Chapter 5: City of Cantal

I was suddenly aware of being in the present as memories of the past few days flooded back into my mind. I could hear a soft beep-beep-beep and the whine of generators. I could feel that I was lying in a soft warm bed.

I felt horrible, my whole body ached painfully and I felt really ill. I just wanted to lie in this warm comfortable bed forever.

I opened my eyes, my vision rather blurry and I attempted to sit up only I could not sit up, my body would not let me.

I heard a soft gasp and a kind voice say quietly as I saw a white blur move in front of me, shielding me from the light “Oh I see that you are awake.” I felt her hoof touch my forehead and cheeks as I moaned feeling the worst I have ever felt. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

I tried to talk but nothing came out, I tried again only managing to slur, “I feel like.” I paused feeling nauseous, “Like I’ve been bucked a thousand times.”

I was starting to feel confused as to where I was or how I got here as she said quietly, “You are very lucky to be alive. You're lucky that Midnight saw you when she did and flew you straight to us.”

I really felt confused now, “Who?” I croaked feeling a fresh wave of nausea overcome me as I retched and felt my stomach acid burn my throat as I spat out some yellow liquid into a little dish near my head.

The mare put a hoof on my head replying, “I'll let her in once you are feeling a bit better.”

She levitated a glass of water in front of me which I sipped on before she put it back on the table beside my bed. “You should be getting some rest” she said kindly.

She left me there in this bed trying to remember what happened. I let out a sigh and turned over, I closed my eyes thinking about what had happened. I could remember a mound of earth and something big and scary. Then I remembered the pain as I was squeezed almost to death.

Then I remember the very realistic visions I had of my life feeling so raw once again as though they just happened. I closed my eyes and felt the warm stickiness begin to build and leak down my cheeks. I shuddered and drifting back to sleep.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I awoke feeling nice and warm to the same sound of Beep-Beep-Beep. I opened my eyes and saw curtains drawn around my bed. I still felt like I had been struck by something very heavy. I felt really sick and very thirsty. I attempted to levitate the glass of water on my bed side table. I focused and nothing happened. I focused again much harder to the point I felt faint and my horn gave a soft pop and again nothing happened.

Oh goddesses. What happened? What happened to my magic? I gave a soft cough attempting to stop my head from swimming. I saw the curtains draw and a light pink unicorn mare with a white and pink mane came through.

She smiled kindly at me before asking “I see that you are awake. Would you like some water?”

I nodded glumly feeling hollow from not being able to get my own water. She levitated the water to me and I drank deeply before she removed the empty glass.

“Are you feeling any better?” she asked.

I cocked my head unsure whether I was feeling any better than before but I nodded slightly anyway.

I then asked in a still slurry voice, “Why could I not levitate the water myself when I woke up?”

She looked at me in a puzzling way before replying, “You're very sick, very injured and can barely move. Your magic has shut down at least until you are better.” She bustled away but returned quite quickly levitating a clipboard. She moved up to my bed before saying “Right I think you deserve the right to know what your medical condition is.” She took a breath before reading my list of injuries “hind legs – two breaks, right foreleg – two breaks, four broken ribs, three fractured ribs, one fractured vertebrae, moderate radiation sickness, bacterial sickness from ingesting polluted water and hypothermia .” The medical mare shook her head “It’s a wonder that you are still alive.”

She looked at me severely as I felt my head reeling from all those injuries and how I had survived. She levitated a familiar canteen. My canteen. She looked at me sternly before saying rather accusingly "You did not boil this before you filled this canteen did you? Or for that matter before drinking it?”

I shook my head.

She facehoofed, "Why?” She asked.

I felt confused again, "Why do I need to boil the water?" I asked. The look she gave me was as if I was being stupid on purpose. "Sorry," I mumbled "I'm from a stable, when I was attacked I was only out for four days. I don't understand how to live out here."

Her expression softened. “So you’re the pony that DJ Pon3 has been going on about, he’s been raving since you took out that band of raiders.”

My eyes widened, “How the hell did he know I was captured and… and…” my voice tailed away.

The doctor shrugged. “Goddesses only know. DJ pon3 is a mysterious pony.” She put a hoof to her chin before saying. "We can bring Midnight in if you feel like you are up to talking to a guest.”

I nodded wanting to meet my saviour. I tried to sit up but my body just would not let me move much more than a few inches.

I looked out the curtain to the wall of the room which adorned an old poster. Fluttershy was on the front looking through the poster with a happy look on her face. She had a swath of doctors around her adorning the pink cross with yellow butterflies on coats. Written on the poster was written, "You don't need to be a combatant to make a difference. Join the Ministry of Peace today."

I smiled at the poster shifting into a daydream that I was part of the Ministry of Peace performing medical spells way beyond my magical ability.

The nurse returned.

If I was sitting in an upright position my jaw would have hit my bed at the pony that followed.

A white Pegasus mare followed the medical pony, She looked a little nervous and uncomfortable, her wings were drooping slightly. She had a silver mane and tail; her mane had a fairly short fringe and fell to a medium length down her neck. She looked at me with piecing red eyes and smiled at me. I felt heat rise in my neck. I glanced at her flank and saw her cutie mark of a black splotch with two white wings opposite each other and spread. Only words I could describe her were probably, hot, sexy, beautiful and awesome all in one.

I looked into her red eyes as she approached my bedside and whispered, "Thank You".

It still did not feel it was enough so with some effort I spread my forelegs to signal a hug and she leaned into the hug telling me in a husky but soothing voice, "You’re welcome.”

Breaking apart I thought I needed to introduce myself, “My name is Amethyst,“ I slurred to the white pegasus.

She opened her muzzle pointing a hoof at herself as she said, “Midnight Rain,” in that same husky voice. She flexed her wings and smiled. “But most people just call me Midnight”.

I could not help but notice how beautiful she was, I just sat dumbfounded. I snapped out of it as she continued, “You have been out for almost three days.”

“Three days?” I croaked. I lifted my left foreleg and checked my Pipbuck. It had been a week since I left the stable and the fourth day I was attacked.

I slumped in the bed and remembered the reason why I was here, so I asked, “How did you kill that thing?”

Midnight looked a little confused then said, “The irradiated behemoth?”

“Yeah that thing” I replied.

She looked a little shocked before saying, “I’m not that good, I did not kill it. I distracted it then gave you some RAD X and flew you to safety before applying all your bandages to your injuries.”

She took a deep breath filling me in on what happened while I was out, “I brought you here and Doctor Hart here fixed you up. You lost a lot of blood and the breaks you had were serious. Not to mention your radiation poisoning.”

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. I felt bad for the worry I caused her, “I’m sorry I didn’t know,” I said sadly.

“I could tell you didn’t know,” she finally said after considering me a moment. “You were wearing torn cloth barding. You are from stable eighty six; it is imprinted over half the material. You are that pony that DJ has mentioned a few times.”

Ponies keep going on about this DJ so I asked “Who is this DJ pon3?”

Midnight raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know who DJ Pon3 is?” I shook my head slowly, “Don’t those Pip thingos have a radio?”

I nodded and replied “I heard DJ pon3 once and he said that a new mare was freshly out of a stable. How could he possibly know?”

Midnight shrugged “All I know is that DJ pon3 operates in Manehattan at the Tenpony Tower, he must have some way of looking over the wasteland, for some reason the news he reported only happened minutes previously. He is almost like a phycic. Best radio station in Equestria.”

The doctor came bustling over, “okay Midnight I think we should leave Amethyst to get some more rest.”

She looked at the doctor and nodded, then turned back to me, “I’ll be back tomorrow,” and with that she trotted out the door nearby into the corridor outside.

I let out sigh thinking about Midnight. She was beautiful, kind and my saviour. Like a filly dream come true and she was coming back tomorrow. Why? I thought, she saved me and all she has to do is walk away.

My thinking was broken when the Doctor announced me again, "Time for you to take your medicine. Let me warn you this does not taste very good and will make you rather drowsy.”

I nodded as she levitated a glass of orange liquid to my mouth.

I drank it and almost gagged. It had a very syrupy texture and was extremely bitter. My throat burned on the way down. She took away the glass and gave me a glass of water which I drank. I closed my eyes as my vision swam and fell into the darkness.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I awoke feeling a little stronger with a still stinging headache as I opened my eyes to the same sounds. I gave a sniff as I attempted to push myself up and managed to sit up against the back of the bed in a half sitting half laying position and rubbed my eyes with a hoof which felt like lead.

The curtain drew and the doctor stuck her head in saying, “Oh good your awake. Do you feel ready to try something to eat?”

I nodded happy to finally get some food into me as she floated a slightly rusty tray with some corn and sliced canned tomatoes.

I attempted to float the food over to my mouth. My magic wrapped around one of the tomato slices and as I concentrated on bringing it to my mouth it just twitched and my magic cut off.

I clenched my jaw. I hated not being able to use my magic. I then tried to eat with as much dignity as I could without mashing my face into the food as I ate like an earth pony.

When I was done I wiped my mouth with the back of my forehoof feeling satisfied with my fill.

Once the medical pony had taken away my tray I became bored and wished I had my books and saddlebags with me.

I became suddenly worried I had lost all my possessions, I hoped to the goddesses that Midnight had picked up my saddlebags. My books, my Fluttershy Statuette, my Fluttershy poster and my orb all came to my mind, my most important possessions.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

The doctor came back up to my bed before she asked “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

I nodded.

“Your cutie mark is very peculiar. When I was cleaning you while you were unconscious I noticed that your cutie mark, the curved line near the gem glows in low light. Has it always done this?”

I nodded once again and told her “I noticed that it glowed not long after my cutie mark came through.”

She gave me a soft warming smile before asking “Do you mind if I take a look at it?”

I nodded again feeling a smile break across my muzzle “Yes you may”.

The doctor threw the covers back telekinetically revealing my bare and clean white coat. I turned on my side facing her while lying down. She leaned over examining my left flank thankful that my doctor is a mare especially when she touched my cutie mark with her hoof which sent a chill down my spine.

“Ok I am done” she told me.

“Is everything ok?” I asked.

“Oh yes everything is all ok,” she replied with a little smile and at that moment I heard a hoof clop the door.

The medical mare wrapped the doorknob in her magic and pulled it open to reveal a white pony wrapped in about three layers of clothing, her fluffy black scarf had white tangled in it.

Midnight gave a little shiver before saying, "Ohh its cold today." Her wings were not visible beneath her thick brown winter coat.

The doctor bustled into her office leaving Midnight and myself alone.

"Hey" I said in a slightly sickly yet still bright voice.

"Well. Look who is feeling a bit better huh."

I smiled as a question struck me, "Why are your wings covered, don’t you find it hard to fly like that?"

"What?" she stammered. "Ahhhaha," she lifted her wings which had part of the coat visually merged to the coat. I realised I had not been looking properly.

I blushed feeling stupid.

“Getting the full check-up are we?” she asked glancing at my naked body and the sheets pulled back.

I hesitated. Feeling embarrassed before deciding to tell her. “Umm not really,” She looked confused “She wanted to examine my cutie mark.”

She blinked before saying looking a little confused, “Right.”

Silence fell between us. I felt myself going red with the awkwardness in the air.

"So?" she asked. "Once you are all better where to?”

"Uhh" I stammered. "I need to ask around. I’m looking for a water talisman."

She looked a little concerned. "Uhh. Those are really rare," she told me. "Those that are left are either in dead stables, guarded by steel rangers or in Tenpony tower". She considered a moment and advised, "Well. Some towns have a water talisman. But you do not intend to thieve one do you?"

I had not considered that but replied, "Of course not."

"I think you may need to ask around," she replied.

She put a hoof to her chin before saying, “Mind I ask why you need a water talisman?”

I hesitated. I then told her “My stable’s water talisman is damaged and I brok-left to find a new one.

“That’s something,” She said. "I’m sure somepony might give you some information especially if they realise you’re the pony who took out the White Tail Raiders." Midnight looked a little nervous as she asked, "Do you mind if I come with you? You look like you might need some help out there. And well. Being cooped up here all winter is kind of boring."

I felt exasperated as I said, "you mean it?"

She looked a little taken aback. "Well if you don’t mind, I just thought y'know?" she said hesitantly.

I waved a hoof for her to be quite.

"Yes you can come with me." I paused before saying, "and just so you know what you are getting into, I have no idea where to go or what we are doing."

She nodded looking quite enthusiastic. "I understand, we'll figure it out".

Silence fell between us again as I silently squee'd that Midnight was coming with me to find the water talisman.

I was brought back to my senses as she said, "we will need to do some shopping for you as well. You have no weapons and no armour. But first we will need to get you some clothes because I will tell you now. It’s damn cold outside.”

I nodded then squinted at her saying "Let me get better first." She laughed and petted me on the head which sent a shiver down my neck causing me to blush slightly. I put my hoof up to my face as I  pretended to hold a hoof to my headache to disguise my blushing.

Midnight glanced at my pipbuck as I moved my hooves away from my face. She then said, "I have some errands to run if you don’t mind I’ll be back when I am done."

I nodded as something else came to the front of my mind, "wait" I half shouted. She stopped and I asked concerned, "Did you grab my saddlebags?" She nodded and I felt a flood of relief. “Could you please, please grab my books out for me? Being in this bed is boring.”

"I could tell you were of the reading type,” she said as she found my saddlebags and rummaged for my books.

“What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"You read books. Like an egg head." She replied smiling evilly.

I scowled. "Reading is great" I replied. "I love books".

“I cahn fhell” she spoke through a mouth full of books. She spat them out onto the bed covers and with a sink of my heart I saw the familiar front cover of a pegasus mare in a netted outfit and in a suggestive position. I made to grab the book.

Midnight was quicker than me and snatched it up with one swipe of her hoof. I felt the blood drain from my head and felt heat rise up my neck as I sunk into the covers and hid my face with my hooves as I heard her cackle.

She had my wing boner magazine.

Her laughter subsided as she wiped the tears from her eyes before tucking it back in my pile of books, "Amethyst you have an odd taste I’ll give you that." She paused then continued, “and before you get any suggestions I am into stallions. My barn door don’t swing that way.” She began to leave and while at the door she turned back to face me. “But even I cannot deny. You are very cute when you blush,” and with a flick of her tail she rleft into the corridor leaving me dumbfounded, embarrassed and glowing red. I tucked the magazine under my pillow.

My heart sank a little but not that it was unexpected. She was into stallions like every other mare I’ve met, how is that not surprising.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

Midnight came back after about four hours, still in her thick winter jacket and neck wrapped in a black fluffy scarf which looked like it had dandruff all through it. “So how was the book reading?” she asked giving me a small smile, I saw a twinkle in her eyes.

I grabbed the book I was reading in my mouth and set it in front of her “I read this book,” It was a small story with a brownish pegasus mare swinging from a rope.

I extended a hoof and scratched my muzzle as she shook her head.

“Can I take a look at that?” Midnight asked pointing at my pipbuck.

I looked at her confused, “Why?”

She shrugged and I extended my left hoof to let Midnight take a look at my pipbuck and she looked at it unable to take much of it in. “Why is the screen pink? I mean I have seen a pipbuck before but most I seen have a green or a blue screen.”

I gave her a little laugh and told her “I used my mother’s terminal. I used the pink interface that can be set on a terminal and copied the files over to my Pipbuck. As my Pipbuck only has two colour options Blue and Green I had to copy over pink from the terminal, delete green and renamed pink to green.”

She looked at me as if I just spoke to her in a different language, “Okay you lost me,” was all she could say. I facehoofed and replied “Simple version. I made my pipbuck pink by tricking it into thinking it was green.”

“Right, now I got you” she replied. “So did you do this?” she asked pointing a hoof at my little bird I had drawn onto my pipbuck when I was a filly. I nodded and told her the story.

“I painted the birds and the vine on when I was a filly” I replied, “Couldn’t help myself.” I giggled softly. She nodded smiling at my art work.

The doctor came back with a familiar cup of that horrible liquid. “Ok Midnight I think it might be time to leave Amethyst alone now. She needs to take her medicine and get some rest,” the Doctor told her.

Midnight nodded turning to leave, as she did so she turned and told me, “I’ll be back tomorrow to pick you up.”

Wait, did she just say to pick me up?

I addressed the Doctor as she came bustling over with the medicine. “When do you expect that I can be discharged?” I asked softly.

“I think if you are lucky, tomorrow perhaps,” she replied. “But. Do not think you are out of the woods yet. You will still need to rest for at least another three days before you get your magic back to a reasonable capacity.” She paused as she busied herself getting a glass of water to wash the medicine down. She continued, “you will still feel rather sick but I am sure Midnight will offer you some accommodation once you're discharged to rest back to full health. “

I nodded as she put the glass of water down and levitated the medicine to my lips. I gagged on the bitter medicine as she levitated the glass to drink. My head hit the pillows as I drifted back into a nice cool sleep.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I awoke the following day as the doctor came through the curtains, “Right, I think you might be ready to be discharged today, we have Midnight coming down soon to come and pick you up.”

I sat up and as I did so she levitated a thermometer into my mouth and she felt my forehead with her hoof, then checked the thermometer before pulling it out and making a note.

“Can you please try to get out of bed? I want to check how you are faring” She asked.

I rolled out of bed and hit the floor with a sickening crunch, “owie” I gasped.

She picked me up telekinetically saying, “now who’s a silly pony.” She set me on my hooves and released her magic causing my knees to almost buckle under my own weight. “I want you to walk to the door and back” she asked me.

I began to walk slowly, my hooves feeling like lead and my muscles burning and aching. I got half way to the door when my hind legs fell away causing me to fall to my haunches, my front legs then gave way leaving me sprawled on my stomach on the cold floor. I felt myself be levitated once again as I was pulled back to my hooves and asked to once again try to make it to the door.

I walked to the door and turned, my knees shaking.

The doctor then said, “okay that’s enough for now I think.” She picked me up and floated me back onto the bed. She levitated my belongings and said, “here are your saddlebags and canteen which I filled with drinkable water.” She looked a little stern before adding “Make sure you boil your water if you're unsure of the quality.” She then added, “I incinerated your barding as it was so gross and so contaminated I would class it as ‘un-clean-able’.

I nodded.

I heard a knock and she said, “Ah this must be her now.”

The door opened and Midnight laden in her usual thick winter clothes came in wearing saddlebags.

She spotted me laying on the bed, “We ready to go?” she asked.

“Uhh hold on.” I grabbed all my books and shoved them into my saddlebags; I reached under the pillow and extracted the Wing Boner Magazine and shoved it in as well. Midnight assisted me with clamping my saddlebags to myself.

I addressed the doctor, “If I can’t walk more than 5 meters without collapsing, how I am going to get to Midnight’s place?”

She turned around and asked Midnight if she needed to borrow a wheelchair.

Midnight waved a hoof “Nah I’ll just fly her there, no biggie.”

I gulped. “F-fly?” I stammered. She looked at me, “N-nothing it’s ok” I told her as confidently as I could. “I’d prefer to fly.” I was so not going to make this trip I thought privately remembering the swirling clouds in the sky when I first stepped out of the cave to stable eighty six.

“Ready?” Midnight asked. I nodded and she threw the blanket over me saying “it’s cold outside and I don't own any clothes that you can borrow that would fit as you don’t have any wings.” She gave a little laugh and told me, “we want to get you to my place without you frozen to me.”

I carefully got out of the bed and stood on all four hooves a little wobbly but a lot more gracefully than my last attempt. The blanket was wrapped around me and Midnight flew a few feet into the air and lowered onto my back wrapping her forehooves around my breast and her hindlegs just to the front of my hindlegs.

I felt her warm body against my back as she tightened her grip.

Oh sweet Celestia, I had a hot mare on top of me and now could feel heat rising around my neck and I blushed as she flapped her wings and lifted me into the air.

“Thank you for everything,” I told my doctor and she gave me a smile.

“You’re welcome dear. Please be careful. And boil your water.”

I waved a hoof goodbye as Midnight flew into the corridor.

The front doors of the hospital opened automatically to reveal a scene of a rough but clean looking town. A cobblestone street covered in a thin layer of snow, the town structures were made of old cracked white towering spires that rose high into the air, some were cracked enough to reveal the steel re-bar beneath the concrete structures, some towers had partially collapsed, some of which were rebuilt with rusty metal cladding. It was snowing lightly and clouds of mist drifted through the town lowering visibility somewhat. Shadows of ponies moving through the street made the scene slightly creepy with the rolling cloud and mist.

Before I could get a better look at the town I felt Midnight tighten her hold onto me making me blush a little more and flew me out into the iron cold street. She shot up into the air extremely fast and I quickly. I closed my eyes not wanting to vomit all over Midnight, I felt her make a heavy turn and I screamed causing me to open my eyes while looking down. I saw the street below all the way down there, clouds of mist moving among the streets. I snapped my eyes shut as my head began to spin wildly, vertigo taking hold.

I kept my eyes shut as I felt Midnight slow down, as she did so I felt warmth rush over my body. I opened my eyes to be in a fairly small looking shack with a queen sized bed at the back, a couch and television on the right wall and two doors on the left wall.

She set me on the bed and landed beside it looking at my windblown mane to me shaking in fright and cold, "Uhh. Sorry, I’m not used taking passengers."

I laid on the bed still shaking mostly from the chill I got, "it’s not that." I told her "I suffer bad vertigo and the wind-chill was cold, I was not expecting the heavy turn and how quick you went, I screamed and opened my eyes."

She laughed and apologised again.

I waved a hoof at her, "don’t worry about it".

She took off all her clothes and hung them up on the coat hanger. She then bustled over to the front door and closed it to prevent the wind from blowing into her warm house, “seeing as you don't like heights I don't recommend you go outside,” she told me.

“Why not? “ I asked curiously.

“Well, you see this place is on top of Cantals highest tower. This is a pegasus house and there is no other way up than down and there are no rails on the landing area out front.”

I nodded happy as she told me this. I for one did not want to go outside into the freezing cold let alone plunge to my death.

I unbuckled my saddlebags and tucked myself into the cyan coloured covers of the bed. Midnight went through one of the doors nearby and a few seconds later popped her head around. “Would you like something to eat?” she asked me. I nodded and she smiled at me warmly before turning back through the door.

I slumped against the pillows and let off a sigh. I was almost better at least, but still had no clue on what to do once I was moving around again. I only hoped that somepony in this town knows of someplace to find one of these water talismans.

After about fifteen minutes of thinking, the only thing I could come up with was if nopony knew anything in this town, I would need to go to Tenpony Tower and ask if I can buy one or swap something for one. If that failed maybe this DJ could tell me where I might be able to find one.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

Midnight came back into the room with a tray of cooked food in her mouth and set it on the side of the bed. I sat the tray on my lap and saw that Midnight had cooked me some canned apples and some corn. The delicious smell wafting into my nose. I thanked her and she bustled over to the table to eat her fill. I concentrated on the apple slice hard and my magical field wrapped around the slice and with some effort floated it into my mouth.

I tried some corn and levitate five pieces of corn and with the same difficulty, floated into my mouth determined to finish my food magically rather than mash my face into the food like I could see Midnight doing at the table.

By the time I finished my food I was exhausted. Beads of sweat had formed on my forehead and I was breathing heavily from the magical strain.

Midnight bustled over looking at me slumped against the pillows breathing heavily. “You look like you have just run a marathon” she told me “I hope my food wasn't that tough.”

I shook my head and replied still gasping for air, “I ate it magically.”

She tutted. “Try not to over-exert yourself Amethyst. You must be as well as possible for tomorrow so we can do some shopping for you.”

I knew she was scolding me.

“Yeah I know your right.” I sighed then went on, “I just want my magic back.”

She smiled then put her forehoof on my shoulder, “Just take it easy ok?”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Uhh. How many caps do you have?” she asked me.

I looked at her utterly confused “Caps?”

She nodded ,“caps.” I just looked at her and she facehoofed and then said “Money? Currency? Caps?”

Why didn’t you say so? I thought to myself. Instead I replied, “I... Yes I got money.” I pulled up my pipbuck inventory spell and concentrated hard as my horn flared and floated two small pouches of coins out of my saddlebags and passed them to Midnight.

She looked inside the pouches and sighed. “These are pre-war coins but they will do.” She looked at me then said, “you have a lot to learn. Caps are what we use for money”

I nodded personally feeling that the use of bottle caps was a rather fucked up version of currency, but then again, this is Equestria, the whole place is all fucked up.

Midnight began to explain the following day’s plans to me. “Well we'll first take you down to get some warm clothes for you, I think we should then visit the armoury and get you something to keep you protected, and then we'll also get you some weapons and ammo as well as some more healing supplies.

I nodded again, secretly wanting to get out of this bed and go now to pre-occupy myself.

She smiled at me and said as if reading my mind. “I will take you around town when we are done shopping to have a look around town.” I nodded feeling a smile break across my muzzle.

                                       **                        **                      **                                                *

The next day I was able to walk a lot better however still a bit wobbly and my magic was still not at its best. I could levitate books and similar sized items with some concentration but I ate breakfast magically without over straining myself.

After doing some paces around Midnight’s house I asked her, “do you mind if I use the shower? I would really like to clean myself.”

She nodded and said,  “sure, just make sure you dry yourself properly. Going outside bare coat is tough enough without being damp.”

                                       **                        **                      **                                                *

When I stepped out of the nice warm shower I wrung my mane and tail free of water leaving them damp and towelled my coat dry. My mane and tail would not dry very quickly so I looked for something that may help speed up the process. I saw a blow-dryer in the cabinet. I stuck my head out the door and asked, “do you mind if I borrow your blow dryer?”

“Yeah sure,” she shouted from the lounge.

With effort I levitated the blow dryer and attempted to blow dry my mane and tail which took an agonising long amount of time than what it should have taken. The combination of levitating my mane or tail while maintaining grip on the Blow Dryer was taxing. By the time I was done I was exhausted and almost collapsed to the ground from exertion. I took a look at the blow dryer wondering how Midnight used it. I facehoofed when I saw it had an attachment so it could be used by hoof.

When I stumbled out of the bathroom still exhausted Midnight peeked over the lounge and raised an eyebrow.

“You did not just do that by magic did you?”

I nodded falling onto the lounge next to her. “Amethyst you’re supposed to be taking it easy, you don’t have to do everything by magic you know?”

I looked at her. “I've always done everything by magic,” I told her “I'm a unicorn.”

“Yes but you're sick and you're not supposed to be over exerting yourself,” Midnight advised.

I nodded seething.

I wanted my full magical ability back. This weak telekinesis sucks. Remembering what the doctor said, I should have my full magic ability back very soon. It was getting stronger each day but now I could use my magic again, trying to continue to use it as I always had done.

I sighed.

“You ready to go shopping?”

“Yes” I said enthusiastically, wanting to get out into town and see the snow and the street and the other ponies. I levitated my saddlebags on, leaving most of my belongings behind except for the two pouches of pre-war coins. I looked to the bed and saw my towel and levitated this around my body hoping to at least keep me a little warm than if I was to go bare-coat.

Midnight put on her winter things and wrapped her scarf around my neck to keep me at least a little, “warm.”

She floated over to me and again wrapped her hooves around me as she did last time, feeling warmth spread through my body as she did so. As she lifted me slightly to prepare to go outside I told her, “please take it easy. Just get to the ground and fly ‘slowly’ about three feet above the ground ok?”

She nodded and floated out the front door into the cold outside. Shutting my eyes so I could not see, I felt Midnight take off a lot slower and carefully than last time. As we flew I felt flecks of snow hit my face which was rapidly feeling numb from the cold.

By the time we got to the ground I was freezing, my teeth chattering as she quickly but carefully flew me along the street. I saw glimpses of ponies on the street in heavy warm clothing as we flew. The streets looked aged like the buildings but the ponies here maintained them well.

Midnight flew through a set of doors into a small dusty shop. The ceiling was sagging slightly and the walls had cracks through them, however it was kept beautifully warmed by a fire in the grate behind the old wooden counter. Midnight put me down and I took a quick glance around the shop. It was filled with coats, scarves, beanies, ear muffs, woollen socks and many other varieties of clothes.

A middle aged grey unicorn mare greeted us from behind the counter. She wore a small black jacket and a pink and black striped scarf. She announced behind the counter, “hello dears, is there anything I can help you with?”

Midnight addressed the mare behind the counter. “Yeah we're looking at getting Amethyst here some winter clothes suitable to wear with armour.”

The mare took a look at me and bustled over as she telekinetically pulled out a roll of  measuring tape. She wrapped the tape around my middle and took a measurement with a floating clipboard and pen. She then wrapped the tape around my hind leg, then my right foreleg and finally she measured my length.

She looked at me before asking. “What style are you after dear?”

I took a quick look around the shop and walked over to a brown coat that caught my eye. I felt the coat and it felt leathery but very soft at the same time. The neck, forelegs and back of the coat revealed fluffy white woollen fabric however the coat did not cover the flanks. I moved the coat with a hoof and saw the inside which had the same fluffy white wool which I touched. It was so soft, much softer than wool. I had made up my mind. The coat had an inside pocket that allowed armour plating to be slotted into the coat.

“Do you have this coat in white with the black inside and collar?” I asked the seamstress.

“Yes we do” she advised, “I will be right back, I’ll just go and find one in your size”.

I fought back a squee as she bustled out the back to find the coat I wanted. “I love this shopping thing,” I whispered to Midnight.

She gave me a smile. “Yes, I do too. Only problem is money”.

I nodded hoping I had enough for clothes, armour, weapons, medical supplies and ammo.

The seamstress returned floating my desired coat and it looked fabulous. She walked over to me and said, “you will need to try it on just to make sure it fits well,” and as I nodded she took the towel I was wearing off and assisted me getting into the new coat.

Once the coat was on I immediately fell in love with it. It was silky soft and warm. I felt the fluffy black collar around my neck, middle and forehooves, it fitted perfectly. I nodded at the seamstress “It’s perfect.” She took the coat off and put it on the counter.

The seamstress behind the counter looked at me and said “I can sew your cutie mark onto the coat if you wish?”

I nodded and asked her to place it on the left shoulder.

When she was done I also bought a black scarf with my cutie mark sewn into the end. I also bought fluffy black hoof socks and a white fluffy flanker which would cover my flanks; this too had armour pockets for armour plates.

When I was done she added all the items on the till before finally saying. “That comes to 200 caps.”

I levitated my bag of coins out of my saddlebags and placed it on the bench “I... Umm... I only have pre-war coins” I said nervously hoping this was ok.

She peered at me before saying. “Right, pre-war coins I do accept but I have to charge you 15% more.”

I waved a hoof “No problem.”

I tipped the coin sack upside down and gold and silver bits poured out. The seamstress took 20 gold bits. I levitated the rest of the coins back into my coin purse and put them back in my bags which were now considerably lighter.

I put on all my warm winter clothes including my woolly black winter socks and looked in the mirror of the store feeling happy about my purchases. Midnight and I walked out of the shop, the doorbell tinkling as we left the store. We were now standing in a cobble stone street layered with a thin layer of snow. I looked in awe as I saw the snowflakes drift in front of my face and getting caught in my fluffy scarf, cuffs and coat.

Midnight waved a hoof in my face to get my attention. “Hello Amethyst you there?”

I shook my head, “uhh sorry.” I blushed as she pointed a hoof down the street

“We are going to the armoury now, it’s only a few stores away.”

I nodded as I followed Midnight up the street towards the armoury looking at everypony walking in the street, all the old bent lamp posts, the buildings and snow.

“Not far” advised Midnight as we went through a dark alley between two towering structures. Ahead through the misty alley I saw two ponies and that moment my EFS blared two hostiles.

I quickly whispered to Midnight as they took battle stances, “they are hostile; I think they are going to attack us”.

We turned wanting to avoid a fight as we were completely unarmed, only to find another two ponies on the other side of the alley which my EFS read hostile as well.

I dived behind a waste bin as I heard the cracking sounds of gun fire. As Midnight took refuge behind a dumpster, I came up with a plan that didn't involve her as I could not communicate with her. I heard bullets hit the bin I was hiding behind. I levitated out my stealthbuck as I saw Midnight’s green dot on my EFS move behind me, I slotted it into my pipbuck and activated it. The stealthbuck hid me from even my own eyes as I levitated a loose piece of cobblestone from the ally floor.

I looked behind me to see Midnight dodging through the air trying to fly at her attackers. The other two were trying to find me as I they began to get closer. They could no doubt see the rock I had levitated.

Fighting to keep the rock levitated I snuck forwards so they could not hear me and ensuring my rock was not too close to me as the ponies began to fire automatic rifles through the ally hoping to hit me where-ever I had gone.

When I was close enough to see the two stallions in armour barding and assault rifles in mouth, I slipped into SATS and threw the rock with as much force as my weakened telekinesis could muster. The rock flew through the air and struck him clean on the forehead causing the gun to drop to the ground with a clatter followed by its owner who hit the ground with a bloody lump rising on his head. I tried to levitate the gun but all it did was glow, shudder, and then nothing.

My stealthbuck wore off and the remaining pony started shooting wildly at me as I dived behind an old crate and miraculously did not get hit.

I levitated another rock then dived out from my cover and slipped into SATS again, throwing the rock as hard as I could. I hit him in the side of the face slightly off target. He stumbled and lost grip on the gun in his mouth and fell over. He shook his head as he tried to stand as I swiftly and carefully snuck up to him. I didn't know how I was going to forgive myself for what I was about to do but I would worry about that later.

The pony that I hit had problems trying to get himself together as I turned and bucked him as hard as I could into the jaw feeling a shot of pain in my newly mended legs at the same time.

The stallion assassin fell to the ground beside his unconscious companion. Ahead I could see that Midnight had taken out a one of her attackers unarmed and saw one remaining enemy on my EFS. I picked up one of the guns in my teeth and as fast as my newly mended and slightly sore hind legs could take me, I made my way over to the pony fighting Midnight as she weaved above while the pony on the ground fired his assault rifle.

Tut tuttuttut filled the air as he fired upon Midnight. I attempted to position the gun in my mouth having no idea how to fire it without magic. The gun fell to the ground with a clatter and the pony firing on Midnight chanced a glance as he clearly recognised the sound of a gun hitting the ground

WHAM

Midnight flew into him with a sickening crunch as his gun flew through the air and landed with a clatter.

The pony Midnight had struck was still conscious as she picked up the assault rifle in her mouth and pointed at his head “Who sent you? Who do you work for?” She asked aggressively.

The buck let out a gravelly laugh, “yeah I’m really going to tell you”.

Tut tuttut

I recoiled, shocked that Midnight just shot him in the head. She then went to the other three ponies and likewise shot them all dead before placing all the rifles in her saddlebags.

I could not believe she just killed them like that and so casually. She looked at me before frowning. “is something wrong?”  I shook my head, “ok then let’s get going” she said, pointing a hoof to the end of the ally.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

After our walk to the park, not that it really resemble a park, as it had no trees, no grass and the playground for little fillies and colts was broken, Midnight took me to the town pub to meet the local ponies and the publican who might know something about someplace that might have a water talisman.

Midnight started the night with an Apple Cider, I asked for a Sparkle Cola which attracted a stare from Midnight

“I don’t drink” was my reply.

As the publican rummaged through the fridge he asked, “I aint see ya round here before, where ya from?”

I stammered before answering, “I'm from a stable, I only just got out last week.”

“Ahh, new meat to the wasteland.” He slammed down the cold Sparkle Cola in front of me before asking, “you don’t happen to be tha’ one filly from White Tail Woods that DJ said took out them raiders would ya?”

I felt a little embarrassed as I nodded before hastily saying, “he bent the truth I think. I’m not a hero; I got caught and thrown in a cage. I just managed to get out.” I scratched my mane with a hoof then levitated my Sparkle Cola taking a sip.

Midnight just sat there listening while drinking her Cider.

“Ya saved four innocent ponies. I think ya’ll are been modest”.

I shook my head “Anypony would have done that. I couldn't leave those ponies behind”.

The look he gave me suggested that I thought wrong.

He gave a sigh as he began to fill a glass with whiskey for a mare at the other end of the bar. “Ya stable folk never change,” was his reply. He bustled over to pass the mare her drink then returned, “Not many ponies would have done that. And that is why DJ is fond of you.”

He considered me before moving over to the radio and turning it on to the sweet voice of Sweetie Belle. “Ah think we need some music, bit quite in here” he said. I took another swig of my drink. He finally asked, “what brings you to Cantal anywho? How did ya meet Midnight here?”

Here I didn't think he needed to know the whole story so I told him. “I had an accident on the way here and Midnight took me to the Medical Mare who fixed me up.”

He nodded as Midnight asked for a second Cider. She got through that quick I thought, especially as I only had drunk half my Sparkle Cola. As the publican got her another drink I continued, “reason I am out here is to find a water talisman for my stable.”

“A water talisman?” he said looking surprised.

“Yep” I said nodding, “You don’t happen to know where one might be would you?”

“Ahm afraid I cannot be sure,” he replied scratching his chin with a hoof. “But I can give ya’ll some possibilities”.

“Anything please,” I looked at him clearly begging him to tell me.

“Ahh ok uhh” He looked thoughtful before saying, “there could be one in an old Ministry of Arcane Science hub a few day’s trot east of Canterlot over these here mountains. An’ probably a few round Splendid Valley. Bu’ don’t go there tha place is mighty dangerous, oh an there is an old stable north of New Appleoosa but I think tha might be taken by them steel rangers, or did Red Eye take that, I’m not sure.”

I lifted my pipbuck up to the Publican, “could you please mark the locations?”

“Ah aint good with them pip thingos,” he said looking at me with a confused look.

He showed me on my pipbuck using the map feature and marked each location with my help. He refused to show me splendid valley telling me, “ah aint wanna see you get yerself killed.”

Midnight was on her third cider when I took my second Sparkle Cola.

“Don’t get too drunk,” I told her. “I don’t want you flying back up to your house with me when you can barely stand.”

“Sure last one,” she told me.

A stallion who was quite a bit older than myself sidled up to me leaning very close. “Could ah get you a drink miss?” he asked, the smell of alcohol and stale tobacco on his breath.

I tried not to gag as I leaned back because he was way too inside my personal space. “Umm I think I’m alright,” I replied looking over to Midnight for help.

She looked at him telling him sternly, “She’s into fillies’ old stallion and I’m sure she would appreciate some personal space.”

He seethed but trotted away leaving the slight smell of his breath behind.

“Thank you Midnight” I told her.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

I was back up at Midnights place with all my shopping, I bought some armour plating which was infused to my jacket and flanker now causing it to weigh a bit more. Midnight sold those rifles she took from the assassins and bought some bullets for the guns she already had. I bought myself a scoped but low calibre rifle for long distance shots as the sniper rifle costed too much and at the insistence of Midnight I bought a shotgun for closer range as well as some matching bullets for the two guns.

For medical supplies I bought some healing potions, some healing poultices and some healing bandages.

I exhausted all my money and had to borrow some caps from Midnight to pay for my medical supplies.

We had decided to try out this so called Ministry of Arcane Science hub, turns out that the Hub was in an abandoned city called New Saddle over the mountain range on the other side of Cantal to the east.

I remembered the Ministry of Peace poster. I was now aware that there were two ministries who worked towards the war effort. Curious to know if there were more I asked Midnight what she knew.

“What ministries are there beside the M.A.S and M.O.P?” I asked

Midnight still a little tipsy from the Cider she drank earlier looked at me and thought for a moment. “Uhh, Ministry of Morale and umm Ministry of Awesome, there are more but I don’t really remember them”.

“Ministry of Awsome?” I snickered.

“Run by Rainbow Dash” said Midnight “Best pony to ever live if you ask me. Mighty war hero, Perfected the Sonic Rainboom, leader of Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts and holder of the element of loyalty.”

“Wow you know a lot about her,” I replied.

“Yeah well from my upbringing I would,” she said looking a little sad.

“What do you mean?” I asked as kindly as I could.

Her voice turned icy as she replied “I don’t want to talk about it.”

I nodded knowing not to push the matter.

*                                        **                        **                      **                                                *

By the time we were ready to go to sleep we had a viable plan to get to New Saddle. We would be leaving the following day. Fully packed and very sleepy I slumped on Midnight’s bed next to her and fell asleep.

Foot Note: Level up

New Perk: Using the environment -- Opens up new abilities in unique situations