Chapter 16: Post Apocalypse Picnic

Artemis's eyes fluttered open lazily. She was in a deep slumber, or had been at least. She was laying on the floor of the wagon using her duffel bag as a makeshift pillow and had an itchy blanket. They had gone an hour after escaping the ghoul hordes until they could go no more. Hayseed had pulled the wagon over to the side of the road where they all eventually fell asleep.

She had a horrible migraine from the nearly six hours of nonstop combat last night. She massaged her temple trying to alleviate the pain. Verity lay next to her, not an unwelcome sight to be honest. Artemis stared at her boyfriend, her first romantic investment ever. She just now seemed to noticed that his fur was a beautiful hue of cornflower blue, the perfect shade. She wondered what he thought of her fur.

He looked irritated even in his sleep. Somehow Artemis found his angry sleeping expression endearing. She smiled gently at him and laid her head back down. Verity breathed in deep slow rumbles. Aww he was snoring. Suddenly he began to stir. Quickly Artemis closed her eyes nonchalantly so Verity would believe she was asleep. All Artemis could see now was the inside of her eyelids.  

“Nnnrh. Artemis, I know you're awake.” Verity grumbled in a low tone.

Caught, Artemis opened her eyes to meet Verity's eyes and his steely expression.

“You got me.” She confessed playfully. Verity's expression did not change nor did his tone.

“How long were you starring at me?” He whispered ruggedly. Artemis imagined herself being overly attached and watching him intently while he slept.

“Not long, you're cute when you're asleep.” Artemis giggled quietly.

“Does that mean I'm ugly when I'm awake?” Verity retorted snidely.

Artemis blushed at Verity's assumption. “No, you just wook wike a wittle angwy baby when you sweep.” She chirped cutely. Artemis scooted closer to him and laid an arm on his shoulder.

This was the first time she ever really touched a man romantically. It dawned on her now how intimate this really scene was. Verity seemed to shift uncomfortably away from her.

“Are you okay?” She asked. Artemis hoped she hadn't done something wrong. Verity just looked at her with his sharp beautiful amethyst eyes.

Verity patted her back. “There, there.” He began slowly not sure of what to say. “I... can't do romance and intimacy very well Artemis.” He whispered nervously.

Artemis felt confused inside. “But you said you had two children? You must have had intimacy for that.”

Verity nodded his head in a disagreeing manner. “You really don't. Not in the Legion.” He answered. But he did not finish.

“When I was with them, my ex's. There was no love, they were afraid of me. That is why I think I decided to do this with you, I think you can show me how to love. To really love someone, that caring for one another. That is what I desire.”

Artemis felt moved on the inside. Even though Verity had two slave wives and had two children of his own he was no more romantically experienced than she was. But he wasn't satisfied with the physical relations with his wives, he wanted something deeper. Artemis felt a little ashamed that she felt a bit better about herself now that she knew about Verity's true feelings. At least they could be inexperienced together.

There was a pregnant pause between the two of them for a time. Maybe it was five minutes, maybe it was five seconds. Verity seemed to relax and come a little closer to Artemis.

“Knock knock knock darlings I have breakfast!” Hans exclaimed as he knocked on the back door.

While their moment was done Artemis felt good that she had seen a new piece of Verity. She rose from the floor and gah! Her mind wrenched inside her skull. A migraine for the books! Artemis clenched her eyes and reached into her bag. She pulled out her bottle of painkillers and a dirty bottle of water. She put five in her mouth and verily drank the water to wash them down into her system. Feeling relief merely seconds later she shuffled out of bed to let Hans in. Artemis did not feel addicted to painkillers but in her line of work you often stayed up a long time putting great strain on your brain, then take into account that more often than not you slept on the ground, so headaches in the morning were common. These pills were just to even her out, once her day got going she was A okay.

Artemis opened the door to let the pink unicorn in. Hans was levitating a brown paper bag with him. He opened it and gingerly gave everyone their breakfast.

“Here you go honey.” He told Aroma as he handed her some flowers.

“What!? I thought you were gay!” Aroma screamed uprooting everyone's tranquility.

“Are you okay Aroma?” Artemis asked trying to hide her agitation. She found it very rude when when someone raised their voice when it was uncalled for.

“Could you speak a little louder!” Aroma inquired. Now Artemis remembered what happened after they escaped the gas station last night.

~Last night~

“Mmmnn.... Art..emis, am I dead?” Aroma squeaked.

Artemis knelt down by her and gently laid a hand on her. “No, Aroma. You're alive, we all are and we are safe.” Artemis told her.

“I can't hear you Artemis. Something happened in the vent and I can't hear anymore!” Aroma squeaked out with her tired raspy voice.

~Back to today~

“I remember, Aroma's been deafened. When I picked her up I saw blood coming out of her ears, whatever happened in there it busted her eardrums.” Artemis explained. She felt guilty having snapped at Aroma for yelling.

Artemis opened the small hatch to the driver's seat. In there were Hayseed and Lady with their two foals. The cockpit if you called it that was a bit small and beaten up. The leather chairs they sat in were torn and missing patches here and there.

“Hayseed do you have paper and a pen I can barrow?” Artemis asked through the slot. Lady opened the glove compartment and rustled through the old documents.

“Here you go dear.” She said sweetly. She handed Artemis a paper and a pen. The paper was a license of a sort. Shattered Hoof Prisoner Transport vehicle 2060B it read. But that was irrelevant. Artemis flipped it over and wrote on the back using the wall to bear on. Once she finished it she handed it and the pen to Aroma.

“Aroma. We'll have to communicate like this until we fix your ears. We're gonna go to this town Hans found and get you some paper and pens. It will be okay I promise. - Artemis.” Aroma read it and began writing her reply.

“I'm scared. I can't hear anything. Is this forever? - Aroma.” She handed the paper back to Artemis. Now Verity asked to write something. Artemis handed it to him and he began scribbling away.

“Breakfast is getting cold guys.” Hans said with a smile.

“Verity. Let's eat first then you can give me that note.” Aroma said at an elevated volume but not exactly yelling.

“Very well.” Verity said expressionlessly. He folded the paper and placed it in his armor. It was patch-worked from his fallen foes, he had several layers of basic pony armor and patches of Steel Ranger armor.

Later the whole motley group ate breakfast outside behind the wagon. A post-apocalypse picnic if there ever was. Artemis was playing some music on Aroma's pipbuck. It felt adding insult to injury playing music Aroma could not hear, on her own pipbuck. But knowing Aroma she would probably be okay with Artemis playing the tunes regardless.

That did raise another problem for the quest. Artemis could not just leave Aroma deaf for the rest of her life. She would have to find a way to repair her eardrums. But what kind of doctor would would be able to do that kind of treatment. A simple potion would not be enough. They needed advanced medical care, maybe they could find some old Ministry of Peace technology but no one here has the know-how to use it. But if there was any way to help Aroma then they had to do it. Maybe in Fillydelphia there was something that could help them or this strange town.

“Oh Hans you really should eat something.” Lady said motherly.

Hans waived a hoof gently. “Oh no thanks darling I had a protein shake for breakfast in town.” He said with a crude smile.

Artemis quickly grabbed her beak as she choked on her sparkle cola. She coughed and spilled some her drink. Hans was vulgar stallion yes but Artemis was not ready for it this early in the morning. Hans realized Artemis was trying not to laugh out loud. He added with a risque' smirk.

“I'm stuffed.” He said purposefully torturing Artemis.

Verity lowered his meal. “Oh. I get it.” He said with a hidden disdain. “Gross.”

“Oh I'm so naughty. You think that's bad, one time-”

“Uh the young ones.” Artemis noted to her pink friend. Artemis pointed to the two foals who watched Hans and the others expectantly.

“What!” Aroma asked from her place by Verity who patted her back telling her it was nothing.

“Oh yes. The young ones.” Hans exhaled and sat back down.

“Can you finish youw stowy mwister Hans?” One of the foals asked innocently. Hans gave a quaint smile.

“Maybe when you're older.” Hans said endearingly.

“Hans what town did you go to for breakfast? We might be able to get Aroma some help there.” Artemis asked.

“Psh, I went to Clopton babe. It's just down the road.” Hans brushed his hoof not taking her idea to seriously.

Now his attitude made sense. Clopton was a town for one thing and one thing only: sex. The only doctors there would be the kind that, well least to say they would be of no help.

“Shit, Clopton. Isn't that where Madame Rope was born?” Artemis inquired.

Hans lit himself a cigarette and puffed in elegant plumes. “That's the rumor. I used to live there back in the day. It's a major party town, buck fiends dead in the streets, wanton sex, and the sweet smell of cum and desperate living.” Hans said coolly.

“Mmm hmm!” Lady grumbled as she held used her magic to cover her foals ear's.

“Oh shit I'm sorry. Damn I did it again. Doh!” Hans tripped all over his apology. There was a pause after Hans's less than stellar apology.

“Please Mr. Hans I am fine with your sexuality but please remember I have children here.” Lady said irritated.

“We have to try. If we have a chance at helping Aroma then we must take that opportunity.” Verity said in his steely voice.

As much as Artemis detested going to Clopton Verity was right. Aroma deserved it seeing that if it wasn't for her they would be ghoul chow by now. Aroma looked so alone. She was trapped in her little world of quietness. If they couldn't find anything for her they would at least find some paper and pencils for the trip to Fillydelphia.

“I don't mean to throw a wrench in your guys plan but, we won't be going to Clopton, we'll be staying here until you come back.” Hayseed said sheepishly but he tried to sound tough for his wife.

“Yes, I will not be accompanying you either.” Verity said with a stoney tone.

“What? What happened to we have to go to Clopton stuff?” Artemis retorted mocking Verity's earlier statement.

Verity sighed haughtily “I will not enter that town of filth. It is a town for the worse of the dissolute. I will stay here and watch over the family.”

Well apparently Verity resented Clopton, with good reason but he kind of betrayed his argument when he excluded himself from the mission. Now it just left Artemis and Hans for this little scheme.

“Well Hans looks like it's just you and me.” Artemis said finally.

Hans pressed his cigarette out on the ground. “Just like old times eh girlfriend.”

~Later after they prepared to the best of their abilities. Just taking a few necessities.~

“Remember baby girl, don't take anything into Clopton that you ain't prepared to lose.” Hans said with a smirk. “Including your maidenhead as well.” He added.

“Does that mean I should have sex with Verity before I go?” Artemis countered masterfully with a smirk of her own.

“Damn girl if I had Verity I'd never let him off me. I think I might be jealous.” Hans confessed seductively.

“Hehe.” Artemis chuckled.

Hans became serious. “I mean have you seen his tight little butt. Girl you hit a gold mine.”

“Ah hem, you're not as quiet as you think.” Verity said from behind the duo. They quickly turned around.

“Artemis.” Verity began.

“This sounds personal, I'll step away.” Hans commented and walked off.

“What's wrong Verity? Are you okay?” Artemis asked her boyfriend.

Verity seemed to think for a minute. “Artemis, when you go to Clopton whatever happens, no matter how close you get to Aroma's aid, I want you and Hans out of their by the time the sun goes down.” Verity explained with worry.

“Why? I something wrong.” She asked a little confused by his alarm.

Verity just stared into her eyes. “Just trust me, please. You need to be away from there by nightfall.” The steel in his voice rang with trepidation.

“Uhh okay, sure we'll be out of there by nightfall.” Artemis tried to put his fears to rest. But it still did not fit right with Artemis. She stepped closer to Verity. She could smell him now.

“Verity, you can tell me anything. We need trust for our relationship and you need to trust me. Please, what will happen at nightfall?” Artemis whispered kindly to her love.

Verity shuffled in place. His breathing became heavy. “Artemis, the Legion plans to scourge Clopton this very night.” He finally confessed.

Her mouth was slightly agape, this changed everything. A real Legion scourging. If the bloodbath at White Tail Park was bad then this scourging would be a massacre. A scourging was when the Legion would come into a town or area and simply murder everyone. Not like the assimilation of the White Hooves. A scourging was an act of genocide. No slaves, no prisoners, no survivors.

“Verity...I.” Artemis could not find the words. “How many?” She asked.

“One thousand.” Verity replied.

“One thousand legionnaires. Clopton was doomed.” Artemis thought to herself.

“I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. We can still leave, we can be gone from here way before the attack.” Verity proposed.

It was tempting but in the end Artemis had to decline. “I can't. Aroma still needs help.” Artemis said loyally.

Verity nodded quietly. “Fide letum. Then let us not waste anymore time. Don't tell anyone, not even Hans.”

“I'll be back before you know it Verity. Be careful.” Artemis said and gently planted a kiss on Verity's beak. He seemed to smile if only a little.

“You to.” He nodded and hovered to the wagon with the others.

~Later as Artemis and Hans walk to Clopton.~

The duo walked on along a destroyed road that was cracked and broken; the paint long faded away. Off both sides of the road the ground lowered into sandy fields that extended out into the distance. The sun shone brightly down on the landscape she and her friend traversed. The sun's light was nice but it's kiss also left the air a crispy hot and the distance seemed to shimmer with the intense heat.

“Look at us Arty-girl just like old times.” Hans said happily.

Artemis smiled and sighed reminiscently. It had been what, three years since they last traveled like this. Artemis was sixteen when Hans settled down at Red Rope's brothel; he had broke his foreleg and decided he wanted to stay in one place for bit. What was suppose to be a month or two turned into three years. Until now, now everything was different.

Artemis snapped herself out of her thoughts and replied to Hans. “Yeah, but I wish it wasn't as complicated. Now we have this number station, the Legion, those two creepy ass mares, and everyone else.” She complain.

“Freaky ass mares?” Hans asked a bit befuddled. Then Artemis remembered that only she could see them.

“Uhh nevermind. I just wish we could go back to the good ol' days.” Artemis longed.

Hans nodded at her request. “Sure it seems like things were better back then but remember back then we were up shit creek without a paddle. I mean, remember that family of gangsters that spent the longest of times trying to get our heads on a plate?”

Artemis giggled. “Oh yeah the Pleasants. They were pissed because we requisitioned their safe full of gold bars.” Artemis reminded.

Hans sighed happily. “Yes! And I made a solid gold pipbuck... Sorry, pimpbuck.”

“The one you lost in a card game.” Artemis smirked.

Hans gave his rebuttal. “That shyster cheated me. I still mean to get that pimpbuck back one day. From that bastard's cold dead hooves if necessary.”

They continued to reminisce in their old exploits. The days when it was her and Hans versus the world and the world had been in for the fight of it's life. They recounted the old harebrained schemes they pulled all the time. For every successful adventure there were two not-so successful forays. Looking back it was actually very dangerous but if Artemis could go back in time she would do it all over again.

Then there was the accident. There was a long abandoned Stable, something had happened and all the residents had been murdered. She and Hans caught wind that it still had a functioning water talisman so the plan was simple. They would delve into the derelict Stable and re-appropriate the water talisman to somewhere more applicable. They went at the dead of night; Artemis was only sixteen. The Stable was a bloody mess, everyone had been brutally slaughtered and there were no survivors. Things were going smooth enough; Artemis could have sworn that place was haunted though. Before long they had the talisman and were on their merry way out of that Stable when the Steel Rangers came for that very same talisman. They fought for their lives and to escape the rangers with their loot. They held out until Hans was knocked down an elevator shaft, then they had to cut their losses and flee the Stable. After that Hans became very quiet and withdrawn that's when he decided to settle at Palomino for a few months but it turned into a few years. Artemis would go and visit her friend hoping he would be ready to leave but he never wanted to and her visits became increasingly seldom, until now of course. But now everything was different.

“But you know, I don't regret it. Yeah I got my fair share of cuts and bruises but I don't regret my choices.” Artemis admitted.

“And now we're in some serious shit. How do you think we're gonna do it? Finding this number station and saving the world?” Hans asked with an unsure and worried tone.

Artemis seriously considered confessing to Hans about the green twins she sees. Although she really hasn't seen them since White Tail Park, maybe they were just figments of her imagination. She could hope couldn't she? Truthfully she knew the twins were all too real, in whatever degree of real they would use. Artemis wished Skipper was alive, maybe he had seen the mares as well. Reluctantly Artemis judged that she should tell Hans, they were close enough that he could be trusted not to call her insane.

“Hans.” Artemis began her confession slowly. However the pink buck did not stopped his canter not feeling the gravity of the conversation as Artemis was feeling it.

“Yeah babe?”

“I, need to tell you something I'v-!” She was interrupted.

“There she is, Clopton. The scummiest town to ever disgrace Celestia's green earth!” Hans proclaimed happily.

Artemis begrudgingly stowed her confession and bit her lip anxiously. Maybe it was better keeping this under the carpet anyway. Clopton was a series of vehicles: sky chariots, delivery wagons, family trailers and ragtag shacks. All these were centered around an old hotel that was in a horrid state of disrepair. The one night stand city had no walls and no defenses but it was a city that took all comers as long as they paid the price and from the position of the sun Artemis concluded they had at least seven hours before the Legion would scourge the cesspit town.

Next Chapter: Chapter 17 - Race Against The Clock Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 45 Minutes