AN: I don't own Fallout, MLP:FIM, nor am I KKAT.

Balefire Visions

Chapter 2: A Chance To Save Us All

Three little ponies woke up screaming.

Scootaloo's throat burned raw as she fought down the sheer horror of what she had witnessed

Ponies lived on in rotten flesh, and were slowly cooked alive by an invisible menace that could permeate air, food, and water.

Scootaloo generally enjoyed the freedom of living alone. Her apartment was spartan in its furnishings, but that was how she liked itThis was one of the few times she ever cursed not staying at the orphanage, because she could sure use some positive attention right now.

Because she knew, as sure as Celestia made the sun rise each morning, that that had not been a thrice-damned nightmare. Her eyes crept toward her flank, and sure enough, this time there was something there.

A rad symbol stared back at her.

~~~

Sweetie Belle woke up screaming.

A dark and malevolent fire devoured all in its wake, buildings and ponies alike.

What a horrible nightmare.

"Still, just a nightmare," she said to herself sternly. "It doesn't matter how well I can recall it-there's no way it could have been anything but a nightmare."

She calmed down a bit, and got out of bed, walking over to the vanity in her room.

Something was on her flank. Several emotions flashed through her.

Confusion. What was that?

Excitement. A cutie mark!

And finally a slow shivering horror as she inspected it.

It was balefire.

~~~

Apple Bloom woke up screaming.

A single flash. Cities gone in an instant, flesh burning off of bones and shadows forever seared into concrete.

She shook herself, and Applejack poked her head into her room.

"Everything alright Sugarcube?"

"Just a nightmare, sis. Just a nightmare."

Apple Bloom finished getting ready, and headed downstairs to get some breakfast.

Applejack looked up from where she was making pancakes in the kitchen, and gave her an odd startled look.

Apple Bloom returned her look, and was about to ask her sister what was wrong before a giant grin appeared on her sister's face, surprising her and making her forget what she was going to say.

Applejack didn't give her sister time to recover. "So anything new darlin'? Getting good marks in school?"

Big Mac peered at her as well with a small smirk on his face.

"Uh, Ah jest gave ya mah report card on Friday Applejack. Ah'm doin jest fine."

The pancakes were delicious as always, but Applejack kept saying weird stuff, and Big Macintosh just wouldn't quit smirking.

"It's such a shame that Appleoosa's been havin' a bad year. Why, they've had to mark up prices somethin' fierce!"

"Eyup."

Her big brother's stupid smirk got bigger and threatened to turn into an actual smile.

"Mark mah words, thing's are gonna be crazy during this next winter wrapup."

Apple Bloom couldn't take it anymore.

"An' they say little sisters are supposed ta be the annoyin' ones. Ah'm headin' ta school before y'all get any weirder!" She stomped her hooves for emphasis.

Big Macintosh started guffawing, and rolling on the floor, and her sister looked like she was fixing to join in. Apple Bloom slowly backed out of the room, away from the crazy ponies her brother and sister had become.

Her brother and sister's strange antics had the unfortunate effect of making her late to class. Though she ran as fast as she could, she was still going to get that look and another lecture from Miss Cheerilee.

As soon as she stepped in the door though, ready to make her excuses, Miss Cheerilee spoke up.

"Oh, Apple Bloom, how wonderful! I suppose I can excuse your lateness just this once, if you would do the class a small favor."

"What's that?" Asked Apple Bloom suspiciously.

"Why, explain your cutie mark of course."

Apple Bloom froze, and turned her gaze toward her flank.

A mega-spell.

It was a Celestia-damned mega-spell, pictured on her flank for all to see.

Memories of Manehatten, consumed in a single instant, swamped her and she couldn't keep her breakfast down anymore, fortunately aiming successfully for the trash in the corner of the room.

A cacophony of shouts of disgust began, but she paid them no mind, taking a few moments to gather her wits, and wipe off her mouth. She had to get out, had to run.

"Miss Cheerilee," said Applebloom with a barely noticeable quiver in her voice, "Ah'm goin' home now." Before there could be any protest she was off and running again.

She didn't go home. Instead she went to the clubhouse, hoping to get a little time to herself.

It was not to be.

She had been beaten there by the other crusaders, who were looking at her with grim eyes.

They all broke down in tears, because after some shocks, that's all you can do.