Fallout Equestria - Silver Skies

by LuckyBreak

First published 12th of June, 2012

Orion awakes in the ruins of equestria.

After waking into a world he no longer knew, Orion must find out what happened to his world and his parents.
But this world is cruel, Armed with his wits and the worlds worst AI he must battle slavers, raiders and his own raging hormones to find the truth.
Can a teenager survive the wastelands? Orion intends to find out.

Awakening

Fallout Equestria

Silver Skies

“Hey son! Get your flank in the house before your dinner gets cold!”

I looked down, my dad smiled up at me from the doorway of our house. I was doing what I loved most, flying. I really loved to fly, swooping through the skies, feeling the wind in my mane. I've loved it from when I was a small colt, when my dad used to take me and mom above the clouds on his back at night. It always such an amazing sight, Princess Luna's starry sky stretched out as far as the eye could see. It showed me how strong my dad really was. Being a Pegasus I knew we would never be as strong as an earth pony but my dads sheer size gave him incredible strength. It was too bad I inherited my mom's small size. Still, I was really happy I had wings.

I tilted my wings, slowly spiraling down to land before my home. Like all the houses in Paddock town it was roughly built from logs but very homely.

I grinned up at dad, back in the day he was a big deal, a member of Celestia's secret elite force, The Sky Archons. He was friends with princess Luna, although I don't know what he did, I did know he had been called a hero. Heh, I wish I could be a hero, every time I brought up the subject of his past all he would tell me was he met my mom because of a series of bad events. My mom is a former royal librarian, a small built yellow unicorn with a green mane.

“Orion, get your flank inside now.”

I grinned at my dad, he towered over me, a coat as black as night, silver mane and crimson eyes made him look like a creature from a nightmare, even without the yellowed bone horn poking from his forehead. He always told me he wasn't an alicorn, heh I liked to call him one just for the reaction. He never got angry though, there was always this feeling of safety around him.

When I was a little younger, I had over strained one of my wings and crashed in the forest. Timber wolves found me soon after. I would have died if my dad hadn't crashed down from nowhere and faced them down.

“One chance, leave now.”

Four words, just four words and a pack of those monsters fled in terror. I don't care what anypony says, my dad is a big deal.

Myself? I'm nothing special, I'm small, dark grey with blue eyes and a black mane streaked with silver, I don't have my cutiemark yet. As for my talents? Well I react fast and I have some skill in hoof to hoof fighting. After the wolves, dad made sure I knew how to fight, he even taught me to control weather on a small scale. I can control ice and snow a little, nothing like my dad but it's still pretty cool. I did have to listen to an hour long lecture on how what he taught me was only for self defense.

Wait that smell.. I sniffed, yes! Hay fries, muffins too!

I ran through the door, grinning ear to ear...wait, why isn't the door getting closer as I run?

SIMULATION HALTED. STABLE 2 DOOR OPENING CONFIRMED

Wait what? Simu..simlu..whatever that is? What's going on?

“Dad? Mom?”

My parents were frozen in place, the whole freaking world was frozen. OK now I'm scared, please dad.. wake up and help me!

CONFIRMED OVERMARE ACCESS CODE

BEGINNING RESUSCITATION

What's going on? Dad! Mom! Help me! Please, say something! Please..I'm scared, I need you...

I felt tears rolling down my face, My dad was so close to me, I reached out with a hoof, so close, I felt my hoof brush his coat.

“Dad, please answer me..please dad...I'm...I'm scared so much..please answer me! DAD!”

EJECTING SUBJECT FROM SIMULATION

Something seemed to grab hold of me and pull me away, I screamed as I was dragged from my parents, forced to watch as they faded away into the distance and the world became nothing but darkness. there was a weird sensation of being underwater.

What happened to my family? Why couldn't my mom and dad move? Why couldn't they help me?

Why were my eyes closed?

I could feel something around my muzzle and something around my legs.

OK I can do this, concentrate Orion, you're just opening your eyes. What's the worst it could be? Besides if its something bad I know dad will save me, he's unstoppable!

Finally my eyes responded and opened, after a moment of seeing what was there I did the only thing any sane colt would do, I freaked the buck out!

I was in some kind of glass tube, floating in a warm, pink water. Wires wrapped my body, occasionally giving off little jolts of electricity, making my limbs twitch. Metal clamps held my hooves in place and some kind of mask was fastened over my muzzle.

What the fuck was happening?? yikes if my folks found out I swore...

REMOVING CRYOGENIC FLUIDS

The pink water began to drain away into a grate in the bottom of tube. With a hiss, the glass tube began to descend, sliding smoothly into the ground. I was left hanging from the clamps.

REMOVING NEURAL INTERFACE

Removing what?

Something pulled at my temples, it felt like something was drilling into my skull. Some unknown device was pulled away from my head, ripping out tufts of my mane painfully, what else could go wrong with my life today?

The clamps on my legs moved forward and placed me on the ground before the tube, With a groan, the things snapped open and released me, making me stagger. I was unsure on my own hooves? Why would I have so much trouble standing?

After a few moments of stumbling around like a drunken filly..shut up brain, it was hard to stand, I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I was in a smallish room with a large television..or was it a monitor? Anyway it was big and covered most of the wall in front of me. There was a few lockers along the wall to my right and ...oh sweet Celestia... was that a skeleton?... to my left was a pile of bones, what looked like pony bones...

What in the name of Luna's cute flank, yes I have a thing for Luna, had happened in here?

OK not thinking about how cute Luna is..that star filled mane.. Stop it...

Right moving on.

With more than a little trepidation I walked to the screen, there was no controls, just a hole ringed with metal set below it into the wall. Wait.. there was a button in the hole?

I reached into the hole and pushed the button, something clamped around my leg. I felt something sharp stick into my leg. Ow! What the hay stabbed me?

DNA PROFILE CONFIRMED, PLAYING MESSAGE

The screen before me flickered to life, through the static two ponies became clear.

Mom?..Dad?..

“Orion, if you're hearing this then the worst has happened. If you hear this then myself and your mother are dead.”

My brain shut down in shock, my dads picture just told me he was dead? No my dads a hero! He can't be stopped! Nothing can kill him!

“Orion listen, we are gone but we still cared too much for you to suffer our fate. As you no doubt realised, I was more than a soldier. I was a Sky Archon, one of Celestia's most elite secret force. We were the reason you never saw anything worse than a timbre wolf growing up. Our task was to hunt down and take down hydras, dragons, Manticore's and anything that threatened Equestria. When the war began we were the secret strike force. We took out every Zebra super weapon they created. I'm not proud of what we did, we killed a lot of Zebras...”

“Orion, when they found out who I was they sent assassins to kill me, you were hurt. I know you don't remember this but you almost died... Your mother and me decided to place you in a sleep, in a fake world that was all what we wanted for you. Our intention was to wake you when it was all over, when the world was safe... I guess we failed son. No matter what you hear remember this, You were the one thing I was never ashamed of, all I did, all I had achieved, the deeds that made me be called a hero... not a thing of it mattered more than you.”

“I... I'm a coward son, I hated to fight, I hated fighting for this land but I swear to you, I would have killed anything that threatened you.... If you remember nothing else about me son, just remember that I would have, and probably did, die to protect you.”

Dad..he..he was dead.. no...

Tears rolled down my face, I couldn't tear my eyes from those sad red eyes. My Dad was gone...

He was my hero, nothing he did was anything but good.. my dad, Starshot, the Starlight Archon..he was gone...

Mom stepped forward in the recording.

“Orion, I love you son but I have to be the smart one here. If this message is playing you have your leg in a metal tube, say something for me, say attach pipbuck.”

“Attach pipbuck?”

Something clamped around my leg, the metal tube opened out, freeing me. Slowly I drew my leg out, wrapped around my right front leg was a strange device, like a small screen with a few buttons. I tapped one curiously, the screen lit up, displaying a single word.

>Hello.

“Hello?”

>Voice Print Confirmed, Greetings Orion.

Wait, I was talking to some text on a screen?

“Orion”, I looked back to my mom's smiling image. “By now you should have realised the device on your leg is special. Its called a pipbuck, specifically its the only Zeta-Buck ever created. I made it for you. The PipBuck can do many things, it will help keep you safe. Now above the screen you will see a blue button.”

Yea, there it was. “When you press that you can talk to the pipbuck, there's an AI in its memory, one of my best inventions.”

I tapped the blue button, instantly the odd text messages began to reappear.

>AI Start-Up Confirmed.

>Designation V.I.S.T.A.

“What does vista mean?”

> Virtual

Intelligence

Standalone

Tactical

Analyser

>Start-Up Protocols Complete. Analysing Functions.

>Auto Mapping Confirmed.

>EFS Confirmed.

>Threat Analyser Confirmed.

>Map Database Corrupted

>Memory Database Corrupted

>Suggest AI Reinstall

Great I just got this thing and I broke it. Wait what's that?

I brushed at the pipbuck, cleaning some dust away and revealed two small pictures engraved into its side, a four leaf clover cut by a starburst and an open book with a quill laying across it... My folks cutie marks. I found myself hugging the pipbuck to my chest, my folks were dead but they tried to keep me safe, they even built this thing so I would be protected when they were gone, they left me with some part of them.

I looked up at the screen, my parent smiled down at me, my dad standing there with one of his ebony wings draped across mom's back. I couldn't stop myself, with tears running down my face I reached up and touched their image, the recording played its final message, my mom and dad spoke together.

“We love you son, stay safe.”

The screen went black. I couldn't hold it back any more, I dropped to the ground, my legs covering my face as I wailed in sorrow, I don't know how long I lay there for. All I really know is I had cried like a little filly and I didn't care. It was a lot to take in, finding out my life was a lie, finding out the two ponies I cared about most were gone. Finding out I was all alone...

Why did dad say he was a coward? I never once saw him back down from anything, he faced down those timberwolves like it was nothing. Wait, I remember he did suffer from nightmares,real bad ones too. Him and Mom both. I don't know what they saw to cause that but..

OK Orion, puzzle this out later, get your flank off this floor, check for supplies and get the hay out of this room now.

So with a purpose I headed to the lockers, hoping to find something amazing that will keep me safe and help me out of this place. A quick search of them revealed a slightly battered saddlebag, a few bottle caps for some reason, a few tins of preserved food and a box of sugar bombs! I loved those things! Mom forbade me from eating them because the sugar made me hard to handle but what she doesn't know... she... she's gone...

No! I won't break down and cry again, I dropped all the items but the bottle caps into my newish saddlebag and fixed it to my flanks. I glanced around, after a little searching I located a staircase that led up to a metal plate. This has got to be a way out!

I trotted up the rusty metal stairs, grinning ear to ear at the thought of getting out. My smile faded when I realised there was no way I could lift that plate, it cut the stairs off mid step, the thing was bigger than me, hmm OK Orion, think.

Dad could bust through it like it was made of paper, mom would use her magic to lift it and me... I'll poke at it with a hoof and wonder why I never got dads big size.

Something beeped, after a moment of looking about in confusion I glanced down at my pipbuck, the bugged out AI was talking again.

>Subject Orion, You Wish To Leave This Facility?

>Y/N?

What the hay does facility mean?

“OK, I want out”. Boy did I feel stupid talking to my hoof.

>Confirmed. Opening Seal.

With a groan and an ear splitting screech, the metal plate began to rise. Soil showered in through the seams as the plate, or door? I don't know the term, rose slowly. Pale daylight streamed in, as soon as there was space, I rushed through and looked up at the bright blue...

What happened to the sky? As far as I could see was a thick layer of clouds, pale daylight filtered through. I looked about, I was in a forest, dead trees surrounded me and cut off my view in most directions. A broken road led away between the trees, with no other real choice apparent I trotted along the broken tarmac.

I must have walked for a few hours, my stomach was grumbling and I was feeling really thirsty but I had no water. I face hoofed with a sudden realisation of how stupid I was being, Dad had taught me to control ice, I can make small chunks from the air. After a moments frowning in concentration I had an ice cube balanced on my hoof. With a grin a dropped it in my mouth and sucked happily as I continued along the road.

You know what? All these dead trees are very depressing and the lack of any company is starting to get me down. Heck I don't even know how long I was in that tube! With sudden inspiration I tapped the blue button on my pipbuck.

>State Query.

“How long was I in that tube for?” why I never thought to ask VISTA earlier I'll never know.

>Calculations Complete. Stasis Period 217 Years.

Wait what? “Redo the numbers! That cant be right!”

>Calculating, Checking For Additional Input.

>Calculations Complete, Stasis Period 217 Years.

No way... That can't be true! I would have died or been pickled in that time!

“VISTA, how am I still alive if that's true?” I had to work this out.

>Stasis Protocols State Subject Orion Was To Be Preserved Via Healing Potion Submersion.

Healing potion? “So I spent two centuries asleep in some healing potion?”

>Affirmative.

“What does affirmative mean?”

>Correcting. Yes.

This stupid program is annoying me. And perfect, its getting dark.

I flapped my wings. They felt really stiff, I guess they never got to stretch a lot in the tube. I doubt I could fly until tomorrow. Looks like I'm camping out tonight. I looked about and spotted a cave set into a hill partly hidden by the dead tree line. I trotted over, thinking to myself that if I lit a fire I would at least be warm and it would keep the wildlife away.

Ow.

I tripped over something in the fading light, face planting with enough style to make me feel 20% more uncool. Muttering to myself in annoyance I glanced back at the offending item and froze. There was the bones of a pony there, I wasn't good with seeing things like this, wait...

Wrapped around the bones was a leather saddle, fitted to it was twin boxes with some kind of metal box tubes leading to some odd looking metal pipes, What the hay was this thing? I carefully removed the saddle and placed it to one side, there was a hole near the bones, it looked blackened like it had been on fire, with care I pushed the unknown ponies remains in and spent the next hour covering them.

“May Celestia guide you home, may Luna Guide you through the night. May you find rest at your journey's end. Now your harmony is passed, may you sleep with the ones you lost. Rest now, find peace”

My mother taught me that prayer, a farewell for those we lost. I may never know who this pony was but whoever it was deserved more that to lay in the sun until a scavenger desecrates his or her remains, Nopony deserves to simply lay in the sun...or as close to sun as we get through the clouds and rot to dust.

I took the odd and strangely heavy item to the cave with me, with a little work and striking my hoof on a stone for sparks, I got a small fire going. With nothing else to do I ate a can of corn and took a look at the saddle, The pipes were fixed to some kind of box metal. Scraping my hoof at the rust across one pipe I uncovered a single word engraved into the pipes side, Vengeance.

So this thing was called Vengeance eh? Duel..whatever these things were.

“Oh my gosh is that a Dx-109?”

I glanced up, a pony had wandered into my cave. she was a unicorn with pale red hair with peach streaks and a blue coat, She wore a black jacket and boots. Black bands hung from her legs, she had a pair of black saddlebags hung from her flanks. A wide black cowgirl hat sat on her head.

Without warning the saddle floated into the air with her magic and almost exploded into little parts, This odd unicorn brought each part up to her eye and examined each while muttering to herself.

“Hmm, spring is rusted, I'll replace that, the bore is rusted I can file that out... let me see the trigger assembly is sound, the auto loader needs to be replaced, I can switch out the firing pins with a pair of titanium ones from that TR-660 I stripped, the saddle needs taking in. if I switch out the crystals for the charged ones from that GR-772 that will bring back the guns enchantments...”

“Excuse me but who the buck are you?”

The odd unicorn looked at me with surprise, she seemed shocked I was there!

“Oh sorry, I'm Happy Trails! Call me Happy!”

Wow this girl was so hyperactive, even more so than me after a box of sugar bombs!

I decided she was harmless, just obsessed with the pipe thing, or whatever it was. “Call me Orion, feel free to share my fire.”

Happy gave me a wide grin, “Much obliged youngster!”

Why was this girl so happy, no pun intended, all the time? she had been here for maybe five minutes and she had not stopped smiling once.

There was the crack of a breaking twig outside, Happy gave a sigh, “Be right back Hun, Just gotta take of of this Raider who's been following me.”

Without any other explanation she trotted outside. After a moment there was a loud bang and Happy trotted back into my cave, levitating a small pipe fixed to a box. Smoke curled from the open end of the small pipe.

“That's one Raider who regrets going for my cute flank!”

Well she did have a cute flank, not as cute as Luna but... stop it Orion, focus on the crazy girl in front of you. well she is pretty cute in a crazy way..stop it Orion, focus.

“What's that thing you're floating about?” I'll admit I'm curious, I have no idea what it is so I have to ask somepony in the know.

“This? Its a 9mm pistol with walnut grips and a polished slide!”

“OK one more time, this time for the not so smart ponies.”

“You don't know what a pistol is? Haven't you ever heard of a gun?”

I gave Happy a blank look, what in Equestria is a gun?

The blue unicorn gave me a strange look, “How have you got to be this old and not seen a gun?”

I glare at Happy with annoyance, “Well I'm sorry but until a few hours ago I was asleep in a tube. I didn't get a lot of updates.”

The blue unicorn tipped her hat back and gave me a wide grin, “So you're a cryo-kid eh? I heard the tales of ponies being put to sleep before the war but I thought they were just stories. What was it like being in a pony freezer?”

Did she just... OK Orion, crazy girl before you, remember what to do, 1. keep calm, 2. smile and 3. don't raise your voice.

I smiled at Happy, “It was actually kind of peaceful, there was this fake world where I was living with my folks. It was kind of nice.”

“How long were you in there?”

I lifted my pipbuck, “This thing says 217 years”

Happy let out a loud gasp, “You have a pipbuck? Let me see! Let me see!”

Without waiting for a response the crazy girl grabbed my leg and started poking buttons at random.

“Aww its broken”, Happy gave me a pout with wide tear filled eyes. I'm a sucker for crying girls. I looked down at my pipbuck and tapped a button, instantly the screen lit up.

“It only responds to you?” The insane unicorn gave me a strange look. “Are you a spy?”

OK, I remained dignified in my response, let nopony tell you I fell over and giggled like a filly on helium. After a moment to compose my thoughts, and not laugh my plot off, I managed to give an answer.

“No I'm not a spy, what kind of spy doesn't use a... what did you call it? A gun?”

Happy levitated the cloud of bits from my gun, I think its a gun anyway, and floated out some odd metal bits and crystals from her saddlebags. Frowning she pulled a collection of wire brushes and set to work. I watched in silence for hours, fascinated as she worked at the rusted wreck. Occasionally she levitated a different gun from her bags and broke it apart and used its remains on my gun. Watching her rub the wire brush at the rusted tubes in the flickering firelight was almost hypnotic.

<====0x0====>

With a snort I woke up, the fire was out and Happy was asleep, surrounded by her tools and piles of metal parts, I suppose I should call them gun parts, and there next to the burnt out fire, gleaming silver, was my gun. It was the same shape so it had to be the same one but it shined with oil and looked brand new, not at all like the rusted wreck I had taken from that ponies remains.

I walked over and took a closer look, the saddle had been altered to fit a much smaller frame, slits in the top seemed to be made for Pegasus wings. She just met me and did all this for me?

I ran my hoof across the oiled leather of the saddle, feeling awestruck that this strange pony had repaired this for me, even if I still had no idea how it was used or what it did for that matter.

I wonder if this is how Dad felt when uncle Winter Sky took him under his wing? An unknown and capable pony showing you kindness just because they could, asking nothing in return. Uncle Winter was the only pony I ever met who was bigger than Dad, Gruff and overly serious. He was the pony who taught my Dad his Pegasus magic, and in turn Dad taught it to me. Well he tried, other than causing small snowstorms and creating chunks of ice I can't do much.

Slowly I ran my hoof over the gleaming metal, the word Vengeance now picked out in gold, it must have been hidden under the rust. Only one word came to mind.

“Amazing...”

“Kind of you to say Hun, fixing up guns is my talent”, Happy Stretched out, rubbing sleep from her eyes with a hoof. “I fixed her up good, everything works but there's no ammo for it. That dual rifle rig uses 5.56 mill ammunition, I don't carry a calibre that big but its fairly common so you won't find it hard to pick up if you have the caps.”

Happy looked at my confused face with a sigh, “You don't know what I mean by caps do you?”

I decided to be honest, “I have no idea what you mean in any way, shape or form. I'm sorry but I only got out of that tube yesterday.”

Happy sighed with frustration, “OK Hun, it works like this, we use bottle caps as money now, everything is worth some amount of caps, you can trade stuff you scavenge and sell what you don't want, all for caps.”

“So bottle caps are the new bits? That's a real odd choice for money.”

Happy gave me an amazing smile, wow was she cute... stop it Orion, you're learning the basics of this time so stop looking at her flank and listen! Wow two crossed pistols? That's one cool cutiemark. Orion this is your conscience talking, the mare is trying to help you out here, she s telling you things you need to know to survive so stop checking her out and listen.

“Well after the war not everypony had piles of bits, so it was natural to use something anypony could find.”

Hmm I suppose that made sense, why use something that's rare as a currency? A thought occurred to me. With a groan I dropped down and covered my face with my hooves.

“Wants wrong Hun?”, Happy was giving me a concerned look.

I gave a loud sigh and looked up,”There was a pile of caps in one of the lockers where I woke and I left them!”

Happy gave me a radiant smile, “Don't you worry none, you couldn't know. Besides you can find caps anywhere, That's actually the odd thing about the wastelands. Kick over a couple rocks and you will see what I mean.”

Feeling more than slightly confused I obeyed, I wandered about the cave, overturning random rocks. Under my fifth rock I found a single cap. Now that was both cool and a little scary. Why would there be a bottle cap under a rock in a random cave?

Happy grinned at my expression, “I told you Hun!”

“This world is crazy, what the hay happened to my Equestria?”

“That youngster will have to be a tale for another day, I best get moving if I want to make town before nightfall.”

There was a town nearby? My wings were still too stiff to fly so I was hoofing it.

“Happy, do you mind if I come with you? I really don't know what I'm going to do...”

The blue unicorn drew me into an awkward hug, “Kiddo, I was just going to ask you to come with me. I couldn't sleep at night if I was worried about a nice young buck like you.”

Not blushing, not blushing.

Happy showed me how to strip Vengeance down so I could fit it into my saddlebag, I was going to treasure that gun..or battle saddle as Happy informed me. I may never actually use it but she had worked so hard on it, as a gift for a stranger.

<====0x0====>

We walked the rest of the day away, Happy chatting at me about anything that popped into her head, I'll admit I learned a lot on how to maintain guns. She even told me what a gun was at last, it turned out to be a weapon that fired chunks of lead called bullets at speeds way above any that a unicorn could throw it. I'm not the smartest pony out there but I could understand some of what she told me. Each bullet had a size or calibre and could fire from any gun that fired that calibre. My saddle fired 5.56mm rifle rounds, a pretty common kind but it had some kind of enchantments that gave each round a special effect.

Happy hoofed me a few coloured bullets and explained how each had an effect, blue fired sparks of energy that worked on machines, red set things on fire, black punched through armour, orange exploded.

It made little sense to me why such effects existed, I mean why did anypony need these weapons?

Then Happy explained the war to me, how we had almost killed the entire pony race over coal. It just seemed so stupid to me. Why fight over a rock? I knew myself that there was ways to make electricity without coal and magic. My mom had helped me make a windmill with magnets when I was a colt, the metal blades turned with the magnets behind them and lit up a light bulb... not very brightly but it did work and I got a ribbon for it.

Happy slowed her walk and motioned me to be quiet, straining my ears I could pick out several ponies talking loudly.

“She has to be going this way, That unicorn will learn that nopony crosses the Split Hooves and lives.”

“Do we have to kill her right away? A pretty mare like her will keep the boys entertained for a few days at least!”

“Fine! Don't kill her right away, maybe we can make some caps selling that mare.”

“What's if she s not alone boss?”

“Then kill anypony she's with.”

Happy cursed under her breath and motioned me to duck behind a fallen log. Carefully Happy pulled a collection of small pistols from her saddlebags and a pile of thin box like things full of bullets and laid them down.

“OK Orion, I hate to do this but I need your help here, Those ponies are raiders, they rape, murder and mutilate good ponies for fun. I upset one of them when instead of letting him rape me, I shot him in the face.”

I'll admit, I'm getting more than a little scared. I just heard a pony telling somepony else to kill me!

“Orion, I won't ask you to kill anypony. What I need you to do for me is to keep loading my guns.” Lifting one of the guns and one of the box things, Happy demonstrated to me how to load it. “Slap the clip into the bottom until it locks and rack the slide back.” The top half of the gun slid back with a ka-chick sound. “To remove the clip, push on this little button.”

“There! That's her behind the log!”

Bullets began to hammer into the wood, sending clouds of splinters into the air, Happy began to snap off shots from one of her pistols, after a moment she dropped it at my hooves and floated the next one from the pile I was loading.

I poked my head up, three ponies stood in the road, Raining fire down on us. Each wore some kind of spiked barding, with all the dirt on them I couldn't even guess what colour their manes and coats were. One fired a mouth held pistol, the second wore a battle saddle with some kind of rifle, the third blazed at us with a huge gun with a spinning barrel.

“Kill the kid!”

More lead ripped into the log, our cover was slowly being shredded.

Happy gave me a sad smile, “Sorry kiddo, it doesn't look like we will get out of this.”

A bullet ripped through the log and passed through my friends hair, Everything seem to go quiet as a thick lock of her beautiful mane fell to the dirt. Slowly, ignoring the bullets now tearing through our meager cover, she floated the lock of hair to her face.

“They shot my hair...”

Happy looked at me, her eyes shrunk to pinpoints, I have to admit that look scared the hay out of me. Slowly she stood and faced the ponies attacking us, bullets whipped past her, seeming to dodge around her gaze.

“YOU SHOT MY FUCKING HAIR!”

The pile of guns was suddenly enveloped in a blue glow, I watched in awe as no less that twelve pistols floated around Happy, each slide racked back in unison. The roar of gunfire was deafening.

Without her even looking back, The saddlebags opened and six orange tipped bullets floated up, then a strange gun, studded with crystals, it broke open revealing six chambers, an orange tipped bullet slammed into each. With a loud snap the gun closed, The rows of gems down the length of the weapon glowed orange, pulsing slowly. Then with an ear shattering roar it fired, a beam of orange light speared out. I never saw it hit but I sure felt the explosion. The winds blew Happys hat from her head and left her mane whipping behind her. Then with no other sound she passed out.

I caught her before she hit the ground, carefully I glanced over the remains of the log. Two of the attacking raiders were dead, lying on pools of blood. The third was just..around...

I threw up.

To take my mind off the sight of those remains I gathered up all the guns and packed them away. A little searching and I located her hat. With a little curiosity I took a look at that odd gun.

It was built similar to a pistol with a mouth grip but widened into a drum like barrel, almost like a revolver, at six points around the drum was a clear gemstone, a line of smaller gems led from each to the tip of the barrel. There was something carved into the grip.

“Ex fire?”

“That's Crossfire Hun”

Happy was awake! Without thinking I threw my hooves around her neck and hugged her tight.

“Whoa there cutie, you're a little young for me!”

I don't care how much I blushed, I was just glad she was OK.

“Happy, that was amazing! I have never seen anypony control so many things at once! And just what is Crossfire? That thing is so cool!”

Yes I'm over excited and I don't care.

“Easy there Orion, let me go and I'll tell you!”

With a grin I let her out of my hug and sat back. Happy gave me one of her trademark smiles before explaining.

“When I was a filly, I was fascinated by guns, not how they killed but just how they worked. The town I lived in was a popular target for raiders and slavers so my fascination was encouraged. I was taught how to maintain and clean all of the towns firearms. After a while I began to see ways I could improve how they worked. A stronger firing pin, swapping out the mechanisms with smaller calibre ones to increase the fire rate. I even discovered how to repair the enchantments on the few magical guns we had. They didn't approve of me experimenting.”

“I was kicked from town when a gun exploded and killed the pony using it, it wasn't a gun I had ever worked on but they needed a scapegoat and I was that. I was given the revolver I was customising and a dozen rounds. No food or water and thrown from the town gates.”

Happy gave me a sad look, “I wandered for days before starvation made me collapse, I suppose I was lucky no slavers or raiders found me. I was very lucky when I was found by the gang who built Radar, the town we are heading to, They call themselves the Gunrunners. They wanted to know where I found my revolver and so saved me. At first they refused to believe I had customised it myself, but finally let me into their workshops. Its like my personal heaven, hundreds of guns, crystals and parts. Their leader, a stallion named Blackshot gave me a day to fix and customise a revolver, it took me less than an hour. he was so impressed I was given full access and permission to experiment, I built Crossfire a few years later while experimenting with enchantments. In short it pulls the enchantments from bullets and then fires it in a concentrated beam.”

Well that explained the gun, “So what was that thing with your hair, you got scary really fast.”

Happy actually blushed, “Well That's a slightly shorter story, the town I was born in had a real bad lice problem, I loved my mane but had to keep it short. When they kicked me out I could finally let it grow and when somepony cuts it... I don't really know Hun, I just snap.”

“I can relate, I like my mane but I was always told I was just a monochrome Rainbow Dash, I don't even know who that is!”

Happy grinned at me, “I do Hun and I must say your 20% cuter.”

My face must be glowing with how hard I was blushing.

“Happy can you please stop teasing me?”

“But I love teasing you, you go such a cute shade of red!”

<====0x0====>

Radar lived up to its name, the town was built under a huge radar dish, walls of welded metal surrounded the vast dish. A huge lookout tower stretched into the sky from the structures centre. In the shadows under the great construction lay a collection of ramshackle buildings. Ponies patrolled the metal walls. There was a gateway set into the welded metal wall at the end of the road. Towers on each side sported some kind of large mounted guns, turrets I think Happy called them. They slowly tracked us as Happy led me to the gate.

“Hey! Who's a girl gotta shoot to get the gate opened?!”

A gruff voice called down, “Hey Happy! When did you have a kid? Or are you adopting him?”

My unicorn friend laughed softly then called back, “Dozer stop being an ass and open the gate! We ran into raiders a few miles down the road and I need to see Blackshot!”

The gate began to roll to the right with a loud screeching of metal scraping on metal.

>Function Restored

>Inventory Management Active

Wait what? Since when did I see Vista's messages without the screen? For that matter how could I see the green text across my vision? OK I'm not smart enough to figure this out so I'll just ignore it.

Happy led me into the town, It was surprisingly well lit considering the huge dish it was built under, the buildings seemed to be built from welded metal and were set in orderly rows. Wide streets led between each row. Even to an idiot like me it was obvious a lot of thought had gone into the towns design.

I took a look at the wall behind me as Happy led me deeper into town, A wide platform ran around the length of the wall, ladders and staircases gave access, I guess it was set up so ponies could get to the wall fast if raiders attacked?

We reached the middle of town, the building from which the dish rose from. It was square and built from some white stone, I'll admit it, standing in the shadow of that massive building, under the great dish was kind of intimidating.

Happy left me in a well lit room just inside, saying she will be back. I took a look around the room, the walls were a pale blue and covered with posters, a battered sofa was placed in one corner and a desk in the opposite corner, a table with piles of books and magazines sat in the middle.With a sigh I threw myself onto the sofa and fidgeted, I never could sit still and wait. I poked at my pipbuck in boredom, oh wait what's this? Radio? Sweet music! A few pokes later and a catchy tune began to play, I found myself tapping my hoof to the beat. Then I got up and danced, it felt great after that day to just unwind and have a little fun.

“Woo go Orion! Shake that hoof thing!”

I froze, feeling my face turn red and glanced back, Happy stood behind me grinning widely, next to her stood a large black unicorn stallion with a flame red mane, strapped to his battle saddle was the biggest rifle I had ever seen..then again all I had seen was the raiders guns from a distance and my own gun, Vengeance.

“See Blackshot? He's a good kid, just a little clueless” She gave me an odd look and stage whispered “Be careful if he gets into a huggy mood. Oh he's also great in the sack!”

The blush on my face could have lit the room.

Blackshot sighed, “Happy, please stop tormenting this kid will you? Sorry youngster, we can't seem to rid her of this habit of hers. So Happy Trails tells me you're a cryo-kid?”

“Well I woke up in a tube swimming in some weird purple water” I lifted my hoof, “Also this pipbuck tells me I was asleep for over 200 years, I have no idea how I'm not dead.”

Both ponies gave me a strange look, Happy fished in her saddlebags for a moment before pulling out a bottle. Blackshot gave me a stern look.

“Orion, did the water look like this?”

I peered closer at the bottle held in Happys mouth, It was filled with a slightly glowing purple water, it did look a lot like the stuff I floated in.

“I can't be sure sir, but at a guess I'd say its the same stuff.”, I gave them a confused look, what the hay was that stuff?

“Orion” Happy smiled at me gently, “That's a healing potion, it heals wounds and reverses damage to your body.”

My mind just blanked out, I had spent two hundred years in a potion made to heal ponies? No wonder I was in such good health!

Blackshot smiled at me, “Kid I have had visitors today looking for you.”

Wait what? Who could be looking for me? I just woke up yesterday!

“Who came for me?”

Blackshot's eyes hardened, “A group of those jackasses from above the clouds, they seem to think any Pegasus from cryo belongs to the Enclave.”

Huh? What's an Enclave?

Blackshot must have seen my confusion as he began to explain, “When the bombs fell the pegasi closed up the skies with that cloud cover and left us ponies to die, now they have this idea that we should be thankful when they poke their feathered wings through the clouds to demand things from us.”

I was still confused, “So why would they be looking for me?”

Blackshot and Happy exchanged glances, “Orion, from what they said you're the relation of some kind of Pegasus hero, they want you because of that.”

Hero... ”They want me because of my dad...”

Happy threw a hoof across my shoulders, “Who was your papa Hun?”

I sighed, I knew they would have never heard of him. “My dad was named Starshot.”

Both ponies jaws hit the floor in unison.

After a moment Blackshot shook his head and stared hard at me, “You're telling me your father was Starshot, the Starlight Archon? The hero of the war of the dragon mage? The saviour of appaloosa? One of the most legendary Sky Archons in Equestria's history?! He was your father?”

I blinked slowly, the idea of my dad being that famous was..sort of scary but he was my hero, always will be.

“I don't know about the titles but my dad was a Sky Archon and he was Starshot.”

Happy gave me a really odd look, “Orion, you don't know what your papa did do you?”

“I know he protected a lot of ponies, That's all I need to know.”

“Orion” Blackshot stared hard at me, “Starshot was more than a hero, he saved so many ponies. near the end of the war he sacrificed his life, saving Equestria from a Zebra weapon.”

“How do you know so much about dad?” I had to ask, the Archons were supposed to be a secret.

“Thank Rainbow Dash for that.” Blackshot smiled warmly at me, “When those feather brains closed off the sky, Rainbow was the only one who tried to help the ponies left down here. The first thing she did, was release the files on all of the secret heroes of the war. Kid you should be proud of your father, He was a great pony.”

I could feel tears in my eyes, “I always was proud, he was always my hero...”

I felt happy wrap her hooves around me as I sobbed my heart out, I tried to be tough, but everything that had happened from when I woke up till now had just been too much. I lost all I knew, I lost those I loved, I even lost my whole world. Now I'm alone in a dangerous world and I'm being hunted by unknown pegasi.

Blackshot laid a hoof on my shoulder, “Kid, we want you to stay here, Happy has secured a place for you to live.”

My mind was made up, as much as I wanted to stay with my friends there was something I had to do first.

“I can't stay, I'm going to find out what happened to my parents.”

“I understand kid” Blackshot straightened up and shouted at the door, ”Dozer!”

The head of a massive green earth pony poked through the door. “Yes boss?”

The big stallion nodded to me, “Teach this kid to shoot and get him outfitted”

My jaw must have bounced from the floor as Blackshot grinned at me.

“Happy would kill me if I sent her friend out into the wastelands unarmed and untrained”

Footnote : Level Up! Science 5

Unarmed 10

Guns 10

New Perk Added: Regeneration: 200 years in healing potion has changed you. HP and AP now regenerate 10% faster and all healing items heal you for an additional 20%

Harsh reality

Fallout Equestria : Silver Skies

Chapter 2: Harsh Reality

*BANG*

The log before me was hit with my shot, outside of the target rings...again....

With a muffled sigh I spat the gun from my mouth, the 9mm pistol was a gift from Happy. The crazy unicorn had insisted I have some kind of gun of my own. The stores had been empty of rifle rounds that would fit Vengeance. Story of my life, I own an amazing gun but I can't use the stupid thing.

Dozer had been seeing to getting me trained in the use of most basic firearms, but the heavy weapons were a no go, as most were bigger than me!

The mouth-held pistol was a little awkward to use. I had to grip it with my jaw and pull the trigger with my tongue, which isn’t as easy as it sounds. Plus, the trigger tasted of gun oil. Not exactly as nice as a razzleberry pie. It also didn't help that every colt and mare my age was able to hit the target on their first shot. I had fired dozens of rounds and had yet to even hit the stupid thing!

With a weary sigh, I picked the pistol back up and set to practice. Ok Orion, remember.... Sight on your target, wrap your tongue around the trigger. Aim with your eyes, see the target, squeeze the trigger, don't pull it...

*BANG*

A small hole punched into the outermost ring on my target. Yes! I hit it! Finally I hit the target! I may have used over a hundred rounds but I finally hit it!

With a frustrated smile, I sat down and took the pistol in my hooves. Sleek and black, perfectly weighted. Happy had really worked hard on this, but I was such a bad shot I was disgracing her work. I really wasn't good enough for Happy to go to such lengths for me. It still confused me. Why would such a cute... Not going there, Orion, cut it out... capable pony work so hard to help a stupid colt she found in a cave in the ass end of Equestria? Why would she work into the night to fix his gun? Well, she’s a gun obsessed lunatic, so that part I understand, but I still had no idea why she helped out so much. I'm nothing special, just a pegasus with a cool haircut.

I stared at the log. I had shot at this thing for days, and I had barely hit that log at all. Why was this shooting thing so hard? Reloading, now that was easy. Happy had rigged a contraption on my leg that had clips of 9mm rounds poking out. With little effort, I could eject the clip and slam in one of the many attached to my leg. Wow, I'm getting good at this gun-talk. Lingo? One of the two anyway.

Soft hoofsteps on the packed earth came from behind me. One of the colts who was practicing that day sat beside me. Something about being frozen for a few hundred years made me a big talking point for the younger ponies. That and being a pegasus.

“Hey Orion, still can't hit the side of a barn from the inside?” Yep, should have known.

The green coated earth pony colt next to me was named Firefly. He was kind of an ass. Pretty sure of himself and his skills. But heck, if I had gotten a cutiemark for sniping a Raider from 500 yards with a pistol, I'm sure I would be as cocky!

“You never get upset with me teasing you Orion. Why is that?”

I smirked at Firefly’s confused look as he scratched his buzz cut yellow mane with a hoof. “I've been teased by Happy Trails. Compared to her, you got nothin!”

Firefly’s face took on an awesome pout as the thought sunk in. The trolling skills of Happy Trails were legendary in town. She once had a slaver reduced to tears and begging to be shot just to end it! Yes, I have been asking about her around town. Not because she is cute... with that long mane... stop it Orion. No, I wanted to find out more about the crazy unicorn mare who had saved my life.

Firefly pulled out his own gun from its holster on his flank and with little effort fired three 9mm rounds into the target. Now it was my turn to pout. Why couldn't I shoot like that?

I was much better with a battle saddle. Dozer had altered one with a pair of rifles on it and let me take 12 rounds to practice with. It was odd, Happy had managed to build a machine to make 9mm ammunition from scrap metal and some powder scavenged from about the wastelands but the town still had to scavenge the higher calibre bullets. I had asked about it but her explanation gave me a headache after the first few moments. Something about rifling and firing pins. Too complicated for me, at any rate.

With that battle saddle, I hit the target with seven rounds - all close to the center too. With that I had thought the mouth held pistol Happy presented me with would be easy to shoot with... and now I know I can't shoot with it at all.

Ow! Firefly just poked me under my wing!

“Hey Orion, how did you get that wicked scar?”

I lifted my left wing, showing the three jagged lines slashed underneath, a momento from the day my Dad had become my hero.

“It happened back when I was 12...”

“Whoa hold up there!”, Firefly raised a hoof, “You never did tell me your age, I need context here!”

“Oh, sorry. I'm 17... or is it 217? Anyway, back then my Dad had taken me to an airshow in Cloudsdale. The Wonderbolts were performing and my Dad got me in to watch them. We never had tickets but an armoured pegasus easy twice the size of the guards trumped the lack of a ticket.

“I found myself smiling at the memory. Me, sitting on Dad's back as he glared down at the guard ponies. I don't think that I was helping, making faces over Dad's shoulder. Still, they let us in. Then again, I never met a single pony who would try to stop a pegasus that big.

“The Wonderbolts had been called the best flyers in Equestria and they lived up to that reputation. I had always seen flying as a way to get around, but all those tricks - the loops, the mind blowing feats of skill... it changed flying for me. I fell in love with splitting the sky with dives and spins. It was three days later when it happened. I was showing off my trick, a simple loop-the-loop to my friends. I judged it all wrong, and an updraft bent my wing the wrong way and I lost control. I crashed into the forest near the town walls and blacked out. I woke up with my wing in agony. I must’ve sprained it when I crashed. I was darn lucky that was all the injuries I had after crashing through those trees.

“It was surprisingly dark under the canopy of leaves, a few shafts of light fell through the gaps in the leaves leaving the forest in a constant twilight. Dry leaves crunched under my hooves as I stood.

“I didn't know which way to go.

“Every way I looked seemed the same, trees and leaf covered dirt stretched away into the gloom. The crash had thrown me off and now I had no idea what direction to head. If I chose wrong I would just end up deeper into this place and my folks always told me it wasn’t safe. There were creatures in the deeper forest. I thought it was an old mare's tale but those dark woods brought the stories to life. I'll admit, I was scared.

“A growl came from the darkness, yellow eyes seemed to appear all around me. I spun about, looking for a direction to run. Every direction seemed to be filled with those yellow eyes. Slowly the creatures advanced, it was like something out of my nightmares. Each seemed to be a pony sized dog made from wooden tree branches. Each had a jaw filled with pointed teeth.

“A low snarling began as the things closed in, slowly circling me. I was terrified! I beat my wings furiously, tears were streaming down my face at the pain in my wing as I struggled to take to the air. I managed to gain almost a meter up before a claw raked under my injured wing. With a scream, I bounced into the side of a tree. Blood ran down my flank from three deep cuts. The monsters began to close in for the kill.

“I pressed my back against the tree, shaking in terror, as those things slowly approached, closer and closer.

“Daaaaaaaaaad!, I screamed in fear, calling out to the pony I wished for most. Then a massive figure crashed through the leaves, hitting the ground so hard it left a crater. Huge ebony wings spread open, a silver mane floated as if caught in a strong wind. Scary silver flames licked at his hooves as my Dad faced those things down.

“His deep voice, always so warm and kind, spoke out in a low, cold way that chilled me to the bone: “One chance, Leave now.”

“The effect was incredible, every single one of those things whined and backed away before running away, yelping with fear. The silver fire winked out. My Dad turned to me with his usual warm smile.

“He then said to me; “Hey son, ready to go home?”

“I'm not ashamed to admit I threw my hooves around his leg and cried. That day my Dad became my hero.

“Dad took me back home on his back and Mom fussed over me. it took almost a month for me to heal but I'll always have the scars that remind me of who my hero was and will always be.

Firefly’s prodding hoof brought me back from memory lane. With a shake of my head, I snapped back to the present.

“So that was what your Dad was like, huh? I've heard fillies and colts all saying their Dad was the biggest and the best, but you can back that up.”

I had to smile, I missed my folks more than I ever thought possible, but I was at peace. They were heroes; ponies who gave everything to help others. I respected them far too much to sit and cry. If there was one thing I could do for them, it would be to find out what had happened to them and how they died. I knew it was a childish thing, but I was still a kid, I had to know how they died. Maybe my mom and Dad had had entered the freeze pods like me, maybe they were still out there. Until I could know for certain, until I could see them laid to rest, I would not sit still in any place.

>H.U.D. Restored, Reboot System?

Wait what?

I glanced down at my Pipbuck, the screen was glowing, displaying the same message that had scrolled across my vision, not really sure how Vista was doing it. Probably some kind of magic I was too stupid to understand.

“Hey Orion, why is your Pipbuck asking you stuff? From what I know, they don't do that. Ever.”

“I have no bucking idea.”

“Why do you do that? You never really swear. Just say its a fucking piece of shit or something, enough with the soft cursing already.”

You know it never really occured to me before that I was doing that, I guess the manners my folks lectured into me had sunk in more than I knew. With smirk I hit the blue button.

“Ok you piece of shit, reboot the hud.”

I was expecting some stupid message but not this! A green wave washed across my eyes from right to left, as it passed odd things appeared. A bar in the bottom left of my vision was labeled HP... whatever that meant. A counter in the bottom right read ‘0/0’. Well the AI is great at being confusing, but not as helpful as Mom said it would be. I looked around confused as hell, a green box highlighted my pistol, the words 9mm pistol floated above it. This could actually be useful...

I picked my gun up in my mouth and shifted it to a comfortable position, an odd dot appeared in the middle of my view. I tried to move the gun so I could ask Firefly what he thought it could be but the dot moved with the gun.

It couldn't be that... no way.

Five rounds spat from my pistol as a worked the trigger with my tongue, each slamming into the target close to the dot I could see.

“Wow! That’s pretty good! how’d you do that? You can barely hit the fucking thing, let alone shoot like that!”

“Firefly, I'll be completely honest with you, I have no idea...”

I was staring at the counter in the bottom right of my sight, 9/120. Was Vista actually keeping track of how much ammo I had for the gun I was holding in my mouth? Still the aiming assist will come in handy. There were a lot of creatures out there, none of which I could remember the names of, Still it didn't hurt to be prepared.

“Hey Orion! Blackshot is looking for you!”

Dozer trotted up to us wearing his trademark smirk. The big pony was fun to be around, though he didn't really know what to make of me after I showed him the hoof fighting Dad taught me. Heh, I still remember the shocked look when I flipped him onto his back. Not as hard as it seems really, as I was taught the size of your opponent means nothing. Use his weight and size against him. As Dozer had leaned into a swing of his left front hoof, I ducked under and wrapped my own front hooves around the limb. With a roll of my body, his own swing pulled him forward and flipped the big pony over.

With a wave to Firefly, I followed Dozer. Hmm, I got an idea. Dozer gave me a curious look as I lifted a hoof and focused on it. A little snow swirled around and formed a small snowball. With a grin at Dozer I threw it, hitting Firefly on the back of his head. With a happy grin a followed Dozer back towards the array, leaving Firefly’s confused mutterings behind us.

“What the fuck? Snow? Its hot as hell out here! where the hell did snow come from!”

Must not giggle, must not giggle, must not giggle...

Dozer led me into the massive building at the centre of town. Happy told me it was called the array, no idea what an array is, but it seemed like something I was supposed to know.

We found Blackshot in Happy’s workshop, officially it was just the workshop, but nopony would argue that it was Happy’s domain. Each wall was covered in a different kind of gun; rifles on one, pistols another. The heavy weapons were stored in a locked cage. Happy herself stood next to a workbench, Vengeance lay in pieces across it. She was tinkering with it again?

Blackshot stood at a second bench below the rifle racks, working on his battle saddle with that sweet rifle. One day I swear I'll talk him into letting me fire it.

“Hey boss, I brought the kid like you asked.”

Blackshot turned, “Thank you Dozer, now I need you to check out the perimeter guns.”

With a nod, the big pony left us. Blackshot smiled down at me.

“Orion, I hear you want to leave Radar and venture into the wastelands?”

“I’m sorry, I would love to live here but... I know it seems odd but I have to find out what happened to my folks. I can't rest until I know for sure.”

Blackshot gave me one of his all knowing smiles, “Kid, I know what you feel, Your parents were your world. If I had the same chance I would do the same.”

“You lost your folks? Sorry, I didn't know...”

“Relax kid, they were killed by Raiders when I was your age. Oh, and the Raiders are gone too. I had to reclaim my father’s gun from them.”

“I've been meaning to ask: what is that thing? It’s a lot bigger than any rifle I've seen... not that that’s saying much...”

Blackshot beckoned me over to his workbench, stroking the big gun with a hoof he explained. “This is an Anti-Machine rifle, its built as a sniper weapon but able to punch through the thickest of armour.”

“Sniper?” I knew the term snipe from chatting with Firefly, but sniper? That was a new one.

Blackshot gave me a smile, “A sniper uses a very long range weapon, with very high accuracy.”

I gave him my famous ‘not a smart pony’ look. The big guy chuckled at me.

“Ok, somepony that uses a gun that fires a long way and lets you hit stuff easier.”

“Oh! Why didn't you just say so?”

Happy levitated the now reassembled Vengeance over to me, the duel rifles shined with all the attention Happy had lavished upon them. Each moving part gleamed with gun oil, even the gemstones had been replaced.

“Wow Happy, you really spent a lot of time on this thing huh?”

Happy gave me a smile that left me feeling weak-kneed, The girl is hot ok?

“Sorry I keep taking your gun apart Orion, it's just such an unusual battle saddle. I worked out almost everything about it but I still can't figure out what the enchantments are.”

So that's why she’s so obsessed with Vengeance, The mare is a master of gun design and my weapon is something she can't work out. That's actually kind of funny. I couldn’t help but grin at the thought. Blackshot coughed politely.

“Orion, are you still intending to leave town? If you wait a year I can have a group go with you and you will at least be trained enough to handle most of the hell out there in the wastelands.”

“I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I've thought about it a lot and I just can't sit around.”

Blackshot gave me a look that clearly stated ‘you’re an idiot’, “Orion, don't go yet. You won't survive out there. I'm not saying this to scare you, you really won't survive!”

“Oh come on! What would go after a colt like me if I don't piss anypony off?”

Happy stared hard, “Raiders, Slavers, Cannibals, Bloodwings, Radscorpions, Feral Ghouls, Steel Rangers, Bloat Sprites, Enclave... want me to go on?”

I sighed, I knew I was being foalish but it hadn't been a month since I lost my entire world. Not knowing was tearing me apart inside.

Even when I was just a little foal, I would never stay still for long. Hyperactive, Mom called me. Even my friends thought I was crazy. I hung around with a colt named Trick and his younger sister, Bell. The siblings were so alike it was scary, both had a smooth yellow coat and light blue manes, the only way to tell them apart at first glance was that Trick was bigger and Bell wore her mane in a braid. Paddock Town was a small village, so there wasn't a lot of ponies my age to be friends with. The youngest besides Trick and Bell had been my aunt Summer, and she was ten years or more older.

The three of us had got up to all sorts of adventures, trying to find out our special talents and gain our cutiemarks. We had our own little clubhouse, a cave just into the edge of the woods. I think we made a good group; Bell was the quiet one, Trick was the cautious one and me? I was the crazy one with the bad ideas. Heh, we even tried to come up with a name for our little group: the Cutiemark Questers? We never really got the name down.

It's strange how much I miss those two. It was the silly things, the three of us being taught to read and write by mom (she became our teacher, kind of embarrassing), playing catch, showing of my aerial tricks, pouting at how much stronger Trick was than me... you never realise just how much small things like that matter to you until they are gone forever.

Happy poked me with a hoof, snapping me back to the present again. Sweet Celestia I have got to stop daydreaming like this!

“Orion,” Happy gave me an oddly serious look, “Please don't go. I don't want you to die...”

Happy hugged me tightly, Why was she so worried? I would only be gone for a few days if all went to plan.

“Kid”, Blackshot smiled at me, “I get it, I really do. You're going through with this no matter what we say?”.

I nodded.

“Well we will have to at least get you fitted with some gear, I don't think we have barding that would fit you but I'll make sure you have a few hundred rounds for your pistol, some healing potions and enough food. I have to ask though, where are you going? Nopony knows where Starshot died and I have no idea where to even start looking for your mother.”

It was a very long shot but there was only one place I knew my folks visited often, if there was any hope for me to find a clue about my folks it would be there.

“I'm heading to where my godmother is buried. Trottingham.”

<====0oxo0====>

The next day found me outside the gates, Happy and Blackshot had been true to their word. Saddlebags hung over my flanks, packed with clips of 9mm ammo, tinned food, purple potions and Vengeance. I still had no bullets for it, but Happy had shown me how to load the feed belts. If I finally found those elusive bullets I could try that thing out.

Happy explained my Pipbuck’s map to me, for once the technobabble sank in and I demonstrated the function five times before she was satisfied.

Happy gave me a hug before launching into yet another session of warnings.

“Orion, Trottingham is not how you remember it, the city is filled with gangs, Slavers and theres talk of one of those alicorns overseeing it all.”

“Alicorn? Like Luna?” I'll admit the thought of a cute pony girl like Luna being there made my hooves tingle.

Blackshot shook his head, “Kid, alicorns are a plague. They hurt ponies and drag them away to join in their so called ‘Unity’.”

“So not like Luna?”

“No kid, they are nothing like Luna.”

Dammit, no Luna like ponies? Truly this was a barren and hellish world.
Oh no... Happy is giving me her trolling smile...

“So you like Luna, eh Orion? Does her star filled mane make you tingle, do those soft wings make you sweat? Does her flank make you..”

“Happy! Leave the kid alone!”

Thank you Blackshot! I really didn't want to discuss my crush on Luna with the biggest troll in equestria!

So with so final snippets of advice and a few hugs, all from Happy, I set off on my quest.

Trottingham was around 200 miles northeast of Radar, around five hours as the pegasus flies. To pass the time I switched on my Pipbuck and tuned into DJ Pon3. Happy had shown me the station and I loved the music to bits! I switched on in time to catch one of the stallion’s newscasts.

“Hello Children! You're old friend DJ Pon3 has some more news for you today.
You all know about our lightbringer, the Stable Dweller? Well it seems she has inspired other ponies around Equestria to fight the good fight. I've received word of the Security Mare kicking some serious Raider tail all across the hoof, random groups of ponies are working to stomp out slavery after Security laid down her own law...”

The station crackles for a moment before a gruff mare’s voice shouted out an angry quote, “If I see you doing this again I'll turn you into paint!”

I liked Security more than the Stable Dweller. She was like me, rough and tough- I wish... but the Stable Dweller was an impossible standard to live up to.

“Now before you all grab your guns and head out to fight the good fight remember, if you die you will help nopony. Leave the bullets and blood to those that know what they are doing. This had been DJ Pon3, Bringing you the truth, no matter how much it hurts. Now here’s some Sweetie Belle to help you through the day.”

I'll admit, the girl could really sing, so I was a fan of her songs but I really wanted to hear more about the Security Mare. That girl could kick tail and make it look good.

My flight to the ruined city was very uneventful, the only thing of note was some weird metal ponies watching and tracking me with their guns as I flew into the city.

Although the place was a wreck I still recognised enough to find what I sought from the start; a single headstone under one of the only living trees in sight. With a thud I landed and looked around. Nothing of note was in sight so I read the headstone as I had done on so many occasions before.

Here lies Sunspot

Our own element of Harmony

Taken From Us Far Too Young

Equestria is lesser for her passing

Rest in peace

The pony I never knew, Dad had told me that she had to be my godmother as she had shaped the pony he had became, her love had made him into the hero he was. I'll admit it was a strange idea. The pony who was my godmother died before I was born but at the same time anypony who helped my Dad to become the legend he became had my respect. As Dad had described her, Sunspot was the kindest pony who ever lived, as a filly she had sacriced her life, giving up her magic to save Dad’s life.

I looked at the shining silver symbol engraved on the headstone, a heart surrounded by a sunburst. I reached out and touched it, my hoof snapping back as a spark of silver leapt to my hoof.

“Don't you just love it when the slaves come to you, Chains?”

I turned to the voice, only to meet a metal clad hoof , crackling with electricity coming the other way. The weapon connected with my head and the world turned black.

<====0o0====>

Oh my head...

The world began to fade back into existence for me. I could hear a faint ringing next to my ear, slowly my vision cleared.

“Ow..”

There was a squeal of surprise as a pony scrambled backwards. I was in a cage, and it stank...

Pushing to my hooves I took a look around, the cage was quite large, rusted and floored with old straw, and from the itching in my coat, full of fleas too. A small mare cowered in one corner. Her coat was a very light grey, almost silver. A ragged black mane draped across one side of her face. A short horn poked through her tangled mane. She was a unicorn, then. She looked terrified of me... not sure why anypony would be afraid of little me.

“Take it easy, I'm not going to hurt you..”

The little unicorn mare gave me a fearful look and slowly came out of her huddle in the corner, small wings flapped nervously, Ok, wings and a horn? The girl is an alicorn?

A shockingly sweet voice spoke in my mind, “Everypony hurts me... the Goddess lets them...”

I raised a hoof to the ach on the side of my head, my coat felt sticky. Blood? There was no cut and even my headache was fading... That means this alicorn girl healed me?

“Thanks for helping me. I'm Orion, what’s your name?”

She peered at me through her tangled mane with teary eyes, just asking for her name upset her?

“The goddess has not given me a name, I am just a rejected failure so I don't deserve one...”

Whoever this ‘Goddess’ is, she was already pissing me off. This girl was so sweet, she healed my wound and never asked for anything and this ‘Goddess’ let some fuckers hurt her?

“Who is the Goddess? I don't think I like her.”

“The Goddess is the creator, she created all of us alicorn’s. We are all connected to her mind as a whole. When a pony is absorbed into Unity, their soul and mind become a part of the whole.”

Oh this was a level of fucked up that was way over my head. Huh.. I'm swearing a lot more, the blow to the head must have done something. Focus Orion. This girl is alone and scared, think how you would’ve been if Happy had not found you?

“If I understand this right, this Goddess sees everything each alicorn sees? So she’s aware how you're hurting?” She nodded. “And she can hear what I'm saying right now?”, Another nod.

Ok, time to do something I excel at, something completely stupid that could get me killed. “Ok, Goddess? YOU STUPID FUCKED UP BITCH! YOU ACTUALLY WATCH AS THIS GIRL IS HURT? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOUR RULES OR IF YOU SAY SHE IS A FAILURE BUT IF YOU REFUSE TO HELP HER, I WILL FIND A WAY MYSELF!”

The little alicorn was staring at me with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open in shock.

“Nopony has ever talked like that to the Goddess before! Unity is silent!”

I had to grin, if that upset this goddess then what I was about to do would be even worse.

“She refuses to name you. Nopony should ever be nameless.” I glanced about the cage, looking for some kind of inspiration, finally my eyes settled on the cloud cover through the bars above me. With a smile I turned back to her, “Well fuck what the Goddess wants, I'll give you a name!” I walked over to her and she cowered on the floor, her hooves covering her head. After a moment, she looked up confused, only to see my hoof extended towards her. “Pleased to meet you... Silver Skies.”

“Silver... Skies? Silver Skies...” With that, Silver threw her hooves around my neck and hugged me tight. I felt her tears soaking into my coat as I gently, but awkwardly, hugged her back.

“Thank you! Thank you, Orion. Thank you so much!”

“Touching...”

I spun around, putting myself in front of Silver protectively. Two earth pony stallions smiled through the bars. One had a dark red coat and wore leather barding, his mane was styled into spikes. Metal shoes were fixed over his hooves, occasionally crackling with electricity. His left front leg had a very familiar pistol and ammunition rig attached to it; the same rig Happy had made for me.

His partner was heavily built, with a brown coat and shaggy mane. Chains wrapped his body and hung loose around his neck.

The red stallion spoke again, “I never expected you to be awake yet. My power hooves usually keep a pony out for most of the day. I take it our little fucktoy behind you helped?”

Silver was crying behind me, So they.... oh fuck no! No way are they taking her!

“Well as you were so nice as to volunteer for slavery, I'll let you keep her for a few more hours, then the boys get their turn.”

Ok, now I really am angry, no pony has the right to do that!

“Touch her and I’ll kill you.” I didn't recognise my own voice, it was so flat and emotionless.

Red pony laughed through the bars at me, “If Redeye didn't value pegasi so highly I would drag you out of that cage and beat you bloody for that. Still, with what you will fetch I can forgive a little bravado.”

And with that both ponies trotted away laughing. I gave the cage door a shake, locked tight. The roof was barred and there bars of the walls were too close together for me to squeeze through. How was I going to get her out?

“Orion... you... you should escape... don't worry about me...” Silver Skies stared down at the floor, tears still dripping from her face, “I can teleport you outside the cage, get away from here... forget about me...”

“Come with me, Silver. I don't abandon my friends.”

“I... can’t ... the Goddess gave me the power to teleport another pony, but not myself. One of her jokes...”

“Well maybe I can find a key or something? Or maybe I can get help?”

“The Steel Rangers have been trying to take the town for almost a year. You're strange, Orion. Strange but different... you really want to help me...”

Silver’s horn glowed and there was a flash, I suddenly found myself outside the cage! I threw my hooves against the cage door, praying it would open. No luck...

“Orion, go! Get out of here! she touched my hooves gently with hers. our eyes locked together, “You can't help me if you're dead or in shackles!”

Shouts came from all around, the flash had been noticed but I couldn't leave her! But I had to. I had to in order to save her. I wouldn't let her be hurt anymore!

“I'll be back Silver! I promise!” I pried my eyes away from her and galloped away, determined to get a key.

I passed cages, filled with ponies of all kinds. Each watched me pass with a look of despair. A large building stood past the cages, if there was a key anywhere it would be there!

“The pegasus runt is out! Spread out and find him! He’s here somewhere! If he went skywards then those metal morons would’ve shot him down. Now find him, or I'll take his cost from your hides!”

Thank you, red pony, I love you too.

I galloped towards the building’s open doors, glass cases filled the wide rooms. Most were smashed open and looted; the bones of dragons lay fallen across display stands. This was the Trottingham museum, Mom had taken me here once. A bullet smashed an intact case of fossils to my right.

“Hes in the museum!”

Oh shit...

Flying now low and fast, I sped through the display filled halls. There! A small hole was broken through the wall next to a blackened display case. Dimly through the bullet holes and burns I could make out some kind of gun. No time to look! Bad ponies with guns are after me! I folded my wings and dove through the hole.

I was in a long corridor, wooden doorways lined it left and right. At the far end a door lay smashed from its hinges. I raced along, trying each door and finding it locked.

Ok, panicking now...

Finally I ran into the open door at the corridors end, a rusted sign above the door frame read ‘Storage’. Maybe I could find an open window or at least one I could break. Shelves lined every wall, covered in boxes and bags. In desperation I ransacked everything close to me, hoping for a gun or something I could use to get free. A few rusted pistols lay in pieces across one shelf, some kind of metal apples filled a box below it. One metal case opened and was filled with those elusive 5.56mm rifle rounds, already loaded for a belt feed. Typical! Why do I find this when I don't have...

A green box on my Hud highlighted a dirty saddlebag in one corner, seemingly just thrown through the door. The text labeled it ‘Orion’s Saddlebags’. Hoping against hope, I ripped it open and beheld the most glorious sight. Vengeance, my battle saddle, still neatly packed. With practiced ease I assembled the weapon and fed the rounds into the drum magazines on each side. I was struggling to fasten the straps around me when the sound of thundering hooves echoed down the corridor. Red pony and his men charged towards me.

I had nowhere to run and they knew it, The gang slowed and trotted towards me.

“You led us on a merry chase boy, now I will give you that beating I promised you. Then me and the boys will celebrate with your little friend.”

Five... six... seven... eight... nine... nine ponies, all armed and armoured. They didn't consider me a threat and let’s face it, who could blame them? If I was a big pony all geared up like them, I wouldn't be afraid of a trapped colt either. Trembling, I pulled the last buckle tight.

The sight of the battle saddle gave some of the Slavers a reason to pause their advance, Red pony still came for me confidently as I backed up. My rump hit the back shelves. Please just leave me alone...

“You know I may take one of your legs as a lesson to any other escapees, or maybe I'll take off your wings and keep you as a pet! I’ve always wanted a dog.”

The twin dots of Vista’s targeting helper lay across red ponies chest. If I bit down on the bit before my mouth he’d be dead... Can I do that? Could I do that? I had issues shooting a log! How can I take a ponies life? Even a pony as evil as him?

The Slavers had reached the broken door, I pressed into the shelves. They obviously enjoyed my fear from the smiles, I still couldn't fire. not even to save my own life! Dad,what should I do?

I remembered something he once told me, “You will never be truly strong until you're fighting to protect something, son.” I wanted to protect Silver. I had named her so she was now my responsibility- but I still couldn't fire!

“You know, after we're done with your little friend, I think we’ll kill her. she’ll be your only food for a month, so I hope she tastes as sweet as she fucks.”

Vengeance roared.

<====0o0====>

I felt sick, I threw up twice. The stopping power of vengeance was staggering. The rounds had passed through the Slavers without even slowing, blowing limbs from bodies and all but cutting red pony in two. It felt wrong, covered in the sticky blood of nine ponies... I had killed nine ponies, cut them down like it was nothing...

Gunshots hit the shelves behind me, Dazed I barely noticed as one shot glanced off my Pipbuck and another grazed my leg.

I fired down the corridor, screams of pain echoed. Had I killed another? How could I stay sane? Still in a daze I took back Happy’s pistol and rig and bundled it into my saddlebags. As an afterthought I took red ponies power hooves and fastened them to myself. On his belt was a ring of blood splattered keys. I took those too. I had to keep my promise to Silver. I squeezed back through the hole, barely fitting with Vengeance now strapped to me. Wait... why didn't I just use the door the Slavers used? What is wrong with me? That display caught my attention again. A burst from Vengeance tore through the bulletproof glass.

The weapon was some kind of huge rifle, way to big for me to use. At a loss as to what was part of this thing or what was display stuff, I just bundled everything into my saddle bags and slung the rifle between my wings.

There didn't seem to be anypony here, maybe when red pony died his group splintered and ran?... When I killed him.

My mind isn't working right... I keep missing minutes of time as they happen.

It was almost a relief when a bullet tore through my leg.

The pain made me focus, seven pony Slavers had spread out through the hall, in their centre stood a large blue alicorn. She was truly blue! Mane, tail, coat... even her eyes, all the same shade of blue. Her voice had an odd echo to it as she shouted at me.

“THE GODDESS DEMANDS TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHY YOU DARE MOCK US!”

“And?” I don't know why, but right now I feel a great urge to be a smartass. Maybe it's the high and mighty attitude of this ‘Goddess’, that or ponies who talk in third person just annoy the crap out of me.

“YOU WILL NOT MOCK US! WE DEMAND TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE NOW! WHY DO YOU DISRUPT THOSE WHO SEEK UNITY?”

“Seek? Your saying ponies who come to you seeking this Unity wish to be beaten, abused, raped and locked in a cage? Well fuck your Unity! You want to know who I am?”

I was starting to get very angry, this bitch was trying to say those poor ponies out in those cages wanted this?

“My name is Orion, the son of Starshot the Starlight Archeon.”

“STARSHOT? YOU'RE HIS OFFSPRING? EXCELLENT! YOU MUST JOIN US IN..”

Vengeance roared once more.

The alicorn got a magic shield up in time. My bullets bounced off, ricocheting wildly and cutting the remaining Slavers to pieces. I stepped forward, struggling on my injured leg. The force of the twin rifles barrage had begun to force the alicorn to back away.The ammo counter in my vision was getting dangerously low. It would give out long before her shield did. Time for something stupid then.

I focused my weather powers, concentrating on her face behind that shield. the air began to cool rapidly and then a sudden snowstorm erupted around her face.

“What the fuc...” Her concentration faltered and Vengeance tore through the weakening shield and shredded her body. I kept firing until the guns ran dry.

I staggered through the doors of the museum, feeling dizzy with bloodloss. Unlocking random cages as I went I finally reached Silver Skies’ cage. The girl stared at my blood covered body as I swayed on my hooves. With care I finally unlocked the cage. A crowd of freed ponies had gathered behind me.

I picked a pony at random and tossed the keys to her. “Let everypony else out...” and with that my strength gave out and I collapsed. Before passing out I heard Silver scream my name.

<===0o0===>

I don't know how long I was out for but when I came too I was laying on a dirty bed. My leg was bandaged. The dirt smeared face of Silver was asleep near my face, she had fell asleep clutching my hoof in hers... history has an odd way of repeating itself. With a smile I nudged her awake, I watched grinning as she rubbed her eyes sleepily then looked at my face.

“Orion!” Silver wrapped her hooves around me so tightly I struggled to breathe!

“Silver! I... can't ... breathe!” Finally she let me go with a very sheepish look, and a blush? Why would she be blushing?

“I-I thought I was going to lose you Orion. You're my only friend...”

I wrapped my hooves around her and pulled her tight, the poor thing had suffered so much that even an idiot like me was precious to her.

“Silver listen to me, I want you to head to Radar. When you get there ask for a unicorn named Happy Trails, tell her you were sent by me. Tell her it was AP and recoil reduction enchants. She will know what I mean.”

“I don't want to leave you’ Orion...”

I laughed, “Oh don't worry, I'll be heading there too. Somepony has to show these ponies here the way.”

“How would I get there?”

Follow the mountains to the southwest until you see a dead forest. Follow the edge of that until you see a big bowl, you can't miss it. Should take you around four hours or so flight time.”

Her eyes seemed doubtful.

“Silver, I promise that I’ll be there as soon as I can. I promised you I’d be back to let you out, didn't I? I keep my word.”

It took some more convincing before Silver agreed and we all set out in the morning. Vengeance was out of ammo and there were no more in the stores, so I had stripped it back down and stored it in my saddle bags. I had Happy’s pistol rigged up again and my newly acquired power hooves strapped to my front legs. Silver was almost invisible against the clouds as I led the ragged freed slaves out of Trottingham.

After around a half-hours walk, we cleared the outskirts of the city. None of the gangs seemed to want to try and attack us. Then again, if a colt had took out a gang of Slavers and the alicorn in charge I’d be terrified to pick a fight in case he decided that my gang was next.

The ground past the city was dry and dead, no grass grew and the few trees were rotting. After about an hour of trekking through this dead landscape two metal clad ponies stepped out in front of our group. Each wore some kind of full body armour, blank visors betrayed no emotions as they stared at us, weapons mounted on each side of their armour tracked us. These armoured ponies could kill us all without breaking a sweat.

I was the only pony armed, so I approached openly with no hostility. I could hear their voices slightly muffled.

“Unknown group, estimated number is around thirty. Only one seems armed. What are our orders?”

“Our orders still stand, Roughshod. Any and all gangs leaving the town will be eliminated.”

“They don't look like a gang, only the colt is armed. They look more like slaves than Raiders...”

The rifle fixed to the first metal ponies armour barked, the heavy round reducing an unarmed ponies head to chunks. I lost it, my weather magic flared, engulfing both metal clad ponies heads in a swirling cloud of snow. My wings flapped, sending me flying towards the one who had fired.

“What the fuck is this? I can't see! Call for backup!”

“Death from above!” I crashed down onto the aggressive ponies back with my lame battle cry. He never even twitched, I heard laughter through the steel before his voice echoed from a speaker in the helmet.

“Death from above? You're kidding right?” His laughter faded as I lifted a power hoof. Energy crackling around it.

“No! No wait!”

My hoof smashed down on his back, followed by a stomp from both hooves that forced this asshole down to his knees. I flipped over his left side, putting his body between me and the second metal pony.

“Get him off! Get him off me!!”

“No shot! No shot!”

I screamed at the metal pony I was beating on, my power hooves slamming into his side with every word. “All I wanted was to visit my godmothers grave and I get attacked, enslaved, shot and am forced to kill just to stay alive! Then I have to deal with a fucker like you who finds it fun to murder unarmed ponies?”

The metal pony was having trouble standing and was whimpering openly. My hooves smashed down again and again. I refused to give him the chance to turn and target me with those guns on his sides. Finally my power hooves just shattered and the metal clad pony dropped to his side, crying in pain. The second metal pony just stared at me, a big gun on his flank began to spin.

“Stand down! Stand the fuck down right now knight!”

A third metal pony galloped towards us, bigger than the other two with gold edging to his armour. He stomped towards me as I shook of the remains of my power hooves. Then to my surprise, kicked the downed pony hard enough to send him sliding across the ground.

“Knight Bloodscar, will you kindly inform me as to what the fuck you were thinking when you opened fire on a non combatant? And don't lie to me, your radio is still open.”

The metal clad pony struggled to his hooves, moaning with pain. “Sir, our orders were to...”

“Your orders were to neutralize hostiles! The only pony in this whole group who’s armed is a child! One who- I might add- just beat your flank into the dirt!”

“Sir... I...”

Their commander suddenly had an eery calm to his voice,“Thank you for volunteering! Your orders are to take your partner here and escort these refugees to wherever they are heading. When you return you're both being transferred to the Hoof! For every refugee that doesn't make it you will be there for another year and I will be checking. Dismissed.” The way he whispered the last word sent shivers down my spine.

Both armoured ponies slunk away, one visibly limping. The newcomer beckoned me to follow with a hoof. With how the other metal ponies had treated us, I was more than a little apprehensive. Still, after he kicked the asses of those two ponies and forced them to protect the freed slaves, I guess he wasn't so bad. Ah screw it, I’m too tired to think this through, so I’ll just go with him.

I was led deep into a camp, armoured ponies were everywhere, all seemed to salute my guide. Finally, I was led into a tent. My guide turned from me and reached up to his neck. There was a hiss as he removed his helmet, revealing a dark blue coat and a short light blue mane. Dropping the helmet onto a map covered table sitting to one side, he turned to me.

Those eyes scared the fuck out of me. They glowed yellow, and were like those of a snake. The narrow pupils were vertical slits, not round. I've never seen anything like it on a pony.

“I am Paladin Ironclad of the Steel Rangers. Now kid, can you tell me what the fuck has happened in that city?”

Highs and Lows

Fallout Equestria: Silver Skies

Chapter 3: Highs and Lows

Authors note: This was originally part of chapter 2 but due to the length I decided to break it into two. My editor gets upset when I write 9k and above chapters lol.

“I am Paladin Ironclad of the Steel Rangers. Now kid, can you tell me what the fuck has happened in that city?”

I had been attacked by his Rangers, I have a bullet hole through one of my legs and I’ve lost enough blood that I'm struggling to fly more than a few feet. And now this freaky eyed pony wants me to play twenty questions with him?

“Can you give me three reasons why I should?”

“Alright. You're alone, I'm angry and I'm armed.”

Those were very good reasons, if I drew my pistol I could maybe hit him with one shot before he beats my flank bloody. Oh forget it, I'm too tired to deal with this shit right now. I dropped onto my rump, trying to take the weight off my injured leg. I gripped the bandages in my mouth and tried to pull them tight.

“What’s wrong with your leg?”

Ironclad seemed concerned, Then again, So was I. My fight with the ponies-in-a-can back there had made my wound bleed heavily again. Blood was soaking through the bandages and I was already feeling light headed. I didn't expect any help from these guys and I couldn't focus enough to be a smartass right now. Guess I'm just going to have to answer honestly then.

“Gunshot, went right through my leg.”

Ironclad’s eyes narrowed, I could see his jaw clench. Rage etched across his face. “Those Slaver bastards are shooting at children now? Fuck my orders! They die tonight!”

“They’re already dead...” I dropped to the floor, suddenly feeling very dizzy that it was hard to see. I felt something being pressed against my lips.

“Drink this quickly, now!”

I have no idea what it was but I drank anyway. I mean if he wanted me dead all he had to do was watch me bleed. An odd warm feeling spread through me and I felt the flesh around my wound tug and move. It helped a lot but I still passed out.

<====0o0====>

I came too slowly, there was an oddly cold feeling running down my leg. As my sight cleared I made out a red tube attached to a needle stuck into my leg. My eyes followed the tube to a bag hanging from a metal stand. Blood? Why was there a bag of blood stuck to me? I was in a large tent, but not the one I had passed out in. A familiar yellow eyed face loomed over me.

“We almost lost you there, youngster. How you beat one of my knight’s with a wound like that I will never know.”

I grinned, “That guy was a self righteous asshole. It wasn't that difficult.”

Ironclad smiled, “To business then. Our directives tell us to confiscate any functional prewar tech we discover. Your PipBuck is one such item but as it doesn't seem to work it will remain with you. We discovered a battle saddle of unusual design in your saddlebags. Our techs cannot work out if it is enchanted or not and have deemed it a defective prototype of some kind, that will also be returned.”

If they only knew what Vengeance and my PipBuck actually did, I doubt they would have been so nice about returning my stuff.

“There is still the matter of the rifle you were carrying and the ion cells in your bags. I will need to know exactly how you came across them. You can fill me in as you tell me about what happened in that city.”

“Ironclad, what’s happening in Trottingham?”

“I suppose you have a right to know. The Steel Rangers are mopping the remains of the gangs and slavers up as we speak, The Applejack has landed another forty rangers on the dock side. It seems that somepony took down the alicorn in control of the city and decimated the largest slaver gang in one fell swoop. Without that leadership, the remaining gangs have splintered. From the damage and the way none of the slaves were harmed we estimate a team of at least five with specialist training. What I need is you to tell us who took them down.”

“Oh, that's all? It was me.”

“This is no time for jokes kid! If there is a hostile force with that kind of firepower in the city I need to know and I need to know now before I lose any of my rangers!”

“It’s true, ask the slaves. I took them all down... I... I killed so many ponies...”

Ironclad stared hard at me, seemingly trying to decide if it was true or I was just being a smartass. “You’re serious? A child took down an alicorn and an entire slaver operation? Alone?”

To be fair, I can see how it sounded. I was a young buck and compared to a Steel Ranger or even the Slavers my weapons were pathetic. If it wasn't for the work Happy had done, Restoring Vengeance from a rusted chunk of scrap to a battle saddle of amazing stopping power, I have no doubts that I’d be dead right now. Wow, I am thinking clearly again... too bad they never fixed my fucked up mind.

“I will need all the details, The medics believe you're well enough to move so I want you to come to my tent again. And this time no passing out to avoid my questions!” Ironclad gave me a grin, the cheerful smile was spoiled by those eyes. They still scared the hell out of me.

I followed back through the camp. The metal clad ponies gave me suspicious looks. I guess my adventures in Trottingham had gotten around. Or they were upset I beat that murdering asshole’s flank bloody. Ironclad’s tent was only six tents away from the hospital one, a short walk but it let me see how well my leg was fixed up. I had a puckered scar just above the knee. Still the leg worked like it should and I wasn't in any pain, just a slight dizziness. Nothing I couldn't deal with.

Back in the tent Ironclad motioned me to a seat next to the map table. The big rifle I had took from the museum lay across it along with the odds and ends from the case I had stolen it from. Ironclad lay a hoof across the weapon and slid it towards me.

“The techs have examined it and determined it to be a rare gauss prototype. It seems to create a magnetic inversion field within the barrel and uses as pulse-emitter internally to direct an ionised pulse with a force twelve scaled impact. It has an unknown talisman inside that seems to generate a charge capable of firing a shot every thirty three point seven seconds, the ion cells decrease the recharge time to seven point four two seconds when connected. The scope is multi ranged and responds to eye motions and feeds targeting information to the users EFS. What else can you tell me about it?”

... What? I'm sure my eyes had glazed over during that explanation.

“I can tell you two things, it's big and I have no idea what you just said means.”

Ironclad gave me a sharp look, then sighed loudly. I guess he just wasn't used to talking to ponies as dumb as me. “Ok then kid...”

“Name’s Orion!”

“Fine! Orion it is!” Iron took a calming breath, not surprising when somepony is as annoying as me. “Tell me what happened in that city.”

I sat in that seat and told my tale, leaving out and glossing over any details about my PipBuck and Vengeance. I shook as I remembered the lives I had taken. Ironclad put a hoof on my shoulder, giving me the support I needed to finnish. His eyes locked with mine.

“You expect me to believe you have weather manipulation magic that refined? Something happened to you down there but I can't believe your story without some real proof!” He turned and began pacing back and forward, muttering under his breath about annoying children. At least until I hit him with a snowball.

“How the fuck?” His yellow eyes grew wide as I raised a hoof and created a swirling cloud of snow around it. With a grin I focused it into a second snowball and tossed it at him. Cocky bastard dodged it by tilting his head. Ok I'll admit the dodge looked badass.

“Hmm, if that's true then that battle saddle must have some serious stopping power... I think I'll get the techs to have another look.”

Shit! think Orion! You can't let them take Vengeance away from you.

“Oh I just lucked out and found a box of AP ammunition! The saddle barely works, that's why it's stored away.”

“So let me get all this straight. You got knocked out being stupid, thrown into a cage with a child alicorn who had just the right magic to get you out of that cage, ran into the only building with any cover, found a hole that skipped a lot of the museums hallways, found a box of armour piercing ammunition and your gun at the end of a long corridor with no cover, cut down half the gang and it's leader, found this rifle, and then took down an alicorn who has been killing Rangers for months and the rest of the Slavers?”

I gave a nod, “Not quite as clinical as that but that's basically what happened.”

“Orion, I have to ask this. Is your special talent pure dumb luck or something? How the fuck can I get my superiors to believe this? A fucking child broke the back of a defense that has stopped our advance for over a year! Fuck I am getting demoted after this for sure!”

“Why not pin this on the stable dweller? That mare is already cleaning up around canterlot.”

“I can't, she has been reported near New Appaloosa, But you may be onto something. If I report that some hero, following in the Stable Dweller’s hoofsteps snuck into the city and broke the back of Redeye’s operation they may forgive me.”

So he needs a new hero then, the Security Mare is way too far away to be used... Why is he smiling at me like that?

“Ironclad? Why are you looking at me like that? it's creeping me out.”

“Oh I think I found my hero to pin this on.”

Wait what? He just said he couldn't report that I had did it! “Ironclad! I'm not a hero! I can't be who you need for this!”

“Sir, an unknown pegasus teen was reported entering Trottingham at 1700 hours, shortly afterwards gunfire was reported, scouts reported the elimination of both the largest Slaver gang and the alicorn overlord. After freeing the enslaved ponies, the unknown disappeared. I suspect a Stealthbuck as EFS never picked him up. Witnesses describe dark coloring and a silver streaked mane. The only agreed fact about his identification was a star themed name.”

While technically true, that glossed over a lot of details and made it seem like I went there just to kick flank! And what the fuck is a Stealthbuck? What is it with the males in my family? Why do we always get thrust into the role of hero for the most stupid reasons? With a weary sigh I just gave in, no matter what I say, this was going to happen. It was the only way Ironclad could save his career. I just hope I don't end up with some stupid nickname, like the Winged Wonder or something.

Gunfire echoed from outside, making the both of us jump. A metal clad pony burst into the tent, “Paladin Ironclad! Sir, we are under attack by a force of alicorns! we estimate a group of five, They are striking from the western side of the camp, what are your orders?”

Iron didn't even pause to think before responding, “Take squads three through five and reinforce the guards, squads six through ten are to spread out to our flanks in case this is a feint. squads one and two are to fall back and defend our supplies in the camp interior. I will head out to assist in repelling the assault. Knight Sablefang is to take charge of the camp defenders. Orion, you are to stay out of this fight. You are unarmed and will just get in the way.”

Well I was more than happy to sit this one out, until I had Vengeance back there was no way I could take on another alicorn. let alone five.

Iron trotted to the table and looked down at the rifle, then with a few quick motions snapped each of the batteries, or was it cells? I should have paid more attention to his explanation... together with a few metallic clicks. The newcomer Ranger helped attach it to Irons armour. I noticed how nopony even bothered to ask if they could take it, it was mine after all. Iron snapped his helmet into place.

“Let me see, interfacing with armour’s EFS... interface complete. This gauss cannon seems to have a name, Severance. Right, stay here kid. Your still under my protection until the medics clear you to leave.” Without waiting for me to answer, the Rangers charged out of the tent, So... another great adventure in sitting then.

After a few minutes of random pacing, Yes, I'm that easily bored, I trotted over to the map table and took a look. Vista somehow updated my map with the locations. One of these days I'm going to have to learn how this thing works. It hadn’t even been five minutes and I was climbing the walls, gunfire echoed outside the tent but I was stuck here and bored to death. Finally after an agonisingly slow ten minutes I just gave up and decided to go outside.

“What's he going to do? ground me?”

I poked my head out of the tent, Smoke drifted across the camp. The sounds of gunfire and explosions echoed. I dashed across the spaces between the tents, looking for a sight of whatever was happening, I know I'm kind of stupid for looking for a battle but... Oh screw it I'm just bored. After a few random twists and turns I reached a space set into the centre of the camp. Armoured ponies lay around a large fire set into the space, still and unmoving. Blood soaked the ground, bringing back the memories of the museum that still haunted me.

Something about the scene seemed odd to me, there was at least eight dead ponies here, all wearing that clunky armour and fitted with battle saddles holding really big guns. Each had been brutally killed, armour rent and torn. What seemed odd was there were no dead attackers, something had taken these guys down and lost none of their own doing it. Sweet Celestia, now I really miss my guns! If I had a fully loaded Vengeance I could have a chance, all I have now is my brain... Yep, I'm doomed.

I looked about, trying to find some trace of the attackers or at the least a weapon I could use. The Rangers’ weapons weighed more than I did, so they were out. No small arms around. Wait.. if there is no guns around it means these ponies were killed by magic. I saw no pony around while searching, so that means that the attackers must be above me...

There was a flash of purple light and the world went black.

<====0oxo0====>

I came to with a groan, Hadn't I been knocked out enough for one day? I expected to still be in the camp, or the next world. There were no tents I could make out through my blurry vision. Something white was a little ways away from me, I rubbed my hoof across my eyes to clear my vision. Before me stood the most majestic sight I had seen from the first time I had beheld Luna. A huge white alicorn, beautiful purple eyes looked down on me, delicate wings spread out from her back, a flowing blue mane was swept across one side of her face, streaked with lavender, a long horn rose from her head, tapering to a point. This was the most sexy pony I had seen since meeting Happy. I felt my heart beating hard in my chest. This pony was so beautiful that I...

“Get up you little grey fuck.”

Wait what?

“Get your ass up, I won't tell you again.”

A white hoof connected with my ribs, sending me bouncing across the rocky ground. It felt like I had been kicked by a pony as big as my dad! With a wince of pain, I forced myself to my hooves.

“Who are you? What do you want with me?”

The white alicorn narrowed her eyes and gave me a chilling smile, I backed up a few steps, more than a little intimidated.

“You can call me Azure Sky, The Goddess created me to hunt your scawny little ass down. the Goddess has big plans for you. Bringing the offspring of Equestria’s last male alicorn into Unity will give her all she needs to create male alicorns.”

Ok, this Azure Sky is a little unhinged, I have to do all I can not to upset her until I can get away. Why do I never listen to myself?

“Two things, one, Dad was not an alicorn and two, shove your Unity up your fat plot!”

Subtle Orion, really subtle.

“I couldn't give two fucks about your opinion on the matter, you cocky little shit. I bring you, I get my freedom from Unity and I get to keep this body.”

Ok, I now have an alicorn chasing my ass down just to force me into this Unity? And as hot as it is, whats so special about this alicorns body. What did she mean by keep it?

“So I take it I have no choice in the matter?” The glare I got in return clearly called me an idiot for asking, “So can I ask a few questions first? I just want to understand what's going on.”

Azure gave me a hateful glare before sighing, “Fine, ask your questions. No promises as to whether I'll answer though.”

Here’s my chance to find out more about this world, maybe even some infomation on my parents. First though I have to make her open up a little.

“Were you born an alicorn? I don't know how this alicorn thing works you see.”

The cold stare I got in return made me take a step back again. “No, I was born a unicorn. I don't remember my real name anymore. I was a slaver, at least until Redeye decided to make me a gift to the Goddess. I was absorbed, mind, body and soul.”

Azure stared down at her hooves, lost in thought. “Unity is... difficult to describe, it's like a choir, some voices sing louder than others, some like me are drowned out in the noise. The Goddess can make bodies for our souls, she chooses what powers we have and our role. Even out here I still hear her speak through Unity. This time she needed my skills, I could track an escaped slave with little or no trail. This body was created with powers greater than even Twilight Sparkle. When I bring you back, I get to keep this form and leave Unity.”

“This Goddess wants to absorb me because she thinks my dad was an alicorn? Does that mean you know what happened to my parents?”

“I suppose it won't hurt to tell you... Nopony is really sure where your father died, the one agreed upon fact is that he sacrificed himself to take out a Zebra super weapon of some kind. The Sky Archons died in an attempt to save Canterlot from the final missile attack. Your mother was a scientist, working under Twilight Sparkle. She was a project liaison to the other ministries and worked on a lot of projects ranging from the Steel Ranger armour to the advanced PipBuck designs. I believe she died in the attack on Manehatten.”

Manehatten. Well it gives me somewhere to search once I get back to Radar and heal up. Movement caught my eye, black dots appeared against the grey clouds and began to move towards us. I watched for a minute, lost in thought as my mind began to run through idea after idea of what they could be. At least until Azure Sky struck me across my muzzle with a hoof.

“Pay attention when I am speaking you little grey fucker!” one of her eyes was twitching, “I answer your questions out of the goodness of my heart and you ignore me? Why the fuck should I put up with this crap? I should just beat you bloody and drag your scrawny ass back to Maripony!”

I wiped blood away from my muzzle with the back of my hoof, “Can I ask you one more question?”

Azure screamed in frustration, “Fine! One more question and if it's something stupid, you will feel a lot of pain!” Even with her threats, my eyes were on those dots. They had come close enough for me to make out details, twelve of them flew in formation. each were winged like me but covered in some black shell or armour. Their tails ended in curved blades while strange looking box weapons were affixed to their sides. They looked like pegasi crossed with some kind of insect.

“What are those?” I pointed past her to the incoming creatures. With a scowl at me, Azure turned to where I was pointing just before beams of coloured light began to flash down. Instantly she created a bubble of purple magic around herself. I took the opportunity go get a little distance between me and the psychotic alicorn. The newcomers seemed intent of ending Azure as they ignored me completely. The coloured lights were soon joined by explosions as rockets rained down on the white alicorn. Her shield flickered with the constant impacts. The focussed barrage had forced Azure to her knees. Those purple eyes, so filled with hate locked onto mine. Her voice echoed in my head.

“I'll be back for you fucker, don't think this is over.” With a flash of purple light she was gone. The barrage ripped into the ground for a few seconds before each of the newcomers stopped shooting. one of them landed before me and reached up to its neck, there was a hiss and the head, well it turns out to be a helmet, was lifted free.

Feeling a little foalish, I gave a little wave. “Hi there.”

The pegasus before me stared at me with his deep green eyes. His red coat was slick with sweat, just like his short cut black mane. After a minute of giving me a very unnerving stare he finally spoke. “Orion, son of Starshot and Antiquity?”. Surprised that anypony would know me by name I gave a shocked nod. “You're coming with us.”

A loud selection of metallic clicks echoed as each pony leveled their guns at me.

<====0oxo0====>

Well this was turning out to be a very interesting day, I leave Trottingham, fight a Steel Ranger, get kidnapped, saved by Enclave ponies then kidnapped by them instead. Why can't my life be simple?

These Enclave ponies practically forced glowing healing potions down my throat when I explained why I couldn't fly right then. I felt great after the effect of all those potions kicked in, a little bloated but great. I was still very nervous around these guys as none of them seemed to want to point those guns of theirs away from me. Heck, nopony would even give me their name!

We lifted off and ascended, I was kept in the centre of the group, attached to a pony on either side of me by a length of rope coiled around my neck. they obviously were taking no chances that I would run. I was led closer skywards, odd things began to emerge from the silver cloudbanks. metal poles tipped with glowing gemstones dangled down through the clouds. We punched through the clouds and my brain shut down in shock, before me was a massive metal structure. A vast grey metal ring sat upon the clouds, long bar like structures sprouted from its sides, covered in antennas and connecting to an even larger ring. I could see it was a real marvel. And yet I couldn't get the mental image of a marshmallow inside a donut ring out of my head.

“What is this place?”

My captors burst into laughter. Jackasses...

“You're a pegasus and you have never heard of the Enclave base Altostratus? Have you been living under a rock?”

Great, another name I can't pronounce... well I'll continue to think of this place as donut city. I was half led, half dragged to a platform on the side of the base. Still at gunpoint I was forced along a bewildering twisting series of corridors and stairways. Finally I was pushed through a door into a metal room before the door slammed shut. And another great adventure in sitting...

The room was pretty small and squared, thirty hoofsteps long and wide. I was so bored I actually checked. Walls were bare metal while the third had a large window looking out over the clouds. The fourth wall had the door which had no handles and could not be opened from inside. The only furnishings were a metal table welded to the floor in the middle of the room and a pair of chairs, covered in red padding. Kind of garish with the only colour in here being the dull silver of the metal walls.

After what seemed an hour the door opened and an armoured pegasus walked in. This guy is creepy, he wore a black coverall that left his head and hooves bared. Metal plates covered each vital point and wrapped the limbs. His face, though, was so very creepy. His mane and coat both had the same shade of white. Piercing green eyes stared out at me. His lack of expression was really weirding me out. After silently gesturing to a seat, he took the other himself and set a paper folder onto the table in front of him.

“My name is Fallen Snow, You do not need to know my rank. All you need to be aware of is that I have been given jurisdiction over you.”

“Given what? Why the fuck do you think I’ll go along with anything you guys decide? You kidnapped me for fucks sake!”

Fallen snow stared at me for a moment, his face still showing no emotions. “You are the child of a military pegasus. As such with your parents gone, your care and wellbeing fall under the Enclave’s jurisdiction... why do you keep looking around?”

All the time he talked, I had been looking at random places in the room. Even under the table. After dealing with Azure Sky, this creepy pony was about to face the full might of a smartass kid with nothing to lose.

“Oh! sorry about that, I was just looking for a fuck to give, doesnt seem to be one around here though...”

“Charming...just to make you aware, you can't make me angry.”

Well the day is still young. Lets see if he is right. I remembered something I used to do that drove my folks crazy, interrupt everything said with a random question.

“Our reports have you staying at the town of Radar, is this cor...”

“Hey! Doesn’t that window freeze up here?”

“....No, those windows will not freeze until they drop well below freezing. Now focus. Were you or were you not staying at the town...”

“Do you bleach your hair? I can't help but picture you as a blonde.”

“No this is my natural color. Now please answer the question. Were you living in the town of Radar?”

“Oh no, I’ve never lived in a Gaybar,sure you’re handsom and all but I just don't swing that way.”

Fallen gave a loud sigh and rolled up his sleeve on his left fore hoof, Revealing a PipBuck. After tapping a few buttons he spoke into it. “The subject is being difficult, send in Persuader please.”

The door opened and a large pegasus trotted in. All he wore was a PipBuck. Every muscle under his pale blue coat bulged. He had a nose ring, gold like his eyes. His red mane was shaved and styled into a mohawk. Without so much as a glance at me, he stood behind my seat.

“I hesitate to resort to these methods but needs must. Now do you currently live in the town of Radar?”

“I told you already; I'm not into stallions.”

A blue hoof pressed to the back of my head and drove it into the table hard enough that I was left seeing stars.

“Not so hard, we wish him to be able to answer our questions”

Ow... I see that if I continue to be an annoying little fucker then this steroid freak behind me will beat my ass.

“One last time without the wit. Are you currently residing in the town of Radar?”

“No... I stayed there for a few days then began walking for Trottingham.”

“Was that so hard?” If I couldn't wing my way out of this mess then I was not going to call trouble down on a town that accepted me as one of their own. Wait..wing my way out...

“There is no reason to frown young Orion. Now next question, where are the Archon weapon caches located?”

“How would I know that? I was never an Archon!”

“Yes, we are aware but as the son of one of the most decorated in their history you must have been told some of the locations of their caches and organisation?”

“No... Dad never wanted me to join them. He made it clear that I wasn’t to be involved with them at all...”

Fallen Snow gave a soft sigh. With a delicate flick of a hoof the albino pegasus flipped open the folder before him. “Your father was a sergeant in the Sky Archons, quite a high rank for one not even into his second century. Your mother was an accomplished scientist who designed the spell matrices for both the leg mounted PipBucks and the modern power armours. According to our sources she was a researcher on both SATS and the original EFS systems.”

“How do you know all that?”

“Our intelligence has compiled files on every single pony of note and their families in the last 200 years.”

Sweat was running down my face as I asked my next question. “Does that folder contain information about where my folks died?”

“Some information yes, we have an idea of where your mother passed but your father is still a mystery. All we know for sure is he died almost a year before the mega spells fell. Now then, you will be placed into the training program, with a solid training regime I believe you can be an asset to the Enclave, maybe one day even good enough to join the Wonderbolts.”

“I guess I get no say in this?” I knew the answer already but I felt the urge to voice it anyway.

Fallen gave a shiver, “Why is it so cold in here?”

With wide eyes he looked to me, then to the window. My weather magic had been coating the window with ice as we talked, now it had reached the point where the windows reinforced glass began to crack. Fallen snow gave me a disappointed look. “Persuader, restrain the boy please.”

I danced back towards the frosted window, Fallen Snow giving me a sad smile as the big pony advanced on me. It was clear he was used to having his brawn win all arguments. The ‘Persuader’ raised a hoof and swung it, intent on smashing it across my face. He shouted in surprise when I stepped into the swing and wrapped my front hooves around the limb. With a twist of my body, I used his own weight and strength to flip him over and send him crashing through the cracked window.

Fallen stared at me in shock as the room was filled with the roaring wind. I snatched up the folder on my folks in my mouth and with a lazy salute, leapt backwards out into space. I brought my hooves up close to my body and tucked my head in, dropping through the clouds like a stone. My silver and black mane whipped around in the strong winds, My wings beat as I powered down through the clouds. This is what I always loved about flying, the roaring winds, feeling gravity fight me as I flew.

Red light flashed past me, I glanced back to see five armoured Enclave pegasai chasing. The light gunfire stopped. I guess they got the order to bring me back alive. My PipBuck crackled for a moment before a gruff voice came from it.

“This is Lieutenant Thunderchaser of the Enclave, you are being pursued by veteran squad Ajax. These pegasai have over fifteen years experience in combat flight. You have no chance to escape. Surrender now.”

Combat flight? This was not combat flying, this was stunt flying! fifteen years? I had spent two centuries stunt flying in that simulation. Welcome to my world boys.

I glanced back, They had closed in while that pony had demanded that I surrender, Fat chance of that. I angled my wings, turning into a corkscrew dive, then when I had enough momentum going, turned into a fast turn. I shot back skywards like a bullet, shooting between my shadows before they could register what was going on.

>Frequency Decrypted.

>Enclave Squad Communication Confirmed.

>Patching Into Channel.

Yes! I love you Vista! A wide grin spread across my face as the voices of the pegasi chasing me came through my PipBuck.

“How did this kid do that? That's a Wonderbolt trick!”

“Settle down Nightfire, it was just blind luck. No chance in hell that he will be able to pull it off again.”

I wish I could have seen their faces when I did exactly that, still this stunt flying is tiring and although I'm getting closer to the ground, where the fuck do I go? I dove groundwards, the vista below me was plain wastelands, no wood lands, no canyons I could escape into, just flat dead earth as far as I could see. The only feature of note was a ruined tower to the north. With little other choice I headed that way, my shadows close behind.

“Crimson Dawn to command, Target is slowing. Location is approximately five klicks south of Storm Wing tower.”

“Roger that, apprehend escapee at own discretion. Deadly force is not aurthorised, repeat, not authorised.”

“Confirmed command, escapee is to be acquired alive”

I was so very tired, my coat was slick with sweat and my mane hung in ragged clumps. I would have to land soon but if I did I would be caught. Now I had a lead to follow there was no way I was going to be a captive of the Ranger, Enclave or some psychotic alicorn. I needed help, I needed it now.

Celestia and Luna must have been watching over me, a blue blur shot past me to my left with a hollow thump, The pegasus hit simply exploded into chunks, blood misting in the air.

“Command! We are under attack! I repeat, we are under attack!”

Bullets traced through the air, tracking the pegasus behind me. The stream of bullets tore into two Enclave ponies, all but tearing them into pieces before a second hollow thump echoed. The blurr flashed by, tearing the wing from one of my remaining pursuers. The scream as the armoured mare fell to her death was horrific.

“Command! We need support now! Respond dammit!”

The tower was close, I shot by, turning as close to the walls as I could hoping to throw the last Enclave off my tail. A large armoured figure leapt from the tower, four armoured hooves crashed down onto the Enclave pegasai’s back. The weight was too much and both ponies fell the remaining thirty hoof steps or so to the ground with a loud crash. The figure had turned out to be a Steel Ranger in familiar gold edged armour. The Ranger rode the Enclave soldier all the way down, his additional weight all but driving the pegasus into the dry earth. The Ranger pressed one hoof down on the Enclave soldiers chest, an oddly familiar rifle pivoted on his armoured flank as it aimed at the prone pegasus.

“There... there are more of us coming Ranger, give us the boy and you can walk away with your life.”

“No, there are no more coming. I have had your coms jammed from the moment you acknowledged your non lethal force order.”

“Why? Is this boy affiliated with the Steel Rangers?”

“No, the kid is not part of the order.”

“Then why? Why attack and kill us like this?”

“He was taken from under my protection, and nopony fucks with me and mine!”

There was another hollow sounding thump as the odd rifle discharged, the concussive blast reducing the Enclave soldiers head to paste. The armoured pony turned to me then reached up to his neck. There was a hiss as the helmet was lifted free. Yellow eyes, slitted like a snake glared at me from a blue face.

Ironclad bellowed at me, “I told you to stay in the fucking tent!”

<====0oxo0====>

We had been walking for hours, following my PipBuck’s direction tag. Heading towards Radar. Ironclad seemed to have taken it as a personal insult when I was kidnapped. Even when I described Azure Skies’ power he wouldn't calm down. It wasn’t until I told of how I smartassed that albino pegasus that he lightened up. I could hear him laughing inside his helmet. Iron seemed a little upset my PipBuck wasn't actually broken. I know little about his order besides they collect rare tech and ‘protect’ it. The idea of storing devices that could help somepony was a pretty stupid idea to me but love and tolerate as Mom taught me.

Iron had returned my saddlebags to me, slightly worse for wear but intact, a quick check had shown he kept his word. Both Vengeance and my pistol were safely stowed within. The slightly slobbered on folder was soon stashed away inside too. Now my 9mm was holstered to my leg with its clips in Happy’s rig. I had used it a few times as we walked, My inexpert fire had taken down a few bloat sprites and something my PipBuck had named a ‘Radhog’. Ironclad seemed content to let me practice my aim, as bad as it was even with Vista’s help I had trouble hitting one in ten shots.

Night had begun to fall, Iron kept glancing up at the fading light. With a weary sigh, he turned to me. “Look’s like we will have to camp out tonight. We’ll have to head to the memorial and make camp there. It's only a few miles away.”

“Memorial? Who is it for?” I had to know, They didn't build something like that for anypony.

“It was actually built after the war as a mark of respect to a group of ponies who gave everything to save lives.”

“That tells me squat Ironclad, Can you give me some names?”

“Sorry, there are no names known for them, the statue was built to copy a photograph from a pre war record.”

More mysteries, Yay!

Rain had begun to fall, soon worsening into a storm. We both galloped hard, Ironclad taking the lead, We seemed to be heading to some woodland to the west. Lightning began to split the sky. The rain had become so hard it couldn't see more than a couple meters in front of me, Iron had become a vague shape in the downpour, visible only by the lights on his helmet. I was shivering from the cold, I can't express how glad I was when a roughly built hut reared out of the rains. We both tumbled through the plank door. I sat shivering in a slowly spreading pool or water while Iron, water dripping from his power armour, got a fire lit by striking sparks from the stone fireplace with his metal shod hooves.

The flickering fire warmed the room slowly, I sat so close my coat steamed as I dried out. Iron announced he would take the first watch, and I was only happy to agree. I just curled up into a ball and fell into an exhausted sleep.

Dawn lit the sky through the cabin window when Iron woke me for my watch.

“I thought you was going to wake me at midnight Iron?”

“Kid, after what you’ve been through in the last few days I thought you could use the sleep.”

“Well... okay I’ll admit I was worn out. But we’re not going anywhere until you get some sleep too.”

I got the impression I was being glared at behind that visor. Still he agreed to a few hours of sleep. I stood tapping a hoof until Ironclad finally lay down went to sleep. Time to explore!

I decided to take a look around the cabin, in the dawn light I could finally see it was built from logs. Glass panes in the windows were dirty but unbroken. A small kitchen area in one corner drew my attention. A quick session of rummaging in the two cupboards and fridge rewarded me with a surprisingly sharp blade that Vista labeled a combat knife, a few canned goods and a healing potion. All soon found their way into my saddlebags.

With nothing left to explore in the one room cabin, I headed outside. The rains the night before had left mists flowing around. The cabin was merely a grey blur in the thick fog. I could make out a darker blurred shape a little farther away so I headed that way. It was so quiet, other than the sounds of the wind and wood shifting with the damp, everything was silent and still. In fact if it wasn't for the chill in the air and soft whimpering, I would call it pleasant. Wait... whimpering?

Hmm if whatever was making that noise was hostile I should wake Ironclad. Still something about that soft crying noise pulled at my heart. Oh Sweet Celestia, did I just think something that cheesy and lame? The fog was creating strange echoes so it was hard to follow. It seemed to be coming from near the shape I spotted from by the cabin. With little visibility in front of me I looked to the ground to find my way forwards and by Luna’s hot flanks I was glad I did! Littered across the ground was some kind of traps, a simple pressure pad in the center was ringed by rusted metal teeth. Feeling a little nervous I took a glance around the ground, after a quick search I found a length of metal pipe. Careful to keep my distance, I tapped each pad as I went, springing each trap. It took almost a half hour to reach what turned out to be a statue of six ponies sitting on a raised base. The thick fog had begun to burn away in the morning light.

The whimpering sounded close now, I peeked around one side of the statues base and felt cold anger settle inside me. There was a small puppy caught in one trap by its left front paw. What kind of sick fucker sets traps for puppies? If I ever find out who set these then they will be introduced to the business end of Vengeance! Did I just think that? what the fuck is wrong with me? slowly I approached the pup, trying not to scare it, poor thing took one look at the metal bar in my mouth and with a yelp of fear, tried to flee. Blood dripped from the pup’s leg. Panicking myself now I spat the bar out.

“Easy boy, I'm not going to hurt you, easy now”

The pup locked it's eyes with my own, those small black, tear filled eyes stared deep into my soul. Finally he calmed down and lay down softly crying. I couldn't take much more of the poor thing like this. I grabbed my bar in my teeth again and jammed one end in between the traps heavy jaws. With a grunt I pulled hard, the rusted metal began to move. I pushed on one side with my back hooves, putting all my strength into opening this stupid thing. The jagged metal cut my hoof but I didn’t care. I had to help this pup! With a sudden pop, the springs holding the jaws together snapped, dumping me on my flank.

The fog had cleared up enough for me to see the little thing clearly. He was tiny, couldn't be more than a year old, his coat was a dusty grey with snow white paws and tips on his ears. Little wings fluttered as he gave me a hopeful look. Wait... wings? What the fuck? Yep, I wasn’t seeing things due to a concussion from my ‘questioning’ by the enclave yesterday. A flying dog? Or maybe wolf? I took a look at his paw and winced, it was cut deep and looked infected. The pup didn't seem to be scared of me as much now and didn't try to run as I rummaged in my saddlebags for a healing potion. He panicked a little when I upended one vial over his wound. The healing magic closed the wound up but it still looked sore. A little rummaging later turned up a few rolls of healing bandages. A gift from Ironclad I assumed. After cutting one down with my combat knife, I bound the little guys leg.

“Now then, what do I call you little guy?”

The pup just tilted his head and gave me a sorrowful look with those black eyes, The morning sun reflected through the remains of the mists. His eyes looked like the night sky. Hmm..

“How about... Nighteyes?”

The little guy gave me a happy sounding bark. Nighteyes it was then. I sat down and wrapped my cut hoof in the remaining bandages. A weight settled on my head, Reaching up my hoof encountered soft fur. I have a small flying wolf pup on my head... I was going to push him off until I heard the small contented sigh. How could I move him after that?

With the fog finally lifted I decided it was time to take a look at this memorial, who would've deserved a memorial centuries after... they...died...

Familiar faces looked down at me, a massive armoured pegasus with a stern look.

“Winter Sky...”

A pegasus mare with a bright smile.

“Night Feather...”

A pegasus stallion with a cocky grin.

“Hotshot...”

A unicorn with crazy hair and a cigarette in his mouth.

“Uncle Firewall...”

A small pegasus Stallion with blank eyes.

“Storm Wing...”

And a huge armoured pegasus with a twisted horn and sad eyes.

“Dad...”

The Sky Archons, these were members of the Sky Archons. Well not Firewall but he hung around with them so much he may aswell have been one. They were unnamed? No... I could change that right here and now. It took a little scrounging but I found some wooden planks near the cabin and amazingly enough a few tubes of wonderglue. I loved this stuff! you could glue a chair to the ceiling with it! I found six lengths of plank around the same size and took them back to the memorial. With a little patience and a few hours of scratching away with my combat knife, I had my name plates ready. I was fixing my Dads plate in place when Ironclad called from the cabin.

“I knew you wouldn't wake me, and stop that now! Defacing a memorial is disrespectful! What would your parents say?”

“Well my Dad would say thank you.”

Iron trotted over and took a look at what I had done, “Hotshot, Winter Sky, Firewall... I know these names. How would you know these ponies are them?”

“Simple, I knew them. The alicorn look alike is my Dad, Starshot.”

Ironclad’s visor stared at me for what seemed like five minutes. I heard Nighteyes wings give a little flutter as a tired puppy yawn came from on top my head. Iron’s reaction was not what I expected, Severance and the machine gun on his other flank snapped up and pointed at me.

“Orion, knock that thing off your head and back away from it slowly.”

“Why? This little guy is no threat!“

“Orion, That is a Liger. They were a bioweapon created during the war. The are supposed to be extinct. My order has orders to exterminate any that are discovered as they turned on their creators and ravaged whole settlements.”

This cute little guy was a monster? N-no! No fucking way was anypony going to hurt Nighteyes for something that happened hundreds of years ago!

“You're not going to touch Nighteyes Ironclad. Steel Ranger or not if you want this pup you will have to go through me first.”

“You... you don't honestly think you can stop me do you? You're a kid with no real firepower and a pipbuck that barely works at all!”

I drew my pistol and snapped off a single shot, the small calibre round bounced from Ironclads visor. He never even flinched. Nighteyes slid down my neck and curled up shivering on my back, scared by the gunshot. Iron’s blank visor seemed to stare at me.

“Orion, you would actually fight me over a mutant monster like that?”

“You're the last pony who should talk about mutant monsters, yellow eyes!”

Irons visor dipped for a moment, I’d hit a nerve there for sure. “Iron, I'm sorry. That was a low blow but would you like anypony deciding you had to die because of something that happened before you were born?”

Irons visor looked down to the ground, then in a sad voice he spoke up.

“Actually I can relate more than you know. You see my mother was a slave in Fillydelphia, she worked in the radiation pit. I don't know who my Father was but she was pregnant when they dragged her to that hellhole. She lasted almost a month in that place before the radiation poisoning finally dropped her. Redeye’s men threw her over the walls and left her to die...”

Iron took a moment before continuing, “My mother dragged her dying body almost five miles from the walls. The radiation poisoning and the trauma of the fall had caused an early birth. She had me there and then on the dirt covered wasteland ground. We both would have died without a doubt if a Ranger patrol had not found us. My mother begged them to take me but the radiation had mutated me. My yellow eyes are abhorred by the order, Mutation is to be shunned. They would have left me there if not for a single pony...”

Iron reached up and removed his helmet. Taking it as a sign of faith I holstered my pistol. “If you don't want to tell me Iron, you don't have too...”

“No, it's alright. A Star Paladin by the name of Steelhooves had joined the patrol, he insisted that I was to be taken back to the Fillydelphia base. I was inducted into the order as soon as I was old enough to walk. Steelhooves became my mentor, almost my father. He taught me how to shoot, how to use power armour. Everything I would need to excel in the order. Still I was shunned by the Elders. My mutation was still seen as a mark of shame. Steelhooves had put a lot of trust in me, he gave me the support I needed. It was his advice that led me to my decision, if the order refused to acknowledge my skills I would become so good in my fields they would not be able to deny me. I trained day and night, marksmanship, maintenance, technology, science, survival. I placed top of my field in every class. I worked hard day after day. In the end there was no way anypony could deny my skills and I rose to the rank of Paladin. Even with all I had accomplished I still think they gave me command of the Trottingham division only because of how the order had not been able to even make a foothold in the city.”

Ironclad’s Yellow eyes looked into mine. “Then you turned up Orion. You did by pure luck what a force of Rangers couldn't. With Trottingham now under Steel Ranger control I have a shot at being an elder one day. I know you never wanted it but I feel I owe you something, that is why I'm taking you back to Radar. But the Liger... it's asking a lot.”

“Iron... I'm not asking. This pup shouldnt be killed for something that its ancestors did.”

Iron gave a loud sigh, “Kid, your the most annoying little fucker I have ever met... Alright, if you swear to take responsibility for the pup he's yours.”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, Stick a cupcake in my eye!”

“What?”

I gave a sheepish grin, “I promise.”

“Ok... what were you doing to the memorial anyway? How can you know who these ponies are? They died centuries ago.”

“Well I'm a freezer pony, I woke up just over a month back in a tube.”

“Freezer pony? Wait... you’re one of the ponies from cryogenic stasis? From How far back?”

“217 years, I was frozen just before the war escalated.”

Iron Trotted up to the wooden name plates. “So this guy is your Dad eh? Starshot... wait... the Starshot? The Starlight Archon? The pony who saved half of the heartlands when he sacrificed himself to take out a Zebra superweapon?”

“It happened while I slept but yeah, he's my Dad.”

“It's hard to believe. Who was your mother?”

“Her real name was Antiquity but everypony called her Page. It was a nickname my Dad used as he couldn't pronounce her name.”

“You're the kid of a Sky Archon and a member of the OIA? That's some pedigree.”

“I don't know about pedigrees but they were my folks. I just wish I knew if they were laid to rest. The idea that they lay out in the wastelands for hundreds of years... I can't take not knowing.”

“So you came to Trottingham to find out about them?”

“Well my godmother is buried there so I thought it was better than no lead at all.”

Ironclad facehooved epicly, “Thank the goddesses that nopony knows why you did what you did back there or I would be the laughing stock of my order.”

With conversation drying up after that we ate some breakfast, Iron had some canned corn, me a box of sugar apple bombs and Nighteyes wolfed down, no pun intended, a can of Cram. I fiddled with my PipBuck’s map. We were only around 40 miles from Radar. With a little luck we should be there before nightfall. Heck I could fly there in an hour but I owed Iron so I wasn't about to ditch him so save myself some walking. I expected Nighteyes to head back into the wasteland when we left but as soon as we left the memorial he let out a loud whine.

“Come on then, boy!”

“You're not adopting that thing are you?”

Nighteyes landed on my head again and draped himself across my mane with a contented sigh. I had to grin, the little fuzzball was growing on me!

“Looks like he's adopted me Iron!”

I could hear the groan through his armour.

<====0oxo0====>

Late afternoon found us close to the Radar. Without a doubt right now we were in the crosshairs of at least three rifles. I was sure nopony would fire at me but I didn't want Iron to get shot, or more likely get pissed and blow a chunk out the wall with Severance. Nighteyes was asleep on my back, He had tried to walk with us for a while but his leg wasn't totally healed yet. That little wolf fluttering along next to me was adorable, Cool Orion, not adorable, COOL! But after a few hours the little guy was tired out and curled up on my back for a little nap.

A little more walking brought us to the western gate. The wall guns all tracked and made my skin crawl, after the last few days the thought of having a gun pointed at me was not a pleasant one. The massive gate stayed closed. There was nopony even making a sound. I guess it's up to me to speak then.

“Hey can somepony get Dozer to open the gate already? It's been a long day and I need to grab some shuteye!”

Dozer himself called down, “Orion, if your that Ranger’s prisoner just say the word and he's full of holes! Those two who escorted those ponies here were none too friendly.”

“Don't worry, big guy! Iron is cool, no sense of humour but he's still pretty cool.”

The gates finally opened and before I had a chance to do anything, Happy dashed out and hugged me.

“Orion! I thought you were dead! The freed slaves told me what you did in Trottingham, I thought the Slavers had followed you.”

Nighteyes chose this moment to give a loud puppy yawn and leap off my back. I have never seen Happy Trails eyes go so big without a rare gun being close. With a squee, she rubbed his side with a hoof. The smarmy little guy rolled onto his back and enjoyed a tummy rub. One leg and his little wings twitching happily.

“So Happy, did an alicorn girl make it here? I told her to ask for you...”

“Oh! Little Silver! She made it here alright. Every colt in town is in love with that girl. She's so sweet, it hurts.”

I let out a sigh of relief. She was finally safe from all the shit out in the wasteland.

“Erm...Orion? I'm glad you're back...”

I spun around, “Silver! It's great to... see.... you ... again...”

My brain shut down completely for a moment. I could have kissed Happy in that moment, Silver had been cleaned of all the dirt and blood, her ragged mane was brushed and trimmed. the black shone like silk. She wore a black dress with white lace at the throat and cuffs. A purple ribbon wound around her waist and was tied over her back, a matching ribbon was tied in a bow behind her right ear. She blushed shyly at me.

Happy reached over with a hoof and nudged my mouth shut.

“Silver... you look amazing...”

Silver’s face turned completely red with her blush, then without warning she ran back through the gates. Happy put a hoof across my shoulders.

“Orion, I need to talk seriously with you for a moment. That girl is in love with you.”

“What? Naw, she can't be! I just gave her a name and got her out that cage. How can she be in love with me? I'm nothing special!”

“Orion... you gave her the thing she wished for most, an identity. You spat in the face of one of the most powerful monsters in Equestria to give her that name. When those slavers came for her, you stood tall and told them you would kill anypony who touched her. When given the chance to escape, you instead took on the entire gang all to help her. You did more in one hour for that girl than anypony did in years. Is there any wonder she’s in love with you?”

Well when it's put like that...

“But I'm not worthy of a girl like her...”

Iron spoke up finally, “Kiddo, that's not your choice to make. If a girl loves you then you have to deal with it.”

“So, Orion...” Happy gave me one of her trademark grins, “Who’s the flying fuzzball?”

Nighteyes landed once again on my head, “This is Nighteyes, I found him in a trap at the memorial.”

Happy led us through the gates. “Well you have to tell me all about it but first... AP enchantments?”

LEVEL UP

New Quest Perk Added: Wing and a Prayer - While airborn you gain a 20% increase to all evasive rolls.

New Perk Added: Scavenger - You find 20% more caps and bullets in containers for each level of this perk.

Guns 35

Unarmed 20

Into the Black

Silver Skies

Chapter 4. Falling into the Black

Authors note: Congratulations to RavenSong for her idea for Orion’s cutiemark and talent. Out of all the entrees I got, this one fit so well it had to be used!
Also props to deathtap for being an epic proofreader!

It had been almost two weeks since we had made our return to Radar. Two fun and confusion filled weeks.

Nighteyes had become a favourite with the town's younger ponies, the little fuzzball let them chase him around town all day. Silver Skies had become my stalker. Every time I Looked around there she was, peeking around a corner or crouched behind something... always blushing when I looked her way. I still was unsure on how to deal with her, I mean I liked her. I really liked her! But after her life to date she deserved somepony better than a smart mouthed pegasus with epic hair.

As for Ironclad? He had spent that time hiding from Happy Trails. When Happy finally noticed Severance she was reduced to near hysterics. That girl is a total gun nut!

I was wandering around town in search of Ironclad. He had promised me yesterday that he would teach me to shoot, and with what he did to the firing range I was convinced he was the pony for the job! The range used to consist of five logs with target rings roughly painted across the chipped bark. Ironclad had taken it as a personal insult at the low quality and enlisted Dozer in his project. Three days later the range was transformed; The logs had been replaced with steel plates mounted at different ranges. A wind powered turning belt moved small targets the size of playing cards along at always changing speeds. The range was helping a lot of ponies get better with their guns... except me. My current skill was... well I was a terrible shot at best. Vista’s aim assist was a great help but I had real issues with shots over a hundred yards and as for moving targets? Best not to think about it.

I headed to the Array, wondering if Happy had any idea where to find Ironclad. With her fixation on his guass cannon she had to have some idea where to look. Dozer waved me through the door. Being friends with Happy and Blackshot meant I pretty much had the run of the town.

A gunshot echoed from Happy’s workshop followed by muffled shouting. I burst through the door, wings spread in a fighting stance. Ironclad stood frozen in his armour, a spark round still crackling on his armoured leg. Happy stood with both front hooves on Severance, a screwdriver in her mouth, wrenches, pliers and a smoking pistol levitated around her head.

With a sheepish smile the blue unicorn spat out the screwdriver. “This isn't what it looks like!”

“So you never immobilized Iron so you could take his gun apart?”

“Ok, so maybe it is what it looks like...”

“Happy, Can you get his armour working again?”

“We do have a few damaged PipBuck’s our scavenger teams have recovered so in theory I should be able to reboot the spell matrix with the core programs.”

“Once more for the not so smart pony please.”

Happy gave a sigh, “Yes I should be able to get this armour moving again but it will take a few hours to find a PipBuck with a fully functional O.S.”

“Can't you just use my PipBuck?”

“No offense Orion, but I have no idea what that thing can do or even if it is a Stabletech model.”

“So this PipBuck isn't normal?”

“It decrypted a military frequency, it has an A.I. program built into it so... no it's not a normal one.”

Ironclad’s muffled shouts through the metal of his helmet reminded me I was forgetting him. With a bit of fumbling at the catches I managed to remove it. Iron looked from me to Happy and shouted, “Keep that fucking crazy bitch away from me!”

I had to admit, seeing the one pony army himself scared of a cute mare was pretty funny. Still with help from Happy and her levitating tools we soon had him out of his Power Armour. Without his trademark gear Ironclad looked surprisingly thin. His blue coat with crisscrossed with faded scars. His cutiemark was surprising, I had expected a crosshair or maybe an explosion, instead his flank sported a large red bound book. I was going to ask about it but the smoldering glare he was still directing at Happy convinced me not to press the issue.

Happy gave us a bright grin, “So I hear you're going to teach Orion to shoot? Then he will need his weapons!”

Happy’s horn glowed pale blue as she levitated Vengeance and my 9mm pistol down and fastened them to me. Her fixed grin was kind of unnerving to say the least. Then I noticed how her eyes repeatedly flicked to Iron’s guns where I had left them on the workbench.

“Happy... you're planning to strip Severance as soon as we are out of the door aren't you?”

Happy gave me a pout, a sure sign I had hit the nail on the head. “Maaaybe...”

“Happy. As hard as it is for me to say this, if you mess with Ironclad’s guns while we are gone and his armour isn’t repaired then I’ll have Dozer do all of my gun maintenance from now on.”

“Dozer? But he doesn't clean the barrel or polish the breach! He doesn't even take the mechanisms apart before oiling them! If he even cleaned your saddle then it would explode when you...” Happy sighed, “Ok, Orion you win. I’ll just get his armour running.” The disappointed expression on my friend almost made me feel bad but if this is what it took for her to stop and not do something she would regret later, then so be it.

Happy opened a draw on her workbench and lifted out a selection of PipBuck’s. As we left I flashed a smile at the window where a silver face dipped below the window pane with a loud squeak, leaving Happy muttering under her breath me and Iron headed out.

Ironclad muttered under his breath almost constantly as we trotted to the firing range, for once I resisted the urge to smartass him. Who am I kidding? Let the smartassery begin! “Iron? what do you think of Happy?”

The scary eyed pony gave me a look, “You want my honest opinion?”

“Of course! I’m thinking of setting you two up on a date after all!”

Ironclad’s eyes grew wide. “You wouldn't dare! Kid, I've faced killer robots without batting an eyelid. I've killed feral ghouls by the dozen and even a hydra once, all with a smile. Happy Trails scares the fuck out of me. When that girl sees a gun she wants to mess with it. It's like a switch is flipped. Nopony is safe!”

“That and she has a cute flank.”

“Right, she does have a cute flank. Gun craziness aside, she is one fine looking mare.” Iron stopped and turned slowly to me with an apprehensive look. I had fluttered along beside him while he ranted and had recorded him with my PipBuck.

“Orion, please tell me you didn't do what I think you just did...”

I tapped a button and Iron’s voice played, “...she does have a cute flank. Gun craziness aside, she is one fine looking mare.” The look of horror on his face was priceless.

“Kid, I’ll pay you whatever you want to delete that recording.”

“Oh I think I will hang on to this for future blackmailing.”

“Orion, one of these days you will annoy the wrong pony and get shot for it.”

“One day maybe.” I gave Ironclad a wide grin. “So before we get started shooting things can I ask you something?”

“If you're just going to annoy me again...”

“Oh, no I just wanted to ask what EFS and SATS is. I keep hearing the terms but I got no clue what they mean.”

Now in my time in the wastelands I have had a lot of ‘are you serious’ looks but the one I recieved then could have been framed and used as an example to future generations of ponies. In short I was impressed, heck I fought the urge to clap.

“You're joking right? Please tell me you're not serious?”

I just gave a small wing shrug, I wasn't going to lie. I had no clue at all.

“What does your PipBuck’s HUD show you?”

“Well I have an ammo counter, It names stuff I look at in green boxes. Oh there's also a bar labeled HP”

“How the fuck are you still alive, kid?”

“Pure talent my yellow-eyed friend, That and I’m far too pretty for Celestia to let me die.” I ran a hoof slowly through my mane with my other front hoof resting on my flank.

Iron actually laughed, “Goddesses dammit, kid your stupid fucking jokes should not be so much fun! Ok, EFS stands for Eyes Forward Sparkle. It is basically a compass that sits on the top of your HUD and shows you direction and any tags on your map. It also uses a threat detection system, yellow bars show non hostile creatures while red show things that will kill you just for existing.”

“So it's sort of a friend and foe detector?”

“Exactly, Now SATS is harder to explain. When the spell is triggered time for you slows to a crawl, a second becomes roughly ten minutes. Now, When in this state you will see enemies covered with a green outline. Focusing your sight on any part of them will give you a percentage number. The closer to 100% the higher the chance to hit it will be, you can target attacks up in a queue and when the spell is released your weapon will fire automatically.”

I could hear my brain break as Iron explained; EFS was pretty simple but SATS seemed confusing as hell. Still I nodded like I understood. If Iron continued with an explanation like that my brain would melt down in protest!

To distract myself I flipped my PipBucks radio on, just in time to catch the end of one of DJ Pon3’s news segments.

“...and finally some news from up north; ponies rejoice! Trottingham has fallen and Redeye’s operation has been all but wiped out. Now children I know what you're thinking ‘But DJ Pon3, The Steel Rangers have been trying to take Trottingham all year!’ Well my little ponies this is where the story gets strange - a single pony, just one single pony, went in there and obliterated the largest of the slaving gangs and then did Equestria an even bigger favor and took down the alicorn in charge. Unbelieveable I know, but there’s more! This pony was not the Stable Dweller. Nor was it Security. No this is the part that warms my heart: a young pegasus buck did it.

“Now I know what you're thinking but this was no Enclave soldier. This was a youngster who went to Trottingham to visit a grave of all things. One of the former slaves freed by this young hero visited Tenpony Tower yesterday and gave my assistant an interview.”

The soft voice of a mare spoke up, “My name is Autumn Breeze, I... I was taken from my family by Redeye’s slavers as a tribute when they attacked Armour Vale, my home town. The things I saw in Trottingham... the horrible things they did to that young girl...”

“Would you like to take a break before we continue?” A second mares voice asked with concern. Whoever this second mare was, I liked her already.

“No, no I’m ok. There was a young alicorn girl in the cages. those monsters made us watch as they raped and beat her every day. Not every pony brought into the cages was nice to her either; I saw her raped by enslaved stallions while those slavers just watched and laughed... it was like a nightmare.

“Then they dragged this scrawny little grey pegasus colt in and threw him into that girl’s cage. I love that girl, she tried to help the colt without thinking. She healed what, from the amount of blood coating his fur, had to have been a skull fracture at least. when the pegasus woke up I was expecting to see him use her like all the rest, but he didn't. He just... talked to the mare. When that kid found out about what she was, about this ‘Unity’... well lets just say his language to that so called Goddess would have had any child in my hometown grounded for a month!”

Both mares laughed loudly.

“I didn't realise that the girl had no name until then, that nice kid gave her such a beautiful one ‘Silver Skies’. If I ever have a daughter I’m going to name her that. Then that red coated bastard, who led those Slavers, came for that sweet girl. I’ll never forget seeing that boy stand strong in front of little Silver and telling two armed stallions he would kill anypony who touched her. He was true to his word too. Somehow Silver teleported the boy out of the cage and the first thing he did, very first thing, was to try to free her. Even with the gang heading towards them he still took the time to reassure her that he would be back and instead of flying away he actually ran into the museum to find a key!”

“Can you tell me more about what the colt looked like?”

“Well he was a dark grey pegasus with black hair, streaked with white or silver. Blue eyes, wearing a PipBuck and he had no cutie mark.”

“A blank flank? That's amazing, will you tell me the rest of the story?”

“Well after the colt entered the museum there was a lot of gunfire, then a few minutes of silence. I was sure he was dead then. Then I heard the roar of a new gun. I don't know what it was but it was loud. The rest of the slavers had arrived by that point and that terrible alicorn mare who gave them orders. There was some shouting then that gun sound came again. After a moment there was silence. I again feared the worst, we all did, but then he staggered out through the museum doors. He looked like he was sleepwalking, covered in blood with a bullet hole in one of his legs, but he held keys in his mouth. There were guns strapped to his flanks and some kind of big rifle tied between his wings. He wore the powers hooves of the red slaver bastard. He unlocked random cages as he went back to little Silver’s cage. After he unlocked it he threw the keys to me and asked me to let everypony else out. Then he collapsed. The poor thing... Silver screamed his name but with everypony suddenly talking I couldn't make it out clearly, but I think he was named after something in the stars.”

“He died after freeing you all?”

“No, he was hurt bad but I found a few healing bandages in the museum and bound his injuries with them. That sweet girl refused to leave his side. When he came round he sent little Silver to some town, I won't tell you the name as I'm sure Redeye has ponies looking for payback. He was limping badly and could barely fly a few feet but he promised to lead us to a safe town. He led us out of Trottingham and not a single gang dared attack. But when we got out of town two Steel Rangers stopped us, one opened fire and killed my sister...”

I could hear quiet sobbing as I sat on my rump in a daze.

“He went berserk! I don't know how he did it, but he covered those two Rangers heads with a snowstorm then threw himself at the pony who attacked. I would've never believed it if I hadn’t seen it but the kid actually beat that pony’s flank bloody with those power hooves that red bastard used on us before he died. When they broke, the kid stared down the second Ranger. A third Ranger then arrived and in no uncertain terms expressed his feelings on what they did. The Ranger forced the first two to escort us to the kid’s town. I don't know what happened to him after that.”

“Well my little ponies, your old pal DJ Pon3 has some idea, A bounty was issued by the Enclave on a young pegasus matching that youngsters description of ten thousand caps. With no name confirmed Trottingham has been referring to the youngster as ‘Darkstar’. Well kiddo, if you're ever in Manehattan drop by Tenpony Tower and let my assistant interview you. This has been DJ Pon3, bringing you the truth... no matter how much it hurts. Now here’s a little Sapphire Shores, From me to you.”

...what the fuck? Sure that all happened but... I’m no hero! I mean sure from another pony’s eyes what happened might have seemed a big deal, but it was just blind luck! If I never found Vengeance I would have been killed for sure! I must have been staring into space as Ironclad waved a hoof in front of my eyes.

“Orion! You in there kiddo?”

I gave my head a shake to clear the fog. Hero? Sweet Celestia the very idea was terrifying. I'm just a pegasus who got thrown into situations beyond my control. A hero? No way was I a hero.

“Ironclad? Do you agree with that stuff? That I’m a hero?”

“Orion, heroes aren't usually as annoying as you are.” I have never been so relieved to be called annoying in my life. “But I will admit what you did back in Trottingham was pretty heroic.”

With a groan I covered my face with my hooves, Celestia, what did I do to deserve this? Is this payback for the time I said your sister had the hotter body? To distract myself from the thoughts swirling around in my head I began to sing to myself as we trotted towards the range.

“I see you standing here

But you're so far away

Starving for your attention

You don't even know my name

You're going through so much

But I know that I could be the one to hold you

Every single day

I find it hard to say

I could be yours alone

You will see someday

That all along the way

I was yours to hold.”

I was so lost in my song I never noticed I had a crowd of young mares watching me with wide eyes. Great I just traumatised half the towns young fillies with my horrible singing...

One of the girls, a cream coated earth pony with a green mane, stepped forward and shyly said, “Orion, please don't stop...your song was...nice.”

The other girls all nodded. Even Silver had forgot to hide and was staring at me with shining eyes.

With all of this attention I did what any hero would do: I turned bright red and ran for it. Ironclad found me hiding under a box at the range a few minutes later.

“They didn't follow you did they?”

Iron didn't even try to keep a straight face as he burst out laughing, “So the great Darkstar, scourge of slavery, is afraid of a few girls?”

“Yes! And you're the last who should mock anypony for being afraid of a girl. Remember Happy?”

Iron sighed and in a humourless voice said, “There is a big difference here Orion, you got embarrassed about girls liking your singing. Happy shot me.”

“Well we can argue about this all day or we can shoot stuff.”

Iron gave me a grin and beckoned me to the closest target. The metal plate was fixed to a post at around two hundred yards from the low bench each pony was to shoot from.

“Ok Orion, first I want to see you shoot with the pistol then the saddle.”

I leaned forward and bit down on the pistols mouth grip. Vista’s aiming assist lit up, the green dot steadied as I took aim. My tongue worked the trigger and three rounds spat from the muzzle. All three hit but only one was near the central rings.

Iron rubbed his chin with a hoof, “Well that was decidedly average... let’s see what that saddle of yours can do.”

I spat my gun back into it's holster and gave Ironclad a grin. With my saddles bit clenched between my teeth I took aim. Vengeance roared and the short burst tore the middle of the metal plate apart like it was paper.

“Sweet fucking Celestia! Why the fuck are you using AP rounds for practice shooting?”

“I’m not! These are normal rounds.”

“Kid, you just shot holes in half inch steel plate; those are AP rounds.”

“Ok... I may have lied to you back in Trottingham, just a little.”

Ironclad’s yellow eyes hardened as he glared at me, “Explain...”

“Well this saddle is named Vengeance, it enchants each bullet it fires with armour piercing magic and has a spell to stop it moving around as I fire.”

“You're telling me it's an advanced battle saddle with dangerous enchantments and you lied to me that it was not fully functional? Why?”

“If you knew would you’ve given me it back?”

Ironclad sighed, “No, it would have just ended up on a shelf back at base gathering dust. Where did you get it anyway? Something like that would only be issued to an officer or special forces.”

“Well not long after I woke up in that freezer tube I just sort of wandered along in that dead forest near town. It was getting dark so I headed to a cave I spotted for shelter.”

“And that battle saddle was in it?”

“Not quite... I tripped over a pony’s skeleton in the dark. It was wearing Vengeance. The gun was a rusty wreck, I took it as I was curious and didn't have any idea what a gun was at that time. Happy found me in that cave and rebuilt Vengeance. You know how she is with guns.”

“Again, she fucking shot me to get a look at mine!”

I had to laugh, “Well Vengeance fascinated her. I’ve lost count of the times she took it apart or swapped out a part. Still, if she wasn’t so obsessed I would’ve died in Trottingham. Vengeance is the one reason I'm still alive.”

Ironclad looked torn, “Kid, my orders mandates tell me I should take that PipBuck and your saddle from you and return them to base. All my training and my oath tell me to take them...” Iron looked so conflicted, “but I won't.”

I looked around the town feeling confused, if Iron tried anything in Radar there was enough firepower to reduce him to a smear even with his armour.

“Orion, remember I told you about my mentor? Steelhooves? One of the things he taught me was never do anything that makes good or innocent ponies miserable. I will kill when I have to but I refuse to hasten the deaths of good ponies just trying to survive. If I took your PipBuck and your gun then the wastelands would soon take you. I know you’re a lot tougher than you look, not that that's saying much, but you said it yourself. If you never had your PipBuck or that gun then you would have died or worse.”

“Wow, Iron, you're sure chatty today.”

“I guess I am... you just seem to bring out the teacher in me. I know it sounds sappy, but I think of you like a little brother, kiddo.”

Embarrassed? Nope, I wasn't embarrassed. Even if my face had turned more red than Silver’s when I smiled at her. “Iron, you barely know me. How can you even think of me in any other way than a handsome pegasus?”

The blue earth pony gave a loud laugh, “Kid that's exactly why. You have had the worst possible rude awakening to life in the wastelands and instead of breaking you, it's made you more confident. Even if you’re sort of tough I still get an urge to be protective when I look at you.” Iron reached out with a hoof and mussed up my mane, “Besides Kiddo, you're just so adorable!”

“I am not adorable! I'm a pegasus with some serious skills in the air!”

“And a fluffy mane?”

“Yes and a fluffy... I hate you Ironclad.”

Iron gave me a smile then pointed at the belt targets with a hoof, “Ok enough fun, lets see you hit one of those and no spray and pray kid.”

With a scowl I took aim with Vengeance and sent a stream of enchanted lead at the thousand yard target. The burst of lead flew straight and true... and missed the target completely.

Iron gave me an odd look, “Shoot at the target again...”

With a shrug of my wings I took aim again and fired. This time the lead clipped the edge of the metal plate.

“I see your problem Orion, you're aiming with your body.” After a few moments of watching my blank stare the blue stallion gave a frustrated sigh. “You're not too bright are you, kid? Ok I'll say this as simply as possible. You’re turning your body to aim; you’re using the reticle... the dot to aim. I want you to try shooting with your eyes-- don't even look at the dot just see the target and shoot.”

Ignore the aim assist? but that's the only thing that has let me hit anything! Who am I kidding? My shooting is embarrassing, and in the wasteland you get good or you die, so suck it up Orion and do it! Great even my brain is arguing with me. With a sigh I turned to the range once more, my front legs bent slightly and I braced my back legs. The dot was way off the target but instead I tried Ironclads way. My eyes locked onto the plate and Vengeance roared, the stream of lead flew and shredded the metal plate like it was made of paper. It was far from a perfect shot but I had hit it!

Ironclad messed up my mane again with a hoof, “I told you Orion. Never rely on any helper besides SATS. Eyeball the target, aim with your eyes to judge where the shots will land. Now we got you better than spraying and praying. I’m going to make you a sniper, kid.”

I remembered Blackshot’s explanation about snipers. Even if Iron had in a few minutes improved my shooting, I doubted I could be good enough to nail a shot at the kind of distance required. Still I followed Iron to the last of the target lanes. Around a thousand yards to the targets, the playing card sized target plates moving along on that wind turned belt. I could barely make them out.

“Um... not to put a downer on this idea Iron but I don't think I can hit those.”

“Orion, don't be so hard on yourself. You can do this.”

With a nervous smile I took my stance, Eyeball the shot... Vengeance roared once more, The enchanted lead flew and tore through one of the targets... just not the one I aimed for.

“Ok, kiddo, can you tell me why you missed?”

“Easy, he can't shoot for shit!”

With a groan I turned around and sure as night follows day, there was Firefly. The green coated earth pony colt grinned at me with his usual self confidence. With all I had done in the time since I woke up in the tube, I think I outclassed him in almost every way. I think he knew it too, so he mocked me about the one thing he could still beat me in: marksmanship.

“So, Orion is learning how to shoot like a Steel Ranger now? Well I suppose anything is an improvement on his current skills.” Firefly gave me a smug grin. As much as I wanted to I couldn't argue with him; I was a terrible shot.

Iron pointedly ignored Firefly’s trolling attempts and continued his lesson, “Now then Orion, this time I want you to try leading your target. Don't shoot where it is, shoot where it’s going to be.”

I watched the targets for a minute or two, trying to judge their speed. Then I let loose with a quick burst. Once again I missed my target but it was a lot closer than my first attempt. Firefly burst out laughing again. I’m a pretty tolerant pony but the way I was being harrassed for no reason like this was pissing me off.

Firefly’s eyes grew wide as a deep growl came from behind his head. I watched with interest as sweat began to roll down his muzzle and his whole body shook.

“Nighteyes! Stop that now!”

With a happy bark, my liger pup fluttered past the astonished buck and settled on my head once again. With a smirk at Firefly I reached up and rubbed the little fuzzball behind his ears. After a moment Firefly finally spoke.

“Holy fuck... I thought there was a Hellhound behind me when that thing growled...”

Ironclad gave me a sour look, he never did really bond with Nighteyes. “Ligers were engineered to produce fear. Their growl is able to produce a frequency that interacts with the neural pathways of your brain in a way that produces a fear based paralysis.”

Firefly looked from Ironclad and then to me, “You know what language the tin-pony is talking, Orion?”

“I think he means when the flying hairball here growls you piss yourself in terror.”

Iron gave me a dirty look, “Well that's very simplified but quite accurate assessment.”

Heavy hoofsteps interrupted our banter as Dozer arrived at a gallop. Skidding to a halt, the big pony panted for breath, "O-Orion... Black... shot.... Blackshot..."

“Wait, take a moment to breathe big guy and in that moment please consider laying off the sugar bombs and getting more exercise.”

Dozer panted for a moment then gave me a sour look. “Orion, Blackshot sent me to find you. Remember the info you brought back on your PipBuck?”

I cocked my head to one side and gave my award winning not a smart pony look. Dozer sighed while Ironclad gave me a curious look.

“Orion, the map info you had on your PipBuck? Happy downloaded it when you got back?”

“Doesn’t ring a bell.”

I think Dozer wanted to scream in frustration but in my defence the day I got back Happy had gone loco over Vengeance and had done all sorts to it and did some repairs to the damage on my PipBuck. Apparently bullets bouncing off the thing wasn't good for it - who knew?

“In any case we used that info to scout out new scavenging sites and we discovered an entrance to the southwest into some kind of underground facility. Blackshot wants some extra firepower on this run and you fit the bill.”

Firefly looked shocked, “You're actually going to take this guy over me? Dozer I’m a far better shot!”

I burst out laughing, only for Firefly’s angry glare to silence me. “Oh... you’re serious? Then let me laugh harder!” I laughed so hard my sides ached and Nighteyes almost fell off his perch on my head. “Firefly, Blackshot wants firepower. I’m packing duel assault carbines with drum magazines that fire AP enchanted rounds at a fire rate good enough to cut a pony in half... you're packing a 9mm peashooter.”

The green colt stomped away muttering under his breath while I grinned like an idiot.

<====0o0====>

Ten minutes later, myself, Ironclad, Blackshot, Happy and Dozer had gathered in the Array. Dozer had shown us into a large room near Happy’s workshop. The only furniture in the room was a huge table in the middle, covered in maps. Blackshot looked at each of us in turn and frowned at Ironclad’s presence.

“Right everypony I’ll get right to business. Around three hours ago one of my scouts reported an entrance into an underground complex, we assumed it would be a subway but initial scouting has shown it to be some kind of military complex. It seems pretty standard, a few ferals but one of our scouts who got deeper reported something disturbing. Ferals using firearms to cover their advance. I think we have discovered Reavers down there.”

I raised a hoof, “Question! What the hay is a Reaver?” Everypony looked at me like I was insane, I knew what a feral was... sort of. Happy had gave me lectures on the hazards of this wasteland world and had told me of feral ghouls. Zombie ponies, freakily aggressive and fast, with a taste for living pony flesh. Reavers were a new one for me. I gave a sigh, “Freezer pony? New to the wastelands? Any of this ringing a bell?”

Blackshot gave me a smile, “For the freezer pony then. Reavers are an urban legend in the wasteland, almost a ghost story. Feral ghouls with intelligence and the ability to plan and use firearms.”

“Wait... you're telling me there are zombie ponies out there who can shoot until their friends are close enough to rip you apart?”

“Not just ponies, Reavers are said to be made up of Diamond Dogs, Zebras and even a minotaur.”

Ok that was a scary thought, I now saw why Blackshot wanted my firepower along. Plus, with my flying, I can get to where I'm needed fast.

“I’m coming too.”

Ironclad’s announcement stunned us all. He had no real ties to the town. I would back everypony up in a heartbeat, they adopted me with no reservations and gave me a home. Iron belonged to what was pretty much an army, his loyalty would be with them first so why would he come on this scavenging run?

“Don't anypony get the wrong idea, I’m not coming for this town or to steal any tech you find. I’m going with you to confirm the existence of the Reavers. If I can locate them and confirm they exist then I can request a few squads of Knights to wipe them out.”

Blackshot gave the Ranger a nod, “We leave in one hour, Happy will stay here with Dozer. We need those IF-422 assault rifles we traded for fixed up.”

Happy trails gave a loud squeal of joy. That girl is a total gun nut.

Blackshot looked at me with a frown, “Now the final problem. The Enclave has been sniffing around again. With the bounty on the kid we’ve have a lot of ponies looking for a quick pile of caps. If Orion goes out those gates now, then we will be attacked for sure but I want that firepower of his backing us up down there. I have a feeling we will need it.”

“So what are we going to do? Sneak me out in a crate?”

Happy gave me a sly smile that immediately made me nervous, “Leave that to me!”

<====0o0====>

“I hate you guys!”

Ironclad was rolling around the floor of Happy’s workshop, roaring with laughter as the blue unicorn added the final touches to my disguise. A talisman hung from my neck, it's magic had turned my coat a bright yellow. Happy had covered my stylish mane with a long haired red wig and had braided it so it hung down one side of my body. A bright pink dress covered my wings and a fake horn completed the look. She had made me look like a unicorn filly.

“I will get you back for this...”

Iron grinned at me, “Lighten up, missy. If you keep talking like this you will never get a coltfriend!”

I lifted my PipBuck and tapped it's case meaningfully, Iron got the hint immediately as his eyes grew wide as he remembered the recording.

“What's with the PipBuck Orion? Something to do with Ironclad?” Happy gave us both a curious look. My face broke into a wide grin. Payback time!

“Why don't you explain, Iron?”

“U-u-um...well...” It was hysterical watching the Ranger stammer and struggle to find a way out of this. Oh! I thought of a way to fix up Orion’s PipBuck!”

Wait what? He's thought of WHAT? He can fix Vista’s screwed up repairs?

“If I download my armour’s EFS data to that PipBuck then the AI can use it to reinstall the missing data!”

I could have EFS and SATS? I don't really understand SATS but the EFS would be amazing, if I’d had that those slavers would never have caught me. Then again I would never have met Silver...

Iron beckoned me over to where his Power Armour stood next to Happy’s workbench. I watched curiously as he ran a hoof across the flank of the metal suit, A panel slid back revealing a screen similar to my PipBuck. With that earth pony deftness I admired so, he unhooked a cable and plugged it into my PipBuck.

“Ok Orion, here we go.” The blue stallion reached out and tapped a few buttons on his Power Armour. Vista’s green text began to scroll down in front of my eyes.

>Transfer Completed.

>Configuring Data.

>Configuring Complete.

>Reinstall Complete.

>Rebooting Eyes Forward Sparkle Protocols.

My sight turned green for a moment. When I could see clearly once more something new was in my sight. Under my HP counter was some kind of new bar. As I turned my head it moved, letters floated above directions. N must mean north. In the directions of both Happy and Ironclad was yellow bars and as I scanned around slowly I could see other yellow bars, the townsfolk I assumed. I reached out with a hoof and tried to touch it.

“It worked then?”

“I think so? Theres something like a compass.”

“Ah the EFS is working, how about SATS?”

I reached down to my PipBuck and tapped that blue button, “Vista, Is SATS working now?”

>Checking Stable-Tec Assisted Targeting System Protocols.

>Checking.

>Checking.

>Error.

>Data Corruption Detected.

>Beginning Data Recovery.

>Unknown Recovery Time.

“Well...no.”

Ironclad gave me a sigh, “At least we do have some progress. With some luck that weird AI of yours will get it working eventually.”

Happy levitated a pink saddlebag over to me and fastened it to my flank. Could this get any weirder? A thought occurred to me. Happy had been drumming her gun knowledge into me at every opportunity and well... it had sank in more than I would admit. I couldn't think of a way to thank her for all she has done so I tried my hand at repairing a pistol I had bartered for a week back. The traders were in love with the combat knife I had found and the random foodstuffs and junk I’d collected gave me almost five hundred caps. All of that went to buying a gun I had seen in their packs and some scrap parts. A heavy automatic pistol, it was rusted and jammed when I got it so it took me awhile to figure out how it worked. Iron had helped me alot in the repairs on it and I had even carved some wooden grips. After six days of work and a bucket load of oil, It worked like a dream. I had tried it out on the range and the recoil had almost broke my jaw!

Iron had informed me it was a 50. calibre ‘Desert Dog’. Apparently it was a limited run for officers during the war but was discontinued due to the limited ammunition available. I had no idea what most of that actually meant but I wasn't happy with the seven round clip so with a lot more help from Iron I had converted an extended magazine to fit the big rounds. twelve rounds were better than seven! As a final touch I had engraved Happy’s cutiemark into the grips... well begged Iron to engrave it. I had engraved one word into the slide myself ‘Reckoning’.

“Hey happy? Can you do me a favor?”

“Sure Orion, what's up?”

“There was a red metal box in my saddlebags, is it still around here?”

“Red box? I don't think... Wait!” Her horn glowed for a moment and the familiar red box floated down from a shelf.

“Can you open it? I... got you something...” I felt myself blush in embarrassment. Iron gave me a smile. He knew exactly what was in the box.

Happy gave me a confused look and flipped the latch open. the box clattered to the ground as the heavy automatic was lifted by the blue unicorns magic. Her eyes grew wide as the gun slowly rotated, the slide slid back with a dull rasp. I watched as she ejected the clip, took a closer look and slapped it back in with a snap.

“I saw this in the traders junk, it was a wreck... You did all this Orion?”

“Well I did have help.” I pointed to Iron who was doing his best to hide behind his Power Armour.

“Well I will have to give our big tough Ranger a kiss!”

Ironclad gave a hilarious panicked look, “Come near me and I swear on Celestia: I will shoot you!”

“Take it easy, Iron. If you act like this you will never get yourself a filly friend!”

Dozer poked his head through the door, much to Irons relief. “Orion, Ironclad. Blackshot says to shift your flanks. You leave in five minutes.”

Iron gave a nod and began to pack Vengeance and my pistol into his armours saddlebags.

“Wish us luck, Happy.”

“Just come back safe Orion. You too, Ironclad.”

With Iron now inside his trademark armour and me looking ridiculous we headed to the gates to meet up with Blackshot’s crew. The scavenger team seemed to consist of unicorns and earth ponies, it was still an odd thing to me that pegasi were so rare. Actually that makes me feel special! The firepower we had brought along was pretty formidable; Blackshot sported his anti machine rifle, Ironclad had that heavy machine gun of his and Severance. Ironclad carried my battle saddle in his packs. The dozen ponies with us, five unicorns and seven earth ponies, had brought along battle saddles fitted with shotguns, machine guns and assault rifles. Each unicorn carried a rifle slung over his or her back and a pair of pistols or revolvers. It shames me to say but I spent the seven hour march chatting to Blackshot and Iron and never got the names of more than two ponies.

As soon as we left Radar my EFS tagged a red bar following us, Iron noticed before me and made sure I knew not to talk about it. Blackshot spent the time addressing me as ‘Meadowlark’, and when I spoke I had to use a squeaky voice that had me cringing inside. The dress was rubbing my wings and felt so very wrong. Though the dress does make me feel so very pretty! And that thought was then beaten into submission and locked away.

Finally our tail lost interest after five hours of trailing us and I could finally remove the disguise and stretch my wings. After gearing up and loading my guns I felt myself again.

Blackshot informed us that we would camp the night before tackling the facility. With our EFS both me and Ironclad volunteered to take the first watch.

“Orion, Ironclad. I’m giving first watch to the kid, I want our Ranger here to take the midnight watch. This is feral territory and I need somepony with experience to be awake and armed in the dark hours. That's when ferals are most likely to come above ground and attack.”

One of the unicorns with us, a green coated mare with a grey mane, looked up from the shotgun she was cleaning and called over. “Hey Boss! Why are we giving the kid a watch? What has he done to deserve the respect you keep showing him?”

The big stallion gave a wide smile, “The kid was the one who broke Trottingham and killed that alicorn in charge.”

Everypony was staring at me in surprise and muttering under their breaths, it was kind of scary to be the centre of attention when the crowd is packing that much firepower.

“So this scrawny little feather brain is Darkstar eh? Well the boss’ word is enough for me.”

“Well that was easy; I expected to have cries of ‘Hes just a kid!’ and the like.”

“Blackshot doesn't give out his respect easily. The boss vouches for you then that's all I need.”

So Blackshot respects me? Ohmygosh ohmygosh! I knew that my adventures had been a little off the wall, but to have earned the respect of somepony like him? I’ll admit the very idea blew my tiny Luna obsessed mind.

My watch was pretty boring, other than a radroach that I just stepped on and a radhog I took out with a few shots from my pistol, nothing of note happened. One of our earth pony crew took over and I took the opportunity to grab some shut eye.

Gunfire woke me, the camp was in chaos. Ponies ringed our campfire, guns blazing out into the night. Blackshot and Ironclad stood side by side, the hollow thump of Severance mixing with the deafening boom of Blackshot’s rifle. I had taken off Vengeance to sleep so drew my pistol from it's rig.

Something lunged at me from the darkness, jaws snapped at my face. In surprise I threw my hooves up and the thing bit down on my PipBucks case. The firelight revealed my attacker, It was a pony... sort of. Eyes glowed yellow as the rotting face pressed forward with inequine strength, forcing me down onto my back. A zombie pony! This must be a feral ghoul. I jammed my pistol into one glowing eye socket and fired a trio of rounds; The light in those eyes faded away. With some effort I pushed my way free from under the dead weight as a second feral raced out of the darkness. Five rounds dropped it dead. Everything became a blur, reloading, firing. I soon lost track of how many we killed.

One of the creatures barreled into me from the side, sending me rolling across the rocky ground. Fuck! I lost my gun in that tackle, but before I could do anything the feral launched from the darkness and bit down on my left front leg, I screamed in pain as it began to chew. A second zombie pony bit down on my right rear leg and began to pull, I couldn't do anything but scream and thrash as I felt chunks of my flesh being torn away.

“Get the fuck off him!” The armoured figure of Ironclad came barreling into the monsters, his charge sending them bouncing away. Severance and his machine gun blew the ghouls into chunks. I couldn't move, I hurt so much and I felt so very cold.

Iron knelt down beside me, “You're going to alright, Orion.” He turned to the firelight and shouted with panic in his voice, “Get some fucking potions here now! The kid’s hurt!”

I guess I looked worse than I felt. Hoofbeats came from around me, dimly I felt the bulb of a healing potion being pressed to my lips, which I drank quickly. I could feel the pain recede a little but it did nothing for the feeling of the missing chunks from my legs.

I heard Blackshots voice. “Give him some Hydra! Do it now!”

I felt a needle stab into my flank; I hate needles. There was a very odd feeling like my limbs were made of soft wax as whatever they injected me with went to work.

I must have passed out as next thing I knew it was daylight. Somepony had draped a blanket across me and the still form of Ironclad sat next to me, his visor facing out into the wastes.

“Hey Iron, what I miss?”

“How you feeling, kid?”

“Little sore, but at least I know now that I look good enough to eat. It's a curse being so handsome and sexy.”

The Steel Ranger laughed, “Orion, you are so random! Only you would make a joke about being eaten alive.”

“I’ll be honest with you Iron, if I didn't make a joke about what's happened to me then that's when you should be worried. It's how I deal with the fucked up life I got now.”

It's weird how sad a visor can seem as my armoured friend stared down at me, with a feeling of dread I lifted my injured front leg from under the blanket expecting to see bloody chunks missing. I had to gasp in shock at the sight, Instead of a bloody ruin there was just bald patches in my coat. The flesh looked pink and fresh. “How the fuck?...”

“You mean you don't know what Hydra is and does?”

“Iron, until a month back I never knew what a gun was, let alone any of these drugs you ponies seem to use.”

“You have something against drugs, kid?”

“Actually yes, I was taught that if I achieve anything because of a drug then it wasn't me that did it. If I rely on a drug and then run out when I need it. I'm pretty much fucked.”

“That must have come from your parents. Was it difficult growing up in your father's shadow?”

“Actually to me all he was was my Dad. It wasn't until he saved me that I realised just how strong he was.”

“Ok we are getting off track here. Are you up to tackling this place, Orion? We can have a few ponies wait with you.”

“What? And miss out on the fun?” A wide grin spread across my face, I had walked all day in a freaking dress to help out here, there was no way I was going to miss this. With some help from Iron, I was soon kitted out with my weapons. As odd as it seemed, I felt more myself with Vengeance hanging from my flanks. I must have changed a lot in the last month. Then I guess when you are forced to kill just to stay alive, you grow up real fast. I still wasn't ok with killing anything, especially ponies, but given the choice again I know I would have pulled that trigger again. My innocence was a small price to pay to save Silver’s life and rescue everypony... Wow I am the worst excuse for a hero in the wastelands, I bet Security and the Stable Dweller never had the kind of issues I’m dealing with.

Another hour's walk, or in my case flight, had us in view of our destination. From the dust and rock filled landscape rose a two story building. Well most of a building. Grey walls had collapsed on three sides leaving a single wall intact. Through the shattered windows and gaps I made out desks and cabinets. It must have been some kind of office before the war, even an idiot like me could see that.

Blackshot led us to the southern corner, This EFS was cool! I can tell where I'm going with ease now. A tunnel stood partly hidden by the rubble. A concrete ramp led down into the darkness, oddly clear of debris, almost looking like it had been swept clean. Blackshot turned to us.

“We do this in twos, you each know your pairs. Orion, you're with me, I want you above me spotting with those sharp pegasus eyes. Ironclad, you buddy up with Sparkfly. You’re our big hitter, so I want you in the middle where you can support as needed. Watch your corners and watch each other’s backs. Lights on, safeties off.”

That was Blackshot through and through; quick, to the point and amazingly clever. No wasted words, no doubts in his plan.

With the plan explained in simple terms, Probably for my benefit, Blackshot took the point with me flying above his head. Between my PipBuck’s light and my own eyes, I could see pretty well. Behind us I could hear the soft hoofsteps of the scavengers and the heavy tread of Iron’s Power Armour.

We descended into the darkness slowly,, everypony watched for anything the others may have missed. Blackshot and the scavengers had flashlights fixed to the side of their faces with some kind of straps so the light shone where they looked. Iron switched on the lights on his helmet, the powerful lamps cut through the darkness like a knife.

The ramp continued downwards, the tunnel going deeper underground as we continued. After around ten minutes we reached two huge metal doors. Rust coated their surface and blackened marks showed where explosives had forced them open. The corroded metal bent inwards leaving a gap between the twin doors almost a meter wide. Blackshot motioned me forward with a hoof. with a flap of my wings I span through the gap, my PipBuck’s light shining into the blind spots behind the doors.

“Clear.”

Everypony filed through the gap and spread out, Flashlights shining into every space. Even a total idiot like me could see how each pony covered the other’s blindspots. Rubble filled most of the passage, a pathway through a side door let us advance further. The scavenger crew picked over each room as we went; from the disappointed muttering I guess they never found anything of note. After a while it seemed to me that the way the rubble lay was almost strange, often we were forced to detour into side rooms and through holes in the walls. I lost count of the times we had to squeeze through gaps one pony at a time.

“Blackshot? I know I’m the rookie here, but doesn't it seem like somepony changed the layout of this place to slow down anypony coming in here?”

“I think you're right, there are too many choke points and detours for it to be natural for the rubble to fall this way. Everypony stay alert, I don't like this.”

My EFS was acting strange, red bars appeared and disappeared seemingly at random. Have I broke it already? “Ironclad, is your EFS acting strange?”

“I'm getting phantom readings, something is in here with us and it can hide from EFS. Not a comforting thought.”

Blackshot turned his light on me, “Kid, eyes forward. With your fancy machines not picking anything up I need those sharp eyes of yours.”

I gave a nod and peered forward through the darkness. The walls remained the same uniform grey stone, rubble was piled across every doorway -- but one and blocked the hall a few hundred meters in front of us. Blackshot opened the doorway silently. keeping quiet as possible we filed in. The door opened out into a huge room, almost like a hangar or a warehouse. At the edge of my sight I could make out piled metal crates. Our party fanned out, each pony covered a different angle while I gained some height and swept the twin muzzles of my battle saddle around nervously.

One of our unicorns deftly picked the lock on one long crate and flipped the lid open. The purple coated mare blew a strand of her yellow mane from her eyes before letting out a whistle of appreciation. “You better see this, boss. We have a full crate of assault rifles here in factory condition. This place is a treasure trove, when we pick it clean we can retire!”

A noise echoed, no pony throat could make a sound like that. It was halfway between a roar and a scream. Everypony backed together in a rough ring with me hovering above the centre. My EFS went wild, from a clear bar it instantly turned solid red. From Ironclad’s grunt of surprise I guess his did too.

“Um... Blackshot? There's more red bars out there than my PipBuck can read...”

“How many can it pick up?”

Iron’s voice came from his helmet’s speaker, “With the military protocols I installed for him... over a thousand.”

Two yellow dots lit up in the darkness; eyes. More of those glowing eyes lit up, and more... and more. Oh fuck they are all around us. Unicorn magic levitated the crates around us into a rough barricade. That scream came again, almost deafening as hundreds of those creatures out there joined in. In every direction and even across the ceiling were those eyes. Whatever those things were, they were not ferals. Ferals would have charged, these things seemed content to watch and silently assess us.

Then they attacked.

A storm of lead bit into our barricade, forcing us to duck behind cover. Something dropped from above us with that horrific scream, I spun in the air and fired, my enchanted lead shredding the thing. The corpse landed in our pool of light revealing a ghoul with two swords strapped to his flanks.

One word came to my lips, “Reavers...” The way these things fought was terrifying, a covering fire of bullets let screaming ghouls charge us while others dropped from above. Pegasus ghouls raked us in precision fly bys. My bullet count was getting low and more than a few of us were hurt. We had lost two ponies to a zebra leaping over our barricade and with an almost graceful spin, caving in the throats of two of our earth ponies with it's back hooves.

This was bad, there was no way we had the ammunition to take down this sea of undead ponies. Think Orion! There must be something you can do to salvage this! Be smart and think...Fuck it, something stupid then.

I took in a deep breath and shouted out at the top of my lungs, “Wait! Time out!”

Oddly the fighting stopped, everypony looked at me like I was insane. At least we aren't being killed at the moment. I pulled a bottle of purified water from my saddlebags and took a long drink, I doubt a pony drinking a non alcoholic beverage has ever been the centre of so much attention.

I looked out into the dark at that sea of eyes, “Before you kill us, might be some torture, I dunno. Can I ask one thing? Why are we fighting? You guys aren't ferals, even I can see that. So can't we talk about this or if we have to fight, can't we just have a one on one so nopony else has to die?”

Ever have the feeling that everypony was looking at you and thinking ‘Is this pony for real?’ Well I had that then.

Without warning, lights lit up the room, blinding us with the sudden glare. In the new light I could see how hopeless our situation was. There was thousands of ghouls out there. Zebras stood in groups, some balancing on their hind legs while pointing rifles at us, pegasi pointed those odd box weapons at us from near the ceiling, unicorns and earth ponies by the hundreds lined every surface, even the ceiling! Strange bipedal dogs with long claws stared at us, probably what Blackshot had called Diamond Dogs, and striding through it all came a massive figure. Pale blue fur covered it's upper body and head, A small mohawk of cobalt blue hair sprouted from between two curved and cracked horns. Dark blue fur covered it's legs, its arms ended in claw tipped hands, it's muzzle was pierced with a nose ring and for some reason a tattered black tie hung from it's neck. Glowing red eyes stared down at me. Then it spoke.

“Iron Will is the name and breaking ponies is my game! Iron Will accepts your challenge little pony. You and Iron Will can fight for the lives of your friends. No guns, no blades. Just you and Iron Will until one surrenders.”

And now we are fucked.

<====0oxo0====>

Me and my big mouth...

I had expected if it had worked for Blackshot or Ironclad to fight another pony. Now here we are in a circle of Reavers, the scariest things I have ever encountered, with me about to have a bare hoof battle with a fucking zombie minotaur!

Lets see how we measure up to each other; he has around two meters of height on me, a few hundred pounds of muscle, his horns and clawed hands outclass my hooves, his arms give him a reach advantage, and being a ghoul, he won't tire out....

I can fly and he can't! That's something I suppose.

Yep, we are so very screwed here.

I was at one end of the circle of Reavers, standing with Iron, Blackshot and the remaining scavengers. All our guns and weapons had been taken from us and stored in a crate nearby that a ghoul donkey and zebra sat on. Blackshot was trying to coach me, but let’s be honest, I was going to get my flank kicked here.

“Don't fight on his terms, you're a pegasus so take it to the air. You're faster than him so use it to your advantage. Remember one thing, Orion, no matter what happens now, nopony hates you. You gave us a chance with that stunt, we would all be dead otherwise.”

“Iron Will is tired of waiting! Come little pony, let Iron Will make this quick.”

“Looks like it's time for me to go get my ass beaten, sorry guys...”

Ironclad gripped me around the face, forcing me to look into his visored face. “Orion, You have a habit of doing the impossible, through blind luck you have achieved things that an army failed to do. Don't doubt yourself, you can take this guy down. Now show me the pony little Silver fell for! Show me the hero.”

Hero...

No I know I’m no hero, but for everypony else I will try to be somepony who is. For my friends I will fight. For Silver I will try. For Silver I will try? Seriously, Orion who are you kidding? You have feelings for that girl so just admit it already. Not now brain, I got a monster to fight.

Iron Will glared down at me before blowing a plume of pink mist from his nostrils. Slowly we both circled each other. Suddenly the minotaur lunged forward and threw a punch down at me. I leapt back just in time to avoid that fist smash into the concrete. Now I expected a shout of pain after punching stone, what I never expected was that fist to bury itself up to the wrist. If one of those punches connect then this is over!

Iron Will pulled his hand from the broken concrete and gave me a measured look. With a flap of my wings I went airborne. My only chance was to take this to the one place I had the advantage. The big minotaur threw another of those big punches, I spun to the left, the fist passed my head so close the wind from it stirred my mane. I swear I heard a ‘swip’ noise as it passed. Taking advantage of being inside his reach I shot forward and landed three quick strikes into his face. Iron Will responded by slamming his forehead into my face, staggering me backwards. Before I could recover he drew both hands together over his head and brought them down onto my back. I hit the concrete so hard, I bounced and screamed in pain as I felt my left back leg break from the impact.

I forced myself to my hooves and through my now blurred vision, looked up to see the minotaur draw back his arm for one final blow. The fist began to descend. This is where I die...

Everything froze.

>SATS Restored.

>Beginning Introduction Protocols.

What the fuck? Green text began to scroll down my vision.

>Welcome to SATS: Stable-tec Assisted Targeting System.

>Stable-tec is proud...

>Rewriting message to Orion Levels.

Great my PipBuck thinks I’m too stupid to understand whatever the message was.

>Rewrite Complete.

>SATS Uses Action Points To Queue Attacks.

>The Closer the Displayed Number Is To 100, The More Likely Orion Is To Hit.

>Focus On Body Parts To Queue Attacks.

>When Ready, Attacks Will Begin.

Right... I sort of understood that, but what does that even mean? My sight turned green, As my eyes traveled around the frozen minotaur’s body, parts of him glowed green and numbers appeared next to them. This was so very freaky. I looked at his face and tried to focus, three beeps came in my ear, how can there be sound with no time?

Time returned with a weird hiss sound, my body moved without me controlling it! I leapt forward, my wings launching me towards Iron Will’s face. My left hoof slammed twice into the side of the minotaurs head before my right hoof connected with the cracked horn on the other side of his head. My hoof thundered down hard onto the slightly yellowed and cracked horn, amazingly the thing broke under the impact! The broken point clattered to the floor as the minotaur staggered back with a roar of pain. One arm waved around to keep me away as his other reached up to cradle the injury.

There was a flash of light behind me, but I ignored it as I dove forward between Iron Will’s legs. My jaws closed around the broken horn and I spun, driving the point into the back of his knee. I pressed forward, using all the strength in my three working legs to push the jagged point deeper. The Minotaur fell backwards, roaring in pain and almost crushing me. I ripped the horn free and pounced onto his chest before the big minotaur had a chance to recover. The point pressed against his throat as I looked into those glowing red eyes.

Please don't make me kill you, please...

There came the last sound I expected, laughter. Iron Will laughed loudly and before I could react, gripped me in one hand and lifted me free.

Oh fuck he's going to smash me into the floor like a rag doll!

I was set down gently, I looked at the minotaur in confusion, then shock as a pink glow came from the wound on his knee. The flesh closed up and Iron Will rose to his hooves, still smiling.

“Iron Will gives up, Iron Will finds you impressive for such a small pony.”

I spat out the horn, “You're not going to kill us?”

The considering look I was getting from those red eyes was unnerving me more than a little. “Iron Will keeps his word, you are all allowed to leave. But Iron Will wishes to ask a favor of you first.”

Wait. He breaks my leg, kills some of our friends and forces me to fight him and now wants a favor? Is he serious?

“What kind of favour?” I was curious and it cost nothing to ask.

“Deep inside this facility Iron Will’s followers found a door. We cannot open it and it took us almost forty years to cut a hoof sized hole through it. I want you to try to open it for Iron Will.”

Blackshot hoofed me a potion and gave me an injection of Hydra, between the two I felt my leg heal. Although the feeling of the broken bones snapping back into place was revolting.

“So what makes you think I can open it?”

“Iron Will looked through the hole, there is a metal chest in there bearing your cutiemark. It is yours if you aid us.”

“I don't have a cutie mark, don't mock me like that...”

Ironclad poked me with a hoof, “You do now kid.”

I glanced back and in the reflection of Ironclads visor I could see a picture on my flank, a green four leaf clover with a strip of red cloth tied around it. What the fuck does that mean? Clover... Luck? My talent has something to do with luck? But the cloth? tied luck? no that doesn't make sense. Bound luck? Bound to be lucky? No I get hurt too much for that... a blindfold maybe? Unseeing Luck? Blinded Luck? Blind...

I let out a loud groan, my talent is blind luck? Even my own cutiemark mocks me.

<====0oxo0====>

The blue minotaur led us through the twisting maze of rubble and rooms. I’ll admit this chest had me curious but at the same time I was curious about the minotaur we followed.

“So what's your story Iron Will? I’ve never seen anything like that pink glow when your knee healed.”

“Iron Will is a Canterlot ghoul.” The big ghoul looked at my blank expression, “Ask your friends to explain about Canterlot ghouls. Before the war Iron Will was a self help guru, Iron Will taught ponies to be assertive. When the war began nopony wanted to attend Iron Will’s seminars. Iron Will made his way making slogans for the wartime companies and giving speeches to the troops. I was in Canterlot when Equestria died...”

The big blue minotaur looked sad, also he had stopped talking in that really annoying third pony way.

“I was in a studio, recording the new slogan for Sunset Sarsaparilla when the bombs fell, trapped in that pink cloud... I died. I woke up a few days later, the studio had all but collapsed and I was trapped in the sound booth. through the glass I could see another pony as trapped as I was. He had gone feral, I don't know why my mind was still intact but I was still me, even if I was dead. I had to tunnel my way out. To pass the time while I worked I found myself talking to the feral. For almost a solid week that ghoul clawed at the glass between us and made growling noises. As was my habit, I fired off my self-help slogans, I talked to him, never once expecting a response. But then... he spoke.”

The minotaur looked almost wistful as he continued, “It was strange, my slogans and self-help jargon gave his mind something to latch onto, that pony became my best friend and my second in command. Together we left Canterlot and wandered the wastes. We captured feral ghouls where we could and tried to bring them back to themselves. That's what the Reavers really are, we are all feral ghouls with minds. All the berserker strength and speed but with a mind behind it and in control.”

Blackshot spoke up, “Then what of the horror stories about the reavers? Are the tales of you destroying towns true?”

“Sadly it's true, all we want is to be left alone. Each Reaver has lost everything they knew. we gave them a family and we stick by our own. Occasionally we run across a town who will see us as monsters and try to wipe us out, we make sure they learn that we won't lay down and die. I put it to you, if we killed everypony then where do the stories come from?”

Blackshot was silent as he considered the ghouls question. It made sense to me, if there was no survivors then there would be no stories. We stopped before a rusted doorway.

“Iron Will would like you to try and open this door.” I barely heard, the symbol on the door held my attention. An ornate shield, split into two displaying the sun and moon. Wings spread on each side or the shield. I knew this sigil, my Dad wore it every day. It was the symbol of the Sky Archons. The pegasus heros of Equestria. I reached out with a hoof and touched the rusted symbol, the door gave a groan and began to rise. I jumped backwards in surprise. The room beyond the door was filled with rusted armour and weapons. Crates filled the floor in uniform lines, in the middle, where anypony walking through the door would see it lay a metal chest. On it's side was two symbols, a four leaf clover cut by a starburst, my dads cutiemark and a four leaf clover wearing a blindfold, my own cutiemark.

The Reavers fanned out and began to pick through the weapons and armour around the room and broke open crates. Our own party began to do the same. This was a Sky Archon weapon stockpile. I popped the clasps on the chest and flipped the lid. Inside was a small figurine of a blue pony mare with rainbow mane, a strange metal ring, some kind of gun and a weird metal crown with a faintly glowing ball of glass set onto it. Ironclad peered over my shoulder.

“Thats a memory orb, put the crown on your head and you will see another pony’s memories.”

The very idea scared me, but with shaking hooves I placed that copper coloured crown on my head and watched as the world whisked away from me.

<====0ox0====>

I didn't like this body, whatever I was seeing was twitching almost constantly and there was a maddening itch behind the left ear. A mares voice, filled with an almost scary kind of glee spoke.

“Okey Dokey Lokee! It's all set up!”

The view turned around and faced another figure and my heart almost stopped in shock. My dad stood there looking tired and worn out.

“Are you sure about this, Pinkie? You know I’m not comfortable with this future stuff you predict.”

“Of course, silly! Orion is watching this now.”

What the fuck?

“Oh, and he has a dirty mouth. Young ponies should not talk like that!”

Wait...you can hear me?

“Oh no, but I my Pinkie Sense tells me what you were going to say when you saw this!”

“Pinkie Pie, who are you talking too?” My Dad looked confused, heck so was I!

“Oh Orion is confused, talk to him!”

Oh this was a level of fucked up way beyond what I can deal with.

“Stop swearing! Bad pony!”

Fine! I’m sorry! Just let my Dad talk already!

“Okey Dokey Lokee! Orion’s listening now!”

“I hope you’re right Pinkie.” My dad took a deep breath. “Orion, I’m not sure if this mare is crazy or not, but on the off chance she’s right and I’m supposed to talk with you here like this, then I have to say one thing: I love you, son.

“I know you must be confused and maybe scared, but if even half of what Pinkie has told me is true then I have to try this. Your mother and I left you this crate and message as a care package of sorts, you should get it after gaining your cutiemark. Inside is this message, Pinkie tells me your armoured friend will tell you what it is, whatever that means. There is a figurine of Rainbow Dash, it will keep you safe, don't ask why. The gun is a gift from me, it's a one of a kind sniper rifle, It's name is Dragon’s Roar, you will see why when you fire it. It uses 7.36 mm magnum rounds and had increased velocity enchantments. In the bottom of the chest you will find three thousand rounds for it and a loader that will help make more rounds. Pinkie tells me a mare named ‘Happy’ will fit it to your battle saddle.”

The black pegasus rubbed his eyes with a hoof, “Lastly you will find a metal ring with three gemstones. This is your mothers gift. She tells me you have to slip the ring around your hoof and say...” My dad actually looked at a scrap of paper for the right words! “Integrate systems. She tells me it's something for your PipBuck, I don't understand this science jargon but she told me it will help you.”

Dad looked right at me, “See you son. Remember your mother and I love you and we are proud of you.”

As the image faded the voice of the insane mare I looked out from called out, “Give Silver a big kiss for me!”

<====0oxo0====>

Right... that was so fucked up I need to find some brain bleach and scrub every memory of Pinkie Pie out of my head. How did that mare know everything I was going to say hundreds of years before I said it? Somepony had moved me, I lay on a dirty mattress in a small concrete room. The chest with my care package lay nearby. I could make out Blackshot and Iron Will arguing through the rusty metal door of the room.

“Iron Will won't say it again! The Reavers don’t attack towns for fun!”

“Bullshit, there’s has been reports of Reavers wiping out settlements in this area for years!”

“Iron Will is getting angry! All we Reavers want is to be left alone and to help feral ghouls regain their minds!”

“Actually Blackshot, I have to side with the Reavers on this one.” That metallic tinge to his voice made it clear Ironclad was talking. “The Rangers have investigated many of the towns said to have been hit by Reavers, almost every one had evidence of Raider or Slaver activity.”

I pushed the door open and trotted through, Ironclad sat next to Blackshot on a scrap metal bench. A flat piece of rubble made a table which Iron Will and an odd looking ghoul sat. I know all ghouls look strange being dead and all, but how many wear a pink shirt and sunglasses? His black mane was slicked back with what looked like oil. His white flank showed a cutiemark of a yellow star.

“Welcome back to the land of the living Kiddo. Have fun in the memory orb?” Blackshot gave me a smile.

“Sort of. It was a message from my dad... Hey, what do you guys know about a mare named Pinkie Pie?”

Ironclad spoke up, “Pinky Pie was the head of the Ministry of Moral, or MoM. During the war she sought out plots and spies. Her agents seemed to find spies from thin air. There was a rumour that she could see things before they happen.”

“Pinkie Sense?”

“How do you know about that?”

“Well it was her memory. She knew I was watching and what I was thinking.”

“That can't be true!”

“She told me off for swearing when I thought it was fucked up.”

Everypony stared at me as if to see if I was making joke. Ironclad stared at me through that blank visor of his. “You're serious? Pinkie Pie knew what you were going to think two hundred years before you thought it?”

I gave a confused look, “How do you think I feel? A pony I never met told my dad I swore! It’s a serious headfuck.”

“Iron Will can only imagine, Iron Will met Pinkie Pie once and she... Well let Iron Will just say Iron Will has no idea how she did the things she did.”

“Right, before my brain melts from excessive confusion can somepony tell me anything about my care package?”

Everypony stared at me for a moment before Blackshot asked the obvious question, “What care package?”

“Right... sorry I never explained did I? The chest was left by my folks, Pinkie Pie knew I would need help so they left me some gifts.”

Blackshot stood and trotted into the small room I awoke in, after a moment the big pony dragged my chest out and with surprising jaw strength, flipped it onto the makeshift table. I laid out the contents, the rifle, the small figurine and the ring. then I surprised everypony when I laid out the boxes of ammunition and the bullet making kit. Finally I flipped the rusted chest to the ground. Ironclad predictably picked up the gun and began to play with it.

“Hmm, It can't be...”

Not wanting to break his train of thought, I watched the Steel Ranger strip the weapon and begin to clean it with a bottle of oil and some rags from a compartment in his armours flank.

With a shrug I picked up the ring while Blackshot and Iron Will examined the figurine and the ammunition. I found myself musing over Dads words, ‘something for your PipBuck’. With a shrug I slipped it over my hoof and let it slide down to my PipBuck with a faint clink of metal on metal.

“Now what was that phrase Dad said... Inter...bate? Inter... hate?”

I scratched at my mane in confusion, What was that word?

The pink clad earth pony ghoul spoke up for the first time in a surprisingly smooth voice, “I believe the word you are looking for is integrate.”

“That was it! I’m supposed to put this ring over my hoof and say ‘integrate systems’.”

My PipBuck began to shake, odd beeping noises came from it and my leg froze in place. I began to panic as the ring began to slowly rotate on my leg.

“Somepony... something is happening here!”

Everypony stared at me like I was making one of my jokes, I think Ironclad saw the fear in my eyes as he rushed over to me and gripped the ring with his metal clad hooves. Metal squealed on metal as the middle and largest of the three gemstones lined up with my PipBucks screen.

>Integration Complete.

>Beginning Test Activation.

“Iron move! Something’s about to...”

I never got to finish that sentence as the ring activated, the gemstones shone with every colour of the rainbow then light erupted. Iron fell back in shock as the light wavered for a moment before seeming to shrink. I just stared in open shock at the sight. From my PipBuck protruded what I can only describe as a blade of light. I moved my leg back and forward slowly watching as rainbow colours flowed across the leaf shaped blade seemingly at random.

Ironclad stared through his visor at the spectacle for a moment before glancing down at his hooves. The weird blade of rainbow light had cut lines of slightly melted metal through his armor. Thankfully it didn't seem to have reached his flesh.

>Test Activation Successful.

>Prismatic Blade, Series 4, Model Number 001 Now Configured To Users EFS.

“Prismatic blade? I... I don't even...” For the first time in weeks I was utterly lost for words.

Everypony stared at the rainbow blade. Finally it was Blackshot who broke the silence.

“Fuck me, Orion you always find the coolest shit!”

And now everypony was staring at Blackshot. Did our gruff and sensible leader just say that? Blackshot coughed loudly, “I mean that is some serious tech, don't let the Steel Rangers see that...”

And now everypony was staring at Ironclad, what was this? Musical stares? Ironclad was peering at my raised hoof, studying the weird energy blade.

“Three emitters, the central being the strongest. Not a clue what enchantments are on the gems, but it seems to run off your PipBuck’s battery which in turn is powered by your heartbeat. Looks like an offshoot of the generation three magical energy weapons... maybe early generation four. From the shifting colours it's intentionally destabilised so it won't fire as a beam but instead forms a blade. Destabilised means it won't cause reactive disintegrations but it shows a high potential as a cutting weapon.”

I think it dawned on the Steel Ranger at that moment that everypony was staring at him.

“Why is everypony staring at me?”

I decided to answer in my usual timid fashion. “They are worried your leaders will have multiple orgasms over this pris...pras... Rainbow blade and demand you kill me and return it to them. I’m not worried myself Ironclad, you’re my friend. Plus that recording for Happy is set to be sent to every one of those scrap PipBuck’s in her workshop if my heart stops.”

I so wish I could have seen the look on Ironclad’s face at that moment. The Rainbow... screw it I’m just calling it my Rainblade, switched itself off. I reached over and tapped the blue button on my PipBuck.

“Hey Vista, how do I turn that thing on and off?”

>Designation Rainblade Configured To Users EFS.

>Thought Activation Is Simplest Explanation.

“So I think it and it will turn on?

>Correct Subject Orion.

Even with something as simple as thinking turn on, it still took me a few minutes to get it down. Still... this thing is going to be handy for getting into those cans of food! Well now that's out of the way, time to take a look at the figurine.

“Hey Iron Will, can you throw me that little pony thing over?”

“Iron Will has no interest in this thing.” And with that, the blue minotaur sent the little figurine bouncing across the table. I dove for it, this thing was my chance to find out who Rainbow Dash was and why everypony said I looked like her while I was growing up and he's going to smash it! I swept it up in my hooves and gave Iron Will a sour look. Miraculously it was unharmed, not even a scratch!

Rainbow Dash turned out to be a small built pegasus mare with a striking rainbow streaked mane and tail. The wide grin was so much like my own it was startling. I’ll admit now she was one good looking mare, I could appreciate a toned athletic body like hers. Although Silver’s body isn't toned like that you still appreciate it, Orion. Come on brain, cut me some slack here! It's not like I was having dirty fantasies about that trim, sexy blue mare... so flexible...

Blackshot called over from where he sat examining the rifle from my chest, “Orion, you’re drooling.”

Celestia dammit! Why does my brain have to drift away into perverted thoughts about every cute mare I see? First Luna, then Happy, then Silver and now Rainbow Dash? Don't I have any self control? So you find little Silver cute? For fucks sake brain! Not now! Fine but I will be here if you need me. Let me just leave your with four words: Silver in her dress.

“Orion, you're drooling again and I swear to Celestia, I will throw something at you if you start staring off into space again.”

“Sorry Blackshot...” I brushed at the little blue pony. Two hundred years in the box hadn't stopped it from getting dusty as hay, my hoof uncovered a word engraved into the base. ‘Be’. ‘Be’ what? I stole one of Ironclad’s rags and used up some of my water supply to give it a real cleaning, after a few minutes of careful wiping the thing almost shone. Now I can see what it says! My rag rubbed at the last of the dirt and dust on the base.

“Be Awesome.” I don't know why but once I read those words out loud I felt... better somehow, more confident. Be awesome... well have awesome mane, will travel!

“Hey Blackshot, Hows my new gun look?”

“Well kid, when Happy gets a load of this thing her squeal of joy will burst some ponies ear drums.” The big pony gave me a smile before sliding it across the table to me, what was it today with everypony trying to scratch my new stuff? The gun was a matt black colour and pretty long. most of it's length seemed to come from it's extended barrel. Twin curved magazines fitted into slots cut to the back of the guns body, a single ejection port was cut into the rifles side at a point where the hot ejected rounds would clear a ponies wings safely. The muzzle was very cool, shaped like a dragons head. The bullets would spit from the dragons mouth. Red gemstones made up the eyes and shaped red stones lined the barrel all the way to the body, looking like a ridge of spines. In short the rifle was shaped like a black dragon... sort of. Well if I count the curved magazines as wings...

A thought occurred to me, “Mr Will? Aren't you worried a pony you just fought with is holding a high powered rifle? It just seems that you're giving us a lot of trust here...” Everypony looked at me, I think I just asked the question each of them were trying to avoid.

“I’ll field that question if you don't mind.” The pink shirted earth pony nodded in my direction. “As your young leader there as stated, you have just recently battled my colleague here and gave him quite the trouncing. The name’s Lonestar by the way, anyway I digress. The reason we don't fear you handling a gun in our presence is because you are quite the honourable young colt.”

“Honourable? what do you mean hon... wait Blackshot is our leader, not me!”

“Spokespony then. We are merely arguing semantics now. My point is still valid. When my esteemed colleague here made himself known to you,” Lonestar waved a hoof in Iron Will’s direction, “you had quite the opportunity to gun him down and with what I saw from that saddle of yours it would have been quite the simple task. Put simply as I can make it, you held up your end of the compromise and what's more, even aided our wayward flock to acquire new function weaponry to replace our own failing supplies.”

This pony was way smarter than me, not a big accomplishment I’ll admit but he is very smart. Wait an applebucking minute...

“What do you mean by failing supplies? From what I’ve seen you guys are sitting on a pretty big stockpile of guns and ammo here.”

“Thats part of the problem my curious young friend, we have guns but precious few work. also this facility is far from secure, I’m sure you found the maze we built of rubble disconcerting? Well those defences deter the casual scavenger but recently more heavily armed groups have been venturing into our little home. Each attack hurts our numbers and wastes more of our dwindling stocks.”

“So your biggest concern is you have no way to fix the guns you have?” I gave a grin to Blackshot, who for his part looked as confused as the two ghouls. “Do you have any caps?”

Blackshot leapt to his hooves, “Orion, you're not suggesting what I think you are?”

“Iron Will is confused, what does Iron Will’s savings have to do with this?”

“Blackshot, hear me out before you get mad at me. The Reavers have a stockpile of weapons that is pretty much scrap metal for the good it does them and we have some of the best gunsmiths in the wastelands back home. Plus we have Happy Trails.”

“Is this ‘Happy Trails’ really that good, young pony?” Lonestar seemed curious to where I was going with this.

I had to grin, “Lonestar, you give that girl a paperclip, some turpentine, a tube of wonderglue and a glass of water and she will hand you back a Balefire bomb. You’ve seen my saddle, right? Would you say those carbines were stored away during the last couple hundred years?”

“Well in my uneducated opinion I must say they had been stored away somewhere to be in that sort of condition...”

“Try on the remains of a pony in the middle of a woodland. She is that good with guns.”

Lonestar rubbed his chin with a hoof. His minotaur companion looked more than a little lost about the way this conversation was going. Finally Lonestar let out a sigh.

“Well my young pony you have quite the proposition there, having some way to keep our arsenal in repair would solve one of our two biggest problems. Alas though, our funds are stretched far too thin to pay for such repairs. It was a such good idea too.”

Ok. now I felt kind of down. I thought I had found a way to help both factions at once. now I’m going to sulk.

“I have an idea.” Blackshot surprised me, I thought he hated the very idea of helping the Reavers. “How about barter instead of currency?”

“Iron Will does not follow.”

“It’s quite simple my friend. What this gentlepony is suggesting is that we hand over items in payment for the repairs we need. Quite the compromise for both parties, please continue.”

Blackshot pressed his hooves together and stared over them at the two ghouls. “I am still not convinced your group is as peaceful as you claim but Orion raised a good point. I must do what I can for my town. Now I won't ask for an inventory on your supplies. What I suggest is we keep half of what you bring us for repairing the rest.”

“Half seems a lot, Let us say ten percent.”

“Forty.”

“Fifteen.”

“Thirty.”

“Twenty five.”

“Done.” Blackshot held out a hoof which Lonestar shook with a smile. Iron Will looked on seeming confused at the exchange.

“Iron Will wants to know what you just agreed to Lonestar.”

“It’s quite simple my friend, we take our non working firearms to this gentle pony’s town, his ponies will fix them for us. They will then take a quarter for their payment and return the rest to us. In short we are losing nothing and have a lot to gain.”

“Iron Will is impressed, this little pony has a good heart.”

Lonestar leaned over to me and stage whispered, “That's about as high praise as my bipedal colleague gives out, slightly depressing but we take what we can get from such a maladjusted leader.”

“So Iron Will is the leader of the Reavers? Wait a Luna loving minute here... why am I asking the questions? Ironclad and Blackshot are the experienced ones here, they should be the ones talking!”

Blackshot shot me a smile while Ironclad... Well I can't see through his helmet so I’ll guess he was smiling. Why is everypony giving me that smile? it's creeping me out. Finally, after a minute of me shuffling uncomfortably, Blackshot enlightened me.

“Actually Orion, Ironclad and I are curious to how much more you can get from this situation. You already got us out of a shooting gallery, made friends with what, lets be honest, is the biggest threat in the area. You got us a trade agreement that will benefit both groups. I’m honestly wondering if you will suddenly find a super weapon or a stockpile of Power Armour.”

I had to groan, even when I do well, everypony mocks me. Can't somepony just say, ‘Well done Orion’. Even something simple like that I would love, but no. It's: ‘you did something good, now lets see you upstage yourself’! I buried my head under my hooves to escape the laughter.

“Iron Will is pleased he met you ponies. Now we have one less problem to solve.”

Ironclad gestured to me with a hoof, “Why not ask the kid about the rest? He seems to have the answers today.”

“Iron Will is unsure but... I don't know what to do. We are running out of food. We don't need to eat, but our feral brothers need it. We have no real place to contain them until we can bring them back to their senses. This place is a good hiding place but we have nothing but rubble to contain the ferals while they are here. We need somewhere to set up shop.”

I rubbed my chin, trying to think. Trottingham was out, there was no way I was going to start a war. Radar was out as we didn't have that much extra food supplies and no place to house thousands of ghouls let alone cage ferals. The facility I woke up in was gone, lost somewhere in the forest and even though I really looked hard, I was unable to find it. There was no place I had seen that would work!

“Sorry but I can't think of anyplace, but if I ever do, I’ll come and tell you guys.”

“Iron Will understands, you have helped us out enough already.”

“Can I ask one final question? Why do you keep forgetting to use that annoying third pony thing you do?”

Lonestar laughed, “He’s got you now my friend! As long as I have known Iron Will he has used the third person when speaking to anypony to give himself an air of confidence. The times he drops it is when he is far too worried about other things to keep up the charade.”

“Have you known Iron Will long?”

“A few hundred years now. This gentlepony is the reason I am no longer a feral trapped in a sound booth.”

I just stared. Iron Will had told us about helping a pony regain his mind but to actually meet him... Blackshot stood and shook out his muscles.

“As fun as this has been we should get geared back up and head back to Radar. I trust the Reavers know where that is?” Lonestar gave a nod, “Ironclad, Orion. Gather your shit and meet up by the exit in ten minutes. I am going to sort out the final details on our trade agreement while you two get the team together.”

Exactly ten minutes later, I checked on my PipBuck. Blackshot strode out into the pale glow of the early dawn. The black stallion trotted over to the group and nodded to each of us in turn. I got a frown instead.

“Orion, I am sure I told you to gear up for the trip back correct?”

I looked myself over, Vengeance was loaded and hung from my flanks. My 9mm hung from my leg in it's rig, a fresh clip already loaded. my supplies and my Rainbow Dash sat in my saddlebags and Dragons Roar, my newest gun, was tied between my wings.

“Blackshot, I’m packing enough firepower to take out a couple Enclave. How am I not geared up?”

The dark stallion gave me a strange smile and pulled something from his saddlebags, I saw a flash of pink and bolted. The combined magic of four unicorns pulled me slowly back to the ground in the centre of the group as I struggled and thrashed in horror.

<====0oxo0====>

“I hate you guys...”

Ironclad sighed, “We know Orion. that’s the forty second time you have told us.”

We had been walking for five hours and I was still sulking. In my defence they had took my stuff and forced me into that stupid dress again. I hated looking like a filly. Sure I understood that I had to stay incognito so we didn't get attacked, but there had to be a better way than dressing me like a mare every time I left town.

Radar was in sight and my hooves were killing me. The saddlebag the disguise came with was light as with it's small size we couldn't fit anything bigger than a bottle of water in it. Everypony was carrying my gear for me. It got to me that I had to do this and not be able to carry my own weight. The gates loomed before us, Dozer opening them as soon as we reached the welded metal. Happy came galloping out of the gates before they opened fully.

“Did anypony bring me a new gun to play with?” The blue unicorn mare looked between us with shining eyes.

Ironclad pulled Dragons Roar from his back and hoofed it over. “This is Orion’s new gun, be careful with it, it was a gift from his dad.”

I took a step forward to explain the story behind it but found myself knocked flat by a perfect flying tackle hug by my favourite alicorn. Favorite? Sweet, Just tell her you like her already. Shut up, brain...

“Orion! I was worried, I heard about the Reavers being there... the Goddess had been showing me images of them... it was horrible.”

Yep, time for another heart to heart with the Goddess, “Silver, is she watching now?” Silver gave a worried look and nodded. “Right then, Goddess? Leave her alone or I swear one day I will find a way to kill you.”

“The Goddess is laughing Orion, she doesn't think you're a threat to her.”

“Not now, but then neither did her alicorn buddy in Trottingham.”

Blackshot and Happy were giving the two of us odd looks, Blackshot was the first to break the awkward silence.

“Orion, we will get the gear packed away. Go get changed and grab some food. Take Silver with you. If I know that girl she never ate anything while worrying about you.”

Well I was hungry. “Come on, Silver, lets get some food. I’m starving, then I’m going to burn this dress.”

Happy gave me her trolling grin, “But Orion, it looks good on you! It brings out your eyes.”

Not rising to it, with a wing shrug I turned and trotted into town, Silver following at my side. As we passed the gates I heard Happy ask the question I dreaded most.

“Has Orion admitted he likes Silver yet? Those two would make such a cute couple.”

Level Up!

Guns 40

Unarmed 30

Broken Dreams

Authors note: there are two scenes in this chapter that are sort of... graphic. My GF asked me to rewrite them in a less ‘emotion grabbing way’, but after a lot of thought I decided to keep them as is. After all if you guys take the time to read my stuff, the least I can do is not cut corners.

Silver Skies: Chapter 5

Broken Dreams

Dreams...

Everypony has a dream, a reason to struggle on. It’s only when you give up on that dream that life will break you down. Me? My dream was simple: a life with my family and friends. I just wanted to live that simple life with my parents forever, to hang out with Trick and Bell while we did our crazy antics, trying for our cutiemarks.

My dream is two hundred years dead, my world is gone. My folks and everypony I ever knew is now nothing more than ash in the wind. Why do I go on? I have a new dream. To lay my parents to rest and to be worthy of the pony I’m secretly in love with, little Silver Skies. An alicorn I rescued in Trottingham, she loves me. I know she loves me because I can see it in her eyes whenever she looks my way, and I feel so much for her. I would do anything for her. But she deserves better than me. Somepony else that can make her happy, unlike me.

I’m a killer; I’ve taken lives. I can argue that I had no choice, that if I had not pulled that trigger I would be dead. I could make excuses but it comes down to one fact every time. I killed those ponies. I made that choice.

My little home in Radar, it’s nothing special, just a single room with a bed in one corner. My workbench sat next to the door on the opposite side of the room, a sink and toilet filled one corner next to a rough shower. The water was always cold but there was a furnace outside I could heat water up with for my showers. unfortunately that means heading out into the dead woodland and gathering firewood.

I often lay awake until the early hours of the morning, thinking about what I’ve done. Have I left the world a better place than I found it, or am I just a better looking Raider?

Oh sweet Celestia, why do I keep doing this to myself? I’m not smart enough to think this way.

I climbed off my small bed and trotted to the nearby sink. The water was ice cold as I splashed it on my face. My PipBuck's Geiger Counter began to click slowly letting me know that the water was slightly radioactive. The water was gathered in the dish above the town via the rain, so it was a little contaminated.

A quiet whine behind me made me turn. Nighteyes sat on my bed, staring with those big dark eyes.The pup was worried about me. Or he was upset that he didn't have my warm body to sleep against. Knowing me, it was probably the latter.

“Sorry, boy. I Guess I woke you, eh?”

The little Liger puppy tilted his head and gave me a low whine. I trotted over and scratched behind his ears, smiling at the little fuzzball’s contented sigh. This little guy just loved me for who I was now, no illusions or thoughts of who I should be. It was comforting.

I know that to everypony I come across as confident and more than a little bit of a smart ass, but when I’m alone in the night, I find myself crying. I’m scared. Fuck, I’m terrified of what I’m turning into. Taking a life should never be easy, yet now I empty my guns into a pony and it never registers with me until I’m alone.

I curled up on my bed, Nighteyes pressed back into my chest with his little puppy sigh. I couldn't sleep and stared into the darkness of my apartment.

I must have drifted to sleep as when I opened my eyes it was daylight. Nighteyes was still asleep against my chest, snoring softly. Taking care not to wake the fuzzball, I slipped from my bed and trotted to my workbench. The paper folder I stole from the Enclave sat on the workbench’s shelf, with shaking hooves I lifted it down and opened it. The faces of my parents smiled up at me from the profiles inside the file. I had to be strong, I had to go on. I promised them...

A banging on my door made me jump, “Hey Orion! Wakey, wakey! I’ve got a surprise for you!”

As ever, Happy was loud and over excited. That mare will never change. Still that's why I call her my friend. I stashed my treasured folder back on its shelf and opened the door. Happy wore a wide smile under that black stetson hat of hers, her green eyes shone with excitement. Since we got back from the run in with the Reavers, Happy had been restoring the gun Dad had left me. The surprise had to be that she got it working and fitted it to a new saddle for me. I’d miss Vengeance; those guns have saved my flank more times than I want to admit, but that rifle came from my dad.

“Hold up a few minutes Happy.”

I took a can of cram down from my shelves and used my Rainblade to slice the top off. Nighteyes licked his chops and gave me an imploring stare. Grinning, I tipped the pink meaty... stuff into a metal dish and set it down next to his water bowl. The pup buried his head into the meat and didn't once come up for air.

Happy was literally bouncing on her hooves with barely contained excitement when I came outside. Without a word, the blue unicorn galloped away. I took to the air and winged after her. Happy led me to the Array, and once inside, straight to her workshop. As I walked through the door into her personal domain, a cloth dropped over my head. I reached up to remove it only for Happy to slap my hoof away.

“No peeking! be patient Orion.”

I sighed softly. If it made her happy, no pun intended, I’d play along. I stepped forward carefully. Happy wasn't the most tidy of ponies, so I was kind of worried that I’d trip over a half stripped gun or an ammo box.

Finally Happy whipped the cloth off my head, “Surprise! What do you think?”

I just stared. Happy had set up an old mannequin and strapped my battle saddle around it. I had expected her to remove Vengeance so Dragon’s Roar could be fitted. I should have known Happy would not stop with a simple refit. The rifle dad had left me hung from the left flank, while from the right...

Happy had outdone herself. Both of the assault carbines that made up Vengeance hung together. The barrels had been cut down and new metal made up the bodies of the guns. Both stocks had lots of holes drilled through them, The bulky drum magazines had been replaced with sleek, black painted box clips that seemed to fold around the carbines’ bodies.

Happy waved her hoof in front of my eyes, “Hey, you in there kid?”

I blinked, “Sorry, I’m just a little overwhelmed. Will it be too heavy to fly with though?”

“Oh don't worry, hun. I stripped your saddle’s carbines and replaced the shell with a lighter metal, the shorter barrels and drilled stocks cut the weight down even more. The new magazines are lighter but hold less ammo, you're down to a hundred and fifty per gun. All together you're around ten pounds heavier... maybe...”

“Happy, you got excited and went nuts at the idea of playing with my guns again didn't you?”

“Maybe a little?”

I couldn't help but laugh. I drew Happy into a big hug, which she returned with a smile.

“Thanks for always looking out for me. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't even be alive now.”

Happy gave me an odd look, “Don't talk like that Orion, you're alive now because you are very resourceful and you have your luck backing you up.”

I glanced back at my cutiemark, that blindfolded four leaf clover. “What if my luck turns though?”

Happy pulled me into another hug, “Then your friends will be there to help you, you’re not alone hun.” The blue unicorn gave me a playful bop on the head, “Now get yourself geared up, Ironclad is waiting for you at the range. I want to see his face when you arrive with that saddle!”

I had to grin. Happy Trails lived up to her name. Her aura of constant cheerfulness was infectious; nopony could stay sad around her. Happy levitated the saddle up and helped me strap it on. It felt heavier than I was used to, but the things I had been through since I woke up in this world had toughened me up a lot. Happy busied herself adding weights to balance the saddle out for me. After a minute or two of tinkering, Happy had got the guns around the same weight. It surprised me that I had little trouble flying with the added weight.

Guess I’m stronger than I thought.

Happy took the lead, skipping along with her trademark smile. I flew along behind her, getting used to the balance of my new setup. I still find it hard to believe that a pony as talented and cute as her would spend so much time helping a clueless kid she picked up in a cave.

Ironclad stood next to the target range tapping a hoof impatiently. For once his helmet was off and sat on the low box bench that served as the firing line. The blue earth pony turned his yellow eyes in our direction, no doubt seeing us on his E.F.S. I watched with a smirk as those same eyes grew wide at the sight of Happy’s handiwork.

“Happy, are you are totally insane? Why would the kid need so much firepower?”

“Well Orion does have bounty hunters and the Enclave after him...”

Ironclad stared blankly at the cute blue mare for a moment before letting out a sigh, “Alright, point taken. I guess it’s now my job to get him trained up with his new saddle.”

I raised a hoof. “Can I ask a quick question first? Why are you still with us Ironclad? You saved my life so we're even, plus the Rangers didn't strike me as a group to let it's members do their own thing.”

Ironclad stared at me with surprise in his eyes. “Alright... I’m not here on my own. I’m under orders to track you and report back my findings. My Elder wishes to know why the Enclave would place a bounty on a colt. I was given the job as I had already saved your ass once. Parents aside, they seem to think you hold some kind of secret information they want.”

It was my turn to stare, “They do know that I’m just a clueless kid, right?”

“They know, but they also know about your PipBuck. It's the kind of tech the Order confiscates. I think a survivor from Trottingham told them about the thing. I’ve had no orders to confiscate yours and I’ve reported it as defective, but I don't think they believe me.”

“Why do you think the Enclave wants me?”

“Honestly? because you pissed off somepony with influence.”

I had to smile; I was very good at pissing other pony’s off. Guess that albino pegasus had friends in high places.

High places, ha! I kill me!

And now my brain is making bad puns... Sweet Celestia, I’m messed up.

“So... would the Rangers come after me if they found out that I can open the Archon doors?”

Ironclad scratched under his chin thoughtfully. “Well kiddo, I’m not sure. The tech recovered from the few the Order has broken into were not exactly overwhelming. Also most is geared towards pegasi and can't be fitted to Power Armour. There is however one thing they may want to try to use you for though. One of the caches we control has a computer that refuses to respond to any input. The techs think it's genetically locked, not unlike your PipBuck.”

“You think it has something to do with me? Like the memory orb?”

“No, this computer was built before the war. That's the only thing we can tell for sure.”

I gave a sigh, “My brain hurts, can I stop thinking and try this gun out now?”

Both ponies burst out laughing at me, even I had to grin. Thinking is not my strong point, and likely never will be. Iron beckoned me over to the bench.

I stared out at the battered metal plate, riddled with holes and a small amount of rust. it looked like the range had seen a lot of use since Iron had rebuilt it. Three green dots, all in a triangle, hovered in the centre of my view. I bit down onto the bit, feeling the two triggers under my teeth before toggling off the safeties with my tongue. My left eye tingled as I peered at the target. A box appeared in the left side of my vision. The image inside seemed to be a closer view of my target that followed my eye-line and what appeared to be a crosshair overlaid in pale yellow. With a grin I zoomed in and took aim.

“Prepare for the awesome everypony!”

I bit down on the toggle and Dragon’s Roar fired with a bang. A tongue of flame leapt from the muzzle. There was a faint ping as the magnum round punched through the plate.

I blinked, “Um... I was expecting it to be set alight or something.”

Ironclad rubbed under his muzzle with a hoof. The Ranger seemed to be contemplating something. “Orion, take a few shots at the sniping targets will you? I would like to check something.”

I trotted over to the third lane and stared down at the playing card sized targets. The zoom was making it easy to pick out the white painted metal as it moved along on its wind turn-belt. I followed one target with my zoomed vision, hoping to get my eye in.

Dragon’s Roar fired with it's trademark tongue of fire. There was a faint ping as my round punched through the target on the exact spot I was aiming for...

“Um... how did I do that?” I was understandably confused, at long range I couldn't hit the side of a barn from inside it.

Ironclad and Happy stared at my Dad’s rifle. Happy was muttering under her breath as she considered something. Finally Iron broke the silence.

“I think what you have there, is an idiot proof sniper rifle.”

I had to groan at that, Happy poked at my rifle’s gemstones.

“I thought it was odd that there was so many magic gems on the barrel. I think it increases the speed of the round as it travels down the barrel. If each gem has an acceleration enchantment, that would explain the fire. It's the normal muzzle flash but pulled along with the air behind the bullet.”

And I understood maybe half of that. Luckily Iron seemed to sense my confusion; that or he understands I'm not all that smart.

“The gems make the bullet go faster, kid. Other than a little wind moving the shot, where you shoot is where it hits. A simple design that's perfect for you.”

“What do you mean Iron?”

“You can snipe while in the air now, and with some height, you could shoot down behind a Raider’s cover.”

Idiot proof. Well my Dad had known what I could handle alright. Mom liked to think I was clever but Dad knew I inherited his smarts. I was not stupid but I was no genius.

“Hey Iron, back when I got the gun you acted like you knew what it was?”

“Well I had my suspicions. What you have there is a modified IR-745. It was a low run lightweight sniper rifle being developed for use by pegasi. It was actually what led to the designs for the anti-machine rifles.”

“Why do I keep finding weapons that were limited runs? This is getting ridiculous now...”

Happy gave me a radiant smile that left me a little weak kneed, She’s still one hot mare.

With a laugh she said, “Please keep on finding them. Since I met you, I’ve had more new toys to play with than the Gun Runners have brought me in years.”

Ironclad wrapped one armoured leg around my neck, “So, kiddo, what's the plan for today? Target practice? More training with Happy on gun maintenance? Hiding from the fillies?”

“Actually I’m going to the store to barter for some supplies.”

"What do you need supplies for?" Both ponies asked me at same time.

I gave a sigh. I knew they would try to talk me out of it but I couldn't rest until I had done this. “I’m heading to Manehatten.”

Ironclad looked understandably confused. “Why the fuck would you need to go to those ruins?”

I looked down and scuffed at the dirt with a hoof, “It’s where my Mom died... I want to try and find her, and see her laid to rest...”

Happy hugged me tight, “Oh you poor thing... well, Iron, get your gear packed! We have a long walk ahead of us!”

This time both me and Iron asked the same question: "What?"

Happy gave us a grin, “You have to follow our little pony here for the Rangers, and I am not missing this adventure. Every time this colt goes anywhere, he comes back with something nice!”

<====0oxo0====>

It took most of the day for us to get our supplies together, so we agreed to leave in the morning. Manehatten was a long walk south but Happy assured us that she knew of a way to shave a little time off the trip. I was totally broke now; all of my caps had been spent on cans of food, bullets, and cans of cram for Nighteyes. I didn't want to take the puppy with me on this trip, but Iwas still worried he would end up killing somepony and turn into the monster Iron thought he was. The little guy was very affectionate and loved by the town. He was also helping keep the radroach problem in check. Nighteyes hated those things.

I had also bought myself a pile of healing potions and a few syringes of Hydra. It was kind of depressing how easy the storekeeper agreed to sell the drug to me. I was also offered Med-x, dash, stampede... Celestia only knows the names of the other things he offered. About the only thing I agreed to buy (apart from the Hydra) was a couple of pouches of Radaway. After Happy had drummed the dangers of radiation into my skull, I knew it was better to be prepared. Still, I refused the enhancement drugs. I would heal myself and my friends but there was no way I was going to use that stuff.

Dozer volunteered to keep an eye on my pet; the idea of the flying wolf cub hunting down the radroaches in his home had him excited. He must have quite the infestation, but then again his home was filled with discarded food wrappers and tin cans. It was a Celestia given paradise for them. Still, Blackshot had expressed in no uncertain terms that Dozer was going to clean his room before the week was out or he was out of a home. Blackshot always put the townsfolk first; it's why I respected him so much.

Dawn found us at the gates. The three of us laden with our full saddlebags. Happy gave me a grin and lifted her front left leg. My eyes almost popped out of my skull when I saw the custom holster fitted to her trademark black leg bands. In a black leather holster sat a heavy automatic pistol, wooden grips displayed an image of her cutie mark; crossed revolvers. That was the gun I fixed up as a thank you! That was the Desert Dog pistol I had dubbed ‘Reckoning’.

“Oh don't look so surprised, hun. You gave me this little beauty. It's only right I use it.”

I had thought that Happy would keep it as something to remember me by, the thought that she trusted my work enough to defend herself with it was crazy.

Wait a Luna loving minute... shes a gun crazy mare with insane skills. she must have checked it out first and did a little more!

I gave a wide grin, Happy smiled back and gave me a wink.

“Um... can I come too?”

I turned around. The nervous looking face of Silver Skies stared at me. The cute alicorn filly wore the bright pink saddlebags from my disguise, a battered looking revolver hung from a brown leather holster on her flank. Her eyes looked so hopeful, it hurt me so much to dash her hopes.

“Sorry, Silver, where we are heading is really dangerous. You need to stay here where it's safe.”

Silver stared with those amazing eyes of hers for a moment before they began to fill with tears. Without a word, she turned and galloped back into town. Happy gave me an odd look. Everypony seemed to know how I felt about Silver but refused to understand. She could do so much better than me. She is a cute mare with magic powers and I’m just a pegasus colt with a cool haircut. She deserves better.

Without another word, I turned and began walking south. Iron and Happy walked on either side of me.

Nopony spoke for almost an hour. Radar had shrunk away into the distance and was now out of sight. The silence was starting to get annoying, other than the wind and the sounds of Ironclads armour, there was nothing.

Just when I was reaching the point of screaming at everypony to say something, Happy asked me a question in a sad voice, “Orion, why do you hate Silver?”

I was shocked, “I don't hate her, I... I’m kind of... I like her.”

Happy gave me a glare that shook me to my core, “From what I’ve seen, I say it's more likely you hate her.”

“How can you say that? She is the reason I keep going in this fucked up world.”

“Then why can't you see how she feels about you?”

“She deserves to be happy, she needs a pony better than me...”

Ironclad waved a hoof, “Let me take this, Happy.”

The armoured Ranger slammed his hoof into my jaw so hard, I rolled across the dirt.

“You stupid, idiotic colt! She loves you but all you do is push her away? Has it ever occured to you she would be most happy simply being with you?” Iron glared at me, “No lies, no excuses. how do you feel about that filly?”

I couldn't hold it in any longer.

“I love her, okay? I love her amazing eyes, I love the way she hides behind her mane, I love the way she's always shy, I love everything about her!" I shouted back. Iron kept on glaring at me as I calmed myself down. "I... I need her to be safe, okay? I want her to be happy. I can't keep going in this fucked up wreck of a world. She's one of the few truly good things I have seen in this screwed up wasteland... and she deserves better than me.”

The truth was liberating.

Happy pulled me into a hug, “Then be with her hun, keeping her at a distance is hurting you both. you’ll lose her if you keep going on like this.”

That did it. The idea that I could lose Silver cut through the bullshit and the banks broke. I felt tears running down my face.

“You're both right... I was being an idiot as always. When we get back to Radar I’m going to get down on my knees and beg her to be my special somepony.”

“It’s about time!” Happy tipped her black stetson back and grinned at me, “You’re one of the bravest ponies I have ever met Orion, but you're also one of the slowest.”

“No arguments from me. I got Mom’s size, not her brains.”

Ironclad messed up my mane with an armoured hoof, “Don't worry kiddo, you're still adorable!”

“I am not adorable!”

Happy smiled and leaned over to Iron, “He is just so cute when he gets angry, isn't he?”

“I agree with you there, Happy. He's cuter than a newborn filly hugging a puppy.”

“Leave me alone!”

Happy gave a trollish grin, never a good sign. “I will stop teasing you if I can call you Grey Dash for the rest of the trip.”

Iron turned to Happy, “Grey Dash? You're gonna have to explain that one to me.”

“Please don't, Happy...”

“Oh, Orion was teased before his big sleep for looking like a monochrome Rainbow Dash.”

“So that's why he goes from cheerful to depressed in ten seconds flat.”

And that was the point I took to the air and fled south, my friends galloping after me laughing as they ran.

<====0oxo0====>

Three days of travel had brought us to a wide river and from the way my pipbuck was clicking, the waters were radioactive. The brown waters flowed southwards and looked a lot more like mud than water. I still remembered when this same river flowed clear and blue with thick green grassy fields along its banks as far as the eye could see. With a sigh I studied the blasted landscape. Cracked brown dirt and broken stones filled the the once green fields. It was so very disheartening to see the places I knew reduced to nothing more than a ravaged wasteland.

A little ways downstream stood a wooden platform. It sat next to the banks floating on the water with a low rail of rusted metal ran around the edge. Some kind of wooden shack sat in the middle filling most of the free space but leaving a walkway around the edge and a wide space near the back.

Happy had a spring in her step as she trotted towards the... Let’s just call it a boat.

As we got closer I began to spot ropes hanging over the side tied to large rocks and a tree stump. How that thing was even floating was beyond me, the wood seemed cracked and rotten. As we got closer I began to make out a layer of clay spread across the wood.

That would explain the rotted look.

Four ponies stood near to the boat, along with what looked like a two headed cow. The wasteland never stopped confusing me it seemed.

The group seemed to be two earth ponies and two unicorns. Three of them wore long hooded cloaks that covered most of their bodies, leaving only their muzzles in view. The fourth was a small unicorn mare with a short cut brown mane and a pale blue coat, a cutiemark of a crosshair adorned her flank. Fastened to her flanks, legs and back was a collection of blades and guns, far more than seemed necessary to me.

At our approach, the heavily armed mare levitated two heavy rifles from her back and aimed them at us before even turning to look in our direction. Piercing green eyes stared at us before she spoke.

“Not another step, state your business here or fuck off somewhere else. I don't give a flying fuck which.”

I blinked and turned to Happy, “Friendly sort. If we're all riding on that ‘boat’, we’ll soon be good friends.”

The unknown unicorn’s stare became a glare directed at me, “Tell the kid to shut the fuck up or he's full of holes. Fuck it, I’m taking no chances with you three!”

The sounds of those rifles cocking made me move, I slipped into the slow motion time of S.A.T.S. and lined up two shots from my Dad’s sniper rifle on the left gun and two from Vengeance on the right. My guns roared. Dragon’s Roar smashed one rifle from the air and sent it spinning away into the river, the enchanted bullets from Vengeance mostly missed, but what hit cut the gun to pieces.

The naked shock in her eyes was obvious, her horn glowed a pale blue for a moment as her magic began to levitate a shotgun from her back. The snapping of metal made her freeze. My battle saddle had cycled its rounds, Happy had drawn and cocked Reckoning, Severance hummed with energy while that big machine gun on Iron’s armour made a loud cha-chack noise.

Ironclad took a step forward and growled, “You tried to kill us, give me a reason in the next five seconds or I reduce you to a stain.”

One of the cloaked ponies stepped forward and threw back his hood, revealing the face of a white coated stallion with a short orange mane. blue eyes looked out to us.

“Please forgive Farsight, she has been guarding our caravan and as we have ran into more than a few Raiders... lets just say she is now a little quick to the trigger.”

Happy holstered her gun, “We’ll call this a misunderstanding if you can answer us one question...”

Everypony stared at the crazy blue unicorn as she stared hard at Farsight.

“Were those IF-64 "Bloomberg" Assault Rifles? The 5.56 model with the extended mags and scopes?”

“Happy... she just tried to kill us. If I wasn't fast with my guns then both you and me would have died. Why is the guns she used more important?”

Happy looked at me like I was crazy, “You know how rare it is to find a mint condition IF-64 with all original parts? It was one of the most reliable assault rifles ever made!”

“Just ignore her.” Ironclad took a step forward, “I will forgive you this time, but if you threaten my companions again then I will make your death a slow one.”

“Jeez, Iron, she was just protecting her friends. you would do the same for me and Happy so let it go.”

Farsight stared at us like we were insane. I know I wasn't, nor was Iron. Happy however was another story. “I just tried to kill you and you want to let it go?”

I grinned back, “No harm, no foul. You were protecting your friends, I can respect that. Nnow let's all hug and be friends!”

“Has that colt been hit in the head or something?” Farsight glared at me again while I gave my wings a playful flap, making me hover above the dirt. “And for that matter, what the fuck is a pegasus doing below the clouds? Are you a Dashite?”

“Not to sound rude but... what in Equestria, is a Dashite?”

Happy poked my with her hoof, “I told you about this Orion, Dashites follow the teachings of Rainbow Dash. They believe us surface ponies should be helped rather than ignored.”

“So Dashites are pegasi who are not idiots?”

From the laughter I guess I said something stupid again. Happy grinned at me and explained in a little more detail. “Alright, when the clouds were closed up like they are now, Rainbow Dash was the only pegasus who thought abandoning the surface was a bad thing. She refused to hide away up there and pretty much told the Enclave to go fuck themselves before leaving. From what the Dashite’s I have met tell me, they made Rainbow Dash into some kind of villain. Even held a trial without her to find her guilty of some made up crimes.”

My respect for the pony whose figurine I kept in my saddle bags rose a lot in that moment. For once it never bothered me to be compared to a mare with a character like that. Anypony who valued saving lives more than taking the chance to hide in safety was a pony I could relate to. After all, here I was away from the safety of Radar on my insane quest to lay my two hundred year dead parents to rest. If you could not stay true to yourself then you didn't deserve to be called a real pony.

A second of the cloaked ponies threw back her hood, revealing a quite cute yellow earth pony mare with a purple mane... scratch that, a grey mane dyed purple. I could see the roots growing through. Her voice sounded like somepony running their hoof down a chalkboard.

“The great Sweetie Belle wishes to move this along, her fame awaits.”

Farsight gave a loud sigh, “Thats Violet, she's a terrible singer who has convinced herself that she is the second coming of some mare who DJ Pon3 plays on the radio.”

“I am Sweetie Belle! You will refer to us as such!”

“Yea, that's so going to happen, Violet.”

It seemed like this was an old argument, and one I was not going to get into.

“Hey! Which one of you fuckers decided to gunfight by my boat?”

Every head turned to the pony who had spoke. A red earth pony stallion stood on the deck, his insanely long purple mane tied back with wound strips of cloth. White scars criss-crossed his coat and some kind of device was strapped to his left front hoof. I pointed my guns towards him, feeling unnerved by the way his blue eyes stared right into me. There was barely a flicker and he was gone! I felt a hoof wrap around my neck and the point of a blade pressed into my throat.

“I don't like guns pointed at me. Call this a friendly warning youngster...”

“Ok... point taken...” I was trying hard not to swallow in fear, I would cut my own throat!

“Oh let him go, Myth.” Happy seemed more amused than worried. “Orion was just being careful.”

Myth let me go and stepped back, the weird device on his leg gave a quiet noise as the blade that had been pressed to my neck, slid back into it's hidden sheathe. I’ll admit, I wanted one of those. It would go great with my Rainblade.

“Well Celestia shaft me with her horn! If it isn't Happy Trails! What are you doing out here? Last I heard you were still with the Gun Runners.”

“Oh I still am.” Happy gave the scarred stallion a warm smile, “But I’m on an adventure with these two for now.”

“And what are you doing with a Ranger and a pegasus colt in the first place?”

“The colt is my son, this Ranger is my husband.”

I felt my jaw hit the floor, I think Iron was having the same reaction inside his armour. Myth just laughed.

“I’m sorry, I just had to try that!” Happy giggled like a filly on helium. “Orion here is a friend who had done a lot of good for Radar, the Ranger is kind of his bodyguard, you might say. Don't be rude and say hello, Ironclad.”

Our gruff Steel Ranger just nodded. Myth gave us a warm smile. “Pretty antisocial, but who gives a fuck. Listen up! On my boat I have a few rules. One, listen to you captain, that would be me. Two, shut the fuck up with any of your complaints or I throw you overboard. Three, you break it, I kill you. Easy rules to remember, and if you forget then then get ready to walk. Now this barge will not get you to Manehatten, the river will drop us at a bend around ten to fifteen miles away. Deal with it or fuck off and find somepony else to give you a ride.”

I will be the first to admit, that scarred stallion scared the crap out of me. I mean how the fuck did he get behind me like that?

The second cloaked unicorn approached me and threw back her hood, the green mare stared at me with one red eye. Her other was covered with bandages that wrapped one side of her head, hiding most of her short emerald green mane. that eye stared at me with a sadness that even I could see. After an uncomfortable moment she spoke with a voice that carried deep pain.

“Thank you, young one, it is clear your group could have killed us all with little effort. We attacked first but you seem more interested in making new friends than revenge. May I ask why?”

“Well...” I never thought of it like that before, but it was true, “What I have seen in this world was mostly hate and pain. My folks raised me to look for the good in everypony. I don't think violence is the answer to every problem.”

“Where are your parents now?”

I looked down at the dirt and sighed, “They are both dead... please, I can't talk about it right now.”

That sad, red eye looked into my soul. “I understand. We all have our pain to bear, our own sorrow... I will respect your wish and leave you to your thoughts.”

With a slow nod, she turned and walked back to her group. The white stallion gave me a nod of thanks and turned to help his friends climb on board the boat.

Ironclad trotted over and stood next to me, “That mare has seen something horrific, and those bandages... I think she was tortured.”

“She seems so sad, I never even got her name.”

Myth motioned us to his boat, “Get your flanks on board now or I leave your asses here! And have your payment ready or be ready to start swimming.”

I was about to step on the boat when something caught my eye, something white was half sunken in the mud on the other side of the river, in a small space between a group of large rocks. Ignoring my friends calls, I flew over and took a look.

The scattered bones of a unicorn lay spread around the muddy space, some bones cracked open and chewed on. The skull and rib cage were still connected, along with one single front leg. it almost seemed like the pony had been reaching for something before they died. My E.F.S. was clear so whatever had done this was long gone.

Something orange poked through the wet mud by the end of the dead pony’s outstretched hoof. I pulled the thing out but the thick mud made it hard to work out what it was. With a burst of inspiration, I leapt into the air and flew out over the river and held whatever it was under the surface, the brown waters darkened as I shook the object, the mud washing away.

I was feeling a little excited as I pulled it out the water. I held a small statue of an orange earth pony mare with a yellow mane. Three apples made up her cutiemark and a brown stetson cowpony hat sat on her head. My eyes traced the words engraved into it's base.

“Be strong...”

It was weird, as soon as I said those words my gear felt lighter. With a shrug, I dropped the little figurine into my saddlebag, next to my Rainbow Dash. I don't know why but it felt... right, like that was what I was meant to do. I flew back to the boat and landed in front of Happy.

“What were you doing over there, hun? You find something?”

“Another of those little figurines, like the Rainbow Dash one my Dad left me.”

“Can I see?” I lifted the orange figurine out of my saddlebag and held it out. Happy peered at it closely. “Well, I would say she stole my hat but Applejack had that look way before me.”

“Applejack? Who is she?”

Happy gave a sigh, “Did you listen to any of my lessons? Applejack was the Ministry Mare of the Ministry of Wartime Technology. The M.O.T. created the Steel Ranger armour.”

“Are you two done? Can we go now?” Myth gave me a cross look. “Now if the kid has finished fucking around in the mud, he can cast off the lines.”

I gave Myth a smirk, he was a real tough pony and all but I knew a punishment when I saw it. I flapped over to the ropes and slipped the knotted loops from around the rocks and the tree stump. The lines began to drag along the cracked earth as the current took the ...barge I think would be the best term, in its grip. I took to the air and flew onto the boat. Myth took one side and at an unspoken agreement, I took the other. Soon we had the ropes coiled up.

“Not bad for a little, feathered fucker. I could use somepony like you to help out on the boat.”

“Sorry Myth, but I kind of have my own quest I have to do right now.”

The scarred stallion grinned at me, “Well if you need a few caps, then feel free to come back.”

Happy sniggered at me, “Wow. Hey Iron, is it me or does our little pony make friends far too easily?”

Iron tilted his helmet covered head, “I do have to admit his cheerful personality seems to cheer everypony up.”

I just grinned. I liked to make friends.

“Ok everypony, it's time for the pay up or start swimming game.” Myth looked from my group to the caravan ponies now resting at the back of the barge. “I’m not greedy and I’m not one of those armoured asshole Rangers, no offence Ironclad. Fifty caps a pony gets you your ride and food for the three day trip. Now fork them over or get the fuck off my boat.”

I watched as everypony formed a line, that's when it occurred to me that I had blew all my caps on healing supplies. Happy waited until the caravan ponies had paid the fair before taking Myth to one side. The blue mare spoke quietly to that intimidating stallion. After a moment the two trotted back over.

Myth seemed annoyed. “Fine, you three ride free this run. Now we are even Happy, no more favours.”

A voice like the singing of cats called out, “Sweetie Belle wishes to know why they did not have to pay and we did.”

“Fuck off, that's why. Your choice here is simple, shut the fuck up or get the fuck off my boat.”

“Sweetie Belle will not be spoken to like...” the loud mare never finished that sentence before Myth’s blade was pressed to her throat.

Now I knew what to look for. I caught some of his movements. The scarred stallion bent his back legs and leaned his weight into them, then pushed off into a low run, not unlike how us pegasi learn to fly. What was shocking to me was the sheer speed of every motion, no wasted movements, no stalling. Myth flowed from one point to the other in fluid ways that blew my mind. I’m not a smart pony but I can recognise a master at work.

Sweat run down Sweetie... Violet’s face as Myth pressed the point of his blade into her neck, stopping just short of drawing blood.

“In three seconds, one of two things will happen. You open your mouth and I stick my blade through your throat or you shut the fuck up and live. Entirely your choice.”

The yellow coated mare was shaking, then again I am scared of that stallion too. Myth lowered his blade and sheathed it, the naked terror in her eyes was a terrible thing but at the same time it shut her up. With a voice like hers, that was a good thing.

The strange mare with the bandaged face was sitting at the back of the boat, her hooves crossed on the rail. I watched for a moment, unsure if I should talk to her again. She had seen something that hurt her. It wasn't my style to dig into anypony’s past but at the same time, maybe talking about it would help her.

I trotted over and sat down next to her, saying nothing as the wind blew our manes around.

“I’m Orion, what's your name?”

The green mare turned her sad, red eye to me. “Why do you seek to speak to me?”

I reached up and scratched my mane, “Well...” I didn't want to offend her by prying, “I talk a lot and my friends need a break from me.”

“Then why talk to me? Surely one of the others would be more suited.”

“Well the stallion I don't know about, Farsight probably wants to shoot me, Violet’s voice gives me an urge to throw her overboard and Myth just scares the piss out of me.”

The corner of her mouth twitched, the green mare shook for a moment then burst out laughing. I glanced behind me, every pony from the caravan was staring over with shocked looks.

The sad eyed mare held a hoof out to me. I bumped her hoof with my own “My name is Zephyr, thank you for that. I missed just simply laughing, it has been so long.”

“If you need to talk... well I know I’m not the best pony for the job, but I’m here.”

“You may be the best qualified here, I see it in your eyes. You know loss and pain. You know suffering and have seen it in others.”

“Hows this? I’ll tell you my story. Then if you need to talk, I’ll listen to yours.”

“That seems fair.”

I stared up to the grey clouds. “I should tell you about my folks first, of how they saved me from the apocalypse...”

*** ***

I talked for almost an hour, Zephyr listened quietly. Not even asking any questions.

“And that brings us to this boat. what happened here, you already know.” I rubbed my hoof across my eyes, my face was wet from tears I don't even remember shedding.

Zephyr’s voice was barely a whisper, “You do know pain, yet you remain in good spirits. This filly, Silver? She is your anchor? The reason you don't break?”

“I’m not good with feelings but I love her. It took a hoof to the face to make me admit it but I know I couldn’t go on without her.”

Zephyr sighed softly, “I grew up in a village near Fillydelphia, it had no name and it's gone now. We had nothing, even Raiders did not bother with us. Redeye decided we were worth enslaving though. We had no real weapons, knives and a few small arms at most. We never stood a chance.”

The green mare stared out over the muddy water. “Redeye was not kind to us. Almost half of the survivors from that raid died in the first week, I was spared from the labour camps because of my special talent.” Zephyr pulled a small set of pipes from under her cloak. “I make music with these, my mother taught me to make and play them.”

I watched the sad mare run a hoof across the pipes almost wistfully, “I was given to one of Redeye’s lieutenants, a sadistic stallion named Spectre, he used me like a toy, made me play in exchange for not killing or raping me or any of the other slaves... one day he got bored and decided to burn my eye out with a poker, then he tried to make me choose three slaves to die that day.”

“I couldn't do it, so he beat me half to death and dumped me in the wastelands with no supplies. If Boulder had not found me...”

I glanced to the caravan ponies chatting with Ironclad, “Boulder is the stallion leading your caravan?”

“Yes. Boulder saved my life. He took me in and kept me safe until I could stand on my own hooves again. He has led his caravan for years, Farsight is his oldest friend. I stay with them and those who join because I simply have no home to return to...”

I smiled, “Well if you need a place to call home, come to Radar. We have room and the ponies there were nice enough to adopt me. And let’s face it: all I am is a pegasus with a cool haircut.”

Zephyr stared at me, her eye wide, “You mean that? there is a town that would give me a home?”

“Sure, if you get to Radar before we get back, ask for Blackshot or Dozer. They run the town. Just say Orion is calling in a favor.”

“I have heard of Radar, is it true that they enslaved a ghoul army?”

“Thats a new one on me, we did find a group of ghouls who we trade with. But slavery? No...” my voice grew cold, “I’ve been inside of those cages, felt the same hopelessness as you. Blackshot once told me that any Slavers who turn up at the gates are shot. Nopony is owned, we are all free.”

“You are a strange one. So young yet so focused.”

I gave a grin, “I’m not sure my friends would agree with you, I am pretty random at times.”

Zephyr gave a surprising giggle, “I feel strange, I had thought to never smile again. How is it that a young colt can make me laugh so easily?”

“Well, I’m not a smart pony, but I am a silly pony! I like to smile and make others smile.”

The sad eyed mare wrapped one of her legs around my neck and pulled me into an awkward hug. “Thank you young one. Finally speaking to one who truly understands has helped a little.”

“Hey Orion!” Happy’s best troll voice called out from behind me, “I may have to tell Silver you have been hugging other mares behind her back!”

“Wait, no! You wouldn't dare!”

I took off and flew at Happy, trying to tackle her. The crazy mare made me chase her around the shack twice before catching me in her telekinesis and holding me just out of reach. Behind her, still sitting at the back of the boat, Zephyr stared down at the pipes in her hooves. Slowly she brought them to her mouth and began to play.

I think for everypony on that barge, the world stopped. What came from those pipes was not music, it was pure soul given wings. Sad and yet utterly beautiful, it reached into your being and soothed the pain. I fell from the air onto my plot as Happy’s magic collapsed. I barely noticed. Zephyr’s music had us all enthralled. Happy had tears running down her face, Ironclad was a statue. I just followed the example of the caravan ponies and let my jaw drop.

Finally the song ended, Zephyr turned to us with a sad smile. “I’m sorry for my terrible playing, but I had to say goodbye to those I have lost in my own way.”

I just stared. “If that was terrible, then what you would call great would bring the world to tears. You are beyond amazing...”

Zephyr blushed in the fading evening light.

*** ***

We had been drifting down the river for two days now, Myth had barely left the shack like cabin in the centre of his barge. I sat at the front (stern?) of the barge with Happy and Ironclad in the morning light, enjoying the breeze and the calm. Iron had been avoiding Violet like she was a hellhound, her horribly out of tune voice seemed to get to him more than us. My guess was his armour increased his hearing somehow. If so then the poor guy couldn't escape it. In the background I could hear Zephyr talking with Violet as I enjoyed the cool breeze.

“I am not sure about this Violet, what if it upsets everypony?”

“The great Sweetie Belle merely wishes to grace them with her genius before we leave this boat.”

“Alright Violet, but if anypony is upset, it is on your head.”

A haunting melody began to play, the sound of Zephyr's pipes filling the air. Then a screeching voice began to sing utterly destroying the serenity.

“Every night in my dreams

I see you, I feel you,

That is how I know you go on

Far across the distance

And spaces between us

You have come to show you go on.”

Ironclad slowly stood and paced away, around the side of Myth’s shack.

“Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more you open the door

And you're here in my heart

And my heart will... hey, get off me! no, stop it!”

‘Splash’.

Ironclad trotted back around the shack and sat next to us with a contented sigh. me and Happy shared a look before breaking out into a fit of giggles. I shook my head, and with a grin, grabbed one of the mooring ropes in my mouth and took off.

It wasn't hard to find Violet. The awful singer was thrashing around in the river like it was attacking her. I dropped the line across her neck and waited until she had bit down on the rope. With a grin, I flew back to the boat and began to pull on the rope, Boulder joined me a moment later, between the stallions strength and my own meagre muscles, we soon had Violet back on deck. The obnoxious mare stood dripping and shivering for a moment before rounding on Ironclad.

“How dare you do such a thing to the great Sweetie Belle?”

Ironclad reached up and removed his helmet, revealing his scarey yellow eyes. “Get the fuck out of my face now, or I will throw you overboard again.”

Violet backed away, not surprising with those freaky eyes. The mare was shaking with more than the cold now. Zephyr caught my eye and gave me a smile, it was good to see her more alive and not so sad.

Boulder trotted up to our group. “Sorry about Violet. You would not believe the trouble she has brought down on us this trip. With a little luck, this will get her to pull her head out of her ass and realise how bad she really is.”

I gave the white stallion a grin, ”As long as she doesn't sing anymore, we’re all good. that screeching could call down anything on us.”

The day wore on, the gentle rocking of the boat and the warm breeze almost made me relax. The river rolled on. More mud than water. The landscape flowed past. Scrubland with brown grasses and shrubs. A metric shit-ton of rocks lay around the banks. The occasional sky chariot rusted in the fields while dead trees rotted by the banks. Besides a few Radgators, nothing bothered us and between Farsight, myself and Ironclad, the seven Radgators died in ten seconds flat.

In the distance I began to make out a grey blur on the horizon. As the morning passed by, more of the blur came into focus. Tall grey stone buildings, some still sheathed in glass, shining in the second hoof light.

Manehatten, City of Dreams.

Before my big sleep, I had planned on coming here to find my fortune. I had it all planned out in my head. Become a famous flyer and live the million bit dream: eat good food, meet all the fillies and spend my nights in clubs dancing to the new dubtrot music I heard about. It was going to be great. Now I was coming to the city and all that awaited me was Raiders, Slavers and monsters.

Fuck my life.

It was strange. Here I was about to head into, from what I hear, one of the most dangerous places in the wasteland, but I was unafraid...

Maybe it was because I was finally going to find one of my parents. To see my Mom laid to rest. I knew the best I could hope for were blackened bones, but I still held out a foalish hope I would find her alive and well.

I guess I won't ever admit to myself that the worst is the norm in Equestria now. The wastelands take everything good and spit out nothing but misery and pain.

Well, foalish or not, I was still alive so it wasn't impossible that my Mom was asleep in a freezer tube like I was. Dad was gone forever, history proved that already. When I thought about him though, I felt no sadness, just pride.

My Dad, the orphan turned hero. He was still my role model, my inspiration. I was forever proud to have been his son.

“Hey Orion! Equestria to Orion!”

I blinked back to reality and turned to Ironclad, the armoured blue stallion gave me a grin.

“You were out of it there kiddo, nervous?”

“About this trip? Strangely no. It's just the idea I can see my Mom put to rest... it's hard for me to focus on much else.”

“Understandable, Orion. Two hundred years is one long time for anypony to worry about somepony you care about.”

I glanced about, “Hey, wheres Happy? I've not seen her all morning.”

For once, the Steel Ranger looked uncomfortable. “Well she...”

Iron was interrupted by the door of Myth’s shack swinging open with a bang. Happy trotted out with a wide smile on her face. Myth was a step behind, wearing a contented smile.

Wait! Did they? Oh now I’m just jealous. Wait Orion, focus on Silver. She’s the one you want.

Myth glanced around and spotted me. “Ah, just the colt I want to see. Happy tells me you know a lost hoof fighting style.”

I shot Happy a glare, the cute mare just grinned and shrugged at me. I sighed, “I know a little Archon style my Dad taught me.”

The scarred stallion smiled at me, “How about a little sparring match?”

I gave a wing shrug, “Sure, no guns and no drawn blood?”

“Agreed.”

I followed Myth around to the space at the back of the boat and shed my gear. My guns and saddlebags piled up against the side of Myth’s shack. I arched my back and rolled my shoulders, hearing the satisfying cracks and pops as the tension left my muscles. Myth rolled his neck and shook out his legs. His blade was still attached to his leg and that I got a closer look I realised it was screwed into his leg, not attached by buckles. Thick screws on cross plates looked as if they had been bolted through his leg’s flesh and bone. I gave a shudder. That must have hurt - a lot.

Myth began to back up in a circle, I did the same in the opposite direction. My wings spread out as we paced. Myth moved, almost vanishing with the speed. I had been waiting for that and beat my wings down, throwing myself to the right. My sudden move caught the scarred stallion off guard, I landed on my left front hoof and used my momentum to spin around and launch a kick at Myths flank. Myth leaped backwards, his hooves skidding over the rough planks. the corner of his mouth curled up in a smile.

“A reactive style that uses your opponents movements against them. Excellent.”

Myth leapt forward and spun on his front hooves, his rear hooves shot out towards my face. I leapt backwards, avoiding the kick by such a small amount that the wind from it stirred my mane.

The scarred stallion launched forward before I could regain my hooves. One front leg catching me across the throat and pinned me up against the cabin wall. there was a quiet ‘snick’ sound as his hoof blade popped out and pressed against my chest.

“Give up youngster? I have you pinned and a blade to your ribcage.”

It was tough to speak with the leg pressing into my throat, but I was able to rasp out a reply.

“Look... lower.”

Myth glanced down and swallowed. I had a blade on my hoof too, but mine was rainbow colored.

“Thats something no stallion should pull.”

“Well, let me go or you will no longer be a stallion.”

Myth gave a loud laugh, “I like you kid, you got spunk. Call this one a draw.”

Myth released his grip and I fell to the deck with a thump.

“A draw? seriously? I literally had you by the balls!”

“Kid, let me tell you why you still would have lost.” Myth gave a wide smile. “That looks like an energy blade so it would have cauterised the wound, I would not have bled out. Sure it would have hurt like fuck, but all I needed to do was press forward and my blade would have pierced your heart. you would have been dead in ten seconds.”

Well that shut me up.

I sat down on my haunches and sulked, why is it these tough ponies... and minotaurs... throw their fights with me and then prove I would have lost? It's not just annoying, it's disheartening.

Happy trotted over to me and gave me a hug. “Don't worry so much Orion, it's rare I see Myth enjoy a fight at all. Most ponies don't even see his first attack coming.”

Well something to be proud of at least. “Hey Myth, how did you learn to fight like that?”

Myth locked me with a cold stare, then sighed. “Come with me.”

The scarred stallion led me into his cabin and motioned me to sit on a chair near the door. I took the chance to be nosey and looked about. The small cabin was actually quite cozy, the wall opposite the door was filled with a long bed, with a metal frame. From under the old sheet I could make out piles of tattered books under the bed. The chair I sat upon was in a corner to the left of the door while to the right sat a huge metallic chest, rusted and battered. Pinned to the wall above the chest was a hoof drawn map and even to my own uneducated mind it looked very precisely drawn. On the wall my chair sat against was a row of nails with wide leather cloaks hanging loosely from them.

Myth dropped onto his bed, the stallion locked his eyes with mine “What I’m about to tell you does not leave this room, you speak of this and I will hunt you down and kill you. Do we have an understanding?”

I swallowed nervously and nodded. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Myth watched me go through the movements of the promise then asked, “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Um... I guess pinky swear is out of fashion. I promise not to speak of this to anypony.”

Myth raised his hoof and slowly turned his hoof blade in the dim light. “To start with I should explain this, it is a cybernetic implant. I was forced to have it implanted but I will admit it comes in handy.”

“Forced?”

“I’m getting to that so shut the fuck up and listen. I was born a slave. All I knew was the crack of the whip and the feel of the collar around my neck. One of my owners noticed how quick I could move and decided I could make him some caps as a pit fighter. I was twelve years old when I made my first kill. They locked me and five other colts in a sewer pipe and told us to kill each other. To make it more fun, they began to fill the pipe with water. Only I survived, I killed two ponies I had known all my life that day. It turned out murder was my special talent. My cutiemark had appeared during that fight: a dagger with a red lightning bolt coming from it. My owner had it burned off that same day.”

Myth sighed, “I’m not sure now how many ponies I have killed. After a while I just stopped counting. Just like my scars from the fights, it just became a meer detail after a while. I gained some fame as a pit fighter and as the years went by I picked up the nickname ‘the Crimson Flash’ for the speed of my kills. The pits were my whole world. I was dragged around the wastelands in a flea ridden waggon for years brought from one blood soaked hole, to the next. This thing...” Myth held up his hoof and popped out the attached blade, “This was a ‘gift’ from my owner. A cybernetic implant controlled by thought. Anesthetic was out of his price range, it seemed. I was awake and screaming when this was fitted. Took fourteen hours.”

The scarred stallion smiled, “A year later my owner made the last mistake of his life. He tried to trade with a Gun Runner caravan. Blackshot and Happy were both on that run. The Gun Runners took one look at me in chains and wiped out the slavers in under a minute. Blackshot himself blew my owners head off. I had my freedom... and it was terrifying. I’ve had these chains all my life, being told what to do and when. Now it was up to me; my own choice. Happy insisted I come with them, she showed me how good freedom could be, and other things too...”

I felt myself blush as the meaning of his words sank in.

“Happy has a lot of respect for you, and her trust is not given out freely. She trusts you and I stand with her. Most ponies in this day and age would have left that singer to drown. You went out with nopony asking you to give her a line to grab onto. Your fighting skills are pretty solid too. I don't know what you are doing going to Manehatten, but if you get Happy killed, I will hunt you down and make you suffer, you get me?”

“Myth...” I locked eyes with the tough stallion, “For something to even hurt Happy, it would have to kill me first. I lost everypony I ever knew, I lost my family and my entire world. If I lose my new friends, I would be as good as dead. I swear by Luna and Celestia, I will die before I see my friends come to harm.”

Myth gave me a slow nod, “Thats all I needed. Now I see why your friends speak so highly of you. Even your Ranger friend seems to have respect for you.”

“Wait a minute. Iron said he respects me?”

“His exact words were: ‘That little feathered fucker is the luckiest and bravest pony I have ever met. If he wasn’t so annoying, he would be what I would call a hero in this age of suffering.’ Or something to that effect.”

I muttered a little under my breath at that. It was so very like Ironclad to give compliments like a sword. Two edged and cutting.

Myth rolled off the bed and trotted to the door, opening it with one hoof, he turned to me and smiled. “I like you, kid, you may be a little old fashioned, but you got guts.”

The door swung shut, leaving me alone in the gloom and to my thoughts.

If I found my Mom, what then? Where would she most like to be laid to rest? Would she prefer to be buried or cremated? I really didn't know, it wasn't something I would ask anypony. It hurt too much to think about.

Why was I really on my stupid quest? Just to see my folks at peace? That was part of it. I needed to know why Mom made my Pipbuck and my Rainblade. I needed to know why I was stuck in that tube. I needed to know why Pinky Pie had convinced my folks to make the gear I carried. I needed to know why I was always in the right place to help out anypony who required it.

Note to self, stop thinking like this. You are not, repeat, not smart enough for it.

*** ***

Midday found the barge tied to a tree stump at a rock strewn bend in the river. The grey towers of the Manehatten skyline loomed in the sky; they looked so close I could reach out and touch them.

Mom...

I could feel her out there. She was waiting for me in that ruined city, waiting for me to find her. I had no idea where to look, but if I had to I would search that entire city until I found her.

The caravan ponies left as soon as Myth tied the barge to the stump. Boulder bumped hooves with me. Zephyr kissed me on the forehead, leaving me weak kneed and blushing. Violet just sulked... no big loss then.

Myth came over to our small group and grinned. “Wish I could come with you three, you could use the help in there.”

Happy smiled back and hugged the scarred stallion, the two nuzzled for a moment before stepping back with embarrassed looking smiles. Myth pointed his hoof at me, “You had better take care of her, kid.”

I grinned back, remembering our talk in his shack. I gave a nod. I swore I would protect her and I always keep my word, a trait my folks used to make me tidy my room and do my homework.

“If you're all finished with the touchy-feely crap, can we move on?” Ironclad turned his helmet back and forward, no doubt glaring at us. “We really don't want to be outside when the sun sets.”

Iron was right, I didn't know enough about this world to tell him he was wrong. I would have to trust in the skills of the gruff Ranger. With a final few words of farewell, we set off. We had gotten maybe five miles closer to the city when a whistle made me turn. I could make out Myth sitting on the roof of his barge’s cabin. My scoped sight zoomed in. Myth raised his bladed hoof and crossed it over his chest before holding it high. I lit my Rainblade and returned the gesture.

Happy stared at me like I had sprouted a horn, “Orion, where did you learn that salute?”

“Salute?”

“That motion you just did. That’s a pitfighter thing. It’s a farewell to a respected opponent.”

“Well Myth made it to me... is that a bad thing?”

“Hun, you never fail to amaze me. Pitfighters only use that salute as a farewell to an equal.”

“What? No way am I his equal! He could kick my flank so hard, every pegasus alive would feel it!”

Happy grinned from ear to ear, “Looks like you made friends with yet another big hitter! Fillies and gentlecolts, I present to you the next Element of Harmony! One colt to make friends with them all!”

I felt my ears droop as we trotted onto a tarmac road leading into the city. Why was this stuff always on me? I’m just a stupid kid! Why does all these badass ponies and minotaur’s like and respect me? I really am nothing special. A little lucky maybe, but that's all.

Happy nudged me with her flank, “Enough sulking. Where are we heading anyway?”

“Um... I don't know...”

Happy and Ironclad stopped to stare at me. It was Ironclad who broke the uncomfortable silence.

“You mean to tell me, you came to this shithole with no idea how to find your mother or even an idea where to start looking?”

“Well... kind of?”

“You...he...” Ironclad turned to Happy, “What in the fuck are we supposed to do now? It will take months to search Manehatten!”

Happy pointed at my Pipbuck, “Orion, can that thing find your mother?”

The idea would’ve never have occurred to me! I tapped the blue button and prayed this would work. “Vista, locate Mom.”

>Acknowledged.

>Interfacing With Local Nodes.

>Linking To All Available Networks.

>Ministry Of Moral HQ Located.

>Plot Route And Add Location Tag?

“No! you stupid piece of crap! find my Mom!”

I was shaking with frustration. How can I be so close but not have a way to find my mother? I stomped around, kicking at anything that came close. Why was I so stupid? Mom was here, yet my stupid brain couldn’t think of a way to find her!

Happy laid a hoof on my shoulder, “Calm down, Orion. Ask it to find your mother’s real name.”

Happy’s words gave me new hope. “Vista, locate Antiquity, locate Page.”

>Acknowledged.

>Interfacing With All Available Nodes.

>Error.

>Network Locked.

>OIA Override Accepted.

>Linking To All Connected Networks.

>Processing.

>Processing.

>Overriding Private Networks.

>Hidden Maneframe Detected.

>Overriding Security Protocols.

>Connecting To Network Nodes.

>Warning.

>Data Corruption Detected.

>Isolating Corrupted Node.

>Reformatting Corrupted Node.

>Processing.

>Processing.

>Processing.

>OIA Agent Antiquity Piptag Located.

>Plot Route And Add Location Tag?

“Yes!” I almost screamed the word with excitement. This was it! I was finally going to find Mom.

I was bouncing on my hooves as we entered the city. The sheer desolation shocked me. I remembered seeing pictures. Raised rails, vast towers, massive buildings with glass walls, ponies all around. Life. What greeted me was terrifying.

The buildings were falling apart, the roofs collapsing in, the towers were shattered, surrounded by massive piles of rubble. The great glass towers were broken, moss clinging to the steel structure. Metal beams reached from the broken buildings towards the sky, looking like the bones and skeletal remains of this once great city. Houses all around stood open to the elements, sagging with rot and age. The railways still stood, the metal trackways casting deep shadows over the rubble strewn roads.

The ponies who built these ruins are dead and gone, killed by the balefire. It has been at least two hundred years since they built the city. The walls, built to house families, had outlived their inhabitants. Homes were now tombs for the countless dead. Rusted sky chariots lay half buried in the rubble or rusted in the streets. It was the bones that really got me. Everywhere I turned I saw the blackened remains of the dead. So many dead ponies, How could anypony do this over coal?

Red bars filled my EFS to the right of the first intersection, it was strange but I couldn't see anything. I was about to ask Iron about it before he held a hoof up to what would be his lips without the helmet, and pointed up. I used the zoom from Dragon’s Roar to look above me. In the shadows under the railway I could make out bats. Not just any bats, but the biggest fucking bats I had ever seen. Every single one was at least three times my size! Iron motioned towards a ruined skyscraper and we followed him through the broken windows at the front into a black marble entrance. A desk sat at the back near a pair of metal detectors and three elevators. Iron turned to us.

“Happy, Orion, those bats up there are the reason I don't want to be out at night. We call them Bloodwings because they suck blood. Just one of those things can drain a pony in seconds. if one sinks its teeth in, you’re dead. No potion can save you. You’ll be dead and dried out.”

Happy gave me a nervous smile. I couldn't hide my own fear. The idea of winged death silently coming after me... it scared the Equestria loving crap out of me. Iron did something with my Pipbuck, something about sharing tags? I don't understand that stuff in any case.

Our Steel Ranger led us silently out into the ruins, his heavy tread the only sound besides the wind. Happy stepped lightly through the wreckage of the city, her hoof falls silent. I hovered just above the ground, not trusting myself not to trip or knock something over. the idea of waking those bat monsters still scared me. My EFS was showing red in every direction. Occasionally I made out the shambling figures of Feral Ghouls, or spotted radroaches, massive rats and a few other kinds of pests.

Only once did we actually fight anything. I peered past the rusted wreck of a sky carriage and saw something that scared the hell out of me. A massive black, winged wolf stood with it's back to us, eating the corpse of a pony. The sight of that monster made me think of Nighteyes. There was no way I was going to let my little pup turn into that!

The corpse turned it's head and looked right into my eyes, the pony was still alive... blue eyes stared into my own silently begging for peace. For death. My blood began to boil. Nopony should suffer like that. Ever.

Before my friends could stop me, I launched myself high and dove at the Liger. My Rainblade lit with a snap-hiss sound that seemed almost deafening in this pool of silence. The Liger turned towards the sound and with a flap of it's own wings, bounced backwards. My blade descended stabbing through the chest of the dying pony.

His final words were barely a whisper. “T-thank...y-you...”

The Liger began to circle me slowly. Easily twice my size, it watched me with deep black eyes. I could tell it saw me as a meal, not a threat. A low snarl came from it's blood splattered muzzle, the weird fear effect or it's snarl making my wings fold against my body. Slowly it came towards me, so confidant in its ability end my life.

Bang!

A single SATS guided magnum round removed the top of it's skull. Fear or not, SATS still worked. The massive wing wolf looked surprised for a moment, before slumping to the ground. Ironclad came stomping over to me his voice was filled with anger as he began to shout at me.

“What the fuck were you thinking? We could have snuck past without that fight! Next time listen...”

My hoof slamming into his helmet shut him up, I shook my hoof for a moment to get the feeling back and pressed my face against his hemet. I don't know who was more surprised, him or me as I shouted back into his face.

“No, you listen! That pony was being eaten alive! I don't give a fuck what he had done but nopony deserves that! If I was suffering like that, I’d want help! If you're so callous that you can walk away from that kind of suffering without another thought, then you're exactly what everypony sees the Rangers as a bunch of high-tech fucking Raiders!”

“He’s right, Iron.” Happy had trotted up to us while I screamed in Ironclad’s face. Her heavy automatic hovered at her side, pointing at the still form of the Liger. Her voice was filled with sadness as she continued, “If Orion had not jumped in, I would have. If you can't see leaving that pony to die in that kind of agony is wrong... then you have no place with us, you have no place in Radar.”

I was still angry as I began to trot away, following my mom’s tag once more. I glanced over my shoulder at the still form of my armoured friend. “Iron... would Steelhooves have left a pony to suffer like that?”

Ironclad lifted his helmeted head to look at me and sighed. “No. Steelhooves would’ve taken on an army to see a single pony put out of his misery. You’re right. I’m sorry.“

“I never thought a Steel Ranger would be such a crybaby.”

I turned back forward, silently cursing myself for not paying attention to my EFS.

Nine ponies came out from behind the sky chariot, piles of rubble and a broken shopfront. Each wore armour seemingly made from leather along with a collection of small arms and rifles that were strapped to their flanks, along with a selection of knives, crude spears and swords. I so needed this right now to work off the anger.

A blue unicorn sent what looked like a metal apple with a blue band sailing towards us. I sidestepped and crossed my wings in front of my face.

Time for my favorite trick.

Back in Paddock town, Mom bought me water balloons on hot summer days. Trick and Belle would join me in a three way war, well I say three way but the siblings would often gang up on me. I learned this trick by accident while shielding my face, and it soon became my favorite way to catch anypony off guard.

The apple touched the feathers of my wings, I drew them in a little to cushion the impact then flicked both wings out fast. I gave the shocked unicorn a grin as the apple thing bounced back and landed at his feet. There was a blue flash from the apple. The unicorn shot me a look of hatred before drawing a rusted revolver.

“Kill the Ranger, save the mare and the colt. We can have some fun with them!”

I gave a smile. “You guys don't know who you’re fucking with, so to be fair, I’m giving you a chance. Run. Leave now and you live. Stay, and I can’t guarantee you’ll live much longer.”

From the laughter of the Raiders, it was clear I was being underestimated again.

“Last warning, your standing between me and my Mom. not a good idea right now.”

The blue unicorn laughed harder, “Well if your mommy is here, then I will find the bitch and...”

His body gave what looked like a dance as the stream of enchanted lead from Vengeance shredded him like tissue paper.

“Don't ever talk like that about my Mom...”

Happy and Iron stood shoulder to shoulder with me as the Raiders began to back away. A display of the firepower of my saddle tends to do that to bullies. I thought for a moment they would run, then a heavy calibre round hit Irons helmet, knocking his head to one side. Happy dove to the left, rolling behind the broken remains of a fallen walkway. Iron stood his ground and went to work, the chattering of his machine gun mixing with the hollow thump of Severance. I took to the air, gunfire tracked me as I twisted and looped.

In desperation, I dove behind the rusted metal sign for a nearby shop front. from my second floor vantage point I could make out the remaining Raiders as they spread out, trying to encircle us. I saw a buttery yellow coated earth pony stallion, sighting through a familiar looking rifle at Iron. Then it hit me where I had seen the big rifle before. It was the same kind Blackshot used. An Anti-machine Rifle!

My eyesight turned green as I slid into SATS. All of my AP, never did find out what that meant, went into targeting that stallion. My guns thundered; magnum rounds and enchanted lead flew. My luck was with me as my first round hit the stallion in the spine as he fired, the gun jerking to the right. my burst of lead left no doubts that the stallion was dead. Living things have far fewer holes in them.

Holes... stop it Orion, this is no time for perverted thoughts about mares. You're in a gunfight for ponies sake!

I began to fire bursts from Vengeance and random shots from Dragon’s Roar at the surviving Raiders. Iron was obliterating anypony stupid enough to poke their heads from cover. Three ponies had been reduced to paste by Severance already. Happy was placing careful shots with her sidearm taking out one shotgun wielding Raider and pinning down another freak that had a battered looking 9mm pistol. With those six down and Happy and Iron pinning down two more, that left one missing.

I glanced around, a flash of movement caught my eyes. The last Raider, a green unicorn mare was sneaking up behind Happy with a wicked looking knife in her mouth. I took careful aim and bit down on the bit of my saddle.

Click, click.

No... I can't be out of ammo, not now! I looked around in desperation. No way Happy would hear me over the gunfire. The Anti-machine rifle lay across the rubble below me. the gun was damaged from my shots but it was my only chance. I dove towards it, ignoring the gunfire tracking my dive. I pushed the corpse of the stallion I had killed to one side and put my shoulder under the gun. Sweat rolled down my body as I put all my strength into lifting the big weapon.

How did Blackshot lift these things so easily?

Let me help you there, sugarcube.

I had no idea where the voice came from. In my mind I saw a familiar looking orange mare put her shoulder under the rifle and lift and my legs straightened as I began to rise with the massive weapon, my mouth wrapped firmly around the trigger. I peered down the scope at the Raider right behind Happy. I saw the knife raise in a telekinetic field.

Boom!

The recoil of the gun firing threw me backwards. The rifle exploded, flying shards of metal sliced into my flesh as I was thrown back. A long spring impaled my throat, leaving me struggling for air.

As I hit the ground, I saw the results of my shot. The heavy round passed so close to Happy’s head her main whipped back from the passing wind and her hat was blown off her head. The Raider was hit in the throat, the heavy round taking her head right off. My only thought as I lay bleeding was: ‘At least Happy is ok.’

The sound of gunfire stopped. As I lay gasping for breath, I could hear Iron and Happy calling out for me, their voices getting louder.

“... I’m sure that shot came from near here, hun. It had to have been Orion who fired, a Raider would have kept shooting.”

“I agree, Happy. Something is wrong here. I’ve not heard one wiseass comment in the last few minutes. That's not like him at all. I’m worried.”

My vision was getting dark, I was desperate for air but the metal stuck in my limbs and the spring in my throat left me with no option but to lay there and gasp for air. A familiar pink maned unicorn climbed over the rubble, her eyes grew wide as she spotted me.

“Ironclad! I found him! Get over here now! He's hurt!”

Rubble clattered as my friends climbed over the debris to where I lay bleeding. Iron took one look at me and ripped off his helmet.

“Happy, get a shot of hydra out of his bags and any healing potions you can find! We have to get that out of his throat now!” Ironclad leaned in close to me, “Hold still kid, this is going to hurt...” and with that, he bit down on the spring and ripped it out of my throat.

I felt myself choking on blood. My limbs twitched. There were jolts of pain all over my body as Happy pulled the shards of metal from my flesh. I felt a needle stab into my shoulder, the ragged flesh of my throat tingled. Then, as if a gift from Celestia herself, I drew in a gasping breath. Once I stopped struggling to breathe a potion was pressed to my lips and by Luna’s hot flanks, it felt so good as the pain receded.

Happy helped me up to my hooves. I was more than a little shaky but my friends were safe. To me, that's all that mattered.

Ironclad looked from me, to the shattered rifle, then back to me. “Did you fire that shot?”

I coughed a little, clearing the last of the blood from my throat. “No, I was eating the rifle and that spring went down the wrong way.”

“Funny. How the fuck did you even lift that thing, let alone aim it? That rifle weighs at least twice what you do.”

“I’m not sure how to explain it. I tried to lift it, I was desperate to help Happy... then Applejack lifted it with me.”

“You hit your head kid? AppleJack is dead, has been for two hundred years.”

“Well you explain it then! All I know is AppleJack helped me when I needed it...”

Happy pulled me into one of her awkward hugs. “I believe you, hun. Strange things happen around you all the time. After befriending an army of ghouls, a ghost helping you out is a small thing. In any case, thank you. You saved my life back there.”

I smiled. My friends were alive. All was right with the world.

*** ***

Ironclad led us through the ruins, the daylight had begun to fade away. We were following the tag while searching for a spot to hole up for the night. The Raiders had not had anything worth taking other than some ammo for my guns and a pair of revolvers that Happy had claimed; there was almost nothing of note. Well there was one thing, I now had a very sharp combat knife sheathed on the rig happy had made me to hold my 9mm pistol. I had also taken almost two hundred caps from their remains. ‘Danger money’ Happy called it.

Iron stared into the dark entrance of what was once a sweet shop.

BonBon’s Candy Mountain. Even the name sounds tasty!

A lamp on his helmet lit and shone into the gloom. Shelves lined the walls filled with what looked like black tar.

Guess I won't find any sweets I can eat then.

Iron led us inside and pulled down a rusted metal shutter with an ear splitting shriek. Happy pulled some of the shelves apart using her magic to pry the wood from its brackets. Soon we had a fire going, its flickering light illuminating the derelict shop. The smell of hot sugar from the burning shelves was driving me insane, so I went exploring.

My hooves clicked quietly along the black and white tiled floor. A thick layer of dirt had accumulated across the surface. Back in my day this place must have looked amazing. Near the back I found a low glass counter. I could not see through the glass it had so much dust on it. Along the wall were rotted cardboard boxes displayed long decayed candy bars and wooden bowls filled with black sludge and sweet wrappers. I flicked my Pipbuck’s light on and headed round the back of the counter. More boxes were neatly stacked against the wall and there, huddled in the corner, lay the bones of two ponies. I sighed out loud, this kind of thing should be just another sight, as common as rocks to me by now, but the sight of those two ponies, a unicorn and an earth pony, huddled together almost broke my heart.

There was a picture on the floor near the remains, I rubbed at the glass with a hoof. two ponies stared back at me, a smiling green unicorn with a light green and white mane, and an amused looking yellow earth pony with a two toned mane - blue and candy-pink. The way the unicorn sat on the pictures park bench was weird, but her smile was infectious. A little plaque along the bottom of the frame read: “Lyra and BonBon at the park.”

I looked back at the two skeletons. They had died together, in each other's embrace.

“Lyra, BonBon... I wish I could do more but let me do this at least.” I took a breath and pressed my hooves together in my Mom’s prayer for the dead. “May Celestia guide you home, may Luna guide you through the night, may you find rest at your journey's end. Now your Harmony is passed, may you sleep with the ones you lost. Rest now, find peace.”

One of the boxes spilt and a metal tin bounced to the floor making me jump. After I calmed myself down, I peered closer using my Pipbuck’s light. It was a sweet tin, ‘BonBon’s Candy Stars’. There was a sticker on the side: Vacuum Sealed! Forever Fresh! I looked down at the little tin and smiled.

“Thank you, BonBon.”

“Orion, who are you talking to back there?” Iron’s spotlight almost blinded me when he shone it at me. He saw me squinting at him and turned the light off.

“I was saying a prayer for the ponies who died in here. This was their shop. It's only right I do at least that much.”

Happy grinned at me, the shadows danced along her face in the flickering light of our campfire, “You’re such a nice kid, your parents would be so proud of the pony you are today.”

I smiled back, took the sweet-tin in my mouth, and headed towards the fire to find a spot to sleep.

*** ***

The doors intimidated me. Black painted and rusted, and easily two stories high.

We stood before a tall office building, rusted vehicles sat in the parking lot. The front of the building had collapsed, burying the main entrance under tons of rubble. A sign next to the road read ‘Future Industries. Tomorrows Technology, Today!’ Catchy slogan, but not very helpful. I was going to just fly up through one of the broken windows a few floors up until Ironclad pointed out something he called a ‘turret’ mounted high on the wall. As he explained it, that thing was a gun that would track and shoot me if I got into its range. Not a fun thought.

We had circled the building for a half hour, looking for another way in until Happy found a tunnel leading downwards behind another wall of rubble. The square shaped tunnel stretched down into the ground, made from concrete and lit by flickering light strips set into the roof. Flaking red paint was layered on the lower half of the walls.

The tunnel only sank around thirty feet underground but led under the building. Without daring the turrets, this looked like our only way inside, but with no terminal or even a keyhole, how do we get in?

Iron tapped his hoof against the metal of the big doors. “Hm, probably made from titanium and blast resistant alloys. At a guess, I would say five feet thick. We’re not cutting through this thing.”

“Any ideas on how to get it to open?” I was understandably anxious to get inside; Mom was in there somewhere.

Happy nudged me with her flank, “Ask that Pipbuck of yours to knock hun. It found this place so might be able to get us in.”

That made sense, I hit the blue button on my Pipbuck. “Vista, can you open this door?”

>Negative.

Just fucking great. Now what?

>Interface Detected.

>OIA Access Code Required.

>Operative ID Orion Confirmed.

>Two Unknowns Detected.

>Issue Temporary Operative Status? Y/N?

“Wait, operative? I don't even know what that word means! And what the fuck does OIA mean?”

“Office of Inter-ministry Affairs.” Ironclad was staring at me, “They were said to be involved in most of Equestria’s secret projects. They also served as a buffer between the ministries, a go between if you will. As for operative, that was their name for anypony on their staff involved in a secret project.”

“Doesn't explain how I’m listed as an operative. Until Vista, I had never heard of the OIA.”

Happy poked me with a hoof, “A mystery for another day! Now see if it will let us in!”

I poked the button again, “Issue temporary status.”

>Acknowledged.

>Status Is Issued For Twenty Four Hours.

>Status Will Be Revoked Without Warning If OIA Protocols Are Broken.

Great, we are supposed to follow a set of rules I don't even know.

There was a loud groan and the rusted red doors began to slide into hidden alcoves to the left and right. the room behind them was pitch black, I could almost make out something in the gloom, something big. Lights came on suddenly, illuminating the room before us.

Holy fuck...

Sitting in the middle of the room, taking up most of the vast space, was a robot painted in rainbow colours and sitting on four thick legs capped with wheels. Massive cannons sat on either side of it's body. It was like a giant rainbow crab. Now I knew why the door was so big, it was the only way anypony could have got that thing inside. Iron and Happy had frozen in place. The big cannons began to aim towards us.

>Status Will Be Revoked Without Warning If OIA Protocols Are Broken.

Maybe this was a test to weed out spies? See if they back down at the sight of that robot? Regular staff wouldn’t give it another glance. Time for something stupid.

“How many times must you two gawk at that oversized toaster? Come on now or we’ll be late for the appointment.”

I trotted towards the robot, heart in my mouth.

The big machine rolled backwards on its wheels and lowered its cannons. There was a door to the right. I headed over and pulled it open. Happy and Iron stood back in the tunnel, looking at me like I was insane.

“Come on! I’m not getting on the boss’ bad side because you two are dragging your hooves!”

My friends trotted over to me, keeping an eye on the terrifying machine. As the door closed behind us, all three of us let out a sigh of relief. Happy grabbed my face in her hooves and kissed me hard on the lips.

“Orion, that was amazing! How did you know what to do?”

“I just thought, what would a normal OIA operative do? They wouldn't be afraid of the robot out there if they saw it every day.”

Ironclad laughed. “Kid, you are crazy.”

We followed the corridor behind the door for a short way, before it turned a corner and connected to a staircase. A black painted doorway led out into a dimly lit foyer. Black marble made up the walls and floor. There was broken glass and scorch marks everywhere.

As ever, pony bones lay around, but these had the look of being thrown, as if some great force had thrown them away from the broken glass. square lights cast a feeble glow and the air felt stale. From the rubble blocking the doors out, I guess this was the main entrance.

Mom’s tag led us to a second staircase. The door to this one was locked, however, or it was until Iron bucked it off its hinges. The concrete steps spiraled up into the gloom above us.

At the first landing I opened the double red painted doors and stepped through. The corridor must have been nice once. Thick red carpeting, oak paneled walls and strip lights running down the ceiling. Now everything was scorched and burnt. More pony bones lay in twisted positions against the walls. Even to a wasteland novice like me it was clear these ponies had died in agony.

Nopony spoke as we reached a heavily burnt door around a third of the way down the hall. a metal nameplate was fixed to the wall next to the door. ‘Antiquity’

Mom...

I was shaking when I pushed the door slowly open. The room was massive. Shelves lined the walls, filled with burnt and scorched books, tables sat pressed together in the middle of the room, covered in burn circuitry and blackened crystals. A big window filled one wall on the opposite side to the door with a small table sat under it.

There next to it lay the remains of another pony. Like a zombie, I stepped slowly towards those bones. A unicorn. Oval glasses melted to the skull. Light flickered from a Pipbuck around one leg.

Mom...

I knew I should have expected it, I knew what this world threw at me... but I missed her so much. I wanted my mom back.

Happy cradled me in her hooves like a newborn while I cried my heart out. Why was the wasteland so unfair? Why did this have to happen? Why can't I have my mommy back...

Happy stroked at my mane, whispering gentle words telling me not to stop my tears, but to encourage me to cry my sorrow out. Her mane and shoulder were soaked by the time my tears stopped flowing.

Iron laid his hoof on my shoulder, “I keep forgetting you're still a kid. you are always so confident, so fearless. I guess everypony has their own pain to bear. And after seeing your mother like this? I’m sorry Orion.”

>Proximity Override Detected.

>Antiquity Protocols Engaged.

>Display message? Y/N?

I stared down at the screen of my Pipbuck. I was shaking like a leaf as I toggled the message to yes.

Static spread across the screen, after a moment a familiar mares face came into focus. a pale yellow coat, lime green mane and glasses. Purple light flickered behind her.

Mom...

“Hello Orion. I guess this means Pinky was right... if you're seeing this message then you're sitting crying on the shoulder of a unicorn with a peach mane.”

Happy looked shocked, then again who wasn't?

“Orion, I’m sorry I can't be there for you now. You are your own pony now, so strong and handsome. I’m so proud of you son...” Mom looked behind her, “That purple you see behind me? That's a magic shield. One that will fail soon, so before it's too late let me give you a gift. Vista override code epsilon four.”

>Code Acknowledged.

“Vista, unlock version two point five SATS protocols.”

>Reconfiguring.

>Estimated Time for Completion One Hundred Hours.

“Activate Starlight system and download files SS dash one seven four, through two twenty seven.”

>Acknowledged.

>Download Complete.

I stared with my jaw hanging open as mom worked my Pipbuck better than I could from beyond the grave.

The was a bang in the video’s background.

Mom let out a loud sigh. “There goes another generator... I can't talk for much longer, don't go looking for your dad’s remains, there wasn't any after he saved us all. I pray that Pinky Pie is wrong about what's coming, but no matter what happens, no matter what you see, stay true to yourself and remember, your dad and I will always love you. We are forever proud.”

The flickering purple behind moms image disappeared, the window blew inwards as emerald flames engulfed the image. The last thing I saw was my mom smiling before the green fires swallowed her and the image turned to static.

Tears dripped onto the screen. I wasn't alone, Happy sat next to me, silently sobbing.

“I... I don't know what to say. She knew she was going to die, yet the only thing on her mind was her son. I’ve never seen a pony like that before... you really are your parent’s son, Orion.”

Ironclad nudged me with his hoof. “Come on kid, let's see her at rest.”

*** ***

The flames were dieing down, Mom’s pyre burning down to nothing but ashes. For over an hour I had sat there in the street, watching the fire take what was left of mom’s remains. Happy had levitated her down to the street and after getting past the robot again, we had all gathered wood for her funeral pyre. This wasn't like the fire that had taken her life; this was purifying.

Happy gathered my mother's ashes with her magic and sealed them in a plastic jar she had scavenged from somewhere. I packed the ashes carefully in my saddlebags and as I did rain began to fall; so cold and yet so refreshing. I stared up at the grey clouds, my mind empty of all but one thing.

“Mom... may Celestia guide you home, may Luna guide you through the night. May you find rest at your journey's end. Now your Harmony is passed, may you sleep with the ones you lost. Rest now, find peace.”

The rain mixed with my tears. I would bury her ashes at the monument, at least that way I knew she could somehow be close to dad forever.

“How sweet and touching.”

I spun around but something gripped me by the throat. My guns began to bend as the leather of my battle saddle stretched and split. Vengeance and Dragons Roar spun away from me, joined by my saddlebags as the unseen force squeezed and lifted me by my throat.

Happy drew Reckoning with her magic and pointed it behind my ear. “Drop him now, bitch!”

I don't think I had ever seen Happy look so determined before. Ironclad came galloping towards me, Severance humming with energy. The rusted wreck of a sky chariot dropped from the sky, landing on my armoured friend. The boom of Happy’s automatic rang out, almost deafening me with it's closeness.

Purple magic flashed, knocking Reckoning away like a toy. The same magic wrapped around Happy’s neck. There was a flash and we were elsewhere. Wind whistled around as I stared at the monster before me. The white alicorn mare gave me a hate filled glare.

“Remember me, you little grey fuck?”

Azure Sky... oh fuck.

The psychotic alicorn draw us together, me and Happy dangling by our throats and choking. her purple eyes glared at me. “This time there is no Enclave to save you.” Her eyes turned to Happy, “You however, I don't need.”

Happy dropped, falling away towards the distant ground. her screams carried by the wind. I thrashed around, batting at the air, desperate to get free. The insane alicorn laughed at my struggles.

“Aw, the little grey fucker thinks he can save his little friend? Well let’s give you a chance shall we?”

I was swung left and right, gasping for breath. Azure Sky whistled for a minute to herself then gave me a chilling smile.

“Ok, little doggy. Fetch.”

The magic holding me disappeared. I dove for all I was worth, the twisted laughter of Azure Sky chasing me as I shot towards the ground. I could make out the blue spec that was Happy, my wings burned with pain as I pushed myself harder than I ever had. I was getting closer, and closer. My mane whipped behind me as I drove myself past my limits.

Happy was getting closer, I could see her face as I got closer. The ground was coming up too fast.

Faster, Orion, faster! You have to get to her now!

Happy smiled at me, I saw it on her face. Acceptance. She knew she was going to die.

“Please no! Somepony please help me!”

Woah there, sugarcube, calm down and listen.

Come on AJ, this is my thing!

Now you listen to RD young’un. She might be a showoff but nopony knows flying like her.

I was hearing voices, though at this point I would take help from Nightmare Moon herself if it saved my friend.

You’re doing it all wrong! This is Scootaloo all over again. Don't tuck your hooves in, stretch them out front and back. Keep them together.

I was desperate, I followed the instructions of the little blue mare in my head with the rainbow mane.

That's it, now don't beat your wings, keep them level and flap hard. That's the way! Now hold on, this is going to be so awesome!

The wind became a roar in my ears as I began to speed up, faster, faster! The air pushed back at me, the ground was coming up fast.

Seconds away.

Happy stared at me, her eyes wide as streaks of black and silver erupted from behind me. My contrail! I actually made my contrail! The biggest step in any pegasi’s life, reaching speeds where you can acutally leave a trail behind you. Ordinarily I would’ve squeed with joy, but right now my friend needed me.

I was so close to her. My body suddenly felt like it was on fire! I shot forward, even faster and tackled Happy less than a foot from the ground. My full strength and speed went into that tackle, driving the air from both our lungs and sending us sideways.

I managed to roll Happy to my front with me clutching her like our lives depended on it. I tried to slow us down but there was no room. A rotted wooden house came up so very fast. I rolled and put myself between Happy and the wall, there was a crash of breaking timber, a loud snap and I blacked out for a moment.

I forced my eyes to open, I was in agony. My left wing hung loose at my side. There was no doubt I had broken it.

“Happy? Are you...ow... sweet Celestia that hurts, you ok?”

Happy lay unconscious on a broken pile of rotted wood. blood was trickling from a cut on her head, but she was breathing. I smiled. She was alive.

Purple magic gripped my broken wing and dragged me back high into the sky. I screamed in pain. Azure Sky dangled me in front of her, occasionally giving me a shake just to hear me scream.

“I hope you didn't forget about me. I’m not done with you yet. You know what the Goddess did to me after I failed to catch you?”

Her magic wrapped around my limbs, pulling them out away from my body. then my wings stretched out, leaving me sobbing in pain. The combat knife on my pistols rig levitated out, hovering inches from my right eye.

“I’m going to take my time, I’m going to have my fun before I drag your carcass back to Maripony.”

The knife bit into my flesh, just above my eye and began to slowly descend. I tried not to scream as it bit deep, the the point stabbed into my eyeball and twisted. Tears flowed down my face along with blood as the psychotic alicorn carved my eyeball from my skull. The blade flicked out, the bloody remains of my right eye falling away, then the blade sliced into my cheek, drawing slowly up to the ruins of my eye.

“Fun, but I want more screaming.”

The bloody knife span away into the wind. I felt the magic holding my left front leg tighten.

“Make a wish, fucker.”

Snap.

I screamed like never before, the jagged ends of the broken limb tearing through my flesh. warm blood flowed down my leg as I thrashed and wailed in pure agony.

“Lets try for a double whammy shall we?”

I felt the magic on my back legs tighten, Azure giving almost playful tugs, trying to heighten my fear even more.

Snap. Crack!

My screams must have been heard as far as Canterlot, everything began to turn black as unconsciousness began to claim me.

A white horn pressed to my head, through my blurry tear filled vision, I saw the shape of a white alicorn healing me.

“C-Celestia?”

“Not even close.” My eye cleared, Azure Sky continued casting her magic on me. “Don't get the wrong idea, this will stop the bleeding and keep you awake. I wouldn't want you to miss out on the fun. Like this, for example!”

Crack!

My remaining wing was twisted the wrong way around, I could feel the shattered bones grinding.

Azure Sky leaned in close, almost muzzle to muzzle with me.

“Beg, beg, you little grey fuck, and I won't break your other leg.” I spat a mouthful of blood in her face. One of her eyes began to twitch. “Fine, we’ll do it your way.”

Snap!

I couldn't even scream anymore, I was in too much pain. The monstrous alicorn shook me like a rag doll, screaming at me while I whined in pain.

“Beg! Beg and I'll let you pass out! Beg me, you little fuck!”

I glared at her.

Azure stared into my one remaining eye, “So you won't beg for yourself? Then let’s see if you beg for your friend down there!”

No! Happy was in no condition to fight.

Azure wrapped my broken body in her magic and floated me above her back occasionally shaking me to hear my cries of pain. Slowly we began to descend. I looked down, Happy still lay unconscious in the ruin of the house and Ironclad was nowhere to be seen. I have to help her.

Be strong, she needs me, be strong.

I reached out, my Pipbuck dangling on it's broken limb. The pain was unbearable.

Be strong.

Broken bones cracked as they rubbed together.

Be strong.

Tears of blood flowed down my face. My hoof rested on the back of Azure Skies head.

“So you're ready to beg? What do you have to say to me?”

Be strong, be strong, be strong, be strong, be strong... be awesome!

“Be fucked!”

My Rainblade lit, the prismatic blade cutting into her skull and coming out under her muzzle. her body shuddered for a moment then went limp. Her magic disappeared, the limp body dropping. As I fell, the wind rolled me onto my back.

I felt at peace. There was no sound but the wind as I fell bloody and broken towards the ruins below. My broken limbs trailed after me flapping loosely in the roaring wind. All I could see was the distant grey clouds. I felt myself smile through the agony. I was dead. I accepted it just as Happy had done moments before. There was no way I could survive this fall, but at least Happy was alive. That was enough. Tears and drops of blood fell with me, seeming to float as they kept pace with my fall.

Mercifully I passed out long before I hit the ground.

*** ***

Voices... voices and pain.

I knew the voices. Why couldn't I put names to them?

A gruff voice, sounding almost metallic...

“Sweet fucking Celestia! What did she do to him?”

A female voice, so familiar...

“Iron, you know some field medicine! Can't we help him?”

“Happy, anything we give him like this will kill him, we have to get the kid to a doctor, and now!”

“But where?”

“Get him onto my back, I know you’re concussed, but we are going to have to run.”

“But your leg is broken!”

“Happy... we don't have time for this. Get him on my back, you take his gear.”

I blacked out again.

Shaking. I felt myself bouncing, my mane stirring as if in a wind before I sank once more into the darkness.

“Open the fucking gate!”

“State your business here!”

“Please, we need medical help! We have a seriously hurt child here!”

“Before you enter this tower, you must turn over all the ammunition for your weapons.”

“Fuck the weapons! We have to get the kid to the doctor now!”

“We have these procedures for a reason. Nopony may enter until they have been checked and searched.”

“Please... I’m begging you, at least take a look at him.”

“Fine, my young filly, lets take a look at this... Celestia fuck me with her horn! You two get a stretcher now! You, go tell Helpinghoof to get an operating room set up and grab every medical supply he can find. Go!”

The darkness pulled me under again.

“Get ready to set the limb, every bone must be set before we can use any potions or Hydra.”

“He’s waking up!”

“The med-x will put him back under. Now set that bone before we lose him!”

Crack.

My screams chased me back into the darkness.

Light.

Distant light, golden and warm. It seemed to call to me.

Behind me was nothing but darkness and pain.

Come young one, your time is done. Come find peace.

Peace. That would be so nice...

The distant figures beckoned to me, shining with golden light.

“No, Orion! Go back!”

A giant silver figure stood amongst the gold. Who was this Orion he called for?

I carried on trotting towards that warm golden light.

“Orion, your friends still need you!”

Friends? What friends?

“Silver needs you!”

Silver? Who was... I saw her, that shy pony with the black mane. Those amazing eyes. That smile. She needed me... I had to go back... she needed me... she... needed... me...

Turning around, I galloped towards the darkness and pain.

*** ***

Slowly my eye fluttered open. I could feel one side of my face wrapped in bandages. My legs were all in pale blue braces, wrapped in yet more bandages. My wings felt heavy, I guess they were splinted or something.

I was in what I guessed was some kind of hospital room. The bed I lay on was uncomfortable but surprisingly clean for the wasteland. A ragged plastic curtain hung on a rail around where I lay and there, in a ragged looking chair next to my bed, sat Happy Trails.

The crazy unicorn looked so sad, a strip of bandage was wound around her head. She was looking down at the ground in front of her and didn’t notice me.

“W-w-what’s... a... guy... g-g-gotta do... to... get a... d-d-drink a-around h-here?” Speaking was a struggle, the constant throbbing pain and the thirst I was feeling made my voice sound broken.

Her eyes shot up towards me and the transformation on her face was amazing. It lit up with a delighted smile.

“Orion! You're awake! You're really awake!” she exclaimed leaning against the bed.

“If I... I’m n-not, then this... this is t-the shittiest... dream... e-ever...”

Her laughter was music to my ears. Tears were flowing from her eyes. “Orion, you shouldn't be making jokes. Concentrate on getting better. We... we almost lost you. Your heart stopped... what that bitch did to you...” The blue mare’s tears of joy turned to ones of agony, “I heard her telling you to beg... your screams...”

“H-Hap... py... it's o...k... you’re s-s-safe. All... matters...” it was getting hard to stay awake.

Happy kissed me on the forehead. “Get some sleep, hun. You're safe here.”

The darkness pulled me under once more.

*** ***

I drifted in and out of consciousness, never seeming to stay awake for more than a few minutes.

I had heard Happy and Iron talking to the doctor. It was a Celestia given miracle that I was alive, let alone that I had woke from my coma at all. There was arguments sometimes, demands for caps.

I forced my eye open, I had no idea how long I had been out for this time. Ironclad sat in the chair this time, his helmet off. Reading a battered looking book.

“Hey I-Iron. T-t-take... taking a day... off?”

The blue earth pony smiled at me. Iron laid his book down on my bed. “Hey, kiddo. Doc said to make you drink this if you woke up.” Iron carefully dribbled a healing potion into my mouth. It was so hard to swallow, but the warm feeling as the magic went to work was worth the struggle. I felt my throat fix itself.

“Thanks, big guy. At least I can talk now.”

Those freaky yellow eyes looked so sad. “Orion, there’s something I have to tell you. We couldn't cover the costs for your care. So we kinda had to sell your Dad’s rifle.”

I blinked. Just like that, it was gone... my last gift from my dad...

“We tried to barter everything else we had. Burned through all the drugs, loot and potions... that gun was the only thing in good enough condition that these stuck ups would accept. I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok, Iron. That gun saved my life. My dad would be happy. How did I even survive that fall? That height should’ve left me as a stain on the tarmac.”

“Happy caught you. Almost burnt her horn out doing it too. Kid...” the big blue Ranger looked uncomfortable, “I was scared we was going to lose you. For the first time in fifteen years I was actually afraid.”

Iron saw my confused look and continued.

“Remember when I said that I thought of you as a little brother? Well there’s more to it. Back when I was your age still training with the Rangers we were separated into two pony teams. To learn teamwork. The Elders still discriminated against me for my mutation and assigned a clumsy colt named Hard Cheese. To say he was a handicap was an understatement. The instructors wouldn’t let him near live rounds for fear he would blow his own hoof off. That’s how badly they wanted me to fail.”

The big stallion looked almost sad, “I took him under my wing, to steal a pegasus phrase, I took him training with me. My extra lessons taught Cheese how to shoot, survival, weapons maintenance... the list went on. He wasn't stupid, he just couldn't get everything down first try like expected. He was a year younger than me and one day he started calling me bro. It kind of stuck and he became my little brother. I looked out for him, beat the shit out of his bullies, helped him learn what the instructors refused to spend time teaching him. The look on the Elder’s face when he found out we had placed top of every single class was priceless. We were separated as soon as we passed basic. He was killed by Raiders on his first patrol...”

Ironclad sighed loudly. “Orion, you're so like him it hurts. Cheerful, always seeing the best in everypony, refusing to back down to anything. It’s like I have my brother back. Seeing you so hurt, being trapped and hearing your screams... unable to help...” He bit back his frustration and looked up at me, “I can't take losing somepony I call friend again. I just can't.”

I smiled, “I’m not going anywhere, Iron.”

*** ***

I had been laid up on that bed for almost a month, that’s what I was told. During that time I had met my doctor, a nice earth pony named Helpinghoof. He seemed to care about his patients a lot.

My injuries had healed up mostly. Three of my legs were still in braces, my wings were stiff but but not painful anymore. Knowing I could still fly was enough to keep me smiling for days. Hydra had restored my eye, but left a lightning bolt shaped scar down half of my face.

Happy was leading me through marble lined corridors. The marble floors seemed scuffed from age, but were polished to an almost mirror finish. It still hurt when I put my weight on my legs, so I was flying behind her.

“Happy, just a quick question. Where the fuck are we?”

“Oh we are near the exit, just by the shopping area.”

“No, seriously. Where the fuck are we? Other than the hospital bed, I’ve seen nothing of this place, so I don't even know what it is!”

“Oh! This is Tenpony Tower. It's a place really rich ponies live.”

Why was that name so familiar?

Happy led me out into the blinding sunlight, well the second hoof sunlight. I looked up in awe at the towering structure before me. The building reached towards the sky with most of its windows still intact.

“Hello wasteland! It's your ol’ pal DJ Pon3 bringing you the news!”

I looked around. Off to the right two armoured unicorn stallions sat listening to a battered radio.

“Now children, remember the young colt brought to our very own Tenpony Tower? well my sources tell me he will make a complete recovery. Pretty amazing when you remember that long list of injuries he came in with.

“In other news we had a visitor to the studio, a mare who called herself Sweetie Belle. Nope, no relation to our favourite singer. Now children, I gave her a chance to sing for my assistant, to show the talent she was telling everypony she had. Let me play a little for you...”

A horrible, out of pitch voice came from the radio. Both guards covered their ears and winced.

Guess Violet got here safe.

Wait...

I fluttered over to one of the guards. “Excuse me, but is it true DJ Pon3 lives here?”

The orange coated unicorn gave me a suspicious look, then stared at my braces.

“Hey, your that colt they brought in. Good to see you up and about, kid. Anyway, DJ Pon3 has a place up at the top of the tower. If you look up at the roof, you can make out his broadcasting equipment.”

I looked up again, there was some kind of metal tower up there and metal dishes. kind of like the one radar hid under.

“Hey, kid.” The guard gave me a knowing smile, “What can you tell me about that mare you came in with?”

“You're interested in Happy?”

“Her name is Happy? A nice name. Well, I’m more than interested. I mean, have you seen those flanks? She’s trim, she’s cute as fuck, she has an amazing mane... and she’s standing right behind me, isn't she?”

I grinned and nodded. Happy stood behind the guard wearing her best trolling smile. This was not going to be pretty.

I looked up at the distant rooftop.

I was invited... I was unsure if my wings could get me up there. Fuck it.

I left Happy to troll the guard into submission and flew skywards. Contrary to what most believe, flying high is harder than flying close to the ground. Low down you have to dodge around trees and such, but up high you have crosswinds, updrafts... the list goes on.

I was panting for breath when I finally set down on the rooftop. I took a moment to try and catch my breath. Flying was hard work when you're hurt. Glancing around I saw a door set into a square block like structure. Top of a stairwell, I guessed. Above me a metal tower reached towards the clouds studded with small radar dishes. Before I could make out anything else the door banged open and a grey unicorn mare with a short, two toned blue mane burst through. Some kind of weird pistol floated in her levitation magic. I swear to both Luna and Celestia, that thing seemed to point itself at me.

“Who are you?” She had a nice voice. I think she was the mare who interviewed that mare I saved in Trottingham.

I raised my front hooves into the air. “Um... please don't shoot. I was invited?”

“DJ Pon-3 has no appointments today. I should know. I’m his assistant.”

“Then you’re who I’m supposed to see, he asked on the radio for me to drop in for an interview if I was ever in Manehatten.”

The scary pistol lowered slowly, “Just who are you?”

“My name is Orion, some called me Darkstar.”

“You’re that colt from Trottingham? You had better come in then.”

*** ***

This chair was so comfortable, I sat in a big library. Books filled the shelves around the chairs and couches that ringed the table. A huge painting of a landscape filled a section of wall. Most of my attention was focused on the mug of hot chocolate before me though. So sweet and good.

The steel grey unicorn was watching me with a smile as I sipped at the hot, sweet drink, her own mug on the table before her.

“Alright, introductions first. I’m Homage, DJ Pon3’s assistant. I handle all his interviews. Now, not that I’m saying you're lying but how can I tell if you are the Darkstar from Trottingham. No offence, but he was a blankflank.”

I rubbed at my chin, “Hmm, how about I tell you something DJ Pon3 never told over the radio? There has to be something that was not said.”

Homage smiled.

Sweet Celestia, she is hot! Orion, cut it out now. She is armed.

“Well there is one thing that springs to mind. What’s the name of the town the freed slaves were escorted too?”

I gave a grin, “Radar, it's controlled by a faction called the Gunrunners.”

The incredibly sexy unicorn smiled widely at me. “You really are the same kid! You have to tell me everything! Where did you come from? Where do you live? Why did the Enclave put a bounty on you?”

“Whoa! Slow down! How about I tell you my story from the start. Just please don't let DJ Pon3 tell the full thing on the radio.”

“Agreed, we will only use your interview.”

“Well, I should start with my parents...”

**** ****

“Never lived in a what? “

Homage was roaring with laughter. I was telling about my encounter with Fallen Snow, about how I trolled him like a boss.

“In a gay bar!” I was having a lot of fun. Homage was an attentive listener. She did have a habit of interrupting me to ask questions. Every single thing seemed important to her, no matter how small the detail. The damned sexy unicorn was dedicated to the whole truth.

“You know. I think Little Pip would like you. I know Blackjack would, you’re brave and have a good heart. Also, you're a little crazy!”

“Crazy? How do you mean?”

“In the middle of an Enclave base, being interrogated by a pegasus with no known rank, you decided to crack wise and annoy him? You’re more than a little crazy, a real smartass colt.”

“Orion the smartass colt? I like that!” I struck a pose, reducing Homage to hysterics.

The fun unicorn glanced at a clock on a nearby shelf and sighed. “As much fun as I’m having, I have to get the broadcast set up for DJ Pon3. Can you come back tomorrow and finish the story?”

“Only if you have more hot chocolate.”

Homage smiled at me, “I think that can be arranged.”

*** ****

Homage showed me to an elevator and pointed out how it works to me. I rode the thing all the way down to the hospital... clinic? Not sure which. I walked out over the marble floor, my braces making small clicking sounds, at least until Happy tackled me to the floor.

“Orion! Where have you been? You disappeared on me and... why can I smell hot chocolate?”

“Ok. Firstly, ow. Still healing, remember? Anyway, remember back in Radar? The mare I saved in Trottingham on the radio?”

“No. I missed that.”

“Oh... well at the end of it, DJ Pon3 said if I was ever here to give him or his assistant an interview. I’ve been telling my story to Homage. Man is she hot.” I didn't say that last part out loud did I?

Happy gave me a seductive smile, “Hot, eh? Is she better looking than little ol’ me?”

I felt my face burn as Happy fluttered her eyelids at me. “Not going to rise to that, Happy. “

*** ***

We stayed in the tower for another week. Homage was very gracious and shared her hot chocolate with me each day.

You should’ve seen her face when I broke out the tin of sweets from BonBon. It was something I would always remember.

Still, for all the fun I had telling Homage my story, the sight of home was welcome. We had taken a ride on Myth’s barge back downstream. One look at my braces, and Happy telling him what had happened, had convinced him to let us ride free once more.

No long after the gates of Radar stood before us.

Home. I was home.

Now there was one thing on my mind. Get the girl. Or at least beg her like a lovesick puppy and hope she would be with me. The three of us were all smiles as we trotted through the gate. Dozer and Blackshot came to meet us.

I grinned and gave a wave, the two stallions did not return it. Blackshot had a battered looking Pipbuck levitating at his side.

“Heya Blackshot! ‘sup Dozer!...” I said still trying to raise some form of a response.

Neither pony smiled, both seemed at a loss for words.

I laughed nervously. Something felt off. “Has anypony seen Silver? I need to beg her to be my fillyfriend!”

The way nopony would meet my eyes was starting scare me.

“What’s up with you guys? What happened? For fucks sake, tell me what's wrong!”

Blackshot looked me in the eyes finally. “Orion... something happened while you were away. Something bad...”

Dozer looked like he was about to cry, “Happy... I’m sorry. Nightingale, Rose and Summer are dead. Arclight too...”

Happy looked as though she had been hit in the face. She fell to her haunches, tears running down her cheeks, “But those three were just fillies... what happened?”

“Arclight let them come with him to gather firewood. They took young Silver with them. They...” I had never seen Blackshot like this. The massive unicorn was weeping openly. With a shaking hoof he reached out and touched a button on that battered Pipbuck.

“Just one guard? Boss, are you sure that alicorn is so important?”

“Shut the fuck up and wait, Arcade. That filly is just the bait for this bounty.”

“What about the others?”

“Kill the unicorn, do what you like with the fillies. Just leave one alive.”

I heard gunfire echo, screams of young fillies, then laughter.

“Hold them down! Leave the small one for last. She can be our messenger.”

More screams, this time of pain. There was cruel laughter of stallions in the background, along with a wet slapping noise. It didn’t take a genius to understand what was going on. I was shaking with anger, Happy was crying like a newborn.

“Wow, Arcade you were right. Fillies are the best fuck around! I love the way they scream.”

“The alicorn didn't, she just cried.”

“Who gives a fuck. Just kill them and let’s get this show on the road.”

Three fillies screamed in terror.

Three shots rang out.

“Now you listen, I know you will hear this message ‘Darkstar’. Your hide is worth a lot of caps to me and I hear this alicorn is worth something to you. Each day that goes by my boys will have their fun with her. If I get bored, I will kill her. You have until then to turn yourself over to me. Don't try anything stupid, you don't have the numbers to attack my compound. You will surrender to me and I might let your little friend live. The Phoenix has spoken.”

“Hey, boss?”

“Yes Arcade?”

“Can we have some more fun with these two before we go?”

“By all means.”

A filly screaming in terror and pain. The voice of Silver called out to me...

“Orion! Help me, please! Orion... please come for me!”

“Turn it off...” I whispered. Nopony budged. “Turn it off!” I yelled, tears blinding my eyes. My mane hung loose over my face as I stared at the ground.

>Location Tag Added.

>Gunners Cannery Discovered.

“Happy?” my voice sounded weirdly calm. “Can you fix up my guns for me?”

Iron laid a hoof on my shoulder, “What do you think you’re going to do Orion? I know of that Phoenix. It would take a division of Rangers loaded for bear to make a dent in his compound.”

I looked up. Ironclad took a step back when he saw my eyes.

“I’m going to kill them. Every single fucking last one of them is going to die.” My voice sounded so calm, like I was telling them about the weather. “I’m going to fucking kill them all!”

Iron stared at me through his helmet. “Orion, that pony is a professional. He will have researched you, found out about your friends, learned about your weapons. I don't doubt he knows of every weapon in Radar! There is nothing you can think of he won't see coming!”

My voice sounded so low and cold to me. “No, he won't see this coming...”

Level Up!

New Quest Perk Added: Guardian.

Some faint traces of your father’s magic has been passed on to you. This perk permanently adds +1 to strength and agility. In addition, if a teammate’s health drops below 20% you gain an additional +1 to strength until their health rises above 20%.

Guns 48

Unarmed 32

When Heroes Fall (rough edit)

Authors note: This chapter starts very abstract. Please bear with it as it will all be explained as the story goes on. It was the best way I could come up with for telling the story from all those viewpoints.

Fallout Equestria: Silver Skies

Chapter 6: When Heroes Fall

Rain fell hard, the noise of the drops hitting the parched and cracked soil drowning out all other sounds. the lights of the compound shone through the night time rain, calling out to the unaware.

The hoof steps of the colt were unheard in the downpour. small, grey and winged, the young pegasus was far from intimidating. heavy carbines hung from his flanks, giving him a more dangerous look, but his eyes... his eyes showed nothing but raw anger. in those eyes, you saw the desire to kill.

The colt continued his slow pace, each hoof step bringing him closer to the compound. From the gloom of the rainstorm, two figures emerged flanking the colt. A steel Ranger, heavily armed and pacing forward relentlessly. A blue unicorn mare, wearing a black hat and jacket. guns hung from her flanks, rifles and pistols. her eyes filled with hatred and anger.

Behind the trio, yellow eyes filled the night. The figures of unknown ponies paced towards the compound. each step filled with determination, and towering above them all, two red eyes glowed.

War had come to the wastelands once more.

*** ***

Walker shivered under his cloak, the rain had been falling for most of the day and of course, Arcade had given him guard duty.

The green stallion tugged the hood of his cloak down over his sodden yellow mane. He had joined up with this band of mercenaries less than a month ago. Previously he had ran with a Raider gang who called themselves the Saints. It had been a good life, taking what you want from anypony you want. then they made the mistake of attacking a caravan heading towards Radar. Those things killed everypony with ease, no ghoul could move like that. and the scream... Walker still had nightmares of that night.

The green earth pony had ran. He had left his friends to die, but he had lived.

Phoenix and his crew had recruited him a few weeks later. the level of skill and weaponry had impressed Walker. As to why they had a filly alicorn bound and gagged with them was something he had been afraid to ask. Still, the filly was cute and he had to admit, one great fuck. Walker just wished he could have had more time with her.

The green stallion sighed and looked out from his stretch of wall into the rain. Guard duty was a waste of time, who the fuck would attack this place? High walls of welded metal surrounded the old cannery, towers fitted with heavy machine gun turrets covered the roads. The gates were almost half a meter thick. What sort of an idiot would dare attack this place?

Walker sneezed, “Fucking Arcade, I’ll catch my death of cold out here.”

There was a sound, just on the edge of hearing. Walker trained his battle saddles rifle out over the wastes. Peering out into the heavy rain, he made out movement. Then the sound came again, clear as a bell. Somewhere between a scream and a roar, It was a sound that reached into Walkers memory and pressed every fear button at once.

The stallion scrambled backwards in sudden terror. Walker tripped over the rusted safety rail, falling the thirty feet screaming, to the broken tarmac. Legs broke from the impact. A grey unicorn mercenary came from darkness of the rainstorm, attracted by the howls of pain. Walker dragged himself towards the cannery, both back legs shattered.

“What the fuck are you so afraid of?” The mercenary listened to the horrifying scream. “You're scared of a few ferals?”

Walkers eyes had shrunk to pinpoints. “Those... things are not ferals!”

“Then what are they? What has you so scared?”

Walker scrambled at the broken tarmac, desperate to get away from the walls. When the green stallion back turned to the dark unicorn, his eyes shook, the overwhelming fear clear as day. One word came from his lips, the sound making him shake even harder in sheer terror.

“Reavers!”

*** ***

Shujun watched with interest as a grey pegasus colt landed near the entrance to the Reavers Bunker. It had been a dull day and the zebra ghoul was looking for something to liven up his watch. scaring the colt should be fun.

Silently, the zebra ghoul watched as the colt trotted towards the entrance to the bunker. Shujun crept forward, silent as a shadow. the pegasus was only a few steps away now, Shujun leapt out, and screamed, the horrific scream only the Reavers could produce. The ghoul had seen many reactions to that scream, fear, terror, ponies wetting themselves. This was the first time he had ever been cracked across the face with a Pipbuck.

The grey colt stared into Shujun’s eyes, “Quit fucking around, I need to see Iron Will.”

*** ***

Lonestar sat at the makeshift table, watching the young Orion. When the youngster had last been at this table, he was full of life and cheerful. Now the colt was withdrawn and trembled at random times. young Orions eyes were what concerned Lonestar most, he had seen eyes like that before, on ghouls becoming feral. to see that look on a child was disheartening.

Iron Will looked down at the small pegasus, “What can Iron Will do for you?”

“I need your help, I... I need you to help me storm a compound and rescue somepony.”

The youngsters voice shook, what had happened to him? where was that funny and confident kid who had bested Iron Will?

“Iron Will wonders why you would need him? Radar has a respectable force of ponies.”

“I need to take the Gunners Cannery.”

Iron Will sighed sadly. “Little pony, Iron Will knows of that compound. the Reavers once considered trying to take it for ourselves. Many will die in that attack, We do not have the firepower to breach the gates.”

“If I can arrange that, will you help?”

“No little pony, Iron Will cannot do that. the Reavers must stay in the shadows.”

Lonestar watched the colt shake and begin to cry. “Excuse me. but why is this so important to you, youngster?”

Orion turned his haunted eyes back to Lonestar, “They... they took her...”

“Took who?”

“M-My... the pony I love...”

“Can you tell me about her?

“She is so kind... shy and cute, she healed me before we even met... what they are doing to her...”

“Iron Will thinks this pony sounds like Fluttershy, Iron Will wishes to know what is happening to her.”

Orion looked down, his eyes hidden by his mane. slowly the colt tapped a few buttons on his Pipbuck. a recording began to play, Lonestar was rarely moved by emotions anymore but hearing the rape and murder of children...

Orion stared down at the table, tears dripping onto the rough surface.

Iron Will never moved, his eyes seemed to glow like a banked fire. there was a faint cracking noise, Lonestar looked down to see the edge of the table shatter in Iron Will’s grip. with one hand, the blue minotaur reached over and turned the recording off.

“Lonestar? Rouse the Reavers, get everypony who can carry a weapon. It is time to remind the wasteland why they fear us. I once swore an oath to myself, no innocent will suffer while I can help. Iron Will is angry. Iron will is going to kill every single one of those who dare to murder children.”

With that, the Reavers went to war.

*** ***

The cannery was lit by long strip lights, hanging from the peaked roof. lines of dust covered machinery filled half of the room. at the far end of the room stood the loading docks. a wide open space with a concrete floor. the shutter doors had been replaced by sheets of welded steel. A heavy steel plate covered the door into the administration area, a maze of corridors and offices. wooden packing crates, some still filled with cans of Cram, lay in a pile off to one side. a catwalk of rusted steel ran along one wall, seeming to be held together with rust. a corroded metal staircase climbed up to the catwalk. dust and grime coated the line of windows that ran along next to the catwalk, shaking slightly in their two hundred year old frames from the force of the rainstorm.

A desk sat against the dirty stone wall, next to it stood a Power Armoured figure. Matt black armour, painted with flames. mounted on his armoured flanks were two massive weapons, a grenade machine gun, the standard weapon of the Steel Rangers and an odd triple barreled rifle.

The Power armoured mercenary stared down at his captive, each movement accompanied by the faint whine of moving servos. The alicorn filly stared back. after all both himself and his men had done to the filly, she still held out hope that this ‘Orion’ will come for her. after hearing about how the stupid colt was coming for her for all that time, it was growing tiresome. the little fool always talked as if the boy was some kind of legendary hero. a fucking colt is no match for Phoenix and his forces. The armoured stallion glared at the silver coated filly, where she lay chained by a ring around her neck to the floor.

“It has been weeks, yet you still are defiant. Why do you have so much faith in a pegasus runt?”

The small alicorn stared at Phoenix, her eyes still filled with hope.

“He is the one I prayed for, the one who rescued me. the one who always comes for me. my hero. when he gets here, no wall will stop him, no army will hold him back...”

Phoenix laughed, “You act as if I should be afraid. I have killed alicorns and Steel Rangers, yet you think I should fear a child?”

The room shook, dust fell from the rafters. gunfire echoed, then came a sound. somewhere between a scream and a roar. Phoenix trotted to a terminal mounted on the nearby wall. “Phoenix to wall, report!”

“Sir! we are under attack!”

“Those fucking Rangers finally worked up the nerve to take us on?”

“No sir! I don't know what these things are! they are everywhere! they're like ghosts!”

Explosions shook the building. Phoenix spun at the sound of giggling, the silver alicorn smiled.

“That will be him now.”

*** ***

The Reavers charged, the ground shaking from thousands of hoof falls. Ghouls of all descriptions showered the walls with gunfire while pegasi rained beam fire down from up high. Amongst the sea of ghouls, two ponies paced forward relentlessly.

Blackshot sighted down his weapon, each shot of the anti-machine rifle taking down a target. Turrets exploded as the black unicorn placed each shot with expert ease. Blackshot’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the gate.

“Dozer! Take the gate out, fuck it up!”

The muscled earth pony grinned. strapped to his flanks was a pair of huge metal boxes. Hatches on the weapons at either side of Dozers head opened, revealing six blackened holes reaching into the depths of the weapons.

Dozer smiled, “Knock knock, fuckers.”

Twelve rockets fired, streaking towards the heavy metal gate. the force of the rocket barrage blew the gate apart. Shards of metal rained down as the Reavers streamed through the breach.

*** ***

Blackshot stared down at the grey colt as he laid out his plan. Orion had a solid idea but it relied on numbers Radar could not afford to risk. As much as the black unicorn wanted to avenge the murdered children, he could not risk the town to do it.

“Orion, I’m sorry. I can't bring the Gun Runners into open conflict with these merc’s. the safety of this town must always be my first priority.”

The grey colt shook, the kids eyes were starting to worry Blackshot. Orion seemed to be holding himself together by force of will alone. The thought of being indirectly responsible for the murder of a stallion and three fillies, and the kidnap and rape of the pony the youngster finally admitted he loved...

The poor kid must be breaking apart inside.

“Iron Will...” Orion's voice was barely a whisper.

“What did you say, kid?”

The grey colt looked up, his eyes shaking.

“Iron Will... the Reavers. if they get to keep the compound... they might help.”

Blackshot rubbed his chin. with the sheer numbers of the Reavers, and the firepower of Radar... it was possible to do it.

“Dozer!” The muscle bound earth pony looked up. “All bets are off, break out ‘Knock knock’. we may not be able to bring the town in on this, but you and I will go. we owe the kid that much at least.”

Orion looked confused, “What’s Knock knock?”

Blackshot grinned, “Dozer’s battle saddle. Twin barrage rocket pods. those things are supposed to be mounted on a tank. Dozer is the only pony I know who can carry one on a saddle, let alone two.”

*** ***

A single red pony stallion walked at a slow pace through the ruins of the gate. His long purple mane hung in clumps across his rain slick coat. white scars covered his entire body.

Three mercenaires, two earth ponies and a unicorn, stepped from the gloom of the rainstorm and opened fire. the scarred stallion seemed to vanish, appearing behind one earth pony merc. A blade on his hoof flashed, blood flew as the blade tore out the mercenaries throat. the unicorn tried to reload his shotgun but the stallion was on him before he could react. The hoof blade punched into the unicorns chest. the remaining mercenary began to back away, the rifles on his battle saddle spraying bullets wildly. a red hoof seemed to materialise in front of his eye, before the blade punched into his skull.

Myth flicked the blood from his hoof, the blade retracting with a faint metallic sound. The Crimson Flash continued his slow walk towards the cannery.

*** ***

Myth looked up from the line he was coiling at the sound of fluttering wings. a familiar looking grey colt landed on the deck, blue braces on his legs making clicks as the kid landed.

“Hey Orion, decided to take up my job offer?”

The kid looked through his matted mane with haunted eyes. “Myth... I need your help...”

“Sorry Orion, no more free rides.”

“No, I-I need your help to storm a compound...”

Myth blinked. The kid was a crazy fun pony, this was the last thing he expected to hear.

“Sorry kid, I can't leave my boat.”

The colt actually got down on his knees! “Please Myth, I’m begging you! those bastards murdered fillies from Radar just to kidnap Silver!”

Myth hesitated, this was something that upset him personally. but that life of violence was behind him now. his boat was his home, he couldn't leave it.

“Wish I could help kid, but some fucker would trash my boat while I was gone. I can't abandon it.”

The little colt sobbed, his tear filled eyes stared back at Myth. “I... I understand. You can't abandon your home. It's just after seeing what it did to the town, seeing Happy and Blackshot cry... I’m going even if I have to go alone.”

Myths eyes snapped back, ensnaring Orion’s with their fierce gaze. “What... did you just say?”

“I... I’m going alone if I have to...”

“Before that... did you say they made Happy cry?”

“She... it destroyed her. she saw those fillies born, saw them grow up.”

“They made Happy cry... I’ll be in Radar in three days. Nopony makes Happy Trails cry...”

*** ***

Walker shivered in fear.

The Hydra the merc had given him had fixed his legs, now the green stallion cowered inside one of the canneries abandoned offices. over and over, the terrified stallion checked his rifle. the gun may be his one hope of surviving this nightmare.

Gunfire echoed, The horrific scream of the Reavers seemed to be coming from everywhere at once. Then, from nowhere, the faint sound of hoofsteps echoed down the hallway.

Walker edged closer to the door and peered through the keyhole. after a moment a blue mare trotted past. Emboldened, Walker quietly opened the door.

The mare was pretty cute, a deep blue coat and peach mane. black bands hugged her flanks while a black cowgirl hat sat high on her head. She had a surprisingly large number of guns strapped to her legs and back, over a tight fitting black jacket. The green stallion smiled, maybe he could find something fun to do before those monsters out there found him...

“Hold it! don't move missy.”

The mare turned slowly, she had pretty nice green eyes too. And a unicorn to boot.

Walker was used to fear, it was easy to work with. here he had the mare blindsided, no way for her to draw a weapon. yet she simply stared at him, there was no fear, just a smoldering glare. For a moment her horn glowed a pale blue.

“You try magic again and you die. now remove those weapons and lay them on the ground, slowly.”

Her horn glowed, a heavy looking automatic lifting from it's holster on her left front leg. the slide snapped back with a dull rasp as she cocked the weapon. Walker bit down on the firing bit before him mouth, sex just wasn’t worth the risk.

*Click*

The stallion blinked. He knew there was ammo in it. he knew the safety was off, so why wouldn't his gun fire?

There was a faint metallic sound, Walker looked down. next to his hooves was a thin metal pin.

“You use an IF-61 ‘Hornbreaker’ assault rifle.” The mare walked trotted towards Walker as she spoke. “It is a pretty reliable gun, except the firing pin is usually quite loose. with a little tug, the pin will always pop out.”

The blue mare pressed the heavy pistol to Walkers head.

A single gunshot echoed down the hallway.

*** ***

Arcade smiled to himself, this was turning into a serious fuckup but here comes his chance to redeem himself to the boss.

With a faint click, as each blue medical brace fastened to his legs hit the tiled hallway floor, a grey pegasus colt trotted towards the t-section where the red unicorn hid.

Arcade was not much of a magic user, the only spells he really knew were levitation and a spell that let him see around corners. the red unicorn brushed a stray lock of his white mane out of his eyes and smiled, remembering the nice mare who had taught him that spell. so kind and trusting, and worth two hundred caps when he sold her to Redeye’s crew.

Arcades smile grew as the colt neared his hiding place. His revolver, a pristine IF-18 "Horseshoe", levitated at his side. Arcade stepped out and stamped his gun into the colts forehead.

“Say hello to my little friend! Move boy, and you die. now remove that saddle and come with me, any sudden moves and I pull this trigger!”

The kid stared. There was no fear in that gaze, no bravado. the colt just stared back.

“Pull it.” The colt took a step forward, “Pull the fucking trigger.”

This was not going according to the script! if you put a gun to a ponies head, especially a child, they should listen for fear of death!

“D-don't move! I swear to Celestia, I will fire! just drop the saddle. You're alone here, so listen to what I say and you can live!”

“Then fucking fire!” The colt took another step forward, pushing Arcades gun back with his forehead. “You can't can you? your asshole boss wants me alive, I die and your fucked!”

A chilling smile spread across the kids face. “And who said I came alone?”

A low snarl came from behind Arcades left ear, the sound reached into the red unicorns mind and hit the fear button. sweat began to drip from his face, the revolver dropped to the floor with a clatter as Arcade lost focus. he couldn't move, terror was total.

Shadows began to move along the corridor, the figures of unknown ponies trotting down the dimly lit hallway.

The colt’s smile was disturbing. “Good boy Nighteyes, Arcade? say hello to my little friend.”

*** ***

Lonestar stood in the courtyard of the cannery, looking at the battered map pinned to the cannery wall.

The fight for the outer walls was over, the Reavers had swept the defences aside with ease. with the weaponry from Radar, the battle was decided before it began. the ghoul army was clearing out the last groups of mercenaries, searching for captives and the young alicorn.

Lonestar peered closer at the site map, planning out the changes he wanted. the downpour was so heavy now, nopony could see more than a meter ahead of them.

“Hmm, if we convert that warehouse to house the ferals... no that won't work. Aha! the slave pens! we house the ferals in there after we upgrade them and move them into the solitary pens for treatment... Yes, that will work.”

“Well lookee what we have here brothers.”

Lonestar turned, three earth ponies stood behind him. all three clad in leather armour, all three stallions with matching yellow coats and orange manes. the three leveled the shotguns on their saddles at the ghoul.

“What can I do for you, gentleponies?”

The trio sneered at Lonestar. “Well, we were thinking you could die. guess you should have brought a gun instead of sunglasses.”

The ghoul smiled, “Oh I don't need a gun, all I need is a positive attitude and an Iron Will.”

“An iron will? that will stop us killing you?”

Two massive blue hands reached from the darkness of the rainstorm and wrapped around the necks of the earth ponies on either side of the talkative one. there was a cracking sound, cartilage snapping under the power of those hands as they squeezed. the blue hands opened, dropping the two ponies to the wet dirt. Their broken bodies fell like ragdolls. from the gloom stepped a figure from a nightmare. red eyes glowed, horns rose from it's head, one broken near the point.

The towering minotaur glared down the the remaining earth pony. Pink mist snorted from Iron Will’s nostrils. Lonestar watched with interest as a steaming puddle spread around the surviving mercenaries hooves.

“I’m going to have to say, yes.”

*** ***

Arcade stumbled into the room, the red unicorn turned and glare at the two ghouls who had dragged him here. the colt stepped up to the door, still wearing that disturbing smile. the zebra ghouls had dragged him through the twisting maze of corridors to this interrogation room. the only light came through the doorway. The white tiled room was pitch black, shrouded in shadows and darkness.

“Just kill me already. you won so end it. enough of this prisoner horseshit!”

The little pegasus grinned, “Oh, I won't kill you. and you are not my prisoner.”

Orion reached up next to the door and flicked a switch. Lights set in the stone ceiling shone. Arcade blinked and glanced behind him, standing at the back of the room was a pair of ponies. A massive black coated unicorn stood beside a muscle bound monster of an earth pony with a green coat. the monstrous earth pony took a step forward.

“Those fillies you found it so fun to kill... they were from our town.”

The black unicorn rolled his neck with a loud crack. “I am going to enjoy this.”

Arcade shot the colt a panicked look. “What the fuck is this?”

Orion finally lost his smile. “As I said. I won't kill you...”

The door closed with a clang.

The beating went on for quite a long time.

*** ***

“Report dammit! one of you assholes had better answer me!”

Phoenix had lost contact with the walls, then the courtyard, now everywhere was silent. occasional bursts of gunfire echoed and the odd scream split the air.

This couldn't be happening, there was no way a fucking child could wipe out this compound!

“Fuck! What the fuck is going on? who is attacking us?”

The alicorn was starting to creep him out. the giggling, the weird little songs. and that same teary eyed look of hope. This couldn't be the kid, there was no way he could have found an army strong enough to take his forces apart!

“You seem nervous. He is coming to kill you, you do know that right?”

“Shut the fuck up! if your so called hero is here, then I own his ass!”

“You don't understand... the Goddess thought he was just a child and it cost her two very powerful alicorns. he is coming to save me, you should run...”

“A fucking child is no match for my armour!”, Phoenix was angry, nothing before had done anything on this scale to his private army. Now he had a filly telling him to run?

Phoenix stepped slowly towards the chained alicorn, his heavy armoured treat raising small clouds of dust as they hit the ground. The armoured stallion stared down at the smiling filly, then struck her across the face with a hoof.

Silver cried out, the force of the blow sending her bouncing across the ground before the chain pulled taunt. the ring dug into her neck, almost choking her. Phoenix loomed over the child, slowly, his hoof raised, ready for a final stomp.

Phoenix span at the sound of rending metal. protruding from the metal plate covering the administration offices door, was a blade of rainbow light. with a screech of tearing metal, the blade slowly cut a wide cross through the steel.

There was a hollow thump and the plate exploded inward, chunks of twisted metal bouncing around the room. Through the dust and smoke strode a Steel Ranger, clad in gold edged armour. A blue mare stepped through next, her black cowgirl outfit almost hidden under the armoury of weapons strapped to her body. then a small figure leapt through, wings spread and glaring with fury. a scar ran down one side of his face, a jagged lightning bolt. The grey pegasus colt stared first at the chained alicorn then glared at Phoenix.

“Get the fuck away from my mare!”

*** ***

I stared at the armoured form of the stallion looming over Silver. This was the bastard who took her, this was the fucker I came here to kill.

Phoenix slowly stepped to the right, the flames painted on his power armour seemed to flicker in the light. Iron and Happy began to spread out, weapons at the ready. I held my ground, watching as the Power Armoured merc moved away from Silver.

“So you are Darkstar? With the reputation you have, I expected somepony more... impressive.”

I looked over to Silver, my eyes seeing it all. the bruise across her face, the pain in her eyes, the chains.

“You hurt her...”

“I had to pass the time somehow. You took far too long to come to me. Now will you surrender or will I have to kill your little fucktoy here and your friends?”

“Fucktoy?... Fuck you and fuck your surrender. I was raised to see the good in anypony, to find something redeemable about them. but you? there is nothing good about you. I’m here for two reasons. First is to rescue Silver.”

“Oh? and what is the second? to forgive me? to save me from this awful life of mine?”

“Not quite.”

Vengeance roared.

Happy opened fire, the boom of her automatic mixing with the chattering of one of her assault rifles. Hollow thumps echoed as Iron let loose with Severance, his machine gun opened up with an almost deafening roar. The barrage of firepower shook the Power Armoured merc like a ragdoll, sparks flew from his armour like a fireworks light show. Finally, he fell to the ground and lay still.

I still felt angry, a dark rage that refused to leave me. Silver had spent her life in pain, she had suffered for the amusement of some faceless monster. denied her freedom, dignity. even a name. and now this had happened, I would never be able to make it up to her, I caused this, my stupid ego had got me tagged with a bounty and now she had suffered for it. Fillies had died. I know I would never be good enough to make it up to her, but I would spend my life trying... if she will let me.

Silver’s eyes shone as I cut the chain binding her to the ground with my Rainblade.

“Silver, I’m sorry I’m so late.”

“Orion, I knew you would come for me. it is alright.”

“Silver... I’m sorry. It's my fault this happened, if I had just stayed with the Enclave and followed their orders...”

Silver reached up and laid her hoof on my cheek, her smile shone like the long lost sun.

“Orion, this was never your fault. If these ponies had not taken me, the Goddess would have. She refuses to let me be happy, even now I found my special somepony. I believe in you, I always will. you will always come to save me, my hero.”

“I’m no hero Silver, I’m a murderer... I know I will never be good enough to be with you but please, let me try...”

Silver brushed a tear from my cheek with a gentleness that surprised me, how can she accept me after what I put her through? how can she love a monster like me?

There was a faint thump from behind me and the world exploded.

I was thrown through the air like a ragdoll, bouncing across the concrete floor. What the fuck had hit me? I pushed myself back to my hooves, the room was spinning. I heard the sound of motors moving and turned. Phoenix slowly rose to his hooves, smoke curling from his grenade rifles barrel. Red lightning crackled across his armour, Seeming to repair the damage our guns had done.

“Nice try junior, but it will take a whole lot more that that to put me down.”

Ironclad took a step back, something I would have never thought I would see.

“I have waited for years to find a worthy opponent.” The flame painted helmet seemed to glare at me. “I am still waiting!”

The big triple barreled rifle fired with an almost deafening bang, a crate next to Happy exploded, showering the cute mare in chunks of processed meat. Happy dove behind a conveyer belt as the weapon fired again, blowing a hole through the machine wider than my hoof.

I span and unloaded from my saddle, the enchanted lead blowing holes in the power armour. Iron seemed to wake up and opened fire, His machine gun deafening as it joined the roar of Vengeance.

Phoenix fired his grenade rifle once more, A rippling line of explosions lifting my Power Armoured friend and sending him crashing through the stacked crates. I fired again and again, Trying to stop Phoenix as he fired at my friends. The armoured merc turned his attention back to me.

“You don't know how outclassed you are do you?”

I fired high, my shots sending a hanging light crashing down onto Phoenix. the armoured mercenary shrugged the heavy light fixture from his back and turned back towards me as I got close. My wings beat as I flew close to the ground and spun, Driving my Rainblade through his throat.

An armoured hoof slammed into my face, sending me bouncing across the floor one more. Happy tried to cover me with bursts from one of her rifles. Phoenix's laughter echoed across the room.

“You refuse to surrender? This is the Aegis armour! it is lined with repair and healing talismans. you cannot do enough damage to me to kill me. I am invincible in this armour, I will kill your friends then beat you bloody. I will use the caps from your bounty to rebuild this compound.”

Silver galloped towards me as I struggled to stand, her face filled with panic.

“I no longer need the bait...” The triple barreled rifle pivoted as it fired.

Silver screamed as the huge calibre slug punched through her wing.

“Looks like my targeting matrix needs recalibrating. this shot won't miss.”

The triple barreled rifle tilted as it aimed at Silver once more, I threw myself towards her. pushing her back just as the gun fired. that is why the second round went through me.

The big bullet hit me in my right shoulder and exited just behind my left wing. the pain was total, darkness began to crawl in from the edge of my sight. the force of the shot sent me rolling across the concrete floor. slowly I pushed myself back to my hooves.

Be strong, Be strong. She still needs you, you can't die yet.

Blood was filling my mouth, Silver stared at me as I swayed on my hooves. I felt blood flowing down my legs as I turned back towards Phoenix.

The armoured mercenary gave a loud sigh, “Well, now I guess I’ll have to see what you are worth dead.”

>Error.

>Fatal Injuries Detected.

>Seek Autodoc Medical Aid Immediately.

>Antiquity Override Enabled.

>Sats Version 2.5 Activated.

>Sats Burst Active.

My fading sight turned green, Vista was trying to tell me somthing but I couldn't read the words. my eyes had began to blur. I tried to toggle a shot at Phoenix's head, weirdly crosshairs began to spiral over my target, more and more. my ammo count turned red and counted down one crosshair for every round. I tried to fire.

>Warning.

>Sats Burst Will Exhaust All Pipbuck Functions For Forty Eight Hours.

>Begin Sats Burst?

>Y/N?

I mentally hit yes, the world returned with that odd hissing sound and Vengeance roared like never before. spent casings flew from the exhaust ports and fell like rain. blood dripped from my mouth as the special magic my Mom left me went to work. every round of enchanted lead struck the same spot. every one of my ninety seven remaining rounds slamming into the side of Phoenix's helmet, repair talismans fought with armour penetration magic. cracks began to spread from the point of impact, the barrage forcing the armoured mercenary back a step.

The last of my bullets fired, the barrels of Vengeance glowing cherry red. My vision was blurring more and more, through the haze and my fading sight I could see the spiderweb of cracks across his helmet. slowly a hoof sized piece dropped to the ground with a faint clang.

One green eye stared through the hole with amusement, “Impressive, But what was that supposed to accomplish?”

I spat out a mouthful of blood, “To g-give... Iron a... target.”

A hollow thump echoed from behind me, the blue blur of Ironclad’s Gauss cannon passing me and hitting Phoenix in that one exposed eye. gore sprayed from the hole as the concussive blast reduced the merc’s head to paste. trapped inside that helmet, there was no doubt the shockwave had reduced his whole head to paint. slowly the armoured corpse collapsed with a sound like pots falling from a shelf.

I was content, it was over. Silver was safe. my dream girl was finally safe.

I looked over to the beautiful filly, trying to smile through my pain. My blood was pooling around my hooves, splashing as I moved. I was going to die...

I felt so cold, blood was still trickling from one side of my mouth. I felt like gagging on the metallic taste.

Happy looked over the conveyer belt she hid behind, her eyes widened as she stared at my blood slick coat. “Orion... no...”

Ironclad limped from behind the crates he had crashed through. The Steel Ranger froze at the sight of me, blood flowing from the hole through my body. “Orion?”

Blood had spread out in a vast pool around my hooves, my coat was matted with gore. slowly, I reached out a trembling hoof towards the mare I loved.

“Silver... I... l-love...you...”

I fell into the darkness, my legs finally giving out as the floor rushed up to meet me.

*** ***

With a groan, I pushed myself back up to my hooves.

What had happened? I thought I was about to die, but now I’m back on my hooves. had Silver or Happy healed me? My leg felt weirdly light, I glanced down. my Pipbuck was gone, panicking I looked around for it.

This didn't make any sense, the bullet hole was gone. not even a scar remained. why was my Pipbuck gone? where was my battle saddle?

Silver had her back to me, staring down at a grey shape on the floor.

“Hey Silver, did you heal me?”

She never even noticed me talk, what was going on? what was she looking at anyway? whatever it was, it was covered in red. I must have bled over it.

“O-orion?” Silvers voice sounded so weird, like she was desperately trying not to cry. why was she so upset? I was fine! no pain, no bullet hole.

Happy limped towards me. her eyes never left the grey shape on the floor. I watched as she sat down and covered her muzzle with her front hooves. Ironclad reached up to his head and removed his helmet. his eyes downcast and filled with a sadness I’ve never seen in them before.

What were they all upset about?

I trotted forward and peered past Silver, maybe if I see what everypony was looking at I could get some answers.

I felt myself shiver, my eyes staring down almost unseeing at the sight before me. I scrambled backwards, tripping over my own hooves in shock and panic.

Laying there on the dusty concrete floor, surrounded by a pool of crimson, was the corpse of a grey pegasus. His black and silver mane was matted with blood, one front leg wore a Pipbuck. his striped tail slowly soaked up the pool of blood. a thin line of red still ran from his mouth and dripped to the concrete.

That... that was me! that was my body!

I... I was dead!

Silver reached out and shook my corpse gently by the shoulder.

“Orion.. wake up, don't leave me alone... wake up! please wake up! don't leave me! ORION! please don't go... please wake up... he... he won't wake up... why won't he wake up?...”

Happy stared at the ground, her tears falling freely. “Silver... he's gone. Orion is dead. hes gone...” Happy shook with the force of her crying. “Hes gone...”

“No, he can't be dead. he finally told me that he loves me, theres no way he can be gone!”

Nighteyes stared at my corpse, the puppy ran to my bodies head and licked the cheek. Nighteyes gave a low whine and began to nudge my hoof with his nose. after a moment the Liger pup ran to the back of my corpse and tugged on my tail. I could only watch as the little fuzzball sat back and whined. Nighteyes let out a long, mournful howl. Happy broke down, dropping to the floor and wailing in sorrow.

Silver stood over my body, her horn glowing. “I can heal him... please let me heal him... let me save him like he always saves me.”

I stared, feeling tears on my own face. I was trapped outside that world, unable to hug Silver and tell her it will be alright. Unable to comfort my friends when they needed me there.

“No, please Silver. let me go, you deserve better.”

“How dreadfully droll.”

I spun around and froze. behind me was the weirdest creature I had ever seen. it looked like Celestia had taken random animal parts and glued them together! batwing, griffon claw, some weird fang... what the fuck was this thing?

“Oh you can see me? how wonderful! allow me to introduce myself, Discord, spirit of Chaos... or I was.”

“Was?” how in the name of Luna’s sweet flanks can you stop being the spirit of anything? something about this ‘Discord’ seemed more off than his look.

“Have you any idea how hard it is to create chaos in this world? I turn a road into soap and nopony cares. I make it rain chocolate milk and nopony even notices.”

“Um... no offense but why would anyone? have you seen this world? theres undead, monsters, things I see every single day that still scare me to death. life here is short and brutal, a little soap is not even worth mentioning.”

The freaky creature sighed, “This is so boring, nothing I do or change is even noticed. once I could bring Equestria to it's knees in an hour, now I’m lucky if anypony noticed anything has changed at all...”

“So that's what chaos is? changing something from the normal?”

“You don't know what chaos is? What pray tell, are they teaching you children these days?”

“Not to get shot, I didn't do well in that class...”

“Evidently, you ponies used to be so much fun. now all I see is despair.”

I turned back to my friends. Silver was cradling my corpses head and rocking back and forward. her body shook with the force of her sobs.

“Chaos is the change from the normal right? well in the wastelands, pain and sorrow is the norm. if you want to change anything, then make someponies life better, do better.”

“Thats... that's what she said. you're not related to Blackjack are you?”

“I don't even know who that is, but if you really want to do better... can you help Silver?”

“The sad little alicorn?”

Discord snapped the fingers on his griffon claw hand, a chalkboard appeared next to him from nowhere. For some reason he now wore a white jacket and thick glasses. his voice sounded like a pony from Stalliongrad. This thing was insane!

“You zee zis creature iz bound by threads of ze magics. she is ze puppet. understand, ja?”

I stared for a moment, unsure how to respond. “I could not understand a single word of what you just said...”

Discord sighed. with a snap of his fingers, his coat and glasses vanished. “You are not very bright are you? what I am trying to explain is that your little friend is bound to a powerful magic. one I do not have the power to break at the moment.”

“So... you can't help her?”

“Do you pray tell, realise that you are asking favours from an immortal being of immense power, and all you are asking me is will I help out a filly?”

“I’m not important, I’m not a hero... I’m not even all that smart. All I want is for her to be happy. even if that is without me...”

Discord was staring at me in a very odd way. “You are very much like him...”

“Him? him who?” I hated when somepony talked about something as if I should know what it is.

Discord stared at my friends as they stood around my corpse, Happy was hugging Silver tight as they cried on each other's shoulders.

“A long time ago, I was imprisoned in a statue in the gardens of Canterlot. My punishment for a few harmless pranks. Honestly, Celestia had no sense of humour. For years I watched as the little ponies went on with their lives, all the while desperately lonely. one day a big pegasus heard my voice, he could sense my words in his mind. somehow that pony was a creature of chaos like myself.”

Discord seemed almost sad as he continued his story.

“I tried to trick that stallion into releasing me, but he caught on fast. for months I was alone again. then he returned. for an hour he talked to me, just talked...”

Discord wiped a tear from his eyes, “Every day he returned and talked with me, day after day he came back and spoke of small everyday things, the weather, his wife. mostly about his son. When they decided to move me, that pegasus was the only one to object. I felt his death a few months later. I think that stallion was as close to a friend as I will ever have.”

This mystery pegasus already had my respect. “Who was that pegasus? did he tell you his name?”

Discord pulled his fang from his mouth and polished it on his coat for a moment, before putting it back in his mouth. how the fuck is he doing this stuff? “He was named Starshot.”

My mind went blank. Dad? he knew my dad?

“You... you knew dad?”

Discord pointed his lion paw hand at me, “You're Orion? the child he never stopped talking about?” Discords head snapped back to my friends.

“Oh her again...”

“Her?” Again with the things I should know but don't. I hate how everypony does this.

“Oh, you can't hear or see magic.”

Discord snapped his fingers again, it was like a veil was pulled from my eyes. from Silver’s back I could now see coloured lines, fading away as they got further away. With another snap of his fingers, Discord changed how I saw the world. I heard laughter, dark and mocking. my eyes picked out a figure above me, looking down from the walkway.

A faint ghostlike mare laughed down at my friends sorrow, a light blue mane, long and curled, a sky blue coat. her voice echoed as if being spoken my many voices at once.

“THE GODDESS IS PLEASED! THE LITTLE FOAL DARED TO MOCK US. NOW HE IS NOTHING! IF ONLY I ALLOWED YOU TO SAVE HIS LIFE.”

This goddess really gets on my nerves. this is what Silver has to put up with every day?

The mismatched creature gave a frustrated sigh, “These alicorns are just no fun, you prank them and they just get violent.”

I turned back to Discord, “Can you bring me back to life? Silver needs me with her if this is what she has to deal with.”

Discord gave a loud sigh, “Once maybe, as I am now I cannot do much. It will take time for my magic to return to me. unless of course, you have a source of wild magic handy?”

I gave a grin, “Sorry but ghosts don't have pockets.”

A thought occurred to me, why had nothing come to collect me? when I nearly died in Manehatten there was a tunnel... something calling to me. here there is nothing, just the dark laughter of the Goddess and the grief of my friends.

“THIS IS PERFECT. I DO NOT NEED HIS SPIRIT, MERELY HIS FLESH. THROUGH YOU, MY LITTLE FAILURE, I SHALL SEE WHERE THEY LAY HIM TO REST. THEN I SHALL TAKE HIM FOR MY OWN PURPOSE!”

Discord reached out with his lion paw and grabbed one of the threads of magic coming from Silver. I watched, confused as the fun, yet crazy spirit pulled a set of scissors from thin air and snipped the thread in two. I couldn't help but grin when he waggled his eyebrows at me.

“What did you just do?”

Silver stood over my corpse, her eyes closed. her black mane hung in clumps, shrouding her face. tears still dripped from her face to the concrete floor.

“THE GODDESS ALWAYS WINS, NOW YOU WILL SHOW US WHERE THEY BURY THE REMAINS. THEN YOU...”

“Shut up...” Silvers voice was barely a whisper.

“YOU WILL NOT SPEAK TO THE GODDESS LIKE THAT FAILURE, YOU WILL DO AS I COMMAND!”

Silver looked up, her eyes opened slowly. I never thought I would ever see it from her but there was naked anger showing in those amazing eyes.

“No, I won't. all my life you made me suffer, for your own twisted amusement. and now I had found somepony that was mine, and mine alone and you want to take him from me as well... he was mine...”

Sparks began to flicker from Silvers horn, her hair began to move as if there was a wind in the room. I could only watch as Silvers eyes turned completely white, the dust on the ground around her hooves began to swirl, swirling around her as if she was the centre of a tornado.

“Discord! what did you do to her?”

The... whatever he is, rubbed his chin. Discord seemed confused as he pointed to the rising dust storm around Silver.

“She isn't related to Twilight is she?”

“I don't know! now tell me what the fuck you did to her!”

“I cut the thread that was draining her willpower, stopping her from being who she is if you will. I never expected this though, this little filly seems to have a lot of magic. “

“What the fuck does that mean?”

I was panicking, Silver had began to float. her eyes glowed, arcs of lightning began to spark from her body. what was happening to her? I couldn't help her and it was tearing me apart.

“A wild magical surge, that is quite the rare occurrence.”

My pooled blood had began to join the growing storm around Silver, a crimson mist making it hard to see her. Happy and Ironclad had begun to back away from the floating alicorn, wild strikes of raw magic arced like lightning in every direction. wind came from nowhere and sent piles of crates crashing to the floor. lightning strikes even setting one crate on fire.

Silver had tears flowing down her face still, I could feel her still reaching out to me. as if to show me I was right, a thin blue thread stretched from my corpse and began to snake towards where I stood.

“This won't end well...” Discord seemed nervous. “She can't control this.”

“What will happen to her?”

“Wild magic will build and if she can not find a way to ground it... she will explode.”

“Explode?!” this can't be happening, there has to be something I can do to help her!

“Orion...” Silvers voice had an odd dual tone to it. “I couldn't save you, please don't leave me alone...”

“That does it...” I tore my eyes away from Silver and glared at Discord. “You did this! you said you are change, all you have done is create more fucking pain and misery!”

“Well, I don't know. It might be a good thing...”

I shocked myself when I found my hooves wrapped around his neck. I pressed my forehead against his. “You pathetic, spineless fucker! You act high and mighty, you pretend to be some force of nature. but in the end all you are is a fucking coward!”

“You can't speak to me like that! I am Discord! spirit of...”

“Shut the fuck up! you are not the Spirit of Chaos! Chaos is the change from the normal, you just created more of the same shit I always see in this fucked up world! a filly giving her friend a sandwich makes more chaos that you!”

“Well, I don't know...”

“Well I fucking do! you said you can't give me back my life right? then change me into something else! make me an earth pony or something! as long as I can go back to her I don't give a fuck what!”

“But I would need a source of chaotic magic for a change of that kind.”

I pointed the the swirling storm that had swallowed Silver, “There is your source!”

The rage drained from me suddenly, leaving me feeling so desperate.

“Please Discord, please help me, please help her...”

“You would really give up being a pegasus?”

“I would give up my wings anyday if it means she is not alone...”

Discord pushed me away gently. I think he realised just how stupid I was, I mean I just tried to strangle somepony that could destroy me with a thought. I watched, feeling confused as Discord pulled a stick from thin air and poked one end into the swirling storm around Silver. He span hit around for a moment then pulled out what looked like... well candyfloss.

Discord took a bite and held it out to me. “Want some?”

“Um... no.”

Discord finished off his treat and licked his lionpaw with a contented look. Slowly he held his griffon claw up to his face, white lightning crackled around as he grinned at the claw.

“That should do it.”

Discord grabbed the questing thread from my corpse and stabbed it into my chest. pray you never feel a hand inside your ribcage, moving around. it wasn't as painful as it was wrong. The weird creature pulled his hand from my chest and then gave the thread a yank, almost pulling me from my hooves.

“Are you certain you wish to do this? once I change your vessel, there is no going back.”

“I keep telling you, I don't matter; she does. if you can get me back to her, to give me a chance to save her... then what happens to me afterwards doesn't matter one bit.”

Discord smiled at me. “You asked for it.”

The Spirit of Chaos snapped his fingers and my world vanished.

*** ***

I never felt so much pain before.

My body was suspended in the air, every part of me felt as if it was being cut and burnt at the same time. not even when Azure Sky tortured me, had I felt pain like this. I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes, the idea I was going to loose my wings was destroying me but all that really mattered to me, was her.

My eyes slowly opened. Silver floated before me, her eyes wide and unseeing. tears flowed freely down her face. My blood was splattered across her face and matted in her mane. I tried to move but whatever I was changing into was stopping me from moving until it was done.

A bolt of raw magic lightning struck me in the chest, magic arced between myself and Silver. something was pulling from inside me, trying to follow the magic to Silver. at the same time I felt something trying to enter my changing body.

My legs began to hurt less, then light washed over me. bright and glaring. Suddenly I could move again, I couldn't feel my wings anymore. I couldn't bring myself to look back and see them gone, not yet.

The roaring gale around Silver began to force me backwards as I dropped to the floor, Discords changes finally finished. Magical lightning hit me and burnt through my coat. One step at a time I forced my way closer to her, each hoofstep a test of endurance. My body did not move like it should, my limbs felt weird but I pressed forward. my mane whipped around my face in the magical winds, static earthing itself with loud pops.

She was so close, I reached up to her. the lightning arcing between our chests was agony. She was so close, I had to get up to her. Please Dad, I don't know if your watching over me, but I need your strength with me now.

I felt them, my wings. I had given them up for her yet I could still feel them. I’m not a smart pony but I know when life cuts me a break. I didn't even question it as I beat my wings down, slowly forcing myself towards the pony I loved. The roar of the magical storm was deafening, the swirling winds filled with dirt and blood, hiding everything from view.

“Orion... I’m sorry. I could not save you...”

Her words tore at my heart. I pushed on, sweat pouring from me as I got closer and closer. I never thought one meter would be so hard to pass. I reached out and drew her into a hug, Silver felt so very cold. she was as stiff as a board and didn't even seem to know I was there.

“Silver! I’m here, come back to me, please!”

Her voice still had that weird echo, “Orion, don't leave me alone...”

I didn't know what to do, so I kissed her.

Silver struggled in my grip, fighting my kiss. then, she seemed to calm, her struggles growing weaker as I wrapped my hooves around her body and hugged her tight. her eyes slowly closed, tears still freely flowing down her face. all the strength seemed to go out of her, her body going limp. the howling storm seemed to shrink around us, leaving the two of us suspended in it's eye.

I could feel my coat burn from the constant arcs of magic striking me, the pain was bad, but nothing like whatever Discord had done to me. He had given me this chance though, I was here with her. if I couldn't save her then I would die with her.

Static was building up, making my mane float and crackle. the air itself felt charged as if something was about to happen. I failed... I couldn't save her.

“Silver... I love you.”

The world went white.

*** ***

A hoof prodded at me.

“Orion? is... is that really you?”

I rolled over, trying to get comfortable. “Let me sleep for five more minutes mom... I don't have school today.”

“It has to be him, have you ever met another kid this strange Ironclad?”

“But we saw him die Happy, all that blood. there was a hole right through him, nopony could survive that!”

“I know Iron, but it has to be him. nopony else has that cutiemark. I want to know what has happened to little Silver Skies first...”

My eyes shot open, my limbs flailing in panic. I couldn't see!

“Silver! where is she? is she ok?”

A metal clad hoof pressed me back to the ground gently. “Calm down, she is alive.”

I felt every muscle relax in that instant. she was alive...

“I don't know if you really are Orion yet, so don't move.”

My eyes cleared. Ironclad was holding me down with one hoof, Happy had her big automatic pistol out, pointing it at me. her face showed confusion, you would think she had seen a ghost.

“Iron... I don't know why you're doing this but please, let me go to Silver. Keep your guns on me if you need to but let me go to her.”

“O-orion? is that... are you really...?”

Silvers voice was filled with such hope. I struggled to get up, to even turn back to see her face. the weight of the big Ranger had me pinned. I beat my legs against his, fighting to get up. Silver was right there, why wouldn't they let me up to go to her?

Silvers voice seemed free of her usual timidness, “Ironclad? please get off him.”

“No can do. Until I am sure this is really the kid, he goes nowhere.”

A crate of Cram smashed into Ironclad, seeming to fly from nowhere. Iron was knocked off his hooves. from the angry sounding muttering, the big Ranger was more annoyed than hurt. I took the opportunity to roll to my hooves and turned to Silver.

*fwoomp*

I could not get my wings to fold back down, they felt as hard as diamonds as I stared at her, jaw on the floor. Silver was different, she was never fat but now her body was so slim and toned. her black mane hung in locks, red streaks running through it. her eyes and smile had my heart pounding in my chest. I fell in love all over again.

Silvers wings popped out as she stared at me. “Wow... Orion, you look great like that.”

“Like what? what’s happened to me?”

Happy trotted over to me, holstering her pistol as she went. “Now I know you're Orion. nopony else is quite as dense as you, hun.”

“Happy, you guys are scaring me now. somepony tell me what is wrong.”

Happy reached over and tapped on my forehead, or something near to it. slowly I reached up with a hoof and explored under my blood and rain wet mane. my hoof found something there, I traced the shape. it was short, so small it would be hidden under my stylish mane if it wasn't soaked, faint ridges spiraled down it's length.

“Is... is this what I think it is? A horn?”

Ironclads guns made loud clicks as he removed the safeties. I stared into the business end of Severance, more than a little afraid. The big Ranger stared hard at me.

“I’m still not convinced that you really are Orion, the colt was not a fucking alicorn.”

“I’m an... alicorn? does that mean I have magic? I can do spells?”

Silver trotted next to me and nuzzled into my neck, leaving my wings stiff again and a deep blush across my face. “I’m not sure Orion, but I don't think so.”

Iron never moved his guns from me. “Prove to me you are the kid, or I fire. you have ten seconds.”

I could hear Severance hum as it began to charge, how can I prove that I am me? What do I have that nopony else has? I can't use my Rainblade, my Pipbuck was just dead weight right now. Think Orion, use your brain for once!

In the end I just threw a snowball at him, I’m not smart enough to think of anything better. it was almost comical watching the snow slowly slide down his helmet and drop to the floor.

“You’re Orion alright, there can't be two little fuckers as annoying as you.”

I grinned, I knew I was annoying but I would bet Iron was smiling under that helmet.

“I can't hear anything...” Silver sounded confused.

“By now I bet Iron Will has taken the compound, that's probably why it's so quiet.”

“No Orion, I mean it's silent. I can't hear the Goddess, I can't hear Unity.”

Happy gave Silver a hug, “Then that means you’re free, hun.”

“Free? I’ve left Unity? but what do I do now?”

I kissed Silver lightly on the lips, making her blush.

“Now you get to live, first you’re coming home to Radar, then you get to be whoever and whatever you want to be.”

The was a flash of white light, so bright even Iron cried out. When I could finally see again, I looked around, expecting an attack. It was weird, nopony else was here but us and a Power Armoured corpse. I turned back to Silver, Sweet Celestia is she hot now. Something was on her flank, not that I was repeatedly checking out her flanks... yep, I’m not even convincing myself here. I looked closer.

“Orion? what are you doing?”

“Silver... you have a cutiemark.”

“Don't be cruel, alicorns don't get them. I thought you loved me...”

Happy smiled, “He's telling the truth, you have your cutiemark hun.”

Silvers eyes grew wide, my very sexy marefriend looked back at her flank. Her cutiemark was so different to anything I ever saw on a mares flank, And I have looked at a lot of mares flanks. A full moon shone, illuminating the black shape of a bird in flight. stars curled up in a horseshoe shape under the moon, wrapped in vines. I had no idea what it meant. At least now I have an excuse to stare at Silvers flanks.

“Thats embarrassing Orion, I mean I don't mind you looking at my flanks but...”

Silver blushed bright red as the three of us looked on in confusion. Iron decided to break the news. “Silver, he didn't say anything.”

“But I heard him! he said he had an excuse to stare at my flanks!”

Oh pony feathers...

“Silver, I thought that but I never said it.”

“But how? I could hear his thoughts? Did turning into an alicorn give him telepathy? was his butt always that cute?”

I turned and gave my rear a little shake, “I don't know about the telepy thing but my butt was always this cute.”

Happy stared at the two of us with confusion, “Are you telling me that you two can hear each other's thoughts?”

“Well...” I gave a wing shrug. “Sort of, I can hear some of her thoughts now. it's like we are linked somehow, like two ponies...”

“With one soul...” Silver finished with a smile.

I gave her a hug, just because I could. Happy seemed, well happy, no pun intended. Her eyes shone as she watched us. “So you two kids are an item now?”

I rubbed my chin with a hoof, “Well, there are a few cute fillies back in Radar. a colt like me should keep his options open.”

Silver swatted me with her wing, “You’re mine now, Orion. no fucker will take you from me again.”

I blinked, did she just...?, “Silver, since when do you swear?”

“I... I don't..., it just slipped out.”

“Thats what he said.” That earned me another smack from her wing.

“Two ponies, one soul...” Happy seemed to ponder something. “I think you two kids are linked at the soul, that would explain why you can hear each other's thoughts and why you picked up Orions potty mouth.”

“Potty mouth? I am insulted! I swear when it is appropriate.”

“You always swear.”

“And it's always appropriate.” I grinned, “Sorry but this is how I deal with the day. if I can't laugh then... I don't think I could keep myself together at all...”

Iron tilted his helmet as he stared at me, “Orion, you once said something like that before. what do you mean? your one of the most confident ponies I have ever met.”

“You want the truth?” I sighed, “I’m terrified. everything I see scares the fuck out of me. the monsters, the death, bones everywhere... where I grew up, you never saw anything so horrible, if I don't hide behind sarcasm and bad jokes then... then I don't think I could go on.”

Silver wrapped me in a hug, “Orion, I love you for being you. all I need is you to be you and I can go on with all that has happened to me in my messed up lifetime.”

I found myself hugging her back, crying like a little filly. It wasn't right that I had this stuff happening to me, I should be with my folks. I should be living a life of peace and having fun with my friends, not fighting for my life, not having to kill to stay alive. the mask had slipped, the facade I had hidden behind had fallen.

“I can't keep doing this. killing, being a freaking hero... I am no hero. I’m just a dumb kid. I know I'm in way over my head. When we get back to Radar, I’m going to ask Blackshot for a job. I want to have a life without constant death. I want to stay safe for once.”

I smiled at Silver as she blew a strand of her red streaked, black mane from her eyes. “And above all else, I want to be with you Silver. I want to be worthy of a girl like you.”

“Aww that's so sweet, kiss my hooves and we will call it even.”

Ironclad groaned loudly, “Just great, she picked up his fucking sarcasm as well... now there are two of them.”

“Now to ask the obvious question.” Happy pointed a hoof at me. “How, in the name of the Goddesses, are you now an alicorn? it should not be possible!”

“Well... I had help.”

“Help?” Happy gave me a look that plainly stated ‘cut the crap’. “What could have helped you become an alicorn? You're not going to claim one of the Goddesses did it?”

“Nope, it was a freaky spirit. I was watching you guys, I was dead. A weird spirit started talking to me and doing strange magic. When Silver was in trouble, I begged him to help me, he couldn't return me to life but with the wild magic around... he could change me into something else.”

“You're telling us a magic spirit did as you asked and made you into an alicorn?”

“Actually... I asked to be an earth pony or something. I just wanted to get back to Silver.”

“You were ready to give up your wings for me?” Silver gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Happy prodded me with her hoof. “Enough with the avoiding the question, Who helped you?”

“He said he was called Discord, some kind of spirit of Chaos.”

Why has everyone gone so quiet? Did I say something stupid again?

“Discord?” Ironclad seemed skeptical. “Describe him for me...”

“Um... that's kind of tough. he looked like somepony had threw leftover animal parts together. lion paw, griffon claw, bat wing . he had a long snakelike body and antlers. oh! and a single fang hanging out of his mouth.”

More silence. I so wish somepony would just explain what stupid thing I had done this time, rather than this silent treatment.

Iron looked at me, with almost painful slowness he asked a single question.

“You’re telling me, you; a clueless colt. Convinced one of the biggest threats in Equestrian history, to help you?”

Iron seemed confused as he began to rant. “ You...I... just what in the fuck is with you? how in the fuck do you do this shit? Sweet fucking Celestia! how can you have luck like this? You escaped an Alicorn who frankly scares the fuck out of me, then an Enclave base, Survived torture that would break most ponies, killed that over powered alicorn... now this? what in the fuck? how the fuck? just what in the name of Celestia are you kid!?”

Silver gave a really smartass grin, “Hes my little pony. what else do you need to know?”

I had to grin myself, “Iron, I don't know why this stuff happens to me. I really don't. All I know is that I am done. adventures, killing... my quest. I know what happened to my folks now, my Mom is at peace. I just want to grow old with the girl I love.”

“Aww. That is so sweet, hun.” Happy gave me a trollish smile. “I don't think you you like that though. Also, I’m a little old for you.”

Silver licked my ear, making my wings as hard as a rock once more. Wow, This Silver loves making me flustered... I could get used to this.

Ironclad glanced back at the armoured corpse, seeming to contemplate something. After a moment, the big Ranger looked back at me.

“What do you want to do about that Power Armour? If we leave it, somepony else will take it and there will be another Phoenix wannabe out there.”

“Hmm...” I rubbed my chin with a hoof, “Take it to your Elder, I don't like the idea of the Rangers having it, but I hate the thought of some Raider ending up with it more.”

Iron nodded and trotted away towards the doorway we had blown open. I guess he was going to use the mercs radio equipment to call for somepony to pick it up.

“Silver...” This thought had been bugging me. “When did you learn telekinesis?”

Silver seemed almost lost as she stared at me. “Orion, I... I don't know...” The silver coated filly stared at the roof before continuing. “When I was cut from Unity I got some of my moms memories. I know she was a unicorn, I know she was forced into unity while she was pregnant with me. She was a pretty good telekinetic, and she loved my dad. I don't know who he was but I can feel her love for him.”

“Your mom sounds cool.”

“She... I don't know if she even exists anymore. In Unity, every soul is connected and the Goddess can pull parts of them away and give them to others. I think my mom is just a few memories stuck to other souls now...”

Silver buried her face into my mane and sobbed quietly. “Orion. If the Goddess forces me back into Unity, She will do the same to me. I don't want to be nothing but a memory, I don't want to be just a part of another soul!”

“Don't worry Silver, the Goddess will never force you back into Unity. I won't let her.”

“Thank you... I don't know why, but I feel safe around you. your tiny, weak and scared. yet the thought of you makes me brave, being near you makes me happy.”

“As nice as this is, we should get a little sleep before heading back to Radar.” Happy gave us both a warm smile. “lets find somewhere to bed down for the night.”

I grinned widely as a weight settled on my head, my questing hoof found warm fur. Nighteyes gave a happy sounding bark.

“Heya little guy, miss me?”

Nighteyes happy bark made me grin so widely I thought it would remove the top of my head. Everypony was alive, everypony was safe. the world was a little better.

I saw a figure standing near the pool of my blood, Discord smiled.

“Thank you.”

“Orion.” Happy sounded confused, “Who are you talking to?”

“Just saying thanks to a friend.”

The smile of the crazy spirit seemed to hang in the air long after his body faded. So long Discord, I hope you find your way. I hope you find a place to be happy.

I followed my friend and my girl out into the office area. Everything had changed in that room, I was no longer a Pegasus. I had a pony who loved me and was now free. And a little bit of a troll. My friends were alive and well. My luck had finally come back to me.

*** ***

Silver was all smiles as she trotted along the dirt path. Orion trotted along next to her, grinning ear to ear, and throwing out jokes that had the Reavers escorting them back to Radar crying with laughter. The way the grey colt acted, the way he was full of life. It was infectious, Even the ghouls were joking and laughing. The good natured trolling between him and Happy was hysterical to listen to.

Silver smiled to herself, this is why she had fallen for the smartass colt. His confidence, the way he put everypony first. He couldn't see it himself, but he was a true hero. In Equestria nopony went out of their way to help others, there was the Stable Dweller and Security, but how many fillies get to say they have their own personal hero? how many girls have somepony who will take on a fucking army to save them?

The crazy colt was so gentle, so warm and kind. Silver had not seen anything like what he had done for her from the moment the Goddess forced her soul into this body. Selfishness, brutality, pointless cruelty. these are the things she had grown up experiencing. She had grown to accept that no matter how she tried to help others, they would hurt her for it.

Then her life had changed. in one moment, a single act of kindness had given her such hope. that scrawny grey colt, reaching out a hoof in friendship. Giving her a name, an identity other than a failed experiment. His refusal to leave her to save himself, standing up for her against terrible odds.

The Goddess had mocked her feelings, trying to tell Silver that she had no name. that all she was was merely a failure. The goddess had put her immature soul into the body of a newborn, allowed her to grow. A life of torment, trapped in that terrible place, before those horrible tanks...

The silver coated alicorn shivered, She could not begin to tell Orion about the horrors she had seen there. After ten years, the Goddess announced her a failed experiment. She was supposed to have gained new powers from growing up, Ones that did not exist in Unity. She had been given as a gift to Redeye, who gave her to one of his lieutenants as a toy.

For six years she had been beaten, six years of being raped. then a smart mouthed kid had shattered her despair and sorrow. She would never forget the sight of that small colt, standing protectively in front of her and calmly telling two armed Slaver’s that he will kill anypony who touches her.

He came back from death itself for her, how could she not love him after all he had done? How could any girl not fall for a pony so pure, so innocent. The world had changed him, he had killed but he never lost that spark, that drive to find the good in the darkness around him.

He had freed her from Unity, he had given up his own body to be there when she needed him.

He was a miracle...

Orion was a dream come true, a pony from a better time. a selfless colt, trying to leave the world better in any way he could.

Silver smiled, for all he was, he loved her.

A pony like him had fallen for her. For the first time in her life, she was loved. For the first time in her painful existence, somepony truly cared for her and her alone.

For the first time since she was born, Silver was happy.

*** ***

I trotted along, smiles all round. two days of travel had passed quickly, full of jokes and Happy trolling me for giggles. Iron had stayed at the compound to see the Aegis Armour sent to his Elder. Iron Will had come with us to finalise some new trade agreements, though for some reason he kept spouting rhyming phrases at Silver. something about showing you rock or wrathing at somepony.

Life was as it should be, relaxed and fun. I had my friends at my side, I had the girl who loved me. what more could a colt want?

Music!

I tapped at my Pipbuck, after a few moments Dj Pon3’s voice echoed from the speaker.

“Hello children! It's your old pal DJ Pon3 again with the news.

“Now children, remember Equestria’s youngest hero? Darkstar? The colt who freed Trottingham? well it seems that being a ray of hope in the darkness of the wastes was a bad thing. A mercenary force, led by the infamous Phoenix attacked the youngsters adopted home, murdered and raped three fillies and kidnapped his marefriend.

“These mercenaries then recorded the sounds of them raping the poor filly and broadcasted them back to our young hero. Darkstar was away from the town at the time of the attack, recovering here at Tenpony Tower from serious injuries. when he got home and found out... well Equestria, hold onto your hats because you will never believe this!

“According to my sources, the young colt raised an army and annihilated Phoenix and his company in one night. And to top it off, this army was the Reavers! yes children, the campfire storied you have all heard are true. Reavers do exist. but this is the strange thing, the bodies of the fallen were not consumed as the stories say, but buried. The Gunners cannery is being converted into a trade town by the ghoul army.

“One trade caravan stopped there and reports the ghouls to be very friendly and open to trade. Infact Boulder, the caravan leader, has claimed that he is making that a regular stop on his trade route. And now a message to all those ponies out there who might think that colt is an easy catch for a pile of caps, do you want to get on the bad side of that army?

“This is DJ Pon3, bringing you the truth. No matter how much it hurts. Now a little Velvet Remedy for all you lucky listeners.”

I grinned, no pony hurts my girl.

Two ponies, one soul.

*** ***

Three days had past, being the only pony Silver would be with had earned me the hatred and envy of every colt in town. Silver was pretty much scaring the hell out of the fillies who had their eyes on me, well lets just say she made it clear that I was hers, and hers alone.

I can't help but smile when I think of the moment we got back home. I led through the gate, the town coming to greet us. My new horn was hidden by my mane, so that could stay a secret. then the colts got a look at Silver, Sweet Celestia I have never seen so many open jaws in one place. More than a few colts were... displaying their attraction.

I had a group of fillies stop me. One girl, obviously the leader of the group gave me a calculating smile.

“You’re cute, I’ve decided that you are my type. I will let you be my coltfriend.”

Silver trotted up next to me and glared at the cream coated filly, as she flicked her curly yellow mane with contempt.

“Orion is mine, back off.”

“I don't recall allowing you to talk, a crybaby like you is not ready to have a coltfriend.”

“If somepony tries to block, show them that you rock...”

No idea what Silver meant with that line.

Silver’s horn glowed, I felt a tug on my leg and glanced down. My matt black 9mm pistol shifted from it's rig and floated up to eye level. I tried not to laugh at the look of horror on that self righteous fillies face as the slide slid back with a dull rasp.

“I said back off, Orion is mine. I won't ask again, now piss off before I blow your kneecaps off.”

Needless to say, they never stuck around after that.

Another fun advantage of returning, was Firefly was more than a little scared of me now. the sight of Iron Will, and the way I laughed and joked with the minotaur, well the idea I had such powerful friends scared the fuck out of the headstrong colt. In fact, he had barely said two words to me since I came back.

Blackshot had returned yesterday, I had taken the chance to ask him for a job and had gotten a great one!

With my ‘gift of the gab’ as he had called it, Or a smart mouth as Silver put it, I was a natural choice as a negotiator for trade with other towns. Heck, maybe my reputation as ‘Darkstar’ would help ponies trust my word.

I had got a longass lecture about responsibility before the big unicorn actually assigned me to a caravan. In short, be a smartass and he will kick my flank. To be fair, I understand. I am a smartass. Blackshot wants me to understand that I’m not just being myself here, I’m representing the town, anything I say reflects back on the Gunrunners

For the first time since I woke up, for the first time since I found my world and family was dead. I was truly happy. Now I could build a life, just as my Mom and Dad would have wanted for me.

For the first time since I woke up I could make a life for me and the pony I loved and not be afraid of what may happen.

*** ***

Silver trotted along happily, Orion had been assigned to a caravan heading to the Reavers new home. Blackshot wanted to see if Orions smart mouth could get a better trade deal on the stockpiles of weapons seized from the now dead mercenary force.

Orion had insisted that he wouldn't leave her behind, and so she had been given a job helping with the loading of the caravans wagons. Secretly, she was excited. It gave her a chance to develop her telekinesis and see the world without the Goddess tormenting her and stealing all of her happy memories.

Silver smiled at the grey colt as he flew backwards over the caravan, his front legs curled behind his head.

“Ah, the joy of flight. Don't you just love wings?”

In response, the unicorns and earth ponies with the caravan pelted the smartmouth colt with lumps of mud.

The road was still made up of soggy mud from the rainstorm a few days back. the soft ground made it hard going for the two earth ponies dragging the cart. The four wheeled waggon was piled with boxes of guns, a heavy sheet of cloth covered the cargo and protected it from the rain. The two ponies hauling it were brothers, both shared the same green coat and shaggy black mane. Both ponies were good natured and very muscular, probably built up from years of pulling the carts and waggons of the Gun Runners. Even their cutiemarks were identical, a waggon filled with red boxes. Silver couldn't tell the brothers apart so tried to avoid using their names. Lock and Key, or the brothers dim as Orion had dubbed them. Still, the name they tagged him with was twice as funny.

“Hey, Flappy.” Lock... or possibly Key mocked, “Why don't you get down here and try pulling the cart for a bit?”

“I don't think that that would be a good idea. If I get all sweaty before we get there, then what impression would that give? Lets face it, you need me to stay sexy.”

Silver giggled as the caravan erupted into laughter. the good natured joking between everypony was keeping spirits high. The two unicorns, a yellow coated mare with an orange mane named Spirit, and her husband Quartz, chuckled. The purple coated unicorn stallion was interesting to talk with, so many stories of his adventures as a scavenger before he met Spirit at a trade post.

A metallic click broke Silver from her fond memories. Orion was staring across the rock strewn scrubland. a second metallic sound echoed as his saddle chambered a round.

“Something is out there, My EFS is picking up something. theres at least five...”

The shot seemed to come from nowhere, a single bolt of purple energy streaking out and striking the grey colt in the chest. His mouth opened in a silent scream. A glow spread from his chest, slowly spreading out and filling his body with light. Parts of his wings began to flake away, the centre of the colts chest began to fold into itself, flakes of flesh floating away.

Silver watched in horror as Orion burned away before her eyes,the energy eating him from the inside out. there was a flash of light and he was gone. The world seemed to go silent as his saddlebags and battle saddle dropped to the dirt with a faint thump.

Gunfire came from the rocks as Raiders began to pour bullets and beams of energy at the caravan. Spirit tore the rainproof sheet from the wagon, her eyes filled with fury. Quartz levitated a single weapon from the packed wagon, barrels began to spin as his wife slammed a drum magazine to the side of the minigun. bullets washed across the Raiders, tearing the attackers apart on the storm of fire. Lock and Key pulled weapons from the cart and added their own firepower to the storm of lead.

Behind the waggon, unheard in the deafening gunfire, a silver filly cried. Clutching a battered battle saddle to her chest.

*** ***

One week later.

Happy stared at the Archon memorial. It broke her heart to be here, to be doing this but the funny kid who had saved her life deserved a proper send off.

Orion's death had been announced on the radio by DJ Pon3, along with the plans for a funeral. Amazingly, the stallion had asked for a minutes silence. Orion would have thrown fits of laughter about that.

A surprising amount of ponies had gathered to give the young pegasus the farewell he deserved. Iron Will had arrived with Lonestar, ponies from Trottingham had arrived in small groups, most of Radar had made the treck to the memorial. Ironclad stood off to one side, silent and unmoving. Blackshot and Dozer quietly thanked each pony for coming, even the scarred Myth had came. All alone, before Orion’s memorial, sat the silver alicorn filly. The poor girl had not even spoken a word for days.

Orion’s memorial had been set up just ahead of the Archon statue. A simple block of grey stone, a picture had been sealed behind a sheet of glass and set into the stone. Drawn by one filly from Radar, the trademark grin of the colt smirked at the world. A simple nameplate had been screwed beneath the portrait.

Orion

Hero to many, Friend to all.

Blackshot cleared his throat loudly, the ponies all became silent as the black unicorn began to speak.

“Orion was... well Orion was an idiot. Not the brightest spark there ever was, but he was the best kind of idiot. somepony who would never learn when to give up. a pony who never knew when something was impossible.”

The big stallion wiped a tear from his eyes before continuing. “The kid came to us as a scared and confused colt, a little shell shocked but I saw in him a drive to see the better in the world. Even after finding everything and everypony he had ever knew was hundreds of years gone, he still fought to make the world better. no matter what the world threw at him, Orion refused to be anything but himself. the kid was a shining light, a pony from a time where harmony was the norm. Just by being himself, that crazy colt brought so much joy into this bleak world. Today we lay his soul to rest, today we say goodbye to our friend.”

Happy slowly paced to the memorial. Her tear filled eyes stared out at the crowd of ponies. with her voice cracking from the emotions tearing her apart, she spoke out.

“Orion was my friend and a hero. he threw himself into things that would kill anypony just to help somepony he cared about. I remember in Manehattan, I lay bleeding and concussed. Orion had dove from the clouds to save my life, doing what he did best, the impossible. An alicorn nutcase had dropped me and Orion saved my life. A tiny colt dove from cloud level and caught me, that stupid colt broke his own body to help me. Orion... He was tortured, each limb broken one at a time, his eye cut from his skull, just so that nutcase could hear him beg...”

Happy stared out at the ponies who had come to see the young hero laid to rest.

“Orion refused to beg, he never gave up. Even with all his limbs broken, even with blood pouring from his wounds, he refused to give up. With every single limb broken, he drove his hoof blade into her skull to save me. even knowing the fall would kill him, he put his friends first. Orion cared more for others than anypony I have ever met. I think this wasteland is now lesser for his passing. If a kind pony like him must suffer and die then there is more wrong with this world than we ever knew.”

Happy stared out at the sad eyes of the ponies who had come to the funeral, her own eyes brimming with tears.

“Orion had no living family, his parents died hundreds of years ago but they made sure he would live past them. Orion was a freezer pony, stored in some way to see the future. He came from a time when hatred was just a distant thought, when peace and harmony was a daily thing. Each day here, I saw him try to bring back that better time in any way he could. I... he...”

Happy couldn't keep herself together anymore, her soft words broke into sobs as tears flowed down her face. Blackshot wrapped a leg around her neck and pulled her into a hug.

A small figure stepped from the crowd, her emerald green mane blowing in the wind. there was a sadness in her one red eye, the other covered with clean white bandages. The small green mare reached under her brown cloak and pulled out a small rack of pipes, slowly Zephyr lifted her instrument to her lips and began to play.

Happy sobbed as the haunting music began to play, it was the same song Zephyr had played on the barge to say farewell to her family. Orion would have appreciated the gesture. Ironclads still form seemed to shake, the big Ranger trying to hide his grief. Everypony seemed to be struggling to keep themselves together. The young colt had left such an impression on all he had met. His out of date morals had been such a different way of thinking that it had changed ponies views on the world.

Finally the song ended, Blackshot spoke once more.

“I know nopony wanted to be here for this but let us see Orion to rest in the same way he would have for any one of us. Let us see him to rest with the prayer he taught us.”

Everypony bowed their heads, Iron Will towering above everypony. Each pony pressed their front hooves together, or hands in Iron Will’s case. The gentle voices of the assembled crowd spoke out into the night.

“May Celestia guide you home.

May Luna guide you through the night

May you find rest at your journey's end.

Now your Harmony is passed,

May you sleep with the ones you lost.

Rest now, find peace.”

Silver had not moved or spoken at all during the funeral. In the silence following Orion’s prayer, the sound of the alicorn fillies tears dripping to the dried dirt was almost deafening. Her voice was barely a whisper as she pressed a hoof to Orions picture.

“Please... please come back to me Orion.”

*** ***

“Well children, Equestria’s youngest hero is now at rest. My heart goes out to his friends and especially to one young filly. This has been DJ Pon3 bringing you the truth, no matter how much it hurts. Now a little Sapphire Shores to remind us all, things can get better.”

Homage stepped back from the mic and sighed. She had liked the youngster, his optimism had reminded her so much of Pip and his quick mouth had reminded her of Blackjack. She was going to genuinely miss that colt.

Homage turned to the screens of the MASEBS, for the past week she had been trying to reconstruct a fragmented message that the towers had picked up. Only one word in ten could be understood so she had decided to draw the message from every source she could to put it back together. News was news after all. It was her duty to tell the whole truth and if somepony wanted to hide something so bad they fragmented a message, well she had to find out why.

Homage levitated a headset up to her ears and played the latest compiled message. There was still a lot of distortion but a male voice could be made out, seeming to be in a lot of pain.

Homage ran the message through a few filters, getting excited at how close she was. This time the voice came through clearly. Her eyes widened in shock, the headset clattering to the floor.

“Oh Celestia, please no...”

*** ***

Happy sat in her workshop.

Life without the constant insanity Orion had brought was dull. but she had tried to move on. The kid had been dead for weeks, Iron Will had returned to the reavers, Ironclad had gone back to Trottingham.

Before he left, The yellow eyed Ranger had gave her a radio frequency so they could stay in touch. Happy had gotten into the habit of calling Ironclad once a day, a source of comfort for them both.

“So anything new happening in Trottingham, Iron?”

The radio was in need of some work, Ironclads voice crackled from the speaker.

“Well my Elder has set up shop in the museum, with all the space in there it's being turned into a fully functional facility. They have even set up a lab to study that armour we took from Phoenix.”

“Sounds like you have a busy time ahead of you.”

“You have no idea... So no change with Silver?”

“No, she still spends all day at Orions memorial. She's even taken to sleeping in his room... I’m getting worried about her.”

“I don't think she can accept Orion is gone. Give her time and she'll move on. Well I have to get back to my duties, I’ll speak with you tomorrow.”

“Bye Ironclad.”

The radio crackled for a moment before going silent. Happy sighed and pushed herself to her hooves. A dust sheet caught her eye, as it had every day for weeks. Her horn glowed for a second and the sheet pulled free. An old clothes dummy stood on it's post, a battle saddle hung from it's flanks. Vengeance gleamed in the light, still clean and oiled. Happy was at a loss as to what should be done with the gun. The sheer stopping power would make it a great addition to the towns armoury, but it deemed disrespectful to just give it to somepony.

Happy stared at the gun, lost in her memories of all the times she had helped the youngster learn how to care for the weapon.

“Happy! you in there?”

Dozer poked his head in through the door and sighed.

“Happy, you are going to want to come out front. Theres a stallion from Tenpony Tower asking for you or Ironclad. says he has a message for you.”

“I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone right now Dozer. please tell him to go away.”

Dozer trotted in and pulled something from his back, there was a faint thump as Dozer dropped the long item to Happy’s workbench.

“He said to show you this.”

Happy sighed loudly and trotted to her table. Her eyes grew wide at the weapon of her bench. Painted black and studded with red gems, the rifle had a sculpted muzzle and twin sickle magazines. Dragon’s Roar lay on her bench, the rifle Orion’s father had left him.

Happy looked up to Dozer, “You better take me to him.”

Dozer led Happy out to the front hall of the Array, an earth pony stallion stood in the middle of the hall, looking nervous. His pale orange face stared out from under his brown leather stetson hat. A brown leather duster hung low on his flanks.

Happy stared at the stallion, her mind filled with thoughts as to where he acquired that gun. Why had he brought it here? What did he want?

“I’m Happy Trails, you wanted to see me?”

The stallions voice seemed strained as he spoke.

“Miss Trails, I’m a courier from Tenpony Tower. DJ Pon3’s assistant hired me to bring you a recording, Miss Homage was quite insistent I make the best possible time. She instructed me to give that gun over to yourself or the Steel Ranger Ironclad, To prove I was on the level if you will.”

“Whats on the recording?”

“I’m sorry miss, but I have no idea. Part of the code couriers live by is never open the package, as such I have not listened to it.”

The courier reached under his duster and pulled out a small digital recorder. Happy stared at the small device, quite rare to find a working one in the wastes. What was so important that this ‘Homage’ would send a courier over the wastes and even give up a rare device like this?

Happy lifted the recorder from the stallions mouth with her magic, still feeling more than a little confused. The courier tipped his hat with one hoof and turned to leave. Happy’s eyes never left the recorder. With a small shrug, Happy pressed play with her magic.

A mares voice began to play.

“Hello? Right you can't answer me. My name is Homage, I interviewed Orion back at Tenpony Towers. I’ll cut to the chase, a few weeks back my equipment picked up the fragments of a message. It is my job to find news for DJ Pon3 so I worked at restoring it. You need to hear this.”

A second voice began to play, so filled with pain and fear it pulled at Happy’s heart instantly.

“Please... It's Orion... The Rangers have me... Dragonsreach... They are torturing me... Please somepony... help me... Please...Anypony.”

The recorder fell to the floor with a clatter.

*** ***

“Your sure about this Happy? You are one hundred percent sure that was Orion?”

“Iron, it was him. Our little pony is alive.”

“And he sounded hurt?”

“Iron, he's being tortured! “

Silence came from the radio on Happy’s workbench, after a minute of silence the Rangers voice crackled from the speaker again.

“There is no way in Equestria my Elder didn't know about this. I will find a way to get the kid free.”

“Forget that! Lets get Iron Will and the Reavers and get him out of there!”

“Happy... I’ve been to Dragonsreach. Even with the Reavers all in Power Armour, we would all die before we got within a mile of that place. Turrets cover all directions, it was built to fend off armies four times the size of the Reavers.”

“So theres no hope?”

“I’ll speak to my Elder, they have to let him go... Don't tell Silver Orion is alive.”

“But why? His death destroyed her.”

“Because she will rush to him and die, Leave this to me Happy.”

“So there is nothing I can do to help?”

“Pray to the Godesses, we will need their support on this.”

*** ***

The metal hallways echoed with screams of pain and the heavy footfalls of the two armoured Rangers.

“The prototype is unsalvageable?”

“I'm afraid so sir. Frankly I'm shocked it worked even once.”

The first Steel Ranger stopped, the lights reflecting from his gold painted armour.

“It is a pity we never got the rest of the tech with the prisoner, How is the progress on the energy blade research?”

“Not all that well I’m afraid Star Paladin. We are able to replicate the base technology but there are things we cannot replicate. The prisoners Pipbuck is of an unknown design, I had our techs create a copy to experiment with but it appears the device is run by some kind of advanced artificial intelligence.”

“How advanced would you guess Major?”

“Well sir, it has hacked into our systems more than once and has been able to corrupt all probes into the Pipbucks memory. We were able to replicate the blade after some improvisation, there is an unknown system with a magic we cannot identify. We found that we could create the blade by infusing a gem with balefire and using it as a replacement but without that AI to monitor and regulate, the blade will not stay stable for more than a few seconds.”

The golden armoured ranger began to pace down the rusted metal hallway again, the screams got louder as he and his green armoured colleague approached a dirt smeared window.

“And has the prisoner gave us any information?”

“No sir, It's almost as if he does not know anything.”

“What methods have been used thus far?”

“Well sir, the prisoner was unconscious for days after the teleporter prototype was implemented and was a little hard to handle when he awakened. We intercepted and fragmented the transmission he sent from his Pipbuck. Verbal interrogation soon proved fruitless, I decided to move to physical interrogation after he called me a ‘Tin clad jackass’ and asked me if I was talking to him just to ask him on a date.”

“Understandable, Continue.”

“His pain tolerance is surprising, beatings didn't seem to phase him. He appears to have some kind of combat training, The blade caught us by surprise and injured one Ranger before we removed the Pipbuck. After a day I moved on to incisions, this got a much better response. Electrical interrogation did not get us much of a response, we assumed this is because of him being a pegasus. Small arms fire to the extremities worked well and breaking limbs got a much better reaction. We had assumed the horn was a mutation but it has proven to be quite sensitive when shattered. The removal of one eye, although extreme has reduced the prisoner to a sobbing wreck.”

“And he still has not told you how to bypass a genetic lock?”

“No Star Paladin, He still insists that he knows nothing about the technology.”

“Continue the interrogations until he talks.”

Both ponies stared throw the viewing window. A small grey pegasus lay strapped to a vertical table. One side of his face was a crimson mask, blood flowing freely from a hollow eye socket. Tears flowed from the one remaining eye. Blood trickled from the shattered remains of a horn, thin cuts criss crossed his entire body, still seeping blood. His face was blue and swollen, teeth missing from his mouth. Both wings hung limp and lifeless, clearly broken. All four legs had multiple gunshot holes.

The colts voice was almost a whisper through the pain.

“P-please... I d... don't know... anything.”

*** ***

Happy stared up at the dark clouds from her perch on the spire of the towns signature dish. Night had fallen and a light rain had begun to fall. Happy pressed her front hooves together and closed her eyes.

Luna, Celestia... I don't know if I really believe that you watch over us, but theres a pony who needs you to watch over him tonight. Orion is in trouble, he is hurting. He has done so much for others and never asked for anything in return. Please, I’m begging you... send help, send somepony to save him...”

*** ***

In the desert to the far north of Appaloosa, A star fell.

The clouds parted as the star fell to earth, Trailing silver flames. The tremors from the impact was felt as far Manehatten. The night sky was lit from the flash of light, flames littered the blackened crater. sand had turned to glass from the heat of the fallen stars impact.

From the crater, a figure rose to it's hooves. A coat as black as night seemed to drink the light from the flickering flames, huge wings spread. Muscles seemed to flow under the black coat, while a long white mane and tail blew in the wind.

The unknown pegasus raised it's head and opened his eyes, one eye marred by a long scar. Blood red irises stared into the night, seeming to glow. A deep voice came from his muzzle, barely heard over the roar of the fires and the howl of the wind.

“Hold on Orion, I’m coming.”

Legacy

Author's Notes:

Authors note: This chapter was so hard for me to write. I relate to the character of Orion a lot as IRL, my personality is quite similar. Still, it was a good learning experience for me in writing and once again, thanks to everyone who keeps supporting a newbie writer like me.

Silver Skies

Chapter 7: Legacy

The tavern was loud and filled with the stink of tobacco smoke.

Forest stared out from behind his bar at the sea of dirt smeared ponies. He had converted the old abandoned farmhouse into this bar when he was younger as a way to make some caps, and to have some semblance of a home for himself. It wasn't much, just plain wooden walls, a few tables and a bar made from a line of cider barrels with planks nailed across them. Behind the yellow coated stallion, bottles of various alcohols rested on their shelves, glinting in the shifting lights cast by the oil lamps hanging from the ceiling beams.

Forest brushed his grey mane from his eyes and sighed. Another argument had broken out about one of the card games that sprang up every night, with the clientele he got along this trade route it won't be long before someone draws a weapon or breaks something.

The batwing doors swung inwards. Unnoticed in the commotion, a huge black coated stallion ducked his head under the frame as he entered. Red eyes seemed to glow like fire as the stallion scanned the room. Forest noted the wings folded at his sides. It wasn't often he got a pegasus in here. With luck the Slavers in the room wouldn't get any ideas.

The floorboards groaned as the heavy tread of the black pegasus took him towards the bar and Forest. There was something almost purposeful about the measured steps, each hoof fall raising small clouds of dust from the dirt smeared floorboards. The big pegasus stood before the bar, his red eyes staring at Forest from under that long silver mane.

“I need some information.” The big ponies voice seemed strained, almost angry.

“What kind of information?” Forest had to deal with murderers and Slavers on a daily basis but something about the massive pegasus unnerved him. Maybe it was that voice, deep and somehow had a feel of great age.

“I’m looking for Steel Rangers. The took something they really shouldn't have. I’m going to give them a chance to return it.”

“Speaking of chances, what is the chance of you walking out of here without a slave collar?”

Two unicorns trotted to the big pegasus wearing sadistic smiles. The first was sky blue with a red mane, styled into spikes. The second wore leather barding over his white coat, his purple mane was tied back with a leather cord. Large calibre revolvers floated at head height next to each unicorn. Forest sighed, with Slavers around, repeat business was becoming scarce.

The black pegasus turned to the advancing ponies, Forest could not help but notice the thick muscles ripple under the ponies dark coat. There was a quiet sound, an almost silent ‘snick’, Forest starred with his jaw hanging open. The revolvers fell into two halves, the metal cut as if by some kind of amazingly sharp blade.

“Better than your chances of leaving this room alive if you try that again.” The room seemed to chill from the words of the big pegasus.

As one, the unicorn Slavers horns began to glow. A sawed off shotgun and a pump action shotgun began to levitate from holsters on their flanks. The pegasus moved, Forest almost missed it. Both wings spread out and swung forward. There was a loud crack as the muscular wings connected with the Slaver ponies heads and drove them together hard. The guns dropped to the floor with a clatter.

Forest stared out across his tavern, it was very rare for it to be this silent. Ponies stared at the big pegasus with looks of shock, even fear on a few faces. Both Slavers lay unconscious on the floorboards. Just who in Equestria was this pony?

Forest cleared his throat, “I don't know about any Steel Rangers, but I do know about some of those Enclave folks.”

Those crimson eyes stared into Forests soul.

“Tell me where.”

*** ***

Bloodscar smirked at the colt strapped to the vertical table. This chance for payback was a gift from Celestia herself. Ever since that mutant fucker Ironclad had tried to transfer him to the hoof, the Elder had secretly had him sent to this facility. Bloodscar still had a limp from the beating that little colt had given him but now that same pegasus runt was strapped to a table.

And Bloodscar had orders to extract any information by any means necessary.

The sadistic Steel Ranger smiled as he surveyed the selection of blades and guns on the table next to the imprisoned colt.

“To think, the Elder thought that using some teleportation prototype Twilight Sparkle designed would give us the information we need. and give me a chance to get some payback on the feathered little fucker who ruined my career.”

“P-pro... type?”

“Oh yes, That stuck up prude thought she could make anypony teleport. As you found out, it's not a painless transfer. Breaking a pony down to their base cells and transporting those to a receiver before reassembling them? I bet it hurt a lot.”

“W-why?”

The Steel Ranger stared at the youngster with surprise. “Why waste the only working prototype teleporter we ever discovered to snatch a useless little fuck like you? Well, as you will never leave this base... I suppose I can tell you.” The red stallion smiled, “We found something. Our scouts discovered something your father helped lock away. It requires the blood of an Archon to unlock the final seal, you’re close enough. Your pathetic daddy didn't have the balls to destroy it, And now it's power will be ours. With that monster under our control, Equestria will soon be ours to govern. We have watched you for a while, We saw that army of freaks you tamed. We know everything about you, We know how to break you.”

Bloodscar smiled as a dark green earth pony wheeled a trolley into the chamber.

“And now for our party favours. Pain has not made you talkative so I think we will try something a little different. Here we have a selection of highly addictive narcotics. After we get you hooked, you will give us whatever we want for another hit. My idea.”

“No! P-please not d-drugs!”

“Oh yes, drugs” Bloodscar lifted an inhaler from the trolley and pressed it over the colts muzzle. The smirk on his face widened as he pressed the button and forced the small pegasus to inhale the drugs.

The small colt struggled against the mask over his face. His one remaining eye wide with panic. Slowly his eye unfocused and his panic and pain strained face softened.

“Well, I think I will leave you enjoy this first hit. See you in ten minutes.”

Bloodscar laughed to himself as he left the room, leaving the tortured colt to his drug induced trance.

*** ***

Elder Creamed Corn looked up from his writing with a sigh.

The elderly unicorn looked to the oak door of his office, still secretly pleased the former owner of this museum had such rich tastes. Bookshelves lined each wall, each holding leather bound tomes and exquisitely carved wooden ornaments. The huge oak desk had survived the two hundred years well, it's many layers of varnish preserving the dark wood. Thick red carpeting filled the office and was miraculously untouched.

Paladin Ironclad had arrived at the Elder's door a week ago demanding to see him. The green unicorn had sent him away, stating he will speak with the mutant Ranger at a later time. Every day since then, Ironclad had arrived at the office at least once a day. Always the same demand, to speak with the Elder. It had gotten to the point that Creamed Corn had posted a guard at his door to turn him away.

Raised voices came through the wooden door.

“Its been a week! I am tired of this horseshit, let me in to see him now!”

“As I have told you, the Elder is not taking appointments today. Come back tomorrow.”

“Look, as a fellow Ranger I will give you a fair warning. Step away from that door now, Or I will put you through it.”

“Paladin or no, You will do nothing of the sort. I am a chosen elite, hoof picked by the Elder himself. You are just a grunt with ties to some tribals. You don't have any chance of beating me, so go away before you get hurt.”

The door exploded as a figure crashed through, the Power Armoured form of the guard bounced across the floor before crashing into the desk. Ironclad stepped through the shattered remains of the door, yellow eyes blazing with anger.

“Fucking moron, He thought standing by a door makes him superior to a soldier who has fought and killed Hellhounds?”

Creamed Corn gave another sigh and brushed a stray lock of his grey mane from his eyes.

“Very well, Paladin Ironclad. What is so important you must harass me, destroy my door and beat the hay out of my guard?”

Ironclad paced to the heavy desk and glared at the elderly unicorn. “You know what this is about. Orion. Let the colt go, now.”

“Oh yes, the tribal. He is helping us understand genetic locks. Voluntary of course.”

“Horseshit! You took him by force somehow, you’re torturing a fucking child for something he doesn't know anything about!”

The elderly unicorn let out a long sigh. “And what of it? If we kill the colt then it is no great loss. We gained some interesting technology from him and his blood will let us into the Archon stockpiles. All in all, There are no downsides to his interrogation. I see no reason why it should stop.”

“No downside? He is a clueless fucking child! You expect me to accept that torturing a clueless colt is a good thing? He doesn't know anything! He was in stasis when the tech you want was being researched!”

“Your point is what? He does not know anything? I dont care! If nothing else, he will serve as an example to to those who dare challenge our mission!”

“Mission?” The blue stallion with the weird eyes took a deep breath to compose himself. “The mission of the Steel Rangers is to take what we want and torture children? Then he was right, we are nothing but a bunch of high tech Raiders.”

“You dare speak to me like this because of a mere tribal?”

The yellow eyed stallion stared hard into the elderly unicorns own eyes.

“He is a living relic from the same time we are sworn to guard all artifacts from, by the oath we all give, he should be protected as such.”

“I have had enough of your insubordination. You refused to confiscate both an advanced Pipbuck and a selection of prototype weaponry. Don't look so surprised, I had your armour fitted with a camera and microphone from the day I gave you the mission to observe that colt. With your conduct and ignoring orders, you’re lucky I don't have you executed! But the information we gleaned from your talks with the colt, I am feeling generous.”

The old unicorn smiled at the yellow eyed stallion. “Ironclad, you are hereby stripped of your rank of Paladin. You are being reassigned to technician, you will never again wear Power Armour. Now get out of my sight, You’re expected in the maintenance wing in five minutes.”

*** ***

Light glinted on gold painted metal. Contact bleeps and mechanical sounds drowned out the faint whines of the moving servos in the Steel Rangers armour.

“And what is your progress?”

Technician White Noise sighed.

She had been working on that Pipbuck and trying to replicate it for forty six hours straight. Her yellow coat was smeared with oil, her frazzled red mane pulled back into a ponytail. White Noise rubbed at her bloodshot eyes, obviously exhausted.

“Star Paladin Gilded Blade. As I informed the last three ponies who came here to harass me, I can't do this!”

“Calm down. Just explain calmly to me why. I will deal with the Elder and his chosen.”

Noise yawned loudly. “Sir, I can copy the technology pretty closely. But the design is so far out of my experience it's funny. The weapon is unlike anything I have ever seen, it seems to be based along the same lines of the classical magical energy weapons but with some huge differences. the beam is generated from the Pipbucks internal battery, which in turn is charged via the wearer's heartbeat. It is then channeled into an unbelievable precisely cut diamond, The facets split the beam into seven smaller beams, each is directed into a different gemstone.”

The yellow mare lifted a notebook in her hoof. “Let me see... there are seven gemstones used for the blade, but oddly, only six are used to create the blade. I'm not even sure what that seventh gem is. All I know is it hurts to even touch it. Now as for the energy blade itself, the gemstones set into the ring are constantly shifted and realigned second by millisecond, That is why over half of the memory in that thing is filled by the AI programming.”

“Wait, did you say over half?” The golden Ranger’s helmet tilted, his voice sounding confused. “Three Rangers bore the Pipbuck I wear before me. There isn't even a third of the memory filled. So you think the program in that colts Pipbuck controls everything on such a fine level?”

“Precisely sir. I have tried to download the program to a terminal, I thought if I could examine the core program I could try to copy it...”

“And?”

“It hacked the terminal and created a virus. Every terminal in here played ‘I know a pony who will get on your nerves’ for seven hours before I could isolate it.”

“How are the prototypes?”

“Well...” White Noise rubbed at her eyes with her hooves. “That teleport beam is scrap. Everything is burnt out, I wish the Elder had let me open it up and examine it before it was used.”

“And the blade?”

“Well sir, I have been able to make a rudimentary blade from the design. I don't understand a lot of the tech used but I've been able to infuse the prototype blade with Balefire. Without the AI, the weapon is stable for a few seconds at most so is unsuited to mass deployment.”

“So you believe without that AI program, the Energy Blade technology is useless?”

“Sir. Without that program, I cannot guarantee it won't explode and take some ponies leg off.”

“You said you infused the device with balefire. What did you mean?”

White Noise reached over to a matt black Pipbuck. With a few twirls of a screwdriver, the tired mare opened the inner workings. Sickly green light shone from a large crystal, Inside the gem, the flickering green flames seeming to scratch at their prison.

“I'm sure you have seen a balefire stone before sir, but I will explain in detail. After the megaspell’s fell. In high radiation or taint areas, sometimes a magical gemstone will be found. It is still unknown how or why it happens but they absorb Balefire. By focussing a stream of energy through it, I managed to create a blade that burns with Balefire itself.”

The yellow mare looked proud, before her face fell.

“But without something to guide the second by second adjustments, it is far too unstable to be used in the field. There is no way that I can guarantee it won't explode and kill the user.”

Gilded Blade gave a loud sigh. “Alright, get some sleep. You look exhausted. I will tell the Elder about the issues and make him understand. It still seems the colt is still the key to all this. We break him, then he makes that AI help us.”

*** ***

Ironclad slowly left the office, his head spinning from what had just happened.

He had tried to stop a child from being tortured and had lost all he had worked for, all of his life. All that he had fought and sacrificed to achieve. Slowly, his tread led him downstairs, each heavy hoof fall seeming to take an eternity. The faint whine and whirring sounds of his armour seeming almost deafening to him. The faint noises had been with him for so long now, that they were a part of him.

His slow tread led him to a small display hall at the rear of the museum. The tile floor was now cracked from the constant dread of Power armoured hooves. The floorspace had been cleared by pushing the broken displays against the northern wall. Ironclads eyes picked out a small hole through the same wall, next to a large display case. Some kind of heavy weapon had shredded the display cases reinforced glass and left bullet holes in the wall behind.

It seemed like a dream as unicorn techs removed his armour. Ironclad could only stare as his armour, battered from years of fighting, was stripped down and dismantled. In a daze, he followed an excitable unicorn to a sheet covered bulk in one corner of the bustling hall.

“it's such an honour to have you here with us sir! You scored some of the highest grades in over a century, it's so amazing to have you here! I thought you would be at the stable, what with all the commotion and the thing with Steelhooves!”

The mention of his mentor broke Ironclad from his stunned stupor.

“What thing with Steelhooves? what's this about a stable?”

“You haven't heard? Two divisions of Rangers were assembled from several Chapters of our order to take a fully functional stable!”

“They found a functioning stable? Who inhabits it? Raiders?”

“Oh a few tribals, Stable two was all but taken before Steelhooves attacked the Rangers with the Stable Dweller.”

“Steelhooves attacked fellow Rangers? I don't believe that for a moment!”

“Hang on a moment.” The tech fumbled with his Pipbuck for a few seconds. “Aha! I knew I had his speech down on here. A Ranger forwarded it to each of our orders Chapters so we know how Steelhooves betrayed us.”

The speaker on the Pipbuck began to crackle before a familiar voice began to play.

“I am Star Paladin SteelHooves. I am declaring an end to this travesty of an operation. We do not assault the Stable of the Mare of our own Ministry. And we do not slaughter innocents when she was dedicated to protecting ponies.” That deep voice rumbled with command. “You have two options. Side with me and stand by your Oath to the principles of our Ministry’s Mare, or side with Elder Blueberry Sabre and Star Paladin Nova Rage and be gunned down.”

Ironclad slowly closed his eyes, His mentor had actually chosen to protect innocent lives over the ideals of the Steel Rangers. He had killed his comrades to protect the ideals of the mare who had created the order. The technicians prodding hoof brought him back to reality.

“Alright! The Elder has told us you are to work on his new armour. You have the most experience with how it functions and the chosen weaponry.”

Iron stared as the sheet was pulled from across the huge bulk hidden beneath. The Agis Armour hung from chains, suspended from a low frame of welded steel. The triple barreled rifle that had killed Orion before his transformation still stood proud on the left flank, the ball shaped mount giving it extra clearance from the body of the armour. From the right flank...

On the right flank hung a large rifle, one immediately familiar. Severance hung from the Elders armour, The heavy gauss cannon given to Ironclad by Orion. Ironclad felt anger rise, his body shaking with raw rage at the way the Elder rubbed his face into the thought of never being a Ranger again, and the suffering he was happy to inflict on a colt.

“You’re so lucky to work on the Elders personal armour! He wants a full systems overhaul and a respray on the colours. The flames on black are too garish.”

Iron stared at the suit of Power Armour, his mind filled with thoughts of apologizing to the Elder, begging to be reinstated. Irons eyes drifted back to Severance, Fitting it to a mount it was not designed for would take some work. This had been planned from before he was sent after Orion. They wanted him to be nothing. As a paladin, he had influence, but as a tech he was just a name.

Iron turned to the excitable technician. “I’ll need an area shielded from the rest of the hall, there are very sensitive systems and talismans in that armour. I need it as dust free as possible.”

“Of course sir!”

*** ***

Silver stared at the slightly faded picture of her lost love.

The memorial for Orion had become her second home, she spent her days alone before the stone, before returning to Orions room to feed Nighteyes.

The winged wolf had refused to leave Orions bed, it was like he was waiting for Orion to come back home. But Orion was dead...

“No, he's out there... I know he is out there, I can feel it.”

“Hey Silver! Why so down?”

That voice...

Silver turned, her heart leaping in her chest. “Orion? I knew you were alive! I knew you were...”

The dark figure of a blue alicorn mare stared down at her. A smile spread across her muzzle as Silvers heart broke again. Tears began to roll down the silver fillies face once more.

“NOT ONE OF OUR BETTER IMPRESSIONS, WE WILL ADMIT.”

“Leave me alone... Isn't my suffering enough without a bitch like you sending one of your meat puppets here to torment me?”

The alicorn stared down at Silver, Still wearing that smirk. Behind those blue eyes, the Goddess watched the grieving alicorn filly.

“THAT IS NOT THE FORM WE GIFTED YOU WITH, HOW DID YOU ATTAIN IT?”

Silver stared into the eyes of the monster who had stolen her life, Who had made her entire existence a living nightmare.

“Fuck you, that's how.”

“OUR LITTLE FAILURE HAS GAINED SOME SPARK OF DEFIANCE SINCE LEAVING UNITY. WE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU DID TO LEAVE US. YOU WILL REJOIN UNITY AND WE WILL DISCOVER ALL OF YOUR SECRETS.”

“No, I’m not your puppet anymore! You don't get to tell me what I will do! Orion gave up his life, his very body and soul to free me...” Silver took a deep breath. “You can go fuck yourself if you think I will give that up for you! It is my life now! It is my choice!”

The blue alicorn smirked, “YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE A CHOICE?”

Magic lashed out, The blue alicorns horn glowing with azure light. Silver felt something slam into her. The young alicorn bounced across the rock strewn dirt. Silver rolled to her hooves and sent a rock spinning towards her attacker with her own magic. The blue alicorn slapped the rock from the air with a swipe of her wing. Silver seized all the surrounding stones she could with her magic and sent them flying at the smirking blue figure. Magic crackled as the hail of stones bounced from the Unity alicorns shield.

“DO YOU SEE NOW? YOU WILL REJOIN UNITY. YOU HAVE NO CHOICE. WE DECIDE YOUR FATE FAILURE.”

Silver heard a voice from the past. Orions words rang out. “Now you get to live, first you’re coming home to Radar, then you get to be whoever and whatever you want to be.”

Silver closed her eyes. Orion had given up so much for her and yet the Goddess wanted to take it away. Anger burned in her chest, her heart beating like a hammer. Deep within her soul, something stirred.

Silvers tears filled eyes opened, her whole body was trembling. She felt her mane move, yet there was no wind. Dust around her hooves began to swirl, The dark shape of the blue alicorn watched with that same smirk as Silver struggled with herself. Something within her forced itself forward, her body felt as if it was a bonfire. Her voice had an odd dual tone as the alicorn filly stood her ground.

“Failure? That is not for you to judge anymore. I’m not yours, I’m his. He named me, He freed me. He made me who I am, I am not your failure anymore...”

Silver gripped all the pain and sorrow from all those years of misery and torment. Her voice shook as she screamed her defiance at the monster who had made her suffer.

“My name is Silver Skies!”

Deep in her soul, something broke.

In that moment, Silver felt something she had never experienced before.

Power.

Fire erupted from around her hooves, silver and hungry. The same silver flames consumed her mane and tail. The magical flames seemed to wait, as if awaiting for her command to move. The muzzle of the blue alicorn dropped open.

“WHAT IS THIS? WE NEVER GIFTED YOU WITH THIS MAGIC. WHEN YOU ARE RETURNED TO UNITY, WE WILL STUDY THIS WITH GREAT INTEREST.”

Magic lashed out as the Goddess attacked once more, The flames around the filly alicorns hooves flared, streaking up and blocking the telekinetic attack. Flames began to spiral around Silvers horn, streaming together as if alive. With a roar, the growing fireball streaked forward, smashing into the Unity alicorns shield. The shocked alicorn puppet was forced back a step. Silver attacked again and again, balls of shimmering silver fire streaking out like rain. The Goddess blocked each strike, the magic shield shimmering just before each strike hit.

That will not work, you must overpower her defence with a single attack. Gather your flames and hit her from all sides at once.

Silvers mind reeled. Not only did she suddenly possess this magic, but now a voice in her head was giving her pointers.

Silver threw fireball after fireball, The odd power that had risen from within her splashing across the blue alicorns shield like water. Sweat ran down her face as exhaustion began to creep into her limbs. The strain of using the unfamiliar magic was sapping her strength all too quickly.

“THIS MAGIC IS UNKNOWN TO US, IT WILL SERVE UNITY WELL. WE WILL DISCOVER HOW IT MAY BE USED, WE WILL SEE IT USED TO FURTHER THE CAUSE OF UNITY. WE WILL SEE IT USED TO MORE EFFECT THAN YOU CAN ACHIEVE. YOU ARE LIKE A KITTEN SCRATCHING AT A MANTICORE!”

She is right little pony. As you are now, You cannot win this fight. Treat the flames like a limb, don't just throw it like water. Let it know what it needs to do and what shape you wish. Focus and let your imagination shape your magic.

Silver focused, searching her memories for some idea, some clue of how the strange magic could help her win and stay free. Fractured images, memories of things not her own, shards of memories from her time in Unity streamed through her minds eye. Celestia raising the sun, flights of birds. So random and disjointed, it was becoming tough for her to keep enough focus to keep up the barrage of fireballs. An image of a school of fish flashed through her mind. Slowly Silver smiled.

The balls of shimmering silver fire became smaller and faster, striking the blue alicorns shield with an almost constant glaring flashes of light. The Unity alicorn screamed as the strobing flashes almost blinded her. Suddenly Silvers attacks stopped. The goddess stared out through her puppets eyes at the silently smiling filly.

“SO YOU HAVE GIVEN UP? YOU NEVER HAD ANY HOPE OF...”

The words slowly trailed away as the sight unfolded before her. The blue alicorn glanced left and right with growing panic. A glow above her made the Unity alicorn glance up above her. Balls of silver flame hung in the air all around her, seeming to await a signal to attack. There had to be dozens and hovering above them all, above her head, floated a gigantic sphere of flickering silver fire.

“Hey now... It wasn’t me in control! Can't we talk about this?”

Silver stared into the eyes of the blue alicorn, seeing both fear and contempt reflected back at her. Given a moment's hesitation, She would try to drag Silver back to Unity.

Now little pony, call out your defiance. Take the pain, the sorrow, the fears inflicted upon you. Make it your strength. Name your magic and let it become a part of you. Scream it at the world!

One word came from the fillies lips, her magic flaring to life.

“Starfall!”

The balls of flames moved as one, slamming into the blue alicorns shield from all directions. The shield seemed to flicker for a moment before the stream of fireballs overwhelmed it and began striking the blue alicorns body. There was a scream of pure agony as the fires ate into Silvers attacker. The huge sphere of fire dropped with a roar, cutting off the wailing screams of pain. Silver flames moved, twisting into a swirling pillar of flames. With a final flash of light, the flames flared out. The blackened form of the blue alicorn stood silently for a moment, before slowly collapsing. Wings breaking into chunks of charcoal, limbs burnt through.

Silver panted hard, sweat still streaming down her body. She felt dizzy and drained. Her legs gave out and she collapsed in exhaustion. A single thought went through her mind before unconsciousness took her in it's embrace.

“Orion, What am I now?”

*** ***

The bustle of the museum was almost deafening. The heavy tread of Power Armoured hooves, the constant whine of servos and gears. Voices called out orders, echoed in conversation or raised in argument. In the great display gallery, now converted into a maintenance bay, the sounds of machinery and magically powered tools drowned out all but the loudest of calls. In one corner, a tent made from white sheets had been set up. Inside, the faint sounds of metal on metal echoed.

Ironclad had been toiling away under the cover of the tent for most of the day, making every system operational and repainting the Agis Armour as instructed. The Elder had sent a Ranger to harass the blue stallion every hour that passed to report his progress.

The heavy tread of Power Armour came from the hallway, slowly the noises of the busy technicians began to stop. The exchanges between Ironclad and the Elders chosen had become a source of great entertainment. Two Rangers stalked into the room, almost strutting with self assured smugness. A smile twisted the lips of the red stallion as he and his yellow coated partner paced towards the sheeted workstation. Both ponies sported matching short cut manes, dyed white to mark them as one of the Elders chosen elite.

“Ironclad!” The red stallion smirked as he called out. “Time is up! If that armour is not fully operational and battle ready, then you get to spend a week in solitary confinement!”

Silence came from behind the sheets, The red coated Rangers eye gave a twitch.

“Answer me freak! Is it ready? Ignore me again and I’ll see to it you spend a month in a cell!”

Still more silence came from the sheeted workstation. With a snarl, the two Rangers tore the sheets aside. Tools lay strewn across the floor, paint and bushes were piled to one side. The Agis armour stood alone in the centre or the mess, matt black and edged with gold. The weapons hung loose, unpowered. The helmet hung low, giving the armour a look as if in mourning.

Ironclad was nowhere to be found.

“What the fuck? How did he escape? All the exits are guarded, So where did that coward run to?”

There was a faint hum. Slowly, the head of the black armour raised. The weapons on the flanks swung up, Severance humming with energy and the three barreled Anti-machine rifle making a loud clack as it chambered a round. Sensors on the faceplate lit up, glowing like crimson eyes.

“Run?” The deep voice of Ironclad echoed from the armours speakers. “Why would I run?”

Both Rangers began to back away slowly, The yellow coated stallion glaring at Ironclad.

“You will remove that armour now! Second technician Ironclad, you are charged with disobeying orders, dereliction of duty and treason. Submit to judgement and things will go easier on you.”

“Dereliction? Disobeying orders?” The black painted helmet tilted to one side, Ironclads voice filled with confusion. “Was I not ordered to get the armour operational and repainted? As you can see, I have done that. As for treason...”

Severance fired with a hollow thump, The blue blur slamming into the ground under the red coated Ranger. The concussive blast lifted the stallion into the air and sent him bouncing across the room in a shower of shattered tiles. The rifle fired a second later, the heavy round severing the leg of the second chosen and leaving a small crater in the concrete and tile floor.

“I cannot be loyal to an Order that believes torturing a child is a good thing.”

Screams rang out as Ironclad paced away from the whimpering guards. Small arms fire began to patter against his stolen armour. With measured strides, the armoured stallion trotted through the halls, ignoring the shots hitting his armour. Rangers backed away from his relentless stride. The speakers of the museum rang out with Ironclads voice.

“This is former Paladin Ironclad. You all know me, You all know I have never told a single lie to anypony under my command. I dedicated my life to the Steel Rangers, I fought for our Order, I bled for our ideals and my oath. Now, I am ashamed to be a part of this Chapter. I am ashamed of what we have become. Applejack wanted us to be Equestria’s champions, the backbone of our military might. Now what are we?”

Ironclads sigh could be clearly heard. The gunfire had stopped as everypony listened to the gruff Rangers words. “As an annoying colt put it, we are just a bunch of high tech Raiders. We take what we want, we murder innocents to take a fucking spark battery! Now I find we are supposed to sit back and smile, while we torture a child to death? I cannot be a part of this. I ask each and every pony here to decide for themselves, Is this what you wish to be? A Raider?”

“Lies!” Elder Creamed Cheese trotted into the hall, his own Pipbuck broadcasting his words through the museum. “We do nothing of the sort! You are simply a traitor who cannot stand losing his position!”

Ironclad turned slowly to the elderly unicorn. “Before you call me a liar, you should have made sure I never pulled an Orion. I recorded you on my Pipbuck.”

The Elders face fell as the slightly distorted voice of Ironclad began to play.

“Horseshit! You took him by force somehow, you’re torturing a fucking child for something he doesn't know anything about!”

The condescending tone of the Elder spoke out, clear as a bell.

“And what of it? If we kill the colt then it is no great loss. We gained some interesting technology from him and his blood will let us into the Archon stockpiles. All in all, There are no downsides to his interrogation. I see no reason why it should stop.”

The dark armoured Ranger scanned the faces of the ponies he had served with all his life. His deep voice seemed sad.

“I won't kill anypony here, but please don't try to stop me leaving. You know what it took to put down the last pony to wear this armour.”

Ironclad turned and began his relentless pace once more. Before he left the museum, The gruff Ranger asked a final question.

“Is this what you want as your legacy?”

*** ***

Captain Thunder Chaser sighed happily.

Beneath the hooves of the orange pegasus stallion, mud squished loudly. The Captain shifted his weight from one hoof to the next, feeling the cool mud squelch and move. Up in the clouds, there was nothing that felt like this. Clouds felt soft and springy, like walking across a pillow. But mud, mud was soft yet firm. It sucked at your hooves and yet supported your weight. Thunder Chaser loved mud.

The Captain glanced up to his Raptor, silhouetted by the setting sun. The Dragonslayer class warship hung low over the ruins. the cloudbanks on it's sides deep grey and starkly contrasting with the matt black of the ships metal hull. The long body of the ship curved towards it's prow, gun ports and antenna bristling it's hull. On the stern, a bank of four gigantic props turned slowly. The Genus Cirrus was a sight to behold.

As a ‘Black Ops’ ship, the Raptor was unlisted. It didn't exist, only the Enclaves Operatives even knew the ship and it's crew existed. It was Operative Fallen Snow who had ordered the ship to station here. They were hidden in the ruins of some nameless town, almost a hundred miles from the Steel Ranger base Dragonsreach. Thunder Chaser had orders to observe and capture anypony escaping the base. Some colt the Operative wanted was imprisoned there and Fallen Snow believed he would escape or that somepony would rescue him.

Secretly the Captain believed the colt was already dead. As for rescue? there was no hope of that. Anti Aircraft turrets covered the base from anything bigger than a Bloatsprite, Energy and Ballistic turrets covered every inch of the base with overlapping fields of fire. It would take a Mega Spell to breach those defences.

“Sir, It is time to make your report.”

Thunder Chaser sighed and looked to the Power armoured pegasi around him. The five ponies looked like monstrous insects. Black metal plates covered their limbs, Helmets with bulbous eyes hid their faces. Wings remained free but serrated plates covered their tails. Curved blades tipped each Power Armoured tail, almost like a scorpion. energy weapons hung from their flanks.

These five were combat veterans and his personal bodyguards. These elite fighters had killed everything from bloatsprites to dragons in their time of service.

There was a bright flash from the side of the Raptor, A loud boom echoed across the silent wastelands. Thunder Chaser peered at his ship, the glare of the setting sun making it hard to see. A streak of silver shot from the explosion, it seemed to circle in the air before flying at the armoured bodyguards with frightening speed. The streak of light slammed into the mud with an echoing boom, Silver flames spiraled for a moment before winking out. In the centre of a steaming crater stood a huge black pegasus. Red eyes, glowing like the fires of Tartarus itself, stared out from under a long white mane.

The pegasus’s voice spoke out, deep and unnerving.

“Those ponies in the ship said one of you were in charge. I'm here to ask your commander two questions.”

The weapons on the Power Armoured flanks hummed, The Novasurge rifles charging. The five spread out, each keeping their weapons trained as they encircled the strange ebony pegasus.

Thunder Chaser smiled. This interloper was either captured, or dead. The Enclave captain did not care which.

“So...” Thunder Chaser tried not to laugh. “You attacked an Enclave Raptor to ask me two questions? Did you think for a moment that my guards would not kill you? Did you not realise how outgunned you are? You don't even have a gun for ponies sake! Alright I’m curious, What are your questions?”

Those blood red eyes seemed to glow. “Where is Orion?”

The grin on Thunder Chaser’s face fell. His bodyguards flipped the safeties on their weapons. This pony had information on the main target?

“Guards! Capture him!”

The dark pegasus smiled.

An earth shattering boom echoed. Flames lit the fading sky. The great ship shuddered as flames gutted it from within. Fire exploded from the front windows, the flash of light almost blinding. Thunder Chaser covered his eyes with a hoof, shielding them from the glaring flash of light. There was sounds, noises that for all the world, sounded like a blade cutting the air, and and the sound of cracking ice. The Captain uncovered his eyes. His ship fell slowly, burning from within. The sky was lit with the flames billowing from every window and hatch. Black smoke filled the air.

Fear racked his body as Thunder Chaser took in his surroundings. His guards were all dead, Two sliced cleanly in two as if by some great blade, laying in steaming pools of blood and entrails. One was frozen in a huge spire of ice, The remaining two impaled by great spikes of frozen mud. Their corpses slowly sliding down the spines of ice.

The black pegasus was gone, In his place stood a creature from a nightmare. Silver plates covered each limb, Metal clad wings shimmered in the flickering firelight. Blood ran along the creatures wings, dripping from a wicked blade along the armoured length of each wing. Barding covered the dark coat of the monster, shining silver and making the black fur seem even darker. Those red eyes were gone, Orbs of shimmering silver flames billowed from the creature's skull. The white mane moved as if in it's own wind.

The Captain was frozen to the spot in terror. This... This thing had destroyed his ship and crew with ease. What in Equestria was that thing?!

Thunder Chaser’s voice shook. “What... W-what was your other question?”

The monster leaned in close, Those burning eyes boring into Thunder Chaser’s soul. A warm feeling spread down his back legs as the stallion wet himself in fear.

“Do you need me to repeat the first question?”

*** ***

Bloodscar gave a happy sigh. His idea to drug the colt with a mixture of narcotics was bearing fruit. Well kind of...

No real useful information had been gleaned from the interrogations but a surprising amount of lost history had been recorded. The half dead colt had spoke about his family, about music, politics, even the organisation of the Sky Archons. It was becoming very clear the child had next to no knowledge on anything technical. In fact it seemed that he couldn't even figure out how to work his own Pipbuck.

It was clear this colt had no idea what a genetic lock was, let alone how to remove one.

Bloodscar shrugged and in one swift motion, grabbed a knife from the nearby table in his mouth and drove it into the colts leg. The colts scream of pain was music to his ears.

The grey pegasus turned his tear filled eye to Bloodscar, the pupil shaking slightly.

“P-please... Let me go.”

The sadistic Ranger smiled, Bloodscar reached out with a hoof and gave the hilt of the knife a shake. The colts cries of pain were sweet to hear.

“Has the prisoner given up any information yet Knight Bloodscar?”

Through the open door paced a Steel Ranger in golden Power Armour. Every surface on the powered suit gleamed, the light reflecting from the gilded metal surface.

“Star Paladin Gilded Blade! Sorry sir, But the prisoner refuses to tell us anything technical.”

“B-but I don't know an-anything...” The grey colts words were barely a whisper.

Bloodscar grinned and struck the colt across the face with an armoured hoof. Orion sobbed quietly, The young pegasus’s misery was a true pleasure for the sadistic stallion.

“Was that necessary Knight Bloodscar?”

“Of course sir! If the prisoner will not speak of the information we want, then he is not allowed to speak at all.”

“I see, Continue at your own discretion.”

The gold covered Ranger reached up to the neck of his armour. There was a quiet hiss as the stallion removed his helmet. Sharp emerald eyes stared at the broken body of the grey colt. Gilded Blades short cut blonde mane was slick with sweat, A darker shade of his yellow coat.

The golden stallion stared at the bloody and broken body of the grey colt, his eyes picking out each wound. Needle marks ran down one leg, bullet wounds left bleeding holes in each limb. The small colts wings were nailed to the table by long knives, obviously a source of constant agony. The odd way the colts eye kept shaking betrayed withdrawals from some unknown drug. Gilded Blade cast his eyes across the tables, picking out the piles of spent inhalers and used needles.

“How many narcotics have you forced on the child?”

“Well sir.” Bloodscar smiled. “I can confirm addiction to at least six different drugs so far. I am planning to introduce another ten narcotics before the week is out. By that point, The prisoner will tell us anything for another hit.”

“Cruel but effective, And what of the knives?”

“Better safe than sorry, sir.”

Bloodscar reached out and slapped at the knife impaling the young ponies leg. The grey colt just whimpered, tears flowing from his one eye. The armoured ranger smirked, with no warning he spun and drove his back hooves into the colts leg, just below the knife. There was a loud snap as the Steel Rangers Power Armoured hooves connected. Orion screamed, thrashing and wailing in pain. The little pegasus slumped, hanging limp from his restraints.

“Knight Bloodscar! You will desist with physical assaults at once!”

“”Sorry sir, I guess I got a little carried away. A few broken bones may loosen his resolve a little sooner.”

“And how will he answer any questions, when he is unconscious?”

“Well sir...” The Smile of the red coated Ranger was disturbing. “I guess this will be a lesson to him to answer all of our questions sooner.”

“Knight Bloodscar...” Gilded Blade took a deep breath to calm himself. “If I find you brutalising a prisoner for your own amusment again, I will strip you of your rank. I will then drum you out of the Order and beat your flank bloody. Do we have an understanding?”

Bloodscar swallowed nervously, “Crystal clear sir...”

A loud buzzing interrupted the stare of the golden stallion. With a warning glance at Bloodscar, The Star Paladin trotted over to the intercom mounted on the wall.

“This is Gilded Blade, Report.”

The intercom crackled for a moment, Then a mares voice cut through the distortion.

“Star Paladin, This is Corporal Butterscotch. Sir, We have an situation.”

The golden stallion frowned. “Explain.”

“Sir, An unknown pegasus set down just outside the range of the turrets around three minutes ago.”

“And? Why do you think I would care?”

“Well sir, He knows the prisoner is here and has demanded his release, Or he will kill everypony in the entire base.”

“What? Do you have the message recorded?”

“Yes sir, I’ll upload it now.”

The stallions voice was filled with anger, sounding almost driven.

“I know you can hear me in there. I will give you ten minutes to release Orion unharmed or I will come in there and take him. If I go in there, not one of you child torturing fucks will live to see the dawn. Choose now.”

Gilded Blade smiled, A single pegasus thought he could threaten a base filled with over a hundred fully armed Rangers?

“Fire a warning shot, Scare that foal away. I do not have time for idiots like this.”

“Sir, We are monitoring some very unusual temperature readings around the intruder.”

“Explain.”

“According to the sensors in that area, The external temperature has dropped over thirty degrees in under eight seconds.”

“What would cause that?”

“Nothing that I know of sir.”

“Hmm, keep me posted if anything changes.”

Gilded Blade turned away from the intercom. The prisoner was still unconscious, a shot of Hydra had fixed most of the broken bones and closed a few of the larger wounds. When the colt wakes up, He will have to be given a healing potion or two.

The intercom began to buzz again. With a weary sigh, the golden armoured Star Paladin turned back and hit the button.

“Report. And this had better be important.”

“Sir, we are under attack!”

“Enclave?”

“No sir, We fired the warning shot as ordered...”

“And?”

“I’ll play the response...”

The deep voice of the unknown pegasus echoed, cold and emotionless. “I gave you a chance. I gave you a way live through this. Now you have neither.”

Gilded Blade smiled, “All very intimidating, Now who is committing suicide on our defences?”

“Thats just it sir! That thing is no pegasus! That monster is tearing through our defences like they are nothing!”

A panicked voice interrupted them, a stallions voice came from the intercom, the terror clear as he all but screamed.

“This is Lookout Point six, we need support! Oh sweet Celestia! We can't stop it! Help us you assholes! Oh Goddesses no! Please no! Nooo...”

Gilded blade’s smirk faded, “Point six, report! Point six, respond!”

Silence was the only response from the intercom.

The speaker crackled for a second as the Corporal reconnected. “Sir, we are reading blizzard level cold. Whatever is out there is freezing the guns solid. Our fastest turrets cannot keep up with it. Whatever that thing is, it's making our defences look like a foals toys.”

“Seal the base! Full alert status!”

*** ***

Fallen Snow stared at the still burning wreck of the Raptor.

When the ship had failed to check in, the operative had dispatched a team to investigate. As for what they found, he had to come and confirm it for himself.

The Dragon Slayer class ship was destroyed, the crew all dead. Only the Captain was alive. Thunder Chaser had been found shivering in a pool of his own urine, surrounded by the corpses of his personal guard.

Fallen Snow turned to Thunder Chaser. The Captain was shivering where he sat in the mud. Armoured pegasi stood on either side, the weapons on their insect like armour pointed towards him.

“Captain...” Fallen Snow sighed, “You expect me to believe that a single unarmed pegasus destroyed your vessel and killed every soldier under your command?”

Thunder Chasers eyes shook, “Sir, that thing was a monster! We had no chance against it, It struck us unaware and took everypony down like it had been doing it for centuries!”

“Doubtful... But you are aware of where it was heading? You know where this attacker is going?” Thunder Chaser nodded. “Excellent, You will lead a team there and capture or kill this ‘monster’ of yours.”

“With all due respect sir, go fuck yourself.”

The albino ponies eye twitched. Slowly he leaned close to the trembling Captain.

“I could have you shot for that. Now you have one thing to decide...”

Fallen Snow loomed over Thunder chaser, A hum filled the air as the weapons on each armoured pegasus powered up.

“Right now, are you more afraid of him or me?”

“Him sir. without a doubt, him.”

*** ***

Metro ran for his life.

Armoured hooves crunched through the snow. The day had been hot and stuffy, Metro had been glad of his armours cooling systems. Now snow swirled in the air, so thick he couldn't see more than a few meters away.

That thing was still out there. Whatever it was, it had stood up to a crossfire from six gun turrets without blinking. Metro had never seen anything like it.

He had been proud to be selected to capture the colt prisoner. Honoured by the trust given to him, of being the one granted the use of that prototype teleportation beam. It was his accuracy that had picked the young pegasus out and taken him with a single shot.

To think, all of the expended time and resources to track the colt down, and it only took a weeks walk and a few thousand caps to bribe some clueless Raiders. Attacking the caravan had given him the time and distraction he needed to escape and march back to Dragonsreach.

Another mission executed perfectly.

It had been his mission to fire the warning shot that was supposed to scare away that black pegasus. He remembered his pride at the shots perfect placement, Between the intruders hooves. The anger in those red eyes, then that chilling declaration.

After that... that monster had begun to take the base apart like it was nothing.

Snow swirled, filling the panicked ponies sight with nothing but dancing flakes. Constant prickles in his flank came as his armour began to inject him with combat drugs. His limbs burned as he ran, only the drugs keeping him at his relentless pace.

The sounds of explosions ripped through the air. The base defences opened up again in a thundering barrage of weapon fire, the air filled with a curtain of lead thick enough to walk on. The shape of the bases main doors loomed from the snowstorm, Metro grinned, He was going to make it!

A shape emerged from the snow, pacing forward as if it had all the time in the world. Bullets bounced from silver armour as the figure slowly paced towards Metro. Black fur contrasted with the white of the snow. Clear as day, two crimson eyes glared at Metro, Anger burning within. Wings glowed for a moment before sweeping forward almost elegantly. A wave of silver light flashed past, Metro tried to scream at the sudden pain in his neck.

The last thing the Steel Ranger saw was his own body slumping to the snow covered ground. several feet away.

*** ***

Gunfire echoed, the base shook from the explosion of grenade rifles. Screams came from everywhere as the Steel Rangers tried to fight off the monster attacking the base.

Gilded Blade tried to organise a defence through the intercom, directing his troops.

“Sir! It's inside the base!”

“Squads six through nine, set up a barricade at the number twelve intersection. One through five, head to the armoury and break out the big guns. Make sure you're packing enough to drop an Ursa Major and support the barricade! Squad ten, get any injuries to the medical wing!”

”This is squad nine, hostile sighted. Engaging!”

“Squad seven, Flanking. Safeties off on the Miniguns boys! Take this foal down!”

“Squad eight, Engaging. Break out the explosives, bring the rain!”

“Star Paladin, we got him. the whole passage is a firestorm. Nopony can survive that!”

Gilded Blade frowned at the intercom. “I want confirmation before you celebrate. I want a corpse before you call that thing eliminated.”

“Relax sir! There is no way in Equestria... Wait...”

“Give me an update.”

“I see something... Oh Celestia no! Get away from me! Please no!...”

“Report! Report ! Talk to me! what is happening down there?!”

Silence was all that answered the golden Ranger. Suddenly a voice came through, Deep and filled with anger.

“Your soldiers are dead. You all had your chance to avoid this, you had your chance to live. Now I am going to kill every single one of you child torturing fucks. If Orion is dead, Don't expect to die quickly.”

Bloodscar paled, shaking slightly. Gilded blade frowned at the intercom before pressing the talk button with a hoof.

“Who or what are you?”

“Me?” The unknown stallions voice seemed surprised, “All I am is somepony who has come to help one he cares about. All I am is a relic from a distant past.”

“Why is the colt so important? Answer me that at least. His technical knowledge is limited at best from what I can gather.”

The intercom crackled for a moment before the voice replied.

“He is important not for what he knows, not for what he carries. He is important because of who he is. This conversation is over, this pony has agreed to lead me to Orion if I leave him his legs. Pray that Orion is unharmed or both Luna and Celestia together won't be enough to save you.”

Bloodscar stared at the Star Paladin, his eyes wide with obvious fear.

“Sir...” Bloodscar was shivering, his armour rattling. “How the fuck can we stop that thing? it's coming here! It's all but wiped out the base!”

“Don't worry.” Gilded Blade smiled. “The remaining forces are packing the biggest guns we have. Some of those weapons could drop a dragon.”

There was the sound of heavy hoofsteps in the corridor outside the room, Gilded Blade galloped forward and hit the emergency doors control with a hoof. Heavy steel doors slammed shut, built to deflect anything short of a Mega Spell, there was little hope for the intruder to get in.

Voices echoed from behind the heavy doors.

“He... He’s in there, please don't kill me!”

“I gave my word Knight, I will not kill you. Unfortunately the remains of your fellow knights do not seem to wish to allow you time to get clear.”

“All squads, Open fire!”

All sound was drowned out by the deafening roar of gunfire, explosions shook the room, dust falling from the roof in clumps. A sound suddenly cut through the booming gunfire. A roar, deep and endlessly vengeful. The gunfire began to lessen, intersected by screams and occasional wet crunches. Bloodscar backed against the far wall, shivering in terror.

“Hail Celestia, Warm embrace, hail Luna, full of grace. Protect me now in my darkest time, help me now in my ...”

“Shut the fuck up, that is an order!” Gilded Blade glared at the shivering Knight. “Do you really think the Goddesses would protect you after what you have been doing to that child?”

The noises stopped. Slow and heavy hoof falls echoed again, pacing slowly towards the doorway. There was a gentle tap, then second as somepony knocked.

“Open the door. You open it or I will, you have three seconds.”

“You will?” Gilded Blade smiled, “You won't get through that. That is magically reinforced steel. It can stop an anti-tank round.”

“Really?” The deep voice seemed amused. “Let us find out if you are right.”

Frost crept across the steel, cracking in the warm air. Slowly the painted steel lost it's colour as the ice began to thicken. Metal creaked, twisting in the frame. The strained breathing of the colt misted in the air. Both rangers snapped their helmets into place, Grenade rifles snapping to aim at the ice covered door.

Cracks spread slowly across the metal, stretching from the frame and meeting in the middle of the doors. The spiderweb of cracks creaked, as if something was pressing against it from the other side of the door.

There was a deafening roar, the steel door exploded. Shards of metal pattering down across the tiled floor. Silver flames flickered around the twisted framework, Heavy hoof falls echoed in the sudden silence. Through the flames strode the silver armoured figure of an ebony pegasus. The shining metal of his barding looking for all the world like the scales of a dragon. The dark creatures eyes stared at Bloodscar and Gilded Blade, glowing crimson in the flickering lights. Slowly it's gaze went past them to the broken form of the grey colt prisoner. Those red eyes narrowed, seeming to tremble.

The voice of the prisoner, not much more than a pained whisper, reached out. Slurred slightly by the drugs in his system.

“D-daddy... Please h-help me...”

The dark monster shook, It's eyes suddenly lit with silver flames. The burning orbs glaring at the two Rangers. The room seemed to darken, the presence of the strange pegasus seeming to fill all available space. Those horrific eyes bored into Gilded Blade’s soul, The monster stared at him, fury incarnate. Billowing silver flames roared, streaming from around the monsters armoured hooves. the roaring flames swallowing the doorway behind them. For the first time in his entire life, the golden earth pony was frozen in sheer terror. The dark pegasus growled, his voice seeming to come from three throats at once.

“What in the fuck did you do to MY SON?!”

Gilded Blade’s eyes widened behind his faceplate, Daddy? Son? But that would make him...

“Oh fuck...”

All in all, They were not the greatest last words ever spoken.

*** ***

Wind...

Why was wind such a weird thing? Just the feeling of my mane moving from a gentle breeze. The hairs of my mane, tickling my face as the air moves...

My eye opened, my vision a twisted mess. Slowly I felt my sight began to clear. It was dawn, I could see the sky begin to light up behind the ever present clouds. Slowly the light spread over the broken horizon. It was so strange, after that time of pain and terror, I had gotten used to seeing from one eye, but at the same time, the loss broke something inside of me. I felt bandages wrapping my body, my wings bound tightly. Half of my head was wrapped in the same white bandages, the ruins of my right eye hidden from the world. Both my left legs were tightly bandaged, my back leg splinted and painful.

I felt so cold, even the warm breeze making me shiver. All I could do was stare out at the rising sun.

“Its a glorious sight huh, Son?”

I knew that voice... But it couldn't be. He was dead, so long dead it had to be a dream...

Slowly I turned my head, A black pegasus smiled at me. His huge body and bulging muscles seemed to fill my world. I couldn't take my eyes away from him.

“Daddy?”

That silver mane seemed to float in the gentle breeze. Those familiar red eyes, warm and kind. That same smile that always made me feel so safe...

“Daddy? You’re really here?”

“Daddy?” That ever so familiar smile widened. “You haven't called me that in a long time, kiddo.”

It... It really was him. My Dad, he was here! He was alive! I wasn't alone! He came to save me, My dad came for me when I needed him!

I threw my legs around his neck and cried, I couldn't let him go. After all the horror I had been through, All the pain. He was here, My dad my actually here!

Dad wrapped his legs around me and held me tight, I felt so safe in that moment. Dad was here! My dad was alive and well! I wasn't alone.

“Those bandages not too tight?” Dads hoof stroked across the bandages around my head, gentle as a feather.

“I... I’m alright.”

No I’m not...

Dad stared into my remaining eye, frowning slightly. I couldn't stop shivering, even the warm breeze felt like ice on my fur. I felt my stomach twitch and before I could stop myself, I threw up on his hooves.

Dad sighed loudly, “Son, You don't need to be brave in front of me. I saw what they had been doing to you in there. You are not alright.”

Dad pushed himself to his hooves, I felt my jaw drop as the scenery behind him caught my attention. Fires burned, smoke curled from some kind of guns littering as far as I could see. Drifts of snow buried distant objects, glittering in the faint sunlight. In the middle of the devastation lay a dark red mountain. Massive doors lay shattered in one face. Bent inwards and covered in splashes of red. Guns of frightening size hid in alcoves, some broken and burning, others frozen in glittering ice. The pale light reflected from metal objects and ice crystals across the blasted landscape.

Something had attacked that place and had took it apart with a power that terrified me. But at the moment everything terrified me. I couldn't find the confidence and self assurance that had carried me this far. Every sound, every movement around me made me panic. Everything scared the fuck out of me. The only thing I could see that wasn't horrifically scary, was my dad. If he was here, then I was safe, If dad was here to protect me then I could make it home to Radar without a worry.

Dad looked out over the horizon and sighed. “Son...” His red eyes looked so sad. “Orion... I can't stay. The time I was given is almost up. When the sunlight hits me, I will be gone.”

The terror froze me on the spot. The sun was rising, there wasn't a lot of time left!

“Orion... I need you to listen. Don't talk, don't ask questions, Just listen.”

Dad stared out over the horizon to the rising sun. “Orion, I am dead. I cannot stay, as much as I want to. I died a long time ago...” Dads crimson eyes locked with mine. “In the next world we are allowed to watch our loved ones, Your mother and I watched you sleep. We were happy you were safe from this screwed up world. We prayed that you would sleep through this time and wake up when the world was safe, when Equestria was a good place once again.”

Dads eyes scared me, so much regret, so much sorrow.

“Son...” Dads voice scared me with it's sadness. “I don't have a lot of time left, I have to explain a few things.”

Dad pressed a hoof to my lips before I could object.

“Just listen to me, Orion. In the next world there is something called the Mirror of Souls, through it the dead can watch their loved ones...”

“Orion, Your Mother and I watched you sleep, We watched you as you left the stasis chamber. We watched as you threw yourself into danger, to help anypony who needed it. We watched you save all those ponies in Trottingham. Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. We saw Manehattan...”

You stood strong to save your friend. Your mother and I have never been prouder of you.”

Dad frowned at me. “I do not approve of that potty mouth of yours though, but I suppose this is a different time. But I have to ask something. Do you love this filly, Silver?”

I felt my cheeks burn, I loved Silver with all my heart and soul. She was my reason to keep living. She... I don't know why I loved her, But I doubt I could keep living without her.

Dad grinned at me. “So I have a future daughter in law. Seriously son, you have to get back to her. She needs you now more than ever. You mother wanted me to sit you both down and explain a few things.”

I felt my blush deepen, He wasn't going to give me the birds and the bees talk was he?

“How did your mother phrase this? You are both alicorns now son, but not like the fake ones you have been fighting. A true alicorn is something altogether different, an avatar.”

My mind began to feel even fuzzier. Avatar? what does that even mean?

“Alicorns are literally a living element, they are the ponysonification of that force. Celestia was the sun, Luna was the moon. they didn't just control them, they were them. Think about it, son. Celestia, was radiant. She shone and warmed the hearts of everypony around her. Luna was dark and mysterious. Both of them... Celestia damit! Why didn't I write this down? This is the sort of thing your mother was best at explaining.”

I stared blankly at my Dad. I knew Discord had changed me, I know I was different but this?

“So... I’m a god?”

Dad laughed. “Far from it son, you're not immortal. You are just bound to something, and it's not just you...”

A shiver ran up my spine, “Then Silver has...?”

“Thats right, Orion. Silver has her own element, She has found her own strength. Just as you will.”

Strength? Right now I doubted that I could stand on my own four hooves, If I had any strength, any power, then that would have never happened. they wouldn't have...

I couldn't stop shivering, only the thought of Dad here to protect me was keeping me from breaking apart inside. how can I have any real power? all I had was a smart mouth, no skills or magic. Luck was all that kept me alive with my stupid ego.

Dads sad eyes bored into me. “I’m sorry I couldn't be there to save you from all this world has thrown at you. It is forbidden for the dead to return to Equestria. Luna and Celestia’s father rules the next world fairly and justly, but when I saw the Rangers beating you... I rebelled and tried to come back. The Sky Archons stood with me. After two hundred years of training with both the Archons and heroes from across history, It took the king himself to stop us. rather than punish us, he offered me a deal. One day in Equestria for one millennia of service in the Celestial guard.”

“Celestial guard?” This was all new to me, then again I never payed much attention to anything that wasn't fun while growing up.

“In the afterlife, there are two destinations for your soul. Tartarus or the Eternal Herd . Things live between those worlds, Things that hunger for our very souls. Sometimes the things break through to the Herd. The Celestial guard are the most powerful ponies who ever lived. They guard the borders between the two worlds. most of the Sky Archons are within their ranks, I had been dodging it because I wanted to be with your mother. I took the deal, the chance to see you and your sister again was something I could never pass up.”

I blinked my one eye. “Sister? I have a sister?”

Dad looked confused, “You don't remember? You was protecting her when you got hurt.”

Protecting my sister? I don't remember even having...

It felt like somepony had drove a blade into my skull, it all came rushing back. My baby sister, Aurora. That tiny unicorn with the black coat and green mane. her big red eyes, always filled with wonder. Her adorably cute lisp, The way she seemed to use her sweetness to wrap everypony round her little hooves, Even me.

I remembered everything.

*** ***

“My tuwn big bwother?”

That lisp always made me smile, We sat at the kitchen table back in Paddock Town. I was teaching my little sis how to play Snakes and Ladders. Well I say teach, but she was destroying me at this game!

Aurora lifted the dice in her magic and sent it spinning across the board.

...Her fourth six in a row. She had to be cheating somehow.

“Yay!” Aurora’s magic lifted her game piece and moved it along the board as she counted carefully. “And up the wadder! Yay!”

I had to laugh. With the war taking more and more ponies away from home, fun moments like this were getting harder to find. It just seemed so weird that the Zebras wanted to kill us for a rock, Or that we would want to kill them for that same coal.

There had been some grumbling from some of the Zebra tribes about my dad. From what mom explained to me, the stars were evil to them. As Dad could use starlight as a weapon... Lets just say they were not happy.

From what I had heard Mom and Dad talking about, they saw him as some kind of monster. He was a hero, yet they hated him for simply being what he was. It didn't make any sense to me at all.

The kitchen door handle rattled slightly, I frowned. Mom was in Manehattan, Dad wouldn't be home for another hour. Who was trying to get in?

The door began to slowly move, as if somepony was pushing on it, hoping not to be noticed.

“Who's there?” The door froze in it's slow movement. I peered closer, there was a faint shimmer in the air, kind of like when Mom boiled water for our coco. It was making me nervous, What was happening?

“Big bwother?” Aurora gave me a fearful look, picking up on my own nervousness.

“Kill the star spawn!”

The door was thrown open, I could hear hooves hitting the wooden floor as something charged towards us.

Dad had drilled one lesson into me when he taught me to fight. Don't think. Follow your instincts and react.

A flap of my wings lifted me from my chair, one front hoof still on the table. I spun and kicked out, my back hooves connecting with something solid. There was a muffled curse then two figures shimmered into sight.

Two Zebras slowly rose back to their hooves, staring at me with a look of hatred. Black cloaks draped their bodies, fastened with a glowing gemstone. I put myself in front of Aurora, keeping my little sis behind me. I could hear the faint ring of her horn.

“Daddy, help us. Daddy, come home quick.”

I don't really understand magic, so I don't know what she was doing.

“What do you want?” Both zebra stared, the sheer hatred in their eyes scaring me. Neither spoke, they just watched us silently.

I started to back away, keeping my baby sister behind me with a wing. Both Zebra reared onto their back hooves and charged, The two legged run shocked me. Before I could react, one spun and launched a lightning fast kick at me. I threw up a wing to block, then screamed. The point of the hoof connected, the bones in my wing breaking with a loud crack.

Aurora screamed in fear as the second Zebra galloped right for her. I ducked under a second kick and launched myself onto the Zebra going after my sister. My legs wrapped around his neck, My teeth bit down on his ear. I pulled back sharply, my mouth filling with the metalic taste of blood as my struggles tore a chunk from his ear. The attacker roared in pain and threw me from his back. I slammed into the wall with a loud crash, almost crying with the pain in my wing.

I looked up, A Zebra stood over me. One hoof slowly came down from where it cradled his ear. Blood dripped from the hoof, I could only watch as his eyes narrowed. He reared up once more, his hooves descended in slowmotion. I felt no pain, but heard the sickening crunch. There was a lot more blood on his hooves now.

“Owion! Big bwother!”

I couldn't move, I could barely hear anything. I had failed, I couldn't protect her. I could only watch as the two Zebra slowly trotted towards her, smiles on their muzzles. I could see blood creeping from where I lay, spreading out across the wooden floor.

Aurora backed away from the two Zebra, her big red eyes shaking in fear.

“Daddy!”

The wall exploded, chunks of log clattering across the room. In the hole stood my Dad. Silver armour gleaming, his mane and tail roaring silver flames.

“Get away from my children!”

As my world faded to black, Dad descended on the two zebra like the wrath of Celestia herself.

*** ***

“You alright there son? You were out of it for a moment.”

I blinked my one eye, How could I forget my sister? Aurora meant the world to me, what happened that could make me forget her?

“Dad? What happened to me? I couldn't remember Aurora...”

Dads crimson eyes gave me a concerned look. “Its not surprising. Son, they split your skull wide open, it was a miracle you survived long enough for us to get you into that tank. You saved your sister that day.” He looked uncomfortable for a moment, “Son... I’m sorry I never got there sooner. If I had stayed at home that day...”

It wasn't his fault.

“Orion, Do you know what my legacy in this world is?”

Legacy? He was a hero from the golden years of Equestria, A legend of history.

“Well... Do you mean your history Dad?”

With a smile, Dad bopped me lightly on the head. “Its you son, You and your sister. All I did, everything they call me hero for. It means nothing, All that matters is my family.”

Dad thought that me and Aurora were his legacy? Two stupid kids were the legacy of a legend? A pony who beat a dragon to death bare hooved?

The idea was so shocking, all of the control I had built up failed. The withdrawals of the drugs they had forced on me came back with a vengeance.

I couldn't speak, I felt so cold. My stomach was in knots, I couldn't stop shivering. My body ached all over. I couldn't help but remember those weeks of pain. I couldn't stop myself thinking about all they did to me. The suffering they inflicted on me for information that I didn't even know.

Dad looked down at me and drew me into a hug. My one eye began to water, Sobs wracked my broken body. I clung to Dad like my life depended on it, I didn't want him to go. How could I move on without him protecting me? how can I get back home all alone?

Dad cradled me in his hooves, crying openly himself now. “Son, I’m out of time. I have to go now. I’m so sorry ...” Dads crimson eyes swept back over the broken landscape. “You have to go back into that base. You need your Pipbuck, And there is one there who can help you.”

Dad gave me a strange look, slowly he pressed a hoof against my missing eye. His other front hoof pressed over his own right eye. Slowly his mane began to move, seeming to float and shift as if underwater. I felt my eye socket heat up, it wasn't painful. It was warm and soothing.

“That should do it.” Dad lowered his hooves. “Your mother has pretty much forced me to learn to heal with my magics. I don't know if you will ever see from it, but I copied my own eye into you. It should turn blue to match your own eye, Just keep it covered for a few days.”

My hoof slowly raised and pressed against my bandaged eye. I could feel something there, I had an eye again!

Dad wrapped me in another hug, his eyes filled with regret. “I have to go son. Just remember, your mother and I love you. We are so proud of the pony you are. You're so strong kiddo, stronger than you admit to yourself. But strength is not a weapon, It cannot be pointed like a gun, It will always be a shield. Never be anything but who you are, Never let anypony tell you what to be. Nopony but you can make that decision but you.”

Tears blurred my eye, the creeping sunlight washed across us both. Dad began to fade, his warm smile and kind eyes seeming more solid than the rest of him.

“No! Please don't go Dad, Please don't leave me...”

My dad continued to fade away before me, his eyes filled with such regret. I realised what I was doing to him, begging him to stay when he had swore to some really important pony that he would be back in one day. I couldn't do this to him, I couldn't force my dad to suffer because I was so scared to be alone.

“Dad, Thank you... Go be with Mom now, tell her I love her. Tell Aurora I miss her...”

Dad was barely an outline, I made out his brow move in a frown. Before he vanished, My Dad spoke four words. Almost like a whisper in the wind.

“Aurora is not dead...”

With that, he was gone. I was alone, I was hurt. I was scared.

Orion, focus! Dad told you that your sister is out there. Focus on that, get home, get better and go find her! For once I listened to myself. If my little sis was out there, I would find her. There was no fucking way I could let her be alone in this world.

I looked out over the blasted landscape, Ice glittering in the morning... Sunlight? Hard to call it that through the constant cloud cover. Slowly I pushed myself to my hooves. Dad had said there was somepony in there, Somepony who could help me.

With a grunt, I pushed myself back up to my hooves. I tried to move my wings out of habit to fly and screamed in pain. Sobbing, I began to hobble towards the wrecked base.

It felt like hours before I reached what had once been a wall. The stonework was broken and covered in moss, rubble climbed the sides, giving me a makeshift ramp to climb. With care, I climbed to the top. The devastation I had seen from that hilltop was nothing compared to what I saw up close.

Broken scrubland stretched away towards the red mountain, covered in red rocks. Huge guns sprouted from dark metal pillars. Icicles hung from some, others burned with columns of dark smoke. Twisted shards of metal showed were some of the crazy number of guns had been destroyed.

Bodies of Steel Rangers littered the ground, the filtered sunlight glinting on the gunmetal armour. I felt myself shivering from more than the drugs in me. I knew dad was strong, but this? It looked like an army had attacked this place. I limped my way towards what looked like a road, dodging around the corpses and melting drifts of snow. The road was cracked tarmac, dead grass sprouted from dirt filled gaps. The dark strip lead straight to twin metal doors. As I got closer, the doors got bigger and bigger. red paint peeled from rusting patches of metal. The colossal metal doors dwarfed me, bigger even than the ones where we found Mom. Near the doors bottom, something had cut a slash through the steel. The metal was bent inwards, giving a wide entrance into the dimly lit interior.

With a nervous gulp, I limped onwards.

The metal hallways were a wreck. The walls were dented badly, blood was splashed everywhere. The corpses of Steel Rangers lined the halls. When Dad was angry, He was a monster...

Every limping step I took made me feel less safe, each and every hobbled step filling me with more fear. I was so lost, other that the room where they... that room, I hadn't seen any of the base. Dad was sure somepony in here could help me out, maybe even get me back home. But where do I look? It couldn't be one of these dead Rangers, any survivors would try to capture and hurt me again, So where do I look?

I found myself looking for my EFS, It had been there so long that it felt so weird not to see the HUD. I tried not to cry again, why did they do this to me? they hurt me over and over for something I had no clue about. No matter how much I begged, how many times I pleaded...

I limped on, taking turns at random. I tried not to look at the corpses I passed, it was too much for me right now. One of the many blackened and cracked signs caught my attention, I thought I could make out the words ‘Detention Block’ through the dirt and grime.

I limped on. If there wasn't a Ranger who could help me, then it had to be a prisoner. My stomach gave a painful cramp, forcing me to throw up again. With the tiny amount of food I had been fed, and the way I had thrown up on Dads hooves earlier, all that was coming up was sour spit. I felt hungry, but not for food. I was craving something badly, the thought of what that thing likely was terrified me. I had always been afraid of drugs, not because I didn't understand them. I knew exactly what they could do to a pony, they could be a boost, but what then? You win, but only with a drug? Then there was addictions, being so fixated with that stuff that you would do anything for another hit. Wasting away slowly, giving up food for more of the drugs.

I couldn't be like that, I refused to. But I felt the craving for something all the same. It terrified me, The thought that I could be addicted to some drug, some substance against my own will.

My painful limping took me into a heavily rusted corridor. Pitted and dirt smeared metal stretched away into the gloom. It seemed this area had not been fixed up like the rest, The walls looked more like brown mud than shiny metal. With the broken lights at the other end of the corridor leaving it dark and scary, I started checking the closest doors.

This had to be the detention area, Each door was reinforced with thick bands of rusted metal. Keypads sat slightly above my head hight, dirty and in some cases, blackened. Around three doors in, I found one that had been cleaned of rust. The keypad was still as blackened as the rest, but somepony had fitted a sliding bar. The bright metal seemed out of place against the dirty steel.

“H-hello?”

I couldn't keep the fear out of my voice. I was still shivering, terrified of being here. Something replied, the voice muffled by the metal door. I reached out with a trembling hoof and slid the bar back. With a teeth aching squeal of metal on metal, the door swung inwards. The cell was pitch black, not even a window to let any light in. In that darkness something moved, something big. I hobbled backwards, my teeth chattering in fear. Heavy steps echoed, the huge shape paused at the door, Magenta eyes staring down at me.

“P-please don't hurt me!”

The dark shape stepped forward, coming into the light. An unbelievably huge earth pony stallion squeezed through the door. Tan fur contrasting with his two toned blonde mane and tail. A cutiemark of a pony skull, over crossed bullets adorned his flank. His hooves were almost as big as my head!

I covered my head with my front legs, shaking in terror.

“Easy there kid. Ah ‘ain't gonna hurt ya.”

I uncovered my head and looked up, the very big pony stared down at me with a look of concern. Now growing up around Dad, I’ve seen some big ponies but this stallion had them all beat, he was twice the size of my Dad at least!

The big pony held out a hoof, after a moments hesitation, I held out my own. With a surprisingly swift motion, he hooked me leg with his and pulled me upright.

“Ah reckon y’all not one of those Ranger types, What ya’ll doing here?”

“I... I was...” The stomach cramps and my own fears were making it hard for me to talk. A sudden stabbing pain in my stomach made me turn and dry heave more sour spit against the wall.

“Sweet Celestia, What in tarnation happened to ya kid?”

“I...They... I was tortured here...”

The massive ponies eyes grew wide, “Ya’ll that colt ah heard screaming these past few weeks? Sorry son, Ah didn't know...”

The massive stallion rolled out his shoulders and arched his back, loud cracks and pops echoed down the dim hallways.

“Ah, It's so good to be outta that there cell.” He held out a hoof again, “Bramley Apple at’cha service. Ah hate that name though, Just call me Chase. What do ah call you?”

I shook with the cramps and twitches. Chase didn't seem to offering me any ill will but I was still terrified. “ I... Im...”

I could finish, the cramps forced me to cough up more sour spit. I was so tired of throwing up...

“Can't remember or don't trust me enough to tell yet? Fair enough young’un. But ah have to call you somethin’...”

The big ponies stare was unnerving.

“Well young’un. Till you wanna tell me your real name, Ah reckon ah will be calling ya Little Bird.”

“Little... Bird?”

“Aye, A little guy with wings. It suits ya.”

I could live with that name. If he was spending the time to think up a nickname, then he wasn't planning on hurting me. Maybe this was the pony Dad told me was going to help me. Maybe this ‘Chase’ could keep me safe until I could get home again.

“So... What happened to the base Little Bird? Sounded like some army attacked this place. What happened to the Rangers?”

I stared down at my hooves, There was no way that he would believe my Dad came back from the dead and took the place apart to save me...

“I... I think they are all dead. I woke up on a hill about a mile away, Somepony had bandaged me up and left me there.”

“What in tarnation did those tin clad jackasses want with you anyway?” Chase gave me a considering look. “Ah don't reckon a young’un like you knew anything they would want to know.”

“The pony asking questions, seemed happy to just hurt me...”

Chase wrapped a leg across my shoulders, Pulling me into an awkward hug. I tried to stop myself, but I found myself sobbing into his chest.

“It's alright now, let it out young'un.”

Chase stroked my back with a hoof, careful to avoid my bandaged wings. I couldn't help myself, tears flowed down my face. Chase’s coat was soon wet with my tears. The big stallion just held me in his hug, not trying to stop my tears, just helping them to come.

After a few minutes of sobbing, Chase lifted my chin gently with a hoof.

“Feel better?” I nodded. “Everypony deals with it differently, Torture is not something you can brush off. Ah reckon you were trying to keep together, But sometimes you just need to cry the pain out. Sometimes you need somepony who understands.”

Torture...

I had tried my best to pretend that it hadn’t happened, to pretend that all they had done was hurt me. In that moment I failed, the horrors of those weeks of agony, that time of constant pain and misery was a dream. I had to just accept it and try to move on.

If I could move on...

Chase shook out his body, “Ah reckon we can get some good salvage from this here base before we leave, Little Bird.”

“Salvage?”

“Aye, Those metal bastards loved to hoard the good stuff. Spark batteries, weapons, Guns. Shame to let that there loot go to waste.”

I forced a smile and followed the gigantic stallion. Each hoof fall echoed loudly down the metal hallways, Chase seemed to know where he was going.

“You have been here before?”

“Right you are young’un. Ah’m a mercenary by trade, These here Rangers were a good place to trade for ammunition and the like. Ah reckon they found it hard to get scrap metal, Ah made a mighty fine pile of caps from that.”

“So...” I was a little confused. “Why did they have you locked up?”

Chase gave me a grin, “Curious little colt, ain't ya? They found me guilty of ‘Concealing Ministry Tech’, whatever that means. To be honest Little Bird, They decided mah gun was theirs and locked me up so they could take it.”

Gun? That perked my ears up a little. The seemingly endless hallways passed by as Chase led me, limping along behind him. A thought had been bugging me since he introduced himself.

“You said your name was Bramberly Apple?” I got a frown thrown over the massive ponies shoulder. “Sorry! It's just... Are you related to Applejack?”

Chase stopped in his tracks. The enormous stallion turned and stared down at me. I couldn't help but feel more than a little afraid. Chase laid a hoof on my head.

“Ya’ll pretty clever Little Bird. Ah guess Ah’m distantly related, Ah am descended from her cousins side. Reckon that's why Ah could fire Requiem.”

“Requiem?” I gave Chase a curious look.

“It's mah gun. A little summin Braeburn cooked up for his cousin. Only an Apple can fire it.”

“It has a genetic lock?” The amount of things limited to a bloodline I find still freaks me the fuck out.

Chase grinned. “Ah don't reckon Ah rightly know what that is. All ah know is that mah gun is only for the Apple family.”

Chases heavy hoofsteps led us to an intersection. Four of these identical corridors led off into the gloom, But the crossing was a war zone. Flame blackened walls made the dimly lit halls seem darker. The floor felt sticky, Bodies were piled high. Steel Rangers lay in pools of blood, some crushed, some sliced open as if by a huge blade. One armoured corpse was half melted into the wall.

Chase stared at the devastation. I hung back, feeling both sick and terrified at the sight. Chase turned back to me, and with a flick of his head, beckoned me onwards.

More corpses lined the hallway, massive guns fixed to their flanks. I knew some of the weapons but most were beyond me. Some kind of cannons that dwarfed an anti machine rifle, Something that looked a little like rocket launchers. Some I could only guess at. The massive firepower had been in vain, Their attacker had took them all down.

Chase seemed nervous as our hoofsteps led us to a pool of light, spilling through a shattered doorway. Chase stepped through without hesitation, broken and twisted chunks of steel crunching under his massive hooves. I peered around the doorframe slowly, My heart jumped into my throat. A Power Armoured corpse was almost nailed to the ceiling, It’s head had been driven into the metal so hard, it's skull had all but smashed through the steel by a twisted spine of ice. Its hooves hung loose and swung slowly. A slow dripping sound echoed in the silence, blood leaking through the gaps in the armour.

Twisted pieces of gold painted armour lay everywhere. The Ranger who had worn it seemed to have been stamped flat, Chunks of flesh and bone shards decorating a pool of crimson gore.

As horrific as the sight was, that's not what terrified me. A metal upright table stood near the back of the room, Stained with blood. Tufts of grey fur and grey feathers were stuck to the rusted restraints and dried blood. Two tables stood nearby, one covered in used syringes and inhalers. The other lined with blood stained knives and small calibre pistols.

I couldn't stop shaking, my eyes were locked on that table. I felt myself scramble backwards, trying to get away from that thing. I couldn't stop myself from screaming, The pain I went through on that table, the agony...

Chase stared at me for a moment before galloping over and flipping me up onto his back. My body ached as his heavy gallop took me away from that place. I wrapped my front legs around the big ponies neck and sobbed.

“T’was where it happened huh, Little Bird? Sorry young’un, Ah didn't know.”

All I could do was sob in his mane as Chase took me away from that place. Even with both my Dad and Chase helping me through this, I couldn't get past the pain, the torture they inflicted on me for something I didn't even understand. Why didn't they just listen? I didn't know about anything technical, so why did they do that to me?

Chase trotted along the gloomy metal corridors, his mane long wet with my tears. Why couldn't I get the confidence that had carried me this far? Why couldn't I be myself? I don't know why, but the idea of what they had done to me. It had robbed me of my very self. My love of jokes, the way I lived by mocking the world around me, The way I refused to be anything but the smartass I always was. What they did to me in that room...

I was broken and hurting more than I wanted to admit.

Chase rounded a corner and trotted through an open doorway. I slipped from his back and looked around. The room was stacked high with boxes and crates. Shelves lined each wall, filled with containers of unknown items.

Chase was muttering under his breath. I opened a box at random and began searching, Spark batteries and chunks of electronic junk seemed to be all that was in my box.

Something dropped over my head, making me scream with panic. After I took a breath and calmed down, my questing hoof found soft leather. A leather jacket had been thrown over me. A dark brown with a thick tan fur collar. On the sleeve was a strange symbol, A pony skull with wings.

“Sorry to scare ya there, Little Bird. Ah can't find no armour that would fit ya. That there jacket is better than nothing.”

The jacket had slits in the back, seeming to be made for pegasus wings. The symbol on the sleeve was so familiar but I couldn't place it.

“Chase? What is this symbol from? I’ve seen it before but I can't remember where.”

The big ponies smile was making me feel safer and calmer with each passing moment.

“That there symbol is for the Shadowbolts. They were Rainbow Dash’s own unit, The best of the best of the pegasi.” His smile became a grin. “How does it feel to be the last Shadowbolt?”

“I...” Me? Best of the best? I know he was trying to make me feel better but it reminded me of the responsibilities thrust on me that got me into this situation to begin with. The thought of being landed with another’s expectations again was terrifying.

I slipped the jacket on, wincing as I fed my bandaged wings through the slits. It was so weird, the feeling of the leather on my coat made me feel safer. The fur on the collar reminded me of when Mom used to hug me before bed, The feeling of of her warm mane tickling at my neck. It was comforting.

“Thank you, Chase. Thanks for looking out for me like this.”

“Aw shucks, son. Ain't nothin’, Ah’m just repaying ya for getting me out of that cell.”

*** ***

Chase led us through the twisting maze of corridors. I was hopelessly lost, every hallway looked the same. Bar the blood and corpses, the uniform design confused me no end. Blank sheets of slightly rusted metal made up the floor, walls and ceiling. Occasional dirt encrusted windows looked into rooms. Some filled with storage crates stacked on steel shelves, some with beds.

Our random searches had got us a collection of what seemed like junk to me. Ammunition and chunks of scrap metal. Batteries and gun parts, All were stored in the saddlebags our searching had discovered. Chase’s were a cool black with silver wings as buckles. Mine were much smaller, brown leather with simple buckles.

Chase led me into a brightly lit room, Computers lined the walls, screens filled with confusing text.

>Syntax Error.

>File Corruption Detected.

>System Compromised.

>Unable To Purge Infected Files.

I’m sure that kind of thing made sense to somepony, but that pony was not me.

A huge square table sat in the middle of the room, strewn with tools. Chunks of electronics lay scattered in no noticeable order. Pipbucks lay in a stack to one side, next to the pile lay two matt black Pipbucks. Almost identical in design, one seemed a little more crude in it's look. Filling one corner of the table was a long bulky object under a dirty sheet. I was curious why Chase brought me here.

The big stallion stepped to the table and began to load the pile of assorted Pipbucks into his saddlebags. I limped up next to him and sat down on the cold metal floor.

“What you grabbing those for Chase? I don't think you could get one around your leg.”

“Ya’ll right there, young’un. But working Pipbucks sell well.” Chase gave me an odd look, then leaned down slowly. For some reason the big pony was staring at my leg. “Y’all had a Pipbuck when those Rangers nabbed you, Didn't ya?”

I gave a slow nod, watching curiously as the big pony stared at the band of darker fur from where my Moms Pipbuck used to rest. After a moment, Chase gripped one of the black Pipbuck’s from the table in his mouth and held it next to my leg. My heart was beating like a drum, Was I going to get back the last memento from my folks?

Chase compared the second of the black Pipbuck’s against my leg and frowned. I could see my folks cutie marks engraved in the side of that one. My eye was wide with excitement, It was here!

“Ah give up. Both look like they would fit that mark, Little Bird. Ah reckon that makes em both yours.”

“But... Only one is mine. You could make some caps from the other.”

Chase grinned, “Little Bird, We ain't leaving this here room until ah see both those doohickies on ya’ll legs.”

“I...”, the way he was looking out for me. The idea that he cared enough to try to make me a little safer and give me back my Pipbuck. I was crying again. “Thank you.”

Both Pipbucks were unlocked, the catches at the back ready to fasten. I lifted the second one with a hoof. It was so similar to my own, it even had gemstones set in the edge, just like the ones my Rainblade sprouted from. I pressed it against my left leg, the catches snapping in place with a loud click. A familiar green wave swept across my vision. I was expecting the HUD but all that came up was static and random text. It was like a foal was slapping on a keyboard. My mouth felt dry as I snapped my own Pipbuck back into it's rightful place, Once again that green wave swept across my vision. This time sweeping the gibberish away and settling in the bars and counters I was so used to.

>Subject Orion Confirmed.

>Rebooting EFS.

>S.A.T.S. Active.

>Error.

>Memory Corrupted.

>Unable To Restore Mapping Data.

>Error.

>Rainblade Offline.

>Beginning Restoration Of Rainblade Functions.

>Secondary System Detected.

>Overwriting Interface.

>Mk 1 Balefire Blade Slaved To System.

>Beginning Rewrite Of OS.

>Unknown Time To Completion.

VISTA was as bugged out and weird as ever, The screwy AI was comforting to see. A feeling of normality, something familiar. My Pipbuck was what grounded me again. My hoof slowly stroked the engraved cutie marks of my parents, Even after knowing they were both hundreds of years dead... they still defined me.

I blinked, why was I thinking such sappy things? Chase was grinning at me, occasionally shoving random bits of junk into his bags.

“Ah wanna show ya somethin, Little Bird.”

Chase led me around the side of the table, to the sheet covered bulk. Chase hooked the sheet with a hoof and swept it aside.

Now THAT is a big gun...

I could only stare with my jaw on the floor. the weapon was longer than I was! built from some shining metal with a blue tinge to it, edged with gold and lined with glowing red gemstones. Some kind of scope sat high on the weapon, seeming both sleek and simple in it's style. The entire thing was so simplified it was amazing, the workings seeming to be hidden inside the huge body. The barrel was box shaped and bigger than my leg. Ports on the bottom almost completely hid the bank of eight spark batteries, while exhaust ports, edged with gold ran along the full length of the weapon. nine gemstones were lined along the side of the barrel, glowing diamond then shining ruby. the pattern repeated along the length of the barrel. A quick search found identical lines of gemstones along the opposite side of the barrel. More were on both the top and bottom of it too. I knew enough about guns to understand that that many stones means some kind of powerful magic.

“This here is mah gun, Requiem.”

“What... Why is it so big?”

Chase grinned and rolled what I had taken to be a pipe towards me.

“It fires these.”

I tried to lift the thing, Sweet Celestia it was heavy! it was shaped like a bullet with a flattened tip. but there was no firing pin. In fact it seemed to be just a chunk of metal.

I looked around the table. Counting the one by my hooves, there were only six of the things? Why so few? I knew they were heavy but this was the wastelands. The more ammo the better.

“Chase? why are there so few rounds for that thing? I’m not exactly an expert with weapons but it seems odd to me.”

“Sweet Celestia, Ya’ll smarter than ah reckoned Little Bird.” Chase grinned at me like I had won a prize. “Mah gun was never mass produced. These here are the only rounds Braeburn made for it.”

“Only six?” It confused me no end. “Why wouldnt he make more?”

“Well Little Bird. From what Ah know, these here rounds have some space metal in the core. I reckon Braeburn couldn't lay his hooves on anymore.”

I suppose that made sense, if you needed some super rare metal to make them... Wait space metal? That's kind of scary. They made bullets... or whatever those things were, from some weird metal from space? who thinks up this stuff? Did somepony see a rock fall from the sky and decide ‘Hey! I can shoot things with that!’?

Chase rummaged around in the piles of junk on the table, after a little searching he pulled a massive leather saddle from under a pile of electronics and paper. Just like the gun, it was weird even to my untrained eyes... eye.

The heavy brown leather was reinforced with thick metal cables and strips of steel. One side seemed to be covered with leather pockets, all lined up close together. I watched curiously as Chase began to fill those same pockets with metal bars.

“Chase? What’s with all the metal? Isn't that heavy?”

“That theres kinda the point, Little Bird.” Chase smiled. “Mah gun is a little on the heavy side. Ah need to balance it all out.”

“How heavy is that thing? What is that anyway?”

Chase gave me such a shitkicker grin I felt jealous. I’m supposed to be the smartass here, but I couldn't seem to get into that frame of mind, I couldn't be myself.

“Well Little Bird, Mah gun is very heavy. Ah would say it's at least three times your own weight. Requiem is a Railgun. It uses magic to fire these here rounds at almost sonic rainboom speeds.”

“That's pretty darn fast...”

A weapon like that? Why did it even exist? Why did anypony think a weapon that could kill like that was a good idea? I could sort of understand war, after all I started one to take Silver back from Phoenix and his mercs. But still, the idea of a weapon like that was downright terrifying.

Chase hoofed me a large clip and showed me how to load the big rounds into it. In between bouts of dry heaving more sour spit, I got them loaded. After two I couldn't even lift the thing anymore! After the sixth clicked into place, I could hear the metal of the table groan from the weight. How was that thing even used? Did Chase have a cart it was mounted on?

A grunt came from the other side of the table. Curiously I looked over, and felt my jaw hit the floor.

Chase had mounted Requiem to that battle saddle and was standing... with all that weight... Sweet Celestia, how strong is he? I mean I knew when he was angry, Dad was strong enough to flatten buildings. But that was with a flank load of magic effects to boost his strength. How the fuck could Chase lift something that heavy with ease?

The colossal pony shot me a grin. “Mah mom told me, Back on the farm they raise em big and dumb. Ah may be strong but Ah am no thinker. To be honest with you Little Bird, Mah size and strength is all that Ah have going for me.”

“So you're just strong? I don't believe that. Your kind too, not many ponies out there would help out a hurt colt.”

Chase gave a sigh, “Young’un, Mah mom raised me to judge a pony on what they do. Ya’ll got me outta that there cell. Ah’m just doing what's right.”

*** ***

The pain in my wings was all that was keeping me conscious. The blood from my shattered horn and removed eye flowed down the side of my face, almost choking me taste and smell of copper.

A gunshots rang out, my legs exploding with agony. I looked up from where I hung, strapped to that blood slick table. The blades through my wings cutting through more of my flesh as I moved. Tears blurred my one eye as I stared into the face of the Power Armoured stallion before me. Bloodscar smiled around the revolver in his mouth. With exaggerated slowness he turned from me. Then spun and fired another shot into my left front leg.

I couldn't even cry out anymore, my voice was hoarse from screaming and crying. This was the third session since I woke, the passage of time had long ago stopped making sense. All I knew was pain and misery until I passed out again.

Bloodscar hadn't even asked me any questions today. It was like he was enjoying seeing me broken and in agony. Then again from the smiles while he cut my body, or when he shot holes in my limbs, he probably was...

There was a loud clang as Bloodscar dropped the gun to the table beside him, The smile on his face grew.

“Ah, so satisfying. Now on to business, Tell me how to remove a genetic lock.”

“B-but I d... don't know h-how.”

“Again with the deniles? Well I am starting to believe you. But to be sure, I guess I will have to question my other source of information...”

The door slid open, a second upright table was slowly wheeled into the room. Bloodscar turned it with a hoof. Hanging from the restraints was a tiny ebony unicorn, Her green mane hung in blood slick clumps. A knife had been driven through each of her limbs. Slowly her pain filled face lifted to face me, her red eyes filled with agony and fear.

“Big bwother... it hurts...”

I screamed.

My eye opened, I wailed and thrashed in terror. Chase wrapped me in a hug.

“It's alright Little Bird, it was just a nightmare. your safe.”

In the darkness of the ruined building we had sheltered in, I sobbed. my tears seeming to shine in the flickering light of our camp fire.

*** ***

Chase had led me from the ruins of the base, his sure and heavy tread slowed to account for my limp. The kindness of the huge pony never ceased to amaze me, he would have fit right in back home in Paddock. It was like I was travelling with a pre war pony. Chase was such an enig... emina... mystery, strong yet gentle, kind yet carried a weapon that just the description of frightened me.

The landscape passed by in a blur. The rocks, dead trees and patches of dying grass never left much impression on me. All seemed the same, the only thing on my mind was the two girls who meant more to me than life itself. My sister, Aurora. and my marefried, Silver Skies. It was for that same thing I began to dread the night. Sleep brought nightmares, of myself back on that table. I saw my baby sister screaming in pain, I saw Silver choking on her own blood. The night became something that brought me nothing but my worst fears, played out before my eyes.

I was afraid to sleep...

I was exhausted. I needed rest but with the horrors of my dreams, I was terrified. I used to dream about Luna or Silver doing such great things to... with me. Now my dreams left me shivering all day.

I don't know where Chase was leading me. Heck, I wasn't exactly chatty then. The big pony tried to keep my spirits up but every night, my nightmares made me hide inside myself more and more. As we walked through the wastes, I began to notice how Chase would glance over his shoulder at me. The look of concern I always saw in his eyes made me realise how messed up I really was. I knew I was hurting, physically as well mentally but to see somepony feel I was so messed up I needed watching? The thought terrified me.

Food was becoming a hardship for me. Not for lack of it, we had salvaged a good supply of canned goods back at the base. No, my issue was I couldn't keep it down. my stomach cramps were getting worse by the day. Food sat in my belly like a lead weight before a stronger cramp would make me throw it back up. The only thing I had been able to keep down for long was a thin porridge Chase had made from crushed seeds and water. It tasted nasty but at least it was stopping me from starving to death.

I knew Chase was worried about me, my adventures had built up a respectable amount of muscle. But the lack of food and the terror of those weeks had made me lose weight, My ribs were beginning to show through my coat.

Every evening, The big pony changed my bandages for me. Every evening I was too afraid to see what damage had been done to me, I just sat there with my good eye squeezed shut. The eye Dad gave me was still dark, I wasn't sure if it was blind or I just had my eyelid closed. The healing potions, and occasional shot of Hydra, Chase had been giving me were making me feel in less pain day by day. My horn had grown back, but my left back leg was still really messed up. Every night it was redressed and splinted. My wings seemed to be damaged beyond anything else, the slightest movement sent waves of searing pain through me. Giving up my wings for Silver was something I could accept, but having them destroyed by cruelty...

It was too horrible to even think about.

The days passed by as Chase led me through the broken landscape. The dead and dying trees and shrubbery had began to become rarer, the dried grass giving way to more dried dirt and rocks. the horizon began to turn from broken treeline to mountains. Chase’s heavy tread led us towards a dark line in the grey rock. Night began to fall as we reached the mountain range. I’m sure Chase could have got there days ago without me holding him back.

The dark line turned out to be a crack in the rocks, getting wider as we approached. Time and weather had gouged out a split in the rock face. As the big pony led us closer, I could pick out a wall across the gorge made from welded and rusted scrap metal. Somepony had sealed the entrance with that wall, A gate sat low near the middle of it's base, Low enough that anypony taller than me would have to duck to enter.

Ponies watched us approach through the sights of rifles, The sight of any gun filled me with terror, after all that had been done to me, the days of having bullets shot into my legs, the sight of a gun scared me to death. It took all my remaining self control to get myself close enough to those guns to see the wall clearly.

The barrels of those weapons tracked Chase slowly, ignoring me completely. I know I should be insulted, but I was too scared to care if they didn't see me as a threat. Chase glanced up at the sentries and laughed.

“Have ya’ll gotta do this every time? I swear, how many ponies my size do ya’ll get ‘round these parts?”

One of the guard ponies lowered his weapon and leaned over the rusted scrap metal wall.

“That you Chase? What you doing with some punk Dashite?”

The big ponies voice grew so cold that I took a step back in fright. “Ya’ll insult that colt again boy, and we will be having more than words. Ya’ll understand me?”

“S-sorry kid!”

I swear to Celestia, I could hear him gulp in fear.

“This here colt ain't no Dashite, he's been through something bad so don't go hating on him just ‘cause of his wings. Now open up the gate already. Ah need to talk to Ebony.”

Chase banged on the gate with a hoof, The sound echoed away behind the wall of rusted metal. The wind began to pick up. Rain began to fall, quickly turning into a rainstorm. Normally I would run for shelter, but there was something so... cleansing about feeling the water run through my matted and dirty mane. I closed my one working eye and turned my muzzle towards the sky. the rain left my mane in slick clumps, soaking into my bandages. The cold made me feel more, I don't know, alive. It was like I had been sleepwalking through the last few days and this rain was my wakeup call.

I just sat there, in the cold rain and mud. I stared with my eyes shut, feeling the rain run down my, feeling the cold and the wet. For the first time in weeks, I felt alive...

Not simply surviving the horror of each day. Not praying to anypony listening for help. Not wishing that I could simply die, But simply feeling glad that I was alive...

That I was finally free. That I was safe at last.

The door screeched as the rusted hinges swung inwards. Darkness greeted me. I wasn't usually a timid colt, but after all I had been through? I was more than a little afraid of that darkness. Chase ducked under the low frame and stepped through, after a moment I followed. Two armed ponies stood hidden on either side of the doorway, it made sense now. The low frame forced anypony coming through to duck low, and if they were an enemy. then the guards were ideally placed to blow their head off, plugging the door in the process. Chase glanced back at me, concern in his eyes. the big pony beckoned me with a nod of his head, I followed him into the gloom. It was dark, the tunnel stretched away, lit only by the light of my Pipbucks and flaming torches, set into alcoves carved into the greyish rockwall.

Dads lectures came back to me, all his talks about not seeing what is in front of me, but seeing what is truly there. So, wide patches of darkness, separated by bright patches. A single passageway of stone, looking like a natural cave system. I began to notice rocks piled against the walls in places, reaching up to the ceiling. maybe somepony blocked off the branching passages? A single passage, no cover. the alternating light and dark would kill any night vision, while ponies in the darkness behind the torches could see the lit areas and cover them.

The defences of this place were well thought out.

The passage stretched away, the alternating patches of light and total darkness left me feeling blind. I felt more than a little frightened by that thought, I already lost one working eye, I couldn't lose the other. I followed the sound of Chase’s heavy hoofsteps, trying not to scream every time an armed pony appeared from the darkness.

A dimly lit exit appeared from the gloom, silhouetting the massive shape of Chase. The big pony stepped through and beckoned to me with a hoof. I followed him through into a sea of stars.

My eye began to adjust to the gloom, before me was a huge deep cavern. what I took to be stars began to reveal themselves to be lights, both electric and firelight. Houses of scrap and stone lined the bowl of the cavern, water flowed down the far wall in a stream. As my night vision returned, I saw how the water was directed into a few larger buildings with channels of stone slabs. A third stream connected to a wide pool, I saw young ponies splashing with glee, while older mares scrubbed at clothing. A larger oval building sat in the centre of the town, ringed by the light of torches. a constant murmur echoed, the voices of ponies whose number I could only guess at. occasionally I could pick out a word from the sea of sound. I could only stare in amazement at the sheer scale of the town, I would never have believed anypony could build a city like this down here.

Chase nudged me with a hoof, I didn't realise until then that I had been staring like a star struck tourist. My big friend led me down a sloping pathway running around the edge of the bowl. Every hundred yards or so, a wooden platform branched out over the city. sandbags were piled at chest height. Well for a stallion anyway, they were head height for me. an armoured pony stood behind each barricade, their battle saddles guns tracking us as we passed. Guns still made me nervous, so I was more than a little afraid as we descended. Still, the reassuring bulk of Chase kept me going. If it wasn't for Chase looking out for me like a mother hen with her chick, I don't think I could have made it this far.

The darkness began to lift as we descended into the city. Ponies of all descriptions watched us as we passed, some nodding or calling to Chase in greeting. Some stared at me with contempt or sometimes sympathy in their eyes. Every building we passed seemed well cared for. even the most roughly built had at least a coat of paint. I limped along, feeling awestruck at some of the buildings, from simple wood or tin shacks, to log cabins. from huts, all the way to elaborate brick houses. each building seemed so carefully put together, it made my old home in Paddock seem rustic by comparison. Then something caught my eye, leaving me frozen on the spot.

An ornate stone building stood before me. Cut from the same grey stone of the cavern, It reached above me. Stained glass windows on either side of the arched door showed Luna and Celestia raising the sun and moon. carved above the door was the royal emblem. the two alicorns circling the combined sun and moon. The Princesses... the ponies who ruled the world I grew up in...

“Ya’ll ok there, young’un?” Chase followed my gaze to the emblem. “That there is the Church of the Goddesses. it's where we pay our respects to Luna and Celestia, and pray to them.”

“You pray to the Princesses?” The idea was weird to me, I grew up knowing they were ponies who cared for us all.

“It's true Little Bird. after they up and vanished when the Megaspells fell, Ponies like those over yonder, needed a little somethin’ to believe in. to the ponies down here, they just became Goddesses. now they watch over us all. they keep us safe.”

“Keep us safe...” That couldn't be true, not after what had happened to me.

Chase led me through the winding streets, the stares of the ponies we passed was starting to get to me. I saw hatred on more than a few faces, how could anypony hate me without even meeting me? My big friend stopped in front of a large, grey brick building. muffled music echoed from behind the metal door. Chase banged on the metal, a small hatched near the top slid open. Eyes stared at the big pony for a moment before the hatch slid back with a snap. the door swung inwards, Chase beckoned me with a nod of his head once more. Like Nighteyes, when I had chocolate, I followed silently. A large blue stallion watched me silently as Chase led me along a narrow corridor. a small window was set around halfway down the right wall, my curious glance on the way past revealed it to be an office of some sort. a few filing cabinets and a desk set against the window filling most of the small room. The music got louder and louder, a catchy beat I would usually be bouncing too.

The room was pretty big, rectangular in shape and filled with tables. A bar filled one of the short walls, the other taken up by a weird looking stage. The heavy looking bar was filled with ponies drinking and laughing in the dim lighting. as my eye adjusted more, I began to pick out ponies at the tables or dancing in the flashing lights in front of the stage. I peered at the source of the music, Gemstones were spaced evenly in the wooden stage. Each gem seemed to flash in time with the music. it was so strange to not see a band, but I guess it was something like the radio? A mule sang and danced on stage, He wore a white suit and hat. As I watched he spun and walked forward... or looked like he was. It was so weird to see anypony walk forwards while sliding backwards. I strained my ears to hear his song.

“As she flew in through the window

It was the sound of a crescendo

She came into her royal apartments

She left the hoofprints on the carpets

She stood in that room

In the guise of Nightmare Moon

So she ran into the throne room

She was struck her down, It Was Her Doom

So, Luna are you OK,

Are you OK, Luna

Luna are you OK

So, Luna are you OK

Are you OK Luna

You've been hit by

You've been struck by

A smooth stallion.”

Catchy as the music was, that freaky backwards slide kind of messed with me. that mule’s dancing was scary.

My eye found Chase in the gloom, standing next to the bar, chatting with a zebra. I felt a bolt of terror flash through me, Zebras were the ones that almost killed me and put me in that tube. The mares smile was oddly calming, seeming free of anything but happiness. Chase was smiling as he spoke with her. My eye scanned her, taking in the swirling stripes, the black and white mohawk, the red gemstone hanging from her neck. her flank held a weird looking mark, it looked like a heart made from thorns.

Chase beckoned to me with a hoof. With a gulp of fear, I limped over. Chase seemed at ease so maybe this zebra was not a threat?

“Little Bird? this here is Ebony. shes an old friend.”

Ebony looked down at me with her shockingly green eyes, “It's tough to see one so young, so hurt. What has happened to you, Little Bird?”

I looked down, unable to meet her eyes. I couldn't tell her the truth of why I was like this, I couldn't accept it myself yet.”

Chase laid a hoof on my shoulder, “Raiders had him. Please leave it at that.”

I looked up with surprise, Chase was lying to a friend to protect me?

Ebony’s eyes softened, her eyes filled with pity. “You poor thing, Let me see what aid this mare can sing... bring? Celestia dammit! I was sure I had that rhyming crap down! Fuck it, I can't be fucked with this tourist crap!”

I just stared as her tirade continued. Chase burst out with a deep chuckle.

“Ebony, Ah know it's expected of zebra, but forget it. It's not who you are.”

I stared wordlessly at the two before me. From the way they acted, it has to be an old joke between them. Chase glanced up at the mule dancing on the stage.

“I didn't think you would let Merry Jig back in here, what with the rumours about him and that colt.”

“Well, his singing is very popular with the customers. I just make sure MJ is watched at all times. better safe than sorry.” Ebony smiled before turning back to me. “Well, youngster. Brambly here has asked me to put you up for a time, while your wounds heal up. I have no issues with doing this but I do have one rule. Those that don't work, don't eat.”

“Hold on now!” Chase seemed suprised, “You can't expect a scrawny, injured colt to wait tables for you!”

“Oh don't you worry your pretty little head. He's too small to wait tables, too young to work the bar. You can work as a bouncer tonight while Little Bird here is going to sing.”

I blinked. “You want me to s-sing?”

“It's that or you throw unruly ponies out the door. We both know you don't have the size or body needed for that kind of work, so I’m cutting you some slack and letting you sing for your supper. You're on after MJ, don't worry about the music. The stage is something we scavenged from a M.O.M. hub. It picks up your mood and makes the music for your words, just sing and let it do it's stuff.”

*** ***

I sat in the middle of the stage, spotlights shining down on me.

It should be simple right? just sing one of the many songs I knew and I can go hide away somewhere? A little pony rock? some dubtrot? maybe a love song...

I sat there scared out of my mind, eyes stared at me from the dimly lit club. I couldn't bring a single song to mind! what was I supposed to do? I had to sing something or I couldn't sleep in a bed tonight. I closed my one working eye, feeling tears running down my face. I searched for the words, for something I could put into song. There had to be something, something I wanted. Some reason for me to fight this little battle with myself.

Silver...

I heard music begin around me, slow and heavy with guitar. With a final gulp of fear, I held her face in my mind and raised my shaking and broken voice in song.

*** ***

Chase glanced over from where he stood by the entrance. The shaking voice of Little Bird rose over the constant noise of the club. The big pony grinned, they both had an easy job tonight.

Being a bouncer was no big thing to a pony who dwarfed everypony he met. even without weapons, few would want to start trouble with a pony of his size ready to buck them in the head and throw them out the door.

Something weird was happening, the noise of ponies talking was beginning to lessen. More and more conversations trailed away as each pony stared at the shivering pegasus colt.

“The poor thing...”

“Like a bird with a broken wing.”

“He may be a flying rat, but I can't help feel sorry for him.”

Comments began to drift from the crowd, Mostly mares, but a few stallions too, seemed to feel the hurt and pain in the scrawny pegasis voice. Chase strained his ears to catch some of the song with interest. Little Bird sang out his pain, seeming not even to see the ponies watching and listening.

“I follow my heart, that feeling inside.

Until I get home, I’m not willing to die.

I tried being alone, but it's no use.

Because that mare, Still holds my heart in her hooves.

To get back to her, I'm willing to try.

To spread these broken wings and take to the sky.

Because I know that I can't spend this life alone.

I’ll get back to her. I’ll find my way home.”

In a darkened corner of the club, a brown stallion watched with interest at the crowds reaction to the childs song. one hoof beckoned to a nearby stallion.

“Tell the boss, we have found our final ‘volunteer’.”

*** ***

I limped along the streets. I had got some applause with my song, even a few hugs from random mares. I was terrified of the attention so had pretty much fled. I needed to be alone for a while, a little time to collect myself.

Ebony had told me to try the church, it made sense I suppose. a place like that would be silent, out of respect to the Princesses.

My limping steps led me back down the same streets I had walked with Chase, only hours earlier. I stared up at that symbol once more, twin alicorns circling the combined sun and moon. Maybe they would hear if I asked for advice? They cared about everypony back before the war, so if they were looking down on us, then maybe they could help me?

Something smashed into the side of my head, dropping me to the stone road. my vision swam, twisting everything into weird shapes.

“Fucking pegasus! your kind isn't welcome here!”

“Wheres your mighty Enclave to help you now, huh?”

Hooves rained down on me, bringing up stabs of pain. I felt old injuries reopen, I shrieked as I felt a rib break. Finally the attack stopped. Through my tears I saw three colts trott away, laughing about how they ‘Fucked up the chicken’.

I never understood hatred, why did they hate me so much? I didn't even know them, we had never met! I couldn't help being born a pegasus, even if I was now an alicorn. What did I do to deserve this?

Sobbing, I pushed myself back to my hooves. I felt so unsteady, swaying slightly as I tried to regain my balance. The open doors of the church were before me, I limped forward, up the low stone steps.

The church was huge. Wooden benches sat in rows on either side of a threadbare carpet, running from the door to a large raised platform. High walls led to a vaulted ceiling. Images of the Princesses were painted on every surface. My eyes were fixed on one thing though, standing on the raised platform were the two who had kept my world safe. The sun and moon, the Princesses.

Luna and Celestia.

Carved from grey stone, smiling with a calming aura. I limped towards them, shivering from my withdrawals. I sat on my haunches before them, feeling so helplessly lost. Please let them hear me...

The stone faces of the princesses stared down at me. I tried to smile but it just felt so false, so forced...

I couldn't believe they were looking down on me, not after what had happened since I woke up... But I needed guidance, I needed a lifeline. I needed some way to bring myself back to myself. I wanted my confidence back. I wanted to be me again.

“Luna... Celestia...” I felt myself shiver, the withdrawals making my guts clench. “Can you help me? I... I don't know what I’m supposed to do...” I felt tears falling down my face from my one good eye. “Please, I don't know what to do! I can't be myself, I can't find the courage to even look under my bandages. I can't go home like this, I can't force Silver to take care of me. I need to be there for her!”

Those stone faces stared down, smiling kindly.

My body shook with more than the drug withdrawals now as I sobbed. Tears dripping to the concrete floor.

“I can't be what everypony wants me to be, What they need me to be. I... I... I need help. please help me. please just tell me what to do. I can't go on like this, I can't live being afraid of the world around me. please... Please help me. Please tell me what to do...”

“Please... I’m begging you. Give me a sign. I’m nothing. I’m just a broken colt. I can't even carry my own weight now, how can I protect her? How can I be with her like this? I... I... I’m scared.”

“Please... I’m just so afraid. Don't leave me like this, don't let me be so scared, please don't let me suffer anymore! Please... Please I’m begging you. Luna, Celestia... Tell me what I’m supposed to do!

There was a quiet sound, something stabbed into my neck. My questing hoof found a small dart. it looked like a thorn wrapped in tufts of pony hair.

My sight began to blur, all my strength leaving me. I collapsed, falling to the ground, my limbs like jelly. My eyesight began to darken, Before I passed out, I saw the brown hooves of a stallion standing over me. His words followed me into the darkness.

“You’re supposed to fight and die for our amusement.”

Level Up!

Quest perk added - Eye of the Starlight Archon. What effects this will bring are unknown.

Quest perk added- Broken. All S.P.E.C.I.A.L. stats are reset to zero while this perk is in effect, in addition all weapons deal an additional 20% damage to you.

>Error Received Loading S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Statistics.

Tears of Blood Teaser

Fallout Equestria: Silver Skies

Chapter 8: Tears of Blood

Suffering.

When had that began to define me? When had pain and misery become all I knew?

Everypony wanted to see me hurt, to suffer. For having wings, for being born to the best parents a pony could wish for. For simply being me. I never made demands on what I wanted for myself, I’ve sacrificed so much to help others. Yet the wasteland keeps demanding more, it keeps demanding I hurt more. Always more, always taking from me. My hopes, my dreams. Even my very body and soul. Always taking.

But all I want, is to just go home...

Is it too much to ask for? Just to be able to go back home? To see the mare I love? To find my baby sister? I don't want caps, fame or recognition. I just want my family and friends.

So why did the wasteland deny me even that?

*** ***

I had awoken in a dark cage, my legs shackled together. Other ponies lay on the rotting straw, some leaning against the rusted metal of the bars. We each wore some kind of metal collar, Red lights blinking along thick boxes spaced around the things. A voice in the darkness, full of fear, Had informed me what it was.

“Don't fiddle with the bomb collar. If yours blows, then all ours will too. I don't want to die... Not without a fight.”

“What’s going on?” The last thing I remembered was passing out in the church.

I felt around my leg for a moment before my hoof found what I was looking for. My Pipbucks light shone, Illuminating the cage in its pale glow. The dim light shone across the face of a buck, green eyes widening with surprise as he took in my bandaged form.

“Your that pegasus from the club?” The buck reached up with a cream hoof, brushing a lock of his shaggy black mane from his eyes. “That would make you this month's ‘volunteer’. You poor bastard.”

“W-what do you mean by ‘volunteer’?”

The cream buck gave a sad sigh.

“You really don't know anything?” I shook my head in confusion. “You caught their eye somehow. You being in there will draw a bigger crowd, so they ‘chose’ you as a guest fighter.”

“F-fighter?”

I felt myself shake with more than my withdrawals, terror gripping me in it's dark embrace. I’m not a fighter, Heck I don't even know Archon style to the point I can keep myself safe.

Dad taught me to try and defend myself, but not how to kill.

Why was this happening? Haven't I suffered enough? Haven't I felt enough pain yet?

My hooves covered my face as I cried, the cream buck resting his hoof on my shoulder trying to give me what little support he could.

*** ***

Chase fixed his sight on the door once again, frowning slightly.

Little Bird was taking a long time. Chase knew the little colt needed time to heal after what he had been through, but as the hours had passed, his anxiety had grown. Little Bird was too broken to be left alone for so long.

The club was winding down as the small hours of the morning ticked by. Partying ponies beginning to drift towards the door, seeking their beds, or someponies bed at least. The atmosphere had become almost sluggish, drink and dancing wearing everypony out to almost exhaustion. As the night had ground on, the missing colt plagued Chase’s thoughts. Something about that broken pony had wormed it's way into his heart, making him want to protect him from anything he could.

Chase glared at the door, pacing back and forward.

“Ah reckon that's long enough...”

The big pony started for the door, his face set with determination. Club goers took one look at his face and cleared a path to the exit.

“Brambly! Where are you going? Your shift isn't over yet!”

Chase glanced over his broad shoulders. “Little Bird is late. Ah don't want him wandering around those streets alone. Ah’m sorry Ebony, But Ah’m worried.”

“The feathered runt wouldn't just find a spot to hide or sleep?”

“Ebony, Ah am afraid of what they did to that colt. They did things that disgust me beyond all Mah morals. They forced drugs on him, shot him, cut and bled him. And that's just the start...”

Ebony stared, her jaw open in shock. “So that's why he looked so lost? To do that to a child...”

“That's why Ah want to make sure Little Bird is alright.”

Ebony stared down at the ground, her face looking guilty. “Brambly...”

“Ebony, Ah know when y'all are hiding something...”

“Alright...” The zebra sighed loudly. “Brambly, This isn't the town you know anymore. Around a year ago, A gang moved in. It started small, a few pickpockets, some theft. Then ponies started to disappear.”

“Ah thought this here town was safe from crimes?”

“While it is true that the town is safe from Raiders, We have had a gang sneak in with refugee’s. You remember the arena?”

“Where Y’all have those play fights to settle disputes?”

“Yes, It's not friendly fights anymore. It's become a weekly thing for ponies to die in there. All criminals end up in there without trial or any kind of proof.”

“Ebony, Why in tarnation did y’all not tell me about this sooner? Ah could of helped!”

The few remaining club goers took one glance at the huge, angry stallion and headed for the exit.

“It gets worse. Everypony is too afraid to stop it, But each month a pony is volunteered to fight. If they win, they get anything they want but it's fixed. Nopony survives.” Ebony stared at her hooves, “Brambly, we are all terrified. Anypony that speaks out, disappears. Most die in the arena, some are just gone. The fights are unwinnable. Untrained citizens are thrown against minotaurs and armoured unicorns. It's murder, plain and simple.”

“Y’all have guns, Why not fight back?”

“Brambly... Anypony who could fight back, They have bomb collars on their loved ones. Nopony will stand up to them, We are all too afraid to lose our families.”

“Why would they take Little Bird?”

“Because of his song... Brambly this is all my fault! If I never made him sing, they would not have even noticed him. His death is my fault...”

“He ‘ain't dead yet. Ah’m gonna go get him.”

Ebony’s eyes grew wide with shock, “Brambly! Don't go! The arena is their turf now, you won't get two hooves through the door before they gun you down!”

“Ebony...” Chase stared hard at his Zebra friend. “That there colt saved Mah life. If not for Little Bird, Ah would have starved to death in a cell. Ah owe him Mah life, And Ah will not stop if Ah can save his.”

Ebony sighed. “You and your stupid honour Brambly. Alright, Let's go. We will have to move fast, The fights always start when they get their volunteer fighter. We have to leave your guns here though, Nopony can bring a weapon through the gates of the arena.”

The huge pony smiled. Slowly he rolled his shoulders, The loud pops and snaps of his muscles echoing across the now empty club.

“Ah don't need no weapon. Celestia help anypony that tries to stop me.”

*** ***

I stared into the darkness, unseeing, yet unable to just deny my situation. I could feel my death coming, I was going to die...

There was nopony coming to save me, Nopony left who even cared enough to look for me.

Sure, Chase seemed cool. But he had his own issues to deal with, his own problems. He didn't need a broken and worthless colt like me holding him back. The big pony had his own life to lead, I’m glad I helped him but I know he had a life of problems. I mean anypony who carries a weapon that weighs five times what I do, easy. Well he has got a whole lot to deal with.

The dark was far from silent, the tears falling not just my own. Hearing the sobs of those who knew they were about to die, it forced me to face what was coming.

I was going to die.

Dad would not be there to rescue me. Happy, Ironclad, Myth, Blackshot... Silver.

Nopony knew I was still alive, Nopony knew I was not a corpse. Nopony was going to save me, I was alone. I had nothing but myself and the broken Pipbucks I had been given.

The ponies who cared for me? They all thought I was dead. And in a matter of hours? They would be right...

I had once dreamed of being famous, of being the name on everypony’s lips. I had dreamt of becoming a legend, now I was going to die a nameless nothing. The ponies I cared about would never know what happened to me. I doubted I would be buried at all, Let alone near my folks. I would simply be a smaller skeleton littering the wastes.

My last moments of life will be spent in a cage. stinking of sweat, Fear, My own withdrawal induced vomit and shit.

Lights flooded our cage with their blinding glow. A voice echoed out, Two words signing my death warrant.

“Show time.”

Author's Notes:

just a little teaser for the long overdue chapter. RL has beat me down, new job, home, list goes on but im gonna get this dead story back into its swing soon as i can.

until then, enjoy the sneak peak!