Chapter 7

The beast moved through the crumbling structure, leathery bat wings outstretched for a quick pounce, scorpion tail swaying with anticipation, and the massive feline body prowling low to the ground. Shaky was avoiding him expertly, silently moving through crawl spaces, occasionally kicking a stray bottle or can in another direction to throw it off her trail. Her grey coat was working to her advantage in Old Trottingham, it blended perfectly with concrete.

Their cat and mouse game had gone on for half an hour now, and she was always several steps ahead. Stripe and I had exchanged a worried glance when she volunteered to lead the creature into our trap, but we hadn't been able to talk her out of it. This whole set up was a bit dangerous for all of us actually, though I suppose capturing an abnormally large male manticore alive wasn't described as safe. For 10,000 caps though? Fuck safety.

The Union trooper next to me coughed, and even though it was fairly quiet, I about threw him out of the building.

"Sorry." he mouthed at me. I nodded, wiping a bead of sweat from my brow. I wasn't worried about alerting the manticore, we'd fought, killed, and escaped from many in the last few weeks, I was worried about having to kill it if it charged, 10,000 was a lot of money to lose.

I went back to my rifle scope, overseeing Shaky's progress on the street below, the beast was nearly under the well hidden cage, and once again I'd lost track of where she was.

I tapped Token's shoulder, she nodded and passed me the dart gun we were provided. Shaky climbed through a hole in the floor as I looked down the sights.

"Need me to go b-back down and get it to move more?" she whispered.

"No," I whispered back, "it should be fine, just give it a second."

It searched a few more minutes before finally stepping under the trap, a pressure plate was triggered, the cage dropped, the beast roared with rage. I aimed the dart gun at its neck and sent the tranquilizer flying right into its jugular.

It continued its rampage a few seconds longer before finally slumping over in a pacified daze.

I let out the breath I'd been holding and passed the gun back to Token, the trooper with us muttered some code word bullshit into his shortwave radio. Several minutes later, Stripe and a squad of Union troops arrived with the sledge.

Loading the thing was proving tiring, even with 5 unicorns on hand, and Stripe was straining to pull the sinking cage through the deep mud on the way back to the outpost.

The entire group let out a frustrated sigh as it began pouring, softening the mud more, making the slog all the more dreadful. Our destination was finally in sight though, Union Observation Outpost Foxtrot, the ugliest collection of tents and crumbling walls to ever call itself a fort.

There was only one intact building, a research station, filled with all sorts of scientific equipment. Foxtrot's main objective was surveying Old Trottingham, but it was a pioneering point for manticore research. We left the sleeping beast at the loading area, letting the 20 unicorns on staff lift the cage into the building, then trotted inside for our reward.

A pissed off looking mint green mare with a cropped light pink mane approached. She was out of her officer's uniform, some poor trooper had probably made the mistake of waking her when we arrived.

"'Bout time you wankas showed up," First Major Mint Berry said in an almost scolding tone, "it's almost fuckin' midnight, you aware of 'at? I don't like bein' woken up at fuckin' midnight to pay you lazy sobs more caps 'an my boys make in a mumf!"

"Baby," Stripe said, shaking his head sympathetically as he trotted around behind her, having her sit and rubbing his hooves between her shoulders, "you relax, the doc'll handle payin' us, you an' me can go up to yer room and I'll massage all that stress away, 'kay?"

She relaxed, her forelegs going rubbery, bless her, she was trying to stay pissed off, but couldn't quite manage it.

"Fine," she pouted tiredly, "but you're tuckin' me in aftawards."

"Course." he said as he wheeled her around.

Shaky yawned, I levitated her onto Token's back and nodded them both off, then made may way through the facility looking for the good doctor. Doctor Rat-Face, a freaky name for the freakiest fucking pony alive. He was the physical embodiment of the cliche mad scientist, and the poor stallion had giant cat monsters on the brain.

He was trying to find out why manticores were immune to 'Taint', a powerful mutagen that plagues certain parts of the wasteland, and his current theory was literally, "They're already a clusterfuck of different, totally unrelated animals, can't get much more mutated than that!"

He greeted me brightly, smiling his jagged, toothy grin far too wide with that hideously deformed face of his, his lazy eye looking down like always, the socket itself seeming to sag lower than the other eye. Seriously, there are Ghouls out there prettier than this buck.

I dodged around a conversation about manticore DNA and went directly to asking for pay, he nodded eagerly and gave me a note signed for 10,000 caps to be cashed at the quartermaster's office.

I cashed it, and let me say, the sound of 10,000 caps jangling together in a burlap sack... can only be surpassed by sexy moaning, and it's a damn close second. My PipBuck counted it immediately, they hadn't held out on a single cap, this time, probably because I'd called them on it the last 5 times they tried.

I walked back to the room they'd set us up in, humming and jangling as I went. It was simple, for 20 caps a night I wasn't expecting much, just a cot and a bunk bed. Token was already passed out on the top bunk, and Shaky was scooting over on the bottom so I could squeeze in next to her.

We'd grown pretty close in the last month, and I usually woke up with her curled up next to me. It made me feel good, like a big sister, or a-

"Mom?" she asked sleepily as I scooted in.

She'd started that a few days ago, occasionally calling me Mom, testing it out. I liked it, filling that role for her. I'd always wanted children, but considering my situation with Token, Shaky was probably the closest thing to a daughter I'd ever get.

"Yes?"

"Why've you b-been sneaking out at night?"

Shit. I wasn't surprised really, Stripe had already found out, it was only a matter of time before Token and Shaky found out.

My crazy and I had developed a decent arrangement, I had our body during the day, and anytime Token wanted to make love, which was becoming an unfortunately rare occurrence. She had it during the night, to go out and sate all the violent urges creeping around the back of my mind.

It was a decent arrangement, she didn't bother me much anymore, aside from the occasional witty comment, and as she fought, my body learned, in its own absent way, so we both benefited from each other's combat experience.

I hated it, sharing my mind with someone so radically different, but I dealt with it. Stripe offered to help when I explained, I turned him down, for whatever reason.

I thought of a lie as quickly as possible, "Um, I've been doing some extra jobs, making some extra caps."

"For what?"

"Uh, an emergency fund of sorts. You know, in case one of us gets torn to bits and needs more medical care than I can shell out."

"Makes sense I g-guess." She snuggled closer to me and yawned, I wrapped her in my forehooves. "B-be careful, okay?"

I nodded and kissed her forehead, she was snoring a few minutes later. That familiar tugging sensation sparked through my mind, I'd learned not to resist, just go with it and relax.

There she was, smiling as she brushed past me and I fell backwards into the cage. I was a bit nervous with her in control of the body while Shaky was still in our embrace, but she simply smiled down at the filly and nuzzled behind her ear.

"Surprisingly loving of you." I said as she put our gear back on.

"I've grown attached to the runt in the past month, she's shaping up to be quite the effective little killer."

She trotted to the main entrance of the building, Stripe greeted her, she scoffed and made a death threat, the usual greeting.

"Well," he said as he rolled his eyes, "be careful with the boss's body, been some freaky ass red lightning off to the west."

"Hmm, might just check that out, could be something worth shooting."

"Sure, or it could be something that could tear you to shreds and kill the personality I actually give a shit about."

"Hug him right now! That was such a sweet thing to say, I think..."

"I'm not doing that."

"You will or I'm going to annoy you the rest of the night."

"I hadn't realized I share a mind with a child."

"Just do it! He's hardly ever sweet anymore."

"Fine!" she whined aloud. Stripe cocked an eyebrow and gave a quizzical glance.

"Listen," she said, making an attempt at sounding menacing, "I'm going to hug you, on the other one's behalf, if you get fresh with our body I'm going to shoot you."

He shrugged, "I'll try, no promises though."

She rolled our eyes and hugged him rather awkwardly, he looped a leg around our neck and gave an affectionate squeeze.

"Stay frosty boss." he whispered.

***

The red lightning was a bit intimidating to say the least, but the strangest part was the lack of thunder after each strike.

She crept quietly through the buildings, sticking to the shadows, she'd even gone through the trouble of wrapping a black shawl over our head. The manticores weren't on the prowl, not with this weather, but there were still raiders bunkered down in the more intact structures.

As we got closer to the source of the lightning we heard shouting, screaming, and the drawling maniacal rant of a mare. She climbed up the side of a nearby building, quietly finding hoof holds and peaking around columns into windows.

The building was deserted, though lit fires and still smoking cigarettes told us the residents were there recently. She made it to the roof and crept up, then belly crawled to the ledge.

The street below was devastated beyond belief, metal poles and beams were either white hot or melted away, concrete was blasted apart and scorched, and charred pony corpses were strewn everywhere.

"Notice the lightning stopped?" I pointed out.

"Yeah." she whispered, pulling out Victory.

She froze and held in a gasp when somepony tapped us on the shoulder.

"Ya'll are a bit better equipped than most'a the dirt kickin' fuckwads Ah seen down 'ere."

The mare kicked us over onto our back, pinned us with a surprisingly strong hoof, and stared down at us. She was a pegasus, her body covered in some kind of power armor, which had red electric coils protruding from it, tiny sparks of lightning bouncing between each. Her head was the only thing uncovered, she had a long crimson mane, a charcoal coat, and grey eyes.

She was looking at us quizzically, but flashing a mocking grin.

"Cat got'cher tongue? Speak up dirt kicker."

Her grin faded as the barrel of my pistol pressed against her jaw and the hammer cocked.

"I would appreciate it if you would take your hoof off me and stop calling me dirt kicker."

She smiled again and helped us up, "Surprised t' see the first pony with any balls Ah find down 'ere is a mare."

My crazy still had my pistol out and was cautiously looking over the new mare. The pegasus simply smiled.

"That gun ain't stoppin' shit, if Ah wanted t' kill ya Ah'da done it, and Ah'm not much fer rain, so quit standin' there lookin' all nervous an' let's head downstairs."

She looked her over a bit longer and nodded, holstering the pistol as she followed the strange mare downstairs.

"Don't much like you prancing around my turf killing my prey."

The pegasus chuckled, "Yer prey huh? Well Ah apologize, but them dirt kickers was just beggin' t' be blasted."

My crazy sighed with frustration, "I'm finding it very difficult not to shoot you right now, give me a moment please."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Can you just take control please? you're better with the whole trusting new ponies thing and I'm itchy to shoot something."

"Sure."

My body relaxed and jolted slightly as I took back control.

"Sorry about that." I said

"The fuck? How'd ya change voices like that?"

I chuckled and took the shawl off my head, resting my goggles on my forehead, "Let's just leave it at me being crazy."

"Don't look half bad fer a crazy mare." Wait, did she just hit on me? I was getting kinda sick of ponies doing that all the time. It made no sense either, Token's the pretty one.

"Oh sure," I said jokingly, hoping her last statement had been just that, a joke, "I'm guessing these two nasty scars on my face really bring out my eyes."

She scoffed, "Call them scars? Shit, Ah can show ya some damn scars."

"Be my guest."

She nodded and stripped out of her gear, which apparently was much easier to remove than the standard earth pony power armor. Underneath it was... well, it was interesting from a medical standpoint.

She had scars, all over her torso and legs, big ones, surgical ones, oddly uniform and ordered, they were open... and glowing. The scars were the same red as the coils on her armor, and like the coils had electricity jumping between them.

"That's uh... wow, what the fuck?"

She chuckled and sat back down, "Ah'm Thunderhead's pet project, these're experimental cybernetics embedded into mah body, amplify a pegasus' natural electrical output, turns the pegasus into a weapon. One of the reasons Ah got picked fer it, already put out alotta juice."

"And I'm guessing the coils on that suit work similarly?"

She nodded, somewhat impressed, "Pretty and smart, definitely a step up from mindless fuckwads. Yeah, suit amps it up even more, turns me into that light show that Ah'm bettin' lead ya here."

I looked her over, she had other scars, still surgical in nature, but not huge... or glowing.

"What about those?"

"Oh, had some metal plates grafted to my bones, on board repair system too, piggybacked it from the auto repair system in power armor and made it more sophisticated."

"Interesting, so what, you eat scrap metal or something to repair your parts?"

She laughed, "That's a good one! Eatin' fuckin' scrap metal, that don't make a lick o' sense! But nah, mah armor repair system synchronizes with the one in my body, Ah put scrap in the armor's maintenance and it sends the raw materials to the repair system inside through muh openings. Then Ah basically have raw metal passin' through mah body."

"That sounds incredibly painful."

She shrugged, "So was havin' lightning rods embedded in mah body and metal grafted to mah bones, this whole damn project's been painful, but Ah've learned t' deal with it."

She smiled with a touch of menace as she looked me over, "Aight, Ah showed ya mine, you show me yers."

I recoiled slightly, "Excuse me?"

"C'mon," she urged, "strip. We're gonna be here fer the night, weather ain't letting up any time soon, might as well get comfy."

I shifted uncomfortably, but nodded and removed my armor. She gave an impressed whistle and I blushed.

"Damn, you been shot t' bits before haven't ya?"

I nodded, "My second week out of my stable."

"Interestin'," she said, stepping closer, "what about that big'un on yer side there?"

"A lance, probably about a month ago."

She approached me and stroked the one on my cheek, it made me recoil a bit more. "This'un?"

I grabbed my knife from its sheath on my armor and showed it to her. "Raider was using it then," I said nervously, "had it heated up. Same mare that shot me to pieces actually."

She leaned forward and licked the one over my eye, I almost jumped away, but the mare held me in place. "That'un?"

I gulped and tried to find the words, "A month ago, flaming sword thingy, I should really be getting ba-"

She kissed me, lots of tongue too, I pushed her away almost immediately, not wanting a repeat of the Salt incident.

"No! Nope, nuh-uh, no way!" I said as I scrambled away from her.

She just casually strolled after me, an eyebrow cocked curiously.

"What's wrong wit'cha? Way you was lookin' me over Ah had ya pegged a filly fooler."

"Oh I am!" Had I been checking her out? Shit. "It's just that I have a marefriend and she-"

"Is she here?"

I gulped and kept scooting til I hit the wall, "No." I croaked out nervously.

The mare smiled and leaned in again, stopping just before her calm lips touched my nervous quivering ones.

"Then what's the problem?"

I took a deep breath through my nose, mistake, her scent hit my nostrils and excited me, but I fought the urge.

"She's a good mare," I said calmly, "I love her very very much, and I would like to maintain a tiny bit of fidelity."

The mare smiled yet again and pulled away, "Fair enough, offer still stands though, if ya feel like a little bit o' infidelity tonight."

She walked back to her spot, and my eyes couldn't help but snap to her flanks, and as she sat down and faced me, they couldn't help but take in the rest of her.

She was athletic, same build as me actually, very trim, and if my ass resembled hers at all... well, I could see why Token obsessed over it.

A familiar itch was creeping through my loins, and the more I looked her over, the more my body screamed at me to let her satisfy it. What had it been? A week? Yes, just about. In the stable I couldn't go more than a few days without scratching that particular itch.

I trotted back to the fire, trying my best to stare at the flames and not the lithe pegasus stretching across from me. I was failing miserably, and instead traced over her whole body with my eyes, stopping on the crimson lightning bolt on her flank.

"Night." she yawned, rolling back onto her stomach and shutting her eyes.

"Night." I muttered through almost gritted teeth, the strain was becoming too much.

"Oh just go over there and trade a few licks you pansy."

"Coming from you, very surprising."

"We share urges you know, you like the mares and so do I. It's just that my killing urges usually far exceed the sexual ones."

"And now?"

"Just look at her! She's fantastic! Plus, wiping out a city block by herself is a major turn on."

"I don't think I'm comfortable with it..."

My crazy scoffed, "If you won't, I will, and I'll make it rough and raunchy darling, believe you me."

I tried fighting it a bit longer, but I couldn't bear it, I nodded in defeat. I very quietly approached her, then leaned my head down and gave her a little lick between the flanks. She stirred and craned her head back, smiling, "Glad t' see ya reconsidered."

I went to work immediately, but stopped when a tiny red spark lept out and shocked my tongue.

"Ow!" I whined.

"Oops! Sorry sugar, sometimes the stuff's got a mind of its own."

I pouted, trying to massage my tongue with a hoof. She sat up and kissed me, again throwing her tongue into the mix, then pushed me down onto my back and worked her way lower until her muzzle found a very pleasant area.

My mane stood up when sparks arched off her tongue as she licked, intensifying the pleasure. Foreplay with an electrically charged pegasus was shaping up to be a new favorite pass time. She worked her way back up and gave me a very electric kiss, numbing my tongue further but at least not hurting it this time.

She broke away and smiled down at me, "Ready?"

I nodded eagerly, she grinned wider before working her way back down again.

***

I panted, still sweating from 6 rounds of rather intense sex. I rested my head on the mare's chest, her wings were wrapped around me, and she nibbled at my ear.

She giggled, "Yer mane's still standin' up."

I giggled too and reached up, giving her nose an affectionate lick, she countered with a nuzzle on the forehead.

I sighed and pressed my face against her, taking in the oddly sweet smell of her sweat. "I needed that, thanks."

She laughed and gave a squeeze with her wings, "No problem sugar, hell, Ah reckon Ah needed that 'bout as much as you did."

I blushed and looked up at her when I realized something, "I never asked you your name."

"Oh, guess ya didn't. Huh."

"Um, I'm Bandage, nice to meet you."

She giggled quietly, "Nice t' meet you too Bandage, Ah'm Blood Bolt."

"Blood Bolt." I said quietly, sampling the name.

She grinned, "Just call me BB, everypony else does."

"Okay, BB."

"Ah'm gonna pop up top fer a second and grab somethin'."

"Okay."

She unfolded her wings and gave me a quick peck on the forehead before flying through one of the windows. A minute later she was back, pushing a small but swollen storm cloud. She positioned it over me and bounced slightly, I sighed as delightfully cold rainwater spilled out.

She joined me, giving my ear a statically charged lick. My mane finally went down, and I scrubbed all the sweat and grime of myself... and then scrubbed her... then we scrubbed each other... then it was basically just sex in the rain.

***

An hour later we'd finally calmed down, having gotten all the 'itch' out of our systems, and were sitting across from each other near the fire.

"You're with the Pegasus Enclave right?" I asked.

"Yeah," she replied, then scrunched her face, "er, no, not since this mornin' actually, Ah defected."

"Why?"

She snorted, "Sick o' bein' caged up in Neighvarro, wanted to get some action other than the occasional fuck."

"Not much fighting then?"

"Nah, and the closest large scale ground operation is planned for two years from now, don't even know why we'd bother assaulting Fillydelphia, place is thick with Alicorns an' Hellhounds."

"So, why Trottingham?"

"Well, Ah heard from some folks up top that there was some kinda civil war goin' on down here, figured Ah'd pop down and see if Ah could stir some shit up. Plus mah daddy was last spotted in Trottingham, an' I miss that ol' cripple somethin' fierce."

I nodded, yawned and laid down. "Night."

She trotted around the fire and laid down next to me, throwing a wing over me, "Night."

***

I woke up congested, wrapped in her wings and forelegs, my head pressed to her chest. Sick again, great, the cold rain shower was probably to blame there. At least Blood Bolt put out a lot of body heat, the wet morning air was somewhat frigid, but my new friend was keeping me very warm.

She stirred as I buried my face in her chest, then kissed my forehead.

"Mornin'." she said tiredly.

I snuggled closer and buried my face deeper, I said good morning, but it came out muffled.

"Last night was nice."

I nodded agreement and yawned.

I pouted as she pulled away and stood, stretching her wings as she walked to her armor. The gear was more impressive in the light, sleek black armor, her cutie mark painted on the flank plating, only the wings were uncovered, even the tail was armored, tipped with a deadly looking scorpion stinger.

Her helmet was interesting as well, it didn't fully cover her face, which I found odd for power armor, and her crimson mane was protruding through an opening on the top.

She looked intimidating, the armor seemed designed to do just that. She flipped up the visor and winked at me with those dull grey eyes.

"Gear up sugar, we got shit t' do."

"Like what?"

"Yer a merc right?"

I nodded.

"Well, let's go back to whatever base ya came from an' do some merc shit."

I shrugged and put my gear on, putting my goggles over my eyes and wrapping my head in my shawl as we stepped out into the rain.

My mind flashed to telling Token I'd cheated, again. Excellent way to start the day off, I'd also have to think up an explanation for being out all night. My bullshit hadn't worked on Stripe, and I doubted it would work on her.

The soldier guarding the perimeter pointed his rifle at Blood Bolt and started shouting nervously for backup.

"Easy mate," I called, "she's a friend."

"Bullshit! She's an Enclaver!"

"Enclaver?" Blood Bolt muttered, "The fuck is an Enclaver?"

"Just keep her back until the Major gets out here!" the buck shouted.

My friends trotted out, following Mint Berry, who looked insanely pissed as always. Token smiled at me as they approached, a hint of worry in her eyes. I was glad my face was covered so she couldn't tell I wasn't meeting her gaze.

"Bandage!" the Major shouted, "The fuck?!"

"She's a friend Mint Berry."

"She's with the fuckin' Enclave!"

"Ah defected," BB said calmly, sounding more bored than anything, "Dashite an' all that shit..."

More troops spilled out, all pointing their rifles at her, she sighed and shook her head.

Stripe cleared his throat, "You trust her Bandage?"

I shrugged, "She hasn't tried to kill me yet, so yeah."

"Good enough for me." he said, trotting to my side with the rest of my friends.

We stared down the 20 some Union troops and the Major, taking out our own weapons, even Shaky drew her pistol.

"Really?" Mint Berry said, "Are we really going to start shooting each other over an Enclave scumbag?"

"Up to you Major." I said, Stripe cycled his minigun for emphasis.

The Major looked us over, her pink eyes sizing us up, her mouth testing the bit of her battle saddle. She let it drop and sighed.

"She better not fuck us over..." she muttered, "At ease!"

The troops lowered their weapons, if a bit hesitantly, we did the same.

"Well," Blood Bolt chuckled, "thank goodness that wasn't awkward or nothin'."

Stripe snorted, "Good thing they didn't do anything stupid, I like some of these guys."

The Major trotted to me and leaned in, "Don't make me regret this kid." she whispered.

Behind my goggles I rolled my eyes, but nodded all the same. She snorted and went back inside. Token tugged at the side of my head with her magic.

"You're in trouble." she said in a low, serious tone before brushing past me, Stripe and Shaky in tow.

"Yeah," I sighed, "I figured."

"Sorry fer stirrin' up shit Bandage." the pegasus said.

"Don't worry about it."

"So uh, introduce me t' everypony Ah guess."

"The big guy is Stripe, the little grey one is Shaky, and the blue mare is Token."

"She yer marefriend?"

"Yeah."

"Nice ass."

I snorted and trotted after Token, "Better go take my punishment."

"Good luck, Ah'ma go knock on the clouds fer a bit an' discharge some extra static."

"Sounds fun."

She chuckled, "You know it."

There was a small gust behind me as she took off, I turned to watch as she flew straight up, red lightning arcing off her as she went.

I made my way through the facility to our room, Stripe was leaning outside the door smoking.

"How is she?"

He snorted, "Pissed, worried, you know, the usual. Tried coverin' for ya, but she ain't an idiot."

"Yeah," I said as I uncovered my head, "gonna be a lot worse when I tell her what I did last night..."

"What'd ya do? Cap another filly?"

"No, thank goodness... Let's just say I had a very good night with my new friend."

"Again?!" he exclaimed, I nodded, "Damn boss. Don't see why ya have t' tell Blue though."

I sighed, "Because, I don't like keeping secrets." and I'm an idiot, and a glutton for punishment.

He snorted, "And yet ya haven't told her you're off in the head."

"I also don't like it when she worries."

"Bit late for that..."

"Yeah..."

"Well, go on in I guess, start screamin' if she tries to kill ya an' I'll try t' break it up."

"Don't bother, I probably deserve it."

He shrugged and trotted off. I took a deep breath and entered the room, expecting Token to be glaring daggers at me, instead she was looking me over with a worried expression. I'd prefer it if she was just pissed off.

"So... Stripe said you've been having some problems?"

I sighed and hung my head, "Yeah, guess you could say that."

She propped my head back up and smiled, "We don't have to talk about it until you're ready. But no more sneaking out at night, you need to tell me before you go, that way I don't freak out when I wake up and you're gone. 'Kay?"

"Yes ma'am." I muttered, looking back down.

"Something else wrong?"

I sighed, "I'm a terrible marefriend."

"How so?"

"I did it again..."

She was silent for awhile, then propped my head up again and stared at me very seriously. "Did what?"

I coughed nervously and squeaked out the answer, "Cheated on you."

She was silent again, staring at me blankly, thinking. I hung my head again and waited for the outburst.

"That pegasus you were with?"

I nodded, still looking down.

"Do you have feelings for her?"

I looked up, confused, "What?"

"Do you love her?" she asked, her expression stony.

"Of course not."

I cringed as she leaned forward, and my confusion was multiplied immensely when she kissed me. She broke away and smiled.

"Then it's fine."

"Huh?" I said dumbly.

"It's fine, I'm not mad."

I blinked, "Not even a little?"

She shrugged, "You're a mare with a healthy sexual appetite, I can appreciate that."

"But-"

She pressed a hoof to my mouth and smiled warmly, "Baby, hush. I don't care if I share your body with another mare from time to time, I have your love, that's what's important."

The statement may have been corny, but the sentiment was so sweet I couldn't help but tear up slightly.

I hugged her, tight, nuzzling her neck, "I don't deserve you."

She hugged back and patted my back with a hoof, "Bollocks, we're made for each other."

We sat there and held each other, she kissed up my neck and pressed her mouth to my ear.

"So, how was she?" she whispered.

My ears laid back and my face went bright red. She giggled and kissed my cheek.

"Taking vague answer as fantastic."

***

We all sat in the mess hall, chowing down on radboar chops from a pig Stripe'd killed earlier in the week. Blood Bolt was adjusting well, within the group anyways. She and Stripe were quickly cracking jokes, she relentlessly complemented Token to the point that I was a bit worried, and she was eagerly answering Shaky's questions about life above the clouds.

She was matching Stripe's appetite too, they had half the meat eaten before the rest of us started seconds.

I'd caught Token examining her a few times, which was perfectly fine and completely understandable, exotic appearance aside, the pegasus looked fantastic.

Token left the mess hall with me when I went to put Shaky to bed.

"So," she said, "Blood Bolt seems nice."

"She is." I said.

Token chuckled, "No, babe, she seems nice."

"Huh?"

"She's sayin' your new f-friend is hot," Shaky mumbled sleepily, "g-get with the fuckin' program."

"One minute Toky." I said as I nudged open the door to our room.

I trotted in and laid Shaky down on the bed, she smiled tiredly and hugged me around the neck, nuzzling my cheek. I hugged back, then rested her back on the bed and kissed her forehead before leaving the room.

"Night Momma." she said quietly.

"Goodnight sweetie." I said with a smile as I shut the door.

Token was smiling at me as I stepped out, wiping tears from her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

She hugged me tightly and buried her head in my shoulder.

"Oh babe, that was so beautiful!"

I rolled my eyes and pushed her away, strolling through the halls with her following.

"I can see why you did it with that mare," she said, the mischief obvious in her voice, "she's downright sexy."

I chuckled and shook my head.

"Seriously though! She may need to keep that armor on to cover herself, otherwise I might just pounce her."

I chuckled again, "Be my guest, I'd actually highly recommend it, she can do this thing with electricity that just feels fantastic."

"So, you wouldn't be bothered if I went after other mares?"

"No, if you're fine with me doing it, I'm fine with you doing it." I stopped and smiled at her, "I have what's important."

She smiled softly and kissed me, then wrapped me in a hug and held me there for what felt like hours.

***

The raiders picked through the building, searching for us, unfortunately for them we were in a building across the street, staring at them through Victory's night vision scope.

"Watch how a true master does it." Gallows bragged, she'd named herself that the night before, Gallows, ridiculous name.

She fired, the first raider's head exploding, the only sound his comrades would've heard was his body hitting the floor, but the noise of the thunderstorm covered it nicely.

She aimed up to the roof, at a raider smoking in the rain, she shot him in the throat, he fell forward off the building, landing four stories down head first on the concrete with a loud crunch.

Hoofsteps behind us, Gallows didn't look away from the scope, instead she manipulated my pistol and pointed it directly behind us. The hoofsteps came closer as she sent another silenced round flying into the face of a mare inspecting a body.

The hoofsteps came closer, Gallows cocked the hammer back, the gun was brushed aside, somepony hugged around our midsection and kissed along the nape of our neck.

"How many times Ah gotta say it," Blood Bolt whispered in our ear in an almost seductive tone, "that gun ain't stoppin' shit."

Gallows let out a held in breath and holstered the pistol, then sighted in another target and fired as the mare continued to kiss our neck.

"Excellent concentration." I complimented.

"Like I said, I'm a master."

"Hey," Gallows said aloud as she aimed at a large box of grenades and missiles near a weakened support beam on the second floor, "watch this."

She fired, and the boom of the explosion echoed out, drowning out the thunder. Ponies that were still alive screamed as the ancient building collapsed on them. Gallows smirked with satisfaction and turned around, slouching on a chunk of rubble and easing back on the wall.

Blood Bolt smiled and kissed us, Gallows didn't kiss back but smiled politely when she pulled away.

"Good evening." she said coolly.

Blood Bolt sighed, "Had to be the half that don't know how t' have a good time."

I'd told her about my crazy a few nights ago, Stripe explained it a bit more scientifically. Still hadn't told Toky, didn't want her worrying.

Gallows chuckled softly, "Our definitions of a 'good time' differ greatly I'm sure. You and Bandage find the more carnal urges of pleasure enjoyable, I on the other hoof enjoy the simple satisfaction of a well placed .308 round."

The pegasus pouted, "Tell the fun Bandage to come out," she whined, shifting her back legs, "Ah'm horny!"

Gallows rolled our eyes, "Can you not go more than a day without pouncing on her? Goddesses, you're worse than she is."

My friend scoffed and turned around making a show of highlighting her flank, "Ah know you wanna piece o' this as much as she does, Bandage told me so."

Gallows shrugged, "Sure, but I have a bit of self control."

BB snorted and turned to face us, stepping closer and sneering, "Yeah, if ya call gallivantin' around in the middle o' the night shootin' folks in the face self control."

She continued to move closer, Gallows drew my knife and held it at BB's throat to stop her. The pegasus grinned, and a spark jumped from a scar on her chest to the blade.

"Be glad Bandage is in there," she said menacingly, "otherwise Ah'd turn ya into a stain on the floor."

Gallows just smiled coolly, a facade, all the talk of violence was getting her excited, "That would be just fine, I'm eager to see how this rifle stacks up to that skull graft of yours."

BB chuckled, "Ah love it when ya talk dirty."

A raider appeared in the doorway, spraying with an assault rifle, Gallows pushed BB to the floor and fired wildly with my pistol, his chest and throat filling with holes. The buck didn't even wince, and instead let out a gurgling laugh as he reloaded.

"Stampede." I warned.

"I figured." she said with some annoyance, reloading the pistol.

Blood Bolt darted at him, slamming him into the wall with bone crunching force and violently electrocuted him. The buck kept cackling and firing his weapon, even as his body charred and the barrel of his rifle began to melt.

It morphed into a scream as he caught fire, but BB's onslaught continued, lightning arcing off her and burrowing into him.

She backed away as he finally went silent, his body would've slumped against the charred wall if he wasn't melted to it. The light show didn't stop though, electricity spilled out of her and licked at steel beams.

More raiders spilled in and she screamed, flying at them with a shield of red lightning surrounding her. They were blasted to bits when she impacted, and those that got out of the way in time were writhing on the ground screaming.

Gallows trotted up to them and executed each while BB stood there panting and trembling, lightning jumping between scars all over her body.

"You all right?" Gallows asked absently.

"Ah'm fine, just gimme a minute."

"It looks like you're in pain."

"Ah am." she said through gritted teeth

“Need any help?”

She sighed, still trembling, “Fuck, off, please.”

Gallows shrugged and trotted back to her perch, scanning the street below with Victory, clear for now. Hoofsteps again, and strained panting.

“Sure you're okay?”

“Yeah.”

“So, what was with the, you know, pain?”

“Didn’t have mah armor on, little too much heat.”

“Mmm.” Gallows mumbled, sighting in on another small raiding group in the distance. She took out the one in the back first and worked her way to the front. Clean, tactically speaking, though the street was littered with chunks of brain and skull.

"Well," Gallows sighed, "I've about had my fill."

"Move over, I need to make sure she's okay."

"Fine."

I grunted as I came back into control. Blood Bolt was still panting, wincing every other breath. I tsked as I trotted to her.

"Ah'm alright dammit."

"If you were okay you would've relaxed by now." I said with a smile.

She glared at me for a moment before sighing and hanging her head.

I bumped her shoulder with my head and smiled sympathetically when she looked back up.

"Lay down for a bit, I'm going to look you over, make sure you didn't wreck anything."

She winced but nodded, laying down with a grunt. I examined her, she was fine, mostly. A few burns here and there, some light scalding, gone after I had her drink a healing potion. Otherwise it was just her body still feeling the heat. I took a rag and wetted it outside, then wrapped it around her neck so she'd cool down faster.

"Thanks sugar." she said with a relieved sigh.

"Come on," I said, helping her up, "let's get back to the outpost."

She nodded and latched onto me, then darted out the window.

"Holy shit!" I screamed.

I looked down, promptly vomiting, and took in the scenery after spitting the bile out of my mouth. Old Trottingham looked worse from a bird's eye view than it did on the ground, the other sides of blocked off streets revealed massive raiding compounds, which explain how they still had a presence here after weeks of Gallows' 'hunting expeditions'.

Manticore nests were visible too, with massive packs of the feline beasts grouped together for warmth in the downpour.

I brought up my PipBuck's map and marked the location of the central compound, the one with actual supply caravans moving out to other, smaller locations.

"What'cha doin'?" BB called out.

"I think I found a good place to hit tomorrow morning! Might give the Union some hold in this region!"

***

"You wanna run that by me again?" the Major asked.

I sighed and rubbed my temples, the plan was simple enough, a large group of troopers would attack the front of the compound, while Blood Bolt dropped my group in behind them one by one, allowing us to hit them from both sides and squeeze them in.

"Your force attacks them head on, creating a diversion, my group drops in behind after all their troops have moved to attack you. We sweep through, wiping out any stragglers, then hit the main group from behind."

"And tear them to shreds." Gallows said with a rather creepy giggle.

“So, the plan is for this collection of twenty some troopers to leave our only base in this region unguarded, only to be slaughtered by a group of fifty raiders?”

“Please, when there were only three of us my team took down a force of over eighty raiders. This should be no problem for us, let alone trained soldiers.”

Mint Berry grumbled but nodded, then waved me out of her office.

Stripe was waiting outside the door, “We good to go?”

“Yeah.” I said, walking past him.

“Bitchin’.” he said, following.

"I didn't get a great look at the structure, but it didn't look too sturdy, bring some of that plastic explosive so we can blow the building if we need a diversion."

"Guess I'm makin' det charges today," he mumbled, I glanced back at him with a stern look and he nodded seriously, "I'll get right on it."

He veered off to the workshop and I continued down the hallway, I was dreading this next request, BB I knew could handle herself but Shaky...

They were both with Token at the mess hall, Token looked bright and cheery like always, if not a bit sleepy, the other two looked exhausted from the night’s fight and pissed off to be woken up respectively.

“Hey babe.” she said tiredly after another sip of coffee.

I sat down next to her and looked across the table at the other two with an expression that may have been a bit too grim when I was trying to remain optimistic.

“So, we’re on for tomorrow.” I said.

“Sweet.” BB mumbled.

“D-d-don’t know why you had to f-f-fuckin’ wake me up for this b-bulshit.” Shaky grumbled crankily.

I sighed, “Because I need to ask the two of you to do something tonight.”

“That bein’?” the pegasus asked.

“I need you to fly Shaky over to the compound and drop her off so she can do some recon on the inside.” I turned to Shaky, “Only if you’re up to it.”

“Yeah,” Shaky said, “I can do it.”

“You two should probably get some rest.”

They nodded and left the mess hall, Token massaged a hoof on my neck, “Maybe you should go and sleep too? You’ve been out most of the night.”

I rested my head on her shoulder and huffed tiredly, “I want to, believe me.”

“Then what’s the issue?”

“I’ve got to make some semblance of a backup plan, in case things go to shit.”

“Tell you what,” she said, hugging around me midsection, “you go rest, I’ll wake you up in a few hours and you can plan your tight round ass off.” I smiled tiredly and nodded agreement. “Not too far off mind you, that’s my property after all.”

“Oh? I was aware it belonged to anypony interested.” I teased.

“Please,” she scoffed, “they’re just renting.” She pressed her mouth to my ear, “I’m the landlord.” she growled.

I chuckled, “Toky, don’t try to be aggressive, it really doesn’t suit you.”

“Really now?”

I nodded and pressed my forehead to hers. “You’re the sweet one, always have been.”

“And what’s that make you?”

The killer, the disturbed one with the split personality, the cheater... “The one with a temper.” I said, not exactly what I should’ve said, still not a lie though.

“True, you did tend to beat the shit out of ponies a lot.”

“Better than what I do to them now...” I muttered.

“Stop beating yourself up about that, those ponies you killed deserved what they got, they were bad.”

“I guess...”

She sighed and planted a kiss on my forehead, “Go get some sleep.”

I nodded and left the mess hall, collapsing in bed next to Shaky when I got to the room, she was trembling.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m n-nervous,” she said quietly, “what if I’m in that b-b-base and they f-find me and they... do things.”

“Oh sweetie,” I said as I embraced her, “if you don’t want to go you don’t have to, I understand.”

She shook her head, “I can g-go, I can b-be b-b-brave.”

“It’s not about being brave Shaky, nopony’s questioning that you can do this, but if you don’t want to I’m not going to make you.”

She smiled at me, “It’s fine B-bandage, I’m going, b-but if they find me...” I followed her glance, spotting her pistol on the crate we used as a nightstand.

I squeezed her tighter and kissed her forehead, “Don’t you dare.” I whispered.

***

Shaky and Blood Bolt had left an hour ago, and my back-up plan was already laid out, nothing to do but wait. I occupied myself with a card game against some troopers, lost by miles and 500 caps. Tried to occupy myself with Token for awhile, but I wasn’t much in the mood for trying to flirt and she wasn’t giving it up easy.

Instead, I put on my goggles, put in my ear pieces, played MYSTIKZ music, and cranked the volume all the way up. I tried the whole head bobbing thing for a while, but eventually got bored with it and rested my head against the wall. The music was doing it’s job, blaring loudly enough to drown out my thoughts, let me clear my mind. I didn’t know how long I sat on the bed listening, but eventually somepony poked my shoulder and snapped me out of it.

I cracked an eye open, Token was saying something but I couldn’t hear over the music, she stared for a while before popping an eir piece out.

“News is on the radio, you should listen.”

I sighed and turned of the music, then switched it over to MYSTIKZ’s station.

“‘Ello, ‘ello, ‘ello! DJ MYSTIKZ here, talkin’ to ya live outta everypony’s favorite town, Tragedy! Now, before I get on to the nasty business of news, I got a special treat for all you faithful listeners out there. About a month ago I got a few interviews with the crew of a certain miss Bandage, the mare who’s been tearing raider ass from Stable 80 to Old Trottingham, and I am happy to say that I finally got them nice and polished up! So without further adue...”

“So, for those out there that don’t know it, give us a name love.”

“Bandage.”

“And where are ya from Bandage?”

“Stable 80.”

“How long have you been outside?”

“I dunno, about a month now I think.”

“See you’ve got some nasty scars since you came out.”

“Yeah... close combat isn’t much my forte.”

“You know, you’ve been causin’ quite a stir recently, first you take down that utterly MASSIVE band of raiders down south, and then you turn Oasis into a damn fortress and fight off an army. Now I gotta ask, how does a stable pony get that good that fast?”

“Uh, I read a book.”

“...”

“Oh, and it’s not like I did all that on my own, I have some pretty kickass friends with me.”

“Yes, Tragedy’s favorite son Stripe and your marefriend Token correct?”

“Yeah.”

“You know, that’s actually a damn shame, you my friend are quite the mare to look at.”

“Um, thanks?”

“True shame fellas, I know you can’t see her, but my goodness. We’re at a loss my friends, two actually, Token’s pretty good lookin’ as well.”

“...”

“Well, I think that’s all the questions I’ve got for you Bandage, thanks for stoppin’ by.”

“No problem.”

“Now, I’ve also got an interview from Stripe I’d like to play for all you listening...”

“Hey there big guy, good to have you back in town.”

“Blow it out your ass MYSTIKZ, just get to the fuckin’ questions.”

“Right, sorry. Just wanting to know why a big shot like you follows Bandage around?”

“Simple, Bandage is level headed, has ambition, helps ponies that need it, for Goddesses know what fuckin’ reason, and frankly, she’s a beast. Any mare that can take a full magazine of 5.56 to the chest without any armor on, then get up and drop raiders at range and live through the whole mess is a mare I’m glad to fight with. Plus we were both headin’ the same direction.”

“And what is Bandage like? You know, personality wise.”

“Hell, only known her a month, I’d talk to token if ya want some profound shit. From what I can figure, she’s easy t’ piss off and a bit of a freak when the sun sets if ya catch my drift.”

Token laughed at that, I blushed and glanced away.

“Loyal too, intensely. She’s got all our backs, I don’t doubt for a second she’d gladly take a bullet for one of us. Listen I think I'm done with the fuckin' questions, gonna go get drunk or somethin'."

"One more for you lot to endure through and then we'll get to the news I promise."

"So gorgeous, give us a name."

"Token."

"And you're Bandage's marefriend correct?"

"Yep."

"So were you two together in your stable or?"

"No, very close friends but not much else."

"And what changed exactly?"

"Well, there weren't any rules about homosexuality outside, and I guess I'd been feeling this way a long time now, it just kind of... happened."

"Interesting, now what can you tell us about Bandage?"

"She's very smart, usually very sweet, and she has a nasty temper."

"How nasty we talking?"

"Um, she's been arrested over twenty times for getting into fights with stallions twice her size and beating them to a pulp."

"That's a bit impressive actually."

"Yeah."

"So this is a bit of a personal question, how exactly do you feel about her?"

"Easy, I love her, unconditionally."

I smiled at her and planted a kiss on her cheek, she giggled and nuzzled my neck.

"That's downright adorable, I might actually shed some tears."

"Oh stop."

"Well thank you for an excellent interview miss, it has been a pleasure."

"Whatever."

"Alright alright, enough of this boys and girls, let's get to the news."

"Some odd reports from out east, the Confederation has changed their name to 'The Grand Army of the Trinity', whatever the hell that is, and they've called for a ceasefire until further notice. In a truly dickless gesture, the Union has agreed to the terms of the ceasefire instead of hopping their happy asses over the Divide and stomping them into the dirt when they were least expecting it. Seriously, can we get some Walkers running that country so they'll actually win a war every now and again?"

"Got some news on our favorite stable pony and her crew, according to a few troopers up in Old Trottingham she's been actively hunting the massive raider population in the region, and has been putting quite the dent in their operation. Hopefully more on that later in the week."

"Some new reports on the Steel Rangers, they've been pushing through Old Trottingham, protecting the communities in the region as usual and generally just tearing through monsters and raiders like rotten paper. But this time around they're looking to cut the head off those psycho fucks once and for all. Between Bandage and the Rangers, I'd say those raiders are proper fucked, keep up the good work folks."

"That's all for us tonight fillies and gentlecolts, I'm heading back to the club, my lovely assistant Soft Beat will be pushing you through the night with some old classics."

An old Sweetie Bell song came on and I shut the radio off, fantastic singer, just not my cup of tea.

"Well that was thoroughly obnoxious." I muttered.

"Mmm, you know, I thought it was odd he mentioned you tearing raider ass and not, you know, mare ass."

I blushed and my ears laid back, Token giggled and licked my nose. A thought sparked through my head and grinned at her mischievously, I tackled her and pinned her to the bed.

"Uh-" she started, her face turning a deep red, I interrupted her with a kiss.

"Babe-" I kissed her again, grinning more deviously when I pulled away.

"Bandage-" one more time, but much harder and with a bit of tongue. She was weakening, her eyes going half lidded and her cheeks flushing furiously.

She was about to say something again, but I cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh fuck it." she said, wrapping her forehooves around my head and bringing me in.

I broke away and smiled down at her.

"We gonna leave this at making out or take it a little further south?" I asked.

She coughed nervously and glanced down at the small space between our bodies, her face flushing further. I planted a kiss on her neck and pressed my body against hers. She bit her lip and wriggled under me as I continued to grin down at her.

"Simple yes or no question love." I said in a low seductive tone. I pressed my mouth to her ear and growled softly, "So, yes, or no?"

I wasn't watching her, but I could hear her panting softly, and feel her heart racing in her chest, I was winning this little bout of ours.

She gulped and whispered in my ear, "Yes."

"Too bad." I said curtly as I rolled off her. I trotted towards the door with a smug grin, making a show of bobbing my ass.

"You suck!" she huffed. I stopped and turned around, grinning. I kicked the door shut with a back leg, locking the bolt with my magic.

I walked towards her slowly and climbed up onto the bed, pushing her back against the mattress, still grinning. She frowned and pouted slightly.

"Oh come on now," I said as I nuzzled her nose, "I was just teasing you. Stop pouting like that, it's too adorable."

She hugged around my neck and pecked my lips, "It wasn't funny."

I pressed myself against her tender area and kissed her neck with some slight aggression, rewarded with a soft moan. I kissed down her body, ready to stop teasing and get on with the show, we both groaned with frustration when somepony pounded on the door.

"What?!" I yelled angrily.

"Bandage," I heard Blood Bolt say through the door, her voice wavering and broken, "somethin' happened."

I broke away from Token instantly and practically flew at the door. When I opened the door BB had her head hung, not looking.

"Where's Shaky?" I said, frantically looking around the hall.

"They found her," she choked out, "she didn't let them touch her..."

I sunk back on my haunches, tears rolling out of my eyes. An odd gut wrenching feeling I hadn't felt in awhile aching through me. I hung my head and sobbed, Token came up and hugged me from behind, rocking me back and forth.

"B-bandage?"

I jerked my head, Shaky was standing there in the hall, completely fine, her head cocked in a questioning manner.

"What's wrong?"

I heard Blood Bolt's soft snicker, and blinked away enough tears to see her smirking to herself.

Something snapped, "YOU FUCKING CUNT!!!" I screamed, landing a solid blow to her face and knocking her to the ground.

She got up and tried to say something but I grabbed both sides of her face and head-butted her, she threw me off of her and tried to fly backwards but I leapt forward and wrenched her back to the floor. She got her rear legs planted and slammed me into the wall winding me and taking the chance to fly towards a dead end hallway.

She wiped blood from her split lip and glared at me, "Take a fuckin' joke Bandage."

I glared back, walking towards her in the most menacing pose I could manage.

"If ya don't back off Ah'm gonna get serious Bandage, don't make me hurt you."

I kept moving closer and she fired a bolt of lightning past me, my side heated up and the smell of ozone filled my nostrils but I continued.

The next one came right for me, I ducked it and sprinted forward slamming her into the wall and hammering her gut with my forehoof. She wrapped a leg around my neck and tried to choke me out, I did the same to her with my magic, but harder. She gagged and her hold loosened, I took the opening to land a cheap shot in a very tender region. She yelped with pain and let go, I wrapped her midsection in my forelegs, throwing her over my shoulder and slamming her head to the floor with all my weight behind it.

She went limp, knocked out, not dead... not finished. I rolled her onto her back and reared my hind legs up, ready to stomp her head into pulp. Somepony tackled me and pinned me to floor.

"Easy boss," Stripe said, "fight's done, chill the fuck out."

I tried wriggling free, but the zony was too heavy and far too strong for me to move. I huffed and gave up, slumping.

"Holy shit," a trooper I couldn't see muttered, "she fucked her up bad."

"Get 'er to the infirmary!" the Major barked.

There was some shuffling and hoofsteps, then Mint Berry sighed.

"Anypony want to explain why there's a bruised and bloody pegasus on the way to my infirmary?"

"Because I didn't have time to kill her." I growled.

"Quiet," Stripe scolded, "you're in timeout."

"You ain't my mom!" I shouted.

He shoved a foreleg into the back of my neck, pressing my head to the floor, "Nah, but I am three times yer size."

More hoofsteps, Token peeked her head around Stripe and smiled at me, "Back to your old shenanigans my love?"

"Blow it out your ass!" I spat.

She giggled and nuzzled my nose, "I'll go get the old hoofcuffs I guess. Or, I suppose I could get the new ones I bought in Tragedy..." She leaned in close and whispered, "They've got this really soft pink fur for a lining, I was hoping to break them out under less serious circumstances."

If I wasn't so pissed I probably would've blushed, instead I just growled again and tried to squirm free.

She sighed and fished the two pairs of traditional hoofcuffs I'd seen far to many times in my teenage life and had Stripe shift so she could clasp them on my legs. She even kept the magic suppression ring, sliding the uncomfortable metal over my horn and locking it in place.

She lifted me with her magic and trotted us to the room, chastising me as we went. Shaky passed in the hall, looking utterly confused.

"Hey Shaky!" Token said brightly.

"Hey..." she replied, "do I even want to know?"

"I'd really love to say we're trying something new in the bedroom, but actually she just needs to be restrained right now."

"...'kay, good l-luck with that."

"Thanks!" she said as we continued.

We entered the room and she tossed me on the bed.

She looked me over and grinned, "Maybe I'll rethink what I told Shaky..."

She undid my hoofcuffs, only to replace them with the pink fur covered ones, looping the chain through the bed frame.

"Uh, Token-"

"Hush. You've been bad..." She leaned in and our lips locked, then slid her tongue over mine, I small sliver of dribble was hanging from my mouth as she broke away. "I think you need some punishment."

She levitated something out of her saddlebags and strapped it to herself, I gulped nervously when I saw the shape of the... object attached to the rig, and tried to squirm away when she started applying lubricant.

"Token," I said desperately, "I don't really think I'm in the-"

A gag ball was put in my mouth and clasped, Token giggled deviously and planted a kiss on my nose as her magic locked the door. I was vastly regretting my decision to let her go shopping as she took up a malicious grin.

"Trust me babe," she assured, though completely failing at sounding reassuring, "you'll like it."

***

I did like it, a lot, like a lot, it wasn't painful like I'd expected, Token had been thankfully gentle, yet rough enough to get me excited. She'd even taken the magic suppressor off my horn and let me ravage her with my sex spell. Unfortunately she'd passed out after 10 rounds, before uncuffing me from the bed, thankfully I was able to get the gag out myself.

She was resting her head on my chest, drooling, I would've loved to hold her while she slept, but my forelegs were still chained up, uncomfortably so.

The bolt on the door clicked, Stripe trotted in with Shaky on his back, the filly was trying to spit a bobby pin out.

"Uh..." Stripe said as he glanced over us, "Have a fun night?"

"Yeah..." I said awkwardly, "So um, how did you get in?"

"I p-picked the lock." Shaky said, looking over us in confusion.

"Where'd you learn that?"

"Miss B-blood B-bolt taught me."

"Of course she did..." I muttered, "Can you undo the locks on these cuffs?"

"I d-don't wanna t-t-touch you..."

"Oh c'mon kiddo," Stripe encouraged, "she's just covered in lube and mare juices."

"Eww!" she squealed, galloping out of the room and down the hall.

Stripe chuckled.

"You're a bastard."

He shrugged, "Tell ya what, I'll wake up Blue an' she can use the key."

"Sounds good, hurry up."

He trotted to me and nudged my mare with a hoof, in her daze Token smiled drunkenly and drooled more. He nudged harder, she just grumbled something in her sleep and squeezed me tighter.

"Yeah, she ain't wakin' up."

"Ah'll get 'er outta there." BB said, her face was beat up, bad.

She leaned forward with a bobby pin in her mouth, working it in the lock of my cuffs until it clicked. I sighed with relief as my legs were finally able to drop.

"Blood Bolt I'm-"

"Shut it," she said with a friendly grin, "prank wasn't funny, fucked up actually, Ah reckon Ah deserved that ass whoopin'. Not a bad swing by the way."

"We'll leave you two alone." Stripe said, BB looked us over once and winked at me before trotting out the door with him and shutting it behind them.

I held Token and kissed her on the forehead, she snorted in her sleep and snuggled closer.

***

I woke up to Token removing that diabolical device and stashing it in her saddlebags, I pounced off the bed and grabbed hold of her, then jerked my weight to the right and threw her on the mattress, assaulting her with nuzzles.

"You're awfully affectionate this morning." she giggled.

"Why wouldn't I be?" I said as I continued my onslaught.

"Well, I was a bit rough with you last night."

I held her in a semi-vicious hug and growled into her ear, "I like it rough."

She giggled again and shoved me off, then tossed me my gear, I'd forgotten today was the big day.

I groaned with some discomfort as I slid into my barding.

"Still sore?"

I snorted, trying my best to mimic Stripe's signature gesture, "Just my shoulders and crotch."

"Mmm, maybe I'll help you work out the kinks later..."

I glanced at her sideways, yet again realizing I hadn't removed my goggles, she was looking me over, something reminiscent of hunger in her eyes.

I grinned slightly, "What's gotten into you the last couple days? One minute you're playing hard to get and the next you're all over me."

She shrugged, "Guess I want to keep you interested."

I chuckled and shook my head, "Baby, nothing in the world could keep me from being interested."

"You're too sweet." she said with a smile.

"And you're slowly evolving into a sexual deviant."

She laughed, "Only for you babe."

I smiled at her before scrunching my face, "Shit..." I muttered.

"What?"

"I probably should've washed before putting this on, I'm covered in juices and, and-"

She licked her hoof and sampled the taste, "Blueberry lube."

I blinked, "How do you-"

"I bought like, six bottles and three different flavors, the nice mare who sold it to me had free samples available."

"Token... you're a freak, and that is just, so, fucking, awesome."

She winked at me and slid into her armor, then tickled my nose with her tail as she walked out. I nipped at it as I followed.

The rest of the team was in the mess hall eating breakfast, I was surprised to see BB smile at me as we sat down.

"How's your face?"

She shrugged, "Little sore, how's your snatch?"

"About the same." I said. Token snickered and I shoved her playfully.

Stripe looked utterly exhausted, and my eyebrow instinctively cocked when the Major walked by and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

"Rough night big guy?"

He snorted, "Minty kept me busy."

"Damn," Blood Bolt muttered, "am Ah the only one that didn't get laid last night? That's fucked up..."

Shaky was covering her face with embarrassment but raised a hoof, "I didn't, and it'd b-be really great if you guys would stop t-talking ab-bout it."

I chuckled and shook my head.

"What'd you guys find out last night? I didn't have time to ask while I was beating the tar out of you."

BB snorted, "Keep rubbin' it in Bandage."

"There's a couple of weak support b-beams we can b-blow up real easy, there's also a uh, a uh," she was getting nervous, trembling a bit, "they've g-g-got some p-ponies in the b-basement and they, th-they, do what they d-did to me down there..."

I reached over the table and patted her shoulder, "We'll get them out sweetie."

She sniffed and looked up at me, "Promise?"

"I promise." I said with a smile.

***

I peeked at the sliver of mirror I had floating around the corner, another clear hallway, diversion was working well. I nodded at Shaky, she trotted around the corner and led Token and I down the stairs to the basement.

The further we got, the sound of flank slapping flank and faint whimpers was becoming louder. I slid my mirror around the corner and shuddered at what I saw, I tried to keep Shaky from looking but she screamed with rage and whipped around the corner firing wildly with her pistol.

A body dropped and a filly squealed in anguish as the stallion raping her slid out and hit the floor. The poor thing curled into a ball and trembled, Shaky was the first one to her, wrapping her in a hug.

"He can't hurt you anymore." Shaky whispered, rocking her back and forth.

Token tried to approach them but I stopped her and nodded towards the cages. The site inside was awful beyond belief, cut up mares, some of them dead, the floor was covered in feces, urine and blood, most of which was mixing into their wounds.

One of them looked at me, picking her head up off the corpse she was curled up next to. One of her eyes had been gouged out, and I shuddered to think what the substance oozing from the bruised socket was.

"Is that skull fucking bastard dead?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes."

"Good." she said, resting her head back on the corpse and shutting her eye, her chest didn't move, I was only happy that she saw some justice before dying.

I pressed my pistol up to the rusted lock and fired, then Token and I strained to pry the door loose. When it finally gave the remaining mares looked up at us, confused, frightened, hopeful.

"Come on," I urged, "we're getting you out of here."

"Babe," Token said, "Shaky and I will sneak them out the back, you should get outside and help Stripe and BB."

I nodded and patted Shaky on the shoulder as I passed her, she was still holding the other filly, who was an utter wreck.

***

Stripe and Blood Bolt had torn the raiders to pieces outside, and the troopers assisting them weren't doing too bad either, more of a shooting gallery for yours truly by the time I got to the roof.

I did have the pleasure of pushing a rather focused sniper off the edge. She screamed the last couple of stories down and hit the ground with a meaty splat.

The remaining raiders more or less dispersed after I started picking targets, Stripe and BB had the fun of chasing them down.

Token and Shaky emerged with the take victims in tow, Shaky sticking close to the filly. I climbed my way down the side of the building and grunted as my front legs hit the ground.

Stripe was grinning, the detonator in his teeth, I took it out of his mouth and passed it to the filly, she pressed a hoof to the button and smiled sadly as the building exploded out and collapsed in on itself.

***

The infirmary at Foxtrot was full, and the medic and I were busy cleaning out and patching up wounds. He thankfully had a lot of extra disinfectant and antibiotics in stock.

The filly, Hex, was thankfully mostly unharmed, Shaky hadn't left her side and was currently helping her bathe.

They trotted out several minutes later, Hex was limping slightly. Her coat was a dirty white, darker than mine but lighter than Shaky's, her messy mane was jet black and covered half her face, her eyes were vibrant purple. She was slightly taller than Shaky, probably a little older. I winced when I saw her right flank, the rather unsettling cutie mark, a key made of bones with a pony skull replacing the circle loop, was overlapped with 7 hashmarks.

She wore a gloomy expression, not much of a surprise there, and only occasionally smiled when Shaky said something funny, even then it was a very sad one.

She didn't eat much when dinner rolled around, Shaky could only prompt her to eat some old snack cakes and drink a bottle of water. Upsetting for me considering the young unicorn looked slightly emaciated.

She didn't talk much, only to Shaky, and even then she was whisper quiet.

I had her sleep on the top bunk, considering the debauchery that had taken place on the bottom one. Shaky clambered off the bunk and landed next to me after Hex had fallen asleep.

"How is she?" I whispered.

"Not g-good... she s-said she was there for a w-week, and that a few b-bucks would g-go after her every day, a couple mares too."

"Damn..."

"She said she's really good at p-p-picking locks and stealing stuff, I was wondering if she c-could come with us."

"Does she want to come with us?"

"She wants to come with me."

I paused for awhile, considering, "I'll think about it."

Shaky sighed and climbed back up the ladder, I rested my head on the wall and shut my eyes, futile, the instant I tried to relax I was pushed into the cage by Gallows.

After what I'd seen in that basement, I wished her happy hunting.

***

The next few days was a raider killing frenzy, the Major didn't want to send out any more troops, but we met up with a group of power armored Steel Rangers that were happy to lend a hoof.

Hex was proving to be an asset, a lot of the old buildings the raiders were based out of had locked doors and hidden safes, which she found and cracked with an unsettling amount of ease.

Shaky was enjoying her company, though I suppose having someone her own age around was somewhat of a comfort.

There was something a bit... off about Hex though. Shaky had been a wreck the first few weeks we knew her, Hex was always calm, gloomy but calm, the filly hadn't cried since we rescued her.

We had every raider stronghold in Old Trottingham wiped out in a matter of days, the Union gave us quite the substantial reward, I nearly fainted when a requisition form for 50,000 caps was passed to me over the desk.

The Rangers offered to keep patrolling the area to make sure no more bases could be set up.

Next stop was the Span, the massive rock formation that served as a natural bridge across the Divide, the Union capitol was just outside the western passage, and so was the work.

***

It was night, and the rain had picked up ridiculously, picked a shitty day to leave. BB was circling up ahead looking for a place to hunker down for the night.

The pegasus touched down in front of me with a muddy splash and whipped her wet mane out of her eyes.

"There's a bombed out brick house about half a mile down the road," she called over the storm, "ain't much t' look at but it's got a roof an' it's dry inside."

"That'll have to do." I called.

She nodded and took off, leading us there.

The house was a mess, the bottom floor was completely destroyed, and the top floor was home to a nest of mole rats. Killed them quickly enough and chucked the corpses down the stairs. Stripe started a fire and we all stripped our gear, thankful to get warm and dry.

Everypony nodded off pretty quickly, except for Hex and I. She limped over and sat down in front of me with a soft grunt.

"Bandage right?" she said in that whisper quiet voice of hers.

I nodded. She smiled sadly.

"You're broken aren't you?" she asked.

I blinked, "What?"

"Well, when you go out at night you act different and your voice changes."

I blinked again and scooted back, "Um."

"The jig is up! Snap her neck!"

"Hush."

"It's not a big deal, I'm sorta broken too. Anyone but Shaky touches me and I get really angry."

"Well, you've got good reason to not like being touched, you were in that place, for a week."

She nodded thoughtfully, "Wasn't the first time..."

"What?!"

"My dad, he came home high on Rage, beat up my mommy and rutted her, then shot her in the head and rutted her more. He found me hiding under the bed and did me too, then locked me in the basement. I figured out how to pick the lock," she chuckled sadly, "got me my cutie mark. I went upstairs and got my mom's straight razor, slit his throat while he slept." She levitated out a razor with an ivory handle, a small black skull was engraved on it. She unfolded the blade, it was black with ornate golden vine patterns. She nuzzled the handle affectionately and put the razor back in her satchel.

"That's horrible..."

She sighed, "Yeah, it got worse too... Better now though. Thanks for getting us all out of there."

She smiled again and trotted back to Shaky, laying down and curling up next to her.

"That kid is kind of weird..." Gallows muttered.

"Yeah... What do you expect though?"

"Good point... Hey Bandage?"

"Yeah?"

"She said we were broken... Maybe, maybe we should get help? You know, be whole."

"I- I don't think I'm ready for that... I don't think I can keep any shred of my morality with you and I whole."

She sighed, "Bandage, you're a good mare, you kill bad ponies, that deserve it."

"But, if we're together I might kill ponies for the sake of killing..."

"Let's face it mate, you're the dominant personality, you're morals will hold solid. Talk to Stripe tomorrow, he might know something that will help."

"I'm surprised at how much you're pushing this."

"I'm sick of playing mental tug of war with you, it's been a grueling month in those regards, and I guess, I'd like to sleep without being tossed in the cage, you know?"

"Trust me," I whispered aloud, "I know..."

***

"I'm only helping if you tell Blue." Stripe said firmly.

"What?!" I exclaimed, "Why?!"

"Shaky too, now that I think about it."

"Oh come on!"

He shook his head, "Token's yer mare, and Shaky's practically yer damn kid. Ya need to tell 'em, hell, ya shoulda told 'em in the first place."

"I can't tell them!" I whined.

"Bullshit, ya told Sparky an' I, why not them?"

"They'll worry!"

He snorted, "They oughta fuckin' worry, the little 'trick' I'd have t' do to meld yer personalities could erase both of 'em and create a new one that's ten times worse. Or ya could just go bubblin' insane and become a fuckin' vegetable. Either way you're gonna be off, and if ya don't explain to 'em what could go wrong before they're gonna worry more."

I sighed, "Damn you Stripe..."

***

"Why didn't you tell me?" Token asked, a hurt expression on her face.

"I didn't want you to worry..."

She punched me, I rubbed my cheek but didn't bother doing anything else.

"So... can I talk to her or?"

"You could, I guess, but she's not exactly fond of you, and she's a bit, uh, shooty."

"I see..." She locked a foreleg around my neck and pulled me into a hug, "You really should've told me, I want to help."

"I know you do, but it's a really complicated issue."

"Hush, I'm helping, nothing else on the matter. Need me to tell Shaky?"

"No, I asked Hex to do it."

"So, when is he gonna do the thing?"

"Whenever they're ready." Stripe said.

"You ready?" I asked Gallows.

"...Yes."

I took a deep breath and squeezed Token, "We're ready."

***

I was resting my head on Token's lap, lying on my back. She was smiling down at me reassuringly, I smiled back, trying not to look nervous.

"Okay," Stripe said, "first we need you to find out for yourself why your mind made this split."

"Because to stay sane I can't fully embrace my violent urges."

"That was fast."

"I've been thinking about this for a month now."

"Right, well now you know what to think about when this is done, keep yourself in control."

"Right."

"Okay, close your eyes, and draw Gallows up to the surface next to you."

I shut my eyes and dropped back into my mental plain, Gallows brushed up next to me and smiled.

"We're both here." she said through our mouth.

"Now try and imagine her as a pool of water instead of a person."

Gallows smiled and slowly morphed into a large pool.

"Now look in the water, what do you see?"

I looked and saw my reflection, I'd nearly forgotten how scarred I was.

"I see my reflection... she's my reflection... she's me."

"Good, now step into the water, and brace yourself."

"Goodbye." I whispered mentally.

"Not goodbye love."

I smiled and stepped into myself, and cried out loud as memories and emotions flooded into me and settled with my own. I'd seen the memories abstractly, but I hadn't known the exact thoughts that had been going through Gallows' mind. They were melding, making it difficult to tell who was thinking what.

My love for Token became muddled with a seething hatred, kills I had found horrific mixed with feelings of triumph, the pleasant feelings of sex merged with disgust.

I blinked my eyes open, my mare was holding my head, I couldn't remember if I loved her or hated her. The hate lashed out, having been unsatisfied for too long. I was strangling her with my magic.

"Bandage." she managed to gasp out, her plea knocked the sense back into me and I stopped.

"I'm sorry!" I sobbed out, when had I started crying. She gasped, catching her breath while I tried desperately to subdue my urges.

"It's okay." she coughed out.

I scrambled away from her, afraid of what I'd do. Stripe trotted to me, I wanted a gun. He hugged me.

"Focus," he said, "take a breath, and focus."

I inhaled, shut my eyes and sifted back through memories before Gallows was there, remembering my feelings. Token, my best friend, the night she kissed me, I loved Token, the hate fell away. Stripe, a protector, a friend, I felt safe around Stripe, anxiety fell away.

I hugged him back before trotting past him and kissing Token.

"Sorry love. Wasn't quite myself." Frankly I hadn't appreciated how much control Gallows needed to keep from murdering her.

She held me in an embrace and smiled lovingly, "It's fine, just don't do it again."

I nuzzled her nose, "Never."

Footnote: Level Up!

The following is a non-profit public service announcement,
I would like to point out right now because I feel like there's going to be comments made about it. This is NOT the end of Bandage's dichotomy, not by a long shot. I didn't throw Gallows in there just for shits and giggles so I could make chapters longer and then just remove her after two chapters, THAT BITCH WILL BE BACK, in one form or another.