"W-W-What? S-She's not... G-Glitter's not... d-d-d..."

Zed gave another sigh at me blubbering with a disbelieving, hopeful stare turned up at him, shaking his head and answering firmly. "No. No she is not dead Fast. She is... sick? Broken? In a coma is the easiest explanation your wife gave me. I am unsure and didn't understand much of what those trying to help her said, but I have seen her myself. She still breathes and her heart still beats. She is alive."

When I launched myself at him, Zed dodged aside frantically, hopping on a wounded hindleg as I crashed facefirst into the lower half of a tree I had sorta... cut in half trying to kill him... I got back to my hooves rubbing my snout and laughing though, not even put out by his wary eyes watching out for another attack as I snorted and sniveled equally with the bouncing mote of 'Awareness!' giggling its way stronger with me.

"S-Sorry, that was supposed to be a hug, not a... er... I'm just happy Zed! R-Really, really happy! She's still... I thought... This is so awesome!! She's sick though? Where is she?! Oh! Nevermind, I can... h-hang on!"

Zed huffed like my intended hug was as bad as the attack from the evil spirit he was clearly worried about, but let me ramble and plop down to the snow to bring up my pip-buck, rapidly fiddling with the map and locator tag functions. I should have thought it through more actually. Glitter's entry on my long list of locator tags had never disappeared, I had just been afraid to check it or Jade's. I selected it now with my hoof fumbling at the buttons, my eyes widening with glee as her blinking marker appeared on the icon for Goodneighbor.

"Y-You bet your ass I'm happy you Shrouded nutball! She's ok! Goodneighbor's not that far even, we could be there by morning! Let's go!"

I rubbed the tears from my eyes on my sleeves and grinned, spreading my wings to fly to my daughter right then and there, then yelping when they folded back in and I crashed back to the ground. Shaking snow from my face and mane, I sputtered in confusion, getting a grumbling reply from the spirit possessing me.

"What!? Who cares about that!? I wanna go to Glitter!! NOW!"

"Nnngh!! I'll walk if I have to!" I made to do just that, then growled in frustration when my hindlegs dug in against my wishes, leaving my forelegs to keep dragging me forward. "Fine, I'll CRAWL if I have to dammit!!"

Zed tilted his head as he watched my one sided argument, frowning as he interrupted the schizophrenic disagreement. "Fast... Perhaps you should calm down. Glitter is well cared for and safe. I take it the creature doesn't want to leave yet?"

"NNNGH!!! No, it's being stupid! And stubborn! I know you care about her too, you want to find too Jade right? I'm giving you what you wanted, let's go already! What the fuck is so important about that stupid asylum anyway!?"

"GRRRAAGH!!! Dammit!! He's not going to fucking budge! Whatever! Let's just hurry up and get your psychotic shit done then!"

Still giving a pensive look at me rolling in the snow and drumming my legs in a tantrum, Zed shrugged and tried to speak soothingly, to both of us it seemed. "Fascinating... Well, if it refuses to cooperate and leave the area immediately, maybe talking will suffice. I imagine you have questions? I know I do..."

I pouted a moment, but after mulling it over a few bare seconds, I sat up and nodded eagerly. "R-Right! You said she was sick? In a coma? Jade hasn't been able to heal her? Why not? What about everybody else? Is Jade ok? Swan? Val and Witchy? What happened after..."

He limped back a step at my manic barrage as I pranced after him, groaning as he stepped on a severed zebra limb in his retreat towards the empty ruin of Outpost Zimonja and waving out to all the damage the surrounding area had taken. "I'd be happy to fill you in Fast, but somewhere else please? I've followed the backtrail of destruction you've left enough already, I've no desire to make camp in another such scene. There's somewhere better nearby to let us talk and me recover, if you ...both... would come with me?"

"No tricks..." My mouth opened in a growl before I could answer, nodding enthusiastically until I had control of my own tongue again to answer. "Yes! Sure, whatever! I er... guess you wouldn't wanna hang out here anyway. I'm really sorry for hurting you too... I just... Whatever you say Zed, thank you!"

Zed raised an eyebrow at the dual replies, but sighed and reached into his zipped up leather jacket to brush his bloodwing talisman, pulling out a warm looking sock hat as the leathery wings sprouted from his back. He flapped his way up to the twilight skies and turned north with me right on his tail, shrugging out into the gathering twilight with a cautious glance back. "Good, you're welcome of course Fast. It truly is good to see you again, it's even better that it's actually you... mostly at least. Come, it's not far and there are supplies there, as well as another friend you may enjoy seeing again."

Thankfully, we didn't have far to fly from Outpost Zimonja. Not only because I had a million questions that kept piling up, but because Zed actually seemed hurt, the first time I'd seen him really let his wounds slow him down. It was mainly my view of the corrupted, blackened burn on his flank from my position trailing him that kept me guiltily quiet. I'd really almost killed him...

He caught me staring at it as we flew on, looking back tiredly, but with understanding when my bloodshot eyes flicked away in shame. "I know it's not your fault Fast... I understood the risks when I came to find you."

"Still... I'm really sorry Zed. I'm glad you did come though, that you told me. All this time I thought Glitter was... g-gone... I.... I couldn't take it... I gave up and... just stopped caring about anything..."

He got a pensive look at my pained mumble, turning front again and speaking firmly. "You didn't though. I have to admit, if you weren't still... you... I came with the intention of stopping the creature as is my duty. If you had really given up and there was nothing left of you however, I do believe I'd be dead right now. I've fought many dangerous and dark spirits, but never anything like..."

"...ME..."

"Shut up, stop using my mouth to spout off whenever you like! And don't sound so freaking smug about it either! You're the one that nearly got us killed by a bunch of freaking pastel porcupines, remember that? Zed's tough, if he was really trying, he would have given you a run for your money I bet!"

The gruff zebra stallion blinked at my schizophrenic answer a moment, then surprised me by actually laughing... First a tired chuckle, then outright guffaws as we lost altitude over the northern woods until he managed to sputter out words again. "Sorry, it's just... I tell you I'd planned to kill you, and rather than get angry or upset, you try to convince that creature I could have done a good job of it! It's definitely proof it's still really you in there anyway."

"Yeah, well... I don't like anypony insulting my friends. Besides, why would I get mad? I mean... if I was still just going on a mindless rampage and hadn't come back.... I'd... I'd want you to stop me Zed. It would be the right thing to do."

That earned me the warmest smile I'd ever gotten out of Zed, a look of hard won, honest respect coming with it. "I'd still appreciate it if you didn't let that wife of yours know either of us thought that way. I didn't exactly lead with potentially murdering you when I convinced her to let me go."

"Er... yeah, I don't think she'd understand. So you asked to come for that? Er... Just you? I mean, I'm still really glad you did, but what about the others? Did... did none of them want to... a-are they scared? O-Or mad?"

"Hardly Fast. Well, Valkyrie is extremely annoyed with you, but I think that's just her worrying. She and Swan have been nearly impossible to restrain from coming for you. I convinced them I was the best option since they've been quite busy, while I know the area and potential help in Neighlem, have experience fighting dark magic, and am the least likely member of our group you'd simply try to rut into submission." Zed surprised me again by ending his reassuring answer on an actual joke, smirking as I blushed and sputtered a moment.

Feeling so good for the first time in weeks though, I managed to recover and answer in kind, waggling my eyebrows with a contemplative leer. "I dunno Zed, you are pretty buff and all. Not that I my barn door really swings that way, but the pervert in my head has never been that picky..."

I cackled laughter, both at Zed instantly speeding up his weary flight and the Shroud's indignant response in my head. I could feel the little sliver of Pinkie Pie and the Element of Laughter brighten and giggle along though, feeling honestly happy again after being in a deep, dark hole for so long. I'd been so numb, I'd forgotten how much I missed my friends, how good it felt to just... laugh again... Even the Shroud seemed to savor the sensation once it got the teasing joke, grumbling over being made fun of, but enjoying the positive emotion too much to care.

A far off whine cut off the tapering chuckles, drawing my glare up to look for any threat and spotting a distant Vertibuck flying low to the east. Zed frowned at the prewar transport too, but didn't seem that surprised. "The Brotherhood... They've been coming this way since the Institute and their army have pushed them out of the city. "

"At least it's not a Gunner ship I guess, any idea what they're up to though Zed? Why would they c-BIRD!"

Zed gaped when my curious question was interrupted by the crazed shout. A shadowy sword of magic sprang from my horn and streaked down to the blackened trees passing by under our hooves, skewering another Institute made raven that dissolved to glowing green goo and at least somewhat explained the insane shout from the Shroud killing local wildlife.

"Er... Sorry... Those have been showing up a lot too..."

"I see... At least it's not just killing anything it sees I suppose. It knows to watch for the Institute's spies?" Zed replied in a tone like Jade when she was fascinated with some new bit of medical knowledge. He frowned and rubbed his chin in thought when I nodded in answer, then shook it off and pointed a foreleg ahead. "Interesting, I have many questions about that creature and your... relationship... Thankfully we've arrived, this way."

I followed his lead as he glided gracefully to a landing, touching down on a cracked concrete landing pad and trotting down the rusty stairs leading to another wartime bunker built in the snowy valley. Though this one was clearly made by ponies and not nearly as hidden as Outpost Zimonja. It was a squat little concrete pillbox, a partially melted metal tower festooned with burnt dishes and antennae on top, plus a still functional looking terminal next to the heavy steel door marked by the symbol for the Ministry of Wartime Technology. As soon as my hooves touched the ground beside Zed already reaching the door, my pip-buck chimed in my ear and displayed; Location Discovered: Listening Post Bravo.

The rusty security door opened under Zed's hoof with no issue, leading to the small single room inside the bunker I poked my head in for a wary look. Beside the door there was a sturdy metal cage with a few lockers and shelves for gear that looked like it had been used lately, by the disturbed dust and open Equestrian Army ammo bins showing assorted caliber bullets dumped haphazardly there. A desk with a broken terminal took up the center of the room, beside a pair of shelves framing a tattered old Equestrian flag on a stand showing the circular image of the two Princesses.

Zed strolled right in and made for the only other interesting feature, a narrow elevator secured by another terminal that had apparently been unlocked too, since the doors slid open with a warbling 'ding' when he pressed the dimly glowing button. I had to force myself to follow, creeping into the small elevator and fidgeting as it made its slow way down, while Zed merely took off his sock hat and stood placidly.

"Er... so who exactly has been staying here? You said it was a friend?"

Nodding back, Zed didn't elaborate much. "Yes, I ran into him while in the area looking for you. It's someone I think may benefit from seeing you as much as you him."

Before I could ask more, the elevator stopped its downward motion and the doors opened with another 'ding', followed immediately by a heavy click and whir from the room beyond that made me tense in a crouch and growl at the hulking shape in the shadows. A towering steel ranger stood there, the minigun on his flank spinning up and locked on the small, confined space I was trapped in with Zed.

If he had fired, I wasn't sure even the Shroud was fast enough to get out of it. Fortunately, the rapidly spinning barrels of his weapon hitched and spun down as Zed leapt forward, throwing his hooves out in a call for peace I barely managed to answer too. "Paladin! Calm yourself! We're no threat!"

There was a long, tense moment where the huge suit of armor stared back blankly and I kept growling, but the ranger shifted his weapon away and slumped with a whine of hydraulics. The intimidating steel face hissed and folded back, revealing a haggard grey face of an unshaven and dirty stallion arching one bushy dark brow at me with a gruff snort. "That's debatable... I see you found him."

"D-Dance?" I gaped back and at least mastered the Shroud's urge to kill a potential threat, looking up to the wincing brown eyes of the former Star Paladin flicking away at his name. "P-Paladin Steel Dance!? You're ok!?"

Dance gave me a flat look in return, grunting a one word reply. "No."

With no more than that, the missing Brotherhood stallion turned and tromped off sullenly, crossing the room full of broken terminals, equipment, rusty file cabinets and battered desks to a dinged yellow power armor station against the wall. He huffed as the heavy armor unfolded around him and linked to the station, then trudged to leave in his dirty red and orange underarmor jumpsuit through a doorway on the other side of the room, towards the mellow glow of a lantern and a soft radio.

Standoffish or not, Paladin... former Paladin Dance let us stay in his little hidey hole without complaint. He had retreated to the only other room in the underground listening post, visible through a set of broken windows on the far wall. It was full of lots of terminals and fancy consoles for dead and broken equipment, cleaned up with military tidiness to house a single bed, a hooflocker, a working radio perched on a battered filing cabinet and a salvaged shelf for canned food and rations.

I caught Dance peeking out at us once or twice while Zed and I talked, but he didn't join in. He seemed... hurt. I could see the bitterness, anger and depression warring in him when I caught him looking, but he always turned away, content to offer us shelter without comment. That worried me actually, I recognized those kinds of feelings after living through them the last couple weeks. There was a stallion who had just... given up.

Concerned as I was for one of the few Brotherhood of Friendship ponies I actually liked, getting caught up by Zed took priority. I had to impatiently lob questions at him while he took a squeaky office chair and started mixing zebra brews on the rusty desk before it, but when I saw how the goop he smeared on his scorched flank hissed and burst into blue flames for a moment, I bit my tongue and let him work.

He caught my shamed eyes following him and waved it aside again, assuring me he had a lot of experience dealing with curses, though the glancing shot from the Shroud's corrupted magic was one of the most powerful he'd ever encountered. I wondered if he knew that would get a pleased and proud nicker from the jerk in my head... Either way, letting him work helped me stay calm, letting him tell the story from the beginning.

Swan did what I asked her, she knew it was an emergency and knew she had to protect Glitter, Jade, herself and our foals, so she went to the first place she thought of that was safe. Home. It caused quite a stir when all of my friends and family just teleported to Trinity Tower, especially in the middle of the night that had somehow turned to day, but it was safe and nearby. Umbra and her sisters had been annoyed I wasn't with them, but their home being not that far from Diamond City had saved them from making a mistake by trying to go back for me.

They could see it from there. Zed's grey eyes still looked awed and far away when he paused on reaching that part. "I knew the legends... but I've never seen the like Fast. It looked like a hurricane parked right on top of D.C., a swirling gyre of destruction that rained lightning down, while the flames of that... Synthlestia thing they made erupted up like a volcano from the stadium. Your wife wished to return regardless, but Witchy and Valkyrie managed to convince her nopony dare approach that madness, despite how much they both wished to as well. It was caring for Glitter that stayed her hoof in the end though."

I winced hearing about it all again. I'd heard rumor and secondhoof stories when I'd dared talk to other ponies, but Zed had a front row seat atop Trinity Tower, watching with the others well into the night. Then he'd spoken to the many refugees from the city that had started trickling in to Unityville below. Between me and the Institute's Celestia synth, we'd done a lot of damage, displaced and ...killed... a lot of innocent ponies. Not just in D.C., but the surrounding ruins as well.

Despite the shame I felt over all that though, I still only cared about Glitter and Jade. I was frustrated Zed couldn't tell me much more there, but all he knew was Glitter was in a coma, or broken, depending on how you looked at it. Jade had done everything she could and was caring for her night and day, but couldn't wake her up... turn her on... whatever again. She'd kept it together by focusing on her first though, seeking help with the Railroad as the only synth experts we knew, calling in favors with Mayor Shamrock in Goodneighbor and every other friend we'd made, even accepting the truce the Institute offered through their fake goddess and running herself ragged. All to care for a sleeping little princess that wouldn't awaken from her curse.

After that first night, they waited to see if I'd come back, growing more afraid and desperate as the day wore on and people started crawling out of the wreckage to survey the damage. Val went with Swan and a few wings of her sisters very insistent on 'helping' to find me, but the Gunners were already fortifying their hold on the city and surrounding area as the army of the New Equestrian Empire, under the fake Princess Celestia holding court there.

Despite how much the Gunners still wanted to kill the traitor though, they didn't do anything but turn her away. Of course, having a dozen very agitated alicorns probably helped, but they were under orders too. The mercs sent them on their way with a fancy scroll of a letter to Jade that day, proposing their truce and the tense status quo that had sprung up in the aftermath. I was still listed as public enemy number one and to be captured or killed in their territory, but otherwise the Institute, through their synth Princess, had been fairly magnanimous.

Zed stopped to hold his pip-buck bedecked hindleg out and bring up the map at that point, showing me the lay of the land as things were now. The Gunners territory along the southern third of the Commonwealth had spread up into Trotson itself, all the way up to the northern river looping around the city to include Manebridge and the ruins of C.I.A.T. itself. It made a basic pie wedge shape of the bottom third of the circular Commonwealth, the upper two thirds making a rough upside down horseshoe shape that included all the friends we'd made that had allied with the Kingdom of Sanctuary.

For whatever sneaky reasons, at least Synthlestia's New Equestrian Empire recognized any settlements allied with us and left them alone, even those in her territory of the city. Goodneighbor had become even more of a free sister city to D.C. and de facto capital for the Kingdom of Sanctuary within the Trotson ruins, serving as a safe site the Institute's fake goddess had even deigned to visit herself, to negotiate the truce that still held with Jade, while Mayor Shamrock served as mediator.

The Brotherhood at the Trotson Skyport on the other hoof, were an unabashed enemy of the Institute and had completely lost their shit when the mad scientists played their trump card with their synth Princess. Elder Macson gave regular blaring speeches on the evils of technology gone mad on the Brotherhood's weak radio signal, and they had carved out a good portion of the northern coast. They had been held back by Neighlem Village rebuffing them so far, explaining why there were Vertibucks flying around out there, but they had been pushed out of the city almost completely and were facing a losing battle.

Mentioning his former order and his leader finally got Dance to poke his head out at that point, snorting proudly with fire in his eyes. "The Elder won't be defeated by those twisted lunatics or their vile monstrosity! That false goddess is just the kind of thing we came to the Commonwealth to stop! The Institute and their synths creations will be defeated, Ad Victorium!"

Blinking curiously, I couldn't help blurting out my first thought. "Er... aren't you a synth though Dance? Actually, the last time I talked to Macson, he asked me to kill you..."

I winced when my pip-buck decided to remind me about that in no uncertain terms, biting my lip looking over the unforgiving text in my vision as Dance simply stood there and took it in;

Mission Updated: Blind Betrayal

Objectives------
---Find Paladin Dance

Optional Objectives---
---Kill Dance
---Bring Dance in to the Brotherhood

Instead of getting upset or depressed, Dance stunned me by just nodding firmly. "I wish Elder Macson had sent somepony else. But that doesn't change a thing. I'm a synth, which means I need to be destroyed. I need to be the example, not the exception."

"W-What!? You want me to kill you!?"

Shaking my head at the eager voice of the Shroud piping up, I was flabbergasted when Dance just nodded again, puffing his chest out and preaching the values of the group that wanted him dead. "If you disobey your orders, you're not only betraying Macson, you're betraying the Brotherhood of Friendship and everything it stands for. Machines were never meant to make their own decisions. The Institute and all of their synths must be destroyed, myself included."

"Are you out of your damn mind!? First off, I don't take orders from Macson, I'm not some Brotherhood soldier and I don't care what they think. But you actually believe in that bullshit so much that you're fine with dying!? You ignoring self preservation aside, my daughter's a synth Dance..."

That looked to make him falter for a moment, Dance's ears drooped and his eyes flicked down, but that fervent belief wasn't so easily doused, the fire in his eyes coming back when he raised his head again. "I'm sorry they did that to you Fast, truly I am. You know better than most how insidious the Institute can be now though. They never should have created her to be their spy and toy with your heart, neither she nor I should have existed in the first place."

The shadows in the gloomy bunker grew darker and swirled around my hooves as a low growl came out of my throat, my eyes flexing into a glowing, dragon slitted scowl as I hissed back. "Don't you dare... don't you dare say she should die Dance... I burned down a fucking town of ponies that said that. I feel bad about it, but nopony... NOPONY says my little filly deserves to die."

"Then kill me too..." Dance murmured back and lowered his head, dropping to his knees to put himself on my level and extending his neck for the starmetal blade that had already sprung from the loop on my bandolier and hovered above him in my blackened magic.

"Fast! Don't kill him! He's hurt and uncertain, don't give in to that spirit's rage!" Zed leapt up, limping his way between us and pleading in a shout.

Dance just asking for it fortunately took most of the fun away from the Shroud, it grumbled and pouted over a pony weakly surrendering not being worthwhile and backed off sullenly, though Best Served kept floating in my own blue magic and wavered over the fallen Paladin's head for a long moment. It wasn't just the cajoling of 'Be Dark...', just as it hadn't been the spirit that killed poor Tailia in Convenant. I wanted to do it, it was me that was willing to execute anypony that spoke ill of my Glitter, even more so now that I knew she was still alive and would face prejudice and hate like Dance espoused. Values he had learned from the Brotherhood he still revered that would kill them both given the chance. If it wasn't for the flash of the mare from Covenant's teary eyes with a .45 caliber hole drilled between them popping into my head, Dance might have suffered the same fate.

I managed to sheath the glimmering blade again, biting back tears and turning my back on Dance still waiting on the deathblow. "Get out of my face Dance. If you don't have anything nice to say, shut the fuck up. Don't insult my daughter again, I don't care what she is, I love her."

There was an awkward silence as I kept my eyes trained down to the floor, willing the writhing shadows back to a pony shape beneath me. Eventually I heard Dance huff and stand again, trudging away and muttering under his breath. "I am sorry Fast."

Zed finally broke the silence, trotting around me in a circle with his curious grey eyes trained down to the shadows as he jerked his muzzle towards the retreating Dance. "I apologize for that. I remembered Scribe Wind asked you to help him and hoped... perhaps you could help each other."

"Not if he's going to say that kinda stuff about her! If he wants to die for his fanatical freaking beliefs, fine. Anycreature that says Glitter should though, I'll kill myself. That includes Dance and his whole damn Brotherhood. I... I really did wipe that town out Zed... It wasn't all me, but I didn't care what the Shroud did to them and I... I killed a mare... I have enough problems Zed, I can't help somepony that doesn't want to be helped."

Zed watched passively as I ranted and snorted, waiting until the fury gave way to remorse before speaking softly. "I told you I hoped he could help you in turn Fast. You are not thinking of how he feels, and it is relevant... Both your joy over Glitter being alive and your anger for any who would disparage her are how her nature affects you, how you feel and what you think. The creature possessing you surely isn't helping as spirits like it can be exceptionally selfish, but you need to think of how Glitter will feel."

"Huh? But I... I mean... s-she's still Glitter, I... Jade and I both still love her just the same! We don't care she's a..."

Zed finished for me, still with that patient, placid stare that was becoming uncomfortable. "A synth. I know you don't, but... if she wakes up... she will be aware of that fact herself, will remember she was forced to hurt you because of it. What will you say to her? How will you respond if she thinks as Dance does and feels she should have never been born? Will you threaten her too?"

"No! I'd never!! I..." My instant denial paused as I really thought on it, remembering those last moments in Diamond City when Svengallop had forced her to shoot me, the look of misery and guilt in her teary eyes as she was forced to obey... "I don't know... I just thought e-everything would be like it was, she's still my daughter, I don't care about anything else so I... I guess I didn't think about how she'd feel... Shit."

I could do without Zed chuckling as I slumped, but he leaned forward to put a consoling hoof on my shoulder as he spoke in a soothing voice. "You see? That's one reason I wanted to come here, talk to Dance, see how he feels as another pony who just found out he wasn't what he thought he was, consider it practice."

'Be Kind...' sang its approval, even as I glanced through the broken window between rooms and frowned with the proud hiss of 'Be Dark...' trying to sway me the other way. I didn't want to consider Dance or his feelings, I really did only care about my own...

"I'll try... really. A-After I calm down and think about it though."

"Good, since the other reason I wished to stop truly was a need for rest. I understand that spirit may thrive at night and not need it, but I do. It was a long journey to track you down, ending with... more exercise." Zed leaned back at that, his eyelids drooping as he glanced down to the crust of alchemical gunk on his flank and continued with a shrug at my wince. "Can I trust you not to go wandering off? Both of you?"

"Er... sure Zed. I won't sleep or leave him totally in charge. I have some thinking to do anyway I guess. Umm... before you nod off though, c-can you... can you tell me more about Glitter? Anything? I know she's still asleep but, anything..."

He sighed and gave a soft smile, reaching into his jacket pocket to retrieve a dingy looking holotape and speaking in a soft murmur. "Best you hear for yourself. Here, something I was asked to deliver to you. It should keep you amused while I rest and hopefully give you more to think on."

Zed didn't have to say more... I could smell that sweet strawberry scent coming from the holotape he hoofed over to my trembling grip. I stared at it with watery eyes, feeling my heart swell, even as my stomach dropped. Jade... Jade sent this for me...

I could still barely bring myself to really think about facing her again after the things I'd done. I desperately wanted to get to her and Glitter again now, but every time I thought of seeing her beautiful face turning to disappointment or even... fear... on our reunion, I broke out in a cold sweat.

I'd been avoiding thinking about it, especially since the Shroud still had no intention of leaving without... whatever it wanted up here, and was therefore buying me time at least. Being faced with a message from my wife however, I felt the same anxiety and curled up in the corner with the wonderful smelling holotape, pawing at it on the floor in indecision as Zed settled in to sleep.

For most of the night, I sat and thought, pulling out all my weapons and breaking them down to clean, trying to reach the cool nirvana of tinkering. It wasn't easy with a very bored spirit bouncing off the walls of my skull, let alone the holotape I had set reverently aside but still couldn't bring myself to listen to.

Hard as I tried, I couldn't really calm down and it was boring being the only pony awake. Even wandering the bunker and breaking down every bit of junk still littering the place for parts couldn't distract me enough. I ended up going through every last filing cabinet, desk drawer, and hidey hole out of desperation, coming up with a quite a bit of ammo and a surprising number of bottlecaps in the process and seriously wondering if Val really was right about Discord hiding them randomly through the wasteland. I sure couldn't think of any reason the prewar soliders who once worked here would stuff more than a dozen in a dented toolbox anyway.

The Shroud cajoling me to just go out for a little while and find something to kill was tempting, but agonizing over that message kept me in place. Pouting over to Zed sleeping peacefully in his reclined office chair, I wondered if that wasn't the whole reason he saved giving it to me until when he did.

When I'd worked myself up into a stomachache and had flubbed putting the capacitors for the Last Minute in the right way for the third time, I finally tugged at my mane in frustration and snatched the orange and white missive up. I missed the holotape slot on my pip-buck repeatedly, then put it in backwards too, but finally slid it home and slammed a hoof on the play button with an annoyed huff. Then all my anxiety and frustration blew out like a candle when I heard the sweet voice hesitantly speaking up in my ear;

"...and I just press this bit here, then I may speak?" Jade's voice crackled forth mid-sentence, speaking in that uncertain tone I knew so well from any time I tried to explain arcano-tech stuff to her.

"Er... yeah Blue, seein' how ya just did, it's doin' it's thing already..." Val's voice was lower and more subdued in response, obviously stuck explaining how to make this little present to her with Glitter unable to for her mother as she usually did. My smile stretched wider hearing the exasperated griffon, then my perked up ears laid back with a whine of feedback as she screeched right in the mic, knocking me back to a pile of rotting cardboard boxes in the corner at the sheer volume blasting out of my pip-buck. "HEY! If yer hearin' this boss, I'ma gonna kick the everlivin' shit outta ya when I finds ya! Yer lucky Blue here's sendin' stripey an' not me! If'n I weren't so busy pickin' up the slack while yer on yer vacaction to crazytown, I'da already tracked ya down dammit!"

"Y-Yes... thank you Valkyrie, I am sure he is well aware of your disappointment. If I may speak now, perhaps I may tempt him with incentives other than griffon beatings?" Jade gave a sourly amused nicker and I could hear shuffling and squawking in the background, then my still ringing ears perked up at the squeaky voice backing her up.

"You heard her highness Val! This is very personal and private, tis supposed to be romantic and sweet, not full of you screeching at him like a foul mouthed Radroc, off you go please!" There was grunting and pushing getting further away as I could just picture Witchy shoving Val out the nearest door, then the rapid click of her armored hooves coming back and the thestral chirping proudly. "There we are Princess, thou may continue thine message. You should listen up Fast, thine wife has been most upset because of you and..."

"Witching dear... I was hoping for a bit more privacy than just Valkyrie leaving...."

"Hmm? OH! T-Terribly sorry your highness! I'll just... er.... l-leave you two alone then. Umm... w-we all miss you though Fast! Thou must defeat that terrible spirit and return to her side where you belong, to all of us... Please..." Witchy squeaked at Jade's soft request, clattering off to the same squeaky door in the background and jabbering the whole way, but ending on a pleading call to me that made my ears droop sadly.

There was a long pause after that, a hiss of empty air that made me worry the holotape had corrupted data, or Jade had accidentally hit the mute button, or maybe that she just didn't want to talk to me. It was long enough for me to sweat and picture all kinds of things she might say and angry faces she might be making, but the sound that eventually met my ears was worse than anything I could have imagined, Jade's soft sobs...

My heart broke at each muffled hitch and sniffle I could hear, just picturing her, alone in some room somewhere, sending everyone else away and just crying for a moment to herself. She was trying to hide it from the recording too, but she didn't know how to pause it, leaving me to listen to her soft whimpers and wish more than anything I was there to hold her.

Jade finally spoke through her tears, sniffling and shuffling around as I heard her dab at her face. "I-I am sorry dear... I imagine you hear me being a big foal, but I do not have many opportunities to let my guard down lately and... t-this is difficult... A wife can cry in front of her h-husband, can she not? Y-Yes... I think so, speaking to you like this is something at any rate, so... i-indulge me a moment... I do so wish you were here though Fast... I miss you."

"I miss you too..." I croaked back and realized I was crying too, curling up tighter in the corner with my pip-buck held against my chest to listen closely.

The loud honking noise startled me into flapping straight up and hitting the ceiling, but I found myself chuckling along with Jade on the recording doing the same when I slid back down the wall and listened to her sounding a little better. "Sorry... I suppose you heard that too? I do wish our little filly here was able to help me make this message, I am sure she would edit out all the e-embarrassing bits. I also assume that is a good place to start, despite my request for privacy, Glitter never leaves my side dear. She is safe and... and as healthy as I can make her... Do you wish to say hello to your father dear? P-Please? Just one word? O-One of those adorable sleepy mumbles perhaps? I know you can do it, try sweetheart..."

My face screwed up painfully as the tears flowed listening to her, Jade put on her soft coo for foals to mask the clear pain as she shifted and fumbled with something in the recording. I held my head in my hooves and wept hearing what she was hiding, a kind of exhausted desperation and waning hope that hurt so much to hear from her. My ears flicked as my heightened hearing could already make out enough, the light in and out breathing I'd heard so often from a little filly sprawled out on my chest after falling asleep during a story.

"Mm...." My eyes shot back open and I stared at the steadily decreasing bar on my pip-buck display denoting how much time was left in the recording, gaping in wonder that matched the victorious whinny I heard Jade give at just the tiny sound. Glitter's voice...

"T-There we are! See! I knew you could do it sweetheart! I h-hope you heard as well Fast, she is still with us... I know it." Jade sniffled and laughed equally, the noise of her shuffling again coming with a strong 'MMM!' that made me miss her even more, even as my ribs twinged in memory. That was an alicorn strength hug somewhere, I knew the sound well... The best I could do was hug the pip-buck to my chest and squeeze back just as tight.

When she started speaking again, it was much clearer and a little lighter, a soft and kind whisper, full of her normal grace and nobility. "I know our precious daughter must be weighing on you heavily Fast, so I wished to start with that. I have no doubt you feel as I do after learning the truth, I love her just the same. Since what happened is most certainly what caused you to... to lose control... I hope hearing her has helped you."

"It has... it really, really has hon..." I croaked back, waiting for her to continue as I wiped my own eyes.

"I wish I had more good news to share as far as she is concerned, but... I do not... Valkyrie has helped me locate certain friends of ours that have been doing all they can to help her, but even Beacon and his comrades have never encountered anything like our Glitter. Did you know they've taken to calling her a little Princess? I-It is quite amusing... they have even begun spreading the image of her cutie mark around the Commonwealth. She is an inspiration to synths like her apparently, I am sure she would be pleased..." Jade gave a tired giggle as she told me things I'd found out on my own since she recorded this, a rueful tone to her voice as I imagined just how proud Glitter would be along with her.

"They have been most helpful and tried their best, though they do not wish for me to tell you where we are for security reasons they are most obsessed with. I suppose I understand, but know you can find us when you are ready to return. They are somewhat suspicious of me since I refuse to turn the Institute away too. I hope you understand my choices since you have been gone in that regard. I will not turn my nose up at any potential path to helping Glitter, even if it is a devil's bargain... Our other friends have been working diligently towards that end elsewhere, but... We need you back Fast. I need you back..." Jade's voice cracked after remaining firm relating what information she could, then her warm plea turned stern as she spoke to somepony else that was listening just as closely along with me.

"If this is the Shrouded Stallion I am speaking to and not my Fast however... Please, let him go. I do not agree with your methods and the destruction you have brought fighting Celestia, but I have hope since you recently stopped attacking her every night that you have finally released your hold on my husband. If not, I humbly beg you do so. Come back to me Fast, no matter what has happened, I will never stop loving you. You are my special somepony and that will never change, so please, come back..."

I winced at the Shroud muttering in reply, but at least it seemed cooperative enough so long as it got what it wanted first. Just hearing Jade's voice put me at ease and made patience possible, I still wanted to go directly to her right this minute, but she was so strong dealing with everything on her own, I didn't doubt my wife's ability to handle things in my absence. Instead I restarted the holotape and listened to it again and again, feeling the whisper of 'Be Kind...' growing strength along with my determination as I answered Jade's plea firmly.

"I'm coming honey, just wait for me a little longer..."

Close to dawn, Dance woke up like it was ingrained from his military training and an impossible habit to break, starting off by exercising. Which seemed kind of pointless to me since he had a death wish, then by starting on what I was just finishing and going over his own gear. Listening to Jade, Val, Witchy and Glitter's single murmur I had rewound and replayed over and over, I had finally managed to concentrate and get the repair work done, actually I may have gone a little overboard on that score...

He gave me a blank stare when he came in, trotting over to the power armor frame I was wedged under and frowning over the battered T-60 I had sorta... disassembled a little... I couldn't help it though! It was just standing there looking cool with me all night and I ran out of other things to fix. Plus while I didn't really care for piloting them, I had gotten to enjoy working on power armor with the Arcano-Cats quite a bit, it reminded me of Burny... The kind ghoul Dr. Patch in the Slog had been right too, being a repair-pony made me feel more like myself again, the pony Jade and Glitter were waiting for, I was going to be that pony again somehow. In that interest, I was determined to start by showing the understanding and kindness I knew Jade would want me to to the fallen Paladin raising an eyebrow at me wiggling out from his armor sheepishly.

"Er... sorry Dance... I got bored and it looked like it needed work, sooooo... yeah. You know, I've never understood how earth ponies can be so good at machines when all you've got are your hooves and mouths to work with..."

Dance raised an eyebrow, but scratched his scruffily bearded muzzle and chuckled weakly. "It's an acquired skill, though we usually have scribes with a horn or another pair of appendages to help. I appreciate the assistance Fast, mind if I show you and we get her back in one piece again?"

I nodded eagerly at his question, joining the strong earth pony in stripping down his minigun and pulling out my screwdriver to attack the motor housing. We managed to work together quietly and without incident for some time like that, but I could see him mulling things over.

Eventually he managed to follow up on his offhoofed comment about scribes by asking about his. "Scribe Wind... Summer... Was she alright Fast? You said you spoke to her? I didn't mean to just leave her like that, I hope my being a synth didn't reflect poorly on her. She was an excellent Scribe and loyal sister."

"Oh... She's fine Dance, she's really worried about you. She uh... sorta quit the Brotherhood of Friendship though..."

The big earth pony gave a shocked whinny at that, stamping his hoof and goggling. "What! But she was innocent! She didn't have to... they shouldn't have blamed her! If I turn myself in and explain, maybe..."

"E-Easy Dance! It wasn't because they kicked her out. She said she didn't like how they treated some folks, like alicorns and... even synths I think? She wanted to leave, without you around, she just didn't have much keeping her there."

He blinked for a moment, then his brows came down in a flat line as he looked me up and down and snorted. "Ah... You corrupted her."

"Hey! I didn't..."

"She talked about you a lot Fast, you have quite the reputation where fillies are concerned too. You tempted her away to join your private harem, you can just admit it." Dance rolled his eyes and trotted around the armor to work on the missile launcher on the other flank, speaking over the tall back of the suit with a sanctimonious smirk.

"I didn't tempt her away!! And I don't have a harem!" I fired back immediately, then winced at the Shroud piping up cheerily.

"Shut up! You're not helping!" I shrank under Dance's raised eyebrow and flicked my eyes back to my work in embarrassment at the outburst to myself, eventually murmuring back weakly. "Ok... Maybe I have a harem, but I didn't go trying to add her to it. That much... And I wasn't planning on it dammit, so just stop bugging me about it you Shrouded perv! She quit for other reasons, she was really happy with the Minutemares too, so there!"

I let him chuckle and smirk, returning to silence while we worked on his power armor together. After enough time had passed, I couldn't help trying to broach the subject we were both prancing around, closing up the access panel I had open and setting my tools down to speak again without the insane asides to a spirit he couldn't hear.

"Dance... What's it feel like? Being a synth I mean. And I don't want to hear about how evil and terrible you technological abominations are, just... how does it feel?"

He frowned at my question and bit back the automatic response drilled into him I could see dancing in his brown eyes, but eventually he sighed and sat back on his haunches to reply seriously. "I'm not sure how to answer then Fast. How does it feel to be a real pony? How would I know the difference? If you're asking if I feel alive... I... I do. Before Proctor Quiz went through that data from the ARC project, I thought synths were the enemy. I never expected to find out I was one of them. I really didn't know..."

"Oh..." I managed to mutter back, scratching my scruffy chin in thought and offering the somber paladin a sparkle cola from my bags as I sat beside him. "Can you talk about it? It's sorta important to me..."

"Because of Glitter? Well... I remember being a foal, growing up in the ruins, everything... Though I suppose that's all just memories they implanted in my head, it feels real to me. I had a friend... or thought I did anyway, we made our way as colts selling salvage in Friendship City, we'd both watch the Steel Ranger patrols out of Bucklyn Cross and dream of being part of that. He was... taken away, by the Goddess and her mutant abomin..." Dance started slowly, but built up steam and fervor as he went, cut off by my warning growl when he started to insult Jade and her kind.

He held his hooves up in surrender at the slight and sighed as he continued. "Er... sorry... by the alicorns back then I mean. He was turned into one of them against his will. After the day of Sunshine and Rainbows and the Brotherhood between the Rangers and former Enclave formed, I was first to sign up under Macson's banner. I vowed revenge for my friend, ready and willing to wipe out every bit of the horrible legacy of the past the creatures that took him away. I found him too, what he was turned into anyway... A group of alicorns that became little more than raiders when the Lightbringer destroyed their mother. It was him, I was sure of it, it even had his mark, but he... she didn't recognize me. I should have questioned things then, I just thought it was because of what had been done to him, that he'd been turned into a monster... One I put out of its misery."

"Y-You killed your friend?"

I gaped at Dance's story, but he just nodded somberly. "Yes. He... She was hurting ponies and the Brotherhood was called in to put a stop to it. It was our duty. I thought I was doing what he would want too, he never hurt anypony before. I was trying to honor him and his memory, no matter how much it hurt. That's why I asked you to do the same, to honor who I thought I was... I felt like I've been in control of my life, made my own decisions, including that one... but the whole time, I was as much an abomination as I thought he was. Let me at least make one choice for myself."

All I could do was stare at his hopeful look, huffing and turning away to think before trying a different approach. "Yeah but... They may not have been your memories, but you acted based on them and did make your own choices. Think of all the good things you've done Dance. That YOU did. You helped the Brotherhood get here, Summer's told me about all the times you've saved her life and the lives of your fellow Brotherhood ponies and wastelanders. I guarantee the Institute didn't give a shit about any of that so long as you blended in, and that's only IF you were one of theirs, not a free synth that escaped! You've been a good pony Dance. It doesn't matter where you came from, it matters what you do."

"Why do you care so much Fast? From what I've heard, you've been on a regular murder spree lately, what's one more sad synth!? One who's asking for it!? I refuse to be the reason you fail Elder Macson! If you won't do it, I will myself." Dance raised his voice in answer, getting a fevered look with just a tiny sparkle of hope in his eye I really hoped I wasn't imagining.

"Even the psychotic asshole in my head doesn't like killing good ponies as much, and I don't at all... Plus I've already lost my family and my mind, I don't want to lose a friend. I... I thought about it too you know, I pulled the trigger even, but I was glad it didn't work, even... even after the things I've done. It would hurt Jade so much... Glitter, Val, Witchy and even Zed over there, I think anyway... It would be selfish. Think about Summer, all the time you spent together, all the adventures you had. All of that really happened, and she would be really sad."

"I... I hadn't considered how my death might affect her and others who care about me, like you Fast..." I felt a rush of relief when Dance looked up from thinking a few minutes, an expression like he was just seeing a world of possibilities opening up beyond just the death he had resigned himself to slowly spreading on his bearded face as he spoke with more conviction. "I've been blinded by my own self pity and bitterness, I hadn't thought of all the things I know are real. Thank you Fast."

'Be Unwavering!' gave a prim cheer of approval, proving Zed's point in trying to bring us together. Thanks to Jade's holotape and his support, I was reminded how important a virtue generosity was, even if it was just giving time and listening to a pony who needed someone to talk to.

"Yeah well, I've been where you were for awhile. You're not the only one to find out you weren't what you thought you were. I'd take being a synth over... whatever I am now, but neither of us can give up. A nice ghoul I met told me, you just have to keep trying, no matter how bad it gets or what people think of you. Besides, I've got a daughter to get back to, and she'll... she'll have to deal with the same stuff you are. I have to have something to tell her."

Dance actually gave a tired chuckle in reply, the big earth pony hoofing my shoulder hard enough to knock me sideways. "I'm sure you'll do fine, you opened my eyes a little anyway. Of course now, I have to figure out what to do with myself. I suppose I'll have to leave the Commonwealth, maybe somewhere like Dise, I've heard they've cleaned up their act in the last few years. Or up north, Seaddle or up towards the Crystal Empire. Anywhere I can just disappear."

"You don't have to go you know... I mean, you could join Jade's Kingdom like Summer? There's lots of settlements you could do a lot of good at, and we won't let the Brotherhood hurt you."

He shook his head at my offer, sighing as he stood and went back to finishing up his armor with new purpose. "I'd be a bone of contention between you folks and the Brotherhood. Elder Macson would never let it go and you need each other to face what the Institute's doing, before they spread to the rest of Equestria."

"All the more reason you should stay I would think Paladin. We'll need every hoof working as one for the fight ahead, surely your Elder wouldn't be so stubborn as to turn away help." Zed surprised us both by speaking up, cracking an eye open from his still reclined seat before hopping up and stretching his limbs, thankfully looking much better and ready to go.

Looking between the two of us piling on, Dance just shook his head again, closing up his armor and trotting off to his room to retrieve a bag clinking with canned food he spread out before us. "You two don't know Macson very well... I'm honestly surprised he sent you after me instead of coming himself Fast, but I'm glad he did now. Don't worry about me, it sounds like you've got enough to deal with and need to get to it, Glitter's waiting after all, right? I'm sure you're champing at the bit to fly to her, you've spent enough time on me."

I slumped and picked at the food the stallion offered, frowning to myself in a quick internal aside that confirmed no matter how much I wanted to, the Shroud wouldn't let me do just that. Whatever it wanted up here, it was as stubborn as Dance made Elder Macson out to be. At least the delay had something good come of it though.

Some time later, we rode up the elevator together to start on our respective journeys, Dance and I both sharing a sense of trepidation over the path ahead, but putting one hoof in front of the other again. Surprisingly, it was Zed that filled the awkward silence, feeling fairly chipper and paying me back for all the questions I had lobbed at him by peppering me with his own.

He was fascinated by the Shroud's spirit and my ability to still exist and be ...somewhat sane anyway. Zed kept probing and going over what I knew with a fine toothed comb, asking for both sides of the arguments or asides I kept making to the impatient voice demanding we go to this asylum place. He was also curious about the Mysterious Serum vial I let him look over, squinting at the glowing green window and sniffing over the injector with a look of distaste, proclaiming it dark magic and keeping it out of the hooves of the Legion to be a worthwhile endeavor.

He knew quite a bit about the gang, though nothing about their recent activities. Apparently, the Legion were the descendants of actual zebra spies and sympathizers from the war, clinging to their mission to sow chaos behind enemy lines for a few generations, then just embracing chaos for its own sake as a crew of raiders with access to zebra magic and weaponry they'd stockpiled. I worried he might be a little mad about me sort of... slaughtering a good number of his people... but for the most part he seemed ambivalent. They preyed on the weak willed and selfish from Neighlem and the surrounding area for their members, same as any other raiders. Treating them any differently than the pony flavor of crazy asshole was more insulting than trying to make a distinction.

Once he got on the subject though, he did hold a hoof up as we piled out of the elevator into the single room bunker on the surface of Listening Post Bravo. "Fast, I know you are in a rush to return, but I would still like to take you to Neighlem while we are here. My people may be able to..."

"NO EXORCISM!"

Zed and Dance both laid their ears back at the Shroud's voice bouncing off the reinforced concrete walls, the zebra making a placating gesture as I facehoofed. "No, no exorcism spirit... I doubt it would work anyway, would it? The elders there know more than I do though, I have never heard of a case of possession quite like yours. You still want to know how such a thing could be, right Fast? It may help allay your fears about being around the others as well, neither of you wish to hurt those you care for, do you?"

I could feel 'Be Dark...' seething, even when I forced my eyes down to the scarred patch on Zed's flank as a reminder. There was some other emotions mixed in I had a hard time pinning down though, mainly because it was so foreign to the murderous Shroud's normal range. Guilt... sort of anyway, more annoyance over being used by Zed's ancestor so long ago, but there was the tiniest kernel of regret in there. Maybe I really was rubbing off on it as much as it was me.

Before I could really dwell on it though, my ears perked up and my body spun with a low growl, drawing my attention to the sounds and smells my heightened senses had picked up, the bounce of 'Awareness!' helping me catch up to the Shroud anticipating a threat. There were marks on E.F.S., quite a few flickering just at the outside range, but one was solid and close, the mark on my compass lining up with the only door out and wavering between green and red...

"Stay back..." was all I managed to choke out, then I was charging for the door and bursting out into the bright sunshine.

I blinked in shock to find myself face to face with the very pony we'd discussed that morning. Elder Macson of the Brotherhood of Friendship stood stock still in his intimidating custom set of T-60 power armor, scowling at me tensed in a crouch with shadowy magic swirling around me, then focusing over my head to the surprised gasp of Dance following with Zed.

I guessed Dance was right about how stubborn the big red earth pony was, he really did come after the fallen Paladin himself... A Vertibuck was winding down on the crumbling stone landing pad nearby, while there were a dozen more power armored knights arrayed around it and lining the high ground of the narrow valley trail. All the Steel Ranger and Shadowbolt power armor wearing guards were well back and my ears flicked at all of their heavy weaponry powering up and adjusting their aim at me, the smell of fear and tension in the air seeming to spread even from the environmentally sealed Ranger suits.

Macson was as brave and bold as ever though, his red trimmed helmet was folded back and his green eyes met my glowing red ones without even a hint of that heady scent coming from him. Instead all I got was righteous fury as he raised an armored hoof and pointed directly at Dance as he barked at me. "How dare you betray the Brotherhood! I thought we had an understanding Fast, you were to destroy this thing when you found it!"

I was so stunned and struggling to keep the Shroud's impulse to just kill him in check, I couldn't even reply. Dance stepped into the void however, trying to keep things calm and take the blame. "Elder... It's not his fault. It's mine. I.."

"Quiet! I'll deal with you in a moment. I asked you a question Mr. Times, why is this abomination still functional? The answer will determine how I deal with what many of us are wondering isn't as big a threat as the Institute and their synth monstrosity." Macson snorted and the tri-barreled magical gatling gun on his flank gave a warning hum, glaring down at me gritting my fangs and trying not to prove his point.

"He's not a 'thing', he's a pony and he's still one of your best, most loyal soldiers. I don't take orders from you Macson... I don't know what the hell you're doing here, but I'm warning you... BaCk oFF....."

I'd never seen the calm and inspiring leader of the Brotherhood look so furious at that, stamping a hoof and snorting puffs of steam from his nostrils in the frigid air. He also looked more worn and desperate than I'd ever seen, his normally immaculate armor was dinged and scorched, his ragged orange mane and beard were dirty and disheveled, while his eyelid twitched at my growl of a threat.

He raged back, keeping up that tone of command that raised my hackles every time we met, like he was always right and everypony had no choice but to follow his orders. "He's. Not. A. PONY! It's a machine! They are not alive! Stand aside. This has always been a Brotherhood matter, I should have known better than to leave his destruction to a soft hearted colt like you, a madpony coddling another synth spy and calling it your daughter!"

Several of his pegasi guards looked distinctly uncomfortable, their wings standing up and feathers flared as they pinned their ears back looking up to the skies, audibly gulping when they saw it starting to darken suddenly. The few puffy white clouds above were growing black and swirling together overhead, rumbling with thunder as I roared back.

"DON'T YOU SAY ANOTHER FUCKING WORD ABOUT HER! IF YOU WISH TO TEST THINE METTLE, I WILL DESTROY THOU AND THINE PIDDLING TIN SOLDIERS LIKE THE TOYS THEY ARE. THE KNIGHT IS MINE..."

A bolt of lightning streaked down and winged the landed vertibuck to punctuate my point, sending the nearby knights prancing away in a panic while their Elder just kept staring me down without even a flinch. One of the pegasi lost his cool and fired a blazing pink beam from his underwing novasurge rifle with a yelp, scorching a puddle in the snow at my hooves. The Shroud's automatic reaction nearly sent everything to hell right then and there, an inky black field of gravity magic surrounded the unfortunate buck and lifted him up. I could hear him scream as his armor started squealing and groaning around him. I was going to crush him like a tin can...

The knights keeping their distance all tensed and adjusted their aim, a pair of T-51 wearing Rangers galloping forward to protect their Elder, only to be held back by his upheld hoof and stern command of, "Hold your fire! I didn't give the order to engage!"

Part of me didn't like how he seemed to be willing to write off the buck I had in my grip because he disobeyed those orders, but the Shroud was taking too much delight in slowly crushing the life out of him in front of his comrades to stop. I'd always had a somewhat combative relationship with Macson, now the spirit was taking the opportunity to display dominance and savoring it.

Dance laying a steelshod hoof on my back and speaking firmly saved the unfortunate pegasus however. "Fast... stop. Please. Knight Draft is a good pony, you said you don't like killing those. The Elder's right, you never should have been put in the middle of this. I'll accept my punishment, it's alright."

The smug look on Macson's scarred face as my magic imploded and the stallion in question was dropped gasping to the ground just pissed me off more, not to mention Dance's willingness to just accept his fate. "NO! He's not killing you for... for being what you are! Just because he doesn't like it! You see that assholes! Dance just saved another of you, and you call him a traitor!? He's loyal! He's the most loyal buck I've ever met, and you are NOT killing him!"

The bawdy shout of 'Be Awesome!' rang out in my head in agreement, loud and pure again. Just being around a pony like Dance that embodied the Element of Loyalty so thoroughly had strengthened it back to its former awesomeness and helped me stay in control as I shouted back.

It also cracked the smirk on Macson's face to my satisfaction, the big earth pony stamped his hooves and paced in response, preaching in a tantrum. "Don't believe it Mr. Times, any of you! He's a machine, created by the Institute! He wasn't born to a loving mother, he was created in a lab!"

"So were you..."

I enjoyed the hitch in his step at my hiss of a reply, smirking back as the clone of Big MacIntosh wheeled on me with a scowl and fumed. "That's not the same! Flesh is flesh! Machine is machine! By attempting to play Goddess, the Institute has taken the sanctity of pony life and corrupted it beyond all measure! Even now, they've graduated up to making their own goddess! Where does it end!? They must be stopped, their synth creations are a threat to all ponykind!"

To my surprise, Dance spoke up and cut off his rant, a little anger actually creeping into his voice, even addressing his precious Elder. "After all I've done for the Brotherhood, all the blood I've spilled in our name, how can you say that about me Macson? Fast is right, I still believe in the Brotherhood of Friendship, even now, even to the point of accepting your sentence, but do not simply dismiss that devotion because it comes from a synth."

"Look at the wasteland around you Dance! How many millions died because arcane science outpaced ponykind's restraint!? Can't you see it's happening again, just when we're finally starting to rebuild! That abomination taking Celestia's form and infiltrators like you will undo all the good the Lightbringer accomplished, everything Elder Steelhooves fought and died for!" Macson shouted back, his voice rising in the throes of a nearly religious fervor that steeled his troops listening attentively, working them up....

"I don't like him much either, just... hold off, those others with him are good ponies, knights like you used to be, please... let me try." I muttered under my breath, furrowing my brow against the nagging voice in my head and forcing myself to keep trying so long as we weren't shooting yet. "He's not an abomination, he IS a pony Macson. He believes in you so much he wanted me to kill him. Why can't you see it doesn't matter how he started life, he is alive. You should know that better than anypony, ayup?"

The red stallion's face glowed a little redder and he winced, but continued in something closer to his normal placid tone on being reminded of his own roots. "I was still born a pony, even if it was from a cloning vat. You were born a pony, despite whatever you've become now Fast. How can you trust the word of a machine? A machine that's had its mind erased, its thoughts programmed, it's very soul manufactured? Is it because of your 'daughter'? Those ethics he's trying to champion, the love she showed to you, they aren't even their own, they were artificially inserted via memory magic to make them more effective spies!"

"TAKE THAT BACK..." The Last Minute snapped up in my own blue magic and whined to full charge, aimed directly at Macson's exposed face the second he brought Glitter into it.

Dance managed to save his Elder again, speaking over my roar in a firm voice full of his old conviction, but with a new, expanded view on the world. "Elder, it's true, I was built in a laboratory and some of my memories may not be my own. But when I saw my brothers and sisters dying at my hooves on the battlefield, I felt sorrow. When I defeated an enemy of the Brotherhood, I felt pride. Don't you understand? I thought I was a pony Macson. I still feel like one. Those feelings are as real as the love Fast has for his daughter and she for him, I know that now. I know because I feel that same love for all my brothers and sisters here, the bond born from fighting and dying together for a better Equestria. And I did feel shame on finding out what I was, but no longer. I am what I am, I made my choices and believe in them, in you. From the moment I was taken in by the Brotherhood, I've done nothing to betray your trust and I never will."

"It's too late for that now..." Elder Macson grumbled back and I could see him closing off his heart to the impassioned speech, but I also noticed several of his troops murmuring to each other uncertainly as he turned on me. "We had a deal Mr. Times. Either you uphold your promise and destroy this thing, or I will, and you if you interfere."

"Try it..." I growled back, but shook my head and snorted for control, speaking with my own voice but retaining the Shroud's hard edge. "No. After all the sacrifices I've made and battles I've fought against the Institute, you need to listen to me Macson and listen good. You owe me that much... You owe your soldiers that much too, because I really don't want to hurt anypony, but I will kill all of you if you try to hurt him. That's not a threat, it's a fact. I won't be able to stop, so listen good."

Macson scowled back, but glanced to the rumbling clouds swirling overhead and gave a gruff nod, giving me leave to continue after fighting to control my tongue and not give in to the Shroud wanting to just get to the murder already. "Pony or not, Dance has served the Brotherhood faithfully, he's saved a lot of lives, it's time you saved his. He deserves to live, my daughter deserves to live... Anypony who says otherwise is making themselves my enemy, and we need to be friends now more than ever, because there ARE bad synths and the Institute does have to be stopped. This isn't the hill you want to die on Macson... Focus on the real threat instead of getting fixated on good ponies who can't help what they are."

Macson stared down his nose at me when I finished, trembling in place with the insistent desire to just rip his exposed throat out and bathe in his blood, but I was in control and he wasn't giving me a reason. Finally he grunted an annoyed response that eased some of the tension in the air. "You're a stubborn stallion Fast..."

"Yeah, I know. Be glad it's not Jade here, she puts me to shame in the stubborn mule department. I think this is what she'd want though, so what's it gonna be?"

"We've arrived at an impasse. Allowing Dance to live undermines everything the Brotherhood of Friendship stands for, yet you insist he remains alive. You threaten me and my soldiers, and based on the battles we've observed between you and the Institute's false goddess, you can back those threats up. You may be as big a threat as the Institute, but we clearly need your help as even the creature you're host to can barely fight on even terms with their Celestia synth. Tactically thinking, we can't afford to make more enemies in the Commonwealth, our backs are against the wall as it is."

While Macson went back to pacing and muttering, Zed had appeared from the shadows he'd disappeared to when fighting looked likely, speaking in a contemplative tone with his deep voice ringing out loud enough for everypony to hear. "Elder Macson, how did you know Dance and Fast were here?"

"We received intel Fast was in the area a rogue paladin had been spotted, finding it was Dance was a bonus." Macson answered absently, still mulling things over under the cloudy skies that could still erupt into chaos.

His answer seemed to give Zed what he needed to work with, the zebra stallion trotted up into Macson's pacing path getting trampled into the snow and stopped him, his stern gaze holding the intimidating leader's as he continued. "Recieved Intel from where? We weren't followed or observed here, for you to find out so quickly is suspicious, is it not?"

"Our intelligence gathering resources are very efficient, we..." Macson gave a distracted huff to the insistent zebra, but was cut off with the sudden shout coming out of my muzzle.

"BIRD!"

Everypony gaped as a crackling black beam blasted from my horn and nailed a raven watching from one of the dead branches overhead, both 'Be Dark...' and the manic mote of 'Awareness!' taking Zed's meaning quicker than Macson did. When the synth bird melted to another pile of goop splattering to the snow, a deathly silence fell on the wooded clearing as everypony present took in the implications.

Zed smirked and pointed a hoof to the evidence, calming the jumpy soldiers spooked by the sudden attack and patiently laying things out for the stunned Macson. "Had you considered certain parties might want you to have a confrontation with the Shrouded Stallion? For you to get so caught up bickering over one rogue synth, that you woke the dragon and suffered the consequences? All while they get to watch from safety and benefit no matter the outcome?"

Elder Macson tromped over to the glowing green stain and stomped on the puddle with an infuriated whinny, turning to glare back at me, Zed and Dance. "Devious bastards... Very well, I'm left with only one option. Dance, as far as I'm concerned, you are dead. Everyone here bear witness, former Paladin Steel Dance was tracked down and destroyed, his body incinerated by magical energy weapons fire. This nopony standing before me is forbidden from ever stepping hoof on the Prydwen or speaking with any member of the Brotherhood of Friendship. Should he chose to ignore me, he will be fired on without mercy. Do we all understand each other?"

In answer, Dance's armor unfolded on the spot, the grey earth pony climbing out and kneeling in his orange and red jumpsuit. "Perfectly sir. Let's say you recovered this piece of valuable technology too, it should continue serving the Brotherhood, even if I can't. Thank you for believing in me Elder, it's been an honor."

"Don't mistake my grudging acceptance as mercy Dance. I suggest you leave if you don't want to test that order too. We're taking over this installation and don't need a spy slinking around, get out of my sight. Scribe! Find me who brought in that tip on their location, double time! We've got another synth infiltrator in the ranks somewhere and I want it sniffed out! Get that armor secured and go over every bolt too!" Macson huffed flatly, turning away to start barking orders before eyeing me over his shoulder as he trotted off. "Oh... and Mr. Times, if you're able to control yourself, we're not done. You still owe me a Ministry Hub. If we're truly going to stop the Institute, you need to get a hold on the reins of that demon and get to work."

"Yeah... whatever Macson, I'll stick around a minute... Thanks."

I grumbled back sullenly, but did breathe a sigh of relief as the Brotherhood ponies started moving around with purpose, totally ignoring us quietly trotting out of the way. I found myself agreeing with the pouting Shroud though, it was much easier just not giving a shit about anything anymore... Actually trying again was hard and I couldn't help the little part of me that agreed with the spirit's suggestions of just destroying everything that annoyed it.

Looking over to Dance giving me a stunned smile though, it was worth it. It could have been Glitter in his place, it still might be someday. It was worth trying again for her. Even if I couldn't be with her right away, just knowing she was alive gave me back my hope again.

With Steel Dance now officially a nopony in the eyes of the Brotherhood, Zed and I managed to convince him not to flee the Commonwealth completely, so we had another win in our column for the day already. I worried about him trekking across the northern woods in just his jumpsuit with a simple magical energy pistol, but he assured me he would head straight for Sanctuary and decide what to do from there.

I could see the longing to join us on his square features, but he took his final orders from Macson seriously. He intended to avoid the Brotherhood completely and we were going the same way they were apparently. A fact I literally walked in on when Zed and I returned to the bunker to find Macson going over maps and mission reports at the battered office desk, coming in on the tail end of a younger pegasus mare in lighter, scout styled Enclave armor repainted with the red trim of The Brotherhood.

"....asylum's under attack sir. Started at dawn, moved inside when I left to report. Legion's meeting hardened resistance, but are overwhelming the defenses. Probably be all over in a few hours Elder Macson sir." The pale blue-white filly snapped a salute as we trotted up, my ears perked at the name of place she indicated on the map spread out on the desk, Parsnips Asylum.

Her warm, dark blue eyes cooled considerably when I coughed for attention, sticking her nose up at my wings standing up as the Shroud forced my eyes to focus on certain shapely curves to her light, form fitting recon armor, totally against my wishes... I winced at the 'harumph!' she gave when she pranced away at Macson's dismissal, but kind of figured I hadn't improved the Brotherhood ponies' opinion of me. Besides, getting whatever the Shroud insisted on at the asylum done and going to my family was a more pressing concern than the frisky mutter in my head getting distracted again.

"Parsnips Asylum? Something's going on there Macson? Why are you poking around that place?"

He gave a withering deadpan look down at me with his stern green eyes half hidden by his orange mane, but huffed it aside and pointed to the map on the desk I had leaned up on my forelegs to peer over curiously. It had a lot of marker drawn notations scrawled and crossed out on it, while large swaths had been color coded with crayon that made me give a weary half smile thinking of Glitter. She'd do a much better job of it though, here it was simply to denote territory around the Commonwealth, giving me a clearer picture than even Zed filling me in.

The Institute took up a large chunk of the map in Gunner green, while the Kingdom of Sanctuary made the horseshoe shape around the city that Zed had described colored in a blue matching Jade's coat. The Brotherhood had to be the patchy rim of red along the northern coast, sending irregular little bulges out towards the city from their base at the Trotson Skyport. Judging by all the formerly red areas now colored over in green, I had a better idea why Macson looked so haggard too. By entering a truce with Jade, the Institute's only real opposition was the Brotherhood and they were focusing on them exclusively...

Looking over it all made my pip-buck chime with 'Map Updated' a few times, but it was Parsnips Insane Asylum to the east of us that was the real focus of our attention. It was colored in a tiny spot of orange and had a lot of hoof written notes, circles and arrows around it, most pointing towards the north and the edge of the Commonwealth, near the black and white striped territory surrounding Neighlem Village.

Macson gave me a minute to look it all over, then broke into his normal brisk tone and started laying things out. "Parsnips is a hardened position with room and facilities to house a good number of troops. It's near the border of the Commonwealth and within the territory that synth monster and the Institute has left us to. We made entreaties to both Neighlem and the mercs occupying the asylum, but both rebuffed us."

"Gee, I wonder why... with your sparkling personality and all.."

"Good to see your sense of humor is still intact Mr. Times. This is serious however, the Institute and their 'New Equestrian Army' sellouts have pushed us out of Trotson almost completely and are solidifying their hold on the city, turning it into a fortress. This is beyond the limits of our mission here, the N.C.R. and the Lunar Commonwealth have sent word they're trying to send reinforcements to deal with the threat after the Midnight Sun proved it was real, so we need to secure a route for them if the damn weather will ever cooperate and establish a secondary base of operations near the edge. That's why we're interested in Parsnips, with the Legion raiders attacking the place, we plan on securing it by force from them. I assume you and your Princess will have no objections if we take it from a pack of marauding raiders?" Macson huffed back, pointing out the edge of the map near the old asylum and sliding a few prewar pictures of the place out on the desk.

I didn't know what it looked like now, but if it held up at all, I could see what he meant. The place was spooky looking, but huge and intimidating. Tall stone walls surrounding a massive complex of three story brick buildings, the iron bars on the windows, secured doors, multiple guard stations and more all gave it the look of an ancient castle already.

"So what, you're just going to wait it out and clean up whoever comes out on top? Even if the mercs win I bet... Not much different than what the Institute planned on doing with you and me here it sounds like... Then you figure on marching in a bunch of outsiders and what? Waging a war in the Commonwealth? You're going to get a lot of ponies killed for your crusade here Macson..."

"Better here than countless more suffering under that monstrosity they made Fast. You've seen it up close, they copied a goddess... Did you know there are already cults springing up all over Equestria hailing Celestia's return? There are too many ponies out there that will greet the Institute's synth as the second coming, they'll hoof over the throne without a second thought. We can't let this escape the Commonwealth, we have to end it here and now." Macson replied in that self assured tone, but killing the flaming bitch wearing Celestia's face was the first thing the Shroud and I both agreed with him on completely.

"Alright, I'll warn you like I tried to send a warning ahead to those mercs running the asylum though, I have to go there for... something or other... It's not a good idea to get in my way and you're keeping me from leaving already. What do you want Macson?"

The Elder of the Brotherhood frowned at my plans, muttering as he moved his hoof back towards the city. "Please don't destroy Parsnips first off... What I delayed you for however, is holding you to your oath, especially after you broke it concerning Dance. You promised a method to open the Ministry of Wartime Technology hub, that facility is more important than ever now. Since you appear to be mostly sane again, I want an update. The tech locked away there could help even the odds against the Institute in the battle ahead, not to mention the hub gives us a stronghold near the city. Whatever you are now, you are still a pony of your word, aren't you Fast?"

I scowled at getting called out as I looked over the circled marker on the map for the MoWT Hub, between us and the Trotson Skyport where the Prydwen was parked, on the northern shore of the river in the industrial ruins near the shore. Unfortunately I had promised and Macson did have a point, the Ministry Hubs in the Commonwealth were all unassailable, shielded facilities that remained untouched since the war. The Brotherhood had much better odds by gaining access to the hub of the Ministry that spawned their order.

Giving a resigned huff as I turned for the door, I grumbled over my shoulder on the way out. "Fine, but I never promised when I'd do it and I'm busy. I'll see about getting you in though, after I get back to my wife and daughter and... deal with things there. For now, tell your troops to stay out of my way Macson, I still can't make any guarantees for their safety if they're skulking around that asylum."

I nearly made it out, but Macson's voice calling after me made me pause at the threshold. "Time is of the essence Fast, every day that Synthlestia exists, the Institute grows stronger. When you do return to the Princess, you need to tell her that appeasement is not an acceptable solution, despite her pacifist beliefs. She needs to decide whose side she's on..."

Just the implied threat was enough for my magic to lash out, shorting out the remaining lights in the bunker's upper level and blowing Macson's maps, photos and reports around the room in a swirling wind as I growled back and spread my wings to leave. "She's the Princess, whatever she decides, I'm with her. I keep telling you, I don't take orders from you Macson, you need to figure that out..."

Not giving him a chance to stop sputtering as his poor scribes scampered around the room trying to pin down the cyclone of paperwork, I flapped my wings and took off into the patchy eastern skies. I was glad to see even the power armored pegasi flitting around the complex clearing a path as Zed joined me, in no mood to have one of them start spouting off about me as 'the male' or a monster as they so often did. That was another thing witnessing the Shroud and the fake Celestia in her flaming 'Daybreaker' form clashing night after night had done while I was gone at least. Even the Brotherhood ponies had revised their definition after seeing what real monsters were.

"You did well Fast, I'm surprised you managed to keep the spirit in check under that provocation. I don't particularly care for the Brotherhood either, especially with their old prejudices coming out again as they operate so close to Neighlem." Zed spoke over the wind and drew my attention away from stewing silently as we flew on.

Shaking off the aggression being around Macson always seemed to bring out in me, I nodded back, tilting my head curiously as I thought it over. "You think they'll bother your people there?"

"Old wounds leave deep scars... on both sides. I'd prefer not to have the Brotherhood deciding they can push my people around out of military neccessity like the ponies of the past did." Zed's voice was tight as he replied, a little of his usual dour attitude and former disdain for ponies coming out as he thought of Macson and his troops riding roughshod on the settlement.

"And Neighlem's supposed to be a lot of zebras, right? You're sure you want to bring me there? I thought you guys and the Shroud weren't exactly on good terms. All that stuff about the 'Nightmare's Servant' and 'The Shadowknight'? Not that me going to towns is a good idea in general, but what's it like?"

"Hmm... it's a town like most other wasteland settlements really. Before the war it was once a port of call for many ships from the zebra homelands and a cultural exchange point between Equestria and Zebrica. During the war things there... got bad... but it's a thriving community now. There's even a well preserved bathouse I wouldn't mind visiting there. You may encounter some superstitious bias, but I do believe it's important to speak with the elders there. I'm afraid Yura's legacy not only tainted that place, but lives on and continues to do harm, so we all owe a debt to help resolve the current troubles." Zed spoke easily enough to fill the time as we traveled, but I caught the flicker of shame in his grey eyes and sympathized.

"It's not your fault Zed, no matter what the Shrouded Jerk in my head says. You're not Yura, just like I'm not my Grandpa, right? From what I've heard and how he feels about going there, I'm guessing I owe the zebras there more after the things the Shroud did way back when."

Zed slumped in the air and flew a little closer, shaking his head as he replied somberly. "No more than I owe for my ancestor conspiring with him in those times. There are many things I need to tell you about Yura I shouldn't have kept from you so long Fast. It's another reason to stop there at any rate, there's even a... ugh... Museum of Witchcraft dedicated to the tale."

"There's a museum all about your anscestor? Ha! That must really suck Zed... er... sorry."

"You have no idea. Even before the war, ponies had a tendency to view all my people as witches and warlocks, going about and placing hexes like they were giving out candy. Being related to a Starketteri that embodied that stereotype gets old." Zed rolled his eyes and huffed, but turned ahead again with a raised eyebrow towards the horizon. "There's the asylum now however, let's save the stories for later and see just what it is your spirit wants there."

Following his muzzle jerking ahead, I saw the dead trees were thinning out, making way for the cracked roadways leading up to the ominous ruin that made my pip-buck chime in my ear; 'Location Discovered: Parsnips Insane Asylum'. It was surprisingly intact, the tall stone walls showed signs of being repaired over the years, growing with sickly ivy and regularly broken up by reinforced guard towers with spotlights and auto-turrets. Most of these defenses had taken a serious beating recently however, the turrets were all smoking wrecks and large gaps had been blown through the walls.

Smoke wafted up from the asylum itself too, the muffled sound of gunfire and explosions making my ears flick as we glided down towards the main gatehouse. A cluster of Brotherhood knights and scribes had set up around the broken brick building controlling the candycane striped cross bar over the entry road. They were staying back and observing, a few of them venturing out into the open grounds before the asylum to check over the numerous corpses of raiders and combat armored mercenaries. The bodies staining the snow crimson told the tale of a firefight that had fallen back to the main building, though to the Brotherhood's credit, they were dragging survivors back to their little position and giving aid to the mercs.

My eyes were drawn back to the looming ruin as we landed by the Brotherhood's camp, a strange pull coming from the place that made my mane stand on end and intensely interested the Shroud. This was what he wanted alright... something in there was as dark and terrible as he was, calling to me...

"Fast!? Oh goddesses, don't tell me you're here to throw another wrench in the works!" A familiar voice pulled me away from the hypnotizing siren call, blinking over to a power armored pegasus trotting over whose friendly tone and demeanor didn't match her words.

When her bug eyed helmet folded back to reveal the smiling red face and sweaty blue mane and eyes beneath, I gaped in surprise and grinned back. "Lt. Dawn!? What are you doing here?"

"Same as always dummy, serving the Brotherhood. You know, Ad Victorium and all? I should be asking you that!" My favorite frenemy in the Brotherhood smirked back, but came right up to give me a surprising hug, ignoring the dubious looks of her troops as she squeezed tight and whispered in my ear. "Seriously Fast... it's good to see you again. After the things I heard, I thought... Well I wasn't sure what to think, but I worried I'd never see you come screw things up for me again. I'm glad you're ok."

"G-Good to see you too Dawn, er... me being ok is debatable though, you may not want to... Umm.... h-hugging and all..." I yelped when the Shroud spoke up and was even more delighted than I was over the unafraid gesture of affection, pulling away and sputtering as my wings stood up over my back.

Dawn looked as battle worn as Macson had, but still managed a weary giggle when I cringed back. "Nonsense. I see you still haven't gotten a handle on that yet? Good to see some things don't change. So seriously, what are you doing here? And please don't tell me you're really here to steal this place out from under me too, we need a win here."

Flinching under her teasing turning to a stern frown, I shrugged weakly. "Umm... I'm not really sure? I'll try not to mess things up for you again, just... k-keep your troops out of my way. I'm not totally in control anymore. Can you tell me what's going on here to start?"

Dawn gave an uncertain look to my confusing reply, but shrugged and waved a wing up to the looming asylum building on the low hill. "Damned if I know. After my 'success' playing diplomat with er... our little friends at the MoP, I got sent to go chit chat with the mercs running this place. Thanks to you, the brass thinks I actually know how to negotiate or something. Came back to try again today and every damn raider in the area had decided to swarm the place before we got here. Been staying back and waiting for orders, trying to help where we can."

"I think taking it will be your orders regardless, though probably minus the helping bit. Jade must have rubbed off on you Dawn." I smirked back, following the Lieutenant as she led the way to the triage tent her scribes and medics had set up behind the wall and trying to ignore how pretty she looked when she blushed as I finished. "We just ran into Elder Macson, he sounded like waiting it out and cleaning up the leftovers was what he wanted, so you're probably good. I still need to go in though, but I really don't know why. Any of these mercs in good enough shape to talk to first?"

"Take your pick, though these guys are even more secretive than the 'gremlins'. Not many in any condition to chat either, whatever they're hiding, they fought hard to keep doing it." Dawn smiled wearily, waving out to the few bloodied mercs groaning on cots in invitation.

I could see what she meant, there were only a few survivors period, an eclectic mix of ponies, griffons and ghoulish versions of both, all denoted by the bloodied, orange accented combat armor they wore or sat near their cots. I noticed none of the mostly zebra Legion raiders were receiving medical care, but didn't have a problem with that. The Brotherhood didn't have resources to waste on raiders from the look of things, despite the whine of 'Be Kind...' speaking on Jade's behalf, I agreed with 'Be Dark...', they didn't deserve that much mercy when they started the fight.

Pacing down the row of wounded mercs and looking for one I could interrogate, a volunteer galloped up to present himself. I had thought he was simply a medic or maybe one of Jade's Followers in the area judging by his immaculate white labcoat, but the well kept light orange stallion cleared up that misconception when he started harranguing Dawn as soon as he reached her.

"There you are Lieutenant! I really must insist you listen to me! You have to stop those raiders, immediately! You have no idea the danger! They must not be allowed to take the asylum! If they reach the lowest levels and breach security, they..." The stuffy stallion had a panicked look in his brown eyes behind the dark rimmed glasses he wore, his darker brown and green striped mane was disheveled from its slicked back and neat prewar style.

Dawn gave an exasperated snort and cut him off like she'd heard it all before. "I told you already, I can't move on the place without orders. Unless you're inviting us in to take over, which you've made clear you're not. Those are your options though Professor Carrot, deal with the problem yourself and retain your claim, or we take it from a bunch of raiders when they're done. It's a bunch of loons in an old nuthouse, it's not like they're taking over a megaspell silo or something."

"But it is! It could be even worse! You have no idea what we've kept locked up there for centuries, but if those raiders let him out then..." He was so worked up waving his hooves around dramatically and yelling at Dawn, it took him a minute to even recognize Zed and I were with her. When he did however, his reaction only deepened the mystery of this place as his face paled like he'd seen a ghost. "You! The... the S-Shrouded Stallion..."

The Shroud's voice rumbling in my head only served as confirmation he had a reason for the sudden spike of fear I could smell off him. This Professor Carrot pony smelled like those raiders that the Shroud had become obsessed with, the ones on the Mysterious Serum drug it was so possessive about...

Lt. Dawn blinked at his weird reaction, but took it as an escape from being pestered happily enough. "That's right, the Shroud is a friend of mine Professor. If you want an independent agent to go deal with those raiders, he's already said he's going in anyway and I can vouch for his talent when it comes to this kind of thing. There you go Fast, this annoying buck says that's his asylum, so I'll leave you two to work it out until I get orders."

The strange stallion frowned and muttered to himself a moment, stroking his pencil thin moustache and smoothing his mane in nervous gestures as he paced, all while flicking his eyes back to mine following him with a fang enhanced scowl, the glowing red dots reflected in his glasses. Eventually another muffled explosion from inside the asylum made him spin towards the building with a yelp, throwing his hooves up and ending his quibbling.

"Very well, I have no choice. I suppose I always knew this day would come anyway, it was only a matter of time after it broke the seal. I've been expecting you Mr. Times, though you've caught me less prepared than I'd like and I must ask your help. I'll explain everything, but we must move quickly, those raiders can't be allowed to let him out." Coming to a decision, the odd pony spoke in a quick, clipped voice, drawing a fancy magical plasma pistol from his labcoat and trotting briskly towards the gates of the asylum.

I had to wave a rushed goodbye to Lt. Dawn to keep up, galloping up the snowy lane to the admittance doors to the asylum, growling at the labcoat wearing stallion charging ahead. "Hey! Wait up! I have questions now buddy! Who the hell are you!?"

He paused at the doors, resting a hoof on the handle and deigning to answer in that same rushed tone. "Dr. Artifact Carrot, and you're Fast Times, the Shrouded Stallion... I only hope Professor Mobius was right about you."

At that he flung the doors open and charged in, leaving me gaping in shock before scrambling to catch up again, running headlong into Parsnips Insane Asylum and whatever mystery waited within.

New Perk Added!---------------

Steel Danger-----------
---You must have learned a knock off bypass spell somewhere, because your familiarity with repairing armor of all kinds has made you an equine can opener! Your attacks now ignore 20% of your targets armor. This bonus increases to 30% against enemies wearing power armor and has a chance to stagger your target.

Faction Change!-----------------

Brotherhood of Friendship -- Sneering Punk
---Saving Paladin Dance and not only being insubordinate, but directly threatening their Elder hasn't raised your standing in the eyes of the Brotherhood. Not to mention now being known as another experiment gone wrong. They may not regard you as an enemy, but you'll now get a pretty chilly reception from most members of the order of scribes and knights in the Commonwealth.