Good morning Commonwealth! This is Traveling Miles and that was Sapphire Shores, now to get back to the news of the day, the Brotherhood. Anyone awake last night saw the cloudship and that's all everyone's talking about so let's get to it. For those who didn't pick up the broadcast or hear them blaring out their message, the Brotherhood of Friendship is now in the Commonwealth in force. I'll try to keep any personal bias out of our coverage, but you'll forgive me if a little leaks through, seeing that ship just made my flanks burn if you know what I'm saying.

The ship of Applejack's Rangers and Enclave ponies finally came to rest out at the old Trotson Skyport and seems to have anchored itself there, while regular flights of Vertibucks are being reported all over the Commonwealth. They say they're here to help, and I sure hope so given all that firepower, but everyone is wondering what they want here besides that. The Steel Rangers once had a small chapter here right after the war, but that disappeared early on under... mysterious circumstances, and the Enclave could never get in the Commonwealth in the first place, but now they made it. One has to wonder if they're not after the thing we all whisper about that took out the local Ranger's chapter and kept the Enclave out, that's right... the Institute.

Guess we'll have to wait and see folks, not much we can do about our new guests otherwise but gossip, and there's plenty of that out on the Diamond City market today I can tell you. In other news we got reports about a lot of explosions in the woods on the northwestern edge, out by the abandoned Fort Haygone. No one's sure what happened exactly, but there's a lot of Gunners leaving the area today. Considering they were up that way hunting a friend of the station, well I hope it's not because they succeeded.

The late morning sun was peeking out of the clearing cloud cover as we approached Sanctuary, making the sight all the more welcoming and impressive. We had only been gone a couple weeks, but crossing the repaired wooden bridge I was amazed at the changes that had taken place in our absence. Tromping along in the heavy power armor I wore without the helmet up, I looked around in wonder as we stepped off the bridge and passed the amended wooden sign reading 'Welcome to Sanctuary'.

Just across the bridge had become an active market, a few traveling traders had set up in an area to the side that seemed tailored to their needs, with room to camp behind where their loaded carts and stalls sat. Beyond them were the beginnings of actual stores, of most interest to me was the familiar tent like form taking shape on the empty foundation of an old house. There were others popping up as well, right now little more than wooden stalls and shacks built around them, but construction was obviously ongoing.

Walls had been set up to either side of the bridge and down the shore for quite aways, and the clanking Ponitron guards still made their patrols, acknowledging us for a moment before recognizing us and moving on without complaint. The number of ponies milling around this new economic area of the island was surprising, I didn't recognize any of them but there were quite a few, including more than a couple ghouls, zebras and griffons.

Looking around I saw the same shock I felt mirrored on the faces of Jade and Val, while Glitter's was just full of wonder, Zed was mildly interested as best I could read his inscrutable expressions. As we worked our way forward through the crowd, a friendly looking pale earth pony mare trotted up, flipping her dark blue mane from her face and giving a wide wave.

"Hi there folks! New to Sanctuary? You all traders or travelers? Just passing through or wanting to settle? Not being nosy, just offering a helping hoof with all the... w-wait..." Her smooth patter stumbled once she got a good look at us, or at Jade specifically and noticed the wings. "Y-You're her... sweet Celestia it's her! Hey everypony! The Princess is back!"

The immediate focus of all the attention of the crowd around us made Jade freeze and try to start backing away from the stares. Preston and his Minutemares saved her before she decided to turn invisible though, the leader of the group stepping forward and calling for attention while his recruits spread out and made sure the nervous alicorn had room and wasn't swarmed.

"That's right folks, Princess Jade's back for a bit. I know everypony wants to see her, but it's been a long trip getting here. Plus we all talked about this already right? Don't push, she's skittish, give her time to get settled in and I'm sure you'll all get a chance to see her. I don't want to hear about anybody making a nuisance of themselves, right?"

A soft 'Awww' of disappointment ran through the crowd, but they did relax and stop pressing forward. Apparently Jade had been highly anticipated while we were gone, all these new ponies had never seen her, only heard of her secondhoof. I felt bad for the amount of attention she was going to have to deal with, but it was part of being a princess after all, I'd just have to try to help as much as I could.

She came close and lowered her face next to mine nervously, darting glances around before nodding back to the heavy bundle draped over my armored back. "W-We should drop that off at my clinic Fast, t-then go home? I... d-did not expect such a reception..."

Shifting to keep Kellogg's corpse balanced, I nodded back to her. "Sure, you can work on him any time you want. I'd like to get home too anyway, we can get off the street and kinda... let the word spread I guess. Don't worry, I'm right with you, they just wanna be friends right?"

Glitter delayed that plan, spotting someone she knew and darting off with a squeal. "Sassy! You made it! How do you like it? Is this your new store?!"

She barely refrained from tackling the tall ghoul, diverted by the construction going on around them off the road. A familiar pompadour mane could just be spotted among the gaggle of ponies working on Sassy's new Carousel Boutique, shouting at the others as they worked. "Come on now everypony, we're fallin' behind, lots of other work to do! We... oh hey Glitter! You guys are back? Where's... ah there they are! Hey!"

Sturges ruffled the foals mane and came trotting over to meet us trailing after her, beaming a wide grin and waving a hoof back to the work going on. "So, what'cha think there Fast, Jade? Your letter said anything she wanted, she would'a been happy with a tent but I thought we could do a little better than that huh? Quite the boon for us having our own armor shop in town, 'specially one run by a mare that skilled. So you like what we done with the place?"

"It's... It's a lot to take in Sturges, you've been busy. So how is everything?"

"Oh just great, been busy alright but got a lot more help now, and a lot more materials thanks to Hexington. Got all your stuff they shipped up in your workshop, plus all those books of Miss... excuse me, Princess Jade's in storage for now. Drawin' up plans for a fine little library and school for you there your highness, just takin' a bit of time out for our special project here." Sturges chuckled watching Jade squirm at the treatment and pulled at his coverall straps happily.

"Sturges... I wish you would not call me so, I have come to accept it from others but you know better, I would continue our familiar relationship, do not put on airs for me please." Jade flushed, looking down at the fellow repair-pony uncomfortably.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully Sturges continued the joke, "Oh I don't know about that your highness, wouldn't be right addressin' the Princess of Sanctuary so casual like would it? All these new ponies have certain expectations and all, see you even got the mark to back it up now! Seriously, congratulations Miss Jade, it suits you, glad to have you all back home."

While Jade gave a whinny of pleasure at the praise, Sassy had managed to corral Glitter back our way and sketched a grateful curtsy. "Well hello there, nice to see you all again so soon. Thank you so much again, this place is wonderful, everypony has been very friendly and Sturges here has bent over backwards to help me."

"Glad things are working out so well Sassy, good to see you too. I actually had a couple requests and some questions when you have time, have to let us get settled I guess, but I'll stop by soon ok?"

The tall ghoul agreed happily and we parted when Sturges spotted his workers not following his plans to his satisfaction. Continuing down the busy street we all marveled at the sheer number of new residents and buildings, rough shacks had sprung up between the ruined houses that were being repaired, larger structures had even been cobbled together and everything was in the process of improvement.

"Holy hell we have a bar boss!" Val spotted a fairly well put together, large building with a flickering neon sign that did indeed say 'Bar' and veered towards it. As she ducked in the door I spotted a middle aged pale orange earth pony stallion painting a sign out front, 'The Royal Sui...' Suites? An Inn as well as a bar, well apparently there were enough travelers to warrant one, Val was happy anyway.

Approaching Jade's small clinic was a surprise too, the home had been thoroughly restored and additions had been tacked on, several younger ponies wearing their own medical box saddlebags like Jade's waited eagerly and took a low bow as we walked up, leaving the alicorn they were focused on very confused. Thankfully Mama Xara and Jade's nurse came trotting out to give us a warm welcome and explain, the pale pink unicorn stallion jabbering nervously.

"Doctor Jade, oh it's good to see you back. I've been holding down the fort with Mama, but we've had so many ponies wanting to join the Followers I didn't know what to do. I taught them everything you told me, but we really need you back to deal with them! They've been waiting and learning all they could, helping us deal with a pretty regular flow of patients, now that you're back you can properly teach them though, thank goodness." The poor nurse looked harried and waved at the half dozen ponies watching with interest.

"Yes, it is good to see you big pony, and you as well little pony. We have been most busy in your absence. I see you have brought back something for us as well? The bloody half pony, the slayer of innocents, I hope putting this behind you has helped Fast. You've brought one of my own as well, how interesting, hello there shadow hunter, pleased to meet you." Xara still had that creepy ability to know way too much, eyeing the bundle on my armored back sadly.

The reaction she got from Zed was more pronounced than he normally betrayed, his grey eyes widening as he stared at Xara. "Starseerer... You still live? And you were here with the dark little pony, of course. I would speak with you when I may, I will find you later Fast, I am fine here."

At that Zed trotted forward and started tailing Xara around silently, Jade had finished her own rushed conversation with her nurse and returned with excitement clear in her voice. "They all wish to join the Followers of the Apocalypse Fast! Is that not wonderful? I must properly induct them and inform them about what is expected, decide how best to use so many volunteers and what to do, see what condition the clinic is in, so much to... Oh.. I suppose I will have to delay returning to the house for now Fast, I am sorry... I truly wish to but..."

"Don't worry about it, this is important to you, besides I have robot stuff to play with at home right? Take your time, want to take the body from me here and I'll let you get to it? We'll have plenty of time together at home soon, looking forward to it."

With a quick kiss on the cheek the blue doctor grabbed the corpse from my back and gave a determined nod, "Of course, thank you Fast. I believe going over Mr. Kellogg here could even be a good teaching experience for my new recruits. Go play with your toys and wait for me, I will be along as soon as I can."

Leaving her to her work, that left me and Glitter with her robotic guardian to continue walking home. The young colt Short Stack charging up with half a dozen foals cut that short though, after manically happy greetings and a rapid fire exchange of names with the group, Glitter asked to go play with all the new faces, bouncing on her hooves to go. Once she had consent the herd of foals went galloping off, stumbling over each other and laughing as they went.

Walking up to my house alone to see Cogsworth outside tending the property, I was forcefully reminded of leaving the Stable and finding him here. Thankfully he was still in touch with reality, doing actual work instead of tending imaginary plants, and the house was in such excellent shape I could scarcely believe it. Once he spotted me the round robot came bobbing over, waving his appendages and spinning on the spot.

"Master Fast! You have returned, how wonderful! I do hope your journey went well, I look forward to hearing all about it. As you can see things have been going quite well on the home front sir, lot's to inform you of. Would you care for a drink or a bite to eat? May I take your... er... armor sir?" Cog's eyestalks waggled taking in the power armor and he bobbed along with me as I walked towards the door to my garage.

"Hey Cogs, nice to see you to. I'm more than ready to get out of it alright, think I'll just park it here for now though. The others are... around I guess, hopefully they'll be back soon. I hear I got a delivery while I was gone, looking forward to seeing it."

"Oh yes sir, it was rather sizable actually, your friend Sturges convinced me of the need to add a bit of additional storage actually. I do hope you don't mind that and some of the other work done to the home sir, as you were not here I made the best choices I could, and many of our new neighbors wished to contribute since you were away helping the community." The burbling robot seemed a little anxious, piquing my interest as to what exactly had been done while we were gone.

Leaving the power armor in the driveway I walked in the front door with the Mr. Handy trailing me, just taking in the living room I got an idea of what Cogsworth was talking about. New furnishings had been added to the ratty old couch, paintings and decorations were on the walls, the old coffee table had been cleaned and was loaded with flowers, caps, food, ammo, and assorted trinkets. A threadbare rug in good condition had been added to the floor, the walls were painted and the windows restored, a number of repairs on my list were taken care of in my absence just from what I could see.

Walking down the hall to the bedrooms I peeked in the bathroom, now gleaming clean despite the cracks and age. Glitter's room was cleaned and painted as well, a pile of old toys waited the foal on her small bed on a new cover. Jade's room... our room I supposed, had received similar treatment, her makeshift double bed made of two small Stable mattresses had been replaced with a huge bed and thick blankets. Her bookshelf now held a number of new books and a new one had been placed nearby, the closet held a variety of clothing and bits of jewelery were strewn about on the tabes.

"Cogsworth... where'd all this stuff come from?"

Giving a shrug with his dangling arms Cogsworth gestured to all the changes. "As I said sir, our new neighbors wanted to contribute. It was getting to be quite confusing, every day some new guest would come offering some trinket, I sorted them out as best I could. Sturges and his repair crew kept coming by as well, he was most convincing so I allowed them to work when they wished. If I overstepped I apologize sir."

"No, it's fine Cogs, great actually... just surprising. Ponies just... brought this stuff and gave it to you? Why?"

"The most common reason given was to thank the Princess sir, I assumed they were referring to Miss Jade and accepted on her behalf."

Shrugging out of my armor and tossing it on the bed I got the idea Jade was in for more attention that I initially thought, hopefully she'd be too busy at her clinic to really notice for now if they obeyed Preston's edict. "Ok, well let's go see what we got to play with out in the workshop Cogs, we can start with giving you a few upgrades, how's that sound?"

"Jolly good sir, er... what kind of upgrades precisely?" Cogsworth sounded a little pensive following me to my garage, but didn't get an answer for a few minutes while I stared in glee at my deliveries.

One fully functioning robot workstation from Watt's stood in the corner waiting, surrounded by boxes and boxes of parts and scrap from the destroyed guardians of the place, along with brand new looking containers from the storage area. Rooting around in one of the scrap containers I pulled out a Mr. Gutsy arm with a magical plasma weapon and grinned, "Oh all kinds with this stuff Cogs, make you a little safer. Then we can work on the ponitrons and try to add to the guards here."

Cogsworth's eyestalks lingered on the detached appendage a moment, "Very well sir, there is also the crated robots in the shed out back Sturges built to store them. You did have a significant delivery, it would not all fit in here when it arrived."

"Reeeeally..."

Several hours of meditative work passed quickly for me with all the new toys to play with. Cogsworth and the Ponitron guards soon had better weapons and armor, along with reinforcements in the form of brand new Ponitrons and a few Mr. Gutsys. After he was taken care of Cogsworth managed to interrupt me long enough to eat a quick lunch, and Glitter ran into the workshop with her new friends at one point making me confirm some of our adventures, I was interested to see we apparently had a pegasus family in Sanctuary judging by one of the foals. Val also stopped by before becoming bored by the technical work, her pockets jingled and she held a new sack of loot from wandering about the marketplace with her collected booty, leaving me to my work soon enough to store her new treasure up in her roost and go back to exploring.

It was late afternoon when Jade finally returned, surprising me out of my work by dumping Kellogg's artificial limbs on my workbench and enveloping me in a reassuring hug. "Oh I am glad to see you Fast, it has been a most busy and trying day. Here are the components you wanted from that villain, though I have come to wonder if he was more machine than pony."

I looked over the pip-buck looking screen on the cybernetic foreleg longingly, I had been running low on robots to play with, that would be something new to go over. "Thanks Jade, so is everything ok? You... kinda got a lot of presents while we were gone, I figured you might have a lot of attention to deal with."

"There were a variety of very minor injuries coming in all day yes... Though everypony was very nice, merely interested and grateful, it is difficult but I am trying. A good princess takes time for everyone they represent yes? They are already discussing some type of public festival in a few days, many were disappointed they could not immediately but there are so many here and working they need time. All of my new recruits were most enjoyable however, I already have volunteers willing to go to Hexington, Diamond City, Stable 114, and both the farms we freed to provide assistance and teach about the Followers. It feels very good to see some success in my mission here, they are all eager to help. How has you day been? Have you left this dirty little workshop of yours at all?"

"Umm... no.... But I got a lot of work done, did you see the new robots? Or go look at Cogsworth, he's got a plasma blaster now! I got a little caught up but everybody's been busy all day anyway, I'm the only one home right now still." I tried to excuse my hermit like behavior, I probably should have gone out, but all the cool stuff to play with here...

Jade gave a disapproving little snort before a sly smile spread on her face, "We are alone then? Is that not interesting... You are very dirty and greasy from all your tinkering Fast, I believe you need a shower."

"Oh yeah, hot water! I totally forgot it's been so long, do you want to go first or..."

With a sultry look the big alicorn grabbed me in her magic and started trotting into the house, "Oh I hardly see any reason to take turns now, I believe we can make this shower much more enjoyable than the last we shared. After dealing with so many ponies today I would find it most relaxing."

Well that made me forget all about tinkering, the last time we were in the shower together I was getting my burns debrided and wasn't allowed to open my eyes. This time promised to be a lot more fun with the change in our relationship since we were last home. Before long a lot of splashing, suds and giggling proved her right, being the only ones in the house was nice as noise wasn't an issue.

It was just getting loud enough I was surprised I heard the jingle of the shower curtain moving behind us making me pause and look back in concern. Val coming back and barging in for one of her jokes would be bad enough, if Glitter came home and heard the noise though... no, no, no.

"Faaast, what is wrong, why have you stopped?" Jade whined and followed me anxiously pulling back the curtain to... nothing?

"S-Sorry... Thought I heard..." There really was nothing, though the billowing steam in the room looked kind of odd right in front of me, like there was a gap or something...

Jade's sudden 'eep!' and scrambling shocked me out of wondering, turning bright red she snatched the curtain down in her magic and wrapped it around us, her wing curling around me tightly as she stammered out at the empty room. "S-S-Show yourself! Y-You are i-intruding! This is v-v-very private!"

I barely had time to wonder what was going on before another blue alicorn appeared in front of us, this one with a golden mane and matching, curious eyes. "I apologize, I did not mean to interrupt, please continue if you wish."

"W-W-What!? What's going on, w-who are you!? How long have..."

The strange alicorn cocked her head quizically and answered matter of factly, "I am Periwinkle, I was sent to observe my sister. I have been doing so the whole time, I didn't mean to be revealed so soon, the conditions here made observing you difficult and it was.... interesting. So this is mating for pleasure, I have questions about..."

"OUT!" Turning even redder Jade ended the bizarre discussion, opening the door and shoving the other alicorn out in a burst of magic.

Some time later we met our new guest out in the living room, where Cogsworth had been busily attending her, along with two others that had shown up while we dried off and put ourselves together. Now there was one of each color in front of me, this was a first I found interesting despite the fiasco the blue had turned the shower into. The purple was fairly light, with a long red-violet mane and green eyes, the green one had a short blue mane and pale green eyes, all three were crammed on the couch and taking Cogsworth's offered drinks warily.

When we entered the three of them sat up with interest and whispered among themselves for a moment, the green finally speaking up brightly. "Hello, sorry for the intrusion, I can sense the embarrassment but Peri didn't mean anything by it really, she just takes her job seriously. I'm Ivy and this is Magnolia, Periwinkle you've already... met."

"But they were..." Perwinkle tried to interrupt but was immediately shut down by the green eyed glare from Ivy.

"I said drop it Peri! You can ask later, not now! S-Sorry, umm pleased to meet you Jade, Fast." Well Ivy at least looked apologetic and had a better grasp on social skills than Peri.

"Er... right, nice to meet you too. Just so we're clear here, you're not with the Church of Balefire right? Are you from Trinity Tower?"

"What do you want..." Jade scowled at the other blue and cut right to the chase.

Ivy waved her hooves in surrender and tried to calm Jade's obvious displeasure at being interrupted. "Yes! W-We're from Trinity Tower, yes. Jeez... I told her to keep an eye on you, not follow you everywhere, I can't believe... We're really sorry ok, we were sent to find this Princess of Sanctuary, see if the stories were true and who it was. I see they were, you really have a mark... how?"

Jade's eyes softened slightly as she looked to the crown and heart on her flank and back to the trio of her sisters. "It... is a long story, I would be happy to tell, more so had you simply come and asked in the first place. How did you hear of it?"

The purple, Magnolia, spoke up softly at that, brushing her long mane out of her eyes. "The radio... Mr. Miles talked about when it happened with a pony who was there. All the Princess stories were good, but when we heard that you actually got a mark... they sent us to see. Are you umm... r-really friends with Mr. Miles Fast?"

I nodded and started to answer the curious mare, but was cut short by Ivy taking over smoothly again. "Yes, Magnolia here is quite the fan of Diamond City Radio. Your exploits have been of interest to us, after that story our leader sent us out and we've been here since. They said Princess of Sanctuary so we came here, but you weren't here to see, so we've been waiting awhile. Since you returned we wanted to observe you before introducing ourselves, we have not had contact with those of our kind who decided to join your Followers of the Apocalypse."

"Do you know where Evergreen is? Or her Church? Anything about them?" Maybe I could get some answers for Zed and myself out of our strange guests.

Ivy shook her head slowly and shrugged, "No, I'm sorry but they've become quite secretive since leaving, and our leader has forbidden contact with them until they change their minds. It has been quite stressful for all of us, dealing with disharmony and individuality, that was another reason we wished to observe you Jade, you seem to be adjusted well. Now that we have been found out, our leader wished to speak with you should the stories prove to be true, if you could come with us?"

Jade gave a tired sigh in answer, "As you well know we have only just returned, I would prefer not to rush off again right away. I am most interested in seeing your leader and our other sisters here in the Commonwealth, if you could wait a few days it would be much appreciated however."

The three of them exchanged a glance, I was getting the feeling Ivy was using that telepathy trick during some of those looks to speak privately. They nodded together and moved to get up as Ivy spoke, "As you wish, we will return to our camp and wait until you are ready to leave again. When you wish to find us we are..."

Shaking her head Jade cut off the green mare, "You need not run off, why not simply stay as our guests?"

Peri gave a curious look to Ivy, while Magnolia's actually seemed to hold a bit of longing, but they deferred to the green alicorn to answer. "We... appreciate the offer, but it is usually best we avoid others..."

"We're not supposed to go to pony towns." Periwinkle added with a hint of disappointment.

"But couldn't we Ivy? Jade lives here so it's not the same as other places..." Magnolia reluctantly argued against the green leader of their little crew, judging by her reaction I could see what Ivy meant about not being used to disharmony and individuality.

During what I was almost sure now had to be a telepathic argument, Jade leaned down to whisper in my ear. "I am sorry to invite them without asking, I am concerned for them however. They have isolated themselves Fast, many in Equestria advocated for the same. I do not think it is good for them now though, if you could help convince them please?"

Right, I didn't like the idea of them hiding from everyone anyway. Jade was like anypony else, so were they. Besides, they were Jade's sisters, provided they weren't trying to kill me I did want them to stay, they were as close to her family as I'd get to meet. "Jade's right! Umm... you were supposed to observe Jade right? See if she had a mark and why? So if we're not leaving yet you should stay so you can do that, without the whole hiding thing. Give everybody here a chance, besides, I think being around other ponies helped Jade get her mark."

The three alicorns conferred to themselves again at that, quietly whispering back and forth in a heated exchange before looking up to Jade as Ivy spoke up. "The ones here do treat you well... they would treat us in a similar manner? Do you believe this is so? That interacting with normal ponies helped you receive your mark?"

Jade nodded eagerly in reply, "Yes, without opening myself up to others I do not believe it would have come. It has not been easy, I have had a great deal of help. It is worthwhile though, we are ponies like any other, with time and effort they will treat us as such. If you wish to observe me you should do so out in the open and listen to Fast, he is often correct. Give those here a...."

The wide eyed foal bounding the in the room cut her off, but helped prove our point anyway. Staring around in wonder at the three large alicorns seated before her, Glitter yelped happily and ran from one to the next jabbering in excitement. "WOW! More ponies like Miss Jade! You're all pretty too! What are your names? My name's Glitter, nice ta meetcha! This is so cool, where'd you come from? Oh I know, you can be Angel Green, an you're Angel Purple, an... sorry, mo...Miss Jade's Angel Blue, see you all look alike! Sassy could make more costumes an then you'd be like real life Angels! Hey are there others? We need an Angel Pink, an' White, an' Yellow!"

Even the smooth talking Ivy was overwhelmed by the overexcited little filly dashing between them, talking a mile a minute and setting her Alicorn Angel toys out before each of them that matched, holding the blue one up in her hooves to Jade with a wide smile. All three gave a confused look and examined what she sat out with interest, Magnolia floating the purple figure up to her face and turning it every which way with a smile.

"Toys... of us, how curious. You like these little one? You like... um... u-us?" The large purple mare floated the toy back to the waiting filly and asked with an anxious look.

"Sure I do! Umm.. you're friends right? Not like that bad green one that daddy had to fight? If you're good then I like you, why?"

Ivy raised an eyebrow at the mention of fighting Virescent, but chose not to follow up on it. Instead sighing in defeat and watching the foal kindly. "Very well, the little one has convinced me. We will remain until you are ready to accompany us to Trinity Tower, there are things I would like to learn as well. Thank you for the hospitality."

I was worried for a second that Glitter's earsplitting squeal of joy would spook them out of the decision, but they seemed to get over it with apparent enjoyment at the positive reaction. Val's drawling voice from the door made them look up nervously, but it was more mildly interested than the negative response I was sure they were worried about. "Holy hell they're multiplyin'... Hey boss, I seein' er.. quadruple or we got guests?"

"Guests Val, if you were seeing multiples they'd all be blue. Try not to tease them too much."

"Yer no fun boss, if they're as easy to mess with as Blue I ain't makin' no promises. Better go warn the locals, they'll flip out if they see there's more of em around now. Hey robot, what's cookin' in here?" Taking the three alicorns as little to get worked up about, Val moved on to pestering Cogsworth and getting chased from his kitchen after sticking her beak in every pot.

She had a point, I should probably go talk to Preston and a few others, mentally prepare everyone for the idea of seeing three new alicorns wandering about. I excused myself while Jade and Glitter busied themselves with getting them settled in, the foal's ecstatic offer of sharing her room making me hopeful. If Jade was worried about them and wanted to try to draw them out, then I'd do whatever I could to help with that, it would make our rest at home interesting anyway.

Waking up back home with a graceful blue neck pressed to my muzzle was a pleasant bit of nostalgia I was happy to relive, sleepily giving a series of kisses up to a waiting pair of lips. Nice as this kind of start to the day was something felt off and I groggily opened my eyes to stare directly into a pair of interested golden ones instead of the blue I expected.

Leaping backwards in a clatter to the floor, Peri remained lying on the bed unperterbed, cocking her head as she looked over the edge to follow my frantic fall. "Hmm... that is enjoyable, why did you stop?"

"Peri! W-What are you doing!? Where's Jade!? W-Wha..."

"She left with Ivy and young Glitter as they discussed, to do her Follower business, starting that school thing. I was bored waiting for you to wake up, I thought I would take my sister's place while I waited, you were alone after all and whined when she left. As long as I was here I thought I would see what the allure is in some of the behavior the two of you engage in, it is surprisingly pleasant, please continue." The other blue alicorn was easily the oddest of the three staying with us, not seeing anything wrong with the situation at all.

"No! Boundries! Y-You can't just... I'm not gonna... Look Periwinkle, I do that with Jade, not just anypony ok?"

This plainly wasn't getting through, confusion and curiosity registered on her face as she continued in that plainative tone. "Why? You find our kind attractive correct? Sister is a blue as well, there are no significant physical differences between us, I fail to see the issue."

Now that the shock was wearing off I could see what Jade had been telling me about before we fell asleep, while we were alone she explained she wanted them to stay with us to get these Trinity Tower alicorns to engage with regular ponies as she had learned to. I thought I understood what she was trying to explain, but being faced with it was an eye opener, Peri really had some fundamental gaps when it came to pretty basic stuff. Jade seemed so normal I never thought about it, but if she started anywhere near like her sister here... I had greater respect for what she had gone through.

Sighing I got to my hooves and tried for some patience with the strange mare still lying in our bed. "I can see you don't Peri, just... It's not about physical differences, I love Jade, not any alicorn in general, not blue ones in particular, just that single blue one individually. Nothing personal, but I only do that stuff with her ok? So... don't do that again alright?"

Comprehension still wasn't showing up, but she looked to accept the request if nothing else. "If you say so, a shame though, I would like to further explore this affection business. I apologize if you were upset for some reason? Evergreen created such a schism among us because of a normal stallion, and Jade appears to feel the same about you, I was curious."

The purple Magnolia arrived at the door and gave an exasperated gasp at her sister, she understood basic social niceties better than Peri, Ivy seemed to be the highest rated on that score, but Magnolia had been fairly good as well from what I had heard from her. "Peri! Get out of there! Y-You're being rude! I'm sorry for her Fast, s-she never deals with other ponies, she's always invisible you see..."

I followed along as Magnolia dragged her blue sister down the hall with her, catching the smells of breakfast waiting. "It's alright, Jade explained a little, why she wanted you guys to stay with us. You know, try to spend time together with others, get to know you and all. So Evergreen really shook things up for all of you huh? Do you... know much about it?"

Magnolia's green eyes widened nervously and she shook her head rapidly, "No, I'm sorry, she started seeing a stallion from a nearby town when it was allowed still. She caused such turmoil because of how she felt... now many are afraid if we deal with normal ponies any of us could do the same thing, so we have been forbidden from contact with others."

"What about you? You both seem like you want to try getting to know others, though Peri could go about it better... From what I know Evergreen got her feelings taken advantage of, she was tricked and tempted, I don't think that means it was wrong for her to feel that way. I really don't think you should all hide by yourselves just because of what happened, what about you?"

Taking a seat at the kitchen table with her eyes darting around, I had to wonder who she was nervous about overhearing. "I... I am unsure, t-though I think there's merit in interacting with others again, especially after what sister Jade explained about getting her mark. That is as great a temptation as the prospect of reproduction that enticed so many of us into disagreement, I hope it will let us reevaluate the restrictions our leader has put in place. It was enough for Ivy to allow us to stay after all, I am happy about that."

"Well me too, I know a lot of ponies here are looking forward to meeting you. Jade asked me to spend time with you both and introduce you around while she's busy, so, anything you wanted to do?"

Perwinkle nibbled experimentally at her food and almost sounded like she was pouting, "I was doing it, but it is unacceptable for some reason..."

"B-Besides that! Simple stuff, go shopping? Talk to anyone? Help work on something?"

Both mares looked to give it some serious thought, Magnolia a bit anxious while Peri quietly considered before coming up with something. "Ah... I do have an activity I have often wanted to engage in. Weapons."

"Er... weapons?"

Nodding in affirmation the odd blue repeated, "Weapons. You have ponies here who fire weapons at targets. I always wanted the opportunity to use firearms, it would have been most useful in my former duties for the mother but I was not allowed."

I cocked an eyebrow questioningly to Magnolia, unsure if I really wanted to know. "Peri did a lot of... a-assassinations... If the goddess wanted somepony dead quietly a blue would be sent, Peri was quite good at it. Though she's right, the goddess didn't allow us to use pony weapons, believed them unnecessary and inferior to our innate powers."

"When I was left to do such work on my own long enough, I would sometimes think that may be incorrect. If I had one of those lovely silent rifles to supplement my powers..." That wistful look and tone was as expressive as I had heard Peri get so far, if only the subject was a tad less disturbing. Still it was progress and something I could work with.

"I see... you mean the Minutemare recruits then, Preston does have them out practicing all the time. If you want then I'm sure they'll be happy to have you join in Peri, teach you how to use a rifle like that? I can have Val take you, I think she wanted to go over things there anyway."

That got the blond alicorn to actually smile and bob her head rapidly, I'd have to wake Val up from her buzzsaw impersonation drifting down the stairs, but she had been interested in going over the Minutemares progress today. Val had quite taken to Jade giving her the title of Captain of the Guard back in Diamond City, she had been planning on lording it over Preston and throwing her authority around with all the young recruits for fun today from what she told me.

It took a little work to make her wake up, but she warmed right up to the idea of teaching a blue alicorn how to shoot a gun. Since Jade was such a pacifist she found it such a novelty the griffon scarfed down a quick meal and bounded out into the morning with her. That left me with Magnolia, still giving the open ended invitation to do as she wished in town a good deal of consideration.

Not wanting to rush the thoughtful purple mare along, I had her join me in my workshop while I tinkered with Kellogg's weird pip-buck like leg. Letting the radio fill the silence while I worked and she paced behind me, I did what I could with the device which definitely looked like some kind of advanced Institute version of a pip-buck. One additional component looked to have burnt out at some point, I couldn't see any damage to cause the failure and had to wonder if it was intentional, what was left didn't give up many clues to its function though.

The data left on the arcano-tech machine wasn't as helpful as I hoped either, maybe Kellogg just didn't take notes or download much information, with the fried component though I was coming to believe it had cleaned itself up on his death. Tying certain programs to the health system of a standard pip-buck wouldn't be that hard, if the Institute was so good at keeping their secrets they wouldn't leave hard data just lying around.

The best I could pull off this was the map markers, Kellogg was so well traveled though there were too many to focus on any one as a clue, maybe I could go through them later and narrow them down with enough work. It did let me see where Trinity Tower was and what was nearby at least, if we were going there soon then being able to plan the trip was helpful. The largest marker nearby was Goodneighbor, a big town I knew was on Zed's list and Val had mentioned as well.

There was one other interesting bit I managed to salvage as well, a modular component I was unfamiliar with but had standard pip-buck compatibility. Enough probing and tinkering showed it to be benign, so I removed it and patched it into my own experimentally, the small circuitboard slotting in easily. It had one high grade crystal that glowed to life when connected, several empty slots next to it looked to match but were empty. As my pip-buck recognized the addition it read the hardcoded instructions on the part, updating itself before opening a simple primer file that was informative.

......
S.A.T.S. Expansion Module Recognized.
Updating....

Stable-Tec Assisted Targeting Overcharge System Online.....

Experimental S.A.T.O.S. module stores a portion of each S.A.T.S. shot's magic, on reaching full charge crystalline storage matrix will light up to indicate full power. Releasing charged power on a S.A.T.S. assisted attack guarantees successful hit, regardless of odds against. Charge will multiply damage done via amplification spell. Reminder: all experimental data and notations on field testing should be directed to Advanced Systems.

Well... that explained how Kellogg had taken out the power armor sitting in the workshop with me with a single shot, the odds to hit the power connection he had taken out had to be incredibly low, even knowing to go for it. With this thing though, yeah I could see how it was done, though it was still pretty impressive and made me shudder to think how the whole encounter could have gone poorly. At least I got something out of Kellogg's pip-buck, it was a let down it had seemingly erased so much data but this was a consolation prize.

Coming out of being so absorbed in my work, I had a guilty start thinking Magnolia had been quietly waiting all this time. The sweet singing I hadn't really noticed cut that short though, I turned around slowly realizing this wasn't just the radio, careful not to startle the big purple mare filling the garage with her clear, beautiful voice, singing along with the song from the battered old radio on the workbench.

Jade sang to herself ocassionally, I always thought she did so wonderfully when she chose to, Magnolia was an order of magnitude different though. Her eyes were closed, so she hadn't noticed my slack jawed staring while she continued belting out the old Sweetie Belle song. She wasn't just mimicking it, she had put her own spin on the melody, her sweet voice carrying out into the street and making ponies passing by stop to watch.

When the song ended I wasn't the only one to start clapping in amazement, the whistles and cheers from myself and those who caught the impromptu performance causing Magnolia's pale green eyes to fly open and come back to herself with a blush. Those passing by outside stamped their hooves in appreciation before returning to their work, while I hopped down from my stool and gushed encouragement, the purple alicorn had a real talent there.

"Wow! That was great Magnolia! Really amazing! You can sing?!"

She shuffled on the spot in embarrassment, her eyes lingering on the radio as Miles identified the song and chatted a moment before introducing the next. When the DJ pony was finished she shook herself and stroked her long reddish mane nervously. "Er... y-yes... I like to do so, I didn't mean to interrupt your work, I like that song and got caught up. I-I am still thinking of something to do, I will be quiet..."

"What? No way, do it again! That was awesome! You should sing where everypony can hear, you saw how those who heard it liked it! I bet I could record you and send it in to Diamond City Radio, they'd play it for sure!"

Her big eyes widened at that, turning her face a shade redder at the thought as she glanced at the radio now playing a newer Velvet Remedy song. "R-Really? Mr. Miles would... do you think so Fast? Y-You do know him correct? You think Traveling Miles would... would like my singing?"

"Sure he would! Are you kidding? Miles would love... wait..." Magnolia had asked about Miles before but been cut off by her sister Ivy, watching her turn a bright red now at the mention of the DJ pony, I suddenly had an idea why. "Hey... you like Miles don't you?"

The big filly's denials were almost comical for how transparent they were, shaking her head hard enough to send her mane flying and holding her hooves up, backing away and darting nervous looks out the garage door. "N-N-No! W-We are not supposed to... I... oh dear... w-would you not tell Ivy?"

"Huh? Sure if you want, there's nothing to be so bothered about. I wasn't teasing you Magnolia, usually I'm not that good at figuring that kind of thing out is all. I am friends with Miles, I can guarantee he'd like meeting you if that's what you're worried about, he'd love to hear you sing like that too. Is something wrong?"

With a sigh she hung her head and gave the radio a wistful look before answering. "No... yes... I... I get to listen to the radio for the news, w-we have little contact with the outside but the need to remain informed lets me do so without trouble. I do listen and report on what's going on in the Commonwealth as I should, b-but I like the music which is why I volunteered to do so. I... I have spent so long listening to Mr. Miles and the songs he plays since we first came here, I h-have grown somewhat infatuated I'm afraid...

He plays music for all the ponies of the Commonwealth, it never mattered who was listening, e-even someone like me. Hearing them always made me feel better and I'd sing when I was alone, I was grateful Mr. Miles did so. Hearing him... how difficult it sounded for him to speak to everyone listening, I r-rooted for him. When he started sounding more confident I was happy for him. We are so isolated, listening to him got to be like having a friend out in the world I suppose. If the others knew though... I may not be allowed to listen anymore..."

So, the discord that Evergreen had started was making things difficult for those that didn't go along with her too. Magnolia looked scared she'd be found out just for being interested in a voice on the radio, she did want to make friends with others but didn't want to betray her sisters. I was getting a better idea why Jade wanted them to stay with us, now I was interested in talking to this leader of theirs that forbade the Trinity Tower alicorns from dealing with others when the one in front of me obviously wanted to.

"Hey... It's ok Magnolia, I won't say anything. I umm.... I don't think it's right for you to be afraid of getting found out though. You don't get to pick who or what you like and shouldn't be ashamed of it. I was being serious too, if you wanted to meet Miles I bet we could manage that. Here, I've kept you in here with me long enough, why don't we go take a walk and talk about it ok?"

She gave a grateful nod and followed me out into the bustling streets. Maybe I shouldn't meddle in the lives of our guests, but Jade was worried about them and now I was too. Hiding and keeping away from others wasn't good for anypony, we had a couple days to spend at home, maybe that would be enough to help these three see that.

Ivy wound up being the biggest hurdle to my work with her sisters over the next couple days, she spent most of her time with Jade during the day so I didn't get much time with the green alicorn. What exposure I had to her was difficult to gauge, she easily sounded the most well adjusted and normal of her sisters, but she was sticking with her orders as much as possible. She noted the activities of Peri and Magnolia with slight disapproval, while the other two had been enjoying themselves from what I could tell.

Everyone had been friendly when I took them out during the day, relatives of the famous princess were celebrities in their own right around here and they had become quite popular quickly. Peri had been made an honorary Minutemare and looked forward to practicing with all the recruits, proudly wearing the tan hat and carrying the rifle she had been gifted, despite Ivy's attempts at wresting them from her. Magnolia downplayed her own activities out of concern, but the patrons at our new bar I had visited called for her to sing encore after encore, nearly making us late for dinner more than once.

I didn't like sneaking around the green leader of the trio, but she was reluctant to allow the changes her sisters were embracing during their time here. If she knew I recorded Magnolia's singing to send to Miles she may put a stop to it, encouraging any kind of romantic interest was a big no no thanks to Evergreen.

The house was pretty busy this evening while we all got ready to leave in the morning, being home had been nice, but getting back out there was exciting and everyone was anticipating the trip. Thanks to Sassy I now had padding in my armor and a new set of sturdy, padded shoes if I had to use my lightning walking spell in the future. Val had done a lot of shopping in our new market, replenishing our ammo and letting me service our weapons. We had plenty of food thanks to the trade now moving along from the nearby farms and the haul from the Equestrian Ration Stockpile, and Jade had made sure our medical supplies were topped off thanks to the work of her new Follower recruits.

I was sitting on the bed, clicking through my pip-buck and all the notes I had taken talking with everyone about our trip. As long as we were in the area of Trinity Tower there were plenty of other areas nearby to look into, Goodneighbor was where a lot of the seedier deals the Diamond City nobility engaged in were handled according to Piper, and Preston hoped they'd make a powerful ally. There were several other farms north of that side of Trotson, either under the control of Silver Seed Agriculture or threatened by them. Mareford Memorial Hospital was in the area as well, somewhere I needed to investigate when possible.

I was wrapped up enough in my thoughts I didn't notice Ivy slip into the room until she spoke up softly. "You spend a great deal of time thinking about sister Jade don't you Fast?"

"Gah! Ivy! You startled me... uh, yeah I guess I do. Could you not go poking around in my head like that though? Sorta had a bad experience like that before..."

The large green mare took a seat beside me and shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, I'm not actively trying to read your thoughts, just can't help hearing what's on the surface and it is usually concerning Jade. You care for her a great deal, those thoughts are very clear and simple, rather like the foals I've been helping our sister teach, I like that."

"I know that's what she's been working on the most before we left, glad you like it Ivy. You get along with Glitter pretty well too, you like kids?"

Floating some of the toys I acquired in Hubris Comics from the shelf, Ivy smiled examining them and nodded. "Oh yes, adult thoughts are often complicated, ponies lie to themselves, foals are usually much more direct. It is interesting to hear similar thoughts from you. Many of us like foals, as you know that is a major drive for us, to have our own. You should know some of those who followed our sister Evergreen did not do so for such understandable reasons though. For all those who felt as she did, agreed with her thoughts on having relations with normal ponies like yourself... there were others who are focused on breeding for less positive reasons, like sister Virescent."

"Ah... so you know about her huh? Um... sorry, she didn't give me a lot of choice about fighting her, I don't think you're the same either so..."

Chuckling to herself Ivy waved off my concern, "I am not bothered Fast, I understand. That's what I'm trying to warn you about, those like Evergreen wish for positive things like love, having a foal with the pony they care about, reproducing as the goddess wished and having a life. Those like Virescent however, they wish to breed for darker reasons they also learned from our mother. They hold to the idea that we are inherently superior to normal ponies, that we should reproduce and replace other life."

"Oh, so they'd be fine with making more of you like the Institute is trying to do then huh? What do you think?"

"Our mother was defeated by a normal pony like you, that tends to punch a hole in the argument we are superior because of what we are for me. I... may not entirely agree with our leader's decree we not interact with normal ponies, I believe it to be an overreaction. You must understand we are trying to find our way though, Umbra does her best and tries to care for all of us here. Evergreen allowed her personal feelings to lead her to causing a great deal of problems, to go from being part of unity where everyone was devoted to the greater whole, to the madness of personal wants and individuality... it has been hard for us." Ivy sighed at how confusing she obviously found it and I felt for the green mare, she was in charge of this little mission and held it together well, but obviously had her own concerns and worries.

"Sorry... I wish we spent a little more time together like I did with Peri and Magnolia, but you were with Jade, doing your mission I guess. I'm glad you wanted to talk though, so what brought it on?"

"I can read minds and do keep tabs on my sisters, they have been happy here and enjoyed your company and this town. You should be prepared for an uphill battle with Umbra and the others when we get to Trinity Tower though Fast. You are advocating for individuality and encouraging it in my sisters, you and sister Jade may prove the potential positives there, but Evergreen is already a powerful example in the dangers, and Virescent is another aspect of personal freedom that is not as good hmm? I hope you and Jade can make our leader reconsider, therefore I wish for you to take the responsibility seriously."

The stern look she gave made me gulp to myself and nod up at her, "You're right, I'll do my best ok? Thanks for trusting me Ivy, I'm glad you guys stayed with us."

Getting a hug from the big green filly when she got up was surprising, but heartfelt apparently. "So am I now, even were I not able to read your thoughts, Jade is an excellent advocate for you. Though I'd scarcely believe her glowing thoughts on you if I could not listen in on your own, you are as good as she says though, it makes me hopeful you can help us and believe you mean it. Now I believe your daughter is insisting on some type of slumber ritual with us for our last night, so I will leave you to your preparations."

Glitter had been excitedly planning a slumber party of sorts with a couple of her new friends and our alicorn guests, the noise level out there had been steadily climbing promising to make our last night home an exciting one for them anyway. I had tried to convince the foal to stay home this time, but the promise of seeing a whole settlement of other alicorns was too much to for her to even entertain the thought. She was coming along if she had to grab hold of us and simply not let go by force, may as well accept it.

In the morning we'd all be leaving for the wasteland again, Trinity Tower was pretty far away, but with our escort we could actually fly the whole way, greatly speeding the trip up. Having a pair of wings really made things a lot easier when it came to travel in the Commonwealth, if it was possible I'd have to look out for a sky carriage I could fix someday, that would make such trips a lot safer.

Three extra alicorns handling things seemed pretty safe for now though, and a town full of them sounded pretty secure and exciting. Taking the time to rest and get to know them had helped a lot, and I had some kind of idea what to expect at our destination thanks to it. I hoped we could help them like Jade and the three of them wanted, that we could find Evergreen and this Cathedral of hers for Zed. Most of all there was still the Institute out there, Moondancer liked playing around with the alicorns and wanted me for some reason, going there was sure to involve her division of the group eventually.

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

Critical Banker------------
--You're a patient battlefield tactician, thanks to a pip-buck upgrade you can now save a critical hit, to be used in S.A.T.S. when you need it most!