> The Reservation
>  by Kyuubi325
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Big Mac
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States 
51st State of Lincoln (formally Equestria)
Pony Reservation 013 (Green Zone)
5:30am

The sound of a cheap alarm clock slowly stirred two siblings sharing a rusty bunk bed. A red foreleg felt around the splintered cable spool serving as a nightstand clumsily before finally tapping it. After a few moments later a large red stallion sat up under the ratty covers slowly turning so his back hooves hanged off the side. 

“AJ?......” He yawned smacking his lips nudging the bed above him hearing a familiar grunt. “AJ come on, we got to get ready for work......” 

“I’m comin.... I’m comin.......” The orange mare grumbled slowly getting up aswell while Big Mac sighed and stood up. 

As his eyes came into focus the alien dwellings came into view. It was a large fall from the inherited homestead they once dwelled in. Cheep wooden floors, pink insulation peaking though gaps in the walls, and dirty single pane windows. All this with only two rooms for the three remaining Apple siblings, with a small wood cook stove that barely kept the place tolerable in the winter. There was little in the way of luxury’s, most of the furniture was ether free off the curb near work or second hand, both of which always had seen better days.

Blinking and rubbing the dust from his eyes he made his way to a splintered table against a nearby wall. A small dollar shop mirror just above the wash basin on it, one of the few heirlooms to survive the war. Big Mac simply stared at the stallion that stared back. He was a far cry from the dashing muscular pony he was a few years ago. Looking more haggard then anything, with deep bags under his sad eyes. He said nothing as he lowered his head splashing water into his face to wash off the dust that seeped into their home regardless of their efforts to keep it out. 

Once he had gotten himself mostly clean he gazed down at the basin, the old Apple and gold details had faded on the porcelain bowl. But that was to be expected considering how many generations it had served his family. He had never thought it anything special before... it mostly just sat on a shelf at Sweet Apple Acres for decoration, among other things... the Apple family always had many heirlooms after all. But now? It could very well be the last one for his entire clan, they weren’t even able to save the photo albums or silhouettes of their parents. The basin was simply the first thing he was able to reach before fleeing their home.

For a moment his eyes lost focus remembering the loud explosions and whistles of that day. But the fire.... Just as he started to tremble a familiar orange hoof rested on his shoulder, bare of his lost yoke. “Big Mac?.... it’s alright..... I’m here.....” His sisters voice brought him back to reality.

Looking over the stallion noticed she was as rough looking as he was, even a bit paler then he had remembered. “I’ll go wake Applebloom.....” He mumbled trotting from the basin so she could wash up. Once he reached the cheap varnish door he tapped his hoof against it.

“Applebloom?....... y’all gotta get ready for class......” With no response he pushed the door open, it revealed a rather small room, somewhere around the size of a larger walk-in closet. With a cot in the far left corner just below a small plane glass window where the first rays of sunlight could be seen just shining in.

“Don’t....... wanna.......” The young filly said under the dirty cotton blanket. She simply pulled it further over her head.

Big Mac rolled his eyes, even with everything, some things never changed. He trotted over and pulled the blanket off her. “Now Bloom, y’all need to go to school. There’s some of those Cereal bars you like in the cabinet near the stove. Grab one on you way to school, and wash them cheeks! You need to be presentable for your teacher.” She mumbled getting up from her cot as he left her to get ready.

Once he entered the room he saw AJ had just finished slipping into her brown coveralls and hair net. He would have to do the same.
——————————————
Once he had finished getting dressed he and his sister trotted out of their “temporary emergency shelter”. Seeing other ponies making their way to the bus stop. Looking around the stallion noticed many familiar faces but still fewer then he would like from Ponyville. The surroundings of the settlement doing little to cheer anyponys mood, just sand, dust bowl, and occasional sun bleached cattle skulls around the shelters. He had heard a few ponies talk about putting their green hooves to use, to grow some plants to make it all seem more inviting. But nothing ever came of it, considering how little they got payed at no pony wanted to give up what little they had just for a few trees or even flowers.

The group of ponies continued to trot almost like a slow stampede to a bus stop on the dirt road. In the past ponies would chat near constantly while they waited to take the railed wagons. Now the only thing that could catch his ear was the occasional gust of wind blowing past them. Most seemed to stick close to those they were related too, or had first showed up with. Beyond that most kept quietly to themselves.

“Oh! Big Mac!” A voice approaching from behind spoke up. 

Turning his head he looked over to see a caramel coated stallion around his age. “Morn’in, Caramel ready for work?” He drawled out.

“You know it! I just feel that promotion today!” He said cheerily, while the larger stallion seemed to shift uncomfortably. “Just think, me supervisor for production line B3!” He said dreamily.

“Y’all know that position mostly goes to humans..... or ponies with degrees Caramel...... What makes ya so sure their gonna pick you to take over that grump Hershels place?” He said perhaps a bit too gently against the leaner stallions optimism.

“Cause I’ve been hearing them talk about me in HR! Why else would they bring me up?” He nearly dance on his hooves.

“If ya say so..... Bus is here....” He looked over to see the large grey box of a vehicle pull up to the stop. The doors sliding open with a hiss. 

An older tanned skinned human in a light white button shirt and black pants spoke. “Birds Eye factory, all aboard.” He said mostly absentmindedly.

Big Mac and his sister were the first few to board along with the cheery Caramel. “Morning Fernando......” He said politely, though the human just grunted as they made their way to an empty seat. Once the bus was packed with colorful equines it started down the road, hitting the occasional pothole. Big Mac simply leaned back and closed his eyes, it was gonna be a long day.
——————————————
After about half an hour of riding on the cramped bus the dirt road gave way to new pavement offering a much smoother ride. Looking out the window he could see newly build neighborhoods, with large houses and yards the likes of which ponies now could only dream about. Even if you could get a permit to live off the reservation ponies were only entitled to 50% of the Federally mandated minimum wage. With most ponies trapped in low skill jobs, the reservation was the only place most could live. 

“So Mac today’s payday right?” He looked over to his sister and nodded his head.

“Eeeeeyep....... we better do some shopping before we gotta take the bus home. I hear today Walmart’s have’in a sale, we best stock up.” He said while looking at the rapidly approaching factory in the distance.

“....Appleblooms birthday is coming up......” Applejack said quietly.

“..... We’ll see AJ..... maybe some will be left over.....” Sighed again as a bitter taste filled his mouth.

“You always say that Mac..... we’re getting her a gift and that’s that.” She said evenly, Big Mac only shook his head unwilling to get into an argument.

The bus pulled past the high chain link fences that surrounded the factory eventually coming to a stop in-front of the entrance and check point. A few ponies could already be seen standing in line before the scanner. Once the doors opened ponies started to mill out. Eventually they started to allow ponies though, each time a green light would buzz signaling they were clean.

Occasionally a red light would buzz on the scanner causing some poor pony to be separated from the group for additional vetting. But it was largely just a formality, eventually he and his sister passed through the scanner unmolested. Once past the check point they made their way into the factory. 

There was little to talk about inside the steel and concrete walls. Just tall sterile looking walls occasionally broken up by plastic curtains to keep out any contaminates. Taking another breath Big Mac prepared himself for another 10 hour shift packing peas.
——————————————
He held back a yawn as he sorted though the peas occasionally removing a pod that the machine hadn’t removed or a misshapen pea. Applejack was to his side slowly moving her hooves over the conveyor belt removing a brown pea from the seas of green. The work was mindless to the point where the ponies seemed as automated as the machines surrounding them.

Big Mac eventually heard the familiar sound of his manager clearing his throat. To which the stallion slowly turned around to face the partially hunched over older man. “Hey! Pastel Back! Someone’s here to here to talk with you!” He shouted over the loud sounds of the equipment around them.

The crimson stallion ignored the racist nick name. “Huh? Who?” He sounded vaguely annoyed that someone would bother him at work.

“Some 7 limbed purple mutant.” He said rudely rolling his eyes. “Boss is giving her the special treatment and all.”

The orange mare next to him paused for a moment. “It’s her......” Her hoof shook as it moved over the peas in barely contained anger.

“Twilight.......” Big Mac drawled out more passively then his sister but his eyes turned dark. “Sis I’ll be back in a few minutes, think y’all can handle without me?” He asked looking over.

“Your really gonna talk with her? She ain’t never gonna leave us alone then!” She said in a hushed voice to her older brother.

“She ain’t leaving us alone now..... she needs ta hear this from the horses mouth.” He said using the old human expression. 

“Ya done? Boss says he wants you in the office to meet the freak.” Hershel grumbled while Mac nodded his head leaving the line.
——————————————
Big Mac stared at the door, he was now in the far corner of the factory with the machines sounds seeming so far away. He could actually hear his own thoughts, which was far from comforting at this moment. Reaching out his hoof he gripped the handle of the faux wood door before opening it. Inside there was little to look at, just white walls, and cheap blue patterned carpet. But sitting at the end of a small fold out table was a familiar purple mare. Radiating a naive friendliness that the stallion hadn’t seen in a pony in years.

“Big Mac it’s been so-“ The mares cheery sentence was cut off with the stallion clearing his throat before sitting opposite of her. 

“What do you want Twilight?” The harshness of the stallions tones caused the mare to flinch back as if struck.

“W-what?.... I-I.... don’t understand....” She stuttered back struggling to understand what she had done to deserve such treatment.

“What. Do. You. Want?” The stallion asked slowly, visibly aggravated by her presence.

“Y-you and A-Applejack weren’t answering my messages s-so I t-thought.....” The corners of her eyes started to water.

“Did ya ever think we didn’t want nothin to do with you?” Big Mac growled. 

“...B-but....W-why?” She bit her lip.

“Cause ponies on the reservation finally forgot we had anythin ta do with an Alicorn!” He slammed his hooves on the table nearly enough to shatter it. “Ponies are talkin to us again, but now?! You might have just ruined everything for us all over again! You know what it’s like seeing hate filled graffiti on your home every morning? Being forced off the bus, making you to walk though miles of Badlands just to get to work?! Or how about seeing your baby sister run home sobbing cause no foal will give her the time of day, unless they are dunking her face in the latrine!” 

“B-Big M-Mac I h-had no i-idea I’ll talk to those p-ponies a-and-” She was interrupted again.

“Read my lips Twilight!” He shouted in her face. “We don’t want no Alicorns help! Your kind have done enough!” He screamed into her face nearly causing her to fall backwards.

“B-but we have to s-start rebuilding E-Equestria.... I-I can’t do it alone.... I need my friends.....” She was visibly crying now tears streaming down the sides of her face.

“Equestria’s dead Twilight..... it died when your beloved mentor started that damn war!” He yelled at her. 

“I-I know she m-made m-mistakes, b-but I-I had n-noth-“

“And because of her mistakes she used scorched earth to burn down our farm!” He visibly quaked the trauma coming all back to him. “The guard didn’t even warn us, they just tossed the torches onto our farmhouse and dumped pitch on our fields....... I-I couldn’t get to granny i-in time...... with all the smoke...... she died not knowing what was going on...... when I dragged her out...... the last thing she saw was her home burning to the ground.....” His eyes seemed to glass over as he shook.

Twilight slowly reached out a hoof, resting it on his shoulder. “M-Mac...... I’m sorry..... I-I didn’t-“ She was rebuffed by a hoof smack to the face sending her to the ground.

“Read my lips Sparkle, your dead to the Apple Family.” He said evenly slowly standing up from his seat. “If you really wanna help us....... get as far from us as you possibly can....... now if you excuse me..... I have to work over time to make up for our little meeting.” He trotted out slamming the door behind him leaving the broken mare to wallow in heart break.
> Twilight Sparkle (part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States
State of Lincoln
United Equestrian Reservation Administrator's House.
6:36 PM
Twilight trotted into her home slowly, closing the door behind her with a brush of her tail. It wasn’t the castle of friendship but at least it was more than comfortable compared to her supposed.... constituents?.... was that what Americans called them? She shook her head, it didn’t really matter right now.

The familiar pattern of little scaled feet was picked up by her ears as her back leg was wrapped up in a hug. ”Twilight! Where have you been? You said it was only gonna be a few hours!” The young purple drake squeezed her leg tightly before a familiar magical glow pulled him close to her barrel. ”... Twilight?.....”

The small drake looked up to his friend's face as she clutched him close. There was one word for what he saw.... heartbreak. ”Spike...... I......” She was tearing up. ”Can we just stay like this for a moment?...... Please?....” She practically begged the drake who just nodded squeezing her reassuringly.
----------------------------------
It was hard to know how long they had sat like that, but neither of them worried about time. Eventually, the purple alicorn's stomach rumbled and Spike got to work with lunch. After pulling out his step stool and frilly pink apron, the smells of thick tomato bisque with crusty grilled cheese filled the room.

Taking a breath Spike looked over at her as she started to look through Amazon prime for something to watch. ”Twilight?.... Do you think you can finally tell me what happened?.......” He asked gently almost to the point it seemed he hoped she wouldn't hear him.

Once she stopped on a historic documentary she looked over from the couch. ”I...... I guess some ponies I really cared about..... Told me how they feel......” She swallowed.

”Applejack didn't take kindly to you visiting her at work...” Spike said more like a statement than a question.

”No...... Since she wasn't willing to answer my messages..... I tried talking with Big Mac.... He told me the only way I could help was to be out of sight......” Twilight wrapped herself in a thick blanket. ”It was a mistake......”

”Visiting him?.....” Spike started to pour the soup into two bowls before setting the melted grilled cheeses around them.

”No... I mean yes!” She slowly trotted over to the small island in the kitchen sitting on the cheap Ikea chair. ”Why did I think they would even want to see me, it was so obvious with the ignored messages! Now I feel even worse then I did before I visited them! Because now I know they have every reason to hate me!” She clasped her hooves over her face.

”Twilight?.... What are you talking about?” He climbed up onto the chair next to her and rested his claw on her shoulder.

“I’m guilty by association...their farm was burned by the guard.......” She slowly looked up at the worried drake.

His eyes widened before looking away. “Oh......Twilight, you had no idea what was going on, you were in Canterlot when this all started!” Spike tried to say but the mares shaking head didn’t show she saw it that way.

“She had doubts...... even with her mind crumbling.... but when she asked me..... how much should she sacrifice for the good of Equestria.....” She slowly swirled the metal spoon around her bowl of thick soup. “I told her...... everything....” She lowered her head staring at the bowl.

“Twilight that’s literally the most..... generic advice you could give her.... how could that have changed anything?” He raised a scaly eyebrow at his caretaker. “You couldn’t have known what she meant!”

“That’s not the point Spike....” She looked up at the drake while continuing to stir her soup.

Spike looked over while dipping his grilled cheese in the soup and taking a bite. “Then what is the point Twilight?.... you constantly punish yourself going to the reservations! For what?! So ponys can glare at you! You let ponies spit on you! If I wasn’t there last time you went to the yellow zone I think you would have been trampled to death!” Spike started to tear up. “What could you have done to make you think you deserve any of this?!”

The purple mare looked up from her soup the stirring motions coming to an end. “Because..... I comforted the devil Spike...” she dropped the spoons “I saw all the signs..... paranoia..... delusion...... depression..... anxiety...... confusion....spontaneous nose bleeding..the list goes on... we might not have had a name for it then..... but the signs of Mana Induced Dementia was all there...”

“Twilight.....” Spike tried to intervene but she just shook her head. She needed this, the mare just lowered her head again, small tears dropping into her soup as she remembered that day.

“But I ignored everything around me..... I might not have been in the war room with Shining.... but I didn’t have to.... nothing added up.....” She finally took a sip of the soup. “I wish I could just...... go back and ask her..... if the war is going well..... why are the ponies of Canterlot waiting in bread lines?....... if humans are failing in mass..... why are the guard drafting colts in the middle of class?..... if conversion is the answer...... why can’t the Newfoals comprehend something as simple as.....creativity?”

“Twilight..... if you spoke up like that you could have ended up like Luna!” The tears were flowing freely now, as the young Drake started to imagine what could have happened to his big sister. “I-is that what you wanted to happen?! She brainwashed her own sister and locked her up in t-that....” He shuttered struggling to talk. “Y-you know, I-I read that report the.... hospital she’s at....” He looked up. “Did you?.....”

She shook her head. “...N-no I... haven’t..... I-I was too busy with the r-reservations....”

Spike shook his head. “B-before you start talking about what you should have said to Celestia look at what happened to the only mare who spoke up! T-then t-think about what it would mean f-for S-Shining... C-cadence...F-Flurry.. o-or me......” He stood up from his chair. “I’m not hungry anymore.....”

Twilight watched the drake waddle off to his room before pushing her meal to the side. She just folded her forelegs together and rested her head down, her appetite was spoiled too.
———————————————-
After sulking for a while Twilight finally got up from her chair taking another bite from her now stale grilled cheese. She forced the rest of it down before taking the two bowls of soup into her magic. After pouring the contents into a tupperware she deposited it all into the fridge.

Biting her lip she made her way through the house to Spikes door. Testing the knob she frowned feeling it was locked. “Spike....... I’m sorry..... it’s not fair to you what I’m doing.....” She sniffed. “B-but with all that’s happened..... I-I can’t just sit here and do nothing! Ponies are suffering! I-I want.....” The sound of the door unlocking broke her from her rant.

The door opened to a cried out drake. “You want to help...... I know...... but.... you can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink.....” he said using the old human phrase. “I-I know you want to help them...... but..... their scared and upset from everything that’s happened....... y-you going out there..... you're making them remember..... her..... even Cadence and Flurry avoid the reservations now.....”

“But..... what am I supposed to do...... I’m the princ-..... administrator of the reservations...... h-how can I know how to help if ponies won’t tell me?....” She frowned.

“......maybe start small and general?...... y-your trying to do this like a friendship problem the map gave you....” He motioned it was ok for her to come in as he made his way back to his bed.

“But..... shouldn’t I at least try to ask them what they need?.....” She hesitantly followed him to his bed.

“You tried that...... at best they won’t give you the time of day....” He nodded his head, Twilight promptly sat down next to him.

“So what do I do?.....” she deflated a bit.

“Maybe..... you could talk with some charities....... get some more direct aid into the reservations... I remember you got some letters from the Peace Bank..... you could see if they would open an office here....”

“That seems so.... impersonal though......” She frowned while wrapping her foreleg around the dragon to pull him close.

“Well..... being personal with ponies hasn’t worked out well......” He leaned against her. “They.... just aren’t ready to see an Alicorn again....”

Twilight seems to be deep in thought about what the young dragon said frowning further bur eventually nodding. “I’ll go find their letters to us... maybe getting them to open a line of credit to the reservation will help... It's impersonal..... but maybe your right.”

Spike smiled leaning against her while they just relaxed for a few quiet moments.
———————————————
Eventually Twilight had to tuck Spike in for the night, as it was starting to get late. The outburst also emotionally drained the hatchling, but she was thankful he wouldn’t go to sleep upset. Once he was sound asleep from the story she slowly set the paperback copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone on the shelf near his bed. She then gently snuck out smiling as she watched him sleep a bit more before closing the door.

She gently trotted to her small office down the hall, where through the crack in the door she could already see a large stack of papers on her desk. As she trotted inside, eventually making her way to the chair in front of the black vinyl-wrapped particle board desk. Cheep, but stylish, though she rarely cared for such things, it did its job and that is what was important. Looking at the pile of letters as if it was a precarious Jenga tower she started to work through the pile top to bottom.

The sounds of flittering papers occasionally broken with the scribbling of a pen. They ranged from invoices about the costs of actually pathing the reservation roads to the occasional formal invitation to a new factory or mine opening. She rejected the invitations and hoof wrote an equally formal apology that she would be able to attend. Bit by bit the pile shrunk down to a more manageable size until she finally found the letters from the Peace Bank.

Tearing them open she started to read, relieved that they were already asking to open offices in the green zones on a trial basis. Once she had completed reading all five letters she began to draft her response.

“Dear Board Members of the Peace Bank, I thank you for your interest in the reservations. I would like to formally invite you to open an office should the offer still be available. I can open a parcel of land for you within a few weeks, as I have to approve it first with the United States Federal Trust of Equestrian Reservations. But I do not foresee any issues getting their approval for this venture. I look forward to hearing from you all. Signed Prin..... Signed, the Administrator of the Equestrian Reservations Twilight Sparkle.” She started to fold up the letter and slip it into an envelope and slipped it into the outgoing mail pile.

Once the last bit of mail was read through and sorted she finally peered over an opened envelope. The return address a bit faded but unmistakable, Ablow Psychiatric Hospital. Reaching her hoof over she grasped the yellow envelope feeling it’s considerable heft for a moment before using her magic to pull out the documents. It was quite a hefty bundle of patient forms. She couldn’t help but marvel at it for a moment before catching view of the patient's photo.

The blue mare was a far cry from what she remembered, mane cut short, her formally long elegant horn scarcely more than a nub, but the face? Gone was the proud olde royal visage, replaced with a look of a filly seemingly trying to hide behind her mane, wide eyes shyly avoiding the camera. She forced herself to read the information below the photo. Her frown returned as she was confronted with one of the costs of her long inaction.
> Ditzy Doo
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States
State of Lincoln
Amazon Fulfillment Center
11:34 AM

Ditzy looked over the screen of her computer in the small office looking through the order reports. Her hoof moved the mouse as she slowly worked her way down the spreadsheet the rows started to turn from green to yellow and even red. She blinked and leaned back in the squeaky office chair for a moment, one of her lazy eyes slowly gazing over at the picture of her, Dinky, and Carrot. One of the few pre-contact photos she had of them altogether. Looking back at the screen she started to slide off the chair onto her hooves. Making her way to the door she took a moment to look in the small mirror, straitening her name tag. Looking at the title Shift Manager written just below her name she couldn’t help but swell up with pride before pushing her way out of the room.

Making her way down the bright white hallway she eventually arrived at the noisy warehouse floor. Sounds of shoes, hooves, and robots filled her senses, though she had long since grown used to them. As she walked across the floor she would carefully weave past the hurried humans and ponies alike. Occasionally narrowly avoiding the large moving robots that moved across the concrete floors.

She eyed the lines carefully checking for any loafing workers or struggling new hires. Seeing that all was well she made her way to the offices above the floor, the stairwell against one of the far wall. A large bay window overlooking the warehouse. Ditzy swallowed and thought back to the reports and spreadsheets she read and headed up to the second level. Pausing at the door she then thought about what she would ask after giving her report. Swallowing her inhibition she knocked on the door waiting a few seconds.

“Come in.” A deep voice said from behind the metal door.

She pushed her way in seeing her boss behind his desk. Mister Watanabe was a fairly young human, in fact, he was only a few years older than some of the humans on the floor. A bit thin with his white collared button shirt looking almost too big on his frame, his height only making it more noticeable. He adjusted his round-framed glasses to look at the mare.

“I’ve completed my reviews of the employees Mister Watanabe.” She said while entering.

He motioned for her to sit in the chair in front of his desk. “Please sit down, I want to hear all the details Ditzy.” He said in a slightly friendly tone that still radiated his seriousness.

Once she took her seat she waited for him to nod before she began. “Looking over the employee performance sheets, I think I’ve decided on who to fire.” She ignored the bitter taste in her mouth saying that last part.

“Good, I know it must not have been easy to come to recommendations Ditzy.” He had a more solum look on his face.

“Yes.” She said looking down her right eye wandering lazily. “The new hires showing the least improvement over the last few months were... Peachy, Joshua, Amy, Cherry, and Cheese.” She sighed about the last one, she liked that silly pony, but he struggled to stay focused on orders. “I’ll call them into my office and tell them they have two weeks.

“I’ll call them into my office, no need to burn bridges Ditzy.” He had a more sympathetic look. But she shook her head.

“Boss I.....at least let me fire Peachy, Cherry, and Cheese, it will look better if a pony fires ponies.” Her lazy eye focused back on him with determination.

“If you're sure Ditzy... I guess I’ll let you notify them.” He said knowing that look meant she wasn’t changing her mind. After a few moments of silence, his eyes widened a bit and he started to dig around in his desk. “Oh, I have some good news!” He smiled gently as he pulled out some papers and showed them to the grey pegasus.

Her left eye quickly read through the paperwork and look of disbelief formed on her face. “W-what is that mister Watanabe?...” She asked not quite believing what she was seeing.

“It’s Carrots transfer request from the yellow zone into the green zone. I signed the employment referral myself.” He smiled passing the papers to the mare as she took them into her hooves. Looking through them convinced it was some sort of trick.

“W-why?” She finally asked struggling to maintain her professionalism in front of her boss.

“Because.... when you first came here as an associate... I’ll admit I was skeptical.... the war had made even the best of us... uneasy around Equestrians. But since you’ve come to work here you’ve shown me that I shouldn’t judge a race based on the actions of a few... it’s an old lesson humans always struggle to learn... but through your hard work and dedication you’ve shown me we have more in common underneath the physical differences.” He leaned back in his chair. “I read through Carrots file....”

“S-she was ju-.” He raises his hand and shook his head.

“When Ponyville was scorched by the White Mare there was a lot of confusion. When she saw a US soldier carrying out your unconscious daughter she assumed the worst. The soldier was assaulted but beyond a cracked rib he was fine.” His lips formed into a frown. “But the incident was cataloged and she was sent to the yellow zone as a potential risk. Since then you’ve been trying to get her transferred.... but without employers willing to the take the risk of hiring her....”

“....The request is pointless.... y-you don’t know what you’ve done for me....” She said as she struggled to keep her emotions in order. Tears leaking from the corners of her mismatched eyes and lips quivering.

“Dinky needs both of you right now, that’s all I need to know.” He said gently. “Why don’t you take your lunch break? It’s around that time anyway and I’m sure you could use the time to recollect yourself.”

“T-thank you boss but who will cover for me?” She said a bit worried.

“Don’t worry I’ll watch over the floor, I’ve finished most of my paperwork for today anyway.” He slowly stood up from his desk stretching.

“Thank you.... boss.” She smiled almost prancing out of the office.
———————————————————
Ditzy was just coming back from her lunch break at Chick-fil-A, licking the yellow sauce from her lips from her imitation chicken sandwich. It wasn’t the ritziest thing on the market but a fitting celebratory meal that wouldn’t break the bank. Checking through security went smoothly as she made her way past the magic sensor and then to her office. Once she arrived back in the small room she pulled out her walkie and made a call.

Licking her lips and sighing she made the call the joy from earlier fading a bit as she got ready to do her least favorite part of the job. “Peachy Keen? Please report to my office.” She waited a few moments before the walkie sprang to life.

“Coming Miss Doo!” A cheery voice on the other end responded. Which only seemed to sour Ditty’s mood further.

A few moments later a soft pink furred mare entered the room, brushing her light peach-colored mane from her eyes. Ditzy just wordlessly motioned for her to sit down in front of her desk.

Once she sat down after straitening her yellow vest, Ditzy rested her forehooves on the desk and spoke. “Peachy do you know why I called you into my office?” She asked gently.

The mare shook her head smiling. “Nooooo~. But I assume it has something to do with Cheese’s Birthday party coming up in a few weeks!” She said happily while Ditzy’s heart only tinged further.

“I’m.... afraid not...” She shook her head the mares optimism and almost childlike (or was it Equestrian like?) mannerisms were so rare now.

“Oh? Then why am I here?” She tilted her head in confusion at the grey mare.

“It’s about your performance.... you’ve been loafing and chatting during business hours. As well as not meeting the new required retrieval times for items.” She leans forward while the mare shifts a bit uncomfortably.

“Y-ya..... it’s just that....... it’s so boring!” She says as if it was an acceptable excuse. “I mean moving shelf to shelf, grabbing and packing boxes? Can’t we liven this place up a little?” She smiled brightly while Ditzy’s brow furrowed, he lazy eye going from wandering around the room to focusing on the mare.

“Be it as it may, this is a place of business, not a social club. You have been repeatedly warned about loafing and conversing with other employees on the floor. Never-mind your lackluster item retrieval times.”

“What are you saying?....” The bubbly mare started to take things a bit more seriously as her smile formed into a look of worry.

“You’ll finish your current two-week schedule, but after that, you will no longer be receiving hours.” She said hoping to avoid saying it out loud

“Like a vacation? Oh, I’ve been hoping to take a vacation! But it’s been hard with money being so tight! Maybe I can go camping at the old Canterlot Falls! Oh sorry I mean Gran-“ She was stopped by what came out of Ditzy’s mouth.

“No... I’m sorry but your employment here is terminated.” Ditzy said unable to handle the mares excitable chattering.

“....W-what?.....” Her eyes widened as the situation finally was realized.

“I’m sorry Peachy but your behavior is counterproductive on the floor, already you’ve distracted other normally productive employees with your lack of professionalism.....” She said with the same gentle but serious tone.

“B-but.... what will I do?....” Peachy asked as her eyes started to well up with tears.

“If you have trouble finding another job you could apply for..... Reservation Welfare....” She said though saying those two words were like bile.

“R-reservation Welfare?! B-but that’s a pit and you know it! I-if I go on that nopony will wanna hire me!” She cried as she was nearly sobbing now the situation too much for her. “I’ll do better I promise! Please give me another chance!”

“It’s... Nobody now..... and I’m sorry Peachy you’ve been repeatedly reprimanded for your behavior.... if you were going to chance you should have done it sooner......” Ditzy sighs but doesn’t break eye contact.

“I-I......” Peachy could barely contain herself as the tears were practically pouring down her face now.

“Do you have any questions about your termination or the process?.....” Ditzy asked while Peachy struggled to shake her head. “I’ll sign your slip..... after that it’s up to you what you do.... you may take your break to collect yourself....” Peachy just nodded and almost ran out of the office.
———————————————————-
Ditzy waited about a half an hour after that, filling her time with filling other forms that were getting too close to the due date for her liking. Once she had recovered she pulled out the walkie again.

“Cherry? Please come to my office?” She waited a few moments before a crimson maned and pale yellow coated mare entered. A slight sour look on her face but said nothing as she says down in front of Ditzy.

“Hello, Cherry.... do you know why you're here?” Ditzy asked looking at the mare ignoring her sour look.

“I can guess why after seeing Peachy all tore up.” She said a bit of venom in her voice. “Your gonna fire me ain’t ya?”

“Yes, but I have to go over the reasons for your termination,” Ditzy said while looking at the bitter mare in front of her.

“Ya....ya..... just get on with it, I know your gotta make room for new human hires, all us ponies can’t get the management jobs.” She grumbled.

“Cherry it’s not like that at all, the reason I’m firing you is your negative behavior around fellow workers. Never-mind taking roundabout ways to avoid walking near them when you're on the clock.” Ditzy tried not to sound annoyed.

“You mean the humans....” She sighed. “Listen I ain’t got a beef with em, they fought back against Whitey and she lost. I just think we should keep to our own...... is that so bad considering?” She looked up her sour mood softening.

“Well you and me both know we lost that choice when Whitey committed the biggest multi-national terrorist attack in history! They couldn’t just leave us alone... we have to learn to live with them now.” She sighed.

“Celestia destroyed our homes and businesses! Then they moved into our lands and pushed us to onto reservations!”

“What was the alternative?..... Celestia scorched everything during her retreats.... poisoned wells..... and when it was all over after the attack during the negotiations... nobody was willing to offer aid....” Ditzy knew this was going to be a sore spot, Cherry once owned one of the largest cherry orchards in Equestria. But with the war over the charred remains were sold off as war reparations.

“I know that! But I would have rather starved to death on my own land then watch them come in an erase what littles left of Equestria!” She clutched her hooves biting her lip. “Don’t you miss it? The days before C-Cel....” She couldn't say the name no matter how hard she tried. “You know who went off her rocker?... when everything was so... simple?..”

“...Yes..... believe me I do.... you don’t think I miss when I worked a quiet and peaceful job as the Mailmare? Taking Dinky to the little schoolhouse before work every day? Or even the simple quiet moments soaring as high as I want without having to fill out a flight plan? But then I remember other things... our Resumes starting and stopping at our Cutie Marks... Foals being pushed into apprenticeships when they’ve barely learned to count... the ridged tribalism that isolated us for centuries from other counties and in some cases further limited us to small acceptable pools of jobs based on our equine race.” Her lazy eye focused on the mare again. “I have nostalgic feelings for Equestria... but I won’t pretend it was perfect even before we came here... we have to make do with what we have now. Antagonizing our hosts won't help anything.”

“...It doesn’t mean I have to like it...” Cherry said grumbling a bit. “But... I guess I could try harder to be a bit more pleasant at my next job...”

“Give them a chance... not every human out there hates us... and even if they do... being nasty doesn’t do anything but prove everything they say about us is right...” She said gently taking a more sympathetic look.

“Fine... Ah, guess I’ll work on it...” Peachy said mumbling a bit.

“...Do you have any other questions? Your termination will happen at the end of your current two-week schedule...” Ditzy asked but the mare shook her head and got up.

“Nah... you were clear... thanks for hiring me in the first place...” She said while Ditzy nodded motioning she could leave which she did promptly.
———————————————————-
Ditzy didn’t bother looking at the clock simply waiting until she was prepared for the last pony. She had just finished a form requesting a new coffee maker in the break room. A rather simple form, but she made sure everything was in order before sending it off into the strange being that was the internet. She reached for the walkie and steeled her resolve, this was going to be the hardest one she was sure.

Pressing down the talk button she spoke into it. “Cheese please come to my office?” She waited for a few moments before a gentle knock was heard.

“Miss Doo? May I come in?” She heard his district voice through the door.

“Yes, Cheese you can come in.” She said in a gentle monotone. The light gamboge and dark brown maned stallion entered a bit cautiously but quickly sat down.

“Do you know why I called you in?” She asked while the stallion nodded his head.

“Ya... I’ve been distracted at work lately.” He said lowering his head looking a bit ashamed.

“Yes... it’s badly affected your retrieval times. Can you tell me why?” Ditzy’s raises an eyebrow a bit curious.

“I was actually going to talk to you about it... I’m hoping to put in my two weeks.” He said while Ditzy’s eyes widened just a bit in surprise.

“Oh? Why?” She asked wondering why he would quit his current job, ponies weren’t exactly thriving in the current job market after all.

“I got an offer to work at Dave and Buster's...” He smiled sadly. “When I heard about it and saw it for the first time I knew it was a better fit.”

“That’s.... wonderful Cheese!” Ditzy said not expecting this conversation to go this way at all.

“Ya, apparently it’s like party central with games, food, and live entertainment!” He said cheering up a bit from the positive response. “They want to hire me as an associate but they said with my experience as a party pony I could be an assistant Special Events Coordinator someday soon!” His former excitable personality leaking to the surface.

“That’s amazing I’m very happy for you, I’m sure you’ll do well there.” She said smiling a bit. “But we have something important to discuss...” She said hoping this wouldn’t sour the mood too much.

“Oh?” He looked a bit worried but maintained most of his happiness.

“You’ve been struggling to get your retrieval times up despite warnings. I was going to notify you that we were going to cut your hours at the end of the current two week period.... but since you want to put in your two weeks I think that will suffice.” She smiled gently at him.

“What...” Cheese blinked not fully comprehending was he was hearing.

“I want you to get that job, theirs no sense in firing you if you're going to quit anyway.” She grinned a bit. “I’m sure it will be a better fit then this place.”

“T-thank you?....” Cheese said unsure how to properly respond to her.

“Do you have any other questions?” She asked.

“I... don’t think so Miss Doo...” He said softly. “Thank you though... This new job means a lot to me... so this... is huge! Is there any way I can repay you!” He smiled again.

“Tell you what... when you become the Assistant Special Events Planner how about you help get me a good price for Dinky’s birthday party?” To which the stallion practically quivered in excitement.

“Of course! I’d love to plan your fillies birthday party!” He said with glee, the idea of doing what he loved again warming him inside.

“Perfect, I think that’s all....” She nodded showing he could leave but her eyes widened a bit. “Wait... when you see Pinkie again...” Ditzy looked unsure saying this but continued. “...can you please encourage her to go back to the counselor?...” She gave an almost pleading look while the stallion squirmed a bit looking uncomfortable.

“I dunno... I guess I could try... you know how she’s been since.... the Cakes...” He frowned thinking about his marefriend. “Maud isn’t much help since she doesn’t like pushing Pinkie to relive it either.”

“I know Cheese... but she needs help... avoiding it like she’s doing... isn’t good for her either. She’s-” She got up and rested her hoof on his withers before Cheese spoke.

“I know she’s unhappy ok? I know she’s sick about what happened to the family that took her in! I have to face it every time I see her and the foal!” He said almost angrily, the volume making her ears tilt backward. “T-the mare I love has become a broken shell. She tries to hide behind that smile but her eyes and strait mane says it all... S-she told me she wished she was the one who... who...”

“Cheese... I didn’t know it was this bad...” She rubbed his Withers pulling him into a slight hug. The stallion leaning against her seeking comfort.

“...S-she tries so hard to put on a brave face when we’re around... but when she’s alone... she just breaks down... one time when I came back early from work... s-she was laying in bed holding a knife.” He tears up burying his face into her shoulder. “I-I got there just in time... she wrote up a note and everything... She told me she couldn’t live with herself because she couldn’t save Mister and Misses Cake.... o-or..... or.....” He struggled to say the foal's name. “After that me and Maud kept her on close watch.... and... she got a bit better... she’s not her old self... b-but I-it’s better than the alternative!”

Ditzy held him close thinking carefully about her next response. “Your scared taking her to the therapist will make her worse again?” It was almost more of a statement but Cheese nodded his head weakly.

“I-I.... just can’t handle the idea of losing her again... and... neither can Maud... when I told her... she actually cried. I-I’ve never seen her break that stoney facade... yet there she was... rushing past me and hugging her little sister like her life depended on it, eyes wide and tears flowing like a tap..” He said the memory only upsetting him more.

“I know it’s hard Cheese... but ignoring it won’t make it better... maybe you could try scheduling an appointment for yourself and inviting her along?.....” Ditzy offered while Cheese seemed to think about it.

“T-that might work... I-I guess I could try.......” He slowly pulled away sniffing. “I-I better get back to work.....” Ditzy shook her head and pulled out some money from her vest pocket.

“Take your lunch... it’s around that time anyway. Get yourself something good on me ok?..” She smiled handing the sniffing stallion the money.

“T-thank you Ditzy... with everything that’s happened... I’m glad it allowed me to make a friend like you....” He slowly left the room while Ditzy watched on.
———————————————————
Ditzy yawned sleepily as she walked from the bus stop to her home on the reservation. Many other ponies trotted alongside her silently, a few yawning as the day came to its end. Others idly chatted excitedly about finally getting some internet on the reservation. Some grumbled about their jobs. One even told some funny jokes they heard from one of their human co-workers. But right now Ditzy was focused on one thing, her home in the distance. The lights shining through the windows signaling that Dinky was home from school.

Once she arrived she dug put her keys from the vest and unlocked the door. The moment she opened it her left foreleg was assaulted by a very familiar unicorn filly. “Mommy! Your home!” She said happily squeezing the mare's leg who could only glow with happiness.

“Now Dinky, let me get my vest first!” She giggled leaning down and nuzzling the filly’s gold mane.

Dinky pouted in response but let go of her mother. “Fiiiiiiine.” She said while Ditzy’s hanged her vest up on the hook.

“Now..... Come here muffin!” The filly squealed running into her mothers opened forelegs snuggling into her barrel happily.

Ditzy just closed her eyes enjoying holding her daughter close. With her schedule, she often came home late, but these precious moments made it all worthwhile.

“Oh! Mommy’s got some good news sweetie.” She smiled down at the filly who looked up curiously.

“What is it?” Dinky tilted her head curiously.

“I know how much you miss Auntie Carrot, which is why I’m happy to tell you she’s coming home soon!” Ditzy said while the filly’s eyes widened and sparkled in happiness.

“Y-you mean it?!” She was prancing in place the excitement of having her back too much for her little body to contain. “When?!”
Ditzy let go of the young filly as she pranced circles around her not wanting to try and stop her daughter. “Mhm, might take a few weeks, but Aunty Carrot will be coming to live with us again.”

“A few weeks? Awwwwwe......” Dinky frowned lowering her head before shouting. “I can’t wait that long!” She said the elation coming right back, like a child waiting for Christmas.

“Don’t worry sweetie the time will fly by!” She rubbed the impatient fillies head with her hoof. “Now how about we celebrate with some chocolate chip pan muffins?”

“Yay! But their called pancakes momma!” Dinky giggled while Ditzy’s rolled her eyes.

“And I say they’re called pan muffins!” She trotted to the propane stove and switched on the burner. “Now how about you pull out the mixing bowl and the mix?” She asked smiling while Dinky grabbed a plastic bowl from the nearby cupboard along with a box of chocolate Jiffy muffin mix.

While Dinky gathered the ingredients from the small fridge Ditzy took a moment to just enjoy where she was. The prefab house wasn’t much different than the others on the reservation. Two rooms, with an optional third that could be installed (if you could pay for it, or somehow convince the reservation trust to). She had steadily made it into a home paycheck by paycheck. Adding a little paint here, some wallpaper there. She even bought some new Amazon furniture from work, and most importantly a portable stove/oven she installed from the Walmart Supercenter, from the discounted merchandise shelf. Over time it became more comfortable and less depressing.

She tended to put most of her paycheck in the bank recently though. Nearly 40k a year went pretty far on the reservation, she could maybe even leave if she wanted too. But Dinky had made friends with other foals here and try as she might, she couldn’t leave the other ponies behind.

Her thoughts were broken when Dinky tugged on her tail. “Mom? The batters ready.” Dinky levitated the bowl up to her which she took and proceeded to pour into the pan.

“Thanks, sweetie, why don’t you go set the table for me?” She patted her daughter's head.

“Ok.” Dinky said yawning a bit, the excitement from earlier wiping her out a bit. But she trotted back to the shelf to grab some plates and set the table.

Once Dinky sat down a large chocolate pancake was set on her plate. The warm smell practically making the filly drool. But before she could dig in Ditzy came back and dusted it with powdered sugar and a can of whipped cream. “There you go. Don’t eat it all at once!” She giggled whispering into her ear before going back to make herself one.

Eventually, the two of them sat down with a certain filly’s muzzle getting coated in crumbs and chocolate. Dinky eventually broke the silence. “Oh! We did something really fun in school today.” She said while Ditzy listened.

“Oh? What did you do?” She asked while cutting into her pancake.

“We got to learn about electricity! We made some light bulbs with jars, pencil lead, and neat little cranks!” She said while Ditzy looked a little worried.

“Was it safe?” She asked concerned, light bulbs could get fairly hot after all.

“Mhm, the teacher told us not to touch the jars while we were cranking it or until 5 minutes after we lit them up.” She said smiling. “Miss Anderson is really strict about that.”

“She probably just wanted you to be safe. You don’t wanna burn your hooves do you?” Ditzy’s asked almost jokingly while she ate.

“No mom.” She shook her head as she finished her pan muffin.

Ditzy looked out the window seeing that the sun was going down and finished her own meal. “Now Dinky did you finish your homework?”

“Mhm... it was on the American Revolution....” She said lifting her plate and taking it to the sink to be washed.

“Good sweetie, if you keep those grades up we’ll do something extra special.” Ditzy grinned gently as she followed her daughter to the sink and started to wash the dishes.

“What could be more special they aunty Carrot coming home?” Dinky asked curiously tilting her head.

“Aunty Carrot coming home... and an ice cream cake to celebrate!” She leaned down and kissed her head. “Now off to bed and I’ll be over to read another chapter of Warriors Into the Wild.”

“Night mom.” She kissed her mother’s cheek and trotted to bed.

Ditzy turned her head to watch the young filly leave to her room before turning back to the task at hand. Just being thankful for the blessings she was gifted with. Especially when so many others weren’t as lucky as she was. She proceeded to mummer a silent thank you to whatever powers would hear it.
> Governor Brousseau (part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States
State of Lincoln
City of Ulysses (Capital)
Governors Office
9:43 AM
Governor Brousseau sat at his desk reading through the variable mountains of paperwork. He wasn't what one would normally expect for a state governor, not even past 30 (something that wasn't helped by his rounded baby face), blond hair just a bit on the long side, with a three-piece suit that he didn't look quite comfortable in hugging his partially tall and thin muscular frame. Reports ranging from Infrastructure construction to near-constant updated lists of new townships across the fledgling state. He adjusted his frameless glasses on his nose before setting down the report on the new power plants so that he might reach into his desk for some Tylenol.

Just as he was about to swallow his intercoms buzzed to life. "Mister Brousseau? General Cook is here to see you." A feminine voice spoke.

Reaching out he pressed the button. "Send him in Trixie...." He said before letting go.

A few moments later a decorated 4-star general made it was past the double oak doors. In contrast to the governor's youth and rounded babyface, he had a much more aged and haggard appearance. Short thinning and graying brown hair with a more angular wrinkled face seemingly stuck in a sour look. His broad hand clutching an antique leather satchel that was worn with use and age. "Good evening governor I assume you know what this meeting is about?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

The governor sighed and motioned for him to sit in the Antique wooden chair in front of his rosewood desk. "I'm sure I can guess, please sit. I'm assuming you are here to discuss the issues in the red zones?" He rubbed the bridge of his nose in an attempt to ease the headache.

"Indeed, the latest incident is making the guards nervous. Many are wondering why we don't just bury them and be done with it. Especially when many of soldiers patrolling and guarding the fences keep getting injured." He sighed leaning back. "Those radicals won't except Sunbutt is dead, cremated, and tossed into the sea. Should have been obvious they weren't going to go along with it when they sabotaged the peace negotiations with their remaining potion weapons."

"Yes I'm aware of their fanaticism, I did serve on the front lines during the invasion you know..." The governor stated a bit annoyed as he knew what he was going to recommend next.

"It's still my recommendation that they should be properly incarcerated. They have shown little interest in reforming or being productive members of the state." The general said while the governor shook his head. "Or we could just ship them off to China to pacify their military."

"And my answer is still no, I won't have the Red Zone Reservations become Super Max prisons. Neither will I ship them off to their deaths." He looked up from his desk.

"Well, then I struggle to see alternatives, the Red Zone ponies have not shown any willingness to work in state work projects, or even be transferred to the yellow and green zones. They actively believe anyone who's not one of them is a traitor to the cause." The General grumbled. "They just cause trouble for my men and consume the basic grains we ship into their camps."

"I'm aware of their economic inactivity, as I am aware of there hatred of ponies who gave up or ratted them out to us. But I won't condone what your recommending. Do you want a panic of the Equestrian Remaint?!" Governor Brousseau shouted.

"It wouldn't even have to be official and you know it, we just have to wait until another one of their so-called Revolutions. Then it's a matter of charging them in the courts." The general shrugged.

"I won't hear it, I gave my word to Administrator Twilight that I would give her a chance to reform them." The Governor rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"She couldn't even show her face in the yellow zone before being chased out by an angry mob. The green zone ponies won't even give her the time of day." The general rolled his eyes. "She really was a bad choice for their provisional government. What the hell were those fools in Congress thinking back then?"

"In a word? They thought the herd mentality was still strong around Alicorns. They overestimated her appeal I suppose, but it doesn't matter, many of them are out of jobs, and we're stuck with her." The governor sighed. "Right, let's change the subject to more pressing matters... How prepared are in terms of ground forces?"

"Ah, yes the China problem... you would think when we agreed to help them rebuild after the seismic activity of Convergence Day they would... Nevermind." The general leaned back. "The new bases are coming along well, currently 6 are fully operational, with another 5 coming online by the end of the year."

"How many of those are the new naval bases?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"2 of the fully operational bases are naval, while another 2 are the ones that will be finished at the end of the year." The general seemed to think.

"What are the reports on the Chinese fleet?" He asked with a hint of concern.

"Well, they are still struggling with supply issues, as most of their infrastructure was damaged beyond use. Even with our help rebuilding it's going to be years before they can bring their full forces to bear." The general started to dig into his satchel looking for his reports.

"What are their fleet's current numbers?" The governor asked still wary of the giant to the west of them.

He continued to dig through his satchel before finally pulling out a manilla file opening it as he glanced at it. "Around 173 vessels, though many stay at or near the docks due to fuel and supply shortages. Many of these ships are older, such as the Kilo and Whisky class submarines, type 072 landing ship, type 051 destroyer, type 053 frigate, and type 062I class gunboat. With limited numbers of their more modern navy in operation service along with supply vessels."

Governor Brousseau raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of old ships... why would they use them instead of scrapping or mothballing them and making use of their more modern fleet?"

"Simple. Spare parts." The general said as if it was common knowledge.

"Spare parts?" The governor cocked his head curiously.

"Yes spare parts, as you know much of their industry was destroyed by the earthquakes from Equestria's continental plate being suddenly shoved into place. Breaking the Pacific Plate effectively in two." He started to dig into his satchel again pulling out another file. "Because of this, they have to make do with what they have. In this case their stockpiles of leftover Cold War parts which for the last few decades have been sitting in warehouses nearly forgotten about."

"What about their few more modern vessels?" The governor set his glass back down.
"Despite the fuel and parts shortages they continue to have the Aircraft carrier Liaoning patrol with a full escort. Near our economic exclusion zone most controversially I might add. Its escorts include a type 055 destroyer, two Type 054A frigates, one type 056 corvette, and 6 replenishment ships of various classes." At this, the governor raised his eyebrow.

"Why did we let them so close?"

"They were still about 400 miles away in international waters. With this state being situated in the middle of the Pacific near their former patrol routes. It's doubtful the naval commanders will adjust so readily. They also claimed it was a navigation error, as they were still working on updating their GPS. They only just recently got their satellite network back online."

"I'm sure they have. It was just an honest mistake." The governor said sarcastically.

"Indeed, this new territory's strategic importance only seems to grow. Which only makes them want it more." The general eyed the crystal bottle of scotch on a nearby shelf. "Especially now the cats out of the bag about those Reds actual supplies of Rare Earth Elements."

"I take it you read the geology reports?" The governor sat up and made his way to the shelf to grab the scotch and two glasses.

The general smiled as the scotch started to be poured in front of him. "I have, Rare Earth Elements, rich ores, phosphorus, oil, the list only goes on." He chuckled darkly. "If anything good came out of the Conversion War it's America's second Golden Age of manufacturing." He said taking his full glass and raising it in a sort of cheer.

"Careful what you say... people could get the wrong idea. Still...if Celestia hadn't lost her mind she might have made her country rich beyond her wildest dreams." He raises his glass. "To the dead tyrant, who made America a superpower reborn." He drank the scotch quickly in one gulp.

"Indeed, so how is your reelection campaign?" He asked curiously to make friendly conversation while sipping his scotch in a slightly more refined manner. "You New-Republicans certainly have changed the political landscape."

"What do you expect with one of our own negotiated an 83 percent forgiveness in Chinese held American debt in return for helping rebuild their infrastructure?" He tilted his chair back. "It's going well, my approval ratings remain strong in the high 70s to low 80s."

"Is it really forgiveness? Or are we just paying it off with construction?" The general chuckled taking another sip of his scotch. "Must be your charm."

"That and the rapidly growing state economy. People do tend to vote for whoever guarantees a full wallet. Can you believe what kinds of new businesses and factories are opening up?"

"I don't have to believe anything while touring the new Army Base in the Badlands I got to see one of those new Vagabond cars." He smiled a bit at the memory of the small and simple diesel car.

"Oh yes, made by the Duzgo Motor Company. I got to tour their first factory over by Black Hollow, apparently, the founder is the nephew of the original Duzgo Car Company founder in New Zealand. He was determined to make the next car of the people, I suppose with local sales numbers he's succeeding where his uncle failed."

"With how many army privates drive them I shouldn't be surprised." He took another long sip of his drink. "How are your relations with the local state militia groups?"

"Not too bad, being recognized as a staunch supporter of the Civilian Armament Act certainly helped my approval in those groups." He started to dig into his desk for something. "I'm guessing you have a reason for bringing that up?"

"Just a few M60 Patton's that are ready to retire. They just aren't suitable for training, the new M1A2C is too different of a beast." General Cook murmured with an almost sad look on his face."I'd rather sell them to some rich enthusiasts or one of those state-recognized militias then have them scrapped. They've served too well to be melted down into I-beams."

"Ah, so you want to put them up for auction? Are you sure you're not looking to help pad out your budget a bit more?" Governor Brousseau asked bemusedly.

"Among other obsolete equipment yes. I won't lie it would be nice to pad my budget a bit more though." He admitted.

"Alright... I trust you have compiled a list of items you want at the next state-sponsored auction?" The governor asked curiously.

The general just smiled pulling out a binder and setting it on the table. This was going to be a much longer meeting them he was prepared for.
———————————————————
Three hours of working through that binder, it was always shocking how much equipment was left warehoused and forgotten about for decades. But they worked through it, finding acceptable items to auction and others to properly dispose of. It was a long process but they eventually came to a mutual agreement. Once the General left the familiar sound of a stomach rumbling brought him back to reality.

Pressing the button on the Intercom he spoke. "Trixie? Do I have any other appointments today?" He asked before letting go of the button.

A few seconds passed before the speaker buzzed to life. "Not until four." The voice responded curtly.

He slowly stood up from his desk and stretched before making his way out of his office. Eventually passing by a desk where a solitary blue unicorn in what could only be described as a 1930s secretary outfit with a blue flat-brimmed hat sat. "I think I'm going to get something from O'Hares, it's about time for your lunch. Want to join me at the pub?" He looked over as the formally nomadic mare gazed up from the computer screen.

"Don't you have re-election to think about?" She raised an eyebrow. "Being seen with a pony might give voters the wrong idea." She said a bit jokingly.

"Well, then I'll just have to remind them how important you were with keeping the refugees calm during Operation Barnyard." He mused while the mare just grumbled.

"All I said was to let the soldiers help." She mumbled gently.

"They had been following you around the wreckage for months. You were pretty much their.... herd leader?" He asked curiously.

"I didn't ask them to follow my wagon.... they just kept congregating around it... then they kept coming to me with their problems..." She murmured mostly to herself. "It's Alpha Mare... but close enough."

"You still helped and kept them together. Not many could lead hundreds out of a war zone." He said while adjusting his suit.

"Mhm..." She didn't seem to enjoy the praise.

"Come on Trixie, I know you've been skipping meals." He adopted a more thoughtful look.

"And how would you know that?" She raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

"For one... when you bought that secretary outfit it was form-fitting... now it looks like a tarp strung over you." He frowned a bit.

"Keeping your schedules straight is stressful work..." She grumbled a bit but relented, more than likely to get him off her back. "But if you're offering a free meal, I suppose I'll have to accept. Rent is coming due this week anyway." She exhaled slowly getting up from her desk taking a moment to straighten her secretary uniform. "Well? Trixie doesn't have all day." She said momentarily slipping back into her third-person speech patterns.
———————————————————
The walk to O'Hares was uneventful with only a few people asking to shake the governor's hand. Though more then a few did drive by selfies of the youngest governor in the United States. Still, the occasional constituent looked uneasy around his secretary. Though the mare didn't seem particularly perturbed by it seemingly focused on the traditionally designed pub ahead. It probably took more than twice as long as it should have to reach it, especially only be a few blocks away. But the familiar smells of pub food hit their noses. Even Trixie seemed to be uplifted a bit by the smell, leaning forward to further inhale the comforting aromas.

Once they arrived at the double wooden doors they pushed their way inside. A young ginger-haired woman in a green dress with white sleeves tilted her head before her eyes widened in recognition. "De Gahvernahrs 'ere! Set de good table!" She cheered.

"We don't need any of that Mrs. O'Hare I think both of us would be happier at the bar." He smiled at the young woman who tilted her head before looking down seeing the secretary mare.

Looking nervous she bit her lip but sighed gently. "Alright... we'll get you set oehp at de bar." She remained concerned about the pony but motioned to the dark wood bar set up in front of a vast wall of booze, along with more taps then a hotel.

Trixie grabbed one of the menus with her hooves instead of magic not wanting to garner further attention from the locals. Luckily the bar was nearly deserted so she could look through the specials in peace. "I think I'll have the vegetarian shepherds pie." She mumbled a bit as admittedly it reminded her of the foods she would get at Equestrian Stables, a sort of non-alcoholic tavern.

"Ah, I'll have the Corned Beef and cabbage, with Irish Mist." He looks over curiously. "You're not going to get something to drink?"

"I can't afford to get drunk, especially not in public." She mumbled gently. "I'll just have some ice water."

"Trixie, this is an Irish Pub, you can't afford to not drink." He tried, but her frown stopped him from pushing it further. Eventually, the hostess came back and took their orders.

"Trixie... you need to relax... I know you want to provide a role model for young foals. But isn't teaching moderation better than absence?" He asked while sipping from his drink that had just come.

"...No... even the foals that have parents can't always depend on them to be role models... but the ones who don't have anyone... I have to be the ideal pony... so that maybe they'll have a guide to... be better then what we were all left with." She hunched over sipping her water.

"It's because of the refugees isn't it?..." He looked over at her worried.

"Why wouldn't it be about them?" She said in an almost pandering voice. "Ponies died under my watch..."

"You didn't have a choice Trixie, you made the best of the options you were given..." He sipped again. "Few could do what you did to keep the group safe..."

"...Is that supposed to make me feel better about what I did?" She deadpanned. "Because it doesn't...."

"You saved lives, Trixie." He said while their food came with the hostess making a hasty retreat sensing the mood between them.

"...By leaving others behind to die..." She seemed to stare forward before pulling off her flat-brimmed hat turning it over. Inside it revealed charred bits of purple stared fabric sewn into the into it, all holding a small rough paper journal. "Do you know what's in this journal?... and why I keep it close?"

He seemed to think about his responses carefully before shaking his head. "No, I'm afraid I don't..." Deciding to play ignorant though he could guess what it contained.

She flipped it open with her magic and turned to a random page before she started to read. "Double Diamond, Tree Hugger, Zipporwhil, Sunny Daze, Gustave le Grand...." She continued to read before stopping. "Do you know why I wrote these names down?"

"...Their ponies that died following you?" He said only to be surprised raising his eyebrows when she shook her head.

"No... they were ponies I chose to leave behind... Double Diamond had an open fracture.... he couldn't walk or even move... we didn't have the supplies or strength to carry him.... so I chose to leave him behind while he was unconscious from the pain..." She tapped her hoof and motioned the hostess to pour something... anything from the tap. "Tree Hugger kept stealing what little water we had for her Mossy Birch sapling... So I banished her from the group... knowing she wouldn't survive alone...."

He continued to listen to the mares as the tears started to drip from her face. But didn't speak knowing this was the most open she had been about her pain in a long time.

"Zipporwhill and Sunny Daze caught Glanders... if they stayed...i-it would have spread it to the whole group..... so I told them I would take care of it......" She sniffed shaking. "S-so I lead them away to a ruined village... I helped them into some dirty bed in a ruined h-home..... A-and told the two filly's a healer would be along soon... those little fillies.....looked me in the eyes and smiled.... and asked if I could tell a story t-to help them sleep..." She started to shiver struggling to hold the large mug in her hoof without splashing it onto the counter. Eventually bringing it to her face. "S-so I did... I-I regaled them of the wondrous exploits of the Great and Powerful Trixie..... f-from the time she vanquished a fearsome Ursa Major... to the time she used her great Magic's to banish the Shades back to the shadows.... they hanged onto every word... I don't even know how long I spoke... but eventually, the two of them fell asleep.... wheezing and coughing... y-yet so peaceful..."

"Trixie..." He watched realizing what was coming next his eyes widening.

"Without m-medicine.... o-or healers t-they didn't have long..... t-the final stages of G-glanders are hell.... bleeding l-lesion growths on the body.... l-lungs filling with blood and mucus....... n-noses spewing brown slime..... leaving them like that would have been t-to cruel.... b-but so was what I did..... I took a pillow... and and......" She downed the large mug in one go as if trying to drown out the memory.

A hand rested on her shoulder and slowly but firmly squeezed trying to ease her. "Trixie... I didn't know....."

"How would you?....." She looked up her eyes red and irritated, her mane dropping over her left eye. "I-it only took less than a minute... a-and they were gone....... the only member of the herd who knew w-was...... was...... Gustave....."

"He was your friend... wasn't he?...." He asked pulling her over into a makeshift hug.

"W-we didn't even know each other before the war... But when the first barrier fell... and bombs were raining everywhere.... he pulled me from the wreckage...." She motioned for another mug biting her hoof. "I'm not even sure why he did it... t-there were so many around us he could have saved.... but he carried me out of Manehattan in my old wagon... I couldn't move for days...... Equestrians are more susceptible to shock... yet he cared for me.... when we could he would stop and just talk...."

"What about?..." The governor asked.

"N-normal things.... t-the weather... some good food we've had...... n-normal things... I could almost believe there wasn't a war going on...." She sniffed lowering her head. "Eventually I was able to get back onto my hooves... but he was always there helping me along.... o-over time ponies started to follow us.... seeing how... I guess all together we seemed to be.... attracted them to us as we traversed the wreckage... ponies looked to me for guidance..... but I looked to him for leadership....."

"He knew about what I did for the group.... the o-others just blocked it from their minds... after I came back without the filly's..... I-I just wrapped my hooves around him and sobbed into his plumage...I don't even know for how long... but he just comforted me... I-I saw my self as a monster worthy of Tartarus! Y-yet he pulled me back from the abyss." Her face collapsed onto the sticky bar just staring ahead.

"What.... happened to him?....." He swallowed as the back of his throat dried.

"W-we finally found a Royal Guard outpost after weeks of wondering...... everyone thought we were saved! H-how couldn't we? S-seeing Equestria's finest in their glinting golden armor.... when they approached everypony let out a sigh of relief...." She sipped another full mug. "T-then they said we were under arrest for t-treason..... a-apparently some ponies sold out the Royal Guard for supplies and safety... s-so anypony from the war zone was suspect....by Royal Edict."

"What did they do?...." He asked while she looked over with empty eyes.

"What do you think they did?... they locked us up... interrogated us v-viciously... demanding answers we d-didn't have... and... and... decided on execution... a few of the guards p-protested... but the captain reasoned innocent or not they couldn't afford to spare the food or supplies for the war effort... they were g-going to kill us all in the morning... after taking the few colts to be trained into guards.... seeing a colt be dragged away from his m-mother... t-then having a magic blot shot through her eyes when she tried to resist?....it.... broke me... I just sat in my cell while ponies around me b-begged for me to do s-something..."

He motioned her to go on lifting his hand to motion the hostess to shop bringing the inebriated mare more beer.

"W-when one of the stallions who was guarding just g-got too close to my cell... I-I.... grabbed him from behind and started to strangle him with my hooves. Gustave muffled his screams and choking... eventually he passed... and we got the keys... but once we got everypony out... the c-captain got wise of our escape attempt... while we ran out the back the warning bells rang... m-magic bolts rained down from the guard towers.... a-a lot of us didn't make it... but even in the woods w-we weren't safe... a bunch of nearly starved ponies couldn't possibly outrun well-fed and t-trained guard stallions..."

"You asked him to lead them away didn't you?..." He asked while she just weakly nodded.

"...Did you know gryphons can m-mimic over 300 different sounds?... s-stage performers like me aren't strangers to using their m-mimicry for our acts... and Gustave over the w-weeks...he learned to mimic e-everyponies voice in the group... when I asked if he could lead them away using that a-ability... he just l-looked me in the eyes... and said y-yes... I could see in h-his eyes... if I didn't ask him he w-wouldn't have ever done it...." She looked over at her rapidly depleting mug watching the moister drip down the chilled glass.

"But he did do it... didn't he?..." He asked while Trixie looked up and nodded.

"Y-yes....I-I asked my friend to kill himself for the group...and he knew it.... b-but he just.... just smiled... and said he would be back soon to make us all eclairs... I-I could almost believe him for a moment .... just watching while he dashed into the bushes mimicking all of our voices...those still alive.... and those we lost....all to lead the guard away..."

"You.... never got closure did you?....." He asked while she picked at her nearly forgotten shepherds pie. The fork pressing against the stale crust.

"How could I?... do you think the Royal Guard was concerned about labeling graves during all that chaos?.... no.... for all I know he was dumped into the river and torn to bits by the current..... or left to rot in the woods while animals picked at his carcass... a few weeks later trying to avoid the fighting we were found by the some Green Berets who had been searching for the very outpost we escaped from..."

"That must have been troubling...." He said unsure exactly what to say.

"You think? Having the horrible monsters Celestia kept ranting about show up, right to our camp?... I expected us all to be slaughtered... but they offered us aid... in return I sold out those Guard Stallions.... they didn't even ask... I didn't care..." She tipped her glass back trying to get just a bit more beer out of the glass. "When we were lead to a refugee camp I still assumed the worst... even after everything I still couldn't accept Celestia had gone loony...."

"...From what I heard a lot of ponies idolized her before Convergence Day..." He picked at his corned beef and cabbage still debating if he should eat anymore.

"That's an u-understatement... I know hu-humans doubt us when we say she controlled our s-sun... but she did... at least I t-think she did..... I d-dunno anymore.... she was the g-great light-bringer.... and we were her little p-ponies... she never s-steered us wrong... she even b-banished her own sister to k-keep us all safe... so when she told us we were going to help humans by..... by....." She looked ready to retch. "W-we went along w-with it... w-why wouldn't w-we? She w-was always r-right b-before... b-but ponies a-always l-looked the o-other way w-when one of the few New Foals were a-around... a-all most everypony knew s-something w-was wrong with them... but we i-ignored it..." She sniffed. "W-wandering around the w-wreckage g-gives you t-time to t-think...S-sittin in an... Hic!... encampment e-even more so...."

"What did you think about?..." He asked continuing to sip his drink, having not even received a refill yet.

"A-all that thinking m-made me.... a-and maybe other p-ponies r-realize... she wasn't t-the p-protector... o-or wise g-guardian w-we imaged her t-to be....." She wobbled on her stool. "Ignoring her sisters d-despair... s-sending a few mares barely o-out of school to fight ancient e-evils... letting s-some half-grown c-colt b-be the C-captain o-of the G-guard... c-cause of t-that w-we nearly l-lost Canterlot t-to so half s-starved bugs... the l-list o-only goes on...she w-was just a m-mare w-who's l-luck f-finally r-ran out..." She seemed to be visibly struggling to sit up now. "I-I dunno w-what finally pushed h-her over the e-edge... but it's o-our fault f-for n-not putting a-an end t-to her l-lunacy b-before C-convergence... m-maybe if g-Gypsy p-ponies l-like Trixie reminded ponies w-what Alicorns u-used to b-be sooner... we w-would have...... have......" Her eyes went cross and she fell forward, face slamming into the sticky bar.

Governor Brousseau looked around worried, but thankful O'Hares hadn't had it's after work rush just yet. Pulling out his phone he texted the limo driver to come and take the poor mare back to her apartment. Deciding it would be best if she slept this off, as she was in no condition to do to her job. He slowly heaved up the pony helping her to her hooves. Letting her lean against him as he guided her to the waiting limo, the mare in no condition to argue with him, just climbed into the back and flopped onto the back seat. Closing the door he watched the limo drive off, a feeling of guilt washing over him as the car turned the corner.
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The walk back to the office was much quieter this time around, only a few people asking to shake his hand while he put on a brave face. His four o'clock meeting still hanging over him somewhat dreading it but he couldn't ignore it either. Entering
The traditionally styled government building he took a moment to glance at the now empty secretary desk before pushing his way past the doors. He had about thirty minutes to prepare for his last meeting of the day he wasn't about to waste them.

Reading through the paperwork didn't take particularly long, simply because there was so little to really go over. Beyond some issues being brought up about the reservations, this could almost be referred to as a social visit. Eventually, a firm knock was heard from the double doors before a deep voice spoke.

"Governor Brousseau? Twilight Sparkle is here for the meeting." The voice said from behind the doors.

"Send her in..." He said as the two doors were pushed open followed by no less than four armed guards each making their way to the corners of the room. A few moments later the purple mare and her young drake entered.

Spike looked a bit uneasy around the heavily armed guards, Twilight, on the other hand, seemed more used to it. "Hello, Tristan." She smiled gently before taking her seat motioning Spike to sit down next to her.

"Hello Twilight, I trust your trip to Ulysses was uneventful?" He leaned back with a slight smile on his face.

"As much as it could be, you know how those armed guards make Spike uneasy..." she said softly while the drake blushed looking away.

"They don't...." He murmured gently.

"I know, I've tried to explain that your the least likely pony to attack me... But they never listen." He sighed. "Let's get down to business, what are your latest proposals? Oh, Spike help yourself." He asked leaning back after pushing the candy bowl up to the drake who proceeded to shove his scaly fingers into it.

Twilight simply cleared her throat as she took a second to rehearse what she had gone over in the limo. "Firstly Green Zone 2 also known as SulfurHoof by the local ponies needs its well pump repaired, it's leaking water and causing sinkholes..... after that we are having some issues with law and order, some ponies are reporting items stolen and as of right now we lack funding or approval to have any sort of gua-... I mean police force to keep the peace... ponies in some areas have taken the law into their own hooves..."

"A screaming mob does not justice make..." He said thinking a bit tapping his desk. "The well is easy enough, I could get some of the state's surplus to go towards it and label it aid to avoid any grumbling... the police force is harder... as we often require at least a high school diploma and some training for law enforcement..."

"...I know... but surely theirs something that can be done..." She gave him a pleading look.

"I'm not saying I'm not going to do anything Twilight... I'm saying what you need is tougher than fixing a broken well pump..." He closed his eyes before having an epiphany. "I might be able to convince the Lincoln Sheriffs Association to send some help, maybe a few deputies at the least. The Police Union is a bit tougher on ponies since the... Equestrian Embassy Bombings..."

It wasn't what Twilight was hoping for but she understood the Governor's limitations. "Thank you, just having a deputies Bronco patrolling the Reservations might discourage further theft..."

"I'm assuming you have other issues with the reservations?" He asked while she nodded.

"The Badlands are rather... unpleasant to look at... so I was going to see if I could get approval for the beautification of at least the common areas." She asked while he seemed to think.

"What did you have in mind?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing too complicated, maybe some trees and greenery to help with the surroundings." She said simply.

"The ground is very inhospitable, would the plants last long in that harsh environment?" He said with minor worry knowing how tight the reservations funds could be.

"The majority of the reservation encampments have earth pony majority's." She started to think back to those studies the humans did a few years ago. "As you know, Earth Pony Magic is really just colonies of composting microorganisms and Plant-Growth promoting bacteria that cover much of their body. Particularly their hooves... all they need is seeds and some compatible yard waste then they are set..."

"...I need more than that Twilight, I don't want to spend money on seeds and compost only to find the locals aren't interested... I need at least surveys of locals and maybe even commitments... the voted committee budget for the reservation is tight. My personal recommendations only go so far with them."

Twilights face scrunched up like she bit into a lemon as he brought them up. After meeting them it was hard to believe she wanted to be a Bureaucrat as a filly. "That's difficult....." She bit her lip while Spike looked back at were with worry. No doubt remembering their last personable visit. "Most ponies won't talk with me..."

The governor frowned. "You were planning on doing it yourself? What about the budget we allocated for your personal staff salaries?"

"...if you look over the spreadsheets you'll see that budget has remained untouched..." She sighs rubbing the drakes head reassuringly while Spike stopped munching on the candies remembering when they tried to find some ponies to hire.

He knew why, but he had hoped by now her constituents would have stopped blaming her. "I see... I might be able to lone my secretary." He said while Twilight looked at him like he was crazy. Even Spike looked up from his sugary feast in surprise.

"Trixie.... you want Trixie to help me run the reservation?" She said incredulously.

"Nothing that dire Twilight I assure you. I just mean she could help survey the locals and maybe get commitments." He said which didn't put Twilight too much at ease, her monthly visits always started with that blue mare glaring at her behind that desk.

"I don't know...." She bit her lip.

"I assure you she can be very professional when she needs to be." He said while Twilight mulled it over in her head.

"Twilight, she might be the only chance to get some real feedback from the reservations...." Spike spoke up with a chocolate covered muzzle.

"Alright... and Spike I said you could have a few... not the whole bowl." She relented before looking down at the drake with disappointment.

"...you wouldn't stop for Dairy Queen on the way here...I was hungry!" He pouted a bit up at her.

"And you're supposed to be on the diet..." She patted his head. "I guess I have no choice, if Trixie is willing to offer me help, I'm in no position to say no.... speaking of which... where is she?"

The governor thought about his response carefully. "She had some food poisoning from lunch so I sent her home. Beyond that her attendance is impeccable." He nodded but noticed something was bothering Twilight. "You have something else on your mind?"

Twilight nodded beyond Spike the governor was the only individual she could really speak to. "Yes... I've been meaning to ask if I could get Spike transferred to one of the multi-species schools. Online schooling is alright... but just because I don't have a social life doesn't mean he shouldn't." She smiled only partially joking while she ruffled the drakes fins.

"That could pose some security risks..." Seeing her frown he continued. "But I'm sure I could talk with the districts and get him in."

"Thank you. Spike? Could you step out for a bit? We have to talk about some... grown-up stuff." Seeing the drake pout about to go into the classic tirade that he wasn't a kid she quickly added. "Just ask that nice limo driver to take you to the McDonald's down the street." His eyes lit up. "But only a kids meal with apple slices! I don't want to check my credit balance and find you bought multiple combos again!" She said joking a bit knowing he had learned that lesson after getting his stomach pumped.

"Fiiiine...." He slipped down from his chair and waddled off.

"He's a good kid." The governor smiled watching him go.

"Ya..." She smiled just a bit of pride in her heart. "I just wish he wouldn't sneak so much junk food."

"Kids will be kids..." He looked at her more seriously. "Since you sent him off to eat junk food I assume you have something more personal you want to discuss?"

"...yes..." Her eyes looked a bit more misty. "I've been thinking about... that day we met... and what came after..."

"...oh..." He frowned a bit at that memory.

She lowered her head. "We both know the only reason I got this job was because of you..."

"That's not true Twilight, they based their choice on the reports I filed. I didn't embellish anything I assure you." He looked at her. "Besides the argument could be made easily I wouldn't have gotten my job without you." He smiled at her.

"...My help was the equivalent of unlocking the back door." She frowned deeply at that memory.

"You ordered guards away from the back walls of Canterlot, then sat at the edge of the barrier for hours each day until my recon unit got the go-ahead to contact you." He said to her as she avoided eye contact. "If it wasn't for you we would have been shelling that barrier for weeks, nevermind the potential for civilian losses. You saved lives Twilight."

"I only had to do it because I refused to see the truth until it was too late..." She sighed gently. "They shouldn't have chosen me... Trixie would have been a better choice..."

"My secretary?" He raised an eyebrow tilting his head curiously.

"While I was in Canterlot Castle having lavish meals with Celestia... she surviving in the ashes, leading ponies to safety... I was Equestria's hero.... but when it came time to really help my pony's... I failed miserably when it mattered most...." She lowered her head.

"...She doesn't consider herself a hero Twilight... she had to make harsh choices out there on her own..." He frowned.

"What do you mean?" She asked looking up while rubbing her eye.

"... it's not my place to say... you should ask her yourself..." He said while looking down at his desk.

"Still... the difference is telling... she was out there... I wasn't... she knows what those ponies went through... I don't..." She sighed.
"We rarely get the jobs we deserve..." He said monotonously.

"That saying seems to have more meanings then I thought..." She mumbled mostly to herself.

"I know it's a job your coming to realize you don't want, but it's the job you have. For that, you have to at least try for them, even if they hate you for it." He said with less vigor then he had hoped.

"Was that supposed to make me feel better?" She asked with a deep frown.

"It's the truth, I know lying to you won't do any good." He said looking at her sadly.

"No... it wouldn't..." She slowly scooted off her chair and stretched her hooves. "Thanks, Tristan... I guess I just needed to talk it out... but if I ever get the chance to give up my position tell Trixie she can have it." She smiled sadly trying to cheer up the mood.

"Alright, I'll make sure to pass that along to her..." He watched the former princess leave with a similar sad smile.
> Doctor Isabella
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States
State of Lincoln​
Coolidge Plains​
Ablow Psychiatric Hospital​
10:03 AM​
​
Doctor Isabella Escoto read through the paperwork of her patient quietly along with the information requests from the federal government. While they couldn’t force her to push the mare for information they could affect the grant money for the hospital. Putting her in a bit of a bind of patient wellbeing vs national security... and funding. She slipped the requests into a drawer, she would try to get Luna to reveal what she knew in her own time, she wouldn’t sacrifice her progress to do it.​
​
Sitting up from her desk and grasping the patient clipboard she started to make her way out of the small office. Passing by the framed doctorate and master's degree from California State University. She would open the door to reveal the plain white hallway with a reinforced glass window stretching across the left side, showing the fenced-in yards of the hospital. Stopping for a bit she watched a few human and equestrian patients mill around the yard. A few were even kicking a Football around, though while she doubted they would win FIFA Cup anytime soon, they certainly played with vigor.​
​
Shaking her head she continued down the hallway eventually coming to a security gate. Pulling out her card and looking up at the camera she pressed it against the sensor. A few moments later the door buzzed and she pushed her way past. Once she entered the low-security wing she reached in intersection turning to her left she continued to pass by various doors. She would sometimes slide the peephole open to check on the patients taking notes on their condition. They would range from Schizophrenics mumbling gently to PTSD sufferers who weren’t quite ready to go back out into the world.​
​
After a few more checkups she finally arrived at a second security gate leading to the solitary wing. Looking up at the camera again as she pressed her card into the sensor she waited. After another few moments, she heard the door buzz again. Pressing past she focused her eyes on a singular door at the end of the hallway. The area was deathly quiet as they had so few patients that needed it. Which was ideal considering the long term patient behind door 81.​
​
Taking a moment to look down at herself ensuring she wasn’t wearing the normal white garb the other doctors wore. Content she was wearing a navy colored coat over her grey dress shirt and pants, she took a deep breath. Knocking on the heavy metal door and sliding the peephole open she spoke.​
​
“Luna? Is Isabelle, I’m going to come in.” She said gently waiting for a response.​
​
“...o-ok...” A soft voice from behind the door said.​
​
Isabelle slowly opened the door seeing the familiar, if childish room of Luna. A bed with plain white sheets furnished with a few plush toys, a small pile of simple board games, and in the corner was the blue mare sitting a small plastic table with a teapot and a little tea set.​
​
“I-I m-made some t-tea miss Isabelle...” The mare said nervously, twitching from a combination to her nervousness and neurological damage.​
​
“Oh, how lovely Luna, your always such a thoughtful mare.” She smiled slowly sitting down at the other end of the small table. Taking the toy teacup and saucer into her hands she pretended to sip from the empty vessel. “Delicious as always.”​
​
“T-thank you m-miss Isabelle... w-what are w-we doing today?” She asked curiously while sipping her teacup.​
​
“Well, we have a check-up today, after that if your good you’ll get a treat.” She smiled gently.​
​
“...I h-hate the c-check-ups...” She stuck out her tongue.​
​
“I know Luna, but you need them.” She gave a sympathetic look. Watching the mare fiddle with her teacup.​
​
She pouted. “I want one w-with rainbow s-sprinkles...”​
​
“I’ll see what I can do honey....” She pretended to finish her tea. “Ready to go?” She slowly stood up as not to spook Luna.​
​
“... y-yes...” Luna started to struggle to her hooves, a bit shaky but managed to slowly make her way around the table. Making her way slowly to her bed she spoke to a plush equine in felt armor. “Protect the p-palace Glinting S-shield.” She smiled and kissed the plush’s cheek before unsteadily making her way over to the woman.​
​
Isabelle watched the mare make her way over, taking a moment to notice the wings twitching under the grown she wore. “Don’t strain yourself, we have plenty of time.” She said softly as she guided the mare out, keeping a watchful eye of her balance.​
​
It would take a while to get to the physician's office, but luckily she had given Luna plenty of time to get there.​
———————————————————-​
It took nearly 30 minutes to get to the other side of the hospital, luckily Luna had only lost her balance three times on their way to the physician's office. Though getting her up onto the examination table was difficult, both from her being around the size of a large dog... and her mild haphephobia. But she managed to get her up on the table for the doctor before she had another panic attack.​
​
The two of them waited silently in the rather plain examination room before a firm knocking was heard. “Miss Escoto? Are you and your patient decent?”​
​
“Yes Doctor Caligari, I assure you we are.” Isabella responded giggling along with Luna.​
​
The door slowly opened revealing a hesitant tanned Italian looking man. Seeing there was nothing to worry about he entered the room closing the door behind him. “Ah, good, I apologize, I can’t be too careful after that nymphomaniac Diamond Dog....” He Shakes his head trying to rid the memory as he dusted off his grey physician's coat before pulling a small iPad from his large side pocket. “Let’s see you're here for a routine check-up..., oh and your due for some medical imaging.” As he spoke Luna gave a childish grumpy look at her caregiver signaling she would want more than just a cupcake for this.​
​
Isabella sighed and looked over at the mare. “I’m sure I can get Luna to behave herself, say for a little ice cream?” She raised an eyebrow while the pony seemed to mull it over in her mind before nodding.​
​
Pulling out his stethoscopes he slowly walked up to the examination table and pressed the cool disk to the pony’s covered back. She squeaked in discomfort as the small saucer slowly moved around her rough feeling covered back. “Breath in....” He listened carefully as she did so. “Breath out...”​
​
He had her do this a few times before nodding his head and taking notes. “Sounds like the congestion has cleared up.” He mumbled slipping a blood pressure cuff onto her for-leg watching the readout. “132/98, normal..... now let’s look in those ears.”​
​
Pulling out the otoscope he slipped on a disposable protector. “Now Luna... I know you're nervous but I need you to raise your ears for me.”​
​
Luna look over at her caregiver who gave her a reassuring smile and a slight nod. She swallowed a bit before speaking in her soft voice again. “O-ok...” She slowly focused on raising her ears, having a bit of difficulty as pressing them against the back of her head had since become their default position. But she managed with only a wincing.​
​
The doctor watched but the ear still wasn’t holding still enough for him to properly check it. “Luna, I’m going to have to touch your ear... I know it’s tender but I have to make sure they are healing properly...” He said gently while the mare bit her lip.​
​
“I-I... just be q-quick....” She closed her eyes fearfully for what was to come.​
​
The doctor looked over at Isabelle but she nodded, they both understood this needed to be done. He slowly reached down to her ear being as gentle as possible, still, despite this, she winced and moaned in pain. Even with the fine blue fuzz covering some of it the scar tissue was undeniable. He quickly used the otoscope to look around inside, even the inside wasn’t spared.​
​
Though he wasn’t sure why it surprised him, Luna didn’t have to wear that medical cloak. She chose to wear it, having to see what was under it didn’t give the mare any benefit in her delicate state.​
———————————————————​
The process of the check-up went by fairly quickly, beyond some pain she was in good health. Especially compared to how she arrived at the hospital. Getting Luna onto the MRI was much easier with two people heaving her up onto the bed. Though strapping her down was another matter, with all of those... sessions she had with her sister, being that helpless was understandably traumatic. But they needed those medical images and they couldn’t have her twitching while they did it. Isabelle had taken her place next to Luna and the machine, letting the mare grip her hand with her hoof.​
​
He meanwhile kept an eye on the screens as the med-tech worked. Images of the mares brain and upper vertebrae we’re slowly generated and to this day he was stumped by what he saw. Though because of this abnormally in the mare, they were able to advance their understanding of the secondary nervous system by at least a few decades.​
​
“Let's start with a full-body scan....” The doctor mumbled while sipping his bitter coffee. The med-tech nodded slowly pressing the joystick forward, moving the mare deeper into the machine. A vast branching network of scar tissue could be seen throughout her body.​
​
A normal unicorn had for lack of a better word... two Nervous Systems, one that was used for transmitting motor function, integration, and feeling. While the other was often limited to the head... or in rare cases the head and neck, acting like a sort of receiver for mana. Which was then routed through the brain to be converted into... for lack of a better word....spells... before being transmitted out of the nerve bundle in the horn. Though the secondary nervous system in unicorns was far from efficient in doing this, being measured around 15-26 percent conversion to usable energy.​
​
“It’s as we suspected... it’s not regrowing....” He frowned deeply.​
​
Alicorns... from the few examples they had... were far more efficient at mana transmission. With a conversion rate of 80-87 percent of mana into usable energy. With the secondary nervous system intertwined around there primary nerves throughout their entire body. They could make the most of this efficient conversion rate by calling on more mana than any unicorn.​
​
“My god...” The med-tech looked in morbid horror of the mares trauma, the branching scar tissue seemed to encircle her entire primary nervous system.​
​
While this was all well in good... mana was a double-edged sword for unicorns. Higher rates of mental illness ranging from mood and anxiety disorders to schizophrenia and paranoia. They also had a higher rate of early-onset Alzheimer’s, the reasons were slowly realized... when mana would flow into the brain, it was largely piped through vital areas of the brain. Even in low doses, over time mana would steadily cook the brain cells like microwaves. But the effects for the average unicorn wouldn’t be felt until their mid to late 30s...usually.​
​
“Focus the imaging on her brain....” The doctor said while the med-tech started to use the joystick.​
​
Casters Curse was another story altogether; effecting Royal Guard Unicorns and professional Mages. That much mana energy flowing though them brought the onset of those conditions much earlier. They had cases as early as 22, the poor ponies were more of danger to themselves than anything. Frequently getting lost even in their own small rooms, all while mumbling about the ape menace though none of them could remember what they looked like. This condition was so prevalent after the war that they currently had an entire wing of the hospital dedicated too it.​
​
“Now bring up her frontal lobe....” He said pointing on the screen while the med tech-focused the imaging.​
​
It was originally believed that Alicorns were immune to the condition... but from the medical scans and autopsies they did of Celestia... that theory was disproven. They simply had a much higher resistance to it... though that was an understatement. To this day the medical community wasn’t sure how she was even alive and functional with that neurological damage... or what she had done to reach her body’s limit.​
​
“What is this?....” The med-tech asked as they tried to make sense of what they were seeing on the screen.​
​
Luna, when she was found, was assumed to have a similar diagnosis... until they found that her secondary nervous system was completely cauterized. The few remaining Equestrian experts were stumped, only offering educated guesses. The consensus was that for that to happen, her internal system would have to be overwhelmed by a much more powerful caster. Only one individual could have done it... Celestia...​
​
He shook his head. Even working in a psychiatric hospital, that gave him pause. But crippling her sister still wasn’t enough for that mad mare. “See that?” He motioned to the mares prefrontal cortex.​
​
“It looks.... atrophied....” The med-tech said for lack of a better word. “How is that possible?... a mare her age... it should be fully formed.”​
​
“First time seeing Luna I assume?” The doctor asked while the young med-tech nodded.​
​
“Leading theory is her sister used magic to rewrite her into the ideal little sister...” He said while grasping his coffee and taking a sip.​
​
“But... how would that affect her prefrontal cortex?” The med-tech asked curiously.​
​
“Simple... Whatever Celestia did to her, psychologically limited her use of those areas. Much of her frontal lobe is closer to what I would expect from a child rather than a grown adult.” He just sighed sadly.​
​
“Why didn’t she.... you know.... make her hate humans as much as she did? Wouldn’t she want another Alicorn to mirror her opinions and thoughts?” They asked.​
​
“That is the mystery... But if I had to guess. She didn’t want a puppet... she wanted her little sister... So while Luna’s access to her memories and frontal cortex is limited... she still has the same quirks and personality that makes her Luna.” He thought back to the photographs they have of her original room in Canterlot palace. “She practically showered that shell of a mare with toys, candies, and other gifts all just to buy her love. Yet, Luna remembered just enough to fear her as much as the boogieman...”​
​
“Turning your sister into... a filly in a mare's body though?.... how could anyone justify that?....” The med-tech shook their head.​
​
“She was crazy, with her death I doubt we will ever know...” He said sadly, before grasping the microphone for the intercom system. “Isabella? We are finished with the imaging, why don’t you two head to the cafeteria?”​
———————————————————​
Isabella smiled watching Luna carry her cafeteria tray in her mouth. While it seemed so mundane it was another sign that Luna was recovering. Becoming increasingly independent was a sign she was maturing despite the mental trauma. She still kept an eye on the tray, as a spasm could send the vegetarian chili, cornbread, and coleslaw into the air. Never-mind the rainbow sprinkled cupcake.​
​
“Now which flavor would you like Luna? Chocolate, vanilla, or swirl?” She asked grasping the soft serve machines dispensing handle.​
​
“C-chocolate please....” She said placing her tray down on the counter. She was practically licking her lips in anticipation.​
​
Isabella slowly pulled down the handle filling a small bowl before setting it on the tray carefully. “Can you handle carrying all that by yourself?” She asked a bit worried, it was quite a bit of food to carry after all.​
​
“Mhm....” Luna said taking the tray into her mouth and carefully trotting to a secluded table.​
​
Moving through the cafeteria they passed by numerous patients, ranging from a photophobic earth pony covered in wrappings, to a pegasus rocking side to side with large noise-canceling headphones over their ears. The two of them paid them no mind eventually reaching an empty table in the far corner of the cafeteria. Luna would set her tray down and press it forward a bit before slowly working her way onto the bench.​
​
Isabella eventually sat down to the opposite of Luna watching her fiddle with the spoon. Eventually, she started to slowly work spoonfuls of chili into her mouth. “Luna you’ve made a lot of progress in these last few years.” She said gently while thinking about how to word the oncoming conversation.​
​
“Uh-huh....” Luna mumbled thoughts her mouthful of cornbread, dunking it into the chili before tilting her head back to pull it into her mouth.​
​
Isabella waited until she had swallowed the cornbread and chili before speaking. “You know... Twilight has put in a request to see you...” She let the shoe drop while Luna seemed to pause, her pupils shrinking.​
​
“O-oh?.....” She swallowed nervously but managing to keep some composure. “W-why?....”​
​
“She wants to see you...” Isabella said gently. “Maybe she just wants to get to know you, Luna.”​
​
Luna started to shake her head nervously. “N-no! S-she's coming cause I’m bad! S-she gonna...gonna...” Luna was visibly quivering. “S-she's c-coming for me....”​
​
Isabella's face softened but knew Luna couldn’t hide from the other Alicorns forever. “She’s not going to take you back Luna... I promise Twilight had nothing to do with what happened to you...” She scooted to the other side of the table, comforting the scared mare.​
​
“She’s a-an alicorn...” Luna said shivering as what happened to her all those years ago made her whimper.​
​
“I promise I’ll be there with you... she won’t take you back..” She rubbed the mares back slowly, feeling the wings under the gown twitch.​
​
Luna closed her eyes taking deep breaths like she had been taught to calm herself. “...Y-you promise?...” She swallowed looking up at Isabella, obviously scared. Seeing her nod she looked back down at her tray. “...I’ll... d-do it...”​
​
Isabella smiled, feeling proud of her. “We can bring Glinting Shield fur extra security.” Luna could help but smile at having her favorite guard by her side.
> Rainbow Dash (part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
Equestrian Reservation
SulferHoof
8:47 am

Rainbow stared blankly at the blue flight-suit that had been hidden at the bottom of the dresser drawer. She slowly pressed her hoof into it feeling the familiar breezy silk material. Sighing gently she started to pull it out and allowed it to unfold, while she looked at the yellow lightning bolts that decorated the chest of it. She then rested on her bed and started to try and pull it on... only to hit a snag... particularly as she pulled it up closer to her flanks.

“Stupid... come on... fit!!!” She growled attempting to pull the uniform on, but the formally form-fitting uniform appeared to be just a bit too small. After another few minutes of fruitless tugging and cursed she let go of the uniform allowing it to spill back onto the floor while she fell backward in bed. Pressing her hooves into her face while she attempted to process whether she wanted to cry or scream in rage.

Luckily she didn’t have to decide as the sound of a hoof knocking on her bedroom door was heard. “Rainbow, honey? I just finished breakfast...” Her mother spoke from the other side.

Rainbow grumbled to herself kicking the disused uniform under her single bed before trotting out of her room. The first thing she experienced was the smell of her mother’s mustard green omelets, the second was hearing her father's cough and hiss of his inhaler. “Morning mom... dad....” She mumbled trotting over to the opposite side of the table from her father.

Bow Hothoof looked up from the newspaper. “Morning trotter, sleep well?” He asked raising an eyebrow.

Rainbow watcher her mother plate the omelets from the iron skillet and set them down on the table. “I guess so.” Rainbow said as she started to pour some ketchup onto the omelet.

The two older ponies looked at one another with a look of concern. Seemingly as if they were thinking about how to disarm a land mine. After a few moments of unspoken conversation, it seemed that they had decided who should speak first. Though Windy certainly didn’t look happy she had pulled the short end of the stick.

“...Well, maybe you could fill out some more job applications.” Windy Whistles said gently to her daughter.

Rainbow rolled her eyes annoyed. “Not this again...I have a job...” She muttered through her mouthfuls of the omelet.

“Rainbow... that... place is beneath you! Is that really what you wanna do for the rest of your life?! Until somepony gets a lucky buck to the side of your head?!” Bow shouted.

“Well, I don’t see you complaining when my winnings paid for your inhaler dad! Fighting is what I’m good at!” Rainbow stopped eating to shout at them. “And I definitely didn’t see you complaining mom when I bought groceries and those cooking sets!”

“Rainbow it’s not about the money! You're a flier, not a fighter! You're a Wonderbolt!” Windy pleaded tearing up.

“I’m not anything! I gave up my right to be a flier when I turned my back on my team because I valued her orders more than them and the whole of Cloudsdale!” She shouted getting up from the table.

“Rainbow...” Bow tried to get up but started to hack and cough struggling to reach his inhaler on the table.

Windy quickly rushed over to her wheezing husband grabbing the inhaler and pressing it to his mouth. The poor stallion breathing it into his damaged lungs. With Rainbow not even looking back too upset to look at either of her parents, despite the medical emergency.

“Me... a Wonderbolt... what a joke...” Rainbow muttered trotting to the front door of the emergency shelter. “I’m going out...” She slammed the door behind her.
———————————————————
After leaving her home Rainbow had quickly put her mind on jogging. Exercise was one of the few things that could take her mind off her thoughts. The pounding of her hooves and heart beating in her ears always drowned out the darker thoughts. But just because it drowned out her thoughts didn’t mean the scenery brought much cheer. Sulferhoof was a far cry from Ponyville or Cloudsdale.

The faint smell of bad eggs was a constant reminder of the sulfur mines upwind of the settlement. While the dusty and barren badlands around them were nearly absent of green, the only exceptions being a few cactus. But the worst part of it all was the homes many ponies lived in. Identical boxy dirty white dwellings all lining the unpaved road, some had three rooms, but most had only two, despite many of them holding families within. Most who had three rooms had to buy the extension themselves as being placed on the waiting list was akin to waiting to win the lotto.

She continued to jog down the road seeing Blue Streaks Stable, the only official bar in the settlement, and the only place she wouldn’t go... despite the booze. It wasn’t overly impressive just a large old west styled shed that Spitfire had turned into a Stable. The sign was just painted on a large board with some string lights around it so it would be visible at night. Even from the distance, she could hear Surprise playing her saxophone. It almost looked and sounded inviting, which is why she took a hard 90 degree turn to the right towards the badlands.

Once one got out of the settlement the noise just seemed to die off leaving only the winds blowing over the rocky terrain. It was so... depressing. She slowly climbed up a dusty hill and sat down for a moment looking over the settlement. After taking a moment to collect her thoughts she finally said something, despite their not being anyone around to hear.

“What a dump...” She mumbled as she rested in place waiting for nothing in particular.

Eventually, she grew bored of sitting in place and started to make her way back down the hill. A singular goal in mind, Bulk Biceps improvised gym. The sound of her speedy trot and heartbeat filled her ears, drowning out her thoughts.
———————————————————
Rainbow lifted the rusty dumbbells up and down, the aches in her foreleg muscles making her almost smile. Like her trots, it was just another way to drown out her feelings. Up, down... up, down.... then after 20 she would move onto the leg press. 20 leg presses, then followed by 20 weighted crunches. Yet despite these workouts, she couldn’t quite lose her gut. She certainly had muscle, Score's missing teeth could attest to that. But that stomach never seemed to go away.

“Rainbow?” The familiar gruff voice of Bulk Biceps broke the blue mare out of her stupor.

She looked up at the bulky white stallion. “What?” She said rudely, not happy somepony had interrupted her workout.

The stallion kept his face slightly turned to the left hiding his left cheek as he looked at her. “I’ve been meaning to talk with you, I know what you’ve been up too at night.” He said eyeing her with his right eye.

“What about it? Money’s good.” She mumbled setting the dumbbells back down.

“Ponies get hurt in those pits Rainbow! How do you think it makes me feel that you're using my equipment to help kill yourself!” He growled stamping his hoof into the ground, cracking the dry earth.

“Kill myself? That money from the pit is keeping me and my parents alive.” She chuckled while making her way to the leg press. Brushing off the stallion.

“Ya, they pay the bills... until some pony manages too nail you in the wrong spot! Then what happens to your parents?!” He follows her to the leg press.

Just as she moved to load up the 50-pound weights into the press a powerful hoof stopped her. “I’m not letting you use my equipment Rainbow...not so you can kill yourself..” He said evenly his right eye twitching. “I refuse to serve pit fighters here...”

“Pit fighting is what I’m good at...what do you expect me to do? Work at some retail store for less than minimum wage? Ya right.” She rolled her eyes at the stallion.

“I know it’s not ideal, but ponies are working their way up! My sisters Lotus and Aloe are already assistant managers at Massage Envy!”

“Ya, after working for peanuts for years. I’m surprised the fried flank sisters even got the job in the first place.” Rainbow rolled the 50-pound weight side to side on the ground.

“...Be very careful how you describe my sister's Rainbow...” Bulk's right eye twitched he didn’t take kindly to them being insulted.

“Hmf, not many ponies put money in that can over there.” She motioned her head over to a tin can set on a small stool, labeled $1 a Session. “Most ponies don’t even stop by, they just don’t care about working out after a long day working for the man.” She shrugged before giving him a toothy smile. “Oooor....”

His eye twitched again “What...”

“You sure you wanna hear it? You could just as easily let me go back to my reps.” She glared at him that toothy grin being wiped off her face before pressing it into the stallions. “Are you really gonna turn away your only paying customer?”

“Say it... I DARE YOU.” His eye twitched as he slowly turned his head to face her. That deep red scar tissue covering the left side of his face becoming visible.

“They don’t come because every time they see you, they just see an overcooked two-faced... monster...” She said in a low gravely voice.

“...Rainbow... leave... NOW....” His right eye visibly twitching as he barely contained his rage.

“Or what? Your gonna fight me?” She bumped her hoof against his steeled barrel. “Or maybe you’re gonna call your sisters and treat me to a triple horror feature...”

The rage coming off the stallion was almost enough to singe hairs. “L-Leave now... Rainbow!” He was visibly trembling trying to contain himself.

“Fight me!” She flares up her wings instinctively, going this long without doing something was allowing the memories and thoughts to come back. “Make we leave you overgrown frea-“ Rainbow was cut off with an inconsistently dainty hoof slamming into her muzzle sending her sprawling from the tarp-covered shelter. At that moment she smiled as the memories were drowned out by the ringing from that buck to the face.

She just laid in the dirt for a moment before chuckling as she sat back up. “Finally got you to punch me... now let’s see you make me leave!” She got back to her hooves.

Bulk stomped out, snorting almost like a feral animal while he turned his head to the right, the rage making his scarred face even more imposing. “Leave!” He roared barely holding onto his self-control.

“Bring it Roid Rage!” She yelled his hated nickname before slowly circling him.

At that moment two things happened... Bulk Biceps saw red... and a symphony of pain pushed bitter memories out of Rainbow's mind.
———————————————————
It had been hours since her scuffle with Bulk, and the pain was already dulling as the memories started to leak to the surface again. The silence of the barren Badlands around her certainly didn’t help either, but in the distance, she saw the familiar solution to both her problems. Lights coming from a large crater could be seen, with the voices of ponies being heard cheering. The Pit was the one place she truly felt her thoughts being stamped out. The cheers, the bucks, then booze, all worked together to drown out her feelings.

Once she got to the edge of the crater she took a moment to take it all in. Ponies sat or trotted around the gentle slopes, some killing about near the makeshift bar, while others placed their bets on a chalkboard. All this happening under the lights of oil lanterns, but the most important part of the pit was at the bottom. Two ponies could be seen in the makeshift ring, Score was currently circling the reigning champ Troubleshoes who just stood in the center with a look of blank resignation. He didn’t even bother to look directly at the pudgy grey stallion, almost looking bored about the entire thing.

Just as Rainbow was trotting down into the crater Score made his move rushing at the behemoth of a stallion. He started to pound his hooves into his side but Troubleshoes barely even moved. It was almost like watching a foal try to play fight their father. By the time Score realized he was boned the brown stallion sent him sprawling into the crowd with the barest flick of his foreleg. Everypony watched before giving him roaring applause and cheer, but the stallion seemed so disinterested with the whole affair. Simply trotting through the crowd presumably to get his winnings.

Rainbow watched him go before heading to the board to see who was fighting tonight. Eventually, she reached the board and looked it overseeing the list and assorted odds, she wasn’t suicidally stupid like Score. Trying to fight the king of the ring for the prize money is a great way to be put out of commission for weeks. She briefly looked back at Score who was being dragged to an impromptu medical tent, one punch left him unconscious, with a face swollen like he was poisoned by a manticore.

Shaking her head she focused her eyes back on the board looking for upper mid-range fighters. Her eyes ran over the board and centered on a good target. Hoops, that stallion had some decent odds, and she wouldn’t feel too bad about bucking a few teeth out of her bully. “Hey! Poindexter! Put me on the board, and set up a match with Hoops!”

The off white pimple-faced stallion behind the improvised counter turned to her with an unamused expression. “That’s not my name...” He grumpier irritated at the blue prismatic mare.

“Come on Pizza cheeks~.” She chuckled using another one of his hated nicknames. “I’m just trying to get some money.”

“Ya ya....” He rolled his eyes pushing his glasses up his muzzle. “Say my name right and I’ll consider it..” He looked at her annoyed by her antics.

“Fine, Gizmo no need to get you tail in a knot.” She rolled her eyes while the stallion sighed.

Gizmo mumbled writing something down on a small piece of paper before passing it to Snails. The young colt rushing off to notify Hoops he had a challenger. “Give it a few minutes...” Gizmo mumbled as he started to add the blue mare to the board.

Eventually, the stallion turned around giving her an annoyed look as they waited. The tension could almost be cut with a knife, luckily the mossy maned colt scampered back. “Hoops says it’s on!” He smiled innocently.

Rainbow tossed the colt a silver dollar which he quickly enveloped in his magic. “Place 200 on me to win Greasy Cheeks!” She slammed a bundle of crumpled bills on the counter.

Gizmo rolled his eyes taking note of the amount before slipping it behind the counter. “Your fight will be in 10 minutes.. try not to get too much of your blood on the front row. We have some well-to-do ponies here tonight, I'd like to make them regulars.”

Rainbow just gave him a cocky grin before nodding her head. “Forget that! I’ll give them a show!”
———————————————————-
Rainbow slowly swished her tail as she and Hoops circled each other in the ring. Each sizing the other one up while ponies cheered around them in a frenzy daring their champion to take the first swing at their opponent.

“Well well, if it ain’t Rainbow Crash, shouldn’t you be at home shoving snack cakes in your face? I didn’t think a fat flank like you would be this far from a couch!” He laughed while Rainbow ground her teeth.

“At least I don’t look like a budget horror movie villain! Can’t protect your pretty face in the ring? What do they call you now? Avocado face?!” She struggled to not let him get to her, but old scars from her foalhood were being drudged up just by seeing him.

He chuckled at her admittedly weak insult before finally taking a swing. Which she quickly countered with a block, but the power from his attack as still felt. No doubt she would have a welt on her right foreleg tonight. The burning sensation made her smile as she rushed to his side and swept her his legs from under him. “What was that Hoops? A bug bite!” She chuckled while the stallion slammed into the ground.

He growled and snorted working his hooves back under himself. “Hmmm, filly’s luck butter tub!” He quickly stood up circling her, while she watched bemusedly. He shook his head before rushing her again to which Rainbow attempted to block. But this time he dove the left brushing past her, she had a split second to realize what was coming next. Just before she could move out of the way he bucked her with his two back hooves sending her sprawling into the wire fence around the ring.

She grunted in pain feeling the rusted metal fence dig into her skin. She was likely going to have to visit the free clinic to get a tetanus shot. But just as she started to pull herself from the wire she felt another hoof slam her in the back of the head, causing her slam face-first into one of the metal posts. She could hear the ringing in her skull while her brain rocked inside. Hacking a bit of blood she shakily pushed herself off the fence, as she did so, she saw a familiar light turquoise face staring at her in the crowd.

While she froze looking into the gamboge eyes of the oddly dressed spectator she almost forgot she was in the middle of a match. Luckily Hoops was happy to remind her, grabbing her wings roughly and swinging her back down to the dirt. Doing so she felt her disused wings nearly pop out their sockets. While she gasped for breath she attempted to get her hooves back under herself again. “This is what I’m fighting tonight? Damn! I thought the flight school dropout he-she could at least throw a decent punch!” He laughed watching the mare flop around on the ground like a fish trying to catch her breath. “Awwww did fatty mare fall down, maybe I should call a crane?!” He bucked her in the side knocking her down to the dirt. The scarred bully grinned watching her struggle to catch her breath. “What’s wrong, low blood-sugar wide load? Maybe she needs her insulin!” The crowd started to laugh along with him.

Rainbow finally managed to get to her hooves while Hoops was entertaining the crowd with his jokes about her. She continued to struggle to properly catch her breath but smiled seeing his flanks were facing her. Before the stallion heard his fans warnings over the laughing the blue mare bucked him where the sun didn’t shine. The cringed as they could almost hear the crunch before the stallion crumpled to the ground. Once his fans overcame their shock they started to boo such a low blow. “No rules in the pit!” She laughed the ringing in her head nearly deafening her. “Let’s see if I can fix that ugly face of yours Hoops!” She straddled his barrel and proceeded to slam her forehooves into his face, over and over again.

A few of the more squeamish members of the crowd started to avert their eyes as the mare waled on the stallion's face. This wasn’t even a fight anymore, but they couldn’t do anything until the other either one screamed uncle or passed out. After a few minutes, with the crowd watching wide eyes as the mare attempted to cave in the barely conscious pony's face, somepony finally spoke up. “That’s enough! If you don’t stop you’ll kill him!!”

Rainbow looked up her ears swiveling to find the source of that familiar voice. But quickly raised her right hoof getting ready to ring that bloody faced stallions bell. But just as she was about to finish him a hoof grabbed her right leg. “Please! That’s enough Rainbow! One more hit and you’ll kill him!”

She growled in response turning her head to come face to face with somepony she hadn’t seen in years. “So? When you enter the ring you take that chance!” She started to wrench her foreleg out of Lightning Dust's hoof.

“Rainbow! Stop! Look at him!” Lightning Dust begged while Rainbow glanced down at the stallion. His eyes swollen shut, with his lips, split open and bleeding, his fur wasn’t normally such a... vibrant red color when this match started. He just whimpered, weakly crying from the sheer amount of pain coursing through his body.

“So what? He has two choices, pass out or scream uncle....” She growled as her hoof shook. “I’m not throwing the match so this pile of manure gets off easy.” She continued to pull her hoof out of Lightning Dust's hooves.

“So what! A few dollars is worth killing him over!” Rainbow finally turned her head to look at Lightning Dust. She hadn't changed a lot since the last time Rainbow had seen her, beyond a small nick in her left ear. The only other major difference was the bright orange coveralls that hugged her body.

“Its actually a few hundred dollars, and considering some of us gotta bring home the Haycon for our families!” She shoved her face into the mares. “Unless you’re willing to cover the loss! Let go!” She screamed, but Lightenings hoof squeezed the blue mares foreleg harder.

With a look of pure determination on her face Lightening Dust opened her mouth. “Gizmo! If Rainbow won this match what would be her cut!” She looked over at the pimple-faced stallion who sighed closing his eyes.

“About 413...” He said in a voice that conveyed he wasn’t liking where this had ended up.

Lightening looked back at the blue mare with an unbroken look of defiance. “....not even $500.....and you willing to......” She shook her head and glared at Rainbow. “Fine! How about I give you an even $1000 if you walk away!”

Rainbow's eyes narrowed. “A solid G? Nopony on the reservation has that kinda money... if your gonna lie to save this useless lumps life, your gon-“

“Who do you think Gizmo was talking about when he said to put on a show you thick-skulled dunce!” She motioned to a nervous group of ponies, a familiar young dragon, and a teary-eyed Gryphon currently cowering in her talons unable to watch, all wearing similar orange coveralls.

Rainbow stared at them all before slowly looking back. “...I want it in cash....” She pressed her muzzle against Ligjtenings. “Otherwise you’ll look worse than him.....”

“...fine! Gabby!” She looked over at the shaking gryphon who had only just managed to peak from her talons. “Go to the ATM and withdraw from my account...” She tossed a debit card to the gryphon.

“W-what’s the c-code?....” She asked nervously barely managing to catch it.

“First part of my old mailing address.” She said while Gabby nodded and quickly took flight. Likely eager to get away from the violence she had just seen. “While we wait...” She turned her head back to Rainbow. “Let’s have a chat... how about we get a drink?”

Rainbow finally pulled her self off the whimpering puddle of a stallion. “Ya.... sure... Hoops smells like he pissed himself anyway.....” She sighed and grumbled. “I need a drink...” She started to limp out of the ring with the orange suited mare.
———————————————————-
The two ponies sat the bar drinking some questionable hooch silently. Neither one making a move to speak as soon as the drinks were ordered. The only thing breaking up the silence was the lower tier fight that had started in the ring, after Hoops had been dragged away to the medical tent. It wasn’t nearly as intense, but it kept the locals entertained, which kept the bits moving at least.

Eventually, Lightning Dust spoke up, looking unsure of what to say. “It’s... been a long time Dash....” She finally muttered out looking up from the mug of oddly... green liquid.

“Mhm... last time I saw you was... I think when you started the Washouts...” She mumbled drinking from her mug while she leaned on the rougher sawn bar.

“Ya... a lot changed since then...” She said gently.

“It really has...” Rainbow mumbled.

“What happened to you?...” Lightening finally asked the blue mare.

“What you think nimrod? The war happened...” She mumbled with a hint of a lisp.

“Ya... but I never thought I’d see you again... especially in a place like....” She looked over, seeing a mare stagger out to the desert and proceed to vomit into the ground before collapsing. “This...”

“Meh... it pays the bills... better than working in a factory for less than minimum....” She slowly swirled the mug tapping the bar motioning to Leaky Still she wanted a refill. Which was promptly given.

“So.... because you don’t want to work for $3.62 an hour, you bash ponies heads in?” She said incredulously, not quite believing what she was hearing.

“....Ya, pretty much.... 400 something for one fight? That’s better then what I’d ever get anywhere else! Besides dads, meds ain’t cheap...” She sighed.

“So you're doing this for him... aren’t you?” Lightening developed a more thoughtful look on her face, but the frown remained.

“Mom too... but mostly dad... the free clinic only can do so much... they're all I got now...” She leaned her head into her hoof on the bar.

“...What about the Wonderbolts?” The orange suited mare asked. “Can’t they help?”

“Me?.... the Wonderbolts? Heh..... that bridge is burned... I was excommunicated less than two hours before the Cloudsdale raid....” She chuckled darkly but the corners of her eyes seemed to moisten a bit.

“E-excommunicated?....” Lightnings throat seemed to dry hearing that word. “Are you sure?...” She swallowed.

“Very sure...” A small tear leaked out of her eye which she promptly wiped away.

“But... why? You were their star attraction...” She said a little louder then she meant too, unable to believe it.

“Spitfire and I argued about some orders from Canterlot... It ended with her ripping off my badge and telling me to leave....” She wobbled on her seat downing another mug of the sickly green fluid.

“Orders?...” Lightening was careful not to sound like she was trying to press but curiously slipped into how she said it.

“Mhm... From her majesty herself... she wanted the entirety of the Wonderbolts mobilized for a mission.... recruit to elite... regardless of training....” She started to look a little green under the gills while struggling to hold her mug steady.

“What could require so many ponies?....” Lightnings curiously was peaked, wanting to know what could have sent a mare so low.

“She wanted.... us... to confront the entirety of the... American Pacific Fleet...” Rainbow struggled out, having to pause a few times to hold her booze down.

“...With support from the Equestrian Fleet?...” She said a little too hopefully.

“...heh... that’s a good one... every foal knows by then the fleet was all but wrecked... like sending bath toys to fight... behemoths....” She mumbled settling with just staring into her mug.

“But... without support... that’s suicide!” Lightening nearly spat out her drink.

“Spitfire thought so too... she knew what was coming... and that order would have left Cloudsdale defenseless... I was too stupid to think otherwise...” Rainbow just watched the green sludge settle in her mug, having given up trying to bring it to her mouth.

“That’s why she ordered the evacuation of Cloudsdale... isn’t it?...” She asked while Rainbow nodded her head.

“She knew the Wonderbolts couldn’t stop what was coming... and she saw that order for what it was... a suicide mission to buy Sunbutt maybe an extra day... at best...” The tears just continued to leak out. “I called her a traitor... she said I wasn’t loyal... that I never understood what it meant to be a Wonderbolt...” She sniffed. “She tore off my badge and crushed it with her bare hoof...Nevermind tarnishing my uniform...” Hearing that last part made Lightnings heart stop, even her actions in the past didn’t warrant that.

“...You weren’t exaggerating... she really did it...” Lightening said trying to process it.

“Mhm...Not being dumb enough to try and fight the fleet all on my own... I flew home and forced my parents to pack the camping gear... and we ran...” She swallowed remembering her frantic confused parents when she arrived home that day. “...not more than 2 hours later... Cloudsdale Weather Corp was hit in a bombing... and you know what happened after that...”

Lightning Dust nodded. “I never saw it... being all the way in Appaloosa... but I heard... when they hit the factory... it caused the single biggest weather-related disaster in history... Cloudsdale was torn to bits...” She swallowed remembering when she had first heard about it.

“Say what you will about Spitfire being a flankhole... she pushed the civilians to pack up and leave just in time... if we had followed orders like I had wanted... they would have been all dead and we wouldn’t have even known... because we would still be flying out to our deaths...” She sniffed lowering her head down to the splintered wood bar.

“You hate yourself because what you thought was being loyal...”

“Would’ve killed at least 5,000 ponies... ponies I grew up with... ponies I saw every day on my way to the academy... ponies... I was supposed to protect...” She just stared blankly.

“You didn’t know... you were just as blinded by her as everypony else was...” She reached out a hoof and rubbed the mares back noticing the tight bandages covering her wings.

“That doesn’t excuse it though... I never thought about those ponies... all I thought about was the princess's orders... now look where it’s gotten us...” She looked back sadly at the pit fights going on. “Is this where our loyalty leads? Or did I just never understand it, to begin with... when ponies I’m loyal too have different orders...goals...who... what am I supposed to be loyal too?...”

Lightnings frown only deepened, as she was stumped herself, what could she say? This mare was once the famed element of loyalty, yet here she was questioning the meaning of her own element. “I don’t know Rainbow... the war made us all question a lot of things we took for granted... but is this really how you want to spend your life now?... spending the prime of your life... here?...” She motioned around the pit fighting arena, where numerous ponies could be seen cheering as two ponies attempted to knock their brains out in the pit.

“What of it? I’m good at fighting... it pays the bills...” Rainbow looked back at her, that bright spark long gone in the eyes of her rival.

“You used to be good... no...one of the best at flying!” Lightening shouted, not quite able to say that Rainbow just might even be better than her. Even by a little.

“So?... a lot of ponies used to be good at things... doesn’t matter here... most of those things are obsolete...” Rainbow said solemnly while staring back forward at the unattended tap, just leaking a bit of the bitter green stuff.

“Maybe for most...” A business card was placed down on the counter. Rainbow squinted her eyes struggling to read it in her unsteady state.

“What’s this?...” She asked with mild curiosity, seeing the brightly drawn small airplane on the card. “Gillam Bush-plane and Transport Services?...” She raised an eyebrow.

“They pay 12.50 an hour for newbie spotters.” Lightening smiled while Rainbow looked skeptical.

“Do I look like I could fly one of those things?” Chuckling in a depressed tone.

“You wouldn’t be the one flying it... with much of Equ... Lincolns towns tending to be separated by vast distances and unpredictable weather, many new settlements aren’t easy to reach... some parts of the year the roads are completely impassible! So they hire Gillam to fly in supplies much of the year, they also get work from the Fed to help map out the continent, along with reporting... chemical hazards...” Lightning Dust admitted.

“Ya ya... the potion....” Rainbow mumbled bitterly, trying to avoid being reminded about it, but looked a little more curious. “So what does a spotter even do?....”

“Simple... pegasi... along with other skyward races have awesome natural eyesight... so we’re hired to help guide the planes in... during flight and for landing...” Lightening said as a matter of fact.

“Huh... why not just use pegasi?” She seemed a little more thoughtful if a bit tipsy still from her drink.

“Simple... how many pegasi would it take to carry... I dunno.... just 900 pounds of supplies... for at least a few hundred miles?” She asked sarcastically while Rainbow thought about it and grimaced.

“Point taken... I dunno though...” Rainbow continued to look at the card, an unreadable expression on her face.

“Please just think about it... that’s all I’m asking...” She asked, knowing there wasn’t much else to say. "You've punished yourself enough here..."

Rainbow inhaled and slipped the card under her wing, just in time for Gabby the Gryphon to finally come back. “Ya... I’ll see if I wanna call them tomorrow morning...”
> Cranky Doodle Donkey
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
Coolidge City
Little Jerusalem
6:15 AM
The beeping sound of a digital alarm clock filled the small bedroom for a few moments before a shaking grey hoof felt around and finally tapped the clock. Immediately silencing the racket, the sound of the rooms solitary occupant sighing gently replacing it. Eventually, the old donkey finally sat up in his bed, pulling himself into a sitting position with his back-hooves hanging off the edge. Taking a deep breath he slid himself off moving his front hooves forward, grunting as he felt his old bones creak and click inside of him. Ignoring the pains that came with age he slowly trotted out of the room and into the adjunct kitchen/living area, with his eyes focused on the coffee maker.

“What to drink today?.....” Cranky mumbled scratching his chin as he looked over the selection of Keurig capsules. “Cold Stone Caramel Latte? Ah, that sounds good....” He mumbled grasping the cup from the rack and placing it into the coffee maker, just as he pressed the button his charging iPhone started to beep incessantly. “Hmmm?... what could that be?...” Raising his eyebrow he trotted over time the phone and tapped the screen, showing an event alert. He just stared at it for a few minutes, all it said was Matilda.

He just stared at it for a moment before slowly turning his head to the wall where a slightly torn and burnt poster and two crumpled tickets were framed. Despite the damage, the flamboyance of the poster wasn’t lost, with the bright colored prints, and exquisite detail.

The Grand Canterlot Cultural Exhibition was written in large fancy font above an image of the various races of Equis. He and his wife had always found the depiction of the races a bit cartoonish... but the event had been made into a worldwide phenomenon, Equestria's princesses spared no expense for it. Creatures from the furthest corners of the globe had traveled to attend, with countless nations sending their best to share their culture. It... was likely the best few weeks of his and Matilda's lives. The sights, sounds, smells of exotic foods, it was incredible to see so many races altogether, sharing their cultures in peace. Even races feared the world over like the Storm Creatures and Sphinx attended under the banner of truce.

Staring at the tickets framed just to the left of the poster blankly for a few moments he sniffed. The sound of the coffee maker finishing brought him out of his thoughts, grabbing the mug he brought it to his lips and sipped. “Meh... It’s alright.... a bit sweet.....”

He slowly made his way into the bathroom, wanting to finish getting ready for the day. A stallion his age had a lot to do before he was ready to go out into the world after all. He promptly kicked the door closed behind him, after a few moments the sounds of the shower could be heard.
———————————————————-
Cranky straitened his blonde toupée and slowly dusted off his suit before slowly making his way to the door. Stopping to slip his keys into his pocket with his phone he made his way out after locking the door behind him. Luckily for his old joints, he didn’t have to climb any steps to get out of the building. It was a straight walk down the hall to the street, and what a street it was. Little Jerusalem was a hive of activity, the various businesses were slowly opening, everything from convenience stores and specialized grocers to delis and restaurants. Most owned by the Jewish residents, but some were owned by donkeys and mules.

After the war, many donkeys and mules had found unexpected kinship with the locals. Finding that beyond some outwards appearances they had a similar history and beliefs. Over time the two communities grew close, with many of the European and American Jewish immigrants helping the donkeys back on to their hooves. The two communities had become nearly inseparable, with many synagogues in Lincoln having a donkey temple nearby, sometimes side by side. Often even sharing their holidays with one another.

Cranky smiled gently as his light brown greying muzzle caught the sent of the first bagels of the day being set on display. Looking to his right he saw Sacha Finkelsztajn, a rather famous deli that had been transplanted all the way from France to the new fledgling state. Testing the door with his hoof he made his way inside and headed to the counter where, Little Jerusalems resident and only changeling resided, currently dressed in an apron.

“Hey, dad...” Kevin smiled gently at the old stallion. “What can I get you?”

Cranky looked over the menu in deep thought. “I’ll have my usual bagel with lox... sunny side up egg...extra pickles... my coffee this morning was rich enough thank you.” He said gently while the changeling got to work. “How’s your new job treating you son?”

“Sacha is strict, but he treats me well. Thanks for getting me this job dad... it’s actually nice...” The changeling smiled gently as he toasted the bagel.

“I thought you might like it.” He frowned a bit. “I know how hard it used to be for you to be... social..”

“Ya... even after Thorax, changelings still had a bad rap... especially... unreformed ones.” He made little air quotes with his black hooves.

“They just didn’t understand...” Cranky mumbled as the smells of the sizzling egg hit his nose.

“Isn’t that the truth....” Kevin started to pile the salmon lox, following it with the egg, and hoof full of pickles. He then expertly wrapped it to go with his magic. “But that’s in the past...”

“It is...” Cranky said solemnly while Kevin levitated the parcel to his adopted father.

“You're going to visit her... aren’t you?...” Kevin asked not letting go of the meal despite being in Cranky’s hoof.

“It’s our anniversary Kevin... I have to go...” He mumbled out, which the changeling just stared and let go of his breakfast.

“Alright... before you go... let me pack you a lunch...” Kevin pulled out a paper bag and started to fill it with a few items including a fresh pickle. “On the house.”

Cranky knew better than to protest, of all the things Kevin had picked up from him, it was his stubbornness. “Thanks...” He took the bagged lunch and set it on his back. Just as he turned to leave Kevin spoke up again.

“Dad... send her my best... please?...” Kevin asked looking the old donkey in the eye. Cranky just nodded his head sadly before heading out of the deli. He didn’t know what else to say.

The trip to the bus stop was a quiet one for him, beyond the occasional greeting of someone he saw at temple or at his preferred deli. Once he arrived at the bus stop he only had to wait a short time on the bench before he boarded the bus and took an empty seat near the back. Not out of any preference, he just didn’t want to be disturbed.

As the bus started to pull away from the stop be looked out the window with a bored expression watching the city pass him by. Even years later he found it strange being in a city where ponies weren’t a majority. Humans could be seen milling about on the sidewalks outside, while the occasional Donkey, Gryphon, or even Diamond Dog could be seen. None of which found it odd, accept for him. Though perhaps it was his age, his years brought wisdom, but over time it also brought complacency. He slowly leaned his head against his hoof as the bus started to drive out onto the freeway. He had three hours to rest his old eyes, he wasn’t about to waste them.
———————————————————-
Cranky awoke to the feeling of someone gently tapping his shoulder. Grunting a bit as he started to wake up he found the bus driver looming over him. “Last stop... Sanlow...”

Cranky let out a yawn and nodded his head slowly struggling to his hooves. “Thanks.....” He mumbled under his breath as he slowly trotted down the aisle and off the bus.

Eventually, he was greeted with an almost idyllic town. Human children could be seen running down the sidewalks, while their parents followed close behind. Small local shops with a vintage boutique flair, he even stopped to eye a large wheel of stinky Limburger cheese in the window of one of the shops. He seemed to think for a moment before slipping inside. The beaconing smells simply too much for him.

Entering the store he was greeted by a faint chill vaguely reminding him of an icebox. All around him there were brick walls, lined with wooden shelves, which held a variety of different cheeses. Soon his eyes focused on a free sample platter near an antique register, resting upon a rather ordinate bar. Seeing a few pieces of Limburger on the tray he trotted over and grasped one, bringing to his muzzle to sniff. Enjoying the powerful smell he proceeded to toss it into his mouth.

“Good huh?” He nearly jumped out of his skinny hearing the voice behind him. Quickly turning around an old tan-skinned woman done up in a frilly apron.

“O-oh... My apologies... I was just browsing...” He said a bit nervous.

“Nothing to apologize for dear, I left out those samples specifically to attract customers.” She smiled gently. “Anything you're interested in?”

“Oh... the Limburger... I’ve never quite had one as creamy as it before... or as pungent...” He chuckled a bit. “I think I’ll take a bit to go with my lunch.”

Nodding her head she pulled a small block of the Limburger cheese, setting it on the counter. “2 ounces good?” She asked.

“Can’t imagine I’ll eat much more than that.” He mumbled a bit.

“Alright... that will be $3.78...” She rang him up on the old register.

Cranky dug into his pockets pulling out his wallet and setting four dollars on the counter. She slowly took them and set them into the register before hanging him his change. “Thank you.”

“You're going up there aren’t you?.....” She looked at him solemnly, looking him in the eyes to which he grunted, nodding his head. “... it’s going to rain... try to get there before it does...” She said gently to which he nodded.

Slipping the small brick of cheese into his paper bag lunch, he made his way out. Looking upwards to see the clouds were amassing above him. All he could do was to pick up the pace, not wanting to be late or to have his suit ruined in the rain. Already a few drops were starting to fall from above.
———————————————————
Cursing as he made his way down the sidewalk he could see the entrance to the Relocation Camp visitors center. The original high fences around the cursed place still standing, with the iron gates wide open in the rain, it almost reminded him of the maw of a hungry beast. He stumbled past the rusting gates avoiding looking at the burned bunkhouses in various states of decay behind the fences. Focused on getting inside the visitor's center, eventually sitting down on one of the wooden benches near the center of the room. Shivering a bit as he worked to catch his breath, it wasn’t anything he wasn’t used to. But his old age certainly was showing after that near gallop to the historic site. If he wasn’t so frugal he might just consider using an Uber to get there! He allowed himself to relax his tired joints, thankful for the heating in the area, though he didn’t care too much for the music.

Looking up he started at the photographs covering the walls. Groups of melancholic looking diamond dogs, donkeys, Minotaurs, Gryphons, Hippogriffs, Kirin, even the mighty Dragons and Sphinxes could be seen. All ages, all socioeconomic classes, it didn’t matter, they were placed together. Once he had gathered his strength once again, he clambered back onto his hooves and made his way to the booth where a young man waited.

“Um...one, please... It’s free of charge... look under...Doodle...” He asked the man nodded typing in the name before the sound of the pass being printed out reached his ears.

“Would you like an audio guide?” The man asked softly, to which Cranky shook his head.

“No... I can read... and I know the history well enough...” He said without any grace of humor. To which the man slid the ticket to the donkey and nodded his head.

“Have a good day sir...” He said gently to which Cranky just nodded his head taking the ticket and making his way to the entrance. Showing his pass and pushing past the turnstile he was first greeted with a glass enclosure, where some graveled earth waited behind. But it wasn’t the gravel he was focused on as he approached, it was what rested on it. A pile of horseshoes, bags, and clothing of various sizes and shapes... pilled several feet high. He stared at it blankly, before turning down the corridor.

He paid little mind to the other exhibits simply focusing on the theater where they were playing interviews on loop. Entering it he sat down on one of the benching having ample choices of seating. Once he was comfortable he turned his attention to the screen.

The film seemed to be in the middle of the Life before the Camps section, currently transitioning to a Minotaur. “I still remember the Exhibition... one moment I was enjoying some food while watching a Sphinx play... next moment it felt like the entire world what ending... the powerful tremors knocking me down along with my wife...” The Bull on the screen just seemed to pause staring off into the distance. “Everyone knows what happened after that... Equestria found itself in the middle of your ocean... the Pacific?... a few days later me and my wife were sitting in the hotel room... that’s when it hit us... we weren’t going home... home was gone... it... broke us... so much of our family were back home in Minos... and now?.. we’d never see them again...” He almost choked. “Equestria wasn’t our home... but suddenly it was the only home we had... For a while things were ok... The princess was meeting with your leaders... then she started to change... she closed the borders... no one knew what was going on...not until...until...” He looked down with a broken expression on his face, tears leaking down.

The video transitioned to a male Zebra. “You know... it happened so suddenly... at first despite the entire country being transported to another world... everything seemed to run like it did before... they said maintaining normalcy was important...but then after about a year... rumors started to spread that we weren’t Equestrians.... we were a danger to the safety of Equestria... Posters started to pop up around my shop... They weren’t very flattering for us...” He sighed slowly brushing his mohawk back, leaning into the side of the chair. “One day they slapped a big poster on my used book shop... Marking it as a non-pony business... I tried to take it down... but was fined heavily for it...I tried to make the best of it... doing everything I could to keep my shop afloat. Offering sales, trying to lure shoppers in with free cookies, heck even standing outside spinning a sign... I was still avoided... many once-loyal customers giving both me and my store a wide birth. Always avoiding my gaze...But despite the difficulties, I managed to keep the place afloat... But then...one day I was notified my business was being seized and I was moving somewhere... for my own safety they said...”

The screen slowly transitioned again to a young pink Hippogriff, she was sitting in a chair and sniffed. “It’s funny sometimes... my mother used to tell me... you learn the true value of your friends when things get tough...I never thought about it much... my life was never that hard... I never wanted for anything... friendship always came easily to me... even after Convergence... but...a few months after Celestia closed the borders and raised the first barrier... things started to change... ponies I used to talk with everyday avoided me... when I tried to buy groceries... I was sternly asked to leave... they said... I was upsetting the customers... I ended up having to walk several miles to a Yak owned shop just to get milk!... but one pony friend still came and saw me... Sandbar...” She sniffed her eyes tearing up a bit with a faint smile on her beak. “With so many ponies turning against me... it was... nice to have an old friend from the School of Friendship to talk with... He was my best friend... at least I thought he was...” She visibly seemed to struggle with what came next. “T-then while we were having dinner together in my apartment... I heard a knock at the door... and opened it to some royal guard ponies... who had a bunch of those Newfoals with them... no one knew where they came from at the time... just that they stared blankly into the distance... with those creepy smiles... The guards said my housing was being seized for them... and that I was going to be relocated for my own safety... they grabbed my shoulders and started to lead me out... I begged Sandbar to help me... to do... something... anything!... but he just turned his head away and closed his eyes while they took me...”

The screen eventually changed to a title card labeled Life in the Camps changed to an elderly female donkey and Cranky’s heart started to break. She had an oxygen mask on her muzzle, her sad eyes looking deep into the camera, and the stallions soul. “Life in the relocation camps was harsh... for many races, this was an entirely new experience... for Donkeys?... it was the age-old saying... history repeats... the only difference was this time we had more varied company...” She pauses hacking into her hoof through the mask. “Life in the camps was harsh... having so many different races in one place... with varied diets?... food wasn’t always easy for us all to get... So many of us crammed into those bunkhouses... nearly on-top of each other... me and my husband had to share a single bunk... there wasn’t nearly enough room for the two of us...so he slept on the muddy floor...” She breathed into her mask attempting to catch her breath.

“I remember looking into the eyes of my neighbors... so many of them scared and confused... right in front of my bed there was a Sphinx... when she first arrived at camp she was... a proud creature... a bright coat... fierce eyes...” She sniffed inhaling as best she could from the mask. She seemed to look away staring into space. “Firewood ran out after the food did... without the little heat the wood stove gave out, the bunkhouses got very cold... ice would form on the sheets... the guards started to get nasty... started snapping and punishing us for anything... even things we didn’t do... punishments got severe... before they would just transfer you to a less desirable work details for minor infractions... over time a minor infraction would get you tossed into solitary... the guards started to look skinny... get bags under their eyes... they would snap just for looking at them...” She sniffed a tear slowly leaking out of the corner of her eye. She pressed the mask against her muzzle inhaling shutting breaths.

“That quiet Sphinx from before...as the weeks rolled on... her coat became patchy... she thinned...the light slowly left her eyes... one morning when the guard was banging on the sliding door to the bunkhouse to wake up... we all moved... she didn’t... the guard spent... I don’t know how long trying to get her to move... even beating her with their spears...then one of them finally got the idea to check her pulse... they all went silent and wide-eyed...they closed the door after that... I never knew her name... no one did... she didn’t talk to anyone... We couldn’t even properly mourn her because of that...” She shifted in the chair being careful with the oxygen hose, her eyes visibly tearing up. “She wasn’t the first or the last... so many got sick or starved in those conditions... some of the guards tried to help us... pass us a little of their food when the other guards weren’t looking...” The was visibly crying now but managed to keep her voice steady.

“Glimmering Mace... He would always pass me part of his oat cake when he would do his rounds around the encampment... He was always so... nice... he didn’t like what was happening... but he knew if he did anything to protest... Captain Moral Fiber would replace him with somepony of... greater faith...” She shuttered. “A solar zealot to the bone... and the closest thing in my life I could call true evil... He once had a Diamond Dog beaten for not being silent while he and his stallions observed the sunrise... she was in labor... she tried... goodness she tried to be silent... but the pain of the birth was too much for her...he ordered five of his most loyal stallions to drag her out to the middle of the yard... and beat her... while she was helpless on her back... making us all watch as they slammed their spears against her body... her pups... they..... they didn’t make it... a few days later she died from the injuries as well...” She was looking down steadily losing her composure.

“Weeks rolled on... conditions continued to deteriorate in the camp... soon even Moral Fiber was looking skinny and pale...” She chuckled almost darkly. “He started punishing us by withholding our rations... but everybody knew the truth... he wasn’t withholding anything... wagons rarely showed up to the camp anymore... his stallions looking sickly... they had run out of food... Mace told me while sneaking a hoof full of stale barley...” She looked back at the camera. “Then one night while me and my husband were attempting to warm ourselves together... we heard hammering coming from the doors of the bunkhouse... We could see the nails being hammered through the wood... then the smell of burning pitch... Everyone around us woke up smelling the smoke and rushed to the sliding doors... only to find them hammered shut! Being so close to death... we couldn’t hope of breaking through the wood! Even the large Sphinx and yaks looked like leather draped over skeletons...”

“Just as we started to see the flames licking the walls around us...with many already beginning to pray to their gods and ancestors to guide them safely to the afterlife...we were ready for death... we all welcomed it... then we heard these loud... pops outside! Gunshots I think they're called... the royal guards shouting and seemingly stampeding around outside. Then.. it was as if Elyon himself struck down the walls to splitters, with my ears ringing all I heard was... move... move... from an unfamiliar voice... everyone stampeded outside. Seeing American soldiers... and the body’s of the royal guard skewed around... we were all terrified... starved.... confused... but cooler heads prevailed... if only just... it’s amazing what some food will do to soothe fears.....” She looked away seemingly into the distance.

“While they helped evacuate us... me and my husband were boarding the truck to be evacuated to their... FOB?... I think it was called?... I saw a body chained to the fence... It was... Mace... rushing over I attempted to wake him up... he had hoof marks all over him... and he was ice cold... I begged the soldiers to take him with us... they looked confused... my husband protested... but in the end, they wrapped him up and set him in the truck with us... I... couldn’t let him rot with the others... I just couldn’t...”

“The thing that really makes my blood boil... is that after all that... Captain Moral had survived... hiding under his own desk of all places... I remember seeing him being dragged in chains to one of the... Humvee’s?” Her face turned into a scowl. “All that cruelty, just...seemingly gone once he was caught... reduced to a sobbing foal... In the face of someone who could fight back.” She looked back into the camera, a look of pure determination on her face. “Which is why I made sure the world knew of his cruelty during the Dallas Trails... once he got what he deserved I knew I could rest....”

Cranky watched the screen fade to black, his wife had insisted that she take part in this. So the world would know what happened here, she didn’t care about her failing health. Her only concern was making sure she did her part, they took so many takes... it exhausted her... but she was as stubborn as he was. Getting up he made his way out of the theater. Slowly making his way past a granite wall memorial chiseled with the names of all those who had been lost in the camp. He took a moment staring at it remembering more than a few of them. His heart aching despite the years that had passed. He lowered his head continuing his walk eventually sitting down to stare at the final exhibit dedicated to the survivors who brought Captain Moral Fiber and those like him to justice. He gazed at the many faces before finally settling his eyes on one.

A picture of his late wife with a smile on her face despite the solemn nature of its surroundings. Below it was captained Matilda Donkey, 43 B.L.R.-2025 A.D. “Hope and Kindness is a candle in the darkness of despair and hatred.” He couldn’t hold them back anymore, the tears were finally coming out as he stared at her smiling face. It was just too much for him to hear her talk, and see that dedication.

Working up the strength he finally spoke. “Happy anniversary Milly....” He smiles sadly as he stood there, the few visitors giving him a wide birth, out of respect. Knowing just what he had lost.
> Twilight Sparkle (part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
United Equestrian Reservation
Administrator's House.
10:37 AM

Twilight sighed sipping her coffee while reading through her mail. Occasionally tossing a credit card offer or a scam into her trash bin. Eventually, she saw something that caught her eye, a letter from the Carson County School District. Biting her lip in anticipation she slowly opened the envelope with her magic and pulled out the letter. Her eyes quickly darted over it with a blank expression on her face. “Spike? Come in here please...”

The soft pattering of little scaled paws reached her sensitive ears before the purple drake entered her office. Having to tiptoe over several different papers skewed over the floor before he stood in front of his guardian's desk. “What is it Twilight?” He eyed the papers she was holding in her magic.

“Come here please Spike...” She asked motioning to the other side of the desk, where she was currently sitting.

He looked nervous as if he was expecting to be in trouble. But obeyed eventually standing in front of the sitting mare. “O-ok?....”

Before he could respond the mare leaned forward and pulled the small dragon into a smothering hug against her barrel. After smothering the poor kid against her for a few minutes, before finally letting him breathe. “You start in a week at Samuel Morse Elementary, we are gonna go get you school supplies today.” She ruffled his head spines smiling gently.

Spike just stood there in disbelief. “I-I can go to school?... r-real school?!” His chubby tail wagged almost like a dog as he looked up with wide eyes.

“Mhm, I expect you to be on your best behavior.” Said while he nodded in understanding.

“I promise Twilight.” He said while Twilight started to get up from her chair and stretch.

“Good, I’m going to call the driver to take us out to Walmart to pick up some things. I’m not about to send you to school unprepared.” Taking a moment to stretch once standing on all four hooves she started to make her way to her charging android dialing the number. “Hello?... Yes, can you bring the car around? I need to go shopping for Spike... Thank you...”
While the two were waiting for a firm knocking was heard from the front door. Twilight raised an eyebrow slowly making her way to the door. “Wow that was-“

Instead of the driver, standing right on her porch was a very familiar blue unicorn in an almost vintage looking blue 1920s secretary outfit, complete with a narrow brimmed hat slightly tilted to the side on her mane. A neutral expression on her face as she stared blankly at the rather confused Alicorn mare. “Head Administrator Sparkle...” She said in greeting, rather hollowly to her.

“Trixie? What are you doing here?” She started to think before her memory came back. “Oh! The survey and commitment documents!” She mentally chastised herself for forgetting about such an important meeting.

“Yes... Is something wrong?” Trixie raised an eyebrow at the purple mare.

“I was going to take Spike to get some school supplies.” Twilight responded, not quite understanding Trixie curt but distant tone.

“I see no reason we couldn’t work out the details of the documents during or after an outing.” Trixie shrugged nonchalantly at her.

“Alright?...” Twilight seemed unsure but it was nice that Trixie was being flexible. Spike had only just started to peak around her flanks to see the newcomer.

“Hello, Spike...” Trixie said in a marginally more friendly tone, just as the car pulled up the driveway. “I’m guessing that’s your ride?”

“Uh-huh...” Twilight nodded he head still dumbfounded by her presence.

“Let’s not keep them waiting, Miss Sparkle.” She said motioning to the waiting car.
———————————————————-
The drive to the Walmart just outside the reservation was short and uncomfortably quiet. Twilight and Spike sat together on the left side of the car, while the blue mare sat on the far right. Looking ahead while resting her forehooves on her skirt. Eventually, the car pulled up to the front of the Walmart, the driver quickly stepped out and opened the door for them. Nodding his head to the trio as they disembarked from the car.

“Call me when you're ready to be picked up.” He said with a faint Chinese accent, while Twilight nodded her head.

“Thank you Jun, I will, but it should take a while for us to finish our shopping. Feel free to get yourself something to eat. Theirs no sense in waiting around in the car for over an hour.” She said smiling gently to which he nodded slipping back into the car and drove off.

Trixie made a sound that almost sounded like a suppressed scoff. “So progressive...” She mumbled sarcastically, obviously not thinking Twilight would hear her.

Twilight frowned faintly but said nothing, while Spike didn’t seem to notice too excited about getting to do some school shopping. “Well... let's start with a backpack... once we have that Spike we can make our way to the other school supplies to see what will work with it.” She said putting a smile on her face, she wasn’t about to ruin this for her little dragon.

Making their way inside a few ponies seemed to look up and eye the former princess. Those making their way out gave Twilight a wide birth, more focused on her than anyone she was with. Likely out of some prehistoric instinct that had never quite gone away. Luckily the megastore was mostly deserted at the time, with most ponies and people currently at work or school. For that Twilight was thankful, the fewer ponies who saw her with Spike, the better.

Making their way to the back section of the store they finally spotted the themed child backpacks. “Oh wow! Pokemon!” Spike dashed off, as mature as he could act at times, he was still a child after all.

Twilight took a bit of time to watch him look over the nearly countless bags. She then looked over at Trixie who watched him with a faint smile on her face. “Trixie... I want to thank you for helping m-“ She paused mid-sentence while Trixie raised her hoof.

“I’m not doing this for you Sparkle... I’m doing it for the ponies on the reservation... who don’t have a state-paid stipend.” She said with just a bit of bitterness under her breath. But a look of determination formed on her muzzle. “For that, I can look past my... strong feelings about you... to make sure they all get a better life... I don’t want your friendship... ever, all I need from you is a professional relationship... nothing else... do we have an understanding?”

Twilight sighed and nodded her head. “Yes, we have an understanding... Thank you... for their sakes.” She watched Spike seemingly inspecting two backpacks, almost as if he was inspecting a gem.

“He doesn’t know does he?...” Trixie watched him place down one bag and grab another to inspect.

“Know what?...” Twilight tried to play dumb, but a hole in her heart was forming.

“Oh, I don’t know... what dear old Celestia was doing to dragons not lucky enough to have a purple Alicorn as a frie-“ Trixie was interrupted by Twilight covering her mouth with her hoof.

“P-please not here... not for me... for Spike... I promise you can chew me out... tear me down... all you like...as long as Spike doesn’t see... please this is a special day for him... don’t ruin it for him because of.... of me...” Twilight sniffed, small tears forming on the corners of her eyes.

Trixie looked back at Spike seeing him smiling wide at a particular Pokémon Mystery Dungeon themed backpack. With a blank look on her face, she nodded her head. “He’s the only innocent one out of the three of us... for Spike...” She nodded her head a second time to which Twilight tilted her head more thoughtfully, after wiping away the tears.

“Twilight! I want this one!” He smiled waddling over to her and holding up the bag. Twilight slowly looked it over and nodded her head.

“It very nice! I know how much you like that series.” She gave him a wide grin and nuzzled him out of the blue to comfort herself. All while the poor drake squirmed childishly.

“Twwwwiiiiiiilight..... not in public!” He blushed feeling flustered once she let him pull away.

“Alright, how about we go pick out a lunch box.” She smiled softly down at him while they slowly made their way to the lunchbox aisle.

Watching him rush off to look over the lunch boxes Trixie's frown deepened. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to send him to school? It might be like tossing a foal into a hornet's nest...” She sighed developing a more sympathetic look on her face while she watched Spike attempt to find a matching lunch box and thermos.

“What am I supposed to do Trixie?... Keep him locked up in my house for the rest of his life?... Isolated from the world?...” Twilight shook her head. “No child deserves that... he deserves to have real friends...”

Trixie shook her head. “Will anyone give him a chance?” Watching him nod his head looking at a Pokémon themed thermos that came with a spork.

“...I don’t know... but I have to believe... someone will give him a chance...” Twilight watched him look over the large bento lunchboxes. “For his sake...”

“Why?...” Trixie asked more than a bit curious now.

“... After everything... I realized what Spike meant to me... and that I wasn’t treating him fairly...” Seeing Trixie raise her eyebrow again she continued. “...I hatched Spike during one of my magic surges... I was the first thing he saw... as a filly I would let him snuggle against me while I studied... I’m his... mom... at least the closest he has....” Twilight lowered her head down to stare at the dirty linoleum. “But for much of his life... I never thought about it... he was just my assistant...”

“I always wondered why you had a dragon in your castle...” Trixie seemed to think about it more thoughtfully as she looked at the dragon.

“Spike is my son... the closest I’ll ever have... don’t give me that look... I know how you see me... I see that look in everypony eyes... Nevermind everycreature...” Twilight sighed sadly. “Suitors won’t be coming to knock on my door now... or ever.”

Spike ran back over showing the microwave-safe bento shaped like a large Pokeball. “This one steams the food in the microwave! So it’s heated evenly! There’s even a cookbook that comes with it! Half off!” He wagged his chubby tail showing her the attached cookbook with more than a few simple and cute recipes for the lunch box.

“Hmmm... well I guess we’ll just have to buy it! It matches your bag after all.” Twilight said looking it over, finding the recipes and the designs for them rather cute. “You sure you can make these? They seem awfully complicated, just look at this Snorlax bowl.” She said jokingly.

“Come on Twilight I’ve been cooking for you since I could talk!” He giggled.

“I know Spike.” She hummed gently at the drake. “Now let's get the other essentials... let’s see...” Twilight tapped her chin in thought. “A pencil box, crayons, colored pencils...” Twilight continued to list off the essentials as they made their way to the office supplies together. Trixie deep in thought while following them.
———————————————————-
The trip to Walmart concluded without incident, with the drive back being a bit more comfortable. Spike just couldn’t help but chat excitedly about his new school supplies on their way home. Twilight enjoyed it, Trixie's expression remained neutral though this time around she kept a faint smile on her face. Eventually, the car arrived at the house and the trio made their way inside.

“Spike why don’t you go to play on your Switch 2.” Twilight smiled looking down at the drake wearing his new backpack. “Me and Trixie have to go out and handle some things.”

“Alright, Twilight.” Spike nodded heading to his bedroom to play.

The two mares watched him go before making their way back outside to the yard. It wasn’t much just a bit of grass with some cheap patio furniture. Once they got far enough from the house Trixie finally spoke up. “You know he’s going to find out what Celestia was doing to nonponies...”

“I know...” Twilights throat seemed to dry while he swallowed looking over the cool desert beyond her property line. She didn’t even try to deny it.

“So you admit you didn’t tell him....” Trixie raised an eyebrow again while she adjusted her flat-brimmed hat.

“No... I didn’t...” Twilight admitted while they both looked forward.

“You know when he finds out what she was do-“ Trixie was interrupted.

“There’s every chance in the world he will hate me...” Twilight lowered her head slowly, tears leaking out. “That while the two of us were enjoying lavish meals with the Devil... his friends like Smolder and Garbel were trapped in a living hell... because I was complacent in not knowing...”

Trixie nodded, despite what her boss had told her, she still couldn’t believe one could be so purposely obvious. But she knew better than to call bullspit with her client in this emotional state... despite every ache in her heart telling her too, she had made a promise to her boss, and she would keep it. “Why haven’t you told him yourself? Does he really have to learn about it in a textbook?...”

“You don’t think I’ve tried Trixie? I have, but whenever I’ve convinced myself I can do it... He looks at me... and I think... just one more day... then I’ll tell him...” She sniffed. “I’m not strong enough to tell him...”

The two stayed silent for a while before Trixie spoke up. “It’s going to destroy him you know... if you're telling the truth... and he really doesn’t know how bad things got....” Trixie didn’t continue they both knew.

“It will likely destroy our current relationship... I... even if by some miracle he doesn’t blame me... he likely will need time to...to...” Twilight was visibly crying now, Trixie was dumbfounded, though she didn’t show it outwardly.

Trixie sighed rubbing the Alicorns back, she didn’t know what else to do. This wasn’t the mare she was expecting. She just sat their next to her, waiting until she had let it all out. For how long, it was difficult to say, but neither one spoke for a while. There just wasn’t much else to say, so they waited.

Eventually, Twilight sniffed and pulled away. “Thanks, Trixie...” She shook her head pulling herself together.

“Don’t mention it Sparkle...” She said returning back to the professional attitude.

“We should start working on those forms... I’d like to get them filled out tonight... then maybe tomorrow you could see if you could get any signatures?...” Twilight asked a bit shakily but a look of determination on her face.

“Yes... I believe that’s doable... you were wanting a petition and some commitment contracts?” Trixie started to do some estimates in her head.

“Yes... I’ve thought it over and I think that some colorful succulents would be a good start...” She said while Trixie took mental notes.

“Succulents, why?” She gave her a cockeyed look, familiar with the plants, but wondering why.

“More adapted time our environment, and they require less maintenance.” Twilight rapper her chin. “I was also wondering if you could post some advertisements for the Peace Bank?”

Trixie nodded her head, it made sense. “What’s the Peace Bank?”

“They specialize in nonprofit micro and small loans for developing communities and countries,” Twilight said almost like she had memorized it. “They are setting up a few branches here on the reservation, in hopes some ponies can start businesses and build credit, without the threat of predatory loans.”

“Ah... Will ponies actually take it though?...” Trixie seemed to think. “The war and drastic changes to the surrounding economy made a lot of cutie marks... obsolete...”

“Well, I have hope for m...” She shook her head chastising herself mentally. “Sorry, I have hope for ponies, some have managed to adapt... Spitfire was the Captain of the Wonderbolts, and head of the Academy, now she owns the most successful and admittedly only bar on the reservation. That’s quite a change from her cutie mark...”

Trixie nodded her head. “That’s true, I’ve seen and heard of that place a few times. For better or worse, business is booming there...” She still seemed unsure about how much it would change. “But what kind of businesses could ponies hope to open here? The reservation has zero natural resources...”

Twilight nodded her head. “With all the mining and manufacturing going on around us... it’s easy to forget there are other types of businesses... I don’t know what sorts of business ponies will open... if any... but I’d rather give them a chance....” Trixie nodded as the two of them headed to the house, they had a lot of work to do tonight.
———————————————————-
Trixie yawned having fallen asleep on the dark green couch in Twilights living room after they finished typing up the documents. She couldn’t even remember when they had finished and retired to sleep, only that it had started to get light outside when they did so. Stretching a bit she slowly rolled off the couch onto her hooves, trotting over to the sink she grabbed an empty glass. While she waited for it to fill with the precious water, she heard the familiar hoofsteps of Twilight.

“You can use the guest bathroom to clean yourself up before you head out Trixie... there's some shampoo and conditioner in there I think...” Twilight said while Trixie started to drink the cool water. Once she finished she spoke up.

“Thanks... do you have an iron I can use to straighten out my outfit first?” Trixie mumbled sleepily while Twilight nodded.

“Yes... Check the laundry room next to the bathroom. It might be a bit dusty though, we don’t use it much.” Twilight responded quietly heading over to the coffee maker and getting it started.

Trixie just silently made her way to the bathroom, eventually shutting the door behind her. For about 15 minutes the sound of running water could be heard. After a time they blue mare walked out wearing a towel, with her wrinkled outfit on her back making her way into the disused laundry room. The sounds of a steaming hot iron could be heard as it worked its way over the fabric. Meanwhile Twilight busied herself with her freshly brewed coffee, adding in a bit of creamer and sugar before sipping it while leaning against the counter.

“Administrator Sparkle....” Trixie mumbled a bit, having just slipped into her perfectly pressed outfit. “The printing seems to have finished... I’ll staple them, and start pounding the sands to see if any ponies can be bothered to sign up....” She stretched again, apparently the couch doing her lower back no favors.

“Thank you, Trixie... do you have a ride to the settlements?” Twilight asked which Trixie nodded in response.

“I do... having me show up in your car would likely be counter-productive for what I’m doing.” She gave her a tired deadpan to which Twilight sadly nodded. “Even then, I’ll likely have them drop me outside the settlements to avoid any rash assumptions.”

“Alright... hopefully you’ll be successful...” Twilight said following Trixie to the front door to see her off. Once she had slipped into the car, Twilight closed the door again. She had some paperwork that needed to be completed for Spikes transfer into Samuel Morse Elementary after all.
> Button Mash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
New Brooklyn
Hyatt Electronics
6:37 AM

Button could think of few times in his life where he had gotten into real trouble while he sat quietly in the chair. The most trouble he could remember ever being in was when he stayed out late to play that unicorn arcade machine. Missing his curfew by only... two hours? But even then his mom was more worried and upset than angry. But not this time, he couldn’t make out what was being said in the office, but the tones certainly didn’t make it seem good. Which only upset the young colt further, already sniffling having been caught red hooded doing something so stupid.

A few moments later the office door to the side of his chair unlocked. With his mother Cream Heart trotting out in her waitress outfit, complete with her name tag on the white apron. Mister Hyatt followed close behind in his white dust coat and leather apron. They both stood in front of the young colt, while he could only sink under their gaze, avoiding making eye contact. Still out of the two of them, his mother's angry disappointed stare made him feel as if he was swallowing his own breaking heart.

“Button, look at me.” Cream said sternly, to which the young colt shakily looked up. “Mister Hyatt and I have talked it over, and we’ve come to an agreement. After you’ve finished your schoolwork, you will be doing some odd jobs for mister Hyatt to pay off your debt to him.”

Button swallowed. “O-odd jobs?” He asked unsure, flinching a bit under the older white-haired man's gaze.

“Yes Button, odd jobs, you're going to spend your time after school sweeping, cleaning, stocking, and whatever else mister Hyatt needs around his business.” She looked down at the small colt with a deep frown.

Button nodded his head slowly, bowing better than to complain about losing what little free time he had after school. “Yes, mom...”

“Now apologize to mister Hyatt for what you did.” She said with a stern edge that made the colt twitch.

Button inhaled and exhaled attempting to calm himself, but it did little to help his dry throat. “I’m sorry mister Hyatt.” His ears instinctively lowered against his head.

Cream coughed and cleared her throat, reminding him he had to say more. While giving him the eye that only made his stomach sink deeper into his hooves.

“I’m... sorry for stealing the Joy Boy Emulator....” Burton swallowed while the man maintained his unreadable expression.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, don’t wear nice clothes, the storefronts clean, but the workshop and warehouse are not.” He said neutrally but his stern eyes focused on the small colt. To which Button just nodded his head solemnly. He certainly wasn’t looking forward to spending his time after school here.

“Thank you for your generosity mister Hyatt, I’ll make sure this never happens again.” Cream said to the old man, before using her hoof to grab the colts ear and lead him out. To which he could only whine from the pain. Once they were outside she continued to hold onto his poor ear heading towards the bus stop. Not saying a single word, the whole way, even after they boarded the bus. That’s how he knew she was furious and was waiting till they were in the privacy of their home to really chew him out. All he could do was mentally prepare himself.

After about 40 minutes, the bus left the industrial area came to a stop inside the reservation. The moment the doors opened, Button's ear was grabbed again as she leads him off the bus and back home. More then a few latchkey foals watched him get dragged, a few laughing at his expense, only making him blush and sniffle more in humiliation. Once they reached the small two-bedroom emergency shelter she promptly unlocked the door and dragged the colt inside.

She finally let him go and grabbed the sulking colts chin with her hoof to force him to look into her eyes. “Now... mind telling me what the buck you thought you were doing Button! I ask you to sit quietly and do your homework in the corner booth and what do you do?!” She finally screamed at him.

“I-I...” He lowered his head.

“Look at me Button! What were you thinking?! If Hyatt called the police do you know what would have happened?!” She yelled forcing the colt to look at her again the tears leaking down the sides of his cheeks. He just shook his head weakly. “Well let me tell you! Regardless of how the police punish you, it destroys your chances of ever getting out of this hell hole! If you have something like that on your record, good luck getting a scholarship! They will just toss your application right in the trash! Don’t even count on the trade school raffle, your name is pulled from there too!”

Button was struggling to stand, visibly shaking and crying now. “I-I was just...” He sniffled.

“So please... please Button... tell me why you would risk your chances! You're an excellent student! I’ve never seen anything lower than a B+ on your report card!” The anger draining from her face, being replaced with despair and disappointment. “I work my hooves to the bone to try and give you a better life... Did I do something wrong?! Did I not raise you right?! Tell me?!”

Button just shook his head sobbing now. “I just thought... I saw the game... I don’t know mom... I-I just don’t know...”

“... Go to your room button... just... go...” She sighed pointing her hoof to the door before running it over her face. “I... can’t see you right now...”

Button didn’t argue, he just trotted to his room and closed the door behind him. Once he made it to his bed he just collapsed onto the bed burying his face into the pillow. He would spend the rest of the listening to his mother cry through the thin walls. Sleep didn’t come to him that night.
———————————————————-
The next day wasn’t much better for Button, school just seemed to drudge on much longer. He struggled to focus on his classes, the guilt of what he did yesterday sticking with him. The bullying was definitely worse today, but eventually at 2:30 school got out. He quietly sat in the back of the school bus holding his small bag close until he reached its last stop in the industrial area of New Brooklyn. Trotting to Dairy Marys Diner, the bright neon sign buzzing faintly.

Once he managed to step inside, he saw a large female Minotaur behind the bar who eyed him a bit, likely having heard of what he did. Turning to the left be made his way to a secluded booth and sat down. Just as he started to pull out his long division and multiplication homework. After making his way through the first three problems on the worksheet he heard the familiar hoofsteps of his mother.

Looking up he saw her in the familiar retro waitress outfit. “Don’t forget Button, once your finished your going straight to Mister Hyatt’s shop, I expect you to be on your best behavior Button...” He could tell she was still upset.

“Ok, mom...” He just nodded his head slowly, while he went back to solving the problems. After about 30 minutes he finished the math homework and started to focus on his English assignment. Already he was stumped, it was such a simple assignment, What do you want to be when you grow up? He didn’t really know, and yet he had to write a whole page about it, within a month. After spending 20 minutes just working on the introduction he gave up and slipped it into his bad.

“Finished with your schoolwork Button?” He looked up to see his mom checking on him while carrying a tray of dirty dishes on her back.

“Uh-huh....” He nodded his head slipping his bag back on and scooting out of the booth.

“Alright... head across the street to mister Hyatt’s... and no stealing, am I clear? He was generous to you the first time, don’t test that generosity again.”

He just nodded again as he turned to make his way out of the diner only for a hoof to grab his bag. “This stays here Button...”

“But mom!” He frowned, but once he saw that face. He knew he wasn’t leaving with his bag.

“After you tried to sneak a Joy Boy from Hyatt’s in here, do you really think I’m going to trust you with this over there?” He gave him a stern look.

“...No...” He slipped the bag off, watching his mother slip it behind the counter.

“Please...just behave Button...” She told him just as he made his way out of the door.

The trot to Hyatt’s Electronics wasn’t far thankfully, stopping at the sidewalk, he looked both ways, seeing the vast stretches of warehouses and factories either way. Once he was sure it was safe, he quickly trotted across the road to the large steel prefabricated building, the painted sign held above. The moment he entered the sound ring signaling a someone had entered. Waiting a few moments at the door, eventually, mister Hyatt walked into the showroom. Wearing the same white dust coat and leather apron he did yesterday.

“Oh, you did show up...” He said in mild if a bit tired surprise.

“Was I not supposed to?” Button swallowed nervously, while the man seemed to be lost in thought.

“No no... just... Nevermind... Let's see...” He mumbles trying to think of what the colt could do for him. “Let’s start you off sweeping the workshop and warehouse.” He motioned the colt to follow him through the employee only doors, contrasting with clean white modern-looking showroom, with glass shelves and cases, the Workshop and warehouse in comparison contrasted it greatly. Industrial shelving towering nearly two stories or more, above them. All loaded with old and new electronics ranging from Flatscreen TVs to rust-covered almost filing cabinet looking things covered with nobs and meters.

Button looked at these things curiously, some of the older items reminded him of that movie they watched during lunchtime, Atlantis: The Lost Empire he couldn’t imagine what they were all for. But they continued to catch his eye with how much they stood out. “Cool...” He said under his breath looking over an old Analog Am transmitter.

Hyatt raised an eyebrow but coughed to bring the colt's attention back to him. “If you take a look at the floors around here, they are filthy. Take that large dust mop and work out the debris over there.” He motioned to an opened truck loading dock. “That should be a good start I think.”

The looked around while his face paled, this place was huge! He could fit his house in this place countless times over! “All of it?...”

“Mhm, won’t take as long as ya think, just start from the north end.” He motioned his head backwards to the farthest corner behind him. “Then work your way down south.” He motioned is head to the furthest corner in front of him. “Trust that won’t be a problem?” He raised an eyebrow at the cold while keeping his neutral tired expression.

“No mister Hyatt...where’s the dust mop?” Button sighed, looking around.

“Should be back near one of the northern corners of the warehouse.” He motioned his head backward. “I’ll be over in the workshop.” He mumbled while turning around and heading back to whatever he was working on.

Seeing it was his cue, the colt started to trot through the warehouse, after about 5 minutes he found what he was looking for. The size of it compared to him was almost comical, but he grabbed the handle in his hooves. He then began to slowly make his way down the first aisle between the shelves. Watching as the grime, dust bunnies, and little worthless baubles that fell off the varied inventory. By the time he finished the first aisle, it became apparent after each one he would have to empty the mop at the distant opening. He mumbled under his breath, it was likely going to take hours at this rate!
———————————————————-
The next two weeks followed much the same pattern, Button would finish his homework under the watchful eye of his mother while she waited tables and took orders. Then once he finished his homework, or finished whatever he could... that writing assignment still sat the bottom of his bag... he would make his way across the street to Hyatt’s Electronics. So far he had cleaned the floors, helped organize inventory in the showroom (under Hyatt’s watch), and even sorted components into various boxes. Today however things would be a bit different from the usual drudgery of cleaning and sorting for the elderly man.

Having not seen mister Hyatt there to greet him like he normally did in the showroom, he made his way back to the workshop. More then a bit confused since the ringing sound of the door opening was usually enough to bring him. Once he made his way past all the metal shelving to the workshop he spotted him hunched over something on the workbench, the now familiar smell of melting solder hitting the colt's nose. It wasn’t unpleasant to him, and this time he was a bit more curious about what he was working on.

Slowly tiptoeing closer to the workbench while the old man worked, the colt climbed up into the nearby swivel chair to see what was going on. Looking through the binocular magnifier while he carefully desoldered a rusty metal cylinder from the mess of wires and circuits. He then slowly lifted it from the board with a pair of pliers, once it was out he slowly looked it over. The anticipation and curiously was finally too much for Button. “What’s that?”

Mister Hyatt nearly jumped out of his own skin. “Huh?!....” He flipped up the large goggles up off his eyes. “Oh! Button, I didn’t hear you come in.” He rubbed his eyes. “Did you say something?”

“I... Uh... asked what that was...” Button pointed nervously to the metal tube and the box filled with wires.

He took a moment to register what the colt was asking before his eyes widened a bit in understanding. “Oh, this is a T-12SA7... a vacuum tube and this...” He patted the side of the box. “Is an AN/GRC-6 radio used in a tank.”

Instead of looking bored, Button looked genuinely interested. “What’s a vacuum tube?” He asked tilted his head, to which the man seemed to think a bit.

“I suppose the best way to describe them... is like both a one-way street and gears for electricity.” He said tapping his chin.

“What do you mean?” Button sat down on the swivel chair.

“Vacuum tubes allow us to control the direction of electricity, making the current stronger... hmmm I think I know how to explain it better.” He inhales a bit to catch his breath. “Imagine you have two groups of kids pulling two different carts.... one group is running and pulling in different directions, the other is pulling their cart as a group. Who do you think will go further?”

“The kids pulling as a group?” Button said after thinking for a moment.

“Exactly, a vacuum tube does the same thing, it makes electrons or electricity work as a group. Thus allowing them to work more efficiently.” He nodded his head.

“But... how does that make a radio work?” Button asked while the man smiled for the first time since he had met him.

“That’s a bit more complicated, but I think I know how to show you the fundamentals.” He slowly rose his feet.

“What about the radio your working on? Or my job for today?” Button said worriedly.

“I can’t finish the repairs until the replacement parts come in and I don’t really have much for you to do today.” He shrugged making his way to a plastic trash bin, loaded with pieces of broken pallets. Eventually fishing out two small pieces of wood, and making his way back over. Setting them on a workbench to the right of what he was working on. “I think these will do.”

“Do what?...” Button was confused, what was he going to do with those two pieces of wood?

“I’m going to show you how to make a radio receiver.” He said motioned for the colt to push his chair over.

Button did so a bit slowly having to climb off and then push it over. “You're going to teach me how to make a radio... out of a piece of wood?” He raised an eyebrow skeptically at the old man.

“Yes, well... no, it’s more like I’m showing you how to make a radio on a piece of wood.” He said while the colt still didn’t quite believe him.

“Alright...” Button didn’t have much else to do, and walking back to the diner to sulk under his mother’s watch didn’t seem that inviting.

“Let’s see what else do we need...” The old man thought. “Some wire...a beer bottle... germanium diodes... 1/4 watt resistors... small disk capacitors ...piezoelectric earphones... that old coat hanger... oh and mounting hardware.” He started to dig through the parts from various drawers around the workbench, setting them down on the wood. Along with the other odds and ends he had lying around.

The colt stared at the small pile of parts, not believing that they could make anything useful. “This is it?”

“Hmm, yep that’s all we need, think you can follow along?” He asked pulling his chair over and sitting down.

“I guess so?” Button was unsure but looking more curious again, seeing he wasn’t playing a joke on him.

“Alright, follow my lead...” He passed the colt a sharpie. “I’m going to show you how to draw a simple circuit.” He slowly started to draw the crystal radio circuit on the wood. Button watching him closely before meticulously copying it onto his own board.

“What are these symbols for?” Button looked at them once he finished copying the drawing.

The old man had a faint smile and pressed his finger onto the wood. “So this little dot right here is where you will hook up the antenna, a long piece of magnet wire in this case. Which will pick up AM radio signals, I’ll explain what AM means later...” He then dragged his finger to a drawing that looked like loops that the colt would draw in his notebook out of boredom in school. “See this? This is a tuning coil, in your case, it will be magnet wire wrapped around some leftover the bottle. This allows you to select what radio station you want to hear by sliding the coat hanger wire across it. The energy will then move through the hanger wire over here.”

Button watched as slowly dragged his finger down the strait black to what looked like an arrow pressing into the top of a capital T could be seen. He hanged onto every word he said, the simple explanations of what each part did fascinating the colt. Once he had finished explaining what each part of the radio did they finally started to assemble it. The coil took the longest, who knew wrapping magnet wire around a bottle could be so time-consuming! But once that part was finished, with the poor colt having to start over more than twice! The rest of the radio started to take shape on the piece of wood.

Soon enough the radio was finished, looking it over, it didn’t look like much. It couldn’t possibly work, right? But the old man just had a faint smile. “Alright Button, slip the earpiece into your ear, I assure you it won’t bite.”

Button lifted the earpiece up, slipping it into his ear. He could already hear faint static through it, developing a look of determination as he slowly slid the wire over the tuner. Once he picked up a radio broadcast his eyes seemed to brighten, it wasn’t anything terribly interesting. Just a college football game, what amazed him was the fact he built something that could pick it up. “It’s working...”

“I figured it might...” The old man mumbled a bit leaning back in his chair.

Button continued to fiddle with the radio searching for other stations, before looking at the clock and finally pulling the earphone out of his ear. “My moms getting off soon...” He couldn’t help but sound a little disappointed. “It’s my last day too...”

“Something wrong? Usually, you can’t wait to get out of here.” He raised an eyebrow.

“I... was hoping we could do another project like this... it was really cool...” Button shuffled in his chair.

Hyatt developed a more thoughtful look on his face and tapped his chin. “Tell you what... if you continue to do a few odd jobs for me every now and then, I’ll teach you about electronics. Does that sound fair?”

Button nodded his head. “More than fair!” He quickly covered his mouth. “I mean yes mister Hyatt, I’m sorry for shouting.”

He chuckled. “I wish more kids your age were excited about working on electronics, instead of just using them. It’s alright, you best not keep your mother waiting.”Button nodded his head again slipping off the chair. Leaving the radio on the bench only for Mister Hyatt to speak up again. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” He grabbed the crystal radio off the table and held it out to the colt.

“It’s mine?..” Button sounded surprised.

“Well, you did build it Button.” He said smiling faintly. “Besides I don’t have much use for it.”

“Thank you, mister Hyatt!” Button quickly took the radio in his mouth and trotted out to find his mom across the street. Now finally having an idea of what he wanted to be.
———————————————————-
The next few weeks Button occasionally helped mister Hyatt around his shop, in return getting electronics lessons from the old man. Most children would have lost interest as bits of math started to work their way into the hobby, yet he seemed continually drawn to it. Mister Hyatt would continue to teach him about new components, demonstrating how it could be used in a new project. They tended to be simple things at first, battery testers, rechargeable LED flashlights and a cigarette box guitar with a built-in amp. That last one was pretty fun as he got to meet one of Mister Hyatt’s business partners, Chris Hackett. Apparently, he ran a fabrication/art studio nearby, he was a bit odd, but always had a new project to show off.

Button steadily became a common sight around the shop, either learning steadily more complex electronics, cleaning the floors, or helping sort salvaged electronics from a recent teardown. Seeing a menagerie of various electronics make their way in and out of the business. From old military radios to more modern-looking flat-screen TVs, the stock on the high metal shelves was always changing. As did the clientele, soccer moms to men in quasi-military uniforms.

The young colt had just finished sorting through the variable pile of transformers and miscellaneous parts that Mister Hyatt and his employees had torn out of an old sound reinforcement system. Once the last transformer was labeled with a sharpie and tossed into a box he got up and stretched. Rather sore from sitting on the floor while he worked through the pile. “Mister Hyatt? I’m done, do you want me to move the boxes over to storage?”

“Sure, once you're done could you come over to the workshop Button?” He heard him respond.

After about 20 minutes of carrying the heavy boxes to their assigned shelves, he made his way to the workshop where Hyatt was looking over something. “Finished?”

“Uh-huh... what are you looking at?” He looked curiously at the boxy contraption.

“It’s a Zorba...” He unlocked the keyboard from the box, revealing the dark 9in screen and floppy disk drive. “It was an early portable computer from the 80s... sadly this one's components have long since given up the ghost... the case is still good though... so I got to thinking.”

“About what?” Button pushed the chair over and climbed up to get a better look.

“Hold on... let me find it...” The old man started to dig around the drawers before pulling out a small box with a black and white cartoon raspberry on it. “Here we go... a Raspberry Pi 5 X.”

“That doesn’t look like a pie.” Button stared as he opened the box revealing the circuit board.

“Not pie, pi as in the number used to calculate the circumstance of a circle.” He Shakes his head. “That’s not important... the Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer.”

“What are you going to do with it?” Button continued to look over the broken vintage computer and the board.

“It’s not what I’m going to do with it, it’s what we are going to do.” He chuckled gently.

“Oh? What are we gonna do with it then?” The colt seemed interested and more invested in it now.

“We’re gonna make you a computer, a colt your age needs to start learning IT.” He pats the vintage machine. “The best way to do it is to have a machine at home to work on.”

“A computer?!” The colt nearly jumped off the seat in excitement. He had only just started to learn how to do some basic programming in his computer class in school. It wasn’t anything too complicated yet, just programming the desktops to play simple games with them. Pong and tic tac toe so far, but they were working their way up to more advanced programs.

“It probably won’t play a lot of games... but it should be able to handle more mundane things, word documents, programming, maybe some web surfing if they ever get it out to the reservation...” He seemed to think a bit while leaning back in the chair looking over the old computer. “It’s going to take a while... but you’ll get to learn some more advanced electronics along the way.”

“B-but something like this has to cost money!” Button said in shock not quite believing was he was hearing the computers at school were tightly regulated after all.

“I did the math if you were making minimum wage you’d be able to cover this project. Even taking into account the other projects we’ve done.” He slowly pushed away from the workbench and got to his feet, a bit shakily. “It’s around that time... Why don’t we both go visit Dairy Marys Diner?

“Uh... ok?” Button slipped off the chair to follow him. The way across the street to the retro diner was short, the familiar smells of the greasy food hitting them before they even opened the door.

The Minotaur looked up at them as they came in and smiled gently. “Come on in darlin’s.” She motioned to the open booths. “Ya just missed the after-work rush, why don’t you go ahead and choose a seat and order.”

Once they got seated Cream Heart made her way over with the menus. “Oh! Mister Hyatt! I hope Button hasn’t gotten in trouble again...” The mare looked worried.

“No no, just felt in the mood for a warm dinner.” He chuckled. “Two menus please, Button feel free to order what you want, it’s on me.”

“Thank you, Mister Hyatt.” The colt smiled taking the menu into his hooves, more than a little excited.

Cream looked surprised but shrugged her shoulders. “Can I get you boys something to drink?” She asked after shaking her head clear.

Hyatt seemed to think a bit while looking over the menu. “I’ll have an egg cream.”

“Ohhhh, can I have the chocolate malt?” Button smiled seeing a picture of the shake in the menu.

Hyatt nodded to the mare as she mentally took down the orders. “All go bring those right out.” She left them to look over the menus.

“What’s an egg cream?” The colt finally asked looking up from his menu at the old man.

“It’s like.... carbonated chocolate milk.” He said after thinking.

“With eggs?” Button tilted his head confused.

“Oh no no, it’s just a name, maybe in the past, it had eggs. The ones Mary makes are just carbonated chocolate.” He shrugged. “I just like the taste.”

Cream came over with their drink orders setting them on the table. “Have you two decided on what to order?”

“Tofu bacon cheeseburger with home fries!...Please.” Button quickly added blushing from his outburst.

“I’ll have the meatloaf sandwich, with coleslaw instead of fries please.” Hyatt said setting down his menu.

“Alright, I’ll go tell Rover your order.” She smiled trotting off, a few moments later the smells and sounds of cooking food could be heard from the kitchen. She would eventually come back with the orders, along with half a tofu turkey club with a side salad, before sitting down next to Button. “Got room for one more?”

“I don’t see why not.” Hyatt smiled as he pulled his meal closer to him.

“So what did you have my son working on today?” She asked while lifting the sandwich to her mouth.

“Oh! Mister Hyatt is gonna help me build a computer!” Button said excitedly while Cream looked surprised.

“A computer? Are you going to help him with a project or something?” She raised an eyebrow only for Button to shake his head.

“No, we're going to build him a computer.” Hyatt smiled gently. “I have some spare parts from leftover from a job. Might as well put them to use.”

“W-we can’t afford that!” Cream sounded shocked and worried, computers were expensive, especially nowadays with the shortages.

“No no, consider it a way to pay him back for all the work he’s done for me. If he was old enough, his wages would have covered it.” Hyatt said while biting into the meatloaf sandwich, humming with delight. “It’s nothing special, not like one of those....” He seemed to think for a moment. “rare gaming rigs kids would practically kill for... just something for typing up papers, practicing his coding, maybe surf the web if they ever get it hooked up out there. Besides, he’ll learn some valuable IT skills along the way, that’s always a bonus when it comes time for his first job.”

“B-but what about power? It’s so intermittent with those crummy power lines! Once the power went out for 2 whole weeks before they got it fixed!” She still sounded skeptical.

“I got plenty of rechargeable cells from a recent Tesla teardown, I’m sure I can incorporate a battery. The components don’t take that much power either...” He shrugged again while he ate.

“But... why?... even a simple computer is worth a lot these days...” She now sounded a bit more suspicious, her natural motherly instinct coming in. “What’s in it for you?”

“I enjoy teaching someone about electronics, most of the employees I have are electronics engineers who feel like they got cheated. Being stuck helping an old man fix flat screens and salvaging components from busted junk, instead of designing the next iPhone I reckon. Getting them to listen and learn practical electronics has been hard... you only learn so much from theory in college... but Button? He absorbs it all like a sponge, it’s nice to have someone around who actually listens for once.” He set the sandwich back down and sipped his egg cream slowly, savoring the chocolate flavor.

Cream developed a more thoughtful look on her face, mulling it over in her head. “I suppose that makes sense, I’d like to see this computer your planning on building.”

Hyatt nodded his head. “It’ll take a while, but you're free to drop by my shop to see anytime.” He said while going back for another bite of his sandwich.

Cream seemed to think about that, and listed it under the things she would have to do. It was about time she saw her colts hard work in action. “Thank you, Mister Hyatt...”
———————————————————-
Cream would make good on her promise to pay more attention to what her colt was building. She walked into the nearby workshop during her breaks, at first seeing them remove borderline rotten components from an old computer casing. Clearing out the layers of dust and cobwebs that had somehow built up inside. Over the next few weeks, she kept a close eye on the two during her breaks, while also eyeing Buttons grades. After school activities were secondary to grade after all. But little seemed to change, in fact, they seemed to improve a bit, especially math and science. She didn’t always trot into them working on the computer though, sometimes she would step into seeing Button sweeping the floors, or tossing components she couldn’t guess the purpose off into boxes like some sort of sorting game. It was strange, before this... he seemed to aimless. Yet, here her colt was finding his place in this new confusing world.

One day while slipping into the workshop to peek in to see what they were up too she saw them both sitting down in front of one of the workbenches. Button was the first to look over with bright eyes. “Mom! Come over you have to see this!”

Mister Hyatt looked up adjusting his glasses and smiled weakly. “Ah miss Heart, come come, it’s finished, why don’t you give it a try?”

Cream trotted over while the two of them scooter out of the way for her to see what they had created. She wasn’t disappointed, compared to what they started with, she was stumped with what they had now. It was a far cry from the filthy box she had seen weeks ago or the pile of wires they assured they could cram inside of it. The case had a new coat of black paint covering it, with a noticeable sheen. Little red LEDs lit up around the opening of the case, where a salvaged 9in LED screen sat dormant on the right. A row of USB ports lined the bottom of the left side, along with a CD, floppy, and oddly enough tape drive. Though she didn’t know what they were called, the LED lights lit up on it made it almost look like something out of one of those old science fiction books Button would bring home from the library. Once she sat down in the offered chair in front of the contraption she slowly pressed her hoof onto the mouse and rolled it forward. Nearly gasping as the screen lit up showing a bright red raspberry as it started to boot up. Eventually coming to a rather simple home screen, there was Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, even a few little games!

“Button built this?...” She was completely shocked as she started to click Word typing on the keyboard experimentally. Watching the keystrokes become words right before her eyes.

“Well... Mister Hyatt helped a lot...” Button rubbed the back of his head looking away.

“Button, don’t sell yourself short, you just followed my directions, most kids your age could have never soldered the way you did.” He chuckled. “I was completely hands-off off this build, I just directed him as he went.”
“This is incredible...” She mumbled having never actually touched a computer before, the way it turned her keystrokes into words seemed almost like magic.

“It has a built-in battery pack too, so even when the power goes out on the reservation, he can continue to work for at least a few days.... provided it’s only on school work.” He eyed the colt who smiled innocently.

“We can... take it home then?” Cream said still not quite believing it.

“Uh-huh... Hyatt looked it all over and says it’s ready!” Button said excitedly while prancing in place.

“I... don’t know what to say to you mister Hyatt.... except... thank you.” She smiled up at him pushing herself away from the keyboard.

“Eh, I consider it an investment, maybe someday Button will work for me officially?” He chuckles while unhooking the power cable to the computer and closing the keyboard against the display with a click as it snapped into place. “There we go... think you can carry this back on your own?” He asked while lifting it up off the table so she could grasp it.

“Definitely, thank you so much, mister Hyatt.” She was about to take the handle into her mouth.

“Call me Gilbert.” He waved them both goodby as they carried it out.
> Cadence
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
Amore’s Town
Crystal Heart Memorial
11:13 AM

Cadence gazed at the greying crystalized heart sealed in resin, even with the support, she could see the crystal crumbling. There was only so much that could be done for it, the abuse it suffered during the Conversion Wars had pushed the relic to its limit. The moment the last barrier came down and the magic stopped flowing the ley lines in the crystal collapsed. Now it sat in this small church on a pedestal with the names of the Crystal Ponies who had been lost as a reminder of what had been taken from them all those years ago. The church was largely deserted so Cadence wouldn’t be disturbed during her silent remembrance. After a few moments, she slowly got back onto her hooves slipping on her bag and trotted out of the small church where the small Crystal Pony settlement greeted her. Less than 1000 of them remained, their culture on a knife’s edge of oblivion, but despite everything, they refused to give up.

As she trotted down the dirt street seeing the simple prefab buildings, a bit plain perhaps, but they were far better off then the Equestrian reservations. They had shops and had running water indoors, even reliable electricity. Aid had steadily flowed into the settlement after they were officially incorporated. But, it still didn’t feel like home to these ponies, and it wouldn’t for quite some time. She turned her head to look at one of the businesses that had opened up. Crystal Château, a tasting room, and restaurant that served locally produced wines and spirits. It wasn’t much to look at yet, just one of those white boxy prefabricated modern styled buildings with wide bay windows to allow for natural lighting. She couldn’t help but take a moment to inhale the wonderful scents of traditional Crystal Cuisine. They had recently become popular with passing tourists on their way to Ulysses. It wasn’t much but it was a start, the word was spreading about their Carnelian berry vineyards, the unique flavors of the liquors couldn’t be compared. They also couldn’t be grown by anyone else, Crystal Ponies naturally carried the unique decomposing and growth-promoting bacteria they needed to flourish, no substitute would do.

Continuing her trot through the small town she tried to ignore the conflicted look’s her ponies gave her. The physiological scars left by her adoptive aunt left them instinctively cautious around Alicorns, even her. It broke her heart knowing in the back of their minds, the combination of wings and a horn made them subconsciously link her to...Celestia. She shook her head attempting to rid her mind of that name as she entered a small specialized grocery. Golden Wheat’s Grocery, with the stores namesake dozing off a bit behind the register. The ringing of the bell above the door waking the dull yellow coated mare from her improvised nap.

“O-oh your highness, good morning.” She bowed her head in respect, but the pink princess could see the hairs on the back of her neck standing up, along with her ears swiveling back.

“Good morning Golden Wheat,” Cadence said sweetly while she started to make her way through the small shop. Levitating a scoop of dried multi-colored pasta into a bag. “How’s business?”

“It’s going well enough I suppose, it’s always slow during the mid-day though.” Golden Wheat shrugged her shoulders while watching her.

Cadence nodded her head looking over some cans of tomatoes before deciding instead to buy a few of the fresh ones nearby placing them in the bag. “That’s good.” She said a bit unsure of what else to say.

She would continue her slowly circle the small grocery, picking up a clove of garlic, some anchovy paste, fresh rosemary, ricotta cheese, and mushrooms. Mentally going through her list she nodded her head heading to the counter and setting it down. Golden Wheat proceeds to ring her up, nodding her head and looking back up. “$13.78 is your total, cash or card?” She asked in the same tired but friendly tone, attempting to mask her nervousness.

“Card, hold on...” Cadence dug around in her saddlebag with her magic before sliding it through the card reader. The two mares waited in silence before the receipt printed out. Golden Wheat promptly slipped it into the paper bag and pushed it over to the pink princess.

“Here you go, your highness, have a wonderful day.” The mare said a little too quickly while pushing the bag to the mare. The Crystal princess just nodded her head lifting the paper bag in her magic.

“You as well Golden...” She sighed as she trotted out of the grocery.

The trot home was uneventful, thankfully she didn’t live too far from the Crystal Heart Memorial, it wasn’t anything fancy, just a traditional small two-story American house with a cozy little yard. But just as she turned down the road to her house, she saw an ambulance outside. Without even thinking about it, she went into a full gallop. Barging through the picket fence gate she arrived just in time to see her husband being loaded into the ambulance and driven off. Looking around terrified she saw her daughter being comforted by the town Sheriff.

“What happened?!” She screamed in a panic though she already knew.

The sheriff sighed patting the little fillies back as she snuggled into the black blanket. “Shining Armor had another seizure, he ended up tripping and hitting his head on the stove...” He said solemnly.

“I-is he?...” She looked terrified, while the poor man quickly moved in for damage control.

“He’s alive, but....” He looked uncomfortable but shook his head it wasn’t his place to say. “I’ll drive you two over to Hydedsor Valley Hospital....” He sighed motioning to his old Durango.
———————————————————-
The drive had been quiet, except for the whimpers of her daughter, once they arrived Cadence rushed out with her daughter in tow. Only to be rebuffed by nurses and doctors telling them they needed to stabilize the stallion before anyone could see him. So they waited silently in a doctor's office, the pink pony cuddling her small daughter close. Eventually, a tired-looking tan-skinned man made his way inside, squeezing past the ponies and sitting down at his desk. Once he got settled he sat quietly contemplating what he was about to say, but Cadence had beaten him to the punch.

“H-how is he doctor Wagner?...” She asked squeezing her daughter close to her barrel.

Mulling it over he sighed and spoke. “His condition is stable, but I have other concerns...”

“O-other concerns?! My husband just had a seizure!” She was flabbergasted.

“His second seizure this month...” He said while rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“...What are the other concerns?...” She bounced Flurry Heart gently, the little filly whining softly.

“On the paperwork, you mentioned your husband had been having memory disruption...” He looked more serious folding his hands together. “As-well as random bouts of irrational paranoia...”

“H-he... just forgets things sometimes... and I-it’s only natural to be paranoid w-with... things as they are...” She swallowed while the doctor raised his eyebrow. To which she relented and looked away. “In the mornings he wakes up confused... and asks me why we aren’t in Crystal Castle...”

“And how do you respond?...” He leaned forward.

“At first I tried to remind him the Crystal Empire was evacuated Royal Guard when the Crystal Heart was seized under... you know who’s orders....” She shuttered attempting to suppress the memory.

“How did he take it?” He asked adopting a more thoughtful look.

“He remembers some things... Just saying her name puts him in violent hysterics...” She squeezes her daughter close.

“The trauma runs deeper then we thought then... but he doesn’t remember that the Crystal Empire is-“ He was interrupted.

“Sinking in a thick muck of melted permafrost... with mudslides swallowing everything else....” She frowned.

“I see... I take it you stopped telling him that after a while?....” He started to dig around for the stallions file in his desk.

“It only seemed to upset him... He did so much for us... sacrificed so much... to keep us safe...” She avoided eye contact while the doctor nodded solemnly, he had gotten to know the former princess well over the years. Growing to see her for what she was... a wife in a difficult situation. “So I told him we’ll be going home soon... it was easier that way...” She sniffed.

“I understand...” He nodded his head. “But the paranoia is what I’m most worried about... His Mana Induced Dementia seems to be advancing despite treatment...”

Cadence swallowed nervously. “So what’s the next step?” Flurry whimpering softly, despite being too young to understand what was going on, she could sense the mood.

“I’m afraid there isn’t much left... The medication regimen doesn’t seem to be slowing the neurological decay as much as we hoped.” He leaned back again, knowing this wasn’t something anyone wanted to hear.

“W-what are you saying?...” She swallowed but knew in her heart what came next.

“It’s my recommendation that he’s placed... in a care facility...” He said seeing the mare's heart break before his eyes.

“I-it’s not t-to that point i-is it?...” The tears started to leak down her cheeks. “P-please y-you can’t tell me h-he’s that far gone... j-just last week he surprised me making Crystal Risotto!” She stuttered fearfully. “I-it’s not like he’s violent!”

“That’s not the issue Cadence and you know it... It’s good he’s still able to cook meals... but the problem is he’s getting worse and needs around the clock care by professionals...” The doctors frown deepened, this kind of news never came easy to anyone. “So yes he cooked Crystal Risotto expertly for you last week, but the week before that he tore into the walls convinced something was watching him from within...” He leaned forward on his desk and looked her deep in her eyes. “You have a daughter to think about... Is this how you want her to see him?... declining before her eyes everyday?... We both know the final stage of this condition... before complete neurological... collapse.” He said avoiding using the word death.

“Extreme Delusions and Schizophrenia...” She sniffed while cuddling her daughter close. “I-I can stay around him m-more... I-I’ll make it work! W-we can get a live-in nurse!”

“Cadence... do you know how many family’s say that?... As it is, we have a healthcare professional shortage... I doubt you would be able to afford a private one...” His eyes looked distant, as he seemed to gaze at one of the walls. “As for staying home with him....some manage it for a while... but they all eventually slip up... reasoning they surely they could leave for just a few minutes to get groceries... or something along those lines... only to come home to tragedy...”

“I-I can... I... c-can...” She struggled to form words, she knew he was right. “I... don’t know... I just....” Flurry was whimpering loudly and snuggling into her mother for comfort.

“You don’t have to make the decision now... go be with him... He’s in room 311.” He said softly nodding his head.

Cadence just nodded her head sadly, levitating her filly onto her back after sliding out of the chair. “Thank you, doctor Wagner...”

She slipped out of the office wrapping her wings around her daughter comfortingly. The poor filly nuzzling into her mother's back as she trotted down the sterile hallways, a few visitors closing and locking the doors as she pasted. A precaution born from the Conversion War, many had bitter memories of Newfoals and Royal Guards attacking those most vulnerable. Ignoring the uneasy looks she arrived at 311 where the Sheriff sat on guard.

Nodding her head as she passed him, she slowly cracked the door open. “Shining?... You awake?” Peaking her head in.

“Cadence, Furry? When did you two get here?” The friendly voice of her husband responded cheerily if a bit tired.

Slipping inside she saw him sitting up in bed while watching TV, several bandages wrapped around his head. “Oh... we just arrived.” She smiled softly as she set Flurry down the young filly rushing her father's bedside smiling widely.

Pulling her up he sighed letting her snuggle into him as he flipped through the various channels. “How about we switch on some cartoons, sweetie...” He smiled put on Boomerang, which was playing some classic Tom and Jerry.

Cadence smiled trotting over and kissing her husband's cheek tenderly. “Anything I can get my dungeon master?” She giggles softly.

“Maybe some chips?” He asked while curling his hoof around his daughter tightly.

She just nodded her head smiling. “Sure hon, any particular flavor?”

“Hmmm... BBQ flavor if they have it.” He smiled at her before going back to watching cartoons with his giggling daughter. “Oh and maybe a cola?”

“Of course.” She nodded her head trotting out of his room to find a vending machine. After a short trot through the hospital, she finally found some older looking vending machines. Pulling a few dollars out of her saddlebag she selected the Ruffles Smokehouse Barbecue flavor, along with a 20oz bottle of Pepsi, not seeing any Coke. Making her way back to her husband's room she peaked in.

“Cadence is that you? I was wondering where you were, I haven’t seen you since I woke up.” He smiled at her softly. “Oh! I hope you're going to share those chips and soda.” The stallion eyed the snacks.
———————————————————-
The visit continued for a few hours, just the three of them watching cartoons as a family before visiting hours were concluded. She kissed her snoozing husband's cheek before following the Sheriff to his Durango. A deputy left behind to guard the sleeping former Royal. Cadence just sat quietly in the back seat holding her daughter who seemed to be thinking.

“Momma?....” She heard the soft, rarely used voice of her daughter.

“Yes, sweetie?...” Cadence asked softly while squeezing her daughter reassuringly.

“It’s my fault daddy’s in the hospital again.... isn’t it?” Flurry sniffed while shifting in her mother's lap.

“No sweetie.... of course not...” Cadence frowned while her daughter shook her head.

“B-but I asked daddy if he could make me a grilled cheese... I-if it wasn’t for me h-he wouldn’t have b-been in the kitchen! T-then m-maybe he... he....” She started to cry, tears leaking out. “I-I’m a bad pony....”

Cadence shook her head and squeezed her daughter close. “No Flurry... your not a bad pony... you couldn’t have known what was going to happen... Daddy... is very sick... and sometimes even mommy forgets...” She nuzzled into her daughter's mane, just closing her eyes.

The filly just continued to shake her head crying, snuggling close to her mother's barrel. Cadence would look up to notice the sheriff giving her a sympathetic look in the rearview mirror before turning his attention back to the road. The ride continued in silence before he started to pull the old Durango up onto the unused driveway.

“Here’s your stop... will you be alright?” He asked gently getting out of his seat to open the door for them.

“Yes, I think we’ll be ok...thank you, Jeremiah.” She slipped out of the car with her daughter in tow.

“Are you sure?...” He asked worried but seeing her nod he sighed slipping back into his car. “If you need anything just call my number alright?”

“I’ll keep that in mind...” She said nodding her head before making her way inside as he drove off.

She climbs the stairs she heading to her sleeping daughter's room, carefully levitating her under the covers. Staying there for a few precious moments to watch her, just to ensure she was sleeping soundly. Once she was satisfied she would quietly retire to her bed, the warm cotton and wool sheets would seem so inviting to most. But not to her, the soft mattress feeling so alien even years later. The memories of cold stone, streams of murky water leaking from the ceiling, and moans of ponies surrounding her soured any physical comfort for her.

She reached for the phone next to her bed levitating it close after dialing a number in the contact. Waiting a few moments she heard a soft yawn on the other end of the line. “Cadence?... is that you?...”. A tired voice asked.

“Yes... I’m sorry for calling you at an hour... but it’s urgent....” Cadence tried not to sound like she was begging to just hear someone’s voice.

“Oh no... it’s Shining isn’t it?....” The way she sounded more like she was expecting the bad news rather than surprised by it. Cadence wasn’t sure how to take that, but after swallowing she spoke up.

“Yes... He had another seizure... and hit his head on the stove while making Flurry lunch.” She sniffed gently.

“But he’s ok right?... Shining’s tough, he always pulls through....” The sounds of Twilight shifting a bit, likely sitting up in bed could be heard.

“The doctor says... his medications aren’t slowing the... decay....” She sniffed rub burn her hoof over her face.

“Well... what’s the next step?.... Stem cells?” Twilight said hopefully, to which Cadence mulled it over in her head.

“Maybe... but... his condition is getting worse Twilight... I was told... I might have to place him in a home...” She mumbled weakly, just saying it sounded like surrender.

“Worse?...” The voice on the other end of the line asked.

“He doesn’t even remember the Crystal Empire is gone Twilight... It got to the point where I was having to tell him every morning... Until I just promised him we would be going back soon... seeing the frustration and heartbreak on him... was too much....” She ignored the tears leaking down her face. “I-I’ve started lying to my husband... b-breaking our wedding vows... j-just because I’m n-not strong enough to tell him the truth e-every morning....”

“Cadence... What happened to Shining wasn’t your fault...” A swallowing sound was heard on the other end of the line. “I-it’s Celestia’s fault... It was her idea to shield Canterlot during the wedding... and it was her idea to... to....”

“To use his talent to manipulate the Crystal Heart... I know... because it can’t be my fault... I was locked in a dungeon with my daughter... while my husband sacrificed his mind to keep us safe...” She said in a tone that the mare on the other end of the line couldn’t recognize. “But that’s what makes it worse... I was used by her... and seeing him like this... it makes me feel... helpless....”

The line went silent for a moment before Twilight spoke up again. “I understand... With everything that’s happened... It’s hard to feel like we ever had control...”

“...You're right...” Cadence just said after a few moments of thought. “It’s just... I was always taught love could conquer anything... Yet, here we are... my husband slipping through my hooves... Helpless... with decisions being made for us...”

“You're talking about the Cultural Preservation Society...” She sighed gently while the pony nodded her head against the phone.

“... They’ve been such a big help... t-tracking down the last Crystal Ponies... donating money... representing us in legal matters... getting our settlement recognized as a town... things I could never do... I wouldn’t even know where to start!” She sniffed. “No... not helpless... useless... I’m thankful for all their help... but... it just feels like a constant reminder of...”

“...Impotence....” Twilight responded after waiting a few moments. “It makes you feel impotent... I’m dependent on the US Bureau of Equestrian Affairs... so I know the feeling...”

“I shouldn’t even be complaining... my ponies are recognized as US citizens... Yours... aren’t....” She sighed.

“... Cadence you have every right to be upset... your husband... m-my brother... is sick... Everything that has happened... has been so far out of our depth... all we can do it move forward... I know it’s frustrating... but... we have to make the best of what we have...” Twilight sniffed and tried to steady her breathing.

“I-I know that Twilight! B-but... Even my ponies fear me... they look at me with conflicted looks... remembering what I’ve done for them...but terrified I’ll fall like my aunt...” Cadence curled her hooves around herself.

“... Have you tried talking to them?... to placate their fears?...” Twilight asked.

“I... No... with Shining Armors condition... and Flurry still being so young... I haven’t addressed them... I.. don’t even know what to say...” She frowned slowly dragging her hoof in circles on the bedspread.

“Well... you could first address Shining Armors condition... I know it’s private... But-“ Twilight was cut off.

“Being the Crystal Prince his condition is no longer his own... It’s just... I’m scared of how they would react...” Cadence sighed gently. “I think... I’m going to officially renounce my throne... I know it doesn’t mean much now... but maybe that will show them... I’m not her...”

“C-Cadence you can’t do that! Y-your the last princess! E-even if it’s just an honorary title now I-it’s part of their identity too! Y-you... you.....” Twilight almost sounded desperate.

“Crystal Ponies are more than just one pink mare with a crown Twilight... I’ve been thinking about this for weeks... and made up my mind... I’ll schedule a town meeting and... Brief them on his condition... then offer to renounce my claim to the throne... If only to give them peace of mind... and for them to stop looking at me... like I’m going to become... her...” Cadence mumbled the last part more for herself.

“I... Are you sure?... I-it’s a lot to give up...” Twilight sounded shell shocked attempting to process what she was hearing.

“It’s not... it’s a worthless title in our new age... but hey...maybe they won’t want me to give it up... But I have to offer them that choice Twilight... if only to prove to myself I’m not the monster they are scared I will become...” She let the phone lien go silent for a few moments.

“A-alright... If you think it needs to be done... I support you Cadence...” Twilight responded after sitting in silence on the other end of the line.

“Goodnight Twilight... thank you for listening...” She let Twilight say her goodbyes before hanging up and snuggling into the sheets. Sleep didn’t come that night.
> Discord
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
Cloverdale
Fluttershy's Cottage
7:38 AM

Discord hummed Nessun Dorma as he finished up in the shower, eventually slipped open the curtain, and wrapped a towel around his midsection. Once he opened the door he could smell potato pancakes cooking over the stove, along with apple compost. His mouth practically drooled while he slipped into his room to change, coming back out in a form-fitting dress shirt and tie. Looking in the mirror briefly to ensure he didn’t have any cotton candy stuck to the seat of his pants he nodded his head, making his way to the kitchen. To which he found the source of the wonderful smells, a butter yellow pegasus who seemed to be humming along with him.

“Morning Fluttershy.” He hummed warmly making his way over to the one wood stove. Peeking over her shoulder, avoiding the bandaged wings, as he eyed the potato’s sizzling in the skillet. With the jammy sweet near-caramelized apple topping bubbling nearby in a separate pan.

“Morning Discord...” She looked up at the chimera with her mismatched eyes before going back to her cooking. “Sleep well?”

“Mhm, I see you’ve been busy.” He took a deep inhale of the wonderful aromas.

“Just want to make sure you eat well before work.” She said softly while beginning to plate up the food. “Why don’t you help yourself to some coffee.”

“Mind if I turn on the news?” He asked as he started to pour himself a cup of coffee.

“Of course not.” She said while setting the plates of food on the table.

He reached over to the small tv near the table settling it on a news channel as he sipped his coffee. “Grim news from Europe today as Pro and Anti EU forces clash in Munich. Casualties are measured in the thous-“ The newscaster was cut off by a butter yellow hoof switching it off.

“I think... that’s enough of that...” Fluttershy said nervously to which he just nodded, she was such a delicate thing at times.

“I agree...” He nodded his head as he grasped a fork and started to dig into his potato pancakes. Sighing in relief as he brought the morsel to his mouth and enjoyed the flavor. “Delicious as always Flutterbutter~.” Looking at the clock he quickly finished his breakfast and coffee, before leaning over and giving her a tender kiss on the cheek. “I better head out, my carpool will be arriving soon.”

“Have a good day Discord.” She mumbled out smiling as she started to clean the dishes.

“Will you be alright on your own?” He looked a bit worried.

“Yes... I think a quiet day in the garden is all I need...” She smiled back at him before returning her attention to the dishes.

“...If you say so...” He sighed slipping out taking a moment to look out at her from the door before hearing a car horn honk. The large black SUV sat on the dirt road, engine humming as he walked over. Taking a moment to straighten his tie and brush off his pants he slipped into the back passenger seat.

The group of humans surrounding him nodded there heads in a mildly friendly way that was expected of coworkers. The car rocked side to side as it moved down the road. Leaning against the window he looked out as they pulled away from what could very well be the last intact pony constructed dwelling in the state. The dirt road slowly gave way to asphalt as they pulled into the forest along winding road curving between the old growth. In the past such a journey would take an entire day on foot, now it takes just over an hour.

The driver eventually switched on the radio switching it to a news station. “RIHS forces have successfully attacked Ghawar Oil fields in Saudi Arabia today, torching much of the equipment and setting the wells alight. Hold on... we have just gotten word that the RIHS have released a statement about the attack...” The radio went silent for a few moments before whatever tape they had was put on.

Eventually, an accented voice started to speak, the audio wasn’t ideal but it was understandable. “Oil was placed upon this earth by Allah as a test of man's greed, Mohammed bin Salman and his followers have failed this test. Growing decadent and sinful of the cursed resource, their hearts as black as the crude they pump from the ground. We will prove to God our will and faith is strong when we march to their palaces of sin and hang them from rooftops.” The recording came to an end with a resounding click before the newscaster spoke up again.

“This attack and others like it will likely too continue put further pressure on the Middle East’s crumbling economy, as current oil reserves have been outed as being much lower than previously reported. With Iraq’s famous Majnoon oil field currently less than 5 years from complete exhaustion, fuel for the Anti and Pro EU forces are expected to continue to dry up.” The radio would continue to drone on about this depressing news before thankfully switching back to some relaxing music.

It was a long drive ahead and right now all the mismatched creature wanted was to nap. Eventually dozing against the window of the car as it rocked gently down the road. Soothing him just enough to fall into a dreamless slumber. Thankfully one of his coworkers would wake him up once they arrived.
———————————————————-
Discord was woken up to the gentle shaking of his shoulder, letting out a jaw cracking yawn he opened his eyes to see the destination. It wasn’t much to look at, just a big ugly grey government warehouse in the middle of the Everfree Forest. Surrounded by high electrified chain-link fences with barbed wire, with the occasional security guard keeping a lookout. Supposedly, it was a dumping ground for all the IRS’s paperwork for the young state. Which no one questioned, since it looked boring on the outside, surely it must be equally as boring on the inside.

Stepping out he showed his ID and made his way to the metal door attached to the building. The inside of the building was plain, just high metal shelving filled to the brim with boxes and boxes of tax returns and old paperwork. But his eyes focused on a single vending machine in the far corner of the building. Just some cheap older price of crap with a few off-brand snacks. The words Out of Order scribbled on a piece of paper stuck to the keypad. Once he was close he lifted the paper and started to type in a code, far longer then what would be needed to get a power bar from the machine. Then he placed one of his talons into the change slot, seeming to wince before pulling it away. He would continue to shake his hand as if trying to shake the pain away, while his coworkers input their codes and respective fingers into the machine.

Once they were finished the machine stood silent before slowly opening to reveal a waiting elevator. They would all step in, watching the doors close before they started to rapidly descend. He could already feel his stomach ascending his throat after a few moments before it finally stopped. The doors slide opening revealing a vast concrete tunnel system, with a security checkpoint just before the elevator. Several guns pointing at the group as they slowly made their way through the scanner and were patted down.

The walk through the labyrinth of tunnels could be dizzying at times, the confusing nature attributed to the complete lack of windows or natural lighting. Only the white number and letter designations on the walls offered any hint of direction. The walk took at least 30 minutes, turning down several different causeways avoiding the electric transports carrying equipment and personnel. A few even nodded with friendly smiles as he passed to which he responded with a slight nod. Finally, in the distance, he could see his final destination, the vault, a massive steel door with more safeguards than a Swiss bank. Stepping in front of the vast circular door he pressed his talon into the scanner while looking up at the camera. The sounds of massive bolts and bars moving out of place before slowly opening inwards.

“Morning Discord.” An elderly man looked up from his computer consul with various data readings.

He let out out a small yawn. “Morning Doctor Engelman, how’s is she today?” Discord asked peeking over at the man as he stood up from his computer, straightening his lab coat.

“She’s... steady but I’m not sure for how long, much of this is this black box to us, too many unknowns.” The elderly doctor mumbled gently while Discord turned his attention to the faint glow inside the containment room.

“I best go in, not much else I can do but sit and wait for her to come to me.” Discord said while straitening his outfit. “Make sure to have the cameras working this time. I’m not sure how many more of these meetings she has left, we have to make the most of them.” He said with a deep frown, as he started to walk down the steps, passing by other scientists as they looked over various sensor data before it was fed into a vast supercomputer.

“Alright, well start going through the checks, head to the decontamination room. We’ll be ready by the time you're finished.” The doctor said before he started to read through the checklist, numerous cameras, microphones, infrared, and so many others. All designed to catch even the most infinitesimal pieces of data in an attempt to understand what was behind those heavily reinforced frost coated windows.

It took an additional 30 minutes in the cleanroom to get him ready, they didn’t want to risk even the smallest bit of contamination. So even pores were forcibly scrubbed clean, leaving the poor furred serpent rubbed raw. Doctor Engelman looked through the glass as the airlock opened inside of the containment room. The draconequus walked out in thick winter gear, his boots cracking against the thick frost on the stone floor while dragging a plastic chair along with him. Then stopping as he set up the chair and sat in front of perhaps the last and most important relic of the pre-Convergence era. The Tree of Harmony... or at least what remained of it, the once-proud glowing crystalline tree, turned tree house had seen better days. Reduced to a sickly looking sapling settled in the ice-covered floor. They had only rediscovered it because of the Chimera's unique magic sensory abilities, as the sciences were still in their infancy.

As a creature of chaos, being this close to his natural opposite was trying at times. Rubbing him all the wrong ways, but for whatever reason, he was the only creature Harmony would talk too. Even then the meetings were short and often unfocused, as either do to its reluctance or its poor condition. All they could do was record and hope there was some sort of hidden meaning to it all.

So for the next few hours, he would sit in wait for her to come to him, it was mind-numbingly dull for him. But thankfully it paid well, which was what mattered now, at least to him. Closing his eyes as he leaned into his chair, he started to make himself comfortable. A little half-lidded nap wouldn’t hurt while he sat waited for Harmony to speak. Leaning a furred cheek into his mittened lion's paw, closing his eyes as memories started to come back.

“Tsk tsk tsk... Failing your lessons again? We’ll just have to discipline you all over again. Let’s bring out some flogs, make sure to avoid that handsome mug boys.” Discords eyelid twitched faintly hearing that sarcastic voice in his head.

“Do it again, do it right, or you get the brand again!” His gryphon arm twitched and he shuttered minutely.

“How dull must you be? You know all you have to do to make the pain stop is to find it! Bring the combs, his fur is looking a little scruffy.” His whole body seemed to shutter, almost as if he could feel the iron combs digging into his skin again.

“Still nothing? I must say her royal highnesses description didn’t do you justice, so few have lasted as long as you. You’ll be my crowning achievement yet, but it seems alternative methods are necessary.” His mouth twitched as that voice spoke again in his mind.

“I have a special surprise for you today Dissy, can you guess what it is? It’s somepony you know very well, she’s gonna help you be better.” That sickenly sweet voice rang around in his skull, his throat vibrating under the jacket as if letting out a silent growl.

“Ohhhh, just look at her, hard to believe Photo Finish ever saw anything in her. Just look at her wings, hehehe so wretched. Just look at what’s happened to them and all because you can’t find it for us!” The voice screamed at him in rage, his ears spraying back out of instinct.

“Why do you still resist? Can’t you see what it’s doing to her, I suppose we’ll just have to continue, won’t we? I wonder if she needs both eyes to use the Stare? Why don’t we find out!” Just as he remembered that day he nearly jumped out of his skin, feeling the familiar touch of... her.

Opening his eyes he gazed blankly at the specter, unamused at its habit of borrowing Twilights visage. Though differences had started to manifest, perhaps to mimic its sorry state. A greying mane, wrinkled face, and thinning coat made Harmony look like a mare long past her prime. The tired eyes staring into his own before she finally spoke to him.

“Hello, Discord...” She smiled tiredly as she slowly lowered to flanks into a sitting position.

He blinked, that was new, normally she didn’t speak directly to him, acting as if he wasn’t even there. “Harmony? Can you hear me?” He asked not quite believing she was addressing him directly for once.

“Yes Discord, it’s taken me a long time, but I have managed to piece what remains of myself back together.” She nodded her head while he just took a moment to process what she had said.

“It’s been a long time...” He said softly looking melancholic as he shifted in his frosted chair.

“It really has, how long have we played our game?” She asked tilted her head curiously.

“....I would say...” He stroked his goatee attempting to remember. “Since Megan harnessed you in the form of that locket. Dates are so hard to remember now...”

“That’s expected with age.” She nodded her head. “You’ve grown so much... It’s hard to believe you started out life as an abstract.”

“Grogar is to thank for that...” He said solemnly, staring off into the distance.

“We rarely choose our fathers... or how we are birthed. What’s important is that you found the right path, despite his influence. You never lost that innocent mischievous nature of yours, remember when you would set those little problems in motion. Whispering faintly in their ears, just to set the board against me?” She cuddled softly.

“You always won in the end.” He smiled sadly.

“That’s where you’re wrong Discord. We always won.” She looked up at the windows far above them, though she didn’t look at anything in particular.

“That’s preposterous, your Harmony I’m Chaos, one of us always loses. No matter how much I metaled they always found their way back to you.” He shook his head thinking her mind matched her appearance.

“Without you, they would have never learned. You offered them new lessons and ideas, Harmony is meaningless without chaos, I am meaningless without you, baby brother.” She leaned forward and nuzzled his cheek causing him to flinch with surprise. “But, you're not here to catch up on times long past, you have questions they want to be answered.”

Once he overcame the embarrassment he opened his mouth to respond. “...Yes, your connection to the Ley Lines that permeated Equestria means you are the best chance of piecing together what happened. Most importantly, why this all happened.”

“Along with whatever information I can give about Magic’s current state in their universe?” She raised an eyebrow to which he just nodded his head.

“Very little bit helps.” Shrugs his shoulders. “Still, it’s good to see you sister.” He smiled softly.

“My memories are damaged but I do remember a few things... years before Convergence Celestia was damming Ley Lines throughout Equestria.”

“Damming them? Why?” Discord pressed while leaning forward.

“It was rerouting the magic that permeates through Equestria directly below Canterlot.” She rubbed her chin seemingly in thought.

“She was preparing this?” He tilted his head. “Was she responsible for Convergence?”

“I’m unsure, but the amount of energy was considerable. Just being near that much energy is dangerous even for the likes of alicorns.” She said.

“It must have been agony for you, sister...” He looked more sympathetic as he sighed. “I should have done more...”

“You did all you could and more. But it wasn’t just for me was it?” She gave him a knowing look.

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” He denied avoiding eye contact.

“You wouldn’t give up my location not just for me, but for her.” She leaned over and nuzzled his cheek.

“That’s insane... because of me Fluttershy was tortured by that mad mare.” He looked down seemingly looking at something beyond the ice-covered rock below.

“Because you knew as much as she was hurting... it was nothing compared to the pain she would feel if others suffered because of her...” She hugged him tight while looking up at him.

He nodded his head again, struggling to swallow. “...Even when her eye was being carved out of her skull, she begged me not to tell, for the sake of everyone else...” He shook as the memories threatened to resurface again.

“She’s changed you so much...” She smiled gently.

“Hmm?” He looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve evolved... far beyond me, beyond what I thought was possible.” She rested her ear against his chest, waiting a moment to hear his heartbeat. “You are alive... flesh and bone... you’ll be able to experience what I can’t of this world.”

Discord blushed in response. “If I can do it... surely you can sister.” He hugged her back tightly.

She seemed to take a moment to enjoy being close to him. “No... I can’t...” She frowned pulling away and sitting down. “I’m scared Discord...”

“What could you be scared of?... you were the most powerful force in Equis...” He smiled but his eyes betrayed his worry.

“Exactly... Equis... and perhaps our little pocket universe... but those days are long past....” She looked back at the faintly glowing withered crystal construct behind her.

“You can’t possibly be telling me... that after millennia of existence your...” He looked frightened at the idea of losing his only family.

“Dying... the trauma from the Ley Line damming, then having to retreat deep underground, and going into stasis took a lot out of me.” She sighed sniffing a bit, a tear leaking down her cheek. “You know what this place is don’t you?...”

“Y-your n-not dying sister! Don’t be silly abstracts don’t die, we might change but we never trusty vanish.” He shook his head refusing to even consider what she was saying.

“In that lies the reason they study me.” She sniffed and looks upwards to the windows where a faint outline of a figure could be seen.

“They're trying to understand magic...” Discord said weakly struggling to steady his breaths.

“Of course they are... they are trying to understand what magic is becoming.” She smiled sadly at him.

“Becoming?...” He looked confused sniffing again.

“You haven’t felt it? Your as in tune with the magic of Equestria as I am... you can’t tell me you don’t feel it...” She pressed while Discord went into thought.

“It feels strange... it’s not disappearing it’s...” He tried to think of a way to explain the instinctual feeling.

“Being converted...to things more in line with our current universe...” She said causing him to look back at her.

“But that would mean...” His eyes widened realizing the full extent of her condition.

“Magic as we know it is fading...” She smiled sadly at him.

Discord just froze, as he attempted to process what he had heard. “H-how long?....” He finally managed to ask, unsure what else to say.

“I don’t know... I hear things throughout this place.... arguments saying it’s half-life ranges from 50 to 200 years.... but the end result is the same... magic is fundamentally incompatible with their universe... and so am I...” She frowned.

Discord just sat in the chair his soft off irregular heartbeat reaching his ears. “What’s going to happen....” He finally asked. “That much energy being suddenly introduced into a system so suddenly can’t be good....”

“Your right... the Cloudsdale Weather Corp explosion was only a taste of what’s to come. Abnormal weather patterns and natural disasters will only become increasingly prevalent, the likes of which have never been seen before... I don’t know what the future holds... but all I can say to our hosts... is prepare...” She looked back upwards to see the silhouette staring at her through the glass.

Discord was about to speak before Harmony started to glitch, briefly reminding him of television static. She stumbled a bit and shook her head. “I-I have to go...”

“Y-you can’t go! You're finally talking we have so much to talk about!” He said assuming the worst.

“Don’t worry... I’ll be here tomorrow... I just.... need to rest..” She managed to say through her warping projection. “Go home... be with... Fluttershy.... she needs you right now.....” She smiled as she started to walk backwards to the Crystal Tree.

“B-but...” He could only watch her fade back into the faded glow of the tree.

He just sat there for a while staring at it, in some vain hope she would decide to come back to him again. It was hard to tell how much time had passed before the intercoms above him came to life.

“Discord... I think that’s it for today... why don’t you head on home.” The voice of Engelman spoke. “We’ll... go over the recordings...” It was obvious from the tone of voice that despite the doctor's expertise in theoretical physics, his understanding of the humanities was lacking in this sort of situation.

“Ya... alright...” Discord made his way to the exit, stopping for a brief moment to stare back at the tree before leaving.
———————————————————-
The ride home was quiet, the carpoolers unsure of what to say to their grieving colleague. Beyond sympathetic looks, they had decided he needed to be left alone to his thoughts. During which Discord maintained a thousand-yard stare in front of him. Up entail the car pulled back onto the dirt path and stopped before the small cottage. Slipping out he waved at his coworkers sadly before they awkwardly drive off. He stood and watched them leave for a moment before making his way to the cottage. The moment he stepped in he heard the tv, his ears circling a bit instinctively at the sound.

“D-Discord? G-get in here now! You need to see this!” He heard Fluttershy shout from the living area.

Rushing in he found her sitting on the couch hugging one of the pillows close to herself. Her eyes glued to the tv before looking up at him. She shakily lifted a hoof to the tv. “T-there f-finally doing it....” She swallowed nervously.

Slipping onto the couch he watched the screen, a young female reporter on-site at some sort of military base. “This is Mary Isles at Fort Hood, breaking news with the conclusion of the trial of Honey Buns for crimes against sentient life. With the charges of international kidnapping and inhumane experimentation against the Nuremberg Code, with a litany of other war crimes, to which she was found guilty on all accounts. For security reasons we could not get an interview with her before her execution by firing squad.” The camera pulled away to a tan earth pony mare who was being dragged to a post before a wall of sandbags.

The camera zoomed into the muzzled and chained mare, she seemed to look into the camera while the soldiers dragged her along. That look of hers, no fear, just hatred, pure and simple. Just seeing that face caused the young pegasus beside Discord to squeak in fear, old memories coming back to the surface. He quickly wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed her reassuringly. Even though she was over 3,000 miles away, that mare could still inspire fear in humans and non-humans alike. They had frequently compared her to the likes of Josef Mengele, her twisted experiments on humans, and the remaining races of Equis horrifying the world over. Even calling them experiments was too much credit... what she did was torture, pure and simple to feed her irrational xenophobic hatred of non-equine life.

They chained the mare to the post leaving her helpless as a group of soldiers loaded their rifles and took aim. But not once did that hateful stare, or her eerie calm falter. Just staring unblinkingly at the row of rifles pointed at her. A decorated soldier seeming to direct the soldiers as they aimed down their sights. While it couldn’t be heard, the movements of his lips told Discord everything. Within a moment of uttering the word fire, the row of soldiers pulled their respective triggers. The shots hitting Honey Buns were censored but, the jerked movements of the bullets tearing through her could be seen. He bit his lip feeling Fluttershy's hoof threatening to crush his lion's paw. But they weren’t finished... they aimed the rifles again, firing again at the decorated soldier's orders. The limp body wrenching and twisting against the bonds that held it up. Again and again, the rifles fired, her face and body being reduced to scarcely censored red gore, her tan coat being reduced to a dark read. Until they had presumably ran out of ammunition for the old Garands they wielded.

Before the camera could switch back to the reporter a yellow hoof switched off the tv. Leaving the two in silence, neither one spoke a sound, after a few moments whimpering could be heard. Followed by the yellow mare completely breaking down into sobbing. To which her friend quickly wrapped her in his arms tightly, rocking side to side. His grey muzzle pressed into her pink mane letting her sob into his chest. He knew why she was crying, he felt the same way, his own tears mixing with hers. They had hoped to be relieved with her gone, but there was nothing to be had.
> Governor Brousseau (part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States of America
Washington D.C.
Capital Building
11:36 AM

“Jimmy Gomez of the 34th congressional district of California you have the floor.” An older man with a faint Texan accent spoke into the microphone. 

Jimmy Gomez nodded his head and raised himself, the trying times of his home state showing on his appearance. Wisps of silver hair having appeared in his hair during the last few years. “Members of Congress, for the last few years you have all flooded funding into the newest fledgling state of the Union. While the returns have been more than generous, this single-mindedness has left California and other west coast states to rot. In the last few years, my state’s population alone has dropped by just over 40%, due to damaged infrastructure and lack of economic opportunity.” He inhaled before continuing. “With the latest amendment to our countries constitution, we also are limited financially by the Balanced Budget Amendment. As we speak, we are operating skeleton crews for our public services, we need an influx of capital or things will continue to degrade.”

The congressman around him whispered before someone finally rose. A younger gentleman representing the 30th congressional district of Texas. “May we remind you that the Balanced Budget Amendment was passed in response to the economic crisis caused by your states Black Budget. Which was used to hide the states worsening financial position since 2008? Allowing states to borrow money frivolously, be it from the Federal Government, or foreign powers to cover shortfalls caused that catastrophe.” He said while many of the politicians nodded their heads solemnly, remembering the almost Greek-like financial scandal.

“California is quickly becoming the state equivalent of Detroit! Much of LA still remains in shambles from the tectonic activity and tsunami caused by Convergence Day. Even areas that were once economic powerhouses like Silicon Valley have become crumbling ghost towns.” Gomez was struggling not to sound like he was pleading. “I won’t excuse the underhanded nature of my state's financial dealings. But need I remind you all, we weren’t the only ones fibbing about our debts.”

Near the back of the congressional hall, the young Governor of Lincoln watched the political theater play before him. As heated arguments on the floor started to break out between the red state congressmen and the increasingly purple state congressmen. It was no secret Convergence Day had not hit all 50 states equally. But the economic crisis that had been unleashed by Chinas manufacturing issues and subsequent economic bubble burst had sent shockwaves through the United States long before. Everything from agriculture futures to public sector pension funds was effected, blame was pointed in all directions. But the leak of state Black Budgets offered something to blame for the financial woes of the country. Despite many people Red or Blue voting on things that helped add to their state’s deficits. Shaking his head he let out a silent yawn, normally he wouldn’t be so far from his office. But he was asked to give a speech in Washington, so here he was. Eventually, the argument died down, thankfully before it became an actual shouting match. The congressional discussions were slowly moved to more mundane things such as revised state water rights and changes to agricultural subsidies.

The discussions eventually moved to more pressing diplomatic issues. Which made it all a bit more interesting thankfully. “The current situation in the EU has left our ally Great Britain cut off the mainland. As we speak many of their people are tearing up their lawns to grow victory gardens to feed themselves. Our current aid to the country is not sufficient to support their nutritional or energy requirements. We must commit more to help them starve off catastrophe.” A young woman in her early 30s spoke the speaker nodded. Allowing the motion to move forward and be voted on, passing unanimously.

Things slowly died down as it came time for lunch, the young governor already thinking about what to have. Making his way out of the hall he milled his way through the crowd of people from across the US. Sadly his thoughts of lunch were interrupted by his phone buzzing, struggling to find it on his person. It was soon found and pulled out, after which he stared at the screen, his eyes briefly raising. It was the Japanese embassy, pressing answer he brought it to his ear.

“Governor Brousseau?” An accented voice asked on the other end of the line.

Pulling into a relatively empty hall he answered. “Yes?”

“Her Imperial Highness Princess Toshi has asked that I formally invite you to lunch at The Inn at Little Washington. Will you attend?” They asked sounding rather formal if a bit dry.

It was about an hour away, but Japan was an important if battered trading partner and ally. “I would be honored to attend, though it will take an hour to get there from the capital, is that acceptable?”

He waited a few moments before hearing the voice on the other end again. “Her Imperial Highness says that is acceptable.” They responded, curt as ever.

He sighed thanking the interpreter as he made his way outside and called his driver. It was going to be a long drive but Japan's purchases of ships alone made the lunch unavoidable. Once the black Mercedes Maybach pulled up he squished slipped into the back seat. Leaning back he closed his eyes for a moment, deciding to rest during the trip. The hours of listening to motions and opening arguments exhausting him.
———————————————————-
“Governor Brousseau?.. we will arrive in 10 minutes...” The drive spoke looking back at the governor through the rearview mirror.

The young governor yawned and stretched a moment. Pulling out a mirror he straitened out his blonde hair and checked his suit for imperfections. Finishing just in time as the car pulled up to the plantation estate styled hotel and restaurant. Looking out the windows he could see the Imperial Guard stationed around the building, armed with everything from M4s to Sumitomo MINIMI machine guns. Even on the roof, he could see a sniper with an M24, likely scoping out the area. With China growing increasingly belligerent, they weren’t willing to take risks even while being this close to the US capital. Their new revitalized political importance made them targets for less... agreeable elements in China.

The car came to a stop with the door opened by one of the Imperial Guards. Nodding his head respectfully as he stepped out. It was strange, normally this place would be packed with the wealthy and powerful alike, yet it was deserted with respect to the security. She must have rented the entire place out, it was the only explanation he could think of. They briefly frisked him for weapons and inspected him closely to ensure her safety before one led him inside. He glanced at the vintage style decor, making him feel as if he had traveled back in time to the 1800s.

When he entered the main dining room, he took a moment to glance up at the ordinate tray ceilings. Before he saw the solitary table and more importantly who was waiting at it. Princess Toshi, wearing a brightly colored Jūnihitoe, signaling this was not a social meeting, but a matter of great political importance. As he got closer two of the Guards pulled their respective chairs out. Allowing the two of them to take their seats quietly, with the guards taking their respective positions in the far corners of the room.

A waiter brought the menus to the table, seeing the princess grasp and look it over he followed suit. His eyes gazed over the menu before settling on the ”Pot Au Feu” of Lamb Loin with Lamb Sausage, Roasted Bell Peppers, and Gremolata. The Princess meanwhile decided on the Crispy Napoleon of Chilled Maine Lobster with Imperial Osetra Caviar in a Pool of Spicy Bloody Mary Coulis. Once the waiter took the orders they two sat in silence a bit awkwardly.

Soon the princess spoke. “I am thankful you accepted my invitation. I have much I had hoped to discuss with you.” She said with gentle but practiced precision.

“I thank you for the invitation, I have never been to this place myself.” He smiled neutrally. “May I ask what you wished to talk about?”

“We have a considerable population of unemployed professionals in Japan. I had hoped to talk about streamlining the Visa process for Japanese workers.” She said while their food arrived taking a moment to enjoy the wonderful smells.

“I’m sympathetic but I'm only a governor, Visas are largely handled by the US Department of State.” He eyed the food, the lamb looked mouth-watering but he waited for her to take the first bite.

“I understand that, but your words have considerable weight. Lincoln is America’s golden goose, as it’s governor they listen to you.” She started to slip her fork into the lobster dish bringing it to her mouth, taking a moment to savor the flavor.

“You give me too much credit.” He said while cutting into his meal, sighing faintly as he enjoyed the taste.

“No, they don’t give you enough.” She looked up from her meal. “You have set the groundwork for this new state, working to set up infrastructure, education systems, and numerous programs, with the goal of making it a new Mecca.” She sipped her drink daintily. “Many claim to do such things, fewer ever make good on their promises.”

“You flatter me, I’ll see what I can do to speed up the visa process, I take from the venue there was something else that needed to be discussed.” He nodded his head as he cut into the lamb.

“Indeed... With China continuing to probe our waters the Emperor feels that keeping the entirety of the Imperial House in Japan is a threat to our current stability.” She takes another bite of her Crispy Napoleon of Chilled Maine Lobster.

“He doesn’t want to have all his eggs in a single basket.” He said using the cliché expression. “I take you already have a place in mind?”

“Yes, my double will remain in Virginia until further notice.” She said, much to the confusion of her guest.

“Your double?” He raised an eyebrow, curious. She just smiled faintly as she continued to eat, the Governor slowly realizing where she would be. “I take we have much more to discuss then...”
———————————————————-
The drive back to the capital was uneventful, the young Governor in deep thought about what had been discussed. He silently sat in the back on the congressional chambers pretending to listen to the opening arguments. This time about taking sides in the civil war in the EU.

“America has stuck its nose in enough conflicts to know that intervention rarely goes well. Do to the members of this union wish to be pulled into another costly war?” Alan Salvar of Texas 15th congressional district.

Dan Crenshaw of the 2nd Texas congressional district rose to the floor. “The Anti EU forces are fighting a war of independence, their members have long been overlooked by the Brussels bureaucracy. Now during these trying economic times, they are told to sacrifice for the good of the EU, when they have nothing left to give. When they asked to leave they were rebuffed with the threat of Leopards and Leclerc's rolling down their streets.” Crenshaw looked around the chambers. “We are seeing history repeat itself in Europe, must we repeat the mistakes we made last time it was set ablaze?”

Raúl Grijalva of Arizona’s 3rd district spoke up. “Crenshaw while I understand the sentiment, surely you don’t think now is a good time for us to get involved. Our economy is still recovering from the Depression caused by China’s economic collapse, never mind the beating our western coasts took. I don’t believe our economic footing is solid enough to switch back to wartime production.”

Michael Waltz of Florida’s 6th congressional district then spoke. “So what? Are we to leave the entirety of the Nordics, Poland, Hungary, Italy, the Czech Republic, and so many others to twist in the wind. All who were attacked by France and Germany along with their allies, when they rejected the Merkel Scheme.”

Kathleen Rice of New York’s 4th congressional district was quick to follow. “It should not be our place to judge, the European Union was placed in dire straits from Chinas collapse and the middle east oil crisis. Redistribution of wealth might have been their only option to save their two most important economies.”

“So they should have rolled over because another country demanded it. Sounds awfully familiar, appeasement never works in these situations. You should open a history book, Miss Rice, I feel that you might have forgotten it.” A young representative from Missouri spoke. “Germany and France wanted to hollow out the less politically powerful EU member states to prop up their own crumbling economies. This scheme was doomed to fail from the get-go, as they are making products no one buys, all just to keep their worker unions appeased. Nevermind, the grain seizure that's borderline theft!”

“People were starving across Europe! The lack of pesticides caused a locust swarm!” A young female representative from New York screamed. “Would you rather have left them all to die?”

Crenshaw looked unamused. “That seizure only changed who suffered, you know what happened in Poland? Their fields were stripped clean by EU forces when they asked for some back to feed their people you know how long it took it to get a response?” He looked evenly at the young woman. “Months, it took months for Brussels to even acknowledge such a thing happened!”

“Even then they scarcely got crumbs to feed their people, as France and Germany prioritized feeding their workers. With a few bones tossed to the likes of Luxembourg and Belgium to keep their allies placated.” Waltz spoke shaking his head. “We should at least look into sending aid to those countries fighting the EU forces.”

“Aid? You mean weapons!” Salvar accused. “One does not add gasoline to fire to put it out! We can’t take sides in this conflict, while the EU forces actions can be considered questionable, need I remind you all just a little over a decade ago they were a close ally!”

“It’s funny how those usually said to be close ally’s tend to turn on us. Perhaps we should be more selective with who our friends are.” A young male representative from Utah said absentmindedly. “The EU elite had no issue insulting our union when were supposedly still ally’s.”

Rice turned to them. “International Politics is a complicated game, sometimes countries have to learn to develop a thicker skin.”

“Unless their middle eastern and have a little oil.” Another young New Republican from eastern Washington spoke rolling her eyes. “Then we’re supposed to bend over backward to appease them.”

“We are not here to talk about the mistakes of the past. We are here to discuss what action if any should be taken with the European Situation.” Grijalva spoke rubbing the bridge of his nose. “We shouldn’t stick our noses in every conflict around the globe. We attempted that before with a far stronger and more stable economy and still were bankrupting ourselves try to police others.”

“Which is why I am pushing for the Lend-Lease Act.” Crenshaw spoke with a clear but calm voice. “You are correct Miss Rice International Politics is complicated, but it helps when both sides are on equal footing. Right now the Anti-EU forces are at a disadvantage in terms of military hardware. However, if we fill the gap, we can push the EU forces to the table to negotiate.”

“While making arms companies a generous profit!” Rice accused.

“If you had bothered to read the Act you would know that the interest for the program will only be 1.5% above inflation. I would hardly call that a generous profit.” Crenshaw shook his head.

The arguments continued, but with the Lend-Lease Act having majority support from the New and old Republicans, the debate on the floor was largely out of tradition. With a supermajority in Congress and the Senate, the most Democratic representatives could do was voice their disapproval. The act was voted on and passed easily though it was doubtful this would be the end of it. Eventually, things moved onto less heated topics such as the continued divestment of agricultural subsidies and rail transport.

The more light-hearted debate pulled his governor into a false sense of security before she felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. Pulled out of his thoughts he saw on of the aids motioning to him it was almost time for his speech. Sighing he slowly worked his way to his feet, just in time as they finished the debate about tax cuts for struggling transport industries. Once the Speaker had ensured the debates had concluded they leaned forward to the microphone. “I now ask members of this congress to turn their attention to governor Brousseau.”

The young governor slowly made his way to the podium, once he had taken his place he looked over the Congress. Looks ranging from envy to suspicion covered the surrounding faces. He took a deep breath and began to speak into the microphone. “I know times are hard, and they are not helped by the fact the benefits of my state are not spread equally among you all. Others are suspicious of me because they feel I am too soft on the Equestrian remnant, others feel I was too harsh with my support of the Equestrian Reservation Act.” He sighed for a moment to collect himself.

“The most difficult lesson to teach our children is not what happened in history, but why. When the peace negotiations were sabotaged by Royal Guard Zealots I don’t think I have to remind you all what happened afterward.” He looked around the room. “Even after the hell, they put us and so many others through we offered them the chance to keep some semblance of a nation. With a surrender not unlike what we had offered Japan nearly a century ago. The moment those potion bombs went off during the signing, so did any hope of an Equestrian State. The people after seeing the generous offer rebuffed so violently would never tolerate an Equestrian state. Especially when rumors of its riches reached American ears, such desperately needed resources could never be in the hooves of a formally hostile state.” Taking a moment to collect his breath.

“With them so universally hated, forcing the new colonists to live among them wasn’t an option. Neither were the more radical options a few in this in this room would like us all to forget...The reservations weren’t the best option, they were the only option.” He gazed around the room. “The American people needed time to heal and the Equestrian Remnant needed a place to shelter away from the misaimed wrath of hurting Americans.”

“I won’t pretend those of us who voted for them won't be looked upon harshly by historians and college students alike. I can only hope they look at the situation we were placed in and see we had few options that could prevent further bloodshed.” Shaking his head he clutched the podium. “Even now many of us continue to feel its effects, the western coast states were devastated by the violent tectonic activity, vast stretches of their metropolises long since washed out to sea by the resulting tsunami. So many lives lost, long before the war even started...” He shook his head solemnly.

“But that wasn’t what brought our wrath, it was because for a brief moment, everything we are, everything we’ve accomplished was put under threat by a mad mare with a god complex. Newfoals... a title that will live on in infamy, crude parody’s of life, that she had hoped to mutate us into. Creatures whose blind obedience and reverence to the solar tyrant was only matched by there extreme misanthropy. When those bombs went off at their embassy’s and numerous consulates we suddenly had massive invading forces in the center of our cities. Newfoals had no empathy, self-determination, or concept of surrender... if they couldn’t convert you, they would kill you. The results of those terror attacks left deep-seated scars in our people. For weeks the American mainland and many of our allies were in disarray, but we pulled ourselves together with help from an unlikely source. Many of us in the past looked at militia groups as something to joke about, that they were paranoid tin pot wearing men playing soldier... Yet when things turned to hell, they were the ones protecting their home towns, keeping power on, rationing food, keeping people calm, long before our national guard could be mobilized.” He inhaled.

“Then with their help guarding our most vulnerable, we pushed them back, forcing them back to the sea mile by mile. Corralling them on our western beaches, in response they left behind the Newfoals, while their soldiers were evacuated by a mass teleport... Have you ever seen an overloaded unicorn?... It’s a horrific sight... blood leaking from their orifices, third-degree burns covering their faces, the smell of burning flesh... they chose that instead of surrender. That signaled just what we were in for, a fight for every inch by fanatical soldiers who would fight to the death rather than accept the war was lost..” He gazed into the distance, remembering when they arrived at Laguna Beach. The silence, the smells, and the empty stares the Newfoals had waiting for orders from the dead unicorns still haunting him.

“The war was long and scaring, with an enemy that would rather burn everything down than admit defeat. The final days were far from respite, as she sent more and more colts to battle soldiers.” He looked around. “Child soldiers have always been something we’ve all condemned, but at the same time seemed so far away. Yet in the final days there they were... indoctrinated to fight to the death. Fighting them left deep-seated PTSD in many of our soldiers, even today many can’t even hear a child’s laughter without going into shock. So many times thinking they had surrendered peacefully... only for them to detonate potion bombs under their armor... having to make that choice, a child or your unit... enemy or not is a choice I hope no one in this room or beyond ever has to make again....”

“The deeper we trekked into the country the more complicated the image became. Roaming bands of refugees, having lost everything in a single night, their towns, villages, all burnt to the ground by the guard in a desperate attempt to slow our advance. Many didn’t even know there was a war going on in the first place, confused and scared by a foreign military in their lands... but many more seemed... relieved.” He shifted behind the podium. “We have often labeled our forces liberators, yet this was one of the few times we could actually claim the title. Settling up refugee camps, dispensing food and medicine, it tells you something when a people are happier to see a stranger than their own armed forces.” Looking back down at the podium he continued.

“The end game of Canterlot was poised to be the hardest battle of the campaign. Rumors of blockades and chokepoints congesting the city, on top of a seemingly impenetrable shield, but once again we were surprised. A single mare walked to the edge of the shield alone, waiting for days before we got the approval to contact her.” He gazed back up. “Without her, the civilians in that city would have just been another statistic... with the only thoughts being who died from starvation, and who died from artillery or airstrikes.”

“I know many of you have at best-mixed feelings about the Equestrian remnant, I won’t say your wrong to have those feelings either. We need time to recover, but history has taught us a lesson time and time again, all things pass.” He sighed finishing his speech. “Maybe not in a generation, likely not two, maybe not even three, but all things pass. After our ancestors fought the revolutionary war, would they have believed us someday English would be one of our closest allies? When the Second World War ended, who would have guessed that a few decades later our children would enjoy the fruits of the Japanese video game revolution? Even now, the Vietnamese are quickly becoming another close alley as we work together to dispense aid to ailing ASEAN nations. Perhaps, someday we will say the same about Equestrians.” Looking around the room, a few seemed thoughtful about what he said, still many maintained apathetic looks. Then some maintained the look of hatred and distrust that he hadn’t left them since the final days of the war. Some people would never let go, but with others there was hope.
> Rainbow Dash (part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
Equestrian Reservation
SulferHoof
7:43 AM

Rainbow ran the brush through her mane until it was as straight as she could get it in the mirror. It was always difficult to tame her mane, but this time she couldn’t count on her father to get her a job. This wasn’t the Cloudsdale Weather Corp after all, she wasn’t sure what to expect, only that an employee was coming to pick her up. It was only a few days ago she gave that number a try on the old payphone near the center of town. Now here she was battling her fight or flight instinct working in the back of her mind. Setting the brush down on the table she sighed and steadied herself. Her ear twitched hearing the familiar hoofsteps of her mother outside her small room.

“Rainbow?... dear?...” The soft voice of her mother spoke just outside.

Sighing she trotted to the door and opened it slowly. “Ya?”

“Sorry sweetie, I just wanted to make sure you were awake.” She smiled faintly. “And to see you off.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I’m not going away forever mom, it’s just an interview. I’ll be back before it even gets dark.” She took a moment to glance behind her mother. “Where’s dad?”

Windy Whistles frowned shaking her head. “His chest is acting up again, I figured it was best to let him rest.”

“It’s that bad? I thought the inhaler was helping?...” Rainbow looked back at her mother, her face matching her mother’s worry.

“It does usually... the doctor at the clinic says he needs steroids and Pulmonary Rehabilitation therapy.” She moved out of the way. “I made you eggs and toast dear.”

“Well... why haven’t they started him on it yet?” Rainbow quickly made her way to the small card table, grabbing the toast and sunny side up egg messily shoving it into her mouth.

“The free clinic doesn’t have the equipment...” She sniffed. “We’d need to take him to a specialty clinic off the reservation...”

“But that means...” She shook her head. “How much?”

“Without insurance?... at least $2,000, not including the medications...” Windy lowered her head.

“That’s...” Meds were expensive now, she didn’t understand all of it. But apparently, China used to supply a lot of the materials to make most meds. Now without them, it was hard to keep the costs down.

“It’s alright... Bow has been through worse, it’s just a bad day...” Windy tried to put on a brave face. “You just need to focus on your interview.”

Rainbow gave her a look of determination. “Ya... alright... just let me say goodby to dad.” She smiled faintly.

Rainbow tiptoed to her parent's room slowly knocking on the door and listening in. Slowly opening the door she saw her father lying in bed, struggling to breathe as he slept. She sighed sitting down at the side of the bed to watch him quietly. “Hey, dad... I’m going to that interview today...” She smiled softly. “I’ll be back later...” She mentally cursed herself for not having something better to say. Leaning forward she nuzzled his cheek before turning around, but just as she was about to sneak out she felt a tug on her tail.

Turning her head she saw her father's blurry eyes looking at her as he struggled to sit up. Letting go of her tail to cough into his hoof. “Trotter... whatever happens, today... I’m proud of you...” He smiled weakly.

She just nodded her head approaching him again and wrapping her hooves around him for a hug. Squeezing him gently before helping him lay back down in bed. “Just focus on resting dad, when I get back I’ll bring those spicy chips you like.” Smiling he nodded his head as he laid back down, closing his eyes and sighing.

After having said goodby to her sleeping father Rainbow had made her way to the local bus stop. Sitting on the bench waiting a bit impatiently, she never was one to sit and do nothing. Yet it was all she could do until her ride arrived. Leaning back closed her eyes, the stress of it all having made it difficult to sleep last night. As she got comfortable a loud racket woke her back up, it was the somewhat alien sound of an internal combustion engine. Opening her eyes she looked down the round seeing something shiny speeding towards her, a large cloud of dust forming just behind it.

She forced her ears to tilt back against her head as the racket got closer. Eventually, the polished stainless steel-bodied Aston Martin DBR1/300 Kit Car. Though Rainbow didn’t know that, all she saw was some kind of small curvy convertible. The light brown haired driver pulled down his grey bandana revealing a young face. “Rainbow Dash?”

She nodded her head. “Ya, are you the guy they sent from Gillam?” She raised an eyebrow a bit cautious.

“Yep, I’m Sam, huh... your fatter then I thought you would be.” He chuckled seeing her snort in irritation and eyeing her noticeable belly. “Now now, don’t get your tail in a knot I’m only teasing. Hop in.” He motioned to the passenger seat next to him.

Rainbow suppressed her rage, she couldn’t afford to ruin this opportunity because someone made fun of her weight. “Ya ya... no hard feelings...” She made her way over to the opposite side, flapping her wings to climb up into the seat. Once she strapped in the engine started to snarl, before she could react the g-force pressed her into the seat.

“Oh, something wrong?” The young man looked over giving her a knowing smirk before pulling up his bandana.

Rainbow's eyes were widened, unused to moving so fast under another’s power. “Y-ya, never been in a car before... this as fast as it goes?” She asked teasingly.

“Your serious?” He just shook his head incredulously as he rev’d the engine further. The small car tearing down the flattened dirt road.

The young mare just closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing against her. It had been a long time since she had experienced it, making the sound roaring engine bearable. Seeing his passenger was content to quietly enjoy the ride, the driver wisely decided to leave her be. Focusing on the road avoiding the occasional local he just followed suit with enjoyment.
———————————————————-
Rainbow opened her eyes seeing the commercial airstrip approaching in the distance. The car wheels having transitioned to asphalt awhile ago as it started to approach the site. Already she could see humans and other creatures working to load up planes through the high chainlink fence. It was much larger then she thought, with several massive hangers around the main runway. As the car pulled up to the security gate, a bored-looking Minotaur stuck his head out the window of the security shack.

“Morning Sam, that the new hire?” The billowing bovine peered at her, as he leaned out she could see his large revolver attached to his waist.

She gave him a nervous smile, the war having naturally made her uneasy around firearms. “Y-ya, I’m Rainbow Dash.”

He blinked. “Rainbow Dash?... Never heard of ya, anyway good luck with the interview.” He smirked slowly leaning back into the booth and pressing the button.

Once the gate opened Sam slowly pulled his car in, heading to one of the parking spots near the largest hanger. Once they got out the began to walk around the building, Rainbow took this time to eye the aircraft. A DC-3 was being loaded up while a rumbling AN-2/Nanchang was slowly taxing down the strip preparing to take off. Even from the distance she could hear and feel the powerful engines revving. It seemed so long ago that heavier than air flight was something pegasi scoffed at. A hobby for earth ponies and unicorns with little practicality. They never thought a machine could do what they did, at least not nearly as well. She couldn’t help but stare at the roaring craft as the took off with loads that even the burliest teams of pegasi could never hope to lift.

She heard Sam clear his throat, having not realized she had stopped to watch the massive Bi-plane take off into the sky. “Not bad for a rice burner huh?” He chuckled.

“Rice... burner?...” She looked at him confused not getting the joke.

“Mhm, it’s a nickname given to vehicles made in Asia. Usually, Chinese craftsmanship is... dodgy, but they’ve been holding up.” He shook his head. “Come on the boss is waiting.” He motioned to the massive open hanger behind them.

Slipping through the partially opened sliding hangar doors, she took a moment to glance around. She saw a muscled centaur moving a large stack of pallets in a distant corner. He seemed to eye her curiously before going back to work, she couldn’t place her hoof but something was familiar about that black and purple half breed. Turning her attention ahead she briefly glanced upwards, the ceiling looked at least two maybe three stories above her. More than enough room to fly comfortably, with plenty of room to do some tricks. Take away all the loaded pallets, this place could rival Cloudsdale Colosseum in size. Eventually, she saw they were approaching a metal grate stairwell leading up to a loft office built against one of the steel walls. Swallowing her nervousness she looked over to her ride who just nodded his head.

“Don’t worry mister Gillam is fair, just answer his questions truthfully and you’ll do fine.” Sam motioned to the stairs. “He’s expecting you, best not keep him waiting.”

Rainbow just nodded her head climbing up the metal grate steps to reach the large platform. It felt like it took ages to reach the top, looking back she could see Sam giving her a joking thumbs up. Turning her head forward she reached out a hoof and knocked on the green door before her. A few moments passed before she heard a response.

“Come in.” The voice sounded rather curt into the point.

Grabbing the handle and opening it she saw a middle-aged man in a thick flight jacket on the opposite side of the large office. He scarcely looked up from the mountain of paperwork in front of him. Barely glancing at her and motioning with his hand to sit down on the chair in front of him. Once she scampered to the seat and sat down he finally looked up at her for longer than a few seconds.

“So you're the prospective hire Lightning Dust recommended?” He asked occasionally glancing down at his paperwork. Having not even stopped filling it out as he talked.

“Yes, I’m Rainbow Dash.” She suppressed her urge to swallow.

“Hmmm, she says you used to work with a popular pegasi stunt group?” He asked while Rainbow looked confused before realizing what he was talking about.

“Y-yep! I used to do airshows.” Just saying that placed a bad taste in her mouth, the Wonderbolts weren’t just a stunt group. At least not to her, but she wisely decided to keep the name to herself, just to be safe.

“Hmmm.” He looked at her more closely. “Looks like you’ve been out of the game for a while, you sure this is the kinda line of work you want?”

That stung more than she would like to admit, but she gave him a look of determination. “A pegasus never forgets how to fly, they might get a bit rusty, but the abilities still there. They just need a bit of polish.”

“But how much polish? This line of work has a short grace period, our clients don’t take late orders well.” He gave her a serious look sipping his coffee before signing his name on some forms.

“Give me a time frame and I’ll beat it.” She looked at him evenly.

He slammed an ink stamp down on some papers. “Alright, I’ll call your bluff, I’m partnering you up with Sam. You keep pace with Wheezy during the test run, I’ll hire you.”

Rainbow just sat in the chair dumbfounded, not really expecting that. However, seeing she was still there he grunted. “Your still here? Sam's likely going through the flight checks right now and you need to get changed into a flight suit.” He glanced up and pointed to the door.

Eyes widening she slipped off the seat and quickly scampered out of the office. Not wanting to blow the chance Lightning Dust gave her. Now the problem was figuring out where the buck to get one of those orange flight suits. Maybe she could ask someone on the floor about them, hopefully, they have her size...
———————————————————-
She twitched as she made her way out to the tarmac, the outfit was not the right size. But she managed to squeeze it over her flanks and that’s what mattered, her wings were much freer then she thought they would be. Almost better than her old Wonderbolts uniform, shaking her head she looked around for the plane. Soon her eyes settled on a sputtering white and purple AN-2 resting on the runway. Approaching the plane Sam slid open one of the windows and smiled down at her.

“Took you long enough, I almost finished my preflight check without you! I hope you're ready for Stevens Run chubs.” He chuckled seeing her bristle at that comment.

“I didn’t know where the locker room was, nevermind where they kept the clean uniforms...” She grumbled, her wings twitching in irritation.

He gave her a more serious look. “Don’t push yourself, this isn’t a race, a lot of newbies burn themselves out in the first stretch. You have to keep pace with the plane, not outrun it. These AN-2s aren’t known for there speed, so if you remember to stick close and take it easy, you’ll be fine.”

She wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so she nodded her head, but apparently, he wasn’t finished. “You have your radio?”

She shook her head. “Um... no, I didn’t know I needed one, I didn’t see any in the locker room...”

“Come up to the window, I have a spare in case one of the spotter's radios gets buggy.” He dug around the cockpit for a moment before he held out a VHF radio with a throat mic. “There’s a buckled pouch on the right side of your uniform for the radio. Just adjust the cable length till you can move your head easily without the cable wiping you. Make sure the mic is tight against your throat, otherwise you’ll come in all garbled. Then just slip the earbuds into your ears.”

Flapping up she grasped the radio before landing back down. Feeling around her uniform she eventually found the pouch and slipped the radio snuggly into it. Getting the microphone on took longer then she’d like to admit. But she soon got it tight against her throat without choking herself, the cable took about a second to lengthen properly. The earbuds were a bit odd in her ears, but not unbearable.

“How do I look?” Rainbow asked looking upwards.

“Pretty good, just use the straps on the uniform to further secure the cable and you’ll be all set.” She twitched hearing his voice in her head, before realizing it was the radio. He looked back into the cockpit setting down his microphone back near the plane's radio. Seeming to focus on flipping a few switches before pulling it back to his mouth. “Alright, I’m about to start the engine, you might want to step back.”

Rainbow worked her way back to the far side of the aircraft, just a few feet away from the left-wing. The large propeller started to spin while the engine sputtered and gasped. Seeming to struggle to start before a loud deafening bang nearly sent her running. With that, the engine finally seemed to take, with the propeller spinning up rapidly. The powerful gusts of the running engine and propeller almost knocking her over.

“Alright, I’m going to taxi to the runway, think you can follow me?” He asked peaking back out the window as he spoke into his microphone.

“Uh, ya, lead the way,” Rainbow said while backing up a few more steps, not wanting to be run over. The plane lazily rolled forward over the tarmac at scarcely a jogging pace. Nothing that Rainbow couldn’t match easily while maintaining a fair distance from the aircraft.

“Alright, good see you’re a current distance from the plane? I want you to maintain that during this flight, try to avoid getting too close to the plane.”

Rainbow nodded her head before realizing he couldn’t see her. “Alright, let's do this.” She took a deep breath.

“Good luck.” He hummed as he started to bring the engine up to speed before releasing the breaks. The aircraft slowly picking up speed, with Rainbow working into a trot behind it. Seeing it starting to rise off the tarmac she followed suit, sighing in contentment feeling the wind underneath her wings again.

Opening them back up she saw the aircraft pulling a little too far ahead of her. Taking a moment to flap her wings a bit harder to catch up, until she found just the right pace that kept her near the craft, yet wouldn’t exhaust herself. It took a bit longer to get settled but soon enough she was able to enjoy the scenery. The bright blue sky contrasting with the muted browns of the badlands below her. With only the occasional cloud to be seen in the distance. How long had it been since she had flown like this? Months? Years? It was hard to keep track, she always had a terrible sense of time, but it had definitely been a while. Her wings were already feeling fatigued, she definitely didn’t remember needing this much effort to stay airborne.

“You alright newbie?” She was pulled from her thoughts by Sams's voice reverberating in her skull.

“Ya, just been a while... so what’s Stevens Run?” Rainbow asked, still getting used to the microphone attached to her throat.

“See that huge mountain in the distance?” He asked while slowly banking the aircraft a bit to the left until he was facing it head-on.

Squinting her eyes a bit she, saw the massive light brown and white-tipped mountain in the distance. “Y-ya?” It had to be at least 100 miles away, likely more. A few years ago that wouldn’t be an issue, but now? She was already getting winded keeping up with that sputtering plane!

“We just circle it and head on back, the real trouble is the turbulence.” He yawned a bit tiredly into the microphone.

“T-turbulence?” Rainbow sputtered a moment before setting her breathing again.

“It’s known for its powerful up and downdrafts, they come out of nowhere I swear. But they offer a good chance to test planes handling... along with potential spotters.” He chuckled into her ear.

Rainbow was mentally cursing, she was already starting to struggle, now she had to deal with random weather phenomena? “N-no problem! I can handle a little gusty wind!” She was starting to sweat a bit.

“That’s what I like to hear, still give yourself some more room to maneuver. You don’t want to be too close to the plane when we reach Stevens Pass.” He hummed through the speaker.

“U-Understood...” She sputtered out, trying to focus her efforts on flying. Focusing on conserving whatever energy she could for what was to come.
———————————————————-
Rainbow was cursing as she fought the powerful downdrafts working against her. The strength of the winds making her fatigue only that more noticeable. Even Sam seemed to be fighting the winds as-well, the aircraft shaking noticeably as it fought to stay at altitude. With all this going on, she barely had time to so much as glance at the mountain. Though she wasn’t missing anything too impressive just browned grass, the occasional dead tree.

Rainbow gasped and coughed a bit as she struggled to catch her breath. “Are we...” She struggled to get the air needed to continue.

“Don’t worry we’re nearly through, about two thirds, maybe three fourths away through Stevens Pass.” He grunted as he worked the yoke in his hands. The downdraft giving way to a powerful updraft, which was somewhat easier for Rainbow to manage.

“H-huff... t-that's good... W-wait I-I mean!..” She bit down as a powerful gust nearly sent her spiraling skyward.

She heard him chuckle through the headset. “Relax, we're almost through this thing. Once you land back at base you’ll begin training with Smolder in a day or two.”

“T-training?!” She coughed again having inhaled a bit too sharply.

“Well ya, it’s one thing to test out recruits out here in the middle of nowhere, it’s another when we’re out in the field.” He grumbled as the plane was shaken by another powerful gust. “She’ll show you the inflight boarding procedures, along with... nnnf... other daily work activities... loading, unloading, emergency r-response...the other reg’s you’ll have to s-study yourself... they have a booklet for the e-exam!”

“E-exam?!” Rainbow internally moaned, she hated written tests.

“What?... you thought they would let you fly around Lincoln without having you pass a basic flight safety exam?” He laughed a bit. “Don’t worry it’s not too horrible with the booklet, just read the material a few times and you’ll be fine.”

Rainbow wasn’t sure how to respond, but thankfully as they banked slowly to the right she could see the airstrip in the distance. Having finally made their way around the mountain and more importantly through Stevens Pass. Her wings felt ready to give out at any second, the tarmac seeming so far away now. Even just holding them open was proving difficult for the mare. “I-if you say so... S-so h-how did you get into this work?” She asked hoping to get her mind off the pain.

“I got started at FedEx flying cargo, but when the economy tanked I was pink-slipped.” He mumbled. “A lot of guys were pink-slipped. They thought they could make the remaining boys work double sometimes triple shifts without repercussions.”

“S-sounds like there’s a story there...” She presses a bit while working to maintain her latitude.

“Ya, when the economy tanked a lot of airlines tried to cut costs any way they could. So a lot of them fired nearly half their pilots and maintenance staff...” He sighed. “Old-timers lost pensions and left to rot, newbies were kicked to the curb before their careers could start. Don’t even get me started on the maintenance workers. If you weren’t fired they you had your salary cut and hours skyrocket.”

“That sounds bad...” Rainbow thought back to her time at the Cloudsdale Weather Factory. Just one shift working on the vats left her ready to drop.

“Your not wrong, the stress from being so overworked and underpaid. Something was bound to break.” He sniffed seeming to pause.

Rainbow tilted her head to the left, having moved to his 9 o’clock position. Allowing her to just see his face in the cockpit, he just seemed to stare into the distance. An unreadable expression crossing his face as he flew on instinct. “What broke?..” She finally worked up the breath and courage to ask.

“Traverse City happened...” He slowly eased back on the plane's throttle letting her keep pace more easily.

“Traverse City?...” The way he said that made her feel uneasy, it sounded so... solemn.

After a short time, he finally responded. “A 777 fell right out of the sky... an entire elementary school was wiped out, along with several blocks.”

“W-what?! How could a single plane do that?!” She gasped struggling to get her breath back, nearly falling out of the sky.

“What? You think old Wheezy is the biggest cargo hauler out there?” He shook his head. “No no, our planes are fleas compared to what FedEx had in there everyday fleet.”

Rainbow couldn’t help but imagine the size of such ridiculously sized aircraft. “I... I...”

He waited for a moment to see if she would continue. “Engine failure mixed with a pilot who hasn’t a good night's sleep in weeks? It was like a 250,000-pound flaming missile right into Central Grade School.”

“So it was a massive national tragedy... but why does it sound so personal?” She asked picking up on the tone of his voice through the wireless channel.

“He was my Captain before I got laid off, a grumpy son of a bitch. He wasn’t much for conversation, but fly with someone long enough you... get used to their presence.” He mumbles.

“O-oh... what happened after?” She swallows, the landing strip still a ways off.

“When the cameras centered on the still burning tail section of the plane with the FedEx logo for all to see. Well... management spent the next few years going from one courtroom to the next.” He frowned deeply.

“I’m guessing they went under.” It wasn’t much of a question.

He nodded his head. “With most of the upper management facing prison time and the company facing massive multiple lawsuits? That’s an understatement, by the time it was all over their remaining assets were foreclosed on.”

“Foreclosed?” She was unfamiliar with the word.

He seemed to think for a moment. “When you don’t have the cash to settle your debts, the government comes in and sells off your assets.”

“O-Oh... well at least they got what was coming to them, right?” She didn’t sound so sure.

“Ya, along with nearly 200,000 employees who had nothing to do with it all.” He sounded so bitter saying that.

“Well, couldn’t they get work somewhere else?” Rainbow asked, sounding less hopeful from his tone, banking a bit closer to the aircraft.

“When the market tanked, do you know what they started to call Airports?” He looked through the window at her, a serious expression on his face. Seeing she didn’t have an answer he continued. “Graveyards.”

“Graveyards?...” Rainbow felt her throat dry.


“A lot of airports were choked to death by abandoned aircraft and staff. Heh... imagine having just landed your plane and heading to the pilot's lounge for a drink... only to get a call from American Airlines informing you the company’s gone out of business.” He shook his head. “A lot of guys found themselves stranded hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles from home. Maintenance workers pink-slipped in the middle of operations, hell even the airport staff were fucked...”

“But they got home... right?” She couldn’t help but imagine herself stranded so far from home. “I mean, the government had to help them if no one else could!”

“Some did, but with the fuel shortages, and Uncle Sam so strapped for cash. A lot of guys found themselves living at the airports, waiting for their chance to go home.” He looked back ahead. “Being around those rusting planes, so far from home, with little hope of a future... those airports weren’t exactly bursting with optimism.”

“What happened?...” She frowned deeply.

“A lot of pilots... couldn’t take it...” He clutched the yoke a bit too tight, causing his gloves to creak.

“I-I see...” She went silent, what else could she say?

“What about you?” Sam gazed over sadly.

“What about me?...” Rainbow looked back at him taking a moment to flap her wings.

“You have it all over your face, something happened to you...” He stared into her eyes before she pulled a bit ahead.

“Ya... you got me.” Rainbow sighed. “A place I used to work at ended up destroying my hometown.”

“Your hometown?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Ya, Cloudsdale Weather Corp, we used to manufacture weather for Equ-... you know.” She sniffed. “I started working there as a filly...”

“Wait... you mean.” He remembered that newspaper article.

“Ya, I dunno if they realized what they were bombing, maybe if they did they wouldn’t have.” She shook her head. “All those weather patterns stored there, suddenly being released all at once? It was a nightmare! I and my parents managed to shelter in a nearby cave... but being so close..”

“It was like seeing the end of days.” He offered to which she nodded.

“Y-ya... I don’t even know how to describe what happened... it was like a hurricane mixed with the monsoon, then somepony added a heaping hoof-full of twisters!” She shuttered. “Cloudsdale just... ceased to be in just a few seconds and I just.. froze. If my mom didn’t drag me into the cave... I would’ve...” Rainbow took a moment to compose herself.

“That place was the heart and soul of my hometown... so seeing it destroy everything around it... it was just... just” She struggled to focus on flying.

“It broke you... because regardless of what you were doing before the war... the bombing... that place is where you started, where so many of your friends and neighbors built there lives. To have it destroy everything it helped build around it...” He didn’t bother to continue, slowly entering a banking turn.

“Ya...” She followed the aircraft, her eyes widening as she saw the landing strip rapidly approaching. Working her way far behind the aircraft following it down to the tarmac.

Upon landing the fatigue come right back, her legs wobbling as she struggled to make her way off the runway. once she was out of danger she ended up leaning against a disused forklift gasping for air. Closing her eyes she just seemed content to catch her breath, nearly dozing off after awhile. Only to be gently shaken back awake by a leather-gloved hand.

“Hey hey, no falling asleep on the tarmac Skittles.” Sam chuckled a bit looking down at her. “You did good today, let’s get you home.” He started to bend over and before the mare could protest she was lifted up like a sack of potatoes.

“H-hey! I-I can walk myself!” Rainbow stuttered, twitching instinctively against his shoulder.

“With those buckling knees? I doubt you’d make it halfway to the parking lot.” He continued to walk.

“Hmmmf... I’m not helpless...” She mumbled as she relaxed a bit.

“Never said you were, getting a little help never hurts.” He eventually slipped her into the passenger seat before making his way to the opposite side. Once he started the car and started to drive, Rainbow leaned her head against the seat. Within a few moments, the mare was out like a light, the long day having hit her like a train. Sam smiled faintly seeing her sleep, before focusing back on the dark road. “Heh, barely passed, congrats tubby.”
> Scootaloo and Murphy (part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln 
New Prescott (35 miles from the Reservation)
Pioneer Homesteads (Suburban Development)
6:30 AM

An obnoxious beeping of a digital alarm clock resting on a nightstand filled the room. After a few moments, an orange hoof stretched out from a solitary lump under the messy covers smacking the top of the clock. Once the annoying beeping had been halted the filly slowly sat up brushing her cerise mane from eyes. Licking her clips briefly she untangled herself from the sheets and slide off the side of the bed onto the wood tile floor. Once her footing was steady she made her way to the door, passing by a poster of the Blue Angels and some miscellaneous sports equipment that laid strewn about. Opening the door she trotted down the hallway to the bathroom, catching the faintest whiff of breakfast being cooked. Closing the bathroom door behind her she turned on the shower waiting for the water to heat up.

Scootaloo took a brief moment look up into the mirror seeing deep bags under her eyes. She looked a bit skinny as-well a sign of her weak appetite, her cheeks less full than when she lived in Ponyville. It vaguely reminded her of Granny Smith, mumbling to her self the filly stepped into the shower. Not bothering with taking time to enjoy the experience she lathered herself with the off-band shampoo before quickly rinsing. Reaching out she grasped a purple towel and roughly dry herself, once that was concluded she stepped out and ran the brush through her mane a few times until it was semi-presentable. The filly eventually made her way out of the bathroom turning further down the hallway reaching the kitchen. The smells of Eggo waffles and eggs filling her nose as she sat down at the table, watching the broad-shouldered man finish cooking.

“Morning mister Murphy,” Scootaloo said faintly while the man turned his head pushing up his glasses.

“Morning Scoot, sleep well?” He asked as he set the peanut butter smeared waffles down in front of her with a bottle of syrup. “Eggs will be ready in a moment.”

Seeing him go back to the stove the filly picked at her waffles eating slowly. “I guess so...” She mumbled.

The man frowned but didn’t push further, setting some scrambled eggs on a plate and setting it near her. Along with the customary bottle of Heinz ketchup. “Try to eat some eggs, you need the protein.”

“Alright.” She bit into the scramble chewing slowly before swallowing.

“Oh, I saw the career day flyer in your bag, do you want me to take you?” He smiled faintly as he sat down and started to eat his own breakfast.

“I dunno...” She looked unsure poking her eggs.

“You don’t have to decide now, just think about it.” He smiled at her. “My job might not be that flashy, but it’s honest and rewarding work.”

“I’ll think about it.” She looked down at her breakfast, barely half the waffle had been eaten, with the eggs not much better. “I’m done eating, should I toss it?”

He looked at the minuscule amount she ate but shook his head. “No, it’s alright, I’ll finish it off. Just go finish getting ready for school.”

The filly pushed herself away from the table heading back to the bathroom to brush her teeth. After a few minutes, she slipped into her sweatshirt and pants. Trotting to the door she found her saddlebag waiting, with a new plain black and grey lunchbox just peaking out. Just as the young pony slipped the bag onto her back she heard the familiar heavy footsteps of her guardian. “Have a good day at school Scoot, do you have your key?” He straightens his grey coveralls.

Scootaloo pulled the key out of her pocket to show him. “Uh-huh, have a good day at work mister Murphy.” She nodded her head slipping it back into her pocket as they both walked out.

He nodded his head. “Just making sure, I don’t want you getting locked out again.” He made his way to the Duzgo Vagabond waiting in the driveway. Opening the sheet metal door and slipping in he started the small Diesel engine. “I hope you enjoy your lunch, one of my co-workers gave me the recipe.” He started to pull out while Scootaloo walked to the end of the block to wait for the bus. She just nodded her head respectfully waving goodby as he drove off.
———————————————————-
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Samuel Morse Elementary
7:53 AM

Scootaloo trotted to her desk quietly, opening her bag she noticed a note on her lunchbox with a weird bottle of soda strapped to it. Tilting her head curiously she read it over, place it in the microwave 2 minutes. Didn’t seem too complicated, a bit different from her usual Tofurkey sandwich, chips, fruit, and a Nesquik drink. She shrugged slipping it back into the bag before pulling out her notebooks and pencil box. Once she had set everything down she took stock of the room around her.

Miss Chernova’s class was a prime example of the multi-species school district. Humans, donkeys, gryphons, hippogriffs, a dragon, even a runty sphinx. But near the far back right corner of the room was where the ponies sat, mostly from the nearby reservation. They tended to stick together, it was the best way to avoid the bully’s, human or otherwise. Even Scootaloo stuck near them, though being adopted made her somewhat an outsider among them. Meanwhile, humans and non-ponies seemed to mix a bit, with a few often chatting with each other openly. It was hard not to feel excluded at times, but ponies tended to make many uneasy at the best of times.

“Hey, Scootaloo.” The familiar voice of Rumble broke her from her thoughts.

She turned her head to see the grey colt. “Hmmm?” She raised an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

The colt smiled at her gently. “I didn’t see you at practice last weekend, you weren’t sick were you?” He frowned.

“I haven’t been feeling much like playing baseball I guess.” She shrugged while trying to rub the sleep from her eyes.

“Come on Scootaloo we need you, if the team keeps losing players they might end our season early!” Rumble pleaded a bit.

“It’s not like I was any good...” She mumbles in response.

“It’s not about that and you know it. Those trips to away games are our best chance at seeing things outside of the rez.” He sighs dropping his head back onto his desk.

Before she could respond Miss Chernova entered the classroom setting her binder on her desk. “Good morning class.” She brushed her light brown hair from her eyes.

“Good morning miss Chernova.” The class said in unison.

“Roll call.” She started to rattle off various names, to which Scootaloo barely paid attention. “Scootaloo?.... Scootaloo!”

The filly stood straight up realizing her name had been called while she was dozing. “H-here miss Chernova!”

“So kind of you to join us Scootaloo, please try to pay attention today.” The teacher responded to which she blushed embarrassed.

“S-sorry miss Chernova.” She lowered her head.

“Alright, now that we’ve finished that let us return to English, I hope you read your assigned reading. As we are going to have a test to see if you have all been paying attention.” She wrote on the whiteboard with a marker. The class letting out a collective groan as she started to hand out the freshly printed papers.
———————————————————-
The first recess rolled around after they had finished their American History reading. Having to take turns reading was always awkward for her, especially when she had to sound out the words. Shaking her head she focused on trotting outside to the playground. Looking around she spotted some fillies and colts playing in the far corner of the schoolyard. Quickly trotting over to them, Barley Grind stood in front of her.

“Where do you think you're going?” He stamped his hoof down into the grass.

“I was just going to go hang out with Featherweight.” She mumbled.

“This part of the playground is for real ponies! Not race traitors!” He growled glaring her stamping his hoof into the dirt.

“Hey Barley calm down Scootaloo hasn’t done anything!” Rumble quickly trotted up from behind her, standing at her side.

“Rumble it’s fine...” Scootaloo looked back up at the growling colt. “Barley is just acting out again.”

The brown colt snorted. “Acting out?! At least I’m not living with the enemy you stupid fillyfooler!” He shoved her backward, sending her onto her flanks.

Scootaloo didn’t say anything while Rumble quickly ran in front of her, pushing Barley off. “Back off, Barley!”

“Or what?” He shoved his muzzle into Rumbles.

“Do you want to get suspended again!” Rumble flares his wings.

“Don’t brother Rumble, Barleys too stupid to know cause and effect.” Scootaloo chuckled slowly sitting back up. “Let me explain it in simple words that you can explain. You punch, you kicked out school. Understand?” She said very slowly in a condescending voice.

“You call'n me stupid?” He flared his nostrils baring his teeth.

“I dunno... what was your grade on the last vocab? That big frowny face on your last paper certainly didn’t look good.” She tapped her chin, pretending she was reminiscing. To which he stamped his hoof a few more times into the dirt before trotting away whipping his head side to side.

Watching him leave Rumble shakes his head a bit. “Scootaloo, I’m sorry about that, you know how Barley is.”

“Ya, I know exactly how he is.” She looks at the group of ponys in the distance who quickly turn their attention elsewhere. Rumble frowned a bit but seeming unsure what to say.

“Wanna practice a bit?” He offered motioning to the disused baseball bat and ball over by the field. Scootaloo nodded her head, it wasn’t like she had much else to do.
———————————————————-
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Duzgo Motors Factory
10:41 AM

Murphy whistled a nameless tune as he lowered the small diesel engine onto the steel chassis as it moved down the line. Once properly situated, he quickly bolted it down before moving on to the next car. It was very repetitive to the point he could fall into a rhythm, it tended to be easy to forget just how many cars this place put out each day. But yet they struggled to keep up with the Pacific developing and devastated markets demand for them.

“Hey Murphy, break time.” The tired voice of his supervisor broke him from his daze.

“You sure?” Murphy looked over as his shoulder as he finished bolting on another engine.

“Mhm, I’ll cover you.” He grabbed a wrench moving onto the line, just as Murphy stepped off. Already falling into the rhythm that just a few seconds ago Murphy was following.

Seeing he was properly covered, Murphy made his way to the break room following the production line downstream where the cars really took shape. Once the engine and transmissions were properly connected the sheet metal bodies were assembled. The occasional sparks of arc welders flashing as they spot welded a few areas for added strength. Just as he reached the breakroom he could see the finished product rolling off the line. The shiny red painted car being rolled out to join its multi-colored brethren out on the lot. Waiting to be picked up and shipped out to dealerships locally or abroad. Stepping into the air-conditioned area, he shivered a bit as his body adjusted to the sudden change in temperature.

Just as he approached the Shasta machine to get a soda a familiar cough filled his ears. “How’s the family today Frankie?” The simple question sounded to condescending to just be a friendly chat.

“Well as always Sam.” He mumbled sliding a few quarters into the machine before grabbing his soda. He turned around to face the wiry man standing behind him.

Sam wasn’t as broad-shouldered as Murphy, but his height was difficult not to notice. “Really? I’d think you’d have your hands full with a potion flinging zealot in your house.” He chuckled.

Murphy looked annoyed. “She’s very well behaved I assure you. Sometimes I can almost forget she’s there with how quiet she is.” He shrugged.

“Hope she hasn’t pittled on the carpet I know how hard new pe-“ Before he could finish a very large fist connected with his stomach.

Sam staggered back gasping for a moment before chuckling a bit. “Ohhhh, someone’s a bit touchy. I’m surprised you took in the feathered rat, considering the rumors about you... Heard anything from Liam and Elijah recently?” He gave a wolffish grin.

The sound of teeth creaking could be heard before Murphy exhaled slowly. “I don’t know what you're talking about, are they friends of yours?” He asked as he looked at the clock and quickly started to guzzle his soda. “Well look at the time, breaks almost over, best get back to the line.” He brushed past him roughly, while Sam just gave him a jackal like smile.

Murphy just seemed to stare forward blankly, as he pasted the line the sound of rivet guns caused his eye to twitch. Memories staring to surface, despite all attempts to push them back down. Once he reached his place on the line, he quickly took his boss's place and worked the hoist. Rapidly falling into the familiar rhythm, drop the engine, bolt it down.

“Frank... it’s time to prove your loyalty.” He shook his head attempting to throw out the serious voice, trying to focus on the task at hand.

“Do you want them to get away with that they did Franky?! What they took from you?! From all of us?!” Another near hysterical voice seemed to reverberate through his skull.

“That Governor is a cock, there’s only one thing those Equestrians deserve after what they’ve done.” A more gruff and deep voice mumbled to him while he turned the wrench.

“Who cares about that crap land, they don’t deserve honest work, they should just sit out there and rot!” Another voice roared while he lowered another heavy engine onto a chassis.

“They think they're so safe on those reservations, why don’t we remind them what it’s like to live in fear.” A more sadistic voice whispered with almost sick glee.

He leaned against the chassis of one of the cars attempting to steady himself. Feeling increasingly nauseous, he huffed a bit and swallowed roughly. “P-please don- BANG BANG.” He flinched hearing the gunshots ring through his ears.

He clutched the side of the car while attempting to pull one last bolt tight. “F-Frank... I-I can’t live like this.” As he pulled he inadvertently stripped the bolt and sighed reaching out to a button near his station and pressed it. An alarm went off signaling this Vagabond would have to be taken off the line. He briefly watched a few workers pull it off the line as he moved onto the next car.

“I just want to sleep without reliving what I’ve done.” He stared into the distance as he dropped the next engine.
———————————————————-
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Samuel Morse Elementary
11:32 AM

Scootaloo stared at the clock, more than a little impatient for lunch to roll around. Geography had just begun and it was already making her want to gnaw off her hooves. While the teacher explained different climate zones, the filly let her mind wander a bit. Staring at the book naturally to make it seem like she was following along. She couldn’t help but stare at the picture of the Pacific Northwest, the vast dark green forest reminding her of the Everfree.

“Just think of it as an adventure Scootaloo, no other ponies will even consider sheltering here!” She couldn’t help but remember what her father said.

“The Pacific Northwest is home to many different animals from the Pacific Tree Frog to the Tufted Puffin. Who can name other animals in the Pacific Northwest?” Miss Chernova asked the class. Hands, hooves, paws, and talons rose into the air, with her pointing at the Sphinx near the front. “Neph, what animals can you think of in the Pacific Northwest?”

“Raccoons!” The small Sphinx responded cheerily, though hearing that Scootaloo frowned deeply.

“Don’t worry Lil Marshmallow. We’ve traveled Equis over, the Everfree isn’t anything on the Wilds of Zebrica.” Her father's voice rang in her ear. “That little bandit barely scratched me!” She remembered her father playing off the small scratch on his leg.

“Now class who can tell me what sorts of weather can be expected there?” She smiled looking around the class but frowned seeing the Equestrians keeping their hooves down. “Hmmm, how about you Rumble!”

The poor colt nearly jumped out of his seat, but he managed to collect himself after blushing in embarrassment. “U-um... it’s Rainy!” He blurted out.

“Just a bit of drizzle dearie! Reminds me of the time me and your father spent in the Vicuña Pass.” She remembered her mother smiling faintly as she looked out of their improvised shelter. “Thankfully, we remembered how the locals built these Wikiup shelters for us.” She would say while it leaked terribly above them.

“Very good, Rumble. Now here’s a chance to earn some extra credit, who can tell me why it’s so rainy? It has to do with what particularly zone it’s located in.” She hummed looking around the class, the students seemed to be in deep thought, more then a few needed those points.

“Because it’s in the... Temperate zone?” A young Gryphon responded a bit unsure.

“Exactly, now who can tell me what zone Lincoln is located in?” She looked around the room, a lanky boy raising his arm.

“It’s in the tropical zone!” The human student responded, only for a diamond dog pup to shake her head and raise his paw.

“Nuh-uh! It’s in the Subtropical zone!” The pup responded.

“Well... actually your both right! Lincoln is located between the Tropical and Subtropical zone.” She nodded her head and started to pull down the world map to demonstrate. Meanwhile, Scootaloo leaned her head against her forehoof struggling to pay attention.

A talon rose near the back. “Miss Chernova, how big is Lincoln?”

“Very good question Graham.” She smiled. “Lincoln is around 659,560 square miles placing it just behind Alaska in terms of landmass.” She motioned to map pointing to the respective states.

The gryphon tilted his head looking at the map, the two landmasses seemed so different. “Alaska is bigger than Lincoln?.... but it looks so tiny compared to it.”

As the teacher began to explain Scootaloo finally dozed off, thankful her spot in the back was nearly out of the teacher's view. Resting her head on her folded forelegs she closed her eyes and was out like a light in moments. “Don’t mind me Scootaloo I’m just a bit dizzy... I’ll be fine in the morning...” The filly frowned deeply in her sleep hearing her father's voice.
———————————————————-
Lunch eventually rolled around for the class which Scootaloo waiting by the microwave for her lunch to finish heating. Watching the steam valve on the plastic container pop up as the hot vapors escaped. After a few moments the microwave rang out and she proceeded to pull out the lunch. Flinching a bit at the heat of the container as she quickly rushed to her desk. Setting it down she stared at the rectangular box, letting it cool just a bit more before popping off the lid. A cloud of steam rose from the box revealing.... fried sliced tofu sausage, rice and a sunny side up egg... and some kinda noodles with veggies and nuts? Each of the foods seemed to have their own little assigned row in the box, though the lines weren’t perfect, she could tell Murphy put quite a bit of effort into it. Sniffing it her mouth water a bit deciding to start with the fried sausage and work her way across.

“Hey, what's that?” Rumble leaned over to her desk trying to get a look at her lunch.


“I dunno... Mister Murphy made it for me.” She popped one of the sausages into her mouth. Sighing a bit, having a hot lunch for once was rather nice admittedly.

“It smells pretty good, wanna trade?” He smiled cheekily.

“For another PB&J and some carrots? Heh, you wish.” She said sarcastically but smiled faintly. “You can try some if you want, I dunno if I can eat all it anyway....”

Rumble looked troubled but nodded his head scooting his desk over. “If you say so Scootaloo... what’s that noodle looking stuff?” He motioned you the far right of the lunch.

“I dunno...” She took a bite chewing slowly. “Huh.....”

“What?” Rumble raises an eyebrow. “Don’t leave me in suspense!”

“It’s.... fishy... I don’t think it’s noodles though.” She chews for a few more moments before swallowing. “Not bad...”

“Fish, yuck.” Rumble sticks out his tongue.
“What? Pegasi eat fish all the time, it’s good for feathers... or something.” She muttered eating some more.r

“Doesn’t mean I have to like fish.” He blew a raspberry before trying some of the rice and egg. “Huh... it’s really runny... good though!” He popped a bit more into his mouth.

“Would you two get a room? Some of us are trying to eat!” Coconut Cream grumbled as she tried to enjoy her fruit pie.

“You should stick to your own kind Rumble. She’s just some wannabe.” Biscuit responded nodding his head in an attempt at a dignified manner.

“What are you talking about? Scoots has four hooves and mane just like us.” Rumble looked angry but attempted to keep his voice down, not wanting to attract the attention of the teacher.

“You know exactly what we’re talking about.” Biscuit said in a rather forceful whisper. “Maybe you forgot she’s one of... theirs now!”

Rumble's eyes widened realizing what he meant now. “So that’s why you and Barley are so mean to her?... cause she doesn’t live on the reservation? What was she supposed to do? Stay at the orphanage forever?” He stared incredulously at him.

“Ponies should stick to ponies, it’s their fault we lost everything!” Biscuit growled and slowly slipped his chair back, crossing his forehooves. “If she had any pride she would have just said she was happier in that crap stable.”

“Your just mad cause your daddy is rotting for what he did.” Rumble said without thinking, before covering his mouth realizing what he said.

“W-what did you say?” Biscuit just stared at Rumble blankly, as if his mind was attempting to process what he heard. “I don’t know what your talking about. My dad was a proud Equestrian and so am I! At least I have enough pride to not lower myself to be some dumb monkeys house pet...tell me is it worth it to get special treatment? ”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes trying not to look fazed by what he said, but decided to spar back. “Like I haven’t heard that one before, you know you’d make a better parrot then colt.” She refused to let him see how much it hurt her, especially with other ponies always whispering about her. “I don’t get any special treatment, unlike you and Barley I actually study a bit.” She snorted.

“Pride only gets you so far Biscuit, maybe if you and Barely had a little less pride and more worth ethic you’d be getting better marks.” Rumble smirked. “It says something when Snails is beating your guy's scores.” Snails yawned behind them, staring at the bickering ponies before laying his head back down, already snoring a bit.

Biscuit grumbled but quieted down, seeing the teacher starting to look their way. “Human school is stupid, we didn’t need 12 years before they came and ruined everything... after a few years we were off to our apprenticeships...” He grumbled under his breath.

“I think that’s why Ponyville was scared of a single Zebra...” Scootaloo mumbled looking bored, while Biscuit glared. “Your just mad cause you're no better than anypony else now.”

His eye twitched. “What did you say?... My dad is a General in the Equestr-“ He blurted out without thinking before being interrupted.

“Your daddy ain’t nothing but a Red Zone slob, no one cares what he used to be Biscuit.” Scootaloo shoved her face into his. “Same with Barley, you just act all big and tough cause you know you aren’t ever getting it back.” Rumble looked at Scootaloo horrified, while she had barely realized what she had said.

Biscuits teeth could be heard creaking, as he bared his teeth. “Take that back... Now...”

“What are you gonna do? Cry to daddy?” Scootaloo stared him right in the eye, expecting him to back off, however, Biscuits flying hoof soon made her face an acquaintance.
———————————————————-
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Duzgo Motors Factory
3:15 PM

Frank was taking his last break of the day sipping his coffee while staring out the window to the production floor. The cars continued to slowly move down the line, each worker at their station moving as part of a well-oiled machine. Starting as a simple steel chassis at the beginning, then in less than 2 hours, a new car was ready for the market. The process was almost hypnotic to watch, but just as he was about to take another sip from his coffee his phone started to ring obnoxiously. Digging into his coveralls he pulled it out and stared at the number. Samuel Morse Elementary, that was troubling, to say the least. Pressing the green button he brought it to his ear.

“Hello?” He spoke

“Frank Murphy?” A voice asked on the other end of the line, which he vaguely recognized as the principal's receptionist.

“Yes? Is there something wrong?” He asked somewhat worried.

“There’s been an incident with your... foster filly and a colt. Will you be able to come after classes are concluded today? Principal Goldfarb would like to discuss this matter personally between the students and parents.” The receptionist seemed to pause to think about her words carefully.

“Yes, I think I do that, Scootaloo isn’t in trouble is she?” He asked wondering what could have happened.

“We aren’t sure what exactly happened, however, what we do know is that she was punched by another student during lunch.” They responded rather neutrally.

“...I see I’ll arrive as soon as I can.” Frank took a moment to collect himself.

“Thank you mister Murphy, I apologize for the inconvenience. When you arrive please just head directly to the offices.” She said before he thanked her and hanged up, his boss probably wasn’t going to like this...
———————————————————-
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Samuel Morse Elementary
3:41 PM

Frank Murphy parked his car near the elementary school just in time to see some of the busses being loaded up with kids on their way home. Walking up to the building he could see others milling about waiting for the after school programs to begin. Briefly remembering his attempts to try and get Scootaloo to join one of them if only to get her out of the house more to make some friends. Passing through the heavy doors and entering the open-air hallways, he turned to the left approaching the door to the office. Grasping the handle he collected himself and opened the door. Upon entry, he saw Scootaloo sitting near the secretary’s desk holding a large ice pack on her left eye. Frowning he made his way over to her and slowly kneeled.

“That’s some shiner you have Scootaloo... what happened?” He looked concerned.

“Nothing...” She mumbled through the ice pack.

“Scoot... don’t lie to me, they wouldn’t have called me unless something serious happened.” She simply avoided eye contact, before he could press further Principal Goldfarb cleated his throat behind him.

Turning his head he saw the wiry man in a white dress shirt and tie waiting. “Mister Murphy thank you for coming. Please follow me to my office.” He motioned to a closed-door beyond the receptionist's desk.

Nodding his head he slowly stood back up and followed him into the office eventually sitting in a chair to the opposite of his desk. “Is Scootaloo in trouble?” He finally asked once he was seated.

Goldfarb sighed taking off his large glasses and started to clean them. “That’s to be determined, all I know for sure is that Biscuit punched her. While that’s more than enough for a suspension, I have to be thorough to find who instigated the altercation.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“I’m taking neither one is coming forward?” Murphy sighed.

“Scootaloo has been very quiet since she was taken to the nurse's office. While her friend Rumble said Biscuit and Barley have been harassing her for a while, I still need to get her side. It’s school protocol I’m afraid, if she doesn’t tell me her side, I’ll have to punish her as well, which I’d rather avoid, detention is already overcrowded I’m afraid.” The principal looked neutrally slipping his glasses back on.

“You're going to punish her for not talking? Everyone knows those two are trouble.” Frank kept his voice even but certainly didn’t sound happy.

“As an educator, I can’t say.” He developed a more serious look that showed his distaste. “But it’s my hope that you can get her to divulge what happened so we can avoid that...That way I and my staff can go home.”

Franks frown deepened but he nodded his hair, while Goldfarb didn’t care much for ponies, but he was professional. “Alright, I’ll talk to her.”

Goldfarb nodded his head staying at his desk as he watched him go. “Thank you for your help mister Murphy.”

Making his way out he saw that Scootaloo was still in her chair resting the ice pack on her face. Although she now had a small paper cup of water which she nursed quietly. Seeing him approach she looked up and swallowed. “Hello, mister Murphy.” She said while avoiding eye contact.

“Scootaloo you have to tell him what happened, if you don’t you’ll get detention.” He sat down next to her.

“I know...” She mumbled idly kicking her back hooves.

“If you know then why aren’t you telling him? From the sounds of it, you're only in trouble for not telling your side. Biscuit is the one who’s getting suspended regardless.” He tilted his head, he could tell she was thinking about what to say.

“I can’t...” She continued to watch her hooves swing, while Frank motioned her to continue. “If I get off scot-free then it just shows the other ponies he’s right...”

“Right about what?” Frank frowned deeply.

“I’m... I’m a traitor who’s getting special treatment.” Frank could tell it was worse then what she was saying.

“I see...” Frank ran his hand over his face, this was more complicated then he thought. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad? I knew you had bully’s but I didn’t think it was like this.” The picture started to become clear.

“I don’t think you’d be able to do much... the more help I get from you the more it makes Biscuit and Barley seem right...” She avoided eye contact.

He exhaled, know this it didn’t seem right to push her to talk. “If you think it’s best, I won’t force you to talk Scoot. Are you sure you’ll be alright in detention, it’s not exactly a fun place.”

“Ya, I’ll just finish my homework there.” She muttered.

“I’ll go talk to the principal.” He slowly worked his way back to his feet. “You're sure about this?”

“Ya, I’m sure.” She smiled faintly up at him. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for what?” He looked confused.

“For... understanding I guess.” She took a moment to figure out what she was going to say.

“It’s alright, I know sometimes you’d don’t have much of a choice... just try to avoid making detention a habit alright?” He said rubbing the back of his neck.

“I'll try.” She looked back down as he left to talk with the principal.
> Grogar
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
New Ballard
Shady Pines Retirement Housing Community
9:20 AM

A dark cornflower blue cloven hoof reached out to tap the beeping flip clock. Soft muttering coming from the sheets for a few moments before it’s solitary occupant worked his way up to a sitting position. Licking his unnaturally sharp canines the elderly goat scooted to the edge of the mattress. Waiting a moment before pushing himself off onto the carpeted floors. He then reached his forehoof to his neck he rubbed it while lazily trotting to the bathroom, a grotesque pop coming just before he crossed the threshold. Reaching over to the tiled wall he flipped a switch turning on the fan above him. Turning his head to the mirror gazing into his own dark red eyes, a product of a subconjunctival hemorrhage in his youth. Blinking the crust from his eyes he opened the door to the walk-in bathtub, sitting down on the bench.

Sighing he reached out and slowly pulled the handle, letting the water spill out the spigot. Once it was to the right temperature he turned a knob, seeming to stop the flow, before it spilled over him from the showerhead. He sighed gently as the cold water rushed over her old body, he didn’t spend much time enjoying it, quickly lathering himself up before rinsing and stepping out. Grasping a case near the mirror, he opened it revealing some teeth soaking in disinfectant. Applying some paste he placed them into his maw, biting awkwardly until they were properly affixed. As he did this, his fur was allowed to drip dry before he trotted back to his closet, opening the door a faint smile crossed his lips.

Grasping the hanger in his magic he unfolded the nearby ironing board. Taking his time to correct the creases in the dark blue blazer and navy blue pants. Looking out the window as he ironed he noticed clouds regathering outside. To which he responded by pulling out the matching velvet scarf, pressing the steam button he started to straighten it out as well. Levitating the two items for a final inspection, seeing nothing was amiss he started to slip on his outfit. Bending his joints proved to be a challenge, but steadily he slipped into the outfit. Looking into the mirror hanging nearby he searched for any imperfections before returning to the bathroom. Quickly grasping the brush and straightening his facial fur until it was flush, with no cowlicks to be seen.

Moving his attention to his horns he mumbled a faint curse setting down the brush, replacing it with a file. Slowly gliding it across the keratin, working out the chips and scratches. Making sure that the points were well defined to the point, reaching upwards he pressed his fetlock against the tip. Pulling it away he could see the faintest trace of blood, to which he quickly dabbed with a bit of toilet paper. Once that was settled he began his final preparation, grasping a black jar of polish he dabbed a small washcloth. It was often the longest part of his daily regimen, but appearances were everything.

Seeing his horns shine, he moved onto his hooves, giving them a quick file and polish. Tilting them every which way until he was sure the coat was even before sighing. “Perfection.” He mumbled simply.

Trotting back out he made his way out of the room, turning down the short hallways to the stairs. Eyeing the stairlift for a moment, he turned his attention to the steps. Refusing to use the device despite his advanced age, began the careful trek down. Mountain goat or no, even the most surefooted would lose their touch as the years passed. Reaching the ground floor he would exhale, taking a few measured moments to catch his breath. Once his joints and lungs had been allowed to recover he slowly stepped into the kitchen.

Ignoring the Kellogg’s All-Bran cereal he opted for a glass of milk. After pouring the low-fat milk he quickly guzzled it down like a shot of whiskey before glancing at the clock. Washing off the glass quickly he tossed into the dishwasher before making his way to the front door. Levitating a small notepad and decorative pen into his pocket. Gazing upwards as he trotted off the porch and onto the sidewalk he watched the clouds. More than a bit concerned about the rain at his age. Coming to stop he waited for a few moments before a black car arrived.

The window slowly rolled down revealing a tanned face. “Grogar?” He asked seeing his nod he stepped out of the car and opened the passenger door. “Please make yourself at home, the people at Gastronomica want to show they can offer experiences that fit your refined tastes.”’

Working his way in, the old goat sighed as he sank into the fine leather. Opening his eyes after savoring the feel for a few moments he reached over to the complementary fridge and grasped a bottle of 7-UP and sipped it lazily. Watching his neighbors pass him by, he saw Miss Fairchild working on her prize-winning tulips, old Browning seeming to be applying another coat of epoxy to his wooden cabin cruiser, even miss Opitz was setting pies out on the windowsill. A faint smile formed as he could just smell the salmonberry pie. His small tail almost wagged at it, while his sensitive tongue nearly tasting it. “I’ll have to write an article about them later...” The driver glanced back curiously as they exited through the gates, picking up speed as they transitioned to the main road. The goat set his drink in the cup holder and reached out to the tv embedded into the seat. Switching it onto a new channel before going back to sipping his fizzy beverage.

“Chaos in Los Angels as Homeless and Prisoner rights advocates clash with police over the controversial Emergency Reconstruction and at Risk Employment Act. For those who just tuning in the Act allows prisons to rent out inmates as a labor force. This has been invaluable for the reconstruction of infrastructure in the western states while also offering desperately needed employment to the destitute. However, advocates allege that this is just a form of slavery, as a refusal to work is frequently counted against them in parol hearings. Others are concerned that it’s cutting into the construction union's wages, as these inmates make the federal minimum wage. This is against the previous construction worker's wage was nearly 20 dollars an hour. But since the introduction of this bill, it has been in steady free fall. I’m just getting word we have one of the protesters for an interview.” The young woman’s screen was split as an older looking man in a construction worker's hat appeared to her right. “Thank you for coming on George.”

There seemed to be a delay before he responded. “It's great to be here Samantha.”

“We also have interim Governor Thompson.” The left side of the screen split showing a professional silver-haired gentleman.

“Happy to be here to clear up some of the misconceptions Samantha.” He responded with a neutral smile

Grogar couldn’t help but chuckle watching the debate become nothing more than a shouting match between the two men. It was practically a comedy for him, but just as it was starting to get good he noticed the car was approaching his destination. Sitting up straight he saw Pour Vous, a new French restaurant that had opened up near the Hamilton Canal. The entire area was renowned as a sort of Mecca for fine dining and shopping. As such competition was fierce for the valuable retail space, it wasn’t uncommon for a new business to open only to close a few months later.

The car would come to a slow stop just outside the new eatery, many wealthy shoppers stopping to catch a glimpse of the old goat as he stepped onto the pearl white sidewalk. Some watched him curiously, others particularly foodies seemed to be debating whether to ask for his autograph or not. He smirked faintly at that making his way inside, pushing past the decorative wood and wrought iron door.

Approaching the host he gazed up with a faint frown. “Table for one, should be under Gastronomica?” He mumbled faintly while the host nodded nervously.

“Yes sir, right this way.” The well-dressed man nervously led the old goat to a private table near a far corner of the restaurant. Pulling back the chair so he could sit more easily.

Sitting back in the chair the old goat grunted faintly transitioning to the wooden chair. Once he was scooted towards the table he was promptly given the wine and lunch menu. “Thank you.” He pulled out his small note pad with his magic, already beginning to take notes. “Hmmm....”

Looking over the wine menu he was moderately impressed, however he saw an overabundance of costly, instead of good wines. He quickly scribbled that into his notes while glancing at the lunch menu. “Chestnut Encrusted Pheasant with dragon fruit reduction? Interesting... Portabella steak soup? Hm....” he continued to mumble as he read through the menu.

While he would pretend not to notice, he was well aware of the young chef peeking out from the kitchen. One could almost feel the waves of fear wafting off him like the scent of a fine drink. Resting the urge to smile he set his menu down signaling he was ready to order. After a moment a young waitress approached. “I’ll have the Portabella Steak Soup, the Encrusted Pheasant, and the Orange Soufflé.”

She took his order quickly and nodded her head. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“Bring me whatever the chef recommends for each course.” He said cryptically, the waitress nodded her head quickly making her way to the kitchen.

During this time Grogar took stock of the decor and clientele surrounding him. The place certainly attempted to recreate the French anesthetic, keyword tried. The furniture while nice clashed with the statuettes of fat French chefs. Which would have been more suitable if it was a French cafe, rather then a restaurant? The wallpaper looked expensive, certainly helping show it was a well to do establishment. Tables and chairs were pristine, though not great for his lower lumbar. He continued to take notes, his ear and nose twitching as he sensed his soup arriving, with the wine following soon after.

Gazing down at the bowl he studied the presentation carefully before tarnishing it with the spoon. It seemed to be a puréed soup, a small thin sliced Portabella mushroom on top acting as a garnish topped with a drizzle of creme fraiche. Once he was done he levitated his spoon and brought a bit to his maw. Allowing the aroma to enter his nose before taking a bite, running it over his tongue for a moment before swallowing.

After a few more spoonfuls he continued to write in his notebook before pushing the soup away. The waitress quickly replaced the soup with the pheasant, once it was set down he proceeded to inspect it closely. Taking some notes about the presentation he started to cut into his meal raising an eyebrow at the tenderness. The meat nearly fell off the bone, needing only a little coaxing with his fork. Holding it to his nose he inhaled the aroma before popping it into his mouth and chewing slowly. Swallowing he paused for a moment before reaching over and scribbling something. He would continue to take small bites before pushing the plate away and leaning back.

While they took the plate away he seemed to be in deep thought. Only to be taken from his pondering as the soufflé was set before him. Leaning forward he enjoyed the strong scent of citrus, eyeing the icing drizzle for a moment he shoved his fork into the pastry. Watching it deflate rapidly with an amused expression as he ate silently. Finishing the small desert he started to write again before oddly tapping his hoof on the ramekin. Slipping his notebook back into his pocket he left, the chef and staff watching him nervously

Passing through the doors he just heard the waitress lift the ramekin and a let out a terrified gasp at the soot hoofmark on the ceramic. A faint smile crossing his lips as he made his way down the sidewalk searching for something that caught his fancy. Occasionally he would peak into the boutique stores just to see what they sold. As he continued to explore the streets a wonderful smell brought him out of his exploration. His sensitive nose guiding his old hooves to a kiosk made to look like a vintage wooden chuck wagon.

“Can I help, ya?” An older woman smiled faintly from the side of the kiosk. The old goat couldn’t help but look amusedly at her western country dress.

“I suppose so, I’m trying to locate a wonderful smell, doubt it could come from such a humble establishment?” He said sarcastically.

“You think so? How about you put your money where your mouth is lamb chop?” She chuckled. “If you don’t like it I’ll give you a 200% refund.”

“I’ll have you on the next wagon train.” Looking over the menu he smiled. “I’ll have the Beef Stew.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed a goat to eat meat.” She hummed as she reached into the cart opening one of the large pots. Thick steam rose as she started to fill a waxed paper bowl for him. Tossing some warm and flaky sourdough biscuits into another container “That will be $7.50.” She drawled.

Grogar levitated a ten to her grasp, once he got his change he took his feast to a nearby outdoor table. The owner of the kiosk watching him amusedly as he cracked open the soup and biscuit container. Enjoying the smell for a moment he looked down at the thick brown mixture. It certainly didn’t look impressive at first glance, taking the plastic spoon he slowly swirled it around. Watching the various cheap cuts of meat float to the surface. Letting the spoon go he pulled out his notebook and started to scribble. Once he was finished he brought a thick spoonful to his mouth.

Closing his eyes he focused on the flavors spilling over his tongue, tasting the thick chunks cheap but tender meat mix with rich calf liver and... heart? Along with hints of onion, carrots, tomato, potatoes, and various herbs. Certainly not expensive ingredients, but the sum total caused him he smile showing off his sharp pearly whites. Grasping a biscuit he broke it, seeing just how flaky it was inside before dunking the bread into the soup. Continuing to eat he would be broken from his meal with the sound of his phone ringing rather obnoxiously. Feeling around his vestments he pulled out the simple flip phone and brought it to his ear.

“Hello?....” He asked slightly annoyed that his meal had been interrupted.

“Grogar...” Hearing that distaste filled voice, his smile only seemed to grow.

“Ah, Twilight, how nice of you to call.” He chuckled sarcastically. “What’s the occasion?”

“I wanted to talk, in person, later today are you available?” He could tell she was struggling to keep herself under control.

“Of course, it will be wonderful to have company, I’ll make a pot of tea for your visit.” He said cheerily only to hear her hang up, chuckling he went back to his meal occasionally writing things down in his little book.

Finishing his meal he tossed the now empty containers into the trash before slipping a bill into the smug woman’s tip jar. “Well earned, well earned.” He hummed as he continued his travels through the upscale shopping area.

———————————————————-
State of Lincoln
Shady Pines Retirement Housing Community
5:37 PM

Grogar hummed softly as he heated the water and started to prepare the tea. Just as he was fishing up his tea tray her heard a loud knocking coming from the front door. Turning down the heat and tossing a packet into the pot he slowly trotted to the door. Opening the door he looked down smirking at the smaller purple equine. “Ahh, you arrived, please come in and make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, Grogar.” She did her best to sound pleasant but the fur standing up on the back of her neck told him everything. Once he stepped out of her way she trotted to the couch.

“I’ll be back in a moment with the tea, please make yourself comfortable.” He hummed as he left for the kitchen, coming out to see her eyeing his first article framed over the fireplace.

“You seem to have done well for yourself.” She awkwardly tried to make a conversation.

“Ah yes, at my age hobby’s are important to help keep the mind sharp.” He chuckled. “I didn’t expect my little article for the local paper to catch so much attention.”

“Must be hard living on a writer's salary.” She continued to look over the walls decorated with his articles.

“Not as much as you might think.” He started to pour two cups of tea. “Would you like any sugar?”

“Two cubes please.” She said quickly to which he nodded spooning them into her cup before offering it to her.

She took it hesitantly and stared deep into the dark amber-colored liquid. “It’s not poisoned I assure you.” He sipped his cup.

“Excuse me for being careful...” She said staring into the cup for a few more moments before taking a hesitant sip.

“Ahhh, nothing like Apple Cinnamon tea to relax the body.” He hummed as he held his cup between his forehooves.

“I suppose so....” She sat awkwardly for a few moments.

“Tell me, have you been to the local shopping district? It’s a lovely place to visit, simply a must for any tourist. I’d be happy to recommend a restaurant for you.” He gave her a toothy smile.

“I.. haven’t... I guess I could try one of the restaurants before I leave. What would you recommend?...” She swallowed uncomfortably.

“Depends on what time of day you’ll be visiting.” He hummed.

“Time of day?” She looked confused setting down her tea.

“Oh yes, if it’s the morning then I would recommend the SunnySide Cafe, they make a wonderful breakfast. Their Eggs Benedict is partially popular with the salmon roe offering a delightful twist on a rich classic. If you're looking for more of a brunch, then I’d say Orange Table, the mimosas alone are worth the trip. For lunch, it depends, if you want a place to sit down I would go with Katz Delicatessen, a recent transplant from New York. They don’t skimp on their sandwiches and have introduced a new line of meat-free proteins for the herbivorous diet. If you want something on the go I would go with the Chuckwagon, a new kiosk specializing in traditional Wild West foods, they have a lovely thick vegetable and meat substitute stew that simulates the experience well for those intolerant of meat. For dinner, if you want something traditional I would-“ Seeing her completely gobsmacked look he stopped. “Something wrong?” He set his tea down and grabbed a few tea biscuits for himself.

“Your... not what I was expecting....” She set her tea down after taking another dainty sip.

“And what were you expecting?” He asked dipping a biscuit into his tea.

“I dunno...” She shyly grabbed a biscuit for herself.

“Perhaps you thought I would be living in a vast gloomy castle, cackling over a bubbling cauldron of green ooze? Plotting my revenge against ponykind?” He smirked watching her stutter.

“I... um... well... you have to admit your legend paints a vivid picture.” She swallowed again.

“That it does, that it does.” He sipped his tea again. “I trust this wasn’t a social visit to check up on an old goat?”

“No, it’s not.” She set down her tea and partially eaten biscuit.

“You have a question to ask, so ask it.” He shrugs pouring himself another cup.

“Fine...” She took a deep breath. “Did you have anything to do with the war?”

He tilted his head swirling his cup. “Would it matter, would you even believe me?”

“What do you mean? Of course, it matters!” She couldn’t help but shout.

“Would you deny I would make a convenient scapegoat?” He tilts his head the other way. “The great and evil Grogar corrupting the fair and just princess Celestia into a pointless war of attrition.” He chuckled seeing her glare. “But no... I’m sorry to say it was not my machinations that lead her down the path of self-destruction. Despite the joy it brought me, I refuse to take credit for what’s not mine.”

She frowned deeply. “You expect me to believe your innocent of any wrongdoing?”

“Oh certainly not!” He laughed. “I’m far from innocent little pony, I had my own plans long before convergence. I’m old, not senile, I learned from my mistakes in the past. Play tyrant long enough, eventually a little girl and her incompetent friends get lucky.” He shook his hoof dismissively.

“A... little girl?...” She looked confused. “You mean a filly right?”

“No, I mean a little human girl.” He looked more serious.

Twilight was shocked. “How is that possible? H-humans weren’t native to Equis! They’re from a different universe altogether!” The Alicorn shook her head in disbelief.

“That they are.” He hummed setting his tea down. “Convergence was a long time coming.”

“What do you mean?” She swallowed but looked more curious. “Celestia caused convergence...” she didn’t sound so sure.

“She made a tiller, not an engine pony.” He leaned back.

“A tiller?” She looked stumped. “You mean like a boat?”

“Mhm.” He nodded his head.

“Why?...” She swallowed.

“Why else would you need a tiller but to steer something?” He hummed softly chuckling. “Some education you have their pony...”

She looked more annoyed, but then more thoughtful. “But what would she need to steer?”

He sighed leaning forward. “Isn’t it interesting that before convergence she practically drained the Royal Treasury for her little fair? The nobility practically threatened revolt when they found their portion of the taxes were diverted to her passion project. Yet she paid them no mind... even taking out loans as her country spiraled into a deficit the likes Equis had never seen.” The old goat raised an eyebrow. “Scattering posters, pamphlets, criers, even pushing diplomatic concessions on her end.... all to make it irresistible to even the most isolationist races....”

Twilight stared at him. “How do you know about the treasury?....”

“I had eyes and ears everywhere pony, you’d be surprised what a maid or servant will hear.” He showed off his canines giving a toothy grin. “It’s so easy to bribe someone when you can read them like a book. They’ll pay any price if you know what their heart desires most.”

Twilight looked disturbed, by what he said but wanted answers. “You're saying the Grand Canterlot Cultural Exhibition was a farce? To what end?”

“Do you know the hardest part of building an ark little pony?..." He enjoyed seeing her confusion. "It’s not the construction, it’s getting all the damn animals in one place.” He hummed while Twilight's eyes widened in realization.

“A life raft...” She muttered as she began to understand. “She was steering... a life raft...” 

He nodded his head picking up the tea set to put it away. “I’m sure you have one last question pony, ask it. It’s late and I must start getting ready for bed.”

Twilight took a moment to register what he said. “What do you plan on doing now?” She asked plainly.

“Now? Nothing, I got what I wanted in the end for your ponies. I’ve moved on.” He said dismissively as he came back from the kitchen.

“What you wanted?” She slowly stood up from her chair.

“I wanted your kind to feel what it’s like to lose everything you hold dear, to see your achievements, your culture, your marvels, reduced to ashes of history, and forgotten.” He stepped forward, his head raised high, the fear slowly creeping back into Twilight. “Look around you, little princess. The majority ponies who survived your mentor's war aren't artisans or scholars, their peasants. Who’s knowledge of their own countries culture and history stops at the edge of their little hamlets.” He tilted his head. “Even the precious few intellectuals who did survive... how long until their knowledge wains as they work their meager jobs? They work in human factories, listening to human music, then buy human goods, and their foals go to human schools. It will seep into that cultural vacuum reducing your kind to nothing but the flesh.”

Twilight swallowed as the message was clear, but hardened her face. “Thank you for your time Grogar, I’ll ensure your compensated for this visit.”

“Don’t worry about it pony, seeing you was compensation enough.” He chuckled watching her leave.
> Blueblood
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
Equestrian Reservation
Sulferhoof
5:13 PM

Blueblood yawned stretching after switching off his alarm, slowly working up into a sitting position. He sat there for a few moments before slowly working to his hooves. Trotting to the mirror he licked his lips before splashing water into his face after turning on the faucet. Looking back up into the mirror he frowned levitating a pair of scissors and slowly snipped away at a few stray hairs until it was all even. Turning his head side to side he looked for any other overgrowths before returning his face to the RV sink. Washing his cheeks thoroughly, using his magic to wipe off the rest of himself with the water and bit of disinfectant. Once he has rinsed the rag he twisted it to force the moisture out and set it next to the sink once more. Grasping a brush he started to work on his mane, sweeping it simply to the right side of his face before nodding his head happy with the result. Tossing some mouth wash into his maw he slowly trotted to the door slipping his sling bag around his neck. Locking the door behind him without missing a beat, looking around he sighed seeing just how far his home was from the other shelters.

Making his way down the dirt path he focused on a singular goal in the distance. Blue Streaks Stable, the bus would come soon with many ponies heading right in after work. It was practically a tradition at this point to get a mug of beer or whatever they could afford on tap. If only to dull the aches brought on by a 12-hour shift. Approaching the makeshift bar he pushed his way past the door, seeing Spitfire lazily cleaning a mug behind the counter. “Evening...” He tried to avoid yawning.

“Evening Blueballs.” She chuckled. “Here to warm up before work?” The gold mare asked setting the mug back under the counter.

“I do every night don’t I?” He raised an eyebrow trotting over to the warn piano near the far wall. Sitting down on the splintered bench he stretched out his hooves making a few pops in his shoulders.

“Suppose you do.” She trotted up behind him setting a drink on top of the piano. “Here you go, one honey tonic.”

“I shouldn’t.” He looked over trying not to stare at the mares heavily pregnant middle.

“One the house, if free drinks get me a little entertainment then I don’t mind the cost.” She shrugged waddling back to the counter.

“You really should take it easy in your condition.” He said softly with concern.

“Gonna pretend I didn’t hear that...” She grumbled buffing the counter. “I can’t afford it, if I close up too long ponies will find drinks somewhere else. Be it some dollar shop bitter beer, or some hooch from the fight pits.”

He sighed shaking his head as he started to focus. Just as he started to play Piano Man, humming along under the music just as ponies started to trudge into the bar. Some stiff-legged from standing before a conveyor belt at one of the nearby canneries, others covered head to hoof in dust from the mines. All practically collapsing into their chairs as they tapped their hooves against the tables and counters. Spitfire despite her condition didn’t miss a beat, moving from table to table with drinks ranging from beer to cheap scotch.

More than a few seemed to smile faintly from the music leaning back in the chairs. Sipping their drinks, while chatting tiredly about their days. Some complaining about their jobs, others mumbling about their foals at home. It wasn’t the most exciting conversation but it certainly allowed for a more relaxing atmosphere. Just as he was completing the song he heard two ponies clear their throats. Turning his head and raising an eyebrow he saw two olive coated stallions with matching red and white manes resting near the bar.

Just as he turned his head back to the piano he saw some sheet music had been placed before him. Looking it over it didn’t seem partially difficult, but he usually liked to be asked verbally for music requests. Shaking his head he started to play, just in time for other musicians to pull out their own instruments. Inhaling the two brothers began to sing.



“Welcome to Earth.” Flim hummed cheerily.

“What were you expecting?” Flam shrugged.

“It's a dangerous place.” Flim held his hat to his chest

“Thank you for investing, go there for your rota, there for your orders. Fill up these quotas, we'll bill for your quarters.” Flam taps an imaginary watch before pointing upwards. “Report to your foreman, but watch for militia, cause if you get beaten, there's fees for your mourners!”

“Prosperity's there in the care of magnates! In Lincoln heaven awaits! Did you think it was supposed to look like the poster?” Flim pulled out a dusty poster of Celestia looming over untamed wilderness on top of her pink barrier. “It mostly does, oh, if you'd only read closer! Just ten short years till a new frontier snooze as they lose and you'll wake up here!”

“You'd been trapped in that city, for an awful long time so perhaps you didn’t understand what you signed! Oh, honestly?” Flam pulled out a rather... crude cartoon of Twilight looking over a document while Uncle Sam loomed over her. “Did you not read the reservation policy? That defines you as company property? That waivers our say in autonomy? The conglomerate's got you in lock and key! They put the dollar back into idolatry! If you're upset, we can all rent an apology!”

“They are a family forged in bureaucracy no I in team, but there's con in economy!” Flim pulled out other dated Equestrian posters detailing lands that were promised to be theirs, including one of ponies scaling Mount Everest! “Were you expecting adventure? Were you hoping for fun? My friend, we’re indentured and pleasure's exempt from our tenure! So let’s venture back down to our slums, that are provided at generous prices! Your worth is determined by your sacrifices, a small term of service when down on the surface!”

“Internment's a freebie that comes with the purchase!” Flam joined in with his brother.

Ponies started to instinctively join in the choirs. “We work, to earn the right to work, to earn the right to work, to earn the right to work, to earn the right to work! To earn the right to give, ourselves the right to buy, ourselves the right to live, to earn the right to die!” They all sang with sad passion.

“Welcome to our little town! Why don't you settle down? Here, just fill out the paperwork and you can look around!” The two brothers continued to sing even dancing on the bar counter much to Spitfires annoyance. “We're happy as can be inside the valley cannery! We live to pack the cans of meat and not to question where it's found!” They covered their eyes comically. “Until we end up in the ground, around the corner in the yard! You know, we thought we liked the sound of finding glory in the stars! The committee has taught us to be proud of never reaching very far. So we earn what we're allowed and give it right back at the bar!” They tossed a few balled bills to the pregnant mare behind them.

“The ale to cure what ails ya, Patriot Brew, your favorite flavor! So work 'til you bleed, ennobled by labor! Then purchase relief from your local retailer!” Flim chuckled darkly motioned to the shameless patriotic advertisement on the wall.

“If you'd rather drop dead that's fine, but you know that dropping down dead bears a fine.” A dirty looking stallion holding a shovel exhaled thick cigarette smoke while shaking a can with a crude dollar sign drawn on it. All while motioning to a window with a view of the nearby cemetery. “So you do your job and I'll do mine, I gotta meet a six-foot deep bottom line!” He made a shoveling motion with his hooves.

“We make a fortune for the corps by selling boredom door to door. Because it's all that we deserve and it is all we can afford. The secrets of the universe and all the world to be explored.” A lanky pimpled colt sang looking empty and ready to cry. “But our dreams are back on Equis and now the work is our reward!”

An older blue rotund stallion with a marionette cutie mark followed. “And you’ll be grateful, for seats at the table, though it dips at one end and the bench is unstable.” He watched amusedly as on the benches fell over with a row of ponies landing on their backs.

“You may waste your days, but at least you were able to pay off your grave since they leased your foals cradle!” Flam hummed along.

“Be faithful and pray, they’ll repay what you invest! Behave as you slave for humanity's interest, on account that you're all on account and their quickly amounting Equineity’s interest!” Flim pulled out another poster displaying an advertisement for Remington depicting a smiling family armed for a jolly hunting trip, while Flam pulled out a poster from Ruger's showing a group of armed non-equines.  “You'd think that they’d sink, to the brink of rebellion with markets dependent on peddling weapons! The Lord tells them, the secret to heaven is simply consuming whatever they sell them!”

“We work, to earn the right to work! To earn the right to work! To earn the right to work! To earn the right to work, to earn the right to give, ourselves the right to buy! Ourselves the right to live, to earn the right to die!” The whole bar sang along.

“You should have read the fine print, my friend, should have read the fine print. You should have read the fine print, my friend, should have read the fine print.” Flam pulled out another cartoon of the princess, depicting her like a marionette with two puppeteers. A ghostly specter of the former princess, and Uncle Sam smirking while she danced.

“Welcome to our little town, why don't you settle down? Here, just fill out the paperwork and you can look around! We work and then we work, and then we work and then we work!” The whole bar shook as ponies stamped their hooves to the rhythm. “And then we work and then we work, and then we end up in the ground! Welcome to our little town, why don't you settle down? Here, just fill out the paperwork and you can look around!”

“You should have read the fine print, my friend, should have read the fine print.” The brothers pulled out their lighters and proceeded to torch the cartoons of Twilight. “Here and here and initial here. Welcome to the family!”

The bar patrons let out a little cheer, it had been quite a while since they had all joined in for a communal song. Eventually, things calmed down and ponies went back to sipping their drinks. Blueblood glanced at the clock. Stepping away from the piano he tossed the honey tonic into his mouth before making his way to the door. “Night Spitfire.” He said passing by her as she served drinks.

“Night Bluey.” She mumbled as he passed by her.

Once outside he quickly trotted to the bus stop, just as the last bus of the night wall pulling up. Not missing a beat he stepped aboard and slipped some change from his bag into the toll box. Taking a seat in the far back, he leaned against the seat and closed his eyes, relaxing for the long night ahead of him.
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Downtown Theater District
6:17 PM

Blueblood twitched in his seat as he daydreamed. “Back of the line! You wait for bread like everypony else, prince wannabe!” That old voice echoed in the back of his mind, despite all attempts to block it out. “Hey, pretty colt~, why don’t you share that loaf with us.” He couldn’t help but think about those stallions again seeing some rather... rough looking humans walk past the bus.

Seeing’s his stop coming up he slowly worked onto his hooves and trotted forward. Disembarking just as the doors opened, just one block away he could see his destination. Moonlight, a rather upscale establishment known for its food, drinks, and entertainment. Slipping into the alley he knocked on the back door, a peephole slid open before the door opened revealing a burly tan-skinned bouncer just behind it. “Evening.” He mumbled out.

“Evening Jamie.” Blueblood said as he entered, trying to suppress a yawn. “Anything big tonight?”

“Jackson is coming tonight...” Jamie sighed.

Just like that a pit formed in his stomach hearing that congressman’s name. “I see....”

Making his way to the dressing room he saw a familiar face slipping into a variable tent of a suit. “Blueblood that you old boy?” A deep baritone voice reverberated through the room.

He smirked. “I don’t know... does it sound like me?” He said just as the massive man turned around, a dark pair of sunglasses covering his eyes.

“Hey now.” He pulled off his glasses revealing his cloudy eyes. “You hear the big man is coming tonight?”

“Ya.” Blueblood exhaled opening his locker and slipping into his own black suit. Styling his hair with a bit of product in the mirror once he was done.

“Listen, don’t let him bother you none, just focus on the music ok?” He felt the heavy hand rest on his shoulder. A sympathetic look forming on the old man's face.

“It’s... alright... I’ll be fine.” He tried to put on a brave face before smirking and let out a chuckle. “Need help finding your sax?”

The blind man muttered under his breath. “Can’t believe ya’ll replaced my sax with an umbrella...” He couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory of pulling it out on stage. “Certainly gave the crowd a good laugh though.”

“You were still able to give a performance that got a roaring applause. That’s talent.” Blueblood smiled as he stretched, trying to work out any kinks before he got on stage.

“Talent? Naw... years of practice working the audience, you’ll learn once you get to my age.” He shrugged running his hand through his hair. “How does my hair look?”

“Long and curly with your bald spot showing.” Blueblood hummed.

“Perfect, that’s the way I like it.” He started to make his way to the door, with Blueblood following close behind.

The trip through the back of the restaurant was rather uneventful. With only the trip past the kitchens being the most memorable. Already the young stallion was imaging what leftovers he would get after his performance. His stomach rumbling loudly, to which he attempted to quiet down with a rub.

Slipping onto the stage just behind the curtains they checked their instruments. Taking their seats they watched the clock slowly tick down. Thirty seconds to show time they both put on their show faces on just as the curtains started to open. Within moments they started to play Perfect. While he tried to focus on the keys he could feel a pair of eyes burrowing into the back of his head, watching his every move.



His sensitive ears could hear the various goings-on beyond the stage. From the sounds of the roulette tables, the shaking of cocktail mixers, along with idle conversation over the rich meals. Closing his eyes he tried to focus, letting everything fall away as his hooves worked over the keys. Entering his own little world where the music was the only thing that mattered to him. Faint memories slowly coming back to him he swayed his shoulders a faint smile forming on his lips.

“Blueblood, this is miss Gaia, she will be teaching you piano.” The disinterested voice of his mother spoke in the back of his mind.

He smiled faintly, almost feeling her talons guide his hooves over the keys. “Very good leettle Blue, now let's try ahgain, I know you cahn do eet.” That soft accented voice spoke to him.

He barely noticed that they had finished the song and had already moved onto the next. Having already moved onto Let it Be, a faint smile forming his lips, it was one of his favorites after all. Something about it just never seemed to get old. “You were wahnderful up zere Blue! I cahn't believe you only took secahnd plahce.”



Tears formed in his eyes remembering that moment when he brought home the trophy from the recital. “Toss that useless thing in the trash, second place is but first loser!”

He pressed the keys a bit too hard as those memories slowly came back to him. Yet refused to play a sour note for the audience, he slowly rolled his head around. “Oh Gaia, you’ve done so much for our little Blue... Please take this as compensation.” His father's voice played in his mind.

His smile twitched as he fought the urge to frown as bits of his memories came back to him as he played. “That’s her! The Gryphon who stole my pearls!” The sad face of his piano teacher being lead away by the guard filling his mind just as he completed the song. A tear nearby leaking out of his eye as he shook his head trying to clear his mind again. Once he had stabilized his thoughts he glanced briefly at the elderly blind man to his right, seeing a sympathetic smile. To this day he wasn’t sure how he always seemed to know what was going on around him. But right now that look of assurance was what he really needed to continue, focusing back on the piano he moved to the next song.
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
New Prescott
Downtown Theater district
Moonlight
11:16 PM

Blueblood leaned back in his chair as he rubbed lotion into his hooves. Trying to ease the soreness from playing for hours, it worked somewhat thankfully. Once he was done he looked down at his free lunch, he never understood why it was called that. It was practically the middle of the night at this point, but to use the old human expression didn’t look gift horses in the mouth. Cutting into the salmon fillet smiling as he saw the creamy spinach just inside leak out. He couldn’t help but hum at the wonderful flavor as he popped it into his mouth, closing his eyes as he savored the taste.

His partner enjoyed a separate dish of rosemary chicken fillet, slicing through the tender meat before eating his own share. “You did good out there so far Blue, it seems the audience is really taking a liking to ya.”

“I didn’t notice...” Blueblood mumbled as he picked at his small fillet, adding a bit of oil to the salad.

“The congressman...” He sighed setting his fork and knife down shaking his head.

“What do you think, I could practically feel his eyes burrowing into my skull.” Blueblood shook his head rubbing the back of his neck wincing.

“When a man loses everything, it’s easy to fall into darkness.” He sighed slipping off his sunglasses revealing his grey clouded eyes.

“I know... NF-PTSD...” The former prince peppered his salad before just lowering his head.

“Cost him his wife and kids... and with all the pain of losing those most dear...” The older man mumbled.

“Hate replaced sorrow in his heart.”

“Mhm...” The man shook his head while eating his chicken.

“Doesn’t mean I have to like it...” Blueblood ate some of his arugula salad.

“Never said you did... but understanding helps.” He spoke through a mouthful of spinach salad.

As the two continued to eat in silence a knock was heard from the nearby door. Raising an eyebrow and looking at the clock confused Blueblood made his way over and slowly opened it. The moment he saw what was behind it his stomach fell into the deepest pit. Dressed up in a dark black suit with a matching tie, he practically loomed over the white stallion. While his smile could be mistaken for friendliness, the look in his eyes took everything he had not to wince.

“Good evening, I hope I’m not interrupting your meal.” He said with a fake sincerity, waves of malice washing over the small pony like waves.

“Oh no, we’re about half-finished.” He slowly opened the door further using it to support himself. “How can we help you?”

“I just wanted to give my compliments to the entertainment tonight. I was quite impressed by your performance.” He raised an eyebrow looking down at the stallion. “Despite your handy cap your quite the pianist.”

“Handy cap?” Blueblood raised an eyebrow, his breathing feeling more labored than it should.

“Hooves are far from the proper appendage to play the piano.” He chuckled. “I could almost believe you hand hands, such a pity.”

“That’s a matter of opinion.” Blueblood shrugged, feeling as if lead weights were pressing down against him. “But regardless, I’m happy my performance kept you entertained.”

“Just remember, talent is fleeting, one day someone better could replace you.” He chuckled turning on his heels. “Best keep your guard, you’ll find yourself back where you belong soon enough.”

Once he was gone Blueblood shuttered, taking deep breaths. Just that man's presence seemed to press down upon him like a boot against his neck. Leaning against the wall he felt as if he would collapse at any moment. After a few moments, he struggled back to the table, nearly falling over as he sat down.

“Would you believe me he once ran on the California progressive left ticket?...” The old jazz musician shook his head. “Open borders, no human is illegal, defund ice....” He waved his hand shaking his head.

“War changes things...” Blueblood pushed his food away his appetite ruined.

“That it does... that it does...” He sighed slipping off his sunglasses and rubbing his eyes. “I could practically feel his hate radiating off him...”

“You noticed?” Blueblood looked up.

“Lacking eyes doesn’t mean I can’t feel a man's vibes.” He drank his wine slowly, before swirling it in the glass. “Hell, I think it might help me in that regard...”

“Your sure your not magic?...” The pony tiled his head.

“Just a good ear...” He hummed. “Listen... I can tell he really shook you up Blue... you need to head home?...”

“I’ll be alright... besides, I gotta earn those tips.” He put on a brave face, more for himself than his blind friend.

“If ya say so Lil Blue...” He mumbled. “Feels about time to get back to the stage...”

“Your right as always Bleeding Gums...”
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
Equestrian Reservation
Sulfurhoof
7:32 AM

Blueblood yawned through his teeth as he carried his doggy bag, the smell of his leftover meal still making him drool a bit. He snaked his way through the slow stampede of ponies that were on their way. Once he was threw he turned to his left, heading to a small building that had been recently built near the center of the settlement. Stopping just before the glass door he gazed up at the sign printed on the glass rather plainly. Reservation Affairs Office #5, not exactly a brilliant name, but self-descriptive. Pushing his way inside the first thing he saw was the cheap faux wood floors and a disinterested girl sitting behind a desk. She looked scarcely in her 20s, even with the suit she wore she looked more like a teenager on their first job than a representative. He smiled faintly at her turning to the right, heading to a table with various forms and manila envelopes. Grasping the chained pen he started to fill out the blue form, the scribbles against paper the only real sound in the office beyond the ticking of the clock. Scribbling down the amount he slipped a small wad of cash from his lunch bag, just under the leftovers, into the envelope with the form. Spreading out the bills to ensure one couldn’t easily tell how much was in there. Licking the paper tab he sealed it shut, running his hooves over it a few times to ensure it wouldn’t open by accident. Levitating the lunch bag onto his back again he carried the envelope over to the waiting human, who seemed somewhat annoyed her quiet time had been interrupted.

“One donation form for the Trade School Lotto and Scholarship program...” He said while she just grasped the envelope looking it over boredly. Making sure it was sealed and the pre-printed address was legible. Nodding her head she tossed it into the mail pile just behind her. “Thank you.” He said taking his leave just as she started to file her nails.

Leaving the office he took his lunch bag back into his mouth, trotting towards his home on the outskirts. Trying to avoid yawning as he dug around in his bag for his keys before slipping inside. Setting the bag down after locking the door behind him, he started to pull the curtains closed. Rubbing his eyes he pushed a rug out of the way and started to jimmy one of the floorboards. Once it was free he started to dig into the brown dirt below revealing a wide PVC cap. Pulling it upwards he started to untwist it, once it was opened up he pulled over his lunch bag. Placing the aluminum foil containers to the side before laying out two additional stacks of money. While his pay wasn’t great, the tips from the drunk patrons were very generous. He doubted most were aware of what they were shoving into the tip jar throughout the night. Levitating a plastic baggy he shoved the stacks inside. Sealing it tight before gasping some ducktape from nearby just to seal the lip further. Once he was satisfied, he shoved it into the PVC pipe and started to twist it closed again. Within a few moments, his cache was hidden again, with the food being levitated to the small table nearby.

Taking a seat on the metal fold-out, he opened the containers and started to finish off his lunch. Having regained some of his appetite back from earlier, eating in silence, he couldn’t help but feel his mind wander again. “Prince Blueblood?... I’m sorry to say that there’s been an accident with your parent's carriage.” The voice of a nameless guard echoed through his skull.

A frown started to form as he peeled open a single serving of wine. “Don’t worry Blueblood, you may be the youngest representative in the house of nobles, but I’ll show you the ropes, you’ll do your house proud.” The kindly voice of Fancy Pants whispered to him while he tossed the wine into his mouth like scotch.

“How could you! I-I trusted you! You used me!” He shook his head tearing up a bit as bitter memories continued to surface. “For the good of Equestria’s ponies Blue, it was necessary...” He roughly shoved some fish into his maw as he tried to ignore the memories. “Better your first lesson in noble politics with me than some other noble houses selfish ends... you’ll thank me for this when you're older...”

Reaching out he pulled open the nearby curtain, deciding some natural light was better than sitting in self-imposed darkness. There wasn’t much to see outside of his dwelling, just the same dust bowl, but in the distance, he could see things starting a change. A few areas had cornered off raised beds with some desert flowers and cacti just starting to bloom. It wasn’t terribly impressive, but in a few months, it would certainly improve the atmosphere. Sulferhoof wasn’t exactly a cheery place to look at, so any color was a welcome change.

“I wonder if they have a signup sheet...” In the past, just the mere mention of dirt would have sent him in near hysterics. But that was a small price to pay compared to another tragedy in life.

“The life of a musician is hard Lil Blue, the best of us play our feelings, for that reason the most heartbroken create the best jazz...” The gruff voice of Bleeding Gums spoke in his mind. “Because of that heartbreak we want to isolate ourselves from the world... Thinking that by doin so, we’re protecting our hearts from further pain... but we ain’t... don’t isolate yourself pony like I did... forgive them and let them see the real you...”
> Maxwell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States
Washington
Snohomish
4:00 AM

Maxwell slipped into his heavy yellow raincoat and boots, taking a moment to glance into the nearby mirror. Looking at the pale rounded ginger face that stared back at him. Checking his person to ensure he had his wallet and thermos before shaking his head as he opened the door and slipped out of the house making sure to lock it. Once he had carefully made his way down the icy concrete steps to the gravel driveway he passed the burned-out remains of his father's police cruiser. Grabbing the motorized bike from the garage he unlocked it and slipped on board. Sighing as he began to pedal down the driveway and up onto the nearby cracked road. 

Grumbling as he peddled up to speed before pulling the clutch the improvised ethanol engine. After a few moments, it sputtered to life, revving unevenly as he passed the rural homes. Many looking worse for ware compared to his own family home, one place even had several tarps covering the roof in a vain attempt to keep out the rain and snow. Others were badly burned out with similar improvised repairs to keep out the cold. Still many were simply burnt out ruins long abandoned, passing by them always left a solemn feeling in his heart. Turning down another road he motored down into the valley, the saturated dirt and snow having covered much the remains of the street.

Slowing down a bit he started to make his way through, thankfully that his yellow rain smock protected him from the sludge. While it was a bit more precarious he continued to make good time in the darkness of the early morning. Turning his head he glanced at the old Rose Farm, looking up at the old McElhose place. Looking at it you would think that war never happened, it was truly a representation of Scott’s skill as a carpenter. A faint smile grew on Maxes face, he wasn’t much for plants, but the homely look of the place always gave off a comforting aura. The icicles made it look rather idyllic, like something out of a holiday card. Just before it left his sight he saw the light switch on from the master bedroom. Likely the old guy getting ready for his shift at the mill nearby, one of the few businesses to survive the war in the area, no small part thanks to him. Sadly the remainder of his journey wasn’t much compared to that place. Mainly damaged farmsteads, frozen saturated fields, and totaled vehicles left to rust on the side of the road.

Thankfully he saw the old bridge up ahead, the engorged Snohomish River scarcely three feet below the old ironwork. After motoring across he parked his bike at the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot. The recreation of the historic building had seen better days, the yellow paint peeling off the wood, with some of the shingles having fallen off the roof. Chaining the bike to the signpost he gazed over the remains of the once vibrant antiquing town. Like his rural neighborhood, many buildings were ruined beyond repair, scorch marks of fires still covering the old brick despite the heavy rains and snowfall. Others had plastic and boards covering the windows, faint wisps of smoke leaking out of chimneys of the buildings. While the streets were lined with vans and dilapidated RVs filled with refugees who had lost their rural homes.

Making his way behind the old building he made his way onto the improvised dock. A sigh of relief escaping his mouth seeing the boat was still there. The heavy chains and slightly rusted lock looking like they hadn’t been touched since he left them last night. Leaning down on the rickety dock he started to untie the twine that held the tarp in place, protecting the boat's inner hull and engine from the heavy rains. Quickly balling up the tarp before shoving it into one of the lockers onboard. The vessel was a bit over 25 feet and made of old iron and wood. With little in the way of luxuries beyond some rough removable benches forming rows, being split by the slightly rusted antique engine resting on the center of the boat with a deep wooden coffin box just before it. The tiller waiting in the back of the vessel was likely the most modern thing on it, having been carved by Scott after he found it.

Opening another locker he pulled out an old cowbell, clutching it in his hand he stepped back off the boat. Passing the rail depot making his way past Andy’s Fish house. Memories of visiting Chucks Seafood Grotto with his mates filling the back of his mind. Andy was a nice enough fellow, but he could never hold a candle to the original sea fair pirate. At least he kept the recipes, though the offerings were a bit slimmer lately. Some of the windows were still busted, with plastic and cardboard sealing the holes to help keep the chill-out. The sign like many other things in town was still partially burned with a partial crude paint job done to keep the name legible. He could just see a lantern being lit inside, hinting that Andy had likely just woken up to begin getting the damaged restaurant ready for business.

Once he passed the building and made his way down 2nd street he inhaled deeply and started to ring the cowbell. “Ferry to Seattle leaves in 40 minutes!” He bellowed as he made his way through town, his boots crunching through the snow-covered streets loudly.

Already some people started to slip out of the buildings and cars. The familiar face of his childhood friend Andson slipping out of the back of his old faded brown 1980s Econoline van, carefully shutting the door behind him. Likely not wanting to wake up his husband who was still sleeping inside. Nodding his head he started to make his trek to the dock while Max continued on his way, stopping by a few restaurants to grab small canisters of used oil. Eventually doing a loop around the main streets of the town, making his way back to the dock where little more than 25 people were waiting on the shore. Stepping onto the dock people watched him load up the fuel in the darkness setting them near the back where he sat.

He glanced back at them for a moment before lighting the torch and pressing the flame against the engine cylinder. Letting it heat up for a few minutes while he checked the remaining fuel in the steel tank. Seeing the dipstick come back about half dry, wiping it off he tossed it back into the locker. Inhaling he grasped the crank, attaching it to the engine, making sure to keep his thumb with his fingers as he gave it a strong quick turn, earning a sputter and groan in response. It took five tries before the engine finally rumbled to life, gently vibrating the hull of the boat. Switching off the torch he stepped out of the boat back into the dock.

“Alright you know the deal 8 dollars per person to Seattle, anyone caught trying to get around the price can just wait by the shore or in the river!” He bellowed as the group started to line up. As they slowly marched handing him the crumpled bills he couldn’t help but feel his mood further soured by their sorry state. Many had jackets held together with duck tape or crude stitches. Some had gloves with so much wear and tear they had more holes than Swiss cheese. Others didn’t even have that luxury, instead burring their numb hands into their jackets, attempting to protect themselves from frostbite.

The passengers were of varying ages, from teenagers trying to help out at home, to elderly residents hoping to find work to avoid starvation. Once they were all on board, he slipped the stack of bills into his jacket deep into an improvised pocket before climbing into the back of the boat. It took a moment to unfasten the padlocks holding the boat to the dock. While holding the chain he grasped the old transmission, pulling into gear. The engine slowing for a moment, worrying him it would stop before returning to speed. Tossing the chains back onto the dock he pulled the loaded boat away from the dock.

The mood on board was far from singing shanty’s to pass the time, with the scenery of the river doing little to help. Through the darkness, they could just make up shacks and tents lining the river. With more than a few of the residents fishing along the banks in hopes of catching something to fill themselves. The lanterns onboard drawing their attention, causing their eyes to briefly light up like candles before glancing back down into the murky depths of the water. Most onboard the boat kept their eyes firmly planted on the floor of the vessel, unable to look at the depressing surroundings.
——————————————————————
United States
Washington
Pacific Sound less than 1 mile from Seattle
5:43 AM

In the darkness of the morning, Max could just make out the faint lights coming from the port city. The faint outlines of the skyline could just be seen as they approached the hastily constructed concrete dock before Pike Place Market. Puttering the vessel over he quickly grasped one of the iron cleats, lashing the boat to the dock. Andson thankfully handled lashing the front of the boat, once it was properly secured the passengers started to make their way off the small vessel.

“Alright you know the deal, I leave at 8:30 PM, anyone not back by that time or with cash to pay for the return trip will be left behind.” He bellowed as they all finished disembarking, faint nods just barely seen through the thick clothes. Once the last person was off he did a brief inspection of the boat to ensure nothing of value was left. A force of habit rather than a necessity, the only thing most of his passengers had of value was their IDs. Once he was finished he grasped a bike lock from a locker and chained the boat to the dock. It wasn’t the most secure, but it was enough to deter would-be thieves. That is if the old engine didn’t turn them off first.

Stepping off the boat he started to slowly make his way to the historic marketplace. He was hit by the strong smells of fish and unwashed locals, a smell he was used to by now as he maneuvered his way through the tents, drug addicts, and makeshift shelters. Making his way up the steps into the fish market his eyes centered on a man behind the crudely reconstructed counter in a dirty apron.

“Mornin Max” The large man tiredly spoke, likely still not quite awake. “Here for the bait?...”

“Mhm.” Max dug out a few ones from his jacket while the fishmonger pulled out a bucket of bad fish.

“Here you go... happy fishing.” He said without much mirth, taking the handful of ones while Max heaved the bucket off the counter.

Making his way back down to the docks Max would occasionally stop to glance at the improvised stalls. The inventories weren’t anything too impressive, homemade hats, salvaged goods from ruined stops, the occasional home-canned fish. Many had items of... questionable legality, but the police could scarcely stop a jaywalker these days. He briefly eyed one of the tarp stalls, eyes caught on a stack of old Xbox games. Nostalgic memories wafting up before he squashed them back down, quickly picking up his pace back to the docks. Seeing the ice boy making his rounds on the dock he motioned him over pulling out a small stack of cash. Slipping into his boat he paid the boy and started to heave bags of ice onboard, tossing them to the wood floor.

Once he had finished loading the bags of ice he set the bucket of smelly fish onto planks before opening one of the lockers. Taking a moment to pour the old cooking oil into the tank, once it was properly filled he recapped the canister and slipped it back into the locker. It took less time to start the engine this time around, thankfully still hot from the long journey to Seattle. In less than 10 minutes he was motoring away from the dock just in time to see the sunrise in the distance.

Glancing over the skyline the condition of the city only became more clear. All the signs of war still remained despite it having ended years ago, ruined buildings, scorch marks from fires, busted windows exposing what was once centers of business to elements. But the one thing that stood as a constant reminder of the Conversion War... the broken spire of the Space Needle. Scarcely half of it remanded standing, with the rest of it having crushed much of the Science Center during the collapse. Once a popular tourist spot it had become a makeshift memorial for all the lives lost, much of the base was covered with photographs and candles left by grieving locals, himself included.

Turning his head away he focused his attention on Blake Island, the thick fog making the deserted park look more than a bit ominous. When he was younger he had visited the island more than a few times with his friends. He wasn’t much for boating back then, but it was rather fun to explore the park almost like it was some sort of lost land. Nowadays people rarely visited, leaving the old campsites to become overgrown. Pulling the boat to the shore, he tossed out a mushroom anchor before inhaling deeply. Closing his eyes he waded through the shallow water for a few yards before reaching the beach.

Making his way through the forest he eyed one of the trees where a notch had been hacked into the wood. Counting his steps as he made his way deeper into the woods he stopped before a pile of evergreen branches. Slowly bending down he dug his fingers into the dirt and snow grasping a hidden sheet of plywood and pulled up revealing a cache of fishing gear. Looking it all over he grabbed the metal crab traps first heaving then over his back before slowly trekking back to the beach.

Just as he waded back out into the water and tossed the metal crates into the boat he spotted something on the beach. Raising an eyebrow he waded back, from the distance it just looked like a piece of driftwood... as he got closer he could see some crabs picking at it, maybe a harbor seal then? Once he was less than two yards away his breath stalled in his throat, the smell was awful, but nothing he wasn’t used too.

Even with the barnacles covering the tarnished metal, there was no mistaking it... that was a Royal Guard corpse. Spotting a stick nearby, he grasped the driftwood biting his lip trying to suppress the flashbacks. With some of the morning light just peaking through the fog he could see the remains of the unnatural looking bright coat and mane of the creature. Pressing the stick into its side he rolled it over, revealing a gored face, a few small crabs scattering away from their meal.

“Keep looking, theirs bound to be humans here, I can smell the heathens stench in this place.” He tried to shake the memory of the hoof steps creaking over the basement ceiling out of his mind.

“Hey, Captain! I found a picture of the monkeys, looks like there was a whole zoo worth of them here! Look at this one! Real ugly son of a mule, look at that lardflanks red rat's nest of a mane!” There taunting laughter filling his mind.

“Looks like they ran off, see if there any valuables and trash the place. Make sure they know there’s nothing to come back to.” The shattering of porcelain and clashing of pans echoed.

Coming back to reality his face formed into a sneer as he started to raise the stock above his head slamming it back down onto the corpse. Beating the rotten flesh off the brittle bones, sending bits and pieces flying into the air and onto his clothes. The wet sickening smacks of the wood against the remains of the pony filled his ears until he stopped. Hands shaking as he clutched the stick, staring into its rotten face he raised the stick one last time... before stabbing it through the skull. Falling backward into the sand he wheezed gasping for hair clutching his chest. Trying to soothe the painful palpitations with his breathing exercises. After a few moments, he looked back at the corpse, noticing a few seagulls and ravens in the distance. Struggling back to his feet he slowly sodded off, leaving them to their feast.

He loaded up the remaining fishing gear in a thick mental fog, once he had placed the twine covered jugs into the boat, removing the bench’s into the stash to make room. Once he was finished he started up the engine once more puttering away from the deserted island. Turning his head for a brief moment to see a variable feeding frenzy of sea birds and scavengers working to pick the carcass clean.
——————————————————————
Untied States
Washington
Skagit Bay
8:13 AM

Tossing the last crab cage into the water he leaned against the side of his boat catching his breath. The chill in his boots just barely have subsided, keeping him close to the engine in an attempt to warm himself for a minute. Making his way back to the tiller he sat down, pulling the first of the 30 jute-wrapped jugs over to himself. Grasping the spool of fishing line and attaching a hook to it. Taking a small piece of the remaining bait, he speared it with the hook before tying a slip knot to one of the cleats. He would continue to bait the lines attached to the other jugs attaching them to one another until he had a long chain of them trailing behind him. Slowing the engine to a crawl he leaned back in his seat yawning a bit. Turning his head he watched the Arthur Floss slowly pull a barge of logs through the Sound. The tug boat was over 100 years old, before the war, it was originally an exhibit at the Wooden Boat Center. When things got rough, they took whoever they could save and chugged the vessels up north. No one knows for sure where they went... but when they came back they were greeted with a very different Seattle.

The Equestrians torched many of the vessels in the ports and docks, crippling the city’s trade and tourism for years to come. A boat was a very valuable thing to have now, especially with many of the bridges still out. If you had a larger boat you could make decent money shipping supplies around. The biggest issue was getting enough fuel for them with the prices as they were. Since they returned the Centers historic fleet was pressed into service to help the ailing state. While the Arthur Floss found work with a makeshift logging operation, the MV Lotus and SS Virginia V ran routes around the Sound. Picking up stranded locals and moving them to Seattle to look for work, before taking them back at the end of the day. Even the old Duwamish fireboat had found work as an improvised water carrier and occasional fire suppression vessel. Watching the tug sail by he waved his hand to the crew who waved back tiredly.

Even from the distance, he could see the haunted looks in those men’s eyes. They were the original crew that sailed away from the Second Great Seattle Fire. It wasn’t a secret they were forced to flee while in the middle of boarding, leaving numerous people behind. Opinions about them were mixed at best, were they hero’s for saving those onboard... or were the murderers for leaving those people ashore at the mercy of the New Foals? Even he wasn’t sure, but even now they rarely left the ships for long, their presence was too controversial in the city. But it didn’t mean he had to be just another angry face. After awhile they vanished into the fog leaving Max alone with his thoughts again.

“I-it’s so cold....” He remembered his mother’s teeth chattering in the basement.

“Snohomish hasn’t had a winter like this in decades...” The stern voice of his father spoke. “I can’t tell you the last time the temperature went below 16 degrees... let alone below zero...”

Max suppressed a shiver as he slowly turned the boat watching the ice-covered coast pass him by. Weather in Washington wasn’t ever something to be cheery about, if you asked anyone to describe it 9 times out of 10 they would just say rainy. But since Convergence it seemed like things got so much worse. With freezing rains and powerful snowstorms battering the state, it seemed like they scarcely got a spring or summer anymore. Alaska and Canada had it even worse, news from those areas told stories of miles of ice flows, entire ports frozen in time, even ice breakers struggled to make a dent in the problem. Stories of people being found frozen solid in the middle of the road were trickling down from the north. They were even finding marine mammals seemly frozen alive out at sea.

“We’re almost out of food...” He remembered his sister's voice as he poured himself a cup of soup from his thermos. Starting at the thick bacon tomato vegetable concoction before bringing it to his lips.

“Someone’s is going to have to go out and scavenge....” He remembered the sound of his father squeezing his pistol.

Finishing his cup of soup he set the thermos back down and glanced backward to check on the jugs. It was an unconventional method of fishing, but after looking through the Dangerous Book for Boys, it seemed like it might work for his purpose. It took a few tries to get it right, but now it was a great source of supplemental income. Especially once he found those old crab traps up on Jetty Island.

Selling his catch wasn’t too hard, it was just knowing how to negotiate, and more importantly, sell out before the police did their rounds. Having to pay them off could really put a strain on your haul, but it was better than the alternative. Glancing back he noticed several of the jugs were now bobbing up and down, signaling he had caught something. Pulling into neutral, he started to pull the jugs up to the boat. Grasping one of the jugs he started to pull up the line revealing a black rockfish attempting to escape clutching it in his hand he lifted it out of the water tossing it onboard before rebating the hook and moving onto the next finding a copper one. On the third jug, he watched in surprise seeing it vanish under the water for a moment before bouncing back up. Grasping it tightly he was nearly pulled overboard by the strength of the catch. Heaving with all his might a Ling Cod slammed into his jacket before landing on the deck. It wasn’t a practically large specimen, just scarcely 3 foot in length, but feisty. Digging out the hook was fairly difficult but he managed to hold it down before rebaiting it and casting the jug back out. On the last jug, he found a Cabezon, being careful to avoid its spines he tossed it along with the other fish. After casting off the last jug he sat there and watched them flop for a bit before heading to the coffin. Grabbing one of the bags of ice he poured it into the container making sure to have plenty on the bottom before he began tossing the fish in with it. Once they touched the ice they seemed to go into shock, though pouring a layer above them likely didn’t help. Just a few more hours of this and he’d be able to sell... maybe even have something to bring home.
——————————————————————
United States
Washington
Seattle
Pier 57
5:57 PM

Max leaned back in his boat as he watched people slowly shuffle about on the dock. Occasionally stopping to ask for the price before leaving, likely to compare it to others. Steadily his crab traps and coffin were emptied while the stack of cash in his jacket swelled just a bit more. Leaning against the tiller he noticed a little girl staring at one of the smaller rockfish. Leaning up he saw just what kind of sorry state she was in, filthy cheeks, ratty curly hair, and an outfit that was several sizes too large for her. The jacket almost looked like an overcoat on her, it was unmistakable, two words floated in his mind. War Orphan... the police did sweeps frequently to try and smoke them out, shipping them East. But many kids didn’t want to leave the state... as much as a cesspit as it was... it was their home. So many would try and avoid the police as much as they could, some holding onto the slim chance their parents would turn up.

Running the numbers through his head Max sighed grasping the small fish and tossed it to the little girl. “Here... make sure it cook it, now make yourself scarce... the Blue boys are coming....” He mumbled through his numb lips. Motioning for her to get out of there, noticing the police were slowly making their way onto the crowded dock.

The child nodded her head vanishing into the crowds of people. Just as the police started to make their way over Max started to heat up the engine once again with the blow torch. He had nearly finished selling the fish for the day, only have a few crabs and two Cabezon. It wasn’t worth sticking around to try and sell them if he had to pay the local cops to do so. Watching them at the far end of the dock he watched the two boys in blue begin their shakedown with an elderly clam digger. The poor guy attempting to haggle with them before his face turned white while the officers smiled widely. He practically threw a stack of bills at them in fright which one of them caught. This would continue as they steadily made their way down the dock, biting his lip Max started to try and start the engine, unsure if it was hot enough yet. Normally he would have left before they arrived, but they seemed to have come early today.

They were scarcely four boats away before he got the engine started chugging, he just cast off as they noticed him leaving. One of them cursing while the other watched him putter away, a knowing look on his face signaling it might be a while until Max could use that dock again. Swallowing Max turned his head back forward heading back out to the Sound deciding he should go dump his fishing gear, maybe relax a bit in the solitude of Blake Island until it was time to pick up his passengers.

The trip through the fog wasn’t much to speak about, the silence out here was deafening. But there was a certain peace to it, the faint sounds of the waves lapping against the bow of the boat as the occasional snowflake sizzled against the hot bulb engine were almost like white noise. Closing his eyes for a moment he just savored it, he might not have been much for sea in the past... but things changed... a lot. Opening his eyes once again he saw the thickly forested island approaching. Time just seemed to fly while he was out here... which was a blessing as much as it was a curse. Pulling the boat up the beach he tossed out the mushroom anchor again. Wadding back to the beach took a bit longer than he would have liked while carrying the crab cage. But it was better than slipping headfirst into the water. Once he reached the sandy beach he nearly stepped on the familiar carcass. Much of it having been picked clean by the seabirds and ravens, leaning much of the shattered bones exposed to the elements. Slowly moving his boot out of the way he just stared into those empty eye sockets for awhile.

He wasn’t sure what came over him, just looking at the corpse he beat left him feeling so... empty... shaking his head he walked past the remains, letting the rising tide take it. Dumping his fishing gear didn’t take long thankfully, soon enough he was sitting on some driftwood looking about at the Sound, the fog having just cleared enough to let him view the city again. The skyline wasn’t as bright as it was when he was a boy... he could just barely make out dim lights showing through the windows. Sometimes he wondered if they would ever be that bright again.

Reaching back into his jacket he pulled out a flask slowly unscrewing the lid. Raising it in a mock toast before tossing it back into his throat, the strong grain alcohol making his eyes water as he swallowed it down. Shuttering a few times he just watched the waves slowly roll over the bones of the fallen guard. Occasionally sipping from his flask while he watched it vanish under the murky water. He couldn’t be sure how long he sat there looking out at the Sound, but glancing at his watch his eyes widened, scarcely 40 minutes until pick up.

Muttering he struggled back up to his seat, slowly making his way back out to the boat. Heating the engine back up took longer than he would have liked, but he wasn’t willing to waste fuel just to leave it running. After five minutes he was storing his boat back to Seattle, while the engine wasn’t picky about fuel, it’s speed left much to be desired. Glancing back at his watch worriedly he wondered if he would make it back before 8:30.
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United States
Washington
Seattle
Pike Place Market Docks
8:27 PM

Just as he started to pull into the dock he saw the familiar passengers, waiting for him. As he approached the smell was what hit him first, suppressing the urge to gag while he docked. Standing up he held out his hand, while they boarded bills would steadily find their way into his jacket, about 8 dollars each this time. Thankfully their hands were relatively clean, but the smell told him everything. They likely took up work down in the old tunnels clearing rubble, a lot of sewage got spilled down there... but with the local economy as it was they couldn’t afford to be picky. Steadily the boat sank into the water as the weight of them all pushed it downwards. Andson rushed through the crowd wheezing loudly, Max gave him a moment to catch his breath before taking a handful of crumpled bills.

With the last passengers aboard, Max pulled the boat away from the dock. In less than 20 minutes they watched the remains of Seattle vanish into the fog as they made headway back to the Snohomish River. With the dreary surroundings, Max wasn’t sure what possessed him but he opened his mouth and started to sing. “This is my country; God gave it to me; I will protect it, ever keep it free. Small towns and cities rest here in the sun, filled with our laughter, thy will be done.” He sang sadly.

To his surprise, a few onboard started to sing along. “Washington my home, where ever I may roam. This is my land, my native land, Washington, my home. Our verdant forest green, caressed by silvery stream. From mountain peak to fields of wheat, Washington, my home.”

After awhile nearly the whole boat was singing the old state anthem. “There's peace you feel and understand, in this, our own beloved land. We greet the day with head held high, and forward ever is our cry. We'll happy ever be as people always free. For you and me a destiny, Washington my home.” As he sang with them he couldn’t help but let a few tears leak out of the corners of his eyes. Despite everything, this place was their home for better or worse they refused to leave.
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Max struggled through the slush on his bike, having been unable to get the engine started with freezing night air. Leaving him to slowly pedal his way home the old fashioned way. Naturally, this took much longer but he could already see the faint lights shining from the kitchen. Likely his mother getting dinner ready before his sister finished her soft at the sawmill and his father retired from patrol back in town. Pulling his bike to the garage he made his way inside, his mother jumping at the sound of his heavy footsteps.

“O-oh it’s just you dear...” The rotund woman looked back from her camping stove while she fried up some potatoes and canned mackerel.

“Sorry, mom I didn’t mean to frighten you...” Max spoke making his way to the dining room, tossing his stack of bills into an antique cookie jar.

“Have a good day at work?...” She turned his attention back to the skillet.

“Guess so... Seattle isn’t looking much better though....” He mumbled sitting down in one of the wooden chairs at the table. Glancing up at the clear plastic roof panels above him, a temporary fix until they could afford to fix the massive hole in the roof. Content to just watch the snowfall upon it and melt while he rested.

“Things will get better in time Maxwell...” His mother didn’t sound as optimistic as she would have liked.

“I hope so...” He said hearing his father and sister push the door open. Slipping off the old sheriff's hat his father took a moment to run his large hands through his greying hair. While his sister kept on her black threadbare wool cap.

They didn’t so much sit as collapse into their seats at the table while his mother started to plate up dinner and some warm tea. Seeing them always left knots in his stomach, his father was supposed to be retired by now with a nice pension. Meanwhile, his sister was supposed to have a steady job after having gone to college. But things didn’t work out that way... his father's pension and his sister's dreams had died in the market collapse.

Neither one was paid particularly well either, the town being broke they could scarcely afford to pay his father anything. But he did the job simply because no one else would, his sister on the other hand was one of the lucky ones who managed to get a job at the sawmill. It was barely minimum wage, but the work was steady and she didn’t have to risk going to the city to look for temp work cleaning up rubble and the sewers.

Looking up as his mom hobbled around the table setting the plates of fried potatoes and mackerel he smiled faintly. Once everyone had their plate she took her seat next to her husband clasping her hands together. “Let us pray...” she spoke softly.

Max, his father, and sister soon clasped their hands together closing their eyes. “Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.” Once they finished the short prayer they began to eat.
> Tirek
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln 
Buzzards Oasis Trailer Homes
15 Miles from Sulferhoof and the Equestrian Reservation
9:37 AM

Tirek yawned slowly trotting into the kitchen rubbing the back of his neck. Mumbling while he grasped the frilly pink apron hanging on the nearby hook. Taking a moment to slip it on and tie the straps he made his way over the counter, switching on the small tv to the Food Network. He hummed seeing his favorite show was one while he turned up the volume.

“Hello everyone this is Binging With Babish and today we are going to cover something that fits with the holiday season. That’s right, the lovely feast from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Tirek smiled before turning his attention to the task at hand, reaching up into one of the cupboards and pulling out a heavy vintage-looking cookbook. Flipping through the pages he found what he was looking for muttering as he read the ingredients after switching on the oven.

It didn’t take him long to gather the necessary items, tying a pink frilly apron around himself as he painstakingly started measuring out the ingredients, dumping them into a bowl humming gently as he mixed them together. Once the dough was properly mixed he dusted the countertop with some flour before slamming the dough down. Working it over with a rolling pin until it was reduced to an oval sheet. Grasping a few antique cookie cutters he started to fill a baking sheet with familiar holiday shapes. Christmas trees, candy canes, reindeer, even little slays. Perhaps not what Gram Gram had intended for her Cinnamon Ginger cookies, but the scent always reminded him of the holidays. Once the basics were finished he grabbed a set of custom cookie cutters and used the last of the dough.

Steadily he filled up two greased sheets before slipping them into the oven. Afterward, he began to separate egg whites for the frosting, as he did so he couldn’t help but sway a bit feeling rather at peace. He turned his attention back to the TV seeing they had moved onto the main course. Raising his eyebrows at what Andrew Rea was using instead of a normal turkey.

“Now take the Cockatrice and use your knife to descale its tail.” The man said on the television, Tirek taking a moment to remember if he recorded this episode or not. Looking back down at the frosting, he nodded his head pouring it into a few separate bowls. Adding some coloring he hummed mixing until they were evenly distributed, working each into a piping bag. Once that was done he tied them off yawning a bit cracking his neck as he went back to look at the cookies. Humming gently as he watched them set and begin to brown slightly. Hearing the timer ring he pulled them out, setting them out to cool for a moment.

He took a moment to enjoy the scent before checking the time on his watch. Seeing the time he pulled out a festive holiday cookie tin from the lower cabinet along with a roll of wax paper. Using some kitchen shears he began to cut the paper into neat squares, setting them into a pile. Setting the shears back down he reached over to the pan to check if the cookies had cooled off before grasping the piping bags. A faint smile forming on his lips as he started to cover one of the horse cookies with black icing, leaving little holes over the legs. Grasping the green icing he began to add a mossy mane on its head, finishing it off with a bit of the green icing for the eyes and mouth. He would follow a similar pattern with the other identically shaped cookies.

Once that was done, he turned his attention to the smaller horse-shaped cookies. Taking some pink icing, he slowly started to frost the cookies before adding a blue mane using some red icing for the eyes and mouth. After finishing, he began to finish up the more traditional cookies, giving the trees, reindeer, and little slays the same attention he had given the others. Looking them over he huffed slowly slipping the cookies into the tin, placing some wax paper between each layer until the box was filled. Carefully sealing the lid and tying it down with some red ribbon.

Turning around he slipped off the pink apron and set it on the nearby rack. Trotting over to a nearby closet he grasped a windbreaker, siding it over his arms and torso. Once he was zipped up he grasped two presents that had been placed above the coats on the hat shelf. Clutching the green and pink boxes close to his chest as he made his way back to the kitchen. Taking a moment to turn his attention back to the television seeing the show reach its conclusion.

“And here you go, a lovely feast fit for every Who in Whoville, from the lovely fruit platters to the savory roast beast.” He heard the chef say just as he switched off the screen grabbing his keys from the nearby counter, along with the presents and cookie tin. Resting them on his horselike lower back he trotted out of his double-wide trailer, inhaling the cool air deeply. He was greeted by a rather homely environment, bright green lawn, lush flower beds (along with the blue ribbon award on full display), and a few miniature tropical fruit trees lining the path of his driveway.

Trotting past them he unlocked his SUV slipping the packages into the passenger seat before making his way around to the driver's side. Climbing up he sat down on the customized saddle seat shifting a bit before he started to buckle in. He had a bit of a drive ahead of him, he wasn’t about to risk getting a ticket.
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
Coolidge Plains
Ablow Psychiatric Hospital
10:32 AM

Doctor Lee gently knocked on the door waiting a moment before speaking. “Chrysalis? It’s Doctor Lee, may I come in?...”

It took a few moments before he heard a response. “...Yes...” A hollow voice responded from inside.

Opening the door he stepped in seeing the former queen sitting up in her bed staring at the far wall. “Did you sleep well?...” Seeing the dark circles and irritation of her eyes he knew the answer.

“... I suppose...” She shifted uncomfortably using her right forehoof to brush her shortened green mane from her eyes.

The doctor frowned seeing she was trying to hide her other foreleg under the covers. Faint green bioluminescent stains just showing through the fabric. “Chrysalis... show me your left leg...”

“....” She didn’t move. “It’s nothing to worry about... just a paper cut...”

“Chrysalis... show me your leg...” His voice turned more firm.

She seemed to hold her breath but slowly pulled it out, revealing shattered carapace, with bite marks covering the soft flesh underneath. “I-it’s nothing....”

“Chrysalis you're supposed to tell us when this happens...” He frowned shaking his head.

“It’s the only thing that makes it stop...” She whispered faintly, lowering her head.

“Have you been spitting up your meds again?....” He took a step forward, kneeling down to get a closer look.

“They stop them during the day... but at night... E-everything comes back even worse!” She clutched her head between her hooves.

Doctor Lee rested his hand on her shoulder. “You need to tell us these things... you shouldn’t bottle them up... you won’t get better that way...” Seeing she wasn’t in the right state of mind to respond he continued. “Let’s get you to the infirmary... because it’s Christmas I won’t tell your guardian this time...” The changeling just nodded her head sadly following him out, limping a bit from her injury.
——————————————————————
Doctor Lee sighed in relief as he shook the spray can after having cleaned the wound, thankfully she hadn’t ruptured a major artery. The broken carapace made it look worse than it was, but it meant he would have to keep a closer eye on his patient again. Pressing down on the nozzle he watched as the artificial shell slowly build up over the flesh. The color was a bit off and it certainly wasn’t as strong as the natural carapace, but it helped protect from infection.

“There we go...” He smiled faintly.

Chrysalis slowly raised her leg staring at it, frowning a bit at the off blue color.

“Your new shell will replace it in about a week or so... if you don’t like it I could find you a nicer gown to wear...” He offered.

“Thank you, I’d like that...” She lowered her leg back down testing her weight on it wincing a bit.

“But before we do that... I think we need to have a talk about what happened...” He sat back down in the chair opposite of the exam table.

“Bad memories... that’s all...” She exhaled.

“Those memories were bad enough to make you bite through your shell...” He leaned forward.

“...I remembered what happened...” She shuttered, her wing nubs twitching under her gown.

“You mean... The white mare don’t you?...” He rested his hand on his lap.

The queen just seemed to shift in her seat uncomfortably in her seat, eyes seeming to glaze over for a moment.

"Chrysalis?" The doctor sounded concerned.

Her eyes seemed to flicker with faint green bioluminescence. “S-she made me feel everything...” She shook her eyes seeming to flash like a bad fluorescent light. 

“Because she could?” He asked tilting his head. "Chrysalis please... you're going to overload yourself again..." He motioned to an orderly just outside who had a sedative ready.

Taking deep breaths she attempted to calm herself, the glow in her irises fading. “She knew I couldn’t escape...” She ran her hoof through her mane, faint rune scars could be seen just under the mossy locks. “Used me and that fool to keep her war effort going...”

“The hive-mind...” He mumbled nodding his head. "We have some information from the Colorado colony, but due to the nature of the subject we couldn't get much..." He motioned for the orderly to relax out of sight while activating the recording function on his tablet.

“It’s one thing to use it on half-life’s.... another to use it on proper drones...” She stared blankly. "Assuming direct control is... overwhelming... even the most skilled queens can only maintain it for a week at most..."

"Why?" The doctor was intrigued.

"At first it's easy... you speak through the hive-mind they do as they are told..." She inhales. "But over time more... intensive measures are necessary..."

"They become dependent?" The doctor seemed horrified.

"Yes... What's the human phrase... I have no mouth and I must scream?... I feel that explains their situation all to well..." She shook her head.

"They are fully aware of what's going on during the process, but increasingly require puppeteering?" He tilted his head seeming to be in deep thought.

"Yes... over time they lose the ability to control themselves." She stared at the wall.

"That's why they exhibit symptoms similar to New Foal syndrome..." He mumbled to himself.

"It was never meant for full-fledged drones for that reason..." She shook her head.

“Half-life’s?...” He asked unfamiliar with the term.

“Drones that are matured in a matter of weeks rather than years...” She mumbled.

“Weeks?... that seems... improbable...” He stared in disbelief.

“Changeling queens can secrete hormones to... speed things along...” She took a moment to consider the response.

“I’m guessing there’s a reason you call them half-life’s....” He adjusted himself in his seat.

“...they are meant to overwhelm the enemy... they aren’t known for their intellect... strength... or longevity...”

“Such rapid growth caused complications?...” The doctor asked to which she nodded.

“The term half-life is generous... An entire lifetime in five years... max... most died in 2 or 3...” She mumbled.

“What were they like?...” He couldn't help but ask.

“Dull... nearly blank slates... very literal with orders... well suited for hive-mind control...” She was dismissive.

“You don’t sound too upset about them?...” He sounded slightly concerned.

“Such creatures were only ever created as a last resort... the good of the hive always comes first... if that’s what it took to keep my kind alive so be it...” They mumbled.

“What happens when you use the hive-mind on more... fully formed changelings?...”

She seemed to pause for a moment collecting her thoughts. “... when a half-life dies it’s scarcely a whimper... they are just... there... then they aren’t... almost like those strategy games they let us play in the library... a unit dies and... it’s no big deal... just a few pixels on a screen....” She closed her eyes as a migraine started to make its self known. “But when that fool handed over his kingdom to that.... that... Bitch....” Her eyes glowed bright green in fury after opening them again.

“It was different... wasn’t it?...” His look softened meeting her fury with gentle empathy.

The glow faded from her eyes again as she stared back with a look of silent horror. “... I heard and felt everything... their exhaustion... the hunger.... fear.... pain... it filled my mind as she forced me to puppeteer them all in her factories... farms... and mines...” She shook. “But that wasn’t enough for her...”

“The pain of thousands wasn’t enough?...” She hid behind his professional persona, not wanting to show his shock.

“...That’s something for another time... I have to save something for your birthday... Merry Christmas doctor...” She gave him a sad smile.

He seemed to stare at her for a moment before nodding his head. “Merry Christmas Chrysalis....”
——————————————————————
State of Lincoln
Coolidge Plains
Ablow Psychiatric Hospital
Visitor Center
11:39 AM

Tirek filled out the visitor form, taking a few moments to think as he filled out the personal health survey. Once it was completed he stood up from his seat making his way to the desk where a tired nurse waited. She took it from him looking it over briefly before standing up from the desk. Stretching for a moment before wrestling out her keys from her pocket, motioning him to follow her.

He quickly grabbed his precious cargo and trotted after her, being lead through a door and a few hallways. They would quickly come before two heavy double doors, where the nurse took a moment to dig through the keyring before unlocking the door. Without much decorum, she pushed them open revealing a rather cozy looking patient visit area. A large Christmas tree... roaring artificial fireplace... festive decorations.... soft rugs.... and a lovely table for meals. He hummed gently setting the two gifts below the tree before taking his seat at the table.

“It will take a moment to get the two patients here...” The nurse spoke while the centaur just nodded his head tiredly.

She left him to wait, closing and locking the heavy double doors behind him. He couldn’t be sure how long it was but his sensitive ears pitched up two sets of hoof steps and the heavy footfalls of an orderly. The door on the opposite end of the room slowly slipped open revealing the trio. A changing queen with a faint limp, with a small tired-looking pegasus with glazed over eyes, with a large man in a blue nurses uniform stepping behind them. Stepping from the table he quickly made his way over leaning down and pulling them two into a tight hug. Chrysalis awkwardly hugged him back, while Cozy seemed to just lean in a bit.

Pulling away he chuckled. “It’s good to see you two...”

Chrysalis looked up at him with a tired smile. “You as-well granny’s boy....” She purred gently.

Cozy just stared up at him, faint recognition sparking behind her eyes.

Tirek sighed looking at her and then the orderly. “You couldn’t have taken off the tranquilizers for one day?...”

The orderly shook his head sadly. “She wasn’t responding to the medications we currently have... in a few months we will have access to more varied options... but until then, her mental state makes her too dangerous to have her unrestrained... both to others... and herself...” He looked down at the chemically numbed filly.

Tirek looked back down at the small filly. “When will the meal be ready?...” He asked gently rubbing her buzzed mane.

“About 20 minutes... the remote for the tv is on the table, feel free to browse.” He hummed slowly making his way to the far corner seat.

Tirek looked dissatisfied but knew the orderly was just doing his job. “How about we turn on the tv while we wait for our meal.” He turned his attention back to the two patients.

“Sounds lovely, doesn’t it Cozy?” The changeling purred.

“...mhm...” Cozy weakly mumbled through her lips.

Chrysalis guided the filly to the couch helping her to the cushions, taking a seat to her left with Tirek sitting onto the opposite. With the remote, he switched on the ABC which was currently playing Home Alone just when the robber had the iron slam into his head. The two older villains sharing a laugh while the little filly seemed enraptured by the tv.

“Between you and me... I think that little Kevin is a budding villain....” Chrysalis chuckled. “The likes of which would outshine any of us... he could have called the police at any time... he didn’t... he wanted to play...”

Tirek chuckled nodding his head. “Humans have a strange and dark sense of humor...”

“M-mhm...” Cozy managed to respond in agreement.

While they all shared a laugh at the Wet Bandits' expense, they eventually heard and smelled the meal being set out. Tirek was the first to turn his head seeing the beyond meat meatloaf with a thick ketchup glaze. Creamy mashed potatoes, a basket of steaming rolls, along with a few little sides. It was positively mouth-watering, even Cozy in her current state was struggling not to drool... more than usual.

“This must have cost you...” Chrysalis looked surprised at the spread as she helped Cozy to one of the chairs. Taking a moment to strap her in, before making her way to a chair nearby.

“With everything that’s going on... it’s important to enjoy the holidays...” He smiled gently as he started to serve the pre-cut loaf.

“I suppose your right...” She tied a napkin around Cozy’s neck over her snowflake detailed gown.

“...You're surprisingly good with her...” Tirek watched smirking.

“...It’s not like she has any visitors besides yourself...” She started to help plate, tearing a roll to pieces in order to make it easier for her to swallow.

Tirek nodded solemnly as he finished serving the main course, moving on the potatoes. “I suppose that makes sense... how are you feeling?...”

“... Better I suppose...” She mumbled sitting back in her chair.

“Have you thought about that invitation from Pharynx?...” He asked awkwardly.

Poking at her food she exhaled. “Yes... I’m not sure why he invited me to his little commune... but... it’s not my place... I was outed long ago... and the only recent connection I have with them was through the Hive-Mind...” She shook her head.

“You wouldn’t even want... to see it?” Tirek asked.

“No...I don’t need to... I trust Pharynx to build a truly lasting hive... something his brother could not...” She spat the last words before using her spork to cut into the food. “Changelings must survive... with or without a queen... my presence would only stifle whatever progress they have made...”

“I suppose that makes sense...” Tirek sighed adopting a more thoughtful look while the three of them ate in silence. With either the centaur or changeling pausing between the meals to wipe the filly’s mouth.

Eventually, the trio leaned back in their respective chairs sighing a bit. Many of the small serving plates were reduced to crumbs and smears. “I haven’t had a meal like that in ages...” Chrysalis purred.

“I hope you both saved room for dessert.” Tirek reached over to the cookie tin pulling it over.

Cozy seemed to lean forward a bit, her buzzed tail seeming to wag a bit. Likely having picked up on the scent of freshly baked cookies. “....M-mmmmf....”

“I couldn’t possibly...” Even Chrysalis struggled to keep her drool in her mouth.

Popping open the tin he held it out to the two patients, Cozy being the first to clumsily reach, grabbing her sweet doppelgänger. Chrysalis followed suit grabbing her iced twin, taking a moment to look it over before inhaling the scent. Tirek just smiled watching the two of them, setting the cookie tin down on the table. Grabbing one of the reindeer for himself taking a bite after seeing the two of them practically inhale their treats.

“Everyone says they're full until dessert comes....” Tirek shook his head watching the two.

“Mmmf... it’s amazing your not fat from your own cooking....” Chrysalis licked the crumbs off her muzzle.

“I can cook healthy meals...” He crossed his arms looking jokingly insulted. “Besides would you have rather I brought a nice healthy... Apple Salad?”

“Don’t joke about that! You know what apples do to my stomach!” She looked horrified before chuckling herself. Even Cozy seemed a bit amused by the two's antics giggling herself a bit through a mouthful of crumbs.

“You know... I think I spot two gifts under the tree... couldn’t be for this table of villains could it?” He chuckled while the Changeling queen and filly looked over.

“You didn’t...” She seemed genuinely surprised, slipping Cozy onto her back she slowly trotted to the tree. Staring at the two packages while Cozy tried to peak over her shoulders. Sitting down she let the filly slide down her back to get a closer look.

After helping Cozy get ahold of her gift Chrysalis pulled her own in closer. While Cozy tore into her gift as best she could with her hooves, Chrysalis was more methodical peeling off the layers revealing a standard box. Grasping the lid she pulled it away revealing a mossy green tunic with long sleeves. Looking at it closely she could tell it wasn’t some old thing off the rack... careful hand stitches could be seen throughout.

“I know you don’t like the gowns too much... so I thought something more traditional might help...” He smiled

“Will they even let me wear it?...” She ran her hooves over the material.

“I already cleared it...” He hummed looking over at Cozy, seeing the filly opening the box revealing a handmade hooded sweatshirt. She seemed to stare at it for a moment clumsily rubbing her hoof over the familiar blue-colored hoodie attached to it. “You as well Cozy... I know you miss your mane... but perhaps this can be a substitute for now?...”

She gazed up with a faint smile on her lips, tears leaking out of the sides of her eyes. “M-mhm!...” The filly struggled to her hooves while holding the gift. Just managing to make it over to him before hugging his side.

Tirek seemed surprised but reached down and rubbed her head. While focused on her he hadn’t noticed the queen sneaking over and wrapping her hooves around his opposite side. Before he could get a word in chrysalis beat him to the punch. “Why?...”

“Why what?...” He looked over

“Why did you adjust so... easily?... Why bother visiting us?.... why...” She seemed to struggle with the words.

“Do I care?...” He tilted his head.

“...yes...” She and Cozy looked up curiously.

“Your both insufferable... Childish... impatient... greedy... and troublesome... but...” He exhaled. “But... with all that in mind... thinking about you two keeps me going through the day...These weekly visits make working on the tarmac worth it...”

Chrysalis chuckled. “You're horrible with words when your all sentimental... but... I get it...” She rested her chin on his horseback. “How about we grab the rest of those cookies... and find a sappy movie?....”

“What do you think Cozy?...” Tirek looked at the filly who seemed to have settled against his side who just nodded her head.

The three of them just enjoyed the moment before making their way back to the couch. Setting the tin on the nearby coffee table as they started to flip through the channels looking for something to watch. Eventually settling on the Christmas Truce, a more recently released movie. As the title sequence played Tirek closed his eyes just enjoying the moment with them instead of the movie.
> Silverstream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States
Lincoln
Citadel
Roanoke Estates
5:30 am

A pink talon felt around a nearby nightstand in a desperate attempt to shut off the beeping. Once it was shut off, a solitary lump in the center of the bed started to move the covers off, revealing a shaved blue Mohawk-looking mane. Silverstream yawned, rubbing her eyes before glancing at a framed photo near her clock. A faint smile forming on her beak, seeing Gallus in his dress uniform next to her in her white wedding gown. He always tried to look so severe and inflexible… it certainly hadn't changed when he joined the military. But if one likes closer, they could see he was ready to cry.

Yawning again, she struggled out of bed, rubbing her talons through her messy head feathers before peaking over into the nearby crib and grasping its occupant. Or rather occupants, she hummed, reaching down and lifting the large egg. "Morning, little ones…." Pressing her cheek against the shell, listening to the two distinct heartbeats followed by two gentle kicks.

Giggling, she placed the egg back into the crib, heading to the bathroom to begin her morning rituals. The faint sounds of the pouring water could be heard from the shoilet. After a few moments, she existed the small room-shaking herself off under a towel fluffing up a bit before heading to a nearby closet opening it to reveal dark green coveralls with a yellow safety helmet.

Pulling it down, she stared at the Crosspoint detail on the back, a faint smirk forming on her beak before slipping into the uniform. Working her wings through the holes in the back before zipping it up. Once it was on, she slammed the helmet onto her head with the matching glasses. Glancing into the nearby mirror, she playfully stuck out her tongue at the somewhat silly-looking get-up; turning her attention to the clock, she sighed, heading back to the crib.

Slipping her precious cargo into an egg cozy, she cradled it close to her bosom as she made her way through the trailer. Glancing at the kitchen area, she briefly debated grabbing the leftover Chinese before seeing the time. "Well… I guess it's break room bagels again…."

Heading out the door, she awkwardly locked it before heading to the waiting Duzgo. Leaning over the passenger door, she set the egg into the baby seat, strapping it down tight. Once she was sure it was safe, she made her way to the opposite side; pulling down the visor, the keys fell down right into her talons. With a flick of the wrist, she started the engine and made her way out of the trailer park. Briefly glancing at her neighbors as she followed the twisting road, seeing many were just getting ready to leave for work.

She was already debating what to bring to the next pool party as she passed the communal pools and bbq pits. Imaging everything from the dreaded macaroni salad to bbq fish tacos. Suppressing the urge to drool as she pulled the car out onto the main drag. The drive to her job wasn't exciting, just the odd fast food place, diners, and gas stations lined the road.

Turning off, she quickly parked before The Shepard's Daycare Center. The building wasn't terribly flashy, a relatively simple wooden façade that made it seem more vintage than it was. With a gentle wood burn sign above it all, complete with a kindly-looking dragon Shepard next to it. Grasping her egg from the passenger seat, she quickly made her way inside. Fizzle was already waiting behind the desk, sipping his morning coffee catching a glimpse of the hippogriff; his eyes seemed to brighten.

"Silver! Good morning." He hummed gently while adjusting his Shepard-like uniform.

"Morning, Fizz." She hummed, heaving her egg onto the desk. "Just here to drop off." A friendly smile covering her face.

"Ah, the twins!" He chuckled, passing the paperwork over to her. "Have you decided on names yet? I feel so awkward not having anything else to call them." The dragon rubbed the back of his head.

"No… I'm waiting for Gallus to get back on leave…." She shook her head.

"Ah… I'm sorry, Silver… I know the laying wasn't easy without him…." He shook his head sadly, taking the egg carefully in his arms.

"It's alright; once he finishes his patrol, we'll have a whole month together." She said, trying to sound a bit more chipper.

"Heh… I hope he'll be at the BBQ this summer; he knows how to make some great punch." He winked. "Some pickup time as usual?"

"Naturally, thank you, Fizzle." She nodded her head, leaving just before the rush of over young parents came in.

After she pulled off the main road, the remaining drive was relatively short, heading out to a rather sparse forest. But as she drove, the trees eventually gave way to a large compound surrounded by high razor-wire fences. Stopped by her car at the gate, a bored-looking feline in a heavy ballistic vest leaned over. "Ah, morning Miss Silver…." He said after taking her ID badge, looking it over closely out of formality.

"Morning Juro, hope the summer heat isn't getting to you." Silver leaned out of her car, looking concerned.

"Eh… it's not too bad in the mornings… it's midday when it gets awful. Any word on when they can get an AC unit for the guard post?" He asked only half-jokingly.

"Well, if we get the Taiwan contract, I think I can convince the boss to spring for one." She hummed, taking her ID badge back.

"I hope so… rumor is this summer is gonna be the worst…." He mumbled, pressing the button, lowering the metal barricade.

Once it was out of the way, she drove into the large parking lot, pulling right up the personal parking space near the entrance to the large factory. Slipping out of the car, she quickly walked inside, barely paying attention as she moved through a second checkpoint. Making her way through the metal detectors, she pushed her way through the massive heavy metal double doors… and was greeted by a symphony of industry.

Countless machines worked around her; some turned brass cups into cases, others pressed out lead bullets, even primers we steadily spit out of others, before being fed into yet another, then put all together with a bit of powder to make the final product. Be it .223 or something as significant as .50 cal. The whole operation spanned at least a few blocks, and it was only the tiny arms portion of the facility!

Even the employees seemed to be mechanized to a degree; a lanky centaur passed by her without a word pushing a flatbed loaded down with crates of small munitions. At the far end of the vast building, a row of various tactilely gifted species and the odd human picked out defective rounds from a conveyor belt, tossing them to a bin. Those were just the most obvious, so many others simply blended into the background monitoring the occasionally dodgy Chinese machines for any issues.

Before she could take a moment to close her eyes and appreciate the variable symphony of work around her, a chubby zebra approached. "Oh! Miss Silverstream!"

Sighing, she quickly put on her professional demeanor. "Hello, Abiola. Are we on track for the South Korean NPA contract?"

The young Zebra glanced over a clipboard flipping through the pages. "The 9mm hollow point and 12 gauge rounds are within expectations… but we've run into an issue with the 5.8x42mm." He swallowed nervously.

"What's the issue? Those bullets make up nearly 35% of the contract; if we don't deliver, it could cost us the golden goose that's coming up." She tried to hide her concern, but old habits died hard. She was always expressive, after all. "If we can't ship, we lose those bonuses."

"It's quality control, ma'am; we're tossing nearly 25% of the rounds out because of defects!" The Zebra retreated a bit, feeling like he was being blamed.

"…Machine 6 was always a lemon… what are the options?" She mumbled, rubbing her beak in thought, a deep frown growing.

"The deadline was already tight… with the delays, I'm unsure we're going to make it. Maybe if we serviced number 6… but honestly, we'd likely have to break it down to the nuts and bolts… that could take weeks…." The Zebra flipped swallowed, knowing it wasn't what she wanted to hear.

"Is there any other way we could fix the issue? We don't have weeks to rebuild it!" She shook her head.

The Zebra's eyes darted side to side, attempting to come up with a solution. "I-I'll ask the engineers… maybe they can come up with something?…."

"Yes… just… go see…." She shook her head again.

The Zebra quickly rushed off, leaving the hippogriff in thought, sighing; she began to make her way to her office on the far end of the facility. Just as she started to fish out her keys, a tired-looking Arabian Stallion approached her from behind. "We have a situation, ma'am…."

"Yes, I know we're struggling to make the deadline for the NPA…." She shook her head, glancing at his nametag, seeing he was head of sales.

"Actually… it's about General Munitions…." His eyes shifted side to side as if worried someone else would overhear.

"Get in my office…." She shoved the door open and quickly sat at her desk, motioning for him to sit down.

The brown-coated stallion inhaled deeply, calming himself, putting on what could only be described as his game face.

"What's this about our largest customers in Civilian Arms?…." She clasped her talons together after collecting herself.

"They want to renegotiate their supply contract… they are complaining that the price we charge is above MSRP…." He stared into her eyes. "I told them they were paying for quality, but it's obviously wasn't enough…."

"They help even out our income… if we lose them, it will hurt our bottom line…." Silver exhaled.

"Well, I have some good news… they are willing to talk in person… Mel Bernstein, while unavailable, has given Spot authority to handle the matter…." The Arabian responded.

"When's the earliest we could meet?" Silverstream got right to the point.

"Lunchtime?… he's already made reservations at the Slaughterhouse Steakhouse…."

"That's awfully presumptuous…." Silver shook her head.

"Excuse my colorful language, but he knows he has us by the balls. General Munitions serves customers all over Lincoln, and much the American Westcoast, their more recent expansions into middle America only make them more valuable. If we lose them, someone else will take our place in a stamp." The brown-coated Arabian slammed his hoof down and shook his head. "Americans are using and stockpiling more than they ever did pre-convergence, just their sales of Surplus MREs is staggering!"

"Is there anything else I should know?…" She glanced at the Calendar on her desktop, seeing she lacked meetings. Part of her prayed a faint thank you for small miracles.

"Spot might be hot-headed… but he's dedicated to his job. Don't underestimate him; he's a lot smarter than he looks; he convinced the infamous White Tail militia to sell their famous Krupp Mountain Gun as a museum piece at a loss! Most people visit their shop just to get a photo op with the gun that helped terrorize General Stonehock in the Rocky Mountains Campaign. That thing brings in several thousand a week just sitting in front of a green screen!" Mumbled as he shook his head. "He also helped secure a lot of supply contracts with militia and National Guard groups from here to Montana!"

"Is there anything else I should know?…" Silverstream was struggling to suppress her growing anxiety over the situation.

"Well… he likes Jack Daniels?…."
———————————————————————-
United States
Lincoln
Madison Fields
Riverside Bachelor Flats
5:30 am

An alarm blared on a small nightstand centered between three beds arranged around it. After scarcely moments thought, three paws slammed down on the annoying device at once. Three sets of yellowed eyes then opened and stared at one another, seemingly waiting for something.

"… me first!" Rover burst from the covers, scrambling to the nearby bathroom only for his leg to be grabbed by his younger brother Fido.

"Nuh-uh! Me first!" The much larger dog dragged the lanky mutt backward while practically running over him.

Just as he cleared Rover, a much smaller mutt dashed between his legs, tripping him over. "Nice try! Me first!" Spot yelled only for his tail to be grasped.

"I'm the oldest! I should get to go first in the mornings!" Rover growled, trying to stop the smaller dog from reaching the bathroom.

"I'm the biggest!" Fido yelled as he tried to clear both of them, running over Rovers head, causing him to lose his grip.

At that point, Spot practically shot off like a rocket, zooming through his younger brother's legs and right into the bathroom. Making sure to slam the door right behind him just in time to meet Fido's muzzle. The two other dogs groaned in annoyance, knowing that once again, they would have to deal with lukewarm showers.

While Spot didn't take long, but the small water heater wasn't meant for three thickly furred individuals. They were still on a waitlist for an upgrade; even with the studio apartment, they were used to close quarters. Spot would eventually walk out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, looking rather smug while his two brothers began to fight over who was next.

The smaller dog headed back over to his bed, grasping a drawer below the mattress, and began to pull out his work clothes. Starting with a short sleeve collared white shirt, black pants, followed by a woolen vest. Glancing at the mirror near the door, he grasped a comb and began to comb the fur around his muzzle. Tilting his head side to side, he would eventually sigh, taking a bottle of mouthwash, swishing the burning substance in his maw before spitting it carelessly into the kitchen nook sink.

Just as he was about to walk out, he spotted Rover working into his fry cook outfit while Fido worked himself into his overalls and miners helmet. Before turning to leave, the walk down the hallway and stairs was rather dull, a faint smile on his muzzle. The brown hallways lacked many decors; once he was outside, things were far more interesting; he made his way to a small line of garages opposite the building. Pulling out his keys, he shoved them into the lock before lifting up the door, revealing what appeared to be a military green 1970s Minsk 125cc; sadly, despite the appearance, it was only a Chinese Knockoff he bought at auction.

Climbing up and slamming his surplus helmet on, he pulled out the kickstart and began kicking; it took a few tries to get the engine rumbling. Letting the engine rev for a few minutes be pulled out of the garage, turning out onto the road. He couldn't help but stick out his tongue a bit, enjoying the feel of the wind against his face. Once he had reached the country road, he began to open up the engine. Watching the after-market speedometer slowly tick upwards to 50mph.

Sadly this only brought his ride to a swifter end, as he could already see the vast warehouse-like building in the distance. Pulling into the sprawling parking lot, he pulled around the back of the building. He made sure to chain his bike up to a nearby rack, eventually fishing out his keys and opening the backroom door.

Opening it, he came to a second heavy metal gate for which he had to work through his key ring, opening the second door after letting the other close behind him. Once he was through the final door, he was greeted by the vast warehouse, crates upon crates filled with countless calibers, with others locked in cages filled with various firearms from Ruger to surplus weapons bought at Chinese auctions. Every now and then, he'd like to imagine how different things would have been if all Canids always had such weapons.

Shaking the dream away, he made his way over to a circuit breaker and began to switch on the power. Bright lights two stories above him switched on, bathing the sprawling shelves in an off-white glow. Closing the panel, he made his way deeper into the warehouse, heading to the workshop, wanting to see if the latest imports were ready for the showroom floor. Peaking through the reinforced windows, he saw a line of partially disassembled Type 67's on one of the tables. Snorting, he pulled out his phone and dialed the machinist.

"Come on, come on…." He mumbled under his breath, waiting for an answer.

"Hello?…" A tired voice echoed through the speaker.

"Mind telling me why I see 20 plus guns on the table still in pieces?" Spot rubbed his eyes, sighing.

"They were missing several components… I needed the approval to start machining them." The guy on the other end responded tiredly.

"What?… we paid for complete guns!" Stop growled angrily.

"Welp, half of the trigger mechanisms are missing… I can machine the missing parts easily enough, but I'm gonna need approval and the funds to do it." The man responded.

"How did this happen?…." Spot leaned against the wall muttering.

"My guess is that the pictures of the completed rifles were the sum total of the actual complete rifles in the cases… We might have been able to catch it earlier if we did the auction in person… the good news is that the bulk purchase of Type 56s was complete."

Spot nodded his head slowly; those were much easier to move. "Alright… I guess we can be thankful so small miracles…. How much will it cost to machine the missing parts?"

"I'd say… maybe a week or two… they aren't too complicated, it's really a matter of how close to the original you want them to be… flawless matches would take longer then… say using what I already have around the shop…" he seemed to take a moment to respond.

"What about if we split the difference? Made them look like original parts at first or second glance?"

"I'd say…. 30-50 bucks each?" He responded.

Spot crunched the numbers in his head. "I think we can live with that…."

"Alright… I'll get to work on machining today…." The man yawned again.

"See you do…." Spot quickly hangs up, making his way towards the showroom.

Opening the door, he was greeted by a sight that seemed like a combination of Mad Max's Alamo, with a hint of an Arms bazaar. Making his way past the counter and the numerous racks of rifles and cases of handguns. Walking around the large room, he would occasionally stop and straighten a stack of MREs or polishing a meter on a radio. He even took a moment to inspect the small cannon that sat in the center of it all, gazing over the photographs of its past owners in combat. Making his way to the entrance, he stopped to rest his hands on his hips, taking a deep breath as he looked over it all. Once he soaked it all in, he unlocked the door making his way to the counter, glancing at his phone to see a message. Once he sat down on the stool, he opened it, a big smirk formed on his face.
———————————————————————
United States
Lincoln
Madison Valley
Slaughterhouse Steakhouse
12:17 pm

Silverstream fidgeted in her rented suit, not entirely comfortable in the stifling outfit. But tried to keep her look of professionalism while clutching a gift basket of Jack Daniels as she made her way inside. The Steakhouse inside was filled with mouthwatering smells and had a ranch esthetic that fit in well. There was just one thing out of place with the scenery… numerous humans and other species in suits sitting at the various tables talking business. Futures were in the area were made and lost in this restaurant over steak and baskets of bread.

Before she could say a word, the hostess beat her the punch. "Ah, I believe your Spots plus one?" She young woman asked cheerily.

"… Yes, actually…" Silver smiled to try to hide her surprise.

"Wonderful! Please follow me." The woman grabbed a menu and lead her deeper into the restaurant, passing numerous booths before seeing the small dog.

Unlike her, he wore a more casual outfit, jeans, and a sport coat, not particularly flashy. It was one of the few times Silver felt like the overdressed one; oddly, it felt worse than when it was the other way around. "Good Evening, Spot. I look forward to our meal."

"I do as well, order what you wish; it's on me today," Spot said while lifting his own menu.

Silver nodded appreciatively as she sat down and looked over the options. While she usually learned more on a pescatarian diet… she did enjoy the occasional bit of red meat. "I've never been here before… what would you recommend?"

"The Walker is always popular," Spot said while setting down his menu, glancing at the basket Silver rested on the seat.

"I'll take your word for it…." She set down her menu.

A waitress came and took their orders, quickly coming back with their drinks. Spot sipped his coke gingerly, not seeming particularly worried about what they had come here to do. Just intent on enjoying the cool glass.

"So…what can I do to keep you on as a client?" Silver clasped her talons together

"Ah… right to business… much better than ponies…." He swirled his glass for a moment before reaching into his pocket before resting a 12.7x108mm cartridge on the table. "How much do you think this costs?"

"I'd say… somewhere between $3 or 4?…." She did some rough calculations.

"Yes… when we buy from you…." He set a second seemingly identical round on the table. "How much do you think this one cost?"

"The same?" Silver was unsure what he was getting at.

"Wrong… less than $1 sometimes even as low as 25 cents." Spot leaned forward. "Do you understand what I'm getting at?"

"Your talking about surplus munition from China…." Silver began to put the pieces together.

"Mhm… they are auctioning everything they have just to keep the lights on in Beijing… it's not difficult to source from them." Spot gently toyed with the surplus round with one of his clawed fingers.

"…. You really think they can match our quality?… What about when it runs dry? You're not the only one taking scoops from the rice pot; it's only a matter of time until the shamoji starts scraping the bottom…." She pushed the basket over.

Spot raised an eyebrow pulling the basket over. Silver could almost see his eyes brighten. "True… but there are other manufacturers who offer better prices…."

"You mean Evergreen Ammo, with their notoriously high operations cost deficit? Or what about Minnesota Munitions with their worker strike that's on its 8 month anniversary? Oh, don't tell me your betting on Beaver Ballistics!" She chuckled, only have jokingly. "We're the best in town, and you know it."

Spot raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you are, maybe you aren't, but don't pretend our relationship is one-sided. We're the biggest retailer in the US and still growing!"

"Exactly… we need each other… being the biggest retailer of arms means little if the shelves are empty…." Silver smiled, glancing at the bottle. "But if your so concerned about the price of our products… how about we negotiate…."

Spot eyed the bottle, grinning. "Ohhhh, I like where this is going… I'm willing to go as high as… $1.50 a round with a 40 percent decrease in price for the others."

"I couldn't possibly go any lower than $2.00 and 20 percent decrease…." Silver crossed her arms.

"Well, we are at an impasse…." Spot pulled out the bottle and motioned for the waitress to bring two shot glasses. "How about we settle it with a game?"

"Oh, before we eat? Your sure that's wise?" Silver watched the glasses get set on the table before Spot began to pour.

"It will make it go much faster." Spot set the bottle down. "But it only matters if your willing to play."

"I studied under the premier party p-... creature." Silver leaned forward, smiling widely after catching herself.

"And learned to drink every dog in my clan under the table when I was 12!" He grasped the glass, smirking, looking deep into her eyes.

"One….two…..three!" They counted together and took a slug…Then again…and again… and again.

8 shots in Silver realized regardless of the size difference, Spot was holding his own. The small dog didn't seem bothered at all; meanwhile, the alcohol was just starting to catch up to her. Up, swallow, down, pour, they two of them repeated like machines, taking turns filing the glasses. Something that was steadily getting harder for her to do cleanly. But it seemed the shots were finally catching up to the canid across from her.

"N-Mmmmf… y-you ready to submit h-half breed?" Spot struggled to keep his composure, but his flushed cheeks showed his blood-alcohol level was rising.

"Not… on your l-life…. Mutt!" She took another slug after he poured.

The two of them were so focused on their little game they hadn't even noticed my meals had arrived. Two vast medium-rare porterhouse steaks sat untouched while the sides of potatoes, peas, and carrots began to cool. But neither one of them cared; it seemed even the business deal had become just noise in the background. They grew increasingly competitive, wanting to see who would relent first, like a game of chicken. Eventually, Silver would try to pour another round… was it the 15th?… or 18th?… she wasn't sure… only to realize the bottle was empty.

Spot raised his paw, motioning for the waitress to come back. "Bring… R-Rotgut…" He slurred a bit while Silver became nervous; this dog was at least as drunk as she was… but still happy to go on!

The waitress would quickly come back with a clay jug capped off with a large cork. Just looking at it made her heart sink, even she wasn't sure if she could keep going with that foul drink. He began to pour the clear liquid into the glasses, a smell that could be easily compared to jet fuel… with a hint of salmonberry of all things. Just bringing the glass up to her nose made her wince, but she opened her beak and swallowed just in time.

About a quarter way through the jug, the two of them were reaching their limit. The hippogriff and Diamond dog increasingly lean on the table to support themselves while visibly struggling to keep the toxic drink down. Both of them having to suppress heaving while staring the other down, hoping the other would buckle first…

"Looking…. L-light… S-Spot…." Silver wobbled a bit in her seat, glancing down at the glass while the dog struggled to pour the oddly colored drink into the glass.

"H-heh…. You… l-look ready…. To drop! G-give in!" Spot finally managed to fill the two glasses, while the drinking got slower, neither one stopped. But just as the jug began to reach the halfway point, Spot stopped. "$1.60….and… hic… 35 percent…." He looked at her.

Silver had to take a moment to register what he said before swallowing. "$1.80…25 percent…."

"…..$1.70… and 25 percent…final offer…." Spot stared into her eyes.

Silver stared back for a few moments before nodding. "Alright…." After that, they both blacked out.
———————————————————————
Silver began to slowly come too… with the strong taste of steak favored vomit filling her mouth, making her gag. Pushing herself up from the toilet, she struggled to open her eye to see where she was. The familiar walls of her bathroom surrounded her, though she couldn't remember how she got home. Looking back down in the bowl, she saw about 30-40 dollars worth of steak alone filling the container. Shuttering, she flushed it down before pushing herself back against the closed door, huffing a bit. As she steadily became more aware of her surroundings, the annoying blaring of her phone became increasingly hard to ignore.

Feeling around for the door handle, she rolled out of the bathroom, seeing her coveralls by the bed. Dragging herself over, she grasped the phone from the pocket and placed it to her ear. "Y-ya?…"

The worried voice of Fizzle filled her ears. "Silver?! Where are you? I've been trying to reach you for hours!" His shriek voice hammered into her hangover.

"W-what?… what time is it?…." She mumbled, letting out a beak cracking yawn.

"9:23 pm!"

Silvers's bloodshot eyes widened as she glanced at her phone and cursed. "I'll be there in 15…."

"Nope… I'm driving over." Fizzle responded before she could hang up.

"N-no, it's fine." Silver leaned against the wall as she held her phone.

"You're hungover; you shouldn't even be near a car right now." Fizzle said firmly. "I'll be there in 15…" the dragon hanged up before she could argue.

Staggering to the door, she sat on the steps watching, attempting to massage away her headache. After a while, the sound of a large SUV could be heard as the dragon pulled up. Once his car was parked, the pale dragon stepped out, pulling the large egg with him. "Evening Silver…." He yawned, looking somewhat exhausted, not doubt of handling screaming children for 12 hours.

"Fizzle, I'm so sorry I-"She was cut off by the dragon raising his hand.

"Silver, I get it… I know how your job is; Martha told me all about your meeting at the Slaughterhouse…." He gave her a faint smirk. "Taking on Spot? I'm impressed…."

"H-how the pluck did she know!?" Silver looked horrified.

"Language!" He nodded his head to the egg. "Oh come on, you know that woman hears everything… also, it doesn't help you were seated right next to her." He raised a scaly eyebrow.

"Hmmmmf…. She should mind her own business…." Silver muttered, crossing her forelegs.

"Come on, she doesn't mean any harm… she was impressed you held your own. Keep in mind that's coming from the biggest realtor in the county! That has to mean something." Fizzle handed over the egg.

"Doesn't make her any less nosey…." She pouted before nuzzling her egg.

"No… no, it doesn't…." Fizzle shook his head, chuckling, turning to head back to the car only to be stopped by Silver grasping his tail. "Hmm?"

"Before you go…." She made her way back into the trailer, setting her egg in the cradle before coming back with her purse. "Let me pay you for the extra time…."

"Silver, it's not-"The look on her face made him swallow those words. "O-ok…"

She dug through her purse, eventually pulling out a small wad of cash pushing it into the dragon's claws. "Fizzle… thanks for watching the twins… I'm sorry I put you in that position…."

"Silver… the twins are the easiest kids I have to watch! It's no trouble, I promise!" He hugged her tight. "Have a good night, alright?"

"I will…" She smiled, hugging him back before letting the drake pull away. Eventually heading back into the trailer before peaking out the window watching him drive off.

Just when she was about to collapse into bed, the obnoxious beeping of her RPi 400 computer pulled her attention from the pillows. Mumbling, she reached over to the nearby table, hitting her talons against the small Bluetooth keyboard, attempting to shut it up. Only to inadvertently switch on the zoom call…

"Silver!" The voice of Gallus filled her ears.

"O-oh Gallus! S-sorry, it's a bit late!" She struggled to sit up, trying to hide the fact she looked ready to collapse.

"I know… but I managed to get a signal out here and wanted to check up on you and the kids…." A smile formed on his beak. "I'm sorry I wasn't there…." A frown started to form.

"Gallus…. Neither one of us even knew we could have kids! We couldn't possibly have planned for this." She shook her head, scooting closer to the camera.

"Still…" He was about to continue only to be cut off by Silver.

"Uh-huh… I won't hear you blame yourself when there's nothing you can do about it." She puffed out her cheeks and stared into his eyes as best she could. "You're a navy gryphon; you have a job to do; just be happy you'll be back for when they hatch." A weak smile formed on her own beak.

"I guess your right… how was work today?" He asked, seeming to relax a bit.

"Well… nothing special… I just managed to keep someone on as a client…." She shrugged, giggling a bit.

"Heh… I'm willing to bet it was a bit more interesting than that…." He leaned forward a bit.

"How can you tell?…." She looked surprised.

"Bloodshot eyes, ruffled feathers, and somehow… I can smell the booze through the screen." He deadpanned.

"I… might have gone to the Slaughterhouse… and it got a little outa hand…." She rubbed the back of her head, blushing.

"Silver…" He shook his head. "I hope you didn't drive like that… especially with the kids…."

"N-no no… I'm pretty sure I was towed home…." She avoided eye contact. "Fizzle brought the twins home for me… so.. they didn't have to hear all that…."

"Towed?…" He didn't seem to like that much better.

"Well ya… a lot of business creatures get a little… tipsy at that place!" She giggled a bit. "They probably called Tipsy Tow for me… like most patrons…."

Gallus muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Just promise you won't do any business deals involving that kinda drinking until I'm back?…."

"I promise." She giggled a bit. "You worry too much…."

"I think I worry plenty, Silver…." Gallus crossed his forelegs.

"Hmmm… soooo… what have you been up to?" Silver pouted a bit in response, trying to change the subject.

"Mostly just patrol… thankfully I've been able to fly a bit more… it's not quite the same as… before but… the Grumman Otter is pretty fun to pilot..." He looked distracted.

"Gallus… is it about you-" The look he gave made her drop it.

"It's fine… just a long patrol…." He exhaled tiredly.

"Did you find anything out there?" She tilted her head to the side.

"The usual… out of place Chinese fishing boats, cargo ships, a drunken party boat miles off course…." He shook his head.

"They're still doing that? Wait… drunken party boat?" She looked surprised.

"Mhm, we had to escort them back to Chinese waters…. Cause the Japanese Fleet was itching to try their new McKinley Destroyers…." He rubbed the bridge of his beak. "They're used to fishing with impunity…."

"Well ya… that's all over the news… especially after what happened in Colombia… but what's this about a Party Boat?" She looked curious.

"Well… apparently, some people still don't know the difference between cruise control and autopilot… morons got piss drunk and left the thing running through the night… they had been adrift for days living off cold cocktail wieners and deviled eggs… oh and BuzzBallz… a lot of BuzzBallz."

"Why was it your guy's problem?"

"Several days with nothing to drink but alcohol and salty snacks? It was a miracle they weren't dead when we found them! I doubt they would have lasted another few hours…." He shook his head. "What is with stupid creatures and water?"

"I dunno… apparently, Florida is full of them…." Gallus chuckled.

"Ohhhh, that sounds like a fun trip~…." She giggled.

"I'm sure when the twins are old enough, we could visit… I'm sorry I can't call more often, Silver…." Gallus rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable.

"Your working Gallus, you don't have to explain anything… all you have to do is look forward to leave." Silverstream smiled tiredly at her husband.

"Can… I see the twins?…." He asked, smiling faintly.

Silver nodded her head, leaving the camera's view for a moment before coming back with the large egg. Holding it up for the camera with a small smile, Gallus meanwhile seemed close to tearing up.

Silver hummed happy, despite the hour.
———————————————————————
United States
Lincoln
Madison Fields
Riverside Bachelor Flats
10:47 pm

Spot stumbled down the hallway, brushing against the walls before finally finding his door. Digging into his clothes, he eventually found the key and started to try and shove it into the lock, taking a few tries before he got it right. Nearly falling toward, he stumbled into the apartment seeing his two brothers already passed out in their respective beds. Working to the kitchen nook, he started to pour himself a glass of water before collapsing into a chair, glancing at a nearby wall. His blurred vision just managing to focus on a small black and white photograph of the three of them… so long ago. Despite torn edges and faded print, one could easily see the three were much younger, weary smiles covering their faces. They bunched together with River holding a deed, which was hung next to the photo… the deed to Ponyville Flats, and more importantly, the mining claim. 

Despite the poor image quality, the eyes said everything… three pups who had lost everything. Poor Fido had a forced smirk, but looking at the sides of his eyes, one could just see the tears threatening to leak out, Rover stood firm.. as he always had, putting on a brave face, but it wasn't hard to see through it… even Spot himself looked ready to sob in the photo. Just above the photograph as a framed newspaper article from the Fillydelphia Gazette, scarcely a blurb but its contents told it all. "Fillydelphia Train Tunnel Collapses, over 100 Canid Laborers Dead!", despite the seriousness of it… it was scarcely 200 words, all of which the three of them had memorized. 193 words… turning a tragedy into a hit piece, blaming the laborers for the collapse… but all Canids knew the truth… supplier raised the price of buttresses, ponies didn't wanna pay.

Sipping his water, he remembered that white-coated and brown maned stallion at the office. Offering them peanuts to sign a waiver and non-disclosure agreement… pups barely out of school… with so many others, all pressured into signing the contract not knowing just what they were entitled to… Rover did… he fought… they didn't get more money… but they did get an old claim… it wasn't much, but it was better when the others. Part of him wondered what happened to the stallion… a faint smile imagining him wasting away on the Reservation, though being a city pony, he was more than likely long dead…

Profits were lean… but they survived for years; Rover pledged they wouldn't work for ponies like their parents did… Despite the hardships, they managed to grow the operations, soon having more than 10 other canids working for them… then the White Unicorn came and ruined everything… Signs were posted.. though they couldn't afford a fence… they tried chasing her off… she always came back… then Rover saw how she could locate gems… Despite their success… it was instinctual to want more, but deeper… she reminded them of that stallion… the coat and smell… he would be a liar if he said he didn't enjoy making her pull the carts instead of one of their own… but it wasn't meant to be, her friends came and "rescued" her. A few weeks later, news spread about how Diamond Dog Mining kidnapped an Element of Harmony… they didn't know! It's not like newspapers were delivered to the flats, and they avoided pony settlements as much as they could, just ordering supplies from a catalog. It wasn't worth the trouble of going to Ponyvillle; they couldn't even handle a zebra after all. Many of their clients pulled out or demanded lowered rates… when they were already below market!

It was a stupid plan… it was only through Princess Luna's pity they avoided the dungeons… but the rumor mills and tabloids did plenty more damage. Still, they survived… up until Convergence… he was thankful Rover was able to hide these few things in the old mines… it wasn't much… but it reminded them where they began… smirking faintly, he saw a more recent photo. It was taken less than a year ago of the three of them all in uniform, of all the things he imaged Rover doing, being a glorified fry cook wasn't something he had ever expected… But that confident smile told him his elder brother was happy, maybe for the first time since their parents passed. Fido was a simple Canid, becoming a heavy equipment operator at the Devils Pits Mines, ferrying ponies deep below the ground to work and moving countless tons of sulfur ore, he'd likely never leave the tunnels… then finally himself. If anyone told him he'd be making the most of all of them, he doubted he would have believed it… but while he could afford his own place… in fact, they all could… they couldn't bear to be apart…

Finishing his water, he set the glass in the sink, slowly sneaking to his bed, slipping under the covers hearing the familiar snores of his brothers. Closing his eyes, he was out like a light, the clock in the center of the three beds slowly counting down to when the day began all over again.
> Rarity (Part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln
Perry's Bay
Little Hong Kong
Silken Thread Tailors
6:33 AM 

Rarity clumsily reached out of the shower stall after shutting off the water, grasping a thin towel before closing herself back inside. After a few moments, she slowly stepped out, hanging the soaked towel back on the rack. Lighting up her horn, she pulled her purple coveralls from the hanger on the door, lazily slipping her legs into the sleaves before tugging the zipper up to her neck. Turning her attention to the mirror, she used a washcloth to clean the fog from the glass, frowning deeply at what she saw.

Her mane was thin and flat, with white roots just starting to peak from her scalp. Grumbling, she began to run a brush through her hair, straightening it out and working it into a bun. Setting it back down, she tried to ignore the bags under her red, irritated eyes. After applying some blush and eyeliner from the dollar shop, the former fashionista slipped on a pair of cheap rose-colored glasses from the cupboard covering her eyes. 

"Sweetie Belle, if you want breakfast, you better wake up..." Rarity spoke as she pushed her way out of the small bathroom to the studio apartment. In the far corner, a solitary mattress rested in the sparse room, where a pile of knitted blankets sat. She gently poked the wool mound, making her way over, feeling something stir within.

Sweetie slowly dug herself out from the blankets, brushing her mane from her eyes. "Mmmmf, what's for breakfast?" She rolled herself off the mattress. 

Rarity trotted over to the improvised cooking nook, pulling out some malt-o-meal. Sweetie looked disappointed as she started to pour a jug of water into a pan on a rusty butane stove, taking a few tries to get the flame lit. "It will be a moment..." She watched the water in the pot.

"Can't I have the oatmeal with dinosaur eggs?" Sweetie gave a pleading expression to her elder sister.

"You ate the last packages yesterday." Rarity said as she started to pour the powder into the bubbling water.

"What about Dyno-Bites?" Sweetie frowned.

"We're... out of those too." Rarity kept her eyes to the pot avoiding the urge to look over at the splinted bread box where she stashed the sugary cereal. 

The filly just nodded her head dejectedly, making her way to a stained folding table nearby. Rarity sighed, thankful her younger sister didn't press further as she started to pour the thick off-white goop into two bowls, adding just a little brown sugar to each. Grabbing them in her magic, she brought them over to the table and sat down opposite too her sister. Dipping her spoon into the malt, she started to stir in the sugar before taking a bite. 

Sweetie, meanwhile, just lazily stirred her spoon in the bowl with her hoof. Hearing her sister clear her throat, she quickly started to shovel the barely sweetened slop into her maw. She tried to avoid making a face while eating, obviously missing her usual breakfasts. But Dyno Bites, Eggo Waffles, and Trix Yogurt weren't the healthiest options.

Glancing at the cheap wall clock, Rarity pushed herself up from the table after dusting off her coveralls. "I'm going to go to work, be good at school, Sweetie..." The older mare smiled gently at her younger sister and washed their plastic dishes.

The filly just hummed but nodded her head. "I'll try, I guess..." Sweetie stood up from her seat, yawning a bit.

Rarity gave her a gentle smile watching her grab her colorful patchwork bag. "Do you have your homework, lunch money, notebooks, and pencil box?" She looked serious.

Sweetie unzipped her bag and looked. "Uhhhh..."

Rarity rolled her eyes as she dug into her uniform, pulling out $5 from her pocket. "Please try to get a few of the healthy options for lunch." She ruffled her younger sister's lengthened mane.

Sweetie just nodded her head as she slipped the money into a hidden pocket in her book bag before slipping it back on. "Ok..."

The two of them made their way to the door and slipped out, making their way down the narrow stairs, finding themselves surrounded by an odd mix of washing machines, ironing boards, and hanging fabrics. Pulling a key ring from her pocket, Rarity unlocked the back door, kissing her baby sister on the head before letting her slip out. She stood by the exit, her sensitive ears listening, eventually letting out a sigh once her sister's hoof falls were gone.

Stepping away from the door, she glanced at the cubby above a mechanical time clock. Standing on her back hooves, she grabbed the binder and flipped through it, smiling, seeing that the schedules were greyed out for today. Biting her lip, she set the booklet back onto the wall as she made her way back to the apartment. Sighing gently, she made her way back up the stairs to the apartment, making sure to lock the door behind her. 

Biting her lip, she glanced around the room before making her way to the bathroom. Opening the cupboard under the sink, she started to jimmy the false bottom revealing a cigarette box. Pulling it out, she slipped off her uniform before laying down in the shower. Grasping the zipper in her magic, she slowly opened it staring at the contents.

A neat little bag of what seemed to be clear plastic eppy pens stared back at her, each filled with a mysterious red fluid. Using her magic to levitate one of the strange vessels, she was arguing with herself, biting her lip until it bled as tears began to leak out the side of her eyes. Flicking off the plastic cap, she looked at the tiny needle that just barely peeked out of the button. She took a deep breath and held her breath before turning her head to the side.

"I-I just... need to remember..." The white mare sniffed as she jammed the syringe into her neck, plunging the drug into her veins before tossing it aside. 

Slipping down onto the cheap plastic floor, she shivered as the drugs burned through her veins and into her brain. Her eyes dilated before rolling back into her head, before convulsing and foaming at the mouth. Then as quickly as it started, it stopped her breath slow and rhythmic as if she was sleeping, though her eyes raced under her eyelids. A faint smile began to form on her lips as she began to dream of better days long past.
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State of Lincoln
Perry's Bay
Little Hong Kong
Anna May Wong Elementary
8:16 AM

Sweetie Belle sat at the back of the bus holding her bag close, attempting to look as small as possible to avoid any attention. Sadly that was easier said than done, considering she was the only pony on the bus. Humans and non-humans all around her chatted while giving the filly a wide birth. Many of the seats had three or more students squished together to avoid sitting next to her, still being ignored was better than the usual bullying.

Glancing out the window, she saw the school approach; the building was three stories tall and was made of bright red brick, giving it a more vintage feel. Felling the bus pull to a stop against the curb, she carefully peeked out from behind the seat in front of her watching the students mill out. Once the last few made their way off, she quickly scamped down the aisle, trying to ignore the unfriendly look of the driver.

Sweetie kept her eyes to the ground as she made her way through the school's heavy doors. The hallways weren't much better, though, as the students around her avoided her at all costs. Keeping her eyes down, she focused on getting to class, turning into one of the rooms where pristine new desks waited. Looking at the front of the room with longing, she shook her head, making her way to the far corner, slumping into her desk just before the other children began to enter and take their seats. But unlike the bus, some had no choice but to sit next to her; many shoved and pushed. Attempting to get desks away from her, eventually, they would settle down as the teacher's heavy shoes could be heard against the tile floors. 

None of the students around would even grace the filly with so much as a passing glance. They were sitting at the edge of their seats as if expecting her to attack at any moment. Thankfully she didn't have much time to think about it as a tall elderly Twiawanese man made his way into the classroom. He wore a worn but well-maintained two-piece suit, deep frown lines, and wrinkles covered his face, with round gold-rimmed glasses resting on his crooked nose. His heavy footfalls echoed through the classroom before he stopped before the whiteboard.

Setting a heavy briefcase down on his desk, he cleared his throat; Sweetie swore she could see dust coming out of his mouth before he spoke in a faintly accented voice. "Take out a piece of blank notebook paper; you will have 5 minutes to write an essay about what you did last weekend." His grave eyes gazed over the classroom. "No less than a paragraph, spelling and grammatical errors will be marked down..." He raised his hand, watching the clock, waiting for the minute hand to hit 12. "Begin..." 

The frantic scribbling of pencils followed, many of the filly's classmates freezing up as their minds drew a blank on what to write. Those writing would often go back and erase half of their work, panicking as they tried to decide what punctuation they needed to use. Sweetie, meanwhile, seemed rather bored as she wrote, even limited to using her mouth; she was miles ahead of those around her. While her weekend wasn't much to write about, she knew how to do well in these little tests. 

If you panicked, you already failed, write what you know, but if you wanted full credit, you needed to use advanced words from the spelling tests. She focused on writing about the trip they took to Clemens Park, repressing the urge to call it White Tail Woods. Even with the new trees, the park was one of the few places the filly felt truly at peace. As she wrote, she made sure to use words like greensward and burdeon to ensure she got full credit.

As she dotted the period to finish the second paragraph, Mr. Tao bellowed harshly. "Pencils down."

Sweetie did so without a second thought; still, others tried to sneakily add more to their papers, thinking they would get it past him. Walking around the classroom, he collected each student's work, occasionally making a point to tear cheater's papers in half. All while giving a look that made the offender shrink into their desk before moving on. When he approached her desk, she just avoided eye contact, kept her eyes forward, and hooves on her desk. Pretending she didn't feel his eyes burning a hole into her head, holding her breath.

He glanced at her paper before moving back to the front of the classroom. Setting the tests on his desk before beginning to write on the whiteboard. "Pull out your Math Workbooks." He commanded.

Sweetie quickly pulled it out, along with her notebook. Math wasn't her favorite subject for a myriad of reasons, it was boring, hard, and it always felt like it took forever. Still, she fought the urge to daydream as she followed the teacher's work on the board, attempting to make sense of it as they began polynomials.
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Rarity hummed cheerily as she daintily nicked a few stitches in Mr. Riches suit, the entrepreneurial stallion having enjoyed a few too many sweets over Hearths Warming. As she did the dull alteration, she couldn't help but imagine doing something more interesting like making a new dress for the Galla or perhaps designing something for Fleur de Lis. As she let her mind wander, she heard a faint tearing sound that pulled her back.

Looking down, she couldn't help but chastise herself for letting the seam ripper pierce the fabric. Carefully pulling it out, she brought the hole close to her face looking closely, making a faint tsk sound; she absentmindedly began threading a needle. Once primed, the seamstress carefully sealed the tear with the cloud thread, making the mistake nearly invisible. Taking one last careful look, she set the suit down on her table to look out the window.

The sun had just reached its peak outside, shining brightly over Ponyville. With the sounds of the market just barely muffled through the glass windows, with numerous local ponies milling about. Taking a deep breath, she worked herself to her hooves and stretched, afterward making her way out of her shop. Slipping past some decorative curtains to her living area, where her kitchen hid from prying eyes.

Clicking her tongue, Rarity opened the cupboards, looking through the stock. Looking at various jars of preserves, she licked her lips before looking around the room for prying eyes. Grabbing a box of "diet" oatcakes in her magic, she carefully pulled out a glass canister filled with Zap Apple Jam. "Perfect, and withou-"

"I knew we had some left!" The familiar squeaky voice of her little sister squealed.

Resisting the urge to face hoof herself for getting caught with her hidden supply. "I suppose you want some too, Sweetie?" She turned her head, seeing the filly peeking out from her hiding place behind the wall curtains. "Shouldn't you still be in school?" Rarity raised an eyebrow as she spread the jam over some rolls.

"We were let out early because of the apprenticeships..." She mumbled, looking down as she kicked her forehoof.

"I see; still having some trouble finding the right niche, dear?" Rarity levitated the prepared rolls to the small table.

Sweetie nodded, climbing up to her chair before collapsing her face into the dark stained table. "Mhm...I thought it got easier after getting a cutie mark...." 

Rarity sided, shaking her head. "I wish it did; finding a way to apply it to paying work can be harder for some at times..." She took a bite of her roll, resisting the urge to moan at the wonderful taste. "Have you thought about career counseling?..."

"That's what we did all day!" Sweetie looked unamused as she began to nibble at her snack.

"No, no, I mean becoming a career counselor?" Rarity offered as she wiped the crumbs from her muzzle.

"That was the first thing I thought of..." 

"Oh?"

"Aquamarine got it first, and it's her mom, so..."

"Ah." Rarity understood plenty. "Likely doesn't want any competition in town for her daughter... we could try looking... outside of Ponyville?"

"But... But..." Sweetie frowned. "That means I'd have to leave..." 

Rarity looked at her sympathetically. "I know it's not ideal, but Pinkie, Fluttershy, and myself left home for our apprenticeships..." She reached out a hoof and gently grasped her sisters. "It's not so bad, and it's a great growing experience; who knows, maybe it will just be the next town over?"

Sweetie just nodded her head sadly as she took a bigger bite of her roll. "I guess..." She looked a bit more hopeful.

Rarity was about to say something else as she got up from her chair, but just as the words began to form, she began to choke. Grasping her throat, she struggled for air as she collapsed from her chair, like drowning before she started to spasm. But instead of hitting the floor, she watched as it fell away to an inky black void. The mare desperately tried to scream, only for her head to hit something solid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Lincoln 
Perry's Bay
Little Hong Kong
Silken Thread Tailors
9:35 AM

Rarity opened her eyes to a very different world, gazing up at the tacky golden ceiling of her boss's business. A vile taste of vomit filled her mouth, with the sticky bile trailing down her muzzle. Raising her hoof, she gently wiped it away; rolling herself off her back, she laid there for a while. An unreadable expression on her face as she turned her head; she saw the slightly crushed plastic trash bin. 

Rubbing the back of her head, she winced, feeling a small cut. Mumbling, she pulled her hoof away, looking at the mess she had made. An empty jar of dye had spilled over the floor, along with what seemed to be raw cotton. Slowly a look of horror began to form on her face as she stumbled over to the partially crushed trash bin before retching the bright purple dye and bits of cotton into the bucket. Shuttering as she hugged it close to her with her forelegs, it was hard to know how long she sat there. 

Struggling to breathe as she heaved, she turned her shaking head to the nearby wall clock, staring at the hands. Her drug-induced hazy mind worked to make sense of the hands. "....9:37? No, no, it should have lasted longer..." She shakenly worked to her hooves, stumbling to the maintenance closet. 

Rarity leaned against the slop sink, waiting for the room to stop spinning. She kept her eyes screwed shut, clumsily reaching for the faucet, turning on the water before dunker her head under. Feeling the cold water rush through her shortened mane, eventually turning to the side as she began to drink, desperately trying to get the disgusting taste from her mouth. Taking another mouthful, swished it around before spitting it back out, hesitantly looking up into the mirror.

What stared back was a far cry from her memories of days long past; her makeup had begun to run down her cheeks. Eyes were bloodshot, with deep backs being revealed under her white blush. Splashing her face once more with some water before mumbling to herself. "Best clean my mess..."

The mare grabbed the mop bucket and started to fill it with cleaner, humming to herself faintly as she watched the off yellow container fill. Shutting off the hose and dragged it to the mess she left before she started to clean silently. She is trying to keep her mind focused on the work instead of her growing concerns. Once the last of her vomit was cleaned, the mare grabbed the trash and carried it to the back door, slowly opening it and peaking out before making her way to the dumpster. Opening the lid, she tossed the bag in and slammed it shut, slipping back into the shop. 

She took a deep breath and climbed the stairs to the improvised studio apartment, wanting to clean herself off. Making her way through the sparse room, she stumbled into the bathroom, pulling off her coveralls and collapsing into the shower, wrenching the knob as cold water poured over her. Rarity didn't bother with any grace or decorum, instead content to sprawl as she felt the water slowly heat up. Eventually, opening her eyes to watch the water flow down the drain. Snorting her mane from her nose, blinking slowly as she rolled over onto her back. Signing as the heated water soothed the aches that always followed her little... recreational hobby.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Lincoln 
Perry's Bay
Little Hong Kong
Anna May Wong Elementary
10:21 AM

Sweetie Belle stared at the clock as the second hand seemed to move at a crawl; the rest of the class was still finishing their readings. Looking back at her paper, she read over the questions carefully, ensuring that she answered everything to the best of her ability while avoiding any mistakes. As she finished the last question, Mr. Tao cleared his throat, tapping his desk almost robotically; students stood from their desks and began to march. A pile of papers quickly formed on his desk, the teacher looking sternly. 

"You may leave for a recess." He announced to the class just as Sweetie Belle set her paper down, avoiding eye contact as she made her way outside. The trot to the playground was hampered by the veritable zoo of bodies. Keeping close to the walls as countless species shoved their way to the fields, slipping out the double doors. She looked longingly at the busy playground equipment as she picked up her pace to a quiet corner of the grounds. Far away from the unfriendly looks of the teachers and the unwelcomed stares of her fellow students.

A faint smile formed on her face seeing the flowers through the chainlink fence. The meadow on the other side was so peaceful looking, but one thing that she could never get tired of looking at was the Aura Poisies. Despite their name, they were actually weeds, something she never thought twice about as she played with her friends, carelessly trampling over them. Sniffing, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, taking a moment to enjoy their familiar scent. Fuzzy memories of better days long past began to rise to the surface of her mind, but just as something began to take shape, something grabbed her mane and shoved her down into the mud. Squealing, she found her mouth filled with dirt; just as she started to try and stand back up, a swift kick knocked her back down. 

"Hey, look, it's true, unicorns can drill into the ground!" The gruff voice of Animosity chuckled.

Sweetie Belle guardedly raised her eyes to see the Storm Creature looking down at her. His face was covered with a black iron mask that his blue eyes glowed through while dressed in simple dark blue shorts and a collared shirt. "Hey, Animo..." She quickly lowered her eyes away from his, knowing better than maintaining eye contact with him. 

He snorted in response, unimpressed by her reaction, grabbing her neck and shoving her against the fence. "What's wrong? Don't you want to play?" He growled as two human boys peaked out from behind, both seeming to stare in the distance.

Sweetie Belle just stared blankly at them, shrugging her shoulders. This only seemed to further anger the Storm Creature, who started to put more pressure on her. The two others pulled out some newspapers, oddly rolling them up tightly. The filly looked confused at what they were up to before Animo smirked.

"We had a special homework assignment today, bring some old newspapers... we had to write about whatever was in them... but did you know you can make clubs out of them?" He twisted her mane, the poor filly groaning in pain as her hair pulled out her scalp.

The two boys finished fastening their weapons as Amino stretched out his lanky arm, making room for them as he held her against the fence. Sweetie's eyes widened as they began to swing, aiming right for her sides, the clubs having a surprising amount of force, despite their flimsy appearing construction. Before she could yelp, Amino pulled his hand from her mane, pulling out a few strands along with it, clamping her muzzle shut.

The two boys took turns beating her sides; just as her body flinched from contact, the other would follow, giving her no respite. Despite her best efforts, tears were barely held at bay, while Amino stared deep into her green eyes with his icy stare. Her muffled screams brought little sympathy from her assailants. If anything, it only seemed to make them angrier; Amino started to crush her muzzle with his giant paw and twisting it while the two others worked their whole bodies into the swing.

"We're gonna play Rambling Rock Lockup." He stared at her with pure hate, while Sweetie Belle felt a pit grow in her stomach. "Guess who's gonna be taking the beating this time, pony?..." He spat in her face before punching her in the stomach.

"P-Please..." She whimpered through his hand.

His face went blank, seeming to freeze as he processed what she said. "My mom said that too... and then the royal guard ripped off my dad's claws!" He raised his free paw smacking her to the ground. "They made me watch you whorse!" He slammed his foot into her face.

Sweetie screamed as her foot continued to slam into her head before it finally stopped. "My brothers have a lot to say, too, you know..." He eventually took a step back as the two pasty twins stepped forward, glaring down at her.

They just seemed to stare at her emotionlessly as they both loomed over. Finally, one of them spoke, eye twitching while his hand tensed around his improvised club. "H-Honey B-Buns... S-says....." He visibly struggled to form the words while the other twin swung his leg right into her jaw. "H-Hello...." 

The poor filly felt her tooth chip from the impact. 

"Tell your sister to go back to the rez, or better yet, walk into traffic; you're not wanted here!" Amino turned, leaving with the two boys heading back towards the school.

Sweetie Belle her breath, waiting for them to leave before she finally began to sob, the pain from the vicious beating finally too much to take. She cried into the mud, curling up into a ball, heaving as she felt the welts and bruise ultimately form. It had all happened so fast her body was finally catching up to what happened. Eventually, vomiting into the mud from the pain, struggling to catch her breath. The bell would eventually ring as herds of students slowly headed back to the main building. She didn't bother; even if she could stop crying, she couldn't get her legs to move.

Eventually, the playground fell silent, except for the faint footfalls of someone approaching. Expecting the worst, she curls herself into a much tighter ball screwing her eyes shut. Eventually, she heard them stop behind her; she bit her lip, waiting for something to happen. Her sensitive ears listened, waiting for insults, while she braced herself for another kick. But it never came; whoever it was just stood there; after a few moments, she felt a jacket slowly draped over her before they ran off. Reaching up, she felt the sweatshirt, struggling to sit up as she pulled it around herself. Looking back in the distance, she tried to make out the figure who had run back across the field back to the school, but they were already too far away.

Sniffing, she struggled to her hooves, licking her teeth, feeling a new chip on her molars as she sat there glancing back to the fence. Watching the flowers slowly sway in the wind, closing her eyes, she attempted to will the faint memories back. Tears flowed down her face as the memories refused to come back, the bitter reality she lived in overpowering days past. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Lincoln
Perry's Bay
Dockside
11:28 AM

Rarity glanced around as she slowly made her way down a dirty alley, nervous that someone would see her. She trotted like she was on eggshells as she approached the bright red door hidden near the back behind the overflowing dumpsters and piles of junk. Raising a shaking hoof, she froze, staring at the door arguing with herself under muttered breaths. Swallowing her doubts, she knocked on the metal door, a slit opened two beady eyes looked down at the white mare. 

"Yes?..." A gruff voice asked.

"I-I'm here for... Valentino..." She struggled to steady her voice.

"Ah, run out of Rewind again?" The voice chuckled.

"S-Something like that..." She sighed as she heard the door's deadbolts being unlocked, eventually revealing a hulking Fishfolk staring at her, stuffed into a grey double-breasted suit. The shark-like creature looked over her like a piece of meat before motioning her inside. Closing the door behind her, he kneeled down and behand to search her, his slimy mitts making her gag. Once he was satisfied, she wasn't wearing a wire or packing heat; he stood up and grunted, nodding his head to the red carpet leading deeper into the building. 

Had this been any other place or time, she would be criticizing the decor that surrounded her. It was like taking a step back into a fever dream of the 1980s, the bright reds and clashing patterns; just looking it hurt her eyes, following the velvet carpet past patrons dressed in gaudy outfits and enforcers watching her, almost daring her to slip up. Eventually, she approached a large open area where patrons watched sultry ponies dance on various stages to sounds of an era long past.

Meanwhile, a man who seemed to be out of another time rested to the opposite of where she stood. A long, rich brown overcoat hung over his grey pattered suit and blue tie, which hugged his wiry frame. Short greying hair swept to the side; at the same time, she couldn't be sure with his pitch-black aviators; but she swore she could feel his gaze on her. Adjusting himself in his seat, he whispered into the ear of vaguely familiar white unicorns pierced ear which seemed to be dressed in a punk aesthetic. Her black dyed mane spiked to hell and back with enough product to make a nose bleed, while her eyes remained hidden behind black round frame glasses. Rarity felt so out of place, but she refused to take a step forward unless she was beckoned; she had learned the hard way. Eventually, the strange mare raised her hoof, motioning her to come forward with her foreleg, her black leather jacket creaking.

Rarity held her breath again and trotted forward until the punk mare motioned her to stop a few feet away. She wasn't sure how long she stood under their gaze but eventually, the older man began to smile a twisted grin. "Well, well, if it isn't the fashionista, come to grace us with her presence. Come to get a taste of the past again, rock candy?" 

Rarity couldn't resist snorting, already at her limit with the garish styles and music around her. "I'm here because my last purchase... was defective, Val." Her mouth moved faster than her brain.

Valentino stared at her with a muted expression before he began to chuckle. "What makes you think it was defective pony?" He bared his pearly white teeth and golden fang.

"I-It's lasting less and less, I'm paying you more than a quarter of my earnings, and it barely lasts two hours! It used to last more than half the day!" She stuttered, but the splitting headache, music, and stress were pushing her desperation.

Valentino just tilted his head to the side, smirking. "Oh honey, come closer; I'm gonna tell you a secret..." He slowly curled his finger, motioning her closer. 

Rarity glanced around before slowly approaching until she was right before him. Reaching down, he tenderly stroked her cheek; she couldn't help but shudder from his touch. The punk mare to his left looked visibly agitated as the corners of her mouth twitched, suppressing her jealousy. Before Rarity could react, he roughly grabbed her ear and dragged her onto his lap, leaning down to whisper into her ear. "What you enjoyed was the trial version!" He tossed her back down to the floor, laughing cruelly.

"What you thought a few hundred bucks was enough for the primo stuff?" He covered his mouth with his hand struggling to hold in the laughter. "Sure, your first hit is on me, but every hit after that is just a discounted trial; eventually, it just stops working until you pay up for the good stuff."

"W-what...." Rarity stared up at him in horror. "T-Then I'll buy the primo Rewind! I don't care what it costs!" 

"That will just be... 15 hundred." He loomed over her from his chair. 

"F-fifteen... Hundred..... per case?" She swallowed, feeling her throat go dry. 

"...Per hit." The mare to his right finally spoke with a faint lisp from her lip piercing.

"I-I can't pay that m-much!" Rarity began to panic, feeling her already erratic heartbeat worsen.

"Well, isn't that a shame... you such a wonderful customer..." Valentino said sarcastically while the punk mare stifled a laugh.

"S-Surely, we can come to some kind of agreement! T-there must be something I can do!" Rarity began to panic, struggling to keep herself calm.

"Certainly, my... employees get a steep discount, isn't that right, Fleur?" He tenderly stroked the pony's cheek, to which she seemed to savor, leaning into his hand before slowly pulling away and lighting up her horn and grasping her glasses. Pulling them off, she revealed her eyes; what was once pale violet had become as red as the Rewind. 

"Don't worry, after a while, you learn to just lean back and remember the good old days." She smiled unhinged, though, at the corners of her eyes. Rarity was sure she could see tears as she began to back up in horror, her eyes darting around the room. Seeing various mares and stallions with the same bizarre eye color entertained the guests as they drank, danced, and took the same poison as the entertainers. A few were even led down a hallway lined with rooms while the patrons mumbled in a drug-induced haze.

Valentine rested his head in his hand, leaning against the armrest of his chair. "We could start you on the pole after a little training, who knows, maybe you'll have your own VIP room, just like Fleur here." He stroked her chin.

Rarities face went white, knowing precisely what he was implying. "N-no..." 

Fleur levitated a syringe, slowly swaying her flanks as she slowly approached. "No? Really, are you sure~. You never know where the next trip down memory lane will take you~. It could just be another slow day at the boutique, or maybe the day you opened in Canterlot." She stared into her eyes. "Who wants to live in this miserable time? Can you really say there's anything worth sticking around for?" The tears were finally flowing down her cheeks as she laughed. "If you keep at it, eventually you get to see your loved ones again!"

"Fleur s-stop this isn't you! What has he done to you?!" Rarity stared at the unhinged mare as she continued to close the gap between them.

"He gave me my husband back! Maybe this will bring your parents back too!" She slammed the needle into Rarities neck before she could react.

Rarity gasped, feeling the red liquid burn through her veins, clucking her neck as she stumbled on her hooves. "N-No....no...." She started to hyperventilate before she collapsed, her eyes rolling back into her head. 

Fleur just stared down at the unconscious mare. "Back to past, you go~." She hummed gently with a sad smile. "Maybe sometime we can take the trip together... relive that garden party again..."

Valentino cleared his throat, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Place her with the other new hires in the basement, then come back to my office." 

Nodding her head, she worked Rarity onto her back, slipping behind some curtains to a heavy industrial-looking door. She pulled out a key from her mane and twisted it into the lock. The door opened to a dark concrete stairwell; carefully making her way down, reaching the basement, the thick smell of bile and sickness filled her nose. Fleur could just make out a few of the new hires stumbling around in the darkness.

"Here, sweetie come to mommy~" A blonde maned and pink-coated mare seemed to be stumbling through the darkness, seeming to follow an unseen ghost.

"Don't worry, Millie, you'll get her eventually..." Fleur watched her longingly as the poor mare stumbled around the room, occasionally tripping over unconscious or delirious ponies.

Taking Rarity to a relatively clean corner, she carefully set her down. Nuzzling her cheek tenderly before whispering into her ear. "Sweet memories, dear...." She turned and made her way out, leaving them all in darkness and their own pasts.
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State of Lincoln 
Perry's Bay
Little Hong Kong
Anna May Wong Elementary
12:16 PM

Sweetie sniffled as she curled up on the small bed as the nurse applied hydrogen peroxide to her cuts. While the filly was thankful, she knew better than to assume it was for any reason besides her job. Once the last of her cuts were cleaned, the nurse slid backward on her chair and cleared her throat. The filly just instantly looked up, having to struggle against her own instincts.

"Now, school policy requires I ask how this happened." The tanned-skinned woman asked as she pulled out a clipboard and a pen.

Sweetie was about to blurt it out but bit down. "I took a tumble on the playground...." Telling on the bullies didn't work; three chipped teeth taught her that.

The nurse didn't seem to believe her but didn't bother with a follow-up question, scribbling it down. "I see... must have been a nasty tumble..." She mumbled as she finished the paperwork. "You're cleared to go back to class, or I could call your guardian..." They asked in a detached voice.

"N-No, I'll be ok..." Sweetie glanced at the clock seeing it was nearly lunch; slipping off the bed, she began making her way back to class with a slight limp. 

Thankfully the halls were still empty, allowing her to slip over to her classroom cubbies without any incident. Opening her bag, she sighed in relief, seeing the money was still there, having been tucked away in her history book. Quickly slipping it into her mane as the lunch bell rang and the students began to make their way to the gym/cafeteria before trotting down the halls with the variable stampede of students.

During this, the filly seemed to work on autopilot, waiting in line for food, loading up her tray, passing the money to the lunch lady, then heading back to the classroom. It was only when she sat at her desk did she realize what all she had gotten; there was a slice of greasy pizza, a questionable tofu burger, a small mound of tater tots, a cookie, and a carton of chocolate milk. Not exactly the healthy meal her sister had asked her to choose, but at the moment, she didn't care. It was hard to watch what she ate after the lean times they had lived through, if she was honest.

Repressing her instinct to light up her horn, she bit open one of the ketchup packets and began to drizzle it on the burger. As she stared at the hockey puck-like patty, memories of dwindling rations in Ponyville started to surface. She still couldn't escape the smell of rotten Haytack or the taste of wiggling grubs that infested the food. Shaking her head, she glanced back down, grumbling seeing she had smothered the sandwich in the sauce. Making the most of it, she dipped her tots into the ketchup and tossed them into her mouth, chewing slowly before swallowing them down.

She slowly worked her way through the tots until the sauce was down to a manageable level, moving on to the pizza, oddly bitting it into a circle shape before setting it on the burger. Topping it off with the bun, she bit into it, humming gently as the ketchup began to pour out of the back of the sandwich. It wasn't that the food was terrific, but it sated her appetite, something that she didn't have for a long time.

Just as she started to open her milk with her teeth, she noticed a note had been placed on her tray. Blinking confused, she looked around, trying to find its source, but none of the other students had gotten back yet. Looking at it suspiciously, she slowly unfolded it, expecting the worst. Her eyes darted over the paper, once, twice, then a third time. The filly was dumbfounded, quickly slipping it into her mane before the other students began to take their seats around her.

Sipping her milk before dipping her cookie, a faint smile started to form on her muzzle, along with a gentle blush. Finishing her meal, she grabbed the tray in her mouth and pranced out of the room to return it. More than a few of the unfriendly students were visibly unnerved by her change in behavior. 
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Rarity stared as she sat in her old sewing room, slowly pushing a ballgown through the needle. Pulling it from the machine, she looked it over, gently brushing her hoof over the bright blue fabric. It was perfect; not a single stitch was out of place, no loose threads in the material, and yet... something was off about it. But try as she might, she couldn't place what it was; it was to Upper Crust's exact specifications. Why did it feel wrong? 

The fabric felt... strange in her hoofs; cloud velvet didn't feel like this. Leaning her head forward, she brushed her nose against it before flinching back, gagging from a rotten smell. Opening her eyes again, she found she was holding something very different. Squealing, she dropped the dress to the ground seeing the rare fabric become putrid burlap. 

For the briefest moment, her sewing room flickered out of existence. Shaking, she struggled back to her hooves, slowly approaching the dress, focusing on it like one would stare at a hidden object painting. "T-This isn't..."

Inhaling, she closed her eyes and tried to calm herself, bringing her foreleg to her muzzle her bit hard until the copper taste of blood hit her tongue. "It's not real..." She mumbled to herself. "It's not real..."
> Cloudia
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of Lincoln 
Holmes Bay
Captains Quarters Apartments
Pollen Hollow
5:30AM

Cloudia washed her face quickly in a thimble sink, taking a moment to glance at a watch fashioned into a sort of grandfather clock. Wiping off her face, she started running a toy brush through her short mane, inspecting herself from side to side. Nodding her head, she pulled away and made her way to a nearby wall where bright orange coveralls were hung on a thumbtack. Pulling it off, she smirked, seeing her name stitched onto the back in bold letters before slipping her gangly limbs into her uniform. Clasping the buttons, she began inspecting herself one last time before nodding her head; making her way out of the door of her studio apartment, she was greeted with the sight of a model town, quite literally.

Breezies had just begun to mill out of their homes and onto the plastic streets fashioned from various model kits and improvised building materials. Spreading her insectoid wings, she jumped off the railing and slowly hovered down among the growing crowds of her kind. A few made their way to the various shops or cafes; the smells of honey-drop bread and brewed nectar filled her nose, making her drool a bit. Ignoring the tempting aromas, the uniformed Breezie made her way to the "outskirts" with so many others. Looking upwards, she saw the grow lights hanging above their little town, shining down on them like an artificial sun.

She shivered, feeling the rays invigorate her as the drowsiness of having just woken up melt away. It was hard to know how long they walked, but eventually, they reached the edge. The sprawling town giving way to a dizzying drop to the floor below, a long ramp-like bridge connecting it all to a hole in the far wall. It was a bit of a bottleneck as the crowd of Breezies was forced to pack together on the balsawood construction. But thankfully, it was far from unbearable; they were used to living in far more cramped conditions. 

Slipping through the wall, they all rested on a long white shelf, looking almost like some sort of bus stop. Like always, benches were packed with Breezies who had gotten there earlier, but they didn't have to wait long; the first transport had already arrived. A tired-looking long-haired Vietnamese woman in white cloth pants and a collared button shirt stepped close. Slowly turning to the side, she revealed a sizeable wooden carrying case on her back with the stylized logo of The Reverie Spa could be seen. Numerous Breezies took flight and funneled into the case, their faces slowly filling the improvised windows. After a few minutes, the last one tapped outside the case, obnoxiously signaling they were full. 

Most of the transports were to various spas in the area; being so small, Breezies had trouble finding employment at first. Instead, relying on multiple grants to get by, thankfully being so small, they didn't need much. Though that didn't mean they were content to just lay about, they worked hard to find their niche. Apparently, some of their odd tendencies were welcomed by creatures looking for a facial or to have their skin exfoliated. It took plenty of trial and error before customers were comfortable having tens of dozens of small horse-like insects scattered around them, though.

Cloudia had no ill will towards those Breezies, but the lack of challenge in the profession bugged her to no end. She wanted to do something new, something challenging, and she wasn't alone. While terrified of this new world, many of the youth were equally fascinated by it. It wasn't long until SeaBreeze agreed to invest in a computer for the community so they could begin to learn about their new home.

Tech was a godsend for them, not requiring great strength or size to secure work. It wasn't long until her ride finally came; Reggie slowly approached the platform, looking down at her with a tired smirk. Buzzing her wings, she slowly hovered up to his shoulder, grasping onto the threads of his black and white hoodie. He took a moment to glance at her making sure she was secured before he began making his way out of the apartment complex.

It was hard not to feel small in this world; their entire town took up only a single-bedroom apartment. Glancing over to the opposite side of the doors, she saw the two-story drop to the street just past the plain white railings. Just looking was enough to make her feel dizzy; shuttering, she looked back down to the black fabric. Swallowing, she nestled back down before keeping her eyes forward, watching him slowly climb down the steps.

"You alright, Cloudia?" He turned his head slightly to try and glance at her.

"Y-ya, just still a bit tired." Cloudia put on a brave face once they reached the ground floor, sighing in relief. 

"Heh, I get that, these long shifts aren't easy, but damn I love the pay." He responded in his deep baritone voice with a chuckle.

Cloudia gave an awkward smile as he approached the older red Toyota Tacoma; once he slipped into the driver's seat, she carefully glided down to the cup holder. Once they were both secured, he started the v6 engine, letting it warm up before pulling away from the curb. Cloudia was content to just curl up in the plastic enclosure and catch a little sleep, the rocking of the old truck helping her doze. Reggie glanced down at her, smirking before turning his eyes back to the road.

Cloudia would later feel herself being gently nudged by her coworker's finger, letting out a groan as she worked to her hooves. Spreading her wings, she buzzed her way up to the dashboard, seeing they had arrived at the checkpoint. Reggie had already pulled out their ID badges showing a lethargic security guard the QR codes, which he scanned before nodding his head and lowering the steel barrier. Turning her head back forward, she stared at the vast seaside complex, the towering buildings almost beyond her comprehension.

Reggie parked the truck in the sprawling lot; unbuckling from his seat, she waited for her to climb up. Scampering back to his shoulder, she watched as he slipped back out of the truck and began to make his way to the massive corrugated steel building. Already there was a line of workers at the entrance, slowly shuffling in. Cloudia looked up at the pristine logo above the doors as they waited in line. The stylized emblem of Space X hung over them, and a feeling of pride slowly swelled up in her chest.

A burly Feline waited at the security check, checking ID's and digital records before letting each group enter decontamination. A lengthy process that they were all thankful was part of their pay; soon enough, they were in the group getting inspected. Cloudia closed her eyes as she felt the feline lean in close to check her, his muzzle far too close for comfort before he finally moved away and checked the others. He would eventually return to his desk and press the button, opening the spinning airlock and motioning for them to enter. 

She had to brace herself a bit, feeling the gentle rush of airflow out of the spinning door as the pressure difference became apparent. Once they entered, the winds died as the door closed behind them, allowing them to dive deeper into the factory. Reggie had not missed a beat as he made his way down the sterile white hallway to the locker rooms and showers. Something Cloudia wasn't looking forward to as the chemical showers and powerful blowers left her feeling rather raw, but Management wasn't taking any chances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Alright, the docket says we have to check the maneuvering rocket valves for any cracks..." Reggie read aloud as the two of them slipped out of the final airlock.

Cloudia hummed in affirmation, turning her attention to the subject of their endeavors. Space X's latest monstrosity waited like a giant's grain Silo resting on its side, filling the majority of the building. "Guessing they are worried after the last Raptor exploded from defects?"

"Mhm, with X-Dragon sporting engines from the same plant, they want to ensure they didn't get defective equipment...." He gazed up at it, just barely hiding the childlike wonder.

"Are they pushing the launch date back?" Cloudia began tightening the straps on her full-body clean suit and checking her LED headlamp.

"Nuh-uh, it's still at the end of the week." Reggie fidgeted with his white hood before pushing his safety glasses back up his nose.

Cloudia paused, looking horrified. "So, on top of the laundry list of prelaunch procedures and system tests, they want us to recheck all plumbing?!"

Reggie tiredly nodded as he climbed up to the scissor lift, resting his company-issued tablet on the work table. "Believe me, a lot of people aren't happy, but hey, at least we get overtime..." He mumbles as he begins to move the lift to the first nozzle on the side of the massive rocket. "Alright, let's do a camera and ultrasound check..." He pulled up diagnostic software on the tablet while Cloudia turned on her back-mounted gear.

"Ya ya, I know the drill." She mumbled as she fiddled with the plastic box she carried, attempting to get the straps around her barrel to fit more comfortably.

"Tell me if the Ultrasound gets too close to comfort..." He watched as the tablet pulled up a live feed from Cloudia's camera while another window showed a visual analysis of her surroundings as it cycled through various frequencies.

"Mhm..." She swallowed back a yawn before the tablet flashed a green checkmark showing the system checks were complete and clear.

"Alright... here's to another long shift..." He reached up his palm to his shoulder, allowing her to climb on, before carefully lifting her to the rocket nozzle. "It still amazes me you don't feel claustrophobic in there..." He mumbled as she jumped inside and began to traverse through the alloyed pipes.

Cloudia switched on her wireless. "it doesn't seem so small to me... it's like a cave system.... except a lot cleaner..." She slowly trotted deeper into the rocket. "Getting the data? Sometimes the metal messes with the signal a bit..."

"That doesn't sound a lot better to me..." She could almost feel Reggie shutter at that. "Mhm, the new repeaters they installed really do make a difference. What about you? See any issues inside that the ultrasound isn't picking up?"

"Welds look perfect; I see the valve up ahead, about to inspect..." Cloudia approached the rounded wall. "Looks alright; please open for further inspection..."

"Opening...." Reggie spoke, tapping on his tablet; after a few seconds, she heard the buzz of the electric motor causing the rounded wall to turn, revealing a passage.

"Valve action looks smooth, about to enter..." She carefully climbed in. "Looks seamless; hows the ultrasound look?"

"Hold on... Looks clean; move on; the holding tank should be up ahead... your going to have to scale it. It's gonna be under a lot of pressure when the propellent is loaded, so we have to triple check the seams." Reggie mumbled.

Cloudia couldn't help but groan at the thought that the tanks for the maneuvering thrusters alone were bigger than her hometown! "But we checked them last week and the week before that! They aren't even made in the same facility as the valves!"

"Managements orders, everything is to be flawless. I swear they would have us lick it clean if they thought it would help the launch." Reggie said sarcastically.

"How close am I to the tank?" She asked, feeling a pit grow in her stomach.

"About 30 yards or so..." He said hesitantly.

"As the crow flies?"

"As the crow flies," he responded through the wireless.

"This is gonna be a long shift.." She continued to shuffle through the pipes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The plumbing is flawless... The next order is the electronics..." She heard Reggie over the wireless as she slowly climbed out of the nozzle.

"What about our break?!? I spent over five hours in the bowels of this monster!" She protested while Reggie held out his hand for her to climb up.

"We could, but the boss is offering bonuses to those who... willingly give up their breaks..." He gave a knowing look.

"....How much?" She swallowed.

"Think Christmas times three..." He muttered as he moved her to his shoulder before moving the scissor life down the length of the rocket, away from the thrusters.

"Well... Elon certainly knows how to motivate us." Cloudia shook her head as she watched Reggie pull out an impact drill to open the maintenance hatch. "But you know what bugs me?"

"What?" He unscrewed the bolts before carefully grasping the panel's handle and lifting it up.

"Well, what's this thing for?" She asked, fluttering into the exposed circuit boards.

"What do you mean? It's a rocket; it sends things into space." Reggie shrugged, looking back at the tablet. "Start with control board one... let's start by checking the voltage around the processor..."

Cloudia reached into her pack and pulled out two probes, carefully pressing them to exposed solder. "Well, duh, I know it's a rocket... but it makes the Starship look like the damn TRICOM... This thing is grossly oversized for any of the contracts we have!"

Reggie seemed to hold a moment before speaking. "Processor looks good; check the supporting hardware for any physical signs of failure..." He said, almost seeming to ignore her.

Climbing between the boards and looking closely at each resistor and capacitor before twitching as her headset filled with an ear-ringing pattern. ".-- . .----. .-.. .-.. / - .- .-.. -.- / .. -. / - .... . / - .-. ..- -.-. -.- / .-.. .- - . .-. / - --- -.. .- -.-- .-.-.-" Rubbing her head, her eyes closed as she thought for a moment.

"I'm on it... With all this hard work, it's gonna make the drive home so much nicer." She said while continuing to crawl over the board, using her sensitive not to check for any damaged hardware. "By the way, any idea what's for lunch today?"

"They got the Devil's Taco Truck to cater today." He responded

"Ohhhh, hopefully, they have the Abatu Burrito." Cloudia drooled at the thought of the black and red wrap smothered with sauce.

"I don't know how you can eat those things; last time I had one of those, I swear it nearly burned a hole through my gut." Reggie shuttered, remembering the first time he ate from that diabolical food truck.

"Eat nothing but honey and nectar for your whole life, then tell me you don't crave something completely different. I didn't realize how toothachingly sweet my diet was until I tried some human food! It's like night and day!" She laughed a bit before squeezing over to the next board, pressing the probes against the navigation systems.

"I'll have to take your word for it." He hummed. "Navigation looks good; follow the lines to the power supply and make sure they are correctly secured."

"I'm going to have to remove my pack for that." She mumbled, making her way out of the hardware, settling on his dark hand. He just nodded his head in response, watching her remove the straps before grabbing it. Once it was free, she climbed back into the rocket and began to slowly shimmy her way down the endless stream of wires that ran the length of the machine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cloudia practically collapsed into the cushioned passenger seat of the old truck, thankful Reggie kept it clean. It was almost as comfortable as her bed, tempting her to fall asleep before she felt the cab rock side to side with a gentle oceanside breeze sneaking in. Signaling that her coworker had returned, the wonderful smells of Mexican food followed soon after, making her stomach growl. Letting out a yawn, she worked to her hooves just in time to see the Imp-Sized burrito being set down before her, wrapped in shiny tinfoil with a cartoon devil sticker looking at her.

She didn't even bother to be neat about it, ripping away the wrapper to reveal the bright red tortilla; the meal was scarcely the size of an eggroll, but smell warned it should not be underestimated. Sitting down at the nearest end, she lifted the edible cylinder to her mouth and began to eat. The red sauce burning her tongue and roof of her mouth, even the sour cream offered little respite. "Mmmmf, I've been craving this.." She mumbled through a mouthful of beans, rice, and cheese.

"I still can't believe you can eat all that..." Reggie said, watching her eat before biting into his own burrito.

"Hmmmf, what do you mean? This is like a nibble to you..." She said between messy bites.

"Ya, but to you, it's like a fence post." He shook his head as he sipped his RC cola.

"...High metabolism, I guess." She licked her muzzle. " So are you gonna finally tell me what you know?"

He seemed to freeze for a moment allowing his eyes to look around before switching on the radio. Cloudia tilted her head at this but didn't question it as she sat up straight, wanting to hear what he had to say. "Your not wrong about the X-Dragon being oversized for our existing contracts... but that's because it's not meant for them."

"So what, it's an Ego project for the boss?" Cloudia raised an eyebrow.

"No, bigger." He exhaled

"What do you mean?"

"I'm saying that this rocket's performance will make or break the company." He finally said, sinking into his seat.

Cloudia looked disturbed but pressed further. "That still doesn't tell me what it's for..."

"The only thing I know for sure is that the Big Wigs from Caterpillar and GE will attend the launch party." He sipped his soda again. "If they like what they see, we'll never have to worry about job security again..."

"So our future is being gambled on a rocket that hasn't even flown outside simulations yet?" Cloudia swallowed, feeling her throat go dry.

He just nodded his head tiredly; he was about to say something only for the alarm on his phone to go off, signaling their break was nearly over. "All we can do is our best... and hope." He shoved the last of his burrito into his mouth before crumpling up the wrapper. Cloudia did the same before climbing back up onto his shoulder.

They would spend the rest of the long shift in silence.
------------------------------------
The rest of the week would follow the same pattern, rechecking numerous systems and plumbing. Then beginning the prelaunch procedures, such as sealing the engines, loading the adjusted launch data from the eggheads, and then fueling. Followed by rechecking all these procedures, looking for any leaks or cracks in the sealants. It never ended, leaving the poor Breezie stumbling when she returned home, looking more like a shambling zombie than her usual self. When Saturday finally came around, she was tempted to stay in bed, even as she sat by the deserted beach on the dashboard of Reggie's old truck that morning.

But despite her exhaustion, she forced herself to stay awake, taking dainty sips from a condiment cup filled with coffee. The windows cracked just enough to let a faint cold ocean breeze enter the car; looking out at the beach and ocean as the sun started to rise was oddly calming. Reggie, meanwhile, checked his phone and leaned forward, pointing to a mass of tugboats out on the horizon, pulling what appeared to be a half-sunken barge. The process was painfully slow, but soon enough, they began to pull off, no doubt releasing the rocket; they could see it naturally right itself, pointing its rounded nose skyward.

The two of them held their breath, unsure what to expect; for a while, nothing seemed to happen. But just as their hope began to fade, the water around it erupted, giving way to a nearly blinding orange light, but despite the burning in their retinas, they refused to look away. The behemoth began to rise out of the sea just as the blast's power reached them on the deserted beach. The powerful winds rocked the suspension even at a great distance, nearly knocking her off the dash. She watched it pick up speed as it rose far above them; even as the gargantuan rocket vanished from their sight, its powerful thrusters lit up in the sky like a second sun. 

"It worked..." Cloudia said, seeing it finally vanish into the sky, swallowing nervously.

"Hold on... Getting it up there is only half the nightmare... its gotta maintain orbit then come back..." Reggie said, still staring upwards at the sky as if expecting it to fall back down.

"How long will that take?" She suppressed another yawn.

"Over an hour or so..." He checked his phone, seeing the digitized orbital map that was being broadcast by the company tracking its progress. 

"So... what do until then?" She gazed up, seeing the sky continue to light up to a familiar blue.

"I saw a crab shack down the beach... we could check to see if it's open yet? Anything else is too far away..." He looked at the maps grumbling a bit.

"I could definitely eat..." She stretched out a bit before fluttering her wings.

"You alright on the dash?" He asked as he began to start the engine.

"Mhm..." She latched onto the plastic beneath her as he moved the shifter into drive. Turning hard left, it climbed back up to the road, spitting sand behind them. 

She watched the beach pass her by, seeing a few local hippogriffs milling about on the sands. Many looking more than a little testy as they leaned against their wooden dorys. A brightly colored shack rested among the resting watercraft, where a small line of colorful avians waited. Pulling the truck on an open patch of grass, some locals looked their way before returning to the menu. Seeming to be deciding what to order.

Reggie motioned her to his shoulder as he opened the door; the smells of cooking crustaceans, mollusks, and fish filled the air. Grasping onto his sweatshirt, she looked around at the feathered hybrids, her nose wrinkling at the noxious smell of burning seaweed. It came from various pipes and talon-rolled cigarettes that invaded their beaks. Knowing better than complaining, she took shallow breaths through her mouth as her coworker got in line.

"Hmmm, what looks good to you? The Crab Egg Wrap sounds interesting..." He said tiredly as he read the chalkboard menu.

"Crab for breakfast?... What else do they have?" She looked at a few hippogriffs resting on the sand next to a cooler, sipping Patriot Brew despite still being the early morning, making the best of the situation.

"Hmm, Tuna stuffed avocado... Egg stirfry with shrimp...Crab egg melts..." He continued to list off the menu.

"I guess that Crab Egg Wrap doesn't sound so bad..." He finally said. "Maybe something with caffeine to wash it down."

"Still tired then?" He glanced back over at her.

"We've been working overtime all week; what do you think?" She gave him an unamused look before slumping on his shoulder.

"Hey, no need to get testy; I was just kidding." He rolled his eyes, stepping forward as the line started to move, the patrons leaving in rather colorful-looking seafood dishes. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida
Merritt Island
Disused John F. Kennedy Space Center
Vehicle Assembly Building
Crawler-Transporter 1
2:35 PM

General Cook dug into his uniform as he sat in the vast hangar atop what was once an engineering marvel. Pulling out his flask, he began to take a stiff drink from his flask, letting out a grunt as the bitter taste hit his tongue. Leaning back into the rusted metal chair, he just began to notice the familiar heavy footfalls of his compatriots approaching. Turning his attention to the far corner of the platform, he saw them appear; they both had to lean against the catwalks railings to catch their breath even with the help of their suited aids; age had not been kind to them. The men accompanying them were boxy, almost robotic with their movements, eyes hidden behind sunglasses despite the dark surroundings.

One of the older men looked rather bookish, dressed in a simple threadbare lab coat, the faded NASA logo barely visible; he briefly brushed his skeletal hands over his balded, wrinkled head. He was hunched over; one could almost see his boney vertebrae poking out of his back as he hobbled to the table with the help of his G-man. The other saw fit to push his own guard away when they moved to try to help, dressed in a rather unassuming one-piece suit with a perfectly pressed white shirt and black tie. The burning cigarette in his mouth deftly lit his more rectangular aged face.

Cook watched them both take a seat at the distressed table, waiting a moment to allow them both to collect themselves before finally speaking. "I remember a day when this hanger would have been filled with our people..."

The elderly scientist blinked and gave a crooked smirk. "I suppose it is a testament to our endurance... So many gave up after that wall fell..."

The cigarette-smoking man shook his head, looking stoic. "They made the mistake of comforting themselves with the knowledge the reds did the same things as they did..." He exhaled thick smoke. "They didn't understand the purpose of our little group... not really anyway..."

"You can hardly blame them... when Gorbachev failed his save his crumbling nation... many felt all they had done was for nothing... That's not an easy burden to carry..." The scientist shook his head while Cook nodded.

"Indeed, so many died during the Cold War... Uniformed and otherwise..." Cook mumbled.

"Progress doesn't come without sacrifice." The smoking man exhaled.

The scientist and general nodded in agreement to their compatriot.

"We didn't come here to reminisce about dead meat..." Cook sat up in his chair, looking far more serious.

"No, we did not..." The smoking man hummed. "We're here to talk about our clever little South African friend..."

"Indeed... the rocket works better than it ever did." Cook shifted in his seat.

"We did our best with the available technology of our time..." The scientist grumbled. "Thankfully, we still have pull with our original... Partnerships to help him with the rest."

"But that leaves new problems." Cook closed and rubbed his old eyes. "When we gave him those coordinates... we knew exactly what we were giving him."

"He knows what we left up there... who we left up there..." The scientist shook his head again.

"You worried he'll break our little deal and squeal to the world what happened in those shadowed craters?" The smoking man chuckled. "Neither of you have to worry; I have him well under my control..."

"How can you be so sure?" General Cook tilted his head. 

"Legacy..." He smiled, showing his unnaturally white teeth as he tossed his cigarette away.

"Ah... I suppose that makes sense..." The scientist nodded his head solemnly. 

"I suppose his treatment isn't going well?" The general watched evenly as the man pulled out a pack of smokes, a brand that supposedly didn't exist. Not getting a response, his eyes widened briefly in realization. "That's why you chose him, isn't it?"

"For all his faults, he never grew out of his childlike wonder of space... being a savior is just a bonus." The man lit another cigarette.

"... such a terrible way to go..." The scientist shook his head sadly.

"Will he last long enough?" The general asked.

"His treatments are improving his condition... but even they can't reverse it." The smoking man let out another puff. "But if worse comes to worse... we have other options to continue his work."

"Catipliars designs worked well in the tests, but they're worthless if GE can't get their end working..." The general shook his head. "They shelved it decades ago."

"Because it predated necessary supporting technologies, the math and theory were correct, the means just didn't exist." The scientist dusted off his coat. 

"How's the advisory role?" The smoking man.

"It's not what I'd prefer, but with my arthritis, I can't do much else." The scientist massaged his fingers, letting out a grunt. "Keeping the staff quiet about the work is still difficult; during the Cold War, people knew how to keep secrets." He grumbled. 

"That's always a concern, but more importantly, will you be able to protect it, General?" The smoking make stared deep into his eyes. "Once it's revealed to the world, it will paint a target on our backs." 

"Would I have gotten to this point if I wasn't?" The general looked unamused. "The paranoia at home would make invasion untenable, while the fallout from the military strike has allowed me to remove... hindrances to our goals."

"Excellent... Just don't get to attached to your asset general; in this line of work, you have to be flexible." He frowned before taking another deep inhale from his cigarette. "Assets and liabilities can have such blurred lines."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cloudia watched in the distance as the massive rocket descended into the bay, the powerful winds rocking the truck. She couldn't help but lean forward in anticipation watching it slow its slow descent until it hovered just above the water, boiling away the surface. Despite the bright light, she resisted the urge to blink; the moment the engines cut off, it fell into the sea, nearly sinking past the nose before slowly bobbing back up like a buoy. The ocean continued to steam around it, looking like a thick fog; the Breezie was speechless.

Reggie beat her to the punch as he pulled out his phone to look at the update, waiting for a few moments. "They still have to do some post-flight checks... but... It looks like we're gonna be working overtime for the foreseeable future Cloudia..."

"But we still don't know what it's for..." She looked back at him.

"It says Elon will be coming to the factory in a month for a big announcement... weeks pay says it's about that." He motioned to the X-Dragon as its support vessels began to swarm it.
> Pinkamena Diane Pie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States
State of Lincoln 
Pony Reservation 011 (Green Zone)
4:24 AM

Pinkie shot up in bed, crutching her chest, feeling her heart pounding against her ribs, her blue and milky white eyes darting around the small room for signs of fire. Closing her eyes, she steadied her breath before slowly rolling herself off the foam mattress. Pinkie slowly stumbled to a nearby cheap vanity, sitting on the small bench. For a moment, she stared at herself, like she did every day, her mind still not immediately recognizing the reflection. Sighing, she reached up and began to unwrap the bandages on her head, feeding the gauze into a large jar filled with rubbing alcohol. Slowly, she pulled off the rest of the dressings covering her body, keeping her eyes on the mirror before her.

"Pinkie?" The monotone voice of her sister nearly caught her off guard.

"Morning, Maud..." She responded with the same enthusiasm, glancing over at the greyish mare.

"You weren't going to try and do that yourself, were you? You know you need help to do it properly..." Maud said, trotting behind her younger sister.

"Maybe..." Pinkie mumbled as she began to open a separate jar of gauze soaked in an herbal tincture, passing it to her sister.

Maud started at her sister's back hooves, covering her sister's burns and working her way up. "We're working Holders Refuge today..."

"Mmmm?" Pinkie suppressed a groan as her sister tightened the bandages around her chest. 

"We haven't been there since we were fillies..." Maud said while she continued to wrap her sister's burned body.

"Ya..." Pinkie just stared at her reflection blankly.

Maud would then carefully wrap her sister's neck, steadily making her way up to her head. She thought about continuing to talk but saw her sister's reluctance; instead, she focused on wrapping her head. " Can you still see? Do you need me to adjust them?" 

"Mhm..." Pinked nodded her head as she shifted herself back onto her hooves. "I'm gonna go check on Pound before I go..." she said as Maud watched her sister walk out of the small room after grabbing another jar of soaking gauze, a faint frown on her face.

Pinkie would make her way out to the slightly bigger central room, seeing Maud had cooled some eggs and cheese toast for them on the small wood stove. Ignoring her growling stomach, she slowly trotted to another door, opening it carefully before peaking in. The burned mare could see the young foal just starting to wake up, letting out a faint whine as he tossed and turned. As he did so, she saw his barrel was wrapped as well. Her lip quivered momentarily before steadying again; taking a shallow breath, Pinkie approached his bed.

"Pound? Breakfast..." She mumbled, nudging his cheek with her wrapped muzzle.

"Mmmf? Morning momma..." Pound yawned slowly, sitting up in his bed and pushing the covers off. Once settled, he raised his forehooves for her so she could replace his wrappings.

"I'm not momma..." Pinkie mumbled as she peeled off the wrappings and tightened the new ones onto him, making him gasp from the faint burning sensation.

Pound just lowered his head sadly but held his tongue. 

"There... now Maud has made eggs and toast... eat your fill and get ready for the bus... your jacket is by the door..." Pinkie slid off his bed and trotted out with him, eventually following her out.

The three of them soon sat quietly at the small circular table; Pinkie clasped her hooves together, followed by Maud and eventually Pound. "We thank the earth for this bountiful harvest, the father who taught us to harvest its fruits, and the mother who shaped us in thine image, amen..." The faint crunching of pan-fried toast soon followed after Pinkie's prayer. The humble meal was finished quickly, with only some water to help wash it down.

Maud looked at the clock resting under her cot near the woodstove after wiping her muzzle clean with her foreleg. "Our bus will be here in 20 minutes..." 

"Which means your bus will be here in 30..." Pinkie said, looking at Pound, her faint frown hidden under her bandaged muzzle. "Keep your bandages clean... and avoid scratching your scars... You don't want to get another infection on your back..."

"Yes, Mo-.. ma'am..." He nodded his head before licking his plate clean. 

Maud's mouth twitched, watching the two as she took the plates and set them into a washbasin resting on a splintered shelf. Giving them a quick scrub with a sponge before setting them up on a wire rack to dry. "Ready to go, Pinkie?"

"Mhm..." Pinkie worked herself up from her seat, absentmindedly slipping on homemade faux leather boots over her wrapped hooves when she got near the door. 

The two mares exited their home and began their slow trot to the bus stop. The dreary identical shacks lining the dirt road do little to cheer them up, their neighbors just barely following after them. More than a few strumbled a bit as they suffered hangovers from the night before, a lesson they seemed to refuse to learn from. It wasn't long until the sorry lot stood by the bus stop, though they appeared to give Pinkie and Maud a wide birth.

Pinkie wasn't bothered by this. Instead, she kept her eyes looking down the dusty road, waiting for the bus to appear through the heat haze. Her attentiveness was rewarded as the ugly brown bus rumbled over the badlands, kicking up a variable duststorm; eventually, it would stop before the depressed-looking herd of ponies and open its doors. Ponies began to step aboard, milling about to their seats; there was no preference beyond taking the first bench that was available to them.

Maud and Pinkie were the exceptions to this, making their way to the back of the bus, where it tended to be quieter. Neither talked; instead, they were content to look out the windows to watch the badlands roll past them. In the distance, they could see the ugly glare of the sun reflecting off the monstrosity known as Dilong. The imposing bucket-wheel excavator seemed to grow in size as they approached the mines, the machine looming over the quarries and shafts like a hungry beast... a constant reminder to the ponies that for many, their continued employment was held on a thread that would be cut as soon as the infernal machine was awoken. The bus came to a stop outside a large corrugated metal building; as soon as the doors opened, the herd of ponies began a solemn march in to get their gear and assignments for the day. 
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Pinkie and Maud sat down in the transport cars, holding their pickaxes on their laps, the two of them passing glances at Fido's hulking form. The brutish Diamond Dog brought a whistle to his lips and blew an obnoxious tweet, signaling they were about to depart. The rest of the miners hurriedly scurred onboard. Seeing the cars were packed, Fido slowly made his way to the small engine and squeezed inside the cabin.

With a jerk causing a few ponies to bump their helmets against each other, the train began to rumble over the tracks, entering the mine slowly. The harsh sun was soon replaced with deficient electric lights that lined the dark tunnel. Already, a few of the miners switched on their headlamps in an attempt to chase away the darkness that was consuming them. But those were little better than the lights lining the tunnel, no doubt another import from China, just like the eternally under-repair Dilong. The darkness didn't seem to bother Pinkie or Maud; it was only when the train finally came to a stop at the lowest levels of Holders Refuge that they bothered to turn on their lamps. 

Fido squeezed back out of the electric locomotive with his little clipboard, taking a moment to clear his throat. His gravelly voice began to assign the various ponies into groups before pointing to what veins of the mine they would be working. Pinkie looked impassively as she watched the multiple ponies around her and her sister slowly form work-herds. Slowly, they began to disperse, making their way down the dark mine shafts, their lights quickly vanishing in the gloom. 

"Alright, you ponies, with me," Fido said, pointing at Maud and Pinkie. "You know tunnels well; boss wants us to scout for more mineral deposits." He grumbled out.

Maud blinked her stoic face, hiding her surprise. "Understood..."

"Mhm..." Pinkie just mumbled, nodding her head.

Fido didn't bother to explain further, instead heading to one of the sections that was currently fenced off. Taking a moment to dig through his coveralls, he pulled out a key and began to fiddle with the large padlock. A loud clunk was heard as the lock was opened and cast aside, allowing Fido to open the gate. "Ponys stay close, tunnels unstable since convergence, needs more buttresses...." He mumbled before making his way in.

Maud glanced at her sister, only to see she was already following after Fido. Not wanting to be left behind, Maud trotted after them, a faint sigh escaping under her breath.
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Pinkie listened to Fido mumble to himself as he wrote down their findings, her eyes focused on a Stalactite that loomed above. The sheer size of the formation was difficult to gauge even with her lamp, as the cavern's ceiling was beyond the meager lights reach. Closing her eyes, she listened to the sounds of the cave itself, tuning out Fidos mumbling. Her ears twitched, hearing the flow of air through the tunnels, the roar of the underground rivers, and drops of mineral-rich water trickling down to form new formations. 

"Ponies know how to listen to Earth?" Pinkie was shaken from her thoughts by Fido's question.

"...Yes, our parents taught us how..." Pinkie Mumbled through her bandages.

Fido blinked, looking surprised. "Thought ponies don't like underground..." 

Maud shook her head. "Some don't; others found safety in it."

Fido leaned against a nearby stone outcrop. "How so?"

Pinkie exhaled sadly. "When the Windigos came, not all of us fled with our leaders... some of us sheltered below... The earth provided us warmth while the fools squabbled."

"What about food?" Fido tilted his head, looking more thoughtful.

"It's said the Father taught our ponies how to harvest the cave fungus and moss." Pinkie hummed, remembering her father's teachings. 

"No think ponies even knew they were edible..." Fido chuckled sadly. "Brothers and I seem like only dogs who still eat them now, though..."

"We only eat them on holidays as a way to give thanks..." Maud had a faint smirk on her face, remembering the Apple Family's reaction to the Rock Soup. 

"Diamond Dogs found safety underground once..." Fido frowned and looked a little depressed. "Momma spoke of cities hidden deep in earth... far from the dangers long ago..."

"What happened?" Pinkie seemed to be curious.

"Sickness came... dogs fled... after long time, sickness passed... but dogs no remember how to get back... cities lost..."

"You... lost your cities?" Maud seemed incredulous.

"Yes... cities protected by mazes of tunnels... no dog thought to write down the way... they just meant to know..."

"What happened after that?" Pinkie tilted her head.

"Dogs wondered for long time... eventually settled into the mercies of ponies..." He said the last part bitterly, though neither of the Pie sisters made excuses. "If ponies found safety in earth... why you in Equestria... come for Cultural Festival?"

"We eventually lost our home too..." Pinkie closed her eyes. "Not all ponies who stayed behind found safety in the earth... some survived in the tundras... becoming something... less... something dark... they found us..."

"You no fight?" Fido asked.

"Yes, our ancestors did... but the Foals of the Windigos... were strong... each attack left fewer of our ponies... eventually the Mother led us on a great pilgrimage..." Maud decided to speak.

"It's said the Father stayed behind to stop them from following... giving his life so that the Mother and his Ponies may live on..." Pinkie sighed.

"Pony's in Equestria just accept you?..." Fido asked

"Not... entirely... we often kept to ourselves in Holders Valley..." Maud mumbled, shuffling her hooves.

"Equestrians not known for their mercies to outsiders..." Fido nodded in understanding before turning his attention back to his notebook. "Findings good..."
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United States
State of Lincoln
Jacksons Hole (40 miles from the Reservation)
Edison Elementary 
Gymnasium
11:32 AM

Pound fidgeted as he waited in line for his lunch; various warming tray carts had been wheeled out onto the wood floor. His sensitive nose picked up the unappetizing smells of overcooked vegetables, burned cheese, and stale pastry. Grabbing a lunch tray in his mouth, he slowly shuffled along with the other students, occasionally putting it down on the serving carts to load up on over-salted beans, mushy fruit compote, a slice of "fresh" Banana bread, and some slightly burned deep fried tofu cutlets smothered in a slimy mushroom gravy. He wisely got some ketchup packets after seeing his entree before heading to the kiosk and setting it down for inspection.

The apathetic-looking lunch lady stared at his tray, making sure he had the basic food groups, before setting a milk carton on his tray from a nearby fridge. She then scanned his student ID, which was pinned on his jacket. "Enjoy your lunch..." She said with a tired voice with a hint of annoyance.

Pound just nodded his head politely. "Thank you, Miss Delores," He said before taking his trat back in his mouth and quickly trotting away, knowing better than to try and make conversation with her.

Slipping back out of the gymnasium, he made his way through the open-air hallways of the school, eventually making his way into the 1st-grade classroom. Slipping through the open door, he slinked his way to the far corner where most of his fellow pony students' desks rested. He set his meal on the table before sitting down, twitching under his dark blue jacket, attempting to ignore the itch on his back. Looking down at his meal, he began to awkwardly try to eat with his hooves, trying to ignore the foals nearby whispering and staring at his back. 

Chewing open a few packets of ketchup, he grasped them in his hooves, messily dumping them onto the fried tofu before leaning his muzzle down to eat. He attempted to do it as fast as possible, his lack of experience doing things the Earth Pony way a constant source of embarrassment. He swallowed the overcooked bean curd down before quickly wiping his messy muzzle with his foreleg. The snickers from the foals watching him made him lower his ears; staring at the lunch tray, his eyes wandered to the wrapped piece of banana bread. 

Vague memories wafted up from the recess of his mind; images of a pudgy blue mare and lanky orange stallion surfaced, their faces obscured in a blurred haze. Snorting, he shook his head and pushed the tray away; his appetite soured. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he watched the second hand slowly tick away. He counted along as the minute hand slowly moved, tuning out the sounds around him.
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Lunch came and went without much fuss, leading on to recess. Pound slowly trotted out to the playground along with the other foals, keeping close to the herd to avoid trouble from the other kids. The young colt was on autopilot before Ginger Tea nudged him out of his stupor. He suppressed a yelp as the filly's hoof brushed a bit too close to his bandaged back.

"H-Huh? Oh, hey Ginger... what's up?" He asked, forcing an awkward smile while biting his tongue.

"I brought something cool from home. Wanna see it?" She looked rather giddy, as if she had some kind of treasure in her pocket.

"S-sure?...." Pound raised an eyebrow, curious about what she could have.

"Follow me to the spot behind the swing set, near the Salmonberry bushes... I'm not supposed to have it, and I don't want the teachers to see..." Her eyes shifted from side to side before running off the secluded area of the playground.

Pound innocently followed after her, quickly getting himself into a brisk gallop; he chased after her. He made his way around the playground to the Salmonberry bushes, momentarily looking around, confused for his friend, before he felt something bite his tail and drag him into the foliage. Sputtering as he spat out a few leaves, he found Ginger smiling cheekily behind him. He only gave her an annoyed look in response; still, despite the rough handling, he was still interested in seeing what she brought.

"Promise you won't tell?" Ginger leaned forward.

"Ummm, I promise?"

"Nuh-huh, make it a Pinkie Promise!" She smiled.

Pound sighed but began the motions. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye..." He mumbled.

"Eh... good enough... not exactly like the Friendship Journal said, though..." Ginger pouted before smiling wide again. "Oh well! So you ready to see?!"

"I-I mean, I'm here, aren't I?" Pound tilted his ears back from her excited shout.

Ginger just giggled, digging around into her jacket pocket before pulling out... a large bullet casing? "Well... I see what you didn't want the teacher to see... but it doesn't seem that special...."

"Nuh uh, look closer..." Ginger held it up, revealing it was tampered with, a small flint wheel attached to the side. "Watch!" She flicked the lighter, which caused the bullet to swing off the top of the casing on a hinge. "My momma got it as payment when one of her clients tried to shortchange her... It's called a Trench Lighter!" She began to try and spark the flint with her other hoof.

"Ginger, I-I dunno if-" Pound's eyes focused on the sparks as they flew off the flint wheel. "G-Ginger p-please s-stop..."

"Hold on, almost got it..." Ginger stuck out her tongue, focusing on the old improvised lighter.

Pound began to hyperventilate, seeing another spray of sparks from the flint, his legs locking up. "G-Ginger...." He barely managed to squeak out.

"Almost got it..." Ginger spun the wheel one more time... and finally, the wick caught, a long bright orange flame growing from the brass shell; she slowly held it up to her face. "Ther-"

Ginger didn't even get to finish before Pound began to scream.
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United States
State of Lincoln 
Hornwright Badlands Mine
Cafeteria
12:11 PM

Maud and Pinkie slowly pushed their lunch trays in as they waited what was not so jokingly called the feed line. Bored-looking caterers stood behind sneezeguards as they dug their ladles into warming trays before dumping the contents onto their plates. It was far from fancy, mostly consisting of fried rice, a questionably gelatinous egg soup, broccoli stems, and some kind of small fried fish... hopefully sprats or sardines... It was a filling meal, but the lack of seasoning beyond the handfuls of salt was always felt on the tongue.

Pinkie wordlessly took her tray into her mouth, carrying it to a deserted table in the corner of the lunch barracks. Setting it down, she clasped her hooves together, waiting for Maud to join her in the silent prayer. After a few moments, Pinkie broke her hooves apart and began to eat, careful not to dirty the bandages around her face. Glancing over at her older sister, she sighed. "You have something to say, Maud?"

Maud's stoic expression formed into a slight frown. "You could be more open to Pound..."

"There isn't anything to be open about... he should know by now how things are." Pinkie slowly chews her overcooked broccoli stems. "I'm not his mother, and never will be..."

"And why's that?" Maud snorted, her frown deepening.

"You know why." Pinkie looked up from her meal, annoyed.

"Cause his birth mother is ashes? That doesn't make sense, and you know it; you never complain when he calls Cheese dad."

"That's different," Pinkie grumbled as she sipped her egg soup.

"How?" Maud ground her teeth, her usually emotionless eyes forming into a glare. 

"Cheese isn't responsible for what happened to that colts family..." Pinke met her glare with an empty stare.

"You're not responsible for what those Royal Gaurd stallions did." Maud leaned forward.

"No, I'm not... do you know what I'm responsible for?" Pinkie exhaled through her nose and returned a glare. 

Maud matched her glare. "There's nothing that could have been done... You can't keep holding that on your haunches..."

"But there was something that could've been done... but I was too busy sleeping off a sugar crash..." Pinkie stared at her sister. "While I was out of my mind nursing a hangover, that colts family died screaming for me...."

"Pinkie...."

"I remember it... hearing them... but my brain was too addled to make sense of it..." Pinkie ran her hoof over her back legs. "It wasn't until the fires spread to the bed sheets and started to roast me that I finally woke up..."

Maud swallowed as her eyes widened.

"The nursery was up in flames by the time I got to him..." She seemed to stare into the distance. "I don't know how he got out of the crib... but that colt had to listen to his parent's.... a-and watch his s-sister... e-even his w-wings…" Pinkie stuttered before taking a deep breath, her eyes losing emotion. "Dad was right... my hedonistic life had consequences... but others ended up paying what was due... and you think I deserve to be called his mother?"
> Megan
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United States 
Washington State
Airway Heights outskirts
8:37 PM

An older woman sat in a boxcar, watching the trees roll past; reaching up, she slowly ran her hand over her shaved head. A thin layer of greying blonde peach fuzz was just barely visible. Leaning from the opening, she took a deep breath and slowly stood up. She stepped back before jumping and barely stifled a yelp as she hit the muddy ground, rolling. A faint whimper just narrowly escaped her mouth as she lay on the ground, hearing the train continue to rumble past her. 

It was hard to know how long she lay there, but eventually, she began to work her hands against the muggy ground, pushing herself back up. Taking another deep breath, she worked her bare feet back underneath herself and forced herself to stand. Her knees wobbled, but she slowly began to walk, her eyes facing forward as she made her way through a thicket of trees. She let out an annoyed grunt as she pushed the brittle twigs out of her way before nearly stumbling into a drainage ditch that lined a crumbling road. 

She then began to follow the road, glancing at the various abandoned ranches and homesteads lining it. A deep frown formed on her face as she slowly passed them by. The older woman's mood only further soured as it started to rain, forcing her to pick up her pace. In the distance, she could see the road ending, giving way to a dilapidated wooden gate blocking off a dirt road. She stopped before the entrance, focusing on a nearby sign obscured by some bushes. Leaning down, she brushed the leaves out of the way, revealing the faded painted sign, the words Williams Family Ranch just barely legible.

Biting her lip, she brushed her hand over the sign, watching the paint chips crumble to the ground. Shaking her head, she stood back up and turned her attention to the gate. A rusted padlock and chain could just be seen but did little to stop her as she climbed over. As the rain started to pick up and soak through her clothes, her teeth began to chatter. Desperate to escape the oncoming downpour, she began to jog, her numb feet sinking deep into the muddy road. In the distance, she could see the barn and ranch house, badly neglected but, by some miracle, still standing. She briefly glanced at a well near the old barn; the ancient stones have crumbled over the years. She slowly approached it and looked down, seeing that it had been filled in with concrete. 

Desperate to get out of the rain, she pushed her way to the porch, trying to ignore the splinters digging into her feet. The door was boarded up with a faded and water-stained foreclosure notice nailed to it. Groaning, she turned her attention to the windows, climbing back off the porch and slowly circling the house until she saw one window still intact, if a bit cracked. She let out an annoyed moan, seeing it was on the second floor; thankfully, an overgrown tree was nearby for her to climb. 
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The older woman shivered as she peeled off her soaked clothes and tossed them to the side before slipping into a flannel shirt that seemed several sizes too large, along with some overalls. They were clean by some grace of god, a bit musty from sitting in a drawer for several decades. The socks weren't much better, with holes in them, never mind being oversized, but they were better than nothing. She pulled some dusty boots over her feet, finding they didn't fit; taking some of the moth-chewed bed sheets, she stuffed the old boots with fabric until they worked well enough. Once dressed, she turned her attention to the room she was in, the master bedroom.

There was a thick layer of dust on everything; the room had been empty longer than the ranch's forecloser, after all. Even after so much time, being in the old master bedroom felt uncomfortable to her. Turning her attention to the photographs on the wall, she slowly brushed her hand over them, cleaning away the dust. This revealed the deceptively happy-looking couple that once bedded here, a petite blonde woman with long golden locks wearing a pair of jeans and a blouse. Next to her, a large, burly man with brown hair and stubble could be seen, a noticeable gut filling out his flannel shirt and overalls.

Looking along the wall, she could see the couple's story unfold, from their firstborn, a bright-eyed baby girl in frilly overalls, to their second, a mischievous-looking little boy with a baseball cap looking comically oversized on his little head. The final picture had the petite woman missing, with the father sporting a forced smile, his hand resting on the boy's shoulder, who wore an uncomfortable-looking smile, and the eldest daughter holding a baby girl with little pigtails. She sighed slowly, taking the photo down, and opened the frame, pulling the picture out. She stared at it for a few moments before slowly tearing the father out and discarding it; she continued to stare at the children with longing before slowly folding it up and slipping it into her pocket against her chest.

Exhaling, she began to make her way out of the room, having to jimmy the old door knob a few times to get it to unlock. Opening the door, she slowly walked through the old hallways, peaking into the rooms lining it. They looked like they had been tossed over as if the occupants had hurriedly left. Arriving at the last room before the stairs, she pushed her way in, seeing it was as bad as the others. The bed frame was smashed, the window broken and boarded up, and toys and dolls were left broken on the floor. Sucking her lip, she began to make her way to the closet, opening it and kneeling down, brushing her hands over the termite-chewed floorboards. After finding what she was looking for, she pulled one of the boards loose, reaching into the darkness she felt around before pulling something out: a tarnished ruby heart-shaped locket. 

Standing back up, she exited the room, going deeper into the ruined house, into the old basement. She pressed on to the old root cellar, her nose wrinkling at the unpleasant smell of decay and mold. Her eyes centered on a hearth that seemed out of place. Approaching it, she lifted the rusted fire grate with a grunt of effort and tossed it aside, revealing some loose bricks. Looking around, she spots an old fire iron, which she used to wedge them out, one after another. Panting, she smiled, looking at what was revealed: a small stack of saran-wrapped crash and a cigar box. Grabbing it, she cracked it open and pulled out an old revolver; she leaned her forehead against the cylinder, closing her eyes.

"I'll make everything right... I promise, Majesty." Her voice was like gravel like it hadn't been used in decades, a tear leaking down her face.
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State of Lincoln
Buzzardville
Stater Brothers Market
7:37 PM

Tirek stifled a yawn as he slowly wheeled his cart down the isles, stopping now and then to look at random items on sale. Despite his exhausted demeanor, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. Reaching up, he rubbed the fur on his neck, trying to brush them back down, yet they constantly bristled. Mumbling, he trotted to the butcher counter and looked over the various meats on display.

"Hmm... I'll take one pound of the cottage bacon, just over a pound of the eye of round roast, and let me think.... the pork shoulder looks great, I'll take it." He pointed out the various types of meat to the apathetic-looking teenager on the other side of the counter, who proceeded to weigh and wrap up the chosen cuts.

Tirek grabbed each parcel of meat and set it down into his basket. Once he got the pork shoulder, he slowly wheeled to check out. As he loaded his groceries onto the conveyor belt, he had that weird feeling again, making him shift uncomfortably. While he waited for his groceries to be rung up, he looked around, seeing the store was relatively deserted. Rolling his shoulders, he pulled out his debit card and slipped it into the reader before collecting his groceries.

It was just getting dark outside as he made his way to his SUV, shoving his groceries into the trunk and tossing the shopping cart to the side. Seemingly in a hurry to get away from whatever was instinctively unnerving him. As soon as he slipped into the driver's seat, he peeled out of the parking lot, leaving tire marks on the asphalt. Pulling onto the two-lane highway, he couldn't help but look in the mirror as if expecting to be followed. 

Seeing nothing but a dark, sprawling road and badlands, he began to try to steady his breathing. Even as he approached the gated trailer park and passed the code-protected gate, he struggled to relax. Pulling into his small driveway and began to unload the groceries, the moment he slipped through the door of his double-wide trailer, he quickly turned all the locks. Tirek leaned against the door, sighing momentarily before slowly trotting to the kitchen to put away the food. 

Rubbing his large hand over his face, he made his way to bed, not even bothering to make dinner. He didn't so much lay down as fall onto the mattress, creaking the bedframe under his bulk. He kept his eyes shut, taking deep breaths, finally finding himself able to relax as he felt the soft bed form around him. Letting out a sigh of relief, he began to open his eyes slowly, finding a strange old woman looming over him on the side of his bed. Before he could react, she cracked the butt of a pistol against his temple, knocking him out.
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State of Lincoln
Buzzards Oasis Trailer Homes
15 Miles from Sulferhoof and the Equestrian Reservation
12:27 AM

The older woman stared down at the centaur, having spent the last hour tying him to his bedframe. Lighting a cheap cigar, she inhaled deeply, causing the tip to glow bright orange, before pulling it out and jamming right into his cheek to wake him up. The large centaur's eyes shot open, his yelp gagged by a thick bandana in his mouth. Any further attempts to scream for help were silenced by a revolver pressed against his forehead.

"That's a Colt M1878 pressed against your skull, loaded with .45 hollowpoint; it won't just put a bullet through your head, it will blow it clean off your shoulders..." Her eyes narrowed. "Make so much as a peep without my permission, and these sheets get stained red... understand, Tirac?"

Tirek seemed frozen as he realized what was happening before slowly nodding his head dumbly. Grabbing the corner of the bandana sticking out of his mouth, she roughly pulled it out, leaving him coughing and gagging for breath. He instinctively attempted to bring his hands to his mouth to try and cover the dry coughs, only to feel the rope around his wrists creak, wide eyes widening in terror. "T-take w-whatever you wan-." He was silenced by the woman slapping him with the pistol. 

"I didn't give your permission to speak, Tirac." She growled, gritting her teeth. "What's wrong? Not so high and mighty now that I have a gun this time around?"

Tirek looked confused. "I-I don-" He was silenced by her punching him, cracking a tooth.

"Didn't give you permission to speak..." She scowled at him, pulling away from the centaur and looking at his nightstand, seeing a framed photo of Chrysalis and Cozy. Grabbing it, she looked it over, her eyes centering on the small pink pegasus filly with the shaved mane and unfocused stare. "I assume the mare is a product of the Rainbow of Darkness?... Just what are you planning for the filly, your damn cur? Perhaps corrupt her into a new monster for your army?"

Tirek looked disgusted at what she was implying, which seemed to catch the invader off guard. "How dare you... after all she's been through, you think I'd-." He was about to yell at her for even thinking he'd do such a thing to her before remembering what she said, biting his tongue.

The woman exhaled slowly, glaring back at him. "Speak..."

"W-what do you w-want from me?" He was finally able to ask, struggling to speak.

"What do I want? I want your damn confession!" She grabbed his throat, digging her nails into his throat. "Speak!"

"F-Fine, I-I confess! I attempted to steal the pony's magic four times! F-first at the beginnings of the Celestial S-sisters Rule, then-" He was silenced by another pistol whip.

"I said confess!" 

"I-I'm trying! A-after I was banished to Tartarus, I eventually attempted to manipulate a filly into absorbing all the magic of Equestria for me, so I-" He was smacked again.

"I said confess!" She screamed into his face. "Speak!"

"I'm confessing! What more do you want?!" He was increasingly panicked and desperate.

The woman growled again and slowly cocked her revolver, making the centaur's pupils shrink. She then roughly grabbed his face and forced him to look her in the eyes. The woman stared into him, her eyes seeming to search for something. "What's your name..."

"Y-You already k-know, it's Tirek!" He mumbled

"I want your full name, Tirac..." She pushed the barrel against his head, pressing it down hard enough to hurt.

"T-Tirek... The Lessor...." He closed his eyes and lowered his head, mumbling in shame.

"You're not him..." The woman stared blankly, seeing the tears leak out the corners of his eyes.

W-wha-" He opened his eyes just in time to see the butt of the pistol coming back down, knocking him back out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State of Lincoln 
New Ballard
Shady Pines Retirement Housing Community
11:54 PM (5 days since Tireks home invasion)

Grogar hummed gently as he filled a kettle with water from the sink. Once it was filled, he slowly trotted to the stove and set it to boil. While that was being done, he used his magic to levitate a silver tea tray from a cupboard onto the counter. He carefully began to dress it with an ordinate tea set he rarely used; he lofted the black teapot on his face. His eyes seemed to follow the thin golden webs that decorated it before nodding his head, seeing no blemishes. He turned his attention to matching saucers and tea cups, gently polishing them with a tea cloth before humming in contentment and setting them down on the tray.

He then turned his attention to the fridge, slowly opening the door with his hoof, and levitated a large white box. The extravagant logo of the Crystal Tea House decorated the sides; opening the lid, he inhaled deeply, a faint smile forming before setting the box down next to the tea tray. He carefully lifted two princess cakes onto the small dishes before nodding. He then levitated the teapot to the sink, filling it with steaming water; once filled, he set it back down and proceeded to dig around a nearby cupboard. After a few moments, he found what he was looking for a small black tin filled with dark, dried leaves. Using his hoof, he took a few measured pinches and tossed them into the teapot.

"I know you're there, Megan... I'm ancient, not deaf...." He took the tray into his mouth and carefully trotted into the sitting room, setting the tray down on the coffee table before sitting back in his chair. "I've made your favorite, Majestys personal blend. Even have those little princess cakes you used to eat with her..." 

He leaned back in his chair, waiting before his old ears swiveled in the direction of some heavy footsteps. His dark red eyes gazed at the woman, slowly appearing out of the shadows with her glinting revolver pointed at him. Despite the glare of unbridled hatred in the eyes of the intruder and the seriousness of the situation, Grogar seemed calm. He had a slight smile on his face like he was greeting a grandchild, which only further aggravated the woman as he served the tea.

"My my, you've grown so much since last I saw you." He chuckled warmly. "I remember when you scarcely came up to my barrel." He hummed before motioning to the couch. "Please sit; you must be exhausted from your journey..."

Megan grits her teeth but slowly sits on the couch, keeping her pistol trained on the old ram. "You know why I'm here, don't you?..." 

"I can certainly make some educated guesses..." He grasped one of the tea cups and brought it to his lips, taking a small sip and letting out a contented sigh. "There are very few of us left from the old days..." He looked down into the cup, looking nostalgic. "Catrina is senile, Tirac hasn't been seen in over two millennia, cave crabs ate Squirk, Erubus was purified, Lavan was snuffed out, Hydia was burned at the stake, her daughters and descendants following soon after... Nasty business that was..." He shook his head. "It was only a matter of time before you came looking for answers..."

"Don't act like you care... I'm just here for your confession." She ground her teeth.

"and shoot me, I assume?" He looked at her gun amusedly, like seeing a child point a cork gun at him. 

"Mhm..."

"Well, I suppose you want to know what happened to your precious ponies that made them go so wrong?" He tilted his head, taking another sip.

"What did you do to them, Grogar?... tell me, and I'll just shoot you in the head instead of your stomach." She aimed the gun at his gut.

"Ah, a quick death versus a long and drawn out one, how lovely." He purred, clapping his hooves together, seeming almost proud of her. "Please, have a cup of tea, maybe add some honey; it sounds like your voice is rather strained, dear..."

"You think I'm just gonna drink something you prepared? How stu-"

Grogar rolled his eyes, took a spoon, dipped it into her cup, and added it to his own before sipping again. "See?"

Megan observed him before reaching down, taking the cup, bringing it close to her lips, and sniffing it. She had a look of shock on her face as she took a small, measured sip. 

"It's been a long time since you had Majesty's special tea, hasn't it?" He tilted his head. "Please take your time to savor it; I can begin telling my tale once you're ready."

Megan's lip quivered as she tried to hide how much tasting the old tea blend affected her. Memories of days long past slowly wafting back from the dark recesses of her mind. Majesty's gentle, almost maternal smile filled her vision for a brief moment. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus. "How did you get this recipe?..."

"Nothing sordid despite my reputation, I assure you... It took some digging, but I was able to glean it from her old journals..." 

"You expect me to believe that?"

Grogar hummed. "Look in the drawer to the left on the coffee table. Page 57, she kept rather... detailed records, believe it or not."

Megan stared at him for a moment before slowly reaching her free hand to the drawer, finding it slid open relatively easily, finding something very familiar inside. A dark purple velvet-bound book sat inside, with the image of five glittery blue flowers printed on the cover. She blinked carefully, tracing her fingers over the surface almost longingly before carefully lifting it and setting it down on the table. Megan could practically hear the voice of Majesty chastizing her for touching it, making her flinch, even after all this time.

"It's alright, Megan; she's not here to scold you now." Grogar leaned back in his chair.

Megan carefully opened the book and flipped through it, her eyes settling on the page. Sure enough, she found the recipe written down in the hoof-writing she recognized all too well, along with detailed farming maps based on the assumed yields of the ingredients to avoid waste. She then began to flip through the book, finding all sorts of ledgers of various goods she remembered were produced in Dream Valley by the little ponies.

"Strange she would keep such a thing away from you, isn't it?" Grogar asked.

"I dunno what I was expecting, but I'm still waiting for yo-"

"Didn't you ever find it strange that you never saw any baby ponies in Dream Valley?" Grogar asked.

Megan blinked and looked confused at such a seemingly random question. "I was there when Buttons foaled."

"Yes, you were, weren't you? She was so confused, wasn't she? Thinking she had a nasty tummy ache... she was so insistent on getting to the castle that Majesty would know what to do..." He hummed. "But since you grew up on a horse ranch, you knew it wasn't a tummy ache... tell me... how did she look when she saw that little foal come out?"

"She was young..." Megan remembered Button's reaction to birthing a foal like she didn't understand. 

"Why would she? Majesty was the pony's maternal figure, wasn't she?" He said as if reading her thoughts, lifting one of the plates of princess cake in his hooves, levitating a dainty fork in his magic before taking a small bite, savoring the taste. "But wasn't it odd how the other ponies reacted to Buttons being a mother?..."

"They... were a little naive... so what?" 

"Megan, Megan... think for a moment... how could that little Kingdom exist if they never had little foals? Did you believe Majesty birthed them all? Or they just never aged? Then again, days and weeks could pass in your world, yet you would always find them waiting for you like you never left..."

"Enough! Just get to th-"

"Page 157..." His eyes stared into hers. "You'll find the answer there."

Megan reached back to the book, seeming to hesitate, her mind racing at what Grogars game was. Flipping through the pages, she looked at very detailed records spanning numerous pages. "It's just some birth records and goods being sold and shipped to other kingdoms..."

"Tsk tsk tsk... read the book more closely, dear..." He wagged his hoof at her like he was scolding a child.

Megan looked back down, her eyes slowly scanning over the pages; she seemed to freeze as a pit grew in her stomach. "N-no... s-she wouldn't..." 

Diagrams of pedigrees spanning back generations gave way to ledgers. Titles like Stud and Broodmare loomed at the top of various collums, with names of ponies she remembered so well underneath in brackets. Brief descriptions of the foal's appearance followed these, but no ink was wasted on the foal's names, only titles like C#23 or F#42. This was followed by purchasers with titles like Saddle Plains, Riding Crop Creek, and Halter Heights. A collum on the far side of the page was filled with the generous amounts of bits received for each transaction.

"W-what t-the... Fuck is this?!" She struggled to swear as she felt her heart start to beat erratically.

"Hmmm?" He tilted his head. "You worked with animals, Megan; I assumed you would understand exactly what you're looking at?" He looked sad, or was he disappointed?

"This... It's like my d-dads..." 

"What did your family do again? Forgive me, my memory isn't as sharp as it used to be in my old age..." He seemed to think. "Ah yes... you bred horses, that's right! Your father kept very similar records, didn't he, and I assume you did the same while you were forced to take it over during his absence?"

Megan could only stare at the pages silently, her mind refusing to accept what she saw.

"The best way to train animals is to have them imprint on you, isn't it?..." Grogar tilted his head while taking another sip of his tea. 

"...yes..." She nodded her head, exhaling slowly. "So what... what do you expect to happen now? That I'm just going to forgive you?... are you about to tell me you're the true hero in all this?" She glared, slowly closing the book.

"Nothing that cliche; I'm a retired villainous goat, Megan... I have no illusions about what I did; they were unforgivable, and if there is a god, I will have to face that..." He looked up, inhaling. "But I respect you enough to tell you the truth... even in our supposed fantasy land... there is no stark black and white, just many shades of grey... Do you want to know what I did to your precious ponies to make them do what they did? The answer is right before you, nothing; they always had that darkness in them just like any living creature..."

He looked at Megan. "Even now, you're trying to deny it... You're telling yourself this is some grand trick... a final master plan to destroy the thing you hold dear..." The old goat frowned. "You couldn't let go of the past... when the portal between our worlds closed... your siblings moved on, explaining away the adventures as flights of fancy to escape your deteriorating homelife... You even tried to dig that old well deeper with your bare hands as if that would reopen the portal... much to the concern of your neighbors.."

Megan frowned deeply. "CPS came for Danny and Molly..."

"Things didn't get better after that, did they?..." He looked depressed. "Western State Hospital isn't exactly a place you get sent to if things are going well..."

"It's not my fault nobody believed me..." She rubbed her thumb over the cylinder of the gun in slow circles.

"A grown woman talking about how she needs to take her siblings back so they can find the magical talking ponies... I'm sure the police loved that, especially after she attempted to kidnap... sorry, I meant to rescue her siblings from their foster families..." Grogar shook his head. "Sounds rather insane in hindsight now, doesn't it?"

"It was all true..." She rotated the cylinder with her thumb, making the gun click.

"Indeed... but in your situation, the truth only made things worse... meanwhile, your siblings moved on, accepting the lie that there was no Ponyland... it was all a game made up by their big sister that went a little too far..."

"What are you trying to say?... just get to the point so I can shoot you already!" She couldn't hold back the urge to scream at him.

"Why didn't you grow up like they did?..." He finally asked the question that had been on his mind for so long. "Why couldn't you move on from Ponyland?... You could have had so much... When I was brought into this world, I expected so much from you... The little girl who defeated my army, who struck me down with nothing more than her hands... how could I not?" His hooves seemed to shake a bit as he held his teacup. 

Megan froze, looking wholly caught off guard. "What?..."

"Heh... You expected me to gloat about your misfortune?... to twist the knife deeper?... No, the truth is... I'm disappointed. You're still that young girl who struck me down countless millennia ago. You were supposed to be... so much more..." He sounded almost like a melancholic grandparent.

Megan froze, her mind trying to understand what he said. Before she could react, she had already raised the pistol and fired. A loud bang rang out, and gore filled her vision; Megan fired again and again until the gun was empty, leaving only hollow clicks, continuing to pull the trigger out of reflex. She stared wide-eyed, her hand shaking as she dropped the pistol, allowing it to clatter against the floor, struggling to come to terms with what she had just done. 

"It was supposed to be a paradise..." She whispered as the tears started to fall.

"Paradise doesn't exist." She heard a familiar masculine voice from behind; before she could react, a powerful arm wrapped around her neck and held her in a chokehold. She was forcibly wrenched up from her seat, knocking it over, her feet just barely touching the floor as the assailant seemed much taller than her.

"No... no, it doesn't..." Grogar slowly sat up from his chair, seemingly unharmed; after a few tries, he managed to get to his hooves and slowly circled the table, looking down at the discarded pistol on the floor. Raising his large hoof, he slammed it down, crushing the gun with a sickening crunch. 

Megan stuttered, seeing the pistol revealed as nothing more than a toy. "W-what?..." She didn't have long to contemplate what had happened before she felt a needle pierce her skin, and things started to get woozy.

"Sweet dreams, sis..." The voice behind her whispered.

Grogar stared as he watched the old woman go limp in her brother's grip. Dann-no, Daniel wasted no time cuffing her before dragging her out of the room. He was pulled from his thoughts by the smell of noxious cigarette smoke filling her nose, making him cough. "Must you do that here?..."

An elderly man slowly stepped out from the dark hallway nearby, a freshly lit cigarette in his mouth, which he seemed to savor like fine wine. His simple, well-worn, but cared-for suit starkly contrasts the authority and foreboding he radiated. "I waited long enough." He inhales slowly before exhaling the smoke. "That was a lovely performance..." He looked down at the old goat. "We now know she can ID old threats from your world... but more importantly..." He looked over; Daniel had returned, holding a tarnished locket. "We have the exotic matter we were looking for..."

"What will happen to her?..." Grogar asked.

"Hmmm?" The Cigarette-Smoking Man tilted his head. "After her escape from Western State Hospital, she's no doubt an extreme danger to the American public... why she stalked and broke into the home of an innocent centaur, then attempted to murder a respected food critic!" He shakes his head. "She'll obviously have to be sent to a much more... secure facility for the good of the American public." He said while taking the locket from Daniel inspecting it closely.

"I see..." Grogar glanced at Daniel, hoping to see some sort of familial care... love... for what was about to happen to his sister. But the grown man just looked impassive, like all good G-men. 

"We'll need you again eventually... don't go dying on me just yet, things are about to get interesting..." The Cigarette-Smoking Man slipped the locket into his pocket and walked past Grogar, flicking his finished cigarette into one of the teacups as he left; Daniel soon followed after him.

"Monster...." Grogar muttered under his breath, shuttering as he sat back down; even with that man gone, his presence hung in the air. Sadly, he stared at the untouched princess cakes as he sat in the darkness alone. He wouldn't sleep that night or the next, as one of this world's monsters had left their mark on his home.
> Gilda (part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States of America
State of Lincoln
Grovers Refuge
Pearch Estates
5:21 AM

Gilda stumbled through the wreckage around her; the smell of death filled her nose, but she had become numb after wandering through the no-gryphon's land for so long. Her little legs trembled as she struggled to hold her own weight and the weight of a mewling cub on her back. The thick mud offered little stability, but to fall in her condition might as well have been death. So she focused, one talon in front of the other while balancing the whimpering hatchling on her shoulders, only for her leg to suddenly plunge into a sinkhole. 

She didn't even scream as she fell over; days of no food, water, or sleep had left her too exhausted. Gilda could feel her filthy pelt become drenched in the thick mud, the cub tumbling off her back into a murky puddle nearby. The poor thing squealed and whimpered as it was soaked to the bone. Gilda stared blankly at the poor welp for a few moments before she, too, began to whimper; with her little strength, she reached out her muddy talons to grasp the cub, pulling them close to her.

How long they lay there, Gilda didn't know, only that they were waiting for the end. But just as she began to close her eyes, she felt a shadow loom over them. The hulking outline of an injured griffin filled her view, countless arrows embedded into his back, yet he stood tall with an annoyed look on his beak. "What pathetic things you are... won't let a warrior die in peace?" He grumbled, while Gilda just stared up at him. "Fine...." The figure began to lean down, opening his beak.

Gilda shot up from her bed; gasping, she clutched her chest, unable to suppress the involuntary shivers running through her body. Her eyes darted around the room before she began to remember where she was, only to let out a started squawk as her off-brand alarm clock began to blare, causing her to swipe at it in fear, sending it flying against the wall. Staring at the dent she made in the wall from sending the clock flying, she groaned and began to roll herself out of the bed. She briefly stumbled but managed to find her footing, slowly staggering out of the small bedroom. 

The moment she opened the door, the smell of breakfast greeted her. Staggering through the narrow hallway, she entered the kitchen and living room, seeing Gabby frying up some cured smoked meats in a large cast iron pan with some eggs. Grandpa Gruff just sat in his recliner staring blankly at the TV as it played another long-winded marathon on the History Channel.

"Morning, sis..." Gabby yawned as she flipped the meat and eggs in the pan. "Can you go get Gregory out of his playpen and into his high chair? Breakfast will be ready soon..." 

"Ya ya..." Gilda mumbled, trotting over to the corner of the living room where the playpen sat, just opposite Grandpa Gruff. A tan-skinned toddler in a pair of feathered footie pajamas sleepily cuddled a large plush parrot. Gilda smirked, looking down at him for a few moments before he finally noticed her and began to reach one of his chubby hands towards her. Gilda, in response, leaned her head down into the playpen, allowing the small child to touch her beak. Sighing, she leaned down, grabbed the small boy with her talons, and cradled him against her plumage with one of her forelegs.

As Gilda slowly paced past Grandpa Gruff, she tried not to stare at the bandaged stump despite her doubts about his awareness. "Good morning, Gramps. Are you enjoying your channel?" Gilda asked, only getting a faint grunt from the elderly gryphon. She wasn't sure if it was his response or just an instinctive attempt to clear the flem from his throat.

Gilda just frowned as she carried Gregory to his highchair at the table, carefully slipping him into his chair before ruffling his messy black hair. Meanwhile, Gabby was plating breakfast, a simple affair of traditional gryphon cured smoked meats, eggs, served on fried flatbread. Gilda smiled, sitting down at the table, licking her beak, and seeing the food before grabbing it in her talons and eating. "Mmmf... good at always Gabby..."

Gabby smiled as she cut up Gregory's breakfast before setting it down on his tray, taking a brief moment to preen his hair with her beak. "Heh, I try..." She said while grabbing a bowl of porridge with a runny egg on top to Grandpa Gruff, which he took and began to eat slowly as Gabby kept a close eye on him to ensure he didn't choke. 

"I'm going to Smithsdale today... you need anything?..." Gilda asked through a mouthful of food.

"Oh... another appointment with Doctor Lee?" Gabby asked, shuffling uncomfortably on her haunches. 

"Ya... you should start going again, Gabby," Gilda mumbled as she finished her breakfast and took the plate to the sink.

"I've been... busy with Gregory and Grampa.." Gabby said, avoiding eye contact.

"Listen, Gabs, I'm the mayor; I can adjust my schedule any way I want; I can take a day or two off during the workweek so you can-"

"I-I said I'm fine!" Gabby squawked, shaking momentarily before covering her beak with her talons. Gregory stopped eating and glanced over at the loud noise, though Gruff just seemed unfazed as he continued to stare forward.

"Gabby..." Gilda nervously clicked her beak but avoided saying more.

"I'm fine... I don't need to bring the bad stuff back up...." Gabby sighed, shaking her head. "There are more important things to do... just like Grampa always said...." 

Gilda just finished washing her plate before heading to the bathroom to freshen up. "Alright..." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gilda tracked through Grovers Refuge's cobblestone streets, seeing many local businesses slowly opening up as she made her way to the train station. Various gryphons could be seen slowly milling about on the streets, a veritable flock heading in the same direction she was. Gilda twitched uncomfortably, having so many bodies near her, but she just managed to suppress her unease. Thankfully, the anachronistic brick-and-mortar train station entered her view. 

Instead of heading to the platform, however, she made her way to two food stalls just opening for the day. The opposing food stall vendors couldn't be more different; on one side, a Blakiston Owl Gryphon was selling various traditional dried, cured, and smoked meats that hung around him. He leaned against the wooden counter, flexing his burly forelegs, occasionally hucking his wares to commuting gryphons, all while glaring at his competition. A young Japanese woman ran the other stand, resting just opposite him. Her stand was more modern by comparison, with a glass case displaying various premade bento boxes. She seemed so out of place, yet her goods seemed just as popular as her cantankerous rival. 

Gilda approached the Japanese woman's stall; upon seeing her, the woman quickly pulled out a rather ordinate-looking wooden Bento. No money was exchanged between them; it was only an awkward but knowing look from the woman as Gilda took the bento from her. As Gilda turned around to head to the train platform, she caught a glimpse of the Blakiston Owl Gryphon blushing as he avoided eye contact, no doubt remembering the... compromising position she found him in with his supposed rival behind his stall. Gilda didn't linger around; instead, she chose to make her way to the train platform quickly, joining the rest of the commuting flock of gryphons while shoving the bento deep into her saddlebag.

The chuffing of a large diesel engine reached her ears; glancing up from the platform, she saw a DFH2 shunting locomotive pulling up with several passenger carriages. The moment it stopped, a boy who looked barely out of high school in a conductor's uniform began to open the doors to the carriages. The boy was nearly knocked over as the flock of griffins squeezed into their seats. As each carriage filled to capacity, the boy would close the doors expertly, working his way through the carriages to check each gryphon's train pass with his clunky barcode reader. Gilda just wordlessly held up her pass for her to scan as he passed. Once that was finished, she slowly slipped it back into her saddlebag, leaned back in her seat, and closed her eyes just as the train began to pull away from the station. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States of America
State of Lincoln
New Bethlehem 
Golem Station
8:32 AM

Gilda clutched the mewling cub as she rested on the back of the injured warrior, trying to ignore the arrows embedded in the gryphon's back as he stumbled through the wasteland. Nuzzling the chick's head, she tried to shield it from the veritable hell around them. Despite her fear, she couldn't help but sneak glances at her surroundings, only finding more death and mud as far as her eyes could see.

"What's your name, welp?" the injured warrior mumbled through his clenched beak as he slowly wadded through the muck.

"G-Gilda...." She mumbled through the hatchling's head feathers as she continued to nuzzle it.

"and the cub?..." 

"I dunno... I found her alone under some... broken eggshells..." Gilda shuttered, trying not to think about it too much.

"I see... I take it you were there when she hatched?..." The warrior asked as he glanced back at her.

"Y-ya..."

"Then you get to name her..." He mumbled, turning his head forward.

"W-what?... B-but..." She stuttered

"That's just how it is... or are you gonna deprive her of a name?..."

Gilda clicked her beak nervously, trying to think of a name, only to feel a small talon grip her plumage. Glancing down, she saw the hatchling grabbing her feathers, and hesitantly, Gilda reached her talon down to stroke the cub. "Gra-... no... that's dumb..." Gilda continued to think before smiling weakly down at the cub. "Gabby...." 

"Heh..." The warrior chuckled, glancing back at the two of them on his back. "We're nearly out of here..." He saw the wasteland giving way to rocky hills.

"T-then what?...."

"Griffonstone... home...."

Gilda was shaken awake as the train came to a jerking stop, making her grunt. She opened her eyes just in time to see the passengers squeezing their way out; grumbling, she pushed herself up and staggered out. Her beak twitched, tasting the sour, almost garlic-like smell on her tongue. She gagged while slowly tailing behind the flock of griffins out of the station onto the nearby streets and the other commuters from surrounding settlements. Dragons and Kirin joined them and slowly matched to their various jobs at the factories, metal shops, and mills that lined the road. Many of the buildings emitted thick smog into the air as they worked day and night.

As she continued down the sprawling road, the crowd continued to thin out as they split off to their various employers, eventually leaving her walking alone. Her eyes stared at the bus stop that waited at the end of the street; once she reached the bench, she sat on her haunches. 

After about 20 minutes, a bus arrived and opened its doors to her. he quickly boarded and tossed a few coins into the bin before sitting at the back. Glancing out the window, she watched the bus pull out of the industrial area. The factories, mills, and metal shops gave way to small businesses and storefronts. As the bus began to slow to a stop, she stood back up and disembarked. Walking down the sidewalk, she approached an ultra-modern-looking retail clinic; slipping past the sliding doors, she approached the check-in.

"Gilda Gruff... I'm here to see Dr Teslenko?" She mumbled tiredly to the anthropomorphic feline receptionist, who glanced at a clipboard.

"Ah, she just finished her last appointment early... you can head back to room 6, Miss Gruff." She nodded her head gently.

"...Thanks." Gilda sighed, passing the desk and down the sterile white hallways lined with boring brown doors. Once she found the right patient room, she hesitantly knocked on the door before slowly peeking in.

The room was relatively simple, with a cheap-looking couch resting on the far wall, a large chair resting on the opposite of it, a coffee table lined with some snacks like prepackaged cookies and chips sitting between, some potted plants scattered about, landscape painting on the walls. It was rather a simple room but far from uncomfortable. Stepping in, she made her way to the couch and lay down on her side, sighing as she set her bag down.

After a few minutes, an older-looking woman with dark brown hair wearing a brightly embroidered shirt and a long skirt sat down in the chair. "Ah, Gilda, it's wonderful to see you. I hope your trip here wasn't too stressful?..." Dr Teslenko asked with a faint accent.

"No.. not really. It's kinda nice seeing so many gryphons on their way to work..." Gilda smiled weakly while shifting a bit on the couch. "In the old days, we just... made due."

"Indeed... How are things at home?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Gregory still isn't talking yet... I'm a little worried... Gabby says he'll talk when he's ready, but... I dunno," Gilda shook her head. "Grandpa Gruff is... still quiet..."

"You worried about his dementia?" Dr. Teslenko frowned.

"It just happened so fast... it's like one day, he's grumbling about how the statue of Grover in the town center isn't grand enough... now he just stares at the TV..." Gilda clicked her beak uncomfortably.

"It's never easy when close family starts to show their age, Gilda... I'm guessing you started looking at careho-"

"No," Gilda cut her off, snorting.

"Gilda..." The therapist frowned but didn't push further. Instead, she decided to change the subject. "Last week, we started to talk about the Gryphon Civil War...."

Gilda inhaled deeply. "Ya... I guess we were..." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"What do you remember?...."

"Honestly... not much... it's my earliest memory, and yet... I don't remember much else but... the mud." She shuttered, inadvertently ruffling her feathers.

"What about parents?"

"Nothing... I don't even know if they died or I was just abandoned...." Gilda mumbled.

"Gabby and Gruff?"

"Gabby... I found.... and Gruff... he hauled us out of that mud pit..." she ruffled her feathers.

"Was he a soldier?..." Dr. Teslenko asked.

Gilda seemed to stare blankly for a moment. "Why else would he be there?..."

"The way you made it sound, I didn't think there were any survivors where you were?...." She pressed.

"Heh, from what I could tell when I got older... the survivors who could fly dropped the banners and became bandits... the ones that couldn't... just became more bodies in the mud..." Gilda mumbled.

"What were the banners for?"

"Eh, who was gonna unify the Gryphons, I guess?... a fat lot of good all that fighting did... just reduced the fiefdoms into anarchy..." Gilda snorted.

"and Gruff?"

"He... was on his way becoming another body... before we accidentally woke him up.."

"He carried you out of the mud pit, I assume?" Dr. Teslenko asked.

"Ya... when he reached to grab us... I assumed..." Gilda shook her head. "Never mind..."

"You feel indebted to him, don't you?" the therapist asked.

"Do you know what it's like to just break down... to not fear death... but to pray that it comes soon?" Gilda stared at the woman, who stared back with a similar expression.

"Yes..." Dr. Teslenko inhaled, steadying herself. "it's not something most people understand."

Gilda nodded her head, not pushing further; the look in the therapist's eyes was enough for her. "He saved Gabby... and me... not only that... he gave us a home..." Gilda smiled sadly.

"Tell me about Gryphonstone..." The therapist asked.

"It wasn't a tourist destination after the war, that's for sure... Guess they drafted all the roosters who could swing a sword or hold a spear... nothing but the young, hens, and old left in the end..." 

"I can't imagine that was good for the economy..." 

"You think? Everygryphon from the Blacksmith to the Wheelwright was called up.. even their apprentices, I guess...." Gilda rolled her eyes. "The place didn't get better with age... but Gruff made sure we were safe and fed... that's more than some cubs got." Gilda crossed her forelegs.

"Food was scarce?" Dr. Teslenko hummed in thought.

"The farmers I remember near Gryphonstone were pretty old... I guess their younger kin got conscripted,... and when food gets scarce... creatures can become unfriendly. I got better when I was older... But for a while, you never ate outside and always ate quickly." Gilda clicked her beak.

"Makes sense." The therapist nodded her head again. "You once mentioned you used to sell scones..."

"Ya, Gruff's family recipe, he even got me a food cart so I could sell them around Gryphonstone..." She smirked. "I have no idea where he got it, but he gave it to me so I wouldn't have to work in the mines."

"Ah, I've heard about the mines from my other Gryphon patients... not much money in raw material extraction..." Dr. Teslenko glanced back at Gilda from her notepad.

"No... we got paid by the cartload... and well, if you weren't tough or smart, you'd be cheated out of your bits..." Gilda mumbled.

"Gryphonstone was rather dependent on trade with Lin-... I mean, Equestria, I take it?"

"The Gryphon Talon was worthless after the war... most farms were raised for miles in every direction... all we could do was work the quarries and old mines and hope the ponies were generous enough to give us what we needed to last another year..." Gilda mumbled.

"But not you?" 

"Heh, some Gryphons managed to irk out a living above ground, Gimme Moore managed to open her family's old shop again... she was greedy git, but she wasn't much better off than other grifs... Gustave owned a small stew cart... before he ran off to Equestria to try and work as a chef...." She hummed.

"What about Gabby?" 

"Well... unlike me... she was able to finish her education in Equestria." Gilda leaned back her head and seemed rather proud. "She worked so hard at the Cloudsdale Flight School and even managed to get a job at the Equestrian Postal Service thanks to her grades..."

"You weren't able to finish your education?" 

"No... after a few years, I started noticing Gruff wasn't looking so good when I'd come back during the holidays..." Gilda clicked her beak nervously. "Found out that he had been working... I guess you'd call it double... or maybe triple shifts in the mines to pay for my education in Equestria... that would have been a lot for a rooster a quarter of his age... but he..."

"Wouldn't do it anymore?" 

"Oh, he could do it...would do it... but me getting a scroll that qualifies me to work jobs that an uneducated pony could get in Equestria wasn't worth him killing himself..." Gilda shook her head.

"I'm guessing that wasn't a fun conversation?"

"Nope, thankfully he was too sore from the mines to get out of his chair while he yelled at me..." Her beak cruved into a smirk. "But I managed to convince him that if I stayed in Gryphonstone, I could take some of the burden off him so we could send Gabby to get an education... she was always too soft for Gryphonstone.." Gilda clicked her beak again, sighing.

"You really care about her, huh?" Dr. Teslenko asked, smiling gently.

"Seeing her smile always made Gryphonstone more bearable..." Gilda ran her talons over her beak.

"Yet you wanted her to leave?" The therapist asked again, prying deeper.

"Isn't it normal to want you dau... I mean, little sister, to have a better life?" Gilda quickly corrected herself.

"Yes, I suppose it is." Dr. Teslenko nodded her head. "During one of your earlier visits, you mentioned another Gryphon... but it seemed to upset you too much to talk about... Gavin, I-"

"N-No!" Gilda squawked out before clamping her beak shut with her talons. "S-sorry... I'm n-no ready t-to talk about him yet..." She struggled to stop herself from hyperventilating.

Dr. Teslenko said she had touched a nerve and clicked her pen; she could tell that one name was enough to end their appointment for the day. "You seem to hold Gruff and Gabby in high regard... I'd like to explore that during your next visit if that's alright?... would you like to relax for a bit before you leave?" 

"No... I-I'm alright... and ya... I'd like that..." Gilda unsteadily got off the couch, tossing her bag over her haunches, slowly dragging herself to the door. She gave the therapist a forced smile before stumbling out the door with a worried expression as they watched her leave.

Gilda stumbled out of the clinic, making her way to a nearby deserted park, quickly sitting down at the first bench she saw. How long she sat there, she wasn't sure. Instead, she just tried to settle herself down. Her chest tightened painfully as she struggled to suppress her panic attack. Glancing at a nearby grove, she started to try and count the number of trees in an almost religious manner. She repeated the process repeatedly despite knowing how many trees there were. Slowly, her chest loosened, and she was able to lean back on the bench, catching her breath.

She slowly dug her talon into her saddlebags before pulling out her bento. She wasn't starving, but it was around lunchtime, and she preferred to keep to her schedule. Taking a deep breath, she opened the box, revealing what was inside. The smells of fried cured meats made with traditional gryphon seasonings slowly wafted into her nose. The meat was artfully cut in the shape of rose peddles with various green pickled vegetables cut into the shape of a stem, all on a bed of fluffy rice. On any other day, it would be mouthwatering, but today, her stomach was uneasy from stress.

Still, she pulled out the chopsticks from the side of the bento and began to eat, staring into the distance. Just as she was beginning to try to savor the meat, her phone began to ring. Gilda swallowed and set the lunch down before reaching into her bag and pulling out the rather plain flip phone. She flicked it open and pressed it to the side of her head.

"Hell-"

"Gilda!!!" Gabby's shrill shriek nearly caused Gilda to jump.

"Gabby? What's wrong?" Gilda stuttered, nearly spitting out her food.

"Gregory and Grandpa Gruff are missing!" She shrieked.

"What?... How the Tartarus could they be missing!? Gregory is a toddler, and Gruff doesn't leave his chair unless we coax him.... a lot..." Gilda felt her chest tighten.

"I-I dozed off on the couch a-and when I woke up they were both gone! I-I looked everywhere; they just aren't here!" Gabby sounded increasingly panicked.

"Gabby, I'll take a cab straight home." Gilda quickly jumped off the bench and ran out of the park, leaving the bento behind as she desperately searched for a taxi.