---

I stood at the doorway which leads to hundreds, maybe even a thousand underground tunnels. Some caved in, and some infested with all sorts of dangers. But it was the only way we could go. I walked towards the door, observing the rusted metal upon it. I tested the door, but it was locked. I looked around for a terminal, but I saw nothing. I reached into my bag and pulled out a bobby-pin and began to pick the lock on the door.

“Tornado, are you sure that will work?” Crystal observed me, looking down at me. Dodge was behind her, keeping guard just in case anymore Alicorn’s came after us.

“Positive, this isn’t too hard to crack open, I’ve just got to find the soft spot.” I responded, focusing on the lock.

Click!

The door was unlocked; I got back onto my hooves and pressed the button to open the door. It opened up with a loud screech from the rusted metal, revealing a long wide path that was poorly lit and had the odd corpse within it too.

Dodge turned to us and came back to us, looking around. He stood by the doorway.

“The coast is clear back there, come on let’s push forward.” He spoke, stepping into the tunnel.

“Of course.” I responded, looking towards Crystal and tilting my head towards the tunnel, insisting that she should go first. She nodded and walked into the tunnel, I then followed in after her. Just in case, I pressed the button to close the door and then quickly followed after them.

“You do know where you’re going, don’t you Dodge?” Crystal asked him, falling behind to trot with me. It’s as if the conversation we had last night made her move closer to me. Maybe because she wanted to make sure everything was fine, or maybe to the fact that she felt guilty for not understanding. Either way, I was grateful.

“Of course I do, I know a lot of these tunnels, before I became a sheriff I had to come down here a lot.” He responded to Crystal, glancing back at us. “Just follow my lead, and you’ll be fine.”

I was slightly worried, well by slightly I mean incredibly worried. It’s always the ones who sound like they know the way, that get Ponies lost. These tunnels could be infinite, they could go on forever. We came towards our first fork in the road within the tunnels.

“It’s straight ahead.” Dodge said confidently, “come on.” He began to trot ahead, which lead to a slope downwards. As we ventured on, many piles of rubble were seen and holes within the ceiling were seen. The tunnels could collapse onto us at any second.

“Dodge, this doesn’t look safe.” I examined the rubble we passed and the holes within the ceiling.

“It’s fine, Tornado, I assure you. We’ll be fine.” He glanced back at me with a smile and then continued onwards. We reached the end and we were presented with another doorway. This time, the door had been ripped off and casted aside.

“What’s down here exactly?” Crystal slowly stepped over the steel door. I followed her closely, but landing horribly on the hoof that was on the side of my damaged ribcage. Crystal came to help me instantly, catching me before I fell. She looked into my eyes with an encouraging smile.

“You do not want to know you two. Although, it’s unlikely we’ll run into anything big.” He chuckled to himself lightly, waiting for us to catch up. “The bigger things wander in the lower levels.”

“Well, we can’t afford to get into any combat, Tornado’s still injured.” Crystal used some of her magic on me to help me walk. How it did feel weird, it really helped me. I wasn’t stumbling as much as I was and I could safely walk without doing more damage.

Dodge nodded simply and then walked through the doorway, which brought us to a room where water was flowing down the slope. It was coming from the left of us and it was a weak current, Crystal levitated me over and sat me down before she carefully walked across. Dodge followed her afterwards to ensure that she would get across safely.

Crystal pulled out her medical bag and offered me some painkillers for the road ahead.

“Thank you.” I simply said, before taking them and eating them. “I hope it helps Crystal, thank you.”

“I’m going to scout ahead, wait here.” Dodge admitted, trotting into the next tunnel which led upwards, his trotting was echoing before going silent. Crystal sat by me, showing a smile on her face slightly. Not a smile of joy, but a smile of pity. Smiles wouldn’t come from pity, but this smile showed pity.

“Thanks for the help Crystal; it means a lot to have you with me.” I wrapped my good hoof around her and gave her a small nuzzle. “Do you trust Dodge?”

“Of course I do, at this stage anyways. Although, if he does anything suspicious, I’ll tell you.” Crystal responded, looking at the path Dodge took. “Let’s just hope he isn’t long.”

Dodge arrived sooner than I thought he would and he looked at us, passing me a Combat Shotgun, Crystal an Assault Rifle and Dodge kept a Revolver to himself.

“Where’d you find these?” I asked, placing the Combat Shotgun into my battle saddle gently. I didn’t want to hurt myself. These weapons were useful to us.

“Hey, if you look hard enough like I do, you can find a lot of useful things, now come on.” Dodge trotted back up the path, Crystal and I followed. I had some trouble getting up the slope, Crystal again placed a magic aura around me to help me travel.

“Dodge, slow down. Tornado’s injured.” Crystal instructed, I let out a few painful groans as the aura wasn’t as strong as it previously was. Dodge climbed to the top and waited. We reached the top and Crystal’s aura grew stronger. The room in front of us was an office, it was crumbling and decaying. Overhangs that contained a room above had rubble seeping through and the sound of water dripping was heard. It echoed loudly throughout the room.

“Okay, careful this room could collapse.” Dodge began taking a few careful trots towards the shattered door on the other side of the room. He avoided the edges, as they were most likely the more fragile parts. “Are you okay back there, Tornado?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I grunted, coughing slightly. Whenever I took a large inhale of breath (which I started doing more often due to the ribcage’s damage) an intense pain was felt that made me shudder, yelp and fall. Crystal again helped me back up.

Dodge stopped again, “Crystal, how’s he holding up?” He looked at me, as I got back onto my hooves and Crystal frowned.

“Not good, the pain’s getting worse. And he took painkillers!” She stroked my mane and tried to keep me stable.

“Maybe he needs a stronger dose!” Dodge suggested, looking at me in the eyes. “You’ll be fine, I promise you.” I nodded, grunting. I could barely speak now without the pain getting worse.

“I can’t do that, he could overdose and die! Maybe he’s been walking too much.” She gently laid me down on a flat area of the floor and watched over me. She had a worried expression on her face; I only used my eyes to stare at both of them, before looking straight ahead again.

“I don’t know, maybe. But just remember, we can’t stay long.” Dodge mentioned. “We’re getting close to Raiders.” Dodge looked around himself cautiously.

“How do you know?” Crystal glared at him. “How!?” She only grew angrier. He didn’t tell us, he could have told us!

“The scents of blood, rape, sweat. It’s in the air, that’s how I know.” Dodge sighed to himself. “And if they get Tornado, they’ll most likely kill him first!” The name, Raiders, made me want to do violent things to the Raiders. I just wanted to reach into ones chest and rip their heart out.

Crystal just stared at him, showing anger in her face. Her lips quivered before she looked away. “Then what are we going to do?”

“G-go ahead.” I weakly suggested with a groan. “I-I p-promise, I’ll catch up.” I held my ribcage, coughing as I did.

“No, we can’t leave you.” Crystal had the soft tone on her voice, as she stroked my head. “We’re in this together, all three of us.”

“She’s right Tornado, we can’t leave you behind.” Dodge sat down, looking at me. I cringed at the intense pain when I inhaled and let out a hiss of pain.

“But, I’ll slow you down. I’ll catch up I promise.” My lips formed into a smile, “just go.”

“You don’t know your way around these tunnels.” He frowned slightly, “without me and Crystal, you won’t last. Please let us help.” I was grateful; however I didn’t want to slow them down. I would only get them killed.

“I-I am grateful…I really am, but I’ll only slow you down.” I hugged Crystal gently and looked at Dodge with a nod.

“I am sorry, we can’t leave you. I’m going to do the smart thing.” Crystal spoke, levitating me into the air. Why didn’t I just ask for that? I don’t know, either way I didn’t have to worry about hurting myself.

“Thank you Crystal.” I groaned, “Just don’t be too rough.” I tried not to take large inhales of breath, because that was one of the main causes of pain.

Dodge began to lead on as Crystal cautiously carried me with her magic towards him. He opened the door slowly, with that, it made a loud squeaking noise before he trotted through. Crystal placed me through first, hovering me on the over side before she proceeded through. As we continued onwards, Dodge suddenly pulled us down behind some rubble. Oh this made me groan and yelp, but Crystal covered my mouth.

“What is it?” Crystal asked, holding me close to her. She kept her hoof over my mouth, Dodge took a peak. I managed to catch sight of what he saw; it stood tall like a tree. It had claws so sharp that they’d tear you into two. They looked hellish. After the way was clear, Dodge got up and trotted ahead.

“It was a Hellhound, so we have to be cautious.” Dodge trotted onwards, checking both the direction it came from and the direction it went in to see if anymore were coming.

As we proceeded into another tunnel, a group of Raiders had set up camp; they looked towards us and grinned.

“Looks like we’ve got company boys.” A mare Raider spoke, her mane had one spike at the front of her head and one at the back, and it was a sickly green color. Her coat was a jet black color. She was also a Pegasus. I looked at them and fury built up in me quickly, I tried to break out of Crystal’s aura, but she placed me behind cover. The other Raiders around the mare one, revealed their guns and other weapons.

“Get out of our way.” Dodge got in the face of the mare Raider, “before we force you out of our way.”

“We were here first, why don’t you scoot-along back to where you came from?” She held her Double Barrelled Shotgun close with a smirk. She didn’t have a battle saddle; she had to use her wings.

Dodge quickly obtained his Revolver and locked it between his jaws, aiming at the mare’s head. Crystal sat down with me, watching what could happen. She readied up, levitating her Assault Rifle to her side.

“Wait here Tornado, I promise I’ll be back.” Crystal trotted round to him, leaving me on my own. But they needed help, so I crawled, groaning slightly and lay down in a position to where it could be easy to shoot. I probably wouldn’t hit anything, but it was worth a shot.

BANG!!

Dodge blew the Raiders head clean off, blood splatted onto the floor, as her body collapsed. The others engaged in a gunfight with them, gunshots going off every second. I kept crawling as the Raiders didn’t bother to look for me, the pain was intense but I knew I could power through it!

I took aim with S.A.T.S. and targeted the body of a murky green colored stallion who was aiming at Crystal; I shot two shells into his chest which crippled him. He collapsed in pain, holding his chest. Crystal and Dodge looked at me.

“I’m willing to help.” I grunted, slowly getting onto my hooves and limping over to them. The Raiders took notice of me, one charged at me with a knife, but I quickly shot them manually in the head. They collapsed and slid into the wall face first.

BANG, BANG!!

Dodge placed two shots into a Raiders leg and then finished them off with a powerful, neck breaking buck.

CRACK!

Crystal managed to take one down; she blew off the Raiders right foreleg and then shot them three times in the chest. Crystal looked at me. Suddenly a Raider grabbed her from using their magic, levitating a knife to her throat.

“Don’t think I won’t do it!” The mare Raider hissed. This one had a dark blue coat with pale white eyes, a large bloody scar down her left eye and also no mane or tail. “I’ll kill this bitch!”

“If you even hurt her I’ll-“ I grunted but was immediately cut off by the hissing Raider.

“You’ll what!? You can’t do anything. She’s mine now.” The Raider began to back away, pulling Crystal with her. Oh this made me pissed. Period. I quickly leaped for the Raider, despite the pain, all I could feel was anger. She threw Crystal aside, before I tackled the Raider and pinned her down. I started to unmercifully beat the Raider by punching it in the skull with my most powerful blows.

“Leave her alone, YOU BITCH!” By this point, I had ended the Raiders life, gazing upon the bloody corpse below me; I stood up and looked at Crystal. The pain came back and I groaned, collapsing yet again.

Crystal gasped and came to my aid; she held me in her hooves and looked down at me with a smile. “Thanks for saving my life just then; it means a lot to me.” She giggled lightly and gently stroked my head. “He needs some water, he’s burning up. It isn’t just a broken rib or two.”

“Water?! I haven’t got any, you’re the medic, and you’re supposed to have some!” Dodge exclaimed, glancing at her.

Crystal looked in her bag and found a bit of Purified Water left. She opened my lips slightly, and I drank from it. Of course coughing and then groaning in pain, but I drank what I could before turning my head away and letting the water fall into me. She screwed the bottle cap back on and placed it into her medical bag. I was panting to get my breath back; I then turned my head to Crystal.

“Any Stimpacks?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “I think it might help with the pain.” She nodded and reached into her bag, levitating one to her side.

“Okay, ready?” She prepared to inject it into me. “Open your jacket please.” With that, I unzipped my Stable 30 jacket, as she injected it into the area of my shattered ribcage. I yelped out in pain, but the pain was nothing more than a little prick…at least that’s what it felt like. I quickly zipped it back up about half way.

I found myself able to stand up with ease; the Stimpack killed off the pain and maybe even fixed the crippled limb. I began to walk forward.

“Do you feel okay now?” Crystal looked at me, caring. “It sure seems like it.”

“Well, I feel slightly sick, but pain wise I feel good.” I walked towards the door at the end of the tunnel and opened it. This time, we got a little more than to what we were expecting. It seemed like we had entered an abandoned bunker. It was all empty of course, but it had posters, computers, and doorways. I walked out onto the balcony, staring at the room.

“Look at this place.” Dodge looked around awestruck, “it’s a bunker, an actual bunker.” Dodge looked around the room. There was one light, the centre that lit up a small desk in the middle of the room on a large circular metal platform.

“Must’ve been from Pre-War times.” I added, slowly gliding down. “Come on, jump down.” Crystal carefully levitated Dodge and herself down towards the ground level. I landed with a small stumble, but managed to retain balance. I walked towards the platform, slowly walking up the steel stairs on it; I walked around the desk and looked at the terminal on top of it.

“The terminal seems to still be active.” Crystal explained, “Maybe you could have a look at it, Tornado.” I sat down at the small chair and looked at it. Crystal and Dodge standing beside me.

As soon as I opened it, the machine seemed to be damaged in a way, if not it was encryption.

---

Hello, welcome back Mr.Mist.

…

=======#PR0J3CT###W4RF4C3#=======

0103030####11342####

Password: *******

…

Password Accepted.

The Grand Pegasus Enclave: Main Database.

Actions:

Send out global order>

Send message>

CLASSIFIED>

Opening folder.CLASSIFIED

Password*******

Password Accepted

…

Launch balefire attack>

Steel Ranger Database codes>

Flower Berry Gardens documentation>

Omega Mountains documentation>

Guardian’s Clocktower documentation>

Stable 30 termination plans>

The Resistance Attack strategy>

<Back

…

Opening file.SteelRangerDatabasecodes.

Mist’s Enclave CLASSIFIED documentation: Steel Ranger Database codes

We have managed to find the codes to access the Steel Ranger’s Database, with these codes we can use their own weapons against them, and win the on-going war, to finally bring Pony kind the peace they deserve.

CODES: 4173-9921

Mist.

<Back

Please wait…

Launch balefire attack>

Steel Ranger Database codes>

Flower Berry Gardens documentation>

Omega Mountains documentation>

Guardian’s Clocktower documentation>

Stable 30 termination plans>

The Resistance Attack strategy>

<Back

Opening file.FlowerBerryGardensdocumentation.

Mist’s CLASSIFIED documentation: Flower Berry Gardens Documentation

Flower Berry Gardens, the once peaceful place turned into a blood bath of slaughter, hate and guilt. I have regretted our mission there; most of my fellow soldiers were killed there. I was the only one left. And the only one who got lucky.

Mist.

<Back

Please wait…

Launch balefire attack>

Steel Ranger Database codes>

Flower Berry Gardens documentation>

Omega Mountains documentation>

Guardian’s Clocktower documentation>

Stable 30 termination plans>

The Resistance Attack strategy>

<Back

Opening file.Stable30terminationplans.

Mist’s CLASSIFIED documentation: Stable 30 termination plans

Stable 30 is due for termination in two weeks’ time, therefore we can either fill the Stable with high level toxins for a quick and painless death, and if they are not willing, we will go in there and kill them all our way. My way. Stable 30 is not much use to us now, it’s been there decaying and gathering dust. Very few residents live within the Stable. They either escape or get killed by some hooligan who found a gun.

Mist.

<Back

Please wait…

Launch balefire attack>

Steel Ranger Database codes>

Flower Berry Gardens documentation>

Omega Mountains documentation>

Guardian’s Clocktower documentation>

Stable 30 termination plans>

The Resistance Attack strategy>

<Back

Please wait…

The Grand Pegasus Enclave: Main Database.

Actions:

Send out global order>

Send message>

CLASSIFIED>

<Back

Logging off…

After reading the Stable 30 termination plans, this made me so angry, so much fury built up in me. My home was going to be destroyed! I punched the desk in rage and let out a loud yell.

“If they lay ONE HOOF on my fucking home, I’ll FUCK them up so badly that not even Celestia would be able to save them!” I looked at Crystal and Dodge, now with tears growing in my eyes. “They’re going to kill them all.”

Crystal hugged me and I hugged her back tightly. “It’s okay Tornado, we’ll help you.”

“No way, I’ve had enough crawling into Stable’s!” Dodge turned away, “you’re both on your own for this, I am not helping.”

“Dodge, please. I beg you, if it was your home, I would have done the same for you.” I cried harder, knowing that all of the Ponies within the Stable were in danger. “If I lose my home, I lose nearly everything. I have a lot of things in there that belonged to my parents, I have a few good friends in there…I can’t just leave them.” He glanced at me and sighed as I say that.

“Okay, I’ll help you. But don’t think that I enjoy going into Stable’s.” Dodge came over to me and looked at me. “We still have to get to Manehattan. Don’t worry, we still have time. My guess is that, that document is no more than a few days old.”

“Wait, if this bunker…is abandoned, why has it got recently made files?” I sniffled, now beginning to calm down. I moved back towards the monitor and then looked around. “This isn’t abandoned, just empty.”

“So they could come back at any second?” Crystal looked around worriedly, “and you’ve just hacked into their major system.”

“Ayep!” I simply replied with a nod. Clanking hoofsteps were heard coming towards us. “Quick, get down!” I ducked underneath the desk, quickly pulling them both down with me. It was crushing me, but it was better than getting caught. I looked at my PipBuck and turned off the night-time light. For some reason it didn't turn off.

A Pony sat down at the desk; he had a white coat and a blue mane. His eyes were blue and he had a fearsome expression on his face.

“Good work out there on the field today men, you did the Enclave proud!” His voice boomed, I looked up at him. He was wearing a dark brown or maroon coat.

We stayed hidden as I peeked my head out, noticing him logging onto his computer. He sat back after a while and looked at his soldiers with a smirk.

“We have one week and five days until Stable 30’s termination, I hope you’re ready, because this is not going to be any easier than any other Stable. But we still have one more task at hoof, killing off all the Steel Ranger troops in Manehattan.” I had a feeling exactly who this was, he was Mist. The Pony who owned that terminal.

“SIR YES SIR!” The Enclave troops yelled. It echoed around the room and even inside the desk which made me flinch.

“Bring me back positive results, I don’t want failure. It is not an option. Now move out!” The sound of metal boots clanking was heard, as the Enclave troops left and took flight. Mist however stayed, and it was about time I talked to him.

I quickly pulled his chair, which knocked him onto his back. I pinned him down and looked at him.

“So you want to terminate my home?!” I punch him really hard around the face. But all he did was smirk, he head-butted me and I fell back and off the circular platform.

“Oh, how lovely a visitor.” He looked over towards Crystal and Dodge. “And I see you brought friends.” He grabs me by the neck with his wings. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you now.”

I couldn’t speak; the pressure on my throat was killing me. He leaned closer. I could spell his horrible breath, as every word left his mouth.

“Tell me.” He noticed my PipBuck, “another Stable Dweller huh? I haven’t seen a Stable Dweller Wanderer in a while. I thought they were killed off from the Wasteland.” He held the leg that had the device on and I tried to move away. “Such a beautiful thing.”

“Let him go!” Crystal screamed out, coming out and walking up to him slowly. “Do it!” Crystal walked up to him. “Who do you think you are?!”

“I’m Mist, current commander of The Grand Pegasus Enclave.” He grins evilly down at Crystal, “so I’d watch your mouth.”

“Crystal.” I coughed violently, as he let go and let me fall. “S-stay away from him.”

“Ooh, what a beautiful name.” Mist moved closer to Crystal. “To fit a beautiful mare…fits just fine. And what’s your name?!” He glanced at me.

“T-Tornado…Tornado Dash.” I coughed and spat out blood. I wasn’t one-hundred percent healed and getting strangled didn’t help at all. Each time I coughed, blood was spat out along with it.

“So Tornado, you hacked into my system?” He came down to me and got in my face. He looked calm right now.

“No, of course no-“ I was interrupted by a frightening shout. It made me jump and my ears even folded back.

“DON’T LIE TO ME!!”

“I’m not lying to you!” I screamed back in his face, then spitting blood in his face. “Enclave scum!”

“I know you did,” he wiped the blood off of his face. “It even says I last logged in today when I haven’t.” Oh shit. Where did it say that? It didn’t say it to me. Fuck, oh fuck I’m dead.

“Okay, I did. But that gives you no right to attack my home. If you stop now, I will go easy on you. Don’t make me do this the hard way.” I wasn’t scared of him; I was only scared of a slow death.

“Why don’t you fight me, then we’ll see.” He glared into my eyes with a grin, and I nodded. I knew I was going to regret what I was I’m getting myself into.

Dodge and Crystal came to my sides, lifting me up.

“Tornado, you can’t do this, please…he’s stronger than you.” Crystal warned me, shaking her head. “Please, please, please, don’t.”

“Yeah, you’re way out of your head buddy, just walk away.” Dodge said to me with a frown. “You can’t take him on!”

“Okay, time’s up!” Mist shoved them two aside and cracked his hooves, preparing for battle. I looked at him, also preparing myself.

“I know I may not win, but it’s worth a try. Now come on.” I lifted one hoof, telling him to come at me. I wanted him to try and attack first, because I had a plan…that just might work. He ran at me, but he was faster than I’d hoped. He swung a blow around my face which sent me down to the ground.

“Is that it?” He lifted me up, using his wings again and threw me at the wall. With that a loud yell of pain and agony was heard from me. I landed with a loud, echoing thud. Crystal and Dodge watched as he brutally beat me. He threw me across the floor and then ran to me, picking me up again and slamming me on the desk.

“I have something planned for you.” He was chocking me, putting more pressure on by the second. He raised an eyebrow and I actually managed to get out of the pin slightly, this allowed me to use my hindlegs to kick him in the soft part. The Abdomen. He flinched back with a loud grunt and I quickly bucked him up the jaw, which a loud pop was heard at that moment. He stumbled back and I punched him around the other side which sent him down.

He cracked his jaw back into place once down and smirked. He then swiftly pulled out a knife and swung at me.

“Hey, no weapons!” I grabbed his wing and snapped it, watching the knife fall. He screamed out in agony since the wings are the most sensitive part. I picked up his knife. “Any last words!?”

“Y-yeah!” He held his wing, punching the ground. Before looking up at me. “Back up.” He quickly got up, wielding another knife and stabbing me with it. I stood there silenced, Crystal let out a loud gasp and Dodge covered her eyes. I looked at the wound and then snarled, lifting up my knife in attempt to stab his eye, he caught my wing. Put I kept on pushing, he lost his grip and I lost my balance. The knife skimmed his eye as he closed it, making it make a large cut down his left eye. I fell and landed on my back.

“Tornado!” Crystal ran out to me, tearful in the eyes. I saw everything going dark and all the sound around me was muffled. I noticed the white Pony walking away, holding his eye with his good wing and then I looked back at the knife in me. Before everything went black.

---

Footnote: Level up!

New perk: Reinforced Strength Tier 1, this perk raises your endurance in combat by 25% and adding to that, making your melee combat 20% stronger but 10% less accurate. [This perk contains three tiers]

Current level: 7

Next Chapter: Chapter Eight: The Manehattan Outskirts Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 58 Minutes