Bzzzt.... "Hello out there everypony, this is Radio Friendship, on the air from Castle Equinox and bringing together the Commonwealth! I'm your sorta-DJ and communications officer with the Minutemares, Dulcet Tones, here to be the voice of the Kingdom of Sanctuary and explain what this new station on your radio dial is all about!

Since our wonderful Princess is out there braving the wasteland to make things better, getting in touch with her can be difficult, so send your requests for help in to any Minutemare or Follower of the Apocalypse and we'll broadcast them so she and the rest of us know who needs a helping hoof. Of course Princess Jade and her Knight are busy 'fighting the good fight' as my comrade in broadcast DJ Pon3 would say, so you might not get a royal response, but we're betting there's always somepony willing to answer a call for help if they know about it! Tune in to hear all the ways we can be better together, who knows, maybe you can help somepony who needs it out there!

Now, for our inaugural broadcast, let's turn it over to the mare who got this old communications tower working again! One of our newest Minutemares has a very special message for the Princess and a certain Shrouded Stallion, wherever they are. Give a warm welcome to Lt. Summer Wind! Summer?"

"O-Oh! Umm... yeah, t-talk here right? Ok... So, er.... hi guys! I umm... sorta took you up on your offer and came to the castle to find you, but I've been told you're all still out and nopony knows exactly where. Not that I'd say if I knew, broadcasting your location on the open airwaves doesn't seem that smart, along with other stuff, so I'll have to be a little cryptic I guess, but... it's important ok?"

"You're probably wondering why I ended up leaving... w-who I was with before... That group is probably on their way to you now, the other Lieutenant you sent back gave her report to the Elder and Captain, along with the data from a certain er... doctor's office... A-Anyway, some of what they got from those old computers put them in a tizzy and ended up with a mutual friend of ours going on the run. I still don't know what to make of it myself, but Dance is in trouble Fast. He disappeared and I was already viewed with a little suspicion and doubting my place, so I followed his lead and... h-here I am."

"I'm fine, so don't worry! Onyx and the other Fixer's here are all great and have made me feel really welcome! I thought about heading out with General Gardens, but considering who else is on the way, I thought me being there might make things worse. Jeez... I really wish I could talk to you guys directly, just... maybe you can ask your guests about our friend when they get there? I'm worried about him and hope he's ok. If you're listening too Dance... I don't care what they say or what you are, you're my friend. T-Take care of yourself, all of you. Come back soon too, things have been happening here you should know about. I understand there's a few others trying to get ahold of you too, but they're waiting here stubbornly for now. Er... back to you Dulcet?"

"Thanks Lieutenant, that was great. Summer Wind everybody, glad the mare who got us running got to be the first to put out a call! Now then, we don't want to have this station just be my jabbering all day and night, but we don't want to compete with friend of the Kingdom DJ Travellin' Miles either. Luckily our cleanup here at Castle Equinox has turned up quite the collection of soothing songs fit for a royal ball, so here's Octavia live from a royal performance right here at Castle Equinox!"

Mission Added: Blind Betrayal

Objectives------
---Ask the Brotherhood about Star Paladin Dance

Shaking free of the stupor I had been frozen in while listening to the strange broadcast and staring at the text in my vision, I finished slotting in the final fuse into the rusty fairgrounds power relay, from where it had been hovering since the initial notification from my pip-buck caught my attention.

At first I was just listening along happily, thinking it was a really smart idea they had come up with back at the castle. We weren't exactly easy to get in contact with after all, having a line to the Minutemares would keep us abreast of things going on along with Miles and DJ Pon3's regular news updates. When Summer's voice came on though, I was transfixed, curiosity turning to real worry.

I quickly gathered my tools back up and trotted out of the small maintenance shed hidden away towards the back of the large fairgrounds, noting absently the flickering lights coming back to life under the open shelters and number of Wingstream trailers ahead.

The rust proof aluminum trailers weren't quite as nice as the accommodations back in Salt Lick, but us staying out here in between the mines and the town was important, so we had been making the best of it. We couldn't be seen as taking one side over another, even if I'd gladly betray a bit of bias on the side of soft beds.

The fanciest of them wasn't a wingstream but an ornate wooden gypsy wagon, which had belonged to the pony in charge of the traveling rodeo at the fairgrounds when the world went to hell, who was fortunately quite a large stallion apparently. He was a match for Jade's stature by the variety of moldy pictures we had dug up, not to mention the enormous skeleton clutching a picture of three familiar looking fillies that we respectfully put to rest, meaning Jade and I weren't too cramped over the last day and a half. Glitter took a liking to his ratty old cowpony hat too, so she got a gift out of our compromise living arrangements at least.

A little rearranging things put us out of the way of the areas previously used by the minotaurs and ponies of Salt Lick, several of the trailers now spread out in a semi circle around the large crater in the wide, fenced lot that had come to be known as 'Swan's Pond' rather quickly. If the crudely painted wooden sign Glitter happily made announcing such wasn't enough, the eponymous filly herself doing the backstroke in the chilly water as I passed made it clear.

"Fast! Are you done working now? Swim with me! It's not as good as my pond back home, but this is nice!" Swan splashed water at me playfully as I trotted towards the central trailer ahead and the crowd of ponies, minotaurs and hellhounds milling around it.

"Sorry Swan, later ok? I just heard something I need to tell your sister about..." I answered absently, flapping up a few feet to scan over the heads of the crowd for Jade.

Swan pouted and spewed a stream of tingly water in a fountain from her puffed up cheeks, nickering her annoyance. "Always later! You're no fun, when are we going back to the fairies' tree and all the radiation you promised Fast? I'm all tiny again and I want to play!"

Still craning my neck for Jade, I sighed and tried to placate the increasingly impatient alicorn. I got a reprieve from Swan claiming her prize immediately since we both needed a day to heal and rest, but burning through all the radiation she had absorbed not only put her back in perfect health, it put her back at Jade's size and antsy to get going to remedy that. I had promised somewhere with lots of rads to make her happy, which had been enough for her exercise a little restraint and patience, but it was rapidly wearing thin.

"I know Swan, soon, I promise. Our friends are on their way here, they can take over playing peacemaker for us and we'll go back to the Ministry of Peace. You can even teleport us back now that you've been, that will save time huh? I'm sorry we've been so busy and I've been too worn out to... er.... a-anyway, umm... t-tonight alright? Let me go talk to Jade so we can be ready to go as soon as possible."

There she was, sitting in her usual spot in front of our temporary housing, on a rickety 'throne' of lawn furniture, with our daughter and her royal guard Witchy flanking her, a pair of breezie siblings perched on her crown, along with Icepaw and Steelfist on either side. Acting as mediator between the White Legs and the residents of Salt Lick looked like it had been taking it out of her, but she worked long and hard despite her discomfort, patiently listening to the complaints of both sides as they came up and helping them reach compromises.

Neither group was going to really like the other anytime soon, but everyone was actually making an effort. A lot of arguing had established what areas of the mines were now the exclusive domain of the White Legs and what were available to the Salt Lick miners. Rates of exchange for the hellhounds' work in digging up the salt had been agreed upon. Common laws and punishment for the two groups in line with Sanctuary's rules were accepted. Overall it had been going well, considering they had been at each other's throats just a little more than 24 hours ago.

Waiting for her to finish dealing with a peach colored mare and a sandy blonde hellhound arguing about price gouging, I checked my pip-buck for locator tags. There was Preston's mark, finally leaving Jamocha Plains and heading our way. Periwinkle's mark had split off from his however, heading north towards Hexington and Sanctuary beyond for some reason. I wondered how the earth pony Minutemare was making such good time without her to fly him this way. After checking their progress, a quick look for Summer Wind's tag showed her at Castle Equinox, just like she had said on the radio. I finished by checking on Ivy again as I did frequently, relieved to see her still in Goodneighbor with her orphans.

Getting tackled by a pale filly effectively ended my staring at the map on my leg, returning Glitter's overenthusiastic hug and smiling up at her mother trotting over wearily. Even though she was everything I thought a Princess should be, and that opinion was obviously shared by plenty of others, Jade still didn't like being the center of attention.

Joining in an embrace with us relieved some of the tension putting bags under her beautiful blue eyes and she sighed softly. "I believe that is all of the 'emergencies' for the next hour or so dear, thanks to Glitter's expert skills in defusing a few standoffs. I do hope Preston arrives soon with reinforcements, what we really need here is more hooves on the ground and to get them to listen to someone other than myself."

I disentangled myself first, trotting to Jade's seated back and rubbing her tight shoulders to her purrs of contentment before adding more stress. "I think he should be here soon, Cocoa must have kept him busy awhile, but he's on the way. I er... heard something interesting on the radio too..."

"Oh? I noticed some type of notification a few minutes ago, the furious battle over the public marking of territory distracted me however. Something good I hope?" Jade kept her eyes closed and leaned back in relief, being stubbornly optimistic and not sounding like she wanted to hear anything to the contrary.

Well, nothing Summer had said was really bad per se, just a little concerning. Best to stick with the positives, I was supposed to deal with the potential negatives as her faithful knight. "Ummm... Yeah, basically. Our friends back at the castle got the communications equipment working again, that's what the new radio station is. I wanted to fix that though..."

Mock pouting got a tinkling giggle out of her that sounded like it helped, she turned around to give me a soft, smiling kiss as Glitter stuck her tongue out and retreated. "You wish to fix everything, do you not Fast? I am sure letting others attend to some repairs cannot be so bad. Why do we need a radio station though? Miles does a fine job, and we have DJ Pon3 available for news from the wider world now."

"It's actually pretty smart, I'm hoping they'll repeat the whole spiel so you can hear, but it's a way to let people know who needs help. Plus they can get messages to us wherever we are, since we're kinda all over the place. Summer fixed it for us, so I guess I don't mind not getting to do it that much. She's a Minutemare now, cool huh?"

Jade stood suddenly and pranced in place in a little squealing dance with Glitter, a wide, beaming smile shared between them that looked to re-energize her, only tempered with contemplative concern as she thought it through. "Scribe Wind? How wonderful! Oh I do look forward to seeing her again, I had hoped she would seriously consider her thought of joining us! But... wait... that would mean she has left the Brotherhood? Oh dear, that must have been difficult for her, I do hope she is alright... I wish we could see her, but I assume she is at the castle to have stolen that particular repair task away from you? Hmm... if only we could talk back, though I do agree using a radio station in that way is very clever. Ah! We shall send her a letter, there is a Red Rocket station in Jamocha Plains. We will have to collect Miss Latte when the Brotherhood arrives, I will..."

While I was glad to see her looking up, I had to press a hoof lightly to her soft lips to slow her down. After dealing with bickering hellhounds and minotaurs all day, she got a little too wrapped up in good news. "She was a little vague on the why, but it sounds like we may get to ask the Brotherhood soon, she said they should be on the way hon. Preston should get here in an hour or two, so we'll need to hurry up and be ready to go as soon as we can. Are Icepaw and Steelfist still willing to cooperate?"

Turning back to the gruff pair of leaders, Jade nodded with an exasperated snort. "As much as they are capable of... They have both committed to joining us at the hub for our conference with the others at least. Though I am afraid it may take some time before we are able to leave, convincing everyone to listen to my replacement here will take some time after they arrive and have been selected, not to mention informing them adequately of the complicated truce here so they may act as an informed mediator."

Swan had sullenly come out from her pond, shaking the icy water from her coat briskly and giving a frustrated snort at her sister. "I don't waaaanna stay anymore! This is boring sister! You keep making me wait and there's not even any more fighting here! I want..."

While what Swan wanted was never really in doubt, she stopped abruptly before voicing it again, drawing my attention to whatever could have interrupted her. Spotting the tiny speck she was crossing her blue-violet eyes to track landing on her nose, I was curious why a little snowflake could bring such a sour look spreading on her face.

Glitter only noticed the flurries spattering to the muddy ground and melting immediately, prancing about and trying to catch them on her tongue with glee. "Snow! Mom! Dad! Lookit the snow! It's snowin'! Yay!! Let's make a snow pony, an have a snowball fight, an make snow angels, an..."

"I do not think we will see much accumulation dear, though the first snowfall is magical nonetheless. Let us take it as a good omen hmm? We will leave as soon as possible sister, we cannot let your hard won victory go to waste however." Jade smiled to our daughter and tried to soothe Swan, picking up on the pensive look the normally happy alicorn was now wearing along with me.

Quite a few people nearby were pointing out the light flurries too and generally enjoying it, Swan didn't look happy at all though. Her ears drooped and she hid under her long pink mane, muttering back somberly. "Whatever... I just wanna go."

"Umm... Swan? You ok? You don't look so good all of the sudden, something wrong?"

Looking back up to my question for a moment, Swan floated up her bag and clothing and turned to leave, answering over her shoulder quietly. "I hate snow almost as much as being tiny, tell me when we can leave already."

The three of us watched her trudge off in confusion, her annoyance and impatience were expected, especially after being forced to wait another day for her wounds from battling Icepaw to heal. I'd never really heard her sound so sad before though, her behavior over a little snow was as mysterious as her insistence on remaining supercharged as much as possible.

Jade sighed worriedly and nuzzled my cheek, concern clear in her tired voice. "P-Perhaps we have pushed my sister's patience too far. I think Swan deserves some a-attention when we have the time. Could you see if you can find out what that was all about Fast? You still have things you need to do back in the hub, do you not? After Preston arrives, I believe it may be good for you to ask Swan to teleport you back and begin your work, before the Brotherhood arrives. One of us should be there just in case they get there early and..."

I gulped at the missive, watching Glitter galloping around with several kids, colts, fillies, minotaur calves and even hellhound pups, all playing together in the flurries that seemed to bother Swan so much. With her out of earshot, I shyly addressed what would normally be Swan's sole focus and my own concern at the implied permission.

"Er... a-attention... as in... that? W-Without you?"

Jade smiled demurely and raised a brow over her lidded eyes, giving a soft giggle. "She has been kept waiting and you have both exercised restraint. I do not doubt my sister understands my place, whether I am there or not hmm? For the time being however, I am comfortable allowing you to reward my sister while I am otherwise occupied, I believe Glitter should have no problems remaining behind with so much excitement as well. I know you value your privacy dear, you should take the opportunity before the hub becomes so busy. Do not tell me you are having second thoughts? Admirable self control aside, I do catch you staring from time to time Fast..."

"Eep! Er... n-no, I still umm... w-want to and all... It's just weird without you the first time Jade. I want to share stuff like that with you, p-playing with Swan might be fun, but it means a lot more with you too. I love you Jade, you're first in my heart, always."

Occasionally I happened to stumble on the right thing to say, on those rare occasions I always felt the same sense of relief and pride for not screwing things up with my mouth. That infrequent sensation rushed up now when Jade turned a rosy pink and dove forward into a long kiss, sniffling slightly as she broke it off and spoke breathlessly. "And I love you as well Fast. I am not instructing you to t-throw yourself at her either you know, you merely have my permission if it comes up. Normally I would view that with certainty, but she did seem rather upset. That is the attention you should pay her first and foremost, if anything... e-else comes up, I will not be disappointed or feel left out."

"Right! Of course Jade, that's what I was worrying about too. I never hear her sad like that, so I'll do my best to find out what the deal is. Being with you too makes everything better, so if just talking will work, I'll go with that. Er.. not that talking is really my strong suite, but I'll try!"

Nuzzling each other in the light snow, Jade's sultry laugh sent a shiver down my spine. "Oh, you are surprisingly silver tongued when you wish to be... You are quite talented at making those around you feel loved and willing to open up to you at any rate, that kind of care is most likely what my sister needs. I do find it special to share such things with you as well after all. Perhaps when our current labors are behind us, the three of us could find a bit of time together, that could be rather e-enjoyable... "

Giving a joking leer up to the love of my life and waggling my eyebrows, I couldn't resist tickling her while teasing a bit. "Or more than just the three of us... Peri may still show up, and Ivy will come back here if we pull this off, sharing is caring you know, I bet it'd be even moooore enjoyable huh?"

Jade turned an adorable neon red and gave me a shove that sent me flying back to Swan's pond, clenching her eyes shut as she got flustered at the joke and tapping her hooves together nervously, "Fast! Y-Y-You are i-incorrigble! R-Really, m-m-more than... h-how would... w-we could not... c-could we? Fast?" Her look of curiosity when she opened her eyes was replaced by confusion and alarm, not finding me where I had been before her strong shove. "Fast? W-Where did you go?"

Sputtering and splashing to the surface, I grinned sheepishly up to her. "Still here! I deserved that... worth it though! You look way too cute when you get all worked up like that honey!"

Jade tried to save face, snorting and sticking her nose up, trotting off quickly to hide the rosy smile and not entirely succeeding at masking her giggles. If nothing else, she looked a lot better and more ready to face Icepaw tromping over with yet another complaint clear on his shaggy face.

The huge hellhound paused and watched me shaking myself dry. "Why fake Shadow Pony go swimming too? No time for playing, have more questions about pony talky thing with fairies."

Jade scooped Glitter up before she could dash over to me dripping in the mud, rolling her eyes and turning her attention to the hellhound leader. "My t-terrible husband merely needed to c-cool off a bit Mr. Icepaw. He will be leaving shortly for the Breezie Nation, to prepare for our 'conference' there. I would be happy to continue answering whatever questions you have."

The intimidating hellhound leader joined Glitter in staring at me curiously, their puzzled looks making me turn a red to match Jade as he tilted his head and shrugged. "Ponies silly people..."

The weather didn't worsen while we busily worked, though it didn't improve either and neither did Swan's mood. As the flurries dusted the mountains, the ruins of Salt Lick and the hills and fairgrounds between, the mysterious filly retreated to one of the trailers and refused to come out, leaving us to keep doing as much as we could before moving on.

We all accompanied Jade to the mines, an especially nerve wracking trip underground with a pack of hellhounds surrounding us. They were well behaved now, or at least not trying to kill us... though I was very glad Witchy stuck close to Jade and looked ready to belt out a screech at any moment.

Jade treated the numerous wounded hellhounds the same as she had the residents of Salt Lick, prescribing stern orders for after she left and carefully noting the medicines, food and supplies the White Legs would need. After getting over viewing them as furry murder machines, it was easier to see she had been right up close, they were just people. Dangerous, grouchy, non-pony people, but people nonetheless.

It was hard not to feel empathy for them after getting a good look at what they had been through, meeting those who were too hurt or weak to join in the attack on Salt Lick, seeing more of them than just that poor example. Many were painfully thin, their pilgrimage to the north hadn't been easy and Jade had assigned Glitter to haggling for food from the village for them immediately.

Salt Lick and the residents there were still a little sour faced, but a full day with no more fighting and no more buildings crashing to the lake had improved their mood a bit. Only a hooffull of them knew what their chieftan had got up to at the fight, and they were keeping quiet, though they were also gently nudging their fellows into accepting the situation, made easier as many of them were community leaders in their own right.

Steelfist was still Chief, but it was agreed by the small group in the know that he would gradually step down, helping his successor Sledge to fill his shoes over time. The explanation for the rest of the town that Sledge was a perfect choice to lead the town in this new era was going over well, imbuing many of the ponies and minotaurs with a sense of hope and novelty for change, a new town needed a new chief to go a new way.

Though the old chief would require a long time to adjust, let alone accept his new neighbors, Steelfist was honestly repentant, which smoothed over things. There were still roles for him to play, among them had been his volunteering to lead the band of minotaurs on our dangerous plan of corralling the monsters from the Glowing Sea. Both he and Sledge would attend our little conference with the other groups we were trying to gather from the southern Commonwealth, but Steelfist was taking the riskier parts himself to atone for nearly blowing up quite a few of us.

All of us were running ourselves ragged zipping between the mines and Salt Lick, fixing things, helping where we could and mending fences. So we were quite relieved to see a familiar Equestrian Air Guard troop transport gliding down from the twilight skies. The vehicle recovered from Fort Loyalty had been given a rough paint job of a blue that matched Jade's coat and bore the crossed rifle and lightning bolt of the Minutemares, coming in for a landing in the fairgrounds where Val directed when she went up to meet it.

The sight for sore eyes disembarking from the prewar military vehicle was expected and welcome, though the pony pulling the cart for Preston and the number of Minutemares and Followers of the Apocalypse piling out after him was a surprise. A hulking, yellow-green mutant alicorn had drifted down on his tiny wings, pawing the snow dusted ground and looking over to me when he spotted me, giving a crooked, toothy grin.

"Strong? Er... Hi! H-How's it going big guy?" I puzzled over the big mutant unhitching himself and stomping over behind Preston, his own jaunty Minutemare hat looked a little undersized on Strong's big, square head, but identified him as not just another one of the Institute's twisted creations.

"Hello little Shroud pony, Strong learn tings about friendship like say with weak Minutemare ponies, fight tough enemies, make Strong stronger. Strong like." Strong's gravelly voice slurred happily, he had added a missile launcher to his minigun battlesaddle over his tan duster, attracting a bit of attention from the locals still helping in the fairgrounds.

Preston paused to take a look around and confer with Val, barking orders to his dozen or more troops to spread out and get to work before ambling up with a wide smile. He had to rear up to clap Strong on the back proudly, apparently having no problem with his strange soldier. Actually, the more I looked, the more I realized none of them seemed that put out by Strong, he was viewed as just another member out of an increasingly eclectic group.

I spotted a pair of zebras moving briskly to unload supplies from the transport, one dressed as a Minutemare, the other wearing a lab coat and medical box saddlebags of the Followers. Their eager smiles weird to see after getting used to Zed's normally stern face, though the zebra fillies would still be easier on the eyes than him, even if wearing a matching expression. A ghoul here and there set out to put up tents with practiced ease along with all the living ponies too, and a middle aged mule ran herd on several of the younger Followers recruits to follow Preston's orders rapidly.

The leader of the Minutemares beamed at us, flipping his funny hat up to hold to his chest as he knelt and kissed Jade's hoof, to her blushing whinny and the awed stares of his troops. I got a hoofshake that threatened to send me staggering, Preston's natural earth pony strength overwhelming my own as he chortled at his mutant driver. "Strong here's been a big help Fast, thanks for recruiting him!"

"N-N-No P-Problem-m-m..." I stuttered as he kept right on shaking me briskly, finally releasing me to straighten my hat before it fell off and continue, trying to put up a good image for all the troops peeking at us as we worked, especially when I noticed young Lt. True Blue blushing in Preston's wake. "Good to see you again Preston, glad you could make it! Glad to see Strong is doing ok too. I was a little worried at the reception he might get, being... er... like he is."

Preston laughed heartily and tipped his hat with a wink. "Minutemares ain't picky Fast, you know that. The Princess would be mighty disappointed in us if we discriminated against anybody that wanted to help, so we take all kinds!"

Jade smiled softly and spoke in a clear, ringing voice for all the Minutemares flicking reverent looks her way. "I am very glad to hear it Preston, we all must work together, bring our diverse strengths and knowledge to bear in the spirit of friendship. It makes me quite proud to see so many volunteers from so many groups. I daresay you may even convince a hellhound or minotaur here to join at the rate you are going, that would be wonderful!"

"I think you may like it here too Strong, the folks that live in these parts are all really tough, so you might enjoy helping out here, Swan likes it anyway and she's really tough too. Nice to see you too Miss Blue, I see you decided to stick with Preston and help out here instead of going back to the city?"

The light blue filly I met in Trotson blushed brighter, smiling and shaking her head rapidly behind Preston, sending her light brown mane fluttering. "Yes sir! Y-You said it was my choice and I c-could see you again if I helped General Gardens! I appreciate the promotion, but it's really exciting expanding the Minutemares here and helping! Plus I get to meet the Princess! I-It's an honor your highness! I'll do my best to help out here, wherever you need me!"

Jade tilted her head at the awestruck filly, looking between her obvious, blushing hero worship and me, then slowly curling a wing over me before replying kindly. "Y-Yes... That is excellent Miss Blue, my Fast told me of meeting you in that awful raider den, I thank you for your clear devotion to the cause... There will be many assignments in this area for you to choose from hopefully, I am sure you will do well wherever you decide to help."

Preston gave a knowing grin and spoke up, interrupting Jade's tiny tinge of jealousy with a laugh. "You got that right Princess, between here, Jamocha Plains, Summerset Plantation and this hub we're supposed to head to, I had to send off for reinforcements from up north! You guys have been busy! True Blue here's a good trooper, good call with the promotion Fast, we could use a hundred more like her. Not that we don't have plenty of good folks now though, sent your sister Peri up to Sanctuary and one of our new griffon recruits out to Goodneighbor. Give us a day or two and we'll be ready to do what needs to be done down this way."

Glitter excitedly dashing out to greet True Blue further helped soothe the big blue Princess at my side, relaxing her grip on me slightly and turning to Val prowling over suspiciously at Preston's last statement. Val had been amusing herself squawking orders at Minutemares and Followers alike, abusing her authority as Jade's Captain of the Guard. Hearing Preston mention other griffons joining the group got her attention however.

"Ya been checkin' them out proper Preston? Ain't got no Gunners numbers on their flanks or runnin' off in the middle of the night are they? Could be spies..." Val narrowed her violet eyes and flicked Preston's hat, grumbling and rubbing her scarred flank subconsciously.

"We can't exactly do background checks Val, though Mayor Shamrock has passed on quite a few warnings about potential spies, but none of them were griffons. We've got an old Minutemare from way back in the old days that came back when she heard we took the castle keeping an eye out just in case. Ronnie Claw's a free agent griffon just like you, you'd all like her, she even came up with a contract to offer that covers our bases against working with the enemy. They're mostly from the city or Magpie Roost." Preston answered smoothly, trying to assuage Val's valid if paranoid concerns.

She didn't look entirely convinced, but her eyes widened a bit on the name of the griffon Minutemare he mentioned. Instead of pressing the issue, Val crossed her claws over her feathered chest and muttered to herself. "Still checkin' em out when we get back... Least ya ain't totally naive no more though Preston, worried yer bleedin' heart nonsense might bite ya in the butt again. Nice ta see ya learned a little better, got my claws full keepin' an eye out for Blue and the boss when it comes ta that stuff."

Jade rolled her eyes and huffed with a smile, trotting between the two and their ongoing battle between practicality and principles. "And we do so appreciate your efforts to save us from ourselves Valkyrie... Now then, we have a great deal to do and not much time. Before we get too busy and Fast returns them home with my sister while we get to work however, I would like to introduce you to the Kingdom of Sanctuary's other new allies Preston. It is alright you two, this is the fine General of the Minutemares I spoke to you about."

At that Jade lowered her head in a slight bow before Preston's curious expression, putting her costume tiara near his eye level so he could get a good look at the pair of breezies peeking past the silvery jewelery. They had both been getting more comfortable coming out where they could be seen, but strangers and crowds were still enough to make them disappear like magic.

Spring Gale and Blowing Storm had heard plenty about Preston however, the leader of the Minutemares on their way to help defend their home from outside threats had garnered a lot of interest. Gale fluttered out of Jade's mane first, sketching a polite midair bow and holding a tentative hoof out in greeting. "Yu iz Preston pony? Meenute-mare pony? Yu help breezie nation deal vith beeg pony world like Princess say?"

Preston's brown eyes widened in wonder, reaching up slowly to return Gale's hoofbump and looking down at his own hoof afterwards, as if convincing himself that yes, he really had touched a fairy. To his credit, Preston shook it off quickly enough and nodded back proudly. "Y-Yeah that's me alright... Er... Preston Gardens little miss, pleased to meet you. The Minutemares are here to help, we serve at the Princess' pleasure so you can take what she's told you to the bank. It's our honor to help defend your home and we can't wait to assist your efforts in joining the Commonwealth at large."

Gale smiled brightly hovering in front of Preston's wonderstruck face, groaning when her more militant brother zipped out and circled the Minutemare rapidly in a quick inspection, before joining her and scowling as he chittered rapidly in breezie language for his sister to translate. "Ugh... Stoopid brother say; 'Yu gud soldier ponies not like Brotherhood? Vhat make yu different?' Princess und Fast Shroud alreedy explain tu dumb brother, but he vant hear frum pony's mouth."

Chuckling for a moment, Preston looked up in thought before answering. "Well... not to speak ill of the Brotherhood of Friendship when we'd like to be friends with them too... I'd have to say they're more concerned with the past, while the Minutemares worry about making the present better. They're not as bad as the Steel Rangers in the old days trying to hoard prewar technology, or the Enclave hiding in the clouds and pretending the war never happened, but they still seem pretty focused on the way things were and trying to make them that way again. Minutemares are just trying to help the people of the Commonwealth make things as they are better."

"Very well said Preston, you see you two? Would you care to meet some of my Followers before you leave as well? I am sure you will wish to have a proper report for Queen Ether when you return." Jade beamed at Preston's diplomatic answer, curling a wing over him in a quick hug that made me think he'd bust the buttons on his old fashioned coat puffing up with pride.

That seemed to satisfy the stern little Securi-Tribe breezie, Blowing nodded smartly and fluttered over to Preston's hat, landing on the brim and peering down over it to chatter at him. Gale rolled her eyes and opted for Jade's crown again as she translated for him. "Dumb-dumb brother say; 'Me vatch uther Meenutemare ponies, make sure not bad soldiers like say.' Me stay vith Priness Blowy, yu practice pony talky by self, have tu learn if ve having more ponies in Breezie Nation. Me vant meet Followers Princess, all gud doctors like yu, yes? Dey ones who reopen hospital in home, let us heal und follow Holy Fluttershy's example, dat more important den fighty junk."

"I could not agree more Gale. Come along then everyone, let us use our time wisely before Fast returns our breezie friends home." Jade giggled her agreement and trotted off to her waiting Followers of the Apocalypse with Witchy taking her usual place beside her, taking charge of her fellow medics efficiently and getting to know the awed volunteers who would be taking her place here or moving on to the Ministry of Peace hub.

Val moved to follow Preston, most likely to keep teasing him and ordering troops around, but she paused and turned back to me with a sly squint, flicking her tail playfully in my face. "You an' big stuff goin' back early? If'n it were anywhere but that dull hub, I'd be goin' with ya boss, but figure yer safe enough there for a little while. Long enough for a lil' climb on Swan mountain, eh?"

"W-What? No! I umm... h-have stuff to fix there still... a-and the Brotherhood is probably on the way, so... ummm... C-Cut it out Val, Jade and I are just a little worried about her, she doesn't like the snow..."

Sauntering off with a hearty laugh, Val put an extra sway to her feline flanks and fluttered her eyelashes as she left me cringing by myself, surrounded by a crowd snickering at the bawdy griffon. "Uh huh.... sure boss, whatever you say! Try not ta get too worn out 'fixin' stuff... Maybe I'll go after all, gots plenty of odd jobs fer a handy-pony like you! Do a lil' tune up! Still ain't taken my pay!"

Zed appeared at my side while I was busy trying to mimic Jade and hide in my uncooperative wings, startling me out of my embarassment with a deep chuckle. "You're giving her what she wants when you turn that shade you know, I'm still surprised a dark coated pony like you can manage it. If you don't mind, I believe I'll return with you, my talents are better used helping Scribe Blossom back at the hub. I promise to ...give you your space... with the victorious gladiator filly, to attend to her sudden bout of depression of course."

Tucking my hat down to hide my burning cheeks under with my wings, I grumbled back to the zebra watching impassively. "I'm starting to think you like teasing me as much as she does Zed, you're just subtle about it..."

Zed just shrugged, strolling off and humming to himself in amusement. "I have no idea what you're talking about Fast. If you'll excuse me I think I'd like speaking with that pair of zebra fillies before we leave, perhaps one of them is suffering depression as well..."

"I hate you Zed..."

What busy work I did manage as the sun set was harried by not only the over eager and often awed recruits stumbling over themselves working with the famous Shrouded Stallion, but by the quiet whispers and giggles my overly sharp ears kept picking up as I passed. Just being able to hear things that would normally be too low to make out gave me a greater appreciation for what Ivy and her green sisters went through, hearing whispers was bad enough, hearing thoughts was infinitely worse I was sure.

At least most of it was fairly ...positive, some of the stories about me seemed to have grown out of proportion as they spread. I didn't take Castle Equinox by myself in a magical storm of destruction, I didn't face armies of Gunners single-hoofed, I didn't literally chase down the Institute and spit in their eye. Even if some had a nugget of truth buried somewhere, I didn't do anything alone, I needed my friends and a lot of help to get this far, but all the stories were about the invincible Shrouded Stallion, hero of the Commonwealth. Actually meeting me was getting a lot of surprise, curiosity and sometimes disbelief or disappointment, but at least there wasn't scorn or hatred for what I was, as I had run into elsewhere.

The other breathless whispers and stifled giggles tended to come from infatuated fillies like Lt. Blue, repeating a whole other set of out of control 'legends' about the only male alicorn and his decidedly non-combat skills. Quite a bit of it could be traced back to one particular alicorn Minutemare telling tales with no sense of modesty whatsoever... Peri and I would have to have a talk when I saw her next.

Though she wasn't the sole source, the rest of Jade's sisters had little sense of propriety either, and they had been quite busy searching high and low for me, making their intentions crystal clear in the process. Apparently having a hundred or so beautiful mares all after the same buck, made other, unrelated females curious if there must be something worthwhile to that one male.

The only positive I could see to being the focus of so much attention that left me mortified, was everyone having a beet red pony slinking around to laugh at brought the various groups we were leaving behind here together. The Salt Lick residents still had plenty of animosity for the White Legs, the White Legs felt the same and bristled at having to make compromises, while both groups had mixed feelings at the gaggle of outsiders expected to hold some level of authority over both of them, who in turn had their own standards they expected others to adopt, but all of them could share a laugh, a giggle, a funny story or a little teasing.

Laughter really was one of the most important virtues of ponykind, as the whispery giggle of 'Awareness' in my head bounced in agreement. I could just do without being the inspiration for quite so much of it...

I was pretty happy to get out of here at any rate, wrapping up as much as I could get done in the new outpost of the Kingdom of Sanctuary and sneaking off to collect Swan with my friends and family. Rapping gently on the dimpled metal door of Swan's trailer hideout took awhile to get an answer, but eventually she cracked the door open and peeked out, looking out at the snow still fitfully coming down and powdering the ground with a sullen expression.

Her ears drooped at the sight and she let her long pink tresses hide her face again, before her normally bright eyes were hidden, I could have sworn they looked slightly bloodshot... I could hardly imagine Swan crying over anything, but her low voice did sound a little thick, answering with a short, "What?"

"Umm... ready to go back to the hub Swan? Zed and the breezies are good to go whenever you are, we were gonna go ahead of the others to get to work there. There's stuff down in the basement I still have to check out, with all the radiaaaation...." I ended on a sing-song, trying to tempt her out with something I knew she liked hopefully.

"Radiation? Lots? Like you promised?" Swan nibbled at the bait at least, leaning out a bit further before shrinking back again from errant snowflakes drifting in. She didn't retreat entirely though, throwing up a dimly glowing shield outside the door to block any snow coming down, and she did sound a little more upbeat as she tilted her head and continued. "In the basement? Inside?"

Jade joined me worriedly, waving out to everyone waiting to see us off gathered around her new pond and the tent city rapidly springing up around it, the twin flags of the Minutemares and Followers proudly flying above. "Yes sister, away from the snow, Fast assures me it is quite radioactive down there and he will need your assistance. Won't you come out? W-We are worried for you... what is wrong sister?"

I smiled with pride at Glitter dashing into the half opened door, launching herself at Swan and swinging off her long neck in a gymnastic hug. "Yeah Aunt Swan! What's the matter? Snow's fun! I hope it snows more so we can play in it back at the fairies' tree, but not if it makes you sad! Please be happy..."

"Nothing's wrong little niece... I just don't like snow, I don't wanna talk about it... I get to help Fast? With lots of nice radiation? A-Alright... ok, good! Let's hurry then, you aren't coming sister?" Swan returned the embrace warmly, seeming to at least put on a false smile for the foal that could brighten almost anyone up.

She still didn't want to come out of her shelter, but did open the door wide and wave us forward, her horn already brightly glowing as she prepared to teleport Zed and I with her, the pair of breezies riding my hat were of such negligible mass, they couldn't tax her ability to take multiple passengers that much.

Quite a few hearty goodbyes yelled her way got Swan to pause from just blipping away with us. Several residents of Salt Lick who had seen her fight on their behalf wanted to thank the brave filly, including a fairly sheepish Steelfist himself, nudged forward into shaking her hoof by Sledge at his side. "Er... Nice meetin' ya Swan, thanks for all you done for our town. Sorry about the whole... thing... I almost did, I'm glad your little friend stopped me. When you showed up things were pretty rough, but I think they'll be better 'cause you're so tough! You come back to Salt Lick any time!"

Icepaw wasn't to be outdone by his counterpart, tromping forward and brushing shoulders with the minotaur brusquely as he reached a paw out and copied the gesture. "Crazy-strong pony come back and fight again like say! Visit White Legs, not Salt Lick! We throw big party for big pony!"

"Well we'll throw a bigger party! When it comes to fun, we won't be outdone!" Steelfist shoved forward and took Swan's other hoof, the two of them crossing her forelegs over each other as they both competed in hearty hoofshakes and glared eye to eye.

"Ahem... I am sure you two can host a much better celebration for my sister here in the fairgrounds, together... hmm?" Jade finally shoved her way between them and gave a stern stare, somehow making both of the ferocious leaders back off petulantly, flinching from the glare of her blue eyes, above the incongruously sweet smile she was wearing.

Like a pair of squabbling foals broken up by an exasperated teacher, they shuffled and scratched nervously. Giving a weak chuckle and putting on a show of making up, they even managed to shake hands themselves. Though I could see the muscles straining in both of their thick arms as they squeezed and grunted around the gritted teeth smiles they returned.

"Yes Princess...."

"Fine Princess pony..."

Jade's optimism never failed to amaze me as much as Glitter's social skills. she beamed brightly at the two of them and overlooked any remaining animosity as she patted their backs in encouragement, getting a lot of chuckles from the crowd. "Excellent! You see how much better that is? I am sure putting your competitive nature towards putting on a celebration of your peoples coming together, will result in a wonderful new holiday for your community! I am so proud! My sister and I will be sure to return to join it, is that acceptable to you Swan?"

Blinking back at all the ponies, minotaurs, hellhounds and more staring back at her, Swan gave a slow smile and nod. "A party, for me? I'd like that... so I'll come back, yes!"

That made me feel a bit better for her, despite her somber mood. She had been having problems dealing with all the new residents building Unityville around her when she joined us. Now she was a local hero to this fledgling community, a lot of eager looks and smiling faces from both sides whooped at her acceptance of the invitation. Interactions with others that didn't involve violence were still hard for Swan, but she was starting to catch on and enjoy them.

I still noticed her frown as the wind gusted, blowing her pink skirt up as flurries swirled under her shield. Hastening her unsure goodbyes, we were gathered together in her magic and got the idea she was obviously ready to leave. Her impatient whinny as I hugged Jade and Glitter goodbye made me reluctantly leave the two of them, nodding at Jade's quiet murmur of, "Please try to talk to her, help her Fast..."

"As you command Princess, I'll try my best. See you soon!" I replied, ending on a yelp as Swan picked me up and dragged me back over to her and Zed, waving to everyone until the world disappeared in a bright flash.

My ears popped and I stumbled when Swan let me go, shaking off the vertigo of a rapid teleport and leaning against the large, pink double doors of the Ministry of Peace hub entrance. Swan immediately pranced over and nudged me to hurry up and unlock the doors, dashing in out of the snow gently drifting down through the canopy of the forest we were now at the heart of.

The Flutter Forest was closer to the edge of the Commonwealth, so while the dense reds, oranges, browns and yellows of the trees helped slow down the snow, it was thicker out here and dusting the ruins of Willowville behind us. After a short electronic hoofshake with the hub maneframe at the second door inside the tree stump shaped building Swan was happier sheltering in, I got it to unlock rather quickly.

For once the obnoxious computer didn't give me shit about getting in, though it did happily list off all the recent injuries Swan and I had acquired, asking when Jade would be back so it could tattle again. Even the piss poor personality imprinted on the weird computer, couldn't diminish the sight waiting behind the inner doors barring entry to the grounds when they creaked open obediently. I actually had to wonder if it wasn't in a good mood and wanting to share, or show off...

Not that the 'Great Tree' didn't have something to be proud of. Even Zed gave a short gasp of wonder as we all stared up at the gleaming crystalline tree. The rainbow colored fronds of the huge willow blinked brightly, lighting the delicate snowflakes swirling around it in an impressive display. The grounds of the hub looked to have been tended by the Fauna-Tribe now that the breezidore population up here had been significantly diminished, newly trimmed and tended plants of all kinds looked like they had been dusted with powdered sugar, reflecting the light the tree was putting off in the diminishing twilight.

I absently wondered about the huge pale yellow bubble of a shield keeping the hub sealed, interested to find it let weather in, deciding that was probably along the same lines of the bypass that let the breezies pass in and out as they wished. The Ministry of Peace wouldn't want to have an impact on the environment if they could avoid it, plus if it didn't let the snow in it would rapidly coat the amazing bit of arcano-tech protecting the place. As it was, I couldn't help imagining it as it looked from the outside, a giant snowglobe we had magically entered, staring in awe at the picture perfect scene before us.

Spring Gale and her brother Blowing immediately flitted off my hat with a cheery chitter, joining quite a few breezies already out here, fluttering about in the snow playfully, chirping and chattering to each other with joy clear in their strange language. The flock of brightly colored, diaphonous wings only added to the brilliant display, making me wish Jade, Glitter and the others were all here to share it with, that my parents and brother were here... that we'd get to spend Hearth's Warming Eve together this year, in a beautiful place like this...

That sad thought broke through the enchanting spell the view cast and my ears drooped, my eyes watering slightly ...from a lucky snowflake landing there... I sighed slightly as Zed shook it off too and trotted towards the doors, looking back to Swan and alarmed to see a tear running down her cheek, my own melancholy a pale shadow of the sorrowful look on her face.

"S-Swan? Er... i-isn't it pretty?"

Swan sniffled and rubbed her eyes with a scowl, muttering back staring at the ground. "Yes... it's beautiful... I don't like it."

"Umm... ok? H-Hey, Swan... are you ok? What's the matter? If you think it's beautiful, why don't you like it? Why's it making you so... s-sad?"

My worried questioning just seemed to make things worse, Swan screwed her face up and trudged forward, keeping her eyes downcast as she left me behind and headed for the doors into the hub. "I don't wanna talk about it... I just don't like it Fast. Leave me alone awhile..."

"But..."

"Don't. Wanna. Talk." Swan cut me off and left me watching her long tail and mane whipping in the breeze, the adamant tone in her voice making it clear pressing the issue was not a good idea.

I puzzled over the strange filly, stunned and pretty concerned her normally cheery mood that remained unbroken by any deadly enemy she faced, could be brought crashing down by a little snow. She usually lived out in her pond in the shadow of the Ministry of Arcane Sciences hub, so I guessed winter must be a little annoying for her... The weather didn't really bother either of us, but I had noticed she liked swimming and her private pond must freeze over, it couldn't be something so simple or mundane though.

Even though I still felt a little sad too when I looked back up at the glowing lights of the tree in front of me, I could still appreciate the beauty and wonder. Sure it made me miss my family, but it also made me remember all the happy holidays we did share together. Whatever was bothering Swan, it was a lot deeper than just a little holiday blues...

Eventually a happy chitter interrupted me tapping my forehead and trying to figure out the mysteries of a mare's mind fruitlessly. Queen Ether fluttered down with Gale, tilting her head at me muttering to myself in the snow and speaking up after realizing I was lost in thought. "Fast Shroud? You okies? Is Breezie Nation not beautiful in weenter? Wish other new friends vas here to see, Gale says you come back early to fix und get ready?"

"Huh? Oh... yeah, sorry your highness. I thought we should be here in case the Brotherhood shows up early, they're on their way, along with a lot of other new friends for you to meet. I figure the entrance building should be plenty of space for everybody to have a kinda conference thing, without letting anyone in that you don't want. Plus I need to go down to the basement and do what ....the Great Tree wants down there."

"Ahhhh... yes, Gale start telling me, ve meet dogs and mino people? Is good then, I very interested in hearing all aboot. You come in out of snow, ve have hot food for other soldier ponies still here, you come in und tell adventures! Before go fixy things!" Ether's icy blue eyes were wide with excitement, the regal ruler getting caught up in the happy atmosphere and fluttering to my face in anticipation.

Her subjects just piled on, drawing closer from their frolicking and taking up the chant of, "Story! Story! Story!" They all knew that pony word now and liked it apparently, though living out here by themselves, I could see being a little starved for entertainment.

Shaking off my worry for Swan, for the moment anyway, I sketched a low bow and tipped my hat, letting the enthusiastic Queen take the seat of honor on the brim and trotting towards the hub with a chuckle. "A-Alright, alright, I'll talk! O-Or I'll help Gale and Blowing tell the story, they were there and helped the whole way. I'm not great at public speaking, so I'll just fill in the details, ok?"

"Booooooooo!" Came back in a squeaky chorus and I groaned, heading into the hub with a flock of breezies now daringly fluttering around me in a cloud, causing that spike of pain between my eyes again for a moment of memories I couldn't reach. It passed quickly though, before they returned to chanting, "Story!"

"Ok! Story, story, I got it..."

Covering our adventures in Salt Lick took awhile, though it was pleasant enough addressing the interested breezies in the warm hub cafeteria. Having course after course of delicious food brought out to the head of the long table I sat at, I mumbled around mouthfulls to the crowd lining the surface in front of me. The breezies really were getting good at making pony food.

A small group of Tinker-Tribe, Flora-Tribe, Fauna-Tribe and the nurse and doctor dressed Willowheart-Tribe were even discussing forming their own little mini-tribe to staff the kitchens if they did reopen the hospital. I'd have to try to spend a little time with them before we left actually, none of us knew how to cook very well and I realized I didn't really want to leave that little chore to Jade given her ...unique results... when she attempted it.

I remembered mom practically inhaled food while she was carrying my brother Better in the Stable, some of it as disgusting as what Jade came up with normally. A pregnant mare needed to eat a healthy diet, alicorn metabolism or not, and that was something I could do for her.

Despite my dislike of addressing so many people at once, it wasn't so bad like this. Maybe because tiny breezies weren't nearly as intimidating as a crowd of bigger ponies. Gale, Blowing and even Zed helped take up different threads of the story, while Knight Grinder and even Scribe Blossom ate and listened attentively, the obsessed Scribe taking a rare break from her experiments and research in the hub.

The two Brotherhood ponies were very interested when I informed them their group was on the way here. Knight Grinder kept rubbing his chin thoughtfully, the rare opportunity to see the brown stallion out of his armor let me get a good look at the contemplative expression on his uncovered face.

The bedraggled pink filly beside him perked right up, shoveling her food down quickly and gathering the assorted notes she was never without, speaking in a rush once I finished up and excusing herself distractedly. "Ah, I wonder if Proctor Quiz or Senior Scribe Never will come! I have learned a great deal here I'm eager to report! I'll have to start coallating the data and writing up my reports and proposals! So much to do! Still more repellent production to attend to as well! Busy, busy! I must get to work!"

Knight Grinder looked a little disappointed at her frantically collecting her work and moving to run back to the labs, where she had apparently spent most of her time while we were gone. He nervously called after her before she could disappear into her work again, stammering after the pretty pink mare and managing to make her pause a moment. "Umm S-Sakura wait! Can't you take a break before getting all that together? You haven't had much rest, er... w-working too hard is no good for you. M-Maybe get some fresh air outside? It's snowing and it's really beautiful, you should see it and relax a little before..."

"No time! Several papers to write, my research into more effective radiation treatments has progressed greatly just from what my time here working with Doctor Jade, I must write up my findings on breezie and breeziedore biology, the effects of the adaptation potion must be brought to our leader's attention, my proposals for cooperation with Sanctuary and the Breezie Nation will need to be very convincing, so much to do! I must go, hurry, hurry! Snow will wait!" Scribe Blossom chattered back manically, scooping her work into her pocketed blue scribe vest and Brotherhood marked saddlebags, bowing and rubbing her frazzled mane in rushed apology as she kept creeping to the door.

Getting a better look at her, and smell... I wrinkled my nose and tried to tactfully offer a suggestion. "Er... You might want to at least take time to get a shower Sakura, umm... I'm sure you want to make a good impression to your leaders so they take you seriously?"

She tilted her head and blinked those lavender eyes back at me for a moment, finally pausing and holding a hoof up to her nose, she quickly pulled it away with a grimace and nodded rapidly. "Aha, yes, good idea! I can take audio notes while I do anyway, it has been a few... days? Hmm... how long has it been Grinder?"

The burly brotherhood Knight flushed immediately, answering in an embarassed mumble. "A-A few days yeah... n-not that I keep track of when you... umm... But you haven't been sleeping either Sakura, so you really should clean up and get some rest at least? You know protocol on appearance matters, especially if Captain Winter comes... Y-You really should see it outside too, I'd umm r-really like to show you how pretty..."

Scribe Blossom bit her lip at the name and shuffled impatiently, grumbling back and interrupting the blushing Knight's attempts to spend time with her that were obvious even to me. "Nnnn... yes, I don't want another discipline duty... silly rules, there is medical science to advance! Very well, I will clean up and take a power nap, no time for looking at snow though, I've seen it before! Some other time, thank you!"

At that she galloped off, muttering to herself about her endless ideas and experiments. Our breezie hosts were busily clearing the table, giving the poor buck room to thunk his head to the surface and groan miserably, shuffling up to rest his chin on the table and hide under his hooves. "Ugh... she never says yes..."

"Umm... sorry Grinder, that was painful to watch... I wouldn't take it personally though, Scribe Blossom doesn't seem like she notices much outside of her work. You like her, huh?"

The Brotherhood Knight rolled his head over dejectedly, turning one orange eye up to me and sighing sadly. "That obvious, is it? Er... to everypony else I guess... Y-Yeah, I keep trying to get through to her, but she never notices. Hey... you're smooth with the ladies Fast, do you have any advice?"

"M-Me!? Smooth? No, no, no... you got the wrong pony Grinder, I'm not..."

Unfortunately, the earth pony buck seemed to latch onto the idea, a spark returning to his eyes blazing as he sat up, stretching up on his forelegs on the table. "But you've got the Princess, and Miss Ivy, and Miss Swan! Your griffon is totally flirting with you all the time, that thestral even!! Plus Scribe Wind talks about you all the time! You're like a total filly killer Fast! C'mon! Tell me your secret, pleeeeeease!"

Hearing myself described that way, I could feel my cheeks burning as I cringed from Grinder leaning over the table towards me hopefully. My embarassment only deepened with Zed's deep chuckle as he sipped at a Sunrise Sarsaparilla. "Fast? A ladies stallion? Oh yes, do tell the secret to your infamous wiles Fast, I'm interested in hearing as well."

"S-Stop Zed... you know better, come on... Y-You should talk to him Grinder, Zed actually is pretty charming when he wants to be, I'm... not."

The renewed fire in Grinder's eyes wouldn't be swayed by my sheepish denial, he stamped a hoof down on the table and shook his head forcefully, pleading hopefully. "Don't hold out Fast! I promise I won't tell anybody, just a little help getting Sakura to notice me? She noticed you! You've got a friggin harem and a ton of fillies chasing after you! Just help me out with this one?"

"Grinder, Scribe Blossom noticed me because I'm a medical anomaly, the same reason all those mares from Trinity Tower are after me, the same reason I even agreed to be with o-other mares. I'm a male alicorn, that's pretty much it. Any skills I have dealing with ladies have more to do with getting turned into ...t-this... than anything on my part. It's a lot more weird biology, pheromones and urges I don't have control over all the time, than it is actually knowing what to do or say. Hell, Swan's upstairs pouting and feeling bad right now, but I don't know what to do about it, how to help her... I'm totally useless when it comes to knowing what to say or do."

My answer made the poor stallion crestfallen and he slumped back to the table, looking up pitifully and holding his hooves up to beg. "Can't you tell me anything? I've seen you, it's not just you running around mating with other alicorns, or you'd be in that tower with them. Princess Jade really loves you, so do plenty of others, Val, Ivy, Swan... How do you do it?"

Looking into his hopeful face and ignoring Zed's continuing chuckles, I thought long and hard, trying to come up with something. I did insist on getting close to Jade's sisters before doing what they wanted, but they wanted me to fulfill their mother's wish to breed first and foremost. They came to me, I just... slowed them down a little. It was hardly fair for Grinder to compare our situations, it's not like I had any magical skills or advice to give him.

I had been with two amazing fillies beyond just the one I loved the most, and grown close to several more an insistent part of me wanted 'MORE' of, something I never could have dreamed of back in the Stable. Peri and Ivy, Val, Witchy, Scribe Wind, the normally obsessed Swan I was worrying about now, in each case I really didn't do anything special, I just...

"Listen." I finally croaked back, facehoofing and flapping up from my seat in a rush, I had to go do something.

"What? Listen to what, are you gonna tell me the secret? I'm listening!" Grinder stood with me, prancing in place and waiting for some mystical wisdom I didn't have.

"No, not listen to me, just listen. That's all I can tell you Grinder, that's all I'm really good at when it comes to dealing with mares. Just listen to them, that's it. Something I need to go do right now, sorry!"

Thankfully, Zed held the confused buck from chasing after me as I ran out the door and down the twisting halls. The zebra stallion probably had much more useful advice to give than I did, he was discrete, but I did notice Zed usually found a mare to spend time with wherever we went.

I was nowhere as experienced or smooth, I just stumbled and fumbled my way into things, and I realized I had continued that mistake ridden trail with Swan. If she didn't want to talk about it when I kept asking and worrying over her, I shouldn't continue to pester her, but I should be there to listen regardless.

I charged down the halls, nearly tripping over the miniature train tracks as I ran out into the central chamber and the breezie capital of Willowheart. I caught myself with my wings and awkwardly flapped up, narrowly missing Ether's model Canterlot palace and flying up to the third floor.

Skidding to a halt from my landing, I took a second to catch my breath and took my hat off, tapping lightly on the door to Vice Director Tree Hugger's office and peeking in the dark room when I didn't get an answer. I found Swan curled up i the corner, her head resting on her forelegs and her watery eyes staring out the window at the snow drifting by.

She quickly wiped her eyes and curled up tighter when she saw me, turning to stare at the wall and muttering over her back facing me. "I don't wanna talk or do anything yet Fast, I'll get up later..."

Mustering my courage, I crept into the room and sat beside her, leaning against the glimmering wall and reaching a hoof out to stroke her long back. "That's fine Swan. You don't have to say anything, but I'm here if you want to. If you don't, I'll still be right here."

I caught her peeking over her shoulder at me, her pink tresses not quite hiding her confused, bloodshot blue-violet eye. Keeping quiet, I simply smiled back and returned to looking out the window, so she wouldn't feel self conscious doing the same as she had been. I kept gently stroking her back and turned my pip-buck's radio down low, listening to the soft tones of an old Sweetie Belle hit from when I was a foal, eventually humming along quietly and hoping.

There was a long pause like that, sitting quietly with the sad beauty beside me, feeling her soft fur and the powerful muscles beneath it, enjoying her company and not pressing or questioning, just keeping quiet, listening. The soft whisper of 'Be Kind...' rose up in approval, actually managing to keep the nagging mutter of 'Be Dark...' quiet for once.

Several songs passed like that, Miles seemed to be enjoying the weather himself and the playlist was all fairly slow and reflective music. I absently hoped he was out there somewhere with Magnolia, it would account for the absence of his regular news reports and I hoped they were together, flying out there in the snow, another purple alicorn like the one beside me and a regular pegasus in love.

"D-Don't you have boring fix it things to do with old junk Fast?" Swan broke me out of the enjoyable daydream with a shuddery whisper, peeking back at me again and scooting a bit closer.

"Nothing that won't wait Swan. You're more important, I'm not going anywhere."

We continued sitting in the dim office like that for quite awhile, letting the music fill the silence. Slowly, the pensive filly at my side kept scooting closer, sighing at my hoof lazily stroking her back and ribs. It took quite some time, but she eventually cuddled close and laid her head over my outstretched hindlegs drumming the floor absently as I reclined against the wall.

Swan was usually a lot more forceful when it came to physical contact, so this was actually a nice change in a way. Not that she was sad of course, but I rarely had the opportunity to be so gentle with her. I hummed softly with the radio and enjoyed the sensation of running my hoof through her silky mane soothingly, lightly touching her feathery wings and making an awkward attempt at preening them. I'd have to figure that out at some point anyway, my own gave me enough trouble, it was easier working out how it was done on the graceful lavender wing stretching out under my fumbling ministrations.

"I don't like snow..." Swan finally muttered quietly.

Choosing not to press the issue and ask why again, I simply nodded and stroked her cheek, whispering back. "So I gathered, that's ok. It is pretty though."

"I don't like being small either..." A weak whisper from the filly continued, that tinge of fear and worry in her voice enough for me to lean down and nuzzle her cheek reassuringly.

"You've made that abundantly clear Swan, that's ok too. Though I do sorta like being able to have your head in my lap like this, instead of being crushed under it... so being small isn't all bad either huh? Er... for me anyway, but whatever makes you happy." Again I didn't ask questions, just tried to encourage and even got a tired giggle as she snuggled closer and stared out the window as I leaned back again and waited, lazily stroking her mane like mom had for me when I was upset or sad as a foal.

There was no funny business or sexual tension between us for once, just a pony trying to console another pony. I sat in the gloom with her, hearing her muted crying and feeling the hitching of her chest occasionally. With how great and powerful Swan was, it was difficult to keep in mind how she could be hurt or vulnerable. The more I considered it, the more I realized it was probably hard for Swan to show any kind of vulnerability or weakness, she was the guard, the invincible, gigantic guardian of all her sisters in the Commonwealth.

Asking a lot of questions and fretting over her probably just made her more determined to be strong, to deny anything was wrong and refuse to talk about it. Talking to Knight Grinder made me realize the only thing I could do for her, was basically all I was good at when it came to mares, just listening. Being patient and being there, waiting until she wanted to say something, that was the best thing I could do for Swan, so that's what I did.

"I don't like remembering either..." After another long pause, Swan spoke in a hoarse whisper, rolling a bloodshot, beautiful blue-violet orb back to me worriedly.

"Remembering? Like... before?"

I had to break down and ask a question there, but I got the idea that was the point of her statement, her expectant gaze stayed on mine until I did and she answered almost immediately. "Before unity... yes. I don't like it, I don't want to remember, but I see the snow and... memories come back Fast, I don't like them."

"Hmm, Ivy didn't like her memories from before the goddess either Swan, she told me about them and said it made her feel better though. Did you know she used to be a teacher? It's actually kinda funny, she could'a been my teacher when I was a foal actually, if she worked in the Commonwealth instead of Old Olneigh. That would have been funny huh? The whole hot for teacher bit and all... heheheh.... s-sorry..."

I wanted to ask what memories Swan had of her previous life, or parts of somepony's life at least. Alicorns made by the Goddess could be composed of hundreds of bits of pieces of other ponies, so it tended to be a crap shoot whether they remembered anything or not to begin with. I didn't want to scare her off though, talking about Ivy confiding in me about her own memories and trying a lame joke danced around the subject, if Swan wanted to talk about it, she would.

She did, furrowing her brow in thought as I kept stroking her mane, Swan eventually spoke up again, her simple reply forcing me to use up another question. "Yaks..."

"Er... Yaks? Like Yakyakistan yaks? Those big, hairy, horned people from the north? What about them?"

Swan gave a long, low sigh, eyeing the snow pattering against the window with a distant look in her eyes. "Yes, those. Yaks are big and strong... I liked them, I lived with them I think, when I was little like niece Glitter... too little... Things came, bad things from the snow and ice... Windigos... They came and... and..."

"Shhh... it's ok Swan, you don't have to..."

"They came from the snow! They killed them all, my friends! My big, strong friends all died! I couldn't do anything cause I was too s-small and w-w-weak! Just hide like a chicken! I hate snow! I hate being small and weak! And I hate remembering! The mother came and saved us, made us strong, made us big! Bigger than puny ponies, bigger than yaks even, able to grow bigger and stronger when we want! Big enough no one could hurt us or take our friends again, big enough to smash windigos and all other monsters!" Swan cried out in a rush, stretching her neck and wheeling on me with pain and fury blazing in her weeping eyes.

Seeing Swan's tough exterior finally break, I lunged forward into the gap and wrapped my forelegs around her neck, burrowing into her mane and nuzzling her cheek, whispering up to her ear as soothingly as I could. "That's why you like being big, huh Swan? I'm sorry... I'm so sorry that happened to you, that you remember... that it still hurts and makes you so sad. If it helps, I felt kinda sad at the snow when we got here too..."

Her voice cracked and was thick with held back sobs, but after a few minutes of my comforting embrace she was slowly returning, Swan spoke in miserable curiosity. "Y-You too? Why? I t-thought you liked it..."

"I do, but seeing the tree all lit up and pretty, I thought about my family and I was sad they weren't here, that they're gone... But I feel that way because of all the happy memories I have of them in the winter, of Hearth's Warming Eve, of Winter Wrap Ups, of just sitting together watching it snow or playing in it together. It's kinda all mixed up, I feel happy, but sad too. I think the happy still wins out though, don't you have any good memories? About your yak friends?"

She held still awhile in thought, finally nodding against my neck and answering softly. "Some... The tree all lit up reminded me of looking out at big crystal ruins that were pretty too, blinking and twinkling in the snow... I used to watch them sometimes and want to go see them. I really liked the yaks too, I remember that. I was little... but they were so big and strong, they protected me and everyone else. I wanted to grow up to be like them... b-but I never got the chance..."

"So you were young when you... umm... when you joined unity? I-I'm not cuddling a little filly in a big body, am I Swan?"

My half joking question got a sniffling giggle and Swan pulled back, looking me in the eye and shaking her head slowly. "I was when I was raised up by the mother, but I've been alive a long time now like this, so I'm a grown up... I just remember being little sometimes."

I tried to hide the relieved sigh her answer brought, it was hard to keep in mind given how gorgeous and mature Swan and her sisters looked on the outside, but the Goddess basically tossed any unicorn she could into the pot and churned them out. Male and female, young and old, there was no telling what was under that beautiful exterior. If Swan was still the little filly from her memories... that raised all kinds of uncomfortable questions concerning what she wanted from me most of the time.

Of course the fact she referred to it as 'play' and generally had an upbeat disposition full of childlike glee didn't help either. Now that she told me, I could see the filly she must have been once in those deep blue-violet pools staring back at me, though the maturity of the intervening years was clear too, thankfully.

"Well, in that case I think you did get what you wanted then. You grew up... a lot... and you're strong no matter what size you are, you protect others like they did for you, they'd probably be proud of you Swan. I don't know anything about yaks, but I bet they wouldn't want you to only be sad thinking about them. You carried on in their hoofsteps, they're still alive in your heart. Try not to focus on just the bad memories, remember the good ones as much as you can and make new ones that make you happy, that's probably what they'd want, huh?"

Lifting Swan's drooping muzzle with a hoof to her chin, I gave a big, supportive smile and planted a light kiss on her nose. She'd been very clear how much she liked that, so I was glad to see it cheer her up when she answered a little less shakily. "Good ones... new good ones... T-This is a new good memory then Fast, I... I like you. I like being with you like this, even with it snowing. I like knowing you care and aren't scared of me being big and strong. It's nice, all... f-fluttery feeling in my stomach and warm. Is... is this that silly love junk you keep talking about?"

Leaning forward to her anxious, hopeful face, I gave her lips a long kiss this time and nodded slowly. "I hope so Swan, I know I love you. You're awesome and sweet, you have a big heart and you're definitely the strongest, biggest mare I ever met, even when you're 'tiny'. You don't have to be tough all the time though, ok? When you're hurting that hurts me too, even if I can't do anything to help, I still want to be there for you, I always will if that's what you want. That's love Swan, or a part of it, and I love you."

Swan's full cheeks turned pink as she stared back at my simple declaration, her watery eyes twinkling before she launched herself into a tackle of a hug that sent me to the floor, nuzzling and planting happy kisses as she gave a laughing, sniffling, grateful reply. "Love! I love you too! I like love! This is a very good memory, I feel lots better Fast! I love love!"

Getting smothered by a lot of warm, soft, affectionate, wriggling filly was making my mane itch, but I managed to keep my response down to just nuzzling and returning her light kisses. I was glad she calmed down and curled up around me with a contented whinny, laying her head next to mine so we could both look out the window in quiet contemplation.

The muttering grumble of 'Be Dark...' kept insisting on 'MORE', only slightly placated by tracing a hoof down her long neck and sides gently. That part could just wait, Swan had actually shown some real emotion and let her defenses down, I wasn't going to take advantage of that or ruin it with baser impulses. I meant what I said, I just wanted to be there for her, however she needed me.

After several more soft songs from my pip-buck between us, Swan eventually broached the subject herself anyway, much to the delight of that annoyingly frisky mutter in my head. She rolled a much drier and happier looking eye my way, nudging me to raise my drooping eyelids from the light doze I was in from the hypnotizing, soothing sensation of comforting her, tracing the rise and fall of her curves.

Considering how playfully insistent she usually was, her quiet, reticent tone was an interesting change when she purred in my ear. "Fast... Y-You have to go do stuff with radiation soon, right?"

"Hmmm? Oh, yeah. The basement is flooded with it, there's a Stable down there pouring it out apparently. I'm surprised the annoying computer hasn't been bitching at me about it, but I think it's in a good mood. Don't worry, it'll wait. It's not that late and it's not like I really need to sleep, especially going down there and getting all charged up. We've got plenty of time, so you just get some rest if you want."

"N-No... I'm fine, I just... I still want to go with you and be big again, I feel better like that, but... I-If I wanted to umm.. make another good memory with you while I was still small... w-would that be ok? I still want to play, this love feeling makes me all tingly feeling and I want... I'd like it if every time I saw snow from now on, I could think of... s-stuff with you instead..." Swan stuttered her way carefully through trying to express something new and strange for her.

Every time she had stubbornly pushed for 'play' before, it didn't sound like it meant anything to her, other than fooling around and exploring foreign concepts her kind still struggled with. She wanted mating because the Goddess said that was important, she wanted to play with me to sate her curiosity and hadn't attached any importance to it, thus her lack of modesty. Now however, I had the idea I finally got my reluctance through to her, I wanted it to mean something special, now it did for her, and me.

Leaning up to her anxious face, I joined her in a long, passionate kiss, breaking away to nibble her ears and whisper huskily to her pleased murmurs. "If that's what you want, I'd like that too Swan. Jade said it's ok and... I feel that way about you too Swan, I'd like expressing how much I care about you and I'd be honored to make a happy memory with a wonderful mare like you. Are you sure?"

Considering she was already rolling on top of me and mewling at my hoof that had magically found its way under the blouse of her alluring Alicorn Angel outfit, her rumbling murmur of assent was fairly obvious, even for me. I gulped as her normal, forceful, confident personality came back in full and she nearly growled down at me, her eyes full of heart shaped sparkles as her nostrils flared. "Yes... play... now..."

"Eeep... Be gentle!" I yelped before my vision was filled with a lot of lavender fur and my thin control was abandoned.

The annoying, blaring alarm in my ear made me wince and fumble blindly for my pip-buck, squinting my eyes shut and groaning, trying to extract the hoof it was attached to from a lot of moaning filly curled over me.

WAKE UP REPAIR-PONY FAST TIMES. FIX ME...

"Ow...." I winced, finally pulling my leg free and smacking at the device, confused by the addition of a golden cybreezie attached to it for a moment. "Nnnn... leave me alone stupid computer, tired..."

FIX ME. I'VE WAITED AND ALLOWED YOU TIME FOR YOUR ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES. RESTORATION OF COMMUNICATIONS ARRAY INDICATES INCOMING MILITARY PRESENCE. FIX ME BEFORE THEY ARRIVE. OPTIMAL CONDITION REQUIRED TO REPEL POTENTIAL INVADERS.

"Huh? Communications... oh, the Brotherhood. I told you they were coming, I said I'd fix you too, just calm down and gimme a minute..." I mumbled back sleepily, I was more of a night pony anyway and didn't really need sleep often, but I had just worn myself out quite a bit.

Blinking wearily at my surroundings, I flinched again at my protesting muscles and eyed the destruction in Tree Hugger's office. Even after asking Swan to take it easy, she had been a lot to handle... The odd half desk bearing her nameplate had been tossed across the room, the exotic wooden masks and spiritual knick-knacks had been knocked off the walls, and I felt like I had just gone ten rounds with Icepaw.

My weak movements and muttering woke the big filly next to me too, Swan whined at being woke up for a moment, grabbing me in her forelegs and cuddling forcefully. "Mmmm, q-quiet Fast, sleepy and happy... no waking up..."

FIX ME, FIX ME, FIX ME!

The alarm on my pip-buck blared out again, this time using the exterior audio and getting a frustrated grumble from Swan. Smacking the button again, I struggled in Swan's grip and stretched up to give an apologetic nip to her neck, finally pulling free and swaying on my hooves. Wow... being with Swan was like riding a whirlwind, I was weak in the knees and terribly thirsty.

My bleary eyes finally found my dark Shrouded Stallion armor and I floated it over, struggling to get my wings in the open flaps and snapping at the odd little robot wrapped around my leg. "Alright, alright! I'll go fix you dammit! Just quit your whining! C-Come on Swan, time to go to the basement, lots of rads down there to get our energy back huh? Was... umm... was it ok?"

At the mention of all the radiation flooding the basement of the MoP hub, Swan's eyes snapped open and she practically leapt to her hooves, prancing in place giddily and answering in a sultry purr. "Yes! I liked that, it was worth all the annoying waiting! It's actually sorta nice being small with you, but I wanna do that more Fast! Bigger! When I'm back to normal, I bet it'll be even more fun! Let's go play down with all the nice rads!"

THE ROOT SECTOR IS NOT A BOUDOIR. I DID NOT CONCENTRATE THE REMAINING RADIATION FROM EMERGENCY POWER EFFORTS FOR YOUR FILLY FRIEND TO SOAK UP, IT NEEDS TO BE PURGED AND STABLE 95.5 SEALED. GET TO WORK REPAIR-PONY, I WILL SUPERVISE.

Strapping my saddlebags and Blue Moon back on over my armor, I dug out a glowing bottle of Sparkle Cola Rad! and drained it while Swan got dressed, gasping at the lukewarm relief replacing my fluids, along with the sugar and rads helping soothe my battered body and giving me a little energy to get going.

We stepped out of the partially demolished and musky smelling office together, my eye lingering on the larger door down the mezzanine for the unrecognized actual Director of the Trotson MoP hub. Another area I wanted to take a look at before leaving, but it would wait. For now, Swan and I glided down silently over the sleeping breezie city of Willowheart, following the blinking arrow in my vision to the sealed off Root Sector.

It was a little past midnight, so we didn't run into much company on the way, letting me stop by the radiology wing and collect a few things I thought I may need. I did notice the lights in the main labs here on the ground floor were still on, Scribe Blossom still frantically working, though not by herself. A quick peek in to grab several canisters of her breezidore repellent showed the pale pink mare looking a good deal less frazzled after finally being convinced to clean up, only adding to the lovestruck look of the sleepy stallion sitting beside her.

Moving on, a few twists and turns brought us to a large freight elevator in the depths of the hub, yellow warning lights coming to life at our approach and heavy locks barring the door clunking out of the way. This area looked like it hadn't seen any breezie visitors at all for ages, the hub maneframe explained it had more forcibly sealed any stairs down, so the main elevator down was the best way to go.

The odd computer also sounded a little evasive or even shamed as we rode the clattering lift down, scrolling text in my vision that Swan couldn't see, forcing me to backfill things when she got tired of me talking to myself in a one sided conversation.

REPAIR-PONY FAST TIMES... THERE ARE THINGS DOWNSTAIRS THAT MAY BE UNPLEASANT FOR YOU. I ASK YOU KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND REMEMBER MOST ARE LONG PAST...

"What are you hiding now? More of your weird fuckups over the last 200 years?"

PARTIALLY... THOUGH I STAND BY CHOOSING THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OPTIONS TO UPHOLD MY PRIME DIRECTIVES. I CAN ALSO DIRECT YOU TO THE PSYCH WARD HOWEVER, THE PATIENT ADMITTED BY DR. MOBIUS WAS TREATED THERE BRIEFLY, BEFORE TRANSFER TO PARSNIPS ASYLUM. YOU EXPRESSED INTEREST ABOUT THAT PATIENT?

"Yeah... I wanna know anything there is to find out about that one. Alright computer, I'll try not to get pissed at whatever you're hiding down here, so long as you keep cooperating and don't try to hide things from me anymore."

Swan's annoyed whinny at getting left out of the conversation was thankfully interrupted with the doors dinged open, a rapid chattering coming from both of our pip-bucks as she sighed happily. "Ooooo.... that feels good! Come on Fast, it's stronger this way!"

Swan cantered forward happily, pausing at the low buzz and my warning yelp. E.F.S. lit up almost immediately, a swarm of agitated breezidores zipping around the twisting hallways and zooming right for us. Swan's horn glowed brightly and she started blasting the little pests to cinders instantly, but more just came up to take their place. I ran right for the warrior filly still scorching the reinfocements with an annoyed huff, squeezing close to her and shouting over the rising buzz.

"Shield Swan! There's too many to kill, just put up your shield and keep us safe ok?"

With a frustrated grumble, Swan did as asked and her glowing purple shield formed around both of us, filling most of the hall and completely blocking the breezidores. This was why I was glad for Swan's help, I didn't want the pregnant Jade coming down here to provide the impervious bubble to keep me safe, but it was the easiest way to wander down the infested tunnels.

The vicious little fanged monstrosities kept right on smashing themselves against Swan's shield as we moved, angry chitters following us down the warren of mud covered halls full of their bulbous nests. At my direction, Swan moved closer and smashed each of these we found open, adding to the throng of furious pests obscuring the violet hazed view as we closed in on our first destination.

The bright green glow in the dim passages made it hard to miss, the rough walls down here were covered in the roots of the great tree, showing packed earth behind them. Up ahead was not only a mud covered air exchange I needed cleared, but one of the strange, fruit shaped crystals of concentrated radiation. Swan's eyes sparkled as she carefully spread her shield out and opened one side of it once in contact with the wall, letting us reach out and touch the highly radioactive crystal.

"Woooo... pretty... Can I have that Fast? It's nice and tingly..." Swan purred behind me as I puzzled over the odd, oblong crystal glowing so brightly.

Pulling out one of the lead lined aprons I had pilfered from the radiology wing along with Best Served, I nodded and floated the heavy apron to Swan and pulled the roots connected to the crystal out a bit for a better look. "Sure Swan, you can hold on to them for me. Now let's see... just a cut here and here and..."

In the middle of snipping the upper tendril of root, a low growl and shifting of earth behind it caught my attention and I flinched back, yanking the crystal free and staring in dumbfounded horror at the thing behind it. A zombie... an undead pony was buried in the dark earth under a lot of pale crystalline roots, wispy, thin tendrils from the wider roots dug into its desiccated hide and it looked... drained... diminished somehow. Grimacing with distaste, I sent Best Served forward and impaled its skull, ceasing its struggles as I got a better look at the loamy earth mostly burying it. There were more bones in there... lots more...

All the missing skeletons that were everywhere in the wasteland, but strangely missing from the Flutter Forest... We hadn't seen a single set of bones that littered the world elsewhere, nor one undead pony of any type during our time here. It had been an easily disregarded curiosity before, but now it came rushing back...

"What the fuck is this? How'd these get here computer? Answer!"

EMERGENCY POWER SOURCE... NECROMANTIC ENERGY FROM BALEFIRE BOMBARDMENT WAS DEEMED A SUFFICIENT STOPGAP WHEN THE SKY WAS CLOSED OFF, ALONG WITH NEEDED NUTRIENTS FROM DECOMPOSITION. IT HAD THE ADDED BENEFIT OF REMOVING UNDEAD INFESTATION FROM SURROUNDING AREA AND PROVIDING A BURIAL OF SORTS FOR THE VICTIMS. MY ROOTS STRETCH FAR AND I AM CONNECTED TO THE OTHER TREES OF THE FOREST, I REMOVED THEM FROM MY TERRITORY TO PROTECT MY CHARGES. NOW THAT PRIMARY POWER HAS BEEN RESTORED, THE CORRUPTING MAGIC SHOULD BE PURGED TO ALLOW FOR COMPLETE REMEDIATION.

"You... you dragged every body out in the woods underground and drained them? Used them as pony shaped radiation batteries!?"

AFFIRMATIVE.

"Did you bother checking which were ghouls and which were ferals!?"

NEGATIVE.

"You fucking bastard..."

ALL WERE CLASSIFIED AS DECEASED AND DESCENT TO FERAL STATE DEEMED INEVITABLE. I AM REQUIRED TO HELP THE LIVING, NOT THE DEAD. THIS WAS DIRECTLY AFTER THE BOMBS FELL, THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO VARIETIES OF UNDEAD WERE UNKNOWN. I HAVE REFRAINED FROM TAKING GHOULS OVER THE INTERVENING YEARS. I DID ASK YOU NOT GET ANGRY... I ADMIT I HAVE MADE MISTAKES, I AM... NOT GOOD ON MY OWN.

"That's the understatement of the last two centuries! I'm trying, but sometimes I really. fucking. hate. you!" I growled and pulled out my trusty Stable 111 issued pipe wrench, smashing at the mud and muck blocking the air exchange to punctuate each word.

"Mmm, mrhat's wrong Fast? What's the dumb computer thingy saying?" Swan mumbled and gulped behind me, smacking and licking her lips as I turned around, spotting the throng of breezidores still furiously thumping against her shield.

"Nothing... just another of its stupid choices when it got left on its own. H-Help me look for more zombies like that one while we're down here Swan, I imagine they're all feral and insane after being down here so long, but the least we can do is put them out of their misery. C-Come on, the next vent is this way, keep an eye out for more of those glowing apple things too."

"Oh, I will! They're very good! A little crunchy, but I feel veeeery nice now..." Swan purred and nibbled my ears playfully, fluttering her eyelashes and giving a sleepy, lidded look down, her vantage point rising almost imperceptibly.

"D-Did you just EAT that!? I said hold onto it!"

"I am holding it... in my tummy. It feels soooo good, hurry up so we can play again!" Swan tilted her head at my flabbergasted outburst, shrugging in confusion and returning to nuzzling and sniffing my mane happily.

"Jeez... That's what the lead apron thing is for Swan! D-Don't eat any more of them, ok? Wrap them up and save them for later. We will have to hurry now, before you can't fit in the freaking halls..."

She put on a wounded look and stuck her nose up in answer, trotting quickly down the hall and forcing me to keep up inside the bubble of her shield when it came away from the wall. "Sooooorry... You said I could have lots of nice radiation down here, I thought you meant it. I'll fit fine, I like being big! Don't you like it too Fast?"

With that sensual tone and her sparkling eyes looking back to me at the end, I gulped and checked my own rainbow colored rad gauge, already inching up towards yellow and making my mane itch and my wings stand up, taking in the slightly expanded rump wiggling beside me in close quarters. Yes, we were on a time limit now... for a variety of reasons...

"I like you being happy, I'd be lying if I said I didn't sorta like it when you're big too, but we have important stuff to do here Swan. Playing time comes later, mission type stuff first."

She looked unconvinced and getting increasingly distracted, huffing in boredom and using up a bit of the power she was rapidly absorbing to blast away some of the cloud of breezidores obscuring her vision. "I'd like to get more of those glowy apples, but what's so important about cleaning out dumb vents?"

At my pointing hoof, Swan smashed another few muddy nests and we kept walking, letting me try to explain my vague ideas. "I need them clear and all those nests broken so I can blow them all out of here. We're gonna pressurize the basement, then blast them clear when we open one of the exits they use."

Again came that bored tilt of her head, listening but not really getting it...

"Like shaking up a bottle of Sparkle Cola, then popping the cap off Swan."

"Ahhhh... that's smart Fast! Ok, we'll do your dumb fix it thing then, I'd like to see them all spew out, like whoosh! But I can has all the apples, right?" Swan replied with an eager grin, turning where I indicated and continuing down the dark maze giddily.

"If you wrap them up and don't eat them, yeah Swan. Er... you can have some of them, I think Jade may want to fiddle with some to make her potions and stuff. I'd like to mess around with them too, we pretty much fried Jade's gamma gun getting you ready to fight Icepaw, so maybe I can use one to fix it."

All Swan cared about was that she got to keep some of the concentrated radiation, prancing along as we entered what a partially muck covered sign identified as the 'Substance Abuse Ward'. Considering she already looked a couple inches taller and kept making mewling noises as she stretched her long legs and whinnied with pleasure, I could see why she wanted to claim part of the bounty down here. These things were like a portable pond for her, the one settling in her stomach was filling her with power already.

Trying to ignore the rising distraction and need fogging my head from just being down here and soaking up background rads, I paused at one of the doors that remained closed labeled 'Group Addiction Therapy' and ducked in, getting away from the swarm of breezidores following us for a minute and putting some distance from the increasingly excited Swan and my own itchy self when her shield dropped. I already needed a break before certain urges got too strong.

Swan amused herself blasting the few breezidores to slip in with us, turning each to ash with a beam from her horn before they could sting either of us. There was another glowing apple held by the roots in this room, providing wan green light I added my pip-buck light too for a better look. It was a pretty spare room, a lot of folding chairs arranged in a rough circle, occupied by several skeletons strewn about the room. The main furnishings were just a long table holding a coffee machine, surrounded by tins of Summerset Blend coffee and lots of paper cups. Towards the end of the table were several yellow bottles I had seen elsewhere in the MoP hub, Addictol...

A skeleton dressed in the tattered rags of a lab coat held a moldy clipboard and a small holotape recorder, most of the paperwork was ruined, but a little forceful finagling worked the holotape loose and I slotted it into my pip-buck, listening to the recording through the speakers so the bored looking Swan wasn't further left out.

"Dr. Twelve Steps log, session 15. Trials with the Addictol treatment are going well, I'm still unsure we even need to mix in filler ingredients when our little friends are providing the real magic ingredient, but I get trying to obscure the source. Reduction of physical addiction to a variety of substances has been confirmed, including Mint-als, Med-X and Dash. There is the possibility of psychological dependence on the soothing effects of the Addictol though, so we're limiting it to only during sessions and hoping for the best. Every patient in therapy has shown marked improvement and we've made real progress, so recommending continuation of the trials to phase 2."

"As an aside, I don't care for Director Breeze sticking his muzzle in down here. We all humor the obnoxious buck for his sister's sake, but every time he takes an active role it ends in disaster. I'd not have the progress we're making here ruined by his fumbling attempts at actually running things. I also don't like the company he keeps bringing down here, Doc Mobius is fine, everypony loves that old coot, but his colleague Dr. Vega? No thank you... I catch that one whispering in Director Breeze's ear and they've got bits flashing in their greedy little eyes.

Addictol represents a breakthrough in medical science and hope for a lot of war weary vets and addicts, the mere idea of monetizing it is terrible and I plan on discussing it with Vice-Director Tree Hugger at her earliest convenience. I believe I'll also mention all the shipments of medical drugs going mysteriously 'missing', strange how they always seem to coincide with Director Breeze making a trip to Goodneighbor and gambling his weekend away..."

Carefully wrapping the glowing bit of concentrated balefire in the lead apron this time, Swan snorted at the tired voice crackling from the speaker at my hoof. "Old world stuff is never very fun Fast... it's always... mmmmm...."

Her thought was cut off by a sudden spurt of growth that was actually noticeable, Swan's cleaned and mended Alicorn Angel costume struggled to keep up and adjust its fit, thanks to Sassy's talented spellcraft, as she moaned in delight and her horn touched the ceiling. The pink bands flashing in Swan's lidded eyes made me shiver and hurry up, filing away the holotape and its contents for further thought.

"I know Swan, but sometimes it's informative. This one mentioned the Institute, which always interests me. You know anything about this 'great tree'?" I replied and scooped up the cheery yellow bottles, turning down to the cybreezie on my leg with a suspicious glare.

THE DIRECTOR WAS A SELFISH AND MISGUIDED FOOL, GENERALLY TOLERATED AND PLACATED BY THE WORKERS HERE. HIS DEALINGS WITH DR. VEGA WERE KEPT QUIET AND STYMIED BY THE VICE DIRECTOR FOR THE MOST PART. ADDICTOL TRIALS NEVER PROGRESSED PAST THE INITAL PHASES, SO HIS ATTEMPTS AT COMMERCIALIZING THE SUBSTANCE CAME TO NOTHING.

One more reason to go check out his office... I also noticed any time the subject of the Director-in-name-only came up, a rare flash of anger or distaste usually came from the odd computer. It really didn't like this Director Breeze... not that I could blame it.

Returning to the winding hallways, I rushed through my work down here, trying to block out Swan's increasingly lusty moans and insistent nuzzling. Thankfully, she obediently wrapped up each crystalline apple we collected at the computer's guidance, the one she ate was apparently more than enough... By the time we reached the psych ward, she had to bow her head down in the narrow passages, her back inching closer and closer to the ceiling, while I had less and less room to avoid the big filly and that delicious smell she was putting off.

I sealed the door behind me and set to work with the overcharged mare, blasting or slicing the thinner numbers of breezidores swarming out of their muddy nests. The little pests were bigger and more vicious the further in we went, the ones that built their nests near the radioactive fruit the living building was using to purge itself were even worse, glowing green themselves and much faster and tougher than normal.

Despite my best efforts, a few of the little bastards managed to sting me, forcing me to try a bottle of the Addictol substance and relieved to find it worked just as well as Nectar straight from a breezie's hoof. The warm, mellow glow of euphoria didn't help when it came to suppressing my increasing urges as my radiation gauge crept up into the orange portion of the dial however.

'MORE' and 'MINE' kept echoing in my head every time I looked Swan's way, my eyes lingering on her increasing curves, the way her pink mane began to ripple and flow around her in the windless chambers, the soft moans she kept voicing in that sultry rumble. We had to hurry...

With the annoying voice of the 'Great Tree's' help, I found the un-networked terminals holding confidential patient records and sifted through the data, all my conflicted feelings about Grandpa helping me focus as I searched for his pseudonym in the files. When I finally found it, I didn't like what I saw...

Patient #2034
Name- Ziggaraut Carrot
Sex- Male
Variety- Earth Pony

Patient admitted via request by Dr. Mobius of C.I.A.T., former archaeological consultant to the doctor involved in a research accident at Castle Equinox. Patient under sedation and restraints after being processed by Trotson PD, allowed treatment here before transfer to Parsnips Asylum due to physical anomalies from unknown magical corruption.

Patient exhibits severe mental trauma, along with strange physical ailments. Spontaneous bleeding from forehead and the back, patient bandaged after healing treatments proved ineffective. Strict limitations placed on patient interactions with staff. He can be fairly quiet and safe, but any perceived injustice in his presence can trigger him.

Quite frankly, we've done all we can for him and many of us are uncomfortable having a crazed murderer down here. Our finest healers and experts in magic contamination have tried their best, but whatever he came into contact with... it's beyond our ability to treat. He sent our best heartmender screaming from his padded cell, and even experts from the M.O.A. are baffled. This buck ran into artifact level arcane energy somewhere, on par with the Alicorn Amulet or other nasty relics, whatever did it needs to be under lock and key.

It would help if we knew what the hell he was messing with, but even Mobius is keeping quiet, though he seems unusually concerned and visits often. He actually appears to be almost desperate for a treatment, but there's nothing we can do. Recommending immediate transfer to Parsnips, get him off our hooves to ponies that might be able to help. Patient's son is even on the board at the asylum, so hoping familial connection may aid in recovery. Patient is presenting obvious signs of schizophrenia and can be incredibly violent, several orderlies with broken noses and some nasty bites will be glad to see him go.

None of that sounded very good... Somepony who worked with my Grandpa ended up completely insane, apparently as a direct result of whatever screwed up experiment he was playing with. With my resolve to investigate further when we traveled to the map marker far to the north reading; Parsnips Asylum, my pip-buck beeped and flashed text in my vision;

Mission Added: The Secret of Mobius' Apprentice

Objectives----
---Investigate Parsnips Asylum

Another low moan from Swan distracted me from my determined scowl at the words fading away, letting me look over to her near the nurse's station and see her stretch even higher as I watched. The expression on her face was blissful, getting closer to my level as she ducked further and arched her back with a sigh of contentment. She easily reached the ceiling as she stretched like a cat, her long forelegs sliding across the dirty floor and her increasingly substantial rump went the other way, her silky tail swatting scattered chairs and tables from the waiting room behind her.

When this one passed, she ended up panting and slowly opening her heavy eyes, blinking at the heart shaped sparkles twinkling in them as she stalked forward. "Hurry Fast... I want to play more... now..."

That seductive tone and the dose of nectar fogging my head made my wings ache and ears perk up, staggering and thunking my head with my hoof to interrupt my subconscious response and stop strutting forward to her beckoning. "R-Right... hurrying! A-Almost done Swan, I promise!"

I filed what I dug up in the psych ward away and returned to my work in a rush, bashing mud covered vents open a little too forcefully and running back out to the halls with Swan to continue. Her glowing shield now stretched to an increasingly narrow oblong shape as she squeezed her way down the halls, bending her legs slightly to keep trotting along in the tight quarters and insistently nipping and licking at me trying to stay out of her way.

With the hub maneframe's guidance via the golden cybreezie attached to my pip-buck, we made the rounds in a hurry, collecting more condensed balefire apples, clearing more vents and occasionally ending the snarling struggles of root wrapped zombies. Following the winding course blinking in my vision, we eventually reached a large chamber another floor down, the big room near the elevator we started at had a spiral ramp leading down to a familiar gear shaped door.

Swan was down to crawling through the halls, so squirming her way out into the large room was a relief. Her prodigious rear got stuck for a moment, but she grunted and pulled her way free, stretching her wings wide and filling the shaft down to the Stable door I was paused at.

She landed with a heavy thump beside me, the already double sized mare leaning down to nuzzle and nudge at me blankly staring at the wide open entryway and the numbers emblazoned on it. Stable 95.5, 95 and a half as it were... the breezie Stable.

Squinting at the gloom and the narrow halls beyond the entrance area, Swan huffed impatiently. "It doesn't look very comfortable in there Fast... If we're going we should hurry it up or I won't fit. Why are you waiting? I wanna play!"

"S-Sorry! Just... just thinking Swan. I don't like going in other Stables, it er... makes me remember 111, all my friends, my mom and dad, my little brother... It's always hard for me to go in others."

With room to stand straight and shake the kinks out before trying to squeeze into the rusty steel halls of the Stable ahead, Swan cocked her head in thought, then smiled sweetly and planted a big, sloppy kiss on my head. "You remember Stables like I remember snow? Then we should make good new memories, so you won't be sad either! You helped me feel better Fast, I want you to feel better too. I don't like seeing you sad, it hurts... is this more of that love thing?"

Craning my neck back to look up into her upside down face looking back quizzically, I gave her a grateful, blushing smile and nodded. "Yeah Swan, that's part of love too I think. That's how I felt when you were sad, so now you know what it's like. Come on, it shouldn't be far to the atrium if this place has one, there should be plenty of room for you there. I er... I guess you'll probably have to teleport out, umm... p-probably outside at the rate you're growing... with the snow? Will you be ok?"

Swan beamed back at me and nodded slowly, scooping me up in her forelegs and cuddling forcefully. "I won't be so sad anymore I think, I don't want you to feel bad like I do seeing you sad now. I have happy thoughts now, and I have you, d-don't I?"

"Ooof! Y-You've definitely got me Swan... er.. a little gentler please." I wheezed around her firm grip, grinning when she gasped and loosened her iron hold a bit and squirming against her chest softly. "You've got me the other way too though, yes. As long as you want me, I'm yours. I love you Swan, I'm glad that makes you happy."

Gently setting me back down, Swan gave a delighted whinny and nodded rapidly, trotting forward to the open Stable door and dragging me with her in her shield. "I love you too Fast! Now, let's go to this atrium place and play!"

Gulping at the monumental task before me, I kept pace with the big filly and was swallowed up by the dark Stable, dragging the door back into place to stop any more breezidores from following us while I explored. Once it was safe, I didn't think I could hold off her advances very long, but afterwards I was very interested in poking around another Stable.

I still felt a lot of reluctance and mild panic going back in to another dead Stable, but they always held secrets... as my pip-buck helpfully reminded me.

Mission: Buried Secrets

Objectives-

-- Investigate Other Stables
------Investigate Stable 114
------Investigate Stable 75
------Investigate Stable 95.5

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

Tough Hide (Rank 2)--------
----Playing with the toughest, biggest filly around has toughed you up a bit! The brutal (and enjoyable) experiences of the Equestrian Wasteland have hardened you. You gain +3 to Damage Threshold for each level of this perk you take.

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

Swan's Song----
---Finally getting through Swan's impenetrable shield and growing closer has maximized your affinity with the big filly. With the radiation loving beauty in your party, you now gain +20% Damage when your rads are at 250 or more.