I hummed, quietly, for a short time, trying to comfort myself. For hours, I tried to sleep. A few times, I thought about going back and sleeping by the fire, but I didn’t want to be bothered by Redd’s insufferable snoring. I could even hear it under the tin roof!

Ugh. I can’t sleep! I wish I had my pillow.

Back home, I kept a special pillow on my bed. It was the first thing my grandmother and I made together. She bought a special fabric that was as soft as a cloud. Over time, it had flattened, but it still brought me comfort when I laid my head on it at night. Violet used to tease me about it. I smile when I think about her giggling at the pillow in my hooves. She told me it was time for new bedding, but I never listened to her.

I closed my eyes to think. After a few moments, I could see a soft blue glow through my eyelids. Opening one eye, I spotted several twinkles above the tree line in front of me. They burned bright like the real stars, only these were close. I thought I even saw one shoot across the trees like a falling star! It reminded me of…

“I must be dreaming.” I whispered.

“Nah, I just make quick comebacks.”

Immediately, my eyes filled with tears. It wasn’t possible. I was dreaming! This wasn’t real. My heart stopped for a second. I didn’t even want to turn around. The stars flared, lighting the rooftop even more.

“Did you miss me?”

“You’re not real. When I turn around, you’ll just disappear.” I breathed.

I heard the soft tinging of hoofsteps behind me. The unmistakable limp had me breathless. Feeling something sit beside me, I looked the other way. I didn’t want to be fooled, again. He tapped my shoulder, making me sneak a look. He was there. He was really there!

“Nico!” I fell into him. “You’re alive!”

He hugged me. “Again.” He smiled.

“H-how? What happened?” I looked him over. He had scratches and bruises, but was, otherwise, unharmed.

“Well, I managed to run through the horde before I actually threw the grenade. When it exploded, half the ceiling came down, crushing every single one. Leaf was right about the tunnel, it turned out. I found the way out through an underground warehouse not far from here. I saw Redd flying from the woods earlier, but I didn’t see you. I thought… I thought something happened to you. I almost went back home until I heard you humming.” He smirked. “I kind of missed you, princess.”

I really didn’t care if he called me princess anymore. He was here! My friend was safe!

He squinted, looking over my face. “What happened?”

I touched the cut on my cheek, flinching at the sting. My eye was probably bruised, too.

“It’s nothing. Everything’s under control, now.” I waved it off.

“Just tell me.”

I sighed. Glad you’re back, buddy.

“Why weren’t you with Redd?” He asked.

“You’re acting like an overprotective father. I was with Redd, he was just carrying me on his back. I fainted after a fight with some slavers, but like I said, everything is okay now! The slaves are safe.” I told him.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” He said.

“Why?”

“I can’t care about a friend?”

“Well, thank you for caring. I appreciate it.” I looked back at the twinkling orbs. “You never cease to amaze me, unicorn.”

He chuckled. “I know.”

“Should we wake Redd and tell him the good news?” I asked.

Nico shook his head. “Nah. Let the guy sleep. He’s probably tired from doing my job.”

I furrowed my brow. “What’s your job, exactly?”

“Saving your flank.”

Still an asshole.

“You’re difficult, you know that?” I poked him.

He shrugged. “But you missed me.”

I blushed. “N-no, I just… I…”

“Don’t worry, I missed you, too, princess. Truthfully, I got kind of bored not being able to rescue you all the time.”

“You aren’t going to give me a break, are you?” I said.

“Not a chance.”

We watched the glowing orbs for a while longer. I couldn’t believe he was back! Everything was going to be okay. I didn’t have to worry anymore! It’s not that I liked him or anything… Not like that. Honest!

I heard mumbling coming from underneath us. Redd flew towards us, rubbing his eyes.

“Back so soon?” He landed next to us and looked at the astronomical illusion. “Cool trick, bro.”

“Thanks. Miss me?” Nico grinned.

Redd rolled his eyes. “No.”
I giggled. “Redd took great care of me. He's like my knight in shining armor!”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You think so? I do try my best.”

Nico cleared his throat. "Anyway... What, now?"

“Why don’t we start traveling? I’m not able to sleep, anyway.” I suggested.

“I thought you were going to rest? You were pretty beat up.” Redd scolded.

“He’s right, for once. You need sleep.” Nico agreed.

I groaned. “Come on! I’m fine!”

“No.” Nico stood and made his way back down the roof. He just came back, and already, he was frustrating me. I watched him jump down several boxes. It was good to know his leg felt better, even though it was still bandaged. Redd and I hovered down to the fire. Nico had stretched out, lying with his hooves behind his head.

“Oh! Nico, here’s your bag.” I picked the saddlebag up and tossed it to him.

“I was looking for that.” He caught it, sorting through his inventory.

Redd flopped down back on his makeshift nest. As I went to lie down, Nico stopped me.

“Wait.” He took off his barding. It was a little dirty. “Sleep on this. I’m sure it’s more comfortable than the ground.”

I took it from his magical grasp and smiled at him. “Thank you. You can be a sweetheart, sometimes.”

Spreading it with my hooves, I curled up, covering my hind legs with my tail. I opened one eye to see if Nico was looking. When I saw that he wasn’t, I took a piece of the barding and buried my nose in it, getting drunk off his scent. Oh, it was so intoxicating! I missed the comforting musk more than anything. I took another long sniff, before catching him staring at me. I laughed, nervously, spreading the barding back on the ground. I turned over, blushing severely.

“Mares.” He mumbled.

During the night, I awoke to the sound of crying and murmuring. I jolted up, looking from Nico to Redd. They were still sleeping. Twisting my ears around, I listened for the sound, again. The fire had burnt out, leaving nothing but coals.

It’s just your imagination, Sia.

I slowly laid down, closing my eyes. I almost dozed off again before I heard the same weeping. This time, it was louder. I backed up, making my way to Nico. The murmuring seemed to quiet, but the crying continued. I shook him.

“N-Nico. Wake up… There’s something here.”

He swatted my hoof away. “It’s just a nightmare. Go back to sleep.”

“-ey killed me.”

I started trembling. “Somepony's in here!” I hissed, tapping his shoulder.

He ignored me.

A shadow passed behind the stand. I gulped, hiding behind Nico. I chanced a peek, seeing the shadow pace. It was walking like it was hurt, but I didn’t see a pony. The only thing visible was a shadow. Suddenly, it let out a horrible scream that echoed through my ears. I screamed, Nico and Redd jumping to their hooves.

“What is it? What’s happened?” Redd rushed over.

“Princess?” Nico waved his hoof in front of me.

I didn’t move, only stared in horror at the shadow, still pacing. “D-do you see it?” I pointed to the blackness behind them.

Redd turned and scanned the stands. “See what?”

The shadow was gone before he looked. I backed up, quickly, tripping over a brick and falling onto my back. I couldn’t get any air in my lungs! I closed my eyes, trying to relax. The only thing I saw was the terrifying apparition, so I opened them again. Nico stood over me.

“Breathe! What’s wrong? What did you see?” He lit his horn.

“G-gho… Ghost.” I whispered.

The bucks looked to each other, then behind them. The silhouette flew by, making them jump back. Nico grabbed his rifle. I hid behind him, as usual. The shadow stopped between two stands. Two white, glowing eyes popped up.

“Who’s there?” Redd yelled.

Quick and inaudible whispering echoed through the darkness.

“Nico, shine your horn.” Redd instructed.

The unicorn did as he said, the glow lighting the room in a blue hue. To our horror, the shadow disappeared, only to be replaced by a translucent mare. She moaned, as if in pain. Her head twitched like a glitchy animation.

“Sweet mother of Luna.” Redd became pale. “Let’s get the fuck out of here!”

Nico stopped him. “Wait.” He stepped closer to the ghostly figure. “Who are you?”

“-killed me. They killed me. They killed me.” It whispered. Her lips didn’t even sync with the words!

“Who killed you?” Nico asked.

He’s fucking insane!

She kept repeating the same sentence over and over. Nico got closer, but I grabbed his hoof. “Don’t be stupid! I’m not losing you again!”

“It can’t be too dangerous. It’s just a hologram.” He gently pulled his hoof away.

I waited, biting my hoof tips as he shuffled forward. Redd stood next to me, watching in amazement at the crazy stallion who had no sense, whatsoever. Nico stopped in front of the mare. She didn’t move, only kept whispering.

“There should be a hologram orb right about…” He craned his neck to search behind the stand. He flattened his ears and started frantically searching around the translucent pony. The mare just stood there. It didn’t seem like she was looking at any of us in particular, but at all of us at the same time.

“Impossible…” Nico gulped.

“Well?” Redd stepped forward.

“There’s nothing here! No orb, no tech, nothing!” Nico turned back and eyed the figure.

“Let’s get out of here!” I whimpered.

“Wait, she isn’t attacking.” He waved a hoof in front of the apparition and quickly brought it back.

“Stop! Are you insane?!” I hissed.

Redd tiptoed over to Nico, a puzzled expression on his face. He looked at him and grinned. I groaned. When we got out of this, I was going to kill them! Redd began making faces at the ghost, earning a look of pure disdain from me. I was close to running and letting those idiots fend for themselves. They were tough, I’m sure they could handle it.

Suddenly, the apparition let out a bone chilling screech, forcing us to cover our ears. Her body turned to mist that seemed to teleport right in front of my face. The sheer terror I felt was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I think Redd had called for me, but I wasn’t sure. For a split second, I thought I could feel what the mare had felt. I felt… sad. Alone. Oddly, I wasn’t afraid. Unable to leave this place. My hoof slowly rose to touch her face. I tried to stop it, but I was no longer controlling my body.

“-enna! Stop!” Nico yelled from behind the mist.

With a gust of wind, the mare blew the stallions back. Recovering quickly, Redd aimed his rifles. Nico shoved him just as the energy beams left the barrels. The beams traveled just past my torso and into a wall, scorching the material.

“You fucking idiot! That’s not going to work, it’ll go through that thing and hit Sienna!” Nico yelled at him.

The mist obscured my view of the stallions, who could only watch in horror as I was being overcome by the milky haze. My surroundings disappeared, as I became smothered by darkness. I gasped for air, but couldn’t catch my breath. My hooves flailed, trying to catch something solid. Unfortunately, wherever I was, there was nothing to grab.

As quick as it came, the darkness receded. I opened my eyes to see the market. Only, it wasn’t the market. Ponies walked around and browsed the intact stands like nothing had ever happened. I continued to hold my breath as I turned and looked outside. Trees and grass were green and lush. Non-mutated creatures roamed the environment. I stood. The sight was beautiful. Was this how it really looked before the megaspells?

“Thank you, please come again!” A mare’s voice caught my attention.

I trotted through the crown and over to a stand at the far left of the decorated awning. I stopped, dead in my tracks. It was her. The ghostly mare that had haunted the market. Her cool, blue coat stood out from the rest. Her mane was an even cooler blue. I stared at her cutiemark. A jar of preserves stood out on her flank. She smiled as she took prewar bits from an elderly mare.

“These are the freshest peaches you’ll ever put in your mouth!” Her accent was heavy.

“Thank you, dear.” The elderly mare smiled back at her.

I watched the exchange from a distance. What is going on? She wasn’t ghostly. Just a regular earth pony. Was I trapped in a memory? I stepped back, only to realize I was walking right through a nearby unicorn mare.

“Sorry.” I told her.

She ignored me.

“Hello?” I waved my hoof in front of her.

The mare kept chatting away with a group of ponies, like I wasn't even there. I backed away, panic started to flare up in my chest. I faced the blue mare, again. She was gone! My eyes darted around, searching for her. I galloped to the stand she was running. The shiny jars of fruit were decorated with pretty bows. My mouth watered as the scent of the fruit entered my nostrils.

“Please! I don’t have your bits! I can only make so much running a stand!” I barely heard her whimpering behind the wall in the back of the shop.

I galloped to her, only to see her surrounded by a group of formally dressed stallions and a mare. They had her backed against the wall.
“Sky, we run a business bigger than you ever thought about owning. You owe us. That means, you give us what you owe, or you give us your life.” A unicorn mare demanded. She shoved Sky, making her fall to the ground.

“Hey! Leave her alone!” I rushed over, trying to knock into the mare. I went right through her, of course.

“Please. I have two foals.” Sky cried.

I could only sit back and watch as they kicked and punched her. She sobbed the entire time.

Scream for your life! Call for help! Don’t be quiet about it!

A stallion head-butted her. I heard her skull crack. I cringed when I saw blood pouring from her nose and her body twitching. I closed my eyes, waiting for the nightmare to end. She could have saved herself! She could have screamed and cried for help! There were ponies just behind the wall!

“You could have been saved!” Tears poured from my eyes as I leaned over her body. I picked up my head and glared at the group of ponies who only grinned down at her.

“Wow, Bunk, you really don’t know your strength.” The unicorn said.

“You fucking monsters!” I screamed. I knew they couldn’t hear me, but I still tried to hit them with every insult I could think of.

A loud siren echoed through the land, shutting me up. Ponies looked up to the sky, fear in their eyes. I followed their gaze. The sky had darkened, much like the wasteland would be so many years later. A huge explosion thundered in the distance. Ponies screamed and ran for their lives around me. I grabbed my chest. My head and neck would soon become numb.

“Stop. Take me back!” I yelled over the chaos.

Another explosion. This one wasn’t a megaspell, but a large fireball erupting. Small fires landed in the woods. The trees began burning, soon spreading into the awning. I heard the stands being destroyed and glass breaking. I opened my eyes to see Sky’s body still lying in a pool of blood. The group of bullies had run off. I curled up beside her and sobbed. I chanced a look behind me to see the glowing megaspell still ignited.

“Run!” A buck screamed.

Somewhere, gunfire exploded. I flapped my wings to hover above the crowd. Squinting my eyes, I could see a wave of ponies galloping towards the megaspell. I blinked, and was immediately right next to the battle. They yelled as they bombarded the warzone. I looked to the direction they were headed. Zebra. An army of striped terrors clashed into the ponies. The bloodbath began.

“Why didn’t that megaspell kill anyone?” A stallion shouted below me.

“It wasn’t a destructive spell.” A mare spoke up. She backed away. “It was the healing megaspell! The zebra we eliminated are getting back up! We have to let Big Mac know!”

Confused, I scanned the field. Sure enough, ponies and Zebra, alike, were awaking from death. I gasped. They would have to fight this battle all over again! I’ve never seen anything like this. Bullets zoomed past as I watched the battle. As soon as they were being healed, they were dropping like flies, again. I spun and squeezed my eyes shut. When I opened them again, I was back at the market. Fires had spread through the small forest and around the buildings. I stopped hovering and glided back to the ground. The situation was no better here.

A mare kneeled over the body of a stallion who had been burning. She wept and desperately tried to wake him. I looked away from the appalling scene, only to spot another mare and her foal lying dead across from the stallion. Their bodies were crushed and burnt. I felt sick to my stomach. My heart was tearing to shreds. I covered my ears to block out the screams and the sirens. It only muffled the sound. My body started shaking, as if somepony had me by my shoulders.

Blood curdling screams tore my eyes open. A beam from the awning collapsed onto a group of ponies. Blood sprayed the dirt as their bodies were crushed. I rushed back over to Sky. I kept my eyes on her. She was still breathing! She was alive! I threw my hooves on her. They didn’t go through her!

“Sky! Wake up! Live!” I cried.

Her haunting stare stayed on the chaos around us. I could tell she was struggling to breathe. I rested my body over her to try to protect her from falling debris. If I didn’t fall through her, surely I could keep her safe! My shoulders started shaking again.

“Sky? Can you hear me?” I asked.

No response. Her breathing became more ragged. She then started coughing and choking, blood spurting out of her muzzle. I stared. An awful gurgling came from her throat as she drowned in her own fluids. When her final breath escaped her, I gently touched her unmoving body. I shook her.

She didn’t answer me. I cried for her. What a horrible way to die. In the middle of a fierce battle. I collapsed beside her, squeezing her hoof in mine. She didn’t have to die alone. I knew I was only an audience for a memory, but I still wanted to think she wasn’t alone. My heart broke for her and the ponies around me.

“Sky, please. Take me back. I’m sorry for what happened to you. Just… let me go back.” I cried.

I gasped as I felt my very soul lifting into oblivion. The nightmare faded into black as I floated. The same market faded back in, this time it was post war. I looked around. The night sky was cloudy, but silent. I spotted Redd and Nico standing over something. I recognized the spot where Sky had expired. I started to slowly float downward.

“Redd! Nico!” My voice echoed.

They didn’t hear me! My heart stopped when I saw what they were standing over.

Me.

My body lay over a pile of bones, sobbing. My eyes were white and lifeless. Nico and Redd stood back, afraid. A rush of wind suddenly dragged me towards my body. I closed my eyes, only to open them with a loud gasp. I fell onto my back and sucked in air like it was running out. My torso jolted upwards. I lifted my hooves and looked over them. I was back in my body!

“Si…enna?” Redd said, quietly.

I looked over at them. They were horrified.

“I’m back. I’m alive!” I cried.

“What the hell happened?” Nico asked, cautiously, walking towards me.

I held my chest. I had been panicking without even knowing it. “I… I was in a memory or something. Sky! She…” I sniffed. “She died in the middle of a battle.”

Spotting the skeletal remains, I reached for them, but stopped. It was her. I knew it was her. “This is Sky.” I wept. Her skeleton lay, in pieces, mostly covered dirt. Looking around, I recognized the alley behind the awnings. A pair of glowing eyes stared at me through the shadows.

I stood and carefully walked over to the silhouette. With a closer look, I saw her sorrow.

“I… I saw what happened.” I said, softly.

She kept quiet.

“Nopony should have to go through what you did. Those monsters... They took your life. You were forced to watch what was happening.” I looked at my hooves. “Why? Why did they do this?”

She walked towards me. My necklace hovered from under my barding and in front of me. I stared at it. They were after the necklace? It didn’t make any sense. Why were they torturing her if they were after this?

“What did you have to do with this?” I gestured to the necklace.

“Their greed for power. With the suffering of hundreds, they intended to take every bit they could. It would take every bit to buy the jewelry from the ministry mare.” I didn’t hear her. She spoke through telepathy.

It was coming together. “They didn’t really want the necklace. They wanted the pearls!” I stomped. “There’s no telling how many suffered because of them.”

She nodded, sadly.

I softened my expression. “Your foals…”

“Grew up without me. Though, generations have blossomed. They live.”

My eyes widened. “You have living descendants?”

She looked up towards the clouds.

I shared her gaze. “The Enclave. Your grandchildren were…“ When I looked down she was gone. “pegasi.”

In her place was an envelope. I looked back at Redd and Nico. They stared, still shocked from what was happening. For once, I didn’t feel scared. I felt warm, like I was surrounded by love and understanding. Trotting over, I picked up the note and opened it. The paper was worn around the edges, but I could clearly read the writing.

Mom,

How have you been? It’s been years since we spoke. Where do I start? I guess I can start by saying this: You’re going to be a grandma! Exciting right? Piper and I are happy as can be. She’ll soon have to go home for a while, but she should be back before our little bundle of joy is born. I’m hoping he or she will be a pegasus like their mother. Unfortunately, Pop can’t be around. He died last week. Ginger was so upset. I just had to remind her that he raised us to be strong adults. We miss you, Mom. Even as I’m writing, I’m tearing up. I know you’re out there, somewhere. I hope that, somewhere along the way, you find this letter. Ginger always tells me you’re gone. I don’t believe her. When that megaspell hit, it was supposed to heal everyone, not kill those outside of the area. I still visit the marketplace, sometimes. They never found your body, so I know you weren’t killed.

I’m in Luna’s army, now. Even though there’s so much going on, I still find ways to be happy. I’m going to be a father! How can I not be happy? Soon, I’ll be on duty in Canterlot. There are rumors of the Zebra creating a pink cloud of some kind. It doesn’t sound too intimidating. It’s kind of funny, actually. Ginger’s husband said it would be a shame if something as simple as a cloud destroyed Equestria. Oh, yeah. Ginger got married a few months ago! You taught her well. She settled down with a Steel Ranger. He’s gone all the time, but she doesn’t mind. She says it gives her extra time with her quilts. I never understood how it can be therapeutic.

Well, I guess I should be going. I can hear Piper coming through the door. Mom, wherever you are, I think about you every day. I’ll never forget you or Pop. I love you.

Your son,

Peach Grove

P.S: Piper just told me we are having a filly! We’re naming her Sky Breeze.

I wiped tears from my cheek. It was probably the last letter he would ever write. Taking a deep breath, I decided I would find his grandchildren and give them this letter. They deserved to know.

“Are you okay?” Nico rested his hoof on my shoulder.

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m okay.” I smiled at him.

“Sorry to read over your shoulder, but do you really think Sky has pegasi descendants? I mean, it’s kind of hard to believe.” He said.

“It can’t be that difficult.” Redd added. “You or I could be one of their grandfoals.” He poked me.

I shrugged. “I doubt it. My entire family tree was Enclave officers. Until my grandpa, anyway.”

Nico yawned. “Whatever the case, it’s getting to be morning. We should probably rest for the next couple of hours.”

I neatly folded the letter and carried it inside the awning where my bag lay. After putting it away, I looked at my pipbuck. It was hard to remember I had this thing. The timer read twenty days. It should be more than enough time. I had to let Rarity destroy the pearls. I couldn’t let Hope’s foolishness kill thousands! I remembered what Sky had said about the business ponies. They were looking for the pearls even before the war. Those pearls were more important than I originally thought.

I shook my head. I’d think about it when the time came. Stretching out, I rested my head on a pile of newspaper. Nico and Redd were getting settled in their spots. I smiled. It was nice to have them both. I felt like I took them for granted most of the time. Exhaling slowly, I closed my eyes. I doubted a couple hours of sleep would be enough, but it was better than nothing. I quickly fell into slumber, not worried about the dangers around, but glad Sky’s legacy could be continued.

75% until level up

Health +2

New Perks!

Letter to Sky: When you have the letter from Sky's son in your inventory, your overall health degrades %50 slower in battle.
NomNomNom: Finding food is now easier when you are scavenging. Because of this, you get hungry slower.

Nico has joined your group!

Author's Notes:

Thanks to Kkat for this amazing world!
After spending half a day (literally) reading this chapter over and over, I think i have managed to correct all the errors. Or, almost all of them.
The hubs is changing jobs, so the stress has been at a maximum for the past couple of days. That will not stop AngryPenguin, however! I will write even in a blackout! Atleast until my laptop battery runs dry.... either way, i hope you guys enjoy! The next chapters should be a bit longer.
As always, constructive criticism is always welcome! Thank you for reading!
-AP