With the way all the Brotherhood ponies below were running around in a panic, finding the one out of all of them I actually wanted to see was fairly easy since she was standing still. Spotting Scribe Summer Wind was even easier with Jade and everyone else, clustered around her by the fortified bridge away from the Trotson Skyport the Brotherhood had taken as their base. My own little wasteland family waited on this side of the barricades, watching the bright glow in the east fade to a bleary green smudge as the remains of Fort Loyalty burned away.

I stumbled to an awkward landing in front of them, digging in my bags for something I wanted to give the petite pegasus mare while she looked to be doing the same. Summer was quicker on the draw, pulling out the Institute made power armor helmet I had lent Paladin Dance and holding it out, shuffling to herself as Jade eyed her suspiciously.

"Umm... t-thought you might be trying to sneak off after that, guessing it wasn't an accident huh Fast?" Summer gave a rueful smile and nodded to the glow on the horizon all her comrades were so worked up about.

"Y-Yeah... wasn't trying to leave without saying goodbye Summer, just thought... it's probably best if you're not seen with me anymore than you have been already... I doubt it will do you any favors around here, your bosses aren't going to be very happy with me."

"Did you do that daddy!?!" Glitter yelped and kept staring out at the wisps of destruction.

Val snatched her up and flew a bit overhead to give her a better view with a whoop. "Oh my gawd boss! That's my new #3 explosion of all time! I love hangin' out with you!"

"Fast! The world is enough of a wasteland without you blowing large chunks of it up!" Jade sounded aghast, goggling at me and the horizon in turn.

"Sorry? Kinda why it may be a good idea to get going... I had something for you though Summer, hang on... just got a few more when AssaultJack came down from Sanctuary.... aha!" A little determined digging in my cluttered inventory produced one of Stable 111's many pip-bucks and my orange handled technician's key, waggling invitingly in my magic towards Summer's bare yellow foreleg.

"R-Really? The 3000 model... still a little clunky compared to Enclave portable terminals, but they're so rare... that and you can drop a bomb on them and they'll keep ticking! I can have it Fast?" Summer appreciated the gift as only a fellow repair-pony would, though almost insulting my pride in the device with her snobby pegasus technology, but speaking in a loving tone for the old piece of arcano-tech made up for it.

"Really, it'll give you my locator tag so you can find me if you need me, and vice versa of course. not as new and shiny as your fancy cloud computer, but plenty useful. I like giving these to my friends, It came from my Stable, a bunch of good ponies that died because of the Institute. I'll tell you the whole story sometime if you want. I umm.. o-only give them to ponies I think are good, will carry on and do their original owners proud, er... p-ponies I care about... Still a kinda crummy thank you for.... for everything, I hope you won't get in trouble."

The pretty pegasus turned pink in the face and held her leg out, letting me clamp the pip-buck there while she shook her head happily. "It'll be alright, if not... I'm ok with that. I didn't like how the others treated you Fast, after everything we went through and you still saved us, but Knight Dervish and the others still... it all made me realize some things about the Brotherhood I don't like."

"P-Paladin Dance isn't happy either, he's just really loyal Fast. There's still a lot of good ponies here that want to make a difference, they're not all so bigoted. I'm sorry for the others, they were scared and angry, and wrong... j-just like I was once. I... I'm just sorry, Try not to be mad or think all of us are like that, please?"

Considering how overcharged I still was and how close I had to skirt to the edge with Virescent, watching the little pegasus wilt and stammer over her reply so adorably in distress was too much. She was so close beside me, her warm foreleg in mine as the pip-buck powered up, smelling of grease and tools, and filly... she smelled wonderfully feminine. I yanked her slender leg forward to hug her tightly, thankfully managing to keep my hooves above the waist with Jade right beside us, but driven to reassure and comfort her, and me.

"I know one who isn't, that's enough for me. Thank you again Summer, thank you so much for... for not thinking I'm a monster too, for having my back, c-caring."

Jade gave an impatient and annoyed snort at my nuzzling the blushing mare, cut off from really putting her hoof down by her sister Ivy. The green alicorn coughed politely and whispered in Jade's laid back ear, sending a great deal more information than that via unity by Jade's widening blue eyes.

Those beautiful blue pools got round and shimmery, her mouth opening in surprise, staring gratefully at the pegasus still pinned in my embrace. I could feel Summer tense in a moment's panic as the towering blue alicorn wrapped around both of us, squeezing the air out of our lungs in her sniffling joy, smooshing Summer and I both together and against her hitching chest as her wings curled around us.

"You... you did all that, defended my Fast, protected my dark sister! T-Thank you! Thank you Scr... S-Summer, thank you very, very much Summer Wind, you should be a paragon of your order, not punished! Virescent was wrong about many things, but she was right in that you would make an excellent sister, from now on you shall be so in my view!" Jade was processing everything that had happened to us all in a rush, the high speed unity download courtesy of Ivy told her everything that happened, including the play by play of Summer taking my side against her own. As well as Virescent's concession that Summer would make an acceptable subject of the Institute's I.M.P. that the pegasus mare had been unaware of.

"O-Ok... s'ok.... r-really... a-air... c-call her off... Fast...." The poor filly pressed against me wheezed weakly, finding no help from me as it put both the pegasus and alicorn ladies in all too easy reach. I was still too worked up to even try resisting and took advantage of Jade's feathers, hiding where my roving hooves were getting to.

Unfortunately Jade herself wasn't as pent up as I was, gasping at the realization her prodigious strength had gotten away from her again in her enthusiasm, releasing both of us to stagger away to the snickers of Val and the others. "Oh! I-I am sorry Miss Wind! F-Forgive me, I am merely overwhelmed at your kindness, I owe you a debt for watching over my Fast, thank you, truly! I am so sorry for thinking poorly of you in... j-jealousy."

Watching Summer wave off her concern while taking great, whooping breaths, I was reminded of what that was like without alicorn sturdiness to stand up to it. We were both the same size, Jade could be overwhelming to anypony, especially us 'compact' ponies. The Brotherhood scribe was exceptionally red faced too, but I probably had more to do with that than oxygen deprivation.

Though maybe not entirely by her gasping response, a weak smile on her muzzle as she pranced back. "W-Wow... I umm... s-see the allure Fast, w-when she hugs, you know it! I er... j-just did what you would, right Jade? I'm ashamed I acted the way they did once. Guess we both thought bad of the other, g-got off on the wrong hoof, I'm glad I know better now. I still believe in the Brotherhood, but... well... if I ever thought your Minutemares would be a better fit, d-do you think you could use another repair-pony umm.... P-Princess?"

Summer got a resounding yes, not just from Jade and I, but from everyone. I didn't want her to lose her place with the Brotherhood because she defended me, but made it very clear she'd always have one with us. The pretty Scribe beamed at the open invitation, making her goodbyes to each of us in turn, getting a warmer and less bone breaking hug from Jade, a gentle nuzzle of thanks from Ivy along with a few whispers in her flicking ear, a punch of dark claws to her shoulder by Val, a tackle of Glitter's that delighted the filly when it knocked her down as it should, along with barely restrained affection from me that didn't make Jade huff at all now.

We came to get an army of Brotherhood on our side, but just one was just as good in Scribe Summer Wind, if she did decide to join us. It had to be a big decision for her, the Brotherhood was her all and she was proud of the order, but Virescent had exposed things in all of us, many of which she couldn't just ignore. If so then their loss was our gain, she was brave and smart, highly skilled and able to handle herself in tough situations, loyal and kind, sweet... beautiful... 'MINE'...

I shook off that growl in my head and tore myself away from being overly friendly in my goodbye, pulling my daughter to my shaking hooves to calm me. Virescent had pulled and weakened at the barriers keeping that voice sealed away and carefully controlled in my head, I was barely in any state to be around a friendly female period, worrying slightly at the damage the supercharged green alicorn had done.

Before I was able to take off, Summer smiled to the foal and pulled a familiar holotape from her pocketed blue vest. She lowered her head with it in her teeth to return to Glitter, giving me a smirking smile as she did. "Here you go sweetie, careful getting caught with something like that. I'll clean up any tracks you left Fast..."

Managing to beat a hasty retreat after thanking her, I thought I may have gotten away with it, wincing at Jade's curious voice by my side after a few minutes. "Tracks? On the holo-thing? That was the game one you kept insisting on playing on the biggest screens you could find, wasn't it Glitter? What were you two up to...?"

"N-Nothing!"

"I was spyin' momma!" Glitter's exuberant reply sunk me, hanging my head as we flew on into the early evening with her on my back.

The little vertical line between Jade's furrowed eyebrows told me all I needed to know, she might not understand much about computers, but my filly put it in very simple terms to get me in trouble.

"Fast...."

Witching Hour and Val led the way as we flew into the chilly night air, both possessing more local knowledge of the area than the rest of us. Of course both also possessed impressive rear ends that were on prominent display ahead of me, leading me forward and hypnotizing me with each flick of their tails, every flex of powerful muscle in those flanks I so wanted to feel in my hooves, each flap of their wings matching a steady beat of 'MORE' and 'MINE' in my head driving me forward.

Ivy was still watching and listening to my thoughts closely, giving me a critical stare as I fought that dark voice back again. She tilted her head cutely, like she was listening to the receding sound of the sea behind us. Tuning in to the roiling thoughts and desires that had been overcharged and overstimulated in Virescent's lair, given no outlet and only more encouragement by Jade and Summer's embrace when we left. At least Ivy knew pretty well what she was apt to find when she went looking, not embarassed or offended by the constant and rapid images of herself and every other female in range flitting behind my eyes.

I could feel her cool thoughts probe at me, backtracking down her more thorough explorations of my brain to go right for that black version of pod #101 buried deep in my head. It wasn't like going in there with her, but I got flashes and feelings while she worked. The image that she shared just made me gulp, it was the same dark, chain riddled room and coffin of a stasis pod, but the effects of Virescent's tampering were obvious.

It looked like a tornado had touched down in there, the giant alicorn had torn at the chains wrapping around the pod, the edges of the articulated front shell bore angry dents and peeled back edges, signs of a huge pair of hooves tugging it open frantically, letting a constant trickle of shadow-stuff leak out. Chains sagged from the ceiling and still glowed faintly green around the focus of all the barriers, a steady whisper muttering from the red light pouring out of the edges and the round porthole.

I could feel Ivy helping to fix what she could, bringing all her mental weight to bear in shoving the lid closed, shutting off that whisper slowly. (Even if I were not a mindreader, it would not be difficult to figure out where your thoughts are Fast... We will have the opportunity to do something about them soon enough. I think it best you calm down on your own a bit though, indulging that... oh my.... v-very powerful urge will only strengthen it at the moment, exacerbate the damage done in here... What Virescent got up to is most concerning to me Fast.. I know it's difficult, but if not for the self control you have managed to cultivate, you could have ended up...)

(As a sex toy for a giant horny filly? Y-Yeah... It had occurred to me... a lot... t-thanks for keeping an eye on me Ivy, I'll try to get a handle on it..)

(Well... for now... We have officially returned from my date in the clouds after all, I rather look forward to putting you to work in the same way Virescent intended, but later. I enjoy time like that with you, not just that suppressed part of you, when you are more yourself we will spend time together. With less rampaging behemoth as well I think... Though I wonder how you'll handle Swan after that...) Ivy's green eyes danced with mischief as she replied silently, just her mental presence helped repair some of the damage up there, filling me with relief despite her playful flirting.

Her joke struck close to home too, Virescent had been so massive and out of control I was lucky to escape the frightening mare, but a large part of me hadn't wanted to at all. I managed to get away from her, but Swan was the last of the three I promised Jade's sisters, meaning an oversized filly was still in my future at some point.

Thankfully Jade pulled me away from worried -but very interesting- fantasies of the big purple mare, huffing and swishing her soft, cloudy tail in agitation, returning to her grousing beside me. "Really Fast, using our daughter to spy! Bad enough she has learned to pick pocket so effectively from her friends in Goodneighbor, Glitter needs no further encouragement towards such nefarious ends! We will end up raising a master criminal at this rate!" Jade continued my verbal beating as we flew together, sticking her nose up in a huff and keeping our foal safely on her broad back.

"Nuh uh mom! I'm gonna be a hero like you an' daddy! It's ok ta learn sneaky stuff, I'm only gonna use it against bad ponies! Umm.... w-were the Brotherhood bad though dad?" Glitter tried to defend me and get praise for her brilliant work from her mother as well, momentarily confused now that she thought about what I had asked seriously.

"I don't think they're bad sweetie, but I didn't trust them, I wanted to see what they were hiding. M-Maybe you're right Jade, I shouldn't have asked Glitter to do that, but she can convince anypony to give her what she wants. All she had to do was stick the holotape in, it did the rest. I'm not sorry after what they pulled with Fort Loyalty and those Buckbombs. When we find somewhere to stop and I have time, we'll see just what they really know about a few things. Maybe in Dreadnot if we can make it there tonight Witchy?"

"Really?! Thou are reeeeeally going this time? You promise?" Witching Hour looked over her shoulder ahead of me, giving me her full attention and waiting for the catch by the tone of the batpony's squeaky voice.

"I already promised, but yeah Witchy, we're going to Dreadnot next. Happy?"

Actually I expected her to seem a lot happier than she did, once she was sure I wasn't pulling her leg she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes and her voice sounded a bit pensive. "T-That... that is wonderful of course! M-My leaders will be so happy, o-of course it is a long trip, we can't make it there tonight and young Glitter should sleep soon, right? We... we could stop elsewhere for the night..."

"Bettin' you need some time in the sack too, eh boss?" Val grinned and fluttered her violet eyes, she had been another victim of my overstimulated state already, enjoying teasing me about it but raising a valid point.

Zed chuckled bringing up the rear, nodding to the southwest and a dim glow on the horizon. "There is a settlement that direction, not far out off our course. A place to rest, relative safety and room to relax..." I raised an eyebrow in a questioning look at his local knowledge, how had Zed known that?

His stern grey eyes looked away sheepishly and he muttered an answer when I kept looking. "Silver told me about it... there are many hunters that go there, she used to make the trip to sell meat from Eclipse, before the Gunners started taking it all." Ahhh... his mare who was also a friend, but not a marefriend... the one he had been spending time with back at the castle.

Witchy latched on to the offering and filled in details rapidly, pulling ahead on her leathery wings to lead the way. "Yes! Jamocha Plains isn't far, it is a fairly large town further inland, they are at the edge of the Gunners territory too, sure to be worried about the threat they pose. You need to seek allies as quickly as possible, heading that way will let us make a large loop instead of going up and down the coast, it passes nearer to University Point as well that way as well. I... I do not mind, growing fillies need their sleep after all, w-we can go in the morning, or the evening tomorrow if need be, it has already been quite awhile anyway, another day or two won't hurt. Come, it's just this way!"

She zipped ahead and kept up a sedate pace even I had no problem keeping up with, heading west over the marshy wilderness south of the Trotson ruins. As adamant as she had been about getting me to go to Dreadnot when I met her, I had to wonder about her change in behavior now.

She had been fairly quiet and somber the longer she stayed with us in Castle Equinox, now it almost seemed like she didn't want to go home... I needed to do something about that, Witchy was still a new friend and we didn't know much about her, but she was a friend. I had been neglecting her with how busy we had been and resolved to make time for the attractive batpony mare.

(I believe that may be wise. Shame... she is worried and ashamed Fast. I try not to pry uninvited into friend's minds, but that much is very clear.) Ivy offered a little psychic confirmation at the thought, still tinkering in my head gently, smiling internally at the rapid flashes of lots of idle fantasies of what being with a batpony would be like.

I checked over my pip-buck map as we went, the blank icon for where Jamocha Plain should be was in the chaotic mess of land and water displayed on the screen, further inland and away from the coast. We hadn't explored very far from the sea since we came to Castle Equinox, other than to harass the Gunners further south, so most of this area was unknown to me. Looking down on it in the dark, I was surprised at how alive it looked, a riot of warped plant life and shallow water.

I kept spotting small shacks here and there that glowed with dim lights, tiny farms scattered about, signs of activity in the strange plant life everywhere. There were clusters of concrete ruins and a web of shattered and sinking roadways weaving through the undergrowth, the biggest normal ruin was the glow on the horizon we were heading for though.

Even from this distance, I could pick out a long, narrow town rising from the marshes, to the west of a broken spur of the elevated road and railway leading south from the main loop circling the Trotson ruins. Ruined shells of what were fairly upscale little homes and businesses, a few small warehouse like buildings with short smokestacks painted like candy canes. The lights and scrap fortifications were all on one end of the prewar town, the other still dark and unoccupied. The sinking ruins of the largest road ran through the lighted section, stretching off towards the river and Trotson to the north, becoming more of a flooded and overgrown trail as it headed southeast below us.

Curious and still trying to distract myself from all the urges Virescent had overstimulated, I turned to Val as we flew on, she knew this part of the Commonwealth when she was a Gunner, making her an excellent guide here. "What's this place like Val? Friendly? Think they'll help?"

The gorgeous griffon shrugged, doing graceful loops around my clumsy flight and scratching her plumage. "Eh... Glitter will like it. As fer findin' help? Dunno boss, been awhile. Jamocha Plains is more a wide spot in the road ya know? Big marketplace for all the local farms, caravans passin' through on routes in the south, hunters sellin' all the local wildlife. Less a town an' more a place to do business, good spot ta get some rest anyway."

"It is quite verdant, I am surprised to see so much plant life growing so well here. You say there are animals as well Valkyrie?" Jade was peering below her at my side, less interested in the town ahead and more in the local ecology that was admittedly strange.

Ivy joined her, tilting her head in confusion at what she picked out. "Those plants don't belong here... coffee... sugar cane... cocoa... these are all things that grow further south in tropical climates, the forbidden jungle and the zebra lands, not here."

"Yup, they use em 'round here too. Ain't no farmer so I dunno why they grow here, but they do. Same thing with the animals, bunch'a crazy stuff roamin' the swamps and woods out here, you guys watch yer butts, plenty of nasty shit like hydras, but even if somethin' looks cute, it'll probably rip yer face off if it gets the chance. Everybody figures it's cause of the Ministry of Peace hub place."

"Ministry of PEACE!?! Where!?" That got Jade's complete attention, she fluttered directly in Val's face, giving Glitter a bumpier ride that she was quite pleased with by her happy squeals.

Val adroitly dodged away from the excited blue alicorn, drifting down on an approach to Jamocha Plains and trying to fend her off. "Easy Blue! Yeah, that goofy healer pony's place is out this way. Nobody can get to it so it ain't goin' nowheres, I'll show you on the way laters, happy?"

Barely satisfied with her answer, Jade spun on me with a manic gleam in her glittering blue eyes. "We must go there! If it is untouched as the other Ministry Hubs we have seen.... y-you can find a way in, can you not Fast? I have been concerned at the prospect of battle with the Gunners, our medical stores are insufficient, the Ministry of Peace would have what we lack however! I... I demand my own dangerous date Fast, I wish to go there!"

Seeing her so excited decided me before my pip-buck flashed in my vision. My princess wanted this and I wanted time with her, if the MoP hub was close then we definitely had to at least take a look;

Mission Added: Lifegiver

Objectives------
---Find the Ministry of Peace Hub
---Gain entry to the MoP hub

"As you wish Princess, anything you want. If it's as hard to get into as the MoM hub I wouldn't get your hopes up, but we'll definitely take a look. I can see what the Brotherhood knows about the place too when I have time to go over all the data I... borrowed. See, aren't you glad I was a little sneaky now?"

Jade gave a conflicted huff and grumbled back, wincing at the foal on her back watching the exchange with wide, hopeful eyes. Finally Jade sighed and hung her head in defeat, "I... I suppose so, depending on what you learn there. I do not like spying on those we were trying to ally ourselves with, but given their behavior... Yes, I wish to know about the Ministry of Peace hub, if you two were able to get information they were unwilling to share, I am not above using it."

"S-So I did good momma? You're not mad at me?" Glitter asked cautiously as we glided down, she still wanted Jade to praise her for her spy work, afraid she had done wrong in her mother's eyes by doing as I asked.

Our little filly got floated to Jade's waiting hooves, given a powerful hug as the blue beauty shook her head forcefully. "Never dear, I would never be mad at you. Disappointed in your father perhaps... but the mischief you two engaged in may well end up useful, so yes, you did well, not 'good'. I am still quite impressed you managed to talk that rather stern head scribe into using the biggest screen in their science wing! You were very convincing and clever sweetheart."

The pure, unadulterated joy at her mother's words was so clear and wonderful it was infectious. Glitter squeezed back and nuzzled happily, paying no attention to the odd town we were landing outside of. Jade might not be her birth mother that she had lost, but the little filly had come to see her as her new mother completely now, still seeking approval and reassurance of the blooming relationship and family we made occasionally, but always finding it when she did.

"Discovered Location: Jamocha Plain" popped up as we neared the walled settlement ahead, we came down at the edges of the old town, near a retaining wall crumbling towards the soggy marshland to the south. Flying made the fortifications ahead pretty irrelevant, but I had gotten the idea just coming in for a landing (or crash in my case) right in the middle of towns tended to make ponies jumpy. They had a wall and gate for a reason, it was polite to acknowledge that and use it like normal, ground bound ponies.

A tattered billboard had been incorporated into the walls, making up a large section beside the gate that also informed visitors it was still going by its prewar name. A rich blue backdrop of peeling paper, gold lettering and artwork, depicting a stylized pony slurping a huge mug and leaning against a glowing treasure chest, going along with the rotting letters I struggled to make out.

It had been a decent sized little town before the war, laid out in a basic figure eight shape by the crumbling roads making paths through the mostly brick buildings, a good portion of which were a few walls and a lot of rubble, but several were mostly intact. The wasteland era settlement took up one half of the figure eight, the other lay dark and empty to the west, while the eastern half was a pool of light and activity.

A thin and jittery guard met us at the gates, his rusty shotgun shaking from one of us to the next as the muddy brown earth pony jabbered rapidly. "What'dya want? State yer business, here ta buy? Stay? Passing through? Treasure hunting maybe? Big group, not going to cause trouble are you? Don't need trouble, got enough, doesn't everypony!? Come on hurry up, talk already! Talk, talk, talk! Go, go, go! Ain't got all night, in or out 'fore you stir up the zombies!"

"Er... we're no trouble, you ok buddy?"

"Fine! Super duper! Bright eyed and bushy tailed! No trouble huh, so what, awful lot of guns for no trouble, those a couple'a alicorns? Told ya'll already, ain't seen no little black one like you, oh! Guess you found him, wow! You weren't kidding, didn't notice but you're one too aren't you buddy? That's a first, thought they were yankin' our chains! Kinda scrawny fer one of them though." The guard kept chattering at a blinding pace, making me puzzle out the things he said.

Jade's sisters had been here... they were expanding their search it seemed, checking on any settlement in their attempts to find me. The guard simply thought Jade and Ivy were more of them and had found what they sought. I really hoped they hadn't figured out any bright ideas like offering a reward yet...

"Y-Yes, here he is. We are from the Kingdom of Sanctuary, on a journey and hoping to find somewhere to rest for the night. Could we perhaps impose on your hospitality sir? We have caps to spend and would be interested in speaking with your leadership, working together as communities?" Jade took up her diplomatic role, her costume tiara already nestled in her pale blue mane.

Her sweet voice seemed to get through, the guard didn't slow down in the slightest but seemed friendlier. He took a long slurp from a large thermos up in his post, holstering his shotgun across his back and trying to smooth back his frazzled black mane before hopping down to open the gates. "Right! Guests then, customers, great! Sanctuary, heard that on the radio, yer the Princess then? Nothin' fancy here yer highness, but welcome ta Jamocha Plains!"

I had to wonder who exactly had had the 'Best Cup of Coffee in the Commonwealth' when there were so many selling it.

Just a cursory examination of the area showed a huge Starbucked with their highly evocative logo of two twined mares that had nothing to do with coffee, a 'Pony Joe's' with a leaning plaster donut on the sunken roof, a small 'Java Cup' in a narrow little building competing with the bigger businesses, along with several rusty little streetcorner carts with tattered umbrellas scattered all over the place. Jamocha Plains reeeeeally liked their coffee apparently.

Not that all those prewar businesses were still what they were before, the large Starbucked shop had lost the B, swapped out for a rusty F lined in red neon that clashed with the green sign, but better described what the coffee shop had become. Just in case the pretty mares in lingerie and leather dancing in the windows wasn't enough...

The Pony Joe's had lost the N, Y and E, intentionally or not, becoming PoJo's, still serving drinks, but of a much harder variety than coffee or cooca. A pair of dirty and tired looking earth ponies staggered out while I watched, their leather armor and well maintained weapons giving them the air of caravan guards.

Most of it was ruins, but upscale, high class ruins of what were pretty fancy shops, many of which still had 'Artisan' somewhere on the fading signs. Coffee wasn't their only claim to fame either, there were plenty of tattered ads and rotting sandwich boards advertising chocolates, hot cocoa, cakes, pies, donuts and all manner of sweets. Once Glitter noticed and figured it out, she was beside herself with joy, this town seemed like it was her mecca, a capitol of desserts in the wasteland.

The biggest sources of light and green dashes on Eyes Forward Sparkle were centered on a large brick warehouse near the gates, and a factory looking building on the eastern edge of the town, a flickering sign on the walls read 'Le Grande Gourmet'. Walls of junk and scrap were built to fill the gaps between buildings and across choked streets, extending out to a encompass small park across the street, attaching to a small strip mall and other ruined fancy buildings.

There were lots of ripped and ragged stripped awnings of faded pastels, candy cane striped lightposts leaning over the cracked streets, small and fancy shops and homes before they were scorched by balefire, lots of ads with peeling paint mentioning 'Organic', 'Artisan', 'Gourmet', 'All Natural' and 'Equestrian Grown', several of these were still in use at a three walled building near the processing plant, a scrap sign sloppily painted with 'Jamocha Co-op' and baskets and bundles of local crops were visible through the broken wall facing the street.

On the opposite corner from the small Co-op, was the startling sight of an old female minotaur, it looked female anyway... greying fur and a long blue-grey mane, short and stubby curls of horn and a dress, so probably a safe bet. She was occupying a vacant lot full of rubble, one remaining brick wall all that was left of whatever stood there. Now a large tent of stretched hide was tacked against the wall, under a crudely painted sign adorning the faded bricks; 'Brute's Butcher' a small stand was cobbled together out of broken bricks and slabs of concrete right at the corner, a variety of meat and hides laid out in display before the watching minotaur-ess?

Jamocha Plains had been a fancy place, now it was a busy looking trading hub of some kind. As Val said, a wide spot on the road basically. A bit like Bunker Hill, but more open and busy with crops. Eyeing the wide road angling through the town from the gate we stood at, I saw how the businesses crowded the path leading to another gate at the northern wall. Beds to rent or beds share with mares of the evening, food and water to restock with, bars to parch road dusty throats, and processed crops to sell elsewhere, a place ponies passed through on the way to somewhere else.

The twitchy guard gave us the basic run down before returning to his post, pointing out the cracked stone sign outside the 'Casa Maredrid' apartments that served as an inn for all the travelers passing through, a few of the shops operating out of the mostly intact strip mall across the open park in the center of the town, as well as a large warehouse near the gate that served as the 'Auction House' according to him.

I also spotted a welcome sign among all the others, transplanted from a nearby sky carriage station, the glowing red neon of a Red Rocket courier outlet had been stuck up on one of the shops in the strip mall. Right beside another that grabbed Jade's attention when I pointed it out, a Helpinghoof Qwik-Care. It didn't look very busy or often used, but it was occupied and operating apparently, somewhere for her to try spreading the message of the Followers of the Apocalypse.

I noticed what looked like a couple caravans camping in the open lot of the park, in the shadow of a corroded statue of a pony missing its head. Camping as they were out of tents and their wagons was free according to the guard, while the inn would take some caps but looked to be well worth it. There were several minotaurs and ponies wearing heavy leathers and furs out here too, not a caravan but a group of hunters apparently.

I had to hold Glitter back by her tail to keep her from running off, trying to follow her nose and practically floating off the ground to track down the heavenly scents I could pick up much better than she could. Sweets, so many sweets were being made here... not 200 year old snack cakes, but fresh and delicious confections.

At least one of the old world businesses was operating here, salt water taffy 'made fresh from the Celestial Sea!', was advertised at a squat brown building called 'Death by Chocolate', definitely a bakery by the smell coming from a pair of short smokestacks, painted in peeling peppermint stripes.

This place didn't look to have much in the way of military strength to fight the Gunners, but was obviously a center for trade and had its own specialty to offer the Commonwealth. I gaped at it all, struggling to keep Glitter at my side and taking it in. Ivy took over for me smoothly, floating the straining filly off the cracked asphalt so she couldn't employ all that earth pony strength, nodding towards the tall structure of the inn.

"Before you go running off Glitter, perhaps we should acquire rooms to stay in hmm? I understand you're quite skilled in those negotiations, I'll take her with me and do so Fast, accompany her on a short tour when we're done while you explore and speak with the ponies in charge?" Ivy smiled at the filly trying to escape her magic, volunteering to watch over the foal like one of her own orphans for us while we figured this place out.

I nodded gratefully, chuckling at Glitter wiping a bit of drool from her muzzle and nodding crazily. "R-Right! I'll handle the rooms daddy! Then we can go see all the good food Aunt Ivy? C-Can I have caps ta spend dad?!"

Considering I got my caps allowance from Val since she handled most of our money, giving the little filly her own allowance out of it struck me as funny, but I smiled and floated over plenty of extra for her, waving a foreleg out at the busy town to the others. "Sure sweetie, just don't make yourself sick ok? Umm... I guess look around a bit everybody, see what you guys think and what's worth knowing here. Jade and I will go track down who's in charge and try to talk to them, ok?"

Witchy and Zed both nodded and took off in different directions, exploring Jamocha Plains and seeing what they could see. I trusted both of their opinions and they could learn things I couldn't, after experiencing real prejudice I was determined not to hide what I was anymore, but it tended to attract attention, plus there was the princess at my side. We weren't exactly subtle or unremarkable, so I relied on the others to snoop around a bit for me.

Val didn't go anywhere though, sticking with the two of us and checking her weapons, my faithful bodyguard. "Ok boss, lead on. Ain't been out this way in a long time, but it was alright last time I was here. Hurry up too, lot of traders pass through here, never know what ya might find shoppin' and they gots a decent weapons shop I wanna check out."

"You could go on your own Val, I think we'll be ok..."

She answered with a flat stare and shoved me into moving. "Nope. Right on the edge of Gunner territory an' we used ta stop in pretty often, ain't goin' nowhere boss so get movin'."

With a grateful shrug, I trotted down the street with my two favorite females, me Jade and Val, red and blue, warm and cool, making a delicious sandwich around me I still severely wanted to take a big bite of... I thunked my head and checked my radiation meter, the needle still buried in the red/orange border near end of the dial after my run in with Virescent in her radioactive lair.

Trying to fight back nearly undeniable urges that rushed to mind as soon as my daughter was out of sight, I furrowed my brow and picked up my pace. Productive thought was going to be impossible until I had the opportunity to ravish one or the other, or both, or 'MORE'... Nnnngh! I had to do something to appease that insisting, nagging growl in my head, soon.

I was in control though, not that voice offering all the wonderful things to do with the two beauties beside me, ...right? Right. Just be patient, focus on important things and wait. We'd have time eventually... waiting wouldn't kill me, even if it felt like it.

A huge coffee cup adorned the top of the Le Grande Gourmet, an equal sized chip in the faux ceramic that hadn't held up nearly as well as all the strangely perfect real coffee cups scattered across the wasteland, still clean and new looking somehow. The giant cup held not steaming coffee or cocoa, but an alert guard with a rusty sniper rifle, tracking our progress warily as we neared the factory to take a look.

I remembered dad often complaining about the rising prices for his morning cup because it was increasingly hard to get with the war on. As silly as everything running on coal that was only found in the zebra lands, ponies ran on coffee and it came from those areas too. I thought so anyway, how that wasn't the case here was a minor mystery that deepened on learning about the small factory inside. Though the rough clatter of poorly maintained machinery would have told me, even if the dingy green unicorn guard near the doors hadn't been chatty.

He had no idea the plants weren't exactly native originally, saying they had always grown here and the prewar factory had always processed all those crops that did not grow in the Commonwealth, but somehow did, churning out ground coffee, fine crystals of sugar and rich chocolate powder.

Though he blanched at the names of the plants I asked about initially, helpfully correcting me and providing more to the mystery. "Sugarcane? Nah, Razorcane buddy, yer callin' em weird names. Coffee comes off'a the Twitch Trees, chocolate's from the Cocoa Bomber plants. Ain't ya never seen em before?"

"Er... say I haven't, what's with the funny names? Why are they called that?"

The guard's pale purple eyes widened and he guffawed laughter after a moment, pointing at my wings as he got himself under control. "Damn lucky ya got them things kid, if'n ya walked here there's a good chance you'd be plant food by now. Those three ain't the only ones that are dangerous down this way, but they're the ones we mess with the most. Little free advice so I don't feel bad when one of em gets ya, be careful around any of the plants here. All of the plants."

He didn't elaborate beyond that, returning to his patrol and telling us to 'hire a guide' before wandering out into the marshes. So far as I knew, none of those plants should be dangerous, but the guard was pretty convincing. Of course as far as I knew they shouldn't be here at all. From the way he made it sound, just harvesting the coffee, cocoa and sugar this place was focused on was pretty hazardous work.

None of themwere quite staple foods either, but even in the wasteland such luxury items had a market and that's how Jamocha Plains had managed to flourish from what we learned. The plants grew naturally and didn't require much farming, just harvesting and bringing them to be processed here, for a fee of course. The finished products were traded for more practical things from across the Commonwealth, making the small town a hub of commerce for the southern Commonwealth as I suspected.

I also noticed the guard wasn't the only pony with that manic and thin look within view, there seemed to be two common body types among what I assumed were the locals. Either they were twitchy and thin, or they were a little chubby if not outright fat, coffee addicts and sugar addicts.

There were plenty of non-locals too, ghouls and a few thankfully non-Gunner griffons, several Minotaurs that made me a bit nervous with their bulging muscles and sharp horns, travellers and caravaners, including a familiar dusty tan trader camping in the park we stopped to greet happily. Dusty Hooves had led the first Crimson Caravans trip up to Sanctuary, and he had been the first trader to establish contact with Jade's sisters when they finally decided to let the rest of the wasteland in.

So I was somehow unsurprised to learn he had extended the southern leg of his trip, to investigate rumors of Eclipse and Castle Equinox being a new market to explore. That pony had a nose for business opportunities and was always nice, greeting us as old friends and helping to fill us in as we walked by the park.

He did keep staring at my wings, but at least it was because he knew me before I had them, grinning and nudging me playfully as he spoke. "Still can't get over that Fast, them crazy mares weren't kiddin'! You really are... wow! Hell what're ya doin' way out here for that matter, them fillies are all goin' mating mad, if'n I was you, I'd be holed up in that tower of theirs and lettin' em have their way! Hell I put my name in fer that weird interview thing they were doin' in Unityville as it is."

"Interview? What are my sisters up to Mr. Hooves?" Jade asked curiously, trying to divert away from his joking about what he'd be up to in my place, what a growing part of me wished I was doing, right now...

"Interviewin' candidates fer mating! Damndest thing I ever heard, but they're pretty up front about it. It's a big draw for every able bodied buck ta visit Unityville, made them awful popular right quick. Made their little town grow by leaps and bounds with all the stallions hangin' around waitin' on the results. They sit ya down with one of them green ones an' have ya fill out this crazy form, ask lots of questions, gots their own doctor mare what gives ya a pretty thorough checkup, the whole nine yards. Said they only gots so many tickets so ta speak, but I made it through the initial round! Don't mind takin' that potion o' theirs if'n I get ta retire in luxury an' get pampered by all them pretty fillies!" Dusty laughed heartily, his eyes misty and dancing with his hopes of winding up in my position thanks to the compatibility potion I had given the mares of Trinity Tower.

"That... that is a clever solution to the problem of finding acceptable mates I suppose... You say their town is going well otherwise? I do worry for them, but we were forced to... keep our distance for awhile..." Jade sighed sadly, I hated that we had to hide and couldn't see how they were doing, I worried about them too and was just as interested.

Thankfully Dusty nodded and waved off her concern, "Oh yeah, doin' great! Got themselves a fine little town now, spread the word myself ta help, lots of caravans makin' the stop an' altering their routes. They want the weirdest things too, gives a place ta unload a lotta junk others might not want. They keep the upper floors of that tower to themselves still, but the lower floors an' the outside have been gettin' built up quick.

Lotta scavvers moved in right off, safe place to live right in downtown is great for them, and ain't nowheres safer with that crazy guard of theirs! Not only that, they got it in their heads ta be do-gooders somehow, come swoopin' outta the sky an' savin' ponies left an' right all over. Hell, had us a nasty run in with a big gaggle of raiders what figured out our route, thought we was in trouble but three of em pulled our fat outta the fire! Everypony I talked to was mighty appreciative, yer sisters is gettin' along real well Princess, no worries! Can't wait ta see what you folks end up doin' down this way, things been rough fer the ponies down south, why I'm makin' the trip, business moves progress!"

Jade looked as relieved as I felt, visibly relaxing with a whinny as I sighed beside her. I did tell them I liked good and heroic mares, they had decided to cover all their bases apparently... Well, that was good... they were helping others and joining the world, giving themselves a pretty good name while they were at it. Nopony needed to know it was motivated by trying to seduce me...

I took advantage of a friendly face to ask questions, Dusty was a font of information for all kinds of places, the caravan leader surely knew plenty about Jamocha Plains. "Good to hear Dusty, look forward to seeing you down at the castle too. So, can you give us the rundown on Jamocha Plains? Anything we should know?"

The earth pony trader was leading us towards the brightly lit Auction House, waving to the assortment of folks streaming in and out of the wide loading doors that served as the main entrance now. "Hmm... Not a lot if'n yer not here ta buy or sell somethin', Jamocha Plains is all about the caps, but fairly straight fer all that. No slavers, but they're tryin' ta worm their way in... More'n a few of the farms out there are run by slaves an Silver Seed Agriculture... Still keepin' ta their own hellhole outside though, Saphire Sprinkle Charter School, understand tha Gunners are pushin' fer them to be able ta do business in here too though."

Val growled at that, her violet eyes darting around as we walked cautiously, on the lookout for trouble from any quarter, doubly so at the mention of the mercenary army. "Why ain't I surprised... Plenty of them assholes were arguin' that shit when I was still around, takin' prisoners an' turnin' a profit on them, just another 'commodity' ta sell off ta them what wanted em. Pushy as they been gettin' down here, sure they're takin' lots more prisoners than before."

'Map Updated' flashed in my burning eyes as I gritted my teeth. Slavers... That gave a new focus for the dark Shroud in my head, distracting me somewhat from its constant demands for filly flesh. I was glad to hear they weren't running a slave market right in Jamocha Plains, but they were still out there doing it, practically requiring a visit from the Shrouded Stallion.

We pushed our way into the Auction House with Dusty clearing a path, a throng of ponies, ghouls, griffons and more crowded together before a rough stage made of old pallets and crates. There were stalls for individual merchants to sell their wares in here, like a busy flea market in the old world, but most of the attention was on the pony up on stage rattling off in a rapid auctioneer's patter.

"Other than that? Well there's always the treasure hunters, folks been tryin' ta find the 'Treasures of Jamocha Plains' for 200 years an ain't got nowhere, most think it's just a fairy tale or wild goose chase, but ya still see plenty gearin' up ta go lookin' for it out in the ruins, most don't come back. Heard there was a crew puttin' together an expedition lately actually, not sure who though." Dusty continued, scratching his mane in thought.

"Treasures of Jamocha Plains?" He said it just like that, capitalized and everything, like it was a thing everypony knew about.

The friendly earth pony dug around in his pocketed jacket, pulling out a tattered old flyer that matched the billboard outside and hoofing it over as he chuckled. "On display a month after the bombs fell, figure whatever it was ain't here at all. But ponies see the old ads and keep talkin' up stories 'bout the fabulous treasure buried out in the ruins, a mountain of gems, magical artifacts, wish grantin' demons, you name it. Bunch'a hooey if ya ask me."

"Chicory Grande still in charge round here Dusty? Old tub of lard wouldn'ta suffered no slavers even sniffin' around, so guessin' not..." Val grumbled, looking around the wide open Auction House floor and all the various occupants.

"Nope, one of his daughters took over when he passed, Cocoa Latte, she's up on the stage tradin' right now. Watch that one, she's easy on the eyes, but smart as a whip and all about the caps... Worked her way up from the er... 'Starbucked' down the way after her pa stuck her there." Dusty nodded up towards the stage up front, to the pony chattering to the crowd in front of big sacks, baskets, boxes and bundles of plants.

"W-What kind of father would force his own daughter to... to work in such a place!?" Jade sounded horrified at the thought, blue eyes wide and gasping to Dusty.

"One what was concerned with profit, he put all his kin ta work where they'd make the most. She chose it believe it or not Princess, raked it in from the time she was a filly, learned to be a smooth talker an' crafty, how to make caps and put em ta use. Ol' Grande had lots of kids, legitimate an' not, that one's the cream what rose to the top. Some 'round these parts found his death a mite bit suspicious, old buck knew better than ta wander out to the marsh an' take a piss in the middle of the night, but Radcrags don't leave much in the way of evidence behind ya know? You all take care, gotta keep herd on my crew, but good seein' ya!" Dusty waved us off with a grin, pointing out the tan unicorn mare calling out rapidly using a voice spell to buy and sell.

After getting used to the common body types of the ponies living here, the mare up on stage was all the more of a shock. She wasn't thin, she wasn't fat, she was pure sex appeal in pony form, putting even the enticing ads for Starbucked coffee to shame, including the gyrating campaign of the mares in the windows of the current version outside.

An immaculately clean, silky tan coat, a rich chocolate brown mane with a stripe of cream spilling down her neck, and a matching tail swishing seductively by a chocolate bar in a coffee mug cutie mark. The only bit of pudginess I could spot was packed in that amazing rump, wiggling its way back and forth as she took orders in a buttery, amplified voice.

Whether she just spotted the tall blue alicorn's head well above the crowd, or noticed me drooling I couldn't tell, but those warm brown eyes were wide and inviting as she locked on us and paused in her breakneck bartering. She waved up a younger, cream colored mare with a similar brown mane of reversed colors to take over and spoke in a much more sedate voice. "Excuse me folks, my sister Steamed Milk will take over, have some personal business to attend to, a manager's work is never done hmm? Current rate for razor cane is 4 caps a bundle, carry on!"

The crowd parted around her as she trotted down and towards us, a soft sigh of disappointment running through it as her pretty but not quite so drop dead gorgeous sister took over. Just watching her sashay her way towards us, I got a good idea how this place functioned so well, that mare could convince anypony to do anything with just a wiggle, several of which she was putting on display as she approached.

"Ah, I heard we had new guests and here they are! How convenient, Cocoa Latte at your service, manager of our little community. And you must be Princess Jade of Sanctuary! A pleasure to meet you! I've heard quite a bit on the radio, I've been hoping we'd get a personal visit sometime! Would you care to come out to my office? I'd love to chat, but it's a tad noisy down here isn't it?" Sweet Celestia, even her honeyed words were dripping with seduction.

This was completely unfair, I couldn't string two words together in the presence of those long, fluttering eyelashes, gawking senselessly as my wings sprang up and my mane itched furiously. She was talking to Jade, but her lidded eyes remained on mine, taking in all the obvious cues I was giving. My ears pricked up and pointed right at her, listening to the soft beat of her heart under the silky black dress she wore. I took one strutting step forward against my will and Jade was there, gently pushing me back and coughing coquettishly at the smaller mare in front of her.

"Yes of course Miss Latte, we wished to announce our presence in your fair town and speak with you as well. We are seeking allies in a coming conflict with..." Jade followed along as she sauntered off, out of the auction house and towards a fairly well repaired brick storefront just down the street.

I was barely able to pay any attention to anything other than that warm brown and cream tail flicking ahead of me, the wonderful jiggle of her rump at each step and that delicious smell of hot chocolate wafting back to me. I floated along behind her, held back by Val's dark claw wound around my tail as my stomach rumbled and fangs ached. The still tenuous control I had over the demanding voice in my head was slipping, it was no longer muttering but outright shouting a continuous chant, 'MOREMINENOWWANT'. Great... it had learned new words from grappling with Virescent...

She held a hoof up quickly at Jade's statement, shushing her and unlocking the reinforced door to her storefront manager's office, leading the way through the cluttered room full of desks and papers, over to an unobtrusive staircase leaning slightly on the way up to her own home by the look. There was a lot of musty but well preserved and fancy furniture, overstuffed sofas and chairs, lots of pillows, a small kitchenette with an amazingly complex and working coffee machine, clattering to life and puffing steam as her caramel colored magic turned it on.

"Coffee, Tea, Cocoa? We have quite a few luxuries as I'm sure you've noticed. Sorry to cut you off, you were about to mention the Gunners though, not a topic for open conversation around here. Though one I'm anxious to discuss myself, please, have a seat, your bodyguard can wait downstairs and keep an eye out." Cocoa pranced past me towards the kitchen, lifting her tail to playfully tickle under my chin as she did, speaking in that honeyed voice and eyeing Val's scratched out barcode / cutie mark thing suspiciously.

"Don't take orders from you missy. Take em from the boss. But... probably not a bad idea I guess, if you say so boss. Can quit yer starin' though, ain't no Gunner." Val growled at the curvy unicorn and waited on me to speak one way or the other.

Right... words.... mouth work... "Umm.. y-yeah Val, if she's worried about being overheard, guess it's not a bad idea. We're safe enough up here, right?"

"Oh of course! Little old me could hardly pose a threat to the famous Shrouded Stallion and his Princess, now could I? Go along dear, chop, chop, won't do to have the wrong ears listening in." Cocoa dismissed my griffon friend like she worked for her, managing to get through that fog of lust for a moment with a spark of annoyance, Val was 'MINE' m-my friend... I didn't like having her treated like an employee.

"Val's not just a bodyguard, don't talk to her like that. Even if you have a point... ummm... if you don't mind Val, go ahead, I'll yell if we need you."

The slightly rusty machine chugged to a halt as Val stomped back downstairs, giving a distrustful look at the unicorn with us, settling on a warmer, grateful look at me before she disappeared from sight downstairs. Cocoa nodded when it was just the three of us, floating a tray with a trio of steaming mugs of hot chocolate over to the battered coffee table and wiggling her way right in my face, licking her lips as her eyes hung on my wings stiffening awkwardly.

"Sorry, being cautious has yet to fail to pay off for me though. There now... since it's just us, I have to be nosy. The stories really are true aren't they, an alicorn stallion... what a rare commodity you are hmm? Good lines, ah nice muscle tone under the silly costume, wooo... nice perky rear, excellent teeth... a little pointy even! A bit short, but very cute, I like a buck that's manageable anyway, must be practically snack sized for you Princess!" Cocoa Latte cozied right up against me and walked a slow circuit, stroking and prodding, running a hoof down my back and opening my mouth to peek inside, giving my flank a smack that made me squeak as she sized me up like I was on the auction block. The treatment would annoy me, but every touch was expertly driving me wild as she took stock, right in front of Jade.

"E-Excuse me..." My princess growled in flabbergasted annoyance, arching an eye at me melting under the shapely unicorn pulling a stiff wing down over her back beside me, giving a little shimmy under the dark feathers that made me bite my lip with rapidly extending fangs.

"These are rather sizable though aren't they? Oh my, they're so soft too! So, is what they say about pegasus bucks true for alicorns too? OH! It is! It definitely IS! Sweet Celestia! What's a mare have to do to rate a little royal treatment Princess Jade? If you ever feel like taking a break from the whole wasteland hero business, I could make a fortune renting you out cutie! Sigh.... business first, then pleasure, hmmmmm?" I gasped as Cocoa's roving caramel magic squeezed and groped without reservation, the gentle caress of her telekinesis latching on to a very sensitive area under my coat and expertly driving me right to the edge in seconds.

"Business ONLY." Jade stomped a big hoof on the ratty carpet and rattled the room, her blue eyes taking on that dragonish glare as her goddess voice boomed out.

Cocoa looked completely unbothered, licking up my neck and smacking her lips appreciatively. She turned her lidded gaze on Jade and swayed towards her with a grin, pacing a slow circle around the tall alicorn and rubbing against her like a cat, all sinuous, curvy lines that molded against Jade's, turning my princess bright red and frazzling her anger immediately. "Everything's negotiable, I didn't mean to neglect my other guest honey, I've just had a taste of your kind before, while he's a brand new delicacy... Once our dealings are done, perhaps we could have a little feast together Princess? I could teach you a thing or two... I bet you can't do this for example?"

The light touch of her magic returned before either of us could ask or object, I barely caught Jade's sudden shudder as Cocoa was using the same spell on both of us at once somehow. I used my own finesse with telekinesis to help deal with more than one mare at a time when the opportunity arose, but Cocoa put me to shame. Her time working in the 'Starbucked' cathouse had left her a sorceress of seduction apparently, it wasn't just touching some very sensitive bits like a safecracker either, magic fogged my head and lit my nerves on fire, making me groan and stagger under her skills.

'MORE!'
"S-Stop! C-Can't..."

"ENOUGH! WE HAVE COME TO TALK, NOT.... F-FUN AND GAMES! DO WE HAVE BUSINESS OR NOT?!" Jade's goddess voice tolled in the small room, helping me shake off the spell and stumble back to her warily.

Cocoa Latte laid her ears back at the volume, but was still unperturbed, actually she looked like she was enjoying herself..., sinking into a particularly soft looking armchair and waving us to the overstuffed loveseat graciously. "Of course, forgive me dear. Now then, the Princess of the Kingdom of Sanctuary and her adorable little Knight... I'm fairly well informed, so we can dispense with some of the backstory. You've picked a fight with a mutual problem, the Gunners... Now you're looking for help for your little war and a new ally for your growing coalition." The unicorn mare came right out with what Jade was going to say, leaving her nonplussed a moment and struggling to keep up, Cocoa was a smooth talker alright, she got both of us off balance and was keeping us that way.

"Er... Y-Yes, just so. The Gunners threaten everyone in the southern Commonwealth, they are tyrants and bullies that must be stopped. We do indeed seek help to take a stand against them Miss Latte." Jade shook off her annoyance and answered passionately, trying to appeal to her better nature and win a new friend.

It didn't work on the shrewd mare, giving a small smile and shrugging at the big blue alicorn. "All very noble, just like I heard. I'm more interested in the bottom line though, what's best for me and my community? Where's the most profit? The Gunners are assholes yes, but they also rake in a lot of caps, use up a lot of food and gear that has to be shipped through somewhere, spend a lot of caps on my gals when they're in town too.

I want to develop the southern Commonwealth Princess, Jamocha Plains is already practically the gateway to the region, whoever wins your little squabble, there will be lots of business opportunities after and we're set up to benefit. Convince me I'm better off with you." She leaned back and sipped her drink daintily, crossing and uncrossing her hindlegs in a seductive display, meant purely for me by those sparkling brown eyes watching my wings twinge out with merriment.

We really should have brought Glitter... she'd be able to negotiate with this supermodel of a mayor much better than either of us, plus she'd be able to keep me grounded... At least Jade was able to form functional thoughts, she looked to me helplessly and caught me ogling the steady rise and fall of that silky tan breast. My princess gave an annoyed nip to my ear and snapped me out of it, forcing me to engage my brain and try to steal some blood back to run it.

"Umm... We're nice and they're not? Sorry, not good at thinking about money stuff... Hmm, well, we have lots of other communities in the north on our side, food, medicine, water, you like trade and want to make deals for stuff you don't have here, sell stuff you do to others right? We want to help develop the southern Commonwealth too, bring communities together, make them stronger and... fix things..."

Cocoa's fine features smiled but she was hard to read, she tossed her head sending that long two tone mane spilling down her shoulders, blowing an errant lock away from her eyes with lips pursed way more than necessary. "I do hear good things there, just having a more direct line to Goodneighbor could open up a lot of profit for me, not to mention all your other settlements I'm sure would love the rarities we have to offer. Say I were to join you then, become part of this Kingdom of Sanctuary... what's my end, what kind of tariffs can I impose on goods coming through here? What's the tax rate or dues to remain part of the collective? Do I have a free hoof to rule as I want, or do you have laws I have to abide? I do enjoy my freedom Princess..."

Jade's eyes were spinning along with mine, actually voicing my own earlier thought. "Y-You should speak with our daughter Miss Latte, she would know the answers to your financial concerns... We truly just wish to help, we do not interfere in the doings of our other allies. As for laws or rules... we never had to lay any down before. I am unsure what..."

"Slavers. No Slavers for one." I finally managed to get my brain to function again and latched on to the nagging concern I had thanks to Dusty. "That's non negotiable. No support for slavery, not even tacit support by ignoring it. No slaves in allied settlements, no profiting from slave labor, no doing business with slave run businesses, nothing."

That got her attention and I watched her reaction carefully, still very measured and controlled, stretching into a luxuriant yawn like it was of no concern and incidentally putting her body even more on display as she gave a long, low purr, threatening to derail my wavering control. Intentionally... She knew what she was doing alright, those crafty brown eyes flicked to my wings springing out in new angles before she answered with a knowing smile.

"Hmmm... I'll be honest, Pa kept the slavers out completely and I can't say I care for them that much, but it's business that's going on with or without me. Silver Seed runs a lot of little farms out this way too, you're saying I have to cut ties with them because of slave labor? The Gunners have been making overtures, lovely bribes to tempt me with, while you only offer a cut in my profits?"

"Won't be a cut in your profits when Silver Seed stops existing period..." I growled back with my eyes burning. Sexy mare or not, this was not something I'd budge on. I hadn't gotten around to finishing my business with that particular Diamond City noble and her evil business practices, but if they were that active down here, that could change.

Jade didn't like the implied violence in my voice, but nodded her agreement. "We have freed several victims of their abuses, if they are up to the same thing here, they will be stopped."

Those deep brown eyes widened at the threat and she tapped her chin in thought, a wicked smile curling across her muzzle as she finally replied. "That's an interesting idea... If Silver Seed was gone, that would change things. Perhaps we can come to some arrangement then. How about this, we'll start with a small test, we have some unwanted guests snooping around from the Gunners, can hardly move forward with them underhoof. Plus they're going after a pet project of mine, stole from me... Take care of them and we'll talk about Silver Seed, I understand this kind of thing is right up the Shrouded Stallion's alley anyway? Well, that and other less obvious talents I soooo look forward to investigating when you return. If that goes well, then I'll throw my lot in with you, quietly for now..."

"What do you want then?" I sighed, smelling another 'Mission' incoming from my pip-buck, that and the overpowering female smell she was putting out, Luna help me her flicking tail was deliberately spreading it, her sharp eyes pausing on my flaring nostrils with a grin.

Cocoa's eyes lit up and sparkled, making her even prettier if that was possible as she leaned forward and beamed. "What do you know about the Treasures of Jamocha Plains?"

"Ooooooh! I do not like that mare Fast! I do not like her taking advantage of you to go on her silly treasure hunt, I do not like only Valkyrie and Miss Hour going with you either! I especially do not like I see no other options either, she has boxed us in before we stepped hoof in her tacky little hovel!" Jade raged as much as she ever did, snorting and stomping down the sidewalks at my side.

"Gunners might be here in town too, I want you and Glitter together and safe, you can hide better than anypony Jade. Ivy can read any bad thought out of anypony who gets close, Zed will beat anypony who tries to hurt you to a pulp. It's a stupid errand like you said, just the three of us can take care of it and be back in no time. Not sure I like her either hon, but we need help, everything we could ask for from Sanctuary and our other friends up north would have to come through here."

"This is all a bunch of bullshit boss! Treasures of Jamocha Plains is a fairy tale! Nobody's ever found it! She's playin' ya!" Val grumbled behind me as I sought out our batpony companion, glaring at the new mission that had indeed popped up in my vision;

Mission Added: X Marks the Spot

Objectives-------
---Eliminate the Gunner treasure hunters
---Find the Treasures of Jamocha Plains

"It's real Val, Cocoa showed me all her research, had a keycard she paid a lot for from scavvers out in the ruins that the Gunners stole from her, she was obsessed with it when she was a filly. Somepony sunk a lot of money and heavy duty security into protecting something in this town. The Gunners sent a squad after it whatever it is, we can't leave them to keep sneaking around while we're here can we? It's just outside the gates, out in the ruins, you, me and Witchy can duck out and take care of them, try to find this treasure while we're at it. Witchy can do that weird radar sounding thingy and you know Gunners, it shouldn't take any time at all, I really hope not anyway."

"Oh Cocoa said huh? Well that changes everything don't it! Don't like that slutty filly boss, already wrappin' you round her hoof with a wiggle, ya ain't in yer right mind either are ya? Blue talk to him! Go jump his bones or somethin', bleed some of the pressure off 'fore I do it!" Val screeched and made me wince in embarrassment, never mind that she was right....

Just being in Cocoa Latte's presence had been maddening, she wasn't as pretty as my Jade, but she was gorgeous and oozed sex, using it effectively as a weapon to get what she wanted. Logically I knew she had been doing it, I knew she was taking note of every obvious sign I gave of my interest and playing up to them, still I couldn't help it. My traitorous body refused to listen to logic, the best I could do was rationalize it, come up with good reasons to do what she wanted anyway.

We were in a rush, we had left Castle Equinox just this morning, but it felt like a lifetime ago, and every hour counted with the Gunners on their way. I had been pushed dealing with the Brotherhood and their prejudice towards me, and more importantly, my encounter with Virescent. I escaped her, but the giant filly left me as agitated as she had been herself, it was becoming a driving need with no release.

I stomped down the street angrily and looked forward to Gunners to kill, that was something at least. Val's annoyed joke was pushing me too far though, I wheeled on her and stood on my hindlegs to get in her face, wrapping my forelegs around her fluffy neck and growling with my mane itching like crazy.

"Then do it! Let's go Val, you're right, I'm worked up and she's taking advantage of it. Let's go 'bleed off the pressure' like you said and see if I can come up with anything else! I don't see any other way to get this place on our side, but I'll give it a shot anyway. More than that, I want to! With you! With Jade! With Ivy! With Witchy! With Summer! With Peri! and yes with that fucking temptress Cocoa! With all of you! RIGHT NOW!"

A quiet 'eep!' interrupted my panting in Val's surprised face, forcing me to look up and see the wide amber eyes of the batpony I had just listed off herself, hanging from the leaning streetlight above us. Witching Hour turned bright red and hid in her leathery wings at my burning gaze, giving Jade the opportunity to put a gentle hoof on my shaking foreleg. She slowly guided me from clinging to Val and let the shocked griffon stumble back, redder than normal and breathless under the raging force of that dark voice leaking out into my own more, making it ragged and husky around three females now.

I shoved it back down again, barely, wincing and punching myself, hard... I stumbled back and cringed towards a narrow alley off the cracked sidewalk, trying to catch my breath and force my stiff wings back down. "S-Sorry... I'm sorry Val... Witchy... I didn't mean... I did, but... S-Stay away ok? Just stay away... n-not safe to be around me right now... I'll go do it myself, I'm sorry Jade, I'll be back!"

Stuttering out that much, I ran. Well, I flew, but I ran away nonetheless. Clenching my eyes shut against the raging demands in my head, flapping as hard as I could to get out into the night and away from everyone, away from temptation and the possibility of doing something bad. I had to get control, had to burn through all the radiation and hormones still surging in my system, had to go calm down, had to stop this before I lost it completely and did something I'd regret, hurt the ones I loved because my stupid body kept...

I ran into something soft and warm that wrapped around me in midair, clutching me tight and refusing to let go despite my blind struggles. I finally calmed at Jade's soft coos above me, opening my eyes to her broad blue breast and sniveling into the silky fur there as she comforted me. "Ssssh, it is alright Fast, I know, it is alright... Calm yourself, please. I love you, we are here for you, do not run."

We? I stopped my blubbering and flinched at Val flapping alongside the blue beauty, watching with anxious concern along with the batpony beside her. Great... both of them watching me start to crack, they were who I was trying to get away from, they must be so insulted, yelling in the middle of the street about wanting to rut the both of them like a madpony.

"S-Sorry.... I'm so sorry..."

Val flushed and scratched her neck nervously, trying to wave off the outburst and paying a lot of attention to her weapons as a distraction. "S'ok boss... sorry fer jokin' 'bout it. J-Just kiddin' around ya know, like always... d-didn't mean to... shouldn't play an' joke when yer like that I guess... maybe you an Blue should take some time before an'..."

"Y-Y-Yes! It is alright Fast, I understand you didn't mean that, thou w-wouldn't want to actually do such with me, it is just the strain Miss Ivy spoke of and..." Witchy spoke over her in a rush, still rosy cheeked but looking away, trying to hide behind Val's flapping red wings.

The sad tone in their voices got me over the worst of my shame, I stayed in Jade's embrace, but stared at Val and Witchy forcefully, trying to be serious and not make a fool of myself getting this out. "No, it's not that. I... I meant it, I'm sorry Jade but I did. But N-Not like that, not just because I'm all fucked up, definitely not with you Val. I love you, I want that to be why... not because of my goddess damned body ok!? Sorry to snap at you, I like your jokes and flirting, that's who you are and that's who I love, it's just cutting a little close right now, because it's not a joke to me."

"And I wanted to ask you to come so we could talk Witchy, not just because... e-even though I do really want to with you too, I don't know why you think nopony would, but I do... a lot...NNNGH!! Dammit! Sorry... look, I care about you too, I was worried about how you've been acting lately Witchy."

"I don't like not being in control, but I do really feel that way about both of you. I'm scared Virescent broke something in my brain, then that Cocoa just pushed all the right buttons and... It's not safe to be around me like this, but we don't have time to screw around.. UM!! To w-waste! Don't have time to waste I mean! Ugh... see!?"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be an out of control pervert, I care about you all for more than just that. I know it's not like with your sisters Jade, not for saving your species so there's no reason, but I can't stop myself either. I love you Jade, more than anypony else. I want you to be my wife and I know it's so wrong to keep thinking this stuff about others... but I keep doing it! I'm a horrible pony..."

I barely got to see the hint of a secretive pair of smiles on Val and Witchy, then my world became blue, lots of warm, soft, blue surrounding me, squeezing me tightly and nuzzling my mane, Jade's sweet voice filling my ears softly. "You are not. You are trying so hard, I do not need sister Ivy's gift to know that. I love you too, I wish for you to be my h-husband as well, to be mine and mine alone in that regard. I... I am growing used to the idea of sharing your body with my sisters, and your heart has love to give so many, you love Ivy and Peri as well do you not?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Yet I am not jealous of them, it is not the same love is it? But it is love. I do not like you ogling that exhibitionist mare in charge here merely for her body, but Valkyrie is family, Witching Hour is a kind friend, as you say, you care for them for more than mere mating. You are not a bad pony Fast, you are a wonderful pony, dealing with things out of your control as well as you can."

"I do not doubt you, I do not think poorly of you for your thoughts and urges. Just as with my sisters, as long as I am in charge and my place is clear... I love Valkyrie as well. Miss Hour should start being more forthright and open with us before I change my p-opinion where she is concerned, but I am coming to like her and she should not think she is unworthy of affection like that. Random strange mares like that obnoxious Miss Latte are unacceptable though Fast, I do not approve."

"I am very concerned for you, Ivy and Glitter have surely found lodging by now, we can go immediately and take our time together, as long as you want. With sister Ivy if you want or feel you need her help, with Valkyrie as well if you need her and that is what she truly wants. If you think we must deal with these Gunners and run this silly errand for that Miss Latte first, then hurry and be done with it. I trust Valkyrie and Miss Hour to watch you. Protect my Fast both of you, be there for him and come back to me."

Just Jade's acceptance and concern did a world of good, the warm glow of her love filled me up, lighting the darkness creeping into every corner of my mind. Between Virescent's carnal lust with no emotion, and being subjected to Knight Dervish's hate for being an alicorn for so long, the darkness had been winning. I briefly broke down and blubbered into Jade's warm chest, hugging her back as tightly as she did me, trying to get control over myself and feeling about two inches tall after that pathetic display.

I sniffled and peeked out from all the alicorn curled around me in the air, looking to Val with bleary, bloodshot eyes that had a hard time meeting hers. There wasn't any laughter or jokes there though, just caring concern and a genuine happiness curling her beak in a soft smile. Witchy looked confused, but shook it off at my look and gave a bright, fang enhanced smile, fluttering over with the dark ruins of the rest of Jamocha Plains at her back.

The passionate kiss I lunged into with Jade was almost impossible to break off, the desire to just stop worrying, stop giving two fucks about the Gunners, the upcoming battle with them, the annoying 'Missions' flashing in my pip-buck, the Institute, everything.... was very strong. I just wanted to go to whatever room my daughter had dickered for and hide in there, with only those I loved and nothing else. Logic was able to reassert control with Jade's support though, an elite crew of Gunner treasure hunters couldn't be allowed to just wander around, they could find us, attack us, put Glitter in danger to get to me, there were too many dangers... They had to die, now.

I pulled away reluctantly, stroking Jade's soft mane before flapping away to keep myself under control. "T-Thank you Jade, I'm sorry... I'm the luckiest buck in the world, you know that? I love you so much. I'll be back soon, don't worry, just wait for me and we'll be back ok!"

The stunning blue alicorn nodded from where she hovered, distracted by Val coming close to her and scratching at herself awkwardly, opening her beak repeatedly before snapping it shut again. After a few long minutes, she stammered out in a weak voice even my enhanced hearing had to strain to pick up.

"Er... I umm... I like you too Blue. M-More than like... ain't had any gal friends fer a long time before you, last one I had kinda tried ta kill me sooo... A-Anyway... er... dunno if the boss told ya, b-bout the stuff I told him after Talon's... my umm.... w-why I quit the Gunners?" She whispered cautiously, making me cut in to reassure her.

"No Val. That wasn't my story to tell, not to anypony."

"R-Right... thanks boss... Umm, well... i-if I wanted ta talk when we got back, tell ya a pretty shitty story... w-would that be ok Blue? W-Wouldn't mind if'n it's you, an probably good ta talk about it... er.... w-with the whole carin' thing and what not... Gah! I sound stupid, but I wanna ok? I umm... t-trust ya." Val managed to get it out, that made me feel even better and more myself. I had worried over the horrible abuses she had suffered and her sad tale. If she was willing to share it with Jade, I was sure the best healer in Equestria could help, even if it was just listening.

She proved it by diving forward at the wilting mercenary, grabbing her in a crushing hug that overwhelmed even the strong griffon, flapping excitedly and nuzzling against her feathery neck. "Of course Valkyrie, I would like nothing more and I am glad I have earned your trust, that you consider me a friend. I hope you will accept I think of you as a sister already, hurry back and tell me everything. Ever since you returned from that awful Talon's place, I have been curious and concerned. Speak with me as soon as you return, er... a-after Fast and I have a little time I think..."

Val struggled in her grip a moment, panicked at the affection she wasn't used to or expected. Eventually she settled out and returned it, her tense form relaxing in Jade's hooves before she chuckled and broke it off. "Y-Yeah, probably a good idea. We both got our own fucked up mental shitshow I guess, least ya can do somethin' bout the boss' lil' problem huh? A-Alright goofy, that's enough of that bullshit, hope yer happy makin' me get all sappy an' soft. Let's go kill us some Gunner assholes, find this fabulous buried treasure.."

We started to fly off, pausing to look back at Witchy hovering in front of Jade shyly. The batpony mare tapped her hooves together anxiously, then leaned up to whisper in Jade's ear rapidly. I had no idea what they said, but Jade smiled and nodded graciously, reaching out and enveloping the thestral filly in her own parting hug before drifting back down to find our daughter.

Witchy shivered in the air a moment, then flew up in a rush to join us, red faced and quiet, but seeming a bit happier than she had lately. She smiled mysteriously as we climbed up over the ruins below to look around, shrugging at my questioning look. "She is very nice, I believe you are right now, she is a Princess worthy of Luna."

"Yes, yes she is. Alright, let's get this done and get back to her."

"Wow... there are a lot of zombies down there Fast... like... a lot..." Witchy stared down at the ruins a good distance below with concern, opening her mouth to make that high pitched noise right at the edge of my improved hearing range, her tufted ears flicked as she listened carefully, then repeated, "A whooooole lot of zombies..."

Val squinted down in the dark, hooking a thumb claw towards the ruins of Trotson to the north, a narrow bridge in the far distance was missing large chunks, but crossed over to the city itself still. "Same reason this place is such a big stop fer caravans and such, ones what weren't here originally filter in from the city, shamble their way down the road followin' travellers, get stopped by all the critters in the marshes what like eatin' rotten meat. Ferals ain't zactly smart, but they gots animal cunning. So, what we lookin' for boss?"

She had a harder time spotting some of the signs I was already following in the dark streets below, there were more residences and a lot of public buildings on this side of Jamocha Plains, a library with large holes in the lavender concrete walls, a pale green shell of an Equestrian Army recruitment center.

The center of it all was the Town Hall though, a red brick structure with fallen white pillars piled against what was left of the entrance. The matching dome had gone through the ceiling, crumpling the large building in on itself, leaving next to nothing to explore but a pile of jagged rubble.

That's where the flyer and other advertisements listed the 'Treasures of Jamocha Plains' exhibit being displayed, but there was little left to investigate, a few second floor rooms at the corners were accessible through the windows, but the ground floor and anywhere near the center had been smashed and choked by the heavy dome coming down.

There were an awful lot of dead zombies on the cracked steps leading up to the town hall though, spread in a fan shape before the doors. Someone had taken a stand there for awhile, held off a horde of feral ghouls at the front doors before moving on. Mostly moving on... a big wet splotch was splashed against the faded doors and soaking into the ground, a pool of liquid that looked black in the moonlight, a dark body leaning against the wooden barrier at the center of the mess gave me something to silently glide towards as I whispered to the others.

"Looks like they were here already, that's one less of them anyway. You don't pick up anything alive Witchy?"

The batpony mare shook her head nervously, glancing around at the red dashes on E.F.S. shambling around the ruined town. "Only zombies... more are getting up and moving all the time Fast, let's hurry..."

There wasn't much left of the Gunner pony in front of the doors, big bites had been torn from his flesh around the spattered green combat armor he wore. Val rapidly looted him for any ammo for the bent dual combat shotgun battlesaddle he wore, rifling through his soaked possessions and peering at a bloody copy of the flyer for the Treasures, turning it over in her claws and shoving it in my face when she took in the back.

A crude map had been drawn there, showing a rough map of the ruins with major landmarks, the Town Hall being the largest. An X had been drawn over one small square, matching a fancy looking ruined house not far away, labeled 'Mayer's Place'. Interesting...

The zombie corpses spread out in front of him bore more wounds than just shotgun rounds though, quite a few piles of pink ash drifted in the chilly breeze, big round holes were punched through several from a high caliber rifle, there were more of them fighting here before. I looked around critically, trying to find clues in a rush as Witchy's silenced anti-materiel rifle at her side softly spoke, splattering a trio of zombies clambering out of the nearby rubble and noticing us.

Some of the chips and burns in the steps looked like they came from above, not down here like the rest. I looked up curiously and saw one of the broken second story windows was missing all of its glass, not just most of it like the others. A few splotches on the brick wall around it streaked down to matching pegasus zombie corpses, they dove that way, got shot and slammed against the wall... Someone had been up there.

Flapping up towards it and drawing the others up with me silently, I ducked through the broken window into what had been a fancy enough office, a broken and dusty desk bore marks of being searched, a glowing terminal tossed to the corner, along with a pile of ancient bones thrown from the rotting office chair.

Val and Witchy took up positions at the windows while I worked on the terminal, the thestral's rifle making 'pffft!' noises as she dropped more undead targets below. "Hurry it up boss... they're gettin' woke up down there, assholes stirred em up not long ago..." Val growled and joined in with her magical energy weapon, as close to silent weaponry as she got.

Welcome Treasurer Pinch Penny

Treasures Budgetary Requests

Class V Laser Security Grid
Ironshods Class VII Auto Turrets
Barrel Tumbler Model 81 Vault Door
Light Step Pressure Plates
Robronco Robotic Security

Treasures Construction

Elm Street to be closed for underground construction for two weeks, stated reason should be repairs to the storm drain system for any who ask, ought to make constituents happy as we'll be doing that while we're at it. Taking advantage of the drainage tunnels down there so not a lot of new construction at least. I know some of you are unhappy with the mayor's side entrance, but our construction crews assure me it's the best choice. Basement level remains off limits during primary construction and reinforcement, Sloppy Mop will just have to keep complaining about his janitorial duties being disrupted for awhile yet.

Building the Treasures display area up to the standards of one of Stable-Tec's projects takes time, especially doing it all underhoof. Will be worth it for the tourist draw once we're done and open! The mayor does have a talent for figuring out what's going to be hot after all, all his contacts have raised Jamocha Plains up to the hottest spot in Trotson for all the ponies in the know. Let's trust him here and stop listening to Sloppy's whining about silly things like the leaky boiler and pipes.

A series of explosions from Val's 25mm grenade machinegun tore me away from the open terminal, there was more to read, but those were the most recently accessed files. A side tunnel... If the Treasures of Jamocha Plains were located below the Town Hall, there'd be no other way to get to them... The Gunners came here with a lead and had followed it, thanks to their rough map I had a lead now too.

"Let's go! That house to the north, there should be a way in there!" I yelped over the explosions and chatter from Witchy's silver combat rifle, diving past them to fly out the window and nearly getting tackled by a rotting zombie pegasus charging the building.

A growing horde of undead were galloping towards the Town Hall, getting cut down only for more to clamber over the fallen. We had to hurry and get off the streets, the ground bound zombies weren't much of an issue, only the unicorns were even able to send glowing green beams of corrupted magic at us, but there were enough feral pegasi to come after us in the air.

Deliverer and the Terrible Shotgun floated out to my sides, the silenced pistol spinning on the pegasus that barely missed my awkward dive, half a dozen silenced shots blurring out rapidly, stitching 10mm rounds past its featherless wings and up to its head. Val and Witchy joined me immediately, making wide loops behind me to make up for my lack of speed in the air, firing down at more of the mob on our tail and confusing them while I focused on the rotting wooden home a couple blocks away.

The small, picket fenced yard of the mayor's house was full of more zombie corpses and signs of a firefight, the Gunner crew had been here too alright. Following the trail of destruction through the ruined house wasn't hard, it was little more than a shell anyway, a few standing walls and a door battered off its hinges that served as no barrier for the zombies on our tail. The signs of the Gunners' passage led through the rotting living room, to the dirty tiles of what was the kitchen and down to a small door hidden near the backdoor, leading to the basement.

I tossed a few mines on the way and flew down into the dark, the way forward obvious enough with another Gunner corpse torn up near a heavy steel door locked with a glowing terminal. The rotting remains of an old mattress and several boxes of junk were tossed to the side, while somepony had fiddled with the terminal barring the way out. Val and Witchy were covering the smoking entrance to the dingy basement, the mines rattling the beams above our heads as I patched into the terminal, rushing to hack through it.

An absent glance at the dead Gunner revealed a bloody scrap of paper near his grey hoof, the word 'Hoard' scrawled across it matched one of the options hidden in the code flashing before my eyes, the password! That made things faster, a good thing with a dozen zombies trying to crawl over the remains of more to get down to the basement with us. I froze up a moment spotting one of them dripping pink goop, what was a slime zombie doing here?!

No time, the door unlocked and I spun as it swung open, firing wildly with Blue Moon, hoping to vaporize that slimy pink zombie among all the others. Waving Val and Witchy into the waiting exit and leaping in behind them, my magic surrounded the heavy door and slammed it shut behind us. Loud bongs reverberated down the damp passage ahead of us as the zombies slammed against the barrier blocking them behind us, but for now the way forward was clear.

"W-Well... this is going good so far, we know they went this way anyhoo..." I panted to the others, following their example and reloading while we had a moment to breathe.

Val groaned and punched my shoulder in response, "Sure... goin' great boss. Recognized what was left of ugly outside the door, part of Dragon Squad. If they sent them, maybe there really is a treasure down here somewheres... Guess this ain't a total waste of time after all, wonder what the loot is.." A flash of greed lit Val's violet eyes and she rubbed her claws together happily.

Witchy made that high pitched sound and held a hoof up for quiet, listening to the response and tilting her head in confusion. "There is a maze of passages ahead Fast, more things moving... zombies probably, living things too... gunfire..."

That much I could pick out myself, a few shots echoing down the tunnels to my own twitching ears. The passage we were sheltering in was still new and square looking, further down it turned rougher. Thick grey bricks and an overflowing channel cut in the stone floor, murky water dribbling down the walls collected there and rushed off down the passage.

I was glad I could see in the dark now, the odd glowing fungus sprouting up from the walls and floor provided some light, but not much. Witchy could see just as well, leaving only Val at a significant disadvantage she mitigated by turning on her pip-buck light, holding it high and peering around. She eyed the rushing water warily as I stuck a hoof in, sighing at the mild tingle of radiation to her snort.

"Alright, lead on boss. Let's find us some treasure!"

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

Fight the Power!-------------
--- You've ticked off the Brotherhood of Friendship along with the Gunners and more major forces are against you every day! You now gain +2 Damage Threshold and +5% Critical chance against anyone wearing Diamond City, Gunners, New Canterlot Republic or Brotherhood of Friendship armor.

Reputation Change-------------------

Jamocha Plains - Neutral --------
----Continuing on your diplomatic mission, you've introduced yourself to the overly friendly leadership of Jamocha Plains. Watch your wallet when dealing with the profit driven ponies of this trading hub! Hopefully running a dangerous errand and a successful treasure hunt will put you in their good graces and provide another ally.