Chapter 20: The Luna Line

Knock knock knock.

My ears perked and I sat up from the couch.

“Meeeeeep”

Meep flew flat out to the door and beeped twice. “Coming,” I said loudly as I tried to dislodge myself from the uncomfortable sofa. Meep beeped again and flew onto my head. I wrapped my field of magic around the rusty doorknob and opened it. Standing on the other side was… Homage?

“Oh hi,” I said forcing a smile. I was still a little angry about our last encounter.

“Can I come in?” she asked returning the smile.

“Sure,” I said standing back to allow Homage inside. “Meep can you go wake Alyshia and Midnight?”

Meep beeped and flew off as commanded.

“I’m not too early am I?” Homage asked. “Sorry for intruding.”

“It’s fine really,” I replied with a wave of a hoof. “I should have woken them an hour ago.”

Homage cracked a smile and that’s when I heard the door. Alyshia and Midnight came out of the bedrooms, their manes messy and their eyes red; Meep quickly followed. I almost laughed as Alyshia blushed.

“Hold on Homage, do you mind if we just-“ Alyshia blurted out. Homage nodded and Alyshia dashed into the bathroom. Midnight casually flattened her mane with a hoof and sat on the lounge half asleep. A moment later, Alyshia came out of the bathroom her mane freshly brushed. “Sorry about that,” Alyshia sighed. “Maybe if Amethyst told us you were here herself instead of getting her pet to do it.”

Homage snickered. “It’s okay. Amethyst was making sure I was at home.”

I looked back at Homage surprised she sided with me.

“It’s okay,” Alyshia said steering the conversation into different waters. “What can we do for you?”

Homage pulled a book from her saddlebag and gave it to me. I took it in my magic and looked at the battered cover. “Wasteland Survival Guide” was the title. I frowned; I had surely proven that I could survive in the wasteland.

“It tells you all about Splendid Valley and the monsters that reside there,” Homage said answering my question. “Splendid Valley is far more dangerous than the rest of the wasteland. As I said, there’s taint and the book covers it all.”

“Thanks,” I said keeping the book in my purple magic field.

“I was also hoping you could do me a favour?” Homage asked.

“What kind of favour?” I questioned.

“There is an old radio tower in Dijoneigh,” Homage explained. “DJ Pon-3 doesn’t have much view in Splendid Valley as the tower in Old Olneigh went dark a few years ago. I was hoping if you could restore it. We could at least have some view of Splendid Valley again.”

I looked at Alyshia and she nodded. I was with her on this one. “Sure,” I said with a nod, “I mean we’re there anyway. Uhh, where is it?”

Homage smiled. “It’s a large tower near the Hospital, you can’t miss it,” she explained.

Alyshia and I nodded. “No problem,” I said.

“Thank you, DJ Pon-3 will have his thanks,” Homage thanked with a bow of her head. “Anyway, I have to get back to the station. Sorry for pulling you out of bed Alyshia and Midnight.”

“It’s okay,” Alyshia said as Midnight remained mute. “I shouldn’t have slept in so late anyway.”

“Stay safe and hopefully we’ll meet again,” Homage finished and saw herself out.

“Why’re you so quite Midnight?” I asked the immobile pegasus.

“Tired,” Midnight yawned. “Late night.”

“You should be going to bed early Midnight. When we go there will be no more comfort, and sleep will be difficult,” Alyshia scolded.

“I’ll be fine,” Midnight sighed. “I’ll go to bed earlier tonight.”

I giggled. I knew Midnight wouldn’t go to bed earlier. She’ll probably end up going down for a drink or six.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

It wasn’t until midday that Alyshia approached me while I was in my room packing. “Amethyst, we need to talk.”

I facehoofed. “Can’t it wait?” I said almost rudely.

“No it most certainly can’t,” Alyshia snapped. “Either you talk, or we take you back and get you a counsellor and you stay here for a few weeks to get your mental state sorted. It’s up to you.”

I gritted my teeth. I didn’t want to push Alyshia’s buttons. “Fine,” I growled. “Can we talk before bed?”

Alyshia smiled and nodded before leaving the room. I shook my head once she was gone. I really thought that this was getting ridiculous. “Can’t she give me some time? Can’t she understand that I don’t want to talk about everything?” I sneered as I threw my memory orbs back into my bag, “Isn’t that my business?”

Knock knock…

“Come in,” I sighed. I was expecting Alyshia but it was actually Midnight. I felt my cheeks go red. Did she just hear me talking to myself? “H-Hi,” I said stupidly.

“Hey, uhh… What was all that about?” Midnight asked. “Alyshia stormed out of the room looking angry and then she went on a mini rant about you.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I sighed with a flick of my tail. “She just wants to talk about things I would rather keep quite.”

“Take it from me Amethyst,” Midnight said as she placed a hoof around my neck. “If you’re having problems, you need to tell somepony. When I was fifteen, I was having issues dealing with my parents’ deaths. I went to see somepony and told them about everything; about how I felt and the things I was doing to deal with my troubles. They helped me so much.”

I looked into Midnights scarlet eyes and could see the horror of her past behind them; suddenly I felt my eyes water and I almost cried for her. Is this how I looked?

“All I’m saying is give it a go,” Midnight said with a smile. “You can even tell her things in small steps and not all at once.”

I nodded and Midnight hugged me. “Thanks,” I sniffed. “It’s just hard…”

“Of course,” Midnight agreed. “But you’ll feel better for it.” Midnight then left me with my saddlebags.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

That night after dinner, Alyshia accosted me once again in my room. “Hey,” she said kindly. “Are you ready?”

I gritted my teeth and wanted to say no. I knew that wouldn’t do. “Yes,” I sighed.

Alyshia smiled a sat on my bed. I followed suit, albeit a little grumpy.  “So can you tell me what’s going on hon; everypony has been worried sick. “

I looked at the sheets of the bed not wanting to say anything. Alyshia however was patient and the silence grew. It grew so much that it became unbearable as emotion began to creep through me. “I’m having dreams about my father,” I said, fighting back the urge to cry. “It reminds me of home, my mother and the photos of him I have at home. I feel so homesick, I feel so love sick, and I feel like nopony cares.” Tears formed around my eyes and began to drip onto the sheets.

Alyshia hugged me but still the tears fell. I hadn’t even said a quarter of it yet and I couldn’t say anymore. “We care Amethyst,” Alyshia said caringly. “Me and Midnight, I think Brax does as well.”

“I know,” I choked, “and that’s why I feel so guilty that I want to go home. I love you all and what will I do when I get home? I don’t want to leave any of you… And M-Midnight, I c-can’t; I’m still in love.”

I shuddered and I continued. “When I was a filly, I was bullied by another filly called Glenda and a group of her friends. She used to tease me for not having a cutie mark, then she teased me for not being able to do magic and then for being a fillyfooler.”

Alyshia gasped. “Did you tell your mum?”

“No,” I snorted. “She didn’t care, she didn’t give a damn. She was too worried about her appearances. No, if anything, she was just as bad.”

“So why do you want to go home when you had such a horrible time there?” Alyshia asked.

“It’s my home,” I growled. “There are ponies I care about; I still love my mother despite her bitterness. It’s the place my father was born and where I was born, I have my things, my plush Rarity toy that I slept with each night; Berry as well. The walls, the lights, the food, the sound of my hooves on metal all call home. Sometimes I wish I was home again, in my bed with nothing but broken computers to worry about.”

Alyshia tightened her hug on me. It was a motherly hug, one of the many things mother never gave to me. “You’re more of a mother than my own,” I admitted. “My mother only gave birth to me. I don’t know why I still love her.”

“That’s not true,” Alyshia protested.

“My mother didn’t hug me,” I told her.

“Is this why you’ve been cutting yourself?” Alyshia asked.

“No, merely a contribution,” I said slowly and reluctantly. “I started cutting myself in New Appleoosa.” My eyes swelled with tears again and emotion crept through my chest threatening to suffocate me. “I t-told Midnight that I l-loved her, and…” I gulped. “I tried to kiss her Alyshia a-and then I begged her to love me. I’d never f-felt so stupid. Midnight kicked me out a-and I felt distraught and stupid. I felt like the world was collapsing around me. I felt so trapped.” I gulped. “I then cut myself with my knife and w-what’s worse, it felt good.”

I hung my head in shame. I just revealed my worst nightmare to Alyshia, the nightmare that actually happened and now it was up to her to judge me.

“Amethyst,” Alyshia said softly taking my left hoof, the one with the nearly invisible scars. “You need to learn that love can be found in other places. Midnight loves you, she really does but she doesn’t love you romantically, she’s you’re friend and that love is different. My love for you is also different. I don’t love you romantically but I still love you.” Alyshia rubbed my leg in a comforting way.

“I still flirt with her,” I said still feeling upset. “I know she doesn’t love me romantically, she’s just my friend and she doesn’t like mares either. I’m just stupid.”

“You’re not stupid,” Alyshia told me. “From what you’ve told me, you’ve grown up with little attention and a lack of love. You’re still discovering yourself. I understand.”

What she said made me think. Am I really finding it hard to determine the differences in love or am I just craving love so bad I’m appearing as a desperate idiot?

“What I’m glad about is that you at least understanding that Midnight is just your friend, even though your feelings are very strong. I’m glad you are at least holding them back,” Alyshia said.

I nodded feeling a bit better yet I was unsure on how I felt. I felt like I had just shifted some of the weight off my back.

“We’ll talk again sometime okay?” Alyshia said gently. “You were really brave for talking about it.”

I nodded, not sure how I felt still.  “I might go to bed,” I sighed. I just need some rest.

Alyshia smiled and left my room. I was now a little confused. Alyshia was understanding and was completely cool, but I was unsure if she thought that I didn’t understand the differences in love. I knew the love of friendship; I knew what it feels like to love somepony special… But I didn’t understand the love of a parent and I only assumed that was the love that Alyshia gave me. Is that what it would feel like if my mother had loved me? Or is the love I have for Alyshia merely that of a friend?

Did I count Midnight as a friend? No, I counted her as more than a friend even though I have to keep the relationship friendship based. Did I count Brax as a friend? I do but he is quite different and my relationship with him is confusing. What about Alyshia? Our relationship is different somehow. Is this a mother/daughter relationship? Or is it a different type of friendship? It’s different from my relationship with Berry. Berry was my foalhood friend. My relationship with my companions was so very different.

I shook my head to clear it. Did it really matter? They were all my friends, even if our relationships vary. I threw myself in bed and with a spark from my horn the lights went out.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

It felt like I was asleep for not even an hour and the lights flicked on. “Come on Amethyst, it’s time to go,” Alyshia said. “Make sure you have everything.”

I got up and sighed. I was still quite tired and the time at Tenpony Tower had been decent time off away from the wasteland. With a glow of my horn I dumped the remaining things into my saddlebags including the Wasteland Survival guide (which I had not yet opened).

I pulled on my new grey barding. It was a little loose due to my weight but it fit nonetheless. The difference between this barding and my others was that it was a lot heavier and the plates were thicker. It wasn’t the most comfortable thing to wear but it would do the job. I just didn’t understand why Brax bought me such thick armour.

I put my saddlebags on and strapped my new sniper rifle to my saddlebags for ease of access and then I was ready to tackle the wasteland once again.

“Amethyst, are you ready?” Alyshia called.

“I am,” I replied back as I walked into the living room.  Everypony was waiting for me.

“Okay let’s go,” Alyshia said bossily.

We followed Alyshia out the room and as we walked down the corridor I sidled up to Brax. “What’s with the bulky armour?” I asked the armoured stallion.

“You break too easy,” he growled.

I felt affronted. “No I don’t; I can deflect most bullets with my shield,” I argued.

“The shield that you can’t maintain for longer than five seconds; you’ve destroyed two sets of barding already,” he growled back. “Anyway Alyshia asked for it.”

I scowled at the back of Alyshia’s head.

“Anyway, it’ll toughen you up, carrying the weight around,” Brax told me. “You’re skinny and you need some muscle.”

I rolled my eyes. Now he was using my flaws against me.

“Have you read that book yet Amethyst?” Alyshia asked.

I felt my heart sink slightly. I was supposed to read “The Wasteland Survival Guide,” the part on Splendid Valley. “No,” I said honestly.

“Seriously?” Alyshia barked.

“I’ll read it tonight,” I said defensively. Give me a break I added inside my head.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

We were walking through central Manehattan on the Luna monorail line towards the east -- towards Splendid Valley. The line gave a great view of the city even though the buildings generally took away most of the view. Occasionally with sickening vertigo, I could see an entire street littered with carriages that were no doubt filled with the decayed remains of the poor ponies that were killed instantly by the megaspells all those years ago.  

“This armour is so freakin’ heavy,” I complained as Meep sat on my head. “I can’t walk properly. How am I supposed to fight like this?”

“It’s to protect you,’ Alyshia sighed.

“You haven’t seen me fight?” I snapped. “I rely on speed and agility… Wearing this I might as well wear what Brax has.”

Alyshia shook her head.

“Come on, how often do I get hit by bullets?” I growled. “Imagine if I fell in water. Poor Midnight wouldn’t be able to get me out and I’d drown. It would be you and Brax’s fault.”

“She has a point you know,” Midnight piped up. “She does jump around like a pogo when fighting; now she can’t really do that.”

“Then she can take it off and have no protection,” Brax growled. “If she gets hit in the wrong spot, then she’ll die.”

“Then you should have bought me light gar- whaaa-“ My hind leg slipped on the loose snow on the track, and before I knew it, I was hanging from the line by my forehooves, my magic allowing me to weigh less.

“Amethyst!” Midnight and Alyshia cried.

“H-Help!” I screamed. I looked down and my stomach turned, my heart (which was already racing) felt like it was going to jump out of my chest. My head also span horribly. The carts and buses were small and I was so high up. My fear of heights and open spaces was clearly evident. Midnight grabbed me around the middle, Alyshia pulled on my forehooves and I was pushed back onto the slippery monorail. The moment I hit the icy rail I didn’t get up as I was too afraid to move and all I could do was shiver in fright.

“Amethyst,” Alyshia cried.  “Are you okay?”

I shook my head feeling nauseous. “I want to get back on the ground, it’s too slippery,” I managed to say.

“It’s safer,” Midnight said. “We’re better off up here.”

“I agree,” Brax chipped in.

“I want to be on the ground now!” I roared, anger licking my insides.

Alyshia, Midnight and Brax looked at each other. Midnight then looked down at the ground. “How’re we supposed to get down from here?” she asked.

I looked down at the snow and Meep landed back onto my head. “I’ll levitate you all down,” I growled. “I just…”

“You’re not levitating me down,” Brax growled. “I value my life.”

“Amethyst, that’s at least fifty metres! You can’t levitate Brax down there… How the hell do you think?”

“Fine,” I snapped. “Does anyone have a rope?”

“You’re not doing that either,” Brax growled.

“No, it’s not for that,” I said heavily.

Brax went through his saddlebag and threw me a rope of about three metres. I tied it to my saddlebag strap and threw the other end at Midnight. “Tie this to your saddlebag strap please.”

Midnight nodded, understanding what I was getting at.

Once secure I got up. “Now if I fall I won’t die.”

“You wouldn’t have fallen if you were paying attention,” Alyshia sighed. “Instead of ranting about your barding. We’ll go down when we’re closer to the ground okay?”

I grunted, still pissed off.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

The walk along the Luna Line was hardly enjoyable. Alyshia was singing with Midnight and they both sounded dreadful. “Come on Amethyst, join in?” Midnight said at the end of their second song.

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t sing.”

“But you sound good,” Midnight moaned. “Have some fun c’mon?”

“Meep can you play DJ Pon-3 radio station?” I told my robotic companion. With a beep he connected to the radio station. It was a classic Sweetie Belle song.

“There, you can sing to it,” I told them.

“Don’t make me untie this,” Midnight threatened. “C’mon you grumpy pony, join us…”

“Fine,” I growled with emphasis on the F.

“Okay, Hearts Strong as Horses,” Midnight said as the next song began. Alyshia and Midnight nodded before looking at me. I nodded in agreement.

“Okay,” Alyshia said. “One, two, three.”

“We're the toughest little ponies in town,” we sang. “Got the moves, got the mojo, no harder working ponies around.”

Brax growled and shook his head as we passed by a building with a platform built onto the side; I almost stopped out of embarrassment but I sang with Midnight and Alyshia hoping they could mask my singing.

“We get going when the going gets tough. We know our very best is just never enough. We’re kinda short, but so what? We don't get defeated. We could take a little break, but we don't need it.”

BANG

I broke off as something hit my flank with an iron clad punch. My hind hoof slipped on the ice, and before I knew it I was clinging onto the metal railing on the opposite side of the platform. Midnight flew down to grab me but my hooves slipped and I fell. The rope holding me to Midnight prevented me from falling to my death but my weight combined with my barding and saddlebags pulled Midnight down with me. She could hardly hold on and we both began to lose altitude.

Bang bang bang sounded from above followed by a zaaap from Brax’s laser rifles.

“Amethyst, do something!” Midnight growled as she pushed her wings as hard as she could. Eyes closed, I wrapped myself in magic to lighten myself. I then magically took my barding off. Barecoat, I kept the barding wrapped in my magic. By this time we had fallen over twenty five meters and Midnight had to haul me back up to the railing. Once back over the railing I pulled myself magically back towards the edge like a pendulum. I then pushed myself at the platform and activated my shield. The shield sliced the rope and I flew through the air and skidded across the platform. Bullets scattered across my bubble and, armed with my heavy barding, I threw it at the nearest raider hiding behind a bin. The barding hit the bin with such force that it crushed him against the wall and he moved no more. I ducked behind a pole as my shield collapsed and pulled out my magnum.

I heard shots from Midnight and Brax. I turned around and the pony that was about to shoot me from behind was a pile of glowing ash. “Close one,” I sighed.

BANG

The bullet aimed for me hit the concrete pole and took a chip out of it. I jumped out from my hiding spot and activated my shield. I ran at the grey mare and she unloaded her whole clip into my shield, which absorbed a majority of the shots before collapsing. I jumped behind another pillar and the rest of her shots were soaked by the concrete. I jumped back out from my hiding spot and activated SATS. I aimed a shot at her head.

BANG

The wall behind her was showered with gore as the shot rang true.

FFFFFchooooo

“Amethyst!?” Midnight and Alyshia roared. “Look out!”

I turned in time to see a rocket of some sort. It had a flaming tail behind it and I had never seen such a thing. I flinched and activated my shield just in time. The rocket hit the surface, plasma jumped from the shield on impact and the explosion was absorbed but my poor shield didn’t have time to strengthen and couldn’t take the whole thing. It collapsed and showered me in in the remaining flames and hot shrapnel. I shielded my face with a forehoof and jumped back behind the pillar. My face and hooves stung slightly but I ignored it; there was still another.

BANG BANG BANG

Btzzzz Btzzzz

FFFFFchooooo

I activated my shield again and moments later the rocket hit the pillar which collapsed on top of me. Concrete showered from above, my shield taking hits as I ran for another hiding spot.

BOOOM BOOOM

“Take that you foul bitch!” Alyshia roared.

BANG BANG

I didn’t really know what was going on. My shield collapsed and I jumped behind a waste bin. I had practically no protection but a gun. I regretted taking my barding off and now I was a sitting duck. I heard Midnight and Brax fighting vigorously but for me I was just a liability behind this bin. I had to get back to the others. I jump back out from the waste bin and made for my companions as fast as my legs would carry me.

BANG BANG BANG

The shots missed, I was almost there.

“Amethyst what are you doing?” Midnight cried.

BANG

A shot hit me in the foreleg, I skidded across the dusty floor and as I did so I activated my shield; it took some bullets before collapsing. Alyshia wrapped her magic around me and pulled me over to the cover.

“Oww,” I cried looking at my forehoof. It had hit about an inch from up from my pipbuck. It looked like it might have come from a 9mm.

“Stay there,” Alyshia growled as she unpinned a grenade. She waited two seconds and threw it.

BOOOM

I heard raiders cry out. Brax then stepped out from cover and bullets sparked against his heavy armour.

BTZZAAAPPP

Brax fired four times and stepped back behind cover, his armour dented from the bullets. “Pretty rough,” he growled “but we got all the worse ones.”

I wanted to fight. I wasn’t doing anything and my friends were doing all the work. I normally headed battle; instead I sat here like a child waiting for the adults to clean up the mess.

“Is that all of them?” Midnight asked.

“Dunno,” Brax replied. “Why don’t you take a look?”

“I’m alright,” Midnight replied.

“Here,” Alyshia said casting a spell. A small shield appeared around Midnight like a small bubble, the shield didn’t quite look like mine and it looked like the surface was covered in honeycombs. “It’s not quite like Amethyst’s but it’ll take a shot or two.”

Midnight nodded and flew across the platform, checking for survivors. Midnight however took her time; I think she might have been looting. “So Amethyst,” Alyshia said turning her attention to me.

“I know, what I did was stupid,” I sighed.

“Well, you did okay actually,” she replied. “You distracted that raider with the rocket launcher. But yes, it was utterly stupid.”

“I didn’t actually do anything,” I replied. “I felt kinda useless actually.”

Alyshia gave me a small smile and took my forehoof into hers. “We’ll just fix this one up,” Alyshia said. Alyshia levitated a pair of tweezers. “This is going to hurt,” Alyshia said grimly. “I’m sorry.”

I winced and she inserted the tweezers into the bullet hole. It felt like I got shot again, except the pain went for longer.

“Oww!” I cried.

Sorry,” Alyshia replied. This was taking too long and I couldn’t be more relieved when the bullet came free. Alyshia then pulled out a familiar bottle and I looked away embarrassed.

“Just don’t steal them this time,” Alyshia said.

“I said I won’t,” I growled.

“I’m joking,” Alyshia said with a giggle. “Anyway, that’s sorted.”

I looked down at my wound and it did the trick -- it was mostly healed and had stopped bleeding.  “Nice,” I said as I moved my forehoof with no pain.

“Midnight, where are you?” Alyshia called. “We had better keep going.”

“Just... One sec,” Midnight replied. “Just getting these, almost… Done!” she called. Midnight returned with cases of ammo and a shotgun. “Amethyst catch!”

She threw the shotgun at me and I caught it. It wasn’t in the best condition, but it was in a lot better condition than the one Brax was about to give me earlier.

“Now that’s a bit safer now isn’t it Brax?” Alyshia said to the metallic stallion. “Now you can throw that other one away.”

“Pfft,” Brax growled. “As if, I’ll fix her up and sell it to the shop. Might as well get some more caps.”

Alyshia rolled her eyes.

“Well if anyone wants some ammo, just give me a shout,” Midnight said stuffing the cases into her saddlebags.

“We really should move on,” I said concerned. “It’s starting to get late and we’re behind.”

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

“You know we could have just gone down the stairs at the last station?” Midnight sighed as we continued along the Luna Line. “It’s starting to get dark,” Midnight observed.

“We didn’t think of that at the time,” I sighed. “It’ll be dark in half an hour…”

Midnight rubbed my mane from above. “Well you should have thought of that, right boss?”

I blushed slightly and said, “It was probably full of raiders,” I made up. “Anyway, you think I want to stay on here?”

“Where’s the next station?” Alyshia asked. “We need to get there before dark.”

“Bring up your map on your pipbuck.” Brax growled to me. “We need to know so we don’t get lost in the dark.”

“Or fall to our deaths,” Alyshia chipped in.

I brought up the local map and found the Luna Line. A blip showed our location and a station was located about five or six kilometres away. “It’s about… forty five minutes to an hour away.” I groaned. That meant walking through the dark.

“Okay, so we need to be super careful,” Alyshia said to everypony. “Amethyst and Brax, do you think you can turn on your lights?”

“Can’t we just camp here?” I asked. Everypony looked at me as if I was mad.  My ears tilted back. “Okay, maybe not,” I said quickly. “Sorry, stupid idea.”

We all continued on in the dwindling light. My pipbuck and Brax’s headlamps were blazing, providing enough light to ensure none of us made the wrong step. It was more difficult at night and that was made worse when it began to snow.

“Are you kidding me?” I burst out stomping my hoof. “Snow, now?”

“It’s winter,” Brax growled. “It can snow at any time.”

“But now?” I complained. “It hasn’t snowed all day.”

“We’ll manage,” Alyshia said. “The weather can throw anything at us, so long as it isn’t a blizzard.”

“I think you might be wrong there Alyshia,” Midnight said sounding a little scared. “Look.”

Midnight pointed a hoof behind us, we all turned around.  While the sky in the direction we were moving was dark grey in the dying daylight, the sky behind us was almost black, cloud tops rolled across the sky, each layer a different shade of the deep grey. I hadn’t seen clouds like this before, the other blizzards had dark clouds but they were different, they didn’t look so… fierce.

A huge bolt of light erupted from the upper clouds and made contact with a building that was only visible due to the light from the cloud. “What in Celestia’s name was that?” I asked startled. Midnight and Alyshia covered their ears with their forehooves and winced.

BAAAANNNGGGG

I jumped out of my skin and almost fell again. “What the fuck was that?” I asked. “Are the pegasi attacking us?”

“It’s lighting,” Midnight said.

"Oh of course," I said remembering that bolt of lighting near New Saddle.

“It’s quite rare in winter" Midnight filled in, "but more common in summer. We had better get moving before we die.”

“Lighting,” I repeated as we headed off with faster pace. “So it’s just light? Where does the sound come from?”

“That’s thunder,” Midnight told me, “the sound is from the lighting. The lighting is electricity coming from the clouds.”

“Electricity?” I said flabbergasted. “That’s… That’s a lot of electricity.”

“You really are a stable filly aren’t you?” Brax said to me. “You really know nothing.”

“I do know stuff. I’m learning, I can do a lot more than I used to,” I replied.

“It’s just funny,” Brax growled. “We’ve grown up in the wasteland since we were foals; it’s just strange that you’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Ever seen the sun?” I asked with a grin.

“Saw it on the mountain, seen in Cantal as well,” Brax said. “I’ve seen the moon as well.”

“I haven’t seen the moon yet,” I said saddened. “I’ve seen it in books, it looks pretty.”

“I’ve heard rumours of the moon and sun overlapping,” Midnight chipped in. “Not sure of how true it is though.”

“What, so the moon and sun are like overlapped?” I asked. “Is that possible?”

“Not sure,” Midnight replied. I saw another flash of lighting erupt from behind Midnight, this bolt appeared closer.

BAAAANG

I almost jumped again; the sound was scaring me and made my hairs stand on end. That wasn’t helped when the wind began to pick up; snow was now blowing in my face. Meep beeped as he was drifted by the wind. He quickly flew over to Midnight and sat on her head.

“How far now?” Brax called over the wind. “We have to nearly be there.”

“We have a bit over a kilometre,” I shouted back. The wind and snow cut threw my body like an icy blade and I was starting to shiver.

“Are you okay Amethyst? Alyshia asked loudly, “Are you cold?”

“A little” I called back. “But I’ll be okay.”

CLUNK

The rail rattled fiercely enough to be heard over the wind. We turned around and Brax had fallen over, although luckily not off.

“Brax, are you alright?” I asked.

He got back up and whinnied. “I’m fine,” he growled as if nothing worse had happened than slipping on the ground.

We trotted on, the thunder scaring me, the wind howling, and the temperature dropping.  At last the station appeared and we made for it at a quicker pace, eager to get out of this storm. We entered the platform and sadly for us, the wind was blowing into the platform, snow building across the floor and on the sitting benches. This made it no better to rest than on the rail itself.

“Great,” Brax growled stamping his hoof on the snow-covered concrete. “Now were going to freeze to death.”

I trotted over to a door with a cracked window. It had a buzzer card like the ones in the stables except the light for it was off. I pushed on the handle and it opened without a swipe card, the room was small but enough for a small fire and all of us to sleep -- it appeared to be the office of the platform controller. “Here!” I called loudly. “There’s a room.”

The others came over to where I was and I stepped into the dusty and messy room. The wind howled through the room as the door was open but everypony followed me inside. I closed the door magically and the sound of the wind lessened, however, the door shook as the wind battered against it. Meep jumped from Midnight’s head, landed on the coat stand and shut down.

“Brilliant Amethyst,” Midnight chimed. “Good work.”

I flushed slightly and muttered my thanks.

“We’ll keep here for the night then?” Brax said as if this was a question. “Think I might start a fire to get us all warm.”

We nodded in agreement and Brax began to break up the furniture in the room for some firewood.

“What do you want to eat?” Alyshia asked me. “I can fry off some sprouts and beans, I’ve got some herbs too.”

I sat down, tired. “Sure,” I said looking up at her with heavy eyes.

“My wings are going to hurt tomorrow,” Midnight sighed. She glanced at the dark, cracked window on the rattling door. “I’m just glad I’m not out there.”

“So am I,” I agreed. A flash lit up the window and the crackling sound of thunder exploded outside. I nearly jumped again.

“It’s not going to bite you here,” Brax laughed. “It can’t get you here.”

“I know, I just… I don’t like the sound,” I replied.

Brax crushed a chair under his heavy hoof and threw the splinters into a pile with the broken desk. “M’kay Amethyst, light her up.”

I looked at the woodpile then back at Brax. “How? I don’t have a lighter.”

“With that horn you have,” he sighed. “You know… Magic.”

“She doesn’t know that spell Brax,” Alyshia cut in as she sliced the can of the mushy beans from its container. “Not every unicorn knows every spell.”

“I know that,” he growled. “Isn’t it a basic spell?” he asked. “I’ve seen lot of unicorns do it. Anyway, if Amethyst can’t do it, you can can’t you?”

“I can,” Alyshia told him, “whist it is a basic spell not every unicorn can do it.”

Alyshia’s horn flashed and a spit of fire landed onto the chair leg and caught fire. “Anyway, she probably hasn’t needed a spell like it yet anyway.”

“Right,” Brax growled, “typical stable filly.”

I scowled and Alyshia nodded as she levitated the frying pan. “Amethyst, are you reading that book tonight?”

“Oh yeah, I really should” I said. “I’ll read it after dinner.”

Alyshia began to sear the food. “Hopefully this turns out okay,” Alyshia told me. “I’m not the greatest cook in the world.”

“Either,” I yawned.

BAAANG

I flinched but didn’t jump. “I’m shocked you don’t freak out at gun shots,” Midnight said, “jumping at the mere bang of lighting.”

I shrugged. “Unexpected gunshots I do but it’s different even though the sounds are similar,” I said simply. I sniffed in Alyshia’s food which was starting to smell good. “That smells pretty good,” I complimented.

“Thanks,” Alyshia said with smile.

“Is there enough for all of us?” Midnight asked looking at the searing food.

“No this is just for Amethyst and I,” Alyshia answered. “Anyway you have your own food.”

Midnight scowled.

“Well Amethyst is having issues with eating so I need to cook it,” Alyshia told her firmly. “I’m sure you and Brax can understand.”

I looked away feeling embarrassed. I once again felt like a foal who couldn’t even feed herself, it was frustrating. I’m supposed to be an adult; I should be cooking my own food, I should be the one buying my armour and guns, I should be the one to determine what gun I use and when.

“I don’t need to cook my food,” Brax replied as he released himself from his armour. “As long as you can feed yourself and your adopted foal then we’re all happy.”

I looked up at Brax angry and embarrassed. “I can fend for myself. I am self-reliant,” I growled aggressively. “I don’t need anypony to hold my hoof.”

“Well you certainly do.” Brax replied. “You have your food cooked for you, your wounds healed, your bed made and you even take orders. You’re just a kid.”

What he said almost made me cry; enough to make my eyes water anyway, because I knew it was true.

“Brax that’s enough,” Alyshia snapped. “Amethyst is a capable young mare. She saved your hide, if it wasn’t for her, you’d probably be in Fillydelphia right now smashing rocks for Red Eye.”

Brax looked taken aback. “That’s true,” he said with a wince.

I smiled at Alyshia for backing me up but my thoughts lay securely on the fact that I’m being looked after and babied on this trip and if it wasn’t for my friends that I’d probably be dead.

“It’s fine Amethyst,” Alyshia told me. “Don’t look so glum.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said faking a smile.

“Anyway, dinner’s ready,” Alyshia said giving me a bowl and a spoon.

I took the bowl and spoon in my magic. The food smelt a lot better than the stuff strait out of the can. I took a bite and Alyshia had crisped the vegetables and made them taste better with seasoning. I managed to finish my portion but only just. I felt like I was going to explode yet I didn’t really eat overly much.

“Thanks Alyshia,” I said.

“You really should get a move onto the book by the way,” Alyshia told me seriously.

“You don’t need that book read for you do you Amethyst?” Brax teased.

“No,” I snapped as I opened the book. The book was detailed. It covered monsters, guns, areas and even Canterlot. I was surprised. The book, however, was hard to read as there wasn’t enough light. Our fire was small and my pipbuck was awkward to use as a lamp. “There isn’t much light,” I growled.

“There’s a spell for that,” Brax said though a mouthful of beans. “Oh wait…”

“Really Brax?” Midnight snapped. “I won’t blame her if she slices you in half with that insane shield.”

“Actually, it is unusual,” Alyshia sighed. “All unicorns should be able to light their horns, it’s like telekinesis.”

“Well I can’t,” I growled. “Shows how useless I am.”

“Well no,” Alyshia said as she rustled through her saddlebags.  “You’re probably doing it wrong.” Alyshia pulled out a book titled “Foal To Experts Guide To Magic.”

“Great, now I’m in school again,” I said as I rolled my eyes. Alyshia glanced at me then back at the book.

“Here,” she said handing me the book.

The book had larger letters than the Wasteland Survival Guide and I was able to read it in the low light. The spell was under “Foal Magic,” which made me cringe but I looked at the spell rune, the same one that I had seen at school in magic class.

“You can cast that can’t you?” Alyshia asked.

I looked at the rune carefully. Magic was never my strong point. I knew telekinesis (which was amazing when I could first do it) and then there was my shield which I made up -- it wasn’t a real spell. “Just concentrate on the rune and channel your magic to your horn. It really is a basic spell,” Alyshia said attempting to encourage me.

I concentrated on the rune and repeated it inside my head. I then channelled my magic to my horn and, with a burst of purple light it ignited. My spell bathed the room in purple light. I looked at Alyshia and gasped. I just cast a spell I never did and it felt exhilarating. I can do magic, I can do things. I just need. Assistance... I shook that negativity from my head.

“You see, you can do magic. You just need to believe in yourself,” Alyshia encouraged.

I cut the magic to my horn and the light went away. I then hugged Alyshia. “Thanks for teaching me that,” I whispered.

“Good one Amethyst,” Midnight cheered. “But you should read that book before bed. If we get to Splendid Valley tomorrow we want to know what’s there.”

I lit my horn and flicked to the chapter “Splendid Valley.”

Of all the places in Equestria the most ferocious would have to be Splendid Valley. Monsters mutated from a form of taint have caused the area to become inhabitable. Simple insects can spit Taint that burst into flames if shot or killed. Not even raiders go to Splendid Valley.

Of the Valley it is inhabited by a two intelligent species. Hellhounds are mutated Diamond Dogs from the pre-war era. Exposure to taint has allowed them to be ferociously aggressive and their claws can cut through the toughest of armour and the strongest of shields. Alicorns from Maripony are hyper aggressive and incredibly difficult to slay. They are under control by an unknown entity said to live in the old Maripony Facility. If you so happen to meet an Alicorn death is almost a certainty as they tend to hunt in twos or threes and harness extreme magical abilities.

The greatest threat of Splendid Valley is Taint. Taint is rumoured to be experiments by the Ministry of Magic for the war effort. Nopony knows what the Taint was for but it is clearly a type of mutagen. It affects ponies and animals of all sorts and can turn a healthy pony into a ravaging monster with ten tentacles if the dose is sufficient. Taint is identified as greenish liquid that burns on contact; small doses need medical treatment at a hospital such as those at Tenpony Tower, New Saddle Tower, Cantal and various larger clinics around Equestria. Exposure to high doses of Taint can result in mutation that can range from minor to serious. Serious exposure to anypony is worse than death. Serious mutations may cause the individual to sprout extra limbs, lose the ability to recognise their friends, they may even become hyper aggressive and attack loved ones -- they could die due to exposure. Be mindful with Taint Exposure.

Despite these dangers it is said that Splendid Valley has a trove of supplies and goods due to the remoteness of the area. Those that risk their lives tend to never be seen again. It can only be recommended to stay away from this place.

I knew it was dangerous but I didn’t know it was filled with Alicorns. Homage mentioned the hellhounds but not anything else. The book also had a beast section.

Insects that spit taint, ones that combust into flames when shot, or others that explode when they get close, worms that live in the soil in summer and when they die leave pools of Taint on the ground. Tainted snow during winter from dead insects, giant scorpions with six pincers and that spits Taint. Hellhounds with claws that rip armour and shields to bits, Hellhounds even use weaponry, Alicorns that can destroy a whole party of ponies with ease. The list simply goes on. I was not looking forward to this trip to Dijoneigh.

I closed the book; I’ll read more the following evening. I extinguished my horn. Everypony else had gone to bed. I let myself drift off to sleep on the dusty ground, the howl of the wind and the cracking of the fire the only sounds to be heard.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I felt something metallic land on my face.

Beep

I woke up and Meep was sitting on my face. “Off,” I grumbled as I lifted my head. Meep jumped from my face and flew into the air. The wind had stopped, the fire was smouldering ashes and everypony was still asleep. I checked the time on my pipbuck and it was already eight o’clock. “Hey guys,” I said quietly. “Shouldn’t we be going?”

Alyshia stirred. “Huh?” Alyshia then lifted her head and yawned. “It’s morning already?”

“Yep,” I answered. “It’s already eight. We need to get a move on.”

“Midnight, Brax, it’s time to get up,” Alyshia said.

Midnight stirred. “It’s too early,” she mumbled. “Bit longer.” Midnight tossed over and went back to sleep.

These two were hard to get up. “Meep, can you get them up?”

Meep beeped and landed between them.

BUUURRR

The sound rose Midnight who tried to swat the poor dragonfly with a hoof. Meep stopped and flew a safe distance from her attacker. Brax stirred as well.

“Was that necessary?” Midnight growled as she rubbed her red eyes. “My ears…”

“Actually, it was,” I replied. “So it seems you still rely on a mother to wake you up in the morning Brax?” I snickered as the stallion got up.

“Very cheeky Miss Days. I’ll remember this,” Brax announced.

“So will I,” I said with a smile to the old stallion.

“Anyway, everypony in their barding, get your things ready,” Alyshia called. “We got another long day ahead of us.”

I was the first ready as I had nothing to wear. “Well seeing as I’m barecoat,” I said. “I’m ready.”

“I really can’t believe you’re going into Splendid Valley without barding,” Midnight said concerned. “It seems like a suicide mission.”

I was actually starting to feel the same way. “Well, what do we do?”

“Hold on, I might have something,” Alyshia said digging through her saddlebags. “Here take this.” Alyshia threw me a leather winter coat. “I know it won’t really help,” she acknowledged. “But it should help somewhat. If we find any merchants or towns on the way we’ll buy Amethyst another barding.”

“I might have to go back,” Midnight said. “I really don’t like the sound of this.”

“We’ll send you back if we don’t find anything,” Brax growled to Midnight. “Who knows, we might find something along the way.”

“Okay that’s sorted,” Alyshia called. “Just be careful Amethyst, don’t get shot.”

“I won’t,” I said. I saw Midnight raise her eyebrows at me and I pretended I didn’t see it. She knew I was reckless but what can I do? If I’m in combat I’m not going to do nothing. I am supposed to be the leader of the party. It’s looking like Alyshia has taken that role from me.

When Alyshia opened the door about two feet of snow fell forwards and into the little office. “Wow that’s a lot of snow,” Midnight said bewildered. “That was quite a storm.”

“It was,” Brax sighed. “Just hope the rail is still fine.”

“Shouldn’t we try going back to the ground?” I asked as we pushed ourselves through the fresh snow and onto the snowy platform.

Midnight flew over to the bricked exit of the station and we followed her at a slower pace. “It’s caved,” Midnight said as she flew back out of the exit.

“Really?” I groaned.

“Yeah,” Midnight confirmed. “There’s no way we can get through.”

I walked into the exit myself and inside was a large pile of rubble that had caved from the ceiling and from the walls. Cables and pipes hung from the ceiling, brick, wood and concrete blocked the passage.

“Damn,” I growled. “We’ll have to walk the line.”

When we made it to the line it was only partially snow covered with a thin layer of ice. The wind had prevented the snow from caking the rail.

“Good to see the rail is good,” Brax said as he stepped off the platform and onto the monorail.

We began our trek once again along the Luna Line which, according to my pipbuck, wasn’t long. We only had two more stations until the line was a dead end.  “Only two stations,” I relayed to my friends. “Not long and we’ll be on the ground.”

“With the raiders and the Radscorpians and the bandits,” Midnight sighed. “Nice.”

“Raiders are up here too,” I corrected.

Midnight nodded. “Yeah that’s true,” she replied. “Still, there is more threat down there.”

“Not as much as Splendid Valley,” I said with a shudder.

“What did you find out?” Midnight asked curiously. “Are there giant pony eating mutants that spit poison acid and flames at the same time?”

Alyshia raised her eyebrows at Midnight.

“Well, just trying to diffuse the tension,” Midnight shrugged. “Anyway Amethyst, what’s going to eat us?”

“There are the Hellhounds,” I told everypony grimly. “They are intelligent and they are good at using guns.”

“Rabid dogs using guns?” Midnight questioned.

“Heard a rumour of it,” Brax growled. “Heard they use laser weapons.”

I cringed at the thought but I ploughed on. “They have these claws that can break through magic shields and would tear Brax’s armour in two with a single swipe.

“Not good,” Brax agreed. “I knew that already but still not good.”

“They can dig really well and hide under the ground and can attack us from underneath so we need to be super careful,” I continued.

Everypony nodded and Midnight interrupted. “So I need to stay in the air?”

“Would probably be best,” Alyshia answered, “best to have as little ponies exposed as possible during battle with them.”

“Don’t go near the wildlife, even bugs,” I said steering away from hellhounds. “They can explode and the Taint will get you, or they can catch fire if you shoot some. There are also giant mutated Radscorians with six pincers that spit Taint.”

Midnight cringed. “I don’t like Splendid Valley already,” she replied.

Alyshia and Brax looked at her sternly.

“Sorry for interrupting,” Midnight said quietly.

“Uhh, the Alicorns. There’s lots in Splendid Valley.” I continued. “We already know about them. There’s also the Taint.”

“We know what Taint is,” Brax interrupted. “Sorry,” he added when Midnight glared at him.

“Oh, and look out for tainted snow,” I added. “That stuff can be nasty. Just don’t get any Taint on you and we should be fine.”

“Seeing as Taint is as common as snow in Splendid Valley, I’m not feeling very confident,” Brax growled.“

“Well not really,” I disagreed. “It’s mostly in the water and the animals; we just need to get to Dijoneigh without being attacked.”

Brax raised his eyebrows and I knew what he was thinking. “We will get attacked,” Midnight said darkly. “No doubt but we just need to be careful. Brax should be fine as he’s wearing armour but the rest of us need to be careful.”

“Did it say how long it takes for the Taint to do damage?”Alsyshia enquired.

“It depends on the dose,” I stated. “I’m not sure really, I’m not that far in yet.”

“Please find out tonight,” Alyshia requested. “If somepony is exposed I need to know whether to keep going or go back.”

“Right,” I said with a nod.

“Shouldn’t that be up to the pony who gets exposed?” Brax growled. “Low level dose of Taint takes a while to do anything assuming it does anything. If I get a drop on me I’m going bailing.”

“Well no,” Alyshia told the stallion. “I’m the medic, I decide to keep going or go to hospital if we have to.”

“Just don’t over react I think Brax is getting at,” Midnight said to Alyshia. “I agree, if I get a small splash then I’ll wait till we go back, but if I get a big hunk of it in the face then that’s a different story.”

“We don’t yet know how urgent medical attention is for low doses yet, so until we find out we won’t speculate on it,” Alyshia sighed.

“Okay,” Brax growled. “As long as- whoa!”

Brax slipped and fell forward onto the rail. Alyshia (who wasn’t watching) tripped over the fallen stallion and tumbled over the edge. I lunged forward and caught Alyshia by the hind hoof and I quickly slipped off with her. I lost grip from Alyshia and she fell. I suddenly realised that I was falling to my death as wind whistled through my ears. I wrapped myself in magic to slow my fall but I had lost my bearings and didn’t know what was up or down.

I felt something wrap around me and landed on something hard. I clung to it in dear life with my eyes closed; the wind however wasn’t whistling as it was. It felt softer. With a bump I came to a stop. Still I didn’t open my eyes nor move.

“You can get off you know?” A familiar voice asked me.

I opened my eyes and a Pegasus Enclave soldier stood before me. I was on her back and her wings were tipped white. “Scerine?” I gasped. I lost all ability to hold myself and I fell from her back and onto the ground before vomiting. My head span, I felt sick. The fall didn’t do me good. Despite my sickness and dizziness a sudden realisation came to me. “Alyshia?” I cried, “Where is she? She’s not-?”

“No, I’m fine,” Alyshia answered jumping from the back of Midnight. “Midnight got me.”

I looked at my best friend and she didn’t look triumphant as she normally did in a lifesaving situation. Midnight eyed Scerine with distrust and hatred. She didn’t even notice Meep land on her head.

“I take it you’ve finished your work?” Midnight said sourly. “What brings you here?”

“I thought you guys might like some help,” Scerine said. “Where’re you off to?”

“Splendid Valley,” I answered nauseous.

“We’re off to Dijoneigh,” Alyshia finished. “More help would be great.”

“Does the Enclave know you’re here?” Midnight asked. “I didn’t know they let their soldiers assist wanderers on the ground.”

“Midnight,” Alyshia hissed.

“Well… No they don’t know I’m here,” Scerine answered.

“So you’re disobeying your orders? You do know what they do to ponies like you, don’t you?” Midnight growled.

“Oi!” Brax roared from above. “Are you lot going to get me down or what?”

Scerine looked taken aback.

“Sorry,” I sighed.

Scerine turned her metallic head towards Midnight and looked back at me. I didn’t know what her expression was but I guess it would be one of anger or worry.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

The operation to get was easier now that we had two pegasi, even if one was reluctant to work with the other.

Midnight flew me up to the rail and Scerine followed suit. Once we reached the rail I levitated Brax and placed him onto Scerine, this proved difficult as Scerine wasn’t a large pony whereas Brax was. I had to keep the large stallion in my levitation field until we had him on the ground and off Scerine’s back.

“Sorry about the fall girls,” Brax apologised. “The ice was slippery and this armour…” Brax lifted a heavy hoof.

“It’s okay,” Alyshia accepted. “Luckily you got here when you did Scerine or Amethyst would have…” Alyshia couldn’t say the last word.

“It’s alright,” Scerine said with a wave of a hoof. “Midnight caught you too so it was a joint operation.”

Midnight looked like she would have preferred to save the two of us at once than complete a “joint operation” with Scerine. I could understand Midnight not liking Scerine but to look at her with blame and hatred?

“So, how’s the leg?” Scerine questioned me. “Or your whole body in general?”

“I feel good,” I said confidently. “I’m healed to full.”

“That’s good,” Scerine nodded.

“We should get going,” Alyshia called. “We don’t want to use too much more time.”

“Okay,” we said. We headed off towards Splendid Valley on the ground now, we left the building behind us and all that was left was the outer suburbs of Manehattan, this meant that we weren’t overly far away from Splendid Valley.

“So, Alyshia was saying you grew up in a stable?” Scerine asked.

I nodded. “I grew up in Stable 86,” I replied. “Left a few weeks ago and here I am.”

“How’d you go in the stable? Was it cramped?” Scerine continued. “I mean Stables are small.”

“They are, but it’s home,” I told her. “It’s just someplace that I can think that exists and call it home, if you know what I mean. What’s it like in the clouds?” I asked.

Scerine shrugged. “Everypony up there hardly thinks anything exists down here. Nopony really cares. I mean it’s nice, there is civilisation but the Enclave…” Scerine stopped.

“What about the Enclave?” I questioned.

“I grew up with my father,” Scerine told me. “He… he always wanted a son and when my mum died he knew that wasn’t going to happen.”

“Sorry,” I muttered.

“Don’t be,” Scerine said. “Anyway, my father wanted me to be a soldier, like he himself was when he was young. I never really wanted to do this, I’m not even sure I like the Enclave.”

“Likely story,” Midnight growled from behind.

“Sorry,” Scerine said looking at Midnight. “Do you have a problem?”

“Oh yeah,” Midnight snapped. “I have a huge problem, like the Enclave hunting down Dashites.”

“But… You’re not a Dashite?” Scerine said slowly. “You have a cutie mark.”

“No I’m not a Dashite,” Midnight snapped. “My parents were. They were taken from me, in front of me!” Midnight roared. “You just come here and act like there’s nothing wrong. Like you’d be accepted. But guess what Scerine, you love the Enclave, you wear their armour, you follow your stooges the moment they tell you, you don’t care about us! You just care about your little fluffy cloud home and the fresh food you all eat every day! If I flew above the cloud layer I’d get shot and what would you do about it?”

We all stopped and stared at Midnight. We hadn’t heard her go into details about what happened to her parents.

“I don’t support that,” Scerine said a little upset. “I just fix Enclave assets and patrol the cloud layer. I don’t hunt Dashites, the whole concept is stupid but if I said it…”

Midnight smiled. “You’d be branded and thrown from the cloud layer? Or killed… Exactly.”

“Midnight, that’s enough,” Alyshia scolded the white pegasus. “Scerine is here to help us; she didn’t kill your parents.”

“She’s part of the organisation that killed my parents,” Midnight snapped. “The Enclave are a bunch of cowards living in their cloud nest, their people brain washed and repressed just like you Scerine.”

“Enough!” I cut in loudly. “We’re not here to argue. If Scerine were like that we’d be dead but no. Let’s just keep moving.”

“But-“Midnight began.

“Stop,” I demanded turning to my friend. “Enough Midnight.”

Midnight’s scarlet eyes were redder than they were and I didn’t think that was possible. She was fuming.

Midnight scrunched her muzzle then sighed. “Okay, I’ll stop.”

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

The rest of the day went relatively smoothly despite the friction between Scerine and Midnight. I had really hoped this would clear as Midnight was my friend and I was hoping for Scerine to be as well.

It was starting to get late. I had found a town to visit which is only a few hours from the border of Splendid Valley and our entrance to Dijoneigh and hopefully a water talisman.

“Least the weather is better this time,” I sighed as we walked in the near dark.

“You guys got caught in the storm as well?” Scerine asked. “I was caught out near Fillydelphia, had to see shelter in an old building.”

Midnight was going to open her mouth but she exercised self-control and kept it shut. “Yeah we got caught out on the line,” Alyshia was saying. “Amethyst found us a little train conductor’s office for us to ride it out in.”

We arrived in Bilneigh, a small town situated on the cusp of the Everfree Forest. The town was small but had electricity and a small bustling community. Brax found us a nice little motel to stay in for the night, however there were only two rooms left.

“Amethyst, myself and Midnight will take one room and Brax and Scerine the other,” Alyshia ordered.

Scerine looked at me then at Brax. “Amethyst can’t be trusted with mares her age,” Alyshia told Scerine answering the question on the tip of her tongue. “If you get my drift.”

“That’s not true,” I snapped at Alyshia. “I’ve just met Scerine.”

Sadly it appeared that Scerine had not a clue what we were going on about. “Okay,” Scerine replied with a frown but letting off an awkward giggle. “It’s okay, I’m fine with Brax. It might make Midnight a little happier anyway,” Scerine whispered to me.

After a bite to eat and some chat, Midnight thankfully didn’t mention how much she hated Scerine. We all put ourselves to sleep after the long two days of travel. If only we had a cart like the one from the mountaintop.

“Goodnight,” Alyshia called.

“Night,” Midnight and I said together.