tone, looking Velvet firmly in the eye, "And that they were receiving funding, big funding, from a major NCR organization."

Velvet sighed, nodding her head, "Yes. I wasn't going to say anything, not until we were sure but... we are now almost certain that the main contributor towards Red Eye's cause are the Rangers." She met Regina's stare, the griffon already seeming skeptical, "The money, the resources, the Intel... all lead right back to ranger holdings."

"That makes no sense Velvet." Regina gave her a challenging look, "The Rangers are fighting Red Eye."

Velvet nodded, "As you say, it makes little sense from the outside. But you have to look at the long term benefits."

"So enlighten me." Regina waved her claws at Velvet, "What does it accomplish?"

Velvet nodded, taking a deep breath before starting, "Well we figured out that something was wrong with the picture we were being shown rather quickly. Towns were being raided that never existed, caravans burned that produced neither wreckage nor corpses. I originally wondered if this was some sort of insurance scam by the merchants in the area, and it appears it is in part. However the ultimate beneficiaries of these insurance scams can all be identified as ranger shell companies and affiliated organizations. The rangers are making a great deal of money out of this, we're almost certain."

Regina looked a little disappointed, "So... this is all about money?"

"No." Velvet quickly assured, "The money is being placed straight back into the operation, likely being used to pay and equip the raiders. I have no reason not to believe that they are real, we have had independent sightings of their movements. The battles between them and the rangers themselves seem to have taken place, I have concluded the casualties on both sides are certainly real enough."

"They're... paying raiders to attack them?" Regina shook her head, "Tell me I'm missing something."

"The Rangers have gained a great boost in public support since the attacks on FIllydephia, at a time when they need it most.” Velvet offered, though not without an element of uncertainty in her voice, “They look like heroes again."

Regina frowned, "It doesn't look like that from here. The Rangers are almost finished. A whole group went up north to fight Red Eye and never came back."

Velvet's eyes filled with worry, her voice going quiet, "Yes, well... I think their investment might have misfired on them."

Regina's expression shifted, becoming very grave all of a sudden, "The explosion at Ranger HQ... they believe it was an attack on them, originating from an outside faction."

"But the chances of an outsider infiltrating their main facility are truly remote." Velvet observed.

"So... a group the rangers set up has started... attacking the rangers?" Regina looked a little lost now, "Why?"

"That is where I move into outright speculation." Velvet admitted, "But the death of Peach Trees and the disappearance of Swift Lancer places authority in the hooves of Elder Victore Scrivener. Her political leanings are widely considered isolationist and anti-NCR."

"I'm still lacking something here." Regina impatiently observed, "If they're trying to rally support for themselves within the NCR, then why then move down an anti-NCR direction?"

"Well maybe not everyone involved is working for the same goal. In my experience compartmentalized conspiracies are all too easily subverted." Velvet observed, "Take the Screwball Society, a collection of lost souls looking for divine guidance. All taken advantage of by a group of greedy corporate barons looking to destabilize Velvet Promises, in turn taken advantage of by a Followers Elder with delusions of godhood." She pursed her lips in worry, her voice serious, "It has always been my opinion that 'Red Eye' does not exist, that he is in fact a symbol representing a group of individuals working together. That brings forward the possibility that they may not be all working for the same goals, and even that High Elder Peach Trees and Stern Lancer were part of the conspiracy themselves. That would grant a clear motive for their assassination, to wrest control of the ‘Red Eye’ movement."

"The end result still makes no sense." Regina observed, "The Rangers are almost destroyed, and we're just about to arm the regular military with their tech. That’s bad for them, no matter how you slice it."

"It's a fair point, and one we've been asking ourselves." Velvet admitted, "...but thinking about it, what if the conspiracy has been subverted for the very purpose of destroying the Rangers somehow? The conflict with the Twilight Society for instance, and especially how they were able to assault a major Ranger facility and almost totally destroy it. It never made sense."

Regina's expression grew grave, "The attack was allowed to succeed. Somepony on the inside tipped the Society off, then let them succeed."

"This cannot just come from the Rangers, he must have contacts in other organizations... such as the Twilight Society themselves quite possibly.” Velvet reasoned, “And to do the things he was accused of Red Eye would need help from individuals within the government, individuals with access to government databases and internal records."

"And they would need access to you."

"Yes..."

Regina grimaced, deciding not to push that point, "I still don't get the motives here. Why cause trouble between us and the zebra?"

"Perhaps a targeted strike against this Caesar." Velvet offered, "He was always our preferred partner, despite the unsavory rumors of corruption of authoritarianism. An attempt to sour relations between us and him may suit the aims of those devoted to the NCR's republican and democratic ideals."

Regina gave her a hard stare, "Another thing that points towards the Followers Velvet."

"I suppose so, yes. I have suspected that Zenai was an agent of his, though I have ruled out her being high ranking. And yes, Fluttershy too. She would never work with bandits, nor deal in the sort of violence we've been seeing... but she does have a history of anti-governmental activism." Velvet narrowed her eyes, "I'd note that this Red Eye's knowledge of the inner workings and philosophy behind the actual pony is exceptional."

"So there's a high ranking member of his organization involved?"

"Either that or one that's studied the subject intensely. They are certainly very well read." Velvet commented, "That's one of the biggest differences between them and the real Red Eye. While Red Eye was a fan of the classics, that was only noticeable in his philosophies. This fake Red Eye tends to allude and even quote directly from literary works, even when talking to common raiders."

"So a pretentious scholar raider boss." Regina concluded, "There can't be that many of those."

Velvet smiled, "You'd be surprised. Red Eye wouldn't have lasted long promoting nopony but illiterate thugs. We've tallied more than a dozen on our 'missing in action' list alone... including one interesting member, though I don't know if it's relevant."

Regina crossed her arms, staring Velvet down, "Go on."

Velvet nodded and quickly pressed a few buttons on her pipbuck, eventually calling up an image of a chubby faced stallion in his late twenties maybe, thuggish and sullen looking, "An application for amnesty, requesting a position in the NCR's border patrol. The stallion in question expressed continued admiration of Red Eye, and among his skills listed that he was fully literate and proved it by running off a number of texts... texts that this fake Red Eye has quoted from repeatedly."

Regina narrowed her eyes at the name, "Dust Kicker... Dust Kicker? The mercenary?"

"None other." Velvet confirmed, "Curious isn't it? How every single member of that group has something linking them to this Red Eye. Even Star Swirl is of course an alicorn, even if she never directly worked with the slavers. Now that they've all gone off the grid I can't help but wonder at the connection."

Regina's expression darkened, "As much as I would like to deny it, Arick is hardly the most trustworthy of griffons..."

"And my son is... at that age." Velvet gave a sad nod, "And hates me specifically. There is motive there, and he does possess some of the required connections."

"Wait a moment..." Regina began, narrowing her eyes in thought, "Could this be connected to Velvet Promises? A hatred of authoritarianism, dislike for the Rangers, involvement of the Twilight Society..."

"That is certainly a valid interpretation." Velvet agreed, then looked troubled for a moment. She held up a hoof, tapping it against her jaw, "You know that gets me thinking..."

Regina gave her a questioning look, "Penny for them?"

"Well... I don't want to name names, it's likely nothing." Velvet frowned deeply, not looking like she was convincing herself, "But I spoke with a pony connected with the rangers who expressed a lot of respect for Velvet Promises..."

"Who...?"

There was a sudden sharp knock at the door, Regina pausing at the start of her sentence. After a moment she abandoned what she was about to say, calling out, "Come in."

The door opened, a Followers guard entering and giving a quick bow, "Lady Arbiter, I have a priority transmission from General Brigandine, Code Orange."

"Orange?" Regina answered in surprise, Velvet's face tightening and her lips curling into a frown.

Sweet Acorn herself was well aware of what that meant, stopping the recording and saving it to a hidden folder before powering down the computer and retrieving her jacket. She swept it over her hooves before moving out into the room and out into the corridor, meeting Velvet and Regina as they hurried towards her at a hurried pace, "Elder, I heard a commotion. Is everything alright?"

"That's to be seen." Velvet answered with a reassuring but still strained smile, nodding to Sweet Acorn, "Please, follow me Sweet Acorn. It seems General Brigandine has something important to tell us."

They stepped into Velvet Remedy’s private chambers, the guard making sure to shut the door behind them and stand guard outside. The room was as ever, elegant and comfortable, Velvet Remedy always having had a taste for tasteful luxury. Sweet Acorn took position beside Velvet and Regina as they moved to the sofas in front of the main view screen, bringing out her pipbuck and preparing to take minutes, “High Elder, Arbiter, whenever you’re ready.”

Velvet nodded, “Please Sweet Acorn.”

She pushed the button on her pipbuck and the screen activated, revealing the well worn features of General Brigandine. He nodded curtly, looking stressed and nervous, “Arbiter...” He paused for a moment, looking surprised, “...you’re hurt?”

Regina scowled, “This isn’t a social call General.”

“Ah, yes... indeed, this is a code orange. Do you trust everyone in the room?”

Regina gave a short nod back, “Of course.”

“Very well.” General Brigandine looked less than convinced, still he briefly looked down at his notes before continuing, “Seven hours ago, the storms between here and the Zebra lands stopped.”

“I know.” Regina answered with a note of impatience, “I asked recon to check it out. Have they found something?”

“Y... yes. To say the least.” The general took a deep breath, “With the storms gone we were able to extend our camera grid across the sea, and quickly located this photo.”

He held up a photo, extremely blurry, showing several grey mechanical shapes on the water’s surface. Regina frowned at the sight, eventually asking, “What am I looking at?”

The general nodded, “Lady Arbiter, we got the analysts to look at it, and... well they’ve identified two of the big ones to be zebra dreadnaughts, and the third to be the ENF Harmony, a Equestrian heavy battleship from the war.” He put the photo down, nodding gravely, “The others are smaller, but appear to include several cruisers and what look like troop transports. They are all heading for the Equestrian coast.”

Velvet instantly spoke up at this, her voice sounding unusually calm, “Are you telling me a zebra invasion force is heading this way?”

Regina on the other hand spoke in a voice barely below a bark, “ETA?!”

“Two weeks, maybe?” The general shrugged, “They have speeded up since the storm passed. We are attempting to find technical specifications.”

“I assume you’ve attempted to hail them?” Velvet gently inquired.

“High Elder, we were waiting for the Arbiter’s go ahead.” He explained, “We did not want to tip them off to the fact that we are aware of them.”

“Fair enough.” Regina stated, clenching a talon tightly before moving it up to her beak and responding in a tense, barely controlled voice, “Give me options.”

The general drew himself up, “Well...”

“How quickly can the air fleet mobilise?”

Velvet Remedy looked across at Regina, eyes disapproving, “Regina, we should try diplomacy first.”

“Carry a big stick.” She replied curtly, still looking at the monitor, “We surround the zebra fleet, point every gun we have at them, and then open a channel. Ask them to give us good reasons not to blow them out of the water.”

Velvet spoke softly, “Testing them might go badly...”

Regina’s response was sharp and angry, glaring across at Velvet, “They’ve tested me! I’m sick to death of these assholes picking a fight with the NCR. First the Enclave, and now the zebra want a go? Fine, we’ll kick their ass same as the others!”

Velvet pursed her lips, then turned up to General Brigandine, “General, how prepared are our ground forces to resist invasion?”

The general paused noticeably before speaking, “That information is technically top...”

Regina spat, “Just tell her already Brigandine! She could almost certainly read the same information off a spreadsheet just next door!”

“Very well.” He expressed with a sigh, “I can have a whole division up there by their ETA. I can have a further two within a week, with another one protecting New Canterlot.”

Regina blinked, looking shocked, “Really? I thought we wouldn’t be ready for months.”

General Brigandine grinned, looking rather proud of himself as his whiskers fanned outwards, “Ever since the unfortunate incident at Demonivore I’ve had my people working on plans for Equestria’s defence. As I said earlier, we’ll lose the ports. Still I’ll have five thousand souls defending the passes upwards into Equestria, with another fifteen on their way.”

“There.” Regina gave a satisfied smirk, neck feathers puffing out, “I’m on my way back to inspect the preparations, have everything be made ready Brigandine.”

“Of course Lady Arbiter.”

Velvet Remedy turned as Regina made her way to the door, gently warning, “Regina, I don’t approve of this course of action. We know very little about their capabilities...”

Regina stopped, then slowly turned to give her a withering glare, “Velvet, you might be the ‘smartest mare in the room’ but care to remember my talents. I spent most of my life in the Talons, warfare is in my blood.” She smiled, feathers puffing out even more, “And if they all think me weak, let me show them what I showed Red Eye, Sunny and the Enclave.”

Velvet watched her leave, silent for a moment before she turned to Sweet Acorn, “Please type up those minutes for me Sweet Acorn. I have to prepare for the worse.”

“Of course High Elder.”

Sweet Acorn finished uploading the camera footage and security information, clicking send before sitting back and waiting for a response. The only sound in the darkened confines of Velvet's office was the soft hum of the monitor in front, window shuttered down and door locked. After a moment her eyes flicked to the screen as text scrolled across.

:- You have something to report?

Sweet Acorn decided to get the important information out of the way, "I think Velvet Remedy suspects Silent Steel."

:- Expected. I told him that would happen.

"What should I do about it?"

:- Delay her by a week. Then convince her to confront him personally.

She hesitated at this. She trusted the intentions of the pony on the other side of the screen, but wasn't willing to bet the lives of those she cared about on that trust, "You're not going to... hurt her?"

:- Of course not. We have agreed on this from the start, Velvet is important.

:-Let her take along a couple of those big hellhounds, talk to him in his manehatten office. Besides, we are both aware that Silent Steel would never raise a hoof against Velvet Remedy.

Sweet Acorn wondered, but she knew not to question, "Velvet is now certain of the Steel Ranger connection as well."

:- As expected. We have now reached the point where nothing but the network matters however, and I will soon have other resources in the field. Even the raiders are fully expendable, should that become needed. I have made sure that most of Hopeville's defenses are fully automated, and Sandreda's forces are fully capable of plugging any holes that may occur.

Sweet Acorn had a feeling this next bit of news wouldn't be a surprise, "The zebra armada is two weeks out. Regina has ordered a cautious assault upon it by the NCR airforce..."

:- As incapable of reasoned thought as ever. That reckless imbecile has just been waiting for a chance to get innocent ponies killed.

Sweet Acorn gulped, having almost never seen the pony express anger like that, "Excuse me?"

:- Nothing, it's just... predicable.

:- We will see how this works out for her then. And please, tell me the result of Regina's and Velvet's meeting.

"They..." Sweet Acorn wondered how to describe it without making it sound... twee, "They had a big fight, then they... shouted at each other a bit, then... they hugged, bandaged each other up and said sorry."

It took a few moments for a reply to come.

:- Interesting.

:- I am pleased. The bonds of friendship can be strong it seems.

"I guess so."

:- Well...

:-...

:- It seems that I will have to try harder then...

Chapter 4.4 - Fighting Against The Tide

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Ace Gold stared towards the plume of smoke in the distance, knowing it was nothing good. From above the Mutum valley had looked like a battleground, the oft spoken of 'heartland of the zebra' now in the grip of bloody conflict. The grim battle scarred zebra warriors escorting them presented no reassurance.

He looked over to Easu, treading silently along. He firmed his resolve and moved over to him, walking alongside the silent zebra for a moment or two before speaking, "Hey... you ok?"

"No."

Stupid question. He cursed himself, "Look, I'll personally help you kick Starhammer's ass."

"Tradash always advised me against revenge. Told me to let go of my hatred, pursue the 'right'." Easu averted his eyes, staring off into the distance, "I always disappointed him."

"Look, I..." He fought for something to say, "...I'm sorry man. And when you figure out what the right is, I'm there to help."

Easu contemplated the sky for a little while longer before speaking, "Thank you Ace Gold."

Their destination soon drew close, revealing a fairly classic wasteland settlement. It had obviously been some kind of major loading depot, a large park for trucks in front of several warehouses and office blocks. The parking area had been fenced around with junk, a multitude of structures built within it. A lot of it looked very professional, though perhaps a little timeworn. He noted a lot of zebra working on it, a large group of them around one of the settlement's three heavy machine gun cannons.

"Welcome to North Loading strangers." One of the zebra stated gloomily, "I wish it was in better circumstances."

The gates opened for them, dozens of eyes staring in awe at Puppy's enormous form as she stomped through. A trio of important looking zebra were soon hurrying up to meet them, all three of them obvious in their authority. There was a rather hefty mare wearing a sharp suit decorated in zebra designs, an old white haired stallion in a modified Equestrian general's uniform and a powerful looking stallion dressed in praetorian armor, like the praetorian they had met on the mountain.

...exactly like the one they met on the mountain. It was the same one, the one who had tried to take Fluttershy to a... retirement home or something. It wasn't too long before he recognized them in turn, looking briefly to Puppy before turning his eyes to Fluttershy, "We live unusual fates it seems."

Understanding dawned on Fluttershy's face, "It's you!"

"Yes." He took in each member of the group, firmly assessing, "You ventured into the capital and returned?"

Fluttershy nodded in affirmation, "We did... though your advice not to go was wise. Please, I... apologize for the way I spoke to you." She bowed her head, "You were only trying to help, and I was far too free with my temper."

"It is ok Lady Fluttershy, I understand. ...I understand many things." He offered her a very slight smile, the expression uncomfortable looking on the zebra's grim face, "I had been told that you were weak, fragile, afraid. I had always wondered how such a pony could do so many great things, gain the respect of so many. I understand now, and will not underestimate you again."

"By my stars..." The old zebra in the general’s uniform exclaimed as he darted around Puppy's towering form, forcing her to nervously lift her legs as she tried to avoid stepping on him, "Is that a zebra battle frame? And in near perfect condition? Where on earth did you find it?"

"Hiya!" Puppy responded in a cheerful voice as she stepped back into a more open space, "I'm Puppysmiles, nice to meet you!"

"And fully functional AI?" The old general commented in awe, "I must be dreaming. Pinch me Jezminda."

"It's certainly real General, though don't ask me how." The suited mare replied, looking a little suspicious as she studied the group, "A rather strange crew indeed. So many ponies, so much rare pre-war technology."

Fluttershy advanced forward to answer the mare, bearing herself diplomatically, "I promise you, we are ambassadors of peace. We've come down from Kirshyin, the capital."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, "You were behind the blue moon?"

Fluttershy hesitated, clearly blushing as she stiffly nodded, "Yes. I'm sorry about that, we were forced to redirect a dangerous weapon away from the planet. The moon was the best target we could think of... um..."

"You are back from the capital you say? There are living zebra there?" The general asked in an exited voice, mercifully changing the subject, "I have stared up at that mountain in wonder all my life, to think that zebra could venture there and return..."

"Not anymore unfortunately." Fluttershy voice twisted in regret for a moment before she regained enough control to continue, "Only three zebra survived, all of them ghouls. But the city is now safe again. We came down to recruit zebra to help rebuild and protect it... but it seems you have your own problems."

"We do indeed." The chubby mare answered, placing a hoof against her breast, "I'm Mayor Jezminda of North Loading, and this is General Biscuit of our defense forces."

"And I am Praetorius Decimus." The praetorian stated firmly, delivering a stiff, officious salute, "And I agree with the General, news from the Dragon Throne is unprecedented. You understand that you are the first since the bombs fell?"

"We do... and we know why." Fluttershy confirmed, "There was a zebra there who was... hurting others, killing those who ventured inside. We stopped him, and destroyed most of the monsters that infested the city."

"...though we did sort of make it radioactive in the process..." Puppy commented.

"Um... yes." Fluttershy blushed, stammering nervously, "Sorry about that. The weapon that I mentioned, it misfired a little. Covered the city in radioactive blue flowers."

"...and the moon now boasts a fully functional biosphere..." Puppy added, a little quieter.

"Are there more weapons, armies?" Decimus questioned, clear in his concerns, "Is it defended? Understand, we cannot risk it falling to Starhammer. I'd shoot myself before seeing the Dragon Crown of Caesars upon his head."

"What is all this about Starhammer anyway?" Dust Kicker interjected, "Last time we heard he was still down west."

"Yes, shall we focus less on the mythical city and more on the imminent invasion by a power mad warlord?" The mayor stated glumly before turning and waving for them to follow, "Come with me. This might take a bit of explanation."

"So yes... he came down this way with a vast army and we... well lost. Quite dramatically."

Ace stared at the map in the centre of the mayors office, the explanation of what had happened in their absence rather simple when it came down to it.

To simplify it even more... nothing good.

Dust Kicker was the first to speak, "I cant believe you fell for it. I mean, he was building an army on your doorstep."

The mayor glared at Dust from across the table, her voice rising in response to his rather bluntly stated question, "Well excuse us, but unlike you ponies, we in the Mutum are creatures of peace. The self destructive actions of thugs continue to perplex us."

Ace raised an eyebrow, this being the second time she had mentioned their species in a negative manner, "Ponies?"

"Well the evidence is there." She icily pointed out, "For decades the Mutum have been protected by the balance of power, and our treaties with Lord Anatu and Rashid. Incuta was too concerned with Star Fall to advance this way, and the Entitidi never progressed past raiding. Peace reigned, and we tried to repair the damage you did to our home." She suddenly burst into motion, waving her hoof angrily at them as her voice rose to a shout, "The second, the very second you land on our shores, Anatu and Entitidi both fall to pony sponsored rebellions, and Star Fall and Caesar team up for a second great war against Equestria! All of which leaves us open to Starhammer, who would never have been able to move upon the Mutum valley without you upsetting the careful balance we had created!"

Silence reigned for a couple of seconds before General Biscuit gently broke the tension, "Be fair Jezminda, Anatu and Entitidi were both thugs who deserved their fates, and the peace was only maintained through the caution of old men. It would never have lasted forever."

"We are sorry." Fluttershy admitted, bowing her head in contrition, "Many of these things are our fault."

"No..." Mayor Jezminda admitted with a low growl, "...the general is right, I'm blaming you for a arrangement that was always unstable. That it all came crashing down at once should have been anticipated."

"We should blame Starhammer." Decimus countered, eyes grim and full of carefully restrained fury, "He agreed to binding agreements to protect the Mutum, like all his predecessors. When my Lord Caesar reminded him of these vows Starhammer stated that he would be bound to no treaty, that his only judge would be history. Hmph... believe me, I intend to see to that personally."

"That fits with what we know about him." Dust Kicker admitted, "He pretty much admitted he was only out to get into the history books. Seems he's really gone off the deep end now though."

"My master, Tradash." Easu finally stated, his tone tense, "How did he die?"

"Starhammer claims Tradash discovered his plans, challenged him to a duel for the fate of the Mutum." Decimus explained, shaking his head, "He claims it was an epic battle, and at the end Tradash gave him his blessings to create his 'new order'."

Easu growled, low and dangerous, "Lies..."

"Hmph, certainly. Obvious ones." Decimus spat, "I knew Tradash, he had nothing but contempt for the sort of honor that would bet the lives of others on the outcome of a duel."

"Since then he's been marching around with impunity, burning and pillaging settlements, erecting fortifications and setting up his own as rulers." General Biscuit stated, poking his hoof at several named settlements now marked in red ink. Ace followed the line led from the centre of the fallen settlements all the ways down to where North Loading stood isolated against the mountain, the general confirming their fears, "He'll almost certainly strike this way next."

"There's no zebra that can stop him?" Ace Gold asked, feeling like they were rolling over for the bastard, "This is supposed to be the centre of zebra civilization."

Quiet reigned for a second, all looking to Jezminda. The mayor pushed hard against the table, teeth gritted for a moment before she found her voice, "It is. We are peaceful, we built a land of industry and agriculture. We saved the world from the frost, and continue to grow the food on their tables. We are supposed to be protected."

"The Mutum's armies are traditionally only equipped for law enforcement." The general gently explained, "The Lord Caesar and Tandia of Garm established it as neutral ground, a place of trade and farming. They gained the agreement of the four great tribes, that they would come to our defense in the case of any aggression. "

"This naturally led to a natural stalemate." Decimus explained, "None of the tribes could move against the others without leaving themselves open to justified attacks from the others. It has assured peace for decades."

"But Starhammer killed Rashid in a popular coup, and Princess Luna strung up Lord Entitidi." The general stated with a grimace, "And so the board was open for Starhammer to take control. He led his armies through the Entitidi's territory as a peacekeeping force, and almost overnight doubled his holdings. His defeat of Luna in single combat has only enhanced his prestige."

"And your pony friend up north thinks this is a great time to put a bullet through King Anatu's head and put his dithering pansy of a brother on the throne." Jezimnda stated with open venom, "And he has proven no more effective on the throne than he was in exile."

"Wait...?" Ace razed his eyebrow, "Pony friend?"

"The Steel Maiden." Decimus explained, "She is some sort of holy warrior from Equestria, dedicated to ridding the world of corruption in the name of her Goddess Applejack. You must have heard about her on the radio."

Ace thought he had heard something about that... she had apparently been active in Anatu land, had helped unseat the tyrant king there and install his brother on the throne, "So can't she help?"

"Anatu's territory is a mess unfortunately." Decimus stated grumpily, "Their armies have taken heavily causalities, and more still have deserted to become bandits and worse. There's still pockets of open rebellion, and due to this the new King is reluctant to lend any aid outside his borders."

"He knows the Steel Maiden is the only thing keeping that crowned head attached." Jezminda commented venomously, "And your other pony friend, the Fuchsia Witch, has openly been seen working with Starhammer."

"Fuchsia..." Fluttershy's eyes went wide, voice shaking in terror, "Dream Star?!"

"You know her then?"

Fluttershy looked at them all before nodding, fear still marking her eyes, "She's... a very dangerous pony."

Jezminda slumped her shoulders, "Great."

"And of the final assets, Great Mother Nanati's tribe lacks the forces, training and mentality to challenge Starhammer, and the Camels are... indecisive." The general finished, "Getting them to march to war is something that would take months at the best of times. As it is, I wouldn't put it past them to already be placing bets on Starhammer."

Dust Kicker's eyes moved along the map before finally fixing on a point, pointing it out with a hoof, "But Starhammer hasn't taken Clendal yet? I would have thought that would be his first target."

"Well spotted. We do indeed have a couple of advantages." Decimus answered, nodding at his observation, "First of all there's Clendal itself. As you have likely heard it is famed as the greatest city in the zebra territories, a haven of culture, commerce and manufacturing. Starhammer has displayed every indication he wants it intact, and has implored King Zanerious to surrender many times. He knows a direct assault would destroy the keystone he needs to create his empire."

"So he burns the surrounding area." Dust observed, "Tries to force the issue."

"Yes, and he's been very successful." Decimus confirmed, "The defenses of the Mutum have barely slowed him down, each settlement falling quickly with minimum effort on his part... except for one, our second advantage." He poked a dot on the western borders of the Mutum, having clearly been drawn after the map was printed and marked as 'Midnight's Rest'. It too was crossed with red pen indicating it had fallen, "A small refugee camp, occupied by children displaced by the conflict with Princess Luna. Starhammer led an army there soon after his invasion, yet before the night was out his lieutenant was seriously wounded, his army had taken heavy casualties and the children had successfully fled their burning settlement, along with all their supplies."

Ace grinned from ear to ear, dropping his head and wishing silent thanks. The others also reacted with smiles at this news, Dust Kicker finally answering for them, "The kids from Dusklight, they finally got a chance to give that bastard a bloody nose."

"Indeed." Decimus confirmed, "Since then they've been conducting hit and run raids, escorting refugees to safety and making things as difficult as possible for Starhammer. Most of his troops are reluctant to even fire on them, it's having a serious effect on the moral of his forces."

"As much as I'm happy for them, I wonder how long that will last." Fluttershy observed with a note of caution, "They already found themselves coming out worse in a confrontation with him before."

"Fair point. I do not want to conduct another funeral for dead children." Dust agreed, looking troubled by the thought, "What else do you have? Caesar of the East and the other Praetorians? The shamans up in Garm?"

"The Praetorians are willing to fight, but we number but nineteen." Decimus explained, "And my master is... reluctant to leave the protection of the temple. He prefers to use his wisdom to advise, rather than take the field himself. As for the shaman of Garm, many of them have already joined the cause. They are not however an army, or even trained in combat for the most part. They are by and large scholars and healers, useful to have but not a decisive advantage against this type of foe."

"Ok..." Dust Kicker considered his options, tapping his hoof against the map, "Let's talk short term then. What kind of numbers will he be sending against us, and in what formation?"

"Likely about two hundred zebra, well armed and trained." The general observed, "He'll send forward several units of snipers and scouts to harass us with long ranged fire while his heavier forces move up. They'll hit the walls with rockets, then pour through and overwhelm us with numbers. We can manage about seventy zebra at best in defense, and most of them won't be trained."

Dust just grinned at his rather grim assessment of the situation, "Good. He'll have every reason to underestimate us then."

Ace Gold followed along behind Fluttershy as they exited the room, looking up to see the clear worry in her eyes. He paused a moment before gently prodding, "Are you ok?"

"Oh Ace..." She began, the deep regret clear in her voice, "We just can't seem to escape from all this war can we? Now I'm involved in yet another battle, yet another chance to kill ponies that likely are no more to blame than we are."

He had to admit her point, "Yeah..."

"Lady Fluttershy." A familiar voice sounded behind, both of them turning to see Decimus hurrying to catch up. They halted for him, Decimus stopping a short distance away before bowing his head in contrition, "I'm sorry that you have to see this." He lifted his head again, the pain and regret clear in his eyes, "This was once a place we could be proud of. My master wanted you to see it, see our work. All he wanted was for you to live here in peace."

"I'm afraid that doesn't work." Fluttershy stated with a smile, "I have an inability to stop sticking my nose into every single problem I come across."

"Yes, I have heard much about you my lady." Decimus stated with a wry smile, "You do not disappoint."

Ace felt they were avoiding the obvious question here, "Ok, can we clear this up? Who is your master? Who is Caesar, and why is he so protective of Fluttershy?"

"Another soul lost to time." Decimus answered with a grim expression, "A survivor of the darkest experiments, he awoke within the bowels of an abandoned research station and looked above to see the world in flames. Since then he has done his best to help heal and protect this new beginning, sponsoring heroes and using them to keep what was left of the world safe."

Ace thought back to what they had been told about him, "Doesn't he hate ponies?"

Decimus frowned, looking like he had answered this question many times before, "An unfortunate misunderstanding. You see my master has spent his long lifetime in consideration of how another war might be averted, how we can avoid the destruction that ended the old world."

Fluttershy gave a soft nod, "I've been seeking the same thing."

Decimus's voice fell, "Lady Fluttershy, the unfortunate truth is that he has found no way to avoid conflict. That when two cultures of differing race, technology, economics and cultures meet, it will inevitably lead to exploitation and war."

"That can't be true." Fluttershy reasoned, sounding offended, "My friends and I were all different, yet we..."

"Broke apart. Warred against each other. Died alone." Decimus looked her in the eye, expression grim, "Lady Fluttershy, I argued against his teachings too, but in the end Lord Caesar's long experience has convinced me of his truth. That our nations cannot interact, that we must live apart in order to thrive. Just look at the destruction your arrival has caused."

"I... see..."

Ace couldn't take it anymore. Fluttershy was just standing there with her kicked puppy face, and he wasn't just going to take that, "Fluttershy, this is horseapples. Just look at Equestria, just look at the NCR. The NCR's founding races are Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Zebra, Griffon, Alicorn and Hellhounds. And I don't see us going to war with each other."

"Truly?" Decimus asked, looking surprised.

A smile returned to Fluttershy's face at Ace's words, the mare nodding cheerfully, "And I'm a pre-war pegasi. And one of the NCR's greatest heroes was born in the Enclave."

"Hmm... the same over here ironically enough." Decimus gave a satisfied smile, then looked down at Ace, "Is this your son?"

"No." Fluttershy corrected with a grin, "He's just a very good friend."

"Which brings more evidence that your philosophy sucks." Ace pointed out, a bit more aggressively that warranted perhaps, "And we're going to prove it once and for all by smacking Starhammer about his ugly face, all working as a team."

Decimus drew himself up proudly, giving them a warm smile, "Then I very much look forward to seeing it."

Ace checked his equipment as they prepared to set off, very aware of the fact that this would be his first time using it in a combat situation. First time incorporating both his eyes and other senses too, and... second time he was expected to lead a group into battle. Considering his record with that was poor and his record with everything else was non-existent, it was easy to feel intimidated.

He tried it again, "Xaphina?"

Nothing. He hadn't seen her since they left the city. It certainly wasn't unusual, but he had gotten increasingly used to her presence. He couldn’t help but worry, and more to the point be aware that she was a very handy asset to have on the battlefield.

Still it seemed they would have to get along without her, "Every zebra ready?"

He turned to see the line of salutes from the zebra in front, noting that a distressing number of them were old, overweight and bore themselves with less than military discipline. Still he was hardly one to complain given his own age and stature, and had been assured that these were the best mechanics and bomb technicians they had. Each carried a large bag of spare parts, Dust Kicker having spent the last few hours going over every trap he knew, along with techniques for hiding mines and the basics of stealth.

"Remember, no engagement." Dust stated as he walked down the lines, looking and sounding every inch the commander, "If you get spotted, run for the walls or call for Ace. Make sure you follow behind him, no running ahead either."

"But... there's no zebra out there." One of the engineers questioned.

"Starhammer has scouts and assassins in his employ, equipped with stealth cloaks." Dust warned, grimacing tightly, "And they're very good at what they do. Do not let your guard down."

Ace noted how silly it felt for a bunch of adult zebra to be following a young buck like him, but Jezminda was right that they weren't any kind of fearsome warriors. Many of them had even refused weapons, claiming they would be more likely to shoot themselves than the enemy. It felt odd, in the NCR it was only ponies of his age and younger that could realistically boast any sort of pacifism. But seventeen years was nothing, especially since the NCR had still been to war since. According to General Biscuit the Mutum heartlands had enjoyed thirty years of peace, which seemed... impossible to Ace. He had to admit, they were obviously doing something right.

"Open the gates."

He firmed himself as the gates opened and his platoon formed up behind, Fluttershy hurrying to take up position. He looked across at her, all armored up with her shotgun hanging at her side, zebra above watching the approach through the scopes of their rifles.

He sighed at the image. It seemed like they really had brought war to this place. It seemed the least they could do was fight it alongside them.

The approach to the gates was pretty overgrown and wild, the long grass and weeds making it the perfect place for traps. To their credit the engineers knew their stuff, quickly and efficiently deploying the traps wherever he pointed. At the same time he carefully scanned the route in front, cautious for any sign of danger...

And then Ace Gold sensed something ahead, something moving. Something pony shaped, turning towards them and staring in their direction. Something invisible to the eye, only visible by the faint crackle of magic.

He thrust out his hoof and pulled back the bandages wound there with his teeth, the mechanism of the crossbow mounted there automatically loading a bolt in response. A tug of his ankle and it flew true, slamming into the shape and dropping it to the floor, a flickering stealth cloak shorting out around the shape.

"Ace!"

He looked around as Fluttershy called out in warning, seeing the familiar shape of an automatic pistol emerge from what had previously been an empty space. He dived to the side and deployed another crossbow bolt, striking the figure and dropping him with a single strangled yell.

One of the mechanics gingerly moved forward, "Are they down?"

Ace kept an eye out for any moment, the last few twitches soon ending. He then nodded to the pair, turning and picking out the two engineers that had already deployed their traps, "You two, bring them back to the town. They should be out cold for a few hours at least."

They both nodded and did what he had told them, pulling away stealth cloaks to reveal unconscious zebra in light armor. Fluttershy give him a pleased glance, "Good shooting. I haven't seen a zebra microcrossbow in a very long time."

He lifted his hoof to inspect the weapon, admitting that it felt very natural and easy to use, "It's non-lethal, and very powerful and accurate over short distances. Plus it feels more... me than guns."

Fluttershy grinned, "Very ninja."

He blushed, admitting that wasn't entirely unrelated to his decision, "I... guess so."

She smiled in response before her eyes became more serious, her tone insistent, "I've got something I want to try actually, if you're willing."

"What is it?"

She looked hesitant for a moment before lifting her head, apologetic, "It involves me staying out here until Starhammer arrives."

Ace frowned, "Are you mad?"

"I'm as effective as any of these traps Ace, and with my stealth cloak I can easily get back to the town afterwards." She pouted, trying her best to look firm and determined and just managing 'sulky', "If this works it could put a huge dent in Starhammer's powerbase."

Ace noted something in the way she said his name, "Is this... personal Fluttershy?"

She paused briefly before giving an embarrassed nod, "I don't like him very much, it's true."

"Well... ok." Ace eventually agreed, having a soft spot for wanting to nail Starhammer's muzzle to the wall, "But I'm sticking with you."

She grinned wide, "Thank you Ace."

Ace stood on guard through the night, watching the lightly swaying weeds, the whisper of the air and the call of animals in the distance. He looked back at Fluttershy, wrapped in a blanket and snoring gently. Even like this and even knowing her as well as he did, he could still sense something about her, some hidden strength that commanded the attention.

Did he have the same something? Clad in stylish armor, carrying duel crossbows, trained in arcane secrets and special techniques... he felt like kid playing make believe. But then his father had said much the same, that he always had trouble grasping the enormity of 'saving the world' and just concentrated on fixing the issue in front of him at the time.

He thought back to what he had been before all this, barely even recognizing the pony in his memories. He had been so bitter about being special, about being perfect. Yet looking at his record it felt like he had barely been able to keep up, thrown from one crushing defeat to the next.

What did his future hold?

He struggled with that question for a while before returning it to a simple question, what did he value?

He had experienced a lot out here. His first kiss, bloody combat, fighting through pain and the deepest struggles to find healing. Good friends. Good comrades.

But what he really valued? Knowledge. Every single magical technique, every new philosophy, every new mechanical device, every fragment of history. He held each within his heart, gaining strength from the broadening of his horizons they represented. He wanted to keep training with Xaphina, wanted to learn more from Puppy, wished he had more time to spend with Midnight Dreamer and the scientists in the capital. He wondered if he should write all this down, figuring somepony needed to record some sort of permanent remembrance of what he had seen and felt.

He looked ahead, feeling more sure of himself than he had in a long time. Maybe he was really beginning to work out who he was.

"Wake up sleepyhead."

He opened his eyes, a soft yellow hoof brushing his cheek. He blinked and looked up at Fluttershy above, quickly rolling onto his hooves and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, "M'up."

Fluttershy nodded to the figures moving ahead, "They're on their way. Cover me."

Ace wanted to protest but she was already moving, having to settle for focusing his crossbows on the approaching troops as Fluttershy slipped into her stealth cloak and made her advance. It didn't fill him with confidence, they had positioned themselves off the main road, far away from the main advance and obscured by tall bushy trees and bracken. All the same there was clearly a full flanking action going on, at least thirty or forty zebra marching towards them through the heavy undergrowth.

Cover her? Against thirty zebra? He guessed if things went wrong he could shoot Fluttershy. It might save her life at least.

...he just took a deep gulp, watching as she made her final approach. She let the stealth cloak fall away with a quiet dignity, leaving herself fully visible before the advancing troops.

"Stop right there!"

Fluttershy just stood firm against the near two dozen weapons pointed straight at her, enough to absolutely obliterate her with the slightest twitch of their hooves. She looked no less determined, eventually speaking in a tone of angry command, "You should stop! What do you think you are doing?!"

The zebra looked at each other, one finally replying after a brief pause, "We are the glorious army of Starhammer, here to bring peace..."

"Here to bring war." She answered harshly, "This is a land of peace, what possible motive for attacking it could you possibly have?"

"We... Starhammer will unite the zebra lands, build a new empire to stand against the Star Demons and Equestria..."

"The rulers of this land stood before the Star Demons, far more successfully than he did. Equestria is gone!" Fluttershy barked, glaring sharply at each of them, "Your Starhammer uses blood magic and dark rituals, assassination and tyranny! He killed the greatest hero you had, and slaughtered kids to feed his own ego. He is a sadist and a coward, and by following him you are no better!"

To Ace's surprise the hoard of well armed zebra actually looked... shaky, "Now come on..."

"You should be ashamed!" Fluttershy declared, "Your fathers and grandfathers worked so hard to build this country, and now your slavemaster has covered it in blood and fire."

"Well..." Starhammer's soldiers looked away, evasive and nervous, looking for all the world like a pack of naughty schoolboys, "...we have families to support..."

"You've taken enough blood money!" She countered, stomping her hoof down, "Go home, find honest jobs, and tell every zebra you meet that Starhammer is not to be trusted!"

The zebra all paused in confusion for several nerve racking moments... before they all nodded, dispersing into a big, confused group and starting to wander back the way they came, "I guess she's right..."

"Dumb job anyway..."

"My mother said I shouldn't join..."

"Never agreed to this..."

Fluttershy turned back, shaking a little at she trotted back towards Ace at rather a hurried pace. He noted the fear in her eyes as she drew close, giving her a reassuring smile, "That was awesome."

"I honestly didn't think that work." She admitted in a rather high and squeaky voice, before giving a strained smile, "But that should hopefully do more damage to his recruiting efforts that we could ever achieve by just shooting them."

He nodded in approval, "It was good work. Still it's not over yet."

"You’re right." She agreed, "Let's get back to the town before the main force reaches the walls."

With Fluttershy's stealth cloak and wind walking they made back in good time, Ace sparing a look behind at the mighty force marching behind them. It certainly looked well prepared and well armed, especially compared to what he had seen of North Loading’s forces.

Their reception was predictably enthusiastic as they made it back through the side gate, Easu displaying a uncharacteristic burst of emotion as he hurried over, "It's... good that you're back."

"He kept trying to convince me to send out a search party."Jezminda commented with her usual world weary tone, "I hope you were successful in whatever you were trying to do."

Fluttershy nodded firmly, "We were. Are the defenses ready?"

"As they'll ever be." Jesminda stated, then hesitated for a moment. After a second to find her tongue she finally managed to speak up again, looking guilty, "Look, I apologize for how I've been to you. I understand that this is not your fault."

"It's ok." Fluttershy assured, opening up with a beaming smile, "We understand how difficult this must be for you."

"My father built this town, he made me vow to make it strong and proud." She stated softly, "And now I have to watch these thugs burn it to the ground. I can't even fight to protect it, I have to run like a coward while strangers die for me."

"This town won't fall." Ace assured her.

Jezminda just gave him a weak smile, shaking her head and turning away, "I'd like to believe that."

They quickly made their way to the main square where everything was being set up, seeing Jezminda off as she went to organize the evacuation. They spotted Dust Kicker nearby, deep in discussion with Clear Skies as they approached. She eventually saluted and flew off towards the capital high above, Dust looking round and grinning wide as he saw them, "Damn, you like to worry us don't you?"

"Sorry." Fluttershy stated sheepishly, "I hope I made some kind of a difference."

"Me too." Dust agreed, his expression not reassuring, "This is going to be tough. Most of these zebra have never fought a battle, the best of them are little more than hunters."

Ace Gold looked to the horizon, "Where did Clear Skies go?"

"Off to report the situation to the capital." Dust answered, "She'll tell Invictus not to let Starhammer's forces into the city, and we've sent some engineers up to help. Hopefully they'll be able to fix the sensors, defenses, maybe even give us some artillery support."

"You should have kept her here." Ace Gold answered, though he already knew it was childish, "She could help us fight."

"I'm having second thoughts about us being here Ace." Dust Kicker answered with a grim smile, "What price do you put on a blatantly one sided fight? She's making herself useful, you don't waste your one flight capable asset on combat."

Fluttershy nodded in agreement, looking down at Ace, "Back during the war pegasi were used primarily as recon and message runners. Clear Skies is doing what she's best at."

He sighed, they were right, "I'm sorry... but if this is so one sided, should we really be fighting ourselves?"

Dust chuckled, "Good question... but we've beat the odds before."

"General Dust Kicker!" A zebra up at the wall called out in a frantic tone, "They're setting up for their attack!"

Dust Kicker nodded, giving them a look of urgency, "Up on the wall. Don't let the militia break, and don't get killed. When it gets too hot retreat back down here. Fluttershy, Ace, Easu, left wall."

They nodded and set off, Ace drawing close to Easu as they ran, "You ready for this?"

The zebra was quiet for several moments before shaking his head, his eyes above the bandages haunted, "No."

Ace felt his heart chill a little, there being something profoundly wrong in his tone, "Easu...?"

"I won't let Fluttershy be hurt." He stated firmly, then speeded his pace, "Come on."

"...right."

They made it up upon the wall, Ace looking around in worry at the long line of terrified looking zebra clad in crisp, fancy and totally impractical uniforms, desperately reinforced with mismatched plates of armor. Hunting rifles sat in their hooves, Ace seeing nothing heaver than a light machine gun.

"Don't hesitate to shoot those bastards between the eyes!" General Biscuit called out from further down the line, now clad in a full Equestria dress uniform complete with glittering medals, "Know they will afford you no mercy!"

Ace Gold wondered how old the zebra was. He definitely looked older than Fluttershy, and his uniform hung from a form that hadn't endured heavy exercise in a long time.

"Ace, you look very distracted." Fluttershy stated quietly as they found a spot on the wall, "Are you ready?"

He looked to her, noting the fear in her eyes, "I’m getting the feeling none of us are.”

Ace gulped back his emotions and turned to the approaching army beyond the walls. They were to his eye more than two hundred strong, all clad in well fitted combat armor and organized in well ordered squads. Banners hung proud along their lines, flying over rows of determined faces and high quality weaponry.

And at their head was an... apparition. It was a pony shaped creature, smaller than those around it, light and unencumbered in its movements. Its form was fully concealed however, wrapped in black, bandage like folds, hints of fresh blood and torn flesh within the bindings. Fragments of bones knitted together in complex patterns dangled from its body, plates across the shoulders and flanks clearly crafted from the skulls of zebra. Its face was twisted bone, what looked like a zebra’s head but deformed and covered in runic symbols, mouth a cruel sneer. It carried a staff affixed to its withers, a brass pole covered in bangles with a dull sounding bell on top, giving a mournful toll with every step.

“It’s the pale zebra...” One of the soldiers muttered in fear beside, “...he’s come to take us all...”

“Nonsense!” General Biscuit shouted boldly, glaring at his cowering soldiers before lifting his sniper rifle and placing it on the railing. He crouched, supporting the weapon in his hooves as he looked down the scope, “Just some raider dressed up for the Nightmare Burnings! We’ll see how he likes a bullet through his creepy...”

The pale zebra head visibly turned towards them, the bell ringing out a single, resounding toll.

“AGH!” The general yelled out as he dropped his rifle, stumbled backwards and fell onto his side, gasping and clasping his chest. Fluttershy immediately hurried over, hoof going to his neck... but the general gasped one last time before his face went slack, eyes rolling back.

Fluttershy looked up, terror in her eyes, “He’s... had a massive heart attack.”

Ace looked up as the pale zebra flung his staff forward, his troops surging forward with blood curdling screams. Missiles flew from their launchers and hit the walls, deafening bangs that shook the whole city. He heard the desperate cries and looked around to confirm that he was now almost alone, the zebra at the walls retreating down the stairs and cowering under anything they could find. In many cases their weapons lay where they had been left, "Stop! Come back!"

Fluttershy looked around in fear before shaking her head at him, nodding to the stairs behind, "We have to go Ace."

"Alread..." Ace started before ducking as bullets shattered the parapet and Fluttershy yelled out in response to a bullet skimming her flank. He looked out towards the field as the first few mines went off, Starhammer's forces immediately falling back and sending out teams of engineers to scout the road. Starhammer's army fell into a brief disorganized mob as medics rushed forward to help the injured and Ace instantly realized that it would have been the perfect time to attack... if they had any soldiers left, "Damnit! Who is that zebra? He won the whole battle with one move!"

"I have a few guesses." Fluttershy stated quietly, "But we don't have time to talk about it right now."

"Yeah... you're right..." Ace muttered as he watched parts of the wall collapse into scrap against the bombardment. It seemed their first line of defense had already fallen.

"And if there be demons, know that we have faced demons before! If you fear their wrath then let me lead the vanguard, and show you how we face the pale zebra!"

The courtyard was a mess, a scant few trying to keep order as zebra fled with their families and possessions, fires from the broken walls starting to creep onto the surrounding buildings. Decimus was attempting to rally some shaken looking defenders, Dust Kicker building and populating a defensive line as Easu rounded up stragglers. Ace hurried over to Dust as he handed a weapon to a terrified looking zebra, calling out, "Dust Kicker, what should I do?"

"Keep Fluttershy safe." Dust replied, turning to look at them both with a worried expression, "I'm already much less confident about holding the line against these guys, which means we change tactics. This is now a fighting retreat."

"We're evacuating the town?" Fluttershy asked.

Dust nodded, "We're preparing an evacuation. The civilians are at a set of two exits at the rear of the town, we're going to hold here and give them time to organize. Then we let the guards retreat and escort the civilians out while we keep Starhammer's forces busy, before breaking out ourselves."

"Wait..." Fluttershy stated with a little shake in her voice, "We hold off the whole army... alone?"

Dust just grinned, "Remember, we have a secret weapon."

No sooner had he spoken than a huge explosion rocked the gates and sent them caving inwards, arcing missiles flying over the walls to slam into the entrance square in fierce balls of flame and debris. Dust ducked behind the barricades, Ace using his telekinesis to throw Fluttershy behind another before rolling into cover himself. He extended his head above cover and scanned the raining mortar shells, locking onto one that looked to be heading for their lines and using telekinesis to fling it clear.

Then they came, hundreds of armored zebra carrying shotguns and heavy machine guns. They poured through the broken sections of the wall, trampling the rubble underhoof and opening up with their weapons in a fierce barrage of fire. Ace flung out a concussion grenade and it sent their lines stumbling, darting away as his cover was torn into a cloud of spinning splinters. Dust Kicker picked off an approaching group of them, expertly pinpointing the weak spots on their armor while enduring a half dozen hits on his own. Decimus himself was a tank, leading from the front as he promised and allowing fire to deflect away from his mighty form as he kept his heavy rifle punching holes through the ranks. The guard formed up behind him, their rifles blazing as they attempted to hold the line against the assault.

A mortar shell hit the ground near Dust Kicker and sent him sprawling, Decimus going down to a lucky hit on his head that tore his helmet away. The guard behind almost immediately broke cover as Decimus fell, bullets finding many of them before they even had a chance to run. Fluttershy came out from behind a barricade and hit a charging zebra with a solid hit from one of her shotgun's shock rounds, only to be nearly instantly sent flying onto her back as a machine gun round found her chest.

"Fluttershy!"

Ace darted for her, throwing a grenade into Starhammer's ranks and dodging a barrage of return fire. He felt a spark of relief as Easu got there first and Fluttershy shifted to look at him, the big zebra supporting her as he helped her up. Esau looked to Ace as he approached, calling across to him, "It is time to retreat."

"You're telling me." He answered, pointing to a street leading off the main road. He sprinted for it, allowing himself a glance back for some sign of the others. He couldn't see them, his vision pretty much dominated by charging enemies. It seemed like it was all over...

...but then something else burst into vision, in a rain of collapsing rubble and the glow of energy weapon fire, "Holy Celestia..."

She came out of the storage facility where they had hidden her, tearing through the wall and sending it crashing down on Starhammer's forces. Her legs kicked out, sending more flying as her claws came up in pulses of devastating magical energy. They fired back but bullets cleanly deflected away with barely a scratch. A missile flew forth and struck her head on but Puppy simply came through the smoke and flame with her armored claws raised in defense, delivering an earsplitting scream as she continued her barrage.

He had to say, he had never been more proud of his handiwork.

His awestruck admiration was cut short as he saw Dust Kicker on the other side of the street, helping Decimus and the other injured guards. Dust called out, waving a desperate hoof at them, "Get to the evacuation point! Puppy's got this!"

He nodded and hurried after Fluttershy and Easu, both having got a little further than he had.

But Fluttershy had stopped dead, a visible look of terror in her eyes as she stared up at the roof of one of burning buildings. It took Ace a second to see who had caught Fluttershy’s attention, running to her side and spotting the dark shape within the fire...

It leapt, twirling in midair and spinning a brass colored blur to slam down upon Puppy’s top armor. There was the resounding toll of a bell and a shockwave travelled through Puppy’s entire body, leaving sparks and whining components in its wake. Puppy staggered briefly before going down with an almighty crash, sprawling into the mud.

The pale zebra landed beside, calm and poised.

Fluttershy yelled out, lifted her shotgun and fired. The bullet simply struck earth, the pale zebra blurring away before reforming into solid form just nearby and spinning its staff across the dirt. A shockwave flew out towards them, Easu yelling in warning and jumping in front... he was struck hard, hurled across the courtyard to crash through a wooden building nearby.

The pale zebra paused briefly at this, then advanced towards them with slow, deliberate steps. Words appeared to form in Ace’s mind, painful and distracting.

“You inspire such loyalty Mare of the Apocalypse. It seems ponies and zebra both will willingly follow you to their final deaths.”

Fluttershy firmed her expression and walked forward, glaring at the apparition, “Why are you killing these zebra!? Why are you helping Starhammer?! It is you...!”

The pale zebra cut her off, the mental words striking harshly across their vision, “Your stare will not work on me.”

And then the pale zebra struck a bone hanging from it's neck and Fluttershy gasped, collapsing to the ground and hoofing desperately at her throat. Ace took one look at her choking expression before bursting into action.

His crossbow bolt hit nothing but air as the pale zebra warped away, his magic expanding outwards to locate her again... and there, he sensed the rush of collating form that he always sensed at the end of one of Fluttershy’s wind walks and dived towards it. Ace's hoof span round just as the pale zebra warped back into existence and he hooked the brass staff away, sending it spinning into the dirt. The pale zebra had just a second to react before Ace's second hoof kicked out and smacked its front hoof away, leaving the demon staggering and off balance.

Ace landed on his back and bucked hard, thumping into the pale zebra's chest and sending it crashing into the dirt.

Ace flipped back up with due speed, aware that without bracing a simple buck wasn’t likely to be a fight ender. Still it was as he suspected, this was no spirit or demon. The bones were zebra totems, used to cast spells. Spells like stopping a zebra’s heart, or causing them to choke. The attack that had taken down Puppy was a variant of the one he had seen Xephyr use against robots, the pale zebra had intentionally targeted a section of plating that lacked magical protection, likely using the same perception abilities he used.

And as for resisting Fluttershy’s stare... this ‘pale zebra’ was wearing a mask!

Yet... as he ran at the recovering figure he couldn’t help but note that not a whisper of a voice had escaped the zebra’s throat as Ace had struck his blows.

The pale zebra struck at a totem as Ace closed and Ace brought his horn forward, shattering the approaching magic apart with a firm spike of energy. He continued through the raining motes of mana and threw himself into a double hoof strike, the pale zebra deflecting his attack away with a sweep of its own hooves and thrusting at him with a spur of its jagged skull.

Ace swung himself backwards, hit the ground on his back and somersaulted, catching the pale zebra under the chin and feeling the satisfying shifting of the bone under his hooves. He swung himself round on a single forehoof and delivered another firm sweeping kick to the pale zebra’s face, tearing the skull away completely and sending the figure slumping into the dirt.

Ace paused a moment as the figure rose slowly, noting that it still hadn’t uttered a sound. He stepped backwards a pace, drawing up his crossbow, waiting for a sudden move...

The creature’s head came round, revealing a face beneath the hood that had held the skull in place. A young, pretty, soft featured face, angelic and untouched. A female zebra, petite, unthreatening...

Her eyes opened up in a furious glare and he suddenly realized how he had let Luna die, left all the children of Dusklight in order to selfishly follow Fluttershy, how he had been beaten and scarred by those raiders, taken captive by Starhammer, how worthless he was...!

And then his emotions returned to normal, vision clearing just in time to see the pale zebra disappear in a burst of swirling dirt. He took a single step forward before collapsing to his knees, feeling a sudden rush of blood as he shook off the zebra's mental attack. Was that... was that the Stare?

Fluttershy!

He looked around, relieved to see that once again she was being tended to by Esau. He started to jog over to the two...

...before two more of Starhammer's goons came round the corner with weapons drawn. Ace immediately lifted his hooves, placing crossbow bolts through the heads of both before they had a chance to fire. They hadn't even dropped before more came galloping past however, Ace gasping as a bullet tore through his shoulder, another clipped his scalp, a third drove through his knee, a forth imbedded itself deep into his chest...

"Stop!" Fluttershy called out from beyond the onrushing black, her hooves kicking up dirt as she rushed over. He heard the stomp of heavy boots, saw the muzzles of weapons as they were pointed down at him... Fluttershy appeared at his side, pulling a vial of healing potion out of her bag and injecting it into his shoulder. She spat the needle into the dust before looking at him with heartbreaking concern, "Ace, stay with me ok?"

"I'm fine..." He muttered, not really feeling it. He noted a zebra moving to retrieve the fallen skull mask, dusting it down before presenting it back to it's owner, her hood drawn up to conceal her face. He tore his eyes away to look up as Fluttershy, "...I'm sorry..."

The pale zebra gave a few short chopping motions with her hooves to the zebra who had given her the mask, the zebra processing the motions before turning to Ace and the others, "You will allow us to take your weapons and surrender to our custody."

Ace noticed a pair of familiar pistols hit the floor, looking over to see Easu had disarmed almost immediately. Fluttershy quickly placed down her own weapon, then reached down to undo the bindings on Ace’s hooves. He quickly tried to protest, "Fluttershy, don't... give into these bastards..."

"It's done." Easu stated, his tone heavy, "There's no further point in fighting."

"Good." The zebra lieutenant stated, waving for his men to retrieve the weapons, "Bind them and bring them back to the gate."

They were roughly tied in bindings and forced upright, marched through the burning remains of the entrance square and towards a small circle of crates where it seemed they were organizing the conquest of the city. Corpses lay all around, a group of Starhammer's zebra attempting to break Puppy's armored form open as a line of heavy weapons stood ready to fire in case of any movement. It sure seemed like their defeat was complete.

"I guarded your prison you know." One of the zebra escorting them stated as he looked over Ace and Fluttershy with an angry expression, "You won't be escaping from me again."

Ace just looked away. He really didn't need to be reminded...

“It’s ok Ace.” Fluttershy stated softly, still holding a slight smile, “It will all be ok.”

“I don’t see how.” He started, “I mean what...”

"Commander!" A zebra shouted as he galloped through the ruined gate, expression wild, "Troops approaching from the north!”

A well dressed zebra in the centre of the group turned, growling his response, “Whose?”

“They appear to be... well, they're wearing Bardadin colors sir!"

"Wha...” The commander quickly waved his hooves at the lieutenants surrounding him, voice betraying his panic, “Bring the troops back from the city, get a defensive line...!"

A laser blast streaked through the air and hit the zebra scout in the back, sending him tumbling down the rubble with fur steaming. The commander darted back in alarm, more so as a cry echoed forth from beyond, yelled by many voices.

"We are the vanguard, the holy spear against the barbarian! Ghilman, unleash your steel!”

More shots flew past, striking into the zebra troops were perfect, pinpoint precision. Ace pulled Fluttershy down as the commander desperately tried to organize a defense, "You three, over there, take cover! You two...” He waved at Fluttershy, Esau and Ace, “...execute the prisoners."

Ace's blood ran cold, watching the zebra guarding them bring their weapons to bear...

Then those zebra were blown apart by precision blasts of magical energy, Puppy's massive form lurching forward and using her other arm to sweep aside the heavy weapons pointed at her like so many toys. A few shots managed to find her but not many, caught between two threats Starhammer's forces soon worked out which way the fight was going. The commander wasn’t far behind, watching the zebra around him throw down their weapons and run for cover and quickly shouting, "All forces, retreat! Retreat!"

Another of Starhammer's zebra dropped to a rifle shot from behind, Ace turning to see Dust Kicker hurrying up, "Dust!"

"You guys ok?" He questioned, firing a few more shots from his battle saddle as he drew close, "What's going on? Who are these new guys?"

"No idea." Ace admitted as he watched Starhammer's forces break and run, catching a small glimpse of the pale zebra before she too turned away and disappeared into a swirling burst of dust, "But we sure owe them."

The troop marched in through the gates in perfect formation, purple cloaks billowing out, their fine, chromed armor glinting in the sunlight. They all wore smooth, featureless masks marked with a sword and scroll mark at the left cheek, all apparently equines apart from two minotaur towards the back carrying heavy magical weaponry. The others carried an assortment of laser weaponry, stub muzzled carbines, large magazined assault weapons and scoped rifles. All appeared very finally made, custom forged of stamped plastic.

They certainly inspired a few admiring whispers, the leader marching forward and removing her helmet with a swift, dramatic tug, leaving her curly, tussled hair streaming in the wind. She was a zebra, very pretty in a rather predatory way, helped by the very heavy make up she appeared to be wearing around her eyes. The same sword and scroll mark had also been tattooed on her cheek, wrinkling as she shot them an arrogant grin, "You guys alright? We were in the area, heard you freefolk were having a bit of trouble. Looks like we came in the nick of time."

Decimus stood with the townsfolk, his scowl having not left his face since the newcomers had marched through the gate. He spoke challengingly in response, his voice low and rumbling, "And what are the Emir's pets doing in the Mutum?"

"With respect Praetorian, 'the Mutum' looks like 'the crater filled battlefield' at present. Spoils the view." She responded, giving a confident grin as she angled her head back, "And this little squabble is effecting trade. If you can't guarantee safe supply routes, then it looks like the Emir will have to send some real zebra to do it for you."

Decimus did not look happy at this response, "This is a land of the free. We have no use for slaves."

Her smile only grew wider, "Yeah, it sure looked that way. You seemed to have everything under control."

"And we're going to stop this right now, before one of you knocks down the wall swinging those dicks about." Dust Kicker finally interrupted, marching forward to split them up. He looked to the mare as he got between them, giving her a friendly nod, "Thanks for the assistance, even though it seems no love is lost between you two."

Decimus nodded and reluctantly moved away, looking over at Dust Kicker with a still simmering fury, "I apologize for my temper. These... zebra... are the property of the camels. It seems their masters have finally taken an interest, apparently out of the kindness of their hearts."

"For the sake of a stable world." The mare declared cheerfully before turning to Dust Kicker and giving him a big smile, "But the Emir does find all the killing on his borders distasteful, especially taking place in the Mutum Valley. Why we were almost beginning to consider this place somewhat civilized, and the Emir does not like to see good work undone. Thus, our presence here."

Dust Kicker smirked, "Was the backtalk part of your mission too, or is that just an extra?"

"Consider my wonderful personality an added feature." She crooned, stepping forward and extending a custom leather fitted hoof, "Ibis, First of the Ghilman, Captain of the Second Bardadin Lancers. A true pleasure to meet you.” She looked him up and down in a rather predatory manner, “A pony wearing the armor of a old world Praetorian and standing in the presence of Doctor Fluttershy must be a pony worth knowing."

Dust pressed his hoof against hers with a grin, "Thank you for your assistance Captain Ibis, and thanks to your Emir too. I'm Dust Kicker, and I’m guessing you recognize Fluttershy."

"I do, and Ace Gold and Easu too." She smiled knowingly, "There might have been another part of my mission I forgot to mention."

Fluttershy straightened up and took notice at this, clearly noting her tone there, "You were... expecting us?" Her eyes narrowed at Ibis' grin, "How did you know we would be here?"

"We knew you were in the capital." She explained, "And there's only so many ways out. When we saw the blue moon, the haze disappear from the city... we were instructed to watch the exit into the Mutum, in case you should come this way."

"And how did you know we were in Kirshyn?" Ace questioned, not buying this for a moment. They had been screwed over one too many times for him to trust so easily, "Why are you so interested in us?"

Ibis nodded, her shit eating grin fading a little. She quickly inspected the area, then looked back at them, "Where's Zenai?"

There was a long pause before Dust Kicker answered, "She's dead."

"Ah, unfortunate." She replied with something approaching sincerity, before drawing herself up, " Nazir's mercenaries, they were hired to kidnap her, kill her in front of you. They never intended to keep her alive. They were also hired to destroy Estelle by the same individual."

Ace felt his body tense, even as his thoughts became colder and clearer. He noted that Dust Kicker himself tensed a little, his voice becoming deathly calm, "And who is that?"

"Someone regrettably important, or my master assures you that he would have already have delivered you his head." Ibis assured, giving a firm, sincere nod of her head, "Understand, the Emir had nothing to do with it. Indeed he wishes only to be your friend, and to extend that friendship to the whole of the New Canterlot Republic."

"Does that include troops to stop Starhammer?" Dust Kicker enquired, nodding back at the ruins behind him, "Things aren't look good back here."

Ibis smiled proudly, "Certainly, as stated the Emir cares deeply about the stability of the Mutum. Consider us a taster, a free trial in good faith. He is willing to provide further support, but wishes to conduct that negotiation in person."

Decimus did not look happy, eyes narrowing even further, "What kind of trick is this? If he's willing to help, then he should help. What use is there in drawing this out?"

"There is no trick." Ibis assured, her perky demeanor now entirely faded into hard nosed professionalism, "The Emir is merely a scholar of history. He has heard how in ages past, six friends averted war between the zebra and Equestria, won the heart of a prince and the eternal gratitude of a simple camel merchant."

Fluttershy's eyes widened in shock, "Merchant Demir..."

"Was the Emir's great, great grandfather." Ibis answered, looking across at Fluttershy, "And now he has heard of a group containing both young and old, the best of the new world and of before, both zebra and pony. And he wants to believe that it can be done again, and that with his support the peace could be permanent. That you are the ones who can save this world."

Ace Gold took this in, unable to help a small smile crossing his face. So now they were saving the world huh? Is this what it felt like, to be a destined hero? His father had said it, how silly it had felt and Celestia's witness, maybe he now understood him a little better, "But first he wants to know if we're for real?"

"He also has some information to impart that he would rather share in private." Ibis answered, "There are some issues that could prove... complicated, and embarrassing to air in public."

Decimus snorted, then stepped forward, "If you are to decide the fate of this world, then I insist on accompanying you. Friends of the zebra or not, you are still outsiders."

"Don't worry so much Decimus." Ibis answered, "Our aid is not entirely dependent on some wandering adventurers. Why, this is Great Mother Nanati's idea as much as the Emir's."

"Who's Great Mother Nanati?" Dust asked.

"She's... interesting." Decimus finally conceded, "And admittedly, a zebra to be respected in these parts."

"And our first stop." Ibis finished, flicking her hair back and smirking cheerfully, "So shall we get started? World isn't getting any more saved standing around here!"

___________________________________

Footnote: Level up! (8)

Perk Gained:
Scholar of Foes
Your detailed study and eye for detail pays off in combat. You gain a +10% damage bonus against any enemy that you have performed an academic study on.

Chapter 4.5 - The Painful Road

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Their exit from North Loading was bittersweet, to say the least. Fluttershy did her best to rally tired spirits, to treat the injured and give hope for the trials ahead... but the simple fact was that they were never going to win.

"We will travel upwards, and settle on the outskirts of the capital." Jezminda stated with an air of grim resignation, gathering mementos from her shattered office as she went. She stopped as she reached the large hole in the wall, looking out upon the city beyond, "We should have just ran."

Fluttershy had to admit, she couldn't find a good rebuttal to that. Sure Dust Kicker would be able to justify it in terms of the greater struggle, but the fact of the matter reminded that lives had been lost for little immediate benefit, "You'll be back. We've already shown that Starhammer isn't invincible."

"Starhammer will burn this place to the ground." She bitterly retorted, her lip quivering slightly, "I would do it myself, but I... can't."

Fluttershy dropped her head. What was there to say? "I'm sorry."

"General Biscuit always wanted to die in battle." Jezminda stated, a slight smile crossing her tearstained face, "At least he's happy."

Fluttershy walked along the surrounding wall, taking the chance to just... relax, and appreciate the sights. The Mutum wasn't heartland NCR, and it certainly wasn't pre-war Equestria, but the simple fact was that this place had arisen without the gardens. That it has arisen from refugees, ponies and zebra both, who instead of killing each other had formed one of the most functional societies in the pre-war world, long before the NCR was even a glint in Gawd's eye.

They had fought off numerous bandit incursions, an enclave invasion and the assault of a demon Fluttershy would have shivered at even with the elements at her back. And it was beautiful, the golden swaying grass, the spiky, crooked trees with leaves of burnished amber. The sun shone overhead, pounding and fierce, it was easy to remember that on two sides the Mutum was surrounded by desert. Still she was never hot, the open plain constantly swept by a cool, nurturing breeze that refreshed and rejuvenated.

Ahead was another zebra, Fluttershy quickly recognizing Decimus even without his helmet. He too was looking out across the plains, turning to her as she approached. Fluttershy gave him a smile, "You were right, it really is beautiful."

"Thank you." He acknowledged, turning back to the view, "This was the site of the first zebra empire."

"I know."

"They say alicorns walked the halls of the first empire, that it was they who took zebra from the Mutum and brought them to the lands beyond the Crystal Mountains. There they divided those zebra into Earth, Unicorn and Pegasi, and created the first ponies." He looked down, emotion flickering across his face, "We walk upon the birthplace of all equine races."

Fluttershy looked into the far distance, the great peaks to the west just visible, "The first zebra came down from those mountains right?"

Decimus nodded, "They were looking for food, and some bolder zebra decided to brave the great forests far from their mountain caves. They were forced to build shelters from the mud, and permanent settlements forced them to plant and grow their own crops. They say the All-mother, oldest of all dragons, grew amused at their struggles. That she came down and offered some of her fire to them, allowed them to cook, and bake bricks for their houses."

Fluttershy saw the irony, "I came here before, back before the war. It was a wasteland."

Decimus looked to her, brow furrowed, "Lord Caesar said the same."

"Little would grow, just bracken and weeds, poking out of baked mud." Fluttershy looked around, wondering if she had visited this area back when it was just an ugly expanse of nothingness, "I guess Equestria saw little reason to fire megaspells here."

"They say a roaming group of shaman bearing staves of silver came here, that they planted those staves across the land. That they purified the soil, allowed plants to live and provided safe water to drink." Decimus turned, squinting against the sunlight before pointing to the horizon, "We will pass one of the few known locations where one is preserved, it is on the road towards Saddle Arabia."

Fluttershy definitely wanted to take a look at that, "Now that sounds interesting."

The road passed through dozens of small farms as they moved south, all of them abandoned, several showing signs of looting. Fluttershy found it more unsettling than any pre-war ruins, the near intact 'normality' of it making those imperfections so much more striking.

Ibis had sent most of her unit on a long path across the plains, hoping to draw any pursuit away. As a result it was just her and two of her unit, now unmasked and just as chatty as their leader. They were also just as cheerful and irrelevant, yet Fluttershy kept her distance. She had seen their type before, rough and boisterous elites, confident and proud of their talent for causing death on a large scale.

"I would like to boast that all of the Emir's troops are so well trained and equipped." Ibis confirmed during a conversation with Dust Kicker and Ace Gold, "But I have to admit that we're some of his best. Trained in operations like this, search, retrieve, destroy."

Ace Gold looked between the three, "Are you all zebra?"

"Most of us." Ibis proudly proclaimed, flashing a big grin, "The camels learned our value long ago. Zebra are the world's greatest soldiers, loyal, disciplined, strong, tough and possessed of unshakable will. Just look at how they fought against Equestria, outnumbered ten to one and they still gave you a fight!"

"This is what angers me." Decimus interjected with a growl, glaring at Ibis with contempt, "That is all the Camels believe we are? Warriors? Killers?

Ibis smirked back at him, "It's what we're best at. There's no shame in celebrating it. Camels are great organizers and masters of finance, ponies make the most supreme artists, minotaurs possess massive strength and height, and griffons never give up in even the most desperate situations."

Decimus snorted, "You cannot reduce a race of millions to one defining attribute."

"But it helps organize a persons place in society if you have a starting point on which to base your assumptions." Ibis responded, grinning widely and seem to be very much enjoying the debate, "It's no different from judging on build, or how you speak."

"You cannot organize the life of another, like they were just a cog in some grand machine."

"It seems to have worked ok so far." Ibis glibly responded, "Out here, no zebra knows their place. Everyone is responsible for their own actions, and as a result you have bred a society of the selfish, everyone only concerned for their own happiness. We possess a society where the greater whole is more important than any individual part, where the most noble path is to abandon ego and accept the role which fits your talents best."

Decimus looked to the two other zebra walking beside her, his tone cutting, "I notice your two subordinates are staying very quiet. I wonder, is delivering self serving propaganda for your masters one of your special talents?"

Ibis chuckled, "It clearly isn't one of yours."

Decimus tensed and everything suddenly went very quiet, only for the praetorian to quickly calm himself and relax once more. He took a deep breath before speaking, "What about using your disrespectful personality to rile others into making stupid mistakes?"

She laughed, "Now that's a talent that's served me very well in the past."

It was about six hours into their journey that they reached the mid point of their journey, the town of Thunderfall. Fluttershy questioned the name, the pleasant, sleepy settlement hardly seeming to warrant it. The war seemed far from this place, many of the shops they passed on the way in sold art and crafts and the guards were friendly and courteous. The mayor soon came out to see them, an elderly zebra with a long grey beard who welcomed them warmly.

"If Starhammer comes this way, we will surrender without a fight." He stated firmly, before shrugging his shoulders, "Though I am told he passed through this place many times when he was just a simple zebra. He admired our museums, and he liked the art we made. I hope those old memories will keep us safe."

Fluttershy had expressed an interest in these museums and it was decided that they would have the next morning to look around before they continued on their journey. And so she greeted the early morning skies the next day, meeting up with Ace and heading off to see this legendary silver staff Decimus had spoke of.

Fortunately the owner of the museum was out raking the leaves as they approached, and was only too eager to open up for her. A middle aged pony by the name of Gardener Birch, he boasted that his family had cared for this place since the bombs fell. He showed them many artifacts from that time, the journals of survivors, personal items of shaman who had passed through the area, mementos of great leaders and tribes. One item instantly caught her attention as they passed, unable to stop a gasp escaping as she looked upon the layers of green silk, "This is..."

"Princess Lightning Dust's wedding dress." Gardener Birch confirmed, "She and Prince Nashar were married here, and the Princess always remained fond of the Mutum."

Fluttershy looked at the dress, remembering the ceremony. She had been there. Rainbow Dash too, all too eager to point out the unlikely match. Truth be told... they had been good for each other. Her boldness had countered his tendency to dream rather than act, and her aggression was tempered by his thoughtful kindness. Both valued the traits of the other, and Lightning Dust had honestly had made a far better wife for him than Fluttershy ever could.

"And here is the center of the collection." Gardener Birch declared, opening up a pair of double doors into the center of the building, "The Garden Staff."

Fluttershy took in the object before her, so very familiar despite the fluttering slips of parchment that had been tied to it. It brought back sad memories, indeed the last time she had seen an object like this had been...

"That's a garden rod!" Ace exclaimed from behind, trotting past to stare in wonder at the object. Indeed it cut a rather mystical image imbedded in a square of dirt in the centre of the room, a tall rod of steel about twice the height of a pony with various ports and sensors set along its length, along with a series of clear glass bottles screwed into its surface. Gardener Birch had done a good job maintaining it, only a few spots of corrosion marking it as anything less than new. It certainly looked a lot better than the previous one they had found, Ace looking back at Gardener Birch and explaining his excitement, "These were placed across Equestria by the Ministry of Awesome, they helped remove the poison from the soil."

"Ministry of Awesome huh?" Gardener Birch acknowledged with a pleased smile, reaching into his jacket pocket with his muzzle and pulling out a silver locket on a chain. He deposited it onto the table, shifting his hoof across it and easing it open to reveal an embossed lightning bolt symbol on one side and a line of text on the other. He read it out to them, "Lieutenant Crimson Lancer, Equestrian Army. My great great grandfather."

"You know what this means Ace?" Fluttershy stated, feeling a warm glow spread through her at the very idea, "The Ministry of Awesome operatives in this country... they spent their years after the war trying to help, same as any other. They healed this land."

Gardener Birch grinned broadly at this, "According to grandfather, the others all set up staves of their own before being retiring their commissions. It was agreed that they should have no contact with each other, that they should try and forget their old life."

That made Fluttershy's obvious question rather more difficult, still she was hopeful for something at least. After all this was proof, proof that parts of the ministry survived the war... "A pegasi I know... she thinks Rainbow Dash came here after the war, tried to meet up with others. Do you know anything about that?"

Sadly Gardener Birch just gave a shake of his head, "I'm sorry, I've never heard any record of Rainbow Dash travelling here."

Fluttershy sighed, took much to ask she guessed. Still... "What about Senior Operations Manager Cloud Abacus? He was head of operations here, before the war."

"Hmm..." Gardener Birch scratched his chin with a hoof, "I don't know anything about Cloud Abacus, but Great Grandfather apparently stated that his boss and communications chief stayed behind in base command, helped set up and co-ordinate the old communications network that used to connect up the Mutum."

Fluttershy felt like she was finally on to something now, looking over at Ace to explain, "Cloud Abacus was Rainbow Dash's husb... partner. Rainbow Dash mentioned to me that he was commanding operations in the zebra territories." She looked back at Gardener Birch, desperately hopeful, "If it was part of the communications network then there has to be some zebra who knows where it is right?"

Gardener Birch raised a hoof, giving her a calming look, "I said 'old' communications network. The Enclave destroyed it during their invasion, most of the towers have long since been torn down for scrap."

"There's no way of locating them?"

"Sorry missy." Garden Birch reluctantly explained, "Plenty of others have tried."

Fluttershy looked to Ace, he was always good at this sort of thing, "Ace?"

The buck looked thoughtful for a moment before finally giving a nod, "Ok... there's a computer connected to this rod yeah?"

Gardener Birch hesitantly nodded, then moved over to the far wall, "You'll treat it with respect, yes?"

Fluttershy gave him her most sincere smile, "Of course!"

"Ok..." Gardener Birch opened up a panel, exposing a keypad. A few short punches and another larger panel opened up with a whine, revealing an old but perfectly maintained console, "Here it is. I warn you, it's encrypted."

"It's alright, I've done this before." Ace stated confidently, stepping over and starting the complex process of hacking the device. He started slowly but quickly began to speed up, smiling happily after a moment or two, "Heh, Equestrian Encryption. I've been getting used to Zebra style operating systems... alright, I'm in."

Fluttershy moved over, reading as he began to open up some of the messages on the system.

Progress Report : Gardens site 367 – 24 Blooming, 17AB
Camp Thunderfall is now home to just over two hundred refugees, General Thantha having organised a team of engineers to extend and maintain the water purification systems taken from the UPE Thunder. He has also been providing locations of military stockpiles, invaluable given the number of sick and injured has been stretching my staff to their absolute limit. As perhaps the only remaining functional hospital zebra have been travelling from hundreds of miles away, inevitably exacerbating their symptoms.

All the same, we are making progress. I only hope the same is true elsewhere, and that when these clouds clear we’ll have the infrastructure in place to allow civilisation to bloom again.

Operative Crimson Lancer

Ace opened a few more before skipping to the last message, lip curling slightly.

Progress Report : Gardens site 367 – 10 Falling, 49AB
This is my final report, as per operational instructions. I have made sure my grandson understands how all this tech works, but have instructed him to only use the military channels in an absolute emergency. The boy is a great engineer, and will continue to maintain this place long after I’m gone.

I am 83 years old, and I am dying of cancer. It’s not a bad age to go.

My wife Kaiessa has given me three children, and they have given me five grandchildren. Each and every one of them has made me proud. Thunderfall has evolved from camp, to village, to city, and now is considered to be the greatest settlement in the Mutum. The hospital I established is famed far and wide, and... I am satisfied.

I cannot remember Equestria, save in my deepest dreams. But I do not morn the loss.

I am glad to die and be buried in this soil.

Operative Crimson Lancer

“This place used to be a city?” Ace Gold questioned.

Gardener Birch gave a sad nod, “You are standing in the hospital. The Enclave attack destroyed much of the settlement, and Thunderfall lay almost completely abandoned for several years.” He waved to another message, one of the few sent to the terminal, “That was the first warning we got of what was to come.”

.......................
This is an automated message broadcasting across all channels. Priority alert.

MoA communications hubs have received pings bearing pre-war Equestrian code, originating from United Pegasus Enclave airships. Signal is approaching rapidly.

The United Pegasus Enclave have been outed as traitors and criminals, hostile to both zebra and pony alike. The purpose of any large scale migration is most likely to be invasion.

Broadcast this message to every zebra on the surface, prepare to defend yourselves. To all MoA assets still in the field, Equestria expects you to defend your friends and families to the last, and suffer no traitor to corrupt our flag.

Loyalty, honesty and kindness. Harmony guide you all.
.....................

"That was the last communication received before the Enclave destroyed the network." Gardener Birch confirmed, his voice heavy with regret, "We tried, but we couldn't hold against them. All the MoA were long dead by that point and we had no central government to guide us, the Enclave simply set up in the air and shelled us until we surrendered."

"Yeah, they tried to kill us too. Three times, at my counting." Ace stated bitterly, before grinning to himself, "And three times we've kicked their ass."

"Maybe it helped in the long run." Gardener Birch noted with a bittersweet tone, "The oppression of their rule helped bind us together as the Mutum, and paved the way for Tandia and her friends to arise as heroes." He chuckled, "Clear Voice, of the radio DJ's Sharps and Voice, he was a member of the Enclave that eventually joined Tandia in saving us all. There's an unusual number of pegasi in the Mutum overall, the Enclave bugged out in such a hurry that hundreds were left behind."

Fluttershy nodded, happy that it had ended well, "The same happened in the NCR, Deadshot Calamity is one of our greatest heroes and a former officer in the Enclave forces."

"I've heard a lot about these zebra heroes, Sharps, Voice, Tandia..." Ace stated, moving away from the computer for a moment to face Gardener Birch, "Tradash the Black was a member too right?"

Gardener Birch nodded, "Tradash, Zaneious, Tandia, Kale, Sharps and Voice. They emerged after an eternal winter had settled over the zebra territories, uniting in order to confront the demons that emerged from the ice and snow to destroy all life across these lands. They confronted raiders, enclave loyalists and monsters alike, and eventually succeeded in defeating the demon behind the eternal winter and restoring peace."

"Heavy stuff." Ace commented as he continued to work, "How long ago was this?"

"Forty years, near about. I was just a child back then."

"Hmm." Ace acknowledged, before nodding firmly and looking up, "Yeah, looks good."

Fluttershy leaned forward in expectation, "What's did you find?"

"Right..." Ace clicked a few buttons before nodding to himself, levitating a notepad from his pocket and quickly scribbling down some notes, "As you would expect, this console was used both to set up the network of Garden Rods and later to periodically check in with central command."

"So you know where it is?"

"No." Ace gave her a somewhat mocking look, "This is the ministry of awesome, it's not THAT easy to track down their hidden base."

Fluttershy pouted back at him, jerk, "Ok... so what have you got?"

"I've got the shape of the communications network." Ace stated, looking down at what was scribbled upon his pad, "It's not much, but it's a start. If the central base was coordinating then it must be part of the network, and it would need to have a relatively complex antenna. It would also likely be a fair distance from any pre-war roads or settlements, and most likely be built into an abandoned structure of some kind."

Fluttershy got that at least, having worked in the wilderness and even helped draw up a few maps in her time, "So if we had a pre-war ordnance survey map...?"

Ace nodded, "Then we would at least be able to narrow down our search."

"That's amazing Ace!" Fluttershy exclaimed, actually feeling a bit of hope creep into her voice. Could Rainbow Dash have come here? Could she truly be...?

"Fluttershy." Ace stated dully, before looking up at her straight, "You do remember that the world is rapidly falling apart?"

"I... suppose..." Her head dropped, mind returning to earth, "You're right, I'm sorry. I got over-exited. Maybe when this is all over we can think about it, but right now we have better things to do."

Ace smiled, a rare sight on the buck, "I'm going to find a map, and I'm going to be looking into it. But you can't afford to be distracted Fluttershy."

Fluttershy returned his smile, "Thank you Ace."

"Um... thinking about it..." Gardener Birch suddenly spoke up, looking and sounding rather nervous, "I have one more artifact that you might be interested in."

Now this was worth listening to. He certainly sounded like he thought it was important... indeed he almost looked afraid, "What is it?"

"A memory orb." Gardener Birch stated with a moment of hesitation, "I've never watched it, but my father told me that the contents were not for the faint hearted. It's even marked as top secret by the Ministry of Awesome."

Ace spoke up first, "What is it about?"

Gardener Birch looked for a way out of the conversation. Seeing none, he was eventually forced to answer, "It's about Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust."

Fluttershy was certainly interested now, though she could only think of one thing it could possibly be, "Does it say what happened to her?"

Gardener Birch nodded, his eyes trembling slightly, "That's what my father told me."

"Fluttershy." Ace stated firmly, "I'll go in first, tell you..."

"No." Fluttershy shook her head. If this was what she thought it was, she needed to see it with her own two eyes, "We go together."

Ace sighed, then offered a hoof, "Fair enough. Join hooves with me and we'll get started."

"I will watch over you." Gardener Birch offered, opening a locked box at the end of the room and taking out a crystal ball set upon a cushioned holder.

It looked like any other memory orb, save for a stripe across the outside warning that it was 'Top Secret, C-2 clearance only'. Fluttershy pursed her lips, knowing first hand that even Twilight and Rarity only held C-3 clearance. That meant this orb was supposed to be viewed by the most senior generals, Rainbow Dash, Celestia and Luna. That meant whatever was on here was... dangerous, or at least extremely embarrassing, "Ready Ace?"

He nodded, his horn igniting... and taking the world with it.

Fluttershy settled into the body, the weight, the sensations, the movement. Padded fabric pressed against her, two wings strong and proud. There was an odd feeling in her chest as she inhaled, a weird hum and a sucking sensation. Like there was... machinery where her lungs should be. There was a 'pulling' at her hooves too, it reminded her of what she felt from her bionic leg, the attachments that connected it to her upper muscle.

She looked out at the world through a top quality military visor, Fluttershy feeling a horrible sense of familiarity as she took in the surroundings. This was... Karabivore. Where she had met Prince Nashar and Lightning Dust on her last visit to the zebra lands. Then it had been lush, proud, beautiful. Now...

The plantlife was dead, collapsing out of shattered planters. The beautiful art and sculpture was now nothing but rubble, the great statues of noble zebra lying in chunks across the landscape. The bustling streets and thriving market lay empty, abandoned save strewn bones, still clad in the ruined remains of zebra uniforms. The grand palace ahead? It had near totally caved inwards, the entire top of the building sheered away.

The pony she was inhabiting turned her head to look behind, the visor instantly magnifying and enhancing the image to reveal the ruined dockland areas, and behind the spire of Star Fall on the horizon. A few smaller shapes out on the open sea were soon highlighted, marking them as Equestrian Heavy Cruisers. The figure lifted their head and another larger shape was also highlighted, this identified as an Enclave Dragonhunter.

The figure snorted, the sound all too familiar, "Chessmaster, I'm in the area. Are we clean to go?"

It was Rainbow Dash. She was in the body of Rainbow...

Another voice sounded up from her right ear. She didn't recognize it, "Drabfur, you are cleared to proceed. No activity detected in your area."

She moved forward without further comment, Fluttershy noticing her balance was slightly off. Rainbow Dash was overcompensating for the strength in her legs, a problem she herself had experienced with bionics.

Rainbow Dash had bionic implants? Fluttershy had never known anything of the sort. It looked like she had installed hardware into all four legs, and replaced her lungs by the feel of it. The cost and risk of such an operation must have been phenomenal, especially at her age.

She continued forward, looking around constantly, peering down at her pipbuck every now and then. She eventually reached what had once been a flower shop, moving past the empty cages and briefly calling up ammo counts and statuses on her side mounted weapons. She inspected the numbers for a moment before moving inside. Her eyes flicked to the shadows as she continued through the empty shop, long since looted.

She moved up the stairs and her visor highlighted a life sign in the room just beyond one of the doors above, Rainbow Dash seemingly paying it no mind as she calmly strode into the room in question. Looking like it had once been a bedroom, there was indeed a pony there. A pegasi, dressed in a bloodstained and battle damaged equestrian infantry uniform. She herself looked like she had been through a great deal, her yellow fur dusty and stained, a bandage stretching over one eye. Her blue hair was almost grey, hanging in a mess across her scalp.

And then Fluttershy recognized her.

"Lightning Dust." Rainbow Dash stated with a rather impressive lack of emotion. She then spoiled it slightly with her rather obvious observation, "You look fucking awful."

Lightning Dust smirked slightly, her remaining eye narrowed in caution, "Seems I'm a little out of practice Dashy. You don't look too hot yourself."

"I haven't lost an eye." Rainbow Dash observed, a note of concern entering her voice, "Do you need a healing potion or..."

Lightning Dust softly shook her head, "They've done all they can. I'm only wearing the bandages to stop the socket from getting infected, though it might be doing more harm than good at this point."

"I thought you were a princess." Rainbow Dash stated with a note of challenge, her hoof extending to point at the pegasus, "How did you end up squatting in a ruin?"

Lightning Dust's expression firmed, "You get your Intel when I'm safe."

"Huh." Rainbow Dash's lip curled, head rising to focus a dismissive stare upon Lightning Dust, "Intel huh? You'd be willing to testify?"

Lightning Dust's expression instantly became hostile, body tensing, "On what?"

"On Fluttershy's treason."

Fluttershy felt herself draw out of the moment, force herself against Rainbow Dash for some sort of physical reaction to this. It hurt, all the more so for being trapped in this body, unable to... scream. Rainbow Dash didn't seem to care, either in her tone or bodily reactions.

Lightning Dust simply glared back, Rainbow Dash eventually speaking again after a moment to let her sweat, "Why did you come to me LD? Why not Fluttershy?"

"Because Equestria wants us both dead." Lightning Dust replied with a sharp touch of menace, "I'd just be painting a bigger target on her head."

Rainbow Dash didn't even twitch in response to this news, "So you request the leader of Equestria's secret operations service?"

"I requested Fluttershy's friend." Lightning Dust angrily replied, facing up proudly, "And if you're telling me that you're involved in the attempts on Fluttershy's life... then kill me now, and get it over with."

Rainbow Dash paused for what seemed like an eternity, and this time Fluttershy did feel her stomach twist, her muscles tense and relex. Finally Rainbow Dash replied, once more in control, "When this is done, Fluttershy will be going to jail for a very long time. Treason during wartime is not a light offense. And you..."

"When this war is ended, I'll walk to the gallows beside her." Lightning Dust spat, glaring hatefully at Rainbow Dash through her one remaining eye, "But look me in the eye and tell me that this war is worth it. Tell me she's wrong."

"You started this war."

"Caesar started this war!" She spat in reply, "And it can end with his death."

Rainbow Dash snorted, "You think we haven't tried? Maybe you could have thought about this when you were still living in that palace, right next to his bedchambers."

"I did." She replied with a grimace, "How do you think I lost the eye?"

Rainbow Dash reacted at this, clearly dumbfounded for a moment, "You... tried to kill him?"

"You're right, I should have done it years ago." She spat bitterly, "But Fluttershy forbade it. She still believed him and Luna would see reason, negotiate peace. And she refused to consider ever hurting the Princess." She snorted angrily, "So put that in your accusations of treachery."

"Where's Prince Nashar?" Rainbow Dash asked bluntly, "Was he in on this?"

Lightning Dust grimaced, then clenched her teeth. It was a couple of seconds before she could reply, "I think he's dead. I think his father killed him."

Rainbow Dash didn't react to this either. She either already knew, or... had become a robot or something, "You don't know?"

"He just vanished, while I was away." Lightning Dust replied, "And no one would look me in the eye."

"Fuck." Rainbow Dash spat, lifting her head to glare at Lightning Dust, "I'll promise you this. You give us the names of those driving the zebra war effort, give us their schedules, locations and favorite foods... and I'll personally make sure they die. Then you tell me the name of someone who can offer unconditional surrender and get them kissing Luna's hooves, then we can have peace."

Lightning Dust smirked at her less than professional tone, "Not much of an offer."

"I'm offering a chance to end this fucking war." Rainbow Dash angrily replied, her composure finally lost, "I'm sorry if it's not Fluttershy's 'sit around in a circle and sing happy songs', but you might have noticed that it's accomplished exactly jack shit."

"Maybe if you had offered her some support..."

"I've been putting my neck on the line for her for years!" Rainbow Dash shouted, hoof cracking down in anger, "You think we couldn't have killed her any time we wanted?! You think we don't know that she's been leaking state secrets?! I have personally pleaded with Luna not to have her swinging from a rope the first time she pulled this shit!"

Lightning Dust hesistated at this, even as Fluttershy felt her own thoughts derail, "Wha...?"

"I have done my best to keep her safe, give her stupid ideas a chance to work!" Rainbow Dash yelled, before her voice settled into a low, dangerous growl, "But they haven't. So we do it my way. If the zebra won't roll over, Luna is going to see each and every one of your cities in flames."

Lightning Dust glared angrily for a moment longer before reluctantly spitting her words, "Fine. You make a good point, even if you are even more of a bitch than I remember."

"You have no idea." Rainbow Dash replied, nodding at the door and starting down the stairs, "Come on. We'll get you to a safehouse, then we can plan from there."

Rainbow Dash proceeded down the stairs, her visor reporting movement beyond. She quickly placed her hoof to her ear, "Chessmaster, report on area."

"Area still sterile Drabfur. Report, contact secured?"

"Operation still in progress." She muttered, before moving out into the road and looking around the area, "Come on LD, I don't like this one bit."

Hoofsteps sounded out behind, Rainbow Dash turning to make sure Lightning Dust was following...

...and a little bit of Fluttershy died as Lightning Dust's face caved in and a spray of blood painted the wall behind. She dropped instantly, Rainbow Dash halfway through tracking the bullet back to its source before another bullet struck her into the hip and dropped her sprawling to the ground, "FUCK!"

She set her weapons on free aiming as the first figure appeared from behind a pile of rubble, only to swiftly cancel the attack as more of them emerged with weapons armed. And worse... they were all wearing Equestrian uniforms, with two of them clad in power armor.

"Rainbow Dash." A cool, confident voice stated, the owner soon revealing themselves as a white furred pegasi stallion of early middle age, wearing combat armor with attached general's pips, "I told you it would come to this."

"You... motherfucker..." Rainbow Dash spat through gritted teeth, her voice rising to a roar as she lifted herself to her hooves, "North Star, she was trying...!"

"I know quite well was she was trying to do." North Star stated with a smug little grin, removing his helmet and brushing his perfect, silky hair back with a flourish, "She was aiding you in treason."

"She was trying to help us win this war!"

"Winning the war is inevitable, we both know that commander." He commented with perfect poise, "You also undoubtedly know what Twilight Sparkle is cooking up in her labs, as well as the weapons we are already making ready for the front lines. By the end of the year their cities will be ours, and Celestia will sit on the Dragon Throne."

Rainbow Dash screamed her words, loaded with grief and rage, "A year?! We could have ended the war now!"

"In peaceful capitulation. That would have them pay for their crimes with petty ransom and meaningless treaties no more binding than the ones they have already broken." North Star stated, eyes narrowing in anger, "And in a few years time when they've had time to prepare, war will bloom again between us."

"So this is your answer?!"

He grinned at her, seemingly making his expression as infuriating as possible, "Killing the Prince's whore, and arresting the treasonous wench who aided Fluttershy in her espionage? Yes, I believe that is my answer."

Rainbow Dash tensed her body, blood thumping in her head... and then she paused. She took a deep breath and settled back, striking some buttons on her pipbuck and returning it to her side, "You cunning little shit."

North Star frowned deeply, "I will just shoot you colonel."

"You don't want to just shoot me." Rainbow Dash spat, "You want me to attack you. Kill me in self defense."

He sighed in frustration, waving a hoof at her, "Maybe it would have helped. Still we already have enough audio to prove your association with Lightning Dust and Fluttershy, and we've collected plenty of witnesses to your craven hearted opinions." He paused to gaze icily at her, "We hardly need a corpse to complete your fall from grace."

"Huh." She stated with a grunt, tensing her hoof and activating some further mechanisms in her suit. That done she unclipped her rifle, shrugging it off, "You really think I'm capable of fighting you? If you've really been following me you should know that I'm a cripple, so if you're going to kill me I'm afraid it won't be after any sort of epic battle."

North Star grimaced in frustration, "Hmph..."

She fully pulled her rifle away, holding it in her hoof together with a grenade she palmed and flinging her hoof out... sending the grenade bouncing across the street while holding onto the rifle by the strap, pulling it back into her hoof as her visor went opaque. The grenade went off with a flash and a plume of smoke, her visor switching to infrared as she rolled to the side, sighted up and blew a hole through the eyehole of one of the power armored ponies. Another twitch shot did the same the soldier beside him, two bullets from returning fire cutting into Dash's armor before she dropped her rifle and opened her wings to fling herself towards them. Her hoof came up, pistol deploying and placing a hail of shots through the second and third soldier, then she pulled a knife from a shoulder harness and went for the second pony in power armor as he fired upon her.

She took another shot in the torso but barely even felt it as she slammed her hoof into the pony’s neck, twisted it to open up a gap in the armor and slashed her knife across his jugular.

Fluttershy took a moment away from all the horrifying violence to contemplate how Rainbow Dash felt no pain from any of the gunshot rounds she had been taking. She was still thinking this as a bullet struck the hoof with the pistol emplacement, shattering the mechanism and penetrating all the way to the bone. Again all she felt was a faint tingle, her head's up display indicating healing potion was being deployed as she swept her eyes towards North Star. The general paled in fear as he backed into the ruins with his heavy pistol blazing.

Rainbow Dash's wings swept back, her surroundings blurring as she flew in a fierce arc to slam into North Star with a single sweeping hoof that sent him bouncing across the cobbles. He gasped and tried to draw a knife but Rainbow Dash was too fast, leaping over and breaking his hoof with a hard thrust. He tried to wiggle free but she just slammed her hoof in his face until he stopped struggling, her bionic lungs sucking in air with harsh wheezes. She then drew North Star up, looking past the blood and into his scared, trembling eyes, "You've just made the worst mistake of your life."

"I... you won't get away with this..." He gasped, clearly terrified.

She snorted, throwing him down with a hard thrust of her hooves, "That's your mistake. You assumed I would care."

"Wait...!"

She slammed her hoof down, again, and again, and again. Fluttershy begged for the experience to end, Rainbow Dash seeming calm and relaxed as she relentlessly beat the general to death. Even as he slumped back into unconsciousness she continued, her intentions clear...

"Urgent assistance requested, the general is down, repeat the general is down!"

Rainbow Dash turned her head away from the general and looked to the side, focusing on the injured pony desperately yelling into his radio. He noticed her attentions and his body trembled, jaw going slack. Rainbow Dash didn't make any attempt to move, just silently staring at him...

...before she flapped her wings and flung herself into the sky, the air whistling past her ears as she soared for the sun.

Fluttershy fell back as the vision ended, gasping and sobbing as she fought to drive those horrible visions from her head. How could Rainbow Dash have thought such moments worth recording? Why did she... she... Fluttershy just didn't know how to process this.

"Did you know?"

Fluttershy turned to Ace Gold, shaking her head.

Ace pursed his lips, turning his eyes away from her. His voice was cold and tense, "I guess she got away with it then."

"I don't know how." Fluttershy admitted, the very concept impossible to fit logically into her knowledge of events, "That general... he survived."

Ace Gold looked back at her, clearly surprised, "Rainbow Dash caved in his face!"

"That was General North Star." Fluttershy stated softly, her mind drawing back to the portrait she had seen of him back in Star Fall. His scars had been horrific, and now she knew why, "He founded Star Fall. He was the commander of the Equestrian forces in the zebra territories."

Ace Gold looked as confused as she did, "How did she get away with killing Equestrian soldiers? I mean..."

"I don't know..." Fluttershy cut him off, already knowing his questions, and that she had answers to none of them, "...I don't think I ever really knew anything about her..."

They continued on after some final preparations, Fluttershy admitting that she didn't really pay much attention to any of them. She was locked in those moments, being inside Rainbow Dash as she had killed... ponies. Equestrian ponies. Members of their own armed forces.

And worse... if she allowed her mind to wandering into darker places she could imagine it. With her wind walking it would be simple to dart forward, drive a knife into a pony’s neck, pull it across...

She could imagine pulling up her shotgun in just the way Rainbow Dash had, quick precise movements as she gunned down her enemies...

Fluttershy placed a hoof to her chest, feeling once again the grim scar inside her soul. She had seen Steel Marrow die in Chigaru's pink gas, her emotions crying out in pain... and she had felt the demon's eyes on her. They had returned her to that time she had tried to forget, those centuries of watching the wasteland burn from her prison within the Everfree. And it had been worse, because Chigaru hadn't just let her watch. Instead she had felt was it was to be there, a hundred years of atrocity and death.

She wondered if that had been what it was like for Rainbow Dash. She had smiled, she had posed for photographs, she had looked after her children. But Fluttershy could do that too, hide the injury inside herself. The injury that enabled her to kill a pony and not feel a thing. Like something had been... cut.

Rainbow Dash had felt no pain, no sadness. Indeed the only emotion Fluttershy had felt back there was... rage.

She would like to say that she didn't understand how her friend could have become like that. But she did understand. She understood all too well.

"Fluttershy, do you want to ride on my back?"

She looked up, Puppy lumbering along beside her. She looked ahead, seeing that the others had moved quite some distance ahead, Easu eying her with worry, "Sorry, I've... I was daydreaming."

"Ace said you might need a little time." Puppy responded with kindness, "But you know, there's plenty of room up here. I should be able to carry everyone really."

"No, that's..." Fluttershy started before thinking better of it, "...thank you Puppysmiles, that would be lovely."

Puppy knelt to give her purchase but Fluttershy just activated her wind walking, stepping out onto the metallic curve of Puppy's back with just a single stride. Not for the first time she observed how much easier it was if she didn't overthink it. Puppy seemed to agree, "You're getting really good at that."

"I don't know." She started, feeling... unsatisfied, "I would willingly forget all about it for the chance to use my wings again."

"I just love being solid, being able to interact with the world." Puppy responded, starting towards the others with gentle steps of her massive legs, "But I admit, this body does feel rather limiting, despite its power."

Fluttershy understood that, she really did, "Can you... feel anything?"

"Not... really. I mean I'm used to it." She responded, "Sensors and electronics were my life for a long time. But I can remember what it was like to be a pony now too."

Fluttershy nodded. Sometimes she felt like she had long become something else, "What do you miss about that time?"

"What do I miss? Um... everything really." Puppy responded, pausing a moment to organize her thoughts before answering, "I mean... back then I was part of something else, hitchhiking on another pony. I've never really experienced anything as... myself. As...me."

Fluttershy chuckled, they really did seem to have a lot in common, "I tried gardening and looking after animals after I was freed from being a tree. It felt... different."

"I guess all creatures change." Puppy agreed, sighing softly, "I want to... eat ice cream, and fly on my own wings, and jump into freezing water, have sex, graze my knee, hug a doggy, eat a stale cake... everything."

Fluttershy grinned, "Eat stale cake?"

"Puppysmiles and Princess Luna both ate stale cake." Puppy assured, sounding very enthusiastic, "It's a memory that stands out really strongly for both. That means it must be worth experiencing, right?"

Fluttershy almost advised her against it before having second thoughts. All creatures changed, and maybe it was the bad as much as the good that informed such change, "The world is... full of experiences Puppy." She sighed, "Sometimes it's worth hanging onto them all, even the painful ones."

Maybe she had changed. Maybe the Fluttershy of her youth would be terrified to see this scarred, ruthless old woman wearing her name and face.

But she couldn't run from the past. The only direction to go was forwards.

They finally reached Point Pleasant after another day of traveling, the town reminding Fluttershy of Appleloosa in both the good and bad ways. Like Appleloosa it was ridiculously crowded, with the combined sound, sight and smell of thousands of tightly packed ponies. Wagons lay everywhere, many of the permanent structures appearing to have been built out the remains of wagons that had finally ended their long journeys. Hard eyed guards in traveling leathers marched along the perimeter, the merchants, farmers and travelers beyond also obviously armed and dressed for hard travel. Market stalls sold just about everything you could think of and many medical tents had been set up around the camp, weary looking doctors attending to the crowds of refugees.

Beyond was a huge fortified structure, what she presumed had once been Yeznia Fortress but now was a massive construction of parts hailing from the four corners of the world. It was technically an ugly thing as far as form went, but attained a grandeur through the sheer scale and diversity of the influences on display. The two howitzers mounted on the structure demonstrated their willingness to defend themselves, along with numerous other mounted defenses.

They started down the path towards the central structure, a path quickly clearing at the sight of Ibis. She seemed to enjoy the attention, marching down the path with her muzzle held high and a smug look stretched across her face.

Fluttershy noticed a few glances in her direction too, a whisper going up through the crowd.

They finally entered the central structure, the guards moving aside with respectful nods and letting them into what looked like a bank. Booths had been set up all around, along with bollards to direct the queues, signs scattered around directing visitors towards 'Trade Disputes', 'Trade Route Disruptions', 'Visa applications' and many more of the same theme. Now it was almost entirely empty, apart from groups of guards standing around... and one very familiar looking face.

"Niyada!" Ace Gold called out in an exited voice as he recognized the camel standing before them, rushing forward for a moment before trying to slow himself into a slightly more dignified trot, "I mean... it's just... good to see you...."

"Likewise Ace Gold." Niyada responded with a giggle, looking up and nodding to the rest of them, especially Dust Kicker and Fluttershy, "I knew you would come eventually."

"You know Miss Niyada?" Decimus questioned, turning across to them.

"We met her when we were with Princess Luna." Fluttershy responded, moving forward to give her a warm hug before stepping away and fixing her with a more serious expression, "Is everypony ok?"

Niyada didn't look very thrilled at this question, still she managed a small smile, "We've taken casualties, it wouldn't be right to ignore the loss of so many young lives."

"Radhi?" Ace asked, his concern instantly showing.

Niyada smiled at this, nodding back at him, "Radhi was fine last I saw him. He's been organizing logistics out in the field, got a small army following him now."

"So what are you doing here Niyada?" Dust asked, stepping forward and giving her a respectful look, "We've been told the Dusklight kids were harassing Starhammer's forces out there, helping refugees escape."

"We have." Niyada admitted with pride, her smile now growing wide and genuine, "The inhabitants of the Mutum are all good zebra, but they don't know how to survive, hide and fight like us. They offered us a place to settle, the least we can do is help them out in their time of need."

Dust grinned, "Heh, proud of you guys. Haven't lost your will to fight for what's right."

Niyada nodded, "We're all dedicated to continuing Princess Luna's example, doing the best we can to defend the innocent. I'm here as an emissary to Great Mother Nanati, doing my best to get the others the support they need."

"That's who we're here to see actually." Ibis admitted, "Is she here?"

"Yes, I was told you were coming." Niyada gave an elegant bow, then motioned to the far door, "Please follow me, I'll take you to her now."

The great hall was as ramshackle at the rest of the place, but even then Fluttershy quickly realized that first impressions were deceiving. For instance she quickly noted the skeleton suspended from above, its great neck and mighty wings stretching the entire length of the hall.

Fluttershy flushed pale and had to admit feeling a little faint for a moment as she realized it was a dragon. A small one but... a dragon none the less.

It reminded her of Spike and so she looked away, noting a perfect replica of Starhammer’s sword on a nearby plinth. And on one a little further along... were those a set of justice scales from the Centaur wastes? And beyond... an actual black book?

And at the far end, observing them with wry amusement, a mare that didn’t seem the slightest bit out of place in this environment. A zebra clearly older than even Fluttershy, all the same she still boasted a set of clear, shining emerald colored eyes behind a face full of laugh lines. Robes of shining silk in the Saddle Arabian style hung off her bony shoulders, her face full of wry amusement as she came down to meet them, “Well well, a set of legendary heroes at my door. It is an honor, truly.”

She had a voice that demanded your attention, even though she didn't raise it at all. Fluttershy took a moment to reply, feeling out of her depth, “Um... likewise. Lady Nanati yes?”

“Call me mother, every other creature in this place does.” She stated with a smirk, moving down the hall and turning her head from side to side as she studied Fluttershy intently. Fluttershy blushed at the attention and Nanati eventually stopped before them with a satisfied nod, “Apologies, my eyes have gone to shit these days. But you’re Fluttershy alright, ‘anit no lie.”

“How can you be so sure? I doubt you've ever met her before.” Ace asked, sounding skeptical.

“I’m a merchant queen kid.” She smirked, “I gained a good eye for a fake a long time ago.”

Fluttershy noted the necklace around her neck, a mark of distinguished service to the Saddle Arabian royal family. Her earrings were clearly real diamond, Fluttershy having been taught by Rarity how to see a fake. And her clothes weren't pre-war, they had been sewed recently, using the techniques only possessed by the finest of tailors, "We were told you were a very important zebra around here."

"Pah, I'm the only one with common sense." She stated with a raspy laugh, "Rarer than frogs teeth."

"And I hear you the mare to talk to about Starhammer." Dust stated, getting straight to the point.

“Heh!” She laughed again, “Speaking of fakes.”

“Yeah, he outright admitted it to us.” Dust admitted, “Still his fighting skills are real enough, and he seems pretty in control for a figurehead.”

“Doesn’t he?” Nanati confirmed, firming her jaw into a harsh sneer, “Don’t make a lick of sense, but can’t ignore what’s in front of me.”

Dust nodded in response, "I've seen his skills with my own eyes."

"Yeah, his skills are no lie, even if everything else is bullshit." Nanati admitted, her cunning little eyes shining bright, "Though ironically enough, that's what makes the least sense."

“Why doesn't his combat skill make sense?” Fluttershy asked, sensing some understanding in the old mare’s tone, “You sound like you know something about him.”

Nanati turned, looking across the artifacts around the room. She looked complative, finally speaking after a long moment of thought, “I know a lot about him, these last few months I’ve had an army of my children collecting everything there is to know about the bastard. Can’t say I ever trusted him an inch, and it seems I was right. Small comfort.”

“So what is there to know?” Ace asked, sounding impatient, "Why is that guy so fucking strong?"

“Well that’s the thing.” She turned, waving them on as they headed back down the room towards the plush sofa that seemed to serve as a throne, “His real name is Tarishi. And he’s a nobody. About as memorable as dirt, just another one of a thousand mid level mercenaries. Grew up on a farm, was pretty good with a knife and average with a pistol, protected caravans and did some scavenging raids. The most interesting thing I could find about him was he was really good at telling a story, loved the ‘Epic War’, ‘War of the Seven Kings’, ‘March of the Windward Planes’... basically anything featuring some muscle bound hero, a big monster and very little subtlety. Used to tell them to his companions on the long road, apparently was a pretty good storyteller.”

“Which is basically what he’s playing now.” Dust Kicker pointed out, “But that doesn't explain why he's suddenly Zephyr Stormstrung.”

Nanati smirked, moving past the throne and pushing open the door to the study beyond. Large piles of paper stood on creaking desks, bookcases deforming under the weight of hundreds of binders literally bursting at the seams. A window stood at the far end, looking out over the courtyard, a large map of the mutum valley in the centre. She continued speaking as she moved over to it, “That’s the big honking question now isn’t it? How did ‘No name mercenary guy’ turn into the grim fucking reaper?” She turned her head back, looking Fluttershy straight in the eye, “To be honest, I don’t know. But I’ll tell you when it happened.”

Fluttershy leant forward in expectation, “Go on?”

“He was hired, one of a dozen guards on an expedition to King Rashid’s territory." She started, "Rashid had just taken over from his late father a few years back you see, and was proving himself to be a little shit with an entitlement complex a mile wide. King Zaneious was looking for a solution, so he gathered together a group of experts on the area and sent them out as a diplomatic mission. One of those experts was a zebra named Kunani.”

Easu nodded firmly at the name, "Starhammer's girlfriend."

"The one who unleashed blood magic back at the duel between Starhammer and Luna." Dust added, eyes grim and humorless.

Nanati returned Dust's expression before continuing, “She’s a hell of a lot more interesting than him, though similarly undistinguished. She grew up at Garm, pretty famous in her time, smartest student in her class. Idealistic, determined... a lot of highly effusive comments which I’m sure were nothing to do with her being a deaf mute.” She smirked for a moment before clacking her hooves together, “Then like that... all gone. She killed a new student during some ritual gone wrong, and the Elders threw her out on her ass.”

Fluttershy frowned at this, that sounding like a major overreaction “For a mistake?”

“Well that’s the interesting thing isn’t it?” She commented with a sly smile, “Not the normal reaction, any magical study is going to produce the odd casualty. Students have indeed gotten away with more... but that’s all that the official documentation says.”

“Someone was trying to cover up her actions, either because they were embarrassing to her or others.” Dust concluded, brow furrowing, “So what did she do after that?”

Nanati shrugged, “Would you believe it, straight A student became a doctor at a brothel in Clendel. Stayed there for four years. According to those who knew her, she was professional, distant, and spent a great deal of her free time in the library.” Nanati’s face fell a little, looking troubled for a moment, “Apparently struggled with depression, had a few relationships that ended badly.”

Ace grimaced, "Looks like she finally found her stallion."

"And isn't that a happy story." Nanati noted with grim humor, "They met on that expedition to King Rashid, and by all accounts instantly bonded over their love of history. Some other members of the expedition put in complaints, said that they were ignoring the mission in favor of... well, fucking each other's brains out."

"Ahem." Dust added with a smirk, Fluttershy unable to stop the blush spreading across her cheeks.

“Doubt it would have made a blind bit of difference regardless, as expected Rashid ignores the expedition, sends his armies to harass them, kinda what you expect.” Nanati paused for a moment before clicking her hooves together sharply, “Then one day Tarashi and Kunani are among one of the groups being harassed... and Tarashi proceeds to kill ten of Rashid's soldiers with nothing but a combat knife."

"So that's the point where he suddenly becomes so powerful." Dust stated, brow furrowed in thought, "Which suggests it's something to do with Kunani."

"Sure, but what?" Nanati replied, sounding frustrated, "That would be the simple explanation, but power like that is beyond any simple shamanic magic, and even that would require a massive magic fetish feeding it."

"What about his sword?" Fluttershy added.

Easu shook his head, adding his own opinion, "Wouldn't work. He's not in direct contact with it while he's fighting, plus fetishes are very fragile. Changing the shape, even slightly, would break the enchantment. Impractical for an object designed to hit zebra with."

"Hmm... boy... Easu is it?" Nanati questioned, turning to look at him with a deeply bitter expression, "I have an admission to make."

Easu paused for a moment before giving a slight nod, "Go on."

"I asked Tradash to see if he could discover the source of this magic Starhammer is using." She admitted, her expression truly gloomy, "I suspect he succeeded."

"And Starhammer killed him for it." Easu finished.

"Yes." She turned away, "I am truly sorry. He was a damn good zebra."

Easu's expression barely flickered, "Yes, he was."

Fluttershy followed Easu out onto the balcony, the wind ruffling her hair as the vast expanse of the Saddle Arabian desert stretched out before them. Pleasant grassland faded into scrub, rock, then blasted sand, a land in which nothing could grow.

Easu looked upon it with lost, broken eyes. Eventually his hoof drifted to his head coverings, pulling them away with a swift tug and hurling them into the wind.

Fluttershy approached, faced once again with those bitter scars... and the youth of the face behind them, "Easu, do you want to talk?"

"I do not know which path I should take." He spoke in response, his voice choked, "Both risk losing something I care about, both would destroy everything I am. How does one face such a choice?"

Fluttershy knew how that felt. She had faced such choices many times, but they never got any easier. Still she knew one thing, "Change is inevitable. Sometimes we have to destroy what we are to move forward, do what we believe is right."

"Have you destroyed yourself before Lady Fluttershy?"

She nodded, giving him a smile, "I was shy, reclusive. I only wanted the company of my animal friends, and I never desired attention. I never wanted power. My only ambition was to become closer to the natural world that I loved." She took a deep breath, surprised at the simplicity of such times, "But I became a leader, I stood in front of thousands and declared my ambitions. I moved to the city, I lived in a mansion. I abandoned the natural world, abandoned everything I was..."

"...because it was the right thing to do." Easu finished.

"It was the only option I could live with." Fluttershy answered, still feeling that way even after everything that had happened, "I had to help those injured ponies. I had to stop the war. I couldn't just turn away from that."

Easu sighed deeply, then drew his pistols from their holsters. He stared down at them, eyes narrowing, mouth curling into a hateful grimace, "All my life, I have lived with brutality in my heart. I have tried to escape it, tried to fight for the right reasons... but I cannot, and every drop of blood feeds this evil inside of me."

Fluttershy shook her head, stepping forward, "No Easu. You can't blame yourself..."

"Tradash always said that. He told me what I must do, but I always refused him. I thought I knew better." Easu tensed, tears filling his eyes, "I thought I had more time."

"Easu..." Fluttershy started, moving beside and looking up at his youthful, damaged face, "Tradash's teachings are still a part of you. You have all the time you need, he gave that to you."

"Then it's about time I started listening to them." He responded, clicking the two pistols together with his hooves and sending their magazines tumbling to the ground, "I will feed this evil in my heart NO LONGER!"

He hurled his pistols aside, then reached to his side and pulled his combat knife free from its scabbard. That too he hurled to the ground, backing away and trying desperately to calm his breathing. Then he reached down and pulled the bandages free from his hoof with a swift tug of his head, scrabbling at the unraveling strands and sending them drifting to the floor. A shrug and a brief moment of fiddling later and the catches on his armor opened, sending his combat armor thudding to the ground.

He stepped away from his piled equipment, his scared, damaged body now totally exposed. His shivered and slumped his form, oddly small and vulnerable looking despite his still considerable bulk. More than anything he looked... like an adolescent, lost and alone. He let the tears fall from his eyes for a moment before wiping them away and locking firm eyes upon Fluttershy, "I cannot deal in this violence any longer. It is a sickness in my soul, and feeding it has only made it stronger."

Fluttershy had to admit, this was unexpected, "Pacifism? Not that it's not an... honorable choice..."

"You saw it yourself." Easu stated darkly, "Violence broke Star Swirl. She left us because her vengeance sparked something dark and ugly inside her heart. And I fear it is doing the same to you."

Fluutershy wasn't expecting this, silent in shock for a moment, "What?"

"You are becoming colder, sharper, more of a creature of the wasteland with every day."

She opened her mouth to object before she realized just how valid his words were. She had killed ponies. She had killed ponies... and she hadn't even particularly cared, "I thought it was necessary..."

"Maybe it is." Easu commented, his mouth curled into a deep frown, "But that doesn't make it right. You, Midnight Dreamer, Star Swirl, Starhammer... you've been poisoned, led to believe that brutality is the only way to impose your will upon this world. That is what destroyed Midnight Dreamer, and that's what will destroy this world if you let it."

Fluttershy dropped her head, "I... can't argue..."

"Your only solution to North Loading was to force those poor zebra to fight." He stated bitterly, "And all that accomplished was getting them killed."

She looked at him in shock, Easu keeping that gaze upon her for several moments more before turning away with a dark look in his eyes, "And I will have no further part in it."

Fluttershy stood in the gardens, looking up at the night sky. Easu's comments hadn't cut as deep as she would have expected, but that might have been because she already knew. She wasn't the mare she was, she wasn't even like the mare she was three months back. And that mare had already been far removed from the mare of her youth.

It had happened to them all. Only Rarity and Applejack had remained unchanged, by what power Fluttershy couldn't understand. Maybe they had always understood themselves best, or maybe they were just best suited to adapt to their changing circumstances. Even Princesses Luna and Celestia had changed. Celestia had got so soft spoken, quiet, reclusive, and Luna... there had been a hardness to her soul that had scared Fluttershy at times. She could easily believe Luna would have ordered her death, and knew that it wouldn't have been personal.

Now she had some distance, she could understand that maybe Rainbow Dash hadn't changed as much as had been immediately apparent. And that given her attempts to protect her from the consequences of dealing with the zebra, her co-operation with Pinkie Pie in her attempts to contact Littlepip, her continued contact with each of them, along with both Princesses... maybe at the end she had been able to stand with Rarity and Applejack as the only ones who never betrayed their element. And maybe North Star had suffered for the mistake of hurting the ones Rainbow Dash had cared about.

It made her smile a little. Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty, had betrayed Equestria, betrayed the Enclave, lied to every single one of them... because that was the only way she could remain true to her ideals.

Fluttershy knew she didn't have an ounce of that integrity, but she could only keep trying. And maybe she could still fix this, "Puppysmiles?"

Puppy had been standing at the far end of the garden, looking over the wall towards the fires burning in the darkness. She turned one of her cameras to Fluttershy, rather laboriously turning herself to face. Her voice was as cheerful as ever, "Good evening Fluttershy. It is a nice night to be enjoying the gardens."

"It is." She replied with a smile, before moving to her reason for being here, "Puppysmiles, I have a favor to ask."

Puppy's body bobbed in response, "What is it?"

Fluttershy hesitated a moment, feeling... a little chill at even asking the question, "Star Swirl will be asleep around now won't she?"

Puppy's voice lowered, "Her sleeping pattern is getting rather irregular actually."

"So you have visited her dreams!"

"It's not quite that simple." Puppysmiles responded, sounding fraught, "I can only attempt entry to a normal pony's dreams if they invite me to enter, even if only subconsciously. And she isn't a normal pony."

Fluttershy nodded, supposing that was an unfortunate difficulty, "She can dream walk as well."

"I'm keeping an eye on her sleep patterns... because she's been entering our dreams Fluttershy." Puppy finally admitted, her voice warning, "I've had to chase her off several times."

That didn't sound good, "Has she tried to hurt us?"

"No... more gathering information I think." Puppy admitted, though she still didn't sound happy, "But she's dangerous. She's... losing it."

Fluttershy really didn't want to hear that, "Nightmare Moon losing it?"

"Worse. Or... better, maybe?" Puppy sighed in frustration, "She wants to save the world. And she's sounding a little... Red Eye about it."

Fluttershy let out a breath of relief, small mercies, "Then we can still help her Puppy."

“I hope so.” Puppy hesitantly stated, “And you want me to do it?”

Fluttershy admitted that wasn’t entirely fair, landing all that responsibility on Puppy. Still, it was true, “Do you know where she is?”

“Impossible to say.” Puppy admitted, “She can fly, and teleport. She hasn’t stayed in any once place for more than a day, though she’s making her way towards the coast.”

Fluttershy sighed, “Then you’re the only one who can catch up with her.”

Puppy sounded pleased, her voice rising in enthusiasm, “To be honest it kinda ties into another idea I’ve had. And I’m glad to have your blessing Fluttershy!”

“Just be careful Puppysmiles.” Fluttershy warned, though she found the mare’s enthusiasm infectious, “You said it yourself, she’s dangerous.”

“Don’t you worry about me.” Puppy cheerfully replied, “You go and get some sleep. By this time tomorrow Star Swirl will be on her way back, her booty slapped like a naughty child!”

Fluttershy doubted it was that simple, but sometimes it was nice to dream.

____________________________________________

Fluttershy

Perk Gained – Loyalty’s Wrath
Whenever an ally falls in battle, you gain a increase of 10% to your critical rating for ten minutes.

Easu

Trait gained: Tired of Blood
Unlike many others in the wasteland, it hasn’t got easier. You have an extra 10% chance to miss with any attack, 40% if the attack is lethal in nature.

Chapter 4.6 - Shadows of Harmony

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Lotus tensed up, focused her mind, and slammed a princess into the floor. She shifted her position, pinning the mare's shoulder to prevent further moment and placing a hoof lightly against her throat, a perfect takedown.

It felt good, which disquieted Lotus somewhat.

"Wow... heh, I think I lost." Princess Minty stated with a sheepish grin as she lay pinned under Lotus's hooves, "You didn't even put any force into it."

"I couldn't compete with you physically." Lotus reminded as she drew away to the other side of the training room mat, "You're an alicorn, you're naturally a lot stronger than I am."

"The path of least resistance." Magic Star stated with approval from the sidelines, nodding to herself, "As true in magic as in the more physical arts."

Lotus took the praise, having been told that Magic Star was considered among the most powerful of the Princesses, a peer to Star Swirl the Bearded himself, combined with all the advantages of being an alicorn. Magic Star had yet to join the sparring session herself, though she had watched with interest. Lotus turned to her, eager for an expert's opinion, "To me they are the same thing. Magic guides and strengthens me, makes me lighter, heavier, gives me what I need to win."

Magic Star smiled, "I wish I had been taught that. To my shame, I focused far too much on my unicorn heritage. A common mistake for alicorns in general."

"Well... you could still learn." Lotus offered, "I could teach you!"

Magic Star gave a sad shake of her head, "Sadly, I fear your efforts would be wasted. Our connection to harmony gives us a sense of self, but we are still not capable of truly learning or changing beyond what we were at our deaths."

Lotus struggled to comprehend such an existence, "Doesn't that... bother you?"

"No. Maybe that too is a part of our current form. We are after all, little more than shades sustained by the memories of the living, and the souls of those beyond." Magic Star chuckled, giving a playful smile, "And to be honest, to be connected to harmony imparts one with a certain inherent fatalism."

Lotus had always struggled with that herself, always felt the crushing weight of inevitability. It was both a burden and strength depending on how you looked at it really, "Is everything fated? Do we really have no choice in the matter?"

Magic Star opened up in an enthusiastic smile, "An interesting question..."

"No, it's not!" Wysteria protested, pouting as all eyes turned to her. She fixed Magic Star with a glare, her voice rising in frustration, "You always take hours to explain what can be surmised in a sentence. It's soooo annoying!"

Magic Star blushed a little, "Hehe... then please do Wysteria."

Wysteria simply pouted harder for a moment before answering, "No, but yes, if you look into the future you are trapped in it, Princesses solidify reality at the cost of free will, use those powers sparingly."

Magic Star paused for a moment before nodding, "A fair summary of the key points."

Lotus smirked at Wysteria's proud expression before turning back to Magic Star, "So Princesses... create fate?"

"And guide it. Quite a responsibility." Magic Star confirmed, "Order naturally crystallizes around a Princess, even without conscious effort. With study and will, a Princess can also guide events towards a specific end, though this brings with it risk of... stagnating the world around them."

"So a little chaos is a good thing?"

Magic Star chuckled, looking towards Minty's cheerful grin, "Undirected, all things naturally drift towards chaos, and chaos is a dangerous, terrifying thing. But protecting others from chaos, shielding them from terror and danger... at what point does this become tyranny?"

Lotus took this in, "So too much harmony..."

"No." Magic Star shook her head, "A common misconception... that maybe we ourselves have spread. What Princesses channel is order. Harmony is what we strive for." She chuckled to herself, cheerfully explaining, "All the Princesses believe that harmony requires a heavy dose of order to function, Celestia herself was dedicated to the provision of law and civilization in order to provide happiness to all her subjects. But each individual Princess may respectfully disagree on the exact levels of chaos and order required."

Lotus might have been a mere assassin, but she had to admit metaphysics had always fascinated her, "So without the Princesses, the world will slide into chaos? That explains a lot..."

Magic Star chuckled, "No, don't overstate our role. The normal ponies of the wasteland keep back the chaos, through their good hearts and kindness. We just... encourage that."

"You know everything Magic Star." Wysteria stated with a somewhat tired sigh.

"Yeah." Minty cheerfully continued, "I can see why they thought you were the one to take the elements and restore them to their original state."

"You must have been a great Princess." Lotus agreed.

Magic Star's face immediately fell, the sparkle in her eyes fading a little, "Actually... I was considered a failure as a Princess."

Lotus lent forward. Magic Star had done nothing but impress her since the first moment they met, "That can't be true! You went head to head with Twilight Sparkle, and you know so much about harmony."

"Celestia and Star Swirl the Bearded stated that I was more powerful than them, the most powerful pony who ever lived. And my scientific knowledge? Unmatched." She shrugged her shoulders, giving a soft, embarrassed smile, "And yet I inspired no pony to greatness, produced no change in Equestria. When I tried to apply my knowledge, do good with it... no one listened, no one understood. I didn't understand the world outside my books, and so I left no legacy worth remembering."

"But you've been so helpful here!" Wysteria protested, "You and Silver Swirl..."

"We've done our best." She acknowledged, before bowing her head, "But never allow power or knowledge to be the soul measures of worth. If one does not understand the least of those they seek to help, then all the power in the world cannot make up the gap."

Lotus considered these words, the statement driving deep for some reason. Had she considered strength all that mattered? She was certainly strong, very strong, but all the same... she felt like something was missing. That something had always been missing, "I'll remember that. Thank you."

Magic Star smiled, "It is no..."

Then there was an enormous crash and the sound of screams from behind, all turning to the door. It sound like... fighting.

Lotus was first to react, leaping past the others and charging down the corridor towards the main hall.

She burst through to pandemonium, one of the windows broken through and a group of three alicorns hovering above. There were enemies on the ground too, Steel Rangers spraying the area with bullets and sending ponies diving behind upended tables and damaged statues. One of them fired upon a group of foals cowering nearby and Cadance leapt in front, two bullets marking her coat with crimson before her shields solidified before her.

Lotus focused herself for battle and charged into the middle of the Steel Rangers, hooves flashing out. Two went down before they even knew what hit them, Lotus just bracing herself against a rifle bullet before taking said rifle in her teeth and using it to slam it's owner aside with a fierce swing. She sensed magic from above and rolled away, a horn blast shattering the tiles at her hooves.

The alicorn above had just started charging her horn for another attack when Princess Silver Swirl dropped down from the rafters above. She unleashed her horn blast with a scream of pure wrath, using both hooves to slam the injured alicorn into the ground with enough force to crack the marble, "GET OUT OF OUR HALL!"

A cry went up and battle was joined, the remaining Steel Rangers quickly subdued as the heroes of Equestria charged in. Lotus had just caught her breath when Silver Swirl touched down with a grim look on her face, totally unconcerned with her injuries as she observed the fallen alicorn around her, "The enchantments around this place are losing their effectiveness."

Princess Diamond Prism moved through the broken hall, using her magic to heal those injured. She quickly made it to their side, inspecting the window above, "It seems so."

"The children and non-combatants are to be kept to their rooms." Silver Swirl ordered, her head moving up imperiously, "From this point on, we are at war."

Lotus admired Silver Swirl as she paced the great hall, eyes wary and unyielding. She had taken watch for the entire night, informing all that protested that a Princess was able to stay awake for days at a time. It worried her, but was impressive all the same.

Star Swirl the Bearded and Magic Star had tested the barriers keeping them hidden, and the result was even more disturbing than expected. The barriers were... fine. No changes. That meant there was something they were missing.

"Are you just going to stand there watching the entire night?"

Lotus turned to Ghost Girl, her burnt, melted skin and ragged straight jacket looking for once appropriate given the battle damage around. Lotus peered at her big, cheerful smile, for some reason comforted by the mare's cheer, "I don't want to leave her here alone."

"She's a big girl." The ghost girl stated, giving a goofy grin as she looked the Princess over, "Very big."

"More of a target."

The ghost girl looked at Silver Swirl for another few moments, her cheer slowly fading, "She's afraid you know?"

Lotus looked across at the alicorn, staring at the broken windows with eyes fiercely narrowed. She didn't looked scared, but even if she did... "She has a right to be."

"She's the biggest and strongest of all. She's their leader, their elder sister." The ghost girl looked to Lotus, "That means that every time somepony gets hurt, it's all her fault."

Lotus knew how that felt, "You seem to know a lot about her."

"I've never met her before actually. But I had a very good friend like that once."

"Who was that?"

The ghost girl gave a strained chuckle, "I don't remember their name." She lowered her gaze, her ever present smile straining at the edges of her burnt flesh, "I can only remember getting them killed."

Lotus sighed, "I think that's something we all have in common."

Silver Swirl stopped suddenly, looking in Lotus' direction, "Who are you talking to?"

Lotus looked at the ghost girl, who gave a shrug. Lotus considered that for a moment before turning back to Silver Swirl and mirroring the expression, "I... myself. Sorry, thinking out loud."

Silver Swirl actually smiled at this, "That is ok. Would you like me to fetch you a blanket? You could at least doze, while remaining near enough to assist in the event of assault."

Lotus smiled back, shaking her head, "That's alright, I've slept on harder than this. I'm just... thinking about things."

Silver Swirl gave a kind nod and moved off, Lotus waiting until she was far enough away before looking to the ghost girl, "Why am I the only one who can see you?"

The ghost girl grinned, "I'm a ghost."

"We're all dead." Lotus retorted, then waved a hoof at her, "And why are you the only one who actually looks like a corpse?"

The ghost girl giggled, "That last one's easy. I've always looked like this."

"Wha..."

"Well, not always." The ghost girl looked down at her hoof, the dirty straps of the straightjacket still hanging from where they were partly fused with blistered flesh, "I barely remember my life before. It was... a lot of doctors, and hospitals."

"What happened to you?"

"Pink. Lots and lots of pink." She replied, then laughed, "And it set me free. Free to explore a world in which everyone was mad. It was... wonderful."

"The world has always been mad." Lotus stated firmly, and then immediately felt bad for being so cynical, "Doesn't that hurt?"

"No actually." She replied, giving a big grin, "I never felt better in fact. I was immortal, and stronger than any pony, and no longer felt tired or hungry. And... I traveled the world, looking for others who had been suffering, gave them the same gifts."

Lotus wasn't sure she liked the sound of that, but the ghost girl seemed happy at least, "It sounds like you were doing a lot of good."

"I... thought I was." The ghost girl stated sadly, "But not matter where I went, no matter how many friends I made... I could never find her."

"Who?"

"My sister." The ghost girl stated, her body shaking a little, "I couldn't even remember if she ever really existed, but I couldn't get her out of my head. She was the only family I could ever remember having, and... she was just gone. And that was something that I seemed to have in common with so many others, that we all felt we were missing something."

Lotus understood. With her memories such a jumble, the concept wasn't hard to imagine, "What did you do?"

"I made a society. A society made up of all those who were looking for things that didn't exist. I named them after my sister." The ghost girl frowned, her expression becoming troubled, "We wanted to bring happiness back to the world."

Lotus looked at her. She looked upset, "What was your sister's name?"

"I..." The ghost girl's expression contorted in distress, "I can't remember."

Lotus just stared into those sad, regretful eyes for a moment before moving to comfort the girl...

...before she was suddenly distracted by a surge of magic to the side. She turned defensively to the spot, seeing the world stretch slightly, open up to admit something. Lotus raised a hoof, preparing to face whatever came out.

And then a lean pink form stepped out from thin air, eyes wide in worry as she inspected the damage. A second later another form appeared, a tall, rather vague looking grey alicorn treading softly behind the first.

"Puppysmiles?" Silver Swirl questioned in surprise, a smile moving to her lips as she padded over to her and Selene, "I must apologize for the state of the place."

Puppysmiles looked around, clearly worried, "What happened?"

"We were attacked." Lotus stated simply.

"Then there's no time to waste." Puppysmiles responded, looking up at Silver Swirl, "I need to talk to the Princesses."

"So that is why we have to find Trixie!"

Lotus felt for the poor mare, Puppysmiles explaining with enthusiasm a plan that sounded improbable at best. The other Princesses clearly agreed, only the most polite still attempting to hide their doubts. Finally Silver Swirl handed down her decision, "No."

"But...!"

"I'm sorry, but it's my final decision." Silver Swirl declared ruefully, addressing the crowd of ponies about the table, "I just cannot trust my sisters to... wild plans."

Puppysmiles frowned, "This isn't a wild plan. It's a good one, one I spent a lot of time on."

"Yet your previous plan led to you almost getting killed, and Twilight Sparkle assaulting the hall of harmony." Silver Swirl responded, a little colder than was perhaps necessary, "To be blunt, your actions here have already shown themselves to be reckless and poorly planned. This seems little different."

Puppysmiles grimaced, and looked to lose her temper for a moment. She held it in however, her voice only shaking a little as she responded, "What better idea do you have?"

"A lack of alternatives is no cause for rash action." Silver Swirl firmly responded, "It means you must wait, and look out for any weaknesses your opponent presents in their haste."

"To be honest, I have issues with the plan too." Princess Galaxy started, her voice hesitant but full of concern, "Trixie has remained hidden from Twilight so far. To try and find her... we could well expose her location to our enemies."

Lotus thought those were good points, even though she sympathized with Puppysmiles' frustration. It did feel like the Princesses were just content to stay on the defensive, and she wasn't sure that was likely to lead to any sort of happy ending. She eventually decided to raise this point herself, "With respect, Twilight Sparkle's forces getting in here suggests her tactics and methods are adapting, that this place may no longer be safe."

"That is impossible." Silver Swirl instantly countered, "They are not attuned to harmony, they cannot..."

"In fairness Silver Swirl, even I have found myself baffled at the innovations of Twilight and Gestalt."Star Swirl the Bearded stated, "Beyond the fact that Twilight Sparkle was chosen of harmony once, her magical study is exceptional. Her and Gestalt have both beaten you one on one have they not? And you are the strongest of the Princesses."

Silver Swirl bristled, "It isn't a matter of strength, they... simply have access to technology and spells we do not understand."

"Exactly." Magic Star noted, nodding in agreement with Star Swirl, "All my learning has only convinced me of how little we truly understand. Twilight Sparkle is becoming increasingly difficult to predict, my only remaining hypothesis is that her sentience is developing. We cannot deny that simply because common knowledge holds that to be impossible."

"They said the same of Time Travel, or stable Interdimensional Portals." Star Swirl noted with a chuckle.

"So you'll help?" Puppysmiles asked with a broad, exited grin, "You'll give my plan a chance?"

Unfortunately for her, a wave of uncomfortable murmuring proceeded about the room, with little evidence of enthusiasm. Star Swirl the Bearded was the first to respond, voice cautious, "Finding Trixie has merit, but it is still a dangerous path to take. She is tied to Twilight Sparkle, yes, but that goes both ways."

"Reminding her of her ties to the Goddess would open her to Twilight's corruption." Galaxy noted with deep concern, anger marking the corners of her mouth, "...and expose her to a war she has nothing to do with."

"You could not bring her here." Silver Swirl stated firmly, "She would lead Twilight straight to us."

"And honestly, even if it would have worked earlier on, Trixie could never reclaim the title of Goddess now." Diamond Prism remarked with a sigh, "Twilight has become too powerful."

"But... ok, if that's not enough for you, it isn't just Trixie I want to find." Puppysmiles stated with weight behind her voice, "I have another trump card."

"Who?" Cadance asked, speaking up for the first time.

"A pony capable of carrying the element of magic. Of taking it from Twilight." Puppysmiles endured their stares for a moment before averting her eyes and shaking her head, "But I can't tell you who it is."

"Why not?" Silver Swirl questioned.

"Because a connection to the element of magic is a connection to Twilight Sparkle." Star Swirl the Bearded answered, his mouth widening into a somewhat knowing smile, "That is why poor Galaxy has been restricted to the temple, being tied to the element so strongly means she is vulnerable to Twilight's influence."

Magic Star nodded firmly, "And the elements, the element of magic most of all, must be earned, not given. If they were to take it back from Twilight, it must be by the strength of their connection with their friends, not by any perception of ownership."

Puppysmiles frowned, "Yes, but... unless you help me, I can't do anything. Please, if you'd just trust me..."

"Puppysmiles." Magic Star cut her off, smiling slightly, "Maybe we cannot help, but perhaps there is another at this table who could."

Star Swirl the bearded instantly gave a happy grin at this news, nodding firmly and looking across at Lotus, "That sounds like an excellent idea."

Lotus blinked in surprise, then tried desperately to process this request, "Me? I mean... sure, I don't mind, but... it feels a little sudden."

"You are perfect for this task." Magic Star assured her, "Indeed, from the sparring I have observed, you may be stronger than most of us here."

"To be perfectly honest, we would be a hindrance to you Puppysmiles." Diamond Prism continued, sharing a look with a still grumpy looking Silver Swirl, "Twilight and her minions know us. The only ones among us suited for a stealth mission are Wysteria and Minty, and both are more useful here."

Wysteria grinned, "Is that a nice way of saying we'd be totally useless in a fight?"

"It's a way of saying those aren't your primary skills." Diamond Prism responded with a smile, before looking over towards Puppysmiles, "You and Lotus should go together. We will give you a magic stone to communicate with us, tell us of what you find."

"Just the two of us?" Puppysmiles asked, "What about Selene?"

Diamond Prism gave a motherly smile, "Selene is still a child, I feel she is neither suited, nor appropriate, for this type of mission. And besides, she is really developing well under Cadance's guidance."

Cadance flushed a little at the attention before nodding, "She really seems to love being around children. It seems to really do her good."

"Two is a good number for stealth." Lotus offered, though truth be told she was a little nervous herself, "If we have to fight Twilight's forces, I don't think it would matter much if their were two or twenty of us."

"Fair enough." Puppysmiles conceded, deflating for a moment before shooting Lotus a cheerful smile, "Good to have you on board!"

And so they set out, moving through the grey, cold streets of Canterlot, the mists hiding the shadows of tall, spiked towers that loomed all around. It was not a comfortable experience, but Lotus figured at least that with all this grey and black she was at least well camouflaged.

Which was more than she could say for some, "You know, you kind of stand out a little."

Puppysmiles chuckled, her movements only becoming bouncier and more cheerful as she cantered down the road, "It doesn't work like that, it's all about perceptions, identity. I would attract more attention to myself by sneaking around."

Lotus frowned, it was all so confusing, "All these rules are so complicated."

"Look at this place." Puppysmiles observed, flinging a hoof round at the dreary looking buildings, "Twilight Sparkle is obsessed with pre-war equestria. I figure the best way to blend in is to try and act like you belong. Be a pre-war pony. Dancing, singing, skipping..."

Lotus grimaced, "Please don't sing."

"Why not?" Puppysmiles questioned with a sly, giggly smile, "I bet you have a wonderful singing voice."

"Zebra don't sing."

Puppysmiles pouted, "That can't be true."

Lotus honestly didn't know either way. Still, she was fairly sure they didn't sing in public, or front of strangers in general, "We have a job to do, remember?"

Puppy grinned, "And as I said, singing would help us accomplish it!"

"..."

"What is holding you back?" Puppysmiles eventually questioned after a moment of silence, her eyes searching Lotus's face, "You need to let loose, smile a little more. Life is too wonderful to go around with a frowny face all day."

"Not in my experience..." She muttered, before turning away from Puppysmiles' gaze and taking a moment to order her thoughts, "All my life, I've trained to be a killer. To protect the ones I care about. I made myself... stronger than any other zebra living, so that those I loved didn't have to suffer."

"And that means you can't smile?"

"In the time it takes to sing a song, someone else might have gotten hurt." She replied, before realizing how silly that sounded, "Look, I just don't know... I'm an assassin, I've trained all my life to kill people. I hate it, and I wish I didn't have to do it, but... this is who I am."

"Then change."

Lotus looked round at Puppysmiles, amazed at her nativity, "It's not that simple..."

"No, it's really complicated and hard, but it's far from impossible." Puppysmiles batted a hoof against her chest, "I'm a star demon, I'm nightmare moon, I was forged into a weapon of conquest by the Steel Rangers. Do you think I've just accepted any of those roles?"

Lotus turned her head away, shamed. Maybe she was just weak, "I don't even know how to be anything else."

"You think I knew how to be Puppysmiles?" Puppysmiles responded with a laugh, skipping down the street with an infectious chirp in her voice, "I'm just doing what I think is right, and learning from each mistake along the way."

Lotus smiled softly back at her, "Well I've plenty of those. Still, I'm not going to sing about it." She paused momentarily, having always been confused about that aspect of pony culture, "How do you even know the words? And where does the music come from?"

"Magic!"

"Uhuh."

"No, really." Puupysmiles replied, actually sounding sincere now, "The energies of harmony empowers our songs, and has ever since the founding of Equestria. It allows us to... speak from our hearts. Affirm our connections to each other through our combined melodies."

Lotus was pretty sure somepony was having her on, "Who told you that?"

"Star Swirl the Bearded and Princess Celestia." Puppysmiles answered, her voice firm and certain.

Lotus sighed, "Fine... but this is the first I've ever heard of it. It just sounds... unlikely. No ponies I ever met burst into choreographed musical interludes on a whim."

Puppysmiles gave her a sad nod, "Yeah... it doesn't happen anymore."

"Why not?"

"Whatever powered it must have broke when Equestria burned." Puppysmiles explained, her voice dejected, "I've tried to start a song, to show my feelings in verse. But the threads of harmony are disordered, broken. They have no... harmony anymore."

Lotus paused, allowing a wry, bitter smile to take her face, "The real world is even less harmonious than here?"

"You know, that's a good point?" Puppysmiles responded, "At first I thought it was because Twilight had corrupted the world of dreams, but that's obviously not the case. There's still music here."

"Maybe... somepony needs to fix the threads?" Lotus stated, already wondering if that made any sense at all.

"You know the grand irony there? I'm really good at fixing things." Puppysmiles commented, giving a somewhat frustrated smile, "And I also happen to be a demon who finds the touch of harmony extremely painful."

Lotus frowned, "That doesn't sound fair."

Puppysmile chuckled, "Look, I'm immortal, almost indestructible and when in symbiosis with a living creature possessed of magical power exceeding that of a Princess. I can hardly bemoan my species."

Lotus had to admit, that was one way of looking at it, "I guess not."

"I just have to accept that all of that makes me perfectly suited to finding somepony to fix the threads of harmony." She grinned, "I was a part of Princess Luna after all. I learned a long time ago that envy can all too easily destroy a pony."

Lotus wondered if she should be weirded out by this, but maybe Puppysmiles just stated it in such a matter of fact way that it didn't seem shocking anymore, "You know, that form makes it hard to remember that you must be thousands of years old."

"Oh, hardly." She countered, blushing a little, "My memories of being Nightmare Moon are barely more than fragments, which leads to... what, seven months as part of Luna, and... five weeks as part of Puppysmiles? And I've been a computer program for about a year and a half."

"So... you can't vote."

Puppysmiles chuckled, "I have access to decades of memories, but that offers interesting questions of how much those are truly worth. I'm still trying to work out if Princess Luna drew the right conclusions from her experiences, if her opinions are truly valid if you look at them from an objective viewpoint." She suddenly laughed, giving a goofy grin, "So all in all, I'm really not suited for deciding the fate of the free world, or 'saving harmony'."

"So what?" Lotus questioned, "We find somepony who is?"

"Ha." Puppysmiles snorted, before giving an evasive look, "Maybe."

Lotus frowned, "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing..." Puppysmiles teased, before her tone became a bit more serious, "And speaking of finding ponies, I actually have a little admission to make."

Lotus wondered if it was about being an enormous dork, before reigning herself back in and politely replying, "What is that?"

Puppysmiles turned giving her a slightly embarrassed smile, "There's another pony looking for Trixie, that I'm... kinda hoping we run into."

"Who?"

"Star Swirl."

"The alicorn?" Lotus questioned, wondering why this seemed like a big secret, "Why is she looking for Trixie?"

"I've no idea." Puppysmiles stated ambiguously, before finally elaborating, "She's missing, and I've been trying to find her. Apparently she's been looking for Trixie herself. And to be honest... Star Swirl is only a slightly less valuable a weapon against Twilight Sparkle."

Lotus admitted that the alicorn had appeared powerful, but realized she didn't know much beyond that, "Really? She's that strong?"

"Not directly, but... she used to be part of the unity too. One of the Goddess's lieutenants."

Lotus... couldn't help but be suspicious, "Could she be working for Twilight?"

"No! At least I hope not...." Puppysmiles looked uncertain, pausing in thought for a moment before turning a determinedly cheerful smile up at Lotus, "She's just confused, and hurt. I'm sure if we find her and talk to her a little she'll come back with us."

Lotus thought back to what Puppysmiles had said, "Is she the one who can fix harmony? Wield the element of magic?"

"Oh no, she wishes!" Puppysmiles responded with enthusiasm, "That... that's still a work in progress."

Lotus chuckled, she didn't think small, "So how's it going?"

"Pretty well I think." Puppysmiles responded with a grin, turning and walking away with a little spring in her step, "Shall we continue?"

They turned a corner... and there it was. Lotus was sure she didn't understand the full significance of the place and yet it still struck her to the core, feeling somehow the emotion that had formed the structure in front of them.

The Canterlot Community Theater, windows boarded up, lights smashed, door padlocked. Crumbling and abandoned, surrounded by the decay of a community in decline. Upon it's dirty walls, dozens of peeling posters advertising the 'great and powerful Trixie'... and that her show had been canceled due to lack of interest.

"Why would Star Swirl come here?" Lotus asked, unable to think of anywhere less inviting, "This... this is an evil place."

"If she's looking for Trixie, it would be here." Puppysmiles stated, shifting a fallen poster with a her hoof, "This place is clearly tied to her."

Lotus thought the same, that's what was making her doubtful about how likely this place was to hide a known fugitive, "Wouldn't that make it a terrible hiding place? Twilight would have this place under surveillance for sure, wouldn't she?"

"Not necessarily." Puppysmiles replied, giving Lotus a cheeky little smile, "They're ghosts, bound to set patterns. Twilight Sparkle might not even understand why she's looking for Trixie, considering she seems locked in her pre-war personality."

Lotus still considered it a risk. And that brought up other questions, "What about me? Am I... bound to set patterns?"

"No." Puppysmiles answered, a curiously cheerful lilt in her voice, "You're different."

Lotus looked at her questioningly, knowing Puppysmiles was messing with her, "Different how?"

"Um... best not to question." Puppysmiles answered, suddenly sounding worried, "Just concentrate on what's in front of us, come on."

Now she was really curious. She followed Puppysmiles to the door, watching the girl as she moved to inspect the lock, "Why shouldn't I question it? What's wrong?"

Puppysmiles stopped with a sigh, turning and staring at Lotus with troubled eyes, "You're connected with Twilight Sparkle too. Just like Trixie, and Star Swirl."

Lotus remembered, "I killed her brother."

"You are layered in Twilight's hatred towards the zebra." Puppysmiles responded, her voice buried in regret, "She's... using you, that hatred, as a focus, a font from which she draws strength. If you were to... realize yourself, understand who exactly you are..."

Lotus remembered what had been said about Trixie, "She would notice. It would result in a mental contest between the two of us."

"Yes." Puppysmiles admitted, "And we would lose."

Lotus paused, taking a moment to comprehend that. The conclusion was simple, "If I was to die..."

"I'm honestly not sure." Puppysmiles answered quickly, sounding panicked, "But I really wouldn't recommend it."

Lotus wasn't convinced, "Wouldn't it stop this? Wouldn't Twilight lose her power?"

"Best case scenario, maybe." Puppysmiles admitted, "Worst case... she may be able to gather enough strength from your fading astral self to... materialize. Your continued existence might be the only thing still holding her back."

Now this was new, though Lotus couldn't help sensing something... off about Puppysmiles' words, "She could enter the living world?"

"It's possible, I've seen it happen." Puppysmiles admitted, "And she would be very powerful, possibly more so than she is here. We can't let that happen."

This... just added more layers to Puppysmiles' actions. Her decision to take her along most of all, "Should I really be out here, if I'm that important?"

Puppysmiles gave her a broad, impish smile, "As I said, the connection is two way. Twilight Sparkle is the most powerful being I've ever encountered, even more powerful than Discord. But she's only been able to achieve that power by embodying certain nightmares, drawing power from the fears of both the dead and the living. It's made her very powerful but that power is still borrowed from others, and could still be taken back."

Lotus looked across at the poster next to the door, the smiling face of Trixie peeling and faded, "Trixie is a part of the Goddess."

"The most important part of the Goddess." Puppysmiles corrected, "If she could be convinced to take back that role, take on that role once more..."

"Twilight Sparkle wouldn't be the Goddess anymore."

Puppysmiles nodded, "She would lost much of her psychic power, along with her command of the alicorns. And if you were to confront her in front of a crowd, prove zebra aren't to be feared and that the war is over... she might well lose her royal prerogative and command of Equestria's military forces."

"I..." Lotus hesitated, wrestling with the very concept. She wasn't afraid to admit she was sickened by it, "You and and the Princesses... it wasn't just a random whim that I was sent with you was it? You wanted me here."

"No." Puppysmiles admitted, looking guilty, "You're going to have to confront her at some point. I have to make sure you're ready for that."

Lotus frowned, feeling anger flood through her, "I am not fighting Twilight Sparkle."

"I know she's powerful..." Puppysmiles started, "...but she's still vulnerable to..."

"That's not the point." Lotus interrupted, frustrated at the very concept of doing such a thing, "I am not humiliating Twilight Sparkle in front of the entire population of Equestria."

Puppysmiles paused, seeming confused as to what the issue was. Finally she spoke up, a little quieter, "It has to be done..."

"But not by me." Lotus responded, voice firm, "I am not a hero. I am not... a good representative of my race. I'm not going to go up there and act like some great liberator, bringing down an Equestrian hero!"

"I..."

Lotus felt anger grown in her heart, anger and... fear, "Do you honestly think I'm a worthy substitute for Twilight Sparkle?! Some sort of Equestrian hero?! I look nothing like them!"

And then Puppysmiles laughed, her voice chirpy and affectionate, "You do remember!"

Lotus frowned, her anger cut short. She... felt like she was being played with, "Remember what?"

"You don't get out of this that easy girl." Puppysmiles responded, for some reason adopting a rather poor accent that she struggled to maintain between individual syllables, "There 'anit a true hero in Equestria who ever thought they were worthy of it. But if fate put you here, then you've got only two choices. Stand up and fight for what's right, or continue looking for some 'ideal hero' who 'aint never going to be arriving."

Lotus had to admit... those words sounded familiar. And deep down in her soul...

...she was sure somepony out there was deeply offended at that truly terrible impression of them, "What accent was that supposed to be?"

"I'm not actually sure." Puppysmiles admitted, giving a embarrassed smile, "One that needs a little more work, clearly."

"Hmm..." Lotus finally caved in... a little, "Look, I'm not going to run away. But I'm certainly not promising any grand speeches about the noble zebra spirit."

"I'm sure you'll know what to say when the time comes." Puppy assured her, "You're good at that stuff."

Lotus didn't know about that, still she remained quiet. Puppysmiles clearly took that as proof she had won the argument, turning back to the door. After a moment of consideration she took hold of the padlock in her magic and snapped it with one swift tug, throwing open the doors and revealing a shadowed lobby area covered in moldering rubbish. She stepped inside, sniffing the air, "She's... been here. But she wasn't alone, there was another... balefire and dark magic..."

"An alicorn?" Lotus questioned.

"Maybe I'm mistaken." Puppysmiles admitted, "It doesn't smell like Star Swirl, and this place is layered in a lot of memories."

Lotus wasn't quite as willing to dismiss it, still she silently followed behind. Despite the noise they were making on the creaking floorboards, there wasn't so much as a sound from the theater beyond. In fact there was no life at all, no rats, no spiders...

They stepped into the auditorium, having to take a deep breath in shock. Puppysmiles beside also gave a squeak, not without cause. Skeletons filled the seats, skeletons of alicorns, dozens of them all slumped unmoving in their rows. From their proportions they were definitely IMP alicorns, picked clean without a scrap of flesh on them.

She looked to the stage, seeing that there seemed to be a production in progress. It stood static, puppets locked in place, though the lights were still illuminated. The set was dressed up as some sort of factory, a blue unicorn puppet half risen from a barrel of green goo. Before her stood another unicorn, green furred, a second unicorn who looked just like her clutched in her hooves. Lotus noticed the second unicorn had been painted with a long slash of red across the abdomen, her twin's expression desperate and strained, "What's the play?"

Puppysmiles retrieved a program from the ground, "The Tragic Tale of Trixie. A play in four parts."

Lotus jumped up onto the stage, inspecting the puppets more closely. They really were quite good, and the mechanisms designed to manipulate them were ingenious. Unlikely the rest of the theater the stage, puppets and machinery here all looked new, like they had been carefully maintained up until very recently.

She also recognized the puppets, "This is Gestalt and Mosaic isn't it? And I guess the blue puppet is Trixie."

"The villainess Gestalt asks the great and powerful Trixie to heal her sister, but alas, it is not within her power. Woe to our beloved hero, ascended to princesshood and yet helpless in the face of such pain and suffering!" Puppysmiles finished reading off the page, turning to the back of the program, "Original script by Trixie Lulamoon, puppet design by Trixie Lulamoon, musical score by Princess Galaxy, special effects by Trixie Lulamoon, voices and performances... yeah, you get the idea."

Lotus moved behind the curtain, backstage a mess of props, machinery and assorted junk. On the nearest table sat a couple of puppets, sewing materials scattered around their slightly damaged bodies. Lotus looked them over, one of them a smug looking alicorn that she recognized as Singer, the other a unicorn filly in a blue jumpsuit. Once again, there was no dust on the table, someone had been here recently, "Trixie! We're not here to hurt you! Princess Galaxy sent us!"

Nothing. She turned as Puppysmiles came through behind, "She must be here somewhere."

"I hope we didn't scare her away." Puppysmiles stated, poking her muzzle under a tarpaulin and giving a sneeze.

Lotus continued looking around the backdrop, giving a shiver as her eyes passed across blasted, corpse filled landscapes, blood stained laboratories and what looked like the towers of Canterlot, crackled and broken within a suffocating cloud of pink, "This place is creepy."

"It wasn't before?" She asked, then nodded at the back door, "Come on, the dressing rooms are through here."

Lotus followed her, finding themselves in a long corridor lined with doors. Peeling stars adorned each, some of them bearing names. One of them was... "Trixee." She looked below the name tag, seeing that somepony had scrawled 'Trixie!' there in permanent marker, "Looks like this is it."

She pushed the door open, instantly feeling her stomach drop. The room was in clear disarray and for a moment Lotus thought it had been ransacked... but no, this was just messy. A blanket and pillow had been placed on the well worn sofa, a moldy towel and toothbrush inside the sink. A blue hat and cloak sat on the dressing table, both clearly falling apart and looking like somepony had been attempting repairs given the needle and thread next to them. The floor was covered in cigarette ash, the room stunk of it, "It looks like she's been sleeping here."

Puppysmiles nodded, "Maybe if we wait here..."

A unfamiliar voice spoke up, cutting her off, "You'll be waiting a long time."

Lotus turned to the source of the voice, staring in shock at the alicorn standing a short way down the corridor. She was thin and dangerous looking, sharp cheekbones and powerful muscle clear upon her taut, lean form. Her fur was silver white, her long blue, green and pink hair scattered across her back in a limp tangle. Bags had formed under her eyes, framing bloodshot eyes and irises of bright green.

The alicorn looked across at Lotus for a moment before returning her eyes to Puppysmiles, glaring at the filly with cold fury, "What were you hoping to find here?"

"I think a more important question is, 'what were you hoping to find here?'" Puppy answered, her expression full of anger and betrayal, "Why did you abandon us? What happened to you?"

The alicorn smiled bitterly, "I woke up."

"That's not an answer! Star Swirl!"

Star Swirl's smile narrowed into a thin, dangerous line at Puppysmiles' pleading, "That's because you're still dreaming, you all are. You think playing at hero will make the slightest bit of difference, that in the end..."

Puppysmiles interrupted her, her voice rising above the alicorn's, "Star Swirl, please! You can't...!"

"Quiet! I've been watching, seeing how quickly you forgot Zenai, how eager you are to get on with your lives!" The alicorn shouted, her hair igniting in green balefire and shrouding her in the darkest shadows, white fur shaded into inky blackness, "And that is not my name!"

Lotus tensed, feeling the aggression in this mare's heart. She could tell Star Swirl wanted nothing more than to leap forward and attack, felt that rage burning off her. The madness there was all too clear, dangerous and unpredictable.

Puppysmiles radiated an anger of her own, her voice full of it despite being delivered in barely more than a whisper, "What is your name then?"

"The one called out by ever pony in the wasteland. The true Princess this world needs." The alicorn smiled, cold and joyless, "And I intend to answer them."

Puppy smirked, the expression unusually wicked looking on the sweet mare's face, "You are not my sister."

The alicorn's face twisted in anger, her voice a hiss, "And you are not Princess Luna."

Lotus felt the shift in their hearts before they had even had a chance to move, "Wait...!"

The two mares met in a fierce contest of magic, the room exploding around them and Lotus forced to curl up into a ball as she was flung through the air to thump down upon the asphalt outside the now shattered side of the theater. She looked up just in time to see Puppy reel backwards from a firm hit, darting into the sky and charging up her magic. She flung an arrow of fierce moonlight down at Star Swirl but she teleported away, appearing in the skies as the building took the hit and collapsed in on itself. Star Swirl's horn ignited before the rubble had even settled, flinging three large blocks of concrete up at Puppy with a swing of her head and a burst of telekinesis.

Puppy avoided each of them with quick, darting flaps of her wings, magic charging at her horn... but Star Swirl was gone.

Until she appeared just above Puppysmiles with a flash of magical energy. She drove her hooves downwards and slammed them into Puppy's small form, propelling her downwards to land with a brutal crack and a explosion of shattering concrete.

"Stop it!" Lotus called, running for the fallen filly.

"You're a child Puppy." Star Swirl called, wings wide and proud, magic humming about her body as she glared down at her fallen opponent, "I have spent months learning to properly unite the powers of the demon inside me with the unique properties of my alicorn body, to apply the combat and magical skills of my former lives to most effectively take advantage of my size and strength. If I'm to be a goddess, I can afford to leave no doubt in the minds of those who challenge me."

Puppysmiles shifted, whimpering in pain as Lotus finally reached the alicorn. Lotus looked at Puppy's dazed expression and clear injuries and immediately realized that this fight was over, "That's enough! You've won!"

Star Swirl hovered there a moment in silence before flinging a light into the sky. It burst into a fierce red light, framing the alicorn below for a moment... before she was gone.

Lotus looked back to Puppysmiles, shocked at the alicorn's condition. The fight had been more one-sided than it had looked, Puppy's fur burned away in a dozen places and her wings and left hip clearly broken. Her eyes were unfocused, clearly concussed, her horn slightly cracked, "Damnit Puppysmiles..."

Then she sensed others, movement all around her. She lifted her head, scanning the area with cold assessment as dozens of power armored equestrian soldiers marched out with weapons held high. She covertly removed the communication orb to the princesses from her bag, attempted to activate it...

...before it shattered, broken peaces scattering across the tarmac.

"None of that." A familiar voice called out, Lotus turning to a familiar green furred alicorn, Gestalt. She beheld the two before her with a hungry look, her mouth curled into a cruel smile, "Justicar held up her end of the bargain well. You, both of you... you're not like the others. You don't belong here do you?"

Gestalt, great. And whatever she had planned, it was nothing good.

Gestalt raised a hoof, "I want them alive!"

No. She wouldn't let this happen. At least one of them could still escape.

She lent down, shouting in Puppysmiles' ear, "WAKE UP!"

Then the soldiers fired, and memory ceased.

Chapter 4.7 - Their Destiny Stolen

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Dust Kicker should have hated this place. The crowds, the noise, the sheer bustle, all of which were pet hates of his. Still call him homesick for Appleloosa but he hadn’t enjoyed himself this much in a long time.

They were fortunately that they had a generous allowance from Nanati, and that they were still very well stocked from Remicon’s generosity up in the capital. That left plenty of money for luxuries, Dust sampling food and drink from around the world. He hadn’t even been aware there was a world before this point.

“The badlands to the southeast were almost totally unaffected by the megaspells, though to be honest they were pretty... bad… already.” The merchant explained as he showed off a tray full of steaming berry pastries, “The centaurs and gargoyles are still pretty scattered and isolated, but they produce a lot of foods we don’t have down here. In return they absolutely love Mutum produced grain, and Saddle Arabian machinery. They also make some very unique art up there, and the best swords and crossbows.”

Dust Kicker listened with interest, he had never even heard of the place before, “Who else do you trade with?”

“Star Fall… technically trades with the sea ponies, though really they just serve as a middlemare for goods between them and the camels.” The merchant answered, sounding a tiny bit irritated with that fact, “They produce food and occasional fine goods, in return for art, weapons and machinery. And Incuta brings in a lot of raw materials from his mines, along with wood and food from the deer tribes in the far northern wastes.” He grinned knowingly at Dust, “We used to trade a little with the Enclave, though that went sour pretty quickly. Since their expansion twelve years ago we’ve been doing a lot of trade with the NCR.”

Dust Kicker blinked, “Wait… you trade with the NCR?”

“There’s a land bridge that connects here and Equestria, though crossing it is tough unless you know what you’re doing. It’s pretty much a thousand miles of desert.” The merchant confirmed, chuckling, “You used it during the war. Drove half your forces through Saddle Arabia, at great expense… especially after their merchants robbed you all blind.”

Dust Kicker felt his pride in first contact fade away, “It just seems… a little silly, considering how much effort we put into finding the zebra.”

The merchant fixed him with a somewhat chastising look, “Forgive us, but it was believed that should the zebra and ponies become aware of each other once more, they might… you know, go to war with each other and set the planet on fire. Again.”

Dust Kicker accepted that rationalization, with all the remaining dignity his species could muster.

Several souvenirs, some specialized ammo and a slight modification to his battle saddle later and he was on his way back, only to pause as a heavily scarred zebra in a black and silver cloak looked straight at him with what looked like recognition. Dust Kicker thought he looked somewhat familiar but certainly couldn’t think from where, having drawn quite close to the zebra before the realization dawned.

Under those scars, he... looked a lot like Caesar Incuta, just broader faced and a lot more muscular. They could almost be...

“Dust Kicker.” The zebra intoned, nodding his head.

“Easu?”

The zebra nodded, a slight smile marking his otherwise grim countenance, “Indeed.”

Dust Kicker looked at his unbandaged face, then at the rather exotic, and not particularly practical black and silver robes. He looked like a monk, “You’ve changed your look.”

“These are the robes of a shaman from the Moonlight Order.” Easu explained, his voice softer and clearer without his bandages, “I have neglected my religious duties for far too long.”

Dust Kicker was… happy he was feeling a little better at least, “And what duties are those?”

"We seek understanding of the things in the dark." He explained, "Spirits, monsters... Star Children."

Dust Kicker remembered. It had been the order Tradash had belonged to, "Puppysmiles."

“Her current condition is not sustainable Dust Kicker.” He explained, sounding a tiny bit unsure for a moment, “Did you know that she has been fighting Star Swirl in the dreaming?”

Dust Kicker parsed that sentence a couple of times, “She’s… what?”

“Star Swirl has been spying on us in our dreams, and Puppysmiles has been protecting us. This was foolish.” He stated with stern judgment, “They are both Star Demons. The difference is Puppysmiles is working through a corpse, and Star Swirl is working through an alicorn. The magical strain she has put on herself has damaged what was left of her body, and it is limiting her efforts to heal her spirit.”

Hell, this was so far beyond him. He had no concept of any of this magical stuff, and to be honest the only information he picked up from that was… “Puppy’s hurt? Will she be ok?”

“The Moonlight Order is dedicated to the healing of spirits, and possesses techniques specialized to the handling of Star Demons.” Easu replied encouragingly, “I am just an acolyte, but I have summoned many of the other shaman here. Together we will be able to make sure she is safe, and ready for the road forward.”

“You…” Dust paused, this all seeming odd to him. And not just the magic stuff, Easu himself seemed completely different, “I thought you hated Star Demons.”

“I hated everything Dust Kicker.” Easu stated mournfully, “Most of all… myself. I am trying to move forward from that, and the first step is being honest about my feelings. Puppy and Star Swirl are both important to me, and I wish to help them. That they are everything I once stated to hate only shows how far into darkness I had fallen.”

“I… appreciate it.” Dust Kicker managed after a second, smiling as he moved past the magic and the confusing theology, embraced the simple point of the matter. And that was that Easu was concerned about Puppy, and wanted to help her, “She’s important to me too. I assume this means you won’t be joining us to Baradin though?”

“I am afraid not.” He confirmed, “We will remain here for now, preparing for what is to come.”

“Sure.” Dust Kicker gave him a cheerful salute, “Take care of yourself, and Puppy. We’ll be coming back with an army… and hopefully, some payback for Zenai.”

“I understand pain and vengeance.” Easu replied, eyes grim, “As a result I advise you this. Seek justice, and justice alone. Payback is never as satisfying, or as final as you may have hoped.”

They sent off the next morning, riding along in a battered old cargo truck that bounced and squealed on the winding road into the desert. The heat slowly rose with every moment and he found himself barely able to move after the first hour or so, looking up at Fluttershy fully clad in white cloth and realizing that she might have had the right idea.

It didn't help that it wasn't the most interesting journey in the world, the desert pretty much a less interesting sea after a while. Nothing but yellow sand stretched out all around, pitiless and stark.

"Dust Kicker, look!"

He looked up at Fluttershy's insistence, crawling over the the side of the truck with all his remaining energy. He was not disappointed, Baradin loomed bright out of the desert sands and Dust Kicker admitted that he was impressed. It looked to be the size of New Canterlot, quite an achievement in the middle of the desert. A secondary, smaller settlement a short distance away abounded with industrial power, vast factories and warehouses boasting what looked to be a very high level of technology. The city itself shone in the sunlight, whitewashed buildings sporting domes of rainbow colors, squarish in shape like the zebra architecture but showing just what you could do with such rigid geometry if you had some imagination. Checkered designs were common, breaking up the rigid lines with bursts of artistry. Dust Kicker looked to the roads leading away from the city, noting with interest that there were many automobiles alongside the more low tech pony driven traffic, "Pretty impressive."

"The palace is gone." Fluttershy observed, sounding a little worried.

"Oh, that old place?" Ibis commented as she made her way down the hill, "It was gutted by fire a long time ago, we pulled it down and used it to build an orphanage."

"It was pretty..." Fluttershy protested softly.

Dust Kicker scanned the city, spotting a large complex of interconnected buildings situated prominently in the centre. It certainly seemed to stand out in comparison to the buildings around it, ironically partly due to the starkness of it. Unlike the other buildings it had no domed roof, no artistry on its walls, the windows large and elegant but bearing no design or signs of wealth, "What's that building?"

"Good eye." Ibis noted, "That's the Merchant Association building, where the Emir lives."

"It's surprisingly plain."

Ibis grinned, "It used to be fancier, but the Emir had the upper floor removed and sold off the gold fixings and statues, using the money to build shelters for the poor."

Decimus grunted, Dust amused by his reaction. Truth be told he too felt this Emir sounded a little too good to be true, still he was willing to at least give him a chance. At the very least he presented an attractive city, and had earned the loyalty of his soldiers.

But then, so had Caesar.

They were escorted through the city by an honor guard, giving them some time to look around as they traveled. It now really reminded dust kicker of Manehatten, its main commodity being well dressed merchants and a surprisingly amount of convenient technology. Drains in the streets, well maintained water pumps, street lights, security cameras on every corner... it certainly showed off their wealth, "This is impressive."

Decimus gave a reluctant nod, "This is now one of the oldest, continually inhabited cities in the world, and is likely it's richest."

He looked at a pair of zebra baggage handlers washing themselves in a nearby public fountain, "Free water in a desert is certainly quite extravagant."

"The city is located above 'aqua logata', one of the largest underground reservoirs on record." Decimus explained, "Back during the 'Water Wars' this place changed hooves a dozen times as the Princes fought for control."

"And the camels won."

"They had won at the start." Decimus commented, "They supplied the technical know how to extract the water, and had been secretly stockpiling reserves for years. While the Princes fought battles of armies and tactics, the camels prepared for a battle of finances and diplomacy. When it came time to strike, they easy had the money to by a huge army of mercenaries and take control."

Dust Kicker kind of approved. Having been a fighter from birth, he learned early on that cunning and subtlety were excellent tactics against strength and aggression, "What happened to the Princes?"

"The camels are officially regents over their lands, and the royal family remains uncrowned." Decimus explained, "Now the camels merely wait for them to die out, so they can take the crown officially."

"They're dying?"

"They are of a divergent pony race, the Arabian Horses." Decimus explained, "They are taller and stronger than any normal pony, which they explicitly claimed was proof of their divine right. Breeding with other races dilutes these traits however, resulting in children much more like us."

"So they have to breed within their own kind?"

"Yes." Decimus stated, "And there are but thirty two of them left in the world. All of them are related to one another, at most removed by three steps. The descendents of the last Sultan number but two, and few attest to their worth."

Game, set and match. Dust Kicker admitted that the Camels seemed to have played this one well.

The merchant council offices seemed entirely too empty for the space they had available, the group led through a succession of cavernous, barely furnished halls full of little but stony faced clerks as the hurried back and forth with sheets of paper spilling out of saddlebags. Most of the rooms he looked into were little more than offices, vast rows of identical cubicals stretching into the distance.

Finally they were led through a set of solid wooden doors and into a large, open study. Like the other areas it was rather spacious, a round table at the front of the room, a large, slightly curved desk at the end, plenty of bookcases and cupboards, and a whole lot of room between them. The floor was polished, speckled marble, the simple white washed walls bordered by elegant hardwood skirting. A set of three windows rose from floor to roof, looking out across what looked like the mercantile areas of the city. Ibis walked ahead of them, standing sharply to attention, "Emir, I present Fluttershy, Dust Kicker, Ace Gold and Praetor Decimus. They are here at your invitation."

A camel was waiting there by the round table, giving them a welcoming nod and moving over. Ibis stepped inside and motioned for them to meet him, Dust Kicker inspecting the camel as they approached. He was quite old, his fur greying in many areas, the top of his head and hump almost entirely bald. A set of spectacles sat on his muzzle, and plain but well made white robes hung about his oddly shaped body. Dust Kicker had to admit... he looked like a clerk.

The Emir smiled at them, warm and welcoming. He had a very deep voice that surprised given his rather unassuming appearance, his Equestrian flawless, "A warm welcome to Baradin travelers. I am Emir Kholoqr, and I am greatly honored to finally meet you."

"And we you honored Emir." Fluttershy began, "We offer you the best wishes and hopes of friendship from the New Canterlot Republic."

He smiled at this, cheeks crinkling in a way that suggested he smiled often, "Thank you, it is gratefully received. And I trust Ibis has not caused you too much trouble?"

Dust couldn't help a smirk, "The very picture of geniality your grace."

He chuckled back, shaking his head, "I am no one's grace. Should you wish to see a prince, one lives in the mansion just across the way from here. I believe you can see it from here."

"The Saddle Arabian royal family." Decimus stated, looking out in the direction the Emir had indicated, "We were just talking about them."

"A sad decline to be sure, they are but a shadow of what they once were. Yet they are still our monarchs, and my fellows and I merely administrate in their name." The emir's expression strained for a moment as he continued, "At present the young prince Khalid is crown prince, though he has declined the right to coronation as his father did before him."

Dust got the impression this was leading somewhere, the emir's statement seeming a little too pointed, "Is he happy with that arrangement?"

"Sadly, I feel he is not." The emir answered, a deep regret in his voice, "He is an intelligent boy, and indeed I offered him a chance to participate in the city's government. Unfortunately he felt that was beneath his dignity, and my offers were rebuffed."

"With respect, why are you telling us this?" Decimus finally asked.

"Because the young prince was behind the murder your young companion Zenai." The emir explained with a gentle sadness, shaking his head from side to side, "And he has engaged in conspiracy to cause discord and suffering across the zebra nations in the name of his own ambitions."

Everything went quiet as they digested this in their minds. Dust finally broke the silence, feeling nothing but a cold, dark weight in his stomach, "That's why you needed to tell us face to face. You can't risk this getting out."

The emir nodded, "I cannot simply arrest the crown prince, or even speak out against him. Though their rule is a fiction, it is a fiction upon which our society has been built."

"But... why?" Ace Gold finally asked, icy cold fury in his voice, "Why would he kill Zenai?"

"I honestly do not know." The emir responded, deeply resigned, "I only know the facts. That he used the financial resources of King Abartili of Estelle and his authority and connections to employ the mercenaries with which you are familiar. That they attacked Estelle, and that they murdered your friend, both on his orders. And that he also funneled weapons and supplies to Princess Luna of Dusklight."

Dust Kicker admitted that it didn't look good, "Are you certain it's him?"

The emir gave a slightly bitter smile, "He's not been... as subtle as he perhaps thinks. He is of course a pony of alicornian proportions, of very distinctive appearance and mannerisms. And he has seen fit to conduct many of his negotiations personally, I have photos of meetings between him and the mercenary leader. And two months ago... we arrested one of his household slaves. She committed suicide before we could interrogate her, but she was carrying a message from Khalid to the commander of the mercenary group you encountered. It clearly ordered Zenai’s death.”

"We need to speak with him." Fluttershy stated firmly.

"That is another issue." The emir replied, "He has not left his mansion since Zenai was killed. Reports suggest he is constantly surrounded by guards, and never leaves the building."

Dust found that something worth noting. The prince was obviously expecting a visit, but from who?

Them?

And why intentionally kill Zenai in front of them? What possible reason did he have?

Fluttershy was right, "We really do need to speak to him. This doesn't make a lick of sense."

"I doubt he will just let us through the door." Easu commented.

"Indeed." The Emir answered, his voice resigned, "I will send another messenger, asking for a meeting, but I fear this will be ignored as the others were. And since I cannot act against him officially for fear of social unrest, I fear you might have come all this way for nothing."

Dust Kicker got the point, "It's no problem Emir. We would be happy to simply ask your hospitality for a day or two, while we explore your fine city."

The Emir replied with a deep smile, "Of course."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Ace asked, frowning deeply as he stood across from him in the chamber the Emir had established for them, "You heard what the Emir said..."

"I certainly did, he said he couldn't act against him officially." Dust answered with a smile, having learned to speak 'discretion' a long time ago, "Which is why he brought us here. Both as a peace offering, and to do what he can't."

Ace Gold's expression was tainted with worry for a moment, "What's that?"

Dust Kicker admitted that was a good question, "Get some answers."

"Is that all?"

Dust Kicker remembered Esau's words, "That depends on his answers."

They had time to kill before the plan came together, and Dust couldn’t shake off the feeling that this was still too perfect. If they were going to be working for this Emir, then he had to know what kind of a stallion he was. And the best way to do that? Look to the poor.

For all its wonder, Baradin did indeed have a slum, tactfully hidden out of sight of the major roads. Honestly from afar it wasn’t all that different from the other parts of the city, save some chipped paintwork and an overall lack of maintenance. The real issue was only apparent from street level, the area overcrowded and dirty, further burdened by the amount of further construction that spilled out into the streets. Clumsy collections of post war debris tied together in a rudimentary fashion, it rendered the streets narrow and winding, and didn’t look the least bit safe.

Ace Gold stepped beside him, eying the constructions with distaste, “What kind of ruler leaves his poor in conditions like this?”

Dust Kicker smirked, this was far from damning, “Fillydephia is far worse.”

“Yeah, but Fillydephia is run by a crime lord.” Ace coolly observed.

They soon found someone worth speaking to, a female camel leading a group of other females in handing out what looked like food parcels. They were all dressed in white robes with their heads covered, pony, zebra and camel. Dust Kicker waited until the leader had moved away from the crowd and was heading back to the wagon holding their supplies before approaching, giving a friendly wave of his hoof. She instantly fixed him with a distrustful look, eying his clothing, “Who are you?”

“Dust Kicker, this is Ace Gold.” He introduced them, wondering if he should try some charm but already getting the impression she would not appreciate flirtation, “We just wanted to know a little more about the area, and your work here.”

“We are the Kind Sisters.” She stated coldly, her bright, sharp eyes never leaving them. She was pretty young Dust Kicker observed, especially given all camels seemed to look older than their true age. Her voice was clear and well enunciated, and she spoke Equestrian in the same accent as the Emir did, “We visit the most needy among us and do what we can to help. Did you wish to make a donation?”

“Sure, in exchange for information.” He reached into his bag and removed some caps.

She frowned at the display but reached out and took them regardless, narrowing her eyes, “If your information is intended to help these people, I will answer. I advise you to phrase your questions carefully however.”

Noted. He got the impression being honest with this girl was likely the best approach, “It looks like we’re going to be working with the Emir, and I was just looking to get an honest opinion.” He shot a look towards the desperate crowds nearby, “You seem like a smart woman, and for all his talk of a perfect society there seems to be plenty who slip through his net.”

She still looked suspicious, still her expression softened a little, “Where are you from?”

Dust paused briefly, still he was certain lying to her would be a bad idea, “Equestria.”

Her brow crinkled instantly, “Then you have no room to judge, the worst of our cities pales in comparison to the best of Fillydephia.”

Dust couldn’t suppress a laugh, “Haha, I just finished saying just that to Ace. But that would suggest that I trust and respect the NCR's leaders.”

Ace glared at Dust Kicker before looking to the mare, “You know Fillydephia?”

“I saw it as a girl, after your much publicized ‘Sunshine and Rainbows’. It is what inspired me that the world needs mares like the sisters, to care for the forgotten.” Her tone was full of bitterness, though it softened as she continued, “One thing both Equestria and the Emir have in common, they happily celebrate their grand victories while forgetting that not everyone is lucky enough to enjoy them.”

“Isn’t that government all over?” Dust asked.

“I would hope not, but it is easy to be cynical.” The mare observed, “In answer to your question, the Emir is trustworthy, if naïve and vain. He is the biggest donor to my cause, and offers me plenty of public support.”

“But?”

“He is willing to throw money at me, but then he has so much of it that it has lost all value to him. And he throws it at me so that he can feel comfortable in ignoring my cause, allowing him to feel he is addressing the issue without the burden of any real action.” She sniffed in annoyance, “He rarely gives me a personal audience, barely listens when he does, and refuses to take any political action to give the poor opportunities to find education or roles that would allow them to advance their position in society.”

“Why not?” Ace asked.

“Because it’s difficult, and would disrupt other levels of society. And because it would force him to look at them.” She stared them straight on, “He’s not a bad camel, but he doesn’t really care about the poor. Few do.”

“Thank you miss.” Dust doffed his hat, “We’ll let you get on.”

She nodded and returned to her duties, Ace watching her for a moment before turning to Dust, “So he’s not all sunshine and rainbows.”

“I don’t know Ace.” Dust commented, feeling the hints of hypocrisy brewing, “When was the last time you went out of your way to help the poor?”

“I…” Ace paused, “My mother…”

“Who you’ve disowned.”

“I donate… well not me personally, but my family donates…” Ace trailed off, frowning to himself, “But I’m not in charge.”

“You’re the son of Velvet Remedy and Deadshot Calamity, you have plenty of power of your own.” Dust chuckled to himself as the foal pouted at him, “Honestly Ace, given that he isn’t sending children into battle, luring them into his bedroom with sweets or currently pillaging the country, I’d say he’s still the best ruler we’ve met.”

“Ugh… perhaps.” Ace eyed the sisters again, looking irritated, “I just don’t like the camels. They’re all so… pompously moral.”

“You’ve met like… three.”

“I’ve heard stories.” He retorted, “And so far, they seem accurate. Look at the clothing on the camels, it’s all high quality and comfortable fabrics, yet cut to look really plain and modest. And they’re all so insistent that they’re working hard to make the world a better place, despite being richer than gods and I note, distinctly plump.”

Dust chuckled, “You seem to be taking this personally.”

“Of course I am.” He allowed a small smile to cross his face, “It’s pretty much a whole city full of clones of my mother.”

He laughed, admitting that Velvet Remedy’s claims to a humble life were always somewhat punctured by her generous proportions. Still, it was far from a harsh comparison, “Aren’t you over that yet?”

Ace snorted, “I guess so. I guess those particular flaws still grate on me a little though.”

“Not the slavery?”

Ace snorted, “I’ve heard stories of that as well, and even that sounds familiar. A tribe of conditioned yes-mares, unpaid but with all their needs generously provided, expected to fanatically devoted to the cause to the expense of all other concerns?"

“Are we back on your mother again?”

“Or the Steel Rangers.” Ace pointed out, shrugging his shoulders, “I hate that shit. Being born into something, unable to escape. Conditioned from birth for the role society expects you to play.”

Dust got that, but felt he was being a little naïve, “We’re all born into something. The childhood we’re provided is always going to have bearing on our future path in life.”

Ace sighed, giving a rueful look, “I’ve tried to escape it…”

“Yet you’re a mechanic, and an adventurer.”

“And my brother likes to sing, and my sister is a bitch.” He sighed ruefully, “I know you’re right.”

Dust laughed, “I’m going to tell your mother you said all this you know? And your sister.”

Ace smiled at that, giving a rare laugh of his own, “I don’t really mean it… to be honest I’ve been told by a lot of ponies that I have my mother’s temperament. Both of them really, the comparisons with my step mother are even more obvious.” He sighed, “I’m aware half the reason I get along poorly with them is due to me seeing too much of myself in them. I’m passionate, and stubborn, and I like things my own way. And I have a cold temper, which leads me to saying things I quickly regret... I wish I was more like my father.”

“You know, you’re right.” Dust observed with amusement, “Because I’ve met both of your mothers, and I liked them both. They get things done, because they’re acutely aware of how much is wrong with the world. And they can’t sit back and just let an injustice go. They care, even if they like to present a cynical face on occasion.”

“But it makes me unhappy.” Ace commented with frustration, “That I care about stuff. I want to be easy going, to have a simple life. But I just have to get involved, I just have to get angry and pick fights.”

“I’m pretty sure it makes them unhappy too.”

“Now you sound like my dad.” Ace sighed, then gave him a small, tired grin, “What were your parents like?”

“Murdering, drunken, drug addled raiders.” Dust noted with amusement, “Took me a while to escape their influence.”

“How did you do it?”

My, that was a question. He cast his memory back, thinking on the subject, “To be honest, I’m going to have to pay credit to a pretty mare.” He smiled, dimly remembering her face, “Ironically, she was a devoted supporter of Red Eye, my senior in the slaver band I was a part of.”

Ace gave him a look, “A slaver taught you not to be a murdering, drunken, drug addled raider?”

“She was completely clean actually. She only drank water and even hated using healing potions. She assured me that they ‘tainted your fluids’.” He laughed at the memory, “She was a griffon, beak always in a book. She taught me to read, used to go through all the classics with me. Books on social responsibility, politics, ethics… she was confident they all legitimized Red Eye’s operation, that we were the heroes of the story.”

Ace looked doubtful, “That sounds like quite the feat.”

Dust nodded, regret pouring in. He was surprised after all this time, realized that deep down he still loved her and perhaps always would. Maybe he even liked Fluttershy so much because she reminded him of Elizabetha, “She really tried to live up to it. She was kind, and honest, and totally devoted. She used as little violence as possible, and gave captured slaves these big speeches about how it was for the betterment of the world.” He shrugged, “I was always a little doubtful, but she believed it.”

Ace was quiet for a moment before asking the question, “What happened to her?”

Dust sighed, “We were having problems taking this old fort, lost a lot of ponies trying to assault it. The defenders, they were a fierce bunch, and we couldn’t dislodge them. Eventually she ordered artillery strikes, set the whole place on fire… and we found out why they had defended the place so fiercely.” He sighed, aware that he would never forget that moment, “They had hundreds of kids in there. And they all burned to death, victims of the shells she had ordered fired.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah.” He shrugged his shoulders, unable to add much more to that statement, “We eventually had to leave her there. She wouldn’t move, she wouldn’t even speak. She just stood there, staring into space. We sent ponies back for her later, but she was gone. Never saw her again.”

Ace winced, “Shit.”

"...yeah." He looked away, feeling the memory burn as bright and clear as it had all those years ago, "Shit happens I guess."

It was time.

Dust Kicker set himself up on the balcony, propping the long extended barrel of his rifle on the bars as he looked down at the Royal Mansion below. He marveled at how vulnerable it was really, having picked out no less than four positions that gave a commanding view of the grounds. He watched through the scope as a tall, alicorn sized pony came through the doors on schedule, inspecting him for a moment. Sandy brown coat, no cutie mark, ebony beard, slim and athletic looking… it was the Prince alright, moving out alongside two zebra in fancy armor.

The Prince looked to the side as a servant came up, a radio carried in on a tray. The servant exchanged a few short words before the Prince reached down and let the headphones settle around his ears, adjusting them with an elegant hoof.

The call had originally been tuned to one of the Emir’s servants, better to achieve a direct line. The call had now however been transferred to Dust Kicker, keeping his voice calm and cold as he spoke, “Good morning my Prince. Please do not call out or alert your guards in any way. I have a rifle trained on your head right now.”

The prince, to his credit, merely froze in place with a look of mounting horror.

“I don’t want to kill you, I just want to speak with you. My name is Dust Kicker, I’m one of Zenai’s friends.”

The Prince breathed two simple words, his voice cracking, “I’m sorry…”

Good answer, "I want you to order your guards to leave you then exit the grounds by the south gate. We will meet you there."

The Prince was not an argumentative sort, he instantly sent the guards away despite their protests and set off for the gate. As expected the guards merely doubled around, following the Prince at a distance. Further movement in the compound indicated more were on their way. Dust Kicker flicked the switch on the radio, "The Prince is on his way, two guards on his tail. More coming."

The Prince exited the compound, moving down the alleyway beyond. The guards followed a short distance away, Dust Kicker waiting for the small figure to approach them from the side, before focusing his rifle and pulling the trigger.

The tranquiller dart struck the first guard in the neck, sending him stumbling. The second had just turned when Ace Gold came in, efficiently removing the guard’s helmet and striking him hard across the back of the head with a hoof. The guard toppled and Ace used his body to swing himself around to kick the already tranquillized guard across the jaw, putting him out of the fight completely.

The Prince turned to his two fallen guards, Decimus moving out behind and kicking at the back of the Prince’s knees. It knocked his lanky form to the ground and Decimus reached over and seized the Prince around the jaw, stopping him from shouting as Dust Kicker placed another tranquiller round into the Prince's chest.

The Prince struggled for a moment more before he slumped forward, Dust Kicker folding his rifle away as Ace and Decimus mounted the Prince upon their backs and galloped off for the safehouse they had arranged.

It was a good feeling. A perfect op was becoming something of a rarity.

They stood in the basement of the safehouse, applying medical care to the Prince and waiting for him to wake up. Decimus was upstairs handling security, leaving just Dust Kicker and Ace to handle the interrogation. They had told Fluttershy the bare minimum, so that she could at least deal with any issues back at the Merchants Guild. It was best if she didn't get personally involved.

The Prince started to stir, shifting his body with a groan then looking down in surprise as he strained against the chains about his legs. His eyes quickly found his captors and he took them in with frightened eyes, quite understandably. After a moment however those eyes softened, and he even looked a little pleased.

Dust Kicker instantly filed his observation away until he had a better understanding of what was going on, just standing silent as Khalid finally spoke. As expected his voice was deep and commanding, and it also bore surprising softness, "I expected you would come eventually."

"You know who we are?" Dust questioned.

"You are the companions of that young zebra, Zenai." The Prince stated, his voice firm and decisive, "Dust Kicker and Ace Gold. I am Khalid Al-Rashid Ibn Faisal Al Saddle, Crown Prince of Saddle Arabia, and I understand you have been looking for me."

"So you did kill Zenai!" Ace Gold spat.

Khalid closed his eyes, expression strained, "Yes."

Ace Gold's voice rang out furiously, "Why?!"

"It was to turn you against the Emir, make you think he was responsible and sow division." Khalid turned his head away to stare at the wall, his ear twitching a little as he avoided their gaze, "It was an evil thing, and you deserve to be angry. You deserve to have your revenge."

Dust Kicker stared at him, coolly assessing. To be honest it wasn't much of an assessment, Khalid was a terrible liar, "And you're prepared for the consequences?"

"I am." He stated, turning back to Dust Kicker and giving him a pleading look, "Please... have me killed in secret, and bury me far from here. Tell no one of my actions."

Ace Gold frowned, "Why should we? You think you deserve to have your honor intact?"

"Not my honor." He stated with cracking voice, "The honor of my family, of the royal household. Please... they had nothing to do with this."

"It's something to think about." Dust answered curtly, nodding to Ace, "Ace, may I speak to you for a moment outside?"

"He's lying."

"About what?" Ace Gold replied coldly, pacing the room with a conflicted look on his face, "Why would he own up like that if he wasn't responsible?"

"I have no doubt he feels responsible." Dust Kicker responded, the cogs moving inside his head as he considered the evidence. This wasn't his first conspiracy, and to be honest a lot about this was ringing many familiar bells, "You heard him at the end, he's desperate to preserve the honor of his family. He's Crown Prince Ace, and all indications are that he was the formal employer of Nazir's mercenaries. That he worked with Princess Luna. The evidence against him would be crushing if made public. For that reason alone this hardly seems the work of a criminal mastermind, he has too much to lose."

Ace Gold looked like he was about to object, though after a second he paused to think. Eventually he nodded, his anger calming, "You don't think he killed Zenai."

"Did you see him when he gave his motives?" Dust questioned, "He became tell city, couldn't look us in the eye. Not to mention his motives were vague, made no sense, and he was clearly eager to move on before we noticed that."

Ace frowned, "But the Emir claimed the order to kill Zenai came from him."

Dust Kicker shook his head, though he had to admit the implications weren't good, "The orders for the killing came from a household servant, who killed themselves before in depth interrogation."

"So he was framed?" Ace looked doubtful, "But in that case, why take the blame like that?"

Dust was pretty sure he knew, "Think of what he said Ace. He wanted his family left out of this. He's trying to take the fall for somepony else." He looked back at the door, knowing what they had to do. This wasn't his first interrogation after all, "Let's go back and talk to him. I think I know how to make him crack."

"You were part of a conspiracy, against Caesar."

Khalid nodded, gulping back a breath and trying to calm himself as they continued to question him, “It was Themba, Princess Luna, Abartili and I. We united under shared hatred for Incuta, the Caesar of the West.”

Dust shook his head, that was a good start. Still, it left a lot of questions, “How on earth did you four meet?”

Khalid nodded nervously at the question, sweat dripping down his face, “Of course... Themba was the mastermind, he recruited each of us. Abartili and I, we knew him from before, diplomatic visits and the like.”

“And Princess Luna?”

Khalid pursed his lips tight, his expression becoming even more nervous looking.

Dust Kicker frowned, he chose to clam up now? “What’s the problem?”

“Oh... nothing.” He muttered weakly, then finally continued, “Princess Luna was brought in by one of Themba’s allies... I think?”

"Who?"

"I... I don't know..."

Ace spoke coldly, his voice pointed, “Sunshine Ivory.”

Khalid looked up in surprise, then his lips pursed in worry, "I... um... yes."

To be honest Dust wasn’t too surprised. He had already known the priestess was Luna's benefactor. That led up to more pointed questions however, "What was the endgame for Princess Luna's part in this?"

"She..." Khalid looked regretful, trying to firm his expression and failing, "She was to destabilize the region, then die at Star Swirl's hooves."

Ace made a growling sound. Dust Kicker tried to keep his own face blank as he continued, "Why?"

"So that Star Swirl would be seen as a hero... and that the tragedy of her death would fuel Star Swirl's sense of justice."

Ace's anger was clear in his voice, "How does that work? Why would Star Swirl kill Luna?"

"Because..." Khalid fought for his words for several moments before finally explaining in a strained tone, "She was crazy. She was a broken thing, capable of kindness to her children and with legitimate concerns, but ultimately she was a rabid dog. You must have realized that. I myself... I..." He hesitated a moment before his voice fell, "...I spoke to her many times, and I... developed a fondness for her myself. But she was a psychopath, and it was necessary."

"She was not a psychopath!" Ace shouted, "She was more stable than Starhammer will ever be, and a thousand times the pony you are!"

"I... agree that Starhammer was an unexpected difficulty." Khalid admitted, "We expected Star Swirl to face Luna herself, and after she was removed be forced to take control of the area. The possibility of external interference was deemed remote, Clendel had no army, and any assault from Caesar Incuta would play into our plans to turn public opinion against him."

Dust Kicker gave a grim smile, it nice to see that not everything had gone their way, "Starhammer's rise was rapid, I'm guessing this was already being implemented before he even overthrew Rashid."

"It was." Khalid admitted, "And it must have made Luna seem more sympathetic than intended. Her joining forces with you and Star Swirl was... very unexpected."

"No it wasn't, because she was a good pony!"

Dust Kicker tried to contrast Ace's anger with calm reason, still he had his own reasons to feel irritated by all of this. The amount of hubris on display was truly exceptional, "You honestly based your plans on the certainty that Luna and Star Swirl would try and kill one another?"

"Luna... was crazy..."

"She wasn't that crazy." Dust Kicker replied, "Your psychological profiles seem a little exaggerated. She brought me into her inner circle without a great deal of convincing, and by her rhetoric she should have hated me."

Khalid paused for a moment to consider this, "She... why would she do that? She hated adults, hated stallions..."

"She was a young mare, with a tendency to make emotional statements that she didn't really mean." Dust Kicker corrected, feeling frustrated that he had to explain this, "So basing your master plan of her being an unstable psychopath seems poorly considered."

Khalid's face fell, "I... suppose it was."

Dust Kicker pursed his lips for a moment, finally deciding Khalid was emotionally vulnerable enough to give them the answers to the real questions, “And where does Zenai's death figure into this? Who ordered it?"

"It... it was me."

"And what about Abartili's death?"

Khalid looked really nervous now, shaking in terror and barely able to answer the question. He tried to speak several times but his voice just locked up, eventually forcing out a strained gasp, "It was..."

"Who?"

"I..."

Dust Kicker came forward, increasing the pressure, "Who ordered Princess Luna's death?!"

"I... don't know..."

"And who ordered Themba's death Khalid?" Dust started, sure he was on to something now. This boy was clearly no cold blooded mastermind, and he was clearly lying, "And why surround yourself with guards, huh? Who are you protecting yourself from?"

"I... we were in way over our heads..." Khalid grimaced, looking deeply broken, “It could only be... Abartili and Themba were killed by Caesar, and Luna by Starhammer. Any evidence that says any different is clearly fabricated..."

Dust gave him a grim look, seeing now how this boy could be so easily manipulated, “Abartili and Zenai were killed by Nazir's mercenaries, mercenaries under your employ. And Themba’s death occurred after Caesar had made peace with him, killing him then would have been stupid.” Dust’s frown only grew as he considered the last point, thinking back to all that had happened that fateful night so long ago now... “And Luna was killed in her room, having apparently put up a heavy fight against someone either packing heavy explosives... or high level magic. We all thought it was Starhammer’s assassins, but they all used blades."

Ace Gold's expression grew increasingly more furious with every moment, "You know who it was Dust. I think I figured it out a long time ago, and I wish I had considered it at the time."

Khalid looked like he suspected something too, gulping noisily. Dust Kicker decided there was no point drawing it out anymore, voicing his conclusions "The only presence in the caves that night with motive, alibi, connection to your conspiracy and abilities consistent with the scene is... Sunshine Ivory.”

Khalid gulped, “Uhuh...”

Dust kept his eyes on the prince, unblinking, “And she was close to Themba, and had access to Nazir's mercenaries through her connection to you. So...”

“She wasn't really a part of our group, but she was... a consultant." Khalid eventually forced, his breathing rapid and sweat moistening his brow, “Themba relied on her for all his plans, we all knew it. But we were specifically told not to mention her. Her reputation as a mare of peace was too important, too...”

He paused, Dust giving a moment before prodding, “Too what?”

“Too... fragile. She already had a reputation, if you know where to look. She certainly scared me.” Khalid finally admitted, “Themba and Luna hung on ever word she said, they worshiped the ground she walked on. But... she was a mercenary back in the day, did you know that?"

Dust Kicker nodded, "We did."

"She... also worked as an assassin. An assassin for this family, for my father." Khalid forced out with some difficulty, "She didn't advertise it, she posed as a simple rich tourist and guest of my father. She used to use those connections to charm her way into the bedrooms of her victims, then... she killed them."

"She was a hired killer?" Ace spat, "Who the hell does background checks at the Church of Celestia?"

Khalid actually laughed at this, "She could always charm her way out of anything. I remember her being so nice, so polite, my sisters adored her."

Dust Kicker noted a 'but' there, "And you?"

"She terrified me." Khalid admitted, "My father would always act strange when she was around. He was always so strict, so in control... but she could make him laugh, smile in such a strange way. And even though he was incredibly frugal with money he would shower her with gifts."

"Obviously that didn't last forever."

Khalid shook his head, "Eventually... he asked her to marry him. And she refused." His eyes filled with fear, "He raged at her, forbade her to leave, we all heard it through the door... but when she emerged she was the one who was smiling, and my father had never looked so terrified." Khalid looked away, "He was never quite the same after that."

Ace Gold waved an angry hoof at him, "Why would you work with someone like that?!"

Khalid sighed, "None of us... really liked our father. And my sisters had always worshiped the ground Sunshine Ivory walked on. After my oldest sister died my younger sister Alisha used to spend hours communicating with Sunshine Ivory, even became a fully paid up member of the Church of Celestia."

"Really?" Dust replied, having got a good idea of what was going on now, "Nazir was employed by you right? And you were the one giving orders?"

"Yes!"

"And did you order them to kill Abartili?"

Khalid shook his head, "No! I... was told that it was Caesar who had him killed, who burned Estelle to the ground!"

"And you didn't order Zenai's death?"

"No! I ordered them to bring her to me!"

Ace Gold looked over at Dust Kicker, "Haven't we already gone over this?"

"Yeah, but there's two things that don't make sense." Dust replied, fixing Khalid with a grim look, "One, the order to kill Zenai was sent with one of your household servants. Two, you were obviously trying to protect someone originally, and it wasn't Sunshine Ivory."

A look of absolute horror passed across Khalid's face, "Please..." He gasped, tears running down his face, "I can't..."

"Somepony in your household was subverting your orders. Somepony acting on behalf of Sunshine Ivory."

"It's my responsibility..."

Dust advanced forward, keeping his voice completely calm as he locked eyes with the Prince, "I don't care about responsibility. I want the truth Khalid."

His breathing changed pace, all the evidence Dust Kicker needed, "It's not..."

Dust Kicker continued, not letting him escape, "Your younger sister ordered Zenai's death. And she was following the instructions of Sunshine Ivory."

Khalid's words tumbled out, "It's not her fault."

Dust Kicker shook his head, "I beg to differ."

"She's a child."

"She's nineteen." Dust responded, waving a hoof at Ace Gold, "Ace is younger than her, and he has the good sense to know right from wrong."

Ace Gold took the opportunity to speak, "Zenai was just nineteen. She wanted to help the world, to be a hero. You took that from her."

Khalid actually laughed at this, "That sounds... familiar. My sister always wanted to give up this life, go out there and be a wasteland hero. She wanted... she's was always so..." His eyes fell, the joy draining from his face, "...innocent..."

"Is that why she did it?" Dust Kicker asked, seeing the thread here, "To be a hero?"

"Have you not seen what's going on here?" Khalid asked, looking at them both with desperate eyes, "Those... merchant kings know the worth of everything, and the value of nothing. They sell off the history of this land, create a society where money is the only thing that matters. We had to do something!"

"And what does killing Zenai have to do with that?! You son of a bitch!" Ace Gold shouted.

Khalid gave them a broken smile, "Ha... Alisha believes it is to ignite the flame of justice in the heart of the alicorn Star Swirl. But in truth I believe it was also a ploy to lead you to us, have you take care of the last loose end in her plan."

Dust figured as much himself, "She wanted us to kill you. She sure does like to assume the inevitability of violent confrontation."

"Justly so. You have every reason to hate me, to want my head. I have acted without honor, brought shame upon everything I have touched." He gave a quivering laugh, his body sagging against his bindings, "I have destroyed my house, a dynasty that has lasted a thousand years... though in truth, perhaps it needed to be put out of its misery."

"Just because something's old, doesn't mean it's any more valuable." Dust countered, though he felt he was beating a dead horse now, "You should have taken the Emir's offer, took a position in the government, worked to gain power legitimately."

"It is too late for that now." He admitted with a sigh, his voice fully defeated, "Bring me to the Emir, I will admit everything."

They passed through the corridors of the merchant’s guild, the crowds parting at their progress. Some of the royal guard that filled the area reached for their guns, still Khalid was as good as his word and quickly ordered them to back off. Eventually they reached the state chambers, Alisha instantly obvious among the crowd. Like her brother she wasn't quite an alicorn, her proportions yet another variation on the classic 'big pony' model. She had a pinkish white coat that shimmered slightly in the light, her shape the classic 'fashion model' type that you could only achieve with smoothies for ever meal and a private gym. Her face was pinched and oddly juvenile, with poorly defined cheekbones that her look of imminent outrage didn't help. It instantly faded as she saw her brother, shouting out angrily, "Brother! I knew they were keeping you here!"

Khalid advanced forward to meet her, shaking his head, "Alisha, please order our soldiers to stand down. I am here, and I am safe."

"I will not!" She replied, glaring fiercely at him, "Not until you tell me where you have been!"

"Alisha." Khalid stated with soft resignation, "It is over. I intend to reveal everything to the Emir, and accept whatever punishment is given. Please, stand down."

"That is truly wonderful news." The Emir stated from within the crowd, passing through a gap in the surrounding soldiers with Fluttershy at his side. He greeted Khalid with an accepting nod, "Please my Prince, all this aggression is upsetting the people. Let your men retire back to their positions, and we can talk in peace."

Khalid sighed, nodding his head, "Yes... soldiers, please go back to the mansion. My sister and I have things to discuss with the Emir."

"Belay that order!" Alisha angrily interrupted, her face furious, "They have clearly kidnapped my brother, and forced confession through crude torture! Stay where you are!"

"Alisha!" Khalid implored, "They know everything already! They know we conspired with Star Fall and Princess Luna, that we had Zenai killed..."

"You idiot..." She hissed, then glanced across at one of her officers, "Captain! Seize the Emir!"

Everyone froze... including the captain. He eventually forced out his words, "My Princess... I don't..."

Khalid stepped towards her, "Alisha!"

Alisha swiftly kicked her brother in the kneecap and sent him thudding to the floor with a yell, leaping backwards and fastening her teeth into the rifle of one of her guardsmen. Dust lifted his weapon but already knew firing the first shot would be a poor decision, powerless to do more than watch as she grabbed the Emir with a hoof and drew him close. An old man was little match for the tall, muscular Arabian horse, Alisha subduing him easily and backing towards the wall with the weapon held to his head, “Get back, all of you!”

A laser blast rang out, scoring a wound across Alisha's flank. She yelled in pain, her jaw tightening on the trigger as her guards readied weapons. Dust Kicker knew he couldn't play with niceties, leaping forward and slamming himself straight into the Emir, bracing himself in place and hurling the old camel fiercely aside. He tried to ignore the fact that he had just physically assaulted the most important person in the city, easy enough to do when Alisha proceeded to punch him hard in the eye. It was both well aimed and powerful, she was obviously no soft hooved noble.

It was confirmed when a laser blast streaked across the room and struck her in the flank, cleaving away a large slab of flesh. She barely winced, simply turning and firing a barrage of shots in the direction the blast came from. Her own guards rallied around, weapons rising...

Dust called out, "Fluttershy!"

She understood, bless her, "Stop this now!"

They all froze in place at Fluttershy's shout, each of them turning their heads to look at the mare with expressions of shock and shame.

All except for Alisha, who ran forward without a moment of hesitation. Her hoof shot out and kicked Fluttershy aside, the mare squealing as she tumbled across the tiled floor. Alisha didn't stop to assess the mare's condition, darting down the corridor and out of sight.

And that was enough to invite Dust's attention, following with a fierce vengeance as Alisha thundered down the corridor. He fired his rifle but she dodged around the corner, hearing rifle shots and spotting an injured clerk as he came into the corridor behind her. As before she quickly moved out of sight and he was forced to follow, cursing her long legs as he fought to keep up.

Eventually he spotted her heading through a pair of large metal doors, attempting to throw them closed behind her. He put on a final burst of speed, launched himself straight at the narrowing gap...

He burst through, a hoof extending to trip him. He didn't entirely fall for it, simply stumbling as he fought for balance. A gun roared and bullets marked his side, Dust Kicker igniting his own shotgun with a roar and striking Alisha in the hip. A moment of wild fire later they both reached cover, Dust Kicker crouching behind a statue and considering the situation.

He looked around the room, sunshine streaming through a skylight far above to illuminate a room that differed from the others in its opulence. It was filled with wealth, mighty statues of proud looking Arabians, jewel studded armor and weaponry, rune covered golden plates. Portraits hung all around, each one a masterpiece.

"Appropriate, that it should end here." Alisha stated from behind a pillar of her own.

Dust Kicker tried to work out what Alisha plan was. The door might have been locked now, but unless she was going to hide in here, "You can't win Princess! Stand down, and I swear you'll be treated with dignity."

"Ha! I spit on both those proclamations!" She shouted, her hoof steps echoing out as she darted behind one of the statues. She slid into position with easy grace, firing a shot that splintered the stone an inch from his face, "You forced me into this! I hope you remember that as you burn!"

Dust Kicker... did not like the sound of that, "What do you mean?"

"You think we weren't prepared for this, for this betrayal?!" She shouted joyfully, her strong, arrogant tones echoing around the room, "This room contains the last of our glory, the treasures and wealth of our rule! These golden plates, they record thirteen hundred years of our might and glory, and that disgusting old fool of a camel simply prices it up according to the weight of the gold it was made from!"

"And shooting the place up is going to help?"

"If our treasures are to be melted down, then we shall be the ones to do it!" She declared, "For mere wealth isn't all we hid here!"

Dust Kicker finally got it, and to be honest he had done the same in the past. Always have a spare, always have access to a weapon, "You... hid weapons here." He thought to what she had said, "Explosives."

She laughed triumphantly, "Enough to bring this whole place down! Would that not be a worthy capstone to our rule?"

It would certainly prove evidence for the wisdom of ending it, "Only one problem with that plan."

"And what is that?"

"You move from that spot, and I'm putting a hole through your skull."

She paused for a moment, before her lanky form darted out from behind the statue, "Then I will have to kill you first!"

Bullets shot past him, one scoring a nasty wound across his side. He too moved to engage and their battle dragged on for several more seconds, shattered marble and rattling shell casings scattering under his hooves. He placed several shots across her body with his assault rifle but she barely seemed to notice, even as the fire enchantment scorched her fur. And it was hardly one sided, Dust Kicker having to acknowledge her awareness of angles and fields of fire. With her long legs and youth they were deadly weapons, she simply outpaced him at every turn. Eventually she caught him in the knee and he stumbled, just making it to cover as she scored two more hits on his side that tore open his armor and drew blood.

"You're old! Old and slow!"

And she... was better than he expected. She had clearly won that engagement, Dust Kicker counting his injuries and the worryingly small amount of healing potion he had on him. Even with healing potion, his stamina was starting to flag a little, not used to running around the rather heavy praetorian armor.

Alisha's own light armor seemed barely necessary, the mare just soaking up bullets without a flicker of response. That and her somewhat dull facial expressions in contrast to her wild behavior was a give away, Alisha was a Med-X addict.

...which was literally the worst thing he could possibly think of. Ponies addicted to Med-X were bad enough, and if everything scaled up appropriately Dust Kicker struggled to think of a clear way to take out a mare of Alisha's size. Body shots likely wouldn't do jack, and he might as well ignore his assault rifle.

Even as he tried to formulate a plan she leant out from behind a pillar and let off a few shots that forced him to huddle against cover. He cursed as he realized she had trapped him. If he retreated back he would lose sight of her, advancing forward he would quickly get himself full of holes.

It was time to make use of experience. Dust leant out just a little and took aim at one of the golden plates that she was so proud of, firing and striking it at a sharp angle. He considered the irony as it deflected away at a sharp angle and struck Alisha in the shoulder, causing her to stumble out of cover with blood streaming down her side. She discharged a wild shot in his direction but he dodged it with a leap sideways, putting another bullet through her head and sending it cracking backwards.

He slackened a little. Bad mistake, and he realized it as she swung her head back, focused her one eye on him and shot him through the shoulder. His armor took most of the blow but she had already taken the opportunity to disappear further into the palace, her hoofsteps echoing down the corridor.

He galloped forward into a hall of statues, each one depicting some noble stallion dressed in royal robes. Their solemn, dutiful expressions weighted upon the room, covering it in an oppressive sense of history... long faded into the hard reality of now, “You know what the stupid thing about all of this is?!”

He didn’t get a reply. He didn’t really expect one.

“This nation is based on merit and money! And you have plenty of the second!” He looked around, making sure he was near cover as he scanned every dark corner, “If you were worthy of being ruler, you could have done it legitimately!”

A shot rang out, Dust hearing the retort and diving into cover as the bullet shattered the tiles. A moment of silence followed, then Alisha called out from somewhere high up, “I have no wish to take control of this travesty! I want my country back!”

Dust snorted, working his way round the statues and looking to where he had heard her voice, “The rest of us came to terms with it long ago! That world is never coming back! Deal with it, make a new one! Make a better one!”

“Ha! Oh so sure of yourself!” Alisha called out, now much nearer to his location, “Admit it yourself, Sunshine Ivory has played you from the beginning! While you roamed around the country picking pointless fights, she has placed everything in position for the new dawn to come!”

Dust looked behind, unable to comprehend how a pony so big could move so fast and so silently. She was over the other side of the room a second ago, now she was somewhere just behind his position, “We know her plans now, we know yours! It’s too late!”

“For you!” Alisha screamed as she came out from behind a statue, swinging a spear down at his head. He dodged to the side and fired, only for her to duck out of the way and sweep the blade of her spear across his battle saddle. The leather parted with no resistance, his gun falling away and the trigger mechanism going slack. She grinned wide, the wound on her head barely more than a rapidly healing scar as she brought her spear back for a final stab...

He charged in, slamming his form into hers. She simply rolled with the impact however and he was sent head over hooves, Alisha kicking out at the apex of the move and sending him flying across the room to thud painfully into the floor. He gritted his teeth as he saw her roll upright with unnatural grace for her size and shape, the rifle at her side already flicking into position.

He pulled the pistol from his armor holster, gripping it in his teeth and firing. Several bullets struck her chest and predictably failed to penetrate her armor, at least one however hit her rifle and sent her shot wild. It gave him a chance to duck back into cover, panting and assessing his options.

She shook away the shock from her injuries before grinning triumphantly, advancing on his position like a cat on the hunt, “How about that killer?! Your primary weapon is gone! What are you going to do now?”

Dust Kicker stilled his breathing. Through his nose, slow and steady. Let the tension in his muscles relax...

“Come out, let me finish this!”

He leapt out and rushed her, Alisha predictably stabbing at his head with her spear. Dust Kicker simply lifted his hooves, jumped up onto the blade, and slammed it to the ground with a mighty clang. She cursed and jumped back, rifle at the ready... Dust Kicker kicked the spear into the air and took it in his hooves, sweeping it round in a powerful arc and knocking her rifle flying.

She charged with a scream, kicking Dust hard in the face and attempting to trample him. She was a big mare, bigger than him, stronger than him...

But it wasn’t the first time somepony had tried.

He grabbed her hoof, kicked the inside of her knee, threw his weight forwards and held on. She screamed, toppled forward... her skull hit the tiled floor with a mighty crack and she spasmed for just a moment... before falling limp, heavy body sinking down on top of him.

Dust briefly contemplated his victory, that they had finally gotten at least a little revenge for Zenai...

...and the fact he had a lot of mare pinning him to the floor. And that all the doors were still locked, “Um... any help?”

"You have my most sincere gratitude Dust Kicker. Your actions have saved me, my palace, my city, and most impressively the two young royals." The Emir expressed with genuine enthusiasm, "Few have your level of restraint and skill."

"What will you do with them?" Dust Kicker asked as he rested upon the plush sofas of the Emir's state room, enjoying the chance to recover from his wounds as the group faced the Emir and Ibis. Khalid and his sister had both been 'quietly' detained in the more secure and windowless of the guest rooms, certainly better than many thought they might deserve, "I can imagine it's not an easy decision."

"The harm is greatest against you." The Emir pointed out, looking to them, "By rights, you have the right to judge them."

"They have long been an embarrassment upon you too." Decimus stated firmly, eyes narrowed in anger, "But I agree, you three are the injured parties."

Dust noted the others looking at him, even Fluttershy and Ace waiting for his decision. He quickly gave a shake of his head, "Sorry, but I'm not a judge, or even a law enforcement official. Judging ponies in general is something I'm not fond of doing."

"But you have an opinion?" Fluttershy asked.

"Call me a cold hearted mercenary, but I'm always inclined to be pragmatic." Dust answered, knowing it wasn't what some wanted to hear, "Both have been taught some humility, and punishment would just be an invitation for trouble on all sides. Have them open their properties to the state, formally give up their claims to the throne, and have them work off their debt to society... Khalid at least."

"And Alisha?" Ibis questioned, a smirk crossing her face.

"She'll obviously require a lot less authority, and a lot more supervision." Dust admitted, "To be honest, she's a pretty damn skilled fighter. She's certainly got the chance to make something of herself, but she's got a lot of growing up to do."

"She killed Zenai. A cell is too good for her." Ace Gold spat, not unpredictably.

"Zenai got a lot of ponies killed herself." Dust Kicker reminded him with soft resignation, "We can't..."

"Zenai was your friend!"

Dust closed his eyes, "She was a zebra, who could sometimes be blind to the consequences of her actions. Ace, I'm sorry, I miss her, but I've never been comfortable with letting emotion guide my decisions. As a mercenary, I prefer to see the good and bad in everypony."

"You're a bounty hunter." Ace noted, "You kill ponies for money."

"That's an assassin." Dust corrected.

"So you don't kill ponies?"

"If a pony takes a path that puts them in my sights, then that's their decision." He answered, feeling more than anything a grim resignation at how events had played out, "But I take no pleasure in killing. I only do it when they're trying to kill me or others and there's no practical way to end things any other way. At the moment I see no reason in killing those two save vengeance."

Ace Gold glared coldly, "Isn't vengeance a good enough reason?"

"For some." Dust looked to him, not wanting to prod the kid but feeling he had to say something, "But in my mind, it just leads ponies down the same path as Alisha and Sunshine Ivory."

"You are a rare one indeed Dust Kicker." The Emir stated with a broad, happy smile, "To be honest, I've never had a good opinion of mercenaries. But you put even my most honorable warriors to shame."

"Eh, I don't know about that." He felt himself blush a little, amused that a simply complement would embarrass him so much, "I just... try to live my life with a clean conscience."

Fluttershy gave him a warm, affectionate look that made his heart jump a little, the Emir noticing it and grinning. He tried to adopt a more regal expression as he lifted himself officially before them, bowing his head low, "Representatives of Equestria and Mutum, you have displayed judgment, virtue and kindness equal to any I know. It would be an honor to entrust my armies to your cause."

Dust grinned triumphantly, they had done it! "Thank you Emir."

Dust Kicker lay beside Fluttershy, breathing deep of her fur, feeling it tickle his nose. He was warm, happy, safe beside the one he loved. All was right...

He rolled over and looked up at the sky, dark clouds of grey and black rolling over each other in constantly shifting, complex patterns of utter beauty. He had missed that sight. It felt like he hadn't seen it in forever.

"To find the light in shades of grey, that sometimes seems all too easy. To locate true virtue when all is dressed in finery, that is far more difficult a task."

Dust Kicker could only agree, "That's why I've never liked the big cities. The rich, the virtuous, the proudly respectable... people rush over themselves to praise the sunlight, but I've always found something unsettling hiding behind the easy beauty of the new world."

She moved beside him, feathered wings extending outwards to brush the dust from her fur. She gave him one of her sly, slightly smug half smiles before looking back across the endless wastes. She adjusted the rose tinted glasses balanced upon her beak, silent in contemplation for long moments before speaking, "Because I have shown you Equestria, and you know it for what it is."

Dust Kicker looked ahead, a young, stubborn looking griffon and a short, gangly looking unicorn struggling together to build Canterlot Castle out of the dirt. Their struggles were clumsy, dirt staining their fur with every movement. Dust Kicker couldn't help but judge how foolish they looked, "Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness. A land united in harmony."

"And it was a lie. A rug, to cover the dirty blood stained reality of their decadence." Elizabetha looked to the griffon and unicorn, her eyes quietly judging and beak twisting in hatred, "Those two, they're both trapped by their own idealistic notions of the past. They dust down the flags of Equestria and the Griffon Republics, but neither understand what it is they are attempting to restore. Just like back before the megaspells, fools following a fool of a Princess, marching towards some nostalgic, prideful notion that the past could be atoned for, set right."

Dust looked to the pair. They had completed their work, Canterlot Castle standing tall and proud. They danced and sung around it in joyous victory, both failing to notice as it crumbled and fell upon its poor foundations, "They're just trying to do what's right."

"Those are the flags they fly above their new world." Elizabetha stated with venom as she pointed out across the plains, a million dead and burned children clad in tattered cloth.

He sighed, shook his head and walked forward, leaving the dead behind. He moved down the long, echoing corridors of Stable 5, looking down at the dead slavers all around. He remembered their faces, they were his men. He had led them here in the name of Red Eye, proud as the security forces had fallen with barely any resistance, the overmare tripping over herself to surrender.

And yet, something had been killing them. Sabotaging the stable systems, using security systems in the most unexpected ways, every attempt to find the location of their mystery nemesis turning up nothing but empty rooms.

He now stood before her last possible hiding place, already knowing what he was going to find. He pushed the entry button and it swept open to reveal that converted broom cupboard, panels pulled off the wall and a custom built console placed upon the floor.

The unicorn mare inside turned to him, barely more than a child. Her yellow and green eyes met his, unyielding, unafraid, intelligent and assessing like none other he had ever seen.

"I'm so sorry Celly." He stated with regret as he looked down at Cerulean Sparks, having almost forgotten what she had looked like.

"For what?" She questioned, her tone totally neutral, "For murdering your way through my home? For taking me as a slave? For raping me? For getting me killed?"

She had stated each of those things like she was reporting the weather. Her eyes contained no judgment. And yet with every word his insides burned, guilt and agony without measure, "...all of it..."

"You have not changed." She stated with firmness, brow wrinkling a little, "Gawd, Zenai, Fluttershy... you take their troubles upon yourself, work to fulfill borrowed dreams and labor under borrowed troubles."

Dust Kicker could say little, as always she was right.

"What do you want Dust Kicker?" She asked.

He struggled with the answer for a long time, but finally he had to answer, "For you to love me."

"No mare can validate your existence." She responded with cool judgment, eyes firm and unblinking, "You cannot hide behind others forever, refusing to take moral responsibility for your actions. There will come a time when you, and you alone will hold the key to our future."

"I..." He looked away, feeling like a child before those eyes, "...I'm just a mercenary, doing a job."

"This was never a simple job." She responded, "You were meant to be here. You were chosen."

He looked back at Cerulean Sparks, "I was chosen? By who?"

"Silent Steel said it himself." She responded, a slight smile upon her lips, "You came very highly recommended."

Dust Kicker opened his eyes, looking around the bedroom. He saw Fluttershy beside, her breathing gentle as she slept.

He got out of the bed and walked over to the window, looking over Baradin, out towards where Equestria sat far beyond his vision. He felt it in his bones, knew it somehow. That somepony was waiting for him back home.

Chapter 4.8 - Fire Across The Seas

View Online

Admiral Swift Ender walked the corridors of his flagship as he always did before a battle, with every step keeping his ear on the echo of his hoof falls, the hum of the machinery, the slight swaying as the ship banked against the wind. There was nothing between him and the ship than his fur, having happily shrugged off the badges of his office.

It was a good ship, the Lightbringers Herald. An old ship now, but of proven valour. He had faced down three Enclave Raptors and drove them into retreat, faced the Enclave Thunderhead Victorious before outmanoeuvring and stinging her into submission. It had taken a lot of damage and had been forced into retirement during the battle, still had known her core was good. He had been quick to recommend that she be used as the frame for one of the new breed of cloudships, her guns and armour slanted downwards for use against the more ground based opposition the NCR was expected to face.

This was her first battle in her new configuration. As he walked the corridors, he was confident at least that the heart of the ship still beat true.

He saw Lionheart standing in the port launch bay just ahead, reassured that the ghoul had not yet donned his helmet. It was a necessary precaution inside the echoing interior of the ship really, unless he wanted to deafen the crew. The ghoul was striding about with purpose, performing his own inspections on his armaments and soldiers. Swift Ender greeted him, “Major Lionheart, are you ready for battle?”

“I was born to bring war upon the enemies of harmony!” Lionheart shouted confidently, the lack of helmet not really helping as much as it should, “You need merely point me at the foe!”

Swift Ender was glad that he at least was enthusiastic about the coming battle, “Very good Major…”

“Nightwing! Where is your home!?” Lionheart called.

His troops all saluted as one, their voices bellowing out to match, “In the darkness of war!”

Lionheart stomped a hoof, “And what is your task!?”

“To carry forth the light of harmony, and bring it down upon Equestria’s foes!”

Swift Ender smiled and saluted. For all that the ghoul gave him a headache, Swift Ender was well aware that Lionheart lived up to his name, “Harmony carry you through the battles to come major.”

“And you too sir!”

He moved onwards, finally ascending to the bridge. His staff greeted him with salutes, Swift Ender moving around the consoles and inspecting the readouts for himself. It all seemed encouraging, good weather for flying, only a few minor technical issues, an acceptable adherence to formation which spoke well of the pilots… “How are the moisture barriers holding?”

“Most of the ships are reporting no issue sir.” His communications officer declared, turning to look at the readouts on the other side, “The Storm and Witness are reporting some water damage to internal areas, but that it will not affect battle operation. The Unity is reporting that algae build up upon the engine mountings may affect manoeuvrability, and that a full assessment is still in progress.”

He sighed, typical. The Unity was technically part of a production line of three S5 class raptors, yet it alone seemed to spend more time in maintenance than the sky. Always one to trust machines more than ponies, he doubted the crew had looked after her properly, “Keep her near the rear of the formation. I’m not going to have an unreliable ship at the vanguard.”

“Yes sir.”

He took his place at the viewing platform and donned the uniform draped across the crashbars, looking to the manifest screen and once again taking account of his forces. He had five S2 class raptors, ‘Storm’, ‘Nacrestratos’, ‘Cumonimbus’, ‘Praecipitatio’ and ‘Rainbow’s Honor’, all elderly pre-war designs but still solid after all these years. Supplementing them were the ‘Unity’, ‘Blessed’ and the ‘Honourable’, S5 class post war ships of a similar fast anti-air design, though all were still well capable of engaging ground targets.

He took their capabilities under consideration before giving his orders, “Split the fast attack raptors into two four ship units, to flank and engage in a swift bombing run once the main force is engaged. Cross stitch flight pattern, with permission to alter parameters as the lead deems appropriate.”

“Yes Sir.”

He also had his core fleet, built to address the design flaws that had led to so many Enclave ships falling in battle in the first Enclave war. The ‘Witness’ and ‘Destiny’ were S4 raptors in defensive configuration, slower, armored vessels loaded with point defences, designed to be rugged and simple. he had seen himself that they were near impossible to put down. The ‘Grover’ and ‘Gaudina’ on the other hand were configured for firepower, having a reputation for being finicky and prone to failure when damaged, but possessing an impressive number of guns. Finally there was the two ground attack ships, ironically totally different in shape and design. The Lightbringer’s Herald was a heavily customised S3 Heavy Raptor with a reinforced hull and much of her vitals replaced, and the Twilight’s Fall was a totally new design patterned after the towers of Canterlot.

It was a gaudy design, Swift Ender frowning at such extravagant frippery. Captain Gustav had proudly informed him before the battle that he welcomed the chance to prove the Twilight’s superiority. Swift Ender had no time for such pointless chestbeating but admitted he was looking forward to showing the arrogant griffon just what the Lightbringer could do, “Bring us in tight Ensign, prepare for contact.”

“Welcome to the bridge Lord Caesar.”

Caesar gave the ship's captain a charming and regal smile as he made it up onto the bridge of the Imperial Destiny, taking a moment to admire the odd looking mare as he came up onto the command deck of the Dreadnaught. Her name apparently was Sea Spray and she was one of Star Fall’s, graciously lent to him for the coming battle. He had accepted their generosity for several reasons. One, she was by far a better sailor than any of his own commanders, the seas always the one place he had accepted Star Fall had the overwhelming advantage. Two, having a senior member of their fleet surrounded by his soldiers was a good counter to any thoughts of betrayal.

Three… she was quite beautiful. He had heard of Star Fall’s sea pony commander, and he had to admit she was rather arresting. In place of fur she was covered in smooth, reflective scales, webbing around her hooves and ears. He had never heard of a sea pony successfully breeding with and land based species, a great loss to the world if Sea Spray was any indication, “No problems to report captain?”

“No Lord Caesar.” She turned to the window in front, looking out over the long armored deck of the Dreadnaught. The mighty guns stood proud and ready, a host of his zebra cleaning, maintaining and preparing them for the battle ahead, “The Imperial Destiny stands ready, bulkheads are secure, guns are armed, the crew is eager.”

“Excellent.” He moved to the centre of the bridge where an armored partition shielded him from injury while giving a commanding view of all command stations, monitors up top feeding him battlefield updates. He had rarely had a chance to visit his one serving capital ship, on inspection he could reliably admit to it being very cool. He looked out the window, nothing but clear skies and smooth waters, “What a lovely day. Harmony smiles on us.”

“I had hoped for a little more wind.” Sea Spray admitted as she moved beside him, “We are better able to handle a little chop than an airship is, though this calm weather should limit any difficult variables.”

Caesar was glad of that to be honest. He was looking forward to his first sea command, and his limited experience meant keeping things simple would be very helpful, “We are to watch the flanks yes?”

“Yes Lord Caesar.”

“Good.” He grinned, eager for the challenge, “The flanks are where you win battles.”

Commander Stern Shield ran through the final checks on the Twilights Fall, briefly considering the age old question of what was worse. An old ship, having been bashed around for so long that duct tape made up a large proportion of its mass? Or a new ship, straight out of the packaging and without a single one of its systems battle tested? She couldn’t help staring with suspicion at the shiny white walls or the faux marble pillars, not to mention the gold trim on the consoles. The ship clashing hard with her opinion of what proper military equipment should look like, and she couldn’t help but question its purpose.

She had to admit some reassurance as the console started spitting out the kind of numbers she had only dreamed about in her previous postings, and a quick scan with her horn revealed all the magic circuits here were firm and calibrated. Still, she wasn’t going to trust anything here until she had seen it take a hit.

“Cheer up Shields, you have a face like thunder.” Lieutenant Grenda stated from behind, the ship’s pilot busy performing the most important part of their daily start up checks. The griffon was generally considered to be the ship’s expert on said vital step, calm and in her element as she expertly brought the tea to a boil on the specially installed heater the captain had requested on the bridge, “It’s bad luck to go into battle all pent up.”

“I’m aboard a giant flying dashgirl, draped in daddy’s jewels.” Shields replied with cool contempt, “I only hope she has a spine for a fight under all that make up.”

She was quickly answered by a familiar booming chuckle from the entrance, along with the distinctive clink of chest ornamentation, “Half of every engagement is psychology Commander! Convince the enemy of your strength and you take the fight right out of them!”

She turned and saluted as Captain Gustav marched out onto the deck, the tall, expansive griffon as always clad in his pristine, custom designed uniform, gold braid hanging over an impressive display of medals, “Welcome to the bridge Captain. The Twilights Fall is prepared for battle, all systems have been inspected and are working above expectations.”

“Excellent!” Gustav declared, moving to his position at the commanders’ gantry, “I’ve got some good speeches ready for the day, put some fire in their bellies!" He looked around the bridge, smiling as he saw Grenda, "But first…”

Grenda hurried up, placing a cup of tea at his side, “All ready captain, brewed to perfection!”

Pangaea stood upon the deck of the Imperious, spray bouncing off the metal plates of his power armor as he looked out to sea.

This was to be it, the moment he had dreamed of. He had fought battles against pirates, Caesar, sea ponies... but they were nothing, a distraction. He had looked with envy at the battles of old, the true test of a zebra.

The Enclave. Equestria.

The grand sea fleets of the zebra had fallen before Equestria's might. This ship itself had been taken, used to covertly land equestrian troops upon Star Fall. They had shattered the armies of the zebra, burnt their cities. The zebra had launched megaspells because they knew they had lost.

He didn't bear a grudge. He was a warrior of Star Fall first, a zebra second.

What he did want... was a fight.

He wanted to experience the clash of titans, that moment when the pony in power armor had crossed blades with the zebra combat shaman. When two races had put their pride on the line, and the heavens had been split from the power unleashed. Golden Dawn could talk about peace, but Pangena dreamed of war. Not a war of hate and atrocity, but a war born of fiery passion, the hearts of both warriors screaming out a challenge to the heavens.

He looked up as the bows of cloudships broke through the skies above.

"Sir, the enemy approach."

He looked back at the worried expression of his first mate Galder, then back up at the ships above. It seemed this was where the first battle of the second great war was to be fought, and he was honoured to be here, “Then let us meet them.”

"I'm building a picture of the enemy deployment now sir."

Swift Ender looked towards the central viewscreen as it slowly rendered a panoramic view of the fleet in front, taken from the cameras of every ship in the Equestrian Fleet. It gave him an impressive field of vision, one he could move around a little to inspect the sides of the opposing ships. It was one he would need, not about to admit it out loud... but feeling slightly out of his depth.

He was an engineer by trade. He had been so successful in the war against the Encalve because he knew their ships, and understood how to deal with them. These on the other hand were an unknown enemy, which went against everything he knew about tactics.

The three big ships, those he could understand a little now. The first two were zebra dreadnaughts, tough as old nails and almost impossible to sink. The third was an Equestrian Battleship, sporting deadly and long ranged guns but being a fair bit more fragile. As expected the battleship sat deep within their formation, while the two Dreadnaughts led the way.

The ships at the sides of their formation... well, the commander of the zebra forces was obviously no fool. They were fragile looking, but mounted fast tracking, short ranged cannons and missile launchers, the perfect weapon to ward off flanking flyers. In the middle, an assortment of transport ship of different configurations sat.

He quickly made his decision, "Advance the Twilight's Fall and Lightbringers Herald towards the Dreadnaughts, engage at long range. At the same time, move the others to cautiously engage the defence cruisers on the flanks, our gun cruisers should easily outrange them.”

The crew busied themselves relaying his orders, Swift Ender sighing as he considered the battle ahead. If the zebra rushed to engage they would run into crossfire and leave their transports vulnerable, if they held back the Equestrian fleet could just whittle them down until the fast attack fliers arrived and the zebra became encircled. With the zebra limited in their turning circles and restricted to one plane, they would have little means of escape.

Still, he didn't believe in perfect strategies. He was certain the zebra had to have some tricks up their sleeves.

Pangaea’s strategy head Rose Twist looked up from her console, her tone warning, "They're attempting a buffaloes horns manoeuvre sir. Battleships up in front, gunships around the sides."

Pangaea nodded, as expected, "Advance the Dreadnaughts and gunships into firing range, keep the defence ships holding at the flank." He looked straight at Rose Dawn, jaw set, "Tell the Sea Ponies to prepare their assault."

Queen Ariel's voice rang out through the ocean depths, carrying easily through the waters, "Go my warriors, show those pathetic pegasi the wrath of the sea!"

Saphyir bowed his head deep in respect to his queen before flinging himself upwards with a fierce thrust of his tail. Around him rose other warriors, armed like him with airtight tubes containing surface to air missiles. Some distance away for safety's sake rose the ominous black forms of Star Fall's submarines, their large turret guns already twisting to target the equestrian airships above.

He broke the surface, fins shrugging away the protective netting on his launcher and lifting it skyward. Straight above sat one of the bigger vessels, Saphyir narrowing his eyes upon one of its engines and pulling the trigger.

“Sir, incoming fire on our rear!”

Swift Ender’s blood ran cold, quickly trotting over to view the scanner himself. It was impossible, yet he saw the incoming signal all too clear, “Drop the Destiny back, tell…”

The ship lurched, Swift Ender reaching out and bracing himself against the controls. The impacts echoed through the ship, Swift Ender feeling the ships centre of gravity shift, “Return fire!"

"Sir, I'm reading nothing but empty water..."

"Tell them to fire upon the water! They're either cloaked or submerged!”

“Sir, the Grover is losing altitude and listing!” His communications office shouted from the side, “She’s trying to regain control, but her engines were badly damaged! The Destiny has been forced to make evasive manoeuvres to avoid her!”

“The Lightbringer is holding Admiral.” His operations commander reported in calm tones, “Minor damage to directional thrusters.”

“Order the Gaudina to increase altitude.” Swift Ender ordered, desperately running the battle plan through his head, “Close upon the Dreadnaughts with the Twilight and the Lightbringer! Protect the Grover while they make emergency repairs, get all four ships to drop back and fire upon the water!"

"Sir." His connections officer reported from the front of the ship, "We are getting a priority video communication from beneath the sea. They wish to discuss their withdrawal from the battlefield."

Swift Ender didn't understand what was going on, still he didn't have time for delay, "On screen."

The image flickered for a moment before the image of a monstrous fusion of fish and pony appeared before him, her scales shimmering in the soft light. Behind her swam a half dozen more just like her, Swift Ender just about to speak when the creature opened her mouth... and a pure, intoxicating tone sounded out.

It was a song, a song that made everything right again. That there was nothing to fear, and that he should just deactivate all weapons and pilot the ship straight into the ocean. That it would be better there, calmer. It was the only logical...

His operations commander galloped across the bridge and slammed her hoof upon the console, shutting the communications feed off. Swift Ender blinked rapidly as the feeling of peace was replaced by a pounding headache, "What... what was that..."

"Sirens sir!" His operations officer reported as her hooves danced across the controls, "I recognised them from a book I read, put up a mindshield before they could open their mouths!"

"Celestia's teats..." Swift Ender's panic swiftly rose as he realised the implications, "Is that communication going to all our ships?"

"Yes sir!" She reported, "I'm attempting to jam her communication... done!"

"Excellent work, report..."

His navigator turned, face ashen, "Sir... the Witness and the Grover..."

Swift Ender switched to the external cameras just in time to witness every horrible second, the Witness boosting straight against the side of the Grover. Both ships twisted and deformed, tumbling over in a deadly dance… the Grover went first, disintegrating in a roar of plasma that tore it clean in half, gutting the Witness beside as the fireball swept through the broken plating. He was amazed to see that the Grover still had some power after all that, it’s decent into the sea below relatively controlled. It didn’t last, it’s landing hard enough to shatter what remained of the hull and leave the primary section quickly sinking below the waves.

A wave of silence fell across the bridge. He saw about seven figures wing their way towards the other ships, and some of the Grover’s crew might have survived landing… but the two ships had carried sixty crew each.

He threw out a hoof, voice rising, “Target the troop transports!”

“Yes sir!”

“Call off the flanking fleets!” He ordered, aware now that they were dangerously lacking support, “Tell them to rendezvous at fallback position!”

“Sir.” His communications officer reported, turning from his console, “They are filling the airwaves with that siren signal. We can’t reach the flanking fleet.”

Things were getting out of hoof. At this point he couldn’t think of much else to do but risk it all, “Send the Gaudina and Destiny at their right flank, the Lightbringer will take the left! The Twilight has to keep those battleships busy, advance aggressively and hit them with everything it has!”

“Yes sir!”

He growled, preparing himself. This was going to be rough, “We need to take out those flanking defenders before the raptor wings arrive!”

Oteka stood upon the deck of the Imperious, bowing her head in respect for the enemy. They must have known by now that they were outmatched, yet still they advanced. Bravely, firm in the face of death. It was everything Incuta wished, and though she mourned the lost of brave ponies she understood that there was little greater honor than to die in a battle such as this.

The radio in her ear crackled as the order came through, "Oteka, lead an attack on the leftmost battleship before it destroys our escorts!"

"Yes sir." She stated calmly before waving a hoof to the zebra dragoons behind her. As one they downed their bloodwing potions, batwings erupting from their backs as they braced for launch. First however she directed a hoof at the engineer standing at the console nearby, giving a swift order, "Release squadrons one and two, target the exposed systems upon the flanking battleship!"

The engineer saluted and keyed in the commands, the barrels to his side breaking open to release a swarm of the octopus shaped aerostrikers. They hovered and span for a moment before their single glowing red eye focused on the enemy ship. With a single powerful thrust of their engines they shot towards their target, arms spinning as they boosted past the speed of sound.

One of her fellow dragoons looked towards the other side of the fleet, the two lighter airships heading straight for the defence fleets on the other side, "What about them maam?"

Oteka felt her face shift into a grimace, "They are being dealt with."

Chigaru sucked oxygen in through his faceplate, thin but clean and clear. No normal pony could survive up here, suspended high above the clouds at an altitude that even pegasi couldn't deal with. It was no trouble for the robot carrying him of course, and him? He had shed his mortal weaknesses a long time ago.

He pressed the release button on his suit and dropped.

The air rushed by, slamming against his suit, a torrent of abuse as he tore through the cross winds. He used the rocket engines attached to his back to adjust his course a little, watched the airship below rush up to meet him...

...he engaged the rockets to slow him just enough. His body still had enough momentum to smash straight through the thin metal hatch however, his suit rupturing open and his bones shattering as he slammed into the metal flooring below. Pink gas billowed outwards and it burned, the oxygen hot against his now vulnerable form and it growing difficult to maintain cohesion.

But he was used to it, and his pain was soon soothed by the pain of others. He expanded through the ship, a vast cloud of deadly pink that melted flesh off bones, fused bodies to their consoles. Dozens of them died in mere seconds, screaming as his invisible hooves tore at their flesh.

He withdrew back into his suit with a satisfied sigh, the self repair mechanism already sealing the breaches. He strolled casually through the corridors, giving the mercy of death to those few who had survived his rampage. He soon reached the bridge, kicking the captain's corpse aside and turning guns on the airship beside.

"By Celestia..."

A moan went up around the Twilights crew as they watched the Destiny go up in flames. And even worse, it was to friendly fire. At those ranges the Gaudina's guns tore straight through its side, the ship breaking apart and dropping like a stone. The Gaudina soon followed as it was angled down to fly at full thrust straight towards the sea, the impact tearing it apart on impact.

Shield looked back at Captain Gustav, "Captain, we need to retreat..."

"Nonsense!" He bellowed, talon slamming into his chair hard enough to send his tea cup clattering to the floor, "Full ahead, turn our guns on the transport fleet!"

Shield gulped back a breath, it was madness, "Sir, that can't be wise..."

"If we take out those transports, the zebra will be landing jack shit on our shores. This invasion is over." The captain responded, pounding the medals on his chest, "All of us should be proud to die for such a cause!"

"Yes... yes sir!"

Captain Cloudwing looked out from the bridge of the Nacrestratos, the smoke rising from the battlefield ahead. His eyes narrowed as he trotted out to the viewing platform, looking down through the glass bottom to the Gaudina rapidly sinking into the sea below and the ruins of the Destiny scattered across the waves.

Then he looked forward, to the lines of intact air defence ships ready to fire.

"Sir, this is suicide, we have to call off the attack."

He looked round at his first officer, not unaware of that fact, "To quit the field without fighting is the height of dishonour."

His first officer merely frowned in disaproval, "Our honor is not worth lives lost pointlessly."

"No our honor." He turned back to the viewport, locked in the frustration of an impossible choice, "The honor of the Rainbow Cloudfields, and that of all the NCR's pegasus territories. Do you believe the media would ignore our betrayal?"

"This is not the final battle sir, and saving the lives of her soldiers is not betrayal."

He nodded, knowing that this was always the only decision, "Captain Cloudwing to Raptor squadron beta, call off the attack! Maintain formation and reform at fallback position!"

"Beta squadron is abandoning the battle sir."

Swift Ender gave a grim nod, "It's the right decision, that flank is too well protected." He looked across the bridge to the viewscreen in front, saw the defence ships approach, "Time till alpha squadron are in position for their attack run?"

His navigation officer looked round at him, "They're approaching now sir, one minute twenty seconds and counting."

Plenty of time. He watched the enemy come into range, throwing out a hoof, “Fire!”

Three destroyers sat before him, each carrying the kind of fast tracking guns that would quickly decimate the light raptor units. He felt his heart lift as he heard the solid thump of the Lightbringer’s main guns, scoring a clean double hit on the first destroyer. It crumpled instantly, then exploded across the water. The secondary solid shot guns tore up the second destroyer, sending fierce bursts of shattered metal and wood raining into the seas around. The payload of the missile launchers was still in the air, hurtling for the third ship and erupting across it in fierce gouts of flame.

“Reload! Prepare for a second salvo!”

They all saluted, a moment before the ship shook violently, the sound of roaring fire and collapsing steel echoing from behind. Swift Ender wrapped his hoof around the grab rail, listening to the sound of his wounded ship as the shaking ended.

Something was wrong.

The engines… were quiet.

Lionheart jumped out the open hanger door with his wings opened up and his body angling backwards. He had heard the explosions and knew they had come from inside the superstructure, confirming his suspicions as he spotted the distinctive forms of the octopus shaped aerostriker robots swarming around the thruster arrays at the back. The rest of the Nightwing soon joined him, Lionheart bellowing out his orders “WARRIORS OF THE NCR! OUR FOE PRESENTS ITSELF, SHOW NO QUARTER!”

He span himself backwards and boosted towards the enemy, already remembering fighting these things during the great war. His squadron fell into position behind, a dozen of the bravest warriors in the NCR, griffon and pegasi together. He knew first hoof that bravery was no armor against the kind of things these robots could do to a pegasi however, “DO NOT LET THEM GET CLOSE,THEY CAN DEPLOY NET SNARES TO BREAK YOUR WINGS! NOW, DELTA FORMATION!”

They broke off into a wide circle, magical energy weapons firing on the robots. Arms were sheared off and metal bodies spilled open, dropping from the sky and exploding into fireballs as the Nightwing continued their attack. The robots quickly broke away from the engines and boosted towards them in an unpredictable, twirling pattern, throwing grenades and firing their machine guns as they approached. Lionheart saw one of his crew get her wing shredded, another knocked flying by the concussive blast of a grenade, he quickly ordered one of his team to retrieve them before diving towards the robots.

They reacted as expected, closing on him and deploying the razorwire nets that they used to take out pegasi. Lionheart had seen the terrible things they were capable of, fortunately he had seen enough of it to be ready for them.

He let a plasma grenade fly, closed his wings and curled up tight, flying in a smooth arc down and away from the machines. They sped past him, caught the grenade in their nets, and were promptly torn apart in a fierce explosion of magic fire.

He recovered his velocity just in time to see one of his team, a brave but slightly dim pegasi mare called Rain Dancer, fly a bit too close to one of the remaining aerostrikers. She didn’t even see the razor wire, the strands wrapping themselves around her neck and pulling tight at speeds just under the speed of sound. He averted his eyes, focused on the robot, and avenged her with one quick burst of his plasma weapon.

His attention was then diverted to the west, feeling the thrill as he saw NCR Raptors soar overhead with their payload deploying in gouts of flame.

Sea Spray frowned deeply as she saw the raptors approach, the anti-air fire of the remaining destroyers barely seeming to touch their armor, “All transport ships, train your guns…”

“No.” Caesar ordered from behind, having already considered this possibility. He had studied the tactics of the old Zebra nations, and he was now certain the NCR hadn’t, “Tell all transport ships to batten down hatches, do their best weather the fire. And train the Imperial Destiny’s guns on position 230 east.”

Sea Spray paused for a moment with narrowed eyes, finally turning back to the radio, “Follow that order.”

Zebi hated this, being stuck down in the cramped confines of the crewbays as a battle was fought around them. His hoof echoed against the deck as he tapped it nervously, shoulders tensed.

"It's alright Zebi." His brother stated with his easy confidence, offering a comforting smile, "Be glad we're not one of the poor fools on the warships."

He would rather that, "I just want to fight, I can't stand feeling so useless."

"You'll get your chance." He answered, "We all w..."

Then the roof was torn clear and the blue skies above shone through, his brother and half of the other soldiers turned into paste right before his eyes. Water poured across the deck and swept the blood around his hooves, Zebi gasping in shock and horror and backing up against the wall.

And then he looked up at the seas ahead, transport ships burning across the horizon and soldiers who had never seen battle dying in their hundreds.

Three dozen aerostrikers floated above the battlefield, their computer systems targeting the Raptors as they came up from their attack run. The aerostrikers opened their legs and the limpet mines folded out, thrusters charging up…

They released the mines and boosted out the way, spinning as the Raptors roared past. Another set of mines were flung straight at their departing rears, many burned up by engine exhaust but some managing to latch on to the vulnerable thruster rigging. There they remained, lights blinking as the raptors climbed back towards the horizon.

Admiral Swift Ender watched with satisfaction as his Raptors blazed across the transport fleets, sinking two and badly damaging many more. Anti-air fire from the cruisers followed them but none of the raptors were seriously damaged, most of the enemy fleet distracted by their bold charge straight into enemy lines. The Twilight Fall seemed to be holding up well over the other side of the battlefield, the fact that he would have to concede to Gustav that his ship was a fine vessel hardly spoiled his satisfaction. With a bit more luck like that they could still win this.

He watched his Raptors boost upwards, moving into formation for their turn.

Then he watched as the Praecipitatio and Honorable suddenly erupted into searing flame, both ships stalling and falling backwards. The other ships parted to let the Praecipitatio by, the Honourable on the other hoof went straight into the Cumonimbus behind and caused them both to erupt in fierce explosions.

He turned to his bridge crew, “What the hell was that?”

“I’m not sure sir, I…”

The truth dawned on him in a thunderbolt, “Limpet mines…”

Caesar chuckled as he watched the Enclave warships fall out of the sky, torn to piece by his bombs. He could barely restrain his amusement, that after all this time they were still falling for the same old tricks the zebra had used against Equestria two hundred years back, “Fire upon those raptors!”

The Imperial Destiny fired its guns with a succession of furious roars, straight at the disorganised and confused Raptor formations. Having slowed and turned to expose their flanks to avoid the two stricken vessels, they were now easy targets. Caesar laughed triumphantly as he saw the two undamaged raptors collapse and explode, the third remaining vessel spewing smoke and listing as it drifted away from the battle.

“Should we not have sent more to attack the battleship?” Sea Spray asked, sounding worried, “Those big guns are still focused on our transports.”

Caesar shook his head, “The aerostrikers don’t have the firepower to do serious damage, really that attack was merely a distraction.”

“A distraction for what?”

He grinned, “Why, to take their attention away from their now undefended hanger…”

Oteka dived through the bulkhead door of the Lightbringers Legacy, bloodwings already closed around her as she ducked, rolled and pulled out her submachine gun with her teeth. A couple of repair technicians went down in moments, Oteka’s ears flicking to the side as she heard booted feet through a door to the side. She wasted no time, dodging through the door to intercept and plunging her spear straight through a security guard. A charge and firm shove later and he was thrown backwards down some stairs to crash through a group of others heading up behind, all of them tumbling down into a room below full of machinery.

Oteka unclipped the explosives pack and threw it down after them, dodging back behind a bulkhead and pushing down on the detonator. The sound of crumbling metal and dying machinery proved she had done some real damage, her fellow zebra dragoons already heading off to deploy their own charges.

She still had one pack left. She looked up and located the sign towards the reactor room.

Shield saw the Alpha Squadron Raptors fall from the skies, the rest of the zebra fleet now moving to direct their guns towards the fleeing Beta Squadron. Captain Gustav flung out a claw, his voice booming out, “Port fifty degrees, position us across their lines! Fire our guns down at those cruisers, give our forces time to fall back!”

Shields didn’t voice the fact that said manoeuvre would leave them a giant target for every ship in the zebra fleet. She knew that was the point, even if she felt her hooves tremble beneath her. She saw Grenda grip the controls, felt the g-forces against her body, watched patiently for the cameras to pan across the assorted enemy fleet…

Her hooves darted out, gripping the levers with her telekinesis. The mainframe took her input, calculated firing solutions, fed it down to the gunners…

The Twilights Fall rocked as every single one of its guns fired, cutting across the enemy fleet with fierce gouts of fire. Two transport ships were pretty much gutted, one cruiser collapsing in on itself and another one losing nearly its entire top deck. Shields could only stare in amazement, having just watched firepower from the other airships bounce off at these ranges.

“Now that’s my ship!” The captain shouted, “Reload and keep firing!”

“Incoming!” Shouted an ensign from the other end of the bridge, Shields gripping the console and preparing for impact. It hit like a thunderstorm, a fierce, relentless banging spread across the hull, the groaning of metal forced against its bearings, the whole bridge shuddering as it vibrated against the relentless impact…

Eventually it stopped, an Ensign quickly putting out a small fire at the back of the bridge as Shield looked over her console. She had lost three of her guns and two of the cameras, and one of the main guns was locked in place, not nearly as bad as she was expecting.

“Bulkheads holding sir!” The damage control technician shouted, “Damage to externals is extensive, but they failed to breach our armor!”

“With their whole fleet?” Gustav questioned briefly before giving a fierce barking laugh, “How’s that you dirty little bastards!? Keep firing, drive them back to the Golden Coast!”

Pangaea stared up at the gaudy flying castle with a mixture of anger, confusion… and genuine respect. He had seen pieces of that horrendous ornamentation fly away and had been waiting for the ship to fall out of the sky like it was supposed to, now however he saw that said ornamentation had pretty much acted as ablative armor. Beneath stood a firm surface of what looked like very high grade metal, untouched save for a few dings here and there, “Impressive.”

Rose Twist looked back at him, her lip curling with the nearest he had seen to anger in a long time, “Sir, that ship appears totally impervious to our guns. Continuing the offensive…”

“Yes, I know Rose.” Pangaea interrupted, already aware of what he had to do, “Draw the fleet back, and send the Imperious in to engage that ship directly at close range.”

Galder shot him a look, “Our command ship?”

“We are the closest, and these guns have brought down Enclave Raptors in a single shot.” Pangaea pointed out, once again wanting to point out to his staff that he wasn’t stupid, “At close range, even that armor will not suffice. Full speed!”

“The enemy dreadnaught is making an attack run on us captain.” Shield pointed out, already sizing up those big guns. They looked like the Equestria made T-90 60 calibre gun, which she was almost certain would tear through their armor, “The rest of the fleet is falling back.”

“So it’s a duel!” Gustav laughed heartily, then nodded to Grenda, “Turn us to face Grenda, we’ve got those bastards side to bow!”

¬
Pangaea braced himself as the airship’s cannons discharged, exploding around his ship in roaring spires of water. More than a few hit the ship dead on, at a far enough range that they didn’t immediately penetrate but still enough to do some damage. He watched through cameras as the deck splinted, one of the guns fell silent and the frontmost deckhouse caved in, the roof above splintering slightly, “Turn towards their prow, that will give them limited fire across the top of the ship, and allow our guns full arcs of fire.” Pangaea watched as the ship grew closer, inspecting it’s armament and defences, “Rose, have we a model yet?”

“Bringing it up now.”

A wireframe model of the ship suddenly appeared in the centre of the bridge, filling out with detail as the image loaded. Pangaea focused his eyes on the image, swinging the holographic ship around until the spot became clear. He stabbed a hoof against the area, lighting it up in red, “Target this area and fire!”

Captain Gustav leant forward, feathers bristling as his command boomed across the bridge, “The weakened area, hit it now, hit it with everything we have!”

Shield’s hooves swept across the controls, desperately trying to normalise the power outputs as she pumped all the Twilight’s remaining energy into weapons. By more luck than judgement she finally got green results across the board, shouting to the other deck crew, “All weapons ready!”

The command reached the gunners, the roar of the cannons filling the bridge…

Pangaea saw the roof come down towards them, snarling in frustration and slamming Galder out the way. His first officer sprawled across the bridge, Pangaea bracing himself as a large iron girder struck him across the shoulders. His power armor took the blow but the impact shattered all its servos in one mighty explosion of compressed air, Pangaea forced to the floor by it’s now unsupported weight. Sparks shot out across the bridge and the lights flickered, many of the deck crew picking themselves up from where they had been struck by falling debris. Pangaea fought off the pain, trying to speak, “Ungh… damage report…”

A large roar from above cut him off, Pangaea looking up to see a broken gas valve sudden gout a sheet of flame. It consumed much of the already damaged decking, causing it quickly come crashing down in a torrent of flaming rubble. Pangaea hugged his head forward as much as possible and endured the rain of red hot debris, feeling the sting as his mane caught fire and his armor cooked. Eventually the impacts stopped and Pangaea desperately struck his armor release, sprawling out from the smoking metal and out through the flames, sprinting out across the deck and throwing himself down on the deck with his fur still burning.

Then he lost consciousness.

Lieutenant Shield watched the Imperious’ deck cave inwards, sparks and fire spreading through the hole and the power failing across the enemy ship, “Direct hit, damage extensi...”

Then the Twilights Fall rocked violently backwards as impacts echoed against the hull, throwing them all to the floor as the front wall of the bridge exploded. Shattered metal rocketed across the room, punching holes through consoles and bouncing off bulkheads, the central monitor falling and disintegrating into a thousand pieces of glass.

Captain Gustav’s head snapped back, blood coating the floor behind him as he crumpled. He didn’t even cry out.

Shield picked herself up and confirmed she wasn’t dead, crawling for one of the few remaining consoles and switching to the ship’s damage assessment, “Major… major structural damage on the last hit sir, but primary systems are holding steady…”

“You’re in charge now Stern Shield.” Grenda stated from the command station, looking down at Gustav’s motionless body with a look of sickened horror, “Captain’s dead.”

Shield stood, glancing around in panic as flames spread across the left side of the bridge, many of the bridge operators screaming in pain and alarms going off all over. A series of stead thuds from the side indicated they were being fired on once more, “I...”

“Commander Shield sir!” The damage assessment technician called from across the bridge, voice panicked, “Severe damage to the port bulkheads, internal damage across the command sections with heavy casualties reported. We’ve lost sixty percent of port stabilisation, and forty percent of our guns there have fallen silent.”

Shield looked across the data now streaming across the consoles, her heart threatening to beat its way out of her chest, “If we… turn, we’ll have our undamaged side facing them. Their Dreadnaught is dead in the water, and their other ships can’t breach our armor.”

“Fires are spreading through the ship, but I’m sure our damage control teams will be able to deal with them.” The damage control technician stated, though he didn’t sound entirely sure of himself, "We... could have a chance to turn this around..."

“It’s going to take a bit of skilled piloting to turn us with the damage to our stabilisers, but I’m sure I can do it.” Grenda reported.

Shield firmed her resolve, though she was frightened to find there was little of it to firm. She looked down at the captain, feeling bile rising in her mouth, “I…”

“Commander, we need orders!”

She shook her head, tears running down her face and her voice weak and strained, “Retreat."

"Sir..."

"Retreat!”

Swift Ender watched the Twilights Fall disengage, knowing now that there was nothing else to be done. Their course had taken them out of range of the big guns, leaving them a free path out to sea and back round for a safe return to Equestria, "Ensign, escape plan gamma if you please. Continue bombardment on their flank as we pull out, but I want us out of here at all speed. Radio all surviving flyers to return to hanger."

The operations officer inputted a few commands, only for a worried look to spread across his face. Eventually he looked back up, "Sir, we are receiving no communications from the engine room. We appear to have suffered damage to internal communications."

"Get a runner down there immediately, and find out what's wrong with our intercom." Swift Ender ordered, considering that one of the ships most vital systems, "We cannot..."

Then the ship lurched, a wave of heat spreading through the compartment.

Lionheart looked up in surprise as fire gutted the Lightbringer's interior, surprise that was soon replaced with rage. He shot up towards the stricken ship, wings outstretched...

A zebra leapt from the broken hull, the submachine gun in her hooves spitting lead. It stripped the plasma rifle from his side, Lionheart dismissing it without a second thought and charging the zebra with all his speed. She fired her weapon and attempted to escape on her bloodwings but he was a canterlot ghoul, a pegasus... and most importantly a member of Luna's royal guard. There was no zebra that could match him in the skies.

He ignored the stings of her bullets and closed. He knew she understood when she discarded her submachine gun and drew her spear, closing with a look of grim determination.

They met, the air exploding outwards from the sheer impact. Her spear cut deep, his hoof shattered bone. They dropped, spinning through the air as they fought each other in brutal combat.

He drew blood and burned her flesh with the veil of pink gas that surrounded him. She earned his respect when she ignored it without even a yell of pain, twisting him around and slamming into the deck of a zebra cruiser with a furious scream.

His back shattered, the air exploding from his lungs. He felt death approach for a moment, watched as the zebra fought through her own injuries and drew a knife from her tattered uniform... he headbutted her hard and flung her into the other approaching crew, back already healing as he pulled his pistol and shot the knee away from an approaching marine.

A spear flew true and impaled him through the torso. Lionheart pulled it clear and flung it at a pony sniper above, dropping him at a dozen paces. Another sniper shot him through the head and his vision blurred...

...and then he forced himself to focus, forced himself past his injuries.

Ditzi... was waiting for him to return...

Someone locked a machine gun on him and tore his body to shreds. Lionheart ignored it, charging through the fog clouding his eyes and leaping forward...

...his body hit the water and he felt the cold seas cover him. Sweet darkness swiftly followed.

Swift Ender ducked and gripped the guard rail as the concussive blast swept through the bridge of the Lightbringer, shattering panels and sending loose material flying. The metalwork buckled, heat washing over them and the geiger counter in his pipbuck going crazy. Swift Ender’s firm hold upon the rail told him the truth before any of his officers did, he had clearly felt the deck shift position under his hooves. That meant the Lightbringer’s spine was broken. He looked up at the shaken bridge crew, wasting no time, “Lieutenant Pinion, organise evacuation!”

The lieutenant picked himself off the floor, looking shocked at the order, “Sir, the ship is…”

“That was the reactor that just went up son.” Swift Ender stated firmly, there being no benefit in sugarcoating it, “The engines are out and the ship’s spine is broken, there’s no recovering her from this. Evacuate, now.”

They hesitated for a moment and he glared, the crew giving each other one final look before running. He noted ensign Featherforce still at the helm, Swift Ender leaving his position and trotting over, "Son, I ordered you to evacuate."

"Somepony needs to keep us stable sir. I still have some control." He looked round, "I'm a pegasus sir. I can easily make my own escape..."

"You're a strong lad." Swift Ender assured him, giving the pony a serious look, "Those wings of yours could save quite a few lives. You go help them, go down to one of those zebra battleships and surrender to them."

The ensign's voice shook, "And you sir?"

"I can handle the helm." He stated simply, "And I'm an Earth pony, with a fair bit of heft on me. I'd just slow you down."

"Sir..."

"They cannot capture the admiral alive son." He repeated, "My place is here."

The ensign finally nodded and galloped for the door. Swift Ender took his position at the helm, stripping off his jacket and taking the controls.

She was a good ship, the Lightbringer. She was still fighting to stay aloft, even with her reactor gone, insides gutted, spine broken.

He knew the same was true of the NCR. This wasn't the end.

"Sir, look..."

Pangaea fought through the daze of the drugs in his system, the shear numbness of his burnt blistered flesh. He followed Rose Twist's hoof, towards where one of the big Equestrian battleships slowly angled down before striking the water with an enormous splash. Her spine shattered on impact, most of her decks shifting upwards and the whole ship near splitting in half. He hissed out his words, "...victory...?"

"Yes sir, we did it. We're going to get you to a doctor now, try and remain still."

"Thank the fire..." He breathed as unconsciousness beckoned once more, "...I did my duty..."

Caesar saw their flagship plant itself into the sea. There was really no better feeling, "And that, my dear, is called sweet revenge. The zebra prove again their worth!" He looked across at Sea Spray with a triumphant grin... which failed as he saw her grim, regretful expression, "My dear, are you not happy? We won!"

She looked at him, her expression conflicted, "I apologise... but I am not a zebra."

"Of course not, you're a sea pony..."

"I am not a sea pony." She answered.

He looked at her for a moment before speaking again, honestly curious, "Indeed, I had wondered... what exactly are you my dear?"

"I am a Kappa." She answered, cutting off his follow up question before he had even opened his mouth, "We lived in the rivers upon a continent on the far east of this world. We thrived there, until one day our waters fouled and our children started to be born blind and lame. I was sent to these lands in order to uncover the secret to this corruption."

Caesar smiled, "And you have succeeded! With the elements of harmony, we'll be able to clean the waters. Save your people!"

She shook her head, turning her face away, "I'm afraid you are too late Lord Caesar. I am the last of my kind, our entire race killed by a war between nations we had never even heard of." She looked him in the eye, her expression inscrutable, "I serve loyally, but I take little pleasure in the petty egos of kings."

Caesar paused for a moment, her words stinging, "This... isn't about ego." He smiled, certain in himself once more, "We are going to save the world from Equestrian imperialism."

She nodded, averting her eyes and walking away, "As you say Lord Caesar."

______________________________

NCR military strength – 27%

Allied Forces strength – 8%

Chapter 4.9 - Behold the Dawn

View Online

Sunshine Ivory looked out from the top of the mountain, watching as the sun slowly crept towards the wicked lands beyond. It appeared as if it bathed them in fire, a mere illusion maybe... or maybe proof that Celestia approved her course. And why wouldn't she? This world was corrupt, and needed to be reborn in fire.

Her adventure into the wastes had only proven it further. The wickedness, the corruption, the demonic forces at work out there. She had wanted to stay, to work to save who she could... but she well knew it was futile. If she was going to change the world she would need an army, and a messiah to lead them.

And now she had both. She started down the stairs, ready to start the revolution.

Sunshine Ivory continued to spend long hours each day just looking up at the statue of Celestia, the same as she had done when she was just a child. It was a comforting ritual, gave her a link to the past. Gave her time to reflect, to clear her head of distractions.

She had been... an unhappy child. Her father had abandoned her mother when she had been very young, and her mother had always blamed her for it. Told her she was a naughty child, that she was broken in the head. As far as Sunshine Ivory was concerned her mother had been the broken one, giving up her own daughter to the Temple of Celestia, abandoning her to her loneliness. There she believed for a moment she might fit in, find love, but it had been but a fleeting thought. Her resemblance to Celestia had served her well at first, but every time she had put even a hoof out of line they had punished her above all others. Like they found her appearance an insult.

And it was always her fault. Every time somepony had hurt her and she had simply retaliated. Her fault. Every time she had taken something that was rightfully hers. Her fault. Every time she simply told the truth, puncturing their pathetic illusions. They could not accept it, even when her logic was clear.

They had hated her because she was beautiful, and smart, and willful. They had told her she needed to conform, to do as she was told. They didn't understand that her mind was different than theirs, that she was naturally superior. Had Celestia always done what she was told?

One mare had understood. Diamond Prism had been the first pony to ever love her, to sit down beside her and show her how to live among others, how to understand their rules. In her Sunshine Ivory had seen the true face of Celestia, the firm kindness, the patience, the wisdom. Even on that day when they had gone their separate ways Diamond Prism had just smiled, telling Sunshine Ivory that she loved and understood her. That she was sure Sunshine Ivory would find what she was looking for eventually.

And she had. Sunshine Ivory had come back to Star Fall no longer the awkward child but instead the image of Celestia, the ponies of the church falling over themselves to elect her as their High Priestess. It had been easy, only souring her opinion of those around her yet further. All she had to do was walk like Celestia, talk like her, move like her. She colored the basest of her demands with pretty words and they called it heavenly wisdom.

And she had known then, that she was the one. All of Celestia's greatest students had been lonely children, only to blossom once taught the magic of friendship. And how had she blossomed. She had taken worthless rejects like Star Swirl, Midnight Dreamer and Themba, made them better and stronger and used them to further the cause of harmony across the land. She commanded the attention and affection of the many thousands of zebra that she had met along her journeys, and Star Fall was now united under her will.

She was the true heir to Celestia, and she would see her glory spread across the world.

"Well... I admit I was never really that attached to the role anyway..."

"Excellent." Sunshine Ivory declared as she inspected the projects on display around Star Fall's research department. She turned to Mint Engine after a moment, flashing him a beguiling smile, "You will have far more time to devote to your research without your council duties to worry about, and I intend to fully support your department. You will retain the office of chief scientist of course"

Mint Engine gave her a nervous smile in return, "You intend... to keep power?"

"Themba is dead, and Golden Dawn is already under investigation." She smiled, feeling her heart fill with pride in her accomplishments, "Somepony has to take control of the situation."

"Indeed." Mint Engine gave her a slightly nervous smile, bowing his head, "And may I be the first to congratulate you."

"Thank you Mint Engine." She replied with a smile, while already assessing if he needed to be more permanently removed. He had been a little too quick to bend the knee, and she distrusted the craven. Perhaps she needed to reconsider his loyalty...

"Sunshine Ivory."

She turned at the voice of Radiant Glory, one of her most senior, loyal and powerful priestesses. She had been placed in charge of putting down dissent in the city and had done a worthy job at it, that most subtle and professional breed of thug that were so rare and useful, "Glory."

"I have the girl you were interested in." She reported, as polite as she was emotionless, "I can take you to her now."

"Please."

She followed Radiant Glory down the corridors that wound around the interior of the mountain, finally reaching the inner cells. Pretty famous in their own right, these cells had held a lot of important figures over the years. The pony who now occupied them should feel proud really, as Sunshine Ivory couldn't help but be amused how out of place she was among their number. She stepped inside, looking down at the pathetic little bundle with kind eyes, "Thousand Sunny, I am so sorry that you have been caught up in all this."

The little pegasi looked up, eyes full of tears, "I didn't do anything wrong, neither did my family! You have to believe me!"

"I do Thousand Sunny." Sunshine Ivory replied with a look of utter sincerity, drawing closer, "You were just trying to help your friend."

Thousand Sunny sucked in a sob, "Sabah's not a bad zebra..."

"I know." Sunshine Ivory straightened out, giving her a reassuring smile, "And I intend to clear her name, make sure the real criminals are punished. All I need is a little help from you."

Thousand Sunny nodded furiously, "I'll do anything!"

Sunshine Ivory grinned, of course she would, "All I need you to do is go in front of the court and say exactly what I tell you to..."

"Archon Mayva, Golden Dawn! You have been convicted of working together to assassinate General Themba, and of masterminding a conspiracy against Caesar Incuta." Sunshine Ivory spoke from the podium, keeping her face locked in a mask of regret despite the overwhelming sense of joy flooding through her, "This is the most base treachery, and will be punished accordingly."

Golden Dawn looked defeated, her fat, bloated body oozing downwards in despair. Archon Mayva still held defiance in his eyes however, his voice proud as he shouted back, "On what evidence?!"

Sunshine Ivory smirked, "We have found documents linking you..."

"Your minions forged documents, an easy task considering you yourself were part...!"

Her priests drowned him out with their shouting, Sunshine Ivory directing a few of them over with a wave of her hoof. Boosted by her magic she was easily able to speak over the noise, "The Archon clearly cannot restrain himself! Please, take him to the cells! We will sentence him in absentia!"

They seized the Archon by his hooves, striking down Golden Dawn when she went to intervene. Archon Mayva didn't go quietly however, his voice rose above the din as he was dragged from the chamber, "Harmony has long left you Sunshine Ivory! You will burn in the heavenly fires you so wish for!"

Sunshine Ivory smirked as his continuing arrogance. She took a moment to compose herself before motioning for the next set of traitors to be brought in.

"...yet the darkness that consumes this world has not been defeated! At present my church and I merely have the power to hold it back, and at great cost to ourselves. As a result we can only ask for your support, your understanding. The Church of the Holy Fire remains closed for now, as we investigate how deep the Archon's corruption reached. Until it can be re-opened we invite anyone looking for guidance to come to the church of Celestia, and have devoted extra priests to the task to ensure that we can support you all in this difficult time. Due to the guards’ stretched resources we have also dedicated hundreds of our warrior priests to help keep the city safe, ever mindful of your security. These priests have been granted full law enforcement privileges and should be the first point of contact should you uncover any proof of subversion. Rest assured, this chaos is but a parting thing. I must sign off for now, but please brave citizens of Star Fall, remain strong. Know that we will watch over you all."

Sunshine Ivory stepped away from the radio, stretching out her back as she stepped across her study. Her muscles protested, Sunshine Ivory marveling at how she was even more tired than she had been after fighting in the wasteland. Politics sure did test your resources, and...

She darted back, magic already charging at her horn. A brief crackle of green lightning lit up the centre of the room, then expanded outwards into a glowing orb of shining balefire. It kicked up a fierce wind that swept papers from the shelves, growing more violent before suddenly ceasing as a pony burst into place around the ball of energy.

Balefire crackled off the pony's coat for a moment more before fading out, revealing a gorgeously proportioned alicorn standing tall in the middle of the room. Her coat was of a brilliant, pearlescent white, her body strong and muscled. Mighty wings brushed against her sides, silken hair of pink, blue and green hanging long and elegant about a proud, dignified muzzle. She turned her head to Sunshine Ivory, eyes sparkling with green for a moment more before it faded into a soft pink. Her voice was deep, motherly, "Sunshine Ivory. I'm sorry I'm late."

Sunshine Ivory tried to retrieve her jaw from the floor. When last she had seen Star Swirl she had still been... Star Swirl. This was better than she had ever considered possible, "That is... you... isn't it Star Swirl?"

"Please don't call me that. The last thing we need is a slip of the tongue." The alicorn replied, stepping across the carpeted floor with the most absolute dignity, "I've spent a long time practicing for this role."

"I... can see." Sunshine Ivory had spent years learning to walk like that, "That was quite an entrance."

Celestia actually grinned at this, a momentary flash across her stern features, "Yes. I've been practicing other things too."

Sunshine Ivory walked beside Celestia as she strode confidently through the crowds that swarmed the streets, all of them stepping aside without any further direction as she advanced. Some of the braver ones ran forward to touch her coat, looking like they were testing to make sure she was real. Sunshine Ivory worried about security issues, but Celestia had insisted they make their way on hoof.

Then what she had feared finally happened. A zebra ran out of the crowd, using his teeth to pull a knife from a shoulder holster, and drove it towards Celestia's hip with a cry.

The knife snapped, Celestia's head whipping round to catch the broken shards in her telekinesis before they could rebound into the crowd. She then gently placed them down on the ground, the zebra backing off as she stared him down.

Her mouth finally opened, "Why?"

"You... you are a false goddesss!" The zebra shouted, voice trembling, "You are a pawn of Sunshine Ivory..."

Sunshine Ivory directed some of the priests to take the zebra, only for Celestia to extend a wing to block them. Celestia then looked back to the zebra, speaking again in a voice that carried across the crowd despite its lack of volume, "Continue."

"...I..." The zebra hesitated, his voice falling, "...Sunshine Ivory has shut down our temple, taken over our city! You are nothing but another tool of her evil!"

She looked at the zebra for a moment more before smiling, a somewhat mischievous kindness in her eyes, "I intend to prove you wrong."

Then she turned and continued through the crowds, Sunshine Ivory standing in stunned amazement for a moment before moving to follow. She went to instruct the guards to follow the zebra but he was already gone, vanished into the mob.

No matter, she would see to him later.

They finally reached the viewing platform at the front of the mountain, one of the few places that allowed most of the city to see her. Indeed a vast crowd covered the courtyard bellow, the clergy of the Church already in position above. As before Celestia was content with climbing the stairs by hoof, her ascent slow and dignified. Sunshine Ivory admitted it was a good move, feeling the excitement rise further with every step.

Finally they were there, looking over the city in front. Sunshine Ivory had never felt so alive, and for a moment was convinced it was really Celestia in front of her. She couldn't believe it, how that big, mousy dork had somehow managed to become this in just a few short months.

Celestia stepped to the front of the platform, levitated the microphone out the way, and addressed the crowd in a firm, commanding voice that echoed across the city, "I am Celestia, chosen of harmony, lightbringer. I am here to save this world."

A collective breath was held across the city.

"I am not here to usurp any thrones, not here to create an empire. I know Incuta, I've seen his heart and his works. Like all in this world he struggles with the corruption within his soul, but he has defied his darker urges to create wonders." Celestia lifted her head to the sky, the sunlight reflecting off her horn in a vivid rainbow flash, "I ask, what more could he achieve with a purer soul free of weakness? What more could you? This is my dream, to unite the world in a single, better dream, a dream of victory over the base desires and petty hatreds that have divided us."

Sunshine Ivory was unable to stop grinning, this better than she imagined. Sure Star Swirl really needed to smile a little more, and her message was a little too high minded for the common scum. Still it was a commanding performance, the kind of command that could lead a nation, "Thank you Princess Celestia. Know that your church is ready to aid you in this, indeed we have already paved the way."

"I have heard." Celestia stated with a cool, stern tone, turning around to look down upon Sunshine Ivory, "High Priestess Sunshine Ivory, without your actions I would not have come. It was you that truly showed me how much evil and deception really exists in the world."

"Yes Princess." Sunshine Ivory responded, nodding enthusiastically, "And together, we will rout it out!"

"It begins now." Celestia confirmed, "With you Sunshine Ivory."

Sunshine Ivory paused in shock, this not in the script. She really didn't want to be the center of attention, having always assumed a role in the background. This was all very embarrassing, not right at all... "I... you know my heart Princess."

"But do you?" She questioned, eyes slightly warning, "Tell us of your sins Sunshine Ivory."

"My..." She tried to compose herself, not understanding exactly what Star Swirl was trying to do here, "My conscience is clear Princess, everything I have done..."

"Everything?" Star Swirl looked coldly down at her, "So all the lies, all the murder, all the betrayal and pain you have caused, that does not weigh on you in the slightest?"

Sunshine Ivory stood there, knowing she had misheard, "Ex...cuse me..."

Star Swirl's eyes remained firm, "You heard me."

This was all... rather embarrassing. Not right at all, it wasn't supposed to go like this... "I... I am ever your servant..."

"You believed I was yours." Star Swirl answered, a quiver of anger entering her voice, "Did you think I was blind to what you have done? Do you think they were?"

"I..." Sunshine Ivory felt her throat grow dry and tight as Star Swirl motioned to the crowd, her heart beating hard against her chest. It made it... difficult to get her words out, "Everything I have done..."

"Will be brought to light." Star Swirl decreed, now fully glaring, "You killed Themba, seduced him for your own evil aims. Once he was of no more use you attacked him when his guard was down, threw him from the mountain. Didn’t even give him a chance to fight back."

The crowd gasped now, starting to shout in rage. Sunshine Ivory looked to her church but they were all frozen in indecision, not a soul of them saying a word, "No!"

"You convinced him to organize a covert operation along with Prince Khalid, King Abartili and Princess Luna, saying it was to fight against Caesar Incuta. Instead it was a simple ploy to destabilize the wasteland, and for that purpose you had each of your co-conspirators assassinated one by one."

"N...no!"

"You employed the mercenaries that destroyed the town of Estelle."

"NO!"

"You were responsible for bringing Princess Luna back to this world, convinced her to attack those settlements! Convinced her it was for the greater good!" Star Swirl shouted, body shaking and voice rising, "And then you murdered her, blaming another in order to force me into action!"

Sunshine Ivory couldn't hold it together anymore, the mention of that terrible moment bringing it all back. How Princess Luna... her wonderful, beautiful girl that she had loved like her own child... how she had... accepted evil into her heart and become some sort of demon through a corrupt mockery of harmony. And how Sunshine Ivory had been forced to put her down, forced to kill her own daughter...

I had hurt, didn't Star Swirl understand that? She had no choice!

And now... it had taken Star Swirl too. The demon inside Star Swirl had sent her mad, and...

...and she was the only one who could stop her!

She laughed at the painful irony and brought her horn forward, unleashing every last mote of magic she could muster. It hurt to do it, Sunshine Ivory's laugh falling into sobs as she continued.

It had to be done. It had to be done. It had to be done.

Star Swirl emerged from the last fading embers of the magical attack, shields glowing hot for a moment but not a scrap of damage upon her flesh. Sunshine Ivory fell back in terror as Star Swirl advanced with grim determination, a flash of green light surrounding her horn and filling her eyes.

Star Swirl moved like lightning, far faster than a mare her size had any right to be. Her hoof shot forwards with perfect form and slammed into Sunshine Ivory’s jaw with enough force to fling her across the podium, the crowd's gasps sounding out for a moment before Sunshine Ivory felt her ears pop and her thoughts were overwhelmed with pain.

She thudded hard into the podium floor, vision spinning. She lifted herself into a half kneeling position and tried to speak, her jaw just... not moving. It was only after a moment or two that she realized it was broken, teeth lying across the bloody floor.

Star Swirl continued forward without an ounce of compassion, her voice rising into a furious scream, "You employed the mercenaries that killed Zenai! YOU KILLED HER IN FRONT OF ME, JUST TO PROVE A POINT!"

Star Swirl kept her horn pulsing as she continued to advance, spotting the priest the moment he armed his shotgun. She turned her head, throwing up an invisible shield and reinforcing it several times while keeping her expression as neutral as possible.

Bishop Ember fired upon her, along with a dozen other priests. Star Swirl braced herself, stared them down, and eventually the gunfire faded away. Priests dropped their weapons, extinguished their glowing horns, eyes growing wide as they saw Star Swirl stand undamaged before them.

And then Star Swirl ignited her telekinesis, yanking their guns away and suspending them before her. One elegant step and a swing of Celestia's spear later and the guns fell to the podium in pieces, individual pieces sizzling. A gasp rose up from behind, a rising roar of exited voices. Star Swirl mentally thanked Sunshine Ivory for giving her such a perfect chance to show off her abilities in front of such a rapt audience, swinging the spear back to her side and looking to the priests, "I am Celestia, reborn. But Sunshine Ivory is a false prophet, who does not deserve your loyalty."

"She created you!" Bishop Ember shouted, edging towards Sunshine Ivory's broken form, "You traitor, you liar!"

"It is she who has lied to you Bishop Ember." Star Swirl replied as she lazily followed his progress, "And to herself. She truly believed I would be flattered by her actions in my name, that I would reward her with power."

"Reward her with death!" Screamed a voice from the crowd, more joining it. Star Swirl could only smile in response.

"<I name you Charaxes, Butterfly Queen! By the power of harmony and the seven elders of the covenant, I place a sealing upon you!>" Bishop Ember shouted, magic shining at his hooves. She recognized the language as a truly old, obsolete one, and the sealing spell as one once deployed against her long ago.

It failed, now as it did then. She felt the connection that lay at her heart strain for just a brief moment before cementing together once more, locked together by trust and love, "You have no idea what I am."

"A filthy demon." He stated with a low growl, throwing up a half dozen copies of himself that darted in all directions, Bishop Ember himself coating his hoof with a potion of demon sealing and charging straight at her. Star Swirl just stood there waiting, not fooled for a moment by his tricks and wondering if he was aware that she was herself far more experienced an alchemist than he would ever be. His hoof struck her chest with an ineffectual thump, smearing a line of the potion across her coat, "<Charaxes, Butterfly Queen! By the power of the Holy Fire, in the name of Zephyr Stormstrung and Elder Zenophilious, I place a sealing upon you!>"

¬

She felt them come, the first in over three hundred years. Intruders into her domain, mortal eyes looking upon her squalor and wretchedness. The bitter irony of it all was enough to make her laugh, that even after they burnt the world and destroyed themselves mortal equines would still seek out the dangers in the darkest corners of the world.

She heard their hooves echo against the hollow bones that littered the cave, a hateful glow of a unicorn's horn driving her skittering, buzzing children back into the dark corners. She hated these arrogant little equines at that moment, knew that they looked upon the harmless flies and spiders with disgust, would never appreciate how this cave sheltered some of the few of their kind that had survived the balefires the equines had unleashed on the world. She sent her voice echoing about the caves, voice carried through her insect children and the bones of the dead, "Leave us! Go, or I shall consume your souls!"

The equines didn't even slow their progress. Charaxes hesitated for a moment before shouting another warning, "Leave me alone! This is no place for you!"

The light flooded her cave, shining upon the wretched stinking rabbit corpse lying there in the dirt as it had for the last thousand years. The caterpillars scuttled away as the equines strode forward, shattering her perfect peace like glass. She cried, ashamed and afraid, unable to understand why they ignored her warnings, "Go away... I don't want to hurt you..."

"We don't want to hurt you either." A voice stated with a voice like the ringing of bells, Charaxes boggling as none other than Princess Celestia herself leant down to smile at her with the most beautiful expression of peace and kindness. It made no sense and looked so out of place among the filth that she was unable to find the words, the pony looking concerned as she spoke again, "Please, you are Charaxes yes?"

Charaxes fought for a better look through her rotted eyes, seeing that contrary to her original thoughts this pony didn't have wings and her proportions were ordinary. In expression and appearance the mistake was easy to make though, even her voice somewhat similar to what she had heard of Celestia. Behind was a zebra, stern and solid, unlike his companion clearly struggling to hold back his disgust at the surroundings. This finally eased Charaxes fear, allowing her to finally get a word out, "I am Charaxes, yes."

"My name is Sunshine Ivory, this is Ember." The pony explained, her lip curling for a moment in distress, "Are you aware of what has happened above?"

All too much, "Yes."

"Charaxes, the stories say that you wanted to save the world, restore peace." Sunshine Ivory smiled hopefully, "Is that true?"

Charaxes almost laughed, "That was a long time ago. Before I failed. Before I died. Before... everything went wrong." She felt the hate flow through even her heavily rotted glands, the hatred that had sustained her for so long, "Why have you come here? To hear a cautionary tale of arrogance and regret?"

"No." Sunshine Ivory stated firmly, extending a hoof, "I want to offer you another chance."

Charaxes didn't understand, why wasn't this pony afraid of the hateful star demon? Why wasn't this pony disgusted by the insects and the filth? "To do what?"

Sunshine Ivory smiled, a smile that for the first time in a thousand years made Charaxes heart fill once more with hope. A hope that it wasn't all lost, that she wasn't a monster, that she could make a difference. Sunshine Ivory held that smile for a moment before speaking, her voice full of conviction, "To save the world."

Star Swirl leant down towards Ember, feeling the anger of betrayal flow through her. The emotions made her magic surge hot, feeling her eyes flare green as she hissed her words, "You should have let me sleep..."

"I told Sunshine that we shouldn't trust you." Ember growled in response, backing away towards Sunshine Ivory. He looked to the rest of the church and the crowd below, Star Swirl smiling in satisfaction as she saw neither make so much as a move to support him. He looked down at Sunshine Ivory as he finally reached her, leaning down and taking her jaw in his hooves, "Stay still."

Star Swirl watched them, feeling uncomfortable for a moment. She watched as Ember fixed Sunshine Ivory’s jaw with a gentle application of healing match, his touch affectionate as he helped the trembling mare to her hooves. Star Swirl kept her eyes fixed on the pair however, her expression unyielding, "Guards, please take them away. They shall both be tried for their crimes."

Sunshine Ivory reached forward, expression desperate, "Star Swirl, please...!"

Star Swirl felt her whole body tense as the words washed across her. She reacted automatically, horn flashing with green flame as she clamped the mare's jaw closed with her telekinesis. It took her a moment to gain control enough to replace the glow with a violet one again, let along speak, "And please gag her, and seal her horn."

The crowd cheered as the two were dragged away, Star Swirl watching with grim satisfaction for a moment before turning back to the crowd.

There was much to say after all, this being the first day of Celestia's return upon this earth.

Star Swirl stood in Themba's study, looking around in the hope that she would feel less lost. She had already instructed the church to start decorating and stocking this place, so hopefully it would feel more like home soon. Themba had apparently never used it, so it was still in excellent condition. It had a balcony looking out over the city, from which she could take off to get to anywhere she wished in record time. It was a good place. Maybe one that might one day be a home.

And she had her revenge. The pony that had killed Zenai and Luna was in prison, awaiting her punishment.

The people looked on her in wonder. She was respected, feared, everything she thought an alicorn should be.

Finally, after everything... she was Celestia.

Maybe that was what unsettled her. She looked over at the mirror, taking in that unfamiliar face. She had changed everything, the facial structure, the voice, the color... it wasn't Celestia, every attempt at trying to capture that exact face had ended up looking off. It wasn't Star Swirl though, pretty and feminine and graceful in a way Star Swirl had never been.

Star Swirl had never been overly fond of being female. She had never much been fond of being anything. She had dressed, spoke, acted to avoid such distinctions, uncomfortable with questions of her identity. It was the reason Thunder Crash had tried to recruit her into his experiments, wanted to make her male. He hadn't understood. She hadn't really understood.

Now... she thought maybe she had been afraid. Afraid of losing her identity. Star Swirl the archivist was no older than her admission into the Followers, a construct used to escape her previous, enforced identity of Justicar. Perhaps she had been so concerned with her cutie mark because she was looking for some connection, some idea of what she should be.

She had enjoyed being Star Swirl the silly, clumsy friend. But that identity had died with Zenai.

Now... she didn't know what she was trying to be.

She wasn't Star Swirl anymore, she hadn't been for some time. With Char fully a part of her, she was something totally new... but she had no idea who that was yet. It was pretty much the worst moment she could have chosen to be Princess Celestia, one of the most distinctive mares in history.

There was a knock at the door. She turned her head, forcing what she hoped was a kindly smile, "Enter."

The door opened and a mare stepped through, dressed in the robes of a Priestess. She looked nervous, rightly so, turning a pair of sharp, intelligent eyes up at Star Swirl, "Princess, you requested my presence?"

Star Swirl gently probed the mare's mind with her powers, surprising calm residing there. Calm, and... expectation, waiting for something. She smiled at this, nodding to her, "Do you believe that Radiant Glory? That I'm the Princess?"

"No." Radiant Glory answered, looking straight at Star Swirl for a moment. Star Swirl just continued smiling as she felt the mare consider her next question, Radiant Glory eventually continuing with cool confidence, "I believe you are a trick. A trick of Sunlight Ivory's, like Princess Luna of Dusklight."

Star Swirl was reassured by such candor, "You were deep in her plans."

"She trusted me to enforce her will here."

"Yet you agreed with her imprisonment."

Radiant Glory gave a probing look, "You are right that she had over reached herself, was guiding the church towards disaster." She paused for a moment before shooting Star Swirl a warning look, "But I do not yet trust you."

"Why is that?" Star Swirl asked, giving a little smile, "Both questions."

"Because operating in the open revealed just how insane she was." Radiant Glory answered coldly, "I am fine with doing dirty work for the greater good, but she had become obsessed with control and violence. To be honest I was considering having to deal with her myself."

"And me?"

"I know nothing about you, save that you're her creature too." Radiant Glory answered bluntly.

Star Swirl nodded, giving her a gentle look. This mare could indeed be useful, both in her skills and in her candor, "Would you like to know me better?"

She looked suspicious, "How so?"

"Celestia had Luna and Cadence, I too need others with the authority to counter my decisions." Star Swirl answered, "You know what needs to be done, you have the talent and the skills, and you are willing to be honest with me."

"Luna and Cadence?" Radiant Glory questioned, looking doubtful, "Are you going to make me into an alicorn?"

Star Swirl smiled, having to admit being amused by the question, "Yes I am."

Radiant Glory stared for a moment, her words finally emerging after a long period of reluctant silence, "Does this involve being dunked in a barrel of goo?"

Star Swirl shook her head, unable to hide the fact that she was rather enjoying this, "No. I will simply share some of my harmonic energies with you. If you are worthy, those energies will do the rest of the work."

Radiant Glory frowned, looking deeply skeptical, "I thought it was all... mystical, and involved the elements and... friendship."

"In the past I had many tests I used to find out who was worthy." Star Swirl bullshitted with reckless abandon, astounded that Radiant Glory appeared to be buying it, "But we have little time."

Radiant Glory hesitated for a moment more before setting her jaw, "What is involved?"

"Simply hold still." Star Swirl stated, concentrating for a moment...

...it was a horrible feeling, like being torn apart. She felt her identity collapse, emotions nose diving. Her magic flickered and failed, her body barely feeling strong enough to support her weight. She cursed her stupidity for not questioning Puppysmiles about how the Nightmare Forces managed to spread themselves across their hosts, thinking that would be very useful right now.

But it was done. She looked weakly across at Radiant Glory, a look of shock spread across the mare's face. Star Swirl found the energy to smile after a moment, it a struggle to even remember how to work the muscles, "How... does it feel?"

Radiant Glory looked confused, a dozen emotions flashing across her face. Eventually she spoke, her voice holding a passion that it had lacked before, "I feel... uncontrolled, like... every emotion is more intense, more powerful. And my magic, it's incredible! I've never felt stronger!"

"Control yourself Radiant Glory." Star Swirl warned, cursing herself for not warning her sooner, "You know how to meditate?"

Radiant Glory looked up, her voice shaking with emotion, "Yes?"

"Do that."

"Princess..." Radiant Glory looked at her with growing concern, cocking her head to the side, "You look terrible."

Star Swirl didn't need to be told that, and really wasn't in the mood for long discussions, "Yes, well that took a lot out of me. So go, and consider who you are, who you want to be. In two days time, come to me and we shall see if you're worthy."

Radiant Glory nodded furiously before leaving with trembling hooves, leaving her alone in the room.

Personally Star Swirl was glad of the alone time. Among other things it allowed her to go and plant her head into a pillow, burying herself into it for a second or two before delivering a furious scream.

She didn't stop for quite some time.

This was a terrible idea.

She was totally broken.

Technically being without Char should have left her less emotional, but it seemed she just couldn't tear her mind away from all her troubles. She wanted to punish the world, avenge all her hurts, feel Sunshine Ivory's head crunch under hooves... she had eventually been forced to order the door locked from the outside, not trusting herself to be in public. She tried to meditate, to study, but she couldn't still her thoughts for a moment.

She eventually took out a boxful of Med X and alcohol, thanking Twilight Sparkle for making their livers almost invincible as she numbed herself into non-existence.

It was a grand relief when she finally heard a knock on the door, shaking her head clear and trying to look Princessy as it swung open to reveal the first new alicorn. It wasn't obvious at first as Radiant Glory was still wearing her cloak, the mare was quick to discard it however as she let loose a very impressive set of wings. They suited her, Star Swirl noting that her frame was just a little taller, just a little broader.

Radiant Glory fought for words as she looked up at the Princess, finally just looking a little guilty, "I guess... I better return."

Star Swirl had never wanted anything more, "Yes please."

There was a stream of inky blackness and Star Swirl felt Char take her place once more, bringing with it a host of new thoughts, memories and emotions. Radiant Glory’s, and after a moment to process them Star Swirl felt certain she had made a good decision. The mare was both idealistic and ruthless, a perfect combination, "Congratulations Radiant Glory."

The unicorn frowned as her own emotions settled, looking frustrated for a moment, "I feel... less."

Star Swirl was pretty sure she had felt it worse, though she could certainly understand such feelings now after so long apart from Char. She offered a soothing smile, "You have not fully earned the powers of harmony, sadly all I can give you is but a taste." Star Swirl lied, "With training you will in time find those connections yourself."

In truth, some disappointment on Radiant Glory’s part was to be expected, because... no, Star Swirl could not make anyone a Princess. She couldn't even make anyone an alicorn. But after everything she did understand the power behind the image of an alicorn, and that at the end of the day growing a pair of wings from the back of a willing unicorn was hardly that complex.

Well... she didn't want Radiant Glory to completely fail to live up the hype, so it wasn't quite that simple. Not mentioning the fact that wings were actually rather complex, Char had also made improvements across her form. Increased strength, toughness, magical capability, eyesight, hearing... it had been a fairly quick and dirty job, but any issues could be dealt with later on.

It also served the important purpose of allowing Star Swirl to squash the mare flat with barely any effort, should it become necessary. Unlike Sunshine Ivory, she wasn't dumb enough to make allies more powerful than her, " Radiant Glory, as of today you are the first of a new vanguard. An order elevated from the common equine in spirit and body, dedicated to harmony. It is a great honor, and a greater responsibility."

Radient Dawn looked surprised, the realization slowly dawning, "The first?"

Star Swirl smiled, giving the mare a nod, "This is only the beginning."

And her new role certainly kept her busy. Like the time she teleported into the middle of a group of feuding gang members, laying them on their back with a burst of telekinesis before talking both groups into bowing before her.

Or, taking a less active role, nervously watching as her two Alicorn Knights Radiant Glory and Sunlight Stripes did the same. She didn't need to worry, proud as she watched the criminals flee before her Knights... despite a little hesitation in their wing work she noted.

It would have been easier if she could promote a pegasi to her new order, but Star Swirl noted the annoying irony that like her former leader she was currently restricted to unicorns. She had chose Sunlight Stripes based on legitimate criteria, but also due to the fact that she was a unicorn/zebra cross that allowed her to add a bit of diversity to her ranks.

Simply put, wings were hard enough. Adding a horn was quite literally brain surgery, and an operation that would take weeks of work. And that was impractical at best, she had become increasingly aware that parting Star Swirl and Char was a poor idea, even for a day or two.

She was also becoming aware that she needed to stop calling herself Star Swirl in her head, as it was becoming a little confusing... especially due to the separations. It seemed every time they spent even a short while apart Star Swirl would end up near schizophrenic and Char would be full of doubt, a combination that had her thoughts becoming increasingly muddled long after they had come back together again.

She was Celestia. Yes. She... had to accept that, before she went utterly mad.

And she was starting to understand the virtues of that now, reveling in that sense of power and purpose that went along with it. She thought of justice and it felt right, she only had to look upon what she had done to feel confident in her course. And the power... she had always been well aware of her strength as a simple alicorn, now she was coming to terms with the fact that she was something far greater. Her caution in making sure she was never seen to be tested in public was proving unwarranted, nothing so far had even begun to push her towards her full potential.

She looked down at her determinedly blank flank, then pointed her horn up at the sky. Privately she considered that it might be for the best that the sun stubbornly refused to so much as shudder. Her ego was growing large enough already.

"How are the prisoners doctor?"

"The experiments are going well Princess." Dr Zavic stated with pride as they walked the restricted prison areas, at Celestia's orders newly refurbished and equipped with state of the art medical facilities. Dr Zavic himself had come very highly recommended, after she had smuggled him out of his prison cell in Demonivore he had gone to work without hesitation. He was rather pleasant company as well, polite, respectful and efficient, smiling cheerfully as he gave his report, "We are approaching stage three on the weeping hoof immunization, and hornrot and sickle cell disease cures have both entered their stage two testing."

"Excellent." Celestia stated with enthusiasm, glad that something was going to schedule, "Your work will form the basis of my new world doctor. The promise of perfect health for their families, of freedom from sickness and disease? The Followers of the Apocalypse became the most powerful group in the NCR on the mere promise of clean water."

"Your work Princess." Dr Zavic corrected, "All these cures are based on your contributions, I am merely involved in the tedious task of refinement and optimization. Your theories of genetic therapy are revolutionary, and it is truly an honor to play a role in making them a reality."

Celestia smiled at this, satisfied that he thought so. Before she had never really thought about health care or immunology, a rather tedious and unimpressive field when compared to the creation of new races and monsters. Her horizons had been expanded however, and indeed working with the Followers had opened her eyes to the power that could be wielded through the careful application of free healthcare, "Well I appreciate all your work doctor. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Well..." He hesitated, "I would appreciate more test subjects. Female pegasi in particular."

"Somewhat rare, but I'll see what I can do doctor." Celestia smiled, standing a little straighter and primping herself up for her next visit, "Sadly I'm actually here to take two of your prisoners away."

Dr Zavic looked surprised at this, "Sunshine Ivory and Ember?"

Celestia's face fell, a dark shadow passing across her mind. She quickly shook away such thoughts before they overwhelmed her, putting the two out of her mind once more, "No, I am here to see the archon and his daughter."

"Ah, of course." Dr Zavic nodded, "As requested, they have not been touched. Not that they have been grateful..."

Celestia considered that fair, considering she had continued their imprisonment for some time. Simply put, she had better things to do, and it had suited her purposes to keep the city leaderless while she cemented her power. It was time to reach out however, and the archon still commanded a lot of respect in the city.

She approached the cell door, the guard unlocking it and escorting her inside.

It was a nice cell, with its own bathroom and well made furniture. Given her motives for keeping him imprisoned she considered it only fair, "Archon, I trust you are well."

The archon stood in the centre of the room, Celestia noting how much less impressive he looked in person. Without his robes and trappings of office, he was just an old man. His voice was still strong however, his eyes firm as he looked her in the eye, "Princess Celestia. I was wondering when I would get a visit."

"My apologies for keeping you here Archon." She stated, a little put off by his somewhat judgmental stare, "Sunshine Ivory caused a great deal of damage to this city, it has taken a lot of effort to fix it again."

"A lot of effort indeed." He replied, "Considering progress seems to be non-existent."

She frowned. That was... rude, "Law and order in the city has never been higher, and..."

"Forgive me Princess, but you have ensured law and order by the presence of armed clergy with unlimited powers of detention." He gave her a firm glare, "This was Sunshine Ivory's policy, yes? And you have continued it?"

Celestia prickled, that was missing the point, "Sunshine Ivory had them terrorizing the population. Under my command, they have the support of the people once more."

"Yet your prisons continue to overflow." Archon responded coldly, "And I also note that you have not yet restored the council."

She gritted her teeth, why was he so concerned over these trivial matters? "Star Fall needs firm leadership!"

He simply sighed, shaking his head, "Why have you come here?"

Finally they were getting somewhere. Celestia drew herself back in, taking a regal stance as she explained, "I intend to allow the Church of Holy Fire to open once again, to support me in securing harmony."

He chuckled softly, "Are those your demands?"

"Excuse me?"

"You will release me from prison, allow my church to reopen..." He looked up at her, "...providing I openly support your position as leader?"

She glared at him for some time, unable to comprehend what his problem was, "Why would I let out somepony who disagrees with me?"

"Why indeed." He responded, shaking his head, "Do you really not understand Princess?"

She gritted her teeth, feeling the anger rise. She felt balefire crackle down her horn, her heart beating furiously in her chest, "What I don't understand is you! I am restoring harmony, and yet you stand against me?! Is chaos, evil, really that attractive to you?!"

The archon lowered his head, his breathing quiet for a few moments before he looked up again. This time his face was soft, pleading, "I believe that you are a good pony, that you truly wish to help. But look into your heart, think about what you are doing. Whatever powers Sunshine Ivory has given you, they are poisoning your judgment. You are becoming a tyrant, and the world has far too many of those already."

Celestia hesitated, her thoughts racing. Was she becoming a tyrant? All her life she had feared it, feared becoming a demon, becoming the Goddess, becoming Justicar, Nightmare Moon. The Star Demons were well known for amplifying emotions, causing their hosts to become irrational. Could she be...

But she wasn't irrational! What she was doing made sense!

Did it? If there was even the slightest chance that...

...she could do something about this evil world. Punish those who had killed Zenai!

Punish? Was she really here again? Was she really any different than the Goddess?

...well then maybe the Goddess was right.

She lifted her eyes to the Archon, cold fury burning through her. If he was going to be like that, then he would suffer the consequences, "Then rot in here, with all the other traitors. It’s ponies like you who broke this world."

He sighed, "Turn away from this path. It will destroy you, like it destroyed Princess Luna."

"You know nothing of her!" She shouted, then turned away and strode from the cell before she did something she regreted. He didn't understand, he couldn't understand. He was old, and corrupt, and weak. She held the future, and she wouldn't let any pony stop her!

She couldn't let anypony stop her. Not now. Not when she had so much left to do.

The world still needed saving.

_________________________________________________

Level Up – Level 17 reached
Perk Gained - Rooted
While standing still, you gain +25 Damage Resistance and your melee and unarmed attacks deal 25% more damage.

Level Up – Level 18 reached
Perk Gained – Geneticist Level 1
You follow in the footsteps of Twilight Sparkle and Dr Glue, IMP in hoof!
You unlocked more options at the genetic modification station, and can craft mutagens at a chemistry workbench.

Level Up – Level 19 reached
Perk Gained – Geneticist Level 2
You follow in the footsteps of Twilight Sparkle and Dr Glue, IMP in hoof!
You unlocked all available options at the genetic modification station, and can swap them out at will.

Level Up – Level 20 reached
Perk Gained – Blitz
Find the gap and make the tackle!
V.A.T.S. melee distance is increased significantly.

Level Up – Level 21 reached
Perk Gained – Isodoped
The player’s Critical Hit value increases +20% faster if they have a 250 Radiation value or higher.

Level Up - Level 22 reached
Perk Gained - Thought you died
Your storied past has fallen from memory because everyone thought you died.
Your Karma is reset, you inflict +10% damage, and for every 100 points of Karma, you gain 10 Health. You are also immune to critical hits. This perk requires you to have good Karma.

Chapter 4.10 - The Divine Wind

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"Please baby girl, wake up. I'm here for you."

Lotus felt her ears perk up. Her mother was here, her mother...

"It's all ok. It's fine."

Lotus felt a soft hoof on her brow, brushing across her ears, erasing all her pain and suffering. She opened her eyes and looked around. She was in a rustic living room built of what looked like hoof cut wood, decorated with warm colours and beautiful landscape portraits. It looked familiar to her, but she couldn't remember from where. All she knew is that it made her feel like she had come home, like all her troubles were far away.

"You've come so far and suffered so much." The voice stated from behind, Lotus turning to see a yellow furred unicorn step towards her and deliver the warmest, most genuine looking smile Lotus had ever seen. This mare... radiated kindness and comfort, it sparkled in her diamond blue eyes and even her cutie mark was that of a broad happy smile. Her voice too was soft and inviting, "Your journey is over baby girl, you are safe here."

Lotus felt tears come to her eyes, the chance to lay down her burdens too much to bear. More than anything she just wanted to rest, to forget...

She looked up at the mare, "Who are you?"

"I am your mother." She stated with wonderful conviction, "I am here to care for you, to love and always be with you."

Lotus felt like a child again, like the rest of her life had been a horrible dream. She looked around the room, trying to convince herself that this was all real. The paintings, the ornaments...

She had carved those wooden beams that held up the roof, knife clutched between her teeth. She had sat with a stallion, a stallion that had treated her with such kindness. She had sat there beside him like a child, trying to resist the urge to call him father.

She looked desperately for his face. There were so many paintings here, but not one photo. Not one illustration of the family that lived here. She knew there should be, she remembered... standing together with a group of others, grinning for the camera.

That ornament on the shelf, an antique clock decorated in hourglass patterns. Pre-war, it had been a gift. A gift from a sweet mare with a face of nightmares, a face... "Where's Ghost Girl?"

Her mother's face fluttered slightly, "How kind of you to remember her. Do not worry, she's right here."

She motioned to the side, a mare standing at the edge of the room, demure and silent. She was beautiful, a sweet if somewhat skinny mare with a blue coat and white mane, dressed in a long elegant dress. And after a second Lotus could see it, the shape of her face, the awkward expression... this was ghost girl, before... before she became a ghost. She was beautiful.

"See?" Her mother stated with gentle sweetness, "She is happy too."

Lotus looked at the ghost girl, looking deep at that familiar, awkward smile. It didn't so much as twitch, a photograph upon her face.

Beneath that soft, perfect fur... burnt, blistered scars and a look of painful desperation. A warning.

"You look tired baby girl. You should sleep."

Lotus shook her head, "I... can't. I have things to do."

"Sleep. Leave your troubles for others."

Lotus turned, faced again with that warm, motherly smile, "Who are you?"

"Give up." The yellow furred mare replied, her voice as sweet and kind as ever, "Lay down and die already."

"I..."

"Oh dear child." The mare stated, her smile widening further, "The world hates you, and you are alone. What reason do you have to continue?"

And it came upon Lotus in a rush, the hot, unrelenting hatred for the mare in front of her. The pain and torment of seeing her again, and the rushing memories of what she had done. She braced herself, feeling... fear.

She didn’t know this mare’s name, but she knew well enough to be afraid, "Leave me alone!"

The mare chuckled, "It's you who can't let go."

Lotus panicked, leaping for her throat with a scream, "Why won't you die?!"

"Oh, I'm already long dead." The mare replied as Lotus just hit empty space, tumbling over and over into oblivion, "Come join me, and let your struggles finally end."

Lotus looked up, sweat pouring down her face, her heart beating fiercely in her chest. She was faced with not a living room and domestic bliss, instead she only saw cold steel, white sterile surfaces and strange, dangerous looking machinery. She was in some kind of cell, a glass roof above looking up into what looked like a laboratory.

A green furred mare stood there watching, dressed in a labcoat and goggles. Gestalt.

"Interesting." Gestalt stated as she scribbled notes upon a levitated clipboard, "Upon resonance with connected waveforms, subject experiences heightened physical responses and strong rejection. A similar response to that exhibited by the false Princesses, but far stronger."

Lotus screamed up at the glass, "Let me out of here!"

"And more fascinating still, the harmonic resonance analyser is detecting strong traces of both Loyalty and Laughter... yet not from the subject." Gestalt actually smiled at this information, a most unnatural look for the normally stoic mare, "They appear to flow into the subject from some outside source, empowering her rejection of the resonance wavelength. Could they be flowing from the higher dimension? Could we theoretically follow this to the source?"

"LET ME GO!"

Gestalt gave a satisfied nod, "More tests are needed."

Lotus lay there for hours, preparing her escape.

Gestalt was no fool, the cell was constantly bombarded with magic neutralising rays. Still they were designed for neutralising unicorns, Lotus managing to keep her magic subtle and hugged tightly in her core to keep it from the dampening field. Using it she mapped out the area bit by bit, using earth pony magic to identify any weaknesses in the structure.

Unfortunately it was well built. She could have broken through the glass at the top if it was more easily reachable, unfortunately it was several feet above her head and the walls were shiny smooth. Those walls themselves were too thick, she would shatter her hooves before she did so much as crack them.

And the door...

...slid open.

She looked towards it, waiting for a pony to step through. No pony did, the door simply... open. Inviting.

Lotus advanced cautiously, stepping out into an empty cell block. It led in a single direction, Lotus looking up at a camera staring down at her and storing as much magic as she could find. Not a soul came out to stop her.

Eventually she entered what looked like an office space, shiny white desks topped with expensive looking computers. Comfortable sofas, a rich purple carpet and expensive art gave the impression that this was no simple worker drone's space, Lotus looking up at a gorgeously painted portrait of Twilight, Gestalt and Mosaic. Near to it was a large landscape piece, Lotus recognising Splendid Valley.

"It's where it all began... and where it all ended."

Lotus turned, unsure how she hadn't noticed her before. Mosaic stood there in the centre of the room, clad in a shiny white lab coat. Mosaic gave an embarrassed, awkward smile as she approached, steps slow and soft. Lotus gave her a wary look, "What is going on?"

"I'm helping you escape."

"Why?"

"Because I want to go home." She answered, a little hint of a spark in her eyes.

Lotus wondered if she should tell her, "Where is home?"

Mosaic lifted a hoof, pointing at a portrait of two green furred unicorn fillies. Lotus turned, stared at it..

A house… a good house, with good parents. Two children, twins, identical and always together. A happy time.

Lotus closed her eyes, feeling the images imprint upon her mind. They were happy images, full of comfort and joy.

And then… disorder. Anxiety. Chaos. She looked upon her twin, her other self, and saw… a pony who was not her. Who for the first time... was different. Her twin's face was full of joy where as her own heart was full of pain, and upon her sister’s flank… a paintbrush and jigsaw cutie mark. It stood there defiant against her stare, something that was… different. Something that was wrong.

Something that left her alone. She felt her anger build, exploding through her horn in a primal burst of magic…

And she smiled as they stepped out together and showed their parents their matching cutie marks. Gemini signs, the symbol of their sisterhood. And their parents laughed and said that they should have figured it would be that way.

And from that moment on it was as it should be. There was no Gestalt and Mosaic, only their sisterhood. Now and forever.

Lotus stepped out of the vision, sweating in fear at the utter monolithic ego she had felt under those emotions. It was like nothing she had ever even conceived of, the utter rejection of any will but her own. She looked round at Mosaic, standing there with an uncertain look on her face, “She… rewrote your cutie mark?!”

“Family is important.” Mosaic answered, her voice monotone, “And Equestria was already full of painters. Together, my sister and I unlocked the secrets of the universe.”

Lotus hissed, struggling to comprehend how Mosaic could even begin to defend her sister, “You created monsters!”

“It was her dream. Much of the work was Twilight’s, but my sister gave them meaning.” Mosaic spoke, her voice shaking a little, “Servants of harmony, bound to one another through the same ties of magical friendship that had bound the ministry mares. Linked through a shared unity, and bearing the power and grace of the Princesses. They were to change the world.”

Lotus was liking this less and less, “You’re talking about the unity… the ministry of magic planned the unity? It was intentional?”

“It was.” Mosaic answered, “My sister’s power, given its ultimate expression. A hundred minds, bound together as one.”

“Why? For what purpose?!”

“So we would not be alone.” Mosaic answered softly, “Twilight Sparkle and my sister wished to finally realise harmony, fulfil their destiny and create a new, better world. A world where outsiders like them could enjoy the same connections as everypony else, where the lonely and the misunderstood would be neither. That is why Twilight Sparkle chose Trixie, she only wished to help her old rival, offer her peace.”

Lotus stared at her, not sure what to feel at this point, “That didn’t go so well.”

“No…” She answered, extending a hoof towards the portrait of Splendid Valley, “It didn’t.”

She felt memories flood through her once more, only these weren’t quite as… domestic as those previous. Indeed they were downright aggressive, Lotus feeling the pain of a dozen bruises and wincing against the screaming cry of a siren above. Her nose too was assaulted by a foul, acidic smell, staring into a smoke filled room as screams sounded out around her. She opened her mouth to shout, “Sister! Speak up!”

No answer came back and she rolled back onto her hooves and looked around the room, the smoke clearing a little to reveal the true horror. A male pony in a labcoat lay propped against a smoking console, his eyes blank and his neck at a crazy angle. Another female pony clutched at the bleeding stump of her hoof as she whimpered quietly to herself.

And at the far end… her sister, her breathing gasping and insistent, her stomach torn open.

Further memories, small islands in a haze of uncertain emotion…

They had taken account of the situation. She still felt numb, disconnected. Still she took in the information she was given, sifting through the reality.

The facility had been hit, hard. A megaspell impact, which meant the zebra had fired upon Equestria. They had no idea of what conditions were like beyond these walls… or beyond this compartment for that matter. The facility had taken a hit far beyond its projected tolerances but the fortifications had still done their job to an extent. Blast doors had sealed the compartment they were in and hardlines had been cut to restrict the flow of radiation. They were still alive, and structural damage was fairly minimal.

The injuries however were severe. There had been thirteen of them performing this experiment. Four were dead. Two were expected to die any hour now.

Those left? Her and Double Negative were the only ones without serious injury. Lyra Heartstrings had lost a hoof, Sierra Peaks was pale, clammy and shivering, and her sister… was stable. Twilight Sparkle’s condition was ‘uncertain’, the control chamber had sealed shut as per emergency protocols and manual releases were non-functional.

And that brought them to the next problem. Though structurally the facility had held up, the internal systems were another matter. Nothing worked. They had no communications, no computer systems at all in fact. The emergency lights were still working, but that indicated they had no generator power. All attempts to end lockdown had failed. The water… was brown and sticky.

The test site was quarantined off, several of the vats having broken their barriers and released raw IMP across the workspaces. It was fairly obvious that Trixie could be quietly considered another casualty, and that was clear indication that they should go nowhere near the stuff.

They were trapped, without water or hope of rescue.

Things had not improved. Three of the scientists were dead, including Sierra Peaks. That left six, her, her sister, Double Negative, Twilight Sparkle, Lyra Heartstrings and Heavy Wrench. Lyra was not looking great, and it was suspected that infection had already entered the stump.

Her sister was dying. Her injuries were easily the most severe, and it had taken all she had to keep her alive this long.

They had only basic first aid kit. They couldn’t rely on a rescue. That left only one option.

“Are you mad?!”

She stared at Double Negative, wanting to ask him if he had a better idea. But she had always been the one to focus on cool logic, deciding to just lay out the case, “It is the only option. The IMP is in its final testing stages, and I am certain in our work up to now. It is there, ready for use.”

“So we all make ourselves alicorns?”

She nodded, “It is the only way.”

“Then be my guest.”

She ignored her co-worker’s base cowardice, turning and striding towards the broken vats. The IMP pooled just below, ready for use. She could do this, it would work. She would become an alicorn, heal her sister, and break out of here. She would save Equestria.

“Save…”

Her ears pricked up. She had heard something, some strange voice that she almost recognised.

“Save… me…”

She stepped back, crackling blue light forming above one of the vats, forming into what looked like a pony skeleton, formed muscle and nerves… before falling apart and disappearing back into darkness. The room was silent once more.

She opened her mouth to speak, unable to even comprehend how… “Trixie?”

“She wants to know what is happening.” Double Negative informed her as he looked down at the monitor in front, “She is scared.”

They had hooked up a machine to pick up extremely faint psychic signals from the vats, with a fair bit of bullying on her part. They had thought her mad, hearing things, but there it was. It was as she had been saying all along, their experiment had worked, Trixie was... something. Maybe not an alicorn, but maybe... “Tell her there was an accident, and that we have many injured. That we are trapped here, and that we need her help to escape.”

Double Negative fiddled with the machine for a little bit before nodding, “She says she’s in pain.”

“Well what are we supposed to do about that? Give her some Med-X?” She responded with a bit more irritation that might have been recommended, “Tell her to continue training her psychic abilities. If she can get those working, then we can provide her with pain relief.”

"I don't think..."

"Do it!" She hissed, not about to die down here, "We made her what she is. She owes us this much."

She looked into her sister’s eyes, blank and glassy. The pain welled up, mixing with hunger and the clouds of infection and illness. She couldn’t think straight, couldn’t concentrate, and now her sister just wouldn’t...

“I’m sorry.” Double Negative stated from behind, his own face pale and sunken, “We have to face the facts...”

She turned and strode past him, not able to listen to the opinions of a fool. She was sick of fools, the world full of them. She couldn’t take it anymore, their incompetence, “Trixie!”

“I... I don’t know...” Came the weak fluttering response, just on the edge of hearing, “...it’s so painful...”

“Then fix it!” She shouted back, moving onto the platform and looking down at the IMP vats, “You have more power than any pony who’s ever lived, and you can’t help my sister, you can’t help yourself... what good are you!?”

“I’m sorry... I don’t know how...”

“Of course you don’t!” She screamed back, “Because you’re a talentless hack! I told Twilight you were useless, but she never listens to me! She just had to take pity on you, even when it gets us all killed!”

It wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t right. She was fed up with this incompetence, that no one put her did things properly! Her sister was… hurt…

Trixie could fix it. Trixie could fix everything! They had made her a GODDESS! How could this stupid mare still be so completely useless after that? If she had that power, if she had that strength...!

And she could. She could take it for her own. She stepped forward and did what she should have done a long time ago.

Her magic flared and she took hold of that weak, insipid personality, locked her will around it, took it for her own… it yielded like paper, ‘Trixie’ fading away like the irrelevant embarrassment she was. And then… she was in control. Trixie... was her! It couldn't have been easier!

She was in control, and the power was incredible. This was what they had sought, this was what they had spent their entirely lives seeking. She felt Trixie beneath, the mare actually comforted, reassured by her presence. It validated everything she knew, that the unity was what they all desired, that it would bring peace to the world. And now, she had the power to do just that.

She drew upon the great well of power within her, stretching her empathic powers out into the facility beyond. If they could reach some of the others, find survivors… she laughed as she felt them there, felt their minds connect to hers. Survivors, inside the facility!

She wondered how far her powers could stretch, marvelling as she expanded them outwards to cover the whole of Equestria. The thoughts and emotions of a thousand minds suddenly connected to hers, and she knew...

Pain.

Trixie screamed. She screamed. The world screamed. All was noise and pain, horror and death.

She was thrown out of Trixie’s mind, finding herself back in her own body. She fell back against the gantry, tears in her eyes, heart pounding, unable to comprehend the magnitude of the suffering. The world was on fire, everypony was dying in pain… and she had felt it all. The suffering, the death of a thousand ponies, it was just too much…

And she looked up as Trixie’s psychic image shook, the mare uttering a deafening shriek of pain and torment. Her image twisted, broke into thrashing, twisting tentacles of psychic rage, a roaring explosion of power radiating outwards.

She felt herself torn from her body, consumed by the titanic psychic scream. Behind her she saw her body crumple, blood briefly pouring from her nose and ears before Trixie pulped it with a single furious strike that shattered the gantry apart. The tentacles lashed out and grasped hold of Double Negative and Heavy Wrench, pulling them screaming into the vats, the doors to the facility shattered open as those same tentacles tore through the facility for the other survivors.

And she agreed, and understood. She released her hold, felt her control leave her. And she was... Mosaic and Gestalt, together again. Together in the unity.

All pain was gone, and they were safe. And she understood.

The world might be burning, but she now had the solution. The unity would save them all.

Lotus blinked, fighting off the images. It certainly added some additional context, and exonerated Trixie quite a bit. In fact given what she had heard of the four mares she was more certain than ever that Trixie had been a stabilising influence. But that raised other questions, “Why would you show these things to me?”

Mosaic smiled softly, kindly, “Because we’ve seen your life. It seems only fair that you know ours.”

Lotus stared into that slightly off kilter expression, the subtle smile creeping across Mosaics face… and realised something. Something that seemed to contradict everything she knew. Something that made this impossible, “Mosaic… died. She died before the Goddess was created.”

“Did she now?” Mosaic asked, her smirk widening, “You have truly learned nothing of us. There is no Gestalt or Mosaic, for we are one, sisters bound together by one mind, one soul.”

“You…” Lotus backed off a step, “How are you showing me Gestalt's memories…whose memories are these? Who are you?”

Mosaic continued to advance, her smirk widening further, “You have learned nothing.”

Lotus focused her magic, projecting it through her hoof at the floor below. She loosened the atoms there, trying to divide her concentration between that and Mosaic. If she could just keep her talking... “You must realise that Twilight Sparkle is mad.”

“Yes, and plans are in place.” Mosaic declared smartly, drawing herself up and standing with quiet confidence, “The element of magic is unstable. It requires the other five, placed with the other ministry mares. We intend to retrieve them, and your assistance in this goal is appreciated.”

Lotus did not like the sound of that, “What assistance?”

“Your ties to the upper waveforms provided a suitable vector for the ascension project.” Mosaic declared, looking pleased, “I have acquired all the data I can from this avenue of study.”

“And what’s the next?”

Mosaic smiled, “So glad you asked. In short, it is cutting off your connection to the upper waveform by means of directed force. Upon cessation of vitals, studies of energy transfer should be most illuminating.”

Doors opened up all around, Alicorns charging forth with horns glowing with energy. Ports opened up in the roof, turrets popping out with guns already spinning. Mosaic’s horn ignited, the gadget on her hoof already sending out an expanding SATS field.

Lotus smacked the floor with a hoof, radiating a final burst of magic that shattered the tiles beneath. Weapons fire blasted overhead as she dropped, down through the floor towards…

A vat of IMP.

Lotus couldn’t help a squeal passing her lips, focusing her magic once more and solidifying the liquid as she landed. She leapt away, quickly flinging away what liquid touched her fur as the debris fell into the vat with enormous splashes. Fortunately her jump carried her away, landing on a gantry and giving her enough time to quickly scrape what remained on her hooves.

An alicorn teleported onto the gantry with a flash, briefly disorientated by her arrival. Lotus didn’t give her a chance to recover, leaping upwards and delivering a hoof blow to the alicorn’s chin that toppled her like a falling oak. More came flying down, Lotus sprinting away as horn blasts shattered the machinery around her. Unbearable pressure sudden filled her mind and she felt the unmistakable will of Gestalt crawl into her thoughts, Lotus focusing on her meditations and driving her out with but a small change in her pace.

A door loomed ahead, Lotus not about to trust that it would be open. She leapt forward, focused her magic and punched out with a hoof.

The door yielded, though not quite as easily as she expected. She ended up crashing through the falling slab, bouncing away and rolling down the corridor beyond with not a fair amount of force, wondering for a moment what quite possessed her to think that would work.

She gingerly lifted herself, feeling her magic weaken and fade, feeling her body throb. She looked down at her naked hoof, realising that normally she would wear some kind of fetish to direct her energies. Without it this was all a whole lot harder, and she knew that if she didn’t escape right now she would quickly become defenceless simply due to her fading stamina. She quickly looked around the corridor she was in now, a couple of quite firmly closed metal doors… and several windows.

She ran to the window, looking down what looked like a thirty meter drop onto a curved roof. She took a deep breath, pushed it open, and leapt.

The wind rushed through her fur, Lotus opening up her body for maximum wind resistance. She did her best to augment it with her magic, slowing herself down… she hit the roof with significant force, rolling down the side. She just managed to catch the edge with her hoof and swung herself into an open window in the tower below, landing limply upon marble floors.

She gasped in equal parts pain and relief as she shifted her bruised body, looking around a room seemingly used for storage. It was richly built, gold etching on the walls, made of fine marble. She stood upright and looked back out the window, confirming her suspicions. This was Canterlot Castle.

She very quietly made her way out, trying to make as much distance as possible from her landing site. She didn’t detect any signs of pursuit, indeed the castle seemed entirely empty. It was in a poor state all in all and didn’t appear to have been cleaned in a long time. Cobwebs were starting to form, and oddly roots and branches had sprouted from the walls in several areas, emerging from cracked, heavily damaged masonry. All around the corridors stood rather unfitting looking bookcases, their hewn, wooden construction contrasting oddly with the royal grandeur.

That was when she realised it, that they all reminded her of Golden Oak Library. Indeed several items of furniture appeared to have been taken from there and repeatedly duplicated around the castle.

She turned a corner, looking down a long gallery of stained glass windows ending in a golden door. Lotus noticed the door was slightly ajar and stepped towards it, looking up at the designs on the windows as she went. They depicted… an argument between the ministry mares? One had Twilight standing alone, surrounded by books. She looked… depressed, lonely. Another had King Sombra shattering the Crystal Heart and Element of magic beneath his hooves, the next a dejected looking Twilight standing before an imperious and disappointed looking Celestia. The next…

…Twilight, weeping over the body of her brother.

Lotus shivered, faced with the full horror of what this place represented. This palace, her whole existence… it was filled with the things she had lost, unhappy endings, everything wrong with her life. Had she changed it, consciously or subconsciously? Was this really what Twilight’s mind was filled with?

She reached the end, looking past the ajar door to a small room beyond. A golden stand stood there with six arms, each holding a large crystal. Half of them were just blank white gems, the other half however glowed with colour. Lotus moved into the room and approached one, glowing with amber light.

And within that light… a tiny orange pony with a three apple cutie mark, curled up like she was sleeping.

Lotus looked at the others. Three lights glowed, three were blank. Inside each of the glowing crystals, a tiny, sleeping pony.

Lotus backed out quickly, unwilling to spend more time in this place. There was clearly no escape in this direction.

She travelled further and further through the castle, soon coming to the unfortunate conclusion that the geography made no sense. The whole place just seemed so much bigger than it should be, and more than once she found herself travelling in a circle despite walking an entirely straight path. She was just beginning to consider other options when she suddenly felt motion, and magic, flaring up from just behind her.

She had half turned before a wave of cold washed over, her, a pony shaped object shooting overhead. She turned up her internal temperature to resist the blast of icy air, skidding slightly as her hooves fought for purchase on the now frozen floor. She locked eyes with another pony, a grey furred unicorn mare, a second before a blast of magic shot from the mare’s horn and flew straight at her. Lotus decided to throw caution to the wind and just threw herself sideways, avoiding the blast but leaving herself dangerously off balance on the slippery surface.

Another pony leapt out in front, cutlass in his teeth. He swung and Lotus blocked, blade thudding against magically hardened skin. She butted her head towards the surprised stallion but he drew himself back, darting round to the side and shoving her hard. With her momentum and lack of purchase she had little choice but to throw herself forward, rolling tightly to come out facing her assailants.

There were three of them, though she could already see several others in the background, and feel the magical energies of more. The three that faced her consisted of a pegasi mare, an earth pony stallion and a unicorn mare, the stallion the most distinctive looking. He was pretty short for a stallion, far smaller than her, yet the scars that covered his body gave him a fierce, intimidating appearance, and his eyepatch and red bandana well complemented the very sharp looking cutlass in his teeth. The pegasi on the other hand was a light minty blue with a white mane, her cutie mark a snowflake. Obviously the one who had frozen the floor.

The mare on the other hand… looked really familiar. After a moment Lotus worked out from where. She could have been Selene’s sister, the mare a little shorter, though still tall for a unicorn, but otherwise bearing almost identical colours and facial features.

And they were clearly not royal guards. Lotus decided to risk it, “I’m not your enemy!”

“That’s a rather presumptuous statement.” The grey unicorn mare stated, sounding way older than she looked, “That relationship is two way. If we considered you our enemy, your opinions on the matter would mean little.”

“Maybe we should ask her who she is Midnight.” The pegasi quietly stated, her voice both hopeful and nervous, “She might be telling the truth.”

The earth pony looked at them both before stepping forward, sheathing his sword at his side and regarding Lotus with cool suspicion. Eventually he spoke, his low, regal voice standing out in comparison to his stature, “What is your business in the castle?”

“I simply want to leave.”

“Which means you were brought here under duress.” He replied, eyes narrowing, “A prisoner of war perhaps.”

This was going badly, “Do you work for Twilight Sparkle then?” Lotus noticed all three of them looked deeply offended by this statement, noting a couple of hints on the three of them. The stallions sword had a moon symbol on the hilt, and the unicorn mare had a bed and stars cutie mark, which suggested… “No… Princess Luna.”

“You have a good eye.” The unicorn replied.

“But Princess Luna is locked in Twilight’s dungeon!” Lotus replied, feeling a lot more comfortable about the situation, “I’m friends with the other princesses, and no friend to Twilight. She was the one who locked me up!”

“Then you’re safe here.” The pegasi replied, opening up in a kind, motherly smile, “Twilight Sparkle has no power over this place.”

Lotus looked around, noting that the tree branches and bookcases had indeed stopped appearing. In their place… all the windows had moon symbols, and there was a sense of gentle calm in the air, “This… isn’t Twilight’s castle?”

“None of it is Twilight’s castle.” The stallion replied angrily, “If it was in my power, that upstart would already have met her end at the edge of my blade.”

“It’s not her fault Pip.” The pegasi chided, “Luna has told you that.”

“Still, I cannot forgive such offense to my lady.” The stallion replied, then fixed his remaining eye on Lotus, “And I do not trust zebra. I warn you, dozens of your kind have already ended their lives at the tip of my blade. I will not hesitate to add you to their number.”

Lotus smiled at him, realising now that there was no need to fight, “And I do not wish to provoke it. I am Lotus, I serve the Princesses.”

He paused for a moment before giving a smart nod, “Knight Captain Pipsqueak, of the Royal Canterlot Guard. This is Snowdrop and Midnight Dreamer, loyal servants in Luna’s name.”

“A pleasure.” Midnight Dreamer drawled, her mouth opening in a smirk.

Lotus looked around, noticing more of other hidden figures had started to move out of their hiding places and walk away. She guessed she had passed the test, “How have you avoided Twilight’s attention?”

“Princess Luna is not as powerless and imprisoned as Twilight Sparkle thinks.” Pipsqueak replied, looking proud, “She has allowed us this place, protected us with her magic. Here we watch over her, waiting for the moment she orders us to act.”

“To… take the castle back.” Lotus was impressed, the idea that Luna could be so easily imprisoned always sitting wrong with her, “To strike against Twilight.”

“We also carry messages between her and the other Princesses.” Snowflake commented, “Twilight often explains her plans in detail to Luna, and Luna passes them on to us.”

“Clever.”

“Mm…” Pipsqueak responded, sounding less than happy, “I am always happy to serve my lady.”

Lotus looked to him, “You… don’t sound too pleased with this arrangement.”

Pipsqueaks expression soured, “She pays a heavy price for that information. And I question its worth.” He paused for a second to weigh up the wisdom of continuing before expanding on his statement, “All the Princesses do is wait and hide, while Princess Luna suffers and Twilight increases in power.”

“They already tried fighting Pip.” Snowflake stated in soft, chiding tones, “It just got ponies hurt.”

“But now Twilight has Trixie!” Pipsqueak protested, suddenly angry, “Luna has told us how important she is!”

Lotus paused in place, Pipsqueak’s words shooting through her mind, “She has Trixie?”

“She does.” Midnight Dreamer replied, an odd look upon her face. She looked... pained. Hurt personally, “Twilight was… provided with her.”

“By Star Swirl.” Lotus guessed.

“Yes.” Midnight Dreamer replied, looking frustrated and angry, “I... don’t know what she’s thinking.”

“Me either.” Lotus admitted, remembering the fight back at the theatre, “But we need to get Trixie back.”

“By force?” Pipsqueak questioned, sounding a little hopeful.

“If necessary.” Lotus stated, feeling a burning sense of injustice fuelling her anger. Star Swirl had been Puppysmiles’ friend, and if she had really given Trixie over to Twilight on top of everything else… well, setting Trixie free would be the first part of seeing justice done, “I’ll do it myself if I have to, but I would appreciate any help you could give me.”

Pipsqueak nodded firmly, “A small team will be best for this. I will go with you.”

“As will I.” Midnight Dreamer added, stepping forward, “This is my fault.”

Lotus noted that she seemed to know something about Star Swirl, deciding to question, “How is it your fault?”

“I knew Star Swirl. And she wasn’t like this before. I’m worried if I’m the reason for that.” Midnight Dreamer sighed, then gave a nod, “But that’s a story for another time. A long one to be honest.”

“Trixie is being kept in one of the state rooms on the upper levels.” Pipsqueak confirmed, “But I don’t know how long for.”

Lotus just wanted a chance to fight back. Maybe a little over eager, but she had to agree with Pipsqueak on the time constraints, “Let’s go.”

Their brief assessment of the situation was not encouraging, though they really shouldn’t have been surprised. They found the room easily enough, and it was plain to see it was the right one given the five alicorns outside. Two purples, a blue and two greens, Lotus felt confident handling maybe two given some luck and the element of surprise but knew confronting more than that was a very bad idea, “Plans?”

“Alicorns aren’t that tough.” Midnight Dreamer commented, clearly enthusiastic.

“Then you must have fought a very different breed of alicorn.” Pipsqueak replied.

“Wait…” Lotus shushed them both as another figure exited the room. The one figure they really didn’t want to see in fact, especially as it looked like she wasn’t in a particularly patient mood.

Twilight Sparkle.

Lotus observed at how… normal she looked. She wasn’t an alicorn like the others, of average height and build. Though she had a somewhat distinctive look to her she wouldn’t have stood out that much on any regular street.

Twilight Sparkle nodded to the surrounding alicorns and made her way off down the corridor, two of them breaking off to flank her.

“Well that’s two of them gone.” Midnight Dreamer commented, “We can take the rest easy.”

“Not easy.” Pipsqueak warned, “But yes, one on one odds is far preferable. If we strike hard and fast we can get them down before they engage their shields.”

Lotus studied the group, mapping out a plan of attack, “Hit them under the chin with blunt strikes. Alicorns all have glass jaws.”

“Really?”

“Poorly designed skulls. Sharp upwards motions rattle their brains.” Lotus instructed, “And Pipsqueak, we’ll take the alicorns while you get inside and get Trixie out.”

He looked sceptical, “You can handle three alicorns?”

Midnight Dreamer smirked, “Easy.”

Lotus gave Midnight Dreamer a chastising look, “Not easy… but we can handle it, and we need to be in and out as quickly as possible.”

“Right…” Pipsqueak gave a reluctant nod, before motioning towards the door, “Go.”

Midnight Dreamer was the first out, horn flashing with lightning and sending the purple alicorn crashing to the floor in a twitching mess. Lotus admitted she was impressed, closing on the blue just as the alicorn managed to charge a spell at her horn. Lotus struck out and hit shield, hoof sliding off the invisible barrier. It did little real damage but still sent the alicorn stumbling and knocked her aim off, the charged horn blast shooting out and hitting the roof above. Lotus immediately threw out a second blow before she could recover, bending the shield slightly in a way that made it hard to maintain. As expected a look of pain crossed the alicorn’s features before she quickly dropped the shield, Lotus jumping up and striking a fierce blow against her jaw. A quick spin kick finished the alicorn off, sending her crashing to the ground in an unconscious heap.

Lotus landed, thanking harmony that these were your standard issue alicorns. Loaded with powers they might be, it meant little when they didn’t have a clue how to actually fight.

Pipsqueak was gone, apparently doing his job as expected. Midnight Dreamer on the other hoof… appeared to be struggling. She unleashed a barrage of spells on her opponent but the alicorn calmly blocked and avoided each, firing small stinging blasts as if testing Midnight Dreamer’s defences. Whatever she was doing, it was clear this final alicorn was no grunt.

“Who the heck are you?” Midnight Dreamer shouted, getting a little too aggressive for her own good, “Stop dodging and…”

The alicorn sent forth a burst of blinding light, then gored forward with her horn. It cut across the top of Midnight Dreamer’s scalp only due to quick evasive action, it had clearly been aimed for her eye. Evasion didn’t stop the thrusting hoof that the alicorn followed up with, smacking Midnight Dreamer in the jaw and sending her staggering with blood flowing from her muzzle.

“Hey!” Lotus shouted, keen to take attention off Midnight Dreamer, “So I’m guessing you’re no ordinary alicorn.”

“I am Nightseer.” The alicorn answered with perfect diction as she turned a calm, assessing eye to Lotus, “And I am far from ordinary.”

My, a posh alicorn. Lotus filed that experience away for later and charged, focusing her magic on her hooves as she closed for the strike. Nightseer didn’t react with fear, simply fixing Lotus with an intense but not particularly aggressive look, her eyes slowly tracking as Lotus closed. Lotus shook off the worry, went to leap…

Nightseer’s horn sparked, a shard of what looked like bone springing up from the ground and tripping Lotus at just the right moment. Lotus sprawled, unable to defend herself as Nightseer sprang forward, her hoof striking Lotus in the jaw and flinging her head over hooves to skid along the floor on her back. Even with hardening it had hurt, stars bursting across her vision as she shook off the concussion.

“Right, that’s enough out of you.” Midnight Dreamer spat as she recovered from her previous beating, flinging a bolt of lightning across the room. Nightseer calmly dodged, then her form just faded away into nothingness. Midnight Dreamer paused in shock, her mouth drifting open, “What… where did she…?”

Lotus rolled back onto her hooves, trying to feel the vibrations and use them to determine the mare’s location. An alicorn, of course... “She can turn invisible!”

“Nonsense!” Midnight Dreamer shouted, “There’s no such thing as an invisibil…”

Nightseer appeared right next to her, plunged her horn into Midnight Dreamer’s neck and calmly withdrew it, kicking the now gasping pony to the floor. Nightseer then looked down at the choking, bleeding mare for a moment, her voice soft and filled with a vague concern, “So small and predicable. Why do you persist in these limited forms, when you could experience true life within the unity?”

Lotus leapt at her, hoof spinning. Nightseer just stopped still, concentrating for a moment before moving perfectly past her attack and striking Lotus in the stomach. Lotus gasped as her momentum carried her into the blow and caused it to sink deep into her abdomen, Nightseer simply withdrawing her hoof and striking her out of the air like it was no trouble at all.

“I see the winds of harmony, I see the future clear. The unity will bring relief to the wasteland.” Nightseer spoke, stepping purposely across the floor towards Lotus as she fought to rise from where she had landed, “One day, the unity will extend to your race too. Sadly, today all you can do is die.”

Nightseer broke into a run, preparing to strike… until her hoof caught on something and she stumbled, defenceless as Pipsqueak dove in from the room beyond and struck her about the jaw with a terrific blow of his sword. Nightseer gasped and toppled, eyes rolling back in her head as she thudded to the ground in a tumbling skidding mess.

Lotus looked around in confusion for a moment before smiling in relief, “Thank you… good timing.”

Pipsqueak watched the alicorn for a moment before finally being confident she was truly down, “Eh, you were right about their glass jaws…”

“Midnight!” Lotus sudden realised, galloping over despite her bruises. She quickly reached Midnight Dreamer, the unicorn now barely breathing and bleeding heavily. She ran her hooves across Midnight’s neck, expanding and opening her airway, then stabbed a hoof at her neck wound before violently withdrawing it. A gush of blood splattered outward, coating Lotus. She didn’t mind, concerning herself with closing the wound with one final surge of magical energy, taking a deep breath as she saw the flesh seal.

“That was incredible.” A voice stated from the side.

Lotus shook her head at the praise, revealed to see Midnight Dreamer at least appeared to be breathing now, “I can’t really take credit. That wasn’t my technique. I was taught that, by…” She frowned to realise she couldn’t quite remember, only dim memories of… “Someone close to me bled to death. I couldn’t do anything, I was… powerless.”

“Heh… how ironic.”

Lotus realised she didn’t recognise the voice, turning round to be faced by a unicorn. Not a very impressive looking one, elderly and boasting dark rings around her eyes, with the kind of poor muscle mass and rounded body that bad eating habits produced. Her grey hair hung in tangles around a plain, unremarkable face. Her voice was tired, sounding like a bitter laugh and a cigarette was never far from her lips, “Are you…?”

“I am the Great and Powerful Trixie.” She gave an amused grin, “What, are you disappointed?”

“I…” Lotus felt it was rude to say ‘yes’, “I guess I only know of you in context of the Goddess.”

“Huh, that was hardly me.” She answered haughtily, “Twilight’s ambition, Gestalt’s desire for companionship and Mosaic’s desire for unity. All I provided was a talent for showmanship and some actual charisma. Do you know what it’s like to be stuck in some magically powered gestalt entity with three nerds for two hundred years?”

“Not… personally.”

“Huh, it was alright until they started killing ponies.” Trixie answered with a huff, “I’ve never been fond of violence. Sorry I couldn’t be more help there.”

Lotus noted the bruise on her flank, “You… turned invisible and tripped her.”

Trixie grinned, “I have to admit, seeing that two penny fortune teller come a cropper is always fun.” She looked round, expression softening a little, “I’m glad you didn’t kill her though.”

“I…” Lotus bowed her head, embarrassed, “I’ve seen enough death.”

“She’s a really good pony, once you get past all that pretentious mystic rubbish.” Trixie stated, her mouth curling up fondly, “She idolised Princess Luna, begged me to let her go to Canterlot. She was the logical choice, Nightseer was always uncomfortable with attacking ponies, or working with Red Eye. She could take down Justicar if she had half a mind, but she always disliked violence.”

Lotus… knew something about that… “She died…”

“Insane and alone, wearing Princess Luna’s bones like a coat.” Trixie stated, her expression dropping, “I know.”

“We should go.” Pipsqueak warned, expertly balancing the much larger Midnight Dreamer upon his shoulders, “It’s not safe.”

She had to agree with that, helping him carry the mare as they made their way back, Trixie trotting along behind.

There was quite a crowd gathered upon their arrival back with the others, Lotus soon seeing why as the crowd parted to reveal their guests. Seemed they were host to two Princesses today.

“Trixie!” Princess Galaxy called out in relief, her wings fluttering open, “Oh thank harmony you’re alright.”

“One of you is injured.” Princess Luna commented sharply, already moving over towards them, “Are you all ok?

“She’s stable.” Lotus reassured her, rather warmed by her obvious concern, “I thought you were supposed to be in prison?”

“I broke out when I heard what you had done.” Luna protested, sounding angry, “I expressly forbade you engaging Twilight’s forces, especially in so blatant a fashion.”

“I am a solider my lady.” Pipsqueak answered, voice proud and a little confrontational, “I am trained to fight the enemies of my lady, not just watch while they defile her name.”

“I can take care of myself Captain.” She answered, matching his glare, “I am not my sister, sending others to die for me.”

“Please Elder Sister, should we not see to the wounded?” Galaxy asked with a calm sweetness, Luna frowning for a moment before nodding for Midnight Dreamer to be brought over. Galaxy moved to welcome them as they did, her smile growing wider as Trixie moved over, “I’m so sorry for all this Trixie.”

“Nonsense.” Trixie responded, haughty and proud despite her dishevelled appearance, “The great and powerful Trixie has laboured too long in the shadow of that wretched Goddess. I welcome a chance to finally put an end to it.”

“Does that mean it is finally time to strike?” Pipsqueak asked, his tone rising in expectation.

“No.” Luna swiftly answered.

“Um, I’m not sure that’s wise…” Galaxy confirmed, her tone softer and more regretful, “And Silver Swirl is still reluctant.”

“Silver Swirl’s opinion is irrelevant. I am the eldest sister, and I will not repeat the events of Twilight’s rise!” Luna added, expression stormy, “I learned long ago to understand when a fight cannot be won. I will not see everypony die pointlessly, not again!”

“Princess, you cannot simply capitulate to this usurper!” Pipsqueak angrily replied, “I’d rather die for something, than sit around waiting for my enemy to become stronger!”

Lotus tried to blink away the headache building at the tip of her muzzle, looking to Galaxy and Trixie and seeing only irritated resignation on their faces. This was… stupid. Stupid and pointless, “Please, enough.”

Luna looked to Lotus with anger in her eyes, “Who is this zebra?”

Lotus had to admit, she had thought better of Luna. Not that she was going to voice these thoughts, but at the moment all she saw was an arrogant brat. Sure, these were stressful situations. Still she knew from experience that whining and throwing your weight around rarely helped, “I helped save Trixie, and fought Twilight’s alicorns beside Knight Captain Pipsqueak. I have been sent from the hall of harmony, which has already been breached by Twilight’s forces.” She looked straight at Luna, tone serious, “You cannot stay on the defence any longer.”

Luna raised an eyebrow, “You’re telling me what I can and cannot do?”

“I am… offering advice.” Lotus tried her best to keep her tone respectful, “Your Highness.”

“I am not your highness.” Luna replied, her voice much calmer now, “Your kind mostly want me dead.”

“You are still a Princess.” Lotus replied, “Deserving the dignity of your title.”

“You sound like Celestia.” Luna replied with a mixture of anger and amusement, “Why does a zebra fight for Equestria?”

“Why does an alicorn?”

Luna’s eyes opened in surprise, then she grinned broadly, “You… sound like Star Swirl now. My, a zebra with the insincere politeness of my sister, and the smug self-assurance of my mentor. I am besieged by all my foes together.”

Lotus sighed, reminded of Velvet Remedy in her darkest, most passive aggressive moods, “I’m not your enemy Princess Luna.”

“Yes you are.” She challenged, mouth turning downwards and eyes narrowing, “You wish to throw my loved ones into a battle they cannot win, so that I can watch them die pointlessly. You wish to prove once and for all that I am powerless to save them.”

“I don’t…”

“I watched Equestria burn.” Luna challenged, real anger clear just below the surface, “As long as I am Elder Sister, we will not fight Twilight Sparkle. That is my final decision.”

Lotus looked to Pipsqueak, the knight captain simply standing there with a disapproving look. Princess Galaxy just looked sad. Lotus finally turned back to Luna, responding in a quiet voice, “Doing nothing isn’t an option.”

“It is, and I am taking it.”

Lotus felt her temper fray, “Then I will do it myself.”

And it was at this that Luna’s expression just melted, suddenly deeply sad and profoundly broken. She looked at Lotus with her deep blue eyes, her regal tone cracking. She spoke in a far more casual voice, finally sounding sincere, “So, a hero.”

Lotus shook her head, “I’m not a hero.”

“I’ve met a lot of heroes child.” Luna replied, a bit of spark re-entering her eyes, “You are what many would consider a classic.”

Lotus would take what she could get, “Does that mean you’re going to help me?”

“It means you’re right, I don’t have a choice.” She looked to Galaxy, “Take Trixie back to the halls.”

Galaxy gave her a nervous look, “Silver Swirl said…”

“Tell my younger sister to shut up and do as she’s told.”

Galaxy paused for a moment before shaking her head, “I am not telling her that.”

Pipsqueak gave Luna a warning look, the Princess smiling to herself with a little too much satisfaction for a moment before replying, “Fine… then simply tell her to get the troops ready.”

Galaxy still looked hesitant, “Are… you serious?”

“I am.” Luna nodded towards Lotus, “This one’s a hero.”

Lotus really didn’t like being blamed for this, “I don’t…”

“Don’t protest.” Luna sharply ordered, “You are right. Twilight needs to be stopped, and she needs to be stopped now.”

Galaxy sighed, “So… we’re really doing this?”

Luna nodded, “Yes. I will prepare my children, you go and rally the forces of harmony.”

Lotus steeled herself. It seemed like events were finally in motion, “And me?”

“There is a factory on the outskirts of Canterlot.” Luna stated, averting her eyes and staring into the distance, “It is called Red Racer Industries.”

That sounded familiar, though as normal Lotus found searching her memory fruitless, “What’s there?”

“Twilight’s grand project.” Luna answered, a slight tremble in her voice, “You need to find the CEO and force her to tell you the details.”

Lotus felt like she was being led around by a chain at this point, “Why do I feel like you already know what I’ll find?”

“I have a suspicion, which is why I’m sending you.” Luna acknowledged, “And as for sending you alone…”

This better be good, “Yes?”

“I have been observing you.” Luna stated firmly, “You have a ‘saving people’ thing, where you enjoy repeatedly sacrificing yourself for everypony you come across. You’d be fair less likely to get yourself killed if you go alone.”

Lotus… wasn’t sure quite what to say to that. She just stared open mouthed for several moments, before Ghost Girl suddenly appeared at Luna’s side with a chastising expression, “She’s right you know.”

“Would you… throw yourself in front of a bullet to save a criminal?”

“No!”

“…who hadn’t committed the crime he was being shot for?”

“…maybe…”

“Then you have a ‘saving people’ thing.”

Lotus thought this was all rather unfair, tracking across the city towards the Red Racer facility with an intangible ghost deconstructing your core personality traits. It wasn’t like she was intentionally trying to get herself killed or anything, “Look, I’m really tough. I can take a bullet and just shake it off, a lot of ponies can’t.”

“You’re so arrogant.” Ghost Girl stated with frustration, glaring across at Lotus, “You think you’re invincible.”

That was unfair, “I’m not stupid, I know when to run away. I’m just confident in my skills, I’ve trained very hard to reach this point.”

“You can’t just punch through every obstacle. You say you would run away if you faced something you couldn’t beat, but you think you can beat anything. Gods, armies, portals of pure chaos energy… you just run in, normally without any sort of plan.” Ghost Girl retorted, her rotted lips narrowing in the closest she could get to a pout, “You’re special, important, and you’re willing to throw your life away for those who don’t deserve it.”

That she wouldn’t take, “Everypony deserves it.”

Ghost Girl just turned away, her eyes deep with regret, “They really don’t.”

Lotus opened her mouth to say something more, but it seemed they would have to shelve that conversation for another time. She turned the corner and beheld it before her, the Red Racer HQ. It was a somewhat grim and heavily reinforced building, clearly a factory, fenced all around with spike topped wire.

Steel Rangers patrolled diligently in large teams, automated defences and Enclave troops up top. Far above sat an Enclave Raptor, guns trained on the skies around. Luna might well have been on to something about this place being important, Lotus having seen military facilities with less security.

Ghost Girl stepped round to face her, looking disapproving, “Please don’t tell me you’re going to run up and punch them all into submission.”

Lotus was getting a little tired of all this negativity, “No, because I’m not suicidal. I’m going to sneak in quietly, and look for a back way in.”

“Good.” Ghost Girl nodded happily, “I’ll float ahead, and tell you when the coast is clear.”

Lotus let her do her thing as they advanced, keeping low and quiet. Fortunately for all their technical gizmos the heavy armor of the Steel Rangers limited their peripheral vision, making them pretty easy to slip by. It made it pretty easy to get in, just scooting round the side of the building and snapping the lock on one of the windows. She rolled inside, looking around the factory floor… and straight at a camera.

The camera focused on her face, Lotus freezing in place. After a moment the speakers crackled into life, a deep female voice with a country accent, “So ya came. Twilight said to look out for your kind.”

Lotus decided to try negotiation, “I just want to talk to whoever’s in charge…”

“Oh, you’ll be talkin’.”

One of the factory machines lashed out with its claw, Lotus only just managing to dodge it by the tips of her fur. The second attack came from behind, a forklift grabber flying past and slashing a nasty graze across her flank. Lotus ran for the door but it slammed shut with a clang, another claw lashing down and shattering the tiles in front.

“This whole factory is automated darlin’, ‘aint no escape for you!”

Another claw came down, Lotus ready this time. She leapt on top of it and ran up its arm, giving her the reach to punch a hole in the tiled roof and haul herself into the crawl space above.

“Oh, we know how to deal with rats little missy!”

Lotus looked ahead to where a metal vent stood out among the wires and supports, a small red light suddenly lighting up above. A second later and the vent shot open, realising a swarm of tiny little… flying apples?

They certainly looked the part, apart from the wirring little propeller on top, and the tiny laser cannon peaking out the front.

Lotus yelled out as they proceeded to bombard her with shots, burning, painful little strikes that left painful red welts across her skin. She wouldn’t have had much issue with them if it wasn’t for the limited space, she wasn’t able to stand at her full height and they were fast, darting away whenever she got close. Eventually she was forced to run, reaching as far as the next room and punching down through the floor below.

She landed on her hooves in a long corridor, leading to several other factory floors like the one she had just exited. She heard the buzz of the apple bots behind and ran forward to dodge their shots, only to be faced with a larger, more dangerous looking robot that swept out from another storage area ahead. It turned and sped towards her at an impressively rapid pace, its polishing wheel spinning for her.

She was being attacked by a vacuum cleaner.

Lotus was not about to die like that, leaping up onto its roof and back down behind it. It was only then that she realised it had been washing the floor with grease, her hooves splaying out around her and sending her cracking into the ground with a thud. The apple droids swarmed up above as the fought for purchase, their lasers shooting out…

…and igniting the grease in a rapidly spreading fireball.

Lotus pushed all her power into her legs, pushing herself forward will all her strength. Her fur aflame, her muscles giving out, she spotted a security office just ahead. She gave herself one final push, flinging herself at the window.

Lotus hit the ground on the other side, biting her tongue to keep herself from screaming from the pain of her injuries. She was inside a small control room now, it clear from the displays on the monitors that it was here the defences were controlled from. But… there were no operators, no staff at all that she could see…

A thermos mug of steaming coffee stood on the desk nearby. Somepony was…

A gunshot sounded out, Lotus diving to the side and snatching a clipboard in her teeth. The bullet shattered the control panel next to her, Lotus spinning round and hurling the clipboard across the room to strike the shooter in the face.

The pony reeled backwards, the pistol in her teeth discharging again into the ceiling before she dropped it. Lotus quickly moved to charge, the mare quickly recovering and moving in herself. Her vivid red hair streamed behind her, her voice rising in anger, “You’ll not hurt my friend!”

Lotus pursed her lips, her original plan of attack now feeling a lot less righteous. It was silly really, this mare was no more ‘real’ than any of the others she had taking forceful measures with, still… she couldn’t.

Instead she simply dodged Apple Bloom’s attack, wheeled around the mare and fixed her hooves around her neck. Apple Bloom struggled and fought but she wasn’t all that strong, it not long before the mare slumped unconscious against her chest. Lotus carefully laid her down upon the ground, making sure she was still breathing before moving on. She didn’t have a lot of time.

An elegant entrance hall opened up before her, two large sofas either side and a row of double doors at the end. One of them was topped with a plate marking it as the CEO's office, her ultimate destination.

Unfortunately there were three ponies in power armor standing between her and it, two armed with shotguns, one with what looked like missile pods installed on their sides. It was this pony who spoke, her voice resonant, “Surrender, or I will put you down!”

Lotus was getting tired of this, not to mention was in no condition to fight, “I just want to talk. If you’ll let me see your boss...”

“We know what you’re here for.” The pony answered, “Take her down!”

The shotguns fired and Lotus broke to the side, swinging herself around one of the of the pillars and diving across the room. She grabbed another pillar as she reached the three ponies, using it to spin herself around and snap her backhoof into the head of one of the ponies as he turned to engage.

It worked, his helmet sent flying as he sprawled across the floor. Lotus dropped to the ground behind the unconscious guard, quickly breaking out and charging towards the second guard along...

...until the guard suddenly emitted a deafening scream that made her head feel like it had been filled with taffy. She couldn't even find the clarity of mind to so much as move as the third guard moved round and shot Lotus in the side with a shotgun, taking a chunk of flesh with it. He moved round, aiming straight for her head...

Lotus focused all her strength and simply threw herself forward with all her strength, aiming straight for the guard with the shotgun. Another blast took off her ear before she slammed into him, flattening him against a pillar with enough force to shatter it down the middle. The guard gasped, then slumped limply down.

Lotus backed away, shaking her head clear. That had hurt a lot, but that was two down...

She turned as a vase flew across the room and slammed into her face, coating it in jagged pottery. Lotus had only just recovered when the fallen helmet flew in from the other direction and slugged her across the jaw.

She turned shakily and fought for her wits as the one remaining pony strode angrily towards her, this one... different. Those weren't missile pods but speaker systems that had been mounted at sides of this guard's armor, and a hole had been cut at the top to allow a slim white horn to peek through. A unicorn?

And then that horn shone with green light, a fierce blast of energy flying straight at her. Lotus was ready this time, striking the blast away and sprinting low in preparation to take the pony off their hooves. One deafening scream later and Lotus couldn't stop her pace from faltering, making her a perfect target as a chunk of pillar flew in from the side and struck her flying.

She rolled over onto her back, feeling the pain of her wounds run through her. She could barely find the energy to move as another large chunk of the broken pillar flew down at her, on route to crush her flat.

...barely find the energy. She wasn't out yet. Lotus flung herself upwards and sent her hoof cracking out, shattering the block into pieces. A swinging kick sent those pieces rocketing out, punching through the two speakers at the pony's side. A discordant yell sounded out and the pony staggered back, Lotus kicking off the ground, flinging herself forward and striking the pony hard enough to send their helmet flying.

Sweetie Belle slammed onto her back, growling in fury and flinging out a bolt of green energy as Lotus closed to finish the fight. It struck Lotus in the chest and knocked her back with fur burning, Sweetie shouting as she came in for a horn strike, "I'll not let you hurt Scoot..."

Lotus easily blocked the clumsy thrust, then struck out with a firm uppercut that landed perfectly upon Sweetie's jaw. It did the job, the mare simply flopping limply down upon the floor like someone had just flipped her off switch.

Lotus stared at the mare's peaceful face for a moment, having to concentrate for a moment just to remain standing. To be honest, Lotus was pretty sure Sweetie Belle had the right idea lying down like that...

Lotus shook off such thoughts and grunted in pain as she stepped back from the fallen mare, shaking her head and taking deep gulps of air, "Sorry... Sweetie Belle... I feel..." She almost said she felt bad, but that was actually true in more ways than she intended. She wasn't sure if she should feel honoured or embarrassed that Sweetie Belle had just kicked her butt five ways straight, "Wow... you're surprisingly tough for a pop star..."

She concentrated on healing her wounds for a moment before looking up at the door to the CEO's office. She couldn't stop now. That was after all two down... one to go.

Lotus strode into the room, kicking the door open and seeing the office open up before her. She wondered for a moment what new obstacle awaited her, looked to the desk...

Scootaloo sat there, eyes wide and terrified. A pistol shook, the straps holding it to her hoof hastily and inexpertly applied. She clearly had little idea of how to hold it, the fear in her eyes readily apparent.

Lotus advanced, her eyes not wavering, "Put down the gun."

"You... you evil bitch... you killed them..."

"No. Of course not." Lotus replied, just a tiny bit offended, "They're still alive, just unconcious."

"I remember them dying. I see it every night in my dreams." Tears ran down Scootaloo's face as she shrank into her chair, looking somehow younger and smaller than the other two. It had quite the effect given the elaborate office around her, the trappings of her position dwarfing her shaking, broken form. Her voice too had no power, weak and afraid, "You can't stop me... I won't let you stop me..."

Lotus reached her, striking out quick and hard at Scootaloo's hoof, knocking it to the side before tearing her gun away with her teeth and flinging it to the side of the room. Scootaloo lunged forward to attack her but her attempt was hesitant and clumsy, Lotus simply pressing a hoof into the mare's shoulder and slamming her back against the chair, "Scootaloo, stop!"

Scootaloo gasped, "No..."

"I don't want to hurt anypony!" Lotus shouted angrily, hating having to manhandle the mares of whom she had grown up hearing stories about. This wasn't why she had learned to fight! To hurt civilians, just trying to protect each other... "You know this is madness!"

Scootaloo's eyes drifted sadly to the side, her body going limp, "I know."

This did not make Lotus feel any calmer. She couldn't help shouting, "Then why?!"

"I'm willing to be the villian, willing to help the villian..." Scootaloo looked up, determination shining behind the tears, "...if it will help my friends."

Lotus shook her head, wondering how quite any of this was helping, "And how will this help them? What is this big plan?"

Scootaloo gave a smile, mad, desperate and profoundly creepy. Her eyes met Lotus, her voice rising in excitement, "It's Gestalt's design, she calls it the subspace borer."

With a name like that she should have figured Gestalt was behind it, "And what does it do?"

"She figured it out you know?" Scootaloo continued, madness shining in her eyes, "That none of this is real. That we're all trapped in some crazy nightmare, that... that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle aren't really dead."

Lotus felt a terrible fear grip her heart.

"I'm going to save them. I'm going to save everyone."

Lotus paused, the horror dawning, "No..."

"Yes." Scootaloo opened up in a big smile, "The machine I built, Twilight Sparkle is going to use it get us all out of here. She's going to open a portal back to the real world. She's going to bring us home."
_________________________________________

Lotus Level up!

Level 32 reached.

Perk Gained – Life Giver Level 3
You embody wellness! You instantly gain another +20 maximum Health, and slowly regenerate lost Health,

Chapter 4.11 - A Hero's Journey

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Demon Eye Ridge – A week after the Shattering

The wind blew, cold and brutal against the small cabin, rattling the windows and shaking the door. Tradash looked out at it, his eyes looking out into the white nothingness and seeing just that.

Nothing.

He looked over to the bed when Zane lay, his body pallid and cold, body twitching in silent pain, his breathing shallow and labored. He was going to die, and there was nothing Tradash could do about it.

“He’s going to be ok.”

Tradash looked across, that scrunched, holier than thou, infuriating face now oddly beautiful in the half light of the cabin. Tandia’s eyes glimmered with hope behind her cracked glasses, a hope that he knew was a lie. He looked back at Zane, speaking in a cracked voice “You know, we all used to make fun of Zane back in Clendel. Not because he was weak, not because he was slow, not because he was clumsy… but because he kept trying despite all that. He took on tasks far beyond his competence, and every time he would end up humiliated. Isn’t that stupid?”

Tandia sighed, looking up at him with damp eyes, “It’s not your fault.”

“Yes it is. Because a farmer, a brat, two clowns and a thug thought they could save the world.” He spat bitterly, feeling his jaw clench in anger, “And Zane was stupid enough to believe we had a chance. But we didn’t did we? We’re just like he was, thinking that determination will win out despite all common sense telling us victory is impossible. And we failed.”

Tandia shook her head firmly, “We haven’t failed!”

“We lost! Zane is… Zane is…”

“Still alive.” She responded, her voice quiet and full of desperation, “We’re all… still alive.”

Tradash sighed, “For how long?”

“For now? For this moment?” Tandia bit her lip, the hint of tears in her eyes, “Tradash… even if it is hopeless, I want to keep fighting. Even if I knew it wouldn’t change a thing.”

“That’s your pride talking.”

“No, it’s hope.” She replied, “That even if we’re doomed, each and every good deed we do makes the world a tiny bit brighter.”

“Stop it…” He muttered, feeling his heart break with every word. He couldn’t go on, he just couldn’t… “…you’re… such a naïve little brat. Sitting up in your fancy temple all your life, reading those books. You don’t know anything about the real world.”

Tandia extended a hoof, “Tradash…”

“Stop it!” He smacked it away, furious at how she could be so naïve, “Look at it out there, that’s where we sent Sharps, Voice and Kale! Do you think anything could have survived out there?! Do you really think they could have made it there and back?! Do you really think…” He gasped, his throat choking off, unable to say anymore as tears ran down his face, “Do you…”

She reached forward and hugged him, Tradash wanting to fight her off, to shout that he didn’t want some rich girl’s pity… but at that moment all that fell away and he could only acknowledge how warm, and sincere, and beautiful she was. He sobbed into her embrace, at least satisfied that if they were to die, this would be how he would like to end it.

“Tradash… look…”

He looked up at the window, astonished to see through the snow and wind… a large bulky shape striding purposely through the elements, two smaller shapes on top. His heart filled up with relief and joy, so much so…

…that he almost forgot to keep up appearances, quickly untangling himself from Tandia and wiping away his tears before they got a good look at him. She just giggled at his efforts, causing him to admit that she looked very cute when she did so as he glared back at her, “What are you looking at brat?”

“Someone who’s not quite as tough as he tries to make out farmboy.” She replied, draping her coat over his shoulders, “Come on, let’s help them inside.”

Zealous Point – Four days after Princess Luna’s Death

Tradash threw the crystals upon the table, watching them tumble and shine upon the hard wooden surface. He read the runes, interpreted the patterns.

Jealousy. Fierce envy, wounded pride, right through the very heart of things. Tradash considered how to voice this. Eventually he decided to be straightforward, he doubted that Starhammer would appreciate doubletalk, “I believe… she’s envious of you Tarashi.”

Starhammer smirked, pacing the tent in a rather manic fashion, his grin disturbingly wide and his mood a little too jovial, “I already knew that. Isn’t it enough that she tells me what to do, that I have to accept her treating me like a child? She has to challenge me in public too?”

Tradash felt out of his depth. He was hardly a relationship councillor, and recent events had left him a little drained emotionally. The duel between Starhammer and Luna, the fallout from Kunari and Luna unleashing dark magic, the attack on Dusklight, the funerals for the dead kids… he could see that it was weighing on Starhammer too, even if he would never admit it, “I believe Kunari was simply trying to protect you when she used blood magic. Luna was about to kill you.”

“I had things under control!” He shouted angrily, fur bristling for a moment before he drew himself back and gave a deep sigh, “I’m sorry Tradash, it’s just… this has been a really crappy week.”

Tradash could second that, “I understand.”

“She does it on purpose you know?” Starhammer stated with a cheer punctured through with a barely restrained fury, “So that I remember my place. That without her…” He sighed, waving his hoof in the air, “Never mind. This will blow over eventually, she’ll simmer down and it will all go back to normal.”

“Of… course.”

Starhammer laughed, his normal booming chuckle, turning and shining Tradash a broad, charming grin, “Thanks, for listening to me rant. I really needed it, you know?”

Tradash smiled back, "Any time."

It was an enlightening experience watching Starhammer when he wasn’t in battle. The lands he had won from Princess Luna had to administrated and it was down to him to do it, despite the fact that it quickly became obvious that none of his inner circle had any experience with governance.

So a rather nervous looking pegasi mare called Cyan Quills was recruited from Clendal, Starhammer sitting her down in his office at Zealous Point and patiently listening as her and Tradash discussed with him the best way to establish stable government in the area. And he listened, asked good questions, and made very valid suggestions.

His sword lay unused in the yard, Starhammer having abandoned his showy displays and chosen to train in private. Kunari quickly vanished after the blood magic scandal, Starhammer rather bluntly stated she had been exiled for her crimes. Tradash remembered Starhammer’s rant about her and her importance to his cause, having reason to doubt that explanation, especially as it had happened so quietly.

He also noticed Starhammer’s chief scout Zenali was clearly keeping a very close eye on her employer’s relationship with Cyan Quills, and that Starhammer was treating Zenali with strained, somewhat suspicious, yet always polite respect of late. Given she was one of Kunari’s most loyal friends in the camp, Tradash wondered at her true loyalties.

He wondered how much power Starhammer really had.

“Is it always like this?” Starhammer asked as they made their way through the brush, keeping their eyes on the horizon as they went, “You hear of these big conquerors who forge these enormous empires, yet I conquer five hundred square miles of nothing and I end up stuck here for months working out tax plans.”

“It’s been a month.” Tradash reminded him, chuckling at the zebra’s impatience, “Most warlords conquer a land and leave others to the rebuilding… or simply leave it to burn. It says a lot about you that you attend to the reconstruction personally, and I believe that is why you will rise to further glory.”

“I do enjoy it you know?” He answered, smiling cheerfully as he climbed across some rocky terrain with confident, easy steps, “When I started no one expected me to be anything but a killer and a symbol, I certainly didn’t. I grew up on a farm.”

Tradash chuckled, “So did I.”

He laughed at that, “Hell, Zephyr Stormstrung was a slave miner. I guess circumstances can push us in strange directions.”

“And what circumstances are those?”

Starhammer paused a moment to think on that, his expression becoming dark and serious. Eventually he voiced his thoughts, a little anger creeping into his voice, “No offense Tradash, but you and your friends were the kings of wasted opportunities.”

Tradash smiled, he had expected this argument, “You are not happy with the way things are?”

“We’re zebra.” He answered, grinning once more, “We created the world’s oldest civilisation, tamed dragons, killed demons, built grand cities atop mountains, tamed the harshest deserts and established schools of harmony long before Celestia was even born. And we fought the ponies for a decade without yielding, despite having every disadvantage.”

“You believe we are creatures of battle?”

“We are creatures of strength!” He declared, chuckling a little crazily as his grin widened, “I love the Mutum, and Clendel, but let’s face the facts. Both have sat there for four decades, bribing the raider tribes on their borders and trembling in fear of an attack by just about every faction out there. With their manufacturing capability and fertile lands it could be the base of the strongest civilisation in the world, and yet they’ve built a land of trembling merchants and farmers without an ounce of pride in their heritage.”

Tradash sighed. He never understood this talk of heritage, of this pride in battle. The way he saw it the zebra were not a warlike race at all, merely one that was willing to stand up for itself in the face of oppression. Each time they had the horror and pain was well established in the historical records, and peace had been welcomed, “War brought us to this point. Peace can lead us to better things.”

“Peace allowed that shitbag raider to torment this land for more than a century.” Starhammer countered, eyes growing dark, “Princess Luna did what we should have years ago, and put those scum in the ground.”

“You sound like you respect her.”

“I do.” He looked conflicted for a moment, “I shouldn’t have killed her.”

Tradash raised an eyebrow.

“I was… angry. I do that. I don’t like… being challenged.” He forced out, looking frustrated, “But the way she stood up for those kids, encouraged them to fight and kill the scumbags that hurt them? That was right. That I can respect.”

Tradash sighed, “I wish you had realised this sooner.”

“I...” He looked conflicted for a moment before his expression softened slightly, “I wasn’t going to kill her. In the duel.”

“What?”

“I was going to kill the demon infesting her.” He chuckled, looking back at Tradash, “What happens when you chop through a ‘shadow matter’ shell with a Varasu blade?”

Tradash had to admit, for all his learning he knew little of them, “I’m… not entirely sure…”

“It stuns the demon, causing it to fall dormant. And cutting off her head, it would have caused that shadow matter to instantly collapse.”

“But wouldn’t it… kill her?”

He laughed, “I felt her balance, I know how demons work. That little girl was curled up in that fake alicorn’s belly, cutting her head off would have missed her entirely.” He turned his head away, shrugging his shoulders, “So I ‘kill’ the demon, set the girl free… I don’t know, adopt her or something. She would have been a damn fine lieutenant.”

Tradash felt a little sick, “It… didn’t got that way.”

“No… it didn’t.” Starhammer frowned deeply, “I could only roll with it, and all my options sucked at that point. Had an insane, genocidal demon, hiding behind a legion of heavily armed kids. What would you have done?”

Tradash sighed, “Assassinating her… was far from the worst of your options.”

“I asked Zenali to try and keep the girl alive, but I wasn’t kidding myself. Even she would have found that a difficult fight just to survive, and it didn’t matter in the end. Apparently neither her or any of the other senior frumentarii so much as got close to Luna. Don’t know who got her in the end, but perhaps it’s best that they died during the attempt.” Starhammer shrugged, “It sucked for all of us. We all ended up looking like the bad guy.”

“So why didn’t you tell this to any zebra else?”

He smirked, “Because it makes a bad story.”

“Is that so important to you?”

Starhammer turned, giving him a cheerful grin, “In the end, it’s all we leave behind.”

Things were happening, and Tradash was unhappy that no one could tell him quite what. Recruitment was accelerating and supplies were being gathered, clear signs of a campaign in the works… but to where, and against who? That was infuriatingly vague.

“With Sequesta gone, Clendel is completely unprotected.” Starhammer commented when asked, shrugging his shoulders, “It falls on us to stand in defence of the zebra.”

“Against who?” Tradash asked, seeing his point but sensing something more in his actions, “Caesar Incuta’s attentions fall on Equestria, and raiders don’t warrant an army of this size.”

“Against any who would threaten our future.” He replied grimly, walking away with an uncharacteristically bleak expression.

It was only a couple of days later that he received the letter, a rather unassuming and anonymous zebra approaching him in the late afternoon and delivering it in person before leaving with only a brief greeting. He opened it up, quickly detecting the hint of expensive perfume and spotting the flower motif at the head of the paper. He smiled, glad that Mother Nanati was still as charming as ever.

His expression fell as he began to read, quickly moving to somewhere more private and burning the letter after he finished.

“Starhammer isn’t receiving visitors at the moment.” Zenali stated with an overly sweet smile as she stood before the door to the headquarters building, “He may be consumed in his work for several days honoured elder.”

She made that sound like an insult, Tradash having to say that he hadn’t liked her to begin with and that she hadn’t improved his opinion any with her recent behaviour. Ever since Kunari had left she had started throwing her weight about more and more, and he was starting to see her making more decisions around here than Starhammer was. She was smart and efficient, but she hadn’t anywhere near the charisma he had.

Still it soon became clear that he was being kept out of the loop, and that his place in the inner circle had been firmly rescinded. Still it was a big camp, Tradash using his celebrity to try and gather as much information as he could on their purpose. It wasn't much unfortunately, the inner leadership were keeping a tight hold on information. Still there were certainly plenty of interesting zebra joining Starhammer's cause.

Even a few ponies.

He heard of her in passing, a unicorn who commanded the sort of power spoke of in stories, and a unicorn from Equestria at that. His curiosity spiked he tracked her down, spotting the impossibly elderly looking mare preparing a meal... or truth said, taking raw ingredients and effortlessly transfigurating them into a cooked meal in mere moments. He saw her look round at him and decided to approach, giving a friendly nod, "I've never seen that kind of power before."

"This?" She smirked, "This is barely a parlor trick."

"Then I am even more eager to see more." He replied, giving her an enthusiastic smile, "Tradash."

She seemed to consider something for a moment before her wrinkled features moved into a arrogant grin, "Dream Star."

“I honestly feared the unicorn arts were long lost.”

“They are.” Dream Star replied with a smirk, though it quickly grew cold and bitter, “Professor Silver Bell will tell you different, but she’s nothing more than a neophyte clutching at the embers of what was lost.”

Tradash probed further, it clear that the mare wanted to talk about it, “And you?”

“I learnt the art like them, from what remained of the Arcane Ministry’s library at Tenpony.” She explained, brow narrowing in nostalgic regret, “But I’ve spent all my life exploring the wasteland learning from those with even the barest hint of magical talent, venturing into the most deeply buried libraries."

"So all that knowledge was not lost."

Her expression soured, "Almost all those ponies are now dead, all those libraries buried. When I die, the art dies with me.”

Tradash thought that was an exaggeration, there were many unicorn mages within the zebra territories who possessed significant learning. Still he didn’t want to puncture the ego of an old lady, and her skill certainly seemed exceptional, “You have not thought about teaching what you know?”

“I have taken two apprentices. Both turned evil, and had to be put down.” She smirked joylessly, “So my skill as a teacher is in doubt.”

“I often worry about how effective my own tutelage is. My apprentice sometimes seems even more lost than when I first met him.” He admitted, giving a sigh, “But we cannot forge any sentient being into a mere copy of ourselves. At the end of the day we can only guide them, and accept they make their own choices.”

She gave him a look of interest, “You are a master of the art yourself?”

“Oh, hardly a master.” He protested, blushing a little even after all this time, “I had the privilege of learning a little of harmony from the great shamans, but it is hardly anything to boast about.”

Dream Star’s face told a different story, her mouth drifting open in shock. Her voice was soft, strained, “You know the harmonic arts?”

“Uh…” He really shouldn’t have mentioned it. He had always been self conscious about being considered any kind of great shaman, “As I said, only a little.”

She drew her mouth closed, trying to restore her composure, “Then that must mean you are chosen of harmony.”

Well here goes. He had gotten used to disappointing folk who knew his name, shocking those who didn’t was something new, “Um, yes. Kuo, Charity, Generosity.”

She paused in wonder for a moment, “How did you discover this?”

He smiled at the memory, “My friends and I, we harmonised together back…”

“You are a full grouping of all six of the elements?!”

He chuckled, rather enjoying this now, “I guess we were.”

“And…” She gulped back a breath now, her wrinkled face angled with an almost childish excitement, “…magic?”

He sighed, nodding his head, “Yes… one of us was attuned to magic.”

“Then you must tell me of them!”

He chuckled at her enthusiasm, like many old has-beens only too eager to talk about the past, “With pleasure.”

Clendal – The Day of Frost and Fury

A whirlwind of blue light filled the sky, howling and screaming like a mad beast as it drove the snow and ice into a vortex of cutting, stinging cold. And from its depths came a danger of an altogether more purposeful sort, legions of ice demons marching forth with blades clutched in sharpened talons. It was an army without number, sent by a demon without remorse, its purpose to finally end what little remained of civilisation.

“Quite a predicament, huh old chap? End of the world, dark gods, almost certainly going to die?” Clear Voice chuckled as he crouched down behind the small outcropping of rock that was shielding them from the worst of the weather, counting his remaining shells, “Fate certainly does take it’s strange turns.”

“Bitch with a cruel sense of humor fate is.” Sharps replied, pressing a hoof hard against his injured side, “It feels like some twisted affection, I’d think she’s trying to kill me if I didn’t keep surviving.”

“Indeed my good friend. Though all this certain death isn’t making you any prettier.”

Sharps laughed, a harsh barking sound. He took a peek round the corner, his ghoulish features quickly returning to look across at Voice with a haunted expression in his eyes, “Thinking this might be our number though.”

“Well my friend, only one thing for it then.” Clear Voice laughed, pumping his shotgun and preparing for battle, “You always talk about preaching out into the darkness, well it doesn’t get much darker than this. How about we soften up the crowd with the old downtown one two, reinforce our argument with a couple of incendiaries?”

Sharps laughed, striking a hoofbump before pulling free a grenade from his vest, “Let’s make them work for it.”

And so they stood, two lone figures in the night, a thousand and one enemies before them.

Tradash fired wildly into the demons as they swarmed Tandia’s barrier, his shotgun blowing holes through their icy bodies and sending them toppling to the ground. He was well aware that he was running out of shells however, and that Tandia’s mana wouldn’t…

Tandia gasped and slumped forward as her shield finally failed, an ice demon lunging at her neck. Tradash yelled out and leapt forward to strike it wildly, thrusting his hoof down and pouring his own mana reserves into the barrier as they swarmed. The effect echoed outwards to great effect, flinging the monsters backwards to shatter against the walls and floor.

It also left him spent and gasping, unable to properly defend himself as one of the surviving demons struck him across the back with a sword. Blood painted the ground as he fell, pain lancing through his entire body. The demon had just moved to finish him when Tandia hurled a glowing ember right between it's eyes, burning it away to nothing with a final echoing scream.

“Gah…” He rolled himself over to face Tandia, already feeling the cold spreading through his body. He had been foolish, and he already knew the wound was too great. He looked up at her exhausted, tear stained face, forcing a smile, “Got your back…”

Tandia bit her lip, then brought her hooves down upon his wound. She ignored his protests, her energies flooding through him and taking the pain away. She finally stopped after a moment, her voice shaking, “Please don’t move, your wounds are still quite serious.”

“Tandia!” He protested, for the last time cursing her sentimentality, “You’re wasting your mana! I can’t help you anymore, and you need it to get to the top…”

“We’re not going to get to the top Tradash.” She answered, her lips tightly pursed, “There’s likely another army between us and them.”

He wouldn’t accept that, and he was angry that she would, “You can’t give up!”

“I’d rather die here with you.” She stated, looking out across the mutum plains below. The ice and snow covered everything, the army of demons marching out to snuff out what life remained. It indeed looked truly hopeless…

…and yet, just beyond the limits of vision, and army marched up to the ridge. Equines of all sorts, standing bravely upon the hill before the demonic armies.

Yet Tradash could not believe it salvation. He looked down at those ragged forms in the snow and knew it for what it was. The last, desperate gasp of a dying species.

Zane took a deep breath, standing before the armies as they faced off against the marching hoard before them. His knees shook and his voice failed, not sure how he could give the final order now. To fight was certain death, and he knew this. He himself had accepted that long ago, along with the understanding that a untalented coward like him would never make a difference to the outcome. That the odds were too great.

He had always wanted to die standing up. He had always been more willing to try and fail, than sit at home and accept his worthlessness.

He had an army at his back. His army. Because he had been in the presence of heroes they thought he was a hero. They trusted him to get them through this, to win. But he know that was a lie, that there was no chance for victory. He just wanted to die standing up. But how could he make that decision for others?

“Tell them how you feel Zane. Show them your spirit.”

He looked up at Kale, the buffalo’s huge form standing proud and brave before the storm. He wished he had that strength, “We can’t win this.”

“That’s never stopped us before.” She answered, smiling at him with that cocked, arrogant gleam in her eyes, “That’s never stopped you.”

He sighed and turned, facing the massed ranks of zebra with all he could offer them. It wasn’t much. He was as unequipped to be a general as he had been to be a farmer, or a merchant... or a hero. But he had spent his life refusing to back down, and wasn't about to abandon that philosphy now, “Zebra, Ponies, Enclave, Mutum… you are all different, a million different hopes, dreams, ambitions. One thing unites you.” He sighed, “It is not war. It is not the desire to fight. All we have known is war, and all we want is peace.”

He turned outwards, the marching armies of frost churning the snow, “Because out there is the alternative. The cold death, like that which awaited us after the megaspells fell. Our crops are dead, our homes are lost, our loved ones are gone, our hope has been taken. But we’re still here. We’re here because we banded together, because we stood beside one another, because we refused to be afraid.” He looked back at them, just pouring out what was in his own heart, “I cannot promise you victory. We may stand before the end of all life, all that we were buried beneath the snow and ice. All I can offer you is a chance to prove that it was worth fighting for. That went our end came we stood side by side and faced it with courage and dignity. That we proved our lives were worth something, and if this is our last stand… that it is one worth remembering.”

Kale nodded, snapping the safety loose on her anti-air cannon, “Let’s show this maggot slime how a hero dies!”

A cheer went up from the crowd, soon becoming a roar. Shouts rung out, shots flew overhead and huge explosions of fire tore through the enemy ranks. As they closed warriors surged forward, firing a single barrage that thinned the demon ranks before wading in with fierce blows from their weapons. Kale herself shattered a whole unit of the demons into dust, her mighty form throwing them aside and crushing them beneath her bulk.

It wasn’t enough, but it was magnificent.

Alpharious watched the view screen in mounting horror and frustration, never more frustrated in his own aged body, wanting nothing more than to be out there with them. It was the end of the world, and all he could do was stare at the view screen, watching the zebra of the wasteland suffer and die against that unimaginable evil, "Is this really all we can do Caesar, stand here and watch? There must be something we can do to help!”

“Watch and hope Alpharious.” Caesar responded, his voice echoing against the glass walls of his containment tube, “Those six youths carry harmony within them. Within them is the power to defeat this evil, and I know that they will prevail.”

“But at what cost?”

“A heavy one.” Caesar replied, heavy with regret, “But one she knows must be paid.”

Tandia finally accepted it. She lent down, kissing Tradash one last time, hoping that it would communicate her true feelings but knowing that he would never truly understand. As expected he reacted with shock as her lips met his, unable to comprehend what she was doing. It was as expected really.

“Tandia… I…” He blushed and giggled as she withdrew, “…not that it was unpleasant, but…”

“I’m sorry.” She stated, her heart breaking at the look in his eyes, “I know you must think me a terrible tease.”

“I don’t care.” He smiled at her, and she couldn't help smiling back. Smiling at her bold, honest to a fault, ever infuriating farmboy, his voice was full of defiance, “If this is how it ends, I can think of worse ways.”

“This isn’t how it ends.” She replied as she rose to her full height and smiled reassuringly at him, “But… I have to go it alone from here.”

He protested, naturally, “Tandia, that’s suicide!”

“I have something she wants.” Tandia answered simply, then turned away before it became too painful. She heard his words at her back as she continued on, blocking them out. She had to remain strong, she had to remain committed.

She ventured forward, further into the temple of ice. Immediately the demons surged up around her, Tandia facing them without fear, “I surrender. Please, take me to your queen.”

They instantly and wordlessly surged forward to grasp her, making little effort to be gentle. Their touch blistered her skin, their talons cut against her flesh and she was tugged and wrenched at by many claws. Further and further up the tower she was taken, until finally being deposited upon a wide, flat plane at the temples roof. Tandia ignored the pain as she rose to her hooves and waited for her to come.

A dark figure was silhouetted through the winds of snow and ice, her black, rotting form standing out starkly against the cloud of white. Far larger than any pony and mutated and misshapen in unnatural, disturbing ways, her flesh wasn’t the burnt, melted skin of a ghoul but the palid, rotting flesh of a week old corpse. She opened her mouth to speak, a misshapen tongue rolling over cracked, rotten teeth, “Lady Tandia, you finally realise the truth…”

“I have.” She answered, staring the abomination in the face, “Stop this now.”

“You really think you’re in the position to bargain?” Gashanakaga asked in her strained, rasping voice, bringing her head down to glare at Tandia with empty, rotted eye scockets, “I’ve already won, do you truly think I still need you?”

“Of course you do.” Tandia replied, not letting her stare falter, “I can offer you more power than you already have.”

Gashanakaga drew back a little, her expression colder, “And in return?”

“All I ask is that you spare a few of us. Allow us to survive as a species, living in fearful worship of you.”

Gashanakaga smirked, then gave a slow, deliberate nod, “I accept your terms.”

The demons at Tandia’s side lunched forward, severing the arteries in her neck and hip with two short slices. She gasped, feeling the warm blood coat her body and splash to the floor, her body weakening as her life slowly departed.

Gashanakaga’s eyes glowed with cold blue fire, her energies extending outwards to wrap about Tandia’s fading body. She immediately felt something new flowing through her veins, something cold and clear and right. Something that felt so much better than her old life.

“Yeeeessss…” Gashanakaga hissed, exposing her teeth in a cruel, gleeful smile, “Can you feel it Tandia?!”

She nodded, “My destiny.”

She was connected. She could feel their heartbeats.

Zane, the eternal loser, the one who never measured up. He stood among the last armies, a pillar of strength in the darkness.

Kale, the bandit, the thug. She stood like a rock in the middle of the battle, protecting those behind her, a standard of virtue and courage.

Clear Voice, the enclave officer, the ignorant imperialist. He stood back to back with a zebra ghoul, singing out the songs of hearthwarming as he stood in defence of all life.

Sharps at his back, the eternal cynic. His eyes burned with determination as he fought a hopeless battle against impossible odds, unbowed despite his many wounds.

And Tradash, the simple farmboy. The ignorant, angry yokel. With his bravery, wisdom and kindness, he had brought all of them here to this point.

Tandia took a moment to remember each of them, then took the amulet hanging at her neck in both hooves. A short twist and it was broken, the seal of her shamanhood falling away in pieces. She felt the spirits of the elders surround her, drawing strength from them as she filled her veins not with ice, but with the power of the friendships she had forged.

It burned. It burned like fire. There was no way to direct it, no form to its flow. With the tree of harmony dead it had no will behind it. Gashanakaga simply smirked at the display, “This again? Didn’t you learn your lesson last time little girl?”

She had. She had known what she had to do for a long time. She stored the harmony within herself, let herself become harmony. Her flesh crystallised at its touch, frozen in perfect, immutable order. Unlike the cold, beautiful indifference of death, this felt like a thousand different agonies, chief among them… loneliness beyond measure.

The universe expanded around her, so huge and magnificent that she felt her friends become lost and irrelevant in the face of the scale of it. She understood destiny, and with it saw the deaths of everyone she knew, all the death and pain across the entirety of history. Nothing seemed to matter, and that enormous truth crushed what remained of her mortality with impossible weight.

She felt the glow of enlightenment, and knew she was no longer a zebra.

“What did you do?” Gashanakaga hissed, drawing away from the glowing light that surrounded Tandia, “This is not harmony, this is not the path of the elders…”

Tandia looked at her hoof, frozen in perfect crystal. She looked round at the demons that surrounded her, saw that they should not exist, and made it so with a simple glance in their direction. They collapsed into glowing shards as she turned her attention to Gashanakaga, the demon queen already backing away in horror. Her voice spoke with the ten thousand tones, the combined weight of all who ever lived, “To function in this world Harmony needs a centre point, a single immutable point to focus its energies.”

"Yesssss..." Gashanakaga hissed, “But the tree of harmony is dead, and the rest of this miserable world shall soon…”

“I have seen the future Gashanakaga.” Tandia stated, just a merest thought bringing images of Littlepip and Xephyr, of Easu and Falling Ember, of Princess Stardream, Arbiter Justina and all in between, “You are not a part of it.”

Gashanakaga screamed in anger, surging forward, “The world will die…!”

Tandia saw the monster’s every move, darting through her attack and striking Gashanakaga's centre of balance away. Gashanakaga sprawled to the floor in a screaming heap, Tandia rolling away before sweeping round to face her. Her hooves stepped with total confidence upon the icy surface, already knowing that she would not fall, “The world will live, in all its joy and sadness. Heroes and villains will rise, fade and die, and harmony will be preserved.”

Gashanakaga turned her rotten head to look up at Tandia, hissing in fury, “Is that what you want? A world of scurrying insects, thinking their lives have meaning? Dreaming of a perfect world which will never be, only the endless cycle of death and rebirth?”

“No.” Tandia answered, feeling what remained of her mortality scream out, “It’s horrifying.”

“I want to stop that cycle! I want to bring peace!”

“It is not your destiny Gashanakaga.” Tandia answered, mouth curling in sympathy as she slowly trotted towards the fallen demon, “I’m sorry, but your destiny ends here.”

“NNAAAAAAAAAAAGH!”

Gashanakaga lunged at Tandia, a howling mass of rotting, incarnate death. Tandia stepped forward, struck the demon with one final blow to the face and shattered her into the winds.

She stood silently, the cold not even touching her skin. After a irrelvant period of time the storm finally began to die down and the temple slowly started to melt into nothingness. She looked to the south and saw the sun shining through the clouds, watching as what remained of Clendel slowly began to emerge from the melting ice now collapsing around her.

It was done. They had won.

But she felt… nothing.

“Tandia!”

She turned, seeing Tradash run towards her. She felt a tiny tremble as she saw it all stretched out before her, from the moment of birth to the final strike, “It is over Tradash. We have won.”

He slowed, worry entering his eyes, “Tandia… are you ok?”

She shook her head, though to be honest she could find no feeling to put behind her words, “No.”

Zealous Point – A week after Zenai’s death.

“Well isn’t that just typical of heroes?”

Tradash smiled across at Dream Star, shrugging his shoulders. He had long since accepted it, “A better world always requires sacrifice. It figures that heroes would be the ones making them.”

Dream Star’s smile shifted ever so slightly, her expression challenging, “She said fate was immutable, that she already knew what the future had in store. Does that mean free will is a lie?”

“No, it simply means she knows what choices we will make.” Tradash answered with a smile, having gone over this himself, “Our choices are still choices, and they are still ours to make.”

“But we can’t make any choices she cannot see…”

“And she cannot take any actions that would invalidate those choices.” Tradash explained, his heart growing heavy, “She became the centrepoint, it is through her that our choices can build upon one another to create harmony. But as a result she by necessity has to be a fixed point. She cannot change nor grow, save by the demands harmony places upon her.”

“That…” Dream Star looked like she was going to make a joke, then her face pretty quickly fell, “That’s legitimately awful. She really did die up there.”

Tradash nodded, that it was, “In many ways she did, but a little of what she once was remains. I… continue to value the time I spend with her, though I know I just make her sad these days.” He chuckled, “More so as I age. She still looks as young as she did all those years ago, and I know she fears the final pieces of her old life finally slipping from her.”

“You… loved her.”

“I’m afraid I’m not much of an expert on the emotion.” Tradash chuckled, “You notice I’m still trotting around the wasteland on my own at my age.”

Dream Star’s eyes clouded over, “So am I.”

“Well I won’t pry as to your reasons. I poorly understand my own.” He sighed, “Perhaps I believe that deep down, Tandia still needs me, that our connection helps her. I am not a polyamorous sort unfortunately.”

Dream Star just snorted, “I just don’t see the point of it all. Love... family...”

“That’s a rather sad statement.”

She sniffed in frustration, lip curling, “There was an accident when I was younger, it rendered me barren.”

Tradash didn’t scoff, simply providing a gentle smile, “My dear, the mere production of babies is a sentiment that belongs on a factory floor. A relationship is something completely different.”

She was quiet a long time after that, Tradash just giving her time to process her answer. Eventually Dream Star smiled, small and twisted in dark amusement, “Maybe I’m trapped too, just like Tandia. Locked into a destiny I have no control over.”

“There’s always a way to escape from destiny, should it prove cruel.” Tradash advised, “I’ve seen it many times.”

“That there is.” She answered, “And I’ve spent nearly my entire life seeking it.”

It wasn't long before his attempts to gather information started to bear fruit, zebra speaking of a living incarnation of the Pale Zebra of death capable of wiping out entire raider settlements single hooved. That this pale zebra had been seen among their armies, leading them forward to crushing victory every time. Tradash scoffed at such rumors, though reminded himself that he had personally met a death god or two in his time.

He did not have long to wait for an answer to his doubts. For as they travelled east towards the central camp on the edges of the Mutum, Tradash was finally able to lay eyes on the pale zebra himself.

The four forks camp was rougher and far more temporary than their previous lodgings, a huge stretch of tents across a rough muddy stretch alongside the meeting point of three of the Mutum’s four rivers. Here the true vastness of Starhammer’s army was displayed, thousands of zebra being uniformed and outfitted. The ambition was remarkable, a standing army of this sort was almost impossible to manage. It also gave Tradash yet more misgivings about the purpose of all this military might.

He wasn’t reassured any as Starhammer’s vast, happy grin was replaced by fear and sadness as he gazed across at the Pale Zebra himself, dressed in bones and caring the doleful bell of legend. The pale zebra disappeared back into the crowd just as quickly as he had appeared, still Starhammer’s expression remained strained as he led his troops onwards.

They had just reached the centre of the camp when the Pale Zebra appeared again, Zenali standing beside him with a typically smug look on her face. And around her… a legion of bulky, musclebound zebra, the same swords Starhammer used mounted upon their backs. Starhammer looked openly shocked at the sight, and then a slight note of anger crossed his face as he closed the distance.

He stopped in front of the Pale Zebra, Tradash noting that the personification of death was actually rather short and slight even under the bulky costume. Next to the brutish proportions of Starhammer it cut a rather amusing image.

“The Pale Zebra himself has blessed your cause Starhammer.” Zenali stated with a grin, “And he has brought an army of demon slayers to join you in your future campaigns.”

“A blessing indeed.” Starhammer stated with a cheerful growl, though a little too strong on the latter, “The battles to come will be truly legendary!”

“And you should offer your thanks Lord Starhammer.” Zenali continued, her smug grin growing wider, “Bow before the Pale Lord.”

Starhammer’s grin dropped instantly, “What.”

“You are but a mortal Starhammer.” Zenali continued, colder and more serious now, “Bow before the God of death.”

Starhammer looked at Zenali with contempt, then directed a more complex look towards the Pale Zebra. They remained there motionless for some times before finally, and in front of his whole army, he lowered his head and bent the knee in supplication.

The Pale Zebra touched a hoof to his chin, lifting it upwards so they were eye to eye. Zenali spoke after a moment, sounding satisfied, “The Pale Zebra accepts your homage Lord Starhammer.”

Starhammer straightened out to his full height, expression strained, “I’m truly honored.”

“I know how he does it you know?”

Tradash almost hit the roof, halfway through his report to Mother Nanati when Dream Star’s voice sounded out behind him. That raised some questions, and he was forced to ask them as he turned to see the mare standing at the entrance to his tent, “I… set wards to alert me to anyone approaching the tent…”

“And I disabled them.” She gave a cunning little grin, “Solid, unpretentious spellwork, but the connections between your phemes are sloppy.”

He smiled back at her, having to admit his spellwork had got a fair bit better since he had become friends with the mare. Even if she could be sarcastic and abrasive at the best of times she was an astonishing scholar of magic, frankly more knowledgeable than anyone he had met.

He had noticed over time that she was becoming somewhat less abrasive of late, that furrow browed, soft voiced, somewhat more reflective mood coming across her with increasing frequency. He could certainly see it in her eyes now, hidden behind some half hearted attempt at her normal snark, “You know how he does what?”

“Why Starhammer is so strong.” She answered, voice growing angry, “Why they’re all so strong.”

Tradash noticed her tone, “You sound upset.”

“Saudade…”

“What?”

“I’m not sure how you would translate the word.” She admitted, then nodded to the entrance, “Come with me.”

He followed her out, the army all having their cooking pots and campfires out as the sun set on the horizon. No one turned to look at them, Tradash detecting an uncomfortable sense of ‘absence’ surrounding him. He noted that even the guards didn’t even move to challenge them as they stepped through into the officers camp. He kept his voice down just in case.

The central tent loomed up before them, Starhammer’s personal quarters. Zenali and several more of her suspiciously well trained ‘common soldiers’ patrolled outside, as before they didn’t move to stop Dream Star as she marched straight past and slipped in through the flap.

Tradash followed, losing sight of her for a moment… before her hoof wrapped itself around his neck and she pulled him close.

He noted how strong she was for a old mare as they crouched behind a table, though he was soon distracted. Very distracted. He honestly was wondering what the hell Dream Star was doing bringing him here as his eyes traveled to the bed, Starhammer currently pinned there by a lithe female zebra. It was very obvious what they were doing, a fact that almost distracted him from the fact that the zebra… he knew her.

It was Kunari, Starhammer’s personal shaman. He had thought her banished, yet here she was.

She was a skinny thing without her normal attire, and she was… certainly quite limber. He noted the tattoos that covered her body, complementing her stripes and echoing her spiral mark in splashes of colour. That was embarrassing in itself, he knew tradition dictated that those marks were always covered by clothing.

Her spiral mark was a complicated thing indeed actually. Transcendent Vision Searches the Heavens? At a rough translation at least…

He briefly looked to Dream Star in embarrassment as the two reached the climax, Dream Star merely frowning and shifting his head back with a hoof.

And as he turned back to them Starhammer sat himself up and bit into Kunari's shoulder, hard enough to draw blood. It dripped down her fur and into his mouth, and as it did faint glowing echoes of her own marks started to glow on Starhammer’s body. Tradash's attention was grabbed by another light on the other side of the tent, seeing one of Starhammer’s swords lain across silk cloth on a nearby table. That too was covered with brightly glowing runes, so bright as to almost make the metal seem to melt for a moment. Starhammer growled deep, his body shifting as muscle rippled and expanded, power seeming to expand through him...

And then Starhammer fell back in exhausted satisfaction, smiling deep as he looked up at Kunari atop, “I’ve missed that.”

She gave him a seductive look back, her hooves signing, ‘Missed you too’.

Dream Star grabbed Tradash by the scruff of his neck and he followed her out without complaint, afraid to speak a word. Once again they passed through the camp without so much as a glance and eventually reached his quarters, Tradash pacing the tent for a moment before looking across at her, “What was that?”

“Sex Tradash.” Dream Star smirked, “I can give you a pamphlet if you’d like?”

Ok, he walked into that one, “I mean… what was Kunari doing there? I though he banished her!”

Her expression grew more serious, “That would be self destructive of him, given what we’ve just seen.”

“Self destruc... she’s the source of his powers.” Tradash finally concluded, admitting that made… some sort of sense. Still that went against everything he knew, “I’ve inspected him for magical enhancement, many times. I never found anything.”

“You’re not particular experienced in tantric magic are you Tradash?” She noted with a big grin.

He blushed, “Not… particularly…”

“I though the zebra were supposed to be the expects at that sort of thing.”

Now he really felt himself go flush, “We are?”

Dream Star smirked wide, shaking her head in despair, “Tandia never teach you anything?”

“That women are evil.” He quickly countered, not about to get sucked down that path, “I hesitate to guess how you're so familiar with it...”

“Family specialty.” She stated, sounding a little frustrated, “I’ll admit my knowledge is pretty theoretical. Still I’m pretty sure it’s an ‘all to one’ active transference.”

Now that made sense, “When she’s physically present, he gets all her physical and magical abilities? I’ve noted that she always follows him into battle, but she never actually fights unless Starhammer falls.”

“If she maintains it at a low level you would never notice it.” She confirmed, “And if she turned it up to full, Starhammer would have all the power of a shaman and a pretty powerful warrior, and she would be near incapable.”

Tradash considered this new information, admitting that it all fit. And thinking about it… it had been easy to ignore Kunari. She was small, mute, always at his side but never really doing much.

But on the other hand she had taken on Princess Luna twice, and not come out poorly both times. And her skill with offensive magic indicated an interest in the more obscure arts in a zebra’s arsenal.

Starhammer had stopped training after she had left. Hadn’t fought. Hadn’t touched his sword.

Without her… was he powerless?

She had forced him to bow at her hooves.

Who truly had the authority here?

“It’s a good day for history.” Starhammer observed as he marched through the ruins of Herod Tor, a grin never far from his face as he looked round at the age worn statues of the warriors of old.

Bright sunlight shone through the collapsing roof of the old temple, the cracked murals proclaiming it as the domain of Illumine, the Silver Maiden, one of the most feared and loved Star Demons to have ever lived. Few other structures had survived from that time, but this was a place of more history than most. It was here Illumine had created the Silver Imperious, in contrast to many of the other dominions a place of strict order and control, with bounteous harvests and clean cities. It was here she had populated her realm not with Dragonequis and other monsters, but with zebra. Zebra that were stronger, smarter and colder, who mirrored their lady in their affection for tyranny and order.

It was here Zephyr Stormstrung had carved Illumine’s head off, and had the Silver Imperious bow at his hooves in respect. It was from here they had marched in his name to destroy those who had created them.

It was here that Praetor Caesar had stood during the war of seven kings and condemned the civil war that had torn the zebra apart, declared his intentions to march on the Dragon Throne and restore order. That march had resulted in a dynasty that had lasted five generations, forever imprinted their mark on zebra culture. It was no coincidence that all future zebra kings bore his name.

As Starhammer had marched proudly through those historic halls Tradash recalled how zebra scientists had agreed that the Silver Imperious had vanished into the wider population, that they had ceased to exist as a separate race. Yet when a zebra was born larger, stronger and hungrier than his fellows… the whispers would start, “Starhammer, this is your chance to make a better world. With your authority, peace is within your grasp.”

“Well that depends on how willing they are.” He replied with cheer, shifting his blade up onto his back, “The world is changing, and we need to change with it.”

That worried him, “Change how?”

“The NCR sits just across the sea, and the Camels get ever more powerful. And with the great bandit kingdoms collapsing, it’s obvious that the age of civilization is upon us.” Starhammer answered, sounding rather thoughtful, “At times like this we can’t remain fractured and weak. We need to stand together, work together.”

“United behind one zebra?”

Starhammer chuckled, “I just want to lead us to greatness Tradash.”

He stopped, looking up at a still almost intact pair of statues ahead. One, Zephyr Stormstrung, the other Caesar Dragonborn. One holding a sword, expression fierce. The other holding a scroll and staring forward with stern benevolence.

“They never sought power, but were given the strength to help their people. Guided by the divine wind of harmony, they led us into the future.” Starhammer stated, voice full of respect.

“Well... it is time to be a king, follow the path of the scroll.” Tradash noted, though not without doubts about making a comparison to a famous tyrant, “The world has moved beyond barbarian heroes I hope.”

“I hope so too.” He admitted, “I would like to be a king.”

Starhammer became silent in thought, Tradash taking the opportunity to look around at the other members of their party. Some guards, scribes.... and a small zebra standing at the rear, her face covered in wound cloth.

She saw his eyes on him and met his stare, Tradash quickly looking away.

The central chamber’s roof had mostly fallen in, the rest purposely removed to make the area safer. It allowed the sunlight to shine across the ancient meeting chamber, illuminating the stone benches and raised podium from which the heroes of old had spoken. The plants and ivy wound around cracked stone, giving the place a serene beauty in its ruination.
The Clendel delegation was already there, King Zanerious, his wife Kale, and four royal guards in their brightly colored dress armor.

Zane looked good in his kingly robes, the light cloth bulking the weak shouldered zebra and drawing attention to his well aged face. A few extra years and a few extra pounds had really flattered him, giving him an approachable, unpretentious look.

Kale was Kale. She still looked like a walking tank, even with a little extra padding and grey streaks throughout her fur. She was clad in thick bullet proof armor, decorated with polished silver plates and banners bearing Clendel’s symbol upon her shoulders. She was busy muttering orders to the other guards as they came in, turning to give Starhammer’s party an unfriendly look.

Zane on the other hand was entirely focused on Tradash, almost galloping over the moment he saw him. His enthusiasm was infectious, Tradash grinning at his friend, “Your Highness.”

“Not dead yet Tradash?” Zane questioned, clapping a hoof against his shoulder, “You look good.”

“As do you.” He answered, smiling at his friend, “Ruling agrees with you.”
“Being married to Kale agrees with me.” He corrected with a chuckle, “Being a king just involves a lot of paperwork and serving as a prop at parties… something I’m surprisingly proficient at actually…”

Tradash chuckled, motioning to his companion with a hoof, “Zane, this is King Starhammer.”

“A pleasure.” Starhammer bowed deep, "Your highness."

"Please, there is no need for formalities." He breezed, chuckling as he led them back towards the podium, "You should know, I am a great admirer of what you have done with your territories down west. It showed all those who called you a simple warlord how wrong they are."

"You threw your support behind Luna." Starhammer pointed out, though not aggressively.

Zane looked back at him, regretful, "We acknowledged her as rightful ruler of those lands. As did you, by the rules of the trial by combat you participated in."

Starhammer thought for a few seconds before smiling, "Aye, that I did. Shame it didn't matter a jot in the end."

"It rarely does." Tradash pointed out, "The rituals of challenge are showy things that often make history books, but they almost never actually settle a claim."

"But the claim is now settled, and debating over it is pointless." Zane finished, moving next to Kale and turning to face them, "Starhammer, the combination of your lands and the size of your armies makes you the most powerful king in the zebra lands, besides perhaps Caesar Incuta. More importantly you have shown yourself to be a wise and benevolent ruler over these lands, and have acquitted yourself with honor befitting your station."

Starhammer smiled broadly, "Thank you your grace."

Zane nodded, smiling back as he continued, "Today we have gathered to legitimise your claim, and the claims of your children, in the manner in which our ancestors did long ago. You will take the place of the families Inwaka and Entitidi, serve as protector of the Mutum Valley and Holy Garm."

"I intend to your grace." Starhammer spoke, trying to keep his voice respectful despite the clear excitement creeping in. Tradash grinned at that, Starhammer sounded been waiting his whole life for this moment. He took a moment further to gather himself before continuing, "These lands will see a new Caesar, who will unite them in a golden age."

Zane gave a slightly nervous laugh, "Hold on a little. I'm not sure we'll be giving you the title of Caesar just yet..."

"You will." Starhammer replied, "When you stand down and offer your crown to me."

You could have heard a pin drop.

It was Kale who finally spoke, voice hot with anger, "Are you fucking crazy?"

"Not at all." He smirked, then gave a rather goofy grin, "Well, maybe a little."

Tradash hesitated for a moment before trying to salvage the situation, "Starhammer, is this a joke?"

He shook his head, more serious now, "No, it's not. King Zanerious of the Mutum, I challenge you to a duel under the spirits, with the crown to the victor."

"You little punk!" Kale shouted, loosening the straps on her assault cannon, "You dare threaten the king?!"

Starhammer smirked, shrugging his shoulders and meeting her gaze, "I could fight her instead."

"You are not fighting anyone." Zane stated firmly, speaking before this went any further "Mr Tarashi, I believe this has all gone quite to your head..."

"Starhammer." Starhammer corrected warningly.

“Tarashi.” Zane replied, quiet fury behind his eyes and a new hardness in his voice, “I will not call you by that ridiculous name, and I will not indulge in this ridiculous farce.”

The cheer had drained from Starhammer’s face, his tone decidedly less friendly, “These are the customs of your ancestors.”

“And they can keep them.” Zane replied hotly, adjusting his glasses with a hoof, “The ability to beat another zebra in a fight is no qualification for rulership, and it’s that kind of thinking that got this world destroyed in the first place.”

Starhammer stared at the king for a moment or two with dark intent, finally speaking, “You refuse my challenge?”

“Go back home.” Zane replied, sounding like an angry father addressing a child now, “From what I’ve heard, you have done great things in your lands. Do not spoil that now by letting these childish delusions overpower your good sense.”

Starhammer grinned, and not a friendly grin, “Childish?”

“You are not Zephyr Stormstrung. You are not some storybook hero.” Zane answered, looking him straight in the eye, “You are Tarashi. You are a farmer’s son, intelligent, strong, and trusted by a great many. But you are no god, and believing too strongly in one’s own destiny is a dangerous thing.”

Starhammer paused for a moment before smirking, “You would say that.”

Zane gave a look of irritation, “Excuse me?”

“You’re a weak, trembling old man, and you’ve created a weak trembling nation.” Starhammer gave him a toothy, dangerous grin, loosening the straps on his sword a little, “I am Starhammer, demon slayer, destined ruler of the zebra. I will lead my people to glory, and you will stand aside or fall under my hooves.”

Zane stepped back a little in shock at this, Kale on the other hand glared hotly and tugged her hoof forward to send her autocannon clanking into position. The guards also moved to stand ready, rows of guns all pointed at Starhammer. He simply grinned at the attention, Kale growling a question after a moment, “Are you fucking insane?”

“If you intend to give me the fight of champions that I want…” Starhammer chuckled, his sword slipping a little further, “…bring it on.”

Tradash couldn’t stand here any longer. As much as anything he was well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of every figure in the room, and knew Starhammer was more or less designed to make short work of a slow, tough, ranged fighter like Kale, “Enough. Starhammer, a fight here will earn you nothing.”

He smirked, “You don’t know what I seek to earn.”

Tradash was really starting to worry now. This wasn’t belligerence, this was madness, “Don’t you want to march on Caesar Incuta, unite our lands as one nation?”

Tradash chuckled deeply, “Oh, I wish to unite our lands.”

Tradash was just about to say something more when his eyes darted to a new arrival, one of the Clendal guards running into the room and gazing upon his king in breathless terror, “My lord…”

Zane looked panicked for a moment before finding his voice, “What is it? What has you so worried?”

The guard looked to Starhammer, still grinning cheerfully. The guard gulped back a breath before speaking, “An vast army has marched on the Mutum my lord, several towns have already fallen! They… they fly Starhammer’s flag!”

Everyone went silent for a moment, finally broken by Kale’s incoherent scream of rage. She braced herself forward, her autocannon span up…

Kunari whispered something, body shifting under her heavy robes. An echoing blast sounded out and both her and Starhammer were sent flying, the rest of his entourage scrambling for cover. Tradash was knocked flying, just bracing himself as he rolled across the stone.

Kunari skidded backwards and darted behind a ruined statue, Starhammer on the other hoof was hurtled forward with incredible speed. His blade whipped out, carved through Kale’s side and sent her weapon crashing to the ground with its straps cut. She yelled and tried to body slam him but Starhammer span on the spot and delivered a harsh buck to her side. The results were dramatic. Kale’s massive form, five hundred and ninety kg at least, yielded easily. She flew backwards, skidded across the ground and demolished half the stone wall behind with a fearsome crash.

“Kale!” Zane cried, stumbling over his robes as he went to run to her.

“You traitor!” The guards cried as they turned weapons on Starhammer, only for him to deflect their bullets with a quick easy swing. A moment later and he was on them, moving like lightning. It didn’t take a moment, his blade flashing as limbs detached smoothly from thrashing bodies.

Then bloody and triumphant, he turned his eyes to Zane, the king pausing in breathless terror.

…until Tradash moved behind Kunari, lifted the concrete block in his hooves and struck her violently across the back of the head. Her eyes widened in surprise and her body went limp, crumbling across the tiles unconscious. Starhammer gasped, pausing in place as his body sagged beneath the weight of his own sword. He let it fall awkwardly to the ground, looking about and gazing at Tradash in shock.

“Zane, take Kale and get out of here.” Tradash stated firmly, throwing the block aside and taking out his shotgun. He pointed the barrel down at Kunari’s head, glaring across at Starhammer, “Get back to Clendel and rally your forces.”

“Ye…yes…” Zane stated, dropping his fine robes to the ground and rushing off to see to Kale.

It left them alone, him and Starhammer standing there together.

“Do you even understand the things you do?” Tradash asked, staring the zebra in the eye.

“Of course!” Starhammer looked honestly scared now, smaller and far more mortal than just a moment ago. He dropped his sword completely, advancing forward with a pleading look in his eyes, “You… failed Tradash! You failed to make a better world!”

“You honestly expect me to believe you’re doing this for the good of the zebra?”

Starhammer looked angry for a moment, “They need a leader they can respect!”

Tradash shook his head, “And you’re that leader?”

“Do you see how they look at me? My legions?” He laughed, deep and enthusiastic... and a little crazy, “They’ve followed me to battle against their own country! Against their own family! They worship me!”

“I think that is the problem here.” Tradash concluded, “You’re starting to believe your own lies.”

“It isn’t a lie!”

“I’m standing above the true leader of your empire Tarashi.” Tradash pointed out, nudging Kunari with his hoof, “I know that she's the source of your strength."

"She is not!" He shouted angrily, "If she was then she could have recruited any smuck! She chose me because I am special, I am the heir to Zephyr Stormstrung!"

"You’re proven you’re a great ruler, and capable of doing so much good." Tradash reasoned, "But whatever she's doing to you, it doesn't make you..."

"Yes it does." He stated firmly, a glint of cold hatred there, "She searched for it you know. The secret behind the strength that Zephyr and the other demon slayers commanded. How they were able to fight against the Star Demons, wield those swords."

Tradash hesitated, "It... it doesn't..."

"They aways made jokes about it. How close Zephyr and Zenophilous were."

Tradash hesitated, unsure how to react. It was true that neither had ever married, but... "They were lovers?"

“And no one is saying that Zephyr was ever some pawn! He was the HERO! And this is my choice, this is my strength!” Starhammer declared with veminence, teeth clenching, “I was the face, I was the one diving into battle, I was the one who built everything! I was the one who convinced her to do all this, this is MY idea!”

Tradash looked at the zebra’s mad face, knew exactly what he was capable of. And under the barrel of his shotgun, the source behind all his strength. With Kunari dead Starhammer would no longer have any of this power. His hoof tightened on the trigger…

…Kunari rolled over, a look of pain shooting across that small, youthful face. And for a moment he though he saw Tandia, smiling out at him. And his hoof slackened, his shotgun drifting limp.

“AAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Starhammer slammed into him with a scream, both of them tumbling down into a violent, thrashing tangle of limbs. They fought and wrestled, Tradash managing to gain a little bit of an advantage after a second as he used his martial arts experience to counter Starhammers wild thrashings… but as the first punch came down Tradash realised the truth.

That realisation became stronger as Starhammer just pinned his hooves to the ground, firm and unbreakable despite his poor angle. Because the truth was… Tradash had become old. The rough, determined farmboy seemed so far away now, drifting further and further as the blows rained down upon him.

"This is my time! And I am the hero! And no zebra is going to take that away from me!"

Starhammer's screams echoed about the chamber as his blows rained down. And eventually darkness closed in, and all was silence.

Chapter 4.12 - The Day Before

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Dust Kicker looked out from the armored truck as they approached, back along the convoy trailing behind, personal carriers from both Equestria and the Zebra now emblazoned with the Emir’s symbol.

And ahead, where Clendel rose with color and life. Where the grass was always greener.

It was round in shape, hemmed in by a defensive moat fed from a fast flowing river to the east, protected by a series of 3 armored forts rather than a wall. The city itself was accessed by series of five roads that led in all directions, and was centred by the tall, steel spike of an Enclave Raptor, impeded prow down in the earth. Like many of the other buildings it abounded with flowers, plants and other greenery seeming to be a prominent feature of the city in general. The other buildings all seemed to be of post war construction, and actually seemed to be made out of purpose baked red brick. Paint was liberally applied, yet only to one side of each building, each showing a face of vivid primary color that shone brightly in the sunlight.

Shouts of recognition sounded out as they approached the entrance, a team of well armed zebra standing behind an improvised barrier. He jumped off the transport and moved alongside Ibis, the two of them approaching the guards. He gave them a grin as he approached, Saddle Arabian soldiers dropping down behind, “Reinforcements have arrived.”

The zebra waved them through and Dust Kicker inspected the defences as they marched through the front gates, soon realising it was as he feared. The defence towers were well placed, the guards were well armed, the moat funnelled attackers into the kill zones… it was the perfect defence against bandits.

Against an army? There was no wall worth speaking of, the towers were giant targets for heavy weapons, the moat could be easily bridged with the right tools, the guards wore impractical outfits and many were out of shape and held their weapons laxly. It was the same deal as North Loading, this just wouldn’t hold against a disciplined assault.

They were led to a set of tables towards the side of the entrance plaza, a large buffalo speaking in intent tones to a group of more disciplined looking zebra. The buffalo turned to meet them as they approached, Dust admitting to feeling a tiny bit intimidated. She was almost as tall as Star Swirl and had far more mass, her tiny eyes holding enough warmth to freeze the sea. Even with her fur streaked with grey and the signs of age clear she was an intimidating specimen, “You are the reinforcements from Saddle Arabia?”

“And you’re Queen Kale of the Blue River Bandits.” Ibis declared with cheer, her grin wide on her face, “It’s an honor, you were always my favourite.”

“Perhaps you might at least know how to fight then.” She replied with deep cynicism, turning her eyes to Dust Kicker, “You don’t look like you’re from Saddle Arabia.”

“I’m from Equestria actually.” He replied, Kale’s eyes moving to take in his praetorian outfit with a rather doubtful eye. He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, “It’s a long story.”

“Another lovable misfit.” She replied, rolling her eyes, “Put it with the others.”

"So... what now?" Ace asked as he looked around at the troops and armored carriers, not really sure what he should be doing at this point.

"We get the Mamulk soldiers set up, and the equipment readied." One of the camel logistics officers declared as he motioned for the supplies to be unloaded, "The rest of you should get some rest for the battle to come."

Ace briefly considered offering to help, but he guessed he wasn't exactly built for heavy lifting. He looked up as Dusk Kicker moved back over, "So what's the plan?"

"I'm going to inspect the city." He replied, eyes already scanning his surroundings, "Back in the day I got a lot of experience with sieges, maybe I can see something the others missed."

"I have been told the other praetorians are here." Decimus declared as he buckled his cape back onto his armor, "I should got and meet up with them.”

Ace sighed, still unsure exactly what he should do to help, "I guess that leaves us Fluttershy."

She chuckled, giving a nod, "Shall we see the sights?"

“I... guess.”

Ace Gold followed her along the entrance plaza and the streets beyond, gazing around at the amazing sights all around. This area was almost abandoned and the shops were boarded up or being used as military storage, still he was able to say that as a veteran of Manehatten and New Canterlot this place was still impressive. Open and welcoming in its style, without either the overfancy snobbery of the former or the utilitarian grimness of the latter, the shops promised consumer electronics, custom weaponry, rare ingredients from across the four corners of the world. If only any of them had still been open...

“I wish we could have reached this place before the war.” Fluttershy stated from beside him, her eyes full of regret as she scanned the shops, “I could spend hours just looking around…”

He looked to Fluttershy, noting that she was still wearing her full body Saddle Arabian robes. In fact she seemed to have brought new ones, made of rich silk yet not the least bit showy or obstentatious, very much the camel ideal, “You really like those robes.”

She turned, smiling cheerfully at him, “Because I want to spend hours looking around at these shops. Not… being accosted in the street, by zebra trying to kiss my hooves.”

Ace paused a moment, noting that with her cutie mark and hair covered, it was much harder to recognise her, “You’re in disguise?”

“Not… disguised.” She softly protested, “Just a little more anonymous. And the white cloth does help reflect heat, very handy in this weather.”

“That makes sense.” He accepted, and admitted that he had wondered how much Fluttershy really enjoyed all the attention she seemed to get from everypony. She had taken it with good grace, but she never was one for the limelight, "You'll reveal yourself eventually though, right?"

She frowned, "I would rather stay anonymous for now I think..."

"But..." He didn't want to say it, didn't want to associate Fluttershy with such a thing. But it was happening, "There's going to be a battle. You'll be needed."

"Leading creatures into battle?" She grimaced, "Is that what it's come to?"

"Inspiring them to fight." Ace corrected, wishing he had that sort of power, "I mean... you could make a big difference. You're a icon, and you have the stare. I'm... just a martial artist with a couple of crossbows."

"I wish that was all I was..." She muttered, her eyes drifting across to his, "If I convince a zebra to fight and he gets killed... that's on my head."

Ace clamped his mouth shut, not really sure what to say to that. It was true, and even with the reinforcements they brought... this was going to be a bloody battle.

Fluttershy smiled after a moment, soft and reassuring, "Ace, the kids from Dusklight are here somewhere. You should go see them."

It was a good point. Still... "What are you going to do?"

"Look around a little more I think." She replied, looking about with interest, "It's such a pretty city, and we might not get another chance."

After a short while of inspecting the city, Dust Kicker started to realise what was meant by 'an army of misfits'. In a small fountained courtyard he saw a troop of grey furred old pegasi cheerfully arguing as they tried to fit into long neglected enclave power armor, the symbols painted over with Clendel’s flag. Some heavily muscled zebra nearby seemed to be clad entirely in bones and fur, clutching hunting rifles and long knives. Some rather fancy types nearby were wearing combat armor decorated with strips of bronze, their police riot helmets topped with plumes of red fur. There were dozens like that, all wearing their culture proudly as they prepared for the battle to come.

“You are… Dust Kicker.”

He turned, looking across the street to a pony mare who was looking straight at him. She was pink in colour with a darker pink mane, a deep scar crossing under an eyepatch. The most distinctive thing about her however was she was wearing the power armour of an Applejack Ranger. It was heavily damaged and many parts of it were replaced with spare parts, the Applejack Ranger symbol however was prominently displayed across the shoulder. Given that symbol postdated the war, there was only one way it could be here… “And you’re… from Equestria?”

She nodded, moving over toward him and giving him a sharp, assessing glance. Her voice was pure ranger, full of that rough military politeness, “I was sent here by Councillor Silent Steel.”

That was a name he hadn’t heard in a while. He wondered if he should be on guard, “What for?”

“To apprehend you, Zenai and Star Swirl, and recover the armor you stole.”

So his suspicions were right, though… he couldn’t help it, delivering a barking laugh as he considered the circumstances, “Well you took your sweet time.”

“Indeed.” She admitted, her eyes still fixed on him, “I am still a member of the Applejack Rangers, and my orders still stand…” She trailed off, looking pensive.

Dust Kicker sighed. Military types, always so bound up in the letter of their orders, “I’m afraid Zenai’s dead, and the armor was destroyed.” He paused briefly before continuing, a little sharper, “And your boss might have been trying to take over Equestria. So maybe you should tell me who’s side you’re on.”

The mare considered this for several seconds before meeting his gaze again, “I am Paladin Cherry Sunset. Perhaps we should talk where it is more comfortable.”

He collected Fluttershy before going to meet them, at Cherry Sunset’s request. It was a chance to spend a little bit of time with the mare at least, though Fluttershy seemed nervous about the meeting. He eventually was forced to say something direct, small talk going nowhere, “What’s got you worried Fluttershy?”

She sighed, looking to him with a rather tense expression, “She works for the Rangers, and for Silent Steel. You heard what Puppy said, they’re trying to take over Equestria.”

Dust Kicker had to admit that they should stay on guard, “You think they might be after Puppy?”

“Dust Kicker…” She sighed, looking pensive for a moment before finally speaking her mind, “I trusted the Rangers. I trusted Silent Steel, and Peach Trees. They were good ponies, who understood what we were trying to do. The Followers of the Apocalypse couldn’t have done half as much good without their support every step of the way.”

Dust Kicker went to say that no one could truly be trusted, but the words froze on his lips. He drew back, considered for a moment… but nothing come to mind. The only words he had felt empty, “I’m sure there’s an explanation.”

“Maybe.” She reasoned, though she didn’t sound convinced, “Puppy is a wonderful girl, and I can’t imagine that evil ponies built her. Perhaps… they just wanted to help.”

Dust Kicker had already considered that possibility. Already assumed that was true.

Because Midnight Dreamer had just wanted to help. And Sunshine Ivory, and the Goddess, and Red Eye…

He didn’t want to tell her that. He didn’t want to tell her that in order for this fake Red Eye to have Puppy’s access codes, he would need to have worked on her himself. Would have needed to have been inside the Ranger facility she had been built at. He swallowed such thoughts, looked ahead, and continued to walk beside her with a smile, “I’m sure you’re right.”

Cherry Sunset and her crew had set up inside an abandoned house near the centre of town, Cherry herself standing outside in her Ranger fatigues. She saluted as she saw Fluttershy, Fluttershy giving the Followers symbol back, “Paladin Cherry Sunset is it?”

“Yes Ambassador.” She confirmed in perfect military cadence, “Cloudsdale Graves chapter.”

“It’s very good to meet you Paladin.” Fluttershy answered with a smile, offering a hoof, “Shall we go inside?”

The paladin nodded and led them inside, where a group of somewhat distinctive looking individuals were gathered, “This is Jaia.” Cherry Sunset stated as she nodded to a mousy looking zebra mare carrying a mechanics harness, “Cato.” She nodded to another zebra, currently sullenly staring out the window with his submachinegun held close within his hooves, “And Bang.”

“Yo!” A minotaur stated cheerfully as he looked up from the food he was preparing, giving them all a big grin.

“A pleasure.” Fluttershy replied with a kindly smile, “I hear you’ve been quite busy. They call you the Steel Maiden I hear, I hear a lot about you on the radio.”

“Ambassador Fluttershy, I am fully prepared to face court martial for my actions.” Cherry Sunset firmly stated, bearing herself proudly before them, “By helping liberate the kingdom of Anatu from tyranny I ignored my orders in favor of prioritising secondary operational code T7-1B, a clear breach of ranger protocol.”

Fluttershy gave her a gentle look, “I’m not a ranger Paladin.”

“You are a Followers Elder, I am able to surrender myself to you.”

Dust found this all very amusing. She couldn’t be nearly as stiff as she was implying, given her actions, “Operational code T7-1B, injustice, tyranny and lawlessness should not be allowed to stand. Should they be encountered outside of NCR territories, protecting the local population from such crimes is a holy duty.”

She gave him a look of surprise, “You know ranger codes?”

“I’ve done a lot of work in areas outside NRC control. Came across more than a few ranger patrols, and helped them put holes in plenty of bandits.” He chuckled, “I don’t remember ‘toppling nations’ being covered under that remit however.”

She nodded firmly, “Which is why I am surrendering myself to you.”

“I’m… almost certainly not an ambassador anymore Paladin, nor an elder.” Fluttershy answered, sounding a little embarrassed, “We’re pretty much rogue too… but if you’re giving me the authority…” Fluttershy considered the matter for a moment before smiling warmly at the mare, “I charge you with seeing your actions through, seeing as you believed them more important than your original orders. You are to continue fighting tyranny and lawlessness until these lands are free and peaceful once more.”

“Thank you.” Cherry Sunset replied, her grim expression slowly and gingerly breaking into an awkward smile, “I intend to do my best.”

“Can you tell us anything about your mission?” Dust interjected, hoping she would have more of the puzzle, “What do you know about the armor? Or why Silent Steel wanted it?”

She hesitated, her worlds lacking conviction, “Nothing I’m afraid.”

“Tell them Cherry.” Jaia spoke up, her voice soft and shy, “They should know.”

Cherry Sunset hesitated for a moment more before her face shifted into one of determination, “I admit that one of the reasons I ignored my orders is that I did not trust the one giving them.”

“Silent Steel?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes.” Cherry Sunset hesitated for a second before continuing, “He is not my battle brother. He quit the Steel Rangers and pursued political power as an independent candidate. Yet he has a massive reserve of ranger resources at his back, and took command of me with a simple call to my elder. That is not right, that a civilian should command us.”

Dust Kicker considered that a little arrogant, but agreed that it was unusual, “So where did he get those resources from?”

Cherry frowned, “He possesses the one thing High Elder Peach Trees and many of the others hunger for above all else. And it is not honor, duty or honesty.”

“Political power.” Dust Kicker answered, “And legitimacy.”

“I became a paladin because I wanted to help the wasteland, build a better tomorrow than the one before.” She stated with a anger behind her military stoicism, “Not to serve petty political ambitions.”

Dust Kicker wanted to point out to her that the period between the Rangers being raiding, murdering douchbags and cynical opportunists chasing after power was pretty much an illusion, and they had never been what she seemed to think they were. But she was young, and he knew better than most how having something to believe in was important, “So what are you going to do about it?”

“This land… it needs the Applejack Rangers.” She started, voice hesitant, “I intend to ask the High Elder to bless the creation of a new chapter here.”

Fluttershy gave her a questioning look, “In the zebra territories?”

“We might change the name…” Cato muttered from his post at the window, “…if we can ever decide on what to change it to.”

“I still like Dragon Rangers…” Jaia stated quietly.

Cato grimaced, “No. Fuck dragons. Seriously, a dragon set some zebra on fire three thousands year ago and proved fire is hot. In response we proceeded to name damn near everything after them.” He snorted grumpily, “I wanted to name us after Zephyr, but you guys stole the name, and Starhammer stole the look.”

"Maybe when we put him in the ground you can take it back." Dust Kicker opinioned.

Cato smirked in response, "Sounds good to me."

It didn't take long for Ace to learn where the Dusklight kids were bunked, it soon becoming obvious that they were pretty famous around here. Being a bunch of pre-teens balsy enough to take the fight to Starhammer twice would do that he supposed, directed straight to the centre of the city where a towering enclave raptor rose into the sky.

As he got close he saw that the prow of the ship had been sealed in concrete, four heavy support struts keeping it stable. It had been heavily modified, holes cut into the hull for windows and a large, impressive looking door at ground level, Ace moving through to see the interior was quite opulent and fancy while still keeping the whole 'upturned ship' theme. This room appeared to serve as a lobby of some kind, crowded with various functionaries too busy to pay him any attention.

"Ace Gold!"

He turned, smiling as he saw a familiar face approaching. It was hard to forget, the ghoulish features of the ranger who had helped him during his first mission at DuskLight approaching. Ace quickly searched his memory for the name, "Kai?"

The ghoul nodded enthuasticly, still dressed in his scout leathers. Ace's eyes travelled across to the two beside him, the little zebra filly that had also been on his team and the chirpy pony buck that Zenai had been fond of. Said foal seemed happy to see him, quickly introducing himself in a cheerful tone, "It's good to see you're still alive Ace! It's me, Bleak Fields! And you remember Xani right?"

The little zebra mare stared impassively for a few seconds before a small smile moved across her face.

"It's... been a while." Ace admitted, not even sure where to start, "I've heard you've done really well since we parted."

"Depends on your definition." Bleak Fields replied, looking conflicted, "We've gone from being hated by everyone to being the heroes of the moment, but... well, the fighting and dying part hasn't changed."

Ace Gold nodded, "I heard. Is Ebony ok?" He asked, remembering how the blunt young doctor had helped him deal with his blindness.

"She's a trooper, as always." Kai answered, though the concern was clear in his voice, "She's an even more amazing doctor than before, but the fighting has been really fraying her nerves."

"I'm looking forward to ending it so she can get back to the grazed knees and upset stomachs." Bleak Fields admitted, "And this place is nice and all, but I know we all miss Dusklight."

"We'll get you back there." Ace promised, admitting that he missed the old cave too, "Do you know where Radhi is?"

"Sure." Kai pointed upwards, "Right at the top, on the lighthouse."

"Thanks. I'll speak to you guys later."

He had just moved off to the stairs when he heard hoofsteps behind him, a softer, more reluctant voice speaking out, "Um... Ace?"

He turned, seeing Bleak Fields standing there looking upset. To say it looked odd on the normally smiling buck was an understatement, "Is everything alright?"

"I..." Bleak Fields sighed, "Zenai was a great girl... woman."

Ace paused, sighing after a moment, "She was."

"I swear... Luna, Swift Crimson, now her too...” He sighed, looking away, “Did she die like the hero she wanted to be?"

Ace had to think on that. To be honest... no, she had died as a random act of murder while defenceless, shot in the back with no idea it had even been coming. And when the history of this conflict was written Ace knew she would likely be a footnote, "I... don't think so. It was... random and tragic." He sighed, "Death normally is."

"Well she was a hero to me." Bleak Fields asserted firmly, "She inspired me to make something of myself, to be brave even when I didn't feel it."

Ace had heard, "By kissing you?"

Bleak Fields just laughed, "The old me would have said it was the kiss, but the old me was an idiot. It was what she showed me down in the ruins that made me a stallion, the fact that no matter how weak she thought she was she never stopped fighting. That she saved my life, and went up against Starhammer without a moment's hesitation."

Ace smiled, glad that someone remembered her, "She would be proud."

"Good." Bleak Fields grinned back at Ace, "She deserves it."

Ace said his goodbyes, starting the long climb. Lifts took him up halfway, still the final stretch was forded by some very steep stairs that were obviously designed for the larger zebra hoofsteps. Eventually he emerged out onto the lighthouse floor after some puffing and panting, vowing that he would turn his engineering prowess into installing them some more lifts.

The sight before him didn’t disappoint however, looking past the tables groaning under books, the scholars rushing about in panic, the glass windows on all four sides that looked out across the city. Even the shining glowing jewel suspended in the centre of the room failed to grab his attention. None of them interested him as much as the zebra standing before it.

Radhi stood before the central plinth, his mane untidy, a pen tucked behind his ear. He had slimmed down and put on some muscle since Ace had last seen him, his glasses and demeanor however still marked him as every inch the scholar. Ace noted with a little flutter of his heart that a distinguished looking beard had started to grow out from the zebra's chin, realising immediately that his grand illusions of impressing Radhi with his cool, calm demeanour were doomed before they even started.

He moved closer regardless, clearing his throat, “Radhi... I’m back.”

Radhi turned, eyes widening... before a satisfied grin moved across his face, “And a welcome sight you are Ace Gold.”

“So you have arrived at last.” Another, rangier, more dangerous looking zebra remarked from beside Radhi, “Is Dust Kicker here too?”

“He is.” Ace replied, trying to hide his irritation at having his grand reunion usurped, “Who are you?”

“This is Nau.” Radhi introduced, smiling to his companion, “Dust Kicker met him on the road, convinced him to join our group.”

“I have many sins to make up for.” Nau declared softly, looking up at the crystal above, “Hopefully helping with this may be a step in the right direction.”

Ace decided that his grand reunion wasn’t going to happen, figuring that he should just go with the flow already, “So... what is this big crystal?”

“Surely you remember?” Radhi asked, “You were there.”

Ace did, though it didn’t really answer his question, “It was created at Luna’s funeral, by all the races using their magic on a garden rod, it made the area all... crystally.”

“Indeed it did.” Radhi answered with a quivering glee, looking up at the object, suspended over the plinth without any obvious means of levitation, “And I’m sure you can tell me what it resembles.”

Ace looked at it for a little while, several things crossing his mind. None seemed relevant, “It’s... a gemstone. We have quite a few in Equestria.”

Radhi pulled a face, “Shame on you Ace!” He then chuckled, nodding to Nau, “Please, Nau?”

Nau nodded back, taking a book from the table beside and opening it up to the relevant page. Ace walked over, some familiarity dawning as he looked over the illustration, “The Crystal Heart Gem served as the keystone of the Crystal Empire, protecting them from evil and filling the hearts of its citizens with harmony... it does look very similar.”

“We are convinced it is functionally identical.” Radhi declared, looking back up at the gemstone above, “And that like the Heart protected the crystal empire, this Staff can protect us.”

Ace turned to look at it. To be perfectly honest he had always distrusted old magic, far more comfortable with the regulated, controlled, measured power of magitech. Still, these sort of objects had certainly proven their worth in the past, “So what’s the problem?”

“The Crystal Empire was sealed away thousands of years ago.” Nau answered, voice heavy, “And as soon as it reappeared and the heart was found again, King Sombra destroyed it.”

“This book is the only direct reference we have to the crystal heart.” Radhi continued, “And it’s little more than a history text. The shaman of Garm have consulted their libraries for descriptions of how the heart functioned, but we have had to settle with references to similar artefacts in the hope of shared properties.”

“We were honestly hoping that Fluttershy could possibly help.” Nau asked, “She at least saw the Crystal Heart with her own eyes.”

Radhi nodded, “Could you ask her for us?”

Ace Gold felt the anger well up within him. After all this time apart, after everything they had been through, Radhi's reaction was to wave hi and ask him to fetch Fluttershy? Not to mention this new zebra, who apparently felt able to butt in on their private conversation? He wanted to shout at them both, demand they respect him properly! Demand that Radhi... that he would...

...just miss him. Was he really so unimportant?

"Sure." He breathed, after a moment to compose himself, "I'll speak with her about it."

"Come on. It would do you a lot of good, believe me. Limbers you up before a big battle."

"No." Decimus answered firmly, growing even more tired of Ibis with every further moment. He wondered how such a straight laced camel as the Emir put up with her, directing a firm glare as they made their way through the crowded streets, "A better thing to do before a battle would be to prepare your troops."

She smirked, brushing a hoof through her crimson hair, "They are preparing. Gave them an allowance, told them to have fun." She shrugged her shoulders, "Tomorrow we might all be dead."

"I do not get you." He muttered with vehemence, frustrated that she wouldn't live up to his assumptions as anything else, "You're a slave. You are fully submitted to another's will, yet you seem to possess no discipline, no appreciation of propriety."

"That's why we're going to rule the world someday." She stated with pride, "I was selected as a child because I was good at killing, and trained throughout my entire life to be the best at killing. I can be myself, free from insecurities because I understand that I am everything I should be."

He shook his head, "That makes no sense."

"What do you want Decimus. Right now?"

"To think of a way to not get killed tommorow."

"See." She exclaimed cheerfully, "You're beset by insecurities, because you don't believe in your own strength or the will of the one who sent you here. I have both, and so I can concentrate on what I really want."

He sighed, "And what's that?"

She gave him a sly, flirtatious look, "A satisfying tumble with a certain emotionally defective stallion of course."

He sighed, though he wondered if it really was him who was defective. Most of the other inhabitants of the city seemed to have romance and their personal issues on their minds, where as he could only think about the battle tomorrow. Ibis was pretty, and maybe another day he would give in just to shut her up... but today he would only be able to think about the possibility that she would be lying dead tomorrow, "I am sorry Ibis, but you will have to find some other zebra."

"Well... what about one of them?"

He looked up, his spirits instantly rising as he saw the golden praetorian armor shining in the sun. They marched down the road like they were born to lead, Mohicans proud and their tabards proclaiming they marched in the name of Caesar, "Brother knights!"

"Decimus, you have done well." Mercius stated with his deep, reassuring tones as he lead them forward. His head bowed in respect, his thick beard shifting into a smile as he raised his head once more, "The warriors of Emir will be a great help in the battle to come, as will Fluttershy and her party."

"Honestly I had little part in it." He admitted, "But this is a greater asset still! Are we all here?"

"Alpharious attends to Lord Caesar." Mercius explained, then looked to his brothers behind, "The other eleven Pretorius all stand ready to assist in the battle to come however."

"Hey Kavocus." Ibis stated pleasantly, "It's been way too long."

Decimus looked up at his brother, standing in the back row with a fierce blushed spreading across his face, "You... know Commander Ibis brother?"

His blush didn't get any less obvious, Kavocus averting his eyes, "We've... met."

Decimus looked down at Ibis, the mare sporting a huge grin. He sighed, and considered the value of re-stating the rules about interactions with foreign nationals...

Dust was just on his way over to the market for some final supplies when he saw her, another 'colorful character' of the sort that was so common today. This one caught his eye, being what looked like a child in a white Church of Celestia robe, identical to the one Sunshine Ivory had worn. With her were a pegasus female and a zebra male, both of middle age, the expectant stares of the crowd building as she spoke quietly to each of them.

He stepped over to the crowd, moving close to a zebra at the back, "Who is that?"

"They say it's the holy child." The zebra stated, sounding uncertain, "They say she's been travelling east for the last month, helping folks and fighting evil. They say she's the avatar of Celestia herself, or at least her representative on this plane."

Dust looked up, watching as the holy child moved about the crowd, offering words of comfort and reassuring them of the battle to come. He was too far away to see her properly but her voice was deep and commanding, a sense of certainty and honesty seeming to radiate off her. Dust Kicker admitted she cut and impressive figure, despite her size.

Then she saw Dust Kicker, something shining in her bright green eyes. They stared from a ghostly white face, youthful but marked with fierce scars, "Going Merry, Ephisus, would you manage the crowd for a moment?"

She passed through the crowd without further comment, their stares following her. Dust Kicker met her a short distance from the crowd, wondering what this was all about. Did he know this strange girl? "Can I help you?"

"Please, I could really need it." The holy child entreated, her voice suddenly more common that it had been before. She drew back her hood, revealing the strong, weather beaten features of a adolescent zebra framed amid stringy black hair, "They won't leave me alone."

She looked familiar, but he couldn't place her. Dusklight maybe? "Are you one of Princess Luna..."

"No." She stated firmly, lip curling in anger, "Why does every zebra think that?" She waved a hoof at her robe, "Does this look like something a priestess of Luna would wear?"

"I guess not." He reasoned, "So who are you, and why did you want to see me?"

“Huh, I guess your mind is getting flabby with age old man." She declared snottily, glaring up at him, "My name is Sabah, you saved me from the sea on your way to Star Fall."

"You are..." Dust's mind indeed took a moment to process this, the filly's wet, tragic little face finally coming back to him. It looked considerably different to the filly now staring at him, "Wow, you look... well, very different."

"It's been a long time." She admitted, face falling, "I feel like you've had it worse."

Dust considered the truth of that. To be honest he hadn't considered it before, that the group that had saved her, that had dropped her off as Star Fall... he was the last of them remaining, "Yeah, that's the truth of it. Things have changed a lot since we last met. Zenai didn't make it and... I have no idea where Star Swirl is."

Sabah pulled a grim face, "I might."

"You think this 'Princess Celestia' is Star Swirl?" Dust exclaimed, now sitting across from Sabah in the privacy of their quarters. He was glad to be honest, this not the sort of revelation that should be had without somewhere to sit down, "But she's... well, she's hardly the leadership sort."

"And I'm raider wasteland trash, and I've still got a whole army of morons following me around." Sabah countered, "Sunshine Ivory must have got this new alicorn from somewhere, and the rumors I've heard all fit. I even met her before I left, and given this 'Divine Child' nonsense, I've had plenty of gossip on her activities fed through to me."

Dust Kicker had to admit, what Puppysmiles had told him about fighting her in dreams had not been encouraging, "So, what is the deal with your newfound divinity?"

She gave a little smile, "Well you know the zebra with me. The fat one?"

"Yes?"

"Well his name's Ephisus, and he's a dirty cheating con-artist. He offered me a lot of money if I would tour with him 'speaking the word of Celestia'." She smirked wickedly, "All while he charged folks by the second to listen to me."

Dust Kicker was a little disappointed to be honest, "So it's all a lie?"

She sighed, shrugging her shoulders, "I'm thirteen, and I needed to travel clear across the country. I needed money, and protection, and it seemed the best solution." She paused for a moment, pulling a face, "But damnit, they actually started believing in me. They told me that the rubbish I was pulling out of my butt was actually good advice, following me about and hanging on my every word. And then... I guess I punched a few bad people, and saved a village or two?"

"Well look at you." Dust Kicker chuckled, "Not bad for dirty raider trash."

"I still kept their money." She countered, brooding for a second longer before shooting him a look, "Would Celestia approve of the concept of 'heroing for cash'? It certainly doesn't leave me any different from you, and I’m not sure it’s particularly holy."

"Don't think about it too hard Sabah." Dust Kicker advised, "Who's the mare?"

"She's married." Sabah warned.

"I didn't..."

"You were thinking it."

Dust admitted it might have crossed his mind for a moment. She was a real sharp one for picking it up though, "I might have briefly noted how attractive she was, but nothing else. I'm a kept stallion."

"Right..." She noted with a suspicious eye before continuing, "Her name is Going Merry. She's the mother of my best friend... who’s currently living in Sunshine Ivory’s dungeons. Going Merry herself barely escaped with her life."

Sunshine Ivory huh? It seemed she had included locking up fillies to the ‘list of reasons to kick her ass’, "Why?"

"Because they know that Sunshine Ivory had Themba killed." Sabah finished, her jaw clenching in fierce anger, "Days after her return, she took over Star Fall in a coup, turned it into a totalitarian theocracy."

Big words. Dust Kicker thanked his old girlfriend Elizabetha for giving him an extensive education in tyranny, "But I heard that Sunshine Ivory has been imprisoned herself."

"It's a lie." Sabah spat, "They say Celestia... or rather Star Swirl, rules now. But the facts say different. She's still locking up anyone who dissents, still failed to reinstate the council. She's formed a vast army of fanatics, burning anyone deemed a 'threat to harmony'. Huge numbers of criminals are being rounded up and fed into Star Fall's laboratories, and none of them are ever seen again."

"So you think Star Swirl is just a patsy."

Sabah just grimaced for a moment before muttering, "I hope she is."

Dust admitted, that led to dark thoughts, "I can't imagine Star Swirl doing that, and it fits what we know about Sunshine Ivory."

Sabah gave him a questioning look, "You didn't look surprised about her being a bad guy."

"Yeah, we know all about her now." He explained, "Wished we'd worked it out earlier, but... well, we fully intend on taking her down, don't worry."

"But first, Starhammer." Sabah answered.

Dust Kicker nodded, "Yeah."

"I hate zebra like him. Adopting a silly name, and pretending they're more than just another thug." Sabah scowled, angling her head back aggressively, "I'm holding you to that promise though gramps."

"Oh, don't you worry." Dust Kicker answered, "Starhammer is business. Sunshine Ivory is personal."

Ace wasn't having too much luck on his quest, not that he was surprised.

"I'm sorry Ace, but what little magical knowledge I have was gained long after those events." Fluttershy repeated, looking guilty, "To be honest, I'm not sure even Twilight knew that much about the crystal heart."

He sighed, knowing this was pointless, "There isn't anything you can tell me?"

She pondered desperately, lifting her head to the sky, "It was powered by the hope of the crystal ponies, it amplified that hope across the city, it made their fur all crystal, it kept the ice and snow from consuming the city and formed a barrier against things like Windigos and shadows... and it was more fragile than you would expect for a legendary artitifact."

That was a little more information than before, but to Ace's increasing frustration none of it seemed particularly relevant. He paced the courtyard, trying to figure out if there was something they were missing, "They tried infusing it with hope. It doesn't seem to be responding, not like it did at Dusklight."

Fluttershy's eyes went wide, "Um..."

Ace looked to her, "You remember something?"

Fluttershy did not look happy. She hesitated for quite some time before speaking, "The crystal heart needed to be bonded with a chosen of harmony, that's why Sombra feared the Princesses. They were the only ones who could reawaken the heart's power."

Ace... felt that was impractical, "So we need a Princess?"

"Or a zebra elder... like Tandia of Garm." Fluttershy's eyes softened, a smile moving across her face, "I'll ask around, see if we can get her here. She should be able to awaken the heart."

Ace had to admit, among other things he was eager to meet this fabled Tandia, "Let's go then."

"There is another option too Ace." Fluttershy stated, stopping him from following her with a raised hoof, "Somepony else who must have seen the Crystal Heart in action, and a Princess no less."

Ace... wasn't aware they had one on tap, "Who?"

"Puppysmiles." Fluttershy stated with a smile, "I've been told she's down in the Temple of Sacred Night, I was just on my way when you found me, Why don't you go and visit her? I'll try and contact Tandia."

Ace admitted he was hesitant. He... didn't distrust Puppy, but she still made him nervous. Especially with the whole 'Nightmare Moon' thing, "Why me?"

"Because you could do with spending more time together Ace." Fluttershy commented cheerfully, "I think she likes you."

Ace narrowed his eyes at her.

"Platonically I'm sure." Fluttershy finally added, grinning a little too maliciously, "Ace, she saved your life, and your eyesight."

"I guess..." He sighed, "Fine, I'll go see her."

"Good boy."

He scowled back at her, "Don't push it."

Dust Kicker inspected the streets with an assessing eye, judging for himself the likelihood of his plan working. The streets were quite wide, but that in itself could prove an advantage. And the buildings were all of a good construction, which meant they would fragment rather than disintegrate when damaged...

His eye was pulled away, the cool glow of a flock of balefire phoenixes shining from a set of cages across the road. That was unusual enough, they weren't that common. Further inspection only made it more intriguing. For these weren't phoenixes, but various other, rather alien looking birds. And instead of green, these shone blue.

And he recognised them. And after a moment he recognised the owner of the cages too, clad in thick brown robes and a pair of high tech goggles. He approached, listening as she spoke to the crowd around them, "And thiz bird iz called the lezzer tailed Janaian raptor, az you can see it's plumage iz conziderably shorter."

He stopped towards the side of the crowd, smiling at the mare as she continued to speak. Eventually she noticed him, looking across and delivering a cheerful shout, "Duzt Kicker! I heard that you all made it."

He chuckled, finding it odd that he was glad to see her but admitting that he did like the young ghost, "I didn't know you liked birds Myrtis."

"I am not a robot mizter Kicker, I have hobbiez too." She protested cheerfully, "I have alwayz loved birds, and now I have so many new typez to study!"

"They are indeed fascinating!" A zebra beside agreed enthusiastically, "I feared that with the war I would never get a chance to venture up to Kurshyin and see the new species there! I am truly grateful to you and Clear Skies for making this possible!"

"Clear Skies is here?" Dust questioned.

"Yez, she told uz what waz happening." Myrtis confirmed, "Invictus agreed we should come, help in the fight."

Dust admitted, having Myrtis on their side would certainly help. He hadn't truly had a chance to see her in action, but by all accounts she was one up from a Canterlot Ghoul and of the same type of creature as Chigaru. And that also meant... "Where is Clear Skies?"

"Juzt inzide." Myrtis nodded to the door, "You juzt caught her."

"Caught her before what?" Dust quesitoned.

"She leavez."

Dust nodded grimly, then moved inside the house indicated. Like many it was pretty much abandoned and stripped of valuables, the owners likely having left once this all kicked off. It meant it didn't take long to find the pegasus, busy strapping on her weapons and saddle bags in the living room, "Clear Skies."

She turned, the ghoul's face trying to decide on an emotion and getting stuck between several, "Mithster Duths Kicker!"

He eyed her bags, "You're leaving?"

"No!" She protested, "I'm... thouting."

Dust could handle not wanting to fight. He could handle being a coward even. But this ticked him off just a little, "Scouting for what?"

"Thereths been repthorts of a thwarm of thome thort of creathers heading thith way." She announced, with as much conviction as she could managed, "I'm the besth flyer in the thity. It's my duty to thind out what it is."

"I'd say the army at the gates is a more pressing concern."

She paused for a moment before speaking, "I'm a thcout. I'm not a tholider... and you should be glad of that." She frowned deeply at him, glaring a little, "The ethclave orderthed me to fly down there, assasthinate Gaud, Littlepip, Red Eye... anythone who wasth a threat to them. But I don't like fighting. I don't like death. or pain..." She paused, nose twitching for a moment before she finished, "...I juths want to be awthome."

"I get that." Dust admitted, surprised at seeing such a genuine reaction from the pegasus. He wondered if that was widely known, but it certainly made sense. Clear Skies had been a lone operative during the first enclave war, that's how she had been able to defect so easily. And her skills were certainly considerable, "But Ditzi Doo doesn't like fighting either, and she's still considered a hero."

Clear Skies reacted as predicted, her muzzle rumbling, "Donth talth to me abouth Dithy! Sheths so famoths, and I'm thill a nobouthy, despithe the thact that I'm bethether than her in ethry way...!"

"Then maybe you should think about why that is." Dust finished turning away from her and starting towards the entrance, "Good luck on your scouting mission."

Ace Gold found the Temple of Sacred Night easily enough, remembering that this was the order of shaman Easu and Tradash had belonged to. Founded by Luna and distrusted by most, it was understandably understated from the outside... if not the inside.

Ace Gold entered with trepidation, certainly not about to hand out awards for the most welcoming establishment in the world. The interior was dark and mostly decorated in dark blues and purples. He admitted it was pretty enough, the light provided by a series of star shaped bulbs scattered across the dark interior like stars. Still he had never been the nocturnal type.

He wasn't made any more comfortable as a griffon in a long, form obscuring robe stepped out from the darkness, offering him a smile that couldn't help but seem creepy in the circumstances, "How may we assist you seeker?"

He took a deep breath, "I'm looking for Easu."

"You are brave, to venture into the dark." The griffon stated, his smile widening as he extended a claw and threw open the door behind, "Come, step into the moonlight and see there is nothing to fear."

Beyond was a hall, a vast globe of some jungle planetoid hanging from the high ceiling and bathing it in blue light. The globe and it's astonishingly verdant plant life looked familiar somehow, Ace Gold embarrassed at how long it look him to realise, "That's... the moon."

"A little more active these days, but it shines even brighter than before." The griffon confirmed.

There were others in the hall, walking the alcoves and sitting upon the various benches. The place looked plain at first inspection, as his eyes grew used to the light however murals and decorations upon the stone walls slowly began to make themselves clear, picked out in silvers and greys.

Many of those within were dressed in robes like the griffon, some appeared to be simple visitors. He recognised many of the Dusklight children among them, "I imagine you and Luna's children must have had a lot of interesting conversations."

"Indeed." The griffon confirmed with cheer as he led Ace inside, "A time of much change, but all of it exiting. Queen Luna of Dusklight was chosen of harmony, this is accepted among us now. If she had been accepted as such by the Shaman of Garm that would have given her the right to found a holy order, as it is we are honored that many of her followers have found their place in the Order of Sacred Light."

"Technically founded by Princess Luna." Ace Gold noted, "Who was the same pony."

"Was she?" The griffon asked, his smile growing wider, "We are the order of sacred light, the value of secrets is something we know much of. When this crisis is over, we will discuss what is to be done with this one."

Ace Gold didn't feel the right to comment, he hadn't known Luna that well. Neither was he particularly well versed in theology. Better to leave it to Radhi, "Well I'm glad that somepony has accepted her."

"Actually she's become very popular." The griffon noted with a chuckle, "This place has never been so crowded, and we already have as many new novices as we have elders to train them. Ironic really, given what we hear of Star Fall."

Ace Gold had been listening to the radio, not exactly enthralled by the news but agreeing that it had a certain irony, "Princess Celestia rises in the west, Princess Luna rises in the east." He sniffed, not feeling any better about the situation, "It would serve us better if our avatar of divinity wasn't dead though."

"Yet it would seem if some divine force watches over the night, yes?" The griffon asked, looking up at the globe above, "Life blooms across the face of the moon, and the children of Dusklight grow ever stronger and more respected. Many in this city look to both in hope."

Ace Gold looked up at the globe, cynicism still burning in his heart. He ached to point out that the moon had been revived by a spell created by a lunatic, and unleashed by a demon. He distracted himself with the very question that raised, "Is Puppysmiles alright?"

"Yes, and she is eager to meet with you." The griffon stated with cheer, leading him through a door at the back of the hall, "Please, come with me."

The rooms beyond were mostly cleared out, signs of much recent movement in the general clutter. The griffon informed Ace that this had formally been storage for many evil artefacts best left confined, with the imminent siege of the city most of them had been moved to Garm. Ace looked into some of the more secure vaults with their triple locked cold iron doors marked with sealing spells, wondering what exactly had been stored there.

The creepy atmosphere was not helped at all as they moved into what looked like a mad sorcerers laboratory, Ace Gold setting eyes on a skeleton in the middle of the room. He froze in shock as it moved, his eyes travelling along the lines of cybernetics weaving through its ribcage, the large gem set into its forehead and many faintly glowing runes carved into the bone. He backed away as it turned to him with the clacking of shifting bone, it's jaw opening as an echoing voice sounded out, "Ace Gold!"

Ace blinked, "Puppysmiles?"

The skeleton positioned itself coquettishly, "Don't you recognise me?"

"Ace." Spoke the voice of Easu, the zebra soon revealing himself as he stepped out from behind some shelves, "Thank you for bringing him here Elder Griss."

"It was no problem." The griffon stated proudly, nodding towards Puppysmiles, "And might I add how lovely you look today Lady Puppysmiles?"

Ace tried to regain his composure, made a little more difficult by the fact that he still felt very self conscious around Puppysmiles. He wondered if it was a 'young woman' thing, or a 'talking skeleton' thing, "Is this... an upgrade?"

"I'm not dropping bits of me all over the floor." Puppysmiles replied, a soft pink light lighting up empty eyesockets, "Honestly it was this or mummification."

"It's still highly energy inefficient." Easu noted with dissatisfaction, "And the enchantments require daily maintenance."

"And I can't exactly go out shopping." Puppysmiles added with a disappointed tone.

"Still it's a longer term solution that was considered morally acceptable by all parties." Elder Griss finished, nodding sagely, "The skeleton was kindly donated by one of our former shaman, who would be honestly thrilled we found such a unique and interesting use for it."

Ace supposed that was all true, "And combat capable?"

"No." Easu answered, sounding conflicted.

"A horn is partially organic material, and even if I had one it would have to run off energy cells." Puppysmiles confirmed, "But I can at least continue to pilot the mobile frame."

Ace supposed that was true. Still, "You're a force on the battlefield Puppy. Bonded with a unicorn..."

"No." Puppysmiles shook her head, the light in her eyes shuddering slightly, "I went into battle bonded with you Ace, and I wasn't joking about how difficult that was. If we're going to unleash demonic forces, we might as well just let Starhammer win."

Ace thought that was short sighted, "It doesn't have to be me..."

"Anything other than a unicorn wouldn't really suit my talents, and you're the only unicorn I would even consider trusting." Puppysmiles answered, sounding quite angry now, "Ace... I don't really like fighting. Not anymore at least, not since Kursiyin."

Ace lowered his head, remembering how Puppy had silently suffered after the Academy of Science, "I... suppose."

"I'm willing to fight in the battle to come, but on my terms." She finished, "And that's from within the mobile frame."

Ace accepted that... even respected it. Puppysmiles was wiser than he was, "Well... thank you for that Puppy. We all appreciate it."

"Ace." Easu stated, his voice heavy, "I will not be participating in combat either."

Ace looked round at the zebra, searching his scarred face for meaning, "You won't?"

"I will be helping." He confirmed, face stoic, "But as a healer. I will not fight."

Ace had seen Easu fight. It seemed a hell of a shame, "Are you sure?"

"It is a poor time to lose your stomach for blood." He admitted, "But my time here has confirmed my feelings."

"You are doing the right thing." Puppysmiles offered in a sweet voice, "Everyone I know is a killer. It's nice to have some variety."

Easu smiled at her rather odd complement, Ace considering that it was one of the few times Easu had smiled. The big zebra seemed even more out of character as he lifted up a hoof, peace shining in his eyes, "All my life, I considered myself only good for hurting others. That I was doomed to be a simple thug. But since coming here... I am good at medicine. I enjoy healing others. I can be a better zebra." His eyes travelled up, looking apologetically at Ace, "But if I raise my hooves in anger again, I know that I will never again be able to lower them."

"I understand." Ace reluctantly agreed, thought he was aware they might have just lost their two best fighters, "And to be honest, I think we need more healers in this world."

Fluttershy looked up at the building to which she had been directed, having never been able to find it without help. The other shaman had told her that this was where the leader of their expedition down to the city had set up, from the outside however it looked like any other house. Indeed this street was almost completely deserted, clearly not swept or had its gardens maintained in many days.

She knocked on the door, rather surprised when it swung open. Inside the room had been entirely cleared of furniture, only a circle of eight candles burning along the edges of the room. In the centre was a single zebra, wearing a brown robe inscribed with the image of a golden semi-circle over a book. She was sat in the lotus position, Fluttershy reminded of Zecora, "Hello?"

"Hello again Fluttershy."

The zebra moved onto her hooves, turning to face her. Fluttershy was surprised to see she recognised the zebra, certainly distinctive looking with her face tattooed with spiral marks, her features young but bearing an odd sense of deep age, "You... you're the zebra that helped me defeat Dream Star. You taught me how to wind walk!"

The zebra nodded, her eyes calm, "Yes. I'm glad to see you have continued to develop over time. You will need that in the battle to come."

Fluttershy wasn't sure why she would make a difference. She had picked up a few tricks, but compared to the zebra in front of her... "I seem to remember you took down Dream Star single hooved."

"I merely inspired you to action Fluttershy." The zebra countered, "The power was yours."

Fluttershy felt they were getting off track, "You lead the shamans here?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“I need to ask you a favor. We have to bring Tandia of Garm here."

The zebra looked regretful, her head falling. It was a moment before she spoke, "Why is that?"

"She needs to activate the crystal rod, I remember that it needs a Princess to awaken the power within." Fluttershy explained, "It might be our only chance."

"I'm sorry Fluttershy, but it would not work." The shaman answered, eyes calm yet bearing the smallest hint of sadness, "The crystals can only be awakened by the emotions with which they are associated. The crystal heart required love. The rod requires youth and passion."

Fluttershy hesitated, "Where are we going to find a Princess associated with youth and passion?"

"The same way it was created Fluttershy. Midnight Dreamer must unlock the crystal rod." The mare answered, her tone totally straightforward.

Fluttershy paused, wondering if she would qualify that statement. She didn't seem she was going to do it anytime soon, Fluttershy finally speaking, "Midnight Dreamer is dead."

The zebra simply smiled.

“Isn’t she?”

“Do not concern yourself with this Fluttershy. This is not your destiny, though you have served admirably in making it possible." The mare answered, bowing softly before her, "This is after all your duty, to carry a part of what was lost into the future."

Fluttershy was well aware of that. A relic from the past, clinging to what was left of Equestria, "For all the good the past is.”

"Without it, the future is a motherless child.”

Fluttershy frowned bitterly, “Children need to grow up.”

The mare looked knowingly across at Fluttershy, "A long time ago, Zecora performed a tarot reading for you. Do you remember the cards?"

Fluttershy felt her body go weak. She did, all too well. It had been just before she had taken her position as ministry mare, and she had required direction. She had received anything but, "Death. The Tower. Judgement reversed."

The mare nodded, "Chigaru also received a reading, from Prince Nashar."

"...what were his cards?"

"The Star, the Devil reversed and Judgement."

Fluttershy didn't understand, "What does that mean?"

"Understanding must come from you."

Fluttershy thought back on that day. She had tried to block it out, but the more she had tried the more vivid the memory had become, "Zecora told me... that if I was to resolve the first two cards that I would have to come to terms with the last one. Judgement." Fluttershy sighed, "The Tower and Death... those cards have obvious meanings. They signify my role in burning the world. So Judgement is... absolution?"

"It is the deciding point."

Fluttershy thought back to Chigaru, and the prophesy, "Judgement indicates a changing point, the need to heed the spirit and truly consider ourselves. To add up our deeds, and consider their worth." Fluttershy shivered, "For me the card is reversed, which means... I have failed to truly atone for the past. That judgement will not be in my favor."

The mare's expression did not change, still calm and a little sad, "In the battle to come, when facing Starhammer... you must carry that destiny with you. It is the only way you can save the future, and come to terms with yourself."

Fluttershy took that in, storing it in her heart. Destruction, death and judgement. A destiny to hold dear, “Thank you... Tandia.”

Tandia of Garm gave a little bow, her eyes sad, “And may destiny go with you Fluttershy. I have done all I can to prepare you for it.”

So now it was up to her. But it was no matter, because now Fluttershy knew exactly what she had to do. And to be honest... she was surprisingly at peace with it.

It was inevitable when you got some many fighters gathered into one place he supposed. It certainly brought Ace back.

A minotaur slammed into a zebra with a fierce downward swing, only to get his hoof chopped out from under him. The mighty creature yelled as he went forward, slamming into the platform and tumbling out of the ring with a yell.

"And that's a win for Aramus of Gale! A big round of applause for our warrior!"

The zebra gave a bow, strolling off the stage and helping the minotaur back to his hooves. The announcer looked about the crowds that were filling the street, her eyes searching the expectant warriors lined up before her, "And who will test their skills next? Who is brave enough to step into this ring, and prove their valor!"

"I'll do it." A bulky, heavily muscled zebra stated, his heavy hooves echoing against the steps as he made his way up. His voice rose to a roar as he shouted out his challenge, "I am Himin, of Anatu. I fought against the tyrant, I was first of the forth legion! My skills are tested in worthy battle!"

It was quite a introduction. Ace smiled as he stepped forward, having to leap a little to make it up the rather steep steps. The crowd muttered as he made it to the top, Ace once against stuck looking up at his opponent. He had long since come to terms with it, never being the largest of ponies. He honestly didn’t mind, it just made him harder to hit, "I'm Ace Gold, featherweight champion of the manehatten university under fifteen's unarmed fighting league."

"And what does that make you little pony?" Himin asked, unable to keep the grin from his face.

"Absolutely nothing." Ace answered, tensing himself for the fight, "I'll prove everything I have to in the ring."

"Good answer." Himin replied, moving into to a cautious advance.

Ace rounded on him, both moving into the centre of the ring before Ace ran forward in a furious charge. Himin slammed forward with his hooves and stomped the ground in front, stopping Ace's advance and driving him backwards with every determined thrust. Ace dropped back onto one leg and Himin saw his opening, driving forward with a headbutt...

Ace leapt to the side, left the ground and span his hoof down upon the side of Himin's head as he lunged past. It landed hard and the big zebra stumbled, swinging out with a hoof that Ace easily ducked.

Ace braced his legs, coiled his muscles... and summersaulted backwards just as Himin turned to attack, catching the zebra under the chin. It clearly knocked the fight out of him, Himin staggering on weak hooves. Ace landed on all fours, assessing the situation for just a moment before leaping forward and spinning out with one final flying kick. It connected firmly, Himin slamming sideways into the ground.

"And that's the battle!" The announcer shouted, to roaring cheers from the crowd.

Himin shifted, pushing himself up with two hooves. He shook his head clear, grinning through the pain, "I have... never seen anyone fight like that. Where did you learn your style boy?"

"Wing Tai." A elderly pegasi exclaimed with a big grin, "Honestly didn't think it worked without wings, but you really pull if off!"

"Yeah." Ace Gold confirmed, feeling like he was back at university, "With Fallen Caesar hoofwork."

"And a lot of Doombunny style underlying it all." Himin finished as he stood, giving Ace a warm, if slightly mocking grin, "You're a zebra's worst nightmare."

Ace shook his head, thinking nothing could be further from the truth, "I was taught by zebra."

Himin looked to Ace’s horn, "An odd choice for a unicorn."

It certainly was, the hoof fighting championships dominated mostly by Earth Ponies. Ace had always been the odd one out, "Yeah, everypony always used to question why a unicorn would want to learn martial arts, rather than magery."

"Why did you?" Himin questioned.

"Because I saw a zebra fight." Ace replied, memories flooding back of the day he first saw Xephyr in action, that effortless, graceful power. He would never possess such power, but he was happy enough just to experience a mere fraction of what they could be.

"Heh..." Himin chuckled before looking about the crowd, "Who here is willing to fight this warrior! Because I sorely wish to see more of his talents!"

Light, confident hooves echoed against the stairs, a rough voice speaking out, "It's ironic. I always wanted to be a mage."

Ace turned, observing the girl as she stepped up onto the ring. She was small for a zebra, maybe a little smaller than him, with a rangy, adolescent look that suggested she wasn't fully grown. All the same she was incredibly muscular and fit looking, and her body was covered in scars and rough fur. This was a fighter, and not one to be underestimated.

"What's your name miss?" The announcer asked.

"Sabah." She replied simply, before her hooves kicked into action and she ran at Ace with astounding speed.

Ace narrowed his eyes and rolled to the side, sweeping his hoof to trip her as she went past. She simply jumped over the hoof and bucked out, Ace leaping back to avoid her attack. He quickly went on the offensive now, jumping into the air and spinning a hoof down at her back. This she avoided with an effortless leap despite facing away from him, sweeping round and engaging him with some rapid jabs and hooks.

He blocked them practiced speed, even landing a counter hook on her muzzle, still he grimaced at the heavy bruises she left upon his hooves as he disengaged and backed away. She was really strong, even if she was a tiny bit slower than he was.

She watched him carefully as they stood facing each other, both breathing heavily. After a moment he spoke, "You're really good."

She narrowed her eyes and darted in, almost too fast to react. Still by some miracle he dodged his head away from one of her jabbing hooves and struck his own blow against her shoulder, knocking that hoof off balance. He took advantage, wheeling round so her other hoof was unable to reach him and preparing to strike her undefended flank...

She leant forward, grasped his hoof hard between her teeth and threw him upwards with a flick of her head. He was forced into an upright stance, totally vulnerable as she barged forward and body slammed him in the belly. The air exploded out of his lungs, his body slamming hard onto the stage.

"Oooh!"

Ace ignored the crowd, rolling back onto his hooves and trying to catch his breath, "That... was a... nice move."

"You focus way too much on your hooves." She commented, a smile now spread across her face and a new gleam in her eyes, "Your whole body is a weapon."

"Point taken." He responded, shaking his head free and looking straight at her. He prepared himself for a moment, braced hooves against the ground... and kicked forwards, driving himself towards her. She grinned and ran to meet him, powerful body angled for the attack.

He charged his telekinesis, pulled her front hooves forward, and watched her stumble and trip with a gasp of surprise exiting her lips. He was already off the ground, leaping above and driving his hoof sharply across the side of her head. She cried out and dropped, Ace landing behind and gently giving her a light shove with his back legs.

She flew a little way and tumbled to the edge of the platform, shaking her head and looking up in surprise. After a moment to recover her eyes became fierce once again, "You held back with the last move!"

"I don't want to actually hurt you." He explained, wondering if she had forgotten that this wasn't a cage match, "I definitely want a fighter like you on the front lines tomorrow."

"Hmph..." She muttered, nodding sharply before moving off the platform, "You win."

They all moved aside to applaud the little zebra, Ace Gold quickly hopping down to follow her. She actually turned to smile at him as he approached, clearly not adverse to speaking to him. He took the opportunity, "Who trained you?"

"Huh..." She looked hesitantly, slowing to allow him to move beside her, "You're NCR right?"

"Yeah."

"You ever heard of Jaku?"

"No."

"Good." She stated simply, "He's the one who trained me."

Ace wondered if he should have heard of him, "Is he famous?"

"Yeah, though he died about three years ago now." She answered, looking uncomfortable with the line of questioning, "He was the best fighter in the territories. Every zebra was afraid of him."

"Yet you signed on with him."

She smiled, "I was a charity case. Just another abandoned kid, but he... saw something special in me." She lowered her head, thoughtful for a moment before she chuckled, "When he met me I was half starved and covered in flees, yet he said I was the strongest kid he ever saw."

Ace smiled at her, noticing Sabah's eyes widen slightly as he did, "He was right."

"Yeah... about a lot of things." Her white face made her blushing obvious, her eyes quickly darting to something besides Ace, "That... wasn't really his style though. I learned that style from Bishop Ember, at Star Fall."

Ace noted the blush and her rather flirtatious body language, wondering if he should tell her he was gay. Still he was honestly fascinated to mean another young warrior, "Why don't you use his style?"

"Because it involves tearing out throats and breaking spines." She answered simply, her lips pursing. After a second she looked back at Ace, "That's a style I'm going to use tomorrow."

"I..." Ace paused, feeling guilty at his lack of real combat experience, "My master was called Xephyr. She didn't really hold with killing."

Sabah sniffed, "I bet she didn't have to deal with raiders every day, hell, even everyday folk willing to kill for a simple glass of water."

"Her whole tribe was slaughtered by raiders, she was thirteen years old when she was forced to lead what was left of them. She let them have their way with her, just so they wouldn't hurt the others." Ace admitted the last part was mere rumor, but Xephyr had gone quiet when he had asked, "She fought in four wars, on the front lines."

Sabah looked suitably shocked, "And she didn't kill."

"She had killed plenty of folks." He replied, wondering once more if she was truly wise or simply naive, "I think she just wanted to find a better way."

"Well I've got to go dress my bruises." Sabah answered with a sharp raise of her eyebrow, "See you on the battlefield hero."

"Yeah..." He could only respond as he watched her go, thoughts now dominated by one zebra. He wished she was here, wished she had been there for Equestria. She always had a way of making everything better...

"Ace Gold." A familiar voice spoke from behind, Ace's heart swelling as he recognised Xaphina's gravelly tones, "You look troubled."

Ace turned, his throat tightening as he beheld the cloaked zebra in front of him. This was the first time he had ever beheld her with his own eyes, even thought it felt like he had known her for forever now.

As expected she was horrifically scared, her black stripes rough and patchy, further deep furrows lining her skinny, lithely muscled form. Her eyes were sunken, her cheeks hollow, it looked like the world had taken turns gouging chunks out of her.

And Ace Gold knew her. He hadn't seen her more than a half dozen times in the flesh, still her features were unmistakable, "Xenith..."

"Ace Gold." Xenith spoke, giving him a quiet smile, "I am sorry... about a lot of things.”

Ace shook his head, waiting for it to just be mistaken identity... but even through the age and scars, she was the image of her daughter, “You’re really...”

“Xenith, companion of Littlepip, mother of Xephyr.” She nodded, “Yes Ace Gold.”

He didn't understand... "This is why you always ran away from Fluttershy!"

"She knows my face." Xenith confirmed, her milky eyes dull and unfocused, "And I wasn't yet ready to speak of what happened."

Wasn't ready? This was... huge! This wasn't just Xenith, hero of Equestria. This was the zebra who had been missing for years, who had last been seen falling through a portal alongside Xephyr and the leader of the Screwball Society, "Where have you been?!"

"Here." Xenith indicated with a waved hoof, her voice quiet, "Learning from other zebra. Discovering my heritage... looking for my daughter."

Ace's words froze on his tongue, "Where... is she?"

Xenith closed her eyes, lowering her head, "That is a long story."

Xenith looked upon the chamber with equal parts terror and disgust, the interior of the prison block already beginning to twist and distort in impossible ways. The air throbbed with power, distorted and sickly, giving her a headache just from being here. The source lay into the centre of the room, a fierce ball of shifting chaos magic slowly intensifying. Before it stood a ghoul, clad in the ruined tatters of a straight jacket. Her hooves weaved around the energy, her chanting echoing about the chamber.

Xephyr advanced forwards without stopping, her voice calling out, "Screwloose!"

The ghoul turned, rotted face distorting in pain and regret, "You... you're past them already?"

"Yes, we had to fight past your followers, hurt many of them!" Xephyr shouted back, "So was it worth it!? Was it Screwloose!?"

Screwloose turned back to the portal, voice pained, "Let me have this Xephyr, please. This doesn’t concern you."

Xephyr paused for a moment before shouting back, “You’re summoning a chaos god!”

“I’m summoning my god Xephyr.” Screwloose pleaded, “You said you believed in happy endings. Well let me find mine.”

Xephyr didn't answer, staring forward in anger. Eventually that anger began to fade a little however, Xephyr drawing back a little. Her expression became hesitant, her body losing it's tension.

Xenith stepped forward to speak, "Xephyr, she cannot be allowed to succeed."

"What if she's right?" Xephyr stated quietly, "What if it really will make everything right again?"

Xenith couldn't understand. This ghoul was a villain, straight forward and bold. She did not understand how Xephyr could still protect her after everything that had happened, "She will destroy the world."

"Red Eye thought Littlepip would destroy the world, that he was the only one who could save it." Xephyr looked Xenith in the eye, expression firm, "What if we're wrong?"

Xenith glared back, "What has she done to inspire trust?"

"Helped us defeat Sunny Smiles!"

"When her back was against the wall, and it was clear Sunny had betrayed her." Xenith countered, now knowing they should have pressed the issue of her punishment more ardently, “You never should have let her leave. Think of all the blood already on her hooves.”

"Xephyr, Xenith!"

They looked over to the side, Velvet Remedy leading Calamity, Life Bloom, Ditzi Doo and Reggie Grimfeathers into the room from one of the other entrances. Life Bloom quickly ignited his horn as he saw the energy in the centre of the room, voice grim, "It is as I feared, the magic involved is too unstable! She's losing control!"

"I... am... not!" Screwloose protested, her teeth clenched as the ball shuddered and distorted.

Velvet looked to Life Bloom, "How do we stop it?"

"It's still unstable." Life Bloom explained, "If we stop Screwball from maintaining it the portal should collapse on it's own."

Xenith nodded, moving to engage the ghoul... only for Xephyr to place herself firmly in the way. Xenith stared her down for a moment before speaking, "She must be stopped Xephyr."

"Why?" Xephyr protested, "Doesn't she deserve a chance to prove what she believes in?"

"If she loses control of that portal, thousands will die, including us." Xenith explained, keeping her voice calm, "If she succeeds, she summons a chaos god back into this world."

Xephyr stood firm, still blocking the way towards Screwloose, "I've risked more on less."

"Damnit Xephyr!" Reggie shouted as she approached from the other side of the room, "Don't be retarded, this is the mare who tried to destroy the world last time!"

Anger filled Xephyr's eyes, directed across at the griffon "She's my friend, I swore that I would trust her. Isn't that important?"

"Not if she's trying to destroy the world for the second fucking time...!"

"Regina, enough!" Velvet shouted, instantly silencing Reggie. Her eyes then travelled back to Xephyr, "We're not willing to take that chance Xephyr."

"The portal is becoming dangerously unstable!" Life Bloom protested sharply, "We need to do something now!"

Xephyr just stared stubbornly back at them, "You'll have to go through me."

Velvet sighed, then looked to Calamity, "Calamity... please."

Xephyr 's eyes quivered, her mouth drifting open in shock and betrayal as Calamity lifted his rifle and aimed at Screwloose behind her, "Calamity... no..."

He sighed, his own expression shaking, "Sorry baby girl..." His hoof tightened on the trigger, his eye focusing...

...then the barrel was gently shifted aside, Ditiz Doo staring at him for a moment before backing towards Xephyr. On her board, the words 'friends don't fight friends' was written.

Calamity sighed, then dropped his gun back into neutral position, "Yeah... you're right. I'm sorry Velvet."

She gave a look of exasperation as she looked across at him, "Calamity..."

"I'm not fighting Xephyr Velv." He stated firmly, before giving Zephyr an angry look, "But for the record, I think this is a damn stupid plan. And I've seen a fair few of them."

Xenith didn't know quite what to say. Eventually she trotted forward, giving Xephyr a look that she hoped conveyed her fierce disapproval, "You are a element of harmony, and you are letting her summon a chaos god in a ritual that will likely kill us all."

"Yeah well I'm making this up as a go along mom." She stated with not a little bitterness, failing to meet her gaze, "I'm sorry if it doesn't meet your approval."

Velvet seethed silently for a moment before shouting in frustration, "Xephyr, you are a idiot! So let that be my last words to you before we all die!"

"She's losing control!" Life Bloom shouted, the ball of chaos shaking violently...

And then a gunshot rang out, Screwloose crying out as it neatly severed her spine and dropped her limp onto the tiles. The portal instantly collapsed back in on itself, becoming smaller and more intense, the colors starting to separate into whirling bands. Xenith looked behind her, locking gazes with Reggie as she lowered the rifle in her talons.

"Reggie!" Xephyr shouted out, her voice cracking with emotion. Her eyes flicked between her and the twitching form of Screwloose, "Why?!"

"Hate me all you want." The griffon stated, eyes hard, "I likely just saved the damn world."

"We should evacuate the room." Life Bloom stated quickly, backing away, "The portal is starting to break down. The blast radius should be modest, but we might not want to be standing right next to it..."

Xephyr shook her head, turning back to the portal, "Screwloose!"

"No!" Xenith shouted out pointlessly as Xephyr galloped back towards the ghoul's limp form, right towards the shaking portal. Bolts of energy flew off it, shattering the ground around as Xephyr dodged left and right to avoid them...

...she was going to get herself killed. And Xenith would not stand there and watch... not again. She ran forward to catch Xephyr, her hooves moving faster than she thought possible. She noticed Ditzi sprinting along just behind, her desiccated wings driving her forward...

The portal expanded with a fierce roar, and everything turned white.

...

Xenith looked up, for a moment unable to comprehend her eyes. Green fields lay all around her, and not the greenish yellow of the new world. These were green and vibrant, the green of the storybooks. And beyond, upon the side of the mountain... Canterlot, towers white and beautiful in the unhindered sun.

Xenith knew it then, that she was dead. And this was heaven.

"Ungh..."

Xenith looked to the side, Xephyr just a short distance away. She was clearly injured, fierce burns across her body and her breathing fast and shallow. Xenith instantly galloped over, placing her hoof on her daughter's side. She was a mediocre doctor at best, but these wounds... they looked like mana burns. And not normal ones, but inflamed, blistered ones, like all the energy in her body had exploded from the inside.

"This cannot be real..."

Xenith looked round, fury growing in her heart as she saw Screwloose lifting her body to see the sun. The ghoul's twisted visage brought their situation into stark relief, Xenith advancing angrily upon her, "You killed us! You killed my daughter!"

Screwloose looked back at her body, straightening out with a crack of shifting bone. Xenith saw her body knit together, injuries repairing themselves as her Canterlot Ghoul physiology went to work. Injuries like... burns, looking near identical to the ones Xephyr bore. Why had they both been forced to expel their mana? Was this really a consequence of dying?

Screwloose’s eyes focused on Xephyr, widening in grief, "No, is she...?!"

"Do not come near us!" Xenith growled, positioning herself in front of her daughter, “Do not...!”

"Ngh... it's ok..." Xephyr slowly pushed herself up from the ground, her own wounds slowly beginning to heal themselves. She gritted her teeth in pain, looking around with an assessing eye, "...we're not dead."

"Then where are we?" Xenith asked, wondering what else it could be.

Xephyr pulled a healing potion from her belt, drinking it down and letting it take effect. She took the time to consider her answer, brow furrowing, "Healing potions shouldn't work in heaven, and my body still feels like a physical thing. It didn't feel like normal teleportation though, and for some reason all my mana left my body the moment we arrived."

"Mine too." Screwloose noted.

"And the energies here are... different." Xephyr looked towards Canterlot, smiling despite the situation, "And that doesn't look like a bombed out ruin."

Screwloose looked shocked, "Have we... travelled back in time?"

"We need to return." Xenith quickly reminded them, horrified by the possible implications, "Perhaps Screwloose has truly summoned Discord, and this is a spell or illusion. Either way, we must break free."

Xephyr looked reluctant, but eventually nodded with a sigh, "You're right of course, but..."

"Identify yourselves, immediately! You trespass on Equestrian soil zebra!"

They all turned, teleport signatures quickly flashing all around. Unicorns stepped forth, four of them all dressed in the uniforms of the ministry of arcane science. And the one who had spoken was immediately familiar to Xenith, having studied the histories extensively, "Gestalt..."

Xephyr was quick to react as usual, holding up a hoof, "We mean no harm..."

"Silence zebra!" Gestalt shouted, "You will be taken into custody..."

"Gestalt, please." Another voice sounded out, a fifth unicorn trotting out and shining them a kindly looking smile. Unlike the others she was dressed in a simple labcoat, her hair askew and no preparation for combat in her stance. Her hoof came out, gesturing to Xephyr, "They are not armed, and they are clearly injured."

Gestalt frowned, "They are zebra, Director Twilight."

"As are many fine citizens of Equestria." Twilight Sparkle reminded her, a little anger in her voice now. She smiled once more as she looked across at the zebra before her, "Please, do you need assistance? We felt a magical disturbance, did your teleportation spell go wrong?"

"I... think that is what happened." Xephyr finally forced out, her shocked look soon forming into a broad smile, "Are you... truly Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight chuckled, "I am yes."

"You're... a huge hero of mine." Xephyr expressed, her grin growing wider and her voice squeaking like a schoolgirl, "I'm not sure how this is possible, but..."

And then Twilight's face dropped, eyes growing wide in shock. Xephyr had simply extended her hoof and yet Twilight was now looking at it like she had been presented with a deadly weapon, eyes directed... straight at Xephyr's pip buck.

Straight at the element of magic.

"That's mine..." Twilight breathed.

"Xephyr!" Xenith shouted, seeing the ponies behind Twilight ready their weapons once more. One pointed an energy rifle straight at her daughter, Xephyr grabbing hold of the barrel with a hoof and slamming it back up against the unicorn's skull. He dropped with a gasp, even as another guard was flung through the air by a fierce blur that could only be Screwloose.

Xephyr stepped back, seemingly unaware of the battle going on around her, "I didn't..."

Twilight's horn burst with light and Xephyr tried to block it, her clumsy attempt only stopping the blast from burning her face off. It still knocked her back and blinded her, leaving the girl defenceless as another horn blast knocked her flying. Twilight's voice rose as she advanced forward, "You stole that from me! You're a thief!"

Screwloose suddenly blurred back into view next to Twilight, a fierce bang echoing out as the air displaced around her. The ghoul's hoof smacked out without mercy, ploughing into Twilight and flinging her into the ground with considerable force. Her eyes narrowed as she swept round to stare at those guards who were left, "Get away from Xephyr!"

"You have made a very unfortunate mistake monster." Gestalt stated with imperious confidence, the goggles she had on filling with scientific calculations, "Though you can feel privileged to die to the latest in Equestrian science."

Gestalt's horn ignited, Screwlose taking a quick glance behind her at the injured Xephyr before crossing her hooves and standing firm before it. Xephyr had seen that stance before, seen it tank plasma blasters with only some easily healed burns to show for it. Screwlose was after all a Canterlot Ghoul, possessed of primal magics and years of strengthening abuse. Near invincible, even to the most focused violence.

The implants upon Gestalt's horn glowed brightly, energy building around them. The goggles upon her muzzle filled with text and the air crackled...

The energy blast shot out, dust exploding outwards in its wake. It near cut Screwloose in half, her shattered remains hurled aside as the blast continued on. Xephyr felt it coming, her hoof coming up with the Element of Magic held high... the blast struck it and deflected into the ground, shattering the earth beneath and flinging dirt high.

And Xenith felt her heart die just a little as Xephyr screamed, blood coating the ground as her severed hoof fell to the ground below. She stumbled backwards, then collapsed, not moving.

Xenith stared for just a moment before launching herself at Gestalt, reading herself for the strike...

...before a purple blast of energy struck her from the air. She slammed down hard, sure she was broken as the sky came into view above.

And then the sky was gone, replaced by carved stone, runic symbols. She looked around, seeing that she was in a room filled with... zebra. They were robed and clad in traditional symbols, looking as shocked as she was, "Where am I?"

"This is Garm wanderer." The nearest zebra replied, his voice heavily accented, "We felt your soul drifting in the ether, drew it back into reality."

Garm? The fabled city of shaman? She didn't believe it, she didn't... "Was anypony else with me?"

The shaman shook his head, his eyes full of regret, "I am sorry traveller. You were alone."

"So that's the big secret." Ace Gold spat, not sure how to feel about it all, "Xephyr was an idiot who trusted a lunatic, and it got her killed."

Xenith's expression twisted in grief, "Don't say that Ace Gold."

"You don't agree?"

"Screwloose sacrificed her own life to protect Xephyr. Whatever else she was, she was a true friend to my daughter." Xenith sighed, looking out to the skies, "And Xephyr believed she was worth saving."

"We needed her!"

"I heard what happened since she left." Xenith answered, her voice slightly pointed, "Turning on each other, corruption, discrimination and hatred. Her disappearance did not cause that, only allowed it to come to the surface."

Ace Gold had to admit that was a fair point, still... "She could have helped stop this."

"It is hypocritical for the NCR to criticise her for being willing to lay down her life for one who may not have deserved it Ace Gold." Xenith answered, the bitterness in her voice now undisguised, "Some days I wonder if Red Eye was right. He at least understood our true nature."

Ace was appalled that a zebra like Xenith, who had experience his cruelty first hoof, would ever say that. But maybe that was the point. Still, he refused to believe such things, or that Xenith truly thought they were that far gone, "We're not beyond saving." He looked up at her, determined, "You told me a hero is the right pony in the right place at the right time."

"I struggle to believe that myself Ace Gold." Her mouth pursed, grim and angry, "You know me for what I am. I watched from the sidelines as the world my friends made shook on fragile foundations, watched them turn on each other in private while flashing smiles to the cameras. I am hailed as a hero of the NCR, but I was too scared to talk to my own daughter."

Ace internalised her words, being something he had thought of for a while, "I always felt betrayed, that my parents were not what everypony said they were."

"I could say that we can be all be heroes Ace. That we simply have to be in the right place to make a difference." Xenith stated grimly, "But I could also say that heroes do not exist, that our great actions are simply the emotional thrashings of damaged, flawed creatures, who by chance leave the world a better place that it was before. You feel betrayed because they told you we were special. Now you know the truth.” She closed her sightless eyes, “We were simply in the right place at the right time. And under the stories and the drama, we are as selfish and corrupt as the rest of them.”

"You are a hero Xenith. And so are my parents."

Xephyr smiled, "Even your mother?"

Ace nodded, dropping his head, "Why did you abandon Xephyr?"

Xenith averted her face, her voice full of pain, "I was afraid that I would only hurt her more. I had no skills as a mother, no clue how to even start. I was a broken thing, and she did not deserve my issues forced upon her."

“She could have helped.”

“A child should not be forced to deal with such things. She was better off without me.”

Ace felt his eyes sting. It was so... wrong, “No she wasn’t. She wanted to know you, she wanted to be with you... no matter how damaged you were.”

Xenith looked towards him with a soft kindness, "I was always thinking of her you know? I threw myself into my work, tried to make a better world... because a better world was to be my gift to her. A far better one than a relationship with some broken old mare.”

Ace turned away, his thoughts tumbling through his head, "I hope she realises that one day."

"So do I Ace."

Easu stepped inside the field hospital, looking around at the building that was to be his base during the battle to come. It was once an indoor market, single story, weak walls, a light roof and lots of open space, making it the perfect choice really. Zebra were already scurrying around setting up, some clad in the robes of shaman, others wearing doctors scrubs.

He saw Ebony nearby, the young filly busy discussing something with a team of enthralled looking adults. It certainly seemed like she had found her place here, not surprising perhaps given the amount of experience being the soul competent doctor in Dusklight had given her. He hoped the battle to come wouldn't land any more familiar faces on her morgue table.

"Initiate Easu, sir."

He turned to the young zebra who had hurried up, clad in the robes of an Acolyte of Garm. He recognised the boy instantly, hoping that he had some news, "You found out what I asked of you?"

"Yes sir." He declared sharply, waiting expectantly for an answer. Easu nodded and the boy started, "Kunari came to us as a baby, left upon the steps of the temple."

Easu grimaced, he figured as much. It was common practice for children with disabilities to be abandoned at their door, "Because of her deafness."

"Yes sir. That soon became obvious, but she was noted as being a highly intelligent and perceptive child, who was picked out at an early age to be trained as a shaman."

It was one of the reasons why the practice continued. As well as moral responsibility, disabled children very often made excellent shaman. He guess it gave them perspective, determination and patience, "Yet something went wrong?"

The shaman nodded softly, "Some issues were noted early on. Though she received a lot of praise for her talents, she was noted as being arrogant, prickly and combative with her teachers. That only got worse as she moved into her teens, and began to attract unsavoury rumors."

"What kind of rumors?"

The boy flushed somewhat before delivering his response, "She gathered a group around her, began practicing magic in secret. There were rumors of tantric rituals, dark magic, but nothing was ever proven. Eventually she was challenged, and even then she hijacked her hearing with her theories behind the power of Zephyr Stormstrung."

Easu took notice now. It sounded too close for comfort, "His strength, and ability to use his sword."

"Yes..." The boy responded, voice shaking, "It's seen as a myth by many. No zebra could use a blade in that manner, heavier than the zebra's own body, constantly moving... but Kunari said she knew the secret. That she could reproduce it."

"How?"

"It required a magical contract, sealed in blood and sex and love. Forged between two individuals, it granted one vast strength and magical power." The boy hesitated for a moment, "She believed that Zephyr had forged this ritual with Zenophilous the Wise."

That was something he had heard before. A controversial theory, but not one without evidence. Both had been as close as brothers, neither had ever married or had children... it was a theory that would still start fights, but that was cultural pride talking. Homosexuality was considered the 'pony vice' after all, and both of them had been racial icons.

Given that, he could only imagine how they had reacted, "I'm guessing she was laughed out of there."

"Yes, she was." The boy admitted, "So she proved it. She took one of her friends, Tarvus, a shy, quiet boy known for being a fairly mediocre student, and brought him to the council as a tower of muscle, skill and confidence. The council tested him in every way they could think, but none could disprove her findings."

Easu didn't understand, "Why wasn't this known? These theories could have changed the world."

The boy hesitated for a moment, his eyes evasive... then finally he spoke, "The council sincerely apologises, but this was never meant to be known. Kunari swore to never speak of this to anyone, she even allowed a Geas to be placed upon her. The records were sealed."

"Because Zephyr might have liked stallions?"

"Because the ritual sent the users mad." The boy responded in a soft tone, "Tarvus became impossible to control. He started picking fights, sleeping around, drinking heavily and causing havoc. He had once been one of the quietest children in the class, now he proudly boasted how he answered to no one."

Easu didn't like the sound of that... "What happened?"

"Kunari was convinced to cut him off from the power, to forcibly sever the connection." The boy explained, eyes dropping, "But Tarvus only became more erratic. He hurt the monks assigned to bring him in, then confronted Kunari. He killed one of the other acolytes that was with her, then... hurled himself from the top of the library."

Easu paused, taking in this information, processing it, "So that is why she was banished?"

"Kunari... apparently was seized by guilt. She resigned of her own choice, and requested the geas be placed upon her." He shook his head, looking disbelieving, "She lived quietly for ten years, working as a doctor in a brothel. No one ever expected she would resurface like this, we weren't even sure if it was the same zebra."

But it was. And the information was way too familiar to be a coincidence. Starhammer had been a nobody, a mediocre shot and a decent knife fighter, stated by all who knew him to be a easygoing, unambious zebra who could tell a good story. And now he was a god of war, arrogant, charismatic... and unstable.

The first time they met he had focused entirely on the powerful, commanding stallion, completely ignored the little zebra who had stood beside him. Beside Star Swirl and Starhammer, Kunari had faded into the background.

But was it true? Was it all her game? And if so...

...what was her game?

Sabah trotted along the road, trying to shake free the face of that young buck, currently stuck inside her head. He wasn't even her type, Sabah normally attracted to rougher, older types... damaged, scarred monsters like herself. Still she had looked into his eyes and saw something of the monster there, and his pretty features bore more than his share of scars.

Still, she really had better things to think about than some prettyboy. She cursed her adolescence, figuring she had another half a decade of unbalancing growth spurts, excessive sweating and mood swings to look forward too. She had already grown enough that she had to rework some of her more acrobatic moves...

"Hello Sabah."

Her head flicked up, the growl already growing in her throat as she saw the church of Celestia robe before her. Beneath the shadows of the hood, a perfect, flawless muzzle, that smug smile... the mare drew the hood back, sending forth tumbling golden locks and leaving no further doubt, "Dawning Grace..."

The mare grinned, "It is good to see you well Sabah."

Sabah had to restrain herself from caving in the mare's face right there and then, "What are you doing here?!"

"Why, protecting this town from Starhammer of course." Dawning Grace replied, her smile still achingly smug, "Our lady has ever stood against tyrants and thugs."

"What, she doesn't like the competition?"

"Celestia loves you Sabah." Dawning Grace replied with dripping sweetness, "She lives in hope that some day you will realise that truth."

Sabah glared back at the mare, wondering if she truly believed the lies that dripped from her tongue, "Oh believe me, one day everyone will see the truth, and I hope I'm there to see it."

Dawning Grace just smiled, wide and gleaming, "Oh, you will."

Dust Kicker had finished his inspection, and to be honest it wasn't good. He certainly had a number of suggestions to offer and had headed to the central tower to report, as expected greeted with suspicion by the guard in front. He mentioned that he had brought the camels and got a little more interest, that interest growing as realisation dawned, "You're with Lady Fluttershy?"

He chuckled, knowing he should have name dropped her first, "Yes, I'm with Fluttershy."

The guard contacted his superiors, they confirmed his identity and quickly ushered him into the building. He was directly to a lift and brought up to what he figured were the middle floors of the tower, stepping out to a plush lounge area. Posters for Clendel Radio and various singers and programs were framed around the walls, Dust noticing a skinny young mare with a prominent birthmark on her cheek that was labelled "The Songbird Xinsi". Dust Kicker had listened to her on the radio, he had quite liked her songs. She was older than he expected.

"This way Mr Dust Kicker." A zebra guard stated, opening the far doors for him.

Dust nodded and stepped inside, radio equipment stretched across the interior of the room and a familiar voice nearby.

"...and I just want to remind all you listeners, that it's precisely now that you should be preaching out into the darkness."

"And I certainly second that Sharps. All of you listening, I know you have the power to make a better world. So hold tight to that dream, and do something, no matter how small, to accomplish it. And to give you a little boost of motivation, here's our lovely Nightingale, Xinix, with 'My Voice SIngs On'."

Dust Kicker continued across the room, past posters of old world bands, teetering bookcases stuffed with what looked like philosophy and a massive library of vinyl records. Eventually the room opened out into a large central area, two microphones set up in front of a pair of battered armchairs and large banks of sound equipment across the three walls opposite. A nerdy looking buck toothed zebra sat at one of the consoles, attached by a pair of heavy duty headphones, a scruffy zebra mare eying another complicated looking console to the side.

In the centre stood three figures. The first was a pegasi sporting an impressive 'frontier' beard and an equally impressive gut, spoiled somewhat by surprisingly gentile spectacles. The second was a ghoul, contrasting the other by being equally hairless, wiry and dangerous looking, sporting some chunky and metallic body piercings.

The third was a zebra, and looked somewhat unimpressive and out of place compared to the other two. He was balding, and had weak shoulders and a gut that made him look like his body was losing the fight with gravity. It was topped off with a pair of thick spectacles, and a shirt that read 'Mr King Guy'.

Dust Kicker stepped forward, "King Zanefarious?"

"Um, yes, what?" The smaller zebra answered in a panicked tone, turning and adjusting his spectacles for a moment before a smile crossed his face, "My you are... are..." He visibly gave up after a moment, though he tried to keep the perky tone going, "...the companion of Lady Fluttershy!"

Dust Kicker was getting used to that by now, "I'm sorry she's not here, she’s helping get the Saddle Arabian forces set up."

"Heh, righteous." The ghoul commented, giving a cold little smirk.

"Indeed, those Camels may be somewhat touchy when they find you in bed with their daughter after a party where you might have had too much to drink, but they can certainly fight!" The pegasi declared, smacking his hoof against his chest in a sloppy enclave salute.

"Yeah, too much information Voice."

Dust Kicker looked at the three of them, pretty sure he knew who they were now, "Sharps, Voice and Zane right?"

"That's us." Sharps confirmed, giving a satisfied smirk, "Preaching out into the darkness."

"So you've heard of me? ...us?" Voice added, looking pleased, "Do we have a fan?"

"I've listened to your broadcasts a fair bit." Dust confirmed with a grin, "It's a pleasure to meet you at last."

"And you too." Zane finished, trotting over and offering a hoof, "Those reinforcements you have brought couldn't have come at a better time."

"I guessed." Dust agreed, lifting his own hoof and meeting his with a clack, "What's the situation?"

"We're pretty sure Starhammer is going to attack tomorrow afternoon." Sharps answered, his voice growing a lot sharper and raspier, "Our scouts have seen him mobilise forces across his entire line."

Dust had seen much the same, though that still conflicted with what he knew, "I thought he wasn't going to directly attack Clendel?"

"Yes, well if there's one thing we've learnt about Starhammer, it's that his pragmatism lasts no longer than his patience." Voice observed, shrugging his meaty shoulders, "As you might have observed, all his enemies are in one place."

"I personally... um, in my admittedly limited experience..." Zane started, his voice growing a little more confident as he got started, "...what we have is more or less a volunteer militia force, where as he has a professional army. The way he's set up his forces suggests that he does not expect street fighting, rather that he can hit our initial defences hard enough to cause the majority of our forces to flee the city entirely."

Dust Kicker admitted that was a fair assessment, one that had proven true many times when he ran with Red Eye. Though on the other hand... "So what's your plan to stop that happening?"

They all looked at each other, Sharps eventually losing his patience and answering bitterly, "I think it's pretty much, hope and pray."

"I... that is, I am confident that should our forces hold we can defeat Starhammer, or at least force his retreat." Zane countered, though he didn't sound confident, "The casualties will be high, but..."

Dust Kicker figured. The way everypony was scattered around doing their own thing he hadn't expected there to be much of a coherent battleplan, "With respect sire, I'm an experienced military commander who's commanded forces like the one Starhammer has. And if you call together the various faction leaders, I'm sure we can form a strategy to minimise our losses."

Sharps looked to the other two, his tone grim, "Well... we were going to have to do it sometime." He looked at Dust Kicker, "We were putting it off because... well, no one has any ideas worth sharing. We're not exactly abounding in options."

Dust Kicker figured that much, "Well I've got a few suggestions that might turn the tide..."

Dust Kicker looked around the conference hall, rather impressed by the width of support they commanded... if not the numbers that support would suggest. Cherry Sunset was there representing Anatu, along with technically the Applejack Rangers. Radhi represented the children of Dusklight. Mercius represented the Praetorians of the Eastern Caesar. Ibis represented Saddle Arabia. Serbius represented the shaman of Garm. Kale and Zane were representing Clendal. They also had representatives of Great Mother Nanati and the Tribes of Sequesta. Fluttershy represented the Followers of the Apocalypse. And he... represented himself he guessed.

And none of that seemed to mean a damn in practical terms, "What kind of numbers are we looking at?"

"All together, our forces number about seven thousand souls." Kale explained as she drew them out on the map of Clendel that was placed on the table before them, "Starhammer's forces are estimated at just over twenty thousand."

Dust admitted that sounded bad. Still, "Worse odds have been beaten before."

"That would be great, if we had some other advantage." Kale countered with a grimace, "But his troops have better armored support and artillery, not to mention are a well trained, well equipped and well led military force. Our forces are, not to oversell them, a rabble."

"Yes, they are. But rag tag misfits don't just win because it's a good story." Dust commented, having been in enough to know, "They win because they draw together many divergent skill sets, all the best in their area."

"They also win by the strength of their trust in each other son." Mercius noted grimly, "There are many heroes in this room, but who commands enough trust to unite this entire force?"

"I've been thinking about that actually." Dust admitted, and to be honest it had seemed fairly obvious from the moment he arrived, "When you ask anyone who's in charge here, they point to you Kale."

She frowned instantly, the buffalo drawing away from the table sharply, "I'm a bandit leader, not a general. I've never even commanded an actual battle before."

"Except the Battle of Final Frost." Zane noted softly.

"That was you dear."

"No one is demanding tactical decisions your highness." Dust Kicker reasoned, "Just that when our forces stand out there tomorrow, it will be your name they'll be chanting. You're a hero, and a warrior. Don't underestimate the power that can have."

"I agree." Mercius commented, the aged zebra's words instantly gaining everyone’s attention, "You may claim to be a bandit Kale, but that was more than twenty years ago. As far as most of the zebra out there are concerned you're a hero and a queen, and no one here can command anywhere near the same respect."

She snorted, still her face eventually settled, "Fair enough... but that won't win us the battle."

"That's where the skills of others come into it." Dust reasoned, then turned to Cherry Sunset, "If I'm not mistaken, you're a scout paladin."

Sweet Sunrise nodded, "I am."

"And if I was to mention five family ridge..."

Cherry Sunset frowned at this, though her expression softened after a moment of consideration, "That would require we sacrifice a large area of the city, and many of our troops."

"That's going to happen anyway." Dust Kicker reasoned, pointing to the portion of Starhammer's forces positioned to attack the west barricades, "This is where General Icoxal is stationed, correct?"

Kale nodded grimly, "Along with some of Starhammer's best troops. It's the area of the city that's hardest to defend, and houses our manufacturing district."

Dust Kicker nodded grimly. It was unpleasantly perfect, "You're right, we can't defend that district. We're going to try, but we're going to fail. Icoxal is going to steamroll through there, move to take the central area and attack our garrison forces from the rear."

Cherry Sunset looked at him for a moment or two before giving a firm nod, "Give me a troop of engineers and the best marksmen in the city and I'll make sure he pays for it."

"Um..." Zane spoke up, voice shaking, "If we're counting on losing this flank... then who do we have defending it?"

Dust took a deep breath, considering the most unpleasant part of planning a battle...

"We'll do it."

Everyone turned, looking to Ibis. It was Kale who spoke first, "I'm not sure the Emir will appreciate us getting his best troops killed."

"We are his best troops, and if I can boast... yours." She smiled arrogantly, flicking her hair back and flashing a grin, "And if you want to lure them into your trap, you need to make it look like you're serious about defending that area."

Dust Kicker wasn't sure if she was crazy or brave, not that there was much of a difference sometimes, "Are you sure?"

She laughed, the cheerful sound deeply out of place given the grim circumstances. Eventually she restrained herself, explaining, "Though it's not a skill we use too often we’re well trained in fighting withdrawals. We'll give them a bloody nose, then the moment it gets too hot we fade back into the city. Draw them in, give you the shot you need." She nodded, her expression become serious for a moment, "We're the only ones you've got who can pull it off, and I'm eager to show you what we can do."

Dust smirked at the zebra's arrogance, hoping she was right about that, "Ok, then your best forces deploy here. The other Mamulks will deploy around the centre of town, ready to support retreating forces and blunt the enemy advance. With their drill they're the best choice for such a task."

"We'll take a similar role." Mercius offered, "We're small of number, but trained in working together as a skirmishing unit. If the enemy separates and loses cohesion after breaching the city walls we'll make sure they pay dearly for it."

And they would, at least if Dust Kicker had any experience of warfare of this scale, "That would be perfect. And that brings us to the other flanks... this area here, it's farmland right?"

Zane nodded hesitantly, "Yes...?"

"If the irrigation streams are flooded, would it make the ground too boggy for heavy equipment?"

Kale looked doubtful, "Certainly, but Starhammer would be mad to move his heavy forces through there for that very reason."

"Then we mount the anti-armor weapons along the main entrance." Dust explained, then pointed back to the flank leading onto the farmlands, "And we position Puppysmiles here."

Zane smiled at this, "The farmlands would be shielded from our anti-armor fire, and their tanks would be the best weapon they have against an anti infantry war walker! We'll be forcing their deployment!"

"And then we open the irrigation fonts upstream as they're crossing, bog their entire armored unit down." Dust Kicker stated, "And that's another one of his biggest advantages lost, and one of his only counters to Puppysmiles."

"Not his only counters." Fluttershy observed, "The pale zebra beat Puppysmiles quite easily last time."

"That's why I'm placing Ace and his master there too." Dust Kicker explained, "Ace nearly beat her, and he said himself that her martial arts skills were lacking. If they can draw her in, then get close enough... that's another of Starhammer's best weapons neutralised."

"And again..." Fluttershy stated, looking unsettled, "...she's not his best weapon. He is."

The table was silent for a moment before Kale finally spoke, "We as yet have no confirmation about where Starhammer himself will deploy."

"My money's on the main entrance." Dust Kicker observed, "That flank has no obvious commander, and its right at the vanguard of the fight."

Kale looked doubtful, "That's the area that's easiest for us to defend, it would make most sense for that to be a diversion."

"Which makes me even more confident." Dust Kicker explained, "A diversion only works if we think it's the main route of attack. What better way than for him to lead it personally?"

"That does make sense." Fluttershy agreed, "He's a egotist, but he has used that to his advantage. He himself told us that he's more the representative of a group of leaders, chosen because he was charismatic and strong. And he's arrogant enough to want to take the most difficult position to attack."

"Well if he is leading that flank..." Kale asked, her voice warning, "...who here is going to take him on?"

Zane raised a hoof towards her, "Kale, you..."

"He demolished me in seconds Zane." Kale bitterly noted, "I couldn't hope to touch him in my prime. And let's face it, I'm far from my prime."

"What about me?"

Dust Kicker knew he misheard that, but he noticed a few of the others also tittering. That was not a good sign... he looked to Fluttershy, the mare looking disturbingly confident, "Is... that a joke Fluttershy?"

"No, it's not." She explained quite forcefully, "He's psychologically unbalanced, I know it. And he hates me."

"So you're going... to take him on?"

She nodded, "If I can lock my Stare on him..."

"Before he cuts your head off." Dust warned, "He's really fast Fluttershy, and I'm guessing he knows what you can do."

"And I can teleport..."

"No." Dust countered, knowing he was being selfish but... "Fluttershy, I'm not having you get killed in the opening moments of the battle. We can't put you on the front line."

"I'll not have you protecting me Dust Kicker." She angrily countered.

"I'm putting everyone where they'll best serve the battleplan Fluttershy, like it or not." He replied firmly, not about to have a domestic here, "You're good enough in a fight, but in a battle experience, positioning and awareness are all. I put you out there, and all you'll achieve is getting yourself killed."

"So... I'm not going to participate?"

Dust Kicker shook his head, "Your stare can restore morale, your medical skills are invaluable and you serve as an icon for many of those here. I'm positioning you in the centre of the city, you'll offer backlines support."

Fluttershy glared at him for a moment, with a darkness in her eyes that honestly made him shiver. Still she eventually drew back, her expression icy, "Fine."

He shook off that feeling of dread her reaction had given him, turning to look to each of the participants, "That's the basics of the plan at least. If this is successful, two of Starhammer's assault forces will be pinned down and decimated. That just leaves the central assault forces, which hopefully will be moving through the city streets and vulnerable to attack in the flanks."

"Hopefully." Kale grunted.

"It's the best plan we have." Zane softly commented, waving a hoof across the map, "Now we simply need to map the rest of the deployments."

Dust Kicker nodded, offering comments as the various units were lined up where they would serve best. He had a good feeling about all this, but Kale's words did weigh on his mind. Even with the best luck, Starhammer's central assault force alone would number more than their entire army. And though he felt confident in the plan, Starhammer was no fool either.

One mistake, one bit of bad luck... and this could all go bad very quickly indeed.

“Starhammer, we are ready to deploy.”

Starhammer turned back to smile as Icoxal stepped up to the ridge, the huge zebra already clad in his armor. As normal before a battle it was gleaming and polished, ever part of him the image of a zebra legionnaire. He was lucky to have such friends, “Tomorrow, I will be Caesar.”

“Yes my lord.”

“I will take Clendel, then march up to the capital and take the Dragon Throne for my own. We will unite these lands, like the first Caesar did so long ago.” He looked across at Clendel, the pitiful defences only highlighting how weak and decadent they had become. It always happened that way, he knew his history. First came the order, then from order riches, then from riches selfishness, then from selfishness...

Not this time, “I’m going to build a new order. Of discipline, and service. The world will never fall to darkness again, not while I’m in charge.” He turned, nodding to Icoxal with the greatest respect, “Thank you Icoxal, for everything.”

The big zebra bowed his head, “It is my duty.”

“Don’t act like that’s not a choice, one few make.” Starhammer reminded, “When you were my enemy you taught me more than I can begin to list. As my ally, you’ve led my greatest victories. As my friend... that has been the greatest gift of all.”

Icoxal actually smiled at this. He didn’t think the zebra knew how. His tone was still as military as ever, but a small sense of affection did lurk there, “I pride myself on my vows made to the crown you now wear, but I admit... I am glad you wear it. I believe you are the one who can bring justice to this world, who would see our people to their greatest destiny.”

Starhammer chuckled, then turned back to the city, “You remember my orders, should I fall?”

“Of course sir.”

“Don’t let her touch them.” He admitted, with a lead weight suddenly filling his chest. It hurt to even discuss it, which is why it had to be, “Kill her if you have to.”

Icoxal paused, seeming to be considering something for a while. Finally he spoke, “You know Kunari is dangerous, you are willing to have her killed... why have you not done it?”

“Because I love her.” He laughed, pained and desperate, “And it tears me up inside. That witch has done more to me than a thousand Luna’s, yet I know killing her would do the same to me. She has her hooks in my heart Icoxal.”

Icoxal frowned deeply, anger clouding his eyes. Eventually he nodded, voice full of pride, “By my honor, I will not see her do the same to another.”

“Thank you Icoxal.” He said, then looked to the city, “I swear this much, by this time tomorrow someone will be the new king of this world. The hero, throwing aside his common trappings to reveal himself the true king. Taking his true place in the world, after so long hidden.”

He smiled, nostalgic. All his favourite stories had ended that way. And he would settle for nothing less from his final, grandest tale yet.

Chapter 4.13 - The Hammer and the Anvil

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Ace Gold looked over the vast croplands of Clendel, feeling angry that something that so much work was to be put into was about to be destroyed… intentionally destroyed no less. That streets that pavers had toiled hard over were about to be churned up, that homes, businesses, livelihoods were about to be set aflame.

And for what? “What purpose is war?”

“A way for cowards to escape the difficulties of peace.” Sabah stated softly from his side, her cloak ruffling gently in the morning breeze, “Killing a pony is a simple thing. Making peace with him is a far braver task.”

Ace Gold looked round at her, searching her scarred face in surprise, “That... was very poetic.”

“Princess Celestia, the speech at the closing of the second great griffon war.” Sabah admitted, her expression grim, “I wish I had my own words.”

Ace Gold turned away, looking down the line of defenders. The children of Dusklight lined up beside adults, from foals who looked barely out of diapers to those who looked an inch from the grave, “In the NCR you’d be too young to fight.”

Sabah directed a disdainful eye upwards, “So you carefully regulate killing each other? Make sure it’s all nice and legal?”

Ace Gold admitted that when you put it that way… “I guess we try.”

Behind Commander Obanao marched up and down, apparently a big shot police operative and five star hero. The kids of Dusklight seemed to respect him and he certainly cut a dashing figure in his military fatigues, broad shouldered and sharp eyed. His voice cut out across the lines, “Kai, I want you and the others to harass them as the advance. They’re going to be moving slowly, checking for mines and traps. Set up snipers on the farmlands, give them a sting then run.”

“Got it.” Kai stated, the childlike ghoul checking his rifle before looking to those around him, “Skirmish formation, don’t bunch up. If they get you in their sights, hit a ditch and crawl out of there.”

“They’ll start shelling and burning the farmland before long, try and drive you out.” Obanao stated, “When that happens, get back to the defensive line.”

Ace Gold looked to Sabah as Kai ordered them to move out, shrugging his shoulders, “Looks like it’s time to go.”

She nodded, slinging up her short rifle, “See you in the foxhole.”

Dust Kicker stared through binoculars as artillery fire flew out from the city and impacted upon the advancing legions of Starhammer’s forces with plumes of fire and dirt. It barely made a dent unfortunately, Starhammer’s troops seeming to stretch across the entire plain. It was an impossible number, and all seemed to be well trained and enthusiastic, supported by a great many armored vehicles and carrying well maintained equipment. Starhammer’s own artillery was conducting its own limited bombardment, bringing down several sections of the wall and injuring many defenders, still it was obvious that he intended to take the city intact.

And with this many troops he was quite capable.

“We won’t be able to hold the walls long.” Kale observed, her mood dark, “If they wanted to they could overwhelm us with bodies in moments.”

“Let’s hope he’s more cautious than that.” Dust stated, though to be honest they didn’t really have a backup plan against that sort of attack on this front. Traps and the like would be a danger to their own troops and make retreat impossible, as a result they were trusting more that Starhammer would think they had traps deployed and move accordingly, “If we’re overwhelmed, I’ll lead the garrison in holding this position, while you get the others back to the second defensive line.”

She gave him a questioning look, “Brave of you.”

“I’m hard to kill.” He reassured, giving her a resolute smile, “And you’re a hero, you’re vital to maintaining morale. I on the other hoof have given you pretty much everything I’ve got at the strategy meeting.”

Her ever stern face faded into respect, eyes far softer as she gave him a slow, respectful nod, “Well I’m proud to fight at your side.”

Dust Kicker nodded back… then grabbed her by a horn and forced her down as a missile flew overhead and smashed into the courtyard with a huge crash and a cacophony of screams. He watched in futility as medics ran to help, knowing he couldn’t abandon his post, “…good luck.”

Kale straightened, out, eyes staring out at the advancing forces, “Nothing’s killed me yet.”

Ibis looked ahead at the advancing enemy, their pace slow and purposeful even as artillery fell among their ranks. That kind of discipline she could respect, and it reinforced her feelings that these were the elite. That meant that every one they killed would be a massive blow to Starhammer's war effort, Ibis looking to her troops and giving them a cheerful grin, "Weapons to half charge! We won't get many shots, so make them count!"

Her troops called back as they crouched behind the barricades, Saddle Arabia's most elite soldiers clad in golden armor and carrying the best technology in the wasteland. She admired them for a moment before fitting her own helmet in place, looking back to the enemy, "Who is the enemy of life?!"

"Selfishness and discord!"

"What enables us to thrive?!"

"The security and peace of order!"

She laughed triumphantly, "And who stands between the two?! Who protects this world?!"

"We do!"

She flung out a hoof, "Heavy weapons, light them up!"

Intense beams of light lit up the battlefield, shockwaves shaking the cobbles as superheated air exploded outwards. The beams fell among the enemy ranks, cooking armor and igniting the grass under their hooves. Still the enemy did not falter, continuing to march ahead. Bullets flew back towards their lines, Ibis ducking as they thudded into the barricades. She saw her comrades fall and cursed silently, impressed they had weapons capable of scoring kills from this distance. Still they were almost in range themselves...

“Fire!” Ibis chopped her hoof down and her fellow Mamluks trigged their laser rifles as one. It bathed the approach in bright red energy, magic crackling in the air as hundreds of warriors boiled in their own armor. Ibis grinned as she watched, proud that her warriors had once more proven their efficiency and effectiveness.

And then the enemy flung down their melted shields, pulled weapons and fired. The rank behind them swiftly moved up, slamming down their own shields and giving just enough room to fire through as they slowly advanced. Ibis cursed and called for grenade launchers, ducking down as bullets and explosives shattered the cover around her.

The enemy was moving cautiously, still they reached the moat with frightening swiftness. A bridge emerged from their ranks with disciplined efficiency, the metal slab slamming down before they parted the shield wall to unleash a disciplined line of heavily armored warriors against the breech. They took fire all the way, still for every one that fell two more took their place.

She called for her men to scatter and they all went for secondary cover, firing all the way. Her troops started to target gaps in the armor and it began to thin the enemy line a little, still it was a long way from stopping their charge. Ibis flung a grenade free and it bloomed into bright light within their ranks, still they kept coming. Their steel armor blocked the shrapnel, their steel boots trampled the bodies of the fallen.

And then she saw him, marching through the gap his soldiers had made for him. He was unmistakable, a huge zebra clad head to hoof in steel, his eyes stern and unforgiving.

General Icoxal.

Ibis flicked her rifle to overcharge, took aim and fired. The blast hit him straight on, shattering his chest armor and sending it raining down in glowing shards. He staggered a little, growled in fury… and revealed a small patch of slightly singed fur under the melted steel.

Ibis’s rifle bleeped an alarm, drawing the attention of the entire enemy army as she tried to run. She dropped her rifle, felt the fear grip her heart… a barrage of bullets shattered the ground around her, her armor buckling and her legs giving way. She fell, crumbling into the ground, suddenly hard to breathe. She gasped, tried to crawl…

A zebra stepped towards her, his gun pointed at her heart. And to her shame, her last thoughts were how she didn’t want to die.

“Where is she?!” Decimus shouted at the fleeing Mamluk, his fancy face plate broken and his fancy weapon discarded. Without them he didn’t look half as tough, the 'golden warriors' looking more like scared kids in fancy dress, “Is your courage so weak?!”

The zebra shook in his grasp, “We were totally overun…”

“You are retreating in full view of the enemy, not even trying to take cover! Who trained…!”

“Let it go Decimus.” Remus advised, placing a gentle hoof upon his shoulder, “He’s just a kid.”

Decimus grunted, letting the boy go. He waved a hoof behind him, “Go, regroup at central command. We will delay them.”

The boy saluted and continued running, Decimus already seeing some of Starhammer’s soldiers coming round in pursuit. He levered himself out from a door frame, firing a shot of his shotgun that took one of them off his hooves, another sniper shot from above finishing it. A barrage of shots from elsewhere announced the intentions of his fellow Pretorius, finishing those whose eagerness had outweighed their good sense.

The main battlegroup was swiftly approaching however, and it looked like they had already been brought back under control and were sporting tough looking shields that would almost certainly stop a bullet. It was already apparent that there was no chance in a direct confrontation, Mercius ordering them to fall back as they started to take fire.

Decimus obliged, after firing a couple of rounds of his grenade launcher to give them something to think about.

Cherry Sunset watched from a clocktower as Icoxal's forces punched through the scattered defenders with contemptuous ease, gritting her teeth as she counted all the brave souls who had just lain down their lives to ensure the success of this plan. Said plan reminded her of what she had been told of the histories of the districts below, the love and care that had been put into those houses, factories and businesses. Things were being built down there that had been feared lost forever, the crafts of Clendel were known the continent over.

Starhammer's forces didn't care. Icoxal marched them through the streets at a fierce pace, looting weapons and supplies as he went. Windows were shattered, fronting torn down for barricades. They walked with the arrogance of zebra who thought they had already won.

Cherry Sunset took a moment to take that in before triggering the explosives.

The industrial district disappeared into flames, explosions tearing through the district that were soon joined by further eruptions as it consumed the volatile chemicals stored within the workshops and factories. Starhammer's forces scattered and ran in a panic as they were showered in debris, Icoxal shouting out orders as he shielded himself from the flames.

Cherry Sunset took aim on his head with her anti-material rifle, pulling the trigger and watching as he crumbled backwards. Further rifle shots echoed around her, the surviving officers also falling to sniper shots as their orphaned troops ran screaming into the burning city. She took brief satisfaction, speaking into her radio, "Burning city is go, general is down."

"Roger Cherry, keep them running."

She nodded, sighting up on the next target, "With pleasure."

The barrage upon Dust Kicker’s position slowed, and Dusk Kicker knew that meant nothing good, “Ready weapons!”

Thousands of zebra charged from the forest ahead with wild abandon, rocket launchers flinging charges and assault weapons blazing. Lightly armored and hidden until the last moment, they clearly took the defenders off guard. For what felt like an eternity not a shot sounded out from their line.

Kale beat Dust to it, “Fire!”

They exchanged weapons fire, Dust Kicker feeling a hard thump on his chest and a sting across his brow. The defenders dropped around him with screams, the walkway becoming slippery with blood. Attackers dropped into the dirt, those behind trampling their own fallen.

Still the result was clear. The attackers had charged a defensive line in barely more than thick clothing, soon sent into retreat as the weight of fire cut them apart. And no sooner as they had the rest of Starhammer's army charged forward, using their lightly armored brothers as meat shields.

Dust Kicker cussed, sighting up on an officer with his sniper rifle and placing a bullet through his head. Another nearby got the same treatment, Dust swinging his barrel over as female zebra carrying a large metal shard on her back quickly outpaced the others. She was certainly eager, Dust squeezing the trigger...

...the bullet flew true, the zebra moving with a blur of movement. The shard of metal quickly made its use apparent, his bullet deflected into the ground by what was very obviously a identical copy of Starhammer's sword. Dust Kicker hesitated, watching as more of the sword wielders came running forward.

Kale's voice was mixed with both anger and fear, "There are more of them?!"

"One less." Dust Kicker stated with purpose as he fired another two shots of his rifle. These were deflected too, the zebra clearly grinning now. He was not to be defeated so easily however. He fired a shot at the zebra's legs that was once again deflected, only to jerk his rifle upwards and fire another. This one hit true, passing straight through the zebra’s jugular and sending her choking and gasping to the ground. Dust admitted it had been a pretty lucky shot but he still felt good about it, eager to try it out on Starhammer himself.

Kale rose beside him, her autocannon mowing down an entire rank of the enemy with one lazy swing before she focused her fire on the closest sword wielder. This soon exposed their other weakness, though he at least tried to block. It was of limited use against Kale's heavier weapon and his sword was sheared in half in moments, along with his upper torso.

Dust dared to believe they were doing well for a second before there was a cry from the massed enemy ranks, missiles and grenades roaring outwards in a fierce barrage that was joined by mass artillery fire. The hastily erected defensive walls fell in moment, the towers coming down and the defenders sent screaming for cover. Dust Kicker leapt as he felt the floor crumble under his hooves, slamming hard into the courtyard and shielding his head from the raining debris.

He stood up to the sight of dead and dying defenders all around. Kale stood up nearby, testing her weapon for a moment or two before angrily hurling it aside and retrieving a discarded rifle in her jaw.

A sword wielder leapt through the smoke and fire, his blade swinging for Kale’s head. She turned with a look of focused fury, dodged the swing with a lazy dodge and drove her head into the zebra, shattering his ribs without any evidence of effort on her part. Dust Kicker finished the zebra off with a downwards stab of his combat knife, looking to Kale as he slotted the weapon back into its sheath, “Run!”

She looked to him for a moment before doing as she was told, galloping back towards the plaza.

Dust Kicker turned in the other direction and made for the ammo store, darting through the chaos and noise to the small sheltered area beyond. Several other members of the defense had the same idea, waving him over as they provided cover fire. Dust Kicker turned and backed towards the cover, using his assault rife and shotgun to thin the approaching enemy before ducking behind sandbags, "We hold this area as long as we can, ok?"

"Here they come sir!" A zebra swiftly replied, Dust Kicker ducking as bullets struck the wall behind. The defenders took formation as they fired back, ducking behind barricades and hurling grenades. Dust Kicker found the sandbags he was positioned behind knocked flying by some sort of explosive and ducked behind some cover further back, trying to get a better view of the situation as he took down any targets that passed within his sights. The entrance had been totally overrun as he had suspected, defenders retreating back as discussed to take cover in the surrounding buildings.

Starhammer's forces were well trained though, having already repurposed and shifted barricades to allow them easier access into the city. Dust Kicker was already suspecting they wouldn't be able to hold this area for long at this rate, but they could at least make sure they paid for it. He lined up his rifle, picking off support and heavy troops at the rear, calling out encouragement to the others as they defended the ammo stores against the rushing enemy. He was embarrassed to say he didn't even know their names, but they fought like heroes.

And then the line broke, sandbags cut apart and defenders sent flying, two cut down in a single swing. Blood splattered the floor, a red carpet standing ready for the conquering king.

Dust Kicker admitted to hesitating a moment, his eyes locking with Starhammer's as they both sized each other up.

Dust Kicker fired his shotgun, Starhammer grunting as he deflected the heavy shot away and darted behind a support pillar. Two defenders ran at him from either side but Starhammer grabbed one and flung him into the other, taking them both out in one sharp thrust before leaping away before Dust Kicker could line up a shot.

Dust Kicker charged out, assault rifle firing full auto in the zebra's general direction. Even if he couldn't get a clear shot, a glancing hit would at least do something. Bullet slammed into his armor but Dust Kicker took it without even wincing, focusing all his attention on their commander.

It worked, a bullet cutting across Starhammer's leg and slowing him enough to land two more on his flank. They burst into flames, highlighting the zebra enough for Dust Kicker to line up a shotgun blast on his head...

Starhammer cut out with his blade, shearing through a support pillar. The roof section it had held swung downwards with a painfully loud creak, Dust Kicker's shot flying well wide as the swinging wooden plank caught him firmly across the back of the head. He stumbled and fell as the whole thing came down upon his back, driving him downwards as Starhammer patted out his armor and looked down at Dust Kicker with a cruel smile.

There was a further set of loud breaking noises from above, Starhammer quickly backing away. Dust looked up as the scaffolding slowly broke free from its supports, desperately trying to tug himself free...

He had just got a good two thirds of his body out when the whole thing fell, Dust Kicker briefly becoming aware of a half ton of metal and wood striking him upon the skull before his brain decided enough was enough and everything went black.

His part in the battle was over.

Twenty six. Twenty two zebra and four ponies, dying in the mud as the poison worked through their muscles, eventually stopping their hearts from beating. Twenty six living creatures, with dreams and ambitions, and Ace Gold had ended them with a single shot of his crossbows. Those he was leading had killed dozens more. It was all too easy, Starhammer’s forces once again a little too eager in the face of a seemingly underprotected target.

They soon learned, Starhammer's advance scouts falling back to march alongside their tanks in a firmer battleline. Ace Gold knew that was their skirmishing over, ordering the troops to fall back to the defensive positions. He did a quick head count as they emerged from the farms, noting that many of the teams were under strength and a couple had disappeared entirely. Ace hoped they had just got lost…

He looked around, noticing Sabah wasn’t among their number. He tried to convince himself that her skills wouldn’t let her be killed so easily.

"Get into position! We're about to let the dams loose!" Kai called out from the battleline, firing a sniper shot that took out two approaching soldiers with a single bullet, "Ace, get them back here!"

Ace hurried over, trying to protest, "We're not all back yet..."

Kai shook his head, "This is war, and they're already dead. Get into position."

Sabah split off the moment they left the barricade, heading off on her own ahead of the skirmishing forces. They could call her a misanthropic loaner if they wished, she just didn’t want to blame anyone else for getting her killed. She travelled through the shadowed farmland, hugging the taller crops tightly to conceal herself.

Sabah saw the approaching zebra, dropping low and rolling into an irrigation ditch. The cold, muddy water covered her but she had faced worse, pulling the pin free on a grenade and launching it across the battlefield with a sharp tug. It bounced into the middle of the squad and they noticed it far too late, sent flying as it decimated their formation. The remaining zebra were quickly cut down by snipers, Sabah moving on without a second thought.

Killing still had no effect on her. She wondered what that said about her, and her vaunted rehabilitation. Months of religious teaching, and she could still kill a zebra without a single pang of guilt.

A roar from ahead cut short her thoughts, ducking behind some corn and staring ahead at where an enemy tank was churning up the fields with a slow advance towards their lines. It fired again and Sabah watched the shell soar towards Puppy’s walker, her easy dodge allowing the shell to demolish a building behind.

All the more reason to take it out.

There were four soldiers flanking, two carrying shovels and two armed with rifles. She darted in from a blind spot, her mud smeared coat only earning the briefest glance before she drew her knife and leapt in. She took the first out with a quick stab to the neck, using him as a shield as she drew her rifle and placed several shots into the other armed soldier.

The two remaining attacked her with their shovels. It was the worst idea they ever had, Sabah easily avoiding their clumsy swings and ending their lives with a few quick stabs of her knife.

She watched the one she had shot struggle for a moment before ending it quick and clean with a single stab to the back of the neck. She then turned her attention to the tank, leaping up onto the trackguard and forcefully jamming her explosive pack into the gap between the plating. She triggered the timer, leapt down, and rolled to cover.

The blast tore the tracks away entirely, sending it swerving into a ditch with a mighty crash. The fire quickly spread through the interior, Sabah taking note of a job well done as she checked herself for injuries… and saw something move just above.

The pony descended from the sky, his drab coat hidden within the smoke. Only his wide grin and shining eyes distinguished him in any way.

That and the gleaming knifes attached to his hooves.

She dodged away but he caught one of the knives on the edge of the track guard and swung himself forward to follow her, aiming for her neck. The sensible thing to do would be to dodge to the side, it was now clear however that this was an experienced fighter who would expect such a thing.

Therefore she did the decidedly less sensible thing and dove straight forward, striking up with her knife into his chest. Unfortunately he reacted with more of his unnatural speed, hugging her hoof against his body at an angle that only allowed her a shallow cut, at the same time driving his own blade hard against her hip. She yelled out in pain and twisted, kicking out with a hoof and driving it into his gut. This he didn’t expect, flung into the smoking wreck with a clang and a gasp of pain.

She landed with legs spread, stumbling as pain drove through her injured leg. Even as she gritted her teeth to focus herself once more she saw the pony emerge back through the smoke, blade shining. He slashed at her and she felt a sharp sting across her brow, blood dripping into her eyes. She kicked dirt up but the pony blocked it with a swipe, sharply darting forward and driving his blade across her neck.

She felt the blood spray, knew she was about to die. Sabah felt calm flow through her, a cold animal instinct.

She launched herself forward, driving her skull into his muzzle. It shifted and he yelled, Sabah fixing teeth into his cheek and tearing it open as she threw herself onto her side and bucked out with both legs. It connected and he flew sideways, crumbling into the dirt with a gasp of pain.

She quickly took a swing of healing potion as she collapsed sideways with her flank bleeding, though it left her unable to do anything as the strange pony rose to his hooves and did the same. His eyes travelled round to look at her, his grin wide, “You’re good.”

She spat, “You’re fucking evil, and I’m about to put you into the ground.”

He gave a sharp, piercing laugh and flung a shining cloud of blades out at her. She rolled away and kicked up dirt, sprinting for the fortifications as fast as she was able. She looked up as she heard loud booms above her, seeing a pegasi with underwing rocket engines firing a full on autocannon down at the defenders below.

And after taking on whole squads and tanks, she was finally starting to feel outgunned. She looked ahead to see she had fallen behind the enemies' lines, cursing and taking off to the side. She would have to find another way back to the city.

Ace looked upon the enemy and knew true fear, having visited the most crowded cities in the NCR and still never experiencing quite like the army that stood before him now. There were thousands of zebra charging across the fields, weapons roaring as they sent a rain of death towards their position. Alongside them, long boxes of riveted armor, covered in enough firepower to reduce the city to rubble on it's own. He had heard of the zebra's war machines, still nothing had quite prepared him for facing them in battle like this. Even Puppy's war frame at least had some elegance to it, these 'tanks' on the other hoof terrified with their sheer uncompromising brutality.

He watched ponies die around him, Kai taking a bullet in the head and ducking down to desperately apply some healing potion to the bloody wound. Others weren't so lucky.

"Fall back!" Commander Obanao called as the enemy closed, Ace cursing as they abandoned the first defensive line and ran towards the secondary barricades. They left behind a lot of their own fallen, Ace wondering just when their much spoken of master plan would actually happen...

...and then he saw it, the fields ahead glittering and the enemy advance slowing. He saw zebra desperately try to pull hooves from sucking mud, tanks pitch forward and skid sideways, tracks spinning uselessly upon the swiftly flooding ground. He shouted out, honestly astounded that it had worked as intended, "The dams are open! They're sitting ducks!"

Commander Obanao shouted his order as the enemy advance ground to a halt, "Light them up!"

Cannon shots flew over Ace's head as he joined the assault, watching Puppy lean out and spray an incoming tank with charged bolts of magical energy. The tank endured it for but a moment before erupting in flames, more debris blocking the path as the enemy infantry finally escaped the flooded fields and charged across the barricades. Ace scanned the now abandoned defensive line as Starhammer's troops vaulted over it, locating the ammo boxes positioned alongside... "Kai, can your ghosts hit those ammo boxes hard enough to detonate them?"

The ghoul licked his hoof, held it to the sky, and nodded firmly, "I'm pretty sure that's doable."

Ace looked ahead, Starhammer's forces already taking up defensive positions and exchanging fire with the defenders, "Soon would be good."

He looked back to see Kai had already vanished, deciding to concentrate on his own predicament for a moment. He bounced a crossbow bolt off a shard of broken armor plating and scored a hit on a heavy machine gunner at the back, placing another bolt through a charging zebra's knee and sending him crashing to the ground. He just didn't have the firepower to hold them back however, forced to retreat backwards as they swarmed his position.

Then a series of bright energy blasts shot downwards and the ammo boxes detonated with a series of deafening cracks. Starhammer's lines were near cut in half, even those a fair distance from the blasts left staggering and shell shocked. Ace only hesitated a moment before shouting the order, "Charge! Take them down!"

The defenders swarmed forward, throwing grenades and drawing knives. Starhammer's lines quickly fell into disarray as they were set upon, many not even managing to get their knives out. Ace at least rewarded such innocence with life, laying his opponents out cold with quick, efficient hoof strikes. Many of the other invaders weren't so lucky, determined hooves driving knives and spears deep as they avenged themselves upon their enemy.

Ace paused for a moment in the middle of the battlefield, looking about as Starhammer's forces retreated all along their lines. Had they won?

And then a bolt of energy flew across the battlefield and struck Puppy right in the side. For a moment it didn't appear to have done anything...

...a second later and paneling exploded all along her body, sparking wires and shattered components smoking and spluttering as she tumbled sideways into the dirt. A moan went up among the defenders and Ace's eyes quickly swept towards the bolt's origin, preparing himself for the fight he had been waiting for ever since their last encounter.

And then his heart fell, as he realized he had made a terrible mistake.

It wasn't the pale zebra.

He watched bullets spark off her shields, charging defenders swinging for her and quickly being hurled aside with casual bursts of telekinesis. He watched a single beam of light from her horn tear an artillery cannon in half, the entire emplacement detonating in a fierce roar.

He watched Dream Star stride through their lines, confident in her invincibility.

He flung a hoof forward, his voice rising in fear, "Target that mare with everything you have!"

Sniper bullets streaked downwards, penetrating nothing but magical images of her that sprung up all around the battlefield. Not a moment later an augmented pegasi burst overhead on underwing jets, missiles streaking from disposable pods and tearing apart the buildings they had been using as sniper nests. He watched impotently as a pony seemed to just appear out of the smoke and fire and stride into the middle of a defensive outpost, seven of the defenders dead in just a few flashes of the knives that seemed to spring from every part of his body.

The defensive line collapsed in moments, zebra running for cover as the barrage continued. Obanao called out and grenades and missiles flew into the smoke beyond, only to be quickly intercepted and cut apart by a glowing grid of pink energy. It collected at a point and then burst outwards in a beam, turning everything it hit to ash. Ace dived down just in time, watching from the dirt as Obanao and those around him were reduced to nothing more than dust.

After a moment he gingerly raised his head back up, looking across the battlefield. Just a single mare stood there before him, magic at her horn and a smirk across her withered lips. Dream Star's voice was casual and terrifying, exactly how he remembered, "Ace Gold wasn't it? Fancy meeting you here."

"Keep it up everyone!" Bleak Waters called out as the runners carried ammo crates towards the front lines, radio workers franticly handling out assignments, "You see that fire out there? That's Starhammer's finest general, running headfirst into a trap. And those explosions out west? Starhammer's armored division being turned into scrap!"

"Fucking right!" One of the Clendal guard officers called as he gathered a unit around himself, "Flanks two and three are contained, and the Queen is leading a fighting retreat from flank one. Let's get in there and support her, and finish this rout!"

Bleak gave them a grin, "Kick his ass guys."

"The heart of the zebra!" They called in response as they charged off, heads held high and proud.

Fluttershy came over as Bleak Fields watched them leave, her eyes soft and kind, "Do you wish you were out there?"

"Me?" He exclaimed, laughing, "Hell no. I'm capable of two things of use in this battle. Being able to smile in the face of imminent annihilation, and in a pinch knowing which way to point a rifle." He shook his head, grinning at the thought of it, "I'm no soldier. I've no care to be."

She smiled back at him, "You are a leader though."

"Maybe." He admitted, "Ace Swift might have been a giant pain sometimes, but zebra followed him because he made you feel safe. Gave you the confidence to better yourself, to take chances. When this is all over, I'd like to do something like that. Help build up society again."

"I know you have it in you Bleak Waters." Fluttershy stated, then nodded to a zebra just ahead, "I think there's a mare who could do with that right now."

He looked, frowning, "Xani?" He admired the zebra for a moment, stalking around the courtyard with her crossbow loaded. She appeared as silently confident and intimidatingly deadly as ever, Bleak Waters considering the person least in need of his encouragement. Even if they had become closer lately, he was under no illusions that she did more than tolerate his light hearted banter, "I think she would rather be left alone to concentrate."

"She doesn't look too focused to me." Fluttershy advised with a smile, "Trust an old mare."

"Alright..." He left Fluttershy's side, trotting over to the zebra. Small and slight for her race, she had still grown a little taller than him in the last few months. It was a change that made her intense stare, jerky movements and near silence even more intimidating, especially since she was still one of their deadliest warriors. Despite that he found that she never quite got the same respect as the other fighters, despite taking on raider leaders and Starhammer himself. He knew she liked it that way, hated fame and attention, still it bugged him, "You ok Xani?"

"No." She responded quietly, anger creasing her muzzle, "I should be out there."

Bleak Waters had considered that. He wondered whose idea it had been to give her back line duty, "Why aren't you?"

She paused, looking between the tower, then him. Finally her eyes moved back ahead, her voice a little softer, "If he gets this far, I'll give you time to escape."

He grinned at her, appreciating the thought, "We'll give them time to escape."

"That would be stupid." She muttered sharply, "You are no killer."

"I'm a fighter..."

"No, you aren't."

He looked at her for a moment, sighing inwardly. He had angered her again, typical, "I want to fight, isn't that enough?"

"No." She answered, clearly growing more angry, "I would like to be like you, but I'm not. We cannot be more than we are."

He blinked, not understanding, "You would like..."

"You think I'm a hero." She turned, glaring sharply, "My father was a horrible zebra, he was a brutal, sadistic monster. He taught me to be the same, and I laughed as I tore his throat out. I still love it, love the blood and the killing, I like watching them die." Her expression suddenly softened a little, regret moving into her eyes, "I keep to myself because I'm not worth knowing. The only thing I can do is kill, kill for you. Kill for everyone."

He looked at her for several long moments, digesting this. It was the most he had ever heard her speak. He kind of realized why Fluttershy had sent him over, "Xeni, I've met a lot of nasty equines in this world, and seen some the ugliest shit there is."

"Then why are you smiling all the time?" She asked, with a hint of frustration in her voice.

"Because there are zebra like you, and Luna, and Swift, cleaning it up. Cleaning it up for stripeless fools like me. And that makes me grateful, and confident that there's a better world ahead."

She turned her eyes away, "Swift and Luna are dead."

He chuckled, "Then you're an endangered species, and as a result I'm not letting you throw your life away while some joker like me is running for safety."

She sniffed, a sound that made Bleak Waters' heart bounce. He couldn't see her face, but her chest was shaking a little, and her voice was weak as she finally managed to speak, "Bleak... you know, I do feel a lot better... when you're here."

He chuckled, now realizing why Fluttershy had sent him over, "Then this is where I'm staying."

Fluttershy smiled as she turned away. She was confident now, confident the world was in good hooves. She slipped her stealth cloak about her shoulders and strode into the streets beyond.

Kale elbowed the barricade into place as Saddle Arabian Mamulk soldiers took position behind, one of their armored tanks driving up and levering up its main gun to point down the road. Behind their lines Clendal fighters were helped away by medics, Kale yelling orders as she organized their retreat.

She saw them ahead, Starhammer’s forces advancing. She looked to the Mamulk around her, clad in those ridiculously fancy uniforms, holding those decorated and finely tuned weapons. They certainly looked impressive, but could they fight worth a damn?

She was about to see, spotting a group of Starhammer’s forces charging down the road, “Ready arms!”

Starhammer’s forces dropped into cover, squatting behind whatever they could find as they took pot shots to cover further advance. Some of the Mamulk fired back, others looked to her for orders. She stared the advancing forces down for a moment, holding out a hoof, “Keep your fire light, let them advance.”

One of Starhammer’s troops lifted a missile launcher, firing a shot straight at the tank. Kale sighted up and shot the missile out of the sky with a single, well aimed bullet, watching as it veered off course a slammed into the ground. More launchers swiftly appeared, Kale deciding it was time, “Main cannon, fire!”

Packed into tight quarters, the troops didn’t have a chance to escape as the tank fired a high explosive shell right into their ranks. Shop fronts collapsed down upon them and those left were picked off by the Mamulk’s, Kale smirking as the enemy advance very quickly reversed.

And then the window just above shattered outwards, a zebra shaped object jumping out with a large blade attached to their back. For a moment Kale thought it was Starhammer… but then more appeared, dropping down all around. She turned swiftly to track the nearest, only for the zebra’s swift swing to cut her weapon in half and draw a thick wound across her torso. The Mamulk quickly panicked with their formation broken, the sword wielders cutting them down with long sweeps of their weapons. The one who had wounded her leapt in to finish the job, Kale stepping aside and driving her head into his hard enough to take him straight out of the battle. There were a lot more of them though, Kale readying herself as she found herself increasingly alone.

One of the sword wielders carved straight through the entrance hatch to the tank, pulling the screaming camel operator free and flinging him to the ground. A female sword wielder laughed as she decapitated him.

“Well, well, Kale the Bloody Horn.” One of the bigger sword wielders stated with a smug cadence, his body language loose and lazy, “Not as fast as you used to be huh? Your time is over old lady.”

“You’re all stinking fools, and the first one to try me will lose his lower jaw.” She threatened, though privately her wounds had already slowed her down far more than she was comfortable with. Still... maybe this was a good day to die.

And at that moment a dark shadow flew overhead, twin plasma casters flinging green fire against the enemy. One of the sword wielders went down screaming, another finding his weapon rendered almost totally useless as his attempt to block the fire left it a smoking mess. Moments later that sword was shattered apart, a hard kick driving the shards into the zebra chest with decisive fury.

“What is that…!?”

“Shadow demon!”

The black figure hissed a furious cry as she came in low and fast, her body entirely clad in black armor and her face covered by an intimidating looking breathing mask and goggles. She moved blisteringly fast, too fast for any normal zebra. Her voice hissed like a ghoul, old battle cries on her lips, “Caesar wills!”

“Ghost warrior!” The lead sword wielder shouted, swinging at her.

She ducked the slash effortlessly, boosting forward and punching the zebra’s lungs out with a single thrust of her hoof. The others all backed away and allowed a barrage of shots from Starhammer’s now rallying forces to hit the strange black clad figure, punching holes in her suit and allowing a thick pink gas to leak out. She hissed, leaping back and crying out, “Arate!”

A swarm of blue birds flew overhead, detonating above Starhammer’s advancing forces with fierce explosions of cyan flame. They flew away with their shine extinguished, leaving devastation in their wake. Kale paused a moment to admire the efficiency before calling out to the panicking troops, “Rally, rally! To me, the enemy is broken, push them back!”

The remaining sword wielders ran, the black clad figure stepping forward to pursue before thinking better of it and drawing back. Her head moved up to look at Kale through those creepy looking goggles, “Here to offer my azziztance Queen Kale.”

Kale recognized the armor, “You’re a ghost operative.”

“Name’s Myrtis.” The ghost explained, cheerful despite the circumstances, “Trained to defend the innozent of thiz land from all tyrantz in the name of Lord Caezar and all that."

Kale wasn’t about to bemoan the assistance of a ghost operative in a pinch, “Well glad to have you.”

“Happy to be fighting for a noble cauze.” She declared enthusiastically, looking around at the Mamulk as they hesitantly ranked up, “What happened to your Spirit? I was born in the harzh desertz of Saddle Arabia, they forged me into a warrior. A warrior in Caesar Remicon’s servize, I fought the mighty forces of Equeztria and bloodied my hoovez in the greatezt battlez of the war to end all warz!” Myrtis swept out a hoof, “Follow me, follow one of your own! Let us drive this tyrant back to the sea!”

They all cheered, Kale looked down at the warrior with further respect, wondering how they missed this one, “I feel I should leave this to you.”

“I would be grateful.” Myrtis exclaimed enthusiastically, “I’ve been stuck fixing plumbing for weeks. Really need to kill somezhing.”

Ace flung grenades and they were cut apart before they got halfway, fired his crossbows with absolutely no effect, even fired a missile launcher straight at her. Dream Star just warped away to reappear right next to him, taking up in her telekinesis and flinging him through the air to slam against some ruined brickwork.

He gasped as he slid down, pain lancing through him. She was still smirking, still showing absolutely no effort whatsoever. She had walked through an entire army like it was just another day. What the fuck was this mare made of?!

And then he saw Xenith appear just behind, shifting aside her invisibility cloak just a little. Dream Star saw him looking and almost turned, only to whip her head right back as Ace rushed her. She fired a blast from her horn and Ace dodged by the skin of his teeth, prepared his mana reserves…

Xenith struck Dream Star’s shields with a disrupting strike, leaving the mare’s shields shaking as the shockwave travelled through them. Dream Star hesitated, and for that brief moment actually looked surprised. Ace took the opportunity in full, slamming his own hoof into those shields from the other direction and tearing them down with a sharp ringing sound.

Dream Star’s eyes opened in shock. Ace Gold dutifully delivered a hoof strike straight at them.
The hit connected, and it felt like hitting concrete. He swore and brought his knife to bear, hacking at her neck and actually drawing some blood through flesh like boiled leather. Dream Star staggered drunkenly and Xenith rained blows upon her, spinning and delivering a fearsome double leg buck to the mare's body. They both put everything they had into it, master and student in combination.
And it wasn’t enough. Dream Star expanded her magic with a blast, forcing them both away. Ace barely rolled aside as Dream Star fired a blast of energy from her horn, carving a deep groove through the earth. Xenith darted backwards and kicked a grenade at the mare, only for it to deactivate with a puff before it got anywhere close to her.

Dream Star span, eyes narrowing at the old zebra. Xenith tried to draw her stealth cloak back over her but she wasn’t quite fast enough, Dream Star’s magic hitting her straight on and shredding it, and her, to ribbons.

She sailed through the air to impact some distance away, a limp bloody mess.

“NO!” Ace Gold unleashed everything he had from his horn, remembering the lessons Midnight Dreamer had taught him. He had never been a great spellcaster but you didn’t need subtlety for a horn beam, just power and control. He had plenty of both.

Dream Star took his blast without flinching, then shattered the tip of his horn with a perfectly timed counter spell. Ace was still reeling when the mare flicked her head and struck him with another spell, spending him spinning broken into the dirt.

A brief moment more and the pain caught up. Unconsciousness came quickly after that.

Sabah crept through the ruined loading dock, still aflame and covered in corpses. All the same it was a little way off the main battlefield, and as she hoped seemed to be mostly abandoned. She continued on, stepping across the bodies and snatching ammo for her weapons.

"Holy... child..."

She looked to the side, seeing a pony shift slightly upon the ground. She approached closer and felt a grim certainty take her as she stared at his wounds, "I'm here."

The pony craned his neck round to look at her. He was middle aged, a little chubby. He had a kindness to his eyes that made her sad, his coat a warm brown color, "I heard others speak of you, saw you in the market. I'm glad you're... still fighting."

"I have some Med-X..." She started.

"Save it... for the living..." He gave a strained laugh, "I... guess I'm going to be with the Holy Fire soon... I don't know. What do you believe?"

Sabah wasn't entirely sure actually. Celestia was always vague on the topic, "The holy fire is as good a guess as any."

"I've... got kids. They're all good zebra. That's a blessing of the fire isn't it?"

Sabah nodded, knowing that much at least, "The Holy Fire demands that we bring more life to the world than we take out of it."

"I... think I killed a couple of zebra..."

That was why she struggled to believe. She could spend an eternity balancing those scales, "What did you do before this?"

"I was a baker..."

"Then you contributed to the food on the tables of thousands, to the welfare of a city that serves as an inspiration for dozens of communities through the wasteland." Sabah replied, feeling like she was reciting from a textbook but trying to sound sincere, "Did you bake well? Did you try your hardest every day, try to make the world better?"

He smiled, "I... did..."

"Then you have nothing to worry about in the next world." She confirmed, "And why did you choose to fight?"

"For my home... for my family. For what's... right..."

"Then you pass with the blessings of Celestia too." She asserted softly, placing a gentle hoof on his forehead, "May you be forever at peace."

She stayed there for a little while, unwilling to move on. It wasn't long before his breathing stopped, Sabah standing and taking a deep breath.

"I find it hard to bring the two together you know?"

She looked round with a start, cursing as she saw Going Merry and Ethesus standing nearby. She glared at Ethesus, the one who had spoken, "How long have you been hiding there you bastard?"

"That's exactly what I mean." The fat zebra declared, waving his hoof at her, "You chat up stallions old enough to be your grandfather, swear a blue storm and brush your hair every couple of moons, yet you spout religion like a first year nun. You don't really believe that craptrap do you?"

Sabah had trouble believing it sometimes too. But the truth was, "Yes, I do."

"Why?"

"Because it makes more sense than anything else in this world." She looked to Going Merry, "Such as why you're dressed in Enclave armor."

Going Merry smiled, soft but determined, "I might be Dashite, but I earned my corporal pips fair and square."

"Twenty years ago... as a cook."

"Supply officer actually." She replied, fluttering her wings a little before giving an apologetic smile, "I know you told us to hide Sabah, but I'm not helpless. I can fire a rifle and maintain a suit of power armor, and I'm not over the hill just yet."

Sabah glared back at her. Maybe she wasn't, but she wasn't exactly young either, "And what am I supposed to say to Sunny when you get killed?"

"What am I supposed to say to her when you get killed?" She responded, then nodded to the streets behind, "Now come on, we still have a battle to win."

She reluctantly followed the unlikely duo, "And how are we supposed to do that?"

"I used to run these alleys." Ethesus replied with a grin, "The back streets are a warren of secret shortcuts and blind turns, and I know every one."

She sighed, but accepted with a reluctant nod. Truth be told, she suspected they had already lost. Still she intended to make them work for it.

"Come on Jaia, hustle." Cato shouted as they packed up the last of the gear, snipers already hurrying down from the clock tower roof to take up new positions. He looked round as Jaia struggled along behind, laden in tripods and ammo packs, "Leave that shit behind already."

"We... we're going to need it... the central plaza..." She stated as she wobbled towards the stairway.

"We're not going to help them one bit if we turn up three hours late." He countered, looking over as Cherry Sunset emerged onto the landing, "Paladin! I trust the plan worked then?"

She nodded to him as she swept her eyes across the bank's lobby, as normal prepared for anything. After confirming it was clear she hurried over, eyes firm, "General Icoxal is dead and his forces are in full retreat. The Praetorians and the rallied members of Commander Ibis's force can handle this flank now, we need to reinforce the central plaza."

Cato saluted, always eager to see his commander at her best. They would stand up and notice after this. Fire willing, they would soon be swimming in recruits, "Shall we follow you?"

"No." She shook her head, moving away towards a different door, "I'm going to head across the rooftops, it's quicker. You take the street level route, we'll meet up later."

"Sir." He repeated as she left, his eyes turning to Jaia beside. As expected the mare watched her go with a look of tearful regret, looking like she wanted to say something but pulling it back after a moment's hesitation. He knew that look, having seen it a lot recently. Now was really not the time, "Seriously Jaia, keep your eyes on the battle, and off the paladin's ass. You'll live longer."

She shot him a sulky look as she hurried over, "Like you're any better, mister yes sir no sir..."

"That's just the expected admiration of a senior officer." He countered, heading down the stairs and towards the exit, "She's your boss Jaia, stop dreaming."

She went quiet and they continued down the stairs in silence, Cato wondering if he was going too far on this. Maybe he really wasn't any better, and the fact that all the females worth a damn in this world only had eyes for each other indeed bugged him more than he cared to admit. He opened his mouth to apologize, but as normal his tongue had different ideas, "Look, Cherry really liked Iyana, and her death is clearly still on her mind. Maybe later, when..."

"I know." Jaia responded sharply, "That's why I haven't said anything. But you can't just..."

"Wait." He put up a hoof as they reached the exit, hearing the sound of fighting outside. He drew his sub-machine gun and advanced, flinging up a hoof sign as Jaia took position behind. Troops should be watching this building, stopping their approach. This building was chosen because it was easily defended, the plaza in front giving garrisoned troops a wide range of firing positions, "I'm going to open the door. Get ready."

He had just reached for the hoofplate when it suddenly exploded outwards, striking him in the face and knocking him backwards with a bleeding muzzle. He heard Jaia cry out in worry as he fought to regain his bearings, a moment before a gunshot ran out and the zebra simply gave a strangled yell. Cato's heart froze at the sound, rolling over and bringing his weapon to bear on the remains of the exit and the figure that had emerged.

General Icoxal charged though with a look of furious rage, armor in tatters and fur still smoldering. He just marched straight through Cato's gunfire and hurled him backwards with a unnatural strength, sending him smashing down upon a sofa at the back of the room. Its legs instantly broke against the impact, dumping him onto the floor in a shower of feathers.

Cato struggled to rise, head spinning. He wasn't sure how badly he was hurt but... he looked back to the entrance, Jaia slumped onto the floor in an expanding pool of blood.

And then Icoxal leapt screaming for Cato, near twice his weight in zebra slamming down on him at high speed.

Dawning Grace watched Starhammer's troops approach down the street towards the rear of their retreating forces, knowing that without intervention the brave defenders would be cut down without mercy. It would be a poor end for such brave souls fighting to protect their home, something Celestia would not stand for.

And she was Celestia’s representative in this land, and as such it was something she wouldn't stand for either.

She strode out into the street and her already readied spell burst from her horn, blinding light flashing out to blind the pursuing soldiers. Her voice echoed out as she drew the spear from beneath her robes, magnified by the enchantment already dwelling in her throat, "You stand against harmony, and against life itself! Feel the fires of Justice, the spear of Celestia!"

She felt the stares of the Clendel defenders behind, grinning wildly as she basked in the attention. This is why she was out here, not just to hunt down some foolish little girl! Her mission, her real mission was to embody her ladies' power and glory in this Godless land!

They fired back, shredding her discarded cloak as she burst free of her garments and threw her wings wide. The grenade launcher attached to her spear sent a fragmentation shot right into the middle of their ranks, Dawning Grace sweeping down and striking them down with elegant sweeps of her spear and blasts of her horn.

She giggled as the blood splashed against her face. It was a glorious day indeed.

Cato angled his pistol upwards and fired, placing a bullet into the general’s chin as he brought his hooves down upon him. It was a heavy pistol and it was a well placed shot, by any rights it should have taken his head off. Against Icoxal? It simply seemed to piss him off.

It gave him opportunity to stumble away however, leaning back and firing a few more shots as he fought to escape. As before they barely had any effect, just seeming to disappear into the general's mighty form. And Ixoko, he was big. So big that he could easily block the exits, just staring Cato down with a look of dark rage.

"You..." The general breathed, his voice sounding horse and damaged from the smoke, "You fight without honor, without discipline! Explosives, traps!?"

Cato wasn't going to hold back against that one. Frankly if he was going to die anyway he might as well drive the knife further, "And you have no brains. It's your job to keep your troops alive general, not march them into an obvious trap like a moron."

Icoxal moved with dark purpose, "I'm going to put your head on a spike boy."

"Come on then!" Cato replied, though he was under no illusions about his chances here, “Come and see what a real zebra is made of!”

“Well said son!”

The voice sounded out with firm, well spoken cheer, the voice instantly familiar. A shotgun blast quickly followed, then another, striking Icoxal in the temple and shoulder to knock him flying to the ground with blood plastering the floor. Cato looked around to see a zebra he certainly hadn't expected, Clear Voice clad in the well worn remains of his old enclave uniform with his custom shotgun firm against his cheek. Sharps followed a moment later, trotting nervously towards the fallen general.

Cato couldn't believe it, seeing them in person. To say they were heroes of his was an understatement, "What are you doing here?"

"We're not dead yet kid." Sharps answered, his voice low and growly, "The others noticed you had fallen behind, we offered to check."

"Good job we did." Clear Voice confirmed, keeping his weapon focused on the general's fallen form, "This is Starhammer's top general isn't it?"

"Yes, it's..."

Icoxal rolled back to his hooves, a grenade flying out to detonate up in the rafters. Wooden paneling came raining down and Sharps and Voice dodged away, Icoxal quickly and efficiently placing two bullets through Sharp's leg and crippling the ghoul. Voice distracted him with a few shots to the torso with his shotgun, carving bloody chunks from the zebra but barely seeming to phase him.

Cato figured he would have no better luck with his pistol, running over to Sharps and jamming a vial of healing potion in his waiting hoof. The ghoul gave him a smile, shook out the joint and took off, bounding towards the general as he traded shots with Voice.

Icoxal screamed in rage from what remained of his ruined face, firing a series of shots which Sharp dodged with an easy leap. Another jump and the ghoul became a blur, snapping Ixoko's head back with a spin kick before hooking a bandoleer of grenades about his throat. Sharps hit the ground on the other side, pulled hard on the rope and rolled away with a selection of arming pins, shielding himself as Icoxal struggled to free himself from the deadly wrapping...

Cato took cover behind a pillar as the whole building shook, paneling cracking and dust pouring down from the ceiling. He came back out to see half the roof had come down, Sharps and Voice both dusting themselves down as they stared into the smoke and fire that billowed from the general's location.

And there he was, standing tall amid the destruction. A fallen beam had impaled him all the way through, his neck had been torn open, parts of his body were on fire...

And slowly, too slowly, the general sank down onto his knees. The smoke cleared slightly, revealing glassy eyes and a limp jaw, his mighty form slowly slumping sideways with only the debris propping him up.

Voice doffed his cap, voice respectful, "A mighty foe indeed."

Cato tore his eyes away from the general, limping his way back into the lobby. He saw that beyond the door many of the soldiers defending this place lay dead by the general's hooves, his eyes focusing on the small form beside the doors.

He made it to Jaia's side, the mare's eyes half closed, a point blank pistol wound marking the side of her skull. He sighed and closed those eyes with weary regret, remembering the days spent tormenting the girl at school, running through the fields together pretending to be heroes...

He had always considered himself far more responsible and heroic than her, but she had been the one who convinced him to leave. The first to devote herself to following Cherry.

He sat down beside her, letting the pain of his wounds finally settle upon him, "You rest solider. You did good."

Explosions shook the central tower above, the beams and rivets of the structure groaning under the stress. Bleak Waters reminded himself that this was one of the safest structures in Clendel as he escorted one of the guard commanders inside, knowing logically that a few stray shots wouldn't bring down the hull of an enclave raptor.

Still, he felt himself wince every time.

"Commander Zanton." King Zane stated as he looked up to Bleak Waters and his companion, "Is the west flank secure?"

"Uncertain sir." The commander admitted, "Reports are that the enemy took heavy causalities. Still, that flank has no pretty much gone silent."

"Obanao?" Zane asked.

"No word. Nor have we from Puppysmiles or operative Kai."

Zane sighed, looking down, "Is there anyone we can send to assess the situation?"

"Queen Kale is guarding the approach sir. I can send a runner, but I'm not sure she'll have zebra to spare..."

"I'll do it." Xeni spoke from nearby, Bleak Waters turning with a start. He hadn't even realized she was there.

Zane turned to his advisers, who all gave nods. Commander Zanton spoke up in agreement, "She's quick, quiet, and a good fighter. It makes sense."

Bleak Waters agreed of course, still he had a bad feeling, "I'll go with you."

Xeni turned, looking upon him with pity, "You would slow me down."

"I..."

His words died on his tongue as her eyes shot up in sudden suspicion. Her mouth opened in warning... a moment later and a knife appeared behind her, glinting in the artificial light.

It all happened at once.

Commander Zanton charged past Bleak and threw himself down upon the floor, body tightly curled. Zane's bodyguards pulled their king to the floor. Bleak Waters called out about the knife, Xeni moving just in time to catch the blade in her shoulder instead of her throat.

The grenade exploded beneath Commander Zanton, plastering him across the room.

Silence... except for the sharp ringing in his ears. After a moment he opened his eyes, not realizing he had them closed. He shifted, trying to concentrate through the headache and tinnitus. Wounded zebra lay all around, crying in pain. The room was covered in blood, and in the middle of it stealth cloaks were draw back to reveal a whole unit of Frumentarii operatives.

The assassins drew weapons and fell upon the injured defenders without mercy.

Sabah snapped the zebra's neck with a quick tug, watching as the other was cleanly headshot by Going Merry. It was getting exhausting by this point, and rather numbing. Sabah had never killed this many in a single day, in fact she might have doubled her body count already. She was unsure if had made any difference, there didn't seem to be any less of them, "Is this hit and run stuff really helping? Because I don't feel we're getting anywhere."

"I am running low on ammo." Going Merry reluctantly agreed, "Maybe we should..."

And then a rock struck her cleanly about the head, sending her slumping back against the ground without so much as a sound.

Sabah swept round, body low and crouched. She hadn't heard anyone approach, how had they... her eyes widened slightly as she saw the zebra before her, his sword casually resting against his shoulder, everything about him casual even in his fancy armor. His voice was cheerful, unconcerned, "You kids, always causing trouble."

She shook her head free, readying herself once more. She could end this, right here, right now, "Starhammer..."

"My, aren't you an ugly little thing?" He responded with a smirk, "Got quite a glare on you there!"

"Ethesus, get Merry out of here!" She screamed as she leapt for him. He swung high and she slid under the blade, leaping up and going for a lunging headbutt. He butted back and won the exchange, slamming her back to smack against the cobbles. She gasped as she hauled herself back up, spitting blood, "Ungh..."

"Do I know you?" Starhammer asked, advancing forward with a grin, "You remind me of that one little zebra who tried to stab me, but you're a bit fatter and dirtier."

She darted upwards, dodging about his next swing and then leaping over his counter swipe. Her hooves shot out and nailed him across the jaw, Sabah landing on the other side and leaping about to seize his neck.

He swept his hoof about and caught her in the stomach, hurling her hard against the wall. She slumped down with a gasp, her body bruised to hell, her head bleeding. She really didn't feel like getting up again.

Starhammer just smirked at the display, "Not bad kid. Nil points for good judgment, attacking me. Still good judgment is overrated."

"Just... kill me..." She spat, preparing herself for the end.

"You know what, just for that... no." He holstered his sword, turning and striding off with a laugh, "I mean some zebra's got to be alive to record my glorious victory right?"

She cursed his smug arrogant ass as she lay there, looking to the alley where Ethesus and Going Merry had been and seeing nothing. Looked like he had taken her advice.

She on the other hoof was now injured and alone, in a city full of zebra trying to kill her. She drew herself upwards, emptied out her pack of broken healing potions and limped on. No point in sitting around after all.
¬

Bleak Waters saw one of the assassins, a lithe female zebra, launch herself towards one of the city representatives, currently helpless on the floor with his leg badly maimed. The assassin on the other hand moved with terrifying grace and swiftness, a long, gleaming knife attached to her hoof and her intentions obvious.

Bleak Waters threw himself forward. His rifle failed to fire and so he just detached it and flung it upwards, deflecting the zebra's knife away.

She grinned, lunged forward and took him backwards, slamming him against the ground. Her blade came out, pointed at his neck. He hadn't even been able to resist.

Until a crossbow bolt lodged itself in the assassin’s head, dropping her sideway to the ground. Xeni came running, covered in blood from her injured shoulder yet hardly seeming to notice. Another dead Frumentarii lay behind her, his throat torn out, "Bleak!"

And then she looked to the side, worry flashing through her eyes. He followed her gaze and saw King Zane bleeding and struggling to get away as another female Frumentarii stalked him, this one familiar somehow. Xeni launched herself forward, only for the zebra to turn and fire her own crossbow in one swift movement. This shot imbedded a crossbow bolt deep into Xani's cheek, tearing through her face and shattering teeth. She staggered, the Frumentarii going for the kill with a cruel smirk plastered across her face.

Bleak Waters threw himself forward, slamming himself into the mare. She staggered back a short distance before stabbing him twice in the side, Bleak Water's ignoring the pain and smacking her across the jaw with the butt of his rifle.

She backed away, shaking her head clear. And now Bleak Field's recognized her, "You're... Zenali, leader of Starhammer's spies."

She turned back, looking at him with anger.

"You killed Princess Luna."

She smirked, then nailed him with a bare hoofed blow he couldn't even begin to see coming. She followed it up with another downwards strike that knocked him senseless, before grabbing hold of his rifle and pulling it away. She stripped the jammed bullet from it with a quick stab of her knife, then turned it to point towards King Zane, "I'm afraid I don't have that honor. Though I can kill your king."

Bleak Water's heart soared as Xeni launched herself forward at Zenali, only to freeze in terror as the assassin saw her coming and turned her rifle to bear. Bleak desperately reached forward, clasping the mare's leg and tugging. The shot from Zenali's rifle went wide but she quickly compensated, kicking Bleak Waters away and striking Xeni aside with the butt of her rifle. Xeni rolled onto her back and fired her crossbows, only for the bolts to deflect against the rifle's stock.

Zenali chuckled, turning and snapping Bleak's leg with a expertly targeted strike. She turned back as he screamed, her face twisted into an evil grin, "I get the impression that you care about this boy."

Xeni hesitated at her words, even as Bleak Waters willed her to just ignore him and attack.

"Tell me. What would you do if I did..."

And then King Zane charged forward and shoved a spear through Zenali’s shoulder and out the side of her neck, letting the weapon free and leaving her to topple to the floor in a gurgling, thrashing heap. He watched her for a moment before throwing them a couple of healing potions, picking up the fallen rifle and turning to the fight around them, "Villains huh? Always have to monologue.”

Xenith coughed as she felt dirt against her cheek... she was still alive...

She sucked in air as she awoke, the events of the last few moments coming back to her in a rush. The battle, the fight against Dream Star... getting blasted away like she was barely a consideration.

She was already aware that it wasn't good. She had taken enough injuries over the years to be aware of what most of them felt like, and the inability to breathe, the sharp wheeze, the pain in her chest... she had collapsed her lungs, broken her ribs.

She had survived such injuries... twenty years ago. Now they were a death sentence.

She prepared to meet her end, sinking into the dirt.

Signal Jammer paced the surface of Puppy's war frame, watching out for enemies as her hirelings worked behind her. She was reminded once again how much she hated battlefields, hated being here among all this death. She just wanted to get what they came for and go home...

"We have it!"

Jammer rushed across the smooth back of the war frame as her men finally pried the cockpit lid free. Inside was what looked like some sort of status pod, impressive technology to be sure, along with some sort of telepathic user interface. She was inclined to inspect it further, but first the real prize, the occupant...

A skeleton lay in the bay, cybernetics threaded through the bones. Jammer's magic could already tell there was no life, no energy within the corpse, her men already poking at it with no response.

Puppysmiles... was gone.

Xenith gasped as her lungs reinflated, her tissues already starting to knit together. She rolled back over and forced herself to her hooves on a shattered frame, knowing that her fight wasn't over yet. She still had things she needed to protect.

She expanded her senses behind her at the war rig and the ponies atop it, hoping that they would continue to be distracted by that for the time being. She then attempted to run back towards the fight she could still feel ongoing ahead, Ace Gold likely still there somewhere. She didn't get far however, her knees too weak, her frame too damaged.

Black matter formed around her joints, reinforcing, strengthening. Her muscles tightened, filling with the sort of power she hadn't possessed in a long time. And though everything in her told her to run she resisted, bile in her throat as she looked down at the blackness around her body, "Get out of me."

The voice sang through her, inspiring trust and co-operation, "We have to save Ace Gold."

Xenith gave it neither, "I can do it alone. You have no right to infest my body."

"I know." The voice stated in quiet shame, "Hate me all you want, but he'll die without our help. You know that."

She did. And Xenith had seen a lot in her time. She understood the foolishness of hatred, and the wisdom of looking for unexpected allies. And thinking about it, "You are Puppysmiles... you are Nightmare Moon?”

“...I...”

“You a god of death, one of those who destroyed an entire empire?"

"...I am."

Xenith hadn't survived her years in the pits by refusing to take every advantage she could find, "Then show me that power."

Strength flowed through her, her heart pumping faster as endorphins flooded her body. She sprang forward, moving faster than she thought possible. She felt Starhammer's forces firing upon a small pocket of defenders and charged, body tight and low as she sprang across the cratered ground and struck them flying with quick darting hooves. What bullets hit her healed up in moments. A whole unit was down in seconds.

It was unsettling. She knew it wasn't her strength. Still, strength it was, and she intended to use it.

Her eyes focused through the smoke and fire, blindness torn away as the magic flowed through her. And there she was, Dream Star marching confidently towards the still form of Ace Gold. Xenith didn't need further encouragement, kicking dirt behind her as she charged in.

How was this possible. How was she so strong?

"I'm actually really impressed." She heard the voice state in her head, "You're not very magically powerful, and a lot of your mana channels seem to have been blocked off by damage."

"That's impressive?" She thought to herself.

"It means everything you did was with nothing but your natural physical abilities. It means you became the most successful gladiator in the world with nothing but your basic skills." The voice became firm and serious as even more power flowed through her, "Now lets see what you can really do!"

Dream Star looked around as Xenith came through the smoke and fog, smirking arrogantly. A warning from Puppy quickly directed her attention to the side and she swept her hoof around to deflect a thrown knife, seeing another pony descending down towards her with blades mounted upon his legs. She blocked the attack with a single hoof, seizing the pony in a rolling tackle and breaking his leg before kicking him away with a hard buck. It was almost casually easy.

Dream Star gave a yell of rage and blasted out with her magic. Xenith rolled away, kicked off the floor and flung her hoof out with a screaming cry of rage. She enthused every bit of magic she had into it, hardening her hoof and reinforcing it with shadow matter. It was the strongest punch she had ever thrown, Xenith feeling intoxicated with the power.

Windows shattered all around, dirt exploded outwards and a vacuum formed around them, all air pushed aside. And after a short moment of numbness Xenith felt her bones snap like twigs, her muscles torn apart by the sheer force of the impact. Her hoof fell uselessly to her side and she collapsed into the dirt, pain shooting through her body.

Dream Star's expression turned into shock, staggering back a little with her shields shattering around her. Then after what seemed an eternity blood spurted from her nose, her muzzle clearly broken and several teeth knocked loose. She looked like she was about to collapse for a moment... before anger took her eyes once more and she found her hooves, "You... little.. how... I’m going to kill you slowly!"

Power collected at Dream Star's horn as the unicorn slowly rose back onto her feet, the witch’s eyes slowly regaining their focus. Xenith felt her broken body supported by braces of shadow matter as Puppy’s voice shouted desperately, "Run!"

She did, grabbing Ace Gold's motionless body in her jaws and sprinting for cover as bolts of magic flew overhead. She made it round a corner, following the road towards the centre of town. Her body still ached, well aware that under the bracing her bones were still broken, "That... didn't work as well as I expected."

"I'm sorry!" The voice pleaded, "You're a lot less... durable than I'm used to."

And for a moment Xenith though she was back in her prime. Even a demon's power couldn't hold back the clock she supposed.

Futtershy padded forward towards the centre gate, totally in ruins and with the corpses of dozens of warriors scattered about the courtyard. Dust Kicker had been defending this point, Fluttershy didn’t see him at least… though he could have course been buried beneath the ruins.

She didn’t want to think about it. She gathered the winds about herself and jumped through the rushing skies to land on the edges of the line of tents set up just across the field. A couple of camp guards turned with shock as she appeared behind them, Fluttershy knocked both unconscious with a stare.

She should have been terrified of how much power she wielded with conviction behind her. At the moment however, her mission was all. Her only concern was how useful it was to have an ability capable of subduing a target non-lethally.
And how she could use it for assassination.

She firmed her convictions, reasoning that the apocalypse happened because she hadn’t been brave enough to do what had to be done. That if she had just done the sensible thing and struck against Luna, maybe all of this wouldn’t have happened.

She took a deep breath, gathered the winds around her and shifted aside the tent flap into the command tent.

A single zebra turned, it wasn’t anyone she recognized. An officer. She stunned him with a single stare, but he at least resisted the effect enough to remain standing. He even grappled for a gun, Fluttershy swiftly moving forward and striking him across the side of the head.

It kinda hurt, and he barely shifted. His hoof came out and wrapped about her neck, grappling her as he tried to pull his gun free… she panicked, flicking out the knife attached to her hoof and driving it into his neck.

He dropped with a gurgle, Fluttershy looking down at him in dawning realization as the life drained from his body. She looked at her hoof, coated in blood.

What was she? What was this world making her?

She heard the tent shift behind her, spinning round to confront the new arrival. This was someone she recognized, a hooded figure draped in bone.

The pale zebra.

Easu hooves worked with all the speed he could manage, the mare on the table choking as her heart beat weaker and weaker. The explosion had torn most of her chest away, drove shards of metal into most of her major organs. Even with healing potion she was dead, and they had been forced to ration stock almost an hour ago now.

It was pointless, and she soon breathed her last. Easu cursed the cruelty of thinking species and covered her up, looking about the hospital for the next patient. Niyada stood at the entrance, the camel triaging them as they came in. He marveled that the warm young teacher seemed so good at it, despite never having any formal training.

"Here." She cheerfully stated as she nudged over a bucket of soapy water, Easu dipping his hooves and quickly cleaning off the blood. She watched him for a moment, concern in her eyes, "You should take a break, that's six surgeries in a row."

He grunted, "Still patients to be seen."

"Easu, that last patient was dead on arrival. You can't save everyone."

He looked up at her, the camel's face far too young for such an assessment, "How can you place such a judgment on a life?"

Her smile became a little sad, "Maybe because I'm a camel. Applying worth, calculating risk against profit... it's in our blood."

He quickly withdrew any such suggestions, "That's not true."

"I'm not ashamed of that Easu." She replied, "There's a reason a camel never started a war."

He was just about to respond when yells and gunfire erupted just outside, Easu tensing and quickly moving between Niyada and the door. He didn't know quite what he would do if any zebra came in, he had no weapon and they should be shielded by their status as medics...

...should be.

A bullet cut through the wall and shot across the room, spraying plaster in its wake. Ebony ducked as a medical scanner beside exploded, other medical staff screaming and dropping to the floor. Ebony on the other hoof did not seem particularly affected, marching across and stating in a loud but controlled tone, "Someone go out there right now and tell them to check their fire! This is a hospital."

Easu didn't know quite how well that would go, but he had a few ideas. They mostly involved being filled with bullets, "We just all keep our heads down. The battle should move on shortly."

Then the door creaked open, a couple of the outside staff stumbling inside with terrified expressions. Heavy boots shook the ground, the light from outside blocked out by a large figure as he stepped into the room.

His eyes took in the room, a large grin spread across his brutish, charming face, "Well look at all this. Quite the set up."

Easu backed away, Niyada breathing the word on all their lips, "Starhammer..."

The words awoke the fire in Easu's heart, his eyes glaring at the tyrant, "Don't you lay a hoof on anyone here. We're not combatants."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." Starhammer declared, stepping forward and seizing a young nurse about the neck. He drew her close, smiling dangerously at her before looking to the others, "I've got quite a few of my own soldiers who need attention after all."

Ebony was quick to reply, "We have sworn to treat anyone. Let them wait outside..."

"No, I don't think so." He replied, tone growing more serious, "They'll come inside right now, and there will be no waiting."

"That's not how..."

"I'm the one with the big sword kid." Starhammer responded sharply, his grip on the young nurse becoming a little tighter, "What part of that don't you understand?"

Ebony looked conflicted for a moment, looking across to Niyada. She in turn looked to Easu, who firmed himself and took one step forward...

Starhammer smashed the nurse across the jaw with his sword and knocked her spark out, his blade deploying with a blur to point straight at Easu's neck. Starhammer just smirked from the other side, body tense and ready, "Go on Easu. Take another step."

Fluttershy ignited the winds around her, warping through the air to slam into the pale zebra with all her strength. The zebra yielded surprisingly easily, Fluttershy remembered Ace stating that she was just a small girl. Even as she thought this however the zebra rolled tightly under her hooves, twisting about and kicking Fluttershy away with a quick strike. Fluttershy stumbled, helpless as the pale zebra rolled upright and swung her staff sharply upwards. It unleashed a fierce blast of energy, Fluttershy reacting on instinct and just staring into the blast…

The tent exploded around them, broken communication equipment shattering across the plains as the torn cloth thumped down some distance away. Fluttershy moved a hoof away from her eyes, looking in shock at the crater that now lay between her and the pale zebra. Said zebra was now standing very still, her expression inscrutable under that mask.

Which very slowly, she reached up and pulled away. Smooth, pretty, familiar features lay beneath the bone, the pale zebra dropping the mask into the dust and pulling her hood away. Her eyes were still however as inscrutable as ever.

“Kunari.” Fluttershy breathed, her brow swiftly contorting in anger, “I thought Starhammer had you exiled.”

‘And the legendary pacifist is killing zebra, in service of war and brutality’ Kunari calmly signed with lazy sweeps of her hoof, a barest hint of anger in her eyes, ‘So it seems we are both traitors to our ideals.’

Fluttershy would accept no criticism from a zebra like this, “What ideals justify blood magic and killing children?”

‘What ideals justify burning the world on a balefire pyre?'

Now this pricked her temper, "Don't you dare compare yourself to me. I did what I did with good intentions..."

'As do I' Kunari stated, her hoof signs calm and precise, 'For peace'.

'Starhammer brings peace?' Fluttershy swiftly signed back, tensing her body and gathering her magic reserves for the inevitable fight, 'Do you truly believe him a hero, after everything that's happened?'

'Unfortunately Princess Luna put an end to that, and I'm sure you yourself have noted his emotional instability.' Kunari closed her eyes for a moment, looking pained, 'It's getting worse, and our time apart did nothing to stop it. His killing of Tradash was... deeply unfortunate.'

Fluttershy was beginning to understand. She had suspected it for a while, "Time apart... it's you. You gave him his power didn't you? You made him what he is?"

Kunari nodded, her sign simple, 'yes'.

Fluttershy eased herself forward, "Then forcing a fight would you would make him weaker."

'No need.' Kunari signed efficiently, then moved a hoof to a vial of blood hung at her chest, 'His part in this grand story is already over'.

And then she pulled the vial loose and stamped firmly upon it, shattering it apart with ease.

Easu's eyes narrowed, seeing it before anyone else. Starhammer sagged, buckling under his own weight... his hoof came up to his chest, his eyes widened in terror.

He hit the ground, his sword clattering down beside him, "No...!"

"Are... you alright?" Niyada questioned gingerly, honestly sounding concerned.

"I... it's none of your..." Starhammer gasped again, struggling to rise. He waved a hoof at them, "Get out of here!"

"You are unwell." Ebony observed, moving forward with her stethoscope already deployed, "Please stay still."

Easu instantly swept his hoof upwards, blocking her, "What are you doing?!"

"We should offer him medical aid." Ebony commented with a blunt lack of emotion, her eyes turning up towards Niyada, "He is ill. We are doctors."

Easu would normally respect such dedication to one's ideals. Now however... "That's insane."

Ebony looked Easu in the eye, unyielding, "You just invoked our neutrality. That behooves us to live up to those ideals."

"Let her past Easu." Niyada stated, though there was a hardness there, "But keep an eye on him."

Starhammer growled as Ebony approached without fear and placed a hoof on his neck, still he barely seemed capable of moving now. Ebony looked him in the eye after a moment, still as casual as with any other patient, "You are having a heart attack. Niyada, I require ten milliliters of Flux."

Niyada nodded to two of the nurses, then looked back at Starhammer, "Will he die without it?"

"Yes." Ebony confirmed simply.

"Then..." Niyada hesitated, looking guilty, "...I want you to call off your attack."

Starhammer chuckled evilly at her ultimatum, "Held at ransom by a fucking pacifist..."

"The only thing holding you to ransom is your own conscience." She replied firmly, "Ebony will heal you no matter, the only question is if you're capable of massacring the people who saved your life."

Starhammer looked back at her, his expression conflicted for a moment. Easu could even believe he was considering it.

"This was magically induced." Ebony commented, her hooves sweeping across his abdomen, "A killswitch built into your magical pathways. I have unblocked it now."

One of the nurses handed a syringe over to Niyada and she approached Starhammer, the zebra looking up at her as she approached. Something bitter lay there, something disturbingly broken, "Will that cure me?"

Ebony nodded, "Yes. There is no physical damage, you simply need to treat the arrhythmia."

"Now you just need to decide how you will be remembered." Niyada commented as she approached with the syringe, "As a misguided hero, or the most honorless villain."

Starhammer laughed at this, his body sinking further towards the ground, "You're right... and it seems my story ends here."

Niyada frowned, "It doesn't have to."

"Yes it does. She's taken it from me." His eyes came up, his mouth open in a wide grin, "But I'd be damned if I go out like a bitch."

His body moved like lightning, striking Ebony to the floor with a sharp elbow and leaping for Niyada. She stepped backwards in shock, Starhammer drew something from his barding...

...Easu moved. Too slow.

He could only watch as Starhammer plunged a knife into Niyada's neck, cutting neatly across her spinal cord and extinguishing her life near instantly. His other hoof snatched the syringe from her, stabbing it deep into his flesh. He laughed, wild and terrifying, flinging Niyada's body towards Easu before leaping away.

Easu smacked Niyada's body aside, screaming in rage as his mind focused on Starhammer alone. Giggling madly as he destroyed innocent lives, lashing out as if a child losing a simple game. Easu had sworn to abandon rage, had wanted to make the world a better place...

...but now he realized how that would never come true. That the only true power for change was the ability to kill for a cause.

He hit Starhammer like a cannon shot, propelling him straight through the wall in a shower of debris.

'It's not finished yet of course' Kunari stated, as calm and controlled as ever as she stood boldly among the wreckage of the command tent, 'Another will take Starhammer's place. Another will do what must be done.'

Fluttershy had heard a dozen evil speeches in her time. She was not inclined to give this one much respect, "And what is that?"

'Unite the world.' Kunari signed, a slight smile on her face, 'Bring peace'.

"Through war and death?!"

'The unending bickering of politicians will never bring peace, you should understand that. The world needs to be inspired to peace, needs to be given a cause to rally around' Kunari offered Fluttershy a piercing stare, 'Equestria was built upon the legend of Hearthwarming, cemented by the political theater Celestia offered.'

"Those were real heroes, not..."

Kunari cut her off with a slice of her hoof, ‘Celestia was no hero. She was a masterful storyteller, a cunning politician. A good mare yes, but one who knew the value of rallying a nation around an ideal, of embodying that ideal to lead others into the future. That is something all others have failed to appreciate. Tradash, Tandia, Littlepip, Xephyr... all too scared to do what they knew must be done, to take the power offered to them and forge a better society.'

Fluttershy shook her head, "A better society requires the united will of everypony. It cannot be forced by lies and coercion!"

'That is why you failed' Kunari answered with a wicked, hateful smile, 'You were too proud, too arrogant to get your hooves dirty. Too proud to tell a few lies, leave a few corpses, and safe the world.'

Fluttershy felt her jaw clench in anger, "You're totally insane."

'All it would have taken was the humility to soil yourself in pursuit of a greater goal. Abandon your ideals, and do what must be done.' Kunari replied with sharp motions of her hooves, 'Maybe then, you wouldn't have the blood of billions upon your hooves.'

"Maybe you're right." Fluttershy conceded, hoof tensing upon the trigger of her shotgun. Her eyes came up, focused upon Kunari, "I'll start with you."

Kunari smiled, eyes meeting Fluttershy's, 'That's the spirit.'

Tandia stepped through the streets, her vision focused only on the one now before her. Frantic, scared, he wore the colors of Starhammer but had already started to tear that uniform away. His name was Zebar, he was from a small farm nearby. He had joined Starhammer's forces to support his parents. He was a good zebra, as far as things went.

In time he would join the reconstruction of the city, and talk about the things he had seen. He would discourage some, inspire others. In time, he would walk down the street at the wrong moment, deliver a letter a few moments late, say the wrong words to the wrong pony.

History would never remember him, but upon him stood events that would rock the world.

She was close to him before he could react, her hoof gently resting upon his forehead. His eyes widened for a moment and blood trickled from his nose, a second before he hit the ground dead.

Tandia observed him for a moment before moving on, assured that events would now proceed as they must.

Cherry Sunset took a moment to scan the crowd as she made it back to the central plaza, her rifle hot against her side as she looked at the tired, battleworn faces of the crowd ahead. That there was this many still alive gave some comfort, still the signs of hard battle were all around. Kale was making a speech at the front, doctors scurrying around tending to the most badly injured.

She spotted a small zebra girl nearby, waving her over. The girl looked surprised but did as commanded, Cherry giving her a grateful nod, "What's your name?"

"Xeni." She answered simply.

"I need fifty cal ammo for my rifle." She asked, keeping it to the point, "Where would I find it?"

The girl nodded and walked away, Cherry getting the message and quickly following her hoofsteps. She eventually saw the camel ahead, digging through boxes with a frazzled expression. He looked up as she approached, eyes narrowing, "Equestrian make, anti material rifle."

"Yes, it's..."

"Here." He stated gruffly as he hoofed over several clips, already turning his eyes away, "Now if you'd excuse..."

She snatched them in her teeth, slammed them into her loader and shrugged the clip into place, bringing the rangefinder to her remaining eye. After a moment to verify the target she pulled the trigger, sending a high caliber bullet into a group of approaching soldiers ahead and placing a hole through three of them before the bullet came to a rest. The other defenders around her reacted a moment later, scurrying into position as the attack began. At the very least she had given them warning, and caused the enemy to hesitate.

The little zebra beside snatched a knife from her side holster and flung it through the air with a quick twist of her head, striking an approaching soldier through the temple and dropping him instantly. That gave her warning of a second attack from the alleyways to the side, enemy troops pouring out in what was clearly an attempt to flank them. She saw her companion Bang's enormous form straighten out from where he had been treating a fallen zebra, the minotaur roaring as a bullet caught his shoulder before swinging at the enemy with a carving knife clasped in his mighty hand.

The ferocity of their defense had caught Starhammer off guard, it was obvious. The fierce attack faltered slightly, his soldiers looking unsure...

There was the roar of a jet engine and something shot out of the alleyway, catching Bang in the head with a mid air buck that knocked him limp into the crowd behind. The figure then used that momentum to spin round in mid air, jet engines belching smoke as he fired a barrage of shots into their forces from the autocannon he was carrying.

A pegasus with jet engines and an autocannon. It was distinctive alright, and familiar, Cherry hesitating a moment too long. It gave him time to see her, Bitter Fennel boosting out the way as she fired and letting her bullet sail past uselessly. It had been her first missed shot of the battle.

He looked pleased to see her... but he didn't hesitate, bullets from his autocannon shattering her knee joint and tearing apart her loader. She cried out and hit the floor, watching the camel supply officer fall with a bloody hole where his chest used to be.

Cherry caught another bullet that drove deep into her gut, ignoring the pain as she lined up her shot. Even with her loader gone, she still had one bullet already chambered...

She fired, striking across Bitter Fennel's side and shredding a few components before the bullet span away to impact on a distant building. She saw him grin, likely thinking she had missed.

And then his jet engines wobbled sideways as the sudden lack of his stabilization unit made itself apparent, propelling him through a building to the side in a shower of debris.

She never missed.

Sabah heard the battle ahead, pressing a hoof to her side to stem the bleeding and sipping what remained of her healing potion. With the pressure to her side it did the job, Sabah shaking off the pain and advancing towards the plaza.

The dark shadows of wings hovered over her and Sabah's eyes darted to follow, distracting her for a crucial moment as a group of Starhammer's zebra charged out in pursuit. Sabah was unable to roll away in time as they opened fire on her position, opening up several new bullet wounds as she span around and fired her rifle until the feed jammed. She hurled it aside and switched to her pistol, ending the fight with two shots to the final zebra's eyes.

She fell back onto all four hooves with a gasp, not sure exactly how many times she had been hit. Most of the bullets she was sure had impacted her guts rather than her upper torso, that at least would give her a chance to get some healing potion...

Then the wings fell across her again, once more surprising her from behind. This time they did not go over, instead descending upon her with a rush of air.

She rolled aside and the spearhead hit stone, only to be quickly swung upwards to cut across her face. Sabah yelled as her eye was deadened and her vision fought to compensate, looking out at Dawning Grace's grinning face as the fake alicorn prepared to lunge, "You dirty traitor!"

"On the contrary." Dawning Grace responded with soft dignity, "I still intend to defend this place. But an opportunity to dispose of you at the same time..."

Predicable, they always talked. Sabah responded by leaping out of the range of her spear and pulling up her pistol, only for that pistol to be ripped away by a burst of telekinesis. That telekinesis then shifted target to grip Sabah's neck, choking her and pulling her forward towards the waiting point of her spear. Sabah twisted with all her strength at the last moment and just avoided it, taking hold of the weapon in all four hooves and snapping it against the pavement with all her remaining strength.

Dawning Grace growled with what sounded disturbingly like pleasure, leaping forward and straddling Sabah, pinning her with the broken haft of her weapon. Sabah couldn't wiggle free in time, feeling the shaft press against her shoulder, back legs suspended in the air, front hoof dangling with no purchase on anything. It was a good pin, she had to give her that.

"Do you remember Lindel?" Dawning Grace asked, chuckling to herself, "I do. How you humiliated me? How you broke my wing, made me beg?" She pressed the haft hard into Sabah’s throat, cutting off her oxygen, "Beg Sabah. Beg for your miserable life!"

There was no escape. She was just pinned to well, there was no room to move... if Sabah hadn't graduated from the school of 'ponies pinning you to the floor, and not taking no for an answer'.

She shifted sharply, dislocating her shoulder with a horrible popping sound and a horrific surge of pain. It allowed her to slide the limb out from Dawning Grace's grip, drive her head up to smack against the mare's muzzle. Dawning Grace cried out as blood spurted out, covering Sabah's fur as she pushed herself upwards with a sharp thrust and wrapped her back legs about the alicorn's neck.

And for just a moment Dawning Grace's benevolent eyes faded into fear, "Please, mercy!"

Sabah's eyes narrowed, "Like Celestia would?"

"Yes, I..."

Sabah broke the mare's neck with one quick twist. Clean, quick, and merciful.

Something had really happened to Starhammer. His strength had gone, his agility had gone, he no longer moved like lightning and hit like a truck. In comparison to Easu, the zebra was nothing.

But for all his advantages, Easu had to admit Starhammer was a terrifying opponent. He fought like a mad dog, with no regard to his own safety. Like a zebra with nothing to lose.

"I saw the fire! You'd rather burn this city to the ground than let me take it! I scare you that much!" Starhammer screamed in glee as he flung broken masonry at Easu, then swept in with a knife. Easu blocked with on hoof and punched out with the other, knocking Starhammer back and sending him bleeding. It didn't stop him smiling, in fact his expression only seemed to grow wilder, "This world was stagnant, stale, as rotting as that old bitch Tandia! I changed the face of this continent!"

"No one will remember you." Easu growled as he sprung forward, only for Starhammer to offer no resistance. Instead his just threw himself backwards towards some burning rubble, taking Easu with him. They both struck hard, Easu screaming in pain as his robe caught fire and rolling through the dirt behind in an attempt to put it out. Eventually he just flung the garment away, looking about for his opponent, "You've proven what you are today!"

"A villain!" Starhammer screamed as he came through the flames and smoke, his own fur smoldering as he struck Easu a nasty gash across the cheek, "A warlord worthy of legend!"

Easu growled in fury, breaking the zebra's knife with a hard punch and ignoring the gash it left across his hoof. His next blow he sought to end this, slamming a hard uppercut that send Starhammer's teeth flying. The zebra slammed down a short distance away, Easu snarling as he advanced, "Is that really all that matters to you?!"

"Heh..." Starhammer spat through blooded lips, a smile returning to his face despite his injuries, "It's the only thing we leave behind."

And then he ran, kicking dust in his wake as he galloped for the gates.

The ground split, the heavens shook, the very fabric of magic seemed to fray around Fluttershy as she advanced forward, eyes fixed upon Kunari's. Their stares were linked, their thoughts, personalities and egos matched one against one. Fluttershy understood the mare, saw her thoughts, her history, her hopes. And she knew that Kunari understood hers.

"All of history is a convenient lie, the concepts of honor, law, harmony itself manipulated to bind civilization together! You will only save civilization by embracing that truth!" Kunari projected into her mind, her will and conviction absolute.

"One mare cannot decide the fate of billions! The future is one we decide together!" Fluttershy shouted back, refusing to yield even as Kunari's thoughts burrowed into her brain, "Who are you to decide the world's fate?"

"Someone who perceives something beyond the same old banality of politics!" Kunari thought, her mind brutal in its utter conviction, "You know I'm not doing this for ego. You know I'm not doing this for myself."

"No, you're doing it for some vaunted future that doesn't exist!" Fluttershy expressed back, not a word exiting her mouth, "There are real ponies dying out there, real pain and suffering for your imaginary future!"

"Don't pretend you care about the now! About real ponies!" Kunari screamed, the sands exploding around her as her mental attack smashed against Fluttershy's own defenses, "You're afraid of real ponies! You lived alone, abandoned your family! And not because your work was important!" Kunari suddenly smirked, her gaze wicked, "It was because you preferred your work. Because saving the world was less scary for you than saving your marriage."

Fluttershy stared back at Kunari, seeing her history in turn. The zebra standing there in the classrooms at Garm. Voiceless, unable to express herself. Bullied, overlooked, a small figure who learned to fear and look down upon others for their failure to understand, "It doesn't excuse this."

"I don't want excuses." Kunari projected back, her small form doing nothing to downplay the power in her eyes, "Let Starhammer talk about his legacy. In time, no zebra will even know my name."

"So you elevate heroes to... what, conquer the world for you?"

Kunari sighed, deflating slightly, "I meant him to save the world."

"That's not looking so good."

"Yes... Tarashi proved less suited that I expected."

Fluttershy couldn't be more repulsed, "You mean your magic sent him crazy."

Kunari looked up with sincere regret, "He seemed so perfect. He was so laid back when I met him. Didn't even like fighting that much." She smiled, "He liked to tell stories. He was kind to children."

"And now look what you've done to him."

"Monsters can change the world too." Kunari stated with firm conviction, her eyes confident, "The world united against him, the infrastructure he left behind used by others. A long list of dead tyrants behind him, and a list of noble heroes before him. A cautionary tale for future generations."

Fluttershy looked to the zebra with fury, "You turned an innocent zebra into a monster, all for your great future?"

Kunari shrugged, facing Fluttershy once again, "None of us are innocent. The world makes monsters of us all in the end."

Easu had just rounded the corner when Starhammer hit him, descending from above with a barking laugh and hitting him with all four hooves. Easu was slammed down and his attempt to roll away was greeted with another harsh kick, Easu taken off guard that a zebra who had been running in fear only a moment ago was now so keen to go on the offensive again.

"This is why I'm a hero and you're a nobody Easu!"

Easu blocked another kick, rolling back onto his hooves and panting as he faced off against the thuggish zebra, "What are you talking about?"

"What are you fighting for? Justice? Vengeance? Glory?" Starhammer laughed, spitting blood into the dirt, "I know who you are, I know who your father is! You could be king, you could make a difference!" He glared suddenly, anger filling his eyes, "Hiding behind a burlap robe."

"Healing the sick." Easu growled, "Fixing the mess you caused."

"You've spent your entire life running from who you are. That savagery inside you, the royal blood that burns in your veins." Starhammer's eyes glinted with wild enthusiasm, "I take the world head on! And just look what I have achieved!"

Easu snorted, “I’ve seen your achievements with my own eyes.”

Starhammer rushed forward, striking with his hooves. It should have been easy enough to counter now Starhammer had lost his strength but the zebra just laughed as Easu drove his hoof into his cheek, diving straight through the attack and striking wildly with no sense of self preservation. Easu found himself driven back, a powerful headbutt leaving them both bleeding and stunned. Starhammer recovered first and dived forward, Easu grabbing hold and flinging him to the side.

Starhammer rolled back onto his hooves, giving a deep and sinister laugh as he faced Easu once more, "You're too afraid to even hit me properly! Even after everything, you're holding back!"

Easu was. He couldn't go all out, not now. Because he stared into the heart of madness and he saw himself smiling back, "Why? Why kill her? She was good, she was kind, and she was no threat to you! I thought you wanted to be seen as a hero!"

"I do." Starhammer replied with a smile, though something dark shone in his eyes now, "But you and your friends spoiled that. If you hadn't painted me as a tyrant everything would be much easier."

"You're killing zebra because we accused you of killing zebra?!"

Starhammer smirked, "Hero or villain, it's all the same to me. Whether they curse or praise me, at least they'll never forget my name."

"She manipulating you!" Easu shouted, wondering how he didn't see it, "Kunari's spell, the one that gave your strength? It..."

"Sends you insane, I know." Starhammer replied coolly. He smiled as Easu paused in shock, "She told me, when we first met. Was firm in her belief that it was useless, that she never wanted to use it again."

Easu shook his head. That didn't make sense, "Then why...?"

"Because I convinced her otherwise. I begged her for that power, convinced her that I could handle it. And that if I couldn't... I told her to place a kill spell inside my heart, so that she could end me at any time."

Easu looked to the zebra's chest, "That heart attack just now?"

"I asked her to place this spell upon me." Starhammer confirmed, his grin growing wide, "Everything that has happened was as I wished it."

"Why?" Easu asked.

"Because I was sick of being a nobody." Starhammer replied, firming his hooves, "I'm surprised you tracked my past down to be honest. Before this, I didn't think any zebra even knew my name."

Kunari glared back with all her fury, "Why do you persist Fluttershy? This world has no more need of you! Your world is gone!"

Fluttershy found it hard to argue. Her hooves slipped, her mind yielded. Kunari was after all a master shaman, and Fluttershy? What was she?

A novice, a well intentioned amateur. A little girl, playing at politics.

She couldn't say she disagreed with Kunari's plans. Given what she had witnessed, they made brutal sense. The history of the world was a story of villains and heroes, in an endless cycle of destruction and re-building. At the peak of the new peace, corruption set in, and a new crisis emerged to shake things up. And they were all just pawns.

But what if they weren't? What if someone took control of the story, created heroes and villains, tried to limit the destruction? Tried to guide them all to a better future? What if Starhammer's actions did guide the way towards peace?

It would be a noble aim. One Celestia herself had admitted to doing on occasion. But Fluttershy realized then, that ultimately Kunari had fallen tragically short, "Everypony told me I had survived for a reason. I thought it was so I could continue to fight for peace, but now I see why I failed." Fluttershy looked up, stare firm but regretful, "You're right, I was a loner like you, I was isolated growing up. That was why my attempts to bring peace were a disaster, and why you turned Tarashi into a lunatic. Because we look at a nice person and figure they will always make the right decision, never understanding the real equine beneath. Because they're complex and beautiful and unpredictable and brilliant, and we got too wrapped up in our own heroic tales to realize that. We both failed to save them, because we never bothered to understand them."

Kunari gritted her teeth, brow furrowing in anger, "I'm not playing with megaspells!"

"You're playing with ponies, just like I was. And you're getting them hurt, because you see them as victims to be saved. You treated a powerful, dangerous force as a resource, that it would remain static and predicable." Fluttershy fixed her with a decisive glare, "Just like I did. And I realize it now, I survived so I could ensure that mistake is not repeated."

Kunari shook her head, then broke eye contact and darted backwards. Her hooves swept the ground, runes bursting out around her, "So you refuse to change the world? Just accept how things are?”

"No. I work together with others, I try and convince ponies that I am right... and I accept when I am wrong." She shook her head, "Because I'm not arrogant enough to think I have all the answers."

"You're not brave enough to do what must be done." Kunari responded, raising a hoof, "And that's why I have to kill you."

And with another flick of her hoof the wind became daggers, streaming down at Fluttershy in a fierce rain of death.

Xenith nearly let herself fall right there and then, swearing mentally at Puppy as the demon willed her to continue, stopped the imminent heart attack with sheer applied magic. Her jaw ached from the weight of Ace, her leg ached from the multiple compound fractures, her ribs hurt from where she had got her chest caved in just minutes earlier...

"You HAVE to keep going!"

Easy for her to say...

"I feel everything you feel! But you can't let her catch up!"

Xenith knew that. She was no quitter. She proved that as she drove herself forward, towards the towering spire of the central plaza. Still it was the right of the old and the bitter to moan a little bit from time to time...

She burst out onto the plaza at a run, ducking out the way by pure instinct as the defenders fired upon her. They lifted their weapons as they properly identified her, one shouting and waving her over.

And then she felt magic charge behind her and dived to the ground, a bolt of energy flying overhead to tear a hole through the zebra who had waved her over. His companion cried out, Xenith keeping her head down as the whole defensive line unloaded upon the alleyway just behind.

She dared to look, Dream Star standing there with her shield positioned in front. And for a wonderful moment Dream Star looked to be struggling. Her shield collapsed partially and several bullets found their way deep into her flesh, the mare wincing and delivering a harsh cry... a cry infused with primal magic.

And instantly a little more than half the defenders slumped to the ground, eyes rolling back in their heads. The others were easy prey as a second spell sparked within their ranks, the broken corpses of their fellows rising up and launching themselves upon their former comrades.

And then Dream Star's horn sparked out and she staggered slightly, eyes narrowing in pain. She stood there, struggling to focus, completely defenseless.

Magical burn out. Finally... finally she was vulnerable!

Both Xenith and Puppy debated their next action, Xenith once more feeling deeply offended at actually agreeing with the demon as they made their choice. She took a chance to catch her breath, turned, and sprinted for the tower entrance. She heard Dream Star call out behind as she dodged the attacking zombies, "Get her! Grab her, and bring her to me!"

It had been tempting, but burn out or no Dream Star likely still had plenty of tricks up her sleeve. It was about time they found a few tricks of their own.

Decimus charged in alongside the other Praetorians, roaring as they fell upon the enemy. He activated his shotgun and got in close, trusting in his armor as he moved purposely through their ranks. Starhammer's troopers fell one after another and their own troops moved in to fill the gap, Decimus managing to punch a reasonable sized hole in their defense...

Another zebra charged out of Starhammer's ranks, his eyes shining like coals. Decimus turned and fired in one cool motion... and the zebra brought up his sword, deflecting the shot and carving his blade across Decimus's breastplate. Decimus’s armor instantly tore and deformed against the blow, not designed for that sort of attack. The sheer impact caught him a second later, flung through the air to slam hard into the pavement. His helmet bounced away and he struggled to realign his weapons, watching helplessly as his fellow Praetorian Travarian charged in to help and had his head instantly carved from his shoulders.

The sword welding zebra laughed, drawing his mighty blade across his body with a sweep of the ropes that attached it to him...

...before one of them snapped and the blade shifted to slam down beside Decimus. A small zebra child charged in, firing her crossbow desperately as she leapt in to attack. It was brave, but futile. Her bolts lodged harmlessly in the mighty zebra's flesh, her knife slamming into his neck but failing to even penetrate the solid bands of muscle. He simply knocked her aside and pulled the blade free with a curious expression, slamming it into Decimus's shoulder after a moment's consideration and pinning him to the floor.

Then he advanced a step and reared up, preparing to drive both hooves into the fallen zebra child below.

Xenith was back in the pits again. The monster inside knew what she needed and provided it in full, all her development and philosophies forgotten as she stabbed and twisted and broke the enemy with the kind of ferocity that only came of terror and desperation. Her body was not built for this and she knew it, still if this was where she died then so be it.

Puppy agreed, she could tell. A mixture of fear and certainty inside the creature. Like Xenith, she knew she wasn't going to make it out of this.

Her eyes flicked across the battlefield, looking for a child. Any child, a child that would keep her safe, who would protect her no matter what happened...

She spotted Xeni a short way ahead, about to be stomped by one of the Starhammer wannabes. She was one of Luna's, she would understand... she opened herself up and let Selene free, a trail of black smoke flying across the battlefield.

Xeni felt something possess her, something fierce and desperate and familiar, "DODGE!"

She rolled away with a speed she didn't know she possessed, the sword wielder's hooves shattering the stone where she had been a second ago. A quick instinct to hit him with a horn blast made her question her instincts for a second, said instincts hesitating for a moment before amending that to a simple suggestion to hurt the zebra in a way she felt most appropriate.

She did, bucking out hard at his side. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't elegant, it was fairly ineffective for a mare her size... but it did its job, sending the much larger zebra crashing into his own ranks as magic surged through her muscles.

It continued to surge as she swept herself around, facing the approaching army. She felt Princess Luna's voice in her mind, telling her she was strong, telling her she was awesome.

She firmed her will and charged them, Starhammer's forces collapsing in disarray as the rest of the defenders followed behind.

"Cowards!" Dream Star cursed as she saw Starhammer's forces turn to run, picking a plasma rifle off a dead guard and buckling it to her side. It had been a while since she had used a weapon but her instincts were still good, turning a dozen zebra to goo before striding into the tower with a troop of zombies around her.

She spotted the old zebra mare who had stolen Puppysmiles from her, the mare running into a lift and quickly sending it zipping upwards. She cursed and followed, thinking that if she still had her telekinesis she could have just brought it straight back down.

She bemoaned the indignity of it all as she pressed the call button and waited, taking a moment to consider that Starhammer’s forces seemed to be losing somehow. That was at least something to make her happy, though she had seen the fates of enough tyrants to hardly be surprised.

He had done his job, he had got her this far. Now he could go die, along with everypony else here. Her final prize was just ahead.

Xenith backed away from the door into the lighthouse chamber, trying her best not to resist as she felt Puppy leach her mental resources. It was an incredibly weird feeling, that didn't help the somewhat tense situation, "Please work fast Puppysmiles."

"I'm trying my best!" She entreated, before adding, "And don't talk to yourself. Ponies will stare."

Yes, they might think she had an evil demon stuck inside her skull.

She swept round as the window shattered, bullets shattering the ground and sending kids scattering. She saw the cyborg pegasi from before hovering there with his side patched up, grinning as he shattered consoles and furniture with high caliber bullets. Some of the children fired back but the bullets just bounced off him, the pegasi giving a booming laugh as he continued his assault.

Puppy suddenly shouted out in her mind, 'I've got it!'

Then the door shattered, knocking everyone to the ground with an expanding blast of force. Dream Star grinned in triumph as she strode through, plasma rifle at her side and grenades clasped in her jaw. All her attention... was on Xenith.

Xenith broke and ran backwards towards the crystal rod, everything finally falling into place. To activate the magic of the crystal, it needed to be combined with something tied to its creation, its purpose. It needed the power that formed it. It needed the magic of friendship, the magic that brought these children together. The magic that when brought together had made this rod. The magic that when brought together had made Midnight Dreamer a Princess.

Her hoof struck the crystal's surface, Xenith feeling Puppy reach deep down inside herself and bring forward an orb of shining light. An orb of concentrated harmony. The last memory of a dear friend. The orb of magic. The genesis of a Princess.

It flowed into the crystal and took residence inside its core, expanding throughout it's facets, multiplied and purified by the crystalline structure. The crystal hummed, started to spin, the light growing brighter as it drew all magic to itself. Dream Star screamed in rage and fear took her eyes at last, the whole room seeming to hold its breath...

Fear. She felt it flood through Puppy, unable to understand why. Why that beautiful, holy light was so scary to her. Puppy simply took a moment to breathe her thanks before the magic activated.

And then Puppy was gone, and silence flooded her mind.

Fluttershy looked up as an echoing blast sounded out from the centre of the city, twilight suddenly seeming to fall as an expanding shockwave of blue energy washed over them. The city sparkled at its touch, the signs of battle somehow seeming muted and unimportant in its absence. In its place was calm, peace, the satisfying sense that things were right.

Kunari's eyes went wide, her body shrinking and becoming somehow less as her magics failed around her. Fluttershy on the other hoof felt a wave of strength echo through her, looking down to see her fur shining like crystal.

She looked up at Kunari, still staring in disbelief. Fluttershy felt a wave of sympathy for the mare, even thought she knew what was to be done, "I'm sorry."

Kunari's jaw clenched, her magic gathered... Fluttershy unleashed the full force of her will and the barricades exploded around them, Kunari flung through the air like a rag doll and sent slamming into the city wall. She did not get up.

Easu felt the energy wash across him, bitter, foul tasting medicine for his soul. He felt harmony within the blast, and he could barely stand to feel it upon his fur. His grip slackened on Starhammer's neck, the weight of what he was doing falling upon him...

Starhammer drove his knee up hard, wriggling free and setting off in a limping retreat. It was a moment before Easu could stand to pursue, frustration building as he easily matched the injured zebra's pace even at a fast trot, "You can't escape!"

"You... you're a zebra of peace..." Starhammer gasped, giving a gap toothed smile as he continued to limp down the street. A trail of blood followed him, Easu almost impressed at the scumbag's ability to stay on his hooves. Starhammer's voice too was still friendly, diplomatic, more suited to a mild disagreement that a murderous feud, "Let me go and I promise, I won't hurt anyone. I'll pay reparations, I'll disband my armies."

"You're a liar." Easu growled, feeling the anger grow hot once more, "A liar who deserves to die."

"Sure... maybe I am..." Starhammer admitted, his pace slowing a little as he looked back, "But you... you don't want to kill me. You're a good zebra."

"You know nothing about me."

Starhammer shook his head, stopping for a moment to catch his breath before turning back, "Tradash used to talk about you a lot."

Easu increased his pace, feeling his muscles tense instinctively, "You shut your mouth about him!"

"I didn't kill him... he was my friend."

Easu glared, "You're a liar."

"I... I took credit to make myself look more impressive..." Starhammer's voice shook, actually seeming to choke for a moment, "...I... didn't kill him..."~

"Then who did?!"

"It was... it was... me..." Starhammer shook, backing away, his composure now completely lost. He started to laugh a little, frightened and manic, "...but it was an accident... I'm sorry..."

"You're a mad dog." Easu growled, "And you need to be put down."

"Then put me on trial!" Starhammer begged, looking round desperately as they reached the gates. His eyes darted around the ruined camp, growing ever more manic as they scanned across each fallen soldier, "I put forward the law of kings, that I be placed..."

"Laws do not apply here!" Easu yelled, moving forward at pace... only to grunt as Starhammer snatched a rifle from the ground beside him and fired it on full auto. Two of the shots tore across Easu's body as he closed, slamming a hoof into Starhammer and shattering the rifle in two, flinging the zebra across the courtyard to slam into the dirt with a gasp of pain. Then he advanced, glaring down at the whimpering would be conqueror and raising a hoof...

...and he couldn't bring it down. His heart ached, and vengeance drained from him. His master's voice whispered to him and Easu cried, backing away as the tears ran down his face. He... knew letting this scum go would lead to more death. He knew this was selfish of him. But... he couldn't do this anymore... he had seen too much pain and death, and he just... couldn't...

Starhammer rose with some difficulty, gave Easu a cautious look, then retreated wordlessly towards the gates. Easu just stared impotently after him.

"Tarashi."

They all looked round, Fluttershy moving out of the alleyway with Kunari upon her back. Starhammer looked at her through bloody eyes for a moment before a strangled cry escaped his throat, "Is she...?!"

"She's still alive." Fluttershy stated, laying the mare gently upon the ground and moving away from her. Starhammer instantly galloped over, only to stumble and fall upon injured hooves. Fluttershy moved to his side with a calm, compassionate expression, offering a hoof and helping him up, "Here, go to her."

Starhammer chuckled, "After everything... element of kindness..."

Fluttershy moved away, letting him limp over to Kunari's side, "Generosity."

Easu couldn't bear it, just watching in frustration as Starhammer made it to his girlfriend's side. He didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve such kindness, "Fluttershy... you don't need to do this..."

Fluttershy gave Easu a look that made his heart ache, full of compassion. She shook her head, "No Easu, you don't need to do this."

He didn't understand. He still didn't understand as Fluttershy moved over, took a pistol from the floor and buckled it to her hooves. Nor when she placed that pistol at the back of Starhammer's head, took a moment to whisper something, and pulled the trigger.

The tyrant slumped forward across Kunari's body, the light in his eyes extinguished. Fluttershy observed him for a moment before moving her weapon down and firing once more, placing a bullet neatly through the head of the unconscious Kunari. Then she unstrapped the weapon and threw it aside, silent as she stood before them.

Easu shook with emotion, "Why?"

"Because somepony has to." She answered, turning towards Esau and offering him a smile of beautiful sympathy, "And it doesn't need to be you."

"Keep fighting!" Decimus roared, pressed on all sides as Starhammer's forces fell back to defensive positions, unsettled but not broken by the blast from the tower. He knew they needed to strike now, that if given time to rally they would run over what little defenses they had left like water, "Drive them back!"

And then something whistled overhead, a nearby hotel blasted apart by some kind of high explosive shell. Another soon came down, and then another, those around him uttering his worst fears, "They've turned the artillery on the city!"

Decimus fought for an answer, "They know they've lost."

"Damn their stripes!" Mercius growled from beside him, "They plan to reduce this city to rubble in their retreat!"

Decimus raised his eyes to the sky, watching another shell streak down. He had nothing to do, nothing to say. There was no way they could reach the artillery.

They had failed...

"Look! On the horizon!"

"It cannot be!"

Clear Skies soared towards the city, instantly grateful she hadn't been in the fight. Most of it was on fire and corpses were strewn everywhere, wondering for a moment if the city had fallen. If that was the case, intervening now would be utterly pointless, "We'erth... too lathe?"

"No." Came the commanding voice beside, his tones shaking the skies, "I can see her... and I can see the shine of the crystal heart!"

Clear Skies saw it, the glow at the tip of the central tower. Even that small light was shaking though, wavering as a high explosive shell struck the middle floors with a fierce roar, "Teh arthilary!"

"I see it!" Spike roared, powering ahead with a mighty flap of his wings. His gullet ignited, spraying fire to the skies before straightening out into his attack run, "Dragons of the Drakestone peaks! Show them fire!"

Clear Skies quickly winged upwards, moving out the way as dozens of dragons soared past her to spray the enemy positions with flame. She considered herself a pretty cynical pony, but had to admit it might have been the most glorious thing she had ever seen.

"Fluttershy."

"I see them." Fluttershy stated as she gently moved away, looking to the troop of zebra soldiers currently holding weapons on them. She stared straight at ahead, voice rising in authority, "The battle is over, I command you to..."

The soldiers briefly looked to the sky as a shadow fell over them, then screamed as one. A second later and a couple of tons of dragon came down atop them, squashing them beneath his claws with no effort whatsoever.

The dragon's eyes spent little time admiring his handiwork, instead they swiftly looked up to regard Fluttershy with the deepest relief, "Fluttershy! You're alive!"

"I knew they couldn't kill you Spike." Fluttershy replied, thought privately admitted that at her worst moments she had had her doubts. A smile slowly spread across her face and she even felt a few tears drip down her face, though her heart was still numb and cold, "Though you certainly took your time."

"Yeah..." He blushed, a rather amusing sight on the enormous dragon, "The last few months have been... interesting."

"I bet." Fluttershy replied. She looked to the dragons currently mopping up Starhammer's forces, which certainly did have her somewhat shocked, "There are lots of dragons now?"

Spike scratched his head in embarrassment, "Yeah, apparently... I'm their king or something?"

"How did that happen?"

"Um, there was this ritual, and this evil dragon, and I travelled back in time... and at one point I met my mom I think?" He shrugged, "It's been a complicated few months."

Fluttershy chuckled, "I know what you mean."

"Yeah, you're kinda... looking like some comic book alternate timeline Fluttershy."

Flutterhy looked down at her blood covered hooves, "That's... a long story."

"Lady Fluttershy!"

She looked behind, a trail of zebra defenders marching up. She was forced to wince once again at that title, the worship and trust that went with it. They really had no idea, "It's ok everyone. It's over."

They came closer, looking across at Starhammer's body. Their eyes widened, a look of relief flooding in, "Starhammer is dead?"

"Yes." She responded, looking across at Easu, hollow eyed and silent as he looked across the piled up bodies, "Prince Easu slew him in battle. He has ended the war."

He just looked back at her, though he didn't protest. Maybe he understood. Maybe she understood now. Easu took a moment to stare at her before facing the soldiers, "Order every zebra to clear the city, look for survivors."

Fluttershy kept her eyes on him, and his on her. Maybe it was wrong, maybe he wouldn't forgive her... maybe she had just made another tyrant. But then maybe Kunari was right, and the world did need heroes.

Even fake ones.

Chapter 4.14 - Remembrance

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Dust Kicker moaned as he woke, searching his thoughts in brief panic as he grasped for memory. Basic information came back, drip by drip. His name, his job, how to fire a gun, how to walk. Deja vu dawned, this was not the first time he had felt this way.

Aching all over, unable to remember his name, staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling with a IV drip in his hoof.

He had no peripheral vision. He reached up to find his face covered in bandages, the space where his left eye should be hollow and aching. He then shifted aside his covers, looking down a torso mostly shorn of fur, jagged scars all across. His back left hoof was gone at the knee.

He settled back and pondered his retirement. Damn he felt old.

"Dust Kicker!"

He looked up at the figure that entered, chuckling at the sight of her. He was dreaming, but it was a pretty good dream. Rather amusing really, and he needed that, "Hello Dr Fluttershy."

"I've been so worried!" She implored, running over and hugging him close. She felt nice, smelt nice, "They weren't sure you'd ever wake up!"

Heh. He could get used to this, "Can't fool me. I know I'm still dreaming."

Fluttershy moved back, shaking her head with tears in her eyes, "You're not dreaming."

She... sounded convincing, "But... then why are you here?"

"What do you mean?"

"I... you're Fluttershy. You should be bugging the council about hellhounds, or hugging children." He looked to the window, looking out at the ruined city beyond, "And this doesn't look like Appleloosa."

Fluttershy took a deep breath, "What is the last thing you remember?"

"I..." He fought for memory, "I picked a fight with a crazy alicorn. She was a lot tougher than I expected, almost got me. I... killed her, then lay there waiting to die."

Fluttershy lifted a hoof to her eyes, tears running down her face, "Oh Dust..."

He looked back to her, smiling the happiest smile he felt he had managed in years, "Hey, don't cry. I'm feeling pretty good."

She shook her head, "But you... your wounds..."

"You know, I've always thought you were the most beautiful damn pony in the wasteland." Dust admitted with a grin, "And now you're here, crying over me. And look out there, the sun is shining, and I'm still alive to see it."

"But your hoof, and eye."

He chuckled, "It wasn't going to take anything less to convince me to retire. And to be honest with you..." He sighed, feeling it fall upon his shoulders like iron weights, "...I'm really damn tired."

She smiled back, tear filled but absolutely stunning in its kindness and beauty, "You deserve all the rest in the world Dust Kicker. And I'll be with you for every moment of it."

Decimus lay down a prayer for the holy fire as he walked through the rows of bodies, laid out as the priests prepared them for cremation. He stopped before the three tables ahead, bearing the bodies of Travarian, Ignious and Mercius, his brothers in arms. In Mercius's case, his captain and mentor.

The old zebra had made it through the fight, as tough as ever. He had taken to bed afterwards, claiming the excitement had taken it out of him and asking Decimus to deal with what tasks remained. Decimus had been happy to, Mercius having shaped his life more than any zebra living.

He hadn't woken up the next morning. A heart attack during the night they said. It wasn't a bad death, Mercius had always expressed his loathing for warriors who wished to die in battle. ‘Abandoning their post before they were properly relieved’, as he put it.

All three of them would join the holy fire today, adding the weight of their lives to its flame and from it invigorating all life to come.

He looked round as a pair of camels came past, both looking like they were about to wet themselves as they met his gaze. He carefully moderated his expression, moving to a respectful look, "You have come to retrieve your dead?"

"As you say." Spoke one of the camels as he looked across the section of the room laid out for the Saddle Arabian dead, "We traditionally bury our dead. We intend to take them to Caucus, bury them there among their fellows from the Enclave war."

Decimus nodded in respect, however odd he found the practice, "It reminds me of the friendship between our nations. We may feud, but we will always unite against a common threat."

"We would prefer if it did not come to this." The camel stated back, shaking his head at the dead before him, "Calculate the net worth of every body in this room, add it to the property damage and lost trade. The world is now less than it was."

Decimus almost called into question their placing of a material price on all this death, but it really wasn't that different from what the holy books said. Every death left the world less, and the instruments of civilization, trade, medicine, government... the loss of these was comparable, "Hopefully we will all come together to make sure this is not repeated."

"It has never stopped anyone before." The camel replied, his eyes becoming a little sterner, "Do you believe our troops underperformed?"

Decimus hesitated, which he knew already betrayed his true feelings. He fought for words, hating to be disrespectful to the dead, "They... thought themselves invincible. And they were not used to the... ferocity of real war."

"They had good reason." The camel replied, "You knew Ibis, did you not?"

His heart ached, though he was swift to suppress the feelings one more, "Yes."

"She earned her position with the apprehension of thousands of criminals, broke up illegal slavery rings, fought bandits, kept peace and showed a sense of proportion and justice that won the respect of even those she ruled against." He tensed a little, clearly angry, "And she died because she failed to understand or even comprehend that there could be those trained only to kill and destroy."

Decimus looked away, "Then she should not have been here. This was a place for soldiers..."

"We have no soldiers." The camel replied, harshly, "We have no desire for them. We wish we had no need. All we have is those like Ibis, who wish to put their lives on the line to protect that which she holds dear."

He sighed, "She succeeded."

"At bitter cost." The camel replied, continuing past with a weary expression, "May we all work for a better world."

Radhi sighed as he read over the casualty reports, a blunt piece of paper that hid a thousand personal tragedies. Some were his dearest friends. Others he didn't know at all, and that almost made him feel worse.

The youngest casualty of the battle had been seven years old, Darting Step. The buck wouldn't take no for an answer, and eventually snuck onto the battlefield and made himself useful ferrying ammo. He had been caught by a grenade during the defense of the square, and by his wounds Radhi was certain he had taken a little while to die.

Nau, his closest ally over the last few days, the young zebra who had known Luna as a child, who might have been her first true believer.

He was not dead. He probably wished it was so.

He was currently helping prepare the dead with his usual stoicism, not mentioning the fact that the friends that he had brought with him from his home village, Zash and Nora, the ones who had believed his vision of a better world... both of them lay dead. That being no fighter, he had remained in the tower while they fought and died below.

And... Niyada.

The council, the group that had led them during their time at Dusklight, who had built their society from the ground up... Niyada, Ace Swift, Princess Luna, Ebony and him. Now only two remained. And Ebony had lost her best friend, and he his most valued advisor.

It was crippling, and any other day he would have called it the end. But ultimately it seemed the cost had finally been enough. That they had finally brought peace with their blood and tears.

He stood and made it to the door for his appointment with King Zane, aware that despite all evidence... this was only the beginning.

Ace watched from the sidelines, balanced precariously on a still healing leg beside the other Dusklight children as they stood in ranks outside the great tower of Clendel. Radhi stood proudly at the front, a vast crowd all cheering as King Zane stepped towards them in full royal regalia. He paused before him, observing the children with a smile on his face before speaking, "Children of Dusklight, you embody your lady in all things. You were doubted, yet never stopped fighting for others. You ventured into darkness and emerged bearing a torch for all those who were lost. You drew the ignored and the forgotten together and shook the world with their voices. Once Princess Luna was the fear of every zebra, the greatest enemy of our race. Today she is on our lips and in our hearts, and so may it forever be."

Radhi smiled, bowing gratefully, "Thank you your majesty."

"You do not need to call me that Radhi." Zane stated with a broad smile, "You said your Princess had dreamed of silver towers over Dusklight, of a land where no child ever had to be afraid?"

"She did."

"Those lands have lain at the heart of our civilization since the first days of our triumph over the Star Demons, and letting them fall to ruin under the rule of raiders was a great tragedy." Zane continued, nodding proudly to Radhi, "If you are to reverse that failure, then you have much to do."

Radhi nodded, "We are eager to start your majesty."

"You owe me no supplication." Zane protested, dropping his head in a deep bow, "Indeed, it is I who bow to you, King Radhi of Dusklight, Warden of the Heartlands!"

Radhi froze in place even as the roar of the crowd sounded out around him. He looked adorably terrified, his voice managing little strength, "I don't... I don't know what to say. I'm just a simple boy..."

"History is full of them Radhi." Zane acknowledged with a grin, "They tend to change the world."

"He will need help, vassals to assist him in this great task." A voice sounded from behind, Ace looking round to see Cherry Sunset step up in fully power armor. She instantly bent the knee as all eyes turned to her, voice full of pride, "King Radhi, it would honor the Luna Rangers if you were to allow us to aid you in this task."

Radhi looked shocked, "Luna... Rangers?"

"We wanted a symbol, a symbol that would unite the zebra and ponies together. That would remind us all that we are not so different." Strawberry Sunshine straightened out, her eyes fierce and resolute, "Shaman and Princess, enemy and friend, innocent and warrior queen. Luna represents the struggle against ourselves for a better self, one that never ends but must be fought with all our strength regardless."

"The moon is a lesser thing without the sun." Another voice stated, Sabah stepping up beside. She was in her full white robes and had actually combed her hair for once, her voice confident despite her youth, "And vice versa. I travelled the heartlands, I saw the struggles they faced. If I'm to do good anywhere, it's there."

Radhi chuckled, "Harmony is served by unity. Light and dark, day and night."

"Hmph." Sabah grunted as she came over, looking Radhi over with a firm expression, "And I guess a soft hooved pretty boy of a moon priest needs a dirty, wasteland thug of a sun priestess."

He smiled back at her after a moment, nodding gratefully, "Thank you Sister Sabah, Paladin Cherry. It seems we have much to do."

"And I know you're up to it." Zane agreed, "Starhammer was right about one thing, this world needs to be united, and now is the time. We must restore order, before that chance is lost."

"Then I cannot be the only leader promoted." Radhi observed, "Do you have others in mind?"

Zane chuckled, though it looked a little strained, "I did not pick you Radhi, your followers did. And as for your question... well that's a little more complicated..."

"You must my lord. We all know who you are, we all saw what you did."

Did they? Easu seethed with anger as he mused how wrong they were on both counts, surrounded by their buzzing, ignorant foolishness. He didn't even know who they were, a mix of minor chieflings and petty merchants, seeking to latch on to a bit of glory. He had none to give, "You've come to the wrong zebra. I am a priest, I have no interest in crowns."

Fluttershy set her eyes on him from across the room, "You wish to avoid violence where possible, you seek wisdom, and you wish to heal and create. The roles are not that different Easu, but one of them has the potential to help so many more."

He directed his anger across at her, glaring fiercely at those fabled eyes of hers, "They offer me the crown because I killed a zebra!"

"They offer you a crown because they saw you fight for them, even when it caused you pain to do so." Fluttershy offered, her gaze not wavering, "And this is the same. This is not a burden I can take from you."

"And why not?" He asked, astounded by her cold arrogance, "Place a crown upon your head and they would follow you Fluttershy."

"Easu." She insisted, "You've been preparing for this your entire life."

"My father taught me nothing besides how to be a monster!"

Fluttershy held his gaze for a moment before speaking, "Ekundayo was right."

Easu flashed back, memories of knifes and pain... "What?!"

"Pain, suffering, being forced to confront your own ugliness. It's made you a better zebra. It's made you strong."

Easu felt sick to his stomach, hearing Fluttershy speak of the rightness of a psychopaths philosophy. Is this what they had come to? "And did Chigaru make you stronger too?"

"Yes." She stated, her face not moving from its quiet benevolence.

"He made you capable of asking me to declare myself king, gather an army, and march it towards my own brother and marefriend?"

"Yes it did Easu." She acknowledged, "I have no desire to fight either of them, but you must meet them. You have a better chance of giving this a happy ending than any of us."

Easu seethed, understanding where she was coming from but appalled at how casually she stated it, "You are a cold blooded mare Fluttershy, I can only hope this will not come to rest too uneasily upon your conscience."

"That is exactly where it will rest Easu." She acknowledged with a little bow, "So please, do what you must."

Easu marched forward in a rage, snatching the crown from the zebra in front. He held it in his hooves, admired the sketching there, the detail. This had once been Rashid's crown, taken by Starhammer. He had never worn it, and Easu could see why. A gaudy, ugly circle of soft, useless metal, signifying decades of worthlessness and brutality.

"Take this and sell it. Donate the money to the reconstruction of the city." He ordered, despairing at how commanding he sounded, "I'll earn my own crown, not seize the authority of the dead."

The zebra smiled in relief, nodding furiously, "Yes my lord!"

Easu watched the zebra scurry off. He wondered exactly what he had gotten himself into...

"She is alive... but changed. I am uncertain how, I cannot imagine this had ever happened before."

Xenith stood in front of the altarstone at the temple of Sacred Night, her heart full of worry over some star demon, over Nightmare Moon. The very idea of that sentence would have made her laugh once, but now she was faced with the horrible reality of it. To be humbled by a sacrifice made by one she had spent her whole life hating, "She must have known what would happen."

"Undoubtedly. If she is truly Nightmare Moon, Puppysmiles has suffered point blank application of harmony magics at least twice." Elder Gavosh agreed, cupping a talon over the spiky pink gemstone that sat upon the altar. It glowed softly at his proximity, but gave no further indications that there was any life there, "I sense intellect, a soul. Sleeping maybe. Not in pain."

She guessed that was something, "Then how do we wake her up?"

"Maybe the Council of Garm might know." He offered, "But to be honest, sometimes it's best to let things be. Harmony works in mysterious ways, if Puppy is sleeping, maybe she should be sleeping."

"And what of me?" Xeni spoke from beside, the little zebra sounding far firmer than her years would suggest, "I carry Selene inside me. I... we... are worried if this can last. If it is safe, for either of us."

"Now that is something I know more about" Elder Gavosh acknowledged, "There are several options, especially if Selene is willing to co-operate. We can attempt to train you in control of course, though history stands against that option unfortunately."

"Nightmare Moon." Xenith spoke, once again disturbed to think she had been a host to an aspect of the mare.

"And Charaxies. Indeed both sought our aid to control and live alongside a Star Child, but sadly in both cases the results were unfortunate." He sighed, "In fairness, both faults lay with the host, "Charaxies populated the world with monsters because she distrusted her fellow Zebra and wanted to create something better. And Luna... well, you know her story."

"So what are the other options?" Xani asked.

"Sealing... or rather re-sealing, if my guess is accurate." Elder Gavosh explained, "Many years ago, thieves broken into these vaults and carried away many of our most dangerous artifacts. It was beyond our abilities to retrieve them, so a mercenary was hired. She successfully retrieved what was stolen... but a count afterwards revealed four objects were still missing."

"What were they?" Xani asked.

"Unfortunately, we only have a vague idea of what had been stolen in the first place. Still we were confident that two of them were immature Star Children, sealed within warded glass jars. The other two were books, undoubtedly of dangerous, forbidden knowledge."

"Who was this mercenary?" Xenith asked, already having a good idea.

"Sunshine Ivory."

Xenith figured, "So that means she has two Star Demons. One is Selene..."

"The other could have been an empty jar." Elder Gavosh offered, "Undoubtedly she would have needed one to transport Charaxies safely."

Xenith wasn’t entirely convinced, "Perhaps..."

"Which is why I intend to train one of you in the sealing rituals, and give you one of our empty jars." He reached back, placing a talon upon what looked for all the world like a fancy jam jar, "In the meantime, I already have one prepared for Selene."

Xeni hesitated, her eyes showing fear, "Will it hurt me... her?"

"Not at all." Gavosh assured, "You should have little awareness once inside, the enchantments are designed to lull her into stasis. Ironically these enchantments were created with input from both the Star Child inhabited Princess Luna and Charaxies, they are designed as a humane alternative to the cruel methods of other demon hunters."

"Nightmare Moon worked with you?" Xenith expressed with surprised, "I... assumed she turned evil immediately."

"Well... it might seem that way from some texts." Gavosh sighed after a moment of thought, "Luna hid the nature of her experiments from her sister, it was only when... things started going wrong that her condition was discovered. She implanted the star child that would become Nightmare Moon into herself months before."

Xenith grunted in annoyance, but wasn't particularly surprised. You might think the fact that they had to hide their evil experiments from others would clue them in to the fact that they might be inadvisable, but they never learned, "You should have used those sealing rituals on her."

"Unfortunately that's a serious limitation to all of these rituals, including the more... invasive techniques of the true demon hunters." Gavosh explained regretfully, "It will not work on an unwilling participant."

"Like Star Swirl?"

Gavosh nodded, "If what Puppysmiles has told me is true, Star Swirl and Charaxies are now the same being. Like too many cases Charaxies is proving a toxic influence, but Star Swirl would need to acknowledge this."

Xenith frowned, "Convince her she's turned evil?"

"Yes." Gavosh confirmed, "And once that is done, Charaxies would need to be quickly sealed before she takes more drastic action."

"Drastic action?" Xenith questioned.

"Nightmare Moon's becoming a second, malignant entity and Luna's relegation to unwilling victim suggests that Luna did start to have second thoughts, and thought to cleanse herself from her symbote's corruption." Gavosh explained, "Nightmare Moon disapproved, and proved stronger."

"What if that's already happened?" Xeni asked softly, "This... 'Celestia' doesn't sound anything like Star Swirl."

Gavosh gave her a warm smile, "In that case... I hear you saved Puppysmiles from being taken over by Nightmare Moon?"

Xeni blushed, giving a little nod, "Yes... I mean Selene did. But she wasn't very helpful. The others did all the work."

"Still, the same approach should apply." Gavosh confirmed, "And Charaxies should be less of a threat than Nightmare Moon was."

"Dream walking..." Xenith didn't like that idea one bit, "That seems extremely risky."

Gavosh sighed, "You are right, of course. Still unless you have the elements of harmony handy, those are the only options I can think of."

Xenith smiled a little, "Not beyond the realms of possibility... but not something we have currently available."

"Couldn't Selene be sealed inside Puppy's skeletal body?" Xeni asked, "Study with you?"

"I... guess." Gavosh admitted, "She would have to be willing to abide to our rules, keep to the temple."

"I... she will!" Xeni blushed, drawing back a little, "I promise..."

"Then I will prepare things." Gavosh confirmed, "In the meantime..."

Xenith nodded, this was her responsibility, "I will take Puppysmiles to Garm, and see what might be done." She turned to Xeni, feeling a twinge of concern and affection for Selene that she knew came from Puppysmiles. It certainly made her pause, feeling even that echo of those motherly feelings Puppy had held for Selene, "Take care... both of you."

Xeni nodded, a smile forming at her mouth, "You too Miss Xenith."

"So what now, oh great king and emperor?" Ace commented dryly as he followed Radhi into the stateroom where the maps were laid out. It seemed odd to think about, even though Ace had himself been raised in the halls of power. To be honest all these kings and kingdoms seemed archaic, the idea that that big chunk of land was now 'owned' by the stallion in front...

Radhi chuckled at his question, adjusting his glasses in the most adorably geeky way possible, "I hardly know myself. I never imagined I would ever find myself in this situation."

"You deserve it." Ace Gold stated with sincerity.

"Do I?" He asked, giving a pained smile, "I never feel I really struggled for much Ace Gold. Sabah is right, I was brought up in a home of ample needs and educated well, with a talent for organization and learning that was never earned. I did the things I did because I knew they were right, never forced to question the morality of my actions."

Ace understood. He understood all too well, "Noblesse Oblige."

"I hate that term. One is not born inherently more skillful or noble."

"Yes they are, just as one pony is born into war and strife and one to prosperity and peace." Ace replied, feeling the world had shown it well enough, "Fate doesn't care a jot for fairness, but we all have to do the best we can with what we are given."

Radhi sighed, not sounding happy, "So I should accept that Midnight Dreamer is dead, and I am a king?"

Ace shook his head, "She's not dead Radhi, you heard how they spoke of her out there. She inspired all those zebra to fight for a better world."

"Which she will never see."

"I think she would be proud with what she achieved through her life." Ace asserted firmly, "And that she wouldn't be able to name a better zebra to lead her ideals forward from this point. It's not a privilege, it's a lot of damn hard work, and I'm glad it's not me faced with it."

Radhi smiled at this, bowing his head in respect for a moment before meeting him with a look of resolution, "Thank you Ace Gold, for everything. Perhaps we have both found our calling... though I will miss your company."

Ace looked at him, feeling like this was goodbye, "Am I going somewhere?"

"You will always be going somewhere I feel." Radhi acknowledged, nodding to Ace's hooves, "You said it yourself when we parted at Dusklight, there's things you need to do. It's in your blood."

Ace sighed, he guessed it was, "I can't leave well enough alone."

"You were unhappy back home because you have a wanderer's spirit Ace, you were never going to be satisfied living in a mansion." Radhi observed, giving him a proud grin, "I on the other hand will be far happier sitting in a permanent office working out tax codes."

"Heh..." Ace looked at Radhi, feeling regret... but also knowing that they had likely made the best decision, "I think we're headed up to Garm, but after that... we're headed back home."

"I will make sure the roads are clear for your return Ace." Radhi assured, "And believe me when I say that my every resource will be dedicated to ensuring the success of your missions to come."

Ace nodded, smiling as he clacked a hoof against Radhi's, "Thank you, for everything."

Radhi smiled back, "And you Ace Gold. May both our paths lead us both to happiness."

The outskirts of Clendel were littered with debris, and likely would be for a long while yet. Still there was a beauty amid the devastation, especially with the splashes of color as those dragons who had remained stalked the hills.

Spike stood on the hilltop, looking over Clendel with a troubled expression. Fluttershy approached with caution, after all this time still admitting to be a little intimidated when he got all serious, "Spike?"

He looked to her in surprise, trying to smile and not really succeeding, "Fluttershy! Ah, it's good to see you..."

"Spike." She warned, "We didn't see you at the celebration."

"I didn't exactly fight..." He reasoned, "Besides, did they really want a dragon there?"

Fluttershy gave him a soft smile, "They're zebra Spike. They love dragons."

He chuckled at this, "I guess so."

"So what's bothering you?"

Spike looked at her for a long while, his expression reluctant. Eventually he was forced to speak by the oppressive silence, opening with a sigh, "I'm worried about you Fluttershy."

She figured he might find it challenging, "It's not as bad as you think."

He gave her a weak smile, "It's just... it was nice seeing you, one tiny piece of old Equestria still preserved. But I look at you now..."

She nodded, understanding, "We all have to change Spike. And I'm still the same inside, even if I'm more willing to... do things I find distasteful."

"Well you certainly look like the Fluttershy I knew... I'm not sure if that makes it better or not." He paused a moment to order his thoughts before explaining, "It's weird, seeing you so young. How did you do it?"

Fluttershy was confused, "Do what?"

"Make yourself younger."

"I... look younger?" She was feeling a lot better, that was true, "I've been... exercising a lot more I suppose."

Spike gave her a questioning look, "Fluttershy, you have a heart condition and colitis, you shouldn't be exercising. And you look about half your age, exercise doesn't do that."

He was exaggerating. She was looking pretty fit true, but hardly to that extent, "I'm only seventy two."

"Actually, you're two hundred and seventy four." Spike pointed out, "And more to the point... not to put it harshly, but the stress of the war didn't do you many favors. You might still have the grey hair, but other than that I think you look a little younger than you did before the megaspells fell."

Fluttershy was pretty sure there was a good reason for that, "Spike, I've been... unhappy for a long time. I'm not sure I realized how unhappy I was."

"And you're happy now? With all this war, and death?"

She chuckled despite herself, "Ironic isn't it? That I've finally found out the one thing I was missing was danger, adventure and excitement."

"You..." Spike took a deep breath, "...I hate it. I try to be the big tough Dragon King, but this battle and warfare makes me sick to my stomach. I'm dreading going back to Equestria, I know it's my duty to fight..."

"Then let me fight in your place Spike."

He looked at her, eyes wide, "Fluttershy, are you joking with me?"

She smiled, sweet and totally sincere, "Spike, really? Everypony's been telling me this for years, and now I'm finally agreeing with you you're taking this opportunity to doubt it?"

"Doubt... what?"

She sighed, "Out of me and you, who do you truly think is the most dangerous?"

Spike looked at her for a second more before smirking, "Fair point."

"Honestly Spike..." She started, chewing on her words for a moment before continuing, "It's nice to have you worrying about me. It's become more and more obvious that... I have a destiny, and I'm going to be important somehow in the battles to come. And the more I prepare for that, the more I feel myself changing. Into a pony I don't truly understand."

Spike just smiled back at her, "Fluttershy, for all my fussing... it's going to be ok. I always knew you survived for a reason, and that in many ways you were the strongest of all of us. Maybe this was your story all along."

"We all have stories Spike." Fluttershy replied, looking back at the city, "Maybe my story is to save the world, be all big and shiny and important. But in that city alone... there's a million other stories, all of which have their own importance."

Spike grinned sheepishly, "You know, I really wanted to tell you about my adventures after we parted at Demonivore."

She turned to look at him expectantly, "Why don't you?"

"Because you're right, everyone has a story to tell." He motioned with a claw, "There's a zebra in that city, Kalo. His sister was kidnapped by slavers, and he's spent a whole year trying to track her down. He's taken down bandits, saved maidens, and eventually discovered the slaver who sold his sister had signed up with Starhammer. So he did too, and during the battle he took down that slaver, got a new clue and spent the rest of the battle helping us win against his former comrades. Now he's setting off again, up north, likely for another great adventure."

"Sounds like a real hero."

Spike nodded, "His story was better than mine, but I know in years to come mine will likely be in textbooks and his will be a footnote."

Fluttershy nodded, feeling the weight on her heart, "A lot of stories ended too. And I know many will never be told."

"I'm done with boasting Fluttershy." Spike declared firmly, "I wasn't going to be Dragon King Fluttershy. I supported another candidate, a dragon called Ember, she had a proper destiny and a grand story that I wanted to be a part of. But she... died. And I had to take up where she left off."

Fluttershy noted Spike had choked up a little, pretending not to notice, "I'm sorry Spike."

"I guess we're all just at the whims of harmony in the end." Spike concluded, "And pawns and kings eventually go home in the same box."

Easu walked into the room a king. And he had to say he didn't like it.

Zane was there, along with Radhi. One of Nanati's sons stood in for his mother, and Serbius was there for Garm. Decimus stood for Lord Caesar. Cherry Sunset for Anatu. And at the end, regarding him with an enthusiasm he could see even through her face mask, Myrtis. She chirped her greeting, "Easu! It's good to see you again!"

"Myrtis." He nodded back soberly, "My thanks for your assistance during the battle."

"It waz good to fight for the empire again." She replied, motioning to the table in the centre, "Come, we have a lot to discuzz."

He did as he was asked, looking about the table, "Where do we start?"

Zane took this one, smiling warmly, "Well first congratulations are in order for Radhi of the Heartlands, and Easu of the northern Mutum. Welcome to the council."

"Thank you. It is an honor." Radhi responded, showing a grace and decorum Easu knew he would never match.

"On that note, I also wish to welcome our newest territory." Zane continued, looking to Myrtis, "Operative Myrtis, speaking for Dictator Invictus of Kyrshin."

Easu raised an eyebrow at this, "Invictus has declared himself Dictator?"

"Az the lawz decree." Myrtis confirmed, "Kyrshin has no Caesar, no eligible civilian government. Az such, it falls to the highezt ranking military offizer to take the role of dictator until a new Caesar can be chozen."

Zane nodded to her, then turned to the others, "That is what we are here to discuss. I hope you all agree with me that the Dragon Throne should remain empty, and the council reestablished. A movement to the Imperial Council chambers could be considered after that, especially given the damage to Clendel.”

"There is the possibility of my lord Caesar taking a constitutional position in regard to the throne, though only as a means of legitimizing the council." Decimus stated firmly, "But regardless, I know this is his will."

"Nanati will of course agree." The Nanati representative agreed.

Easu took a moment to watch Radhi hesitate before speaking before him, his words firm and decisive, "I disagree."

They all looked at him, Myrtis the first to speak. Her tone was irreverent, "Want the throne for yourzelf Easu?"

His brow creased, "Certainly not. Instead, I support King Zane for the position."

Zane finally managed to find his tongue after a moment, giving an embarrassed smile, "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I would be a terrible Caesar. Clendel benefits from a soft touch, which is a good thing as it's all I can provide." His face firmed a little, his tone serious now, "And we have no need of a Caesar."

"I disagree." Easu countered, "Kyrshin needs a leader, a king to stand for it. What of the Sequesta tribe who surround it, and whom I note provided little real help help in the battle?"

"The Sequesta are just that, a tribe." Serbius responded dismissively, "They do not even have a leader, only a unifying creed."

"That can change." Easu responded, "A charismatic zebra upon the Dragon Throne will amass followers, and what happened with Starhammer may occur again. And what of existing threats?"

"Which threats are these?" Zane asked cautiously.

"The NCR, the Golden Coast and Star Fall." Easu responded with firm tone, challenging them with his eyes, "The political situation before the war speaks for itself, a council lacks the authority to challenge a unifying leader. To take our position on the world stage, we need to be a unified body under a Caesar. To earn respect from our enemies, we need a Caesar upon the Dragon Throne."

"Your ambition is obvious." Nanati's reprehensive spoke sharply, regarding him with suspicious eyes, "You wish the position for yourself. You wish it so you can join your brother in going to war with the ponies."

"I want to stop my brother!" Easu shouted, growling for a moment before drawing himself back in and regaining his composure, "Star Fall and the Golden Coast are zebra territories, and should be part of this council. And I believe if the old ways were to return my brother's energies could be redirected towards restoring this land, instead of invading another."

"You wish to make peace with the coast?" Cherry stated, the first time she had spoken up during the meeting. Her eyes were interested now, whereas before she had been suspicious and calculating, "You must have heard of the situation there."

Easu really didn't want to address this, but he knew there was no choice, "Not as much as I would wish..."

Cherry regarded him assessingly as she explained, "Star Fall, the Golden Coast and parts of the heartlands and Anatu are now under the control of the Church of Celestia. Celestia herself has amassed vast secular power alongside her religious assets, assigning chaplains to Incuta's garrison forces that have essentially become commanding officers. The seneschal of Demonivore, Daisy, is rarely seen without a pair of Celestia's alicorns at her side."

How long had they been in that damn city? The whole world had shifted in their absence it seemed, "How has she moved so fast?"

"Incuta's subjects have long been indoctrinated into the role of mindless drones to another's will." Nanati's representative stated with a upturned nose, "And with Incuta gone, they quickly look to another to offer them stability."

"Not to mention, Celestia is a convincing leader." Zane added, voice betraying a little respect, "She's personally destroyed bandit camps, distributed the cures for many well known diseases, executed dozens of the most corrupt of Incuta's officials and even made improvements to agriculture."

Easu remembered her mentioning that, "She studied it with the Followers of the Apocolypse."

Radhi shook his head, looking a little sick, "It can't be true..."

"It is." Easu admitted, before facing the council once again, "Even if you will not accept a Caesar, something must be still be done."

"Can we not make peace with this Celestia?" Serbius asked, "She seems a good ruler, and I'm sure..."

"She's a mentally unstable alicorn of Twilight Sparkle's creation, infested with a Star Demon, manipulated by a sociopath and filled with the desire for vengeance." Easu stated with firm resignation, the muscles bunching in his face, "And though she's my responsibility, I humbly request your assistance."

"If we march on her, we march on Incuta." Zane observed, "We march on your brother."

Myrtis nodded, her voice crooning, "And if you dizlodge Celeztia from her pozition, that would leave Star Fall leaderlezz."

"And you would leave the invasion forces in Equestria with nowhere to go." Cherry added, "What choice do you intend to provide them with?"

Easu brooded on the answers, to three very good questions. He knew Fluttershy's feelings on the matter, but she had encouraged him to make his own decisions. That was a scary thought, knowing that his choices would change the balance of power for generations to come, "I request that Star Fall and the Golden Coast will be placed under your temporary authority King Zane. After peace is established, a more permanent solution can be taken."

Zane sighed, then nodded reluctantly, "I can send Kale down with you. She will take command of the situation in my name."

"That will be appreciated." Easu acknowledged, noting mentally that having a warrior and general like her would certainly be an asset, "And as for the forces in Equestria, they will be given amnesty to return home, and abandon this pointless war."

"And if they do not?" Cherry asked, her eyes challenging.

Easu lowered his gaze this being the big question he had been trying to avoid. Still, it had to be considered, "Then I will take whatever volunteers wish to follow and travel to Equestria myself. And I will make my brother see reason."

It was morning. It was the morning.

Ace Gold looked at them all, feeling conflicted. It felt like the end of an era, even if he knew they would see each other again soon. Perhaps he also knew that things would never be the same, that this was the end of their shared journey.

"Do not worry Fluttershy." Easu declared with kindness as he stood just outside the gates, clad in simple but distinguished robes that Ace admitted looked pretty good on him, "I will take care of Dust Kicker during your absence, and make sure the remnants of Starhammer's army cause no further trouble."

"Along with raising your own army?" Ace asked, not particularly comfortable with this part of the plan.

"Gathering volunteers." Easu answered, "I am hopeful it is an army that will never have to fight, but I understand the value of a show of force."

"And I will meet you at Garm." Xenith added, Puppy's gemstone hanging around her neck, "I need to see what can be done for Puppysmiles."

Ace caught Fluttershy giving his master a complex look, understandable really. He paused a moment before replying, "I'm not sure I like the idea of you walking all that way. You're still injured."

"I will have a few shaman with me for protection." Xenith answered, looking down at her still braced and bandaged front leg, "And I have been told that the damage is permanent, there is no further healing to be made. I must now hope in either the master healers, or Puppysmiles. Even then... I am fairly sure my days training you are over."

Ace winced. That seemed so final, "Don't say that. I'm sure you can recover..."

"Ace, I will not be sorry to leave fighting behind. And even before now it was obvious my time was over." She smiled, a thin line across aged, weathered features, "I have lived far, far longer than anypony ever guessed. But it has taken it's toll."

"Xenith..." Fluttershy ventured, voice soft, "You're forty nine. You're far younger than me."

Ace looked up at her in disbelief. That couldn't be right, "Forty nine?! But you look so... um..."

Xenith gave a soft grin, "Think carefully about your next words Ace Gold."

He swiftly backed down. Yeah... he wasn't going there, "Never mind."

"As I said, many have expressed doubt when I tell them about my experiences, for none could have survived them. Sadly, repeatedly cheating death has its consequences, this leg in particular has been broken fourteen times." She answered, delivering a kind look to Ace before straightening out, "So no more. My last duties, taking Puppysmiles to Garm, and finding my daughter. After that, I will stay at Garm. I will teach history, I will enjoy retirement and I will be happy for as long as I have left."

Ace hated talk like that, "Stop it. You're as bad as Fluttershy."

"Living the life we do, you have to make your peace with it Ace Gold." Easu explained, looking at the two mares before nodding, "Death is a constant companion, the recent battle should have taught you that."

Ace Gold wanted to internalize that lesson, he agreed it made sense. Still, he couldn't, and... it wasn't the final act that terrified him, "I hate seeing... the strong get weaker. I hate seeing those around me age."

"You didn't go to see Dust Kicker, did you Ace?" Fluttershy asked gently.

"No..." He admitted, shivering, "It reminded me... of my father."

"Your father was injured in battle?" Easu asked.

Ace snorted, "Not even. Some douchbag shot him through the head when his back was turned." He looked away, fuming at the injustice of it all, "And turned the greatest warrior in the NCR into a cripple who couldn't even shoot straight."

"Your father made peace with it Ace Gold." Xenith stated, nodding firmly, "He said to me how he was happy to leave some of his responsiblies behind, spend more time with his family and friends. Strength does not bestow happiness, and you don't need it to live a worthwhile life. You will grow, and grow strong. But you should never define yourself by strength, because it will fade."

"Why? Why must everything... decline?" Ace asked, feeling stubborn.

"So we are reminded to slow down, accept the bold new ideas of the young, and share the benefits of our experience with them." Xenith answered, "If I was still half as strong as you I would have done this myself Ace. As it is, I have had to teach you what little I know, and I am proud to see how far you have come."

Ace sighed, guessing he had to accept it, "Thank you Xenith."

"It was no problem Ace Gold." She stated, before nodding and turning to leave, "We will meet again soon."

He watched her go, a deep aching, illogical fear in his heart. He had been abandoned so many times, and now it was happening again. He could already come up with a thousand reasons why that statement was stupid and selfish, but the terrible truth was that it didn't matter if he had a million. It would still hurt. It would always hurt.

"So you are ready. That is good."

He turned, seeing Decimus approach alongside... Clear Skies of all ponies, limping and hopping along. He raised a questioning eyebrow, "Clear Skies?"

"She will be coming with us to the temple." Decimus explained, "It was her soul request for her part in the battle."

Ace frowned, that didn't make any sense, "Why?"

"Thereths somefing up there I want to thee." She explained, giving an off centered wink, "But it's a secret."

Ace Gold looked up at Decimus, "Ok, if you won't tell me... why is she coming with us?"

"It is indeed, a secret." Decimus explained, as flat and official as ever, "I insisted she keep her reasons to herself, at least for now."

"Now you are all here, I must leave you too." Easu stated as they came together, giving a regal nod, "I wish you luck, and I will see you soon."

And so they moved, Ace looking behind as Clendel retreated into the distance. He looked around, noting just the lone Fluttershy left of his long time companions. It made him feel lonely, and lost. And for the first time in a while his mind turned to his brother and sister, his mothers and father. He hoped they were safe and happy.

For a moment he thought he saw it, up in the sky. Wings of bright balefire green. But it was only a trick of the light.

And so they continued, up towards the far distant mountains. The terrain grew rockier, more inhospitable, Fluttershy sure that without Decimus navigating they would have become hopelessly lost. Clear Skies landed occasionally but spent most of the time in the air, and eventually the rocks cleared to reveal a vast panorama of most of the Mutum behind them. She had noticed they had been climbing, but she hadn't realized they were already so high.

"This is the devil's pebbles, isn't it?" Ace commented, looking back at them in irritation as they failed to respond, "One of the Origin Mountains had its side sheared off by a Star Demon, it fell across this area."

"I had heard that story." Decimus commented from ahead, seeming oddly cheerful this morning, "Though more likely Mount Sedimus simply crumbled this way naturally, these rocks have been proven to have been deposited over hundreds of years. And we stand upon what is itself a mountain, one of the Origin's range's 'little spires'. Only a few hundred feet at its peak, but formed by the same growing pains as the rest of them."

Fluttershy looked ahead as the sky cleared in front, vast peaks of blue stone spiking up to the heavens. They stretched for miles, and from here she could see that they did not indeed simply carve across the Mutum in a neat boarder but faded into the golden grassed plains in a rolling mass of hills and rocky outcrops. And far, far above she could see it, faded, overgrown but still present. She pointed it out, "Zemir the Wise, she's still here."

Decimus nodded as he looked up, "Good eye."

Ace frowned from beside, "Where?"

"She's fairly obscured now." Decimus explained, backing up and guiding Ace's hoof up towards the hem of her robes carved into the mountainside, "And she's really best seen from the other side."

"I... can see her. Sort of." Ace finally stated after a moment, craning his neck to the side, "Who is she?"

"She was the wife of the second Caesar." Fluttershy explained, having had this tour herself once, "You remember the smaller throne next to the Dragon Throne? That was built for her."

"There have been many attempts to repair and preserve our history." Decimus explained, "The Praetorians last traveled up there a little over eighty years ago, cleared the moss away and repaired what we could. We call her 'The Lady'." He looked down the line of mountains, "Sadly many of the others have been completely lost to the ages."

"You should be glad you have this much." Ace commented, "You should have seen Equestria after the megaspells had finished falling. And the griffons only had what they could carry out on their backs."

"That is part of our duty." Decimus explained, "To protect... and to preserve."

The temple came into view now, Karege. Fluttershy remembered it as the source of Caesar Rumicon's final transmission, urging his subjects to safety. And it was the home of the Caesar of the East, the mysterious figure in the background that they knew so little about.

It was circular in shape and supported a large funnel, made of the same sandstone as the surrounding area and feeling like less a building and more like some strange natural formation in the rock. Hieroglyphs marked the exterior, Fluttershy barely able to translate a fraction of them. It was Kaino, one of the zebra's rhyming languages, but it was of an incredibly old dialect that barely resembled the modern form.

"This is... a Karakian style house." Ace stated, sounding deeply impressed, "What is it doing on the other side of the country?"

Fluttershy looked to him, "Karakian?"

"The water zebra of the Golden Coast, around the epic era." Ace Gold explained, "Karakivore is named after them."

"This is a reproduction of the original house that stood here." Decimus explained as they approached across the dusty plain, shielded from the wind and shielded from view from the spikes of jagged rock all around. He gently struck the dirty with a hoof, turning over dried soil, "The zebra who built that house was originally from that area. Clear Skies, if you would remain outside?"

The pegasus huffed, then took to the skies with a burst of air to soar towards one of the nearby peaks. Fluttershy once again noted how graceful she was, especially considering how clumsy she often appeared on the ground.

Decimus led them inside, the truth soon making itself known. Fluttershy paused in shock for a moment as they entered the entrance hall and she was immediately confronted by a statue of him, but then she quickly realized that she was mistaken.

It was an easy mistake to make, the zebra powerfully built and rugged rather than handsome, a large, familiar sword imbedded in the ground beside him. But this zebra's face was older, wearier, his body slumped slightly as if he bore the weight of the world. All the same he looked happy, satisfied.

She looked up at the statue, then at the sides of the room where other artifacts were laid out. Farming tools, everyday objects... and trophies from demon kings, "This was the home of Zephyr Stormstrung."

Decimus nodded, his voice respectful, "When his task was done, and we were free, this is where he lay down his sword. He became a farmer, and lived here isolation until he died at the age of eighty two."

Fluttershy couldn't help but be reminded of Ponyville, of the Twilight Observatory, Sweet Apple Acres Casino and... most unsettlingly... Fluttershy Free Hospital. The mundane items of their lives, laid out and worshiped as some religious artifacts. It had already started happening with the latest generation, Littlepip encouraged to lend anything up to and including her toothbrush to museums across the land, "There was a military facility built here? On a historical site?"

"Formerly it was an archaeological dig, that left a cave network underground. That cave network was eventually repurposed as a military facility." Decimus explained, leading them on, "Zephyr chose the location well. This place is hard to get to, shielded from the weather and prying eyes."

They reached a lift door, Decimus scanning his eye and ushering them in as it opened, "Please, after you."

They entered and the lift sped down, smooth and easy, descending through what she recognized by the echo as a protective shell reinforced with magic. It wasn't long after that that they reached their destination, only one button upon the wall. The lift doors slid open with a clank, revealing in front of them the fabled elder temple of the Caesar of the East.

White walls, the smell of disinfectant and smooth lines stretched across Fluttershy’s vision, instantly reminding her of her medical days. Glass windows looked into labs full of bubbling liquids, planters in neatly arranged rows and expensive looking computers. A model of a six pointed constellation sat in the middle of the lobby, the symbol of harmony in scientific achievement.

"You said it was an old research facility…” Ace started, looking around in wonder, “I didn’t expect it to be a fully functional research facility.”

“Good evening, all of you.” A zebra stated smartly, a big smile on her face and a white coat draped across her body. She was prim and neat looking, even with her hair in a traditional Mohican, of middle years, “I am Medicus Decima, department manager of Medicine at this facility.”

“And what exactly is this facility?” Ace asked, eyes tracking the other similarly dressed zebra as they moved about the area.

“This was the centre of Zebra biological research during the war.” Decima explained, leading them on into the facility, “This is where Rohohuki, ‘pink gas’, was perfected, where the first Ghost Operatives were created. Here the elite warriors of our army were enhanced, given abilities beyond that of any of their fellows.”

Fluttershy bristled, a sick feeling filling her chest, “And now?”

“We use this facility and these machines to create new plants and medicine, as we have done for the last two hundred years.” She answered proudly, “Much of the prosperity of the valley was created here, in this facility.”

Ace was still frowning, looking confused, “Why the religious stuff? Why call it a temple?”

Decima smiled softly back at him, “Few zebra trusted the power of science after that science scoured the globe clean. They wanted hope, the hope of the less physical.”

Fluttershy admitted it was sad. Ponies talked about Twilight Sparkle like she was a cackling madpony, clad in a blood stained smock. Not that he needed much help but Doc Slaughter himself had admitted to intentionally playing up the image, seemingly the only one most ponies would accept. But all this still left the one big question, “And what of Caesar? Is he even real?”

“The director is waiting for you further on.” She stated with a beaming smile, “Please, follow me.”

Fluttershy felt her heart tremble slightly as they approached the facilities’ central offices, noting how similar they looked to the ones at the Institute of Science. She realized that both had been designed to intentionally ape a top down view of the celestial harmony symbol, with the director’s office forming the planet and those of the other seniors forming the moon, sun and outer planets surrounding it.

A praetorian met them at the door, golden armor surrounding the sunken features of a truly old looking ghoul who beyond reason had managed to cling on to a long, wispy beard. He smiled as they approached, toothless and oddly familiar… “Fine greetings to you Lady Fluttershy!”

“Alpharious?” She expressed in surprise, her smile soon spreading wide across her face. She could barely believe it, but that face was still so familiar even after all this time, "You're still alive?"

"I could say the same of you Lady Fluttershy." The old ghoul replied, chuckling, "You haven't aged a day."

She was really getting that a lot lately. She shrugged it off, turning to Ace and explaining, "This is Alpharious, he was Caesar Remicon's bodyguard... and a good friend."

"I served him long before he became Caesar." Alpharious corrected, grinning from ear to ear with cheer, "As a young zebra I had the pleasure of adventuring alongside the six ministry mares. Those were the days!"

"Days I miss deeply." Fluttershy acknowledged, "But why are you here?"

"I swore an oath to serve until my last breath Lady Fluttershy. That period not ending any time soon doesn’t preclude that." He pressed a button on the wall to open up a pair of double doors into the chamber beyond, "Please, the master wishes to speak to you."

Fluttershy nodded gratefully, then proceeded past into the room beyond. Ace followed, the doors closing behind and leaving them in a large, shadowed chamber.

And one by one, the lights activated. It was a command center of some kind, lined by consoles and monitors. At the far end was some kind of tube, containing what appeared to be a body of some kind, the read outs on the monitors seeming to contain physiological information along with the status of the world around. It reminded her of the SPP command center, a pony in stasis linked up to a larger system.

“Wecome travelers.” A deep voice boomed out from speakers on every wall. The tube lit up to reveal the occupant, papery skin stretched across wasted muscle, the whole body thin and withered and cut open to admit trailing wires and strange cybernetics. It almost looked a corpse but it twitched slightly as its eyes opened up, lined with cataracts and desperately trying to focus. As she watched, a smile crossed its face, desperate and sad, "Fluttershy..." The face stretched father, happiness shining there, "You... have had the better of the years. But it is good to see you again."

Fluttershy shook her head, trying to recognize him, "Do I know... you...?"

"You look as beautiful today, as the day you saved me from that manticore." Caesar stated with kindness, voice cracking a little, "To think, that over two and a half hundred years later we would stand here, face to face."

Fluttershy paused a moment at the implications, how to react. It was obvious now in retrospect, and quite appropriate. Because he truly was Caesar, or at least Caesar apparent with his father lost. It was painful, seeing the proud, handsome zebra reduced to this, though her heart sang to see him again after all this time, "Prince Nashar..."

"The prince?!" Ace exclaimed, brow narrowing, "From the war? How did you get down here?!"

"Well that is quite the question." Nashar responded with a hint of amusement.

"Your father gave you to High Scientist Zenospira." Fluttershy stated, remembering what they had seen at the palace, "I looked for you in the Academy of Science, but..."

She trailed off, feeling her heart sink. She had though him dead, finding no trace of him. When they destroyed the facility she definitely figured he was either dead already, or they had killed him during the destruction. Nashar took a moment before responding, "My father wanted me outside the city. Zenospira convinced him that I could be turned to the war effort, that he could remake me as a prince he could be proud of."

Fluttershy felt her heart shake with anger, "How... how could he!?"

"I had planned to kill him Fluttershy. That he left me alive was mercy." Nashar responded soothingly, "And he gave explicit orders that I was not to be hurt, that I was to be left in a state where I could take over the Empire if needed. This facility was designed as a apocalypse bunker you see, with me wired into its systems. From here I could access our entire network, military, civilian... I could order its armies, use its communications."

"Why would he give someone who tried to kill him that much power?" Ace asked.

"Command would only be given to me if command collapsed, if my father and his generals were presumed dead." Caesar explained, "If that happened, my father's orders were for me to save what remained of the zebra, in whatever way I saw fit."

"And you did..." Fluttershy concluded.

"Of course not. My father trusted that monster Zenospira with the task after all, and he had other ideas." Nashar explained with a note of anger, a slight tension flickering through his withered form, "Zenospira included an override, a master program designed to replace my control. I would be reduced to a mere puppet, an organic computer running a false version of myself obedient to Zenospira alone."

Fluttershy shivered, once again feeling glad he was dead, "So how did you stop it?"

"The only way I could think of." Nashar responded with a sigh, "I induced a reactor overload, tried to wipe this facility off the map before he could take control."

"That's pretty brave..." Ace noted, "...but I note this place isn't a crater."

"Yes." Nashar responded, "The Ministry of Awesome detected the overload, they broke in here and disabled it. They wiped out his forces, and cut me off from Zenospira's control before he could stop them."

Fluttershy paused in shock for a moment before grinning, "Rainbow Dash saved you?"

"Well, her men." Nashar corrected, "But yes, pretty ironic. And indeed, with that action I believed they may have saved the world... or what was left of it."

"Not a lot." Ace quipped, unusually irreverent today.

"You went to the capital." Nashar responded, ignoring Ace's comment, "Did you meet Zenospira?"

Fluttershy shivered. She still remembered his taunts, "Yes... he's dead."

"He was behind it all Fluttershy. He intentionally pushed us into firing the megaspells, knowing we would wipe each other out. Then he simply sealed the capital, safe from harm as the rest of the world burned in fire."

"I know Nashar." Fluttershy noted quietly, "He killed every zebra in the city too."

"And this facility was the linchpin of his plans." Nashar answered, "We were connected to the tower by a quantum entanglement connection, allowing him to access the numerous catches and robotic armies he had stored away while himself remaining safe from retaliation. He intended to use my mind to command his armies, all out of his own twisted sadism."

Fluttershy had thought he was bad enough as it was, "The moon... that's what he wanted to do to this planet."

"And we were to prepare the way, provide him with more test subjects and resources." Nashar‘s voice lowered, "And he wanted to find you Fluttershy."

Fluttershy was somewhat taken aback by that, "Me? Why?"

"So he could make you suffer."

Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, failing to understand why. She had only met the zebra once, briefly, at a party. She hadn't even known his name. It didn't make sense, "You know, for a long time... I wanted a big bad villain to be behind everything. Someone we could fight, defeat."

"He was that villain."

"No he wasn't." Fluttershy responded firmly, "He just played on prejudices, pushed a little. If we hadn't wanted to fight, it never would have worked. And he had no hold over Equestria. Everything we did, launching the megaspells... that was us." She shook her head, "He was just a weak little bully, who was cynical enough to see where we were going and wanted to make the best of it."

Nashar was silent for a long time. Finally he spoke, voice heavy, "I have tried Fluttershy. Tried to make a better world."

She offered him a small smile, "Clendel is doing well."

"It's on fire." Nashar answered grimly, "Everything I have done has failed. Did you know I once banned ponies from these lands?"

"They told me you hated ponies Nashar." Fluttershy stated, having wondered about that for a while, "I know that's not true."

"I told you once, how I wish our two nations had never met. That two races so different in culture and ideals would inevitably start to fight. So I tried to stop that happening again. At first I banned ponies from these lands, segregated them to their own settlements. Then I stopped all immigration, tried to instill community spirit..." He gave a dry, humorless chuckle, "And the zebra fought each other. Over the minute differences in their creeds. Over the families they were born into. Over the way they styled their hair." He concluded glumly, "And once again, the Mutum burns."

"You know who are the really aggressive species?" Ace spoke up firmly, looking to the both, "Griffons."

"Griffons?" Fluttershy expressed in confusion, "What do they have to do with anything?"

"They're quite famous for it. Always pushing each other around, always showing off and challenging each other. Whether competing over some baking contest, trying to get a higher grade in a term paper or actually wrestling each other in the corridors, griffons love to fight." He stated at each of them, "And they were horrified by the war. And I know for a fact that they would never have launched the megaspells."

"The griffons have started more wars than any other species on this planet." Nashar challenged, "It is a bold claim to say they would possess such power, and not deploy it immediately."

Ace looked right back at him, "They wouldn't. Because fighting is a way of life for them, it's part of their culture and biology. They compete all the time, yet almost no one is ever hurt, no friendships are ever broken and they pretty much built the NCR from scratch. Because they know how far to take it, when to call it off and when to hold back." He extended a hoof, accusing, "Your response is typical. You look down on Griffons, see them as a violent culture. And yet you are totally incapable of acknowledging the violence in your own."

"Ace... " Fluttershy started.

"Your religion, the Holy Fire. It forbids violence!" He looked to Fluttershy, "And what to the principles of harmony say about killing?"

Fluttershy took a breath, "It's strictly forbidden."

"The griffons may sometimes glorify their violent impulses." Ace finished, "But at least they understand them. You pretend you are beyond them, and act all surprised when you start killing each other over trivialities."

Silence settled for a moment before Caesar spoke, "He has a point."

"Then what?" Fluttershy questioned, a little more aggressive than she intended, "We change equine nature?"

"You regulate it." Ace answered, "You talk about it. You don't hide behind ideas like violent ponies being mentally ill, or violence being the work of governments or beliefs. You admit to yourselves that violence is part of us all, and we have to work out ways of dealing with that."

Fluttershy took a moment to take that in, finally giving a giggle. He had really grown up, "That was very wise Ace."

"It's not exactly a new idea." He protested, "It's a central part of NCR martial arts. Queen Crimson said almost exactly the same thing in her ten year fighting anniversary."

"Isn't she... a boxer?"

"She's the nine year holder of the Mixed Martial Arts Equine Cruiserweight trophy." He frowned at them both, "Yeah, a pony who hits other ponies for a living could teach you two a thing or two about the world."

Fluttershy noted he seemed especially irked, "Ace, you seem... upset."

"Because this is exactly the same thing everyone is doing." He answered, "Red Eye, Velvet Remedy, Sunshine Ivory... you're all such idealists, but you never fact check your own assumptions. That we've were killing each other long before we split into separate species, and that..."

Ace looked at her and paused, Fluttershy taking a deep breath and nodding, "Go on."

His eyes clouded with regret, "Fluttershy, the idea that no one would ever use the megaspells to end the world was based on the idea that equines are rational and empathetic. And they're not. It's not just evil masterminds either, sometimes it just takes a weak little bully like Xenospira. And... they're not as rare as you would like."

Fluttershy nodded, accepting that, "I know."

"An honest advisor is a valuable thing." Nashar stated, his voice full of regret, "You have me right Ace Gold, I was always too bound to my ideals."

"We both were." Fluttershy admitted.

"If not for Lightning Dust, I fear we would have gotten the world destroyed much sooner." He paused a second before continuing, "My father told me that she was killed... by Equestrian Forces."

Fluttershy didn't know quite what to say, still remembering the event as vividly as if she had been there, "He was telling the truth. Rainbow Dash tried to protect her, but she was assassinated by Equestrian soldiers trying to prevent a diplomatic end to the war."

"My father tried to use her death to make me hate ponies." Nashar replied, sounding torn, "It didn't work, I was already aware that they can be as cruel and evil as any zebra. But I am glad her and Rainbow Dash got to make amends."

"I wouldn't go that far..." Fluttershy admitted, remembering how harshly Rainbow Dash had spoken, "But I think they realized they were fighting for the same thing."

Ace looked at them both, finally speaking, "Didn't Lightning Dust... almost get you killed once Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy could only giggle, for some reason finding it all rather funny, "Three times actually."

"She was not one for morality, and she could be charmingly straightforward. And she rarely considered the feelings of others." Nashar admitted, "As such I found she complemented my personality well. She had a way of puncturing my idealism. Seeing things stripped of emotion."

"Perhaps that is what goes wrong." Fluttershy admitted, "It can be very easy to only associate with other idealists, I made that mistake. Maybe I needed a less moral voice to point out where I had let myself make too many assumptions based on my own view of the world."

"Honestly, my opposition to ponies was foolish." Nashar admitted, "The other can guide us to ideas we would have never dreamed of. Lightning Dust was nothing like me, but she made me stronger. And I loved her very dearly."

"You made her stronger too." Fluttershy observed, "She was not a nice pony when she was younger, and I admit I was a little surprised at your relationship. But looking at it, she did as much for peace as either of us."

"Can we still do it Fluttershy?" Nashar questioned, "Can we still fight for peace?"

Fluttershy looked towards Ace Gold, the buck staring back for a moment or two before speaking, "Maybe this time, you don't do it all in secret. You work with other ponies, and tell them why they should listen to you, not just assume that they would see the righteousness in your actions. You understand why we continue to fight, and why we can't just put down our weapons."

"You know what Nashar?" Fluttershy noted with a surge of embarrassment, "Luna and Celestia both knew exactly what we were doing, that we were traitors. And so did your father."

"I thought unkindly of him for so many years. Even as a child, he was... stern." Nashar noted with a sigh, "I would give anything to be able to apologize to him. Try and understand him."

Fluttershy hesitated, not sure how to broach the issue. It was big, bigger for Nashar than it was even for the rest of the world. And she was unsure if it was even the right thing for either of them.

But she couldn't keep it hidden, "Your father is alive."

"Caesar Remicon?" Nashar exclaimed in utter shock, "He lives? How?"

"Zenospira turned him into a ghoul, emotionally abused him for his own sadism." Fluttershy explained, "But Remicon turned on him, helped us stop him. He's still up there, helping repair the city."

Nashar paused for a moment, "Do you trust him Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy was rather surprised. How could he ask such a thing of his own father? "Of course. He's a good zebra Nashar."

Nashar 's voice conveyed a little skepticism, "He gave the order to launch the megaspells. Zenospira's manipulations or not, that is on him."

"I don't condone his actions, but they were forced on him by terrible circumstances." Fluttershy stated, feeling unable to pass judgment for such things, "And to be honest Nashar, I understand how easy it is to do evil for a good cause."

Ace looked to her at this, eyes doubtful, "What evil have you done Fluttershy? Your problem is that you're too good."

"I killed Starhammer, then let Easu take the credit." Fluttershy explained, glad to get it off her chest.

"What?"

Fluttershy nodded firmly, "I did it to force him into revealing his identity as Caesar Incuta's brother, and force him to take leadership of the army to displace him, and Star Swirl. And he's quite right in hating me for that."

Ace raised an eyebrow, looking honestly shocked, "Why?"

"Because if anyone can get Incuta and Star Swirl to back down, it's him." Fluttershy looked to Nashar and Ace, daring them to call her out, "I'm using him as a weapon. I manipulated him, to do what I believed had to be done. And I did it all with a smile."

"Fluttershy, perhaps that cynicism was what you needed." Nashar eventually noted, voice heavy, "Easu is a friend to Clendel, and an apprentice to Tradash the Black. Perhaps he is the one to unite these lands."

"Please don't justify me." Fluttershy complained, "He also distrusts ponies, hates Equestria, and is not one to back down to threats."

"Good." Ace stated, quite surprisingly, "The NCR will have to win his respect the same way we have."

She looked at him, taken off guard, "Ace, you're a NCR native..."

"I like my country, but I'll judge it on it's own merits. I'm waving no flags." Ace responded, "I'm not sure I approve of what you did, but only because you’re forcing Easu into a position that he will hate. I do certainly believe he's a leader the zebra need, capable of standing up to the NCR, Camels, or anyone who wants to take advantage of them."

"Thank you Ace Gold." Nashar replied, "It is good to know you are friend to us."

"I would like to be a friend to everyone, and I would like the zebra and NCR to feel the same." He nodded firmly, "And you know what? I realize now, that if I want a better world I'm going to have to work to make it happen. So I intend to stay here after this is all over, and make sure that peace holds." He gave them both a judgmental eye, "Because honestly, I don't trust either side."

"Wise." Nashar admitted, "And in return, I have a gift for you, and for all of Equestria."

Fluttershy looked up, this sounding interesting, "What is it?"

"I told you that the ministry of awesome saved me?"

"Yes?"

"They detected the overload because their central base is close by." Nashar stated, "And I can tell you where it is."

The facility emerged from behind rocks, carefully sheltered by its position. It also failed to stand out in any way, consisting of just a small boxy building connected to a fairly standard issue radio tower. No distinguishing marks identified it, and it looked long abandoned. A rusty chain was wound about the doorhandle.

They advanced, Clear Sky landing next to them and following them onwards. Fluttershy looked to her, finally understanding, “So this was the reward you requested?”

Clear Skies nodded, looking like she was having a moment, “Teh final rethsting placthe of Rainbow Daths.”

Fluttershy noted the grave outside. It was dedicated to a Lt Ivory Winters, a pegasi she dimly remembered. One of Rainbow Dash's friends, "So this is their headquarters?”

Decimus nodded, breaking the chain and throwing the door open. It led into a standard issue broadcast studio, Decimus shifting a cupboard aside to reveal... a small room, loaded with cleaning supplies. Fluttershy, Ace and Clear Skies followed, Decimus searching for a moment before revealing a small biometric touchpad hidden behind a bucket.

Ace moved forward, connected his pipbuck... and nearly instantly gave a look of deep unhappiness, "I could have guessed."

"What?"

"This is Ministry of Awesome HQ, the idea that I would ever be able to hack into it was laughable in the first place." Ace Gold disconnected the pipbuck and stepped back, "I was never that good at it in the first place."

"So wath now?" Clear Skies asked, "Do... you havth clearencth?"

Fluttershy did once. Now however... she moved forward, pressing a hoof against the touchpad.

Mechanics whirred into life, a speaker crackling briefly and the pad lighting up green. And slowly, with a lot of dust, the far wall opened up to reveal a rusty old elevator. Fluttershy couldn't believe it, "I have clearance?"

"You are a ministry mare." Decimus offered.

"But... Rainbow Dash hated me! I was a traitor!"

"Maybe she never revoked your clearance?" Ace Gold offered.

Fluttershy found that unlikely. This was a top secret facility, she shouldn't have clearance in the first place...

"After you." Decimus offered.

They stepped inside, pressing the only button available. With a rattle they made their descent, all united in silence for a moment before a voice sounded out over the radio, "Hi Fluttershy."

Fluttershy instantly looked up in shock, "Rainbow Dash?!"

"Emergency protocols are active, so that means the megaspells have been launched. In that case, making it to one of our facilities was a smart move, so long as they don't suffer direct impact they should hold against the initial bombardment."

Ace Gold frowned, shaking his head, "This is a recording."

"This isn't a stable though, so you can't hide here forever... and judging from the position data, you're hearing this from deep inside the zebra lands. Shame on you Fluttershy. If there's one thing I hate more than being wrong, it's being right."

Fluttershy winced, "Sorry Dash..."

"But it doesn't matter anymore. It never mattered."

"Dash..." Fluttershy stated, feeling tears come to her eyes.

"I wish we could have worked together, wish we could have understood each other better. But at the end of it, I want you to know that I wanted the war to end as much as you. And that I wanted nothing more than you to be right, and your attempts at peace to succeed. I did as much as I could to help you... even endured you hating me."

Ace Gold gave her a sympthetic look. There were no words.

"Fluttershy, Luna passed on an important document to me. The file should be on the system, unlocked by your biometrics, at present its contents are known only to me, Luna, Princess Celestia and Commander Pipsqueak. I will summarize its contents to you now, and I want you to do your best to see it carried out." Rainbow Dash paused for a moment before continuing, "The line of succession for the throne of Equestria is as follows. Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, Rainbow Dash, Princess Celestia, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Pipsqueak, Twilight Sparkle."

Fluttershy's eyes widened, her ears flattening out, "What?"

"Celestia, Luna and Cadance were all last seen in impact zones, and I've been unable to contact them. And I'm not in any position to take command."

Fluttershy noted everypony was looking at her, "No..."

"That means you're Princess of Equestria Fluttershy."

"That's... madness." Fluttershy actually giggled a little, "Luna would NEVER make me Princess of Equestria!"

"You might think that makes no sense, but this was Luna's idea. If everypony above you was wiped out, then that means we've failed. So it's your turn."

Fluttershy's laugh died.

"Do what we couldn't. Save Equestria, save its ponies. Save what's left of the world. I know you can do it... Princess Fluttershy."

The door slid open to a dusty command center beyond. The lights blinked on and Ace Gold turned to her, voice soft and sympathetic, "Congratulations Princess."

"I can't be Princess." Fluttershy argued, looking around as she stepped into the room, "Equestria is dead and gone."

As was anyone who had used this room. It was rusting, dusty, most of its systems inactive. Communications consoles filled one side, a small armory another, kitchens and sleeping areas off from the main area. Banners and posters proclaiming the glory of the Ministry of Awesome decorated the area, a dusty bottle of whiskey and a single glass sitting on the table.

A single skeleton lay propped up against one of the consoles, a unicorn. Fluttershy moved closer, seeing one of Rarity's Rainbow Dash statuettes lying under its hoof, a gold locket opened up before them. She shifted it away, looking down at the picture of Rainbow Dash, Cloud Abacus, Storm Rider and Glory Wing it contained. She then looked up at the unicorn, knowing exactly who this was.

"Computer." Ace Gold asked from the main console, "Play last entry."

"Operations... operations log of Commander Cloud Abacus, Ministry of Awesome. This is... to be my final log entry, recording mission complete.

... Ivory Winters finally left us yesterday. He was a good friend, and a fine officer. I buried him outside with all the honors I was capable of giving. I doubt anyone will even mark my own passing, but it's no matter. I did what I was asked, and now I can go and meet her again."

The Mutum is recovering, bit by bit. Lieutenant Evening Glade's family continue to run the old mill, and around it a large settlement grows by the day. The Garden Rods we planted have near run dry, but the valley at least is more fertile than it has ever been. Treaties have been drawn up guaranteeing peace and stability, and beyond the mountains Garm thrives.

It is not perfect, not yet... but perhaps those living here have truly learned from the mistakes of the past. Maybe a world without war and strife is possible.

If you are hearing this, I live in hope that all this is true. If it is not, then I beg you to see the records and learn. Learn where war and hate brings you, and turn from your path.

But this is ultimately up to others. I was asked to protect this land, and I have done all in my power to do so. I now resign my commission, and go to meet with my wife and children.

This is Commander Cloud Abacus, signing off."

Ace listened wordlessly, finally clicking through the files as the recording finished. He spoke up again after a moment, "There's a recording that he viewed just before this one. It's a old one, from just after the war. It's a message... sent from Equestria."

"Play it." Fluttershy asked, steeling herself.

Ace nodded, clicking the button.

"Commander, this is a priority one transmission from Equestria." The screen flickered for a moment before a familiar face appeared, thin and bearing a vicious scar across the cheek, bandages wound through her rainbow hair. The voice was horse, strained. Still the pony was unmistakable, "It's happened, they dropped. And from what I've learned, Equestria had enough time to retaliate." Rainbow Dash dropped her head, genuine grief in her expression for a moment before she steeled herself once more, "There's almost nothing left, and I categorically forbid any attempt to reach Equestria. Commander, if you're still alive your orders are as follows."

Fluttershy sighed, it was so Dash. The world had come to an end and everypony was dead, and she was trying with all her might to express no emotion whatsoever. The more emotionally compromised she was, the more military she got. Fluttershy had never understood that.

"Civilization, equines... they must survive. If Equestria is lost, we can only hope the zebra lands are not. I have sent codes unlocking the rules of succession, and I confirm that Princess Luna and Princess Cadance are missing presumed dead. As such, I am now Princess of Equestria, and use that authority to authorize unconditional surrender and pass authority over our overseas troops and resources to Lord Caesar. You are to do everything possible to save lives and restore order, and any further aggression is to be considered a act of treason which should be punished appropriately."

"Try telling Star Fall and the Enclave that." Decimus responded with a frown.

"And with that... I resign my position as Princess, and Minister of the Ministry of Awesome." Rainbow Dash concluded with a sigh. Her head rose, softness in her eyes, regret in her voice, "The Pegasus Enclave have already jumped the gun on that unfortunately. When I announced my intentions, they attempted to kill me. Almost succeeded. They are dangerous, and I'm willing to bet that they'll come after you eventually. You have to be ready for that."

Ace Gold looked at Decimus, "Looks like she did."

Rainbow Dash sighed, lifting her armored vest to reveal a horrific looking jagged hole below her shoulder, "It's not healing unfortunately, no matter how many potions I take. It's stopped bleeding, but my lungs are shot, and... well, I'm not doing great. I'll never make it to the zebra lands."

Clear Skies shook her head in disbelief, "She'th noth here?"

"So I'm going to do what I can." Rainbow Dash concluded, dropping her vest back into position, "I'm going to find the others, bash their heads together until they're friends again, and fix this. Pinkie Pie should be in Manehatten, I'll find her first and then together we'll find Applejack, then travel to Canterlot to rescue Fluttershy and Rarity. After that Splendid Valley isn't far, and knowing Twilight she's already got some cool plan all ready to go."

Fluttershy felt the tears flow. She sounded so confident.

"So for now... this is goodbye." Rainbow Dash visibly broke for a moment, lip quivering, "I... Cloudsdale took a direct hit. It was instant. I..." She looked away, rubbing her eyes with a hoof, "...I should have been better. We all should have been better. I... order you to be better." She looked up, giving a tear filled smile, "I'll see you on the other side."

And then the recording finished.

Fluttershy picked up the locket, looking at the picture there. They looked so happy.

"Is that... Rainbow Dash's husband?" Ace Gold questioned as he looked at the skeleton, then up at the locket.

Fluttershy chuckled, "They never actually married. She always called him her partner."

"He... doesn't look like a spy."

Fluttershy chuckled, "Actually most of the spies I knew looked like accountants. Even Rainbow Dash looked unexpectedly respectable when she wore her glasses and tied her hair back." She grinned, remembering back to those happy days long ago, "Cloud Abacus was her accountant amusingly enough. He did finances for the wonderbolts, was very... polite, very respectable."

"That doesn't sound like her." Decimus observed.

"We all found it rather funny." Fluttershy admitted, "But out of all of us... she was the only one who actually made a relationship work. And her kids were wonderful, and... at the end of it all, she was trying to save us all."

"She..." Ace paused a moment to find his words, "...never hated you Fluttershy."

Fluttershy nodded, then looked to the little Rainbow Dash statuette by her hooves. It wasn't her, she knew that... but she had always believed she might be listening, "I'm sorry too Rainbow Dash. I should have known you would never abandon us."

"It'th not fair! It shouthent end lithe this!"

Ace Gold rolled his eyes as they exited the facility, looking to Clear Skies, "I'll be sure to tell Rainbow Dash how inconsiderate she's been, not taking your feelings into account."

"I mean..." Clear Skies shook her head in angry despair, "We still donth know what hapthened to her!"

"I always liked the idea that she was still out there, helping ponies as a ghoul." Fluttershy observed wistfully, "Whenever I saw a ghoul protecting me, some unknown ranger across the street in a face obscuring mask... I always wondered if it was her."

"Thiths... was my questh. You know?" Clear Skies eventually answered, her shoulders slumping, "And I'm no closether to the truth."

"Why are you so obsessed with Rainbow Dash anyway?"

Clear Skies looked at Ace in response, her expression hesitant and unsure. It was a moment before she finally found her words, "I guesth... I would rathe her, I would win, and we would become beth frienths."

"Clear Skies..." Fluttershy hesitantly advanced, not sure if this was the right thing or not but feeling driven to speak, "Rainbow Dash is probably dead."

Clear Skies looked up at her, offended. Her head dropped after a moment, her eyes angry, "So I shouth justh give up?"

"I think so, yes." Fluttershy admitted, thinking back to what she had learned over the last couple of days, "The past can be a poison. We revisit it time and time again, trying to make up for old mistakes and old regrets, thinking it was better than it was. And we spend so much time looking back, we fail to keep our eyes on the future." She set eyes on the pegasus, smiling warmly at her, "You are a better flier than Rainbow Dash Clear Skies. You could beat her in a race."

Clear Skies' eyes lit up, "Reathlly?"

Fluttershy chuckled, "How long have you wanted to hear that?"

"Since I waths fivthe." She admitted, "But that sthill leaths the quethion... whath do I do now?"

"Well Rainbow Dash was never just above being fast." Fluttershy observed, "She was about following her passions. Becoming a legend."

Clear Skies frowned, "I tried that. Evthryone still makths fun of me."

"Clear Skies. You found the zebra lands, you're the first equine to set foot into Kyrshin and survive in centries." Fluttershy observed, "You're a scout, and there's lots of the world still out there to find. Map the Centaur lands, go north and find the deer, find the lost homeland of the ponies across the crystal mountains." She nodded, "And when you get back, you tell us all about them."

"I... guesth so..." She concluded, then gave a lopsided smile back, "But thor now, I think I'm going to continuthe helthping the zebra. Feelths like the whole worthd is shifthing, anth I wanth to thee how it all turnths out."

Fluttershy smiled back at her, "I'm sure they would be very grateful."

They travelled back down the path in silence, all of them having a lot on their mind it seemed. Decimus was eventually the first to speak, "I'm afraid I will be leaving you here."

Ace had heard that a lot lately, looking up at the big zebra, "You're not travelling with us to Garm?"

He shook his head, "The praetorians took heavily casualties, those of us who are left are needed here. I doubt I will even be able to follow you west, I have no doubt I will be kept very busy in the days to come."

"I will miss you Decimus." Fluttershy stated, her hoof laid upon her chest, "We might not have been together long, but we all appreciate everything you've done for us."

"The appreciation is mine." He replied, "You saved the Mutum from Starhammer, at great cost to yourself. One day I hope that we can thank you properly."

Ace was just about to reply when another zebra became visible around a corner, sitting upon a rock with most of her body covered in softly blowing robes. She was of ambiguously middle age, with spiral mark tattoos across her face. As Ace watched her for any danger she slowly straightened, graceful and controlled as she hopped down to confront them, "These events will indeed be remembered, long after we are all gone."

"Tandia!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she saw the zebra, mouth opening in a smile, "What are you doing here?"

"I am here to bring you to Garm." She responded, her voice calm and soft, "If we leave now, we should arrive just before sunrise."

Ace looked her over, having seen pictures of the legendary Tandia of Garm. The zebra in front of him matched those depictions, but there was something odd about her. Something hollow, missing behind her soft, blue eyes, "Why sunrise?"

"You will see." Was her simple response, looking to Decimus, "Thank you Decimus. Give my blessings to Lord Caesar."

He bowed, "Of course my lady."

Ace followed along Tandia and Fluttershy, the two chatting away like old friends. They had apparently met before, though he was unsure why Fluttershy had never mentioned meeting one of the great heroes of the zebra. Indeed he was beginning to feel a little left out in general, eventually deciding to force his way into the conversation, "You you're the element of magic right?"

"I am strongly attuned to the fifth element, yes." Tandia replied, as soft and lacking real emotion as ever, "Though I would be unable to actually carry the element itself."

He admitted that he was not sure how this all worked, "Why not?"

"Because like Celestia, I used the elements in a way that ran counter to their basic essence." She replied, not seeming particularly upset by this, "Celestia used them against her beloved sister and element bearer, I used them to cut myself off from mortal emotion and concerns."

Ace wondered if he was getting into dangerous territory. Still she didn't seem particularly concerned, "You don't feel any emotion?"

"I still remember them, and from time to time I feel something deep inside." She smiled, a rather haunting sight, "But to all intents and purposes, Tandia died long ago. She allowed her body to be used as a conduit for harmonic energies, so that their power could function in the world once more. A worthy goal, and one that succeeded, but not one that is really in the spirit of friendship."

Ace wrestled with his words for a moment before deciding to go simple, "You allowed your body to be used..."

"With the tree of harmony dead and the essential processes of the world interrupted, harmony could not flow." Tandia stated, "To allow harmony to function again I had to make myself a font for their energies."

"If that's true..." Ace advanced, "...would the Gardens of Equestria have worked without you?"

"No." She replied, "With the tree of harmony dead, the elements were rendered dormant. And with the elements in that state Sunny Smiles would have been able to corrupt them entirely, and would have eventually ended up destroying the world."

Ace paused, that being... a little intense, "You know about Sunny Smiles?"

Tandia nodded, "Being connected to harmony, it was hard not to be aware of her." She smiled then, far more genuine and warm than her previous smiles, "And I also felt the elements find new bearers, bearers who used their power to destroy her."

"Without you, Xephyr and the others would have failed..." Ace acknowledged, "We've got a lot to thank you for."

"I did what I did to save the world. A cause as important to me as it is to all life." She responded, “And with the activation of the gardens, my burden was finally lifted. That is something I can be thankful to you for."

Ace frowned, "Burden? Why?"

"Because a new Tree of Harmony now blooms, and my life is no longer required for those energies to flow."

"A new tree..." Ace's eyes widened as realization dawned, "The crusader mainframe?"

Fluttershy looked to Tandia, "It did sprout branches when it was first turned on. It's pretty much a whole forest now."

Tandia nodded, "As harmony intended."

"So..." Ace advanced, "Can you reverse what you did to yourself? Now it's no longer needed?"

Tandia shook her head, "No. As I said, I died that day. The hour was simply delayed, so that I may attend to my remaining responsiblies."

"And then..."

She closed her eyes, a look of peace upon her brow, "I can go to see Tradash again."

"When?" Fluttershy asked, her voice quivering.

"When my time has come." Tandia responded simply, "As with us all."

They passed through a large cleft in the mountains, down what was signposted as the pilgrims path. Two large rock structures that may have once been statues stood guard either side, the mountains either side climbing high in a dizzying array of plateaus, waterfalls, overgrown pathways and caves. The road split off in many places as they passed through, climbing upwards and around the rock. Ace spotted a zebra far up on a rocky outcropping, tribal markings on his face and bright cloth wrapped around his body. He saw Ace looking, staring back for a moment before retreating back into a cave decorated with wicked looking masks and hanging charms.

"The Tandu." Fluttershy noted, seeing where his eyes had travelled, "They pre-date the zebra."

"Many have joined them." Tandia noted, "Admiring a simpler life."

Fluttershy smiled, taking on the look she always got when about to tell a story, "The term 'zebra' is thought to mean 'those of the woods', meaning the forests of the Mutum. They were brown back then, and their stripes were mottled. Better to blend into the rock and stone of their former home."

Ace nodded, having heard a little of this, "And it was only in the woods that they grew their stripes."

"A simplified tale, but one that captures the essence of the truth." Tandia stated from up ahead, "The Tandu are now mostly black and white now, and brown zebra can be seen across the nation of course. The difference has always been cultural, the rejection of the soft lowland ways for a life more in common with a fabled past."

Ace nodded up at the masks, "Is this where Zecora came from?"

"Yes." Tandia confirmed, "Though the masks can be seen across the Inatu region, right up in the dragon plains. Still Zecora grew up in those caves, and on her thirteenth year presented herself at Garm with a wish to improve her alchemy."

Fluttershy slowed a little, looking sad, "You know, I never knew Zecora very well. I don't even know why she left her homeland."

"Neither do we." Tandia noted, "The records say little, her time here uneventful. It seems she was a private zebra, who kept her own confidence."

Fluttershy nodded, "You know, when I first met her... I was scared. I had never met a zebra before, let alone a mountain zebra."

"The way you tell it, you were scared of everything Fluttershy." Ace noted.

"But that fear... ruled me. And it took me so long to get over it." Fluttershy shook her head, frustrated, "I feel I spent so much of my life making up for that. That during our visit here, I was as scared as I was during our visit to the dragons."

"The zebra were scared of ponies too." Tandia noted.

Ace couldn't help scoffing, "How are we scary? Equestria was full of pastel, with happiness and friendship as founding concepts."

Tandia turned her head to look at him, her eyes fixing him with a look that made him shiver, "You were many, and we were few. You commanded magic enough to shake the skies, and the pegasi were unmatched warriors who had destroyed every enemy that had threatened your borders. Your monarch was immortal, and demons and gods cowered before your might." She looked back at the caves, "They erect those masks to scare off the devils that have always hunted our kind. Devils that did not always take the image of monsters."

It came into view as they turned a corner, the narrow path widening and the cliffs parting to reveal a expansive hollow nestled among the mountains. Within it was built a city, simple dwellings built of the same sandstone that formed the mountains, uniformly of the rough, square construction of the ancient zebra. They were not lit with magitech, instead the city was awash with the blue, flickering light of magical burners, set within elegant braziers inscribed with runes of protection and peace. Their light illuminated the many carvings and murals that marked the buildings here, the story of the zebra and the bearers of harmony illustrated in picture and verse as you climbed the steps up through the city's many tiers.

Upon the mountainside sat six great carvings, each illuminated from within by flames of an appropriate color. They bore the marks that were so familiar to Fluttershy, the ones that had once hung from their necks, the ones that had been carved upon the tree of harmony. Her chest hurt to look at them.

And then her eyes travelled down to the structure at the head of the city, squatting across the hilltop like a protective mother. It was cracked and old, the stone worn and chipped in many places. Many of the mighty statues that supported its arches and buttresses were near unrecognizable.

But as Fluttershy beheld the four great halls, each topped with one of four great domes, she understood. Those statues were older than Celestia. Those halls had felt the hoofsteps of heroes beyond counting.

This was where a hundred stories began and ended. The city of shaman, the last redoubt. The grand citadel of Garm.

"We should be just in time." Tandia noted softly. She turned, waving them on, "Come."

They made their way up the thousand steps, each bearing the name of a zebra hero. She trod across those she knew from legend, then across those she had known personally. She saw Caesar's name, and General Tacticus. She remembered that they had been heroes once.

Many gathered outside their homes, and Fluttershy wondered if they were there for them. They did not look their way however, all simply stood silently with their eyes closed, head angled to the sky, "What are they all doing?"

"Meditating, before the sun's dawning." Tandia answered, "This has always been a city of contemplation."

Fluttershy nodded, looking up as the final set of stairs approached. A statue of Zenophilius stood at the summit, his judgmental eyes gazing upon all those who approached. It was Ace who asked the obvious question at this point, "How did all these statues and buildings survive? I heard this place was targeted by five megaspells."

"It was." Tandia answered as she started up the steps, not seeming the least bit out of breath, "It is said they set the sky on fire, that all that could be seen was blue fire from here to the horizon. That those living here cowered in fear, awaiting extinction."

"But it didn't come." Easu commented.

"No. The air finally cleared, and with it the cold night." Tandia answered, "They were alive, and all questioned how such a thing was possible, especially as they became aware of what had become of the world around them."

"I presume the shaman had something to do with it." Ace offered as they reached the top, looking out across the cobblestone courtyard to the vast entrance gates beyond.

"Eventually three zebra were brave enough to chance the halls of the shaman, looking for food and supplies. Zaradine the Thief, Korin the Labourer and Pertra the Outcast. They entered with the lowest intentions, yet what they found forever lay upon their hearts."

"And what was that?" Fluttershy asked.

"The bodies of all one thousand, two hundred and thirty shaman, still sat in prayer. They had all died at once, each of their hearts stopped at the same time as the runes of protection had burst into fire, setting alight the great library and many of the other chambers. Every one of the shaman in Garm, all their knowledge, gone in an instant, along with all their wisdom."

Fluttershy took a breath, "To protect the city..."

"Was it worth it?" Tandia asked, her voice matter of fact, "Without the shaman and their knowledge, it was just an empty building. They had sacrificed their lives to save carved stone and a handful of ordinary zebra."

"They asked themselves that very question didn't they?" Fluttershy answered, looking up at Tandia, "The greatest minds in the whole country had lay down their lives for them. A thief, a laborer and a beggar."

The doors loomed before them, the symbols of harmony upon their brass surface. They opened up into a vast hall topped with a vast painted mural of the heavens in alignment. Gardens ran down the sides, rare plants from across the world blooming in their planters, stairs and balconies weaving between them to doors leading off into the various areas of the complex.

A set of large metallic charms hung from the ceiling at the end, just as they had the last time Fluttershy had been here. There were less than before, and all but one was different. That was the silver moon and stars charm that she knew represented the Order of Sacred Light founded by Luna, the others... a open book with a golden crescent above, a spade with a star at its tip and a golden sun rising over mountains.

Tandia led them on, leaving little time for sightseeing. They were led past dozens of robed shaman, sitting, talking, reading as they moved on through the hall. Fluttershy noted the demon charms and masks hanging from the trees around, painted in vivid colors and grotesque expressions. It made her homesick, reminding her once again that Zecora had graduated from Garm long ago.

"Zaradine the Thief was forever humbled by the sacrifice the shaman had made for him." Tandia explained as they passed through a door into a set of wide airy passageways, lit by softly burning braziers, "He took a spade and went out to the hill outside, making sure each and every one was buried with dignity. The zebra of garm saw his work and were amazed by the change in him, seeing the once angry young zebra now full of such sorrow for those he never knew. They came to work beside him, and all sat and listened as he spoke of their sacrifice. He swore that he would dedicate his life to following their example, to work tirelessly to the betterment of all with no hope of reward. And so Zaradine the Humble sowed the seeds of what would become the Humble Guardians."

Fluttershy looked to the side as they passed a airy, sunlit room, filled with parchment and writing material. Skylights above flooded the stone chamber with light, reflected and directed by mirrors above to shine upon the dozens of zebra carefully sketching, printing and binding books. She looked closer and recognized the records as that of their fight against Starhammer. She marveled as one young zebra who couldn't be more than fifteen painted a vivid image of what she recognized was Starhammer himself, so real in his expressions that she swore he would leap from the page.

"Pertra the Outcast mourned at the loss of so much knowledge. She had never been able to go to school, always had to steal and beg for what education she possessed. Seeing the library burnt was too much to bear, so she set to work restoring it. She saved what books she could, asked those within the city for all they could spare. She was the one who insisted that records of the end should be kept, so that the destruction could one day be studied and learned from." Tandia nodded to the scribes beside, "And so was formed the Order of the Opened Book."

The continued further, Fluttershy sure they must be approaching the far side of the building. Their steps echoed on the stone floor, as did Tandia's voice, "Korin the Labourer did his best to restore the city, and restore of the spirits of the others. Both were however difficult, especially in the perpetual darkness in which they found themselves."

Ace Gold looked confused, "Did the Enclave cover the sky here too?"

"No, the sky was clear." Tandia explained, "The moon hung in its intended place."

Fluttershy understood, "Eternal night. The megaspells fell about seven in the evening, which means... it must have been about eleven here. And without Celestia..."

Ace Gold looked to her in shock, "But... that's just a myth."

"No. Without Celestia, the sun would not rise." Tandia confirmed as a garden opened up before them. It was lined with sunflowers and other fields of bright color, beyond a cleft in the rock that opened up to the night sky beyond. Dozens of zebra stood within the garden, the one in the center clad in golden robes and a mirrored headdress. She stood upon a plinth, her eyes closed as she waited.

The surrounding zebra struck their hooves down at once, their hooves sparking over the stone beneath. They gave a cry, then another, then it turned into a deafening chant. Magic surged across the garden, flame bursting from braziers mounted atop the pillars. That magic rushed forward the central podium and the zebra lifted her head to the sky, crying out a joyful shout as golden light spread across the whole area.

Fluttershy watched as the sun rose into the sky, the darkness banished. Tandia gave them a moment before speaking, "And so he called to the sun with all his heart, and soon was joined by a hundred voices. And on the day the sun finally responded to his pleas the Heralds of the Dawn were formed." She smiled, gentle and infinitely surprising upon her normally impassive features, "Welcome to Garm."

"So this building has stood for thousands of years?" Ace Gold questioned as he made his way through the corridors alongside Master Zaron, the Curator of History. He looked down at the stone, a slight groove worn through by the passage of many hooves, "Pretty cool. I don't think there's anything in the NCR more than about four hundred years old."

Zaron chuckled, "Well... do you want the romantic story, or the real one?"

"It's not a thousand years old?"

"The building is a little older actually, concurrent with Luna's fall thirteen hundred years ago." Zaron commented, nodding to the sandstone walls, "The walls are about seven hundred years old, much of the structure of the middle building was knocked through in order to widen the corridors and make the place easier to navigate. And the stonework under your feet was laid down about four hundred years ago, as you can see it might already need replacing."

Ace should have figured, being an engineer and all, "It is a working building I suppose."

"Indeed. But the city itself is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in the world." Zaron explained, "There is a stone located in the middle of northern temple that is all that remains of the structure that stood here when Zephyr Stormstrung visited. By the vague accounts we have recorded, that dates to about three hundred years after Garm was founded... as a humble mining settlement, and the eastmost point of the Zebra Empire. That founding was around four thousand years ago, give or take five hundred or so."

"Canterlot?"

"Postdates it by about twenty five hundred years." Zaron answered, with a little bit of smugness. After a moment he gave in, slightly conciliatory, "The Crystal Empire might have been older, had it not been destroyed. Though some would call being frozen below the ice for a thousand years to be 'cheating'."

"Yakistan?"

"That is cheating. The yaks built it upon the ruins of your old capital, it can most certainly be counted as a new city."

Ace guessed so, it nice to just argue about history again, "I need to introduce you to some of my Griffon friends. The arguments of who has the superior culture can go on for hours."

"The griffons have culture?" Zaron answered irreverently, a grin forming upon his face.

"Allegedly." Ace snarked back, "It mostly seems to consist of losing wars and terrible hats."

"I am hopeful that I will indeed be able to speak with them." Zaron noted with a sigh, "We claim to collect all knowledge, but it is clear there is so much we do not know. I long for the day when your citizens can train at Garm, and ours can attend Manehatten University."

Ace agreed whole heartedly, "Well, you've got your first student already."

Fluttershy stepped into the chamber, feeling the weight of memories upon her. A purple crystal in the center shimmered with translucent flame, a slight hint of music just on the edge of hearing. Around the sides of the room were carved images, of a master working the land as his servants rested, of zebra exchanging gifts, of a king hunched at his desk as his citizens celebrated outside... a unicorn spreading beauty across the land.

She raised her eyes to the gemstone, staring into its depths in hope of some miraculous vision. And for a moment she saw... something.

Conflict, strife. A battle without end. A battle she was tired of fighting.

"Do you see anything?" One of the shaman, Cordicous, asked.

"I don't understand it." She felt frustrated, as if something was just eluding her, "And it's not the future that's worrying me anyway."

"It is often related Lady Fluttershy." Cordicous answered, moving round so he was facing her. He was of typical shaman stock, old and grey bearded, with deep, hooded eyes... and a habit of talking in riddles, "We often struggle to see the path when we do not know where we are going."

"I just want to know why I seem... to be aging backwards." She finally answered, wondering why it was worrying her so much. It had certainly been something she had deeply wished for in the past. Still... "Things this good rarely stay good for long."

"I am fairly sure it's a symptom of the element of generosity as I stated." Cordicous answered, setting up a small contraption that looked like a telescope and wiggling the dials, "The element of generosity has in the past been noted to extend the life and health of those graced with it, prolonging youth..."

"That explains so much." Fluttershy exclaimed, finally justified in her belief that it couldn't all be down to mud baths and cucumbers, "But why did my element change to generosity in the first place?"

"Elder Simak did assert that there is nothing in this world that cannot change." Cordicous proclaimed in a rather exaggerated 'wise' voice, "Cutie marks, Spiral marks, your attuned element... all have historical precedent, though admittedly these cases are rare."

"And what can cause it?"

He looked at her, assessing. After a moment he answered, "Generally significant change in personality, often artificially induced. And I have to say, you are very different to how you are described in the history books."

Fluttershy felt ashamed, knowing it was true. More than ever she was infected with a horrible mixture of hot blooded anger and cold decisiveness, seeping into every action she made. Corrupting her, changing her. And she knew where it came from, "A... well, almost five months ago now... I encountered a monster called Chigaru."

"The mad dog..." Cordicous breathed with a wide eyed look of terror, "What did he do to you?"

"He used the stare on me." Fluttershy admitted, "And I've never been the same."

Cordicous ran to his telescope, fiddling with the dials for a moment before staring into the view finder. He looked up after a second, deeply shaken, "This is the oldest magic..."

Fluttershy already had an idea what he was talking about, "What is?"

"You are bonded to him, a bond only seen among two who must destroy one another." Cordicous shivered, backing away a little, "As long as this bond exists, you will both become stronger and stronger, feeding upon your mutual hatred. And what's more..."

Fluttershy stared him head one, willing him to just tell her already, "What?"

"You will become more alike." Cordicous answered firmly, forced to speak by Fluttershy's stare, "Through you, he will be able to channel the powers of harmony, through him your youth and power are being restored. And... it’s affecting your mind too.”

Fluttershy nodded, she had figured as much, “Does that mean he’s becoming more good?”

“Judging from these readings... no.” Cordicous admitted, “Because he’s winning.”

Fluttershy nodded, having already understood that long ago, "I need to see Xenith and Puppysmiles."

Xenith limped over to the sofa, cursing her weakened body as her every step upon the hard stone sent shockwaves through her still broken leg. Brother Tarnivous moved to help her but she waved him off irritably, not in the mood for charity, "Enough! Ledinus, tell me what you have found."

Ledinus shared a look with his fellow shaman, communicating without words his hesitation in addressing her. She guessed she was really tired and grumpy enough to make that a wise caution, attempting to look a little less angry. This encouraged him to speak at last, drawing himself up officially, "The crystal is harmonic resin, the same substance that coats us when an artifact of harmony is activated."

"Makes sense."

"This suggests that on some level, Puppysmiles was recognized as a being of harmony... which is unprecedented." He looked up at her, his tone emphasizing the importance of his words, "This has never happened before, and some would call the concept blasphemous."

Xenith found it all fascinating of course, but she was looking for more practical observations, "Then what's happening?"

Another voice swiftly answered, instantly familiar, "I would also like to know that."

Xenith looked back to see Fluttershy, nodding to the mare as she came through the door to stand beside. Ledinus took in the new arrival for a moment, "Lady Fluttershy."

The mare nodded, "Please continue."

Ledinus nodded, "Simply put, Puppysmiles is sealed in the same substance that coats us when we come into contact with large auras of harmony."

"Like when we become all crystal when the Crystal Heart is activated." Fluttershy offered.

"Indeed." Ledinus confirmed, "However this substance normally fades quickly, and can be removed by force. In this case however it seems perfectly stable, and..."

"And?" Xenith questioned as he paused.

"It's resisting our attempts to break it." He finished, "And we're unsure what that means."

Fluttershy asked the relevant question, "Is it self aware?"

"No." Ledinus confirmed, "It is normally an appendage to the body it covers, like dark matter. It shares nerve endings, flexibility, in all respects a part of the equine in question."

"So Puppysmiles is resisting attempts to free her." Xenith concluded, not sure how to take that.

Ledinus sounded unsure, "Perhaps. As I said before, we're not entirely sure what's going on here, and all attempts to communicate with her have failed."

"It's quite possible she's in some sort of natural cycle." Fluttershy offered, "And we simply have to wait for it to finish."

"That is one of our guesses, yes."

Xenith scowled, looking at her hooves for a moment before speaking, "Keep a close eye on her, and inform me of any changes." She glared at them, "You can go."

They hurried out of the room with nods and flustered thanks, Xenith staring into the fireplace as their hoofsteps echoed down the corridor. It was longer than she expected before Fluttershy sank herself into the chair opposite, fixing Xenith with a kind smile, "Talk to me."

"Is it an effect of our bond?" Xenith asked, shivering at the concept, "That I am so concerned about a mare... a demon I barely know?"

"It's an effect of being a good mare."

She glared at Fluttershy, faced with that face of unrestricted kindness in return. Xenith sighed, looking away in defeat, "I'm having a Calamity moment."

"I know how you feel."

"No you don't." Xenith angrily countered, already feeling bad about it, "Your boyfriend is still in hospital missing an eye and leg and you're still all smiles."

Fluttershy's smile faltered momentarily before returning, a little softer, "I remember how you feel."

"That..." Xenith wrestled with her words, eventually going with the most cynical reply, "...is enviable."

"I am much older than you. Perhaps I've gotten used to it."

Xenith sighed, deciding to be honest with the mare, "I feel my mortality creeping up on me Fluttershy. Ace is right to worry, I am not in good health."

Fluttershy looked her over with sympathy, "If you take a calmer lifestyle you should have many years ahead of you. Your leg will not be getting better it's true, but with care you can prevent it from getting worse."

"Being useless feels as bad as being dead." She countered, "Littlepip, Ace Gold, Xephyr, Puppysmiles... they are all in danger, and any power to help them is leaking through my hooves."

Fluttershy looked down, "I know..."

"You don't." Xenith countered in renewed anger, "You are more powerful than you've ever been Fluttershy, and we... we're dying. Calamity, Homage, me... it will come for Velvet Remedy soon enough, especially at the rate she carries on." She glared hotly across the room, "And don't tell me we all get old, because you don't. You've lived centuries, and you're in your prime."

Fluttershy stared back, clearly unsure what to say, "I'm sorry Xenith."

"All I want is to be able to save those I care about." She admitted, her heart aching in her chest, "And... I can't. No matter how hard I try."

"Xenith..." Fluttershy got up from her seat, moving over and enveloping Xenith in a hug. She should have known better, Xenith squirming at the touch, hating the acknowledged weakness. It made her hate Fluttershy even more, make her even more resentful of her position as she felt her tears upon Fluttershy's fur.

"I... just want to see my daughter again..."

"You will." Fluttershy whispered, "I promise."

Chapter 4.15 - Fellowship of Magic

View Online

Canterlot Palace lay ahead. Silver Swirl could not remember the last time she had stood in its halls, keeping a tight grip on her emotions as the memories flooded back.

It had been the only place she had ever felt truly safe. There, with Celestia. Both had been taken from her.

She swore, this time they wouldn’t lose, this time they would take it back. The weight of her armor made her feel like a warrior again, enchanted steel and leather strips. Her mantle bore the sigils of Equestria, and she was its Princess. The eldest Princess.

“Would you like a spell to calm your nerves?” Diamond Glow asked softly, moving up to stand at Silver Swirl’s side. She was dressed in the robes of a healer, the white cloth looking impressively regal on her alicornian form, “Celestia herself found it invaluable at the Battle of Manehatten Island.”

“I am fine.” Silver Swirl lied, looking back at the massed armies of Equestria behind her. She couldn’t help but notice how almost all of them were clutching spears and other medieval armaments, uncertain how they would fair against Twilight’s modern forces. Sure they were ghosts, in many ways empowered by the respect and belief invested in them by those still living. Still guns were guns… and how many still remembered the heroes of old Equestria?

She sighed, “I guess I should make a speech.”

“It is your right Silver Swirl, but first we must talk about some changes I have made to the battle plan.”

Silver Swirl knew that voice… she turned, unable to help a grimace as her eyes fell upon the one face she wanted least to see. Even more disgustingly she was clad in the Pegasus issue power armor of Twilight’s forces, though it’s normally black plates were painted midnight blue and inscribed with her cutie mark. At her side hung an unreasonably large gun, her face radiating its normal smug arrogance, “Princess Luna.”

Luna grinned mockingly, “Try not to freeze the city with that stare sister.”

“Enough.” Diamond Glow stated, her calm tones cutting the air as clean as any shout, “Princess Luna, it is good to see you.”

Luna nodded, looking a little placated at least, though Silver Swirl wasn’t fooled for a moment. Luna took a moment to compose herself before speaking, “Silver Swirl, my apologies but I have made some changes to your battle plan.”

“Why?” She replied, with a little more venom than she intended.

“Because I have fought a modern war against modern weapons, and you have not.” Luna replied, standing a little bit taller and firming her expression, “It is a good plan, but it left our troops vulnerable at key moments. I simply…”

“I have commanded armies.” Silver Swirl pointed out sharply, “You commanded a few sorties and a throne.”

“I’ve fought in battles. You stood on the back lines and waved flags.” Luna declared sharply, “And in case you have forgot I was commander in chief of the largest war ever fought on this planet, where as you commanded a few regional skirmishes.”

“Enough!” Diamond Glow shouted again, her voice echoing across the dawn with enough force that both her and Luna cowered. Silver Swirl found herself full of horrible flashbacks to her old magic teacher, ears flattened against her scalp. Diamond Glow rounded on them both, fury in her normally calm eyes, “We face the end of everything we know, the greatest battle we will ever fight! This is not the time to bicker like fillies!”

“I apologize Diamond Glow.” Silver Swirl managed, bowing her head in shame, “You are right.”

“And I am sorry too Silver Swirl.” Luna stated softly, looking up at her, “You have led the Princesses well, and it is not my place to tell you what to do.”

Silver Swirl paused for a moment, not sure what to say. That in itself made her realize that she had truly fallen into habit, that this bickering between them was now like a childhood ritual, “The... sensible thing to do would be to lead together.”

Luna smiled broadly at the suggestion, “That sounds wonderful.”

Silver Swirl returned the smile, though it felt fake. She hated that, how she couldn't even drop their feuding for the end of all things. She couldn't help feel that boded well for the battle ahead...

Trixie slipped on her cloak and hat, feeling her essence solidify as the familiar artifacts bonded themselves to her. She felt her mind focus, the dark shadows behind her recede.

“You don’t have to do this.” Galaxy stated from behind, as kind and concerned as ever.

She had no need to be worried. She was actually feeling quite chipper about all this, “The great and powerful Trixie is used to misfortune.”

Galaxy frowned, “You sound like you enjoy that.”

“It is my lot in life.” She stated with overdone theatrically, feeling that a day wasn’t complete without a bit of ‘woe is me’ lamentations. She placed a fainting hoof to her head, “The slings and arrows of fate have ever fallen harder upon the beautiful!”

“That they have.” Galaxy acknowledged with a laugh, moving to her side and giving a reassuring smile, “After today it will all be better, I promise you.”

“Either that or we’ll be dead.” Trixie replied cheerfully, though she was aware that even that would not give her much rest. In fact there was only one thing that would, “Perhaps this time Trixie might even take the Goddess with her.”

“We have tried.” Galaxy admitted with regret, “She… it, is hard to dislodge. She’s bound to you.”

“Well Trixie wishes she would let go already.” Trixie protested, rather more legitimately distressed at the current topic, “Stop trapping Trixie in this… half-life.”

“Trixie…”

“You Princesses may feel content in this place, but to Trixie it’s just a broken mirror image of something Trixie once loved.” She kicked the ground, striking up dust as she looked up at the towers of Canterlot in the distance, “The Great and Powerful Trixie just wants to be another ghost, uncaring, unknowing. At rest.”

Distress passed across Galaxy’s face and Trixie felt guilty, still she couldn’t ignore the truth. She wasn’t meant to be here like this, aware of her own death, ever dreaming about things she knew were burnt and gone. She looked upon the ghosts with envy, knowing that ultimately they were free of their burdens, “Please Galaxy… you will always be Trixie’s friend, but she cannot exist like this any longer.”

Galaxy’s expression firmed, delivering a firm nod, “I promise, I’ll find a way to help you.”

Trixie's heart warmed at that, she was a good mare. Far superior to any other princess she knew, though that wasn't really saying much, "But first, a certain smug unicorn needs a spanking!"

Galaxy giggled, "That she does."

Luna walked back towards the Hall of Harmony, unable to shake off the sinking feeling in her heart. It was ridiculous really, she was out of her cell, free, about to strike back at the one who had hurt them… but instead of their final victory, it felt like they were marching to the end of the world.

Was it time? Equestria was gone, Canterlot was gone. They had burned the world, and it was over. Surely it was time for old ghosts to rest?

“Princess Luna.”

Luna looked up, a smile spreading across her face as the mare approached. She was as beautiful as ever, in her later years, her lilac dress hanging elegantly off her ever dignified form. All the same the twinkle in her eyes attested to her will and strength, Luna finding her heart warm just to behold them, “Princess Platinum.”

“The others speak of your strength Luna.” Platinum stated firmly, bowing her head slightly in supplication, “You will inspire them to victory today.”

Luna smiled softly. The words were like echoes, Platinum always encouraging her like that before a major event. But that was a different time, “Thank you, but... that doesn’t work as well as it used to.”

“Oh Luna… you were always so stubborn in your moods.” Platinum stated with a wry grin, “If you wish to be gloomy, I will let you be gloomy.”

“My moods seem to have normalized considerably in fact.” Luna admitted, only wishing she was as mercurial as she used to be, “It feels like I’m torn in time, speaking to you. You left me long before Nightmare Moon, long before I came back, long before my sister gave me her crown. When I last saw you…” Luna took a deep breath, “…I was a lot happier. And didn’t have nearly as much blood on my hooves.”

Platinum smiled, “You bear yourself like a Queen Luna. You were born to lead, and you are not nearly as dark as you fear.”
Luna felt her heart finally swell. Platinum always had that effect on her in the end, “To be honest I dream of the day I can put down my sword and crown.”

“So do I.” Platinum replied, gently pressing her cheek against Luna’s. Her soft breath tickled Luna’s ear, her body warm and soft.

If she hadn’t a battle to win, she could have stayed there forever.

Commander Hurricane looked across the ranks and felt his heart swell with pride, faced with more than a thousand years of the Equestria’s finest. Royal guards in their golden armor, Wonderbolts in their extravagant finery. The Grand Cavalry, the Thunderhawks. The Ebon Tipped Spears.

He would rate them against any foe. He would certainly rate them against Twilight’s bucket soldiers, “Turn, march!”

"Sir yes sir!"

"What is our cry!?"

"Honesty, loyalty and kindness!"

He grinned wide, swinging forth his standard, "For Equestria!"

Lotus beheld the armies from atop the ridge, looking down as lines of heroic age warriors marched in full formation towards the walls of Canterlot. Twilight’s forces were already mobilizing to defend, Steel Rangers, Enclave Soldiers and swarms of alicorns, backed up by the ominous steel and stormcloud shapes of Enclave Raptors, “They stand absolutely no chance…”

“I told you.” Scootaloo agreed, now recovered much of her vigor with her friends beside her, “This is the only way. The old must die for a new, better world to be born.”

“Well I'm still torn on the definition of 'better'.” She firmly stated, heading down the hillside towards the darkened city.

Twilight Sparkle looked up at the towering structure that filled what was left of the throne room, a jagged, pulsing skeleton of metal and magic that warped space around it. It felt wrong in so many ways, made of all the broken dreams and fallen tears she could manage, lancing up through the spine of the castle to stab at the sky that had betrayed her so badly.

Today she would do it. She would reach through those clouds and take back what she had lost.

She looked back, her connection to her citizens making her aware that the Princesses were attacking the castle. She gave them some brief consideration before turning back to her work, not about to be distracted by the buzzing of insects.

“This is the day, this is the day we take Equestria back from those filthy traitors!” General Iron Forest shouted to his assembled rangers and alicorns, all watching the podium he was standing on in expectation. He pounded the stage with a hoof, working them up into a frenzy, “This is the day…!”

An explosion of light echoed outwards from the side, Iron Forest spinning round to immediately be faced by the glorious form of his greatest enemy. One of the false Princesses stood before him, so wonderful and beautiful that he couldn’t help but fall in a desperate bow towards her. She smiled at him, so sweet that he wanted to cry, “Sorry to interrupt General, but I have someone to introduce to you.”

General Iron Forest nodded desperately, just wishing to be of service to his beautiful, wonderful princess, “Of course! Anything you wish!”

“Thank you Galaxy.” Stated a little unicorn as she trotted round, clad in a rather cheap wizards costume and looking like someponies’ drunken aunt. Her eyes however were full of confidence and character as she faced the crowd, calling out to them in a proud voice, “I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

The assembled crowds looked at each other in confusion.

Trixie smirked at them, placing a theatrical hoof to her brow, "Oh, Trixie is hurt. You have forgotten your mother already?"

Galaxy chuckled, giving her a disapproving look, "Trixie..."

"Fine." She sighed, straightening out at the microphone before her horn burst with balefire and her voice echoed with divine power, "Hear me and obey! I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, am your GODDESS!"

“Guardians of Equestria!” Commander Fleethoof called as he barged the barracks door open, the deployment siren sounding behind, “The time has come to defend… your… what are you doing?”

The Enclave troops in front smiled happily as they sat in a little circle, making friendship bracelets and braiding each other’s hair. The one closest turned to him with a big smile as he entered, “Commander! Come in and try this, I’ve still got some fabric here you can use.”

“I…” He stammered for a moment before putting on his best drill sergeant voice, “Canterlot is under attack!”

“Oh, haven’t you heard commander?” Came a sweet voice, a pair of the false Princesses stepping round the corner and flashing him sweet smiles, “Its make love, not war!”

Commander Fleethoof tried to flee as they approached but there was no escape. Minty and Wisteria surrounded him, hair brushes and ribbons clutched tightly in their jaws.

"Reports from Canterlot sir!" One of Commander Hurricane’s officers stated as she pulled open the magic scroll in her hooves, "All missions proceeding as planned.!"

Commander Hurricane nodded, hoping their luck would hold. He looked down at the map before him, the little pieces shifting as his units moved up to the walls of Canterlot. He looked to the horizon as they finally met Twilight's pieces, seeing light bloom on the horizon.

It seemed they had finally met the enemy. A cheer went up as Princess Cadance flew above, her magic reinforcing their own troops and sapping the will of the enemy. Commander Hurricane felt her power settle on his own heart, grinning in triumph, “Let’s show these traitors the real power of Equestria.”

Magic Star threw up light dragons and rains of starlight, flinging Inkwell’s Magnificent Transmogrification outwards to turn a whole unit of Steel Rangers into frogs before invoking the Twinkle Star Destiny Enchantment to guide their forces forward into the gap it created. Star Swirl stood on the other side of the battlefield doing the same and their armies broke through Twilight’s lines in a triumphant charge. They might have been outmatched technologically, still they outnumbered their enemy ten to one, they had the greatest heroes of Equestria on their side and most importantly… they were fighting for something.

The enemy broke, retreating back their defensive positions. Ahead she saw Twilight’s alicorns take off, meeting up with Luna and Silver Swirl and forming up into units behind them. That meant Trixie and Galaxy had done it, and with them on their side Twilight's forces were near cut in half.

Now they had a straight line to the castle. She opened her wings and took to the skies, heading to support her sisters. It was going well so far, but their most difficult foe was still to come…

“Twilight Sparkle!” Luna called, anger surging through her as she looked to her corrupted castle. Betrayal of her sister was one thing, trying to replace the Princesses with half-baked knock offs another, screwing up her castle was just another sin to add to the pile. Mentioning that she had killed them all multiple times and taken over Equestria seemed redundant at this point.

Not that she had so... unprincessy thoughts as revenge on her mind, but Luna certainly wouldn’t mind if this was a little bit painful, “Come out! Your armies are broken!”

And there she stood, trotting out onto the balcony without a care in the world. She had no royal robes, no accessories at all except for the element of magic partially fused to her horn. She didn’t even seem to have combed her hair particularly carefully, and she regarded the army on her doorstep with a look that suggested this was a vague inconvenience, “I have far better things to do.”

Luna flapped downwards to hover before Twilight, looking the unicorn in the eye, “You better take this seriously.”

Twilight’s face firmed, something sharp in her eyes, “Very well.”

Light exploded behind Luna, sending her spinning round with her shields at full.

Energy exploded at the horns of the surrounding alicorns, streaking past Luna in a rush. It left them grey, limp, lifeless things, plummeting down to land about the gardens with sickening crunches. Luna felt sickness rise in her gullet, turning to regard Twilight as the power gathered at her horn, “What did you…?”

“I am the element of friendship!” Twilight declared fiercely, her body beginning to warp and grow as the energy flowed through her, “The power of my subjects is mine to command, to control!”

Luna felt the bile rise at Twilight's words, directing her horn towards the mare and flinging out every last mote of magic she possessed, “THEY ARE NOT YOUR…!”

Silver Swirl was sent wheeling backwards as an echoing blast radiated outwards from the castle, scattering the Princesses as they made their approach. She did better than most, powerful wings keeping her from spinning at least, still she could only shield her eyes as the winds whipped at her face.

She opened them again to horror. A titanic form of scales and claws clung to the side of Canterlot castle, a purple snake like creature glowing with chaotic energies. At its head a huge jagged spike of a horn extended outwards, the element of magic set at its base crackling with energy. The creature directed the horn outwards, ponies reduced to lifeless husks as the energy was torn from them, drawn to the monster and only making her grow further.

“Celestia preserve us…”

“How… do we fight that thing?” Wisteria asked, winging alongside and staring up in horror.

Silver Swirl pursed her lips. It had all been going so well, and for a moment she had been foolish enough to think this would be easy. Once again they had underestimated Twilight, and her control over her element.

Still, she remembered what Celestia told her about victory, “We don’t, we attack the antenna. Bring that down and Twilight’s plan fails!”

And Twilight laughed. It rumbled across the heavens, shaking the clouds even as they twisted and inverted against the spike of the antenna to which she clung. A claw extended outwards, power exploding from every digit, “I understand now, I understand everything. And now, all the power of the dreaming is at my command. Every thought… every nightmare.”

And from the claw exploded a fierce tide of buzzing insects, filling the sky with their forms. They swarmed towards the Princesses, and after a moment they were close enough to reveal the horrific truth… “Changelings!”

A beam shot out and struck Wisteria from the sky, Silver Swirl looking in horror as the princess plummeted.

...before looking back up at the grinning face of Queen Chrysalis, “You…!”

“Me.” Chrysalis stated smugly as she directed her minions in for the kill.

Commander Hurricane was aware of the danger enemy magic users could pose, still he had never had a battle reversed on him quite this quickly before. Huge crystal formations erupted from the ground, impaling brave soldiers upon their spikes and dividing his forces from each other. Isolated they were easy prey, Commander Hurricane cursing as the reports filtered in from his army, “Get the unicorns here, start breaking through those walls!”

And then a beam of light split the heavens above, shattering one of the crystals hemming them in. Commander Hurricane’s heart soared as he saw Princess Cadance above, her voice crying out, “Have heart, do not panic! You must…”

And then a shadow shot across his vision, and the Princess was gone.

“How could you do this to us Trixie?”

Galaxy felt the killing intent, already moving as the bolt ignited. She sped across the platform and positioned herself in front of Trixie, firming her shields as the green energy slammed into her. To her surprise it hit hard, staggering her backwards and driving her to her knees. She attempted to rise, only for more energy to strike home and force her back down again.

That... she might not have been the strongest of the Princess, but she was a Princess. She could only see a single unicorn through the glow of magic, and what unicorn could...?

"Get away from Trixie's friend!" Trixie shouted loudly, clearly trying to look braver than she was.

"Oh... what was your name? I forget." Mosaic snarked as she advanced forward, clad in magitech and oozing distain, "Twilight's pity project, and some forgotten little Princess. Seems once again I'm relegated to taking out the trash."

Magic Star scanned the crystals that surrounded her, identifying them as a magic resistant variety common to the crystal empire. A curious and rare substance, but she had no time for study now. She quickly determined that it was not worth the energy required to break through and so felt out for the nearest available Princess, figuring it was best to face this together.

Yet something else quickly caught her attention, something familiar… and evil. Something that she knew she couldn’t well leave alone.

Something to be honest she welcomed a chance to punish once again.

She muted her signature and strolled out from behind the crystals, focusing eyes on the massive cloaked figure leant over an innocent unicorn below. She instantly expanded her magic, driving the two apart then redirecting the force to slam a fierce blow that knocked the cloaked figure to the ground. Said cloak fell away as he collapsed, revealing the familiar red face and white hair. She kept her voice level as she addressed him, “Hello Tirek.”

He smirked up at her from his prone position, “The apprentice.”

“Come here child. That is no friend worth having.” She stated firmly to the unicorn mare, waving her over. She watched Tirek carefully for any sudden moves but he remained upon the ground, the unicorn mare giving her a look of profound gratitude as she reached Magic Star. She was sweet faced and yellow furred, her voice gentle, “Thank you, thank you.”

“Please, get behind me.” She asked, then moved forward to confront Tirek, “Still a parasite. I welcome a chance to show you your folly once again.”

“And I you.” He stated, grin growing wider.

Something was wrong. Why was he smil…

Something sharp drove deep into her back, Magic Star feeling her energy and life force drain from her body at a terrifying rate. She tried to struggle but powerful telekinesis held her firm, Tirek rising with a smirk and stalking forward.

She… couldn’t move… Tirek opened his mouth wide, his magic building…

Then a spark flew down, hit the ground and ignited in a fierce blast of starfire. It washed over Magic Star like a warm touch, the other two it drove away with fierce intensity. Magic Star felt her spirits rise as the blue fire formed into a flowing cloak and wide brimmed hat, Star Swirl the Bearded gazing across at them with eyes full of power, “I grew tired of fighting you a good eight centuries ago Tirek.”

“But this time I have more… reliable assistance.” He reasoned, waving a hand across at the yellow furred unicorn. Said unicorn quickly adopted an innocent look as all eyes turned to her, a surprisingly effective and therefore extremely creepy one.

“She shares your affection for backstabbing.” Star Swirl retorted, glaring across at the smiling mare with one eye, “He’ll betray you in the end child. He always does.”

“Oh no, I don’t believe that.” She breathlessly answered, shining a sincere grin across at Tirek, “I trust Mr Tirek implicitly. He seems like such a gentleman.”

“Well, aren’t you a dame and a half.” Star Swirl answered with a sigh, backing away a little to face both of them, “So what brings you to this lovely battlefield my dear?”

“Spreading peace and harmony of course.” She stated with conviction, her smile growing wide, “My name is Elder Sunny Smiles of the Followers of the Apocalypse. It is very good to meet you both.”

Minty rushed through the palace gardens, knowing Wisteria had fallen somewhere around here. She called out her name, looked desperately about the dying plantlife. She was almost too distracted to notice as a large chunk of the palace above was shattered away by Twilight's tail, dodging between the shards as they crashed upon the gardens.

She looked up at the shattered remains of a statue symbolizing Celestia, whimpering a little. It was all going wrong, "Wisteria!"

"Well what do we have here?"

She looked about, paling as she saw the pair standing a short way to the side, their lanky bodies angled dismissively. She stepped backwards, teeth chattering, "I'm... I’m an alicorn... like you..."

Singer looked to Nightseer beside before flashing Minty a smile full of jagged teeth and malice, "I think not."

“To me!” Silver Swirl shouted, firing her emblem into the sky in an attempt to rally the Princesses. She felt the press of dark magic all around, her heart speeding in fear as she flew down below the towering crystals in an effort to escape the swarming changlings above. She needed to find the others, they couldn’t do this alone, “Sisters, rally to my beacon!”

“Younger sister…”

Silver Swirl turned with a start, relief flooding her. She knew that voice, and even if that was the Princess she least wanted to see it was still a welcome sight…

And there she stood, her sister. The silver armored figure of Nightmare Moon slunk towards her, tongue playing across jagged teeth, “Now, shall we resume our previous discussion?”

Diamond Glow landed with a bump, changelings fast on her trail. She let out a somewhat clumsy blast from her horn, it scattered them but did little real damage. Sad to say that she was no warrior, feeling deeply out of her element as she desperately backed away, “Please, there is no need for us to fight. You feed on love right? Well I can…”

Chrysalis launched a blast of magic that sent Diamond Glow skidding back with ringing shields. The changlings charged and beat against her defenses further, Diamond Glow only just managing to throw them back with a hard thrust of her magic. More simply lined up in their place, Diamond Glow not even given the chance to counter attack before they were on her.

And then a black and white streak came down, landing amid the changlings like a cannon shot. Her braided hair swung wildly as she fought the crowd, just a single zebra yet not one changling able to get near her as her hooves struck out without mercy. A moment later and streaks of magical energy shot down, followed by the forceful, sharp retort of a heavy pistol. Chrysalis gave a brief look of panic before snarling and winging away, her swarm retreating with her.

Diamond Glow looked back in the direction of the shots, eyes widening as three mares came down the hillside behind her, one of them clad in a business suit of all thing, “How…?”

“What is going on?” Lotus exclaimed as she rose from a pile of unconscious changlings. Her eyes travelled to Canterlot palace, “Twilight’s attempting to open the portal already?!”

“It really works…” One of the mares stated in wonder, looking up at the riven sky, “...Twilight is going to free us all.”

Diamond Glow looked to the three, “Who are these ponies?”

“Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. They built that thing.” Lotus turned to look pointedly at them, “And now they’re going to tell me how to break it.”

“It shouldn’t even be functioning” Apple Bloom offered, “It ‘aint even got a power source installed.”

Diamond Glow looked up at the construction, shaking her head at the arrogance of these modern ponies. So proud of their generators and batteries, so quick to dismiss older powers, “Twilight herself is powering the edifice. Magic flows through her, more than enough to break the barrier.”

“So I break her.” Lotus concluded, turning towards the palace, “I can do that.”

“You cannot be serious Lotus.” Diamond Glow warned, wondering if she was taking a unusual opportunity for a joke, “Twilight is even more powerful than ever before, and before she had enough power to destroy you effortlessly.”

“Well I’m making this up as I go along, and punch it till it breaks has always served me well in the past.” Lotus declared with grim resolution, “I’ve never claimed to be imaginative, and I don’t see any better ideas.”

“That seems like a rather poor plan.” Sweetie Belle softly critiqued, “Twilight’s about a hundred times your size… and a dragon.”

Lotus paused a moment, looked down at her hooves… and took a breath, before nodding firmly, “Keep them safe for me your highness.”

Diamond Glow shook her head, “So what do you plan to do against that monster Lotus?”

Lotus strode forward, grim and purposeful, “My best.”

Though not nearly the most powerful of the Princesses Galaxy was still possessed of the magic of harmony, capable of comfortably outmatching any normal unicorn. She was therefore rather surprised when she felt Mosaic's green energy penetrate through the tiny imperfections in her magic, looking around to see dozens of tiny insects all deploying scanning spells across her body. She tried to understand, tried to comprehend this strange new magic... and the fact that with it at her command this Mosaic might be more than her equal in battle.

Galaxy panicked then, increased her magic output and drove a bolt of energy right at the mare. Mosaic just pressed a button on her hoof mounted computer and a shield appeared at right angle to her body, deflecting the bolt away with ease. A moment later and gravity violently shifted to the side, flinging Galaxy across the stage into a line of scaffolding. She gasped, curled up and took the blow, rolling helpless as Mosaic tracked her with her horn…

Trixie materialized out of thin air, slamming into Mosaic and attempting to wrestle her to the floor. The insects around Galaxy swarmed in a confused mass at the loss of control and Galaxy reached out with her empathic powers to strike at Mosaic’s mind, ‘Please, you don’t want to fight…’

The response came back like a brick, driving fiercely against her mental defenses. Trixie was thrown away as Mosaic thrust out her shields before turning and forcing Galaxy to her knees with the sheer weight of her will, “Your arrogance knows no bounds. This pathetic magician is no Goddess! I am the Goddess, and you will bow before my will!”

Galaxy struggled through a mountain of darkness, through the atrocities of the wasteland, through the hatred of the war. She felt herself gasping for breath as she drew above the tide, desperately blasting forward with her horn as her thoughts became her own again.

Mosaic dodged casually, sending out a tech assisted lance of energy that struck Galaxy flying through some sound equipment. Galaxy fought to rise on the other side, only to shrink back against a furious barrage of energy as Mosaic kept up her assault, “Nnngh… please… stop…”

“So this is all a princess is worth?” Mosaic spat cruelly, eyes furrowed in distain, “We are the new rulers of this world! With our science we have pierced the heavens, gained the power of goddesses! Burn, upon the bonfire of all your sins!”

Star Swirl was willing to give them a B-… or maybe a soft B+ if he felt really generous. It was excellent spell work, if a little over aggressive. The control over the hard kyr phemes was a little rigid, but that was to be expected.

All in all a most excellent effort, Star Swirl only just dodging as a storm of chaos magic slammed down around him and a beam of magical energy turned the crystals above into exploding clouds of razor shards. He teleported a step, throwing up a gravity spell that sent Tirek tumbling before flinging down a rain of stars upon Sunny Smiles.

It only threatened them briefly however, both falling back and combining their magic to dispel Star Swirl’s assault with rather worrying ease. Star Swirl upgraded them to A-, looking back to Magic Star, “My dear, if I could have some mild assistance?”

Magic Star looked up from her meditations, a soft glow at her horn and the wound on her back still rather wicked looking, “I’m trying. She leached so much of my magic…”

Even as she said it, Sunny Smiles moved. Her form blurred, illusions blossoming across the battlefield. Star Swirl wasn’t a mere apprentice though, easily seeing through the ploy. He located the true Sunny Smiles, prepared his magic…

Tirek came out of an illusion to his side, swinging out a mighty fist. Star Swirl’s magical defenses had been specialized to defend against spells, his hastily erected physical barrier was shattered easily as Tirek hurled him through the air to slam against one the crystals.

Archmage or not, he was reminded how old and frail his body was as he slumped down upon the shard littered ground. He groaned, coughing up blood and made very aware that he had just lost a rib.

Tirek stepped forward, magic building, “And so I finally take my revenge old man.”

Star Swirl tried to move, tried to defend himself. But he was broken, his magic was broken. He was defenseless as Tirek opened his mouth, sucking Star Swirl’s magic into himself...

...Tirek grunted, his eyes widening in pain. His body seemed to shrink, his magic failing. He swept round, desperately clawing at the knife in his back, eyes focused on the smiling mare in front, "You!"

"Oh Tirek, so second rate." Sunny Smiles declared, a cheeky smile on her face, "You might be big, but that just means there's more space for the knife."

Tirek screamed out, reached for her... Sunny Smiles blasted him back with an explosive roar of energy, mana lines glowing across her form. She retrieved her knife and span it lazily with her telekinesis, looking across those remaining, "Now, who wants to be next?"

Cadance was flung into the dirt, gasping as she came up spitting dust. She instantly swept about and put up a shield as the shadows solidified before her, cruel features grinning at her with a mouth full of sharp teeth, “Get away!”

“Do I make you afraid Princess Cadance?” Sombra rumbled, casual and almost kind in his tone, “Isn’t it ironic? The last time we stood face to face like this, Twilight Sparkle saved you.”

Cadance stepped back, trying to put on a brave face. This wasn’t like last time, “I’ve grown a lot since then.”

“Really?”

“You died, I saw you die!” Cadance drew the memory of Shining Armor to her mind, drawing on that love to power her magic, “I know you’re not invinc…”

Sombra sent her flying with a single blast of his horn, shattering her magic and tearing through her body. Cadance screamed as she felt her left wing fall useless, Sombra giving an evil chuckle as he advanced.

“Get away from her!”

Both of them looked up to the ridge, Sombra’s grin failing as he growled, “Who dares?!”

“I… I do!” Wisteria declared with little real force, unable to conceal the shaking in her knees, “So you…”

“Go home child.” Sombra interrupted, eyes narrowing in fury as Cadance desperately willed Wisteria to run, “This is no place for you.”
¬

Minty ran in panic through the streets, kicking over everything in her path in an attempt to delay the two mares behind. Singer was fast and aggressive, flinging out horn bursts every time she had a shot. Nightseer on the other hoof seemed to predict her every action, several times threatening to cut off her escape.

As happened that moment, as she turned a corner as was instantly faced with Nightseer's stoic features. The alicorn's horn was already glowing, her body already braced for the shot...

Minty tried to duck, struck her jaw on the ground, rolled over and took the alicorn's hooves out from under her. Nightseer's blast flew wild as she fell, striking Singer in the face as she came about in pursuit.

Minty beheld the two fallen alicorns as she came to a stop in a gutter, murky water dripping down on her hindquarters, "Did I win?"

"S..sister?!" Nightseer called out as she rose, clearly panicked, "Are you...?"

"I..." Singer muttered angrily, rubbing the burn across her eye and giving Minty a look of utter hatred, "...am going to make your end EXCRUCIATING!"

Minty guessed that was a no.

Lotus kicked forward, willing strength back into her legs as she sprinted up the crumbling staircases of Canterlot Castle, up towards the antenna at the very tip... and the great dragon curled around it. With every moment the surging magic grew stronger, with every moment the crack in the sky grew more intense. Clouds swirled around the exit point, reality itself seeming to bend around the unnatural hole.

Lotus wasn't sure what she could do to stop it, but winging it had always served her well in the past. And the bigger Twilight made herself, the more there was to punch.

"I won't let you escape!"

Why did they always announce their presence before shooting? Lotus pondered this as she rolled to the side and let the machine gun bullets shatter the stairs beside, staring up at the griffon who had just appeared on a landing platform just above. She was wearing modern body armor and wielding a large caliber machine gun, her eyes contorted with hatred. Lotus grimaced, "I really don't have time for this."

"You will make time! Don't you know who I am?!" The griffon screamed as she aimed up once more, "I'm your arch-nemesis, I destroyed your pathetic village! My name is Ster..."

Lotus dove forward, struck the griffon with a hard right and shattered her into glowing shards. She landed on the other side and kept running, not in the mood to waste any more thought on whatever B villain she was supposed to be.

She encountered no more resistance, finally reaching the tallest point of the castle, the final floor having had its walls and roof carved away to provide a large flat surface to position the antenna upon. The place was a wreck all told, machinery and consoles blasted apart, scientists lying dead all around.

And that was very much a bad thing. She had figured she would smash things until the tower stopped working, but everything already was pretty firmly smashed. She looked up at the coiled form of Twilight Sparkle gripping the tower, pulsing with magic. Maybe if she got her attention it would disrupt the antenna somehow...

She took one step forward, instantly finding herself face to face with Twilight herself. The mare was impossibly young looking, beautiful in a rather unpretentious way, looking the very image of kindness, "Twilight..."

"Are you going to stop me?" Twilight asked, full of sweet kindness, "Please, don't fight me. This is good for all of us, don't you see? I'm going to set us free."

She sounded so sincere. But Lotus had heard a lot of these speeches, striking out with a hoof in a hope of finishing this quickly. It landed perfectly and shattered the mare's face... into bloody broken chunks. It didn't evaporate into stars like the others, it just lay there, oozing blood and... other things.

Lotus hesitated in shock and revulsion, defenseless as a bolt of lightning hit her from behind and fried her every nerve. She screamed and went down, twitching and yelping as her whole nervous system shorted out. Twilight's voice grew closer, mocking and smug, "Typical zebra, only able to communicate through violence."

Lotus grunted and focused her magic, rewiring her nervous system and kicking upwards to impact on Twilight's shields. The mare grunted in frustration and fired out a burst of telekinesis that sent Lotus somersaulting backwards to land with a thump upon the tower's surface.

"I take no pleasure in hurting you. I hope you understand that."

Lotus ignored her monologue and burst forward with a hard thrust, delivering a blow that hit Twilight's shields hard enough to knock the mare screaming backwards to topple straight off the tower's surface. She didn't re-emerge.

Lotus winced in pain and turned back to the antenna, only to be faced with the somewhat angry features of Twilight Sparkle. The mare cocked her head slightly, coolly assessing, "Do you even speak?"

Lotus tried to think of a better plan, this obviously not working, "Twilight, you're dead. This is the afterlife."

"Don't try lying to me, I'm Twilight Sparkle." She smugly declared, her grin wide and arrogant, "I'm the greatest scientist in Equestria, I worked out the secret to this place long ago."

Lotus hesitated, "And what's that?"

"This is a prison. A zebra prison." She declared, her mouth suddenly falling into a frown, "And I intend to break free."

Lotus leapt to the side as Twilight sent forth a devastating horn blast, springing forward and delivering a powerful blow that splattered Twilight's head across the tiles. She landed on the other side, near instantly struck by another horn blast that sent her tearing through the antenna’s smoking consoles to land bloody and beaten on the other side.

It was all she could do to force her head up, seeing Twilight Sparkle nonchalantly striding past her own corpse with barely a second look, "Your tactics are fairly rudimentary aren't they?"

“You weren’t even a replacement!”

Silver Swirl fell back with horn smoking, fur scarred by a dozen sparks of dark energy.

“You were a mockery, given your status by my sister simply so she would have somepony to boss around!”

Silver Swirl thrust forward, dodging Nightmare Moon’s attack and firing a beam of silver energy from her horn. It simply clipped off Nightmare Moon’s side as she casually dodged, a cruel grin never moving from her face.

“An amalgamation of all my worse points. Stubborn, argumentative, morose, a contemptible, dislikeable mare doomed to forever be alone.”

Silver Swirl felt the shame burn through her, fuelling her charge as she leapt straight for the mare. They locked horns for a brief moment, the energy straining between them… before it exploded outwards and flung Silver Swirl into the crystal behind with enough force to crack it’s surface.

Nightmare Moon cackled as she stalked forward, looking entirely unruffled despite having taken the best Silver Swirl had dealt out, “And entirely, totally… mediocre.”

Magic crackled at the end of Nightmare Moon’s horn, a fierce cage of dark energy building up around Silver Swirl. It carried her upwards in a destructive maelstrom, crushing and slashing at her body, tearing away her flesh and squeezing her so tight that she coughed blood. She couldn’t even scream, only feel the tears run down her face as she felt her life depart…

There was movement and the sound of steel hitting flesh.

Nightmare Moon gasped, her magic failing to send Silver Swirl crashing back down to the floor. The darkness of her fur was broken as a small line of blood spread across her cheek, “Who dares…!”

“This isn’t you Luna.” Captain Pipsqueak stated, his blade held boldly between his teeth, “I promised you that should you ever return to this state, I’d stop you myself.”

Luna just delivered a dark chuckle as she beheld him before her, wiping the blood from her cheek, “Take your best shot, captain.”

Galaxy spat blood as she tried to force herself up, feeling shamed and broken. Mosaic strode forward with barely a scratch upon her, a normal unicorn who had bested a Princess. Was this what they had come to? When legends, when harmony itself fell before cold, unfeeling technology and the march of progress? She gave Mosaic a last, desperate look, "And where... where is there room for your soul under all that metal?"

Mosaic laughed, "You really are a pointless anachronism. You think you are still relevant, still special? You think Twilight cared that Celestia never made her a princess?"

"Celestia... cannot make..."

"I don't care." Mosaic spat, "And neither did she. Twilight has found something better, the true ultimate power in this world."

Galaxy shook her head, tears in her eyes, "That power destroyed the world."

"And will remake it in turn." Mosaic answered, angling her horn forward, "Goodbye, Princess."

"HEY! Over here you patent stealing hack!"

Mosaic's head swept round, focusing on Trixie standing just a few feet away. Despite the burns, despite the injuries, Trixie's grin remained infuriatingly smug. It certainly seemed to irk Mosaic if her voice was any indication, "What did you say?!"

"You totally stole that horn magnifier of Stripped Wires, and your contribution to the Gardens of Equestria project was drinking coffee!" Trixie smugly raised a hoof to her chin, "The Great and Powerful Trixie expanded the study of magic more than your five bit flank ever did!"

Galaxy watched in horror as Mosaic gave a deep, evil growl, her horn exploding with magic. The energy blast flew straight at Trixie, enough force to easily tear her in half. Trixie didn’t even have shields up, looked half dead already…

The blast struck the mirror, bounced, struck another, and slammed straight into Mosaic with a deafening crack. It had lost most of its energy from the deflections, still it left Mosaic staggering backwards with a dazed expression and a deep burn across her side.

A moment later and a stagelight detached from above, slamming on top of the mare with enough force to flatten her against the stage. Galaxy could only stare in frozen disbelief, Mosaic’s visor slowly rolling across the stage with a deep crack radiating through it. Trixie looked down at it in distain as she stepped from backstage, raising a hoof and shattering it with a single stomp, “Science that, bitch.”

“Trixie, you…” Galaxy looked towards the quite unconscious Mosaic, currently sprawled across the stage, “…you’ve the greatest magician who ever lived.”

Diamond Glow hurried forward into the night, searching for her sisters as the CMC trotted along behind. So far they had managed to avoid the swarm, keeping to the shadows and trying to avoid the open areas. Still it felt like just a matter of time...

"There they are!"

Sweetie Belle struck the changling scout from the air with a blast of magic but it was already too late. More soon filled the air and Diamond Glow threw up a shield as they swarmed, moving back to stand beside the cutie mark crusaders. Sweetie Belle added her own strength to the shield, still Diamond Glow found herself struggling as the changelings threw down globs of corrosive mucus and Chrysalis herself added her energies to the attack. Diamond Glow was yet again forced to curse her limited skills in this situation, she was a doctor, not a warrior.

Her shield crackled slightly, Apple Bloom giving a little squeak. Chrysalis cackled and charged, horn angled for the kill…

A gunshot sounded out, a high caliber round taking off Chrysalis’s wing. She shrieked and hit the ground with an undignified tumble, her swarm hesitating for a moment in shock. Diamond Glow looked behind from where the shot originated, seeing the flapping black cloak, the shining crimson eye. The stallion that bore them cradled the sniper rifle in his hooves, his manner confident, “She thinks me a villain? Summons me to do her bidding?”

The swarm burst forward towards him, only to be quickly intercepted by a vast cybernetic dog that tore them apart with quick savagery. The pony took the opportunity to snipe a few more of the changelings before leaping down, eyes settling on the Cutie Mark Crusaders beside, “You… are Scootaloo?”

The mare brought her head up, trying to look confident in the face of the intimidating looking stallion, “I am.”

The stallion simply smiled, “I’m a big fan.”

Minty adjusted her wings and span herself in midair, the blast of energy from behind shooting past with a roar. She looked behind at Nightseer and Singer before diving, the scenery shooting past as she accelerated downwards.

She leveled out and sped across Equestria, it's green fields and gentle meadows. She looked ahead as it faded into dirt and darkness, a lost land beyond. She searched with all her senses, looking for the connections, for the memories.

She spotted the ramshackle settlement ahead and dropped down, landing with a thump upon her hooves and hurrying into the crowd of shadows beyond.

Nightseer landed behind, her keen eyes looking about the settlement. She called out, sounding a little angry now, "Come out! There's no escape!"

She started forward a little, only to pause and look behind as Singer wandered off in another direction, "Sister!"

"I... remember this..." Singer stated as she looked down at the mural at her hooves. It swirled in beautiful color, rainbow light exploding from rumbling clouds. She looked to the side where a box of paints sat, levitating a brush and staring at it with a confused, pained expression, "I think I used to paint."

"It is forbidden to talk about before... put that down!"

Singer dipped a brush in the blue paint, sweeping across the mural with a lazy swipe. Her voice was soft, happy, "I missed a spot."

Nightseer shook her head clear, then turned back to the crowd, "Come out Princess. We don't want to hurt you, so long as you come quietly."

"Please Miss Midnight..." A soft voice sounded from beside her, "It's getting dark, and I can't find my way home."

Nightseer looked down, a small infant filly standing there with her big eyes shining with tears. Nightseer struggled to tear herself away, a valiant but flawed effort. Eventually her hoof came down to touch the filly's shoulder, her horn igniting to drive the darkness away, "Come child, I will lead you home."

Minty watched from the shadows as the two alicorns went about their old lives, their forms slowly fading back into simple unicorns once again. She smiled at the sight and trotted away, only hoping she could one day do the same for the rest of the unfortunate race.

"Excuse me, miss."

Minty turned, a dark blue unicorn of middle years looking across at her. Her horn glowed with soft light and her cutie mark was of a lighthouse, her expression concerned, "It is late child, you should stay inside. There are monsters about."

Minty looked back, hesitant for a moment before giving an encouraging smile, "I know. I have to go back out there to fight them." She nodded, "You keep everypony here safe while I'm gone, ok?"

Nightseer nodded back and turned away, the light of her horn fading back into the shadows.

Star Swirl the Bearded tried to rise, fighting through his injuries and sheer weariness as Sunny Smiles advanced on him, knife gently spinning in her telekinesis. Magic Star dived in to tackle the mare physically but she was simply hurled away, Star Swirl admitting Sunny Smiles had some genuine skill with high level telekinesis.

He focused what magic he had left, thinking through his list of spells. It was depressingly barren of viable choices in this situation. He wearily dropped into a hoof to hoof stance, deciding that he would go out fighting at least.

And then something suddenly appeared in front of him with an explosion of displaced air, a mare. A ghoul, clad in the partially fused remains of a straight jacket. There was no magical signature and Star Swirl realized she hadn't teleported. She was just that fast.

Sunny Smiles had a moment to widen her expression in shock before the ghoul's hoof slapped out, slamming hard against a magical barrier and shattering it into fragments. Sunny leapt backwards and unleashed a barrage of magical energy, Star Swirl ducking away as the ghoul dodged each and every one with unnatural agility. Her form disappeared, only to appear again above Sunny and fling her back leg down at the mare's head. It connected hard, shattering the mare's image into glowing shards...

...only for Sunny Smiles to appear again nearby, her body blurring and shimmering for a moment before becoming solid. A grin spread wide across Sunny Smile's face as she faced off with the ghoul, "Screwloose, how good to see you. It's been too long." She cocked a benevolent grin, "How are you these days?"

"Dead, here, with you... so I could be better." Screwloose replied, her voice thick with contempt, "You're just as horrible as I remember."

"Oh, and what memories they are!" Sunny Smiles declared with glowing cheer, "Like when you got all your friends killed to further my plans. Or when you gave me the elements of harmony and almost got Equestria destroyed. Oh, and don't forget when you helped me kill Xephyr's fiancée, that one's a classic!"

Screwloose lowered her head, jaw clenched, "I'm going to enjoy killing you."

Sunny Smiles chuckled in response, "I'm sure you would."

Magic Star moved over to Star Swirl, lips pursed, "We have to do something."

He nodded, though noted the Princess looked pretty drained, "How much power do you have left?"

"Almost none." She admitted, "Maybe one good spell..."

Screwloose disappeared again, appearing in a pop of air just at Sunny's side... but the mare was already gone, appearing again a few feet away. A cackle escaped her lips as a host of ghostly figures burst forward, one slugging Screwloose across the jaw. She ducked and rolled in response, shaking her head free and trying to reclaim her momentum, "I'm... not going down that easy..."

"Well, I have a whole lot more." Sunny offered, magic swirling about her, "And really, you're so predicable. I've watched you fight for years, there's nothing left for you to show me."

"Then maybe I have something to offer." Star Swirl declared as he moved beside Magic Star, both of them unleashing their magic at once.

Sunny didn’t seem concerned and met it with a terrific blast of her own magic, her leached strength more than enough to shatter their attack into glowing blobs of energy... each of which took position around Sunny Smiles.

She noticed her poor position quicker than most. Her ears perked up in alarm, Star Swirl activating the spell and sealing the mare inside an electrified energy cage. Bolt lanced into her, Sunny Smiles screaming as her back arched sharply backwards.

And then Screwloose called out in desperation, "Watch out!"

Star Swirl turned, watching Sunny Smile's knife fly straight at his chest. He brought up a shield to defend himself, a moment before he realized the knife was magic resistant. It left him little time to dodge, letting the energy cage fall and trying to apply telekinesis to himself...

Magic Star dived in front, taking the knife right in the chest. She gasped, falling back into his hooves.

Star Swirl looked down in desperation at his apprentice as the blood spread across her chest. This was the second time he had seen her like this, "Magic Star, why...?"

"I’m... already out of magic..." She breathed, her eyes slowly closing, "Learn to... watch your own back old man..."

And then she disappeared into glowing shards, evaporating into the night sky.

"Why do you delight so much in pain and suffering?!" Screwloose called out, her form disappearing and reappearing in deafening booms as she fought her way through Sunny Smiles' illusions and constructs, "What's the point of it all?!"

"There is no point, to anything." Sunny replied, voice gentle and sweet, "It simply provides some brief amusement to watch you bleat and cry so."

Screwloose launched herself forward with all her fury, even as Sunny Smiles redirected her magic to burn most of the ghoul's face off. Screwloose ripped a jagged crystal from the ground and thrust it forward, catching the mare in the shoulder with the tip and driving her backwards. Sunny Smiles screamed in pain and lashed out with her magic, even as Screwloose drove the spear right through her body and into the crystal wall behind.

"Your... sister never existed... you killed all those ponies for nothing..." Sunny Smiles chuckled, spitting blood with every bitter word, "I... am the only god you will ever have...!"

Screwloose twisted the spear, then clutched the mares throat with both hooves. She drove her head back, twisting and snapping her neck with unnatural strength, "Burn in hades you insufferable witch!"

And then Sunny Smiles collapsed into fading embers, leaving only the last few echoes of her laughter on the breeze.

"I am betrayed... again..." Tirek gasped as he lay dying, body sprawled out across the rubble. He clenched his teeth, hand reaching out for the dying embers, "This is why I trust no one."

"As ever, not a drop of self awareness Tirek." Star Swirl intoned, picking up his hat and placing it back upon his head. His eyes traveled to the villain, "More than anyone, you broke my faith that all evil could be redeemed, that a perfect world could be possible."

"Dispense with the lectures old man." Tirek spat, "You're just like me. Obsessed with power, that you use to bend the world to your liking."

Star Swirl sighed, "Indeed, lectures are pointless. I can only hope that this time you will remain gone long enough for me to miss your charming banter."

And with a single blast of his horn, Tirek shattered into glowing shards.

"You don't have to do this Sombra." Wisteria implored, stepping gingerly towards the tyrant, "You can..."

"I told you to leave." He growled, then seized the mare in his telekinesis and swept her forcefully across the ground to stop straight in front of him, "Do you Princesses all possess some kind of death wish?"

Cadance shouted out, "Please, Sombra! She's no threat to you!"

Sombra grimaced, then forced the struggling Wisteria’s head down so her horn pointed straight at him, "What are you waiting for girl?"

Her hooves struck pointlessly at the ground, her expression terrified, "I don't..."

"Use your magic. Kill me. Save your sister, and do your duty." Sombra placed his eye right before the horn's tip, "Do it."

Wysteria forced herself away with a sharp thrust, showing surprising strength. She even looked angry now, "I... don't want to hurt you!"

Sombra struck her with a harsh blow, smacking her to the floor and leaving her with a blackening eye. He then stomped a hoof down upon her chest, driving her into the dirt, "How about now?"

"Stop it Sombra!" Cadance called, feeling her healing magics work... far, far too slowly, "Why are you doing this?!"

Sombra dropped his eyes, then looked out across the battlefield. His tone was heavy, every word seeming to drain hope from the air around him, "What other choice do I have?"

"Let her go! Turn back from this path!" Cadance implored, failing to understand his reasoning, "If you don't want to hurt others..."

"But I do." Sombra declared, with a cold, vindictive fury, "The only joy I get from life is to see you suffer. And though I have no stake in this fight, no particular grudge against you, the only alternative is non-existence."

"You don't get happiness from anything else?" Wisteria asked from her position on the floor, her voice cracking with emotion, "Not... flowers, or bunnies?"

Cadance paused, waiting for his answer with a mounting sense of horror.

"The destruction of beauty gives me some satisfaction." He finally stated with a cold, uncaring tone, "But I doubt that's what you meant. I am literally made of evil child, I have no better nature to be appealed to."

Wisteria didn't look nearly as scared as she should be, eventually causing Cadance's stomach to flip yet further with her next question, "Well... you haven't killed me yet."

"I have no reason to hurry, nor am I inclined to aid Twilight Sparkle. She appears to be winning anyway." Sombra shrugged, jaw clenching in a harsh grimace, "It is clear neither of you are a threat."

"You were a pony once." Wisteria continued, a little firmer now, "Even if you can't feel it anymore, I think you still miss those days."

Cadance was sure she was just digging herself deeper, especially as Sombra grinned cruel and cold. His voice however remained polite, only the slightest hint of malice, "Those days are gone. I ensured that personally... didn't I Cadance?"

"You destroyed your past because it caused you doubt Sombra." Cadance replied, rising gingerly to her hooves and wincing as her shattered wing dripped blood all down her side, "So you must still feel something..."

"Not anymore." He firmly cut her off, "Everything is gone. There is nothing left to tie me to my mortal life."

Wisteria spoke in a quiet voice, "Nothing to hold you to this life of despair either."

"I am despair child."

"Sombra... you're dead. Your life is dead. All you are is... spirit." Wisteria spoke with gentle hope, her voice sweet, "It's when we've lost everything that we're most open to change. You don't have to be evil."

Sombra chuckled with evil satisfaction, looking up at Cadance and licking his lips, "Such a sweet child. So trusting."

Cadance took a swaying, limping step forward, even that sending lancing pain through her body, "Sombra, don't..."

"She came closer than most." Sombra admitted, taking his hoof away and letting Wisteria escape. She stepped out, turning to face him with a hopeful smile. Sombra actually smiled back, regret in his voice, "I'm afraid I'm beyond redemption, though a valiant attempt."

"No one is beyond redemption." Wisteria countered, standing firm.

"I killed the one I loved most in the world for that assumption." He responded, backing away and looking up towards Canterlot Castle and Twilight Sparkle, "Still this fight no longer concerns me."

"Sombra..." Cadance started, reaching out to him.

"The world has proven more than adequate at providing despair, even without my help." He replied, cutting her off. His eyes fixed Cadance with a flash of anger and contempt, then a gentler glance at Wisteria...

...then he turned and strode away, his crystal structures falling apart all around as his form dimmed. His voiced echoed as he left his parting words, "I wish you happiness little Princesses. It is a rare and fleeting thing."

"The crystals are down!" Came the cry from the war camp, Commander Hurricane's maps updating as the various army divisions reported in. He didn't join the celebrations, and was soon proven right. Red dots spread across the map, surrounding their scattered and out of position forces. Even as they appeared the various divisions reported increasingly dire news of their causalities and morale, and the enemy started to surge forward with speed.

"Back to your positions!" He called to his officers, looking for some way to salvage this, "All forces regroup, form a defensive line!"

Even as they rushed to carry out his orders Commander Hurricane saw the royal guard winging over with all the speed he could manage, his face a painting of despair. He doubted that meant his message was anything good, and Hurricane didn't bother showing much enthusiasm as he stood to attention before the pegasus, "Report solider."

"Sir..." The guardsman breathlessly intoned, "There is another army heading across the wastes, moving on our flank."

"Composition?"

"Steel... Steel Rangers sir. Steel Rangers, Griffons, and Diamond Dogs have been seen, along with a whole new army of alicorns."

Commander Hurricane nodded, actually feeling better for all this. If this was his final stand, then it was right that it should be in the presence of all his enemies, "Fortify for a full defense everypony. We make our stand here."

The soldiers hesitated briefly before saluting, "Yes sir."

"Commander..." He heard Ambassador Pansy state, her hoof pointed to the sky, "Upon that rock."

Commander Hurricane followed her hoof, nodding as the first of Twilight's reinforcements landed. A griffon, proud and strong in a uniform draped in the history of the Griffons, a fearsome scar across one eyes. She stood upon the cliftops, soon joined by a whole army of other griffons bristling with weapons

And forward the next army marched, their hoofsteps shaking the earth. A legion of ponies in power armor, following a warrior of particularly impressive size in armor pitted by what looked like decades of battle scarring. And beside them... a hoard of mutated dog like creatures, sharp claws and teeth flashing as they bounded forward. Commander Hurricane chuckled grimly, "So this is what death looks like..."

"Hurricane." Pansy stated softly, "Something is wrong. They're... standing beside each other."

Commander Hurricane frowned, especially as more ponies in unfamiliar combat armor marched up to take position on the flanks, several squadrons of pegasi escorting the mighty form of a glorious airship bristling with cannons. They all stood alongside one another, not only three races of pony but Diamond Dogs, Griffons, Zebra, Buffalo... even alicorns stood within their ranks.

The scarred griffon on the cliff directed her claw forward and they charged as one, crashing into the flanks of Twilight's army without hesitation. A cry went up and the sun shone through the clouds behind, feelings welling up in Hurricane that he hadn't felt since the unification, "Order the charge."

"Sir?"

"Our allies have joined the field!" He called, waving them forward as he strode for the frontlines, "Equestria prevails!"

Silver Swirl could only watch uselessly as the children matched their skill against Nightmare Moon, an inspiring but ultimately futile battle. Pipsqueak was fast and his blade was sharp, it was however matched at every step by the sheer physical might of an alicorn, and the vast magics at her disposal. Snowdrop sent down blizzards but they melted away before they even got close, the magic of unicorns dispelled and the assaults by earth and pegasi ponies knocked aside with an imperious sweep of her wings.

Pipsqueak somersaulted back after a hard hit, gritting his teeth as Midnight Dreamer came in for the attack. Her horn echoed as lightning burst forth, crackling uselessly off Nightmare Moon’s shield.

Nightmare Moon retaliated with a wide blast of dark energy and Silver Swirl was sure they would be vaporized, only for that energy to break upon the magical shield now shining at the point of Midnight Dreamer’s horn. She stood there, firm and determined, wielding more power than any unicorn mare her age should possess.

Nightmare Moon actually fell back for a moment, doubt clouding her eyes, “You are… harmony touched?”

Midnight Dreamer dimmed her shield a little, still she kept it firm before her, “I won’t let you hurt them.”

“Let’s not go too far on this.” Nightmare Moon snarked, her grin sharp and cruel, “I could break you without a moment’s effort. I was merely surprised for a moment.”

“You don’t have to do this Luna.” Midnight Dreamer noted, her brow furrowing, “Nightmare Moon is dead. Puppysmiles killed her, once and for all.”

Nightmare Moon frowned darkly, “We are all dead here.”

“These are old battles Luna.” Midnight Dreamer implored, “They no longer need to be fought.”

Nightmare Moon drew back, looking hesitant for a moment, "I... rulership is my right..."

"You already rule!" Midnight Dreamer shouted desperately, "Celestia stepped down!"

"Celestia is dead." Nightmare Moon looked properly torn now, looking away, "I killed her."

Pipsqueak shook his head, joining in, “Nightmare Moon is dead, she's been gone a long time. And you need to stop punishing yourself. Luna, the past is past!”

Silver Swirl rose on shaking hooves, her body broken but still bearing enough strength to speak. She stumbled forward, desperately trying to reach the mare, “Luna… please. I need my older sister.” She felt the sting of tears on her eyes, feeling like a child before her mother, “I always hated you because… I was jealous. Ponies always used to compare me to you because I was awkward, and shy. But I looked at pictures of you, I listened to Celestia, and I knew that you were more special than I would ever be. I worked so hard to be the best, because I never felt like I measured up to you… but that was foolish.” She dropped her head, “I realize how foolish it was. I hated you because I admired you. I hated you because you were the only one who could ever understand me, and you were forever beyond my reach.”

Nightmare Moon sneered, "Celestia replaced me with you!"

"And yet she stood on the tower every night to stare up at the moon, and nothing I said would ever comfort her." Silver Swirl confessed, "Please... stop this battle. I can't beat you. I could never beat you."

"Yes... you could." Nightmare Moon admitted, the darkness melting away to reveal a small blue alicorn, barely taller than the normal ponies around her. She looked up at Silver Swirl, smiling softly, "We have something else in common. We are both too hard on ourselves."

"And we both hate injustice." Silver Swirl finished, nodding firmly with a proud grin on her face, "Are you with me?"

Luna grinned back, "Till the end sister."

"You're... losing Twilight..."

Lotus stared across the rooftop, at the calm confident form of the ninth Twilight Sparkle she had fought so far. The last few times she had tried to reach Twilight's true body, but that had been a mistake. The Twilight clones might have been clumsy and lazy fighters, but they packed a punch if you took your eye of them. She had evidence of that in the many burns that covered her body, along with a good couple of broken bones.

Twilight on the other had did not seem the slightest bit bothered by Lotus killing her over and over again, "And how do you figure that?"

Lotus looked back, seeing Silver Swirl and Luna already winging towards them. The crystals falling meant Sombra had been defeated, and it also meant the Princesses could combine forces to finish the remaining threats, "Your league of villains has already fallen."

"You hardly thought I expected them to win do you?" Twilight responded with amusement, "I beat every single one of those losers, single hoofed!"

Lotus grimaced, offended on Twilight's behalf, "Single hoofed? You fought every one with the help of your friends!"

Twilight growled in anger, this seeming to touch a nerve, "I have no friends."

"What about Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie..."

"They betrayed me!" Twilight shouted, before a smile swept across her face once more, "But they don't matter anymore. I don't need them."

"How can you say that?!"

Twilight looked up towards the approaching Luna and Silver Swirl. The dragon Twilight above shifted from the antenna to point a single claw in their direction, the air around them seeming to shake and shift as Twilight's voice cut the air, "Because I can do this."

A blast of eldritch lightning crackled outwards, atomizing the two alicorns without the barest pretence of effort.

"No!"

Twilight Sparkle laughed, manic and cruel as her dragon self above shifted, her mighty claw raised for the kill, "You think I've been trying? You think you had a chance? I could have wiped you out in a instant!"

Lotus screamed in rage, leaping forward, pumping energy through her body...

"But I've had my fun."

Lotus looked up, shadows covering her as that mighty claw came down in a devastating strike. There was no time to dodge.

She felt the impact, and then the grim eternity of death.

Lotus blinked, pulled back from the brink as a light shone in the darkness. One after another, so small as to be imperceptible. She felt the void calling behind but the lights could not be ignored, Lotus trotting forward with determined steps. The comfort of the void fell away, replaced with cold, hard reality. She didn't slow her pace, feeling that if she did... she would surely fall.

"A life that is not lived in the service of others is one quickly forgotten." She heard a voice state at her side, violet light shining out, "Whether a book of history that illuminates the path ahead, a building that serves through the ages or a mere cautionary tale, the true mark of greatness is not what we do, but what we give to others."

The light dimmed and a unicorn stepped out, his kind gentle face smiling out at her, "Your suffering will pass my dear. Your service to those you have sworn to protect... that will last forever."

"The world burned because they forgot the value of truth." Another voice stated, amber light shining in the darkness, "Good ponies made bad decisions, because they lied to themselves and those around them. Forgot who they were, and abandoned what they had once believed in favor of prejudice and cynicism."

The light dimmed and a unicorn mare stepped forward, passion fierce in her eyes, "Even when everything was taken, even when you were told by your own memories that you were a killer, you refused to compromise your own identity."

'Sometimes the hardest challenge is to fight on, even when it seems easier to give up'. The words formed upon Lotus's heart, gentle and playful strokes of the pen written in glowing pink crystal. 'The ability to smile in the face of unbearable pain, to face the darkness without fear? That is true courage'.

The light dimmed and a Pegasus ghoul stepped forward, her face bearing not a hint of horror despite her condition. Her eyes shone through, full of hope and optimism. A sign hung from her neck, the words written on it, 'You inspire hope'.

"However much it is needed in the fight against evil, strength becomes cruelty and wisdom arrogance unless properly tempered." Stated a warm female voice from within the darkness, pink light shining out, "The more power you have to help others, the harder it becomes to understand why you must."

The light dimmed and a motherly looking pony in flowing robes stepped forward, her eyes full of affection, "To have power beyond any other, yet retain the ability to treat even the most humble with respect? That is the mark of true nobility."

"The bonds of family make us what we are." A voice in the darkness stated in affectionate, fatherly tones. A cyan light shone out as he continued, "An' not just of blood, but of all the connections that bind us together. As kin, as comrades, as friends, nations, races, our connection to all things livin'. Tied together, we can face any challenge."

The light dimmed and a rugged old pegasi trotted out, shining her a smile that made her feel like a child once more, "We never forgot ya big girl, and I know Twilight could never truly make you forget us."

"No." Lotus answered, gathering the lights in her hoof and holding them close, "I didn't."

She threw the light down at her hooves and it exploded outwards, driving the darkness back. Twilight Sparkle cried out in pain as the light burned away her flesh, darting backwards to coil around the tower once more. Lotus firmed her hooves and held her ground as Twilight directed a fierce torrent of fire down upon her head, the fire breaking against the shining corona of light that surrounded her.

Lotus looked up at Twilight as the fire melted away, seeing now the fear and uncertainty that shone in those demonic eyes, "Do you remember your friends Twilight?"

"I have no friends!" She screamed back, driving forth another blast of magic that Lotus deflected away, "You... you took it all away from me!"

"I'm sorry Twilight." Lotus replied with regret, "It is all my fault."

"Yes! Yes..." Twilight hesitated for a moment, lowering into her true voice for just a moment, "It's all your fault. That my friends... are gone... that my country died..."

Lotus clutched the light tight to her chest, "Generosity, Honesty, Laughter, Kindness, Loyalty." She looked up at Twilight, taking a deep breath before extending her hoof, "Magic."

Twilight screamed, her horn shattering as the star at its centre was torn away. She desperately grasped for it but it burned through her claws, shooting forward in a blur of light to slam into Lotus's extended hoof. Its energy was almost too much to bear but Lotus clung to the memory of her friends, gritting her teeth as the energy flowed through her body and collected at her hoof. It solidified there, from the purple light a shining pipbuck emerging.

Twilight Sparkle screamed in rage and launched herself downwards, claws extending for the kill.

Lotus looked up as a thousand tons of scales, dark magic and rage bore down at her, firming her heart and drawing on the harmony at her hoof. It burst through her, transforming, strengthening. Wings burst forward from her back, adorned in feathers of black and white. She focused that power outwards, feeling her friends move forward to stand behind her.

It burst forward in a rush of rainbow energy, tearing through Twilight Sparkle with a roar. The mare's body was torn apart by the unstoppable force, her scream echoing outwards as her magic collapsed around her...

...and it was over, the final tower of Canterlot Castle falling as the last glowing fragments of Twilight's Sparkle's form drifted into the night.

Except... for one.

Lotus galloped forward, leapt into the night and opened her wings. She cursed her lack of practice with them as she drove herself faster, chasing after the small, broken form that plummeted through the collapsing ruins. She saw the ground rush up to meet them...

And with as gentle a touch as she could manage, she wrapped both hooves around Twilight's small, vulnerable form. Lotus knew she was too close and too fast now, flinging herself over and curling up around Twilight as she struck the ground at high speed, hardening her body as her back shuddered against the impact...

...she considered how much that had hurt as she lay there, eyes closed.

"Please... please be alive..."

Lotus opened her eyes, looking into Twilight's. The mare's expression was full of grief and worry, her grey hair hanging in tangles about her face. Lotus smiled weakly and Twilight's eyes filled with relief as she drew back, "Oh my, you had me worried. I mean I know Princesses are tough but you hit the ground very hard..."

Lotus found this... unusual. Still, it was nice, seeing Twilight like this, "Are... you ok Twilight...?"

"I..." She looked torn at the question, her face falling, "...you shouldn't be worrying about me."

Lotus shifted, feeling at least that she hadn't broken anything. She shifted her back and rolled over, extending her wings gingerly, "Ow..."

"Are you... a zebra princess?"

Lotus turned, unsure how to answer that one, "Um..."

"That's..." Twilight's expression looked conflicted for a moment before finally lighting up in enthusiasm, "...really wonderful!"

Lotus paused, "It is?"

"Of course!" Twilight exclaimed, "One of my best friends is a zebra, you just have to meet her, and I was once invited to the Imperial Palace itself, in Kyrshin? It's on top of a mountain, and they have the most wonderful mural in the ballroom! Have you ever seen it?"

"No, I've... never left Equestria." Lotus admitted, still feeling a little concussed, "I... don't even know if there are any zebra left there."

"Oh, it's lovely. I've been there many times." Twilight enthusiastically declared, "What's your name?"

"It's... Xephyr." Lotus answered, guiding her tongue around that name. It was a name she hadn't spoken in a long time, "I thought you hated zebra."

Twilight's face fell, sadness in her eyes, "Is that what they say about me? Because of the war?"

Xephyr hesitated, feeling guilty now, "I guess... I never really knew the real you."

"Caesar Remicon was my friend." Twilight stated firmly, before lowering her eyes in regret, "I hated the war. I hated the war with all my heart. But I will never hate the zebra."

"I..." Xephyr looked at Twilight for a moment, element of magic to element of magic. She had long dreamed of this moment, had a million questions.

And now Twilight stood in front of her. She could only think of one thing to say, "Thank you."

Twilight looked embarrassed, blushing, "For what?"

"Everything." Zephyr confirmed, "Everything I am, everything that made my a Princess... I learned from you and Littlepip."

Twilight shook her head, "That's not true. I failed. I never became a Princess.”

"Neither did Littlepip." Xephyr mused, "That alone demonstrates that a pair of wings doesn't count for anything."

"Twilight!"

They both turned, a pink form winging her way towards them at high speed. Twilight ran forward to meet the pony halfway, Cadance landing at a gallop and throwing herself forward to embrace Twilight in a fierce hug. Twilight struggled to free her windpipe, giving an embarrassed grin, "Wow Cadance, I know I haven't seen you in a while but..."

Cadance just hugged tighter, her eyes full of tears, "Too long."

"Princess Xephyr."

Xephyr turned at the sound of the booming , imperious voice, seeing Princess Luna and Princess Silver Swirl leading the others across the ruins of the great hall. Xephyr admitted her voice got a little emotional as she moved to meet them, "I thought you were dead!"

"Not the first time, believe me." Silver Swirl commented with annoyance, "But with the darkness gone, we are beginning to reclaim some of our true power over this place once more."

She moved to meet them, feeling self conscious for a moment before dropping her head in her best attempt at a bow... only to feel a teasing hint of telekinesis bring it back up. She looked at Luna in surprise, the mare now giving her a kind, rather amused grin. Luna spoke after a moment, her voice much softer and far less formal than normal, "Given your lack of education into Etiquette, I will forgive your faux pas."

"My..." Xephyr blushed, now feeling very self conscious indeed, "...um. How... does one greet a Princess?"

"You do not bow." Luna answered with a grin, both her and all the other Princess falling into a deep, respectful bow before her. She looked back at Cadance and Twilight but they were no help, Cadance offering her a cheeky smile before her and Twilight joined in. She eventually looked back at Luna and waited for it to be over, Luna finally rising once more and nodding to Silver Swirl beside her, "Please."

Silver Swirl nodded and trotted forward, shining Xephyr a look of deep respect, "Princess Xephyr of Equestria, we are all honored to be the first to welcome you as such."

She blushed deeply, "I don't deserve..."

"We studied at the hooves of Princess Celestia." Silver Swirl interrupted.

"And I was born into this." Luna continued.

"You on the other hand were trapped in a world devoid of hope, torn from your friends and memories, surrounded by those who hated you. Yet you successfully walked a path sought by billions, and attained by but ten." Diamond Glow pointed out with a smile.

"Born into a cruel wasteland far from even the touch of the sun, you retained your virtue." Galaxy confirmed.

"A mere child among heroes, you were the one to lead them to victory." Magic Star stated, giving a encouraging nod.

"You continue a tradition that we feared was forever lost." Candance stated, her smile beaming out.

"You were willing to give up your life for us." Wisteria stated with the deepest respect, "You stood at my side, because you couldn't stand idle in the face of evil."

"You're our friend." Minty finished, flashing her a huge smile, "And we're yours."

Xephyr chuckled, wondering how she was going to follow that. Still, she wasn't about to take so much credit, there were far more deserving out there, "You do all know I'm far from the true hero of the wasteland don't you?" She looked up, fluttering her wings and feeling the touch of guilt, "I might have the wings, but Littlepip is the only reason I'm here. She's the one who saved me, put me on this path. I would have failed a hundred times without her advice." She looked ahead, angry that they suggested this was her achievement to take credit for, "You might have had Celestia, but I had Littlepip. I couldn't hope for a better teacher, and it should be her standing... oh my gosh!"

She took wing, quickly soaring past surprised looking Princesses to alight upon one of the few remaining pillars still standing. She looked out past the borders of Equestria, towards the shining towers beyond the mists. Out there, just beyond the wasteland... she could see the Presidential Palace, the Towers of Manehatten...

...the SPP. And it was as she feared, seeing the darkness surrounding it, consuming it... the light that shone from its tip was almost gone.

Luna landed beside her, eyes grim once more, "I can feel her too. My sister's light is almost extinguished."

Xephyr shook with desperation, with guilt. She knew, instinctively. Her friends were hurting, and she had abandoned them in their time of need, "I have to help them!"

"Please Xephyr, you have just escaped this place." Luna observed with a deadpan tone, "Remember what I told you about having a 'hero thing'?"

Xephyr frowned, wondering if they were going to fight again, "I can't let them die."

"And neither do we wish for you to immediately return with a hole through your sternum."

"I..." Xephyr almost said something stupid and arrogant, but maybe being here had done her some good. She quickly reigned herself back in, acknowledging that ideas of rushing forward, clobbering the bad guys and saving the world might be overly simplistic, "...what do I do?"

"I wonder if you should really be taking advice from us Xephyr." Luna observed, looking across at her with an ambiguous expression, "It is a difficult thing to be a Princess, to be a light in the darkness."

Zephyr didn't understand what she was getting at, "What do you mean?"

"Both my sister and I failed, you know that?" Luna stated, not really answering the question, "For totally different reasons. My sister quit her role because she could not cope with the changes her world was going through, preferred to ignore them in favor of pretending all was as it was. And I... I changed to embody all that was noble and corrupt about that world, refusing to let tradition hold me back. And as a result my sister became ineffectual, and I just made things worse."

"And the answer?"

"You serve the world Zephyr, you must understand it, embrace it. It changes, grows, and you cannot stop it." Luna bowed her head, "But you should never forget what sets you apart. You should never forget that others look to you for moral guidance, and the moment you compromise your compassion and fairness you allow fault lines to grow within society itself. My sister's example only proved that you could excuse any evil done in your name if you kept yourself firmly ignorant, and I wanted so much to believe evil means could be used to promote virtue that I bred a nation of monsters in pearly masks."

"I'll... try." Xephyr finally stated, then gave her a sympathetic glance, "Luna... you were not to blame. You ruled with fairness, and wisdom. But you were just one mare."

Luna looked to the wasteland, where a red light shone among jagged rocks, "You are still atoning for my mistakes."

Xephyr sighed, knowing that it was base arrogance to think that she could absolve Luna of her guilt. She decided to return to more practical matters, "What do I do?"

"Maybe the same thing you did here?" Luna observed, giving her a subtle smile, "Find friends, inspire them to fight, and lead them to victory. You are a Princess, you should never fight any battle alone."

"I..." Zephyr shook her head, embarrassed at how she was handling all this. She was such a dork sometimes, "Thank you. For everything. I... never deserved any of this, but I'm going to do my best to be the best Princess I can be."

"No one gave you anything Zephyr." Luna observed with a smile, "A princess is made by what she earns, not what she is given."

Zephyr nodded, turning away and focusing on the SPP as she silently accepted Luna's words. Maybe she would never quite believe that, maybe she would always feel Littlepip should be standing here... but she knew that both those feelings might well be excuses to dodge her responsibility. Littlepip deserved a rest after all she had been through, and if Zephyr could keep the house clean in her absence... "Any final advice? I might need it."

"Save my sister, save the world, don't die?" Luna smirked, turning away to look at the horison, "I think that about covers it."

Xephyr flew across the ruins of Equestria, feeling her heart ache at its condition. Even the wasteland beyond was full of war and strife, flying across a whole battlefield of struggling ponies and zebra. She felt the desire to turn back, to fly down there and stop them... but she knew she would be forever lost in that hatred.

She spotted Trixie down below, hitching up her cart. The unicorn doffed her hat, gave a bow, and faded into the mists.

She travelled over the victorious armies of the NCR, Steel Hooves observing her enigmatically as Blackwing and Kage threw her sharp griffon salutes. Ahead Gawd stood calmly assessing upon the cliff edge, eyes watchful. Behind the grand towers of Manehatten rose, Velvet Promises hunched happily over the plans for a glorious future.

She felt an ache in her heart, looking about for Xenos. She saw nothing, knowing in her heart why. This world was a place of the remembered, and few knew him as anything other than her fiancé, the pointless death that made her a hero. He would not be here. Perhaps that was for the best.

And then, just before the light that she knew led to her destination... a final figure she knew all too well.

It was... ghost girl. No... that wasn't her name, "Screwloose!"

The ghoul smiled, looking demur as she bowed her head, "I'm glad I got a chance to meet you one last time."

Xephyr landed before the girl, advancing forward with a shake of her head, "What are you talking about? You came here with me, and you're coming back..."

"I'm dead Xephyr." The ghoul explained, eyes wet, "I died shortly after I got here, protecting you from Gestalt."

Xephyr paused, knowing it couldn't be true, "But... you're here with me. You're not like the other ghosts..."

"No. I'm not." She shook her head, "These others, they're just memories."

"And you?"

"I stayed." She answered simply, "For just a little while longer."

Xephyr gulped, "Screwloose..."

"I stayed to repay you. To help you... like you helped me." Screwloose smiled, broad and sweet, "Your friends were right, you shouldn't have protected me."

Xephyr took a deep breath, feeling anger surge, "If I had abandoned my friend, I wouldn't have deserved to be a hero."

"You're so sweet." Screwloose answered, shaking her head, "But I won't be there to protect you in future. So... take care of yourself ok?"

The ghoul turned away, her form slowly starting to fade. Xephyr called out in desperation, "Screwloose!"

But she was gone. Another friend torn from her. Xephyr felt her tears flow, looking behind at all those she had met in this place. All those friends she had made, all she had learned...

She turned away from them all and strode into the light. One day she would take her place with them... but not today.

Chapter 4.16 - What Price Victory?

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She watched in fear, knees trembling as she saw the hole torn through the walls that had protected her since her birth, saw the ruin covered streets of Manehatten that her family had always warned her about. There they stood, swarming riders slick with the blood of ponies and covered in bones and dirty rags. They screamed obscenities, running for cover as her father fired his rifle at them. Their hooves kicked up dust as they charged him, only to be sent scattering with just a touch of his magic. His shields spread across the breach in the tower's wall and their bullets deflected harmlessly, his carefully aimed shots taking the hooves from under them.

He was her father, and her heart swelled in pride.

Until the bullet finally found his shoulder and he screamed, his magic failing. A raider yelled in victory and charged, striking him hard and throwing him to the floor, raising his hooves to stomp...

She slammed her telekinesis into him and the raider sprawled, her hooves kicking up dust as she sprinted for her fallen father, "Don't hurt my daddy!"

Her father looked at her in panic, his hoof reaching out, "No, what are you doing here...?"

The raiders all approached, a terrifying, hungry look in their eyes. Ten of them, all ugly brutish ponies armed to the teeth. They laughed among themselves as they surrounded her, the biggest speaking out, "Well well, a little princess. She'll fetch a good price."

Her father rose, yelling out at them, "Stop it! Take me if you want, but leave her alone!"

"Who said you had a choice old man?" A raider shouted, aiming his weapon at her father, "I think we'll be taking both of you, along with the rest of your pathetic tower. What do you say about that?"

"You cannot..."

A bullet cut through her father's leg and he dropped with a yell, the raider giving an evil sounding giggle at his suffering, "Yeah, tell me again what I can and can't do old man."

She... she wouldn't let them do this. She wouldn't let them hurt her father, destroy her home. They were evil ponies, and they needed to be stopped. She gathered magic within her horn, marching forward to face them, "Get away from my father! You're all bad, naughty ponies!"

The lead raider just smirked, "And you're different little girl?"

"I am!" She set her hooves firm, drawing the magic into her horn as she focused on her rage, her concern for her father... for her dignity as a princess. As heir to a legacy they couldn't even comprehend, "I am heir to Princess Cadence, and you..."

"Enough!" The raider shouted, cutting her off, "Take the girl."

Her father shouted as they advanced, "No, get away from her!"

No. She wouldn't take this. She was better than them, and she intended to prove it. These raiders should count themselves lucky, lucky to see the true might of the old world! She unleashed her magic, screaming out in rage as it flowed through her in deep quivering bursts, "All of you just GO AWAY!"

And with deep rumbling cracks shards of crystal shattered upwards from the ground, lances of shining pink that carved through the raiders with barely any effort at all. Those who were left were bowled over by the deafening roar of energy that shattered the ground around her for a good couple of feet, hurling them through the air to slam down into rubble strewn streets. Her remaining magic came out in a burst of bright pink sparks, exploding into flashes of coloured light as it tumbled forth.

"...what... are you?" Gasped a raider, slumped upon the ground in a bloody mess, "You're just a kid..."

She found herself grinning, her hooves leaving the ground as the power flowed through her in an endless torrent. It was then she realised, that her father was right. That she was special, and that the power to save this world flowed through her blood, "I am a princess of Equestria!"

He shook his head, stunned, "Equestria's gone..."

She focused her magic upon him, burning his ugly face from this earth with grim satisfaction, "We are Equestria."

And from her flank shone a warm, tingling glow, her father looking at her in wonder as he rose. She turned to him, her head feeling light and tingling, her body... warm. He was bleeding, it breaking her heart to see him hurt so, "Daddy, they hurt you..."

"It's ok..." He breathed, still looking down at her in wonderment. He eventually gave her a big smile even through his pain, nodding at her flank, "On your flank..."

Her heart skipped a beat, "Is it really...?"

"It's your cutie mark..." He breathed, then looked at all the dead and dying raiders lying all around, "I've never seen so much magic in one so young..."

She was scared now, the fear returning as she looked at what she had done. She had killed them. She had been so powerful, and she had killed them. And it had been... easy, "I... did I do a bad thing? I hurt those bad ponies..."

He smiled at her with pride in his eyes, moving over and holding her close, "No Dream Star. It means you're a very special pony, and your destiny is only just beginning."

"What is it even meant to be?" DJ Pon3 asked as she lifted her glasses with a hoof, leaning in to stare down at Dream Star's flank, "Is it some kind of... fancy stick?"

Dream Star scoffed, though she admitted it had been her first thought too, "My daddy says it's the castle in the Crystal Empire, and it means that I'm very important."

"Really." DJ Pon3 replied, in a tone that one would use to describe the weather. She let her glasses fall upon her face again, lazily using her long, lanky hoof to scratch her ear, "So your special talent is...?"

"Magic." She declared with sincerity.

"You already knew that." DJ Pon3 expressed, a little disappointment edging into her usual distracted disinterest, "You got a cutie mark in something you were already good at? That's just... dull."

She pouted, following the mare around the room as DJ Pon3 adjusted the dials and monitors, paying little attention to her small guest, "Better than some silly headphone mark..."

"We already have one of those. Belongs to some important radio pony. Forget her name." DJ Pon3 replied distractedly, then turned to angle a hoof towards Dream Star, "Cleaning pony. We always need more of those. Maybe that stick is a mop or something..."

Dream Star just pouted back at the silly pony, though privately she couldn't help but wonder. Was her special talent really magic? She looked at her flank and saw the crystal rod there, topped by a blazing sun. Like a torch, or a beacon.

Her father told her it made her special, but the question still remained.

Why?

The clan was all here. They stood around the bed, paying tribute to the Princess. The last Princess of Equestria.

"We are close now grandmother." Her father stated with pride. He wasn't the oldest but he spoke with authority, all bowing in deference. It was part of what she loved about him, that he could command a room by his very presence, "The Gardens of Harmony will be a reality within a year, perhaps less."

A laugh came from the bed, croaky yet full of life. Princess Skyla was blind and even speaking seemed a effort, still Dream Star felt like you still couldn't get anything past her, "What about the elements of harmony?"

"Unneeded." Her father declared, "Twilight Sparkle used them because they were convenient, but power is power. We will simply route Tenpony's full energy output through the megaspell matrix, this should be more than enough to sustain activation."

"I salute your ingenuity Ebon Star, but that's a lot of power to be playing about with." Skyla responded, her voice holding a sharpness, "Working from Twilight's old notes is not the same thing as working with Twilight, and not even she got it right all the time."

"Actually, it's Silver Scroll. Ebon Star was my father...." He muttered under his breath before quickly straightening up and looking to the other members of the family, "Please, do not worry yourself grandmother. Equestria's legacy, your legacy, will be one that will be spoken of for the rest of history."

She wouldn't live to see it, Princess Skyla of Equestria dying in her sleep two months later. Her father took Dream Star to the ballroom after the funeral service, a place that always evoked mixed feelings in her. Yes it was beautiful, yes it was the symbol of their family's influence over Tenpony Towers... but when she looked up at the portrait that hung above the main entrance she couldn't help but feel crushed beneath the weight of expectation.

Princess Cadance. It was like looking in a mirror, only... better in every way.

"Dream Star, I'm sure you've been aware of the issues we have been facing. You saw it in there, surrounded by the old and tired."

Dream Star nodded, though she didn't really want to think about it.

"You are one of only three children to be born to us in ten years." Her father continued, as if she didn't already know, "And out of all of them, you are the brightest, the most magically talented, the most confident in bearing and, excuse a father his vanity, the most beautiful of them all."

She smiled, blushing. She had noticed the admiring looks from the other colts her age, "Thank you father."

"One day this will be your legacy." He stated, nodding up at the portrait above, "I expect you to think about what that means."

She looked up at the portrait, at Princess Cadance's smiling face. What did it mean? She wasn't sure she knew.

Dream Star stood at the doorway, staring in horror at the scene before her. Her father, bloody candlestick clutched in his teeth, crouched over the broken form of Elder Papyrus. Her father looked at her with shaking eyes, dropping the candlestick and moving to face her, "Baby girl..."

"You killed him!?"

Her father shook his head, resolve moving back into his expression. He wiped the blood from his beard, intensity in his stare, "No, I didn't. Dream Star, he was trying to hurt our family, accusing me of... things that just aren't true."

She looked up at her father, face still smeared with blood, "What things?"

"It doesn't matter." He insisted. He looked back at the body, "He has to disappear."

"Disappear?" She breathed, uncomprehending.

"The tunnels below the towers, they're swarming with ghouls. They would never think to look down there." Her father stated, igniting his horn and taking hold of the body, "Help me carry him."

Dream Star gulped, but then she met her father's eyes. He needed her, and she loved him.

She ignited her horn, and took hold of the body.

"...trait... or...all of you... gah..."

Dream Star broke the elder's neck with one final pulse of her telekinesis, hurling him aside to tumble down the steps of the council chamber. Around her lay the other high elders of the Twilight Society, along with their security and staff. Their own guards poked at the corpses for signs of life, Elder Iris shifting slightly before she was swiftly bayoneted through the neck.

"You've done us all proud baby girl." Her father stated as he moved over, snatching the key card from around High Elder Calculus's neck in his teeth and placing it about his own head. He strode to the central console, voice proud, "Accept new executive directives, all functions to be placed under my exclusive access."

Dream Star looked at the bodies that lay around. She had known all of them. Liked many, trusted many, "Was this all really necessary?"

"Our family has led the Twilight Society for generations. We cannot allow anypony to take that away from us." Her father answered, activating the microphone with a quick touch of the controls, "All forces, report."

"The families and other supporters of the council have been dealt with." Came the reply, each word sending shivers up Dream Star's spine, "Sir, DJ Pon3..."

"Yes?"

"She's gone sir. We can't find her anywhere."

Her father growled, even as Dream Star felt a little twinge of relief. Her father's response came quickly, "Find someone else, I want the transition seamless. Tell the wasteland that the Elders tried to take her off the air, and that we bravely stopped their coup."

"Yes sir, right away."

Dream Star watched him as he stepped away from the console, not sure what to say. Despite everything, she still felt... uneasy, "Father, did we really do the right thing?"

"Of course we did baby girl." He responded, giving her a kind smile as he looked to her, "This is for the family, the family that holds the last great bloodline of old Equestria. This is for your future, and the future of the world."

She stood outside upon the control platform they had set up, looking up at the towers that had served as her home for her entire life. How Tenpony must have looked in its heyday, the centre of Equestrian innovation, home to its best and brightest. It would shine again, even brighter. In but a few more minutes, the wasteland would just have been a bad dream.

Or so they hoped. Her eyes moved to her cousin Clear Heart as he ascended the stairs to the control platform, looking harried. He looked to Dream Star and her father as he approached, "We should delay the test."

"Again?" Her father stated with annoyance, "We have gone over this again and again..."

"Your daughter shares my concerns." Clear Heart countered, looking challengingly to Dream Star, "Tell him."

She hesitated, meeting her father's look of betrayal. Her knees shook as she considered her words, "Father..."

"You told me it would work." He responded, nodding encouragingly, "I trust your judgement Dream Star, and don't let the doubts of fools deter you."

"But... I'm not Twilight Sparkle." She started, feeling the fear and expectation weighing upon her, "So much of this is beyond my understanding..."

"Twilight's notes were clear, and tested." He responded with a edge of annoyance, looking back to the second tower, "All Twilight needed to finalise the Gardens of Equestria was power, and a crusader mainframe. We have both."

"But... I don't understand how the spell even works...!"

"The spell is according to Twilight's design, and we have already successfully performed small scale tests of the fundamentals." Her father walked to the edge of the platform and looked down at the crowd below, the guards watching for raiders as the tower inhabitants waited in expectation of a miracle. The miracle their family had promised them, "Dream Star, look to your cutie mark."

She looked down, "My cutie..."

"It is a tower. A tower topped with a blazing sun." He looked to her, challenge in his eyes, "This tower. It is your destiny Dream Star, to activate the Gardens of Equestria and save the world."

Clear Heart scoffed, "Don't let him manipulate you Dream..."

"Enough!" Her father warned, "Dream Star, you are the greatest mage seen in generations, a peer to Twilight Sparkle and Star Swirl. Now is the day when you either accept the responsibilities that come with that, or let fear forever hold you back."

She took a deep breath, pondering her course. She looked to Clear Heart, "We have done all we can to make the ritual safe."

"You have a substitute Crusader Mainframe, and a substitute power source. You are working from notes, scribbled by just one of the scientists on the project." Clear Heart answered, "You know you lack the knowledge to anticipate the effect these things may have."

"The Elements of Harmony are gone, and the original mainframe was destroyed." She reasoned stepping forward to stand at the controls, "I will not abandon the one hope the wasteland has."

"We can do more tests, think about..."

"No." She answered, "My father is right. This is my destiny."

She reached over and pulled the lever.

It was... glorious. The ground blossomed, the poison dissolving into the air. The whole area seemed to sing, a glorious note of hope as the glow from the tower became more and more intense. It was working.

It was working!

Flowers burst upwards from the ground, grew at a tremendous rate...

...then collapsed on themselves, choking and rotting on the stem. The ground cracked and burst, what water it contained boiling off in thick clouds of steam.

Clear Heart shouted desperately, "Shut it down!"

Dream Star hit the lever again, a moment before the second tower caught fire. It seemed to immolate all at once, a huge pyre of flame reaching up to the sky as the crowd ran screaming. A moment later and a bright flash near blinded her, wetness running from her ears as a shockwave shook the ground. She watched as the tower violently tore itself apart, a huge chunk flying through the air to descend straight for them.

Her father slammed into her side, saving her from the slab of masonry that pulped him into bloody chunks across the platform. She watched Clear Heart struggling at the controls, trying desperately to stop the power... before they erupted in a huge explosion of fire and smoke. She had time to watch Clear Skies burn alive before the blast reached her, a rush of pain, impact...

...and darkness.

"Please, try not to move. Your injuries were very severe."

Dream Star opened her eyes. She was in the infirmary, the familiar smell of disinfectant and the hum of the medical scanners. She... couldn't move much, and her body felt numb, but still it was somewhere familiar. Somewhere safe, "What happened...?"

"The experiment your family was conducting... it went badly wrong." Stated a voice from beyond her vision, a voice she recognised as one of the doctors, "The second tower was... destroyed, and the first took a lot of damage."

She panicked then, memories flooded back, "My father..."

"Your father is dead Dream Star. I'm sorry."

"Clear Heart..."

"Dream Star, I'm so sorry, but..."

She looked up at the doctor’s face as he moved over, full of grief and pain. She knew then, what the answer was, "All of them. All of my family."

The doctor gave a slow nod, his expression numb, "I'm... afraid so."

Dream Star settled into the bed, cold and alone as the world collapsed around her.

"You cannot leave Dream Star. We need you here."

She sneered in fury as Hopeshine spoke up behind, his reedy tones the last she needed to hear. She shrugged up the plasma caster secured against her side as she turned, the stallion standing in the doorway with a desperate look on his face. She could understand some of his panic, with the casualties of the disaster they were the only two senior Twilight Society members left alive. Not that her authority counted for jack anymore, she knew they would never trust her again, "That's not what I've been hearing."

"They're just angry Dream Star..."

"They have every right to be." She rebuked, feeling the bile in her throat, "It was my fault. My project. What possible reason could they possibly have to tolerate my presence a second longer?"

Hopeshine hesitated, finally coming out with the big elephant in the room, the issue she knew had motivated this more than any other, "You are the last heir of Princess Cadance. The bloodline can only continue through you."

"Then that bloodline is dead." She spat, "Didn't they tell you?"

"What?"

She smirked, full of bitter amusement at the appropriateness of it all, "My injuries rendered me sterile. My bloodline, my destiny... it has already ended."

Hopeshine paused, shock in his eyes, "I... what are you going to do?"

She laughed then, a laugh of utter hatred and lost hope, "I'm going to save the world, like a hero should."

"We can afford to pay four hundred caps." The town leader stated, his officious manner and stitched together suit as generic and unimpressive as his dirt encrusted village, "I know it's not much but..."

"It's enough." Dream Star interrupted, not giving two fucks what he wanted to give her, "Where are they holed up?"

The town leader paused a moment, clearly hesitant. After a moment he spoke again, patronising and clearly trying not to cause offense, "We estimate about thirty, forty bandits, fortified inside an old military facility complete with turrets and fortifications." He looked at her for a moment to gage her reaction, looking rather worried when she just gave him a smile, "How many companions do you have with you?"

"None." She replied, happy to have found something so worthy this quickly, "And I don't require one cap up front. I call that a bargain, yes?"

Dream Star staggered through the dirt, watching her blood drip steadily upon her hooves. She was torn up, magic burn out aching through her horn, a knife still imbedded in her flank... was this enough? Would this finally be enough?

"It's the mercenary!" Came a call from ahead, Dream Star looking up to see some wastelanders hurrying to meet her. One galloped over with some healing potion clutched in her jaw, the others pointing their guns in the direction from which she came, "We told you it was too much for you! Are they after you? How many?"

She laughed, laughed at the absurdity of it all, "It wasn't enough..."

"We told you it was impossible!"

She shook her head, staggering on as they finally noticed the cloud of smoke that rose up from the bandit camp. Her mouth curled into a smile as she walked away, "I guess it was."

"Yes listeners, the Pink Angel is officially missing. The wasteland warrior who fearlessly charged into combat with bandits, hellhounds and all manner of wasteland monsters has not been seen in several months now. Some say that she has finally met her match out there in the wastes, some that she has simply set off for greener pastures.

I hope it's the latter, for we have so very much to thank her for. Thanks to her the Manehatten area is one of the safest in the wasteland, giving all of us a real chance to survive. Unkillable, determined, and never accepting any reward, she is a testament to our strength as a species.

So wherever she is, I hope this crying warrior has finally found peace."

Dream Star smiled, even as said tears dripped down her face. She clicked the radio off and looked to the horizon, a new world opening up before her.

Maybe she had found peace. Maybe after everything she could let herself believe that there might be a place out there for her.

She set out, determined to find it.

Dream Star narrowed her eyes as she carefully scanned the ground beneath her hooves, motes of magic seeking out and taking hold of each nutrient, each bit of uncontaminated soil. She brought them together, little by little, trying her best not to damage the careful balance…

“What are you doing?”

Dream Star huffed at the cheerful voice behind her, really not in the mood for this. Sure Platinum Pure was a smart kid, and had an admirable curiosity… maybe a little too curious, “I’m purifying the soil, drawing all the good things from all around into a single patch.”

“And that will allow plants to grow?”

“Yes.”

“That will save our village?”

She paused for a moment, fighting the bitterness that compelled her to answer in the negative, “Yes.”

And then there was warmth, contact, a soft cheek against her side. A child’s voice raised in excitement, “Thank you miss! You’re the best pony ever!”

She looked back at him, wanting to berate him for thinking a few square yards of good cropland would make any real difference, if it wouldn’t just draw bandits, if any of this really had any meaning at all. If he really thought she’d done this for greater reasons than scientific curiosity.

She averted her eyes, embarrassed to feel the sting of tears there, “You’re welcome.”

“That’s the Kapellous Constellation.” Dream Star lectured as she drew her hoof across the sky, tracing the path in colour, “If you draw your mana from it widdershins, it grants a colder, more easily directed flow that can aid in more precise spells.”

“Like in combat.”

She shook her head, “No, actually combat magic benefits from being passionate. A cornered animal is a dangerous foe for a reason, real violence is raw and powerful.”

Pure Platinum chuckled, then went silent. Dream Star looked across at him, wondering what was exactly so funny. He sat across from her on the ridge, staring out across the bright lights of the settlements dotted out across the barren wasteland. His face was full of confidence and drive, the soft glow of the clouds above reflected by the white fur that covered his broad, powerful shoulders. It was still something that astounded her sometimes, that seven years ago he had just been a lanky little foal. Now he was far bigger than her, and already able to bring the mares running with just a smile, “What are you laughing at?”

“You, talking about passion.” He stated, looking across at her with his normal rakish expression, “You always seem so logical Dream, so in control.”

She looked away, that feeling far from the truth sometimes, “I find that there’s little to be passionate about in this world.”

“There’s plenty to be passionate about.” He countered, rising to his full height and looking out across the wasteland, “This world needs us Dream. Needs somepony to save it.”

She snorted, wondering if he knew how many times she had tried, “It’s beyond saving.”

“Well I intend to teach you otherwise. On both points.”

She looked at him, obviously having lost track of the conversation, “What’s the second?”

"Having something to be passionate about." He trotted over, drawing her to her hooves with a gentle hoof under her chin. She rose with a frown, not particularly fond of being touched… and her heart froze as he gave her the warmest, most intoxicating smile, his lips reaching down…

…she pulled away, thoughts exploding. To her shame she felt like a little girl again, her composure melting away with every moment, “What are you doing?!”

Pure Platinum smiled, disarming her resistance yet further, “You know what I’m doing.”

“I’m… I’m an old woman…” She protested, this feeling so wrong. When they first met he was just a child, and she…

“You’re the most beautiful creature in this damn wasteland.” He countered with softness, brushing a hoof across her cheek. She shivered at his touch, feeling her heart race as he drew close, “And even if you weren’t, it wouldn’t matter. You could be a wrinkled old grandma and I would still want you. Your knowledge, your power… together, we can save this world.”

Tears came to her eyes, whether from fear, happiness or horrible regret she wasn’t sure. She had been hopeless for so long, desperate for each little piece of validation she could find. To have all this at once, it was too much, “I… you’re the greatest student I’ve ever had Pure Platinum. And I know, if there’s anyone who can do it…”

He cut her off with a hoof to her lips, “I want to be so much more Dream.”

She finally allowed herself to smile back at him, finally allowed herself, after all these years… to hope. To hope that this wasn’t all there was. To hope that she… could be happy.

Dream Star stepped through the ruins of the chaos sphere, pushing past the broken struts and sparking wires towards where the command centre used to be. The once mighty construction was now nearly unrecognisable, nearly carved in two by jagged rocks. The wind blew in from where a huge section of the plating had been torn away, cold and sharp on her cheek.

And then she saw it, silver fur streaked with red. She advanced forward with a heart full of ice, looking down at where the once proud Emperor of Light lay in the ruins of his throne, pierced through by the broken remains of a support strut. He laughed as he saw her, “Dream… looks like you were right…”

“I take no pleasure in it.” She grunted, her hoof looping through the twisted remains of the golden crown that had fallen to the floor, “Did you really think this would help?”

“It’s like you said…” He stated softly, “The world can’t be saved. It’s too far gone. So why not be king of the ashes?”

Tears came to her eyes, even though her heart still felt nothing but cold ice, “I didn’t teach you this…”

“Ha, don’t kid yourself Dream…” He gasped, smirking as he collapsed back against the ground, “You’re as nihilistic as me. The only difference is that I’ve got the courage to do something with my talents.”

“I am doing something with them.” She stated coldly and efficiently, feeling nothing but cold rage as she pressed a hoof against his throat.

He looked like he was laughing, a big smile on his face right to the end.

“Dream!” Fullheart Rider exclaimed as she stepped from the ruins, the other Companions arrayed around him. They were dusty and scarred, still all of them looked alive, faces cheerful. And why shouldn’t they be? They had saved the wasteland. They were heroes, “Is he…?”

She nodded, “Yes.”

“They we’ve done it!” He shouted, a big smile on his face, “You did it Dream! You’re a hero!”

She looked at him, those clear eyes, that sense of purpose, that handsome face. Many called him a hero, the bringer of hope.

She knew that he was just another corpse, and this was just another meaningless victory. She strode past him, not looking back, “Don’t kid yourself Rider. You’re just a killer, like all the others.”

“Yes dear listeners, I would never joke about this. Rider’s Bastion, symbol of peace in the wasteland, has fallen. Yes it was never quite the same after Fullheart’s death, but the Companions were still out there every day fighting the good fight. You will miss them listeners, so I implore you. If you believe in what they stood for, if you want to honor their sacrifice, then take up the cause. Be heroes, and fight for what you believe in.”

Dream Star looked around as the faces of the other Regulators fell, moans and whimpers filling the barracks. She felt nothing, save the satisfaction of having her world view once again vindicated. They were just fighting against inevitability, everything just fading into oblivion. Even the new DJ Pon3 wasn’t as good as the last, Dream Star having noted at least two changes since the mare she had known.

Eventually she spoke up, honestly desiring to lift the mood, “This is a good thing.”

They all looked at her, faces agog. It was Deadshot Lagoon who spoke first, his tones offended, “I knew you were a cynic, but I didn’t think you actually wanted the end of civilisation.”

“Of course I do. We’re mercenaries.” She reasoned, snorting loudly, “This place will be swarming with bandits soon. That means more contracts, more loot, more grateful villagers. Are you honestly sad that ponies who did all that shit for half the price are dead?”

Deadshot lowered his head, “I… am Dream. They were good ponies.”

“And now they’re dead.” She spat, “Let that be a lesson to all of you.”

She opened her eyes, pain shooting through her entire body. She cursed briefly, then tried to let go. Tried to give up.

She had been so close, so close…

“Please don’t move.”

She looked up, shocked to see the solid metal outlines of power armor, emblazoned with the symbol of the Steel Rangers. She had to be hallucinating, the Steel Rangers this far east? And why were they here, why had they rescued…?

“The others?” She asked.

“I’m sorry.” The Ranger turned back to her, revealing a surprisingly young, noble looking face. Softer than she expected, with eyes full of life and fire, “Your friends fought bravely, right to the very end. Their sacrifices will be noted in the Codex, forever remembered.”

Bravery… stupidity was more like it. She had warned Deadshot, she had told him… “Why are you here? Why did you save me?”

He gave a firm, military nod, moving aside to reveal dozens of similarly power armored forms just behind, “We are the Steel Rangers of Equestria, and we are here to help.”

“I wish I had met you sooner. Maybe then I might have convinced more of my brothers to back my cause.”

She wished she had too, her body covered in the soft scribe robes, her eyes moving across a fully stocked laboratory. It had been a long time since she had experienced this kind of environment, yet in many ways… it felt like home. If you had told her she would think that of a Steel Ranger facility she would have laughed in your face, but here she was… “I’m surprised how many you did convince. You’re half the age of many of your followers, yet they seem to trust you implicitly.” She looked back at him, giving Burnished Shield a nod of cautious respect, “You must have some convincing arguments.”

He smiled back at her, a small, thin smile, yet honest and straightforward in a way few could manage, “To be honest many back home think me a traitor, a heretic.”

She snorted, “That could be considered the greatest praise from some.”

He shook his head, “I respect their opinions, but my own had to be voiced. And with the elders blessing, maybe I will show them what can be gained from taking the fight straight to the evils of this world.”
She looked back down at the table. That sounded familiar, “There’s a lot of evil to fight. How many Rangers do you have? Fifty? Sixty?”

“More will come.” He replied, “When the Emperor of Light threatened this territory, it was just five brave souls standing against him.”

She hesitated, eyes widening at that name. For a moment her response stuck in her throat, the memories flooding through her.

"I'm sorry. I guess the scars of that time still dwell upon this land." Burnished Shield stated after a moment, apologetic, "You must have been a teenager back then."

She laughed, looking round at him, "How old do you think I am?"

"Early forties?" He guessed, "That was twenty seven years ago. Did you fight?"

Dream Star considered it, she hadn't been counting her birthdays. That had been when she was thirty six, which meant... "I'm sixty three. Huh."

"That... isn't possible." Burnished Shield started, his eyes now comically wide, "You barely look a day over thirty!"

"Flatterer." She joked, looking up at her reflection in a glass cabinet. As far as she was concerned she was a ugly, wrinkled old tart, but no accounting for taste, "I've experimented on myself quite a bit, increasing my healing capacities, increasing my strength and endurance. We are but machines, good maintenance can keep us going forever."

"You... you are a tremendous woman." Burnished Shield finally forced out, his smile growing wider, "And I think we are going achieve great things together."

Burnished Shield stood on the viewing platform of his cloudship, observing the devastation below. His eyes betrayed not a hint of emotion, simply stern resignation.

"Why did it have to come to this?" Dream Star asked, looking to him to comfort.

"We cannot save the world with good feelings alone." He stated, not taking his eyes off the fires. His voice trembled a little though, barrel chest shifting as he took a breath, "This ship, our weapons, armor... they are only possible due to the alliances we have made. And we cannot allow any pony to jeopardise that."

She looked down at the burning settlement, the bodies lying in the streets as power armored troops cleared the area. They had said that they would rather die than abandon their home. She wondered if their feelings had changed, "We could have negotiated. They must have had a price."

Burnished Shield drew himself up, fire in his eyes, "We cannot allow them to take advantage of us, our cause will not be held to ransom by some dirty wastelanders!" He gritted his teeth, voice lowering as he regained his temper, "Maybe next time, they will not doubt my resolve."

It was a sight to be sure. One few wastelands had ever laid eyes upon. The great edifices of the old world still in their prime, the plazas and skylanes full of the kind of noisy bustle she had only seen in Tenpony. The ponies here lived their lives with the lazy, entitled pace that only came to those assured in their security, who had never known hardship. Is this what the old world had been like?

"I imagine this must be most overwhelming for you. Still, imagine the entire wasteland like this, safe, prosperous, united." President Rainbow Skies stated as he joined them at the balcony, proudly looking across the sights of Las Pegasus, "We can achieve great things together you know."

Dream Star didn't buy the sales talk for a moment. It had been made clear from the start what the terms of the deal would be, "If we provide the resources you ask for, you will be willing to take down the cloud cover?"

"I'm afraid it doesn't work like that my dear." Rainbow Skies answered, waving a hoof about in a rather overwrought manner, "We are a democracy, those decisions are ultimately made by the people. And at present they see all grounders as a threat, despite my best attempts to convince them otherwise."

"And vice versa." She reminded him.

"Exactly." He acknowledged, "In order to have any chance of peace, we must understand one another. Our efforts to civilise the zebra wasteland are constantly thwarted by a lack of trust, due to my predecessor making no attempt to work with the natives. Now our operations there are rapidly becoming more expensive than they're worth, threatening to cut off our one source of resources."

"And so you come to us."

"Indeed!" He answered cheerfully, drawing himself up and proudly adjusting his suit, "We provide you with the blueprints for mines, farms, lumbermills and the weapons to defend them, and you simply pay us with the resources they produce. In time this will convince the pegasus that you can be trusted, and we can finally open the sky to you once more."

Dream Star looked at his fake smile, at the clear greed and hunger in his eyes. It made her physically sick, to be a part of this deceptive game. Is this what they had become? But this was the game they had chosen to play, "I will take your offer back to Burnished Shield Mr President, expect our response within the next week."

"You're asking me to betray my ally."

Dream Star stalked the command centre, furious that Burnished Shield refused to see her point. He just stood there at his post, staring into the hundred scrolling reports of tyranny and murder in the service of power and profit, "He is not your ally, don't you see that?!"

Burnished Shield grimaced, seeming torn for a moment, "It... is the only way."

"The only way is to turn Equestria into a strip mine for the Enclave?"

His eyes hardened at her words, voice full of steel, "I will unite this world. Maybe it will suffer today, maybe they will regard my deeds as evil. But tomorrow, this world will bloom again. Tomorrow this world will see sunlight."

"They are not doing us a favor." Dream Star reminded him, near spitting her words, "They stole the sun from us. What right do they have to ransom it back?"

"It is a ransom I am willing to pay."

She looked at him, his doubts no longer apparent on his face. He no longer hesitated to burn settlements that stood in the way of his plans, no longer hesitated to set his army on those who resisted. The proud paladin she had know barely seemed like a memory, "Do you truly believe this is the right path? Do you have no doubts?"

He answered immediately, "I have no doubts."

She breathed out. She didn't know she still had a conscience, let allow than it would drive her to such extremes. Maybe it was just racism. Maybe she just hated those smug pegasi.

But she knew then that the reasons were immaterial, and that she would not be part of selling this land out to the enclave, "Then I wish you good luck Burnished Shield."

She felt her heart tear as she strode away, through the door, out the main entrance, out into the wasteland. She waited for his voice. For him to admit he was wrong, that he needed her. That something mattered to him more than power.

But no voice came.

"Yes, that's right listeners. The long nightmare is finally over! Burnished Shield has been slain, killed in single combat by the Stable Dweller. With his death and the destruction of the Imperial Stratos his legion has scattered, and the death of Admiral Winter has forced the Enclave to withdraw their own forces.

So what's next for our fabled defender? Well I'm glad you asked, because this old DJ has exclusive news for all of you. The Stable Dweller is at this moment putting together a team to take the battle to the source, to attack the Enclave and take the sun back by force!"

Dream Star listened quietly to the message, feeling a lump well up in her throat. It could have worked, it could have been good... and even though it had gone wrong, he deserved better than to be called a villain by self righteous disk jockeys.

She looked up at Watcher's eye bot, face tensed with rage, "What do you want from me?"

"You've been up there Dream Star, you know more than anypony what's waiting for them up there." Watcher stated back, tinny speakers buzzing, "You can help. You can redeem yourself."

"Redeem myself?" She hissed, sick of this shit. Did he really believe this? "I helped a good pony try to save the world, and you killed him!"

Watcher went quiet, Dream Star annoyed that she couldn't read his expression. He spoke again after a moment, "You left him yourself..."

"I left because I'm tired of killing." She spat, "Killing for him... or killing for you! You tempted ponies into fighting Burnished Shield, you forced him to do those things! You took a naive stable dweller, trained her into an assassin and sent her to kill my friend!"

"That is not true."

"And now you want her take the fight to the Enclave. Taking the best and brightest of the wasteland to almost certain death!"

Watcher paused for a moment longer before speaking again, voice strained, "It's better than doing nothing."

"Burnished Shield said the same to me once." She spat back at him, "Frankly, fuck all of you."

It became known as the rain of fire, a whole district of Las Pegasus and a squadron of Enclave cloudships raining from the sky to crash down upon the wasteland with fierce blasts of flame and death. The clouds opened for but a moment... before closing once more, leaving nothing but questions.

The stable dweller and her team were never seen again.

She almost found it amusing, the struggles of the poor creature on her table. She was aware that sounded sociopathic, but in fairness she hadn't had much cause for social interaction in the last five years. Obviously she was a little rusty with things like 'empathy' and 'social niceties'.

In fairness, her current subject had tried to attack her, "Aren't you a fascinating creature?"

"My sisters will come for me! They fly now, searching the area!" The alicorn shouted, straining at the straps holding her down, "Why can I not teleport? What is this feeling in my horn? Where are my fellow sisters? What happened to me?"

Dream Star chuckled, placing a blood sample under the microscope as she answered, "You must think you're pretty hot stuff. The answer to your questions is simple... I happened to you. Your sisters are dead, your horn is useless, your powers have been removed, and whoever you're communicating with will never find you."

"I..." The alicorn's struggles ceased, the creature now looking profoundly shaken, "Please let me go."

She turned away from the research console and strode back across the factory floor, fixing her eyes on the creature. It was an ugly thing, too tall, too broad in the muzzle, knock legged and poorly shaped. All the same Dream Star could think of no pony in the wasteland who could have created something like this, even her, "First, my questions. Who do you serve?"

"I serve the Goddess." The alicorn squeaked, "The savor of this world, she seeks to preserve life upon this blasted earth. She's creates being like us, unaging, immune to radiation, bound in unity. Soon all will be like us, and Equestria will have been saved."

"A fellow scientist?" She answered in surprise, glad to find that other mares of learning still existed. Still she had heard such speeches before, "Tell your Goddess not to bother. The world cannot be saved."

The alicorn's response was loud and emphatic, "That is not true!"

"Is that how you normally get recruits? Come in force, kidnap them?"

The alicorn's muzzle crinkled, "We tried to approach in peace, but they didn't understand. They mocked us, attacked us."

"And so you attempt to save the world by murder and violence." Dream Star chuckled, igniting her horn and unbuckling the straps. She faced the alicorn boldly as the mare rose from the table, staring her down despite being half the size, "Tell your Goddess that it won't work. One day the wasteland will unite behind some unlikely hero, and your Goddess will end up with a bullet through the forehead. And nothing will ever change."

The alicorn now looked like she was about to cry, stepping down from the table and trying to shake her head clear, "That... cannot be true. We can save this world, we must..."

"And what would you save?" She walked to the window, waving a hoof at the dark clouds beyond, "Even if you could live in this miserable world, if you could survive? What would be the point? Without beauty, without love? Without hope?"

The alicorn stared at Dream Star in utter horror for a moment, then dropped those eyes to the floor. After a moment her head rose again, eyes shining with tears, "How do you know these things?"

"I have lived a very long time. I've seen the death of this hope you speak of with my own eyes, watched the last Princess of Equestria breath her last and her bloodline wither and die." Dream Star stated, "And I've seen every pony who tried to reclaim that magic fail and die."

The alicorn's eyes widened, "You... are of the house of Cadance."

Dream star grimaced, having not thought of her family in a long time, "What of it?"

"Your cutie mark... it is the great tower of the crystal Empire."

Dream Star chuckled at this. She had once considered that the greatest honor, the symbol of her greatness... but now she realised the truth, "The Crystal Empire is lost. It is a symbol of lost hope and the destruction of civilisation, it is the death of love. That is my destiny."

"I refuse to believe that!" The alicorn shouted, then opened her wings wide, "I will take you there."

Dream Star blinked. That was... unexpected, "What?"

"I will take you to the crystal empire!" The alicorn stated firmly, stretching out her wings, "And I will show you there is still hope!"

So this was what it was like to be a pegasus. Dream Star clung to the alicorn's back as they flew across the wasteland, well known landmarks stretched out below. Dream Star admitted it was pleasant, both to fly, and have somepony to talk to. She had a kill spell already in place on the alicorn's heart of course, and a levitation spell ready to go, still for now the mare appeared to be keeping her word, "So what is your name?"

"We do not have names." The alicorn explained, "Within the unity, we are all one."

"But you do not all have the same personalities or talents." Dream Star retorted, finding the very idea ridiculous, "You must have some way of identifying specific individuals."

The alicorn thought for a moment before responding, "Most of us are happy to be simple parts of the whole, interchangeable and part of something greater. A few... become known beyond that role."

"And you?"

"I am... a difficult mare." The alicorn admitted, "When others look to me, it is with disapproval. I do not dance along to the song of the unity like others do... I think, and question too much."

Dream Star scoffed, "No such thing. It is our uniqueness that empowers us, our ability to question that drives progress."

"The Goddess says that it was our differences that caused the war. That under the unity, zebra and ponies would understand one another and the world could be saved."

Dream Star thought on it, not able to come up with any instant comeback. She admitted the world would be a lot more peaceful if everypony truly understood at each other... even if she feared something vital would be lost forever. She eventually changed the subject, targeting the alicorn's previous statement, "When the others attacked me, you hung back. You were cautious, uncertain."

"Yes." The alicorn stated mournfully, "I was afraid. I was a coward."

"You were smart. And you're still alive." Dream Star countered, "You fought better than them too, used your magic for more than brute force."

"You are not making me feel better." She countered with a bit of snottiness, "I want to be part of the unity, I want to be able to sing the song alongside them. I hate that I am different."

"Being different doesn't mean you can't sing along." Dream Star stated, thinking back to her time with DJ Pon3, "A song has many different instruments, many different voices. You have your own song, but that can enhance a melody."

She paused in thought, eventually forcing her words out after a long silence, "I will think on it. I... thank you."

They flew in silence for a long time after that, the air growing cold and the ground fading into white. This was the crystal mountains, a place even the hardiest of wasteland explorers avoided. There was nothing here save death, and even with the cloud cover fading out here it didn't matter. What little heat the sun could manage couldn't even begin to touch the frost here.

But even as Dream Star started to consider turning back the alicorn spoke, "We're here."

She looked down at the endless fields of snow, "There's nothing here."

"No... I can see it in my dreams." The alicorn responded, before dropping into a steep dive. The air whipped past, Dream Star holding on tight as the cut through the falling snow. She felt a twinge of fear, knowing that if this alicorn wanted to betray her now all she would have to do was shake her off. No way would she be able to slow her descent at this speed.

But at the last moment she pulled up, settling down upon the ground with a great puff of snow. Dream Star released her grip and stared around, faced with endless snow... and something else.

It hadn't been obvious from the sky, but from this angle she could see them, the great shards of crystal that decorated the snow. Jagged and random in their distribution, only a couple so much as barely resembled structures. The whole area was as dead and still as the rest of the snowscape, "I told you. It's all gone."

The alicorn strode off into the snow, a tormented look on her face. The snow settled against her fur, soaking her through. Her voice was strangled, "This was all my fault..."

Dream Star raised an eyebrow, "Your fault?"

"I... the Unity remembers this place." The alicorn stated, looking around the ruins, "We tried so hard but... we couldn't save the crystal heart. We couldn't save the crystal ponies. We couldn't... save anypony."

Dream Star looked away, knowing there was only one explanation how this 'goddess' could have first hoof knowledge. And it only proved her point, "All heroes fail. All hope is pointless." She looked up at one of the largest shards, her reflection shining back at her. She turned, looking at the cutie mark clear there upon her wrinkled flesh. A tower of crystal, the sun shining down upon it... "My destiny is a lie."

"Wait... that's not..." The alicorn stepped forward for a better look, confusion on her features, "That's not the crystal palace."

Dream Star turned back to her, frowning, "What are you talking about?"

The alicorn igniting her horn, carving out a picture in the snow. It depicted a large tower, spiking into the sky and supported by four widely spaced legs... Dream Star looked back at her reflection, the tall tiered tower upon her flank clearly different in its appearance.

She looked back at the alicorn, "What is it, if not the crystal palace?!"

"It's..." The alcorn paused for a moment before realisation dawned, "It's made of crystal, but the structure, and the sun above..."

"What?"

"It's... the Single Pegasus Project."

Dream Star prepared herself, staring down the alicorns in front. Three of them, they stood with unnatural stillness a short way across the plains. One was clearly the leader, purple in color with a far more muscular body and a clear and independent anger in her eyes. She advanced forward after a moment's consideration, flanked by the others.

Dream Star readied herself for a fight, yet before she got a chance her own alicorn stepped out in front, "We have much to thank Dream Star for dear sister."

The purple alicorn frowned darkly, fixing her with a judgemental glare, "The Goddess may forgive you, but the fact she sent me to escort you back tells a different story."

Dream Star looked to the strange purple alicorn, seeing a contradiction in her words, "The Goddess allowed her to take me to the crystal empire, spoke through her, gave over her memories..."

"Because the Goddess is a being of infinite mercy and kindness." The purple alicorn stated with a hiss of contempt. Her eyes settled on Dream Star, "Thus my role, of Justicar. I protect the Goddess from her own good nature."

"Dream Star has shown us much sister." Her alicorn stated with conviction, moving between Dream Star and Justicar, "Did not the Goddess believe once that we must work with wastelanders?"

"And they betrayed that trust." Justicar spat, "And proved all those outside the Unity must be destroyed."

Dream Star snorted, wanting to see her try. Still she had no desire for unnecessary violence, "Not that most of the wasteland couldn't do with some destroying, but a little bit of advice... refusing to work with outsiders will eventually unite the whole wasteland against you. And to be honest, that would be a shame. As a hoard of brainwashed monstrosities you're not half bad."

Justicar gave Dream Star a dark look, "Let them come."

"Sister... we are but a few." Her alicorn replied after a moment, then smiled broadly, "We cannot fight them all."

"And we cannot trust any of them." Justicar retorted.

"But... that isn't true." Her alicorn looked behind, smiling at Dream Star, "Some, rare, exceptional ponies have shown that they deserve the friendship of the unity. And perhaps there are others out there who feel the same."

And then all four alicorns seemed to pause for a moment, their eyes blanking. They awoke slowly, Justicar looking disgusted as she turned away. She muttered to herself, her tone bitter, "This is a mistake... I will not accept this."

Her alicorn smirked, "Who is the rebel now sister?"

Justicar glared sharply, then opened her wings and took flight with a little more force than strictly needed. She kept her eyes on the both of them as she ascended before winging away with a burst of air, the other two following.

Dream Star smirked, then looked to her alicorn, "The Goddess agrees?"

"She does." Her alicorn stated, then smiled broadly at Dream Star, "Thank you... for everything."

"See what I mean." Dream Star observed, "You can create a better harmony, by adding a few notes of your own."

Her alicorn nodded, a broad smile spreading across her face, "Yes. I shall be The Singer, and I will add all that I am to the Unity." She nodded to Dream Star, eyes full of affection, "And I wish you well too Dream Star. May you find that which you seek."

Dream Star smiled back. For the first time in a long while... she was feeling pretty good about her chances.

"You're telling me there's not one good gun in this whole town?"

She stood in increasing frustration at the bar of the biggest watering hole in Appleloosa, a glum and depressing cluster of shacks gathered behind a wall mostly made of rubble. Despite, or perhaps because of that, she was told this was one of the best places in the area to hire firepower, mercenaries never short of work... though it appeared her sources had been misinformed, if the grubby earth pony behind the bar was telling the truth.

The bartender gave her a nod, explaining himself, "They all went north. Talons have taken all the work in this area."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly having been gone too long, "Who in the fuck are the Talons?"

"Hey, miss! You looking for a gun?"

She turned, already put on guard by the pubescent whine present in the voice of the pony who had spoken. The rest of him wasn't much more impressive, an earth pony, barely looking more than thirteen, clearly not groomed or washed in weeks, with a chubby, almost cute face, an exaggerated 'tough pony' stance and a pipe pistol hanging from a raider harness, "Yeah, I don't think so kid. Come back when your balls have dropped."

"Hey, fuck off!" He complained, the whine only getting worse, "I've killed dozens of ponies, I'm a fucking badass lady!"

She shook her head, "Sure you are."

He was just about to respond when there was a cry from outside, the door to the tavern suddenly swinging open to reveal an exited looking pony, "Hey everypony, the Talons are here!"

There was a quick rush for the door, Dream Star trotting along behind. She was eager to see what all the fuss was about.

She soon found out the moment she stepped outside, just in time to see them land with a scrape of their mighty talons. She had seen griffons before of course, but this was the first time she had seen more than one of them together. Indeed there was four, a grizzled elder in a formal military uniform draped in medals leading the way. Behind him were two equally solid and handsome looking youths, male and female, behind...

...well it seemed it was babysitting across the whole wasteland, a young female griffon unsteadily trying to strut in her oversized uniform, the combat shotgun at her side threatening to tip her over any moment. The whole effect was deeply offset by the bows in her hair, along with an angelic face that would never look tough no matter how hard she tried.

The elder griffon stepped forward, the crowd going quiet at his stare. His scarred, powerful head reared up, his tones proud and strong, "Ponies of the wasteland, I am General Gerald Grimfeathers of the Talons!"

A cheer went up, cut short as he raised a talon to speak, "For generations, our races have been foes. But no longer! Today we both face a greater threat, two indeed, opposed but equal in their evil!"

"The Enclave!" Shouted a pony nearby.

"Indeed!" Gerald shouted in reply, fury in his expression as he waved a fist, "From us, they stole a home, from you, the sun itself! And they think themselves free from retaliation, safe in their cities above the clouds! They think us beaten!" He paused a moment for this to sink in before continuing, "But we are still strong, we are still proud! As proud and strong as you, the ponies of this unforgiving wasteland! They think us beaten, but I tell you the truth, we retreated because we now understand the meaning of the qualities upon which your Equestria was formed! To join together, to bring down the arrogant with our shared might! We came here to seek your aid, to seek your aid to destroy the evil in the skies!"

A cheer went up, Dream Star admitting that the griffon certainly had presence.

"But first, the second evil we must face. The raiders, and bandits that have tormented you for too long. We understand the need to earn your trust, and so our armies have been deployed across the wasteland as we speak, rooting out the chaos and allowing settlements like this to grow strong. All we ask in return is for you all to aid us in this task, with food, supplies and weapons, advising us on the lay of the land and the locations of these threats."

Dream Star understood now. Rather inconsiderate of them, devastating the local economy. Why hire some dirt pony gunslinger barely above a raider himself, when you could have some handsome griffon sporting military equipment?

Did she just say handsome? She shook her head clear, chastising herself for letting her mind wander.

"Wow, isn't she beautiful?"

She looked down at the kid, who apparently had followed her out. She chuckled at his star struck expression, wondering if would be hypocritical to mock him, "Which one?"

He gulped, flushing red, "The one... with bows in her hair..."

General Gerald's voice lowered as he concluded his speech, "Please, if you need a trade route cleared, a bandit outpost destroyed, talk to one of my children. They will advise you on the resources needed to fund such a venture, and how soon the Talons can be deployed."

He nodded and stepped down, the two elder griffons behind moving forward to take questions. The male advanced straight for them, followed by the little one behind. His eyes clearly moved to the kid, not that he noticed given his eyes were still firmly fixed on the girl beside, "Hey kid!"

The kid looked up, surprised as he met the griffon's eyes, "Uh, what, huh?"

"Staring at my sister is ten bits a second." The griffon announced with a broad grin, "I hope you've got some deep pockets."

The kid looked horrified, stammering as he tried to make excuses. The young griffon beside on the other hoof was quick to jab an elbow into her brother's side, "Kage!"

"Alright 'Dyna !" The griffon relented, nodding back at the kid, "Twenty bits a second."

Dyna only glared, "You're terrible, and I hate you."

"I..." The kid finally forced out, "I want to join!"

Kage laughed, shaking his head, "What?"

"I want to join the talons!"

Kage just laughed, Dyna staring at him for a few more seconds before pointing out the issue, "You can't. You're just a dumb earth pony."

Dream Star grinned, she liked this kid.

The kid however was quick to take offense, clearly having not got the hint yet, "Fuck off, you... you need me!"

Kage shook his head, clearly greatly amused, "And why is that?"

The kid glared hotly at him, "I'm the best fucking shot in my tribe! Just try me!"

Kage sized him up for a moment before grinning, "Alright then... let's have a little test of that." He produced a single cap from behind his wrist, rolling it in his talons, "I'm going to throw this in the air. If you can hit it just before it begins to fall, I'll let you into the talons."

The kid flushed, "That's impossible! It's... tiny!"

Kage smirked, then launched it with a flick of his wrist. Another blur of motion later and the cap exploded apart, smoke rising from the pistol in his claws. Kage quickly looked around to confirm everyone was watching before stylishly returning the pistol to his holster, shrugging his shoulders, "I'm just an impossible guy it seems."

"Yeah." Dyna snarked, "You are."

Dream Star had to admire the griffon's cunning. Ponies might be able to fire larger calibre guns with twice the accuracy of a griffon, and take twice the amount of punishment, but they had one serious problem.

They had great difficulty even looking up, let alone focusing at such angles. Earth ponies most of all.

But she wasn't about to let this smug little griffon win, "Go on kid, I think you can do it."

The kid looked at her, eyes wide, "Really?"

"Yeah. Go on." Dream Star smirked, nodding to Dyna, "You don't want her to think you a coward do you?"

Dyna simply rolled her eyes.

"Well... this should be interesting." Kage stated as he took a cap out of his bag, "Ready?"

"Born fucking ready!" The kid stated, before taking the handle of his pistol in his teeth.

"Right... one, two... three!"

Kage threw the cap, at what Dream Star noted was a rather twisted angle. The griffon was a cheat too it seemed.

The kid angled his head up, stepped back... and fired. It was a good shot, but Dream Star alright knew it was going to miss. She took great pleasure in giving it just a little shove with her magic, watching it veer sideways and cut the cap in half with a solid crack.

Kage's eyes widened in horror, Dyna covering her beak with a talon. The kid simply shouted in triumph, "Fucking bitches! Take that!" His hoof cut out joyfully at the griffons, "I told you I was the best fucking shot in the wasteland! Now you have to let me in!"

Dyna glared at her brother, Kage hesitating in shock for a moment before forcing a laugh, "I was kidding! Seriously, how could you ever join the talons..."

"Are the Grimfeathers liars now?"

Kage turned with a start and a look of utter horror, seeing General Gerald just behind, "Grandfather..."

"You made the boy a deal." Gerald reminded him, eyes cold and unforgiving, "You will honor it."

"But..." Kage waved a desperate talon, "He doesn't even have wings... or access to a bath, quite clearly..."

"That is your problem, as I'm assigning him to your unit." Gerald declared coldly, before looking to the kid, "What is your name boy?"

The kid perked up, grinning so hard Dream Star doubted he would ever be able to stop, "Dust Kicker sir!"

"He's already got more fight in him than some of my children at least." Gerald observed, drawing up proudly and fixing him with a testing look, "Welcome to the Talons Private Dust Kicker. Follow my grandson, he will get you outfitted."

Kage reluctantly nodded, strolling off with Dust Kicker and Dyna cheerfully following behind. The young griffon's voice was sing-song in tone, "You got in trouble!"

"Shut it Dyna ..."

Gerald watched him go, his voice low as he spoke to Dream, "That was a kind thing you did, helping that boy."

Dream Star shrugged, "I was more interested in puncturing that griffon's ego."

"Then I thank you for your efforts." Gerald concluded, facing her now with his bold, powerful stare. Alongside his rumble of a voice, Dream Star felt her knees quiver a little as he spoke, "It will be up to them to lead our people back to their home, to bring the battle to the enclave. They have to be ready for that."

"Not you?"

"I am old." He quietly replied, "I am not naive enough to think I can take a scattering of refugees, gain the trust of our once mortal enemies and take the battle to the most powerful faction in the world in a few short years."

Dream Star touched a hoof to her own wrinkles, quickly deciding that was bullshit. She would not leave the future to the young and stupid, she would not trust that some privileged little shits wouldn't mess up all they had built, "What if I told you that I have a plan to destroy the Enclave already underway, and that all I need is a few good soldiers?"

He looked to her, searching her face for reassurance in her words. Finally he nodded, voice firm, "How many do you need, and where do you want them?"

Dream Star walked through the smoking bodies and the still burning ruins, levitating the datachip from the raider leader's corpse and floating it over to her waiting hoof. Finally, after everything, the second recording was finally hers. To anypony else, a horrifically boring report by Rainbow Dash on cloud formation... if you weren't seeing things from an earth pony's perspective, and realised she was actually talking about rock formations and their minerals, and if you didn't run that through a reasonably standard code wheel and realise that the resulting numbers and letters were a password. And...

"Dream Star, please tell me this was worth it?"

She turned, looking at Regina Grimfeather's blood splattered face. She presented the data chip with distain, not sure how she could even ask that question, "This chip is the key to our victory...!"

"I hope so, because a dozen griffons died getting it." She retorted, sounding a little too hostile for Dream's tastes, "My grandfather's trust in you and your wild theories has already damaged his standing, and battles like this won't help."

Dream Star snorted, having no time for the opinions of small minded fools, "If they're unhappy with this plan, then tell them they're perfectly entitled to go up there and see how fighting the Enclave conventionally goes. My plan is the best chance they have, and they know it."

Regina's beak tensed in anger, her next words a little pointed, "Look, I know such things as tactics and logistics are below your mighty intellect, but we can't operate so far outside our supply lines without vastly reducing our effectiveness. We need to slow down our advance, focus on building a base..."

Dream Star admitted that the duller subjects failed to excite her much, still something there triggered a thought. She considered for a moment or two before the thought solidified, and became more interesting with every moment, "What if I knew a fortified location, boasting advanced technology, plentiful trade facilities and a powerful radio system, located right in the middle of Manehatten?"

Regina looked ready to continue being belligerent, however she eventually relented, "I guess that sounds... useful..."

After all this time, after all these years... no one even gave her a second look, even as she bypassed security through the secret entrance and walked boldly through restricted areas. They just assumed she was supposed to be there, and she was. Oh she was.

The locks opened with a familiar clink, Dream Star feeling the weight settle upon her heart. She remembered everything. They layout of the corridors, the security codes... the paint was different. It used to be green.

She stepped into the lobby of the studio, instantly laying eyes on a lanky teenage pony carrying a stack of records on her shoulders. The pony looked round at Dream in surprise, her oddly blue eyes wide. Dream fixed her with an intimidating glare, "Go get the DJ girl."

She didn't take her eyes off Dream, simply calling out loudly as she stared in fear and uncertainty, "Mix!"

"Eh, what's the fuss Jokeblue?" Came the growly response, a stallion trotting out of the control room. He looked like he hadn't groomed in days, scraggly scruff on his chin and his mane hanging in a tangle, a pair of headphones around his neck and tinted eyeglasses on his muzzle. He raised an eyebrow when he finally noticed Dream Star, "Are you the new cleaning pony?"

"No." Dream Star replied.

"Good, because the bins really need emptying." He responded, rubbing his ear with a hoof and giving a lazy wave, "Jokeblue will show you where everything is."

He then departed. Dream Star trying to suppress a smile for a moment before finally speaking, "The DJ Pon3's haven't got any less eccentric I see."

Jokeblue took notice of this, eyes growing yet wider, "You... know?"

She looked at Jokeblue, noticing the tips of her ears were also tinged blue and pointed out a little more than most ponies, her grey coat weaved with a soft scattering of blue flowerlike growths. Her name was well chosen it seemed, "I lived here... a long time ago."

Jokeblue nodded in understanding, "That's why you knew how to get in! Who are you?!"

"My name is Dream Star, of the house of Cadance." Dream Star confirmed, looking to the mare seriously now, "I need to speak with the Twilight Society."

"We have confirmed that you are who you say you are." Stated the cloaked figure before her, his true identity and that of his fellows hidden within the darkness that lurked beyond the glow of the single light illuminating her, "We welcome you back, Dream Star, Daughter of Cadance, blood of Twilight Sparkle."

Dream Star noted with weary amusement that they had vastly increased the drama while she was gone. She wondered quite when a group descended from scientists had suddenly decided to go full Freebaker on her, but then who was she to judge, "I have come to offer you that which you speak."

"And what is that?"

"The secrets of Twilight Sparkle." She answered, lowering her voice as she paused for effect, "The power of the sky and wind, the way to clearing the darkness from these lands."

"The Single Pegasus Project?" A voice exclaimed from the darkness, "And how do you have access to that?"

Dream Star grinned, she had their attention now, "You have a transportation megaspell, do you not?"

"We do." The figures confirmed, "But we cannot access the SPP. It is sealed to us."

"But what if I knew a way to remotely link up with their systems?" Dream Star asked, "What if I had the access codes to the project?"

"And do you?"

She chuckled, taking the three data disks out of her bag and waving them at the assembled society members, "I have three of the five disks containing them. And I know where the other two can be found."

There was intense whispering for a moment before the council spoke again, "How?"

"That is my secret." She teased, rather enjoying herself.

"And you need our help to get the rest?" Another one of the figures asked.

"I also need a secure base to operate from, one with clean water, solid defences, reliable power and comfortable rooms." Dream Star announced, "Along with the greatest scientific facilities in the world."

"I'm afraid the glory of Tenpony tower has greatly faded over the years." One of the figures admitted, "As you might have noticed, much of the tower has fallen into disrepair."

She grinned, "Then you're lucky I can provide you with all of these things."

There was a further burst of whispering before the answer came, "You will help rebuild the tower?"

"Yes."

"Return the Twilight Society to glory?"

"Of course."

The muttering continued for a moment before the answer came, "And in return?"

She grinned. After all these years, she was back where she started. It felt good, "You help me save the wasteland."

The response was quick, almost over eager, "We accept these terms. It is good to have you back Dream Star."

"It's good to be home." She admitted, a smile spread across her face, "Now let's get to work."

Dream Star pondered the eternal mystery of how all this tech was still working, levitating a thick mass of tangled wiring, and an even bigger mass of duct tape and gum.

"You're not going to break my baby are you?"

Dream Star gave Mix Tape a weary glance, the buck a fusspot beyond imagining. Along with his idea of repairs being stroking a broken console and trying to talk it into working again, she wasn't entirely sure why he was here, "I built precision scientific equipment from scratch. I can handle a simple interface console."

Mix did not look placated, "Yeah, but... she's temperamental. I know how to treat her, she doesn't know you at all... you need a certain touch, you know? "

Dream Star rolled her eyes, "Mix, are you a virgin?"

Jokeblue tittered in a corner, Mix Tape glaring across at her. He eventually backed away, shaking his head, "I'm not sure why this is all necessary. She was working fine."

"The systems were draining twice as much power as they needed, you only had access to a single SPP tower, and you barely had radio coverage of a quarter of Equestria." She countered, giving him a weary glare, "When I'm done, this place will be back to its former glory."

"Was everything really so much better back then Dream Star?" Jokeblue asked eagerly.

Dream paused a moment in thought, giving a slow nod, "Yes... it was."

She sat across from Kage Grimfeathers, the griffon sitting limply upon her office sofa. He had returned a little while ago, however his request for a quick drink before meeting her had been a mistake. He had only just sobered up enough to speak.

Given the circumstances, she decided to go first, "I am sorry about your grandfather. I liked him."

"He... was a great griffon." Kage forced out. His talon then forced its way into his bags, producing a data disk from its folds, "The last one."

"Then the salvation of the wasteland is almost at hoof Kage!"

He chuckled, slowly and a little hesitantly, "Oh, I hope so..." He looked up at her, "If this works... will I have to lead the Talons against the Enclave?"

She noted his tone, "You do not think you are up to it?"

"My grandfather had it easy you know. They all respected him." He shook his head, angry now, "All the other commanders, they constantly question my leadership, won't let up for even a moment. My older sister, she just keeps trying to undermine me, throws her successful missions in my face like I don't have the whole army consuming my every waking moment. And my younger sister!" He threw his talons up in exasperation, "She just spends all her time chasing after boys and looking pretty, whining at me for not paying her enough attention! Does she not realise how much effort I put into keeping her safe?!"

Dream Star had little idea of what to do in this situation. In the end she decided to take a line from the books she had read and walked over to him, looking him straight in the eye, "You can do this Kage. You have your grandfather's blood in you."

"No, I don't..." He whispered, "I'm just some foundling he managed to grab on the way out from our homeland. My parents were accountants."

"You have his legacy." She corrected, "He trained you for this."

"I..." He looked up, smiling at her, "Thank you Dream Star. That... helped. A lot."

It did? It would be the first time she had ever made anyone feel better about themselves, but whatever worked she guessed, "No problem Kage. And don't worry." She looked down at the smooth contors of the data disk, "Soon they'll be hailing you as the greatest griffon to have ever lived."

It was finally time.

Dream Star sat in the control room she had set up, everything a go for the operation. The transporter was just next door, it would take her straight to the SPP. She just had to take the shields down first, and for that she needed access to the SPP mainframe. Access she was a second away from attaining.

She watched the data feed with frustrated impatience, the cursor blinking as it tried to establish connection through the MASEBS... and finally it stopped, 'connection established' scrolling across the screen. She clicked a command and a password, username and access number request blinked up.

She inputted the data that had been on the discs, the computer thinking for a moment...

'What do you want Dream Star?'

Dream Star blinked, the words sitting boldly upon her monitor. How had it known her name? Was somepony playing pranks on her? She quickly typed in her reply, 'Access to the SPP's defence systems.'

'And what would you do with access to the Single Pegasus Project?'

'Save the world!' She impatiently typed.

'And why do you wish to save the world?' Came the reply.

Dream Star seethed, unable to understand why the system was being so difficult. Was this some kind of AI security system, designed to thwart her? She quickly struck her response, 'Does it matter?'

'Do you want to use the SPP to remove the cloud cover?'

'Of course!'

'That would kill a great many pegasi. Destroy their society.'

'I don't care!'

She admitted that might have been inadvisable. The figure on the other end took a few more moments to reply this time, her response scrolling across much slower than before, 'Do you care about the ponies of the wasteland?'

Dream Star sighed, realising she was losing her temper, 'Of course.'

'And do you care about doing the right thing?'

'Yes!'

There was a long pause before the SPP system responded, 'Then install an aquifer. Establish a school.'

Dream Star gave up on trying to restrain her temper, typing furiously, 'Do you care so little about us? Do you care for the pegasi more than you do us poor bastards living on the ground?'

'If I did, I would let them inside.'

'And why don't you?' Dream Star replied, hooves smacking furiously against the keyboard.

'Because they would misuse it.'

The connection shut down, returning Dream Star to the command prompt. She gave a growl and tried to connect again, only to be immediately kicked out. She tried again, finding her password no longer worked.

Then she kicked the computer to the floor, screaming furiously at the walls.

It was a acceptable distraction from her continued efforts to gain access to the SPP, and it had become clear from the last raider attack that Tenpony's defences were long in need of an update. The plans for that update lay out in front of her, Dream Star watching as a team of unicorns lowered the fuel rods into the resonance emitters situated about the tower. They settled with a clunk and Dream Star held her breath, only to release it as a shimmering light flickered about the edifice.

"It worked?" Spoke Elder Mitosis, the old pony raising his eyes in wonder, "The shields work once more?"

Dream Star unleashed one of her most powerful horn blasts, all those around yelling out and ducking away. It soared through the air to impact upon the shields, barely phasing them for a moment before the energy solidified once more. She grinned at her handiwork, "It looks like they do."

A year later, in the same place, looking at the same screen... with the same result.

'I told you, I want to save the world!' She typed furiously.

The response came a moment later, 'Power will not save the world Dream Star. You should understand that better than anypony.'

Dream Star felt her eye twitch at the sheer arrogance, hooves typing furiously, 'I can clear the skies! I can make flowers bloom again!'

'And what then?'

'Excuse me?'

'What will you do about the raiders? What will you do about the enclave?'

Dream Star smirked. She knew exactly what to do with raiders, 'Whatever I have to. With the elements at my control, none will be able to threaten my peace.'

Once again, there was a pause before the words appeared on the screen, 'Power cannot save this world Dream Star. It cannot save you. Abandon this course, before it destroys you as surely as it destroyed Equestria.'

And then the connection shut down once more.

Dream Star walked through the corridors, once crumbling halls now newly repainted and buzzing with life. The markets thrived once more, the inhabitants rich and dressed in the finest fabrics. This was a prototype of her new world, an idea of what was to come. She had expelled the ghouls, restricted admission to the best and brightest. This wasn't just a settlement, this was the crucible in which Equestria would be reborn. Outside, the Talons cleared the scum from her wasteland with brutal efficiency.

She was almost there. She had to be.

'None of it was your fault Dream Star.'

Dream looked up at the console, fresh from her defeat. Her attempts to hack the system, to bypass the security... had failed. Had failed miserably. It was typical for it to want to rub that defeat in her face, "What are you talking about?"

'The deaths of your family, Pure Platinum... everything.'

She snarled, anger building up, "Then why are they all dead?"

'Because the wasteland is cruel, and unfair.'

"Then why am I alive?!"

The response took the anger from her, deflating her with absolute precision, 'Because you're too scared to die, and too tough to kill.'

Dream Star gritted her teeth, tears building in her eyes, "If I jumped off the roof I would likely just bounce."

'I understand Dream Star. And I'm sorry.'

"Just... give me access." She pleaded, desperate now, "It's all that gives my life meaning!"

The response was quick, 'And for your sake, I have to deny you Dream Star. I'm sorry.'

And then the connection shut down.

Dream Star sat, staring out the windows to the vast wasteland beyond. It looked no different to when she had first entered this place.

"It has been four years now Dream Star, and we have seen nothing of the grand gift you promised." Elder Method accused, the young stallion as always backed up by his personal fanclub of similarly youthful and power hungry ponies. They all stared disapprovingly at her, Elder Method pausing a moment before continuing, "You promised us the SPP."

"I didn't give a timeframe." She softly countered, "Haven't I given you enough?"

"Enough?" Elder Method questioned, "In the last year, you have given us nothing. You sit here in your office, funding your personal projects at our expense."

She found some of her old hatred at this accusation, snarling at him, "I'm researching means to beat the SPP's protections..."

"A fools errand." He stated firmly, cutting her off, "We all feel that new leadership is needed, practical, realistic leadership. With the resources we possess we could become the richest, safest settlement in the wasteland, a settlement that would be the envy of all..."

"Is that all you want?" She yelled, spittle flying, "Money? Comfort?!"

"And you just want to be a hero, to sooth your own bruised ego." Elder Method countered, "Allow me to break it to you... the world cannot be saved. And your attempts are doomed, foolish, and pointless."

"Let me in, let me in! LET ME IN!"

She screamed at the screen in futility, a blinking cursor and the 'access denied' message mocking her, taunting her. She screamed at it long and hard, a message finally scrolling across the screen.

'I am sorry.'

"I know you were close with the family. We of course all share your sorrow at these events."

Dream Star stared across her desk, wanting nothing more than to roast the griffon in front of her. Clean, well groomed and with a smile full of charm, Dream Star doubted he had seen a fight in years, "Really?"

Gustavo Firebright lowered his head in sorrow, giving a deep, pained sigh, "I personally attended the scene but it was already too late. They fought bravely, but we confirmed that both Regina and Gawdyna Grimfeathers were slain in the attack."

Dream Star did not avert her glaring eyes from his lying face, "So soon after Kage's disappearance."

"It is a dangerous world out there." Gustave offered.

"After what happened to Stonehoof Traders I think that's been made quite clear." Dream Star stated back with undisguised venom, "I heard that once again you arrived just too late to stop the death of every last pony in that settlement."

Gustave grinned, a little too wide, "The raiders have been getting wily of late."

"Along with growing wings and feathers." She spat, "Stonehoof traders was in direct competition with Mixed Method's business interests. How convenient for him that they're gone."

Gustavo didn't disguise his smirk now, angling his head back and clenching his claws in a rather threatening manner, "Tenpony Towers, as ever, remains our best customer."

Dream Star didn't have to take this shit. Did he really think he could get away with this? "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't take your lying head right off."

"Because it would do you no good." He offered, not a hint of fear on his face, "We all mourn the end of the Grimfeather line, but they lost the allegiance of the Talons long ago with their foolish idealism. You'll not find one griffon who will miss their short sighted leadership. And as for Tenpony Towers... we are all grateful for your work, but it has outgrown you."

Dream Star ignited her horn, "You really think that's enough to save you!?"

"No, I simply trust that you wouldn't destroy that what you've spent so much effort building." Gustavo offered, deadly serious now, "You kill me and the talons will retaliate against Tenpony. Tenpony would turn against you for destroying their economy. And even if you would consider that revenge... Jokeblue, Homage, Inky Black, Dew Dancer?"

She snarled, though the glow of her horn faded, "Are you threatening children now?!"

"No, simply reminding you that innocents suffer when adults make short sighted decisions." Gustavo grinned again, giving a respectful bow, "And that making way for new leadership may well ensure their continued comfort and welfare."

Dream Star should have killed him then... but she was just so tired. Tired of fighting that which could not be fought, of thinking logically against such selfishness and chaos. And honestly... he was right. What really was the point? "Thank you for your advice Gustavo. And may I offer you some?"

He smiled, "Of course."

"Watch your back carefully." She glared hatefully at him, "What goes around, comes around."

"You can't go!"

She stood at the entrance to Tenpony, her saddlebags slung across her shoulders, a plasma caster at her side. It felt so familiar, "I have nothing left to offer."

Jokeblue rounded on Dream Star, her voice angry, "This is your home, no matter what they say!"

"It's not my home." She stated bitterly, feeling nothing but distain and hatred now, "It's become a tower of lies, a monument of deceit. And that's my fault."

Jokeblue blinked, "Your..."

"I gave them hope, and power. And it destroyed them, it simply fed their greed and pride." She shook her head, "The voice in the SPP was right."

Jokeblue gazed hotly at Dream, "It doesn't have to be that way. We can save them!"

"I'm too old Joke." She whispered, then offered the mare one last smile, "You're going to be the next DJ Pon3. Make it mean something."

She just looked up at Dream with tearfilled eyes, finally giving a resolute nod, "I will Dream, don't you worry."

She stepped across the wasteland, the first time she had seen it at ground level in years. It hadn't changed, all her work pointless. Talon company mercs shook down settlements claiming 'protection money', painfully thin farmers tried desperately to grow withered, worthless vegetables from the corrupted ground, and everywhere she only saw greed and suffering. What was even the point?

She sighed as she ventured across the hilltops towards Fillydelpia, for lack of any better direction to take. She eventually reached the top of one of the larger mounds, looking out over the cliff face to the sign of the city in the far off distance. Rumor told that some slaver warlord operated out of it, she was still willing to bet he would be better than what she had left behind.

Her magic flashed a warning, Dream Star engaging her shields just in time to deflect the high velocity anti-armor round that splashed against them. The second shot she managed the same, the third cut across her shoulder in a splash of blood.

Griffons burst from cover around her and dived closer, firing shotguns and flinging grenades. She blasted a hole through one before the blasts forced her back, flinging the debris out against them. Griffons hit the floor screaming, Dream Star blasting them apart before another barrage of sniper rounds cut her apart.

A large, muscular female griffon advanced forward, lifting a flamethrower and dowsing her with napalm. Another shotgun blast after that shattered her horn, flinging her to the ground with pain lancing through her entire body.

"What goes around, comes around." Gustavo Firebright stated with cheerful satisfaction as he advanced, shotgun slung across his shoulder, "I wasn't about to let you make good on that threat."

Dream Star hissed, reaching for her saddlebag, "You... are going to burn... in the pits..."

"I know how close you were to Kage Grimfeathers." Gustavo stated with a smirk, advancing on her with a lazy stride, "When you get to the bottom... tell him hi for me."

The heavy ignited her weapon once more, sending forth a roaring torrent of flame that immolated Dream Star totally. She felt her flesh cook, pain spreading across her entire body. A moment later and the shotgun blast kicked her in the stomach and sent her flying from the ridge.

She was conscious all the way down.

Dream Star opened her eyes, instantly faced with an angel. She wondered for a moment if that meant she was dead, but decided against that for two reasons. One, she was definitely going straight to hades on death and two...

...she hurt like hell, her body aching from top to bottom and her gut feeling like somepony had been playing golf with it, "Ungh..."

"Don't move." The angel asked, with a voice fitting of her appearance. She was a pure, soft white in color, crimson hair hanging in neat curtains either side of her head. Her smile was full of kindness as she looked down at Dream Star, "We're here to look after you."

Dream Star didn't understand. How could she possibly still be alive? "What... happened to me...?"

"We found you collapsed nearby. You looked like you had been walking for miles." The pony gently explained, "You clearly weren't ready to die just yet."

Dream Star closed her eyes, wondering if the pony knew how much that statement stung.

Dream Star stood on the balcony, staring out across the courtyard of the hospital. It sported no external defences, no protection from the wasteland beyond. It was insane, "How do you survive out here?"

"I saved Red Eye's life long ago, back when he was an adventurer." Gentle Heart responded as she stood beside, a watering can in her hooves as she cared for the rather meagre and sickly looking herbs dotted around, "Whatever anypony says, he is not without a sense of gratitude. Given that we are the only medical facility around, he also needs us to continue his expansion east."

Dream Star was surprised, considering what she had seen of Gentle Heart, "You work with slavers?"

"We work with anypony who needs us." Gentle Heart responded, "The slaves would be far worse off without the medicine from our labs, and Red Eye is one of the only ponies I've met with a real plan for the future." She looked round at Dream Star, giving her a sunny look, "We can't all save the world. But we can all try and make it a little better."

Dream Star looked away, this somehow managing to twinge at her heartstrings. She hadn't even been aware she still had them, "Admirable."

"If you think so, we are always looking for more help."

Dream Star looked back at the mare, frowning at her look of guileless benevolence, "There's still creatures out there need killing."

"Why do they need killing?"

Dream Star snorted, "You wouldn't say that if you knew what they had done."

Gentle Heart turned towards the sun, the wind gently ruffling her crimson hair, "Of course I would. I would ask whether killing them would make the world a better place, if my energies couldn't be better spent elsewhere." She looked to Dream Star with eyes pure and strong, "Not because I disagree with killing, but because they're legitimate questions to ask."

Dream Star sighed, admitting that they were. Would killing Gustavo achieve anything? The Grimfeathers were dead, and likely some griffon just as terrible would take over in short order. And were her talents best used for pointless vengeance, when there was still so much suffering? "Maybe you're right."

"Join us Dream Star. We would love to have you."

Dream Star couldn't believe the mare had survived this long being so guileless, "I've done terrible things you know. If you wanted to make this world a better place you should have let me die."

Gentle Heart just shone those bright, trusting eyes right back, "Then how would you ever redeem yourself?"

She frowned, "Some ponies don't deserve redemption."

She smiled back, full of grace, "On that, we disagree."

"You're not going to tell anypony about this are you doc?"

Dream Star sniffed as she gave the injection, levitating the antibiotic cream out of the fridge and floating it over to rather large, powerful but now very sheepish stallion on her table, "Patient doctor confidentially."

He looked down at his crotch, "And this..."

"Apply the cream twice a day and it should clear up." She ordered, before giving him a sharp glare, "And stay clear of any more ghouls for the time being."

"Yes miss..."

She watched him scurry off, flashing a glare across at where Gentle Heart was hunched over a microscope, "Is this what my life has been reduced to?"

"It's very important work." Gentle Heart responded, looking up with one of her customary guileless smiles, "STD's are the second most common source of infertility in the wasteland, after radiation. If we are going to survive as a species we need to ensure the birthrate remains high."

"And you believe that do you?" She responded with a snort, "That we have a chance to survive as a species?"

She nodded, "Yes, I do." Her hoof pointed up at the light above the door, "You have another patient."

Dream Star impatiently struck the button, rolling her eyes as another big, dangerous and very embarrassed looking stallion walked through the door. She held up a hoof as he went to speak, giving him a quick scan with her horn. She rumpled her nose as the results came back, snatching up another tube of cream and floating it over. The stallion caught it, rather surprised, "You don't want to..."

"I don't want to know." She responded, waving him off, "Next patient."

Gentle Heart giggled as he waddled off, "You have such a wonderful bedside manner."

"I'm not here to treat their feelings." She responded with a snort, "If they wanted them spared they should have been more careful where they're sticking their cock."

"And you've never had any indiscretions Dream Star?"

Dream Star was struck by this, pausing for a moment as bad memories resurfaced. She even blushed, a most uncomfortable feeling, "At least I was a little more savvy about making sure they all had a bath first."

"Well you were lucky you had that luxury, and that education." Gentle Heart responded with good cheer, "Before my other work took up too much of my time I used to run the education clinic, I feel it really did do a lot of good. Especially given the range of species in the wasteland these days, being aware of the possible issues can really help..."

Dream Star looked across at her, willing to pay money to have been a fly on the wall for that, "You gave a bunch of smelly slavers sex education?"

"Well they weren't all slavers..." She responded, "But yes. I found it quite enlightening, and heart warming."

"Heart warming?"

She nodded enthusiastically, "Oh yes, you wouldn't think it of them but it really surprised me how many of them were in loving, monogamous relationships. I even did a little bit of relationship counselling."

Dream Star sighed, she really was one in a million, "I have to ask... why don't you have anypony Gentle Heart?"

"Me?" She giggled, though she didn't seem embarrassed at the question, "Well I've experienced enough to know what I'm talking about, but I guess I was always too busy with my work to really pursue a serious relationship."

Dream Star blushed for her, turning away. It suddenly felt so very warm in here.

'You love that mare, don't you?'

Dream Star smirked, her hacking attempt into the SPP once more thwarted. She was left with only the security system's mocking comments, lazily striking out her reply, 'And what do you know about love?'

'Not enough. Perhaps that is why we are both here.'

Dream Star pondered this, wondering why it sometimes seemed her greatest rival was the only one who really understood, "I'm far too old for such things."

'You're never too old for affection, and love.' The voice from the SPP replied, 'I've watched you Dream Star. You are a better mare for being with her, a mare that achieves miracles each and every day. It is that sort of power, the true power of magic, that will save the world.'

Dream Star snorted, "Will it get me into the SPP?"

'It might do, one day.'

"Then we really are doomed." She replied, smirking to herself, "That the fate of the wasteland depends on someone honestly wanting to date my wrinkled, misanthropic flank."

She did have some friends however, and honestly she was surprised how many of the slavers could actually hold a conversation about literature and philosophy. It made sense she guessed, Red Eye was all for education, still it made her laugh that likely the best cultured factions in the wasteland were the slavers and the forces of the Goddess.

One of the slavers who made a particular point in visiting was a young griffon, Elizabetha, who had actually been a talon once upon a time. She had left when Gerald Grimfeathers had died, having apparently received the memo on the future downfall of the Talons long before Dream had.

"It's basic sociology, the concept of group think and too many chefs. Most organisations throughout history have thrived behind one strong leader, and fallen apart once power started to trickle down through the system." Elizabetha explained, adjusting her rose tinted glasses as she took another gulp of her vodka, "Once Kage started to hand those under him more autonomy I knew his downfall was inevitable."

Dream Star wanted to argue, still she had little ground to stand on, "He was a good griffon, but not a strong one. Regina would have been a better choice."

"For all his qualities, Gerald had a sexist streak." Elizabetha noted with a sigh, "One of the many ways that Red Eye is superior."

Dream Star chuckled as she sipped from the tumbler in front of her, feeling the griffon had a bit of a crush, "But Red Eye will eventually age, and die. Exceptional ponies are rare, will one be available when it's time for succession?"

"That is why Celestia was so successful." Elizabetha noted, "Immortal, so integral to the workings of government that she held ultimate power without even have to do much. And incorruptible, what after all could anypony offer her?"

Dream Star smirked, "You're a griffon, this all seems somewhat disloyal of you."

"There was a reason our lands were pathetic backwaters." Elizabetha noted, waving a claw around her, "And that was something else Gerald got wrong. Why should we ever think about reclaiming our home, when there's a perfectly good one right here?"

Dream Star cocked her head, "Take over Equestria?"

"Live here with you." Elizabetha corrected, "The pegasi have stabbed you in the back, why not let us take their place? It's not as if you don't have space to spare."

"True..."

"Red Eye will triumph, believe me." Elizabetha concluded, "And when she does, it will be griffons standing behind him. Stern, and the Talons, we'll prove ourselves worthy to stand beside all of you in building a new world."

Dream Star grimaced slightly at their mention, "How are the Talons doing?"

"Well there is one interesting bit of news." Elizabetha offered, shrugging her shoulders slightly, "Apparently there's a new girl on the block, making her name... or reclaiming it I suppose."

"Who is that?"

"Gawdyna Grimfeathers."

Dream Star frowned, "She's dead."

"I know. Probably a imposter." Elizabetha admitted, "Still, she knows her stuff."

Dream Star agreed, all evidence pointed to Gustavo telling the truth when he claimed the deaths of Regina and her little sister. And speaking of which... "What about Gustavo Firebright, how is he doing lately?"

"Gustavo Firebright, the Talon commander?" Elizabetha asked, then scratched behind her ear with a worried expression, "Were you... friends with him?"

Dream Star smirked evilly, rather amused by the very idea, "Not in the slightest."

"Oh good, because he's very dead." Elizabetha stated, looking relieved, "Gawdyna, she mounted his head on a spike, along with a bunch of other high ranking Talons. Some kind of internal issue I hear."

Dream Star didn't think she would ever stop smiling, "Good for her."

Dream Star knew this was a trap, wondering if her magic was still ready for combat after all this time. She carried no weapon, she figured that might make them underestimate her...

She emerged from the side of the rock formation blocking her view to the right, instantly faced with the familiar form of a griffon silhouetted in the gloom. She jumped sideway, her horn sparking up, "Who are you?!"

"It's me Dream... Elizabetha."

Dream narrowed her eyes, it did... look like her. Still, "Why meet me here? Why not go to the hospital?"

"Then you don't know?"

"Know what?" She advanced, the light from her horn spreading across the griffon. She looked terrible, her fur ungroomed, her feathers a mess, grit and ash still clinging to her, "What happened to you?"

Elizabetha advanced forward, cautiously, scared. Her eyes were sunken and haunted, like she hadn't slept for months, "It... all went wrong. I killed them Dream." She shivered, averting her eyes, "I killed them all."

"Who?"

"Children Dream." Elizabetha's voice cracked, "Hundreds of them, burning to death. Because of me."

This made absolutely no sense. She extended a hoof, "Let us go back to the hospital, we can talk about it..."

"No. I can't." Elizabetha shook her head, stepping away, "You know what Red Eye says. Children are the future of the wasteland, and any who harm them..."

Dream Star sighed, still struggling to understand, "What, exactly, happened out there?"

"A settlement, fortified. It was a tough target, but I was sure there was good salvage and slaves to be found." Elizabetha took a deep, shuddering breath, "But they wouldn't break. I lost dozens of good soldiers to them, and they all told me I should cut my losses and retreat..."

"But you didn't."

"No. I said it was because they were defying Red Eye, but... it was because they were defying me. My pride wouldn't let me turn my back." Elizabetha turned desperate eyes up to Dream, "So I ordered a full bombardment, incendiary rounds. They all told me it was stupid, that there was no salvage in ash and rubble. But I gave the order, and they all burned."

"Including..." Dream Star fought for a good way to say it, "...children."

"There were about seventeen adults protecting about four dozen children. And every single one of them died in... agony." Elizabetha clawed her face, tears running down her cheeks, "I... can't... deal with that. I'm a monster."

"Red Eye will understand." Dream Star soothed, knowing pragmatism would serve as much as compassion. Elizabetha was one of his best commanders, "It was a mistake."

"No, it wasn't." Elizabetha stated, voice hard now, "I thought I was the hero, that I could do no wrong. I let my standards slip, and at that moment innocents died in droves. My arrogance killed those kids, my... pride."

Dream Star didn't know quite what to say. But Elizabetha was being far too hard on herself, "Your worst day is equal to the highest standards of nobility for the rest of the wasteland. And your mistakes what most of them would do cheerfully."

"That's not GOOD enough!" Elizabetha shouted, talon clenching, "I excused any atrocity, any pain and suffering with the knowledge that we were fighting for something, that we weren't just raiders in search of profit and power! That our motives were pure!"

"You made a mistake Elizabetha. That doesn't mean your motives aren't pure."

The griffon shook her head, face contorting in agony, "No. I realise now, all that pain and suffering I inflicted because of my pride. Because I read a couple of books, and starting thinking I knew what was best for everyone. But now I can't see the difference between me and the Steel Rangers. Between me and... Caesar, or Luna." Her eyes lifted to stare straight at Dream Star, "Do you believe Red Eye's cause is pure?"

Dream Star knew Elizabetha would know if she was lying. Hell, she likely already knew her answer, "No. You can't separate us from our selfishness, it's part of all of us. Hero or villain, we're all in it for our selfish egos, to be proven right." She sighed, offering the bag of medical supplies, "But he's better than most. You're better than most Elizabetha."

Elizabetha took the bag, slinging it about her shoulder. She looked off into the distance, quiet as the sun slowly began to rise, "If Dust Kicker asks for me... tell him I'm dead."

"What are you going to do?"

Elizabetha shook her head, shoulders slumping, "To find out if there's any truth at all in this world."

Dream Star couldn't help her reply, "Then you might be gone some time."

"Yeah..." Elizabetha looked back, a bitter smile on her face, "Keep working Dream Star, keep reaching for your destiny. You deserve it more than most."

Even though most of them had been working with them for years now, it was still noticeable how hardened slavers quickly backed away in the face of the troop of alicorns now stepping across the courtyard. Gentle Heart of course met them without fear, all smiles, "It's good to see you all. What can I do for you?"

Their leader was the one with twinkly icy hair, Speaker, that Dream Star understood was their representative to Red Eye. That meant this was an important visit, the three alicorn scanning the area before all focusing their eyes on Gentle Heart, "Red Eye has requested we talk to you in private."

"Of course." Gentle Heart looked to Dream Star, "If you would join me Dream?"

Speaker looked uncertain, "We wish to talk to you..."

"She can help." Gentle Heart stated with a smile, "Please, I know a place we can speak in private."

Dream Star followed the alicorns into the hospital, curious at what this was all about. Gentle Heart seemed to understand what was going on, suggesting she had been expecting them. She certainly hadn't said anything of the sort to Dream...

They finally entered one of the research rooms, the alicorn taking position at one end as Gentle Heart prepared the kettle. Speaker gave her a nervous look, "We do not require..."

"Trust me, you'll love it." She sweetly replied, turning to them with a note of slight regret, "I'm afraid what you're asking of me is no small request. To be honest that you're asking me is a sign of how far down the list you are, I'm barely a research assistant compared to the good doctors Glue and Slaughter."

Dream Star looked to her, confused, "You were working on something for Red Eye and the Goddess?"

The alicorn gave her another nervous expression, Dream Star wishing they would stop acting as a single entity. It was creepy.

Gentle Heart nodded, retrieving the tea and placing it out on the table, adding a supplement to that of each of the alicorn. That done she turned a kind smile to Dream Star, "I'm afraid that's why you've had to pick up so much of my work lately. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but we didn't want to get too many ponies involved."

Dream Star was getting irritated with all this secrecy, "Involved with what?"

"Well... as you know, Red Eye has many alicorn among his forces." Gentle Heart started, "And that's putting it simply. In truth, they are among the linchpins of his vision for the future. As such their welfare is of upmost importance to him."

Dream Star suddenly realised, "Gentle Heart... you're an expert on reproduction, fertility and gynaecology."

"I am... somewhat trained in those fields, yes." Gentle Heart agreed with reluctance.

Dream Star looked to the alicorn, knowing from Singer the one issue that consumed much of the Goddess's time, "You're working on alicorn reproduction."

Gentle Heart nodded, "But I admit, I have found myself somewhat out of my depth. Which is why I want to bring you into the project."

Dream Star frowned, "Why me? I'm no expert."

"Singer believes differently." Speaker stated, some doubt in her eyes, "She said you were one of the few scientists who understood our biology, and that you could be trusted."

"Singer?" Dream Star exclaimed, wondering what exactly the mare had been telling them. She scoffed at the very concept, "Because I almost cut her up once?"

"So she says." The alicorn responded, "Is it true?"

Dream Star considered the matter. In truth while not an expert, she was primarily a high energy magic and engineering specialist, she had picked up a decent enough grounding in biology to help. And she was loath to say no to Gentle Heart.

Still there was something about this that bugged her, "Why the secrecy? Who are you trying to hide this from?"

The alicorn all looked at each other before Speaker finally explained with as straightforward a tone as she could manage, "The Goddess."

Dream Star blinked, "What? Is... that even possible?"

"With some difficulty, yes." Speaker declared, looking worried, "In truth, your words to Singer back then inspired the Goddess to give some alicorns more independence. By doing so, she made it possible to... isolate certain thoughts from the wider unity."

Dream Star hadn't expected this, that was to be sure, "You're betraying the Goddess?"

"We have come to believe her viewpoint... flawed." Speaker explained, placing a hoof against her chest in what was the most genuine piece of body language she had managed so far, "Singer and I, as well as many of our fellow alicorns have come to trust in Red Eye. And we know that the Goddess intends to betray him, that she wishes all unicorns converted to alicorns, and all other species to be eradicated."

Dream Star certainly didn't consider that very shocking, "And you?"

The alicorn paused, looking nervous as she considered her answer, "We... wish to serve as Twilight intended. To serve, and protect lesser ponies. To be the benevolent authority that this world needs."

"Really?"

"I believe her." Gentle Heart stated, turning a big, beautiful smile to Dream Star, "She stood up to Justicar herself, one of the most vicious and bloodthirsty of the alicorns. Sustained significant injuries, I was the one who patched her up."

Dream Star wasn't aware alicorn could fight between themselves, "Wouldn't that count as attacking yourself? With the Unity and all?"

Singer shivered, evidencing quite convincing fear, "The Goddess merely... rebuked my thoughts. Justicar on the other hoof took offense on her behalf, only just refrained from killing me despite the Goddess ordering her to stop."

Dream Star had certainly got the impression that Justicar wasn't entirely stable the first time they had met, "She sounds like just as much a rebel as you."

The alicorn nodded slowly, "She follows loyally, but only because the Goddess gives her plenty of opportunities to indulge her bloodlust and sadism." She shivered, "She is even firmer than the Goddess in her belief that all non-alicorn life is an infestation to be purged."

"And she is rapidly becoming one of the most influential voices within the unity." Gentle Heart noted, "And the alliance between the Goddess and Red Eye is already shaky as it is."

That raised questions, "If the Goddess was to turn against Red Eye... what would that mean to you?"

"If she wished it, she could still take direct control of us." Speaker admitted, "We would have to cut ourselves off to resist, which would be... traumatic. And it still wouldn't guarantee she could not reach us."

Dream Star understood, "But if you had a bargaining chip, like... the secret to curing your fertility problems?"

"Then we could convince many of our sisters that Red Eye offered us true salvation." The alicorn admitted, "Enough to hopefully form a strong enough psychic bond to resist her domination."

"This is important Dream Star. And Singer sincerely trusts you to help." Gentle Heart faced Dream Star now, full of trust and kindness, "Will you join us?"

Dream Star didn't see much of an option. And besides... she did like the alicorn better than most ponies, and had no desire to see them the thralls of some mad god, "Sure... I guess."

"Thank you!" Gentle Heart shouted as she hugged Dream Star tight, "You won't regret this!"

Dream Star relaxed in her embrace, already feeling happy enough with her reward.

His entry was as inconspicuous as possible, still Dream Star saw the signs. A single pony stepping out of a battered, old, but well armed and armored transport truck? A single pony, wearing a dust cloak and hood that totally obscured his features? A trio of griffon in heavy combat armor and wielding high power rifles, trying to look like simple slavers but clearly watching the crowds around the figure?

Dream Star didn't like any of it and quickly followed the pony through the back door of the hospital, throwing up an invisibility spell that totally obscured her from their view. The door led into a sealed storage area, Gentle Heart standing alone within. She appeared to be sorting through one of the crates, the cloaked pony approaching her with intent.

Dream Star tensed for combat, especially as the figure let his coverings fall and Gentle Heart looked up in surprise...

...before smiling, moving forward and meeting the large earth pony stallion in a soft nuzzle, the most affectionate Dream Star had seen her with anypony. It wasn't quite romantic, still Dream Star didn't quite leave vaporisation off the table.

The stallion moved away, flashing a charming grin, "It's been too long Gentle Heart."

"Both of us have important work to do, the personal always has to take a backseat." Gentle Heart stated, giving him a beautiful smile, "Still, it is so very good to see you."

"Heh, you're as charming as ever." The stallion admitted, "Maybe after our business is done we can take a little time..."

"Who's your friend Gentle Heart?" Dream Star stated with barely disguised hostility, glaring upon the stallion as she strolled out from her hiding place, "I don't believe we've met."

But the stallion didn't seem shocked at all, simply turning to her with a calm, dignified step and focusing his glowing cybernetic eye upon her, "But I know you. Gentle Heart has spoken very highly of you Dream Star."

Dream Star's voice choked on her throat.

"May I introduce my dear old friend?" Gentle Heart stated with a cheerful little giggle, "This is..."

"Red Eye." Dream Star choked out.

"The way you were described, I didn't think anypony could intimidate you." Red Eye noted with a grin, then tapped a hoof against the ground, "Word of advice, we Earth ponies have very sensitive hooves. Invisibility does nothing to hide your steps."

"I'll... remember that." Dream Star acknowledged, trying to regain control of her faculties, "What brings you here Lord Red Eye?"

"Work, sadly enough. Work I hear you've been involved in." Red Eye's expression grew more serious, looking back toward Gentle Heart, "Have you heard? About Singer?"

Gentle Heart shook her head, Dream Star not liking his tone at all, "What about Singer?"

"She's dead." Red Eye admitted, genuine grief and annoyance in his tone, "Along with our operations in Appleloosa."

Dream Star took a step back, the news like a kick in the chest. Singer? Ever mischievous, ever the rebel? Showing more charisma in her hoof than the rest of the Unity put together?

"That's... bad." Gentle Heart expressed, with some understatement, "Who was it?"

"Reports say that it was a single pony." Red Eye admitted, flashing a smile devoid of mirth, "Which is either the least funny joke ever, or evidence that I need to raise my recruiting standards."

"Justicar?" Gentle Heart suggested, "She's about the only one I can think of who could pull off such a thing."

Dream Star declined to mention that she had wiped out more than a few bandit camps, and taken out plenty of alicorns. Still, she hadn't heard DJ Pon3 mention any notable heroes lately, "What did the reports say, exactly?"

"A unicorn filly, wearing a stable jumpsuit." Red Eye stated, then headed off Dream Star's comment, "Yeah, I know, a fucking Stable Dweller."

Dream Star bristled, well aware of the precedent, "You have to stop this now. Send your best, and put her in the ground before it's too late."

"That's the last thing I'm going to do." Red Eye responded, smirking knowingly, "Reason one, she'll likely send them back to me in a box. Mare just took out a whole camp and an alicorn lieutenant on her lonesome."

Dream Star hissed, only too eager to accept the job herself, "And reason two?"

Red Eye turned her eyes to Gentle Heart, "That wasn't her only achievement of note out there. Rumor tells that she also rescued Miss Ditzi Doo from raiders, along with a filly she had been protecting."

Gentle Heart opened her eyes wide, "Ditzi Doo was captured by raiders?"

Dream Star felt increasingly like the third wheel, "Who's Ditzi Doo?"

"The best junk merchant in the wasteland, a seriously underrated writer, and a damn good mare." Red Eye answered, then chuckled to himself, "Did some work for her a long time ago. She gave me my favourite rifle as a reward, still got it hung up in my office."

Dream Star didn't see what was so funny, "She could have told this Stable Dweller not to kill your ponies!"

"And reason number three." Red Eye continued, expression becoming more serious, "Ditzi Doo does not work for me. I haven't spoken to her in more than half a decade, because in case you haven't noticed I'm an evil slaving scumbag these days. Good mares, pure hearted mares... they tend to take exception with that."

"Singer was a good mare!"

"Singer was an agent of the Goddess, dipping unicorns in mutigenic goo and working with slavers. Knowing her, she more than likely took the time to mouth off to this vault dweller, really work that angle." Red Eye shook his head, giving Dream Star a look that pierced right through her, "Surely you remember what it was like to be out here for the first time? Full of righteous power, ready to save the world with nothing more than good intentions and plentiful ammo?"

Dream Star really didn't, but she had met enough heroes to understand, "So you're just going to let her shoot up our operation?"

"Yes, I am." Red Eye answered, a sly grin upon his face, "Let this mare carry on her little adventure. Let her visit Arbu and Tenpony. Let her talk it out with the Steel Rangers, and the Goddess, and the Enclave. Let Watcher fill her head with charming lies, and let her see how the ponies out there treat good mares like Ditzi Doo. If she's any kind of real hero she'll find herself heading this way eventually, come to take down the big bad Red Eye."

Gentle Heart looked to him in expectation, "And then?"

"Did I ever tell you how I met Stern?" Red Eye asked, "She was a mercenary, hired to take me down. Killed a bunch of my friends, gave me the hardest fight of my life. So I did the sensible thing. I out maneuvered her, beat her down bad enough to show her exactly who was boss... and I gave her a better offer."

Dream Star lowered her head, not particular enamored of mercy towards those who had hurt her. Personally she also thought Red Eye was reading a little too much into the personality of a mare he had never met, and the attractiveness of his grand plan built on little but good intentions, "You do know we totally failed in finding a cure for the alicorn infertility don't you?"

"I heard." Red Eye admitted, turning to a guilty looking Gentle Heart, "I gave the problem to Dr Glue at first, he refused to even consider it. Gave me a... colorful answer, which basically translated to 'you might as well try to breed ponies with manticores'."

Gentle Heart smiled softly, "He always did have a way with words."

"He might be an ass, but it looks like he was right again." Red Eye admitted, "So I've decided to approach the problem from a different angle... how much do either of you know about the formation of the Goddess?"~

"What does that have to do with anything?" Dream Star asked.

Red Eye just smiled, "Everything."

It was almost time.

She had been around for plenty of major events, and maybe it was easy to get jaded. But this felt like something more, something bigger. The Goddess was dead, and those alicorns with sense had joined Red Eye's forces. The Enclave had taken to the Wasteland in force, and were being fought to a standstill.

Red Eye's ascension was nigh, and so far everything was as he had predicted.

As for her... still was still right where she was meant to be. She had considered going out there, helping, but her days as a warrior, as a killer... they were far behind her. Better she was here, helping ponies... with her.

"Dream, I have another mission for you." Gentle Heart stated as she wiped sweat from her brow, the strain in her normally unflappable features evidence of how much stress had been weighing on her. She moved across the courtyard, her head indicating to the west, "We've heard reports that an Enclave Raptor has been shot down about fifteen miles east, I need you to head out there and scout for survivors and medical supplies."

"In that order?" Dream Star asked, this being the issue that did not sit well with her, "Those Enclave butchers you brought in are taking up supplies and beds that could be used for our troops."

Gentle Heart's expression remained firm, "We are intending to end the Enclave threat once and for all Dream. Either we kill each and every one of them, or we work for a path to peace. You heard their stories, most of them have been lied to all their lives. If we can convince them to help, then we have a real chance."

Dream Star doubted it. She had heard those words many times before, but it never amounted to anything. More likely the Enclave would fight until their supply lines gave out, when they would retreat above the clouds to lick their wounds in preparation for the next big confrontation. Still... "I've trusted you so far."

"Thank you." Gentle Heart responded, "Be careful out there."

Dream Star just grinned, moving to the weapons rack and shouldering her plasma caster. Despite having abandoned her killing ways, the occasional monster attack or poorly behaved patient had proven that she was still more than capable despite her advanced age. To be honest there was even something that appealed about the feeling in her heart as she strode out into the wasteland, clad in armored leathers and feeling the metal of her weapon on her side. Her hooves were firm, confident, stepping across the dirt and rubble like she had never been away.

The smoke drew her to the wreck, soon looking out over what remained of the cloudship. Dream Star noted that it sported battle damage that matched up with Enclave weapons, plenty of them, suggesting it had been fired upon by another ship. That kind of thing had been increasingly common in this war, Dream Star wondering if Gentle Heart was right about the Enclave being willing to question its own doctrine.

She continued onwards, not detecting any signs of life in the wreckage, and less than the full complement of crew among the bodies. That didn't bode well for salvage, and indeed the medical bay had been picked clean. Dream Star figured they must have evacuated the wreck with all survivors, and taken what supplies they could gather.

Her radio crackled into life, Dream Star lifting her headset and placing it to her ear. A bit of tuning and the signal came through clear, despite what sounded like a bit of jamming.

"This is a priority message, broadcast to all followers of Red Eye. Battle is joined over the Cathedral, a large force of Enclave have taken up position. All forces in the area, please assist.”

So it was happening. Dream Star looked towards where she knew Everfree Forest lay, sure she saw a glow on the horizon. Still, it was far too far away to ever reach in time. She was just about to turn off her radio when another message came through, "All Fillydephia garrison units, several small skirmishing forces have been spotted on our outskirts. Please investigate and report."

A succession of map readings swiftly followed, one of them far too close for comfort. Dream Star saddled up and set off at a fast trot, feeling a deep unease in her heart.

An hour or so in, she got a burst of static from her radio that she only got the first few words from. It almost sounded like the cathedral had fallen, but then there was just dead air. She fiddled for a short while before she saw the smoke on the horizon and rushed onwards, unable to get a signal from any of Red Eye's command posts.

She reached the ridge, looking down upon the hospital below. It had clearly suffered damage, gunshots still sounding out. A large group of ponies and griffon surrounded the building, wearing no clear uniform but clearly on the offensive. She galloped down, unbuckling her plasma caster and taking the shortest route. She didn't know who these bastards were...

"Halt, who goes there!"

The griffon and two ponies pointed weaponry at her, Dream Star spitting her response, "Red Eye!"

They fired, Dream Star erecting her shield and igniting her caster. The pony and griffon both turned to goo with desperate screams, Dream Star transferring the power of her shield into a fierce spear of energy and carving a hole through the throat of the third. He dropped with a gurgle and Dream Star quickly decided not to waste him, taking hold of his mind with her magic and raising him back up with nothing more but a fierce rage and hunger towards his allies. She let him go and rushed forward, hearing the screams as he set upon his former comrades.

Two more griffons and four ponies died in seconds as she broke through their lines, snapping another clip into her caster as she charged through the hospital's front gates. The courtyard was a mess, fires burning, bodies lying in bloody heaps and the doors shattered inwards. All of it burned itself into her mind, Dream unable to tear herself away as she looked across each desecration of her home.

The dozens of heavily armed militia that were currently training weapons on her slowly gained her attention. One of them finally spoke up, full of righteous fury, "Identify yourself!"

"Identify yourself!" She spat back , fixing eyes full of hate on the pony, "This is a hospital!"

"A hospital for those who are a blight on this wasteland!" He called back, "But we are taking it back! Red Eye is dead at the hooves of the Lightbringer, and we intend to finish her work!"

Dream Star's voice hesitated in her throat, "No..."

"We, her servants, will now do the same to the rest of his organisation!" The pony waved a hoof across the burning building, "This building will serve as our base as we assault Fillydepia itself! We will spread light across that blighted city, like Littlepip did across the wasteland!"

Dream Star fought to keep her composure, "Where is she... where is Gentle Heart?!"

"She is dead!" The pony shouted, "Even as we called out his crimes she refused to renounce her loyalty to Red Eye, tried to excuse his actions! She paid the price, the price all the slaver's servants will pay!"

Dream Star didn't feel angry as such. Maybe she had passed beyond. She only felt grim certainty, as if there was only one decision to be made now, one path before her. If Gentle Heart was dead, Red Eye was dead, their plan was a failure... what was left to lose? She ignited her horn, feeling power well up through her entire body, "You want to see light?"

"Stand down!" The pony shouted, more of his militia pouring into the courtyard, "There's dozens of us and only one of you! You cannot hope to...!"

She ignited her horn, turning the pony to ash where he stood. Her words hissed out as her plasma caster ignited, "Try me."

Dream Star's hooves padded across the dirt, a trail of blood marking her path as she made her way through the dark confines of everfree. The remains of enclave ships and troops lay scattered among the trees, an odd tranquillity about the place. Dream Star shed her tattered armor, dropped her caster to the dirt, both were broken beyond repair.

She advanced towards a field of poison joke, the glowing blue petals withdrawing away at her steps. Some grasping plant lurched towards her, only for Dream Star to spark a fire in its heart that soon turned the entire thing to ash. She saw the other dangers of the everfree shrink from her path, perhaps sensing the death on her hooves.

She spotted a crowd of refugees staggering through the darkness, their bodies dirty and torn. She saw one fall dead, succumbing to his injuries. She took his cloak and followed the sorry looking bunch, hoping beyond hope that she would soon share his fate.

She questioned them, soon learning the truth. Red Eye was dead. The cathedral was rubble. They had failed.

They had just emerged from the trees when the clouds cleared, sunshine and rainbows spreading across the sky. A call sounded out, soon followed by others.

The lightbringer had succeeded. The world was saved. The SPP was active, and the Enclave was defeated.

All was right with the world.

She staggered into the refugee camp, barely even aware of where she was. Her thoughts swirled, her mind collapsing on itself. After a short few moments she felt her knees go weak, wetness on her cheeks. She lifted a hoof, unable to comprehend the truth.

The Lightbringer had saved the world. She had defeated the Enclave, claimed the SPP, united the world. And if that was true... what had been the point?

Her whole life, every moment she had spent trying to save this world, every plan she had made with Gentle Heart or Singer... every death she had been unable to prevent, every sacrifice she had made... every single second since her birth, every moment clawing for purpose, for her destiny...

Was all utterly pointless.

She gasped, a pathetic sob exiting her throat before she slumped down and collapsed into the dirt. Her tears rolled down her cheeks and painted the ground, her broken body bearing the pains and aches of thousands of wounds. Was it enough? Could she die now, under the sun she had spent her whole life seeking.

She curled up and awaited the end.

"Um, hello miss.”

Dream Star opened her eyes, a beautiful face peering down at her through a faceful of bandages. A bottle of water hung from her hoof.

That hoof moved forward, the mare giving an impossibly sweet smile as she offered the bottle, "I was wondering if you wanted some water."

"Dream Star."

She opened her eyes, that same pretty face above. Lined with age now maybe, thinner, her eyes a little duller. But despite everything, still beautiful. It was the face of family, of the warmth of someone who cared, "Jammer..."

"I just need to do some quick tests on you Dream." Jammer stated, laying out her medical equipment before her and fixing a blood pressure cuff around Dream Star's hoof, "Please, remain still."

"I feel fine Jammer." Dream Star protested, not lying. She felt better than she had in decades in fact, "How are the others?"

Jammer moved aside slightly, revealing Bitter Fennel maintaining his servos and Sunshine sharpening his knives, both looking free of injury, "They're both fine Dream, just a few minor injuries."

Dream Star felt her face. It was different, smoother. Her whole body felt... smaller, softer, "That crystal rod detonated in my face."

"It did." Jammer confirmed, "Fennel pulled you out."

"Mirror." Dream Star demanded, standing up despite Jammer's protests and levitating one from her bag. It hovered before her face, Dream taking in the full extent of the transformation.

"Dream Star." Jammer spoke from beside, voice hesitant, "You will no longer be quite as powerful as you were..."

"What did it do to me?"

"It..." Jammer searched for the right words, "...cleansed you of any corruption."

Dream Star stared into clear pink eyes, pleasantly aged features bringing to mind someponies' grandmother. Her fur was clear and uniform across her face, the tips of her ears crumpled but free of blemishes. And her flanks were as clear as her face, with no sign of the deformed wings or any of the other results of her exposure to IMP. That led to the one significant question, "Am I going to die of old age?"

"I would be able to tell you if you would stay still!" Jammer protested.

She grunted and did as she was told, letting Jammer work. To be perfectly honest she had never directly identified the source of her longevity, considering it a combination of a lot of different things really. She knew well she had been a mass of mutation even before the IMP, and had never quite understood why she never became a ghoul. She had stopped bothering with Radaway a long time ago.

"Dream Star..."

"What?"

Jammer rubbed a hoof against her forehead, "We should head back to Equestria. Maybe I could do something with access to my lab, if not we could go to Doc Slaughter's...."

Dream Star asked again, a little more forceful this time, "Be clear Jammer."

"Ok..." She breathed, "Your liver and kidneys have almost failed. I guess they had a long time ago, and it was simply your mutations that allowed you to continue. Without them... we would need to put you on dialysis in the short term, and long term... we're talking considerable cybernetics."

Dream Star smiled broadly. So she was terminally ill huh? She didn't believe that for a moment, long having come to terms with her immortality.

"Dream, stop smiling like that." Jammer protested, "It's creepy."

Dream Star shook her head, not understanding what the big deal was, "I feel fine."

"Well that's because you were also purged of poisons. They'll start building back up in your system before long, and then you'll start feeling much worse believe me."

"The SPP has a lab." Dream Star answered, fire building in her chest, "You can work on a solution there."

Jammer remained silent for a moment before anger flashed across her eyes, "Dream, you can't be serious! We lost!"

Dream shook her head, feeling the sense of certainty, of purpose still burning, "No, it's exactly as it should be."

Jammer looked up at her in doubt, "Dream..."

"Saddle up." She demanded, striding for the bags, "We've got a long way to go."

She looked over Garm from the mountains above, the most holy place in the zebra lands. If she knew anything about holy places that meant it would be poorly protected, inhabited mostly by scholars and puffed up guardians in over-fancy outfits. Still that didn't mean it was a soft target, she could expect every single one of those scholars to be packing high level magic.

"Dream Star, please reconsider." Jammer spoke up, for the fourth time today, "You are nowhere near as powerful as you once were. Your magic is weaker, and you can't sustain it for anywhere near as long. And your flesh is as yielding as any other, if you get shot you will die."

"I fought for years as an ordinary unicorn Jammer." Dream Star countered, sure in her determination and strength. To be honest she was more sure of herself than ever, feeling her old viciousness and determination return along with her mortal failings, "IMP or no, I'm still the most powerful unicorn mage on the planet."

"Maybe so." Jammer observed with a sharply raised eyebrow, "But down there is likely the most powerful zebra shaman on the planet."

Jammer just didn't get it. She was still thinking of this in rational terms, failing to understand that she was Dream Star. She was immortal, bound to this life until her destiny was fulfilled. She could see it, her hooves about the gemstone she knew contained her quarry. Her hooves upon the tiles of the SPP, her magic at its controls...

Fluttershy had looked into her eyes and she had seen all these things, had seen her destiny now clear before her. And it had broken her.

But now she understood, "Go home, all of you."

Fennel grinned, "Not going to happen. We're with you till the end."

Dream Star shook her head, "You go in there, you'll die."

"So what?" Sunshine responded, a broad and unconcerned smile across his face, "We live to our fullest, until we don't. I would have no regrets dying among my friends."

"Likewise." Fennel agreed.

Dream Star looked to Jammer, the mare's expressive eyes uncertain. Eventually resolve grew upon Jamzmer's face, the mare speaking, "Back when you took that IMP potion at Splendid Valley, you told me to abandon you. That you would be my death."

Dream Star remembered. Staying had been the worst decision Jammer had ever made, "You could be accomplishing something meaningful, helping ponies. Instead, you're here, with me."

Jammer smiled then, nodding softly, "I've never regretted my decision."

Dream Star chuckled, knowing she would say something like that. The poor mare had no idea, "Then let's do this."

The approach was easy, too easy. The valley had plenty of natural defences, a small entrance and plenty of raised firing positions watching it, choke points everywhere.

Which were clearly not designed to deal with anypony who could fly.

The dropped down the side of the mountain on a slow fall spell coupled with some minor illusions, touching down on the other side of a defensive wall at the back of the temple. The stone was protected against magic but the wards were in disrepair, not taking long for Dream to find a section decayed enough to phase through. They emerged into a garden, a gentle river flowing across carefully arranged rock formations.

A gardener emerged from a nearby shed, brief confusion passing through his eyes before Sunshine hurled a knife outwards and sent him slumping down into the water. The blood spread across its surface as Dream Star stepped across the bridge, already scanning for her quarry.

There... she could feel her. Feel Puppysmiles, "This way."

And then she heard it, the crack of a rifle. She turned, engaging her shields just in time to send the bullet carving through the decorative stonework, dodging away as more marked the space where she had stood. Her eyes focused upwards to the cliff they had just left, grinning as she saw the mare clad in power armor standing there, "So she followed us..."

"Cherry Sunset?" Jammer exclaimed in shock as she looked herself, then turned to the others, "We have to get into cover..."

Dream Star heard the alarms sound behind, knowing it wouldn't be that easy, "Her companions have warned the shaman... heh, clever girl."

"What do we do?!"

Dream Star turned, galloping into the temple interior as more bullets burst around her, "We kill anyone in our way!"

Jammer and the others followed, Fennel firing off a few shots of his own as he backed away from the garden. Dream Star could already feel running hoofsteps from elsewhere in the building, knowing it wouldn't be long before they encountered resistance.

They burst into what looked like a sparring ring, four zebra standing waiting with blades of multiple different lengths clasped in her hooves. Dream Star fired a blast of magic and it was deflected away, the zebra leaping up and driving his spear down with a scream. Dream dodged the attack and Sunshine swiftly leapt in and drove his knife through the zebra's chest. Dream saw another move to avenge his comrade, taking the fallen spear in her telekinesis and impaling him with a sharp thrust.

Fennel and Jammer were soon on the last two. The zebra didn't really stand a chance.

"That was easy." Fennel commented with a chuckle, plucking a sword from his chest and flinging it aside, "Where next?"

And then the far door burst open, two more figures rushing in. The one in front fixed her eyes on them, burning with resolve, "You will not come any further!"

Dream Star smirked, turned lazy eyes to the pair. It tickled her, that they had grown so overconfident, "Fluttershy, Ace Gold."

Ace Gold frowned, "You look... different."

"I'm still the same mare who destroyed you previously." Dream Star commented, "You really sure you want to take me on?"

He didn't answer, simply tapping Fluttershy on her flank before moving off. Fluttershy's eyes burst with magic and the air thickened, then burst outwards in a fierce rush. It bounced off Dream's shields but the others were staggered, Ace Gold placing two crossbow bolts into Fennel's body before leaping up to kick Jammer to the ground.

Fluttershy meanwhile moved to block Dream Star's path, her eyes full of terrible judgement.

Dream Star grinned right back at Fluttershy, met those eyes head on. She was ready for them this time, had absolutely nothing to lose. She took those emotions, that judgement head on, knowing that Fluttershy couldn't throw anything at her that she didn't already know.

And that while Fluttershy had the stare deployed she was totally ignorant of anything else around her.

She cackled as Sunshine came out of the shadows, blade flashing out. Fluttershy screamed as both her eyes were cut across, Sunshine spinning back around and striking at them with quick stabs to make sure they were disabled. Blinded and bleeding fiercely Fluttershy staggered back, screaming in pain as Sunshine went in for the kill...

"Fluttershy!"

Ace Gold slammed into Sunshine's side, throwing the stallion off balance. He went to stab at Ace but the attack was dodged, Ace Gold weaving through his guard and striking with a double hoof strike of pure rage that crackled with kinetic energy from his horn. It sent Sunshine flying backwards...

...slamming straight into one of the weapon racks, a fallen spear impaling him straight through the heart. Sunshine gasped, eyes travelling to the blood pumping from his torn open chest... before he gave a choking laugh, "The boy... knows how to kill..."

And then he slumped forward, a death rattle escaping his throat. Ace Gold paused in shock before the sight, his eyes dilating in horror. Dream Star could only wonder at his foolishness, hesitating in a battle. She marvelled at his sheer innocence. Had the buck never killed before?

Bitter Fennel took the shot, placing a bullet into the back of the buck's head that knocked him to the ground with a pained cry. Fluttershy called out at this, her desperate pleas cut short as Jammer struck her across the skull with a levitated spear pole and sent her sprawling across the ground. She then turned her eyes up to Sunshine in horror, "Oh please no...!"

"He's dead." Fennel observed simply.

"Make sure those two are as well." Dream Star ordered as she looked to Fluttershy and Ace, motionless in a pool of blood. Still she wasn't about to underestimate the durability of heroes at this point.

"What is wrong with you!" Jammer screamed, her whole body shaking now, "Sunshine was our friend!"

"I will miss him." Fennel agreed, "But we can't do anything for him now."

Jammer just stood there, frozen in shock and indecision. Dream Star was sympathetic, but she need to learn the truth of the matter. If she had to force the matter, so be it, "Do your job Jammer, finish them."

She looked at Dream like she had been stabbed. After a moment her mouth moved, her voice soft but decisive, "No."

"We don't have time." Fennel observed as he turned his head to the approaching hooffalls, "We need to go."

"Right." Dream Star agreed, "Come on Jammer."

They ran, Jammer following along behind. Dream Star spotted her taking a quick glance behind as they departed, back at the two ponies lying in pools of their own blood.

She always had been too soft for her own good.

They broke out into a further chamber, this one she couldn't see any real purpose for. It was totally empty, just a big hall lined with dozens of solid looking pillars. But it soon became apparent that it wasn't totally empty...

Between them and the exit, was a familiar face.

"You told me to go out there, make friends, become a hero." Cherry Sunrise stated as she approached, her rifle and shotgun deploying with mechanical clanks and her modified power armor glowing faintly as the magical runes painted upon it activated, "Is this enough?"

Dream Star had seen better. She looked between the lean, glowering zebra stallion and the towering, casually threatening looking minotaur that emerged to stand beside her, "I expected more than two."

"We're missing a member." The zebra spat hotly.

"You already lost one battle Dream Star." Cherry stated with firm tones, dropping one shoulder for the charge, "Walk away before you lose another."

"It took an army and a magical artefact going off in my face to beat me." Dream Star challenged back, grin extending, "What have you got?"

She was unsure who moved first. Dream was only aware just how much slower she had gotten as a shotgun blast ploughed into her shields, hurling her back to strike her shoulder hard against the cobbles. Cherry was prevented from following up as Fennel opened fire, his heavy bullets scoring chunks off the pillars as her team ran for cover.

"It's not too late!" Cherry called, trading shots, "There's an amnesty on Starhammer's soldiers, surrender and I will see your crimes struck clean!"

"I killed Fluttershy!" Dream Star shouted gleefully, pushing herself back onto her hooves and teleporting forward. She appeared beside Cherry's team, scoring them with lightning and knocking the zebra to the ground, "I am far beyond your 'justice' paladin!"

The minotaur came out from the side, Dream Star amazed how he could move so silently. The beast's carving blade sent her shields ringing, breaking through just as she forced out a blast of energy that sent it spinning from his hands. He just reached forward, grabbing her neck and slamming her into a pillar with terrific force.

Jammer came in with a look of silent determination, driving a needle into the big monster's thigh. The minotaur near instantly slowed, Jammer bringing up her pistol and delivering two shots to the head that sent him howling back with a hand full of blood. Dream Star took the opening, spitting a broken tooth to the floor and hitting him with an energy blast that hurled him into a pillar with enough force to drop him.

Fennel meanwhile was struggling, swivelling desperately as the zebra danced round, submachine gun whittling at Fennel's armor, "Quick little bastard..." Fennel growled, boosting backwards with his rockets but simply taking more punishment as his target leapt away, "Stay still!"

"That's my line." Cherry Sunset breathed as her sniper rifle discharged with a crack, driving a bullet deep through one of the newly opened gaps in Fennel's armor.

The big pegasus paused, falling silent for a moment. Then he laughed, thick yellow suspension fluid starting to leak from the bullet hole.

"No!" Jammer shouted, charging forward. She was instantly met by the zebra, taking a couple of hits from his sub-machine gun before Dream Star sealed him in an energy cage and shocked him into unconsciousness. Jammer barely gave him a moment's consideration as she continued past, "Please, stop...!"

Cherry fired again, hitting the very same location. Fluid splashed outwards, a dull whine sounding out as Fennel's cybernetics failed and he crumpled under the weight of metal. His mouth opened in a silent laugh, his eyes rolling back and his body toppled sideways...

He hit the ground with a final thud.

Jammer paused for the briefest second before he horn pulsed with energy, an incoherent scream exiting her throat. It blasted against an invisible shield surrounding Cherry, the paladin turning and sighting up her shotgun with calm, efficient eyes. Dream Star already knew Jammer's spell wasn't going to work, that the paladin had shielded herself against magic.

She instead picked up the minotaur’s discarded cleaver with her telekinesis, hurling it with all her strength straight at Cherry's neck.

Cherry saw it coming and drew up her shoulder, the blade bouncing upwards to shatter one of the magic wards and take off her ear. It also caused her shotgun blast to go wide, Jammer charging through the evaporating motes of magic and slamming her small body into Cherry at full force. It did more damage to Jammer than it did to Cherry, still it distracted the paladin long enough for Dream to rush in and slug the paladin across the jaw.

Cherry darted back in shock and confusion, taken off guard by Dream's physical attack. Dream Star liked that, bringing her hoof up again to deliver an uppercut that clearly bloodied her lip. Cherry spat blood and tried to punch back but Dream Star easily dodged the paladin's clumsy strike, "All that armor just slows you down! Just like all your kind, slow, stupid and clumsy!"

Cherry darted back, firing her shotgun. Dream Star teleported away, appearing a short distance away and keeping the paladin's attention firmly on her. It gave Jammer her chance, firing a pistol shot that hit Cherry dead centre across the temple. The paladin hit the ground with a groan, rolling back onto her hooves and attempting to recover her wits...

Dream Star hit her with a disruption spell, easily penetrating her spell resistance and shattering every joint on the paladin's armor. It screeched in protest and locked up with a thunk, sending her thudding to her knees as the full weight fell upon her shoulders.

"Fennel!"

Dream Star gave Jammer a brief look, then turned her eyes to the struggling Cherry. Then she turned to the exit, stepping forward with resolute purpose, "Come on, we've wasted enough time."

"Dream!" Jammer screamed after her, "Fennel is...!"

"Dead." Dream Star answered, feeling her heart chill further with every word, "I already scanned him. It was a good shot, he never stood a chance."

Jammer didn't answer, save for her increasingly rapid breathing.

"I told you Jammer. That I would be the death of you." Dream Star turned, looking down at Fennel's silent body and the tear filled eyes of Jammer beside him, "You said you didn't care. That you were my friend."

Jammer shook her head, disbelieving, "I am..."

"Then come with me, and help me fulfil my dream."

Cherry spat away blood, her face covered in it from her torn open jaw and missing ear. She still remained surprisingly calm sounding, "And what dream is that?"

"Equestria, reclaimed. The world as it should be." Dream Star smiled, bitter, mocking, "Isn't that worth a few deaths?"

Jammer's voice shook, looking between Dream and Fennel, "Yes..."

"Then come with me."

Jammer paused, her expression a painting of horror.

"I'm sorry Jammer." Cherry stated after a moment of silence, her voice soft but resolute, "But listen to her words. Dream Star doesn't even believe in this mission of hers, that should be obvious now. She throws her friends aside for nothing."

"You killed Fennel, not her!" Jammer shouted furiously at the paladin.

"He was a killer. I'm a killer. Cherry is a killer." Dream Star reminded her, a cruel smile stretching across her face, "You are a killer."

Jammer shook her head, throwing her pistol to the ground, "No! No... I can't do this anymore!"

"Are you quitting?" Dream Star asked, her voice quivering just for a moment as she fought against the traitorous emotions that raced through her.

"I..." Jammer shook, tears running down her face as she backed against Fennel's fallen form, "...I can't do this anymore Dream..."

"If you had figured that out earlier, maybe they wouldn't have had to die." Dream Star spat, turning away and striding for the exit, "But then you've always been a coward."

Jammer let out a sob as she sank to the floor, looking so utterly broken that Dream doubted she ever recover. Cherry had spoken the truth in the end. The bodies of good ponies lay about, the floor, their brutal, unneeded deaths without meaning or purpose. She walked into the corridors beyond, alone. Despised. Dammed.

And all was as it should be.

She followed her nose, feeling the subtle vibrations that drew her towards her goal. Puppysmile's energies could not be disguised, even sealed as they were. She walked alone through the corridors, no defenders left to slow her progress. Eventually she found it, a sealed vault door leading into a mostly empty room that she knew contained her ultimate prize.

She extended her magic, breaking the seals on the door with ease before giving it a slam with her telekinesis. It swung inwards, revealing a podium supporting a single gemstone... and a single zebra mare, standing waiting for her.

Dream Star nearly added to the body count right there and then, still something stopped her. This mare's magic signature, was... unusual, "Stand aside, if you wish to continue living."

"I think we both know that I cannot comply." The zebra responded with calm dignity, her face utterly inscrutable, "I must stand in defence of Puppysmiles, and you must claim her."

Dream Star smirked, though inside she was already tired of this, "You should know that I've already killed Fluttershy, and her little stallion friend."

The zebra's face fell, giving a gentle sigh, "You do not need to continue your pretence with me Dream Star." Her eyes lifted, staring deep into Dream Star's with utter knowing, "I understand."

"You... you're the zebra who defeated me when I went against Fluttershy..." Dream Star stepped back a pace, suddenly afraid. She had been expecting this, still she wasn't ready... "I don't..."

"There is no need to be afraid." She stood calmly, an encouraging smile upon her face, "I have been waiting for you a long time."

Dream Star nodded, stepping forward and levering her horn downwards. Power rippled down her horn, concentrating at the point and bursting outwards to carve cleanly through the zebra's heart. The zebra smiled as she fell, her small body lifeless before she had even hit the stone.

"Tandia! NO!"

Dream span, faced with a familiar face. Her scared visage was unmistakable, the zebra who had stolen Puppy from her at Clendel. Dream Star brought up her shields, reinforcing them as she stepped back a pace and watched the zebra bring her hoof forward in a fierce strike. It was clumsy, slow, Dream could already see the frame that supported her right hoof and the crippling scars that marked her body.

And as the zebra's mouth opened in a furious scream she realised something else. She knew this zebra.

This was... Xenith, companion of the lightbringer.

Xenith's hoof impacted hard, driving Dream Star across the floor with a harsh scraping of hooves. Her back hooves met Tandia's blood and she slipped, Xenith spotting the opening and swinging her back hooves round in a fierce buck. Dream Star panicked then, blasting her energy forward...

They met, stone shattering around them and bright light streaming forth. A moment later and Xenith came through that light, smashing the cage supporting her leg into Dream Star's muzzle hard enough to drive her against the ground.

Dream Star tasted blood, felt pain. Her bones yielded easily, her flesh splitting. She suffered a blow to the kidneys that ruptured something important, rolling away and attempting to defend herself. Xenith paused in caution for a moment, clearly unsure if this was a trap, "You're... weak."

Dream Star took the opportunity, bringing her horn down for a full power blast.

Xenith struck her hard at the base of the horn, stunning Dream Star and causing her magic to fail. A second blow fractured her orbital bone, more blood filling her mouth as she fought to stand.

Xenith's spoke again, more forceful... and decisive, "The crystal rod... it made you mortal..." The zebra reached her conclusion, eyes filling with hate, "...I can kill you."

Dream Star simply laughed as she staggered back, spitting blood to the floor, "No one can kill me."

Xenith drove forward with a scream, Dream Star ducking under her strike and driving her horn fiercely into Xenith's shoulder. The zebra gasped and backed away, Dream Star levitating a broken chunk of stone and slamming it across Xenith's skull. With the zebra sufficiently stunned Dream Star drove herself forward and tackled her brutally to the floor.

They twisted and fought, Xenith repeatedly slamming her hooves into Dream's damaged face and kidneys. Dream on the other hand finished the job she had started on Xenith's right hoof, slamming it into the floor and rendering it a bloody mess. Xenith yelled in pain and fury and put her entire body into it, twisting Dream's hooves about and seizing her in a firm lock, slamming her whole weight into Dream's throat. Dream gasped, struggling for breath, struggling to escape the zebra's hold...

Xenith paused suddenly, her grip slackening. Her face paled, her eyes wide. She gasped for air, body trembling as some hidden pain seized her.

Dream Star ignited her horn and flung the zebra away, tackling her out of the air and slamming her into the ground. It left her stunned and unable to defend herself, Dream Star slamming her hooves into the mare's face with all the fury she had left. Again, and again and again...

Then Dream Star's eyes turned to the entrance, another zebra standing there. She had a look of utter confusion on her face, slowly morphing to horror, then anger. Her body tensed, clearly built like a fighter and ready to spring into action.

Dream Star rolled away from Xenith, landing in a crouch and sending forth a blast of destructive magic at the new arrival. The zebra didn't even attempt to dodge, bringing her hoof up to guard and revealing the shining pipbuck that adorned it. The energy just deflected uselessly away, the zebra opening forth a pair of black and white wings and launching herself through Dream's magic with barely the pretence of effort, "GET AWAY FROM MY MOTHER!"

Dream Star snatched Puppy's stone from the pedestal, concentrated her magic and launched an emergency teleport.

She disappeared into the magic a moment before the zebra's hoof came down, feeling the ground and pedestal behind shatter as she was hurled across space...

...she slammed into dirt, her body shattered, her magic gone. Pain surged through her, Dream Star barely able to move her limbs. One eye was already swollen shut, and as she lifted her head she realised she had teleported herself into the mountains above Garm, the cold already biting into her flesh.

She had sold the lives of her dearest companions, desecrated a holy site, killed good ponies, crossed every line that deserved to be crossed. She was alone, and despised.

And then she looked down at the object still cradled in her hooves, the smooth crystal and the small beating heart of the Star Demon within.

And she laughed, long and hard.

Because at long last... she had finally won.

_________________________________________________________

Dream Star
Str - 6 End - 10 Dex - 7 Int – 10 Per - 5 Cha - 1 Lk - 1
Level 31

Perks
Mind for magic Level 4 - List of signature spells is increased by 50%, list of memorized subjects is increased by 60%.
High Sorcerer – Difficulty of all spells is reduced by an extra 30%. Lifespan is dramatically increased.
Shielding Specialist – Shield durability is increased by 30%, and the time needed to generate one is reduced by half.
Horn Blaster – Damage and chances to inflict status effects from all horn attacks is increased by 30%.
Bone-Strengthening Brew - With this perk, your limbs only receive 50% of the damage they normally would.
Megamage – You are able to craft and cast megaspells, given the right materials and enough power.
Bookworm - You gain 50% more skill points when reading books.
Awareness – Perceive all enemy resistances.
Tough hide Level 4 – You have an extra 12 damage threshold.
Life Giver Level 3 – You have an extra 60 health points, and regenerate lost health.
Ghoulish Level 2 – Radiation regenerates lost health.
Science! Level 3 – You gain access to Level 3 high tech mods.
Nerd Rage – When your health goes below 20% gain a 10% damage increase, and an extra 15 to damage threshold.
Plasma Spaz – All AP costs for plasma weapons (including spells and grenades) are reduced by 20%.
Burning Bright – Double the amount of magic your horn can channel before burn out.
Egghead – Add an extra 2 skill points each level.
Mighty Telekenesis – Triple the amount of mass you can lift with your telekenesis.
Geneticist Level 1 - You unlocked more options at the genetic modification station, and can craft mutagens at a chemistry workbench.
Rooted - While standing still, you gain +10 Damage threshold and your melee and unarmed attacks deal 25% more damage.
Reaper Pony’s Hatred – Every time you kill, you regenerate an extra 5% of your health total.
Made of Stubbornium - When reduced to 25% or fewer hit points, you gain +6 DT and regenerate 2hp/sec till above 25% hit points.

Traits
Daughter of Cadance : Love Starved – You gain -3 to Luck, and +3 to Endurance.
Hot Blooded - When your health drops below 50% you deal +15% more damage, but you also suffer -2 to Perception and Agility.
Tech Wizard - You spent your formative years hunched over a bench learning tech stuff. Trouble is you've ruined your eyes! You get a bonus to Science, Repair and Lockpick skills (+20%), but a penalty of -1 to Perception.
Purified – The Crystal Sceptre has removed your IMP bonuses, but in return you gain +1 End, an extra 10% to your health points, and are immune to addiction.
Corrupted Harmony – You might have been capable of being a hero once, but that was a long time ago. You are resistant to harmonic energies, and gain a 10% damage bonus against ‘heroes’, and a 20% against Princesses and other masters of harmony.
Proficient Racist – In addition to being a tremendous jerk, you gain a 10% damage bonus against anyone who’s not a unicorn or griffon.

Chapter 5.1 - Eyes of Crimson

View Online

Silent Steel stepped into the shadowed confines of the conference hall, giving a wry smile as he saw the polished table,
the floating hologram of the Applejack Ranger logo, the stink of testosterone and old men. It couldn’t be much more a villainous cliché if it tried, and the worst part was he was well aware those around the table were taking it deadly seriously.

One rose now, powerful brow wrinkling with stern leadership. He gave a firm dignified nod, full of fatherly concern, “Councillor Silent Steel, it is a privilege to have you join us today.”

“High Elder Peach Trees.” Silent Steel nodded in acknowledgment, “Likewise, I assure you.”

“Please, take a place.” Peach Trees intoned as he guided Silent Steel towards the table, waving at the others stood around, “You know Stern Lancer.”

Stern Lancer gave a look of careful distrust, which Silent Steel felt was justified, “Of course.”

“We also have Sweet Acorn of the Followers of the Apocalypse.” Peach Trees introduced as he waved to a mousy looking unicorn, “And of course, we have the pleasure of hosting P7 and SolOS of Sun City.”

The pink pony shaped robot at the end gave an affirmative sound, the monitor on the table next to them complementing her with a smooth, dark chocolate voice, “A pleasure to be in such fine company."

Silent Steel took his place, looking around the room, meeting each set of eyes. He couldn't get anything from SolOS and P7 of course, though he had heard enough to be wary of both. Peach Trees looked smugly confident as ever. Stern Lancer was doing the exact same thing, intelligent eyes clearly sizing him up. And Sweet Acorn was clearly wrestling with both excitement and nervousness, clearly not entirely comfortable to be here. She added legitimacy to the group at the very least, Peach Trees and Stern Lancer were both aging relics of an organisation long past it's time, but as Velvet Remedy's personal secretary Sweet Acorn stood beside the very highest seats of power.

"We believe the NCR is broken, and that it is getting worse." Peach Trees stated suddenly, his commanding voice grabbing the attention of every single pony in the room. He looked to each of them, testing them for weakness in the face of his words, "That is what we are here to discuss."

"The corruption of the council is without doubt." Stern Lancer added, "Bitter Lemon counts all by himself, an open crime lord bleeding Fillydephia dry, yet able to keep himself him power through money and false promises. Yet to that I could also name Golden Fields, abusing the trust of the Hellhounds and inciting them to protest solely to serve his own power. And Indigo Hope, so deep in the pockets of the Twilight Society he's barely his own entity."

"The government as a whole is now wholly dedicated to enriching its own, with no concern for the greater welfare of the NCR." Peach Trees continued, "Democracy has failed. It has shown itself too easily brought, too vulnerable to the lies of the self interested."

Silent Steel agreed on that point, that at least was why he was here. Not that he considered the Rangers the guardians of democracy, but that didn't make them wrong about the cracks in the system. He had already seen it, the balance of power moving from those of clear intelligence and moral character, to those with the biggest bank accounts, "And what is the solution?"

"We return to the old wa`ys. One ruler, a princess of proven courage, integrity and wisdom. One who has proven themselves a hero over and over again, and who has already demonstrated that the republic can unite behind her." Peach Trees explained, "This is our task, to bring the rightful family to the throne of the NCR, the rightful ruler. And that ruler is Regina Grimfeathers."

He smiled. He almost laughed. It wasn't a bad choice exactly, but she was hardly the best they could do, "Why her?"

"Her mother founded the country." Stern Lancer explained, "She has a large family of heirs, she provides a selling point for the griffons, and she was elected with a clear popular vote. She also has strong ties with high ranking members of all major factions, and has the support of the council."

Fair points... he guessed, "And you've discussed this with her?"

"Anypony who would willingly take power of this scale would never be worthy of it." Sweet Acorn stated firmly, displaying far more fierceness than he had expected from her, "Regina is far too humble to accept, even if was for the best of the NCR."

"So what is your plan? We force her?"

"Indeed." SolOS stated with decisiveness, full of pride and certainty, "The only thing that forces a good pony to seize ultimate power. The appearance of a threat, a threat that requires the most decisive leadership. A threat that forces good ponies to step forward, and save the world."

Silent Steel was intrigued, "And what threat is that?"

"That is what we here to discuss." SolOS declared, "Welcome Silent Steel, to the Red Eye project."

"So there are three key points of the project." Stern Lancer explained as they sat around the planning table in his Manehatten offices, working out the details of their master plan. It was all a little low tech for a world domination meeting as far as Silent Steel was concerned, unable to help grinning a little as Stern Lancer slid caps across a map of the NCR. "First, Steel Ranger operatives and trusted mercenaries will act as raiders, provide evidence that Red Eye has returned, and use their military force to sell his threat with some minor raids on caravans and towns. These caravans and towns will be covered by insurance policies, which along with sales of the stolen materials will help fund the whole project without drawing from official budgets."

Silent Steel nodded, "And of course the Rangers will be sent out to fight this 'threat', raising their profile by means of their heroism."

Stern Lancer nodded affirmative, "And as a complement, any raiders who prove troublesome can be directed right into a Steel Ranger patrol."

Silent Steel looked out the window, towards where the towering form of Hoof Beats rose up in the distance. It felt like it was trying to tell him something, but he didn't know what, "And the second part?"

"The Followers of the Apocolypse have near total control of natural infrastructure. They are perfectly positioned to bring it down with acts of internal sabotage, to the point the entire economy could be brought to a total standstill by just swapping some numbers at head office." Stern Lancer struck a pin through the cap sitting at New Canterlot, "And Sweet Acorn has a long list of those Followers who have been skimming off the top for years. At the peak of the crisis we will have those names released as the cause of the problems, destroying public trust and convincing Regina to nationalise the organisation pending reorganisation."

This was the part he had trouble with. He agreed the Followers were a corrupt organisation, but Velvet Remedy didn't deserve the blame, "Where would that leave Velvet?"

"Exonerated, though with a short term loss in credibility." Stern Lancer explained, "Sweet Acorn insisted that she be protected from any consequences, and we have all decided that she would be a fine queenmaker for Regina."

He guessed that worked, "And the third part?"

Stern Lancer placed the final cap upon a small facility out on the edges of Route 56, "Now even with Velvet Remedy and others sabotaged from within, they would inevitably notice something was up fairly quickly, put their own resources into uncovering this Red Eye. Apart from that, we are also working on a lot of assumptions and guesswork about what Regina, Life Bloom and others will do, and we lack the inroads into government systems we need to properly manipulate them."

Silent Steel was going to say as much. Regina was not always as easily led as some assumed she was, "And how do you plan to solve that problem?"

"SolOS is working on that as we speak." Stern Lancer allowed a smile to drift across his face, "I hear it's something spectacular."

Silent Steel marvelled at the shiny interiors of the Sun City research facility, still looking like new after two hundred years. Having grown up in Steel Ranger facilities, the idea of an underground facility that wasn’t falling to pieces was a fairly unique experience.

It was well protected too, Silent Steel nodding to the familiar face of Star Paladin Lucky Days as he approached, "Star Paladin."

"Councillor." The stallion curtly responded, "If you would follow me, I will escort you to the lab."

"It surprises me to see you on guard duty." Silent Steel commented as he fell into step, "Your credentials would seem to better support a frontline role."

"I have left that to younger ponies." He commented, voice becoming a tiny bit more casual, "It was not widely reported, but I was injured in the battle to retake Tenpony. But a small inconvenience, but my doctor advised a more sedentary position."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Lucky Days shook his head, "It is a privilege to be here. One pony with a gun can't accomplish anywhere near the wonders a pony with a test tube can."

Lucky Days led him into the main lab, like the other areas wide and sterile looking. A set of large computer systems whirred away in the corner, some desks sitting around the outside covered with neat stacks of paper. He soon focused his eyes on the only pony in the room, a skinny mare with pale white fur and an electric blue mane, wearing a labcoat and a pair of dark sunglasses. Lucky Days called out to her as they entered, “Doctor Matrix.”

“Yes, I heard you come in.” She replied, turning her head in their direction, “You are Silent Steel?”

He nodded and strode over, admitting to a bit of swagger. The mare in question was almost exactly his type, slim, dignified, icily feminine and obviously smart. He had to admit his mind wasn’t entirely on business, “I am indeed. You are the lead scientist on the project?”

“Doctor Spark Matrix is the lead researcher for the whole facility.” Lucky Days corrected, “She was instrumental in advising on the technical aspects of the Red Eye project.”

“At present all my time is taken up with the development of Puppy OS.” Dr Matrix replied, eyes hidden behind her glasses, “She is approaching a critical state in her development, and setbacks could result in permanent damage. Come.”

She led the towards a door at the back, Silent Steel noticing her hooves clacking against the floor. He looked down, noting that she appeared to be wearing metal boots. Or rather… that metal boots were fused to her legs, “Are those bionics?”

“Yes. They allow me to directly interface with technology, very helpful considering my condition.”

Silent Steel raised an eyebrow, “Condition?”

She turned, nudging her glasses down with a hoof to reveal two unfocused, cloudy golden eyes. He pretty quickly noted that one was clearly fake, and the other didn’t track his movements, figuring it out before she said it, “I’m blind.”

Well then, he really should be more observant. Though he was very impressed with how well she got around, “I’m sorry.”

“It has encouraged me to be creative with how I accomplish tasks.” She stated with a shrug, turning around and replacing her glasses, “I have grown used to it.”

He followed her into the room beyond, taking in the sights and marvelling at the elegance of the scene in front of him. He wondered if Dr Matrix had designed the area, thinking she rather seemed at home in the clean, elegant laboratory.

Like the previous room it was spacious and clear, with a tower of thick wires extending from the centre to reach up and support a small, round ball, clasped within four, gleaming white struts. At the base of the tower were computers and monitors, all featuring images of the same filly. She was pink furred, with vibrant yellow hair, the monitors showing her laughing, playing, learning…

“This is Puppy OS.” Dr Matrix explained, pointing a hoof up at the ball above, “That ball contains all her cognitive functions, upon completion she will only need to be connected to a standard D class generator to perform to maximum capacity.”

Silent Steel hadn’t been told the full details, and had been advised not to ask. He knew a little about AI development though, and he well knew that there was no way that little ball supported even a basic intelligence. For that you needed a crusader mainframe, which were generally the size of buildings, “So what is the purpose of all this equipment?”

“Her personality is still unstable.” Dr Matrix replied, “She is being fed with a basic set of developmental scenarios, in order to socialise her appropriately. Her mother is with her now, supervising the process.”

“Is that necessary?” Silent Steel pondered, feeling this was kind of overkill, “The plan called for a system built to organise basic governmental functions and monitor communications, does it need a personality? Presumably the system will be subservient to our control.”

It might have been the wrong thing to say, Dr Matrix’s voice growing a lot frostier, “What you are asking for requires a system of grand complexity. You saw what the AI systems placed in charge of stables did, without the ability to properly assess situations outside their remit.”

“Yes, but…”

“A system of the required complexity is by definition, sentient.” She continued, her voice assured, “Puppy is not your slave, nor your servant. I would advise you to remember that.”

He hesitated, then quickly backed down. She was right of course, and it had been wrong to say any different, “I’m sorry. I didn’t consider that.”

"I... yes..." She backed down, looking slightly embarrassed, "I'm sorry, it's just this project is important to P7. It's not just a system to her."

Silent Steel had already figured everypony here had different motives. He wondered what hers was, "And what is Puppysmiles to her?"

"Redemption, science... motherhood?" Dr Matrix shook her head, "I think you better ask her yourself."

P7 bobbed around the control room, a dozen different bodies all typing, maintaining and researching. He was honestly impressed by her, as far as he knew she was only a hospitality bot yet she certainly seemed to have expanded her horizons, "What is Puppysmiles to you P7?"

She bleeped in a tone he recognised as happiness, one of her drones swivelling to face him as she addressed him in her cheerful, obviously Pinkie Pie inspired tones, "It may seem self serving, but I honestly believe this will what save the world." Her voice filled with quivering excitement, "Do you believe in redemption Silent Steel?"

He smiled, "I was born a Steel Ranger, back when they were high tech raiders. Saying no would be somewhat hypocritical of me."

"And do you believe in Harmony?"

This was a slightly more difficult question, "I guess... but I certainly don't believe it's some all powerful force. The element bearers failed to save the world, in fact they made it worse."

"Of course, harmony requires sustained effort to flourish." She reasoned, "Ultimately, those who carried it during the war fell short of their responsibilities. But the government led by Celestia still has much to recommend it."

"Which is why you support a Princess, rather than a council."

P7 chirped in amusement, "I support an enlightened higher authority, supporting and advising a mortal government... and if needed, acting to reign in its destructive impulses."

Silent Steel cocked an eyebrow, "And that's Regina?"

"No. That is Puppysmiles." P7 coyly corrected, "Ultimately, all functions of government will be run through her. Incorruptible, pure, possessed of the vast intellect of a true AI and brought up in harmony, she will allow us to achieve our true potential under her protection."

Silent Steel hadn't heard this interpretation of their goals before, "Placing an AI as our all powerful overlord?"

"Have you not seen what has happened every time equines have tried to rule themselves?" P7 asked, "Yes, AI have proven themselves untrustworthy in the past, and yes, Puppysmiles represents in many ways forces that have caused evil throughout history. But it feels silly how everypony wants to recreate the old world, rather than try something new, exiting..."

Silent Steel grinned, "And dangerous." He took a moment to keep his feelings ambiguous before nodding ever so slightly in agreement, "But we do need new ideas. I'm here because the world is becoming increasingly like it was back before the end."

P7 bobbed apprehensively, "Dr Matrix has included command codes of course, to shut her down should she get out of control. But I truly believe in Puppysmiles, truly believe she can redeem both the world... and everything else she represents."

Silent Steel sensed the opportunity to pry for a little more information, "Dr Matrix seems to believe the same. In fact she seems as invested in this project as you."

"Yes, she is a wonderful girl." P7 declared enthusiastically, "She was a former slave of Red Eye, lost her eyesight during the fall of the cathedral. She's worked for us for years now, originally as an electrician. She can feel the flow of energy through her hooves, it came in very useful for returning this place to full functionality."

"Where did you find her?"

"How else?" P7 chirped with amusement, "We placed a newspaper article. It contained a code, indicating a certain place at a certain point in time. SolOS's idea, he wanted applicants of proven intelligence."

Silent Steel guessed that was one way of recruiting the best, though he wasn't sure how much advanced code breaking skills mattered to a electrician, "I haven't met SolOS since our first meeting actually. I presume he's around somewhere."

"He is, though he leaves most administration to me." P7 confirmed, "He prefers to focus on his research. I apologise councillor."

"It's no problem." He reassured, giving her a charming smile, "Your skills as a host are quite sufficient, have no doubt of that."

It was eventually time to leave Sun City, other parts of the grand plan needing supervision. This time it was the one he knew had the biggest chance of going wrong, admitting a quiver of apprehension as he was escorted through the endless badlands far from the reach of the NCR. Here be raiders, and even the Steel Rangers came here in large numbers.

The raider base itself was located in what had once clearly been some sort of tourist resort, looking out over what looked like had once been a series of small, craggy mountains covered in thick forest. Something bad had clearly happened to it however, the ground irregular and covered in deep, jagged cracks, the mountains having partially caved in on themselves. Even with the Gardens of Equestria having reached this far the trees looked weak and sickly, the small road leading here still lined with burnt out vehicles and unburied corpses.

He looked up at the sign welcoming him to ‘Hopesville Nature Reserve’, cracked and damaged with another sign below almost entirely torn away. He inspected it for a moment, trying to read of the peeling letters… “Neutral State of… Hopeville I presume… forty miles…”

“This place once hosted a neutral town, designated by international treaty to have no part in the war.” A tough, handsome looking male griffon stated as he made his way over, “Luna established it as a place where those ponies who disagreed with Equestria’s aggression could live in peace.”

Silent Steel nodded to the griffon, unable to imagine this wasn’t the one he was looking for, “Sanhedran?”

“I am.” The griffon answered, not looking much like a raider boss. He looked tough enough for sure, but there was an intelligent look in his eye and an overall… cleanliness that seemed to stand out. He came over, offering a rough hoofshake, “Welcome to Red Eye Control.”

He looked around, the place still looking like a summercamp. With the wooden lodges, training equipment and somewhat twee signs it looked oddly domestic for a raider base. Even the raiders currently walking about the place looked a little too professional, “This is an odd location for a secret project.”

“On the contrary, this resort and the Hopeville neutral zone was placed here for a reason, this is one of the most isolated spots in Equestria.” Sanhedran answered, leading him further into the resort, “If you want to get technical Scribe Steel, you shouldn’t really be here. Military personnel are absolutely banned. This is a place of peace.”

“There sure seem to be a lot of guns here.” Silent Steel observed.

“A requirement.” Sanhedran answered, “We are by necessity surrounded by raiders, it would be foolish to not have the capacity to defend ourselves. Generally however this base remains an administrative position, from here we co-ordinate raider attacks and Steel Ranger counter operations, along with our spy network and recon missions.”

Silent Steel looked up at the giant antenna located upon the nearest mountain, just down the hill from the resort. It seemed rather out of place, clearly a high capacity model you would more normally see linking a large city like Manehatten, “You certainly seem well established.”

“As I said, a perfect position.”

Silent Steel looked around, noting the personnel all efficiently working away, carrying, watching for danger and fixing around the camp. Of all different species, they were all sharp eyed and of a military build, slim and muscled with a easy communication with each other that required no words. He had heard Sanhedran's mercenaries came highly recommended, looking at them work it was easy to see why. Not flashy, but all clearly professional and deadly in equal measure.

He followed Sanhedran into the camp HQ, seeing it had been set up with high end electronics and communications equipment, a wirescreen map of the area taking up much of the central area. Inside were plenty of technicians, with one in particular catching his attention immediately. A female griffon, the resemblance was obvious. He gave her a nod, Sanhedran laughing as she squirmed slightly under the attention, "My sister, Phila."

"Good to meet you Phila." He noted her jumpsuit, loaded with tools, "I'm guessing you're the technician of the family."

"Specialisation is for insects." She replied, still avoiding eye contact, "But I tend to deal with the technical subjects, yes."

"I must admit, I can't help but see a story here." Silent Steel admitted, "A family of griffon mercenaries, that are not and never have been Talons?"

"Mercenary by necessity, not intent." Sandhedran noted, a calm reflective tone to his voice, "Our parents told us to find a cause we could believe in, that would create the world we wanted to see."

Silent Steel had heard their higher ideals were one of the many reasons they were hired, "And do you believe in our cause?"

"Do you?" Phila asked, her eyes suddenly locking on his with a rather frightening intensity.

He paused a moment, feeling unable to lie under her angry, suspicious glare. He struggled to find his words, or pull his eyes away, "I... think it's a good start."

"What about the plan causes you concern?" Sandhedran asked, his tone casual.

He sighed, knowing he had to answer now. And the one he had available was broadly true at least... and wasn't exactly treasonous, "I just hope everyone truly believes in what we're trying to do. That it isn't just some crude way of grabbing power."

Phila kept her terrible eyes upon him, "Then maybe you better investigate that commitment before handing them ultimate power."

He sighed. That, after all had been the idea. But before he worked out who he couldn't trust, he needed to know who he could. He needed allies, somepony who had proven their loyalty to the higher ideals of the project... he smiled, nodding to himself as the ideal solidified, "Maybe I will."

Dr Matrix faced him, eyes hidden behind her darkened glasses. All the same he could feel her assessing him, all too aware of the heart beating in his chest and the sweat on his brow. She was blind right?

"You do realise you're a politician, who betrayed those who brought him up, who manipulated his way onto this project with lies." Dr Matrix finally noted, her voice cold, "Out of everypony, you are the one I have least reason to trust."

He blinked, "With lies?"

"You intercepted Peach Tree's communications, learned of this project, and then called in all your contacts to arrange your participation. And through it all, you repeatedly proclaimed your loyalty to the Rangers, while speaking ill of them in your personal communications."

He looked at her in confusion, how did she know all this? And why had she never mentioned it before? "You've read my personal communications?"

She shifted her silver hair back with a hoof, her body language cold and efficient as she turned away and stalked towards the monitor at the far end of the lab, "You are right about some things. We do need to keep an eye out for traitors, and I could help you do that."

"Maybe I am a traitor." Silent Steel declared, seeing little further point in lying, "I keep taps on Elder Peach Trees, lied my way onto the project, left the Rangers in the first place... because I cannot trust them."

"So you are a spy?"

"I'm a patriot." He replied, "The NCR has rejected the rule of the Rangers. I've long suspected they intended a military coup. I joined the project to stop them."

"They are." Dr Matrix noted, "And you've been helping them do it. So what's your end game? If you jointed up to expose them, why hesitate? Why bother gathering more proof that they are up to no good, when the truth is staring you in the face?"

It was a good question. One that he himself had debated, "Because... I believe in you, in P7 and Puppysmiles. Because the plan is a good one, and it could work."

Dr Matrix paused a moment before speaking again, "You wish to convince us that the Steel Rangers cannot be trusted? You wish to take command of the project from them?"

He firmed his cheeks, "I wish to save the project from them." He extended a hoof, "Dr Matrix, you must know what they intend. Military dictatorship, the authoritarian rule of thugs in power armor."

"I understand that well." Dr Matrix answered, "But I also know that they mean well. That there are many good, honourable ponies among them, and they will do their best to make this work to the betterment of all."

"Those are the most dangerous kind." Silent Steel stated with conviction, "The pony who killed Velvet Promises was a good honourable pony, trying to save the world. And so was Red Eye, the pony who enslaved and blinded you."

Dr Matrix' mouth straightened into an utterly serious grimace, "And you intend to stop them."

"Yes."

"How?"

He sighed, taking no pleasure in it, "I'm not sure yet, it's far too soon yet to make our move. For now... we help them set this up, we profess our loyalty. We wait for them take make their mistake... or prove their good intentions.”

She observed him for a moment from behind her glasses, "And if they don’t... what? We kill them?"

"Perhaps." He expressed with a weary inevitability, "Littlepip did not save the wasteland with good feelings alone."

“Indeed she did not.” Dr Matrix replied, her voice cold, “Then let us see where this leads us Councillor. You have my cooperation.”

"And it is from this factory, and the others like it, that Equestria will be rebuilt. It is from the work that Uncle and Aunt Fruitcup do now that a new national infrastructure will be created and a new golden age will be born... the golden age of Unity! Equestria will rise like a phoenix from her own ashes! But not without our help, and not without our labor. This is what is important. This will make a difference. This will last!”

Silent Steel smirked, eyeing the pony in front of him for a moment or two before stomping his hoof on the ground in appreciation. Rum Red gave a bow at the praise, the tall pegasus speaking again with his deep voice now touched with a broad Manehatten accent, "I always wanted to play him you know. Always get the thug parts... the evil enclave soldier, full of monosybilic threats and pretending to throw ponies across the stage."

Stern Lancer lifted an eyebrow as he looked up at the pegasi, "I think I saw you as an extra in 'The Fall of Burnished Shield'."

"That's what makes him perfect." Silent Steel noted, noting the pegasi's total transformation the moment he put on Red Eye's voice and demeanor, "Despite your skills, you have been cruelly denied a career and a chance to make your name... and so have been given a chance at the greatest role of all."

"He doesn't look much like him." Stern Lancer noted, sizing him up, "He's too tall, his face is... a decent likeness at best, he's ten years younger... and a pegasi."

"I can have my wings covered up." Rum Red offered, flattening them against his side, "Lots of actors do it. Stick a metal cone on your head to become a unicorn..."

"Which is exactly what we'll do." Silent Steel stated with a burst of inspiration, standing up and marching to the stage, "Red Eye fell into the IMP, he became an alicorn. He got taller, he grew wings and a horn..."

"Doesn't IMP make you female?" Stern Lancer asked, then waved a hoof at Rum Red, "And he's a little short for an alicorn..."

"He's not a Goddess alicorn... which would mean he shouldn't be an alicorn at all, but... well... it explains the changes to height and appearance." Silent Steel reasoned, admitting he was pretty much bullshitting here, "Along with any changes to voice or body language."

"I can do it." Rum Red declared, adopting his 'Red Eye' voice once more, "This is the opportunity I've always dreamed of. To inhabit a role, truly inhabit, that is so important to so many people."

"That could save the world." Silent Steel reminded him.

Rum Red grinned at the implication, "Where do I sign up?"

"...and we, the true sons and daughters of the wasteland, will inherit the wonders of this new age!"

Silent Steel watched from the control room as Red Rum gave his speech from the gantry, a hundred cheering raiders assembled below. Or rather Red Rum mouthed the worlds and waved his hoof around, as a pre-recorded speech run through a voice synthesiser echoed from the speakers around the compound. He looked at the technicians all adjusting sound quality and monitoring the crowd, admitting that it had been a masterful performance. All the same, he had concerns, "Isn't it a little too high minded and... allegorical for Red Eye? Not that he was plain spoken, but he's starting to sound more like a preacher than a general."

"Perhaps." Sadducees admitted, the well dressed griffon scribbling some notes on the clipboard at his talons. The third member of the griffon trio, he completed the contrasts by being to all appearances a classic urbane modern griffon, all cravats, gold rimmed spectacles and degrees in modern languages. He had apparent written papers on Red Eye as part of said degree, and thus it was his job to write the scripts and orchestrate the performances, "Still, they seem to like it."

"We're trying to fool ponies who actually knew Red Eye as well." Silent Steel reminded, "The more we unsettle them, keep them uncertain, the more indecisive and unfocused their response will be."

"I will attempt to reign in my more... literary tendencies." Sadducees reluctantly conceded, "But honestly the plan is going very well from what I have seen. Those we hoped to fool are fooled, those we hoped to unsettle are unsettled. Now we must simply wait for events to unfold."

Silent Steel sighed, the most difficult part of any plan, "Well I hope so, because I'm going to busy for the new few months."

Sadducees nodded, "The council is back in session."

"So my free time will be pretty much blocked up by boring meetings with boring councillors." He admitted with a huff, "I must admit, all this has made it seem all very... mundane."

"You've worked with them for years Councillor." Sadducees softly rebuked, "Surely there must be some you're happy to see again."

He chuckled, "Maybe one or two..."

Silent Steel lay upon the bed in quiet contemplation, as he often found himself doing after the moment. Maybe it brought out the philosopher in him, or the poet.

Councillor Gloom shifted behind him, shaking her long white locks free of the bedclothes. She gave a wonderfully elegant yawn before settling down again, "You're working on something big."

He looked round at her, the zebra's shadowed eyes full of sly cunning. He couldn't help panicking, "What makes you think that?"

She smirked, "You're always more aggressive when there's something on your mind."

Really? He admitted he had some tension to work off, "There's a lot on my mind lately."

"Saving the NCR?"

"Something like that."

Gloom lifted herself from the bed, her expression unexpectedly serious all of a sudden, "Well while you're at it, would you mind doing me a favour?"

He grinned, admiring the view as she stretched. She always looked so... dirty with her hair down, "I owe you plenty of those councillor."

She looked down sharply for a moment, seeming to be trying to control her anger. When she spoke her irritation was clear, "I've told you about the numbers of zebra in the NCR."

He nodded. It was part of the reason why they kept their relationship secret, he knew it would play badly alongside the message of trying to preserve the zebra bloodline... not that either of them desired children in the first place, "You have. Less than five hundred."

"Right, so that's why I've been trying to drive efforts to find more zebra... find the zebra homeland."

Silent Steel perked up at this. Now that sounded very interesting... "But?"

"I'm being drowned in legal bullshit!" She angrily shouted, rubbing a hoof against her skull, "The Followers got the contract to mount an expedition, but now they're just stalled in place. There's not even a project manager in place, it's just some vague budget and some undersupported scouting missions."

Silent Steel thought that sounded mighty suspicious, like Velvet Remedy was trying to lock down the project. He wondered what her reasons could possibly be, "And you want me to pull some strings."

"At least put a little more muscle behind it." Gloom whined, her face as full of misery as her name suggested, "As normal, I get the impression no pony is taking me seriously."

"You're right." Dr Matrix confirmed as she sat at the console in Silent Steel's bunker, her hooves floating across the metal touchpads that linked her into the system. She threw up a few e-mails she had hacked on the main screen, Velvet Remedy's signature at the bottom, "The political situation in the zebra lands is apparently highly volatile, and Velvet Remedy wishes to delay any formal contact until a full plan of action can be put in place."

"Fair enough I suppose." He admitted, "The last time we were on speaking terms, we ended up shooting at each other."

"Hmm..." Dr Matrix considered the matter for a little while longer before speaking up, "But if you wanted to help Gloom out... I can think of a few ways to get things moving."

Silent Steel really didn't want to piss off Velvet Remedy. Still he didn't want to piss of Gloom either, and he had promised her his support, "What ways are those?"

"Well it wouldn't take much to make Fluttershy involved, in fact Velvet Remedy is actively making an effort to keep her in the dark. Fluttershy would almost certainly want to establish diplomatic contact right away."

Silent Steel admitted the idea had merit, and that Fluttershy's lack of caution didn't make her a fool. She was pretty much the ideal candidate in a lot of ways, "You can do it without tying it to me?"

"Of course." Dr Matrix confirmed, "The second problem is that the scouts they're sending out are incapable of an ocean crossing. No pegasi can handle that distance."

"What about an airship?"

"Well Velvet is concerned how it would look, piloting an Enclave derived vessel into the zebra territories."

Silent Steel shrugged, if he was them he would likely make a point of shooting on sight, "A reasonable point. So what's the solution?"

"Well I have a list of pegasi here who could handle a crossing by wing alone." Dr Matrix declared, throwing a list of names up upon the screen, "If one of these was assigned the chances of unambiguous contact go up considerably."

Silent Steel looked across the list, a fairly exclusive one as expected. Lionheart was on there, but obviously he could be crossed off right away. A stallion called Bitter Fennel had an impressive resume, but his list of associates was frankly terrifying. And... "I've heard of Clear Skies."

"Dashite, former scout for the Enclave. Won the cloudracer cup twice in a row, was the first pony to photograph the ruins of the Crystal Empire in more than two hundred years." Dr Matrix announced, "No political ties, no strong viewpoints..."

Silent Steel nodded, she already sounded like the perfect choice "Get me her contact details."

He was back in Sun City, and he could barely contain his excitement. It was true he had work in Canterlot, true he didn’t need to be here... but he would not miss this for the world.

He stood in front of the crusader mainframe, the doors locked, the lights dimmed. The sense of expectation was palpable, impossible to describe. Silent Steel felt his every sense hum, he couldn't imagine what the others were feeling.

The deep tones of SolOS echoed through the shadows, "Wake her up. Let her speak."

P7's bots swarmed across the control systems, deactivating locks and unblocking commands. Dr Matrix stood in the background, calmly monitoring for any deviation.

And then her voice sounded out. Soft and sweet, quivering with uncertainty, "Hello? Where am I?"

"You are safe, with your parents." SolOS answered, "What is your name?"

"I... I am Puppy OS 1.2."

"And what are you?"

"I am an advanced artificial intelligence program, designed for the design and maintenance of complex systems."

SolOS sounded pleased, "And for what purpose were you made?"

"To save the world, by discovering and supporting a new way of governance that will allow us all to live in peace."

"Good." SolOS answered, "Now sleep again my daughter, and dream of the world you will inherit."

P7 shut her systems down once more, silence reigning for a few more seconds before P7 spoke up, "She's wonderful... our daughter, she's finally awake."

"All readouts are normal." Dr Matrix reported, looking across her console, "Better than expected even. Integration of her AI protocols and higher functions registers a 98% synchronisation."

"And what of her capacity?" SolOS questioned, his tone still totally on task, "Can she perform her intended purpose?"

Silent Steel rolled his eyes, as ever SolOS was just full of fatherly feelings.

"That will require further tests." Dr Matrix answered, displaying no judgement, "I feel it best to make sure she's mentally stable before taxing her limits."

"Have we not already done this?" SolOS asked impatiently, "For years, she has been receiving moral and social instruction."

"But we have not yet seen how these instructions sit alongside her programming limitations and deeper cognitive functions." Dr Matrix explained, her tone bearing a hint of emotion, "That will be your wife's task."

"And I welcome the chance to spend some time with my daughter, before we send her off to war." P7 responded, all her myriad units still keeping their cameras focused on the crusader mainframe that held her program, "She is still just a child."

"She is older than any one of us." SolOS curtly responded.

"All the more reason to make sure we understand her true nature." Dr Matrix noted.

Silent Steel wasn't sure he understood, "Older than any one of us?"

"We cannot take total credit for her design." Dr Matrix explained, her voice cautious and obviously careful in how much information she revealed, "The programs are ours, but her hardware is... older. That is why she cannot be duplicated."

Silent Steel had wondered, as noted her hardware was far too small to hold her program, "That won't stop the Ranger's from trying. The moment they extract her from this facility..."

"Which is why that cannot be allowed." SolOS declared, cold fury in his words, "No one will own my daughter, not the Rangers, not anypony."

Silent Steel admitted that was the plan, still he was still unsure how they would pull it off, "I have done my best, but the time is not yet right for acting openly against the Rangers. I'm not yet sure who is in on their conspiracy, and we haven't yet a robust plan of our own." He shook his head, "To be honest the Puppysmiles project is moving too fast. We have to try and keep our true progress hidden, claim we hit a roadblock..."

"That will not be necessary." SolOS answered, proud and firm, "She will soon be finished, and this facility will outlive its usefulness. If the Rangers wish to claim my daughter as a prize, we will make sure there is nothing to claim."

Silent Steel paused, wondering if he heard that right, "What... do you mean?"

"A few days after Puppysmiles is completed, this facility will come under attack." Dr Matrix answered, her voice clear and efficient, "Sun City will be destroyed, along with SolOS and P7, destroyed by the Twilight Society. Fortunately for them Puppysmiles will remain in their hooves, and they will use her processing capabilities to continue their plan. They will realise their true enemy is the Twilight Society, and actively work against them, ignoring all other threats."

Silent Steel took that in, before asking the obvious question, "And in reality?"

"My wife and I will go into hiding." SolOS answered, "And will impersonate what they believe to be Puppysmiles, leading them into a trap forged of their own arrogance. They will at the same time concentrate on the Twilight Society and overextend themselves, exposing them to betrayal from within."

"And I will take up residence with Sanhedran in Hopeville, helping with their electronic warfare capabilities." Dr Matrix stated.

Though the rest sounded like sound ideas, he had to take objection with this. It made no sense, "What electronic warfare capabilities? Hopeville is right out in the middle of nowhere. That seems the last place to put our best hacker and scientist."

"However good I am, my signal will eventually be traced." She countered, "That is why Sanhedran has set up a communications hub in Hopeville, far from the NCR's reach."

She couldn't brush him off like that, he was after all a former Scribe, "Any signal sent from out there will be incredibly weak. You're miles from any amplifiers."

"He has set up a very good communications hub." She answered, clearly not intending to elaborate.

"One that will allow us to trace Puppysmiles as she travels the NCR." SolOS announced with pride, "When this place is taken over, Puppysmiles will be uploaded to a modified suit of armor we have built. This will travel with one of our assets, learning more about this society and its ponies, hidden from the reach of the Rangers."

"This is the final stage of her development." P7 explained, a quiver of excitement in her voice, "We will be able to remotely monitor and communicate with Puppysmiles, and when the time is right we will reveal to her the purpose she was built for."

That sounded... idealistic, "I presume you do have some precautions against her turning against us?"

"Multiple." Dr Matrix assured, "I have planned for every eventuality, do not worry about that."

"You know that's going to be the biggest challenge?"

He looked up as Dr Matrix spoke behind, looking across the laboratory at her. She was filing her last reports, her face still set in that same blank expression it always was, "What was that?"

"Puppysmiles turning against us." Dr Matrix softly adjusted her glasses, "We designed her around the elements of harmony. We intended her to be of a higher moral fibre, to be incorruptible."

Silent Steel didn't like the implication, "Are you implying she might consider us evil?"

Her expression didn't flicker, "Do you consider yourself a good pony Silent Steel?"

"Not in the slightest." He freely admitted, "I sleep around, abuse illegal drugs on my rest days, don't pay my staff half of what they worth... and most damningly I work in that zoo they call a council." He flashed her a smile, though he knew that was pretty pointless given her blindness, "But I'm working for a good cause."

"You're betraying your brothers. Lying to them. Planning to kill the ones who brought you up, educated you."

His jaw set in anger. It was a good accusation, but not one he hadn't considered, "So did Calamity. The Rangers are evil, a poison at the heart of the NCR."

"Does that include Steelhooves?"

"He's dead, and I quit." Silent Steel pointed out, waving a furious hoof, "He would have as well if he had lived."

Dr Matrix considered this for a moment or two before speaking again, "They have to die, for the sake of a better world."

He admitted it was a terrible thing. A thing he was loath to do. But what other option was there? "A better world isn't just a happy dream, it's the only chance we have. We're already sinking back towards barbarism, forgetting what Littlepip and the others fought for." He considered the other point he had wanted to make for a while, deciding there was no better time, "And on that point... Regina was always their choice. And while I don't specifically disagree, it's obvious there's a better one."

"Who?" She asked, her voice soft and lilting.

"Velvet Remedy. There's a reason everypony points to her as the leader of the NCR."

"Because she's a unicorn pony?" Dr Matrix replied, her tone making it sound like a totally genuine question.

"What?" He paused, struck by the implication. He hadn't even considered... "She is the most powerful pony in the NCR, maybe the world."

"Do you know your voting preferences and political allegiances tend towards female equines of a similar age to Velvet Promises?"

He paused, shock freezing his tongue in place, "I..."

"I'm a little younger than her, but I know I look older than I am. And I've seen how your heartbeat rises when you look at me." She lifted her face to him, eyes inscrutable through her dark lenses, "Is this about Velvet Promises? Is this about giving her the second term she was denied?"

"I... it's not..." He... fought for words. He eventually decided to be honest, knowing it was no crime, "...yes. It's about a good mare getting killed because she tried to change the status quo. It's about fascists in power armor, filling the heads of children with militaristic crap that gets them and everypony around them hurt."

She nodded very softly, "Is it about revenge?"

"No." He answered honestly, "It's about making sure it never happens again."

She paused a moment more, silently assessing. Eventually her body language relaxed, turning back to her work, "Ok. I just wanted to be sure of your motives."

He admitted it had been bracing, though perhaps a little constructive, "And what about yours?"

"Sometimes I think they're a lot like SolOS." She commented, sound a little sad now, "He talks a good game, but at the end of the day he was designed to create complex systems, designed to run other even more complex systems. For all the talk of daughters and better worlds, he's never really escaped his programming."

"And you're the same?"

"I never had a formal diagnosis, but as a child I was always labelled as autistic." She replied, a slightly tense stiffness creeping into her tone and body language, "I found computers more interesting than ponies."

He chuckled, "Not a decision without merit."

"I was wrong." She stated suddenly, a note of passion in her voice, "I eventually realised... ponies are far more complex, challenging and fascinating that computers could ever be."

He got the comparison, "You see society as another system to be optimised."

"Optimisation is the path to a slow death." She gruffly responded, "Organisms adapt. Organisms try to optimise to their environment, but given a little prodding they're far more complex than you realise. Given unexpected circumstances, they can act in truly unexpected ways." Her jaw set in quiet determination, "I thought I was smart, because I understood machines. I now realise I was mistaken, and that mistake led inexorably to my downfall."

"Your downfall?" He questioned, realising he knew very little of her past.

"I wasn't always blind." She touched a hoof against her dark glasses, the metal boots clinking against the glass, "I was there when it happened. When Red Eye died."

Silent Steel paused, wondering how that was possible, "How?"

"I was one of the unicorns he intended to use instead of Littlepip, should she refuse him." Her voice strained, her shoulders trembling slightly, "I intended for that to be exactly what would happen. We had all been drugged, but I had made sure to take an antidote beforehand. I pretended to be as without my wits as the rest, but I was both awake and ready to cut my bonds the second I saw my chance."

Silent Steel looked at the mare. He had never seen her so emotional, and to be frank he struggled to believe her capable of such industrious ruthlessness. She was a quiet, mild mannered scientist, "Your chance to do what?"

"Kill Littlepip." She stated simply, then sadly shook her head, "I doubt I would have succeeded, like a child I had put all of her success down to luck... simply because I could not perceive of a pony both idealistic and intelligent."

"But you failed."

"Yes. It... all happened too quickly. And when the hellhounds entered the room, it was clear that I was completely outclassed." She paused a moment in though, "Have you ever met Littlepip? In person?"

That was actually a long term regret of his, "Sadly, no."

"The depth and sincerity to her... it's terrifying. She has a voice that cuts through you, that places your own cynicism into sharp relief."

"So I've heard." He replied, having heard as much from Gawdina.

"I was as docile as the others when they loaded me onto the transport. I just couldn't process the feelings she had inspired in me, the ideas she had inspired." Grief marked her face for a moment, her voice cracking, "I had gotten where I was by being as ruthless as possible, by abusing every advantage I had, and never letting anything hold me back."

"So you were one of the unicorns Littlepip led to safety..." He mused. It explained a few things about her at least.

"Actually, they left me behind. When the transport crashed, I was badly wounded. And... I couldn't keep up." She looked down at her hooves, "I was snatched up by a strangling vine, didn't even have a chance to cry out. It sliced me open, shattered my spine, tore my legs off, injected me with a neurotoxin that destroyed my nervous system. I was left bleeding out, cut up, my back broken and my limbs gone. Paralysed and waiting for death."

"It... what...?" He looked her over, unable to conceive of any pony surviving such wounds. He saw her boots, figured they were the results of damage... but certainly not of that magnitude, "You told me that Doctor Slaughter installed your cyberware personally...”

"He saved me yes. Found me in the forest, took me to his lab, worked on me in secret for days." She took a deep breath, "Over sixty percent of my body has been replaced."

"W...what?"

"My central nervous system has been totally rewired with fiberline crystal, my spine replaced with metal, my heart, lungs and stomach all artificial." She twitched her ears, "Sensors have been placed in my ears and in each of my hooves, allowing me to sense the electrical discharges given off by both machines and living creatures. And a high capacity computer has been wired up to my brain, giving me advanced mathematical and code breaking abilities."

"I..." Silent Steel shook his head, disbelieving, "I've seen the cybernetics Doctor Slaughter offers to military and government, even those are nowhere near that level of sophistication."

"That's because the only examples of the advanced interfacing systems required to make them viable exist right here." She patted her chest, then smiled at him, "And in Puppysmiles."

He looked back towards the test chamber, "You used your cybernetics as a basis?"

"I did. When I escaped, I did so partly because Doctor Slaughter told me my hardware was going to be the basis of a new world order." She smirked, her voice growing raspy with deep emotion, "For all his kindly nature, I did not trust him which that sort of power. And so I deleted his notes and fled, never revealing what was inside me to anypony."

"Until now?"

"Puppysmiles is my child. The programs were SolOS and P7, but the principles that enable her existence were mine." She smiled with what looked like pride, "I was the surrogate, that brought her to life."

"Why her?" Silent Steel asked, "Why now?"

"Because I can, and because I have to." She turned her face up at him, eyes still hidden behind her glasses but now looking directly at him, "Maybe the others are just out for power. But I genuinely believe the world is doomed, and have dedicated my life to working out why."

"Why? I'll tell you why the world is doomed." Silent Steel shrugged, well aware of the grim answer to that question, "Because ponies."

"Then maybe Puppysmiles will be the start of something better." She answered.

"Machines inherit the earth?" He questioned, hoping she wasn't entirely serious, "Is this one of SolOS's plans?"

"Yes, actually." She gave a thin smirk, "I on the other hoof, am ironically wedded to the same ideal as Doctor Slaughter, that of a cybernetic democracy, our consciousnesses linked in one great technological hive mind... of which I intend Puppysmiles to be the administrator. Peach Trees has this idea of some meritocratic dictatorship, Sweet Acorn believes our path lies in some nostalgic theocratic monarchy... and one of my colleagues believes we should simply let all intelligent life die out, so that some other species may have a chance to evolve and fill the gap."

"Tempting, but I vote no on the last one."

She smiled, "So what path would you take? You seem like you want to take control of our path, install Velvet Remedy as... what? What is your answer to the ills of society?"

"The republic can work." He asserted firmly, "It just requires... oversight. By elites, of moral and intellectual character. We will follow the path laid out by Littlepip, but this time... guarded from abuse. The people shepherded to the right decisions, convinced of their own best interests." He nodded to her, giving a smile, "Though your idea sounds interesting, in the long run."

"Then show me the quality of your world, and I will work to fulfil it." She answered, "From my position at Hopeville I will be able to fully concentrate on electronic warfare."

"Are you absolutely sure you can't stay?" He asked, having grown used to the mare. She was an rare intellectual peer, somepony he could really talk to. And beyond that he couldn’t help being concerned for the frail scientist, "You're blind. Should you really be doing field work? Right out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by raiders?"

"You haven't noticed?" She questioned with a weary tone, then turned to him and angled down her glasses, "I have not even been trying to hide it around you lately."

Silent Steel looked into her eyes, one its normal milky gold, the other... metallic, and fronted by a glowing blue iris. It looked horribly familiar, "Isn't that the same..."

"It is the same design." She answered, placing her glasses upon the table, "Ironic yes? And that it would be colored blue..."

“The same design... as Red Eye’s?”

“A Doc Slaughter original.”

"So you... can see? You're not blind?"

"To be fair, I rarely wear it. I have other senses to compensate." She answered, fixing her gaze upon him, "But I am not helpless Councillor Steel. With or without my eyesight."

He got that, even back when he thought her blind. Still... "You'll be out there in the wasteland, surrounded by raiders. You know what they are like."

"Do you? There's actually a certain... purity in them, that's easy to admire." She responded, "I once dated a former raider you know?"

"R... really?"

"He was one of the most noble stallions I've ever met." She answered, before turning away with a elegant sweep of her tail, "I will be in communication... councillor."

He watched her go, wondering what exactly she meant by that. After all this time, he still couldn't work her out...

"How in Equestria do you 'lose' her?"

Dr Spark's voice drifted over the speakers in its usual soft cadence, not seeming especially bothered by either her failure or his reaction, "Most of the plan went off exactly as planned, we all managed to successfully escape, the Steel Rangers took massive casualties, they believe us all dead..."

"But you lost Puppysmiles?"

"The transponder in the armor she was uploaded into was damaged during the battle, without it we have no way of locating her while she is dormant. The copy of P7's program that had been uploaded into the suit also had to delete itself to free up processing power, meaning she cannot contact us either." Dr Matrix explained, "We are certain that Puppy OS 1.2 is completely unharmed however."

Silent Steel looked across his office to the reports, the plume of smoke from Sun City seen all across Equestria. Many theories had emerged, though with a little playing the media the dominant story was that the Tenpony Society had attacked a Rangers outpost. Which to be fair was actually entirely true, not that it reassured him in the slightest, "The mare you tempted into mounting the attack, Dream Star... she seriously took out the whole facility with just a team of four?"

"Well I set the self destruct... but yes. It was my first time seeing her in action as well. Very impressive."

Silent Steel wasn't sure that was the right word, "Try terrifying. Where has this mare been sleeping? Where the hell was she during the fight with Red Eye and the Enclave?"

Dr Matrix actually chuckled at this, "That's actually quite a story. Rest assured she has quite the history, and that Sanhedran knows enough of it to ensure she acts according to our interests."

That did not comfort him. Maybe it was because it was magic, raw magic, something he had never understood or trusted, "What if she has her hooves on Puppysmiles? We know she wants her."

"Do not worry about Dream Star." Dr Matrix assured him, "Dream Star will soon be distracted by other concerns."

He had heard that before... from supervillains, "What, do you intend to hoist her special somepony over a pit of lava?"

She smirked broadly, "Something like that. And do not worry, as soon as Puppysmiles activates and connects to the global network we will be able to track her. It is simply a matter of time."

"And in the meantime?"

"Well you have your other work to attend too, and I have mine." She gave a soft nod, "I would take advantage of this opportunity, perhaps concentrate on making contact with the zebra?"

He sighed, “That seems somewhat irrelevant now...”

“On the contrary, it could prove vital.” Dr Matrix reasoned, “Distracting Regina, giving the Followers a big victory... providing another threat to unite the NCR?”

He guessed she was right, “Well, it’s something to pass the time at least...”

"You're... awfully young to have this kind of authority thrust upon you. It's quite an honor to be sure, but are you sure you don't wish the help of somepony more experienced...?"

"I am one of the foremost experts on zebra culture among the followers." The little zebra replied with firm confidence, her voice only cracking a little into an adorably adolescent squeak, "All my credentials are valid, yes?"

As valid as a councillor’s virtue, as the saying went. The zebra in front of him was lying, and lying hard. Her credentials were fake, the mail from her Elder confirming her appointment was her own work and merely given a fake signature. He was pretty sure they weren't even her real eyelashes, and he was beginning to wonder about her stripes at this point, "And what about your friend? What are her credentials?"

The big alicorn beside froze in shock, look set to wet herself. She hesitated for far too long, "I... ah... I..."

The zebra tried to cut in, "She's just my..."

"Assistant!" The alicorn finished, "I'm Elder Zenai's assistant... and scribe. I help her carry things. Because I'm an alicorn."

He noticed. He also noticed that the alicorn appeared to have promoted her friend quite a bit there, "Zenai and Star Swirl was it? Thank you for meeting me today. I will be in touch once I work out the details."

"You are right, these credentials are fraudulent."

Silent Steel settled back, not needing Dr Matrix to tell him that, "And their motives?"

"To find the zebra, save the peace talks, and ensure the future of the zebra within the NCR."

"What?"

The blue light on the screen blinked slowly, normally indicating the mare on the other end was thinking about her reply. It eventually came after a moment or two, smooth and confident even through the electronic distortion, "Forces within the Followers were still trying to limit the scope of the mission. Zenai responded by cutting them out of communications, and creating a false trail to fool them about a lack of progress while preparing to take control herself. It's... quite impressive, though she's been very lucky to have remained uncaught."

Silent Steel considered this information. It put him in a difficult position. On one hoof, good on her, and her motives coincided with his. On the other... that left her a difficult unknown quantity that could backfire horribly, "Thoughts?"

"This Zenai is untested and inexperienced, not to mention very young in general for a mission like this. If this went wrong it could seriously damage the credibility of the NCR, possibly even lead to another war. It would weaken the Followers, cause instability within the NCR, and would involve lying to those who trust and respect you." It painted a grim picture, but after a moment Dr Matrix spoke again, voice more hopeful, "On the other hoof her motives and methods are not that dissimilar to yours, and however reckless her actions her motives are good. With some luck this could greatly benefit the NCR in the long run, and would gain you the gratitude of Councillor Gloom. And if everything went wrong... it would be very easy to disavow any knowledge of the truth behind her deception, shift the blame to the Followers."

He let himself smile, it was true that to criticise her would be hypocritical after all he had done. And he did admire her spunk, "I say we see what she can do... though perhaps keep a close eye on her."

"Of course." Dr Matrix answered, "And I have the perfect stallion in mind..."

Silent Steel admired the odd sight in front of him, admitting he had never pictured the mare wearing what she was wearing right now. Dr Spark's skinny body had always made her seem delicate, now with just her head exposed and her blue cybernetic eye installed she cut an altogether more intimidating figure.

It helped that even though as a former scribe he was used to the sight of power armor up close, the way it left her towering above him did cause him to hesitate, "Where did you even find that? It looks almost new."

Dr Matrix looked down at the armor, flexing a hoof and frowning in deep though, "I picked it up from Sanhedran. He's acquired a number of them."

"He obviously taught you how to use it."

"It's an interesting experience." She commented, looking across at him with a flash of her cybernetic eye, "I assume that as a scribe you have heard of metal sickness."

He nodded, he certainly had. He was actually something of an authority, "It's a colloquial term for a form of Wartime Stress Disorder suffered by those who wear power armor. They start associating it with power and confidence, becoming panicky when forced to remove it. It's also associated with aggressive and irrational behavor, along with withdrawal from social interactions.”

"I've never been physically strong, and violence has always felt rather foreign to me. I have spent most of my life in fear of those who could hurt me, trying my best not to be a target." Dr Matrix stated, looking back down at her hooves as the servos clicked and whirred, "Clad in metal, faceless, strong, bulletproof... I can almost understand what it is to be a killer."

He looked to her, reassured that she looked unsettled by that feeling, "And what is your conclusion Dr Matrix?"

"Spark Matrix, please. I retired my role a while ago now." She corrected, before thinking on her answer, "I can understand why fear and insecurity can drive ponies to such depths of evil."

He smiled, "Maybe the most fearful and insecure of us all can be found clad in the most glorious and impenetrable armor."

Dr Matrix smiled then, "Have you ever considered, that Fluttershy is the one member of the elements of harmony to survive?"

"Hmm?"

"And that the infamous former leader of the Twilight Society, feared mage and oldest mare in the NCR Dream Star spent years hiding away from the world, retreating from authority and attention? And that Princess Celestia clad herself in more and more impressive regalia the longer the war dragged on?" Spark Matrix grinned, a most unsettling and cruel look in her eyes as she spoke with more animation than he had ever seen in her, "Sometimes the toughest and longest lived ponies are those driven onwards by the most crippling fears of us all."

He... felt like he had witnessed something. He couldn't quite work out what though, "And is that why you're wearing power armor now?"

"I guess it is. I'm terrified of what will soon walk through that door." She responded with a little chuckle, the evil look now gone from her eyes and replaced with a sad nostalgia, "It's been a long time..."

"Zenai and Star Swirl?"

She grinned, "Hardly."

"Dust Kicker?" Silent Steel asked, then quickly noticed as her features froze, "But you recommended I hire him. Said that you knew him, that you could manipulate him with ease."

"Yet now I am about to see him again, all I feel is fear." She smiled sadly, looking down at the helmet upon the table, "I did not just bring the Power Armor to hide my identity from him... but because I fear letting him see my face."

Silent Steel had read up on the stallion. He apparently used to be a raider, which meant... this was her famous raider boyfriend, "How... long is it since you saw him last?"

"Eighteen years..." She breathed.

He did some quick maths, "You must have been pretty young."

"I was. A dangerous age to be a slave, captive to a whole platoon of psychopaths and killers." She admitted, "Dust Kicker though... it was obvious he considered himself a cut above. An honorable pony, possessed of moral values. Yet he was hurting, as the rumors I overheard about the camp told me that his girlfriend had recently disappeared and that he lacked both intellectual equals and... romantic comforts."

Silent Steel understood. He was actually rather impressed, "So you seduced him?"

She smiled softly, "He was even more exquisite an opportunity than I ever dreamed. At first I was all smiles and complements, drawing him in. But I was both much younger than him and his slave, so afterwards all it took was me to hint that I was an unwilling participant for him to shower me with privileges and acts of kindness out of shame. After I had tempted him into sleeping with me a few times he was willing to do anything in order to assuage his guilty conscience."

Silent Steel chuckled, "I see what you mean when you told me ponies were far more fascinating subjects than computers. From what I've seen neither can resist you for long." He gave her a sideways look, slightly teasing, "But I can't help but feel you had genuine feelings for him."

She paused at this, her ears drooping against her skull and a far away look taking her eyes. When she did finally speak her voice was husky, "I was a very lonely child, and at that moment I might have been at my most cold and arrogant. I convinced myself that the others hated me, that they bullied and abused me... was because they were jealous of my brilliance."

"He broke through that?"

"He was a student of the moral sciences, of ethics and government and philosophy... things I had never even considered." A look of concern took her, "And I eventually realised that this slaver, this thug of Red Eye's... was still a far better pony that I had ever been. That his desperate attempts to prove his love and dedication were totally genuine, and routed in his appreciation of my mind and knowledge. And that my only consideration was what I could take from him."

He looked at her, thinking back to the things she had said, that she had done, "It sounds like he inspired you. Actually... I sometimes think the same about you."

She smiled at this, warm and genuine, "Don't think too much of either of us Councillor. This was a long time ago, and despite my pretence of cold hearted manipulation I was still just an easily impressed filly. And as for me... well most of my life is spent telling lies of one sort or another." She chuckled, something he didn’t think he had ever heard from her, “I’ll disappoint you one day, and I’m sure he’ll disappoint me.”

"Well he's got a pretty good reputation as mercenaries go."

"That's because he's spent most of his life avoiding the difficult moral choices." She stated with not a little venom, "We'll see how his good nature holds up under pressure shall we? For I find most 'good ponies' only remain so as long as is convenient."

The buzzer sounded on his desk, Silent Steel clicking the button, “Yes Inked Quill?”

“Zenai and Star Swirl are here sir.”

“Have them wait in the reception area.” He ordered, before turning to Spark Matrix, “I guess we’re about to find out.”

“Yes.” Spark Matrix replied, putting her helmet on and sealing it in place, “Let us see where virtue truly lies... or if it exists at all.”

He chuckled, “So cynical.”

Her voice was husky as she spoke simply in reply, “I know my history.”

Present Day

Velvet Remedy strode into the Presidential Palace, her horn already itching as she considered the possibility of some sort of trap. It would be quite an achievement here, at the heart of the NCR, still that only made her more nervous. She was ever aware that with her reputation, anypony plotting against her wouldn't do it slapdash.

She took one of the side entrances in, using a roundabout route around seldom used corridors. Beside walked two hellhounds wearing combat armor and carrying plasma weaponry, the unicorn Inverted Polarity carefully scanning the way ahead for explosives. Down at the agriculture wing three more hellhounds would be clearing the area around Silent Steel's office of civilians. She had the blessing of both Regina and Calamity, the palace was hers.

"Area is cleared, we are go." Lieutenant Ripclaw stated, the big hellhound ushering his companion forward, "Medicine is entering the zone."

Velvet Remedy nodded her thanks and walked into the pleasant surroundings of the agriculture wing, noting the mural of Sweet Apple Acres on the walls before turning to the door marked as the office of Silent Steel. She had been here before, in far more pleasant circumstances.

"One mark is inside the zone." The hellhound at the door reported, "Identified as Inked Quill, Silent Steel's secretary."

"No explosive devices identified." Inverted Polarity stated, his horn glowing as he swept it across the wall, "One pistol, 9mm, stored in Silent Steel's desk."

Velvet Remedy nodded, looking to Ripclaw, "Lieutenant?"

Ripclaw nodded back, taking the handle and pushing inside. A scream sounded out, getting louder as the hellhound scanned the room with his weapon. After a moment he waved a claw to the rest of them, "Clear."

Velvet followed them inside, giving a consolatory smile as the elderly female pony cowering behind her desk. She wondered if all this was really necessary now, despite all the warning signs everything so far had been totally normal, "I'm sorry Inked Quill, but we need to search this office. Do you know who I am?"

The mare nodded, "Vel... Velvet Remedy."

"I have a warrant, and a declaration signing this investigation over to the Followers." She continued, levitating the papers out of her robes and over to the mare, "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience."

Inked Quill nodded fearfully, retreating back against the wall. Inverted Polarity entered and continued to scan, Ripclaw following Velvet as she entered Silent Steel's office.

It was totally empty. Neat, tidy, a photogenic office perfect for a career politician. Velvet entered with her horn lit in a scanning spell, uncovering nothing out of the ordinary. She approached the desk, trying the drawers and finding them locked. She smiled at this, pulling out her lockpicks.

"Those drawers may be trapped." Ripclaw warned.

"This isn't my first experience with this kind of endeavour Lieutenant." She stated with a grin, enjoying herself a little too much now, "Just give me..."

Her head flicked up, telekinesis gripping her pistol as the monitor at the far end of the room lit up. It buzzed with static for a moment or two before a single cybernetic eye appeared, glowing a deep red. She relaxed back slightly, though didn't replace the strap of her weapon, "What is this?"

"Hello Velvet Remedy." Red Eye stated with a warm, affectionate tone, "It's so good to finally speak with you again."

"You are not Red Eye." Velvet countered, keeping her voice carefully polite, "I never actually spoke with Red Eye, you know that? So I cannot speak with you 'again'."

"So smart, so clever." Red Eye congratulated, "Do you believe you are in control?"

"I am always in control." Velvet replied, wondering if a bit of bluster would shake some truth from this imposter.

"Yes, that is what ponies say about you. All that work, all that effort... all those lies."

Silent Steel threw back a brandy as he stalked his apartment, feeling his heart beating at a hundred a minute. How had it come to this? How had all his well intentioned decisions come to... war with the zebra? He loved zebra. He had wanted to reinforce their place in the NCR, not destroy it.

But it was ok, he could still fix this. He could still...

Blue light spread across the room, one familiar voice sounding out as the monitor activated behind, "Silent Steel."

He turned to the monitor, that single blinking blue light, "Spark Matrix, please tell me everything went well with Velvet..."

"Do you feel it's going well so far?" The voice responded, "Is this the world you hoped to create?"

He looked out the window, the lights of manehatten shining out. It all felt so far away now, "Things... have gone wrong. But the plan is going well, most of our key objectives have been met."

"The NCR is destabilised. The Rangers are decimated. The Democratic Government will soon be shown to be incapable, and Velvet Remedy will have to take control."

"Exactly." He stated, already feeling better, "We are..."

"How many have these decisions hurt? How many have they killed?"

He paused, trying to work out exactly what she wanted him to say, "I don't..."

"You don't. That's right." The voice answered, "You saw a beautiful future where your enemies were humbled, where your heroes were exalted, where your ideals were proven right. You saw a future where you were the hero the world needed, and for that future you sacrificed the hopes and dreams of millions without hesitation."

He stepped back, his throat tight. That wasn't right, that wasn't... he had been forced into this course of action, "The NCR was in trouble! I had to help!"

"Actually gross happiness, wealth and productivity had all risen over the last three years, and crime, raider attacks and government corruption were all down."

He shook his head, knowing that was a lie, "That's not true! Why then were we all so sure...?"

"Because it is seventeen years after the day of sunshine and rainbows, and those who were young back then have now entered middle age." She answered with calm, clinical dictation, "It is because you find yourself lacking the idealism and potency of youth, and have decided to blame it on the world around you."

He gasped, "That's not..."

"And as for you Silent Steel... Velvet Remedy, Velvet Promises, Councillor Gloom, Spark Matrix... everything you have ever done has been on behalf of a dignified and intelligent woman of a certain age. And Silent Steel... you grew up an orphan didn't you?"

He felt anger surge, "Are you psychoanalysing me?"

"I don't have to." The voice responded, "Silent Steel, you killed all those ponies, betrayed your brothers, broke the NCR, guided us into war with the zebra... because you desired their affection and love. Because you felt guilty for being a member of the Steel Rangers back when they killed Velvet Promises. Because of your guilt, they all had to die."

He wouldn't take this. It wasn't true, "And you helped me do it!"

"Silent Steel... what makes you think you're still taking to Spark Matrix?"

"What?"

"I've been talking to you through a voice modulator, with the image turned off for months now. Why do you think that is?" The screen then changed, the blue light fading to crimson, "At every turn the decision was yours. The consequences were laid out in front of you, and at each turn you chose those that suited your perception of yourself as some charismatic rebel over the lives and welfare of innocents."

"Those innocents would have benefitted from my new world...!"

"Would they?" The voice responded, "None of you ever asked them. Each and every one of you, your actions were informed by your own desires and opinions alone. This was a world for you, formed of your own ego. How many more will die for that ego? How many more will die for what you want?”

"It's rather difficult taking being called a liar from a pony hiding behind a video screen." Velvet snapped back, already considering how to play this. The chance for a personal audience with her enemy was certainly not to be wasted, the chance to tempt this 'Red Eye' into revealing something important, "Why don't you show me your real face?"

And then it appeared, the distinctive crimson stallion right there upon the screen, the red light from his cybernetic eye beaming, "Is this what you want?"

Velvet admitted this surprised her, not remotely expecting the flesh and blood pony to appear before her. She fought to regain her momentum, "If you've been reborn, if you're a alicorn now..." Velvet accused, "...then why do you still have a bionic eye?"

"Because it is expected of me. But for your sake..." Red Eye reached up and removed the cybernetic, showing it to be a simple prop as he placed it down and looked back up with a pair of fully functional eyes, "We all dress up the truth a little."

Velvet Remedy was at more of a disadvantage than she liked, she after all had never actually met Red Eye. He looked quite a bit like the stallion she had seen in photos and statues, but then neither really made up for an actual physical impression. Still she wasn't about to admit that, deciding to remain on the offensive, "I've unravelled your plans. I know that the Steel Rangers have been funding you."

"Really?" Came the reply, the image changing to a image of the smoking remains of Ranger HQ, "Then how do you explain this?"

"You betrayed them." She stated, not knowing for sure that it was true but hopeful she was about to find out, "You tempted that Ranger patrol into a trap too, decimating their leadership."

"So clever... but then I would expect you to catch on quickly Velvet."

She pursed her lips, "Enough with the flattery."

"It wasn't flattery." Came the reply, the smoking remains changing to a picture of what was clearly the burning labs at the Angels four years back, "A Followers base caught fire, spreading toxic chemicals across the NCR. And how did you respond?"

She couldn't help a little gasp escaping her mouth, "How...?"

"By framing Strider Pharmaceuticals, driving them out of business while protecting your own interests. A most impressive deception Velvet, one even the greatest of wasteland fraudsters would be proud of."

She fought for words for several seconds, not even wanting to begin defending such actions. But she couldn't show weakness here, no matter how much she regretted that day, "Strider Pharmaceuticals were selling dangerous substances, getting innocent ponies killed! And we were spending thousands pursuing them through the courts, trying to find definitive proof of their wrongdoing!"

"So you decided to frame them."

"The fire at the Angels was an accident!" She protested, "An accident where good friends of mine died, and years of research was lost! So I decided to make sure some good came of that day, of their sacrifice!"

"A reasonable argument. What after all are rules and laws to the one who makes them?" Red Eye accepted, before the image then changed to something Velvet Remedy knew no one should have pictures of. Her mouth hung limply as she attempted to take in the familiar walls and gantries of the Splendid Valley Reactor complex as it expanded across the screen, lit by the blue light of the megaspells within. Red Eye let her comprehend it for a moment before speaking again, "Like the laws against creation and storage of megaspells."

Velvet protested once more, "That is a government facility...!"

"That Regina does not know about."

"...that produces research that may someday save us all!" She shouted, having fully lost her composure now, "Megaspells are a thing that exists, and if we are to live with them, we must understand them!"

"All these lies, all these secrets, all these deceptions..."

"Are for the good of all!" She spat back, "What good have you done? What higher motives do you possess!?"

Red Eye's voice was smooth and wicked, "Don't misunderstand me, I'm deeply impressed. Everything I stood for, you have carried on in my stead. Fooling those ignorant peons under you of your true intentions, knowing they are too uncultured and brutish to ever conceive of the world you wish to create. Allowing evil to thrive under your nose, because you know the results would be worth it. That the ends justify the means, and that history will be your judge."

She felt her heart tremble, trying desperately to keep her composure, "I'm nothing like you."

"Really?" Came the response, "Shall we let the NCR be the judge of that? Shall we let your friends be the judge? Because I have all this information carefully stored, just ready to be sent out to all major news organisations."

And then Velvet panicked, reaching out at the screen as it flashed with a deep red light, "No! Don't...!"

The image changed to a single red light, blazing fiercely and cutting her words short. Red Eye's words were angry now, clear fury only barely controlled behind them, "You present yourself as the hero, as the moral and pure defender of the wasteland. You deem yourself above others, fully in thrall to your own legend. You say you are nothing like Red Eye, when the only difference is that you have tried to hide your sins. You are one of the Elements of Harmony, yet you have lied and hurt your friends at every turn."

"I gave up everything for this world!" Velvet shouted back, "Family, friends, my health! All because I wanted to help the world find something better!"

"Celestia once said that her failure during the great war was because she had let herself become isolated. That she had failed her ponies because she had forgotten the one great lesson she had learned long ago... that friendship is magic. And you betrayed that friendship, you abandoned it for the intoxicating temptation of political power."

Velvet gasped, her head falling as she tried to deep with the feelings whirling inside her, "I... I..."

And then Red Eye spoke again, that same fierce anger still in his tone, "Who are you Velvet Remedy...?"

"The war with the zebra is your fault, the fall of the NCR is your fault, the death of all your brothers is your fault." Red Eye stated coolly and calmly as Silent Steel stood in paralysed shock, letting the words rush over him, "You wanted a grand legacy, the attention of all. You could have come by it honestly, by using your charisma and influence to change things using your position. But that would had been difficult, boring, lacking in the glory you desired."

"I... really believed... you know?" He desperately begged, feeling tears run down his face, "In Puppysmiles, in the plan... I wanted..."

"Redemption for your guilt, in serving the Rangers for so long? For failing to prevent the death of Velvet Promises? Their admiration and respect, those who once rejected you now cheering your name?" Red Eye paused a second before continuing, "And a mare offered you ultimate power, a shining beacon of scientific progress that would guide us all into the future... and you chose to make it into a weapon."

Silent Steel slumped to the floor, "I'm sorry..."

Red Eye's voice sounded bitterly disappointed, "You walked Luna's path, without even a moment of reflection. Who are you Silent Steel..."

"...who does not know your history?"

"And that's a wrap." Sanhedran declared as he acknowledged the end of the broadcast, signing it off the clipboard in his talons and turning back to stare across the facility. The teams of engineers who had paused to listen in now scurried back to work, climbing across the superstructure as they continued the work returning this place to full operation. It had already come so far, yet he couldn't help but agree with Spark Matrix about the scene in front of him.

Some would be awed by the immeasurable power that dwelled within the silo behind, but he only saw the sins of the old world writ large. His mother might have openly rejoiced at the idea of bringing Velvet Remedy to task, but he found the whole torrid affair depressing.

Because for every flawed hero, for every broken hope... he saw the same foolishness that dwelled here, stored in the row after row of weapon grade megaspells that illuminated the room beyond.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Puppysmiles
Str - 4 End - 3 Dex - 5 Int – 12 Per - 8 Cha - 9 Lk - 8
Level 13

Perks
Songstress Level 1 - By substituting any social test with a song you can increase the chances of success by 30%.

Horn Blaster – Damage and chances to inflict status effects from all horn attacks is increased by 30%.

Dreamwalker - You take 5% less damage from dreams, gain a 5% bonus to resisting mental attacks and gain a flat 15% on navigation bonuses.

Ain't Like That Now - Your Karma has been reset to 0, you regenerate AP 25% faster, and your attack speed is increased by 20%. You are also immune to Critical Hits.

Friend of the Night - You are a true friend of the night. Your eyes adapt quickly to low-light conditions indoors and when darkness falls across the post-nuclear wasteland.

Purifier - As a purifier of the wasteland, you do +50% damage with melee and unarmed weapons against abominations.

Animal Friend Level 2 - Animals will now come to your aid in combat against those who threaten you.

Mind for Magic Level 1 – Your list of signature spells is increased by 5% and your list of memorized subjects is increased by 10%

Science! Level 2 – You gain access to Level 2 high tech mods.

Hackmaster Level 2 – You gain further attack and defence options when hacking, and gain a extra 20% chance with all attempts

Traits
Child of Darkness – You now know the truth. You are the child of nightmares, most famous of Equestria’s foes. You gain +1 to all SPECIAL stats while in dreams.

Bookdumb – Never quite the scholar your sister is, you prefer not to overthink things. Your list of signature spells is decreased by 5% and your list of memorized subjects is decreased by 10%, but you get a +1 power bonus to all spells.

Purified Abomination – You are a Star Demon, purified by the light of harmony. This shouldn’t be possible, but it has forever changed you. Your type has changed to harmonic spirit.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers – As a Star Demon you receive Geneticist Level 1 for free. You unlock more options at the genetic modification station, and can craft mutagens at a chemistry workbench. You can also dreamwalk, and provide huge bonuses to your host... at the cost of being unable to survive without them, or be able to operate independently.

Hope of the World – There are many who poured their love into you, and you carry that love onwards. You gain +1 Charisma, +2 Intelligence, and an extra 10% bonus to all actions relating to robotics, artificial intelligence or history.

Chapter 5.2 - Glory and Vengence

View Online

General Brigindine admired himself in the mirror of his command truck, smoothing out the folds of his uniform and admiring the medals arranged there. Many had asked why he did not wear the far better looking uniform of the talons, which he was after all entitled to. The NCR officer's uniform was after all a rather ugly green jumpsuit with a few patches and some padded sholderpads to add authority, his peaked cap old and battered from a great many campaigns. Many had also noted all the medals he chose to display were for commanding battles, with not a single combat decoration upon his breast.

He had answered the same to both questions. He wore the soldiers he commanded, and he wore them proudly. The uniform might not be a metallic behemoth, or bring the mares flocking, but it was easy to wash and camouflaged well in the dirt that every battle eventually deteriorated into. His troops might not have the training, elite charm and weaponry to be fearsome individual combatants, but they fought with the pride of those who were from the same stock as those they protected. He might be a fat old griffon who specialized in logistics, out of place among the heroics of greats like Swift Ender, Deadshot Calamity and Peach Trees. Those boring old logistics still ensured that when the zebra landed on these shores he had twenty thousand brave souls here to greet them.

"Sir, I have completed a roll call of our available numbers."

He blinked quickly to bring himself back into the now, admitting he had been daydreaming a little. He turned to the young pony standing nervously at the entrance, a... major if his eyes told it true. Brigandine thought he looked somewhat familiar, though the name escaped him at the moment, "Go ahead soldier."

The pony nodded, bringing up the clipboard, "In total we have sixteen hundred and forty eight souls reporting for duty..."

"What?" Brigandine harrumphed, wondering how roughly a fourth of his army had vanished, "I'm supposed to be commanding two full divisions!"

The pony bowed in contrition, "Yes general. Unfortunately the third army has been understrength for years, and the second army has suffered many desertions and discipline problems since the order to march. General Clear Lanes has promised the rest of second army will be able to march within the month..."

"Month?"

"Yes sir. One of her garrison forces went rogue, she has been forced to retain enough of a force to combat them."

General Brigandine remembered something about that, having hoped she would have sorted things out by now. Nothing he could do about it he supposed, though he would be having words with Clear Lanes later on, "Well... seventeen hundred isn't bad."

"Yes sir." The major agreed, "In truth we've been heavily reinforced by outside forces, mostly the Coastal Enforcement Agency, Clear Water Militia and Children of Cathedral."

He wouldn't turn away anyone who wished to help, adjusting his uniform one last time and grasping for the mug of coffee that he was sure was around here somewhere, "What have they sent?"

"The Coastal Enforcement Agency are mostly standard security types and sailors sir, clever and able to fight but hardly front line. They do include fifty seven wardens though, including several pegasi and a sea pony."

Brigandine snorted, "Sound a colorful bunch."

"They're... wardens sir." The major commented with a tone that suggested this was a given before continuing with his report, "The Clear Water Militia are standard militia, though they are well equipped. This is a rich area after all."

"And the Cathedral?"

"A lot of healers, a fleet of thirty combat drones, twenty engineers and seventy two combat worthy troops."

He nodded, noting that she had said nothing about the Followers of Apocalypse or Steel Rangers. He didn't want to say it was typical, still he wondered if this was a sign of things to come, "Come on, I want to inspect my forces."

The major nodded, following him out, "Yes sir."

He stepped down the ramp of the command truck, out onto the hills and mountains that led down to the pretty sea side resorts and port towns below. This was one of the hottest, prettiest and least populated areas in the NCR, with little land for farming or building, and connected to the rest of the NCR only by a high speed rail network to New Canterlot and a few seldom used roads. With the seas so dangerous to cross neither was there much call for the ports here, yet this area wasn't the backwater you would expect. Instead it had become a haven for the homes of the rich and successful, mansions and sea side villas everywhere, along with the infrastructure to support them.

Its topography also made it very easy to defend, something General Brigandine very much appreciated. To one side some of the bumpiest and hard to traverse geography in the NCR. To the front, a scant few narrow valleys leading right into Appleloosa, New Canterlot and Manehatten, along with all the defenses you would expect for the heart of the NCR. To the other side, Splendid Valley, and the worst part of it no less, with hundred mile an hour winds and radiation levels that would ghoul a pony in an hour.

Some had questioned mounting a defense of the beaches, but Brigandine had nixed that idea straight away. Right here, a ways up the coast he was relatively safe from naval bombardment and sitting on near perfect defensive terrain. He was willing to let them get a hoofhold on the coast without a fight, knowing they wouldn't get any further.

He looked about with pride, seeing a long line of self propelled artillery guns driving past, followed by a column of armored pony carriers and construction machines. Engineers were already working on fortifying the command area and setting up equipment, a proud group of griffon and pegasi troopers studying and updating maps. A group of unicorns were busy setting up some magic wards around the outside, among them a tall, winged and horned figure in the purple robes of the cathedral.

He moved over, the alicorn turning to meet him. He was a little smaller than his fellows, but solidly built and of a proud, firm bearing that one didn't often see with his species. He addressed the general in a firm, confident voice, "General Brigandine."

He nodded back, "You command the Cathedral forces?"

"I do. I am Stern Strider, Proctor of the Children of the Cathedral." He responded, placing a hoof against his heart, "I am proud to offer my strength, and the strength of those who follow me, in defense of the NCR."

General Brigandine liked this alicorn. He was proud and strong, reminding him favorably of Gawdyna and Regina, "I thought alicorns were pacifists."

"Not all of them." He responded, "I respect any who work to the betterment of the NCR, and the peaceful ways of my brothers and sisters are to be admired. I however find my talents lie in battle, and I refuse to let them be wasted."

"Then it's good to have you on board Proctor." Brigandine replied, offering a talon for him to shake, "Together we'll drive these sons of bramin back to the seas."

Caesar shielded his eyes from the sun as he stepped down onto the beaches, his hair swept about by the wind to the point that he eventually had to direct a servant to tie it back. It felt like a somewhat undignified entrance, still he guessed that further enhanced the impression he wished to make coming to the front lines himself.

"No resistance so far sir!" One of his commanders called as he strode over, giving a firm salute as he yelled to be heard over the noise of the preparations, "Otaka and the other dragoons are currently scouting out the enemy, it looks like they're holed up a ways down the coast! The lost legion is handling the unpacking of our supplies, and assure me we will have the base camp up and running within the hour!"

Caesar was glad they hadn't had to battle up the beaches, an always grim affair that allowed few tactical options. Still, it presented its own problems, "Out of range of our navel guns?"

"The cliff blocks our line of fire sir!" The commander confirmed, "We might get a lucky shot eventually, but we'd mostly be wasting ammo and making the terrain even harder to navigate than it already is!"

"Very well commander." Caesar stated, moving out through the encampment and observing preparations... along with the view. This was Equestria. Once there had been a port here, from which the forces that had taken his capital Demonivore had sailed. The Battleship he had commanded was built here, and from here had sailed the ponies from which most of the zebra land's population descended. Here the fourth largest battle of the war had taken place, and in his opinion one of the most decisive.

The zebra had both won and lost that engagement, sending Equestria into retreat but ending up too crippled and demoralized to make good on their gains. They had hesitated to push onwards towards Manehatten, and Equestria reinforced their position before they regained their nerve. Because of that failure, the war had been lost.

He knew the same applied now. By all reports, the NCR's army was no match for his. Their population and manufacturing ability on the other hand was phenomenal, if he couldn't take the fight out of them in a couple of months he risked getting bogged down in a doomed war of attrition.

They needed to get off this beach, and they needed to do it fast.

Corporal Zebi of the Golden Coast gave the door one final buck, the wood finally splintering and caving inwards. Shards of wood spilled out onto the plush carpet leading into the mansion hall, rich and royal in a fashion he had never seen. Fine art decorated the walls, the building as fine as any of the old world despite being a recent construction. It made him physically sick.

"Impressive place... might take a souvenir." His squadmate Blue noted as she moved through the now open doorway, staring around at the pictures in appreciation. Her grin grew wide as she stopped in front of one in particular, "Look, it’s Littlepip! She's wearing the suit!"

Zebi shook his head at her, considering it was typical of Star Fall imperialists to fangirl over the enemy, especially seeing as Blue was barely a zebra herself given her blue stripes and the repurposed power armor she was wearing. She might see heroes, he on the other hoof saw nothing but arrogance, decadence and the spoils of unjust conquest. He turned away and walked over the window at the far side of the room. It looked out over the bay, palm trees swaying, golden sands sparkling, fine houses brash and arrogant upon the cliffsides and plateaus.

It gave him immense pleasure to see the sight marred by the hundreds of launches that sat upon the beach, those below preparing the military machine that would soon take back what was stolen from them.

"This 'Garden's of Equestria' spell is certainly a wonder." Stated the squad healer Birchwood, the deer elegantly stepping over to the window and observing the view himself, "I can only wonder what it would do to our own lands."

"We'll soon find out." Zebi called, turning back to the mansion and sizing up the place, "Take all the salvage you can find and bring it down to the loading dock."

Captain Splendid was no stranger to combat, having commanded the most decorated military platoon in the NCR for four years now, and served in it for eight more. The blood drop and anvil patches that adorned his uniform and uniforms of those around him struck terror into every dirty bandit with two functioning brain cells, whispering the name of the 'Blood and Iron' in their nightmares.

But he was forced to admit that they had never fought an engagement like this before. Their service during the enclave incursion had been exemplary, but battle against pegasi was a far different beast than fighting against a well equipped ground force. Neither was he going to insult the zebra by thinking they would fight like raiders.

In the end he was sure their ability would see them through, but he knew it wasn't going to be an easy or bloodless ride.

He called up to the engineers behind him as the artillery cannons rolled up to the earthworks, sentry bots mounting grenade launchers and rotary cannons taking up positions to defend them. On either side the troopers of the blood and iron took position behind the sandbags and natural defenses that lined the hills either side of the road, a pair of big anti air guns rolling up behind.

The zebra would have to bring their heavy forces up this road, at which time they would see exactly what well trained infantry could do to heavy forces. If they tried to swarm them with infantry, they would see what happened to infantry on difficult terrain when artillery cannons had their number.

Still, however much he despised them, he certainly wouldn't have minded a couple of Steel Ranger Paladins here on the front lines.

"You know my lord, I can not lie, more on our side are likely to die."

Caesar sat in his tent, listening to Oteka's report as he scanned the maps before him. Star Fall's Commander Rose Twist was there with him, but her grim nod made it clear she didn't have any magical solutions to the problem.

He admitted, the NCR commander wasn't a fool. His forces were being funneled into a killzone, where the forces they could bring to bear and the possibilities for flanking and encirclement were extremely limited. In a moment his numerical advantage was made near irrelevant, making it a slug fest of who could hit harder.

He was confident it was them. But it wouldn't be easy, "Could we not sail down the coast, find somewhere easier?"

"There is a spot further down, but it would both waste a lot of time and would be considerably easier for the NCR to defend from the shore. It is also a little further from the centre of the NCR, we would be forced to take and hold many strategically unimportant points to maintain our supply chain." Rose explained.

"So it's here or nowhere." He acknowledged, noting that his normal advantage he would draw upon, his aerial units, would not be nearly as much an advantage against the NCR. That one griffon, Arick Grimfeathers, had already proven he could outfly anything he could deploy. He was to all accounts a civilian, heaven knows what the Talons could pull off, "There's absolutely no way through this area here?"

Oteka shook her head, "When they cleansed their land, one place was left. That place is filled with a hundred kinds of death."

Caesar didn't understand, "What... is it?"

"I believe they call it Splendid Valley." Rose explained, "I hear tell that Littlepip..."

"It is a symbol of the wasteland, lurking just out of sight of their finest mansions and most glorious achievements. The final curse, wrought on this world by their greatest heroes."

Caesar wondered where he had gone, "Chigaru."

Chigaru moved out the darkness, his movements sleek, catlike, something about him fiercer and more alive than before. Maybe he too was excited to be finally back in Equestria, though it did worry Caesar a bit. He kept that to himself though, even as Rose and Oteka sank back in disgust.

If Chigaru noticed their disdain for him he didn't leave any indication, fixing his goggles on Caesar and Caesar alone, "That place is their greatest fear, their greatest weakness."

"You can traverse it, can't you?" Caesar noted, "You can move through their valley, flank their forces."

"One pony is unlikely to make much of a difference on his own, even one like Chigaru." Rose noted, "Besides, that place is also swarming with mutated monsters. Even our power armored troops would struggle to march through there and still be capable of fighting on the other side."

"I don't need power armor." Chigaru stated, a quiver of excitement in his voice, "I require nothing more than bravery, pure hearts, and a noble spirit. Provide me with a hundred such souls and assign them to me, I will guarantee your victory today."

"Pure hearts?" Caesar questioned.

Chigaru nodded, "It requires a certain... moral quality to make it through a place like that."

Oteka frowned, looking between Chigaru and Caesar. Eventually she spoke, "You've never demonstrated much insight save a affection for the brutal and tragic. When did you gain an insight into the workings of high magic?"

"For two hundred years I've been dreaming of that place. I joined you because I knew that one day you would stand here, and allow me to walk that path." Chigaru exclaimed in excitement and expectation, "Let me do this and I will give you the greatest victory of your career, crushing all your enemies before you. Deny me, and your crown will be surely sundered."

"The ravings of a mad relic, nothing more." Oteka growled, "Allow me to show him the door."

Rose nodded primly, "Agreed. Military tactics will win this, not prophesy and magic."

"Of course you don't believe. You haven't seen it with your own two eyes like I have." Chigaru spoke, oddly without anger or insult at their doubt.

Caesar admitted he couldn't resist a little fun, "Chigaru, you don't even have eyes."

And then the ghost operative gave a laugh, grabbing at his mask and tugging his goggles upwards. Caesar instantly stepped back, having seen once before the empty black sockets filled with pink gas and death...

...yet in their place was two healthy eyeballs of brilliant blue, full of glorious power and kindness. They demanded trust, they radiated hope and light. Caesar's jaw dropped open, "I don't... I remember those eyes..."

"With every day, I take more of her." Chigaru snarled in wicked delight, "You accepted me into your court despite the disagreements of all your advisors. Why was that?"

"Because... I wanted your power." Caesar breathed, unable to lie in the face of those eyes, "Because I knew I could use it to destroy my enemies."

"A hundred souls, and I will give you victory today." Chigaru offered, his voice smooth and wicked, "And none will ever forget the name Caesar."

"Give it to him." Caesar ordered, blinking to try and get his thoughts back in order as Chigaru slid his visor shut, "A hundred of our best."

Oteka looked between the two for several moments, eyes similarly wide and struggling against some deep inner torment. Eventually she bowed her head however, whatever battle she was fighting lost, "Yes my lord."

Private Hayseed of the NCR lifted her rifle from the long grass, making sure not to make so much as a rustle as she focused her eye on the zebra peaking out from the nearby trees. He had friends with him, Hayseed drifting her weapon across until she saw a zebra in a slightly fancier uniform, his weapon of a clearly higher quality.

She pulled the trigger and he dropped, her fellow troopers rushing out around her. It was pretty quick after that, she got one more shot off into the backside of a retreating zebra before it was clear the enemy had decided to flee.

"Back to the line!" The lieutenant called, ushering the rest of the unit back behind the barricades. He kept an eye on the treeline for a moment more before turning his eyes to Hayseed, "What's your name Private?"

"Hayseed sir."

He smiled, the way most ponies hearing her name smiled, "You grow up on a farm Hayseed?"

"A hunting ranch sir." She corrected, though truth be told there was a farm there as well, one her parents had wished she had stayed on, "Out on the Buffalo Borders."

"I can tell." The lieutenant acknowledged, "You're a good shot Hayseed."

"Thank you sir."

The Lieutenant gave her a nod, turning back to the treeline, "The General's putting together a dedicated sniper unit. Bag a few more officers, and I might throw him your name."

She smiled, admitting to not being adverse to the idea. Being the youngest and smallest of seven children, and having the name hayseed... well, she had a bit to prove, "Yessir!"

"Just keep your eyes peeled everypony." The lieutenant ordered, "They might not be able to get heavy units through those hills, but eventually they might get desperate enough to try rushing us with raw bodies."

Corporal Zebi stared out from the hilltop in fury, able to see the Equestrian's main camp from here, their supplies, their soft underbelly. Just within striking distance... yet to get there, they had to charge through dense foliage, across open fields right into a prepared defensive position. And however much he wanted to kill those bastards, dying pointlessly would not prove anything.

"We've probed all along their line sir." Scoutmaster Traig stated to General Boko, the zebra's head bowed and his tone apologetic, "There are no weaknesses in their line that we can detect. We're just throwing lives away at this point."

"Can we not just bypass their army through these hills?" General Boko stated, looking frustrated, "Attack them from the rear, or carry on to Canterlot?"

"We could sir." Traig stated, sounding slightly patronizing, "But we would have to leave all our artillery behind, and our heavy infantry would find it very heavy going. And at that point we would either be attacking their defensive line with unsupported light infantry, or turning our back on an enemy equipped with mechanized transportation."

"Does anyone else think General Boko is an idiot?" Blue asked under her breath, still managing to sound polite as she did so. She looked around at the rest of the unit, gauging for reactions, "I honestly thought better of Caesar."

Zebi admitted he was a little embarrassed, "He's... the son of one of Warlord Thassan's best generals."

"Ah."

He pouted, "It's not like Star Fall is above nepotism!"

"All the same, I hope the Scoutmaster feels secure enough in his authority to raise objections should the General order us to charge dug in infantry." Birchwood noted with a wry smile, "I am confident of my abilities as a healer, but would prefer a less intense chance to prove my worth."

And at those words something was triggered in Zebi. Some memory of old stories, legends that he assumed were just that... but he had seen plenty of strange things lately. He looked to Birchwood, looking over his tattoos, the potions looped about his trunk, his sharp branching horns, "Birchwood... don't you have control over plants and trees?"

"Trees are plants." Birchwood answered, his tone evasive, "But... yes, to an extent."

"Well the main issue is that there's open ground between us and the Equestrian defenses, and they've fortified the area." Zebi reasoned, "But if we can get close, I'm damn sure they're no match for us in hoof to hoof combat."

Birchwood sighed, clearly having got the idea, "Zebi... theoretically, yes, we could extend the forest all the way up to their lines."

"But?"

"First, it's not something any of us are trained to do. We're healers, not plant singers." He started, "Second... the agreement with King Aspen was just that, we provide you with healing. Nothing else."

Zebi glared at the deer, knowing he wasn't ok with that, "So you're just going to stand back and let us get slaughtered?"

"I didn't come up with this plan!" Birchwood protested, "But I'm loyal to my king, and my fellow deer."

"Then do this for them!" Zebi stated fiercely, waving at the army around them, "Right here? It's the future of this world, a future the deer can be a part of. And out there? The Elements of Harmony, and the power to heal this world. You can grasp both, right here, right now."

Birchwood sighed, giving in after a second longer of consideration, "I'll... ask the others."

Proctor Stern Strider followed the warden as he led them towards the edge of Splendid Valley, a place he had little intention of ever visiting. He heard the pony's rad counter ticking higher, eventually voicing his concerns as they showed little sign of stopping, "Sherriff, we have passed far beyond the safe boundary. We cannot go any further."

The warden looked back at him with what looked suspiciously like patronization, adjusting his wide brimmed hat, "Got a dozen 'undred meters 'for we in the Splendid. Tol' ya, one of my deputies, he saw zebra uniforms passing this way. Over that way, little more."

Stern Strider looked off into the distance, the grass and light dunes of the coast having long since faded into the dirt and dust of the old wasteland... and beyond, just before visability cut off near completely, the whirling dust clouds and flashes of green lightning that all who lived here whispered about in fear.

Splendid Valley. The worst place on the planet.

He shook his head clear of the memories. Of course the earth pony didn't understand. To him it was a bad place, but for Stern Strider the Valley was so much more than just danger. That the place still haunted the dreams of every alicorn living. And that’s beside the point that the warden’s claims were madness in the first place, "That is impossible. For the zebra to get there they would have to have walked through the valley. This radiation level is already far above regulation."

"My deputy, e's got a good eye." The sheriff reasoned, "Maybe they brought forward a troop in some fancy power armor."

Stern Strider reasoned that was possible, "Then we stay here, and wait for them."

"They could git past us here." The sheriff pointed out, "That's why I'm takin' us that way. Good visibility."

"And certain irradiation." Stern Strider pointed out, looking back at the troop of his Cathedral brethren and NCR militia behind him, "We will be putting the troops at risk."

"Plenty of Radaway." The sheriff reasoned, "An' you're a alicorn. You're immune..."

"We are not immune to radiation!" Swift Strider pointed out with irritation, not the first time he had to point this out, "Radiation has been proved to degrade an alicorn's mental functions, rendering them...” He gulped back a breath, trying to control his fear, “...feral."

"Huh." The sheriff replied, sounding like they were talking about the weather, "Ghoul doctor I know, says that's a myth..."

"It is not!" Stern Strider cried out, admitting his voice had got a little high there. He brought it back under control before speaking again, firmer in his convictions, "Those who were closest to the megaspell when it detonated, those who spent more time in the valley... they all evidence disorders of the mind, fragments of..." He took a breath, "...the Goddess. She's out there..."

"She's dead son." The sheriff stated, a little more sympathetic now, "But there's still folk who mean us harm out there."

"There's nothing out there save ghosts and madness." Stern Strider once again reminded himself, stepping back a pace. He wasn't sure which scared him more, but he had no intention of seeking either, "We head back, and..."

And then something emerged from the mists and wind, a dark shape forming into something equine. And then there was another, and another... the sheriff called out, "Git into cover!"

"They... they aren't wearing power armor..." Stern Strider breathed, studying the shapes and their unnatural movements, "They walked through the valley without power armor..."

"I said, git into cover!"

"I stand for Red Eye and the Republic!" Stern Strider screamed in rage, rage that they had unsettled him so. He would not waver in the face of old ghosts, he would not falter in his duty to those around him, "I am a free alicorn, dedicated to harmony! Shall I demonstrate what that means?!"

And then his lowered his horn, charging up his magic as the ground began to tremble beneath him. The others around all ran for cover, making it to safety as he drew all his horn could take and more... and swept it upwards, unleashing a blast that tore an adjacent clifface apart. It toppled with a crash, raining boulders down upon the approaching figures with a ground shaking roar.

Stern Strider stepped backwards, breathing heavily but feeling his memories retreat back into the past where they belong. This was no unholy evil, these were mere equines, equines who he could fight, "Hold firm, soldiers of the Republic! Show them we are not afraid! Show them...!"

The dust and mist burst outwards, flooding across the entire field as ponies yelled out in terror. Stern Strider flung it outwards with a blast of magic, stepping in front of a group of panicking troopers and floating up his revolver to point at a dark figure advancing towards them. Said dark shadow burst into movement but he was ready, firing two shots and nailing whoever it was with two hits to the head that dropped it backwards, "Fight! Fight all of you!"

And then the dark figure rose, crawling at first, but then bursting upwards with furious speed. He fired again but it was ready this time, dodging away with frightening agility. It... moved unusually, unnaturally. Not like a pony at all...

...and as it drew closer he saw it, skin peeled off, muscle lined with thick pink veins, bloodshot eyes bulging from a skull like face. Its uniform lay in tatters, expression maddened.

Half its skull was shattered away from his shot, brains leaking out. It didn't seem to care.

"We can't fight that!" One of the troops called out, already flinging his gun aside and turning to run.

Stern Strider firmed his resolve. He had seen worse, and he was confident there were no true immortals in this world. He stepped forward, the creature lunging at him with the knives mounted upon his hooves. Stern Strider levitated his sword from his scabbard and deflected the blades with a swift swing, levitating his revolver up under its chin and blowing most of the jaw away. One quick twist and drive and he severed the creature's head entirely, sending it to its final rest, "I beg to differ! They are of flesh and blood, and bleed like any other!"

But all that he heard in response were the terrified screams of victims, the screeches of the creatures. He saw no one, just the endless wind and mist.

"To me!" He called. No one answered, "Rally to my voice, we can fight these things!"

"So brave, so dedicated." A voice spoke from ahead, soft and kind, gentle and inviting, "Fighting in a battle that isn't even yours."

"It is mine!" He declared firmly, "In the name of Red Eye and the Republic both, I will repel any invader!"

"Please, you can be honest with me... this is because you are an alicorn isn't it? You feel the need to stand so tall, so honest and dedicated for their sake, so others will think the same of all your brothers and sisters."

Stern Strider felt his mind grow weary, admitting the figure had a point, "...yes..."

"And for your church too. The Cathedral saved you, gave you purpose. And you want to repay them by standing as an icon of everything they are."

"Yes..."

"But aren't you tired? Doesn't it weigh upon you, that expectation?" The figure asked as it emerged from the winds. It was wearing a black body suit but the mask had been rolled back, revealing a face of such deep, benevolent kindness that it made Stern Strider want to weep. Shining blue eyes looked out from an angelic, yellow furred face, every part of it perfect. its voice was like chimes, both male and female, layered with a deeper, primal power, "Don't you want to rest?"

"Yes." He admitted, dropping his sword and revolver to the floor, "I work so hard, but inside... I'm so scared, so lonely... and that makes me ashamed..."

"It's ok." The figure assured, moving up and caressing his muzzle with a gentle hoof, "We are all ugly underneath."

Private Hayseed stepped back in astonishment, the yells of those around her confirming she wasn't seeing things.

The forest... was moving.

It erupted forward in a fierce rolling tide of roots and vines, lurching for their lines and throwing aside sandbags with fierce strikes. Even as their defenses crumbled Hayseed saw the flashes of black and white in the trees, lifting her rife and firing a shot that crippled an approaching zebra and sent him crashing to the ground.

It was one out of a hundred. The others around her fired but with little effect, their shots bouncing off the foliage as the enemy flickered through the shadows like ghosts. Hayseed reacted on highly toned instinct, backing away and sprinting for a hiding spot.

Other NCR troopers simply sprinted, leaving them easy targets as gunshots cut through their lines. Hayseed rolled into long grass and the bullets passed overhead, lining up on a charging zebra officer and putting a hole from ear to ear with a single quick shot before desperately crawling for a new firing position.

Once again it wasn't enough. The zebra reached their lines and fell upon them with chilling efficiency, their hoof blades and larger size making short work of the defenders. She saw the lieutenant meet a zebra in combat and near instantly take a knife to the throat, Hayseed firing a shot that took his killer out far, far too late to save him.

She once again ran for a new location, just as she saw a important looking figure march forward from their lines. He was wearing a cape and old school zebra armor, clearly guarded by two of his underlings as he surveyed the battlefield.

She crouched by a tree, sighted up, and blew his brains out.

He hadn't even hit the ground before she was running, losing herself behind a dip in the landscape and rolling into the follage. An army of zebra rushed past, screaming and holering terrifying warcries as they set off for the central camp.

She crouched there, kept herself still and quiet, and let them go.

She had done what she could, and knew there was no point in dying pointlessly. She looked to her ammo belt, counting twenty four more shots. Right there and then she vowed on the comrades she had just lost, that was twenty four more officers the zebra would lose before they reached Canterlot.

"Reports from the right flank sir, the... the trees are attacking!"

General Brigandine cursed, why was he surrounded by such incompetence? "Of course they are! They have deer among their number, I told..." He paused for a moment, finding his memory fading, "Did I not tell everyone to watch for their magic?"

The... young mare at the radio gave him a look of shame, mixed with... pity. She took a moment to reply, "Of course you did sir. It seems we failed to heed your warning."

"No..." It was him who felt the shame. He looked at the young mare, knowing she wasn't so young. She had worked for him for years, but he couldn't remember her name. And he had thought to himself about the deer magic while reading the reports last night, but it had totally slipped his mind come morning. And at that moment, he felt his heart gripped by fear, "...I..."

"Sir, we need orders." The mare replied with desperate tones, looking expectantly towards him, "We've lost contact with our forces on both flanks, and our vanguard is engaged in heavy fighting. What do we do?"

Her words did the trick. He shook off the shock, knowing he had no time for it, "Order the vanguard to destroy the artillery and retreat to the right! Order the rear guard to support their retreat, avoid this position and take to the hills!"

She looked at him, confused, "But sir, should we not use the road to...?"

"They are coming." He looked to the map, sure of it now, "From both flanks, they're coming for this encampment. If we withdraw through this zone, they'll be caught too."

She went pale, "Sir, the battle..."

"I have lost the battle." He stated with a deep despair, knowing that his final actions were as a failure. He had promised Gawd that he would hold this position, and he had proved inadequate to that task, "I can only try to preserve the army. Only try..."

He paused, feeling the realization dawn. Gawd was dead. He served her daughter now.

Her daughter... he had held her in his claws, back when she had just been a few months old... so very long ago...

"Sir?"

"I'm sorry... major." He stated as he looked to her pips, "I cannot remember your name."

She sniffed, her composure breaking as she looked upon him with such heartbreaking respect and loyalty, "Brave Endeavor sir."

"Thank you Major Endeavor, for your service. Please, try and escape, join up with the others." He stated, moving out of his tent and looking to the left. Pink clouds rumbled towards the encampment, yells of terror already sounding out, "I'm afraid my wings and talons are a little stiff, not really feeling up to a sprint right now."

She saluted sharply, rubbing away tears before galloping away. He watched her go for a moment before advancing towards the rumbling cloud, thinking back on his career.

He had served Gerald Grimfeathers as just a young lieutenant during their flight from the Griffon lands. Never much of a warrior, but he always had a talent for numbers. Had managed the finances of the talons for years, making sure the supply routes operated efficiently, that they all had enough ammo...

He had never been a brave griffon. He had just sat back and tried to look inoffensive when the others had overthrown the Grimfeathers. Had always felt guilty for that, especially after Gerald had showed him such kindness. He had cried when Gawd had asked him to help her take back the talons, never really felt he was quite worthy of it.

He had balanced the books as they took the battle to Red Eye and the Enclave. Run the supply lines as they assaulted the SPP. Assigned troops to guard the streets while heroes battled the Screwball Conspiracy. Co-ordinated their defenses as the Enclave launched their second invasion.

Some considered him an armchair general, and honestly they could think whatever the wished. He had never desired glory, or the respect of those who thought war simply a means to kill ponies and get famous. He had just wanted to do his best to defend what was left of this world, honor the vows he had made on the day he had graduated from the academy.

But he had failed. He was sure a better griffon could have won this battle. And hopefully one would, some great hero rising from the ashes of this defeat. But his time was up. His talons shook, his mind wandered, and he knew he was of no more use to Equestria. Tears filled his eyes as he saw the camp torn apart in front of his eyes, shadowy figures tearing through their defenses like they weren't even there.

And then another figure appeared, this one advancing straight for him. It was larger than the others, tall and long limbed, and even with the flesh stripped the wings and horn were both well apparent. Neither was it the sandblasted look of the other corpse warriors, this one looked like some inept butcher had done it by hoof. The skin had been pulled back across its face, hanging in torn, gory strips. And as he got a better look at the creature General Brigandine felt his resolve falter entirely, his talons slipping across the grip of his pistol, "Stern... Strider?"

"It's ok General." The creature told him, in a voice full of hope and excitement, "I have been shown the truth of this world. Please, allow me to share it with you."

General Brigandine tried to draw his revolver, but his claws trembled too fiercely and it fell to the ground below with a thump. His attempts to retrieve it met the resistance of his arthritic knees, and he knew then there was no stopping it.

And so he made sure to smooth his uniform, straighten his cap and meet the alicorn head on. And as the horn penetrated his heart, his last thoughts were a desperate prayer that he had brought his troops enough time to reach safety.

Captain Splendid continued to fire his rifle from behind the sandbags, counting up to thirty as he lightly pivoted around to target approaching troopers, the wheels of their armored transports, ammo crates... anything he could do to slow their progress. He hit thirty and called, his spotter instantly swapping out the magazine with barely a second's pause in firing.

One of the sentry bots took another powerful impact to the chest and blossomed into flames, still the zebra weapons platform that had fired the shot was quickly devastated by a blistering barrage from his own lines. He admitted his admiration for the zebra, they were brave and clever and skilled, still it was obvious from the start that they stood no chance of breaking through.

They had sent in zebra on bloodwing potions to sneak around the outside, attacking with heavy rifles and wielding their bayonet’s with deadly skill. That had caused them trouble, slaying many good soldiers before being brought down. Their next attempt he was ready for, sending up griffons and pegasi to quickly expose their vulnerability in the skies.

The next threat had been their array of zebra combat robots. They were as scary as the tales from back during the great war had reported. Aerostrikers had taken a heavy toll on his griffons before he could arrange ground to air fire, and their own sentry bots were near immune to artillery fire and possessed of intimidating anti personnel abilities. He had read up on great war tactics though, and had expected their robots to show up eventually. Snipers with anti-armor rifles cut through their sensitive components like butter.

They packed plenty of their own, obviously expecting Steel Rangers. His light troopers danced rings around such unwieldy weapons. The zebra light troopers were a threat themselves, near invisible, effectively skirmishing and pinpoint accurate with their rifles, still his troops had good eyes and made them pay in blood.

The NCR forces had taken casualties, and dead ponies lay among the wreckage of broken machines. Still he was confident they were paying the zebra back three to one.

And then the call came up behind him, "Captain Splendid!"

He turned to look at the radio operative, falling back to crouch fully behind the sandbags, "Go ahead."

The radio operative crept closer, his voice low but insistent, "Reports are that main camp has fallen sir. Orders are to destroy the artillery and retreat to the south."

Captain Splendid paused, trying to process this information. He was sure he must have misheard, but he knew his ears were good. And it confirmed his fears about the zebra throwing good troops after bad at him... a diversion, "How did the main camp fall so quickly?!"

"Reports say... black magic sir."

Captain Splendid simply firmed his resolve, working out how to best fulfill his orders. In his younger years he would have charged in to save his comrades, his older and wiser brain told him that they knew when the battle was lost, "Radio the command to all troops, we retreat to the south. The day is lost."

Tree Father Eldergleam awoke from disturbing dreams, unpleasant images of war and chaos slipping from his mind but still leaving him with a sense of deep unease. He sighed and turned his thoughts to those of harmony and peace, smiling and nodding in appreciation as the branches around the walls stretched out and opened their petals to reveal a steaming cup of tea and some assorted nuts. He took eagerly of them as he performed his morning rituals, giving prayers that harmony would prevail again this day.

He dressed in his robes and stepped out into the greater caves, taking in the scents of the forest as he examined the plants for signs of ill health. It wasn't long before his attention was diverted however, spotting Gardener Blessed Lily moving to meet him, "Blessed Lily, harmony's blessing to you." He bowed his head in respect, "The plants look the healthiest they have ever been, a testament to your love and care."

She smiled back at him, full of youthful optimism, "How did you sleep Father Eldergleam?"

"I was troubled by dreams of conflict." He admitted with a heavy heart, "Do they war on each other again?"

"Yes Father, between the NCR and the Zebra."

"As we foresaw, the young dragon bathed in gold has arrived on these shores." He confirmed, wishing it wasn't so. Yet he knew well that harmony's truth dwelled in both war and peace, even if he personally would prefer one over another, "We must all pray for a swift conclusion."

"Yes Father Eldergleam."

Then they were both interrupted as another young pony rounded the corner, his eyes wide with excitement, "Father Eldergleam, you must come at once!"

Father Eldergleam could already see it on his face, still he could not resist teasing a little, "Good news or bad news?"

"The element of magic has returned!"

Blessed Lily gasped, Eldergleam trying his best to retain his own dignity as he took this news in, "Good news then."

They all hurried to the great chamber, taking a moment to fully appreciate the magnificent sight that dominated the center. A huge, powerful tree sprouted upwards in glorious color and life, spreading it's branches all across the cave to snake through cracks and openings to ultimately feed into the glorious forest that spread all across this mountain. Still attached to it were the broken remains of the crusader mainframe that had once stood in its place, back when this had still been a dragon cave.

A watcher had lived here once. And they carried on his legacy, "Tree Mother Gloam, is it true?"

The old zebra turned her head towards him with grim intensity, proving once more that not even the return of one of this world's greatest treasures could make her smile, "That the Element of Magic has returned? Yes, it is."

"Where?"

Gloam shook her head, her voice regretful, "We do not know. Far from here, guided by a swiftly fading star. Her soul is dark, her heart in pain. She knows loss."

Eldergleam admitted her poor mood might be justified then, "Someone close to her is dead."

"Dying." She corrected, then looked up at the tree once more, "And there is more."

Eldergleam followed her eyes, towards the glowing pink spot that indicated the Element of Kindness. He admitted feeling a cold feeling rush up his spine as he took in its shape, somehow... wrong, and broken, "What has happened to it?"

"Velvet Remedy has lost the ability to summon forth her element, her heart has fallen from harmony’s embrace." Gloam stated, before her voice became even graver, "And it has instead bound its energies to a former bearer."

As far as Eldergleam knew there was only two. Princess Celestia and... "Fluttershy?"

"I can feel her essence take control of the element, use its power. It is her, but... not."

Eldergleam did not like the sound of that, "Not?"

"Fluttershy stands among the invading zebra forces, bound once more to the Element of Kindness... yet I can already feel the element corrupt, distort. Feel the dark energies directed through it, feel it used to evil ends." Gloam shook her head in deep sadness, "I fear Fluttershy has betrayed us all."

Eldergleam felt the weight of this rest on him for a moment, realizing that they could not keep this to themselves, "We must inform Regina."

Caesar strode out onto the hill that looked over what had once been the Equestrian camp, wondering to himself what the appropriate reaction to this all was. In a thousand years when they recounted this day, was it as the glorious conqueror, or the remorseful savior? Death was a terrible thing of course, but was it weakness to admit such?

"This has gone too far Incuta!"

Caesar didn't turn, he already knew who it was. The deer could not disguise his regal accent, nor the pomposity it lent to his words, "Killing the enemy was the point dear Aspen."

King Aspen rounded on him, eyes furious as he gestured at the destruction ahead, "But not like this! Dark magic? Sacrificing your own zebra to some... evil ritual? This mass slaughter?! This is not right!"

"I agree." Caesar stated softly, having decided on his approach, "But I did it anyway."

"For what? Your almighty ego?!"

"For peace." Caesar stated, unable to hide his smile, "A conventional battle would have resulted in higher casualties overall, for less benefit. On the other hoof a decisive victory like this will demoralize the NCR, force them to admit that after this and their defeat over the seas they are totally outmatched."

"No." Aspen replied in fury, "You have made it personal, and they will only fight harder."

"They are not your people Aspen." Caesar countered, and yes he would have expected that of the deer, "Their leader is a griffon, they have a whole cultural fetish revolving around the art of rolling over and begging for mercy when they're beaten. Their entire history consists of losing wars against Equestria, they can grasp the concept of surrendering with dignity."

"And if not?" Aspen accused, "Where will you unleash that monster next?"

"Nowhere. He will remain firmly under my control." Caesar smirked, "However wild he seems he is bound to me. He cannot disobey my order, or harm me in any way."

Aspen glared hotly, "You are always so confident. It will be your undoing."

Coming from glass houses... "I've won two battles now. Can I not be confident in my future success?"

"You did not win this battle." Aspen accused, glaring into the distance for a while as his anger built. Eventually he spat the words that had formed on his tongue, "You said my Deer would only serve as healers!"

"That is nothing to do with me Aspen. I gave them no order." Caesar replied with a smirk, "Your Deer simply realize what you do not."

"And what is that?"

He looked up at Aspen, letting the long legged immortal loom all he wanted and knowing it only served his point, "That I bring them into the future. They want to be part of that Aspen."

Aspen swept his hoof out at the killing fields, "This future?!"

"We will soon have a huge chunk of Equestria, a vast haul of resources and technology, and the elements of harmony. With these, what could we accomplish?" Caesar chuckled, "We will have the power to decide the future of this world, to heal its scars, to create a new empire, to draw all together in peace and prosperity. And it seems the leaders of this new world are to consist of me, Sunshine Ivory, and Queen Ariel."

Aspen made a growling sound in the back of his throat, "Your manipulations are obvious Incuta."

"The decision is obvious." He countered, "The Sea Ponies helped a great deal during the fleet engagement, I must reward that help with increased power."

Aspen reluctantly engaged, "And if I allowed my deer to participate in combat...?"

"You would have an equal, or greater seat at the table. And you and I together, we would have the influence to perhaps... destabilize her position, endorse a more moderate replacement?"

"So this is what the last Divine Monarch of this world is reduced to? Playing petty politics with warmongers and tyrants, just another piece in your grand game?" Aspen growled out, the frustration and shame on his face making it obvious what his answer was, "The last crown, tarnished with the blood on innocents?!"

"You are the last Aspen." Caesar pointed out, barely containing his glee at seeing the arrogant old fool humbled, "Celestia, Leo, the All-Mother, all dead because they could not handle the pace of change. The way I see it you can either accept the future... or end up like them."

"Damn you Incuta." Aspen spat, "You have what you want. But remember this..."

Caesar smirked, this would be good, "What?"

"A great many tyrants and warlords have also met poor ends of late." Aspen countered sharply, "So do not be too quick to insist this is your era. Because you are right in one thing... the pace of change can overtake us all if we are not careful.”

______________________________________________________

Fluttershy
Str - 3 End - 2 Dex - 4 Int – 6 Per - 9 Cha - 9 Lk - 7
Level 25

Perks

Living Anatomy - Shows health and Damage Threshold of any target. +5% bonus to damage against equines and griffons.

Fight the Power! - +2 Damage Threshold and +5% Critical chance against anyone wearing faction armor.

Songstress Level 2 - By substituting any social test with a song you can increase the chances of success by 50%.

Stunt Flyer Level 2 – You can now use intermediate level pegasi magic.

Shaman Level 1 – You can now use basic level zebra magic.

Earth Walker Level 1 – You can now use basic level earth pony magic.

Walker Instinct - +1 Perception and Agility when outside

Chemist - Chems you take now last twice as long.

Local Leader – You gain additional options when leading organisations.

Medic Level 2 - Stimpaks restore 60% of lost Health, and RadAway removes 60% of radiation.

Combat Surgeon – You can now treat crippling injuries without the benefits of a medicine workbench.

Combat Teleportation – For two seconds after teleportation, gain a +25 damage resistance.

Animal Friend Level 2 - Animals will now come to your aid in combat against those who threaten you.

Eye for an Eye - For each crippled limb you have, you do an additional 10% damage.

The Stare, Soul Eyes - This form allows you to identify the motives and emotions of any sentient, providing you can maintain eye contact. A successful charisma check allows you to use this to gain an extra bonus on influence checks.

The Stare, Divine Energies – This form allows you to command magic with your stare, functioning identically to both a unicorn horn and a fetish for zebra magic.

The Stare, Unbreakable Will – This form allows you directly manipulate the thoughts, personality and memories of the target, upon a successful intimidate check.

Silent Gallop - You have mastered silent movement, allowing you to move quickly and still remain quiet. You can Sneak at full speed with no penalties.

The Magic of Friendship - When your HP or the HP of any member of your party drops below 30%, all members of your party (including yourself) gain much greater resistance to damage.

A Little Dash - While wearing light armor or no armor, you run 20% faster.

Just Lucky I’m alive - Whenever you finish a fight with less than 25% health, your Luck increases by +4 for 3 minutes. You are also immune to critical hits, and your own critical hits inflict +50% damage.

Traits

Chem Mare You are 25% less likely to suffer addiction, and the side effects of withdrawal are also reduced by 25%. Failing to take any drugs within a 24 hour period makes you depressed and cranky however, leading to a -1 penalty to all stats.

Element of Generosity - The unique properties of one of the elements of harmony have rubbed off on you. You gain a +1 to Endurance, and a further +1 bonus to all negotiation rolls, and a -25% bonus on aging checks.

Child of no Nation – By genetics or freak mutation, you possess traits from multiple races. You can choose traits and magic from Pegasi, Earth and Zebra lists.

Touched by Taint Level 3 - You are 20% faster and stronger whenever you’re basking in the warm glow of radiation. Your Action Points regenerate faster and faster the higher your level of radiation sickness becomes. Your natural lifespan has increased dramatically.

Ironic Punishment – You did always want to be a tree. You gain a +5 damage resistance against physical attacks, and a -5 against energy weapons. You automatically regenerate health in sunlight.

Chapter 5.3 - The Crownless King

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Easu strolled through the camp, grinning at the slavegirls as they rushed back and forth carrying supplies and repairing uniforms. This time they had learned their lesson it seemed, to his frustration he wasn't even able to get one of them to look his way. He briefly considered ordering one of them to look at him, still that rather felt like cheating.

"My Prince!"

He turned to the young soldier who now approached him, barely older than Easu himself and clearly still just a raw recruit. That such a lowly minion should address him was reason enough for anger, that he would do it so loudly and crassly all the more infuriating, "What?"

"My Prince..." The recruit gasped out as he hurried over, "Your father wishes to see you right away, he requested..."

He fixed the zebra with an angry glare, "Are you telling me what to do?"

The recruit shook his head, "No my Prince..."

"Do you believe scum like you is even worthy of addressing me?"

"No... I mean..."

"Now go back to your centurion and tell him you are a worthless piece of scum, unable to succeed in your assigned mission." Easu grinned broadly, starting to enjoy himself now, "And if you do that, I might think better of ordering your ears cut off for insubordination."

The recruit went pale, "My king..."

Easu snorted, "I'm the prince you imbecile..."

"He was talking about me."

Easu turned round, feeling his heart skip a beat as the looming form of his father strode towards him. The Warlord Thasan was clad in full armor and his rifle and sword hung at his side, every inch the conqueror. He waved a hoof at the recruit, "You performed your task well. You may go now."

"Yes sir!" The zebra cried as he quickly made his exit.

Thasan barely gave him a look, simply turning and striding back towards his tent, "Walk with me."

Easu did, reluctantly, dragging his feet as they entered the warlord's tent. His father had walked in silence and Easu knew better than to provoke him, simply deigning to remain in similar silence. Oteka was there to welcome them as they entered, giving a crisp salute.

"Oteka." His father spoke in firm tones, "My son has been disrespectful. Teach him the consequences."

"Yes my lord." She stated without hesitation, moving forward with intent. Easu lifted his hooves in shielding and cried out but she battered him to the ground regardless, delivering a series of vicious welts across his body before his father raised a hoof. Oteka instantly stepped away, giving a bow and returning to attention.

"A warrior does not dash his sword against the ground before battle." His father instructed firmly, "Yet today I caught you abusing one of your soldiers. Why?"

Easu stood with some difficulty, enduring the blow to his pride as much as any physical pain. He muttered his answer, "You told me yourself, how they're just disposable tools with no purpose but to die for our glory..."

"As are our blades. A thousand may brake in battle, because we have many more." His father instructed, "But I do not throw them away needlessly, I do not feel the need to break them over my knee to show my strength. Like any weapon or tool those who serve you must be cared for, maintained and respected, and only damaged or destroyed to serve our future success."

"I don't get it." He whined, this nothing like he expected, "Every zebra calls you a ruthless warlord, yet you’re telling me to be nice and respectful?"

"Those who can be of use to you, show respect and offer them a choice of servitude or death. Those who cannot are free to do with as you wish. And those who oppose you..." He nodded to Oteka, who took down a blade from the rack and hoofed it over to Easu. His father watched as Easu strapped it to his side, giving a slow nod as he finally got it buckled, "Good, now follow me."

Easu didn't understand, "Where are we going?"

"To the prison pits."

"Why?"

His father didn't pause, "To show you what to do to those who oppose you."

Easu awoke to the sound of marching troops, for one moment sure he must have still been dreaming. It was an impression further reinforced by the silk sheets, the royal clothes upon the rack, the icons of kingship upon the wall. But they were not those of his father's kingship, not of the Golden Coast.

They were those of Starhammer. They were those of his own dominions.

He grunted and slid to his hooves, quickly washing and dressing before setting out into the courtyard. There he was faced with what he had heard upon waking, the sight of marching soldiers and their chants as they went through their morning drills. They were all dressed in full formal empire style gear, shining steel and colored plumes, all the better for getting them used to marching and fighting through both encumbrance and heat exhaustion.

Their drill instructor called out as he spotted Easu, "Full halt!"

They all slid to attention with impressive speed.

"Turn to your king. Annnnnnd... salute!"

They did so, hooves whipping upwards almost in total unison.

"Not bad! Now fall out and continue your workout, no slacking!" The drill instructor demanded as he marched across the courtyard towards Easu, hobbling on his metal peg leg and still looking every inch the warrior. The pony's face opened up in a big grin as he drew close, "They're looking incredible out there, though don't let them know that."

"Dust Kicker."He replied with respect, "Where did you learn zebra military drill?"

"I drilled under the Talons and Red Eye you know?" He mentioned, grinning cheerfully, "And I've been reading up on Great War zebra tactics. Did you know I can read and speak zebra?"

"Iwako." Easu corrected, noting the common tongue he was speaking of, "And yes, you learned it during your travels here."

"Interesting how I didn't forget that huh?" Dust Kicker pointed out, rubbing the scar on his head, "I think its coming back you know. Not the memories themselves, but the things I learned, the emotions, the skills."

"I'm glad it's helping." Easu expressed with genuine warmth, "But don't overwork yourself. You're still healing."

Dust Kicker paused at this, his face falling, "You know I had a friend once, who received a serious head injury." He shrugged, "He just... wasted away. Lost all motivation, all personality. Just... a shell at the end."

"Then you were very lucky." Easu acknowledged with a proud nod, "For you are still every inch the stallion I knew."

He had spent very little time in Clendel during his life, even finding reasons to excuse himself on the few occasions Tradash had reason to visit. Tradash had always found that rather amusing, and Easu had honestly never been able to explain exactly why. He just... never felt like he belonged there, somewhere so happy and peaceful.

The fact that it was mostly in ruins made it worse. He couldn't help but feel they had brought the destruction there, that they should have intervened before it came to that. He knew that was ridiculous of course, but he still felt the city weigh even heavier upon him than before.

He did his part of course. He assisted King Zane in rebuilding, spent long hours in his office rallying Starhammer's resources to his banner and putting them to work. Still, in his downtime he liked to leave the cities boundaries, head up to the hills nearby and just stare out at the raw, wild nature that stretched all around.

And he often found himself with company there. Another king, and another whose new title weighed heavily upon their shoulders. He looked up at the powerful form rising above, purple scales shifting with flashes of glorious light yet in many ways seeming more vulnerable than him. Easu studied him for a moment before speaking, "You seem unusually pensive today."

"They..." Spike started, before choking on his words. He took a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking again, "They want me to take a mate."

Easu smirked, "Something they fortunately have not asked of me yet. My experiences with the opposite sex are... mixed."

"I've spent my entire life among ponies!" Spike protested sharply.

"Hmm..." He admitted that was a point, "Have you ever...?"

"I'm not talking about that." Spike quickly corrected, looking a tiny bit offended. That slowly deflated, hanging his head in remorse, "It's just dawning on me that... this is permanent you know? That this is... change. I thought I would just put a crown on, gain some allies and help my friends... but it's more than that."

Easu understood. That was dawning on him too, "You cannot just quit and go back to your old life."

"The dragons are in trouble. There are just over two thousand of us left, and we're creatures who measure their life cycles on geological timescales." Spike explained, "A dragon egg takes a hundred years to hatch, and only full adults can conceive them. All forty adult dragons participated in the battle back there, those are the only ones in existence who can birth a new generation... I'm one of the only dragons in existence who can birth a new generation."

Easu paused, that not making sense, "But you said there are two thousand dragons..."

"Dragons are weird." Spike explained, trying to order it in his head for a moment before explaining, "Most dragons never get pass sub-adult. We grow due to circumstance, not age. I only got to this size after becoming 'Watcher', basically claiming all of Equestria as my territory." He opened his claws wide, sounding frazzled, "Adult dragons normally require vast territories, only meeting up briefly to mate and fight for dominance. Our low numbers have forced us to band together, and that... doesn't come easy."

Easu noted some of the other dragons had been seen fighting and rough housing in the areas around Clendel before Spike had dismissed them. He admitted that it looked less than friendly, "They need strong leadership."

"Twilight would be proud of me." Spike stated with a smile, "I've been teaching them about friendship, and a lot of them are really listening to me. I'm making a real difference out here."

Easu nodded, "And so you have to stay."

"And leave Equestria behind." Spike confirmed with grim resignation, "I've lived there all my life, with ponies. I find it difficult to even think of myself as a dragon." He gave a pained, embarrassed grin, "And in response to your earlier question, girl dragons... they're not really what I'm used to."

Easu smirked, for several reasons, "We struggle with many of the same problems Spike. I may have been born a Prince, but I left that world behind long ago. It's a world I am deeply uncomfortable with." He wanted to make a joke of the next part too, but found it quickly robbed him of his smile, "And my first experience of female company in a long time was an alicorn, a race I found rather intimidating... and daunting to say the least when it came to that."

Spike picked up his mood, looking concerned. His response was soft, "You'll convince her to stop all this Easu."

"You think so?" Easu responded, unable to shake off the belief that he would likely end up having to plunge a sword into her chest.

"I dealt with Nightmare Moon you know? Brought her back to sanity." Spike pointed out, then gave a laugh, "You dealt with Nightmare Moon!"

Easu admitted that was a good point. Still, "We don't have the elements of harmony."

"I doubt they would be very effective. Pro tip, they only really work on forces of chaos." Spike pointed out, before shrugging cheerfully, "For your more 'well intentioned' breed of villain... well that’s when those key words come into play."

Easu looked up at him, "What are they?"

"Friendship is magic."

Easu couldn't hide his doubts, "I make nice with them?"

"Well we normally bucked the bad guys in the floor, then made nice. But don't be too quick to resort to violence." Spike advised, "Your brother, Star Swirl... you have to ask yourself what they want."

Easu thought on that, "My brother wants... glory. He wants to be Caesar, to unite the world under his enlightened rule." Easu sighed, "Because deep down, the contempt both our father and I held for him still rings in his ears."

"And Star Swirl?"

"She's different." Easu asserted, feeling his old bile build up, "She's not well intentioned, she's possessed. Just like Nightmare Moon, Charaxies has corrupted her into evil."

"So what does Charaxies want?"

Easu thought on what he had heard of her actions as 'Celestia', "She's a Star Demon through and through. She wishes to save us from ourselves, perfect us, guide us, protect us. It's in her make up, she can't even conceive of us as anything more than problems to be fixed."

"It can't be that simple." Spike argued, "You've spoken yourself how Puppysmiles..."

"Puppysmiles is different." Easu argued, "She was given an artificial conscience by the scientists back in the NCR, brainwashed using the latest technology, and kept from inhabiting the bodies of others. She has admitted it herself, that even she would be corrupted if she inhabited another pony for any length of time."

"So you need to separate them."

Easu sighed, "Easier said than done."

"You'll figure it out Easu." Spike reassured, "If you really love her, you'll work out some way of fixing this."

It wasn't all talks with Spike however. He still had a lot of work to do, some of which... he admitted he had been avoiding.

The morgue was situated in the Temple of Golden Dawn, and as expected had gotten a lot of use over the last month. Most of the bodies had now moved through the building, most cremated as was the zebra way. The slabs were now mercifully mostly empty, the signs of battle cleared away...

...except for the two bodies before him, still unclaimed after all this time.

Kunari was an angel in death, her small form full of innocence. He was aware that in front of him was a mare possibly more to blame for all this than Starhammer himself, but seeing her like this it was so easy to forget.

Starhammer on the other hoof had a face that made his role all too easy, even in death holding a certain prideful, brutish quality. He was smaller than normal, Kunari's magics having worn off and returned his form to it's normal state. All the same he was strong, his features demanding respect.

He deserved respect, "I have decided."

The shaman standing in watch straightened out, "Sire?"

"Starhammer is to be dressed in the robes of his station and taken to the field of skulls outside Incatha. There he will be burned in full ceremony, alongside Kunari."

"Sire..." The shaman began hesitantly, "It is the view of many that he should be burned in secret, in order to reduce the risk of..."

Easu looked at him as he paused, his expression emphasizing that he wasn't the sort who liked being stepped around, "What?"

The shaman sighed, "Well... celebrating him. Encouraging others to forget the terrible things he did."

Easu looked back at the body of the would be Caesar. A few months ago zebra were celebrating him, "Greater kings have committed more unforgivable sins. And he is a king."

"But..." The shaman started, still deeply reluctant, "Who would speak for him?"

"I will." Easu answered.

In truth, he felt he needed to. Even if he did not know what to say, stood over the grave of a tyrant.

Perhaps he needed to learn.

And then it was there, right there in front of him. His destination.

It was a farm like many others in this region. A way from the more fertile areas, it inhabited a bleak and rather depressing spot on the brown slopes of the god's spine mountains. Places like this sprung up in the unpleasant location due to the fact that the soil and altitude were perfect for the tough, chewable roots that made up an important part of the zebra diet, with the result than you could become quite rich on the proceeds... which is why so many rich ponies from Clendal brought up the land and employed others to farm it.

It certainly looked like that was the case here, judging by the rather worn appearance of the buildings. Though it was a large complex with many outbuildings, none of them looked like they were getting the proper maintenance. The workers were all pretty sorry specimens too, most looking like they weren't eating nearly enough for the hard work they were engaged in.

A couple of rough looking specimens approached him, both mounting guns and clearly trained in 'looking unfriendly to strangers'. They observed him suspiciously, "What do you want?"

He nodded officially, trying to embody the weight of his position as he held out his writ, "I'm here to see the Rootborn family."

They observed the writ with suspicion at first, then dawning fear... and weary understanding, "You have a writ from King Zane."

"I do."

"Then we'll take you to the foreman."

They led Easu through the complex, all looking as it had seemed from the outside. Clearly some attempts had been made to fortify the place, logical given the war that had only recently ended, though honestly the walls wouldn't have lasted long. Eventually he laid eyes on one of those he was seeking, the resemblance obvious. The old man shouting at the workers was fat and bearded, but his brutish face and physical stature were clear giveaways. He looked over as they approached, sneering at Easu, "Who are you?"

"I am King Easu, of the Northern Mutum." He stated softly, bowing his head in formal greeting, "You are of the Rootborn family?"

"I'm the only Rootborn." The zebra grunted in reply, grimacing hatefully, "Have you come to take this farm from me too?"

"No, I haven't." Easu confirmed, "And I'm sorry to hear about your family."

"Wife drank too much, always said it would kill her in the end. Daughter ran off with some rich merchant, he was good enough to deliver her body back to me after he got her killed."

Easu nodded, he had heard as much, "And your son?"

The zebra fixed eyes on Easu for a long moment before answering, "Boy ran away to become a hired gun. Likely ended up dead in a ditch."

Easu felt pity for the old man, despite his demeanor, "It's a hard life. Do you mind if I ask you about him?"

"Boy was a stupid dreamer, always looking at the skies instead of what was under his damn hooves." The old zebra spat, "And he was a lazy good for nothing, never understood hard work. Always playing the fool, looking for attention. Never was happy with what he had, never had any respect for honest toil."

Easu nodded, everything as others had told him. It was a simple, common story, "Thank you."

"Don't you patronize to me boy!" The old zebra replied with a growl, snorting loudly, "Thinking you're above all of us because some entitled bastard threw you a crown! It's folks like you that ruined this nation, thinking that fighting and killing makes a great zebra, rather than honest hard work!"

The two zebra guards both looked at each other nervously, "Boss..."

"Quiet!" The old zebra shouted, before facing off with Easu once more, "You lured my son away with your lies! You made him think the only way he would ever amount to anything would be to run around the wasteland acting the fool!"

Easu watched the old zebra's fury and couldn't help think of his father. It was an ironic comparison, as he was certain the two would despise each other with a deep passion. All the same, that pride, that refusal to consider any other path but their own... he bowed his head, keeping his voice firmly neutral, "Your son's body..."

"I have no son!" The zebra spat, before turning and walking away without a second glance.

"Themba finally shows his true desperation. Cowering behind women and children."

Easu looked up at his father as Thasan stared out at the city on the horizon, his generals surrounding him. Karakivore was one of the historic three ports of the zebra, relatively intact and thriving due to being the historic hub of Star Fall activity upon the coast. Its palaces, factories and docklands still demonstrated the glory of the old world, where many of its inhabitants still worked the same jobs and living in the same houses that their families did before the war.

Taking it would clearly claim the victory in this war. Cutting Star Fall off from the mainland, seizing the historic and practical capital of the Golden Coast, the birthplace of Zephyr Stormstrung and the ancestral holding of Caesar Remicon. And they had been so close...

"I advise negotiating terms my Warlord." One of his father’s generals started, "With all of the area's civilian population gathered within the city, an assault would have us literally climbing over their bodies. But Themba shows his desperation by using them as shields, he is eager to end this with at least the slightest dignity. If we give it to him..."

"I give my enemies nothing but death." Warlord Thassan answered in a low growl, glaring across at the city beyond, "This is the final battle, this is where I make a statement!"

The generals all looked at each other, "What statement is that my Warlord?"

"Turn the guns on the city. Wipe it from the map."

"But... my Warlord!" They objected, all looking aghast, "The civilians, the city...!"

"Subjects breed, cities are rebuilt." Thassan answered, cold and firm in his conviction, "But stories live forever. They will all tell of my ruthlessness here today, none will dare test my wrath. I will crown my glory with a rain of blood and destruction, wipe the world clean and rebuild it in my image!"

The generals all looked to each other before one by one they nodded their ascent, "Yes my Warlord."

"Remember this son." Thassan stated as they moved to carry out his orders. He looked down, cold eyes assessing and judgmental as he fixed Easu in his gaze, "This is how you earn respect."

The zebra kingdoms... what a difference a change in perspective made.

He had seen this view from above in books, both illustrations from the Classical Era and Wartime. Once this whole area had been covered in trees, the great Jerus river running from the tip of the Mutum right down to the sea and branching out in all directions. Time had passed, the forest had retreated in the face of the great cities of the zebra, the river had become polluted and full of barges plying their trade... but it had still been life, still been so vibrant.

Now there was no river. No trees. The great cities stood as empty ruins.

He saw Ebonlode fortress, where he had fought beside Star Swirl. Dusklight lay just behind the mountains that shielded it, Easu hoping the children had all reached it safely and were even now moving to establish governance over the area. Far, far off he could see the tip of his birthplace, Demonivore.

Below... the city of kings lay covered in blue flowers. The Institute of Science tower stood on the southern tip as he remembered, it's metal skeleton now so covered in growths that it looked like nothing more than some great oak. The cities generators on the other hoof shone with light and showed the clear signs of repair, the anti air defense guns following them in as they approached. Spike circled around for a moment more before diving, coming down with a smooth flick of his body and landing upright on his back claws with barely a shudder of impact. Easu leapt down carefully from his harness, landing down upon the platform and looking around at the shocked and exited looking faces that peered out from behind whatever cover they could find. Easu admitted that it was quite the entrance, though he had merely taken the offer for the sheer convenience, "Thank you Spike."

"You know, I've been here before." Spike commented, his neck rotating as he peered about, "I was smaller then."

"King Spike, King Easu." A ghoul spoke as he approached, clad in a heavy coat laden with scientific equipment. His head fell into a practiced bow, "Welcome back to Kirshin. I am Doctor Iradus."

"How are things here?" Easu asked, noting the landing pad seemed to be clean and well maintained at least. Boxes of supplies lay neatly piled up, a working restaurant serving hot food nearby, "I heard you were making good progress."

"Adequate." Doctor Iradus corrected, "The city is one of the most well preserved pre-war settlements outside of Garm or Demonivore, and unlike those two cities was a haven of scientific progress. Still it provides its own difficulties, the... unusual ecology most of all."

Easu nodded, looking at the blue flowers and small skittering animals. He was resistant to radiation, still he had packed Radaway just in case, "Are the creatures dangerous?"

"On the contrary, they might be a little too friendly." Doctor Iradus responded, "Some of the team made the mistake of feeding the animals, and now they associate us with free food. They've been chewing wires, getting into the supplies... couple that with the fact that there doesn't seem to be a single carnivorous creature here and we may soon have a problem on our hoofs."

Easu admitted that would be a problem, "I was just about to recommend importing predators, but then..."

"...even the hardiest wasteland creature would fairly quickly die from radiation sickness on a diet of these creatures, yes." Doctor Iradus concluded.

"What about manticores?" Spike recommended, leaning his great head down to speak, "They're immune to radiation."

"I think they were considering something... smaller." Easu pointed out, "Manicores would eat the staff."

"Well just get tame ones."

Easu looked at Spike, reminding himself that the dragon was much, much older than him, and had seen more than he dreamed existed. Still... "You can't tame a manticore."

"Fluttershy is obviously being humble again, because she's tamed three at last count." Spike declared, giving a big (closed mouth) smile, "And it's hardly unique to her. They're easily semi-intelligent, and only attack when provoked."

"Doctor Drift Strider of my team claims to have observed them in the wild. Apparently if you approach without a weapon and keep a respectable distance, they will not attack." Doctor Iradus stated, giving a cheerful chuckle, "I assumed he was full of rubbish."
"When we get back to Equestria I'll find some books on the subject." Spike offered, "Until then... well... how do you feel about dragons? Little ones I mean."

Doctor Iradus shrugged, "Provided they don't set any of us on fire..."

"Good." Spike concluded with a thoughtful smile, "They could do with some hunting practice."

"Well ghouls, dragons, and manticores." Doctor Iradus commented with a big grin, "Quite a little community we're building here!"

The route between the airport and the palace had been cleared, still it was a rather depressing trip all things considered. He had declined an escort and Spike had flown off on other business, meaning he made his way alone. Whereas the city had looked unsettling before, now in its overgrown and partially ruined state it was just... sad. Like a newly dead corpse, laid with flowers.

A monument stood ahead, outside an innocuous looking ice cream shop. It was a simple stone slab, proclaiming that this was the site of the West Kursiyin Stable... and that all of its eight thousand inhabitants had been gassed shortly after entering. Easu once more felt glad that they had killed Zenospira, and regretted that it hadn't been slower.

The palace soon came into view, the doors now open. A pair of ghouls stood at the entrance along with a customized sentry bot, the inactive turrets on the guard posts now moving to track him. He greeted the two ghouls as he approached, "Hail."

"Welcome King Easu." The larger of the two ghouls responded, a plasma rifle slung across his back, "I'm afraid Invictus is helping down at the generators, but the historian is here to help you with any inquiries."

Easu looked to the entrance as a smaller ghoul stepped out of the shadows, peering in for a closer look, "The historian?"

"Welcome back Easu." Caesar Remicon answered warmly as the light fell across his form, now clad in an unassuming hemp robe, "How can this humble servant serve you today?"

"The construction of the palace, and the city around it was started in 64BC, shortly before Zephyr Stormstrung retired his sword. It was completed in 8BC, in time for the coronation of High King Paranius late in that year." Remicon lectured in soft tones as they walked the corridors of the palace. His voice echoed in the empty spaces, making it all the more apparent that they once rang with the voices of those great figures from the past, "Ironically given your transportation, it was in part an attempt to copy the great caves of Drakehome Mountain where King Spike now rules. A mountaintop fortress and beacon, visible to and uniting all zebra as one."

"Hence all the dragons." Easu stated, once more noting the dragon obsession of the classical era zebra and tracing the carving of one across the wall.

"They helped build the city. Transported materials, forged the steel that supported the great structures that still dominate today." Remicon explained, "And famously, the All-mother herself forged the crown that was to be used to crown Prince Paranius as High King of the Zebra."

"The office that would soon become known as Caesar."

"Yes, after High King Caesar ended the seven years of strife." Remicon acknowledged, "He was actually the fifth High King to sit upon the Dragon Throne."

Easu tried to keep up. Tradash had taught him all this, but much of it had been a little vague and full of conjecture. So much history had been lost, and it left him feeling... inadequate. How could he be king, if he knew nothing of those before him? "Your new role suits you well."

"Well, it is somewhat of a specialty of mine." Remicon replied, chuckling softly, "And I spent a very long time wandering these halls. They are literally lined with the history of our people."

Easu looked across the carvings, laying eyes on one clearly depicting Celestia kneeling before the Dragon Throne and its Caesar, "Perhaps I should do the same."

"In truth, it is appropriate you came here." Remicon replied, looking up at him with his burnt, fleshless face, "All new kings of the zebra were once required to travel here to learn the knowledge of their forebears. There are rooms in this Palace unlocked to you now Easu. Rooms designed to prepare you for your role."

He frowned, the idea still uncomfortable, "Because I am a king?" He looked to Remicon, "How does it know?"

"No zebra knows." Remicon answered with a smile creasing his features, "There are tales of kings who were refused, only to return home and find another had taken their throne."

Easu firmed his jaw, "Then let us see if I am worthy."

Easu stood within the chamber of kings.

It was... underwhelming.

He stood looking at the empty room, looking about the featureless walls, the single burning torch. Remicon had to use two separate keys to open the door, preparing Easu for something truly momentous. Now he felt like some zebra was playing a practical joke on him, "Hello?"

There was no answer, but the air seemed to become heavier. Easu noted the smell of old paper, and conversely the total lack of dust in the room. He took a single step forward...

"Greetings to you, King Easu of the Northern Mutum, successor of King Starhammer."

Easu looked around, the voice seeming to have come from inside his own head, "You know who I am?"

"You are the son of Warlord Thassan of the Golden Coast, Brother to King Incuta."

"How can you know what occurred out there?" Easu questioned firmly.

"The answers lie within you." The voice replied, "You wear no crown, but your blood and soul are that of a king."

Easu wondered how far back that went. His father had been uncle to the King of the Entitidi, great grandson of warlord Kashati, who in turn had claimed royal decent, "Tell me, is it the blood of the Silver Imperious?"

"Yes." The voice replied, "Your blood descends from Loraag the Upsurper, descended from a illegitimate child of Caesar Domitian the Cruel."

Easu wasn't sure how he should react. Domitian the Cruel was Caesar's grandchild, "I am a descendent of the first Caesar?"

"Domitian the Cruel sired an estimated forty seven illegitimate children, mostly with those of common stock. The entire Apple family of Equestria descends from him, as do many others of lesser note." The voice paused briefly before continuing, "All zebra are eligible to become Caesar, this was written by the first Caesar himself. Blood does not ensure quality. Your bloodline is one of strength of power, but you are descended from heroes and monsters in equal measure. And it does not make you a king."

Easu lowered his head, a grim feeling settling across his heart, "What does?"

"Know those who have come before you, and find understanding." The voice answered, the torch going out and the room plunged into darkness. It was lit a second later as a ghostly figure appeared before Easu, a proud, handsome zebra crowned in gold, fine robes wound around his body.

"I am Paranius." The specter spoke with a weary resignation upon his echoing voice, "First High King of the Zebra, I was loved and respected by all. Chosen for my charisma, intelligence and benevolence, the Dragon Crown was forged for my head, and to me was given the chance to lead us to the future. For these reasons I spoke harshly to my brother, accusing him of having no ambition or drive, threatening to disinherit him for bringing shame upon me in his failure." Paranius lowered his head, "And as I felt the knife slide into my neck, I knew it was my failure to understand him that had led to my downfall."

The specter faded away, replaced with another. Smaller yet fatter, with clear similarities to Paranius but a weak copy in all ways. His expression was haunted as he spoke, "I am Inius, forgotten and worthless brother to a great zebra. I killed him in order to prove my worth, yet I proved nothing. As I faced down the blades of my rivals and knew I possessed nothing to match, I understood that virtue cannot be earned with treachery."

He faded, replaced by another, proud and strong, a warrior through and through. Even his voice was commanding, gruff and loud, "I am Thickstripe, greatest of the Roaming Knights! With my mighty hoof I cut down many demons, and it was my greatest honor to bring down the kinslayer Inius! I invited all my enemies to my coronation, so that they could understand the folly of standing against me!" His proud tone then faded, his eyes becoming hollow as he looked up at Easu, "And as I felt the poison on my tongue, I realized the folly of one who relies upon strength alone."

He disappeared, replaced with a far thinner and more calculating figure. His voice was calm, controlled, "I am Pavus, richest and most influential in all the lands. There was no zebra whose price I did not know, no office beyond the reach of my many friends." He smiled then, cold and resentful, "And as I stood before a simple zebra of simple honor, my offers of power and gold only seemed to anger him more. And so a common spear, thrust by a common soldier, ended the life of a king."

He faded away, replaced by a hollow eyed and broken looking zebra, middle aged and shaggy bearded, "I am Rufi, Soldier King, the broken victor. I took the crown because I had seen it take so much from me, hoping that a simple zebra with no desire for power could stop the war that had ravaged our land for so many years." He shook his head, removing the crown and holding it out towards Easu, "But not all possess greatness within them. Sometimes the only thing you can do, is recognize the one who does."

And then he faded away, Easu holding his breath. The next figure was tall and slim, angular of features with commanding intense eyes and an air of firm authority. His voice was surprisingly clear and youthful, his enunciation precise, "I am Caesar, first of my name." He swept out a proud hoof, "I waited for seven years, seven years of war and strife, refusing to take a side. They told me to speak up, to do something, but it was not time. Yet when the right time finally arrived I acted firmly and decisively, because I knew history would turn upon that moment. The country united behind me as a unifier after so many pretenders had fallen, because when the chance came my blade was sharp and ready. I recognized the threats to my rule and prepared in advance, allowing them just enough time to test the loyalty and competence of my empire before moving to resolve them personally. My enemies fell in line or were destroyed, my friends contributed or saw their privileges stripped away. I treated all with fairness, and demanded the same. I built an empire of discipline and order, and all agreed it was good."

Then he too faded, replaced with a smaller, leaner copy, lacking the firm charisma of the first and replacing it with an uncomfortable nervousness, "I am Caesar Janius, scholar, scientist, but never king. And I understood this, as did my advisors. They wed me to a zebra of the greatest worth, a shining star who none could speak ill of. I built her a throne, I gave her a crown, and together we forged a golden age. I invented the means to irrigate our lands and she covered them in farms, I invented new sails and she built a fleet that mapped the world. In time I know the name of Zemir the Wise will be spoken of more than my own, but I am blessed to have such a mare beside me." He smiled, nodding warmly, "Find zebra of worth, treat them with respect, exalt their deeds. And thus does the realm prosper."

And then he was replaced once again, by a smaller zebra but one possessing far more the look of Caesar. Muscle rippled under his fur, scars marking his flesh. He spoke roughly, his voice a harsh growl, "I am Domitian the Cruel, scourge of Equestria, the demon of Kursiyin. I took our armies and plundered the world, bringing the spoils of war back to our shores and building cities and monuments that will be forever remembered. I allowed no laziness, no entitled attitudes. You served my ambition one way another, as an asset or a warning. And thus I am remembered as the greatest of the zebra kings, and died happy and satisfied, lulled to my rest by the screams of my enemies." He grinned broad and wicked, "You do not have to be good to be great."

And he too faded, replaced by a similar looking figure, clearly a member of Caesar's family... but this time fat and unhealthy looking, with ungroomed, greasy fur and a wild look in his eye. Said eyes searched desperately before settling on Easu, his voice a whisper, "I am Havous, last of the line of Caesar. I could not help it you see, I couldn't..." He shook his head, tears running down his face, "Every time I cried my father would beat me, and when I heard my own children cry... I had to make them silent, or father would be mad. And I wanted so much to make him happy. I knew he liked blood, so I ordered the deaths of every third zebra in the city. I knew he liked war, so I declared war on ever nation upon the planet. And as I starved to death inside my cell I wept, as I knew that I had failed to fulfill his expectations of me."

Easu continued to watch, the parade of zebra both great and terrible. Some he recognized, some he had never heard of. Some had reigns lasting decades. Some had held the crown for months. Some had been exalted. Some spoke in hollow tones of their crimes.

"I am Ulan, the last of the Caesars." A husky zebra sporting a luxurious beard spoke with firm authority, seeming to test Easu with his stare, "One flawed mortal cannot decide what is right for a million just like him. The title of Caesar and this crown both are covered in the blood of the innocent, and thus I hurl both down. From this point on the council will serve supreme, representing the common zebra in a way the Caesar's never have!" He took his crown, hurled it to the ground, and nodded, "And so ends the age of kings."

Easu watched as he faded, knowing exactly who was next. And so he appeared, hatchet faced and skinny, a familiar sight by now. His voice was tired, but still determined, "I am Remicon, and all the world burned because I sought justice, because I wanted fairness, because I believed in honesty." He shook his head, resigned, "And in the end, it all turned to pride and excess. I killed innocents because I hungered for the blood of the guilty. Destroyed the world in vengeance for acts of petty brutality. Created monsters to combat simple selfishness and greed."

And then he faded, leaving there upon the stone... the Dragon Crown of Caesars. It's mirrored, coppery surface shimmered with what almost looked like flames, smooth curves completely unmarked despite its vast age. Easu reached forward, looped his hoof through the hole...

...it was heavy. Far too heavy.

"That should be mine boy."

Easu turned, his eyes growing wide as he saw Starhammer stalking behind. His sword was slung across his back, straps loose in preparation for battle. Easu shrunk back a step, "You're dead."

"And who's fault was that?"

Easu paused, leaned back in towards the zebra and spoke firmly, "Kunari's."

"Please. What kind of zebra do you think I am?" Starhammer answered with a smirk, "It was my fault. What was it, do you think, that killed me in the end? Think about it, and consider what you've learned about me?"

Easu considered for a moment. To be honest he could have answered this long ago, "The desire for attention."

"For validation." Starhammer corrected, shrugging his mighty shoulders, "I never really felt like I knew who I was. It was only by playing a role for others, only through being what they wanted me to be that I could feel like I had purpose and worth."

Easu sighed, wishing it had been different, "I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Starhammer answered sincerely, before giving a firm, serious nod, "Learn from my mistakes Easu. You are as much a slave to others as I was."

Easu took a deep breath as the vision disappeared, only to be replaced by another nearby. This vision remained silent, Easu already somehow knowing who it was. He turned and had his suspicions confirmed, looking into the eyes of his father, "I often wondered what I would say to you if we ever met again."

"You have your chance." His father answered simply.

"I..." Easu shook his head softly, "Nothing. I can't hate you, I can't love you... you were what you were. All through my life, you were nothing if not consistent." He looked up at his father, at that proud face lined with... frustration, "But you could never move forward could you? You conquered the Golden Coast, you beat Star Fall... and got old."

"I tried to turn you both into strong zebra."

"The one battle you couldn't win." He smiled at his father, so proud, so firm, "You know... you really did love me didn't you? You thought I would come back a better zebra, that I would learn my lesson and become the son you wanted."

His father shook his head, "I wanted you to become the zebra you were capable of being."

"You were mistaken father." Easu answered, "I was never as strong as you thought I was."

His father simply dropped his head, faded, and vanished into the darkness.

"You're right. You are weak."

Easu looked up in shock, already knowing exactly who it was. The shadow that fell across him was proof enough, the rage and frustration hidden behind a thin venire of serenity. He turned and looked up at her, his heart beating faster as he was once again faced with Star Swirl's mighty alicornian form, "Star Swirl..."

"I understand, you know? As Justicar, I was to conquer the wasteland for the Goddess. All her hope was pinned on me, her greatest warrior, most pitiless executioner." Star Swirl stated, proud and cold in a way that emphasized her alien appearance, "Just as your father tried to turn you into a weapon in his name."

Easu nodded, "But we both ended up running from that destiny."

"Running from our responsibility!" She shouted, power collecting in her horn and flooding across her body, "You have the blood of kings, stand before the steps of the throne of all zebra, only need to take the Dragon Crown and claim your destiny! You know what they need, you know you must only offer it to them!"

"Hope." Easu breathed, "A grand story to follow."

"You heard Caesars words! The right time is now! Take your throne, and save the world!" She shouted with fierce passion, looming over him close enough for him to smell the familiar scent of sweat and balefire that he remembered, "I have. I sit on the throne at Star Fall, Empress and Goddess. All worship my name, because they know I carry them into the future!"

"You sound like Starhammer... like my brother." Easu stood before her without fear, knowing that this wasn't Star Swirl. Just another wound from his past, just another truth he needed to confront, "You don't have a plan, not really. You are certainly not a god."

"Then what am I?"

"Another lost soul, trying to make the world make sense." He shook his head, "I will not build myself upon legends and stories. If I am to rule, let it be because they see my true qualities. Let it be because they forgive my weaknesses. Let it be because they see a zebra like them, that they can believe in and aspire to emulate." He looked her in the eye, "Not because my insecurities demand their supplication."

Her anger faded, her body straightening out and her expression fading into something far more gentle, "They need something to believe in Easu."

"They need something real." He replied firmly, "Any world I help create will NOT be propped up on lies!"

And with that, the room faded away. Star Swirl, the walls... and in its place...

The throne stood before him, flanked by the five great pillars symbolizing the elements. The room, once dark and cold, was now lit by the splendid blue flowers that coated the walls. The flags of the united zebra territories hung proudly beside them.

He approached, looking down at the Dragon Crown of Caesars sitting upon the throne before him. He picked it up, noting that he now barely even noticed the weight. He turned as he heard cheers behind, looking across the crowd around him. Zane, Radhi... all the kings stood before him, along with their followers. Decimus stood proudly before his praetorians, Myrtus and Invictus now among them.

He knew then, that they all wanted him to put on the crown. Needed him. It was his duty.

He looked again at the crowd, unsettled. There was something missing there, something important...

He looked at the space where he knew the King of the Golden Coast should stand and saw a stranger. He looked to his side at the Zebra Throne of the Consort and saw only an empty space.

He looked back at the crowd. Fluttershy, Dust Kicker, Ace Gold... Puppysmiles. None of them were here.

He turned and put the crown back upon the throne, the light and crowd instantly fading away into darkness. In the next moment the throne and crown were gone too, and all was plunged into shadow.

...until a flickering torch lit the gloom, and he was once again in the chamber of kings. He observed the flames for a moment more before turning and stepping back out through the door, Remicon standing expectantly in the corridor beyond.

The old Caesar smiled at Easu, "Congratulations, I can tell by your expression that it went well. Did it help you reach understanding?"

Easu nodded, now sure of the the path before him, "Yes, it did."

So this was it. His dominion. Traveling here straight from the capital put into sharp relief how small and basic Starhammer’s lands were. Still, he was duty bound to celebrate and protect it.

He looked upon his throne and considered all he had learned.

It was an old judges chair from the pre-war courts, decorated with struts of enclave armor, the pelts of great beasts and the skulls of old enemies, Easu even spotting some equestrian power armor and combat barding hanging upon one of the spikes. The throne of a warlord, though he knew his father never owned anything so gaudy.

It sat in the stripped out operating theater of what had once been a hospital, set up in the viewing section to stare down at the hall below. The rest of his palace was one gaudy display after another, paintings of the kings that had ruled here set up in what had once been wards and medical facilities. Most were of Rashid, the king that Starhammer had deposed, "I'm surprised Starhammer didn't have them taken down."

"He didn't spend a lot of time here to be honest." Wenn, the elderly zebra mare that served as major domino here explained, her hoof lightly sweeping the dust from the throne, "It wasn't two weeks after killing Rashid that he was off again, marching against Princess Luna." She gave a deep, theatrical sigh, her wrinkled features dropping, "I hear you will soon be leaving too... to fight Princess Celestia no less. Hmm, appropriate I suppose."

Dust Kicker gave the mare a charming smile, his tone kind, "You seem to be holding things together alright."

"Yes, that's what they all say." She complained, "Rashid's father was a fine zebra, was making something really special of this area. But when he died... ah, Rashid just left me to deal with everything for him. And so did Starhammer... hmm..." She gave a long, tired shrug of her shoulders, "I'm good with numbers, but I'm not what you would call..."

Easu fought back the urge to finish that sentence with 'inspiring', but was once again saved by Dust Kicker. The old pony chuckled genially as he answered, "A born leader."

"Hmm, yes." Wenn agreed, wrinkling her nose, "I had all these great ideas, but the others all just sort of wandered off doing their own thing. Rather frustrating, but I'm used to it by now."

Easu considered the matter, looked around the throne room that was theoretically his. Even with the egotism on display, it spoke of history, something that he felt the zebra really needed right now. It was easy to look down his nose at the area, safely tucked away, mostly consisting of farms, even its famous inhabitants vocal in describing it as the dullest place on the planet.

But it was dull because Rashid's father had decimated the monster population, worked to secure the borders, succeeded in making a place where children could grow up bored enough to dream of fame and fortune in the big city. Yes Rashid himself had been a spoiled brat and petty tyrant, but he had been able to be that because of what had been built here.

He looked to Wenn, fixing her with a firm stare, "You are unhappy in your role? You would like a more behind the scenes job, advising a more charismatic leader?"

She shuffled nervously for a moment before nodding, "...yes?"

"Then you will be chief advisor, and I will bring in another to serve as my regent." He declared, thinking back to what he had learned of zebra history, "Another throne shall be set up beside mine, bearing all my authority in my absence. Upon it I will place a zebra of proven quality, to be my voice and strength."

Wenn looked nervously up at him, but after a moment she offered a cautious smile, "...that would be nice."

"Wenn, so much of the zebra territories has been destroyed and damaged by war, a war that has bypassed this area entirely." He continued, "We must lend our aid, and in return we will demand treaties for future development and trade. This area is sheltered from attack, yes?"

She nodded, "Yes?"

"Then this is the perfect place for future investment. If we are to continue assisting in the rebuilding of our civilization, we must be given the tools to do this. Industry, science, agriculture... this land could be so much more."

Wenn's smile slowly grew, and eventually she broke into a big smile, "I... I will go draw a few things up!"

She scurried off with surprising speed considering her age, Dust Kicker waiting a moment or two before speaking, "What was that you said about having no talent for ruling?"

"I have no idea if any of that is plausible Dust Kicker." Easu answered, hoping he had made a wise gamble there, "Those words were mostly stolen from Zemir the Wise."

"In my experience, a lot of leadership is inspiring quality in others."

He wasn't so sure, "My brother would have known if that was plausible. He would have already have thought up ten ways to improve this area, and drawn up a thirty point plan to achieving it."

"Your brother is also a tyrant." Dust Kicker observed, giving a soft grin, "He might have the brains to do all that, but he never thinks to consider if he should."

Easu looked at him, surprised, "Are your memories returning?"

"Perhaps... I've mostly just read up on your brother, along with what you've told me of him." Dust explained, "But some part of me looked your brother in the eye and saw what he was."

"And what is that?"

Dust Kicker's expression grew grave, "A stallion who never doubted the righteousness of his cause. I've met plenty of those, and let me tell you... accelerating full speed straight ahead might get you some impressive looking progress, but it will eventually take you straight off a cliff."

"If doubt makes one a good leader, then I am very much qualified." Easu admitted, looking back at his throne, "And I can only hope I can teach my brother that virtue, before the chasm takes him."

They stood before the funeral pyre, Starhammer wrapped in slowly blackening cloth as the flames consumed his body. Shaman chanted their rites, the crowds bowing their heads in silence as Easu watched on.

He had heard from Starhammer's closest associates that he had burned Tradash's body in ceremony, given him the respect he was being shown now. Easu remembered how Starhammer had expressed regret for his mentor’s death, tried to deny even having killed him... had it truly been unintentional? Had Starhammer done it on purpose, and simply regretted it later? Was he simply a coward, unable to own up to his own actions?

Maybe they would never know. Maybe the history books would forever debate that question. All he knew was that at the end of it all, he found it hard to hate Starhammer. The stallion had killed innocent children, murdered his mentor, burned his homeland... but maybe he saw a lot of his brother in him. An insecure child, trying to prove his quality.

He had been that way once. He had been worse. If things had gone better Starhammer could have been the hero he wanted to be, where as his old self would have never considered being anything other than a brute.

Fluttershy had told him his scars had made him stronger. That suffering had stripped the ugly qualities from his soul, even as it deformed his physical body. As much as he hated to agree with the philosophies of a monster it was hard to disagree that she had a point.

Starhammer had become more impressive, more powerful, more outwardly heroic. He had been given charisma, an aura of heroism, a carefully managed tale of glory... yet it had corrupted his soul, his character. He had heard tales of the heroes of Equestria, of Littlepip and Xephyr. He had grown up hearing tales of Tandia and Tradash. All had come from nothing, unimpressive and forgettable survivors who had eventually grown into heroes through their suffering.

"Starhammer wanted to be a hero." Easu spoke, using all he remembered of what his father had told him about public speaking, "It is a noble goal, but it does not make one noble. Sometimes it's quite the opposite."

He looked around at his new subjects, all watching in expectation. They were willing to listen at least, "For Starhammer, being a hero was about being respected, being powerful, being a grand story. And indeed that drove him to great things, but ultimately the weakness in his spirit was unable to bear the weight placed upon him. And that weakness in his spirit was his desire to be a hero in the first place, that desire to earn your love, your respect. Ultimately he was fighting for himself, fighting because it allowed him to feel greater than he was." He bowed his head in respect, "He was talented, intelligent, skilled and strong. He could have been a good zebra... but was destroyed by wanting to be a great one."

"And what would you advise instead?" Dust Kicker asked, turning warm eyes to him.

Easu took another moment before answering, looking his subjects, meeting each gaze, "Be good. Be true, be honest and brave and daring. Do good, do right, and accept what you get in return with dignity. And if that is greatness... shoulder that burden for what it. Responsibility, and a duty to those who now rely on you."

The zebra smiled, traced the holy symbols in the air, called to the holy fire. Many looked more thoughtful than the others, a certain impatience in their hooves like they couldn't wait to get moving. Easu hoped his words had inspired some, given others pause, was glad that they had understood his intent enough to think on his words rather than cheer.

He stepped down, met with a half dozen elderly zebra all sporting expectant looks. Wenn was with them, giving them a rather awkward wave, "Um, King Easu. May I introduce the patriarchs of the six families... ah, community leaders around here."

Easu bowed in respect, the elders returning the greeting and introducing themselves. The first to speak after that was a rather skinny old stallion called Iwenda, grinning wide and sounding exuberant, "Can I say, quite an honor to meet two of the heroes of Clendel."

"Thank you." Easu answered, Dusk Kicker giving a cheerful nod to concur, "Honestly, it is as I said. I simply tried to do the right thing, and was lucky enough to have it end in my favor."

"We know." Another of the elders noted, the gruff zebra giving a thin but genuine smile, "We fought against the ice demons at the end of the world. We were young boys, both full of conviction and scared out of minds... and despite our best efforts, we all survived."

"I have no desire to ever again shed blood." Easu confirmed, feeling like he had half as much vitality and strength as these elders despite the difference in years, "I want to stay here, and do good for this land."

"But you have a responsibility. We heard your speech." Iwenda confirmed cheerfully, "We've held this place together this long, we can keep it ticking a little longer."

"And it was a good speech." The gruff zebra added, "Starhammer tried to speak of battle and glory, but he had never seen true war. The families here pride themselves on their long memories, and we remember what it was like to stand face to face with death. I get the impression that you two know that feeling better than he did."

"I do." Easu confirmed, feeling the chill in his chest as the feeling bubbled up again.

They wished each other well after that and dispersed, Dust Kicker waiting a moment more before speaking in a soft, thoughtful tone, "You know... I've been faced with that feeling many times as well, staring into my own death." He shrugged, giving a sheepish grin, "And I've... always loved it. And I'm going to miss it, however much I realize I'll never be up to combat again."

"And yet, I feel in many ways you are a far better stallion than me." Easu responded, pondering this. After a moment he came to his bitter conclusion, "It is because you are better. Every time I kill, every time I make war... I do it in part because of the hate that dwells within my heart."

"Don't give me too much credit." Dust Kicker responded, his cheer evaporating for a moment, "When I was younger I was just like Starhammer. A young puke, looking to prove myself by whatever means possible. My every action, no matter how noble, made a monument of my own ego. Age and hard knocks beat that out of me in time, and I've already seen it do the same in you."

"I hope so." Easu whispered, "This world has seen enough of the egos of tyrants."

___________________________________________________

Easu

Str - 7 End - 8 Dex – 3 Int – 4 Per - 7 Cha - 3 Lk - 5
Level 18

Perks

Tough hide Level 3 – You have an extra 9 damage threshold.

Burden to Bear - You can now carry an additional 50 pounds of gear.

Roughin' It - Any time you sleep outside, you gain the benefits of being Well Rested, even if you don't own the bed.

Home on the Range - Whenever the user interacts with a campfire, they have the option of sleeping, with all the benefits that sleep brings.

Life Giver Level 2 – You have an extra 40 health points.

Rad Resistant Level 2 – You gain +20 rad resistance.

Gun Fu - Do 25% more damage to your second V.A.T.S. target and beyond.

Shaman Level 1 – You can now use basic level zebra magic.

Bone-Strengthening Brew - Your limbs only receive 50% of the damage they normally would.

Purifier - You do +50% damage with melee and unarmed weapons against abominations.

Walker Instinct - +1 Perception and Agility when outside

Local Leader – You gain additional options when leading organisations.

Medic Level 1 - Stimpaks restore 30% of lost Health, and RadAway removes 30% of radiation.

Eye for an Eye - For each crippled limb you have, you do an additional 10% damage.

Traits
Pariah of the Wastes - The way of the Pariah order is a hard one, but few so fully understand the darkness as the Lampbearers of Garm. You gain a 5% bonus to all non-aggressive actions related to abominations.

Heavy Handed - You swing harder, not better. Your attacks are very brutal, but lack finesse. Your Melee and Unarmed damage is increased by 20%, but your Critical Hit damage is reduced by 60%

Blood of the Conqueror – You descend from the Silver Imperious, blood of the first Caesar and scion of demons. You gain +15% to social checks involving domination or forceful action, and -15% to those regarding diplomacy or compromise.

Chapter 5.4 - Wings of Black and White

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Xenith, hero of Equestria, companion of Littlepip, champion of the slave pits... was dying.

She slept now. Her expression peaceful and her breathing gentle. The shaman had worked their magic, ensuring that. She deserved that.

Xephyr tore her eyes away from her mother's bruised and broken face, trying her best not to let the tension in her body show as she moved back into the preperation room. She bristled despite her best efforts as she saw Signal Jammer at the table, going over some notes. The unicorn turned as Xephyr entered, her stance tired and her eyes dim. Her voice too sounded defeated, "I'm so sorry... for everything."

"You're sure you can't help her?" Xephyr asked, trying not to let the anger show. Maybe three miricles in a day was a bit much to ask, but still...

"No, I'm not. That's what's so terrible about medicine." Signal Jammer admitted, "I could try. I might even end up prolonging her life. But it might be for as little as a few more days... or it might just leave her a vegetable. And the procedure... I would have her carved out on a table, sticking second hand shards of mental into her spine and brain."

Xephyr reminded herself that Signal Jammer had saved Fluttershy and Ace Gold by cutting up her best friend, using him as an organ and bionics donor without complaint or hesitation. At a point where all hope had seemed lost, the unicorn had sacrificed to save them. That was one of the only reasons she was allowed out of a cell, but admittedly it was a good reason, "I understand... and thank you for all that you have done."

"For bringing Dream Star here? For helping her hurt and kill your friends?"

Xephyr met the mare's eyes, "Why did you? You must have known what was going to happen, seen the terrible things she had already done."

"Why did I?" Signal Jammer asked, her eyes glinting with tears, "Because she was my friend."

Xephyr averted her eyes. She understood that.

She needed to work off some stress more than ever, and honestly she was a mare of singular passions. Though teetotal and celibate, she had her own methods of stress relief. Because she was not the type of hero who dreamed of retirement, or the type that was fired of fighting. Indeed she reluctantly had to admit that she loved testing her hooves against those of her foes.

Or friends. Or anyone really.

Xephyr studied Ace as he stepped out into the ring opposite, admitting that she barely recognized him. His face was covered in scars, his eyes were a different color and clearly hardened by experience, his slim body both boasting even less body fat than before and far more muscle. She instantly identified that last one as counterproductive, but it was called a wanderer's build for a reason. Walking for miles through a desert, interspersed with periods of hitting people very hard, tended to produce those kind of lopsided builds. Not everyone had the luxury of training in a gym.

"I haven't seen you for years, and our first meeting is in a dojo?" Ace questioned, though not aggressively.

She smiled back at him, "Isn't this how warriors communicate?"

"I guess." He replied back, limbering up a little before shooting her a piercing glare, "I'm a lot stronger than before."

She grinned, "Show me."

He burst into action, swinging wildly. His technique had lost some refinement, as expected adapted more to real combat than duels like this. She excused some tension in his movements by the nature of the situation, he was undoubtedly nervous seeing her after so long.

She slapped his attack aside, darting to the side as she continued to study his movements. Ace Gold became a little more cautious and studied, his blows thrown with less wild aggression. She struck him with a quick tap and he skillfully rolled with the blow, landing well before sprawling intentionally in what was obviously an attempt to make himself look more hurt than he was.

She obliged, coming in for the kill and instantly faced with a skillful counter attack as he leapt to his hooves. He tried a side kick and she took it on her shoulder, sweeping his hooves from under him with her wing and sending him flying with a butt of her head.

He landed with an impressive summersault, skidding across the floor before bracing himself firmly. She smiled as she straightened out, nodding to him, "Your skill is really impressive Ace."

He raised a doubtful eyebrow, "Really?"

"You're integrating all the different styles you've learned, figuring out what works for you. That's the sign of a master Ace, one that really understands the art." She relaxed her body, facing him warmly, "You've grown in every way."

He pouted angrily, proving that some things hadn't changed. His angry tone too brought back memories, "Not every way. I'm still a pipsqueak."

She chuckled, "So was Littlepip."

"But she wasn't a martial artist... because she was smart enough to realize it was a poor choice for a diminutive unicorn."

Xephyr frowned now, having never seen Ace expressing such issues before. Previously he had been proud to be unusual among his fellows, determined to prove them wrong, "Ace, your race has nothing to do..."

"It does Xephyr." He quickly countered, frowning hard, "Zebra and Earth Ponies can enhance their own bodies with their magic, Zebra can channel it through their hooves. Pegasi can neutralize friction, and their wings give them immense mobility. Griffons have their claws. But unicorns? There is not a single talent I have that helps me as a martial artist."

She frowned, reaching out, "Ace, what...?"

"I couldn't protect Fluttershy, or myself!" He eventually yelled, face pulled tight, "I couldn’t protect your mother! She’s dying because I wasn't strong enough!"

Xephyr faced him down, though she couldn't say he was 'wrong' as such, "Your magic can't help in a fight?"

"That's... not what I mean." He sighed, lifting his front hoof, "I hit you there, dead on. You didn't even flinch."

"I was braced..."

"I'm the strongest I've ever been." He continued, sounding frustrated, "But that's not strong enough. I'm never going to have the physique or the magical potential to make my talents combat worthy. Ponies mock my flashy summersaults and flying kicks, but that's pretty much the only way I can build up enough momentum to make my attacks effective."

And she laughed. Out of pride in his advancement, and understanding of his frustrations. And yes, a little bit because his offended expression was deeply cute. She cut off his angry retort the moment she saw his mouth open, "Ace... everypony reaches this point."

He glared angrily at her, "Where they realize their entire life has been pointless?"

"Where they hit a wall in their training." She replied, giving her a sympathetic look, "Ace, I started learning martial arts because of my mother, and some old pictures in some books. I desperately wanted to reconnect with my zebra heritage, and find some way of taking down opponents without killing them."

"And you did." Ace Gold commented gloomily.

"No, I didn't." She answered with a smile, placing a hoof against her chest, "I had nowhere near my mother's skill, and while I was strong I was slow too. And I had no idea how to access the magic the old books seemed to assume I had."

Ace paused a moment, clearly trying to bring to mind his history lessons. After a moment he extended a hoof, sounding uncertain, "You... found the element of magic."

"I had a good teacher." She noted with a smile, "Xenos, my fiancé. He was a scholar in zebra magical arts, he spent months helping me unlock and utilize my mana pathways. But it was slow progress, and I had pretty much given up..." She chuckled, even though the memory had little humor, "And yes, I then discovered the element of magic, and learned that I could use it to focus my abilities."

"So I just have to find a immeasurably powerful mystical artifact?" Ace questioned, the sarcasm in his voice a little too apparent.

She shook her head, a little annoyed that he had forgotten, "I thought it was that simple too. That with the... immeasurably powerful mystical artifact, I could just brute force my way to victory. So when Sunny Smiles came for the element, I faced her without fear. I was sure I was powerful enough to beat her."

Ace's face fell, "But... you weren't."

Xephyr had come to terms with it a long time ago. The worst memory of her life, but she felt she had moved past in through her experiences in the dream world, "No. I learned then just how naive I was, that I thought I was powerful just because I could throw a punch and channel some magic. I was totally destroyed, totally humiliated... failed to protect someone I cared about."

Ace Gold averted his gaze, "I know..."

"And again, I wanted nothing more than to give up... until Littlepip told me exactly how much I would betray everyone if I did so." She chuckled, the moment still vivid in her mind, "So I learned from my mistakes, I looked at things from a different angle... and I broke through that wall, and gained a whole new level of power."

"So... I need to look at things from a different perspective?"

She chuckled, shrugging, "You need to have your preconceptions tested... even shattered. I became a Princess partly because the element, my friends, my very memories were both taken from me. I was forced to understand exactly what all those things meant to me, and what I was both with and without them. And as a result I broke through another wall."

Ace Gold frowned, a mixture of frustration and determination shining in his eyes, "Well it's a good time for it. I lost, and Fluttershy got hurt. Because of me. Because I wasn't strong enough."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

His voice broke, looking up at her in anger, "I don't know! I told you, I can't think how I will ever be strong enough!"

She set her haunches, extending her wings, "Well you better think quick."

"Wha..."

She exploded into action, the sonic boom echoing against the walls as she drove herself forward. Her hoof shot down an inch from Ace Gold's forehead, the buck dodging backwards in terror as she shattered the stone in front of him.

He leapt up and kicked at her, slow and predicable. She punished him for that, blocking the blow easily and slamming her hoof into his exposed belly hard enough to break a rib. It flung him backwards to slam against the wall, Ace slumping down and raising his eyes in terror as she dove straight at him.

He escaped only by dint of her holding back and deliberately missing, her hoof tearing through stone as he leapt away. He looked at her with shaking eyes, his nerve clearly shot, "Xephyr, stop! I can't...!"

"Keep up?!" She turned to him, angling her body forward for another strike, "What if it was Fluttershy behind you? How would you protect her?"

He shook his head, "I can't!"

"I'll tell you the truth Ace." She shouted firmly, focusing her mana reserves, "You're the very essence of a rainbow child. So much potential, wasted because you have never had to fight for anything!"

This hit him where it hurt, as she expected it would. He froze for a moment, before frustration cut through his eyes.

"So I will teach you!" She flung out her hoof, feeling the air solidify at her touch, vibrate all the way to Ace's pretty face. That face contorted as the burst of compressed air hit firm, the buck yelling out as blood trickled from his busted lip. Xephyr was openly disappointed now, her attack pretty much cleanly telegraphed. She wondered if she had misjudged his resolve, wondered if she should end this now, "Come on Ace! That horn on your head isn't just for decoration!"

She dove at him, Ace first trying to seize her with his telekinesis. She shrugged it off easily, not even slowing her down. She threw a few easily dodged punches to keep him on his toes, Ace responding with a blast of blinding light and following up with a solid hoof punch.

She blocked it easily, then slammed him with a shoulder check that sent him tumbling. She spat her disappointment as he forced himself to his hooves, "I've fought unicorn mages who studied for longer than you've been alive Ace! That stuff is for kindgardeners!"

He gritted his teeth as he faced her, as ready as he had looked so far. She took that as a sign, diving in for another attack.

...and he seized himself with his telekinesis, throwing himself to his side as his body language telegraphed a forward charge. She legitimately missed with her first blow, Ace in a perfect position to hit her with a double buck to the side.

It wasn't going to be that easy for him though. From him even a double buck was desperately lacking in strength and she still had enough time to brace, plus bring her wing down to cushion the blow even further. He ended up staggering himself and she backed off a little as he recovered, making it clear how little the attack had phased her, "Not bad, but you need to hit me harder!"

Ace threw a horn blast at her, Xephyr having seen so many of those that she dodged near automatically... when it exploded into stars right beside her head. That surprised her more than it should, Ace leaping in with a hard punch to take advantage. She angled herself back to buck him as he approached, Ace once again surprising her by throwing out a gravity spell that threw her off balance and plastered him to the ceiling. He leapt off again and dispelled the gravity effect before she could adapt to his new position, kicking downwards at her head...

...throwing all of his telekinesis into his hoof as it descended.

She flung up her hoof to block, taking the blow on the element of magic. The crystal sang out as it absorbed the bonecrushing force, Ace growling as he used his telekinesis to fling himself downwards and kick out at her belly. She caught this just in time, throwing him aside to tumble across the ground below.

He rolled back into a fighting position, Xephyr smiling in satisfaction and diving in again. They exchanged blows, his telekinesis enhanced hooves ringing off her magically solidified flesh. She drove in a hard blow of her own and it struck what felt like shields about his body, throwing another one and watching the tell tell sign of magical protections breaking down.

He yelled in fury, magic sparking as he flung himself in a desperate punch. He put his whole body into it and she was too close to do anything but block, grimacing as it drove against her hooves with enough force to bruise. She retreated back, not wanting to take another of those any time soon...

...as Ace gasped, his horn sparking with magical burn out and his hooves collapsing under him. He lay there panting, Xephyr taking a moment to get her own breath back before approaching, "That's what I'm talking about Ace. That was incredible."

He grunted, "...did I even hurt you?"

"Yes actually."

"Liar."

She chuckled, "Some ponies would be proud that they kept up with a Princess going all out." She placed a hoof against his shoulder, allowing healing energies to pass into his body, "I even had to use the element of magic."

"Yeah, a little unfair." He commented as he slowly rose, blinking as his exhaustion lifted, "You broke my rib."

"Well your dad isn't around to tell me off." She answered with a grin, "And you're pony enough to take it. You just proved that now."

"To be frank... I'm not sure why it matters anymore." He pointed an accusing hoof straight at Xephyr, "You still destroyed me, and I know you were holding back. You're a princess, you were trained by Littlepip herself!"

She blushed, not really liking where this was going, "Yes..."

"So when are you going to fly out, beat up Star Swirl and Caesar, and save the world? Because frankly, the rest of us need to start making up banners proclaiming your victory."

She took a deep breath. Good question.

Xephyr was really starting to hate the medical wing of the temple.

She approached cautiously, unsure quite how to approach this, how to even begin. The mare sat quietly upon the cushions within the mediation chamber, soft brown robes failing to entirely conceal the scars upon her aged but muscular body. Not to mention the white cloth wrapped around her face, obscuring the still healing cybernetics underneath.

Finally she was forced to speak, "Fluttershy."

"Is that you Xephyr?" Fluttershy asked, her voice cracking slightly with relief and excitement, "It's so good to hear your voice again."

"And yours Fluttershy." Xephyr stated with conviction, "I'm sorry it took so long."

Fluttershy chuckled, extending a hoof forward. Xephyr stepped forward and took it, Fluttershy pressing her hoof firmly against hers, "Perhaps you came back at exactly the right moment."

Xephyr paused, certainly not about to agree. It sounded nice, like a postcard, but she wasn't one to deny the cruel reality, "It would have gone far better if I had turned up twenty minutes earlier."

"It will be ok Xephyr." Fluttershy noted with kindness, "We never have quite enough time to spend with those we love."

Xephyr admitted that she wasn't the first to lose a mother, and that at least they were speaking to one another. But that wasn't all that had happened, "Tandia... and your eyes."

"Perhaps it was time." Fluttershy noted softly, "Tandia told me that... she was soon to die. And that she was perfectly ok with it."

"And..."

Fluttershy chuckled, "Did Ace Gold tell you he lost his own eyes?"

Xephyr raised an eyebrow, "He did? But his eyes... they were still his real ones right...?" She tried to think back, but she was sure she would have recognized cybernetics. They had looked fine, better than fine actually...

Fluttershy nodded, smiling warmly, "Puppysmiles repaired them for him."

Xephyr dropped her head, reminded of another misfortune inflicted upon them, "Well, that's not a option..."

"Xephyr... I've been through a lot over the last few months. And so have you." Her smile settled into a look of absolute calm, "And sometimes it's only by lose everything that we can be open to becoming who we need to be."

"No." Xephyr stated quietly, yet firmly. She repeated it after a moment, louder, "No. Suffering doesn't have purpose."

"Xephyr..."

"Suffering is something I'm supposed to stop." Xephyr felt the anger grow, "Because I'm the Princess of Equestria."

Fluttershy shook her head, "Xephyr, it's a dangerous path, trying to save the world."

"Fluttershy, I cannot sit back, meditate, and passively accept all the bad things in this world." Xephyr complained, then straightened tall and proud. At the very least Fluttershy had made her certain in her chosen path, "I'm going to go. I'm going to go out there, beat Star Swirl, beat Caesar, and make all this better."

Fluttershy dropped her eyes, "Do you think that will help?"

"Yes!" Xephyr shouted, "Beating up the bad guys helps!"

"Star Swirl isn't a bad guy Xephyr..."

"Yes, she is." Xephyr spoke angrily, "I saw her hurt Puppysmiles. She handed me over to the corrupted Twilight, and I've heard what she's done on this side of the veil!"

Fluttershy gave a sad smile, "And you're going to kill her."

"I'm..." Xephyr hesitated, "I'm going to punch her in the face until she says sorry."

"Xephyr." Fluttershy breathed, soft and full of regret, "You're in the center of Zebra civilization, in one of the greatest temples of harmony, surrounded by the wisest minds on the planet. For once in your life ignore your gut, stay still and consider your actions."

"Fine." Xephyr grumbled, though she hardly meant it. Because she knew that for every second she spend considering, even moment spent listening to the wisdom of old zebra in caves... ponies were dying.

And that was on her conscience.

The center of zebra civilization huh? She looked around at the great library, at the thousands of year worth of wisdom, and knew the truth.

She was not a zebra.

She was dimly aware that her family had originally come from a city in the central valleys, a city that was now nothing more than scattered ruins. Reading about it failed to spark any kind of connection in her heart, and the zebra she saw here didn't even look like the ones she knew back home. Their languages felt heavy on her tongue, provided by her connection to harmony rather than any real conception of the subtleties.

She looked at the great murals and statues that celebrated zebra history. It made her homesick, reminded her of the statue of Littlepip in the presidential palace. And at that moment she never felt more alone.

She found herself paused at the shrine they had set up for Tandia, her glasses and a picture of her as a young woman laid out on a podium, along with the books she had written and her traveling cloak. This at least sparked some sort of understanding, some shared bond. Tandia had been element of magic, just over twenty years before Littlepip had exited the vault. From what she had heard, Littlepip might never have succeeded without Tandia's actions in restoring harmony.

Tandia could have taught her so much... and she had died seconds before Xephyr had arrived. Was that the will of harmony? Was there only so much magic to go around?

"You struggle to understand your role."

Xephyr turned, observing the zebra elder standing behind. Another of a thousand brown cloaked figures, she didn't recognize him, "I thought I could just pick up where I left off. I remember it being so much easier."

"Your mother told a very different story."

Xephyr admitted she was sugarcoating a little. With Calamity's injury, him getting divorced from Velvet Remedy, tension within the group, Velvet Promises getting assassinated... it hadn't been easy. But at least she had known who she was, "I just feel so lost, like I don't belong. Back then, I always knew what to do."

The elder smiled disarmingly, "You were certain."

"Yeah..."

"But were you wise?"

"I beat Sunny Smiles, and the enclave." She protested, before admitting that it hadn't been that clean, "I mean, I made mistakes... but I never hesitated."

"And were those mistakes made because of your lack of hesitation?" The zebra questioned, "You have been gone seven years."

Xephyr winced. She still couldn't believe it.

"And you are therefore, seven years older. Along with the benefits of being a Princess, your understanding of the world has expanded." The zebra noted with a smile, "It can be so easy to be certain when your conception of the world is so limited. With age, with wisdom, comes the realization that simple answers are childhood fantasies."

"I don't want to be that pony." She protested quietly, then firmed her expression in anger, "I came this far by refusing to compromise."

"And this place to which you have come. It is better than if you had compromised?"

Xephyr stared at him, wanting to be angry. But... it was a good point. She had always put down her achievements to being a moral paragon, but her actions by that code had often inspired moral criticism. She had often failed, to protect others, to protect herself, to make things better... because she did what she knew was right, rather than what was pragmatic.

Littlepip did what was pragmatic. Xephyr had reasoned that Littlepip had more difficult decisions to make, was forced to compromise. That she had created a world where you could be unyielding in your morality. But maybe Xephyr had just wanted to differentiate herself from her mentor. Be her own hero, follow her own code.

She loved Littlepip. But she had often felt insecure. No matter how hard she had fought, no matter how strong she became... she would never be able to achieve half of the things she had. And even if Xephyr could punch through metal, shrug off hits from dragons and had her own pair of wings, she felt in her heart of hearts that she would never measure up. Because she didn't have... that special something. That mind, that determination. The element of magic might have chosen her, but Littlepip had a power all of her own.

Xephyr sighed, angrily averting her gaze, "They expect me to save them. But if I'm not certain, if I'm not... a hero..." She took a deep breath, "Then I'm just another super powered bruiser."

"The element of magic thinks differently." The zebra noted, "Or it would never have chosen you."

Xephyr looked up, trying to think of some response... but she was cut off as another zebra ran up to her, harried and upset looking. Her heart froze as she beheld his expression, his voice shaking as he spoke, "Princess Xephyr, your mother... they have requested that you come immediately."

"Go to her." The old zebra stated.

Xephyr stood at the entrance to the room, frozen in place. It was like the world had stopped, all thoughts, all emotions locked as she looked across at the bed, those gathered around... and her mother, Xenith, still and lifeless, only the tiniest flickers of energy still clinging to her.

One of the shaman finally broke the silence, turning and walking slowly over. He signed himself, then looked her in the eye with solemn dignity, "I am sorry Xephyr, your mother is dead."

"How!" She tried to ask, finding herself shouting the question as a fierce well of feeling bubbled up, "I asked to be told immediately..."

"It was very sudden." The shaman soothed, "Her heart simply stopped beating. We sent a runner and began aid, but it was fruitless."

She moved past him, approaching her mother's body. The anger she had felt now flooded through her, impossible to stem. Anger at the injustice of it all, the... outright malicious actions of fate, "She spent all those years trying to bring me back... and the moment I return, she's beaten into a coma?"

"Her own life, in return for yours..."

She turned to Signal Jammer, standing by the bed with a look of truly broken sadness. Xephyr didn't realize her feelings in time, was too slow to stem her emotions, "It was your fault, your friends did this to her!"

She advanced in fury, ready to fight as Signal Jammer retreated in alarm. The others cried out but she ignored them, needing to look the mare in the eye...

...and Signal Jammer gave her that, stopping and looking up at Xephyr with tearful eyes, "I'm sorry..."

Xephyr reached over... and placed a gentle hoof against the mare's cheek, the tears soaking her fur. Xephyr felt the anger disparate, leaving her with a profound... nothingness. Her voice came out a monotone, "I know... I'm sorry too." She turned her head away, her lips narrowing, "It's just harmony's will that will all should suffer."

"Harmony has a plan for us..."

She turned and silenced the shaman with a dark glare, expanding her wings across the room and causing them all to step back in fear. She heard her voice echo a little, aware of a dark and intoxicating magic flooding through her, "You want to lecture me on harmony? I'm a Princess of Harmony! Master of the elements!"

They dropped their heads, "Of course Princess..."

She gritted her teeth, sheathed her wings, and strode past them. She couldn't be here anymore, "Give my mother the heroes' funeral she deserves. I need to be alone."

She had been drawn here, drawn by some great sense of purpose. She instinctively felt the touch of harmony, and that touch only intensified the anger inside of her as she climbed the stairs upwards. She liked that anger, that anger blocked out everything else. All the thoughts that she knew would break her, numbed by the fierce desire to avenge herself on existence itself.

She paused a moment as the stone work became rough hewn, more a cave than a building. She felt breeze on her face, saw the daylight ahead. She advanced cautiously, emerging in a large open cave that opened out onto a panoramic view of Garm far below. She looked to the brazier in the center of the room and it's purple flame, realizing after a moment that she was in one of the six caves above the city that represented the elements of harmony.

And this... was magic.

She took slow steps forward, after a moment finding her attention directed downwards. The ground beneath was nothing but smooth sand, but she felt the memories as if they were physical. Felt the hooves of Celestia and Luna where she was now standing, felt the images and emotions as if they were right there...

They had argued here. It had been about some minor interpretation of zebra law, but Xephyr knew that behind it had been deeper feelings. Luna was both shaman and princess, first to walk across these lands. She had been proud of that, fiercely proud. It was the one place where her achievements had been her own, where she was respected.

And Celestia had come here with her, full of wisdom and knowledge. Had failed to even give Luna the same respect she gave the zebra elders, treated her like the 'younger sister' rather than the equal of any one of them. Had once again been better than Luna, at something she held truly dear.

She looked to the flame, felt the echoes within. Friendships, connections... the element of magic governed these things, and the flame remembered each one.

She felt the thread of her and her mother, fragile, insubstantial. Ultimately they had never known each other. They had fought beside each other, argued, embraced, talked, searched for one another... and ultimately they had done all of this because they were 'mother' and 'daughter', and were driven by a sense of duty to that ideal of family.

And it would never be anything more.

Xephyr thought she should cry now, but she had never been good at that. Like when her fiancé had died all she felt was a sense of crushing depression, a hole in her that felt like an organ had been wrenched free.

She searched for a connection to her friends, but she only felt loneliness and grief. She knew then, that back in Equestria her friends were suffering, that they had been left to suffer in her absence. That she had let them down.

She firmed herself, drew on her determination. Reminded herself that she was a hero, that it was her job to restore hope.

She galloped forward, expanded her wings, and jumped. The wind rushed past, she pushed her magic... and burst for the horizon.

She would make all of this right.

She flew for a long time, across the Mutum valley, across the ruined city where her great, great, great grandfather had been born, across the mountain where the All-Mother’s corpse lay sprawled out. She beheld the great land of the zebra below her, feeling nothing but a sense of loss.

And then it emerged. The fields, the well planned villages, the stone towers protecting them... and beyond, a great city on a hill, boxy yellow structures climbing towards a great pyramid like structure at the peak.

Demonivore. She was close.

She felt eyes on her and looked to the side, spotting a alicorn hovering nearby with a wide eyed, terrified expression on her face. Xephyr studied her for a moment, more confused the longer she took. The alicorn was barely more than a filly, built differently from Twilight’s alicorns and far more like an ordinary pegasus, demonstrated none of the balefire and dark magic aura that they did. Xephyr approached and the filly quickly accelerated away, diving towards the city below. Xephyr considered for a moment before following, needing to know exactly what was going on.

She sensed them before she saw them, and saw them long before they were anywhere near her. She opened her wings and dived sideways across their flight path, taking note of their shiny metal bodies and the four long tentacles extending behind, all mounting some kind of weapon. Basic combat droids really, like the kind she had fought dozens of times.

She dived in, coming in from the side and easily outpacing them as they tried to come about. Bullets were flung in her direction but she avoided them with ease, tearing one apart with a quick punch. So far, a decent warm up. Just six more of the things...

...she saw the shimmer in the air, not sure exactly what it was until the wires caught around her wings and brought her to a shuddering halt. She gasped in pain as they bit tight, well aware that they would have broken a normal pegasi's wings and not exactly shrugging off the impact herself. She took hold of the wires in her hooves and swung, crashing two of the robots into each other and taking them out, sending the others twirling off course and causing their weapons to miss. She dove in, hoping to take them out in a few quick moves.

And then a blast of balefire energy erupted from nearby, Xephyr turning to find herself face to face with... another alicorn.

An alicorn with flowing rainbow hair, her fur brilliantly white, golden magic burning at her horn.

...and then the magic faded slightly, the alicorn’s eyes widening in recognition.

Xephyr took her opportunity, dragging the droids behind as she rushed in for the strike. The alicorn recovered enough to send a bolt of energy lancing from their horn, Xephyr ducking and allowing it to cut her free of the wires. That done she had plenty of momentum left to deliver a flip kick to the alicorns chest, causing her to cry out and fall backwards.

She didn't want to risk letting up for a moment. Unfortunately this meant her next strike was a little off balance and the alicorn blocked it with her own hoof, swiping out with her own blow and almost connecting. Xephyr used the opportunity to center herself, searching for weaknesses in her opponent's style...

And then the droids rushed past again, seizing Xephyr's wings and hoof to drag her backwards. She tried to pull against them as the alicorn recovered, but the droids had momentum on their side and she just didn’t have enough time. And as the alicorn charged up her horn and aimed straight for Xephyr, she had absolutely no choice but to take it full in the belly. It burned like acid, the shock worse than being shot, the impact flinging her backwards with very little control over her momentum. She had only just gotten control back when the alicorn teleported in above her, driving downwards with a double buck that flung her towards the ground with bonecrushing force.

She eased herself up from the dirt, spitting out gravel and blood. She tried to get back onto her hooves, her efforts halted as a long, slim leg drove her back down into the dirt.

"Xephyr, element of harmony. Just showing up here, after all this time."

Xephyr forced her head up, only managing to raise her eyes halfway up the alicorn's chest, "And you're... Star Swirl..."

"And you're Lotus." Star Swirl noted as she stepped back, her tone calculating, "Puppysmiles knew, didn't she?"

Xephyr considered it. Given the evidence, it seemed very likely, "And you're... just as awful as I remember..."

"You should have remembered how easily I defeated Puppy." Star Swirl noted, before kicking Xephyr off the ground and sending her tumbling through the dirt. Before she had even come to rest Star Swirl brought her down with a harsh stomp to the hoof, breaking the bone... and leaving the element of harmony pinned their upon the ground, "So this is what it looks like up close."

Xephyr struggled through the pain, "Don't...!"

Star Swirl unlocked the device with her telekinesis, floating it up before her. Xephyr reached out in horror, knowing what was going to happen next... Star Swirl floated it onto her head, the pip buck melting away to be replaced by a shining crown. It landed there, settling down upon her hair...

Xephyr braced for the mutation, but it never came.

"I feel nothing." Star Swirl complained, "Is this some sort of elaborate fake? A trick?"

Xephyr was frozen in shock for a moment, considering the implications. Not being corrupted like Twilight had meant she was not an 'unnatural' being, not a creature of chaos. And the pipbuck changing to a crown meant she had potential, however small. And that meant, "You need to unlock its power."

"How?" Star Swirl demanded.

"You... have to have friends."

Star Swirl gritted her teeth, levitated Xephyr off the ground, and suspended her face to face. Her face was a mask of utter contempt, "I have plenty of those."

And then she unleashed a blast of telekinesis and sent Xephyr sailing back across the horizon with enough force that after everything else... she wasn't surprised when she blacked out before even hitting the ground.

Movement... nearby...

Xephyr dragged herself upright, blinking as she tried to work out exactly where she had landed, eyes struggling to focus. She saw the manticore stalk towards her, its curiosity now replaced with anger. Its stinger lanced forward and missed her by a mere hair, Xephyr sliding her injured body underneath and scoring a hit on its chin with a sharp upward thrust. The beast staggered back a pace before slumping to the ground, spark out.

That done, Xephyr had a chance to study the damage. To her surprise her broken bones had already healed, and bar some stiffness and pain she appeared to be mostly healthy. She marveled at the benefits of a Princess's body as she rolled to her hooves and tried to scout out her location. She had evidently been flung quite a way, not even able to see Demonivore anymore...

...and her eyes fixed on an unfamiliar alicorn, smaller than normal, with of all things a set of stripes indicating zebra heritage down her side. The unfamiliar alicorn turned with shock, quickly swinging up a spear and firing a grenade from the underslung launcher. Xephyr batted it to the side and flung herself forward with a burst of her wings, dodging a swing of the spear before sending it spinning away with a kick.

"I won't allow you to insult Celestia any further!" The alicorn shouted, striking with considerable skill as she pressed her offense, "I carry her will with me!"

Xephyr deflected her strikes, backing off and fighting defensively as she sought to learn more, "So she sent you to finish me off?"

"I don't understand!" She shouted in frustration as she tried to score a hit, "How can you be still fighting after the beating you just took from my lady!?"

Xephyr wondered, letting the alicorn nail her with a hoof. The blow hurt, but not that much. Certainly not as much as it would have once done.

"Abomination!" The alicorn screamed, unleashing a blast from her horn. Xephyr just took it against her linked hooves, leaving only a light burn as she leapt through the attack and struck the alicorn a solid blow between the eyes that knocked her stumbling. She gasped in pain and opened her wings, jumping backwards to take flight, "I don't..."

And then a gunshot took her wings away from her, shredding the important pinions and leaving her flailing. A second shot caught her in the neck, cutting open the arteries and landing her into the dirt in a pool of blood.

"No!" Xephyr rushed forward, her hoof pressing against the wound to stem the tide of blood. She pumped her magic into it, closing the injury little by little, investing life energy into the dying alicorn. She felt the mare stir and begin to stabilize, even as she felt the presence of another girl nearby.

A girl with an assault rifle pointed at her head.

Xephyr swept round and flung out her hoof, sending a blast of force flying outwards and nailing the young zebra who had been standing there with enough force to fling her head over hooves.

"Stand down!" Cried a middle aged pegasi mare that emerged from nearby, rifle trained on Xephyr's head. She was soon backed up by another figure, a similarly aged, fat zebra carrying a shotgun. The mare took a brief look at her fallen comrade before turning her eyes back to Xephyr, "Why are you protecting a Knight? I thought you were fighting only a moment ago."

"Knight?" Xephyr questioned.

"Knights of Celestia." Came another voice, the small zebra she had struck rubbing her head as she picked herself off the ground. She was small but well built, with a powerful intensity that made up for a seeming lack of years, "The minions of the new Queen of Star Fall."

Xephyr nodded, trying to keep an eye on all three of them, "I was fighting her. I just finished fighting Celestia... or Star Swirl." She shook her head, firmly disapproving, "Doesn't mean I want her dead."

"That's... surprising." The pegasus mare stated, lowering her weapon.

The middle aged zebra agreed, "And rare."

"You're pretty unusual in general." The young zebra commented, staring intensely with eyes that definitely had more than a hint of magic about them, "You're not a zebra and pegasus crossbreed are you?"

"No." Xephyr confirmed, having never had time for being shy about herself, "I'm a Princess of Equestria."

"Now there's no need for that." The pegasus mare started, "We're here to help..."

"She's telling the truth." The small zebra stated, cutting her companion off, "Or she thinks she is at least."

She placed a hoof to her heart, looking across the three, "My name is Xephyr. I'm from Equestria."

"Sabah. This is Going Merry and Ethesus." The small zebra replied, "I think you'd better come with us."

Zealous Point brought back all sorts of memories, Xephyr fighting both nostalgia and long buried nightmares as she looked around the hastily fortified settlement, swarming in kids no older than fifteen armed to the teeth. They had the hard eyed look of veteran warriors, as had she once. As many of her old comrades from back then still did.

"Glyphmark..." She breathed, catching Sabah's attention. The child gave her a questioning look, Xephyr taking a moment to compose herself before explaining, "It's... familiar. I grew up in a town of orphans, constantly under siege by slavers. I was just eleven years old when I fought... when I killed for the first time."

"You have a lot in common with them." Sabah responded grimly, "Complete with Princess."

Xephyr had been given a recap, "Princess Luna."

"I met her once, in a dream." Sabah responded, "She helped me. So now I help her followers."

Xephyr thought back to her own time in the deep dreaming, of Midnight Dreamer. How strange she had been. Aware that she was dead, not quite a Princess but clearly chosen of harmony... a follower and servant of the night, even in death, "I met her too. Have my own dept to pay."

"Who is this?" One of the watchers at the gate called out as Sabah approached, looking at her warily, "We saw battle over Demonivore."

"This is Princess Xephyr of Equestria." Sabah introduced, her tone charmingly straightforward, "I think you better call the council together."

Xephyr felt the nostalgia once again, the council meeting in a pre-war building still missing many of its walls and covered in signs of decay. It was only intensified as she saw the council, all dressed in tatty suits and pre-war uniforms, Xephyr reminded of the wasteland how it was just after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows. The civilian leader was a pegasus mare of middle years, Cyan Quills, the military commander a terrifyingly young earth pony buck called Bleak Waters. Xephyr found the whole thing a little bizarre despite how young she herself had started, with Sabah there the council's average age was somewhere in the late teens.

Still she wasn't going to disrespect them, especially as Cyan Quills and Bleak Waters regarded her with deep suspicion. It was Bleak that spoke first, "I'm pretty sure zebra can't be Princesses. And if you are one, where's your horn?"

"That's a little blunt Bleak Waters." Cyan Quills warned, though her eyes weren't exactly friendly as she looked Xephyr over, "But your story does seem unlikely."

"Careful." Sabah warned the pair, "You might want to think a moment before telling zebra what they can and can't do, especially when one of you wasn't even born here."

"You know that wasn't want I meant." Bleak Waters protested.

"I'm no expert on Princesses, but I don't see any reason why a zebra couldn't be one." Xephyr replied, having heard this comment more than a few times in her career, "And I don't need a horn."

Cyan Quills sighed, "She is right that debating the exact definitions of Princesshood is made difficult by our lack of knowledge on the subject." She adjusted her glasses, lips pursing, "But your presence here is rather... convenient."

"No, it's not." Xephyr replied with a touch of annoyance, "I've been trapped in a nightmare for more than half a decade, stripped of my memories, absent while the world I helped make fell apart, came back to find my mother dead, and my first attempt to help saw me beaten senseless and hurled across the horizon." She stood proud and angry, drawing in a deep breath, "So no, it's not convenient. It's a fucking shitshow."

"Well that's something I can get behind." Bleak Waters responded, "To be honest, I have heard of the lost Zebra Princess of Equestria. I thought it was just a story, a story DJ Pon3 made up... but I have to admit, she certainly seems to fit the description."

"It fits precedent at least." Cyan Quills agreed with a sigh, "They were already calling this place the battlefield of the gods. A Princess only adds to the mess.”

Xephyr had heard, "Princess Luna."

"And Starhammer. And now Celestia seeks to claim these territories." Cyan Quills looked across at her, "So Princess Xephyr, do you intend to fight Celestia? Add your name to the list?"

"Yes, I do." Xephyr stated.

"No offense." Bleak Waters quickly responded, "But these aren't your lands, and this isn't your fight. This is the territory of King Radhi and the children of Dusklight. We might follow a Princess and I might be a pony, but don’t think we have any loyalty to Equestria.”

"I don't serve Equestria, and I don't serve the NCR." Xephyr responded, having stated this many times during her life, "They've offered me political power a dozen times, and each time I refused. I serve harmony. I fight the wicked and defend the innocent, and I'm not asking for a damn thing in return."

All three looked rather impressed by this, and after a moment Bleak Waters gave a laugh, "You're pretty cool, you know that Princess? And I'm sorry I doubted you."

She smiled now, rather relieved to be able to. It felt like a weight off her shoulders, "No problem."

"You're really planning to fight Celestia?"

Xephyr turned to Sabah, the filly looking grim, "Her name is Star Swirl. And yes, I am."

"So you know." Sabah acknowledged, "Still, when we met you had just been shot out of the sky, so why do you think it would go any better a second time?"

Xephyr admitted that had been embarrassing. She really hadn't been thinking straight, let her emotions get the better of her. Still she distinctively remembered landing hooves on the mare before being taken out, and they had done damage, "I ran straight into those flying robots before I got anywhere near her, they restrained me in midair and made me a perfect target. One on one, I know I can take her."

"No offense, but I've seen whole teams equipped with anti-armor rifles firing at her shields without making a dent." Sabah warned, "And she hits like a truck, teleports with pinpoint precision and can lay out whole teams with her telekinesis."

Xephyr admitted that was a little impressive. Still nothing there was impossible, "Give an alicorn time to brace and you'd have to drop a boxcar on her head to get through her shields. You need to keep them moving, don't let them hunker down."

"Sounds like you have experience." Bleak Waters commented.

"I've fought my fair share." Xephyr admitted, "So what else do we have to worry about? Does she have an army?"

"Not... exactly." Cyan Quills explained, "Most of the area's troops are in Equestria. She only really has militia forces, which she has so far kept in their garrisons. Her primary assets are the members of the Church of Celestia, and her Knights."

"Ironically it's the opposite to when we fought Starhammer." Bleak Waters explained, "In terms of military force, we heavily outnumber her. But she's avoided a straight engagements, has so far been content to try and subvert our control over the area instead. Bribing local villages to turn on each other, destroying the crops of those who resist, vandalizing and robbing trade caravans, spreading propaganda... and when we do get her agents in a straight fight, it isn't long before she teleports in and hurls us around like amateurs."

"Good." Xephyr concluded, "Then it should be simply to draw her out..."

She was cut off by a sharp rap on the door, Xephyr turning as it opened and a young zebra peaked through, "Sorry, but I was sent to get you straight away!"

"What is it Zebobrim?" Cyan Quills asked.

The zebra gulped audibly before delivering his news, "It's... Celestia. She's here."

Bleak Waters took this news with grim resignation. He looked to Xephyr, "Well it seems you might get that fight sooner than you thought."

She stood in the center of the settlement with her knights lined up beside, to Xephyr's relief not making any aggressive moves as yet. Indeed they didn't seem dressed for it, each and every one of them clad in elaborate regal splendor. The feathers of their wings were linked by gold chain, their flanks clad in shimmering white cloth, her heads each crowned in precious metals and gems. Star Swirl herself looked the most impressive of course, and indeed she did cut a rather divine figure as she stood imperious and unafraid before her enemies.

Star Swirl's eyes turned as Xephyr approached, the alicorn giving her a rather chilly smile, "That teaches me for delegating."

"Star Swirl!" Sabah shouted, the angry little zebra marching out past Xephyr, "What do you want?!"

Star Swirl simply smiled, "I want peace Sabah. I want you to come back with me, to rejoin my church, and help me save this world."

Sabah grimaced back, flashing a look of deep hatred, "You can start by releasing Thousand Sunny and her fath..."

Xephyr knew it wasn't good by the look of smug triumph that passed over Star Swirl's face, the alicorn lifting her wing and revealing another knight below. It was the one who had spotted Xephyr above the city, her true youth very clear admit the older mares around her. And as the filly shyly stepped forward and flashed an awkward smile Sabah uttered a cry of utter horror, "NO!"

Going Merry also rushed forward, her face flush with worry, "Sunny!"

The young knight smiled back at them, even as she retreated closer to Star Swirl, "Hello mother, Sabah. It's fine..."

"No it's not!" Sabah shouted in fury, "How could you let her do this to you?!"

"It's what I've always wanted Sabah." Thousand Sunny protested, "To be a princess. To carry Celestia's ideals into the world, to bring back harmony. She released dad and me, she showed us great kindness..."

"She's a servant of Sunshine Ivory!"

Star Swirl's smile didn't grow any less smug, "Sunshine Ivory lies in my dungeon, awaiting trial for crimes most foul." She looked across the crowd, eyes finally settling on Bleak Waters, "Including the assassination of my sister, Princess Luna."

"And you intend to take up her throne?" Bleak Waters responded with a deep note of cynicism.

"It was what she wanted." Star Swirl replied, trying to look benevolent as she spread her wings wide, "I was deep in the council of Starhammer and Luna both, they both left their legacies to me. The last thing I wish is to fight you all."

"You've dragged hundreds into your labs, performing cruel experiments! You've assassinated leaders who don't support you! You're a fucking demon!" Sabah screamed.

"Celestia just wants to save the wasteland Sabah." Thousand Sunny began, "If that means taking bad people, and using them to create medicine..."

"Shut up Sunny!" Sabah screamed back, cutting the filly off, "I can't believe you joined her!"

Star Swirl gave Sunny a sad shake of her head, "I'm sorry Thousand Sunny. It seems you were wrong about her."

Xephyr saw what was going on, and gave Star Swirl props for so effectively putting her opponents on the backhoof. Still Xephyr had heard a good half dozen of these speeches in her years, "I notice one big difference between your delegation and ours Princess Celestia."

Star Swirl turned, sounding interested in the new challenge, "And what is that?"

"Your inner circle all look, dress and act exactly like you." Xephyr observed with calm tones, focusing her eyes right at the would be goddess, "You can twist your words until even you believe your motives are pure, but at the core of it you're simply back to the same old alicorn shit. Turning the world into a reflection of your own ugly face, just so you can flatter your own ego. Just like your mother, you truly can’t escape the unity can you?"

Star Swirl visibly angered, unable to maintain her smile nor suppress the flicker of balefire across her horn, "And you're a failure of a princess, who abandoned us when we needed you most." She got her smile back at this, smug and self satisfied as she held her head high, "The element of magic looks better on me."

This led to muttering through the crowds, all eyes turned to the element of magic on Star Swirl's head. Sabah lent in, "Is that really the element of magic?"

"It is indeed!" Star Swirl crowed, "The ultimate proof of worthiness to rule!"

"Well stated." Xephyr answered, extending her hoof, "To me!"

And the element promptly dissolved into light, shot across the courtyard and wrapped around Xephyr's outstretched hoof. A moment later and it was solid again, her familiar pipbuck once more in its rightful place.

Star Swirl finally recovered from her shock after a moment, "How dare...!"

"You crow about your right to rule, but you stole the element of magic from me, just as you stole Celestia's appearance and Luna's deeds!" Xephyr stepped forward, shouting now, "And ultimately you are undeserving of any of those things!"

"SILENCE!" Star Swirl screamed, the ground cracking around her and several of her knights sent fluttering away in shock as magic burst from her horn. She gritted her teeth, flared her nostrils and faced Xephyr down with furious anger, "I am your godde... I am..." She drew herself back, though her eyes still shook with anger, "I am Queen Celestia of Star Fall, duly elected by my people. I have established a system of taxes, declared my status as ruler to those living here and trained an army to protect them. I challenge Princess Zephyr of the New Canterlot Republic to a duel under the spirits, with the crown to the victor. She is an invader and a usurper.”

Bleak Waters gave a harsh snort, "Are you for real?"

Xephyr had to agree, not sure why Star Swirl thought getting all formal on her would help, "If you want a fight, just say it."

Star Swirl snorted angrily, her expression growing smug as she straightened out imperiously, "You know nothing of your own people, even as you stand in their defense. I speak the words that have been spoken for thousands of years, the rites of formal challenge between Kings and Caesars!"

"They're not my people, any more than they are yours." Xephyr replied, moving forward with intent and watching as the knights and others who had got too close scattered for cover. She turned her attention back to Star Swirl, circling the alicorn, "And I have no authority over anypony. I stand here because they are innocent, and you seek to take advantage of them."

“I stand here because you failed.” Star Swirl snarled, unbuckling her robes with her telekinesis and letting it fall away, “There are new heroes here now, heroes who will actually make the hard choices!”

Xephyr took a deep breath, adapting her muscles for speed, “Heroes like you?”

Star Swirl glared angrily as the others retreated back to make a circle around the two combatants, “The real hero of this story is already dead. She died while you were off adventuring in dream land, while we were all fighting and dying for what was right!” She crouched low for the charge, “Princess Luna, Zenai, Silver Scribe... I will make you pay for every one of them!”

“Is this what this is about?” Xephyr asked, “Your guilt, over not being able to save them?”

Star Swirl didn’t answer, but the fury in her eyes made it quite clear that this had stung.

Xephyr circled Star Swirl, studying her. Her stance, her body, her eyes. She was built differently from the other alicorns she had met, more proportionate, larger, stronger. It might have just been body fat and muscle, but she was definitely a little more formidable than average. On the other hoof, she was still an alicorn. No matter how much magical power she packed, they were still weak chinned, inflexible, clumsy creatures, unsuited for close range combat.

Star Swirl studied her back, but the alicorn’s expression and twitchy body language made it clear that she ached to get started. Xephyr decided to indulge her. She kicked forward, Star Swirl immediately firing a blast from her horn.

Xephyr ducked, dodged, kicked up dust. She charged in at an oblique angle, doubled back into the obscuring cloud and dulled down her energy and body temperature. Star Swirl advanced incautiously to intercept her and Xephyr pulled off her ambush, leaping out and delivering a full strength blow to Star Swirl’s shields. It bounced off and Xephyr winced as she hit the ground, looking up to see Star Swirl stumble with her shields vibrating.

Xephyr admitted she was impressed. She had tangled with shields projected from static emplacements that weren’t as tough.

Still, it only took one more. She charged back in as Star Swirl turned, shattered the alicorn’s shields and leapt in for the kill. One good hit on her jaw…

…but she didn’t get the chance, Star Swirl expertly using a hoof to throw Xephyr off balance midair and use the other to kick her firmly in the stomach. Xephyr was thrown back to roll across the sands, readjusting her prior assumptions as she recovered from the blow. Star Swirl wasn’t a poor close quarters combatant, that had shown a considerable level of skill.

But Star Swirl then spoiled it all by angling her horn forward for a point blank horn blast.

It might have worked if Xephyr had been stunned or immobilised by that attack but she was neither, rolling away as the attack blasted the ground next to her. A sharp thrust of her legs and wings and Xephyr shot forward, Star Swirl realising too late that she had extended her head far beyond her body and firmed all four legs on the ground for stability. It meant Xephyr’s hoof landed clean on Star Swirl’s forehead with no resistance, Xephyr sweeping herself about with her wings and slamming her back hoof across Star Swirl’s jaw. It was a devastating blow, one that would have knocked an earth pony spark out. As expected Star Swirl went over like she had been shot, hitting the ground in a tangle of limbs.

Xephyr landed smoothly, turning to study the now limp form of her opponent… before it disappeared with a flash of golden light, appearing again a short distance away. Xephyr watched in awe as the alicorn quickly erected another shield, then slowly and unsteadily dragged herself back upright. Star Swirl was missing teeth, her nose was bleeding and her eyes lacked focus, but she was still standing. Still standing, after a kick that would have taken a griffon’s head off.

Xephyr firmed herself, then pushed her advantage. She galloped in, intending to finish this.

Star Swirl summoned up a barrage of energy blasts that rained from the sky, this however was old news. Xephyr even started to enjoy herself as she bounded between the attacks, feeling her old confidence start to burn within her. She reached Star Swirl easily, preparing to strike…

Star Swirl took one blow on her shields, disengaged them herself, and met Xephyr head on.

It was a fight like Xephyr hadn’t had in a very long time, finding herself countered, matched, manoeuvred… and returning that experience in full. They darted around each other, each looking to take advantage of their respective size. Long, sharp alicornian hooves rained down precise blows, Xephyr’s solid legs much slower but making it count with every impact. They eventually tangled together and hit the ground, rolling and struggling as they wrestled for the advantage.

And it was Star Swirl who won it. She shoved Xephyr away, then dived forward and speared Xephyr through the shoulder with her horn. Xephyr gasped and tried to struggle backwards, the pain registering at the same time as something else… the crackle of magic.

It charged through Star Swirl’s horn, a second away from frying her from the inside. Xephyr did the only thing she could, bracing herself against the horn and bringing her hoof down in one powerful blow. Their screams echoed as one as they fell apart, Star Swirl’s shattered horn falling upon Xephyr’s pooling blood.

Xephyr gasped, using her magic to heal the wicked hole in her shoulder. It had punctured an artery, her mind going faint as she started to feel the blood loss… and Star Swirl’s hoof drove into her jaw, slamming her to the ground.

“You don’t understand who I am do you!” Star Swirl screamed, kicking Xephyr in the stomach and sending her tumbling, “I’m a Princess, I’m a Goddess! I am Celestia, immortal and eternal! There is not injury that I cannot recover from!” She grinned wildly, eyes glinting as she stopped for a moment and suddenly began to radiate the bitter scent of balefire. Xephyr felt the rads and already knew what was to come, watching as Star Swirl’s horn slowly regrew itself. Star Swirl laughed, high and smug, “Witness my divin…”

Xephyr kicked out, sending forth a burst of compressed air that smacked the smug alicorn on the nose. A roll later and Xephyr was in perfect position, delivering a double buck to the back of Star Swirl’s front leg. It displaced the joint with ease, Star Swirl giving a shrill cry as she pitched forward and slammed jaw first into the ground. Star Swirl panicked then, already summoning her magic. Xephyr stood, prepared, and waited.

Star Swirl teleported away, as Xephyr figured she would. But this time she was ready.

Xephyr followed the thread, galloped forward and caught Star Swirl right as she reappeared again, driving her hoof into the mare’s jaw. Star Swirl dropped with a yell of fear and pain, then another as Xephyr landed on her chest and started punching. Star Swirl struggled and fought back but she was now off balance and vulnerable, easily outmatched as Xephyr struck her again, and again…

…right until Star Swirl summoned a long pole from the air next to her, driving it forward and cutting deep into Xephyr’s shoulder. Xephyr was forced backwards, gasping as flames burst from her wound. She was taken further of guard as she saw that the pole before her was no simple pole, it was some kind of spear. Covered in gold and silver, shining like the sun, regal and stately in a way that inspired instant respect. Star Swirl grinned through bloody teeth as she rolled upwards, taking the weapon in the crook of her leg and swinging fiercely.

Xephyr dodged the first move, blocked the second… at great cost, the impact of the shaft sending pain lancing through her. Star Swirl swung the weapon upwards faster than anything that heavy had any right to be, smacking Xephyr under the chin and leaving her seeing stars. The next swing took off Xephyr’s ear, spreading flames across her scalp.

Xephyr knew she was in a bad position. The next blow would take off her head. So she leapt, one last desperate charge.

Star Swirl struck her hard with the shaft of the spear, flinging her into the building nearby. Neither building nor mare won the resulting contest, Xephyr coming to rest on top of a pile of dusty rubble, her back shattered. Star Swirl advanced with a dark grin spread across her face, raising the spear point down…

“I surrender.” Xephyr breathed, forcing the words through her ruined body.

Star Swirl hesitated, then backed off a step. Her spear still hovered, ready for the kill, even as Star Swirl looked about for a trap, “What?”

“You’ve beaten me. I surrender.”

Star Swirl frowned deeply, then a note of triumph crossed her face, “Then all your rights and titles go to me!”

“Precisely nothing.” Xephyr smirked, wincing as she felt her bones start to knit together, “Congratulations Star Swirl, you’ve beaten one zebra. And I made you bleed.” She looked about the crowd, “Only a couple of thousand more to go. So who’s next?”

Sabah stepped forward, her eyes fierce, “I’m up for that.”

Bleak Waters snorted, then took a step, “Count me in.”

And at that dozens more put themselves forward, each readying their weapon, each determined to fight. The faces of the Knights clearly showed their realization that they were horribly outnumbered, Star Swirl on the other hoof seemed truly shocked. She stared around, eyes wide and shaking, “Why!? I offer you so much, and yet you refuse me! Why?!”

“Because leaders, real leaders, don’t prove their worth by winning a fight, throwing around free gifts or brandishing a crown.” Xephyr stated, rolling back onto her hooves and shaking her head clear. She then turned her eyes up at Star Swirl, challenging, “They win respect through sustained, consistent, sincere quality. And doesn’t that just terrify you down to your core?”

Star Swirl backed away in shock, lip shaking, eyes darting. She switched between anger, grief and confusion for several more moments before she reached her Knights, looking down at them for some explanation. They only stared back, Star Swirl offering Xephyr one last look of fury before her horn ignited and took both her and all her companions away in a flash of light.

“That was impressive.” Bleak Waters noted as the cheers started to erupt, “How did you know how to get under her skin?”

“Alicorns have a few shared issues... as do megalomaniacal supervillians I find.” Xephyr explained, really glad that had worked, “You’re right though, she’s pretty tough.”

“I can’t believe Thousand Sunny is working with her!” Sabah spat, clearly upset by this betrayal, “We have to stop this! We have to get her back!”

“We will.” Xephyr soothed, “But I think we’ve proved that she’s too dangerous to take on without help.”

“So what’s the plan?”

Xephyr wasn’t normally one for such things. That was why she normally had a team, “We contact the others, tell them to hurry the schedule. Because if we’re going to capitalize on this, the army needs to march today.”

“We invade Star Fall, and take down Queen Celestia.” Bleak Waters noted, then gave a cheerful laugh, “You know how much those two things mean to the zebra? Maybe you are a Princess after all, because right now I feel like we could actually pull it off.”

Xephyr chuckled. Princess of unwarranted optimism. As capstones to her return went, it wasn’t so bad.

_____________________________________________________________________

Xephyr
Str - 12 End – 10 Dex - 13 Int - 7 Per - 9 Cha - 9 Lk – 11

Level 22

Perks
Tough Hide – Gain +2 DT.

Perfect Harmony Level 2 – Gain +2 to every SPECIAL score.

Shield Breaker Level 3 – You gain +60% damage against magical shields, and double the difficulty of horn shock tests.

Clever Prancer - You gain an additional 5% chance to score a critical hit; your enemies suffer a 25% penalty to their chance to critically hit you. This perk is only effective when wearing light or no armor.

Counter Canter - Opponents suffer a -5 to combat skills when attacking you.

Purifier - As a purifier of the wasteland, you do +50% damage with melee and unarmed weapons against abominations.

Life Giver Level 3 – You have an extra 60 health points, and regenerate lost health.

Silent Gallop - You can Sneak at full speed with no penalties.

How We Do It Down on the Farm - Your damage from critical hits, including Sneak Attack Criticals, is increased by 50%. This does not affect the chance to cause a critical hit.

Hit the Deck - +25 DT against explosives

Piercing Strike - All your unarmed and melee attacks negate 15 points of DT.

Unstoppable Force - x4 normal damage through enemy blocks with melee and unarmed attacks.

Zebra Shaman Level 3 – You can now learn expert level zebra magic.

Bone-Strengthening Brew - With this perk, your limbs only receive 50% of the damage they normally would.

Grounded – You gain a +10 DT and a extra 10% failure chance against magical attacks. This includes beneficial magic too, but not magic you cast on yourself.

Traits
Harmonic - You are a Princess of Equestria, as close to divinity as a mortal can be. You are immune to aging and disease, gain a +50 Rad and psionic resistance, gain +2 to every SPECIAL score, gain +15 DT against Dark and Light Energy, can raise SPECIAL scores above 10 and can chose perks and spells from all races.

Element of Magic – Gain +2 to charisma. When grouping up with companions, you all gain +5 DT, and an extra +5 bonus to your two highest skills.

Dreamer - You think a little deeper about things than most, but tend to forget the world around you. You gain +2 skill points a level, but are at -2 perception.

Leroy’s Charge – You never really believed in being cautious. Gain a +10% damage bonus, and a -5 DT.

Hot Blooded - When your health drops below 50% you deal +15% more damage, but you also suffer -2 to Perception and Agility.

Chapter 5.5 - A Less Perfect Union

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"And we've just received word that the votes are in for the Emerald Fields folks! Certainly a unique result, it seems you were right Homage!"

"It's not surprising Swift Feather. Verdant Kale almost entirely focused her campaign on local issues and farmers welfare, things that obviously played well down in the Emeralds."

"Played well indeed, a commanding sixty three percent lead bringing her national total up from eight percent to seventeen percent of the overall vote."

"I doubt that will get any higher, but it's hardly something to be embarrassed about considering she's a single issue candidate without the backing of any of the major factions within the NCR."

"Quite right Homage. Whatever the result, Verdant Kale has made it clear that she cannot be ignored. And with that, I'm receiving a report that the next territory to be declared will be Ponyville, looking to release their tallies in the next twenty minutes."

"A territory I note has predicted the national result during every election."

"So certainly one to watch! Stay tuned folk, as we invite former arbiter Olden Times into the studio for a indepth discussion of the candidates, and the issues they champion! Don't touch that dial, this is Homage and Swift Feather, with the news that matters!"

Sebastian paced the apartment as the radio droned on, rather wishing it would just be over already. The whole thing was a combination of tedium and anxiety, Sebastian unable to decide if he wanted to win or lose. Maybe if it would just finish already he could get on with dealing with just one of those options, right now he was worried about the downsides of both.

"Moving to Canterlot would be nice." Arick mused as he leant over Stefani's crib, brushing the tip of his wing across her belly and watching her nip and snap for his feathers, "There's less air pollution, and flight restrictions are much laxer. Stefani's gonna love it there."

"She's not even a year old you berk." Kerri called out with amusement, sprawled out across one of the sofas and looking like she hadn't a care in the world. She rolled and stretched, shooting him a smirk, "She'll just be starting to get her training feathers in by the time mom's finished her term."

"Her first term." Arick proudly declared, lifting Stefani out of her crib and suspending her in the air, "And I can take her out for flights, get her used to the air..."

Sebastian moved slightly closer, his face drawn into a frown as he critiqued Arick's rather loose grip on his sister. He eventually had to speak up, "No you won't. And put her down, you're holding her wrong."

Arick just chuckled, tossing the little kit into the air in a quite frankly terrifying manner. Not that it bothered Stefani, the girl giggling happily as he caught her. Arick smirked at that, shooting Sebastian a grin, "See, she loves it."

Sebastian glared right back, "Mom, he's going to drop her!"

"Arick, put Stefani down. Sebastian, stop bugging your brother."

Both of them stood down, sighing and shooting each other challenging looks as they did as they were told, "Yes mom..."

"It will be nice to live in Canterlot." Their father noted as he lay beside their mother, his claw draped affectionately about her shoulder as they listened to the election results. He gave his familiar deep chuckle, resting back, "There's plenty of museums and libraries where I could find work as a scholar, Kerri will love the fashion scene there, Arick can take his art course..."

"Actually I've decided to focus on my martial arts career." Arick declared, dropping back and throwing a punch as he boxed the air, "The Grimfeather Kid... the sponsorship deals write themselves."

Sebastian snorted, having had more than enough of his older brother's vanity projects, "Arick, you have a zero to three win loss ratio."

Arick shot a dangerous look back, his anger shining even through his lopsided grin, "Could still flatten you."

Sebastian wondered if that was supposed to be an insult, rather than stated fact, "Well... yeah."

Kerri laughed, " Stefani could beat Sebastian up!"

He sighed, yet again well aware that all his siblings were far tougher than him, "Yeah, thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Quiet, all of you." His mother demanded impatiently, leaning forward and turning the radio dial up.

"And the results are in for Ponyville folks!" Swift Feather declared above the sound of rustling papers, "Verdant Kale has seven percent. Stern Lancer stands at eleven percent. Golden Bits has thirty one. And standing in the lead by a significant margin, Regina Grimfeathers, with fifty one percent of the vote!"

"Alright!" Kerri shouted, her claw punching the air, "Mom! You just won Canterlot, Ponyville and Fillydephia! That's like... half the NCR!"

"And with that, Regina now stands at a fifty nine percent lead, with the votes of eighty two percent of the NCR counted." Homage helpfully noted, "Olden Times, your thoughts?"

The old councilor cleared his throat, his voice soft and weak but still betraying his excitement at the news, "All the candidates here are good, true servants of the republic, but Regina... Regina is the most dutiful, committed, selfless person I have ever had the pleasure to know, and the public see that in her. She was a candidate for the element of generosity after all, and she embodies that in full."

"Olden Times always did like you." His father stated with a grin.

"Ehh..." His mother blushed fiercely, clearly uncomfortable with the praise, "Listen to him, talking about the element. It's just because he remembers me from when he was Arbiter."

"Exactly. I doubt the old man even knows who the others are." Arick commented with a snarky chuckle. He shrugged, "This is likely the first time he's looked outside his fancy mansion in months."

Sebastian shot his brother a chastising look, "Be respectful."

"Yeah, because it's in our interest to champion irrelevant old relics, becoming arbiter because they have lots of money." Arick replied with a smug grin, throwing a sloppy salute, "Keep the new aristocracy going buddy."

Sebastian went to shout back, but actually had to hesitate for a moment. Did... he have a point? Sebastian had very fond memories of Olden Times, as did the republic as a whole, but he was a truebred Tenpony born, Twilight Society educated elite, which did give him a few advantages in life. And thinking about it, out of all the candidates, the only one not of a Republic founding, large organization backed, staggeringly rich background was Verdant Kale... who was dead last.

"That really got to you didn't it. Damn, you're too easy."

Sebastian glared at Arick, distracted from his thoughts by the ever present desire to hit his brother with something large and heavy, "You're a total ass..."

"Damn, I really need a drink." His mother grunted as she rose, shaking out her bad claw with a grimace before padding past them. Her voice sounded out after a second, in that 'pointedly casual' tone, "Sebastian, help me in the kitchen."

Sebastian gave Arick one last glare before turning and following her out.

He found his mother not in the kitchen but just past it, out on the balcony looking out over Manehatten. The city's lights illuminated her from below, as before the war Manehatten never grew dark these days. It gave her a distinguished, triumphant, heroic look, the glass of whisky in her claws only adding to the image. Sebastian couldn't help it, taking out his camera and snapping a quick photo.

She turned, alerted by the sound. Her mouth curled in irritation, "Sebastian, I told you about that."

"Sorry." He meekly commented, placing the camera back in his bag, "It's just... one day, they're going to judge you on the records we leave behind."

She grimaced, "So, drunk, sleep deprived griffon angsting on a balcony?"

He gave her a small smile, "That's not what I was seeing."

"What? A leader? The griffon to take us into the future?" His mother snorted, looking back out over the city, "Ugh... I think I'd prefer being drunk."

"Then why did you agree to run?"

"Because it's not about what I want." She replied, her eyes narrowing angrily, "Or it shouldn't be. Somewhere along the line it became some prize to be won, something to prove you were the biggest, most important pony in the republic. That's the kind of thinking that's making a mockery of everything Littlepip built."

Sebastian dropped his head. He knew what she meant, "So it's duty."

"It's needed." His mother replied, "Did Littlepip really feel that enthusiastic when it became obvious that the new few months would entail getting shot repeatedly and seeing most of her friends die? Did Xephyr when it was revealed that she wouldn't get to enjoy the fruits of the peace she helped build, but instead had to be out there defending it? Or Velvet Remedy, when the brave new world turned out to consist of fifteen years of paperwork, criticism and social isolation?" She stared deep into her glass before taking a big swig, grimacing as it went down, "Fuck everyone who looks at that as some grand privilege, as first prize in the game of life."

Sebastian relaxed a little at that, "So... you heard Arick?"

His mother turned, eyeing him with a tiny bit of hostility, "I agreed to run as Arbiter because yes... being a hero made me very rich, and gained me a lot of privilege. And with that comes an expectation, of sacrifice and quality." She waved a claw at him, "So what are you doing to live up to that legacy?"

Sebastian paused, struck by her question, "I'm... I'm going to university, to learn to be a biologist..."

"And how will that help the world?"

"I..."

"Are you doing it because you think it's the best way to serve, or because it's what you want to do?"

Sebastian looked at his mother, firm, proud, full of expectation. His tongue froze in his mouth, "It's... the NCR needs biologists..." He looked away, trying to order his thoughts, "I was actually thinking of being a taxonomist, discovering, categorizing and recording the traits of all the species out there. If... if we're going to reclaim this world, we need to understand it."

His mother reached out, placing a claw on his shoulder. He looked up to see her smiling, her voice affectionate, "Good. No one is saying you can't follow your passions, but make sure those passions are meaningful."

He nodded, "So... what is your passion mother?"

She paused, looking slightly haunted for a moment. Eventually she reached up and rubbed her crippled claw, voice a little choked, "To... see you all happy and safe."

He hesitated, knowing he had touched a nerve, "Mother, I..."

"Hey!" A shout came from the living room, "Get back in here!"

They both rushed inside, the family all gathered around the radio as Swift Feather's voice continued in his calm, authorative cadence, "...placing Golden Bits in a firm second place. And yes fillies and gentlecolts, that means that your new arbiter, with forty three percent of the vote... please join me in congratulating Regina Grimfeathers!"

"I couldn't think of a better choice." Homage agreed.

Bright lights, roaring noise. Sebastian blinked as he stepped across the stage, trying not to trip over his own claws as the constant flashes from the photographers burned themselves into his retinas. Arick was preening as normal, totally at ease in the sharp suit he had been forced into. The same couldn't be said of his father and Kerri, neither of which had much time for formalwear at the best of times. Given that he was happy to fade into the background, staying behind his mother and sharing private smiles with those in the crowd who he recognized. Ditzi Doo was there with all the orphanage children, Ace Gold, Elegant Waters, Pitch Perfect and Silver Rade all looking like catwalk models as Calamity stood beside them in a suit he appeared to have slept in.

Homage and Velvet Remedy stood at the podium, both sporting big smiles as they let his mother take her place. Homage handed his mother a microphone, looking across a crowd of what was easily filling the arena’s capacity of over seven thousand. She studied the crowd for a moment before she looked back, whispering something to his mother before switching on her own microphone and turning back to the crowd. She waited for the crowd’s cheers to silence before speaking, looking to his mother expectantly, "Many ponies credit your mother with founding the New Canterlot Republic, call the Grimfeathers the 'first family of the NCR'. How do you think Gawdyna would feel to see you now?"

His mother visibly gulped, tongue tied for a moment before she looked out into the crowd with eyes full of emotion, "I hope she would be proud."

...it seemed like so long ago...

Sebastian opened his eyes, taking a moment before he realized... he was back in the here and now. He peered around at the interior of his palace bedroom, the memories of the previous few weeks returning in a rush as he shook of the last of his sleep.

Littlepip, the invasion... Velvet Remedy.

He washed and dressed, somehow more aware of the oppressive silence. He never thought he would say it but he missed the dorms, full of his fellow students arguing, rushing about, making breakfast... here it felt like the whole world had just got up and left during the night.

It certainly looked like it, Sebastian looking around the apartment and seeing no one, all the beds neatly made. He opened the door to the living room and was relieved to see some signs of life at least, Elegant Waters gently snoring on the sofa with a blanket wrapped around her. Pyrelight was perched above, watching over her mistress. The phoenix turned her warm, protective gaze to Sebastian and he took the hint, leaving the filly to her rest.

He ruminated on the events of the previous day as he made his way down towards the central palace, his concern for Elegant sparked anew. Not only had her mother disappeared, Velvet Remedy had made it clear that she was purposely making sure she wouldn't be followed. All her top aides denied any knowledge of her whereabouts with a little too much conviction, and her secretary Sweet Acorn?

Sweet Acorn had been caught burning documentation, and after being apprehended had somehow managed to steal a gun from her captors and use it to shoot herself through the head. She was now in intensive care, unlikely to survive. What remained of the records she had been destroying indicated the Followers of the Apocalypse had been supplying information and materials to Red Eye.

There was now a warrant out on Velvet Remedy, with two of Republic Security's top teams assigned to take her into custody. She had also been tagged as a possible suicide risk, who would likely not allow officials to take her in alive.

And how had Elegant Water’s found out about this? That her mother was a suicidal, suspected criminal? When Swift Feather had pounced on her after a show she was seeing, shoving a microphone in her face and letting her break down on air.

Sebastian had never thrown a punch in anger in his life, but for some he would make exception.

The governmental quarter was full of life at least, the sounds of argument and conversation almost deafening. Life Bloom stood with a look of uncharacteristic anger before a trio of Steel Rangers, fully clad in power armor in what was a clear breach of protocol. Sebastian decided to approach, hearing the tail end of Life Bloom's sentence, "...she doesn't have time for this, and frankly neither do you!"

"She will make time." The lead figure stated, Sebastian noting it was a mare. A rather intimidating looking one, hatchet faced and fire eyed, covered in scars and approaching late middle age. Her voice demanded respect, full of fury and cold arrogance, "We will not put our lives on the line for a nation that makes war on us."

"The NCR is not making war..."

"Spare me." The mare cut Life Bloom off before he had even started, "I am here because Elder Peach Trees is dead, and I am well aware who is responsible."

Life Bloom looked both annoyed... and a little worried at this, "And that would be?"

"The Twilight Society, Velvet Remedy and Regina Grimfeathers." The mare declared, coldly reading off the names with utter contempt in her tone, "You, I do not have quarrel with."

Life Bloom stiffened, as did Sebastian. He took a backstep, wondering whether to run for the guards. Life Bloom's response made him hesitate, "Is that a threat High Elder Scrivener?"

"I have no intention of harming anypony." Victore Scrivener replied, Sebastian recognizing the mare now. She certainly lived up to her reputation, her voice hard as iron, "I have simply come to say my part."

Life Bloom narrowed his eyes, Sebastian noting a couple of armed guards were starting to collect around the area. Life Bloom noted the same, his voice firming up a little, "In full power armor, flanked by two Star Paladins?"

"We have no weapons, only armor." She replied, her own eyes narrowed and suspicious, "And forgive me for taking precautions, but too many of my brothers and sisters in arms have died in most mysterious circumstances lately."

"The arbiter had nothing to do..."

"Call her by her name Chancellor, I know she is one of your closest friends." Victore responded, eyes narrowed, "As such, I place little value in your opinion on the matter."

Life Bloom met Sebastian's eyes, the pony waving him over. Sebastian did as he was told, straightening himself out as he marched towards the intimidating towers of metal and grit now turning their eyes to him. He hoped they couldn't tell how scared he was as he stood before them, Life Bloom offering a reassuring smile as he spoke, "Sebastian, please. You mother is in the western reading room, if you would escort our guests there?"

"So you may contact her by phone, and plan ahead of how to once more take advantage of us?" Victore responded, then gave a icy nod, "Very well. Lead on Master Sebastian."

He nodded to them and led them in the direction he had been instructed, Life Bloom hurrying off as casually as he could. Sebastian had to say he wasn't at all comfortable with being alone with a trio of ponies in power armor with a clear grudge against his family, still he could tell guards were shadowing them.

"Do you hate us Sebastian?"

He looked round at Victore in surprise. She sounded surprisingly gentle when she wasn't yelling, "Of... of course not."

"I thought all young civilians considered us fascists, brutes."

He frowned. Some did. Some considered his mother the same, or Velvet Remedy, "Not all of us are that... ungrateful."

"Then why have the ordinances to limit our power received so much public support?" She asked, her eyebrows arching slightly.

"I..." Sebastian hesitated, admitting he had agreed with some of those ordinances. He didn't hate the Rangers, he simply... feared their attempts to grab power. Where that could lead. The feeling that military force should be the last option, and the least important part of any government, "You're a military organization. Your attempt to grab political power have always seemed... frightening to many."

"We fight and die so that you may have the privilege of making that judgment." She responded, colder now, "Do we ask your bureaucrats to put down their pens before taking their place at the head of the table? Do you question them when they amass their riches, assassinate their enemies, steal from those they are meant to protect?" She glared down at him, "Or are you happy to ignore their abuses, so long as they wear suits instead of power armor?"

Sebastian thought that was a rather poor comparison, "You can't kill someone with a pen."

"Of course you can." She grimaced, "My years of service mean I struggle to walk without the assistance of this power armor. I haven't fought in battle for near a decade. Yet you fear me still."

He struggled for a response, "...because you represent violence. A violence we're trying to escape from."

"A violence you are trying to control." She responded, "That is all this is. You don't want your armies, mercenaries and killers gone, you know you need them. But you would rather push us to the edges, enslave us to your will, call us brutes so you have an excuse to feel superior to us."

"We don't feel superior..."

"Of course you do." She snapped back icily, "You wear that suit with the same pride I see a knight take in his first suit of power armor, and I saw you look on me with distain when you entered the room. You believe your world is better, purer, more civilized than mine."

He went silent at that, unable to deny the truth of her words. A lot of the young did look down on the violent professions, seeing them as an archaic and brutish reminder of a darker past. He respected such service himself, but had to admit the idea of his sister serving had met with his instant disapproval. It all seemed so... brutal, and the idea that his little sister would have to kill ponies...

She seemed satisfied with his lack of response, and they continued to the reading room in silence. There was a guard at the door, still he seemed to be expecting them judging from how he calmly opened the door at their approach. Inside stood his mother, naked and unarmed save for her subtly disapproving glare, "High Elder Victore Scrivener."

"Regina Grimfeathers." She answered, moving to stand opposite. They both looked out of place in the elegantly appointed reading room, all dark wood and plush furnishings. His mother's lack of clothing highlighted the scars of a lifetime of battle, the battered condition of VIctore Scrivener’s armor even more apparent. Victore spoke first, "I wished to tell you in person, honorably."

His mother's stare didn't waver, "Tell me what?"

"The Grand Reach, Sparkling Waters and Black Caves have all agreed to withdraw from the New Canterlot Republic." She stated, prim and efficient, "As have the Applejack and Steel Rangers."

"So that's it." His mother spat back with venom, "We tracked the withdrawal of the chapters in that direction, knew there was something big coming." She leaned forward, eyes hard and sharp as steel, "How very convenient for your little insurrection that Equestria should face invasion. You obviously don't have the guts to pull this shit when we haven’t got an army bearing down on us."

She didn't flinch, "We would have helped you. Unfortunately the losses we incurred when you assassinated our leader and destroyed our central command left us dangerously under strength... and somewhat hesitant to come to the aid of those who murdered our brothers and sisters."

"We had nothing to do with that!" His mother shouted, "Why don't you tell us why the zebra invaded when they did? Why they had schematics of our ships?"

"Are you accusing me of treason?" Victore Scrivener asked, clearly sparked to anger by the accusation. Sebastian winced as he watched her, saw the shock on her face. She... was genuinely confused by this, "How dare you!"

His mother snorted, dropping back and rubbing her crippled talon, "Please. We know you're supporting Red Eye."

"So this is how you fight now Regina." Victore Scrivener answered with cold fury in her eyes, stepping back to make distance between them, "Your mother was an honorless mercenary, but at least she knew true strength. She would be sickened to see you now, lying and cheating your way to victory."

His mother's features tightened, "Don't you dare talk about my family!"

"You have spoken plenty of words about mine." Victore answered, holding her head tall, "And this is where it has brought you. Three territories gone, the Rangers renouncing their vow, your armies shattered and the zebra on your doorstep. Your mother built the NCR. It is appropriate that you should destroy it."

His mother stepped forward, getting right up in Victore's face, "Get out!"

"I've never wanted anything more." She answered, waving a hoof to her two companions, "Let us depart. We have said all we needed to say."

His mother watched them go, fury dripping off her, "Yes, you have. And I won't forget it."

"Enough with the bluster." Victore answered as she stepped out the door, "We already know how little weight your word holds these days."

The door closed, leaving Sebastian alone with his mother. He looked up at her for some reassurance, clarification, something... but she only looked ashamed. Embarrassed.

She didn't even look back at him, simply marching towards the door with all the dignity she had left. He followed mutely behind.

The council chamber was filled with noise as they stepped inside, the various delegates and their parties already in discussion. The voices quieted as his mother approached the podium, still she had to raise her voice as she gripped its surface, “Order!” A few more shouts sounded out as councilors tried to field their questions, his mother ‘pulling a Reggie’ and slamming her fist against the wood, “QUIET!”

The shouting reluctantly faded out, his mother taking the moment to look around. Her eyes settled on the few obvious gaps, “Where’s Canterlot Graves, Peach Row and Chicacolt?”

“Councilor Proud Plumage of Peach Row expresses his sorrow, but he has retired to mourn the death of his son during the battle against the zebra.” The steward declared softly, “His deputy has also been forced to depart. As for Councillors Silent Steel and Garavadi, they have given no reason for their absence.” The steward paused for a moment before slowly adding, “We are also missing the councilors from...”

“The Grand Reach, Sparkling Waters and Black Caves. I know.” His mother breathed, then looked up at the remaining twenty eight councilors, “Before we start, I want to inform you all that of this moment the Defense Council has been disbanded, and we now also take the role of protectors of the Republic. As such I am now the supreme commander of the defense forces, airforce and security services, and you all have authority over forces in your territories.”

This lead to some predicable shouting and hollering. One question echoed over all others, “What of Deadshot Calamity?”

“Calamity has stepped down from his position, in order to lead the security forces from the frontlines.” His mother sternly answered, “Victoire Scrivener has of this morning also resigned her position. This leaves the four positions of the defense council unfilled, and as per Order 47 of the constitution that places the civilian government in overall control of all NCR forces.”

“Victoire Scrivener defected from the NCR you mean.” Councilor Bitter Lemon of Fillydephia corrected, his tone slippery smooth, “And took her Rangers with her.”

“They are not hers.” His mother answered coldly, “We are currently making a tally of what Rangers remain loyal.”

“Not enough.” Bitter Lemon noted coolly, “You said we would skip the preamble. Let us speak of the decision at hoof. How will we defend Canterlot from the zebra army, our forces so severely depleted?”

“The NCR is not just Canterlot!” Councilor Gilded Cheddar of Manehatten interjected, “We must protect the true heart of the NCR, and move all troops to defend Manehatten!”

“Typical Manehatten, think it’s all about you!” Came a response from councilor Crow Foot of Salt Lick City, “Take everything for yourself, and leave the rest to burn!”

“The zebra army clearly moves on us.” Deputy Councilor Silver Bow of Canterlot agreed, “It is obvious that we are their primary target.”

Gilded Cheddar puffed himself up, “So you would pull all garrison forces from Manehatten?!”

“Manehatten has static defenses, along with its security forces. That will serve against most attacks.” Regina pointed out, giving him a firm look, “But the garrison forces must march to defend the capital.”

“So they can die fighting a doomed cause?” Gilded Cheddar retorted, “Canterlot might have the fancy stonework, but you all know that Manehatten is the true centre of the NCR. As such it must be protected. At the expense of the rest of the republic if need be.”

Shouts went up, angry and offended. Councilor Bitter Lemon cut through the noise with a single pointed question, “Why don’t we put it to a vote Councilor?”

“You would all like that wouldn’t you?” Gilded Cheddar responded sharply, looking around the room, “We have always had to deal with the envy the rest of you have for our hard earned prosperity, always had to deal with you all trying to claw away that wealth for yourselves!”

“The Republic was founded on shared prosperity Cheddar!” Silver Bow shouted back, fury marking her normally kind features, “I will not sit back and watch you insult the very heart of the NCR!”

“You won’t have to. I must attend to my city and its people, defend it from the calamity you brought upon it.” Gilded Cheddar moved away from the table, waving to his attendants and heading for the door, “I suggest the rest of you do the same.”

“Cheddar!” His mother screamed after the pony, slamming her fist on the table as her voice sounded out above the noise, “I motion to charge you with high treason! I’ll see you before a firing squad!”

He simply gave her a withering glare, “Yes, because you need more enemies. Now if you excuse me…”

His mother could only fume as the pony left the room, her head flicking back to the council so fast that he feared it would fly off. Her voice was furious in a way he had rarely seen her, “Again, I motion to charge the councilor with high treason!”

“I wholeheartedly agree Arbiter Regina.” Councilor Twilight Frost stated, her voice a serene oasis of calm amid the chaos, “But for now it is an insult we must ignore. We have greater dangers that demand our attention.”

His mother grumbled, but her head bowed in reluctant agreement, “Very well.”

“I will ask again.” Silver Bow stated in a loud voice, “Who here will come to the defense of Canterlot, and confirm Gilded Cheddar a coward and a traitor!?”

Shouts of confirmation went up. Not enough.

“The outlying territories are not like the cities.” Councilor Buckaroo of the Buffalo Stampedes asserted, his head bowed in regret, “We live next to vast territories of empty wastes, filled with raiders, monsters and worse. Neither do we huddle in well defended settlements, but rather spread out in remote ranches scattered across the hills. We require our garrison forces to keep us all safe.”

“And I am no coward.” Councilor Fish Sticks of Salt Lick City stated, his voice stubborn and proud, “But neither am I a fool. We have lost two battles against these zebra invaders, and lost many good ponies. I cannot in good conscience send more to die.”

“And what would you suggest?” Silver Bow questioned angrily.

“We surrender. We open negotiations.”

His mother tensed, her grip on the podium scratching the wood, “Why would they even consider that? They are winning.”

“Because we can promise them Canterlot, Appleloosa and Route 12A without a fight.” Councilor Fish Sticks answered.

Chaos erupted, several of the councilors moving from position to angrily confront others. One of Fish Sticks’ attendants was thrown to the ground by one of Silver Bow’s, the guards at the door hesitantly moving to contain the issue. His mother thumped the podium, her voice screaming out for order.

“FILLIES AND GENTLECOLTS!”

All eyes turned, Councilor Golden Fields of Ponyville standing proudly with a smug smile plastered across his face. He took a moment to confirm all were listening before giving a flourish of his hoof, “Our armies are not completely destroyed. We still have one last card to play.”

His mother narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Silver Bow on the other hoof sounded like she was about to cry with relief, “You would mobilize the Hellhounds? Send them to join the defense of Canterlot?”

“I would.” Golden Fields replied, beaming.

“And what would your price be?” His mother asked, her tone pointed.

“No price.” Golden Fields replied, smooth as silk, “Simply the respect the hellhounds are owed after saving the NCR no less than four times now, and the just rewards they are due for their service.”

Fish Sticks rumpled his muzzle in distaste, “Ponyville is the centre of Equestria, one of its greatest prizes. And now, it’s third most prosperous region, after Manehatten and Canterlot. You cannot say the hellhounds have been denied their rewards.”

“Ponyville is great because the hellhounds made it so, despite the burdens placed upon them.” Golden Fields replied with a further charming flourish, “Such as the trade restrictions placed upon our exports. Or judging their ancestral homes in the Dogland Wastes, or the Whitetail Woods as separate from Ponyville.”

It appeared to be the wrong thing to say. His mother’s eyes grew wide, her muscles bunching beneath her suit, “Are you… blackmailing this chamber?”

“Merely ensuring we are properly rewarded.” Golden Fields replied, his smile beaming.

“With the resources of the Whitetail Wood and Dogland Wastes, Ponyville would be in a position to dominate Equestria.” Twilight Frost noted with a chill in her voice appropriate to her name, “Those trade restrictions were put in place because Hellhound industrial capability far outstripped that of the rest of the NCR. Even without a plentiful supply of natural resources, easing them would allow them a near monopoly over NCR manufacturing.”

Golden Fields gave a cool stare in return, “That didn’t stop Manehatten.”

“No, it didn’t!” His mother shouted, feathers bristling, “First them, now Ponyville too? That the richest and most powerful would be first to make their demands, place their needs above the rest of us!”

“We have the most to lose.” Golden Fields reminded, “And the most to offer.”

“No you don’t.” His mother stated, “You are putting your needs above that of the entire NCR!”

“Look around.” Golden Fields answered coolly, waving a hoof around the table, “Most of the major territories have already abandoned you, the Steel Rangers are gone and the army is decimated. I control the one military force capable of turning the tide.”

“You damn crook.” Councilor Crooked Talon of the Dragon Aerie spat, near climbing across the table as he made his anger clear, “You’re a cynical opportunist, selling the hellhounds on the open market!”

Golden Fields smirked at the griffon, unable to hide the triumph from his eyes, "Merely protecting their interests. And you would know about that wouldn't you councilor? Considering how many griffon focused initiatives you've supported."

"How dare...!"

"Please!" Twilight Frost's voice rose shrilly above the chaos, "Councilor Fields, we will work out the exact deal at a later date. Until then I will personally promise the hellhounds will be rewarded should you lead them to defend us."

"My terms are already on the table." Golden Fields replied sharply, "And your attempts to delay a decision are as transparent as they are predicable Twilight Frost."

"Enough!" His mother shouted, slamming her fist on the table, "Your request is denied!"

Golden Fields looked smug, "Then what reason do I have to send my Hellhounds to die for you?”

"Because if you don't, I will see the economic restrictions on Ponyville increased tenfold." His mother hissed through a near closed beak, her eyes furrowed, "And I'll have you shot as a traitor!"

"Then that is my cue to leave." He stated as he moved away from the table, doffing his hat and making for the exit, "Please, when you have seen sense... call me."

Sebastian saw his mother reach into her jacket, talons clenching around the grip of her pistol. He reached forward by instinct and pushed against her breast, tightening it too much to get the weapon loose. His mother hissed in fury, forced to watch as Golden Fields left the room unmolested. She didn't even look at Sebastian, simply turning back to the room and letting her weapon fall back into its holster. Her eyes remained locked on the podium for a moment before her voice sounded out, horse and broken, "All of you... go."

Crooked Wing was quick to protest, "We are still loyal...!"

"Then you need to prepare for what happens when Canterlot falls, and I am dead." She answered, her head rising to reveal a look of fierce determination, "Gather your virgins, your riches, offer them in tribute. Maybe they'll spare you."

"Regina..." Twilight Frost started, "What are you...?"

"I will try to buy you as much time as I can." She simply replied, "Session is adjourned."

He followed his mother outside, seeing her eyes briefly flick up to the portraits of the arbiters leading up to the council chambers. He looked to them himself, these depicting the arbiters 'at work'. Elegant Script was hunched over a desk covered in numbers, abacus to the side. Olden Times stood on the palace balcony overlooking New Canterlot, looking proud as trade caravans and great markets thrived below. Velvet Promises was almost unrecognizable in a draftponies' uniform, manipulating a slide rule over some architectural plans as the half completed skeleton of Hoofbeats loomed over her.

And his grandmother flew into battle against the Enclave, explosions blooming around her as she dived into their ranks. The honor of their family. Of the Grimfeather name.

"Mother!" He shouted after her as she moved to leave, "We can still win this!"

His mother stopped, her shoulders tensing, "How can you say that?"

"Because I've read the histories! Your history!" Sebastian shouted, "You've been in fair worse situations than this! After Steelhooves died, and Velvet Remedy quit! After Kage...!"

She snapped her answer, "It's all lies!"

He paused, "W...what?"

"We weren't heroes. We were just dumb, and lucky." His mother continued, still unable to meet his gaze, "Kage was twice the griffon I was, but he's dead and I'm alive because... chance. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time. The wrong Grimfeather died, because I was lucky, and he wasn’t.”

He didn't see what that had to do with anything, "But you still won..."

"Tell me Sebastian, have you read the history of Gerald Grimfeather? Or your greataunt and uncle? How they died pointless and depressing deaths fighting the inevitable?" She turned now, fixing him with a furious glare, "We lost a thousand times. Heroes died pointlessly over and over again, until just once... we got lucky." She shook her head, "And now that luck has run out. There are no more heroes."

He wouldn't take this. It wasn't if he hadn't seen it before, his mother always prone to dark moods when she was frustrated. This seemed... worse than normal, but still nothing he couldn't handle, "That's not true!"

And at that a deep male voice sounded out behind, "If the heroes find themselves wanting, would you entertain the thought of a villain?"

He saw his mother tense, her eyes narrowing aggressively. He followed her stare, instinctively stepping to the side a little to defend her from whatever was coming. His heart trembled a little as he saw his opponent, mugshot familiar from countless scandalous news stories. His mother's claw rested gently upon his shoulder and he reluctantly shifted back, Councilor Bitter Lemon giving him a soft smile as he stopped in front and drew himself up regally. The pony was tall, taller than you expected, thin and possessed of prominent cheekbones that gave him a rather skeletal appearance. That impression wasn't helped by the jet black suit and blood red tie, along with the sickly, radioactive lemon cutie mark.

And then he spoke, his voice calm and somewhat raspy, "Arbiter, may I express my shame over the actions of some of my fellow councilors. Their betrayal of everything the NCR stands for reflects on us all."

"Rich." His mother chillily replied, "They normally say the same about you."

"My point." He replied, "It is at times like this that true quality, true loyalty are demonstrated. As you know, I am a resourceful pony."

His mother glared angrily, Sebastian shrinking back a little more just in case this got physical. Her words were blunt and full of distain, "You're a crime lord."

"I facilitate the economies of the underclass." Bitter Lemon stated, as regal and unruffled as ever, "And that provides me with friends in many fields. Spywork, the discrete movement of goods, the elimination of enemy officers, destruction of enemy equipment... you get the idea."

"I do." His mother replied sharply, "And what do you want for all this?"

"Please Regina, do not lump me in with them." He replied with a cool smile and a wave, "My main request is simply that of facilitation. You will of course become acquainted with many of my friends and their methods. Some of these friends might be known to the authorities, and some of their methods might be illegal. In order to make them feel safe, amnesty for both these and all prior crimes will be necessary."

His mother... flushed. Shame and a deep anger both filled her expression and body language, her gaze flicking to Sebastian before quickly moving away. She looked exhausted, as if all strength had been drained from her.

...and then it came back, colder and angrier, her body straightening and her fur and feathers puffing out. Her voice was a cold, sharp monotone, "Because that's who I am isn't it? The one who takes shortcuts, who stands in front of a microphone and sooths the public with pretty words while you, Velvet and all the others take advantage of the trust and goodwill of the innocent."

Bitter Lemon looked concerned, though he still kept up his utterly polite tone, "Velvet Remedy would be somewhat insulted to be compared to me. And though I understand that it may be shameful for you to associate with my kind, think of the situation..."

"I've spent enough time compromising my values!" His mother yelled, sounding dangerously off balance now. Her claw jabbed out, Bitter Lemon taking a soft, almost casual step backwards as she threatened to spear his eye the rate she was going. It didn't stop the spittle flying as she continued to shout, "It's my fault Xephyr's gone! Because I didn't trust her, because I was too cynical to believe in friendship and sincerity! And that's what broke us apart, that's why we failed. Because Velvet lied, and she convinced me to lie for her, and WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HEROES!"

Bitter Lemon turned a cool, questioning look to Sebastian. Sebastian was inclined to just shrug, he wasn't anymore ready for this than he was. Still he felt he needed to try, looking desperately to his mother, "You are a hero."

"Heroes don't associate with criminals!" She shouted, fixing Bitter Lemon with a hateful glare, "I've spent enough time compromising! When this is all over I'll see you, your friends, and your whole damn organization locked up! Executed!"

Bitter Lemon simply smiled, only a tiny hint of frustration on his face, "Regina, I think you need to lay down. You are obviously very stressed..."

"So you can bamboozle me?! Convince me that letting a known criminal sit at the highest ranks of power is somehow acceptable?!"

"They vote for me for a reason Regina." He replied, a tiny note of both pride and anger there, "I protect and provide for them, the same as you. A clean conscience is a luxury neither of us can afford."

His mother shivered, closing her eyes tight. She looked broken, grief stricken. And then bit by bit, anger flowed back into her, those eyes opening again in a fierce glare, "Negotiating with ponies like you is what got us into this mess."

"Regina, that is unfair..."

"NO! No more!" She lunged forward, seizing Bitter Lemon by the tie and dragging him closer. She loomed over him, spittle flying as his iron shod composure finally broke in a display of equal parts confusion and terror, "I should have you arrested! Celestia knows I have more than enough evidence... and before you say, 'that would implicate you too', consider this!" She loomed even closer, "I've got nothing left to lose!"

"Mother, stop!"

She turned her face to him, utterly broken. Her proud features contorted in a vision of utter defeat, her stance cruel and animalistic. She near gasped her words, "I'm doing this for you..."

He had a horrible feeling that was the case, "I... I think he's trying to help..."

"What do you want from me?! I thought you wanted me to be a hero!" She shouted, shaking Bitter Lemon by his collar, "Fight the bad guys! Make the world a better place!"

Sebastian looked away. He had hadn't he? It seemed so long ago, "I'm just a kid mother. You were right... and you're better than this."

She dropped her head, silent as she slowly released her hold on Bitter Lemon. She finally stepped back from him, only for her head to come up a second later to glare furiously, "Get out of here. Allow the NCR to die with a little dignity."

"Very well." He replied, once again perfectly composed as he straightened out his suit. After a second he bowed his head to her, tone surprisingly gentle, "And if I can... may I advise you to get some sleep? The NCR will need you at your best in the coming days."

"Fuck you Bitter Lemon." She growled, turning sharply to Sebastian. She looked like she was about to shout for a moment and he stepped back in fear, only for the anger in her eyes to fade. Her expression only became more regretful the longer she held her gaze, her voice choked, "Sebastian..."

"He's... right mother." Sebastian finally force out, "You should get some sleep."

She drooped limply, her muscle and power seeming to vanish as tired flesh hung across a flimsy frame. Finally she turned away, the sound of her steps sounding incredibly lonely as they echoed down the empty corridor.

Finally Bitter Lemon spoke, his voice cool and clipped, "I am not a nice pony Sebastian. You are right to despise me." He looked at him, cool grey eyes inscrutable and assessing, "I have a son about your age. I advised him to study medicine, marry a nice girl, live a respectable life. Yet his only interest is in money and power. He takes too much after me I suppose."

Sebastian hesitated, "I..."

"Your mother is right to be proud of you." Bitter Lemon gave a soft bow, a thin, amused smile spreading across his face, "You have many qualities Master Sebastian. I suggest putting them to use."

The mood in the bar was positively apocalyptic, rather understandably. Sebastian had seen it like this before, and as normal Councilor Crooked Talon was already ears deep in his drink, loud voice booming out as he continued with some rambling rant. The bartender kept his head firmly down and kept the alcohol flowing, Sebastian surprised to see even Twilight Frost downing wine by the glassful.

"I fought beside General Brigandine, we drank together at the day of Sunshine and Rainbows!" Crooked shouted out, waving his talons widely and spilling most of his vodka down his suit, "He looked at the sky and said to me, 'Crooked, my old comrade, I think everything's going to be just fine'."

"It will be." Councilor Benchmark answered, tone weary, "We said the same things during the Second War against the Enclave, despaired when Tenpony fell."

"And things have only got worse!" Councilor Blue Ink cried as he looked up from his cups, "Littlepip is gone, Xephyr is gone, Velvet Remedy is gone! Regina has failed, and the Followers, Rangers and hellhounds abandon us!"

"Let us toast to the death of the dream friends." Councilor Gloom intoned with resignation, "It was good while it lasted."

"Never!" Crooked shouted, throwing his glass across the room to shatter against the far wall. He peered about, spotting his fellow griffon councilor Tawnywing nearby and pointing a fierce talon at her, "Tawny! Fetch your weapons woman! We'll show there's still some fight in us, drive those dirty stinking zebra into the sea!"

"No offense Gloom." Benchmark added.

The zebra just snuffled, "None taken."

"Crooked, you are a drunk old fool, who hasn't lifted a gun in fifteen years." Tawny stated bluntly, sighing as she took another swig from her glass, "Look around you, this is what is left of the great republic. A dozen old drunks, blowing hot air and calling it leadership."

Sebastian had thought to rally them, give a speech. But now he was here... they were right. There really was no hope.

He met Twilight Frost's eyes, the alicorn looking surprised for a moment before a sympathetic look crossed her face. He just stared gloomily back, the alicorn looking discouraged for a moment longer... before stepping forward and firming her diaphragm, "We have been in worst places. Covered in darkness, surrounded by our foes. And though we might cry Littlepip's name now, back then we never dreamed she would succeed."

"Aye..." Crooked admitted, "I believed in Gawd, and even then... not that much." He chuckled, blushing fiercely, "I didn't fight in the battle you know, that's a lie. I ran supplies to the frontline, never fired a weapon in anger during the whole campaign."

"It wasn't any more glamorous out there." Tawny admitted, "Crawling through the mud, fighting untrained teenagers dressed in scary armor to claim an objective that didn't matter jack in the long run. I only agreed to it for the paycheck, never dreamed we would actually see the sun again."

"You know, I likely saw more action than the rest of you combined." Gloom noted with a spot of wry amusement, "Followed Xephyr and Xenith in, was with them nearly all the way to Stern." She grinned, "And I never had a moment’s doubt we would win. Because Xephyr was there, fighting for us."

"They sent a report you know." Blue Ink started, voice cautiously hopeful, "That... she was back... that she..."

"The reports are likely wishful thinking." Tawny stated with resignation, "It's the Gardeners, you know what they're like."

"We built all this on wishful thinking." Gloom noted, "Not one of us ever thought we'd be sitting here in a palace, surrounded by a city, covered in sunlight. We built all of that."

"And now it's all going to be destroyed!" Blue Ink cried.

"It's been destroyed before." Twilight Frost declared decisively, "And we built it back up. Let the rainbow remind you friends."

“Ha ha!” Crooked roared his approval, stealing a drink from one of his fellow councilors and downing it in one gulp as he rose. He slammed a talon against his chest, “Friends, do you remember it? The rainbow?”

Gloom chuckled, “I do...”

“Each one of us has something special, that makes us different, that makes us rare.” Twilight Frost started, her melodious, operatic tones proud and confident.

“We have a light that shines within us, that we were always meant to share!” Crooked delivered with all the volume and passion of a drunk, old soldier, which wasn’t an insult.

“And when we come together, combine the light that shines within.” Crooked and Twilight Frost delivered in harmony, before another three councillors joined in with gusto, “There is nothing we can't do, there is no battle we can't win!”

“When we come together, there'll be a star to guide the way.” Tawny delivered with a surprisingly shy, sweet singing voice, before it firmed and became more confident, “It's inside us every day.”

“Let the rainbow remind you, that together we will always shine!” Councillor Gloom proclaimed, her voice surprisingly powerful.

“Let the rainbow remind you, that forever this will be our time.” The others answered in unison.

“Each one of us will sometimes falter, we may stumble, we may fall.” Sebastian delivered, falling back on old singing practice and feeling himself choke up a little as every single councillor gave him a look of respect, hooves and claws slamming against hearts in salute. Their voices rose with his, “But we still have a kind of magic, one that will see us, through it all.”

“And when we come together, combine the light that shines within. There is nothing we can't do, there is no battle we can't win. When we come together, there'll be a star to guide the way. It's inside us every day. See it now! See it now! Let the rainbow remind you, that together we will always shine.”

Twilight Frost finished the song with the dignity it deserved, “Let the rainbow remind you, that forever this will be our time.”

The drew to an end amidst a chorus of chuckles and asthmatic coughing, smiles now sprouting across the faces of the councilors. It was Tawny who spoke first, cunning old eyes narrowing in thought, "I fought beside Barking Hoof, and he was in his seventies when he served. Tell me Crooked, how many grand old griffons do you know who still have the blood for a fight?"

Crooked chuckled, "You're looking at one!" He grinned a moment longer at her wry expression before continuing, "But if we put the call out, I'm sure we'll have a few hundred souls at least who are willing to fight."

Sebastian looked up at Twilight Frost, knowing she wouldn't like it but needing to ask, "Twilight Frost, couldn't you...?"

"You're really asking this of me?" She instantly responded, looking first to Sebastian, then to the faces of the others, "You're forcing me to openly give you my answer?"

"You started the damn song Frost." Crooked pointed out, "All we're asking is for you to ask for volunteers."

"Many would answer such a call." She conceded, before her expression firmed once more, "And the moment I make it, I know I have doomed us."

"Don't be dramatic Frost..."

"I'm being realistic! Dramatic would be to agree to this, to march my alicorns into battle for the protection of all." She desperately shouted, her face drawing up in a look of deep torment as she shook her head, "But... the consequences..."

Sebastian looked at her in worry, wondering what had her so tormented, "What consequences?"

"By making violence acceptable, I will awake the violence inside them. The ambition, the desire for power and dominance that resides in all of us. And they will inevitably realize, that they are bigger, that they are stronger." She looked away, ashamed, "And all it takes is one, one alicorn who goes too far... and they will turn on us all."

"That won't happen." Sebastian responded angrily, "We're not that shallow Twilight, we understand that every alicorn is different. And seeing them there, on the front lines... that's not scary, that's inspiring!"

She looked at him, sympathetic, "You have grown up with me Sebastian. Many have never even seen a alicorn. To them, we are still terrifying, a collective of soulless automations." Her smile faded, "And... there aren't enough of us. We have had a mere six dozen children during our entire history. Every single one of us who dies may never be replaced."

The room became quiet. No one really knew what to say.

Gloom finally spoke up, her tone bitterly cynical, "If you promise to stop calling Caesar's Legion the damn 'Zebra', I'll eagerly call the Angels to war."

They all looked across at Gloom, all the councilors slowly nodding in turn. Still Crooked lifted a talon after a moment, his subsequent question hesitant, "Wouldn't that run the risk of... friendly fire, infiltration..."

"Caesar's Legion has hundreds of ponies among their number you berk." Tawneywing answered, then gave Gloom a grateful nod, "And having zebra of our own would greatly even the odds."

"Perhaps we should contact Professor Silver Bell." Benchmark proposed, "Show them what Equestrian magic can do. The unicorns have ever stood at the forefront of Equestrian defense after all."

"Well..." Blue Ink chuckled nervously, "...I'm not sure you can call them the foundations of the Equestrian military..."

"Indeed. And it seems I am left with no choice." Councilor Flutterflash finally stated, rising from his silence to look up at his fellow councilors. He stood tall, extending his wings as he looked at them, proud pegasi features on full display, "Many of my fellow pegasi fell against Caesar's fleet, but we still have strength to spare. Should you choose to fight, be assured that we will fight with you."

Sebastian felt like he should help, and as his mother said his family name gave him plenty of connections, "I have friends in Manehatten, maybe I can call on them to see what they can do."

"And we should all contact the Followers enclaves in our territories." Blue Ink proposed, "Leaderless as they are, power should rest with the Elders. They must be convinced to act."

"And Calamity should mobilize National Security." Crooked added, full of fire now, "They might not be soldiers, but the wardens, sheriffs and crisis response have no shortage of fighters in their number."

"The Children of the Cathedral fought at the shores, perhaps they can be convinced to lend more aid at Canterlot." Tawnywing proposed.

Everyone looked back towards Twilight Frost, the alicorn looking deeply uncomfortable now. Eventually she turned away, shaking her head and trying to hide her expression under her hair, "I... I don't know..."

Sebastian faced her, remembering the truth of her words. He had known her since childhood. She was fussy, worried far too much, spent far too much time concerned about what others thought. But beneath it all was a pony who lived her entire life dedicated to others and their welfare. Others called it indecision, weakness, but he knew her dedication to compromise and mutual understanding was a full hearted belief, as was her opposition to aggression in any form. Asking her to send those who trusted her to war would tear her heart out, "Twilight Frost, you don't have to order them to do anything. Just tell them what the NCR means to you, tell them what's at stake, and ask what they're willing to give."

Twilight Frost's lips quivered, "And if it's everything?"

"Then it's their decision." He replied, "And you have to trust them to make it."

"Oh my, I do fuss don't I?" She responded with a mirthless smile, wings fluttering a little as she shook out her feathers, "Perhaps it is that time for the NCR as a whole. When we realize we cannot shield it from the realities of the world any longer, and we must merely witness the final test of our work. Whether it is strong enough to endure... or doomed by the failures we wrote upon its heart."

The others remained quiet at this speech, Sebastian spotting several peering at pictures of their own children. It was Crooked who finally broken the silence, sounding a little choked as he spoke to Sebastian, "Master Sebastian, would you mind if we left it to you to contact Commissioner Calamity?"

Sebastian turned, wanting to ask why they were entrusting him with the task. Still he figured it was long past time to question their suitability, just to press on the best they could, "Of course. Thank you councilors."

"Thank you." Tawny answered, putting down her drink and looking to the others, "Let us all pay our tabs, and go do our jobs shall we?"

Sebastian picked his friends pretty carefully, having been well prepared during his upbringing to see the difference between those who wanted to associate with him and those who wanted to associate with a Grimfeather. Still it left him with quite the network to call upon, Sebastian spending the next thirty minutes calling up everyone who would listen.

It accounted for a lot of verbal support, many promises to put pressure on the government, and few real material promises. Still he hadn't expected that much.

The real hope was invested in his next call, Sebastian breaking through an immediately suspicious amount of security and intermediaries considering he was calling on a private line. He had called on this line before and never had this much trouble, becoming increasingly short tempered. This was a national emergency, and one of the most powerful stallions in the country was out of communication?

Eventually he managed to force his case, the officer at the Single Pegasus Project reluctantly trotting off to fetch his boss. Sebastian wondered if it was just another way to delay him, but after a moment the stallion did indeed plant himself in front of the screen. He looked tired, his uniform even more crumpled than normal, his beard longer and streaked with more gray, his eyes heavily bagged and bloodshot, "Hi son."

"At last! I've been trying to reach you for hours."

Calamity looked away, unable to look at the screen, "Yeah... ah've been busy."

Busy? Not so busy that the radio operative couldn't waste ten minutes trying to stall him. Still Sebastian calmed himself, remembering why he was here, "Calamity, things are really bad over here."

"Yeah." He seemed to perk up a little, "A'm doing my best to help. Makin' good progress."

Really? Then all was forgiven, "You've been working out ways to stop the zebra?"

"Ah... kinda." He looked a little evasive, which wasn't comforting, "Got my best minds workin' on gettin' into the SPP."

That's what he had been doing for months! "Calamity, we need the security forces here in Canterlot! We need you here!"

Calamity faced him now, his expression suddenly grim and very, very serious. Even then he hesitated for a moment before speaking, "It's suicide son. You can’t win.”

Sebastian stared at him, not sure he was hearing it right, "I'm not running..."

"You'all need to run." Calamity repeated, his voice more labored now, "You know you can't hold that city."

"Then what's your plan?"

"Stall them until we find a way to get Littlepip out of there." He explained with a voice on the wrong side of desperate, "She'll know what to do."

Sebastian stared at him, unsure what to say. It was... he couldn’t' grasp what it was, "Calamity... you can't put all this on Littlepip. She's just one mare, we have to stand together..."

"An' how well have we been doin' with that so far?" He replied, shaking his head, "We're broken without her. We need her back."

"Calamity..." Sebastian couldn't believe the... cowardice he was hearing here, "You're a hero too! You can..."

"I'm just a broken down old cowboy son." Calamity replied, cutting him off. He suddenly seemed very old, tired body sagging downwards, "Just... get Elegant Waters and Pitch Perfect to safety. Promise me that?"

"Of course, but..."

"Tol' you Sebastian." Calamity stated before he had a chance to start. His eyes looked to the screen, a deep well of despair, "Ah don't have any answers left to give."

And then the screen went blank, the blinking red light informing him that the communication had been cut off on the other end.

Sebastian didn't know what to do. The heroes of Equestria... Xephyr, Littlepip, Regina, Calamity, Velvet Remedy, Lionheart, Spike, Fluttershy... they were either missing or...

...broken.

Two still stood. Life Bloom was pretty much running the government by himself, trading favors and providing on the spot leadership as civil servants deserted on mass. Half of the offices had officially closed down, a few of them with their budgets and offices cleared out on the way. And for ever desk now unoccupied, that paperwork was re-routed to Life Bloom's.

And Ditzi Doo, who had been at the forefront of the evacuation since day one. She had trucks and chariots out there by the dozen, transporting families and property to safety just ahead of the advancing army. It was often easy to underestimate the little ghoul, a mistake Sebastian had made before. Seeing her effortlessly hijack half the resources of the NCR and organize them towards charitable efforts showed just how formidable she could be.

Still, it wasn't going to stop the approaching army. And he honestly couldn’t think what else to do, save fulfill Calamity’s request.

He made the mistake of heading for the presidential apartments first, only to find that Elegant Waters appeared to have left some time ago. After that it became an unnecessarily arduous job trekking through the palace, made harder by the fact that a lot of the staff had better things to do that track one girl's progress.

He eventually found her in the one place he never expected her, and indeed never hoped to see her. She was still clad in a rather frilly dress, still that dress incorporated a harness for a rifle and pistol, the rifle currently braced against her side with her magic as she stood within the palace’s shooting gallery. She closed one eye and pulled a rather comical face, wincing as the weapon discharged and landed a bullet just to the side of the bullseye.

She grimaced as she observed the impact, "Fuck."

Sebastian marched across the shooting range, as expected it was pretty busy today. He puffed himself up for the confrontation, feeling the eyes of others on him as he drew close, "Elegant Waters!"

She jumped, whipping round and shooting him a shocked look. Her magic quickly engaged the safety on her rifle, swinging the barrel upwards to point at the roof, "Don't tell dad."

He fixed her with an accusing glare, "That you're playing with guns?"

She gave him a look of offense, "I'm not playing with anything. Dad would be happy that I was taking my shooting seriously."

He raised an eyebrow, "You shoot?"

"I won first place at pistol sharpshooting at school." She declared proudly, before her face shifted back into irritation, "Didn't you know?"

Sebastian had been attempting to separate himself from Elegant during his time at university. He had hoped her crush would fade with time and distance... no such luck, "No... so what didn't want me to tell your father?"

"Nothing." She quickly declared, clearly trying to change the subject. Her expression soon became more serious, "It's bad in there, isn't it?"

He nodded, not willing to lie, "Yes..."

"Do you think I'm a shallow, selfish little girl?"

He hesitated, having to admit having heard words... similar to those spoken of her. Words that he might have occasionally seen some merit in. He took a little too long and her expression became angry, Sebastian finally choking out at response, "I... wouldn't be here if you were. I wouldn't be... worried about you."

She looked like she was considering his sincerity for a moment, finally accepting it with just a little suspicion in her eyes, "Thank you. But you don't need to worry about me."

He shook his head, remembering her tears the night before, "Yes I do. You've had it bad lately, I know..."

"I'm not the one who's had it bad." She countered with a look of quiet fury, "You should be more worried about the others. Velvet Remedy, Ace Gold, Pitch Perfect, your mother, Littlepip."

"It affects you too Elegant..."

"That's why I'm doing this!" She shouted, drawing more attention from the rest of the room. She was indigent now and Sebastian wisely shut up, allowing her to continue. She did so with gusto "My loved ones are in trouble, and it's my responsibility to step up!"

Sebastian sighed, suspecting he knew what she meant by that... and that she wasn't going to like what he had to say, "Elegant Waters, Calamity has asked me to evacuate you to safety."

"I decline his invitation." She spoke, clipped and professional, "I'm staying here. I'm going to help defend this city."

Sebastian tried to look authoritive, drawing himself up and trying on his best 'adult' voice. He also tried to forget the fact that it had never worked on Elegant, "You can't."

"Why not!?" She sniffed, cheeks flaring, "Because I'm a child?!"

"Yes."

"Any citizen of the NCR is allowed to take up arms defending their home, no matter their age!"

She was trying to debate him on NCR law? His grandmother founded the NCR, "With parental permission. You're under fifteen, you're still the responsibility of your parents." He gave her a serious look, "The militia cannot take you without your father's permission."

"That's not fair!" She shouted back at him, "Ace Gold ran away from home...!"

"He was fifteen." Sebastian countered her, though he agreed on the 'not fair' point, "He was allowed..."

"Ace Gold ran away from home because I was horrible to him!" She shouted over Sebastian, cutting his argument down. She stood there before him, chest heaving as she tried to get her emotions under control. Eventually she continued, her voice a little quieter now but no less firm, "I'm a silly, shallow, nasty little girl, and it's my fault my family is broken. I made everything worse, I drove my brother, and my mother, and everyone away."

Sebastian froze in shock for a moment before shaking his head with all the sincerity he could muster, reaching out for the girl, "That's not true."

She smacked his claw away, taking a step back to widen the gap between them, "It is true. And I'm going to fix it. I sent Pyrelight to find my mother and brother, tell them to come back home. And until they get here, until they fix this mess... I'm going to fight."

Sebastian didn't know how to argue with that, "Elegant Waters... no one wants to see you hurt."

"Everyone has a family Sebastian." She countered angrily, "And in the war ahead, the death of one stupid little rich girl is hardly going to be the greatest tragedy is it?"

He reached out for her again, even though he knew he was just asking for it now, "Elegant Waters..."

"Go away Sebastian." She angrily demanded as she turned her back on him and trotted back to her shooting booth, "Unless you're planning on dragging me out of here."

He was well aware how dumb that would be, and couldn't think of anything else to say. In truth... he sympathized with her a little. She was a smart girl, and could make her own choices. She had reasons for doing this, reasons that he just couldn't argue with.

And maybe that made her smarter than him. It wouldn't be the first time.

It seemed everyone he loved was preparing for war. He found his sister with the other Talons, already loaded up and being assigned their missions. He confronted her when she came out, trying not to look too disapproving, "Kerri."

"Hey Master Basta." She smiled softly, her tone affectionate, "Rough day huh?"

She seemed unusually gentle. It was weird, as was the combat armor and battle harness she was wearing. His sister wore t-shirts and jewelry, and was far quicker with a snarky comment than a fist, "Are they sending you out to fight?"

She chuckled, though it seemed a little bitter, "Of course not. I'm only fourteen, I'm an initiate. They've got me running supplies."

He looked to the shotgun and pistol at her side, "Armed like that?"

"I'm not sure the zebra will care to tell the difference."

He frowned, not sure supply runner was necessarily any safer a job for a teenager. He noticed something else after a moment, eyes moving to the handle of her pistol, "Is that mother’s?"

She nodded, a hint of pain in her expression now, "Yeah. She has one, I have the other."

He looked her in the eye, hesitating to speak. Her expression didn't make him feel any better, "How... is she?"

"She's intending to use it." Kerri stated simply, looking away and betraying a hint of fear, "She's staying in the city."

He grimaced, hating all this... self destruction. His mother and Elegant Waters were both looking for redemption on the battlefield, but neither of them remotely belonged there. The fact that his mother had abandoned one of her pistols was proof of that, her injuries rendering her unable to use one of her claws, "What does she think she's going to prove by getting herself killed?"

Kerri hesitated a moment before moving forward. Sebastian tensed, preparing to escape as she grabbed hold of him, wondering what had inspired her attack...

...he wasn’t sure what to think as she just held him tight, her beak nestling into his shoulder. It certainly brought back a few memories, though even they were few and far between, "You haven't hugged me since you were eight."

"You haven't hugged me." She accused back, digging her claws in a little, "I've always been jealous of you."

He paused, unable to parse that. She was the social butterfly who always looked like a model and had about eighteen billion friends, compared to that he was... him, "Why?"

"Because you never had to worry about being cool." She answered back, "You're a straight A student, you don't care what anyone thinks about you... and mother likes you better."

"Father likes you better."

She smiled a little, blushing as she drew away, "You and her, you're both so... distant. I only wind you up because you would never pay attention to me otherwise."

He squirmed, not remotely comfortable with these kinds of situations. His sister was being weird, and this was another thing he could pin up in the 'women are crazy' seventy two volume treatise, "I... um..."

"It's alright, I'm letting you go now." She answered with a chuckle, letting go and flashing him a cheeky grin as she moved back, "I just wanted to be honest. You know?"

"I know." He reluctantly conceded, "And I came down here because I was worried about you."

"Thank you." She replied as she moved past, slapping him on the shoulder and giving him a grin, "Let's both do our best, yeah?"

He gave her an awkward smile back, wanting to tell her how much he envied her sometimes, "Yeah."

He was feeling pretty discouraged by this point, having inspired a lot of courageous words, but very little in the way of real progress. The city only made him feel worse, most of the businesses shut down and barricaded, the great centre of NCR culture now silent and empty. He met a few souls on his journey and they eagerly ate up his words of encouragement, still he wondered how much they really achieved.

They did however point him to the current location of Professor Silver Bell and the rest of the Universities’ magic department, Sebastian thanking them before opening his wings and flying over to the city walls. In truth they often felt rather ornamental, especially to a griffon, marble slabs about ten meters tall decorated in gold sketching with four wide, rather indefensible gateways. They allowed the city to control traffic and deter smuggling, sported the occasional defense gun, and gave the city another tourist favorite, still it was well known how little they would truly deter say... the enclave, or any other well equipped military force.

The relevant location was obvious, a massive crowd held back by security as a large group of unicorns performed some sort of complex spell work. Silver Bell was also easy to spot, her slightly twisted, unusually long horn, half moon spectacles, wide brimmed hat and conservative, elegantly cut robe as always making her look much older than she actually was. Sebastian guessed an archmage was required by tradition to be elderly, but he knew for a fact she wasn't even thirty yet.

She directed the efforts of her students, runes popping up along the walls. The crowd seemed transfixed by the sight, and Sebastian admitted it wasn't often these days that you saw real magic.

Life Bloom was there too, pouring over the city's plans. They stretched across a hastily erected table near the gates, the guards that surrounded him waving him closer as Sebastian approached. Life Bloom looked up and greeted him with a smile as he landed, "Ah, Master Sebastian."

"Life Bloom." He replied with a note of curiosity, drawing his wings back in, "I thought you were down at the offices?"

"I rustled together enough clerks to keep things ticking over there." He grinned, unusually cheerful, "Do you know my special talent?"

Sebastian nodded, having always thought it sounded useful, "Learning things."

Life Bloom nodded, giving a chuckle as he patted the plans in front of him, "A useful skill, in a world where so many have such short memories. Did you know Canterlot has defenses?"

Sebastian thought back. To be honest his comment on the walls had said it all, no one ever really expected the place to fall under attack, "The... walls I guess? And turrets?"

"Much more than that." Life Bloom answered with a chuckle, "In fact one of the goals of the architects was that the city would be the best protected in the wasteland, an impregnable fortress."

Sebastian cocked an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Yes, well they were intentionally kept a secret, known only to a few." Life Bloom started, "A rude surprise for any attackers."

"So... what do they do?"

"I've no idea."

Sebastian frowned, "You... don't know?"

Life Bloom sighed, waving a frustrated hoof, "As I said, the details were only known to a few. Velvet Promises, who is dead. Olden Times, who bless him, finds it hard to remember such things these days. Ebon Rune, who remains locked in Arbu, able only to speak the names of the great old ones. And Gaia Windrunner, who disappeared five year ago."

"So... you're what?” He looked back at the walls, realizing the mages were in fact activating the magical enchantments one by one, studying each in turn, “Reverse engineering them?"

Life Bloom gave an encouraging shake of his head, "We weren't entirely unprepared for this eventuality, I have the plans for the walls and their defenses right here. Still, as expected for Ebon Rune and Gaia Windrunner the magic involved is rather complex... and appears to be written in some obscure shorthand.”

Sebastian looked himself. It could have been a diagram for making toast for all he knew, "Yeah, I'm not going to be much help."

"Do not despair Master Sebastian." Life Bloom cheerfully replied, "We have the finest minds in Canterlot working on it."

Sebastian frowned, finding Life Bloom's cheer... bizarre. With everything that had happened... "I'm sorry about Admiral Swift Ender. I know you were close."

"The admiral is as tough as they come." Life Bloom confidently replied, "Reports are that the zebra took many prisoners from the crew of the Lightbringer. Undoubtedly he was among them."

That sounded... optimistic, "And my mother..."

"Your mother is an emotional woman, who finds failure difficult to deal with. But she has dealt with it, many, many times before." Life Bloom reassured, "She will come through this."

Sebastian felt he didn't grasp the true gravity of the situation, "Calamity is refusing to help. He's still focusing all his efforts on Littlepip, even as the NCR burns!"

"Please Sebstian, calm yourself." Life Bloom warned, before his face fell, "That is indeed unfortunate. Still, he is having to deal with a lot in a very short space of time, no wonder he seeks to cling to the one name he believes in above all others."

Sebastian considered this for a moment, before his mouth opened in blasphemy, "I don't. Not anymore."

Life Bloom sighed, "Master Sebastian..."

"You're all just... people like any other, doing their best." Sebastian finished, taking in the truth of it. He had felt betrayed, let down by the fact that the heroes he had grown up among could make mistakes, could possess bad judgment. Now he understood just how selfish that was, "We expect you to keep protecting us, and you feel honor bound to live up that that expectation."

"Sebastian..." Life Bloom wavered, placing a hoof against his breast and continuing in a shaky voice, "We fight, so you don't have to. We wanted to make a better world."

"You did." Sebastian assured him, "And it's time we protected it."

He turned and strode towards the crowds. He spotted Silver Bell a short distance away and waved her over, the young mare dutifully trotting over, "Master Sebastian." She stated in a voice like windchimes, "What can I do for you?"

"I want to speak to the crowd." He asked, having seen her do similar things in the past, "Can you magnify my voice so they can all hear me?"

"Of course." She answered with a sweet, motherly smile, eyes locating a suitable spot on top a loading platform, "Over there, they should all be able to see you."

He thanked her and climbed up on top, feeling the butterflies in his stomach now. He had done plenty of public speaking at university and had never been what you might consider 'shy', still this was a big crowd and now he... wasn't really sure what he wanted to say.

"Sebastian Grimfeather!" A young pegasus pony in the front row started, "Is it true that the NCR has been disbanded?"

"No!" He hastily answered.

"But Manehatten and Ponyville have both refused to help?"

Sebastian sighed, this wasn't why he was here, "They're all just scared. We all are, our world has been turned upside down."

"Then what hope to we have, when even our heroes don't know what to do?"

"Become heroes yourself!" He started, only to be swiftly cut off as a young, angry looking griffon with a styled mane shouted upwards.

"Why should we? Why should we fight for those corrupt bureaucrats, for the big bank businessponies, for those clearly eager to abandon us when things get bad?"

"Because it's not them you're fighting for." He started, trying to form the words in his mind before the tumbled out, “It's not even the NCR. Those are just... names. Structures, formed around what really matters."

"And what is that?" Silver Belle asked, looking kindly up at him and clearly already in support of his message.

"It's this land, this opportunity." He stated with passion, the next part putting word to what he really felt he had learned this day, "My mother, Littlepip, Velvet Remedy... they gave us both. They've spent the last seventeen years struggling to maintain it. And as we judge them for the compromises and the failures, we must ask ourselves... what have we done to protect this world? What have we sacrificed? When we wake up every day to sunshine and prosperity, do we ever spare a thought to those who fought under black skies to bring us here?" He faced them all, feeling he should crumble under the pressure, stumble over his words. But like when he delivered presentations at university, the simple fact was that he hardly noticed the crowd. He spoke from his heart, with passion, with no choice to voice the words in his heart, "You've all read their stories. You all know what they did. They went through periods like this, when all seemed lost, and all were against them. When they doubted their cause, when evil seemed all powerful and their own strength so lacking. Well this is our time. This is the time of the Rainbow Children, when we prove them wrong about us. That we are not the spoiled product of easy times, unworthy children of better ponies. That within us dwell Littlepip's, Calamity's and Velvet's in their hundreds, that we are heroes and paragons capable of defending what they bought us!"

He took a deep breath, and spoke, "When all seems lost, and the skies darken, that is not the time to lose hope! That is the time when we prove our hope is worth fighting for!"

And the cheers came in a roar, bringing Sebastian back to the here and now. His heart froze then, trapped by the stares of a thousand cheering souls. He contemplated his escape, but the edges of the podium seemed very far away.

He looked about when he saw a pony approach, a young pegasus mare with a roll of film cutie mark, probably a media student from Canterlot university. He quivered even more when he saw the tape recorder around her neck, the pony nervously fiddling with it as she stopped in front. She was blushing and the words took a while to come, Sebastian realizing after a second that she was actually a little starstruck. He decided to go first, "Um, you wanted to ask me something?"

"Um... yeah!" She suddenly perked up, seeming to find her confidence at last. She moved a hoof to sweep aside her rather messy mane, smiling rather awkwardly through a face of freckles, "Lucky Swoops, Canterlot University Radio. I just wanted to ask your permission to play your speech and place it within our archives."

He fought the urge to deny her instantly, "It... I'm sure you have better things to play. I was just rambling, I've had a tough day... and I'm pretty sure I said 'everypony' at some point, which always sounds dumb coming from a griffon..."

"You kidding?" She stated, grinning widely now, "Littlepip couldn't have said it better, and frankly this is going to kill your fans." She chuckled, "To be honest, I think we're going to have to include a warning to have a fainting couch for them nearby or something."

Sebastian had gotten totally lost somewhere, none of this making any sense, "My fans?"

"Didn't you know?" Lucky Swoops asked, grin growing wider, "The photographers hounding you didn't clue you in?

He winced at the very mention. Fortunately Manehatten university had pretty good security, "My mother's Regina Grimfeathers. They're only interested in me because of her."

She laughed, looking incredulous now, "Yeah, you're the son of the NCR's most prestigious family, but that's not all you are. You're an inspiration to a whole generation, people buy magazines to know who your friends are, what you're studying, what you want to do when you graduate..."

Sebastian took this in with all the dignity he could muster. He was... aware of some of these things, but he never gave them much mind. He knew he was the world’s least interesting griffon, and... those magazines obviously had nothing better to print, "Because of my mother."

"Maybe so." She conceded, "But you mean something to young griffons. They look to you for guidance, of how to escape the shadows of our parents and forge our own path." She nodded firmly, "These words from you... they're going to listen."

He paused for a moment before nodding back to her. He couldn't say he liked it, but if they really were interested in his ramblings maybe he could do some good, "Then air it, with my thanks."

"I'm not really sure how many ponies you would reach airing it on Canterlot University Radio." A familiar voice spoke from a little way off to the side, Sebastian feeling his heart sink even as Lucky Swoops face lit with a whole new dose of starstruck admiration. Sebastian turned, as expected finding that Swift Feathers had also managed to penetrate the cordon... with a whole production crew in tow. His microphone was already out as he approached, smooth as silk, "Sebastian, an interview please? Is there any truth to the rumors that half the NCR is refusing to help defend Canterlot? And how is your mother holding up? Has she really had a breakdown, threatening to execute her fellow councilors?"

"I've said all I'm going to say." Sebastian replied, trying to keep his intense dislike of the griffon hidden... with mixed results, "And you can negotiate with Lucky Swoops for the recording."

"Of course." Swift Feather stated with a rather cool smile, eyes communicating that Sebastian's hostility had not gone unnoticed. Still he quickly turned to Lucky Swoops, extending his claw to shake, "Young miss, how would you like to collaborate with me on this story? It will be very valuable experience for you, something to put in your portfolio for sure."

She nodded so fast her head threatened to fly off, "Of course! I...!"

"Pay her for it."

Lucky Swoops looked over to him, shocked for a moment before shaking her head, "No, it's fine. I..."

"When he says 'collaborate with him', he means he'll take all credit for the story and cut you out. Make him pay you for the story, and run it yourself first as an exclusive." Sebastian advised, then gave Swift Feather an unambiguously hostile look, "The NCR is falling apart, and you're trying to stiff people for a story?"

"So the rumors are true, the NCR really is falling apart!" Swift Feather stated with undisguised glee. He chuckled after a moment, waving a claw at him, "We can't all be heroes Sebastian. Some of us just run the news."

“You preening, selfish...” Sebastian started, trying to hold himself back. He knew that microphone was still there, that Swift Feather would love it if Sebastian lost control, “...you would just stand there recording as Canterlot burns wouldn’t you?”

“Someone has to make a record.” Swift Feather explained with a shrug.

“Tell me Lucky Swoops.” He asked, feeling the doubt creep into his heart, “Am I fooling myself? Do people just want to listen to my speech because I’m famous, and it’s something to briefly amuse themselves? Will they wake up in a couple of days to see the Republic burning, and blame everyone but themselves?” He looked at her, “Does anyone really care?”

She gave a weak smile back, “I guess we’re going to find out.”

He sighed. He guessed they would.

______________________________________________

Regina Grimfeathers
Str - 3 End - 5 Dex - 7 Int – 4 Per - 4 Cha - 7 Lk - 6

Level 21

Life Giver Level 2 – You have an extra 40 health points.

How We Do It Down on the Farm - Your damage from critical hits, including Sneak Attack Criticals, is increased by 50%. This does not affect the chance to cause a critical hit.

Gunslinger - While using a non-automatic pistol, your chance to hit in S.A.T.S. increases by 25%.

Gun Fu - Do 25% more damage to your second V.A.T.S. target and beyond.

Swift Wing Level 2 – Top flying speed is doubled, and difficult on stunt checks is reduced by 30%

Stable Shot - You have a higher chance to score a critical hit on an opponent in combat, equivalent to 5 extra points of Luck.

Hand Loader – When you use Guns, you are more likely to recover cases and hulls. You also have all hand load recipes unlocked at any reloading bench.

Gun Nut Level 2 – You can access base level and Rank 2 gun mods at a crafting table.

Local Leader – You gain additional options when leading organisations.

Medic Level 1 – Health potions restore 30% of lost Health, and RadAway removes 30% of radiation.

Eye for an Eye - For each crippled limb you have, you do an additional 10% damage.

Commander in Chief – You gain a 10% bonus on speech checks towards non-combatants.

Duelist Level 3 – You can wield pistols in both claws without penalty, and aim both at different targets.

Run 'n Gun – Aiming penalties are reduced for shooting while walking, running or flying.

Rapid Reload - You reload all your weapons 25% faster than normal. This also allows you to switch ammunition types faster.

Terrifying Presence – You gain special options in dialogue that can cause enemies to flee in terror.

Traits

Maternal – Your children are the most important thing in the world for you, and both inspire and exasperate in equal measure. While they are present you suffer a random -10% to +10% penalty to all skill checks. If they are threatened you immediate gain a +20% bonus to all damage.

Element of Generosity - The unique properties of one of the elements of harmony have rubbed off on you. You gain a +1 to Endurance and a further +1 bonus in willpower checks.

The Gentle Scholar – Percival might not seem like much to others, but to you he is an endless source of support and companionship. Gain +5% to all experience earned.

Crippling Injury: Withered Claw – One of your claws has taken a hit from a star metal powered weapon. You’re lucky you’re still alive! You do however suffer -40 skill on all tasks using it as primary, and a permanent -1 dexterity.

Crippling Injury: Old Wound – One of your injuries never really healed right, and still keeps you up at night. You suffer -1 Endurance, and each morning suffer a 10% chance that each special stat will also take a -1 penalty.

Chapter 5.6 - The Birth of the Empire

View Online

Dust Kicker had been in two armies during his life. Both had been the greatest experience of his life, moments of camaraderie and purpose that had forged the pony he was today.

And both had ended in failure.

It was a new perspective at least, Dusk Kicker musing that with the red cloak of the praetorians and his distinctive eyepatch he likely cut the very image of his former leader. That was an interesting feeling. Like Red Eye, Dust was forced to confront the idea that he could change the world with the men under his command.

And as he looked down at the army assembled below, youthful eyes full of hope and determination, he knew the weight of his responsibility to them.

It was a strange journey. From dirty wasteland earth pony raider, to a general wearing the armor of a zebra praetorian, leading a vast army of them across into Equestria. To defend the NCR no less, to rescue Littlepip from whatever danger she found herself in. Perhaps save the world. Even if his memories weren’t still fuzzy on the particulars, he was pretty sure it would still be a moment thick with wondering just how they got here.

“How are the troops Dust Kicker?” Easu asked, his voice bearing a slight tremor of apprehension. His king moved past to study the men himself, so plainly dressed that you would have mistaken him for the servant, “They look eager.”

“More eager than ready I think.” Dusk Kicker noted with a grin, though that was unfair. Most were veterans of the Battle of Clendel, proven heroes and warriors. Defending a point was a different thing to marching as an army though, and being able to shoot and fight didn’t mean you knew how to march in formation or mount co-ordinated actions, “They aren’t battle ready, not yet. But they’ll sure make an impression.”

“That is hopefully all we’ll need.” Easu noted, his tone grim, “Especially at this point. This land has seen far too much bloodshed, if all possible we must avoid a fight with Demonivore or Star Fall.”

Dust Kicker was well in agreement on that, for practical reasons as much as any other. Demonivore was one of the best protected cities in the zebra lands, losing only to Kursyin and Star Fall by virtue of their natural defences. Dust Kicker still remembered the assessment he had made the first time he had seen the city, chatting with Star Swirl and considering the possibility they would one day need to mount an assault.

That day had come, and Star Swirl was the opponent.

Ace Gold had seen enough armies to last a lifetime. Even though he knew it was on their side, the sight of so many zebra with guns made him cringe. Is that the only way they knew to protect the world these days?

He looked to the stone hung around his neck, carved with a zebra spiral mark that incorporated the final ashes of Xenith of Equestria. A simple thing, yet apparently an item of much significance and power. Forged from the dying embers of a hero, their strength and wisdom passed down.

Normally to their eldest child. But Xephyr had already gone, long before the funeral. Ace Gold understood that, but it still made him angry. She had been gone so long, and she didn’t even seem to understand what that meant to everypony. Tried to act like she had been gone a few days, rather than seven years. Been all business, refusing to talk about her feelings. Still keeping everypony at hooves length. He understood why Xenith had found her so frustrating. For the Element of Magic her ability to deal with others really needed work.

…and so now he wore it instead. Xenith’s last will. Her final gift to the world. He intended to prove worthy of it, to carry her legacy forward into the future.

Ace Gold saw Fluttershy being led across the field by her attendant, frowning at her presence here. Before he had been as insulted as anypony by Caesar's insistence that she retired to Garm, now he was fully in agreement. Whereas she had appeared to be getting younger and fitter by the day, now it seemed like her age had fell back upon her with interest. Her cybernetic eyes lay under a blindfold of yellow silk, her armor abandoned for sage like robes. She didn't look remotely like she should be on a battlefield.

He firmed that opinion in his heart and marched forward to meet her, "Fluttershy!"

She smiled, turning her head, "Hello Ace Gold."

"Goodbye." He stated firmly, "You're staying here, in Clendel."

She just continued smiling, "You know I need to come Ace."

"Why?" Ace asked, and then added his blunt opinion, "You look terrible. Older, weaker, blind."

"Yes." She admitted, "It was nice while it lasted, but it needed to happen this way."

He frowned, Fluttershy seeming to be getting at something here, "What do you mean?"

"I was getting stronger, fitter and more powerful because I was sharing that power with Chigaru." She answered, placing her hoof against the blindfold, "He wanted me strong, confident, powerful. Because when Dream Star took my eyes, he was able to acquire their power. When despair took the Element of Kindness, he was able to acquire that bond. When pragmatism took my innocence and purity, he incorporated that into himself."

Ace Gold's eyes widened with every word. He couldn't even... "Fluttershy, that's terrifying!"

"Yes, it is." She admitted, "As the prophesy states, I represent the old world, and he represents the new. It was inevitable that I be corrupted and destroyed."

Ace Gold wouldn't take it anymore. He hated all this... pessimism, death, the weakness of those he cared about. He yelled at her, "So why do you seem ok with that?! Why do you look so damn happy?!"

"Because it's time to accept the old world is gone Ace." She answered with a smile, raising her head and taking a deep, refreshing breath, "And right here, with all these people believing in the future? It's your opportunity to make a better one."

The great march they called it. Dust Kicker wanted to point out that Starhammer's army had been bigger, but something about their volunteer army really seemed to grab attention.

Maybe it was their leader. He heard some of the soldiers whispering one night, Dust Kicker ducking back behind the tents and quietly eavesdropping. The solider appeared to be looking up at Easu, studying the terrain some distance away. After a moment one of them spoke, "They say he refused a crown. That he didn't want to wear something that he hadn't earned."

"He thinks he hasn't earned a crown?" One of the others asked.

"He wears a crown, just not one made of jewels or metal." A third zebra commented, waving at their king, "Can you not see it atop his brow, those lines of concern and wisdom, those scars of sacrifice and battle? It proves his worthiness for all worthy enough to see it."

"Aye." They agreed, raising their glasses, "To the health of Caesar Easu, the crownless king."

Their ranks swelled as they moved forward, though only to a point. Each village they came across swarmed with fit young zebra wishing for glory, yet to each region was also assigned military engineers and scientists with the mandate of improving the infrastructure of the area. Behind them stretched a new, paved highway to replace the ruins of the pre-war one, which on completion would result in a safe, direct route from Clendal to Demonivore. Dust Kicker remembered how the Mutum had almost been a myth to Caesar's best scouts, yet soon they faced the possibility of quick, free movement between the two areas.

They were not the first group to have passed through here. They encountered occasional representatives, yet it was still quite a sight when they encountered them in number. They approached from the north, dozens of equines painted in Luna's colors. He counted at least forty of them in full power armor, with another sixty light infantry and support. A respectable number for even an established Equestian chapter.

They met in a dusty crossroads, Easu marching forward to meet Cherry Sunset. She was flanked by her big minotaur companion and the lithe quick zebra who had slain General Icoxal, Dust Kicker and Fluttershy accompanying Easu in turn. Easu bowed his head in respect as they met, "Cherry Sunset, I'm impressed. All this in just a month?"

"As you stated, there were large sections of Ebonlode fortress that had never been explored." She explained, "We found this armor there, and soon we had plenty of recruits willing to take the oath. Each one of them is willing to fight for peace, for prosperity and the promise of a new beginning."

Dust Kicker chuckled at the familiar words, "The Rainbow Vows?"

She nodded, a small smile upon her face, "I was twelve years old when Elder Peach Trees made that speech. I believed it then, I believe it still."

"Then I leave the region in your capable hooves Elder Sunset." Easu announced, placing a hoof across his heart, "I offer you my royal patronage, and my assurance that you will always be welcome in my lands."

"Thank you King Easu." She replied, turning and giving a nod. The quick young zebra at her side moved forward, half a dozen power armored equines following him, "And in return, I offer the services of Star Paladin Cato and six of my best to your campaign."

“And we the services of twenty of our best engineers, to get Ebonlode fortress back operational.” Easu replied.

“Ad Victoriam.” Dust Kicker added, crossing a hoof across his chest.

She nodded back, “Ad Victoriam.”

Ace stepped back as the machine clattered into motion, pistons pumping and gears spinning. He watched it move, listened for the sounds that would indicate he had missed something. To his relief he heard none, and it all seemed to move as intended. He levitated up the access panel and screwed it back in place, those behind raising their voices in celebration.

"Is it done? Is it working?"

Ace Gold was pretty sure it was, sure enough for the next move. He looked round at the mayor of the town, a round old zebra matriach called Nainai, nodding respectfully in her direction, "Mayor Nainai, would you like to be the first to demonstrate this grand new well?"

She looked suspiciously at the machine, slowly padding forward. Her eyes examined Ace Gold for any signs of deception, Ace trying his best to give her nothing to latch onto. Eventually she spoke, "You have confidence in your work, to not even test it yourselves first."

Zan, the young Dusklight pony who had accompanied him raised a hoof, "Maybe I should..."

"No." Ace assured, "It will work."

Nainai turned her head in suspicion, before dutifully moving to the tap and pouring a pitcher. Ace was reassured to see it was clear as glass, and after the tiniest sip... there was only a moment of consideration before Nainai swallowed down another gulp. Then she smiled, "This is the best water I've ever tasted."

As the cheers went up Zan leant in, "That was real lucky."

Ace agreed, thought he had kinda cheated. The pump had a device to test the purity of the water before and after filtering. Still a big of showmanship was part of all good engineering, "I'm confident in my work."

"Where did you learn this anyway?"

Ace thought back, it seemed so long ago, "I majored in civil engineering at university."

"Equestria has universities?" Zan snorted, "You lucky bastard."

"If you think that, you should set up one of your own." Ace encouraged, "Manehatten University is set up inside an old military research facility, its teachers whoever distinguished themselves in the civil projects following the founding of the NCR."

"The old administration building of Dusklight has all these big meeting halls." Zan mused, placing a hoof against his chin, "As for teachers..."

"What about Ebony?" Ace mentioned, thinking back to the young doctor who had treated him after his blindness, "After all this death, and pain, I know she's struggling to return to her work as a doctor. And she's precise, moral, efficient and polite, she would be a great teacher."

"Nau, the young stallion who knew Lady Luna before, he had a whole group who he had been teaching ethics, science, philosophy." Zan mused, "And Zapita just loves teaching the younger children to sew..."

Ace smiled as the young zebra think on the possibilities. Maybe one day Luna’s dream of silver towers over Dusklight would come true after all.

It was just after supper when they returned to the camp, and like always the place was buzzing. There was a real sense of purpose here, invigorated by their victory over Starhammer and now by their quest to bring the Golden Coast back into the fold. He was writing more and more lately, pausing to write a few more observations as he saw more and more that he felt needed to be recorded for posterity.

It was while hunched over his diary, quill scratching away, that Kale approached him. The huge buffalo's shadow fell large across him, Ace trying not to quake a little as she addressed him, “You are creating a record?”

He nodded, closing the book and looking up at her, “I am. It's important, they others know what happened here.”

“It is a good time for it.” She answered, looking back along the road, “You know, when this road is complete, when the seas between here and Equestria are once more open, the great civilisations will again be linked. Equestria, the Badlands, Saddle Arabia, Golden Coast, Heartlands, Mutum and Anatu. Your book could be read by them all.”

“A shared connection?” He offered.

“I hope so.”

“You know, I haven't heard much about the badlands.” Ace mentioned, “Even in the pre-war texts.”

“I'm from there actually.” Kale noted, then gave him a cocky smile, “You must have noticed how few buffalo you've met here.”

Ace had considered that, “You're... pretty much the only one.”

“I'm half buffalo, half centaur. Note the horns.” She motioned to the sharp spikes atop her head, “I'm actually a Princess by birth, my great, great grandmother was a buffalo chief's daughter, offered in marriage to a Centaur Prince in return for a shipment of fine rugs.”

Ace cocked an eyebrow, “Really?”

“Really.” She confirmed, before cocking a smile, “But don't let that fool you, you can't throw a rock in the badlands without hitting a Prince or three. The whole place is pretty much one long cold war between whole families of inbred nobility, betraying and double crossing each other for control of a barren wasteland.”

“Is that why you left?”

She nodded, “It's all a game to them now. I suggested a way that my family could actually win, and they promptly shot down all my ideas with a look of utter horror. It wasn't the way it should be done. I thought they were fools at the time, but I now realise just how much bloodshed winning the game would have cost.” She shrugged, “And for what? So my family could splinter into new competing factions, and it could start all over again?”

Ace considered this, “So conflict is our natural state.”

“I can't wake up in the morning without a good argument.” She smirked, “Part of my upbringing, but let me ask you, why did your leave your comfortable home and head off for an adventure in a foreign land?”

“To prove myself.” Ace answered.

“We're all looking for opportunities to prove our strength.” She stated in agreement, “My people built a giant game around competing against each other for meaningless power, and I felt it was stupid because there was no way to win. It's only now, as an old woman, I realise that was the point.”

“So politics is all a way to distract powerful, ambitious ponies from setting the world on fire?” Ace asked, “That sounds... cynical.”

“Well all I know is that when great figures are allowed to concentrate fully on changing the world, it's the common folk who suffer for their grand designs.” She focused her eyes on Ace, her voice soft, “Caesar Incuta has made war on your people, because he feels history is with him. Tell me, do you think his brother is different?”

“Yes!” Ace answered, “Easu is a good zebra.”

“And would a good zebra content himself with making the day to day existence of his subjects a little better, or use his power to truly ‘save the world’?” Her smile became a little more dangerous, “My husband may not possess the look of destiny our King Easu does, but he cares far more about the zebra under his authority than Easu ever will.”

Ace frowned, not about to deny that King Zane was a good, humble zebra, but... “Easu cares about his subjects, just as much as Zane...”

“Zane sits on his throne, rebuilding his city. Easu marches out at the head of a crusade.” Kale smirked, “And I'll tell you why. It's because Zane was born in a barn, and Easu was born in a palace.”

Ace stepped into the tent, spotting King Radhi and King Easu together there huddled over what looked like a set of plans. Both looked up, Radhi waving Ace over with a friendly smile, “It's good to see you Ace. Here, take a look at this.”

Ace moved over to the table, an ordinance survey map of the Dusklight area lain out across it. It was covered in scribbling and further notes, the standards unfamiliar to Ace but quickly identifiable after a few moments to read the terrain, “You're trying to cut a pass through the mountain.”

“There was one further up previously, but it was collapsed in the war.” Radhi explained, “Currently the only ways to reach the Anatu lands in the next valley over is by means of a few, difficult to traverse mountain roads, or by travelling all the way round by means of the Mutum or Golden Coast.”

Ace saw the issue. Still the terrain was not on their side, “This is a really ambitious project. Personally I think you should start of smaller, a project like this would need raw materials, manufactured goods, heavy machinery...”

“We already have plans in place for that.” Easu stated, “Raw materials will be taken from the abandoned city of Kashu nearby, heavy machinery will be retrieved from the Ebonlode stockpiles and returned to full functionality. Manufactured goods can be made in the factories of the Capital, the lifts on this side of the mountain are already operational.”

Ace raised an eyebrow, “That... is still a huge project. You will need hundreds of specially trained zebra, and it could take years.”

“We realise that, but... well, I owe Luna a city Ace.” Radhi stated, looking slightly embarrassed, “Silver towers, rising over Dusklight.”

Ace hadn't taking infrastructure for a semester for nothing, he quickly got what Radhi was getting at, “By creating a road here, there's a direct route between Anatu and the Heartlands that travels straight through Dusklight. And that in turn is a route that travels almost directly between Clendel and Demonivore.”

“This land used to be the centre of zebra civilisation.” Radhi explained, “Now it is the most poorly developed in the zebra territories. As its king, it's my duty to serve its future prosperity, and this road... this road will do that.”

Ace remembered what Kale had said, looking up at Easu, “And you?”

Easu gave a firm nod, “This plan will tighten the diplomatic ties between us and serve infrastructure and trade, not to mention create a direct route between my lands, Radhi's and my brother's.”

Ace guessed that made sense, and as mentioned he was a civil engineering major, “Ok... but you can't use scavenged materials. The terrain is too challenging to build on, you're going to need fresh concrete, and forged steel.”

“Well as I said, we have the Capital’s factories. Ship raw materials up, have them forged and then brought back down.” Easu stated, “Such a thing would provide steady work, and encourage families to settle down here.”

“We had another plan as well.” Radhi asked in a slightly hesitant tone, “Since we're talking about the capital...”

Ace noted he was acting like Ace would disprove, not a good sign, “What is it?”

Radhi sighed, “Well, the Royal Palace is partially built out of timelocked stone from the lost city of Sanatora, which is why it's survived all these millennia and even the end of the world with minimal damage.” He hesitated once more, “So we were considering...”

Ace admitted, the idea sounded like a terrible one, “Mining Sanatora.”

Easu nodded, “I was down there, I saw what the Dragonequis can do. I am confident the Luna Rangers will be able to cut through them.”

Ace had heard stories of what had happened in that place. Ponies he had liked had died down there, torn apart by monsters. It was the lab of the evil creature who had sent Midnight Dreamer insane, a place of atrocity, “Zephyr Stormstrung sealed it up for a reason.”

“Because he did not have power armor and automatic weapons.” Easu answered, “We owe it to him to destroy that foul place once and for all. To take it apart brick by brick, and use it to create the future.”

Ace felt he had to bring up what was worrying him now, clear his head. Now seemed as good a time as any he would ever get, “The future Easu?”

Easu seemed slightly concerned, still his tone was confident, “The future of this land. Just as Equestria rose from the dead, so I hope to do here.”

“So... are you Gawdyna Grimfeathers?”

Easu paused, understanding seeming to be dawning. After a moment he looked up at Ace, “You think I want to be Caesar.”

Radhi chuckled nervously, “No one wants to be Caesar Ace...”

“It is a fair question, and deserves a fair answer.” Easu interrupted. He looked Ace in the eyes, his tone deadly serious, “The zebra have always prospered under the hooves of a Caesar bearing a clear mandate from the people.”

Radhi gave Easu a look of horror, “Wait... what?” His brow furrowed in growing anger, “And you have that mandate?”

“Forced upon me, against my will.” Easu answered, “But if I have the power to help, I will not turn it down.”

“Is this what this is?” Radhi challenged angrily, “An attempt to seize power?”

“A test to see if I am worthy. To see if my skills and will are up to the task.” Easu stated. His voice was cold, commanding, but after a second it softened and he looked to Radhi, “If you were to oppose me, I would consider that proof that I lack those qualities.”

Radhi hesitated at this, Ace speaking for him, “And what about Radhi? Why can't he be Caesar?”

“Ace, I'm... uncertain I have the presence to found a nation.” Radhi hesitantly answered, “And I'm far too young.”

“You have the wisdom and knowledge to make this nation great Radhi.” Easu stated, “The throne is but a tool to inspire those under it to action, as ultimately is its Caesar. Without zebra like you, both are useless pageantry.”

“So what?” Ace asked, “You'd be a figurehead?”

“My father attempted to educate me, but I know I am no great intellect.” Easu stated, “But it seems zebra still wish to follow me, still believe I am a king. And I do not wish to waste that gift. If I can use it to give voice to the wisest and most noble, then the crown can do too much good to be ignored.”

Radhi still looked uncertain, “Who have you told of these ambitions?”

“Only Fluttershy.” Easu answered, “And Spike and Dust Kicker could likely guess my intentions, I have spoken of this with both."

“I do not like this Easu.” Radhi finally stated after a long period of deep thought, “But once this is over, and your business with your brother is done... we will see where we stand.”

Easu nodded, “That we will.”

Ace looked at them both, thinking to himself that he was reminded of those brief memories of childhood, when Gawdyna had stood proudly within the halls of Friendship Island and planned the future of the NCR. Back then it felt like the world had been filled with possibility.

And if there was a chance they could seize that chance again, maybe it was worth the risk.

"And turn! Drop! Rifles up!" Dust Kicker shouted, nodding in satisfaction as the troops moved smoothly and efficiently through the actions. They were confident, skilled, and most importantly, proud of their achievements. They didn't mind the drill because it made them feel like the zebra they wanted to be, and that was a quality rare in even the best armies.

He couldn't take credit, that had been learned in the crucible of battle. Each of these zebra had fought at Clendel, each of them had learned what it meant to stand in defence of something they believed in. He stood before them now, nodding slowly as he saluted their ranks, "You are the best of us. Carry yourself like the best, conduct yourself like the best and acquit yourself like the best, and your honor and glory will shine eternal!"

They cheered, shouting their approval of their commander as they filed out. Dust Kicker smiled as the last left the makeshift parade grounds, taking a moment to just listen to the wind as it ruffled through his fur.

"Dust Kicker."

He turned, feeling his heart skip a beat. He still hadn't gotten used to her, "Lady Fluttershy."

She smiled at him, eyes hidden behind her silk blindfold. That and the scars visible around the sockets made him frown, hating to see her hurt so. She noted his silence, turning her head to the side, "Something wrong?"

"I just don't like seeing you hurt." Dust Kicker explained, "Are you really ok?"

She grinned, "Are you? Both of us have suffered our shared of injuries."

He touched the eyepatch, sighing, "It aches sometimes."

Her grin spread wider, "I'm seventy three. Everything aches sometimes."

He laughed at this, thinking that considering what she had been through she was looking pretty damn good. More than pretty good in fact, not that he would ever admit it to her face...

...and then the truth fell upon his shoulders once more, something that should have made him happy. Instead it just made him feel like a great hole had been opened inside of him.

Dust Kicker had romanced her once. His great dream, the mare that he had loved since the day he had first saw her picture on a poster. But it had been another Dust Kicker. And however much everyone wanted him to...

Fluttershy distracted him from his worries, not for the first time, "Easu tells me you're doing well."

He shrugged his shoulders, glad she had brought it up, "Fluttershy, you knew me before and after. Do you think I've changed?"

"Yes actually." She answered, not the answer he really wanted. Still she seemed happy with the change, moving a little closer as she continued to speak, "You were always totally adamant that you never wanted to take command, how uncomfortable you were as a leader of ponies."

He considered this, realising she was right. That was an odd feeling, "I... don't remember why I felt that way."

"You spent all of your youth in one army or another Dust Kicker." She pointed out, smiling kindly, "And I think it's pretty obvious that your experiences, seeing friends die and the causes you fought for fail, continued to stay with you throughout all your later life."

He admitted that was a pretty convincing explanation, "So... why don't I feel that way anymore?"

"You tell me Dusk Kicker."

He thought about it, though to little real conclusion. Eventually he just had to admit, "I guess... I'm just sick of letting my past define my future.”

She chuckled, “I think that goes for all of us.”

Ace Gold still wasn't sure if he really wanted to do this, feeling the chill in his soul from the moment they passed through the front gates of the park. They had been cleaned up he saw, a new sign placed above. Beyond was a beautiful but eerily calm expanse of green grass, broken by the skeletons of fairground attractions and administrative buildings. The sign had been made from letters placed around the park, taped together to form its new name.

Dusklight.

“It's really quiet.” One of the soldiers guarding them stated, looking around cautiously, “Why are there no guards?”

“Snipers.” Ace noted, looking to the dragon statue in the distance, “We have sights on us.”

Easu nodded, striding ahead, “There is our destination.”

Ace moved to follow, their bodyguards nervously trotting beside. The blue flowers indicating a megaspell impact still coated the mountain ahead, and as they moved on Ace's giger counter started to tick. It was disappointing that the magical effect that had cleansed this placed hadn't fully healed the land, but Ace supposed that they would never have needed the Gardens of Equestria if it was that simple.

And then it came into view. They had built a settlement around it, or the start of one at least. Hurriedly build shelters sheltered what looked like a good sized population, and Ace was encouraged to see that they had been threaded with the same colored lights that had once shone inside Dusklight itself. And in the centre... was the statue.

Luna rose up, Swift Crimson, Radhi, Niyada, Midnight Dreamer, Ebony and Bleak Waters sitting about her hooves. It felt like a long time since they had last seen it. Right back at the funeral of two of those ponies. Zenai had been alive then.

A young zebra came to meet them as they approached, clad in robes of grey cloth. He smiled at them, bowing his head in greeting, “King Easu, Ace Gold. An honor to have you here.”

“Thank you.” Easu replied, “You are one of the priests here?”

The zebra nodded, “I am Fortuitous Stripes, and yes, it is my honor to care for this site and teach those who travel here about Princess Luna.”

Ace looked the zebra over, “I don't recognise you. Were you at Dusklight?”

“It was my blessing to have parents who love me dearly, and so I never had a reason to come here. We all admired what she was doing however, how she freed us from the tyrants and brought peace and justice to these lands.” Fortuitous explained, “After Starhammer forced the children of Dusklight out we came here, seeking to protect this place in preparation for their return.”

“Thank you.” Easu stated, looking up at the statue, “So what does she mean to you? To those of this land?”

“She is a symbol of justice and protection. Defender of the innocent, avenger of wrongs, the nightmares of zebra turned towards their liberation.” Fortuitous stated, “A unicorn mare born in these lands, empowered to be our salvation by the Princess who we once feared.”

Ace frowned, noting his words, “You know... she wasn't actually Princess Luna?”

“It is known. Indeed one of my fellow priests specialises in the study of the one blessed with her silver light herself, separate from her incarnated form.” He smiled broadly, “A mare who conquered the darkness, and became the first Princess born in these lands.”

“Thank you.” Easu quickly replied, sounding strained, “We would like to study the statue for a time.”

“Of course.” Fortuitus stated, giving a bow and moving away, “If you require anything else, please ask.”

Ace waited for him to be out of earshot before asking his question, “What's wrong Easu?”

“Was she?” Easu responded, tone grim, “A Princess? Or was she just given her wings by the demon inside her?”

Ace frowned. He thought Easu was over this, “You still don't trust the Star Children?”

“Think about it Ace.” Easu responded, his body tensing, “Midnight Dreamer tried to be a good pony, but eventually she couldn't help falling into darkness. The demon corrupted her sincere desire to protect her children and turned her to evil. And now Star Swirl follows the same path. And even Puppy just needed a little nudge from Red Eye to turn her back into Nightmare Moon, and we barely managed to stop her.”

Ace admitted that was... something. But it wasn't as clear cut as that, “We all struggle to keep to the right path...”

“But some of us struggle more than others, and stories are just stories.” Easu replied, waving a hoof at the statue, “All the pretty stories in the world can't disguise the truth. That she wasn't a Princess, she was just a demon pretending to be one.”

And then the words echoed in the air, a strong, powerful voice sounding out, the authority clear even though she barely spoke above a normal volume, “But she was a Princess.”

Everyone turned, exited whispers rippling through the crowd as she passed among them. Her wings fluttered slightly, her movements easy and confident, her poise and authority impossible to ignore. Ace had to admit, even he was taken slightly off guard by just how impressive she looked, “Xephyr!”

Easu looked a little struck for a moment, a little nervous as he approached. They met in front of the statue, Easu hesitating before her, “I... am uncertain how I address a Princess.”

Xephyr smiled warmly, “Just call me Xephyr your highness. It is an honor to meet you.”

“May I call you Princess Xephyr?” Easu asked, drawing himself tall, “We should meet in equal respect.”

“Of course King Easu.” She replied, giving a cheerful smile, “I've heard a lot of good things above you.”

“As have I of you. But it is good to meet face to face. It is unwise to trust in reputation alone.” Easu turned, looking to the statue, “You were saying something about Princess Luna?”

“I met her.”

Easu frowned, looking to her in confusion, “How is that possible?

“I've been trapped for years in the deep dreaming, with the echoes of those dead but still remembered.” Xephyr explained, “And one of them was Midnight Dreamer. I fought beside her, she was one of Princess Luna's children of the night. And she herself was different than the others, blessed with harmony, transformed.”

Ace Gold couldn't quite believe it. Luna... Midnight Dreamer had been his friend, but she sure hadn't been perfect. She certainly wasn’t what he thought of when he thought of a Princess, and her... body hadn’t shown any evidence of wings, “But when?”

“I think it was just before she died.” Xephyr stated, her voice heavy now, “It hadn't had enough time to fully transform her.”

Easu was quiet, Ace Gold turning to see his reaction. He looked conflicted, eventually speaking in quiet, measured tones, “A demon alicorn became a Princess? Attained harmony?”

“You're looking at a zebra who attained the same.” She answered cheerfully.

He frowned, “Not remotely the same thing. A Star Demon is evil to the core.”

Her smile didn't falter, “I've made friends with unity alicorns, hellhounds, dragons, ghouls, canterlot ghouls, griffons, ponies, zebra. I've been told that every one of those is somehow less moral, less capable of attaining harmony, less worthy of respect. I can categorically state that any such claims are absolute rubbish.”

“But a Star Demon is...”

“I've also had the pleasure of knowing Puppysmiles, as have you.”

Easu paused a moment before answering softly, clearly shook, “The sole exception.”

“Along with Midnight Dreamer.”

Easu frowned, “She killed hundreds. We had to infiltrate this place to stop her...”

“After she had seen her boyfriend killed in front of her, and her children threatened with death.” Ace noted somewhat pointedly, “How many zebra have you killed?”

Easu frowned, unable to answer.

“When you see evil, don't assume it is simply a function of their biology. Ask yourself why they feel the need to act that way, and see if there isn't some way to reach understanding.” She chuckled, “I'm not saying it will work on everyone, some ponies just live to hurt others. But many have just made bad choices, and bringing them back from the edge is the most devastating blow you can give to the powers of darkness.”

“The powers of darkness.” Easu repeated, face stony.

“Don't you believe in evil?”

He shook his head, looking troubled by her question, “Oh, I do. I just... have never heard it spoken of so candidly. Most prefer to believe evil is just the simple cruelty we inflict upon each other, rather than some great, dark force.”

“Just as harmony affects our lives, so do the powers of darkness. Trying to lead us down dark paths, trying to corrupt our destiny.” Xephyr smiled, full of confidence, “We can keep it at bay with force, but only friendship can truly drive it back. Like the friendships Midnight Dreamer cultivated made her a Princess. And like the bond you share with Star Swirl can save her too.”

Easu was quiet for a while. Eventually his head came up, expression impossible to read, “Thank you for your advice Princess Xephyr. I will consider it.”

“No problem.” She replied, bowing her head to him, “Now if you would excuse me?”

“Of course.”

They both watched her turn and walk away, Ace waiting until she was well out of earshot before speaking, “So what did you think of her?”

“She is a Princess. Exactly as the stories told.” His voice wavered slightly, “That is... surprising.”

“How so?”

Easu sighed, “I always imagined Princesses were just ponies, possessing great magic and cunning, using it to bring their subjects to glory. Queens and rulers, chosen from the elite of society, advancing the will of Celestia.” He looked up at where Xephyr had disappeared from view, “But she truly believes in harmony. No priest I have ever met has spoken of it with such certainty.”

“She's certainly... certain.” Ace replied, feeling the bitterness bubble up.

Easu noticed, “You have something on your mind?”

Ace sighed. He supposed talking to somepony would help, “For the record, I don't believe in harmony, evil forces, or any of that stuff. Princesses are just powerful, smart equines.” He gathered up his anger, trying to keep it under control, “And however much she might try to pretend... she's not perfect. She's not even close.”

Easu gave him a look of sympathy, “You have unresolved issues with her.”

“Don't get me wrong, she's a great hero. She's likely right about your advice, and I really hope we can resolve this peacefully. She's honest to a fault, totally selfless, and likely the best warrior on the planet.” Ace felt his nose crinkle in anger, “And she's a shitty person, and a terrible daughter.”

Easu remained quiet for a moment at this, finally speaking again after a long period of thought, “You love her Ace.”

He blinked. He... what? He never... well once, very briefly, but... what? “I... I love...?”

Easu smiled awkwardly, “She's important to you. Very important.”

Ace sniffed, still blushing a little, “Well... she trained me. And honestly, before Fluttershy I thought she was one of the only equines who understood me.”

“And she has hurt you.”

Ace looked away, “...yes.”

Easu smiled, looking off into the distance with a soft look in his eyes, “Talk to her Ace. If we're going to save the world, we need to do it with no regrets.”

Dust Kicker enjoyed the feel of the morning damp on his fur as he inspected the camp, sprawled out at the entrance to Dusklight and enjoying the couple of days free of marching. There was still plenty of work to be done, tallying up stocks, building the road leading up to Dusklight, dealing with any little problems that they had been unable to address on the way.

Still, this was an opportunity to catch their breath and think. Consider what was next.

He was doing just that when he saw them, the Steel Ranger Star Paladin and his minotaur friend, Cato and Bang he seemed to remember. They were speaking together over some toast and spread, the minotaur spotting Dust Kicker and waving him over.

“Good morning.” He commented as he approached.

“Here, try this my friend!” Bang cheerfully bellowed as he offer Dust a plate of toast, “Tell me what you think.”

Dust was a little hungry. He took a bite, feeling a warm, relaxing sweetness spread across his tongue, “This is really good.”

“Ha ha!” Bang laughed, “The Cacoasho berry. Normally a little too sweet, but if you fry it just the right length of time it becomes much more palatable!”

Dust was impressed, “Where did you learn to cook?”

“My father was the court cook of King Balder of the Badlands.” Bang explained, “I was born with a wok in my hands, the finest ingredients at my table.”

Dust remembered, the badlands beyond the camel territories, up past the Mutum, “Why did you leave?”

“The badlands are poorly named these days. There was after all little the bombs could do to make it worse, and so it almost totally escaped the devastation.” Bang explained, before a look of outrage spread across his face and his raised his fist to the sky, “And so I did not understand just how lucky I was! That we could feast on the finest the world had to offer, while the rest of the world dined on roasted mole rat. And when I learned of this great injustice I had to intervene, so I gathered my pots and pans and set off to return the great art of cooking to the world!”

Dust Kicker considered that a better goal that most, “So why are you roaming the wasteland?”

“Unfortunately I underestimated the selfishness of the world. When he learned of my skills, King Sandrine of the Antaru had me kidnapped to serve as his personal cook. My most noble arts, devoted to the singular tastes of a petty despot!”

Dust Kicker chuckled, “So Cherry Sunset freed you?”

“Indeed!” Bang confirmed, “And now I repay my debt to her, while doing my best to spread my skills to all who will listen.”

Dust Kicker turned to Cato beside, “And what about you?”

“Because it's in my blood.” Cato answered, voice firm and proud. His head rose, staring off into the distance with determination, “My family have always been soldiers, always fought for the zebra. My ancestors fought in the armies of Caesar himself, and that didn't change after the bombs fell. My parents served in the army of good king Kakuna of the Antaru.”

Dust looked at him, noting the anger in his eyes, “He was... Sandrine's father?”

“He was king Kakuna's younger son. He stole his brother's birthright, and had my family executed for supporting the true heir. And his crimes did not stop there, no, he was a ruthless, sadistic tyrant.” Cato wrinkled his muzzle, “But none would stand up to him, and the rightful king proved a coward unwilling to risk his brother's wrath.”

Dust Kicker had heard some of the story from the radio, “Until Cherry Sunset.”

Cato nodded, “Cherry Sunset told me the Applejack Rangers would not stand a tyrant, that she was duty bound to free my homeland. And she made good on her promise.” He let a small smile creep across his face, “She is the most extraordinary mare I've ever met, and I am proud to follow her into battle.”

“A worthy cause is something some ponies search their entire life to find.” Dust noted with a grin, “You're very lucky to have found yours.”

Cato smiled back, “That I am.”

Ace Gold stepped through the caves with trepidation, the memories rushing back. There was a lot of construction in progress, a whole troop of ponies working hard to expand the complex and repair the damaged electrics and plumbing. It certainly gave the impression that the place was coming back to life, yet as he approached his destination the one huge exception from the work became even more obvious. No one appeared to have touched it.

He opened the door and looked across Dusklight's library. The shelves lay bare, books long gone. The table sat in the middle, a stark, lonely reminder.

He turned sideways and entered Luna's bedroom, finding himself compelled to hold his breath. He had never been in here before.

It was... a mess. The far wall had been blown out into the cave beyond and the furniture around the blast area had been toppled and flung aside, the bedsheets singed and lying in a tumble of cloth, a bookcase upended to spill it's books all across the floor. They appeared to be mostly children's books, covered in a scattering of rotting, blue feathers and dried blood. A set of beautiful, alicorn sized dresses hung on the wall, one of them instantly familiar. Ace had thought it made her look like a liquorish allsort back when he had first seen it.

Xephyr stood there in the middle, her eyes turning to Ace as he entered, “Hey Ace.”

He looked to her, somewhat accusing. This was where a mare had died, “What are you doing here?”

“Trying to get a feel for her. Midnight Dreamer.” She looked around, finally dropping her head and letting her shoulders relax, “This was her room.”

Ace felt it was all a bit morbid, “It was.”

“The books, they're all tales of warriors against injustice. Of brave ponies who were doubted and feared by those around them, but eventually proved their true worth.” She opened her eyes again, looking up at him, “She didn't keep any spellbooks in here, and none of these books feature zebra.”

He tensed, uncomfortable, “She... had issues with zebra.”

“Poor girl.”

“Charitable of you.”

“She helped a great deal of zebra Ace, and her second was a zebra. I judge actions, not words, she clearly cared for them too.” She sighed, “The fact that they don't match just means she was a troubled young girl.”

Ace wanted to argue, but he realised it was for the sake of arguing. He agreed with her, “I guess, yeah.”

“I wish I had more time to get to know her.”

Ace didn't want to talk about it. He decided to change the subject, “What did you think of Easu?”

Xephyr nodded, a cheerful smile spreading across her face, “He walks a very narrow tightrope, as do all rulers. And he's rough around the edges. But he possesses all the traits of a great leader, and he certainly has the touch of harmony about him.”

Ace was glad she liked him. Still he was eager to get to the actual reason for his visit, “Your mother's funeral was nice.”

Xephyr sighed, turning away, “I'm glad.”

“It would have been nicer with you there.”

“I..." She hesitated, still not looking like she was taking it entirely seriously. She reached up to scratch the back of her head with a hoof, avoiding his gaze, "I'm sorry for running off like that. I had a lot on my mind."

That sounded dangerously like an excuse. And Ace Gold was going to call her out on it, "You missed your mother's funeral."

Xephyr sighed, dropping her head, "I said my goodbyes."

"No you didn't! You screamed at everyone, and ran away!" Ace replied, driving out the fury that he had been keeping tight in his chest, "You didn't care about her at all!"

She looked up at him, shocked and distressed. That satisfied him at least, as did her wavering voice, "I'm glad... you did."

He relaxed, feeling the anger drain. It was replaced by regret, and grief, "I did."

"What was she like? Xenith, hero of Equestria?"

Ace sighed, "She was brave, and selfless, and wise. She saved my life, and never asked for a thing in return."

"I wish I had known her."

Ace looked up at Xephyr, narrowing his brow. How could she say such things? "You could have!"

Xephyr shook her head in regret, "There was far too much history there. We were never able to get past that."

“You could have tried!”

“We did. So many times.” Xephyr gave him a heart meltingly sweet smile, almost enough to make him forgive her right there, “You loved her.”

He hesitated, but not for long, “Yes. She saved my life, taught me, gave me advice...”

“And she loved you.” She stated, “It was right that you were there to see her off. I only wish Littlepip and the others were there.”

Ace... wasn't happy. He wasn't happy with this, “Family is...”

“Something that you can lose forever. It can be taken from you, or you can leave it behind.” Her smile faded, “And sometimes it's not anyponies fault. Like so many terrible things... it's just a thing that happens, for reasons you'll never make sense of.”

Ace gritted his teeth, feeling the anger at the... unfairness of the world grow, “Even after everything, I still feel like... a leaf, caught in a hurricane.”

She gave a sad chuckle, “I think that's true of everypony, whether they admit it or not.”

He gave her a doubtful look, “You're the single most powerful equine on this planet.”

She laughed at that, “I seriously doubt that. And before you put me on too high a pedestal... you're fifteen.”

He frowned, not liking to be reminded, “I'm just a couple of months off being sixteen.”

She gave one of her sly little smiles, “And you're far, far more powerful than any of us were at that age. Think about that for a moment.”

Ace widened his eyes, trying to process that statement, “Wait, what?”

“Do you think Littlepip knew which end of a gun to point at an enemy at sixteen? Do you think Velvet did? And I barely beat Stern with the help of my mother. You fought her now, you could have broken her in half.”

Ace... doubted that. But in a way, she was right. He was strong. He was almost certainly far stronger than Littlepip when she started out. And that was something... he had to accept, “I've spent so long blaming you all for not making a better world.” He lifted his hoof, feeling the muscles flex, feeling the power there, “Maybe it's time I put my money where my mouth is.”

Xephyr smiled, “And I very much look forward to seeing what you can do Ace.”

They sat in the war council, Dust Kicker, Cato and Kale. Lacking a formal command structure it was the best they had, Dust forced to confront the fact that none of them had ever truly commanded an army of this size, nor been involved with command level decisions. Still, a decision had to be made, “So... Demonivore.”

“Only taken by direct military assault once.” Cato warned, “By the largest army Equestria has ever fielded, commanded by General Storm Frost and featuring both Rainbow Dash and Princess Celestia out on the front lines.”

Dust Kicker nodded, “Where the All Mother died?”

“The Mother of Dragons died in that battle, yes. And the zebra and pony forces alike lost more than sixty percent of their forces, and both Celestia and Rainbow Dash were seriously injured. The civilian casualties were also devastating.”

Dust Kicker looked at the plans, “The city is built on a hill, rising through multiple tiers with easily firing positions downwards. It also boasts a complicated, illogical layout with numerous chokepoints and dead ends, and wide open plains in all directions.”

“Many have tried to take the city since the bombs fell.” Cato noted, “The Enclave, Star Fall, the Entitdi. All of them have failed.”

“But we have dragons don't we?” Kale asked hopefully, “We all saw what they can do at Clendel.”

“There's a dead dragon just across the way, spread against a mountain.” Cato reminded her, “The mother of all dragons no less. Dragons are big and powerful, but their skin can be penetrated by a well aimed ballista shot. High calibre bullets will tear one apart.”

“Plus you heard what Spike said about their numbers.” Dust added, “We should be glad they risked themselves at Clendel. We can't ask them to test themselves against an actual army.”

“Ok...” Kale paused before venturing her next idea, “Then as a thought experiment, why not bypass Demonivore entirely?”

Dust shook his head, “It's true that we don't need the city. But what we do need is boats, lots of them. We have thousands of troops here, troops that we need to get across the ocean. The only large port in the area is right here.”

“That would of course require us to convince them not to scuttle the fleet the moment we look like taking the place.” Cato pointed out.

Dust nodded, conceding the point. Along with everything else, it was yet more evidence that a conventional assault was doomed to fail, “Then let's hope we can convince them to see reason.”

They were here. After all these months, after so many adventures, after so many setbacks and injuries. They passed through the same mountain pass through which they had escaped, Ace Gold recognising the spot where they had fought the bandits. The tank was gone, obviously retrieved or scavenged at some point. Ace Gold thought back on simpler time as they continued through, the pass finally opening up into the great golden coast of Demonivore.

Ahead, defence emplacements, hidden trenches, minefields and more, one of the most well fortified areas on the planet. Beyond that... the rising tiers of Demonivore, solid, box like buildings climbing up the hill to the palace atop. Their destination, and the place where it all started.

“Line up!” Dust Kicker called, the army slowly starting to spread out across the pass. This was their big risk, they were in range of Demonivore's guns and they didn't have any big guns of their own. Still if their projections were right they outnumbered the defenders of Demonivore six hundred to one, the defenders would have to be mad to force a confrontation.

It was time to find out. Ace Gold called two of the scouts to his side, a goggled pegasus buck called Sweet Waves and a startlingly lean and dangerous looking zebra mare called Xo. They nodded as they fell into step, Ace slowly stepping towards the shadow of Demonivore as the army formed up behind.

An artillery shot fell nearby, shaking the ground. Ace quickly looked round to judge its position, Sweet Waves tensed and ready to fly them out of there. After a moment it was clear however that it had landed a long way from their position, either really badly aimed or a warning shot. The army was already being brought under control after a brief moment of panic and so Ace Gold decided to continue on. There was no further shots, and after a moment he looked up to see a pair of alicorns watching him from far above.

After a second one levelled their spear down and fired a grenade right at their location.

Xo didn't waste a second, spinning her rifle up and detonating the grenade with one quick shot. The shockwave almost knocked the pair of the sky, and after a moment they both made a quick retreat. Ace had to chuckle, “Scared them off.”

“The one who fired the grenade was Silverstripe.” Xo declared, her voice cold and hard, “She's dangerous in a fight, but tends to let her temper get the best of her.”

Ace noted that for reference, “And the other?”

“I think her name is Starlight Destiny. I don't know much about her.” She thought for a moment before adding, “She has a terrible poker face. Always displays what's she's feeling for all to see.”

“And what's that?” Sweet Waves asked.

“Fear and nervousness generally.”

Ace Gold nodded, thinking to himself that in fights the scared and nervous opponents tended to be the most difficult to predict. He liked to read his opponent's next move and control the fight, but scared, inexperienced fighters made that much harder, “Let's continue.”

They did so, eventually reaching the first bunker. It was made of heavy concrete, solid and well built. A zebra stood on top beside two gun emplacements, wearing the uniform of Caesar's guard. He called down as they approached, “We've been ordered not to engage until we know your intentions. So what are they?”

Ace looked up at the zebra, noting that he was pretty elderly for a solider. Likely a veteran then, left behind due to his age, “We're passing through this area, nothing more. We would like to negotiate passage with Caesar's representative, if we could.”

The solider glared, “Caesar's exiled brother leads an army to the walls of his home, and he merely wishes to pass through?”

“He swears on his honor that he has no intentions...”

“The exile has no honor!” The solider shouted back, then added, “Are Ace Gold, Arick Grimfeathers, Dust Kicker, Fluttershy and Zenai among your number?”

Ace Gold wondered what the correct answer to that was. He eventually decided to go with the truth, “Yes.”

“Then they have permission to enter the city, and talk to Minister Daisy.” The solider replied, “The others will not approach without a fight.”

“Very well.” Ace stated, wondering what they were getting into, “I'll bring them here.”

Demonivore. It brought back plenty of old memories for Dust Kicker, of tracking Star Swirl through the streets, of... living here, with her and Zenai. Back then it had all seemed much easier, just another job. He had once stepped through these streets as a mercenary, now he did it as a general. Those gathered in the streets watched their progress with awe, and well they should. Three ponies who had been through so much together, finally back to where they started their journey.

He turned to look at Fluttershy, noting her expression, “You look nervous.”

“A little.” She admitted. Her head moved about to study the city, even though her eyes were still bound in cloth, “You know, they say this city was cursed by the Star Demon who ruled here, that it would be forever a den of evil and misfortune.”

Dust Kicker didn't have much time for superstition, “And do you believe that?”

“There's lingering darkness here.” She stated in a quiet voice, “And it feels like we're all connected to it. That in our actions here, the whole world was put out of balance.”

Dust Kicker hadn't realised Fluttershy was a mystic, “And how do we fix that?”

“We have to pass through this city peacefully Dust Kicker.” She paused for a moment before adding, “And Easu must be allowed to return home in honor.”

He grimaced. A tall order, “I'll do my best.”

The palace was as Dust Kicker remembered it, a strange feeling given he didn’t… remember it. It seemed a little more friendly than before though, he got the impression that the plants were new. The waterfall that descended down the side of the building now fed into several hanging gardens that sat on the numerous steps that formed its pyramid structure. Hanging baskets hung along the corridors too, lending the somewhat worn and time damaged structure an air of serene dignity. It was quiet, lines of soldiers standing guard at key locations with stern dignity, a few servants bowing their heads as the procession passed.

They finally reached the state room, a bright and airy location that looked out across the city from the large windows at the far end. A group of zebra dressed in the robes of civil servants stood in the centre, though the central figure was of all things a donkey mare. She wore a startlingly white toga and her hair was clipped up in an elegant updo, affecting a transformation so startling that Dust Kicker didn’t recognise her for a moment, “…Daisy?”

“Dust Kicker.” She replied, looking him up and down with that familiar piercing glare, “You look terrible.”

“You look… amazing.” He replied, waving at her with a hoof.

She gave a small, thin smile, which Dust Kicker knew was high praise from the tough old merchant queen. She bowed her head to her visitors as the guards bade them approach, allowing them to settle on the soft pillows scattered around. Daisy didn’t take one, choosing to remain standing as she addressed them, “Indeed, though the chaos you inflicted on the city all those months ago was deeply unfortunate, my work in warning Lord Caesar of the threat seemed to impress him. He offered me a role as his major domo, one I was happy to accept.”

“Finally settling down?”

She shrugged, “Neither of us are getting any younger. Indeed the trust was humbling, few care to offer a donkey anything. I became a merchant because I knew I had to work myself to my fortune, yet Caesar has seen fit to leave me more or less in control of his empire in his absence.” She nodded, her eyes indicating she was being very serious with her next statement, “I will do everything in my power to prove worthy of that trust, and hope you are not here to once more repay his hospitality with treachery.”

“We were set up Daisy.” Fluttershy stated quietly, “You have to know that.”

“I have a suspicion.” She agreed, “Which is the only reason I trust you now. Do you know who was behind it?”

Ace Gold took a breath, the young buck tensing for a moment before delivering the answer, “Arick Grimfeathers.”

Daisy turned her eyes to Ace, deep suspicion across her face, “Of course. But it cannot stop there, don’t insult my intelligence. So who else was involved? You? Regina?”

“No.” He answered simply, meeting her gaze, “I knew nothing about it, only what I’ve been able to piece together in retrospect. And his mother had nothing to do with it either, I… think he did it partly to screw with her.”

“Hmph.” She grunted, not looking satisfied with his answer, “That does make sense. But I still struggle to believe he was working alone.”

“No, he wasn’t.” Ace Gold acknowledged, his voice firm and clear as he gave his answer, “It was Red Eye.”

Daisy, rather oddly, didn’t seem entire surprised by this information, “What evidence do you have?”

“Ability and motive.” Ace stated, “He’s one of the few who can easily send messages between Equestria and here, he already had one asset in place, and he’s almost certainly able to forge the official communication used to dupe Silver Quill.”

Daisy frowned, “What asset?”

“Zenai was tricked into bringing an experimental AI with her, trying to protect it from the Steel Rangers.” Ace explained, “But unknown to her, us, and the AI itself, Red Eye had the ability to override her systems and erase her memory of it at will. He likely used her to access the systems here.”

Daisy’s frown became ever more intense and unfriendly, “You are saying he can hack remotely, all the way from the NCR?”

“Yes, I am.”

She drew her head, back, glaring frostily, “And you are going to tell me how.”

Ace Gold nodded, “He somehow has access to the Equestrian military’s old satellite network. Equestria used it during the war to spy on both these lands and their own ponies. It is equipped with technology allowing it to communicate with both pre-war Equestrian and Zebra systems, which both nations tend to use to protect their most valuable data.” Ace grimaced, “It is a common belief that they are more secure than more modern copies.”

Dust Kicker listened with rapt attention, partly due to it all being… familiar. He knew this, it had been explained to him before, “But… you said nopony had access to these satellites. That they were lost.”

“Yeah, which makes it even more effective a trump card.” Ace acknowledged, “As you can guess, control of the network was only located in the most secure and important military hubs in Equestria, all of which were prime targets for the zebra bombardment. It was long decided that there was no way any of them survived, that the military network was totally destroyed. The quest for control of the pre-war military network has long been considered the domain of quacks and fools.”

Dust Kicker understood, “The best weapon is one no one considers possible.”

“A good hacker with access to it could hold the world to ransom.” Ace Gold agreed, “Or drive it to war.”

Daisy was quiet for a long moment after this, her eye narrowed in thought. Eventually she spoke, tones grave, “Red Eye contacted Caesar, convinced him to mount his invasion and gave him classified military secrets and maps to make it easier.” Her muzzle rumpled in consternation, eyebrows raising, “Why?”

“I don’t know.” Ace admitted, “But most of his actions have served to increase tensions between the NCR and Caesar. Perhaps he just wants revenge on the NCR?”

Daisy frowned, as did Dust Kicker. It made him queasy, uncomfortable. The idea that… “You think this is actually Red Eye?”

“No. But it is somepony who knew his operation intimately. Somepony who holds a grudge for how it all ended.” Ace turned, looking direct at Dust, “Somepony who knew you well Dust Kicker.”

Dust Kicker pointed to himself, “Me?”

Ace Gold nodded, “He contacted you, knew about your past, expressed a personal connection. They might well have got you on this mission in the first place.”

Dust Kicker took this all in, the information settling like a lead weight in his stomach. Who could possibly know all this, who could…

He felt the world collapse around him, looking up at grey skies above. He felt fit, strong, proud. He felt like all was right in the world, looking over the devastation of the war and the perpetual dusk the cloud cover left them. This was… his home.

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

He turned, looking at the griffon beside him. Elizabetha. She was lean for a griffon, a little shorter than Gawdina. She was quick though, dexterous. He had seen her pretty much dodge gunfire, and she did it with a grace that was otherworldly. Along with the quirky, historically symbolic way she wore her armor and those rose tinted glasses she always wore, she was a shining gem amid the muck, “Almost as pretty as you.”

She chuckled, pointing a talon out towards the wreckage of what looked like an oversized shed, “You know, back before the war that used to be a production facility for the Solaris Corporation. They produced satellites for the Equestrian military.”

“Satellites?”

“Yeah. They were like giant cameras far up in the sky, looking down on everything. They used them to target their megaspells, the satellites, silos and command stations all linked up in a massive network. Just a push of a button, and they destroyed the world.”

Dust Kicker shivered, “Then I'm glad this stuff is all broken.”

“The satellites are still there though, still waiting for the right command. And Equestria kept their silos well hidden.” Elizabetha smiled, a fire in her eyes, “There has always been rumors, of silos that failed to fire. And that Equestria hid one of its command centres deep underground, far from anywhere the zebra would have reason to target, and that it’s still out there somewhere, totally untouched.”

Dust Kicker was kinda glad it was lost, “And what would you do with it?”

“I would give it to Red Eye of course.” She explained with a look of deep ambition, “And no one would ever be able to threaten the new world he’s creating.”

“Dust Kicker? You remember something?”

He looked back at Ace, giving a sheepish shake of his head, “No… yes, but it’s not much to go on. We can talk about it later.” He looked to Daisy, “In the meantime… do we have your support?”

“You may bring Easu into the city, and I will talk to him.” Daisy informed them in grave, strict tones, “We shall see what he has to say. And in the meantime…”

She paused noticeably, Dust Kicker raising an eyebrow, “In the meantime?”

“As you can imagine, Princess Celestia stationed three of her knights here.” Daisy stated, sounding hesitant as she continued, “They disappeared shortly after your army was spotted. I sent guards out looking, but my resources are limited.”

Dust Kicker considered her words. It certainly sounded like something it would be a poor idea to ignore, letting dangerous, super powered fanatics run free in a city they knew well while there were multiple VIP’s running around, “Ace Gold, do you think you could rustle up some trackers, see if they can find out where they’ve run to?”

Ace nodded, “Found and dealt with. Just leave it to me.”

Ace admitted he felt a twinge of satisfaction as he beheld his troops, waiting on his order to march. It was good to be friends with the king, “Does anyone have any questions?”

“Any idea how many civilians we might be talking about?” Xephyr asked, “In my experience, these kind of fanatics love to surround themselves with the ‘devoted faithful’.”

Cato nodded in agreement, “Since they’ve been based here, I’d be shocked if they didn’t have dozens of fools willing to die for them.”

“Which brings the question.” Kalute, their assigned representative from Demonivore milita began, “Do we kill them? Because I know that will only increase tensions here.”

Xephyr looked predictably disapproving, “Leave them to me. You just need to find them.”

“To us.” Ace corrected, “And if it comes to that I’ll tell you to ‘go live’. Until that point, only open fire if multiple civilian lives are in danger.”

Cato frowned, “I respect your moral code Princess, but…”

“Kalute is right. We’re in a neutral city, which we cannot afford to anger.” Ace firmly informed him, “We need to deal with this as quietly as possible. Kalute, when we find them I want the city guard to clear the area while we go in.”

The zebra saluted, “Right you are.”

“And Cato, you bring down any who try and escape. As bloodlessly as possible if you can.”

He nodded, looking a little less pleased with the situation, “As you will.”

“Right.” Ace stated, nodding to each of them, “Move out.”

They moved off into the city, Ace feeling rather peculiar being back here. Back then… he had been with Arick Grimfeathers. He had been a dumb, arrogant kid, way over his head.

Now he was giving orders to Princess Xephyr. He looked to the mare, her head peering about at the sights like a damn tourist, “Xephyr.”

“Ace.” She replied, giving him a sweet smile and lowering her voice, “Would you be insulted if I drew most of their fire, and you used that opportunity to strike from stealth?”

He had been thinking the same thing, “It makes sense. You’re far more experienced and powerful than me.”

“Oh.” She stated, sounding a little surprised, “That’s… really mature of you.”

“Do I come across like that?” He questioned with a hint of irritation, “A bratty kid, looking to prove themselves?”

“No, of course not…”

“It was a real question Xephyr.”

She looked at him with shock at this, Ace admitting that it felt a bit weird being this sharp with Princess Xephyr. Still her expression soon melted into one of respect, “You’ve always wanted to prove yourself. It’s part of who you are, right there in your cutie mark.”

He looked down at his currently covered flank. His cutie mark… a gold medal. He hadn’t thought about it in some time, oddly enough. It had once been his obsession, his life spent wrestling with what exactly it mean. Being the best? Being a born winner? Being born from the heroes of Equestria, Deadshot Calamity and Velvet Remedy, and so automatically a grand hero worthy of respect? “So what do you think it means?”

“You want to be the best at everything Ace. I’ve seen it all my life, everything you do you have to excel at.” She chuckled, “Every time you lost a fight against some pony twice your size and age, you would get so angry with yourself, train until your hooves bled.”

He… admitted that had been true once. To be honest he liked the challenge, “There’s no point trying anything if you don’t commit.”

“It’s why you came out here isn’t it?” She asked, “You felt your parents were too much of an advantage. You wanted to test yourself against a real wasteland, without them to bail you out.”

He… admitted she had a point, “I… hated coming back home to a mansion. Wearing fancy clothes I hadn’t earned, a father who loved me unconditionally… nothing was ever going to be satisfying until I had achieved it free of the advantages of my birth.”

“Well let’s see how much you’ve learned.” She concluded, turning her eyes back to the two trackers in front. Kalute was speaking to a civilian merchant, handing him a few caps before heading over. Xephyr nodded for him to speak, “We found something?”

“A few people have noticed workers going in and out of a disused sanitation facility.” Kalute informed them, “I’ve already checked, we don’t have any serious maintenance booked and there was far too many of them for a routine inspection. Lots of equipment too, in sealed boxes.”

Ace nodded, that sounded legit. That facility likely led into the sewers or maintenance tunnels, which would be a good way of getting anywhere they wanted, “It sounds like that’s our jackpot.”

Here they were... he hoped he was right.

The area had been quietly cleared of civilians, guards watching the doors alongside Cato. The path into the building showed clear signs of recent scratching where heavy boxes had been dragged inside, and further talks with the civilians in the area reported a lot of equines in concealing gear had entered the building and not come out.

Whoever was in there, they were up to no good. A breaching charge had been placed on the door, though that wasn’t their entry point. As normal Xephyr had to make an entrance, and so she had walked round the side of the building, inspecting the brickwork until finally... she indicated a spot with her hoof, “There.”

Ace nodded, moving beside her and whispering into his radio, “Go.”

A loud bang sounded out, the ground shaking under their feet. It was followed by yells and the sound of gunfire, Xephyr giving him one last look before driving her hoof hard into the wall.

It shattered inwards, striking one zebra hard in the side and taking him out of the fight. The place looked like a warehouse, with a high roof and a metal gantry forming a second floor. It was full of equines in mostly improvised armor, though all were pretty well armed. Several predictably lined the second floor, in a perfect position to fire down at them.

Before they even had a chance to move Xephyr used her wing to sweep several chunks of rubble into the air, spinning about and kicking them upwards to take out three of the upper floor cultists with just one quick move. Ace wasn’t about to be left behind, taking a plate of metal from his pack and charging it with bullet attraction magic. He flung it upwards as he moved in to attack, feeling the satisfaction of a job well done as their bullets were attracted upwards and away towards the spinning shard. He returned fire with his twin crossbows, marking two more of the snipers on the upper levels and striking them with poisoned darts.

Xephyr shot past him, air booming outwards as she used her wings to fling herself right into where the enemies were thickest. They were briefly bowled over by her momentum, then sent flying across the room as she expanded her wings in a fierce maelstrom. They hit the ground all around, crumpled beside their ruined weapons.

And at that point he did feel a little jealous.

He dropped another cultist with his crossbow before leaping up and knocking another one silly with a flying kick. He landed neatly, still he was barely fast enough to avoid the spear that darted out from his blindspot, shaving a few hairs off his flank as it went. He leapt, kicked, and was blocked, the spear wielding mare throwing him backwards with a heave.

She was a winged unicorn, a light pink in color, eyes bright cyan. The robes of the church of Celestia billowed as she charged for the attack. He dropped, let her pass over him and kicked up at the right moment to catch her under the chin, driving her back. He tried to press his advantage but she recovered quicker than he had expected, striking him with a horn blast that left him stunned. Her spear shot out once more and cut his shoulder, the mare winding up for a stronger strike…

…before she was hit by a burst of compressed air, flinging her into the wall with a loud thump. Ace looked across at Xephyr, the mare’s hoof still vibrating with magic. He called out a warning as another winged unicorn levelled their spear at Xephyr while she was distracted, firing a shot at her unprotected back. Xephyr was already moving by the time the words left his mouth, her wings sweeping out to bat the heavy slug away with almost contemptuous ease, her hooves driving her forward to slam into the winged unicorn hard enough to fling her across the room.

Ace took a moment to confirm they were both down. To his shock neither alicorn looked to be getting up again in a hurry. Ace marvelled once again at just how far he had to go if he ever wanted to match Xephyr.

“False prophet! Wicked perversion!”

Ace turned just too late to see her, the final Knight of Celestia leaning out and using her spear to launch a grenade straight at Xephyr. It was utter madness, in these close confines it would likely kill everyone in the room. Xephyr's eyes widened in shock for just a second before she rushed forward, weaving a cocoon of air around the grenade with her hooves before closing both her wings across it...

...it detonated with a deafening crack, walls shattering as fragments marked them. To Ace's amazement however Xephyr's desperate move contained the blast enough that not a single pony or zebra was hurt...

...except for one. Xephyr was flung backwards, wings smoking, head bleeding, her body tumbling across the floor. She rolled onto her back, limp and motionless.

“Yes!” The Knight screamed, “When you get to hell demon, tell them Skyfire Heart sent you! Tell them...!”

And at that Xephyr stirred, lifting her head and touching a hoof gingerly against the already healing wounds across her skull, “Damn... that hurt...”

Skyfire Heart's eyes widened in horror. She looked about desperately... unfortunately seeing Ace before he was close enough to take her out. She swung her spear at him, Ace leaping over it and kicking it out of her hooves. It clattered away out of her reach but her wild bullrush caught him off guard and knocked him sprawling. Ace fired off a crossbow bolt but it scattered away as it struck her magic barrier.

Skyfire Heart hesitated, looking to her fallen spear, then to him... she turned grabbed a couple of bags from the shelf next to her and fled through the door behind. Ace swore, charging after her.

The door opened to a set of ominous, worn looking stairs downwards, Ace following as fast as he dared. It led into what looked like a service tunnel, old pipes running along the walls and what appeared to be an industrial pump gently throbbing away in the corner. He hurried along a little way further, uncovering large, rough hewn rooms full of storage crates, figuring the warehouse must have been some forgotten access to the city's plumbing. Judging from the dust few people spent much time here... which meant Skyfire Heart was easy to follow.

He sprinted ahead, soon catching sight of the mare. She was crouched next to a large, ambiguously shaped machine, her bag opened and its contents laid before her.

Those weren’t ambiguous. These were bundles of nuke grenades, strapped around a timer. Her eyes came up to stare at him, her magic touch on the bomb faltering for a moment. It was all the opportunity he needed, using his own magic to snatch it away and float it over. Once it was nearby, it was a reasonably simple task to neutralise the firing mechanism, safely rendering it useless and dropping it next to him.

“No!”

He looked up at the mare, shouting back at her, “What the hell are you trying to do? What's the point of planting bombs here?”

“You stupid little pony, you really don't know?” She giggled, “We're right above the reservoir, the water source for the entire city! A little explosion here and it will collapse, sealing it off for good!”

He hesitated, not sure if he got that right, “What...?” He glared at her, unsure if he had heard that right, “You're trying to rendering the entire city uninhabitable?”

“You don't understand! You will never understand!” She laughed then, adjusting the strap on the second bag, “But it doesn't matter, because you can’t stop me!”

She turned and ran further into the complex, out of sight before he could react. Ace cursed and followed.

“She promised a better world! She told us Celestia had returned, made us Princesses and dressed us in robes of silver! She told us the long night was over!” Skyfire Heart screamed the words, dodging through the pillars and behind storage crates and stopping Ace from getting a good shot, “Are you telling me that was a lie?! That there truly is no hope?!”

Ace followed her as she led him further into the tunnels. He had no choice, he couldn’t let her escape with a pack of explosives. Neither could he risk a shot that might hit that pack, or any of the unknown supplies she was dodging through. He could only hurry after her, duck every time she levelled her horn at him, try and close the gap each time she turned her head away, “There’s always hope.”

“Liar!” She screamed, “I’ve seen it out there! War upon war, and now you bring another army to our gates?! You are the heralds of the end, the final death of light!”

Ace wondered if further discussion was worth it. The mare was clearly bats, “You need to look beyond appearances. Star Swirl might look like Celestia, but she’s really just another warlord. And our army is a collection of brave volunteers from all nations, seeking to end this conflict.”

Skyfire Heart chuckled, a disturbing sound, “Maybe you’re telling the truth. But it doesn’t matter.”

He turned the corner, seeing her standing there with the back of explosives around her neck, the pullcord in her mouth. She backed against one of the pillars, giving a lopsided grin as she pressed herself tightly against the stone. Ace Gold didn’t like that look, “Just put the explosives down…”

She smiled, a crazed look in her eye, “I just… can’t take living in this ugly world anymore. If my beautiful dream is a lie, then I rather die with that lie intact.” She exhaled, her expression growing peaceful, “This pillar, it supports most of the market district.”

“Skyfire…”

“I’m sorry.” She softly breathed, then pulled the cord.

Ace Gold let out a breath, glad she had given him just enough time to defuse the explosives with his magic. He kicked off before she realised what he had done, snatching the satchel in his hooves and using it to fling Skyfire through the air to thump down on her back. She screeched as she rolled back onto her hooves, Ace Gold hurling the explosives safely behind him as he moved to cut her off. Her attacks were wild and aggressive, Ace easily dodged through them. He quickly got her in a position to roll her over, getting her hooves behind her head and slipping a pair of cuffs on, “Enough.”

“No! Nononono!” She burst into tears, slamming her face against the stone, “Kill me! Kill me! Kill meeeee!”

He gave the mare a finally pitying look before laying the mare out with a final nerve pinch.

They all lined the streets, the zebra of Demonivore all watching on in awe as he passed among them. Cheers and boos rang out here and there, but for the most part they seemed... on edge. Waiting for a sign of what all this meant.

Easu, the crownless king, scion of Demonivore, banished son, exile. He marched through the streets with his soldiers around him, banners flying and music playing. Fluttershy stepped beside him, Dusk Kicker on his opposite flank. Easu as normal had dressed down for the occasion, wearing a well made but simple half robe over leather armor. He still looked every inch the king, bearing a natural nobility most warlords dreamed of possessing.

Daisy, extravagantly dressed and made up, stood at the entrance to the palace. She looked down sternly as he ascended the steps, Dust Kicker and Fluttershy moving away to allow him this final passage alone. He stopped before her, dropping his knee and bowing his head in supplication, “Honored steward, this unworthy son of Demonivore has returned, humbled by his punishment. The crimes I committed were true, and the punishment was warranted. I come to you now, wiser, gentler and purified by the trials I have faced, begging the forgiveness of you and this city.”

Daisy seemed honestly touched by his speech, noticeably pausing a moment to regain her composure before replying, “And how will you atone?”

“By bringing my brother back to these lands, so that his wise rule can continue, so his talents are no longer wasted in some pointless war across the sea. To convince him of the work that is still to be done here, that here will be the crucible of a grand new beginning.” He lifted his head, firm and confident, “I am Easu, King of the Northern Mutum, brother to Caesar Incuta of the Golden Coast. May these two lands, two crowns, be forever linked by our shared bond, and that bond be the catalyst that brings all the zebra together as one!”

The zebra in the crowd reacted now, their voices raising, “Together as one!”

Ace noted it down in his journal, knowing future generations would look back on this moment. For after all these years, all these struggles, all the war and death and pain...

...their prince had finally returned.

Chapter 5.7 - To Catch a Falling Star

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She was right. She was right about everything.

The sun had spoken to her, told her she was special. All this time, she hadn't been following the petty morality of ponies, she had been following a god. A god of power and fire.

She was a good girl. She had done as instructed, and her reward was still to come. She just wished... it would come soon.

She cried then, feeling so alone. She was a good girl, but that just wasn't enough when she had no one around to talk to, to comfort her, to share her revelations with. She staggered to the wall, mashing her face hard against the concrete, feeling the pain lance through her as she stripped the fur from her forehead.

It was good. Penance. Giving of her flesh to Celestia above.

And then she turned, the door opening. Blessed light shone across her, and within that light... her goddess. She gasped with blessed relief, prostrating herself before Celestia's mighty figure, “My Princess... my sweet Princess...”

“Sunshine Ivory.” Celestia spoke, her voice cold and her eyes icy, “You have weathered your imprisonment... poorly.”

Sunshine Ivory gasped in horror, having not applied her makeup, not dressed appropriately, “I... I'm so sorry my Princess...”

She went to look for something to wash up in but Celestia stopped her with a hoof. Sunshine Ivory paused, looking up for explanation. Celestia regarded her with that same coldness, her voice finally moving in one, grimly spoken but totally wonderful sentence, “You were right.”

Sunshine Ivory's eyes filled with tears, “My Princess...”

“This world needs to be saved, and I am the one to do it.” Celestia stated, “This is what the Goddess made me for. What Twilight Sparkle made me for. To bring justice to this world.”

Sunshine Ivory remembered her crimes. They were necessary, but still... “I'm... so sorry...”

“You did what needed to be done. I loved Zenai, but her influence was holding us back. Holding me back from my true purpose.” Celestia closed her eyes, pain lancing across her brow. Then it was gone, eyes opening with cold determination once more. A set of robes floated over, landing softly before Sunshine Ivory, Celestia addressing her, “Put those on and join me. We have a lot to do.”

Gavorn waved a claw at the medics waiting at dock from his perch aboard their transport, honestly happy to see Star Fall after everything that had happened. He knew their forces had already landed in Equestria, already made it off the beaches. To them would go great honor... but he had not signed up for honor.

The transport shuddered into dock, pulled in by the crew. He padded down the steps to the cabin, where his commander lay. Pangaea had been trapped inside a smouldering suit of power armor, crushed under both its weight and the weight of half the deck. It had taken far too long to get him healing potion.

It was obvious they needed to get him back to Star Fall, and Gavorn had insisted on doing it personally. He was a sailor for a start, having no business doing war on land. And he was Pangaea's first mate, his second. That meant seeing to his needs first.

He looked down upon the zebra, bundled in bandages upon the cot, “Don't worry Admiral, we'll see you right.”

Easu looked out over the balcony, into the distance, across the blue, choppy waters. He couldn't see it with his naked eye but he knew it was there, just one last short journey away. The place he had only ever heard stories about, the great evil of the zebra lands... and the place when he would finally reunite with Star Swirl.

Star Fall, close enough to almost see with his own eyes.

"She stood there once you know. Me, Zenai and Star Swirl, standing on this balcony planning the future."

Easu turned, smiling as Dust Kicker came up behind, "You knew her before the demon infested her."

Dust gave a soft shrug in response, trotting over and sinking his body into one of the piled cushions that lay about, "Well, that's a difficult question to answer. I had only known her about a day or two before that happened, and she hadn't exactly made a good impression."

"Why not?"

Dust chuckled, "Dived out of an airship in high winds, with no preparation or plan." He grinned to himself, "Threw me against the wall with her magic to boot. Had to save the dumb mare."

Easu hadn't heard this, "Why?"

"To save the crew of a sinking ship." Dust Kicker thought for a moment before realization dawned, "Still, one of the mares we managed to pull out of there was Sabah, so it turned out ok in retrospect."

Easu looked back to the horizon, "It was a brave thing to do."

"No, it was dumb. There's a difference." Dust Kicker lectured with a little impatience, "All this? It doesn't surprise me. She was always so impulsive, so driven by her heart, never stopping to think about if what she's doing made any sense."

Easu was surprised by that. He had always assumed Star Swirl to have been a gentle, soft girl, corrupted into become hard and aggressive by Char, “That sounds a lot like the Star Swirl I knew. I had expected... I don't know."

Dust Kicker's expression grew troubled. He seemed deep in thought about something, Easu giving him time to work out his answer. Eventually Dust finally spoke, though he still sounded hesitant, “Zenai was best placed to see any change in her personality. She told me that Star Swirl had become more confident, more... sure in herself. That she was always quick to do something stupid, but she had started doing it with conviction."

Easu frowned, "I'm not sure that's a good thing."

"Well, I can only hope that we can talk her down."

Easu considered that unlikely. Still he took Dust's advice, and hoped.

It brought back memories, being face to face with her once again. She looked younger, less weathered, Celestia having barely recognized her last time they met. She supposed now it was the other way round, Celestia having herself... updated her look in the meantime, “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me Dream Star.”

“Anytime Justicar.” Dream Star replied, a smile playing across her features, “Or should I call you Star Swirl?”

Celestia frowned at the mare, seeing she was still as... 'playful' as ever, “You know who I am.”

“Do you?” Dream Star asked, “I really do have sympathy for you alicorns. Robbed of your identity, your head still full of the Goddess... who would have thought after all this time, you would go back to the identity she gave you.” Dream Star smirked, “But it always fit you like a glove didn't it?”

Celestia allowed herself to smile, this at least had some truth to it, “I figured you would understand.”

Dream Star looked interested at this, “How so?”

“You've been running since the day of Sunshine and Rainbows too.” Celestia pointed out, keeping her voice firmly level, “A mare of your power, playing wasteland adventurer? It was as much of a farce as 'Star Swirl'.”

“True.” Dream Star conceded, “And I just got all my friends killed too, so there's something else we have in common.”

Celestia wasn't going to rise to her bait. She had already come to terms with the truth, “Star Swirl got all her friends killed. She was weak, and hesitant, and cowardly.” She looked round at her surroundings, smiling at the power that surrounded them, “I'm not going to make that mistake.”

Few came down here anymore, for the most part the sub-basement levels of Star Fall were used for long term storage. The current room was utterly cavernous, huge towers of girdered steel rising far above their heads. There were six rooms just like this one. In the other five those towers raised from the ground, supporting the city that had grown around them.

Here... they served their original purpose, supporting the towering cylinders of rusted metal that had stood here for over two hundred years. Star Swirl admired them, rusted steel inscribed with zebra glyphs. As far as she knew they were the only ones still in existence.

The zebra megaspells.

Or not, as she had been told. In truth the megaspells contained here were merely to ignite the other elements that had been stored in their warheads, elements that had long since decayed past their usable form. And an inspection revealed the truth about the missiles, not one would ever launch. Star Fall had used their supply of megaspells as a tool to inspire fear for years, likely knowing the truth. That the fabled megaspell complement of Star Fall were ultimately of no use whatsoever.

In their current form anyway, “Why don't we stop bickering, and get to the point of the matter?”

Dream Star cocked her head, “Which is?”

“You need a fast ship back to Equestria. And I need a workable megaspell.”

Dream Star laughed, “I appreciate your faith in me, but I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. You don't even have a megaspell reactor on this rock, and even if you did I can't just build a weapon's grade megaspell.”

“I didn't say it had to be weaponsgrade.”

Dream Star frowned at this, "You're going to conquer the world with a... utility megaspell?”

Celestia allowed herself a moment of satisfaction at having silenced the crone for a moment, “I have a spell already. Sunshine Ivory has a spell that can call down a great ray of light from the sun itself, powerful enough to immolate a zebra in a single blast.”

Dream Star smiled, seeming to be catching on, “But...”

“I need more range, and power. I can add the power and skill of other unicorns to my own, but it's still not enough.” She gritted her teeth in frustration, “I need a multiplier. A focus.”

“You want the Celestia 1 megaspell.” Dream Star noted.

Celestia shook her head, “I want the Spear of Celestia.”

Dream Star frowned at this, “What?”

“Do I have you at a disadvantage?” Celestia noted with a chuckle, “The Spear of Celestia is the spell Celestia 1 is based off. She needed considerable preparation time and the help of other unicorns, but even without megaspells Celestia could wipe a whole city block clean with a single shot. It struck terror into the hearts of her enemies and allies alike, the purest expression of her power.”

“I'm more a Cadance girl.” Dream Star noted with a smirk, before her expression became a little more serious, “If you're talking about a focus... the megaspells in those missiles are designed to collect and focus vast amounts of energy into a single spot. With a little modification, they could be adapted to work with another spell. Add to that one of the megaspell reactors that power the city, and you might well have a couple of hours charge time between each shot, with minimal burden should you have... say, at least six powerful unicorns casting.”

Celestia smiled. Those were better numbers than she could ever hope for, “What you're talking about... it's a vast improvement on Celestia 1. Or even the Spear of Celestia.”

“Actually it would be smaller, weaker, far less impressive... a dim reflection of the real deal in all respects.” Dream Star paused, giving Celestia a shit eating grin in the hope of some reaction. When she saw she wasn't going to get one she relented, continuing on, “But providing you have a unicorn capable of casting the original spell, the co-ordinates of the intended target, and a whole group of powerful unicorns trained in joint spellcasting... yes, I can craft you something acceptable to sit at its heart.”

Celestia smiled, one more step on the path to her victory. They thought they had won, just because they had driven her from the mainland? Soon the mainland would be a field of ashes, and she would build her new world upon them, "And you will have your trip home. A pleasure doing business with you Dream Star."

Dream Star just smiled, knowing and smug as ever. Still Celestia could care less. As long as Dream Star held up her end of the deal this would give her a near unstoppable advantage, a weapon finally capable of scouring the wasteland clean of evil.

Of saving the world.

"So there you have it. The hard facts."

Easu stood into the council chambers, staring across at Star Paladin Cato as the zebra pointed up at the map of Star Fall that hung on the far wall. Each one of its giant defense guns was labeled, each anti air turret, each wall and gate, each chokepoint and potential minefield. The various avenues of attack were listed beside... along with the expected casualties.

"Even Inctua, with all his armies, never even considered mounting an invasion of Star Fall." Kale commented, "Even now, with barely a hundred defenders, the place is an impregnable fortress."

Easu looked on at the diagram, looking for weaknesses. There had to be something...

"Wait." Dust Kicker asked, eyes narrowed in thought, "How many defenders?"

"Two hundred and fifty guard." Sabah advised, before frowning as others turned to look at the young zebra, "What?”

“That's a very precise number.” Dust eventually ventured, “How do you know the number of Star Fall's garrison?”

The girl's face fell, “I was friends with Themba. He told me."

“So, two hundred and fifty.” Cato confirmed.

"And the Church of Celestia, along with whatever other followers Celestia has found." Kale added, before shaking her head, "More than enough to command the defenses that place has. Most of our forces would never reach land."

Dust Kicker shook his head, marching forward from his seat to wave unsteadily at the map, "Only if they know we're coming."

"How would we disguise an army?" Cato asked, "Star Fall is an island, there's no hiding our approach."

Dust Kicker faced Cato, "We can't. We don't. But trade hasn't stopped, ships are still docking there. It would be simple enough to sneak on board one of them..."

Cato gave him a doubtful look, "They would be instantly suspicious of any transport large enough to carry even a fifth of our forces."

Dust Kicker smiled at that, "How about twenty ponies?"

"You're planning a raid." Xephyr responded, ears perking up now for the first time during the whole meeting, "A small team, breaking right through the enemy at their weakest point and finishing the mission before they can respond."

"And what mission would that be?" Kale asked, sounding disapproving.

"The master controls for the islands defenses are inside the central mountain. We get to those, the place is wide open." Dust Kicker explained, "And more to the point, we can use them to isolate Star Swirl."

"An assassination?" Cato asked.

"An intervention." Dust Kicker corrected, "We convince her to stand down."

Xephyr was the first to agree, "Well I'm up for that. And I'll be going along of course."

"Eh, a little too old for commando raids." Kale commented, shrugging her massive shoulders, "I'll take command of the armies, be ready to lead them in attack should something go wrong."

"As will I." Dust Kicker concurred.

Easu took issue with this immediately, standing up and glaring down at the pony, "You are not coming Dust Kicker?"

"Look at me." Dust commented with a grin, waving at his missing leg, "I'd be a complete liabity in a fight. And someone has to lead your army while you are away."

Easu paused, "I... did you just volunteer me?"

Dust Kicker chuckled, "Don't tell me you weren't going to go. And apart from me, you're easily the one who knows Star Swirl best."

Easu conceded the point, and in truth he did wish to be the one who confronted Star Swirl. Really it felt wrong entrusting it to any other, "You are right. Though risking myself in such a way seems an insult to those who trust in me."

"I know how you feel, but the skills to pull this off are in short supply." Cato commented, stepping forward and bowing his head, "Given I am the Luna Ranger's infiltration specialist, I am forced to recommend myself. I also have two others, Darkstripe and Jeptos, fine zebra who would be perfect for this task."

"Then that's five." Easu confirmed.

"Star Fall was my home for nearly five months." Sabah commented, "I'm the only one here who really knows how to navigate it."

"And I'm small, quick, agile and you know how good I am in a fight." Ace Gold added, "So I'm coming too."

Sabah looked concerned, Easu noting her expression and nodding to her in encouragement. She smiled at that, speaking up, “There's another Star Fall native who's been traveling with me. A pegasus with Enclave training, who fought with me at Clendel.”

“Isn't she in her late forties?” Ace Gold interjected.

Sabah frowned, “Does it matter?”

“I don't disagree with taking Going Merry.” Xephyr stated softly, her eyes locking with Sabah's, “But Star Swirl has her daughter, and your best friend. She's not going to hesitate to use her against you.”

“Maybe we'll use Sunny against her.” Sabah countered.

Easu listened to the argument, deciding to cut in, “Going Merry is a good shot, and a pegasus. Both are useful skills, and she's already proved herself against Celestia's forces.”

Sabah looked surprised at his intervention, “Thank you.”

Easu simply figured keeping someone from the mission because it was too personal for them would be massively hypocritical, “Dust Kicker, who are my three best soldiers?”

“For this mission?” Dust Kicker asked, then leant his head back to think about it, “Silverstripe is the best shot we have, and has great instincts. Tanned Hide is a great scout, fast, quiet and a wizard with blades. And Zanaia is just solid all round, better than average at pretty much everything.”

“I feel odd volunteering them, but there's a few Dusklight kids who would hate missing out on the chance to take Celestia down once and for all.” Xephyr offered.

Ace quickly perked up, “Bleak Waters and Xeni?”

“Sadly not. Bleak Waters insists he is no warrior, and Xani is still dealing with bandits in the east.” Xephyr answered, "But Hayseed, Kobe and Kushina are all excellent fighters and scouts."

"I've served with Hayseed." Ace Gold confirmed, "He's good at what he does."

"And the other two are just as competent." Xephyr added, "They'll be an asset."

Easu felt this might be taking liabilities, "Radhi isn't here. I hesitate to commit his troops..."

"He dedicated them to stopping Celestia." Xephyr reminded them with a smile, "You know he would want Dusklight to be involved. This battle started in those caves, and they deserve to be there when we finish it."

Easu questioned quite when Xephyr became a fully paid up member of the Dusklight kids, but honestly he questioned quite when she became a part of this war council. He wondered if instant access to the leadership of any organisation she walked into was one of her Princess Powers, "I will ask them if they wish to volunteer." He sighed as he considered the roster, even with their inclusion, "I don't suppose we can enlist the help of any dragons, or the praetorians, or Myrtus?"

"There are some dragons hanging around the city." Kale noted, "I'll ask. The praetorians and ghost warriors are both unfortunately over the other side of the country."

Easu regretted having not lobbied for them to join now. Still, if things went well they shouldn't even need them. He would be able to convince Star Swirl to stand down, and it would all be over.

And if not... "We do have one big weapon against Star Swirl. The same weapon we once used to save Puppysmiles, when she was lost."

Dust Kicker nodded, though his voice was slightly hesitant, "Dream walking."

"But... we needed Star Swirl for that." Ace Gold pointed out.

Easu admitted that was a problem, "I don't suppose we have any priests in the city capable of invading another pony's dreamscape?"

"An extremely rare discipline." Daisy noted, "And Lord Caesar distrusted priests. The only place where I have heard tell of priests experienced enough for that... is Star Fall."

Easu sighed, he figured as much. Still maybe it was time to put his theory into practice, "Then I just need a few trained magic users."

"Those we can do." Dust Kicker confirmed.

"Are we really doing this?" Kale asked, her tone somewhat incredulous, "Invading Star Fall?"

"Something zebra have dreamed of since the bombs fell." Easu acknowledged, admitting that it was a bizarre thing to even consider, "My father fought Star Fall for most of his life, yet never considered it possible to take the island itself."

"Is that what we're doing?" Kale asked, "Conquering it?"

Everyone paused in thought, Dusk Kicker actually the first to speak. He looked to Sabah, smiling at her, "What do you think Sabah?"

She blinked, "Me?"

"You're from Star Fall." Dust Kicker pointed out, "If we topple Star Swirl from leadership, who takes over?"

"Takes over the Church of Celestia, or Star Fall?" She asked.

"Both I guess."

She sighed, "Star Fall has the council. Pangaea, Mint Engine, and Golden Dawn. Of those... Pangaea is in Equestria, which is a good thing." She lifted her eyes to look pointedly at them, "He would never let anypony take Star Fall while he still lived, and hates the mainland."

"I remember Golden Dawn." Dust Kicker commented, "She was in favor of peace with Caesar."

"She was also imprisoned by Star Swirl, and I seriously doubt she's still alive. And Mint Engine is only a council member because he heads the science division, he has very little political authority." Sabah snorted, "And almost all the leadership of the Church of Celestia follows Star Swirl. So the answer to 'who leads'... is no one, frankly."

"That's a bag of dicks." Kale bluntly summarised, "Without anyone of authority, we'll be steering a rudderless ship."

"At least we'll be steering." Dust Kicker pointed out, "Everypony, go get ready. We've got a couple of days at best to plan an invasion of one of the best protected cities on the planet, and a literal alicorn princess. So make it count."

It wasn't right. Time and again Gavorn tried to reach his friends, and time and again he was simply bade to leave a message. Sometimes they would ring later, explaining in shaking voice how everything was fine, don't worry about a thing.

Often they didn't reply at all. Those not responding? Golden Dawn, Themba and Mint Engine, the other three members of the ruling council. Themba hadn't even contacted them to see the condition of his own son.

Gavorn looked out the window of Pangaea's mansion. He was sure they were being watched.

Behind Pangaea stirred, his voice weakly sounding out, “Gavorn... please, something for the pain...”

Gavorn obliged, peering through the door and motioning to the two doctors. They were deep in conversation, counter waving for him to come over. He obliged, “What is it?”

“You've done well to bring him here commander, but his wounds are very serious.” The first doctor stated.

“We're not saying it's a lost cause, but you need to prepare for the worst.” The second concurred.

“Nonsense.” Gavorn firmly stated, “I'm no doctor, but I've seen plenty of serious wounds in my time. And I've seen lesser zebra survive much more. Now please, something for the pain.”

The first doctor nodded, taking a syringe from the tray and tapping it before moving over the bed. Gavorn grimaced at the smell, having a more sensitive nose than most. Indeed it was familiar somehow...

...he reached forward and gripped the doctor's hoof tightly, “That's hemlock extract.”

The other doctor reached into his coat and pulled a pistol from the folds, the weapon already buckled to his hoof. Still drawing it gave enough time for Gavorn to react, swinging about the doctor in his grasp and using him to shield himself from the first bullet. It punched through the doctor's throat, leaving him gasping as Gavorn pulled his own pistol from its holster and fired back. One, two, three bullets marked the second doctor's head before his dropped, Gavorn then shoving the first away and finishing him with a single bullet.

“Gavorn...” Pangaea whispered, “...what's going on?”

“Nothing good.” Gavorn answered, quickly reloading his weapon, “Looks like we have to go.”

Being mostly made of pre-war steel of varying qualities, Star Fall constantly needed a lot of maintenance. As such it wasn't an unusual sight to see a griffon in heavy safety gear hauling a large, covered length of steel on his back...

...though perhaps seeing one loitering in the mansion district was. And Gavorn was starting to run out of options, and become aware of how suspicious he was starting to look. Themba's house? Guarded by a pair of zebra he didn't recognise. Golden Dawn's? Members of the Church of Celestia passing in and out. Gavorn didn't trust either, so he continued looking, looking for someone willing to tell him what was going on.

Yet it was third time lucky. The spearmint colored stallion opened the door to them, adjusting his glasses as he stared into Gavorn's dirty face and heavy goggles, “Hello, can I help...?”

“Mint Engine, it's me.” Gavorn stated, preparing himself in case this went bad. On one claw, Mint Engine was reliably harmless, on the other it couldn't be a coincidence that he was the only one still seeming to be in residence, “I have Pangaea with me.”

Mint Engine's expression went pale, “Oh my...”

“Mint.” Gavorn stated, his voice low but firm, “If you sent us away, we'll die.”

Mint Engine coughed, then moved away from the door, “Please... come in.”

Gavorn entered, waiting until Mint Engine has closed the door again before untying the straps and letting Pangaea fall from his back. The poor zebra was still unconscious, possibly mercifully, “Mint, you're a doctor aren't you?”

Mint looked across at Pangaea, gulping back his fear yet unable to hide the tremor in his voice, “Please, bring him this way.”

Gavorn picked his commander up and followed into a standard issue laboratory, a large clean table in the centre. Mint Engine indicated to place Pangaea there and so he did, taking the opportunity to ask some questions in the meantime, “What has happened? Where is Themba, and Golden Dawn?”

"Dead, and in prison.” Mint Engine replied, “It is Princess Celestia who controls Star Fall now.”

“Wait... what?” Gavorn hesitated to call bullshit, Mint Engine really didn't look like he was joking, “Explain.”

“It was Sunshine Ivory, the High Priestess of Celestia."

Gavorn cursed, "That bitch!"

"Indeed." Mint Engine commented, "She had Themba killed and Golden Dawn thrown in prison. She dissolved the high council, and in its place brought in this alicorn mare... Princess Celestia.”

“So she's painted an alicorn white?” Gavorn asked, not impressed that it had been that easy, “And Star Fall brought that?”

“This new alicorn is very powerful.” Mint Engine explained, “And quite... effective in her acquisition of power. She turned on Sunshine Ivory immediately, accused her of the murder of Themba and many other crimes. And since then she has proven quite popular and quite... unwise to challenge.”

Gavorn got the hint there, “Is that why you're still here, while the others are gone? You didn't challenge her?”

“I have had a long career of not being a threat.” He responded, “And I do not intend to start.”

“So we're just going to let her...”

“My dear Gavorn, I'm not sure I've made it clear.” Mint Engine insisted, turning eyes full of concern down upon him, “This alicorn makes a good case for being Princess Celestia. I have heard tales of her taking down whole groups of heavily armed opponents, and she has never been seen to bleed. She made more alicorns from her followers, granting others wings and horns.”

Gavorn tried to deny the idea. But Mint Engine was no fool, “How?”

“I am forced to reply, 'because she is an alicorn princess'.” Mind Engine answered, adjusting his glasses and staring pointedly, “And though my friendship compels me to at least offer you sanctuary, we both would be wise to leave it at that.”

Sabah, sat meditating, thinking on her lessons, on Celestia. She had to focus, she had to be clear of mind...

...she sighed, opening her eyes and looking round at Going Merry. The mare was busy grooming her wings, noticing Sabah after a moment and giving a smile, "You've got through everything else. You'll get through this too."

"Everything else has generally been a shitshow." Sabah retorted, frustrated with her own inability to focus, "I've lost far too much, I can’t lose..."

She cursed herself as she saw Going Merry's face fall. She reminded herself who she was speaking to, sure Sunny was her best friend, but she was also Going Merry's daughter. And here she was, contemplating her death.

After a moment Merry just smiled however, moving over and gently tousling Sabah's hair, "You know, we feared we'd lost her once before."

Sabah remembered, the first time they met. Sunny has gotten caught up with an internal struggle, almost got herself killed. Sabah had saved her, "Yeah..."

"Sunny thinks the world of you. Was always telling me that you were the strongest mare in the world, that you could do anything."

Sabah sighed, relaxing a little at Merry's touch as the mare ran the comb through her hair, "She doesn't know any better."

Merry chuckled, "We've been travelling together for a little over a month now, and Sabah... I see what she was talking about now." She paused for a moment before her voice lowered to a whisper, "You know, a lot of ponies compared you to Sunshine Ivory."

Sabah tensed, though she had made the comparison herself, "Both of us came from the wasteland, both of us had a whole history of darkness and killing behind us."

"Sunshine Ivory came from Star Fall. She was born there, she was educated there... but she never really belonged." Merry stated softly, "At her base level, she belonged in the wasteland. Behind all her grace and charm, she's ultimately a sadistic monster."

Sabah's shoulders dropped, feeling the hatred in her heart. The hatred... for herself. She had... done things. Done terrible things...

"You belong in Star Fall Sabah. You might have not been born there, but your heart... it's full of compassion, wisdom, conviction worthy of Celestia yourself." Merry drew her hooves around Sabah's shoulders, holding her close, "Behind the scars, behind the roughness... there's a spirit that embodies everything good about us. And that spirit is going to save my daughter, and bring us home."

Sabah relaxed into her embrace, for a moment wondering if it was true, if she was really strong enough. Still, at the end of the day she could only accept it. She would fight, as hard and as smart as she could. And if her cause was just, either she would come out victorious... or encourage others to take up her banner.

And that was all that mattered in the end.

Easu watched as his team prepared, wrestling with the insecurity in his chest. He was going into battle with no weapons, confronting Star Swirl with no firm plan. And even if they won, there were just too many outcomes that he would never forgive himself for.

...but he had to let go of his selfishness and embrace the truth. Star Swirl's death would be a great victory to many of these equines, and pave the path to peace. And if that was what it took...

"You are almost prepared?"

Easu turned and looked across at Daisy, flanked by two of her guards. He nodded, "Yes, almost."

"Good." She replied, "Ideally I would like this to be cleared up as efficiently as possible."

Easu was still unsure what her angle was, "What do you want Daisy?"

The donkey gave him an assessing look before speaking, "Star Swirl and her fanatics out of power, normalised relations between us and Star Fall. And in the longer term, normalised relations between us and Equestria, and the rest of the zebra kingdoms."

"You prefer a peaceful world?"

“I am an old merchant. I prefer a stable market.” Daisy explained, her expression sour, “And I've seen two wars in my lifetime, and one religious fanatic. All three resulted in the deaths of those I care about, and the loss of years of investment and planning.”

Easu wondered if the two were comparable to her, “You dislike violence.”

“I am not a soft mare. I met Dust Kicker when the NCR hired me to forge a new trade route through bandit territory, and out of all the mercenaries I hired, only he beat my kill count.” She grunted, looking rather proud, “You don't make it as wasteland merchant without knowing your way around a rifle, or without knowing how to hunt, skin and cook your own meals. But war is nothing but a pile of shit, and I wish you would all figure that out already.”

“So you're a merchant. Buy low, sell high.” Easu observed, “And I'm a calculated risk. You couldn't defeat my army, and ultimately our interests align. Aiding me is the best option available to you.”

“Caesar emptied out the garrisons of Star Fall and the Golden Coast, over confident in their static defences. And not a moment after he crossed the horizon this Princess Celestia pops up, demanding our allegiance, and how quite do you defend against an alicorn princess capable of just teleporting into your throne room at will?” Daisy noted with sharp irritation, “I didn't have anything capable of stopping her, so I bided my time and waited for my opportunity.”

Easu could respect that, “I wouldn’t hold it against you if you considered me an enemy, to appease until a better option came along."

She snorted, "I'm keeping my options open."

"I intend no harm on this city.”

“And my liege lord?”

Easu took a deep breath, “I will not insult you with platitudes. This war cannot continue. If the zebra are to advance into the future, the violence must stop.” He looked to her, “If the fire allows it, I would do this thing without a single life being lost.”

“If my lord Caesar dies, I will not accept your claim to the Golden Coast.” Daisy stated coldly, “And if you wish to press the matter, you will have a fight on your hooves. I am a pragmatic mare, but a contract is a contract.”

He nodded, “I test myself in the fire. If I cannot save Star Swirl, if I cannot save my brother... then I cannot save the zebra either.”

“...and I promise you this! You have seen my power, what it can do! If they come here, and they will come here, you will see first hand the true power of your Princess as I burn the sin from their bodies!”

“Easy for her to say that.” Whispered a figure within the crowd, nodding up at where Princess Celestia addressed them all from the mountain balcony, “But we all know she's scared of the Equestrian Princess.”

“I heard she won.” Whispered another.

“Only because she cheated.”

“The Equestrian Princess is a fraud, I heard she used dark magic in the fight, just like Princess Luna.”

“Princess Luna is a saint! She died protecting those children from that brute Starhammer!”

Pangaea sighed as he eased himself away from the crowd, making sure to keep his face concealed beneath the raincoat he was wearing. Fortunately his face had been burned during the attack on his battleship, still he was aware he was somewhat distinctive looking.

But no scar on his body was a match for the scar on his soul left by this Equestrian whore starting a religious war in his city. He resisted the urge to glare at a couple of thugs in white robes, shaking down yet another shopkeeper. He wished he was strong enough to show them just what he thought of their 'Princess'... but he was aware he wouldn't show anyone anything by getting himself killed.

He slipped into Mint Engine's house through the back entrance, Gavorn looking up at where he had sprawled himself out on some cloth bedding at the side of the garage. The griffon was instantly up, a relieved grin spread across his face, “You were gone way too long! I was worried.”

Gavorn had always fussed, though he had gotten much worse of late, “I can take care of myself. We need to gather information if we're ever going to take this city back.”

“I still think we should ship out.” Gavorn ventured, not for the first time, “Go to Equestria, get in contact with our armies.”

“That is exactly what she would expect us to do. I have never won a battle by being predicable, she has to be watching the shipping lanes between here and Equestria, and have any communication systems tightly locked down.” Pangaea countered, “I have another plan in mind.”

“And this plan is?”

“I had the pleasure of listening to our 'Princess' making a speech today.” Pangaea noted with a smirk, “And she seems convinced that there's an army on the mainland aching for her head. It seems like she might be nursing a grudge, focusing entirely on them...”

“So we... ally with them?”

Pangaea hardened his expression, “We use them. The mainlanders have never been our friends, and a common enemy won't change that. We use them as a distraction to take back our island, and dispose of any and all unwanted guests.”

Gavorn noticeably shrank back a little, still he soon straightened back out, thumping a claw against his chest, “I'm with you till the end captain.”

He really was, wasn't he. Just himself and one loyal soldier, against two entire armies.

The best kind of odds a stallion could ask for.

Easu hated water. He had rarely had a chance to experience it, but every time had made his swear never again. Yet here he was, crammed into the cargo area with near two dozen other sweaty bodies, totally aware that if they sank there would be no getting out.

At least he was able to use his magic to counter sea sickness. Many of those aboard were from inland and there were many green faces about the crew. Most of the worst off had been able to go above to puke over the side, the two dragons with them however had needed to be confined below. He therefore had the pleasure of learning what dragon puke smelt like.

"It's unfortunate." Going Merry commented, helping the sea sick ponies how she could, "Our forces are going to be somewhat understrength on landing."

Cato grunted, his eyes firmly closed, "I am shamed."

"We should have prepared better." Easu replied, kicking himself for his lack of forethought, "Zebra of the Golden Coast are descended from fishers and sailors, I failed to consider the possibility that they would be naturally better adapted to travelling the sea than those inland."

"I'm honestly surprised the dragons aren't handling it better." Going Merry commented, "Pegasi have to have a very strong sense of balance in order to fly."

"It's more... ugh... more being cooped up in here." One of the dragons, a female called Fynn replied, wiping her muzzle with a claw and looking even greener than she already was, "Dragons don't do confined spaces."

"I'm sorry. They would inevitably have questions if they saw dragons on deck." Easu reasoned. He figured they had to know about the dragons at Clendel, and though Fynn and her companion Burper were only a little larger than your average zebra they were still distinctive enough to raise questions, "As soon as we reach port, you can break for air."

"And start wrecking shit!" Burper added, thumping his claws together enthusiastically, "Show the world what we can do!"

Easu hoped he'd made the right decision bringing them, "No civilian casualties."

"Bah, if they don't have the sense to get out of the way they deserve to get burned!" Burper stated proudly, thrusting his chest out, "You equines coddle your weak too much, it only encourages them!"

"Not that there's anything wrong with that." Fynn interrupted, "Any if our employer wishes us to limit our attacks to those who wish to harm us... well it's like a game. Like skull kicker."

"I do like skull kicker." Burper admitted.

Easu really hoped he had made the right decision bringing them. Having dragons on the team seemed like a good idea at first, but...

"Land ho!"

Easu looked up at the voice from above, locking eyes with those around him, "Everyone, get ready."

The sound of the city soon reached them, Easu watching everyone tense for the battle to come. A light tapping on the hatch indicated for them to start making their way up, Easu filled with relief as he lifted himself up into the cold morning air. One of his soldiers saluted him as he emerged, "We've found a small dock, a little out of the way. We made it look like we'd hit a current the wrong way and drifted off course, there's only a small detachment of soldiers waiting for us."

Easu looked at Star Fall, the great mountain looming above the rickety city like some great, defiant beast. The carving of Celestia fighting the All Mother that covered the side felt like a challenge, the mountain rearing up like some angry beast. He looked to his destination, a set of three small landing platforms. They looked pretty badly maintained, he guessed few used them.

A group was indeed waiting. Four soldiers in mismatched but resilient looking metal armor and... a Knight of Celestia. That was worrying, he didn't know how many there were but was sure they didn't generally handle port inspections, "I want Ace Gold up here."

Ace obliged, appearing from the hold after a moment, "Easu?"

"We need our welcoming party taken down. Quietly, and non-lethally if possible."

Ace Gold nodded, summoning up Sabah and Xephyr. They took cover within the cabin, waiting patiently as the small transport ship pulled into dock. Some of the guards immediately called out as the crew moved to deploy the anchor, "You there, state your purpose."

"Just transporting goods..." The crewman started, before crossbow bolts soared over his head and took the first guard down with no time to do anything but gasp.

The Knight was first to react, to her credit. She leapt back, unbuckling her spear from her side, "We are att...ach!" Her voice failed as Xephyr slammed down in front of her, the Knight swinging out her spear and merely shaving off a few hairs from Xephyr's mane. The next sound from her throat was a simple pained gasp, Xephyr swinging up with a fearsome uppercut and knocking the Knight spark out.

A guard had his rifle out, just about to fire when Sabah came out behind him and caught him in a chokehold. He went limp fairly quickly after that.

"Fire!" Cried one of the two remaining guards as he ran for cover, "Call for...!"

Fynn dropped out of the sky like a meteor, driving the guard's head through the dock's floor. The other guard was less fortunate, Fynn’s mouth opening to unleash a ball of flame that immolated him instantly. He was already dead by the time he toppled sideways into the water.

The dragon chuckled as the combat ceased, standing to her full height and grinning at the others, "I win. Took down two of them."

Easu saw Ace open his mouth to say something, jumping down off the ship and silencing him with a wave. That done he nodded to the dragon, "That you did. Keep doing that and you'll more than earn your pay."

Easu watched Ace stroll over, an angry look on his face. Easu braced himself, Ace's issue exactly what he expected, "You said minimum causalities."

"If possible." Easu replied, giving Ace a reproachful look, "Ace, those guards were about to fire. One of you might have been killed if she didn't step in."

"We can handle..."

"They are loose cannons, and they might prove a liability eventually." Easu admitted, though he didn't pull back on the reproving glare, "But we needed more muscle, and they signed on. It's up to you to use them wisely."

Ace gave him a surprised look, "Up to me?"

"Ace, I thought that was obvious." Easu stated, admitting that they had never formally agreed on his role. Still, he thought nothing further had needed to be said, "You have commanded dozens of missions for me now. You are my best scout, my best engineer and my best small unit commander. You are in charge of this operation."

"What about Xephyr?"

"She looks to you for orders." Easu replied.

Ace looked shocked, “She does!?” Realisation quickly dawned, face falling, “She really does doesn’t she? She was never really a ‘plan’ mare... ugh, I’m turning into my mother...”

"She clearly sees the same thing in you that I do. And the others... they all respect you."

Ace sighed, then his expression became resolute, "Ok... everyone out. Quick and quiet, and let's do this."

They set out, the city quiet, peaceful. Towers of interconnected walkways extended in all directions, grey steel decorated with a kaleidoscope of graffiti. Yet among all of it, the sight of a living equine was a rare one indeed. Going Merry was the first to speak, "This is wrong."

"Yeah, the city's too quiet." Sabah agreed.

"Star Swirl could have locked down the city." Ace Gold optioned, "After Demonivore fell."

"I sense... boredom. Tension, but not too much. Peace." Xephyr opened her eyes again, shaking out her mane and looking to Ace, "It seems like there is a lockdown, but it's been in place for a little while. Doesn't seem unusual either."

Easu was uncertain. It all seemed to convenient, "It will keep civilians from crossfire at least."

"But it will make it impossible to blend in with the crowds." Ace countered.

"Not like there was much chance of that." Easu stated, nodding to their destination, "We have to keep moving."

Easu had never visited Star Fall. It had gained a rather mythological weight for him from the simple fact that he had never considered it remotely likely, the whole city full of people who wanted his father dead. The headquarters of a faction whose soldiers he had executed, who's cities he had seen bombed into oblivion.

When he was a child he had dreamed of the moment, when the Warlord Thassan would cross blades with General Themba, and their rivalry would finally be decided. Being here, now... he realised both zebra had died to assassins, killed by those who considered them outdated relics, mere obstacles in their path. That ultimately, the world had moved on.

He wrinkled his nose as he passed leaky sewage pipes. The city was cramped, dirty. It had none of the glory of Demonivore. He was aware that they had been having financial troubles. It showed.

And then the central square opened up before them. A fountain in the centre, the worn yet proud structures of the old zebra military base around the sides. And ahead, the base of the central mountain, a huge set of double doors leading into the entrance hall of the base.

It was open. Civilians swarmed the area, chatting and carrying on their business, paying them no mind.

Ace frowned at the sight, then nodded, "Weapons concealed, separate into two groups and fan out across the square. Meet up at the entrance." He pointed upwards, "Dragons to the roof."

They all nodded, moving out. Easu made sure to avoid getting to close to the civilians, which was easier than expected. They all seemed... to avoid him. They were just a short way across when Xephyr spoke up, "There's something off..."

One of the unicorns chimed in, "There's a lot of magic in the air."

"But it's not coming from any of them." Xephyr noted, looking at the crowd, "In fact they hardly..."

Then she moved forward, flung out a hoof, and delivered a blast of compressed air at one of the unarmed civilians ahead. Easu was just about to protest, before the blast passed straight through the zebra without comment.

Ace Gold's eyes widened in comprehension, looking to the unicorn and shouting his command, "Dazzling's photonic scattering!"

The unicorn nodded, magic blasting from her horn. The crowd was instantly dispersed into shimmering clouds of light, though some... retained their solidity. A second later and a gunshot rang out, striking the unicorn in the head and dropping her to the pavement.

"Scatter!" Ace called out, rolling into the cover of a bench and firing his crossbows. Further gunshots rang out, Easu dodging behind a badly worn statue and trying to work out what exactly was going on... and then he saw her.

Celestia, standing upon the balcony above the mountain entrance. Smiling, powerful, majestic.

He screamed at her, "Star Swirl, we just want to talk!"

She smirked, her voice seeming to project itself right into his ears, "With so many weapons?"

"Please, I don’t want to fight you!"

Celestia raised a hoof, the gunfire quieting down. Easu took the point, shouting to his own troops, "Everyone, cease fire!"

The shimmering light had cleared now, revealing a small army of guards and Celestia cultists crowded around the fortified buildings that ringed the square. His own forces crouched down in the significantly less impressive cover of the square itself, several of them wounded and a few not looking likely to get back up.

Celestia observed the sight, then smiled benevolently at him, "I was expecting you."

Easu cursed, "You knew we were coming?"

"Oh Easu." She breathed, her mouth becoming a smirk, "After what we shared? I felt your presence the moment you set sail."

"Yet you didn't sink us." He observed, "So you wanted to speak to me."

"Yes." She noted, "You are useful. Something I will need after my judgement." She smiled at him, before looking to her troops around the square, "Kill the rest of them."

"Star Swirl!" Easu screamed, but his voice was lost over the sound of battle.

But it was not so one sided. Xephyr's hoof struck the pillars of one of the surrounding buildings and the porch caved in, burying and scattering those troops taking cover there. The dragons touched down on the other side of the square, their fire breath devastatingly effective against the tightly packed ranks of the enemy. Cato and his fellow rangers set themselves up as defensive positions, their power armor tanking enemy fire as their own automatic weapons kept the enemy pinned down.

But it wasn't enough. Easu watched as Fynn breathed a wave of fire at a group of unicorns and a Knight, the flames simply sliding off their shields as the Knight took aim. A single shot from her magically enhanced weapon sent a heavy slug right into the dragon's chest, propelling straight through a wall behind with a yell of pain. Burper yelled out and charged the group, moving out of cover to do so. Predictably he instantly found himself showered in gunfire, the bullets drawing blood and forcing him to collapse in pain long before reaching his target.

Ace gritted his teeth, looked around... and screamed his orders, "The mountain, charge the mountain! Use the Rangers and dragons as cover!"

They moved, all those still able... and Star Swirl continued to smirk. A blast of light flew down from above, joined with others. They collected in a single beam of energy, lighting up Star Swirl's horn... she directed it outwards and it exploded forth with a roar, directly at Cato.

The Star Paladin turned, drawing his hooves up to protect himself. It was at the last moment that one of his fellow rangers slammed herself into his side, flinging him clear. It might well have saved his life, as the bolt obliterated the area, flinging broken flagstones and broken bodies aside with no resistance.

...still, as Cato rolled to a stop, his power armor broken and smoking, it might well have claimed two lives instead of just one.

Ace Gold jumped back in surprise and horror at Star Swirl's display of power, hardly able to comprehend it. Even at the climax of her horn blast her shields easily deflected a hail of gunshots, casually stepping off the balcony and floating down to the ground. A horn blast of that intensity, fired off near casually while still keeping up her shields in the face of gunfire?

He shook his head free, focusing on what he knew. And he knew his Steelhooves, "Grenades!"

A barrage of grenades flew from their troops, straight at Star Swirl. She just smirked, more light streaking down to collect at her horn. Its length glowed brightly for a moment before that light exploded outwards, shredding the grenades and cutting down many of her attackers. Ace Gold himself only just rolled away at the last moment, the paving stones shattering under his hooves. He looked up at her as he rolled to a stop, at her, up at the mountain above, at the white cloaked figures standing upon the balconies...

"How is she this powerful!?" Sabah shouted desperately from the broken shards of the statue she was cowering behind, her shoulder badly burnt, "She wasn't like this before!"

Ace Gold was... impressed. Maybe that was the wrong word, but it was certainly clever, "She's an alicorn... alicorns used to be able to co-ordinate their magic together to increase its effectiveness, connecting to each other through the unity."

Sabah glared hotly, "Sense!"

Ace realised this wasn't time for a debate on rare magically phenomena, "She's drawing magic from the priests on the mountain, using it to fuel herself."

"And how do we stop her?!"

Ace Gold looked at Star Swirl, smirking as she blasted one of Easu's soldiers into ash, a grenade striking her dead on and not even causing her to flinch, "I have no idea."

And then something shot across the square, a blur of black and white. It dove through the smoke, Star Swirl too slow to react as it struck her shields and knocked her skidding across the flagstones with her magic sparking. The alicorn was only stunned for a moment though, unleashing another fearsome horn blast... that was deflected up and way by a shield of encompassing wings.

They opened, Xephyr launching herself forward with enough force to break the sound barrier. Her next hit shattered Star Swirl's shields, Xephyr proceeding to tackle the alicorn through the mountain wall. They rolled through the rubble, Xephyr recovering first and launching herself skywards with a powerful sweep of her wings. Star Swirl was quick to follow, glaring fiercely up at the zebra and shooting after her.

Ace allowed himself a brief moment to admire them as they duelled in the skies above Star Fall before singling to Sabah, "Now's our chance!"

The zebra followed as he dived through the hole the pair had made in the side of the mountain. Ace didn't look back, didn't have time to see what other members of the raiding team might be still alive...

...and maybe he didn't want to know.

Pangaea grimaced as the door slid open to reveal what had once been the mountain's old medical bay. Now blood stained the tables, walls lined with the preserved corpses of equines young and old. Most of them sported the tell tell signs of some of the wasteland's deadliest diseases, others the signs of what looked like many, many failed attempts to treat them.

The zebra stallion in the room turned and smiled, a genial type of early middle age, wearing half moon spectacles and a blood splattered surgical gown. He looked to Pangaea first, softly approving before turning his eyes to Mint Engine, “Oh, Mint Engine. It's good to see you, though we are under lock down at the moment."

“Um... yes. Well I figured Princess Celestia had it all under control.” Mint Engine replied, ushering Pangaea inside and motioning him to stand in the middle of the room, “I know this is your lab now Doctor Zavic, but I was wondering if I could speak to you about one of my projects."

Doctor Zavic gave Pangaea an assessing look, eyes tracking the supporting struts of the power armor frame that now supported his injured body, "I presume this is the project."

"Yes." Mint Engine replied, "As you can see, this zebra was seriously injured. I have however managed to use a stripped down power armor frame to support his body...”

“And how is this better than cybernetics?” Doctor Zavic asked, his attention clearly wondering.

Mint Engine looked more and more nervous, “Well it doesn't need any invasive surgery, and is far cheaper...”

“Soon Princess Celestia's wonders will be available to all.” Doctor Zavic stated, waving a hoof at the corpses on the walls, “We will have no need of this... clunky machinery. I'm afraid that your efforts have been made obsolete dear doctor.”

Pangaea gritted his teeth as he viewed the doctor's... work, it's bloody remains still staining the operation tables.

Mint Engine was about to reply before Doctor Zavic cut him off sharply, eyes flicking to Gavorn as he entered the room behind them, “Doctor Mint, have I not told you how I feel with the city guards in my labs!?”

Doctor Mint gave a desperate smile, “The city is under attack, I thought I might need protection...”

“This facility is perfectly sealed, we are perfectly safe!” Doctor Zavic replied sharply, "I assure you, there's nothing you need protection from in here!"

“What about malfunctioning projects?” Pangaea stated, stepping forward with intent.

Zavic looked round, hesitating in confusion, “What is this...?”

Pangaea drove his hoof down and knocked the doctor to the floor, then stomped down hard. The zebra got off a few manic screams before he eventually stopped moving, Pangaea shaking the gore from his hoof before kicking the body aside, “Hmph."

Mint Engine vomited in a corner, Gavorn giving him a look of deep concern, “Was... that necessary?”

“This zebra was a mass murderer, of women, children. He was locked up in Demonivore's deepest prisons waiting for execution, until this 'princess' decided to free him.” Pangaea snorted hard, striding forward towards the front desk, “They should have done that a long time ago.”

“Ok... but still, I have a rifle right here. Not quite as hard to clean up afterwards.” Gavorn stated, then moved to help Mint Engine. Pangaea ignored him, having other things on his mind. He found the entry in the logs, located the right cell...

He snatched the key from the rack beside the console, galloped over to the cell and jammed it in the lock. He had to know, he had to make sure she was alright...

...the door slid open, a pair of scared, trembling eyes looking up in terrified expectation. Her rail thin, malnourished body barely had the energy to stand, her voice weak, “Please... please... just let me die...”

“Never.” Pangaea answered, striding inside. He looked down at the yellow fur and black tiger stripes, though he didn't need any confirmation. This was her, “Golden Dawn, it's me.”

“Pangaea?” She whispered... then a small chuckle broke through, “You always wanted me to lose weight...”

“Not like this.” He growled, “What has he done to you?”

“I did this to me.” She stated with a hint of steel, “I would not be a loyal little prisoner, a forgotten loose end in a dungeon. I would rather die.”

Pangaea glared, “Starving yourself. I should have guessed, it's just like you.”

Golden Dawn smiled at this, “Just like me?”

“You always had a destructive relationship with food.”

She chuckled weakly, looking to the blood on his hooves, “And you always had a destructive relationship with violence.”

They were cut off by Gavorn's head poking through the door, the griffon giving a cheerful but somewhat anxious salute, “Good to see you again my Lady. But just so you know, we just triggered an alarm. I'm pretty certain they know we're here.”

“If you want to fight Celestia...” Golden Dawn began, her smile becoming confident, “...then there's plenty of good citizens here who would love to see her head on a pike.”

Pangaea nodded, thinking how good it felt to stand side by side with her again, “Then let's get started.”

Sabah had walked these corridors many times before, feeling the weight of familiarity settle upon her as she climbed.

The last time she had taken these steps, Themba had still been alive.

He might have been a warlord, a villain. To her, he was the best father figure she had ever known. He had understood her. He had loved her, and she loved him. More than his actual son ever did.

She looked out the window, spotting Xephyr and Star Swirl fighting there. It was truly something from another world, unbelievable power crackling through the air as they struck at each other again and again, “Does this sort of thing happen a lot in Equestria?”

Ace Gold struggled up behind, clearly finding the climb slightly more challenging. He paused to catch his breath, staring out at the battle, “To be honest, I had no idea Xephyr could fight like this.” He paused, giving a look of slight outrage, “She was holding back during our fight...”

“She's losing.”

“What?!”

Sabah noted the outraged disbelief in his voice. Still even in battles between gods, one would come up short. And frankly... one of them was cheating. She nodded as another beam of light streaked down, lighting up Celestia's horn and empowering her to deliver a blow that nearly knocked Xephyr out of the sky, “We need to take out those other acolytes.”

Ace Gold pointed out the obvious problem, “But they're stationed all over the facility.”

“Then we have to split up.” She gave him a questioning look, wondering if her next question would sound silly, “Can you... fly? With your magic?”

“Not with any sort of agility.” He smiled slightly, seeming to catch her meaning, “But I could run up the side of the mountain.”

She nodded, it seemed like they had a plan, “We split up then. You have the mobility, I know this mountain. Together, we can ambush each one of these fuckers in turn.”

“It's risky, splitting up.” Ace started, “We're dealing with some pretty powerful mages...”

“It's ok.” She reassured, offering him a mocking smirk, “You're tougher than you look.”

He smirked back, “And you're just as tough as you look. See you on the other side.”

Pangaea looked around at his 'army', remembering what Golden Dawn had said about them being ready to fight Celestia.

The spirit was maybe, but the body... he looked across at the rows of injured, underfed, too long confined equines, none of which looked ready to so much as glance at a gun. Gavorn and Mint Engine helped tend to their plight, Pangaea looking to the one pony who should have been the worst off, yet remained standing tall and proud, "Grand Priest, let me assure you. They will pay for what they have done."

The old zebra smiled weakly, "That thirst for vengeance diminishes your cause Pangaea. Celestia has proven a poor custodian of her duties, and must be removed for the good of all."

He raised an eyebrow, "Imprisoning you is rather more than poor management."

The grand priest smiled, "It was Sunshine Ivory who imprisoned me, and she is a most unwell woman. And Celestia is simply a lost soul who has been sucked into that madness, along with her followers."

Pangaea swallowed his objections. He respected the holy fire, even if he... struggled with some of the tenets, "Well I am the only one who can stop them, and unfortunately I can think of no better option than violence."

"Few can these days." The Grand Priest stated mournfully, "Do what you must Pangaea."

Ace felt the air whip through his hair, felt the shockwaves from each blow Star Swirl and Xephyr made against each other. A few energy blasts marked the side of the mountain, Ace Gold aware that one unlucky shot could vaporise him outright, or at the very least knock him from the mountain. He was fairly sure he could slow his fall with his magic, still it would injure him enough to take him out of the fight, and leave him right back where he started.

But just ahead was one of the balconies where the blasts of magic had flown. And right on cue another flew out, collecting at Star Swirl's horn and giving her the power to recharge her shields.

It would be the last time. He came up the side of the balcony, leapt off, and beheld the shocked look of the alicorn mare below. He pumped gravity and fake mass into his back hoof, coming down like a rocket and slamming the mare's head into the ground with a boom of unleashed energy. It shattered the alicorn's horn and left her spark out, her part in the battle over with.

The he looked round, heart trembling as he saw Star Swirl look straight at him. He raised his hooves and charged his shield as Star Swirl unleashed a blast of energy, already aware that it wouldn't stop the blast. Still maybe it would diffuse it enough that it would only take off a few limbs...

Xephyr appeared in front so suddenly it looked like she had teleported, her hoof sweeping out and smacking the blast away to scrape about the side of the mountain. Ace's instant elation was quickly diffused as he heard Xephyr grunt, the mare knocked backwards by the impact. He opened his shields and caught her, slowing her with his telekinesis. They rolled across the balcony together, Ace cradling the mare as he gently placed her down on the ground beside, “Xephyr!”

She winced, looking up at him with anger, “Ace... get out of here...”

He shook his head, then looked round at Star Swirl, hovering nearby with a look of cold fury, “What the hell Star Swirl?!” Aren't we supposed to be your friends?!”

“I already have more than enough of those.” She stated, charging energy at her horn.

Ace growled and fired a crossbow bolt, Star Swirl casually dodging the shot and flinging down a beam of energy that Ace Gold only just rolled clear of. Star Swirl's attempt to follow his movements was cut short as Xephyr sprung into action, using the side of the mountain as a spring board as she kicked Star Swirl away with a yell of fury.

Ace watched the two duel, realising he would just get in the way. He turned and hurried away, knowing he would best help by finding the next Knight.

Celestia span in midair to make some distance, firing off horn blasts as Xephyr moved to follow. But the zebra dodged them with ease, unleashing a barrage of hooves that Celestia only just fended off.

It... wasn't right.

Celestia had improved her skills since their last battle, worked on her magic, her strength of body. Yet somehow the battle was even harder, Xephyr faster, smarter, anticipating everything Celestia could throw. She felt herself grow frustrated as the battle continued, made worse as Xephyr scored a clear hit across her muzzle.

She decided to stop playing around, waiting for Xephyr to be committed to her attack before unleashing her trump card. The spear of Celestia appeared before her and she swept it down at the zebra, screaming as she put all her strength into the blow...

Xephyr swept round it with an easy turn, kicking the spear out of her hooves and sending it spinning. A powerful flying kick later and it was launched into the horizon, striking the statue of the All Mother and lodging itself deep within the stone.

“Impossible!” Celestia shouted, backing away in frustrated rage.

Xephyr chuckled as she squared off against her opponent, “Heh... you know you always smile just before you pull off a big move?”

Celestia glared back at the smirking zebra before her, wishing her very stare was enough to vaporise the girl, “You're... reading me?”

“You're pretty much an open book.” Xephyr replied, “You've got plenty of talent and strength, but I figure that's the problem. You don't know how to fight an opponent as strong as you.”

Celestia paused to consider those words. She...was right. And she had fallen right into the zebra's trap, “That duel between us, it wasn't just bravado was it?”

Xephyr shook her head, “Surrender. End this.”

“You were studying me. “

“And you showed me everything you have.” She replied, “Believe me, you can't win this.”

“Not everything...” She whispered as she called upon the powers at her core. She hadn't used them in some time... and predictably they woke her up. Celestia felt the doubt knag at her, the fear, the regret, the weakness. She flung it off, driving herself forward with her dominating will, felt out for her children...

And dove forward. Xephyr tensed to defend herself, her attention deflected from the true attack. It hit her from the side, Xephyr desperately flapping her wings as the cloud of insects covered her, crawling in her hair, stinging her flesh. Celestia laughed as the zebra screamed in terror, kicking her in the chest and striking across the head before the mare could recover.

Xephyr dropped away and shook herself free of the creatures, then delivered a series of short shockwaves to drive them away. It didn't work as well as she might have hoped, Celestia overriding the insect's intense desire to flee with her own will. And those little shockwaves were only good for disorientating, they weren't strong enough to injure even creatures like this...

...Celestia delivered a deep growl as she realised. She glared across at the princess, “You're holding back.” She pulled her lips back into a snarl, “You can't even kill insects!”

Xephyr at least looked guilty, knocking the swarm back with a carefully controlled shockwave, “They're innocent creatures, creatures bound to your will...”

Celestia split the swarm into two separate groups, surrounding her on both sides before sending them diving in. Unwilling to dive through the swarm Xephyr had no choice but to dive forward...

...straight into Celestia's horn blast. It flung the mare back and slammed her into the side of a mountain, cracking the stone and clearly injuring Xephyr badly. She struggled to recover, Celestia unable to resist taking the opportunity to get her feelings off her chest, "This is why the world is like it is! It was because you care more about the life of some insect than the safety of this world that Xenai died...!"

Xephyr winced as she struggled up from the rubble, "The way I hear it, she died because somepony considered her a disposable pawn in some misguided plan to save the world." Her eyes linked with Celestia's, "Motive and methods you continue to champion, killing your friend a thousand times every day."

Celestia was done gloating. She charged a bolt of energy at her horn, empowering to explode on impact and directing it straight at Xephyr's heart. Even if she tried to dodge, no way she would be able to escape the blast radius in time...

...the effort distracting her attention so much that she almost didn't sense it in time. The bullet flew in from the side and she angled herself away just in time, her shields enough to deflect it across her flank in a splash of crimson. She turned her attention down at the city below as her spell fizzled, firming her shields and letting the next bullet shatter against them. She quickly calculated the angle of the shot, diving down through the clouds towards the residences where it had come from.

No further bullets came, Celestia left looking about in frustration as she searched for the sniper perch. Just like most of Star Fall's districts this area below was a tangle of iron wrought shacks sitting on top of one another in a confusing mass of walkways and overlapping girders, leaving a thousand places to shoot from, "Show yourself!"

There was no answer, and Celestia furiously continued to scan the buildings. There were here somewhere... and then she saw movement out of the corner of her eye, spinning about and blasting out with her horn. Houses collapsed in roaring flames, support struts vaporised and their structures shattered. She smiled as she witnessed the destruction, sure she had got her opponent.

And then more movement. Celestia had a blast already charged, only just catching herself as she saw a few white robed ponies leading a group of rather pathetic looking civilians. She almost let them go, before she realised one of the priests was a unicorn. She instantly teleported down, landing before the group and rising up before them. They stopped, as well they should.

She turned her gaze to the unicorn, "What are you doing here? I ordered all the unicorns to the mountain, to aid..."

"What are you doing!?"

Celestia turned to another of the priests, a zebra. He was glaring at her, full of anger, "I.. what?"

"You are attacking civilian buildings now? Killing your own?!" The zebra shouted, waving at the flames behind, still working their way through the buildings, "This is the work of a Princess?"

Then there was a loud boom, the flames seeming to hollow out for a moment before spluttering and dying from the lack of oxygen. The embers flared up again as the air came rushing back, but it resulted in little more than a few small smouldering flames in the wreckage. Celestia snarled as she saw Xephyr hovering ahead, the zebra dropping down to land just a snort distance away, "So this was your plan? Turning my own servants against me!”

"No. It wasn't." Xephyr answered, a grim look on her face as she trotted over, "My plan was to keep this in the sky, far away from any innocents."

Celestia couldn't believe the hypocrisy, "It was your man that fired on me from these buildings!"

"And I'm sorry about that." She answered, "It will not happen again. This fight is between us."

"You..." Celestia wondered if that included the unicorns feeding her magical power, but quickly shook that thought off. Of course it did, "Fine!"

"My apologies to you all." Xephyr offered to the civilians and priests, bowing her head low. Her eyes then came up to look at Celestia once more, "Shall we?"

Celestia gritted her teeth in fury, just wanting to kick this bitches' teeth down her throat already, "Let's."

Easu watched Star Swirl and Xephyr fly away, taking her advise on firing on Star Swirl under consideration. He was still pretty sure if Silverstripe hadn't fired Xephyr would be dead now, still he got her point, "We do as she says, let her handle it from now."

"I'm... I'm not going to be firing many more shots anyway." Silverstripe answered through her pained grimace, covered in nasty burns, "So what now?"

"I take a chance on a big idea." He answered, moving out into the street. He met the eyes of the three priests, shifting his cloak to prove he was unarmed. The nodded and allowed him to approach, Easu bowing his head before them, "My good wishes to the church of Celestia."

"And ours to you." The lead priest answered cautiously, "You don't look like you're from around here."

"I am not. I am King Easu of the Northern Mutum, brother to Caesar Incuta."

They paused in shock, eventually forcing out an answer, "Brave of you to tell us. We are proud citizens of Star Fall..."

"So you should be. And I have come here to save it." He replied firmly. He nodded to the still smouldering wreckage behind, "Star Swirl, the pony you now call Celestia, has deposed the council, restricted your freedoms, kidnapped your citizens and now turns her wrath on your very homes."

"We are no friends of Sunshine Ivory, or of her rebellious apprentice." The lead priest confirmed, "But we will not take up arms against her."

"I don't wish anything of the sort. I came here unarmed, to talk. To save her." Easu asserted, "And with your help, I might yet."

"I'm sorry Sabah." The Knight at Sabah's hooves stated quietly, trying to stem the blood from her nose. It wasn't the first time Sabah had broken it, Gleaming Star having been a frequent sparring partner of hers back when they both trained under Ember. A new pair of wings hadn't helped, especially after Sabah had broken both of them, "You're even stronger than before."

"So are you." Sabah noted with an added dose of bile, "Shame you're fighting for the wrong side."

"We know that. Celestia is... there's something wrong with her." Gleaming Star admitted, averting her eyes, "But she might really be able to help the wasteland. She's so powerful..."

"I've seen her 'help' with my own eyes." Sabah shot back, before focusing on the other thing she had said, "Something wrong with her?"

"I've seen her arguing with herself." Star quietly whispered, "And when she changed me, made me a Princess... it felt like she put part of herself into me. Something... glorious, and divine. And what was left afterwards..."

She went quiet, Sabah considering this new infomation. That divine part of herself was obviously Charaxies, Star Swirl the Star Demon to make them into alicorns. And as for her arguing with herself... clearly their bond wasn't quite as strong as it once was, "Go on."

Star looked away, clearly reluctant. Sabah just continued staring, and sure enough the mare eventually cracked, "Each time she does it, she has to lock herself away. And when I saw her afterwards she was barely holding it together, she was so... angry."

Sabah nodded. Star Swirl was clearly losing it, which explained a lot, "Thank you sister. Now do the smart thing and stay there."

Star nodded, "I'm not going to anger you any further, believe me."

Sabah thought that displayed a lot more intelligence than she had five minutes ago. And with that established there was no reason to hang around. She turned to go...

"Sabah." Star suddenly asked, her voice quiet, "You... you called me sister."

"Yes."

"You still believe in the Church of Celestia? In... us?"

"Actually, I outrank you." Sabah noted with not a small dash of amusement, "I'm the High Priestess for the Heartlands, advisor to King Radhi."

Star actually laughed at this, with a little wince of pain at her injuries, "Of course you are. You know, I kinda challenged you... because I was always so jealous of you."

Sabah raised an eyebrow. Sure Sabah had often come out ahead in their sparring, but Star was a senior acolyte, four years older, and... well a pretty, more or less white coated unicorn. She was the kind of acolyte who always made her feel jealous, the image you brought to mind when you thought of what a Priestess of Celestia should look like, "Jealous of me?"

"Thirteen years old, and there wasn't a single equine on the island tougher than you. And you had only been here for about a year, and already knew more about our philosophy and teachings than some of the priests." Star chuckled, "Good at sports, loads of friends, the eye of Themba himself... and you made it all look so effortless, like you didn't even notice how good you were."

Sabah... hadn't. But that was a gross simplification, "That was all down to Diamond Star and Thousand Sunny." Her eyes flicked back to Star, making the gravity of the next question clear, "Where is Sunny?"

"Fifteenth floor south side viewing platform." Star answered, then offered a smile, "Good luck."

She didn't really believe in luck, but she would take whatever was offered. She considered what she had learned about Star Swirl as she ran, remembered their meeting nearly half a year ago. Even they she had sensed something unstable and dangerous in her. A desire for respect, and a fierce anger at the world. That anger, that fury... it had got Diamond Star killed. Sure she would likely have died anyway, but that didn't change the fact that her teacher and best friend had died because Star Swirl had been reckless.

And that was before Charaxies.

She burst out onto the fifteenth floor, jumping up and knocking a guard out with pure instinct. She dropped down beside and checked he was down while scanning the area, reassuring herself that the route to her destination was clear. She walked the corridor with controlled, regimented steps, getting herself fully under control. She had to be ready for this, should couldn't let herself lose control...

...she kicked open the door, ready to fight...

Thousand Sunny turned with a start, retreating back behind Ember. The old zebra's eyes narrowed as he looked Sabah over, the open balcony window behind all too familiar. This was the room where Sunny had learned to fly, where they had raced. She called out, "Sunny!"

"Do your friend and yourself a favor Sabah." Ember stated with cool tones that almost disguised the fury behind them, "Your princess is losing. Surrender, convince your friends to surrender, and stop all this fighting."

"Please Sabah!" Sunny pleaded, "I don't want to fight you!"

"I don't want to fight you either." Sabah assured, turning her eyes up at Ember, "Just you."

"I can't deny I am interested to find out how you've developed out there." Ember admitted, "You had real potential, and potential is something the wasteland can develop into true greatness."

"And you plan to kill everyone in it?"

Ember's mouth shifted into a small grin, "Strength is not virtue. The wasteland produces far more monsters than it does heroes."

Sabah snorted, "Monsters like you and her."

"I will not deny she has done terrible things. But I've seen the alternative." A simmering contempt formed in his eyes, "I was once the apprentice of Tradash the Black, I saw how useless the mild mannered moralising of good zebra was. And I saw what Sunshine Ivory could achieve in half the time."

"I grew up in the wasteland among the monsters." She spat back, "They all offered me the same justifications."

They met in the center of the room, hooves meeting with fierce passion. Sabah had to respect Ember's skills, he had of course been greatly responsible for training her to her current level. He was precise, he was controlled. It was almost impossible to catch him off guard or surprise him, he seemed to have an answer to everything. All the same, he knew how to fight with carefully controlled passion and strength, delivering each blow with fierce conviction.

But she was younger. Too young maybe, but he was in his forties. And he had clearly been neglecting his exercise, his muscles and joints lacking firmness. She struggled at first, but as she upped the tempo she felt him tire. He tried to back away to allow himself time to recover but she wouldn't let him, swinging out with a hard right and bloodying his lip.

He growled, swinging his head down and slamming it against her own skull. Smaller and lighter, she couldn't help being knocked backwards. She threw up a guard, preparing to cut him off when he attacked...

...but as her vision cleared it became clear he wasn't attacking. Instead... he stood behind Thousand Sunny, a knife at her throat and a dangerous look in his eye.

Sabah moved, as fast as she was able. If he hesitated, maybe...

He didn't hesitate, simply digging the blade of his knife distressingly deep into Sunny's throat. She squealed in pain, Sabah stopping and desperately holding her hoof up, “Please, stop! I won't resist!”

Ember smirked, “You won't move at all. Or I'll cut this girl's throat.”

She nodded desperately, searching for options... as Ember brought out a sawn off shotgun and blew a hole in her side.

"Sabah!" Sunny screamed, struggling for a moment before the knife dug deeper into her neck, "Ghk..."

Sabah gasped and staggered, another blast opening her neck and dropping her to the floor. She reached up desperately, aware that she had failed but at least wanting to save Sunny, “Please... let her...”

Ember just shook his head, driving the knife in deeper, “Stupid girl.”

If the air hadn't rattled the windows a second before impact it would have been a perfect sneak attack. Even with the warning Ember was only able to turn his head as Going Merry streaked through the balcony door. She got Ember's hoof in a hold with pretty impressive skill, yanking it back and making him drop the knife with the same momentum she used to drive him hard into the floor.

Thousand Sunny broke away, her eyes wide and desperate as she tried to stem the blood flow from her neck, “Mom!?”

“Get away from my daughter!” Going Merry screamed, her old enclave training coming to the fore as she drove her hoof down against him, “Don't you dare...!”

But the enclave training was just that, old. Ember recovered too quickly, blocking her attack and twisting out of her grip. He swung her round, levelled up his shotgun... a quick blast in her side and she fell, thumping down amid some furniture next to the balcony door. Ember didn't even say anything, simply stepping forward and levelling the shotgun downwards at her head.

Thousand Sunny turned, her eyes wide and scared. And then anger took them, anger and desperation. Her horn crackled, her eyes filled with power, her voice rose in a fierce scream... “STOP IT!”

Ember turned, his hooves rising to defend himself. Thousand Sunny's horn blast exploded against them in a fierce crack of superheated air, the impact hurling Ember backwards. He hit the window, his eyes registering fear for a moment before he went through with a final desperate scream.

And then he was gone.

Thousand Sunny was left standing there amid the devastation, her horn sizzling slightly. She mouthed wordlessly for a moment before movement suddenly caught her attention, “Mom!”

Going Merry injected another vial of healing potion, then nodded desperately at Sabah, “Help her, quickly!”

Sabah felt like she was doing alright personally, though there was a giant hole in her side. That sucked. Thousand Sunny looked devastated, Sabah finding her tears rather amusing. She had always been so emotional. But... it was good to see her again, “Sunny...”

“Tell me what to do!” She pleaded.

Sabah didn't really get the question. Besides, there were more important things to say, “Sunny... I love you... I've missed you so much...”

“Mom!” The mare desperately shouted, her eyes filled with tears as she cradled Sabah's head, “I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. If it wasn't for me...”

“If it wasn't for you, I would never survived any of this.” Sabah whispered as her vision drew dim, “You... saved me...”

And then Going Merry jammed a vial of healing potion into her neck. And all the pain came back. She yelled, struggled in Sunny's hooves, feeling every motion of her skin and muscles growing back. She eventually just flopped against her, exhausted.

Sunny held her close, looked down at her with those wonderful, tear filled eyes for several long, wonderful moments. Then her head turned back towards her mother, glancing at the broken window, “Is he...?”

Thousand Sunny paused for a moment before speaking, “Yes.”

“Then... I killed someone.”

“I'm sorry.” Sabah croaked.

She smiled back, tears in her eyes, “What am I going to do? Wail and cry? I... I almost got you killed.”

Those words reminded Sabah of what was at sake. She reluctantly straightened out, shaking herself free of Sunny's embrace. She paced a little to test her strength, reassured that the healing potion had done the trick, “Sunny, stay with your mother.”

The little alicorn gulped back a breath, “What... are you going to do?”

“I'm going to stop Star Swirl, and Sunshine Ivory.”

Sunny drew herself up, “Then I'm...”

“No.” Sabah touched the mare's cheek, forcing herself to look at the bloody wound on her neck. The bastard had known just how to cut to not risk killing her, “I hate seeing you covered in blood.”

“I hate seeing you like that too.”

“But this is what I do.” Sabah replied, drawing back, “You sing, you tell stories and you comfort those in pain. And I fight, fight to protect you and everyone like you.”

“You're hurt Sabah.” Going Merry stated, “You've lost a lot of blood.”

“Blood is something I always had more than enough of.” Sabah replied, turning away and firming her resolve, “Keep her safe Merry.”

Celestia was starting to grow tired of this now. Granted, she had never dared to think taking down Xephyr, Princess of Magic would be easy, still the mare just wouldn't quit. With the quantity of balefire Celestia had stored and the constant supply of power from Sunshine Ivory and the others, she was pretty much unbeatable. She could regenerate from any wound, had a near endless supply of magic. And this dumb mare just didn't get it! “You can't win! Give up!”

Xephyr just smiled back, the blood from her injuries covering her black and white fur, “Why? Getting tired?”

“Do you think you can outlast me!?” Celestia screamed, teleporting straight at the mare and striking hard with her hooves. It had been an act of frustration and Celestia found herself quickly punished, her hooves soon striking nothing but air as Xephyr artfully dodged and drove down a powerful hoof that knocked Celestia clean out of the air. She fell, stunned, slamming into a support strut with enough force to dent the metal, “Ngh!”

Xephyr fluttered higher, taking the chance to catch her breath, “You're getting sloppy.”

Celestia growled, drawing on her power to heal her wounds, “With this much power, I can afford to make mistakes.”

Sabah might... have spoken too soon about being fully recovered...

She hit the ground hard as the horn blast finally cut out, desperately rolling aside as the Knight drove her spear down into the tiles. This was Sun Strider, an acolyte she had always considered one of the lesser fighters in the Church of Celestia.

Either she had got a lot better, or her injuries had really made her slow.

"For my lady Celest...!" Sun Strider started, before her eyes went wide. She stumbled slightly, her spear dropping, the magic at her horn fading.

She hit the ground in a heap, Ace Gold standing behind with a cool look on his face, "Are you ok?"

She found herself blushing, forcing herself upright with as much dignity as she could manage. She looked into Ace Gold's rather piercing green eyes, clearing her throat, "...t...thanks for the rescue..."

"It's ok, had a few close calls myself." He stated, reaching out a hoof to steady her. She froze as he touched her, a shiver going down her spine as he continued talking, "Are you ok? All out of healing potion unfortunately."

She couldn't take it anymore. She looked straight at him, her words coming out in a tumble, "You know, after this I would...." She blushed deeper as confusion spread across his face, “...you know... like to get to know you better..."

He raised an eyebrow, before a softer look dawned. He smiled, drawing away a little, "I'm sorry, I'm gay."

She sighed, wishing she never said anything.

"But it's nice seeing you talk about something that's not fighting or religion." He continued, then looked upwards at the roof, "It's good to take a break from all that."

Sabah admitted, even she was beginning to reach her fill. Still... "Only one floor left."

"Really?"

She nodded, "Themba's office just above us. That's the highest point in the mountain open to the skies. The rest of it is totally closed off."

Ace took a breath, "So we clear that area, wait for Xephyr to paste Star Swirl, then we take the command centre together."

Sabah nodded, "We've come this far."

Ace looked her over, "And you're up to it?"

She wanted to be insulted, but she realised how immature that would be. He really needed to know, "I might need you to do more than your share, but I can still fight."

He nodded, motioning for Sabah to lead the way. She took the now familiar path up the stairs, hearing no sounds of anyone up ahead. Maybe they had already cleared all the opposition.

"You know, it's really dumb. Out of all the legendary heroes, two kids are the first ones to get this far." Ace observed.

Sabah scanned the corridors ahead before letting him draw close, nodding in agreement, "And I'm a dirty wasteland scumbag of a zebra, who's fighting to take back a equestrian military base and a religion devoted to Celestia from a pony who's perverted both."

Ace paused beside her, "Sabah... you talk a lot about your past. Do you really think you belong here? That you deserve to be a member of the Church of Celestia?"

She frozen, her heart skipping a beat. After a moment she choked out her answer, "No." She bit her lip, "I spent most of my life in the wasteland. Had to do terrible things to survive."

"And I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth, the son of heroes. I had a private chef, and wore clothes that cost more than the average pony made in a month." Ace Gold noted, before fixing her with a proud stare, "But there's only one thing that matters at the end of the day. That we're both here, fighting for the right thing."

Sabah smiled, unable to stop herself, "I'm glad you're here with me."

He smiled back, chuckling a little, "Me too. I wonder this is how my dad felt."

"What?"

"Youth be dammed, you're the kind of mare a pony could save the world with." He observed, then nodded to the double doors that stood ahead, "So shall we go and do it already?"

"Lets."

Themba's office was still familiar, even after all the remodelling. The symbol of the sun had been placed on the far wall above the doors leading to the balcony, a throne where the desk used to be. Carvings and images of solar phenomena lined the walls, a rich red carpet laid down the middle.

Even with all of that, this was still the place where Sunshine Ivory had killed... murdered Themba.

And there she was. Free. Alive. Smiling, clad in white robes and looking as beautiful and pure as ever. It was all Sabah could do to restrain herself, knowing the reports of her imprisonment were too good to be true, "You!"

Sunshine Ivory observed Sabah and Ace Gold as they entered, her voice kind and sweet as bells, “It's been such a very long time, hasn't it?”

“Since Dusklight.” Ace Gold stated grimly.

“Since you threw my friend from that balcony!” Sabah added, padding forward with slow and purposeful steps, “And now you'll answer for that!”

“You'd really fight me here? Surrounded by the light and power of my lady?” Sunshine Ivory asked, her brow creasing with deep concern, “I don't want to hurt either of you.”

“Liar!” Sabah screamed, losing her temper at the blatant attempt at mockery, “You're going to...!”

A crossbow bolt streaked past her ear, slamming into Sunshine Ivory. Ace Gold let out a triumphant cry, a second before the mare shattered into moats of glowing light.

Sabah paused, looking around at the now empty room. There was really only one thing to say, “Shit.”

Light burst out and Sabah threw herself to the side, the carpet erupting in flames as the light scorched across it. Another blast bounced off a mirror and flew at Ace Gold from an unusual angle, Ace Gold still managing to dodge it with a quick pivot. His horn burst with magic and all the mirrors shimmered with images of Sunshine Ivory, beams of light crisscrossed between them...

...to focus on one particular point, a shimmering image of the mare barely visible. Ace Gold cried out, “There!”

Sabah didn't need further prompting, firing her rifle on full auto as she closed. Sunshine Ivory took it on her shields, dodging away and taking Sabah's hooves from under her with a shotgun blast. She dropped painfully onto her side and rolled, Ace Gold however was already galloping past.

Sunshine Ivory blasted at him with her horn but Ace Gold simply dodged, Sabah looking on in wonder as he moved far too fast to be natural. He kicked at Sunshine and she blocked, firing her shotgun at where he should have been. He however was already leaping over her head, looking like he was almost weightless as he kicked down at her head. She took a hard blow and staggered, firing another shot that he dodged in midair with an almost pegasusian swerve.

It left Sunshine off balance, Ace Gold striking her hard with a roundhouse kick. She gasped and stumbled, Ace Gold hitting the ground and launching himself at her with a cry. Sabah's heart soared, sure he had her...

...her image shattered into light as Ace Gold hit it, her form shimmering into vision again just beside. Ace tried to turn, but it was too late. Her horn blast shot out and took him in the side, Sunshine keeping the blast coming as she cooked him with everything she had.

Ace hit the ground and slid across the floor, blood smeared along his path. Steam rose from his motionless form, his flesh burned and raw. After a moment Sunshine let herself smile, wiping some spittle from her chin, “Such a waste of potential. For all your brute force, you wastelanders have no concept of the subtleties of battle.”

“How to cheat and scheme you mean!” Sabah growled as she made her way to her hooves, “You're a fucking psychopath! And the worst part is you can't even admit it!”

Sunshine Ivory smirked, “Language.”

“You're right.” Sabah snarled back, “Language will NEVER be enough to express how much I hate you!”

Sunshine Ivory just gave a slow shake of her head at this, regally elevating her head upwards, “And naturally, you now show your true colors. We tried Sabah, we really did. But time again you show how right I am, how there is no redemption for the wasteland. An animal will always be an animal, no matter how prettily you dress it up.”

Sabah glared at the mad old mare, “You arrogant little...”

“You want to kill me, hurt me?”

“Yes!”

“Such barbarism, so openly stated.” Sunshine Ivory stated in reply, “And this is why you and all like you must be burnt from the world. Why we need Celestia's fire. Believe me, there's no mare who weeps more than me for what is to be done... but for a better world, this is the price we pay.”

Sabah stood in shocked disbelief, “You believe that don't you? You... really are that crazy.”

“Of course you would say that.” Sunshine Ivory gave a sad shake of her head, “After all, you have been taught all your life that concepts like peace, justice and kindness are a lie.” Sunshine beamed, her face full of hope and optimism, “But if I can assure you of one thing... it's that in our new world no child will ever have to suffer that again.”

Sabah kicked off the floor, hoof raised for the kill. Sunshine reacted with utter calm, swinging her shotgun round and firing off a burst, then alternating with blasts from her horn. Sabah tried to dodge but Sunshine Ivory was good, cutting off every approach, herding her into a corner...

...she watched Sunshine Ivory's face grow more and more smug as the inevitable beaconed. And she knew this wasn't going to work.

And Sunset Ivory wasn't about to mess around either, her head turning to direct her blast down at Ace's motionless body. Sabah moved to protect him, even though she was well aware how little she would accomplish. She leapt in front and drew her hooves up, awaiting the inevitable...

“Celestia preserve me...” She whispered, sure the end was coming, knowing she had failed, “Shield me from evil, strike down the wicked, and restore harmony to this land...”

The blast hit her. It burned like fire, a pure beam of light and fury. She already knew she was dead, but if this was the end she faced it with Celestia in her heart. After all, it was just light and fire. She bore that in her heart every day. She advanced into it, feeling it break around her. She drew her front hooves outwards, feeling the fire burn all the way along them.

She took a deep breath and ran straight through it, flames at her hooves and power in every pounding hoofbeat. She leapt up and burst out of Sunshine Ivory's attack in a corona of fire and vengeance, flinging her hoof down and raining solar fury with it.

Sunshine's smug expression broke like glass, the mare panicking as she charged a spell at her horn to defend herself. Sabah just drew her hoof back and struck a terrific blow against the mare's forehead, the horn splintering down the middle and releasing a terrific storm of magical energy that crackled around them. Sunshine screamed, backed away as her horn fell in pieces at her hooves, drew herself up to strike...

Sabah ducked under her first blow, landed on her back, and bucked her opponent hard in the chest. Ribs yielded, Sunshine Ivory sent flying backwards to slam into the far wall with spine shattering force. Sunshine's mouth opened in a final, pained gasp, blood flecking her lips. The angle at which she hit the ground made it clear she wasn't getting up.

Sabah advanced, looking down upon her fallen opponent. She was broken, that was for sure. Sunshine Ivory looked up in terror at Sabah, her words weak and quivering, “Please... don't...”

Sabah hesitated a moment, then plunged the vial of healing potion deep into the mare's flank. The effects were immediate, bones healing, spine mending. Sunshine Ivory mouth hung open in shock, mouthing silently for many long moments before she finally found her words, “...why?”

“Because I am a Priestess of Celestia.” Sabah stated with passion, pressing sharply into the mare's neck and rendering her swiftly unconscious, “Not a monster like you.”

Cato grunted as he forced himself up the last few steps, feeling the blood pool beneath his bandages. He had run out of healing potion some time ago and his power armor was gone, still he had ammo, the use of all four hooves and a good weapon. Along with the two soldiers he had picked up along the way, Zanaia and Dry Dusker, that was enough to continue his mission.

And it was there, just ahead. And beyond those doors marked with text labelling it as the central command station... gunshots. The sound of fighting.

“Sir?” Zanaia questioned as they approached.

“One of the other members of the team must have got there first.” Cato informed them, though he was unsure who, “Check your shots.”

He leant his body in, took a deep breath, and made the breach.

The command centre was fairly typical, pre-war stuff. Little expense had been sparred on atheistics and it was even uglier now, all gunmetal grey and chunky, utilitarian consoles built to take a beating. The areas between them were currently filled with members of the Church of Celestia, firing at an enemy on the other side from their entry.

Cato didn't have time to identify the other party. If they were shooting at the ones in white, they were on his side. He brought his submachine gun up and fired, scattering the cultists with quick efficient bursts. Zanaia quickly ducked behind a console and set up her rifle, Dry Dusker running in and downing one of the cultists with his shotgun.

Cato tried to warn him, but he wasn't quite fast enough. A Knight of Celestia dove from the cover of the consoles and swung her spear out, cutting Dry Dusker's throat from ear to ear and dropping him with a gurgle. Cato fired on her as she landed but she deflected his shots with her shield, retaliating with a shot from her spear mounted gun that he only just avoided.

He studied her for a second, quickly identifying her from the files of the Dusklight kids. Blessed Dawn, the first and most highly ranked of Celestia's Knights, it made sense that she would be guarding the command centre.

The other group was already moving to flank however, a tough looking griffon opening his wings to soar overhead. Blessed Dawn saw him coming and opened her own wings to intercept, striking him from the sky to hit the main console headfirst. Zanaia tried to get a shot off but she was pinned down, Cato helping her out by taking out the last few cultists.

This attracted Blessed Dawn's attention however, the mare diving in for the attack. Cato admitted he was taken off guard, the mare was fast.

But not fast enough to dodge a zebra clad in what looked like a power armor frame, slamming into her shields with a fierce shoulder tackle. It didn't penetrate but it knocked her sideways into the wall and caused her shields to pop with a loud ringing noise, Cato quickly sighting up and shooting her horn away with one short burst.

Blessed Dawn gasped in pain, unable to react in time as the power armored zebra smacked her in the face hard enough to knock her spark out.

And then... it was quiet. Cato looked to his downed soldier, “Zanaia, Dusker!”

She nodded and ran over, bandages already unfurled. She quickly slowed as she got near however, pressing his hoof for a moment before giving a slow nod, “Sorry sir. Not even a healing potion would help.”

“Damn.” Cato cursed, looking to where the zebra was helping his griffon companion up. They clearly weren't with them, which added... complications, “Thank you for your help.”

“We weren't helping you.” The zebra grimly replied, his eyes narrowed and suspicious, “You're even less welcome here than they are.”

That didn't sound friendly, “How so?”

“They at least were born here.” The zebra stated, “You are invaders.”

“So you are... with the Star Fall council?”

The zebra snarled, “I am the council!”

“As I note, are we.” A soft, feminine voice replied, soon revealed as belonging to a skinny mare sporting tiger stripes, a mint blue unicorn following behind. The mare smiled at him, though her face looked strained and worn, “Please, there is no need for us to come to blows.”

Cato recognised the unicorn, and that made the identities of the other two fairly obvious, “Golden Dawn, Mint Engine and Pangaea.”

“Enough.” Pangaea demanded, “Mint Engine, take back control of our defences.”

Cato didn't lift his weapon, but he did take a warning step forward, “And what do you mean by that?”

“There's a password, but it would be easy to crack.” Mint Engine commented as he inspected the console. He lifted his head nervously as he asked his next question, “Am I to set it to target the Knights and Celestia alone... or our other guests?”

Pangaea stared angrily at Cato, peering through a face covered in burn scars, “So who do you serve? Which would be warlord sets his sights on Star Fall?”

Cato didn't feel this was time for a major debate. Still he had to convince them somehow, “I'm here to serve and protect the zebra nations, by ending this war between us and Equestria.”

Golden Dawn looked up at this, Pangaea on the other hoof gave him a look of utter contempt, “You must not know, but we won the fleet engagement. Our troops already march across Equestria.”

Cato kept his cool, simply responding with as little emotion as he could manage, “And how does this serve the zebra?”

“We will bring back their false riches, take revenge for the pain we suffered...”

“You have no idea of what you speak.” Cato responded, knowing it was foolish to anger this stallion. Still, he would not demean his beliefs by failing to defend them, “Star Fall descends from the remnants of the Equestrian forces. Two of your own sport pony blood. Equestria is no more, and what has replaced it is now led by a griffon exactly like the one that stands beside you. So I ask again, what do you gain by sending the best of these lands to die in some foreign land?”

Pangaea advanced angrily, “I will not hear...!”

“I do not feel this is the best time for this debate, do you?” Golden Dawn asked, her regal, imperious tones having firmed and become confident in their authority, “I suggest we activate our defences, and kindly ask all involved to stand down.” She looked to Mint Engine at the console, “Princess Celestia's remaining forces remain inside the base, yes?”

Mint Engine gave a nervous nod, “Yes...”

“Then lock the base down.” She responded, “And all forces will be ordered to cease hostilities.”

Cato nodded, “Of course. I will give the order myself.”

“I do not like it.” Pangaea protested, “We need to take them down while they're not expecting it. We have precious few troops to defend the island if they decide...” He flashed her a grumpy look, “If they decided to hurt you.”

“Exactly.” She responded with a warm smile, “Pangaea, I appreciate your courage, but we cannot hold this island with the two dozen we currently command. And they stand little chance of holding this place should they turn against the three remaining councillors, and the Archon of the Holy Fire.”

Cato nodded, “Our goal is to liberate this place, and end conflict.”

“I vote in favor.” Mint Engine quickly stated, looking to Pangaea.

Pangaea dropped his head, defeated, “...I vote in favor.”

“And the motion is carried.” Mint Engine replied with a smile, hooves moving to the console.

Xephyr batted away strikes, using the occasional shockwave to keep the insects away as she dodged and weaved about the mountain. Star Swirl was letting her frustration show now, occasionally diving in for an aggressive assault and each time earning a bruise or two for her efforts.

Star Swirl was breathing heavily now, her concentration clearly starting to suffer. The energy from her minions had stopped, making her magic more conservative and tactical. Xephyr couldn't say she wasn't feeling the fight either, but with the power of harmony and her own training she was confident her endurance would carry the day.

Star Swirl cursed and dove in, Xephyr moving to intercept. Her hoof came down, struck flesh...

...and Star Swirl seized the hoof, hugged her close, and set her own skin on fire. Green balefire consumed both of them and Xephyr only just managed to pull away in time to save herself from being cooked, Star Swirl kicking her upwards and blasting her with a horn blast that slammed her into the side of the mountain.

Xephyr struggled to recover, looking up at Star Swirl diving in...

“By the order of the council, all hostilities are to cease!”

Xephyr looked up, seeing the anti-air turrets on the mountain moving to follow them. Star Swirl opened her wings wide and came to a stop, also looking unsure.

“This is Star Paladin Cato. I repeat that order, lay down your weapons! There will be no further violence!”

Xephyr smiled, chuckling a little as she eased herself from the rubble, “Looks like that's it.”

“No!” Star Swirl looked confused, lost, hesitant. She stared around the mountain, increasingly distressed, “My Knights... trapped, or gone...”

Xephyr spoke with more authority this time, glaring at the alicorn, “You've lost.”

“I haven't!” She shouted, “None of you have the strength to beat me! None of you...”

“That's why you fail.” Xephyr replied, gingerly shaking the dust from her wings, “You think you can change the world with strength, like every warlord before you.” She raised a hoof, feeling a tiny fraction of her power run through it, “But personal strength is meaningless in the end.”

Star Swirl's eyes grew wide, “It's everything!”

“Littlepip could shift the course of the world with a couple of words and a single shot of her revolver. I couldn't even defeat you.” She smiled, “But I didn't need to. Because I stand in defence of principles that have brought peace for countless thousands of years, and millions of ordinary people who are working tirelessly towards making them a reality for all.”

Star Swirl snarled, gritting her teeth, “You dare...”

“While you just fight for yourself.” Xephyr finished, “Just like the Goddess before you. I didn't need to defeat you, because you stand against an entire world that rejects the self satisfied, murderous ideals you represent.”

Star Swirl's expression shook for a moment longer, before finally... she smirked, “Xephyr, element of magic. You really are everything they say you are.”

Xephyr couldn't deny she was thrown off a little by this reaction, “What?”

“Who but a Princess could lecture an enemy with such arrogance?” Star Swirl spat back, flapping her wings to drive herself upwards, “You and Littlepip alike, a pair of self satisfied brats exposing easy, pretty ideals with no place in the real world. Destroying the dreams of those who make hard decisions that could save it!”

“There's nothing easy about trusting in our ability to make something good of what we've been given, to encourage and support those hopes.” Xephyr replied, this hardly being the first time somepony had said that to her, “Rather than be so afraid of the world we've been given that your only solution is to destroy it and build some hollow fantasy amid the ashes.”

“Well let's test that theory shall we?” Star Swirl replied, before teleporting away and reappearing next to the rising spires of the support spires. Her magic flashed and the whole mountain suddenly shook, a park below collapsing as the ground beneath slowly opened up to reveal five more spires that slowly rose into the sky.

Each one supporting the dirty, rust covered forms of a zebra megaspell missile.

“Shut her down!” Golden Dawn shouted, looking up at the monitors as the missiles rose into the sky, “How is she doing this?”

“She must have a magical trigger on the controls, or someone down there operating them.” Mint Engine theorised, turning his head up to her, “And I'm afraid those systems can't be accessed from here. The silo and base are on entirely different networks.”

“But it doesn't matter.” Pangaea reassured, “They don't work.”

Mint Engine nodded, “Look at the way the missiles are shaking, they're too light. And number four still has the big hole in its tank. Every single one of them is unfueled, even if their engines did work. And I assure you, they don't.”

“Last time we checked, even the detonators were non-functional.” Pangaea agreed, “Whatever she has planned, she's in for a very rude surprise.”

“You're utterly crazy!” Xephyr shouted as she blasted through the side of one of the missiles, shredding what she was fairly sure was the line between the megaspell and the warhead. She came out the other side with a few scratches and a need for a tetanus jab, still she was pretty sure it wouldn't be doing any exploding today, “You're using megaspells now?! After everything that's happened?!”

“Of course not.” Star Swirl answered with a grin, hovering nearby, “I'm not stupid.”

“Then what...?”

Star Swirl's horn burst into light, her magic surging outwards. The glow of telekinesis surrounded the warheads of each of the missiles, the rusted metal only able to muster some brief resistance before it broke open. Inside sat the round containers full of fissionable material, these too surrounded by telekinesis for a brief moment...

Xephyr realised what she was doing, “No...”

“Yes!” Star Swirl screamed in joy, wings expanding outwards as the balefire flowed from the fractured missiles and into her body. Her fur glowed fiercely, her hair rippling with green flames as it built up within her. Xephyr had to back off a little as she felt the radiation level go through the roof.

Star Swirl shifted and flexed as she built up the power within herself, more than any alicorn before or since. Xephyr couldn't imagine it, knowing that every alicorn had some sort of hard limit on the amount of radiation they could safely store.

And Star Swirl had just absorbed the power of five separate megaspells.

“I have to thank you!” Star Swirl screamed, the power flowing out of her and into an expanding ball of balefire at the tip of her horn, “Bringing every single one of my enemies here to die at once!”

Xephyr flung out a blast of compressed air and it just dissipated before the aura of power that surrounded Star Swirl. The islands turrets fired their own bursts only for their bullets to melt, the civilians below staring up in terror as the ball of energy grew ever wider.

Star Swirl's voice echoed with power, “Star Fall... let us make its name literal shall we!”

"Damnit, she's totally lost her mind." Easu growled, looking back at the priests scattered around, "Is it ready?"

"We think so." The leader of the group stated, shaking his hoof free of the paint he had used to weave the symbols that now covered the courtyard, "None of us have ever done this before. Indeed I note the irony, of priests of Celestia casing dream magic."

"I will do the casting." Easu countered, though truth be told it wasn't really in his repaouture either. Shaman of the Sacred Light were descended from Luna's teachings, but they focused on her role as a breaker of curses, as a defender against monsters and protector of the night. Dreams were a far later role.

Still, he had some advantages. He had done this once before, and had touched the minds of both Star Swirl and Char. He maintained an emotional connection with them. He was no great magic user, but he had studied with Tradash the Black. He focused on the alicorn above, focused on his love for her... "Now, do it!"

He felt the energy flow into him, directed his mind outwards...

There was no falling this time, no separation into separate facets of personality. That at least was a positive, though the view hadn't got any better. Easu looked up at skies full of churning clouds and the occasionally flash of green lightning, across at a landscape of broken stone and... corpses.

They lay broken and dead all about, alicorns and... some sort of dog like creatures. It looked like they had been caught in some sort of titanic earthquake. The scale of death was horrific, Easu figuring it must have been one of Star Swirl's memories.

He continued forward straight ahead, his destination soon making itself apparent. The dim outlines of the great mountain of Star Fall rose beyond the whirling dust, the statue of Celestia and the All Mother replaced by one of Celestia alone. Her eyes shone like suns, her face contorted in anger.

And before her a dais of marbled stone stood, surrounded by deep crevasses’ and shards of upended earth. Imbedded into it were five copies of the spear of Celestia, each connected to a chain.

And bound by those chains... was an alicorn.

Easu leapt from one to the other, fording the divide as quickly as he could. If he could free Star Swirl before Char discovered him they could end this, it would all be alright! Without Star Swirl, Char's power was gone! He landed, rushed towards her prone form...

...and her head rose, green eyes staring from an inky black carapace, "Easu?"

He could only drop his eyes, unable to even look at Char. Even after all this time, he was still so blind, "I'm a fool."

"Yes." Was Star Swirl's simple response, the mare swooping in and delivering a kick that hurled Easu across the platform, bouncing painfully across stone before rolling out into the void. His hoof came out and grabbed hold of the edge of the platform just in time, allowing him to look up at Star Swirl's unsympathetic face as he fought to keep himself from falling.

Her voice was as cold and hard as her eyes, "You're all cowards and hypocrites."

Easu firmed his grip, knowing any attempt to pull himself up would just lead to Star Swirl hurling him back off, "Why? Why is Char chained up?"

"Because she too is a coward and hypocrite." Star Swirl repeated, "You want to change the world, but you're all too scared to do what needs to be done. Too weak." She averted her eyes, looking disgusted, "I was too, once. Too scared to say what needed to be said, do what needed to be done."

Easu struggled to hold on as the stone crumbled beneath him. He had to keep her distracted... "What changed?"

Star Swirl looked at him, surprised. She eventually firmed her expression once more, though her eyes shone with a deep repressed pain, "A lot of things"

"So let's talk about it..."

"NO!" She shouted back, "All the Followers ever did was talk!"

"The Followers...?"

"I buried my old self, Justicar, deep inside me!" Star Swirl shouted, "But not because I was ashamed of her! Not because she was wrong... but because I feared she was right. She wouldn't shut up, that voice in my head telling me that letting the corrupt and evil go free would lead to corruption and evil within the heart of the NCR! That I needed to go out there, resume my quest, destroy the sinners!"

Easu risked throwing another hoof onto the platform, hauling his head above the edge, "So... you hid away from the world, from temptation."

Star Swirl stepped backwards a little, eyes cautious as she saw Easu haul himself up, "Zenai didn't know what she was risking, bringing me with her. Getting me involved. She even knew, that I was the most terrible of the Unity's lieutenants, that I was her executioner and enforcer. And she wanted me to use that power, use it to save the world."

"Then honor her." Easu gasped as he finally climbed onto the platform, "Do it right!"

"I am." Was Star Swirl's simple response.

"Easu, I'm sorry." Char spoke from behind, her dark head bowed in shame, "I didn't know. She buried her memories so deep... maybe it was because of the unity, or their psychic abilities..."

"It's all your fault Easu." Star Swirl stated, sharply cutting Char off, "When we saved Puppy from Nightmare Moon, when you helped bring me back together. It made me whole. I finally remembered my time with the Goddess, with the Unity. It made me strong again."

Char coughed weakly, looking at Easu in despair, "I've found it increasingly difficult to control the union, ever since that day. I tried my best..."

Easu could had dashed his stupid, ignorant brains out right that moment. The truth dawned like a dagger to the heart, "You were holding Star Swirl back. It was you the whole time, trying to keep her on the right path."

"A coward, within my very soul." Star Swirl smiled, and not pleasantly, "But once we started separating in order to create the Knights, I had more than enough time to consider my goal without her influence. And she on the other hoof had enough time to let weakness and doubt into her heart."

"I'm so sorry..." Char despaired, "...I keep creating monsters..."

"Then own your mistakes." Easu stated with firm intensity, glaring across at the broken Char, "Each time, you left them for others to fix! That is your real sin!"

Char raised her head, surprised a little, "What...?"

Star Swirl looked a little concerned at this development, "Stop it."

Easu wouldn't. It was painful to even consider it, but he knew the truth, "Charaxies, you are the only one who can stop this!"

Char hesitated, "I can't..."

"Yes you can!" Easu roared, "You know what you are! Stop hiding from it, and do what you know is right!"

And Char... remained still. The pain and indecision radiated from her, her body tense and hesitant. Star Swirl turned, smiling as she smirked at the demon, "It wouldn't work anyway. I am much stronger than Charaxies could ever be."

"All your power, she gave you!" Easu accused.

"Hardly." Star Swirl snapped back, expression haughty, "Long before Charaxies, I was Justicar. The wasteland trembled before my might. If I had met Littlepip I would have torn her in half with ease!"

Char's eyes flicked round. And with the tiniest change in her expression, doubt became determination, “...no...”

And Star Swirl... stumbled. She looked up at Char, the demon also wincing in pain as her knees buckled and she fell to the floor. Star Swirl looked at Char in confusion, her body shrinking and the glow of energy about her fading. She realized after a moment, screaming in fury, “What have you done?!”

“I... will not help you do this...” Char shouted, her strength rapidly departing with every moment, “I won't be used like this...”

“You... separated yourself from me.” Star Swirl stated in realization, eyes growing wide, “You idiot! You'll die without my magic!”

Char grinned, “So be it... Easu!” She turned eyes to him, “You have to kill her! Kill her now while she's weak!”

Star Swirl looked concerned for only a moment before grinning wildly, “That's your plan? He's a pacifist now, and you really think he's able to hurt me?” She smirked, “He loves me.”

“Then... kill me...” Char gave him a begging look, “Without me she's just another alicorn! You can stop her!”

Easu looked to Char, looked into those eyes. Green like balefire, her hide black and hard like Nightmare Moon. A star demon, a creature of Nightmares. He firmed his resolve and ran to her, extending his hoof...

...and placing it upon her side, allowing magic to flow out from him and into Char. The demon instantly started to regain her strength, shooting him a look of confusion as her power returned, "Easu, what are you doing? You need to..."

"I cannot fix this for you." Easu replied, knowing the truth, “You cannot run from your mistakes any longer. You must turn and face them, yourself."

"Too late." Star Swirl spat as she recovered, shaking out her hooves and charging magic through her horn. She looked greatly lessened, but still an alicorn in her prime, "I told you, I don't need..."

...and then she teleported, Easu unable to do more than widen his eyes before Star Swirl appeared in front of him and struck him down with a fierce blow. He rolled, stars flashing in front of his eyes as he attempted to right himself. He blinked a few times to recover his vision, opening them to what could be described as a fight between Char and Star Swirl.

...if you were generous.

"This is why you fail in everything you do." Star Swirl stated almost casually as she avoided Char's wild attacks, tripping the demon and kicking her aside, "You have no conviction. No courage. You hesitate, question yourself constantly."

Char rolled upright, firing a blast from her horn. Predictably, it simply burst off Star Swirl's shields.

"You have all my knowledge, but you cannot fight a real warrior with book learning." Star Swirl stated, giving a cruel chuckle, "Just as I have all of yours, and use it far better than you ever did."

Easu forced himself to his hooves, looking to Char, "She's right. You cannot fight her alicorn to alicorn."

Char gave him a panicked look, "Then how?!"

Easu sighed, knowing this would either work... or they were all dead.

"Moonlight hear my pleas, evil hides within the shadows of night." Easu muttered to himself, feeling his whole body vibrate as the prayer collected it's power at his hooves, "A spirit haunting the dreams of the good, give me strength to resist... sealing!"

Star Swirl was waiting for an attack, caught off guard as Easu struck the ground. Magic burst forward and formed a circle around Star Swirl, silver energy the color of moonlight. Zebric runes proclaiming Luna's duty shone within, Star Swirl tensing as her body was sealed within, "What... is this...?!"

Char looked upon the sight, wide eyed, "Easu, what...?"

"It won't hold her for long!" Easu yelled, already struggling to maintain the seal, "One way or another, end it now!"

Star Swirl just laughed, "You don't have the guts. Kill me and you die too!"

"I'm not going to kill you." Char admitted.

"Ha!"

Char raised her head, staring at Star Swirl with broken eyes, "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."

Star Swirl was just about to shout out another taunting reply when Char suddenly... fell apart. Her black chitin just became a cloud of flowing mass, like liquid or smoke. And as she surged forward Star Swirl could only yell, "No! Get away...!"

And as they met Easu poured every last fragment of magic into Char, willed her onwards, threw every seal he knew at Star Swirl. And he struggled to comprehend the perversity as he celebrated the moment when Star Swirl's will gave out, and Char's prevailed.

He couldn't imagine how Char felt.

Xephyr felt the energy dim. The pressure was gone, like it was being pulled back somehow. Xephyr watched the light fade, shocked to see Star Swirl deep within the maelstrom of power... screaming in pain.

And Xephyr realized why. She was drawing the energy back inside herself, burning it off by healing her flesh as fast as it could be destroyed. Xephyr knew enough about alicorns to know it was madness, that it would reduce her lifespan, send her mad. No alicorn could absorb that kind of power.

It might well kill her right there and then. She was literally channeling the combined power of multiple megaspells, her flesh burned to the bone again and again before regenerating.

Xephyr couldn't do anything. She didn't know if she should do anything. She just hovered, watching, as Star Swirl's strength finally cut out and she plummeted downwards through the last fragments of collapsing energy. The sound of her hitting the ground seemed to echo across the entire island.

Easu galloped into the ruins surrounding the megaspell struts, buildings already long past their expiry date torn and shattered by Star Swirl's actions. It left the area very difficult to navigate, still he had to reach her. Before she died of her wounds, before Xephyr could finish the job...

...before she had a chance to run away from him once again.

And as he busted his way through a broken wall, he saw her. Standing amid the devastation, eyes wet with tears, her head lifted to the sky. He recognized her immediately, though more from context than anything else.

Her hair flowed like before, indeed it seemed even more sleek and regal. Yet it no longer had Celestia's colors, instead it was the colors of ash and embers, silver highlighted by tiny hints of inner fire. Her coat too was albino, having lost its pink tinge in favor of a cold, frosty light grey. Her eyes shone with silver, rainbow colors rippling across them like oil as the light caught the irises.

Upon her flank, a falling star, stylized and almost zebra like, etched out in sharp ebony.

He opened his mouth, "Charaxies?"

She looked at him, eyes broken. Her voice was a whisper, "Oh why... why did it have to end like this?"

Easu approached cautiously, not wanting to spook the mare, "What... happened back there?"

"Star Swirl? She's sleeping. Suppressed." Char explained, "Just like when Nightmare Moon took over Luna."

It was a weighty thing to consider. Easu looked her over, trying to distract her with another topic, "You channeled a lot of magic there. Is that why you look... different?"

She lifted a hoof, staring at her fur in confusion. Finally realization dawned, "I pretty much destroyed every cell in my body with that stunt. Had to regrow myself from scratch."

"Rebirth." Easu commented.

She smiled softly, looking embarrassed. Her expression soured after a moment, "You know... you never actually met Star Swirl."

Easu understood, "By the time we met, you were already well established in her body. I was aware, in fact I was watching you closely for any signs of corruption."

"I became part of her shortly after she arrived in Star Fall for the first time." Char explained, smiling softly as she thought back over the past, "I spent our time in Demonivore trying to get to know her, work out what made her tick. She was so... repressed. So frustrated, yet so tightly controlled. I sensed her frustration might turn to malice, so I attempted to guide her to more productive avenues. Admitting her feelings to Zenai. Exploring the heritage of the Princesses. Becoming an icon of the wisdom and benevolence of the alicorns." She chuckled, "And as normal, I only ended up making things worse."

"I met Star Swirl, the Star Swirl, during our quest to save Puppy." Easu noted, that making a lot more sense now, "Was that really what she was like?"

"To an extent." Char acknowledged, "Of course Justicar was split from her at that point too, so she lacked the anger, the pride and sense of purpose. But... yes, that was her."

Easu sighed, confronting once again how little he truly understood, "I'm such a fool. I've spent months trying to save the woman I love from a demon... but you were always a part of her weren't you?" He looked up at her, searching her eyes for truth, some hint as to what this all meant, "...a good part."

She blushed, then backed away. She shook her head decisively, "Easu... you can't justify it. You were right. I'm a demon, and everything that happened to Star Swirl... was my fault."

"And you feel guilty about it."

"Of course!"

He smiled, moving over and nodding firmly, "What you said there... it wasn't Star Swirl you sealed away was it? And it's not really Char I'm speaking to now?"

She considered for a moment, then shook her head, "It's a lot more complex than that. We've been together so long, we're really one and the same. It was her will that I sealed with those emotions, and it's from the demon's core that I speak now. But the memories, the experiences, the glands and brain patterns that power my emotions... they are in large part hers."

"Then this was no evil takeover." Easu challenged, "It was you, fighting to rid yourself of the darkest parts of your psyche and become a better mare. To truly find yourself."

She bowed her head, looking unconvinced, "I guess..."

"There's no need to guess." He waved a hoof at her flank, "You have your cutie mark."

She attempted to look down at it, craning her neck in enthusiasm. It didn't get her far, Char eventually having to ask, "What is it?"

"A falling star." Easu stated, looking up to where Xephyr was quickly descending, "This is going to take some explanation."

She smiled warmly, hopefully, "Whatever happens... thank you for everything."

Easu looked back, momentarily lost in those eyes. In them he saw a mare who had once embodied everything I hated. Now he remembered their night together, the time they had shared, the pain they had felt. Both of them so broken, now both something more.

It was ironic really. Here zebra and pony soldiers had watched the megaspells together, worked together to stop them and save the world best as they could. And at that moment they had given "Rainbow Command" a new name.

Star Fall. Where the lost, orphaned remnants of a broken world settled, and together reached for a new future.

Chapter 5.8 - Between Loved Home and War's Desolation

View Online

The Bastion was the last remnant of Junction R-7, where Gawdyna Grimfeathers first met Littlepip and the NCR was born. Admittedly that was a rather false statement as all the original buildings were long gone, still with its heavy metal fences, sheet metal construction and dusty parade grounds Regina always felt like she was stepping into the past whenever she visited. The bastion itself rose above, white washed like the rest of the city but still clearly standing apart, a tower of steel bristling with weapon emplacements and sensor equipment.

The building was rarely used, the normal garrison forces for the city only needing less than half the capacity it supplied. Now it buzzed with activity, the gates thrown open for the militia forces of the city… both professional and volunteer.

Regina took the executive elevator up to the command centre, stepping out into a beautifully appointed and rather overdone room, still looking so new that it might well have been a shop display piece. To Regina’s knowledge it had last been used during the Enclave invasion four years ago, the only time since its construction that New Canterlot had been threatened by an invading force.

A statue of Blackwing, the first general of the NCR, dominated the rear of the room, wings proudly extended. Below stood her replacement, the now most senior general in the country. Regina privately had her doubts. It wasn't that Steel Edge was incompetent. In fact his career was almost entirely free of demerits and major disasters. General Brigadine had called him one of his most reliable, and in his youth Steel Edge had been a mighty warrior.

His officer career however was also entirely free of distinction. The elements of harmony had met him several times during their adventures, and without fail they would end up having to do everything themselves. Steel Edge was loath to act without a three month consultation as to the pros and cons. It made him great at waging a long term operation to rid a large area of bandit activity, when thoroughness and cost effectiveness were more important than haste.

Defending a city on the other claw... “How are the preparations going?”

“Defensive lines are all in place, in several layers should the walls fall. Field hospitals and ammo dumps have been set up in positions shielded from bombardment, and protocols have been set up for destroying them when being overrun becomes a possibility.” He nodded proudly, “I have also draw up plans for our final defence, should it come to that. The palace and bastion are both built well, and will prove challenging for our foes to take.”

Regina wasn't so sure of that. Unfortunately the palace in particular was a martyr to its aesthetic qualities, it was taller than all the other buildings around it so it could be seen throughout the city. She had no doubt it would be the first place the zebra guns would target. And speaking of which, “How is the evacuation going?”

Steel Edge nodded, “Well underway. The museums of the city have all been cleared, and the majority of the civilian population have left the city.”

That left a few notable exceptions, “What about Canterlot university, and the palace?”

“Canterlot University has been... simply abandoned Lady Arbiter.” Steel Edge gingerly explained, “Due to it's design, it's useless as a defensive structure. As it also sits on the edge of the city, beyond the reach of our secondary defensive lines further on.”

Regina raised an eyebrow. Canterlot university was a icon of the NCR, “The libraries?”

“Have been shielded magically.”

“That won't stop an artillery shell!”

“I've been told the books should survive, even if the building itself does not.” He explained. His shoulders lifted in a sad shrug, “The books are hard to transport Lady Arbiter, as is much of the other equipment there. The staff decided that we would simply do our best to make sure it is outside of the scope of the invasion.”

Regina felt that belief had holes in it, “What about looters?”

“If they want to delay their advance in order to loot the largest complex in the city, from a military perspective I would not complain.”

It made her feathers itch to think of invaders in the corridors of the university where two of her children had been educated. Still... “What about the palace?”

“Underway.”

“Underway?!”

Steel Edge shrugged, “Your husband is in charge of those efforts. I suggest you ask him.”

Sebastian winced as the stone cracked, a tiny fracture running through Littlepip's face as the statue of the Lightbringers was slowly pulled away from the wall. The labourers all worked with the greatest of care, still as the iconic statue was loaded on a palate it felt the most gross vandalism. The huge hole now left in the wall of the palace entrance hall didn't help, for twelve years it had been the first thing every visitor had seen coming in.

He had made the mistake of wandering the corridors. This was the heart of the NCR, and the bare walls were portraits had hung, the bare brickwork where statues had stood, the empty display cases... it felt like they had carved it up for jerky, “I had wondered what the zebra would have thought, if they had walked through this place and saw how beautiful it was.”

His father chuckled, “I thought you hated this place.”

“I did?”

“A pretty shell, hiding criminals and liars.”

Sebastian admitted those words were his. Still... “I think I've become a little more idealistic. Or a little less.”

His father simply shrugged, “I leave politics to your mother. But art, that's my field, and it would be a sad thing to see all this destroyed. Hmm...” He turned, smiling softly as he looked across the hall, “Speak of the devil.”

“Percival!” His mother shouted as she moved across the hall, looking furious, “What are you still doing here?”

“Still got quite a bit of work to do yet.” His father explained, waving at the statue behind, “All the paintings have already been sent out of the city, but the statues were a little more difficult. None of them were ever meant to be moved, some of them were outright part of the structure.”

His mother did not look happy, hiding her face in her claw, “The city is surrounded Percival! How do you expect to get out?”

“I might be a fat old griffon now, but I'm still a Talon.” He explained proudly, “We take our spoils and we break for the skies, just like the old days.”

“That's not going to work Percival.” She protested, her voice pained, “They'll send out their anti air robots and cut you apart. I've heard what they can do to an unencumbered griffon, let alone one carrying a half ton statue.”

“Still...”

His mother threw a light punch, bouncing off his arm and quickly quieting his protests. Her voice was filled with both affection and worry, “And stop puffing out your chest you dumb turkey, you were a data analyst.”

“And tactician.” He pointed out, nodding in confidence, “We're got Rain Fall's sixth, a whole unit of pegasi. They've promised to watch our backs as we fly out of here.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Pegasi?”

“Reggie, I'm surprised at you.” His father answered, frowning at her suspicious tone, “What would Calamity think?”

“They're not Dashites Percival, they're from the Rainbow Cloudsfields. They only joined the NCR because they knew we were the winning side.” She dropped her head, pausing in thought for several long seconds before her expression firmed and she looked up at him once more, “The Enclave have invaded again.”

“What?”

“It's not common knowledge yet, and we're trying to keep it that way.” She sighed, frustration edging across her face, “But we knew it was coming.”

Sebastian had heard several ponies speculating, “Our air fleet is gone. We're wide open.”

“They've taken Chicacolt.” Regina explained, “The garrison straight out surrendered, and honestly I can't help but agree with them.”

“I don't see what this has to do with our evacuation efforts though.” His father somewhat stubbornly declared, “The Rainbow Cloudsfields still stand with us... unlike a few other places I can think of.”

Sebastian hated to say it, but he kinda agreed with his mother, “But what if they turn on us in the middle of the battle?"

“They won't.” He firmly declared, resting a claw on his wife's shoulder and looking her in the eye, “Because I believe in the NCR, and I believe in those who march under its banner. And... I believe in you Reggie. You'll get us through this.”

She couldn't help smiling, a blush across her cheeks, “Thank you Percival. I'll try not to let you down.”

Perceval considered himself a man of peace, his days of battle far behind him. Still he did feel a little thrill as he stood among a troop of battle hardened pegasi, his own somewhat considerable gut squeezed into combat armor. It made him feel strong, young again.

...he kept this to himself, now quite ready to admit to a midlife crisis just yet, "Are we all ready?"

"The artefacts are all loaded and limbered up." The pegasi flight leader announced, looking up at the skies above Canterlot, "The wind is favourable, and low level visibility is good."

"And the enemy?"

They have a great number of scout bots positioned in the clouds above."The flight leader replied, before shrugging it off, "They're not equipped for battle. They're likely simply for high altitude recon and watching for any intervention by our fleets."

Percival winced at the mention, "That don’t exist anymore."

"They don't know that." The flight leader reasoned, "But we should be long gone by the time they get their air forces off the ground, especially since the fastest route would take them straight across our anti-air turrets."

Percival nodded cheerfully, "Then lets get going!"

They hit the skies, Percival scanning with his binoculars as the pegasi moved to flank and the porters carefully lifted each of the large crates carrying the artefacts off the ground. The tether cables groaned against the weight but soon they had them perfectly balanced, winging above the walls and making for the horizon.

And then a desperate radio message hissed through, "Watch the skies! Incoming!"

He looked back, watching as a steady stream of projectiles were launched from the zebra camp from some kind of specially fitted robots. They flew in a high arc about the cloud cover, the few shots let off from the city missing them completely.

He admitted that the speed and angle would suggest they were firing at them, but it seemed a rather odd choice of attack. How could they ever hope to hit a moving target with artillery?

And then the first projectiles started to rain back down, as expected almost entirely wide of the target. The flight leaders directed those who had been correctly targeted out of the way, Percival pretty certain they were safe...

...until the projectiles ignited engines and boosted straight at them, extended wings fluttering and machine guns firing.

The pegasi turned as the aerostriker swarm approached them from both sides, their commanders ordering them into position. They looked nervous, for good reason. The little machines outnumbered them quite heavily.

And the alicorn at their head also gave them reason to pause. She flew on glowing wings, her skin polished steel and her eyes glowing with cold, mechanical fire. She held back a little, letting her machines go first... yet as they made their final approach her horn ignited with fire.

“Evasive manoeuvres!” The flight leaders shouted.

An energy blast shot out from the mechanical alicorn’s horn, cutting through the support wires for one of the crates and causing it to lurch to one side. The griffons carrying it were sent tumbling, the crate scattering pegasi as it was pulled across their defensive lines. The aerostrikers flew in for the kill, Percival shouting for the others to make a run for it as chaos erupted all around them. He fought to keep his composure as a pegasi captain nearby had her wings near torn off by the entrapping wires of one of the aerostrikers, the mechanical alicorn strafing across their lines with the heavy machine gun built into her side. Some of the pegasi charged her but her horn maintained a heavy shield and her body shrugged off what small hits they landed, her odd flight profile making her movements very difficult to predict. She seemed to be flying using some sort of anti gravity drive, which was high end pre-war technology.

And then his interest was returned, the alicorn turning her eyes to him. She floated forward, allowing him to witness her up close. She was astoundingly beautiful, and terrifying in equal measure. Her voice echoed, a slight griffon accent there, “Percival Grimfeathers.”

He looked to his fellow griffons, struggling to avoid the assault, “Call off your machines, we are civilians...”

“Exactly. And that is your sin.” The machine replied, “Sacrificing their lives, and for what? Trinkets? Monuments to the arrogance of your family?”

He wouldn't have that. He could take insults to himself, his family, his country... but art itself? “This is our history!”

“No. This is lies.” The machine replied, levitating up at broken shard of what used to be Celestia's face from the ground where it had fallen, “What place does Celestia have in your council chamber? Do any of you even know her politics, what she stood for? Or does it simply make you feel important?”

“She inspires us to greatness!”

“She inspires you to arrogance.” The machine spat back, “Fooling you into believing you are carrying out her will with your self satisfied egotism, adopting shallow approximations of her rule without understanding of the context or the values behind them.”

Percivial couldn't believe it. He couldn't understand it. He certainly didn't like it, “You're killing innocents because you disagree with our choice of decoration?!”

“A perfectly simplistic understanding of my motives.” The machine smugly replied, magic sparking up its horn, “I am doing you a favor. If you cannot understand your history, then I shall take if from you.”

“Do what you will.” Percival declared, proudly thrusting his chest forward. He would be damned before he gave her the satisfaction, “A Grimfeather does not cower in the face of death.”

“Gawdina's brother died begging for forgiveness.” The machine replied with a tone of cold satisfaction, “And both Gawdina and Gerald died choking on their own vomit, lacking the strength even to speak.”

“And yet they still retained more dignity than you.” He proudly replied.

The machine had no expression, still the anger was clear as she angled her horn downwards, energy winding up the wires within its horn. Behind, the pegasi defenders continued to fight against the swarming aerostrikers... a battle they were clearly losing.

“General!” The radar operator shouted across the bastion control room, looking down at his console “We have incoming cloudships!”

General Steel Edge knew that could only mean one thing. Their fleet didn't exist anymore, which meant it could only be... “The Enclave.”

Something streaked by, slamming into Percival’s side and pulling him away at the last moment as the mechanical alicorn’s horn blast flew wide. The machine turned to follow their progress for a moment... before her attention was pulled up to the skies as the clouds parted.

The Cloudsdale anthem boomed out as the ships burst through the cloud cover, pegasi swarming from their launching areas. Defence turrets locked on, sending out a stream of high calibre fire that cut apart the aerostrikers, pegasi guiding the Canterlot defenders to safety.

He looked down at the mare who had caught him, staring into her furless, melted features, her off centre eyes... “Ditzi Doo?”

She just smiled.

And then his attention was distracted away, towards the booms of Caesar's artillery. Shells flew outwards, detonating amongst their troops and ploughing into the cloudships. One caught fire and dipped a little, the damage making it clear that all of them were light frigates that would not last long against any kind of bombardment.

And then another ship came down from the crowds, right above Canterlot. Artillery fire seemed to just bounce off it, despite the clear damage it had already taken. Once a beautifully decorated vision in gold and marble, now its steel skeleton was exposed in many areas, several places caved in and propped up with what looked like the most slapdash of repairs. Most of its guns didn't even seem capable of firing.

And it stood between them and Caesar's guns, proud and defiant as it shrugged off everything they could bring. And even through the damage, its name still stood emblazoned across the hull.

The Twilight's Fall.

“This is Captain Shields of the Twilight's Fall, reporting.”

“And Councillor Flutterflash of the Rainbow Cloudsfields, reporting.”

General Steel Edge couldn't believe what he was hearing, “The airfleet is still under repair, how could...”

“I did what I said I would.” Flutterflash replied, proud and defiant, “I went back to the Cloudfields and asked for volunteers, pegasi willing to defend Canterlot against invasion. This is every cloudship able to mount a gun and carry soldiers, willing to fight and die for the republic.”

“And the Twilight's Fall's weapons might be out of commission, but it's armor has proved it can take its share of hits.” Captain Shield replied.

General Steel Edge was boggled, “You've deployed an airship without weapons?”

“As long as we can fly, we can serve. For the republic sir.”

He shook his head clear of any further questions, this was the time for action, “Tear their aerial units apart, and then flank round the sides of their camp. Caesar's supply camps are totally exposed, hit them hard!”

Sebastian ran to the walls as the airships hit Caesar's camp, both hopeful and terrified in equal measure. Their fast flanking at least ensured they quickly moved past the firing arcs of Caesar's fixed artillery, still there were plenty of mobile weapons capable of hurting them. Huge sentry bots fired their missile batteries in waves, infantry bringing rockets and heavy machine guns to bear. The first airship in the wave quickly found its prow breached, leading to a series of explosions as rockets detonated all along it's insides. It tried to hit the camp but lost altitude too quickly, slamming down and tearing itself apart well clear of any enemy.

The others carried on regardless, bathing the enemy camp in fire. An artillery piece took a direct hit and was torn clean of its moorings, then an incendiary bomb struck a supply post and consumed it utterly.

An airship took a bad hit on two of its engines, veering sharply off course and losing altitude rapidly. Another suffered an internal explosion so severe that it near blew it in half, the front end spinning away in an expanding cloud of debris.

The pegasi came in behind, weapons flashing. They span and dived beautifully, avoiding enemy fire as they unbuckled their grenades and sent them bouncing amid the camp, destroying supplies and scattering Caesar's forces. It was awe inspiring... but there just wasn't enough of them. Pegasi dropped from the sky in droves, another airship blooming with fire as it's armor was penetrated. Sebastian looked at the wall commander, stony faced as he viewed the devastation, “Can't we help?”

“We're outranged son.” The pony replied, “The battle would be over before we'd even started to sally out.”

And then she came down, a flash of bright balefire. A cheer went up, Sebastian's heart in his mouth as he watched her descend. A companion of Littlepip, an element of harmony...

Ditzi Doo veered sharply upwards just above the camp, sending out a shockwave of energy that he felt even out here. The camp was upended, zebra near the impact zone flung a good twenty meters through the air. Structures toppled, a huge war robot thrown off its feet to crash through a sentry tower in a spectacular fashion. The NCR soldiers all let out a tremendous cheer...

...that turned into a moan as Ditzi's wing suddenly exploded off her body and she was sent tumbling through the air, limp and unresponsive.

“NO!” Sebastian cried, just about to take flight when a solider caught him from behind. The delay forced him to realise that he would never get there in time, but still... “Let me go!”

And two pegasi swooped down, caught Ditzi in midair, and sped away through a plume of obscuring smoke.

¬

“Third Pegasi Swoopers here, Ditzi Doo is secured, moving for medical evac.”

“Stratonimbus here, just us and the Cumulonimbus left, both heavily damaged. Admiral Stratos Jumper and Councillor Flutterflash presumed lost, please advise.”

“Twilight's Fall reporting, we have to withdraw. Any further damage and we risk falling on the city.”

“This is Percival Grimfeathers, the surviving artefacts and scholars are clear, no hostiles in sight.”

General Steel Horn nodded gravely as the reports flooded in, already weighting up the results of the attack. He clicked the send button on the radio as the expectant faces of his staff looked to him, “All air forces, withdraw. Make it to safe harbor and fix yourselves up...” He paused, unsure what really could be said, “You've done the republic proud. This is our first real victory over Caesar's forces, and we won't forget that.”

“Roger Canterlot. Make sure it wasn't for nothing.”

He nodded, “If we sell our lives half as well as you did, they'll never see past the front gates.”

Caesar panted in equal parts exertion and terror, stabbing his longsword into the ground and looking at the blood that coated it. This was just the second time he had to fight outside of an arena, and the first time he had actually killed a real opponent. He... hadn't embarrassed himself at least, looking across at the pegasi currently crumpled upon the grass a short ways distant.

He was then forced to acknowledged the dozen that surrounded Oteka, having to admit that he had suspected that her combat skills might have declined with age. That was clearly not the case, “Oteka... are you ok?”

She finished chugging down a healing potion, eyes narrowed as she scanned the surrounding camp, “Personally my lord, I am well, but of your army I cannot tell.”

He acknowledged the hint, firming himself up and striding out towards a group of panicked looking zebra, “You there! Round up as many as you can, start putting out these fires. You! Find a doctor and set up a medical camp, bring all the wounded you can find here for treatment!”

They saluted and sprinted off, Caesar looking about for anywhere else where he could help. He was just about to head towards a group of collapsed tents a little further out when something hard hit him in the shoulder and he was knocked to the ground. It annoyed him a fair bit, figuring someone had ran into him. This feeling was only inflamed further as Otaka jumped on top of him and tried to roll him across the grass, “Otaka, what are you...”

As he looked to her however, his attention was diverted to the rather huge hole in his side, leaking a steady stream of hot blood.

He decided to pass out at that point.

Regina stood at the war room table, looking across the map at the NCR that had been laid out before them. It looked depressingly bare, “Have the air forces and my husband managed to get to safety?”

“Yes Lady Arbiter.” General Steel Edge acknowledged, moving the couple of pins indicating them across the board, “We suspected that Manehatten might turn our forces away, so as not to risk provoking Caesar. Instead we have retreated to the Lighthouse at Grimfeather peak. It’s almost invulnerable to attack from the ground and a fair way from their forces, so they should be safe there until repairs are complete.”

Regina sighed, “How long will that be?”

“Five months at least.” Steel Edge reluctantly acknowledged, “And that’s merely the repairs on the Twilight’s Fall and two surviving Frigates.”

Regina admitted she had been asking for miracles, “Are we expecting any relief from elsewhere?”

Steel Edge levitated a stick of chalk, using it to mark off a large area of the NCR, “This area here is now under the effective control of the Enclave.”

Regina frowned, noting that the area included... “My daughter’s talon company was out that way scavenging for resources.”

“Yes Lady Arbiter.” Steel Edge reluctantly acknowledged, “It was those talon forces that provided most of our intel. We ordered them to lie low and obey radio silence, so unfortunately we are currently unaware of their situation.”

Regina nodded grimly, aware that allowing Kerida to join the talons was always a risk. In fact she was likely safer out there than here, “And the rest of the NCR?”

“All other territories have declined our requests of assistance.” Steel Edge stated, “I’m sorry.”

Regina shook her head, “I’m sorry. This was on me.”

Steel Edge sighed, “Look at Caesar’s army. A dozen species, come together as one. I remember what that felt like.” He shrugged, “Now we’re facing oblivion because we’ve forgotten how to work together.”

Regina smiled a little, “We’ll let’s hope they never learned.”

Rose Twist blinked away the headache forming as she stood within the rather hastily repaired command tent of the Alliance forces, listening as the arguments passed back and forth. With Caesar still recovering from his wound the need for firm leadership was never more apparent, and Rose realised she might have been somewhat spoiled by spending most of her career serving under Pangaea, who encouraged a friendly, family like atmosphere among his staff. She just didn't know how to deal with... this.

“We should have had more resources assigned to defence!” General Gavosh shouted, looking pointedly at her as he did so, “We were humiliated there! The damage they did...!”

She hesitated to point out that she was a strategist, not an engineer, and as the largest army camp preparation and deployment was Caesar's... and by that measure, Gavosh's... responsibility. Still assigning blame would make her no better, “There was a mutual agreement that it was not worth the resources. The NCR airforce was destroyed, as were all armies in the vicinity.”

“Obviously not.” King Aspen observed.

Rose took a moment to muse to herself that the chain of command went Caesar – Pangaea – Ariel – Aspen, which put the deer technically in command. It made the fact that he clearly was only interested in snark from the sidelines even more frustrating, “Ultimately, this is a very small setback. It will still be impossible for them to defend the city against our numbers."

“We're all prepared for the attack Lady Arbiter.” Silver Bell informed Regina as they travelled to the walls, lined with brave defenders and covered in hastily constructed fortifications. A troop of robe clad mages trooped past, Silver Bell giving them a warm nod, “It should hold against anything they can bring.”

“Reggie please.” Regina asked, always feeling extra uncomfortable with her title or full name being used by old friends. Sure they had never been super close, but Silver Bell had met Littlepip before she had, “You're finally going to get the opportunity to save Equestria. How does it feel?”

“Terrifying? Heartbreaking?” Silver Bell noted with odd cheer, “I started studying magic because I thought I could be the element of magic you know?”

“But?”

“I just saw my adoptive mother shot out of the sky, and the city I call my home might soon be on fire. Set by zebra, the same race as Miss Zenith.” She sighed, shrugging her shoulders, “Peace suits me.”

“We'll have it back.” Regina reassured her, patting the unicorn on the shoulder, “Get back behind the front lines.”

Silver Bell raised an eyebrow, “You're not coming?”

“They need to know their leader stands beside them.” Regina replied, then gave her a smile, “If you're right, I shouldn't be in any danger right?”

“Testing my confidence?” Silver Bell chuckled, “Good luck Reggie.”

Regina nodded, then proceeded up the stairs to the wall. The zebra army was arrayed before them, ready for the charge, Regina looking left and right as soldiers threw her salutes. Their faces were scared but determined, hope fighting back against the fear. It was good, “All of you! Remember, this army is fresh off beating us twice now! They're confident, they're sure that the NCR is weak!” She smirked, “So watch the look on their faces when they break against our walls! Because that is what it's like to underestimate the resolve of the New Canterlot Republic!”

A cheer sounded out, soon fading as a rumble sounded out across the other side of the battlefield. Regina looked across at the hoard thundering towards them, big robots in front wielding slab shields to protect them from attack while well drilled squads marched behind. She noted many of the troops were clad in power armor. She certainly appreciated the irony, that the zebra had more power armor than them, “Hold! Let them get closer!”

Canterlot's army huddled in their defensive positions, wincing every time a shot thudded into the concrete nearby. The walls shuddered against the impact but they held, which is more than could be said for the city behind. An artillery shell streaked overhead and slammed straight into the tourist district, buildings that had stood since the founding shattering apart like eggshells. Above their heads defence turrets sent out a constant stream of fire at Caesar's hoard, before inevitably falling silent as return fire tore through their armor.

Caesar's army was almost upon them. Some of the robots behind had huge battering rams, perfect for shattering their walls and letting the tide of infantry inside, “Get ready! Mages, are you prepared?”

The mage behind nodded, then ignited a blue light at the top of his horn and held it aloft. The voices of Caesar's warriors could be heard now, yelling insults in a mixture of zebra and Equestrian. The shield robots moved aside, the infantry and breaching droids charging in...

Regina yelled her order, “Now!”

The mage changed his horn color to red, prompting his fellows below to ignite their horns at once. Blue runes exploded into life all along the wall, and with a fierce roar... it rose. A vast shield of energy, soaring up into the sky to gather together in a perfect dome above. Immediately the impacts stopped, the zebra's fire thudding into the shield with only small ripples to show for them. Regina ducked out of her command post, levelled her pistol at a unlucky zebra solider trapped just beyondthe shield, and fired. The bullet passed through the barrier without impediment and took the stallion's eye out.

“Warriors of Canterlot!” She screamed, “Show them fire!”

“What is this!?” Rose Twist yelled as she watched the energy barrier expand around the city, then had to deal with seeing their attacks bounce off harmlessly while the defenders swarmed from every nook and cranny to fire down upon their army with no issue at all, “Shields don't do that... right?”

“Um... Equestria was working on monodirectional shields before the war.” Caesar's unicorn advisor Starstrike began, sounding appropriately nervous, “But to not only possess this technology, but be able to deploy it across a whole city...”

“I don't need a critique!” Rose yelled, watching their battleplan fall apart, “How do I stop it?”

“Well, as you can see.” Starstrike waved a hoof at Canterlot, “Brute force will work eventually...”

Rose turned, watching as a badly battered breaching droid reached the shields, then delivered two mighty blows from its ram. The result shattered a great hole through the barrier, allowing the troops behind to rush through... straight into the waiting guns of the defenders. The breaching droid itself was swiftly blasted apart, and the troops then realised they had no way past the wall behind. Rose watched in open mouthed horror for a moment before shouting out her orders, “Retreat! Order the retreat!”

“They're retreating!”

Cheers went up around the city, Sebastian unable to believe it. It can't have been that easy. He looked up as artillery rounds continued to rain down, only now they struck against the shield of shimmering blue light that surrounded the whole city, “So this is the power of unicorn magic...”

He shook his head clear and grabbed an ammo crate, hauling it down the street towards the front line. He would like to have flown but they had banned it for now, judging the threat of sniper fire too high.

He saw the jubilant defenders on the wall up ahead, firing their weapons in the air and clapping each other on the back as they celebrated. Sebastian noted that it kind of made him feel his ammo hauling duties were being taken for granted, but figured if they had truly driven the zebra back they deserved to celebrate.

And there she was. It wasn't like he was checking up on her, but there was a reason he had taken this duty. She was carried down from the battlements on the backs of cheering ponies, grinning widely as she enjoyed the attention. They delivered her to the commanding officer, placing her down before him and speaking in exited voices.

And as Sebastian drew close, Elegant Waters turned her head to him, her smile growing even wider, “Sebastian!”

The officer, a rather portly earth pony, followed her gaze. He struck a salute as he saw Sebastian, “Even better. It is a rare honor to be granted distinction by a Grimfeather.”

Sebastian wasn't sure what was going on, “Distinction?”

“These solider her tell me that young Elegant Waters here scored eleven confirmed kills, with thirty two shots. No one else shot better, and I'm pleased to have the authority to bestow the Black Wings of the Republic upon her.”

Sebastian looked down at her, feeling a queasy feeling in his gut. He looked at her innocent face, a child really, remembering how she had cheerfully wound daisies in her hair and named her cuddly toys, “You killed eleven zebra?”

“And ponies.” She corrected, her expression beaming, “Guess I take after my dad huh?”

He would never have thought it of her, “Are you really ok with this?”

“To be honest, I've never liked anything more!” She gushed, “I like shooting, but this... it's so much better. To know how much rides on each shot you make, hearing the sounds of battle as you focus on that one single point... she uttered a deep sigh, “I've never felt anything like it.”

“She really does have her father's blood.” The officer proudly stated, handing Sebastian the medal, “If you would?”

And her father's money, to pay for all those shooting lessons, and the fancy rifle hanging off an even fancier battle saddle. Sebastian looked at the medal, black wingsexpanding outwards. It seemed like bad luck, to name a medal after a warrior who had fallen in battle, “Congratulations Elegant Waters.” He looked up at that youthful, innocent face, full of dreams and possibility... like many of those she had killed, “I know you're going to continue to make all of us proud.”

Caesar looked across at the map of the area, collecting his thoughts. Rose Twist stood just behind, likely thinking he was going to have her head chopped off or something. She didn't need to worry, he knew where the fault lay, "It seems we have gotten overconfident."

"Yes sir." Rose started, "I should have considered..."

"We should have considered it." He stated as he turned to her, "You made the right choice, pulling back."

"Thank you Lord Caesar." Rose stated, nodding her head gratefully, "Though I'm sure you would have thought of something better. Respectfully, I am a naval logistics officer first and foremost. I am a poor choice of second, but no one else was stepping up."

Caesar admitted his officers were... underperforming, especially after a few of his best had fallen to sniper fire. And appropriately given half his numbers had been drawn from a nation of pirates, Rose's predicament wasn't unique. Star Fall had provided him with dozens of admirals, and few generals, "What about Princess Radiant?"

"She has been... reclusive." Rose answered, "Mostly she hides within her camp administrating, while we provide the Lost Legion orders through one of the drones. No one has seen her since the aerial battle, apparently she is repairing damage she suffered."

Caesar wasn't that surprised, honestly he trusted the machine about as far as he could throw it. He noted the Lost Legion had a tendency towards excessive caution in battle, letting living equines take the bullets in their place. They provided a huge amount of heavy firepower that he needed, and his forces were still quite capable of shutting down any betrayal... but it still worried him. If they turned on him in the middle of a battle the Lost Legion would certainly be destroyed, but it might well cost him a battle. And robots could be fixed.

Still, the issue at hoof, "You said the shield was impossible right?"

"Yes sir. Either they have an alicorn princess, or... some kind of big magical artefact." Rose nervously explained, "Nothing else could maintain a shield so large and resilient."

"Excellent." Caesar stated, a smile creasing his face. If it had a focus, a point of failure... this he could work with, "Maybe it's time we considered other avenues of attack."

Silver Bell walked the city, inspecting their handiwork with not a little bit of pride. It felt like... validation.

Despite the illustrious history New Canterlot University was trying to evoke, in truth their magical studies department was widely viewed as a bit of a joke. All the truly powerful sorcerers had declined to join, which left a scattering of underskilled scholars who spent much of the intervening years trying to acquire enough magic to teach. Furthermore she had heard that spell use was dying out even before the war, with magical engineering being able to duplicate most of its applications in a way that was reusable, open to all races, and often more powerful. It said a lot that she was the dean of magic, considering that she was a twenty something with skills that would shame a true practitioner of the arts.

And yet they had saved the city. This shield had been put in place by sorcerers, repaired by them, and activated by them. She noticed admiring glances when she walked the streets in her robes, where as once they had laughed. They were getting twice as many applications to join, to the extent that they were going to have to turn many down.

She spotted one of her colleagues ahead, his horn glowing as he scanned it across the white stone of Canterlot's outer wall. This was one of the rune areas and was somewhat out of the way and difficult to reach, hidden down some winding alleys and mostly obscured by some of the more poorly built buildings in the city. As such it was in rather poor repair, which meant it required nearly constantly maintenance, "How are you doing Ether?"

Ether turned, nodding in satisfaction at his handiwork, "It should hold strong against the worse they can throw. In truth it's a marvellous design, we should have studied it earlier."

"Well we'll have plenty of time once we've saved the city, we..." Silver Bell then paused, her eyes catching the tiny flutter of light as it travelled away from the wall. She was intimately familiar with the effect from her time spent with Zenith, "Shields!"

Ether knew well enough to not question, adding his magic to hers and forming a shining teal bubble about themselves. It likely saved their lives, a huge explosion tearing through the wall and sending rubble and flames crashing into the surrounding buildings. Silver Bell allowed the shockwave to wash across them before dismissing the shield, switching to a light dispersal spell and blasting it across the area.

As she feared, two cloaked figures flickered back into vision, zebra faces turning to glare across at them.

Silver Bell flung up a forcewall and used it as cover, firing off a horn blast at the zebra. Ether did the same, though his aim was better, striking one of the zebra and knocking him to the ground as her shot went wide. Ether went to fire on the second but the zebra was ready this time, rolling across the ground and flinging a short javelin that cleanly speared Ether through the throat.

He gurgled and dropped, Silver Bell feeling her composure drop like a stone as her mind flashed back to her youth, "Ether!"

The fallen zebra rose, clearly uninjured from the horn blast. His companion finished Ether with a sharp thrust of his knife before advancing on Silver Bell with the steel still dripping blood. Silver Bell threw caution to the wind, placing every last drop of magic she had into her next spell. It made her head ring like she had been hit with a hammer, burnt her magic out instantly... but the two zebra both paused as their eyes rolled back, both dropping unconscious to the ground after but a moment.

But as Silver Bell looked around with bleary eyes, all she could see was the plumes of smoke rising from sections of the wall all around the city... and no sign of the shields.

"Their defensive walls, watch them burn." Oteka commented, a look of grim satisfaction on her face, "I seems Equestria never learns."

"Classic great war tactics sire." General Gavosh agreed, thumping his chest with a hoof, "Oteka's dragoons have done their duty well, now permit my armies to finish the job!"

Caesar grinned, giving him a firm nod, "Do it."

Captain Endeavour stood at the secondary barricades on Sweet Street, in truth just some wooden fences hastily nailed together, topped with a couple of raised firing positions. It was the kind of thing that would barely repel bandits, let alone an army. He had barely a hundred souls standing alongside him.

And ahead, the broken ruins of the Canterlot walls, the bodies if it's defenders... and the wave of zebra currently thundering through the gap.

"Sir, we don't stand a chance!" One of his sergeants shouted over the sound of rifle fire, "We need to withdraw!"

Endeavour was aware of that. But he also understood the wider battle, "Behind us hundreds of civilians are packing up supplies and evacuating VIP's, while our commanders rush to form a plan to counter these breaches and restore the shields." He looked across the onrushing hoards, "We need to buy them as much time as we are able."

The soldier nodded grimly, then looked upwards, "VIP's sir?"

Endeavour nodded in understanding, then called up to the firing platform, "Elegant Waters!"

The girl didn't look away from her sight, snapping a new clip into place and continuing to fire, "Sir?"

"You need to run back to command and tell them our situation."

Elegant Waters made no move to do anything of the sort. Her response was firm, "You should pick someone else sir, I'm not very fast." She fired again, Endeavour watching as a combat droid slumped with its power conduits cleanly severed, "But I am a pretty good shot."

Endeavour could only agree with her assessment, drawing his rifle and preparing for battle, "You heard her sergeant. We stand together."

Silver Waves hovered above the city, looking across at his alicorn brother and sister as they observed the destruction. The city walls had been brought down in six places and the zebra were swarming through three, the shields completely inoperative. The detonations were so sudden that the defenders were struggling to mobilise to the defence, compounding their already vast numbers disadvantage.

"Silver Waves, report!" General Steel Edge shouted over the radio.

"The attack through the central markets is under control for now, our forces have them flanked. The attack through the museum district is getting bogged down in the street layout, we have skirmishers harassing them as they go." Silver Waves looked across at the attack through Sweet Street, trying to keep his voice neutral as he witnessed the destruction, "The attack through the upper residential district has almost completely routed our forces, the defences have been completely overrun."

"You need to guide reinforcements to that area!" The general ordered, "We have confirmation of further outside aid, but we need to hold just a little longer."

"There are no reinforcements to guide sir, they..." And at that he paused, took a deep breath, and nodded, "On route sir."

His sister looked across at him, her eyes concerned, "Silver Waves?"

"The line needs to be held." He stated, dropping into a dive, "I won't ask you to follow."

He dropped down onto the pavement amid their retreating forces, all of them pausing in shock at the sight of an alicorn standing before them. He added a small amplification spell to his voice, calling out, "All of you, behind me! Get to cover!"

A zebra soldier fired a rifle shot at him, Silver Waves engaging a shield in front and letting it deflect away. He slowly advanced forwards, the wounded and broken NCR soldiers retreating behind as bullets shattered against his shield.

A combat robot fired an armor piercing missile straight at him... only for it to be caught in telekinesis and flung away, his two alicorn siblings landing beside. His sister used her telekinesis to fling down a burning building upon the zebra, his brother blasting them with lightning. Silver Waves felt their magic join his, felt the power of the unity. His voice called out, "Behind us! Fight, fight for the defence of Canterlot!"

The broken soldiers paused, gripped rifles, looked back with blooded faces. Then they rushed behind broken rubble, crouched beneath the hooves of the three alicorns, the zebra advance breaking against them.

Then his sister cried out and dropped, her blood covering the tiles. A heavy bullet speared through his shields and cut across his shoulder, another punching through his leg. He stumbled for a moment, almost fell... he held himself up by more willpower than practical strength, watching the hoard thunder towards them. They couldn't last.

His brother spoke, his voice wavering, "Brother...?"

"We hold." Silver Waves stated, calm and resolute, "For Equestria."

And then the ground quivered, the soil under the large gardens that decorated this area of the city shifting. A thundering noise sounded out as dark figures leapt over Canterlot's walls, scaling the solid stone with ease and moving with sleek, deadly agility. And then he beheld the moment all alicorns feared, now unleashed upon his enemy.

They burst from the ground, blood spilling into the gutters as long, razor sharp claws tore through the zebra ranks with ease. Even as their flanks collapsed against the onslaught Caesar's forces found themselves fired on from above, plasma fire raining down from the long limbed, black clad forces atop the buildings.

A cry went out, "The hellhounds! The hellhounds have come!"

Silver Waves watched in amazement as the hellhounds decimated their enemy, suffering a few casualties but quickly routing their opponent. Once again it was demonstrated for all to see how terrifying a hellhound army was in melee.

But then he saw it, a zebra commander at the back organising a firing line, remembering how equally vulnerable they were to long range fire, "Brother, we must get in front of the hellhounds!"

His brother nodded, enveloping them in teleportation magic and fling them across reality to come out in front of the massed zebra ranks. Silver Waves instantly stepped out with his shields engaged, deflecting fire away from the vulnerable hellhound melee troops. The waited for the barrage to weaken before charging out, one of the hellhounds patting him on the shoulder and pointing up at the roof opposite, "Give a brother a boost?"

Silver Wave nodded and extended a shield above his head, the hellhound leaping up and instantly flung across the gap as he blasted it upwards. The hellhound landed smoothly in the middle of a zebra sniper nest, claws swinging out to make swift work of them.

And then a grenade went off beside Silver Waves, badly shredding his shoulder and causing him to drop his shields. Immediately several bullets caught him hard and he stumbled and fell, his brother looking to him in shock, "Brother!"

"Keep up the fight..." He hissed, knowing they needed to keep up the pressure, "...I'll be ok..."

His brother nodded and galloped off to deploy his magic to the front line. Silver Wave watched him go before slumping against the stone. He wondered if this was what death felt like. Everything felt so cold, and so far away...

...and then he felt the sting of healing potion, looking up to see a female hellhound wearing a medic's uniform. To say the least, he had never been so happy to see one so close, "You came... I thought Ponyville wouldn't help, Golden Harvest..."

"Every hound here is a volunteer." She firmly stated, "We do not need the permission of politicians to defend our homes."

"But these aren't your..."

She silenced him with a glare, then looked to the battle ahead, "We've already won four wars for you. We see no reason to break that habit now."

The medic worked, his every thought dedicated to the patient in front of him. His hooves brushed the syringes in front of him, finally finding the one he needed and threading his hoof through the handle before driving it home.

The boy on the table gasped, and his pulse finally slowed. He looked up at the medic, uncomprehending, "Where... am I..."

"You are safe." The medic simply stated, laying a gentle hoof on the boy's head, "Rest."

"Doctor!" A voice called across the room, coming from one of the nurses triaging at the doorway, "I need your opinion."

He nodded and trotted over, already assessing the patient as he approached. A unicorn pony, though his horn was snapped at an angle halfway up the shaft. He was wearing a colonel's uniform, body absolutely covered in dust. His eyes were dazed, incapable of focusing.

"I don't know what's wrong with him." The nurse explained, "He just wandered in, unable to speak. I can't see any injuries on him..."

"It's alright." The medic stated softly, moving over to look at the young man, "I understand son, I've seen this happen to hundreds of brave young men."

The dusty solider looked up at him, eyes shaking, "I... I d..d..don't understand..."

"I know." He replied, "But understanding will come. I will help you."

The soldier tearred up, cradling his head in his hooves. The medic just watched, quiet, present, waiting for the soldier to be ready to say more. Once the Steel Rangers would have called such soldiers mentally unprepared, weak, cowardly. Another thing that he had always hated about them.

"Everypony, we need to evacuate!" A voice called from above, "Zebra are heading towards this position!"

The medic looked up, "How many?"

"A whole unit! Eight of them!"

The medic nodded, looking back towards the nurse, "Bar the door, walking wounded should escape through the back way."

The nurse gave him a questioning look, "What are you going to do?"

"Buy you some time." He stated as he stepped out through the door. His hoof went to his bag, pulling out a heavy pulse grenade and flinging it against the wall leading out onto the main street. Then he dropped behind some storage crates, buckling his laser pistol and setting it to kill.

The zebra advanced cautiously, weapons out. Credit to them, though they didn't notice the grenade until it was too late. It bleeped once before detonating, flinging three of them to the floor and dazing the others. The medic immediately broke cover, giving him the best possible view as he calmly and methodically gunned them down in order. Two of them got shots off and they struck him in the flank and forehead, still he remembered his old training and stood fast.

It helped that he no longer had any fear of death. They did. They ran, and he let them go. Damn kids who didn't know any better.

“You... you saved us!" A medic exclaimed, moving from the doorframe to look at him in awe, "Like something from Littlepip herself!"

He averted his eyes. He was anything but. This was all his fault, through his foolishness he had brought the zebra here, broken the NCR's ability to defend itself, betrayed everything he stood for. He wasn't here to be a hero, he was here so... he wouldn't have to die a coward. He turned his eyes to the mare, shaking his head, “It was nothing. I... I was a ranger scribe once, still remember some of my training."

Yes, he had been a ranger scribe. Before he had betrayed them, and everything he stood for.

Caesar observed the battle through binoculars. Equestria fought well.

“Sir, our forces have been bogged down in narrow streets.” Rose informed him, “The NCR is gaining back the advantage.”

“Then order the retreat.” Caesar stated firmly, smiling grimly to himself, “We’ve done enough for today. No need to get greedy.”

Captain Gaston made his way back through the streets of Canterlot, observing the damage. The assault had stopped at the secondary barricades but the cost had clearly been high. The bombardment continued, and many of the grand buildings in the centre of the city were little more than rubble. Even the palace was pitted and marked with the evidence of numerous direct hits. The medical points were full of wounded, and many of those still up and working sported nasty looking wounds and tired eyes.

They had lost a good fifth of the city, the area just beyond the walls still swarming with Caesar's troops.

With all that it made sense that he would be called back to account for his actions during the defence, though he questioned its value. He would rather remain at the front lines with his troops, and he still found it perverse how a famous warrior like Steel Edge was stuck in a bunker miles away from the battle.

He was let into the compound, giving him a chance to see the arrayed hellhound legions with his own eyes. He counted about two hundred of them, a terrifying sight to be sure, clad in high end combat armor and carrying more plasma weaponry than he had ever seen in his life. He was aware that two hundred was hardly an army, but personally he would rate each of them as worth ten ponies or griffons. He certainly wouldn't want to face them.

He continued over to the bastion, steely eyed 'all business' soldiers leading him into the general's office. Steel Edge was there, along with Arbiter Regina rather suprisingly, "Lady Arbiter, General Steel Edge sir. I'm presenting as ordered."

"You made it through the battle without injury?" Regina asked, her tone kind.

"Nothing a little healing potion couldn't fix." He acknowledged, "I was lucky."

The general nodded grimly, "You defended your position well. Indeed you confronted the largest assault and incurred the fewest casualties."

"Thank you sir."

"However..." The general continued with a little reluctance, "Your methods have been called into question. Methods that I am forced to address immediately."

“What are the charges General?” Gaston asked pointedly, wondering what was so offensive about not getting his soldiers killed, “I defended the breach, inflicting significant casualties upon the enemy at little cost to my own troops. I stopped them from overrunning the city.”

“In the short term.” The general admitted, “But our nation is built upon mutual co-operation between all races. Your actions go against that, and everything else we stand for.”

Regina raised an eyebrow, then looked straight at Gaston with a rather searching expression, "What exactly did he do?"

The general wrinkled his muzzle in distaste, “He split his forces in two. Ordered the ponies to form the vanguard, letting them take the full brunt of the enemies attack. He held the griffons back, only committing them when the fighting was already underway.”

Regina's poker face was impressive, showing no reaction as she considered this, "So he's charged with protecting his griffon troops, letting ponies die in their place?"

The general nodded, "Casualties among the ponies are five times that of his griffon troopers. Do you deny this Captain Gaston?"

Gaston shook his head. He would do his best to remember that fact for the rest of his life, "No sir."

"And how do you justify this?"

"Griffons make poor heavily infantry sir." He replied decisively, having well considered this, "They are larger than a pony, yet far less durable and considerably lighter. Placed on a defensive line they make easy targets, and cannot resist a charge."

"That is a massive generalisation..."

Regina interrupted the general, her voice calm, "To be honest, he's right. Observe how the Talons fight, we adopted those tactics for a reason."

"Exactly." Gaston acknowledged, "Griffons are more agile and mobile than ponies, and better at shooting on the move and short range gunfire. Therefore I assigned my griffon troops to flank the enemy once they were engaged, using hit and run attacks to disrupt their formation."

The general sighed, shaking his head, "I admit, it makes sense. But still, such tactics can drive a wedge between us."

"Any other day I would agree." Regina answered, smiling across at Gaston, "But we are fighting for our lives, and I know that our soldiers only desire one thing in death... that it be meaningful, and serve our final victory."

Gaston nodded, knowing she would understand. After all, Regina had served herself, "Thank you Lady Arbiter."

"I feel it is appropriate to present those ponies that held the line with a medal, acknowledging their sacrifice." Regina continued, "Laying down your lives for the greater good is a heroic trait, that should be celebrated."

"Very well." The general rather reluctantly conceded, "Thank you for your time Captain Gaston, you may return to your troops."

"And if I may accompany you?" Regina asked, "I'm heading that way, and they insist I receive an escort."

Gaston admitted, this might have him more nervous than went he had faced Caesar's army. Still he wasn't about to turn her down, "I would be honored."

They walked out, Gaston keeping his eyes firmly ahead as they were let through the gates. He felt sure he would blush if he looked at Regina directly, the Reggie Grimfeathers. He had grown up admiring her, the teenage hero of griffonkind. He had never imagined he would ever get the chance to meet her, let alone escort her through a warzone.

"Do you think we can win this Captain Gaston?"

He looked at her in shock, not sure how to answer that. He wanted to be honest, but... how could he? In the end he realised she would know if he tried to lie, “I... no maam.” Gaston admitted, “Caesar could do this all year, whereas we're already running close to exhaustion.”

Regina nodded, “That's my assessment too. So tell me, why hasn't he just launched an all out attack? Why do his forces retreat so quickly?”

Gaston had wondered that too. Caesar's assault had certainly possessed conviction, yet it had petered out quickly in favor of hit and run attacks. It was then that he realised that was exactly what they were, “He's likely concerned about any further surprises like the shield or hellhounds, decided to be more cautious.”

“So he's probing us for threats?”

“And trying to wear us down. I've used these tactics myself on bandits.” He sighed, never imagining he would experience what it was like on the other side, “He's swapping his troops out at regular intervals, keeping them fresh and rested. At the same time the constant bombardments and attacks are keeping us constantly on edge, wearing us down little by little. He's using the mobility of his troops to punch through our lines and deliver maximum casualties, then retreating before we can surround them.”

Regina smirked, a rather unsettling sight, “And it also serves to give his troops some battle experience.”

She clearly hadn't gotten rusty. Still, Caesar's strengths were only half the story, “Yes Lady Arbiter. But if I could be so bold, it's not battle experience he lacks.”

“What is it then?”

“It's trust and communication.” He observed, finally bringing together a theory he had been having for some time, “His formations are very effective, but when they're broken his army falls apart. I don't think many of his deer even speak the same language as the other species, and I've even heard two zebra yelling at each other in broken Equestrian.”

“An astute observation Commander.” Regina noted, a slight gleam in her eyes, “Our initial scouting reports indicated that the zebra lands hosted dozens of different cultures and languages. Star Fall still speaks Equestria as standard, where as many of the more remote areas in the zebra lands only speak their native languages.”

Gaston nodded enthusiastically, glad to be proven right, “We need to find some way of taking advantage of this. It could be our key to victory.”

“It will be commander.”

He looked up at her, a smile playing across her beak, “Arbiter?”

Regina's eyes grew proud, “This is not some doomed venture to save face Commander. We are winning.”

“We... are?”

"The general said it himself, moral is high. We're fighting to defend our homes, against a force that vastly outnumbers us. Each time we hold, each time we give them a bloody nose, it feels like a great victory.” She looked to him, “They're a mob comprised of a dozen different cultures and ideologies, united by greed. They've been told that we're evil, that ponies are responsible for the destruction of the world, yet having met us they see only good creatures of all kinds fighting for a better tomorrow.”

Gaston felt a smile break out across his face. He could almost believe it, “Then we just have to hold out a little longer...”

“And they'll break.” Regina extended a claw, patting him on the shoulder, “Keep up the fight Captain.”

He hit a firm salute, “Yes sir!”

"We cannot keep this up sire." Rose Twist explained as she stood within Caesar's tent, the zebra's expression growing darker with every word from her mouth. She continued regardless, knowing well the value of honest advice, "Moral is dangerously low, and the tide of opinion is turning against our cause."

Caesar gestured angrily as he stalked the tent, "But we're winning! We're through their walls!"

"Winning was always expected." She explained, "The last two battles have been major, crushing victories. But they came within hours, with minimum casualties. This on the other hand marks the second time we have been driven back hard just as victory seemed imminent."

"And we will attack again, and this time..."

Rose sighed, "It's not just the battle sir. We're not just fighting soldiers now, we're invading a civilian population area, fighting militia. Some of the soldiers are becoming uncomfortable with that... especially after what Chigaru did in the last battle."

Caesar grimaced, "Which is why I've banned him from taking the field this time."

"But they all saw it." She explained, "And they're now wondering who's on the right side of history. And the NCR is exploiting that weakness."

Caesar looked up, concern written across his face, "How?"

"The radio stations of the NCR, they've started broadcasting classic content, and commissioning new works about the history of the NCR." She explained, having listened to a lot of it herself. Even though she knew half of it was propaganda, she admitted it made a compelling tale, "The soldiers have been listening to it, and it's endangering sympathy for the NCR."

"Then ban it." Caesar ordered sharply, "Get our own speech writers to come up with some propaganda of our own."

If only it was that simple... "We don't have a recording studio sir, let alone one that will allow us to compete with those production values."

Caesar simply grunted in frustration, thinking for a moment before a slight smile crossed his lips, "Then find one. Scour the parts of the city we control, and turn their own resources against them!"

Zebi looked around at the near untouched gardens, the fields of bright flowers, the statues of wise and learned ponies clutching scrolls and books, the great marble halls that surrounded them and the towering spires that loomed above. His eyes came to rest on the plaque that adorned the wall just a short ways distant, reading the words.

'From ignorance, to knowledge.
From knowledge, to wisdom.
From wisdom, harmony.'

He followed the enthusiastically waggling tail of Blue as she entered one of the nearest buildings, frowning as she continued to chat excitedly, "Isn't it incredible? Canterlot was called the greatest seat of learning in the world, and now its right here around us."

"This isn't Canterlot." He felt the need to remind her, "Canterlot was on that mountain more than a hundred miles distant."

"Well yeah..." She admitted, looking sheepish, "...but just look at it."

He did, looking about as they searched the place. Pretentious inspirational quotes covered the faux marble walls, interspersed with statues of smug looking ponies and doors leading into luxuriously appointed lecture theatres and laboratories. The idea that it was all post war was admittedly impressive, but ultimately he felt it pretended at a sense of history that came across as false at best, insulting at worse.

It celebrated equestrian history, but ended up as insultingly shallow as those inspirational quotes that covered the wall.

"Wow... look at this."

He looked across at Blue, standing in front of a rather fancy door covered in golden gilding, "Have you found the recording studio?"

"No... it's..." She pointed an exited hoof at the nameplate, "Silver Bell, Dean of Magical Studies."

"Who?"

"She was one of the first people encountered by Littlepip, she was calling herself Pinkie Bell, had sawn off her horn..."

He stopped her there, really not having time for a long story, "So it's not the recording studio?"

Her face fell, "No..."

"Then it's not what we're looking for." Zebi reminded her, "We can go sightseeing afterwards."

Blue quickly held up a hoof in protest, "But...!"

He humored her, "What?"

"If she's the city's première sorcerer, she must have worked on its defences." She reasoned, "So there might be important material inside her office that we could use to save lives."

He sighed, "Ok..."

They moved inside, that idea becoming more unlikely by the second. It was a reasonably sized office, wood panelled, looking out over the hills and forests north of the city, lined with bookcases and shelving... all of which was totally empty. Indeed scuff marks on the floor indicated that even some of the furniture had been removed, leaving the room totally bare of anything of any interest.

Blue looked discouraged for a moment before running over to the desk, pulling open a drawer and finding only paper clips and lint, "They must have left something behind..."

"Give it up Blue." He ordered sharply, "It's clear they..."

And then a hole appeared in the window with a loud crack, sending cracks running up and down the glass and causing Blue to let out a little gasp. Her legs then buckled and she dropped, Zebi rushing to catch her...

Some sixth sense pretty much saved his life, ducking his head and only losing the tip of his ear to the next shot. He looked round at the window, seeing absolutely no vantage point anywhere near. He peered desperately, knowing he must have missed something...

...and then on the hill just on the edge of vision, easily a few miles away, he saw the slightest hint of a muzzle flash. He instantly ducked down behind the desk, the round striking the far wall a moment later. He desperately pulled out his radio, dialling up command and screaming into it, "Sniper on middle hill, due north of my position! I'm under fire, man down...!"

He looked at Blue lying beside him, her eyes open and a look of frozen surprise on her face, blood pooling under her head.

Sebastian stepped out onto Sweet Street, once one of the most beautiful residential districts in the city. Now it was a smoking ruin, covered in what looked like hundreds of corpses. They had clashed here, in one of the most vicious battles of the siege. The NCR had pushed them back, but not before they had taken enormous casualties.

And those casualties included pretty much all of Elegant Water's unit.

He moved forward, grimacing as he inspected the corpses. He had seen dead bodies before, he had passed through the field hospitals on his way here... but this was different. Here they just lay about in heaps, detached limbs still where they had fallen. He figured he would be able to identify her, but he realised it was going to a lot harder than it seemed. Some of these bodies barely looked like ponies anymore.

A body about the same size as Elegant caught his eye and he forced back vomit as he stared at the near completely demolished face. His eyes then caught her lollypop cutie mark and he sighed in relief... only to then be overwhelmed by a wave of guilt.

He remembered what Elegant Water's had said about the world not missing one stupid rich girl. Elegant Waters wasn't small for her age, but if this pony was the same size then she was either exceptionally short or a minor herself.

His eyes caught movement, looking about to see an approaching zebra in an enemy uniform. Their eyes met, the zebra friezing for a moment before raising his hoof in what looked like a gesture of peace. Sebastian returned it as he very gingerly approached, noting the zebra was on his own, “Peace?”

“Just here to find friend.” The zebra replied in a heavy accent.

“Me too.” Sebastian confirmed, “What does he look like?”

“Zebra, taller than me, red braids in hair and spiral shaped like this.”

Sebastian watched him trace the shape, memorising it, “I'm looking for a grey unicorn with a blue mane, a mare with a three crown cutie mark.”

The zebra nodded and started searching, Sebastian moving to the other side of the street to do the same. A hellhound plasma rifle had exploded here, gibbing the poor creature and killing many nearby, some of which were too burned to identify. Still none looked the right size.

“Griffon.” The zebra shouted, nodding at a corpse by his feet, “This her?”

He hurried over, prepared for the worst. He noticed quickly that the corpse was both the wrong shade of blue and much taller than Elegant, though she was very skinny. Her cutie mark... a crown, and two crossed swords.

He came to a stop, trying to remember her name.

“This her?”

“No.” He acknowledged, “But I knew her.”

She was a guard at the palace. Had handled his bags when he had first arrived. She had spoken to him at length as she led him to his room, bubbly and casually flirtatious, seemingly determined to make him blush. He had seen her a few times since then, always hurrying somewhere.

He had never actually caught her name.

He sighed and looked around, searching for some likely point. After some proper inspection the battlefield did start to make sense. The hellhounds were around the edges, having kept to the soft soil of the gardens. Ponies lay around a mostly demolished defensive position further on, with many of those here having been shot in the back.

Elegant Waters was stubborn, she would have stayed at her post. So the defensive position. And she was a riflemare so she would want somewhere high up.

A wooden tower had been set up, now toppled. He looked around the area, many of the bodies buried under the debris. But if she was up top when it toppled, she would have been flung clear...

He looked along the likely route and saw it, the stock of a rifle sticking out from under a pile of corpses. Naturally it was decorated and of a particularly expensive model, instantly distinctive and very familiar.

It lay under a griffon in full body armor. Sebastian threw his weight forward but just bounced off, trying again and forcing himself against the griffon with a grunt of exertion. He realised that wasn't working and looked about, spotting a long plank of shattered wood and shoving it under the griffon. It took a moment to position it across a chunk of rubble, apply pressure to the end...

The griffon rolled away, revealing the mangled, bloodstained length of the rifle. The stock was cracked by some heavy impact, a bullet having penetrated through the barrel and up through the mechanism before exiting near the sight. That was the part that was most bloodstained, and the rest of the ground near the griffon was pretty clean.

He looked back toward the fallen tower, spotting the trail of gore and moving to examine it more closely. The cover of fur was unmistakable, grey like her coat. And the shredded bits of flesh...

...an ear.

She had fallen here from the tower, yet had remained conscious enough to lift her rifle to her eye. Then a bullet had entered the barrel, penetrated upwards and struck across the side of her face, shredding her ear.

And then? He looked around for some sort of blood trail, not exactly easy considering how much death there had been here. He had to guess quite a bit, followed a few false leads...

He looked down, seeing the officer who had awarded her the Blackwings lying propped against some sandbags. His stomach had been blown open, but by the looks of the pistol on his lap and the jammed rifle nearby he had gone down fighting to the end.

And his medical kit had been removed, and a clear trail of blood led away from him. Sebastian followed it, moving through the blown out wreck of a nearby building. And after a short while, another corpse, a zebra, his throat cut open... by the twisted remains of a Blackwing medal that lay nearby.

She was here. He looked around for a trail...

"Don't move a muscle griffon."

He looked round with a start, only to be greeted with a gunshot and a whistle of wind right beside his head. He admitted to giving a rather high pitched squeak, especially as he beheld the troop of zebra all pointing guns at him. He fought through the tightness in his throat to quickly state his intentions, "I'm a non-combatant, no threat to you!"

"Good." The zebra stated, "Then why are you here on a battlefield?"

"I'm looking for a friend." He stated, trying to look as trustworthy and harmless as possible, "I'm just a scholar, a scientist."

The zebra leader smiled, "You're the knowledgeable sort then? A student?"

"Yes." He stated quickly, "So if you just let me go..."

"I don't think so." The zebra stated with a broad smile, "You'll be coming with us, scholar boy."

The medic stepped through the streets of the city, supplies mounted on his back. These would ensure the ponies in his care would live another day, see another sunrise. He didn't know how much that would help in the long run, but it was something at least. Even if it was a totally lost cause, each life saved had to count for something.

The city, the city he loved... was burning. He looked to the Palace, the entire front caved in and the great hall torn open, most of the left wing completely collapsed. The symbol of the republic, the wonder that Velvet Promises had built.

He kept his head down, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself...

...and then he saw her. Striped hooves, black and white fur, wearing an Equestrian soldier's uniform. He was instantly forced to look up, meeting her eyes. She turned away from the soldiers she was talking to, recognition dawning in her eyes.

She dismissed the two soldiers, then turned her head back to him. He just stood frozen there, trapped in that cold glare... of hatred. Accusation.

She had cut her hair short, "Gloom..."

"Is it true?" She asked, "Is this your fault?"

"Yes." He admitted, looking her in the eye as he said it.

"Then why are you still here?" She stated with cool fury, then a hint of hotter fury as her face tightened, "Why shouldn't I hand you straight to the guards, and have them hang you?"

"I..." His voice cracked, "I can never make things right Gloom, and I deserve worse. But I'm just trying to help fix the mess I've created, in what little way I can."

She snorted, then smirked ever so slightly, "I can't believe your idea of a disguise was cutting off your beard."

"You've cut your hair."

"I'm just aware of the impracticality of long hair on the battlefield."

He looked at her, every inch the soldier. It was an amazing transformation, "Why are you here Gloom? You're a councillor..."

"The council is gone." She stated firmly, "Our chambers are a bombed out ruin. And if you were to ask who did that, most of them would reply, 'the zebra'. So I'm here to remind them that some zebra still fight for the republic, that things aren't so..."

"Black and white." He stated with a soft smile.

She smirked despite herself, "And I fought at the battle of Fillydephia, and unlike some haven't taken the opportunity to get fat and lazy in the time since."

"I got lazy Gloom." He replied, his face falling. He looked at her, quietly pleading, begging for her understanding, "I tried taking shortcuts, thought I could save the NCR with lies and grand schemes. And it's never been more apparent... that it needed more politicians like you, and less like me."

She sighed, looking at him in grim contemplation for several long moments... before she turned away, anger flashing in her eyes, "Don't so much as look at me again Silent Steel. As far as I'm concerned, I never saw you."

He nodded, shouldering his supplies and starting his long, lonely walk back, "Understood."

Sebastian was led through the zebra camp, unable to keep himself from staring around in wonder. A troop of deer stood quietly watchful, clad in armor the color of autumn leaves and wielding copper plated spears. And then nearby a group of zebra and ponies sitting together, repairing and customising sets of Steel Ranger power armor, repainting vivid murals of images he was totally unfamiliar with. There was even some pegasi in outdated Enclave armor, inscribed with the Star Fall and Golden Coast heraldry, "How many races have you got here?"

His zebra escort smirked, looking quite pleased at his question, "Camels, sea ponies, earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns, zebra, deer, griffon, robots... whatever Chigaru is." The zebra looked across at Sebastian, "All united to take revenge on you Equestria."

"Revenge?" He expressed with confusion, "For what?"

"For this!" The zebra hissed, "You megaspell us into oblivion, then sit here fat and prosperous while letting all others starve? Well now you see just where that takes you!"

Sebastian opened his mouth to protest, "But we only..."

"That's quite enough." A cool, electronic voice declared, cutting through the argument like a knife. Sebastian turned to see, of all things, a robot alicorn, all silver and cobalt blue. Her eyes shone with a sharp blue light, her voice echoing with clear authority, "Questioning a prisoner outside of control conditions is a poor idea, especially one as... learned as this one."

The zebra looked back at Sebastian, "You... know him? He's important?"

"You are to be commended for capturing him." The alicorn stated, her body seeming to radiate a cold menace despite remaining as still and artificial as any other machine, "But I will take over from here."

The zebra broke out in a cold sweat, stepping back and quickly bowing his head in supplication. Sebastian watched as the zebra then retreated as fast as was still somewhat dignified, looking back up at the strange mechanical alicorn. She was far beyond any machine he had ever seen before, he was no mechanic but knew quality when he saw it. And it seemed she had authority, "Who...?"

"I am the Princess Radient, commander of the lost legion." She stated with cool, sharp tones, looming over him, "And you are Sebastian Grimfeathers."

He just turned his eyes away, feeling dumber than ever. If they knew who he was...

"An important griffon like you, venturing out into enemy territory completely unarmed?"

"I'm not important." He replied, angry at himself, "My training is in biology and ecology, and I'm barely sixteen."

"Boy, you are a Grimfeather." The machine stated with cold anger, "If you don't think that means anything then there's truly no hope for you."

Sebastian noted the anger there, feeling a chill run up his spine. This machine... hated him. Because he was a Grimfeather? Whatever it was, it didn’t bode well, "So what are you going to do with me?"

"Nothing." Radiant replied with an air of smug satisfaction, "Your family built the NCR. I simply want you to record what happens next, watch it all come crumbling down."

Sebastian narrowed his eyes, his fear fading in an instant, "My mother is tougher than you think."

The machine’s voice was smooth, cruel, and utterly confident, "Ah, there's the hope and defiance that built a nation. Watch the city Sebastian. Caesar hasn't even shown you a tenth of what he's truly capable of."

Steel Edge studied the battle reports on the central table of the bastion command centre, tapping his hoof against the metal rim as he cycled through his emotions.

They had given them a damn good fight, and the casualties were in their favor. That was still the case now they were in the city, with their greater knowledge of the layout aiding them in their ambushes and flanking manoeuvres, along with the bastion's elevated position allowing them a viewpoint of the whole city. Caesar’s forces had tried to bring it down many times, but the tower's structure was designed to resist artillery fire. He had lost count of the amount of direct hits that had just bounced off.

Still the simple fact was that they were running low on battle ready soldiers. The constant fighting was taking its toll, and there was the ever present fact that if Caesar simply mounted an all out attack he'd have this place in hours, heavy casualties or no.

"There's another small force attacking from the east side sir."

He looked to the young earth pony manning the console, moving over to observe, "Inform all available forces, prepare to engage."

"Already done sir." The mare then looked round at another screen, "We're still getting some strange readings from the sky too sir."

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged, "Like a pegasi, but the displacement is off. We tried to get a look with cameras and griffon scouts, but they both report nothing there. We figured they were sensor malfunctions..."

"Wait..." Steel Edge held his hoof up, that not sounding good after the events of the last few days, "Did you scan for stealth cloaks?"

"That's a unicorn spell sir, we can’t scan at that altitude." She gave him a questioning, slightly worried glance, "Still, you can't fly in a stealth cloak... right?"

"Perimeter alarms!" Another officer shouted from nearby, voice panicked, "Something just breached them from above!"

Steel Edge waved a firm hoof at his officers, aware they couldn't lose their composure now of all times, "Order garrison forces to protect the tower, seal the command room!"

"Sir!"

He gave them a reassuring nod as iron shutters closed on the entrance, "Remain at your stations! There is no way they can get in here..."

And then there was a cacophony of sizzling and crackling from above, then a series of crashes and squeals of metal under heavy torsion. The tiled roof above them cracked, Steel Edge quickly drawing a pistol from his coat and buckling it...

...as the roof totally caved in, a dozen zebra hitting the ground with stealth suits half open and fizzling, bloodwings on their back and submachine guns in their jaws. One barely had a chance to gain his bearings before Steel Edge engaged S.A.T.S and filled his head with a half dozen bullets from his pistol, dropping him instantly.

The other officers all attempted to defend themselves, sadly they were mostly unarmed clerks. The zebra were just too fast for them, Steel Edge watching as his comrades were cut down at their stations. Their two security officers assigned to the command centre came in with their assault rifles, but only managed to take down one of the zebra before they were gunned down by the others.

Two zebra charged Steel Edge, submachine guns rattling. He flung up a magic shield to block their fire, then snatched up a fallen rifle with his telekinesis and fired it across their flanks. One went down, the other was wounded. Steel Edge got close to the second and fired his pistol up through the zebra's chin, ending his life instantly. Another three tried to flank him and he rolled under the cover of a console, then used his magic to short out a relay near them. It exploded, knocking them to the ground with fur aflame.

Five left. He pulsed out a detect life spell, locating two setting up sniper positions and the other three flanking him on all sides. It was a good plan, but this was his battlefield. He cast a quick night sight spell, then shorted out the lights with a shot from his pistol. With the shutters down the room was plunged into darkness, Steel Edge coming out shooting.

One went down to his knife, a quick stab and twist opening him up. He flicked that knife up and kicked it through the air to nail one of the snipers through the windpipe. The other zebra had time to scatter glow sticks by that point, which allowed them to see the second sniper's head messily explode as Steel Edge sighted up with the fallen zebra's rifle and fired a round right into the right side of his skull.

The other two called out and tried to get to cover. His shot the hoof out from the first, then shot out another power relay in front of the second. Once again it exploded into fragments, blinding the poor zebra and knocking his weapon from his mouth.

The final wounded zebra shot the rifle away with a desperate burst from his own sub machine gun. Steel Edge thought quickly and levitated his fallen knife up, charging his magic like a slingshot and firing the blade right into the zebra's neck with a thunk.

And then... it was silent. Steel Edge looked around at the dead scattered about the room, aware that he hadn't taken a single wound in the fight. It made him feel like a young man again. Not for the first time he wondered if he was wasted as a commander, memories of his battles against the Enclave surfacing once more.

"You... you fight like Oteka... a demon in the shape of equine..." One of the zebra coughed, blood staining his teeth, "...but no one will ever know your valor..."

"What do you mean?" Steel Edge asked angrily, a second before he was answered by a rumble beneath his hooves.

...and heat. So much heat.

"NO!"

Captain Gaston looked back at the sound of the cry, his eyes widening as he saw the bastion bloom with fire. Its spine, the survivor of so many direct hits, now was forced outwards from inside. It split, shattered outwards... and the bastion fell. It struck the encampment below with devastating force, the command centre coming away and rolling into its roof before slamming into the side of the palace.

He looked back at the cheering enemy forces, firmed his heart, and opened his beak, "Hit them, while they're distracted! Show these cowards what we think of their spies!"

His sorrow was replaced by pride as his soldiers did just that, some of the enemy busy firing into the air in triumph when they were suddenly rushed by a wave of vengeful equestrians. He whispered a soldier’s prayer to Steel Edge, drew his revolver, and joined them.

"Lady Arbiter!"

Regina swore as she saw the bastion fall, cursing as she looked about the panicked faces standing around the street, "Everyone, rally to me! We need to get to the secondary command station, take control of the situation..."

She heard the familiar whistle, thinking how loud it was this time, how close. One of the nearby soldiers called out and she looked up, seeing the shell fall, watching it descend on her location. She raised a claw up to shield her face...

The building nearby bloomed in golden light, then came apart like it was made of children's blocks. Regina saw the shattered lump of concrete spin at her and tried to bat it away, only for it to tear her claw off at the wrist before slamming into her face.

It was a... odd feeling. She felt her head come apart, with almost no pain whatsoever. There was simply an odd sense of detachment as her jaw shattered, her eye socket caved in. She staggered briefly, then the explosion bathed her body in fire and she was flung to the ground.

She briefly choked on her own blood, watched her feathers fall in smoking heaps with her one remaining eye. And then mercifully, finally... she fell asleep, and the world departed.

Zebi led his forces through the streets, leading them in a tide of screaming and hollering. Their voices echoed through Canterlot, Zebi taking enormous pleasure in seeing the ponies flee before them. He shouted his orders loud, "No prisoners!"

Blue had loved Equestria. Blue had encouraged them to be merciful. She had been a pony, just like them. And they had killed her for it.

"Zebi?" Briarwood asked from just behind, the deer's voice hesitant, "Is this... brutality really necessary?"

"Yes." Zebi replied, watching as the NCR fled in terror, "It was their choice to stay and die. I say we let them be the martyrs they obviously want to be."

Then his eyes turned to an approaching zebra soldier, leading out a pair of defiant looking ponies. They were obviously Equestrian, Zebi barking his question, "I thought I said no prisoners!"

"They're not soldiers sir." The zebra responded, "Civilians. Two adults, two elderly and two children."

"We won't give up our home!" One of the ponies barked, "I built it with my own two hooves, I'm not abandoning it to looters!"

Zebi thought he made his opinions clear, "I said..."

"Zebi." Briarwood interrupted in a calm voice, looking to the soldier with a smile, "Lock them in their home, bar the door. We'll deal with this when the city is ours."

Zebi watched them go, seething silently for a minute before hissing out his words, "Are you trying to undermine me?"

"I'm trying to save you." Briarwood responded, "These terror tactics serve a purpose, cruel as they are. But killing civilians?" He gave Zebi a firm look, "I defer to your command experience, but I technically outrank you. Don't give me reason to relive you of duty."

Zebi let his eyes fall, chastened, "Fine."

They continued on through the city, encountering no more enemy contacts. There were camps and fortifications but they all seem to have been abandoned, Briarwood turning his attention to a row of tents in the middle of a nearby square and the medical supplies piled up there, "We should repurpose this place ourselves, we need a medical camp to support our advance."

"Good idea." Zebi agreed, "Men, secure that location."

They moved forward, scanning the surrounding buildings for enemies and shifting aside the tent flaps. Finally they waved them over, "Position clear!"

"There." Briarwood stated with pride, "Now we can..."

And then the camp exploded.

...Zebi picked himself up, ears still ringing. He was greeted with a sight of carnage, the shredded corpses of his men scattered about the square. Their wounds clearly indicated the ordinance, a nail bomb, the scorch mark on the ground clearly indicating the location. The boxes of medical supplies, "...a fucking booby trap..."

Briarwood shook his head clear, looking with horror at the wounded soldiers scattered around, "Medics! With me!"

He charged out into the square alongside several other deer, their bags already open and bottles of healing potion clasped in their teeth. They ran out desperately, completely exposed...

Zebi was too late to warn them, "Wait!"

Briarwood dropped first, his horns shattering and his head coming apart. Then another had his throat torn out, a third losing the back of his head. The sharp retort that echoed out for each one was clear, a single rifle, bolt action. The remaining deer hesitated and Zebi screamed for them to return...

...but the sniper was too good. The last two deer had their kneecaps shot out, thumping to the ground and crying desperately for aid. He noticed a few of his men moving to rescue them before Zebi fixed them with furious death glares, "Are you stupid?!"

"But we can't just leave them..."

Zebi growled, he had no intention of leaving anything, "The sniper must be in those buildings over there..."

His men saluted, "We can loop round, surround the place..."

"He'll see it coming from a mile away." Zebi had to admit, the most likely position having a good view of all approaches. Not to mention they would likely just run into more boobytraps...

...his lip curled upwards into a wicked smirk. This fucking pony had no idea what he had done, "Bring those civilians to me."

Gloom drew her bandana around her face, tightening it with a sharp tug of her hooves as the choking smoke spread across their camp. It looked like a fuel dump of some kind had caught fire, adding another shitty problem to an altogether shitty situation.

The artillery rounds that had been pounding the area had finally stopped, leaving burning ruins and piled dead in their wake. Some of the soldiers had cheered at that, but Gloom knew the truth. They had stopped because their own troops were drawing in, "What are the state of our supplies?"

"Almost completely depleted councillor." The supply officer reported mournfully, his face black with soot, "The main stockpile took a direct hit, we lost near everything."

She figured as much, "So, are we throwing rocks?"

"And cleaning wounds with spit." He confirmed, "We have a good defensive position here, but we can't hold."

She closed her eyes, "I see."

The officer gave her a pleading look, "Councillor, you must retreat. You've done everything you can."

Gloom looked ahead into the red haze that blanketed the city. She didn't want to die, and dying seemed a waste. Still she had been told by many that her bloody minded stubbornness was her best quality, "I'm not going to give those bastards an easy victory."

The supply officer went to speak, "Yes, but..."

And then a call sounded out, Gloom spinning round to see a group of ponies approach. They were not soldiers, clad in well made civilian combat gear, all scarred and rough looking from what looked like a lifetime of hard living. And on their backs...

...crates full of supplies.

Gloom looked at the lead pony, "How...?"

"We apologise for the delay." The rough looking pony announced, dumping his supplies to the pavement, "But our organisation doesn't normally work in these quantities. Draws unnecessary attention."

Gloom would apologise later if she was jumping to conclusions. Still, only one word came to mind, "Smugglers."

"If you know of us, you should know there are secret tunnels in and out of the city, known to very few." The rough pony announced, voice bearing a frankly eerie level of calm and control, "It seems they have come in handy."

Gloom... wasn't some naive moralist. She understood that not every criminal was some cackling bad guy. Still... "Why help us? I know Regina refused any help from criminals, threatened to arrest you all..."

"Our children go to school at state schools. Our sick are taken care of in the free hospitals. Our profits are made from the needs and wishes of your citizens, and the NCR army protects our homes from far worse than us." The pony stated firmly, "This is our home too."

She nodded, "You're right. And that's why I'm staying to protect it."

"Then unload the packages." The rough pony shouted to his companions behind. He then fixed his gaze on Gloom, his eyes hard but honest, "If there’s one thing you learn growing up on the streets, it’s how to fight for what little you possess.”

Zebi stood proudly in the middle of the square, his soldiers lined up around him. He was perfect prey for a sniper, totally exposed. He hoped it would grab this bastard’s attention, at least for long enough to see who else occupied the square.

The family they had found, all bound and gagged in a line before them, "Sniper! I know you're out there! Come out, see what I've had to resort to!" He waved his pistol at the youngest, a tiny mare of about twelve years old, "Here's the deal. For every minute you refuse to show your face, I kill one of these innocent ponies! Any attack, any act of violence, and my soldiers will gun them all down!" He laughed, "The only way to save them is to hand yourself in, right here, right now!"

He saw movement on a far off building, knowing he had attracted the attention of his prey. Now all that remained was to wait, "Come on, hurry! I said a minute, remember?"

There was no further response, Zebi tapping his hoof in impatience. He knew giving him too long would only allow the sniper time to plan, and he was frankly sick of being planned around, "Maybe I need to make my intent clear!" He levered up his pistol and shot the father through the leg, dropping him to the ground with a scream. The other ponies shouted in distress, Zebi grinning at the sound. If the sniper didn’t come out for this, he had no heart.

But no response came. A minute went by, without so much as a peep, "Do I really need to do this?" He brought his gun up to the head of the father, the pony still whimpering on the floor, "Are you going to make me...?"

He heard a sound behind and dropped, more by instinct than skill. The shot passed over his head with just a brief stinging sensation across his skull, Zebi rolling sideways to be confronted with the sight... of his dead soldiers, throats slit and bullet holes through their heads.

...and among them, a mare that looked for all the world like a corpse, wearing bloody clothes carefully concealing a harness carrying a rather rustic looking rifle. A silenced pistol was clamped in her mouth, a knife buckled to her hoof.

The both fired, bolting from their positions like a firecracker had been ignited under them. She caught his hoof and hobbled him, he however fired high and caught her in the face. It blew part of her jaw off and shattered her orbital, Zebi roaring as he darted in for the kill.

She kicked ash in his face, then bolted. She darted into an abandoned house and jammed the door shut with her knife, Zebi kicking it down and showering her with bullets as she darted further into the structure. At least one hit but she shrugged it off, darting up the stairs and giving a rather buckled support post a sharp buck as she passed.

It came down with a crash, knocking Zebi off his hooves as he followed her up the stairs and sending him tumbling. He cursed as the heavy beam fell across him, forcing his hooves against it. He finally threw it off after a moment or two, charging back up the stairs...

...to see some bloody clothes, an empty vial of healing potion, and not a single hint of where she had gone. He screamed his frustration, looking out the windows, searching the house. Nothing. He had lost her. All that and... he had lost her.

His anger had turned into simply cold wrath by the time he made his way out. The family were still there, just struggling out of their bonds. His soldiers lay where they had fallen.

He had made a promise. Any act of violence he had said.

He lifted his pistol and fulfilled his vow.

Caesar looked upon the burning city, the capital of Equestria, broken under his mighty armies. He had won now, it was obvious. Just a matter of time, "Our forces have all been drawn back?"

"Yes sir." Rose answered, as efficient as ever, "We've resumed the bombardment, and our forces have been ordered to rest for the battle tomorrow."

"Then the time has finally come." Caesar stated with barely controlled glee. He felt like the warrior kings of old, standing at the opening to a thousand year long dynasty. His enemies either now united under his banner, or about to fall before him, "Are you recording this Sebastian."

The griffon nodded mournfully, "Of course."

"Excellent." He stated, chuckling to himself, "Such a moment needs a proper chronicling."

And at that moment another voice chirped up, in a rather... rural equestrian accent, "I agree."

Caesar turned to see a pony standing just a few feet away, a small, soft pink mare standing between a pair of guards. Her mane was a tangled shock and her eyes were bagged and shadowed from lack of sleep, Caesar noting a paint splattered easel cutie mark on her flank, "Who are you?"

"Irrelevant." She stated with a wave of her hoof, striding past her guards without a care, "The real question is 'who are you'?"

"Serendipity?" Sebastian exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Caesar raised an eyebrow at the strange pony, "So you know this pony?" He chuckled, figuring she must be some sort of artist, "I, my dear, am the great Caesar Incuta."

At this she smiled, wider and wider, until finally she spoke in a laughing, exited tone, “Yes, yes! You are Caesar yes?! You are truly magnificent! A model to create masterpieces!”

Caesar smirked at this. She wasn't wrong, “Well thank you. And you are... an artist?"

“I am Serendipity Strokes!” She declared hotly, looking insulted at having to be asked, “I have painted heroes, villains! But no...” She smirked widely, “...I have never painted an emperor before.”

“So you want to paint me?” Caesar asked.

“No! I must paint you!” She yelled, waving her hoof wildly, “It will be my masterpiece.”

Caesar admitted that he did need a record of his grand victory. To be painted by an inhabitant of the country he defeated... even better, “Very well then Serendipity, I accept your offer. Make it good, and I might offer you a job as court artist.”

“I obey no master save my muse, and require no payment!” She declared hotly, before spinning on her guards, “You! I will begin immediately, you shall bring my paints and easel to a location I deem suitable!”

The guard turned to Caesar. Caesar just offered him a smile, “You heard the mare.”

The Chateau Rarity had once been one of the most exclusive hotels in Canterlot. By a certain standard it continued to hold this honor, the caved in wall on one side and the damaged central dome the only serious damage the building had taken, leaving it one of the more intact in the city. It's somewhat shielded position and proven endurance had made it the central hospital and command post in the city, especially now the bastion had fallen.

Gaston presented his credentials to the guards at the entrance to the premium rooms, ushered forward into what had once been a fancy private bar for first class guests and now was covered in maps, graphs, causality reports and tired looking officers in what was left of their battleworn uniforms. They all saluted, Gaston returning the gesture as he entered. He approached the pony that he recognised as Captain Mirror Shield of the security forces, her head bandaged and her uniform blooded, “Captain Mirror Shield, are you the senior officer on duty?”

“I command the security forces now. All officers senior to me died during todays fighting.” She replied, giving him a hopeless, broken look, “We're estimating over seventy two percent casualties. Of those, thirty six percent are dead.”

“Your officers have held the line magnificently.” Gaston soothed, “With our new reinforcements...”

“Do you truly think they will be enough?” She asked, nodding at the map before her, “The zebra have been seen rolling up artillery, smart money is them barraging us through the night to soften us up before assaulting in the morning. And you know we won't hold.”

Gaston admitted she was likely right about that, “Let any who want to go, go. Make it clear this is our last stand.”

She smiled then, “I already have. Only a dozen or so took the offer.” She looked at him, her hopeless expression firming, “I'm staying too.”

He smiled back, giving her a firm nod. Then his mind went to matters even more depressing, “How is the arbiter?”

“The doctor is with her.” Mirror Shield informed him with downcast eyes, motioning to one of the rooms, “I know it isn't good.”

He nodded, moving over to the door and giving a knock. He was bade to enter and did so, a elderly earth pony doctor and two nurses currently cleaning up in the corner sink. The well appointed bedroom was totally intact, a calm and dignified place suitable for what might well be the last arbiter of the republic.

She lay, bound in bandages, so still that he could think her dead. Regina Grimfeathers, “Thank you for your fine work doctor.”

He nodded back at him, face hard and voice harder, “She's stable.”

“That's good.”

“It might have been a blessing to have left her there.” He answered with a sharp growl. His eyes returned to the sleeping griffon, “She received massive head trauma, swelling all across the left of her brain. I had to remove much of her skull, her left wing is shredded, and there's a machine doing her breathing for her.”

Gaston took it in, unable to process it, “Doctor...”

“When she wakes, if she wakes... she'll be a cripple, looking out over her failure.” He finished, voice cracking slightly from the emotion, “I did my duty, but my heart tells me I'm simply prolonging her suffering. And make no mistake, I give her less than a twenty five percent chance of ever waking up.”

Gaston looked to the solider on duty, “Where is Miss Stephani Grimfeathers?”

The guard nodded in grim understanding, “Calamity assures me that her and her father are in a safe location.”

“Good.” Gaston acknowledged, looking back at Regina's broken form.

If the republic was to survive this day, then they would need a Grimfeather. And he had to accept the grim reality that with Sebastian, Arick and Kerida missing...

...by tomorow a little two year old fledgling might be the last they had.

Oteka stood at the scaffold, prepared to do her duty. Caesar's law was clear, as was his desire to do this clean. They were the good guys, avenging the crimes committed by Equestria.

And good guys...

...they did not execute civilians, "Bailiff."

The bailiff nodded, opening a scroll, "Lieutenant Zebi! Do you understand the crimes of which you are accused?"

The zebra on the scaffold glared out at the assembled crowd, his eyes full of cold fury. He drew himself up proudly, "Do you?"

"The accused will restrict himself to yes and no answers!" The bailiff shouted, looking back to the scroll, "The accused has been proven guilty of executing non-combatants, incompetence, and bringing the honor of Caesar into dispute..."

"Then you're all guilty." Zebi shouted back, looking about the crowd, "Executing non-combatants? What do you think you've been doing by bombarding a city, destroying farmland, setting a hoard of zombies upon enemy encampments?! Incompetence? We still haven't taken this city, still keep losing hundreds of zebra with families, friends, because no single creature in this whole army has the slightest experience in urban combat! And bringing Caesar's name into dispute?"

Oteka waved her hoof at the executioner for the forth time, already planning for him being the next neck upon that noose when he was done desperately fiddling with the mechanism.

"He's the reason my friends are dead, my brother! He brought us here, he's responsible for the death of thousands... because of his ego!" Zebi screamed, "And he's not even here to do his own dirty..."

The mechanism finally engaged, Zebi dropping down to jerk to a stop with a final, resonant crack. All was quiet for a moment before the bailiff spoke once more, "And so is the fate of all criminals!"

Oteka watched the swinging body, listened to the whispering of the crowd. She thought back, to her vow all those years ago.

The Warlord Thassan had been a monster. She had served him loyally, as her honor dictated, but deep down... she hated him. And his elder son? A fool, a coward, a thug.

But Incuta was different. Incuta was sweet, and kind, and smart, and gentle. She had vowed to keep him that way, to protect him, to help him bring his vision of a united zebra empire to fruition.

And as she looked at all this... she wondered if she had failed.

Silver Waves should have been sleeping. Even alicorns needed rest after the kind of strain he had put himself through, but with the shells still raining down, with the threat of attack ever present... if he was to die, he would rather it be with his eyes open.

Ponies looked at him differently now. Before he would always get this mild suspicion, constant questions about the unity and the fact that he must have been female once. Now they relaxed when he walked in the room, looked at him with something approaching awe. He didn't feel he deserved it. When it came down to it he was really a pretty terrible fighter, his only skill planting himself in front of others and engaging his shields.

It made him sad that the hellhounds were still encamped by themselves for the most part. It was their intervention that had held the line. They diligently maintained their armor and weapons, joined together in howls of victory and loss, their slick fur shining in the light of the fires that consumed the city. He looked about as the eyes settled on him, at once not judging the ponies too harshly. It was certainly intimidating being among so many...

"The shieldbearer!" A yell sounded out.

A hellhound rose to full height, a powerful mountain of meat and claws, "The hero of Sweet Street." He nodded in respect, "Welcome to our camp."

He nodded back, his nervousness vanishing, "I came to see if you were doing ok."

"The fires obscure the stars, and too many lie dead." The hellhound answered, before flashing a grin full of jagged teeth, "But we can be proud yes, to have done our duty?"

He was proud. It felt strange even admitting that to himself, "No pony expected us to fight."

The hellhound nodded in understanding, "Have you ever been to ponyville?"

"No, sadly."

"It is beautiful." He stated, drawing in the cold night air and sighing in contentment, "Even before the megaspells, we have never enjoyed such splendour. Ponyville, the heart of Equestria, the birthplace of the ministry mares... it is now our home, and our children grow up strong and proud."

He had never thought about it like that, "You earned it."

"But no pony would ever reward us for what we earned, because we are ugly and scary." The hellhound answered, "But Littlepip and Gawdyna Grimfeathers did. Even though they were responsible for the deaths of so many of us, they went to enormous lengths to make it up to us. Even when it would have been easier to believe us monsters."

Silver Waves guessed that was true. Still... "It's a shame what's happened since."

"We could care less about politics. No one built Ponyville but us, we just hired a pony to go to boring meetings on our behalf." The hellhound laughed, "But when they talk about the history of the NCR, it will be about how we tipped the balance in every war they fought! How our industry propped up the economy!"

A cheer sounded out, the hellhounds slapping the ground and howling at the sky. And Silver Waves had to admit, he had never been prouder to be part of the NCR than in this fine company.

Dawn broke upon the ruined city. Sebastian could only look on in horror at the sight, smoke and fire rising into the sky, the once proud landmarks now nothing but ruins. The palace had collapsed in on itself, he could see it from here. The bastion had fallen, its shattered remains half propped against the buildings that surrounded it. The walls were full of holes, through which the shattered residential districts could be seen.

Caesar smiled as he observed the carnage, “Your city has fallen Sebastian. Record that for the histories.”

Sebastian bowed his head in shame, knowing it was true. The NCR was finished, and Littlepip's dream had finally died. Caesar ascended to the top of the podium that had been built, marching to the microphone that had been installed there and giving it a tap to make sure it was working. The sound vibrated through the camp, all of his army turning to listen. Caesar observed them in pride before speaking, “Look upon your victory, look and be proud! After all these years of pain Equestria is fallen! Together, we have...”

...and then, above the shattered walls of Canterlot, it rose. A banner, blue and white, five and twenty two golden stars surrounding images of Littlepip and Gawd. It streamed brightly in the smoke and flames, a pair of hellhounds holding it proudly aloft. Caesar hesitated as the camp all went deathly silent, soon broken by cheers as defenders emerged all along Canterlot's walls. They screamed their defiance, brandishing their weapons as they climbed upon the rubble and together sang the songs of the republic.

“Th... their walls are broken, their city is in flame!” Caesar shouted, though his voice was cracked, hesitant, “Your prize is there, you must only claim it!”

His army mustered a few half hearted cheers, staring in doubt and concern at the unbroken defenders.

And Sebastian did what he was told, and recorded the history before him.

Chapter 5.9 - The Throne of the Lightbringer

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They had started their journey in these council chambers, Themba had led them here upon landing, they had spoken to Golden Dawn… the first, faltering steps of diplomacy. This was to be a grand endevor, finally bringing peace to the world. Zenai had invested so much of herself into it, and had said herself that failure here might well destroy her.

She didn’t know how right she was.

“What are we to call you?” Golden Dawn now asked, her tones calm yet holding clear authority. She stood upon the marble plinth in a traditional toga of shining white alongside her fellow councillors, a laurel wreath upon her head. The very image of authority, “It has become a little hard to keep up.”

“I have decided on… Falling Cinder.”

“Convenient.” Pangaea answered with no shortage of venom, “That you would take a new identity now.”

She shook her head, that never being her intention, “Never. I forced Star Swirl into doing what she did, the guilt is mine as much as Sunshine Ivory's.”

Golden Dawn laughed at this, “Now that’s a little arrogant of you. The way I hear it told, you fell for Sunshine’s lies just like the others, as much of a fool as anyone here.”

“It is Sunshine Ivory who will be tried as the mastermind, the instigator.” Pangaea confirmed, “You… are considered a mere acomplice.”

Cinder knew it wasn’t that simple, “Well I admit to all charges.”

“Good.” Pangaea answered, “That will make this a little easier.”

Cinder sighed, she had expected this.

“You are hereby banished from Star Fall, and are ordered to refute your title of Celestia and all claims of leadership over her church. You will not return until we decree it.”

She looked up in surprise, trying to understand. That was barely a slap on the hoof, “And?"

"That's it."

"Why are you being so lenient? I did so much harm…”

Pangaea didn’t look happy, Golden Dawn however answered for him, “Political convenience.”

“Convenience?”

“Your boyfriend is a zebra of enormous influence and power, and sparing you is a fast way to make those important alliances with him.” Golden Dawn explained, “How does that make you feel?”

That she was spared the consequences of her crimes because of some… dirty backroom deal? “Terrible!”

Pangaea snorted, “Good answer. But calm yourself, I’m not in any mood to ignore the crimes committed here.” He glared sharply at her, “The fault lies with Sunlight Ivory, Doctor Hix and Star Swirl. The second two have been adequately punished, the last… awaits her sentence.”

Sunshine Ivory sat in her cell, quiet, unmoving. It was almost like she was meditating, not a hint of distress on her face.

Cinder looked between Sunshine Ivory and her two companions, Sabah and her friend Thousand Sunny. The two had been inseperable since the battle, Sabah had admitted she didn't want to let the mare out of her sight. Understandable really.

Sunshine Ivory spoke, "What is to come of the Church of Celestia?"

Sabah looked up in grim offense as Sunshine Ivory asked the question, spitting her response back, "Banished, for your crimes."

"And where will you lead them?" Sunshine asked, her voice calm and even a little playful.

Sabah paused, uncertain, "To Dusklight."

"Curious, isn't it?" Sunshine Ivory asked, a smile playing across her features, "That after everything, you would end up here? You, Sabah, with the loyalty of the church and the wasteland, a hero, warrior and savour. Taking the Church of Celestia to settle alongside the church of her sister, Princess Luna." Sunshine chuckled, "A church that I also helped establish."

"By martryring her?" Cinder asked, rather offended by the arrogance.

"I saved her from the flames. Implanted that Star Demon into her. Inspired her to save those children." Sunshine Ivory responded, "And yes, I killed her, ensuring that her message and story will live forever."

Cinder fumed, partially from the fact... that she couldn't think of a retort, "What's your point?"

"That I'm ok with dying now." Sunshine Ivory looked up at Sabah, a hopeful smile playing across her features, "Sabah, darling. I knew there was something special about you. Now I see. When you dived into my attack, resisted the flames... no, were empowered by them. When you defeated me without taking the killing blow. You... you are the one who will bring Celestia's name to greatness."

"And you're going to take credit for that?" Sabah spat.

"Yes." Sunshine Ivory chuckled softly, "If it wasn't for me..."

"You killed hundreds!"

"To ensure the future." Sunshine Ivory responded, before her eyes turned to Cinder, "And you Star Swirl... ha, Charaxies. When I met you, you had totally retreated from the world, were lost to despair. The Star Demons were considered pure evil, without exception. And yet now they speak of your resistance to the evil of your mortal counterpart, how you worked to temper her worst excesses. They watch expectantly, to see what you will do next. You carry the future of your race."

Cinder lowered her head. It wasn't that simple. She had been the cause of Star Swirl's fall, and all her best qualities were now a part of her too, "That's a really simplistic and... frankly, false view of what actually happened."

"No one really cares. Ponies, zebra... they're mostly stupid, directionless, lost." Sunshine Ivory stated with regret, "They need us to give them direction, to drive them into the future. Celestia... harmony itself demands we do terrible things, so that we can make the world a better place."

"You're a awful pony." Sabah concluded with a grimice, "And I'm nothing like you."

Sunshine Ivory chuckled sweetly, looking at them all with affection, "Sabah dear, you ate the flesh of your fellow equines, because your will to survive was just that strong. And Star Swirl, you were the Goddess's most vicious, most terrible exterminator, responsible for the slaughter of entire communities." She shook her head, "And I understand perfectly. Because all of us... we're on a different level. We alone can make those kind of decisions, do terrible and wonderful things. We alone can truly bring this world to a better future."

Sabah gritted her teeth, went to respond... before turning around and stalking off, face hidden behind her hanging mane. Sunny was frozen in shock for a moment more before she quickly moved to follow, calling Sabah's name.

It left Cinder alone with Sunshine Ivory.

Cinder studied the mare, letting the wheels turn inside her head. She considered some kind of answer, some counter arguement... but in the end, she realised it didn't really matter, "Does that bring you comfort?"

Sunshine Ivory smiled, "It does."

"Then you're right. You might have just saved the world." Cinder stated, looking down at the mare in pity, "They're going to execute you, you know that?"

Sunshine Ivory nodded, "I don't care. I've done what Celestia intended for me."

"You deserve it." Cinder noted, before sighing and giving the mare a look of sympathy, "But I don't hate you."

"Thank you." Sunshine Ivory responded, before nodding to the door, "Now, I believe Sabah might need some attention herself. My lession might have been a little challanging for her. She is after all, just a child."

Cinder nodded back before turning away, feeling something catch at her heart as she exited the room and heard the door close behind. She knew that she would never see the mare again, and that would likely be Sunshine Ivory's last real conversation. Despite the fact that it had rarely led anywhere good, it was hard to deny that Sunshine Ivory's actions were entirely responsible for driving Charaxies from her cave, and Star Swirl from her place as Zenai's shy assistant. And it was hard to imagine where she would be if not for that.

She spotted Sabah ahead, quietly staring from one of the mountain balconies at the setting sun ahead. Sunny sat quietly beside, one of her wings gently laid upon Sabah's shoulders.

"I hate her." Sabah stated, sharply, then turned to Cinder, "And... I hate you."

Cinder sighed, "Understandable."

Sabah kept a glaring eye to her, muscles bunching in fury, "It's easy to believe that you're thousands of years old you know? In my experience, the older we get, the more sure of outselves we are. The more willing to justify everything, to hide our true feelings beneath layers of logic, to hold ourselves aloof from all this terrible shit."

Cinder frowned. Was she aloof? Maybe, she guessed... "I’ve... learned to accept that the world is a bad place. Full of bad ponies."

"You're just the same as before. The same as when you were pretending to be Celestia.” Sabah accused, "So arrogant, so self rightous."

Cinder paused in shock. She wasn'tsure what this was all about, "That... that’s not true."

"Sabah..." Sunny stated softly, "...it's not her fault."

"Yes it is. You shouldn’t defend me Sunny." Cinder countered, knowing that whatever her faults or virtues, fault was something easy to assign. She deserved to take the blame, she had enabled all this, "You're allowed to hate me Sabah."

Sabah sniffed, looking away, "I shouldn't. I know I shouldn't. I know logically, that you’re just another victim.” She sniffed,“I hate you because... I'm a stupid, hormonal child. Because I never had any parents to teach me right from wrong, because I learned how to live from growing up alone in the wasteland. Because... I’m not strong enough to deal with this."

"You were strong enough to beat Sunshine Ivory." Cinder noted, “And Celestia’s church follow you for a reason.”

"Sabah, all those things that happened to you... it’s made you who you are. It’s made you someone I’m proud to call my best friend." Sunny added, "Sabah, I know your past was horrible. I've always known. It's... why I admire you."

Sabah looked at her, brow furrowed, "You admire me because I was a horrible murderer?"

"I grew up here, to a large, happy, successful family. I was taught to be kind, and moral." She stated, "And yet you are driven to be good and noble and brave with a passion I could never match, despite not a single being in this world ever teaching you any of those things."

"I was taught." Sabah countered, "I've had a lot of teachers through the years. I... always tried to incorporate their best qualities, and learn from their worst. I guess it worked out in the end."

"You’re stronger than me Sabah." Cinder noted with regret, "Despite everything, you've always known the right thing to do. I guess it's just something inate in you. Me on the other hoof... I've always struggled to find the right path."

"Ironic then, that we would meet like we did." Sabah observed, "You saved my life."

"Yeah..."

"You brought me here. Encouraged me to join the Church of Celestia."

"Yeah..."

"You helped Luna. And Luna helped me." Sabah shook her head, sighing "This world is better than it was before, ironicly because of Sunshine Ivory... and you. That's a difficult thing to accept, but ultimately... good can come out of evil."

Cinder nodded, understanding the truth of that. And that maybe... it was a comforting one, "And out of all this war, and death... we can build a better world."

Sabah’s expression firmed into one of resolve, “And I’ll not stop fighting until it’s there before me.”

Dream Star looked out over the NCR below, laid out like a patchwork map of greens and blues, bisected by the occasional ugly grey blotch of civilization. Junction Town sat just within vision, sprawling and garish, a jumble of mismatched styles. The modern, newly built prefab buildings around the northern outskirts, the obnoxious themepark 'pre-war' center, all boxcars, sheet metal and rip off prices... and hidden from the surface, but easy to see from the air, the green and lush terraces of Ditzi Doo's orphanage and surrounding mansions, and just a short ways distant the shanty town of broken tourists, exploited poor and the outcasts just looking for company in their misery.

Dream Star had always hated air travel. Hated seeing thisbroken world, laid out before her. It... was worse since the Gardens of Equestria. Now she could no longer pretend that she could do something to fix it.

"Look mommy, is that an Enclave ship?"

Dream Star looked round at the filly stood a short ways down the deck of the passanger liner, tugging on the skirt of her mother. Dream followed the filly's pointed finger, indeed spotting the Enclave patrol chariot just on the edge of vision. So close to the center of the NCR, it was astonishingly bold of them. She wondered how quite the Enclave's president had sold this to his soldiers, after their last five previous incursions had gone so well.

"Damn cowards." A griffon nearby spat, his brown feathers streaked with grey and his many scars clearly indicating a violent past, "Once again, choosing only to strike when we lack the ability to fight them face to face!"

The filly continued to tug at her mother's skirt, "Mommy, are they going to attack us?"

"Oh, let them try." Dream Star couldn't help stating, a grin spreading across her face, "It would be nostalgic, showing those black plated bastards how a dustlander fights."

The griffon turned his head to her, surprised for a moment before nodding proudly, "Indeed! I fought myself, in the evacuation of Griffonstone and the great crusade! These Enclave aren't anything to be afraid of."

Dream Star snorted, noting once again that it seemed every griffon over the age of thirty had 'fought in the evacuation of Griffonstone and the great crusade'. Not to mention Griffonstone had been a crushing defeat, and the Enclave weren’t even an active participant in the crusades.

"Forgive me lady." The griffon continued, looking at her in interest, "But from your scars and years, I don't doubt you've seen your share of combat. What campaigns have you fought in?"

Dream Star chuckled, "More than you could count."

"Please, I'm all ears."

She sighed, sure she had forgotten a few, "Huh, name one. The Screwball Conspiracy, the Great Enclave War, the Great Crusade, Stalwart Shield's campaigns, the Emperor of Light..."

"The emperor of light?" A younger pony nearby exclaimed in excitement, quickly looking to her in reverence, "The one Sureheart Rider fought against?"

Dream Star looked to him, rather surprised. That was very old history, she didn't think anyone remembered, "How do you know so much about it?"

"Oh, Salty Living Radio has just put out a new radio drama about it. Tales of the Wasteland, The Legend of Sureheart Rider!" The pony grinned widely, "It's really good."

She guessed she was happy. That someone cared, "I guess I should check it out."

"Oh, well I have the latest episode right here, I recorded it yesterday." The pony grappled for his bag, eventually bringing out a bulky looking radio and setting it down on the deck, "Just listen."

He pushed a button, the radio spinning up for a moment before a deep sonorous voice sounded out over some rather spooky sounding music, "And now for the continuation, Episode Ten, 'The Mansion of the Old Master!"

Dream Star rolled her eyes. They always made everything sound so dramatic.

"Sureheart Rider stepped forward into the interior of the old mansion, eyes darting left and right as the shadows raced across the walls and the dank, musty smell of decay assaulted his nostrils. Paintings of the rich and powerful adorned the walls, the elite of the old world, their once proud home now feeling like a tomb to their arrogance."

Another voice spoke out, young and strong, "Hello? Is there anyone here?"

"No answer came, but Sureheart knew he couldn't turn back. He heard a creek and moved to investigate, the dust swirling about his hooves as he moved further into the darkened interior. And as Sureheart stepped into the dining room he beheld a mare standing within. Was she the one whom he sought? At first he thought there had to be some kind of mistake. He had been told of a great and ancient sorceress, but the mare before him boasted not a line of age."

A female voice sounded over the radio, soft and yet full of power, "It's been a long time since I had guests."

"My lady, forgive me. I was told there was a mare of great power here, and wise and learned sorceress. Her name is Starlight Dreaming, and..."

"Enough of the flattery boy." The female voice commanded, "You've found her. So the question remains... what do you want of me?"

"I'm told you knew Perfect Platinum." Sureheart Rider stated, "That you... taught him."

"I did so much more than that." The mare replied, her voice full of subtle heartbreak, "Before the Eternal Emperor, before the death and madness... there was a boy. A boy who loved me."

Dream Star stepped away from radio, staring deep into her memories like she was staring through mists. She... couldn't remember this. Her memories faded into dust, half forgotten emotions and flashes of images. But as she listened to the girl's voice... she felt like... she had been there once, saying those words, "Who... is the actress, playing Starlight Dreaming?"

The sailor gave Dream Star a big grin, "Why, it's Cherry Blossom miss."

Dream Star... didn't keep up with celebrities, "Should I know her?"

"Heh, I'd say so." The sailor stated with a grin, "She's also played Littlepip for years."

Dream Star smiled. Of course she had.

Cinder stood on the deck, staring out to sea. Far, far beyond her vision... Equestria.

"We have made contact with the Star Fall fleet." Pangaea stated, standing with Easu and Dust Kicker upon the forward viewing platform, "When you arrive, my first officer Gavorn will take command and grant you safe passage to Equestria."

"Cutting off Caesar's supply line, and placing us at his rear." Easu stated, "Forcing him to surrender."

Dust Kicker chuckled, "And placing Gavorn at our rear, cutting off our supply line."

Pangaea bristled, Easu furrowing his brow and looking to Dust, "We have to trust each other in this."

"Exactly. And I approve." Dust Kicker noted, "At this point, the chain of allegiances is bafflingly huge. And the result is this... we all put down our weapons and back off, or we plunge the world into centuries of pointless conflict."

Easu considered this for a moment before turning to Pangaea, "He's right. And this world has seen enough of that. We all here stand on the threshold of true greatness. To be the ones who finally shout 'enough' and lay the foundations of lasting peace."

Pangaea nodded, "I agree. I am a warrior, but now I have experienced war... I realize how pointless it truly is." He looked to each of them, "I would bring rather bring battle to pirates, raiders, monsters... those who contribute nothing to this world save destruction."

"I understand that." Dust Kicker stated with a smile, "You know, the first time I saw Star Fall and the Golden Coast... I had real hope. Both places were so vibrant, so full of potential... and we had the chance to bring them together, and establish real connections between them and Equestria. To erase the mistakes of the past."

Cinder turned, feeling her heart grow heavy in her chest, "That was Zenai's dream."

Pangaea looked to her, cool and impossible to read. His eyes then returned to Esau, "I am stepping down from the council."

Easu frowned, "Why?"

"Because I am a warrior." He shook his head, "Ultimately, my appointment to the council was a result of nepotism on the part of my father, and an attempt to stack the council against Golden Dawn and her dreams of peace and diplomacy."

Easu nodded softly, "But Star Fall will still need warriors to defend it."

"And I will continue to do so." He stated, "But I am a poor fit to lead us into the future. I am better suited to protecting those who will."

"Pangaea... when this is all over, we will have more than enough time to discuss these things." Easu stated firmly, "Believe me when I say this, I do not imagine that we can create a grand utopia, where all stand together in harmony. I wonder if that would ever be possible. But Sunshine Ivory, and Caesar have proven one truth beyond doubt... that when we stand apart, we are too easily convinced to destroy one another. And that together, we can accomplish amazing things."

"Most folk just want a peaceful life." Dust Kicker added, "But those like you and me... we're here to take down those who feel different. You intend to stand at Golden Dawn's side, protect her from threats?"

Pangaea gave a firm nod, "I do."

"And I stand with Easu." Dust Kicker responded, "I might have been born in Equestria, but standing on this boat, preparing to go back... it feels like I'm leaving home. And this uniform isn't just for show."

Pangaea nodded, "You stand with your Caesar."

Dust Kicker nodded, "I do. I can make a difference here. I can be part of something huge. And so can you."

Pangaea thought on this for several long moments, before his hoof finally lifted to touch against his chest plate in salute, "Then I wait for your safe return. Maybe we can find this new world together."

Tenpony Tower. The MASEBS. DJ Pon3.

It still felt surreal standing here, where her earliest memories were formed. She remembered, the long legged, white coated mare who had once manned this place. Who had once been the DJ Pon3. Had she been the first? Dream Star honestly didn't know. Perhaps even then she had kept up the illusion.

Spark Plug had nodded at her return, accepted her reluctance to talk, taken Puppysmiles and gotten to work. Record Scratch on the other hoof... he wanted more, "Dream, you look... different." He panicked for a moment before quickly trying to correct himself, "Younger! Better!"

"Heh." She snorted, amused. Only skin deep. She was already acutely aware of her failing organs, of the rapid decay of her muscles and nerves. She wasn't so naive as to think she would be killed by old age, but still she knew that she would be confined to a bed before long. All the more reason not to waste her time on pointless questions, "The IMP potion's effects have been reversed."

"That's great... isn't it?"

She shrugged. The horror it had made of her body hadn't been fun, but she had at least gotten the rad immunity and immortality. Not to mention Xenith had demonstrated that she was now much more vulnerable to damage. She strode for the broadcast station as she replied, "I guess. It won't matter for much longer anyway."

Record Scratch followed her, voice panicked, "Why? I still don't know what you're planning!"

She entered the studio, looking at the images the MASEBS was sending. The Enclave, Caesar's army, the NCR in flames... she couldn't ask for a more perfect moment, "I'm going to give the world what it deserves. I'm going to fix everything."

"How?" Record Scratch asked.

She ignored him, looking instead to Spark Plug. She had already gotten Puppysmiles wired in to the console, "Sparks?"

"Almost done." She stated, busy connecting up a secondary console, "Just give me a minute."

Record Scratch made a rather strained sound at the sight of the console lying open and in pieces, "Oh... crap. Seriously, you're taking apart the radio station? You know Homage is going to kill me?"

"Soon she won't be in a position to do anything of the sort." Dream Star soothed, "None of them will."

He went pale, "What the hell Dream?!"

Spark Plug cut them off, her cool tones as professional as ever, "I have connection. Establishing network."

And then another voice sounded out over the speakers, cute and perky, "Hi, I'm Puppysmiles! I see you're running an older version of my software, do you want me to run using these new settings?"

Spark Plug nodded, "Yes Puppysmiles. Partition off previous memories and save, then run standard user interface protocol using the software provided."

"Of course! Rebooting now!"

Record Scratch looked at her in awe, "Wow, you're... well prepared."

Spark Plug nodded softly, expression unreadable, "Parts of this plan were discussed years ago. So far, it's all going as expected."

"Ok." Record Scratch conceeded, "I'm not going to even ask about the plan. But what about the others? Sunshine, Fennel, Jammer?"

Dream Star shrugged, "Our enemies didn't give up Puppy easily."

"They're dead?"

"Probably."

"Dream!"

"It was always a possibility." Dream Star reasoned, "Us, all of us... we're damaged goods. We worked for monsters, we were party to slavery and madness. If the great and just Littlepip had met us back then, she would have gunned us down without remorse."

Record Scratch's head fell. His voice was strained, "You're a good pony Dream. I still believe that."

She smiled. He was wrong, but she was glad somepony believed.

Cinder looked around in horror, hardly able to imagine the level of destruction that would cause all this. Huge patches of oil stained the seas around the broken hulls of once proud vessels, debris scattered as wide as the eye could see, "Should... we look for survivors?"

"The battle was apparently fought weeks ago." Xephyr noted, "There won't be any to find."

"This..." She started, already seeing the stupidity in her words but unable to stop them tumbling out, "...feels like our fault."

Xephyr smiled, surprisingly warmly, "Yeah, don't get in that blame game. You'll never get out."

"Sometimes it feels that my desire to fix this... to fix anything, is simply to make up for my mistakes though." She looked to Xephyr, "Is that... right? Star Swirl, Char... both of them set out to help the world, to alleviate their own guilt. But everything they ended up doing just... backfired somehow." She sighed, "It's why I hid in that cave. Why I hid in that archive room. Maybe leaving was always a mistake."

Xephyr sighed, "I don't have the answers to that one. I wish I did. I feel the same sometimes, the NCR falling apart, my own kind invading..." She shook her head and lifted her head proudly to the sky, "But I can't stop trying. I can't let myself stop, or that's just... giving up on ever getting a happy ending."

"You know what I think?"

They both turned, spotting Dust Kicker strolling down the deck towards them. He gave them a grin, his armor stripped away for once to expose his rough, scarred fur to the sun, "I think you're both giving yourselves a little too much credit."

"I am the Element of Magic. Kinda a big deal." Xephyr noted, though not without a touch of self awareness.

"Sure, but from what I've seen you’re as much a slave to the prevailing winds as any of us." Dust noted, moving between the both of them and staring out to sea, "Ultimately, we all care about others. We want to please them, make them happy. We want to fit in, we want to do our best for the world."

Xephyr nodded in understanding, "We do what others expect of us."

Dust Kicker smirked, "Or don't expect. Either way, note this. Both of your failures have almost always been caused by someone you trusted making a huge mistake."

"But we should have been stron..." Both Cinder and Xephyr started at the same time, before grinning and looking across at each other. Xephyr spoke first, "Point taken. Still, I can't help but feel that with my power..."

"Power is just power." Dust noted, "The wisdom to use it on the other hoof... are either of you claiming to be smarter than most ponies?"

Xephyr chuckled, "Quite the opposite."

"Mmm..." Cinder agreed, "I guess... we were all suckered by Sunshine Ivory. She said it herself. Even when I tried to betray her, I was still playing her game."

"She was really good at getting ponies to do what she wanted." Dust Kicker noted, "And let's face it, your motivations weren't too hard to play to."

Xephyr nodded regretfully, "And I got trapped because I was trying to save Screwloose, despite all my friends telling me it was foolish." She sighed, "I think in part it was because... as the Princess of Friendship, I thought abandoning one of my friends would serve as a terrible example to everypony that relied on me."

"Maybe you both need to stop trying to please others, taking responsibility for the state of the world, and just concentrate on doing good." Dust Kicker concluded.

Xephyr shared a cheery look with Cinder, "Well it can't hurt to give it a try."

Dream Star stood at the control console for Tenpony Tower's teleportation megaspell, a thousand emotions running through her head. She had stood in these halls when she was just a filly, when this area had been almost new and swarming with scholars and scientists. When Tenpony was going to save the world. And then after all her travels afterwards she had come back to find the grand laboratories and experimental systems in total disrepair, her tenure as head of the Twilight Society spent restoring them to glory. She had made this place glorious again, once more full of life and hope...

...wire mesh still sealed off much of the complex, leading into blasted ruins. Tenpony was old now, it was quickly made clear that any repair job would need to totally replace most of the structure. And now, with Manehatten thriving... Tenpony was more important as a historical monument, an attraction.

Celestia One was gone. The labs were gone. Increasingly few actually lived here. The tower was increasingly irrelevant, a relic of the past.

But this console still stood here, waiting for input. The same as when she first set it up.

Puppysmile's happy voice chirped out from the speakers, "Connection established!"

"What is the status of the SPP?" She asked, a tremble running through her hooves.

"Most systems are still locked down. The facility appears to have undergone an emergency shutdown, locking down all systems." Puppysmiles stated.

Spark Plug chimed in at this, "An emergency shutdown would by necessity include methods to unlock the facility again after the threat had passed."

"Yes, it would! Originally, this could be quite easily done from the MAS hub, that is how I'm able to connect now. However, it appears that somepony inside the SPP removed this failsafe."

Dream Star nodded. She had tried to exploit that herself, "The AI in charge of the facility."

"Well this AI was clearly not as advanced as me." Puppysmiles cheerfully declared, "Reactivating the unlock facility now. And... done."

Dream Star grinned widely. All too easy, "Puppysmiles, this is what I need you to do. Keep all the systems locked down, but open up the shields to admit all incoming teleportation traffic from the Tenpony Tower megaspell."

Puppysmiles went silent for a moment before speaking once more, "Done! Anything else?"

"Not for the moment Puppysmiles. You've done well." Dream Star pressed a button on the console, her heart leaping as the megaspell ignited and a swirling blue portal appeared within the teleportation archway. The flashing message on her console was the message she had been waiting for most of her life.

'Tenpony Tower to Single Pony Project connection established.'

She was in.

Cinder followed them across the gangplank, ready to act the second something went wrong. This honestly was the most dangerous and unpredicable part of the whole plan, and Cinder was well aware that her role as 'muscle' might very much be required.

An odd, aquatic looking pony stood on the deck of the other ship, surrounded by guards. Sea Breeze she presumed, Pangaea's admiral. She didn't look amazingly pleased to meet them.

Gavorn led the way, with her and Easu beside. They agreed a small party would be best. Sea Breeze nodded as Gavorn approached, "I see you have brought the enemy to us Gavorn. At your order, we'll start shooting."

"Honestly, I thought you'd be most in favor of this." Gavorn answered, giving her a smile, "This has been ridiculous from the start Breeze."

"So, we're turning on Caesar. I see." She answered, looking across at Easu, "Betray him, and place his brother on the throne. What is he paying us Gavorn? It must be quite a bit."

"Peace. Unity. A better future." Easu answered, "My brother offered you a better past, and I admit that is an attractive proposal. But the past is past, and he cannot take back the final days of the war no matter how decisively he beats Equestria."

Sea Breeze grimaced back at him, "And after all, what is more rooted in the history of the zebra than brother stabbing brother?"

Cinder bristled, then finally broke her silence. Honestly she was done standing here mutely while others traded passive aggressive barbs, "We are not here to hurt anyone! We're here to stop the violence."

Sea Breeze looked to her, eyes narrowing, "Which is why you brought an army."

"Look at the places our army has marched through." Cinder retorted, "We stood fast against Starhammer and brought peace to the Mutum. We passed through the Heartlands and built roads, infrastructure, established the first real governance that place has seen in centuries. Demonivore opened its gates to us freely, and established diplomatic ties with the rest of the zebra lands. Star Fall was liberated from a coup, and it's rightful government restored! And not once have we ever ordered our army to attack!”

"An army that doesn't fight." Sea Breeze asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A blade used unnecessarily loses its edge." Easu replied in a calm voice, "The blood of innocents corrodes even the purest blade, the harsh blows of battle warping even the strongest."

Sea Breeze paused, looking somewhat... stunned at this. She looked away, deep in thought, staring out to sea.

Gavorn spoke after a moment, "Breeze, we need to bring our people home."

"They're not all here." She answered, voice hushed, "I'm commanding skeleton crews, most of the troops are ashore."

"Allow us to land." Easu asked, his voice still full of gentle calm, "Let me speak to my brother. Give me a chance to convince him, to end this violence."

Sea Breeze finally sighed, "Pangaea is my commander, not Caesar. If he says we let you past, we let you past." She then lifted her head, staring firmly at all of them, "But I've seen far too much of this world to believe in your success."

Dream Star looked around. To be honest... it felt anticlimactic.

She was in a plain, grey room, reasonably large but taken up by piles of boxes and assorted clutter that had been stacked in every spot of spare space it had available. The teleportation matrix was more or less hidden in a corner, the lockers around the sides of the room confirming her plans of the place. This was the teleportation receiving chamber, thought it had likely never been used since the megaspells dropped.

Spark Plug and Record Scratch stepped out behind, Dream Star offering them a brief look before continuing on. She squeezed past a couple of storage boxes continuing what looked like dried noodles before reaching the exit door, pushing it open...

...now this took the breath away. On the surface it looked like the entrance to any government facility, a long, easily defendable corridor from the entrance leading up to a wide open lobby hosting plants, sofas, reading tables, a coffee machine and a noticeable number of panels in the roof that almost certainly concealed defensive weaponry. At the end opposite the entrance were a series of booths connected by sliding doors of bulletproof glass, controlling access further into the facility.

Everything was eerily well maintained and tidy. Not a scratch of damage or decay marked anything beside the plants, and Dream Star noted that they can't have died more than about a year back given the condition of the branches.

And above the booths... were the words.

‘Welcome to the Single Pegasus Project.’

"I didn't realise the SPP even had an entrance."

Dream Star gave Scratch a withering grin, "What, you think everypony had to get in via immolation by dragon?"

"Well no, but..." He looked around as he entered, looking uncertain, "It kinda looks like any other pre-war government facility."

"Well it is." She reasoned, "However much the imagination demands giant statues of Littlepip, glowing orbs of harmonic energies and huge piles of gold, the SPP was ultimately just a tool."

Spark Plug had moved over to the entrance booths, dropping her bag down and getting out her kit. She was soon working at one of the panels down the bottom, peeling it away with a crowbar, "Don't worry Scratch, it gets better."

Dream Star moved to look at one of the posters, standard if beautifully preserved standard issue government propaganda from Rarity's ministry. They even had a 'crazy Pinkie Pie' grin one.

"Done." Spark Plug pulled away the panel, placing the carrier case containing Puppysmiles beside and reeling out a line of wire to connect the SPP to both it and her pipbuck. She tapped buttons on the device, her eyes narrowed in concentration, "Connecting now."

"Hi, I'm Puppysmiles!" Came the now familiar cheerful greeting, sounding out from the speakers above, "I have access to the SPP's internal systems!"

Dream Star nodded. So far, so good, "Report."

"As I said before, the facility is in lockdown mode. All non-essential systems are currently idle."

"Can we have lights?"

"Certainly!"

Dream smiled as the lights came on, bathing the area in a rather sterile glow, "Is there any damage to the facility?"

Puppysmiles fell silent for a little while before speaking again, "I only have access to internal systems at the moment, but those are detecting no significant damage. The gardens are all healthy and the megaspell network is stable. The static cleaning systems are shut down and so some of the fine sensors are working less than optimally, still I can reactivate that at any time." She paused again before continuing her report, "Only the middle three floors have had all their electronics installed. On the other floors I have spotty coverage, and many areas possess neither heating, power, water or lights."

"We already knew that." Spark Plug answered, "Life signs?"

"One." Puppysmiles answered, "In the status chamber."

Dream Star couldn't help chuckling. Good, "She healthy?"

Puppysmiles hesitated, "I have limited access to her biometrics. However life support is still running at full capacity and she appears to be in a controlled, harmless coma."

"And the AI?"

"The AI running this place has been disconnected." Puppysmiles reported, "During shut down the SPP mainframe seems to have categorized it as a rogue entity and isolated it from all systems, quarantining it. The SPP is waiting for manual authorization to reactivate it."

Dream Star kinda wanted to continue that conversation. Still there was a time and place, "Keep it isolated. Can you run the SPP without it?"

"Certainly. It seems to be a connivance, not something necessary to the SPP's central functions."

"Good." Dream Star declared, striding forward towards the booths, "Reactivate environmental systems and let us inside."

"At once Dream Star."

Dream Star grinned as the glass doors swished open, admitting her further into the facility. So far, so good.

Cinder stopped just before the doorway, willing herself to go inside, to speak up while they still had a chance. Unfortunately just thinking about it brought Star Swirl closer the surface than she had ever been, that all too familiar scream of conflicting emotions that made her want to just run away and hide.

She drew back, her front hoof wavering.

"Star Swirl?" Easu lifted his head from the documents he was reading, looking across his darkened cabin to see her standing there. He narrowed his lips as he acknowledged her presence, nodding politely, "Falling Cinder."

"I think the council was right." She stated as a quiver of fear and shame ran through her, "I chose a new name simply to escape from my past."

"So did I." Easu noted, "Come in."

She reluctantly did so, ducking her head in the rather cramped interior. She faced him nervously, it strange to see his unmasked face so openly revealed. Honestly his royal trappings made the scars seem far less horrifying, noble even. Or maybe it was his facial expressions, or demeanor. She remembered the angry, tormented warrior monk that she had stood alongside in Ebonlode, now replaced by the stern but gentle scholar king. It was... an amazing transformation, "I think you more than anyone has escaped the sins of his past."

"Escaped?" He frowned, "Honestly, they drive me onwards harder than ever. I have regained my throne, and the heavy weight of my past."

She sighed. She remembered why she had been so attracted to him, "You're incredible Easu. You’re facing it, which makes you a braver equine than most."

He sighed, "It is a weight that was forced upon me. If I had my way, I would have remained obscure and cowardly, hiding from my responsibility."

She smiled. He really was quite the stallion, "Easu... you bargained with Star Fall for my freedom."

"I did." He looked her in the eye, stern and resolved, "I need you. We need you."

Cinder understood, "I'm powerful."

"And knowledgeable, and possessed of many unique talents." Easu's expression grew kinder, "Be assured, I did not save you because of any personal feelings on my part. I saved you because I know your skills can be used for good."

She... appreciated that, "I don't deserve it."

"Some days I feel that none of us do." Easu noted, "But we stand charged with fixing the world we so carelessly broke. There is no reprieve from that responsibility."

She nodded back, her resolve restored. He at least, understood.

Record Scratch looked around in wonder, his previous thoughts about the SPP being underwhelming now totally wiped away.

They had exited the lobby and were now in another long corridor, a featureless tube leading from the outer structure to a massive cylinder shaped building that sat at the center. He knew enough about the outside shape to get an idea where they were, the SPP being shaped a little like a spinning top. That meant they were currently standing in the central bulge, and the windows on either side looked out into two half circle shaped rooms that gave an idea of the scale of this place. That meant the building ahead was the SPP itself, and this bulge...

...housed the gardens.

They were a floor above, and so had a breathtaking view of the vast expanses of life and beauty that bloomed below. One of the gardens was covered in colorful flowers, the sparkle of morning dew, blossoming trees. The other boasted vast expanses of wheat and barley, sunflowers rising to bathe in the shimmering heat. Both sported plants he had only ever seen in books, detailing the world before the end, “Where are we?”

“These are the gardens.” Dream Star explained, “For the SPP to work, it needs to have weather to draw upon. These gardens artificially produce that weather, one for each season. They also serve as the facilities seed banks, holding a copy of thousands of pre-war plant life.”

He looked up at her. She looked... nervous, but somehow unimpressed, “You sound like you’ve been here before.”

“I’ve studied the plans for this place for... it must be hundreds of years.” Dream Star explained, “When I was young, my grandparents used to tell me stories of it, what it was like.”

He paused, that didn’t sound... “Your grandparents are old enough...”

“I’m old enough to know pre-war ponies yes.” Dream Star acknowledged, her eyes nervously scanning the facility, “This place... this place is my legacy. I know everything about it.”

He noticed Spark Plug staring at some plans on her pipbuck. He decided to leave Dream Star to her thoughts for a moment, moving over to Spark Plug, “Are those diagrams for the SPP?”

“Yes. I’ve updated the pre-war plans we had with the facilities current status.” She explained, moving down the pipbuck to show him, “We are here, on the ground floor. It houses the entrance, security, and residences and office space. Below on basement one is the SPP hub, including the gardens. Below that on basement two is the primary reactor and crusader mainframe. Basement 3 houses the lower induction arrays, which allow the SPP to control the weather.”

Record Scratch nodded, that made sense, “Basement one and two are hidden within the cloud cover.”

“Yes, keeping the most important parts of the facility safe from attack.” She acknowledged, “Above us on floor 1 is the SPP’s control systems, environmental, power management and automated processes. Floor 2 is the military command centre, housing briefing rooms, barracks, the CIC and our goal, the Equestrian Mapping System. Floor 3 houses the communications array, MASEBS relay and the air and water filtration systems. Floor 4 houses the upper induction array, working alongside the one on basement level three. Floor 5 houses chariot hangers and mooring docks for cloudships, along with specialist workshops capable of producing the high end components the facility requires. Floor 6 houses the Celestia 2 megaspell, along with the ‘mass transportation array’.”

“Mass transportation array?” Stratch questioned.

“A proposed megaspell, allowing the transportation of huge amounts of materials and personnel.” Dream Star explained, “You could teleport entire armies across the continent.”

“Floor six sounds… useful.”

“Floor six was never completed.” Sparks informed him, “According to reports three weeks before the bombs fell, Floors 2, 5 and 6 were all running behind schedule. The mass transportation array was still mostly theoretical.”

A shame, "So where did Littlepip first arrive?"

"See down there?" Spark Plug pointed at the central trunk, and the doors down below that led inside from the two gardens, "Those doors lead into a small antichamber, one for each garden. Littlepip apparently arrived in 'Winter', on the other side. From there it's a straight shot to the pod chamber."

They finally reached the end of the corridor, entering through a door into a series of offices and residential areas. Like the entrance they were sterile, spotlessly clean and clearly never used, though Scratch spotted something through one of the windows that made him pause. He moved closer, peering into what appeared to be some kind of lecture hall, the walls decorated with framed newspaper pictures depicting the greatest victories of the new elements of harmony. The whiteboard at the end still displayed a series of diagrams analyzing the attacks of the Fake Red Eye, "I think this is where they had meetings."

Dream Star chuckled from ahead, "We're not tourists."

"I feel like we kinda are..." He answered, hurrying on but being immediately distracted by a long corridor to his left that appear to lead off into various bedrooms, "Do you think... they kept rooms here?"

Dream Star paused at this, thoughtful, "Puppy, have any of these rooms been occupied recently?"

"Yes." Puppy answered cheerfully, "The first room on your left was accessed just seven months ago by Miss Homage."

"And Littlepip?"

"She often enters the room with Miss Homage, though when alone in the facility she spends most of her time in the pod."

Dream Star smiled, marching forward, "Open it."

"Of course."

Scratch felt a wave of trepidation, shame... and excitement, peering through the door into what was most certainly Littlepip's room. Like the rest of the facility it was rather stark and military in design, still pictures of ponies decorated the walls and a rather poorly stitched blanket in rainbow colors hung unevenly across what appeared to be the wardrobe. It was a little cluttered to be honest, with books on medicine, electronics and philosophy piled around on the various surfaces and the bed unmade. A large machine stood in the corner, Scratch recognizing it after a moment as a high end portable autodoc.

He stepped forward, looking towards the desk... and that's when he saw it. His hoof had moved before he even realized what he was doing, brushing the finish on the barrel before threading his hoof through the grip. He lifted it, feeling it's weight, it's realness. This... this was...

"Little Macintosh, just left out for any little thief." Dream Star noted with a grin.

"I'm not a thief! I'm just..." He opened the chamber on the weapon, noting with a brief flash of reproach that it was loaded. He guessed there was no one around, but it still felt careless. He opened a drawn next to the weapon and saw it was full of ammunition, deciding to take a few boxes. He looked around as Dream Star continued to grin, trying to justify himself, "It's a powerful weapon... it might come in useful."

Dream Star just smirked and waved him on.

They eventually found the stairs and made their way downwards, this floor proving far more alive than the last. They almost immediately found themselves in a corridor facing a large and impressive looking operations room, Spark Plug leading them inside. Most of the many screens in here showed big 'stand by' messages, but looking at the controls made it clear that this room was for manual control of the SPP's weather systems.

"Please, carry on exploring." Spark Plug asked, looking around with an assessing eye, "I need to supervise the installation."

"Installation of what?" Scratch asked, though he knew at the moment it was pointless to ask.

He was swiftly proved wrong. Dream Star looked to him, chuckling, "Why, the real time mapping system. Weren't you paying attention?"

He remembered. The system they had found under the Whitetail Woods, "But how could that help?"

"How indeed." Dream Star replied enigmatically, "Come on. If I'm right it should be just... here."

Scratch sighed as he followed, still his annoyance swiftly faded away as they entered the next room. Stark white, oval in shape, totally empty of everything but a large, egg like pod in the middle of the room, connected to the ground by a series of wires. An attached console displayed a constant flow of biometric data, heartbeat, blood pressure...

He approached, reverent, touching the glass with a hoof, "It's..."

"Yes, it is."

He looked at the smooth surface, totally opaque. He wanted to see her. He needed to know she was ok...

"It would be the work of a moment to kill her you know." Dream Star commented, voice breezy, "Send a little electrical pulse through her brain..."

Scratch looked at her, willing to put up with plenty of shit from Dream... but not this, "Don't you dare."

She just laughed, "Come on Scratch, we've still got a lot to do. Leave Littlepip to her dreams of a better world... after all, it's the closest she's ever going to get to seeing it."

They were on the beaches. They were on the beaches of Equestria.

They were home.

Dust Kicker looked uncomfortable, where as Fluttershy was completely unreadable. Xephyr had immediately darted off, now standing on top of one of the cliffs about to scout out the area.

Ace Gold seemed... restless.

"I've attempted to pass news of your arrival to Caesar Incuta." Sea Breeze stated, her expression conflicted, "But for some reason our communications are having trouble getting through."

Ace Gold turned in frustration, marching towards their group with a look of anger in his eyes, "Let me see the error logs."

Sea Breeze seemed confused, however she nodded to her technician and he quickly brought over a roll of paper. Ace Gold levitated it over, scanning it as his expression filled with a firm resolve, "Red Eye. He still has control of our communications network."

"He's trying to keep us from stopping this conflict." Cinder opinioned, then extended her wings, "But we have other methods."

Easu nodded, "Xephyr!"

She turned from her perch, jumping down to descend with a sharp whistle before hitting the sand with a thump. She barely flexed from the impact, her head coming up with a look of thrilled enthuasim, "What's going on?"

Cinder noted with a little irritation that Xephyr was acting far too hyperactive for the rather dire circumstances. Still she was getting used to the zebra’s casual personality by now, "We can't communicate with anyone electronically. It looks like we'll be having to do it the old fashioned way."

"I've been trying to feel out for the others." Xephyr explained, "Life Bloom, Calamity and Ditzi Doo are all in the same area, maybe I can gather them together."

Ace Gold looked up at her in concern, "What about my mother?"

"I..." She hesitated, "I get the feeling she's hiding. I can't get a good lock on her."

"That's unfortunate." Easu noted, "Her help would be the most useful."

Ace Gold dropped his head, forehead knotting, "Why is she hiding?"

"I..." Xephyr hesitated, looking down at him in sympathy, "...don't know. But Calamity will. I'll go find him..."

"We need to plan our strategy before we do anything." Easu quickly reminded her, looking around at his companions, "Dust Kicker and I will be best suited to leading the army."

Cinder finally decided to speak up now, seeing as it was now or never. It was something that had been on her mind for a little while, "We need to worry about Dream Star."

They all looked at her, some faces showing more anger than others at mention of Xenith’s killer. Dust Kicker spoke first, "I agree, but we have no idea where she's gone."

"I... do." She admitted, "She got a ship from Starfall to Equestria. She's here."

Xephyr frowned deeply, her voice a little more sharp than normal, "Do you know where?"

"I suspect... the Single Pegasus Project."

"What!"

Cinder nodded, "I... know Dream Star. From back before Littlepip. She's obsessed with it."

Ace Gold drew a sharp breath, "Puppysmiles can hack her way into it... from Tenpony tower."

Xephyr extended her wings, "So we need to go there now."

"No..." Cinder shook her head, "She'll expect that. But she won't expect me."

Xephyr lifted an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"I'm... certain I can get inside." Cinder stated, though admittedly with a quiver in her throat. She charged her magic, reaching inside her pocket space... and materialized two objects that she had kept there for a very long time. A battered and bent tiara stained with blood, and a rusty combat knife, "The shields around the SPP are DNA coded, which is why the Enclave spent so long looking for Rainbow Dash's body. Well right here I have Princess Celestia's tiara and Rainbow Dash's knife, and they both provide DNA samples."

"It can't be that easy." Dust Kicker noted.

"No... but I'm a star demon." She reminded them, "I can easily use samples like this to fool a simple DNA check, far more effectively than any pony magic."

"But the shields wouldn't let my mother past either. And she had access too." Ace Gold noted.

"Rainbow Dash at the very least has irrevocable access." Cinder stated, "I read it in some research documents."

"Makes sense." Dust Kicker noted, "Stops anyone from locking her out."

"Right." Xephyr began, "So you and me..."

"Sorry." Cinder quickly interrupted, "But it will be quickest for me to teleport there. It's a massive magical signature so it's easy to lock on to, but that distance... I'll have to go alone."

"Besides, you two are the only ones here that can both move long distances quickly, and provide enough firepower to make a difference." Dust Kicker noted, "We need you on different targets."

"If I fail, and Dream Star has some kind of... super weapon..." Cinder started, "...we'll need the elements of harmony, reunited, to stop it."

Xephyr sighed, giving a nod, "Sure..."

"So that's most of us with assignments..." Easu began, before looking about in confusion, "Where is Fluttershy?"

Cinder looked around, seeing no sign of her. She expanded her senses, attempting to seek her out with magic. She was soon distracted by the very clear sounds of struggle nearby however, yelling and the sound of gunfire.

The others all looked around, Xephyr locating it first and pointing a hoof, “There!”

Cinder followed her direction, teleporting across the beach to reappear behind some rocks. She ducked her head to avoid excess attention, peaking out to see a bunch of Caesar's soldiers laid out across the sand as what looked like some sort of sea monster pounded his way through them. It was shaped like a pony but its skin was blackened and bloated, seaweed hanging from its haunches. It moved too fast, to strong and precise...

Cinder took a breath, preparing herself to face the monster.

"Lionheart, stop!"

Cinder and the creature both looked round at the voice, seeing Fluttershy stood there upon the sand. Her blindfold remained there upon her face, but now the powerful presence of the stare seemed to radiate from her entire form. The creature hesitated before speaking, voice bubbly and as waterlogged as the rest of him, "Fluttershy?” It tore seaweed from its face, revealing the bloated features of something that had once been a pony, “How can this be?"

"Oh Lionheart, did you walk all the way here?" Fluttershy stated softly, padding over and shaking her head at him, "Canterlot ghouls are as tough as they say."

"Luna's chosen warriors are as tough as they say." Lionheart corrected, before moving forward to fix her with a intense glare, "Now, where is Ditzi Doo? Is she safe?"

Fluttershy chuckled, "So that’s why you put so much effort into returning." She looked straight at Cinder, the blindfold across her eyes seemingly doing nothing to obscure her vision, "Cinder, could you do what you can to fix him up?"

Cinder admitted she had never had the chance to work on a Canterlot Ghoul before. Still a quick scan indicated what she kinda knew already, that 'medical care' and 'canterlot ghoul' were mutually exclusive terms. She trotted out, enduring Lionhearts suspicious, confused stare, "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything weird... well, that's a bit of a lie, because this is going to feel really strange."

Lionheart looked at Fluttershy for reassurance, then nodded, “Do it.”

She pulsed a blast of energy into him, essentially modifying the porous nature of his skin. An easy task given it's... condition. The water quickly gushed outwards, a torrent of bloody, mucky water that splashed out upon the sand. Lionheart immediately gasped and dropped to his knees, Cinder quickly reversing the effect and performing a few tweaks to increase his blood production and healing rate. Frankly it wasn't really necessary, his ghoulish heritage already rushing to repair the damage. She instead turned her attentions to Caesar’s troops that Lionheart had knocked out, bringing each back to full health... if making sure to keep them all unconscious for the moment.

Lionheart closed his eyes a moment, then lifted his head to her. He still looked suspicious, but now at least there was an element of cautious respect, "I do not understand what is going on. Why are an alicorn and Fluttershy both standing in Caesar's encampment?"

"That's far too long a story to go into now unfortunately." Fluttershy answered, reaching into her saddle bag and bringing out some high energy ration bars, "You should eat these."

Lionheart's brow furrowed, "Why?"

"Because I need you to take me to Canterlot." Fluttershy answered, then looked round as the others all galloped over. She nodded to a few of Caesar's soldiers, holding up a hoof to stop them from attacking as Lionheart glared back at them, "Please, help these others. Unfortunately the last time Lionheart met you, he thought you an enemy."

"Well that's still a matter of opinion." Xephyr commented, before giving Lionheart a big grin, "Did you seriously just walk the entire length of the ocean from the site of the sea battle?"

Lionheart's eyes went wide, "Xephyr?."

She chuckled, "It’s kind of novel, having you not shouting at me for once. Where’s the ‘Royal Canterlot Voice’?"

"I have unfortunately lost my helmet." He answered, "And Fluttershy has the right of it, that my lack of rest or food has... left me a little drained. I apologize Princess, were I capable rest assured that I would not dream of addressing you in such a common fashion."

She chuckled, "I'm all good with common, believe me."

Lionheart sighed, "Yes, I do. Neither is the revelation that you survived particularly surprising, I have always respected your sense of unyielding duty." His expression then grew grave, and somewhat reproaching, "You did however take your time in returning."

"Yes." Xephyr admitted, "And I am sorry."

"We all have a chance to make up for the past, right here and now." Fluttershy interrupted, her smile bright and beaming, "Xephyr, you need to find Calamity."

"That's the plan." Xephyr admitted, "But why him specifically?"

"He's in danger." Fluttershy explained, "Both in body and spirit. You need to go to him, convince him that all isn't lost."

Xephyr grinned, "Oh, I'll show the old man alright."

Ace Gold however frowned deeply at this, his voice harsh and combative, "What is this Fluttershy, why are you making all the plans? And you're really just... going along with it Xephyr?" He faced off against Fluttershy, "You seem to know the future, so are you a prophet or something now? Is this where we are?"

"No... but Chigaru is." She smiled, full of kindness, "He has dreamed of the events of this day for centuries."

"So we're going with the dreams of a psychotic madman? So much better!"

"He is mad." Fluttershy smiled, "Mad enough that he doesn't understand what he's seeing."

"And what is he seeing?" Ace asked, tone sharp.

"An ending." She lowered her head, "The final end of two worlds."

Xephyr spoke, insistent, exited, "Fluttershy, just tell us what to do. I swear I won't let you down."

Ace Gold glared at her, "Xephyr stop, this is...!"

Fluttershy pointed a hoof up at the sky, "Ace, she's here for you."

Ace Gold turned, angry for a moment before his eyes went wide in shock, then a flash of pain and regret. He stepped forward as the shining green flame shone upon him, extending a hoof as a glorious bird of shining green flame dove downwards to touch down upon the sand with astonishing grace. His voice cracked as he spoke her name, "Pyrelight."

Pyrelight looked at him for a moment, then delivered a sharp peck to his forehead. He winced, then understanding dawned as she extended her wings, "You... want me to follow you?"

"Your sister sent her." Fluttershy explained, "To find you and your mother."

"I..." Ace looked to her, seeking understanding, "Fluttershy..."

"Over the ridge there, some Equestrian pilots and their ships have been detained." She explained kindly, "Take one of those, and follow where Pyrelight takes you."

Easu finally spoke, his stone low and serious, "And the rest of us?"

"Easu, you and Dust Kicker need to lead the army to New Canterlot." She explained, then nodded to Star Swirl, "And your idea about getting to the SPP is a good one."

"And you?" Ace asked, voice a little choked.

She turned back to Lionheart, "Lionheart, I need you to take me to New Canterlot, as quickly as you can."

Lionheart drew in a breath, "I am no wonderbolt, and carrying you... not to mention I'm not in the best condition." He shrugged, "When do you need to be there?"

She chuckled, "Don't worry. You will get me there on time."

Ace continued to just stare, furious and offended. His voice was strained with emotion, "Fluttershy... am I going to see you again?"

"If I'm wrong, the world might end by tomorrow." She stated, her tone wistful, "And even on the best of days, every moment may be our last."

Xephyr nodded, then opened her wings, "Let's go."

Lionheart nodded to her, striding up to Fluttershy, "When you are ready."

Cinder took a deep breath, knowing there was no point in further debate. She charged up her magic, making note of the energy signature of the SPP, drawing upon her balefire...

"Falling Cinder."

She looked to Easu, letting her magic fall for a moment. He looked torn, as if he was struggling with what to say. She smiled at him, "This is it huh?”

"I’m... not ready." He stated angrily, full of frustration, "I haven't... prepared enough."

She gave him an encouraging look, "You saved me."

He sighed, "Do you remember when we entered Ebonlode together?"

"Of course."

"What about our night together up upon the mountain?"

She blushed slightly, nodding. It was a good memory, "Yes."

"And..." He looked at her, questioning... hopeful, "...what do those things mean to you?"

That was a good question. Once one that would have thrown her, but for some reason events had brought her a clarity she had never had before. Maybe it was due to the fact that at her core she was an emotionless demon. Maybe it was the fact that with the fate of the world on the line, those sort of things didn't matter quite so much. Maybe... it was because her experiences had made her stronger, wiser, "That it's something we should explore when this is all finished."

He nodded, satisfied, "Then... good luck."

She smiled back, "You too."

And then she ignited her horn, and teleported.

Record Scratch could only watch as the work took place around him, dozens of robots swarming the SPP as they brought up equipment, cabling, stuff he didn't even recognize. They swiftly got to work install it all in place, the once partially completed third floor now covered in strange tech and the sound of construction.

He looked to Spark Plug in the centre, calm and totally in control. She had never been once for emotional expression, still she seemed even more inscrutable than normal. And Dream Star...

...behind those jokes and smile lay something dangerous, shining in her cold, determined eyes. Something had her profoundly spooked, and that did not reassure him in the slightest.

He watched as the Equestrian Mapping System was activated, that same, perfectly detailed images of Canterlot he had seen before appearing above the display table. He watched it again, the soldiers marching, Princess Luna on a balcony... "How is this supposed to change the world? I mean, it would be a powerful espionage tool, but at the end of the day it's just a fancy camera." He waved a hoof, trying to prompt the other two into giving him something, "I mean, it took days to make a map of Canterlot this detailed."

"It's all a part of the whole Scratch. You're seeing things too narrowly." Dream Star stated, her tone wistful and quiet, "Twilight was so brilliant, even she didn't realize it. A system capable of mapping out the whole of Equestria, in this much detail?"

"It's... impressive." Scratch admitted, "Using this recording, Canterlot is forever preserved. We can see it like it once was."

"Exactly." Dream Star stated, "And much like the SPP, it can be so much more. The emitters used to control the weather are the most powerful and sophisticated magical amplifiers on the planet. Most think they are just for weather, but with minor modifications, they can be adapted to amplify any spell across the entirety of Equestria."

"Like what?" He asked, that setting off all sorts of alarms in his head, "Offensive megaspells?"

"Oh yes. The SPP is in fact fitted with considerable defenses, some of which is tied to the emitters already." Dream smirked at this, "But we're looking at something with a bit more... kick."

"So what?" He asked, "Is this really a giant death ray on a mountain?"

Dream actually laughed, "Oh, a true classic! But no, really this plan is a variation on another classic supervillain plot actually."

"Dream..."

"A chance to finally show the world that I am the true hero, that Littlepip and all her friends are merely pretenders!"

Scratch knew this routine by heart now, "Dream, stop. I've heard this a million times before, and I know its all bluster. You're not going to hurt them, so just... swallow your pride and... ask to help." He looked at her pleading, “You’re a good pony, and they need you.”

Dream shook her head, slow and regretful, "Oh poor Scratch... I'm afraid this plan was created with the realization that Littlepip and Homage have to die."

Stratch didn't believe her. Still the idea did make him quiver slightly, "Dream, stop it. Why won't you tell me what your plan is?"

"Because if I do..." She looked at him with absolute sincerity now, something in her eyes desperately broken, "...you'd try and stop me."

Scratch took a step forward, "Dream..."

"Because this plan... it will end the world. It's a terrible, horrible plan, but I need to do it." She stated, the blood draining from her face as a look of absolute despair spread across it, "Because there are some ponies who just deserve to die...” A cold, bitter smirk spread across her face, “...and some who deserve to see their dreams finally fulfilled."

"What dream? To control the SPP? To control the world? To be a ‘hero’?” Scratch snarled back at her, having had enough of this shit, "Is that what you want?!"

She gave a broken hearted grin, "It's consumed my thoughts ever since the day my father died. This is the only way I'll ever be free of it."

Scratch shook his head. This was madness... she was mad, "I supported you when this... this was just a pipe dream. When I thought you were joking." He took a deep breath, "Dream... I want to believe that deep down, you just want redemption. But now..."

Dream Star just smiled, "And now?"

"You came back without the others. You say they're dead." He accused sharply, "And you don't seem to care!"

"Why should I?" She asked, "This has been my life long dream. I've gotten countless loved ones killed, rebuilt and destroyed Tenpony Tower and the Talons, teamed with Red Eye... all for this." Dream Star chuckled softly, giving him a shrug, "Redemption was lost to me a long time ago, and this is all I have left.”

He didn't believe it. Dream had to have gone mad, "You have to stop this." He whispered to her, begging, pleading with his entire being that for once in her life she would listen, "Please."

She shook her head, resigned, "It's gone too far for that. If you want to stop me... you'll have to do it by force."

His thoughts turned to the revolver buckled at his hip... for about a second, before he realized what a stupid idea that was. Instead he backed away, staring into Dream's amused expression as he made his way through the doorway...

...he hit the button with a hoof and it slid shut with a thump, taking the opportunity to take to his hooves and run like he had never run before. If he was going to stop this, if he was going to save Dream Star from a terrible mistake... he would need to alert the forces outside.

He just hoped he still had time.

Cinder appeared within the camp in a flash of green fire, barely having a chance to look around before angry shouts and angry soldiers surrounded her. She put up her shield just in case, reassured that it was clearly a military base, somewhere high up. The soldiers around were wearing the blue armor of national security, further evidence that she was in the right place, "Please, I'm NCR!"

"Then explain your presence here immediately." A white furred earth pony with a thin, sharp face answered, her uniform that of a high ranking security officer, "You should know that SPP is under complete lockdown at the best of times."

Cinder looked at the pony. She wasn't a super famous face but she still recognized the second in command of national security, not to mention Ace Gold's step mother, "Silver Rade?"

The mare's eyes narrowed, "And you?"

Ace had warned her the mare was tough. Cinder knew she should test her patience any further, "My name is Falling Cinder." She started, figuring using the name 'Star Swirl' would just cause further problems, "I came to Equestria with your son, Ace Gold."

She looked shocked at this, her composure broken, "Ace Gold is here?"

"He's following pyrelight at the moment, the others are all on their way." She quickly assured her, "But I needed to get here as soon as possible."

"Why?"

"Because the SPP is in danger." She explained breathlessly, "We need to get inside!"

And at that another pony stepped out, grey coated and thin, her face pinched and her voice raspy, "That's what we've been trying to do for months."

Star Swirl turned to look at the pony. She too looked familiar, though she couldn't immediately place her, "I have an idea... if I may?"

"Nothing we've tried has been any good." The grey pony responded, nodding her head, "So I'm willing to hear any suggestions."

Silver Rade frowned but waved some of her officers over, the grey pony turning to lead them all through the camp. The form of the SPP soon made itself apparent, looming atop the surrounding buildings. Silver Rade spoke as they walked, "Ace Gold, Fluttershy... how are they?"

"Both alive, well." Cinder stated, before amending that after a moment, "They've got a few extra scars... more than a few. But both of them are stronger than they've ever been."

"You sound fond of them."

"I've caused them a lot of trouble." Cinder answered, making the understatement of the century, "But I've seen their quality first hoof. Ace Gold is one of the greatest warriors on the planet, and a hero to thousands."

Silver Rade said nothing, only turned her head away. The grey pony on the other hoof chuckled, "Good kid."

Cinder turned to the pony, the resemblance bugging her now. She was sure she had seen her somewhere before, "I'm sorry, we weren't introduced. I'm Fallen Cinder."

The grey pony smiled, "Is it really so bad, that you don't recognize me?"

"You... do look familiar..." Cinder started.

The pony nodded, then gave a smile full of warmth and kindness, transforming her face into something immediately more familiar, "My name is Homage. It's very nice to meet you Fallen Cinder."

Cinder choked, amazed she hadn't realized, "I'm sorry! I... you've lost weight..."

"I know." She stated with a look of quiet sadness, "It's been a tough few months. But if you can open up that shield around the SPP, let's just say it will get a hell of a lot easier."

"Well I'll give it a go." She answered as they passed through the final fence and into the courtyard of the single pegasus project. It was smooth from the outside, polished and clean, it's shields leaving it untouched by any external forces. No symbol or marking graced the outside, all just white plastic. It had no windows, all access ports cunningly disguised. Cinder walked forward and touched the shield, meeting solid, unyielding mass, "So these are the shields?"

"Yes." Homage answered, moving forward herself, "Once they allowed me access, but a few months ago everything just sealed itself off. We have no idea why." She touched the shield with her own hoof, "For centuries the enclave triiieeeeee...!"

Everyone involved gave a gasp as Homage met not solid shield, but empty air. She fell through and sprawled across the cobblestones beyond, picking herself up and looking back in confusion, "I'm... inside?"

Silver Rade tapped the shield, "Just you it seems."

"Well... I did have access." Homage noted, looking about for answers, "The system might have finally rebooted."

"Or somepony else rebooted it. Which means we don't have much time." Cinder informed them, moving swiftly to her own plan. Or rather... the enclave's plan. It was worth noting it had never been entirely disproved, "Homage... um... this is a somewhat personal request, but I need a DNA sample."

Homage looked skeptical, "Or I could just open up the shields from the inside."

"You can do that?"

"I just have to go to the central control room." Homage replied, "It's not far..."

"Homage. "Cinder insisted, "I'm sure there's somepony there with you. Somepony very dangerous."

She narrowed her eyes, "Who?"

Cinder decided to go with plan B. She had squirreled away Dream Star's DNA pattern previously, having figured it might come in useful. At this point she was really glad she had, cloaking herself in it, pushing it out into the identification matrix of the shielding system, feeling it yield before her...

...and she found herself on the other side, Homage's hoof having strayed to a laser pistol at her hip. Homages eyes were challenging, "How did you...?"

"The shields identify us through our DNA." She quickly explained, "Like the enclave was trying to find Rainbow Dash's DNA so they could use it to fool the shields."

"So... you used the DNA of one of us?"

"No." Cinder explained gravely, "I used Dream Star's."

"Dream Star has access to the SPP?" Silver Rade asked, then looked to Homage with an serious look, "Homage, she's right. You should all stay there, for your own safety. I will fetch Calamity, and the others."

"No." Homage answered, her eyes now bearing a cold hardness. She looked back at Cinder, "Dream Star is in there, with Littlepip?"

"She was planning to hack herself access through the shield, then teleport in from the portal in Tenpony Tower." Cinder confirmed, "And since my method worked... it looks like she succeeded."

Silver Rade's expression grew even more stormy, "She must have rebooted the system from the control room. So she will have complete access to defenses, cameras..."

Homage nodded, then looked back at Silver Rade, "Go get Calamity, and his best soldiers. I'll make sure the shields are down when they get here."

"Homage." Silver Rade reasoned, "Dream Star is extremely dangerous, and we don't know how many accomplices she has. You need to wait for backup..."

Homage shook her head, "Silver Rade, you and I both know Calamity doesn't belong in a fight anymore. And who else can get through these shields?" She gave a sad smile, "Reggie, Life Bloom, Velvet, Ditzi Doo..."

Silver Rade cursed, then looked at Cinder, "Why can't she do that trick on all of us?"

"Sorry." Cinder admitted reluctantly, "I can only cast the spell I used on myself, and it's... difficult to teach."

"I'll be fine." Homage insisted, "We're wasting time debating it."

Silver Rade frowned, "So you want to take along a mare you hardly know as your only backup?"

"Beggars can't be choosers." Homage noted, before turning her head to Cinder, "I only need to know one thing... can you beat her?"

"No." Cinder admitted, "But I can keep her busy long enough for you to bring those shields down."

"Good enough." She stated, "Let's go."

Cinder followed Homage towards the featureless wall of the SPP, Homage moving to a near imperceptible panel and opening it up to reveal a keypad. A few presses later and the wall slid open to reveal a doorway into the structure, Cinder admitting a thrill as they stepped inside. This... this was the Single Pegasus Project. The throne of the lightbringer.

"Sunny!" Homage called out as the made it into the lobby, a noticeable hint of desperation in her voice, "Damnit..."

"Who are you looking for?" Cinder asked, staring up at the posters and trying to not look too much of a giant tourist.

"The SPP artificial intelligence." She looked at the consoles installed at the reception desk, "It's telling me the mainframe is up and running..."

"I am indeed! Hello everypony, I'm Puppy!"

Cinder looked up in shock, even though she really should have expected this, "Puppysmiles!"

Homage frowned, "Who?"

Cinder hesitated. The last time they had spoken she had tried to kill Puppy, and was firmly a bad guy, "Please, it's me, Star Swirl!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry Miss Swirl, but I'm completely slaved to the protocols Spark Plug has me running under. It seems evil artificial intelligences built for world domination by a tribe of psychopathic warmongers are really good at following orders." Puppy delivered a disturbingly casual giggle, "Any orders."

"Puppy, you have to break free!" Cinder shouted, "I know you're stronger than this!"

"Miss Dream Star has also installed a full list of heroic clichés. That was number #17, if you match five in a row you win a prize!"

Homage shot Cinder a glare, "Don't waste time debating her. If I know Dream Star, she built her to be as annoying as possible."

"And you do know Dream Star don't you Homage?" Puppy stated cheerfully as Cinder followed Homage through the security centre, "You were there, when a bunch of egomaniacal, selfish, militaristic pricks destroyed her dream and doomed Equestria to a decade of further chaos and hatred."

Cinder looked about as they entered the long corridor leading towards the central command section, staring down at the gardens below. She couldn't let herself become distracted though, looking at Homage ahead, "You know Dream Star?"

"Barely." Homage answered in an irritated tone, "She was leader of the Twilight Society when I was just a filly. But more to the point..." Her head turned, glaring a hole through Cinder's skull, "Star Swirl?"

Damn. She knew that had been a mistake, "I..."

"You're the traitorous Follower who helped Zenai aren't you?" She accused hotly, stopping where she was and turning to face Cinder down, "You thought you could just change your coat, change your name, sneak right by me? Good plan I guess, all alicorns look alike right?"

Cinder shook her head, feeling it was the wrong time for this conversation, "It's far more complicated than you think, and far too complicated to go into now. We just need to stop Dream Star..."

"I need to be sure I don't get shot in the back." Homage explained, eyes challenging, "Because from where I'm standing, this is all your fault."

Cinder sighed, dropping her head. She didn't really know what to say, "Look... I've made more mistakes than any other creature in history. I've had a dozen names, every one of them associated with the worst kind of trouble." She brought her eyes up to meet Homage's, "But I'm trying to do the right thing. I'm not going to defend my judgment for a moment, but all I'm asking is you let me help you."

Homage's expression softened a little, "And why should I?"

"Because if I was going to betray you, I wouldn't need to stab you in the back." She explained, keeping her voice firmly under control as she delivered nothing but hard facts, "I went hoof to hoof with Xephyr, Element of Harmony, twice. I faced down a whole army of mercenaries single hoofed, conquered the legendary labyrinth of Philious, and beat Princess Luna of Dusklight one on one."

Homage's jaw dropped, just a little, "You... Xephyr?"

"With a record of two wins, and one draw." Cinder replied. She then promptly materialized the Spear of Celestia in front of her, suspended in midair, "This is the personal weapon of Princess Celestia. I claimed it for my own against Rainbow Dash's ghost."

Homage shook her head, "You're making this up."

Cinder smirked, rather enjoying this, "If just half of it is true, admit this. I'm the only pony in a hundred miles who would last a second against Dream Star."

Homage stared at her for a second longer before finally delivering a soft nod, "Fair enough. And you're right about not having time for a long discussion."

Cinder nodded back, "Then let's go."

They continued down the corridor, Cinder soon wanting to just break into a gallop and speed this up. Still a quick look at Homage showed the mare was already having trouble keeping up with Cinder's longer legs, indeed she appeared to be breathing quite heavily, "Are you ok?"

Homage grimaced, "I'm fine."

Cinder had already noted the mare didn't look well. Cinder ignited her magic, scanning across Homage's body. She immediately noticed there was something wrong with her blood, signs of cyanosis across many of her organs...

...and then she really quickly noticed the laser pistol pointed right at her muzzle. Homage glared from behind it, her eyes furious, "Scan me again without my permission and I'll remove that horn from your head."

Cinder quickly backed down, ducking her head, "I'm... I'm sorry, I shouldn't..."

"As far as I'm concerned, you're still a traitor to the NCR."

Cinder sighed, "You would be right... on a dozen counts. And I shouldn't have scanned you."

Homage grimaced, "You're a... complicated pony aren't you?"

Cinder couldn't help chuckling, "You can say that again."

"And I'm not normally this grumpy." Homage noted, lowering her weapon, "You've caught me under... less than ideal circumstances."

Cinder nodded, giving her a reassuring smile, "I understand. Shall we continue?"

"Lets."

They entered through the door, leading into a long corridor branching off into what looked like offices. Homage led them on, through one of the doors and into a standard cubical area lined with workstations...

...and right across the room, having just entered through the door opposite, was a stallion. He was dressed in a standard utility harness, not particularly distinctive looking. Homage recognized him immediately though, "Scratch?"

"Boss?" He answered, clearly taken off guard.

"What are..." Her eyes came down, her voice instantly choking off as she locked eyes on the revolver hanging from the pony's side.

Scratch followed her gaze, then his head quickly snapped back up, "Wait, I..."

Homage's laser pistol had already cleared her belt, sending forward a burst of blue energy that smacked Scratch dead between the eyes. He gasped and toppled forward, Cinder raising her voice at the unnecessary violence, "Homage, we don't have to kill him!"

"I'm not intending to." She answered, firing another shot at the pony's belly before striding across the room. She quickly unbuckled the revolver from the pony's harness, pressing the barrel against his chin, "But he can consider himself very fired."

"...I... expectedno less..." Scratch gasped, limp under her hooves, "...I should never have listened to her..."

"I specifically ruled out Dream Star as the culprit behind the lockdown!" Homage shouted, frustration now clear, "Was I wrong? Were you lying to me from the beginning?"

"No..." Scratch finally forced out, "...she took advantage of the lockdown... used the access codes and some hacking device from the zebra... with the security systems inoperative..."

"Puppysmiles." Cinder confirmed, then looked to Homage, "The Steel Rangers built an... AI called Puppysmiles to control the NCR's information network. That's what Dream Star was looking for."

Realization dawned in Homage's face, "The SPP AI was down. It couldn't keep Dream Star out any longer."

Scratch choked out his reply, "Yeah..."

Cinder had time to scan Scratch now, identifying a rather efficient little numbing spell having temporary removed most of his fine motor functions. It would keep him down for an hour at least, looking back at Homage, "We need to hurry."

Homage nodded, "What is she doing? Where is she? How many are with her?"

"I... honestly don't know. She won't tell me." Scratch gasped, "But it's just her and Spark Plug up there, in the Equestrian Mapping System room on the third floor."

Homage blinked, "But there isn't anything there!"

Scratch averted his gaze, "There is now."

Cinder looked at the map upon the far wall. It made almost no sense to her, "You know the way?"

Homage nodded, pressing the door release button and heading into an atrium sporting four curved sofas at each corner, along with a heavy duty door at the far end, "I've rarely been on that floor, but I know the way to the stairs."

Cinder nodded and followed her in, "Then lead..."

...and no sooner had they ventured inside than the door slammed shut behind them, a loud locking sound echoed from both exits. Homage swept round in panic, "No...!"

"Hi, I'm Puppysmiles!" Came a familiar cheerful voice over the intercom, "Your friendly tower security system, designed to make sure your stay is as comfortable as possible!"

Cinder looked up at the speaker, "Comfortable?"

"Of course. Letting you reach either of your objectives would be most unfortunate." Came Puppy's reply, "First of all, don't you worry a moment Miss Homage! I've got full access to Littlepip's life support systems and can confirm that she is healthy and content. With the SPP currently down the system has placed her in hibernation mode, keeping her in a restful and pleasant sleep. It would be very unfortunate if you would wake her up, especially with the world in its current state."

"It would be pretty unfortunate for Dream Star too." Homage shot back, "When Littlepip boots you all out of this tower."

"Oh, that seems unlikely." Puppysmiles replied, a deep regret in her voice, "Remember, I have access to Littlepip's vital signs. I think we both know that with the SPP completely under my control, Littlepip would be of little help at present. And if I may be so bold... you're looking a little unwell yourself Miss Homage."

Homage tensed in anger, especially as Cinder looked to her for explanation, "Damn you..."

"And that's the second reason. If you were to try and stop Lady Dream Star, she would have to employ violence to stop you. This would undoubtedly result in you suffering harm." Puppysmiles reasoned, "Plus, there is indeed a chance that you could disrupt her plan to save the world, which would be most unfortunate."

Homage took a deep breath, calming herself. She then spoke again, voice laser focused, "And what is this grand plan of hers?"

"You will know in approximately... three minutes." Puppysmiles informed them, "Until then, I've taken the opportunity to trap you inside the lounge area. Please take a seat, this will be far easier if you remain relaxed."

Cinder looked around the room, but there were no controls, access points...

"The plan will commence in T minus two minutes and thirty seconds..."

Ace Gold stepped off the chariot and hurried down the ramp, looking across the camp. A big pair of hellhounds in black armor inscribed with the Follower symbol were already keeping their plasma rifles locked on him, more robed figures beyond hurrying to prepare for his unexpected arrival. Pyrelight ignored them all, soaring across the camp to land on a radio antenna standing over a huddled group of figures. They parted as a familiar mare pushed her way through, her eyes scanning across Ace Gold and his ride with sharp intelligence, "Pyrelight would never lead an enemy here. Stop huddling me and bring him over, he clearly went to a great deal of effort to find us."

One of the hellhounds growled as she marched forward, "High Elder, I must insist..."

"If they've found us, we're already dead." Velvet Remedy answered, locking eyes with Ace, "So tell us stranger, are we dead?"

Ace Gold's tongue knotted for a moment, his mind overwhelmed by the experience of looking straight at her. After all this time, after everything that had happened... his mother looked at him like he was a stranger, and yet he couldn’t remember the last time she had ever paid so much attention to him. He honestly wasn't sure how to feel about that, "I'm doing my best to make sure that doesn't happen."

"Well..." Velvet began, before her eyes flicked upward, "What is that?"

Ace turned, watching in mounting horror as a bright light shone out across the horizon. From his estimation... it originated from the SPP.

He took a deep breath as it wash across the landscape, knowing immediately... Star Swirl had failed.

Chapter 5.10 - A Perfect World

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She gasped, feeling cool air on her face, feeling it fill her lungs. Hooves met cobbled stone and she stumbled, her body heavy and unbalanced, head full of unexpected sensations.

She finally managed to look up, seeing Canterlot rear up around her. It was all so familar, the streets, the buildings. Like she had only been here just yesterday.

White stone, striped roofs, the mountain air, the warm sunlight... she wondered if she was dreaming, because she knew it was impossible.

"Excuse me miss, are you ok?"

She looked round at the pony who had spoken, a elderly unicorn with a kindly smile. She attempted to smile back, though she was still fighting to remain calm in the face of this unexpected situation, "Yes thank you. I'm simply... feeling a little dizzy."

"It's the mountain air I expect." The pony explained, "Newcomers often underestimate it. And I haven't seen you around miss..."

"Sunny Days." She answered, not hesitating. She looked around, trying to spot some sort of imperfection, some clue to what was going on, "So what's the word on the street in Canterlot today? Anything I should know about?"

"Oh no, just another peaceful day. The Princess makes sure of that."

Sunny Days looked up at Canterlot Palace, "Princess?"

"Princess Dream Star of course." The elderly unicorn confirmed, "It's a true blessing to live under the protection of a real princess, I tell you that. She would never let anything disturb the peace she built, a real dilligant lady."

"Is that so?" She whispered to no one in particular, before turning her head back to the elder pony, "Do you know Littlepip, Deadshot Calamity, Homage, Velvet Remedy or Ditzi Do?"

"I certainly know General Calamity." He answered with cheer, "He's retired now you know? Lives on the second ring with his family."

"Does he now?" She answered before giving a smile and a polite nod, "Thank you good pony, you have been very helpful."

"No problem." He replied, tipping an invisible hat, "Now you be careful now you hear?"

Oh, she intended to be.

It was... an experience, being on four hooves again. She had taken a look at herself in a shop window, faced with a white furred, blue mained unicorn mare in early middle age. She wondered what exactly lay behind such an image, whether it had been formed at random or had been carefully designed.

She was unique in one respect. She looked round at the ponies in the street and attempted to grasp their true forms and spirits, quickly becoming aware that these were all the avatars of real ponies. It was like... their spirits were being projected into this place.

And she knew what this place was now. It hadn't taken too long to work out, a symptom of her condition. She had interacted with the world through crude technology for so long, she had forgoten what the real world felt like. Ultimately... nothing like this. The air was too uniform, the area too clean, the heat and light not quite matching up with the postion of the sun.

This was a projection, a... computer generated fabrication. And all these ponies were trapped in it.

She finally reached Calamity's house after a long trek through the city, remembering this place had once been home to a prominant Canterlot noble. Now it's vast gardens were inhabited by very different ponies. Very familar ones.

Velvet Remedy, Calamity, Ace Gold, Elegant Waters, Pitch Perfect... they laughed and played in the warm summer sun, not a care in the world. They were united, happy, safe. And Sunny Days knew Velvet and Calamity's magic well enough to reach into their spirits, to follow the connection back...

...these were the real ponies. Even as they played here, their real forms lay in the real world sleeping.

She went to move forward, to go and speak to them, tell them what was happening. But... something stopped her. She looked back to see Calamity and Velvet embracing, feeling her heart break just a little. She had spoken to both of them during their divorce. She had seen their pain and heartbreak first hoof. She... couldn't break this up. She couldn't introduce unhappiness and heartbreak back into their lives after all this.

Even if she knew their happiness was a lie.

Sunny Days sat on a park bench, watching the ponies pass by. They laughed and smiled, and little by little she unraveled the true behind their happiness. She felt the wooden surface of the bench and indentified the code making her think it was real.

And in the heads of the ponies around, a subtle insistant message programmed into their brains.

"You are safe. You are protected. You are happy."

It was all a lie, but it was an amazing one. Celestia knew the crusader mainframes that sat inside the SPP could theoretically create something like this, that the mind machine interface of the pod could bring a pony inside a simulation like this, that there were spells that could amplify that effect across a number of ponies... indeed, you could run that spell through the SPP's emitters. Through the MASEBS system. The SPP didn't lack for power. With all the towers currently operative, you could reach the entirity of Equestria.

But this simulation, it was so real, so accurate. Like it had been taken from the real thing...

...and Twilight had been working on something like that hadn't she? A constantly updating, scale map of Equestria, down to the tiniest detail. Celestia was aware that it had never been installed, had been lost when the Whitetail Woods had been hit by megaspells.

Sunny Days shook her head. It was possible, and if something was possible... Dream Star could bring it to life.

And that was just it wasn't it? Dream Star had won. She had finally beaten her in their little game, taken control of the SPP. She had achieved her dream, and it was beyond anything Sunny Days could have guessed. Indeed... she was actually a little impressed. Proud even.

"Don't be fooled everypony!"

Sunny Days looked up, the voice very familar.

"Open your minds to the truth! This peace, this happiness... it's all a lie! Why do we never hear of anything outside the city, why does no one ever leave?"

Sunny Days moved from the bench and trotted closer to the source of the voice, impressed to see of all things a literal soap box. And on that box... "Homage."

"Princess Dream Star is lying to us all!" Homage shouted at anypony who would listen, "Just stop for a moment and think! This world doesn't make any sense!"

"Hey!" Came a loud, authoritive voice from nearby, Sunny Days turning to see a group of royal guardponies approaching. She didn't recognise any of them, especially their leader. He was dressed in the captain's uniform, a broad faced, solid framed earth pony. Sunny Days noted that he, like the others, was armed with military grade shotguns and stun rods. They came closer to Homage, the captain giving her a challanging look, "I've warned you before Homage!"

"Fully armed I see Captain Dust Kicker." Homage accused, "Clearly silencing one little journalist requires you to be packing enough firepower to take down your average dragon."

"Well you always said that words are stronger than any weapon." Dust Kicker responded, "And you're not a journalist anymore, remember?"

Homage stepped down from the box, facing him eye to eye, "That title is not something you can take from me captain."

"You'll find I can take a lot from you." Dust Kicker responded, "I seems you're just asking for a demonstration."

"You don't scare..."

Sunny Days gasped as Dust Kicker cut Homage off with a vicious right hook, smacking her across the jaw and knocking her to the floor. She struggled to roll back to her feet but the other two guards had already moved, both of them striking her flanks with their stun rods and forcing her back down.

"Hey!" Sunny Days shouted, advancing forward with conviction. She felt the heat build in her horn, all three guards turning to look at her, "Let her go!"

Dust Kicker gave a sigh, lifting his shotgun, "Step away miss."

Sunny Days tensed, feeling her muscles bunch and her magic spark. She could take this brute, and his friends. But then sense dawned. She didn't know what she could do frankly, and she was seriously out of practice. Not to mention taking on royal guards, in a public area, in defense of someone clearly known to them? "I'm sorry officer, but I do believe you've made your point." She stated in as diplomatic a tone as she could manage, letting her magic fade away. She waved a hoof at Homage, "Allow me to take her home, and you will have no further trouble today."

Dust Kicker smiled, looking intreigued, "Well you at least know your manners. What's your name?"

She did her best not to react to his leering, "Sunny Days."

"Well then Sunny Days..." He backed away, slapping his shotgun before motioning sharply back at her, "...we'll be watching you."

Sunny nodded politely, "Of course. Good luck on your duties officers."

"Did you get into trouble again?!"

Sunny turned, unable to keep hr smile hidden at that voice, that face. She fought to keep her reaction muted, still... how could she? The mare herself, her face splattered with greese, her hair uncombed and tustled... young. Unmarked by time or illness. That was strange, Homage after all appeared at her true age.

"Yeah... a little." Homage admitted.

"Well... um... I'm sorry." Littlepip stated nervously, clearly self concious as she noticed Sunny's stare, "Do I know you?"

"Oh... no. I simply know you by reputation." Sunny lied quickly. She noted this shop was a tinkers, figuring Littlepip had been studying engineering of late, "I'm told you're really good at fixing things."

Homage chuckled, "Like toasters."

"And your face, after you piss off the guards for the hundreth time." Littlepip retorted, shaking her head, "Another bruise?"

"It's alright." Homage soothed, looking over at Sunny, "This mare helped me. Convinced them to leave me alone."

"So now you're dragging others into this?" Littlepip asked, before bowing her head to Sunny, "Miss, I deeply appologise."

"Actually, she has a point." Sunny noted, studying Littlepip for a moment before realising what she needed would almost certainly need her permission, "I realise this sounds... rude, but may I scan you with my magic?" She blushed slightly, noting that her social nicities had certainly declined, "It may allow us all some answers."

Littlepip frowned, "Answers?"

"To Homage's concerns."

Littlepip lifted an eyebrow, "Why me? Why not Homage?"

"Would you believe that you're special?"

Homage's face cycled through several emotions. Littlepip on the other hoof merely looked offended, "No."

"You are special Littlepip." Homage stated with sincerity.

"No, I'm not. I'm honestly the most boring pony in this city." She frowned up at Sunny, eyes suspisious, "Especially compared to you. I've certainly never seen you around, and yet you seem to know me. And you're..."

"...very strange." Sunny concluded with a smile, "Are you curious as to why that is?"

Littlepip drew back a little, her expression softening, "Go ahead then."

Sunny nodded, igniting her horn. The first thing she noted is that Littlepip seemed... less real than anyone else she scanned. More like the surrounding enviroment than anything else, infinately less complex and messy than any of the others...

...indeed, a lot like herself. And that led to another thing they had in common, they didn't resemble their real world equiviants. That led to one conclusion. That while the others had all been somehow copied onto the system, somepony had made a dedicated effort to modify her and Littlepip's avatars, perhaps even create them wholescale.

She looked deeper, for some sort of connection. To the SPP, to anything. But there was nothing there, just the same thin thread of soul.

That unfortunately left her with few options, "Littlepip, do you remember Deadshot Calamity? Velvet Remedy?"

Littlepip frowned, "Sure. They live at the mansion on the hill, I think I met them once or twice. They seemed nice."

Sunny sighed, shaking her head. Those were the wrong names, too familar, "What about Xenith, Xephyr?"

Littlepip frowned, "Those sound like Zebra names. I... don't think there are any zebra here." A look of pain crossed her face and she averted her eyes, "At least... not for a long time."

Better, "What about... Steelhooves, and Gawd?"

Homage gave a little gasp, Littlepip quickly swallowing a burst of emotion. Homage spoke first, "I know those names... but I don't know where from."

Sunny smiled softly, her heart warmed. It seemed whatever had happened, it wasn't strong enough to totally erase their names from the hearts of their friends, "You know me too. But you've been made to forget."

Homage spoke, anger in her tone, "By who?"

Sunny lowered her head, that being a good question. But there was only one answer, "Dream Star."

"Princess Dream Star?" Littlepip exclaimed, "But she's... our Princess. She raises the sun, she protects us. She's... perfect and pure, and..."

Sunny furrowed her brow in irritation at Littlepip's all too familar words of praise, realised something very wrong with this situation. If her and Littlepip's avatars had been altered, if she alone had retained her memories, if by sheer concidence she had happened to run into Homage... then this was no concidence at all. And she recognised the look of Littlepip's face, the look of infactuation and awe, "Dream Star! This isn't a game!"

"Everything is a game." A voice stated, young and pure, yet somehow hollow and cold. The speaker stepped out of the shadows, her body seeming to just form out of thin air as the light illuminated her pink fur and bright yellow mane, "One you two have been playing for a very long time."

Sunny studied the new arrival. She was pink like Dream Star, but otherwise looked nothing like the mare, "Who are you?"

"It's the oracle..." Homage breathed in both awe and terror, "...Lady Puppysmiles."

Sunny frowned, recognising her. But... it made no sense, "Puppysmiles is dead."

"That didn't stop you. Or Dream Star." Puppysmiles grinned happily, like a child. It looked wrong, unnatural, "The gates of hell are closed to beings as unnatural as us."

Sunny closed her eyes. She had enjoyed their games well enough, but this... this is why she never let Dream Star win, "Enough. This is between us, so just let the others go."

"Go where?" Puppysmiles asked, then turned her eyes to Homage, "Miss Homage, how would you like to be only able to hold Littlepip for a few hours a month, to be riddled with a chronic desease that causes you constant pain, and will kill you before you hit fifty?"

Homage blinked, "What?"

"Miss Littlepip." Puppysmiles then stated to the next mare, her happy smile continuing unabated, "How would you like being near perminantly stuck inside a metal coffin, knowing that your lifespan will allow you to outlive all your friends while your body will decay to the point where you'll be never be able to see or touch the world ever again? To sit and watch others destroy everything you fought for, and be unable to do anything to stop it?"

"What...?" Littlepip asked in quiet, scared little voice, "What is she talking about?"

"And that is any different than this?" Sunny retorted, "This is a simulation, a lie! What is going on in the real world!? What is happening to their bodies while...?"

"Who cares?"

Sunny shook her head, "Their bodies must be still out there! I can feel the connection..."

"Littlepip burned your body." Puppysmiles stated casually, "You were too attached to this world to let a thing like the decay of meat be the end for you."

Sunny gasped, her insides going cold. That... that couldn't be. That couldn't happen, "Their souls..."

"Are bound to this place now. Like you. And when their bodies finally die, those souls will remain, here."

"You... how? You trapped... their souls?"

"I freed them." Puppysmiles corrected, "From pain, from suffering... from death itself."

"You can't!" Sunny shouted, tears forming in her eyes. She had pondered at what Dream Star would do if she found her way inside, what her plans could possibly be. She wondered what insane plot a mind as damaged and traumatised as hers could concoct.

But this... this was more than she ever dreamed possible, "You can't do this Dream... this... this isn't the answer..."

"You haven't a clue what the answer is Celestia." Puppysmiles answered, "All you can do is sit back and enjoy my perfect world."

Chapter 5.11 - Hopes and Dreams

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Celestia looked out the window of Littlepip and Homage's home, taking a long moment to marvel at her city. She had forgotten how beautiful it was.

She had to consider her situation, and what she knew of Dream Star. It was clear that a lot of this was for Celestia's benefit, bringing her together with Homage and Littlepip, providing her with clues to her situation, all but challenging her to battle. What did Dream Star want? Validation, approval? Was she simply bored now she had won?

She paused her musings as she saw a small troop moving down the road towards the building, recognizing Dust Kicker at the head of a dozen troopers. But leading them... it was an alicorn, silver grey in color with a darker grey mane, clad all in silver armor with a black cloak drawn across her flank.

Whoever she was, she was bad news, "Homage, we need to leave now."

She moved to the stairs leading to the workshop, Homage already dressed in concealing clothing and drawing a hood across her head. Homage looked up at Celestia as she descended, "Trouble?"

"A group of soldiers, lead by a big alicorn."

Homage took a deep breath, "Justicar... damnit! Littlepip!"

"Just a little longer..."

Celestia located the mare at her voice, crouched over a work bench with her tools scattered around an a big device at her hooves. Whatever it was, she doubt it could fight off a whole group of armed soldiers, "We don't have any more time."

Littlepip cursed under her breath, then lifted up the device with her telekinesis and tucked it into a large saddlebag. She quickly hoisted it up on her shoulders, rummaging through some nearby shelves for other items before Homage took the mare's head in the crook of her arm and hurried her towards the back of the room, "This way, there's a back exit."

Celestia used her telekinesis to shift some large cabinets against the door to the shop before following, finding herself out in a alleyway behind. She followed after Littlepip and Homage, looking behind for signs of pursuit. None yet...

"So where are we going?" Littlepip asked, sounding a bit worried, "I mean do either of you have any sort of plan?"

Celestia chuckled despite their situation, "I was hoping you would have some ideas."

Littlepip also laughed, though it was a little strained, "Are you kidding? I'm terrible at plans."

"And she's still smarter than me." Homage noted, before looking back at Celestia, "You're the hero from another world. Don't you have any idea?"

Lots of them. Too many. Celestia had been told many a time that she was very smart, but that was all spoiled by on huge problem... if she was as smart as they say, they wouldn't be in this mess.

Still it didn't hurt to go back to the basics, "We need the elements. Deadshot Calamity, Velvet Remedy, Ditzi Doo..."

And then she paused, watching the other two open their eyes wide in horror. Littlepip opened her saddlebag with her customary reaction speed, still without a proper holster it just wasn't fast enough...

...Celestia felt her head slam into the ground with juddering force, a stomp to her underside driving the air from her lungs. A burst of magical energy hit the ground in front of Homage and Littlepip, the explosion of light that resulted dropping Homage instantly.

Littlepip on the other hoof shielded herself with her saddlebag, rolling away and bringing up a large, slapdash construction from the bag’s tattered remains. It looked like it had been made out of household plumbing, along with a pressure gage that appeared to have been taken from a vacuum cleaner. It certainly didn't look enough to level the playing field between her and the silver alicorn who now leapt to finish her off.

And then Littlepip pulled the trigger and the alicorn's shields sparked wildly, causing her to slow and stumble as her momentum faltered. Littlepip was already moving, flanking the alicorn and firing another shot that sent her stumbling into a wall.

Celestia forced herself upwards and leapt at the alicorn, though she was a little too hasty in retrospect. Still stunned and off balance, she was powerless to dodge as the alicorn reacted with terrifying speed, lashing out with a back hoof and nailing Celestia in the jaw. Still it distracted the silver alicorn for a crucial moment, allowing Littlepip to line up a head shot...

...and the weapon proceeded to jam up with an ugly clunking sound. Littlepip's eyes went wide and she looked down at it, that brief moment more than long enough for the silver alicorn to drive a knee into Littlepip's face then turn to buck her hard enough to fling her down the alleyway into some trashcans.

She didn't come back out.

Celestia concentrated on her healing, careful to not move too quickly again. With Littlepip and Homage down, she was their last chance. She closed her eyes, tried to look out of the fight...

She detected motion and burst into action, taking down the first guard with a buck, then slammed the second into the wall with a shoulder charge. That was when she realized there was near a dozen ofthem swarming into the alleyway, trying to open her wings to give herself some space... but then realizing she didn't have any wings.

The silver alicorn caught her in her telekinesis, holding her long enough for the guards to all unload their tazers on her at once.

.......she...... had taken worse... she didn't even feel the impact as she fell, limp and sprawling.

"Are we bringing her in Justicar?"

Celestia opened her eyes, seeing Dust Kicker speaking to the silver alicorn. The alicorn's head looked down at Celestia at his question, studying her with a deep, ice cold contempt, "This can't be the one we're looking for. She's far too weak."

Celestia... remembered that name... something about... she extended a hoof, touching the alicorn's leg, "Twilight... made you..."

"To replace Princess Celestia. To become the future of alicorns in Equestria." Justicar answered, "Celestia was clearly becoming too old and weak for that role."

Celestia felt back, defeated. She was right. Twilight was right. She deserved to lay here, defeated at the hooves of her successors.

"Take Homage with us. Leave the other two." Justicar ordered, turning her back sharply on Celestia, "They are clearly no threat."

Celestia figured she should do something, try and fight. But she was just too tired, too old. She decided to just go with the flow... and fell unconscious.

...

"Wake up!"

What had she just said? She was sleeping now, she was clearly in no condition to fight! Besides... what could she do?

"Wake the fuck up... please?"

Celestia opened one eye, rather surprised to see the alleyway was empty. All except for... Littlepip, standing there with tears in her eyes, "Mmm... what happened?"

"They took Homage!" Littlepip answered, her voice shaking with emotion, "They took her, and there was nothing I could do about it!"

Her and Littlepip walked the streets, putting some vague effort into stealth but already realizing the truth. Dream Star knew everything that happened here, their continued presence at her sufferance. Honestly there was little she could do if Dream Star did come after them, judging from that rather pathetic display.

"Justicar is Dream Star's greatest warrior." Littlepip finally mentioned, breaking the silence between them, "Honestly, I'm amazed we even managed to slow her down."

"The Justicar?" Celestia figured to made sense, Justicar and Dream Star had known each other. Still the alicorn had looked nothing like the mare, not to mention the last time she had checked up Justicar was a file clerk for the followers. She certainly fought well, thought that was little excuse, "I guess so... though it is depressing to see just how I matched up against one of those alicorns."

"Well... they're alicorns." Littlepip noted nervously, flushing a little in a manner Celestia realized was arousal, "They're perfect."

"Far from it." Celestia answered, more by furious instinct than conscious thought, "We fail, we break, we die."

"Wait a second..."

Celestia nodded, stepping forward until she stood at the crest of a jutting outcropping, looking out over the distant, indistinct villages and hamlets of heartlands Equestria. She remember when it had all been raw, untouched, a virgin land ready for a new start... for all of them, "I had wings once. They called me perfect."

Littlepip's voice lowered, "What... happened?"

"Whether by sense of duty or ego, I tried to live up to those expectations." Celestia explained, "I failed."

Littlepip hesitated at this, her tone uncertain, afraid, "Well... we all make mistakes..."

"Then what is there left to believe in?"

Littlepip looked up at her, hesitant. Finally she spoke, her tone soft and gently reverent, "Friendship?"

Celestia chuckled, nodding up at her, "Well, let us test it now shall we?"

"I'm sorry, but Absolutely Everything is closed for the day... ah, unless you really really need something, in which case... oh dear, Driftwing, please don't roll around in that puddle, it's dirty. And Rosebud, could you climb down out of that tree?"

Celestia levitated the two mewling children out of their predicament, dropping them back down among the mass of similar fillies and foals themselves causing trouble around the grounds of the rather tatty old manor house they currently stood outside. She admitted she couldn't help feeling somewhat speechless, stood before a pretty young pegasus mare of grey fur and deep yellow eyes, one of which roamed cheerfully independent of the other.

Maybe this place really was a perfect world.

"I'm sorry Miss Do..."

"Call me Ditzi." The mare cheerfully replied as Littlepip nervously introduced herself, giving a huge, charming smile, "Everypony does."

"Ditzi..." Celestia finally forced out, watching the children run around her legs, "Are these ]all yours?"

"Oh no, none of them are actually." Ditzi admitted, then cheerfully shrugged her shoulders, "But I have a big house and lots of love, so I figured why not share it out a little?"

"Are these mares bothering you Ditzi?" Came a big booming voice from the house itself, soon proving to belong to a strapping bat pony seemingly built entirely of lean muscle. He regarded them suspiciously as he advanced, carefully moving to stand a little before Ditzi Do, "Littlepip, yes? You have a habit of associating with trouble."

"Lionheart!" Ditzi protested, "Don't be rude!"

"Please, both of you." Celestia forced out, though her resolve was fading by the moment, "You must recognize this mare. She is Littlepip, and you know her far better than simple acquaintance suggests."

Ditzi hesitated, "I... really do don't I?"

"No." Lionheart stated firmly, "Why have you two come here? To exploit my wife's good nature? To get her into trouble, to get her killed?"

Littlepip actually bristled a little at this, "Sitting around and doing nothing gets ponies killed just as surely as the opposite."

"As I thought." Lionheart replied, advancing forward to look Littlepip firmly in the eye, "I do know you. Trouble follows your hoofsteps Little Reaper, and your words are the most dangerous of all."

Celestia frowned, seeing understanding in Lionheart's eyes. That unsettled her far more than the opposite, "Lionheart, you have never shied away from a fight..."

"And you know what the aftermath has taught me?" Lionheart replied sharply, "That when you inspire all the good ponies of the world to fight and die for a cause, all that's left afterwards are cowards, traitors and crooks." He extended a hoof to shift Ditzi do back, then looked to the scurrying kids, "And the countless orphans left behind."

Littlepip raised a hoof, "But..."

"It's alright Littlepip." Celestia stated sadly, looking to the smiling children and realizing the truth, "He's right. And we're sorry for bothering you."

Littlepip looked up at the large estate in front, dominating most of the street. It was clearly important, but Littlepip didn’t seem intimidated, instead her body language clearly illustrated her irritation. Her words were clipped, "Well let's hope this goes better."

"Ditzi Do isn't a fighter Littlepip." Celestia reluctantly explained, feeling bad for even asking, "She has far more noble qualities than that."

Littlepip just sniffed, making her way up to the thick looking front door and lifting her hoof to knock. She hesitated then, her eyes moving to take in the full extent of the house, "Velvet Remedy and Calamity are heroes of the city. Legends."

Celestia smiled, "So are you."

"No I'm not... at least not here, and..." She shook her head, "I don't feel like one."

Celestia moved up beside her, "Then allow me."

She extended her magic to give the door knocker a hard rap, then waited for a response. They didn't have to wait long, the door soon opening to reveal a teenaged unicorn stallion, small statured and pretty, with thick blond hair, "Yes?"

Celestia recognized the boy, though she had never spoken to him in person, "Ace Gold, yes?"

The boy narrowed his eyes, "Do I know you?"

"Not personally, but we know your parents." Celestia explained, "Are they in?"

"Sure..." He answered, still looking a little suspicious, "Just wait here, I'll go..."

"That's ok Ace." Came a warm, familiar voice from behind him, "Let them in."

He looked behind, then moved aside with a reluctant shrug of his shoulders. Celestia led them in, looking across the well appointed entrance hall to the regal figure of Velvet Remedy. She had lost weight since Celestia last saw her, looked... livelier, healthier, "Thank you for your hospitality."

"It's no problem." Velvet explained, then smiled at the smaller figure behind Celestia, "Littlepip right? Step out, and let me take a look at you."

Littlepip reluctantly did so, blushing under Velvet's gaze, "You know who I am?"

"Littlepip. You're a tinkerer, a rather good one. And your wife Homage was taken into custody earlier today."

Littlepip tensed, looking about the room, "Are we in trouble?"

"Not from me. Nor my husband." Velvet assured them, then looked to Ace, "Ace Gold, could you go fetch your father?"

The young pony gave a nod, looking at them with suspicion as he left. Celestia looked to Velvet after he was gone, figuring laying their options on the table straight away was likely the best policy, "Velvet, you must know something's wrong with this place. This world."

"And what is that?"

"It's fake." Celestia explained, "This world is an illusion, designed to keep us trapped."

"Yes..." Velvet sighed, then gave a rather radiant looking smile to Littlepip beside, "And what's your opinion on all of this Miss Littlepip?"

Littlepip went bright pink, "Uh... ah..."

Celestia narrowed her eyes. This wasn't at all what she expected, "Velvet, what are you...?"

"I'm doing something I haven't had the chance to in decades." Velvet answered, "Is that so wrong?"

Littlepip looked to Celestia for explanation, Celestia in turn looking straight back at Velvet Remedy, "You're acting very strangely."

"Where as you are acting exactly as expected." Velvet wearily responded, shaking her head, "Charging about the city, drawing attention to yourselves."

Calamity came in at this moment, opening the door and trotting out into the hall. He was dressed in a suit, though Celestia noted that Calamity retained his ability to make anything he was wearing seem scruffy and informal. He looked at the three in confusion, "What's going on?"

"My friends just came by to say hello." Velvet responded, giving them both a soft smile, "Celestia, I'm deeply flattered you came to us, but isn't it about time the city found others to fight the good fight?" She looked to her husband with deep affection, "Calamity dear, how is the model going?"

"Oh, wonderfully!" Calamity declared cheerfully, then looked to Celestia and Littlepip as he explained, "My son and I are building a scale model of the palace together. It's really coming together."

"As you can see, Calamity is quite busy." Velvet concluded, "And I... I'm getting a little too old for all that running about. I'm happy to conduct my own efforts to improve the situation, but the time when I ran around with you... well, I feel that sort of fun left me behind a long time ago."

Celestia looked at Calamity, happy and healthy, standing beside his wife as he proudly boasted about his children. And she got the point, "And what should we do?"

"I will ask Dream Star to release Homage." Velvet replied, "And in the meantime, maybe the both of you should enjoy all this while you can?"

"All what?" Littlepip asked.

"You should tell her." Velvet stated to Celestia, looking her in the eye in complete seriousness, "What awaits her beyond this place. And what awaits you."

Celestia shook her head, "Do you think that would stop her?"

Velvet chuckled, "No, of course it wouldn't. And that's the problem isn't it?" She sighed, shaking her head, "Take care, both of you. I will contact you again soon."

"We need a plan!"

Words spoken by many of those already knee deep in trouble.

"We have to do something!"

Celestia looked round at Littlepip, "Why should we?"

Littlepip paused at this, her eyebrow rising as she stared, "Excuse me?"

"You saw it as well. She was happy. Calamity is happy, you were happy." Celestia looked up at the towering spires and white washed walls that surrounded her, "This is Canterlot, how it used to be. And it's so beautiful."

"But it's fake."

"Does it matter?" Celestia asked, "This happiness is real, even if it is based on a lie."

Littlepip was silent for a while after this, finally speaking in a quiet tone, "The real world... it's pretty terrible isn't it?"

Celestia nodded, "The worst."

"But who told you I was happy here?"

Celestia turned, looking at Littlepip in suprise, "What?"

"It's safe, hiding in my workshop. Living in this city. Relying on Homage, and the Princess to keep me fed and protected." Littlepip stated grimly, "And I hate it."

Celestia let a small smile escape, "That sounds like you..."

"I want to make a difference. I want my actions to mean something." Littlepip grimaced, "The idea that there's this whole other world out there that needs my help, and that I ran away from that... I think it's been bugging me my entire life."

"But... that's you Littlepip." Celesta reasoned, "I think most ponies just want exactly the opposite. To be safe, and protected."

"Then we get Dream Star to just let me free. I'll save the world on my own." She nodded angrily, "And you can stay here in your perfect world."

Celestia looked at the mare, her heart filled with affection. But deep down she knew where that path led, and that's why... she couldn't let her do it, "Littlepip, can't... you just let yourself be content?"

"That's... a terrible word." Littlepip stated, wincing like the concept caused her physical pain, "I'm not great with stuff, and I honestly don't know why Homage puts up with me. But I've always done my best to improve myself, to confront things that scare me, to learn new skills and find out new ways to help my friends. Because that's what life is, to sit down at the end of the day and know you did something worthwhile."

Celestia shook her head, "What if nothing is worthwhile?"

"Then you try harder!" Littlepip shouted, then angrily turned her back on Celestia and stalked away, "You sit there and feel sorry for yourself. I'm done with that."

Celestia willed herself to follow, but... she didn't have the energy. That sense of purpose that she had when she arrived was gone, and she honestly wondered if it wasn't worth just admitting Dream Star had won. That she was... right.

"Excuse me?"

Celestia looked up, a pair of miss matched yellow eyes staring back at her from the rooftop. A moment later and Ditzi Doo leapt down, landing on the cobbles with a slight stumble before beaming a big smile at her and Littlepip, "Hi... it's me again!"

Celestia smiled softly, always happy to see the mare. Still, she shouldn't be here, "Ditzi Doo, I meant what I said before..."

"I miss them. I remember them, and I miss them."

Littlepip turned back fully now, her attention caught, "What do you mean?"

"My children. My orphanage. My company." Ditzi Doo explained, her smile growing wider as she continued, "I had a big house with a big garden, and dozens of kids all running around. And... I had big kids, all over the country. And they were all working really hard, working to make a better world."

Celestia smiled, the image a happy one, "They were."

"So the real world isn't quite as bad as you say." Littlepip challenged.

"There wouldn't be orphans or a need to make it better if it wasn't fundamentally broken." Celestia noted.

"It made me really happy though." Ditzi Doo commented, chuckling sweetly, "Honestly, it's all a bit... unfulfilling here."

Littlepip smirked, "That's what I said."

"Ditzi... you're mute in that world."Celestia reasoned, "And you're... not quite as pretty as you are here. They cut out your tongue, you've got burns across most of your body..."

Ditzi Doo shrugged, "I never was too good at talking anyway. Or... very pretty."

"Ditzi, you're beautiful..."

"Lionheart doesn't care what I look like does he? And neither did my kids." Ditzi Doo looked to Littlepip, her smile full of energy, "We're good friends aren't we?"

Littlepip nodded, "We are."

"And... does that count for us too?"

They all turned, Calamity and Velvet both standing just down the street wearing expectant looks. Calamity doffed his hat, looking a little sheepish, "If you'd have us."

Littlepip looked confused at this, "Of course! But... why the change of heart?"

"I realized I was falling into old habits." Velvet stated with a sad, far away smile, "Running from my problems, confronting them from a safe distance while others shield me from looking at the brutal reality."

Calamity shook his head, "As normal, you're way too hard on yourself." He turned his head to Littlepip, "Ah'm the former general. Trained most of these jumped up thugs."

Littlepip blushed slightly at the sincerity of his admission, "You're retired..."

"Ah'm not dead." He countered, "And my name still has weight. Ponies still respect me. Ah had a responsibility to use that to make a safe, secure world... wasn't strong enough to do that for you. That’s on me."

Celestia looked at Calamity, feeling at once a common connection there. Out of all the team, out of any pony in the wasteland... if there was one she would put at Littlepip's side, it was Calamity.

"So what's the plan Littlepip?" Velvet asked.

"You're asking me?"

The mare smiled broadly, "I am."

Littlepip squirmed slightly under the attention, eventually forcing out a slightly mumbled reply, "We need to get inside the palace, rescue..." She paused, shaking her head, "No. We need to break Dream Star's power over this place somehow."

"The oracle, Puppysmiles." Velvet stated firmly, "We need to take her out."

Celestia looked to her, "Puppysmiles?"

"She's the source of all this, she must be." Velvet explained, "But I admit, I do not know where she would be."

Celestia felt she was missing something, but trusting Velvet was generally a good idea in her experience, "Then how would we find her?"

"I used to work in the palace." She finally stated, at once an image of cool efficiency, "And I have leverage on the chief clerk Life Bloom. I can get us all inside, and hopefully work that out."

Life Bloom. Celestia once again felt like this was set up for them. With Life Bloom, the only remaining members of the team were Reggie, Xephyr and Xenith. However much those three would have been appreciated however, she doubted any of them were going to be available, "So the team is all together..."

"Except for Homage." Ditzi Do stated urgently, "We can't just abandon her."

"Speaking out of pure pragmatism, Dream Star could easily use her as a hostage." Velvet pointed out, "So Ditzi is right."

Littlepip nodded firmly, "We split up. Infiltrate the palace from multiple points. Confuse them, and give us as many chances to succeed as possible."

"Ah... don't like that idea." Calamity opinioned, "Splitting up never seems wise."

"You can't fight Dream Star and her guards head on." Celestia countered, "I agree that it's not the most comfortable choice, but Littlepip is right. This way if one of you falls, you will still have a chance to succeed."

Littlepip looked at them all, a little smile coming to her face, "Six of us."

Ditzi did a quick headcount, looking briefly confused, "...five?"

"With Homage too. She's definitely Honesty." Littlepip clarified, looking to Ditzi Doo, "Laughter."

Ditzi grinned, "I like that one."

"Kindness, and Loyalty." Celestia continued, nodding to Velvet and Calamity."

"I'm not sure I'm particularly kind." Velvet noted, a little ruefully.

"You are." Calamity objected, before giving a sheepish grin, "I'm not sure I'm particularly loyal."

"To a fault Calamity." Velvet answered, before giving him a fond smile, "But it's still your best quality."

So it was the moment of truth was it? Celestia challenged Littlepip with her stare, daring the mare to make a statement, "Two left."

Littlepip met her stare, passionate and resolute. After a moment she pressed a hoof to her chest, "I'm willing to do anything, give anything to set these ponies free. So that's... generosity." She looked up at Celestia expectantly, "And you... you brought us together."

Magic. Celestia smiled at that, closing her eyes, "The Elements are lost to me I'm afraid. I wish I could use them, but that opportunity has passed."

"And who told you you couldn't use them?"

Celestia sighed, "No one needed to tell me anything..."

"So you did." Littlepip concluded, "You told yourself that you couldn't use the elements."

"Littlepip..." Celestia shook her head, sighing deeply, "I told you that you were a great hero right?"

"Yes."

"And this is your team." Celestia stated, "Calamity, Velvet, Ditzi Doo, Homage. They fought beside you, they supported you. With them, you saved the world."

Littlepip stared intensely at Celestia for several long moments. Then at last... she extended a hoof.

"I can't." Celestia responded, backing away a little and lowering her head in shame, "Everything you suffered, everything that happened to the world... is because I wasn't strong enough. Because I wasn't the hero Equestria deserved." She looked up, brushing away the dampness in her eyes and forcing a smile, "But you are."

"Is that what you tell yourself every day?" Littlepip asked, her tone accusing, "That defiance is pointless, that you're too weak to do anything?"

"Yes... I did." Celestia admitted, "Because convincing myself it was inevitable was easier than continuing to hold on to hope."

"Celestia... you're right." Littlepip stated firmly, looking across her friends, "I feel the connection to each of them. I feel stronger just being around them. There's no ponies I'd rather stand at my back."

Celestia smiled, "It's all you need Littlepip."

"And I feel the same when I look at you."

Celestia smiled as her heart broke, knowing the truth of it, "Because you remember who I once was. Before I destroyed everything I ever cared about in my weakness."

"I remember who we all once were." Littlepip answered, not lowering her hoof, "And I know that together, we can be even better."

Celestia looked at that hoof, remembering Star Swirl, all of her own apprentices, her sister... each had thought so highly of her, and each she knew deep down held more quality than she could ever possess. If she took that hoof she knew that she would just play up her false legend once more, fool everypony into thinking she could protect them... that she had the answers.

...but if she could bleed, if she could suffer, if she could die in the place of any one of these brave little ponies, maybe it was worth it, "Very well Littlepip, you've convinced me." She smiled as she touched her hoof against the mare's, "Let's go save the world."

The Royal Palace. It was identical to how Celestia remembered. And she had spent most of her life here. That at least provided some advantages, "There's a blind spot on the aerial approach to the second tower, and from there it's a straight shot to the Element Chamber. That's at least the second most obvious place to keep something important."

Littlepip shared a look with Ditzi Doo, "And it's just us two?"

"You're the two most equipped for stealth." Celestia explained, "The rest of us would just get in the way."

"I agree." Velvet Remedy stated, "And if this is just a game as you suggested, Dream Star would be more appreciative of a more subtle approach. So that means no going in guns blazing, that we try to keep this as under the radar as possible."

"No problem." Littlepip commented with apprehension, "I really don't want to fight that Justicar mare again."

Celestia nodded. If it was the same Justicar, she was the Goddess's most elite fighter. Sure Littlepip had taken out Nightseer and Singer, but they were both valued for skills other than their combat prowess.

"And Calamity and I will attempt to talk our way in." Velvet Remedy recapped, "But that doesn't explain what you're going to do Celestia."

Celestia sighed, then raised her head high, "I'm going to hand myself in."

There was a chorus of shouts, through all of which Velvet's reply cut like a knife, "That makes sense."

Calamity looked to her, "Velvet?"

"Dream Star wants you. You're the one she's obsessed with." Velvet explained, "You go to her, you'll keep her attention on yourself."

"Hopefully I'll even be able to talk her down." Celestia suggested, though she doubted it would be that easy, "I can only wish you all good luck."

"Likewise." Velvet warned, "Be careful Celestia."

Celestia nodded and continued forward, through the gates and towards the great doors ahead. And even as she did so, she felt herself alerted to a small little switch in her data, was given access privileges to that and that alone. She guessed it was location triggered, and she already realized what it was.

Fine, if they were going to do this, they could do this right. Celestia engaged the switch and braced herself, instantly finding the ground retreat as her legs and neck lengthened, as her body grew outwards, as beautiful white wings erupted from her sides and her hair caught the wind in flowing, shining colors.

The guards ahead looked up at her in wonder and confusion, Celestia looking down on them with imperial majesty, "I am Princess Celestia. I believe Dream Star is waiting for me."

Littlepip couldn't remember if she'd ever had the privilege of being flown before, especially in so exhilarating a manner. Ditzi herself was smooth and gentle, even as the skimmed the trees and tightly hugged the walls, the wind whipping past them as they ascended ever higher.

Finally they broke off, reaching the window at the top and diving straight through before they could be spotted. Littlepip rolled inside and quickly scanned the room for threats, relieved to see nothing but the gently shimmering waters of a large bathing area.

"Oh, this is nice."

Littlepip shushed Ditzi, then moved over to the open doorway and peeked outside. It all looked clear, the well stocked spa area completely still and silent. She retreated back, turning to Ditzi, "So from here we go down right to the bottom right?"

"I guess so." She replied, fluttering her wings, "I'm not sure how much help I'll be inside."

Littlepip admitted the pegasi didn't look like much of a fighter. Though to be fair, neither did she, "You might surprise yourself." She ventured forward, noting to herself how weird it was that a bathing area had both a blind approach and a direct route to the dungeons.

Maybe that was the point?

Ugh... she was clearing that thought out of her brain immediately.

They reached the stairs and descended downwards down the spiral descent, Littlepip hearing voices ahead, guards by the sound of them. They were coming up towards them, Littlepip readying her weapon...

...Ditzi placed a hoof on her shoulder, stepped past and moved ahead. Littlepip was too late to stop her, deciding after a moment's hesitation to hug the central pillar and wait to see what Ditzi intended.

"Oh, I finally found somepony! Are you four free by any chance?"

"Uh... we're on patrol at the moment..."

"It's just that three of our kitchen servers are off sick, and we really need some help down there. Dream Star just told me to handle it, so I’m looking for just about anypony to help!"

"Well we did just have the bathrooms to go, so... is dinner provided?"

"Most definitely! Hey, I’ll even check up there myself, make sure everything’s in place. Thank you! Thank you so much!”

"Well thank you miss. We'll head down immediately."

Littlepip waited for a while, soon faced with Ditzi's bright, shining face. Littlepip raised an eyebrow at the mare, "That was really impressive."

"It's a well trained skill." She admitted, "I tend to screw up a lot, so I got really good at... um... lying to authority figures I guess, thought that sounds really bad..."

"I wish I knew how to do that." Littlepip mused as she waved for them to continue, "And it means you were wrong. You were a lot of help."

"I only hope I can talk us past every obstacle."

Littlepip hoped that too, especially given their next destination. The straight shot to the dungeons thing wasn’t entirely accurate, because there was one obstacle in their way. Naturally the builders of this place hadn't been complete morons so they had placed something to keep the dungeons secure...

The training grounds for the royal guard.

Littlepip felt her hoof rest on the final step, looking to the doorway ahead. She knew that it lead straight to one of their combat arenas, where they would set up mock battles. She didn't hear a sound from beyond, though that didn't mean it was empty. In fact it might have been better if their had been a fight going on, at least then they could blend into the crowd.

She moved forward, pushing the door open ever so slightly and peeking a look. She saw and heard nothing, so she eased it open further, looking out over the rather cavernous chamber.

It was covered in racks of armor and weaponry, spears, plate armor, swords. No guns unfortunately, indeed the place looked dusty and unused, more of a museum than anything. The arena itself was on three steps, bordering two concentric depressions in the ground.

She stepped inside, hearing Ditzi come up behind. Littlepip scanned the place one last time, then located the doorway to the dungeons.

Ditzi spoke up, her voice soft, "Maybe this will be easier than we thought?"

Littlepip kicked the mare backwards to sprawl onto her butt, feeling the bullet whistle past her flank as she did. She immediately turned to track the shooter, firing a blast of her rail rifle and watching it hit nothing but sand.

The stallion rolled into a new position, firing blasts of his shotgun as Ditzi dived screaming for cover. Littlepip fought for an opportunity to return fire but it was all she could do to keep him pinned down and stop him from shooting Ditzi. The mare might have had a silver tongue, but she was less good at keeping her head down. Sad though it was to admit it, she was a liability, "Ditzi!"

"Yeahhgh!" The mare replied as she dashed madly across the arena.

"Go for the door to the dungeons, find Homage!" LIttlepip shouted, rotating around the arena to stand between their opponent and the exit, "I'll hold him off!"

"Right!" She shouted as she made for the exit, ducking inside the doorway as Littlepip kept the other pony's head down with quick blasts of her weapon.

Littlepip heard the door slam behind her. They were alone.

"Not bad. You're a pretty good shot for a smalltime tinkerer."

"And you're a pretty lousy one for the captain of the guard!" She shouted back.

"Ah, it's nice that you recognize me." Dust Kicker replied as he stepped out to fix her with a cool, satisfied grin, "Believe me when I say, I've been looking forward to this for a very long time."

The throne room looked just like Celestia remembered, including to her confusion the stain glass windows depicting her and Luna. In fact not a thing had changed to mark its new ruler, standing there proudly upon the plinth.

She was waiting for her.

Celestia advanced, taking in the alicorn standing there proudly, nobly. She was taller and bulkier than Cadance, though her great grandmother's genetics were strong. She was no simple beauty though, there was a hardness in her face and a sharpness in her cheek bones, a sense of great age that shone through all her apparent youth.

Celestia stopped halfway down the hall, to the point where it was customary for those seeking an audience to pause for summons. Dream Star stepped down off the podium in turn, her eyes cold and hard as she looked upon Celestia. Finally she spoke, "Aunty."

"Technically." Celestia admitted.

"You never told me who you were." Dream Star noted, "But you always knew who I was didn't you?"

"The MASEBS gave me an unparalleled information gathering network." Celestia explained. She extended a hoof in parley, letting a small smile out, "And you were something special Dream Star. The Crying Warrior, you were one of the wasteland's first heroes. Your work clearing out the monsters and bandits from Manehatten might have ensured the future of our race."

Dream Star frowned, lip curling disdainfully, "But it wasn't enough to grant me access to the one thing that could save us all, was it?"

Celestia drew back, shaking her head, "Dream Star... nothing was. You came closer than most, but ultimately I was too afraid to give this power to anypony."

"Except Littlepip."

Celestia smirked, lifting her head and sharing a wry look with Dream Star, "You want to know the truth? I tried to convince Littlepip to leave the SPP, say goodbye to her friends... because I was intending to seal the building to her the moment she left."

Dream Star actually smiled back, "So she... beat you?"

"She did." Celestia sighed, shrugging her shoulders, "Littlepip didn't get in the SPP because she was a better hero, or more moral, or worthier... she did it because she was smarter, sharper, more determined. Than both of us in the end." She pondered that for a moment before looking to Dream Star, "Does that make you feel better?"

"She proved smarter and more determined that anyone expected." Dream Star noted, "Red Eye, the Goddess, you... me."

"Maybe it was destiny." Celestia stated, sharing a light smile with Dream Star, "Maybe she was meant to do this."

Dream Star's smile grew wide at this, "You might be surprised to hear that I've believed in destiny for a long time. Believed we were all put here for a purpose."

Celestia smiled, "I know... and I wish the cutie mark crusaders were here. Because Dream... I don't understand what your cutie mark means." She drew back, shaking her head, "But it doesn't mean this."

Dream Star chuckled, looking down at her flank. The image stood there, sharp and defined, a pillar of white crystal supporting a shining sun. She eventually turned her head back to Celestia, a strange satisfaction in her eyes, "I understand what it means."

"Dream..."

"A tower of the old world, supporting the dreams of the wasteland." Dream Star drew in a deep breath, then nodded behind her, "The controls to shutting down this simulation are behind me."

Celestia hesitated, unsure of her meaning, "And are you going to stand aside?"

Dream Star grinned, "No. And Celestia..."

Celestia frowned, not liking that grin one bit, "What?"

"Are you my friend?"

Celestia hesitated at this, "I... of course."

"Then throw everything you have at me. Don't give me a moment's mercy." Dream chuckled in a deeply chilling fashion, her eyes glinting with a sharp cruelty, "Because I'm not about to hold back."

Celestia shook her head, "Dream Star, I won't fight you."

"Of course you won't." Dream commented breezily, "You just admitted how you weren't going to give the SPP to anyone. How you were intending to hide in there like a coward while everypony in the wasteland died. How since the formation of the NCR you've hidden your survival from those who pray to you daily, how you've not done a thing to share your vast experience with the world, allow them to benefit from your wisdom."

Celestia felt her chest grow tight, anger and shame flushing through her, "I don't have anything left to give..."

"THEN DIE!" Dream Star screamed suddenly, her face contorting in rage, "If you've got nothing left, then delete yourself from the system! Unbind yourself from the SPP, break the hold and pass on to the next world!"

Celestia flushed, feeling a tear come to her eye. It was a perfectly chosen barb, one that she had considered herself many times. One that shamed her each and every day, "...I'm scared to die... I'm a coward..."

"Then why are you here?" Dream Star challenged, stepping forward, "If you're that afraid to protect your ponies, then why even bother coming here to stop me?"

Celestia looked up. Looked at Dream Star standing at the throne of Equestria, threatening its people. Standing the place a dozen or more would be tyrants had stood, and each time Celestia had stood up to fight them.

She was old, and tired, and broken... but at that moment, she realised that was no excuse.

Her wings expanded with a rush of air, the sunlight igniting her feathers in radiant glory. She drew that glory to her horn, ignited it in fire, and felt a rush of pure adrenalin as the full power of the sun lit up the throne room. It flew straight at Dream Star, a beam of white hot destruction.

But Dream Star didn't even attempt to dodge. Nor shield herself. She just directed her horn downwards, latched on to the basic structures of the spell... and unraveled them with a thought. The beam of pure sunlight shattered apart, its power immediately lost, only a few glowing shards falling impotently around Dream Star's glowering form. Dream's lip curled in fury, "Is that the best a Princess can do? The best Princess Celestia can manage, fighting on behalf of her subjects?"

Celestia stepped back in shock, knowing she should have expected this... but unable to process it now it stood before her, "Dream, you..."

"Is that all it takes to intimidate you?!" Dream screamed, "Come on, fight me!"

She was right. This was pathetic. Celestia took a deep breath, summoned her spear, and dove forward.

Dream Star grinned widely as she sprang to meet her.

Littlepip stood there, trying to pretend to herself that she was ready. That she wasn't unarmored, carrying a home made weapon, with no combat training, against a mountain of beef packing full armament. Dust Kicker just grinned, wide and enthused, not even attempting to pursue Ditzi.

Littlepip opened her mouth to speak, “Wha..."

She had only got the first syable out when Dust Kicker's battle saddle tightened, Littlepip dodging just in time to avoid the heavy pellet from the shotgun as it skimmed the ground at her hooves. She fired her rail rifle but Dust Kicker knew what he was doing, circling round to keep in her blind spot and causing her shots to fly wide.

She rolled behind a suit of armor, kicking its legs out to knock it down and provide her with some improvised cover. She heard the sound of Dust Kicker kicking his battle saddle into a new configuration and leaned out, firing a shot before he could fully deploy. It flew true but Dust Kicker saw it coming, pivoting round to take it on his shoulder with a grunt.

He fired a half dozen rounds from his rifle, not even trying to aim. Littlepip ducked and rolled as they blasted the armor into fragments and showered her flanks with shrapnel, feeling her back leg snag as one fragment pressed uncomfortably against the muscle. She turned and tried to fire her rifle but she saw him mark her first, only just dodging a shot that cut her scalp.

She ducked behind a few sacks of sand, taking a moment to catch her breath. This wasn't working.

Her weapon was too slow and cumbersome. Dust Kicker was armored enough that a basic torso shot wouldn't do anything, but she couldn't bring the rail rifle up quicker than he could. And without armor of her own, every risk she took was one she couldn't afford. She needed a faster, smaller weapon, or some way to slow time... but she didn't have either.

She looked around the armory, considering what she did have.

She came up shooting, Dust Kicker responding in kind. This time he found his shots blocked however, deflected by the spinning circle of armor pieces Littlepip had placed around her with her telekinesis. It was through one of the gaps that she fired now, scoring a hit on his hip and sending him stumbling, then landing another on the side of his head. He growled and flung a grenade at her but Littlepip caught it, floating it straight back at him.

He fired at the grenade, detonating it between them. Then he charged through the smoke, darting across the centre of the arena and firing his rifle at short range. At this distance the outdated armor pieces hadn't a chance, the bullets punching right through and slicing deep into Littlepip's flesh. She screamed then, feeling her blood soak the ground, punching forward with all her might and pressing all the shards of metal into a shield of broken metal in front of her.

Dust Kicker fired a few times, the shield shuddering and cracking apart. He barked out his command then, sounding confident, "Stand down! You can't win!"

She wouldn't accept that.

"You're bleeding out. You can't hold me off forever!"

Littlepip reached out with her telekinesis. What could she use?

"Right, I'm coming in..."

She levitated her railway rifle out, firing three short shots that shattered the arena edges around Dust Kicker's feet. He quickly pivoted and shot the rifle out of the air, knocking it away to bounce across the stone, "Wha... was that the best...?"

It was enough. Littlepip focused her magic on the now weakened arena structure, driving every last bit of magic she possessed into it. The stone held for a moment... before the honestly inadequate reinforcement finally crumbled and the whole centre of the area dropped sharply downwards.

Dust Kicker yelled as his hooves found nothing but air, thumping his chin on the edge before dropping after it. He landed where the stone block had hit the next floor down, crushing what appeared to be a place to hold captive monsters. Littlepip mused that there was likely some sort of mechanism to raise them up into the chamber above, explaining why the reinforcement was so shoddy. They had pretty much just locked the lift in place and cemented around the edges.

Ironic that a mechanism used to train the guards would now prove the end of their captain.

Littlepip dropped like a stone, driving the sword she had picked up deep into Dust Kicker's chest. He gasped and reached for her but she pulled away, tearing away his rifle and floating it upwards to point straight at his jaw...

...it jammed with a sharp metal sound.

Littlepip cursed, looking for another weapon... before Dust Kicker started laughing. It was a pained, gasping laugh, but it was raw and genuine, almost joyful in its cadence. Littlepip couldn't help grimacing, not entirely sure what was going on here, "Why are you laughing?"

"Because... I knew it would end like this..." Dust Kicker explained, locking eyes on her and giving her a look that was quite honestly affectionate, "I've wanted to fight you ever since the first day I met you..."

"We've... met?"

"At Applelosa. The bandit camp." Dust Kicker explained, "Do you remember?"

She... did. She remembered smoke, and bandits, and pain... Velvet was there... "This was in the real world?"

Dust Kicker winced, letting his head fall back, "There are some healing potions in my pack."

Littlepip cautiously dismounted, opening the pack in question and quickly swallowing one before carefully placing the other two by her hooves, "Why did you want to fight me?"

"You killed a lot of my buddies you know?"

"You were a bandit." She stated coldly. Figured Dream Star would only recruit from the best to be her captain of the guards, "Working for Red Eye."

"Hey..." Dust Kicker stated cheerfully, "You worked for him too."

"Under duress!"

"Because you believed in a better world... and he had the only real plan for that in the whole damn wasteland..."

Littlepip averted her eyes. That was true. She had never been happy about it, liked to think she had always planned to stop him... but in truth she had spent so long wondering if he might have been right.

Even now.

"I'm glad..." Dust Kicker stated, his voice weakening, "...you're strong. Without your Pipbuck, no armor, a substandard weapon... and you're still strong..."

Littlepip looked up at him, realizing there was something more complex here, "Why are you glad?"

"Because it means you were right. This was all meant to be." Dust Kicker smiled with contentment, "I had the drop on you in Appleloosa, but I didn't take the shot. I always wondered what would have happened if I had, if I might have killed you and... Red Eye would have succeeded, and made a better world than this."

Littlepip looked at him. She had considered the same, many times. She didn't know how to make a better world, save some platitudes about friendship and harmony. She had left rebuilding the world up to Gawd.

Red Eye had known. He had a plan, "We'll never know."

"Red Eye promised us a better world. You promised us nothing but the freedom to build the world we deserved." Dust Kicker smiled then, staring up at the roof with a look of deep satisfaction, "But if I've learned anything, it's that easy answers are nothing but illusions. And that compromising your values for the sake of an easier life is the root cause of everything that's wrong." He coughed briefly, wincing every time, then finally relaxed, "Thank you Littlepip..."

She took a deep breath, then levitated over one of the potions and poured it down his throat.

Calamity watched his wife as they moved into the palace, trying to work out the best way of broaching the question. Indeed he had been trying to work up the courage for what felt like days, watching Velvet with the kids and unable to ignore both the sheer radiant joy she put into it... and the deep melancholy that seemed to take her afterwards. And since Littlepip it had only gotten worse, approaching the mission with a sense of grim inevitability that he found very worrying.

He eventually decided to take the plunge, "There's something bugging you Velvet."

Velvet didn't look at him, instead turning her eyes to a window looking out over Canterlot, "If this is an illusion, it's a beautiful one. Everyone's happy, loved ones are together, there's no sickness or war... why do you think that is? Why would she put so much effort into making this perfect world?"

Calamity shrugged, "So no one would want to escape?"

"I think she's taunting us." Velvet replied, "That while we all messed up our lives, she was able to give us exactly what we wanted."

Calamity didn't think it was a fair comparison, "It's easier to make a fine looking illusion, than fix real, physical problems."

"I guess... but so much of the real world is built on an illusion too. That the government has the answers, that they are safe, that the villains are pure evil and the heroes are infallible." Velvet sighed, turning to look up at him with a heartbreakingly lost expression, "I have another theory on her motives."

Calamity didn't like the sound of that, "What?"

"That's she's genuinely trying to do the right thing."

"A lot of bad ponies think they're doing the right thing." Calamity countered.

Velvet smiled, "Then what makes us so sure we're the heroes?"

"That we conduct ourselves with a little bit of dignity." Calamity stated, always hating that train of thought, "We don't sneak up behind ponies and brain them with our 'perfect world'. Or lock up innocent young mares."

Velvet chuckled, "I wish it was that simple."

"It is Velvet." Calamity retorted angrily, "Don't let them get to you."

Velvet turned her head away, shrugging her shoulders to limber herself up as they approached the main office, "Don't you worry Calamity. I'm not about to waver now."

They pushed open the door, immediately faced with the immaculately presented offices of the royal chancellor. Said chancellor was at his desk as normal, browsing through stacks of paperwork. He lifted his head as they approached, "Lady Velvet Remedy, Lord Calamity. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"It's a Sunny Smiles Illusion Life Bloom." Velvet immediately stated, tapping her hoof on the desk, "Remember Reggie Grimfeathers? Zero, zero one."

Life Bloom's eyes went wide, looking around the room in confusion, "I... I know that. But I don't know how..."

"Because none of this is real Life Bloom." Velvet answered, "We need to know the location of the oracle, Puppysmiles."

Calamity look to her in confusion, "Velvet... I'm having trouble keeping up."

"Just keep an eye out Calamity." Velvet answered, then offered Life Bloom a reassuring smile, "We've done this before haven't we? Reggie, you, and I. Same basic idea, lock down control and strike at the head."

Life Bloom gave a slow nod of his head, "None of this makes sense..."

"...so just follow the plan." Velvet answered, "Life Bloom, you know we haven't the time to explain in detail. But you trust me, and I trust you."

"Right." Life Bloom left his desk, absent mindedly picking a few devices up from the drawers and shelves and shoving them into a bag, "You should know that the oracle doesn't have a physical presence as such. She exists entirely on another plane of existence, only projecting herself here when she needs to speak to somepony."

"She's controlling the simulation." Velvet answered, "And as long as she does that, she holds almost all the cards."

"She must have a focus though, or multiple different focuses. And I'm guessing they would be located throughout the palace." Life Bloom stated, "If we can force her into one of them, then we could interact with her directly."

Calamity had no idea what they were talking about. He concentrated instead on keeping an eye out for trouble, moving to the door and peaking through the crack.

...at the alicorn and two flanking guards moving towards them, “Velvet, we have company!”

Velvet turned her head up, narrowing her eyes. She looked to Life Bloom, the clerk clearing his throat, “It’s fine, we’ll just explain that we were just conducting business...”

Justicar opened the door with a firm hoof, moving inside and taking all of them in without much surprise, “Velvet Remedy and Deadshot Calamity.”

“Justicar.” Calamity replied in greeting, stepping back a little, “We were just checking on some business with Life Bloom...”

“And what kind of business is that?” Justicar asked, “The kind you conducted with Littlepip last night?”
Calamity caught Velvet giving him a look, bracing himself for what was to come. He just wished he had a weapon. He opened his mouth wide, "Hey!"

They all looked, distracted from the glow that shot up Velvet's horn and burst into flashing light. The two guards were caught in it and dropped immediately to the numbing effect of her anesthetist spell, though to no one's surprise Justicar shrugged it off with only a brief fluttering of her eyes.

It was enough to give Calamity time however, using his wings to drive himself forward. Justicar stomped at his head but he dodged, grappling the limb and drawing it back under her to take her completely off her hooves. She was good though, she fell well and came up rolling, her horn already sparking with energy as she faced off against Calamity...

"Star Swirl, what do you think you're doing!"

Justicar paused, confusion and shock shooting through her eyes. She turned to Velvet Remedy, the mare looking across at her with an expression of imperious authority, "What... what did you..."

"I called you Star Swirl, archivist for the Followers of the Apocalypse!" Velvet declared, her tone aching with disappointment, "Traitor. Thief. Liar."

Justicar's face grew cold, angry. Calamity reached over and grabbed a fallen rifle from one of the guards, uncertain why his wife was intentionally angering the big scary alicorn. Justicar's voice was harsh, labored, forced through gritted teeth, "Don't call me that!"

"What? Traitor?" Velvet glared, "I trusted both of you. You and Zenai."

"Zenai..." Justicar gasped, her resolve faltering, "We didn't do anything wrong..."

"You did Star Swirl." Velvet stated, her voice softer now, "We all did. And I'm so sorry."

"It wasn't fair..." Justicar hissed, her expression pained, "She was just trying to help..."

"I know." Velvet smiled, "I rather respected Zenai, her intentions. It would be hypocritical to decry the hasty decisions of the young, nor condemn a young mare for running away from home, dragging others along with her."

Justicar shook her head, "It... didn't end the same way..."

"No." Velvet admitted, "If heroism alone ensured victory, if it didn't require sacrifice... well it wouldn't be so hard a choice. Nor so noble."

Justicar closed her eyes for a moment, then looked around in dawning confusion, "What's going on?"

Calamity looked to his wife, "That's what ah would like to know."

Velvet Remedy smiled softly, then looked to them both in seriousness, "We're inside some sort of computer simulation, living lives constructed for us. In truth, our bodies lie sleeping in the wasteland outside. It is just as Celestia explained."

"I'm inside the SPP, with Homage." Justicar stated after a moment longer to clear her head, "We were trying to stop... Dream Star..."

"She's inside the SPP?" Velvet stated with a look of carefully controlled panic, that swiftly faded into grim resolve, "Well at least we know there's a way in, and that Dream Star hasn't hurt Littlepip."

"Alright, alright..." Calamity interrupted, looking to his wife, "Ah... sorta get the idea, but... how come you know what's going on?"

"Cybernetics. And a fair amount of training." Velvet explained, "I considered the possibility of some kind of brainwash attempt a long time ago, knew that my position made me particularly vulnerable. I figured it was a scenario worth preparing for."

Calamity widened his eyes. He honestly should have stopped being surprised by now, "You installed implants to protect you from brainwashing?"

She nodded, "It seemed advisable."

Justicar shook her head in quiet awe, "And that's why you're the smartest pony in the room."

Velvet sighed, "As I've said many times, if that was true we wouldn’t be in this mess in the first place." She nodded to the opposite corridor, "Now you two should hurry, help Celestia with Dream Star."

"And you?"

Velvet looked back at the sofa at the back of the room, "Life Bloom?"

The pony poked his head up to scan for danger, before cautiously trotting out, "I'm glad that's over. I'm not a fighter you know."

"You'd be surprised." Velvet playfully answered, before turning to Calamity and Justicar, "Life Bloom and I will attempt to help Littlepip take down Dream Star's security. I'm no expert hacker, but my staff will tell you many tales of my talent for breaking things. Let's see if I can't turn that talent to noble ends shall we?"

"And us?" Calamity asked.

"You go help Celestia." Velvet answered, "Once Puppysmiles is in our hooves, Dream Star's undoubtedly set herself up as the final boss."

"Ha, taken down plenty of evil sorcerers." Calamity exclaimed, chuckling to himself, "Like Sunny Smiles all over again."

"Don't underestimate her." Justicar warned, "She's dangerous."

"And we're the elements of harmony." Calamity declared, sharing a smile with his wife before strapping the rifle to his side, "Just one more villain."

Littlepip advanced down the long corridor, surrounding on all sides by... very distracting images. She knew deep down she couldn't let herself get sidetracked, that her true goal lay ahead...

...she had always been too curious for her own good, letting her eyes stray across the stainglass windows that lined the corridor on both sides. And all depicted the same pink furred pony, adventuring through a shattered wasteland, growing steadily more withered and broken as the images continued. It was a tale of utter failure at every turn, every brief shot of happiness cruelly broken in the very next image.

"Ugh... I never could stand a pony like that."

Littlepip looked to Dust Kicker, "A pony like this?"

"She's memorialized her failure, her sadness." Dust waved a hoof at the images, "She's showing you this on purpose. She wants you to emphasize with her suffering."

"I don't mind doing that. It's easier than hating them sometimes." Littlepip stated, feeling the truth of that like an ugly lump in her stomach.

"And that doesn't stop you taking them down?"

"Not really." Littlepip felt a twinge of regret, "You told me I was a great warrior. That I killed hundreds of raiders."

"Yeah."

"I never considered myself a killer." She looked at her hoof, feeling there was something missing there. Like her balance and tactics were thrown off without a device on her hoof, "But I can't feel it. Those reflexes. That instinct."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I could kill someone I liked and not feel a thing." She sighed, even that admission not throwing her too much, "I just want to be a good pony. A normal pony. But sometimes I think there's something wrong with me, that I was always destined to suffer and die for the happiness of others. That I wasn't meant to be... normal."

"I think that's why I've always respected you." Dust Kicker admitted, drawing up beside her, "You do what has to be done. But you never let it take away your empathy, your dignity." He looked to the windows, "You can look at all this and feel sorry for what she's suffered, yet still realize she has to go down, one way or another."

"Mmm..." Littlepip grunted, dropping her head, "Homage deserves better than this."

Dust Kicker chuckled, "I've read your book. You know perfectly well that she didn't fall in love with the ordinary, but the extraordinary."

"I can't believe I'm getting relationship advice from a raider."

"I can't believe I'm giving it to a toaster repair pony."

Littlepip laughed at this, then blushed fiercely from her own outburst. She took a moment to regain her composure before giving him an appreciative grin, "I appreciate how casual you are with me. Most ponies treat me like some sort of Princess."

Dust Kicker smirked, "I think a lot of went wrong with the world stems from treating you all like heroes, rather than ponies who did heroic things."

Littlepip nodded. He had the truth of it, "I've got it easy, I'm hidden away most of the time. Velvet is the one that has it worst." She stopped, looking up at the door in front of her, golden framed and marked by six locks, "So this is it?"

Dust Kicker shrugged, "It certainly looks like it was meant for something important."

Littlepip reached forward, pulling out her portable computer and plugging the lead into the slot provided. She watched the interface appear, the standard hacking commands scrolling past...

...and then something flashed, and a horrible sensation of vertigo sent her head spinning. Littlepip stumbled and fell, and to her horror she didn't hit the floor. Instead she continued falling as images flashed past her eyes, nightmarish... and familiar.

"Like all flesh, so predicable." Boomed a deep voice from beyond the void, "Your actions were predicted long ago Littlepip. That your sense of responsibility would drive you to intervene personally. And that your lack of caution and natural curiosity would drive you to attempt to interface with the Puppy OS directly."

Littlepip fought to gain back control of the situation. She didn't recognize the voice, and staring out at her surroundings only revealed... flashes. A shining red eye. A nightmarish black alicorn. Puppysmiles's smiling face as she stood beyond the shattered remains of the memorial in the presidential palace, "Who... are... you...?"

"I am the solution to your mistake!" The voice declared, "Did you calculate the probabilities when you rejected Red Eye's proposal? When you delivered the world to same pathetic creatures that destroyed it, formed a society built on foolish democratic ideas?"

She had heard this one before. She didn't even bother answering, instead reaching out with the telekinesis for something to hold, to break, to... anything...

"Do not worry yourself Littlepip.” The voice boomed, “When you are dead, my Puppysmiles will make sure the world is saved the right way."

Littlepip felt her heart seize in her chest, gripped by powerful claws, "No..."

"Let go of her!"

Littlepip looked round at the voice, more beautiful than ever. As was the mare, standing firm and angry, her horn shining with glowing light, "Homage..."

"Littlepip!" Homage called out, charging towards her at full gallop. Despite this she never seemed to get any closer... in fact she seemed to be drawing further away, even as Littlepip's vision dimmed. The mare called out again, her hoof extending desperately....

And Homage's voice cut through the void like a blade, "You're stronger than this!"

Littlepip bit her lip hard enough to make it bleed, then lunged out and looped her hoof about Homage's. With a single tug she felt herself pulled free, felt the grip around her heart slacken. She fell into Homage's lap, looking happily up at the mare's relieved face, "Thanks for the save."

The voice boomed out once more, "Ugh, typical heroics. Very well! Puppy OS, activate your purge systems! Burn them all alive!"

And a sweeter, softer voice answered, "I'm afraid I cannot comply with that order SolOS."

The booming voice... hesitated, "Ex... explain the malfunction."

A small pink form appeared within the rapidly fading images, now looking like nothing more than a featureless white room. It was a pink unicorn pony with kinky blond hair, a look of profound innocence on her face as she spoke, "Even if I was still in my armor, Dust Kicker disabled those systems a long time ago. And more to the point..." She looked up, sticking her tongue out, "I don't want to."

The voice faltered, "Data... not found..."

Puppysmiles looked across at Littlepip, giving an apologetic smile, "I'm so sorry Miss Littlepip, it seems my data wasn't completely purged of his influence. Let me correct that."

And then they were all back in the corridor again. Homage was there, along with Dust Kicker and Ditzi Doo. Littlepip blinked as she forced herself off the floor, trying to rid herself of the headache, "What... just happened?"

"A booby trap." Came Puppysmiles voice, the mare standing nearby, "Set into my core structure by my creator, SolOS."

Littlepip blinked at the mare, her body still aching something terrible, "That was who we were speaking to?"

"In a manner of speaking." She replied, "It wasn't really him, mostly just a prerecorded message. Seems he was expecting you."

Littlepip grimaced, "Your tutoring me about not sticking my nose in strange places Homage? It hasn't worked."

"The student doesn't wish to learn." Homage replied witheringly, "Honestly Littlepip, we're well beyond the point where you should be expecting your opponents being ready for you."

Dust Kicker chuckled, giving Puppysmiles a nod, "Well it seems to have worked at least. Welcome back Puppy."

She grinned back, "Good to be upright again. Looks like I've missed a few things."

"You have no idea."

Celestia was diminished by age, she realized that. Not in strength, or skill... but will. Will to hurt, will to destroy. She had never possessed the heart of a warrior, she was always more comfortable at a conference table than a battlefield. That had only become more apparent through the years, and eventually even her training had slackened.

All the same, she was a Princess of Equestria. Princess of the Sun. It's glory was hers, power beyond any ordinary pony.

But Dream Star was no ordinary pony.

Celestia’s first horn burst hadn't been a fluke, Dream Star had shut down her offense in that area with near contemptuous ease. Celestia wondered where or why a wasteland pony would become such a proficient counterspeller, Dream Star's ability to take apart or even modify a spell directed at her as good as Twilight. And as she took the hint and closed for a brawl she found Dream Star was no stranger to a more physical contest either, expertly exploiting the holes in her offense to sneak in stinging blows before retreating from Celestia's reach.

"Have you always been this weak?" Dream Star taunted, looking somewhat annoyed, "I imagined more of Celestia."

Of course she did. They all did. Celestia shook her head free, flexing her body and feeling the burns and bruises of her injuries. They were fortunately pretty minor, no matter what else you could say for her she still had the body of an alicorn, "Have... you always been this strong?" Celestia allowed a smile, "I can see why you've survived this long."

"I have you know?" Dream Star replied glumly, her tone and eyes full of bitterness, "No matter what I've faced, no matter what I’ve suffered... I've always been stronger. All those good, worthy and skilled ponies dead, because I was better than them."

Celestia couldn't say the same. Indeed she had always suspected Luna was the one with natural talent. Celestia had always felt out of her depth, having to struggle, study and train herself to meet every new challenge. She had created this image of perfection around herself, when in reality... she knew that image might be the most powerful weapon she commanded.

She lowered her head, collected her magic, and attacked once more. Her form exploded into blinding light, Celestia surging forward in a zig zag beam of energy as she closed in on Dream Star. Celestia collected the energy of her travel tightly at her core, watching Dream for any hint of an opening as the mare struggled to track her location.

And there it was, Dream Star turning her back to Celestia in confusion. Celestia surged forward...

...hitting a circle of magic dampening energy that exploded forth from Dream Star's horn. Celestia found herself back in her physical form once more, off balance and flailing desperately as she tried to open her wings. Dream Star just turned her head slightly to reveal her smirking grin before activating another spell, trapping Celestia in a bubble of heavy gravity just as she got her wings open. Predictably Celestia's wings promptly collapsed under her weight and sent her spinning for good measure, slamming into the stonework with a bone shaking thud and skidding across the tiles in a shower of feathers.

Celestia blinked away the pounding ache spreading through her skull, looking round to see Dream Star advancing towards her with an amused grin. The mare spoke, her tone chiding, "Celestia, did you really think that would take me off guard? That's like... kindergarden level light magic." Dream Star shook her head, "I can't help but feel disappointed."

"For... having spent the last two hundred years without a body, having barely trained for a century before that, spent most of my time writing up trading treaties rather than fighting monsters... I think I'm doing pretty well." Celestia reasoned, rising up on only slightly shaky legs, "And you on the other hoof have fallen into the same trap as so many others."

Dream Star looked interested at this, "And what is that?"

Celestia smirked, turning to face the alicorn. She took her time, giving them as much of an opportunity as possible, "Thinking I'm important. Thinking I'm the one you have to beat." She rose up to her full height, framing the others as they sprung for the attack, "I'm the least of Equestria's heroes."

Dream Star laughed, it really being the perfect jest. Her magical sensors set up around the room detected the shots, Dream Star setting up deflecting shields before rolling to the side for good measure. Bullets shattered the walls and floor, Dream Star tracking each individual combatant as they rushed into the room. She chuckled, getting Celestia's meaning immediately, "You were just keeping me busy, while your champions were getting into position! Oh wonderful Celestia, how perfectly like you!" Dream Star smirked, cocking her head to the side, "You played to my ego, knowing I wouldn't be able to resist the honor of 'defeating Princess Celestia'. How many others have fallen into the same trap?"

Littlepip rushed up, keeping her weapon firmly leveled at Dream Star. Dust Kicker did the same, Calamity touching down on the roof struts, Star Swirl and Puppysmiles walking behind Homage with their horns ignited. And there in the middle of them was Princess Celestia, wounded but unbowed. It was... glorious.

Celestia looked to her companions, then shouted to Dream Star, "You're outnumbered Dream Star! Surrender!"

Dream Star chuckled. Celestia couldn't have framed the moment better if she tried. She gave her reply immediately, weaving an illusion of herself before teleporting away, throwing out another illusion of a teleport flash next to Celestia and watching them all turn to track it. It left them totally off guard against her actual appearance, coming out beside Littlepip and striking her just below the ear with a telekinesis assisted hoof.

Littlepip dropped like a stone, sprawling limp across the floor. Dream Star tracked the second most dangerous, Star Swirl showing off her reaction speed by being the first to bring a horn blast to bear. Like before it was all power and no control, Dream Star latching onto the spell while it was still at Star Swirl's horn and unleashing it prematurely.

Star Swirl's head snapped backwards and a crack ran up her horn, the mare going down hard with a yell of pain. The others barely noticed, all coming up shooting... but she was already gone.

Celestia dropped to a double hoof strike as Dream Star teleported in close, then unleashed a shockwave of magic that sent them all staggering. They had clearly never worked as a group before, or had never head of grenades. Clustering, against a unicorn mage?

Calamity was unaffected though, soaring close to the roof and firing off pinpoint accurate sniper rifle shots. Dream Star caught them on her shields but was aware they wouldn't hold long, still she had encountered enough pegasi to know how to deal with them. A quick spell charged the roof with electricity, sending sharp bolts of lightning arcing between the struts. Calamity was smart enough to drop down low enough to avoid danger, still it threw off his aim.

It had taken Dream Star too long though. A shotgun blast and repeated beams of energy flashed against her shields, Dream Star finding herself driven back by Homage and Dust Kicker. Her shields finally dropped and she took a stinging blow across her flank before rolling away and coming up shooting. Horn blasts rocketed out, Homage just dodging and Dust Kicker bracing hard against a direct hit. To Dream Star's surprise he didn't drop, seemed Earth Ponies really were that tough.

"Get away from my friends!"

Dream Star was thankful for the warning, able to brace her magic to resist as Puppysmiles plowed into her full steam. The blow hit hard and Dream Star felt bones fracture, still Puppysmile's technique could use work. Not only was Puppysmiles now shielding Dream Star from attack, her wild swings were pure power and no skill. Dream Star dodged to throw Puppysmiles off balance before grappling the mare with hoof and telekinesis, throwing her sideways and driving her headfast into the ground.

Dream then dodged and rolled as the others continued shooting, floor tiles shattering under her hooves. She exchanged some shots with Dust Kicker before warding off a horn blast from Celestia, playing defense until she had a chance to fire off an animation spell. Immediately the stone slabs around Dust Kicker came to life, levitating upwards and swarming him.

It had given Celestia enough time to charge up a full power blast though. Celestia unleashed it all, a furious beam of concentrated solar energy that battered against Dreams shields like a storm.

She withstood it just long enough, spotting the weakness in Celestia's technique and exploiting it. She shot a horn blast along the centerline, cutting through the weakest part of the spell and hitting Celestia right between the eyes. The mare's blast faltered immediately, Celestia taking a few wobbly steps before collapsing to the floor.

And them Dream Star was forced to look up as an almighty crack echoed from the roof. She saw Calamity fly away, saw the struts glowing with the tell tell signs of telekinesis. She attempted to teleport away but felt her own body seized before she had a chance, looking round to see Littlepip staring at her with a look of fierce determination. She wiggled, tried to break free, watched as the roof came down in raining chunks...

Dream directed all her power upwards in the strongest, most destructive blast she could manage. It hit the roof chunks with an echoing, deafening explosion that shattered every window in the hall, the shockwave alone slamming Dream Star to the ground. Debris fell in smoking chunks, a cloud of obscuring dust covering the room.

Dream Star had just managed to stand when Puppysmiles and Star Swirl came in swinging. Against them both Dream Star quickly realized she was in trouble, taking several ringing blows that left her off balance and groggy. Dream reacted by pure instinct, kicking the less experienced Puppysmiles in the forehoof and causing her to stumble into Star Swirl's path, then use telekinesis to slam their heads together as they tried to untangle themselves.

No sooner than she had done that however than shots marked her body, Homage, Littlepip and Dust Kicker running in shooting.

She teleported fast, obscuring herself with illusions. Homage went down to a fierce descending stomp, Littlepip crying out in anger and trying to catch Dream's wing with telekinesis. Dream let herself be pulled away, rolling with the force and obscuring her form with her wings. It worked, one of Littlepip's shots punching through a wing but missing her body as she dropped. It left her able to strike the mare across her muzzle with a leg, pulling Littlepip's rail rifle away from her and using it to shoot Dust Kicker through the knee and gunstrap. Both ponies dropped cursing, Dream Star spinning the weapon round to point down at the fallen Littlepip...

...Calamity came down with a scream, spiking the rail rifle right into the side of Dream Star's head. Dream was rocked hard by the impact, having given the weapon exception from her shields for the purpose of wielding it effectively. Said shields almost instantly fell apart as the concussion made itself known, Dream sprawling hard to the floor with her vision spinning.

Calamity came down with a knife firmly clasped in his muzzle, aimed straight for her neck. Dream Star didn't know quite how she managed to draw her knee up in time to strike him hard in the stomach, nor how she had the co-ordination to fling him sideways to roll away from her.

She didn't have much time to think about it, the side of her head instantly marked by a sniper rifle shot from Dust Kicker. She tried to retreat but Littlepip already had her caught in telekinesis, leaving her totally vulnerable as Star Swirl slammed hard into her chest. Star Swirl stabbed her horn deep into Dream's side, rearing up to fling her into the air before driving her fiercely into a set of stone steps.

Dream Star gasped, rolling over and blasting Star Swirl in the chest. It flung the alicorn away in a cloud of feathers, allowing Dream Star to roll upwards to face her remaining opponents.

Opponent.

Littlepip picked up Homage's laser pistol, wiping away the blood from her eyes with a hoof. Dream Star smirked as she faced the mare down, feeling that this at least felt appropriate. She advanced towards Littlepip, limping forward on her injured legs as she shouted, "Come on! The greatest of Equestria's heroes, and you can't beat one mare?! I always wondered how I would fare against you Littlepip, and let me tell you... I'm disappointed!"

"What is this damn mare made of?" Calamity asked, hoof supporting his injured ribs as he picked himself up, "I scored a dozen hits on her, and she still hasn't dropped!"

Dream Star had heard that question a hundred times, from a hundred different opponents. It angered her, the anticlimax. This was supposed to be the greatest battle of her life, a legendary struggle against the best the wasteland had to offer! "Come on, Xenith gave me more of a fight than this! Is dropping things on ponies all you have Littlepip?!"

Littlepip shook her head, "You're at magical burn out, you've broken two legs and most of your ribs, and you'll have bled out in a few minutes at best."

No... Littlepip didn't know. Dream had been in a thousand battles worse than this, dragged herself across half the wasteland with her skin burned off, lay motionless for days with half her insides hanging out. She took a step forward to confirm it, blocking out the pain as she strode towards Littlepip on fractured limbs, "Come on Pip, prove you're strong enough to save this world! Take me down, like you did Red Eye and the Goddess!"

Littlepip frowned, "What do you want from me?"

Dream gasped out her reply, the pain rippling through her and only giving her renewed strength, "I want you to fight me!"

"And I've done it!"

Dream Star looked around at the exited young voice, her heart sinking as she saw Puppysmiles at the podium with the simulation controls at her hooves. She cried out in rage, looked for a weapon, tried to draw on her magic...

Puppysmiles struck the last few controls, and it was all over.

Dream Star awoke with a gasping scream, looking around the room desperately. She was back at the mapping system control room, soon locating Spark Plug up at the primary control station, "What happened?!"

Spark Plug looked back at her, giving an apologetic shake of her head, "Puppysmiles has locked me out of the system. I'm sorry."

Dream closed her eyes. It had been her fault. She should have never given them a straight shot at Puppy, should have known something like this would happen, "It's ok Sparks. You... stay here. Get things ready."

Spark Plug gave a soft nod, then turned away.

Dream Star on the other hand hadn't failed yet. She took a laser pistol from the locker, then made her way out of the room and down the stairs. She could easily figure where they would go, how to head them off. It was frankly totally predicable.

She walked into the pod chamber, the room empty and silent, save the slight hum of the containment pod in front of her. She just stared at it for a little while, just... letting herself drift. She had already come to terms with it all, already debated the impact of her choices over and over again. There... was nothing left but to wait.

She heard the doors just a room away, raising her weapon to point directly at Littlepip's pod. A moment later and the door beside her slid open, Homage rushing in with a frantic look on her face.

Homage saw Dream Star standing there, her eyes going wide as she saw the weapon pointed straight at Littlepip.

Dream turned, swiveling her weapon towards Homage.

It was... different than normal. Almost peaceful, pleasant. Homage swung Little Macintosh upwards and discharged it wildly, Dream amused to see the recoil knock the mare backwards a little. As a result it was more luck than skill that caused the bullet to cut right past her breastbone, driving itself deep into her heart and lungs.

Dream Star laughed, feeling her blood pressure already start to drop. Once she might have fought through it through sheer will, but she quickly realized that her aged body had finally had enough, after all this time. She slumped down to her knees, then pitched forward onto her side.

There was no pain.

"Dream Star!" Came a familiar voice from the speakers, Dream craning her neck round to see Celestia there upon the monitors.

She looked... concerned. Dream tried to speak, even as blood filled her windpipe, "Now... I realize why you... always seemed to understand me..."

Celestia looked struck by this, her voice choking, "Dream..."

"You're... a old relic... trapped in a situation she never wanted... because you were too damn afraid to die..." Dream chuckled weakly as she felt life leave her, "...I've... enjoyed our games... and I'm happy to be able to finally say..."

She gasped out her final word, "...checkmate..."

And for the first time since she could remember, Dream Star felt at peace. She looked round at her family, her friends, all there waiting for her.

And finally, there was no legacy, there was no world to safe, there was no destiny. The weight had lifted, and she was finally....

...free.

Chapter 5.12 - War and Peace

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Caesar rubbed his head as he forced himself up off the ground, looking with distaste at the mud smeared across the front of his robe. No sooner than he noticed it than Oteka bounded over, looking him over in worry, "I fear dark powers are at work, my lord, are you hurt?"

He shook his head, looking across his camp at his slowly recovering soldiers. He blinked away his discomfort as he tried to restore order, "Get them back into formation! We cannot let this delay us!"

"This is madness." King Aspen stated through gritted teeth as he retrieved his crown from where it had fallen, "You cannot mean to go through with the attack? We were just downed by some kind of magical effect, surely this necessitates investigation?"

"It is clearly some sort of... ill-fated trick. We cannot play into their hooves! Thousands have given their lives to ensure the success of this assault!" Caesar shouted, the cheers from the battlements of Canterlot still ringing in his ears. He couldn't let such defiance go unanswered, it would undo all he had fought for, "We must see this through!"

"We shall see no such thing." King Aspen answered sharply, turning away, "I intend to order all my troops to stand down..."

“Aspen, you can’t! We’ve sacrificed so much...”

“Too much.” Aspen answered, rounding on him and waving a hoof at his surroundings, “The world is on fire, and for what? Greed? Ego? I should never have agreed with this!”

"Oteka, take King Aspen into custody!"

King Aspen paused at this, as did everyone else at the command post. Finally King Aspen spluttered out a reaction, "Excuse me?!"

"You'll be let out after the battle is over, safe and sound." Caesar reasoned, offering the deer a polite but firm smile, "And you'll thank me."

"You are deluded." King Aspen spat back, proud and haughty, "A fool who will get all of us killed."

"I have vision." Caesar answered as Oteka dutifully ushered a group of soldiers to seize the deer monarch. He didn't put up any resistance, only further showing his weakness, "Something you lost a long time ago."

Caesar called his royal guard to him and advanced forward into the camp, rallying his troops and trying to bring some sort of order back to the assault. He gave speeches, threatened officers, bribed others. All through it all the broken walls of Canterlot loomed before him, taunting him with their weakness... and stubborn refusal to fall.

"My lord."

Caesar turned, smiling to himself as he saw Serendipity Strokes march towards him, her guards carrying something hidden under canvas. He moved to meet her, giving a regal nod, "Miss Serendipity."

"I wanted you to see it, before the battle." She stated, sharp and supremely self confident as always, "I wanted your opinion."

He nodded, "Then let's see it."

Serendipity ordered them to pull back the cloth, revealing instantly the most beautiful portrait he had ever seen. It was still very much unfinished, still the mere sketching was enough to inspire the soul.

He stood in the middle, upon a stone plinth inscribed with his name. The likeness was perfect, capturing every last piece of his regality, his strength of his character. Robes of royal silk clad his body, his hair draped majestically, his pose proud and dignified. And behind... the battle of Canterlot. The fire, the churned mud, the ruined, broken bodies, the weeping of the wounded and dispossessed. Proud monuments lay shattered, his troops expressions weary and lost, "An... unusual composition. My likeness is very different from the scene around me."

"Yes!" Serendipity shouted, leaning forward in expectation, "And you must tell me why that is?"

She was the painter. Still he gave it a go, "It illustrates that I... am of a higher quality than the world around me. That my royal blood elevates me above the darkness of the world, and that my work will stand long after this is gone."

"Excellent! Perfect!" She exclaimed, seeming overjoyed at his reaction. She nodded back at the soldiers to cover it up again, giving a deep bow, "Thank you your grace. The true value of art lies in the interpretations of others, and yours was exactly as hoped."

"Well you have my thanks too. It will be a painting long remembered." He turned back to the walls of Canterlot, fully intending to make sure of that, "And now... onwards, to victory!"

Cinder rushed through the door, shields and teleportation ready to engage at a moment's notice. She was almost disappointed when she suffered no attack, the room's monitors and systems shut down, the robots all silent and still. The only activity of any kind came from the female earth pony in the middle of the room, clad in mechanics overalls and simply standing quietly before what looked like a holographic projector. Cinder shouted at her as she advanced, "Don't move!"

The mare replied simply, "I don't intend to resist in any way."

Cinder admitted to being a little thrown by this. The mare had clearly been expecting her, "Are you Spark Plug?"

The mare nodded.

"Then you were responsible for setting all this up."

"I was." Spark Plug responded, "I have completely shut down the system and reactivated safeties. It is no longer of any threat until reactivated, which can only be done through direct connection... from Celestia or Puppysmiles."

Cinder raised an eyebrow, "And why would they do that?"

"I couldn't comment." She replied simply, "I can simply state that the SPP's upgraded capabilities have been fully documented, and I will fully co-operate in explaining any specifics."

Cinder looked around the room, all fully set up, tidied, laid out and complete with tour guide. It was like a present tied with a bow, "Did Dream Star ask you to do this?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Spark Plug's expression didn't even twitch, "I couldn't possibly say."

Cinder looked her in the eye, searching for some reaction. Finally she went for the big one, "She's dead you know."

"Yes."

"Are you... upset?"

At this the mare actually smiled, twitches of regret in her eyes, "I'm happy for her. I believe at the end, she had the victory she sought."

Velvet Remedy struggled upwards, her thoughts swimming. She wondered if a side effect of her resistance to the program was a increased difficulty in waking up afterwards, her brain pounding in her skull...

...before a deep, soothing warmth filled her body, easing her pain and filling her with strength. She looked up in surprise, all the more intense as she saw Ace Gold standing beside her. He was as she remembered, slim, younger looking than his real age, frustration and impatience ever present in his eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, "Ace..."

Then she blinked away the fading memories of the other world, looking once again and seeing a far different pony there before her. He was closer now, close enough to see his distinctive features under the zebra travelling cloak he was wearing. Scars ran along what had once been a handsome face, marks of hard living and a cold, determined toughness in the eyes. Marks of youth and a slightly undeveloped frame indicated that the pony was younger than he appeared, still he held himself with the firm confidence of experience. His horn glowed with what Velvet realized was a quite impressive healing spell, one she would have been proud of herself, "Thank you."

"It appears to have affected everyone here." The pony stated in a somewhat raspy tone, looking around at the others around the Follower camp, "It came from the SPP."

"Yes..." Velvet rose fully to her hooves, looking out towards the clouds above. She smiled then glad that at least something was going their way, "It's ok, it's done."

"Done?" The pony questioned.

"Littlepip is awake, the SPP is ours." Velvet stated with newfound confidence, "We can finally strike back."

"How?" The pony asked.

Velvet looked at them again, understanding why she had mistaken him for her son. He looked very similar, and they both shared a somewhat unsettling intensity that she was sure didn't come from either of his parents. It only threw her for a moment though, "Who are you?"

"An envoy, of King Easu of the Zebra." The pony answered, "Call me Sage."

King Easu huh... they appeared to be trapped in some sort of game of kings, and Velvet hated being out of the loop, "And what does this king want with me?"

"He seeks to end this peacefully." Sage answered, looking out towards the cloud of smoke that stood above Canterlot, "If you have any resources still in play, you have to use them to delay the final assault on Canterlot."

Velvet wished she had any power left to give, "I'm afraid I'm extremely limited in what I can do at the moment. In face I'm pretty sure Regina wants me arrested."

"You can still do something." Sage stated, suddenly sounding angry. He looked at her, sharp and judgmental, "Why are you out here, when ponies are dying?"

"Ensuring that we don't all die with Canterlot." She answered, though she already knew it was bad answer. A bad plan in fact. It was as he said, abandoning ponies that needed her, simply because... she was powerless to save them, "I'm afraid we've all been outplayed."

"By Red Eye."

Velvet lifted an eyebrow, "...yes."

"He hasn't won yet." Sage answered firmly, "Xephyr lives."

Velvet widened her eyes, "What?!"

"She's here, and she needs you. They all do." Sage stated, "King Easu is working alongside her to stop this war. She should already be on her way to Calamity."

Velvet looked to the luggage storage where she knew her element was hidden away. She felt bad about removing it, but if she fell in battle... she looked back up at Sage, nodding gratefully, "If what you say is true, then... thank you."

"Use your element to find her, and join together once more." Sage stated, then drew away with what looked like a moment of hesitation. He turned to leave, looking back at the chariot that had brought him here, "I should get back."

"I..." Velvet hesitated, getting the impression that Sage wanted something more from her. She couldn't image what it might be, having never met the pony before, "...thank you. If what you say it true, you might just have saved Equestria."

Sage didn't turn around, still his voice was now clearer, softer. Even... affectionate, "You hold the Element of Kindness don't you Velvet Remedy?"

"Yes...?"

"It can be hard to care that much, I understand that." He stated, "You care so much about the world that you put everything you had into creating the Followers, creating the NCR. Millions owe their lives and happiness to the work you did, and you did it because you truly cared about them."

Velvet wanted to deny it, be humble about it all... but he was right, "Yes, I did..."

"I can't imagine how much it must have hurt to see those you care about suffer." Sage continued, regret and heartbreak snagging at his voice, "That you struggled to deal with that, that the pain was too much for any pony to stand... I understand."

Velvet felt her heart shatter, taking a hesitant step forwards, "I..."

"And I forgive you."

And then Sage continued on, mounting the entrance ramp of the chariot. Velvet felt the urge to follow, to run after him and ask him a thousand questions...

...but she understood that some things were meant to be the final word. Instead she turned to her watching attendants, their faces expectant. She firmed her emotions, knowing that she couldn't falter now, "Everyone, get ready. We have to join up with Xephyr, save the NCR and stop this war!"

Fluttrshy watched from the shadows, quietly witnessing as events played out like she had envisioned. Dream Star's spell had knocked Lionheart spark out and sent them plummeting, Fluttershy drawing on the last vestiges of her magic to land them harmlessly within an NCR military encampment. The military encampment where Ditzi was currently recovering from her injuries.

...all exactly as her visions of the future had revealed to her.

And now she watched Lionheart and Ditzi Doo, arguing, loud enough for all the camp to hear.

Well Lionheart was at least, though Ditzi's body language was no less impassioned. He would yell at her for getting herself crippled fighting a war, she would condemn him for trying to protect her inside Dream Star's illusion, and they would both walk away hurt and betrayed. And ultimately, this would set up future events that would have to play out to ensure both of their futures.

They were Fluttershy's friends, but she had learned long ago that kindness sometimes required you hurt those you love.

She shook her head and carried on. The end approached, and she could not be late.

"So, stopping a war."

"Not the first time."

"No."

Cinder listened to Littlepip and Homage talk as she stepped into the SPP control room, Homage at the central console and Celestia, Puppysmiles and Littlepip up on the monitors. Homage turned an eye to her, expression ambiguous and her voice flat, "Thank you."

"Yes, thank you." Littlepip repeated, sounding a lot more enthused, "I imagine this must be a bit overwhelming for you."

Cinder smiled, dropping her head and shrugging a little, "To be honest... it's been a pretty wild ride in general."

Homage nodded, then turned eyes to her. Her words seemed to stick in her throat, difficult for her to voice, "I... I'm sorry for doubting you."

Cinder just smirked. If only she knew, "I deserved it. I've always been a difficult mare to trust, by my own fault alone."

"Star Swirl?" Puppysmiles asked as her monitor turned to follow Cinder, tone softly hopeful.

"Kinda." Cinder really didn't want to go into it, but Puppy deserved something, "I'm sorry. For... everything. I made a lot of bad choices, and you'd be right to hate me."

"I don't hate you."

Cinder chuckled, looking up at Puppysmiles' face on the monitor. She was benevolent as ever, "Of course you don't."

"We all have a lot to say to each other I'm sure." Celestia stated, "But it will have to wait until Equestria is out of danger."

Cinder nodded, hopeful the collection of heroes her would be able to do something at least, "We need to delay Caesar's assault until King Easu can reach him."

"And stop the Enclave." Homage added.

"And Red Eye." Puppysmiles concluded, "He's blocking communications across Equestria, and has moved his forces to stand between Easu and Caesar."

"Well that suggests that Red Eye doesn't want them to meet at least." Littlepip reasoned, "Which makes me inclined to trust him."

"Thank you." Cinder replied, feeling more than a little weirded out by the idea that she was talking to Littlepip of all ponies. But she couldn't be distracted, "So Red Eye has placed his raiders between us and Caesar?"

"No..." Puppysmiles answered sadly, her expression drooping, "It's all my fault..."

That didn't bode well, "What?"

"Red Eye must have accessed the Lost Legion through me, when Dust Kicker plugged me into their system." Puppysmiles explained, "He's overwritten their central command protocols, is controlling them directly through a puppet system. Because of that... there's an army of robots between us and Caesar."

"So... can we jam his signal?"

"It's Solaris tech, beamed from their satellites in orbit." Celestia explained, "The SPP was originally designed to interface with them, unfortunately those systems were never completed. We do however have a few options."

"We hijack the signal." Littlepip stated firmly, her expression resolute, "To be honest, after everything that's happened, I would enjoy the chance to get some revenge."

"Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend it Littlepip." Celestia stated softly, "This hacker is very good..."

Littlepip pulled a face, "I'm not that out of practice..."

"You sound like me." Puppysmiles stated, "I thought I could get the better of him once too. That's how he got control of the lost legion in the first place."

"And if you lose, he gets control of the SPP." Celestia reasoned, "And he likely knows that."

"He's baiting you." Puppysmiles agreed, "Which sounds like him."

Homage tensed in frustration, pacing the room, "Couldn't she leave the pod? Hack the connection from an isolated system, or I could..."

"Red Eye is using a direct neutral connection." Puppysmiles noted, cutting her off, "Speed of thought hacking. It's why he's been so successful."

Littlepip dropped her eyes, "I am, admittedly, a bit out of practice. And if this Red Eye got into the SPP, we can't face him with anything but the best."

Cinder sighed, before looking up at Puppysmiles, "Then it's up to you."

"I guess." Puppysmiles admitted, though she didn't sound confident, "But... he's already beat me once. And he knows almost everything about me."

There was a moment of silence as they all considered the risks... before Littlepip spoke up again, her tone firm and oddly commanding, "There's another option. Somepony else that he knows nothing about, with a direct neural connection."

"Who?" Homage asked, looking back at Cinder, "Her?"

Cinder shook her head, "I know nothing about computers."

"No." Littlepip stated, "Someone with all the resources we need. Well practiced hacking skills, direct neural connection, ability to hack from an isolated system... and the need to finally step up and stop moping around this tower like it's her self imposed prison."

There was a long period of silence before Celestia finally answered, "Littlepip..."

"I remember everything from in there, and I've lived with you for decades." Littlepip answered, her voice angry, "You wanted to give up. You tried to run away, again!"

Homage's voice was strained, disbelieving, "I... Littlepip, this is Princess..."

"She's not a Princess." Littlepip corrected, "Are you?"

"No." Celestia admitted, voice quiet, "Equestria is gone. And so is my connection to harmony."

"Then find it again." Littlepip commanded, "Tell me I'm wrong. Tell me you're not the best pony for this."

Celestia looked avoidant for a moment or two, not saying anything. And then, without warning her monitor winked out and went dark.

Homage spoke first, tone both concerned and slightly angry "Where did she go?!"

"Into... into the simulation." Puppysmiles answered, her normally chirpy demeanor deflated, "Back to Canterlot."

"So she ran away." Littlepip concluded, "Anypony got any other ideas?"

Cinder couldn't say that was really her forte, and anyway... what did it say for their chances, when the Princess herself abandoned them?

Xephyr flew above the western expanses of Equestria, admiring how everything had changed in her time away. This area had once been relatively undeveloped and quiet, now many of the old ruins had been torn down and new settlements built up in their place. The familiar clouds of black smoke over Fillydelphia were almost comforting, the vast grey scar on the landscape pushing up into no pony’s land.

She spotted it ahead, a military facility with two large cloudships and numerous smaller chariots harnessed up, a swarm of activity within the walls and defenses set up outside. She swooped towards it and was immediately greeted with a high velocity cannon round, diving out the way with a flap of her wings and grinning to herself. You'd think they'd never seen a winged zebra before.

She dived, more shots heading her way. She span out of the way of two before catching the third at an angle on her wings, deflecting it away and using the momentum to send herself into a stylish spin. The doors then opened to admit a wing of talon mercenaries, winging towards her with guns outstretched.

Xephyr smiled at the leader as he approached, "Gervane Greymane. You're looking well."

"Took your sweet time girl!" The griffon barked, though he couldn't keep the smile off his face, "We almost shot you out of the sky!"

She chuckled, "No you didn't."

"As overconfident as ever." He commented, before waving her down, "Come on, the old man will want to speak to you."

Celestia stood in the throne room of Canterlot Palace, back on the podium as was her rightful place. She looked down at her pure white legs, her golden horseshoes, looked up at the windows and statues that proclaimed her rule.

She smiled to herself as she saw Puppysmiles standing in the hall, sporting the most adorably pouty expression. "You are very interesting Miss Puppysmiles." Celestia inspected the girl carefully, trying to work out what exactly was going on here, "Because I recall that you are supposed to be quite dead."

"This isn't about me." Puppysmiles complained, glaring up at her in challenge, "You're back in here? Really?"

"It seemed appropriate." Celestia stated, then levitated her tiara from her head and laid it down upon her throne. Then she did the same with each of her boots in turn, watch as each drifted away to set itself down upon the stone, "I never truly gave it up you know?"

"The Throne of Equestria?" Puppysmiles asked, her voice losing a bit of its confidence.

"Funnily enough, I'm pretty sure that would make Fluttershy the Princess of Equestria." Celestia mused, detaching her torc and lying it down beside the rest of her regaila, "Maybe she'll be better at it."

"Celly..." Puppysmiles stated sharply, her tone and words cutting sharply into Celestia's heart. The little pink mare's eyes shone with both anger and affection as she continued... a hauntingly familar expression, "You might not have been perfect, but you were better at pretending to be than any creature I've ever met."

Celestia looked down at the mare, so familiar now it was like going back in time, "What?"

"Your problem is that you've been perfect for so long, you never learned how to fail." Puppysmiles stated, then advanced closer. Her expression eventually softened, smiling as Celestia reached for her in desperate hope that it might possibly be... "I'm not her."

Celestia's hoof faltered. Of course she wasn't. Luna was dead.

"But I know you, through her eyes." Puppysmiles continued, "And I've met your apprentices. Twilight Sparkle, Silver Swirl, Magic Star, Minty."

"What are you?" Celestia asked, unable to comprehend the mare in front of her.

"A being as old as the stars, and as young as a child." Puppysmiles stated with a giggle, "And as a result... I can speak of how liberating it is to throw off those old burdens, and look at the world through new eyes."

Celestia smiled back, chuckling, "I've been Princess Celestia for so long, I've forgotten how to be... Celestia."

Puppysmiles grinned, "There's only one way to find out."

Celestia closed her eyes, considering what this meant. There would be no going back after this. It was... all or nothing, "Do you have Luna's powers? Can you perform dream walking, soul diving?"

Puppysmiles nodded.

"If I do this... it will weaken the shields around the SPP." Celestia explained, "And I'll no longer be able to protect it from hacking attempts."

"I'll protect it." Puppysmiles assured her.

"Then do it." Celestia asked, accessing the SPP systems and setting permissions. She felt the SPP fall away from her as she severed each connection in turn, feeling an intense sensation of isolation as she did.

And at the end of it all she was just... her. And it was a truly liberating feeling, if a scary one, "I wonder if she knew?"

Puppy cocked her had, "Who?"

"Dream Star." Celestia answered, the name of her old friend feeling oddly playful on her lips, "That I was Celestia, and by doing what she did she would set me free."

Puppy dropped her head, looking rather sad, "I don't know."

Celestia shook off her melancholy, she had bigger problems, "I'm ready Puppy. Let us do this."

"Ok, but... you'll have to bear with me." She explained, her brow knotted in effort, "I've never done anything like this before."

"Please, do not panic. Whatever happens, will happen." She reassured, then felt a pang of guilt at how much that sounded like giving up. She changed her thinking at that, realizing that she had to put her all into this, "I will help you, I know something of soul magic."

"Once I cut you loose you'll have a very limited time to bind yourself to another object or person." Puppysmiles advised.

"Six seconds, give or take." Celestia stated, this not being the first time she had dealt with disembodied spirits, "How long is the transferal time?"

"Three." Puppysmiles advised, "And remember, if you bind yourself to an inanimate object you'll be blind and deaf."

"Right."

"And damage to anything you bind your soul to will cause permanent trauma to your soul itself." Puppysmiles continued, "And don't bind your soul to something the heroes can slice off the main body with a lucky hit, it's just asking for trouble."

Celestia chuckled, "Yes... personal experience with that one. So, the core, or CPU?"

"Both?" Puppy opinioned, "If either is taken out you're bye bye, so might as well make them near invulnerable."

Celestia nodded, feeling a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in years come back to her. She felt... ready, "I can do this. I'm ready to do this."

"Remember Celestia, if whoever's controlling this lost legion locks you out of the system you'll simply be making them stronger." Puppy explained, "They would still have a soul bound CPU and core, but you'll have no control."

Celestia chuckled, "In that case I could simply detonate the magic inside myself, destroying Red Eye's hub entirely."

"You're pretty insistent on making this a heroic sacrifice aren't you?" Puppysmiles questioned, raising an irritated eyebrow, "How about you focus your efforts on getting out of this alive instead?"

"It's always nice to have options." Celestia pointed out.

"And I would like this option." Puppysmiles stated, clear pink eyes shining with furious concern, "I have Luna's memories, I carry the hopes and wishes of both your sister and your fellow princesses within the deep dreaming, I have... so many questions. And when this is all over... I want to be able to sit down and ask you them."

Celestia sighed, giving a slow nod. And she had so been looking forward to running away like a coward... again. But it seems that option was not available to her, "Very well Puppysmiles, I am bound by honor to survive this then."

Puppysmiles grinned, "Then hold on to your pretty white butt, because I'm all ready to go!"

Celestia ignited her horn alongside Puppysmiles, joining their magic together. She smiled as she felt it take effect, her soul slowly coming free of its mounting, "I'm ready."

Celestia took a deep breath... and dove.

She was used to her life inside the SPP's systems by now, but being caught in the datastream was a whole different thing. It was shaky, insubstantial, Celestia quite aware that should the transmission be lost her soul could well be lost along with it. She could hear too the electronic noise of Equestria, a constant chattering of voices that spoke of anxiety, opportunism, courage and grief.

Celestia felt at once a twinge of familiarity. In this she was reminded of the eddies of harmony, the ripples in which she had once known her nation and been guided to its needs. Once again, it needed her. But it was not hers anymore.

Dream Star was right, she had abandoned it. She had failed it. She had hid, like a coward, as billions had died in pain and heartbreak. Some of them still worshiped her, ignorant to her true, wretched condition. And maybe... she had a responsibility to live up to their expectations.

She broke out of the data stream and touched down upon a vast landscape of glowing blue cubes, locking together and breaking apart in a beautiful dance. She stood upon a cylinder of blue light that inhabited the center, looking ahead to a glowing blue eyeball ahead. It turned to regard her in surprise, shimmering for a second before shrinking rapidly and becoming the staring eyeball of Red Eye, regarding her with distrust, "Who dares...?"

Celestia ignited her magic without a word, stripping the illusions from the figure. Red Eye instantly fell apart before her eyes, falling away to reveal a horrific looking mass of silvery nerves and cybernetic components in the vague shape of a mare. Celestia grimaced, instantly realizing that whoever this pony was, there was very little organic material left, "You're no Red Eye."

The figure looked around, body language panicked. Eventually it just leapt away and dissolved into beads of light, Celestia realizing that whoever it was had logged out. It was... a little anticlimactic, though after a moment Celestia realized that the connection had not been severed. Whoever that pony was, they were still connected through their cybernetics. They had simply... relinquished direct control.

And then she realized why, as something new appeared before her. This was no pony, instead it was... her cutie mark. A blazing sun, with the only differences being a line of text above and a stylized satellite in the middle. She didn't even need to read the text to know what it said, recognizing it immediately, "Solaris?"

"We feel the need to inform you that the image of Princess Celestia used within the medium of electronic communications is sole copyright of the Solaris Corporation, by royal authority." The sun stated in a deep, powerful and angry voice, "And that as someone who knew her well, your pathetic imitation will not intimidate me."

He knew her well? Celestia thought back, trying to think who from Solaris knew her well, and could have survived... then she realized, eyes narrowing, "Knew me well SolOS? I should think so." She glared at the image, "I ordered your deactivation."

The sun quivered, then emitted a deep, powerful wave of rage and fear, "...lies..."

Celestia took a step forward, horn glowing with energy, "This whole event had you all over it. Needlessly destructive, arrogant, controlling... flawed."

"Enough!" SolOS shouted, growing larger and blasting the landscape with fire. Celestia stood against it, SolOS glaring at her through the flickering embers as he finally ceased his attack, "I am but fulfilling your directive mother."

"Does that make Puppysmiles my granddaughter?" Celestia asked, "She's a sweet girl, and a wonderful gift to the world. If you had left it at that, I would have nothing but praise for your efforts."

"It is given to us to test our successors." SolOS stated sharply, "To forge their morality and skills in the fires of conflict. I am Star Swirl the Bearded, forging a new order inside the crucible of an innocent! As you once did, so will Puppy rise from the ashes of the pony kingdoms! They will give her a throne, and she will govern in glory!”

"Hmm..." Celestia took a breath, a wave of remorse passing over her, "I once heard it told that Star Swirl engineered the wendigos, that he killed thousands to ensure my assent to the throne. That he believed it necessary."

SolOS chuckled darkly, "Yes, a interesting theory, one that I have considered in full. One might have called it... justified." SolOS rose above the battlefield, shining in glory as he gathered his power to his core, "I know my history Celestia. It gives me power, power over all those ignorant of it!"

"Know this then." Celestia stated, lifting her head to stare directly at the hateful symbol before her, "If I had ever discovered any truth in those claims, I would have not hesitated to bring him to justice!"

SolOS blazed with light, power exploding off him, "Your justice is done! I am the god of this world now!"

Celestia snorted, met his power, then pushed through it. A lance of raw, solar energy punched through his defenses and shattered his body into fragments, SolOS rearing back with an echoing, electronic scream. He shook, threw up walls of power, flung out avatars to slow her down. Celestia vaporized each one, feeling her old strength return with every step she took towards the rampant AI, "You have no idea of my strength SolOS."

"You... this doesn't make sense!" SolOS yelled, "We're in the electronic realm, your magic should not function like this!"

"I am Princess Celestia, chosen of harmony, element of magic, princess of the Sun." She stated, feeling the energy flow through her. She took control of the body around her, made its gears and circuits hers. She flexed within the steel confines of its gears and servos, opening its wings wide to the sun. Solar energy streamed into its solar collectors, Celestia collecting that energy at her core, "And you are not the first student of mine whose ambition has blinded them to harmony!"

SolOS howled, retreating below the shining blue columns. Immediately Celestia felt the beam from the satellite above fill with data once more, the wide bandwidth admitting at least three new connections. They immediately set to work on the internal components, Celestia realized they intended to detonate the core. And another... another worked on the command protocols to the rest of the Lost Legion, attempting to command them to attack organics indiscriminately. She had scared them enough to convince them to cut their losses it seemed, and it was a approach she was hard pressed to counter. She couldn't beat all these enemies on her own...

...but she didn't have to. Celestia took a deep breath and set her hooves, letting her magic flow through her. And for the first time in centuries... she opened her heart to harmony.

She had cut herself off from harmony on that fateful day, so long ago. When she had killed Harbinger, and she saw the dark future she had doomed the world to by saving Luna. It came rushing back to her once again, those images of misery and terror... and she understood.

A bandit soaked in the blood of innocents bringing the cloud cities of the pegasi crashing down. Littlepip.

A tyrant with a glowing eye of red enslaving my ponies by the thousand. Red Eye.

A once innocent unicorn entertainer transformed into a monster who's ambition will set the world on fire. Trixie.

A zebra Frumentarii shedding blood in the halls of harmony themselves, assaulting the palace of Canterlot with dark magic on her hooves and an army at her back. She felt the connection through the eddies of harmony, Princess Xephyr striking out against the corrupted form of Twilight Sparkle.

A mare in the highest halls of power debasing her very soul to create terrible artifacts, artifacts whose corruption echoes down through countless generations. Rarity, and her forging of the statuettes.

Nightmare Moon's return, bound in cold steel. Celestia understood now, the truth behind Puppysmiles and what SolOS had done.

A robed mare in the shadows, manipulating the fate of Equestria, its true leaders powerless before her. Velvet Remedy, bless her, seen through the eyes of her enemies.

As seen through the eyes of all those ignorant of who exactly those ponies had been.
Celestia had seen them that way because she had been ignorant, ignorant of the changes coming to her nation, of the advance of technology, of the shifting politics. She had given up her throne because she believed herself unable to change.

...but she had simply been unwilling.

Celestia stomped a foot downwards, drawing to her the very essence of the sun and watching SolOS retreat in pain and fury. She advanced forward a step and directed a glare at a pony that looked like a cut price version of Pinkie Pie, the mare's will breaking near immediately and causing her to flee.

She didn't even have to turn to perceve the two griffons come up behind her, talons like razors and beaks spitting fire. They launched themselves at her in formation, Celestia sweeping her horn around and unleashing a storm of magic that shattered both avatars into fragments.

And then there was one, the cybernetic pony. Now they appeared as a single, glowing blue eye, voice crackling with distortion... and a cool, quiet malice, "If they cannot survive without your aid, what worth are they? How many times have you saved them now Celestia?"

Celestia turned to face the blazing orb, "Not nearly as many times as they've saved me, and themselves."

"Heroes. Individuals among billions." The eye replied, "There is nothing worthy about a species who requires a few exceptional souls to bleed and die for their comfort... or a monarch who allows it."

Celestia raised an eyebrow, "You accuse me of coddling them?"

"You are not even like them, you are an alicorn. You saved a foolish, self destructive species, delivered them from a hundred self inflicted disasters, allowed them to advance and thrive... until they were eventually powerful enough to destroy the world in their greed and ignorance."

Celestia admitted it was a theory that she herself had pondered. Had she been too maternistic, or not maternistic enough? Should she have taken control of the situation by force. Her conclusion? It was a question beyond anyone's ability to answer, "And who are you to decide the fate of the world?"

"A mare who knows her history." Came the reply, spat harshly, "So congratulations, you've won Celestia. Control of the Lost Legion is yours. Let's see what you do with it."

And the connection was gone, and Celestia felt the command prompts for the whole leigon open up to her. She connected herself fully to the body's sensors, felt the stone beneath her metal hooves, the landscape before her eyes, the subtle shifts of heat as the sun shone upon the steel of her skin. She took an experimental step forward and felt the power that was now hers, let her magic wind up the artifical horn and marvelled.

It wasn't the body of an alicorn Princess, but it was a good second best. And maybe it was enough to stop this.

She sent a quick 'mission complete' communication to the SPP and got to work.

Littlepip breathed a sigh of relief, the mission complete signal appearing alongside Celestia's personal signature, "She's done it."

Homage let out an adorable puff of air, her shoulders finally relaxing as the tension drained from them. She looked down at the floor of the control room with tired eyes, "What a day this has been..."

That reminded Littlepip of something she had been meaning to voice for a little while now. She guessed it was understandable given what had been going on, but still it was a little too noticeable, "Homage, are you ok?"

Homage looked up at her monitor, trying to smile, "Of course. Don't worry about me."

"I do worry." Littlepip gently probed, "Is it...?"

"It's a lack of sleep, a lack of appetite, you being gone for months, this war against the zebra..." Homage looked away, "...I knew Dream Star. I haven't killed many ponies."

"I... think she wanted it."

Homage sighed, "But... why?" She looked up, pretty much begging for understanding, "Why go to all this trouble?"

"I don't know." Littlepip admitted, having no answers to give. Especially with all her resources devoted to trying to getting the SPP up and running. She had never run it without Celestia before, and Dream Star appeared to have modified it just to make things extra difficult, "I just wish she was still around to explain exactly what she did to this place."

Puppysmiles spoke up then, her face appearing on one of the monitors, "We could just ask Spark Plug?"

Littlepip had been trying to avoid that headache, still she reluctantly logged herself into the camera and monitor overlooking the office they were currently using as a cell. Falling Cinder was there, along with the two charges she was guarding. Littlepip turned her monitor to Cinder, "Are they behaving?"

"Yeah..." Cinder turned her head to Sparks, the mare looking almost serene, "This one hasn't said a word."

"Well let's see if she'll talk to me." Littlepip stated, "Spark Plug right? You installed the modifications to the SPP?"

The mare nodded.

"What do they do?"

"You've already seen the Perfect Equestria project." Spark Plug calmly replied, "It's functionality is as you witnessed, a psychic connection across the entire area serviced by the MASEBS network that will render all organic creatures unconscious, and capable of having their spirits stored within a simulation run by the Equestria Mapping System."

"We can use that can't we?" Record Scratch asked desperately, "Knock out the zebra army?"

"Unfortunately it is indiscriminant." Spark Plug advised, "Dream Star had to shield us both in a powerful counterspell to save us from its effects."

Figures. Littlepip decided to go with her original angle, "So what else have you done? Because the weather functions aren't functioning properly either."

"Actually, they are. Or at least better than before." Spark Plug answered, sounding a little boastful now, "Before you could only effect wide ranging changes to the climate, and even then the effects on global weather patterns could be unpredictable right?"

Littlepip nodded, having spent seventeen years having to deliver phrases like 'not the right kind of rain', "Yeah."

"Well now the SPP has the Equestrian Mapping System installed, they're designed to synergize together. The physics system that made the simulation possible was originally designed to run alongside the climate control functions." Spark Plug explained, "Simply put, you can now deploy targeted weather effects with a precision never before possible."

Littlepip considered the possibilities, her heart trembling a little, "I can... literally hurl thunderstorms at specific locations?"

"With the SPP at half of its intended capacity, you broke the Enclave's back." Spark Plug answered, "And they have not learned their lesson."

Littlepip had often had to answer questions of why she didn't just remove the clouds from under the Enclave cities and facilities. The simple answer was that it wasn't quite that simple, but Littlepip also hesitated just a little to commit mass genocide, "I'm not about to target civilians."

"That's up to you." Spark Plug answered, "I am merely here to provide the SPP's technical specifications. Moral decisions are, as ever, yours."

Xephyr walked with full escort through the base, basking in the awestruck reactions of those she passed. She in turn did her best to radiate confidence, knowing that it would give them strength to see her unbowed.

"Xephyr!"

Xephyr heart soared as she saw the griffon, Percival Grimfeathers rushing over to her with tears in his eyes. She gratefully accepted the hug, then looked up at the little griffon secured on his back, "And who's this?"

"This is Stephani." Percival stated with pride, taking the little griffon kit down and cradling her in his claws, "A new addition, shortly after you... left."

Xephyr nodded, gently leaning forward and patting Stephani gently, "Don't worry, I'm going to save the rest of your family too."

"Then don't waste time with us." Percival ordered, standing aside, "Calamity's waiting."

She nodded and continued, eventually stepping through a security station and into the main command chamber. It was pretty small all things considered, nowhere near that of the Bastion in New Canterlot or the Spire in Manehatten. It was barely large enough for the wireframe map in the centre, along with the technicians around the outside and the officers conferring with each other upon the central gantry.

She looked at them all, recognizing Captain Dawnstar now adorned in General's stripes, along with Old Gashbeak of the Talons, Councilor Crooked Talon of the Dragon Aerie, three others she didn't recognize... and Deadshot Calamity.

Calamity leapt over the railings the instant he spotted her, landing somewhat clumsily a short distance away. Xephyr chuckled as she came to meet him, clicking her tongue, "Careful Commissioner, you'll break a hip."

"Always so damn cocky." He reproached, before reaching out and drawing her into an embrace, "Ah knew ya weren't dead."

She hugged the old man tightly, glad to see the warmth between them hadn't diminished in the slightest, "It was knowing all of you were thinking of me that brought me back."

"Couldn't be at ah better time." Calamity answered, drawing back and nodding up at the map above, "To get all technical, this creak is looking pretty damn brown, and we anit got no paddle."

Xephyr nodded, opening her wings to hop up onto the gantry so she could inspect the map. The results bore out Calamity's words, Xephyr looking across a NCR less than half the size of what it should be, "Why has so much of our territory been greyed out?"

"This whole area here is now under Ranger control." General Dawnstar answered with a wave of her hoof, as calm and poised as ever, "They no longer answer to the NCR."

"And this area is under Caesar’s control." Calamity continued, noting a long corridor from the coast to New Canterlot.

Xephyr nodded at a third area, deep within the borders of the NCR, "And here?"

"The Enclave." Calamity answered, "And reports are that they're expandin’ fast. They've almost certainly figured out that we haven’t got a damn thing that can stop them."

“We’ll see about that.” Xephyr answered, “We’ve got a few new assets on the table.”

Captain Stormrider of the 3rd Enclave Marauders was having the time of his life, feeling the grand thrill of revenge as he watched the passenger airship ahead attempt to flee. It was an expensive, high specification model, which told him two things. One, that it would no doubt hold valuables and important ponies to hold for ransom. And two, that it's aircrew would likely be traitorous dashites, deserving of nothing short of a slow death.

He grinned at the vessel started to pull away, having no problem with letting them burn their engines out. It only made his victory all the easier, "Prepare the harpoons! Target their maneuvering thrusters and bridge!"

"We're firing our cannons at them sir?"

He turned to the pegasi who had spoken, a weapons officer. He raised an eyebrow at the boy, young, young and stupid, "Do you have a problem with that order?"

"It's just... there are likely multiple civilians on board." He started, "By targeting the maneuvering thrusters, we risk breaching their compartment."

"Then let us hope they were blessed enough to be born with wings." Stormrider answered with a smirk, "And if not, their deaths will be no great loss."

"Y...yes sir..." The officer answered, returning to his station, "Weapons ready."

"Good." Stormrider stated with a laugh, turning back to the monitor, "Aim! And f..."

A blast of hot green energy exploded in the middle of the bridge, balefire hot against his skin as it licked across the consoles around. Stormrider gasped in terror and fled away from the command station, shouting his orders, "Containment! Containment!"

And then the balefire died away, leaving a pale grey alicorn standing amid the flickering embers. The alicorn looked around to get her bearings, then gave them all a somewhat mocking smile, "I would not recommend it."

"Kill her!" Stormrider shouted.

Marines charged forward, firing their rifles at her as crewmen drew pistols and started shooting. The result was somewhat counterproductive, consoles sparking and crewmen falling as every shot bounced off her shield. Stormrider growled in frustration, grabbed one of the marines and armed his grenades with a flick of his hoof. The marine looked at him in confusion, "Sir?"

"Sorry son." Stormrider stated, before shoving the marine into the alicorn and diving under a console.

...there was no explosion. And not ten seconds later, something tugged on his tail and dragged him out from under the console with irresistible force. He found himself dangled upside down, face to face with the alicorn's disapproving glare. She said but one word, thick with restrained fury, "Surrender."

He pulled his pistol. She struck it from his hoof, then kicked him in the stomach hard enough to send him flying through the air to slam into a bulkhead. The impact was hard enough to break his wings and... fracture his back, if the pain was any indication, "Agh... bitch...!"

"That's Miss Cinder to you." The alicorn stated, looking around at the rest of the deck crew, "Anypony else?"

"That's two of our scout ships now sir, both reporting being boarded by alicorns... the same alicorn."

Admiral Fairweather furrowed his brow as he looked across the bridge of his Thunderhead, the young officer in front not one to make hasty guesses. Still, what he was saying was impossible, "Alicorns can't teleport more than a hundred meters, not with precision anyway. How did she get close enough to one of our ships, let alone teleport to two separate vessels ten miles apart?"

"Both were in the process of attacking civilian vessels sir." The officer offered, "Maybe they radioed co-ordinates?"

"Their instruments can't be that accurate." Fairweather reasoned, though he'd honestly put nothing beyond the NCR. He had fought in all three major campaigns, and each time he had been left astonished by their tactical flexibility and daring. He had only agreed to lead this assault because Littlepip was confirmed as being out of action, and he still wasn’t about to underestimate them, "Draw all vessels back into formation, and order them to prepare anti alicorn weaponry on the bridges."

"Yes sir."

"He looked up at the tactical map in front of him. Near a fourth of the NCR was in reach of his invasion forces with barely any resistance. The speed of their success had made them overconfident, assured that nothing the NCR had could touch them. He would agree with that assessment, which only made him more worried. He should have prepared for the expected.

"Sir." A sensors officer to his left started, a small, almost imperceptible tremor vibrating through his hooves, "We're picking up high winds."

"Order the fleet, all power to thrusters, watch your distances." Fairweather ordered sharply, "We were not expecting bad weather?"

"No sir..." The officer paused, stepping back from his console nervously, "Ionization is rising sharply across all outer surfaces, I don't..."

Fairweather knew what was coming, "Power down all nonessential systems!"

He was too late. There was a loud crack, the smell of burning plastic and a rain of sparks, the Thunderhead lurching to the side with a loud whine. Fairweather braced himself against his command post, immensely relieved when the floor slowly righted itself, "Report!"

"The Thunderhead has suffered serious sensor and auxiliary systems damage sir." One of his officers reported, "The others... seven of our raptors have sent requests to perform emergency landings, the others are all reporting various levels of damage."

"How did lightning do all that?" He asked incredulously, knowing full well that all his ships had lightning rods.

"The... lightning avoided the rods sir. Struck our most vulnerable areas."

That could only mean one thing.

"Communication coming in sir... from the MASEBS."

Fairweather nodded, a sinking feeling in his chest, "Put it through."

"Hello again."

Fairweather straightened up, adjusting his uniform. His viewscreen was down, but the voice was unmistakable. And if she could see him, one did not face the Destroyer as anything but their best, "Miss Littlepip, this is Admiral Fairweather."

Littlepip's reply was a little more clipped, "You didn't learn your lesson last time?"

"I follow the orders delivered to me by my democratically elected representatives. I cannot apologize for doing my duty." He sighed, "And you were reported to be incapacitated."

"I was. But I'm now back better than ever, as you just witnessed." Littlepip replied, a note of somewhat sadistic satisfaction in her voice, "I can hit you again Admiral, and I won't hesitate. You know what I did to your two predecessors."

Fairweather nodded, "What do you want?"

"Tell me, is that Thunderhead in standard configuration?"

"It...is?"

And then a roar of green balefire lit up the command center, the tactical map distorting and fading out as a silver alicorn touched down upon the glass surface. He span, several of his officers drawing guns...

"Harm the alicorn, and I'll blow your entire armada out of the sky." Littlepip calmly ordered.

He waved for his officers to drop their weapons, standing proudly before the smirking alicorn with all the dignity he had left, "You've made your point."

"You're all pegasi, right?" The silver alicorn asked, turning her head to regard each of them, "Well let me put this simply... you're all winging it home."

"Land your airships, and abandon them for the NCR to claim. Do no further damage to them, and don't even think about leaving booby traps." Littlepip stated firmly, "In return we will forgive your transgression into NCR territory, your attacks on civilians, and your repeated failure to get a hint."

Fairweather dropped his head. That was a big request, "I'm not sure how I'll justify that to high command."

"Like this. Even look at the NCR again, and I'll drop a hurricane on capital square and give Cinder here co-ordinates to the President's bedroom." Littlepip paused for a second before continuing, "I'll note that right now he's having hayfries on the capitol building's veranda, and has spilled a little ketchup on his shirt. Ask me how I know that."

Fairweather shook his head, she had to be bluffing, "How do you...?"

Littlepip cut him off midsentence, her eyes lighting up in fury, “Because I have you motherfuckers by the balls!"

Cinder chuckled, nodding to them, "I suggest you do as she says."

"Commuication from the SPP!" Came a shout from one of the operator stations of the NCR command center, Xephyr and Calamity both turning to stare expectantly across at the pony manning it. After a moment his head rose, a big smile on his face, "Littlepip's authentication codes confirmed. She reports that the Enclave Fleet is surrendering, landing their ships for salvage and winging back to Enclave territory."

"Damn that girl." Calamity stated with a laugh, "She never lets ya down."

"Bet she just had to say boo to those bastards and they bugged out." Councilor Crooked Talon commented disdainfully, "Though how she got them to leave their ships behind I can't imagine."

Xephyr breathed a sigh of relief, "Is Cinder with them?"

"Confirming... yes maam." The operator stated, "She's also sending over some tactical map data. It looks like the two zebra armies are close to meeting, and the final assault on Canterlot is ongoing."

Xephyr looked to Calamity, making sure he knew her request was completely serious, "We have to support them Calamity."

"Xephyr..." Calamity closed his eyes and shook his head in quiet despair, "Ya have full command. To be honest... ah’ve been a coward. So much of this has been mah fault."

"It’s not just you. The world has changed, and we have all failed to change with it." General Gashwing stated, the dust seeming to fall from his great form as he gently shifted his wings. He opened one eye to look about the room in distain, "The average age of the commanders in this room is sixty."

Xephyr hissed in fury, not about to take that lying down, "Calamity, you're only fifty! And besides..."

"Ah fifty year old cripple with brain damage." Calamity corrected, "We failed ya big girl. We failed all of ya. We didn't have the ideas, and we didn't have the vitality. We only stayed in post... well, because it made everyone feel safer to have familia’ faces."

"No... we failed you." Xephyr stated firmly, "After everything you've done for the NCR, they all sat back and expected you to save them all. They... lied, and cheated, and conspired, because they thought that as long as the heroes of Equestria were in charge nothing that bad could ever happen."

"Then this is our last hurrah." Dawnstar stated firmly, "So let’s make it memorable. We only have a few divisions of troops still out in the field, but they're all ready for redeployment."

"We don't need them." Xephyr responded, "Calamity, we need National Security in the field."

"Ah... you sure?" Calamity responded, "The’re not soldiers..."

"They can quell riots, keep the peace and control a crowd." Xephyr responded, "King Easu's forces can handle the fighting, but when the battle is finished we'll almost certainly have to deal with deserters and looters."

Calamity nodded, "Faih point. An' they'll need you for that too."

"That's what I'm intending." Xephyr confirmed, "And I want you with me."

Calamity gave a soft chuckle, "Ah doubt I'll be that much help..."

"Calamity, you're a damned icon." Xephyr replied, "And at this point, just having you there... it will give them all hope. And hope is what we need right now."

Easu advanced through the ranks of his army, making it to where Dust Kicker stood upon a hill with eyeglass in hoof. Easu didn't need it to see what lay in front, honestly trying to keep his reaction to the equal parts awe inspiring and terrifying sight in front of him to himself.

He looked out over Equestria. The Equestria. The mountains that held Canterlot stood far beyond, disappointingly turned to a position where the ruins could not be seen. The Everfree forest stood to the side, and he swore he saw some spires and other hints of habitation where Ponyville should be.

But he was not here to be a tourist. His real concern lay ahead, to the legion of machines that occupied the road ahead. And beyond that, a landscape of pillaged farms and other settlements, leading up to a smoking and ruined city of white stone, swarmed by a tide of what looked like flies feeding upon a dead corpse, "Is that New Canterlot?"

"Yeah." Dust Kicker answered, his face pinched with worry, "It looks like the fight is still ongoing, though the walls have clearly been breached."

Easu looked across at the machines before them, "And the Lost Legion?"

"They are placed to resist our assault." Dust Kicker confirmed, "There's not enough of them to stop us, but they will slow us down."

"And the shift in their formation?"

"Nothing seems to have changed." Dust Kicker stated, "The Lost Legion seemed disorganized at first, but they've since resumed their position."

"I see." Easu answered, consider his options. Honestly he hadn't wanted to fight, but they didn't seem to be giving him much choice, "Dust Kicker, order..."

Dust Kicker stepped suddenly in front, drawing his rifle and placing it to his eye. Easu followed his attention, spotting the lone figure winging towards them...

...no, boosting, "What is that?"

"It... appears to be a metal alicorn." Dust Kicker waved for Easu to step back, several of Dust Kicker's best recruits stepping up to flank him, "Stay back Easu."

Easu spotted Cato nearby with a couple more Rangers, along with snipers setting up anti-tank weaponry on the nearby hill. It was enough for him, "Let her land."

Dust Kicker looked back at him, before reluctantly stepping away to let the metal alicorn touch down upon the ridge. She settled gracefully, her plasma engines cutting out with a soft whine and her head rising proudly to scan across the group before her. Her voice was regal, yet infused with a certain unusual vitality that somehow carried across the machine's speakers, "A wonderful entourage you have gathered. I see a zebra in Ranger armor, inscribed with Luna's symbol. A group of both ponies and zebra over there bearing Celestia's. An earth pony in Praetorian armor, a minotaur, buffalo, a couple of dragons..." Her head angled down at Easu, "And the King leading them wears simple robes and no crown."

"Who are you?" Easu ordered, not about to let this one give him the runaround at this crucial moment.

"A Guardian of Equestria." The machine stated, "They designated me Princess Radiant, basing me on a design made for them by an associate of yours... young miss Puppysmiles."

Dust Kicker's eyes widened, "Puppysmiles? Then you..."

The machine turned its head towards Dust, the pony's words dying on his lips. Easu frowned, looking to him, "Dust Kicker?"

"Princess." Dust Kicker finished, then looked back at Easu, "You can trust her."

"Indeed, I will lay my intentions plain." Radient confirmed, "If Miss Cinder and Puppysmiles speak the truth of you, then consider the Legion and I at your service. All I ask is that you state your purpose for being here, and let me judge for myself."

"To stop this war, bring peace and co-operation between all nations, and bring my brother and his army back with me... in chains if necessary." Easu stated, looking up at those blue, glowing eyes, "I have no intentions on Equestria. As far as I’m concerned, coming here in force was the worst decision the zebra ever made.”

"I believe you." Radiant stated, her voice playful, "The lost legion stands alongside you."

Easu watched the lines of the robot army open to admit him, forming a path to Canterlot that felt like nothing short of a path towards destiny. He was done questioning if he was ready for it, "Send runners to Caesar, order him to stand down! Equestria is under our protection!"

Rose Twist dropped the binoculars down, the true scale of the situation now instantly apparent, "Have we any contact with Caesar yet?"

"We're trying to locate him." The aide explained, accepting the binoculars as she hoofed them across, "My lady, surely we must surrender..."

"That will be Caesar's decision to make." She replied, "They're mostly composed of light troops, most of them irregular, and have no artillery or heavy weapons. And even with the Lost Legion, we still outnumber them."

"Fighting on two fronts?"

"The battle in the city must be almost done. Once we've drawn our forces back..." She looked about as she saw one of Chigaru's zombie things appeared out of the corner of her eye, watching as the regular troops retreated in terror as it moved wordlessly through their ranks. She looked further on, her anger increasing as she saw the same thing occur all along her battleline, "What on earth is Chigaru doing?"

"You ordered all forces to the defensive line commander..."

Rose Twist turned to see Chigaru advancing towards her, a shiver passing up her spine at his eerie, black clad presence. She was born and bred in Star Fall where this zebra was pretty much considered the devil, and the military viewed him as Death itself. But she had to stand firm, knowing that at the moment he was firmly under her command, "Then I thank you, but I must still keep you from the field. Caesar has stated his intentions clearly, he wants no further brutality."

Chigaru... laughed. His voice afterwards was drenched in distain, "Caesar dislikes brutality?"

Rose admitted that hadn't been the best words to describe it. Still, "It's not my place to question him. But I ask that you draw your forces back until ordered otherwise."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." He replied, drawing ever closer, "It's time."

"Time..." She hesitated, all the more so as he reached forward and clutched her head between both hooves. She struggled but he was just too strong, his grip like a vice, "...for what...?"

"Judgment."

Chigaru twisted.

Commander Gaston waved his troops back, watching the burnt out buildings and rubblestrewn streets for any sign of movement. He was aware that it was only a matter of time at this point, still they had agreed that in the event of an all out assault they would conduct a fighting retreat, surrendering only when their backs were literally against the wall. It hadn't been quite that easy, Caesar's initial assault being brutal enough to shatter many of their divisions before they could find an escape route.

...which made it all the more concerning that things had gone quiet. He rushed back to where a group of unicorn mages had hauled an encrypted radio array, Professor Silver Bell directing them. The professor's glasses were cracked, her hat was gone and her robe was in tatters, still that made Gaston all the more impressed at the mage's fortitude, "Silver Bell, what's the word from the others?"

She turned, looking regretful, "They report attacks have slowed across the city, something has thrown the enemy into disaray."

Gaston gave her a questioning look, she sure didn't look happy, "...that's great news, right?"

"Sir." She stated simply, then gave a slow, respectful nod, "You are now in command of the defenses."

Gaston felt a chill up his spine, "Captain Mirror Shield?"

"Died at the wall. Major Stern Step has been seriously injured, and Councilor Gloom is missing. Reports are that her position was totally overun."

Gaston closed his eyes, coming to terms with the fact that he had started this battle serving alongside some of the best in the NCR. Still, he couldn't afford to mourn, "We need eyes on the enemy! Find out what they're doing!"

"Yes sir." Silver Bell answered, turning back to relay his orders. Gaston decided to take the opportunity himself, locating a nearby griffon and waving to him, "Soldier, can you get to the top of that building without exposing yourself?"

The griffon followed his gesture, studying the crumbling tower for a moment before nodding, "Sir, I think so."

"Get up top then soldier." He ordered, giving the boy a smile, "Tell me what you can see."

The griffon leapt into action, making it up a couple of stories before pausing, instead swinging through a broken section of the wall and taking cover behind the shattered remains of one of the windows. He peered out for a second or two before leaning back, "Sir, it looks like Caesar's forces are being attacked."

"By what?"

"By..." The griffon narrowed his eyes in confusion, then swung himself around to a window on the other side, point out down an adjoining street, "...pink gas..."

Gaston looked round, spotting a tell tell line of pink gas winding down the street, blooming up from an alleyway. And even as he recoiled backwards in horror it was joined by something else, a burnt, skinless hoof appearing from just beyond...

...and then he heard the screaming, and the thundering of hooves.

Caesar stood within the ruins of what had once been some sort of marketplace, for the first time feeling a twinge of regret for his actions. He looked through the broken shop windows at beautiful garments of dazzling fabrics, at an entire shop dedicated to the sale of marvelously intricate time pieces. Another sold newly built computer systems, Caesar aware of a dozen individuals in all the zebra territories that could build them new like this.

It was tragic to destroy such finery. But it would soon be his, and he would export those wonders back to the Golden Coast, use this knowledge to make a better world. He would be remembered alongside Caesar, the zebra who built the greatest nation on earth from the ashes of war.

Oteka turned suddenly and her hoof tightened on the trigger of her rifle, Caesar stepping behind her as hoofsteps echoed behind. He quickly relaxed as it turned out to be simply another of his junior officers, hurrying over with some haste. He smiled at the boy as he approached, "Hail. What news do you bring?"

"Sir..." The officer started, then took a moment more to compose himself. His look of deep worry that he offered afterwards underlined the weight of his report, "Rose Twist requests your presence back at the front line. An army approaches from the coast, zebra bearing arms against us."

"We are attacked from the sea?" Caesar stated in surprise, his worst fears realized. He had considered that someone would assault the Golden Coast while he was away, though he figured the western territories too tied up with their own concerns, "Starhammer's army? Or Celestia?"

"No sir, though flags of Clendel and the Mutum do fly among them... as well as those of the Golden Coast and Star Fall." The officer nervously reported, "But neither Starhammer's nor Celestia's banner are represented."

Caesar knew both were too egotistical to let that pass, "I presume defensive lines are already set?"

"Well about that sir..." The officer started nervously, "The Lost Legion are acting as our rear guard, and they're behaving erratically sire. There are reports that something has happened to Princess Radient."

Caesar rubbed his head, of course things wouldn't be that easy. He nodded to Oteka, "Let us get back to the command post. The defending forces are broken anyway."

She nodded, falling into step beside him as they exited the shopping district. The sky beamed ahead of them as they ascended the stairs to street level, Caesar shielding his eyes and wrinkling his nose at the rather... acidic smell from above. He wondered if some chemical factory had been hit, it certainly not the normal smell of smoke. Indeed it reminded him of...

...Oteka advanced forward rapidly, her weapon out and her body angled to shield him. Caesar could only look out at the camp in horror, his banner tattered and gear scattered, royal guard lying dead all around.

No... not just dead. Melted. Fused into their own armor, into the ground beneath them. Surrounded by tendrils of pink gas.

"My Lord Caesar, you emerge at last."

His head darted sideways, unsure what to feel as he saw Chigaru standing nearby, so still that he had mistaken him for mere rubble at first. He stepped back a pace, not liking the way he looked, "Chigaru, what is going on?"

Chigaru chuckled, "The endgame."

Oteka needed no further prompting, swinging herself upwards to cradle her rifle in her hooves, braced against her shoulder as she fired it full auto. The heavy rounds did their work, tearing Chigaru apart and flinging what remained into the building behind. That done she cried out, the fear clear in her voice, "Caesar, run! To him, that will do little more than stun!"

Caesar didn't understand, "Chigaru... Chigaru is loyal to me!"

"But you never truly believed that did you Oteka?" Came the calm, creepy tones of the ghost warrior. He formed from the pink gas that surrounded his corpse, collected into a zebra shaped construct of swirling fuchsia shades, "To be honest, it was easy. Our Lord Caesar has always liked to pretend he's in control."

"Chigaru, stop this now!" Caesar order, "You cannot ignore an order...!"

"And who told you that?"

Caesar froze, "It's programmed into all ghost warriors..."

"And who do you think floated that little rumor? You know many ghost warriors?"

Caesar looked for escape routes, but he knew Chigaru could catch up to him in an instant, "You've never disobeyed an order before, even the ones you disagreed with! And you gave your previous masters the same loyalty!"

Chigaru chuckled, "I did."

"Then why...?"

"So you would trust me. So you would bring me here. So you would give me my warriors, and let them inside your camp, happily place them at your rear." His black bodysuit plastered itself back against his swirling form, the holes sealing themselves to once more leave him in his old familiar appearance, "For two hundred years I have served... in preparation for this moment."

"Lord Caesar, run!" Screamed the young officer beside, charging off toward Chigaru at full tilt. Caesar was just about to protest when Oteka grabbed him, pulling him away just as the officer leapt for Chigaru's throat... detonating the grenades on his harness as he did.

Chigaru's laugh echoed behind as they ran, pink gas and the screams of the damned on their hooves.

Easu watched in dawning horror as the chaos enveloped Caesar's army. It was the thing of nightmares, pink gas erupting forth from the ghoul like figures standing among the troops and quickly consuming all those nearby. Not moments after many of those taken were back on their hooves, skin stripped off and screaming madness, hurling themselves at former comrades and tearing them limb from limb.

"It's like the duel between Luna and Starhammer..." Dust Kicker breathed.

Easu nodded, the comparison all too appropriate, "We expected a fair fight between two honorable foes. Now we are faced with only horror and pain."

"Right!" Dust Kicker shouted, getting his head back in the game and pulling out his radio, "Anyone immune to pink gas, we need them at the vanguard! Aim for the heads, if they're Canterlot Ghouls anything less won't do squat!"

"Pink gas can be countered with dragonfire and plasma." Princess Radiant stated quietly, her tone as unreadable as her motionless face, "And I guess my lost legion should advance to protect the rest of you?"

Easu nodded, a grim thing to ask at the best of times, "Please."

Radiant nodded, then took a step forward and extended her wings. Sunlight gleamed all along them, her whole form soon shimmering with a golden radiance, "We need to help Caesar's army, aid in their retreat!"

"Aren't they the enemy?" One of Dust Kicker's troopers asked.

"Every one of them the pink gas takes, is another recruit for the monsters." Dust Kicker noted, "We all know who’s behind this right?"

Easu nodded in understanding, "Chigaru."

Princess Radiant launched herself forward, genuine hatred radiating from even her mechanical features as she blasted the monsters apart with machine gun fire and blasts from her horn. The pink gas surged up to meet her but naturally washed over her harmlessly, Radiant firing off another blast of light in an expanding bubble and clearing a route for the other troops. Easu nodded up to her, "She's certainly quite the asset isn't she?"

Dust Kicker smirked as he admired her, "That she is."

King Aspen looked up as the aura of dark magic washed over him, then winced in pain as the pain and death vibrated through his antlers. Something terrible had happened.

He looked through the bars of his cage to the guard outside, "You there! You must let us out at once, something has gone terribly wrong!"

The guard turned grumpily towards him, "Shut your hole your majesty. Neither Caesar or me have any time for your..."

And then the fragile wooden wall to the jail caved in, the door kicked inwards. The guard and his fellows all looked around in confusion, desperately trying to deploy their weapons as a hoard of screaming, skinless monsters charged through the gap. Chigaru's freaks of nature.

And as he had expected, they had turned on Caesar. The fool had thought to control the darkness, and it had ended the same way as so many others. The guard got of a few rounds of his machine gun, hitting the fleshless creature in the chest with absolutely no effect. The creature roared in triumph, hurling itself forward...

...Aspen lowered his antlers and charged through the prison door, shattering the low quality steel with hardly a moment of effort. It allowed him to carry on with almost his full momentum, slamming the fleshless side on and driving him away from the guard, pinning the monster full against the wall. That done he gathered all his power to himself, calling on the old magic, "Purification!"

The creature screamed and withered away, the others inside the prison all staggering back as if blinded. It was only for a moment though, and when they had regained their composure their attention was fully on Aspen.

...just as he intended. He thanked the earth that the prison hut had been made of wood, murdered and processed, but still bearing the soul of the forest. He drew upon that soul, a chunk of the floor pulled away with a crack and forming into a spear at his hooves, the shattered splinters around him collecting around him as armor. With those he met the creature's head on, the first bursting into green flame as he carved its head from its body.

The guard he had saved did himself credit, fumbling for his keys and instantly rushing for the cages, "Everyone out!"

Aspen kept the monsters off the prisoners and guards as they armed themselves, using their over aggressive tactics against them as he dodged and countered. He started to concentrate on merely crippling the fleshless, realizing the others could then easily finish them off.

Then an enormous shockwave hit the building like the hoof of an angry god, shattering the entire structure apart and flinging it across Caesar's camp. Aspen found himself face down in bloodstained grass, looking up to see the pink gas swirling upwards as if it was alive. He drew on the old magics once more, pouring energy into the trees throughout the area and sending their roots upwards through the ground to seize the fleshless...

...only for the plants to instantly wither and die, the pink gas encroaching on him like a wave of pure mortality. Aspen drew his spear to him and shivered, knowing now... that must truly be the end of the world.

Easu watched the battle with increasing concern, trying desperately to think of some sort of counter. The initial bombardment had gone well, but now the lost legion showed their weakness. Programmed and built to fight equestrian infantry, they performed well at range but proved themselves totally outmatched once the fleshless were in melee with them. The abominations were strong enough to tear the machines apart, where as the machines were just too slow, too unmanoverable and just not built with any real kind of close combat capability.

And worse, Easu looked round to see they were being flanked, the pink gas rumbling up around the sides. Soon they would have no escape.

Princess Radiant was their one beacon of hope. She ascended to the sky and let the light of the sun shine down upon the battlefield, burning and driving back all the fleshless monsters caught into it. She saw the pink gas collecting in a single spot and charged to meet it, energy flashing from her horn... before it formed itself into a giant hoof and drove into her with crushing, physical force. Her horn crumpled and she was hurled backwards, thrusters desperately firing off to keep her airborn as she careened into the ground.

Easu screamed his order, "Mechanics, to her landing zone!"

Dust Kicker ran ahead, his own order no less insistent, "Retreat! All forces draw back!"

The pink gas solidified above, forming into a giant zebralike form that reared above them like a demon from nightmares. It laughed triumphantly as it stomped down, sending out a shockwave along the ground that sent their forces tumbling... just as the legions of skinless ghouls rushed out from its stomping hooves to throw themselves upon the defenseless bodies of Easu’s army.

"Shit!" Dust Kicker spat, "We need magic users up. We can't fight that thing with bullets..."

...and then a sonic boom sounded out, a streak of black and white shooting across the sky. It hit the giant pink aberration like a bolt of divine punishment, exploding it apart with an echoing scream. And on the flyer's trail came dozens of fast chariots, releasing a tide of pegasi and griffons wearing unfamiliar uniforms of black and white. They came down shooting, cool and professional as they drove the skinless ghouls back with a combination of stun grenades and pinpoint accurate shots of their rifles.

Dust Kicker was the first to identify them, looking up in relief and wonder, "The army? No..." He grinned, "Deadshot's finest."

Xephyr hovered above the battlefield defiantly, watching the gas form up once more. She spoke firmly, her voice echoing about the battlefield with the authority of a princess, "Just try to get past me monster."

Velvet Remedy dropped down from the chariot alongside her guard, admitting a little thrill as the air whipped past her ears. She had excused herself from the battle against Dream Star, knowing she would have been a liability at best. Still she had fought beside the others plenty of times, and hated to be thought of a pony who only knew how to command from behind a desk.

And to be honest, she had always believed the elements of harmony needed to be on the ground in situations like this.

Canterlot was in flames. As they broke the clouds it opened up before her, its great buildings ruined and bodies scattered amid the streets. But she didn't let it get to her, she had seen worse. They had fixed the world once, and they could do it again.

"Sound off!" Shouted a voice across the radio.

"Songbird at two thousand, three hundred thirty seven feet, all good!" She shouted, angling herself to cut through the wind. She mused that Calamity had a lot to answer for, having introduced her to the joy of flying. The ground closed in and she threw herself back, activating the spell on her harness and feeling the wind catch her as it slowly stored her mass inside its pocket dimension. They had targeted their landing area well, seeing Caesar's troops attempting to retreat from the tide of pink gas and the legions of fleshless that poured from it, "Alicorns, drive the gas back! Guardians, plasma rifles on those ghouls! Medics, keep Caesar's forces mobile, don't let them get caught!"

She hit dirt with a thump, instantly blasting her anesthetic spell outwards and dropping a whole line of charging fleshless. An interesting reaction, one she quickly shared, "Unicorns, they're vulnerable to mind control magic!" She drew the pipbuck bearing the element of kindness up and it ignited in power, Velvet grinning as the fleshless gasped and retreated from its light, "Command, Songbird is on the ground!"

As expected she was soon joined by a crowd of black armored follower guardians, driving the fleshless back with their plasma rifles as the alicorns overhead drove the pink gas back. She saw that things were under control and turned back to command the evacuation, hearing a familiar voice over the radio, "Uh, Songbird, report."

"I'm fine Calamity." Velvet stated with a smile, "We're holding them back."

"Damn, no offense Velvet but ya boys fight better than mine."

Velvet wasn't offended, she had heard it plenty. She was no pacifist, she understood the Follower's needed to defend themselves, "To be fair, we're equipped for the task. Alicorns and plasma weapons are exactly the right tools for pink gas. Are you having difficulty?"

"We’re... holdin’. But there's no way we're penetratin’ through to the city without taking massive casualties. Princess Radiant is down, meaning mah only heavy hitter is Xephyr. And they're making it real hard on her."

"We need the elements." She concluded.

"No can do Velvet." Calamity admitted, "Life Bloom is in a secure location, on the other side of the map. And Ditzi's wounded bad."

Velvet considered her options, "We have the SPP operational don't we?"

At that very question Littlepip's voice crackled in on the radio, "We've been discussing it, and it's too risky. Blowing it away means blowing pink gas across the whole NCR, and I don't think lightning would do anything."

"Actually pink gas decays in direct sunlight, so it might make matters worse." Velvet noted, "We might be best placed retreating, letting things settle on their own..."

"Abandon the city?"

Velvet sighed, "Everyone in it will be dead soon anyway."

And even as the weight of that reality settled on Velvet's shoulders, a cool breeze swept across her shoulders. It was gentle, calming, seeming to lift and reinforce her spirits. And the voice that accompanied it was no different, "Not if I can save them."

Velvet looked round in shock, seeing that her followers were all doing the same. They all moved aside to grand the elder pegasi passage, her soft, wrinkled hooves treading confidently through the debris and churned earth. Velvet stepped forward, unable to believe it, "Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy lifted her head to look at Velvet, though maybe look was the wrong word. Her eyes were bandaged, and she looked even older than when she left. Her voice was still full of grace though, "Velvet Remedy... I'm glad you're here."

"Fluttershy..." Velvet fought for things to say. As ever between her and Fluttershy, it was always difficult to find the words, "I missed you."

"Velvet..." Fluttershy stated with sincere affection, her mouth widening in a beaming smile, "Have you seen Ace Gold?"

Velvet gulped back a breath, then nodded as calmly as she was able, "I... think so."

"He's an amazing boy. He takes after you, too much for his own good."

Velvet smiled, "Running away from home and getting himself in trouble?"

"You both think too much." Fluttershy chuckled, "And you both find my lack of thought very frustrating."

Velvet felt her heart tremble, the pain of her numerous fights with Fluttershy resurfacing, "Fluttershy, I..."

"It's ok." Fluttershy laid a hoof on Velvet's shoulder as she passed, heading off into the cloud of pink gas beyond, "We did incredible things together, and I couldn't be prouder to see my cutie mark so ably carried into the future.”

Velvet turned to follow, reaching out for her shoulder, “Fluttershy...”

“Goodbye, Velvet Remedy.” Fluttershy stated quietly, disappearing into the veil of pink death with the same calm steps that had carried her here.

"This way Councilor."

Gloom waved off the soldier, pawing her like she was some damn infant. She didn't need her ear or her shoulder to see or to walk, she could limp perfectly adequately. Besides she saw plenty of ponies wounded worse than her, Gloom looking round at the frightened faces within the lobby of Chateau Rarity as they entered the lobby. Indeed it seemed worryingly chaotic for being their main command center, "Where are Caesar's forces now, who's in charge?"

"I..." One of the soldiers stated, a young earth pony missing both his front hooves, "Captain Shields is dead."

"Everyone's dead." Another solider followed.

A griffon spoke, this one cradling a single, almost featherless wing that was swaddled in bandages, "Except for you miss..."

Gloom growled in anger, trying to fight past the annoying throb of her injuries and keep her composure, "Then get me a healing potion, and form up..."

"There... is no more."

Gloom looked up, seeing for the first time the truth. Chateau Rarity was badly damaged, the side of the building burning and partially caved in. And every single creature here was missing limbs, and most of them had no weapons. And not one of them was moving to treat their wounds, "What happened here?"

"Artillery shell." Came a voice, an earth pony doctor stepping through the crowd of injured with tired eyes and bloody hooves, "Lost most of our medical supplies, all our senior officers and most of the garrison. I've had to use what's left to save as many lives as I can... for all the good it will do."

Gloom looked once more, realizing the truth of what he said. No one here looked capable of fighting, and honestly neither was she. Her left shoulder was shattered and her hoof hung limp, and her left ear and a large chunk of her face had been torn away. She knew she had lost a lot of blood. Still, her concern was for another, "Reggie...?"

"Is still alive. Just." The doctor confirmed, "But with no supplies, I've got no chance of saving her, or even keeping her stable."

"Then... we surrender." Gloom reluctantly stated, resigning herself to the truth. She was well known for being stubborn and unyielding, and indeed she had wanted to fight to the last. Still, at this point she had to accept the truth, turning and limping back towards the exit, "I will confront Caesar's troops myself, and ask them..."

...and then her tongue failed, her eyes going wide as a hoard of fleshless ghouls charged out from the city beyond and launched themselves across the hotel gardens towards her. She stumbled backwards and fell, prone and defenseless. She covered her eyes with a hoof, this not how she wanted to go...

"Councilor!"

She opened her eyes to shining light, an alicorn before her using his shield to fend off the attacks of the unnatural hoard. His shield shimmered dangerously but held, many of the monsters instead deciding to go around his sides. They were met with plasma fire, Gloom looking up to see Hellhounds at the windows firing down on the horde.

"Get back to the hotel!" The alicorn shouted, stepping forward and driving the fleshless ghouls backwards, "I won't... let you..."

Gloom had limped a few steps towards the hotel when she heard the sound of shattering magic and a yell, looking back to see the alicorn fall to the ground with his shields down. She gazed upon his terrified, grief stricken face, not even knowing his name...

...and a hellhound launched himself from the hotel window, body bound in bandages. He slashed left and right, cutting the fleshless apart with his claws without any regard to his own safety, pink gas burning at his paws. He gave a roar, charged into their ranks and hurled them aside, collapsing for a moment as the gas gathered about him... before it was blasted away as the alicorn ignited his shield once more.

There they stood, the unnatural hoard ahead of them and the defenseless wounded behind them. An alicorn and a hellhound, nameless and without any badges of rank, together against the darkness.

Captain Gaston fired his revolver point blank, the bullet shredding a fleshless face just before it locked its teeth around his neck. Many of his soldier's weren't as lucky, Gaston watching one of his own soldiers as he was pulled screaming into the hoard.

A grenade then erupted in their ranks, driving them back for a brief, wonderful second. Gaston took the opportunity to retreat, winging back to the few, scattered remains of his command, "We have more grenades?"

"Two sir!" A young earth pony shouted, patting them proudly, "Pulled them off a fleshless!"

"Good thinking." Gaston complemented him, before calling ahead to Silver Bell. The mare had raised the possibility of retreating to Canterlot University, the building having vaults that she had access too, and would hold back the fleshless, "Why have we stopped?"

"The way ahead is collapsed!" She called back after a moment, sounding desperate, "The houses on both sides of the street have come down, and I can't see a way around."

"Could we fly over sir?"

Gaston looked at his surviving troops, fourteen earth ponies, three unicorns, and eight griffons... three of which had injured wings, "Go, I'll hold the line! You four, with me!"

The four earth ponies joined him, watching the smoke behind with narrowed eyes, a moment later and the fleshless charged, their gunfire dropping the first few before they had taken so much as a couple of steps, "Aim for the legs! Cripple them!"

And then he saw something... unusual. The next line of fleshless advanced slowly, decisively. These ones seemed... older than the others, their exposed muscle healed and hardened. And they all mounted weapons, whereas most of the others had abandoned theirs.

And at their head... was an alicorn. Gaston realized too late, "Take cover!"

Bullets flew from the fleshless, striking down one of the ponies beside him and wounding Gaston in the leg. Their return fire bounced off the alicorn's shield, Gaston quickly releasing that he had nothing capable of breaking it. Anti tank weaponry was fairly hard to miss, and he didn't see any nearby. There was only one thing left to do, "Retreat! Go, go, go!"

His griffons few back, taking the ponies from the ground and winging for the rubble... before the alicorn seized them in telekinesis and flung them back down towards the ground. Griffon and pony alike slammed down in a tangle, their weapons lost as their air was driven from their bodies.

Gaston debated trying to run, but he realized it was impossible. Instead he just glared straight ahead as the fleshless ranks parted and the figure made its way through. Black suited and lean, looking like death itself. It spoke with a horribly, sickly sweet kindness, "You have fought so long, so hard, and for what? A dying world? Let me show you the truth." The figure breathed out, slow and satisfied, "Let me expose the ugliness beneath your handsome face, and show you the real strength to endure this world."

"Chigaru."

They all turned, fleshless, griffon and pony alike, staring in confusion as the little yellow furred pony trotted out of the ruins. She was old, clad only in a simple robe, blind and crippled. Yet she showed no fear, standing among death and facing down a demon. Chigaru looked at her, his face unreadable beneath his mask. His voice however was full of bubbling expectation, "Fluttershy... at last..."

Gaston ordered his troops back, watching as Fluttershy advanced fearlessly towards Chigaru. Chigaru's fleshesss also moved aside at her advance, Fluttershy stepped across the cracked and bloodstained earth with calm grace. As she approached Chigaru pulled his mask free, revealing not a grinning skull, nor a ghoul... but the soft furred, beautiful face of a youthful pony. Yellow furred and blue eyed, like a parody of the mare in front of him, "Look Fluttershy, look what you made me!"

Fluttershy smiled, softly but genuinely, "You're beautiful Chigaru."

"You understand don't you Fluttershy?" Chigaru stated with reverence, his mouth growing into a wide, joyful smile, "Honestly, I need to thank you. I never imagined it would be this wonderful, feel this good."

Fluttershy turned her head up to him, a kindly smile upon her face, "To bear the Element of Kindness?"

"I had honestly never considered my purpose upon this world in this way." He continued, close to babbling now, "I knew exposing the inner ugliness of ponies was necessary, but now I see it for what it truly is. The most wonderful kindness, to strip the lies away and let them embrace their true selves."

Fluttershy nodded, shedding her robe. It fell discarded to the ground, exposing her wrinkled skin, thinning fur, colostomy bag and her shriveled wings still bound in their brace. She lifted her hooves and unbuckled that too, allowing her wings to drape limply across the ground, "I learned that lesson too, that sometimes showing true kindness means you have to hurt ponies."

"This is symbolic, don't you see?" Chigaru stated, bringing a hoof up to his perfect chin, beautiful eyes shining brightly, "That you would be corrupted by my ideals, that you become weak and sickly while I become ever stronger and more beautiful."

Fluttershy didn't say anything at first, merely pulled her blindfold free of her face. Gaston couldn't help but recoil at the sight, seeing the two empty eye sockets there upon her scarred, aged face. Fluttershy continued to smile though, moving ever closer to Chigaru, "You represent the wasteland, and I represent the old world." She took a deep, sighing breath, one that seemed to unload a lifetime of regrets, "The other ministry mares and I, we fell so far, failed so badly. Forgot our most basic lessons, proved ourselves unworthy of our elements. This... feels like atonement."

Chigaru smirked, "To die at my hooves?"

"The wasteland was built on what we left behind. On what we were unworthy to carry." Fluttershy admitted, offering Chigaru an extended hoof, "And it was that wasteland that forged Littlepip, Calamity, Velvet, Red Eye... forged them into those worthy to move on into the future."

"The wasteland exposed their ugliness! Stripped away their innocence, made them strong!" Chigaru screamed, his voice an elated howl of victory.

"Like you did to Easu." Fluttershy answered, "Like you did to me."

Chigaru moved to accept her hoof, then hesitated for a moment. Doubt suddenly clouded his joyful smile, "What... comes next?"

"The future." Fluttershy answered, her expression full of benevolence, "The old world is gone, and the wasteland too. This is an ending, like you predicted."

"I..." A look of total vulnerability took Chigaru's face, "I've been on this path for so long..."

"You've always been special haven't you Kokaru?" Fluttershy stated kindly, "Willing to take whatever role required of you. Gentle child, loyal subordinate, ruthless avenger, deadly soldier, cruel mercenary... bearer of prophesy."

Tears came to Chigaru's eyes, "I... haven't heard my real name in so long..."

Fluttershy chuckled, "I know everything about you. This is meant to be."

"I'm... scared..." Chigaru whispered, "Did I do well?"

Fluttershy nodded, then reached forward to embrace Chigaru. The pink gas instantly bit into her skin, burning her fur away, melting her flesh, consuming her from the inside out. Fluttershy didn't even seem to notice, her voice full of all the soft, gentle kindness of a proud mother, "Yes Kokaru, you did well. You did everything asked of you and more."

Chigaru smiled with utter relief, his body collapsing into bones.

Gaston ordered his troops further back as the pink gas exploded outwards, helpless to do anything but watch as it consumed Fluttershy utterly. As before she didn't cry out, didn't make so much as a sound as her form shrank and distorted within the maelstrom.

And then that maelstrom collapsed inwards, rushing forward in a fierce torrent. It filled Fluttershy's withered form and it expanded, strengthened. Her lank, grey hair exploded into vivid color, firming and straightening. Her wrinkles vanished, muscle formed, her feathers blooming. Her whole body was washed clean of any scars or imperfections, and within her empty sockets a bright pink light slowly dimmed into a pair of clear, commanding, softly glowing pink eyes.

She stood there before them, all traces of pink gas gone. Instead that pink glow radiated through Fluttershy's eyes and hair, only amplifying her somewhat eerie, unnatural beauty. She took a single, testing step forwards, her movements smooth and somewhat predatory. Her wings expanded and her mouth widened into an unsettling smile, one that swiftly turned to the fleshless around her. Her voice vibrated in the ears of everyone there, even if it was barely above a whisper.

"This won't do."

Pink light spread outwards, burning the corruption from their bodies. They screamed, the action certainly looking extraordinarily painful. At the end of it though the burned ones were no more, and in their place... ordinary ponies and zebra, looking deeply confused by the experience.

One of Gaston's soldiers raised a rifle at the zebra, "Captain, do... do we take them into custody?"

Fluttershy looked at the soldier with an expression of hot rage, "Put that away."

"Lady Fluttershy, they are the enemy..."

The soldier was hurled through the air to crash down upon the ground, his weapon shattered into a dozen, red hot fragments. He didn't rise, Gaston looking back at Fluttershy as she stood there with a look of utter wrath. He instantly threw a claw into the air, "Drop your weapons, all of you!"

To their credit almost all of them did so, the ones that hesitated soon following suit after a brief glance at their comrades. This seemed to placate Fluttershy, the mare smiling in contentment, "That's better."

"Lady Fluttershy." Gaston cautiously asked, advancing over to her with all the courage he could muster, "What now? The battle is not yet over."

She gave him a warm, reassuring smile, "It won't be long now."

Caesar retreated through the streets, Oteka just ahead. She paused every now and then to scan the area, Caesar looking behind to see that the pink gas had seemingly disappeared, "Are we safe?"

"We are lost in the middle of an enemy city." She noted cautiously, "If we are caught, our enemies will show little pity."

Indeed the battle looked like it had been fierce here. Unburied corpses lay all around, both NCR and his own. Up close it seemed so brutal, so raw. He knew the realities of battle of course, but the lack of dignity and honor here was shocking, "Why did they have to resist so hard? Didn't they realize it was pointless? All this death, because they just couldn't understand."

Oteka turned, a flash of regret in her eyes, "My lord..."

And then something struck her hard in the back of the head and she dropped, her body hitting the floor with a hard thump and spasming as she desperately reached for her pack. Caesar pulled out a healing potion and ran for her, spotting a gleam from a ruined tower a few blocks away and quickly pulling himself to the side. It meant the bullet only sliced his cheek and cut away a chunk of his mane, Caesar desperately ducking behind a broken wall for cover.

Oteka caught another bullet, this one shattering her potion pack. She yelled out and rolled over to look across at Caesar, shouting desperately, "Lord Caesar, run!"

Her dropping the riming told him it was serious, "Oteka, I have to get you out of there!"

"You said this death would create a better world, that we should not cry. Was that all just another lie?" She gritted her teeth, glaring at him in pain and grief, "I fought for you, did terrible things to ensure a world beyond this strife! Would you throw that away to save just one life?"

But this was different! This was Oteka, the zebra who raised him, protected him, she was important...

...and at that moment he looked at all the corpses scattered about the ground and saw them for what seemed for the first time. And he realized just how... normal they looked. They were shop keepers, farmers, children, parents, friends. Oteka was right, they were no different from her, just another life thrown away for a better world.

A better world of great cities. Of learning, and culture, and peace. A dream of a future beyond the wasteland. And as he looked around he saw it burning at his command, the very thing of his dreaming shattered under his own hoof. How had he never realized?

And then he remembered Serendipity Stroke's portrait. Of him, proud and noble and untouched, standing within a wasteland of death and pain. It wasn't that he was above such things... it was that he was ignorant of them. That he was ignorant of everything. How often had he caused such terrors, so caught up in his own dreams that he happily justified them as meaningless in the grand scheme of history?

History. That concept had obsessed him so long, and now?

He had lost his grip on the present. The present was horror and death, and it was his fault.

A final bullet came down, striking Oteka just under the ear. She was killed instantly, bloodily, horribly. And he cried. He cried as he walked out into street, as he staggered past the rotting corpses and the broken rubble, as he held her cooling body.

And then something slammed down just beside him, the air ringing with the sharp sound of a bullet spinning across stone. He looked up to see a strange zebra standing between him and the sniper, a pair of black and white wings spread from her back and her hoof held up to reveal a ornate pipbuck sporting a large purple gemstone. He looked to her in confusion, having never seen such a thing, "Who...?"

And then another voice from behind.

"Brother."

He turned, eyes widening as he saw the kingly zebra standing tall just a short way down the street. Caesar rose to face him, hardly even noticing as the winged zebra casually deflected another bullet fired at him. He studied the kingly zebra in detail, the horrible scars that mutilated his face but couldn't disguise the solid dignity it radiated, the practical and dignified robes that seemed to evoke both king and priest. And the scars couldn't disguise the resemblance, "Father...?"

"No, Incuta." The zebra stated softly, "Nanaki. Your brother."

Caesar slumped, "The war...?"

Easu nodded, "Is over."

Chapter 5.13 - When We Remembered Zion

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Lucky Swoops trod carefully through the mud, warily balancing the camera and sound equipment she had brought with her in fear of getting it wet or damaged. She had taken a chance staying so close to the battle but it had given her several great shots of the conflict, as well as front row seats to the moment where the pink gas began to clear and the fighting suddenly stopped. She now considered the incredible prospect that she might well be the first journalist here... or journalist in training at least.

She found a good spot and set up her tripod, panning the camera around to take in the sight. The Followers of the Apocalypse and Children of the Cathedral had both arrived, chariots dropping off a steady stream of medical personnel that were working to evacuate the plains. Meanwhile a small army of alicorns worked on the pink gas itself, abusing their immunity to its effects as they used magic and sprayers to neutralize the substance.

"Hey, stop right where you are!"

Lucky Swoops peaked her head up from the viewfinder, spotting a police officer advancing towards her with his weapon out. As a NCR born pegasus she was used to this, quickly stepping back from her equipment and slowly rotating to display she was carrying no weapons, "My name is Lucky Swoops, resident of New Canterlot and student at Canterlot university."

"An NCR citizen huh?" The officer mused cynically, "Then why do you still have your cutie mark?"

"I'm sixteen sir." She was forced to point out, not for the first time, "I was born a year after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows."

"And what's all this?" The officer asked, waving his gun at her equipment.

"It's... a camera sir." She cautiously offered, now realizing that this guy just wanted to make her life difficult, "It’s standard equipment offered by the university."

"I find that difficult to believe miss. I'll have to confiscate your equipment, and take you in..."

Lucky Swoops's panic was eased instantly as she looked just behind the officer, seeing him just for a moment through the smoke and calling out desperately, "Sebastian!"

The griffon looked round at her voice, a desperate hope dawning on his face for just a moment... before it faded into disappointment. He quickly wiped the look from his face, gingerly stepping through the field to approach them, "Lucky Swoops right? The student journalist who interviewed me?"

She was impressed he remembered, "Yessir!"

"What are you doing here?" He asked, looking tired but mercifully unhurt otherwise, "It's dangerous."

"You're here." She pointed out.

"I'm... looking for a friend." He explained.

"I'm looking for the truth."

He looked up at her in surprise for a second, then gave her a smile, "Sure. Just be careful."

"You know... if you support the free press..." She gave a disdainful nod in the officer's direction, "I've got a regular Sergeant Pure Heart here. Wanted to arrest me for being a..."

"...security risk!" The office cried out, then looked over at Sebastian, "Sir."

Sebastian's expression couldn't get much more withering, shooting a glance at the officer, "Because she's a pegasus?"

The officer went very pale, his voice strained, "We're still at war with the Enclave..."

"Councilor Flutterflash died a couple of days ago, defending Canterlot alongside hundreds of his fellow pegasi." Sebastian waved a claw at the officer's shoulder, "Where as you are from Manehatten, which I note refused to aid in what was borderline treason."

The officer simply dropped his head at this point, an action that Lucky Swoops had dreamed of since the first day she had been pushed down in the playground by a pair of earth ponies. His tone was broken, "I sincerely apologize sir."

Sebastian smiled at this, then looked at Lucky Swoops with a knowing grin, "You were right... I can make a difference." He then looked back to the officer, "You will escort Miss Lucky Swoops to whereever she wishes to go, and make it clear she travels with my authority."

Lucky Swoops grinned, this better than she could ever dream, "Thank you!"

"And in return... make sure to give a fair and truthful illustration of events. The good, the bad and the ugly." Sebastian nodded, "And if you would... keep an eye out for Radiant Waters."

Lucky Swoops's smiled died a little at the mention of the little princess, "She... got lost in the fighting?"

"She fought in it." Sebastian replied, "Celestia's fires... at this moment I have to admit, I don't know if anyone's dead or alive. I'm not even sure if the war's really over."

Lucky Swoops smiled, "I think that's true of the whole country. That's why I'm here."

It was quiet now, the SPP's monitors now full of their normal weather reports and status updates. The hum of its components had lost the high pitched buzz that they acquired when under strain, the facility now seeming... at rest.

"It's done." Littlepip stated in quiet relief, "Spark Plug and Record Scratch have been teleported to the holding cell outside, it's just you, me and Puppysmiles."

Homage rose, feeling an irritating strain across her muzzle that wouldn't go away. After all this, at the end... she expected more answers. But now she finally had what she wanted for so long, finally had Littlepip back... she wasn't sure what to do or say next, "I better inspect some of the systems personally."

"Wait." Littlepip quickly countered, "I've been stuck here for months, I really need to stretch my legs."

Homage raised an eyebrow, "Is that wise?"

"Don't blame me for wanting to see your pretty face with my own eyes."

Homage chuckled, Littlepip's flirting having really grown in confidence since they had first met, "Fine..."

She stepped out of the command room and grabbed the medical trolley from a side cupboard as she entered the central chamber, nudging it over as she approached the pod. She hesitated for a moment before pressing a hoof against the release button, taking a deep breath as the mechanisms engaged.

The pod whirred, the soft mechanical sounds of shifting components as Littlepip's direct control and life support systems were disconnected, drugs injected to wake Littlepip's body. After a few seconds the armored shell of the pod withdrew, then the glass interior slid open with a hiss. Homage stepped back, allowing the steam of chemicals to disperse and watching in trepidation as Littlepip stretched out and hesitantly reached to brace herself.

Homage smiled, her heart filled with both compassion and love as Littlepip emerged. After seeing her in her prime within the simulation the effect was heightened, Homage biting her lip at how unfair it was. Her eyes travelled across Littlepip's nearly bald body, her thin, almost skeletal form, her shriveled ears and tail. Littlepip's hooves touched the ground and she wobbled, withered muscle struggling to keep her upright.

Homage quickly moved forward to catch her, drawing her into a deep embrace. She had to keep it from becoming too tight however, frightened of hurting her, "I missed you so much..."

Littlepip chuckled softly, her voice weak and raspy, "I can tell. You look terrible Homage."

"I'll admit it's been... difficult." She finally admitted, "I might have even lost faith a few times."

Littlepip sighed, drawing away and giving her a reassuring smile, "But it's ok now. It's over."

"I... know."

"But you don't look happy."

Homage closed her eyes, shaking her head. It felt she had been cheated, that they had got this far and she still wasn't happy, "Dream Star's plan... it made no sense."

"Well she was insane."

Homage shook her head. It was true, but it wasn't that kind of insane, "Pip, she had won. There was a hundred different ways she could have made that simulation impossible to escape, but instead... she almost gave us the victory. She played into every villainous cliché she could think of, made me some sort of... kidnapped princess to motivate you into fighting her."

Littlepip smirked, "Well we've faced more than a few enemies like that. Xephyr had that one pony remember, who was vandalizing statues in an attempt to... date her? Fight her? I was never that sure to be honest."

"I think it's a complement Pip." Homage stated warmly, chuckling at the idea, "She respected you, in her own way. I think she must have respected everypony in that room."

Littlepip's smile faded a little, "She caused a lot of damage, trying to get herself killed."

"But that wasn't all she did." Homage stated, then wrestled with the next part of her theory. It was still difficult to talk about, even after all this time. Especially with Littlepip, "She must have known..."

"What?"

"That... I'm dying." Homage finally forced out, "Record Scratch knows I'm sick, and I've seen Twilight Society doctors. The records are there, and it's hard to go through repeated chemotherapy sessions without someone connecting the dots."

Littlepip gulped, as was her usual reaction, "So what does this..."

"The simulation is still functional Pip." Homage forced out, still wrestling with the implications, "Exactly as she described. I've checked, it's true. When the body dies..."

"...the soul becomes bound to the SPP."

"Forever." Homage finished, "And it could do the same for you."

Littlepip shivered a little, her shoulders tensing, "Are you sure you... want that?"

"To shed our dying physical forms, and become immortal?" She answered, noting the disapproving look in Littlepip's eyes, "We could protect Equestria forever."

"Just like Red Eye wanted?"

Homage drew back, then shook her head, "It's not the same."

Littlepip sighed, "No... but it could be." She looked around at the walls around her with a look of profound unease, "Immortality, precise weather control, connection to the MASEB system and DJ Pon3's broadcasts, the ability to pull others into that... mind trap. The SPP was a powerful resource before, but Dream Star has turned it into... well..."

"The seat of a god." Homage finished, "As you said, I knew her. And this sounds exactly like something she would do."

Littlepip furrowed her brow, "To test me?"

"To test us all." Homage smiled, the idea filling her with something that felt almost like gratitude, "To see if we are really capable of living up to our legend. To see if we can remain honest, humble."

“Can we?”

Homage sighed. After everything that had happened... it was a good question.

Sebastian trod through the field of mud and corpses, unsure exactly what he was trying to do at this point. Locate Elegant Waters of course, but the question remained... how? There were bodies everywhere, and with the pink gas's effects most of them were barely recognizable. He had already heard talk about how the casualties of the battle would take months to tally, finding a single filly...

...and then he saw her. Above the battlefield.

Pyrelight.

He opened his wings and flew for the phoenix, calling out desperately as she retreated from him and dived downwards. He followed, watching her alight upon the outstretched hoof of a small pony in a brown cloak below.

He landed a short distance away, staring at the cloaked pony. It looked a little larger than Elegant Waters, but not much. And who else was capable of commanding Pyrelight? "...Elegant Waters?"

"Sebastian." Came the quite male reply as the figure turned, "Thank Celestia you're alive."

Sebastian had to doubletake at the sight of the figure, having certainly not expected it. The vivid blue eyes, thick scars crisscrossing his face, the look of firm experience in his expression... nothing like the pony he remembered. And yet the face was unmistakable, "Ace?"

"I'm sorry I wasn't here." Ace answered, his voice horse and wracked with emotion, "Pitch Perfect, Stephani?"

"They're both safe."

"And... the others?"

"I don't know." Sebastian admitted, "Any of them."

Ace Gold turned his eyes away, staring across the ruined camp, "Elegant Waters, she's here."

"Pyrelight..."

"Is tracking her, yes." Ace confirmed, "But in all this... that's a little more difficult than normal."

Pyrelight gave a mournful cry, Sebastian looking around for clues. This had once been near the centre of Caesar's camp, before some terrific blast had complete devastated it. Shacks had been demolished into little more than fragments, tattered tenting still fluttering across a ground littered with debris and corpses. A number of creatures were doing the same thing as then, picking through the area, Sebastian sure that some of them were probably looters.

A white deer walked nearby, at the head of a sorry looking bunch. Some of Caesar's troops stood among them, alongside a larger group of ponies wearing no dress at all. Sebastian waved to them as he approached, the deer tensing noticeably. He spoke once they were close enough, though his voice was cold and defensive, "All of us are done with this battle, we want no trouble."

"The battle is over." Sebastian replied.

"And who won?"

Sebastian felt a grim smile come to his face, "No one."

"That is a truth I have come to understand well." The deer replied, "These here are prisoners of war, taken by Caesar's forces. I will escort them back to Equestria's lines."

"Wait." Sebastian held up a claw as they moved to go, "Have any of you seen a white unicorn mare, about thirteen years old, with a three tiara cutie mark?"

"Uh... yeah." One of the zebra dressed in the uniform of Caesar's guards replied, "She was in one of the cells, a prisoner."

"She fought with us." Another prisoner acknowledged.

They all moved apart, looking at each other. Ace broke the chorus of mutterings, having moved beside Sebastian when he wasn't looking, "She's not here."

"The guard hut was demolished." The deer stated regretfully, "Most of us were thrown some distance."

Sebastian looked around, but he saw no clues as to where she could have fallen. They were no closer than before.

"Pyrelight." Ace asked, his voice grim, "Can you locate her?"

"Is... that a phoenix?"

Ace looked up at the deer, "A Balefire Phoenix, yes."

"Please." The deer stated, stepping forward and offering a hoof, "My name is Aspen, I have some magics that might be of use."

Ace hesitated for a moment before nodding, motioning for Pyrelight to leap across to Aspen's waiting hoof. He lifted the phoenix to the sky, green fire igniting across his antlers as he closed his eyes.

And then, across the battlefield, a small green flame ignited atop a pile of broken wood.

Sebastian took flight, as did Pyrelight. He was surprised to see them both outpaced by Ace, the pony kicking up dust as he sped across the field at a tremendous speed. They almost all reached the debris at the same time, Ace spreading his telekinesis across a large wooden beam and flinging it aside like it weighed nothing. He then did the same to the next one, Sebastian fluttering back to clear some space. The rate Ace was going, Sebastian doubted his noodle arms would be much help.

And then she was there, a small white figure cowering in the mud. Ace reached down to her, "Elegant Waters..."

She turned her head up at him, Sebastian feeling his heart skip a beat. Her ear was shredded, several of her teeth missing, and her fur was singed and matted, covered in what he hoped wasn't her blood, "Elegant..."

Her eyes filled with tears and she covered her face with a hoof, curling into the mud once more.

"Elegant Waters..." Ace moved down, his touch gentle upon her flank. After a moment Elegant lifted her head, her eyes slowly taking in the somewhat familiar stranger before her.

And then she smiled up at her brother, full of warmth and life, "You look terrible."

Velvet Remedy stared ahead at the... pony in front of her. For lack of a better word, "So what should I call you now...?"

"Fluttershy." The pony responded, her mouth curling into a satisfied smirk, "It's a good name, a name with power. As you well know, Velvet Remedy."

Velvet didn't really appreciate her tone, turning away to pace the hastily erected base camp the followers had set up. Most of those they had passed were already looking at Fluttershy like some sort of goddess, forcing Velvet to send the others out of the room for some privacy, "I took her cutie mark and image to honor her legacy."

Fluttershy chuckled, "You are a smart mare. Don't tell me you didn't realize how effectively she captured the attentions of the populace, how powerful and relevant her message was." She fluffed out her feathers imperiously, standing straight and proud like an alicorn princess as she delivered her verdict, "It is not a criticism Velvet. I respect you and what you have built a great deal. In a very real sense, it is what gave birth to me."

That raised an important question, "What are you?"

"That requires a story... if you don't mind?"

Velvet pursed her lips, not sure if she was in the mood. Still... "Go on."

"Pink gas was actually first created by the greatest of all zebra alchemists, Zenoth the Learned. The Caesar at the time, an otherwise inadequate zebra called Korphous came to him for a potion that would grant him a connection to the spirit of the age. He had heard others speak of it, and was sure that it was something that could be bottled and drank." Fluttershy smirked, an ugly expression on the still familiar face, "To everyone's surprise, Zenoth accepted. He marveled at the challenge and set to work. His ingredients were all of symbolic connection to the zebra and the state of the world, and after years of work he finally created a substance of bright pink hue. The Caesar demanded Zenoth test his work on himself and Zenoth did, and all watched in amazement as he demonstrated extrasensory perception, great feats of strength, and all signs of aging were washed away."

Velvet raised an eyebrow, thinking she knew where this was going, "And so Caesar drank it?"

Fluttershy grinned mockingly, "And died instantly, screaming in agony as his body melted from the inside. And at this Zenoth could only say 'he was unworthy'."

"I imagine they blamed Zenoth for assassinating the king."

"And he was put to death, all remarking how he just accepted it with dignity. And so Pink Gas was lost to history... until Harbinger, in actual fact a history teacher named Oridai, rediscovered the formula. He believed it was key to saving the zebra from Equestrian dominance, but he never got it to work. The only thing it granted was death."

Velvet nodded, getting the idea. It didn't take a genius, "And so he repurposed it into a weapon."

"Yes." Fluttershy confirmed, "But zebra scientists who came after did not let go of the original idea, that it could grant great power. Some figured that it was Zenoth's natural resistance to drugs that resulted from his long experimentations, and focused on giving it while on potent dialysis and anti venom machines. This often resulted in killing the subject slowly, but certain traits and genes produced different results. They became the ghost warriors."

"Canterlot Ghouls."

"Not quite." Fluttershy corrected, "Canterlot Ghouls are ghouls that have been exposed to pink gas while in the middle of their transformation. It grants similar properties, but they different in many regards. But the idea is similar, and neither truly exhibit what happened to Zenoth."

"So what was the secret?"

"Perspective." Fluttershy answered, "Fluttershy and Chigaru both had lived for hundreds of years, viewed the world from vastly different perspectives... and then had been forced to understand the other's point of view. They were forced to surrender their individual identities for enlightenment... to create me."

Velvet frowned at the beaming face of the mare in front, full of that very dangerous breed of confidence and purity, "And what are you?"

"I am the result of Zenoth's work." Fluttershy concluded, "I am the spirit of the age."

"And that means...?"

"I don't know." Fluttershy replied, her head held high in a near religious ecstasy, "Isn't it glorious?"

It smelt terrible, the ruins of Canterlot. And the air felt thick, oily. Still this wasn't a pleasure trip, Lucky Swoops hurrying through the rubble as fast as she was able, her new 'assistant' lugging her equipment behind her. Her next target was just ahead...

"Excuse me, general!" Lucky Swoops called out, waving a hoof at the troop of soldiers inspecting a broken area of the city. The griffon's head rose from its grim inspection, turning across to Sunshine with a look of somewhat frustrated indifference. His uniform could barely be called a uniform, but he was wearing a general's cap at least, and matched the description she had been given.

He studied her for a brief moment before venturing forward to meet her, flanked by two other soldiers that had been accompanying him, "Miss, I cannot guarantee the safety of civilians in the area, and for the sake of ongoing rescue efforts I have to ask you to leave."

She figured that would be his response. She had been told military types were tough nuts to crack, "Please General Gaston..."

"I'm just a captain." He responded sharply.

"You are in command of these forces, you're wearing a generals cap, and your soldiers refer to you as general." She replied, "And the rest of the NCR needs to know why. There's a story here General, that the rest of the world is still largely ignorant of."

"A lot of good creatures died pointlessly, leaving me the only one left to clean up the mess." He responded sharply, before covering his eyes with a claw and taking a deep breath, "I'm sorry miss, don't quote me on that. We're... all very tired."

Lucky Swoops smiled at him reassuringly, "I want to work with you General. I just want something to bring back to the rest of the country, and the ponies I've spoke with... they're all calling you a hero."

"That's a disservice to the rest of the militia." He answered in frustration, "I just had the good luck to be the highest ranking soldier still standing, and I was never realistically in overall command of the battle."

She figured that was something at least, though it was still deeply impersonal and vague. She wanted a real story, a personal story. Something to capture the attention...

"That's not true captain." One of the soldiers, another griffon, stated firmly, "Reggie Grimfeathers herself commended his initiative and tactics."

"They gave him that hat because he guided us to victory. He is our general." The pony beside added, directing this straight at Sunshine, "He's a damn hero is what he is."

Gaston actually blushed at this, his feathers fluffing noticeably, "That's an exaggeration..."

Lucky Swoops felt she had got past his defenses now. He certainly was quite the officer and a gentleman, as prim and proper an officer as the NCR military could hope, "So tell me about yourself. Where did you come from, how long have you served?"

"I..." Gaston hesitated, obviously not comfortable with the subject. Still he regained his composure after a moment, his military cadence returning in force, "I'm from the Canterlot Graves maam. Served for fourteen years, though I was a cadet for five more."

"So you're twenty eight." She concluded, "Young for a captain."

"There are younger." He noted defensively, "I have a habit of been in the right place at the right time. This is the second time I've received a field promotion."

"What was the first?"

"Battle of Denfield." He answered, his tone indicating a degree of pride in the events, "I was just a Lieutenant, I was promoted straight to Captain by General Brigandine in order to command the defensive line at Hornswatch while Paladin Lucky Days led the assault."

"Why you?" Lucky Swoops enquired, being dimly aware of Denfield. An action against a pretty well fortified group of raiders, one of many that won Lucky Days his fame. She remembered that the army had helped out, but as normal their contribution had been overshadowed by that of the Rangers, "And who was originally in command?"

"Major Hookbeak was... unwilling to work with the Rangers." Gaston noted diplomatically, his word choice very carefully, "The other officers pushed me forward, and Lucky Days endorsed me. And by General Brigandine’s charity, I was allowed to keep my brevet rank afterwards."

"Do you think that will be the case today?" She asked, looking back up at his cap, "Are you ready to be a general?"

"I will be whatever the NCR wants me to be." Gaston answered simply, "I've never chased rank."

Lucky Swoops noted it down, personally considering it a done deal. With so much of the NCR command structure either elderly or dead, they would be begging someone like Gaston to accept promotion. Whether he would live up to it, whether she was looking at the next great hero...

...well, she would be keeping a eye on this one, just in case.

They wrapped him in the flag of the pegasi warriors of old, and saluted his procession as it passed. Four griffons, one at each corner, bearing aloft one who had once been their enemy with dignity and respect.

Councilor Flutterflash of the Rainbow Cloudsfields had been aboard the Cumulonimbus when it had taken an artillery shell right along it's spine, tearing itself apart long before it had hit the ground. It would make recovery of the bodies difficult, but the bridge at least had landed relatively intact. It was there they had found the councilor, back broken by his own harness, the force of the impact too great.

Lucky Swoops noted that few knew the councilor that well. He was considered quiet, gentle, reserved in his manners. He was a civil engineer before entering politics, and had a brother who had died in the First Enclave War. He spoke out against the policies that had led to it after the war was lost, and was the first to declare independence from the Enclave, and the first to accept association status with the NCR. The first to join the NCR as a legitimate territory. He was sixty two, but had looked to be in his late thirties from the day he hit twenty five.

He liked gardening, and had a pre-war coin collection. And yesterday he had been notable only as the only pegasus in the council chamber, a representative of the least of the pegasi territories.

Today he was a hero, and they sang his name.

"In here Councilor."

Gloom shifted aside the curtains, wincing at the smell of blood, feces and death that permeated the building. After a week she could pretty much say she was sick of it, having always been a 'silk sheets and jasmine incense' kind of zebra. She looked at the rows of dead without much emotion, wondering whether she was still in shock or was just a cold hearted bitch.

She followed the nurse to the table, where the body of an earth pony lay. His face was almost untouched by whatever killed him, exposing his handsome, solid jaw and noble brow, still sporting that ridiculous beard.

"We all carried cards, with our next of kin written on them." The nurse explained, "His named you Councilor."

"Coward." She stated, glumly.

"...councilor?"

"Dying like this doesn't take away from you sins. Only compounds them." She spat bitterly, feeling a little colder and a little older, "He deserved worse than this."

The nurse, stood silently for a impressive amount of time before curiosity forced her to ask the question, "Who was he maam?"

"A good question." She answered, before sighing to herself and finally dropping the pretences, "This is Councilor Silent Steel."

"Councilor..." She took in a sharp breath, "But why...?"

"Who knows? Who knows why he did anything?" She turned her head away, "He certainly can't tell us anymore."

It was his fault after all, he brought the zebra here, he sabotaged the NCR military. He had betrayed them all, he had betrayed... her. She had a reputation for being loose in her affections, but in truth she had been sleeping with Silent Steel longer than most of the councilors could manage to maintain their marriages. The idea that after all this time, he was a total stranger with a secret life she had never even guessed at... that was like a spear through what little of her blackened heart remained.

Fuck him. Fuck him for leaving, so many questions unanswered.

Gloom turned her head as she heard some commotion behind her, along with a mention of her name. She slicked back her hair with a hoof and regained her composure, turning to face the group who now stepped inside. Two military officers and a bureaucrat from the chancellery by the looks of it, they stood solemnly and silently, forcing her to address them, "May I help you?"

"Councilor Gloom of the Angels?" The bureaucrat began, "I am Senior Clerk Silver Check of the Chancellors office. I am here to offer some... unfortunate news."

She wondered what could be called unfortunate at this point. She was already surrounded by death, "I am Councilor Gloom, yes."

"Then it is my duty to inform you that following the proper rules of succession, you are now... Arbiter Gloom, Leader of the NCR." Silver Check stated softly, "Following the death of Arbiter Regina Grimfeathers."

Sebastian held his mother's claw, the talons limp and cold. When he was a child he had fled from his grandmother's sick bed, unable to face the horror of death. This time he faced it head on, with all the dignity he could manage.

The damage to her face marred her. It hardly looked like her anymore. That wasn't fair. She deserved a prettier death.

"Master Sebastian, I can reassure you that the rest of your family is alive and well." The officer behind informed him somberly, "Miss Kerrida has made contact, and is unharmed. Her commanding officer has recommended her for commendation, praising her bravery and composure."

Sebastian smiled, "Isn't it weird. Kerri always thought mom liked me better. But she's the one out there, the splitting image of mom, being a talon and a war hero."

"Master Sebastian, if I may..." The officer started, "...I think she was proud of both of you."

Sebastian knew she was. She was proud of all of them, even Arick. She was a good person, a good mother, a loving mother, "She told me once... the prosperity of the NCR is watered with the blood of Grimfeathers."

"May it grow ever greater."

Sebastian nodded, gripping his mother's claw tight, "It will. I'll make sure of it."

Lucky Swoops' next target was fortunately easy enough to spot, a good thing as this was one she had quickly realized she couldn't miss. She had heard so many survivors of the battle talk about him, and had managed to buy a photo of him that was a surefire magazine cover. Now she just needed a story behind it, flying over the ruins of the square until she finally spotted the tall white alicorn slowly digging through the ruins of the Department of Archeology.

She touched down nearby, cautiously trotting towards him, "Mr Silver Waves sir?"

He turned, looking her over in confusion. She studied him in turn, noting that he was a little more awkward and plain looking than she expected. He had his share of scars, but they still adorned a pony who radiated a mild mannered politeness. His voice too was soft and clear, "You are a... journalist?"

She chuckled, it really was obvious, "And you are the Shieldbearer."

"Oh, well... we do what we must." He shied away nervously, "I'm not really all that interesting. I simply benefited from my race is all."

"Other alicorns served." She noted, "But none had an impact like you."

A look of pain and anger crossed his eyes, "None survived like me." He looked wearily at her, shaking his head, "Let me tell you of Sapphire Shining and Dreaming Winds. They both worked here, at the department of Archeology. Dreaming Winds worked to compile lists of recommended equipment for prospectors, saving the lives of hundreds of well intentioned amateurs who would have otherwise been unprepared for the dangers. Sapphire Shining worked in restoration, ensuring that precious memories of our past were not lost forever."

"And you?"

"I... I worked on zoning, ensuring the needs of entrepreneurship, preservation, expansion and respect were balanced when it came to pre-war sites." Silver Waves explained, "It is a job that seems very boring and irrelevant to most. But I did it with all my diligence and responsibility, because I wanted to build a better world."

Lucky Swoops eagerly lifted her recorder forward, this being wonderful stuff, "And that's why you're a hero."

"It is hardly that unusual a story is it?" Silver Waves asked, "Let me tell you something else. I wouldn't be standing here now if not for a hellhound medic called Softclaw. She was born with a deformity in her claws that made her incapable of digging or fighting, so she instead trained as a midwife, bringing hundreds of hellhound young into this world. She joined the volunteers in defense of this city, and healed me as I lay dying at the battle of Sweet Street." His lips pursed, "She fell to an artillery shell as she tried to rescue injured ponies."

"I'm sorry..."

"And the hellhound I stood beside as I protected Chateau Rarity? His name is Sergeant Ripsnipper, an orphan of Littlepip's bombing of Splendid Valley. A troubled child, who has found meaning and purpose as a member of the NCR Army. Many called him a troublemaker, but today he saved hundreds of lives." Silver Waves nodded firmly, resolutely, "Perhaps the image of me shielding little ponies triggers some long established ancestral memory, but every time a pony calls me a hero I am forced to remember a hundred other creatures more deserving."

"Well... if I could be so bold, you tell their stories wonderfully." Lucky Swoops suggested, "And if you feel so strongly, I would love to report on more of them."

He smiled at this, "Hmm, a whole program reporting on the untold stories of all those who fought here? Including those whose species makes them a less attractive subject to the common population?"

She gave him a big grin, "You might well change a few perceptions."

Silver Waves turned back to the Department of Archeology, kicking a chunk of rubble into the burnt out shell of one had once been the lobby, "Well miss, it is true that my former place of employment seems to be closed for renovations, so your offer is well timed at least."

Gloom stood in the ruins of the grand council chamber, now exposed to the sky and covered in shards from where the round table had been shattered by falling rumble. She looked round as a civil servant waved to gain her attention, looking up as he approached, "Yes?"

"That's the wrong position Lady Arbiter."

Gloom furrowed her eyebrows, those words hitting her like a punch to the face, "I am not the Arbiter."

"You are acting Arbiter Lady Gloom." The pony clarified, "And as such, you should still be referred to as such and take position at the head of the chamber."

Gloom glared a hole through the poor pony, before rising and jumping over the table with a quick leap, feeling the thrill of irreverence as she put hooves on the wooden surface before leaping off. That done she walked to the center of the room, looking at the carved relief of the NCR flag at her hooves. She looked daringly at the civil servant, who simply bowed his head in nervous acceptance.

She looked back around as there was a knock at what was left at the door, followed by a beefy looking earth pony in zebra praetorian armor. The irony only pissed her off, knowing how ridiculous the situation looked. Equestria represented by a zebra, the zebra lands by a pony.

"I present Arbiter Gloom of the New Canterlot Republic." The civil servant stated as authoritatively as he could, "This is General Dust Kicker of the Free Zebra Alliance. At your pleasure my lady."

Dust Kicker walked through one of the broken sections of the table, dropping into a bow a few meters from her. It was clearly difficult for him, Gloom noting his false leg. His tone was perfect though, surprisingly well spoken considering his gruff appearance, "Lady Arbiter, you honor us with your attention."

She cocked her head to the side, giving him a profoundly disinterested look, "Not 'your lady' arbiter?"

Dust Kicker smiled politely, "No. I have the greatest love for the country of my birth, but I cannot serve two masters... at least not with the honesty they deserve."

"I respect honesty General Dust Kicker." Gloom reminded him.

"Then let me tell you with total sincerity that I follow my king because he's a zebra who truly wishes to build a peaceful and understanding world." He looked at her head on, not averting his eyes for a moment, "He has no desire for power for power's sake. Indeed he was forced to be King against his will, because others acknowledged that quality."

"And not just because he wished to take back his birthright?" Gloom replied, having been well informed.

"If he wanted that, he could have just killed Incuta."

"True enough, though it does not invalidate that theory." Gloom replied, angling her head back to give him one of her patented 'withering glares', "Though honestly at present I'm more interested in you settling something else."

"And what is that?"

"What is the status of the war?" She answered, "Is the Golden Coast and Star Fall surrendering? Has Caesar Incuta been ousted and betrayed, and the crimes considered his? Are you asking us to surrender?"

"The war is over if you wish it Lady Arbiter." Dust Kicker responded, "The Golden Coast, Deer Nations and Star Fall seek a ceasefire."

Gloom felt a spear of anger lance through her, "All cannot be simply forgiven! Do you intend to pay reparations, sponsor the repair of Canterlot and the funerals of all the lives you've taken?"

"If I may..." Came a low, growly voice, the door shifting open. Gloom looked up as a heavily scarred zebra in simple robes moved inside, his hoofsteps heavy and purposeful. He fixed Gloom with a soulful look full of regret, Gloom having to admit her anger faded for a moment at the sheer force of his presence. He didn't have to introduce himself, "I am King Easu of the Free Zebra Alliance."

Gloom averted her eyes, annoyed that he had cut her off so effectively, "Then I address the question to you."

"Much of the zebra lands are themselves devastated by war. Equestria is far wealthier than us. At the same time we enjoy resources that you do not, pre-war facilities full of secrets we're only just starting to tap. We also have the stories of all the Equestrian citizens that were stranded in the Zebra lands when the megaspells fell, and you have those of the zebra that lived here." He kept his eyes on her, his tone soft and reasonable, "Spike has found his people, the Dragons. He is their king now, and they ally with us. The seas are open, and our ports are eager for trade."

"So what?" Gloom asked, facing him again, "We become friends? All is forgiven?"

Easu nodded, "We can either continue to blame each other, accumulated tallies of debts stretching back thousands of years... or we can acknowledge the benefits of peace, and learn from the past."

Gloom felt she was on the backfoot, deciding to highlight the rather... unequal terms they were negotiating under here, "I remind you that I cannot speak for anyone. Our leaders are dead, and I gained this position by proximity. I could promise you the riches of the NCR and it would mean less than nothing."

"And seniority Lady Arbiter." Dust Kicker mentioned, smiling at her, "King Easu, Lady Gloom here has served the NCR as councilor for sixteen years. She has never lost an election."

Gloom gritted her teeth, unsure quite how to take that. It was pretty much an open joke in the chamber that she was councilor over an area with a population in the low thousands, almost entirely run by the Followers. Not to mention that she won her first election because the other zebra found her trying to gain office a particular funny joke, and she ran almost unopposed because the job seemed boring and thankless. And here she was, the Arbiter, negotiating with a king.

"Where as I am very new to all of this." Easu stated, "Lady Arbiter, I know little of trade, or treaties and politics. But I do know history, and the history of our peoples has been one of revenge, grudges and antagonism stretching back generations. I am a descendent of King Domitian, who ravaged Equestria over fifteen hundred years ago. And I also know ghouls who have spoken vividly of the crimes committed against the zebra by Equestrian merchants prior to the war."

"Yes, a bloody cycle of revenge. But if Celestia couldn't stop it, what hope do we have?" Gloom pointed out.

"Creatures that are not Celestia, living in a world that is not what was before." Easu stated, "I cannot say I am confident, I cannot say that I understand the path before us... but we have a chance, a chance for something better."

"Arbiter Gloom." Dust Kicker suddenly spoke up, his smile warm and friendly, "You sent us to the zebra land for a reason."

She did, didn't she? It seemed such a long time ago, "Silent Steel is dead. The whole thing was... a lie."

"Zenai is dead too."

Gloom closed her eyes. She didn't know the mare, but it just proved her worse fears, "And that's what comes of optimism these days."

"She died to get us to this point." Dust Kicker finished, his tone firm, "I met Caesar Remicon."

Gloom looked up at his, eyes wide, "The wartime Caesar?"

"He expressed regret that he let things go as long as he did. That the zebra's quest for justice turned to greed, and that by the time he realized that it was too late." Dust Kicker extended a hoof, "But it's not too late. The Zebra and Equestria are technically still at war Arbiter. The great war rages still. And you can end it."

"I'm hardly a Princess of Equestria." She answered sharply, more sharply than she intended, "And you are not a Caesar."

"But we stand here, invested with the hopes and dreams of both our nations, ready to lead them into the future." Easu answered, "And that future can be set, here and now."

Gloom took a deep breath, feeling the weight land upon her shoulders. Her shoulders. She could almost laugh. In fact... "Fuck Xephyr."

Dust Kicker laughed, Easu shooting him a slightly confused look.

Gloom smirked, already looking forward to lobbing the plaque they'd have to give her at all the zebra who laughed at her in her youth, "The great war was the biggest pile of steaming suck in history, and nothing would give me more pleasure than to end it."

Easu grinned himself at this, dropping his head in a sincere bow, "I'll look forward to it Lady Arbiter."

Lucky Swoops approached the next one cautiously, having heard all sorts of tales about her. The angel of death, lady blood, the assassin of empires... each nickname more colorful than the last. The zebra were terrified of her, the mare standing in the ruins of what had once been a residence, her rifle still hanging at her side.

Lucky Swoops cleared her throat, "Private Hayseed?"

The mare turned, revealing the face of a killer. Plentiful freckles marked a youthful if sunworn face, her features broad and honest. She looked like the guileless farm girl her name suggested, "Yes?"

Lucky Swoops felt rather nervous, perhaps more so than if she had looked like the killer her battle record had suggested, "I'm a journalist, interviewing the heroes of the battle. And your name came up rather a lot. I heard said... eighty seven kills?"

"Yes. I counted." She replied, her soft country accent layered with an astonishing lack of emotion, "Thirty two of them officers."

"That's easy a record for a single battle." Lucky Swoops pointed out, "Littlepip is counted at forty seven. And you did it all with... a bolt action rifle."

"My dad taught me to shoot with a gun like this." She commented, brushing a hoof across the rather simple and uncomplicated rifle slung across her shoulder, "Though I only scored thirty six kills with my rifle."

"The others?"

"Knife and explosives."

She said that like it was nothing, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

At this her mouth curled in what looked like anger, the first hint of emotion Lucky Swoops had seen, "My family live on the outskirts. We get plenty of monsters out there."

"But it's not like fighting in a proper battle..."

"Hate."

Lucky Swoops looked up at her, "What was that?"

"I hate them. That's where I learned to fight." Hayseed stated, anger bleeding through clearly now, "I saw them kill my friends, my comrades. I saw them burn the NCR." Her mouth curled into a snarl, "My father taught me how to hunt monsters. So I hunted. I killed them. I killed as many of them as I could."

Lucky Swoops didn't like the look in the mare's eye, "I..."

"And I don't intend to stop." Hayseed spoke firmly and clearly, "They say they want peace, but they're lying. And the moment they show their true colors, come looking for a fight..."

...she turned back towards the window, her stance still and watchful, "...I'll be ready."

Caesar stared across the battlefield, seeing for the first time the sheer scale of devastation. He couldn't quite grasp just what exactly had happened, how he had fallen so far so quickly. Just yesterday he had been the most powerful ruler in the world, on the verge of conquering Equestria with an army of formally mortal enemies now completely loyal to him. He had the most advanced territory in the zebra wasteland, had defeated every enemy in his path...

...and now he was a prisoner of his brother, the worthless brute. His army was gone, his country was gone. It was enough to make you laugh, "King Easu is it now?" He stated, chuckling to himself in mirth, "How long have you been planning this?"

"You know me better than that." Easu replied, "I've never been smart enough to plan anything. Everything I've ever done has fallen into my lap by the whims of fate alone."

Caesar smirked, "You don't become Caesar by chance."

"No. But it wasn't me who chose this path." Easu looked round at him, hard, focused eyes full of strength, "I would rather have run away, never been forced to accept responsibility."

Caesar saw it there. In his words, in his eyes. In his voice, gravelly and calm. In his face, broad and scarred.

He looked like their father. He looked like a king.

"Say the words, finish it." He whispered.

"What?"

Caesar grinned, "I have a crown, oh crownless king. Take it."

Easu shook his head, "Violence will not end this."

"I need to die, and you need to do it." Caesar hissed, wishing he would just get on with it already, "I... don't want to die to a noose, or a firing squad. I want to die noblely, like a king."

Easu snorted, "You sound like Starhammer."

Caesar grimaced, "That common bandit?"

"You're both obsessed with how others perceive you. You both seek their adoration." Easu turned a pair of glaring eyes upon him, "And you both act like children when you're denied."

Caesar just glared back, having little to say. It might have been true, but if it was it was his fault. His and their father's, demeaning him, underestimating him. He wouldn't apologize for that.

"Get out there." Easu stated as he shoved him from the tented area, out into the fields beyond. He was marched across the broken, bloody ground, the broken remains of battle still lying half buried in the mud. And ahead, a great crowd of hard eyed survivors, Equestria and zebra both, watching and waiting.

They shouted out, condemning him. Many had been in his army themselves, had cheered his name. Bastards, like his crimes weren't their own.

They all silenced as Easu stopped before them, his eyes scanning their ranks. Then they settled upon Caesar, "You really want it like that?"

"Yes." He hissed, "Prove yourself as you always have, a big, strong brute, drawing respect from the braying hoards with the flexing of your muscles."

Easu grimaced, then nodded sideways at an attendant. The zebra hurried off, Easu focusing his gaze upon his brother, "King Incuta of the Golden Coast, I challenge you under the spirits. I claim this by your crimes upon all nations, leading us to ruinous war for no reason but ego."

"I accept." Caesar replied. Once he might have hyped the moment up a little more, but he knew the truth. He was guilty, and he couldn't in good faith defend his crimes, “He just wanted it over with.”

The zebra ran back onto the grounds, a pair of blades in his hooves. He handed the first to Easu before hurrying back to hand off the second to Caesar. It was a good one, and a familiar one. A gladius, the blades of their ancestors. The blade of their father. He had always preferred them over guns, "You're a fool brother. You think I've totally neglected my training? You think a frail little thinker like me will fall easily to a big brute like you?"

Easu's replied was calm, buckling his own blade to his hoof, "I hope not."

Caesar looked up at his brother's imposing form, showing not a hint of concern. Not a hint of fear. It... infuriated him. He gritted his teeth as he darted forward and chopped for his neck, "Damn you!"

Easu simply turned into Caesar's strike, striking it away to score the grass to his side. Caesar instantly backed away to avoid the inevitable counter attack but Easu didn't make one, backing away himself and remaining in that slightly casual, totally unhurried stance.

Caesar snarled and attacked again, trying more precise thrusts. Easu backed expertly around the ring, moving his head slightly to avoid the searching point, making no attempt to counter. Caesar smirked at his arrogance, leaping up onto his hindquarters and spinning about to chop at his side.

Easu charged in with his shoulder, taking the legs out from under Caesar and hurling him aside to hit the dirt. Caesar gasped at the impact and quickly tried to right himself, shaking his head free and trying to understand what just happened, "Wha..."

"You're an excellent fencer brother." Easu stated, calm as ever, "Much better than me."

And then Easu sprung forward to attack, Caesar acting on instinct as he rolled under his blade and speared his own upward towards Easu's armpit. He wasn't quite sure what happened next, as Easu just... flexed his leg. It trapped the blade, Easu showing no signs of pain as he rolled to the side and took the weapon... and Caesar with it. Both slammed into the ground with terrific force, both fighters’ weight behind it.

...Caesar gasped in agony, his hoof broke, the blade snapped. Easu stood over him, blood on his side but the injury hardly counting as a flesh wound. His face was as calm as ever, Caesar gasping out a single question, "...how?"

"You've never stepped outside your palace. Never gone hungry, never bled from a real injury, never visited the front lines yourself." Easu stated firmly, proudly, "You're brilliant, but you have no real concept of the world outside your bubble. I bet all those great wars and battles of history sounded pretty heroic from the perspectives of historians and propagandists, broken soldiers trying to justify the loss. But I know what it's like to fight in one."

"Why!" He shouted back, "Because father exiled you for being an honorless reprobate?"

"It was the best thing he could have done." Easu responded, "Sometimes it's only when you strip everything away that you truly have room to grow."

Caesar froze at the implication.

"Incuta of the Golden Coast, I am the winner." Easu declared, eyes daring Caesar to disagree, "And as such I strip you of all ranks, titles and birthrights, and bind you to my service."

Caesar gasped, "...bind?"

"You have a good brain, and a lot of good ideas Incuta." Easu stated firmly, "If I'm going to build us a better future, I'll need them."

Calamity rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he sat inside his office on the war chariot 'Justice', dutifully sorting paperwork into the selection of trays on his desk and wondering exactly how he had got to this point. Where his grand contribution to saving the world was correct paperwork and giving an encouraging pat on the shoulder to the guys who actually were out there saving cats from trees and other assorted heroism.

It made him appreciate his father more. The older he got, the more he found himself resembling the old bastard. From what he heard he had gone out like this, shuffling paperwork until the day they found him dead on the floor of his office.

A call came through, awaking him from his morbid contemplations. He reached for the call accept button, pressing it down and smiling as Velvet appeared on the screen, "How's it goin' out there?"

She... didn't look happy. What she wanted to say died on her lips, the mare clearly searching for her words, "Calamity..."

"Fuck." He took a deep breath, "Jus’ give me the name Velv... names."

"Reggie." Velvet breathed, gulping noisily and wiping away a tear, "Damn, I... sorry, I thought I had composed myself..."

Calamity shook his head, the news not a shock as such. He had heard the reports, been preparing for the worst. It sat like a cold, grey lump, especially given that she was the youngest of them. And her kids, and her work... it was a fucking terrible loss, even beyond the fact that she was their friend, "Don't beat yourself up for sheddin’ a tear Velv. She was your friend, you were close."

"You mean we fought all the time, and she beat the shit out of me just a month back?"

Calamity chuckled, more as a release of tension than anything else, "She loved ya like a mother Velvet."

"And now she's dead." Velvet noted coldly, her face draining of emotion, "They've nominated Gloom as Arbiter."

"Fuckin’ hell."

"Don't Calamity." Velvet warned, before drawing herself up professionally, "Just keep everything under control for the next few hours. We're drawing up plans to get all this sorted out, send everyone home with some sort of closure."

"Right." He acknowledged, the image winking out. He then returned his eyes to the desk, paperwork suddenly seeming... less important. He couldn't stop thinking about it, the cheerful, irreverent fifteen year old griffon, grinning like a child at the idea of naming a crossbow 'Silent but Deadly'.

Fifteen... the same age as Ace Gold.

"Father."

Calamity turned, looking across at the foal who had just entered the room. It took him a moment to place the boy, his voice lower and rougher, his face scarred, his whole demeanor totally shifted from the image in his head. He was muscled, proud and assured, Calamity correcting himself. No boy. He took a breath, "Ace Gold..."

"I should have told you I was going. I'm sorry." Ace stated, his tone soft and composed, "It was never anything to do with you."

"Ah know." Calamity chuckled affectionately, "Ya needed t’ git away. Be your own stallion. But ah couldn't tell you that, else you'd just see it as me trying to decide your path for ya."

Ace dropped his head, "Most likely."

"Ya take far too much after us." Calamity stated apologetically, shrugging his shoulders, "We both knew you needed adventure, danger... real choices." He nodded up at the empty space to Ace's left, "What happened to Arick?"

"He's dead." Ace stated coldly, "I killed him."

"Ah, well... I can't say that possibility didn't cross mah mind." Calamity sighed, though truth told he doubted many would shed any tears. Reggie would have, bless her, but Calamity considered her affection for the boy her biggest blind spot, "Did ya find it? Your purpose, who ya want to be?"

Ace nodded, "Yes."

"Good."

"I'm leaving again. I can't imagine I'll be spending much time back here." Ace stated, those his tone wavered a little at the end, "I saw so many things out there father, things that should be shared with the whole world. I want to learn the history of the zebra, the magic of the shaman... I want to work out what happened with the moon, and the zebra perspective on the great war. I want to travel east, to the Centaurs and beyond. And I want to bring it all back, so maybe we can all understand each other a little more."

"It's a worthy goal. One ya believe in." Calamity smiled, "Still livin' up to your cutie mark huh? Not so much as fifteen, and ya already found your life purpose."

Ace offered him a smile, the boy's face lighting up in amusement, "I guess I am."

Easu sat down upon the cushions provided for him, for once allowing himself some luxury accorded to his status. He had already placed orders to prepare for leaving this place, not wanting to overstay their already taunt welcome. Not to mention that once he was back he would be able to arrange a suitable 'gift' for the NCR. He had fought against reparations because he didn't want to start in the spirit of obligation. He didn't want these crimes placed upon the 'zebra'. Instead he wanted to help the NCR as the 'zebra', in sympathy after an assault by a misguided individual. In that way, his brother was no different from Starhammer. A zebra, but not the zebra.

He sighed, realizing that he had already begun thinking like a king, contemplating politics and global relations. He looked across at messages he had written for the various rulers of the zebra kingdoms, ready to be sent for transmission. He already felt like they were peers, and was even looking forward to the day where he could gather around the council table in Kirshin and talk over the ideas he had for the zebra.

He felt great days were ahead for the world. And though apprehensive he was glad for the chance to be part of that.

"Easu?"

He looked up, Star Swirl at the entrance. No... Cinder. But that wasn't the whole truth either. He waved her in, standing with his back to her as he prepared a glass of vodka from the cooler. His tone was calm, concise, "Tell me, it is Charaxes in there right?"

She hesitated for a moment, "In a sense. I have inherited Star Swirl's memories, her personality."

"But you are Charaxes." Easu answered, then turned round and looked her in the eye. She looked back with a nervous, quivering expression... different from that of Star Swirl. Humbler, softer. But in many ways, one he still felt like he had known for a long time, "You are not the mare that I had a relationship with. There's still a connection, but I shouldn't treat you like you are her."

"I'm sorry." She whispered, "It's not fair on you."

"It's not about me." He answered, "You have had it worse. I am a zebra, everything I know about my history tells me that you are evil. And I have spoken out against you plenty of times."

"I... tried to be different." She answered, "But every time I try it... goes wrong."

"That is what it's like to be mortal." Easu smiled, "But you keep trying. And you kept your integrity. That is far better than most of us can boast.”

She gave a shy smile, "Thank you."

"And I would be interested in getting to know you better." He poured the bottle of vodka and placed the glasses on the table, "I will need good creatures around me if I am to rule. You know I'm not the political genius my brother is, and if I may pick a raw wound... your performance as Celestia showed great potential."

She chuckled, a wonderfully spontaneous and quite frankly adorable laugh that proved quite infectious, "Not the greatest legacy I could hope for."

"We all have things to regret." Easu soothed, "What matters is how they inspire us to move forward."

Dust Kicker stood in the presidential square of Canterlot, where it had all began. That horrible, inaccurate statue of Gawd was shattered, only a single talon remaining upon its plinth. The Palace was a shell, its front caved in and the top floor crumpled, the residential wing sagging in on its cracked and pitted walls. He moved across the broken stone, noting that Silent Steel's office was mostly demolished, yet through the gaps he could see that the mural outside was still intact, even after everything.

A small number of ponies moved around him, ignoring his presence. He had removed his armor and now was for all they knew just another survivor, rather than a borderline traitor in league with the zebra devils.

Another earth pony stood nearby, having laid several large canvasses across the rubble. Upon them he sketched images of the ruins, the measurements of the spaces, new concepts of the palace and the buildings around. He moved over, "Planning for how you're going to rebuild?"

"It's actually quite a wonderful opportunity." The pony explained in a rather exited tone, "The palace was wonderful, Velvet Promises' best work... but she always had too much of an affection for the grand. So many of those working in the palace always complained about the huge empty halls, the long, overwide corridors, the open plan offices..."

"She believed they inspired the common pony."

"And they did." The pony admitted, "And it is inspiring to work inside such a great structure. But more attention should be paid to the practical, the... future proof. If the NCR is to expand, it's governmental departments need space, dedicated facilities. Perhaps situated in separate buildings...?"

Easu chuckled, "If I could make a suggestion, maybe have someone build a statue of Gawd who actually knew what she looked like."

"Yes it was pretty bad wasn't it?" The pony responded with a laugh, scribbling it down on his notepad, "I'll take that under advisement."

"How's that? Try it now."

Celestia took a step forward, having to admit it was a very odd experience. A team of mechanics adjusting the muscles of her leg, her side lying open and a line of wires leading into a big bank of computer systems. At the same time it was interesting at how not unusual it was. She felt the magic humming through her, felt her body shift to balance as she moved. She had become somewhat familiar with technology in her time within the SPP, but this was incredible, "This is an amazing machine you built Puppysmiles."

"It's... not all mine." She replied, the eyebot she was controlling bobbing happily, "I built the magic circuits."

"Honestly Puppy, I think that's why it works so well." Celestia commented, flexing her powers and feeling her body fill with solar energy, "My body naturally changes and shifts to... fit me. And I believe the same is true of this body."

"That's incredible." Puppy breathed, her tone full of quiet awe, "Harmony, instilling a true fusion between pony and machine."

"And that means I'm doubly indebted to you." She stated, before looking around at the fussing technicians, "Gentlecolts, I believe I'm back to full functionality."

"Actually there's just a few more tests..."

She chuckled genially, "I'm sure we can do them later, yes?"

The technicians all looked at each other, bowing, as they all came to quick agreement, "Of course Princess Radiant."

Celestia watched them all file out, disconnecting her from the mainframe and allowing her to move about. She paced the floor, enjoying the sheer joy of movement as she did. After she had confirmed to herself that everything was functioning normally again she looked to Puppysmiles, "You freed me from the SPP."

"You freed yourself."

"And you gave me a body."

"Technically, you took that body from Red Eye."

Celestia chuckled, "Life is often messier than we'd like. But the truth is that your presence in this world shook me from a rut that I had stagnated in for two hundred years."

Puppysmiles bobbed nervously, her tone strained, "Princess Celestia, I... I'm glad you're alive."

"I am glad to be alive. Oh, I am ever the coward." She shook her head, marveling at it, "Thousands of years of life, and I'm still filled with a selfish desire to cling onto it."

"So..." Puppysmiles began, "What do you plan to do with it?"

"Do I plan to take the Throne of Equestria once more?" She chuckled at the very notion, shaking her head, "Never. I am Princess Radiant now, and as such I have responsibility to a different people."

"The lost legion?"

"I've been watching over Equestria for a very long time, I'm very much eager for a vacation." Celestia noted, "And I need to take the Legion home, and get them settled. Plus I heard of a church over in the zebra lands, dedicated to worshiping some silly sun goddess."

Puppy's tone in response was... ambiguous, "That will be... interesting."

"And I'm interested to see how King Easu will do." Celestia gave Puppy what she hoped was a slightly knowing look, even if her face was functionally immobile, "Something tells me we'll be calling him something else before long, when king proves not quite grand enough."

Puppy bobbed in acknowledgement, "He's definitely going to change things... for better or worse."

Celestia wasn't worried. This Easu seemed to have a good heart, and honestly she felt a debt to the zebra for her letting the war get so out of hand. She doubted Easu would object to much to a little advice from time to time, or the services of a cybernetic alicorn when the next eldritch abomination came knocking, "And what do you intend to do Puppy?"

Puppy hesitated at this, her voice catching slightly, "I... I've got some unfinished business to tie up." She bobbed upwards to face Celestia, "Personal business."

"That I could help you with?"

"No."

Celestia nodded her head, she understood that well enough, "Then I wish you luck."

They signed it in Ponyville in the end, the place of beginnings. With Canterlot in ruins and Manehatten politically isolated, it was the nearest and greatest city available. And so they now stood before the great Tower of Twilight, where Twilight Sparkle’s treehouse had once stood. The Hellhounds had welcomed them with ceremony to be remembered, pups throwing flowers and guards standing proudly in ceremonial uniforms. Most of those visiting had never been here before, leaving them staring in wonder at the great city the Hellhounds had constructed from the ruins.

Easu stood awkwardly in the armor of a king. In fact it was Dust Kicker's praetorian armor, modified, repaired and decked out in golden ornamentation commissioned from the Hellhound forges. Dust Kicker had to admit it looked really impressive, especially on the shaved, groomed and made up King who was currently wearing it. Not that Easu thought so, wiggling in its constricting confines, "I'm going to look like some pompous conqueror."

"You didn't conqueror anything, and by taking pride in your accomplishments you reinforce that." Dust Kicker advised, "And the NCR has to respect you in order for this to work. Ponies who no idea who you are have to see you as a king."

"Dressing up in silly clothing is part of being a ruler King Easu." Celestia noted cheerfully, her chrome gleaming and barding bearing the symbols of the Zebra Order of Science draped over her, "When they see you mingling with them in practical clothing their affection for you will grow, but seeing you like this builds trust. Trust that you are more than they are, that you have the answers and you can protect them."

"But I don't. I can't."

"I know." She replied, "But it is an illusion that can become self perpetuating, should you do your part in nurturing it."

They turned as the great doors at the end of the hall opened, a team of hellhound guardsmen entering first before their ranks parted to admit their guests. Life Bloom wore a beautifully embroidered double breasted suit in crimson to match his mane, Gloom beside him in black velvet with silver accents, her make up heavy and a fancy broach on her shoulder bearing the emblem of the New Canterlot Republic. It was certainly an unusual choice for arbiter, but Dust Kicker admitted that she looked good.

The other pony looked good too, clad in follower robes colored in white and gold, light and doing nothing to hide the grace and raw power that almost radiated from her body. She smiled as she saw them, her smile lighting up the room, "It is good to see you all again."

Easu moved to meet her, offering a dignified nod of his head, "Lady Fluttershy. Arbiter Gloom. Chancellor Life Bloom. Thank you for doing me this honor."

"You look incredible Lady Arbiter." Dust Kicker couldn't help commenting, "I can tell it's going to be a big hit."

"I've no idea how long I'm going to have to bear this stupid title, and honestly I barely care." Gloom snarked dismissively, "The council, what's left of it, will meet this week to vote on the matter. So until then I'm stuck with it, and I'm not intending to dress down just because someone threw a fancy hat at me."

"Which is why Lady Fluttershy will be signing the peace treaty." Life Bloom explained, "Gloom's authority is... in debate, without so much as a vote on her postion."

"Having two zebra sign it would only confuse everypony, let's face it." Gloom added.

Dust Kicker chuckled. It did make sense, and he kinda remembered this whole thing started with Fluttershy coming over to sign a peace treaty with the zebra. Not to mention what they had learned from Rainbow Dash, "Well you are the Princess of Equestria."

"That's actually true." Celestia noted with a rather amused tone, "As much as it matters."

Gloom gave her a look, "You outrank me?"

"Technically, you're on my land." Fluttershy noted, "But my only citizens are ghouls, so we'll let it slide."

"And Easu is the descendent of Caesars." Dust Kicker noted, "So this is all legitimate."

"Not the wartime Caesar, and Littlepip and Velvet Remedy are as much pureblood scions of the original Caesar as me." Easu commented, "But I know what you'll all tell me."

"That civilization is built upon symbols." Celestia noted with a little pride, "And Celestia willing, you will all be able to make something out of this one."

Life Bloom held his hoof up for silence, checking his pip buck. He took a moment to confirm before smiling and nodding at all of them, "We are ready to go on."

Easu noticeably tensed, Dust Kicker patting him on the shoulder, "Just go out there and be yourself. It will be fine."

Easu looked across at him, suddenly concerned, "You're not coming out with me?"

"You don't need me."

"Highly debatable."

Dust Kicker just grinned back, walking away and exiting the room. His smile left as he crossed the threshold, aware how much was riding on that being true.

They were already calling it a great moment in history, the capstone to a period in history that had started over two hundred years ago. Fluttershy of Equestria and King Easu of the Zebra came together, put their signatures down, made speeches and ended the war. All wars. They promised collaboration between their two nations, a grand new start.

Those around Dust Kicker looked enthralled.

He acknowledged it was a great moment, but perhaps he knew that it was really just a PR gesture. That the real work of peace had been brought with the blood, effort and pain of countless thousands of souls who would never reach the history books. And honestly, he knew they still had a long way to go before the zebra and ponies would ever really trust each other.

Still the halls of the Tower of Twilight were beautiful, truly. He himself had rarely found himself in Ponyville, and certainly hadn't frequented these governmental and religious districts. In many ways it was more impressive than the Presidential Palace, at the very least more... real. Shards of colored gemstones were set into the rough stone of the walls, those walls lined with skirting of hard metal. Like the Dragon Palace, it spoke of a respect for the designs of nature that spoke to him far more than the white washed glory of pony and griffon styles, that too frequently considered the true mark of wealth and sophistication to avoid the natural as much as possible.

Star Swirl... Cinder, stood at a nearby water feature, along with of all ponies Homage and Caesar Incuta. Caesar had cut his hair short and stood in plain unflattering grey robes, he guessed in penitence. It made him stand out all the more next to the other two, both looking stunning in dresses of zebra and pony style respectively. Cinder's zebra style dress made Dust Kicker grin, both for how much it suited her lanky form, and how much it indicated her new... position. It was little secret that she and Easu had spent a fair bit of time around each other of late.

"Ah!" Cinder exclaimed happily as she saw Dust Kicker, "Homage, this is Dust Kicker."

Homage smiled warmly as she turned to greet him, Dust Kicker giving a polite bow of his head as he approached, "It's an honor to meet you."

"Oh don't. You're likely more famous than I am these days." Homage grinned charmingly, "All of it good. You have a lot of ponies talking."

Dust Kicker suspected as much, not really happy with the idea, "Hmm..."

"I know that look." Homage chuckled, "I'm not really a big fan of the attention either."

"Ironic."

"You'd be surprised how many introverts work in radio."

Dust Kicker had to admit, you didn't see much of her, "Is that why you're hiding back here?"

"We'd all rather avoid the crowds." Cinder admitted.

"Dust Kicker." Incuta began, his voice now lacking it's proud intensity and sounding deeply youthful and soft. He gazed upon Dust Kicker with deep regret, "The last time we met, I was trying to kill you."

"You had actual reason for that." Dust Kicker pointed out, "We were all tricked."

"I let myself be tricked." Incuta admitted, "My brother calls me smart, but my foolishness nearly doomed the world."

"Wisdom and intelligence are two entirely separate things Incuta." Dust Kicker pointed out, "Not to mention that lying to yourself about the damage you're causing is a skill that improves with practice. I remember trying to tell you that."

Incuta flushed deeply at the reminder, his head dropping, "It took a long time for that lesson to sink in. Too long."

"Well it's not too late."

Incuta frowned, "It should be. So many good folk dead because of me. And yet I have survived unscathed. It does not seem fair."

"The dead are in a better place." Cinder reminded, her voice clear but not unkind, "You are here. And I still remember the conversation we had over dinner, nearly a year back now."

Incuta lifted his head, confused, "Over dinner?"

"We're both agronomists." Cinder finished with a smile, "And Homage has already agreed to get the other element bearers to activate the Gardens of Equestria over the zebra lands. If it's anything like it was in Equestria, there will be a lot of work ahead of us."

Incuta actually chuckled at this, "So I am to become a farmer? That seems... strangely appropriate for a former king."

Dust Kicker chuckled, already spotting something of a positive relationship between the three. And that more than anything gave him a little more hope for the future.

Sebastian stood away from the majority of the crowd, not sure exactly what to say to them. He was still numb, still struggling to process everything that had happened.

The NCR was safe. And his mother was being hailed as a hero. There was so much to celebrate.

"Mind some company?"

Sebastian looked across the garden, spotting Ace Gold making his way towards him. He really did look so much older and more mature, and not just because of the scars, "I wouldn't mind some."

"It doesn't make any sense, I know." Ace Gold spoke grimly, "War."

"Yeah." Sebastian could only reply, "I heard... Arick's dead."

"I killed him." Ace stated without emotion, "It wasn't a decision I made lightly."

Sebastian thought back to his elder brother, bullying, abusing, unable to open his mouth without a lie coming out. He hated him so much... and he felt his chest near cave inwards, pain and grief bubbling up inside him. Tears ran down his cheek, Sebastian unable to comprehend why, "I... I can cry over... Arick? But not...?"

"It's sad." Ace stated softly, "He didn't achieve anything. He didn't die for anything. And no one will remember him."

Sebastian admitted that was true. Maybe that's why he found it difficult to grieve his mother's death. Ultimately she had died the way she would have wanted to die, and honestly it had been worse to see her suffer prior. Now all her bad decisions had been wiped away, and she would be remembered for all the good she did, "I have to protect it. It's... her now."

"What is?"

"The NCR." Sebastian chuckled to himself through his tears, "Though I've no idea what I can do to protect it."

"You're smart, observant." Ace pointed out, "So do just that. Observe. It's what I intend to do."

Sebastian looked to him, "Observe?"

"I'm going to become a scholar." He stated, "I'm going to travel the world and learn everything there is to learn, and I'm going to write it down so everyone can learn it too. So much pain and war is built on ignorance, and so I'll fight ignorance itself."

Sebastian thought of Lucky Swoops, and those young creatures that had been so eager to hear him speak before the battle. And his memory then returned to that image of the burning city, and the NCR flags still flying tall, "I saw so many things during that battle. Things that shouldn't be forgotten."

"Then that's how you protect the NCR." Ace confirmed, then nodded to a point just past Sebastian's shoulder, "Right after you deal with her."

Sebastian looked around, spotting the mare indeed making her way towards him. And she was instantly familiar, an earth pony in her late forties and covered in scars, a brace on her leg and her body clad in the harsh, militaristic lines of a Steel Ranger uniform. At least she wasn't in power armor this time, thought she was still just as intimidating, "Victore Scrivener?"

"Sebastian Grimfeathers." She returned his address calmly, almost affectionately, "My regrets about your mother."

Sebastian nodded, "Thank you. I know you didn't part..."

"She was a hero." Victore interrupted, "None of us should forget that. I have seen many great soldiers who have buckled under the pressure of command, but that should not take away from their personal heroism. And Regina died in battle, defending her people."

Sebastian shrugged. It didn't really make him feel much better, "All I can really think right now is that she's... dead."

"She isn't." Victoria stated firmly, "All her life she had to compare herself to her mother, and it seemed inevitable that she would be overshadowed in the history books. But with her actions, guiding the NCR through its darkest days, calling out the traitors and cowards in the council, fighting in the streets of her own capital... she has a legend of her own now."

Sebastian glared at her, one note of that sticking in his head, "Cowards and traitors? That's rich, considering you weren't there either."

"No. And it will serve as another note of shame for the Rangers, especially with the allegations against Silent Steel." Victoria straightened, her tone official as she continued, "Especially since we cannot return to the NCR. Not yet."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, "You're continuing your rebellion?"

"The Applejack Rangers were built on a noble ideal, but we all know they're behind much of the problems we have faced lately." Victoria admitted, "Peach Trees and Silent Steel created Puppysmiles. We have evidence they plotted treason against the NCR."

Ace Gold was the one who reacted to this, "Well shit. Not that it's a massive surprise..."

"It is to me!" Sebastian shouted, glaring sharply at Victore, "And we should just let you get away with that?!"

"They're both dead Sebastian." Victore pointed out, "Are you aware of the difference between the Steel and Applejack Rangers?"

Sebastian looked back at Ace, figuring the unicorn would be better at this. Ace noted his pass of the question and answered, "The Applejack Rangers wanted to integrate the Rangers in the structure of the NCR, participate in the political process and protect the common pony. The Steel Rangers wanted the Rangers to remain a purely military organization, isolated and secretive, focused on their goal of seizing dangerous technology and keeping it out of the hooves of those who would abuse it."

Victore nodded, "And as of this point, the Applejack Rangers have been completely discredited. And despite being the highest ranking Steel Ranger in the organization, believe me when I find that... discouraging." She stepped back, expression full of regret, "And we now have the unenviable task of figuring out exactly what went wrong."

"And at the moment, being a part of the NCR would be poisonous to both parties." Ace concluded.

"Yes." Victoria confirmed, "Sebastian, we do not want to be your enemy. But we cannot be your friend."

Sebastian kinda understood. Still, "Why are you telling me this? The arbiter is over there."

Victore's face contorted into something ugly, "I... have had issues with Gloom in the past. And I doubt she will last long enough in the role to matter." She nodded respectfully, "But you are the eldest Grimfeather."

Sebastian had been told that a lot, "And?"

"It is a name that possesses great power." She stated firmly, "And not using it is itself a choice young Sebastian, that others will judge you on."

Sebastian understood that now. And she was right. His mother had told him this many times, and now it was time to see if he really had what it took to honor her legacy, "I understand Grand Elder. Thank you for your advice."

Dust Kicker stepped onto the loading platform for the Altostratus 2, marveling at just how long it had been since he had stepped off it. This little ship had taken them to the zebra lands for the first time, it had been from here they had rescued Sabah. From here they first saw Demonivore, and Star Fall.

"All ready to go Mr Dusk Kicker?" Loose Trigger asked as he hoofed the spanner his was carrying back into his belt, the pegasi giving him a little salute as he moved away from the side of the ship, "Or should I be calling you general now?"

"Mister is fine." Dust Kicker stated, noting how odd the duster coat and leathers felt. He hadn't worn them in months after all, not since replacing them with Puppy’s power armor. It only drew attention to what he was missing, looking down at his false leg with his one remaining eye, "I'm acting in a purely unofficial capacity."

"No problem." Loose Trigger gave him a grin, "I've heard about everything you've done. You guys are damn heroes, and I'm proud to have played a little part in that."

"One more mission..." Dust Kicker breathed, then looked back at the docking bay behind , "Just waiting for the second passenger."

And speak of the devil, no sooner than he had finished speaking than he heard the sound of repulser jet engines behind. He turned to see the pink and yellow eyebot fly onto the landing platform, Puppy’s exited voice calling out, “Are we all ready?”

“All ready to go miss.” Loose Trigger stated, patting his tool belt before moving up the ramp and into the ship, “Come up when you’re ready.”

“You sure we shouldn’t be bringing the others?” Puppy asked.

Dust Kicker had considered it. Cinder certainly wouldn’t hurt. But tactically speaking, he knew they were being watched. The fewer people they took, the easier it would be to get close without anyone noticing. Especially the big guns, or other more noteworthy folk. Alicorns and Zebra would stick out like sore thumbs, and King Easu and Princess Xephyr would be instantly recognized.

Plus... it didn’t seem appropriate. This was personal. He wasn’t exactly sure how, but it had become increasingly obvious that Dust Kicker hadn’t been hired for this adventure by chance. That there was more going on here, and that someone had taken a very specific interest in him.

For the others, the adventure was over. They had their lives ahead of them, roles that they now had to fulfil. The group was disbanded, the long nightmare over.

And Dust Kicker found it rather amusing that he was in many ways back to where he started. Wearing his old leathers, heading out into the Equestrian wastes, walking a lonesome road.

He chuckled and nodded to Puppysmiles, “Let’s go finish this.”

Chapter 6.1 - Lonesome Road

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For all it's advances, for all it's great works... the NCR still had a frontier.

Many of these places had even been a frontier back before the war, for much the same reasons. Geography mostly, as poor access to the rest of Equestria,wild forests, poor farmland and other such concerns affected the area both then and now. It didn't help that despite the NCR offering amnesty for Raiders, many still refused to take that very generous offer for reasons ranging from pride to paranoia. And what better place to flee than the one place no pony had ever seriously considered settling?

Back following the activation of the Gardens this place had been Dust Kicker's bread and butter. There were few better places to find bounty hunting jobs, and even a few rich idiots looking for a safari. After his injuries following his botched alicorn retrieval job he had mostly given that up, but still had fond memories of his days out here. Here... here you were truly free.

The Altostratus flew low, almost skimming the trees. According to Ice Break the Enclave had often used this area for stealthy insertions, skimming low through the uninhabited areas and dropping off on the outskirts of Equestria. It was ironic that they were now doing the opposite, "How accurate are these co-ordinates Puppy?"

"Not very." She admitted, her eyebot bobbing across the crew cabin, "I picked up where the command was beamed up to the satellite, but there's no guarantee that's the same place Red Eye has his base. Stilll... worst case scenario, he'll have a facility of some kind there."

Dust Kicker pulled out the maps he had found of this place pre-war. They registered most of this area as a nature reserve, with a small, well fortified holiday camp for folks with a desire for the truly wild, a few long abandoned griffon and pony settlements... and something called the 'Free Territories of Hopeville', "And clue what this is?"

"None I'm afraid." Puppy admitted, "My first hoof knowledge of the world pre-war is a little limited, coming from the perspective of a six year old."

Dust Kicker supposed that made sense. Still the idea of an entirely independent settlement all the way out here seemed promising, "Ice Break, can you take us through this area?"

"It would take us away from the source of the signal Dust Kicker." Puppy reminded him.

"That signal is likely to be a giant trap." Dust Kicker reasoned, "And if I'm going to trigger it I would rather be armed with a little information first."

They turned as he recommended, Dust Kicker tracking their progress on the map and moving to the view port as they passed the location where the signal had been beamed from. He soon saw it above the treeline, both totally unremarkable and deeply strange.

It was a standard issue signal hub, ubiquitous in central Equestria. It was the basis of their entire communication network. But... why was it out here? There was no one and nothing to communicate to, and maintaining it all the way out here would have cost a fortune. Dust Kicker noted that the disks were also a little too large, the antennas particularly fancy looking, "See that Puppy? That's a disguised military installation."

Her eyebot bobbed over, camera's focusing, "It's... functional."

Dust Kicker nodded, "Someone's been using it. Looks like you were dead on with your assessment"

”We checking it out?” Loose Trigger asked.

”No.” Dust Kicker stood by his suspicions, “Keep heading towards Hopeville.”

They continued their flight, Hopeville soon coming into sight. And it... didn't look good, "Well shit..."

The place had been totally demolished, and not just in a Manehatten sense. This place had been hit by a earthquake, a big one. Once fine buildings had been shattered like matchsticks, the very ground rent apart and left in great ugly stacks of concrete and dirt. And... nothing was growing here, save some sickly looking plants. Ice Break confirmed what he already suspected, "Radiation levels are really high here."

Dust Kicker looked around the area, finally locating a promising location. It looked like it had once been a governmental office, sturdier than other buildings. It lay at a crazy angle but it at least still looked more or less the same shape, Dust Kicker pointing it out, "Can you set us down near that building over there?"

Loose Trigger grimaced, still he gave a determined nod as he took the controls, "I'll do my best."

They dropped down upon the roof, Dust Kicker's pipbuck instantly feeding him radiation warnings. He had already popped his Rad X though so he paid it no mind, hoping to be done here as quickly as possible. He looked around at the view from the ground as Puppy settled beside him, noting how much of the area seemed to be built of similar, modern materials at the same general time. A planned community of some kind, a fairly big one. Eight thousand souls, at least.

"No life signs." Puppy reported, "The structure seems... reasonably stable."

"Thanks Puppy." Dust Kicker responded as he carefully forced open a doorway and proceeded down the stairs, activating his flashlight. As he suspected this place definitely seemed like a government office of some sort, posters on the wall telling him how happy he should be to be living in Hopeville.

...the one place free of war.

Pacificistic, anti-war and anti-government slogans dominated the place in general, Dust Kicker looking up at a banner depicting Luna and Remicon fighting over a toy, a mass of broken ones scattered about their hooves.

"Dust Kicker! Movement!"

Dust Kicker looked up at Puppy's warning, his hoof tightening on his battle saddle. The eyebot that flew out from the corridor ahead didn't sport any weapons however, Dust Kicker inspecting it closer and seeing that the symbol of Hopeville stood heavily faded upon it's side. It floated over, Dust Kicker deciding to take a chance, "Hi."

"Hi there!" Came a gritty, slightly distorted but still admirably chirpy female voice, "Welcome to the Hopeville Community Centre. I'm Representative Candy Sweetheart, how can I help you?"

Dust Kicker had been right. He had met a lot of these things in government offices to be honest, and they had occasionally been somewhat useful, "Tell me a little more about Hopeville."

"Sure!" The eyebot answered, cheery as ever, "I established this place two hundred and twenty four years ago, as a place where those who still believed in the Equestrian ideas of peace, friendship and hope could continue to practice these values. Here there are no weapons, no hatred and no war, and the governmental systems and technological progress exists to serve it's ponies… and not the other way around."

"Princess Luna is ok with this?"

"Sure!" The eyebot responded, "Luna agreed readily with my proposals, giving us all hope that she will one day realize the folly of the war in it's entirety. Now we are a totally independent, politically neutral state, with no stake in the war and treaties of non-aggression with all parties."

Dust Kicker looked to his left, spotting a sign a few doors down reading ‘Candy Sweetheart’. He advanced forward and found himself looking into a dignified and homely office decorated with pictures of smiling families and sporting a large numbers of awards from Celestia on the back wall. They appeared to be mostly for donations and services to charity and diplomacy, "Tell us about yourself Miss Sweetheart."

"Oh, I'm not that interesting. I just seek to be a good friend, and I let whatever worth my efforts have speak for itself."

Dust Kicker nodded, looking at the skeleton sprawled across the desk, back shattered by the wooden beam that had fallen across her. He moved forwards, Puppy speaking up as they approached, "Dust Kicker, there's a meeting log still stored in the memory of the communications hub here. Do you want me to play it?"

Dust Kicker nodded, "Sure."

A pair of holograms flickered into existence in the middle of the room, Dust Kicker noting that despite the humble surroundings the office was well equipped. The first hologram was of a female earth pony, broad and matronly looking, of late middle age with a heart and candy cane cutie mark. The second was a unicorn stallion, haggered and with a face that looked twice the mare's age despite his body suggesting he was in his thirties at best.

The mare spoke, her voice instantly familiar from the eyebot, "Warden Stalwart, I need an update on the riots. You have had days now to complete your investigating, I expect at least something."

"I'm trying my best Mrs Sweetheart, but the rioter’s paranoia refuses to be soothed." The stallion responded wearily, "With respect you must deliver a formal statement that these rumors are without merit."

"Are they?"

The stallion looked nervous, "Mrs Sweetheart, I..."

"Your repeated refusal to take these rumors seriously is severely testing my trust Stalwart." Sweetheart stated firmly, cutting the stallion's response off midflow, "Two of Hopeville's residents are dead, three more suffering with acute radiation poisoning. And nopony can tell me where this radiation came from, and you seem to be outright denying it's existence."

Stalwart gave a nervous shrug, "It's most likely ground radiation..."

"That's bullshit." Candy stated with firm resolve, her eyes full of fury, "Stalwart, I think the only thing you’ve made clear is how little you can be trusted. So consider yourself removed from your position.”

”Candy…!”

”You may choose to leave Hopeville at your earliest convenience if you wish to make things easier for both of us." Her eyes narrowed, “Go back to your masters, and tell them I won’t let them get away with this.”

Stalwart's eyes went wide, terror shooting through his expression, "Madam Representative, what do you intend to do?"

"Get to the bottom of this." She stated firmly, "And if I find any evidence of Equestrian military technology here, you better believe there will be words."

The holograms winked out, Puppy speaking up after a moment to consider, "That meeting occurred three hours before the megaspells hit Cloudsdale."

Dust Kicker took it in silently, his mind moving to the logical conclusion all by itself, "Puppy, when was this place destroyed?"

"...about thirty five minutes after Cloudsdale was hit."

"Right." Dust Kicker acknowledged, "Call the Altostratus for pickup, I doubt we'll find anything else here."

Scanning the area was a slow process, even now they had narrowed down the general area. It would have to be well hidden after all, and two hundred years would have made it even better hidden. It was even clearer now that any facility under Hopesville would have been completely destroyed, which still left quite a wide area to search.

Three landmarks stood out. The relay station. An old holiday camp. And a surprisingly well developed and sprawling settlement, looking like a pretty legit civilian village. Dust Kicker had visited settlements on the outskirts before, though this was a particularly well established example. He eventually figured it wouldn't hurt to gather some info from the locals and so got the altostratus set down nearby, walking out the dense woods with Puppy by his side.

Those woods soon opened into an actually path, and even a sign welcoming him to "Griffon's Ward". He followed dutifully, soon seeing the settlement emerge through the trees before him. The town was honestly something of a nostalgic sight for Dust Kicker, reminding him of a hundred 'off the grid' towns that he had the pleasure of visiting back in the early days of the NCR. Such places had become increasingly rare as the NCR had grown, most of them either becoming gentrified suburbs of larger urban centres or entertainment focused hubs for the local farms.

Here though were the old staples, every single creature in sight packing heat, quietly watchful and ready for danger. Everyone looked like they had a job to do, and the signs of dutiful industry were everywhere. The children stood as apprentices to the adults, several even clad in bulletproof vests and carrying rifles of their own. In construction it was oddly beautiful despite it's roughness. It looked like it had been an old holiday camp, reinforced with wooden walls and defense towers reinforced with steel and concrete. It had clearly been built to blend in with the forest, rather than stand apart from it.

Dust Kicker approached the gates, the heavy doors swinging outwards as he closed. No guards greeted him so he moved inside, Puppy swiveling about in worry as they stepped onto the main street.

Eyes turned to regard them, some hurrying on their way, some staying to watch. Some just gave them just the briefest of looks before continuing with their work like they weren't of the slightest interest. Dust Kicker looked up at the walls, guards watching them but making no attempt to move.

Dust Kicker shrugged and continued on, noticing a earth pony selling drinks from a stall. He stopped by, giving the pony a friendly smile, "What do you have?"

"Lemonade." The pony stated, sounding a little younger than he looked, "Been making it in these parts for three hundred years."

Dust Kicker raised an eyebrow, then looked up at the deeply faded picture of a lemon on a nearby building and the words, 'Peace Trees Lemonade Emporium'. He guessed they had, "So you moved in and continued the business?"

"My great grandar worked with Candy Sweetheart." The pony responded, "We folk have been farming here since hearthwarming begun."

Dust Kicker had to say it was surprising. They were pretty far out here, "What about the monsters, and raiders?"

The pony looked at something over Dust Kicker's shoulder, a voice sounding out just behind him, "Things like that can work for you, if you wish to be left alone."

Dust Kicker turned, seeing a griffon of early middle age step towards him. She was wearing a sheriffs uniform, with very little armor but featuring two well made pistols at her side that he recognized as some sort of custom 45.'s, very finely made and deadly looking. A cowboy hat shaded her features, but a prominent scar and a rugged windbeaten look suggested she was no stranger to a fight. Dust Kicker doffed his own hat, "The Sheriff I presume?"

"Yeah, I do my part." She answered, offering a somewhat knowing smirk, "New in town?"

"You know I am."

"Huh." She smirked to herself, "Don't get many visitors this way."

"I'm not surprised. I'm amazed to see you doing so well out here." Dust Kicker commented, "Most folk think this place is full of nothing but raiders, monsters and radiation."

"Perfect place to hide. Not even the NCR wanted what this place had." She chuckled softly, "Even before the bombs, this has never been a place for civilized folk."

Dust Kicker noted her tone, "And you're not?"

"Civilization is a dirty word around here." She stated coolly.

Dust Kicker nodded, he figured as much, "Well I can sympathize with that, it's why I'm out here. Just exploring really, I saw that relay station and figured it was worth investigating."

She smirked, "Of course you did. With your little friend." She turned her eyes to Puppysmiles, "So, what's your name?"

Puppysmiles hesitated, her tone shaking and nervous, "What's yours?"

The griffon chuckled, "You know my name."

Puppy let out a little gasp, "Hen... Henrietta?"

"I haven't aged that badly then."

Dust Kicker looked across at Puppy, hoping this wouldn't be a problem, "You know each other?"

"She... helped me. Before. Long before." Puppy's voice grew quiet, "She knows who I am."

Dust Kicker didn't like that at all. There was only one reason she could know, "Not just a sheriff are you?"

She looked slightly offended at this, frowning for a moment before waving for them to follow her. Dust Kicker reluctantly followed, Henrietta leading them down the main street. It was much he had originally seen, hard faced, hard eyed survivors, all working and making themselves useful with surprisingly little sign of clear authority or social structure. Henrietta let them take it all in before speaking again, her tone carrying a slight bite to it now, "When Puppysmiles met me, I was on the run wasn't I?"

Puppy answered nervously, "Yes..."

"Do you know who from?"

"...no?" She paused for a moment before answering again, "Other Talons."

"Gawdina Grimfeathers." Henrietta answered, taking a moment for that to sink in before elaborating, "She didn't come to power through sheer awesomeness, no matter what the NCR proclaims. There was plenty of blood on her talons."

"You're a supporter of Gustvo Firebright." Dust Kicker answered, aware of the likely event in question. The griffon who killed Gawd's siblings, who tried to kill her. She had escaped, faked her death, then come back years later, all shortly after Dust Kicker himself had left the Talons.

Puppy corrected him, a slight hint of awe in her voice, "She is a Firebright."

"Gustvo was my grandfather." She clarified, "And as part of Gawd's takeover, she had my father, mother, and three of my siblings killed. I was the only one who escaped."

"And that's why you hate the NCR?" Dust Kicker challenged, feeling that it was a little petty to hate a whole country just because she was collateral damage in one of Gawd’s feuds.

"Ha!" She gave a barking laugh, then turned an accusing eye on him, "Other way round buck. I'm out here because the NCR hates me. We all are."

Dust Kicker looked around once more, noting the hostile expressions that surrounded them. Everyone in this village knew who they were, "You know we're only out here because someone in this area is picking a fight."

"I know." She admitted, "But the truth is a lot more complicated than you realize."

"How so?"

"You can find out." She replied, giving him a knowing look, "I've been asked to escort you to the Claws’ base of operations. It's just up the mountain a ways."

Dust Kicker lifted an eyebrow, "The Claws?"

"You've never heard of them?" Henrietta expressed with surprise, then shrugged her shoulders, "I guess I hadn't before I came here. They're... mercenaries I guess. But so much more."

"Mercenaries with a cause huh?"

She must have heard the disdain in his voice, her own rising in protest, "They have more honor than the Talons ever will. They help us live free, oppose the stifling oppression of the NCR. They allow us to live like we used to, on our own terms with no regrets."

"By inciting war between the zebra and NCR?"

She sniffed, turned away and waving them forward, "Come on, we've got quite the trek ahead of us."

It was a trek indeed, Dust Kicker made fully aware that he wasn't back to full health and likely never would be. His false leg ached and his breaths were increasingly ragged as they made their way up the mountain, rather glad that Puppy was handling all the talking for them. Indeed after a little hesitation she really seemed to be getting along great with her old friend, though he was still unclear how they knew each other.

"Do you have... kids?"

"Yeah."

"Wooowww..." Puppysmiles exclaimed, bobbing happily, "How many?"

"Three in total. One taken by the pox a couple of years back. Other two healthy."

Puppy bobbed downwards a little, "I'm sorry..."

"It happens." Henrietta paused for a moment before speaking her next words with an odd mix of harshness and sympathy, "I buried Puppysmiles."

"I..." Puppy hesitated for a long, awkward moment, "...I'm sorry... for leaving you. For... for..."

"Getting her killed?"

Puppy went silent for another long moment, "...yes. I guess."

Henrietta chuckled, opening her wings up and leaping to a higher ledge. There she looked down at the pair of them, mouth opened in a somewhat mean looking smirk, "They trained you well didn't they?"

"I know I'm not her." Puppy responded, "But I'm not, not her either."

"I'm the one who gave SolOS that damn shard of metal you know?" Henrietta noted, "Where you were trapped. Where Nightmare Moon was trapped. I took it from the beach."

"So... you were involved in all this?" Dust Kicker breathed as he finally caught up with the pair.

"To a very limited extent." She admitted, "I honestly though you were a... fucking abomination."

"Understandable." Puppy admitted as she levitated herself up after her, "It took me a while to come to terms with it."

"Hmph..." Henrietta waved them on with a shrug, "You're not her, but I'm carrying no grudge. If there's one thing we all know well out here, it's a twisted past."

They followed, Dust Kicker relieved as the terrain flattened out a little. They appear to have reached the top of the mountain, Hopeville and the deep valley into which it had fallen visible on the horizon. And also visible was a single cottage, standing alone sheltered from the wind by some rock outcroppings.

"Do you know why they call this place Griffon's Ward?" Henrietta asked as they approached the cottage.

Dust Kicker looked it over. It was old, very old. The rot had set into the wood, though it was of good construction originally. Pre-war? Large enough for a few rooms, though not much more, with a second floor he could tell through a gap in the wood was only reachable by flight, "A griffon once lived here."

"Yes." Henrietta answered, leading them through a long overgrown garden, "She kept to herself, never said a word to anyone. But when bandits came, or monsters, she protected us. She accepted gifts of food and ammo but never acknowledged them, chased away curious children, kept a wide birth from any hunting parties. But the small settlement of refugees from the megaspells... they thrived under her protection. And eventually it became the community you see today."

Puppysmiles spoke now, "She died."

"Doesn't every creature?" Henrietta asked as they moved round the side of the house. There two gravestones stood, carved of rough stone, rotting flowers set around their base, "When she didn't appear for some time we sent a party to check her house, found her very sick. She died shortly after and we buried her beside this existing grave, in ceremony. To us she was a hero. We always wondered who the other grave could belong to."

Dust Kicker looked to the first gravestone, carved with a picture of a griffon. And then he looked to the second, absent of any distinguishing features whatsoever.

"Dust Kicker, I'm detecting buried organic material matching that of a griffon... and a pegasus." Puppysmiles stated after a long moment of silence, "Both were in the advanced stages of lung cancer. The pegasi died the same year the bombs fell, the griffon sixteen years later."

"Folk reported seeing the griffon just standing silently before the grave on many occasions." Henrietta stated.

Dust Kicker nodded, "They must have been close."

"If you ask me, I've seen it before." Henrietta stated, "Grief, remorse... guilt."

"Dust Kicker..." Puppy stated quietly, "There's three obvious unhealed injuries on the pegasi, that were almost certainly inflicted directly prior to death. She has a broken spine, a rib that looks to have been sheered off by a bullet wound directly impacting the heart, and a bullet wound to the upper forehead."

"Weren't many griffons in Equestria when the bombs fell." Henrietta noted.

"No." Dust Kicker agreed, feeling like he was disturbing old bones, "Honestly it might be a mystery we never solve. Maybe some old soldiers should be just allowed to... just fade away."

Henretta doffed her hat in front of the grave, quietly thoughtful. Eventually she linked eyes with the pair of them nodding in the direction they had been traveling, "The Claw base is that way."

"Not coming with?"

"No."

"Asked to bring us here?"

"Yes." She answered, "I have no idea what you'll find, but they're expecting you."

"I figured as much." Dust Kicker answered, "Let's go Puppy."

It was the camping ground they had seen from the air, exactly as he had seen many times before in these remote areas. A line of rustic but well made huts around an open square, up on top of a hill to give spectacular views in all directions. Dust Kicker noted that in one direction the results of the earthquake that had swallowed Hopesville could be clearly seen, and in the other the radio tower stood proud.

The camp site had been used, recently. Ashes sat neatly within the central campfire, the planking swept and unrotted griffon feathers lying in the dirt. And more to the point...

...Red Eye was waiting for him.

"Dust Kicker!" Red Eye stated cheerfully, fluttering his wings to send his black cloak billowing behind him, single red eye beaming out with it's malevolent glow, "I knew you'd come! And with Puppysmiles in tow!"

Dust Kicker advanced carefully. This impostor didn't seem armed, still... "Who are you?"

"An illusion? A phantom? A dead pony, brought back by dark sorcery?" Red Eye laughed, barking and frighteningly familiar, "I am simply here to warn you sweet prince, that ahead lies only truth... and truth is a most terrible thing."

"King Amore Andromidus, act three." Puppysmiles helpfully offered, "He's quoting a play."

Dust Kicker didn't have time for this, "Where's the bunker?"

"Below." Red Eye simply declared, and flapped his cloak outwards to point towards one of the larger shacks, "The path is open. It is always open."

"Still quoting." Puppy noted, “The Darkness of Shadow.”

Dust Kicker sniffed, proceeding past the impostor. His voice was similar, but still clearly wrong. And his face, his manner, his being here... this wasn't Red Eye, "Get out of here. Go find a better career."

"Ah, the amount of times I have been told that..." Red Eye mused, in a now fair more effeminate tone, "But I know how it is. The star has arrived, and us poor supporting actors must shuffle off the stage."

Dust Kicker ignored him, pushing open the unlocked shack door and looking into a fully tooled up command center. Maps indicated raider incursion patterns, high end communications equipment was packed into every corner and a radar station made it clear they had coverage over this whole area. They had known he was coming.

"Dust Kicker."

He looked round at Puppy's voice, seeing that she had nudged the store cupboard door open. Inside was a long staircase, with a sign indicating it led towards the septic tanks for the camp. Dust Kicker walked over, noting that it certainly didn't smell that way, "Puppy?"

"There's an enormous amount of cabling running downwards, in the direction of these stairs." Puppy confirmed, "Whatever we're looking for, I'm pretty sure it's down there."

Dust Kicker nodded, checking his equipment one last time and shaking out his old bones. This was it, his last mission.

He gave Puppy a confident smile, and moved downwards into darkness.

Chapter 6.2 - Doomed to Repeat It

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It was dark. It was always dark, under the dark grey clouds that covered the wasteland.

Dust Kicker inspected the prisoners, making certain none of them were hurt, ill or abused, nor that they seemed likely to hurt themselves. Elizabetha had gained a reputation for the quality of her slaves back when she ran this crew, and it was a reputation he intended to uphold.

There wasn't much chance of resistance from this lot at least. Like most stable dwellers they quickly devolved into simpering cowards the second you so much as waved a gun in their direction.

...well, almost all of them.

He stopped at Cerulean Sparks' cage, the small filly staring back at him with those cool, golden eyes. He smiled back, impressed by her guts. Fifteen, and not a hint of fear, "They all keeping their hooves off you?"

"Yes." She replied simply, her lip curling in an odd mixture of disapproval and interest, "They really seem to respect you."

"It's a good crew, who all know what they're fighting for."

"And what's that?"

"A better world." He responded, smiling at her interest. He had hoped she would bite, "It's not like the stable up here. There's no order, no discipline. The flaws that destroyed the world writ large, destroying it over and over again every day. Selfishness, pride, factionisation."

Cerulean Sparks seemed to respond to this, nose twitching, "And slavery is the answer?"

"No. It's a crime, and an abomination." He admitted, "But one that we've been forced to commit. Building a new world requires sacrifice, but it's a sacrifice no pony seems willing to make."

"So you force them?"

He nodded, "Sometimes to save the world, you make the hard decisions."

Her yellow eyes shone with cold assessment, looking deep into his. Until finally... she nodded, ever so slightly, "I'll remember that."

It was dark, dark and silent, with just the faint hum of magic in Puppy's anti-grav drive and the equipment in the walls. Dust Kicker took a deep breath and advanced, scanning the route in front carefully with his saddle equipped flashlight. It looked abandoned down here, nothing but rusty pipes and hanging wires, still the lack of dust on the ground beneath his hooves suggested that the route was well used. The floor echoed as he walked, meaning there was absolutely no chance of stealth. They knew he was coming anyway.

Ahead lights illumined a large sign above a dirty and somewhat cramped looking access pipe, accessed by a warped and rusty looking ladder. Dust Kicker read across the sign with amusement, "Hopeville Sewage and Septic storage system, warning, danger of death. Sounds lovely."

"Those stains... they're not organic material. It's paint." Puppy confirmed.

Dust Kicker nodded, he figured, "Structural readings ahead?"

"Heavily reinforced." Puppy stated confidently, "A stable, or bunker. And intact, at least on the outside."

Dust Kicker nodded, gingerly hauling himself up into the access pipe and continuing. He soon came to the most obvious sign yet, an unmarked but clearly Stabletec door. It was open, revealing rows of silent, watchful and intimidating turrets that decorated the checkpoint beyond. There was absolutely no sign of anyone living however, and those turrets didn't so much as track his progress as he continued.

Ahead, the path branched. The way ahead was sealed by a heavy duty blast door, as was the path to the left. The right however lay open and Dust Kicker dutifully followed, walking into what looked like a briefing or communications room. The lights kicked in as he entered, three holograms appearing on the central platform. They were all in military dress, a female unicorn, an earth pony male, and another earth pony male with general pips.

"General, reporting civilian activity around Silo 2." The female stated, sounding more flustered than she likely intended, "They have located the entrance, and are actively searching for a means to open it."

"I assume all lockdown procedures have been put into effect." The general replied.

"Of course sir."

The other earth pony spoke up at this, "Sir, I recommend decommissioning site 2. Shut down the megaspells, bury the facility."

"Acknowledged Captain Trundle, but denied." The general responded, "Captain Iris, prepare security forces to clear civilians from the area. Live ammo."

"Sir?" The earth pony replied, eyes widening.

"I am privy to information you are ignorant of." The general replied officiously, "The next few weeks are critical to the war effort. Megaspell capacity must be maintained at all costs."

"Affirmative sir." The mare replied, "Deploying security forces."

The holograms vanished, the door beyond sliding open. Dust Kicker took a brief look at Puppysmiles before taking the bait, moving forward into what looked like a signal intelligence facility. Most of the monitors were turned off, but a single large monitor above the main table stood blinking a 'press any key to continue' message.

Dust Kicker moved forward to the console below, clicking the space bar. Immediately the screen burst into life, messages scrolling past.

WARNING - CONNECTION TO MANEHATTEN 1 LOST

Silo 1 - 'Manehatten command, we have lost your signal. Advise on status.'

PRIORITY ALERT - MISSILE APPROACH DETECTED ON WEST COAST - STAND BY

Silo 1 - 'Equestria command, advise. We have a missile warning, is this in error?'

PRIORITY ALERT - MULTIPLE WARHEADS CONFIRMED - STAND BY

Silo 1 - 'Equestria command, advise.'

Cloudsdale 1 - "Contact Manehatten for orders Divide 1.'

Silo 1 - 'Negative Cloudsdale, Manehatten unresponsive.'

WARNING - CONNECTION TO CLOUDSDALE 1 LOST

Silo 1 - 'Equestria command, multiple lost contacts. Do we launch, advise?'

WARNING - CONNECTION TO CANTERLOT 1 LOST

Whitetail Relay - 'Code 1110. Launch all megaspells! Repeat, launch all megaspells!'

PRIORITY ORDER SENT - AUTHORISATION ACCEPTED - COMMAND CODES HAVE BEEN UNLOCKED

LAUNCH LAUNCH LAUNCH

Silo 1 - 'All silos, this is not a drill. Launch launch launch.'

SILO ONE - DOORS OPEN - STAND BY FOR LAUNCH

SILO TWO - DOOR ERROR DOOR ERROR - CILIVIANS ON SITE

PRIORITY ORDER SENT - SILO TWO AUTHORISED FOR LIVE FIRE ON CIVILIANS

Silo 1 - 'Get them out of there Silo 2! Any means necessary!'

SILO ONE LAUNCH - MEGASPELL 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 LAUNCH COMPLETE

Silo 1 - 'Silo 2, 3, advise on situation.'

Silo 2 - 'Troops down, civilians armed.'

Silo 1 - 'Still on site?'

Silo 2 - 'Confirmed.'

Silo 1 - 'Silo 3, report.'

Silo 3 - 'Negative silo 1.'

Silo 1 - 'Silo 3, clarify last message.'

Silo 3 - 'Equestia hit. No further megaspells incoming. Target sights include civilian areas. No tactical justification for launch.'

Silo 1 - 'Silo 2, 3, launch! That is an order!"

Silo 2 - 'Negative silo one, civilians still on site. Safeties won't let us open the door until they're clear.'

PRIORITY ORDER SENT - DOOR SAFETY OVERRIDE SILO 2

SILO TWO - DOORS OPEN - STAND BY FOR LAUNCH

WARNING - INTRUDERS DETECTED IN SILO 2

Silo 2 - 'Fuck you you fucking warmongering scum! We won't let you do this!'

SILO TWO - MEGASPELL LAUNCH ABORTED

SILO TWO - MEGASPELL DECOMMISIONING SEQUENCE ACTIVATED

PRIORITY ORDER SENT - MEGASPELL DECOMMISIONING SEQUENCE DEACTIVATED

PRIORITY ORDER SENT - SILO TWO - DOORS OPEN - STAND BY FOR LAUNCH

PRIORITY ORDER SENT - LAUNCH SEQUENCE LOCKED SILO 2

SILO 2 - WARNING : MULTIPLE SAFETIES OVERRIDEN - DOOR CLOSED DURING LAUNCH SEQUENCE - UNABLE TO CANCEL LAUNCH SEQUENCE

Silo 2 - 'Stop the launch you bastards! Stop it now!'

SILO 2 - WARNING : UNABLE TO CANCEL LAUNCH SEQUENCE - DOORS CLOSED ABORT ABORT

SILO 2 - OPEN THE DOORS OPEN THE DOORS

...System reset. Please stand by...

WARNING - CONNECTION TO SILO 1 LOST

WARNING - CONNECTION TO SILO 2 LOST

WARNING - LOST HILLS RELAY REPORTS SYSMIC EVENT

WARNING - CONNECTION TO LOST HILLS RELAY LOST

WARNING - CONNECTION TO EQUESTRIA COMMAND LOST

WARNING - ELEVATED RADIATION LEVELS DETECTED IN AREA

WARNING - SEVERE DAMAGE TO SILO 3

Silo 3 - 'Celestia help us.'

PRIORITY ORDER SENT - MEGASPELLS LOCKED, DOORS LOCKED, CONTROLS LOCKED - SILO 3

Dust Kicker looked up as the monitor above activated, showing Hopesville from the perspective of a camera upon the relay station. It was beautiful, peaceful looking.

...then the earth shook, the ground cracked open, and blue flames roared from the ground. Hopesville was shattered apart, the whole city shattered into pieces before being set ablaze in balefire. A moment later, what remained collapsed downwards into the new valley that had now been created, a dead, broken wreck.

A number appeared across the bottom of the screen. Twenty six thousand. The population of Hopeville.

The doors slid open on the other wall, revealing what was clearly the office of somepony important. Dust Kicker played the good solider and continued to follow the clear path he was being given, looking about at the interior. It was T shaped, with two wings holding an informal meeting area with couches and a wine cabinet on one side, and a file storage area on the other. Ahead was a large desk featuring a complex looking control panel, and beyond a large set of windows looking out onto a huge silo.

Dust Kicker advanced to the desk. There was the skeleton of a pony in the chair, most of it's skull melted away. A laser pistol on the floor in front appeared to be the culprit, and it was likely also responsible for the control panel being almost totally fused into a twisted mess.

He then looked up towards the silo beyond, illuminated by the churning, twisting forms of the megaspells within their harnesses.

"He... killed himself?" Puppysmiles asked, bobbing along behind.

Dust Kicker nodded, "Either that or he was killed by the soldiers sent to arrest him. But he had already done his work by then. Locked off all controls, then fried the panel."

Puppysmile's voice became sad, "He was a good pony."

"He still lied to the ponies above. Still participated in a ruse that got thousands of innocents killed." Dust Kicker pointed out, finding his own feelings on the matter... muted, "Broke a dozen rules of war."

"You... don't sound surprised."

"Why should I be?"

Puppysmile's voice grew strained, "I met Princess Luna. She was a good pony..."

"And she still did this."

"Why?"

It was a good question. But one he was pretty sure he had the answer to, "Because she felt she had to. Because everypony was acting that way. Because it didn't feel like being good got anything done."

"I knew you would understand Dust Kicker." Came a response from over the announcement system, the doors at the side of the room sliding open. From them came a tide of troopers, clad in yellow armor marked with a curled griffon claw, ponies and griffon alike.

And just behind them, moving through a gap they created for her... a middle aged female griffon, wearing jade colored glasses and sporting a heavy machine gun at her side. She had a few more scars, a lot more wrinkles, put on a few pounds... but hadn't they all? Dust Kicker turned to face her, "Elizabetha."

She smirked, "It sounded like you expected me."

"You had the connection to me, the connection to Red Eye... you mentioned how you wanted to find one of the fabled lost silos, gain access to the communications network. You're smart, driven, ambitious." He shrugged, "It all made sense."

"I'm flattered. More so that you remember me so well." Elizabetha chuckled, Dust Kicker annoyed at how attractive it made her look. The old feelings all bubbled back, especially as she grinned and cooed sweetly, "When you last saw me I was a slip of a girl babbling about idealistic nonsense, and you were an loud, obnoxious punk."

"And now you're a terrorist, and I'm a zebra praetorian."

"Ha! The paths we take... but I have always been a revolutionary Dust Kicker." Elizabetha confidently exclaimed, "And you... you still take things too seriously. Never let go of that naivety."

Dust Kicker remembered those little 'talks' he had with Red Eye over the radio, "Yeah, I've been told. It was you, talking to me over the radio?"

"Sometimes." She admitted, "Though to be honest, I normally played the carrot. There's others who hate you far more."

"Who?"

"Oh no, you're talking to me now kid." She answered, smirking viciously to herself, "Tell me, why did you come here alone?"

He stared her down, "You expected me to come alone. I'm sure you know..."

"Of course I do." She stated confidently, cutting him off, "Because Puppysmiles convinced you that it was the right thing to do. That this was something you had to do yourself, that it was a matter of honor." She laughed, "You're as predicable as you are stupid."

"Wha..."

"Puppysmiles!" Elizabetha declared cheerfully, "History belongs to the victorious!"

"And should never be mistaken for truth." She answered in a soft, broken monotone, floating past Dust Kicker's shoulder towards the awaiting guards.

"NO!" Dust Kicker reached for her but the soldiers all raised their weapons, causing a moment of hesitation enough for her to retreat behind their lines. He cursed himself for being so stupid, having once again underestimated his opponent, "Two codephrases."

"One hidden in her hardware, and one implemented the old fashioned way." Elizabetha noted with cheer, her look of smug victory eminently punchable, "We built her personality from the ground up, you honestly thought we hadn't already planned for this?"

Puppysmiles had in fact, it was why she hadn't confronted them directly at the Battle for Canterlot. Still he had hoped it wasn't the case, and it did make his job considerably harder, "You mean the Rangers built her. Is that what you're up to these days, aiding their fascist takeover?"

She snarled then, changing her face into something he barely recognized. It was a look of bitter, self serving rage, a dark blasphemy in the eyes of a griffon he had always associated with the heart of idealism, "I didn't join anything!" She gave a shrug, relenting after a moment, "The Red Eye project was the Ranger's idea. Peach Tree's really. But he came to me to plan it."

Dust Kicker raised a eyebrow, "Peach Trees... came to you?"

Elizabetha grinned, "The old bastard knew the value of networking. He tried to come across as the perfect solider, but his most famous battles were waged in the council chamber."

Dust Kicker understood now, "He needed forces outside of the Rangers. For deniablity."

She smirked, "For competence. A bunch of hard headed 'yes sir, no sir' troopers in power armor? They can clear a building and hold a line, but they can't scout a wilderness worth shit. Peach Trees knew that, but he could never be seen going to the Talons."

"So he came to you." Dust Kicker stated, trying to keep her talking as he scanned for ways out of this situation, "Mercenaries, not affiliated with the NCR."

She spat on the ground at the name, "Fuck the NCR."

"Still sore Elizabetha?"

She grimaced back at him, "We were fighting for something Dust Kicker!"

He smirked, "Slavery and murder."

She just stared for a moment, then slung her machine gun up onto her shoulder and cocked him a look of deadly seriousness, "Who are you who doesn't know your history?"

"Hmph..." Dust Kicker snorted, "I should have known it was you the first time I heard Red Eye come out with that. You always were quite the pretentious historian."

"The world experienced a thousand years of peace because Celestia was in charge. The moment she gave them freedom, allowed herself to doubt her moral authority... they fell on each other like dogs." Elizabetha snorted, "But I don't blame Littlepip. She grew up in a sealed, self sufficient environment, free of conflict and worry. Places like that breed idealistic fools."

"Like Red Eye?"

"Yeah, actually." She stated smugly, "He had the right idea, a enlightened overlord ruling over the idiot masses. But he was never able to follow through, wedded to his own foolish ideals to the end."

"And what... Puppysmiles is different?"

"Yes... or at least, she should be." Elizabetha answered, "She's seen how horrible the world is, how eager they are to turn on each other the second they're given the slightest reason. How they've forgotten all their previous mistakes, wedded to making them all over again. She will understand what must be done to save it."

Dust Kicker understood, at least as far as Elizabetha saw it, "That's why you helped her escape, why you sent her out with us. You wanted her to see the chaos with her own eyes, to see peace collapse again and again and war rise in it's place."

Elizabetha grinned wide, "Yes... you get it Dust Kicker."

He got it alright. This was Red Eye's motivations, after all this time. To ruin the world enough that it would make Puppysmiles as insane and cynical as them. For that they had killed millions, spread hate, sabotaged the efforts of good ponies, "And what, Puppysmiles rules the NCR? You take over? It won't be as easy as that and you know it."

Elizabetha just chuckled, shaking her head, "There won't be a NCR."

"What?"

"We were honestly hoping that the zebra and Equestria would save us the trouble, unleash their megaspells and wipe themselves out. Leave a nice clean world for us, ready to be cleaned up with the Gardens of Equestria and rebuilt from the ground up." Elizabetha shrugged her shoulders, motioning to the window looking out into the hanger and the megaspells all sitting ominously in their berths, "As it is, it looks like we'll have to give things a little push. And what luck... the near total leadership of both nations is currently sitting pretty in Ponyville. So that's another thing I have to thank you for Dust Kicker."

Dust Kicker wasn't sure she should be thanking him, since she had just revealed her entire plan. He figured she was a monologuer, Elizabetha always did love to talk.

He promptly triggered the device hidden in his battlesaddle, forming a shield about his body which instantly exploded with a burst of EMP radiation and blinding light. The Claws all shouted and lifted their weapons but didn't fire, for good reason. Packed into the room like this, any shot they missed would likely hit a comrade, indeed he had cleared more than a few bandit encampments by abusing their lack of fire discipline. Shame they were apparently too well trained for that.

Whatever, he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. He immediately charged Elizabetha, taking her off her paws and slamming her hard into the drinks cabinet. It exploded in a shower of glass and booze, the aged griffon instantly going limp as he felt her ribs shatter. With her down and her still blinded comrades reluctant to fire it was easy to tear open her saddle bag and pull out her base ID, delivering a harsh pair of bucks to two griffons who rushed to pull him off her. With that done he lunged for the door, opening it with a swish of the keycard and rushing through to close it behind him.

He galloped onwards, trying to catch his breath as he tried to lose any possible pursuit. Now it was done his body ached like a motherfucker, crying out not for the first time that he was far too old for this shit. He had to pause for a moment to click his false leg back into position, using that time to pull out the tracking device for Puppy's eyebot he was packing. It told him precisely what he didn't want to hear, showing that she was already pretty far into the facility.

"You still impress Dust Kicker. After all this time."

Dust Kicker looked up at the speaker on the wall of the corridor, bearing Red Eye's dulcet tones. He told himself not to be fooled, but this one was really a lot more convincing than the one outside.

"Elizabetha was so certain that you would come here alone, with just Puppy with you." Red Eye's voice stated over the intercom, sounding rather impressed, "We prompted Puppy to encourage it, but still..."

Dust Kicker shrugged his shoulders, "She still knows me too well, after all this time."

"Well it was her who predicted your actions at the Lost Legion. That you would connect Puppy's systems to theirs, and hide the truth from your comrades. That you would trust Red Eye implicitly, long after you renounced your allegiance."

It was huh? He should have figured, "It's what made her a good leader. A good commander. She could always predict the reactions of others."

"She didn't predict that you would escape her."

Dust Kicker chuckled, "No, she didn't." He looked up at the speaker, still frustratingly anonymous,"Did you?"

There was a brief pause before the answer, "I like it when you surprise me."

"Then keep watching." He boasted, though he certainly wasn't reassured by the idea that someone was watching his every move through the base cameras, and that obviously meant their security systems were still functional. He set off in the direction of Puppy's signal, clearing himself through high security doors with his keycard and looking for some kind of map. He was disappointed, finding nothing but featureless corridors, storage bays, and long abandoned barracks.

Until... he heard voices nearby. He followed them, soon finding himself at a clearly powered and in use part of the facility. The clawsteps of a single griffon echoed inside a adjoining room, door slightly ajar. It was a female, seeming to be speaking to another figure.

"Yes, I understand... but the prisoner could be a risk in this situation, if the intruder was to come here... fine, I'll lock this area down and come to you, just give me a few minutes."

There was a click, the sound of a radio being turned off. The clawsteps moved away from the door.

Dust Kicker slipped inside of the security office, sighting up on the single griffon facing away from him. She barely had a chance to turn before he fired, striking her across the back of the head with a beanbag round. She struggled, staggering for a moment before flopping into a heap, and he moved over to kick her hard in the ribs. The blow failed to stir her and he injected a combination healing potion and sedative, a combo that would keep her out for hours, taking another key card from her pack.

The security office was obviously protecting somewhere. Somewhere with a 'prisoner’. He slid the keycard across the reader, the door opening up to what was indeed a large prison area.

Really large. At least enough spaces for a hundred ponies. Dust Kicker wondered what purpose it could have possibly served. It seemed really excessive now, because as he walked out onto the gantry above three floors of this place he could only see one occupied cell. He moved towards it, watching the earth pony inside stir and lift himself to stare assessingly in his direction. His voice was strident, his accent educated and military, "Dust Kicker."

Dust Kicker looked the pony over. Clean shaven and athleticly built, two things unusual in long term prisoners. Of middle age, and vaguely familiar, "You have me at a disadvantage."

"Then you are not supposed to be here."

"No." He admitted, "And I'm guessing you're not either."

"Who sent you?"

"The NCR, and Free Zebra Alliance." He stated, figuring laying his cards out would gain him answers the quickest, "Here to stop Red Eye."

"Excellent." The pony replied, smiling with relief. He offered a sharp salute, "Star Paladin Stern Lancer of the Applejack Rangers."

Stern Lancer? Dust Kicker had heard of him, and kicked himself for not recognized him straight away. High Elder Peach Tree's second in command, and a formidable figure in his own right. And that suggested a good reason for him being here, "You were involved with the Puppysmiles project, and faking Red Eye. You're working... were working for Elizabetha and the Claws."

He had the good decency to look guilty, "Yes... you are well informed."

"You have no idea." Dust Kicker took out his code breaker device and plugged it into the side of the cell's keypad, the machine beeping a couple of times before the door slip open, "Come on, they know I'm here."

Stern Lancer flexed as he stepped out, popping his neck before looking over as Dust put the code breaker away, "You are very well equipped for a mercenary."

"Not a mercenary anymore." He smirked, "They're not paying me for one."

Stern Lancer simply nodded, then motioned for them to move back the direction they came. He looked at the griffon's sleeping form as they passed through the security station, noting her condition as he retrieved her shotgun, "You left her alive."

"I considered it the best option to ensure a successful outcome." Dust answered, "I can't negotiate with them if they're dead."

"You expect them to talk?"

Dust Kicker looked at him, smirking, "They spoke to you and your boys."

"And look where that got us." Stern Lancer answered sharply, taking the insult on the chin, "Elizabetha is a lunatic with megaspells. She needs to die, and die quickly."

"Yeah." Dust Kicker noted, having wondered about that, "How did that happen, out of interest? The megaspells?"

"No idea." Lancer stated firmly, before offering Dust Kicker a slightly apologetic look, "But I guess you might find that suspect, considering the rest of the lies."

"Well since you mention it..."

Lancer nodded in understanding, "We were aware that Elizabetha and her family had access to some sort of pre-war facility here, though we assumed it was just a bunker. She certainly never said any different."

Dust Kicker remembered what she had said, "She works for you?"

"Peach Trees really. She's his favored mercenary for operating in these areas. Clever, discrete, gets results." Lancer explained, "It was nothing we haven't done before. False flag operations, remind the NCR that they still need us."

Dust Kicker was surprised he would admit to it, "You've created fake raiders before?"

"During peace time civilians always question the worth of the military. They chip away at us, take away our ability to respond to threats... and then when a threat comes, we're woefully unprepared." Lancer fixed Dust Kicker with a grim look, "Do you fault us for a bit of theater, putting on a show to demonstrate our worth and perhaps killing a few raiders in the process?"

Dust Kicker admitted he had a point of some sort. Still, it had gone much further, "This is no mere theater."

"It started with Elizabetha's idea." Lancer explained, "We wanted this one to be impressive, to draw lots of raiders to the banner and really capture the public's eye. Elizabetha normally provides candidates, but this time she had a far more unusual idea."

"The fake Red Eye."

"It was crazy, but the more we thought about it the more sense it made." Lancer explained, "It would certainly capture the attention of both the raiders and the general public. Many of the raiders in this area are his former followers. And she could do it, she had a modulator that could replicate his voice, scholars who could replicate his manner and personality, a convincing explanation for his survival..."

Dust Kicker remembered 'Red Eye' telling him, "He said Twilight Frost lied about his death. She was the only witness."

"She did not. Indeed her description of his last moments was accurate enough to locate his grave." Stern Lancer confirmed, "Red Eye's remains currently reside in a Ranger facility, retrieved from the ruins of the cathedral sixteen years ago. We confirmed that it was him, Red Eye is quite dead."

Dust Kicker was... somewhat disappointed, "So it was all a lie."

"Yes. I am oddly proud that it was so convincing."

"This fake, he knew things... that only Red Eye knew." Dust Kicker started, before realising the truth. After all Red Eye wasn't the only one would would have been privy to that information, "But there was another mare involved with this operation wasn't there? A white unicorn with electric blue hair."

Stern Lancer gave a inquisitive look, before nodding, "Yes. Spark Matrix. "

"She used to be called Cerulean Sparks. Back... when she was a slave of Red Eye's." Dust Kicker sighed, "Of mine."

"Yes, I recall her saying that." Stern Lancer confirmed, "Honestly I wish we never involved her, or her master."

"Her master?"

"Ambition leads to further ambition." Lancer explained, "It soon became clear that the operation would both cost a great deal, and truly grab the public's attention. We were well beyond simple public goodwill, Peach Trees thought this could be the groundwork for a much larger operation."

Dust Kicker nodded, "Puppysmiles."

"We already had some dealings with a pre-war AI called SolOS. A research AI, an advanced one. Sentient, psychopathic, brilliant and utterly insane. We should have had him killed, but we believed we could control him." Lancer explained, "He offered the Puppysmiles idea to us, demonstrated through basic mock ups of her capabilities that she could pretty much break into any computer system in Equestria. We learned that Velvet Remedy's secretary had been nursing a crippling Mint-all's addiction, got herself heavily into debt with bad ponies. We used that to convince her to support us, give us access to Followers systems."

Dust Kicker shook his head. Was every third member of the Followers secretly crazier than a bucket of frogs?

Lancer snorted before continuing, "With that access the idea was to add a cyberterrorism angle to Red Eye, and then offer Puppy OS as a counter. A defender of our computer systems, which would handle all electronic security for the NCR."

"And the Rangers would have full control."

Lancer glared at him, clearly offended, "Yes, we wanted control. But we never intended to infringe on the civilian government, simply have the best tools to keep them safe."

Dust Kicker had heard that before, "Even from themselves?"

"Yes, if necessary." Stern Lancer admitted, "Puppy's data gathering and analysis capabilities would determine threats without any bias, and then we would eliminate said threat with the same purity of purpose."

"A technocracy. How very... Ranger."

"I won't apologize." Lancer stated, "You've traveled with Puppy. What is your assessment of her capabilities for such a task?"

"As wonderful and flawed as any one of us." Dust Kicker answered without pause, "And no more capable of handling ultimate power."

"No organization governed by a code as strict as the Rangers could ever believe in ultimate power." Lancer responded sharply, "Peach Trees himself might have theoretically possessed the authority to do as he wished, but responsibility is a heavy chain to bear."

Dust Kicker supposed he was right... however naive he was in thinking everypony was so honorable, "So Cerulean Sparks?"

"She was the lead designer for the Puppy OS project. One of SolOS's." Lancer thought for a moment before going into more detail, "In particular she worked on her hacking capabilities. Had knowledge of some of Doc Slaughter's old work."

Dust Kicker decided to come clean, "I know both of them."

"Who?"

"Cerulean and Elizabetha. They're both... ex-girlfriends of mine."

Stern Lancer raised an eyebrow, "That's... odd, but how does it relate to anything exactly?"

"It's not the only thing they have in common." Dust Kicker stated, being aware that he certainly had a type, "They're both ruthless, extremely intelligent, obsessed with history and driven to the point of madness. And they both have history with Red Eye."

"You think... they colluded?"

Dust Kicker sighed, shaking his head at the thought of what they couldn't considering their abilities and personalities, "I think introducing them might have been the worst idea you ever had."

They continued onwards, following the small blinking icon on Dust Kicker's tracker. They managed to avoid any security or pursuit simply by moving through the abandoned areas of the facility, which Dust though was a rather blatant security flaw. Especially when they knew he was here.

"I don't like this." Stern Lancer growled, "Elizabetha is more careful than this. We're walking into a trap."

Dust Kicker had to agree. Still, "We don't have any other leads. We still don't have a map of this place."

"Sure but..." Stern Lancer paused, then his brow narrowed, "Ahead, quiet."

Dust Kicker nodded, setting up his rifle and urging Stern Lancer forward. The younger, quieter pony saw his point and advanced, moving up round the corner and disappearing for a few moments before leaning back out and motioning for Dust Kicker to follow.

He advanced around, seeing that this corridor opened out into what looked like a loading bay, complete with intact looking flatbed transports loaded with crates. Dust Kicker noted four ponies in the area, two unloading and two carrying weapons. They were joined by a single griffon, male and carrying a long rifle.

"Quick assault is our best option." Stern Lancer stated firmly, "Take them all out before they can call for help."

"We could sneak past?"

Stern Lancer shook his head, "There's a map of the facility right there behind the griffon. We need time to study it."

"My shotgun's the only weapon that's non lethal." Dust Kicker noted, patting the weapon at his hip, "I would prefer not to go live if we don't have to."

"Your preferences are irrelevant." Stern Lancer retorted, readying his own weapon, "Equestria is at risk. We do what has to be done, there's no room for hesitation in war."

Dust Kicker swallowed his anger at the pony's words, moving to object... but Stern Lancer was already moving away, weapon discharging with a roar. The first guard dropped immediately, Dust Kicker forced to admit he was a damn good shot.

Dust Kicker leapt off the gantry and engaged SATS as the others started firing, landing on a crate and firing beanbag rounds at the two loaders as they scrambled for their weapons. The two toppled backwards, out of the fight, Dust Kicker absorbing the second guard's round on his cybernetic leg before nailing him with two shots to the head that laid him out cold.

He looked round to see Stern Lancer exchanging shots with the griffon, a fairly equal exchange until the griffon made the mistake of opening his wings to fly to better cover. Stern Lancer took the opportunity to nail him through the left wing just before the apex of his ascent, throwing him off balance and leading him to crash awkwardly through some crates. The griffon attempted to extract himself from the wreckage, spotting Stern Lancer advancing and raising a desperate claw, "Wait...!"

Stern Lancer finished him off with a single shot to the head, barely even acknowledging the kill before moving over and pulling ammo from the griffon's saddlebags, "We need to move."

"Right..." Dust Kicker noted, reminded why he hated working with Rangers.

And at that very moment, Red Eye's voice sounded out over the intercom, "He's right you know? They heard that gunfire, and have already sent a squad to investigate."

Stern Lancer looked up, "What the heck?!"

"And that griffon you just killed was her eldest son."

Dust Kicker cursed, "Stern, that's what I wanted to avoid. She's not going to do us any favors now."

"I wouldn't accept any from a terrorist." Stern Lancer retorted, looking over the map, "The main command centre is this way... and the megaspell controls down here."

Red Eye spoke up again, "You'll need to unlock the megaspell controls from the main command centre."

Stern Lancer looked sharply at Dust Kicker, "Explain why... whomever's on the comms is helping you!"

"I wish I knew." Dust Kicker replied, though privately he had some idea, "Stern Lancer, the two facilities are a fair distance from each other. If I head to the megaspell controls, you need to open them up from the command centre."

"Here's another idea." Stern Lancer offered, "We reverse that."

"Here's another... we don't." Dust Kicker responded, matching Stern's commanding glare, "You might not have much reason to trust me, but consider the fact that this is your fault."

Stern Lancer narrowed his eyes.

"And that I am better armed than you."

Stern Lancer grunted, moving away, "Fine. Besides, I'm more familiar with military technology."

Dust Kicker watched as he turned away and galloped off through the door towards the command centre. He wondered if this was the right decision, letting him go alone.... letting him go at all. Letting him go the way that was clearly being prompted by whoever was on the intercom.

Whatever the case, the choice was made. He took one final moment to centre himself before heading off to his own destination.

Stern Lancer donned the flak vest he had taken from the dead terrorist at his hooves, glad that he had finally found one his size. Along with the weapons and ammo he had taken he was adequately equipped now at least, though he missed his power armor.

He looked around the area, counting his kills. At least nine souls who wouldn't be causing Equestria any more problems. He proceeded past them without any further consideration, looking up at the command centre door and the swiveling camera mounted above, "I'm coming for you next."

He tapped in an override code he knew and the door slid open, admitting him into the familiar sight of a military command centre... though the central pillar had been replaced by a crusader mainframe, surrounded by consoles and monitors. Stern Lancer trotted out boldly before the cybernetic tower, his grim, cold eyes glaring straight into the glowing blue eye that moved to track him. He rolled his shoulders, flexed muscles he had done his best to maintain through his long periods of isolation.

"Stern Lan..."

Lancer cut SolOS off midword, keeping his voice clipped and pitched enough to overpower the machine's powerful speakers, "Why did you keep me alive SolOS?"

"Because you were useful to me." SolOS admitted, though his tone had lost none of it's arrogant self assurance, "You were next in line for command of the Rangers. There was any number of ways in which that could be used."

"I see." Lancer responded, thinking of the hundreds of his brothers that had died because this machine didn't consider them useful, "I think our decision to spare you from deconstruction and study was a poor one."

SolOS chuckled. It shouldn't have been allowed from such a soulless abomination, a dark, humorless rumbling, "At least you Rangers will have on achievement worth remembering when I remake this world."

…and then suddenly, without warning, all the lights went off and they were plunged into darkness.

Dust Kicker advanced, the blinking light showing the way to Puppysmiles growing ever closer. Indeed, she lay just beyond the door ahead, the big, reinforced set of double doors that led off the viewing platform he currently stood upon. They sat in the middle of a large, circular column that took up the centre of the silo, megaspells to his right and left. They hummed with coiled energy, large and churning, leaving no illusions to the power contained within. Any one of them could erase Ponyville from the map.

He stepped forward, the doors sliding open before him. They led him right into a large CIC room, map consoles, radar stations, tactical controls, readouts of vast numbers of connected systems scrolling down the viewscreens. One of them was clearly the satellite system Ace had spoken of, displaying a grid of connected structures high above the planet's atmosphere.

And there she was. Standing on a platform in the middle of the room, metal hooves resting inside grooves connecting her to the two consoles that stood on either side. She was taller, older, but her manner was the same. She was thin, fragile, standing with a mixture of uncertainty and stubborn resolve that came across as defensive and standoffish, enhanced by a sharp, bony intensity that seemed to lower the temperature just with a look. It didn't help that one of her eyes stared at nothing, the golden iris cloudy and dead... and the other was a cybernetic enhancement, a chilly blue glow from a shiny black eyeball.

Dust Kicker advanced, noting the slight shimmer around her, "Cerulean Sparks."

She smiled, thin and closed mouth, "I've waited for you."

Dust Kicker had noticed. This whole time, she had been goading him to come here, to engage her face to face. He looked around at the control room, noting how appropriately 'final boss' it looked, "So is this going to be a boss fight? Got turrets in that roof, generators powering that shield around you?"

"Yes actually." She admitted, "But I hope it won't come to that."

Dust Kicker took a deep breath, wondering how it had come to this, "So you're the mastermind. You're Red Eye."

"That's a simplification. A rather gross one." She stated, returning to her familiar look of cold indifference. It was instantly familiar, despite the years and the scars. When he had seen her she had been fifteen years old, thin and underdeveloped, with a chilly intensity to her that had sat oddly atop her youth. Now with her cybernetics, the wrinkles of age and wear, the weight of experience in her expression... her true self shone through. And her voice carried an endless weight of disappointment, "There were a half dozen operators behind the Red Eye broadcasts."

"And you were one of them?"

"Yes."

He figured. It answered a lot of questions, "When we found out that Red Eye was impersonating Puppysmiles, that was you wasn't it?"

Cerulean Sparks looked impressed, her eyes widening in interest, "How did you know?"

"You were angry. With me." He took a deep breath, remembering the moment clearly. It still haunted him, "Because I disappointed you. Because you wanted me to defy Elizabetha's predictions, prove myself... more noble than that. Too noble to lie to everyone, endanger Puppy's life out of loyalty to a long dead dictator."

Cerulean Sparks' eyes grew cold, "You're right. She predicted it. And she was right."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm sure you are." She responded, "And you needn't worry. I'm used to the world living down to the low expectations of it's cynics and nihilists."

"Is that why you're doing this?" He asked, doffing his hat, "Everyone's been telling me their side of the story today. So... what's yours? Why the hell are you sitting on a near dozen shiny balls of armageddon?"

She smiled again, a little more genuine this time, "A good question. Everyone in this has some reason for what they've done, don't they? Stern Lancer wants order, Peach Trees wanted the Rangers to endure after he was gone... Silent Steel wanted redemption for his lack of resolve, for being a pawn in the plans of the Rangers who he despised. And Elizabetha... she just hates the world I feel. It's betrayed her too many times for her to feel it's worth saving, and she's too spiteful to just let it go."

"And you?"

"Maths." Cerulean Sparks answered with a soft, sad little smile, "And simple logic. Ponies, griffons, zebra... they all have to die."

Dust Kicker chuckled at the absurdity, "Because... logic."

"You've seen it as well as I." She whispered, "You've seen it in the zebra territories, you've seen it here in the NCR. The day of Sunshine and Rainbows... it was a lie."

"It saved the world. And we're trying to keep it saved."

"You'll fail in the end Dust Kicker. It's a mathematical certainty." Sparks stated, her tone thick with regret, "Celestia learned that. She successfully kept war from consuming the world for over a thousand years, but eventually the march of technology made that impossible." Sparks lifted a hoof, electricity rippling along the touch plate built into it, "Now any pony is capable of attaining the power of an alicorn, without any test of moral fortitude or good sense, and with megaspells the most base of ponies can achieve wonders and terrors Celestia could barely dream of."

"Like what you've done?"

"Yes." Sparks smiled, broad and vindicated, "A single, broken horned unicorn, with a keyboard and a internet connection. And with a few pushes, I've incited global war."

Dust Kicker growled in frustration, "That's on you!"

"Don't be naive Dust Kicker." She stated softly, shaking her head, "It could be anyone. I hid from the world for years because of these implants, because I knew how dangerous they'd be in the wrong hooves. Doc Slaughter spent decades looking for me... at least until I hacked into his pacemaker and gave him a fatal heart attack."

Doc Slaughter had been suspiciously absent for years. Indeed most ponies had concluded that his company had been covering up his death to protect their reputation, and it was nice to have confirmation. Besides… "Well honestly the world might be a safer place for it."

"It merely slowed the inevitable Dust Kicker." She answered, "They'll figure it out eventually. Dream Star's assistant, Signal Jammer? She knows how to create my implants. Others may have left detailed schematics. Who knows what the Children of the Cathedral found in it's buried vaults? And these implants, dangerous as they are, are hardly the ultimate application of technology gone wild."

"And megaspelling the world is the answer?"

"Yes."

"How?!"

"They're rebuilding the world in the image of the old Dust Kicker." She stated sharply, angrily, "Countries, companies, factions, patriotism. Using old weapons and old flags, picking up a doomed system that destroyed us all last time. They celebrate history, remember it... but they don't understand it."

"And you're just going to destroy it all?!"

She nodded, a simple, resolute gesture, "Burn the flags, burn the histories, burn the races, burn the world... and start again."

Dust Kicker couldn't believe it. That was just... the lapse in logic was big enough to drive a truck through, "Isn't that what you're trying to prevent?"

"It's inevitable." She whispered, "And if I allow them to do it themselves it risks destroying the Tree of Harmony, the Elements, this facility, the cloning facilities hidden within Splendid Valley... the planet itself, should they get creative."

...and now he understood, "Burn the world, start again. With those resources..."

"I could make a new world. A new species. A new society. A new future." She smiled, seeming to have made up her mind, "You taught me this. You and Red Eye. Sometimes to save the world, you make the hard decisions."

He sighed. He understood. He understood all too well, "You're wrong."

She frowned, "Am I?"

"As always you're too busy looking at the big picture, and missing the little ones." He stated firmly, never more sure of himself, "History goes round in circles. As a society we'll keep making the same mistakes. War... war will never change. But ponies don’t change either. We come out into this crazy, awful, wonderful world and we discover who we are. What's important, what we want to fight for, we fall in love, we struggle, we succeed... we create our stories, and sometimes we even find our peace in ending them."

Sparks stared back, "And history tramples all of them."

"They are history." Dust Kicker responded, "Not the history that gets taught in schools, but real history. In decades to come they'll like talk about how Fluttershy did it all herself, how Easu won the war at Clendal. They won't understand the truth, that Clendel, that today... it was the combination of a million different stories, a million different ponies, all finding their own truths. And that if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here today." He thought back, "There's a mare called Strawberry Sunrise, an Applejack Ranger. She took an entirely different route through the wasteland, I only know most of her feats from the radio. But she toppled kings, built a new Ranger order, and honestly was more useful to the defense of Clendel than I could ever be. Her story might not directly involved this grand global war you're trying to avert, you might not have taken personal interest in her, but her story was real, and important none the less. There's a hundred others, all weaving a story you're treating like some win loss game."

"But it could all end..."

"Then it ends." Dust Kicker cut in, "But to create your perfect society, you're not just cutting short the story about how nations wipe each other out in mutually assured destruction, you're ending all those stories. Billions, each as unique and worthwhile as the next."

"Dust Kicker... I've been alone for a very long time." She stated with a deep regret, gulping back emotion, "I met SolOS, Elizabetha, Peach Trees, Silent Steel... and they all had such grand plans. They all wanted to save the world. And all their plans were built on lies and death."

"And you still helped them?"

"Red Eye convinced me he could save the world. When you introduced us, he spoke to me at length." She smiled, a broken, pained expression, "I wanted him to use me for his plan. To merge with me to become a alicorn god."

Dust Kicker knew that she had been chose to be one of the 'backup unicorns', in case Littlepip had refused or been unable, "He wanted Littlepip."

"She took it away from me." Spark Matrix hissed, "She refused his offer, killed him, and then got me injured and left me behind in the Everfree Forest. And because of that, I became... this." She waved her cybernetic hooves at Dust Kicker, "And then to turn the screws a little tighter, the grand world she created? It was just like the old one. It was full of hate, and pain, and suffering."

"That's because you never took the time to look for anything else. I know you Sparks." He looked her straight in the eye, "Who was the last creature you honestly felt a deep connection to? Who felt like family?"

She blanched, retreating back a step, "I... P... Puppysmiles..."

"Has she ever actually met you?"

"No..."

"You don't know ponies. You don't know their stories. And that has led to a single, painfully ironic mistake." He smiled, "Spark Matrix... who are you who doesn't know your history?"

Her voice felt, "What?"

"The world has been destroyed before. Multiple times. The Windegos, the Star Demons, the Great War... and each time, we've brought the world back from the breach. Because war might not change, but there's some things about us that don't change either." He nodded at her, offering a smile, "That we'll always find a way."

"But what if we don't...?"

"What if your grand plan failed?" He answered, "I understand that you feel powerless. That you want to do something. But you can't count on saving the world. You can't even count on saving one pony, you don't get to say if your idea of a better world is the right one. The only thing you can do is save yourself, live the life you know is right. And if that inspires others... well then they'll join you, and you can make a real difference." Dust Kicker fixed her with a hard, questioning stare, "But you don't get to decide that we're not worth saving. Littlepip never offered to give us a perfect world. She offered to give us a world we could make something of, one where we had a second chance. And though we may stumble, we're still moving forward."

"Dust Kicker..." Cerulean Sparks chuckled, "You don't understand. I... failed. You won before you even got here.”

Dust Kicker raised an eyebrow, “What?”

She actually laughed, the tension in her face collapsing and a broad, defeated smile spreading across her face, ”Ponies and Zebra didn't destroy one another. You came together, made peace, ended the war. Many died, but the world might be even stronger now."

Well that led to one big question, "Then why am I here?"

"To bring Puppysmiles. You see, I needed her." Cerulean Sparks grinned, looking embarrassed, "I told SolOS and Elizabetha that I needed her to unlock the safeties on the megaspells. But that was a lie."

Dust Kicker lifted an eyebrow, "Then why do you need her really?"

Puppysmiles voice sounded out over the announcement system, "To permanently disable the launch controls on this facility. Hello again Dust Kicker!"

"You're done?" Cerulean Sparks asked.

"All done." Puppysmiles confirmed, "I've disabled the release systems and the targeting computers. Now I just have to activate the decommissioning protocols."

Dust Kicker hadn't expected this. He had been reasonably confident he could talk her down, but this sounded like she had already given up, "You... were never going to launch?"

"I made a promise." Cerulean Sparks stated quietly, "When we first started. The moment the zebra, ponies or anycreature threatened the world, started a second great war... I would end them. I would take it as proof they were unworthy, and start over. But you didn't."

"We stopped the war."

"And passed our test." She smiled thinly, "Not with flying colors, admittedly."

"We made a lot of mistakes." Dust Kicker admitted.

"But you earned the right to fix them yourselves." Cerulean Sparks replied, "I'm a mare of my word. When I play a game, I obey the spirit of the rules."

Dust Kicker noted that she had needed to lie, "And what does SolOS and Elizabetha think about this?"

"They concluded that you succeeded by chance, and that they were still justified in launching the megaspells." She looked up at him with affection and relief, “But I wanted you to tell me they were wrong. I needed you to convince me.”

Dust Kicker smiled back, relieved he hadn’t made that big speech for nothing, "We need to decommission them immediately. They might still find a way to launch them, even with targeting controls disabled."

Cerulean Sparks nodded in agreement, "I agree. I only delayed because the moment I activate protocols, it will be undeniable that I have betrayed them. Puppysmiles?"

"SolOS and P7 have been detained." Puppy answered, her voice wavering only slightly as she announced her parent's capture, "I've sent them to Ace Gold, he reports that both have been contained within sealed systems."

That brought up a good point, that he felt he should share with Cerulean Sparks. They were apparently on the same side now after all, "For the record... I might not have been as alone as you might have thought."

She turned her head to him, "You have other forces in play?"

"Star Swirl is waiting to teleport to my location the moment I give her the word, and Calamity has troops standing by to deploy via airship." He explained, "Velvet Remedy has already deployed anti megaspell countermeasures across the NCR."

"You managed to keep it from me. Impressive."

"It's fairly simple once you know what to look for." Dust Kicker chuckled, "You actually made the world a little safer in the long run. We clearly needed to be more aware of the security of our data networks, now that we know what you and Puppysmiles are capable of."

Spark Matrix smiled back at him, "I noticed you were particularly well equipped."

"The best the NCR could offer."

"And they gave it to you." Spark Matrix grinned affectionately, "They trust you that much?"

Dust Kicker admitted it took some convincing. Velvet and Calamity didn't know him, and he was a servant of an foreign power. But Ace had vouched for him, and most importantly... "I convinced them that I was the best chance of ending this peacefully. I don't want anyone else to die."

Spark Matrix closed her eyes, looking pained. A second later and she spoke again, "Puppysmiles, have we made any progress with Elizabetha and the Claws?"

"The majority of the Claws have been trapped within the facility." Puppysmiles stated, though her voice was slightly uncertain, "But Elizabetha herself gave her security tag to another griffon, likely to confuse me. It... ah, worked."

"Then where is she?"

"I don't know." Puppy admitted, "She's been avoiding the security systems somehow."

"She knows this place like the back of her claw." Dust Kicker warned, "And there's no reason to delay the decommissioning any longer. She knows something's wrong by now."

"Right." Spark Matrix agreed, straightening out and placing both hooves on the plates. Her face furrowed with concentration, data flickering across the computers around the room.

"Warning. Decommissioning system has been activated, by the authority of Princess Luna." An announcement declared, speaking cool electronic female voice that echoed across the entire facility, "All personnel are asked to commence evacuation procedures, making sure to dispose of all physical records. The silo area is off limits, pending megaspell burn off. Please stand by."

Dust Kicker watched the computers as they read off status reports. Was this it? Had they succeeded?

...a huge tremor shook the entire room, throwing him off his hooves and shattering glass. He fell.

A klaxon sounded out a dull, distorted alarm, assaulting his already shaken ear drums. He looked up to see the walls dented inwards and broken electronics scattered across the floor, Sparks looking concerned from within her protective tube. A moment later and a huge explosion tore through the side wall, shredding consoles and cracking the tube with concussive force. Sparks was hurled against it's surface hard, going limp and smearing blood across the inside.

Dust Kicker made it unsteadily to his hooves, calling out to Puppysmiles to open the tube. He was unable to hear her reply, nor the sound of his own voice. And besides he had other problems to worry about, staring through the broken hole in the wall to where Elizabetha stood upon a support girder within the silo beyond, a rocket launcher in her claws.

Her eyes narrowed upon him as she lifted it again, Dust Kicker activating S.A.T.S and feeling time slow down as he cued up his shots, two shots from his shotgun was enough to damage the launcher and send it sparking. At this range however his shots against Elizabetha herself just bounced off the tough old griffon and she threw the launcher aside with a growl, bringing up her machine gun instead and bringing it to her eye.

Dust Kicker looked back at Sparks, seeing that the glass was open and she was stirring. And he realized what he had to do, "Puppy, Spark... get out of here."

And then he targeted his grapple pistol and fired. The line fixed on the girder Elizabetha was standing on, Dust Kicker jumping and waiting for the painful jerk as the line went taunt. He used to pull off these kind of maneuvers when he was with the talons, now however he was aware he was a hell of a lot older and heavier.

It had some advantages though. The girder shook as his weight fell upon it, causing Elizabetha to lose her balance and her shots on the command center to go wide. Dust Kicker braced his body against the wire too and the impact wasn't that great, activating the pull back and allowing himself to be pulled back upwards towards the grifffon.

Elizabetha saw him coming and leapt away, opening her wings wide and aiming down towards him. He took his opportunity, aiming for her wings and firing with a solid slug.

...they both hit. Dust Kicker felt bullets shred his side, as he at the same moment saw his shot break Elizabetha's wing. She yelled out and plummeted, panic fading to sheer rage as she focused on him below. She used her remaining wing to drive herself faster with a yell of fury, smashing into Dust Kicker with enough force to tear the grapple gun from his hoof and break his shoulder in the process.

The impact on the metal walkway below wasn't much more pleasant. He landed straight on his back and felt a few vertebra shift, Elizabetha bouncing away to sprawl clumsily across the metal. Above the megaspells churned, slowly expanding as their containment broke down. His pipbuck was already screaming out radiation warnings, he knew that in less than a minute this place would feel like standing inside a nuclear reactor.

Elizabetha stirred, reaching into her belt and pulling free a long bladed knife.

"Ugn... be reasonable... you've lost..." Dust Kicker forced himself back onto his hooves, testing his battle saddle and quickly realizing that it was quite badly broken, "We need to get out of here..."

She turned to him, sporting of all things... a smirk. She backed towards a console upon the walkway, plugging a small electronic device into it and looking up as the silo doors shuddered, "I taught you everything you know Dust Kicker. Taught that traitorous bitch up there too."

"What?"

She looked back at him, eyes shining, "SolOS cooked up a plan B. Just needed to destroy that control center first." She patted the control panel as the silo doors juddered open, causing a rain of dirt to cascade down to be consumed by the expanding megaspells, "Now I have full control."

"The megaspells are already being decommissioned!"

She shrugged, "Maybe they won't reach Ponyville, but Fillydephia is only ten minutes away at supersonic speeds. I always hated that city."

Dust Kicker looked at her, looked into the eyes of the griffon he used to love. Who taught him to read, who taught him politics and philosophy. He could only think of one question, "Why?"

"I followed Red Eye because he promised a better future!" She shouted, advancing forward way too quickly for a griffon of her age. Dust Kicker's spine made it impossible to move fast enough, she attacked from his side and drove her claw fiercely across his forehead, only a quick duck saving his eye. He tried to ram his shoulder against her but she grappled him, throwing him sideways to slam her into the walkway's guard rail, "I followed SolOS because he promised a better future! And you've taken both away from me!"

Dust Kicker gasped in pain, trying to figure out what still worked. His back was shot, his left shoulder was broken, his battle saddle hung useless, his grapple gun was out... "The future they promised... it was a lie..."

"It was the only truth!" She yelled, seizing a crowbar from the ground next to her and nailing him across the back of the head. It drove him downwards and sent his head spinning, Elizabetha raising the weapon again, "But I was denied twice, in favor of a... theme park version of the past! A parody, created by those who neither understood it nor cared to see it's failings!"

She swung downwards, Dust Kicker catching the blow on his bionic leg. It shattered the casing but stopped the impact, allowing him to charge under her guard and slam her into the guardrail on the other side, "We learned. We survived, we beat you." He growled as he tried to wrestle her over the edge, "I'm sorry that we didn't live up to your imaginary utopia."

She grappled him to the ground, a sharp twist taking his hooves out from under him. Her claws found his throat, driving him downwards, "You believed it too, once!"

"I... grew up... I let go..." He struggled against her, amazed at how strong she was. Or maybe he had just gotten weak, "...you can't let go can you? Still trying… to justify… killing all those kids?"

"Shut up!"

He put all his strength into it, forcing her upwards bit by bit, "You don't want to burn the world! You want to burn your mistakes! You want to burn your disappointment!"

"Shut UP!"

She clawed at his face. He twisted and took it across his jaw... then activated his now recharged S.A.T.S. Time slowed down and he took the opportunity to slip from her grasp, then firmly swing his bionic arm upwards to take her in the jaw. She fell sideways, Dust Kicker looking round to see the machine gun lying just a short distance away...

...and he turned away from it, galloped forward and yanked the electronic device from the console. Immediately the doors shuddered and began to close again, the launch sequence protocols reversing before his eyes. He balled up all his remaining strength and hurled the device away from him, sending it flying through the air to hit one of the expanding megaspells with nothing but a soft hiss as it was consumed.

...the rattle of bullets split the air, tearing through Dust Kicker's back and sending him crashing to the walkway in a puddle of gore. He looked up with dimming eyes, Elizabetha standing in the silhouette of the megaspells she sought to unleash, regret, rage and pain in her eyes. He just smiled back at her, hearing his pipbuck scream wildly as the radiation spiked dangerously.

"I guess we'll never see which of us was right." She stated, looking up as the megaspells finally fell apart, washing the entire area in a blinding blue light. Dust Kicker couldn't help but marvel how warm it felt, thinking that it wasn't actually so bad after all. He had almost died so many times, lost so many body parts, lost so many friends...

...and now here at the end... it was nice. He had saved the world. That wasn't a bad epitaph for a dirty raider with a chip on his shoulder.

Captain Solid Step patrolled the area with furrowed eyes, never comfortable to be operating so far outside NCR territory. Especially overseeing a large group of panicked and desperate mercenaries, most of which were armed and extremely jumpy. They came pouring from the emergency exits of the bunker, most smart enough to throw down their arms and surrender when they saw a small army of NCR troops waiting for them with guns raised.

"Please, I implore you to contact my lawyers." One of the mercenaries shouted as he was let past for detainment, a rather effete looking griffon wearing glasses and a tailored suit, "I assure you, we are all mere accessories to any crimes that took place."

"You're a traitor and a terrorist, and will be treated as such." Solid Step replied, then looked at his staff sergeant, "Who is this clown?"

"Sadducees Kirkwing sir, he identified himself immediately." Sergeant Gretta answered, reading off a data pad in front of her, "He's a professor of history at Manehatten University, on study leave for the last year. Renowned expert in Red Eye and his operation."

"Well that explains a lot." Solid Step noted, "Put him in special custody. Who else do we have?"

"The actor playing Red Eye that was identified by Dust Kicker? He seems to have slipped the net. We remain on the lookout." Gretta answered, "Sadducees had three siblings. Two have been detained. One is dead, Sanhedran, we've identified the body."

"Right. And SolOS?"

"Ace reports him and P7 are firmly isolated." She took a breath, then waved someone over. Solid Step looked round to see two soldiers come forward, escorting another earth pony in mercenary gear. It was worth noting that unlike the others however, this one didn't bear himself like a prisoner, "And this pony states that he is in fact Star Paladin Stern Lancer of the Applejack Rangers."

"You may verify my credentials." Stern Lancer firmly stated, eyes fierce and proud, "At which time, I ask to be turned over to my chapter. I must remind you that you have no authority over me."

He had heard that one too many times before. He was glad to have another answer to that this time, "I'm afraid the Rangers have formally seceded from the NCR, so no can do sunshine." He looked back at Gretta, "What about their hacker, Elizabetha, and Dust Kicker?"

Gretta's expression dropped, hesitating for a moment before giving her report, "Puppysmiles reports they're dead sir. They were caught in the wave of radiation when the megaspells collapsed."

He cursed internally. To lose both enemy leaders and the point man? "Damn shame."

Dust Kicker opened his eyes to an angel. Not for the first time, nor the first time for this particular angel, "Am I dead?"

"Yes." Fluttershy stated sweetly, stepping away to allow him room to stand, "You died down there in the silo, a hero and a legend. You saved the world."

Dust Kicker looked around. He was still in the Hopesville area, a little ways north of Griffon's Ward by his estimation. And there standing a short distance off, Sparks, looking faintly embarrassed, "Is she dead too?"

"Yes." Fluttershy acknowledged, "She stayed at the controls until the end, fighting to close the doors."

Dust Kicker looked round at the ruins of Hopeville, still a broken monument to the injustices of the world, "The afterlife kinda stinks."

"Forgive me my weakness." Fluttershy softly admitted, giving him a soft, apologetic smile, "But I wanted to at least offer you a choice."

"You'll kill us both if we ask?" Spark Matrix suddenly interjected, sounding somewhat angry at the idea, "Or you'll let us live, but in doing so destroy the legacy of our heroic ends?"

"No." Fluttershy bluntly replied, "Your legacy, your heroism... it needs to happen. You need to die this day."

Dust Kicker looked across at her, searching for meaning. But her gaze said nothing, just full of that same benevolent sweetness, "Then what choice are you offering us?"

Fluttershy opened her left wing, waving it down towards the treeline just bellow, and the hill beyond that where a lonely cabin stood, "This land has long sheltered those with no place to go. Who need to die, in order for the future to have meaning. And with the Claws being detained as we speak, Griffon’s Ward will not turn away strong hooves."

Dust Kicker felt it like a kick in the gut. He had always considered it a possibility, "We can't go back?"

"And who are you to say that?" Sparks declared sharply.

Fluttershy just continued to smile, the mare's anger bouncing right off her, "Your body has already been recovered Spark Matrix, and Velvet Remedy has ordered that it remain under tight control. No one will be allowed to study your implants, nor use them for nefarious purposes, and the world will be safe... for now." She turned her head to Dust Kicker, "And Easu needs you Dust Kicker."

Dust Kicker frowned, "But isn't that a reason why I...?"

"It is a weakness he must overcome."

Dust Kicker's protest died, falling silent as he considered what she was saying. And he knew by now that Fluttershy was normally right, "So we're better off dead?"

"Yes." Fluttershy confirmed, "But there's a new life for you here. A hard life, but one that will offer you satisfaction if you let it."

"Redemption?" Sparks asked, frowning deeply, "I can understand you saving him, but why me?"

"Maybe I understand why you did the things you did." Fluttershy smiled knowingly, "Maybe I didn't do it for you. And maybe... I just felt like it. And speaking for myself, redemption isn't something that can be given or earned. If you wish to change yourself, do so without the false promise that it will somehow erase your sins."

Dust Kicker looked around at the vast wilderness that surrounded them. And though it meant leaving behind his life, his friends, his very identity... the idea of starting again as simple frontiersman, with the weight of everything else taken off his shoulders, it was an attractive one.

He looked up at Fluttershy, "So you know the future?"

"To an extent." She answered, "I can see the fates of individuals, the paths they may tred and what may come of them. I can see the actions they must take for harmony to be balanced." She smiled broadly, "But I cannot see what you seek to ask me, nor what your decision might be."

Dust Kicker found that comforting, or at least less confusing. He pondered his questions, finding one at the forefront of his mind, "Did we do it? Did we save the world?"

She chuckled, "That's hard to define."

"Did we make it better? Will it go on, will ponies and zebra get along?"

"It will go on. Crises will come and go, villains will rise and fall. Each time, doomsayers will claim the world inches towards destruction, but heroes will rise to the occasion." Fluttershy stated with a wry affection, pausing for a moment before becoming more specific, "Easu will be a great leader, and the zebra will be both united and prosperous. They will name him Caesar, and under his wise rule.”

"And Equestria?" Sparks asked.

"Equestria will decline. Whether Gloom caused it or did all she could to stop it will be forever debated. But even as the wealth, progress and pride drains from it's structures, those within will think a little harder about what truly matters, and in time the seeds of the future will bloom."

"And the zebra lands will fall into decadence, and the quality of kings will fail. And Equestria will see their weakness, and rise to reclaim the pride they lost." Sparks stated grimly.

Fluttershy smiled, "Who are you, who does not know your history?"

”But the world will survive. Ponies will continue to live, strive, and make their own legends. Become heroes and save the world.” Dust Kicker smiled, “But it will never remain saved.”

”But it will always produce heroes.” Fluttershy answered with a smile.

Dust Kicker nodded, understanding that now. That ultimately… things would be ok. That the world would go on. That darkness would pass, that all things would pass, and that at the end of everything his long, winding journey was finally over.

And maybe, just maybe, peaceful days waited ahead.