Author's Notes:

Again edited by Rainbowscoots1

"Voices come from many mouths. Many ideas come from many thoughts. But can peace come from the idea of a voice? Just listen closely and let the peace fly."

Inside Rat Creeper's hospital

My eye's slowly opening my vision very fuzzy I heard voices. I felt like I was asleep for a long time. The voices I heard were Shadow and Kip.

"Why won't you let me go in there? I am better at helping the wounded." She was angry and stomping her hoof it seemed shadow was trying to keep her from going inside. "No Kip they asked me to keep ponies out. These Rat Creeper don't trust ponies." Kip's voice got even angrier. "She is our friend!! We should be in there with her." Hearing very heavy stomps and a robotic voice. "Enough Kip we need to wait."

Kip stomped her hoof hard to the steel floor. It seems the building I was in. Was carved out of parts of old metal walls. She had a very angry voice even angrier than before. "I will allow it this one time... But they will need to start trusting ponies sooner or later."

I tried sitting up but a Rat creeper in a doctor's outfit forced me to lay back down. "No no you aren't ready to leave yet. Please rest you deserve it." Looking to see the creeper and blinked. He had strange glasses that were intact and in a blood-stained white outfit. "Please miss you saved Cannon's daughter... But your body needs rest. Without the rest, your body will fail and you will die too quickly. Now please let the potion's work on fixing your wounds and bones. But this will take time." The doctor went out to the group of my friends. Wait I never called them my friends till now? Hmm

He spoke softly. "She is awake. But she needs rest. There are a lot of wounds and older wounds. So miss please." There was a sudden push into the wall and the doctor was coughing and a very angry voice from Kip. " If she dies... I will kill you..." She had a great rage in her voice Shadow sighed and Silver Gunner said nothing and the teal mare let the doctor go. Then walked off with a great deal of anger in her step. "Sorry about that Dr Pink tail. She is very protective of all life. But she is not scared to kill."

The doctor nodded I could see him putting his glasses back on and his voice... Sounded very gentle and very different than most Rat Creepers. "I understand. She is a hero of our people. But it will take a long time for us... To trust ponies." Hearing Silver Gunner's nod since the joints on his neck are so old. They make nasty metal rubbing along metal sounds. "It's very easy to understand. My trek after all these years. Much has changed... But still every pony for themselves." Shadow sighed "I am going to go talk to her. I think she misses Crossfire." Sighing my head hurt so much. Closing my eyes remembering my choice after I fell asleep.

0000
The choice of the dream

The golem was bleeding. The ghoul watched in surprise while the golem turned back into the ground of the wasteland. The bullet hole grew a tree. It had leaf's falling off it. The ghoul spoke softly. "You wish to fight the wasteland.But you will still kill. But for the right reasons. This tree seems to show... all those you will take out for this. Each leaf that falls will make the tree more dead. This means when it's fully dead. It will be your time to die Tiria. Even if you do good... The body will fail from all the pain and bullets going in it and blood leaking."

Sighing looking to the tree and looking to the ghoul. "I will be in the back of your mind miss Tiria to tell you how stupid you're being." He smirks showing his teeth. "So enjoy hearing me in the back of your head."

Day 13: Rat Creepers underground home.

Sitting up in the bed eating the food they gave me. Kip finally calmed down but. I heard she wasn't very happy that she is not allowed to see me. Cannon Ball walked in and smiled. "Ah good to see you all better. Now we are building the meeting place for our talks. They all want you to be there. So you won't be leaving anytime soon." Looking up to the king and nodded. "When do I get to leave here?"

The king looked at me and chuckled. "I would say give it another day. We couldn't get your weapons... You will have to get them yourself." Looked up and sighed looking back to the King. "Can you please allow Kip in here? She almost killed your doctor because... She wasn't allowed in here."

Cannonball blinked and nodded. "Remember we don't trust ponies that much. But understanding she is a doctor herself. Well I mean she calls herself a medical pony. Anyway, She is welcomed to come in here along with your other friends." He walked out and told the guards its fine and after a few Kip, Silver Gunner, And Shadow walked in. Right after that Kip rushed to me using her horn to check my wounds and my bones. Then after she wrapped her front legs around my head and sobbed softly.

"OH Tiria I am sorry I left you to help those raiders. You needed me more." I put my paw gently on her back and patted the mare softly. "Kip... it's fine." Feeling my fur getting wet from her tears. Shadow calmly pulled her off and he had a soft smile on his beak.

"Good to see you awake Tiria. Silver Gunner and I got worried that you weren't going to wake up. How Kip learned a trader that left here..to get a checkup and he blurted it out. So she stopped her teaching and asked Dumbbell if she could leave. He was alright with it. She rushed back and then..she was stopped... Almost killing rat creepers when..she tried to get to you."

Silver gunner sighed and seemed to be happy? I couldn't tell he never had a smile. When he spoke his mouth never opened. "Tiria you need to ask for help... Before you go rushing in and being a hero. In two day's there will be a meeting. You will have to speak for them. All of the ponies creepers from all three sides... Will come and listen."

My eyes went wide my ear's folding back and sighed. "Great... thanks for being so helpful." Kip's horn was glowing she trotted away and brought some food a little later and sat down on her haunches.

"Now enough talk you eat." She sets the tray down and her magic faded. She just sat there staring at me. "Kip... I don't want to ea.." She silenced me and stared at me with her motherly eyes. " You will eat... or I will force feed you." Silver Gunner laughed and Shadow smirked. "I would do it Tiria or she will do it... Like she did to me once."

Sighing and sat up groaning a bit from the bit. Taking the bowl and calmly eats what seems to be soup? Hmm, whatever it was it tasted very good. I heard a click from my Pip-Buck and blinked. But gave a shrug. Eating it calmly and looked at Kip who put her head on my legs. "Kip... why are you so kind to me? You barely know me... Shadow you barely know me... Same with Silver.." Kip smiled showing her teeth. "You have proven that you're a wonderful friend... Tiria. Friends are the only way you will live through this wasteland." Looking at the three sighing softly.

"Alright, I will accept your friendship from the three of you."

Kip had a large smile on her face. Shadow nodded and Silver Gunner just stood there. "Soon you will be speaking to all of them. Then out of an act of kindness... We will clean out that bog." Blinking nodding and set down the empty bowl.

00000

Day 17: Reaper Fields table of the three.

There was a large table in the middle of the fields. A chair made to look like a Dumbbell. One made from Cannons for Cannon Ball and made from pure junk of the old gear. It was getting to be that time. My amour was repaired patched up a bit. I had no weapons anymore... Since I need to find them in the bog. Dumbbell walked up to his chair and he smiled. His bodyguards seem to be a unicorn mare that is grey with a grey mane. Had a large mini gun strapped to her. The other side a large stallion earth pony. That had two SMG's on his sides. The rest seemed to stay back to take care of the wounded trader's. Cannonball, Pot head, and his daughter. Princess pink nose. Montyhoof came from the pony side base. With two ponies in junk made power armor. The armor had strange hydraulics that made it steam and gasp at each walk. The helms made from broken helms. The rest of the armor seemed to be welded poorly. Their weapons looked to be junk shooters. Their ammo had forked old spoons. Even a strange teddy bear that seemed to be brown.

I sat in another chair. While Silver Gunner and Kip sat beside me. Shadow used his wings to hover in the air. I softly thought of what to say and then I looked at the eye's staring at me. "I am sure... this is not the first time... talks like this... have happened in the waste. I am sure in many different areas of the waste. There are folks speaking with kindness and friendship. A former group of raiders. Raider's that normally kill destroy and mutilate bodies. Junk Collectors. Don't really understand you, folks. Then Pack Rats. A group of creature's called Creepers from old lands."

Went silent a moment and thought of more to speak of. "Here sit's two races. Three factions. Rat creepers' and ponies looking to make peace and build the reaper fields up to protect the traders. Look around us my friends. The old war of many years ago. Do we wish to continue that pain? That happen so long ago?" During this talk the raven watched. " I understand that ponies have done some nasty things to the Rat Creeper. But we all need to work together to be ready for the battles ahead. Now to all three of you... I know you three might have requested that... I must do before this alliance is fully concluded... Now give me your request."

Cannon Ball stood up and looked at the other two. " My request is this that we build a three faction Council. That we make small law's that would protect our community that will be connected. But first...it would mean cleaning up this field. Removing the mines clean it up." Dumbbell spoke up and nodded. "But we can't fully remove the history of this land. Most would look at it and then proudly refuse to continue so long of a war."

Montyhoof softly said with a smile. "I agree but we will have to clean out... the bog first..As well as gather the long dead and bury them." Laying back and listened to them. This was getting odd. Was it going to be that easy? But with my ear's I heard something. Standing up a sudden ghoul jumped from the chair's that attacked all of us. "SHIT!!!" Cannonball was forced to stay in his chair as he lifted his machine gun leg and fired at them. But many sounds of gun's rang out. The ghouls all died and fell. It seems the two Junk reaper power amours didn't work or move after all. Montyhoof sighed as the others were still alive. Whatever saved us... walked towards us.

It was a female rat creeper. A giant rat creeper. A dark black one that wore merc amour and had strange metal arms on her back. Connecting to many guns. It seems she had a button on her chest wear. That allowed her to shoot all the guns at once. She knelled to her king. "I have returned Cannon Ball." The king smiled.

"Ah rise Octo tail."

The large female Rat creeper looked towards me and my friends and stood to the side. Waiting for a time to talk with us. I said sighing. "Okay back to the talks."

We sat back down and the Junk reaper's power armored ponies seemed to just be stuck there at the moment. Lovely. Looking over to the one named Octo Tail. She lost her rat tail and strapped her to where the tail was. A large metal spike. Connected to it many arms holding machine guns.

After a few hour's the talks stopped for the night. I lean on the wall of the table and watched the darkness. Looking up into the sky. Seeing as Octo tail walked towards me. "Hello miss Tail." Octo clicked a button on the contraption in her former tail hole. It was able to be removed and she set it down. "Yes yes, Octo tail is just a nickname. My real name is Soft step. I noticed that you have an interesting group there. I saw the large robotic pony patrolling the entire fields. That Teal mare that seems to be talking to that griffin-like he is her child. But what about you?"

Sighed looking up to the clouds. "I'm an outcast of my own species. I am following down the way to join Wheel tread. I wish to learn about him." Soft Step smiled softly laughing. "You got guts hon. Hmm, I heard stories about you... You must be that wolf that..has been killing raider's and took care of puppets." I looked to her crossing my arms and snorted. " I never asked to be a hero. But it seems just doing the good fight... Makes you one. I am not the light bringer I am not the ghost of the 52. I am not Security. I am just a soul, a warrior. I follow this path to make something of myself. For I am nothing but another one that walks this wasteland."

Soft paw chuckles and shakes her head. "You're doing well for helping this former peaceful world. Sometimes you must do what you have to. It's not going to be easy. I left my home here to do what I can. But I gave up and became a guard of a caravan. I did that for almost 20 years. Now I am home. I don't mind heading out again. Because you seem to need another one that wishes to travel along." Blinking looking to her with a large smile. "Would be wonderful. I am told the best was you live in this wasteland is to have friends." Soft Step nodded and grabbed her strange contraption and head inside the creeper home. "I shall see you in the morning. The talks are going well. From what I have seen."

I lean on the wall and beside me, I heard a robotic voice. Turning to see the flying orb bot. "Hello, Watcher." Looking towards the robot. A calm voice came from watcher. "From what I have heard from a friend... You seem to be gathering a force... That could protect this area here. Are you becoming that hero you didn't wish to become?" Leaning back on the wall of the talking table. "Maybe not sure really. Watcher, I got a simple question for you. Is it worth it? Worth it to do this fight... Worth it to try to fight for a world that died. When if peace happens history could repeat itself."

Watcher just floated there a moment silent. "I don't know... what to say to that really Tiria. Sometimes you do what you have to. To protect the world around you. But I do know this. For the small things, you're doing are helping the wasteland, of course, it may not be as big... As the Light bringer. But still, those small things add up. She can't be everywhere Tiria. There are many stories going on in this world. Not just yours."

I thought of that a moment and nodded. "It makes sense... Right now I am trying to get three factions to ally up and work together. It's not easy... But the Rat creepers are decent creatures. After the talks are over... My friends and I are going to clean the bog that blocks the way to where I need to go. Maybe my help to this waste will bring something to it." Then I gave a sigh

"Something seems to be bothering you Tiria... I have some time if you wish to talk about it."

Sighing and looked to Watcher. "I saved the princess of the rat creepers of this area. I am sure there are more of them. But I got badly hurt lost my gun and sword. Left them behind there. But I don't wish to go into it. But I will say this. Live or die. I will make sure I help this waste before my death." Sighing softly and leaned back. "Watcher?"

A strange pop happened and the bot flew off. With odd music playing and sighed. I just kept staring at the wasteland. So many gave blood for this... So many in the past died to make this happen. Is it wise to fight for a race that killed themselves? A pointless war for what? From what I have learned Coal gems? It's not far off to how my kind is either. I walked back to the table looking at the three chair's that would hold the leaders. I felt that these talks could lead to a new hope or a war. All I could do at this moment. Didn't feel like sleeping... My body still felt tender and in pain.

Walking around in the darkness I followed along the path's like I am on walkabout. A walkabout of my own mind. Looking towards the way to the bog and then back to the Raider's base and then back to the Junk Reaper's I knew I was on the same path with Silver Gunner. It started to rain and then I yelled in the sky. "NO ONE ASKED YOU!!"

Day 18: Rat Creeper inn

Opening my eyes I had all eye's stare at me. Soft paw, Shadow, Kip, and Silver Gunner stared at me. I looked up at them and looked around. "Um....am I dead or something? Am I being judged?"

Kip smiled and my gun came up from behind her. "Silver Gunner found this. But your sword was broken." Nodded calmly "I will find another sometime."

Looking to the dirty gun staring the dragon symbol on the pistol. It was a zebra pistol. But with some dragon blood. Why would it have that? Getting up and putting on my armor getting my bags. I noticed one of the Junk Reaper's here. He was selling something. I went to him. "Excuse me what is that your selling?" Pointed to the sword that seemed to have a crude blow torch. The Junk reaper smiled. She was wearing strange armor. "Oh, that is a sword I found in the bog. It belonged to a former adventure. I cleaned it I updated it and named. Endless flame."

I smiled softly and gave them the bottle caps they wanted and then took the sword. Putting it into my scabbard. Then walked back outside. It was morning and the talks would happen again. Walking towards the table and then stopping a moment looking around. I swear I heard something. But nothing it seems. Walking towards the way but then I heard it again. Then looked back seeing another caravan it was heading back out from wheel treads home. On the wagon was slaves just sold it seems. They sang a strange song. "Our souls chained... to the rocks... Our hearts were broken and shredded and our endless nights shall never see the night. Oh please rescue our hearts. For we don't see the sun anymore. Our limbs shattered and broken and bring forth the endless night."

The slaves kept singing this as they were lead through the field and sighing. Heading back to do the talks. As I heard one of the slaves call out. "Save us!" I looked back to them my heart sank. The talks were about to happen. I saw the slaver's that did all this that looked back to me and stopped it was... That earth pony with the eye patch. I started fighting inside myself. Looking up seeing no griffins working with these slaves. Then I saw Kip run up to the slaves and slavers. I saw them speaking... Grabbing my gun waiting to see. Some of the slave ponies aimed their gun's at Kip after she was done. She had a look of fear in her eye's. So close to losing it. Then eye patch the yellow bald earth pony mare told them to lower their weapons. Then she smiled to Kip nodding. Kip then trotted past me. Then some time later. She rushed back with her medical supplies.

Watching her they let the slaves Out and she was giving them check ups? These slave's seemed like they could use some food. But she bowed her head after her checkup's and then carrying her supplies while they walked off. The slave calling out again. "Save us!!" A slave hit the mare and she was knocked out fully.

Soft Paw rushed up behind me and grabbed me. Being able to walk on her back legs like me. Also able to stand up better them most of her species that seemed a little hunchbacked. She pulled me back. "I know that look Tiria... no, let them go. Prove your the better pony. Don't let any pony else get hurt because of just one." Turning to look at Soft paw angrily. Looking deep into her rat-like eyes and then calmed down. "Let's get back to the talks." Walking back to the table and sat down. The three factions sat there. Montyhoof was the first one to speak. "Should we make a wall out of all the old junk here? Connect it to our bases and then put two gates? We can think of where to put them. But it would be safer. Then trying to go around and meet something nasty. But that would mean we need a town in the middle with inns stores so forth."

Cannon Ball nodded. Dumbbell did too. "This will be a lot of work. It may take a few years. But we must get this done. Peace is needed so much in this world. We rat creepers know it's not easy to find it." Sitting there and looking over to Silver Gunner who is cleaning his shotgun and I noticed something on it. A photo of him with other ponies? I couldn't make it out... Maybe I will ask him about it sometime. The photo seemed well kept. Placing the shotgun into his back and the compartment closed. He looked towards me, I couldn't tell his emotions because he couldn't move his mouth. It stayed in one emotion. I blinked finding him odd sometimes then looked to Kip who had an unreadable look on her face. But when she turned to look at me. She had a sweet soft smile on her face. Her horn glowing gently as she is cleaning her hooves.

The talks kept going as the looked up seeing the Raven staring at what is going on. Then looks to Soft paw who seems to be cleaning all her machine guns. Looking at me and smiled. But I didn't know her that well. I would have to talk to one of them and get to know them a lot more. I am sure Silver Gunner has so many stories he could tell. There was an odd sound again but I had no idea what it was. Then looking to some rat creeper patrol's they seem to be taking out some ghouls that try to get through. Sighed softly as I listened to the three speak.

"We need to make sure we teach those that want to be medical ponies. We need more of those for walking through this hellish area." Dumbbell calmly said.

The other two nodded. They then looked towards me. "I don't think you need me anymore. I was here to help. I am going to get ready to clean out the bog for you folks." I stood up and Kip blinked and trotted after me leaving the others behind and I sat on a broken tank chair. Looking to Kip and blinked. "Whats up?"

Kip stared at me with disappointment in her eyes. "Tiria you're a voice..here... They can't just do this without you. They need the rock that brought them together. They need the song that brought them together as well." Sighing softly and looked to her. "Listen Kip... I want to help... But they don't seem to need me." Kip just stared at me with her motherly eyes giving me that smile. Such sweet smile on her mare face. "No.....no....." Sighed and Shadow landed beside us. "You know you can't fight it Tiria... You know you can't fight it at all... When she wishes something from you... You have to do it." He smirked on his beak and his mini gun strapped to his back. Silver Gunner trotted over to us as well. The four of us four friends... Wait five friends. Soft Paw the Rat creeper sat beside me. Looking to me and wrapped her arm around me. "Look I may not know you that well Tiria... But you need to go back and lead them through this. After that, we can leave... To your journey the path. Then maybe we can have a little fun." She gave me a wink...Blinking at her and face pawed hard. "I am not into females sorry." Soft paw's eyes went wide. "Yo...YOU..." She laughed shaking her head. "I meant drinking you damn wolf. Drinking!!"

Blinking and nodding. "Alright, we will do so... I will go back." Standing up and walking back to the table and smiled. "Alright now lets talk."

It had gone on for many hours. But something was finally done. They all agreed to work together and that they will start cleaning up the old field and then start building a wall to keep the ghouls out. But it will take time. They would need us to clean up the ghouls first. But I learned there is more there then just ghouls. I learned there is an old boat that is on the bog. It was a large cruise type ship. Somehow it made it here after the bombs fell. From what they told us it's been wedged in the ground since the war. They said they think the ghouls are coming from there.

Going to the Dumbbell raider's bar and sat at it and order something to drink. Looking over to Soft paw and smiled. "Hello, Soft what is your story hmm?" The rat looked at me and smiled sweetly. "Eh if you wish to listen." Nodded and sat beside her. Looking towards her with a gentle smile. "Well, how did the tail thing happen?" She smiled and chuckled. "Hmm let's see ah yes. I slept with a male and he was married. So basically the punishment was me losing everything and having my tail sliced off. I am not a pack rat as you can see. I stand up fully like you do. So I was chased out and after that. I never looked back. I found my way here and the king took me in. They gave me what you saw as my tail. Then after awhile. I left to explore the wasteland. Oh, what a fucking shit hole it is. I do like the odd looks I get from ponies. Tennpony tower was a lot of fun." She said with a smirk. "But yes the more fun ponies are those crazy Steel rangers. It's so amazing how crazy they get."

I drank the strange drink and laughed. "Sounds impressive. I haven't met any of these steel rangers. They sound like something I would love to fight over and over." I noticed Silver Gunner and Kip at the other table. Of course, Silver Gunner Couldn't eat anything or drink. But he sat there talking to her as Kip ate. Smiling and noticed that Shadow joined them and they laughed. I watched them... Were they becoming friends? How could this be? I smiled looking back to Soft paw. "SO miss Tiria you seem like a dark stranger. Tell me how did you end up to being on this strange journey I see you on."

Blinking and sighed as I felt it was time to explain to them all. I took my drink and asked Soft paw to follow. I sat in an empty chair and smiled to the others. "Ah, there is the dark strange wolf." Shadow said with a snark like smirk. Chuckled and drank from the strange fluid. Looking over to Silver Gunner. "Silver that Shotgun I saw something on it. What is it?"

Silver opened up his back and brought out the shotgun. It seemed old but very well kept. It had on the side name Remembrance. "I found it a long time ago." Taking the photo from it seeing a group and blinked. "Your in this photo Gunner..." Silver looked at the photo of him and a group of ponies and Zebra. "It was attached to the Shotgun... I don't remember who they are. But deep down in my magic core... They mean a lot to me." Takes the photo back attaching it back to the shotgun and then places... It back into the compartment of his back. "I have seen many things in the past. Tiria but the only time... When I do know is when my head is smacked."

The Griffin Shadow laughed at that and drank from his strange drink. "I will say this... To our wolf friend here. The Rat creepers, Dumbbell raider's, and the Junk Reapers. If this peace last. This area will be a well-protected part of the wasteland. But peace doesn't always last. But when it does... It does."

Kip smiled nickering somewhat and started to eat her food that was given to her. Sadly she was eating what seemed to be meat. But there wasn't much for her. "Hmm, interesting I don't understand what's so interesting about meat but... Hmm, I could get used to it. If we don't come across any more veggies." Looking to Kip and smiled. "So normal ponies have stories of how they got their Cutie mark. So how did you get yours?"

Kip looked up and smiled softly her gentle teal eyes glowed softly. Shifted a bit in the chair and looked at the others. "Well, I was young of course. My mother I don't remember her name to well. I don't remember my father that well either. My father was a bit of an ass. He slept with other mares and didn't really love my mother. But I loved him and he oddly loved me. He would always take care of me when needed. He taught me how to live in the waste and my mother helped me learn the magic of light I had. But they didn't wish me to become like them." She drank from her semi-clean water. Thinking a bit before going on. "Well, what got me my cutie mark. Is that my father got wounded by a slave. I used my magic to try to heal him." Rubs the mark on her rump with a hoof and smiles. "This showed up and then... a few months after. The leader learned what happen. He killed them and then I ran off. Running into this large metal pony." Smiles hugging Silver Gunner who had a look of happiness in his eyes.

Silver Gunner kept to himself looking towards them and seemed to either smile or frown? It was hard to tell. Looking up and he then spoke. His speaking seemed to have no emotion behind it. "It's wonderful to know that peace will come sooner or later. But peace will never be the right path sometimes."

Calmly sitting there listening to them and just thinking of the past and the idea. "The past is always odd it seems to me." Looks to the others as I said this calmly. "It's something strange to me... I still don't understand why this war happen." But before we could speak anymore Cannon Ball walked in and smiled.

"I'd hate to break this up. But the ghouls are getting more and more bold. I need you all to head on the boat and remove them all. I don't know what is in there. But most of my follower's that went in there never came back. So please we need this." I stood up and gathered my bags and my gun and my sword. Putting them all on and looked to them.

"Well then Lock and Load let's get this done... Shall we?" The others nodded Silver Gunner put his bags in his compartment. Kip gathered everything else that she held. Soft Paw gathered her gear and Shadow... nodded and then head out with me. When we got out of the Rat creeper's home looking around. Seeing Rat Creepers, Junk Reaper's, and Dumbbell Raiders. They were cleaning up the mines and taking care of the fields. Of course, this is going to take months maybe to a year to clean up.

Looked to the others and then we started walking towards the area of the bog. It was time to do some good for the ponies of this wasteland. Looking back towards the three faction's working together. It was a small start. Nothing like the Light bringer or Security. But it's a start to bring a little peace to this dead world.

Footnote Level up: No new perk.