Home. How I desperately yearned for it. The wasteland was not even considered a temporary home. It was cold, dangerous, dark and just terrifying. Just that morning I was eating breakfast above the clouds in my cozy little abode. Now? I was lying in a puddle of mud, broken and at death’s door. My only friends had met their fate, leaving me to fend for myself. I couldn’t blame them, though. It was my fault they were gone.

Pain shot through my body as I gasped to life. I couldn’t see anything but darkness and a blinking red light on my visor. My suit had somehow gained enough power to start up the stats. According to the data, I was hurt. Bad. My vision was blurred, though, so I couldn’t read the warnings. I was in so much pain, I thought I was going to pass out again. This suit had to come off, now! I panted and remembered the emergency latch.

“Activate… Emergency Latch… Code red…” I struggled with each word.

I was met with a soft beep and the hiss of broken mechanics. The suit finally became loose enough to where I could shove it off. I winced as I tried to stand. My legs and sides were bleeding, my wing was in agonizing pain, my head swam, and I was alone, with no protection from this harsh environment.

Rain poured from the dark sky as I managed to get to my hooves. My head pounded with each thundering heartbeat. I could smell the stale air. Smells of blood, soot, and death were all around me. Vomiting would make the pain in my ribs more unbearable, so I did the best I could at holding it down.

I must have been dea- knocked out for quite a while. Nopony was around that I could see. What was I supposed to do now? I shook my head and started limping away from the battlefield. Knowing my friends’ bodies were behind me, I avoided going that direction. Each step made me want to lie down and never get up, but I trudged on. For Wick and Chaser. They wanted me to live.

But how?

I had no weapons, no armor, no food or water. It became apparent that I was done for. Stopping for a moment, I looked up at the cloud curtain. Raptor 27 must have abandoned us. Assholes! Sighing, I continued with my head down. They couldn’t have known. It's not like they can do anything for a dead body. All around me were infinite horizons of dead Equestria. Nothing but mud and monsters everywhere. At that moment, I didn’t care if I died. Nor did I care where I was going. A panic attack was building up, but I had to let it die. If I didn’t, I would surely be immobilized.

After limping for a half hour, I came across a small broken down house. The roof looked as though it would cave in any minute. Maybe it would last until I could gain enough strength to get home. I barely got in the front door before I collapsed onto the floor. Water dripped from the ceiling onto my nose. Trembling, I moved slightly to get out of the way. The rug beneath me was tattered and rotted. Better than dirt. My breathing became rugged.

A distant gunshot echoed through my ears. Surprisingly, it didn’t scare me. Being so hurt and exhausted, I didn’t think I could even cry anymore. The shot did remind me of the past horrible hours that I went through.

It was getting colder. My shivering was starting to hurt me. This was it. I wasn’t built for survival. Mama and Daddy. I bet they suffered the same way as I am. Violet, too. I felt for them, but at last I would get to see them again. Even if it meant leaving my grandparents. I wondered if they were worried about me.

Oh, how I needed Med-X.

I lay there until daylight. At least, I think it was daylight. It was a little brighter than it was a few minutes ago, or was it hours? Sleep never came. Every time I tried, my wing would throb. The lack of food or water was taking its toll on my ruined body.

“No. I have to… get up…” I grunted through my shallow breath.

My muscles worked as hard as they could manage to get my torso off the ground. My wing hung, lamely, at my side. Shambling to the door, I stopped and picked my head up to the sky. It was still gray and drizzling rain. I couldn’t tell if it was the rain or tears running down my dirt stained face.

Another hour of limping brought me to a dead shrub. I’d lie down for a little while. What else could I do? I had to sleep. I walked up to it, but then something shuffled inside the dead twigs. I backed away.

“Wh-who’s there?” I stared. The sound of small wingbeats were heard over the shuffling.

“I have a gun!” I lied.

It popped out from the top of the bush. The ugliest thing I have ever seen. Another followed after. They looked like something I’d seen in a textbook, except these were bloated and has lumps on them. They were mutated parasprites! One floated towards me and I screamed the rest of my breath away. It hurt, terribly, but I trotted as fast as my injured body could carry me.

What else did this place have to offer?!

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been running or where I was, but I was utterly exhausted. Eventually, I slowed down to a walk. Then I collapsed in the mud. While I lay there, I prayed to Luna. Begging her to take me home. My breathing became wheezing as I struggled to live. This was it. There was nothing else for me to do. I closed my eyes and waited for death, letting my conscious slip away from me. I let my friends down, once again.

I was halfway awoken by movement. I couldn’t open my eyes, as I felt my body being lifted, carefully. They were back! I knew what was next. Who cares? Death was expected, anyway. Might as well let them take me away to kill me. Even though I tried to accept this, I wanted to cry out. I wanted to scream for them to just leave me alone. Nothing came from my throat. It hurt.

Drifting in and out of slumber, I kept seeing a shadow above me. I wasn’t hurting, though. Was this medicine? Oh, look another shadow! I guess they were taking turns with me.

My wing! Ouch! What were they doing to me? Oh Luna, please let me sleep! Please.

“Is she awake?” Another stallion. Of course.

“She’s slipping in and out of consciousness.” A mare? Her voice was oddly soothing. At least I could die with a false sense of security.

Wait. I was blind! What happened to my vision?! I began thrashing and grunting.

“Hold her arm!” The mare ordered.

Hooves grabbed my leg and held it down. I managed to get it free and punch the owner of the hooves.

“Ouch! This mare is strong!” He said as he held me down again.

Ha! That’ll show him! I’m going down fighting!

I felt a small prick in the leg he was holding down. They’re drugging me again! These sick monsters were trying to put me out before they raped me! Suddenly, all my fears dulled in the back of my mind. Now relaxed, I felt a tug on my mane as something was removed from my face.

My eyes fluttered open as shapes formed in front of me. I noticed a mask over my muzzle. In my mind, I bat it away, but it was still there. No matter how much I tried to move, I was too weak. I turned my gaze to the right and saw the shape of a pony. Squinting, I was able to make out the tan unicorn stallion. He was going to rape me!

My hoof came into my sight as I saw it trying to punch him.

“Erm, isn’t she supposed to be sleeping?” He asked the mare. I couldn’t see her, though. She was elsewhere.

“She’s a tough one. Lucky you found her when you did. From the looks of it, she had been hurt since yesterday sometime.” She said.

“Chaser. Wick…” I groaned. My throat stung.

“Who?” The mare asked.

I didn’t answer. I was asleep before she came into view. The drugs they gave me were taking effect. They were going to rape and eat me. I had come to accept that, since there was nothing I could possibly do but wait for a rescue. Too bad the Enclave wasn’t coming back for us. They had already lost one crew, and they knew they had lost another. At least I’d die without any pain.

Several hours had passed since I had lost myself in dreamland. I knew this because it was dark when I opened my eyes. Whatever I was lying on was fairly soft. Despite the old smell, it was comfortable. An aged wool blanket lay over me.

“So warm.” I mumbled.

Sleep almost pulled me back in until I realized something: I was alive. A little sore, but alive. My eyes popped open and I jolted up. The sudden jolt made a sharp pain shoot through my wing.

“Where am I?” I asked nopony in particular.

Careful not to bump my wing, I stood up off of the mattress. I looked around. This was a bedroom. I was in a house? The walls were aged, but took care of, like somepony (or something) lived here. My wing had been wrapped in a bandage and set with a splint so it wouldn’t move. I also had a bandage on my flank. Whoever lived here took care of me. It had to be a pegasus!

I walked past dusty shelves, books, and knick-knacks from before the war. The door was slightly ajar, so I peeked outside the room. The hall was just as good as the room by means of care. Black and white photos hung on the walls, left to watch over the home for eternity. I stopped at a photo hanging in the middle.

Princess Luna stood beside an elderly stallion. He was an earth pony. No crazed expression like those… raiders. All the ponies in the photos looked happy. Genuinely happy. I even noticed a couple of pegasi in one photo. I ran a hoof softly across the cracked frame. Maybe things can return to this one day.

Seconds passed as I brought my hoof back and decided to explore, further. My anxiety kept me on alert for danger, but it felt nice being here. Strange as it may be, it felt… homey. A set of stairs descended into a living area. I snuck to the bottom step and observed the rest of the first floor. Nopony here. Then, I saw lanterns hanging from the rafters and a fire built in the chipped fireplace. Somepony was here. My ears folded back. Fear was approaching me.

An easel sat in the middle of the living room. On it, an unfinished painting. Getting closer, I recognized a small cottage. The rest of the scene had yet to be finished. In front of the faded canvas was a cracked jar of paintbrushes. By the looks of it, they were used frequently. This had to be the home of a pegasus! Those other monsters couldn’t possibly have a nice place such as this.

By wasteland standards, I guess this house was nice. No moldy smell lingered in the air. No dead bodies or blood stains. Maybe the pegasus living here would let me stay until I could fly back home. I could get the courage to at least ask.

“-should help her with the pain.”

Or not.

I backed away from the front door.

“Thank you, Fleece. Maybe she will come around soon.”

The voices sounded familiar. I panicked. This wasn’t a pegasus home. It was raider territory! My chest started hurting as I breathed harder. I put a hoof to my heart. They were here to kill me! To finish me off! I searched frantically for a weapon, but I saw nothing. Curling into a ball, I started sobbing.

The door opened, and in walked a unicorn stallion. The stallion from a few hours ago! I knew it! He kidnapped me! He paused in confusion when he saw me cowering in fear on the floor. I was close to wetting myself, actually.

“Hey, are you alright?” He asked, floating a syringe from his bag. Then he started towards me with it.

“Get back!” I screamed, violently shaking. “Y-you savage! Leave me alone!” My back hit the corner of the living room. My sobs became louder.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” He assured.

“Liar! Y-you’re going to rape me! Then e-eat me! Your raiders killed my friends! You just want to finish me off!” I screamed between gasps.

The unicorn squinted his eyes. “That’s what happened to you? Oh, Goddesses. Those bastards.”

I lowered my body to the floor. “You’re going to kill me with that poison in the syringe! I-I won't go down without a fight!” Honestly, I didn't even know how much fight I had left in me.

He looked from me to the needle and rolled his eyes. “This is-“

I didn’t give him time to finish. My anger finally gave me the burst of energy to pounce on him. Sinking my teeth into his ear, he bucked and swore, trying to throw me off.

“Ow! Stop, you crazy mare!”

I wrapped my hooves around his neck. “No! You ah gonnah kihh me!” I spoke through gritted teeth. Just when I let go to get a better grip, his magic enveloped me and floated me in front of him. I thrashed and punched the air in front of his muzzle.

“Put me down, raider! Help! Somepony!” I screamed through tears. He changed his expression from anger to sympathy.

“Listen, I’m not a raider. I’m trying to help you.” He pressed.

“Then what’s in the syringe? A drug to knock me out so you can rape me?” I countered.

“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s Med-X.”

I quit thrashing and glared, dumbfounded.

He sighed. “If I put you down, can you let me explain how you got here?”

I looked to him, suspiciously, but I nodded.

“Thank you. Now here.” He set me on the couch I missed earlier and gave me the syringe. “I’ll let you do it yourself, since you don’t trust me. If you want to go, I won’t keep you here, but you must know it’s dangerous out there on your own. Especially since I found you near death. The next town is a day’s walk. You won’t be flying for a while.” He sat far away from me. Smart guy.

“Y-you’re a savage, though! A raider!” I covered my muzzle as I cried again.

“Is that so?” He turned around to his canvas and started painting. “If I was a raider, why didn’t I do all those things, already?"

“B-but you don’t know me. Why help somepony in a place like this if you don’t know them?” I asked him. I had backed so far into the couch, i was almost buried in the old, green cushions.

“Even though I’ve been here my entire life, it doesn’t mean I’m not a decent buck. I try to help others when I can. Especially when they’re passed out near a bloatsprite nest. You are obviously not from here, are you?”

Bloatsprite?

“Those things were bloat... sprites?” I shuddered.

He nodded. “They are quite adorable compared to the rest of the wildlife.”

I shook, violently. “I- I want to go home.”

The buck stood up and opened a cupboard, floating another blanket to me. I jumped closer to the back of the couch as he covered me with it. He paused, then just hoofed it to me. What did I do? I was scared to death!

“You live above the clouds, don’t you?” He asked, sitting in front of the fire.

I nodded. “How did I get here?”

“I heard an explosion yesterday. I thought it best to wait until today to check it out. On my way, I saw you unconscious in a puddle of mud. I thought you were dead at first, then I felt for your pulse. When I felt it, I picked you up and carried you to my friend, Fleece, who runs a clinic near here. She told me you had a concussion, two broken ribs, internal and external bleeding, and fractures in your wing. She helped me nurse you back to health and told me to bring you here so I could keep an eye on you. Looks like you’re going to be alright, though. If you want, you can go into town and stay. You’re welcome to stay here, but it looks like I’ll have to sleep with one eye open in case you decide to kill me.” He smirked at the last sentence.

I blushed. “S-sorry. I guess. I can’t repay you for saving me, but thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just trying to be that one buck who is decent enough to be a hero to at least one pony.” He waved it off.

“So… You live alone?” I asked. I kept shivering, despite the blanket over me. My nerves were completely shot.

“Afraid so. I found this place after my dad passed away a couple of years ago.” He looked down.

“I-I’m sorry.” I flattened my ears.

The stallion shrugged. “Shit happens in the wasteland. Nothing I could have done.”

I gazed at the fire. Poor buck. I knew I couldn’t trust him, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. I knew how he felt. Living alone, not having your parents around. I at least had my grandparents. It didn’t seem like he had anypony.

“So…” I jumped at his words. “Sorry. I mean, what about you? You have family back home?”

“Just my grandparents. My parents disappeared when I was a filly. I dug into the couch with a hoof. “My… boss said they were killed, but I’m not so sure anymore.”

He tilted his head. “What do you mean? Were they branded Dashites by the Enclave?”

I peered at him, “How did you know that?”

“I know a couple of pegasi. One runs the tavern I go to."

“Pegasi?” I perked up.

He nodded. “Yes, but not like you. They’ve been here for a while. Possibly their entire life, like me.”

I drooped.

“It’s not all bad. I understand why you thought I was a raider, since you’ve always believed other races to be associated with them, but there are good ponies out there. Just be careful who you trust.” He went on. “We even sell and trade goods, just like you pegasi.”

I peeked behind him at his painting. He was talented. “Y-you are a good painter.” I said.

“Oh this?” He gestured to it. “It’s nothing. I have several others upstairs. If you like, you can take one with you back home. If the Enclave allows you, that is.”

I let that remark go. A loud growl made me jump to my hooves. “What was that?!” I darted around the room.

My savior facehoofed. “Your stomach.”

I turned the brightest shade of red. “I, erm… haven’t eaten since yesterday morning.”

“Follow me.” He motioned for me to follow him into the kitchen.

I hesitantly followed. For some reason, I expected to see body parts and gore everywhere. The dining area had none of that. Instead, there were chairs and a table. Worn down and missing a leg or two, but the set was nice. The dining area separated from the kitchen with a low counter that could use some TLC.

The unnamed stallion pulled a chair out for me to sit while he went into the kitchen. I watched him prepare a meal for two. There was food down here? He gathered two bowls and turned on a rusted burner to heat a red liquid. I stared at him and made sure he didn’t poison my food. His mane was midnight blue. I couldn’t see his cutie mark under his barding. I almost dreaded to see it.

As if on cue, he pulled off his barding. His cutie mark was a paintbrush. Why was I so surprised?

“S-so, I never caught your name.” I tried to make small talk.

“Nico. You?”

I didn’t tell him right away. “S-Sienna.”

“Oh? Like the color.”

“What?”

“Never mind.” He said setting down a bowl of the liquid in front of me.

I stared at him then the bowl. My mouth watered as the scent of tomatoes filled my nostrils. My stare turned into a longing to indulge myself. Nico chuckled.

“It’s not poisoned, I promise. If you want, I can taste it for you.” He grinned.

“N-no, it’s okay.” I lied. It didn’t seem poisonous, besides, I was starving.

I picked the bowl up with my hooves and took a sip. Warm tomato soup flowed down my sore throat, immediately dulling the pain. Oh, Luna, this was fantastic! It only took a few seconds for me to gulp down the rest. I let out a stallion-like belch and blushed.

“Excuse me.” I squeaked.

He stifled a laugh. “I’m more surprised you didn’t eat the bowl, too.”

I grinned a little. Nico was… nice. I hated to trust somepony I just met, but what choice did I have? I needed protection from the wasteland. I frowned. My friends weren’t here to protect me. I think they’d appreciate Nico for taking care of me. If they didn’t shoot him first, of course.

“Something wrong?” He asked, finishing his soup and taking the bowls into the kitchen.

I shied away, not answering his question.

He scooted the chair back for me so I could get down, easier. We then went into the living area again. Nico decided to paint, I decided to watch while I explained everything that had happened.

“I’m sorry to hear about your friends. I wish there was something I could have done.” He said.

I shook my head and sighed. “Like you said, shit happens. But they were all I had down here. I have nopony to protect me.”

“Well, you mentioned you were in the Enclave. What are you? Medic? Private?” He asked.

“First Lieutenant, actually.” I said, quickly.

“W-what, now?” Nico scoffed and stared at me.

“What? I am a First Lieutenant.” I blushed.

“You? So that’s why you were tough to hold down while Fleece gave you the IV. Lots of physical training, huh?”

“Why do you sound... surprised?” I glared at him.

“You were almost dead when I found you. You didn’t learn any survival tactics?”

I blushed even more. “I, um… My friend, Chaser, helped me skip some of those classes.”

He smirked. “Was he a buckfriend?”

I frowned. “Never. I saw him as an older brother. I never had time for bucks.”

“Seriously?” He glanced back.

“Y-Yes. Why?” I rubbed my foreleg.

“Erm, I just… thought, you know, somepony like you would have- Oh nevermind.” Nico blushed a little, too. I giggled. He was kind of cute.

What the hell, Sienna?!

Oh! Right. I’m supposed to be afraid for my life.

“I-I wish I could paint like that.” I changed the topic.

Nico shrugged. “I’ve been painting since I was a colt. It was always an escape for me.”

As time passed, he finally finished his work. We talked for a little while. Mostly about our interests. He taught me a little about the wasteland and what I should expect. He even showed me a few other paintings he created. The most beautiful pieces of art I’ve ever seen. Nico was more than I expected of a wastelander. I thought he would be a monster like those raider ponies, but he was kind and caring. It was hard to believe the generosity he showed. I hoped it wasn’t too good to be true.

I yawned and rubbed my eyes.

“The bedroom’s all yours. If you want to stay of course.” He rubbed his neck.

“I-I don’t want to intrude.” I looked away.

“Nonsense. I sleep on the couch most nights, anyway. The mattress is too soft for my taste.” I knew he was lying, but I was too tired to object.
I smiled, sweetly, and hopped off the couch. Before walking up the stairs, I turned and caught him staring.

“Erm, good night!” He smiled, nervously.

I smiled back. “Good night. Thank you, for everything, Nico.”

“No problem.”

I gave him a final glance before walking back upstairs and into the bedroom. The door shut behind me and I collapsed on the bed. I didn’t know him, but he seemed like he had a good heart. Everything was confusing me. I kept peeking over at the door to make sure he didn’t come in here and try anything sneaky. He never did, though. I let go of the horrors I endured over the past day so I could sleep. As soon as I was well, I’d go back home. Until then, I’d watch my back.

Level Up!

New Perk: Alertness- You're able to sense danger %10 easier in other ponies.

Combat +2
Health +4

Nico has joined your group!
Race: Unicorn
Weapon: Long Barrel Rifle

Author's Notes:

Thanks to Kkat for this amazing world!

Alrighty! Here it is! I had to omit a few things that were unnecessary, but I finished rather quickly. Thanks for reading! As always, constructive criticism is welcome!
-AP