---

---

Blood.

The taste of blood was in my mouth; the strong stings of scars on my face were felt. The smell of wet soil drifted under my nose. As my eyes flickered open, I found myself face down in a small puddle of dirty water, my head throbbed with an aching pain and blood dripped from a wound on the front of my head.

As I lifted myself onto my hooves, I saw the world around me twist and turn. What the hell happened to me? I began walking over to a gate covered in wooden panels, the cave I was in was dripping with water and spiders were seen crawling in and out of the cracks in the rocks.

“Ugh, what the fuck happened to me? Who did this?” I started limping towards the gate, stepping in some of the dirty puddles. “I need to get some air, I can barely breathe!” I started to cough; it was too confined in here. “Damn claustrophobia.”

As I opened the gate, the light blinded me. It was as if someone flashed a torch in my face. As the blinding light died down, I saw a ravaged land. Buildings were destroyed with huge piles of rubble next to them; the sky was a sickly green and dust glided in the air from the calm breeze. My blood-soaked, dirt covered and drenched Stable 30 jacket was starting to stink, it stunk of puke and blood. I began gagging and coughing at the stench.

I limped down the hill slowly, nearly falling over a couple of times. Tumbleweed slowly rolled across with the wind and my dishevelled, dirt covered mane danced in the breeze. I managed to trip myself up, landing face down on a cracked road. Some blood was seen after the fall, but not too much. I lifted myself back onto my hooves, looking around at the Wasteland before me.

From what I was told as a foal, Equestria wasn’t described to anything like this. Where the grassy plains, the butterflies, the blue sky…where was any of that? The fresh air that was said to be there was gone. The irradiated air was horrible to breathe in; it was my first time inhaling the oxygen of the outside world into my lungs. There was a foul stench in the air, obviously caused by the radiation and it wasn’t my jacket.

I slowly began trotting down the crooked road, seeing no Ponies out in the ravaged plains. No help, no weapons, no food…nothing. The only thing I had was my PipBuck, but the screen was too dirty for me to see anything. It was covered in dry, dirty stains from the puddle I was in with large splats of dry dirt that seemed to stick onto the screen. The metal on the PipBuck was rusted and brown.

As I edged down the path, I saw a sign stating a town was nearby. That put a small smile on my face, the only thing I could do was hope it was populated.

The sign said:

Everfree Shanty Village, 2 miles

“A shanty town? It’s better than nothing at all.” As I progressed, the shanty town came into sight. The steel they used looked new, as if the town was recently built. Ponies had got to be here. By the entrance to the village were a couple of few sandbags, for cover of course. Also two guards on each side, they were both a dark grey color, and they were wearing Stable Security armor. They carried Combat Shotguns with their magic, looking at me as I drew closer.

“Halt! State your business traveller!” The one of the left aimed the barrel of his Combat Shotgun at me, preparing to fire if needed.

“I’m just passing through; maybe to get some water and some food…maybe also to see a doctor.” I explained calmly.

“Hmm, you don’t look like Raider material. Hell you don’t even look combat worthy, okay you can pass through. But before you do, if you do happen to be carrying anything lethal, give them to us.” He stated, levitating his Shotgun onto the floor, showing that he won’t shoot.

“I have no weapons,” maybe he was right about me not being combat worthy.

“Hmm, I see…okay you can pass, welcome to The Everfree Shanty Village. Shitty name, but hey…the locals are nice enough to make it home.” He levitated his Combat Shotgun back to his side to prepare for guard duty.

I replied with a simple nod as if I was saying thanks and slowly entered the village. It seemed like a shithole, but he was right, the locals seem nice. The adults were seen talking to each other, while the foals played together. Games such as Hopscotch, or playing with some hula-hoops made of wire. Not razor wire or anything, just some smooth wire. As I was still new to this land, I wasn’t familiar to some of the empty bottles seen lying around. Sparkle-Cola, Sunrise Sarsaparilla. Those drinks weren’t familiar to me. The bottles looked dirty and some parts were cracked.

I saw a minty blue mare (like spearmint blue); she seemed clean while most of these other Ponies seemed dirty. Her mane was minty green and it has purple streaks in them. Her eyes were a beautiful, luminous blue color. Her tail was the same color scheme as her mane, she was also a Unicorn. She noticed me and walked up to me, showing a facial expression of pity.

“Oh heavens!” She gasped, quickly coming to my aid. “What happened to you? You look…and smell terrible.” She cringed at the disgusting stench of my coat and Stable 30 jacket.

“Yeah, I know that.” I commented, rolling my eyes.

“We have to get you patched up…and cleaned!” She levitated me with her magic and carried me over to her shanty home.

“Woah put me down!” My legs were flailing in hope of getting free, I tried to flap my wings but her magic was too strong. As we entered her shanty house, she laid me down on a bed. The frame was made of rusted steel, and the mattress was stained with what looked like…blood?

“Now just relax.” She kneeled down and started looking at my wounds. “Your wounds…how did you get them?” She asked in a beautiful, smooth tone.

“I don’t…remember, I just woke up outside my Stable.” I spoke, looking down slightly.

“A Stable huh? Aren’t those, those shelters underground?” She asked, pulling out a rusty syringe filled with some sort of glowing potion.

“Yes, that’s what they are…not exactly the best place to live, but hey I still call it home.” I sighed softly and looked at her.

She lifted the syringe up with her magic and responded in the soft tone she had before. “I’m sure it’s better than being out here, now just relax…this won’t hurt.” She stabbed the syringe into me, with that I let out a loud yelp in pain.

“Gah that did hurt!” I looked at her, shocked. I rubbed the place that she stabbed it and checked for any blood.

“Well, it’ll help you. Your bones and crippled limbs should heal soon…it works fast you know.” She spoke in a soft tone, placing all of her medical equipment into a small red box. With that, she placed it into her Saddle-Bag. “So, you’re new out here?”

“Yeah, should I be glad or afraid?” I asked raising an eyebrow, keeping my eyes fixed on her eyes.

“A bit of both really. Glad because, you’re going to meet friends…and afraid because you don’t know what to expect.” The mare said, moving her mane out of her eyes. “I’m Crystal; you should consider me as a friend.” She held her hoof out, wanting to shake mine.

“Tornado.” I shook her hoof, “Tornado Dash.” I found myself smiling slightly, wanting to know more about the Wasteland.

“Well Tornado, if you think it’s going to be easy…you’re going to have a bad time.” She commented, looking serious in the face.

“Yeah, the guards mentioned…Raiders, what are they exactly?” I asked with pure curiosity, looking at her. I lowered one ear (which I always did as a foal to show I was curious).

“Raiders are ruthless Ponies, they trot around taking what they want, killing who they want, when they want. Trust me, they never negotiate. If they want something they’ll either make you pay it them, or make you pay with blood.” She explained to me, lifting her hoof off of the ground for a second. “You’ll be able to notice a Raider from miles away, they’re easy to spot.”

“Okay, thanks for the tip.” I smiled warmly, “if it’s okay for me to ask…what do you do out here?”

“Oh me? I am pretty much a local doctor, I travel Equestria and they give me a place to stay. Someponies think they can get my help for free, but my policy is ‘you want help, pay up’. Normally I’d ask for caps off of you, but you aren’t carrying anything are you?” She giggled slightly. “It’s alright, but could you at least do something for me in return?”

“S-sure, go ahead.” I nervously said, hoping it was something easy.

“My old friend, Doctor Stoneshade hasn't given me my supplies and I need some. If you’re willing to go to Sweet Apple Acres and obtain these items, I’ll be most grateful.” She smiled at me, in hope I’d say yes. This didn’t sound so bad; I mean what’s the worst that could happen?

“Of course, I’ll help you Crystal.” I nodded in agreement.

“You will? Oh thank you so much, I’ll be awaiting your return.” She turned away and then got back to work. I got onto my hooves and walked out, back into the center of the shanty town. My wings were…still damaged, but my limbs and broken bones everywhere else seemed fine.

---

I left the Shanty Town, knowing Sweet Apple Acres wasn't too far from here, and I could recognize the building from here. We used to get taught about the Ministry’s back in the Stable’s school.

“At least I can gallop now.” I began to gallop quickly down the road towards Sweet Apple Acres. I then saw a stallion traveling away from Sweet Apple Acres. I assumed that was the doctor so I called for him.

“Hey!” He couldn't hear me; I galloped closer and attempted to call for him again. “Hey you, wait!”

“Yes, how may I help you?” He stopped and turned around. He was a creamy brown Earth Pony, he didn't have a mane but he had a small beard that was turning grey.

I slowed down as soon as I grew closer, eventually stopping at his hooves. “Are you Doctor Stoneshade?” I asked calmly.

“Yes, I am Doctor Stoneshade…at your service!” He bowed slightly, lowering his head. Once he stood straight again, he asked me in the low soothing voice of his. “How may I help you? I have all sorts of medical supplies, and even some weapons. Just as long as you have the caps to pay up, I’ll offer to give you anything.”

“I’m not here for that, I’m here on behalf of Crystal.” I spoke using a stern tone to my voice.
“She hasn't got her medical supplies and she needs them now.”

“Oh her? Please, she’s just a bitch who thinks she can help others when really she’s worthless. I, I am a real doctor.” A twisted grin spread on his face, “so, she’s still alive?”

“Damn right she is buddy, and if you don’t give her the supplies she needs you’ll have to answer to me!” I stomped one of my hooves on the ground, “is that understood?”

Doctor Stoneshade burst into laughter, “you think, a Stable Dweller like you…can hurt me?” He walked closer to me. “I have dealt with much more threatening things than just some Stable Dweller scum, walking on this land like he owns the place. I suggest you stay out of my way.” With that the doctor spat on me and began to walk away.

“Don’t walk away from me!” I walked up to him, grabbing one of his hindlegs and pulling him back. “I’m not finished with you; I am not leaving until I get the supplies she needs!”

The doctor sighed and then gave me a box containing her supplies. “Here, have them. I’m only doing this so you can leave me alone. After this, if you get in my way again I’ll tear you limb from fucking limb…is that understood?”

“Sure, I guess.” I responded, placing the box on my back. I slowly walked back to the shanty town, hoping that it didn't fall off my back. Luckily it didn't. When I finally arrived back, the foals and fillies were inside and the adults were out just talking with one another. I slowly went back to Crystal’s hut and entered.

---

“So, did you manage to get them?” She asked in that same soft tone. Her voice was like silk, so smooth.

“Yeah, I managed to get them. But that doctor isn’t exactly the nicest Pony I’ve met.” She slowly levitated the box over to her rusty desk and opened it, seeing Stimpacks, Blood Packs, Rad Away and other medical supplies in there.

“This is exactly what I needed, thank you.” She closed the box, looking at me. “And because of that, I am willing to help you for free!” She smiled and stood onto her hooves.

“So you’ll give me medical attention for free, and supplies?” I asked, sitting down. I looked up at her with innocent eyes.

“Not only that, but I shall travel with you and aid you in combat. Consider me a companion.” She stated, putting her hoof out. “So are we partners?”

I shook it with a smirk. “We’re partners.” I got onto my hooves, “I’ll need some weapons first.”

“I’ll sort you out with that, and your PipBuck needs a good clean.” She performed a spell to clean the dirt off of the screen, which really helped a lot. “Here, take this old pistol I used to use. It’s no use to me now, so it’s yours.” She also gave me a spare Saddle-Bag, placing it on me. “These are really useful out in the Wastes, they help you carry items you need.”

“Thank you Crystal, I’m really grateful.” I tested the bones in my wings and they were fine, I placed the pistol into my Saddle-Bag and gave her a nod as a thank you.

“Now, it’s time to get some target training done. This is vital in the Wasteland; if you don’t have a good aim…guns won’t help you.” She states, waving a hoof. “Come on follow me.” She slowly walked out of the hut and around to the back end of it. I followed closely, wondering what I’d be practicing on.

“Okay, first…we’re going to try shooting some empty bottles, after this we’ll see what you’re like on moving targets.” She used her magic to stand some empty Sparkle-Cola bottles up in a line on a wooden plank.

When she gave the signal, I pulled my pistol out with my wings. I managed to shoot all seven bottles off, without missing a single shot. I was amazed at how I did, I never expected myself to be this accurate (since I have never fired a gun before).

“Impressive!” Crystal commented, “Now come on, let’s go find some Radroaches for you to shoot. There are some just up this hill, come on follow me.”

I followed her again, walking up the decaying hill. Bits of rubble and dirt fell down as we walked up, also with some dust falling too. When we reached the top of the hill, Radroaches were all together in a small ditch in the ground.

“I’m familiar with Radroaches; they used to be crawling in the lower levels of the Stable.” I spoke, “this shouldn’t be so hard.” My PipBuck notified me about The S.A.T.S Targeting System.

“The S.A.T.S Targeting System makes it even easier for you to take down your enemies. Once in S.A.T.S select a body part of which you wish to shoot and then open fire to deal some severe damage. But be warned, you can only choose a body part if it’s either within range or if it deals any damage. The more percentage a body part has, the more likely you are to hit it!” The PipBuck notified.

“Let’s try this out.” I went into S.A.T.S and targeted the body of the Radroach. I fired on it, the bullet piercing its spine and making a sickly green colored blood splat onto the ground. The Radroach on the other hand was split into two halves. The other Radroaches started to run around crazy, I managed to get back into S.A.T.S and target three of ten Radroaches. I pulled the trigger, splitting one in half. I quickly shot the second, decapitating it and then the third shot impaled the third Radroach.

“Wow, you’re really good. You have a decision. You can either kill them all, or leave.” Crystal spoke to me.

“I’ll try and take them all out.” I smirked in confidence. As I entered S.A.T.S, I targeted four of them, and shot at them.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

The bullet pierced, split and eviscerated them, making the sickly green, glowing blood splash out of their bodies. Another six remained.

This time I didn’t use S.A.T.S, I tried manually taking them out. I shot four shots into one’s body, killing it. The gooey blood from the Radroach splashed on me slightly.

“Here, use this!” Crystal threw me a grenade; I caught it in my wing and then pulled the pin. I knew I only had seconds before the explosion went off, I quickly went into S.A.T.S, targeting the remaining five and throwing the grenade into the center of them.

BOOM!

The explosion killed the remaining five, making the gooey blood make a mess. It painted the ground a sickly green color. Disgusting. I checked to see if there were more before turning to Crystal.

“That’s all of them.” I nodded to her, walking over. “Well, am I “Wastelander” material?”

She giggled lightly and looked at me with a smile. “Well, you do know how to kill your Radroaches. Come on, let me get you a drink back at my hut and then we’ll head off.”

“That sounds like a plan to me.” I followed Crystal slowly back down the hill, being cautious of slipping. I didn’t want to break my newly healed neck.

---

I really do hope that Crystal stays with me. She seems pretty serious about the Wasteland being a dangerous place and I think she’s right…I am not looking forward to actually getting out there, but it’s better than just staying in one place, waiting for death to catch up with you.

Next Chapter: Chapter Two: On the Road Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 38 Minutes