“You okay?” Sarah asked Spencer as the two sat upon Luna’s back, the alicorn’s great wings flapping easily after an hour or two’s rest.

“No,” the man replied flatly. “The person who just blew up the only home I’ve ever known is sitting in front of me and I can’t shoot her because I can’t deny that she was right.”

Obviously. Why are you asking him this, Sarah? Nim asked pointedly. Leave the man be, else he might stop ‘denying’ that you were right with what you did.

I’d like to see him try, Luna commented, seamlessly joining the mental link as she turned her head back to glance at the woman, or more specifically the man sitting behind her.

Spencer just frowned back at her, his face nothing but a mask of unhappiness. The alicorn turned away and then glanced down at Fawkes who was somehow keeping up with her while he ran along on foot. Granted, she wasn’t flying nearly as fast as she could, but the mutant’s speed over the rocky terrain below was nothing short of impressive. Added to that was the fact that the mutant was singing a small song to himself about everything new he saw.

“-nd rocks like that I’ve never seen before, though I wish they were not splattered with gore-” a line of the song vaguely made it up to her and the mare couldn’t help but nod approvingly. Coming from Equestria, music was an essential part of life and the mutant’s ability to rhyme off the top of his head was much appreciated by the mare. Subject matter notwithstanding.

The alicorn just shook her head and glanced back at Sarah again. Her lover looked... incredibly tired. There were dark bags under her eyes and Luna could tell that she needed a rest at some point soon.

“Sarah, go to sleep,” Luna told her firmly.

“I can’t,” Sarah replied, shaking her head. “I might fall off, we lost the saddle, remember?”

Luna blinked and then nodded. It was true, they had lost pretty much everything in the building. All that they’d gotten out of it was a coat, a few plasma rifles, and a bobblehead. The mare sighed, she had a point.

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll manage,” Sarah added, seeing Luna’s expression.

The woman leaned forwards and placed a kiss against Luna’s neck, breathing in the alicorn’s comforting scent. Spencer watched all of this, doing his best to keep his face neutral despite what was, in his opinion, a disgusting act. Sarah stayed leaning against Luna’s neck for a moment longer before she moved back and let out a small sigh.

“I’ll be fine.” she repeated though it was obvious to both Luna and Spencer that she wasn’t being truthful.

Spencer frowned for a moment before letting out a sigh of his own, he really was too nice for his own good sometimes.

“Go to sleep, Sarah. I’ll make sure you don’t fall,” the man told her as he wrapped his hands on her stomach.

Sarah’s eyes widened for a moment at the contact, but then nodded. “...thanks,” she muttered before she let out a sigh and leaned forwards against Luna’s neck again, falling into her normal position and quickly falling asleep.

Spencer took a moment to enjoy the view before glancing up at Luna who was eying him. “She is mine,” the alicorn said simply.

“Yeah, I realize, but at the moment it’s either this or risk her falling to her death,” Spencer said flatly.

Luna frowned for a moment before shaking her head. “Ensure that she does not,” she stated.

Below them, Fawkes trudged onwards, one foot in front of the other over the Wasteland ground, enjoying every second of his newfound freedom.

“Okay, what do we know?” Tornado asked the two other ponies occupying the room.

“Whoever was responsible for the necromantic griffins has stolen Twilight Sparkle, most likely to prevent the summoning of Queen Luna,” a red maned thestral named Fire Brand answered. “Queen Celestia is currently being healed from her grievous injuries and will most likely be unable to assist us.”

“Right,” Tornado said, his jaw hardening at the reminder. Then he turned to Rainbow Dash who was doing her best to stay calm despite her anger. “Don’t worry, Rainbow, we’ve got a unicorn working on getting a tracking spell up and running. Once we’ve got that done, you’ll be the tip of the spear.”

“Thanks,” Rainbow replied, her teeth grinding together as she thought of how long that would take.

By then, Twilight could be dead! However, she knew there was no point in acting out her frustrations, no one in the room was responsible for what had happened. So instead she focused on trying to clear her mind and direct her anger towards the true enemy. The ones who had kidnapped Twilight.

“I might have an alternative method,” a quiet voice said from the doorway of the room.

All three ponies turned in surprise to see Queen Celestia standing there. Her face was shallow and her eyes were sunken. A dozen bandages were wrapped around her neck and a deep gash along her right cheek was easily visible amongst her snow white fur. The alicorn’s wings were completely obscured by layers of bandages and with every breath she seemed to shudder. Despite all of that, she held herself high and and Tornado could make out the intensity hiding beneath the weariness in her eyes.

“Your Majesty!” all both Rainbow and Fire Brand exclaimed as they fell into bows while Tornado stared at her for a moment. Her eyes met his and for a moment they were the only two in the room.

Are you okay?

I’m... fine.

Thanks, Luna...

Indeed, she’ll be here by the end of the night.

I was so worried.

I know.

I’m sorry.

Don’t be. It was my own fault.

They broke contact, both mental and eye just as Rainbow and Fire Brand finished their bows.

“What are you doing out of bed, my Queen?” Fire Brand asked anxiously. “We were informed that you would be bedridden for a week.”

“My sister is at risk,” Celestia said firmly. “I shall not lie down and rest while that risk exists.”

“But... your wings,” Rainbow said uncomfortably, looking at the alicorn’s ruined wings.

“They will heal in time,” the Queen stated flatly before letting out a sigh. “At any rate, Rainbow Dash, I have something for you which should help you find Twilight.”

“Really? How? I’ll do anything!” Rainbow exclaimed excitedly. A small smile crossed Celestia’s face as her horn glowed weakly and a necklace with what appeared to be a lightning bolt shaped gem appeared around the mare’s neck.

“This object is linked to Twilight’s crown and should lead you to her,” the Queen explained as the necklace began to glow faintly. “The closer you are to Twilight, the brighter the glow will become.”

Rainbow nodded. “Thank you, my Queen! I’ll get her back!”

Before Celestia or anyone else could reply the pegasus was out the door and running down the hallway, her armoured hooves making quite a racket.

“Chief Fire Brand, get me Sunset Shimmer and an escort of guards along with enough soldiers to set up a camp in Ponyville. Make sure that it is properly guarded,” the alicorn said, turning to the thestral. Fire Brand saluted and then hurried out of the room leaving Celestia alone with Tornado once more.

The stallion stood there for a long moment before he walked forwards and gave her a nuzzle, tears in his eyes. “I was so worried,” he repeated.

“I know; I’m sorry,” Celestia replied, her queenly mask falling away as she leaned into the nuzzle, making sure to present the undamaged part of her face. “I should have had more guards... I just didn’t want Luna to return to a room full of ponies she’d think were meant to hurt her.”

Tornado just nodded and whipped the last of his tears away before giving her a soft kiss on the lips. “It’s fine, Tia. I’m just glad that you’re okay.”

“I’m far from it, but I’ll manage,” Celestia said with a shake of her head as she straightened her neck and her form seemed to shift a little as she once more took up her mantle. “Now then, Captain Tornado, would you be so kind as to contact the Wonderbolts? I’m sure Rainbow Dash will need some aid.”

“We’ll send someone else to do that,” Tornado stated flatly as he stepped closer to her. “I’m not leaving your side for the rest of the evening.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow slightly before nodding. “Very well... come then, let’s find someone to do that.”

“Damn straight.”

“You expect me to let a super mutant and an Enclave Officer into the Citadel?” Paladin Bael asked flatly as he surveyed the strange group arrayed before him.

“Yes, yes I do,” Sarah replied simply. “Now move.”

“Not going to happen, I don’t care what the Elder said about you, that’s just crazy,” Bael replied shaking his head. “How do I know that they’re not just going to try and steal our battle plans or maybe attempt to kill us?”

“Because that would make us stupid,” Fawkes stated flatly from behind Luna. “Even I could not overcome all of you and there would be little point to it.”

“Bah, you mutants are stupid enough that I wouldn’t be surprised if you tried anyways,” Bael scoffed.

“Listen, we do not have the time nor the patience for this!” Luna snapped as she stepped a step closer to Bael. “We will all go inside, this is not up for debate.”

“Actually, it is,” Bael replied pointedly. “And no amount of threats are going to make me open this-”

“Bael, let them through,” Elder Lyon’s voice interrupted, to Sarah’s ears the Elder sounded tired and worn.

Bael growled something under his breath but pressed the button to raise the gate. “This doesn’t mean I like it,” he told Sarah. “And if either of these two do anything, I’ll kill them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Sarah replied pointedly as she pushed past him and started towards the far door with Luna right beside her.

Fawkes followed next and he gave Bael what he deemed to be a pleasant smile, Bael just glared at him and hefted his mini-gun a bit more menacingly. As for Spencer, he ignored the Paladin completely while thinking. Savage.

The foursome were met in the Courtyard by Elder Lyons who looked over them with a frown on his aged face. “Sarah, Luna, welcome back to the Citadel,” he said before looking at Fawkes and Spencer. “And I don’t know you, but if Sarah trusts you, then I shall do the same, to some extent anyways.”

“Thank you! I am frankly honored that you have let me into this MAGNIFICENT place!” Fawkes stated with a wide smile. “There is so much knowledge on display here!”

“Why you’re very welcome,” the Elder said with a thoughtful look. “You’re not like the other super mutants here are you?”

“I like to think myself above them,” Fawkes agreed with a nod.

“What a most charming viewpoint... I feel like you and I will have much to talk about,” the Elder said, a small smile crossing his face before he glanced back at Sarah. “And who is this man in the Enclave uniform, Sarah?”

“This is Spencer Matthews,” Sarah replied with a glance at the man who was staying tight lipped. “He helped me get out of the Enclave’s base alive.”

“What in God’s name were you doing there?” Lyons asked incredulously.

“Getting captured and then escaping,” Luna answered for Sarah with a flick of her tail. “Speaking of which... we have some bad news. We had the G.E.C.K. but...”

The Elder’s face underwent a storm of emotions, starting with concern and elation to finally ending in dread.

“That... is most unfortunate,” he stated before turning on his heel. “Come all of you, we must discuss this in the Laboratory, your news has changed several things.”

Sarah frowned and glanced at Luna who shrugged. Fawkes for his part was too busy glancing around at all the new sights and sounds to really pay much attention and Spencer was simply frowning deeply.

Strange, Nim suddenly said within both Sarah’s mind and Luna’s.

Hmm? Sarah asked. What’s strange?

I thought I felt something pulling at Luna, Nim stated. Something magical.

Ah, I felt it too, it was so slight I thought that perhaps I was imagining it, Luna said with a small frown. What do you suppose it could be?

Wait! The last time this happened you fell unconscious and got your... soul I think, dragged back to your home! Will that happen this time? Sarah asked worriedly, a shard of ice jabbing into her chest.

No, it was too faint to do anything of that sort, Nim answered. More then likely it was someone checking on our location... though why that hasn’t happened before now, I do not know.

Luna glanced over at Sarah and found that the woman’s face had shifted into an expression of barely controlled panic. The alicorn did the only thing she could do and wrapped a wing around the woman, pulling her close and then laying a quick kiss on her lips.

“Do not worry, Sarah, if I feel the sensation of being pulled again, I will grab you and force it to take us both,” the alicorn whispered in her ear. “I love you far too much to let you slip away from me.”

The ghost of a smile crossed Sarah’s lips and she gave Luna a kiss of her own before they got to the doors of the Laboratory and the pair parted.

Thank you, Luna... you mean so very much to me, Sarah replied as she stepped through the door and followed Elder Lyons down a short corridor, and then her jaw dropped, as did Luna’s, and Spencer’s.

“Wha... what the hell is that?!” Sarah exclaimed, pointing at the giant robot standing suspended within steel support structure.

I... I think it’s a giant robot Nim said as the woman stared at it. The monster was twenty feet tall, covered in chrome armour and sported a giant American Flag over its chest.

That’s a giant fucking robot! Sarah exclaimed.

“Where in the hell did you tribals get that!?” Spencer demanded, breaking his silence.

“It was here when we arrived,” Elder Lyons stated. “And we are not tribals, though we do have several amongst our ranks.”

“So you not only stole an incredibly significant building of American History, but also a symbol of America’s beauty and stuck it in your basement?!” Spencer barked angrily. “What makes you think you have the right to-”

Fawkes’s powerful hand covered his mouth, along with most of his face. “I would recommend being silent, my friend,” the mutant said calmly. “They are our hosts and it never does to insult your host.”

Elder Lyons was looking sharply at Spencer but glanced back at Sarah and shook his head. “I suppose that a lifetime of believing lies does not disappear in a single day,” he said before smiling. “At any rate, this is Liberty Prime, a mighty pre-Wasteland war machine. We finally found a way to power him thanks to Madison’s help and we were planning to use him in the upcoming battle against the Enclave.”

“Wait... that thing is going to be fighting with us?” Sarah asked as she gazed up at the robot.

“Indeed,” the Elder stated, the smile remaining on his face as he lead them down a ramp to where Sarah Lyons was standing along with several others that Sarah vaguely recognized as members of Lyon’s Pride.

“Sarah, you’re alive!” Lyons said with a wide smile as she walked over and gave the other woman a quick hug, though her power armour made it a little bit awkward. Sarah didn’t really care and just returned the hug. “We were starting to worry about you, in fact, I was just about to talk to my dad about letting us come chasing after you.”

“Thank you for the thought,” Luna said with a smile before she looked at the other members of the Pride whose gazes had switched to Spencer and Fawkes. “They are safe. Please do not shoot them.”

“No promises.” the woman who Luna vaguely remembered as Dusk said flatly.

Sarah and Sarah broke the hug and the women turned to look at the Elder who was watching them both with a small smile. “Right. sorry Dad,” Lyons said as she stepped away from the other woman and rejoined her squad.

“It’s quite alright,” the Elder stated benignly. “Now then, as we discussed earlier, the longer we delay, the more time the Enclave has to solidify their hold on the Purifier. Unfortunately we did not have enough manpower to allow us to make a direct attack, let alone man the walls of the Citadel in case of a counter attack. Not to mention that there was no real reward to be had before.”

“Yeah, the Purifier is useless without a G.E.C.K. to power it,” Lyons agreed with a simple nod. “Right?”

“But now, they have a G.E.C.K. stolen from Sarah here,” the Elder explained darkly. “Thus, the situation has changed distinctly.”

Sarah listened to all of this with a small frown on her face. She understood that the Purifier was important to the future of the Wasteland by supplying fresh water, and that it was what her father had worked tirelessly on for most of his life, she also understood that if Eden had still been alive then it could have ended in disaster. What she didn’t understand was what the danger the Enclave posed with it if Eden was destroyed or why it was so important for the Brotherhood to control.

Because, Sarah, it is about politics, the Purifier is a rather large piece in this game, Nim explained. The one who holds it will be able to garner more support and thus be a more effective fighting force.

Oooh, that makes sense, Sarah stated, doing her best to keep from blushing.

“Send in the Pride, father!” Lyons insisted. “With the help of Liberty Prime we can crush those deluded assholes and retake the purifier!”

Spencer looked like he took offense to that but then he glanced back at Fawkes who was eying him warningly. He frowned and looked down again, suppressing a grumble of anger.

“I’d planned on it,” the Elder replied before looking over to a man who Sarah didn’t know. “Rothchild, is it ready?”

“No, Doctor Li and I have barely finished the diagnostics test phase, not to mention that the weapon’s aren’t calibrated at all and-” the man began but the Elder cut him off.

“Can you make it work?”

“Yes... I suppose it won’t matter if something goes wrong one way or another at this point anyways,” Rothchild said with a sigh before walking over to a computer behind them and beginning to type on it.

“May we join the Pride in its assault?” Luna asked, joining the conversation. “After all, Sarah and I have a large amount of personal investment in that purifier.”

“Actually that reminds me,” Sarah Lyons said, glancing at Sarah and Luna. “The Pride and I have decided that after all you two have done and survived, you’ve done enough to be honorary members of Lyon’s Pride!”

Sarah stared at her in complete surprise, as did Luna, then a massive grin erupted across Sarah’s face. “Oh! Thank you!” she exclaimed as a wave of happiness washed over her. She didn’t know why, but the idea of being part of something bigger than herself again... made her incredibly happy.

OH, that means that we are also members of the Brotherhood of Steel as well! Nim exclaimed within her mind. That means we can have access to the best weaponry!

Luna on the other hand simply smiled. “Thank you, Lyons,” she stated. It was hardly the first time something of this nature had happened to her. Still, she appreciated the sentiment very much. In truth... it was the first time in a long time this sort of thing had happened.

“You’re both very welcome,” Lyons replied with a smile before adding. “Membership comes with a few privileges including some power armour, something that you seem to be lacking at the moment. Though I do like the coat, it fits you.”

“Thanks, I stole it from the Enclave Commander’s closet,” Sarah stated, smirking before shaking her head. “But yes, I’d appreciate some power armour to wear under it.”

Lyons nodded but before she could say a single word there was a giant blast of steam behind them and Liberty Prime began to speak. “Voice module online! Audio functionality test initialized! LIBERTY PRIME IS ONLINE! ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL! WEAPONS HOT! MISSION, THE DESTRUCTION OF ANY AND ALL CHINESE COMMUNISTS! ANCHORAGE WILL BE LIBERATED!” The voice was deep and powerful enough to make Sarah leap forwards in surprise while within her head Nim had a slightly... different reaction.

I...I... I think I just came because of his voice, Nim stated in Sarah’s mind. Quickly, I MUST see him in action!

Sarah blinked for a moment and then smiled. It looked like her day was about to get exciting.

Twilight’s eyes blinked slowly open and she was suddenly aware of several things.

Thing one: she was strapped to a pillar of black obsidian spread eagle and silver manacles secured her legs firmly, preventing any form of actual movement.

Thing two: her mane floated in an ethereal manner around her head and her horn glowed brightly yet she was unable to stop or control the flow of magic.

Thing three: she was freezing.

The mare frowned and tried breaking the cuffs with magic but... she couldn’t! She had no power over her own magic! A dark shiver of dread ran down Twilight’s spine. Control of their own magic was something that every unicorn held dear. To not be able to use it was bad... to have someone else using it was infinitely worse.

Twilight struggled against the silver manacles for several minutes but her struggling got her nowhere. She let out a disheartened sigh and slumped against her bonds as her magic continued to rush out of her body in a steady flow of energy. The strange tiara that Celestia had given her to wear seemed to be acting as a catalyst of some sort, further increasing the flow.

The mare soon lost track of time, even her normally sharp mind unable to do so given the circumstances, suddenly she heard the clip-clop of hooves against the castle’s cracked floor. She looked up, hoping against hope that the Queen was here to rescue her. Instead, much to her disappointment and dread she saw that it was a black furred centaur.

He was... strangely handsome, a chiseled face and chest along with powerful legs and arms. His fur was black as pitch and and his fetlocks were unshorn. Strapped to his back was a black longbow and a quiver full of the same dark arrows that she’d seen strike Celestia. A luxurious goatee adorned his chin and a pair of deep brown eyes looked at her with... pure desire. Twilight shivered with disgust and as he stepped closer to her and stroked his goatee.

“Ah, it looks like you’ve awoken,” he said in a malevolent voice as he walked closer. “And even better, you’re already performing your task perfectly.”

“Who are you?” Twilight asked, ignoring the buzzing in the back of her head which came from the constant stream of magic.

“My name is Tirek of Starclan,” he replied, giving her a mocking bow. “And you are Twilight Sparkle, latest descendant of the magnificent and deceitful Clover the Clever.”

Author's Notes:

AN: This chapter is brought to you by the Bat Out of Hell album by Meatloaf which I played all the way through repeatedly on Spotify in order to escape the clutches of writer’s block. I’d also like to further reinforce the fact that I had Tirek envisioned for this role since months before season 4 ended and I’d also like to reinforce the fact that he’s not canon Tirek.