An island, once a secluded experimental research station, has begun to take on a life of its own and
Ponies... ponies never change. Since the dawn of pony kind, when our ancestors first discovered the path of magic and friendship, of sunshine and rainbows, magic has flooded the world, spreading happiness to all. That all changed a few months after Princess Luna's return from her thousand year imprisonment on the moon. When she returned, something came back with her that slowly started to poison and corrupt the nature of magic, sowing threads of distrust between pony and zebra kind. Eventually, just as it had been born, the magical land of Equestria would die in the rainbow glow of magical energy. Our story, however, takes us far from the deadly wasteland to an island paradise as of yet untouched by the ravages of war. This island, a relic of the old world, has begun to take on a life of its own and is threatening to unleash its deadly secrets upon an unsuspecting world. Now it's up to small band of friends to prevent this horror from spreading; whether they like it or not, their fate has been inextricably tied to the fate of the wasteland itself.
Ponies... ponies never change. Since the dawn of pony kind, when our ancestors first discovered the path of magic and friendship, of sunshine and rainbows, magic has flooded the world, spreading happiness to all. That all changed a few months after Princess Luna’s return from her thousand year imprisonment on the moon. When she returned, something came back with her that slowly started to poison and corrupt the nature of magic, sowing threads of distrust between pony and zebra kind. Eventually, just as it had been born, the magical land of Equestria would die in the rainbow glow of magical energy. Our story, however, takes us far from the deadly wasteland to an island paradise as of yet untouched by the ravages of war. This island, a relic of the old world, has begun to take on a life of its own and is threatening to unleash its deadly secrets upon an unsuspecting world. Now it’s up to small band of friends to prevent this horror from spreading; whether they like it or not, their fate has been inextricably tied to the fate of the wasteland itself.
(Author’s note: this is my first attempt at writing a fan-fic and I would greatly appreciate feedback and\or story suggestions. Thanks to Kkat and Somber for their stories inspiring me to write this. Thanks also to Twitch, Tyler, Kashin, and Umbra for helping me organize my thoughts into something coherent and solid.)
Chapter 1 And It All Came Crashing Down "Here chick, chick, chick! Brawk~br~br~brawk!" "What are you doing?" "Call'n for the chicken."
Patch sat at his post in the medical station, staring blankly at the ocean through the window of his office. Small, mutated, tropical fish swam lazily back and forth in the murky, radioactive water. He had always admired the fish for their vibrant colors. The Stable was always so gray, so sterile, and so drab. The fish offered some of the only variety around.
Why was I born with a gray mane? He thought. Gray is so boring! Why couldn’t my mane be as colorful as those fish? Patch sighed; scratching his horn as he slowly pulled his attention away from the rainbow colored fish and back towards his computer monitor. Looking at his reflection on the monitor a grin started to creep across his face. Well okay so I’m not all gray. I’m just a little bit blue too.He thought to himself as he brushed a hoof across his coat.
Another slow, boring day in Stable 36. Stable 36 was unique in the fact that it was one of the few underwater Stables implemented before the megaspells cast the world into eternal chaos. Stable 36 had been designated by Stable-Tec as a “marine research station”, though Patch personally thought that they only did that to give the poor ponies stuck in these underwater sea labs something to keep their sanity in check. The current Overmare was fairly lenient and only operations vital for the Stable’s continued existence were ever enforced. All in all, life in 36 was good. Boring, but good.
In a few hours, the day crew would come in, and he’d be off duty, and that meant recreation time. “I wonder what video they’re playing in the commons today,” he asked aloud to himself.
He heard his pencil drop to the floor; picking it up telekinetically he placed it back on the table only to have it roll off again. Fishing his pencil out from under the desk a second time, he noticed the coffee in the cup next to the computer monitor was leaning slightly to the left. . . Then the noise came, the sound of metal slowly shearing. The whole medical bay had started to come loose from the sea floor. Panic began to set in as Patch quickly made his way to the door controls. He had to seal the room now or any second radioactive water would come flooding in. The door slid shut with a ~psht~ sealing the room air tight. After that he made his way over to the supply lockers near the back end of the room and began riffling through them.
“No, no, no, no! Damn it! Where are the rebreathers?! I know we have some... Ah ha here they are!” Grabbing one with telekinesis he slipped it over his muzzle. The room began to shake as it turned on its side causing the unicorn buck to slam into the side of wall and knocking the wind out of him. Fortunately for him the furniture and fixtures of the medical bay were bolted to the floor. His luck however did not save him from being buried by a deluge of unsecure surgical and medical equipment. A sharp pain running up his side alerted him to a scalpel that had embedded itself in his flank during the fall. Gasping he reached out telekinetically fumbling at the scalpel slowly pulling it free.
“C-Celestia’s radiant horn! That... bucking... hurt!” He tried to get up pushing the debris away magically, but the room still hadn’t set, and soon he found himself sliding backwards towards what had been the ceiling. Then just as suddenly as it had begun the room stopped moving.
Stable procedure called for him to activate his PipBuck's tracking system so that the Stable’s rescue divers would be able to find any residents trapped in a collapsed or sunk section, but he was a clever pony. Knowing that the air supply in the room was limited, and that the rebreather wouldn’t start working until he was under water left him with precious few hours of air left and only one way to save his sorry flank.
First things first he thought I have to patch this wound. There’s no way am I going to attempt what I’m about to do with an open cut. Focusing his horn he began to work a simple healing cantrip that would bind the wound together for a short period of time, and then he covered the wound with some magical bandages... Hopefully that would be enough to keep the wound closed as it would be impossible to swim for long if it opened.
“Buck me.” He groaned as he looked towards the window... The shore... he could see it. That doesn’t make any sense! I thought we were sinking! How in the name of Celestia is this possible!?
Looking out and seeing the surface for the first time caused the buck’s mouth to hang agape. He knew that the Stable he was raised in was on an Island not the main land, but he had not expected the sight that was beyond the window. He was awe struck.
The island was huge; all the text books in the Stable had shown was the rough shape of the island. Lush over growth coated the land mass, thinning as it approached a volcanic mountain, puffing smoke to the north. He wished he could see more of the vibrant landscape, a world of real color and life he had been denied all his life through the dense canopy. Suddenly the room lurched and started moving west towards a menacing domed shaped object on the far side of the island.
“I don’t like the look of that. I think it’s time to get out of here.” Forcing himself to look away from the window he made his way to door. After hacking through the doors emergency subroutines he was able to get it to open. Taking a deep breath he looked down the hallway startled to see where his lab had been ripped away from the Stable. Carefully he made his way to the jagged edge of the hall and peered over it.
“Okay! I did not expect to be this high in the air!” A little shaken he backed away from the edge. “Calm down you can do this! Just jump you can make it! Nothing but water beneath you Patch! I hope...” He said his voice shrilled with terror. Taking a deep breath he backed further down the hall closing his eyes he broke into a gallop.
“3. . . 2 . . . 1. . . Cannonball!” He screamed as he jumped off the ledge tucking his legs in as he fell. ~Sppploosh~!
Pain rushed through his spine; apparently just being water didn’t stop it from feeling like a brick wall. His legs were stinging with pain as he began kicking. The rip current caught him dragging him under; he was going to be pulled out to sea by the tide.
He kicked harder reaching out for anything he could latch onto telekinetically. No such luck for him. His day had gone from another boring day at the office to a fight for survival in ten seconds flat. Even with the rebreather he was losing energy fast. As he spent the last bit of his remaining strength fighting the current everything started fading to black...
oooOOOooo
A young buck sat in front of a mirror with an older mare busy behind him fussing with his messy gray mane. “I’m so proud of you honey!” She beamed at him. “You’re the first in our family to ever be selected to work in the medical section!” She said as she brushed the buck’s mane from his face. “And here I thought for sure they would assign you to mop the floors when you got your cutie mark, I was so worried,” her brow furrowed. “If your father were still alive I’m sure he would be so proud of you! As for me I can’t wait to tell the girls that my son Patch Work is a doctor! Now, sit still I want your mane to be just right when you go to receive your PipBuck. I have the luckiest son!”
oooOOOooo
Patch woke to a cool breeze and the feeling of drying sand on his coat. He groaned as he struggled to his hooves, muttering “Luckiest? My left hoof,” as he stood. Stripping off his now tattered, scrubs, he started scanning his unfamiliar surroundings. The coast was littered with an assortment of strange yet beautiful flora. “Well at least this place is more colorful than home,” he chuckled at his own joke, then furrowed his brow. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to see home again.” Shaking off the caked on sand he began to check himself over for any serious injury taking note of the scalpel wound on his left flank, but other than a few scrapes and bruises he seemed to be fine.
"Alright now to figure out where I am.” On either side of him the coast stretched almost till it met with the horizon. In front of him was thick tropical foliage, the most notable being the incredibly large mangrove trees, near the mouth of a river delta that fed into the sea. A Phoenix was perched on the mangrove closest to the shore pruning its feathers. “So beautiful,” Patch whispered before the lovely creature took notice of him and flew away from him into the jungle.
The sounds of several tropical birds came from the huge jungle before him. The songs played off each other making an enchanting melody. Patch had only ever heard bird songs on an audio tape they had back in the Stable. It was literally nothing compared to the music which danced in his ears now.
The snap of a branch drew his attention back to the reality with the sudden, unshakable feeling of a thousand of hungry eyes watching him. The music didn’t sound nearly as inviting as it had before. That jungle was definitely no place for a defenseless pony like himself to wander into.
“I’d better stay on the coast no telling what dangers live in an untamed place like that. Probably better to avoid the western part of the Island too. That’s where I saw that dome thing right? So which way is east?” An idea came to him to check the position of the sun by looking up but when he did, he suddenly had the urge to vomit. Never in all his years in the Stable had he ever thought that the sky he read about in literature would be so, so huge. He felt another shudder rising in his gut. There had been too much cloud cover to tell where the sun was in the sky anyway. No he would just have to pick a direction and hope for the best.
After walking along the beach for what seemed like hours the sky started to darken. I suppose I’ll need to set up some sort of camp for the night. He mused as he started gathering the things he thought he would need, never straying too far from the shore nor too close to the jungle. It took him awhile but he managed to accumulate a small pile of drift wood, one of the more sturdy pieces set aside for use as a club if need be, and a large leaf to lay on. Organizing the pile of wood in to the vague shape of a campfire he focused on his horn for a spark. His horn started to glow but no magic jumped from it to the wood. Focusing harder he broke into a sweat as his horn started to flash as an over glow grew around the first. Finally with a great amount of effort a small spark jumped from his horn to the wood. Sweaty and wheezing Patch laid down on the leaf. He frowned as his stomach growled. He would have to take care of that tomorrow.
* * *
Patch stretched as he rolled off the cot he was laying on, waking with a start. “I’m up! I’m awake. Is it time for my shift?” Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he realized he wasn’t in the Stable.”Oh... it wasn’t a dream. Where am I now?” he said with a frown on his face. It was obvious somepony had moved him during the night. Reaching out telekinetically for anything he could use in case he needed to defend himself he discovered that his horn did not want to work.
An exotic aroma wafted into the room filling his nose... His stomach grumbled. He still hadn’t eaten and the intoxicating smell was too much to resist. His eyes slowly glazed over drool leaking out from his mouth he glided to the door way peeking around the corner. Through the door way he could see a striped mare busy at work over a large boiling pot of the most delicious smelling stew he had ever had the pleasure of sniffing. Slowly, he crept out of the door way, unsure as to whether the zebra was friendly or not.
Her ears perked up “You are as a sneaky as new born foal. Stop playing around and come grab a bowl,” she said, flicking her tail as she turned around and smiled. “It is good to see that you’re awake. You sleeping outside was a big mistake.” Her accent was an exotic tone that he had never heard before. Sheepishly nodding his head as the striped mare passed him a bowl of what could only be described as thick vegetable and fruit stew. Setting it down and taking a big whiff of lovely smelling soup before chowing down... Sweet ambrosia! Nourishment at last! his stomach squealed like a little colt in his head. Finishing quickly he looked up at his stunned, striped, hostess
“More please?” He begged with the biggest puppy dog eyes he could manage.
She chuckled “All you need is but to ask, and I shall be glad to fill you a flask.” After finishing several servings of the brew Patch leaned against the wall his stomach now happily distended.
“Sorry I didn’t think to introduce myself before scarfing down your food... Name’s Patch Work. What’s yours?” His hunger satiated his brain was now allowed to have other more pressing questions enter his thoughts like Where in the blue abyss am I? and She’s kinda of cute now that I’m getting a good look at her. He had to pull his eyes away from where they were starting to drift. He’d just met this mare no need to make a complete jackpony out of himself.
“I’m known as Xenalin by my family. But Xen is what you may call me. If you’d like I can show you round. We may not have much in this tiny town but I think you’ll like what we have found,” she said nodding towards the door.
“Do zebras speak in rhyme all the time?” Patch asked and then cocked his eyebrow. Great now I’m mimicking her, what am I a foal?
* * *
They made their way through the small shanty town. Some of the buildings, like the one Patch had woken up in, were old prewar bungalows. Some were constructed from scrap metal and drifted wood, and others were thatched huts. The biggest building appeared to be made out of a beached cargo ship; the paint had long ago faded to the color of rust. A mixture of ponies and zebras wondered about from place to place some of them wearing PipBucks like Patch.
“Not Stable quality, but this is quite the impressive sight, didn’t think there would be any sorta civilization like this out here.” Patch said letting out a low whistle. “So what was in that soup that made it so delicious?”
Smiling a coy grin Xen looked at Patch and winked “Herbs and spice make the brew nice.” giggling a bit she continued walking.
Patch’s PipBuck lit up, a notification displayed on its screen. Something had activated its auto mapping function. He lifted his leg to get a better look at the display, it appeared to be a map of the island, a tab pointed out that Patch’s current location was at a town called Zhu’s Hope.
Xen made her way to the beached cargo vessel. “Come with me Patch through the ships hatch. Mayor pony Brine wants to meet you in the prewar...” but before Xen could complete her rhyme the sound of thunder rang out across the island, whatever made the noise had also torn large hole through the cloud cover...
* * *
I was flying home from a game of hoof ball between some of my friends. I remember it was the day my sister was due home from basic training. The sun was shining brightly over head, it was a beautiful day, and nothing was going to ruin it... Or at least that’s how it was supposed to be before those sick, freaks tested their new toy.
It all started with the crack of thunder. I remember the pain, lancing through my right wing. Then the clouds, I especially remember the clouds. I remember how they parted before me, denying the sanctuary they had provided all my life. I remember falling past the curtain that had protected me from the horrors of the surface, screaming in vain for help that never came. I remember hitting the water, of it battering me as if it were a wall of solid ice. And, most of all, I remember that I hate that day. I will always hate that day, the day I lost my life.
* * *
Have you ever heard the saying “be careful what you wish for”? No? It’s one of those lessons you should’ve learned early on. One of the lessons you’d learn about in cautionary pony tails. It’s in the same vain of lessons as “the road to ruin is paved with good intentions,” and “Look before you leap.” I’m usually a quick study, but some how this lesson seemed to have evaded me. Now I was paying for it in spades...
Next question. Have you ever wondered what it feels like to have a piano dropped on your head? No? Well neither do I, but I would hazard to guess it feels much the same as doing a free fall swan dive from 22,000 ft.
Slowly my consciousness returned to me. Pain, my entire body writhed with agony. My right wing was the only thing not hurting and that’s only because I couldn't feel it. “Did s’mpony catch the number of that wagon that hit me” I mumbled as I tried to sit up. Bad move, fresh pain spasmed through me. “W~Where am I?” I gasped at no pony in particular, slowly lying back down, hoping that would cause the pain to subside. It didn’t.
“You’re in a small town called Zhu’s Hope.” A pale blue buck said as he walked into the room. “I’d tell you more about it, but I only recently got here myself. I’ve done what I can to treat your wounds with what little medical supplies they had here, but your body suffered a lot of damage in that fall. It’s going to be awhile before you’re fully recovered, and I don’t know if you’ll every regain use of your wing. My medical knowledge concerning the anatomy of pegasi wings is at best lacking. I set the bone as best I could, and placed it in a splint. What you need most of all right now is rest. I’m going to cast a small spell that will help you get some sleep. Please, don’t panic,” he said as his horn glowed a soft blue light and started towards me.
“What? No I need to get ho...” I tried to struggle to get out of the cot but the closer he got the more my energy seem to fade... Not that I had much energy to begin with.
Once he was close enough to me he pressed his horn against my head and repeated the phrase “Please. Don’t panic,” adding. “I’m a doctor.”
Ah sweet blissful sleep. At least it would be blissful if I weren’t so pissed off. What the fuck is going on here? One minute I’m on my way home the next I’m in immense amount of pain, and some stupid surface pony is telling me not to panic? Why the hell shouldn't I be panicking. I have every right to panic. And if I were awake that’s what I would do immediately after beating that stupid bucks face in... Oh, look. Is that blackness coming up to greet me?
oooOOOooo
Soaring in the open skies, nothing but white below me, blue sky and golden sun above... I remember this. It was first day I was allowed to fly on my own. Stopping, I hovered for a moment before resting my wings by riding on a thermal current. My father taught me that you could use thermals to conserve your energy on long flights, but this wasn’t a long flight, it was more of a joy ride and I was using them to take in the lovely scenery with out having to split my focus.
After awhile of enjoying the feeling of riding the warm breeze I landed on an especially comfy looking, cumulus cloud. My elder sister was waiting for me there.
“So Silva, I can see yer happy to have graduated flight school.” She said as I settled into the soft fluff next to her. “Mom thought you’d be at the closing ceremony, but me an dad knew different.”She nudged me with her wing. ” He’s waiting for you at home says he has something he wants to give ya so you better not keeping him waiting too long.” She rolled onto her back and stretched. “So have you given it any more thought? I’m definitely signing up, but it’d be nice to have my little sister around so that I’d have somepony I could talk too.”
“I dunno, I mean it is tempting, but I don’t think I’m cut out for the military, Saber. And somepony got’sta keep an eye out on our folks. They ain’t getting any younger.” I faked a frown before grinning widely. “Buuuut~ if you really want me too I suppose I can try for it with you. After all who knows what sort of trouble you’d get into without me there to watch you’re sorry flank.” We laughed for a bit rolling around on the clouds before taking off and heading for home.
oooOOOooo
Home. Would I ever see it again?
The feeling of something damp on my thigh brought me back from dream land. I woke up and groaned. I was still soar all over, but a least now the pain was some what dulled. Sitting up was still out of the question though. Eventually my eyes adjusted enough to the dim light that I could see the source of the disturbing wetness. Mr. doctor pony had decided to rest his head on the cot, and he was drooling copious amounts of spittle onto it.
Tentatively I tested my hind legs to see if they would move. Success! Time for a wake up call Mr. doctor. Lets see how you like a buck to the head! My hoof slowly pushed his head off the cot. Okay, not what I had in mind, but what could expect out of a half dead filly? His head fell to the floor with a ~Thud~ before he could catch himself.
“I’m up! I’m awake! Is it time for my shif... Buck me,” he groaned picking himself off the floor. “Why can’t I ever wake up back in the Stable.” Looking up he shook his head. “I see your up again. Feeling better?”
Looking the buck square in the face I exploded. “Am I ‘feeling better’?! I’ll tell you how I’m ‘feeling’! I’m hurt, pissed off, hungry, confused, and I have some dumb surface buck drooling on me when I wake up. I how do you think I’m ‘feeling’?! Does that sound like ‘feeling better’ to you? Does it?!”
He chuckled “Well at least you’re talking that’s a good sign. There doesn’t appear to have been any brain damage done either, but you’ll still need plenty of rest before I can let you out of bed. I’ll go and see if I can rustle up some grub for you,” his horn started glowing again. “stay here.” A shinning blue ball leapt from his horn to my chest. As the blob of magic seemed to melt into me, my body begun to grow numb.
“Bugk you.” I slurred around my suddenly fat tongue. He barely even looked back as he left the room. After a few minutes of laying numbly on the cot my mind started to wander...
Mom and Dad are probably worried out of their mind... No pony will come down here to rescue me... They all probably think I’m dead... Wonder if they’ll throw me a funeral... What would they burn to keep as my ashes? These surface ponies probably want to eat me or something too. That’s why they shot me down in the first place isn’t?
Ah shut it brain, I don’t wanna think morbid thoughts.
A few minutes later Mr. Doctor pony returned with a bowl of odd smelling soup. “Eat this. A friend of mine says it should help you feel better. Don’t ask me whats in it I’ve got no clue.” He noticed I was still under the effects of his spell when he tried feed me a spoon full. “Sorry bout that. it wasn’t supposed to last this long, let me fix that for you.” His horn lit up and another light blue orb leapt from it to me. Immediately the numbness that had been making it hard to move my body left. I almost wish it hadn’t because at the moment it did the pain that I’d almost forgotten about returned.
“Luna’s glorious full moon!” I screamed involuntarily then blushed at my own swear. Mr. Doctor pony didn’t seem to mind it though. “You got a name Blue?” I asked trying to force my mind off the pain.
“My name is Patch. What’s yours?” He said as he levitated the spoon full of the strange mixture my way again.
Taking a whiff of the soup I decided it wouldn’t kill me and swallowed the spoon full. I gagged but forced down the bitter brew. “Eeyuck! Whatever that is it tastes like something crawled in my mouth and died...” I started licking the bed sheet to get rid of the flavor... Bad idea the sheets tasted even worse... Chocking back my ‘lunch’, I gasped between dry heaves “My... name... is... Silva.” Curiously my body did start feel better.
“Well Silva, I don’t think licking the sheet will kill the taste; I shudder to think where it's been. Why don’t you try something I was saving till later. Should do the trick nicely.” Patch said as he levitated a flask to me.
Cautiously I sniffed the contents. So far so good this definitely smelled better than the bitter tasting soup.
Wait what the hell am I doing... this food could be contaminated with all sorts of surface diseases... Buck it all. I’m hungry. My wing is busted anyway so it’s not like I can get home anytime soon and I need to eat something...
Greedily I took a swig from the container. My mouth was in paradise! The flavor of the flask’s contents more than washed away the bitterness of the soup. It had a fruity, sweet, tangy tasty, and its texture was like that of a thick cream.
“I didn’t know surface ponies had such tasty food. I thought for sure that all there would only be 200 year old irradiated preserved food down here. You know like Twinkies.” I said as I smiled and took a second swig.
Patch grinned “I don’t know much about the food situation, I’ve only been out of the Stable two days.” He stuck his tongue out faking a gag. “The thought 200 year old Twinkies makes my stomach turn.” His blue grey eye’s glazed over suddenly. “When I was in the Stable we had our own hydroponics bay, grew our own fresh fruits and veggies. Though those were mostly rare treats our true source of food came from repurposed kelp and algae. Speaking of food you’ll need to finish the rest of the soup. Doctors orders, no arguing. I’ll be back tomorrow to see if you can start moving on your own.”
* * *
Footnote: Level Up! New Quest Perk: Clipped Wings -- Your wings have been badly damaged, denying you the power of flight you’ll have to get them mended and strengthened before you’ll be able to take to the skies once again. Don’t worry karma will watch your back until then. +1 luck until your wings are fixed. New Perk: Daddies Lil’ Filly (rank 1): You take after your dad +5 repair +5 science.
Fallout Equestria: Price of Paradise Chapter 2 Eight Legged Caps “Of all the worst things that could happen. This is... THE. . . WORST. . . POSSIBLE. . . THING!”
Morning came and I woke from my not so pleasant slumber on the same cot I had been spending my past few days recovering from the fall on. Oh to be sure Patch had me moving around to see how well I was healing, but would refuse to let me take my amble outside of the thatched bungalow which had become my temporary place of residents. Every night he brought me a “dose” of that nasty tasting bitter brew.If it hadn’t been for the brew actually making me feel better I’d swear he was trying to kill me... Okay well not me, but my stomach, at the least. Seriously I don’t know what it could have done to piss Patch off.
Patch seems like a pretty nice buck *cough* for a surface pony *cough*. From the time I’ve spent with him, he seemed to be a pretty level headed buck. The only exception was when the subject of his home comes up. He got all glassy eyed... Like it was some far off place he might never get to see again. If that was the case then I know exactly how he’s feeling. I’d been suffering from some homesickness of my own too.
Today though I got to go outside! Patch warned me it may not be like what I expect. He said something about not getting angry, pissy, or frightened. Me? Frightened? He must not know me very well. I don’t get frightened.
Before I left I needed to take care of some morning essentials. I managed to find two buckets, a sponge, and a tub; It may not have been hot, running water and soap, but a filly’s gotta bathe.
Honestly, who would go wandering about the disease and monster infested surface without bathing regularly? Not this mare, that’s who.
Now for breakfast.
“Please don’t be bitter brew! Please don’t be bitter brew...” I Mumbled to myself as I entered the small, makeshift kitchen. “And it’s...” I said giving a pleading look to Patch.
“Bitter brew. Buck me sideways with a buccaneer’s blitz..” Grimacing I made my way to the table and sat down. Patch was already eating a bowl of strange, mashed, pink fruit. The aureate smell made my stomach grumble hungrily. “Patch are you trying to make my stomach go on strike?” Patch looked up from his bowl befuddled and began to open his mouth. “You know what never-mind don’t answer that.”
“Buf if nof for fouf.” He mouthed through his meal, swallowing before continuing his sentence. “My friend showed me how to make it last night, so I thought I’d brew a batch to see if I got the recipe right. I have to say her recipe was a bit more intricate than I had first imagined it would be.”
Her? Like this goof could have a marefriend. Probably trip all over himself... Still why am I a little upset?
Shaking the thought from my mind I gave a sigh of relief. “So where’s my breakfast?” He nodded to the counter. Sitting on it was a bowl of similar smelling, pink and green fruit chutney. Glad to not be eating bitter brew I hastily scarfed down the rich, earthy flavored mixture.
“Wha’s the plan for today.” I manged between mouth fulls. “You ‘onna show me round this dump?” I had to admit this stuff was pretty tasty. Not as tasty as the stuff in that flask Patch let me try on the first day, but still pretty good considering what my diet had recently consisted of...
Finishing off his serving Patch burped and looked up at me. “Scuse me. That was good.” He magicked his bowl over to the sink. “Today I’ll show you round town for a bit, but then we gotta meet up with my friend. She’s been anxious to introduce us to the mayor. She hasn’t told me why though, said I’d understand when we met ‘em.”
* * *
After breakfast was done and over with we made our through town. Patch notified me that the building I had been resting in was the towns makeshift clinic. Down the hill on the dirt road was the saloon, the general store, and the pier.
“If I had any bits or caps on me I’d take you to the saloon and by you a Sparkle Cola before we mozy on over to the mayor office,” Patch shrugged. “but I’m broke so we should probably hoof it.”
My brow arched “Caps? What do you mean? Like bottle caps? What sane person would use those as currency?”
Patch shrugged “Dunno, but that's what they use. They still accept bits for trading, but caps are worth more.” He motioned one of his hooves a little further down the coast. “We’re headed to the big, rusted, beached oil tanker over there. That’s where the mayor’s office is.”
It wasn’t much compared to Hayday. Hell, you could barely call this place a shanty town. But here were ponies (...and zebras) surviving, if not thriving, on the surface! And whats more, none of them looked even the tiniest bit like the disease ridden, mindless monsters that the government had made them out to be. Something must have got the brass of the enclave all confused... maybe they just missed this island. Hayday is pretty far out on the frontier of enclave territory it’s possible... right?
* * *
The interior of the rust bucket they called an office was in much better condition than its exterior led me to believe. Not to say that it still wasn’t a complete mess, but it was decidedly less rusty.
A zebra mare approached us as we entered. “Ah I’m glad to see the winged one is well, I’m sorry if my bitter brew put her through hell.” She smiled and nodded to me in greeting.
Patch stepped between us. “Xen, Silva. Silva, Xen. I hope we can all be friends.”
Xen led us through the corridors of the beached vessel.
The room she led us to appeared to be the ships galley re-purposed into some sort of temple to the past. Faded, moldy, old prewar posters hung in frames along the wall. My eyes were drawn to an image of cyan, rainbow maned mare super imposed over what could only be described as a rainbow colored mushroom cloud. Words under the traitor read “Looking to be as awesome as me? Sorry, but it's not going to happen, but you can be 20% cooler and join M.O.A. today!” a disclaimer in small font under that notified readers that earth ponies need not apply.
An elderly, green earth pony buck sat behind a desk watching the group as they entered. Coughing as he stood. he approached the group.
“Nice ta finally meet’cha.” He said. “Name’s Brine. Someponies round these parts got ta call’n me Mayor Brine but that’s a load of horse apples. I’m jus’ da’ mos’ senior pony alive that still has da’ mind ta do things right.” As he spoke his right eye moved lazily from Patch to me as the other sat in its socket staring blankly ahead. I was starting to feel like maybe I should have skipped breakfast. Eyes should not move like that.
“On’ta business though.” He said stomping his hoof to accent his point. “You two is new ta Zhue’s Hope so you’ll be need’n ta know da’ rules around these parts. Most o’ em are common sense o’course, but there are a few that given other circumstances would appear ta be... well, extreme.” Coughing again to clear his throat he continued. “Point is everypony does their share o’ work round here. Patch has been do’n a mighty fine job as a replacement doctor but he ain’t no Dewdrop.”
“As for you lil’ lady” He pointed a hoof at me accusingly. “I realize you’ve been bedridden da’ past few days with all them injuries an’ what not, but you’ve been suck’n up a lot o’ our medical reserves without do’n much ta replace em. Fact is Dewdrop was da’ only thing keep’n our little town here healthy.” He shook his head forlornly. “She was a whiz at alchemy could whip up healing potions, an’ medical supplies out da’ mos’ bizarre things.” Drifting his gaze off of me he looked at Patch. “No offense young’n yer good jus’ not as good as her. I’d really like ta find out what happened ta her, if she’s alive I’d like her ta come back... If’n she’s not... Give her a proper burial. I don’t want those things getting a hold of anyponies bodies live or dead.”
Scratching the back of his head the old buck sighed. “I guess what I’m try’n ta ask fur is if’n you’d be willing ta look fur our miss’n doctor pony. I’ll give you this Pipbuck 3000 if you’d be willing ta take up da’ job.” He pulled a worn Pipbuck out of the satchel on his side. “What da’ ya say?”
I’d only ever seen a Pipbuck once before; back when my sister got into the Enclave they gave her one to use until she was trained to use power armor. So of course how could I possibly turn down the offer to be just like her.
“I have a few questions to ask before she just jumps on this wonderful opportunity.” Patch interjected giving me a weary look. “You might want to wipe the drool from your mouth there Silva.”
He turned back to Brine “Do you have any specific leads we can follow so that we don’t wind up wondering blindly around this tropical death trap? Secondly how dangerous is it out there? She clearly doesn’t have a clue and neither do I. I’d rather like to know what sorts of threats were liable to face before running into them. Thirdly you expect two unarmed, unprepared, naive ponies to go into a jungle filled with who knows what? One of which, I remind you, is still recovering from her injuries.”
Scratching his chin Brine looked Patch squarely in the eyes “So what yer try’n da’ say is that you’ll be need’n a bit more ta whet yer appetites? We’ll I can toss in two hundred caps in as well. that should cover da’ cost of basic equipment. As for da’ islands dangers, there are far too many ta count. All I can do is tell ya good luck an’ if’n ya see somethin’ what look like can kick yer sorry hide run as fast as yer hooves can carry ya till they can no more. that’s mah final offer.” A wicked grin slowly crept across his face “O’course she could jus’ pay off her debt to da’ village instead. I’m sure Shark Bate needs new girl down at da’ bar. She’s very exotic so she’s bound ta get loads o’ customers that way.” Putting his hoof down. “As I said earlier, Everypony plays their part round here.”
Sighing he closed his eyes “I’d like it better if ya jus’ wen’ look’n fur Dewdrop though. I can’t send what lil’ armed ponies this town has into da’ wilds of da’ jungle. Specially not after we spotted a pack o’ Cyberdogs near by. That’d be jus’ ask’n em to attack us.”
Well that ruined my fantasy. “Sorry but there’s no way I’m gonna turn tricks like some washed up show pony. Plus this job rings of sweet adventure and probably involves less diseases too.” Mostly though I just wanted that Pipbuck.
Patch turned to look at me, his mouth opened then closed then opened again. “Fine... We should be able to at least buy some sort of protection with this I hope it’ll be enough... I wonder what the bit to cap conversion rate is any way.”
* * *
After making our way out of the rust bucket we made for the collection of scrape stalls that passed for a town market. We quickly found our selves trying to negotiate the price of two sets of very worn leather armor, a base ball bat, and kitchen knife, with a rather worn, one-eyed, old griffin by the name of Geldnir. Unfortunately it wasn’t going very well for us.
Geldnir yawned, looking down at us from what looked like a rather worn, red couch that was perched on top of his stall. You know the kind of couch you might expect to see in a psychiatrists office. A little pony in my head wondered where in the wasteland he had found something like that...
“Look mates, I can’t bring the price of all this below two hundred fifteen caps. The price for the armor alone is two hundred. If you want me to toss in the weapons for free you’ll have to earn em.”
Patch tried arguing. “But we’re going to look for Dewdrop. We need proper weapons if we’re to venture out into the jungle. Otherwise we probably don’t stand much of chance.”
Geldnir sighed, and stretched on the couch. “Look mate I sympathise I really do, and I’d appreciate having Dewdrop back in town, but I need to be able to bring food back to the nest, I’ve got chicks to feed, and I can’t afford to cut you a deal unless you do something for me to off set the loss. I’ve got just the thing if you’d give me the chance to tell ya.” He said while looking over one of his clawed hands.
This time before Patch could open his mouth for a rebuttal I put hoof in it. “Go on.”
Patch gave me dry look before spitting out my hoof “B-but...” he tried to interject before I shoved my other hoof in his mouth.
“Hush now! We haven’t even heard what the nice griffen wants us to do yet!” I said returning his dry look with one of my own, earning a chuckle from Geldnir.
“Well now, I think we’re getting some where!” The griffin merchant grinned, perching himself on the edge of his sofa. “Here’s what I need you to do. I need Coconut Spider eggs for my inventory. They’re a potent reagent used in making several different potions, a lot of my zebra customers use ‘em and I can turn quite a profit selling ‘em.” He patted a large sack of caps next to his perch “If you’d be willing to get me some I’d be willing to offer you a substantial discount. Get me ten and I’ll give a five percent discount, any after the first ten I’ll buy from you for 5 caps each. How does that sound for a fair deal?”
Patch bulked causing me to giggle. “Sounds fine to me! Just one question my fine feathered friend. What exactly is a coconut spider?”
The only thing my imagination could conjure up were images of coconuts with eight legs wandering around blindly which, while hilarious was probable far from the truth. I fully expected reality had something far nastier in store.
Geldnir grimaced “Nasty little blighters. Imagine if you can, large, hairy legs, and massive, jagged, venomous fangs with an exoskeleton as hard as granite.” Realizing the horrified looks on our faces he quickly corrected “You shouldn’t have to fight any though they tend to leave their egg sacks unguarded.”
Reality one, Imagination zilch.
Geldnir offered us this bit of advice before we suited up and moved out “The best way to avoid them is to fly. Failing that avoid palm, and coconut tree’s as much as possible. Those happen to be their favored hunting spots. They usually lay their eggs somewhere near the base of ‘em so as long as you don’t touch the trees you should be a-okay."
“That's it we’re doomed.” Patch moaned
* * *
Footnote: Level Up! New Perk: Daddies Lil’ Filly (rank 2): You take after your dad +5 repair +5 science.
Fallout Equestria: Price of Paradise Chapter 3 Science Fiction - double-feature “Pi-ty? .....I have no such word registered in my vocabulary banks.”
“That rotten, rat bastard lied to us!” Patch wheezed as we ran towards a seemingly abandoned research station. “Eggs unguarded? My hindquarters! The next time we see that griffin I’m bucking him where Celestia's sun don’t shine!”
“If you’ve got time to complain then you’ve got time to run!” I shouted looking back just in time to see more of those large eight legged freaks descend from near by trees. “Now shut up and help me get this door open or we’ll both be dead!”
"Faster!” I screamed nearly tripping as I ran. “Run faster!”.
Suddenly a bright, red beam of magically energy streamed past my head. I watched in abject horror as it struck one of the spiders turning it into a smoldering pile of ash.
“New plan! Run somewhere else!” I shrieked as more magical energy beams flashed past both Patch and I striking down the spiders behind us. “Anywhere else!” A few of them cottoned on and skittered back up the trees from whence they came, others that weren't so bright were taken out by what appeared to by the stations automatic defense turrets. Not once did they turn to fire on us. I should have found that strange but adrenaline clouded my judgement. Fortunately Patch was a far more level headed pony.
“Wait!” He called to me before I could bolt away from the research stations firing range. “I...” ~pant~ “Don’t...” ~wheeze~ “Think...” ~hack~ “That...” ~cough~ “It's...” ~gasp~ “Firing...” ~wobble~ “at...” ~wobble~ “Us...” The Stable pony fell over. ~Thud~
“Patch!” I quickly made my way to him. My fears of being evaporated by magical death rays were quickly replaced by new ones. “Patch! Are you okay? Did one of the spiders bite you? Oh please sweet Celestia be okay! Don’t die on me!” Tears started to well up in my eyes...
“Silvia,” Patch moaned, “I’m all right. Just a little winded is all.” His breathing was still labored. “Y-you can stop hugging me now. It’s making it hard for me to breathe.”
“I-I...” When had I started hugging him? Was that before or after I checked his pulse? Wait did I check his pulse? “Oh! Uh oh! S-sorry!” My face went beat red. Then I hit him square in the face. “Don’t you dare do that to me again. You scared the apples out of me.”
Patch rubbed his eye before looking at me “Well EXCUSE me Princess. Sorry I’m not as physically fit as you, your highness. I’m only used to stretching my eye mussels. There wasn't much of a need for running in the Stable.”
Sarcasm much?
“You’re just a wimp!” I laughed feeling suddenly relieved, my embarrassment fading as quickly my worries had. “Huh, you’re right they’re not firing at us.” Curiosity quickly vying for the highest priority on my list of things to satiate. “Maybe we should check it out there could be clues to Dewdrops whereabouts.”
"That’s a negative.” The light blue buck said, rubbing his still bright red muzzle. “My Pipbuck’s tag system is pointing us further into the jungle not into the Research station.”
“B-but I wanna go see what’s inside!” I pleaded with the biggest puppy dog eyes I could manage. “There might be stuff. Useful like stuff, or stuff we can sell to get useful stuff, or just cool stuff. There could also be clue stuff too! Please?!”
“I said no.” Patch was apparently immune to my feminine wiles. “We don’t need to risk any more danger. Who knows what’s inside there. We could both very likely die in there and never be heard from again,”
And magically as if just to rebuke his claims the door which had previously been electronically locked swung open. A haggard looking buck with a ragged blond mane poked his head out.
“I think you had better both come inside.” The look on his face was that of utter boredom and his voice was monotone.
“Uh Silvia I don’t think this is a good idea, maybe we should just leave...” But before Patch could finish his sentence one of the defense turrets fired a shot off into the jungle making some unseen creature howl so loud that the ground shook beneath our feet.
* * *
“I don’t like this one bit.” Patch grumbled as we moved through the corridor of the main entrance. “Something is wrong here.”
“I dunno,” I said, looking around the hall. Most of the walls were covered with cobwebs, and grimy, mildewy wallpaper that peeled in some areas revealing the metal hidden underneath. The marble floor was littered with assorted trash. “Seems pretty ‘neat’, although our host doesn't seem up for much conversation... I’m almost sure nothing is wrong here. Heck he did save us from those spiders.” Despite my reassurance Patch still looked on guard. Oh well what can you do someponies don’t know when to relax. “Don’t worry so much. I’m here.”
The entrance sealed shut behind us. There was no turning back now.
The ragged maned pony leading the way had said nothing since we entered the research station. A stairwell off to the right was too dimly lit to make anything out beyond a few feet and as we approached a grandfather clock the behavior of our guide slow began to change.
“This way.” He motioned towards two large, double doors, music and talking could be heard from beyond.
Patch’s ears perked up at the sound “Are you throwing a party?” He asked.
“No.” His voice still monotone, but his body began to show signs of more... Life? Movement? I dunno he just seemed a little more animated. “You've arrived on a rather special night. It's one of the master's affairs.”
“Um it’s still day outside.” I interjected.
No response from raggedy mane.
Patch chuckled “Lucky him.”
A mares voice came from behind surprising the two of us “He’s lucky!” The magenta mare was dressed in some sort of maids outfit she continued to move towards us obviously more animated than the other strange pony we met. “You're lucky, I'm lucky, we're all lucky.”
The buck had moved to stand in front of a broken mirror “It's astounding.~ Time is fleeting.~” He started singing
“Tell me he isn’t,” Patch said morosely.
“Madness takes its toll.~ But listen closely~,” the raged buck continued.”
“He is,” I replied.
“Not for very much longer.~ I've got to keep control.” He started to become much more animated than previously. Eventually bursting into dance.
Patch and I moved out of the way as he continued to sing and dance the mare joining in with him.
"I remember doing the Time Warp." His voice now filled with long absent emotion “Drinking those moments when ~ the blackness would hit me.~”
The mare was suddenly at our backs pushing us towards the double doors.
“And the void would be calling.~” The buck was still singing as he kicked the doors open revealing a ballroom filled with skeletons dressed for a party and one other pony wearing a sparkling vest and top hat.
Speakers from the corners of the room blasted the songs ghostly chorus.
“~Let's do the Time Warp again.~”
The two ponies that led us to the macabre party started to make there way towards the center of the ball room. Joining in sing with the speakers.
“~Let’s do the Time Warp again.~”
A buck’s voice cut in over the loud speakers.
“It’s just a jump to the left.”
The ghostly chorus immediately replied in song.
“~And step to the right~ right~ right~ right~ right~.”
I looked over to Patch giving him a worried look “Maybe you were ri...”
The loud speakers cut me off as the other buck’s voice cut in once again.
“With your hooves on your hips.”
“ght. We should probably get out of here.”
The ghostly chorus continued to sing “~You bring your knees in tight!~ But it’s the pelvic thrusts they really drive you insa~ane~!” We started to inch our back out to the corridor “~Let’s do the time warp again!~”
Patch looked at me and nodded sheepishly as we prepared to make a break for it.
Speaker chorus still singing “~Let’s do the time warp again!~”
As we turned to make our dashing escape only to find our path had been intercepted by the mad, magenta, maid pony. Walking towards us she ushered us back in the room with a levitating shotgun at her side. She too began to sing.
“It's so dreamy~! Oh, fantasy free me!~ So you can't see me, no not at all.~”
“Well, buck me.” I swore as both Path and I were forced back into the ball room.
She continued to sing her voice sounding like nails on a chalk board. “In another dimen~sion. With voyeuristic inten~tion.”
She pushed us further while brushing flanks with Patch causing him to gag slightly bring to light the most awful, foul, smelling scent I have ever had the displeasure to notice. The smell of rotting flesh. She continued to sing.
“Well secluded I see all. With a bit of a mind flip~! You're into the time slip~! Nothing will ever seem the same!” Once we were in the ball room again she magicked the doors behind us shut and continued her shrill singing. “You're spaced out on sensa~tion!”
Her buck friend had managed his way over to my side singing directly into my ear. “~Like you’re under seda~tion!” His breath was enough to make me want to vomit. I wavered using Patch’s other side to steady myself.
The ghostly chorus didn't miss their cue as the speaker chimed in. “~Let’s do the time warp again!~ Let’s do the time warp again~”
The young glittery mare who had been sitting awkwardly on stool near the end of the room came to life and began to sing and dance “Well I was walking down the street~ just having a think~ when a bear of a buck gave me an emo wink.~ well it shook me up,~ it took me by surprise,~ he had an apple cart,~ and big kind eyes,~ he stared at me,~ and I felt a change,~ time meant nothing~ never would again.” And then she tripped. For a moment she looked up fearful at the other two weird ponies. They hadn't seemed to notice so she picked herself up and made her way back to the stool.
The chorus continued much to our dismay. “~Let’s do the time warp again!~ Let’s do the time warp again!~”
The buck on the speaker cut into the song again. “It’s just a jump to the left!” The chorus following along sing their part...
“~And step to the right~ right~ right~ right~ right.”
“Put your hoofs on your hips!”
“~You bring your knees in tight!~ But it’s the pelvic thrusts they really drive you insa~ane~!”
“~Let’s do the time warp again!~ Let’s do the time warp again!~”
As the music faded away the three living ponies collapsed in apparent exhaustion.
“Right I think we’ll be going... No need to stick around right Patch? Patch?” I said looking at him. Their was a strangely vacant look on his face.
“Do any of you guy’s know how to do the Pony Pokey?” He asked like a derp so I smacked him hard across the of back his head breaking whatever spell had taken grasp of him.
“Owe! Why'd you do that for Jan- I mean Silvia?” He gave me confused look.
“Let’s go already dingus. You were right this place is weird and probably dangerous too. Quickly while they’re still too tired to chase us.”
I started towards the door. Patch looked at the still collapsed ponies for a second before following me.
“Yeah... Let’s leave before something even stranger starts happening.”
The sound of ponies rising to the hooves behind us hurried our pace. We rushed past an elevator that we’d some how managed not to see when we first entered the ball room. We didn’t even stop to see why it was lowering. Mid way through the hallway we broke into a full on gallop reaching the main entrance only to find that the door was electronically locked and the panel to open it no where to be seen. That meant one thing. The panel was hidden somewhere else.
“Don’t tell me we’re going to have to look for another way out. I don’t want to run into anymore creepy song a dance routines.” I moaned. Not looking forward to this one bit.
“Maybe the controls are on another level.” Patch suggested pointing a hoof towards the elevator.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
We galloped to the lift cadge only to find that it was as well locked.
“How do you do?” Came a strangle electronic baritone voice from the elevator.
The air rippled and a robotic pony face in a billowing black taffeta cape appeared out of thin air.
A tuba, and harmonica tune began to play from the cloaked metallic pony “I ~ See you've met my ~ Faithful handy buck.” Its voice flowed into a song. “He’s just a little brought down ~ Because when you screamed~ He thought you were the~ Candy buck.”
“Not again...” I whispered to Patch.
“Don’t be strung out~ By the way I look!~ “ The Robo-pony sung as it strutted from the elevator to a throne that some how appeared in the ball room while we were distracted.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover~, I’m not much of a mare~ By the light of day~ But by night I’m one hell of a lover~!” The cloak around it slid off revealing what the pony was wearing underneath... Needless to say it was very... Kinky is the only word I can come up with, but still doesn't fit.
It slowly made its way back to us taking plenty of opportunity flash us its nether regions singing all the while.
“Let me show you around,~ Maybe play you a sound?~ You both look like your pretty groovy.” It Circled around us and began nudging us back towards the center of the ballroom.
“Or if you want something visual~ Not to abysmal~ We could taking an old Pinkie movie.”
I’m getting really tired of all this bad music. . . It’s time to let these crazy ponies know who’s the boss.
“Hey can you open the door~ Cause we've got to go~ We’re both in a bit of a hurry~” For reasons unknown to me I was singing too now.
“Right.” Patch chimed in beside me.
“So you got stuck in my flat~ well how bout that~ well fillies, there's no need to panic~ By the light of the night~ it’ll all seem all right~ I’ll get you a satanic mechanic.~”
The robot turned around marched back towards the center of the room as confetti rained down the ceiling.
“I’m just a sweet prancevestite.~ From prancesexual~ Pranceylvania!” The metallic pony sang as itsit down in the throne. Whatever it was looked at us with its cold metallic glare. The three other pony started taking up position around the throne.
“Why don’t you stay for a night? Or maybe a a bite? I could show you my favorite obsession. I’ve been making a buck with a blond mane and a plot of steel. He’s good for relieving my, tension.” Getting up from the throne it trotted towards us again
“I’m just a sweet prancevestite.~ From pransexual~ Pranceylvania! I’m just a sweet prancevestite ~ From pransexual~ Pranceylvania!” It sang walking past us and into the lift.
“So come up to the lab.” The gates closed the robopony looking at us with its cold eyes.
“And see whats on the slab.” The other ponies got up from the throne and started to make their way over to us..
“I see shiver with antici~pation. But maybe the fear is what’s really to blame. So I’ll remove the cause, but not the symptom.” And with that lift rose taking the strange talking robot along with it.
“So what do we do now Ms. Smartypants?” Patch moaned.
“Now we plan our escape.” Replied the Raggedy buck.
* * *
Footnote: Level Up! New Trait: Wild Wasteland: You've seen some strange things in your days, but the wasteland is the strangest of them all. You are far more likely to encounter the weirder aspects of what the wasteland has to offer. New Perk: Daddies Lil’ Filly (rank 3):You take after your dad +5 repair +5 science.
Fallout Equestria Price of Paradise Chapter 4 Movie Magic “It’s time to make de magics!”
“Say what?” I asked in disbelief.
“We want you to help us escape.” The raggedy buck said as flakes of skin pealed from his face and fell to the floor. “We’re prisoners here just like yourselves. All we want is your help escaping.” he sighed his voice was hoarse and scratchy. “Will you help us?”
“Why do you need our help?” Patch asked earnestly. “Why haven’t you tried to escape on your own?”
The young glittery pony step forward. “Because we can’t,” a wild look in her eye. “If we try that thing will kill us!”
The magenta mare hushed the youngster with a hoof. “I wish we could say more, but we can’t.” Her sunken rotting eyes dug into my soul. “Please help us,” she implored “We’ll do what we can, but it might not be much. Please, will you help us?”
Well Silva, here you are again. Ponies asking for your help. Well it’s not like I had much choice in the matter before... Great now I’m talking to myself.
I looked at the three ponies that stood before me pleading for help, then at Patch. “Patch?” I asked. Maybe he’d know what I should say.
“It couldn’t hurt us anymore than our current predicament.” He shrugged. “And besides it’s not like we have much of an option.”
“Then it’s settled we’ll help you get out of here.” I sighed. “We’ll help you get out of here. What’s the plan?”
* * *
“No sir, I don’t like it.” I moaned as we rode the elevator up to the ‘Lab’ “Not one bit. Why did we decided that this was the best option?” The other three remained silent. Apparently the robopony had implanted them with some sort of chip that had limited control over their nervous system. They couldn’t speak until their script allowed for them too.
Patch sighed and looked at me “Because if we follow the script we should theoretically be able to end this ‘Play’ early, all we have to do is...” I elbowed him to hush as we approached the lab floor.
~Screeeeech!~ the elevator ground to a halt. The cage doors opened slowly and the raggedy buck made his way out into the lab.
The “lab” was coated floor to ceiling in pink marble. The floors were covered in expertly laid and polished tiles. Two curved ramps lead up onto a balcony that circled half way round the room and a stage was set up opposite it. Four thick, beveled, marble pillars were place evenly around the chamber and several marble statues of ponies in various poses of strength and grace decorated the room. The entire lab looked like it could have been part of the gymnasium back in Hayday, making me feel more than a little home sick. A large, covered tank sat opposite us on the other end of the room next to a large, red vault door.
“Magenta,” the mechanical pony called from the stage. “Columbia go and assist Riff Raff.” As the robot spoke each name the mares stepped forward out of the lift moving across the lab towards the raggedy maned buck and the tank. “I will entertain. . . ah. . .?” Now it was our turn. Patch and I made our way out of the elevator.
“I’m Silva Mane and this is my companion, Patch Work.” I motioned with a hoof to Patch.
The robopony approached as I introduced us
“Encante. . .” It said in its artificial voice as it took my outstretched hoof, pretending to kiss it. “How nice.” It said circling us giving me the distinct feeling it was checking us both out.
Great now I’m being hit on by a perverted robot. Can my day get any worse?
“But here, put these on, they’ll make you feel less vulnerable.” It continued, levatating two lab coats to us. “It’s not often we receive visitors here.” It said with an electronic chuckle. “Let alone offer them hospitality.”
“Hospitality?!” I seethed. “Luna’s connecting cutie marks! All we want to do is get out of this hell hole! So far all you’ve managed to do is sing to crappy polka music and dance... badly.” My body shook with rage. My only good wing was outstretched as I readied myself to pounce this talking tin can.
“Silva,” Patch leaned over and whispered into my ear. “Remember the plan. Stick to the the plan.” If he was trying to calm me down it wasn’t working.
“How forceful you are Silva!” The robot mocked in a sarcastic scared tone. ”Such a prime example of pegasi. So dominant.” Magenta and Columbia nickered.
‘You must be awful proud of her Patch.” The robot attempted to bring us back onto its script.
Patch blushed and pawed at the ground. “We-we’re not that way.” He finally managed to mumble.
“Right that was awkward...”I said while avoid eye contact with the embarrassed medical buck “Can we change the subject. Please?” We have a plan to stick to. No time to get caught up in this robots mind games. I’m not blushing... Eenope, not at all.
“What did you do to earn you’re cutie mark Silva?” The silver colored robopony asked” I take it involved some sort of encounter with a magical energy device of some sort?” .
Oh good, the metal head can take a hint.
“It’s not important.” I expertly dodged the question.
“Well, then how about you Patch?” the bot turned its inquisition on the ‘wonderful’ blue buck standing next to me.
“Everything is in readiness master.” Somehow ‘Riff Raff’ had made his way over here without us knowing. “We merely await your word.” By the color of Patch’s face I’d say he was glad for the interruption.
“Sorry I’ll have to get back to you on that!” The robotic pony chirped. “Science won’t discover the magic of life on it’s own.” The robot pranced away from us towards a podium that had been set up on stage flickering its spiked wire wipe tail along the way.
“Testing, one, two.” The perverted metal pony tested the mic. ” Very good. Let’s get started, Riff are the others on visual?” The ghastly buck nodded in reply as four monitors descended from the ceiling. Each of them were displaying a different robotic pony. One, bronze, one cobalt, one gunmetal, and the final one gold.
“What is this all about Flankenferter?” A feminine voice sprang forth from the cobalt robot. “We all know your work is a joke. There is nothing you can contribute to the College of Arcane Science which would be of any value.” The voice chided. “I’m mean really your life’s work has been dedicated to the study of Movie Magic. You’re a washout.”
“Now hold on one second, Maregun.” Another voice chimed in form the bronze machine. This one was deep and masculine. “Let him embarrass himself again I could use a good laugh. Besides, it’s not like anything he does will actively interfere with any of our plans for the island.”
“Yes well,” The gunmetal automaton said. This voice while while masculine sounded more timid, and hoarse. “I’m not opposed to hearing about his latest depraved attempt to procure our attentions. I agree with Celsior, let’s hear what he has to say.”
“Foldback you always side with Celsior, but neither of you hold the final say.” The feminine voice countered. “That honor belongs to Professor Unitron. Professor your opinion on the matter at hand?”
“LET THE WORM SPEAK SO THAT WE MAY LAUGH AT HIS FAILURE.” An elderly sounding electronic voice boomed from the final golden robopony.
“I will not be deterred.” Flankenferter shot back. “You’ll all hold your tongues when you see what I’ve got cooked up! You’ll be begging for my research by the night’s end!” The sliver bot barked with his head held high, he continued. “Tonight my unconventional conventionalist's.” Flankenferter’s voice became more confident with each word. “Tonight you are to witness a breakthrough in bio-magical research.” The metallic pony pranced around the mic. “And Paradise is to be mine!”
“What the hell is going on here...” I whispered to Patch “This isn’t how they said the script would go.”
All Patch could do was shrug.
“It was strange the way it happened.” Flankenferter started while he paced around the mic. “ One of those quirks of fate really. One of those moments when you seem irredeemably lost:” He paused in front of mic for second before continuing to pace. “You panic; you’re trapped.” He stopped again , this time to look in our direction before continuing. “Your back’s against the wall. There’s no way out, and then suddenly you catch a break.”
“Flank, cut the dramatics, and get to the science. Any more and I swear I’ll blow circuit,” the masculine bronze bot growled. “We don’t have time to listen to you go on and on for hours. I don’t know about the others but I have more important experiments to run,” Celsior huffed.
“Fair enough.” Flankenferter grumbled. “Ladies and gentle colts, I present to you...” The speakers played a drum roll for dramatic effect. “The essence of life!” A silver glow enveloped the cover on the tank revealing the mummified form of a large earth pony buck floating in a pink, viscous fluid. “Throw open the switches on the sonic oscillator.”
Riff Raff started to flick switches on a control panel not to far from the tank. The light in the room dimmed. ~Whurrrvip~ a high pitched hum started to fill the room.
“And step up the the reactor talisman three more points!” Flankenferter’s voice sound hysterical as the sliver bot broke into maniacal laughter. ~Whurrrvip!~ The hum was getting louder and faster in pace. A chandelier slowly lowered from the ceiling over the tank. Flankenferter practically skipped over to the tank still cackling like a madmare. A silver, magical glow enveloped the small valves attached to the chandelier, letting a multitude of rainbow colored liquids flow into the tank. ~Whurrrvip~ The deafening hum nearly drowned out all other sound other than the silver robot’s psychotic laughter. Magical energy arced out from the tank, striking all the nearby ponies turning our three new friends into glowing piles of pink ash. The crazed robopony was still laughing as the wild energy ripped into its metal hide revealing the circuitry and wiring underneath.
Patch and I ran back towards the elevator only to find the cage doors had been locked. “I told you we were doomed!” Patch screamed as we struggled to get the locking mechanism open.
Slowly, the humming began to quiet. Patch and I cowered against the cage door as residual arcane sparks arced off of the tank. A figure wrapped in a blinding, golden light arose from within the tank. As the figure stood wings unfolded from its back. The sparks of magical energy still occasionally arcing off the tank slowly started to die down. The lights of lab flickered on illuminating the now decimated stage, revealing the horrible, hulking, monstrosity now standing in the tank.
* * *
Footnote: Level Up! New Perk: Egg Head: You gain two additional skill points per level. Science at 52 Repair at 52
Fallout Equestria: Price of Paradise Chapter 5 The Bride of Flankenferter "Hold on to your hooves, I'm about to be BRILLIANT!"
The lights of the lab flickered on, illuminating the now decimated stage. The flickering light revealed a horrible, hulking, monstrosity now standing in the tank. Chains kept it bound preventing it from leaving the tank. The beast appeared to be an amalgamation of several different creatures, some of which were unmistakably equine. It was obvious that whatever experiment Flankenferter attempted had failed horribly. Or so I had hoped. . .
“It’s alive! My beautiful baby is alive! DO YOU SEE NOW!!!” Laughed the manic metal pony. He was practically falling apart from all the damage he had taken, but somehow he was still able to speak.
“You’re all speechless! I knew it! I knew it! Hahahaha! Now you’ll have to let me back into the dome.” Flankenferter continued to boast.
“I think not!” The cobalt robot barked from its monitor. “That hulking pile of meat hardly even counts as a foal’s arcane science experiment.” She scoffed.
“Um guys,” the gunmetal pony-bot tried to interject.
“As loath as I am to, I agree with Maregun.” Celsior nickered. “ We've been fusing things with I.M.P. for years, this is nothing new. Come back when you have something truly substantial.”
“Guys!” Foldback shouted garnering the attention of those present. “ Isn't that mare there a Pegasus?” He said, all eyes swiveling to look at me.
“GWAAAAAAR!!!” The abomination in the tank roared as it struggled against the chains binding it to the tank. Luckily for us the ruckus drew the attention back to center stage.
“Patch I think now would be a good time to figure out how to open that lock don’t you?” I asked hurriedly.
“Rushing me isn't helping!” Patch wailed back at me. “This damned lock is bucking impossible to pick!”
“Who cares if the mare is a Pegasus or not? I have harnessed the secret of life itself. My discovery far outweighs those of any of you.” Flankenferter growled back at the other robotic ponies.
“Have any of you come this close to recreating a draconequus? I should think not!” The dilapidated silver robot huffed.
“And you have the nerve to compare my masterpiece to some foal’s garbage arcane science experiment. We’ll see who’s laughing at whom when I release the full power of my beautiful creation.” The beast continued to struggle against its bonds, causing the metal to shriek. Its rippling muscles bulged as it strained against its metal restraints. Its eyes flared and started glowing with an unnatural light as an aura enveloped it. Whatever a draconequus was it sure had a buck ton of power. Flankenferter couldn't help but laugh with delight at the sight of the monsters display.
“Oh yes, I can’t wait to see what my baby is capable of doing. Please give me an excuse to rid the island of you foals.” He motioned a hoof over to the control panel where the other three ponies once stood.
“One flick of a switch, and I can teleport this bad boy anywhere I want on the main island, including your precious College of Magic. So please keep testing me, I dare you.”
“Patch just break the lock off! We need to get out of here before the shit hits the fan!” I cried in panic as I shook Patch by his withers.
“Shaking me won't get the lock open sooner!” Patch said as he fought free of my grasp. “And if I break the lock we may never get out of here alive. We need to calm down and think clearly if we’re to get out of here. If the door has a lock then it has a key. One of the other three must have had it on them. We need to get to the stage and search through their ashes.” He said, cringing at the thought of the last line. “I don’t like the thought of doing it any more than you, but we have to if we’re going to live.”
“SILENCE!” The golden robopony bellowed. “I AM THE HEADMASTER! I am the one who makes the threats, and the one who decides what research is valuable! And I say, I WANT. . . THAT. . . PEGASUS. . . NOW! Flankenferter, if you want so badly to be let in the college again then I suggest you capture her alive.”
All I could do was stare dumbly at the screens. Me? It wants me? Why me? What did I do?
“Oh, is that all I have to do to get a little recognition? Fine. I’ll do it gladly.” The silver robopony replied. “It should take not but a moment to do now that I have my baby.”
Patch stepped in front of me glaring at the metal monsters. “Over my dead body you metallic pieces of trash.” He levitated out the bat we bought off of Geldnir as he spoke. “Make one move towards her and I’ll make you look more like scrap metal than you already do.”
“Really? You think that flimsy piece of rotten wood will be enough to stop my lovely from crushing you into a pulp? . . . That’s so cute! Baby, sic him.” Flank chuckled as he pressed a hoof to one of the many buttons on the control panel releasing the chains which had been binding the horror.
The freed beast looked down at the metallic pony, and then over to us. The glow faded from its eyes revealing a spark of intelligence that had been hidden by the unnatural light. A cruel smile slowly played across its face. Stepping out of the tank the beast took the time to stretch and crack its joints. This was no dumb monster. It was going take its time, it knew it had us cornered, and was going to enjoy playing with us for as long as possible. Leaning its head back the sadistic beast took in a deep breath and then let out an ear splitting battle cry.
Patch steadied himself, his eyes staring like daggers at our foe. “Silva when I say now, I want you to move away from the front of the elevator.”
The abhorrent apparition flicked its tail and flared its nostrils, releasing a torrent of steam and snot. Lowering itself onto all fours it pawed at the floor and pointed its sharpened horns at us as if it were getting ready to charge.
Patch mimicked the monster. “Ready. . .” He whispered to me. “Set. . .”
The beast charged.
“Now!” Patch cried as both he and I tumbled out of the way of the lumbering beast.
I flinched, expecting to hear a crash that never came. Opening my eyes I turned my head to look back at the gate, but the hulking brute was nowhere to be seen.
“Where did he go?” I shouted over to Patch who looked just as confused as I did. The chaotic laughter of the beast echoed throughout the lab, but the source was nowhere to be seen.
“Time to play! Time to play!” Its crazed disembodied voice seemed to cackle from everywhere.
“Pretty Ponies it’s time to play!” The deranged disembodied laughter was even starting to echo from within my own head. Suddenly, a cold chill ran up my spine, causing me to turn only to see the beast’s upside down head floating in the air behind me.
“BOO!” It shouted, causing me to scream and buck wildly. One of my wild swings smashed into the beast's face sending the abomination sprawling across the floor. The monstrous brute slowly picked itself up blood dripping from its muzzle. As it stood the monster giggled maniacally. The crazed grin crept from one end of its face to the other. “Blood! More Blood! More Meat!” As it spoke its teeth reshaped into cruel looking fangs.
“Pony Meat!” The beast spat laughing chaotically.
“Silva! Get to the ashes and find the key. I’ll distract these bastards.” Patch shouted at me as he charged at the monstrosity.
Collecting myself I ran over to the stage only to find that the Silver robotic plot-hole had maneuvered himself between me and the ashes. A pair of keys wrapped in a silvery magical glow floated beside him.
“Looking for these?” Flankenferter mockingly cooed at me. “Why don’t you call off your buck friend and we can end this peacefully.”
A sudden outcry of pain coming from the direction of Patch and the beasts fight quickly drew our attention to them. Turning to look I could that see Patch had buried his head into the monsters side, spearing the beast with his horn. Desperately, the beast pounded poor Patch with its huge fists trying to dislodge the light blue unicorn. One sickening crunch later and Patch was sent flying into the side of the elevator. . . Sans horn.
“Patch!” I screamed involuntarily. His broken and beaten body lay motionless on the floor as the lumbering hulk slowly limped it’s way over to him. I did the only sensible thing I could do. I drew the kitchen knife we bought and charged the beast, slamming it point first into the wound that Patch had made in its side. Ramming the knife as deep into the wound as I could, thrashing my head side to side to try and do the most damage as possible. In an instant the beast was on me. Its hands wrapped tightly around my windpipe and began choking me. I bucked and kicked wildly, but try as I might it was futile. My vision blurred as I gasped for air, struggling in vain against the brute’s monstrous strength as my own was drained from me.
“That’s enough Baby. They've been incapacitated.” Flankenferter ordered his vile abomination.
The beast grunted, squeezing tighter around my neck. My vision started to fade as I began to fall into unconsciousness. My limbs dangled like lead weights as the energy slowly left my body. I tried desperately to lift a leg, to push away from the best but none of them would listen to me.
“I said that’s enough! I made you, and I can break you just as easily! Do as I command.” The silver ponybot barked at its monstrous creation.
Begrudgingly, the monster obeyed its robotic master, and tossed my limp body into the pile of pony ashes on the stage. Coughing and gasping for air I staggered to my hooves. Baby glared at his master and snorted in disdain. The monster limped to its master’s side, grunting with each step it took.
Steadying myself I spied the shotgun that Magenta had threatened us with earlier lying unscathed in one of the piles of ash around me. I looked at Flankenferter, my lips curling up into a smile. “This isn’t over yet. I can still beat you.”
“Oh really, and just what do you think you can do against me? You’re unarmed and there are two of us. Surrender now and we might spare your buckfriend over there.” The silver Robopony said as he motioned one of his metallic hooves over towards Patch.
“Just try it I dare you!” I said as I dived for the gun, gripping the handle with my mouth. I swung it level and aimed it at the beast’s head. The kick of the gun sent me rolling backwards. The monster barely had time to react as the slug perforated its head, sending bits of skull and grey matter flying. “Dun’ yu’ ‘air mo’e.” I garbled through the guns bit, holding it steady as I turned and aimed it at the silver bots head.
Flankenferter ignored me, taking a step towards the fallen beast. “My life's work. .. ruined. The culmination of years of research. . . Gone. The lives I've sacrificed. . . wasted.” His voice trailed off as he knelt beside his fallen creation. “All for one single stupid Pegasus mare?”
Stupid? That might be going a bit too far, you were the one who attacked me buddy. I thought to myself as I kept the gun on him.
The bot continued to mourn the loss of its creature. “What value could she possibly have over all those years of work? What could be worth that cost?” Standing he turned to me.
“No, it’s not worth it. . . She has to die. They can always shoot another pegasi out of the sky later. This one dies.” He slowly started to walk towards me.
“ Ah shed nah a shtep fuder.” I mumbled, praying the gun had more than one round loaded in it. Not heeding my threat he increased his pace. Pulling the trigger I heard a click that dashed my hopes as he charged. Without thinking I twisted around and bucked the tin head hard, denting his chrome dome and sending him stumbling backwards. Quickly turning, I slammed the barrel of the shotgun into him, smashing his silver head into scrap metal. Spitting out the now broken gun I ran towards Patch’s unmoving body.
“Please, please, please don’t be dead.” Panic setting into my voice. Carefully I checked to see if he was breathing. The slight rise and fall of his chest assured me that he was indeed alive. Grabbing a mouthful of his mane I pulled my injured friend onto my back. Carefully I made my way over to where Flankenferter had dropped the key. Gingerly I picked the key up and slowly made my to the elevator gate. Taking one look back into the lab I saw that the monitors had all gone black. Setting Patch and the key down, I walked over to where I tossed the shotgun and picked up the broken gun. Who knows? I might be able to fix it later. After getting Patch back on my back I unlocked the gate and took the elevator back down to the first floor.
* * *
“Now to find out how to get the buck out of this hell hole. . .” I grumbled setting Patch down in the elevator.
After leaving the elevator I glanced back at Patch. “First things first, I need to see if I can find something to fix Patch up. I can’t just leave him like this, we’ll never make it back to town with him in this condition.”
After an exhausting search of the ball room and only managing to find some bobby pins and a Physician's Today magazine, both of which I pocketed as I decided that I would have to check the stairs near the entrance. Hopefully they would lead to somewhere that would include a healing potion or two for Patch. Heading back to entrance I spied the stairs, and began my descent.
* * *
Descending down the staircase I found myself in a long corridor with several rooms and hallways on either side. After checking a few I soon realized that they were all variations of the same room but with different lighting. About halfway down the main corridor I started to lose hope of finding anything useful to aid in our escape. That’s when I heard the whimpering coming from one of the rooms near the end of the hall. Crouching, I stealthily made my way to the source of the noise, my tail swishing from side to side in trepidation of what I might find. The last thing I needed was another fight, at least not when I was still reeling from the effects of that last scrap.
Slowly I edged my way to the door carefully nudging it open with my muzzle to peek into the dimly lit room. The source of the disturbance quickly caught my attention as I spied a large bipedal creature chained to some sort of erotic torture device. The creature whimpered and moaned as it struggled in vain against its bindings. It had severely gruesome looking scars around the top of its canine like head.
“Roxy be good dog now. . .Roxy be good dog now. Master don’t beat Roxy. Roxy do what shiny, lovely pony master says. . . Don’t beat Roxy no more master.” The towering beast whimpered and whined while looking away from the door.
A lump found itself caught in my throat. What the buck did that metal bastard do to this poor creature?
Calmly, I slowly edged my way to Roxy, trying to remain as unthreatening as possible. “It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you.” I said in a hushed, soothing tone. “You’re safe now.”
Once Roxy, as the creature had called itself, calmed down I moved to undo the manacles shackling it (for lack of a better term) to the wall. ‘Please don’t attack me, I’m not with the ponies that hurt you. I’m going to release you. . .”
Trying to pick the lock proved to be impossible for me so I reared back and bucked it as hard I could. The sound of metal crunching was a lucky break. As I dropped my hooves the rusty broken lock clattered to the ground “Um, by the way do you know where your ‘Master’ would keep the medicine? You see I have this friend who’s hurt badly and needs help. . .”
After rubbing its wrists Roxy looked down at me. I could see tears running down its face. “Roxy knows where medicine is.” It said, putting one of its large paws on my head and ruffling my mane. “Roxy helps nice pony help pony’s friend, this way pony.” Lowering to all fours Roxy padded quickly down the hallway with me following as best I could.
* * *
Roxy led me down another hallway until we reached a pair of dingy double doors. A sign above it said Operating Room. There was dried blood leading up to the door, looking as if something or somepony had been dragged here. A bloody hoofprint was plainly visible on the metal that made up the doors push handle.
I let out an audible gulp as Roxy reared up onto its hind legs so as to push the door open with its fore paws. “No worries pony. Roxy make sure pony is safe. No danger.”
The reassurance did little to assuage my doubts. This place had fucked with my head plenty already and all I wanted to do now was to heal Patch as best I could and to get the buck out of here asap. “Right. Lets just get what I came here for so I can get out of here.”
The inside of the operating room was just as gruesome as its entrance had lead me to believe. Several of the gurneys in the “Operating Room” had assorted dismembered ponies and other creatures, some of which looked to be same type of creature as Roxy. Roxy let out a disturbing howl at the sight of one the creatures moving quickly to the corpse’s side and started to cradle it.
”Nooo! Metal pony master said it wouldn’t hurt little Doogie. . . My poor little Doogie. . .”Roxy let out another howl as several more tears streamed down its face. Roxy started whimpering as it started to sing.
“H-hush little Doogie don’t say words. Momma gonna get you birds. . .” She kept rocking with Doogies mutilated limp form slowly back and forth howling in between lyrics.
“ A-and if those birds be shitty. Momma take Doogie to pony city.” as she continued to weep her tears splattered against the cold, dirty, broken tiled floor.
She continued, her voice getting stronger and stronger with each word. “And if pony city don’t like dog. Momma gonna burn ponies city like great big log.” Slowly she set the body of Doogie down, closing the pups vacant eyes as she did so. Then she turned to look at me with fire in her eyes.”You know ponies who do this to Dogs?” She seethed more than she asked.
All I could do was shake my head and whisper. ”No.” Her glare causing me to start backing until I fell on my rump. She made a move as if to start towards me but stopped her as visage softened.
“Dog say dog help pony’s friend. Dog not lie, but after this Dog no want see anymore ponies. Ever.” Turning away from me she walked over to one of the many medicine cabinets and used her rather sharp claws to shred it open, spilling the contents into her other paw.
Working my nerve up I went about grabbing anything that wasn’t nailed down or locked up, leaving those for Roxy’s claws to handle. As we looted in silence Roxy tossed me a sack she found so that I would have something to help carry the load.
* * *
Footnote: Level Up! New Perk: Bookworm: You pay much closer attention to the smaller details when reading. You gain 50% more skill points when reading books.
