What is it like to be free? Free from corruption, free from suffering, free from all things dangerous?

For slaves, freedom is a dream that many would wish to die for. They cherish the one day where they can roam free of oppression and live their lives without any repercussions to themselves. It is like a wellspring of life that is empty. Empty of all of its wondrous water that would satisfy many old and new taken away by greed.

They have lost all hope of freedom like Gods abandoning them to endless suffering. Yet many have not lost their touch of the Gods. They still hold true to the light in the infinite darkness as they pave the way to their freedom.

There are many paths that ponies take most of them leading to nothing but blackness. There is only that one razor thin path that is hidden in the darkness. These paths are not just limited to slaves; there are many ponies that stray from the true path of freedom turning away from the light as darkness consumes them. Those like raiders, slavers, any pony gone to the darkness are doomed to endless suffering. They relish in the pain of others not caring for theirs or their own well-being.

Those who do not stray from the path of light are given a chance of the afterlife in heaven. They are not without fault though; many will sin even though it will harm them afterwards. Yet even with their sins, they will rectify their sins hoping that they have done enough good to counteract the amount of evil. These ponies are very rare here in the Wasteland.

Those who do try to reach the light have faced the darkness often become consumed by it as the Wasteland tries every effort to break them. If taken too much and alone, they will break and succumb to the evils of the land. With friends however, they gain something that most that are in darkness will never receive, friendship. Friends that are willing to take the pain with each other will support their cause fighting for what they believe is right. They will succumb to the darkness as well, but they will not be alone to take it on. It is with an unyielding dignity that I see to it that every pony does not stray from the path to the light. Even if I must succumb to the evils of the world to see it comes to fruition.

In Baltimare, silence was dominant as no sounds were made. The rebellion was setting itself ready as Ace made contact with Luminescence. I was flying to the communications tower as the signal was delivered. Harmony managed to connect with the leader of the resistance and already the thoughts of the four of us were communicating with one another, Luminescence? Can you hear my thoughts? This is Ace here

I’m beginning to wonder why I was not disconnected from the telepathy. I feel like I was intruding in their conversation, I can hear you my friend. If you made contact, that means that you know about what happened right?

I am afraid so, you realize that this very much compromises everything to this rebellion even with Zodiac taking over the communications tower right?

From out of nowhere came a third voice. It caught me off guard as I stumbled in my flight almost crashing onto the ground, What!? Zodiac you can’t be serious! Taking back the communications tower is like committing a suicide!

Of course she might disagree with me. I’ve only known her for such a short and already she treats me like a friend. I mean sure we helped those slaves but that’s the only we did together. After all of that, our bond grew and suddenly she treats me like someone she could never replace, next to her brother. It’s odd, but it nonetheless makes me happy for her concern, I appreciate the concern Harmony, but none of you have the battle experience I have. You’d be surprised how my battles were like, there was much carnage going on the battlefield.

Many of them fell silent as I was getting close to the communications tower. I was surprised though that an alarm for my presence did not go off. Were they lazy or did they not notice me? Regardless, it was time to begin the fight, I’m going to cut off the telepathy guys, I wish you all the best of luck…

Please be careful Zodiac… I gained one new friend, I don’t want to lose you so early… The telepathy was cut off and I was smiling hearing that. In front of the entrance lay ahead many guards from the inside and outside. Normally, stealth would be the best option for me to undertake but with the ponies trying to rebel, I’ve decided to draw their attention to me. I simply trotted forward as I was within eyesight of the guards.

One of the guards moved forward stopping me from going ahead, “Now, what’s a pegasus slave doing here? This area is restricted, go back to work you worthless…” He was cut by my hoof hitting his spine paralyzing him.

I’d taken the time to learn some of the fighting styles from the Zebra Infiltration Tactics since there is going to be a time where even with my sword, I’m going to be stripped of my weapons. The specific style I learned was the Fallen Caesar Style seeing that it was accustomed to my kind of fighting.

The guards saw that as an act of rebellion and fired multiple volleys at me. I moved out of their line of sight behind cover as. The morals of kill or be killed were etched in my thoughts yes, but I’m still hesitant in killing the people here. It will be difficult since not only will I leave them alive but crippled, they could come back to bite me hard. As a result I had to fight up close and personal and pray that they don’t do that.

I jumped over the cover as I flew towards them dodging some bullets along the way. Some stray bullets hit me but not my vital organs. Closing the distance, I hopped over a guard and delivered a hard buck to his chest area. It was enough to render him unconscious. The other tried to fire his gun at me, but I disarmed his weapon before he can fire. I delivered another Paralyzing Hoof on him leaving him there. I heard the sound of bullets whizzing through the air as I moved out of their volley of shots.

I caught them by surprise as I circled around them and paralyzed one of them. The two turned around hoping to get a shot on me, only for me to disappear from their sights and deliver a solid buck to their backsides. I look up seeing the tower, the objective was not finished.

Suddenly an alarm was blaring through the speakers as the communications tower gave an alert. At first I thought that the slaves were discovered until word from the tower confirmed it, “Alert! There is a slave that killed five guards outside the perimeter of the communications tower! Use lethal force and take him out!” I did not kill these ponies here! Regardless, I entered inside the tower ready to take down the slavers here. These ponies were relying on me to take control of the tower and I will not fail on them.

We were all heading for our chosen destination when we heard the blaring alarms. Hearing that made me worried almost immediately. Lycan was the first one to freak out upon hearing the alarm and took precisely what made me worried, “Shit! Did they spot our allies!?”

The words from the communications towers confirmed our answers and although thankfully not our allies, the alert was much worse than I had anticipated, “Alert! There is a slave that killed five guards outside the perimeter of the communications tower! Use lethal force and take him out!”

Zodiac was pulling all of the guards’ attention to him? Just what is he trying to do here? “Looks like Zodiac is trying to pull all the guards attention to him only…” My words made everypony’s worries escalate including those I still had telepathic connection to.

Already I can hear Harmony’s voice screaming at Zodiac even though he disconnected the telepathic connection, “What are you doing Zodiac!? You’re going to kill yourself!

Harmony, he can’t hear your thoughts. He disconnected the telepathic connection remember? I heard her screaming and groaning in pain and despair from Zodiac’s choice at hoof.

Lycan was shaking his head like crazy trying to imagine whether I was joking or not. I truly wished I was joking, “Is he crazy!? Ah mean, with most o’ the guards paying attention t’ him, it makes it easy on us but…!”

Liberty finished Lycan’s sentence as they share the same opinion with me about his choice with pulling the guards attention, “He’s basically calling a death sentence upon himself with that many troops on him!”

“Yeah what she said! Why didn’t he tell us about this!? Ah don’t like this ‘ere idea of Zodiac’s one tiny bit!” Lycan was not happy with my choice at the moment. I was not happy with the choice as well as I looked at the swarm of troops heading for the communications tower.

However, while I do see it as an idiotic choice, I also see it as a glimmer of hope for the slaves here, “Because it was his choice.” I looked back at Liberty and Lycan, my expression agreeing to their opinion, “I agree with you two and that this is stupid for a single pony to handle…” Looking back at Gemini and Pisces, I saw how worried they were for Zodiac. I returned his gaze at the tower bearing that concern on my face, “But if he is willing to do this for us, then we must be prudent in our action and make it quick so that we can help him in any way possible.”

Liberty and Lycan looked at each other trying to find a way to counter it, but were left short of any arguments, “Ugh, alrighty then. We better make this quick fer him then.”

Ismiled seeing that they were willing to agree to this. I turned my attention to the two doctors of ours, “Gemini, Pisces, I need you two to come with me and take control of the hospital.” They saluted to me as I shifted my attention to the battle couple, “Liberty, Lycan, think you can gather weapons from the armory?”

Liberty pulled the zebra stealth cloak from her saddlebag, excited to start this operation, “With this baby, we can get them in ten seconds flat!”

I chuckled a bit from hearing that. She had some inspiration from the first Dashite if she were to come up with that phrase, “Then let us not waste anymore time then!” We clapped each other’s hooves as we scattered heading to our chosen destination. Focusing on the task at hand, I led the three of us to the hospital utilizing stealth to the best of our abilities.

Soldiers were galloping and griffons were flying to the communications tower as fast as their bodies can carry them hoping to quell the fight going on there. It looks like Zodiac is managing to attract their attention indeed. Of course they were smart enough to leave behind soldiers in the hospital just in case. I looked at the two doctors who nodded their heads. I looked back at the soldiers watching them carefully.

As they left their posts for a few minutes, we used the chance to run. We passed the two guards without drawing ourselves. Opening the front door and entering quickly, we hid ourselves again as more guards came forward. Their heads were turned to our general direction as I saw their ears perked, By the Goddesses, don’t come here please… The three of us tensed up as one of the guards came close eyeing where we were hiding carefully. What felt like an eternity, he backed away and turned around as he walked with her partner.

The three of us let out a sigh of relief as we continued moving forward. I do hope we can find the supply room fast enough before we get caught.

I ran into some heavy resistance from the guards inside as they bombarded me with bullets. Five bullets grazed my coat leaving a singed mark on them. The heat from the bullets was painful but nothing I can deal with. I sped past them as they turned around to fire at me again. I kicked in S.A.T.S as I closed in the distance delivering three paralyzing hooves to the guards.

I hear the sounds of wings bristling as griffins tried to ambush me from above. I moved out of the way hitting them with a Paralyzing Hoof. I left them and continued my ascent to the spire. Bullets fired through the wall as I was ascending. One hit my right hoof as I tumbled down the stairs. The griffons heard me tumbling alerting the other guards that I was down but not out.  

I struggled to get up as I looked at my right hoof. The bullet tore through the flesh and was left next to the muscle. I pulled some tweezers from my saddlebags and pulled the bullet out. A scream of agonizing pain erupted from me. I wrapped magical bandages around the wound slowing the blood loss. I tried to walk on my injured right hoof, but another agonizing scream came. I was left with my left hoof to be able to cripple ponies. I might end up having to kill ponies now with me in this situation.

I begin flying through the hall as more guards came from behind firing at me. One of them threw a grenade as I was flying. I grabbed the thrown metal apple and threw it back at them. “Grenade!” They screamed and headed for cover as I continued my push forward. I flew as fast as my wings can allow me to. More guards were in the next room releasing a barrage of bullets at me. I moved sideways hiding from the stream of bullets. They ducked behind covers allowing me to move behind them.

I managed to hit their leg bones hard making a loud and unnerving crunch sound. They let out an agonizing scream as I got off them. A bullet passed by my head as I turned around to see more guards coming. I went behind the tables as bullets riddled the table with lots of holes. One of them tossed a grenade to my side (idiotic much?). I grabbed it and tossed it back. They took cover from the grenade as I exploded leaving shrapnel in its wake. I moved to a sturdier cover as the table was about to crumble on itself.

A griffon tossed a grenade to me. I grabbed it and tossed it back (again why?). Before he could react, it exploded in front of that poor griffin’s face blowing his face completely off. I was going to be sick upon seeing a griffon’s face blown off.

I looked behind quickly to see four griffons firing... goddamn freaking miniguns!? I moved out of the barrage of bullets. Four bullets missed, two hit their allies taking them down. Friendly fire much there? Regardless, they were outside and I can’t go out for risk of being torn to shreds.

I went behind a pillar of stone as I threw a piece of rock at them. They dodged the rock looking at the object what I was doing throwing a simple rock. Big mistake to lose your focus, I flew above them as they turned around see me charging at them. I delivered a solid kick to the back of one of the griffons momentarily paralyzing him.

One of the griffons caught him as he, alongside the others, fired at me. I felt four bullets tore through my skin as I grimaced in pain, flying away from them and ascending to the spire. I saw the griffon carrying his paralyzed friend back down as the other two chased after me. Despite the condition, I couldn’t help but smile seeing that even bad people care for their allies. No one is truly evil, a friend told me that and I’m inclined to agree there.

I broke through a glass window surprising some of guards that were coming down the stairs. They pulled their weapons out of their holsters and fired. I spread my wings as I flew above them. Many of the bullets did go through my wings. As much as it was terrifying to have my wings riddled with holes and to the fact that my wings got shot, I had to deal with the pain.

I was over their heads delivering a paralyzing hoof to one of them. They turned and were ready to fire at me but not before I disarmed them and crippled their forelegs preventing from using their weapons. I ascended up the stairs right as the two griffons following me came barging in seeing the down guards.

Zodiac, you’re making me more worried for you every second. He was probably at the halfway point of the tower during my allies’ liberation. Liberty and Lycan fired at some guards that were at the armory. While Lycan was doing cover fire, Liberty was wearing the stealth cloak as she was behind the enemy.

I saw her cripple the enemy as her hoofstrikes resonating through their armor pulverizing internal organs. Lycan was almost downright shocked to see the style in action. I too was had no one known that I was helping the resistance. Lycan walked forward looking at the down enemies, “Ah never thought that Fallen Caesar Style would be this deadly. Remind me t’ never get on yer bad side Liberty…”

She chuckled hearing that from her husband. I have to admit though, Fallen Caesar Style would probably scare any pony if used right, “Aw no worries darling! At least we get the benefit of the doubt!” She began to pick the lock as she pulled a pin from her mane.

Lycan scoured ahead to see if there were any more guards. I diverted from their attention looking at the communications tower. I saw a lot of guards gathered there trying to diffuse a single stallion. As amazing as it was that he was giving them that much trouble, it still did not ease my worries. I saw Lycan coming back. He delivered the news to both me and Liberty, “No more guards here. I guess Zodiac’s attention grab is working…” My expression was still as forlorn as it can be. I did put up a happy façade to hide my worries but it was not helping me.

At least they did not pay attention to me yet, “I’d rather be safe than sorry, but you are right. Now come on darling help me get these weapons to the others!” I saw Lycan opening his saddlebag as he begun to fill them to the brim with weapons of all kind. Liberty filled hers as well. I checked to see if anymore guards were coming. I saw some guards coming to the armory. I gestured the two to hurry up as fast as possible.

They finished packing the weapons as they heard the sound of wings flapping. We took a different way out and left immediately just as the front door was opened. I heard the both of them chuckle as we were far enough from the armory, “I can’t wait to see their faces when they find out that we stole their weapons!”

Lycan was snickering from the response. I couldn’t help but smile a bit thinking about that right now. Lycan pretty much said what I had in mind. “I agree there honey, now let’s get back quickly! We got a city to free!” We were heading for the cave right as I saw them leaving the building as multiple injured soldiers were coming to get healed. Luminescence surprised reaction matched mine. To see so many injured soldiers coming from the tower, this is a feat that I’d find impossible. Zodac sure was not lying when he said that he had the battle experience to back up his claim.

I saw him smiling seeing that Zodiac’s gamble was paying off if he left that many soldiers hurting and running. We were out of their line of sight as they entered the hospital. The three of us were right behind them as we ran back to their hideout. Luminescence knocked on the rock three times. A slave came by and opened the rock seeing the five of us with our supplies.

He immediately went back inside and delivered the news as we entered. Slaves cheered loudly seeing that we managed to do get all of what they need leaving the enemy empty of everything they need. They prepped up for the fight ahead quickly hoping to end the current situation.

My thoughts were still preoccupied with Zodiac trying to take back the communications tower. I felt a hoof on my shoulder as I looked into the eyes of Luminescence. He noticed my concern as I looked away from him. The words he chose left me gawking, “Go, I know you are concerned about Zodiac. We won’t hold you back.”

I felt a few tears well up in my eyes (I am such a sensitive pony today) as I hugged them there. He let go as he nodded to me. I turned around and left for the communications tower. As I was at the exit of the cave, I saw Ace in front of me. We were both surprised by meeting each other so suddenly. I saw Ace was smiling at me, “You’re thinking about joining with Zodiac on his journey aren’t you?”

The question was out of nowhere yet… Yes, that’s what I was exactly thinking. I looked away from Ace and at the tower. He got to the point and I acknowledged it for him, “Ace… as much as I would love to help you liberate the slaves in Fillydelphia, I have a feeling that Zodiac’s journey will be much bigger than just liberation from slavers in the Filly, even if the numbers are big. So please forgive me but I…”

My sentence was cut off by his lips making contact with mine. My eyes widened in shock from the sudden kiss. He pulled away as I put my hoof over my mouth in shock of what just happened. He continued his smile as he looked at me, “Why would you think I fell in love with you in the first place when we first met?” That question left my face burning. I let a light chuckle escape as I looked away rubbing my right foreleg with my left. He too chuckled as he went to the entrance, “I’ll miss you but…” He turned around looking at me for possibly the last time, “I know you’ll do great things Harmony… I do hope to meet each other again after all of this is over.”

My blushing face brightened but I gazed at him giving my best smile I could give, “I hope so but one more thing…” He stopped looking at me with curiosity, “When you did that kiss, did you seriously love me there?” A smile formed on his face as he winked at me. That was enough of an answer for me as he entered the cave meeting his friend.

I think my face was still feeling hot. Even during all of this, he does right then and now. Why couldn’t he do it when I was with him before? I’m going to have to think about that for another time. I turned and galloped for the tower. I hope that Zodiac is still alive, injured most definitely, but alive.

I was getting more battered with each passing minute as I was making my way to the spire. More and more guards were coming through as they tried to stop me. Admittedly, I found myself laughing that for such an army that Red Eye has, they can’t defeat a single pegasus stallion.

During my ascent, more guards kept on popping up trying to kill me. They were running out to options to stop me weren’t they? Many of the guards were beginning to get desperate as they tried many ways to take me out. I was injured beyond my imagining, they thought they were seeing a ghost in front of them. A bleeding right hoof, four of my wings filled with holes, and cuts deep enough to reach bone were just the many injuries I’ve sustained. And I had no luck running into a single guard with a healing potion so I was a walking corpse to their eyes.

As I was reaching the pinnacle of the tower, an alarm was blaring through the speakers. The words being said warmed my heart as I stopped to listen, “Alert! Slaves are rebelling in the central area of Baltimare! All guards that are up and able, shoot down the riot!” I took my first step on the top of the tower where the ponies here were watching the riot. I made one noticeable sound for them to see me coming. They withdrew their weapons and fired at me.

I swiftly dispatched each one of them with a Paralyzing Hoof momentarily stopping their movements. I carried each one of them to the floor below me. I was heavily breathing as the severe injuries were taking a toll on me. I scavenged through their paralyzed bodies to find no healing options. They were swearing at me as I left them not heeding their words. I pressed the button allowing my voice to be projected to the slaves below, “Communications tower is ours for the taking!”

The slaves at the central plaza were screaming joy for me as they begun their liberation. My PipBuck made a beep sound as I checked up on it. The objective was marked with a green check. I smiled seeing that I successfully retook the communications tower.

I was going to lie down and relax there when I heard the sound of hoofsteps rushing to the top of the tower. I turn to the stairs groaning over the fact that someone is trying to stop me here. Even then, it might end up being true with me being very injured. The hoofsteps got and I got to see who was climbing. To my surprise, it was Harmony. She was breathing heavily as she was looking down on the floor, “Why couldn’t they… install an elevator… to the top floor?”

She raised her head to me and elicited a gasp as she saw my body’s current condition. I tried to wave hello to her but my body was in so much pain that just raising my forelegs hurt so badly. I did smile back at her but my whole body wanted to collapse there. She came to my side as she putted my foreleg over her shoulder, “You are probably the most reckless pony to ever exist to have injuries like these…”

I was trying my best to make myself be positive but my body was just not going to me there. That of course was not working as I was wheezing when I would normally laugh. She was worried and yet at the same time couldn’t help but chuckle seeing me struggle right now, “I seriously think you and my brother would get along very well with you two being so reckless of your actions…”

I disliked being compared like that, to be honest, but I did not want to fight it as I let myself chuckle hearing the comparison there, “Haha, and the people who I know say that I’m crazy and think that I’m a masochist for hurting myself when doing crazy quests...”

She looked at me oddly at first wondering about that. She put me down for now as she got to getting me at least healed up. She gestured me to spread my wings. I obliged as I spread my six wings open showing her and the extent of my injuries, “Goodness, this might take a while to do. We’re going to have to do all of this in the hospital.”

Despite my condition, I put my left hoof on her left shoulder. My body wanted to fail on me right then and there as I was overexerting my body to its very limits, but my mind was not allowing me to stop as I wanted to say something to her, “Harmony thank you for helping me here, but…” I let myself be silent for a few seconds before asking, “If you are still here does that mean…?”

I saw Harmony give a smile to me as she put her right hoof on my left, “I’m here to stay. I know that I still have a lot of explaining with the slavery at hoof and everything else but let me say that I’d be happy to join your cause Zodiac.”

For the first time in my entire life, I think I might have gain something worth fighting for. Where I came from, most of the fights were handled by those six and I was but a simple observer to their many amazing feats. I still did my best to help but for the most part, they handled most of the problems themselves.

I felt ashamed to admit that I wasn’t of much use there comparing to here. I was tired, I wanted to rest so badly but my brain would not allow me until it was finished. I disliked the adrenaline rush that my brain was undergoing.

I tried to stand but my body collapsed yet again. Harmony lifted me up again as we turned around to the exit. I looked at her first before shifting my gaze to the slaves that were rebelling. Many soldiers that were fighting back were retreating to the front gates as despite have numbers with them, they were too injured to fight back. From the front gate, I saw Ace leading the retreat back to Fillydelphia. He turned to the tower, nodded and smiled as he left.

I was smiling seeing him doing this. I do hope that he does manage to help in freeing the slaves back at Fillydelphia even if it is only a tiny effort. The slaves were cheering, free from the control of Red Eye as their city was back at their hooves. I smiled seeing them cheering.

I looked back at Harmony who was smiling. We limped forward to the exit and descended down the flight of stairs. We managed to get all the way to the base floor of the tower. I was beginning to black out as some of the freed slaves arrived to the tower to take over for me. I heard Harmony piercing the silence as he told them to take me to the hospital. Some of them were calling for Gemini and Pisces as they came up to carry me. I smiled to see them alive as I vision faded to black and I drifted off to unconsciousness.

Tonight was going to be a great night… Alongside the Royal Princesses and the bearers of Harmony, this was going to be a doozy according to Pinkie Pie herself. I was put in a random spot by Pinkie being very close to the stage that she set up with Vinyl Scratch as I see her DJ booth on the stage. The others were moved to a specific area as well. Every pony here was getting along when loud dubstep music was emitting from the stage itself. Pinkie gave every pony the drinks that Twilight and the rest warned me to drink lightly. Pinkie Pie was on stage with a microphone, “Alright every pony are you ready to party!?”

A cricket sound was playing as silence answered her question. Every pony was reluctant to drink theirs considering what happened the last time they had this kind of party, “Uh Pinkie, can we have this kind of party without us getting drunk?”

Pinkie opened mouth shocked to hear that from Twilight. She did not like that answer but still kept her bubbly attitude, “Aw come on, why not?”

Applejack answered that question though I really wished I unheard her answer, “Because the last time we went through one, Ah ended up sleeping in Fluttershy’s Cottage with Fluttershy next to me!”

“Darling, I admit that these kinds of parties are fun but can we not get drunk please?” Rarity clearly did not want to go drunk. I take it back about this going to be a great night if every pony here did not want to go drunk.

Pinkie clearly was not happy to hear that kind of answer from her own friends, but then she perked up when she sees Luna taking a drink of her specially made drink, “Oh Princess Luna just drank my juice!”

Every pony but Celestia and I had their mouths opened wide out of shock seeing that the night princess drank her specialty. Luna noticed that every pony was staring at her much to her confusion, “What? Tis a fine drink that Pinkie Pie concocted, I do not see what is wrong… with…it…”

“Oh no…” was every pony said as they backed away slowly from her. Me and Celestia looked at her curious as to what happened to her. Celestia looked at her cup and was about to drink it as well, but I stopped her as I pointed at Luna who was shuddering like crazy. Her eyes were like pinpricks as she gave her biggest smile I’d ever seen from her.

We both backed away as well, wondering what was going on. As a few seconds pasted, she goes hyper from the drink as she flies around screaming in the Royal Canterlot voice, ”COME EVERYPONY, LET US CELEBRATE THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION! DRINK EVERYPONY, DRINK!” She telekinetically grabbed everypony’s drink but mine and Celestia and forced them to gulp them down. Every ponies reactions was that of them saying in their thoughts and expressions, Oh crap.

After every pony forcibly drank their drinks down, it all end up becoming a crazy party of hyperactive ponies. Fluttershy was up on the stage singing with Pinkie Pie literally head-banging to the song they were singing. Rainbow was drinking every cup she can find and she zoomed through the sky creating a lightning path. Applejack was riding on Rainbow Dash as she was zooming literally screaming ‘YEEHAW’ as they were getting more wild. Rarity was with Twilight casting spell after spell of continuous madness. Luna was creating many creatures of the nights allowing them to celebrate in the festivities.

We both looked at each other concerned on whether to drink Pinkie’s special drink or not. With every pony like this, we were certain that us being drunk was a bad idea. We were about to dump our drinks when Pinkie came in and putted them in another cup as she putted them on the table, “No way are you lonely birds missing out on the party!” She gave us the drinks again her eyes locked onto us, “Drink it you two and let’s celebrate!”

“Pinkie, I would much love to enjoy this party, but do you realize how dangerous it is for the both of us to be drunk?”

Despite Celestia’s plea to not drink it, Pinkie was not having any of it, “Aw danger shmanger! Drink it up and celebrate! Because I am not leaving this spot until you drink them!” She gave her biggest smile that sent chills up both of our spines.

We looked at each other clearly realizing that we were not going to be able to get away from this. Though despite this, I couldn’t help but smile a bit. She too smiled; she wanted to have a party like this, just not with her drunk. We tipped our cups and reluctantly drank the cider. At first nothing abnormal happened, but within a mere second everything changed.

I woke up to find myself in the Baltimare Hospital, or at least I think it is. I look around to see a heart monitor beeping normally to my heart and both Harmony and Luminescence sleeping to my right side. I chuckled seeing both of them sleep next to me.

I poked both of their heads to wake them up. Luminescence woke up with a few snorts before finally getting back to reality, “H-Huh? I-I’m awake…” He gives a big yawn as he rubbed his eyes looking at me, “H-Hey there Zodiac…” He delivered yet another yawn before suddenly realizing what just happened, “Oh my Goddesses! I fell asleep on the duty!”

I kid of chuckled seeing that he had the same reaction like what happened with Harmony. I did raise my eyebrow in confusion upon hearing that, “What duty? You mean watching over me?”

He slightly blushed a bit while rubbing his two hooves together, “That and to assist some of the slaves that are injured.”

“Did… we do it? Did we manage to liberate Baltimare?” I was asking because despite the numerous injured soldiers, I was worried that we have fallen short of a victory.

Luminescence’s smile was enough of an answer for me, “Yes, even better, we managed to get no deaths. We did suffer a lot of injuries as expected but no deaths.” He hugged me in my bed as I cringed a bit from some of the pain. He loosened the hug a bit but was very happy regardless, “Thank you Zodiac, for giving us this chance.”

I hugged him back, no questions asked. He deserved this freedom and so do the others. His mother and father would be proud. I let go of the hug as a question lingered in my mind, “So considering that I’m in bad shape, how long will it take for me to walk again?”

“According to Gemini and Pisces, about three days top. Your recovery rate is fast I must say.” I smiled glad to hear those kinds of news.

I needed the rest today and three days doesn’t seem all that bad of a resting time. I still needed to go to Tenpony Tower but it can wait. Still, I wanted to brush up on my knowledge at the time and reading and listening to the radio was better than just laying doing nothing but stare at the door or ceiling, “Hey Luminescence, think you can grab me those two books you showed me? I want to refresh my knowledge of the Wasteland…”

He pulled them out of the bag and left it to my side. Better prepared earlier than never… I took the books and thanked him for the books, “No problem Zodiac, it’s the least I can do. Now, I got to set some rules here now that they’re gone. I’m still the de facto leader here and they need a good leader.”

I patted him on the shoulder as he was about to leave, “You’ll make a fine leader Luminescence.” He smiled as he left to do whatever is needed. Well, I was left alone here; I decided to listen to the radio as I was reading.

I went to DJ pon3’s station as I was reading the Wasteland Survival Guide when news about the Stable Dweller came up, “Good evening wastelanders!  How’s every pony doing?  Got some great news for you today!  Remember that little Stable Gal who took on the slavers of Appleloosa and saved all those ponies?  Well don’t ask me how, but she survived takin’ a nosedive off a cliff in a speeding train.  That’s right, fillies and gentlecolts: she’s back! And what’s she been up to now, I hear you ask?  Well, sit down an’ put on your listening ears, cuz it’s time for DJ Pon3 to tell you a story.  Ready?  Good.  This is the story of a little filly named Silver Bell…”

Appleloosa? I wasn’t there when I was heading to Tenpony Tower, when did this occur? If I were to make a guess, I’d say this occurred around a week or so if I were keeping track of my time. Still, she was at it again. With the gender at least confirmed by DJ Pon3, I can safely call her by her true gender not an it because that’s just rude.

I did look over to Harmony who was still sleeping peacefully. I wanted to wake her up but I did not want to ruin her slumber, she deserved a good rest. A smile formed on my face as I was listening to the radio while reading.

After hearing the story behind Silver Bell, I gained a newfound respect for her. Not only for talking down Silver Bell in a gentle way but for saving many ponies from slavers at Appleloosa. I smiled seeing that I may have found the one beacon the shines through the infinite darkness. She was a calm storm willing to strike if some pony was being threatened and a force that will not be hesitant in saving ponies lives even at the risk of her own life. Someday, I’d like a chance to meet her personally.

I yawned loudly as night was beginning to rise. I continued on with reading the Wasteland Survival Guide hoping for more good information. I kept the radio station on for tonight as I tried to catch up with the book on the many areas I did not know about. One interesting tidbit I found was something concerning about Fillydelphia, the city where Harmony worked before as a slaver.

Fillydelphia, situated in southeastern Equestria, was a pre-war metropolis and the center of Equestria's manufacturing industries. According to some friends of mine, the city once laid in ruins after it suffered from a long range bombardment from megaspells just like Canterlot. It has been occupied by many factions though most of the control goes to Red eye’s Army. Many of the factories that were once destroyed were rebuilt to serve the purposes of Red Eye’s Army, allowing the usage of deadly weapons at their arsenal. The restored factories are also now used to make books and other essentials for Red Eye. He established himself as the slave master of the Wasteland, with Fillydelphia as the slaver capital. To those that want to go to Fillydelphia, please don’t, you be in a world of suffering worse than death…

I was rather surprised by Ditzy’s choice of words here considering her reputation. It did warm my heart with her for a second before shifting back to the reality at hoof involving Fillydelphia. Fillydelphia, that’s a city I want to avoid at all costs I thought to myself. And then there’s the bombardment of Canterlot. It was somewhat conflicting consider I did not see any blown up houses or buildings only a rotting things and the weird cloud itself. I looked up whatever that cloud and sure enough I found it.

Pink Cloud is an entropic, necromantic, pink-hued gas that was originally released by bombs deployed by the zebra empire during the Great War to strike Canterlot and eliminate the two Princesses, Celestia and Luna. It has a deadly effect on living beings, seeping into flesh and lungs, rotting it and melting it, and potentially liquefying bodies into heaps of organic matter. Oh Goddesses, don’t let me be a part of that! Even slight exposure can lead to severe complications, including organ failure and the permanent fusing of skin to objects in close contact, including clothes, PipBucks, jewelry, and even the ground or a chair if a victim remains still for an extended duration of exposure. It is almost always lethal, though in rare instances a victim can be turned into a particular variant of ghoul known as a Canterlot Ghoul.

I shivered immensely upon reading what the Pink Cloud could do. While the name was somewhat repetitive, the effects were not so laughable. The zebra empire used it to kill the two ponies I was meant to protect here in this world? The amount to necromantic magics used to kill off a whole civilization in Canterlot… I wanted to not think about it ever as I putted it in a great deep hole filling it up with dirt and putting a pedestal on it.

I decided to stop reading for tonight as I drifted off into sleep hoping that the three days in the hospital will be a great time. Some news did pop up every now and then to wake me up but for the most part, it was a good and a bad sleep. Good for the comforting beds, bad because to the new knowledge I learned.

Two days have passed since the liberation of Baltimare. Both Harmony and other doctors came to check upon my injuries checking if they healed or not. They were surprised to see that my injuries healed almost completely. With that note, the doctors of Baltimare checked me out since my injuries were not prevalent anymore, but they suggested to not strain myself should the pain resurface. Harmony came with me keeping watch of me as I stepped into the fresh outdoors… Well fresh enough…

I looked around the city seeing slaves who lost their hope of freedom cheerfully getting to some reconstruction of some parts of the city. Everypony was doing their best to support Luminescence, their new leader they all voted on. He took on the position proudly as he was giving instructions to the free ponies here, “See if any of you can take over the communications tower, we need to spread word that…”

“Ahem…” I said as I got Luminescence’s attention. Harmony chuckled hearing me do something like that. I looked at her in confusion and she just shrugged to her amusement.

I saw him turn around as he saw me walking and healed to an extent. He finished the rest of what he was saying and motioned those he chatted with to go along. They saluted and went off to do what they were assigned to do. He smiled as he returned his attention back at me, “Well hello Zodiac, surprised you’re walking with Harmony… How are the injuries?”

I moved my wings, forelegs, every single body part to prove my point although I did get a bit of pain from moving some of them a bi. Harmony just shook her head seeing me do that. What? It was better to do something like that to check right? “More or less well. I can at least walk so there’s that…”

“Well that’s good wouldn’t want you walking if you were still injured.” He returned his attention to some of the ponies that needed his help as they were calling him. Before he left he had almost forgotten the interesting fact one of the ponies recently bought up to him, “Hey Zodiac, I don’t know if you heard this but apparently some of the ponies that are at Stable 150 have been having weird occurrences happen to them.”

Both me and Harmony’s ears perked upon that. Harmony beat me to the question as I was just about to ask, “Weird occurrences? Like what exactly?” Aw come on, I got beaten to the question I was about to ask! Anyway, the last time the two of us were in that Stable trying to survive getting killing by those carnivorous parasprites, we did not have any weird things happen to us. This was some rather interesting knowledge given to us.

I saw Luminescence scratching his chin pondering about the rumors, “Depends honestly… some ponies said they hear what sounds like something from a heartbeat monitor, others hear like breathing through the speakers. It was real quiet though so they probably were either next to the speakers or that the sound is closer than expected….” I saw Harmony’s eyes widened hearing this news. The two of us never heard a heartbeat monitor or breathing during our raid through it… Then again, I was so busy staying alive that I probably never noticed it at all with all the noise coming from the guns and parasprites running amok. Jeez, do I like to repeat myself a lot?

I saw Harmony getting real close to Lumin (got to think of a nickname for him, too long of a name to say) her eyes boring into his with an expression mixed with glee and concern, “Luminescence, please don’t joke with me here but are you sure?”

Lumin was sweating here but he remained calm, “Remember Harmon, these are just rumors but if you want to check, I’d say go for it. Who knows, they may end up being true…” Seeing an agreement there, we left Luminescence with the ponies here as we went to Stable 150. During our walk there I began to ponder about those sounds.

Was the Overstallion or better yet, Harmony’s brother still in the Stable alive? A sound of a heartbeat monitor would not mean that he was alive, heck, he could be dead just with that hint. With the breathing portion, however, he might still be alive. Maybe not well, but possibly alive… I stopped at the entry of the Stable as I stared at it for quite some time.

After hearing DJ Pon3’s news message involving the Stable Gal as she calls her and now a newcomer by the title of Security (I wonder if she was from a Stable as well…), I began to wonder… How was life in a Stable like? It hadn’t dawned at me at the time I first entered into one but now that I think about, it was making me curious now. What was it like to be in a Stable? Did all Stables work as expected? Did they have different functions depending on the Stable itself?

So many questions about Stables in my head, it was hurting my head. I saw Harmony waving a hoof in front of me trying to get my attention, “Hello? Equestria to Zodiac respond please!”

I shook my head for a second looking at Harmony, “Sorry about that, my thoughts just had questions lingering about.” She smiled as she pressed the code for me. I put those questions in a shelf and neatly organized it from top being the questions I want answered most to the bottom where those questions don’t truly matter much.

She finished inputting the code again as the door opened with a hissing sound of steam released as the door gave out a draconic roar as it opened slowly. I slowly entered being a bit cautious… In fact, I might be a little too cautious what with Harmony chuckling a bit and that the place is already empty according to my PipBuck. I almost forgot that I had the thing on if it didn’t make a beep sound. I checked on it to see it has an apparently two objective on it.

Head for Tenpony Tower

(Optional) Investigate the mysterious sounds

Well that seemed a bit much for me. The first objective was I presumably guess was the main one as it doesn’t have the optional on it. Me and Harmony spilt up as she went left and I took right. I looked in the Stable wondering where the sound originated from. Damn it I should have asked some of the ponies out there before entering in here…  Well, I can leave but since the Stable was safe now, I decided to go on ahead.

I put my right hoof over my right ear as I was trying to hear out where the sound was coming from. Speakers generally don’t count as they are in every direction but I wanted to be certain. As I was trotting around, I ended up in the clinic again. I looked at where I originally was. Suddenly, I was imagining the scene of Harmony saving my life being played in front of me.

Don’t you die on me Zodiac! I promise to keep you alive until my last breath! The vivid scene ended as I heard Harmony’s hoofsteps coming forth breaking my thoughts, “You know, I never thought to be back here again…”

“Neither was I Harmony.” I smiled there as we returned back to the task at hand. We lingered around Stable 150 using our sense of hearing to see if we can find the source of the sounds. So far, I only heard the sounds from the speakers as expected now that there was little to no sounds. The speakers were not helping us somewhat finding out the noise. I headed to the Overstallion’s offices as Harmony went elsewhere trying to scout out any areas as I turned off the speakers. I stood still listening for the heartbeat and breathing sounds.

Sudden realization came to me with the speakers itself. If the sound was quiet yet the speakers can hear it, maybe it is in the office I was in since only one microphone can be found here. The room was so small though, how can a pod fit in here? I tapped on the wall behind me first. The sound was normal if you were hitting a hoof on a rock so that. Same with the floor and the ceiling above. I scratched my head in confusion how in the word was a heartbeat monitor sound coming from this area?

I kicked at the base of the terminal in agony of this. I did stop hearing the sound of the kick again. I kicked it again noticed from hearing it that it sounded rather hallow. I ducked to the base seeing it was screwed shut. It was to be expected yet something behind the cover was pulling my attention. As I stared at it for a while, I noticed a small red button through all the wires tied up. I didn’t have a screwdriver with me though.

I left the office for the time being to look for a screwdriver. My PipBuck beeped as another objective was added on it. It was after the original optional objective as I read it.

(Optional) Find the screwdriver

Well that’s repetitive to have that written don’t you think?I thought to myself. I did a thorough search of Stable 150 as I was looking for the screwdriver. My PipBuck luckily gave a map of the Stable so searching for it should be easy, right? NOT!

I saw Harmony at the PipBuck Technician’s stall (I did not know about this, my Pipbuck told me about it). I poked Harmony on the back hoping to get her attention. She jumped and bumped her head on the ceiling of the stall ash she turned around to see me, “Zodiac! Don’t scare me like that please! I’ve already had a heart attack once. I don’t want another please.”

I chuckled hearing that from her, “Well you were going to get jumped either way Harmony no matter which way I try to get your attention.” She let out a sigh as she stood up and decided to return to the Overstallion’s office. I was scavenging through the box she looked upon checking to see if there was anything else she missed.

All I found was some useless junk and some magazine called Wingboner Magazine which I can tell was one of those magazines. You’re all thinking that I peeked into the magazine aren’t you!? Well too bad for you stallions and mares but I did not take a gander at it! Ugh, what’s with everypony here being kinky today? I put that away very much not interested in reading such a magazine and headed back to the Overstallion’s office with no screwdriver in hoof.

During my walk to the destination, I put in my headphones and went onto the radio station of DJ pon3 wondering if he had any news, “Good evening wastelanders! How’s every pony doing out there? Got some amazing news today!  Apparently Stable Gal and Security aren’t the only one freeing some slaves out there! That’s rights folks, the same pegasus I mentioned upon before has done it again! What did he do you all ask? Why not only did he free slaves, but also liberated Baltimare from Red Eye’s Army! While singlehandedly taking on almost the whole entire army as he was taking the communications tower! He’s in the hospital as the now freed ponies said but golly to take on an army that big alone… That pegasus must be made of iron don’t you think?”

I was seriously wondering how was he able to get knowledge about me without going into the location… He did mention that the ponies managed to tell him about so that’s answered that. There was also those sprite-bots so there’s that as well. I’m not so sure why, but I was blushing hearing the praise I was given.  Really didn’t need all of that praising but… Well, it was everybody’s choice.

She was still speaking of the news about Baltimare, “Some of the ponies slash griffins that escaped his onslaught said that he spared almost all of them as a way to deliver the message to them that if he’s around and you are causing trouble, he will not hesitate to judge you there… Heck I even got a recording of one of the ponies saying it! ‘That pegasus is crazy I swear! He took on the whole army while still injured! No healing potions, no outside help, just him! He’s like the judge, jury, and executioner of the Wasteland!’ Well I’ll be, that soldier sounded scared out of his wits! I think I might end calling this pegasus the Bringer of Light since the Pegasus says he does all three! Yeah that sounds cool! Oh wait, the Stable Gal already has that title! Then how about the Angel of Darkness? Yeah, that would be perfect for him!”

I blushed again. I really didn’t need all of this credit from DJ Pon3 to be honest, I just did what I thought was right… The nickname Angel of Darkness did have a nice ring to it and admittedly was a bit close to my origins than expected, “Well, then it is settled then. To any evil pony out there! Threaten a life if our Angel of Darkness is within your vicinity and you will be in a world of hurting! Well DJ Pon3 is running out of time so here's Sapphire Shores with singing the song, 'called ‘Guardian Angel’.”

Although I didn’t deserve all of this credit, I will admit that I feel proud of myself. I went to the next possible area where there might be a screwdriver, the clinic. Silly as that sounds, you can never tell if they have one with them. I checked through the cabinets of the clinic finding nothing but some paperwork involving some of the soldiers that were here. Some were a bit creepy as I was reading through them, others were damn hilarious if I say so myself.

No luck finding a screwdriver throughout my search in each and every room in the Stable. I headed back to the office seeing Harmony listening to the messages on the terminal again. I put my hoof on her shoulder as she stopped reading the messages. I saw something protruding just behind the terminal. I reached to it out of curiosity. Immediately, I found a screwdriver behind it. I facehooved so hard right there, I think I might have broken my nose there.

Harmony looked upon me in confusion as to why I did that. I lowered myself and unscrewed the screws on the metal cap. She lowered herself seeing that I was doing. After all of that, we saw a red button behind all the wires. I moved the wires out of the way with my left hoof. I was about to push the red button but Harmony stopped me there, “Are you sure you want to push that? I’ve heard of the phrase, Pushing the big red button is a big no-no and I’m a bit scared.”

I looked at it for a while before responding to her question, “Well what choice to we have? This is the only thing throughout the whole Stable that we’ve yet to check.” She let a sigh as she motioned to get it over with. My right hoof pushed the red button. I backed away next to Harmony waiting for something to happen. The office I was inside was shuddering like it was in an earthquake. I kept my balance while Harmony used me as support as the room was shuddering. The shuddering continued going on until it immediately stopped…

Uh, what? I was baffled as I was waiting a full minute when it calmed down. I looked at Harmony first then inside finding no significant changes at all. Was that button meant to be a prank on the Overstallion or something? I was steaming there as I was not pleased with what that button did. I just sighed there as the both of us were getting ready to leave the office. As I took one step outside the office, the room sealed itself with metal doors. Those doors almost chopped of my legs had I not noticed it quickly.

Harmony turned around seeing the other door close as well. The room shuddered one more time, this time we couldn’t escape what was coming. We braced ourselves for what was coming only to find out that… the floor opened below suddenly. I looked down into the black pit, then to Harmony, and then the both of us looked into whatever cameras this room had as we were suspended in the air for three seconds before we fell down.

“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ouch…” was all I was saying as I was recovering from the fall there. I didn’t have time to fly to slow down as it was very sudden and I wasn’t thinking straight with me screaming for dear life. I stood up moving my body parts checking for any bones dislocated or something. None were dislocated though a few bones did pop.

I checked up on Harmony seeing if she was feeling fine. She too of course was repeating what I said as she was rubbing her head, “Ow, ow, ow, ow, ouch… who would do that without somepony knowing about it?” I just shrugged there much to my confusion as well.

We were in a tiny hallway as I led us walking through the hallway. The walls were uneven like normal rocks as we was walking through it. A tiny light source was at the end of the hallway. If I learned anything from my experiences, it is that small hallways with a light at the end are either me hallucinating, I’m in an endless hallway, or I’m in one of those hallways that shrink the longer you are in one of them. Surprisingly, it was not one of them as we made it to the light.

Inside the room, there was much clutter around the place as I looked at the room. Harmony saw the mess of the room as well wondering what happened here. Our ears perked as we heard the heart monitor. I looked to find one behind me. The heart rate was stable as I was seeing it. So this was where the heartbeat sound was coming from… Harmony seeing that was ecstatic, “Does…does this mean what I think it means?”

I sure it does mean what I think it means. We turn around moving out of this whole mess. Apparently something happened here as closer inspection of the clutter revealed they were actually pony bones. That send chills up both of our spines and they were numerous.

The room was rather big and wide for something holding a single pod. My guess was that I stepped into the basement where Twilight was conducting the experiments involving the pods. All the pods that were here would be in Stable 112 if I remember right. Even Harmony agreed with me on the idea as she pointed it out, “This is probably where Twilight Sparkle held the pods before…”

We went on ahead and at the end of this humongous room, there were ten pods shaped in a circle. Harmony gasped loudly as she rushed ahead looking in each one of them. I came shortly as I glanced at each one of them. All of them had some pony in them but they died of age, possibly meaning that those pods failed on them.  Looking through one to nine, each one died. At least they died of age rather than whatever is out in the Wasteland.

Harmony was at the tenth when she sat there still, a hoof over her mouth and another reaching for the pod. I arrived at the tenth one looking below me to find some rather interesting things. There was a battle saddle with a weapon that I swear looks familiar. Some ammo for the weapon and what surprised me is that they looked like miniature rockets! I looked at the weapon and sure enough, the weapon I was looking at was a rocket launcher. How’d that exist in here, I don’t know.

A Royal Guard chest plate was here. I can tell by simply seeing the insignia of the Royal Guard. Looking at ten, what I saw made me go stiff like Harmony. For within the number 10 pod, my mind was shocked and was processing seeing what I was seeing… A living pony inside the pod breathing.

Footnote: Level Up.

Zodiac:

New Perk: Life Giver – Discovering the origins of the heartbeat sound has given you +30 to Hit Points.

Quest Perk: Welcome to Reality – Finding Harmony's supposedly deceased brother has granted you unique dialogues with certain characters.

Naturia Harmony:

New Perk: Life Giver – Discovering the origins of the heartbeat sound has given you +30 to Hit Points.

Quest Perk: A Reunion Made Real – The brother you supposed lost is alive and well in front of you. You have gained hope for the future ahead. This gives +3 to Charisma Next Chapter: Chapter VI: Epsilon Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 52 Minutes