Fallout Equestria: Insanity’s Flight
By Storm128

Chapter 4: Paradise Found

I think I’m afraid to be happy because whenever I get too happy, something bad always happens.

Thirteen Years Before The Destruction of The Cloud Layer

The idea of breakfast is not something I’m immediately familiar with.

Don’t get me wrong. Before I was trapped in the Pit, I always tried eating as early in the day as possible. It was usually the only time I had to get some decent food. Most of the other slavers were usually nursing a hangover that early in the morning, but were ravenous when they would finally wake. They didn’t care who or what got in their way, and fights often broke out over the more savory morsels. So what was usually referred to as “breakfast time” was more often than not my only real opportunity to eat throughout the day.

What I walked in on was an entirely alien experience.

The actual kitchen part of the room was set in an alcove on the far wall. A small stove and oven combination, a sickly yellow refrigerator with more children’s drawings decorating its exterior, and a rusted sink made up the appliances. I could see Lemon Tart standing on a chair in front of the stove, several boiling pots laid out in front of her. In the center of the room ran a long wooden table with a myriad of different chairs set up along the edges.

At least a dozen other young fillies and colts were rushing around the space. Some were setting the table with a mishmash of plates and silverware, while the rest were excitedly conversing with each other or joining in on what seemed like an impromptu game of tag.

Cries of joy and the cacophony of intermixed conversations gave off an almost palpable air of positivity. Enough so that I began to awkwardly shrink back from the experience, moving myself behind Tender Heart as we entered. It felt like my presence was upsetting the euphoric sense of unity the rest of them seemed to be experiencing.

However, my antisocial tendencies were forcibly short lived.

“Good morning, everypony,” Tender Heart called out warmly. Almost instantly, the mob of children halted their activities and dashed toward us.

“Good morning, Grandma,” they said nearly in unison.

“Oh, such politeness,” she responded fondly. “You warm this old mare’s heart. Now, as you’ve all probably heard, we have a new friend joining us today. I’d like everypony to give a big, warm welcome to Venture Forth.” Tender Heart stepped out of the way, revealing me to the curious onlookers.

Immediately they crowded around, questions flying.

“Where’re you from?” a tan colt questioned.

“Are you a wanderer, do you have any stories?” inquired a purple filly excitedly.

“You’re a big kid, where’s your cutie mark?” a small, green filly asked accusingly.

“I- um- well…,” I stammered back, overwhelmed by the attention. While none of them outright grabbed me, the small brushes against my coat as the crowd closed in set my heart at a panicked rate. Claustrophobia began to sink in, and it was getting hard to breathe.

“Alright everypony, settle down,” Tender Heart cut in, shooing back the inquisitive bunch and freeing me from the tension. “The last few days have been very taxing on Venture, and while I’m sure you all have your questions, let’s try and let him adjust first.”

“Yes, Grandma,” they responded together.

“Very good. Now, I asked Lemon to make us all a very special breakfast. How does oatmeal sound?” Tender Heart finished, raising her voice in a grand flourish as she announced the dish.

“YAY!” the children shouted. All of them rushed back toward the table and planted themselves in chairs, practically drooling as they turned their attention toward Lemon Tart.

“Oatmeal?” I asked Tender Heart. “What’s that?”

“Oh, my dear, you mean you’ve never-” she cut herself off, a look of guilt passing over her face. “I’m so sorry, Venture, I simply must stop assuming. It’s just been this bunch for so long, I forget not everypony has been so fortunate as them.” Tender Heart brightened up a bit as she led us to the table and found me a seat right next her, “Oatmeal is a delectable, hot cereal. It’s just that the preserved oats and milk are so hard to come by, we save the stores we have for special occasions.”

“What’s so special about today?” I inquired further. I also wrinkled my nose at the idea of hot cereal. Back in Oasis, a box of hot Sugar Apple Bombs usually had a pretty bad connotation.

“Why you are, Venture,” she responded, as if it were plainly obvious. “If anything in this world is worth celebrating, it’s meeting a new friend.”

“That’s… I… thank you,” I finished lamely.

Tender Heart gave me a final smile before turning her attention to a colt desperately pulling at her foreleg. As the excitement in the room continued to grow, I tried more and more to withdraw into myself. I stared down at the table, analyzing the various cracks and chips in the ancient varnish. The conversations began to devolve into a distant buzz as the walls of my mind constructed my comfortable mental barriers

A nudge from my left shattered the reclusive mirage.

I turned toward the filly, noticing her as the purple one from before. She looked younger than me and had a mane of soft blue and bright green. “Hi,” she greeted simply.

“H-hello,” I stuttered back.

She stuck out a hoof, “I’m Lilac Breeze, but you can call me Lilly if you like.” Lilac spoke with a subtle lisp, and I noticed her front teeth were missing.

We quickly tapped hooves.

“Sorry about before,” she continued. “We just don’t get to see a whole lot of new ponies out here. Everyone is really happy to meet you.”

“It’s fine,” I answered.

“So where’re you from?” Lilly asked.

“Oasis,” I responded tentatively.

Lilly gasped, “The slaver’s compound?!”

“Y-yes.” I’d really been hoping that we were far enough away from Oasis that nopony would have heard about it.

“Were you… a slave?” she asked delicately.

I was conflicted. Sure, I’d been working with them since before I could remember, but my last few years hadn’t exactly been the life of a slaver. It wouldn’t really be lying if I said yes, would it?

‘Course not, kid, Koe piped in. All that matters is that they trust you, right?

“I guess so,” I answered to both questions.

“I’m so sorry,” Lilly said guiltily. “No wonder you didn’t want to talk about it.” The filly was downcast for a moment before perking right back up and smiling at me, “But that just means you’ve never gotten to have any real friends. Well don’t worry, almost everypony here was just like you once, but we’ll show you the ropes.”

I offered a grin in return. The purple filly immediately took up my implied acquiescence and started pointing out some of the children.

She directed her hoof at Lemon Tart, “You’ve probably already met Lemon, but she’s basically the head chef around here. She’s also kinda like a big sis for all of us.” Lilly then pointed out the green, accusatory filly that had greeted me alongside her. “That’s Rowan. She might be little, but trust me, you do not want to get on her bad side. Rowan has a little bit of a temper.”

Just as Lilac Breeze said the words, the little green filly snapped her attention onto us. She made a show of pointing a hoof toward her eyes, then directing it at me. I gulped audibly before sinking down further in my seat.

Lilly snickered, “Don’t let her get to you, she’s like that with everypony.” She continued introducing the others until I had a workable idea of who everyone was. There were fourteen children in total, although I could only count twelve currently at the table.

Just as I was about to bring it up, Tender Heart began tapping a spoon on the side of her glass. The gentle ringing was enough to cut through the din of conversation and irritable grumbling from the hungrier diners. “Ok, everypony, breakfast is just about done. Does anyone know where Crankshaft and Ruby Rose are? I’d hate for them to miss out.”

Lilly leaned over over and began whispering in my ear. “They’re probably hiding somewhere-” she looked to either side and giggled like she had some risque bit of gossip, “kissing!”

The dining room door suddenly slammed open. Two disheveled ponies came stampeding in and planted themselves in some open seats across from me. One was a unicorn mare with a fiery red coat, and a mane of bright orange and burgundy. The other, an earth pony stallion, was a deep green with a jet-black mane.

They were both clearly older than anypony else at the table, probably in their late teens.

“Sorry we’re late… Grandma,” the mare gasped exhaustively. “We were uh…”

“Tidying up the bunk room,” the stallion offered quickly.

“Right!” the mare responded. “And we were just so wrapped up in it, we must have lost track of time and…”

“Ruby,” Tender Heart interrupted gently, yet authoritatively. “You know I don’t like being lied to.”

Ruby took on a panicked look, but eventually fell into resigned acceptance, “Yes, Grandma.”

“Now, I don’t expect, nor do I want, the two of you giving any details. But please try to remember that we all eat together, or not at all. The others have all been patiently waiting just for you, so please have some compassion for that.”

“Yes, Grandma,” the duo said in unison.

“I’m not trying to dissuade you from… exploring,” Tender Heart continued. The table began bursting with poorly hidden smirks and giggles.

“Grandma, please!” the stallion, Crankshaft I assumed, said desperately.

“Hush now, all of you,” Tender Heart suddenly snapped, instantly quieting the amused children. She turned her gaze back toward the mortified teenagers and brought back her warm smile, “Love is rarer than a sunny day, and these two are lucky enough to have found it in each other. We are witnessing a true blessing, children, and it’s certainly not something to be mocked.” It was now the other’s turn to lower their gazes in shame.

“I think it’s wonderful you want to be together,” the elderly mare continued. “Just promise me that you won’t get so caught up in each other that you neglect the rest of us.”

“We promise,” Ruby answered, relief in her voice.

“Also,” Tender Heart added, “it’s almost that time of year for you, Ruby. Make sure you’re very careful when-”

“Grandma!” they shouted together.

Tender Heart snickered to herself just as a loud ringing filled the room. I saw Lemon banging her stirring spoon around a metal triangle.

“Soup’s on, everypony!” she proclaimed loudly. Grateful cheers overran the table as the yellow filly circled around, ladling piles of tan mush onto all of our plates.

My reservations about oatmeal vanished as the delectable scent wafted toward me. I licked my lips in anticipation and snatched the nearby spoon in my magic. Just as I was set to pounce on the meal, somepony cleared their throat.

Tender Heart motioned toward the other children. I witnessed as they all closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and grasped the hooves of their neighbors.

“We like to say grace before eating,” she explained. “You don’t have to hold hooves, but it would be nice if you would join us.”

I sheepishly put down the silverware, bowed my head, and closed my eyes. Worried I was doing something wrong, I risked a peek toward Tender Heart. Her smile widened approvingly. “Dear Goddesses, thank you for this delicious meal we are about to receive. Thank you for bringing all of us together and keeping us safe. We are also overjoyed that you saw fit to provide us with Venture, he is surely a welcome addition to our family. For all of these blessings we offer our gratitude. In your names we pray…”

“Amen,” the table said in unison.

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by more food on my plate. Tender Heart had a bit less, and she only continued grinning as I noticed, “You need your strength, young man. Enjoy.”

Needing no other encouragement, I beset upon the oatmeal. My eyes widened immediately as the flavor of sweet oats and cinnamon danced across my palate. The piping hot meal burned my throat on the way down, but nestled warmly in my stomach. I was almost brought to tears by the taste, and I eagerly devoured the rest of my portion.

After the last few mouthfuls, I took a much-needed breath. The table was silent save for the sounds of chewing and clinking silverware. Everypony else seemed to be relishing the meal slowly, as if it were something they were unlikely to be served again.

Finally, the last few holdouts finished and turned expectantly toward Tender Heart. She gently dabbed her mouth with a napkin before addressing us. “Thank you so much for breakfast, Lemon. It was absolutely delightful. Everypony else, time for chores.”

A collective groan reverberated throughout the room before Tender Heart cut it short, “That’s quite enough of that. Crankshaft, it’s your and Rowan’s turn to handle the dishes. The rest of you, check the chore chart to see what your job is today. Remember, my little ponies, many hooves make light work, so be sure to help each other. Once we’re done, it’s playtime.”

While they didn’t exactly seem overjoyed, there were at least fewer scowls as the children filed out of the room.

“Venture,” the elderly mare began, “would you be so kind as to assist Lemon with picking mushrooms?”

“Oh, um, of course I would Tend- I mean, Grandma?” I offered hopefully.

She looked a bit taken aback at first, before her smile erupted bigger than ever before.

The orphanage was a large, single story home. It seemed like the structure was once a soft white with a dark gray roof, but centuries of neglect had left the paint peeling, chipped, and discolored. Several shingles dangled off the gutters, and more than a few shutters hung precariously from their windows, but otherwise the building was in an impeccable state of repair.

A single dirt road led from the orphanage and wound off into the distance. Otherwise, the surrounding area was mostly open desert spotted with the occasional mesa.

Lemon Tart was already outside, waiting expectantly. “Hiya Venture,” she greeted excitedly.

“Hi,” I responded quietly.

“Well, if we want dinner tonight, we better hop to it.” She about-faced and marched off toward a nearby mesa.

I dashed after her until we were walking side by side. “Where’re we going?”

“There’s a little cave not too far from here,” she answered. “These really tasty mushrooms grown inside. Since the soil around here isn’t healthy enough for a garden, the cave is where we get most of our food.”

“You eat… wild mushrooms?” I asked, starting to feel concerned. “How do you know they’re safe?”

“Well, if they weren’t, I guess we wouldn’t be talking right now,” Lemon stated thoughtfully. “I make the stew out of them. Besides, Grandma told us they’re ok to eat.”

“Oh.” I figured it was smart not to mention I hadn’t exactly held onto that meal. Although circumstances did suggest it wasn’t the fault of the food.

“So, you’re from Oasis, huh?” she asked after a while.

“Uh… yeah,” I confirmed. But how did she-

“Lilly likes to talk,” Lemon seemed to answer. “Word of advice, if you want something kept secret, don’t tell her.”

“Oh, ok,” I responded awkwardly.

“If… if you don’t mind my asking,” she continued hesitantly, “what was it like?”

I started to panic. It wasn’t like I had numerous experiences with casual conversation, and I couldn’t help but wonder what the wrong answer might entail. Was I supposed to be honest? How could I be? But what if they found out I was lying? Would they hate me, or maybe they’d understand? What was I supposed to do?

Tell her you’re a remorseless, cold-blooded psychopath that killed slaves for one square meal a day and a creek to shit in, Koe answered flatly.

What did… why would I… huh? I thought back.

Oh, I’m sorry, were you not just contemplating telling the truth? the voice deadpanned. I thought you might need a little hint about how that might sound, genius.

It’s… it’s not that bad, I responded weakly.

Sure, what kid doesn’t have a little blood on their hooves these days? he asked sarcastically. Ooo, maybe she’ll want to hear about some of them. What about the crippled filly, or the father of four? Hey, maybe we can go way back and tell her about your brain dead, piece of shit brother.

“Stop!” I snapped aloud.

“O-ok,” Lemon replied nervously.

My face immediately flushed, “Uh… I mean… wh-what I meant to say…”

“It’s alright,” she intoned. Lemon’s face grew calmer and she offered a small, understanding smile. “If you don’t want to talk about that place, that’s fine. Everypony here has their own demons to fight. We all know how tough it is, and that most of us will probably never win. I can’t say I understand how you feel, but I do know how freeing it can be to unload some of your burden.” She stopped walking and turned toward me, “We’re a family here, and families are always there for you, no matter what.”

Lemon patted my shoulder before motioning for us to continue on.

The cave sat on the opposite side of the closest mesa. Several brittle boards hung precariously from a wooden frame around the entrance. A small signpost stood to the right, and I could barely make out the faded words: ‘No Trespassing.’

“Here we are,” Lemon announced.

“And you’re sure it’s safe?” I asked warily.

“I’ve done this hundreds of times,” she reassured. “As long as we don’t go too far in, we’ll be just fine.”

“What’s further in?”

“Well… I don’t really know, actually,” the filly admitted. “But Grandma always warned us to stay right near the entrance.”

I nodded my understanding as we entered the cave. It was nearly pitch black inside, save for several patches that gave off a soft, green glow. Lilly trotted right up to one of them, knelt down, and pulled it up in her teeth. Looking closely, I could see several mushroom stems rapidly darkening.

“Wow,” I commented.

Lemon smiled proudly as she delicately placed the fungus in her saddlebags. “Pretty cool, huh?”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” I stated, still enraptured by the sight. Granted, I haven’t seen a lot of fresh produce in my life, but I could still tell this was something unique.

“Well don’t just stare at them,” she jabbed playfully. “We need a whole mess of these to feed everypony. So let’s hop to it.”

With that, we set ourselves to the task. The two of us conversed now and again, but I think she could tell that I wasn’t much of a talker, so we mostly worked in silence. I plucked a couple mouthfuls of mushrooms, noting the slight electric tang the fungus gave off when it was picked. Then I remembered something that could make this infinitely easier. With a careful thought, the green glow of the mushrooms collided with the blue of my magic, creating aqua-colored clouds that gently floated into Lemon’s saddlebags.

“I forgot how useful it was to have a unicorn’s help with this,” Lemon stated gratefully. “It’s mostly just been me since Ruby stopped helping.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Oh, you know teenagers. Always thinking they’re too important to help out with the little stuff. These days she mostly sews or... lectures. Never really gets into the nitty gritty anymore. Thinks she’s too mature for all that,” Lemon rolled her eyes.

I nodded my understanding as we continued. Soon enough, Lemon’s saddlebags were heavily sagging with the weight of the fungus. She gave the satchels an approving look, “That should be plenty, let’s head back.”

We left the cavern and set our sights back home. It was a calming sight as the structure loomed in our view. Cries of joy and thrilled laughter echoed from the dwelling, and I couldn’t help but let my smile grow.

Finally, after everything I’d been through, was it possible that the nightmare was finally over? Had I truly found a place that would give me to time to heal and prepare for the long roads ahead? Everything seemed so surreal, and yet here it was. I’d found a real home.

A blood-curdling scream cut through the air.

Ripped from the comforting daydream, Lemon and I exchanged worried looks before breaking into a full gallop back toward the orphanage.

Some of the children were scattered in front of the building, all of them trembling or on the verge of tears. A few warily stepped outside, their curiosity overcoming their fear. None of them seemed to have any clue of what was going on, or where the scream had come from.

It certainly didn’t help the situation when the roar of gunshot cut through the silence. Several of the children screamed in terror and dashed inside. Others began openly sobbing and collapsing on the ground.

“Everyone inside, now!” Lemon barked.

Several foals looked prepared to object, but seemed to think better of it. The crowd reluctantly ushered themselves back inside, save for one small, green filly.

Lemon didn’t seem surprised by this, “What happened, Rowan?”

“Fuck if I know,” she snapped back. “One minute Crankshaft and I were putting away dishes, and next thing I know somepony’s hollering like a banshee and he went running after it. He even knocked over a pile of dishes, and I suppose I’ll be expected to clean it-”

“Who was outside?” Lemon interrupted.

“Well, I think Ruby was hanging up laundry out back,” Rowan said thoughtfully. “The scream did sound a bit like the time she caught me trimming my tail with her good mane shears.”

“Where’s Grandma?”

“She got her gun and ran after Crankshaft.”

The yellow filly looked visibly relieved, “Thanks Rowan. You better get inside with everypony else.”

“What, and miss the most excitement this place has gotten in months? I don’t think so,” she responded indignantly.

Screams of terror are excitement to her? Koe commented. I’m starting to like this filly.

“Fine, then just stay here and look after everypony else,” Lemon said exasperatedly.

Rowan looked displeased, but didn’t argue.

Lemon looked back at me, “Maybe you should go inside with-”

“No,” I interrupted, starting to feel more confident. This was exactly what I had trained for, and these ponies had shown me more kindness than anyone ever had. If there was a time for me to start making good on my promise, this was it. “I can help.”

Lemon looked wary, but gave a small nod, “Let’s go.”

Several clotheslines were strung up behind the orphanage. Various pieces of clothing and bedding flapped in the gentle breeze. I also spied an upturned laundry basket, its contents splayed across the ground.

Lemon whipped her head back and forth frantically, “Grandma!”

A soft groaning answered her.

Our gazes met before we stampeded toward the sound. On the far side of the clothing, we found Tender Heart crumpled in a heap. An old, double-barreled shotgun was lying beside her.

The yellow filly dashed to the older mare’s side, tilting back her neck and taking her pulse. A bit of the tension fell from Lemon’s shoulders as Tender Heart sputtered out a cough. “Are you ok, Grandma?” she asked gently.

Tender Heart blearily opened her eyes, then focussed them out into the desert. “R-Ruby,” she croaked quietly before passing out.

Lemon looked torn as she stared at the unconscious mare, then back toward where Tender Heart had indicated. Seeing her confliction, I stepped forward and took up the gun. A jittering thrill coursed through me as the weapon lifted instantly at my touch. As small as it might seem, it was gratifying to see that I’d finally overcome one of the biggest obstacles of my youth.

I cracked open the gun’s breech and found one barrel loaded. Tender Heart must have fired the shot we heard earlier. A soft flick upward caused it to snap back together satisfyingly. “Stay with her,” I said quietly, “I’ll find Ruby.”

The filly threw me a shocked expression, “No way, it’s too dangerous for any of us to go alone. We should… “ She trailed off with a croak, then took a shaky breath in an attempt to compose herself, “We should get Grandma to safety, there’s nothing we can do for-”

“No!” I snapped loudly, causing Lemon to lurch back in surprise. “I’ll get her back, I promise.”

Without waiting for a response, I galloped off into the desert.

I found signs of a scuffle in the sand, and several sets of hoofprints leading off into the distance. A series of red dots ran parallel to the trail, causing my heart to drop. Shaking off the sensation, I continued on.

It wasn’t long before I could make out several figures on the horizon, as well as distant screams of terror. Soon, I could see five ponies walking together. Two hung back from the rest, desperately struggling against some kind of restraint.

The three in front were all earth ponies, two stallions and a mare. They were clad in makeshift armor, comprised of rusted steel plates and spikes of rebar jutting out of their pauldrons and helmets. The stallions were each armed with small, semiautomatic pistols, while the mare was sporting a bolt-action rifle. I could clearly see Ruby and Crankshaft, both bound in chains and crying for help.

“Goddess-dammit, will you shut those two up, Noose?!” the mare snapped, rubbing her eyes with a hoof. “They’re giving me a headache.”

“Oh yeah, ‘cause Ah’m the one who forgot the gags, right Spike Strip?!” one of the stallions bellowed.

“Then just break their fuckin’ jaws, you uncreative prick!” Spike Strip shouted back.

“Guys, is this really the time?” the last stallion piped in. “Them Fillydelphia mercs ain’t gonna wait around forever. You two really want to lose out on what they’ll pay for this bitch on a count of you two bickerin’ like foals?”

“No, Gash,” the other two said in unison.

“That’s what I thought,” Gash, presumably, responded smugly.

“So if all we care about is the prissy lil’ unicorn, why in the hell are we still cartin’ around this pansy-ass motherfucker?” Noose asked, motioning at Crankshaft.

“Hey, stock is stock, and he was nice enough to come to us,” Gash stated while shrugging his shoulders. “With Oasis gone, ain’t like we got consistent buyers anymore. Them griffins’ll have some use for him.”

As they continued on with the conversation, I crept closer. There was a decently sized boulder near where the group had stopped, and I slinked behind it. I brought the shotgun to bear and aimed down the sights. It wasn’t an enormous distance between us, but from what I remembered, shotguns didn’t have that great of a range. I had to get closer.

The instincts I’d acquired in the Pit came rushing back in an instant as I began to formulate a strategy. A large patch of cacti stood next to the slavers, beyond that there was little other scenery beyond the mountains of sand. Around me were a plethora of different sized stones, my weapon of choice these last few years.

So a whirlwind, followed by chucking rocks? Koe asked condescendingly. You are the most unimaginative kid I know.

“An oldy but a goody,” I whispered back.

Well let’s see here, I count three jackasses we gotta kill. I reckon you can probably take out one, maybe two, before your little sandstorm dies down. That leaves one to put a nice bullet-shaped skylight in my house, and while I do have a fondness for natural lighting, I’m not totally certain you’ll appreciate it that much. I recommend taking one out before the party really kicks off.

I nodded at the voice’s crude advice, set aside the shotgun, and hefted one of the larger stones. I took several deep breaths, calming my heart into a state of battle-readiness. The entirety of my focus centered on the trio before I let the stone fly.

It arced through the air, whistling as it flew, before colliding into Gash’s helmet with a wet thunk. The sound echoed as the slaver wavered on his hooves before finally collapsing to the ground.

“What the fu- GASH!” the mare screamed before rushing to the fallen pony’s side. However, her attention swiftly focussed on the sand beginning to rise up around them in a whirling gale. The two remaining slavers were soon blinded by the stinging winds, and backed up toward their captives.

Seeing my chance, I snatched up the gun and ran headfirst into the whirlwind. Surprise was my only advantage, and I knew I had to make this distraction count. The remaining stallion was busily hacking and spitting sand out of his mouth, whilst simultaneously trying to keep it clear of his eyes. I snuck up to him and brought the barrel of the shotgun under his chin. Before I could pull the trigger, one of his flailing limbs smacked it out of my grip.

Noose’s eyes sprang open at the sudden contact and locked on me, “What in the shit!” He swiftly reached back and drew the pistol out of his holster. In my panic, I redirected the spell creating my tornado into a single point of energy at the tip of my horn. With a shout, I barreled forward and unleashed the magic, violently propelling Noose into the copse of cacti behind him. A screech of pain soon followed as the stallion attempted to free himself from the thorny prison.

I whipped back around, desperately looking for the fallen shotgun. I spied it a short distance away and started to sprint toward it. The sound of a gunshot tore through the air and a bullet planted itself right in front of me. Wheeling back, I turned to see that my whirlwind had cleared, and the last standing slaver pointing her rifle at me.

“You lil’ brat,” Spike Strip spat as she worked the bolt-action. “Who in the hell do you think you are? Those were my brothers you killed. I am going to tear you limb from-” she cut herself off as her eyes locked onto my horn. “Well now,” she said, her voice now sounding pleased, “another unicorn, ain’t that just my luck. And now I don’t have to split the pay with those two morons.” Spike Strip cackled wickedly as she stalked up to me, “Maybe I should be thankin’ ya’. Them griffins did say they just wanted grown unicorns, but I reckon they ain’t gonna pass you up.”

I froze in terror, desperately trying to think of a way out of this. My eyes scanned side to side, but the gun was too far and she’d see me trying to use my magic. I started breathing in panicked gasps, what was I going to do?

The sound of clinking chains immediately preceded Crankshaft barreling into the slaver’s side, knocking her down and landing atop her. In the scuffle, the rifle went off once more. The green stallion froze for a second, before toppling off of the mare.

I heard Ruby cry out in despair, but I ignored her. Instead, I swiftly took up the shotgun, dashed over to the fallen slaver, and shoved the barrel against her face.

BOOM!

The shotgun kicked like a mule, but I managed to keep it in my grasp. Spike Strip screamed in agony and clutched her hooves over her eyes. A black soot was splattered against the mare’s face, and rivulets of blood cascaded down her cheeks. It was… a little weird to be honest. I didn’t think there’d be much left of her face after that, nonetheless enough to scream.

I wasn’t given long to wonder, as a rustling from my side indicated Noose finally pulling himself free. The stallion was covered in hundreds of barbs sticking out of his skin, and he delicately tried to walk toward me.

I cast aside the empty shotgun and snatched the fallen rifle. The gun came between us, the sights levelled right at the slaver’s head, “Stop right there.”

Noose froze and warily lifted his hooves in surrender.

“Drop it,” I commanded, indicating the pistol still in his teeth. The gun clattered to the ground as he complied.

That’s it, Koe hissed, anticipation dripping from every word. Now finish him off.

Instinctively, I began to squeeze the trigger. Every impulse and inclination screamed at me to put the slaver down. He was just another opponent, a new threat. The safest course for myself and my newfound home was to end his life here and now.

And yet my tension on the trigger faltered. This stallion was unarmed, defenseless. He wasn’t a danger to anypony right now. Surely he could return, and if this bunch were part of some larger group, we were in for a whole lot more trouble. But in this moment, Noose was defeated. A real hero would show mercy.

Don’t be stupid, Koe snapped, anger igniting in his tone. You think this lot is just gonna forgive and forget? They’ll be coming for you and every one of these innocent little foals. It ain’t worth the risk.

And if they don’t return at all, what then? I asked. They’ll be coming back for us either way. At least like this, we have some moral ground to stand on.

You’re making a mistake, kid, the voice warned before falling silent.

I trotted up to the stallion, wary, but confident. “Now you listen to me,” I barked menacingly, “you take your friends, get the hell out of here, and tell everypony you’re involved with what you saw.” I directed my hoof back at the orphanage, “These ponies are under my protection, and I will bring down anyone that wants to threaten them. This is your first and last warning, do you understand?”

Noose’s wariness swiftly contorted into rage, “You think you’re gonna get away with this? You and every last one of those little shits are dead! Do you hear me! DE-” He was cut off as the butt of my rifle slammed into his chest, driving several of the cactus barbs further into his flesh. A sickening crack filled the air and Noose toppled back, clutching his chest and desperately trying to draw in a breath.

I shoved the barrel against his muzzle as I glared the promise of certain death into his eyes, “Do. You. Understand?”

Noose nodded slowly, his eyes wide with fear. I tilted the rifle toward the fallen slavers, giving him permission to move.

“U-um,” he stuttered, standing over Gash, “I think he’s dead.”

I spared a glance at the fallen pony, finding that the rock I’d thrown had hammered one of the pieces of rebar through the helmet and into his skull.

“Oh, uh, then just take her, I guess,” I said awkwardly, my menacing tone faltering at the realization.

After lifting one of her front hooves over his shoulders, Noose and Spike Strip limped off into the distance, sparing wary glances back at me until they disappeared from view.

I let out a shaky breath as the tension in my shoulders finally started to relax. Turning back toward the others, I found Ruby cradling Crankshaft in her lap. His face was locked in a pained grimace as he clutched a hoof over his left shoulder. It looked painful, but certainly not life-threatening. Realization began to dawn as the two looked up at me with a mixture of awe and gratitude. My heart swelled with happiness, and a smile far bigger than any I could ever remember making spread across my face.

I did it.

If breakfast was an alien experience to me, then a full blown party in my honor was by far the most bizarre thing I’d ever seen.

A small record player was blasting a copy of Pinkie’s Party Mix Volume Seventeen throughout the dining room. Piles of preserved treats were placed on the table, although they were doled out conservatively. However, a full box of chocolate Fancy Buck Snack Cakes somehow found its way into my possession, and I wolfed them down greedily. Everypony from the orphanage was in attendance, all of them gushing about my recent act of heroism.

Tender Heart, a fresh bandage wrapped around a swelling lump on her head, raised a glass bottle of Sparkle Cola, “Three cheers for Venture!”

The entire room erupted in the subsequent cheering, causing me to blush a bit, but still retain a small, proud smile.

The older mare locked her gaze on me, her eyes brimming with gratitude, and yet something else. Was it… sorrow? For the life of me I couldn’t think of why. Ruby and Crankshaft were safe, the slavers were gone, and everything was back to normal. I shook my head to banish the thought, it had to be nothing.

“Venture,” she began, “I can’t even begin to thank you. Who would have thought that we weren’t just bringing in a new member of our family, but a bonafide hero as well? You have done more for us in your short time here than anypony ever has. I know you haven’t really given us an answer yet, but I would be honored if you could call this place your new home.”

She paused at that, looking at me expectantly. The children mirrored her expression, all eyes focussed on me. “W-well, I- uh,” their eagerness to hear was almost palpable as the crowd closed in. It was tense, but not in any malicious way. Somehow, I knew they would accept my answer, no matter what. They wanted me for… me. That observation alone made the choice easy, “I would love to stay here, if you’ll all have me.”

A roaring cry of joy spread throughout the group, and I was showered with praise and excitement for what my future here would hold. Several of them approached me individually to offer their thanks or words of welcome. Crankshaft and Ruby Rose offered their gratitude for the umpteenth time, Lilac Breeze chattered endlessly about the staggering amount of fun that lie ahead, and Rowan gave me a small nod of acceptance.

When everypony had gotten their chance to speak, they returned to the party. Dancing, eating, playing pin the tail on the pony. The rampant positivity and joy was like a glass of cool water for the soul. My life seemed to have become an endless cycle of tragedy, and no matter how hard I tried, the vileness rampant throughout the wasteland just kept beating me down. But here things could be different. I may have fallen into a world of violence, but now there were ponies that cared enough about me to pull me back up.

Lemon Tart sidled up next to me, staring warmly at the scene before us, “I know you’ve heard it a thousand times already, but thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I responded simply.

“And Grandma isn’t lying, you’re the best thing that’s happened to us in so long,” she looked to the floor briefly, and I could barely make out the sight of shining tears dripping down her face. “We don’t usually get any attention from anypony, since we don’t really have anything. But ponies like those today do show up every once in awhile. Most of us are too young to be of any use as a slave, but sometimes the older ones do get taken. They’re not usually as brazen as that bunch, but every once in awhile my friends seem to just… disappear. I’m so happy you decided to stay with us, you really are a hero.”

My world ground to a halt when I felt a small kiss on my cheek.

The joyous thoughts and feelings coursing through me shattered. The sounds of celebration surrounding us slipped away, revealing an all too familiar cackle that reverberated through my mind. Memories of vile intimacy flashed before my eyes, along with the visage of a lanky, green and yellow eyed stallion. I could feel him crouched behind me, his hooves caressing my skin and his lips whispering the promise of the countless horrors he would inflict. My heart kicked itself into a panicked rate, I felt sick to my stomach, and my skin was barraged with the pricks of a thousand needles.

I’m not entirely sure when I fell off the chair, or when I started screaming.

I barely made out the record scratching as the music died. Everypony in the room turned toward us, looks of concern stricken across their faces. My panicked cries devolved into sobbing against the hardwood floor.

The room fell deathly silent, save for my feeble whimpers. My teeth chattered and tingled, as if they’d been filled with the coldest ice. My belly ached and roiled like I’d just been bucked in the abdomen. I was draped in a blanket stitched together from repressed memories, isolating me in the world I’d so dearly longed to escape.

On the edges of my perception, it sounded like somepony was calling out to me, “venture. Venture. VENTURE!”

I blearily peeled open my eyes and gazed up into the tear-filled gaze of Lemon Tart. “Venture, PLEASE!” she shouted. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was just- All I wanted was…”

The filly looked conflicted, like she wanted to comfort me, but was struggling to figure out how without us touching.

Lemon looked defenseless and alone. This wasn’t fair to her, she hadn’t done anything wrong. I struggled to sit up, to try and tell her everything was ok, but the words felt lodged in my throat.

Tender Heart approached and placed a hoof on the filly’s shoulder. “Everything’s alright, sweetheart,” she whispered genlty, “I’ll take care of Venture, you go enjoy the rest of the party.”

“B-b-but…” she stuttered, “but I… I hurt him.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t see it that way,” the older mare intoned. “Venture just has his own… obstacles to overcome, you know that just as well as I do. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to be there for him every step of the way, right?” Tender Heart wiped the tears streaming down Lemon’s cheeks, “He’s done so much for us already, it’s only right that we’re here for him too.”

The filly sniffled a bit before giving a shaky nod.

“Good,” the elderly mare said comfortingly as she turned to me. “Would you like a few minutes alone, Venture?”

I too gave a reserved nod.

“Alright then,” she levitated a cup of water over to me and then motioned toward the hall. “Take as long as you need. If you feel well enough to come back, I’m sure we’d all love to have you. If you don’t, then that’s just fine. It might be a good idea to get an early night anyway.”

I took several deep breaths in an effort to compose myself before walking out into the hall. Just before I could make my escape, somepony decided to interrupt.

Look at little playcolt, Venture, Koe injected with mock pride and a subtle giggle. You keep this act up, and we’ll be riding the hero train right to pussytown.

Sh-shut up, I thought back, but something about the last part of his comment bothered me. Wait, what act?

So we’re not pretending that there isn’t anything seriously fucked up about all this to get you laid? Forgive me, I seem to have completely misread the situation. You’re still just a dumbass.

What are you talking about? I snapped back.

Oh please, like you haven’t noticed. Little miss perfect Granny seems to conveniently leave out that these kids keep getting taken by slavers, and when she heroically rushes off to save them, she just happens to be packing a gun with blanks. Yeah, nothing weird about that.

Blanks? I asked, confused by the term.

Dear sweet Celestia, you really are that stupid, Koe responded in disbelief. Ok, so when you pull the trigger of a gun, what usually happens?

It… it shoots a bullet? I answered, irritated at his condescension.

Good, A+ for you, would you like a gold star?

What are you getting at? I thought back.

Ok, now follow closely because this is where things get complicated. What happened when you pulled the trigger on that slaver bitch?

The gun fired and… and… my thoughts trailed off as the memory came rushing back. I remembered being puzzled at the time, but with everything happening so quickly, I’d forgotten.

And all she got was a little gunpowder in the face. There should have been a newly christened blood fountain where her head was, instead she just got blinded. Now Miss Tender Heart seems to be acting a little mopey, even though you just saved a couple of the kids that she claims to care so much about.

I looked toward the older mare at the voice’s observation and, sure enough, she was sitting off to the side of the room. Her cola seemed untouched, and her usual warm expression was plagued by a mounting sorrow. I hadn’t been imagining things, she was sad.

All that shit added up makes me a little suspicious, how about you?

You’re… you’re right, I admitted, terrified at my own realization. But maybe it’s nothing, maybe she’s just trying to process everything and-

Wouldn’t hurt to look into things a bit, would it?

I-I guess not.

As night began to fall, Tender Heart led me toward the bunk room. Apparently I had been recovering in her own bed, but now that I was going to be staying, it was time for me to join the others. A mishmash of different beds were housed in the space, mostly small camping cots and a couple bunks. Toys were littered across the faded, blue carpet.

We stopped at one of the cots nearest the room’s only window. “Here we are,” Tender Heart said happily. I nodded and hopped up onto the mattress. It wasn’t nearly as plush as the other bed, but still an order of magnitude better than a cave floor.

I felt a small lump under the blanket. As I pulled it back, my heart dropped. Beneath lay a familiar burlap sack, the very same that I’d packed my books, the music box, and the royal pendant.

“Oh, I completely forgot about those,” Tender Heart said sheepishly. “I was going to get them back to you.”

“It’s fine,” I said quietly, my heart swelling with happiness. I removed the wooden box, cranked the small handle, and pulled open the lid. The joyous music filled the room, and all of the children turned curiously toward it.

“That’s a beautiful music box, Venture,” Tender Heart commented. “You’re lucky to have found one that works so well. Mine isn’t in nearly as good of condition.”

“You have one too?” I asked, wonderment in my tone.

“I do,” she answered warmly, “and I’ll be sure to show you in the morning. But for right now…” The older mare trailed off as she brought a tin can into view, hovering it before me. One whiff let me know that it was the same medicine from this morning. I wrinkled my nose apprehensively, but took up the can and downed it in one gulp.

My tongue escaped my lips as the retching began, but Tender Heart was quick to offer a second cup, this one filled with water. “There now, isn’t that better?”

I nodded solemnly. It’s better than withdrawal, it’s better than withdrawal, it’s better than withdrawal, I repeated to myself, desperately trying to ignore the new roiling in my stomach.

Tender Heart smiled as she walked toward the room’s entrance. “Good night, my little ponies. Sleep well, and may Luna bless you with wonderful dreams.” The door closed with a soft click as the remaining children hopped into bed. Hushed conversations continued to play out as I laid my head back and closed my eyes.

So what’s the plan here? I thought.

Don’t worry your stupid little head, my boy, Koe answered smugly. You just drift on down to dream town, and I’ll keep an eye on these little shits. When everypony is asleep, I’ll give you a kick in the pants.

I don’t wear pants, I said puzzled.

I… just… just go to sleep, the voice stuttered frustratedly.

Exhaustion descended on me like a warm blanket, and I had no trouble in following Koe’s instructions. My eyes sealed shut, and sleep soon found me.

A bright light cut through the comforting darkness, causing me to shield my eyes from its assault.

“Turn that thing off, Dr. Manner, you blinded the poor kid,” a female voice called out.

The intrusive brightness extinguished, allowing me to finally see the entirety of the room. Dark wood panelling decorated the walls, and tall bookshelves were brimming with countless texts and scrolls. The furniture seemed to be mostly comprised of large, expensive-looking leather armchairs and sofas. At the edge of the space, just before an enormous window, lay a large desk.

I was seated on the floor in a corner of the room. I sat upon an obtrusively colorful carpet, decorated with various learning aids and child-like drawings. A few toys were scattered around, and I found myself pushing a red firewagon back and forth.

A unicorn mare was crouched before me. She was wearing a dark gray business suit and a pair of thin spectacles. A clipboard and pen hung suspended in the air by her side. Across the room, a similarly dressed stallion was busily putting a large examination light away, an embarrassed look on his face.

“I am so sorry about that, Venture,” the mare said with a nurturing tone. “I told him to find a softer light for us, like maybe a lamp,” she finished with an accusatory tone and directing a glare at the stallion, “but… well, it’s hard to find good help these days.”

I nodded in response, but kept my focus on steering the wagon.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” she continued, “my name is Doctor Sound Mind, and this is Doctor Bedside Manner. We’d like to talk to you for a little while, is that ok?”

Once more, I nodded.

“Excellent,” Sound Mind responded with relief. “Now, I understand that you were previously enrolled in Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, is that right?”

“Yes,” I said quietly, continuing my refusal to meet her gaze.

“Now that all of the students have been transferred to Luna’s new school, how have things been going for you?”

I shrugged, “It’s still school.”

Sound Mind nodded and made a note on her clipboard, “This next question is about something a bit more sensitive. If you don’t feel like answering, that’s ok.”

I stopped pushing the toy, but gave no further response.

The mare cleared her throat, “You’ve been speaking to Doctor Radiance since… since you lost your parents, correct?”

“Yes,” I croaked quietly. The conversation had taken a turn that I knew was coming, but it didn’t stop the impact from bulldozing over my resolve.

“Well, recently she’s had some concerns over your recent sessions. She mentioned you had a dream shortly after what happened at the school, one that seemed to stick with you. Radiance asked you to draw this dream for her, do you remember?”

“I do,” I responded bluntly.

Sound Mind seemed to grow more and more uncomfortable. Before she could formulate a response, Doctor Bedside Manner approached. He held a rolled up piece of paper and unfurled it in front of us.

Depicted on the sheet was a mess of a childlike scribbling, but the overall image was disturbingly clear. It showed a cavern containing a small pony holding a sharp wooden stick in his magic. The pointed end was embedded in the throat of a supine stallion in front of him.

“Venture,” Bedside Manner began, “is the colt in this picture you?”

I nodded.

“Why did this dream have such an impact?” the doctor inquired.

“It felt real,” I stated simply.

“Do you know the stallion?” he continued.

I shook my head.

Sound Mind rejoined the conversation, “Venture, we’re concerned that this dream occurred as a result of recent events at the school.” The doctor tried to put a comforting hoof on my shoulder, but I reflexively brushed her off and refocused on the toy. “I don’t like cutting to the chase, but I feel we should talk about the… incident.”

“What incident?” I asked, genuine confusion in my voice.

“I think you know,” she responded delicately. “For somepony your age to have experienced so much trauma in such a short amount of time… we feel that your response to what’s happened is a bit concerning.”

“I have to work hard in school,” I said flatly.

“And that is normally a very important thing to do,” Sound Mind agreed. “But what happened wasn't normal, do you understand that?”

I only shrugged in response.

“Maybe we need to be a little more direct, Doctor,” Bedside Manner said.

Sound Mind looked prepared to argue, but instead fell into a look of acceptance, “Venture, we’ve spoken to a lot of your classmates since the incident. They’re all very upset by what happened, but you don’t seem to be affected by it. Why is that?”

“Ponies die, it happens. Why would that make me sad?” I deadpanned. “Especially… them.”

“You mean the zebras, correct?” the doctor asked as she scooted a bit closer to me.

I remained silent, but my hoof began to increase the pressure on my toy.

“Venture, you have to understand that those zebras weren’t soldiers,” she responded, an imploring tone in her voice. “They were refugees. Mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters all. They weren’t there to hurt anypony, just looking for a safe place to call home. These past few years have been incredibly difficult for the zebras of Equestria, and we have to realize that not all of them give their loyalty to the Empire. If we ever want to return to peace, then we must stand together.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I mumbled quietly, the wagon beginning to shake in my grasp.

“I don’t think you really believe th-” Sound Mind began, but was cut off as I took the toy up in my magic and hurled it at her head. She ducked just in time, and the firewagon sailed past and slammed into the large window, shattering the glass.

“I SAID IT DOESN’T MATTER!” I screamed at the doctors. It was like the chains reigning in the hate, confusion, and disgust I’d felt for so long were suddenly broken. A hurricane of clashing emotions roared through me, and the room began to suffer my wrath. The remaining toys sprang into the air and fired off in random directions. Rows of books and scrolls toppled from the shelves in an avalanche. Both adults sprang behind the furniture, desperately trying to escape my onslaught.

“THEY TOOK MY MOM AND DAD FROM ME! THEY LEFT ME ALONE! I HATE THEM!” I shrieked, my voice somehow overtaking the whirling din of toys and volumes.

Then, just as quickly as it began, my violent tantrum came to an end. The strength fueling my spells rushed out of me like a deflating balloon. I collapsed back to the floor, a cascade of tears streaming down my face. The colorful carpet dominated my view, infuriating me with its array of joyous colors.

“I hate them,” I repeated, whispering into the floor.

Warily, the two therapists peaked out from their hiding spots. Sound Mind slowly approached me again, before placing her hoof on my back, “It’s ok, Venture. Just let it out.”

I needed no convincing in taking the advice. My sobs came so frequently that my chest began to burn, my throat felt ragged, and the room began to blur. After a time, I quieted to a reasonable degree and lifted my head from the floor.

“C-can I go back to school now?” I asked.

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea right now, Venture,” Sound Mind said delicately. “I think staying a few more days with us here at Happyhorn is the best thing for you.”

I scowled up at the doctor, preparing myself for another outburst at her insolence, when the door suddenly slammed open.

An orderly in green hospital scrubs stood in the entrance, panting heavily and with a look of horror stricken across her face.

“What do you think you’re doing,” Bedside Manner snapped as he charged toward the door. “We are in the middle of a very delicate session, and we cannot have you interrupting-”

“I’m sorry, doctors,” she panted, ironically interrupting the stallion. “But the chief of medicine said I must give you this news as soon as possible. It involves-” she spared glance at me before leaning closer to Doctor Manner and whispering, “your patient.”

Bedside Manner looked at Sound Mind, before motioning toward the door. She nodded in response before smiling at me, “We’ll finish up as soon as I come back. It’ll be quick, I promise.” With that, the therapists ushered out of the room.

Curious, I approached the closed door and placed an ear to it, focussing as hard as I could to hear what was being said on the other side.

“...been another incident at the school,” I heard the orderly say.

“No, not another group of zebras.” Sound Mind responded worriedly.

“I’m afraid it’s far worse than that,” the other mare responded.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Bedside Manner demanded. “Out with it already!”

“Luna’s school has been... attacked,” the orderly continued, obviously struggling to say the words.

A disconcerting quiet fell over the group, none of them seeming to know just how to continue. Finally, Sound Mind broke the silence, “W-what happened?”

“A new form of weapon was deployed at the school,” the orderly said morbidly. “Something the military is calling Pink Cloud. They don’t know much about it yet, but we do know that… that…”

“THAT WHAT!” Bedside Manner yelled, panic in his tone.

“That there were no survivors,” she blurted out, her voice cracking under barely repressed sobs.

Again the group fell silent, save for the heart-wrenching cries of the orderly. I stepped back from the door, not knowing quite how I was supposed to feel. My classmates, my teachers, everypony at the school was… dead?

The thoughts rushing through my mind made thinking coherently impossible, but I knew how I felt. I’d made no friends at that place, how could I? Every day I’d felt empty. Wandering the halls, going to class, eating alone, just going through the motions without any real emotional involvement.

The life I’d known had died with my parents. I’d worked hard in school for the sole reason of doing what I knew they’d want me to. But I had put no heart into it. The only thing that had kept me going, the one desire that I had truly wanted to see fulfilled was fighting back against those striped monsters.

And they were now responsible for the deaths of hundreds of children.

I couldn’t help it as my face broke out into an enormous grin, the first I’d made since the day my life changed forever. A giddiness that hadn’t found me in years electrified every part of my being. For so long I’d been told that my hate toward the zebras was unfounded and bigoted, that the fate that befell my parents was tragic, but not justification for the way I felt. But what would they say now?

I finally felt the vindication I had so desperately desired, and the only thing left for me to do was laugh. It started small, muffled giggles as my thoughts turned to the future. Soon enough, a hearty cackle slipped through my lips, one that I could no longer contain. I felt myself fall to the floor, grasping at the stitches in my sides.

The door opened once more, and the doctors trotted back in.

“How are we going to break this to him?” Sound Mind was saying.

“As gently as possible,” Bedside Manner answered. “Get in touch with his aunt, this Cloudy Dreams. She’s his guardian, she’ll have to come and approve his treatm-” he cut himself off as the pair spied me rolling on the ground, laughing harder than I could ever remember. Tears were streaming down my face from the unbridled joy I was experiencing.

As my outburst began to quiet, I wiped the tears from my eyes and levelled my gaze at the horrified therapists. “I’m going to kill them all,” I whispered.

HEY DUMBASS! WAKE THE FUCK UP!

I shot up in bed, blearily rubbing my eyes free from the confinement of sleep. My vision began to clear, revealing a dozen fillies and colts all slumbering peacefully. Quiet snores intermixed with relaxed breathing, forming a comforting white noise that could easily lull me back to sleep.

Instead, my mind ignited with thoughts about the dream. Such a vision had happened once before, long ago when I’d first arrived in the Pit. The colt that shared my name seemed to have grown alongside me. Thinking logically, time seemed to have passed at the same rate for both of us.

I hadn’t thought of that dream since the night I’d had it. A young colt discovering his father dying in the line of duty, followed by his mother’s suicide. It wasn’t exactly the happiest memory, and I’d been content to forget it. At the time, I’d brushed it off as my mind’s reaction to the horrors I’d been forced to partake in.

But why then had another dream, a sequel to the events I’d seen before, play out for me now? The incidents discussed had no real meaning… all except one. The drawing of this colt’s supposed dream aligned with my final days in the Pit. It was a perfect, if crude, visualization of that stallion’s, Trim’s, execution.

The significance of that slammed into me like a stampeding bull. Not only was I bearing witness to this colt’s darkest moments, was he also seeing mine? Was it possible that we shared some connection? Across all of time and space, two foals had founded some strange mental link, providing some measure of empathy and compassion at our lowest points.

Or have I finally just fucking lost it?

I was given precious little time to continue musing as Koe ‘helpfully’ reminded me, Hey, earth to Venture. Are we doing this, or are you ok just laying back and popping a couple fuckitols?

“Mrmmf,” I moaned blearily, still trying to fully wake myself up.

Dear Goddess almighty, he speaks! he exclaimed with mock surprise.

“Ok, ok, I’m up,” I whispered.

Fantastic, now step two might be a little beyond your abilities, but it involves moving your fucking legs.

“Shut up,” I hissed back. However, I had to follow the instructions eventually, so I stepped down from the bed and carefully began sneaking out of the room. Navigating the minefield of toys proved far more difficult than I could have imagined. Eventually, I was scant feet from the exit when a soft squeaking rang out from beneath my hoof.

It may as well have been a gunshot with how it cut through the comforting quiet. My attention immediately snapped onto the stuffed bunny under my hoof. A nearby pony immediately sat up in bed and locked her eyes on me.

Rowan stared through sleep-riddled eyes, a neutral expression on her face. “Wh… wha’s goin’ on? What’re you up to?”

“Uh… I… nothing?” I offered desperately. “You’re um… this is just…”

Amazing performance, truly a masterwork of thespianism. Now, how about you actually COME UP WITH A BELIEVABLE LIE YOU INCORRIGIBLE FUCK!

“You’re just dreaming!” I blurted out.

I… you… really? Koe stuttered.

Rowan cocked her head in confusion for a second, then stared down at her blankets, “Are you sure?”

“Yep,” I whispered quickly, flashing what had to be the fakest looking smile in history as a torrent of sweat dripped down my face. “Just a dream and you, uh, need to go back to sleep or the… lollipop queen won’t show up?”

Wow, this is just getting sad.

The filly looked perplexed, “So I didn’t actually wet the bed… again?”

“No?” I responded.

“Oh, ok,” Rowan said happily, apparently satisfied. Her head fell back onto the pillow as she nestled back into her soiled bedding.

...ew.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I carefully opened the door and made my way out into the hall.

Ok, so now what? I asked.

Well, let’s see. Who, exactly, is it that we’re interested in seeing right now?

Uh, Tender Heart?

Good. So, do you think there’s somepony we should probably check on? the voice asked patronizingly.

You don’t have to be such a jerk about it, I thought back as we made our way toward Grandma’s room.

Kid, you might have a few good moves, but you’ve got the critical thinking skills of a fucking stump.

I was considering my response, when Tender Heart’s door suddenly began creaking open. My heart dropped as I dove under a nearby table. A subtle light briefly illuminated the halls as a spell was quietly cast. The elderly pony then crept out, her hoofsteps entirely silenced. After a brief look around the hall, she made her way toward the living room and out the front door.

Well, well, well, Koe said smugly. That’s a little suspicious, ain’t it?

It could be nothing, I responded. Maybe she’s just… um… what if she’s just-

We’re not gonna know shit if you keep sitting here making excuses.

I solemnly nodded in agreement before following after the mare. It was nearly pitch black outside, not even the smallest hole in the cloud layer above. But I did manage to glimpse the edge of Tender Heart’s tail slipping behind the orphanage.

Quietly, I continued trailing behind her, now more focussed on avoiding anything that would give me away. The last thing I needed was another squeaking bunny.

I paused at the corner of the home, peering around it to try and ascertain where Grandma was heading next. She sat in the midst of the clotheslines, looking out into the desert. A small light illuminated her horn, not enough to clear the darkness, but plenty to let anypony nearby see where she was.

My head cocked at the sight. She almost seemed to be expecting somepony.

The minutes dragged on as we waited. Tender Heart didn’t move an inch and a seed of worry began to sprout in my mind. I was almost prepared to approach her, ready to finally dispel the doubt that Koe seemed so intent on creating, when another figure began to approach from the other side of the house.

It stalked up to Grandma, making no noise or announcing its presence. My worry turned to panic as I readied myself to bound out into the open, screaming a warning at the unaware mare, when she began to speak, “How are you, Lasso?”

“I told ya to stop callin’ me that,” a familiar, male voice answered.

“And I told you that I would never stoop to calling you those disgusting nicknames you gave yourselves,” Tender Heart responded, her voice cracking slightly.

The stallion groaned, “Ain’t like it matters. What does is how much you fucked up today.”

“I… f-worded up?” Grandma asked incredulously. “None of you told me that you’d be coming here today. I could have had time to prepare, make things easier for you. Instead-”

“Oasis is gone, you dumb bitch,” he snarled. “Them Fillydelphia mercs were our last chance for a payout for who knows how long. We had to act, but now Gash is dead, Spike Strip is blind, and it’s all your fault.”

I gasped quietly. I knew I’d recognized that voice. Before I could question what in Celestia’s name was going on, they continued.

“How is it my fault?” Tender Heart asked, sounding hurt. “I did what I’ve always done. Brought in a child that needed a home and made him feel welcome. How was I supposed to know what he was capable of? What did you expect me to do?”

“I don’t know, maybe not give him a fuckin’ shotgun and send him runnin’ off after us?” Noose nearly shouted.

“You knocked me out, remember?” she snapped back. “Besides, I was using those shells you gave me. He shouldn’t have been able to hurt anypony.”

“Well, looks like he figured out how now doesn’t it,” Noose responded. “Now he’s killed one of your own and maimed another. If you want us to let you keep this little farm-”

“Orphanage,” Grandma interjected venomously. “Don’t you dare call it that.”

“Whatever. I mean keep this ‘orphanage’ going, then you have to take care of him.”

“WHAT!” Tender Heart cried before covering her mouth. After calming herself, she continued, “You expect me to… kill him?”

“Either that, or we go ahead and salvage what stock we can out of this place now, and then we kill him.” Noose approached Tender Heart and forced their gazes to meet, “If you really care about the rest of those kids, you’ll do what it takes to make sure they get to live out their foalhoods as comfortably as possible. If you don’t, they’re gonna be livin’ it out in chains.”

With that, the stallion about-faced and marched off toward the desert. Before he disappeared from view, Tender Heart spoke again, “Can you at least say it?”

“Say wha- oh you can’t be fuckin’ serious,” Noose snarled frustratedly.

“I’ve sold my soul for you three!” she cried out, sounding as if her heart were being ripped from her chest. “I’ve given up everything that’s made me who I am. I lie to these children every day, and I have to look into their innocent little eyes knowing what you’re planning for them. At least just tell me the one thing I want to hear. It doesn’t have to be the truth, I just need to hear it. Please.” A gentle sobbing rose up from the elderly mare as she buried her muzzle in her forelegs.

“Ugh,” Noose groaned, obviously displeased, “fine.” The stallion cleared his throat and adopted a gentler tone.

“I love you, mom.”