Our new caravan was a sight to behold and put the past jumble of wood scraps to shame. Each plank has been treated making it smooth to the touch and a uniform mahogany. The sides were tall enough to take cover against yet not block my battle saddle if I stood. Hollow bins ran along one side of the caravan to help manage our supplies. A padded plank was used as a lid in order to maximize our free space. Nibble mentioned that the hinge placement would keep the thing together even if she accidently dropped a live grenade again, which was reassuring and worrying at the same time.

Gale finished cleaning his surgical equipment, again, and holstered the last scalpel in place with a sigh. “Should have had Ardent read some of my medical textbooks so he could recite them back for me. I’ve always liked the idea of an audiobook.”

“What’s that?” I pretended not to hear as I read through a Pip-Buck tutorial about the devices auto-mapping feature. We had been traveling south for the entire day and were nearing the edge of Equestria where the map just went black. I was hoping to find how the map would react if we went off the grid but apparently the designers never considered that possibility.

Nibble joined in Gale’s lament. She rolled onto her back and reached for Gearwing while moaning, “I lost all my toys and welding equipment...” For the last hour she had debated taking Gearwing apart to ease her boredom. The metal owl responded by keeping out of hoofs reach.

“Go for a run,” Mangle offered. “You both could use the exercise.”

Nibble and Gale glared at the white mare. Apparently it wasn't the reaction she expected. She jumped out of the caravan and started running by herself instead of sticking around.

Nibble glanced down to her stomach before rolling over into a more flattering position.

“We could tell stories,” I suggested. “Maybe the story of how Elpis defeated the stable dragon, Lazuline?” I tried to offer the idea without sounding desperate.

“Or an equally rare story,” Gale said. “How I got my cutie mark.”

Mangle and Nibble jolted up, and even Clover’s ears swiveled. I could only imagine how long Gale must have been temping them for a reaction like that. It didn't bode well for my idea.

“Shall we put it to a vote?” Gale asked.

“No,” Clover stated in a slightly deeper voice then normal, meaning this would not be up for debate.

Gale looked right at me with a smirk and gave a shrug as if to say ‘It’s out of my hooves now.’ “Very well, cutie mark story it is.” He turned to show off the blood-spattered scalpel on his flank. “When I was young I lived closely with a surgeon. She would often enlist my help during more advanced operations to do trivial things: carry away and wash used surgical equipment, wipe her brow, stuff like that. Although, I would observe even routine surgeries.

“I was fascinated at how much punishment the body could take. Some operations would have ponies splayed open. Flesh cut, peeled, and stretched, revealing internal organs, muscle structure, and bones. Did you know you can lose up to five liters of blood and still recover? It's just amazing to see a pony in that state yet see them walking around a week later as if nothing has happened.”

Gale focused on all the wrong details as evident by mine and Nibble’s grimacing faces.

“Maybe we could gloss over these details?” Nibble begged.

Gale laughed. “Very well. It all began one late rainy night…”

As Gale finally got into telling his story I let my imagination take over.

Gale sighed as he stared out the window and watched the downpour. The water banged against the tin roof creating an endless din. He glanced over at the door to his room, tilting his head from side to side in bored contemplation.

The crack of lighting and the outline of a pony outside caught his attention. A stallion came into view as he staggered towards the clinic with a hoof holding his gut. A smile spread across Gale’s face as he raced out of his room and down the stairs. He flung open the front door right before the stallion could knock. The weather outside rushed in, the sudden cold causing him to shiver.

The golden stallion’s shock only last a moment before he winced in pain. “Need a doc,” he struggled to say. He moved his hoof to reveal the stream of blood leaking from a small hole on his barrel.

“Come with me.” Gale pressed against the stallion’s side for support. They hobbled down the hall towards the operating room, leaving a small trail of water and blood in their wake.

Gale managed to get the stallion onto the operating table before rummaging through the surgical tools. He lined them up on a tray as he normally did for his mentor. As he grabbed the gauze he spotted the anesthetic and paused. His eyes shifted toward the flickering clock on the wall, then to the stallion’s wound. The blood trickled at a steady pace.

“How bad is the pain?” Gale inquired.

The stallion grunted. “It’s bad, real bad. I’ll need some painkillers for sure.”

Gale rolled his eyes but a smile started to creep along his face. It grew wider, revealing teeth, as he wrapped the anesthetic in his magic.

“So uh.” The stallion looked around. “Where's the doc?”

Gale turned to face his patient. “I'll be your doctor tonight.”

The stallion raised an eyebrow. “But-”

Before any objections could be heard Gale levitated the anesthetic needle into the stallions neck. His shock only lasted a moment before he fell unconscious and slammed down onto the table.

Gale levitated the tray of tools onto the operating table. A chair scraped against the ground as he pulled it over to the table. He flipped the overhead lights on with his magic and hopped onto the chair to look over his patient.

Gale grabbed a wide razor from the tray of tools and shaved away all the hair from the wounded area.

He stared at the scalpel for a moment, reflecting on all the warnings his mentor gave. He reached out with his magic and as it wrapped around the scalpel all the tensed muscles in his body relaxed. He knew at that moment this was the right decision. It was as if he had just found something he had been searching for all his life.

Gale levitated it over the patient and let it sink into his skin. “Hmm?” He pulled, staring intently as the blade sliced through the skin without any resistance, as if he were cutting through air. Blood seeped from the incision.

He pulled the scalpel out and let in float in front of him. A single drop of blood rolled along the blade, beading at the tip. “Amazing.”

An involuntary jerk from the patient brought him out of his fascination. Gale set the scalpel down and brought out the long forceps. He slid them inside the incision and followed along the path the bullet had made until running into something solid. He pinched the clamps down and slowly eased them out. The skin spread as blood covered bullet slipped out.

“Perfect.” Gale inspected the wound for any internal damage but found nothing. “Thought so.” He levitated a needle and thread and sutured the wound close. He brought the blood splattered scalpel over to the tray of alcohol and set it in, the blood dissolving away as it sanitized the tool. Gale took in a deep calming breath, he had never been so at peace.

“I found my cutie mark after successfully finishing the surgery. I'm not sure when it appeared, but my guess would be when I first grabbed the scalpel,” Gale finished.

Clover gave a disappointing grunt and returned his attention to steering.

“Not exactly what I was expecting.” Nibble’s voice was sarcastic as she added, “It's almost normal.”

Gale pretended to be offended by turning up his chin.

“What did your mentor think?” I asked.

“She loved it,” Gale said wistfully. “From that point on she had me perform the routine procedures. The best times were when we ran out of anesthetic.”

“There it is,” Nibble muttered.

“So Clover left him in the room with the manticore, promising to let him out once we found the laser rifles,” Gale said as he continued to regale another story to avoid mentioning anything about Lazuline. It would have been annoying but each story he told had been rather entertaining. “We thought he had to be lying, because if he saw them, why wouldn't he just grab them? Turns out they really were just resting on a desk in the floor above. We probably spent an hour searching for traps before picking them up; A pair of pristine high tech weapons just sitting around.”

“And the pony you left behind?” I asked

“Hmh?”

“The stallion you left locked up with the manticore.”

“Oh him.” Gale’s eyes drifted up as he thought back. “Well…” His lips pursed and his brow furrowed. He gave up trying to remember and turned his head to Mangle.

“How the fuck would I know?” she said. “You left me outside to deal with those big spider things.”

“Oh yeah. What did happen to him?”

They both turned to Clover who had provided commentary from time to time. He gave an emotionless shrug. “Oops.”

The caravan slowed to a stop as we came to the crest of a hill. In the distance circular tents were being set up by large brown-coated creatures that stomped about the encampment. The tents were laid flat on the ground and staked in place until one of the creatures tossed some sort of device under them. A moment later steam escaped small openings as the tent rose up into a large cone.

“What are...” I turned to Gale, but he appeared just as clueless as me.

“Buffalo,” Clover answered. “Best behavior Elpis, I see an opportunity presenting itself.” He waved at two of the buffalo who had spotted us. One turned and pushed his way into one of the large tents while the other waved back. Clover flicked the reins and Melody pulled us forward.

By the time we approached the village, all the buffalo had gathered to see us. Each one stood taller than two ponies, and to see a line of them had me feeling uneasy. Three of them stood on a ridge and aimed a nozzle attached to what looked like a massive wooden barrel at us. The barrel was at least three times the size of a buffalo and I had no idea how the thing might work, rolling it at us would be foolish given it would be rolling the wrong way. The buffalo controlling the possible weapon lacked the stare most guards outside pony towns gave, instead they seemed more aloof as they talked amongst themselves in a casual manner. Two of the buffalo on the ground also had a nozzle contraption at their hooves, these ones much smaller, looking like a large door stop.

Not like they even need weapons. The horns protruding from their heads could do some damage, not to mention trampling would be effective as well.

A buffalo with a headdress full of feathers stepped forward. “Greeting ponies,” he said, his deep voice carrying a strange accent. “I am Chief Stoneheart. How do you find yourselves so far away from your settlements?”

Clover flew down to meet the chief on the ground. “We are just passing through, it’s interesting to see buffalo here.”

Stoneheart spent a moment going over each of us before speaking, “We are here every year during this season, it is tradition.” A few buffalo in the line sighed or rolled their eyes. Stoneheart stomped his hoof and snorted. “It is a sacred tradition!”

A buffalo in the back turned to the buffalo next to him and mouthed the word “Tradition” while making a grumpy face.

Stoneheart sighed, losing much of his intimidation factor. “The only thing in the direction you are heading is danger. It would be wise to turn back, unless you are part of those beasts that make their home on the waterfront.”

“No,” Clover stated. “We're on a mission to investigate them.”

“A fool's errand.” Stoneheart snorted. “Very well then, you may join us for the night. However, leave your weapons behind.” Stoneheart turned away, and as he did most of the crowd went with him. Some stayed behind to watch us, seemingly out of curiosity.

Clover flew into the caravan and removed his battle saddle. “This should be an interesting night.”

“Whoa!” Nibble shouted as she pointed at a few buffalo. “I think they’re making bombs over there.” She took off to the secluded group in order to get a better look.

I had a choice to make, sit here and keep listening to Gale and Growing Oak continually make sexual innuendos while he whittled wooden parts or go willingly near explosives while they were being made.

After catching up with Nibble, with Clover and Mangle close behind, we watched as a buffalo placed a lid over a cauldron of boiling water. Attached to the cauldron was a thick tub connecting to a tin ball. I had no idea what I was watching as the buffalo pumped pumps, waved fans, and hurried along around the contraption but Nibble seemed wildly fascinated.

“Stop!” one of the female buffalo yelled. She stomped down on the tin ball, a burst of steam hissed out out but through sheer force the buffalo crumpled the tin closed. She held it up for inspection and slowly rotated the ball in her hooves.

“That's some sort of steam grenade right?” Nibble said as she inspected the tools used to make it. “When it's detonated the steam expands so fast it becomes burning hot.”

The buffalo nodded. “Well this pony knows her stuff. I'm Golden Leaf.”

“Nibble. Mind if I l…”

Golden Leaf tossed her the small tin ball.

“I've never seen such a method of sealing them. What kind of detonator do you use?”

Golden Leaf smiled and grabbed a tin ball from a crate. “Well you see we take one and throw it really, really hard.” She flung the grenade, it made a metallic ting as it ricocheted off the ground and rolled to a stop.

We sat in silence for a moment, and another moment, and another.

Golden Leaf coughed. “Well not all of them work-”

A deafening pop ripped through the air as the grenade went off. A cloud of steam filling a large portion of the area where it detonated. A drop of burning water landed on my cheek. Ow-ow-ow. I wiped it away. That was only a drop, it's hard to imagine how painful being it the cloud would be.

“And some take a bit!” Golden Leaf laughed.

“To seal and handle them like that seems… extremely dangerous,” Nibble surmised.

“Your telling me.” Golden Leaf reared up to show off her underbelly. Starting at the back of her hooves and stretching almost half way down her stomach were large scars that could no longer grow hair.

Gale whistled, showing up just in time to be around for pain related part of the conversation. “Wish I could have been there the day that happened.” His eyes narrowed as he examined the buffalo’s scars. “Those were healed with equestrian magic.”

“You ponies sure are sharp.” Golden Leaf dug around in a pile of supplies until she pulled out yellow medical boxes decorated with three pink butterflies. The logo was designed by the Ministry of Peace, pony made, although if we ran into buffalo it’s possible other ponies have too. Maybe they worked out some sort of trade. “We've had these for a long time, you'd figure they would expire but they still work like new. Stoneheart has been trying to get rid of them since he hates… ponies.” Golden Leaf cleared her throat, cleary feeling awkward for bringing it up.

Nibble helped move on from the subject by turning her right hoof over, revealing a small blackened scar that had carved a divot into her hoof. “This happened when I grabbed a blowtorch... from the wrong end.”

“I was there for that one,” Gale mentioned.

Golden Leaf and Nibble started to compare their scars.

“She tolerates pain well,” Gale noted as he drove a sharp tooth into his lower lip. The longer he stared at Golden Leaf the deeper his tooth sank into his lip until a bead of blood started to form.

The sight made me uncomfortable so I waved a hoof in front of him to break whatever fantasies were playing out in his head. “You weren't kidding when you said you don't even limit yourself to one species.”

“Nope, though I meant I had fun with a griffon. Buffalo would be new and I'm pretty sure Growing Oak is on board for any fun, now it's about increasing the number.” Gale winked. “Interested?”

I gave Golden Leaf a once over. The buffalo stood nearly twice my height and just crumpled metal closed. I just can't image that going well. “I'll pass.”

After a lull in conversation between Nibble and Golden Leaf, Clover stepped in. “Those nozzle weapons, do you make those as well?”

“That we do,” Golden Leaf stated proudly.

“Could we have a demonstration of those as well?”

“Quake!” Golden Leaf yelled. “Go set up some stompers and targets.”

A buffalo that helped her make the bomb disappeared into a nearby tent.

“How do they tell who is who?” Mangle mumbled.

“What do you mean?” I replied.

Mangle’s eyes went wide and her attention suddenly darted to the ground, some of her blonde mane falling to obscure her face. “I… they all look the same ya know. I can't tell em’ apart.”

“I can help with that. Golden Leaf has a lighter coat, Quake is a bit taller, and Growing Oak had a crack on one of his horns.”

Mangle’s brow raised as she stared at me.

Quake returned from the tent carrying two of the wooden wedge weapons and set them down. He stomped over to a pile of large logs, stabbing them with the horns on his head and lifting it with little effort. He brought them down range of the “stompers” and set them upright.

During this time Mangle kept looking between each buffalo in sight. Though based on her growing skowl I doubted she was seeing the differences I saw.

“All right,” Quake started now that everything was set up for his demonstration. “It’s simple enough, these things hold water in them and when we stomp on them its forced out of the nozzle.”

“So it's just a water gun?” Clover asked in disappointment.

“Sure, but can a water gun do this.” Quake reared up and brought his full force down on the stomper. A thin stream of water jetted out of the nozzle and struck one of wooden logs. The log remained still as the water cut through it like paper and burst out of the other end. Only when the pressure let up did the stream lower and toss the log backwards.

Clover scratched at his chin. “How many times can you do that?”

“They only hold one shot then need to be refill. The big barrel one has about ten shots that are even more powerful, but we need two or three buffalo to shoot it. Upside is they can only be used buffalo since they require a huge amount of force.”

“I could do it!” Mangle blurted out.

Quake looked down. “You’re a little small to be making such a big claim.”

Mangle straighten up to stand a little taller and stepped over to the other stomper. She gave it an experimental push and water dribbled out of the nozzle. She reared up and her power hooves clamped over her front hooves. “I can use these right?”

“If you think it will help.”

Mangle took a few steps back then leapt forward, throwing her weight onto the stomper. The jet of water mimicked that of Quake’s and cut through the log with ease.

Quake’s jaw fell open.

“Ponies are scary,” Golden Lead remarked.

After the stomper had finished Clover picked it up and turned it over. “It’s worn, how many times can you refill them?”

“Oh about five or six times before we just have to make a new one,” Quake answered.

“Seems extremely inefficient.”

“Well it's not like we need them often, the only reason we had to make them is because…” Quake bit down on his tongue.

“Because…” Clover urged for an explanation.

“Because of ponies,” Golden Leaf finished. “There are… things that end up wandering from equestria to our land. Be it a haywire murdering machine or those, undead pony things. It’s another reason Stoneheart isn’t a fan of your kind, he also hates the fact we have weapons.”

I’m not sure why but I suddenly felt guilty. Like the time Shotchaser caught me trying some of the alcohol when I was young. I had nothing to do with the creatures in Equestria today, if anything since joining Elpis I had begun to help deal with that issue, but realising the war my kind took part of affected more than just the creatures in that war had my stomach churning.

“If your leader wants all these things gone why are they still here?” Clover asked.

“The position of Chieftain is mainly for tradition and on top of that the other chieftains ideas have evolved with the time but Stoneheart. Well his family is one of the last to uphold the old way, no matter how outdated they may seem to us. Most of the buffalo who still join this march are here for sightseeing, thrill seeking, or like Quake and I, here to protect them.”

“I see.” Clover stepped back as he processed the new information.

“Well, we need to prepare for the feast tonight.” Golden leaf said as she signaled the other. “We’ll see you there?”

“For sure!” Nibble chirped.

On our way to the feast another odd buffalo practice caught my eye. A younger buffalo, around my size, covered a wide fire pit with a tarp. He pulled it away to send a thick cloud of smoke into the air.

“What are you doing?” I asked as I trotted over.

The buffalo shied back. “T- The elder is seeing my spirit animal.”

I tilted my head.

A greying buffalo stepped forward, her braided mane covered her eyes. “The smoke forms an animal,” she explained, and waved over the tarp. “This animal is a representation of your soul. It can provide perspective to who you are.”

“Me first!” Mangle yelled. I turned to see the others had followed, aside from Clover who had vanished.

Mangle grabbed the tarp and smothered the pit, only pausing for a moment before releasing it. Faint puffs of smoke fell out, forming nothing.

“You have to leave it on for a little while.” the young buffalo said, trying to help.

Mangle grunted impatiently and placed the tarp over the smoke again. She paced in place until reaching her limit and yanked the tarp off. The smoke twisted and formed.

The elder buffalo glanced up but her hair still covered her eyes. “You are a lion. Ferocious, fast, and powerful. You stand above so many others in the food chain.”

“Yes!” Mangle pumped her hoof. I cocked my head. Looks like a puff of smoke to me.

The elder continued, “You are also stubborn and quick to anger. You don’t play well with others and greatly fear anything more powerful than you.”

Mangle scoffed. “I don’t fear nothing.”

While they argued Nibble had already started her turn and as they finished she pulled the tarp away.

“You are the raven: creative and clever. You are much smarter than you let on.” Nibble waited patiently for the next part but smiled at the results. “You often unnecessarily burden yourself with items and secrets. Learn to share them and your life will improve.”

Gale rolled his eyes and took his turn. I could see the work of his magic as it manipulated the wind around the smoke to form a skull. The young buffalo gasped, buy the elder remained stoic.

Gale smirked. “Well?”

“We learn to recognize an ass without smoke,” the elder deadpanned.

“Oh, I like you.”

“Your turn.” The young buffalo handed me the tarp. I rested it over the pit, small amount of smoke escaped out the sides and warmed my hooves, and when the heat became uncomfortable I pulled it away. The smoke appeared darker as it clumped together. The elder moved her mane out of her way to reveal clouded eyes, similar to those who have lost their vision through injury or time. She stood stunned until the smoke vanished.

“A chimera…” she whispered.

“A what?” I leaned in to hear her.

She let her braided hair fall back into place. “Forgive me. My eyes are not what they use to be and it becomes dark.” She glanced towards the direction of the setting sun just as the last of the light faded from the cloud cover. “ I must go prepare for the feast.” The elder left in a hurry, pulling the young one with her.

A chimera was like a manticore if I remember right. A creature made of many animals, but what did that mean?

Gale wrapped a hoof around me. “Ah don't worry about it. It's all nonsense superstition anyway.”

“Says the ass,” Nibble remarked.

We wandered for a while longer before all the light faded from the clouds. The only source of light being a large fire that had the whole camp wrapped in a burning glow. Following the light the smell of heavily seasoned food filled the air. I never smelled anything quite like it but the fresh smell had my stomach growling. After going around a tent we saw the gathering buffalo as sat around the fire and created a tumult of conversation.

We joined a line forming in front of a black cauldron. We got close enough and I could see the green, heavily seasoned mush they handed out in buffalo sized portions. The appearance of the glop caused my tongue to recoil but the smell had my stomach growling.

Closer up I could also see they were giving out bowls of water. The bowls were placed under an elegantly crafted glass dispenser. The forming glass twisted and shaped out three diamonds on the front of it. At the top it narrowed and held a blue sapphire wrapped in gold. Beads of water formed on the sapphire and created a continuous drip into the dispenser.

“Oh no.” Nibble said in a haunting whisper. Her face had gone pale as she stared at the gem.

Why is she worried? If that blue gem is what I think it is that means we get clean water with our meal. “Isn’t that a-”

“A water talisman.” Clover appeared next to us, bowl in hoof. “I figured as much given their weapons, it's a priceless trinket.”

Nibble started to shake, her breath speeding up as Clover spoke. Even Gale had a sad weary look, like he was about to have to do an unpleasant chore.

“There are ponies who would be willing to do anything to get their hooves on something like that.” Clover’s eyes stopped looking up at the talism and lowered on me and finally understood.

I winced as a scene from the Jib massacre flashed in my mind, but instead of the shadows of ponies there were dead buffalo all around. I stood on top of one of the corpses firing at the fleeing survivors. Clover’s eyes shaping in the massive fire, looking down on me in approval.

“But I think the aid of entire tribe of buffalo outweighs such a tiny thing,” Clover said with a smile as he placed a hoof on Nibble which caused her shaking to stop. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Nibble glanced back up with a shimmer of hope on her face and gave a vigorous nod.

The smile faded from Clover’s face. “Then pray I can make a deal.”

Without hesitation Nibble dropped her head and started muttering prayers to Celestia and Luna. Clover trotted away, leaving all of us with a full understanding of what could take place tonight.

We grabbed our food and water, and followed the other buffalo to sit around the fire.

Chief Stoneheart stepped in front of the crowd, his back to the fire casting a shadow over all of us. “As per tradition, we will now tell the story of how this march came to be. We are honored to have Galloping Wind tell the tale of how it began.” The chief sat in the front row and let the other buffalo take the stage.

Many sighes could be heard from the crown as Galloping Wind started, “Countless generations ago back at-”

I spaced out. I love stories but based on how this one began it was just a history lesson, which I hated. Reciting history ruined all the fun of a story, devolving into just a retelling of names, dates, and places. No fun or emotion just raw knowledge.

Clover got up and moved to sit next to Stoneheart and suddenly I had a chance to find out how this night would play out. I slipped into my trance

“The ponies we are investigating… Pandora’s Children. We plan to destroy them.” Clover murmured.

Stoneheart replied with a grunt.

“We need as much help as we can get. Is there anything we could do to enlist your aid?”

“I have heard tales from my grandfather's grandfathers… ponies once came to request our aid for another war. The official decision was to keep to ourselves, but the younger, more naive buffalo defied this decision. Do you know their fate?” Before Clover could reply Stoneheart finished, “They were all wiped out. Ponies will never again have buffalo at their side.”

“The war may have been devastating, but I see your benefiting from some of the technology.”

“A gift from ponies long, long ago. When I became chieftain I wanted to be rid of these things, but the tribe did not agree. I do not see powerful healing potions or magic water makers when I look at them, instead I see the lives that were lost to have them.”

“This is not a war,” Clover said, avoiding the topic since it sounded like a losing battle. “Just some troublesome ponies. If they take over I doubt you'll be able to continue your traditional march.”

“The pony asks for an impossible favor to complete an impossible task.” Stoneheart sighed. “So I shall make an impossible offer. Each year we lose a few buffalo to a quarry eel a ways from here. I will give you the area it lurks within and you will kill it. Only then will we assist you.”

Clover stifled a laugh, instead playing it off as shocked cough. “You want us to kill a quarry eel? You realize how crazy that sounds?”

“I assign the mission to deter you from taking that path. In truth I hope to never see you ponies again.”

Clover paused. “If we managed it, how could I prove to you it's dead?”

“I have seen the creature descend on my friends. I would recognize it's flesh, it's eyes, it's teeth.”

I could almost hear the grin forming on Clover’s face. “Thank you for your time, Chief Stoneheart.”

I let my senses return to normal and an immense sense of relief washed over me. Clover got what he wanted which ment we were safe from any violent outcomes.

“What are the chances?” I asked Clover as he rejoined us.

Clover raised an eyebrow. He checked the others to see if he just joined in the middle of a conversation. Something clicked in his head and his eyes narrowed on me. He stepped forward and his yellow eyes glowed against the fire in the background. A unwelcome flash of memory hit me, he looked eerily similar to when he stood over the last survivor of Jib.

“My conversions are not for your ears.” Clover growled so only I would hear. He leaned forward to whisper in my ear, this paired with the laser rifle in my face made a clear point. “Don't do it again, and keep whatever you heard to yourself. Understood?”

“Understood, won't happen again,” I lied.

Clover snorted, and backed off. He waved to get Nibble’s and Mangle’s attention. “We leave early tomorrow so- where's Gale?”

I turned to see his spot empty. I looked around with the others until hearing Nibble make a noise of disgust as she pointed. Gale had snuck off with two buffalo and gave a devilish grin as he disappeared into a tent with them.

“I…” Clover rubbed at his temple. “Go set up for the night.”

I twisted my hoove to see if I could get out but only managed to burn my skin against the well knotted rope. Two guards kept an eye on me, which ment using my magic was out of the possible options I had for escape. The blue and yellow scientists who caught me finally returned.

The yellow mare spared me a glance before taking a seat in front of a terminal. She spoke as she typed, “We had a nosey accountant break into our laboratory today. I'm not sure how she knew about the illusionary wall but I wish to avoid any drastic actions so I will attempt to negotiate for her silence.”

I spit. “Ha, you're joking right?”

The mare continued to type. “She doesn't appear to understand her situation. She already admitted to being alone. If she went missing now, I doubt any pony will notice. Yet I can offer compensation for her silence. I could even pull some strings and get her a cozy position inside the company.”

I spoke slowly, “You. Can't. Buy. Me.”

The scientists shared a look before the blue stallion spoke up this time, “You're an honest little tike. A rare trait, as it turns out. Are you sure there isn't anything we can do to convince you to lie about this?”

I stared right into his eyes. “Nothing.”

His lips slithered into an insidious smile. “Good.”

The mare at the terminal hit a command and a glass chamber behind me opened up. The guards grabbed ahold of me and threw me into the chamber before it closed shut.

“What in Luna’s name are you doing?” I yelled. They all watched as another command was entered and a hatch above me opened, dropping globs of colorful ooze onto me.

The material burned to the touch. They're going to drown me in this stuff! I tried to hold my breath, but screamed when I saw what it was doing to my body. My flesh warped and wriggled. The skin on my legs tore apart and fell away, revealing the raw muscle underneath. Each section of muscle started to lift from my bone waving around like leaves against the wind.

In a small act of mercy my vision went black as I felt my eyes melt. The pain was impossible to describe and I begged for a death that never came. I somehow didn’t die even as the last of my body melted away. Luna have mercy! My physical body was gone yet I lived! I could feel my new form pushed and stretched as I traveled through long stretches of tubes until being compressed into a much smaller vessel.

“...It worked.”

I awoke with a stifled scream and tried to wipe away the feeling of crawling skin that still lingered from the dream. My breathing returned to normal as the dream faded away. Luckily I hadn't awoken the others with my sudden outburst. Well, I’m not getting back to sleep after that.

A cool night breeze washed over me as I stepped out of the tent. A patch of clouds glowed with the moon's light, any lingering fear or pain disappeared as I soaked in the night’s serenity.

Gearwing perched on the side of the caravan and I took note of the missing brahmin.

“Where did Melody go?” I directed the question to Gearwing.

“Hoo?”

“Melody, the brahmin, pulls us around and…” I face hoofed. Tricked by an owl. Gearwing made a purring noise that might have been a laugh. It turned it's head and I followed the gaze.

Melody stood at the top of a hill a fair ways away from the settlement. I trotted over.

“Hey Melody,” I said. The brahmin raised its head to acknowledge me. I wondered if she could free herself from the harness or if another pony had to do it. In truth I didn't know much about her at all. A pang of guilt shot through me.She's the one pulling us along twenty-four-seven, and even saved Gale from the artillery strike. She is as much a member of Elpis as Nibble or Gale.

“What are you doing way out here?”

Melody's left head lowered, “Friend.”

I shook myself free from the momentary shock. I knew brahman could talk, I even knew they were once as smart as ponies before the war.

“No, your friends are back there.” I gestured back to the settlement.

“Not all,” Melody replied as she headed back to the caravan.

I raised an eyebrow and glanced around. “Aww. Are you talking about me?”

“Not just you.”

I looked again, but saw nothing.

“Good morning children! DJ Pon-3 here to give you some updates. Smaller encampments of Pandora’s Children have been sprouting up all over Equestria. Seems their new leader is picking up where the old one left off so keep your eyes peeled and your guns loaded. If any of you don't mind doing old DJ Pon-3 a favor, please wipe those scum clear off the map if you get the chance.

“Another group has started to play a more active role as well; the Steel Rangers have been on the move. They have been spotted moving large supply carts across the wasteland to their base in Fillydelphia. I'm not sure what they are up to but steer clear if you see them. They have been more hostile than normal to ponies getting in their way.

“Finally, you wouldn't believe who paid me a visit a few days ago: none other than Elpis. I spoke with their leader and, to my surprise, he said their ultimate goal is to eliminate Pandora’s Children. Now if you meet these ponies maybe hear them out before taking action. He explained it very clearly... if Elpis wants something they're willing to work for it, but one way or another they'll get what they want. So please my little ponies try to work with them. The last thing we need is for another town to disappear.

“Well that's all I’ve got for now. Let's get back to- oh wait, I almost forgot to mention this one. I sent an assistant to keep some tabs on Elpis before they left, but somehow she was caught. Now this may not sound surprising but I can assure you my assistant is very discreet, near invisible you might say. Yet, somehow, the barmaid of Elpis caught her as if she was just walking up behind them. You’ve done something possibly good, or very dangerous barmaid: you've caught my attention, and now I’m considering a request you made with my other assistant. No more calling you barmaid, and instead I’ll call you the other name you requested… oh, what's this? There is no alternative? That is a shame. Guess barmaid will have to do. I'll be sure to keep you all up on the barmaid’s progress since he just loves the name b-”

I yanked the ear bud out. My gums hurt as my jaw tensed and my teeth ground together. I wonder how well Tenpony burns.

Nibble giggled. “I'm a little jealous. You’re becoming famous.”

My anger subsided with the revelation. DJ Pon-3 had just mentioned Pandora’s children, which were a major threat to the wasteland, the Steel Rangers, the hoarders of the most advanced pre-war technology, Elpis, and me. I literally received as much attention some of the most powerful players in the wasteland, all so he could spread around that Luna-forsaken nickname!

Nibble slid into the seat next to me so her flank rested against mine. “And now we know the zebra was sent by DJ Pon-3 so mystery solved.”

“That’s right!” I jumped up, recalling the rest of the announcement.

“Did you really just get that?” Nibble gave me a cheeky smile. “That nickname really gets you flustered huh?”

“Well.” I scratched at the back of my neck.

“We're here.” Clover called back as the caravan came to a stop. A massive fortress came into view, the walls massive and comprised of towering sheets of metal. Over a dozen bodies were nailed above the entrance and spelled out ‘No Hope’. The top of wall had mounted turrets placed all along the perimeter. From this distance the ponies scouting along the wall were no bigger than a pebble. “The Pandora’s Children main base.” Clover found a secluded spot behind a withered tree. “Gale, Ardent ready for your infiltration mission?”

Oh shit.

Footnote: No level up.