Cherry stood there looking at me in horror as I slowly limped down the corridor towards her, my hooves barely able to support me as I swayed with each step.
Immediately she rushed out towards me, her voice already straining to remain stable as she whispered to herself about how it couldn't be happening again.

Looking at her worried face only made me feel weaker as I collapsed, only to be caught by her magic and then her hooves as she threw herself under me.
"Crimson." She whispered with a sad undertone. "What... what happened to you?"

Titan kicked his hooves to the ground and looked up at us both before breathing in and not letting go of his breath as if he were to blame.
"He got into a fight... two even. The first fight was fine, he wasn't harmed in it though it wasn't the smartest idea all the same. He spared a zebra and told them to alert the rest of his group."

Cherry looked with a mixture of confusion and what looked to be pride in her features, though the look quickly slipped away as she allowed me to stand on my own once more. "You... spared a zebra and told him to alert the rest of his unit?"

Nodding my head, I just groaned as she let me down onto my own hooves. Looking at my side, the blood had stopped dripping down my side. Still, it was moist enough to make a mess if brushed against, so I was glad that I wouldn't risk the new dress she was wearing.
"Yeah." I began, the pain making my voice crack and cough as I spoke. "Thought it would be... an act of mercy... and intimidation."

Upon the commotion, Eos walked out of her room and saw me as I slumped up against the wall as my breathing became more laboured and my muscles weaker. I just needed some place to rest was all.
"Crimson!" She shouted in shock. "What? How? When?!" She too was worried, everypony seemed to be right now, though I couldn't tell why any more.

Closing my eyes, the world became darker and heavier as the moments passed, the voices sounding more and more distant with every second.

"He's passing out! Get him to medical immediately!" Somepony shouted, though I couldn't tell who... it was too late to tell who.

When I came back around, all I saw was the grey ceiling of the medical room of Stable 58... no, this wasn't the Stable.
Looking to my side, I saw the three alicorns and a particular ghoul standing around as Cherry sat on a chair nearby with Maisy and Prince Snugglebums... heh. Prince Snugglebums, I'd never really thought about the name too much, but right now it seemed hilarious.
Snugglebums ran and hopped around as Maisy patiently watched, a resigned look in her eye as if she'd finally come to accept that she was never going to eat him.

The thought made me roar with laughter which soon turned into a coughing fit and a pain in my side as everypony approached.
Cherry leant out and touched my muzzle with her hoof before throwing herself around me and holding me tight.

"Crimson... you... eugh! You can't even go one day without doing something, can you?!"
The tears ran down her eyes as she stood over me, her lips trembling as she slowly drew her breath.
Pulling back, she made way so that Titan could approach and speak to me freely.

With a tone of voice that exaggerated how tired he was, Titan wearily began to speak. "Crimson, I'm heading off out with Helios and Selene. I'm beaten pretty badly and need the radiation, I won't heal without it. Don't worry about me though, Helios can provide shields and Selene will teleport us there. You rest up here and take care of those two... or be taken care of these two, it seems."
Titan didn't look at me after that, he just turned around and trotted up to the dark purple alicorn before disappearing with a flash, leaving Eos behind with me and Cherry.

"So..." I began curiously. "You didn't want to go with them?"
Eos just shook her head in response, giving no verbal communication. Instead, she just sighed before walking off to be alone.
Watching as she did so, I wondered why she seemed so... down. Surely she didn't feel alienated by us, did she?

Looking to Cherry I let out a fresh smile as I looked at her in awe of how beautiful she looked in her dress.
Crisp, clean greens stood out against her coat as she stood there with specks of tears in her eyes as she looked down at me, laying in the hospital bed.
Reaching out towards her, she came to my side and wrapped her hooves around me, holding me tight.

With a trembling top lip she began to speak softly, her eyes closing again as she did.
"Every time... every time you go out there, you get hurt. Every time you go out there, I've not been able to protect you properly."

Protect me properly? What? I went to speak but instead I found her hoof on my lips before I could say a thing.

"I'm meant to be here for your protection, Crimson. It's why I signed up to this whole ordeal, it's my job... and more."
More? She let out a soft whimper as she rubbed her muzzle against my neck and began to whisper.
"I'm your marefriend, Crimson. I care about you more than anyone other than your mother. I love you because you make me feel... safe. Even though you're weaker and not as strong as I am, the way you're so confident and the way you treat me. It makes me feel safe, it makes me feel that you aren't going to just... fly away and leave me alone, I lost my parents when I was young and I lost my last buckfriend when he decided he'd rather try it on with my sister than wait for me to return from a mission."

Her hoof slipped from my mouth as she climbed up onto the bed and let herself down, pressing against my chest against as she lay atop of me. Slowly, her hooves slid beside my head as she cuddled up with me and closed one eye while still watching me with the other.

I was absolutely shocked! "You have a sister? And he tried it on with her?"

She nodded with a sad sigh. "Yeah, he tried it on with her. She turned him down, of course, though the fact that he tried anything with her despite being with me... just because I was away. Didn't help him any that she just happened to be a big name, either. Quite hard to keep it a secret if everypony knows you hit on and failed to get with someone whose well known."

Well known? Now I was curious. I hadn't kept up too much with the ins and outs of relationships back in Four Ridges, I had the more pressing matters of politics, schooling and making a name for myself as a stand-up pony to worry about instead of who was screwing who... unless it was me screwing around with them, of course.

"Limoncello you heard of her?"

"Limoncello?!" I exclaimed in utter esteem. "Your sister is Limoncello!?"
Cherry rolled her eyes at me as I gasped in delight. "You're... oh my princesses! She makes the most heavenly drinks! And Sundaes!"
Cherry just looked at me flatly as I giggled like a young filly. "Mmm. It's been so long since I last had one of her creations, I think the last time was when I turned twenty! Knocked me off my ass that did."

Letting out a small smile, Cherry spoke once more. "Yeah, I remember that. Took us quite the while to coax you down from the skies before you hurt yourself. I was wondering how the hell I was meant to do my job properly if you weren't going to come down."
I gave her a small look of confusion, to which she noticed and continued. "Oh, you don't remember? You were too far gone to I suppose. Yeah, you were off your ass and into the skies before anypony could stop you.

Now I was really confused. She had explained some things, but others completely baffled me. "Wait. If that's true, why don't I remember having seen you before? I mean, a mare of your beauty? Even with how I found my entertainment and things to do during my free time, I haven't gotten to the point where I can't remember who I've been with so I don't see why I would forget such a beautiful mare like you."

With that she blushed and let out a small smile as she sniffled, looking up at me as she did.
"I was always too... nervous? No, not nervous. Shy perhaps? I suppose. I was always too shy to let you see me. You were always 'the overmare's son, my designated target to protect'. Not somepony I should've been introducing myself to."

"Why did you introduce yourself to me then?" I asked. "In the end, I mean."
Cherry blushed and pulled away a little more with that, until I pulled her face back up to mine with my hoof that was.

"It was because you spotted me before I could hide again, actually. Using my magic takes a lot of effort to go truly invisible, so I use one of my other spells that simply makes my coat and mane into the same colour and pattern as something I want to blend with... only that's no use when the backdrop is the sky and not the security wall. So yeah, I had no time to hide from you, as silly as that sounds. Then you called me beautiful and I was taken back by it all and... let myself go with the moment."

Sheepishly she grinned at me, the tears were gone now though the pain in her eyes still lingered as she smiled.
Instead of moving, we continued to hold one another, as I laid there on the bed, feeling exhausted despite the fact I must have had some amount of rest between collapsing and now.

At this point, one of the ghoul nurses walked around the corner with Eos and Storm in tow.
Instinctively my heart pounded as I watched the child stand next to the nurse, though the fact that Eos was by his side calmed me enough to avoid a scene.
With the energy only a child seemed capable of mustering, Storm jumped into the air upon sight of Cherry and ran towards us with esteem.

"Cherry! Cherry!" He cried out in excitement as he jumped onto the chair next to us and throw his front hooves onto the side of the bed.
"Look who I have!" His smile grew larger as Prince Snugglebums jumped up onto his shoulders and balanced his front paws on the top of Storms mane.
Cherry let out a affectionate giggle and I couldn't help but bust a smile and chuckle myself.
"I think he likes me!"

Cherry nodded and continued to giggle, but now with Eos in the background I found myself too distracted to join in.
Standing there silently she gazed upon us as if a part of herself was missing with our joy.
Looking past Cherry, I spoke to her. "Want to come and join in on the hug?"
Her face upon those words flushed red as she looked away, making me frown. I didn't want her to be upset, she was a good mare damn it! I wanted her to be happy.

As if read my thoughts, Storm looked at Eos and jumped down, running to her feet before getting under her hooves and trying his best to move them towards us.
"Come on, join in!" He happily beckoned as he continued to push her towards us.

Letting out a small sigh, Eos gave in and walked over to us, though didn't join in the embrace proper, choosing to simply stand by our side instead.
Giving her a small pout, she still refused, seeming nervous more than anything.

Looking at Cherry, I formulated a plan. If she wasn't going to join in the hug willingly, I'd make her!
Without taking my eyes off Eos I lowered my head down to Cherry's ear and whispered my plan, though she seemed shocked upon hearing it.

In shock she stared at me as she spoke. "I'm not doing THAT Crimson!"

Sullenly I looked at her and pouted. "Why not?"

"Because... no! That's disrespectful!"

"If you don't, I will." I responded as a smile cracked on my face and a worried look on Eos'.

Cherry stuttered as she stared at me. "You wouldn't... no, you would, wouldn't you?"
A groan came from her lips as she rolled her eyes at me. "Go on then."

That was it, all I needed. Eos looked even more worried with every passing moment, but now it was too late.
As swiftly as I could, I threw myself at her, wrapping my hooves around her neck, throwing her down onto the nearby sofa in the process.
Before even a moment had passed Storm had burst into laughter and jumped onto us both to join the hug before Cherry strolled over herself and carefully found somewhere to perch herself onto and joined in with us and joined in what had become a big laughing ball of ponies.

Now more than ever, Eos' cheeks burned red with the blood that rushed to them, though the smile on her face spoke volumes of how she enjoyed the sudden burst of affection.
Slowly our laughter subsided as we continued to hold one another,

"Told you I'd do it." I sleepily remarked with yet another grin.

With that, I just nuzzled against everyone closed my eyes to rest once more.

The sound of a certain child's laughter woke me gradually as my eyes slowly opened to see Storm chasing Prince Snugglebums in circles before the roles reversed and he found he was being chased himself.
Cherry sat by my side, her laughter at the whole situation nowhere near as energetic as the youngsters but no less sincere.
Looking around, I could no longer see Eos. Had she left?
Sighing, I presumed she had. She was a lovely mare and a super soft pillow to lay my head on, damn it!
Laughing at my own thoughts, Cherry turned her head to me and smiled more.

With a voice demure and eloquent and a smile on her face that was honest and without strain, she spoke to me.
"You're awake now then Crimson? I was wondering when you'd be returning to the land of Equestria with the rest of us, though I didn't expect you to be awake so soon. How're you feeling mister?"

How was I feeling? That was a good question. Groaning before I spoke, I didn't much feel like hiding it all away like I would usually at least try to do, I wanted some sympathy.
"Well, my legs feel heavy though at least none of them are fractured like they were last time I came back here. My wing still hurts from when the spear went through it, though that seems to be getting a little bit better I suppose. My ribs damn well hurt though, getting kicked about wasn't fun in the least. I mean, really, I'm the son of the Overmare! I'm not supposed to be kicked about!"

Cherry gave me a very 'what the fuck' look as she stared at me and though I could've continued, something told me she was about to speak and I wasn't going to get off lightly.

"Crimson?" She started with a voice like velvet. "Sweetie, can I speak to you for a second? About something serious? Or are you going to tell me that you're too concerned with how sleepy you must be and the healing drugs you've got in you right now?"

The guilt game! Damn it! Damn her! I wasn't going to say no anyway, but by the look in her eyes she knew she had me cornered and knew that I knew it too. Without any reluctance however, I nodded.
"Sure, what is it you'd like to talk about?"

Cherry looked towards Storm and cleared her throat. "Sandstorm? Sandstorm?"

With care free movements, Storm looked at her. "Yes miss Cherry?"

She rolled her eyes and pulled him in with her magic to give him a hug. "Silly colt, you know you don't have to call me miss. Now, Sandstorm, do you mind just going off to play with Prince Snugglebums in another room for a moment? I need to speak to Crimson in private for a second."

His eyes went wide and tears began to form as he heard those words. "Y... you're not going to abandon me, are you?"
Already the sniffles had begun as he looked at us both, swapping his focus from between us before we could even react.
Shaking my head I didn't need to say a word as Cherry quickly reassured him that it wasn't something he'd done, or hadn't done, and that she just needed to speak to me about something that I had done instead.
With another large hug from Cherry he wiped away his own tears and nodded before chasing Snugglebums out of the room.

Taking a gulp as she looked back towards me after closing the door with her magic, I knew I was going to be in trouble now and not even Storm busting in suddenly could save me... could it?
Looking in Cherry's eyes once more, no it couldn't. This was something she was adamant about, whatever it was.

Taking a deep breath, Cherry prepared herself for what she had to say. Instead of raising her voice however, I was taken back by the fact she had actually lowered it and spoke softly... almost as if she was scared.

"Crimson." She paused, holding her breath for a moment that felt like forever. "Crimson, I love you. I love you but..."
The trembling in her voice was extremely unnerving.
What was going to happen? I... I hadn't done... I hadn't done anything to break her heart, had I? I hadn't cheated, I hadn't betrayed her or physically hurt her, right? So why was she so afraid to say what she was about to? Why was she so upset?
But what?
My world felt as if it was crumbling already as she began her sentence. I hadn't been with Cherry for long, but she was my Cherry Sundae, the mare who I had fallen in love with, the very first mare I'd ever fallen in love with.

"But I can't continue with things how they are right now. You want to help, I know, and I love that about you. I love that you're out here because you feel it's your place, that you have to ensure the safety of Four Ridges' needs. But... you're hurting yourself too much in such unnecessary ways. When it was out in Coltshire it was fine, the only time you really put yourself in danger you were surrounded by other ponies with guns who were on the same side, other ponies who we had built a wall for. You were kept safe by them, the wall, Maisy and me."

Putting my hoof out in attempt to tell her that I still had Titan around, she cut me off before I could even try.
"When I hurt you, that was my fault and though I didn't show it to you, I was reeling in regret of being so hard with my hit. You were fine however, you just had a bit of concussion and we had a medic nearby who wouldn't hesitate to help you, given what we'd done for them. Now however, you're no longer in Coltshire, you're in Coltchester Crimson, remember that. Yes we're friendly with the revolutionary forces here, but if you keep knocking nurses over and making snide comments under your breath about how they're ghouls, how long are they going to be friendly?"

I lowered my head in shame, she was right. I mean... they were dirty and disgusting, but they were friendly enough to give us somewhere to stay, food to eat and having patched us both up, me twice now.

"Crimson, I love you, but if you're going to keep throwing yourself in harms way when you don't even have the proper back-up to keep you safe, I don't know how I'm going to continue without having an emotional breakdown and giving up on what we have."
The tears ran down her face as she spoke, slowly at first though gradually her speech was being more and more interrupted with the small sniffles as she continued.
"I'm constantly worried that you're going to go out there and not come back, that you'll start a fight that you can't handle and that because you haven't got me or Maisy with you..."

Leaning my face close to hers I wiped the tears away with my wings and pressed my lips against hers softly before looking her in the eyes.

"Cherry, I..."

"No Crimson!" She countered. "There is no two ways about it! You can't protect yourself from all the dangers of the world, you can't. You can try your best but there will always be that one pony who has the better shot, the lucky angle, the quicker reflexes, the tougher hide. You can't assure me that you alone are going to keep you safe. That's why I worry, because it's my job to."

"As my bodyguard?" I asked with displeasure, wondering if her reasons for acting this way were only professional.

"No. Well, yes, but no. As your marefriend, Crimson. For you, for me. I mean... Augh! Why!?" She almost demanded.

"Why what?" I asked in confusion.

"Why is it that you have no trouble finding the right words whenever you need to sweet talk or charm or barter or anything! You can simply speak and ponies follow you... then there's me, I want to tell you how much you mean to me and why I'm so afraid and I can't even do that!"

Tears of frustration ran down her face in equal amounts to the sadness, I could tell in the way she looked at me and then the floor. Lifting her face with a hoof, I gave her the closest thing I could to a smile with how awful I felt.
"Shh. It's okay." I cooed. "You've just not got the same sort of skill as me, but that's fine, because you've got other things that make me love you, and no, that's not just your looks. Now, breathe deep and take a moment to collect your thoughts, spend as long as you need to. It doesn't need to be poetic."

Upon that, she took my advice and nuzzled into my neck before drawing deep breaths and going silent for a minute. As she felt strong enough again, she spoke once more.
"Yes, I might be your bodyguard. Yes, my job of keeping you alive is important to me and yes, it would be highly damaging to my psych to lose you while you're supposed to be under my protection. However, what makes it all the worse is that I love you, you're my buckfriend and you mean a lot to me, Crimson. I lost my parents when I was just a little filly, there was nothing I could do to save them. My sister was the only thing that kept me alive, knowing I had her to look after instead of simply running out into the wastes to try and take revenge on the raiders who got my parents."

Looking at her in shock, I'd always wondered but never thought to ask. Some buckfriend I was.
Before I could really continue to kick myself she continued to speak though.

"From that point on, I've always felt the fear of abandonment. The fear of losing the ones I love the most. It's why I've only ever been with one buck before you, why it hurt me so much when he betrayed me. He might not have ran off literally or died, but he abandoned me all the same by breaking my trust. Please, Crimson, please don't do the same."

Cherry had a point, a damn fine point. If she'd lost her parents like that and her previous buckfriend tried to cheat on her, I could utterly understand the fear of abandonment. It wasn't something I'd felt before the night of terror that had been the cause of my hate for ghouls, but I now understood how terrible it felt.
My heart ached as I imagined how much pain she must have gone through all these years and how lonely she must have been, even if she hid it from herself as she seemed like she tried to.

"That's why I couldn't stand to lose you, Crimson. That's why I want you to promise me that from now on, you won't go out without me. We might have to go without Titan from time to time, I don't know, but if that's ever the case we're going to need Maisy as backup. I can't sit in here and be worried about you because you've left during the middle of the night without giving me any kind of clue where you're going until some jenny comes and gives me a dress and wakes me up in the process. Promise me, you won't go out without me, please."

Getting down onto my knees I took one of her forelegs into mine and looked up into her eyes to express how much she meant to me and to show I was willing to submit to her request. If this is what it took to stay with her, I would gladly agree to such a condition.
"Okay Cherry. I promise that I will no longer go out without you, upon our relationship does this lay, my word shall not be broken."

She looked down at me, shock in her eyes. "Just like that? No counter-arguments? No whining about it?"

"Just like that." I smiled as I looked at her, there was no way I was going to question her desire to keep me safe and her request that I travelled with a bit more protection than I had previously been doing so.
With that, she kissed my forehead and sighed a little, sniffling once more as she wrapped her hooves around my shoulders and pulled me up so she could nuzzle against me yet again.

"I love you, Crimson." I heard her whimper.

"I love you too, Cherry." I whispered back,
Looking at her now, though she had been crying her eyes out and revealing deep, painful secrets about her past, Cherry seemed a lot happier in herself. It was like she'd dropped a lot of the stress she was carrying with me having made that promise.

Stepping back, I took more time to notice just how beautiful she looked in her dress, despite having previously having had a gaze. I couldn't help myself, the way it caressed her curves and stood out against the tones of her coat were simply stunning.

With a cheeky grin across her face as she noticed where my focus was, she pouted at me and started to speak in the most teasing voice she could. "You like this dress?"

"I love it, though I think it's the way you make it look that makes it so awesome."

"Oh?" She gasped, raising an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Nodding my head in approval, she slowly walked around me in a circle, wiggling her hips as she looked back at me. "You like this dress huh? The way it hangs on me?"
Biting my lower lip, I nodded even more enthusiastically than before. She was becoming the right kind of tease, but damn it was devilish of her to do this!
She trotted on closer to me, climbing up onto my lap and looking at me, eye to eye. Slowly her head lowered down slightly yet she kept eye contact as I held my breath.

"Do you want this?" She asked in the most confident voice she could.
Of course, my answer was obvious. "Yes. Yes please."
Then... she giggled as she pushed me down and trotted off and did a little dance as she did.
"Well, you've got to try harder, mister Wings! You've got to earn the prize, and with you being all beaten and bruised, I don't think you deserve it until you heal up and keep to your word."

Looking at her in shock, she really surprised me with that. Sure, I should've maybe expected something like this, but... that was unfair! Tempting me with my favourite thing to do and then denying me.
Damn harsh, though it definitely got her point across.
"You're just evil, you know that?"

Nodding her head, she agreed before walking back towards me and kissing my cheek and pulling my hoof out towards her.
"Yup. Now, seeing as you won't be leaving this base for a little while..." At this point, she gave me a sure smile and I nodded acceptingly.
"Good. Seeing as you won't be leaving this base for a little while then, I vote that we open communications with everyone else to see how things are going."

Before I could even respond, she used her magic to go through my pipbuck and activate the broadcaster.
Wait... she had a broadcaster too! "Why aren't you using yours Cherry?" I asked with a huff.

She just looked at me and smiled. "Because you've got more status and anyway, you like me touching your... stuff." And with a wink, I found myself grinning as well as the images conjured in my mind.
Giving in, I let her do as she pleased without resistance.
"Okay, who to contact first? Let's see... Stable 58? Hmmm... not yet. Tank Mercenary Group? No, had enough of Mayor Sunburn for now after the last incident. Temporary group A?"

"Hmmm. A, that was Custard Tarts if I recall rightly. B was Gaze and we were travelling with C."

"So, check with group B first then? He'll be more likely to have a definite answer, being that he was going to Tenpony, right?"
She didn't even wait for me to say sure, she'd already begun to make the connection, causing me to laugh a little.

At first there was no response, though Cherry tried the line once more.

In annoyance, Cherry began growling at the broadcaster as if that would make all the difference. "Grr. Come on Bravo team! Answer!"
Within seconds, the line filled with static silence. Somepony had hijacked the communication stream but weren't saying anything, it seemed.
I looked at the broadcaster then at Cherry in equal amounts of shock and worry.

"Cherry... who... who the hell can hijack into my communication streams? That's not Lemon Gaze."
From the broadcaster came another sound though, that banished the silence and left my jaw agape and Cherry the same.

"No.. no this isn't Gaze. This is Grinder."

"Grinder?!" Cherry shouted in shock. "But... you're Bravo! Who else is with you? I only called upon the rest of Alpha..."

"Echo squad. Delta wanted to come too, but they've been reassigned to protection of the VIPs Alpha, Charlie and Delta to supplement Alpha squad while we're away."

"Wait, who is VIP delta? I don't remember a fourth VIP before I came out on this mission."

In a moment of pause, the 'hmm' was audible in the background of the call as the operative tried to think about his answer, before coming to a loss. "Not sure, though they reached VIP status around the same time as Crimson returned. Know anything about that?"

Cherry gasped. "Cherished! She's a VIP now? I mean... I wouldn't have it any other way, but... Wow!"

"Cherished? I was speaking about his return and kicking the crap out of the Mayor, heh. Still, glad to hear you know the new VIP then."
At this point, I couldn't help but laugh as he spoke about that fight with the Mayor. Of course I'd already told Cherry so she wasn't shocked, but it was still hilarious to hear other ponies speaking about me. That was when he started speaking to me directly.
"And you, VIP 'Bravo'... We're coming for you. We will find you, there is no escape."
Gulping at the sudden tone he'd taken, I began to worry a little. Telling me there was no escape was a little... scary.
"And then we'll protect you with our lives."
And then I let go of my breath, not having realised I was holding it in the first place.

Trying my best to laugh it off, I nervously chuckled. "Damn you for making me worried like that, you damn bastard."

He laughed along too. "Got you good though, right? Anyway, yeah. You've got two squads coming for you, so that's an extra seven ponies for your protection, sir. Before you say anything, your mother knows and personally green lighted the op even against the mayors wishes. She wants to make sure you'll be safe and so do we."

"So, when do you think you'll arrive?" Cherry asked happily. "Before you left, ETA was a few days time. Still looking like that?"

The buck on the other side chucked. "Hah, yeah, right. No."

Cherry's ears dropped as she heard that and her smile began to fade. "Longer?"

"Tonight. Tomorrow morning at the latest."
Both of us gasped in shock once again, tonight or tomorrow? Awesome! I would love the extra support and judging by the smile that struck Cherry, she'd appreciate it too.

"Where are you now?" I asked.

"Old Coltchester."

My heart dropped. Old Coltchester? Before I knew it, I was shouting my head off. "KILL THEM ALL. DON'T LET A SINGLE ONE LIVE, KILL THE FUCKERS! KILL THEM-"
At that point Cherry punched me around the face, knocking me out of my phase, before covering my mouth with her hoof and looking at me sadly.

"Don't get into any more trouble than you have to, Grinder. Crimson... we had a run in with some feral ghouls out there and Crimson got the worst of it. I won't say what happened over this, we can speak face to face about it or something. Anyway, he now hates feral ghouls with a passion and he doesn't seem to be able to control his reactions too well... might be a case of PTSD, seems so."

"Well, okay. We'll keep on track and take out anything that gets in our way with hostile intent, but I'll make sure we don't go straying off the path. We'll contact you via your own pipbuck when we can, okay?"

Cherry smiled at that as I still rubbed my head from the shock of the blow. "Yeah, sounds good. Speak to you later Grinder, and send my regards to Archangel will you?"

"Sure thing, Treetop. Seeya soon."

With that, the connection cut and I grumbled about the pain, groaning as I spoke. "Why did you have to hit me, again?"

"Because you were going into a state of shock and that's the most effective way to break you out of it. Besides, I'm sure you liked it deep down."

Looking at her blankly, she just smirked at me as I continued to touch my sore jaw. Hmph.
Even if I did like it a little... there was no excuse for it being that hard.
She just waved her hoof dismissively and kissed my cheek.
"Oh, you'll get over it Crimson." She muttered.

As soon as she said that, the door opened and Eos ran through, a frantic look upon her face.
Hoofsteps followed up behind her before I could say a thing, though they sounded smaller than an adult.
Not a moment later, Sandstorm chased after her as if his very life depended on it. His eyes wide and his panting heavy as he chased the elegant mare with Prince Snugglebums in tow.

"I'm going to get you!" He cried between quick, shallow breaths. I couldn't tell what was going on, though I doubted it was anything too serious.
"Grab her! Grab her!" He called, to me and Cherry I presumed.
Looking at the pair in the surreal moment, I did nothing. I was in no state to do anything, and Cherry seemed too curious of what was going on to react.

Within seconds it was all over. Eos lost her footing and fell to her side as she went to turn a corner, slamming her majestic body onto the floor.
Instinctively I threw myself off of the bed I was laid upon and Cherry rushed to her side too as Sandstorm jumped atop of her and held her flank tight.

"Got you!" He cried out before blushing at the way myself and Cherry looked at him with grimace.
Turning my head back to Eos, I did my best to try make sense of all that had just happened.

"Are you okay, Eos? Are you hurt at all?" I asked worriedly.

"Uh...Mm. Mhm." She mumbled as she raised her hoof to her head and rubbed the side of it. "Yeah. Just a little game gone wrong is all."
A game? I peered curiously at Sandstorm as he looked on at the alicorn before him.
"We were playing tag, it started after he pulled on my mane and ran off. At first I was annoyed, but then seeing his smile made me feel warm inside and I decided it might be... fun."
Looking back at Sandstorm, he did indeed have a cheeky grin that could tempt just about any friendly pony into a game.

Getting back up onto her hooves, Eos shook her head before looking at Sandstorm.
"Okay young one, you win this one. I think I shall leave the fun games for now. Crimson, Cherry, do you mind if I spend some more time around you two?"

Well... that was strange to hear, even for me. I couldn't help but be taken back by how strange it was to be asked by the leader of the group we were supposed to be helping asking if she could spend some time with us.
Naturally, I had no issues with it. Looking at Cherry, she just shrugged with a smile. I supposed if there was anything else she wanted to say to me, she'd say it later.
For now though, I nodded to Eos, who smiled happily upon seeing us having no issue with her sticking around.

Spreading her wings before she sat on the sofa, I felt a little bit envious due to the fact my flight was still out of action.

"So, I really hope you don't mind me asking this, but why is it that the other two went away with Titan and you were left here again?" Cherry enquired. The large blue mare drew a breath and used her magic to lift Sandstorm up to her side before responding.

"There needs to be one of us here for the ponies to come to if there's an issue. If we all leave, it seems like we're abandoning the peoples of Coltchester as a whole. Usually the three of us are going all around the base, speaking to the ponies we have here and giving words of encouragement to them. We don't go out often, but when we do, it's only ever two of us at a time. It's also a matter of security."

Noticing my questioning looks, she continued.
"If all three of us were to leave the base at once, there would be nopony around to call the shots on a high end level. Sure, there's Titan, but he's the militaristic side of the leadership here at the PLAC. Chances are that if the base were ever to be assaulted, he would already be in the thick of the fighting, or worse, dead. We'd need somepony with authority to organise and carry out a lockdown across all areas possible. My sister Helios, she can protect herself both in defensive and aggressive means with her shielding magic. Selene can teleport, meaning she can both teleport herself or anyone, or anything else. If there's any trouble, Helios could produce a shield and Selene could teleport them all out. As you know, I can turn invisible. All three of us have talents that are good for this purpose, though teleporting to your location makes things easiest, wouldn't you agree?"

Looking at my bandaged wing, I nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I get ya. Not being able to fly right now has messed my combat effectiveness up, that's for sure. It's also so annoying having to walk everywhere like a normal pony."

Pulling on my cheeks in grief over the matter, Cherry giggled at me and pushed me over with ease.
"Oh get over it you big fluffball. If you're supposedly tough enough to take down the mayor in a hoof to hoof fight, you're tough enough to get over the fact you can't have the easy ride all the time, mister son of the Overmare."
I was shocked! She... she just! Crossing my hooves and huffing, I proceeded to pout at her to no use.
"Oh, don't give me that!" She sniggered. "I still love you but you do need to stop being such a pillow if you're going to roll with my bucks.

Huffing, I turned to Eos and reached out my neck to her, nuzzling into her side before she'd realised and startling her.
The look upon her face was priceless as she realised what was happening. Cherry didn't find it too funny though, hooking her hoof around my neck and pulling me off into her chest and stroking my mane.

"You mister, you come to me for affection. Don't think me telling you that you need to toughen up and stop being a pillow is me saying I don't like that about you. I do like that about you, it gives me somepony to feel like I don't have to be keeping up the whole tough chic routine with. It's a part of why I fell for you so fast, you let me relax."
Nuzzling closer into her chest, I felt her kiss press against the top of my head as she scratched me behind the ears.
"You make me feel like things can get better... somehow. So yeah, don't change really. I love you just the way you are. Besides, you're mine and I'm the one you show affection to, got it?"

The smirk on her face as I looked up at her told me she knew I only loved her, that I only showed affection to others because it's how I naturally was and nothing more. To care for those around me was my job, but also who I was as a pony.
Murmuring to the affirmative, she moaned a short, happy sound.

The day passed by with little to do but enjoy the embrace in Cherry's hooves. Eos stuck by our side as ponies had come in and spoke to her, though at no point did she walk off to do any other duties or speak to other ponies.
Part of me liked to think that she was sticking around because she enjoyed being around us, that it wasn't something she had to do but something she enjoyed doing because she wouldn't have to act proper all the time.

Burps interrupting small discussions and generally being 'uncouth' as one of the ghoul nurses had put it taken up our time, and we all loved every moment of simple relaxing.
Sandstorm did his thing, snuggling into everyone for comfort. Part of me noticed he was getting particularly nervous whenever none of us were in sight, though now that we were all in the same room he seemed to be doing fine, despite all he'd been through.

"Hey, Sandstorm. You doin' okay?" I asked, to his surprise.

In return, he looked at me with a confused stare. "M- me? Uh, sure. Why?"

"Everything you've had to go through lately... ya'know? It was never easy for me, or Cherry. Can't be easy for you either, I'm betting."

Instead of responding he just looked away sullenly. Too far Crimson, too far too soon.
Sighing at upsetting the poor colt, I reached out for him and brought him closer to my chest so I could hold him tight and try to undo the damage I'd just done, as if it were possible to do so.

In a moment of brilliance, Cherry avoided the chance of the situation going awkward by moving the topic completely.
"Crimson, do you mind if I use the broadcaster again? Perhaps I'll be able to make contact with the other trade caravans now. Group B should be at Tenpony by now, easily and I don't reckon A will be far from The Society. Sound like a plan?"
I nodded happily, any distraction from the tense moment prior to her request was welcomed.
Holding out my hoof, she began to play with the dials once more as she went to make contact.

"This is Cherry Sundae attempting to make contact with group A, repeat, this is Cherry Sundae trying to make contact with group A. Do you read me?"

Static and silence filled the airwaves as we wait, no response came.

"Group A, can you hear me? Custard Tarts? Sweep sight? Iron mane? Can anypony hear me?"

We looked at each other in worry, we both knew that the travel to Hoofington could be dangerous and the city itself even more so, but the plan was for them to simply avoid the city itself by skirting around the edge of the region.

"Is there some way we could track them Cherry?" I asked, I knew it was a longshot but it it turned out there was, it would make me very happy to find out. I'd once heard my mother saying something about me never being able to be truly lost, though I couldn't remember exactly why.

"No. Very few ponies have the tracking beacons activated on their pipbucks, unfortunately. We've kept that feature activated for anypony in the special forces, the mayors and anypony critical for things like the Stable however. None of the ponies out on the other two groups are specialists, though. I'm with you because of your status, of course, while the other two groups don't have anypony of such high need."

Frowning in response, I felt a little bit guilty over that. I really did have it somewhat easy, huh? This meant that I couldn't even run off somewhere within Coltchester without being found, not that I'd want to. Still, it made me feel bad because while I was unable to hide, these ponies were unable to be found, no matter how much they might want to be if they were in trouble.
Right now we didn't know if they were okay or not, where they were or anything of the sort and none of us could do a damn thing to change that unless they turned out to be okay and contacted us.
Fuck.

Looking at Cherry, it did make me worry about her though. I never wanted to lose her in such a way, I would dedicate my life to finding her and getting her back safe if it meant doing so.
"Hey Cherry, you say specialists have a tracking beacon too, right?"

Giving me a curious look, she slowly nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Give me yours."

"What?"

"Could you give me your tracking beacon details, please. I don't want to lose you, ever. I don't mean to say I'd harass you with it if the worst ever came to be, I mean I can't stand the thought of you going missing and me being unable to find you, especially with your ability to go invisible."

Realising what I'd meant, she blushed and smiled at me before giving a quick nod and putting in her details to my pipbuck, labelling herself 'my heart'. I giggled a little at that before giving her a kiss on the cheek. She was right though, she really was in possession of my heart.
"Thank you." I whispered into her ear and she smiled back at me, nuzzling against my cheek for a moment.

Turning back to my pipbuck, I turned the broadcaster back on myself.
"Group A of Four Ridges, this is Crimson Wings, can you hear me? Repeat, this is Crimson Wings. If you are alive out there, if you can hear me, please respond."

Again, there was nothing but silence. I sighed as the worst of my fears emerged from the bottom of my stomach yet again. I really hoped we hadn't sent those ponies off to their deaths like we had Kingcakes and Pocket Change, along with the others whom I hadn't known by name.

"What about group B?" Cherry asked. "They went to Tenpony, they should be alive and well, right? How about we contact them?"

Smiling at her attempt to lift my spirits, I agreed. Tenpony Tower was one of the safer places to go in all of the equestrian wasteland, perhaps they would have had more luck than us? Who knew.
Cherry fussed with the pipbuck again before making a connection to the other group.

"Four Ridges group B, Four Ridges group B. This is Cherry Sundae and Crimson Wings, do you copy?"

At first we heard nothing on their end too, the same static filled the room like it had before and our ears dropped. Perhaps the broadcaster on my piece was damaged? Perhaps the worst had happened... perhaps the Enclave had moved onto Tenpony after Friendship City? My fears became rampant before the sounds of hoofsteps crackled around us, though it didn't sound as if it was from within the base.

"Can you repeat? Over."

My face lit up in joy as we heard that voice. It was Lemon Gaze! He was alive and he sounded healthy!

"Lemon Gaze, this is Crimson Wings. I've got Cherry Sundae by my side, so she's the other voice you'll hear."

"Who is Lemon Gaze?" Eos asked loudly with a grin upon her face.

"Yeah! Who is it, fluffy!?" Sandstorm shouted before high-hoofing Eos.

Cracking up, I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the two. Damn them for that.

"Uh, Crimson? You said there was only Cherry by her side, neither of those voices was her. Who were they?"

"Ha, sorry about that. The first voice is an alicorn I've come into contact with, called Eos and-" That was all I could get off before he interrupted me.

"An alicorn!?! Crimson, fuck! Get out of there! They're dangerous!"

Eos pouted at me, looking hurt upon hearing those words. I reached out and stroked her mane bringing a small smile back to her face before responding to Lemon.
"Don't worry about it, Gaze. She may well be dangerous in her own right, but she's friendly to me. She's protected me when somepony was going to kill me and been there for me when I needed it most. She's fine, trust me. Besides, she's absolutely adorable and can I keep her? Can I can I can I?"

Grinning, I turned to both of the mares beside me. Cherry pouted almost sourly while Eos blushed. Giving Cherry a quick kiss, she nodded and muttered 'that's better' before smiling again.

"As for the other voice, that was Sandstorm. He's a brave young colt who lost everything he had. Cherry took him in whilst she was out and about and he's been in the recovery room with me most of the time since. He's got spunk, that's for sure. Calling me fluffy of all things, the little rascal he is."
He grinned up at me and I held him close. He really was absolutely beyond a doubt, the most precious little colt I'd seen in a long time.

As the cuddle ended, I went back to the conversation. "Anyway, the reason we're contacting you is two things. Have you heard from group A as of late? We just tried making contact with them but we got absolutely no response whatsoever, We're worried about them."

Lemon Gaze made a worried sound and took a deep breath. "I... I'm sorry Crimson. I think they were ambushed. They had been mentioning something called the seekers who were after a 'Security' mare. Some cyborg pony who had her limbs chopped off before being brought back to life over here in Tenpony, no less."

My eyes went wide. Security? Somehow that name rang a bell but... then it hit me, the raider! The one I'd executed! Didn't he say he...
Lemon Gaze had initially carried on talking, but I interrupted him not having heard a word he was saying.

"Go back one sec, Security. Do you know anything more about her?"

"Uh, Security? Yeah, apparently she was done up pretty bad, rumour has it she was raped. Rumour also has it she cheated on her marefriend, but I really don't know for sure with that one since, well, yeah. Why? Did you know her?"

Cherry looked at me and her eyes went wide. "You... that raider? You think that raider was the same pony?"

"It doesn't matter now, though. He's dead. It sounds like the same one, the name sounds familiar and the story matches... but it really doesn't matter. Sorry Gaze, I just had to know was all. Carry on."

"Okay. Well as I was saying, I think they were ambushed by these seekers. They kept mentioning the fact the seekers would notice they had pipbucks and were well armed, though hadn't previously mentioned them being hostile about it - just overly curious. For all I know, they could be alive and well and there is just issues with the broadcasters out around Hoofington, I'm not sure. My focus is too much on what's happening here though."

Cherry pipped up now, curiosity filled her face. "So, what is happening there then?"

"Well, after the attack on Friendship City, the Enclave had taken control over Tenpony Tower. Their organisation has fallen through though as their leadership has been beaten. There was some massive fight going on between the Enclave and Steel Rangers and there was sunshine and everything, Crimson. It was utter chaos. Anyway, their leadership fell through but most of them stayed here, unsure what else to do. They went from a controlling force to being homeless so the ones who weren't assholes were taken pity on, I suppose."

That was... strange. Tenpony residents not being uptight about everything and just throwing them out on their asses? Guess there had to be a first for everything.

"It's so damn strange, I'm seeing a lot of power armoured pegasus ponies walking around asking if there's anything they can do to help just so they have something to do while they wait for some news or direction. The local radio DJ has gone into hiding. I heard all these stories about how they were being assholes and trashing the place, but that doesn't seem to be what they're doing in the least right now. As well as that, there's this one particular one..."

Sensing the nervous tone of voice and the meaning behind it, I started chuckling to myself as I spoke up. "Ohhhh, somepony has a crush on a pegasus? I'm flattered, but I'm taken."
Looking to Cherry, she couldn't help but giggle as Gaze stumbled over his words.

"N-No! Not you! It's a mare, a pegasus mare whose been stationed here. I wasn't sure what to think of her, or any of the Enclave at first. Then I saw her helping out some foals and giving them some sweets after they'd fell over and scraped their knees and realised even if she is with the Enclave, she's still just like anypony else. Then she caught me looking at her a lot and uh... yeah, I dunno what to do Crimson. Is there something you pegasai like that I can do for her?"

Looking at the broadcaster on my hoof in bewilderment, a smile slowly returned to my face.
"Well, uh, sure. Ask really politely if she'll do some aerial tricks for you. I'm sure it would flatter her if you were to show her the kind of wonderment most ponies show to me. Especially if she's not the best of fliers, you'd still find it amazing, right? So she'd feel special for it. Aside from that, if you two get close enough that she'll allow you to massage her, the roots of her wings are a really good place to rub. Feels awesome to have a hoof massaging there."

As soon as I said that, I regretted it as Cherry pushed me down onto my chest and pressed her hooves against my back. My eyes closed out of bliss as she rubbed.

"Oh, like this Crimson? Hehe! You weren't joking were you?!" Cherry jollily pronounced. "Hey Gaze! It really does work! He's like putty in my hooves now!"
Wincing in embarrassment, there was nothing I could do, it felt too good to resist.

"So, ask her to show off her flying ability and be totally impressed no matter what and offer her a massage and rub around the roots of her wings? Got it. Thanks Crimson, thanks Cherry! I mean, I know this isn't the point of me being out here, but she really has got a hold on me and... well, you know how it is. If you find somepony you like, you gotta try your best, right?"

"Right." Cherry responded with a happy smile and cheer in her tone as I continued to lay in bliss by her hooves.

"Okay, speaking of the mission, I have an update for you. Tenpony Tower hasn't got any spare water talismans themselves as the ones they did have were sold off to refugees from Friendship City. However, they are willing to sell us clean water if we can provide the necessary means to transport it. I've not been able to get ahold of the Stable to inform them of the proposal yet however, so that's something you might want to do seeing as you'll have more luck than me."

"Do you know how much, how often and at what price?" I asked. I knew that buying water itself wasn't the ideal solution as it meant constant danger for caravans and could in the long run cost us a lot more than a talisman, but if we had no choice it would still bolster our reserves in a big way.

"No clue, not myself anyway. I said I'd contact the Stable and see what they think before agreeing to anything. They understood and the offer is up for as long as we need it though, they said."

Smiling, I decided we'd bugged him enough. We'd gotten the information we wanted and while it wasn't the best of news, it was still good.
"Okay Gaze, thanks for the update. Good luck with whoever she is, hope you get lucky."

Cherry slapped the tip of my ear and Gaze laughed.
"Yeah, thanks Crimson. Her name is Cloud Prancer by the way."

"Oh? Well tell Cloud Prancer that Crimson Wings says hello and challenges her to a race some time. I'd love to kick back with another pegasus again. I miss the old days. Anyway, have a good night, Lemon. Enjoy yourself."

"You too, Crimson. You too."

With that, the call ended and I rolled onto my back so I could look up at Cherry.
"So, slap my ear will you?"

She looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Telling Lemon Gaze that you hope he gets lucky some time soon? Of course I'll playfully slap you. That shouldn't be his focus ya'know."

"Oh yeah, like it totally wasn't yours to get me into your bed... uh-huh."

Smirking up at her as her cheeks burned, she gasped and huffed at the same time.
"It was so not! I... you! You!"

"Charmed you into it?"

"Yes! It wasn't my goal, you just..."

"Was too good for you to pass up?" I muttered with my grin growing larger with every response.

She looked at me and huffed, crossing her hooves before looking to Sandstorm and then pointing to him.
"Well, we're not supposed to be talking about this in earshot of children, let alone right next to them. What we did was private and special to me, so there. Case closed it doesn't matter what I did, you shouldn't be encouraging him to be a mindless slave to sex."

Sighing, I pulled her hoof to my mouth and kissed it before speaking. "I didn't mean that, my dear. I simply meant that I hope that he can win her over and yes, enjoy himself, but allow her to enjoy herself too at the same time. We both know he wouldn't hurt anypony in that way so if she gives in to his advances, they both win, right?"

Smiling at me once more, she nodded. "I suppose. Anyway, off that topic, let's speak to the Overmare."
Nodding in agreement, I held out my hoof for her to continue playing away with my pipbuck. She could've used her own or I could've done it, but watching her play with my stuff and the way she focused so happily on it as she did was too sweet to miss out on.

As the connection began, I waited for my mother to begin speaking. "Hello?" She asked.

Putting on the most fake voice I possibly could, I responded. "Excuse me madam, is this Graceful Skies? I'm afraid that your son, Cromsoon Wangs had a terrible flying accident and is no longer with you."

Everyone in the room gave me a deadpan look of confusion in unison as silence met me on the other end, slowly though, my mothers inane muttering of confusion turned into laughter like none other.
"Crimson Wings! You really must stop this prank calling business, it really isn't befitting of somepony of your status. On the other hoof however, it is hilarious. I love you so much Wingsy. Now, what are you calling your old mother for at this time of day anyway?"

"Mrs Overmare." Cherry began.

"Please, call me Grace. I would prefer anypony close to my son do so." Mum interrupted.

"Uh, okay." Cherry quickly blurted out in embarrassment and inability to believe such a gesture. "As I was going to say, Mrs Grace. We have not found a water talisman yet, though we are in the middle of a task that will hopefully get us one. As you would know, the third group was attacked and for the most part, killed over in Coltshire Town. However, Crimson and myself carried on towards Coltchester when given a lead. That lead has led us to offering our support to a resistance uprising that promises to take us to somewhere we will find a water talisman and hand it over to us in repayment."

"I see, and you feel you can trust this group to hold true to their end of the bargain? Remember, Mayor Sunburn would not allow for this course of action to be taken, as the Tank Mercenary Group are not to interfere with settlements politics - only raiders and general protection."

That was where I came in. "Ah, true that, mum. However, there's a catch to this one. Not only must I insist that we do indeed follow our current course of action on the basis that we have not much other choice, that as dad always said, the needs of the many must always outweigh the few - but also on the basis that this isn't just any political fight."

"Oh? How is that so, Crimson?" Her tone of voice spoke more than her words as she said that, I could tell she was judging me now and my answer would either be reprimanded or praised according to how well I could convince her that this was necessary.

"Well, for one, the city of Coltchester is ruled by a group of raiders."

"And you can prove this?"

"They attacked both Coltshire Commons and Coltshire Town. They were the cause of the deaths of Kingcakes, Pocket Change and the others whom I did not learn the names of, as much as it shames me to admit. My time with them was too limited and they kept to themselves a lot. Their reasons for attacking, in their own words, was because they had failed to pay protection tribute to the rulers of Coltchester. On top of that, I have confirmed the gang to be from Coltchester by their armour matching some of that which is worn by the guards here. As well as that, the peoples of Coltchester are oppressed and treated poorly. I have a child by my side whose parents were murdered in front of him simply for failing to afford a market tax, I'm told."

My mothers gasp was audible against the background silence, her breathing noticeably shorter and more shallow then before. It was abundantly clear she was feeling the shock and horror from even the idea of something like that happening.
Slowly as she came back to, I heard her voice straining as she tried to remain calm and confident.

"If this is the case, do what you shall. As you may or may not already know, Alpha and Bravo team are en route to you for your protection. I cannot dedicate any more than just without just cause, however, as you would know."

"I understand. It would take some act of aggression towards Four Ridges itself or any town under our protection to allow for the full mobilisation of our forces. I wouldn't suggest such an act at this stage anyway. Until the city has a new government waiting in line with the backing of the majority of the dwellers, it would only cause chaos to remove any leadership and possibly do more damage than good."

Her response was filled with the tone of appreciation. "I'm glad you understand, you're really showing me that you absolutely do understand the lessons I'm trying to teach you, Crimson. I'm really glad. Is there anything more you'd like to speak to me about? Or was this it?"

Without even a moments thought, Cherry added herself into the conversation once more.
"Actually, yes there was. I'm sorry to interrupt, but yes. We've spoken to the group whom went to Tenpony before contacting you and they have news. While Tenpony Tower does not have any spare talismans, they can provide us clean water for a price if we can provide the means to transport it. We don't know the prices, quantity, how often or how long they could do this though. Still, we both felt it would be best to leave in your hooves to decide."

"Thank you, Cherry." My mum asserted. "This information is actually very good news, as it's still a choice to consider and most likely, take up upon. I shall contact the officials at Tenpony Tower tomorrow when it isn't so late. Is there nothing more now? I apologise for seeming in a rush, it's just that Cherished Chance has yet to have her bedtime feed and I know if she's anything like my Crimson was, she'll get cranky without it."

Me? Cranky without my bedtime feed? I blushed as I could feel that even behind a broadcaster, she knew I was doing so as I heard the light chortle that followed.
"Oh, I understand. Infact, I think my mister is getting cranky without his bedtime food right now, so yes. That's all, Mrs Grace. Thank you. Oh, and send all my love to my Chance. Though I've yet to meet her I have no doubt in my mind of how I will love her when I do."

"Will do, goodbye Cherry. Goodbye Crimson. I love you."

"I love you too, mum." I responded, still embarrassed by what was just discussed. Damn mother dearest.

Some time after the call, our food was prepared and ready. Everypony in the base gathered around in the canteen as we all ate. Jokes were shared between guards and banter filled the room.
There wasn't too many ponies in the facility, nothing like the Stable had been, but it still surprised me to see there was at least fifty odd ponies and seven zebras.

The food for us had been what we cooked ourselves, but it was still nice just to be around the others. Watching them approach Eos and thank her for the protection she provided at the base was amazing, it truly stunned me that they were so eager to come up and show their appreciation for her despite the fact we hadn't seen her walking the streets of Coltchester like Titan had, thus far anyway.
Though I supposed it hadn't come as such a shock, especially not for somepony like me who dealt with the same back home. I guessed it was just something that some ponies did. Who knew, who knew.

After the meal everypony went back to their quarters and guards to their posts. I watched as the guards who were previously doing duty had went back to their quarters while others came out. It seemed like they had a chance to eat and relax before taking up their shift, seemed fair.

All the same, I was more interested in making sure Maisy, Sandstorm, Prince Snugglebums and Cherry were fed before even thinking about hitting the hay and going to sleep. Maisy and Sandstorm had no problem chowing down but Cherry refused to eat until Sandstorm had and Sandstorm refused until I promised he could sleep in the same room as us if he did.
What a night I was destined for, huh?

Thankfully, before we knew it everyone was happy, stomachs were full and our eyes shut one by one.

"Goodnight Sandstorm." I whispered. There was no response from him, the moment he laid down his eyes were shut and locked tight, deep in his dreams. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him in his bed on the other side of the room as us. Though he wasn't our child, he certainly did grow on me.
Turning to Cherry, I kissed one of her cheeks while brushing the other with my hoof. "Goodnight Cherry, I love you."

"I love you too, Crimson. Goodnight."

I really had wished I had a chance for some fun, but with her telling me there'd be none of that earlier on and Sandstorm in the same room as us, I hadn't even thought of trying. There would always be tomorrow, right? Ha.
Closing my eyes, I fell asleep before I knew it.

Alarms rang loud, forcing me from dreamless sleep. Jumping out of my skin and to my hooves, I opened the door in confusion before I had even known what was happening, my brain still not having had the time to wake up properly.
"What's going on? What's with all the loud alarms?" I groaned as somepony rushed past me.

"No time! Gotta prepare!" Was all I got out of him before he as gone round the corner.
Eos ran up to me a moment later, a frantic look upon her face.

"Crimson! Please! You've got to help me!"

"Help you? I don't even know what's going on! What's with the alarm, what's happening?" I asked, worried about whatever it could be causing all this.

Eos' words were rushed and panicked as she spoke, her eyes jolting left to right. "The base is going into emergency lockdown, I've had to. Titan... my sisters... Oh princesses...."

Looking into her eyes, I put both of my hooves on her shoulders and stared at her.
"What is going on? What happened? What about them?"

Her lip quivered. "A scout just came running back to base with important news. Selene has been hit."

So, chapter sixteen. It's taken me over a month to release after all the different distractions I've had to deal with.
For those of you who haven't seen / don't know why, the short version is this:

-back pains threw me off the mood for writing at first.
-cold & flu stuffed up my head, no good for writing.
-dip in confidence after no writing in what seemed like such a long time made me reluctant to write because confidence issues.
-a friend then decided she'd try to commit suicide and it befell on me to try prevent it.
-failing to talk her out of it, only for her to come back and then depend on me to try keep her stable this whole time.
-focus issues in general

So yes, it's taken me a long time and I apologise for that. I've had so many issues and felt absolutely terrible for letting you all down, but now it's done and I can feel better again.
The next chapter will make up for it all, I promise.

Big thank you's to everyone who gave me their support when I needed it most and to everyone who kept faith in me.
You're all amazing, no matter what.
Again, special thanks to Joey for being absolutely amazing as always and doing my grammar / spelling check. I really should do it myself but it's so easy to miss your own mistakes.
What I should REALLY do is make him a pre-reader, but I hate the idea of holding out on completed chapters, ha. I'm terrible, I know.

My biggest thanks goes out to Kkat and Somber, as always. Kkat who wrote Fallout Equestria in the first place and taught me that not all fanfiction has to be what I used to think it was -- and Somber for raising the bar of quality even higher and inadvertently inspiring me to write my own story.
Broken Bonds is my child, my focus in life and I want to give you all a piece of who I am through it. I want to make you happy, sad and most importantly, like you've spent your time doing something worth-while.

Without those two, I would have never thought the story up and I would've never had something to really focus my life on like I do with Broken Bonds. (Because I'm ALWAYS thinking about something for it, it seems.)

So again, as always, thank you to all you - my readers / followers and thank you to the two who inspired me to write at all.
I love each and every one of you for giving me this chance. Thank you.