Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria... there was a tiny village and two young ponies preparing for a birthday party. One, a rich colt whose father ran the local gem mine, was very spoiled and cruel, while the other, a poor filly whose parents worked in those same mines, was kind and caring. As a twist of fate, both foals shared the same birthday and were each looking forward to it in their own way.

The rich colt anticipated all his presents bought from the finest toy shop in the village, his cake and treats made by the village's baker at great expense, along with all the latest party games sure to be waiting for him. The poor filly on the other hoof, had none of these treats to look forward to, her father saved all year just to get her a cake and a single present. She had none of the colt's riches, she was even still a blank flank, but she had what he could not buy, friends.

The spoiled colt was furious that every year, almost nopony came to his party that wasn't trying to cozy up to his father, while the colts and fillies of the village celebrated with the poor filly freely, though she had none of his fabulous treats to enjoy. So it was, that this year the colt decided he would do something about it, sneaking into the village baker's shop to ruin her cake, stealing the tattered doll her father had paid for from the toy store so she would have no present. Happy her birthday would be ruined, leaving his to be the only birthday in the village.

Worse yet, the colt enjoyed how sad she was the day before their parties, snickering and making fun of the poor filly in school. He laughed that she had no cake and no present, lying about an evil changeling being the culprit and telling everypony they should all come to his party instead. A poor blank flank filly like her didn't deserve a party anyway, if her family didn't waste their bits on cakes and presents they couldn't afford, maybe they wouldn't be so poor in the first place!

The spoiled colt was very satisfied with himself, enjoying her tears all day and snuggling into his nice, soft bed at night, drawing the stolen doll from his hiding spot under his pillows and setting it at the foot of his big bed to gloat over as he drifted off to the land of dreams, eagerly anticipating his birthday in the morning. Once within her realm however, Princess Luna saw his selfish fantasies and cruelty and was saddened, both for the poor filly, but also for the rich colt who was so misguided.

And so, the Princess called forth her servant, the Shrouded Stallion rose from the shadows and knelt in her presence, waiting for her command lovingly. "Thou are my sword and my shield, my instrument of justice for which I have a special royal mission. Thou are to go to this village, punish this wicked colt and make him see the error of his ways. Thou are not to harm him in any way however. This I decree, my servant may never hurt the young, but instead protect and care for them, punish them when needed, but to correct them. For a foal can always learn and do better with a caring nudge, they are not responsible for their actions, their parents are. Go now and do as I bid, bring justice for the colts crime, but may the punishment make him a better pony."

With that, the Shrouded Stallion flew off into the night, speeding across the sleeping land to arrive at the rich colt's home and peering in his window, glowing red eyes blinking in at the colt, facing his pilfered present with a mean grin that slowly turned to a worried frown, his gleeful dream turning as cold and dark as the room around him.

The rich colt woke with a start, frightened by seeing his breath in front of his muzzle and bundling up in the blankets on what should be a warm summer night. He looked into the darkness with fear making his heart race, looming shadows twisted his familiar room into something frightening and strange. Trying to be brave and follow his father's example, he shouted out to the dark in a whiny, petulant tone, meant to be strong and sure. "W-Who's there! Who's in my room! Go away or y-you'll get in trouble!"

In reply, the tattered stuffed bunny that was to be the poor filly's only present stood on the bed before him, dark shadows rippling around it as the floppy eared head turned his way, the lopsided button eyes glowing red. The stitched on smile tore before his eyes, revealing a gaping maw of blackness that spoke with the Shroud's voice as he remained frozen in terror.

The now dark stuffed bunny lurched across the big bed towards him on floppy limbs, black claws sprang out from the tattered legs and bright fangs filled the dark mouth. The rich colt was truly afraid, cowering away from the shadowy stuffed toy, trying to hide under the covers and be brave like he thought his father was. "G-Go away! This is just a nightmare! Y-You're not real! Why shouldn't I take what I want?! Nopony comes to my party, they all go to hers! I deserve the friends she has, they should be mine instead!"

With the colt's shaky shout, he felt especially brave, grabbing the scary doll and running to the window. The dark bunny growled and warned against rejecting Luna's mercy, but the colt ignored the gravelly voice, flinging his window open to toss the doll away.

As soon as the window opened however, the stuffed toy turned back into a tattered bunny for a poor filly and fell to the floor, dropped by the colt staring at the Shrouded Stallion flapping outside his window, dark armor gleaming in the moonlight and burning red eyes glowing from his helm.

Nopony heard the colt's scream as he disappeared into the shadows, yanked out the window and into the night.

The next day was bright and sunny, no scary shadows to be found anywhere in the happy village outside the shabby window of the poor filly's hovel. The view that waited her made the filly squeal in delight, her birthday party waited for her with all her friends arriving. The poor filly ran out with her surprised parents, prancing about and looking at all the fancy gifts and the beautiful cake and treats.

Nopony knew how any of it got there, but a fabulous birthday was there all for her, even her name spelled out in magical banners and on all the tags of the presents. Such luxurious and expensive decorations were for Canterlot nobility, not a peasant filly in a tiny village so far away. The villagers all took in the wondrous party, smiling and happy as foals themselves at the magical mystery.

She looked around with her many friends who were so happy for her, sharing her surprising bounty with everypony and playing the many games. When she came to the pinata hanging from the tree in her yard, she gasped looking at it carefully, while her friends held the blindfold and heavy stick out for her to take the first turn. The brightly colored party game was shaped like a bunny, with frightened eyes full of tears staring down at her, the eyes of the rich colt himself.

And even though the colt had been so cruel, had stolen and taken pleasure in her misery, the poor filly yelled for the pinata to be lowered. She carefully helped break it open gently, freeing the sobbing rich colt and hugging him to soothe his cries. "How did you end up in there? You could have been hurt!" she worried for him, filling him with new feelings of shame.

Hiding under his hooves, the colt whimpered back to her, "I'm sorry, I ruined your party and stole your present! I've always treated you so badly, but you helped me even though you saw I was here and the others didn't. You could have hit me with the stick as your pinata and gotten even, why did you help me instead?"

The poor filly helped him back up and wiped his tears away gently, replying in a soft voice. "Getting even would only cause more hurt, even without cake or presents, I would still have my family and friends. I'd rather count you among them, please stop crying and join in this year, you are always alone on your birthday and that makes me sad."

With her kind words, the poor filly received her cutie mark on the spot, for her virtue was kindness and even the spoiled colt could see it in her smiling face. Inspired by her graciousness, the rich colt declared "Then every year we should celebrate together, you should have a party as fine as this or better, while I should share my good fortune if you are kind enough to offer me friendship after all I have done. I'm truly sorry and will be a new pony from now on!"

It was then the colt truly understood his own virtue as being generosity, rather than greed and selfishness, feeling better than he ever had after the poor filly had helped him see the truth. Thus the two young ponies celebrated together each year, growing closer to one another and eventually being wed.

The colt grew to a fine and generous stallion that ran the mines fairly, lifting everypony in the village up, along with his kind and beautiful wife who became mayor of their tiny hamlet, helping it grow to a bustling town. They had their own fillies and colts eventually and shared their birthday party with the whole village until they were old and grey. Even after they were laid to rest together, the villagers kept the celebration alive, a local holiday that is celebrated to this day.

And every year, there was a present for both of them, wrapped in dark paper, with a silver bow and signed only with the sigil of the Shrouded Stallion, watching over the love he helped foster through Luna's justice proudly. For the Shrouded Stallion may be Luna's avenger and punish evil where he finds it, but he loves his princess and serves justice in her name, and the best in ponies should be rewarded.

By Luna's decree, he may never harm a foal, offering care and protection to every innocent filly and colt, along with gentle guidance to be better ponies. For the young are not responsible for the examples they follow from their parents, and the rich colt's greedy father received his own visit that night as well...

But that, is a story for another day...

Carefully closing the heavy, leatherbound tome of fairy tales, I tugged my foreleg free from Glitter's sleeping grip and snuck away, leaving my little filly to her rest and slipping out of the dark room taken as her own within Castle Equinox. As concerned as each new story about the real Shrouded Stallion had been making me, this was a good one with a happy ending all around, making me feel relieved and tired myself.

I trotted down the empty halls of the castle, wandering about a bit to stretch my sore limbs and think. Without the presence of my daughter, all those insistent urges were bubbling back up, fighting my weariness and demanding 'more' with every step. It was quite late and Glitter had been cross with me, stumbling in with her still sitting up in her dirty bed, her forelegs folded over her chest in a pout as her silver maned head bobbed down and jerked back up, waiting impatiently with the book lying before her.

It had taken awhile to get back, then Peri had immediately pounced when we returned and I had unloaded all my junk, dragging me down to Bobbing Cane's museum home to fulfill my promise, acting out her insane mating diagrams found in the Pony Sutra she had copied them from. The whole exercise had left me sweaty and breathless, with more than a couple sprains trying to twist myself into the positions she wanted to her squealing delight.

Even after that tangled marathon and rushing back to read Glitter's story, I found myself hungry for more. Actually just hungry too, that took a lot of energy and I had used up most of the radiation boost I had started with, my rainbow coded gauge down to the green/blue border again.

Other than the basic night crew of Minutemares keeping watch on the walls, there was pretty much nopony awake, leaving me free to wander about in only my saddlebags, the chilly night air not really any inconvenience for alicorn biology. No wonder wearing clothes was an odd subject for Jade's sisters, they really were unnecessary. Though I'd stick with armor when needed thank you, I wasn't able to make their fancy shields.

My repair crew had made some progress while I was gone, a weakly sputtering shower was working on this floor in one of the formerly opulent bathrooms. The water was still pretty tingly, more repairs were needed before normal ponies could take advantage of it yet, but it was quite enjoyable for me.

I greedily soaked up the tingly radiation and sang a croaking rendition of the songs playing from my pip-buck, using my technician's key to remove the device momentarily and clean under the padded cuff. That was a real design flaw actually, most Stable Dwellers couldn't take these things off to scrub their fur under it without help, often leaving matted and stinky patches on their foreleg when they got around to it.

Feeling squeaky clean and reenergized, I cantered down to the kitchens to find food, I could sate that kind of hunger anyway. Greasy Spoon still didn't have his way with a fully functioning palace kitchen, but the larder was being stocked ahead of our fixes and there was plenty of miretank meat, raw was fine if needed, better sometimes actually.

The soft voices I picked up as I approached the cavernous kitchens surprised me, I peeked around the corner to spot just the other kind of midnight snack I wanted and bucked back the urges that came up, looking at Jade and Ivy sitting together at one of the long stone counters and chatting.

Both were glorious in the dim light, blue and green fur on display with no lab coats or dresses in the way. Seeing both Jade and Ivy's cutie marks was enjoyable for more than just the flanks they decorated too. Ivy wasn't hiding hers from Jade at least, the delicate curl of ivy with pink hearts for leaves stood out quite well and Jade's blue eyes drifted to it as they spoke., though not to ogle like I was.

I was sneaky, but telepaths cheated. Ivy's ears pricked up and her cheeks got pink, picking out every dirty thought running through my mind gazing hungrily at them from the door. She blinked over to Jade and the pair of them turned to me, my princess primly wiping her muzzle, cleaning the crumbs of her own rather sizable snack shared with her sister.

I didn't even have to go looking for anything! Several Sparkle Cola Rads and empty bottles were scattered about a variety of miretank delicacies, cans of cram and Fancy Buck snack cakes, an open box of Sugar Apple Bombs with crumbs dusting the counter and Jade's silky chest.

They had been chatting over a lovely little feast together, though the combination in front of Jade was a bit odd, leftover miretank queen steak, coated in a bizarre breading of sugary cereal and insta-oats, slathered in what smelled like Cram juice from numerous cans and blackened, via one of the guttering torches most likely... I knew she wasn't much of a cook, but was it because she thought she was? Did she like what she made?

"Hello dear, you look better. I trust Periwinkle is sated and Glitter is tucked away? Please join us, you must be famished, sit with us and let us talk a bit my love." Jade cooed and beckoned me over, patting the roughly repaired stool beside her at the counter.

Needing absolutely no encouragement, I flew over with one flap, clipping the edge of the counter and stumbling back up sheepishly, hopping into my seat and snuggling against her. I cracked open a cola and floated over a big hunk of grilled miretank, munching happily and drinking in the two of them, watching me with small smiles on their muzzles.

"Yeah, umm... both put down for the night... I think Peri's still down in Mr. Cane's house, she didn't want to move when I left so... A-Anyway, why are you two down here? I was just going to grab a snack and find you Jade, nice surprise finding you both together though."

"Sister Ivy suspected you would come here, we have been waiting and having an interesting chat. I hear we will need to leave tomorrow and begin your 'diplomatic tour'? That sounds wise, I anxiously anticipate our trip together, though I worry for you after the things my sister has related. You fear yourself lately?" Jade answered kindly, warm concern clear in her beautiful voice that just made me feel guilty.

"Yeah... we need to go a few places and don't have much time. Going to be busy tomorrow before we leave, have to leave it up to our friends to do what needs to be done here while we're gone. I umm... I was gonna tell you... I've just been a little freaked out, er... getting used to the new body and all, probably all it is... but umm... yeah. You helped me get control over my temper when I first came out Jade, the whole corrupting influence of the wasteland thing? Thanks to you I could control and use it but... it's sorta been getting to me again lately..."

She wasn't mad at me at least, pulling me closer with her big wing and nuzzling at my mane, making it start itching and nibbling my ears, a flurry of unity driven communication flying between her and Ivy over my head as she cooed softly. "So I have heard, you should have told me sooner, I wish to know these things even if I cannot help. We have been very busy however, I suppose I understand. I am glad you sought out my sister for her assistance, but do not keep things from me like that. I care for you very much and am here no matter what."

Ivy had those heart shaped sparkles in her lidded green eyes as she nodded slowly, reaching a hoof out across the counter to touch my own and Jade's over it. "As am I Fast. I want to take a look now, but you are very agitated and distracted at the moment aren't you? Your thoughts are very chaotic, but oooooh so delicious... Perhaps we should alleviate some of that pressure first sister? This is the coming home portion of my date hmm?"

At the suggestion and what what probably a direct download of every lewd thought running in my head, Jade blushed and nodded nervously, giving me a long kiss and floating me up in her magic as she stood, trotting out of the stone kitchens with me bobbing beside her. "Yes, I suppose so. Come along Fast, let us calm you down before we go peeking around in your head yes? I have actually been looking forward to this, unity makes everything soooo much better dear..."

I flushed and gulped in anticipation at the flood of information filling my already addled brain. Warm thoughts and tingly sensations coming from both big mares prancing down the halls, up towards our temporary shared bedroom in the castle, thankfully far from anypony else at least.

That warm fog was already clouding my thoughts, delighting in getting telepathic feedback for every light touch with my reaching hooves. Yes, having a real mental connection to go along with the physical did elevate this whole experience, I had no idea what it'd be like with a green alicorn directly, but it promised to be interesting.

A few hours later, I lay exhausted and spent between two gorgeous fillies, sprawled on the dirty mattress on the stone floor of a remote tower of the castle, panting and letting the sweat evaporate off my coat. As amazing and tiring as that was, my wings still sprang back up and my magic started roving over both of them, followed by hooves, wings, mouth...

Ivy was incredible, not as loud or eager as Peri, but that telepathic connection let her know everything and share everything back. She moved ahead of me, shared the sensations running through both of them, guiding my efforts with a little mattress sized bubble of unity, eventually settling out into a warm buzz of bliss in my head.

A tender kiss to Ivy's flanks over each heart shaped leaf of her new cutie mark seemed to shake off the last bits of her shame and worry over the blessing, eliciting a soft moan of happiness, punctuated by a squeal from Jade as my magic found just the right angle. I could feel both of them gathering their will and mentally nodding, Jade giving a reluctant, purring whine and wrapping her legs around me, clutching me to her pounding chest so I couldn't get going again.

Ivy moved in concert with her, entwining her own legs into the tangle over both me and Jade's back, curling a big green wing in with Jade's blue one. She hugged tightly and drew both of us close, making a warm, soft cocoon of sweaty alicorn flesh around me as Jade whispered and nibbled on my ear. "E-Enough... that is enough Fast, you are in the proper state now I believe. Enjoyable as this is, your well being comes first. Ivy, if you would sister?"

A surge of panic rose up as Ivy's long horn approached my own, my magic reaching out frantically of its own accord, making both mares moan and tighten their hold. Was I trying to distract them? Hold them off from... Ivy's brow furrowed in determination, a gasp escaping her lips as her horn managed to make contact, then the world swirled away and I was disconnected from my hormone driven body.

"Ah... we are back here again, I like this dream Fast. Oh! Look at Ivy, she has her own Stable barding as well, very fetching sister!" Jade spoke clearly beside me as I blinked and took in the bizarre version of Stable 111 around me, drinking in the sight of her wearing the tight blue and yellow barding that matched her medium blue fur and my own familiar suit.

We were in the atrium... but not? It was strange, not quite the fantasy world in my dreams where Jade and all her sisters lived in the Stable with my family and me. Instead the vast chamber was strangely empty, bigger than it should be too... The round window of the Overmare's office was still directly above, but it was labeled 'Overstallion Fast Times' and empty.

There were way too many doors leading off the atrium too, both the upper and lower levels had doors that led to areas of the Stable you'd have to reach through others, or that just didn't exist at all properly. I blinked over to Ivy in confusion, enjoying the sight of her in the blue barding contrasting with her rich green coat. "Umm... where are we Ivy?"

The green alicorn looked around a moment after picking at her outfit, seeming to find her surroundings interesting and amusing. "In your mind Fast. Unsurprising you would order it this way, you lived here a long time right? Much as I imagined, carefully ordered and organized, a door for everything no less. Take a look around, help me find what we're looking for, it hides from me..."

That sounded odd... but I did as instructed, looking carefully at the weird mish-mash version of Stable 111. Each door had a glowing sign over it just like home, most said what they should, though they were still off a bit. The one labeled 'Orchard' was lit with orange light instead of white as it should be, a soft sigh of 'Be Strong!' calling from the door as I stared at the red letters. 'Medical-Ward' was spelled out in pink, glowing yellow and radiating kindness, 'Cafeteria' was a bright and cheery pink sign with darker letters and 'Stable Salon' was a brighter white than normal, with purple letters.

Jade and Ivy followed behind me, stopping at each door and peering at the odd signs. Jade held a hoof to the sliding steel door of the Medical Ward, sighing in contentment at the peace flowing from it. "The Ministry Mares... this is Fluttershy's spirit Fast! It feels so warm and nice."

"That's where I found Fluttershy actually... the statue version that is. Right in the medical ward in 111, makes sense she's there er... in here... this is weird Ivy..."

Our green telepath gave an amused snort in answer, "Self reflection is often strange and difficult, necessary here though. Go on Fast, this is your brain, you know what we're looking for and where it is, even if you don't know."

I knew what she wanted, but was more interested exploring the numerous doors that shouldn't be here. 'Residential''s steel door held whispers of my family and friends behind it and I stared at it longingly. 'Security' felt like Val, all military discipline and facts about combat flowing from it. 'Daycare' filled me with thoughts of Glitter, her happy giggles and bright smile. 'Maintenance' brought the sudsy taste of beer to mind and Sprocket's gruff chuckle, along with Grizz's hearty laugh. The brightly painted door up on the second level near the round window of the Overmare... Overstallion's office read 'Studio' and filled my nostrils with Sunset Mist's distinctive scent, papers, paints and perfume. I could explore door after door here for hours, reveling in nostalgia and the ability to show Jade things I had only told her about.

It was the flickering, dim sign above a rusty door in the corner I didn't want to look at, the large atrium got cold over there... the lights above it sparked and shorted as I watched, the nearly dead, dark sign above it read simply 'Icebox'... Back down where I started, into the dark and cold, a room of stasis pod coffins and sleeping corpses.

Ivy read everything out of me like this though, cautiously approaching that shadowy corner and reaching out to the rusty door, yanking her hoof back when it made contact. "Here. This is it Fast, let me in here."

"I... I don't want to... i-it's probably not a good idea..."

Jade wrapped me in her wing and nuzzled my cheek, nudging me forward softly. "It is alright Fast, I am with you. We need to see. Do not be afraid, you are safe here, it is your mind after all."

Even her kind encouragement was barely enough, I reeeeally didn't want to open that door... As I approached, the sign darkened down to full black, the letters 'Icebox' still legible as they started glowing red at my hoof reaching for the frigid steel barrier. With a gulp, I touched the rusty surface, wincing back as it slowly slid open in a shower of corrosion and a howling wind blew out, making my teeth chatter in remembrance of what real cold felt like before I became so inured to the elements.

Ivy's horn lit up and she led the way, trotting confidently down the damp and rusty stairs leading into the dark. With Jade at my side, I reluctantly followed, the shadows swallowing us up as we entered. The stairs down were far too long, stretching down into the depths of the earth, er... my head I supposed.

The further down we went, the colder and darker it got, though two conflicting sources of light led the way down. Running beside us were frazzled heavy gauge power conduits, glowing a faint blue that matched the glow of my horn, while the flickering emergency lights were a dark crimson throwing shadows everywhere as they spiraled in place.

"This is rather strange Fast, we are approaching the source of power for your Stable yes?" Ivy stared at the power lines, poking at a sparking bit that was self repairing very slowly.

"Umm, yeah, under the Icebox is all the generators running the place, though this is all in my head so they could be behind any door upstairs right?"

Ivy shook her head and kept going down, her breath puffing out of her muzzle in little clouds as she spoke. "This is all metaphor Fast, symbolism... Down to the source of power, the wellspring of your magic. It is strange this dark chamber is between it at the rest of your mind, it may act as a block of some kind... I am unsure, it's very odd though, you've said you had problems with your magic before? Ah, here we are, how does this look Fast?"

The cavernous chamber she pointed into at the bottom of the too long stairs was the Icebox alright, but not. It looked how I last saw it, empty of the 1000 stasis pods that belonged here, minus one that is... a single pod stood alone in the center of the room, metaphor or not, it didn't look right at all.

I stood on the catwalk overlooking the room, trying not to pay attention to all the bones crunching underhoof of fallen Stable defenders still here. That stasis pod was festooned with snaking cables and... chains? Stretching from the shadows of the room, draping down from the ceiling, crawling across the floor, all focused and wrapped around the stasis pod in the center. Pod #101...

It was kind of easy to tell with the red numbers glowing so brightly, that was #101 alright... just in case I wasn't sure, the faded lipstick print on the shell was glowing a bright yellow orange, drawing Jade's displeased eye and getting an annoyed huff. The casing it was still stuck to was supposed to be white though, not black... the circular window looking in to the pod was filled with crimson light too. Just looking at it filled me with dread, I never wanted to see pod #101 again, but here it was waiting in the dark.

Ivy shocked me by flying over the railing and gliding down to it, unafraid of the rumble shaking the room as her hooves touched the tiles. "Who is there? Speak up! I came a long way to find this place, you can't hide anymore, talk to me!"

"Ivy! H-Hey Ivy! I don't think we should mess with this, b-bad idea, just forget it ok!" I yelped from the railing, my ears laying back as I peeked over the narrow barrier. I knew I asked for help and had been worried about the dark voice in my head originating from down here apparently, but I didn't like being here and I really didn't like messing with that black pod.

Completely ignoring me, Ivy trotted a full circle around the dark version of pod #101, looking over the glowing blue power cables crossing the floor, shunted into it at the base before continuing down to the generators below, that was odd actually... Ivy noticed it too, or noticed me noticing maybe... "Fast, I know you are uncomfortable, but could you take a look at this? You can stay up there if you like, just watching and thinking is enough."

I tried to stay as far from possible from the center of the room, navigating the familiar steel grating to get a better look. Those power lines didn't belong here, it didn't match the real Icebox. If this was all mental projection, why would I wire it like that? Heavy gauge power conduit, previously crossing the floor without interruption to the stairs out. Now there was a shunt, a break in the still intact lines, a dark spot on what should be a solid line of blue jerked over to the stasis pod before continuing back to the original trunk.

Every line crossing the floor glowing that blue color did that, all had been wired into the dark pod #101 at some point... All but one actually, I spotted one thick line where the shunt had blown, fried by a surge of power by the scorches and ozone smell, that line ran straight through as it was originally designed, strange.

Actually reaching up and rapping her hoof on the light absorbing metal shell made me cringe, while Ivy perked an ear up and listened to the hollow bong reverberating through the chamber carefully. "This is very odd, a mental block maybe? You are spending a great deal of energy repressing this. I still have no idea if it is you or something else however, it feels like you... mostly, severe personality disorders can manifest in similar fashion, but usually the subject can't lock them away like this. Fascinating..."

"I'm happy my fucked up head is interesting Ivy, could we go now?! You found it, it's here, it's weird, but it's sleeping! Leave it alone..."

Instead of answering directly, Ivy's horn glowed a blinding green as she stood before the pod's hatch, wrapping the chains and releases in her magic and stamping a hoof. "Sometimes you have to rip a bandage off Fast. I demand an answer! Show yourself! Face yourself Fast, stop suppressing this part of yourself and let me in!"

Her glowing green eyes settled on me and I gulped, helped slightly by Jade's supportive squeeze. "Alright... You asked for it...."

The pod hissed open, just a crack, the articulated front shell lifting an inch and letting roiling, sparkly black smoke come pouring out, not white mist like it should be. The light in the window and streaming out the sides brightened, along with the red lights overhead and the blue power lines crossing the room. The inky shadow-stuff pooled around the base of the pod, sending tendrils waving out, one of which caressed Ivy's foreleg.

"MINE...."

The growling voice echoing in the chamber proclaimed as it made contact with the green alicorn, elicting a sharp gasp from Ivy as she froze and shivered in place. Jade and I both flew down to her, hovering carefully above the floor and the inky smoke spreading out. Ivy's eyes fluttered and she moaned, shifting and swaying in place, her brow furrowed as she bit her lip and spread her wings, shaking it off slowly.

My worry for her got me to go down here in a rush, but I was still staying well above the shadowy mass writhing on the floor, fluttering in her face anxiously. "E-Enough's enough Ivy! It hurt you! We shouldn't be messing with this! I was wrong, I'll just... I'll just try harder! Lock it away more!"

At the words more heavy chains sagged down from the ceiling, forcing Jade to dodge a bit lower and getting one of those dark tendrils brushed against her hoof. The reaction was immediate with my princess, a sharp squeal as she turned bright red, stuffing a hoof in her mouth and whimpering around it.

"PRINCESS...MINE."

The second growl got my attention, Ivy regained her composure and waved me off as it sunk in. "Don't try to suppress it again, it wasn't hurting me... er... us it seems, q-quite the opposite. I don't think it will harm us, certainly not sister Jade at the very least. You are repressing quite a lot Fast... a regular bundle of inhibitions are stored down here, focused and encapsulated in one spot.

I know this is difficult Fast, but I want you to do the opposite of what you just did. Loosen the chains, let the pod open up more, stop fighting yourself and let me see what's there. I am certain we will be safe, trust me, please."

I did trust Ivy... and Jade beside me even more, her encouraging kiss and nod enough for me to get over my fear. I still flapped back a few feet before landing on the cold floor. It took a minute to find the right mental 'flex' to do what she wanted, more of a relaxing of a tensed muscle actually. The chains jingled and loosened, the lights brightening again as more shadow-stuff came spilling out of the widening gap. When I had been forced to rely on this part of myself, I often thought of 'letting it off the chain' anyway, all the figurative was just very literal in here apparently.

Jade and Ivy both pranced back away from it, at least it was pleasant for them, but neither seemed inclined to just let it grab hold again. Little to worry about though, instead of reaching for them, it stretched out in a shadowy streak, grabbing my foreleg and climbing despite my struggling.

"Easy! Easy! It is alright Fast! I am here, relax!" Jade was right with me, Ivy on her hooves and joining in as the rippling mass of darkness crawled over me.

Once I got over the initial panic, it didn't feel bad. Actually it felt good... very good... I felt strong! Black lightning crackled around me and I could feel myself swelling up with power, a surge of strength flowing through me that had me actually growing, bigger and stronger in front of them, I was Jade's height in here! This was great!

More darkness poured from the pod and raced over my stretching legs as I took a strutting step forward, my wings flared and eye to eye with Jade and Ivy both before me, no... looking down now! Both of them taking a reticent step back as I kept stalking after them, tendrils of shadows making both shiver as a fanged leer spread on my muzzle.

Both of them now... then all of them, Peri, Magnolia, Swan, Umbra, all of Jade's sisters, Val and Witchy, Mint Twist and Onyx Operator, the alicorn synth Angel, Scribe Wind, even Fancy Star, then Sunset Mist when I found her, every pretty filly I had ever met, every mare in the world... an unending harem in a palace danced before my eyes.

One built on a mountain of raider bones with a moat of Gunner blood, the heads of the Institute literally heads, as in on pikes above the gates. Rooms for everypony I cared about and torture chambers and dungeons for all I didn't, a throne for my Princess of irradiated gold and jewels, a dragon's horde of caps in a treasure chamber. Total safety for my daughter and everything she could ever ask for. All the power I needed to make it all MINE was at my hooves, filling me up and out, letting me loom over the beautiful little mares here to get started with...

"FAST! STOP! Stop your struggles! Please!!" My eyes snapped open and I found myself wrestling with Jade and Ivy, pinning me in place with minimal success, Jade's frightened cry got through and I relaxed in confusion, what happened?

Ivy was still face to face with me clutched to Jade's breast, staring intently with a rosy, sweaty face full of concern, kissing my horn once I had stopped... whatever I had been doing. "T-There... My word, you have been suppressing quite a bit of darkness haven't you Fast... Are you alright now? That was... w-well I've never really experienced anything like that before..."

"N-Not filling me with confidence here Ivy, w-what was I... what happened?"

Jade cooed and nuzzled my cheek from behind me, soothing me softly and giving a cross look with shimmery blue eyes to her sister. "Nothing unpleasant Fast. It is alright now, Ivy pushed too far is all, we need not do that again, it is alright, sshhh..."

Giving a wary look, Ivy released her hold and sat up, tapping a hoof to her muzzle in thought and shrugging apologetically. "Best to see what we can see while it's safe sister. I still can't tell if that's just parts of yourself you are bottling up and denying, or... something else. Your recent change to one of us could have had psychological side effects, strengthening recessive parts of your personality. Judging by how that... er... f-felt, it is in line with this Dr. Dala's potion correct sister?"

"Libido, sexual conquest, aggression, violence, territoriality and possessiveness... Yes Ivy, all things Dala chose to enhance in the interest of making a... a breeding stud..., I am still unhappy at that display..." Jade answered, clinically diagnosing her sister's mental evaluation with an annoyed whinny.

Ivy nodded to herself and brightened, scooting closer and patting my head kindly. "Several areas not really at the forefront for you beforehoof either right Fast? I know you worry and have been letting certain ghost stories get to you, but Haycart's Razor and all, the simplest explanation tends to be the correct one. Is it a schism developing by trying to fight impulses driven by your new body and the constant strain of the wasteland, or a spirit of vengeance somehow in your head when it was sealed away by Celestia herself 1200 years ago?

Not that I'm disregarding your concerns, just trying to make you feel better Fast. A lesser pony would simply have fallen to their base desires under what that potion did to you, controlling yourself under all that is most impressive, but not good for your psyche I think. You have been adjusting to your body, but still need to reconcile its affect on your mind. Honestly you should have taken a much longer break after your metamorphosis, in the old world you would be able to receive counseling and help, but now... meh.

You have rather imposing mental defenses already thanks to those little statues, along with a certain innocence and ability to push all the worst of the wasteland down rather than let it corrupt you, but the extra stress is starting to show. All the more reason for me to continue my treatment and accompany you on your diplomatic tour hmm?"

"R-Really? You think I'm.... er... mostly ok? You're coming with us?"

Ivy curled up beside us again and yawned, tracing a gentle hoof down my side sleepily. "You are more than ok Fast, a strong and pure mind, just under a great deal of stress. I still want to keep an eye on you, so I'm happy to come. Besides, diplomacy is one of my strong points, reading minds is a rather useful skill for such efforts wouldn't you agree? Wicket and my children will be fine with my sisters awhile longer, you need me so here I will stay." Another long yawn interrupted her as she snuggled close and closed her green eyes, murmuring sweetly and drifting off, "Besides... want to do more of that too... Peri's had... her turn plenty... have to keep trying... for the species and all..."

Jade sighed in my ear and drew me close, still sandwiched between the two of them on the dingy mattress in a warm, caring embrace. I wriggled around to face her, fighting with a wing uncomfortably trying to spring up. Sleeping with these things was still a major annoyance, but the shuffling movement was worth it to wrap my legs around the gentle rise and fall of her chest, nuzzling Jade's neck as she murmured to me. "Sleep Fast, you are safe and still my Fast. We have a busy day tomorrow and it is very late.... early.... rest. I love you, all of you, so do not fear yourself so much."

"I love you too Jade. Sorry to put you through that, I'll let you know about what's going on in my head... the old fashioned way I think, but I won't keep things from you like that." The three of us passed out right on each others hooves, exhaustion and lingering panic dragging me down to just soak up all the soft alicorn around me and sleep.

The thought of that tomb somewhere below us still nagged at me though, following me down into my dreams. I had to find the full moon key, I needed to know, one way or the other.

"Morning sir! Sounded like you and Peri had fun last night, still feeling pretty jealous your own squad doesn't rate such personal attention from..." The stunning dark unicorn Onyx descended the stone stairs of the castle's new workshop, wiggling her way down in her increasingly tight blue jumpsuit and trotting towards her battered locker with her tools, her squad mates staggering down behind her.

Today I was in no mood and had to cut off her playful flirting though, looking up to Pepper Pot and Cool Jets trailing behind her, along with our new alicorn repair-pony Flitter practically stuffed into the biggest jumpsuit they could find, still straining the seams. All four stirred up annoying urges, but I had the pile of scrap and parts around the gadget I was finishing up distracting me thankfully.

I had been spending the early morning hours cobbling the remains of the radiation producing trap from Talon's, building a weird weapon / healing device for Jade. It was crude and hastily thrown together, a metal bowl from the kitchens forming a basic dish to focus and direct blasts of radiation, a salvaged trigger and handle from a corroded pistol, lots of spare gems and wiring over the hexagonal housing, not pretty but it should work.

My pip-buck seemed to agree anyway, no longer regarding it as 'junk' in my inventory, but labeling it as 'Gamma Gun' and assigning a decent value for it. It would work off normal spark cells and sent a blast of glowing green rings of radiation out from the condensed balefire at the heart of the trap.

I couldn't fix it to provide a constant and low flow as it had before without frying it, but like this Jade had her own weapon. Better yet on the right targets it wasn't a weapon at all, but a healing device, which should make her happy and more willing to use it. Even against normal ponies, it would weaken and sicken them, but no permanent damage if they were treated for radiation sickness when they gave up. It was a fitting weapon for the alicorn princess, though I'd rather put together something a little less clunky in the future.

I floated a stub of a pencil to the clipboard hovering beside me and jotted down more notes, speaking sternly to the flirty mature mare sauntering over. "Not today Onyx, don't start. You all have a lot of work to get to and I need you to run this crew for me while I'm gone. I got as much salvage as I could and more is waiting for scavenging teams to pick up, but it's still hardly enough and we're under the gun, I'm counting on all of you here."

My tone must have sunk in, Onyx quickly became all business, buckling her leather toolbelt to her swaying flanks and falling in with a salute. "Yes sir, you can count on Fast's Fixer's! What's wrong sir?"

The growing commotion outside my flicking ears could pick up would be a better answer, for now I floated the clipboard over to Onyx, trotting down the line of repair-mares lining up with her. All four were taking me seriously at least, though the large purple Flitter couldn't help staring very closely, sleepy, sparkling eyes tracking me as I paced.

"The Princess is going to explain here in just a little bit, better than I can and we're in a rush. Let's just say we're working under a deadline now and a lot needs to be done. I wrote down what priorities should be, I hate leaving you ladies to handle this for me, but not much choice. You're all great repair-ponies, Flitter I haven't worked with you yet, but do your best ok? Help her fit in and take advantage of her abilities you guys, with her here at least nopony has to get radiation sickness trying to work below the castle while I'm gone. Onyx, I'm trusting you to lead this squad in my stead, Preston said I can promote whoever I want, so congratulations, you're a sergeant now."

Onyx's eyes widened at arrow shaped patch I floated over to her, I made sure to ask but Preston assured me I was a general so I could do as I liked. The violet and silver maned mare was the most mature of all of us and was good at taking charge, I had faith she could handle things while I was gone, I had to.

"Gunners isn't it sir? Are they coming?" Pepper's red mane was frizzy and spiked out in bed head, a worried note was in her voice as she rubbed sleep from her eyes.

"You're leaving? But I just got here..." Our new alicorn member Flitter whined, shuffling in place and giving a whinny, it probably seemed terribly unfair for her, finding the male alicorn all her sisters were hunting only for me to wander off again, no choice though.

Cool Jets fluffed her orange wings and gave a proud huff, "No worries sir, we got this. What's the deal though, when we seein' some action?"

A bell ringing outside cut off her eager question and I waved them out with me, calling over my shoulder as we ran to the courtyard with all the other Minutemares and Followers of the Apocalypse filling the castle. "You're about to find out, but it's always too soon! Take care of each other, I expect to find all of my Fixer Fillies here and safe when we get back!"

At that I launched myself up into the air, almost smoothly no less. Flapping my way up above the gathering crowd and towards the half destroyed balcony above the large double doors to the throne room. I joined a nervous looking Jade, decidedly green in the face staring out at the crowd, the center of a lot of attention that had her queasy. I perched on the crumbling stone railing beside her, admiring her in her costume tiara and clean armored lab coat that proudly displayed her heart and crown cutie mark, making myself equally visible and incidentally putting me up at her level.

She gave a short nuzzle gratefully and reached a wing out to touch Glitter peeking over the railing with her, clearing her throat to get Val to stop madly ringing the salvaged silver bell nailed to a crude post up here, tentatively leaning her muzzle over to the rusty microphone from the Switchboard. I didn't have time to fly up to the leaning and half roofless north tower with the bent radio antenna and repair the communications systems here, but it was on Onyx's list and I did cobble together a basic PA system in the castle courtyard for this.

"Ahem! G-Good morning everypony!" Jade spoke softly, her nervous stammer amplified and only causing a momentary whine from the working speakers below, laying her ears flat with a wince that only deepened as the gathered crowd replied as one.

"Good morning Princess Jade!"

She blushed furiously under the adoring attention, a herd of dozens upon dozens of ponies, her own army, all treating her as true royalty. A gentle nudge got her to stop trying to hide behind her wings and lean back over, gently tapping the mike and continuing anxiously. "T-Thank you all. I am happy to see so many smiling faces, but must share dire news. Some of you on watch last night witnessed the bright burst of flame to the east I am told? That was my Fast, uncovering a nest of Gunners moving on the area, who intended to take a fortified facility to launch an imminent attack on us.

Thanks to the efforts of my... K-Knight, my Captain of the Guard Valkyrie, my sister Ivy and others, that particular contingent of mercenaries will not be joining the upcoming battle, but I am sad to say there will be one still. Our brave strike team has bought us time, but inform me the Gunners know we are here and are coming..."

A lot of murmurs started up as she paused, growing more nervous at the rising swell of worried noise. Seeing her so made me more than willing to fill my part, despite my nearly equal dislike of public speaking. My horn glowed and I spread my wings, the Shroud's voice tolling out without the aid of the PA system.

Much as I hated that, the concerned muttering turned to a more positive rumble of agreement, determined nods and stamping hooves answering as Jade brushed my shoulder with her wing, sounding more confident as she continued. "T-Thank you, all of you that feel so. We must do better for the ponies of the southern Commonwealth. Some of whom have joined us already, I am sure they have shared their own terrible stories of the abuses of the Gunners, along with the villagers of Eclipse.

I do not like fighting, I wish it were not so but sometimes good ponies must take a stand against the bad for anything to improve. We will do all we can to insure that our beliefs; Kindness, Generosity, Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter and Magic triumph over the cruelty, greed, lies, selfishness and hate our foes embody. We must do better! Please, will you help me?!"

The roaring cheer that rose up made her squeak and try to hide again, but Glitter tugged her back with a happy yelp towards the open microphone. "See mom! I told'ya everypony loves ya! No hidin'! Ain't that right everybody!?!"

The stamping hooves and shouts of agreement shook even the sturdy stone castle, bringing a bright blush to Jade's cheeks as she meekly leaned back to speak again. She had to wait several minutes for it to die down, waving kindly down to her admirers until they settled down. "I am very flattered... my d-daughter is very exuberant in her endorsement, I thank you for your agreement with her! Now then, with the threat bearing down on us, we all need to try our hardest, make the most of what time we have and be ready. I-In that interest, I am reluctantly going to have to go on a short trip..."

Some of the cheering dried up at that, several shouts of 'No!' and 'Don't leave us Princess' rose up, making her panic and furrow her brow, stammering over the rejection, just trying to get through this. "Please, please I am sorry all of you, y-you are all my little ponies and I will never abandon you. I leave because I must, but will return soon, hopefully with allies to help us!

Nopony can go it alone in the wasteland, a lesson I imagine most of you are well aware of since you have bravely joined us here. There are others suffering under the Gunners though, those who may be too afraid to act on their own like our friends in Eclipse, but willing to join in and take a stand with us. I must go myself, as P-Princess of Sanctuary, to speak with the leaders of these groups, entreat them to join us and ensure we win.

This is a job for me and my... r-retinue, but no less important than your work here, things I cannot do but you can. I am begging all of you, do your best, do not despair simply because I am not present, a princess is not worth the title if she is not doing all she can for her s-subjects. You do not need me here sitting on my rump on a throne, but out in the Commonwealth trying my best. I swear to do so and I ask you to do the same here, together we will make things better, will we not!?"

Absolute bedlam rose up in answer, cheers, whistles, stomping hooves, several pegasi flying up and doing happy loops and endless shouted variations on the same basic message. 'YES!!!' Rolling on and on for long minutes to Jade's embarrassment, she was grateful to slink back to the castle when Preston came forward, calling for order and getting ponies back to work, an army charged and revitalized with purpose.

The Minutemare leader was grinning when he cantered back from the balcony to join us, packing our gear in a hurry and checking over everything. Preston tipped his hat and gave a long whistle, sending Jade scrunching up behind the pile of supplies with her ears flat. "Woooowheee! Mighty fine speech Princess Jade, just the buck in the rear they needed. Still hate losing you guys even for awhile, but I got no worries you'll be back in time, er... right? Where ya headed first anyway Fast?"

A look out the window facing the sea let me point out the answer. From this upper level mezzanine above the throne room being cleared and repaired below us, there was a good view of the modified cloudship hovering over the ruins of the Trotson Skyport, my first objective, my pip-buck agreeing in a flash of text as I answered. "The Brotherhood of Friendship first, promised a couple friends we'd go there and I've been putting it off..."

Mission Added: With Our Powers Combined

Objectives----------
---Seek an alliance with the Brotherhood of Friendship
---Seek an alliance with Dreadnot
---Seek an alliance with the Arcano-Cats
---Prepare for the Gunner's attack

Preston stared across the steely waters of the bay under the chilly, cloudy sky, rubbing his chin and missing Witchy giving an annoyed huff as she helped load up our supplies, grumbling in her squeaky voice with a whine. "You promised to go to Dreadnot too, I have been put off as well you know..."

Zed actually chuckled, tossing food and potions to his leather bags and giving a wry smile. "Fast moves at his own pace batpony. Relying on him to do as you wish, when you wish is folly. He does get to things eventually however."

"Yeah Witchy, you're next on the list ok? These friends have been waiting longer than you so... Don't worry, it shouldn't take long and they're a powerful ally to have, especially if we're facing power armor. Soon as we're done, it's down to Dreadnot, I promise!"

She whined and returned to her packing, though I caught her beaming at the blue glow coming from her dark leather saddlebags, giving her a copy of Mr. Cane's memory orb of Luna went a looooong way to making the loyal thestral happy. Despite her complaints, I had gotten the impression over the last week that she secretly wasn't that concerned over the delay, objecting out of a sense of duty, but not pushing very hard at all. As battle with the Gunners became more and more iminent, she got more pensive, perching on the towers alone at night and staring out to the south. Hopefully she'd cheer up when we went there, soon.

Ivy eyed the assault rifle she had selected from the Minutemare's stores of weaponry warily beside her. She hadn't shown any aptitude for firearms on our little date, while she proven she could handle herself and cause all kinds of mischief on the battlefield, I insisted she carry something more conventional on our trip.

With luck she'd never need to fire it, her telepathic gifts were infinitely more valuable than one more gun after all, especially for what we were doing. The advanced power armor helmet in my bags still made me nervous for her though, the Institute was building psionic protection into their equipment that was somehow ending up in the hooves of the Gunners, I wanted her to have options.

Currently she was soothing her blue sister Peri, pouting we were leaving her behind in a slightly agitated version of her normal mellow tone. "But it's not fair sister... I have many pages left, it is still my turn... I am not yet with child, I should get to come and keep trying... a lot..."

Jade interrupted her with an indulgent snort, "We will return soon sister, by the time we do I am quite sure that will no longer be the case, after all your ...enthusiastic attempts. It takes time to detect, I will check immediately when we come back and have little doubt I will find you pregnant already. Then you need not ...continue."

That got a petulant whine of negation, the odd blue alicorn tucking her hat down to avoid Jade's arched gaze, shuffling in place and muttering. "No fair..."

Glitter tugged her little canvas backpack over her jacket and clambered up on my back, watching the back and forth that was hopefully going over her head. She refused to be left behind, insisting she come as our 'Ambassador of Cuteness', the title she had giddily adopted from the ponies swarming the castle she spent each day befriending. I didn't like putting her in any kind of danger, but short of taking her back to Sanctuary, the safest place was still with us, with me. Besides, feeling her little forelegs wrap around my neck in a hug was an instant spirit lifter.

Val ruffled her mane over my shoulder and stretched her wings eagerly, "Alright, ready ta get this show on the road already!? Been gettin' bored all cooped up, good ta be back on the road eh boss!?"

Actually it sort of was... Even with war with the Gunners looming, I supposed I had developed a touch of wanderlust to go along with all the regular kind. Checking over my pip-buck map and the web of lines connecting all the places we had been, towns we had tried to help, ponies we had saved, I felt my own sense of hopeful anticipation.

I looked forward to adding more to that chain we had forged, one link at a time. The empty icons were just waiting to be filled in and added, we just had to try. "Right, off we go, seeking friends and intrigue into the unknown, right stalwart adventurers?"

I'd ignore the groan that elicited, they all actually loved being heroic companions on my madcap adventures... I knew it.

The cloudy day made our trip north easier, standing out a little bit less against the grey skies instead of clear blue. Glitter still shivered on my back, even wrapped in a thick blanket against the coming winter's chill, reminding me the environment was still an issue for normal ponies, griffons and zebras, so we took frequent stops to warm up.

This also gave me ample opportunity to hide from any passing patrols of alicorns as we drew closer to the Trotson ruins, we stuck to the coast and stayed low, but I spotted more than one trio of blue, green and purple on our way. Finally we were in range of the Skyport and the looming cloudship, sheltering from a light drizzle in a crumbling block of apartments, half collapsed and open, facing the marker on my compass.

The others were warming up in one of the more intact rooms here on the top floor, I spotted signs of raiders using the lower floors, but the path up here was choked with rubble, making it fairly safe. It gave a good vantage point to stare out at the sagging bridge leading to the sprawling skyport complex.

A needle like control tower still stood at the center, braced by faded rainbow arches gracefully holding it up, bringing the ancient structure up to the level of the cloudship Prydwen moored to it. One unfortunate skyway liner had crashed into the low buildings surrounding it, half shredded with rusting seats at rotting luggage still trailing to it from the lapping waves of the bay.

The bridge had been reinforced and repaired, presumably by the patrols of Brotherhood ponies guarding it behind newer looking metal barricades and spotlights. Beyond was a series of low stone buildings in various states of ruin, some crumpled in on themselves, others still standing thanks to the continuing rainbow arches. A few even appeared to be ancient cloud structures, patchy and grey here and there, but forming fluffy roofs and platforms for pegasi to utilize.

Even below the massive cloudship, it was a hive of activity. Herds of ponies moving with military minded haste, frantically working techs in outfits similar to Scribe Wind, suits of heavy Steel Ranger armor patrolling the narrow spit of land the skyport was built on over the sea, while dark specks of red trimmed Enclave armor flitted around above.

Groaning at the annoyance, I struggled to clip Sassy Saddle's bit of dark cape to her Shrouded Stallion armor, fighting with my wings to fold in and stay there. I was ok just letting everything hang out so to speak with the Minutemares in the castle, but no reason to advertise my unique situation unnecessarily. Scribe Wind and Paladin Dance said they'd keep it quiet for me so long as I came and told their leaders, I had no desire to let it spread beyond that if I could help it.

"Why not just fly up to the damn thing boss? Really wanna go walkin right up to em just ta pretend ya ain't... ya know, all alicorny? Cat's kinda outta the bag I think." Val snickered but helped me shrug into the addition to my armor, deft claws tucking it into my belt over my whimper.

"Alright... maybe it is, still prefer not to flaunt it ok Val? Besides, walking in lets us take a look around right? Don't want to freak them out either, they're twitchy about alicorns to begin with, plus a zebra, no offense Zed."

"None taken, we have not had to deal with Steel Rangers since shortly after the war, but they did not care for my kind then, I have heard that has not completely changed." Zed called from the damp apartment in reply, warming up by the fire Val had made, smashing a mostly dry chair to tinders and tossing it in a rusting stove, igniting it with her magical energy weapon.

Once Glitter, Zed, Witchy and Val had all gotten back where icicles weren't hanging off their muzzles or beak, we took the trip back down to street level at the shore, approaching the guarded bridge cautiously. Letting Jade carry me with my wings hidden was a pleasant bit of nostalgia for the short trip, interrupted all too soon by the dashes filling E.F.S..

All were green so far, but several were guiding my eye to dangerous looking turrets, heavy suits of power armor and menacing former Enclave already flying above us. A lot of firepower came to rest on us as we drew close, one of the Steel Ranger armored ponies at the barricade booming out in a stern, amplified voice from his helmet's speaker. "Halt! State your business with the Brotherhood of Friendship!"

"Er... Hi! Umm.... we were invited? Sorta... I'm Fast Times, this is Princess Jade of Sanctuary, we came at the invitation of Paladin Steel Dance and Scribe Summer Wind? R-Ringing any bells so far?"

There was a change in their posture at least, weapons powering down and huddles of Brotherhood troops whispering to each other. Finally the power armored solider who spoke first replied. "Maybe. The one Proctor Pop Quiz worked with at the local chapter right? Alright, we have orders to let you in, green stays outside though."

His steel clad hoof pointed at Ivy behind me, getting a growl of an answer to his derisive statement. "No. That won't work for me, she's mine... m-my friend Ivy, if she's not welcome I don't care to be."

I turned on my heel and took a few trotting steps down the cracked asphalt, a nervous sounding voice barking out after only a few. "W-Wait! Just wait dammit! Freaking high priority orders... She's a security risk! Can't have mindreaders just wandering around in our base of operations here! Hang on, this is above my pay grade, let somepony else deal with it if you won't cooperate!"

A young reddish buck in scribe's barding was sent dashing off into the mostly fenced skyport grounds, while I sat in the street to wait impatiently. I could see the point of the policy, seeing just what Ivy could do with her abilities was a major argument in their favor actually. It didn't change the fact Ivy was my friend, I didn't like being told to leave her behind just because they were scared.

A little nuzzling attention from the green alicorn in the pale dress startled me, realizing all over again myself just how hard it was to adjust to a telepathic pony. I wasn't hiding military secrets or anything either, so I'd give them a few minutes to figure it out, the affection filling the time nicely.

Finally, a streaking yellow blur zipped down from the huge Raptor class cloudship above, skidding to a halt on the bridge in front of us in a happy cloud of dust. "Fast! You came! Welcome to the Brotherhood's base in the Commonwealth! Paladin Dance is waiting for you before going up in the Prydwen. Right this way, hurry!"

Scribe Summer Wind adjusted her red cap and turned back to the barricade, trotting off and swishing her light brown tail, brought up short by the power armored guard and his crew. "Er... Senior Scribe? Orders? He has a green alicorn with him, you know protocol..."

The Brotherhood pegasus blinked her light green eyes and looked back at our little group, noticing Ivy and shrugging. "So? I know this one, she's fine. Orders from up top, they want to see them, now Knight Pine. He won't move if you make her stay out right?"

"T-That is what he insisted..." The Knight sullenly answered, there was some kind of hierarchy thing going on here I wasn't too clear on... He didn't sound like he liked being talked down to by a Scribe.

Scribe Wind called cheerfully over, I was glad to see she had gotten over her own issues with Jade's kind since I first met her, they were just ponies to her now from how she sounded. "Just what I'd expect from Fast. Since he won't move if she stays, then she comes. Problem solved right? We'll keep her away from any sensitive brains to suck dry, happy? Or do you want me to go get Star Paladin Dance instead?"

"No Senior Scribe Wind... t-that's not necessary." The petulant Knight scuffed the cracked roadway at his hooves and muttered back.

Just to pile on, Summer turned and called loudly back to Ivy. "You promise not to turn any Brotherhood ponies into drooling brain dead husks or anything, right Miss Ivy?"

"Would you notice if I did Scribe Wind?" Ivy's deadpan took a second to sink in, drawing a quickly hidden smile from Summer and sending Val into gales of laughter.

Knight Pine was probably glad of the armor hiding his face as I wasn't the only one snickering, including his own troops behind him and Jade trying to choke it back coquetishly, hiding her muzzle behind her hoof. Always a princess even before she was one, Jade sniffed and stuck her nose up, trotting after Summer Wind and drawing her sister along with her cloudy tail.

Once past the barrier, we walked along the road curving past the fallen in entrance to the skyport, turning off and passing a dusty shell of a toll booth, the rusty, candy cane striped bar pointing up to the skies no longer an impediment to getting back to the non passenger areas. Summer's wings fluttered happily as she cantered beside me, pointing out the Vertibuck hangars taken over here on the ground and the crews servicing them.

Having a pretty pegasus my size just made my wings try to match hers, fluffing under the cloth hiding them and drawing her eye. "Not a bad idea Fast, but I still wanna take a fly around town sometime, any better at it?"

"Somewhat... depends on who you ask..."

"He's getting good Miss Wind! Daddy let's me ride up here with him now too! All the dips and bounces make it lots more fun than mom! She's way too smooth and steady, booooring!" Glitter tittered from my back, wincing at Jade's huff and waving back. "N-Not that boring's not good too momma! Fer sleepin' and stuff on long trips... dad's just way loopier and does lots of fun crashes! I'm helpin' with training too for Auntie Val!"

Val grinned to my little filly and crammed the Scribes cap down on her head. "Sure are! Yer way too light fer a real workout now though kiddo! He's still pathetic! All yer former Enclave asshole friends still have decent flight trainin' or anything Senior Scribe? Movin' up in the world ain't ya short stuff?"

"No short jokes Val..." I grumbled before she could answer, waving a hoof between her head and mine as we walked, right at the same level...

Our Brotherhood guide laughed brightly and nodded, waving a wing towards the prepped and ready Vertibuck waiting on the cracked tarmac, with Steel Dance tapping a hoof beside it, a pair of pegasi under the armored dome up front and the engines humming. "Yes actually, Fast giving me the only access to the M.O.M. hub made me an important pony there for awhile, between that and some of our other adventures together, we both received promotions. Isn't that right Star Paladin Dance?"

"Congratulations Dance, you too Summer, you both deserve it. So, here we are, I promised I'd come right?"

Dance gave his stern version of a smile, his heavy Steel Ranger armor had a few new decorations in red painted on and the helmet was down to get a look at his steel grey face. He arched a dark eyebrow up and looked over Ivy before answering in a warning tone. "So you did and so you have, good to see you soldier, you as well Princess, Glitter, Val, zebra... I overrode standing orders for your other guest, but even I can't let her meet with Elder Macson and Captain Gale, a telepath with both of our leaders is just a no go, sorry ma'am."

Ivy blinked a moment, peering about with her cream dress fluttering in the breeze from the Vertibuck, looking over Dance and nodding, "Perfectly understandable, I'm fine with that Fast, I'm sure I can amuse myself while I wait and get it all secondhoof from you when you return. I wouldn't mind taking a look at your marvelous cloudship however, the children will be most interested. Your Brotherhood has several excited admirers among them just from your impressive entrance into the Commonwealth, they saw you fly over Goodneighbor and have many questions."

Following his lead, we crammed together into the back of the Vertibuck, a deep thrum of the engines sounding out as we finished boarding. This was all for show of course as all of us but Glitter and Dance could simply fly straight up, but I had always wanted to ride in one of these things. Though it did make hearing Paladin Dance's enthusiastic answer difficult, "Good! We always need new talent as I keep trying to convince Fast! Maybe one of them will become an initiate someday ma'am! Or maybe you Glitter! Ok! Here we go!"

Glitter's happy gasp at his offer got instantly shut down by both myself and Jade, those shimmering pink puppy eyes answered with a firm "No.", her whines from my back drowned out as the Vertibuck's noise ratcheted up.

The levitation talismans underhoof lifted the contraption up with the pegasi up front guiding it, the powerful engines above and behind barely increased their whine over such a short trip, but I could feel the powerful thrum of what they were capable of. Oh to have one of these in this condition, our rusted and wrecked shell of one back at the castle couldn't compare.

It was an all too brief flight, barely enough time to enjoy it before we were lining up on the flight hangar of the cloudship, expertly gliding into the cavernous chamber of steel and clouds stretching a good length of the ship, passing several more Vertibucks before landing and disembarking again.

Ivy was asked to stay at a commissary we passed, the mess hall had not entirely unpleasant smells wafting down the ringing steel halls leading to it at least. They had 200 year old preservative laden sweets anyway, which was enough for Glitter to hop down and stick with Ivy. Zed and Witchy both volunteered to stay with her too, assigned a nervous looking young initiate and trooper pair as tour guides / guards, which annoyed me but they all waved us on, the sooner we were done here the sooner we could leave together again, so I agreed reluctantly and hustled behind Dance and Summer leading the way.

We were rushed along, but Scribe Wind took the time to point out interesting areas of the ship we passed, major repairs and refitting done after what she shamefully referred to as 'Operation Cauterize', whatever that was the Prydwen had taken massive damage during it. The bizarre mix of pegasus and earth pony technology was fascinating and I wished for more time to explore every rivet and bolt, the Brotherhood had taken a wrecked cloudship and made something totally new together.

Soon enough we reached the bridge, a circular chamber of cloudy walls and wispy panels, a large viewscreen taking up one side of the space, control stations spread around the area with obvious Steel Ranger additions bearing that rusty wasteland motif. The ponies on duty all looked up at the three of us, a blue alicorn with her horn drawing a line through the cloudy ceilings that drifted back together behind her, a fiery griffon looking around greedily for loot, and a short, dark... unicorn... goggling at all the tech, obviously a break in their normal routine.

The large captains chair at the center of it all was an irresistable siren's song, all those blinking buttons and readouts, controls operated by hoof and even wing... Scribe Wind giggled and pulled me back by my tail, away from the pony occupying it, a surprised brown pegasus buck in a sharp, charcoal and red military uniform. Instead of being allowed to indulge and examine all this amazing prewar tech, I was guided to a sliding steel door off to the side of the front view screen, reading simply 'Captain's Ready Room'.

Inside was a fairly well kept and repaired chamber, a glowing circular table of cloudstuff and gems, topped with a map of the Commonwealth displayed in a flickering holographic display drawing the eye immediately, lots of dots and points of interest scattered about on it.

Behind the strategic map was two desks, one obviously original to the ship, curved a bit like the Overmare's desk back home, but polished steel with a rough blank circle up front, something had been removed from it, replaced by three red apples carefully painted on. The other a huge hunk of sturdy applewood, scratched and dinged but lovingly cared for, the emblem of the Ministry of Wartime Technology carved into the front, though the word 'Wartime' had been chiseled out, replaced with another three red apples.

Both were cluttered with papers and holotapes, a normal terminal on the wooden desk and a pegasus cloud terminal on the other. Only one desk was occupied, a sky blue pegasus mare in a fancy military uniform, like the buck occupying what I assumed was her chair on the bridge, charcoal trimmed in red, lots of jingling medals and accents denoting her high rank.

She was surprisingly young, only a few years older than me and quite pretty, only marred by the jagged scar at her collar disappearing into her uniform. Her dark blue and white streaked mane spilled over her shoulder in a tight braid, long streaked bangs swept back from her silver eyes that looked up curiously at the intrusion.

E.F.S. pointed out the other occupant, I may not have noticed him otherwise. A very large, red stallion in a heavy leather coat, furry collar fluffed around his thick neck, his scruffy orange tail flicking restlessly, drawing the eye to his muscular flanks and the winged sword piercing a green apple cutie mark there.

Wow, no wonder he was the Elder, his mark was awful similar to the emblem of the Steel Rangers, his special talent was the group itself it seemed. He had his back to us and didn't turn at our entrance, staring out a large window in the same direction as the viewscreen outside, offering a panoramic view of the shattered towers of Trotson and the Commonwealth.

"Elder, Captain, reporting as ordered with candidate Fast Times and the Princess of Sanctuary, the griffon Valkyrie Bloodtail acting as their guard." Paladin Dance snapped off a salute and stood straight beside us, the picture of military discipline contrasted by me gawking at all the monitors and buttons on the walls.

The pegasus mare flapped up from her seat and spoke first, the big earth pony could have been a statue for all the reaction he gave. She rolled her eyes at his lack of movement and paced in front of us, those stern silver eyes sizing us up quickly before turning on Dance. "This... this is the civilian you gave such glowing recommendations for? Can't say I'm impressed, other than his company I suppose.

I'm assuming this releases you from your damnable honor Star Paladin? Proper reports aren't so vague, you're free to elaborate now that he's here correct? Alright civilian, start talking... Paladin Dance says you have things to say about our mutual enemy and what they've been up to."

Jeez, did the Grand Pegasus Enclave I heard so much about actually offer training on how to be an asshole? It seemed to be a common theme among most of them I had run into in the Brotherhood, though at least this one was in charge, she must be a busy mare judging by all the work we interrupted on her desk.

Hoping she was actually nice but just harried, I tipped my hat and held a hoof out with a shaky smile. "Er... Hi there to you too. I'm Fast, guess you know that..."

Jade took over smoothly, giving a graceful bow and speaking regally, "And I am P-Princess Jade of Sanctuary, as Paladin Dane has already said of course, but proper introductions are important. A pleasure to meet you, and you are?"

She gave an angry snort, giving Jade a suspicious stare that made me twitchy, but she returned the gesture and answered in a huff. "Captain Winter Gale, co-leader of the Brotherhood of Friendship, Commonwealth Expeditionary Force, serial number 028320. Happy? Now start talking, the Institute, now..."

Ignoring her glare, I wandered out to the round map display, looking over a 3D representation of the Commonwealth and overwhelmed by the question. I knew a lot, which still amounted to very little, where to start? My wings twitched under the disguise covering them while I furrowed my brow, looking over the tiny, glowing version of Sanctuary and all the files associated with it floating nearby, looking up to the little hill behind the growing settlement where Stable 111 lay hidden.

"Alright... They stole my Stable, my family, I've been trying to get them back and fighting them, they've been messing with me in return. How about you tell me what you know and I'll fill in the blanks, I'm sure I know some things you don't, including certain experiments you need to know about... But I want to know things first, make sure I can trust you before I share certain ...secrets. Why are you here and fighting the Institute?"

Captain Gale stamped a hoof on the deck plates and snorted in annoyance, "Why should I share classified information about our mission with some civilian, just because Proctor Quiz and the Star Paladin and his Scribe vouch for you! What we're doing here is..."

A deep bass voice rumbled out from the muscular stallion at the window, cutting her off completely. "What we are doing here is for the safety of Equestria. Beneath the Commonwealth, the cancer known as 'The Institute', is a malignant growth that needs to be cut before it infects the surface.

They are experimenting with dangerous technologies that could prove to be the Equestria’s undoing for the second time. We are dedicated to atoning for our past mistakes that led to the first, cleaning up our mess and putting the world back as it should be. I am not prepared to allow the Institute to continue their experiments that only make things worse any longer. Therefore, the Institute and their creations are considered enemies of the Brotherhood of Friendship, and will be dealt with swiftly and mercilessly.

Is that sufficient answer Mr. Times? I am Elder Macson of Applejack's Rangers, and we are here to put an end to the Institute, any help in that regard is welcome and needed. Now, will you help us accomplish our goal?"

It was a good speech, inspirational and stirring, I noticed Steel Dance and Summer both standing up proudly under the stern green eyes of their Elder holding a big orange hoof out to me. Looking up into that face though, I was too stunned to speak. Like his counterpart, he wasn't much older than me, but he had a grizzled, world weary look that only added to his mystique.

He had a strong jaw covered in a short, bristly orange beard, a long scar ran down his face, crossing his right eye and going down his angular cheek, his left ear had a chunk taken out of it just below the tip too. His orange mane hung down one side, partially covering one of those steely green eyes.

All that combined with the rippling muscles shifting under his deep red fur and his height that nearly rivaled Jade made him an intimidating pony, I could feel the sense of command and authority radiating off him and could see why Dance would be so loyal. Strangely his presence had an opposite effect on me, the nubs of my fangs wanted to twitch out and I was struggling to keep my wings down.

This was the very definition of an alpha male and as comical as it looked I was leaning forward aggressively in his shadow, my mane itching and bristling, fighting the unbidden urge to challenge him for dominance that surged up. None of that was what really bothered me though, or all of it was... It was how it all combined, the look and natural leadership of this pony, I had seen it before.

"M-Macson... as in Mac's... Son?" I stammered out, digging in my packs and pulling out the little action figure of Sgt. Big Mac I had found in Bunker Hill, comparing the small red toy to the big earth pony in front of me, getting the name... This stallion was the spitting image of Big Macintosh himself, Equestria's greatest war hero, savior of Princess Celestia.

A wry smile tugged at the corner of his muzzle and he arched an eyebrow down at me, answering in that deep voice with a single word. "Ayup..."

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

Friendship Lessons Learned--------------
----You don't have to send letters off to your Princess since she's right by your side, but all your experiences have prepared you for heading back out into the Commonwealth to try making new friends and allies. Taking time to rest and reflect before throwing yourself into the fray again grants you +1% XP gain per alicorn player level.

Companion Perk Added!-----------------------

Teacher's Pet-----
---Reaching maximum affinity with Ivy grants +10% success with speech checks, thanks to a little unity while she's in your party. You also gain a +2% experience gain for speech successes and when discovering new locations, giving her stories to share with her orphans in Goodneighbor.