Fallout Equestria: Aurora
By CaptainSparx
Chapter Nine: Family Matters
“Family is more than just blood”

A chill wind blew some loose papers across the road up ahead. Dancing around the skeletal remains. Other than that, nothing moved. Static was the first to break the silence.

“Sparx?” She asked, taking a step closer. “Are you doing okay?”

I tried my best to keep composed. “No, I’m not alright.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Static gently set a hoof against my shoulder.

Turning to face her, silent tears began to stain my face. “I don’t… I… Where do I start?”

“I don’t know, how about at the beginning. Tell me about your family.” She guided me to sit down on the curb. Then sat next to me, a hoof across my shoulders.

“It… my family…*sniff*... I uh.” Fighting back tears as best I could. Tears of sadness as well has hate. “I met Tinker on a trip to Manehattan. She was my sister's roommate at the university when I came to visit. We got to know each other really well and I married her after she got out of school. We moved to a small apartment in the city. She ran a little repair shop and I kept busy working at the local clinic.” A small smile broke across my face. “She never did like the spotted wallpaper in the bathroom.” I chuckled.

“We lived there about five years before we decided to move out to the country. We bought a small run down shop on the outskirts of Ponyville and well… We holed up in the basement when we passed through Ponyville. Shortly after moving in we found out that Tinker was expecting. Which was really surprising since we thought we’d never be able to have foals.” Not for lack of trying mind you.

“You had a kid? I didn’t expect…”

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know Static.” I paused, rubbing my muzzle dry with a hoof. “Anyway, we had a little filly. Our pride and joy. We named her Jadine, though I called her Gem a lot. She was so little. We had so much fun, going to the park, trips to Manehattan and Las Pegasus, teaching her to fly. She was one of the strongest fliers I’ve ever seen. So many wonderful memories.” I paused as I lowered my head, “then the war came.”

“I was picked up under my reserve Sky Guard status and Tinker was brought in as a technician. Gem was only fifteen at the time so she had to stay home and manage the store. The war dragged on for years. Though it seemed to be going in our favor for a while. Then things started falling apart. I was injured, you remember, we got ambushed.”

Static nodded, how could she forget such a gruesome memory.

“It took us two weeks to make it back to camp. Just me, Relay and Snowfall. They gave us all a psych evaluation and then decided to split us up and assign us all non combat roles. For part of my rehab I was stationed at Hockends Station. A small outpost bordering changeling territory. I was stationed there for three years. That’s where I learned changeling chatter. During that time Tinker was stationed out in the plains region and was seeing combat for the first time, and Gem was old enough to enlist so she signed up with the Sky Guard. She stood out amongst her fellow cadets and was selected for special training, much to the dismay of both her mother and me. It wasn’t until she was finished that I found out exactly what she had gotten herself into though. I was very much upset that my little Gemstone would being facing the horrors of war, on the frontlines.”

“But the Sky Guard didn’t see much active combat. Did they?” Sounds like somepony knows a bit of history.

“You are correct. The Sky Guard did not. But Gem didn’t stay there. She was inducted into the Shadowbolt training program. Her letters became fewer and fewer, until they just stopped altogether. I was worried about her, but she was her own mare, she had to make her own decisions.” Taking a deep breath before I continued. “She flew thirty seven successful combat missions with the Shadowbolts during two years. Her thirty eighth she never came back from. She was killed in the line of duty, flying over noponies land outside Hoofington, on the tenth day of the month of wind, on the fifth year of Luna’s reign. I didn’t even find out until they brought me and Tinker back to Canterlot for her funeral. It was… still is… hard.” I sucked in a breath through my nose, sniffling loudly. “We started falling apart after that. Tinker joined the Ministry of Wartime Technology and I sulked for about a year before I set out and wound up in a desk job. Our marriage was already unstable because of the war, it got really rocky after Gem died though.”

“I’m so sorry Sparx.” Static leaned in, resting her head on my shoulder, hugging me tight. “I didn’t know. It must be so hard.”

“It… yeah. It still hurts to talk about it, but not as much as it used too.” I wrapped my hoof around Static and pulled her close. “It’s easier talking to a friend” I gave her a little squeeze.

“Just let me know when you’re ready to get moving again. We can take a few minutes of silence if you want. For your daughter, and everyone who died out here… during the war.”

“I would like that…”

We sat, the wind blowing gently in our manes as we remembered. Those who gave their lives, not knowing what the future may hold, but knowing that someday, it had better all be worth it.

Continuing down the street, the skeletons started to grow fewer and fewer. Replaced instead by scorch marks as we got closer to the perimeter of one of the megaspell craters. The buildings were more weathered. Several blocks having been leveled by the blast. The sky seemed to be growing unusually dark for late morning.

“On a brighter note. Do you still have a hangover?” Shifting my gear slightly so it rode better next to my tied up wing. After seeing Doc Helpinghoof, and him finding out about my midnight escapade, he insisted I brace it for at least a week. Not only that, but he made damn sure to let Static know so she could keep me in line.

Static glanced over at me, “Well to be honest.” Staring up at the sky, as she blew at her mane. “Mediocre at best. I mean the headaches finally gone, but I still don’t feel a hundred percent.”

“Well give it a day or two and I’m sure you’ll be feeling fine.”

“Yeah, sure hope we don’t run into any trouble until then.” Static levitated her rifle around to rest against her other side, sitting atop her stachel. “This rifle takes a bit more focus to use than I’m used to.”

“You’ll get the hang of it. I’ve seen changeling hunters use them during marksmanship trials. Almost takes the fun out of it if you ask me.” I chuckled, then stopped as a shadow passed over us.

“Um, what was that?”

I looked around for the offending source but couldn’t find anything. “Trouble. Best get to cover.”

“Trouble? What kind…” I cut Static off as I grabbed her by the hoof and pulled her into a sheltered doorway with me.

“I don’t know, but I’d rather not find out.” Trying the door to find it unlocked. We entered the small shop. Tattered papers still hanging on the wall of what had once been a small print shop. The Manehattan Chronicle. They always had good coupons.

“Quick behind the counter.” I whispered as I closed the door and grabbed a chair, wedging it under the door handle to blockade the door.

“Why are we hiding?” Static asked in hushed tones when I joined her.

I peeked my head up over the counter, glancing through the melted window as best I could. “Something about that shadow felt oddly familiar. I just can’t place it right now.”

“You think it’s hostile? Whatever it is.”

“Possibly. Wouldn’t hurt to be prepared.” I slung my shotgun around. Checking the chamber then resting it against my shoulder, aimed through the window. Static levitated her rifle around and loaded a round, then floated out her nine millimeter, loading a clip and pulling back the slide. Setting the pistol with in hoofs reach she took up position behind the counter, rifle across her chest. Ready to spring up at a moment's notice.

“See anything?”

“Nothing.”

“You try using your EFS?”

“Um… no.” I hadn’t been paying much attention to the EFS since it started flashing warning messages a few days ago. Now that I actually was looking though I could pick out three bars. Two blue and one red. That’s odd.

Apparently I looked confused as Static asked, “Something the matter?”

“Yeah, One red, two blues. What in the hay could those be.” I didn’t have to wait long. Within seconds one of the blue bars appeared in full view out in the street through the window. Or rather dropped in.

“Holy shit!” I bit my tongue to keep quiet as I ducked back behind the counter. “That’s not good.”

“What? What’s not good?” Static popped up to get a quick look. “What the hell is that?” She looked almost as confused as I had earlier.

“That,” gesturing with a hoof over my shoulder in the things general direction. “Is pegasus power armour.”

“So what do we do against that?” Well this is useless. I tossed my shotgun aside, swapping over to the RE-9. Loading the crystalline anti-magic bullets. “Might not be as good as your reaper but it should punch a hole.”

“Maybe they’re friendly?” Static quipped.

“Oh I wish.” Peeking once more over the counter. Now there were three of them. All wearing blued steel armour and was that? It was! Painted on their flanks was the emblem of the Ministry of Awesome. The trio seemed to be discussing something. I ducked when one of them looked our way.

“Maybe we could sneak away?”

“Not a chance. That armour has EFS built into the heads up display. I’m pretty sure they know right where we are.”

“Well shit.” My unicorn friend grumbled. “This might get nasty.”

“Maybe.” I sat, mulling over some thoughts in my mind. “Static, I need to tell you something.”

Static turned, a worried expression growing across her face.

As I opened my mouth to speak I was cut off by a loud squelch of what sounded like a PA horn.

“ATTENTION. WE KNOW YOU ARE INSIDE. WE DO NOT WISH TO ENGAGE IN HOSTILITIES. IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO STEP OUTSIDE WE CAN DISCUSS THIS LIKE CIVILIZED PONIES.”

There was a brief pause. “I don’t think the paint job’s working.” The mare must have forgot to turn her PA off. “Oh course it was a stupid idea.” She continued. “DIRECTOR SPARX. WE ONLY NEED TO ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS. YOUR FRIEND WILL NOT BE HARMED”

“Director?” Static stared quizzically at me. Leaning back, many unanswered questions in her eyes.

“I uh.. Yeah. Look. We should probably talk to them. Get them to leave us alone.” I stood up and started for the door.

“One of them is moving.” I heard through the not so quiet PA.

Unblocking the door, I looked back. Static looked hurt and confused. She really didn’t know that much about me and that scared her.

“Celestia’s shining cunt, that’s him.”

I rolled my eyes as I turned to face the trio out in the street. “You know I heard that.”

“Oh shit.” The lead mare scrambled with her suit. Killing the amplifier. The trio quickly snapped to attention and saluted. “Director.” The group said in unision.

One of the group, a stallion with a pair of quad laser cannons was still red on my EFS so I’m sure they’d forgive me if I didn’t promptly return the gesture. “Get out.” I said flatly, ready to draw up the RE-9 at a minutes notice.

“But sir… we have orders.” The lead mare stammered. This wasn’t part of the plan apparently.

“Who sent you, and what do you want.”

“We were sent by Rainbow Dash to retrieve you and bring you back to base for debriefing. You have access codes we need to repair the SPP towers.”

CLICK

I turned around to see Static, standing in the door on her rear hooves, rifle raised to her shoulder. Rifle aimed right at my head. “Answer me, right now. Just who the hell in Luna’s cursed name are you!?” Oh shit.

“Maybe there has been some misunderstanding?” The armoured mare offered, removing her helmet, with a hiss.

“Maybe there has?” Static growled, “Who are you Sparx! Director? Director of what?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” Hanging my head. This was not the way I wanted her to find out.

“He’s the last surviving director of the Ministry of Awesome. Which makes him the most senior officer. Except for Rainbow Dash of course.” The armour clad mare said, hastily adding the Rainbow Dash part. “The director was instrumental in the war effort. He oversaw the Shadowbolt program and ran several covert operations. He’s a war hero.”

“Okay. That’s where I’m going to stop you.” I said, turning back around and staring the mare down. She looked young. Early twenties at most, the rank of corporal on her collar, having been hidden under her helmet. Though it wasn’t a MoA insignia. “First off, yes. I was one of several directors. And am likely the last one still alive. That said. I am not a war hero.” Furrowing my brows as I continued. “And you aren’t from the ministry.”

“What? Yes we are. Rainbow Dash herself sent us. She’s in the Neighvarro SPP Tower.”

“You’re a terrible liar. And your books are obviously outdated. For starters. That is isn’t an approved Awesome rank insignia, so I’m going to guess you’re enclave. Second, the armour design is mark three. But the colors you are using are for parade designation only. Not for active duty. And definitely not for a ranked officer like yourself. And lastly. Rainbow Dash is dead. Your Enclave killed her. So no I will not be helping you. Not now, not ever. My loyalties lie with the Mare of the Ministry and her Equestria. Not a group of feather assed traitors to their nation!”

Taking a moment as tension radiated through my body. I was almost face to face with the armoured mare. Her scorpion like tail posed in the air, ready to strike. My rifle pressed up against her chest, my hoof on the trigger. I could feel her warm breath blowing across my face. “I’ll only tell you one more time. Get. Out.”

The trio seemed to hesitate when the second mare of the group spoke. “But we need you sir. Without you we can’t keep feeding our current population. We need your help.”

“Ponies are dying down here if you haven’t noticed. They need help too. My family’s dead, my nation’s destroyed, but still the ponies of Equestria go on. I swore an oath, over two hundred years ago to serve them. So unless you want to start a war, right here, right now, I suggest you fly back up to your fluffy little clouds and get back to your fucked up vision of society.”

“The general said he might be too cooperative.” The stallion spoke up. Cycling his weapons. “I told you we should have just shot him and dragged him back… ach…. Chk…” He reached up to his throat, making short gasping sounds as he grappled with his suit. Struggling to remove his helmet and then trying to pull out his collar with his hooves.

“Oh my goddess he’s choking!” The second mare yelled. “Hold on Wisp I got you.” She rushed over and made an attempt to help, looking in his throat. “ I don’t see…”

“You heard the director. Leave us. Now.” Static stepped forward, her gun levitated in her magic at her side, but her eyes were focused on the stallion. Lifting him off the ground as she was crushing his throat in her magic.

“Please no. “ The second mare begged. “Please put him down!” She grabbed onto him, pulling him back down then being levitated up with him. “No… please…” She started to choke as well.

“Static.” Not taking my eyes, or rifle, off the lead mare. “Put them down.”

“Chk… plea...ah.” The pair dropped to the ground in a tangled mess of wings and metal.

There was a moment of silence as the pair got up and straightened themselves up, catching their breath. Static stood a little ways behind me. I could faintly feel the anger and frustration radiating off her.

“Wisp, Squall Line. Get your asses in the air.”

“We’re leaving?” Squall questioned. She seemed almost glad to be leaving.

“We’re leaving.”

“The general won’t be happy.” Wisp spat out as he took to the air.

“I’ll deal with the general. You just get you ass in line.” She took a step back, put her helmet on and jumped into the air.

I watched as the trio formed up mid air and soared off. “Well that wasn’t that bad.”

THWACK

Everything went dark.

I woke to a numbing sensation. What the hell? I reached back behind my head. Ouch. Nice big bump back there. I glanced around. It was dark but a small light flickered from around the corner in a back room. Time to make amends? Maybe? I tried to stand. Only to find that my rear legs had been bound. Tied with a rope leading to one of the large printing presses in the room. Another rope was looped around my neck and led off into the room where the light was coming from.

“Are you awake this time?” Static called out from the other room.

“Um… yes?” Not really sure if I should have answered since she was the one who had me tied up.

“Good, dinner’s been ready. I’ve been trying to keep it warm.”

“Um… I’d come get it but I’m a little… uh… tied up at the moment.”

“Oh you are?” Static called, half sarcastically. “In that case I guess I’ll have to eat it then.”

“Oh come on Static.” I complained, struggling against the bonds. “This isn’t fair.”

“Fair? I tell you what isn’t fair!” Static walked into the doorway, a plate of steaming hot food levitated next to her. “You being a big time hot shot during the war and not trusting me enough to even tell me. But you could tell her couldn’t you! That Tenpony mare.”

“That’s different. She…”

“She what? You wouldn’t have to see her again? Is that it? You were able to tell her because you don’t want to be reminded of it all the time.” Static levitated up a bent spoon, scooping up some hot mush and took a bite. Chewing a bit before swallowing.

“But I… how’d you…”

“I took the liberty to do a little mind diving while you were out. Find out what else you’ve been keeping from me that I should know.” She glared, pointing the spoon at me accusingly. “And I did NOT like what I found.” She was practically oozing rage at this point. I may not be an empath like her, but damn was it glaringly obvious.

“I’m sorry Static. It’s just… I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

“Oh you’re sorry. And that’s supposed to make it all better? Fuck you. Fuck your ministry. Fuck all you bird brained, cum guzzling, feathered freaks! I’m done! I’m out! You’re on your own from this point on.” Static walked by, dropping the plate by me with a clang. Some of the food splattering my face and hooves as she walked to the door and swung it open. She levitated her bags and rifle. Glancing at it with disgust, she tossed it aside, instead tucking her pistol into her belt and then walked out the door. Slamming it behind her.

“Static?” I called out, struggling against the ropes. She’ll be back… right? “Static?” I called out again. Her marker on my EFS faded from sight. “Static!?”

It had taken me several hours to slip out of the ropes. Another half hour to find where she had stashed my gear. By the time I opened the door it was pitch black outside. I didn’t dare venture out into the bloodwing infested night. I only hope Static had found shelter before it grew too dark. I felt really sick to the stomach. I shouldn’t have let her go. Not like I had a choice. But I could have, should have told her sooner. Been more open. Not kept things hidden. Now I had lost my only friend out here. You don’t really realize how cold it is at night until you’re all alone.

I waited for two days. Searching the surrounding area for any sign of her. Avoiding raiders, bloatsprites, and the occasional spritebot. Eventually I just had to come to terms that she was gone. And I’d likely never see her again. But just in case I left a note for her. It read,

Static, If you’re reading this then I’m sorry I didn’t wait longer for you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my past. About all the things I’ve done, about the horrors of war and the lies and backstabbing that was my life back then. Part of me wanted to forget it. Deny that it ever happened, start a new life. I know now that was selfish of me. I shouldn’t have kept you in the dark. You were perfectly right to walk away. I’m not safe to be around. And I’d rather you not get hurt anymore than you already have by me. I don’t know exactly what you saw. And I’m sorry you had to see any of it. I’m not a hero, and I’m not a good pony. I’ve fucked up. More times than I’d like to admit. But they happened, and I have to live with the consequences. I can only ask you to give me a second chance, if you’ll take it. If it’s okay I’d like to be able to start over. Get to know you better, and be the friend you need. It’s been two days since you left so I’m going to continue on my way to Friendship City and try and figure out how to get to Fillydelphia since you had all the caps in your bag. If you aren’t Static and you are reading this then fuck off, and if you think you can follow me I will shoot your limbs off and drag your body along a street of glass then stuff you in a tub of radiation to die. Don’t test me.

Sincerely, a very lonely Sparx

I tacked the note to the back of the counter, with the ropes coiled up beneath it so she would hopefully notice it. Once that had been done I packed up, strapping my gear on and figuring out how to carry all three long rifles. It took some ingenuity but I eventually got them all to stay put without rattling against each other constantly. Walking out of the shop, I closed the door behind me. Ready to hit the road, a little worse for wear.

Making my way as best I could down the streets. In several places, buildings had collapsed and forced me to go several blocks around. I think at one time I even walked right past a group of raiders. They just stood. Frozen as they stared, watching me walk on by. Maybe it was all the guns… or my through hell and back appearance. Though there was one mare who had scampered away at my very sight, screaming bloody murder as she made for the hills. I don’t know. My mind was elsewhere for the time being.

In fact it was all over the place. I couldn’t seem to focus on where I was even heading. Looking up from my hooves I was surrounded by vast emptiness. On the edge of a large sunken bowl it seemed. I checked my pipbucks map to see where I had wandered off to. Finding myself inside the rim of one of the smaller balefire craters, I hastily hightailed it out back to the relative safety of the city streets.

“Oh hello there.” I said to no one in particular as I came face to face with a spritebot. I honestly didn’t feel like wasting ammo on it at this point. So I double checked my pipbuck then started off in a new, safer direction. It was getting darker out so I would like to get as far as possible before I’d have to find shelter. After about a minute something seemed to be bugging me. I glanced over my shoulder and found the spritebot. That was odd. I took several more paces. After a while the spritebot moved as if to follow me. Now that I think about it, this was really most bizarre.

“Um… can I help you?” I asked the spritebot. Not really sure what to expect. It wasn’t like spritebots could talk anyway.

There was a short buzz of static then a voice came over the machine's speaker. “Oh yes. Hello there. How are you doing?” It asked.

“I’m doing miserably. How about yourself.” I sat, talking to a machine. Goddesses, had I really sunk this low in two days without someone to talk to?

“OH um… I uh…. Fine, I guess. Yes, just uh… fine.” The voice crackled over the air from the small flying piece of metal. “Where’s your friend? The unicorn?”

“Oh her? She’s gone. Had just about enough of me so tied me up and just walked out.” I said, flatly. What am I thinking? Talking to a machine like it would care. Actually how did it know? That was a more scary thought. “Just who, or what, are you?”

“Me? You can call me Watcher. As for what… I just use these spritebots to keep an eye on things down here on the surface.”

“I see, and how long have you been watching? And why me?” I queried. Not sure if he could see me fumbling with my pipbucks broadcaster to try and find the frequency the bot was receiving.

“I watch a lot of ponies, all over the wasteland. I’ve been keeping tabs on you since shortly before you got to New Appleloosa.” I could detect a hint of frustration in his tone. “You shot one of my bots.” Oh that would be why. “Anyway, I was hoping maybe you’d be able to help me out with something?”

“Why do I feel like I’m not going to enjoy this.” I muttered.

“What was that?”

“Oh nothing. What was it you needed help with Watcher.”

“Well I’ve gotten wind of a group of Steel Rangers from up out of Brooklyn Cross that have got themselves helping out a bunch of settlers hold off a group of alicorns. They could really use your skill with a rifle.”

“Uh-huh. And what’s in it for you?” I honestly could care less. I’m sure I’d meet these alicorn things sooner or later regardless. And if these Steel Rangers where like any of the gossip I’ve heard then they were little more than tech oriented scavengers.

“Well I really just want to know if you’ll help. The settlers have a working water talisman and I really don’t want the rangers to try and take it by force.”

“Wait a minute. So you want me to help these Steel Rangers fight off some alicorns, then oversee trade negotiations?”

“If it’s not too much to ask.” The voice sounded almost pained.

“I don’t fucking believe it!” I stood up and started pacing. “I’ve lost my damn mind. You better owe me big if I do this. I jabbed my hoof at the grill plate.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get you back. I promise.” The spritebot seemed to move away slightly.

“Good, because I’m going to do this. I need the distraction.”

“Thank you Sparx. You have no idea what this means to me.” Was… was that thing… crying?

“Your wel…. Wait a minute. How do you know my name?” The bot let out a burst of static then started playing the same annoying music that had been going on for centuries. What in the actual… how did he know my name? Just who was this Watcher? And what did I just get myself into? I looked down at my pipbuck. TRACE FAILED. Damn it.

“Hello?” I hollered at the top of lungs as I trotted into the small settlement. Half the camp was on fire, the other half was blown to hell, smoke still rising from the burned out husks of several demolished structures. “Anypony here?”

A poster fluttered by in the breeze, catching briefly on a wall. Better Wiped than Striped. The eyes of the zebra seemed to bore right through me before the wind took hold and blew it away again. A crack of lightning, followed by the roar of thunder split the sky above me. A drop hit my nose. Looking up just as the sky opened up with an unscheduled downpour. Just my luck.

A spotlight focused on me, blinding my eyes as I turned to look towards it. “Hello?”

“Identify yourself.” A commanding voice called out from somewhere beyond the light.

“I… my name is Sparx. I was told there was a settlement that needed help out here.”

“It’s been helped. Nothing much is left.” They was the heavy wet sound of armoured hooves in mud as the light bobbed closer. It wasn’t a spotlight at all. Rather it was the helmet light on a suit of power armour. I stood face to… chestplate with the much larger stallion. “I suggest you be on your way.”

“Oh well uh, you see… Did any of the ponies who lived here survive?”

“A few. Why? Relations of yours?” The stallion asked as he seemed to be sizing me up. A drenched, decently armed, and slightly pissed pegasus.

“Not exactly. I was informed that a group of Steel Rangers were helping fight off a group of alicorns. And that they hoped to get a water talisman out of it.”

“Well we’re the Steel Rangers. And what is that to you? You dashite scum. Best to keep your nose out of other ponies business.” He waved his hoof dismissively as he turned around.

“Call me that one more time…” I hissed through my teeth.

The stallion stopped, turning his head to the side to eye me. “And you’ll do what? Molt on me? Seriously, you lot are pathetic.”

The rain seemed to simmer as it continued to splatter on my muzzle. If it weren’t for the power armour I would have tackled him by now, I’m sure of it.

An explosion ripped through the air as a second power armoured pony burst into view. “They’re back!” A second explosion, a little bit closer than the first could be heard. The first of a steady staccato of bursts.

“Get in position! We have to hold them a little longer!” Spotlight stallion roared above the noise. The other ranger turned and bolted, the weapons on the battle saddle cycling ammunition on the fly. “You should leave if you value your life.” The stallion said, a heavy CHU-THUNK as his grenade cannon loaded a round. He didn’t even wait for a reply before rushing off to join the fight. This was gonna be messy.

Racing after the armoured hulk of a pony, my gear banging against my sides. Mud splashing up my legs and belly as the ground changed consistency. Why hadn’t the steel rangers left already, unless… They hadn’t got what they had come for. If anything I needed to find a living member of the settlement and make sure the rangers didn’t pull a fast one. After we all survive this attack.

The rangers had holed up in a concrete building at the center of town, in what looked to be an old power relay station. Or what was left of it. And it wouldn’t be around long at this rate. Several power armoured ponies ran about, gunfire and grenade bursts as they tried to hold off the attack. Bursts of magic energy zapped erratically through the air as I focused in on the one of what must have been an alicorn. Standing a little over twice my size, standing still as the rangers ordinance impacted upon her magic shield. Seeming to have no effect. A second alicorn stood just behind her, though I hadn’t seen it at first. Almost as if it had just materialized. It’s faded blue coat in stark contrast to the dark green of the shield caster.

Running up the slick path to the bunker I dove through the blasted out hole in the wall, missing an energy blast just barely. Getting up and dusting off I looked up at the group of a dozen and half ponies, all of them staring at me. “Oh, um, hello there.” I waved, looking from face to face. Several ponies wore robes and were helping to bandage the injured, an older pony sat off to the side, with a colt and filly, likely enjoying story time until I floundered in.

“Um can we help you?” A robed unicorn mare took a cautious step towards me.

“Nah, I’m good. I’m just here to lend a hoof if I can.” I sniffed the air, something was burning. I looked around for the source, “Holy fuck!” I jerked up and turned around, trying to grab my emblazoned tail. Apparently that energy blast was closer than I had thought.

“Here, hold still.” The unicorn mare grabbed me by the shoulders, forcing me to stop spinning, and cease spreading the smoky, gag inducing smoke everywhere. She levitated over a bucket of ‘not the cleanest’ water and threw it over my flank. “There, all better.”

“Thanks, I think?” Looking back at what was left of my already disheveled tail. A good third had been burnt to a sticky black smear, cooling into a hard plastic like chunk. I gave it a test swing, causing the still warm mess to touch my flank. “Ouch!” Quickly brushing the tail off my flank with my one unbound wing.

“Are you sure we can’t help you, mister…?”

“Sparx. You can call me Sparx.” I looked the mare in the eyes, such a nice shade of amber. “And, no I’m good. I’m actually looking for whoever is in charge of the settlement.”

“That would be me.” A rather ragged, sleep deprived earth pony mare limped forward. She had a splint on her right foreleg and a nasty burn across her chest.

“Miss Beetroot. You must rest. It’s not…”

“Oh can it will ya. I’ve lived through worse than this.” Beetroot scolded the robed mare. The sound of fighting seemed to be dying down a bit outside. “Nice to meet ya Sparx, I’m Beetroot.” She held out a hoof. “I’d welcome you to our little shindig here, but there ain’t much left at the moment to welcome you to.”

Extending my hoof, the mare took it and shook it rather vigorously for a pony as beat up as she looked. “Well I wish my visit could have been under happier circumstances.” Beetroot stopped, a questioning look appearing on her face.

“What does bring you out our way then?”

“Well, someone who knows a lot of things going on around these parts told me your settlement could use some help with alicorns.” I leaned in closer, holding up a hoof as I whispered near her ear. “And they want me to make sure the rangers don’t take advantage of your situation.”

“Oh don’t you worry about that.” Beetroot chuckled. “We came to a mutually beneficial agreement.”

Canting my head slightly as she continued on. “They’ll patch us up and get us set on our way to Friendship City. All they want is the water talisman, though it’s proving to be a right stubborn mule getting it out. Ain’t that right Krispy?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, right.” One of the robed ponies looked up when his name was called. “I’m still trying crack the emplacement release spell matrix so the talisman can be extracted without damaging the microfused crystalline structure.”

Beetroot deadpanned, turning to me. “Did you understand a word of that?”

“Not really.” I shrugged. All I got was Water Talisman, and something about a spell. I felt a looming presence over me, looking up at the dripping armour standing over me. I quickly stepped aside to let the larger pony by. The ranger lumbered past.

“Krispy, do you have the Talisman yet?” The rangers voiced boomed in the interior space.

“Not yet, I’ve almost got it though I think.” Krispy replied, not taking his focus off his work.

“Hurry up. I’m not sure if we can hold out against another assault. I’m almost out of ammo as it is.”

I turned to Beetroot. “How long have you been holed up in here?”

“Almost two days. At first we didn’t get along too hot with the rangers. Then the alicorns showed up. That kind of forced our hoof. Even if we could fend them off, there isn’t enough of us left to run the farms.”

“That’s unfortunate. You want some help holding off those alicorn things?” I asked as I watched Krispy and Spotlight Armour disappear down a stairwell.

“I’m guessing you don’t have much experience fighting alicorns?”

“No. Why?”

“You can’t just fight alicorns. You need lots of firepower and to be either really quick on your hooves or able to take a hit or two.”

I could sense her looking over the shambled mess that was left of my wings. “What kind of firepower do you need?”

“Mostly explosives, rockets, grenades. Stuff to beat down their damn shields.” Beetroot stood up and limped over to a rickety old chair and sat down. Resting her hoof on the armrest.

“So other than the shields, anything else I should know?” I sat down and pulled out my wasteland survival guide. Flipping to the section on wasteland baddies, and turning till I came across three different colored alicorn ponies.

“Well the blue ones can vanish in thin air, the purple teleport and the green. They just do that shield thing for the most part anyone can tell.”

I skimmed over the section in the book. “I see. Well then. Guess I need to drop the greens first, then the purples and finally the blues.”

“Heh, if only it worked that way.”

Some shouting from down the stairs as the power armoured pony came trotting back up. Krispy following soon after, bouncing on his hooves as he wore a blue sapphire-like talisman in a case hung around his neck. Several cheers rang out amongst the group of ponies in the small building, before being shushed by several armour clad rangers. Spotlight walked over to me and Beetroot.

“Alright we got what we agreed on. Best we get you all on the road now.” Was he kidding? I looked around at the ragged group of ponies. Old, young and injured. If anything this group would need a set of wagons for proper transport. If my pipbuck was correct it was still quite a ways to Friendship City. This wasn’t really a conversation for me though. Seeing as I had literally just arrived. I made my way up the planks that formed a ramp to the outside. The rain still pouring down.

A shot of lightning tore across the sky as I walked through the mud to a covered embankment with two other power armoured ponies. One was a unicorn from the way his helmet had a small capsule on the top. The other must have been an earth pony mare. They looked at me, then went back to scraping muck off their boots and equipment.

“So… which way have these alicorns attacked from?”

“Who are you again?” The mare asked, not even bothering to look my way.

“I’m… here to help.” I said flatly.

“HA! You?!” She laughed dryly. “You pulling my hoof? You’ve got to be kidding me. You?”

“Which way?”

She pointed a hoof out towards well blasted field. Full of craters and little fires still burning despite the rain. Well shit. I unstrapped my rifles and took out my RE-9. Loading a clip and laying down in the mud. Sighting down range for any movement.

“You… ha… praise the sun. We’ve been saved! The birds have finally come down to save…. ALICORN!”

Her entire demeanor shifted as a tall green pony walked into view at the far side of the field. Two more soon joined it. Shouting and running could be heard from back in the makeshift holdout shelter. I took a deep breath and peered through my scope. The tall, graceful neck. The well toned shoulders and large wings. The long glowing horn flickering as a shield barrier was raised.

“FIRE!” The mare shouted as she unleashed a volley of grenades from her cannons. Impacting against the shield and leaving craters and smoke at the foot of the barrier. “Bring that shield down!”

I took a deep breath, holding it in as Spotlight ran past me. Firing his guns, making the shield ripple. A blue unicorn appeared beside him and blasted him in the ribs. Armour plates flying as his body was thrown by the impact. Swinging my rifle around I aimed for center mass and fired a bullet into the alicorns chest. The monster flinched slightly as it looked towards me.

You? What are you doing here?

I heard the voices chanting, almost echoing inside my mind. Yet the alicorns mouth refused to move. She tried to cast a spell but her horn sparked and smoked, burning out as she tried to cast. The bullet lodged inside her.

What? What devilry is this?!

I drew my aim up to the mare's head and let out my breath as I depressed the trigger. A momentary scream in the back of my mind as her head exploded and her body slumped to the ground. Spotlight struggled to get up as one of the two remaining alicorns darted towards him. Moving quickly before freezing in place and erecting a shield. A second green one. The alicorns started to leapfrog each other. Using the shields to close the gap. If I didn’t know better I’d say they couldn’t cast it while moving.

“Give them everything you’ve got!” The mare shouted as her guns clicked on empty. “SHIT!”

The alicorns seemed to notice and moved faster. Closing the distance.

“I NEED AMMO!” She shouted as the other power armoured pony tried to conserve his shots. Firing his machine guns in bursts but having even less of an effect on the shield than the grenade launcher had.

Sighting in the foremost alicorn I waited for the rear to pass in front. Slamming my bolt back and forward, loading another enchanted round. I aimed just above her head and let one fly. The shield rippling as my shot went wide.

*Do that again! Shoot the shield!” The Mare yelled at me then turned to her partner. “Both of you fire on my mark!”

I think I knew what she was getting at. So I aimed center mass and waited.

“FIRE!”

We unleashed in unison. My shot ripping through the mares wing as her shield flickered and several machine gun rounds tore at her chest and neck before the other alicorn raised her shield. I chambered another round and aimed for the frozen casting mare. Lining up her head in the crosshairs. I took a breath, held it for a second, then let it out as I depressed the trigger. The alicorns head jerked back as her brains splattered the backside of her shield. The shield sustained briefly before she fell to the side. The other alicorn had fallen in a small blast crater out of sight, hopefully dead.

The mare rushed out to her fellow soldier. Checking on him then started to drag him out of the rain as the third power armoured pony trotted out to help.

I set my rifle down and pulled out my revolver checking the chambers as I walked out into the rain. It had more than enough power and I was low on shotgun shells as it was. Trotting out to the crater I stopped at the edge. The alicorn lay in it’s own blood. Crimson oozing from it’s many wounds. A slight tinge of purple under the skin in her rump where my round had passed through and left shards of enchanted crystal.

“It.. so… cold…..”

The mare whispered to herself not even looking up. Her body shaking as she began to fade. “Where… where is everyone? It’s…. I…. It’s dark… and lonely… and cold….”

I cocked the hammer and placed the gun in my mouth. Taking aim.

She glanced up, her eyes distant and partially glazed over. “Who are you… I want to go home…. It’s so cold…. Help me….”

BANG!

The shot was quick and she slumped to the ground. A hole in the forehead just under the horn as the rain washed her blood into the ground. She looked almost peaceful as she lay there, lifeless. I tucked the gun back in my shoulder strap and just stared at her for while. Eventually walking back to collect my gear as ponies started to come out into the rain. Several wearing ponchos, others seemingly fine with getting soaked.

Slinging my rifles over my back I walked over to join them. No one spoke to me, no one cared. As we began our slow migration to Friendship city.

It was still raining.

I checked my pipbucks chronometer. We had been walking for six hours and forty one, no forty two minutes. And still we hardly seemed to be getting any closer. The rain and mud washing out over the roads and forcing us to either find a better route or, more often than not, carry the injured across one by one. The three power armoured rangers had taken up posts along the column of travelers. One in the lead and the other two spaced out amongst the group. I took up the rear. Which gave me plenty of time to reflect.

Though there wasn’t much to reflect on. And no one wanted to talk to the stranger who had just gunned down not one, but three alicorns. Granted, I had help. But the rangers didn’t seem too keen on talking about it.

A blue bar flashed on my EFS as it swung around rapidly around me.

“Huh?”

I turned to look for it. Peering out into the dark rain soaked landscape. I tried to line up the marker as I stopped. It hesitated a moment before it swung around again.

“What the hell?”

I started trying to find it, moving around as I tried looking below me. We were on an overpass so it was possible something, or someone, was below us. I trotted to the side and looked down. Peering into the dark shadows cast down below.

“Come on… where are you.”

The marker swung around again behind me.

“Hi!”

“HOLY SHIT!”

I jumped into the air as I turned around to see a pony standing just out of reach. An off orange mare with short brown mane and tail stood wearing a wet grey military uniform. A case was strapped across her back and a strange emblem was on her shoulder pauldrons.

“Who the hell are you! Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

I took a sidewards step and noticed she had wings. That explained the moving about part. She had most likely been flying.

“Oh.. um. My name’s Dusty Contrail. But you can me Dusty if you want. I was assigned to assist you.”

“You’re enclave aren’t you.”

“Yep!”

“Go fuck yourself.”

I turned and started walking away.

“But Sir… Lieutenant. I… I can’t.”

“I said beat it. I don’t want anything to do with you or your stupid Enclave nonsense. You abandoned Equestria. You’re all traitors in my book!”

“I…. I see.” She took a hesitant step after me. “I… I can’t go back. Not without you. If I come back without you sir they’ll just kill me and say it was raiders or something.”

“Not my problem.” I continued walking. The mare flapped her wings and hovered in the air as she followed, matching my pace.

“Sir… I....Lieutenant Sparx sir. I don’t want to die. I… can I just come with you?”

“No!”

“But?”

“I said no! N! O! What part of that do you not understand?!” I turned to yell at her further. My voice hitching in my throat as I noticed her wings. Normally a pegasus’s plumaged matched their coat. But hers, like part of mine, matcher her mane and tail. In fact all her flight feathers were the same brown. “Who did you say you are again?”

“Dusty Contrail sir.” She hovered briefly before landing. Looking me in the eye with her teal eyes. Eyes I know I’ve seen before. A long time ago.

“No. Who are you?”

Dusty sat down as she took a breath. Letting it slowly. “I’m Dusty Contrail, of the family Chromawing. I’m your three times great grand niece. From your sister Fluoresce Chromawing.”

“Horse shit.” I deadpanned.

“It’s true. I swear. I did the research myself to make sure.” She pulled out a roll of paper out of her a bag she wore on her back. “See? It’s the entire Chromawing family tree from before the war.” She unrolled the parchment and tapped it with a hoof. “That’s you right there.”

I leaned closer to check things out. Everything looked legit. I could trace me and my sister back several generations. But from that point on. Only my sister’s section branched down and continued more than one generation. Branching into a large mass of names. Dusty pointed out a name near the bottom center.

“I’m right there.”

“I see that. Still. I might as well be dead. What do I matter to you?” I shrugged as I turned back around and started to trot off. Dusty quickly rolled the parchment back up before flying after me.

“Sir! Wait up!” She hollered as I continued. A few of the travelers turning back to check on the commotion in the rear.

“I said leave me alone. I don’t care if you’re related to me or not. I don’t want anything to do with you or the family and especially the Enclave.”

“But mister Sparx sir. You’re the oldest surviving member of the family. That means you’re in charge.”

“Don’t care.”

“But.”

“Shut it.”

“But.”

I spun around and fired a bullet from my revolver at the ground in front of her. Causing her to freeze in mid-air. “Leave. Me. The. Fuck. Alone!”

Dusty seemed to be about to say something as tears welled up in her eyes. Sinking out of the air and landing on the ground as a tear slid down her cheek.

“Just go. Fly away. I never want to see you again.”

“B...but…”

“GIT!” I stormed towards her as she took to the sky and flew off into the rain. I watched until her marker vanished from my EFS before I turned back around and picked up my pace to catch up to the rest of the group I was following. Part of me wanted a friend. But another part of me thought of how well that had worked out last time. Hopefully they wouldn’t kill her. She seemed like a sweet enough mare. A bit talkative, but sweet.

I continued on as the rain picked up. Unaware of the mare who sat on the nearby rooftop crying. Just out of what she knew his EFS range to be. Crying and watching.

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Footnote: 50% to next level