I yawned. Redd had woken us up so that we could get a start on our journey. Oh, how I wanted to sleep in. It didn’t help that I was trotting at a slow and boring pace to help Nico when he needed it. Flying was definitely out of the question. With the gentle breeze and steady pace, I would have fallen asleep in the sky! As we walked, I’d occasionally bump into Nico’s flank. The last time, he finally decided it was time to stop and rest. I was pretty sure we were miles from Floater.

“Alright, you need a nap.” He said, looking for a safe place to sleep for a little while.

“Yeah… warm… sleepy time.” I said through snores.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I had to catch myself from falling on my face. I felt something under me. Sleepily opening my eyes, I saw Redd had placed me on his back. I smiled and dozed off. I promise, it was only for a few minutes.

“You smell so… good.” I purred.

Even in my sleep?! Come on, Sia!

“Erm… Thanks?” Redd murmured.

It was a peaceful sleep. I didn’t dream or worry. How could I not feel safe? I had two fully grown bucks on each side of me! I felt like I had my own bodyguards, really. Hopefully they wouldn’t start bickering while I was sleeping. I would have hated to have to smack them both for waking me.

“-really question her behavior. She used to be scared of her own shadow. I really hope she knows what she’s doing.” I awoke to Redd’s hushed tone.

Blinking, I noticed I was lying on some torn cushions. It looked like we were in a market of some kind. Light showing through the busted windows helped me to see the old furniture that was scattered around. Some pieces were broken and torn, some others were burned. Trash littered the floors. Whatever this was, somepony had trashed the place. Among the chaos, I spotted a round object. The soft glow illuminated from under a broken stool. I cautiously tiptoed towards it for a closer look. When it didn't explode, I picked it up and turned it in my hooves. Maybe Nico would know what it was.

I still heard the two stallions talking, but it was pretty muffled. Putting the orb in my small saddlebag, I followed the sound of their voices. Before I reached the exit, I saw a metal box hidden under an armoire. I grinned. Maybe we could get some supplies from it. Trotting over, I inspected it. Locked. Just my luck.

I turned and bucked the yellow container. It didn’t open. I kept bucking, until my legs were tired.

Redd and Nico suddenly appeared behind me, their weapons drawn.

“Whoa! Hey! What the hell are you doing?” I yelled, throwing my hooves up.

They put away the guns and Nico sighed. “We thought something was here. Now, I see it’s just you.”

“Ugh. Just help me get this thing open.” I said, turning my attention to the rusty box.

“Oh! You found a medical box? How convenient. Maybe it’ll have healing potions or at least some bandages.” He said. Opening his saddlebag, he pulled out a bobby pin. I watched him pick the lock until the box popped open. He floated out two healing potions and a syringe of Med-X.

“Jackpot. Almost.” He said.

Redd rolled his eyes and trotted off. I caught myself staring at his strong flank. Pegasus stallions were so sleek and-

“I’ll be glad when your urges cease. It’s like babysitting a horny schoolfilly.” Nico interrupted my daydreaming.

“W-what?! I was just making sure he didn’t, you know… hurt himself.” I blushed.

“Okay, come on.” He walked with a slight limp. I knew he needed the Med-X more than I did, so I would try to keep my anxiety in check. In the mean time…

“I want to do bad things.” I whispered, now watching his flank. It was a little more muscular than Redd’s, but I knew it was because he had to use his leg muscles more than us, pegasi.

“What was that?” He looked back at me.

I started sweating. “I-I said you want to have sex? I mean, er… I will have your babies. NO!” I facehoofed and flew passed him.

Outside, I took the orb from my bag and inspected it, closer. Magic auras swirled inside, like storm clouds. Nico approached, startling me.

"Where did you find that?" He pointed to it.

"Under a stool. What is it, exactly?"

"A memory orb. Only unicorns can use it, unless you have a special crown to view it. Unfortunately, I haven't seen one just lying around." He said. "They are extracted memories from ponies. Once you view them, you are in the body of the pony whose memory it holds."

My head hurt. "Whose memory is this, then?"

He shrugged. "I would have to go into the memory."

"Can you do it, now? I'm curious." I gave it to him. He took it in his hooves instead of his magic.

He eyed me for a moment. "Fine. Just keep a look out, alright?"

I nodded. He raised the orb to his horn, causing a spark. The orb started floating and Nico went still. It worried me for a split second. If the memory actually lasted as long as the actual even, it would take a little while. Redd sat down beside me and rubbed his temples.

"Do we really have to wait for him? Let's just leave him." He stood.

"No. We need him." I didn't look at him. I kept watching Nico, anxious to hear what the memory was about.

Redd groaned, but didn't say anything else.

Five minutes later, Nico opened his eyes, the orb falling to the ground. He stared at me with wide eyes.

"Wh-what happened?" I trotted to him.

"A-a pegasus mare being... branded. The pain was so intense. I felt every moment of it!" He looked back at his flank and sighed. "I can't imagine somepony losing their cutie mark like that. It's depressing."

I swallowed. "Who was it, Nico?"

He didn't reply. He just looked at me, sadly.

"Nico, who was the mare?" I repeated.

"I'm not sure." He looked away.

Worry covered my face. He was lying. I knew he didn't want to say. It was probably best if he didn't, anyway. Still, I would ask him, later.

While we journeyed on, Nico pointed us to the direction of the crash site. I ascended towards the sky to get a better view. There it was. The huge black ship sat where it was, untouched. I could make out the bodies that littered the ground. I hoped I couldn’t see my friends’ bodies.

I landed next to Nico and dropped my head. He put a hoof on my shoulder. Redd landed on the other side of me and nudged me. Maybe they were trying to let me know it was okay to be upset. I still didn’t want to show it. The three of us stayed close together as we tiptoed through the havoc. After the first few decaying bodies passed, I hid my face in Nico’s side.

“Who could possibly take down a Raptor?” Redd said in awe.

“Raiders. Th-they had a huge spark grenade. The power to the ship fried.” I sniffed, unable to continue.

“It’s okay. You can wait here for us, if you want.” Nico reassured me.

“N-no.” I wiped my face. “I n-need to force myself to do this. I’ll never get used to this place if I don’t.”

He nodded, frowning. Redd knew to stay on the opposite side of me in case more raiders showed up. We continued through the bodies, getting to the front of the ship. Nico looked up and whistled. I guess he had never been this close to a raptor.

“What do I need to look for, princess?” He asked.

“There should be barding like mine, only fitted for mares.” Redd pointed out.

They continued talking, but I didn’t hear them. I spotted the unmistakable outline of power armor beside a few boulders. The two bodies were, no doubt, Lantern Wick and Bolt Chaser. Tearing away from the two stallions, I galloped to my friends. Tears streamed down my face as I stopped beside the suits. One was pummeled severely. I remember the raider stallion saying the shock itself had killed Wick.
I rested my shaky hoof on her shoulder. Sobbing, I felt for the latch in her armor. A voice in my head screamed for me to stop, but it was too late. The helmet flew off to reveal her face. It was partially decayed and scorched. Her peachy mane no longer had the volume that I remember.

I screamed, collapsing onto her body. “Wick! Please! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen! W-we’re supposed to go to the spa, remember? Y-you have to come back to me! You can’t leave me! This is just a dream…”

I closed my eyes, curling up beside her. I couldn’t even smell her sweet perfume anymore. Only blood and burnt hair. My mind was clouding, again. This didn't feel like reality. A hoof touched my shoulder. I looked up at Nico as he sadly gazed down at me. I sobbed, burying my head in his chest and covering my tear-filled eyes. He held me close with one forehoof.

“T-tell me I’m asleep! Tell me I’ll wake up, Nico.” I hiccupped.

He held on tighter. We both knew this wasn’t a dream.

He sighed. “I’ll give them a proper burial before we look for your supplies. Will that make you feel better?”

I nodded.

“Okay.” He gently nudged me away. “Redd, I need your help.”

The two stallions used a couple of shovels they found on the ground. As they dug, I laid on the ground, watching with tears in my eyes. Finally, they finished digging the two graves. Nico bowed his head as he slowly lowered the two bodies in the separate holes. Redd, then, helped him bury them under the dirt. I felt it was wrong to bury them where they fell, but it was the best I could do for them.

Without looking up, I turned my back on them and walked to the ship. I felt broken, again. It made me realize how weak I was. They were so much stronger than me. Seeing her just lying there made me think more about the conundrum I was in. I didn’t even want to see Chaser. I knew he would be beaten to the point of being unrecognizable. I watched my tears fall to the dirt each time I took a step. It wasn’t fair!

Why did I get the chance to live, but not them?

Redd trotted up next to me. “Hold on! You should wait for us.”

I stopped and glared him down. “I don’t need a foalsitter.”

Galloping inside, I ignore their attempts to stop me. I flew up the stairs and into the storage closet. Picking up the nearest barding, I threw it. Too big. Next? Too small. Finally, after throwing everything out, I picked up an all-black Captain’s uniform. It was standard barding with an energy pistol sitting next to it. I didn’t care who it had belonged to. I threw it on and holstered the pistol to my shoulder for easy access.

“Lieutenant!” Redd called, landing in the door.

I didn’t look at him. I didn’t want him to see the shame on my face.

“Listen, I’m sorry for what happened, but you can’t let it take over you. You have to keep going, no matter what.” He said.

“I am.” I met his gaze. “I have to protect Nico and the rest of Floater. They really are good ponies. The Enclave is blind. I just wish they would help.”

He shook his head. “You know they won’t, Lieutenant.”

“Stop calling me that. I don’t deserve the title. Just call me Sia.”

He looked confused. “O-okay, Sia.” We walked slowly towards the stairs.

He smirked. “Remember in high school?”

I snorted. “What about it?”

“When I asked you on a date.” He nudged me.

A smile curved my lips. “And I told you I had to study.”

He laughed. “I was pretty devastated. Nopony ever turned me down, but you did.”

“You were so full of yourself. But I do remember when I was promoted and you were so mad at me. Especially because you knew I hated it.”

He thought a moment. “Why did you become Lieutenant, anyway? I mean, I figured you would have become a scientist or a doctor.”

I shrugged as we hovered down the stairs and into the main hall. “My great grandfather was a General in Neighvarro. I guess I wanted to follow in his hoofsteps. Chaser was the reason I managed to get through so many ranks so fast.”

“I didn’t know that. I just thought it was because you like to boss others around.” He chuckled.

“Nah. I don’t like to boss others around unless the situation calls for it. It’s why I made you stand down when you were about to attack Nico. He’s a great pony. Heck, he’s saved my life more than once.” I saw Nico standing outside, looking through his scope in no direction in particular.

“Yeah, sorry about that. You know how it is back home. I was just trying to protect my good looking commanding officer.” He winked.

I blushed a little. “Heh, d-don’t worry about me.”

“Maybe when we get back home, you can honor me with a date?” He asked, flying closer to me.

“I-I’ll think about it, Redd. I just want to get all of this over with.”

He nodded.

“We should probably get going. I don’t want to stick around and meet the raiders who did this.” Nico threw his rifle over his back. He then looked me up and down, contemplating my style. “Why are you blushing?”

“I, er… It’s hot in here.” I fanned my face with my wing and smiled, nervously.

Redd wrapped his wing around me. “I’ll be looking forward to that date.” He winked again, then flew upwards, flying ahead of us.

I slowly turned to Nico who raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t have time for stallions?”

We started after Redd. “I-I don’t! He just kind of made plans. I only said I’d think about it.”

“Sure. Let’s just hope your urges don’t kick in while you’re alone with that guy.” He looked forward as he walked.

I my eyes drilled into his. This was too great!

“You’re… jealous?” I said, flying next to his face.

“No. I don’t get jealous. A mare chooses who she wants to be with. I can’t do anything to change that.” I saw a tiny bead of sweat under his horn.

“So, I guess you would turn down a date with me?” I put on my best puppy-dog eyes.

“I-I wouldn’t… But, you would just run off with Redd-Head, up there.” He pointed to Redd, who was gliding a good distance in front of us.

I scoffed. “What makes you think I’m like that?”

“Don’t kid yours-“

BOOM!

An explosion to the left of us sent me cowering under Nico. He quickly aimed his rifle. In the distance, I heard gunshots and yelling. Nico took off as fast as his injured leg would carry him.

“Someone’s in trouble.” He yelled back.

I whistled for Redd and flew after him. I could hear Nico’s quiet grunts as he tried to grit and bear the pain in his leg. While he ran, I snuck the Med-X out of his bag and stuck him in his flank.

He better appreciate this!

“Ow! Sienna!” He stumbled, almost losing balance.

“It helped, didn’t it?” I countered.

He rolled his eyes and continued on.

I stopped as I came upon a lone stallion and mare running from six raiders. As soon as I saw those yellow eyes, I gasped, unable to move. The only thing I thought of was the look on the raider’s face as he tried to pry my power armor off of me. Then, the screams of my friends. My vision was filled with blood as something inside me snapped.

“Sia! Come on! They need our help!” Nico shook me.

I snapped out of it and pushed Nico down, zooming down to the fight. Passing the stallion and mare, I slammed into the nearest raider. I saw nothing but red. Those bastards deserved nothing better than death.

“Bitch!” He screamed, picking up a giant hammer and swinging it towards me.

I dodged and flew upwards. Then, I folded my wings and fell like a missile, ready to annihilate the monsters who made my life a living hell. I threw my hind leg down, aiming for his forehead. Upon impact, the hard kick sent the raider flying backwards. My mind was blank. I thought or felt nothing as blood sprayed from his nose and onto my barding. He fell, twitching and flopping about. It hurt, but I ignored the pain in my leg.

Two mares came at me with shotguns, one pulling the trigger. The buckshot tore into my flank, only pissing me off more. I snatched my pistol and zapped her into ashes, then barreling over the other. I held her head in my hooves, head-butting her. She held her head and laughed. I felt my lungs start to burn, but I swore at them. She grabbed me and bit the unprotected part of my neck. Growling in pain, I threw my hoof back, punching her in her muzzle. She spit a tooth on the ground and looked up. I was already on her, grasping her windpipe in both of my hooves. She gurgled and choked until I no longer felt her struggling.

I heard gunshots as Nico and Redd took out two more of the beasts. A heavy hoof slammed across my face. Spitting blood, I turned and saw him. The same stallion who killed them. The same raider who tried to get the armor off of my body. He grinned, his disgusting teeth stained with blood. My pupils shrank as I screamed, making my throat raw.

Time stopped as I flapped my wings, hard, knocking into the huge stallion. He braced for my attack, sliding on his hooves when I slammed into him. Recovering from the quick attack, I aimed my pistol at him. He held a body in front of him, protecting himself from the zaps. Just as he threw the body down, I kicked him in his jaw, forcing him to stumble back, holding his mouth. I saw blood and saliva dribble from his mouth. I snorted and galloped towards him. He lowered his head, ready to stab me with his horn.

Not today.

I rolled onto my back, sliding under him. When he was in my sight, I slammed my back hoof into his stomach. He grunted in pain. I didn’t stop there. Flipping around, I got ready to throw more punches at him. This time, he was ready. He floated a shotgun in front of him, pulling the trigger multiple times, unloading the buckshot into my chest. It hurt, but the armor kept the ammo from piercing my hide.
He threw the gun and caught me in his magic, holding me down. He sniffed the air around me. “Smells like some little filly is in heat! I’m going to enjoy this!” He cackled, maniacally.

I’m not afraid of you, anymore.

I flattened my ears and screamed, using every bit of my strength to kick him in his groin. He went down, growling and snarling at me like an animal. I picked up a rusty knife that lay close by. He tried to block, but I pierced the blade into his chest. He let out a loud shriek as I twisted the blade and sliced all the way down to his belly.

He still wasn’t dead.

I threw my hoof into his face, cracking his horn. He flailed his hooves, trying to knock me away but I ducked before they hit me.

Today, you die.

My other hoof impacted his jaw, loosening his teeth.

You will never see tomorrow.

I aimed the next punch at his horn, breaking it completely off. He snarled, spittle spraying in my face.

You killed my friends.

I head butted his nose, blood spurting in my eyes.

I bolted into the sky, again. Every mistake I made, every “what if” flooded my mind as the wind hit my face. I stopped, then turned, launching my full boy weight toward the ground where the raider lay, I was sure he was dead already, but I didn’t care. I saw the red ground coming up, fast, heat enveloping my forehoof like a meteor falling from space.

You killed me.

My forehoof impacted his skull, smashing it into a pulp. It felt like slow-motion, but I could see every piece of his vile brain and bone explode around me. Reality came crashing down. The fury that blinded me melted away, so everything was clear. I blinked, looking at my hoof. It was smashed into what was left of the raider stallion. His head had been crushed under my blows.

Breathing fast, I picked up my shaking hooves. They were so bloody, my white coat wasn’t even visible anymore. Even the pipbuck could hardly be seen. The gore dripped slowly into the puddle of raider. I shook, violently. Looking up, I saw Nico and Redd standing with the unknown mare and stallion. All four of them were unmoving, staring in absolute horror at the scene that had just unfolded before them.
I hung my wings at my sides. Did I do this? Did I do this… alone? I looked the opposite direction and began walking with my head down. I didn’t feel sad. I didn’t feel angry or even happy that I had killed the monster who killed Wick and Chaser. The only thing I felt, was shame. I let my anger take over me.

I stopped walking. I couldn’t breathe anymore. Kneeling, I couldn’t feel my forelegs or my chest. Even my head was numb! My body hit the ground, shivering. I heard the hooves pounding the dirt and wings flapping as I tried to keep my eyes open. Everything was getting blurry.

Tan hooves wrapped around me, pulling into somepony. I knew it was Nico. I could tell by the heartbeat.

“W-what happened?” He said, still in shock,

“I’m dying.” I whispered. My heart felt like it was stopping.

“No, you’re not.” He gently shook me.

I looked up to see him, worry covering his features.

“She needs a potion.” A mare said. “She is suffering a panic attack.”

I felt a cool glass bottle touch my lips. I coughed and sputtered when the liquid poured down my throat. I slowly began to feel better. I was able to catch my breath after a few minutes. When my eyes focused, I picked my head up and looked around at the group surrounding me. Other than Nico and Redd, there was the mare and stallion. They were both earth ponies. The mare had a long black mane and her coat was a golden brown. The stallion had a similar colored coat, but his mane was dark brown instead of black. His wavy locks almost covered his eyes.

“Thank you, so much.” The mare bowed. Her accent was heavy.

“Yes, thank you, Señorita.” The stallion said.

“So, wh-who are you?” I asked, weakly. My jaw felt stiff.

“My apologies, my name is Maraca.” The mare said. She pointed to the stallion. “He is my twin brother, Amoro.”

The stallion dipped his head. “It comes from the word amor which, in our language, means love.”

I blushed, hiding a smile.

“And where are you from?” Nico eyed the buck.

“We come from Mexicolt.” She sadly looked at her hooves. “Or, what is left of it.”

The stallion hugged his sister. “The megaspells effected us, but there were still few left. Until, a group of ponies cloaked in black destroyed our village. We have traveled far in search of a new home.”

“Cloaked ponies?” I stood up, still a little weak.

“Yes.” The mare spoke up. She grabbed my hoof, not minding the blood. “You know of them?”

I nodded. “They… are quite evil.”

“They are! Which is why we seek peace.” She said.

“There is a town a couple of hours from here.” Nico pointed to the west. “It’s a town called ‘Floater’. That’s about as peaceful as you’re going to get.”

Amoro sat in front of me, holding my hoof. “You are an angel, sent from Celestia, herself. We owe you many favors.”

Oh, Luna, this buck!

I giggled, stupidly. “I-I’m no angel.”

“Oh, but you are. I would be honored to make you my wife.” He kneeled in front of me.

“What?!” Nico and Redd both exclaimed.

My face matched the blood on my hooves. “I...”

Maraca smiled. “Where we are from, love is taken seriously. My own husband died, making me a widow. However, Amoro has never been able to find love. He is much too picky.” She waved her hoof.

“But, you, my dear. You are a fighter. I admire a strong mare.” Amoro got closer to me.

Nico stepped between us. “Okay, okay. We are kind of busy, at the moment. We should probably get going.”

Amoro nodded. “Right. We will meet again, sweet Sienna.”

I leaned over and whispered in his ear. “I’ll be back, soon. Floater is where I’m staying, too.”

He grinned and kissed my cheek. “Until then, my love.”

Amoro and Maraca began trotting towards Floater. I waved, daydreaming about the buck. I wasn’t sure if it was because of my urges, but never have I seen a finer stallion. My anxiety was the last thing I was thinking about.

Nico cleared his throat. I snatched my head over, to see him red with anger, same as Redd.

“What? It’s not like I’m dating anypony.” I stuck up my nose and flicked my tail.

“Mares.” Nico rolled his eyes, following me.

In the middle of the gory zone, I saw the raiders I had brutally murdered. My hooves stopped moving. The sight was nightmarish. My fighting skills weren’t worth two bits, but what I was looking at was anything but merciful.

“I… I did this.” I said, softly. Nico and Redd appeared next to me.

“Y-yeah, you did.” Nico said with a concerned tone.

“What the fuck did you do, Sia?” Redd began to hover next to me.

I shook my head in shock. “It’s like… all I saw I was red. Nothing else mattered to me but the deaths of these… monsters.” I looked down.

Nico pulled me into a hug. “You helped Maraca and Amoro. I think you did a good thing.”

I didn’t bother to cry, again. What was the point? What’s done is done.

“I was just so pissed off! That raider… he was the one who attacked us.” I looked up at him.

“The guy you beat to a bloody pulp?” Redd asked.

I nodded. “If you want to say it like that…”

“Well, it was a little overkill. But he deserved it.” He crossed his hooves, scanning the battlefield.

“Let’s just keep going. I don’t want to be here when reinforcements arrive.” Nico turned away and began trotting, favoring his leg.

Following him, I unfolded my wings and flew next to him. My legs were sore from all the action. It was still amazing to me that I did all that by myself. I tried to think of possibilities. My mood swings? Need for revenge? Whatever it was, something in my mind had broken. I was able to put my fear behind me. Could the wasteland be changing me? Was it my instincts to survive and adapt? My cozy home above the clouds never threw obstacles in my path. It was always the same thing every day. Here, was a different story.

As I traveled and thought some more, we came upon an open field with pony-made rows in the dirt. The dead plants were lined, neatly, in each row. Whatever grew there, had not been able to flourish. A soft ticking echoed through my ears. Looking around, I tried to find the source.

“It’s the radmeter on your pipbuck.” Nico said, glancing up at me.

I looked at the screen. A needle wavered between the green and yellow levels. I would have hated to see what happens when it hits the red level.

“We’re going to get radiation poisoning! I shouldn’t have listened to you, unicorn!” Redd pointed at Nico.

“Calm down, Redd. The levels aren’t high enough to make us sick. You may start to feel a little woozy, but it’s not dangerous as long as we get a move on.” He informed.

“I wish Fleece were here.” I said, looking back at the distance we had traveled. I couldn’t even see Floater.

“She’s got a clinic to run. What’s wrong with being in the company of a couple of bucks?” He smirked.

“Nothing, I would just like to converse with a mare. You guys have proved you fail at conversation.” I rolled my eyes.

“I apologize if I don’t like to talk about shopping and makeovers.” Nico said with sarcasm.

I groaned. Stallions.

A shot hit the ground inches from Nico, making dust pick up around him. He stopped, throwing his rifle in front of him. I hid under him. He scoffed when he saw me shivering between his hooves.

“Seriously? You just took out a band of raiders and you’re cowering over a gunshot?”

“N-no!” I said, unmoving.

“What was that?” Redd kicked on his energy weapons.

“I don’t know, but it came from above.” Nico scanned the sky.

“Well, I’ll go get the son of bitch!” Redd started to fly off, only to be stopped by Nico.

“Don’t. I know who carries a gun like that, and trust me, you don’t want to mess with them.” He cautioned.

Redd stopped and landed next to Nico. Both of them searched the sky. I still cowered under them. (Don’t judge me! The view was nice!) Suddenly, a dark shadow flew over us. Redd growled and aimed his rifles. Nico stood, calm, but cautious.

“N-Nico, what is it?” I whimpered. Whatever made that shadow was huge.

Then, it landed in front of us. A griffon. It was twice as tall as Redd. The feathers on its body were black, but the ones on its head were light gray. A scar twisted around a sharp, curved beak. I slowly looked down at its claws. A few nails were missing, but the remaining claws definitely made up for it. They looked like they would slice through metal!

“You don’t know who you’re messing with!” Redd screamed.

Nico held him back, mentally telling him to keep his mouth closed. “They won’t attack if we don’t.” He then glanced back at the griffon and dipped his head. “We’re just passing through, we don’t want any trouble.”

The creature glared at him.

Oh, Nico just shut up! Please, shut up!

“You two.” A sharp talon pointed to me and Redd. “Follow me.” The griffon was female.

“We don’t take orders from-“

“Why them?” Nico cut Redd off.

“This doesn’t concern you, horn head.” She towered over him. He growled.

I gently put my hoof on his. “W-we’ll go. Just, please… let my unicorn friend come with us.” I said.

She looked down at me and grinned. “Looks like you’re the smart one in this bunch.” She flapped her wings, the breeze hitting me in the face, gently. “Fine. Just keep him under control before I tear his throat out and have it for a snack.” She took off.

I felt nauseated. “Come on, you two. I’d rather not have to start a quarrel with a griffon.”

We started trotting after her. Redd kicked the dirt. “I fucking hate griffons.”

“Yeah, well I like my body parts to be intact.” Nico said.

“Please, shut up. I don’t want her to hear you.” I hissed at them.

I knew griffons didn’t get along well with the Enclave, but this wasn’t the Enclave, anymore. Personally, I had nothing against them. Especially since they were perfectly capable of tearing my head off without any effort. The tough griffon landed in front of an old barn. It wasn’t too far from the radiated field. The pipbuck wasn’t ticking anymore, so hopefully the barn, itself, wasn’t radiated. She was greeted by two more griffons. She pointed to us and whispered something to them. They nodded and let her through. Walking past, I attempted a friendly smile to one of them. I was rewarded with a terrifying shriek. I yelped and, again, hid under Nico, who had stopped in the middle of the barn.

“Welcome.” A voice came from the loft, above.

I peeked from under Nico to see yet another griffon landing in front of us. This one, however, wasn’t nearly as intimidating. The tufts of feathers on her head were a bold pink. The rest of her body was white, except for her black wings. She was smaller than the others, too.

“Name’s Gladys.” She said. “I’m sorry about those three. They don’t know how to treat guests.”

Okay, I’m seriously confused.

“Can I have your names?” She asked, kindly.

“Er… I’m Nico, that’s Redd, and this is…” He looked down between his legs and sighed. “Sienna.”

Gladys chuckled. “Say, you wouldn’t happen to be related to that mare who tore through those raiders earlier, would you?”

“Y-you saw that?” I blushed.

“Are you kidding me? I watched the entire fight! I didn’t know you guys could do that.” She gestured with her talons.

“Y-yeah…” I gave a half smile.

“I bet you guys are wondering why Blast brought you here.” She pointed to the griffon who retrieved us. “When I saw that fight, I saw how fast your marefriend could fly, so I was wondering if she would do me a small favor.”

“She’s not my marefriend.” Nico said, flatly. I saw his cheeks flushing.

Redd growled.

“Could’ve fooled me. Anyway, I need you guys to retrieve something that was stolen from me. A pegasus calling herself ‘Flashbang’ took it out from under our beaks. She wears all black so we don’t know who she is to actually track her down.”

Another pegasus?

“No offense, Gladys, but why do you need Redd and Sienna to get it?” Nico spoke up.

Redd scoffed. “Because she obviously needs our speed and agility.”

She grinned. “Partly true. You guys are fast, but while we, too, are quick, we need ponies. Flashbang won’t come near a griffon. The closer we manage to get, the faster she flies away. Countless times, we’ve tried. She’s just too fast for us to follow her.”

I stepped out from under Nico. “What did Flashbang take from you?”

“Look who decided to come out from her coltfriend’s nads!” She cackled. Nico and I blushed, again. “I’m kidding. She took a weapon from us.”

“Can’t you just use another weapon?” Redd butted in.

“Oh, no, no, no! This isn’t just any weapon. It’s a rocket launcher. That beauty is big enough to take out a small town. Which is exactly what we need it for! Our base has also been stolen from us. A band of slave drivers decided to use it as a ‘pony zoo’.” She said.

“That’s a good reason to have a weapon like that. They should be blown to smithereens.” I raged.

“My thoughts, exactly, but Flashbang seems to think these slavers are ‘innocent civilians’. She doesn’t know about the slaves.” She tapped her beak.

“What’s in it for us?” Redd gave her a suspicious glance.

Gladys scratched her head. “Ten-thousand caps?”

“What?”

“Th-that’s a lot of caps.” Nico said, turning to Redd. “It’s currency down here.”

“I don’t plan on staying here another week, so…”

“We’ll do it.” I spoke up with determination, fighting to keep my panic down.

“You’re serious.” Nico raised an eyebrow at me.

I nodded. “Maybe Flashbang can tell me more about Hope.”

“Then it’s settled?” Gladys held a talon to me.

I hesitated, but shook it. Her claws almost pierced my hoof. Now, those were sharp.

The two griffons at the door escorted us out, shutting the barn door behind us.

“Do we have time to look for this pegasus and get to the pearls?” Nico asked me.

“I think so. As long as she isn’t too far from our path.” I said.

“How are we supposed to know where to look?” Redd rubbed his wing. “She could be halfway to the Zebralands by now.”

I sighed. “Just keep your eyes and ears open.”

Level Up x2!

Health -3
Combat+10
Firearm +5
Tech +1

New Perk: Fearless - When you see a raider, you're strength increases by %50.

Trigger Happy - You're accuracy with energy weapons has increased by %25.

Author's Notes:

Thanks to Kkat for this amazing world!
Hey, everypony! I hope you guys like this chapter. I wanted to so something a tad bit different.
As always, constructive criticism is welcome! Thanks for reading!
-AP