Sitting in the Diamond City Security office and jail was oddly familiar... Considering it was the visitors dugout, and we had been staying in the Dugout Inn all week it was hard not to compare them. The familiarity wasn't all that comforting, but it was something to distract from staring at the bars of our cell.

"We could'a got out boss, hell still can if you want. Dunno why you just gave up, hate bein' caged up like this." Val grumbled on the small cot with me, glaring out the bars at the three guards milling about the office. She could probably get through the lock and take out the guards, though her slinky dress wasn't her normal armor.

"Because they're just doing their job, getting out would have involved killing them. I don't want to hurt the guards, I want to hurt Fancy." The image of the sneering former Overmare kept replaying in my mind, she was in this city right now, probably hamming it up giving her story of how I killed Haycom Svengallop.

Val groaned and flopped back, "Good luck with that boss, wouldn't mind a piece of that bitch and Freya myself. Not likely to happen if she's in with those noble types up top though, she played us good huh?"

Framing me for murder was pretty clever alright, though it still didn't entirely make sense to me. Fancy seemed more the type to take immediate and direct revenge, not use a convoluted plot to set me up and have me executed. Say she was involved with Haycom's son as it seemed in Stable 114, would Neighson be in on it? Was it all her idea and he didn't know?

"Yes she did... I don't like it either, it feels off."

My brooding was interrupted by the head of the D.C. guard Stalwart Stone storming in the room, stopping at the bars and scowling at us. He was still in his dress uniform and looked harried and very angry, "We show you our hospitality and you not only throw it in our faces but commit a murder!? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I've had to listen to from a whole gaggle of frightened, pissed off, noble ponies for the last hour? If you have anything to say in your defense spit it out."

"Umm... I didn't do it?"

General Stone glared and pulled out a small, worn notepad from his jacket, "You were the last seen entering that office, a maid testified she led you there at your request. You are known to use a knife identical to the murder weapon. You were found at the scene of the crime by a witness. Why would I believe you?"

"Because I really didn't do it. The witness you have has a personal grudge against me. I was invited to Haycom's office to discuss his son, who was involved with that same mare in the recent drug epidemic Dr. Swab came to you security ponies to complain about and was ignored... That knife wasn't mine, my knife has a mark engraved on the handle of a fork and chef's hat and is numbered 88/100. I'm betting that one has a different number?"

"You know it well enough to be aware it is numbered, lying about the number and some mark isn't much of a stretch. The Doctor's complaints about the recent problem were... mishandled, but if the family was involved that could be another potential motive for murder. You will be held until a trial can be convened, if found guilty you will be executed. Right now I'm more interested in finding your mare and foal, where has Princess Jade gone?" He looked pretty dubious, but not completely convinced of my guilt right off anyway.

Questioning where Jade and Glitter were was a load off my mind too, the only thing keeping me from raging non stop about Fancy was my worry for the two. If the guards couldn't find them they got enough warning to know something happened. Between an alicorn who could turn invisible and a foal with a deadly robot guardian that could do the same nearly as well, they should be safe.

That still left Val and I though, now that I could worry less about them our own problems became more pressing. "You really think we'll get a fair trial? Let me guess who'll be in charge of it, the nobility?"

Stone gave a curt nod, "Of course, they are the rulers of the city. I enforce the laws, they make them and administer justice. Any trial will be above board and interested only in the facts."

Val snorted and threw her claws up, "Wow, you are a real buck scout aren't you? You think anything in this town is straight up and fair you're livin' in a dream world buddy. They're gonna railroad us, hell just Blue pissin' em off like that would be enough, framed for murder is a bonus."

The General turned red and huffed at the griffon, but I had to agree. "She's right Stone. You seem like a good pony, but the ones in charge here get up to some nasty business under the table. This won't be a trial, it will be a show before the execution. If this was back before the war I'd share your faith in justice, but it's not. I am innocent but I won't sit around and wait to die, sorry if that makes things hard for you. I'll find a way to prove my innocence though."

"You're admitting you plan to escape? You are a bold one aren't you? You are unarmed and... underdressed to take on my guards, three of which will be with you at all times. I'm not too concerned so no apology is necessary." Stone smiled like he enjoyed the honesty, giving a salute and turning to leave.

I sat and twiddled my hooves waiting while Val snickered beside me, "Oh you're great boss, funny stuff. Just tell him we're leavin' when we feel like it. Not that it wasn't my plan to do it anyway, but coming out and saying it? Gold boss, pure gold. So when we goin'?"

"Soon, I'm just thinking right now. Not like getting out is going to be easy and we'll have to leave the city, plus we have to find Jade, Glitter and Zed." At least the zebra wasn't with us at the party, he had been right about dealing with the nobility here. They shouldn't go after him as we didn't spend a great deal of time together despite my efforts.

There were a lot of uncomfortable questions about how this would affect our other friends in the city though, would the guards go after Piper since she was our guest? Nick? Miles? Anypony I had been spending any time with over the last week? What would they think when they heard, would they believe I really killed a pony in cold blood? I liked to think not, but I had kind of cultivated a menacing image on purpose, it may bite me in the tail.

Plus what about when it spread beyond Diamond City? Would all the effort I had put in trying to bring others together be undone by getting framed for a crime I didn't commit? Now that I thought of it that was what was bothering me the most, framing me wasn't Fancy's kind of revenge from what I knew reading her terminal. It was however a good way of damaging the work I had been doing, tearing down the hope I had been trying to foster in the Commonwealth. That was more of an Institute type of thing...

That felt right, the Institute had been involved in Stable 114 one way or another, they knew enough and definitely would have noticed me by now. Maybe I was getting too obsessed with the conspiracies woven through the Commonwealth around the shadowy group, seeing things that weren't there, but part of me insisted this was their work.

I was snapped out of my dark thoughts by one of the guards dropping limply to the ground suddenly, a second ran over in concern fearing his comrade had passed out and promptly hit the dirt as well. The third was on guard, peering around the room frantically for whatever was happening to his friends, pointing the 9mm pistol in his mouth everywhere. His caution wasn't enough, after a few tense moments he too fell over in a heap and a gorgeous blue alicorn appeared above him, still in her dress and looking quite concerned.

"Fast! There you are, I have been so worried! What has happened? Why are they saying you have murdered a pony, you would not do so!" Her absolute faith was just what I needed to dispel my fears, she didn't think I did it, that's all that mattered.

I ran to the bars separating us as Val sprang from the cot and started on the lock with a grin, "Great work Blue! Never knew what hit em! We're outta here!"

Jade's wide eyes were too worried to acknowledge the compliment, she stood on the other side of the metal cage prancing back and forth waiting for the door to open while I tried to soothe her. "It's ok Jade, I got framed by Fancy, she's in the city. We're gonna have to leave a little earlier than I hoped. Is Glitter ok? Zed?"

"T-They are fine, young Glitter was determined to see you free. I had to convince her not to send that robot in to simply kill anypony in its way, she was very frightened. Zed is looking after her outside the city."

Val fussed at the lock before it finally clicked open, "There! What about our stuff Blue? Needs my gear in case that bitch shows up."

The big alicorn mare shoved her way into the cell as soon as it was open, hurriedly answering on her way to embrace me tightly. "It is all waiting, you were right to store it elsewhere, our room seems to have been broken into... Now Fast! Y-You scared me again! You are not to do so! W-We will leave this place immediately and go somewhere you will be safe, n-nothing may happen to you!"

We needed to get going quickly but the shuddering filly crushing me needed some comfort. "Sssh... it's ok, you're right we're getting out of here, we still have to celebrate you getting your mark right? It'll be ok, now are you alright to make us invisible after knocking them all out?"

She gave a determined nod and looked to Val who was picking the lock to the armory and snatching up a riot shotgun and ammo, along with her purse with her pistol, uncomfortable being unarmed. "Y-Yes, I will be fine, I found a toxic site not far from here and absorbed radiation before coming. We must still be quick and stay close together Valkyrie."

She had thought things through well, charging herself up before attempting this jailbreak. No wonder her elegant dress looked appealingly tight on her, if she still had enough rads to look noticeably different she should be able to make all three of us invisible long enough to get out easily. Val cocked her new shotgun and fell in with us as Jade floated me to her back, making us all vanish in a wisp of her magic and charging down the hall out.

Soaring through the air above the city I could see a lot of activity down on the field, ponies milling about and talking about the scandal. Looking down on it all as Jade steadily climbed and put Diamond City behind us I felt bad, those I was seeing down on the field were good ponies, I had enjoyed my time with them. Who knows what they'd think of us now, all because of their rulers living above them in their gilded cage. And the Institute if I wasn't wrong... always the Institute...

Once we were a few blocks away from the glow of Diamond City Jade made us visible with a sigh, she didn't seem tired in the least so she must still be charged up well. We banked to the east and it quickly became clear her destination was Stable 114, that was a good spot to fall back to. Preston and his Minutemares were still there, it was a secure underground bunker full of friendly ponies too, Jade really had it together.

The Minutemare recruits down in the subway all gave respectful salutes as we passed, they had cleaned the station out and set up defenses leading to the Stable tunnel which was comforting. The gear shaped door was open when we arrived and Preston and Overmare Crystal were waiting, along with Zed, AssaultJack, Nick, Piper and a pink and white blur that slammed into me.

"Daddy! Y-You're ok! What happened!? W-Why did they take you away!? I w-was s-s-so s-scared... I... w-wanted..." I sat in the heap she had tackled me to and let her sob into my suit, having ponies she cared about taken away was a touchy issue for the little filly. I can only imagine what she would have done without Jade and with a killer robot at her command.

"It's ok Glitter, Sssh... it's ok, I'm fine. I'm sorry you were scared but it's alright now. I guess we can't go back to your school or little friends for awhile though, sorry..."

She kept blubbering and looked up with wide, watery pink eyes, "I don't c-care! I only care y-you're safe, w-we can never go back, it don't matter!"

I gave her a hug and stroked her mane, letting her get it out of her system and shrugged up at the others watching the display with warm patience. Piper finally couldn't hold it in anymore, floating her pad and pencil out and trotting up with unrestrained curiosity. "So come on, spill it. I gotta ask for the press, did you do it Fast?"

Val had immediately ran into the entryway and our waiting packs, pulling out her gear and armoring herself on the spot, giving a snort as she shrugged into her new armor. Most of the others gave similar noises of negation but Nick answered for me, "Not likely sweetheart, this was a frame job. Unless the murder weapon magically zipped out of the bag right in front of me, killed Svengallop and came right back, this is your knife right Fast? Had to confirm myself, but it never left my sight."

The long blade he pulled from his trenchcoat was mine alright, I could see the small carved mark on the handle from where I sat. "Yeah, that's mine alright. I was surprised to see one almost identical in his chest though, it's more than enough to hang me on for those noble ponies though, even if I showed them the real one. And no Piper, I didn't do it. I was there to talk to him about something you'd be pretty interested in."

The reporter mare laughed and waved to the Stable waiting behind her, "Oh I know! You shoulda told me Fast! Little miffed about that, a whole Stable opening and you don't give me the scoop? Helluva story too! The bitch that ran this place before, hope she gets hers eventually out there."

"That may be a problem, the former Overmare is the one who set me up, though I have doubts it was her idea. She was with Haycom's son here before and acting like they were together, she probably still is and has set herself up in Diamond City. It.. it may not be safe for you or Nick there anymore, I'm really sorry if I caused you any problems..."

Neither of the city friends gathered looked bothered at all, rather they seemed supportive and unconcerned with Piper's answer. "Bah! I've been ticking those snobby ponies up top off for years, they don't dare mess with the freedom of the press. I might have to lay low awhile... but as long as I keep spreading the word it will all work out. You gotta give me the whole story though, this old Overmare was there, I wanna know all about it."

"Don't worry bout it pal, I got a pretty good relationship with the D.C. guard and was nowhere near the festivities. Oughta be in the clear, same as your buddy Miles, but I'll check on him when I head back." Nick's reassurance eased my mind, Miles wasn't here and I hoped he'd be left alone. He had just gained a little confidence, I hated to think how he'd react to what happened.

Overmare Crystal had been listening and had a very sour face at the news, "She's still out there huh? Still causing trouble too... I'm sorry Fast, our problem has become yours and looks to have cost you. Don't worry, we all believe you, we know exactly what she's like. You can stay here as long as you like, any time you like, as our welcome guest. Everypony's doing much better and have wanted to meet you now that they're in their right minds again, please come in and rest."

I had to nudge Glitter off of me and wipe her eyes, pushing her chin up to look at me. "She's right, it's not all bad huh? We still have to celebrate somepony getting their cutie mark don't we? Cheer up sweetie, we'll have a real party, not that overdone nonsense in the city."

That got her to brighten a bit and get up, huddling close as I walked into the Stable. With the Stable dwellers up and in charge again this time it felt a lot more like coming home, a bitter-sweet feeling but I'd focus on the good for now. We were free and together, we were leaving the city anyway, and Jade's new mark peeked out of her dress proudly. Something good outweighing anything bad that had happened tonight, it had been a major concern for her I knew, she must feel wonderful finally having one. Ruining such a big thing for the blue beauty was out of the question, everything else could wait.

Crystal was telling the truth about the Stable ponies she now led, they were all very nice and happy to see us. Lot's of offered hooves and claps to the back, hugs, small gifts and treats to everyone and an amazingly rapid blur of work to set the diner up for a cute-cenera at the mere mention of the idea. The checkerboard tiled room was quickly festooned with balloons and streamers, the Stable cook hurriedly whipped together a cake, fretting over the rapidly applied icing. Jade looked both red faced in embarrassment and supremely happy, wearing a tiny foal's party hat on her large, carefully coifed mane and surrounded by well wishers.

"Sorry, all our supplies for cutie mark parties are for... er... younger guests of honor. Still everypony deserves one right?" Crystal apologized as Jade blew out her cake to uproarious applause and Glitter waited impatiently for the first piece. Hearing the apology she stopped shrinking under all the attention and shook her head rapidly.

"Oh no! No it is all wonderful, just what I always imagined. I never thought I would get to experience it, the younger decorations are actually very nice, now I get to have the same kind of party everypony else remembers, even if I am a bit big." She shuffled a bit in her tight dress, illustrating her point, squeezed into the small diner booth and surrounded by foals clamoring for cake.

Sipping a bit of familiar tasting, Stable-Tec imitation fruit punch from concentrate, I tipped a glass to her and smiled. "Just like the party I had, though you have a lot more guests than I did. I told you we'd have one like I did when you finally got your mark, it just took awhile is all."

She beamed at me before being distracted by the next colt waiting for cake, letting me mingle a bit and talk with Preston. I apologized for any harm my being framed was apt to cause the Minutemares but he waved those concerns away. "Not to worry Fast, Diamond City's control doesn't extend far and they aren't all that liked by a lot in the Commonwealth. It may make dealing with them a little sticky for awhile, but they can't ignore us or push us around, things have been going well with the rebuilding. Actually I was planning on heading back to Sanctuary, this garrison is set up and running well, more recruits to train show up every day back home. You could all travel with me, I'm sure everyone there would love to congratulate Miss Jade as well and have you home for a bit."

Home did sound good about now, it had been quite awhile since we left and I wanted to see how things had been progressing. I still had my list of objectives in and around the city, but a trip back was worth considering. "I don't know, let me think about it, I'd like to go home Preston. There's also Piper to think about, if she does have to lay low I want her to have a place in Sanctuary, we could use a paper right?"

Chuckling Preston nodded, "Sure, we got enough residents for it now, not a lot of news to report but anything like that would be welcome. Plus she can ship it out now thanks to your help I gather? Our own Red Rocket service, that will help out a lot Fast, good work. Now, I'll go talk to the mare herself, you enjoy our Princess' party."

Zed hovered at the edges of the gathering, deigning to stay within the Stable itself for awhile. As I approached to thank him he gave an almost smug expression and shrugged, "You were warned about those 'noble' ponies. I am glad you have escaped unharmed from their clutches."

"Yeah, I know, I had to try though. Thanks, glad you didn't get caught up in all that. I'm still trying to figure out our next move now, but I have the list of all the places you want to check out. We'll definitely get some work done there soon, I did find out where the other alicorns in the Commonwealth are, they may know something since it was one of them that started the Church.

"That does sound worthwhile. Do not worry, I have learned some patience with the robot detective over the last few days. The path your stars have set for you is interesting, I will follow it with... minimal complaint. Go where you will." The zebra had mellowed a bit since he and Nick had been exploring together, he was definitely an asset to so I was glad he was being friendlier.

The rest of the party passed to everyone's enjoyment, I got a chance to talk to more of the Stable ponies which was interesting. Talking shop with the maintenance crew was nostalgic, it also gave me a chance to give them more info on the teleporter I hoped was hidden somewhere in the Stable. They listened attentively and vowed to search every inch of the Stable for such an unwelcome addition that didn't belong, feeling the same way I had about it.

Eventually things wound down and Crystal led us down to the cleaned up living quarters level. Sadly thanks to Fancy there were a lot of vacant rooms, giving all of us plenty of space. Our group parted to our own rooms, tired from all the activity and with thoughts of tomorrow. I put Glitter to bed in her own small room in the family quarters we were given for the night, having to reassure her and sit with her and her robot guardian until she finally fell asleep.

Once I pulled myself free from her unconscious grip I slid the metal door to her room shut and trotted down the hall to what would have been my parents room back in 111, the design was nearly identical. When I opened the door to the chamber I was treated to quite a sight, Jade had removed her elegant dress and sat on the small bed staring at her flank happily. I would have done the same but the skimpy, lacy lingerie she had apparently had tailored back in the city along with the dress was rather distracting.

Looking up proudly from her new cutie mark and spotting me gawking senselessly she giggled and grabbed me in her magic, pulling my suit and bags off and setting me beside her, snuggling close. "I told you I had made other purchases to show you, I assume you approve?"

"Ohhhhh yeah... v-very much. It looks r-really good Jade, shows off your mark well too. I'm so happy for you, I knew you could do it."

She stopped her tender affections for a moment and looked back again, staring at the heart and crown image lovingly. "Thank you Fast, I am very pleased. If we speak with these other alicorns here or communicate with Equestria I hope to show them we can regain our marks, that it is possible. I feel I have you to thank for it, along with many other things."

"Me? It's your mark, you got it yourself. I didn't do anything..."

Booping my nose she laughed and shook her head, "Yes you did. It appeared when I accepted the role you had given me, you thought of me as a princess from the moment we met. My mark finally came when I became determined to be one, to live up to how you think of me and use it to help others. Without you I would never had done such a thing, I would never had been in such a situation and been exposed to the misguided idea of nobility here.

I also would not know love, something I now think is very important. Without such knowledge, my desire to help others would still be... less personal, more professional and detached. Done simply because that is what the Followers taught me is the right thing to do. My relationship with you has opened many doors I never knew of, let me care about others in a way I had not before but wished to. I love you Fast, and through that love I now love others as well. I have you to thank for many things you see? Now... l-let me thank you..."

Well I certainly wasn't going to argue with the big blue mare on her cutie mark day, we could celebrate however she liked, as long as she liked. A nice, soundproof Stable room helped put this long day behind us in a very pleasant way.

Waking up when the Stable lights clicked on and staring at the metal ceiling was so hauntingly familiar for a moment I thought I was back home, that nothing had ever happened and I needed to get ready for work down in maintenance. All the alicorn curled around me quickly brought me back to the present though, the thought of Jade sleeping with me in my old room back home, living in the Stable with me... it would have been so much nicer. She was what I was looking for and I never would have found her if I stayed there, if only losing everypony else hadn't been part of that...

That thought stuck with me, making me a bit morose eating breakfast in the Stable diner, again like another day back in 111. This was a good place to escape to from Diamond City, but I didn't think I could stand being here long and was anxious to leave. Maybe going back to Sanctuary would dispel the shadows of home haunting me here, my new home was waiting out there. We bid Crystal and the Stable dwellers a heartfelt goodbye and headed back up to the subway station and exit beyond.

Preston, Piper and Nick accompanied us up the stairs to the park outside, chatting about where they planned to head off to when we split up as we climbed. The exit ahead showed a drizzly, chilly fall morning and I pulled my tattered cloak tighter, it was going to be a wet walk home apparently which didn't improve my mood. I pulled ahead of the others and crested the steps, looking out on a grey day in the Commonwealth ruins.

I turned back to the others coming up behind me with a sigh, "Alright, guess we're getting a little..."

BLAM!

The loud crack of a rifle came with a sudden blinding pain in my neck, it probably would have been my head if I hadn't looked to the others. I slapped a hoof to the offending pain, pulling it back covered in blood as Val grabbed my tail and yanked me back down the stairs, narrowly avoiding the next shot.

Everyone was immediately on guard and pulled back, drawing their weapons as I stumbled woozily on the steps and Jade rushed over, her horn glowing to heal the wound. Her eyes were wide and frightened, but set in a determined line as she went to work filling me with relief. "Fast! Hold still! I-It is alright, just a moment!"

Val had crept forward to the exit and peeked out, grimacing as she peered into the gloom. "Fucking sniper... not good boss, this is more professional, doubt he's all there is out..."

Her appraisal was cut off by a shout out in the street, Eyes Forward Sparkle hadn't shown the sniper anywhere but it lit up with a cluster of red now matching the direction of the voice that was spreading out. "Oy! You in there! We want the dark one and the traitor, send em out and you're free to go! Otherwise we're takin' em and wastin' anybody else!"

At the word 'traitor' Val hissed, "Gunners... great, looks like we got trouble boss."

Groaning I stood back up under Jade's care and took stock, a dozen out there at least plus the sniper... Preston was shouting down for the Minutemare's below from his cover near the exit, Nick had his revolver out, Piper had fallen back with Glitter leaving AssaultJack free and awaiting orders and Zed stretched staring out at the exit.

"A-Alright... Piper, Nick.. don't go up there, stay under cover, if they're just after us then we'll keep their attention. Jade, can you make me and Val invisible for just a few seconds? Enough to get out of the exit?"

Still fretting over my wound Jade nodded, obviously not liking it. "For a few moments, it will not last when you get too far away."

"That's plenty, we'll just be quick. AssaultJack, follow us and have at it, Glitter you stay back with the others while she's working."

"Yee Haw! Been itchin' fer ah bit o' action Master Fast, ah'm on it! Ya'll stay safe lil' filly, ah'll be back directly!" The killer robot had taken to being Glitter's babysitter well, her first concern was ordered to always be the wide eyed foal behind her.

Drawing my weapons I actually thought of my magic for once, all the lessons must have helped if I was considering my skills for combat. I had one spell I had been curious to try out that may be useful, the lightning tinged cloudwalking spell. It hadn't been any good for cloudwalking but all the tries had left me feeling light on my hooves and imbued with a sense of speed, it was worth a shot in this situation anyway. A moment's focus brought the electric arcing sparkle to my hooves and I nodded to Jade, vanishing as her horn glowed above a worried look.

Sprinting out into the drizzle I could definitely tell a difference, at the speed I was running now I'd be a difficult target when I reappeared anyway. Though a part of me itched comparing it to the euphoric blur using Dash gave, I was technically moving faster but without everything else slowed down it fell short. I felt Val blow by me invisibly and into the air above the crumbling city streets, hopefully to track down that sniper before he got a chance to do any more damage.

Here on the ground a clump of four tough looking ponies were scrambling from the cover of a rusting carriage, towards a broken storefront, unaware I was up here with them. They had a variety of higher class weaponry than I was used to with raiders or gangs, assault rifles, combat shotguns, sniper rifles and bandoliers of grenades. All wore matching light green combat armor and had a series of numbers and letters under their cutie marks.

I dashed towards the clump, as far as I assumed Jade's magic could reach before triggering S.A.T.S. and queuing up a series of headshots with a high chance at this range. They were worried about fire coming from the subway entrance across the street, not the invisible pony right in front of them. Four blasts from the Terrible Shotgun when time resumed did a terrific amount of damage, requiring only a few pistol rounds as I dove to their abandoned cover to finish the job.

A series of explosions above me echoed through the streets, engulfing the roof of a four story office in flames while another clump of red on E.F.S. jittered around in my vision towards the nearest intersection. The four way crossing of city streets was choked with wreckage and rusting hulks and the bulk of these Gunners seemed to be that way judging by the sudden shouts.

"They're out! Fuck!"

"HOW!? Deadeye had that exit covered!"

"Not no more he don't! Maybe they used another..."

Whatever the burly grey stallion was about to offer was cut off with the pair of griffons engaged in a firefight zooming by overhead, Val especially wasn't being too careful with the fire from her magical energy weapon raining down on any bystanders. Just from the blur I caught it wasn't Freya she was chasing but a brownish colored griffon, I had been unsure if Gunners were all griffons or not, but the mix present looked like they took anybody.

While they were all distracted by the aerial battle I grabbed the bandolier of grenades, pulling the pins and launching all of them in their general direction. I gave a two count to myself silently and sped out from behind my cover, hearing excited shouts at the movement before the crashing detonations drowned it all out. I wasn't great at tossing bombs and hadn't expected accuracy, but the concussion did rattle them and let me close the distance between us at an appreciable rate. Using my weird version of cloudwalking like this was pretty worthwhile, I was distracted to notice the arcing trail of electricity in my hoofsteps though.

Charging right at the shaken Gunners I started laying down fire with my pistol, it was no match for their combat armor but was keeping them off balance and a few lucky shots were finding tender targets. My zigzagging course saved me from taking a stream of assault weapon fire from the right, risking a glance that way showed another group on E.F.S. that had gone around to flank us from the park.

They moved in twos, dodging from the safety of desicated trees and rusty playground equipment, a couple with better aim covering their fellow's advance clipped my shoulder and dug into my armor. These guys were a lot more troublesome than raiders, Val was still occupied above and I couldn't stop my advance. Thankfully I caught a flash of black and white jumping among the trees and a distorted blur racing across the ground. Zed and AssaultJack had gotten out while we had their attention and were moving among them silently.

Nick's revolver boomed behind me aiding my attack and I was just closing in enough to put the Terrible Shotgun back to work when a large green earth pony clambered on top of a turned over bus and bore down on me, the minigun on his battle saddle spinning up to fire. Feeling a cold sweat spring up at the sight I skidded to a halt and dashed left, firing on the Gunners below the bus and frantically rushing towards a shattered storefront, diving through the vacant windows just ahead of a ripping stream of bullets tearing up the pavement.

Panting I crawled across the dirty tiled floor while the minigun tore the front of the building to shreds, sending splinters of wood and shrapnel flying around me, stinging my hide where they found it and lodged in bleeding wounds. I spotted a rickety set of stairs and headed that way, drinking down a healing potion while I climbed, the minigun was still roaring outside so nopony would be following right away.

The second floor was a maze of rotting desks leading to the windows up front I scampered through or over, drawing my new gauss rifle, The Last Minute, and creeping up to the furthest window frame to the right. Peering up above the windowsill I spotted the Gunner still blazing away with the minigun, laughing maniacally as he poured lead into the building below me. There was no way he could hear himself, let alone the high pitched whine of my rifle as I held the trigger to charge it to full power.

For the first time using it against a real target the Last Minute lived up to expectations, sending a blurry streak through the air and vaporizing the heavy weapon pony's head messily. With the noise cut to a sudden stop I heard a series of screams outside and caught AssaultJack ripping through the remaining Gunners below.

That left the griffon and scanning the skies I spotted Val chasing her my direction, she must have spotted me as she was keeping them pinned at the second story level. When they rocketed past I triggered S.A.T.S. quickly, catching them frozen in time just outside my window perch and selecting two shots to the body, the best odds I had for a target moving so fast. The rapid whine and crack of the rifle drilled through the griffon's light green armor and sent them tumbling to the street, slamming into a sky carriage wreck and snapping their neck.

I stared out the window at the street below and park beyond, E.F.S. showed nothing now and Val landed at the griffon's corpse, rifling through their possessions immediately. That was a good enough sign for me to abandon my position, running back downstairs and to the subway entrance, worried for Jade and Glitter.

Preston and his Minutemares had taken up posts at the entrance and were fanning out to secure the area at his direction, giving me a sharp salute as I passed. Nick lit a cigarette and reloaded his revolver, nodding back down the stairs accurately guessing my primary concern. Jade, Glitter and Piper were all at the landing of the stairs before it turned down to the station below, safely covered by the alicorn's blue shield.

I embraced the two worried fillies I cared about and showed I was alright except for a little blood and some damage to my new armor. "Ok, stay here just a minute and let me make sure it's alright. I think that's all of them but we probably shouldn't stay here long."

"You should let me properly treat your wounds Fast, please hurry and return." Jade fretted over what damage I had taken, it would have been a lot worse without her invisibility trick getting us out of being pinned down though.

Glitter wasn't nearly as concerned once I returned to reassure her, poking a hoof at my own and getting a little zap that made her laugh. "That was so cool dad! Your hooves are all sparkly!"

It was a nifty trick now that I had tried it, though the light show made sneaking with it a tricky proposition. I dismissed the spell and ruffled her now frizzy mane before heading back up, catching Val rooting through the bodies and pulling intact weapons, armor and ammo from each. She looked over at my approach and tossed a satchel I had seen her take from the griffon over with a grim look.

"Take a look boss, we both got a price on our heads now. That little witch back in the city is gonna fight us with caps instead of bullets, gonna be a pain the ass..."

Opening the leather bag revealed a tattered notebook and a binder full of papers along with stray ammo and caps. My own face stared back at me from the paper on top in the binder, a wanted poster... Another showing Val was right below it, both had photos somehow when I had never posed for one, I wondered where they got them. We were apparently worth 5,000 caps each and the folder contained even more troubling information, a map showing Sanctuary and my house specifically, a list of known associates back home, in Hexington and in Diamond City. Even the location of the subway where were standing was marked as a priority target, however they got all this they knew everywhere I went and everypony I knew...

"We... we can't go home can we Val?"

The griffon mercenary hurriedly moved on to the next body as grunted back at me, "Not a good idea boss... This is just a crew tryin' to catch us fast, others will be out there setting up and watchin' anywhere we're likely to go. Home would be top o' that list... Matter of fact we need to put some distance between us at this place right quick, get off the streets for awhile. Find somewhere to lay low, they're gonna be sweepin' the whole area when this bunch don't report back."

Being a wanted pony put a whole different spin on things, I really should have thought of it but the idea of putting a bounty out on somepony you wanted dead was a foreign concept to me. I thought once we were clear of Diamond City and out of the jurisdiction of its guards we were safe... the wasteland found new ways to catch me by surprise all the time.

"What about our friends? Will they attack Sanctuary or Hex to try to get to us? What do we do?!" Now that I was adjusting to the idea it brought up all kinds of negative follow up thoughts.

"Chill out boss, it's alright. Gunners stick to the contract, or did. Home is too defended from what the Preston was tellin' me, they won't attack it if we ain't there. Same for Hex, can't screw themselves out of places for work in the Commonwealth. They're only in trouble if we show up there, as fer what we do... good question. You can figure it out later when we gots time to talk, need to hustle now." She didn't seem worried but was all business right now, convincing me to follow her lead.

Hanging my head I trudged back to the subway entrance to break the news to the others. Preston, Piper and Nick needed to travel without us and stay away to be safe, the rest of us were on our own and home was closed off to us...

The drizzle kept up and increased after we split up and wandered the city streets, heading north towards the river at Val's direction. It was slow going, moving from ruined building to building and dealing with raiders or zombies taking up residence in the shopping district. We also had to dodge a few more Gunner squads roaming the area.

They behaved exactly as Val had advised, spreading out from Stable 114 in a spiraling pattern searching for us. Each was composed of at least ten Gunner members, often led by a griffon searching from the skies. Thanks to our own griffon's knowledge of their tactics we managed to stay ahead of them, with only a few close calls as we hid in ruined buildings waiting for them to pass.

Val and Zed scouted ahead and kept returning urging us forward when it was safe, I stayed with Jade and Glitter guarding them and trying not to let my dark thoughts weigh me down.

Huddling together in an open window display for what once was an upscale home decor store, I was startled out of my woolgathering by Jade nuzzling for attention softly. "You are upset Fast, I do not like seeing you so. What is wrong? You should talk to me about it, not worry silently."

Her soft blue eyes waited patiently and I sighed giving in, "This is all my fault, we're on the run and being hunted by these Gunner ponies now because of me. I never should have gone to Haycom's office, I shouldn't have tried dealing with him, I should have just called his rotten brat out right on the spot. Now we can't go home, you and Glitter are stuck out here with me and I don't know what to do. I'm sorry..."

Jade snorted and furled a wing around me, "Nonsense. We are not stuck with you, I would not be anywhere else regardless. Besides, you tried to compromise with that noble pony for my benefit yes? Because he dealt in medicine? You did what you thought best on my behalf, trying to help me. I agree you should not deal with such ponies that way in the future, but I could never be upset for what you attempted. We may not be able to go home for now, but we are together, that is all that matters."

"Yeah dad, don't worry! I'm used'ta livin' out here like this, it don't matter to me! Long as you don't try to leave me alone again it's fine!" Glitter bounded over and squeezed between us, making me feel a little better before she gave a tiny sneeze.

"We should get you out of the rain, before you get sick. I think we're almost to the river now, I'll go ahead with the others and find somewhere to hide out for a little while and get you warm Glitter." Letting the foal catch a cold because we were on the run would just add salt to the wound, I could do something about this if nothing else.

I caught Val on her way back and explained the need to find somewhere to stop, surprised by her response. "Yeah, the zebra found somewhere he wants to go that oughta work, just have to do a little clearing it looks like."

"Zed did? Somewhere he wants to stop at?"

Val nodded her soaked and shaggy head as we crept down the sloped street towards the sound of the river, "Yep, I think it's right up your alley anyway boss, you like old world stuff. Well, not so much old world for you, but you know. Here, right around the corner on the riverfront."

Following her direction led to the highway following the course of the river, a high walled embankment of weathered stone led up to a row of fancy shops. In front of an odd, round building with a striped tent top pattern to the roof was Zed, standing at the top of a set of stairs leading there. There were plenty of tattered awnings to stay somewhat dry so I turned back to Jade and waved them forward before climbing up to join the zebra.

When I reached the top cautiously I took a good look at the building Zed was interested in, "Commonwealth Carousel" was written in flowing script on the sign above the door. Ancient mannequins wearing tattered dresses decorated the purple draped windows and dim light could be seen through the dirty glass on the door.

"Commonwealth Carousel... Like the D.C. one? Is this actually one of..."

Zed nodded with a stern expression, "One of your Ministry Mare's own stores yes, not the copy in the city, this is the original. I would see it cleared of such residents, it should serve as a place to escape notice."

"Residents? How do you know what they're like?"

With a grimace Zed pointed to the windows and started trotting toward the door, "Look closer, those are not all plastic dolls."

Following in his wake I got a better look and understood his distaste, some of those dress models weren't mannequins alright, some were dead ponies... Dressed and posed like the others in disgusting parodies of the window displays, I felt that familiar rage descend and for once the soft voices in my head didn't get in the way. Maybe they didn't like seeing Rarity's shop this way either...

Floating my pistol and shotgun out I followed Zed in as he kicked the door open and Val landed nearby, barging in on the large, open boutique beyond and a cluster of very surprised raiders around a fire barrel. The Terrible Shotgun managed to blast two of them to tatters before Zed was on them and taking them apart.

Another four raiders came running at all the noise, one from the curved stairs leading up behind the counter, one from a small side room and two charged up from the basement. After dealing with the Gunner hit squads though a small group of raiders taken unaware weren't much for Val and I to deal with while Zed finished his cluster.

E.F.S. didn't show anyone else nearby in the small building so I ducked my head outside and waved Jade and Glitter in, putting the foal in front of the fire barrel to dry off and warm up, after Val and Zed dragged the bodies away. With her taken care of I hung my dripping cloak nearby and moved to investigate the old boutique with Jade.

For being 200 years old it had held up pretty well, Rarity's stores must have been built to pretty high standards. There was the pervasive rot and ruin like anywhere in the wasteland, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I had seen elsewhere. Even the clothing still hanging on the racks and mannequins in the open, round main room were in fairly good shape and salvageable.

These raiders didn't appear to be cannibal ponies at least, just sadistic which was only slightly better. A meager meal of actual food was by the fire barrel and there was a stash of canned goods and preserved bloatsprite and radroach meat behind the counter. There was also a small door back there leading to the alley behind the store, which we used to remove the bodies of both the raiders and their victims posed in here with us.

The ones in the window Val left where they were, explaining her reasoning at my questioning. "Camouflage boss, place looks like a raider den from the outside, Gunners won't come knocking."

That bothered me a bit, but at least the window displays were locked away and the smell didn't permeate the building. I still wanted to take them down before we left, but anything that kept the tough mercenaries away was worth putting up with for now.

The small side room looked to be a workshop for tailoring and fittings, a rusting sewing machine sat in the corner surrounded by half finished dresses on forms. Above it was a framed picture of Rarity, signed by the Ministry Mare herself, "To my dear friend Sassy, always remember the Rules of Rarity."

The arching stairs in the main room led up to a landing overlooking the store attached to a number of changing rooms the raiders looked to have been using as sleeping quarters. One unobtrusive door up here led to an actual bedroom, presumably for the shopkeeper, the raider in charge had taken this one and a stash of caps and drugs was in a small chest at the foot of the large bed. The tattered blanket was still heavy and warm so I floated it out and down to Glitter, wrapping it around her as I descended the stairs and headed for the basement.

Creeping down the rickety wooden stairs I entered the damp storage space beneath the shop, rotting boxes filled the room along with bolts of cloth stacked in haphazard piles. I clicked my pip-buck light on to take a better look around, though it didn't seem the raiders used this area often. A noise in the corner made me jump and E.F.S. suddenly lit up with a green dash pointing that direction.

"H-Hello... anypony there? It's ok... the raiders are gone now..." I inched my way forward and held my hoof up, illuminating a rusty, makeshift cage partially obscured by boxes and junk.

Shuffling movement came from the shadows in the cage and a pony stepped forward to the bars into the light. A ghoul mare, tall and slender with a long horn. Her mottled hide looked like it was light blue and she had a bedraggled, long orange and yellow mane. She looked at me anxiously before composing herself and standing regally. "W-Welcome to the Commonwealth Carousel, I'm Sassy Saddles, how c-can I help you today sir? Something for your mare perhaps?"

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

Sniper Pony-------------------
--- It's all about focus. You have improved control and can hold your breath longer when aiming with scopes. With the Sniper perk, your chance to hit an opponent’s head in S.A.T.S. is increased by 20%.

Reputation Change!-------------------------

Gunners- Wanted
You now have a price on your head through this mercenary group, making your travel options more complicated. Any settlement you're known to be friendly with or stay at is now being watched, most towns have a pony or two who may go after the bounty themselves or call in the mercenaries for a cut. Any Gunners or freelance bounty hunters you run into in the Commonwealth will be hostile on sight.