You know, looking back on my time as a town guard, I had just about the easiest life the wasteland would allow. It was an easy job, decent pay, and I even a two-bit shack to call home. Sure occasionally I had to persuade an angry raider or two that they should leave, and even a Manticore this one time. But being a pegasus meant most ponies avoided you like a plague, making my job even easier.

See the thing about my little town, Desert Springs, was that we had what few wasteland towns did: clean water. And lots of it. Apparently before the war, there was a water-talisman plant or something nearby, so we actually have 4 perfectly working talismans. Of course the general public only knew about two because the mayor kept the other two hidden and only we guards knew about them.

I may brag about how me and Sandy kept the town safe, but honestly that little thank you goes out to the surrounding gangers. Because we had so much clean water, a lot of gangs tried to move in. But when they fought over us, we made them a deal: we would willingly provide them with water if they kept all the raiders and slavers away. Then I worked the four biggest gangs against each other. I “secretly” met with each of their leaders, telling them that I heard the other gang leaders make a vow that they would all attack the first gang that tried to attack us. And with each gang thinking the other three would work together, they were all too scared to bother us.

The more I think about it, the more I miss how good we had it. Makes me wonder why I left in the first place.

“Those two are at it again.”

Oh that’s right, now I remember…

_____________________________________________________________________________

I pulled my head up from the table in our little office. It was just a closet at the back of the general store barely big enough for a table and two chairs, but for Sandy and I it was still something to be proud of. Besides it always made you feel more awesome when you told somepony to meet you in your office.

I looked at Sandy with sleepy eyes and a scowl. “Do you mind? I’m trying to get a nap in before I have to meet with that Red Tails jackoff.”

“Not my problem, you’re the one who volunteered for that. Those two are at it again, and it’s your turn.” She swatted the back of my head with a tail as she walked past me to sit in the other chair.

“That’s just because he seems happier when he sees me instead. And that’s so not true, I had to deal with them yesterday.” I put my saddlebags on as I talked anyways, knowing I would feel bad if I didn’t do it.

She sighed as she rested her head and forelegs on the table. Why did she look so tired? “I know, but would you do it anyways? Please?”

I smiled and nuzzled her foreleg. “Like you even needed to ask twice. Hey are you okay? You look pretty worn out.”

“Yeah, just same old family stuff. Lily still wants to be a guard with us, and my dad is starting to agree with her. She’s my only lil’ sis you know? I’m just worried.”

“Well this probably isn’t what you want to hear, but maybe they’re right? I mean this isn’t exactly a very dangerous job. Besides I’ll be there to protect her if something bad does happen.”

I stood on my hindlegs behind her and struck a fearless pose, before she once again smacked my head with her tail. “That’s exactly what I’m worried about.” She said with a snicker.

She let out another sigh before continuing. “Okay fine you win, but she’s gonna play by my rules and follow my example, not yours. I’d prefer it if she never tried to wrestle with a manticore.” She flashed a wry smile before hiding it behind a hoof.

I giggled and bopped her on the nose. “I so saw that. Besides it’s not like I planned that, but it totally worked! Now then, since that’s decided, what’s really bothering you? Because I know something small like that wouldn’t have you this down.”

She looked conflicted between wanting to spill everything, and wanting to hide and let the problem solve itself. Eventually she sunk even lower into her chair and looked out the door.

“Listen I’ve just got a really bad feeling about all of this. The Red Tails are nothing to joke about, and the fact that Red Baron is taking an interest in you worries me.”

Now that got my attention. “Why would that worry you? I mean yeah sure he’s pretty creepy and all but…”

“I know, I know.” She interrupted as she looked back at me. “Just promise you’ll be careful around him, please?”

“Okay mom, I promise.” I gave her a quick hug before trotting to the door. “I’ll go take care of those two, and then I’ll be at Town Hall to meet with ‘Red Creeper’. You just make sure you’re ready for tonight!”

I hurried out while enjoying the confused expression on her face. I swear sometimes that filly was so busy worrying about everypony else that she even forgot her own birthday. I decided if I was going to deal with the most annoying two mares the Wasteland ever allowed to live, I deserved a Sparkle Cola~. One nice thing about having an office in the town store meant I was never far away from them.

While I stood in line and fantasized about how good my soda tasted, I couldn’t help but listen in to the stallion in line two spots in front of me.

The buck stood about a head taller than me, like most ponies did. He had a blue coat and a surprisingly well kept (by the Wasteland standards at least) brown mane and tail. I tried to get a look at his Cutie Mark (That’s totally what I was doing, don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise) but it was covered by his weird worn armor. I say it was weird because it looked almost like it had a saddle quite firmly attached right behind his shoulders.

“Is this going to be all for you sir?” Asked Mr. General in his usual hoarse, but sweet tone.

“Actually I was wondering if you had any dolls? Or maybe dresses for fillies?” I nearly choked on my drink at that. He said it so nonchalantly too, like that’s just something you should hear every Wastelander ask for! I looked around the room to check, but no he definitely was by himself.

While I sat back and thought about why he would ask for such a thing, the colt in line in front of me didn’t have such reservations. He burst out laughing as he rolled on the floor around the food he was buying. “Dolls? Wow mister you sure you’re a stallion? And dresses? That’s pretty kinky if you ask me!”

I shot him a hard glare that quickly shut him up. Good colt, respect the mare that can geld you. I looked back to the front, but the stallion didn’t even pay him any mind. Probably not the first time he’s been talked about like that.

Mr. General thought for a second before shaking his head. “No sir can’t say that I do own any dresses. But I do happen to have an old doll behind the counter. Quite a few ponies have been trying to get it from me, but I’ve got to price it pretty high since it’s pre-war, and still in good condition.” He rambled on for a few seconds while he fished it out from behind his ‘counter of secrets’ as I like to call it.

Wait… doll? He’s going to sell it!

The blue stallion looked at it for a moment before agreeing to the rather high price of 60 caps. Well there it goes, into his saddlebags where I’ll never see it again. I was going to give it to Lily as a present, but saving that many caps is hard when you make as little as I do. After he left, the colt in front of me nervously gestured for me to go ahead of him so I skulked up to the counter with my head hung low.

“Gee I’m awfully sorry about that Miss Updraft, I know you’ve been trying to save up for that. I just got so excited to hear someone finally ask about it I couldn’t help myself.”

“No no, don’t worry about it. You were just doing what any good businesspony would do.” I knew it was true, but I still couldn’t help but say it with a sigh. Oh well no point in moping about it, so I set the Sparkle Cola~ on the counter with a smile. “This is all for me today. Two caps right?”

I began digging through my bag to find them when he held up a hoof. “Don’t worry about it, this one is on me. Consider it a bonus for always making us so safe.”

“Aww ever the gentlestallion. I’ll be sure to put in a good word for you next time I see Mayor Laps.”

He blushed and laughed sheepishly as I trotted out of the store with my Sparkle Cola~ tucked under a wing.I screwed the lid back on so I could save the rest of it for Sandy’s birthday party tonight, and I certainly didn’t want to risk it breaking in my bag.

As I walked through the town I couldn’t help but enjoy the nice weather: it was pretty much as sunny as the wasteland got, a nice breeze to keep you cool, and even the cloud cover was breaking in a few places to give us a glimpse of that beautiful blue sky. Guess it was a bit too windy up there for the Pegasi to keep the clouds together. If you were patient and you watched closely enough you could occasionally see the black dot of a Pegasus race across one of the gaps.

I stopped as I remembered I could be up there with them. That is if it wasn’t for my fear of heights. Don’t get me wrong, I love flying and I like to think I’m pretty good at it. I just get really dizzy if I fly much higher than a pony’s head. Well that and they probably wouldn’t want anything to do with a wastelander like myself anyways. I’ve only met one Dashite before and he didn’t seem to care much for the ‘Grand Pegasus Enclave’. He said the only reason they’re so “Grand” is because they’re standing on top of the working Pegasi and the Wastelanders like us.

A familiar noise shook me from my thoughts as I realized just where I was. It was a noise everyone in town had grown to despise, and even the local wildlife ran from. It sounded like broken glass being scratched against a chalkboard while someone shoved razorblades in your ears. The sound of Red Rose laughing.

As I rounded the familiar corner for the third time this week I was greeted by the sight of the Rose Sisters bickering in the middle of the street. Again. “Alright everypony let’s all calm down and handle this like the mature ponies we are.”

White Rose, who stood roughly to my chest with a green coat and white mane, nearly exploded at the notion of her older sister being mature. “How can you say that! You don’t even know what she did to me! It was horrible! Atrocious even!”

I sat down and set my soda on the ground beside me. This was going to be a long day. “Alright White, what was it this time?”

“I told you not to call me that! Ahem… so there I was just minding my own business, innocently taking care of my beautiful flowers as I sung a lovely song.”

Red Rose stepped up and cut her off. “And by lovely song you mean that shrieking noise you were assaulting our neighbors with?” Red Rose was one of the tallest ponies I had ever seen with a green coat and red mane. As she snickered beside me White continued her story ignoring her older sister’s comments.

“But alas! As I was watering my gorgeous flowers, the heat of the day began to get to my head. Oh how I longed for my lost hat! I had searched high and low for it’s cool comfort, but I had yet to find it. Until today… when I looked across the street to see her! She was wearing my hat! And smiling at me like she was innocent of the horrible crimes against me!”

By this point my eye was twitching and I could feel my sanity slipping away. “That’s what this is all about? Are you kidding me?”

“Do not trivialize this as if it is a small affair! She stole my property and I want it back! You’re the town guard, arrest her or something!”

“I can’t just go around arresting ponies whenever somepony says they stole something. Do you have any proof that she stole your hat?” Just a little longer Updraft, then you can take another nice, long, nap. I kept repeating that to myself even know I knew it wasn’t true. After this I had to meet with Red Baron, then I promised to help Lily practice her knife-fighting, and then I had a party to finish preparing.

“Proof? What more proof do you need? She’s wearing my hat right now! Now I demand you arrest her or I’ll take this up with the mayor herself!” Oh I’m sure she’d just love for me to pass this on to her… “You hear that you criminal? I’m going to get my hat back no matter what it takes!”

Red Rose held the hat in her hooves as she feigned an innocent expression. “Why my dear, do you mean this hat? Well I hate to part with such a cherished possession of mine, but of course you can have it. Why didn’t you simply ask in the first place?”

I decided to leave before White exploded into another fit of rage. No sense in having your eardrums ruptured if you can avoid it. I got about halfway through the town when I passed by the local bar. I never cared for the place, my god-father was too much of an alcoholic for me to have a taste for the stuff. Still it was a fun place to hang out on special occasions. Plus it was where Lily worked, and seeing her always made my day just a little bit brighter.

And it was with that thought in mind that I quickly grew to anger when I saw her out in the street. She was being pushed back and forth between two drunk gangers, and of course the nearby spineless townsfolk were too scared to do anything about it. I thought I heard one of them shouting about being overcharged, but the rest of what he was going to say got lost when I slammed him through a nearby wall.

The other ganger wearing a lot of spikes decided he was going to try and fight me with his knife. It was a cute little thing, probably four or five inches long, with a pathetic attempt at an engraving on the handle of his Cutie Mark. How sweet, his mommy must have made it for him.

I turned to face Lily after ensuring the spiky-haired ganger wasn’t a threat. “You okay Lily? They didn’t hurt you or anything right?”

“No I’m fine, but don’t you think that,” she pointed to the pony shaped hole in the wall beside me, “was a little excessive?”

“What, no way. I was doing the guy a favour. See now when he comes to with a nasty hangover, he’ll be so focused on the pain in his back that he’ll totally forget about his headache.”

“I pray to Celestia that you never become a doctor.” Despite how hard she was trying to be serious I could see a smile coming on.

“Oh come on, I totally have a one-hundred percent satisfaction rate! Hah beat that little missy.”

“Hey dun’ ignore me! I’m gonna cut yous up for hurtin mah pal!” I jumped to the side as the rapidly sobering ganger swung at where I was just standing.

“Oh you wanna play? Okay then; pay attention Lily, looks like you’re getting that lesson a little early!” I pulled out my trusty wooden practice knife and grinned around the handle. I used it to practice with Lily by putting red paint on the edge to simulate injuries whenever I struck her.

I chuckled on the inside as Lily actually pulled out a notepad and coal stick as the ganger charged at me. I ducked under his clumsy slash and gave him a mock cut on the right side of his neck.

“Woohoo Updraft one, dickbag ganger zero!” Lily cheered from the sidelines. Her shouts fueled my opponent’s rage as he started swinging madly at me. I dodged and weaved between his attacks, offering counter swings at every opportunity and covering him in paint. “Updraft behind you!”

The second ganger jumped on my back from behind and dragged me to a chokehold on the ground. At least I bet that’s what he imagined he was doing as he struggled with his friend on ground stirring up quite a dust cloud. After the dust settled they were on top of each other in rather promiscuous positions.

One angry cursing fit later and the two of them were back to fighting me. It was a bit harder keeping up with multiple opponents, but I quickly wore them down as the bruises and red paint started covering more of them then their natural colors. They panted and groaned in a heap in the street, so I decided they probably were done fighting for the day.

“And that Lily concludes our lesson for today. Don’t forget to do your homework and study for the test tomorrow.” I adopted the most studious pose I could as I started walking back in the direction of town hall. Lily followed close behind as she raved about how dumb I made them look.

While I usually didn’t like getting such praises, I never minded it when it came from Lily. Her and Sandy were the closest things I’ve ever had to siblings, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

After a brief walk we came to the large wooden doors of an old hotel. After a little TLC the ponies who settled this town decades ago turned it into a proper meeting hall. The outside of the building was painted red, the paint faded and chipped. The doors squeaked, the roof leaked, and it looked like a complete mess in general, but we we’re proud of it. It was a testament to what ponies could achieve together in such a hellish world. That even after The Last Day and pony society was destroyed in the blink of an eye, we will still unite and take strength in each other.

I had to part ways with Lily seeing as she was still supposed to be working the bar, but not before I gave her a hug and a few clues as to what I had planned for the coming party. She ran off giggling like a filly as I chuckled and walked into the foyer of the town hall. I was immediately tackled and pushed into a small side room with a hoof over my mouth.

I smacked the hoof away that was covering my mouth and was about to give my attacker a wing shaped bruise when I noticed it was Sandy! Briefly I noted that Mayor Laps was here as well, looking pale even for her old age. “Hey what was that for?”

Sandy put her hoof back over my muzzle as she wore the most serious look I’ve ever seen on her. “Shut up or they’ll hear you!”

“They? Who’s they? What’s going on?” I was starting to get a little worried when they both hesitated to answer.

“It’s Red Baron. He’s here for you, says he won’t leave unless you come with him.” I stared at the mayor as I realized why she was so pale. She would never give me up, but we couldn’t afford to fight against a gang like the Red Tails. Oh this wasn’t good at all. “I stalled him as much as I could, telling him I wasn’t sure of where you are at the moment. But he’ll only wait so long, and you know how prone to violence he is when he doesn’t get what he wants.”
“But why me! What did I do to make that creep so obsessed? Why couldn’t it be that guy from the Green Rangers? At least he was attractive…”

“And probably twenty years older than you.” Sandy deadpanned. What a dream killer. “Listen to me Updraft, we have to get you out of here now. If he finds you he’ll burn the whole town down to get you. I’ll come up with an excuse for why you aren’t here and buy you as much time as possible.”

“Wait... leave? But... this is my home. I’ve never left Desert Springs before, I can’t just leave like that! I-I won’t just run away and leave you all to fight my problems!” I felt like crying, like running home and pretending none of this ever happened. I’d take a nap and have a nice dream of flying high in the clouds. But eventually I’d wake up, back to the harsh reality of the wasteland.

“And I won’t abandon a friend to the likes of him!” Sandy shouted loud enough I was sure they could hear us in the main hall, but after no one came running I felt a little safer. “I know you don’t want to, but please do it anyways. If not for yourself, then do it for us. Because I’d rather die than just sell you out like this.”

I could hear the hitch in her voice, but I knew without a doubt she meant every word. And if I stayed any longer her claim would likely be put to the test. The world really seems like an unfair place sometimes.

I tried not to cry, I really did. but I couldn’t help it as I said the words I never thought I’d have to say. “Okay I’ll… I’ll leave. Just promise me you’ll be safe. This town is my home, my family. If I lost this I…”

Sandy pulled me into a tight hug. “You won’t. You’ll go run around the wasteland for awhile, have some awesome adventure, then you’ll come back and tell us boring townsfolk all about your cool stories alright? I’m sure all of this will blow over soon and you can come back. You,” she pulled out of the hug and poked me in the chest, “promise me you’ll be safe. You’re the one going out into all that mess.”

I smiled through the tears and poked her nose. “I’m disappointed you doubt me.” I turned to the mayor who was watching for them through the window in the door. “Are you sure you’ll be fine? What will he do when he finds out you lied?”

She stood at the window stoically, answering without even turning to face me. “Then I will deal with him. I regard everyone in this town as my family, especially you. And nopony hurts my family and get’s away with it. Now hurry we don’t have much time. You can run by your house and grab what you can, but don’t delay.” I heard a roar of anger as something heavy collided with a wall. “Go now. He’s getting very impatient.”

I nodded to her as I looked her in the eyes for what might even be the last time I ever saw her. I jumped through the open window in the small room and bolted down the street with Sandy hot on my tail. “We don’t have much time! I’ll help you pack what you need but I have to get back to the mayor as soon as possible.” I could barely hear over the wind in my ears as we ran for all that our legs were worth.

I had to fight the tears back again as we approached my little shack at the end of town. Sure it wasn’t much, but it was my own little corner of the wasteland. No that it mattered much now, I wouldn’t see it again for a long time. We rushed inside and immediately set out to put whatever I would need into my saddlebags. A few health potions I had stored away, some canned food, a canteen, and of course my favorite books. What, a tough pony can’t like to read every once in awhile too?

Finally I came to the two possessions I held most dear. the first was a set of wingblades I made myself. They weren’t fancy, and they certainly weren’t pretty to look at. But they were mine. I had made these with my own hooves, and I couldn’t count the hours I’ve spent practicing with them. The second was a set of three books. The first was a trans-language lexicon for Equestrian and Cirran, the ancient race of the Pegasi. The second book was a training manual written by Commander Hurricane himself for his Praetorian guard. And the third was a biography of Commander Hurricane, written by his daughter Typhoon.

They were probably priceless before the war, now to most ponies they were just more momentos to a forgotten past. But not to me. I never knew my parents, mayor Laps said she woke one night to find me sitting in a cloud cradle on her doorstep as a pegasus soared off into the clouds. But whoever they were, they left these with me. I don’t know why, but all I can think of is that they wanted me to learn something from these books. To learn the ways of better ponies, ponies who stood together for something.

Sandy nudged my shoulder when she noticed I was lost in my thoughts. I turned to see she had packed the rest of my things and was watching me with a sad smile. “I’m sure they’d be proud of you if they knew who you grew up to be.”

I wiped a tear from my eyes and hugged her one last time. “Thank you, for everything. You’ve always been there for me like a sister. I’ve never had a family, but I imagine having one feels like this.”

We parted ways too soon as I ran SouthEast, hoping to get to the far side of the nearby mountain range by nightfall. I ran past confused ponies as I left town, ponies I’d known my whole life. I knew I’d be coming back someday, so why did it feel like I’d never see them again? All of this was just so sudden! I didn’t have time to say goodbyes, I didn’t have time to see Lily or crack a joke with that buck running the gun store, I didn’t even have time to look back at my home! I simply ran until the town was just a black speck behind me.

Finally when I arrived at the base of the mountain range, I turned back to look at the town. Exhausted both physically and emotionally I collapsed as I cried. That was when I decided that no matter what happened I was going to return to that place even if it costed me my life. There was just no way I would ever abandon it to the wasteland.

One day I will come back.

Quest Perk: "I Fight For My Friends!" You fight to protect the ones you care about, granting you 10% increased damage when near allies.

Character Updates:

Name: Updraft
Gender: Female
Race: Pegasus
Age: 19
Appearance: Midnight Blue coat; Black mane/tail with a silver streak
Size: Smaller than average
Occupation: Town Guard (Desert Springs)
Weapon Preferences: Bladed weapons (Swords, wingblades, knives, etc.)
Skill Set: Very agile and fast; not good at long distance running or flights, but good at using wings to help in a fight. Very well practiced at fighting, but inexperienced.

Name: Sandy Roads
Gender: Female
Race: Earth Pony
Age: 22
Appearance: Desert Sand coat; Desert Sand mane/tail with a Pale Brown Streak
Size: Average
Occupation: Town Guard (Desert Springs)
Weapon Preferences: Her trusty 30-30 Iron Sight rifle.
Skill Set: very good at blending in to her surroundings; has excellent vision, and is good at long ranged shooting despite not using a scoped weapon.

Author's Notes:

A big thank you to Kkat for being awesome and for creating such an amazing world for us to partake in. Also a big thank you to The 24th Pegasus for giving me permission to make this story what I plan to. As always feel free to leave comments, and criticize my writings however you want (And by "however you want" I mean however I see fit.) >:D