Trouble. It was a word that seemed to follow me around, and all too often. Therefore, I was no stranger to having to deal with the consequences of trouble. Yet right now, after just learning that I'd finally achieved my most impossible ambition. Trouble was the last thing I wanted. I was sitting, unarmed, unarmored, sick out of my mind, and pregnant in front of some pony accusing me of making a whole lot of trouble.

Goddesses, why didn't this have just ended when I nearly died leaving Crimson Springs? Couldn't the wasteland just give me at least a little break? Unfortunately for my frail hopes, the mare leaning on the end of my bed looked like she was about to give me anything other than a break.

"Come again, I thought you'd be glad I saved your sister?" I asked, a crooked expression dawning on my face.

Heatstroke looked like she considered that for about a millisecond before her mind moved on. "Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty glad you saved Sky, we need all the doctors we can get around here. But that doesn't change the fact that you've really made trouble with the wrong ponies."

I pressed a hoof to my stomach and sat up straight. "And who would these ponies be?" I asked, ready to give her a whole list of bad ponies I knew were already after me.

"Really? You think you can just go riding a train out of Crimson Springs with half a dozen slaves and not piss the Brazen Skulls off?" she asked as if I was stupid. "Because if that's the case then you clearly didn't consider the fact that now the whole of Crossroads is right in their crosshairs. Where else do you think they're going to come to get replacement stock?" she pressed, sky-blue eyes narrowing.

And this was what I meant about trouble because, for all I'd done to save those ponies from that inferno, she was right. They'd just be coming right back for more.

"Now you leave me with that threat on top of dealing with the rangers to the west and trying to get this town some proper leadership," Heatstroke added, thudding a hoof on the bed.

"And that leadership should be you, I'm guessing? Sky told me what you wanted." I asked, yet she frowned.

"I'm only here to help my father, he's the one who wants to be in charge. The only other option is Pear Puddin' and that idiot would sooner eat himself to death before doing anything useful," she spat as if I really should know.

"And I suppose your father's the sensible kind then?" I inquired and she shrugged.

"He's smart enough to know that the best future for this town is to give it up to the NCR or something, yeah," she responded.

For a moment I wondered if that was a good idea. Sky had made out that this Pear guy was stupid, but she'd not mentioned that her family had plans like that. Then again, I trusted the NCR about as much as I trusted almost anypony right now. Crossroads was on the very edge of their territory, like Churn, and if somepony had land the NCR wanted they usually took it. Of course, that didn't always make everything sunshine and rainbows, the republic abandoned as many new towns as they 'liberated'. I'd seen settlements stripped and then left with practically nothing only a few months later. From the look on Heatstroke's face, it was pretty clear that she wasn't really considering that, however.

"So why don't you just let the NCR in? Like you said, you're pretty much in the middle of a large group of angry ponies right now?" I asked, failing to mention that most of that was my fault.

Well, not the steel rangers at least.

"Ha, you think we haven't ever considered that? We may not run the place but my family has been here for years. But for all the slob's worth, Pear's got some tricks up his sleeve," she exclaimed, seeming to take insult to the fact that I'd doubted her even a little.

"Sun Spot, goddesses rest her soul, always said this place could stand on its own. My father always respectfully disagreed. All I say is that she didn't die for this place to be run into the ground." She crossed her forehooves over her chest, looking up as she mentioned the deceased mayor.

"So this Pear Puddin', he always gets what he wants?" I asked and she frowned again, the mention of that name making her look sick.

"If what he wants is all the caps he can carry and a whole night in the bar with as many drinks and mares as he can have, then yeah. Not once have I seen him do anything to prove he'd be any good at running a town. But he has the influence, there ain't a pony in town who don't know him," she elaborated, making some colorfully violent gesture with her forehooves.

"So what does this all have to do with me? As much as it sounds like you're just here to kick my butt for messing things up, I don't think that's what you want," I asked and she gave a crooked smile.

"Oh, believe me, I do wanna teach you a lesson for all the shit you caused in Crimson. But I'm not one for taking my anger out on an expectant mare," she stated, and I tensed, rubbing my stomach.

Goddesses, thanks for small favors. But seriously am I the last pony in town to find out I'm knocked up? Nevertheless, as much as I could see her frustration, I believed her. Hurting a pregnant mare wasn't exactly the image a potential mayor wanted, I presumed.

"So what do you need me for then? I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kind of stuck here, your sisters' orders," I responded, motioning to the room around us.

"I'm here to offer you an opportunity to pay us back for making this situation a whole lot messier. Plus, if you get the job done, you'll be welcome here in Crossroads any time," she began, nodding toward the window.

I glanced towards the sickly yellow light streaming in through the cracked glass, then back at her as my ears perked. "Okay, I'm listening."

"My father wants control of this town and you're going to help him get it," she stated, crossing her forehooves as my look turned skeptical.

"And how in Equestria do you want me to get you control of a whole town? I'm good, yeah, but all I do is shoot ponies and fetch stuff," I stated and she smirked, leaning back in the stool.

"I didn't say you had to do it alone, nor did I say you had to kill anypony. Well, at least I don't think it's a guarantee," she elaborated, pausing as a low groan of confusion left my throat. "There's just one major thing about you that I wanna use, the fact that Pear has no idea who you are."

Okay, that doesn't sound too bad, but surely there was a catch. I summarised.

"And if I say no?" I pressed, leaning forwards.

"Well, then you can kiss Crossroads goodbye because your dumb tail will be booted. Not to mention I know a few ponies you really don't want to get involved with," she warned.

As far as threats went it wasn't bad, but I'd had worse. Bounties, hunters, raiders, and slavers, been there, done that. But it's not all about you anymore, Dragonfire. Think of Cherry, think of your foal.

I rubbed a hoof on my stomach, frowning as I considered her offer. Heatstroke continued to smirk. Goddesses, she knows exactly what she's doing too, she knows I'll never risk my foal like that!

"So I say yes, then what?" I perked, and she stood up, still grinning.

"Then you stay here for a bit, get better. Then come and see me and my father as soon as you're ready. We can explain the rest there, where it's a little more private," she elaborated, brushing back her mane with a hoof. "Got to keep up good appearances after all."

Of course, you do. I mentally mused, unable to shake the idea that she sounded just as bad as this supposed Pear Puddin' guy.

Still, this was the sister of the mare that had saved my life and also the sister of the mare that had really slapped me in the face with my new reality. I owed her because of that alone, never mind the fact I'd brought down the Brazen Skull's wrath upon her. Then again, the less I saw the NCR abusing small settlements, the better. Yet what could I do to argue the point, they both sucked?

"Okay, you have a deal. I'll come find you as soon as I can," I agreed and she reached out and shook my hoof.

"I knew you were a smart mare, come find us at my father's house then. It's the big, shiny steel building under the main overpass, you can't miss it." The smile she gave me was undoubtedly the one she used while trying to woo the town to her side, it looked so fake I bet I could crack her grinning mask with a hammer.

Still, I had little choice, and as she walked out I just sat back in my bed. I didn't even look at those nice flanks as she walked, lean muscles rippling.

"Well, shit." I had goddesses know how many ponies chasing me, my Pipbuck was gone, I was somehow pregnant and now I had to pay off my debt to this stupid town. "Fuck you, wasteland!" I spat, throwing up my forehooves.

The motion made my insides go for another wild ride and I crumpled back in on myself, clutching my stomach and reaching for the bucket again. One spew of vomit later and I was laying on my side, shivering. I really hated my life right now. My wandering thoughts were cut off a moment later as a dry cough met my ears and I looked to see Ochre was awake and looking at me from the other bed.

"Oh, hey. How you feeling?" I managed to wheeze, before coughing myself.

"No better than you, it seems," Ochre groaned, rubbing a forehoof over her face. "What in Equestria happened?"

"We rode out of Crimson Springs on a train, then it blew up and we ended up here. Sky saved your life," I explained and at the mention of her marefriend's name the earth pony smiled.

"I know that part, I was awake on the train... Great driving by the way," she told me and despite myself, I blushed. I could kind of see why Sky had fallen for such a kind mare.

"It was nothing really, the thing was on tracks." I waved the idea off with a hoof, but she seemed to value my efforts at least, then she took a deep breath.

"What I mean is what's happened around here though? Spotty's really dead? Damn, that really sucks," she admitted, the first pony I'd seen to look genuinely saddened by the news.

"I'm guessing you heard the rest of it then? Hope you have a better idea of what's going on than I do?" I admitted, looking at my forehooves as if they'd somehow provide all the answers.

"I heard enough to know it's not good. Goddesses forbid Pear be in charge of this place, he used to be my boss before going into all the chem dealing stuff," she explained.

My attention spiked, ears perking again. "Chem dealing?"

"Oh yeah, how else do you think a slimy buck like that's going to get anywhere? He's got his own gang and everything, seemed to get it all overnight. I was kinda glad to see the back of him when he quit though," she confirmed.

Of course, Heatstroke forgot to mention that little detail. I thought, frowning.

"What about Sky's sister then, how's she?" I asked, and Ochre sighed.

"Out of all of them, I'd not pick Heatstroke to be the leader of the town. But she just wants what her father wants. She's the closest to him, proper daddy's-filly. Almost never leaves his side, always been like that. But as much of an angel he makes her out to be, she sure ain't one." That sounded absolutely great, I could potentially be helping an NCR lapdog rise to power or assist a chem-dealing thug.

"But if I had to choose out of the two of them, it would not be Pear. He doesn't have any family to hold him back, and I know Sky and Flare won't let their father mess things up," Ochre added, once again lighting at the mention of her lover.

Well, that at least narrows it down a little. I trusted Sky and I trusted that anypony who disobeyed Flare would regret it. That mare could command complete obedience with a simple glare if she wanted to, I was sure.

"You going to do it though, what she wants?" Ochre asked, sounding as if a small part of her actually thought I'd say no.

"I don't really see many other options. I couldn't care less about her threats, but I really don't want to see anypony pillage Crossroads because of me," I confessed, rubbing my belly.

Is that because you couldn't forgive yourself for it, or because you know Cherry wouldn't forgive you? My mind asked, and I really didn't want to answer.

Ochre smiled warmly. "We always have more options, I know for a fact that no matter what Heatstroke says, Flare and Sky wouldn't let her hurt you or..."

"Or my foal? You know I'm pregnant too, huh?" I cut off, finishing for her, making her blush a little.

"Well, I wasn't sure, I only heard bits, and Sky's given me so many different chems. But yeah, I guess," Ochre admitted before adding. "Congratulations though, I've thought about having foals before, just don't know how we'd go about it."

"Yeah, well at least you'd have a 'we'. I don't know though, Sky doesn't look like she's ready for kids?" I offered with a small chuckle, a laugh she shared.

"Now that's another thing I know is obvious," she added. "I just hope what happened back in Crimson didn't change her too much."

I cocked my head as she stared up at the ceiling. "I don't think you have to worry about that, she still seems as mad at me as she was before," I assured her.

"Sky's grumpy with everypony, Dragonfire. I'm just worried she's always going to kick herself for what happened." She glanced down at her crumpled body under the covers. "I know there's something wrong with my legs, and I know if she could have fixed them then she would have already," she told me with a small sniff, her rear limbs fidgeting as she tapped them with a forehoof.

Then she looked out of the window, through which the brighter lines of the desert sun beamed as it dropped below the cloud layer.

"Hey, Sky loves you more than anypony. Trust me, I've seen all kinds of love and I know what's true when I see it," I assured her as she watched those beams of sun start to fade, then she finally glanced back at me.

"Thanks, Dragonfire... For everything, Sky wasn't the only one who saved my life." At that, I blushed. Despite the appreciation, however, I really felt that her gratitude was misplaced.

"It's Cherry you should thank, she was the one who found you. I was just tagging along," I retorted, and she smirked.

"I know, I'll thank her soon enough too. But Cherry didn’t steal a train, that was kind of cool." I blushed even more, my embarrassment only broken when I coughed a second later.

"Technically that wasn't my idea either, there was this buck ... He told me to steal the train," I confessed. Wait, why did her smirk grow wider at that?

"A buck, hur? Funny, I got the impression your barn door swung another way." I face hoofed.

"I... He... I swing both ways, okay... He's not special to me, I only just met him and he's already run off!" I exclaimed, but that did nothing to dissuade her teasing.

"I only knew Skylark for about a day before we started really bumping flanks. Think she ran off the morning after that first time too." She lifted a forehoof to her chin. "Love works fast if you find the right pony." She winked and I felt myself go redder than ever. "Besides, a mare can't knock you up."

Okay, really something I didn't want to think about... Still, the mental image of Vertigo and me... No Dragonfire, no! I fell back in the bed, pressing my hooves to my face.

"Goddesses, what is it with ponies in this town? Sky's mad, Flare's too right, and their other sister's trying to blackmail me ... Now you're doing this," I whined.

"Hey, when I got together with Sky there was still one slot open in her family roster," she mused and I glanced over, dreading what she had to say next. "The kinky one," she added with a wink.

I felt myself go so red I may as well have been turning to scorched dust right there and then.

Luckily for my shame and blood pressure, Ochre relented on her teasing for the next few hours, mostly because she fell asleep again.

So much for finding Sky when her marefriend wakes up. I thought, imagining that the drugs in the earth pony's system must really have been working to keep her asleep so much.

Not that I had a problem with being freed from her malicious teasing, she made me squirm more than anypony could, and she didn't even need to be in the same bed as me to do so. What I did have an issue with was being bored, not to mention all the things spinning in my head. Cherry had been back a few times, one time Clip had even been with her. While he was limping and his legs looked permanently scarred, I'd been glad to know the colt was okay and still walking. Nevertheless, I'd insisted that they go find a proper place to sleep.

The room at the town hotel Flare had bought for Cherry was the least she deserved after what she'd been through. Not to mention, after the number of caps she'd made while in town. It was close to a thousand, just on scrap. Even if I'd insisted she keep hold of the stone tablet we'd found in the labs when she'd asked about it. For some reason, I felt like I needed to know where it was. Other than that most of the junk was gone, with the exception of the Fluttershy statuette that my companion had grown quite fond of.

Goddesses, that mare amazed me! Still, without my friend, my doctor, or my tormenter, I was laying alone in the dark with nothing to think about but what to do next.

On one hoof, I could always just leave and take Cherry with me. I still had to find Vertigo, of course, get my Pipbuck, and let him help me find out what the Transcendent wanted. On the other hoof, I really didn't want to ruin the lives of Sky, Ochre, and Flare. I couldn't really care less about the other ponies, except for maybe Clip. I could only assume he'd be living here now too.

Maybe Sky and Ochre will get a foal after all, and sooner than they think? At least I wouldn't be the only one to have motherhood dumped on me like a train car. My mind mused as I looked up at the ceiling.

No magic and no Pipbuck, that was all I could think about again as I looked at the ceiling fan slowly going around. I glanced at my bags still sitting on the bed next to me, but the other two memory orbs seemed beyond my weak horn's ability to connect with. The last one had taken all the strength I had, and now I was just stuck. The best thing I could do was to just take Sky and Flare's advice. Get some sleep and hope I felt better in the morning. Part of me really wished Cherry was here with me as I closed my eyes. I didn't care that I found being attracted to her utterly wrong. I just wanted to know she'd be there when I woke up. Or in case I woke up screaming.

I was laying in a bed, a warm, cozy bed with the mare I was closest to in the lonely wasteland. It was a bed far better than the dreary infirmary bed I'd been stuck in. That felt so distant now. The pony beside me was my one rock in the torrent that was life, the likes of which I held onto with all four hooves. Her coat was soft, her mane like cotton against my muzzle as I nuzzled her gently. Our hooves wrapt about each other tightly, mine over her back and hers over my flank as the pair of us purred like kittens.

"You know, we should do this more often. Good to take all the comfort you can get out here," Candi suggested, her half-lidded eyes meeting my own as our lips pressed together.

I pushed all of my compassion into that kiss, all the aching stress of a long day's work was behind me and now I just wanted to feel good. I could just stay here with her forever, ride out the worst the wasteland had to offer, even if it didn't completely feel like love. Our kiss lasted for a long moment before I finally pulled away. The white-coated mare looked slightly pained, yet I gave her a smile, coaxing her back.

"Candi, am I weird?" I asked reluctantly, thinking about what Teal had said about being different

She gave me a confused look, her seductive smile fading only for a moment. "Dragon, why would ah think that? If it's because of us then, there's plenty of fillyfoolers right here in town. Heck, between us we've slept with half the mares and bucks 'round here. "

She pulled me close again, planting a light kiss on my cheek. I let out a shallow breath, glancing down at her hooves as one stroked my chest lightly.

"I know, it's just... Today with Teal, he thinks we're all weirdos, and I don't really know what to tell him. Ponies look at me funny for having a pegasus foal, not to mention how young I was when he was born." I played off those facts as if the lie were as real as the death of my mother.

Candi was oblivious to the truth as she smiled, nuzzling my neck affectionately. "Do you think you're weird?" she asked.

I rubbed her side, stroking her fur softly. "Is this my marefriend or my nurse asking?" I responded cracking a smile.

She lifted her head from under mine, a low purring sound escaping her throat.

"Both, you an' ah know ah ain't no doctor yet, but mom still taught me good. So no, this ain't a nurse asking," she assured me, rubbing the back of my neck, then giggled. "But that don't mean you can go being dishonest now," She bumped her rump against my own beneath the covers.

"Is that the only thing she taught you?" I teased, and the white mare shook her head before forcing her lips to mine once again.

Now it was her turn to pour on the affection as she wrapped both her forehooves around the back of my neck.

"No, ah learned that one all by myself," she purred with a coy grin.

I flushed, nothing but an awkward, little squeak escaping my throat. "Okay, you proved your point," I admitted."Still... Teal thinks he's different because of his wings."

"Hey, this darn town's needed a good pegasus for years. He'll be a fine buck when he's all grown up," she assured me, offering another kiss before adding. "He'll have to be with you as his mom."

At her words, my blush grew tenfold and I couldn't help but smile as a warm sense of pride swelled within me. "Yeah, but I just don't want him to feel different, I want him to be happy."

Much to my disappointment, she sat up, then shook her head slowly. "You know, Mom used to tell me about fillies our age who'd end up pregnant and either die or just end up leaving the foal to do the same, but you..." She pointed a hoof into my chest for extra emphasis."You really do love him, don't you?"

I nodded slowly, blushing even more as I sat up next to her. "So if you go on for one more minute saying he can't be happy with you, then ah swear ah'm gonna make you squirm so hard," she added, smacking my butt with a hoof.

I let out a yelp, jumping a little. That was a little more than just some playful flankspank, she really meant it.

"Love is a hard thing to come by out here, ah seen enough cruel ponies to last a lifetime. But you ain't one of um," Candi went on, taking one of my forehooves with her own

"So we're not weird then?" I asked casually, and she rolled her eyes with a snort.

She looked just about ready to say something smart in response, but before she could there was a sound by the stairs.

"Mom, Candi. You still awake, I heard voices and...?" Teal trailed off as we both looked to see him standing at the top of the stairs, teddy ursa clutched in his forehooves.

"Awww, sweetie, yeah we're still awake, what's wrong?" Candi asked, standing up and brushing herself off first.

Thank the goddesses he didn't come wandering up just a few minutes earlier. I thought as I stood up and trotted over to the young colt.

"Is it the nightmares again, Teal?" I asked, and the moment I was within hooves reach he lunged and wrapped his hooves around my foreleg.

"Yeah, the one with the scary ponies with the scary faces. I'm sorry, Mom. I tried to tell them to go away, but they just keep hiding. They'll eat me if I fall asleep again!" he explained, eyes starting to water and in an instant, I knew that our night of fun was over.

Still, as much as I loved sex, I love my little colt far more. I wrapped a hoof over his back, rubbing his mane and wings gently as I shushed him.

"There, there, it's okay. No scary ponies are going to get you while Mommy and Candi are around." I looked at the white mare and she nodded.

"You bet, ah got a whole bunch of needles waiting back at the clinic for anypony that wants to mess with you," she declared, and he glanced up at her with a sniff.

"You mean the big, sharp, and scary kind? The ones that hurt?" he asked, and she appeared a little unsure as she nodded. "And no sugar apple bombs afterward for them?"

"No way, only good ponies like you get those," I added, nudging him softly.

"Well, I suppose they'd be scared of that... Maybe that'll make them go away?" he mumbled, giving another wet sniff as he stared off into the gloom.

"The only pony who can find out is you, Teal. When those bad ponies come for you again you just tell them what Antie Candi's got for them," I said with a grin, and much to my relief he mirrored the expression as he looked up at me.

"You bet I will, Mom. I'll be big and tough, just like you," he boasted and that warmness in my chest bloomed. "But, Mom, can I just have one more thing?"

My ears perked, then again I knew exactly what he was going to ask next. He was even looking at where we'd been laying just moments ago. I didn't even need to wait for the question.

"Yes, Teal, you can sleep with us tonight. But this is the last time, you're a big colt now and you have to start being brave, you know. Like the dragon, you always pretend to be, right?" I told him and he nodded, smiling.

That smile meant the whole world to me. "You mean brave like you too, Mom?"

I felt a shallow breath escape me at those words, yet my happy expression did not falter. Candi looked at me as if daring me to shoot myself down again, and confronted with both her and Teal's eyes, I finally sighed.

"Yes, Teal. Brave just like your mom."

I awoke to the sound of things being moved and opened my eyes to see Sky disconnecting me from the medical machines at my bedside. I opened my mouth, yet before my parched throat could croak a sound the mare offered me a flat look and spoke.

"No, this does not mean you can leave just yet. You should still be resting." I felt my hopes and dreams fall flat.

Horse apples, why do I have to be stuck here? As if sensing my irritation, Sky smirked and finished moving the last of the machines away with her magic.

"Hey, it's not all bad. You should be able to at least walk today, but I'm just not recommending it. Plus, Cherry will kill you if you leave this bed whether you're a couple or not," she warned, and at that idea, I at least had some incentive not to wander off.

Even so, I was caught wondering if I should tell her about her sister's offer. I also didn't know how long Heatstroke expected to wait for me. For some reason she didn't strike me as the most patient mare, none of Sky's family did. So I instead tried to offer my doctor something that may at least cheer her up.

"Ochre was awake last night, you know? We were talking," I told her and she glanced at the sleeping mare.

"Oh, I know. She was awake early this morning. Said something about you being very cute when you're awkward." She looked back and I felt heat in my cheeks once again.

Goddesses, she is at it even when she's asleep, does she have any limit to her teasing? Sky, at least, had the decency not to press the joke any further. That, or she was just as awkward as I was.

"Is that all she told you?" I asked, wondering whether Ochre had informed her of what Heatstroke had said to me.

Sky shook her head and my concern spiked. "Nope, she said you have a good marefriend and a new buck. Said you should... And I quote, 'get under a tail before they're taken'." She looked sickened by the words and for a second I thought she'd have to use my puke bucket too.

I just sank back into the pillow and covered my red face with my hooves. Goddesses curse my white coat, it makes it so obvious!

Nevertheless, I didn't have to worry about anything more as apparently, that was all that Ochre had told her. That at least led me to believe that the earth pony wanted me to try to fix the town. Sky just seemed as oblivious to the fact as ever as she looked at the memory orbs sitting at my bedside.

"You actually managed to use these?" she asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah, but only one. That's all my horn could take," I responded, and she frowned. "What, you going to say I have to sit here board out of my mind without even a memory orb to view?" I snapped.

"It's not recommended, but I'm afraid you may just do something more reckless without the distraction. I supposed trying to work your magic back up with small memory spells wouldn't do too much harm." She lifted a hoof to her chin. "But no more than one a day, got it?"

"Yes, Mom," I moaned, crossing my forehooves. Sky only looked at me with a flat expression.

"Every day, I see more and more why you travel with Cherry. You seriously need the maturity," she observed and I instantly dropped the act.

"Seriously? I'm still mature, you'd be going insane from boredom in here too. Besides, where is Cherry, I at least feel like I want to do what she tells me to do," I grumbled.

"She went to find that buck who guided us off the tracks..." She paused, seeming to think hard.

"Vertigo?" I asked, and she swiftly nodded.

"Yeah, him. Seen him in town a few times so he's from around here as far as I know. Don't know where he lives though. He took your Pipbuck too, by the way," she finished.

"I'm aware," I deadpanned, slumping again.

Regardless, at least I knew Cherry was with somepony I kind of knew, or at least looking for him. Somehow that was reassuring, Vertigo had been in no rush to kill any of us and I didn't really think he'd spontaneously turn into a monster or something.

"She said she'd be back to see you as soon as she was done asking him some things," Sky went on, levitating over a mug of water and setting it down on a medical trolley at my bedside. "So, if that's all, then I have things to attend to."

The pale mare didn't even give me a chance to respond before she moved over to Ochre, kissed the mare's forehead, and then trotted out. Damn, as grumpy as she is, Sky still has a nice plot... Dragonfire, just no, it's over now, give up!

Only a few minutes passed before boredom wrapped its claws around my mind again. I looked at the trinkets littering my bed, the musical locket, and the memory orbs. I finally picked up the former and placed it around my neck, jingling it with my hooves as I wondered if my horn could take another of the latter.

Look into the past or disobey everypony and go see if you can find Heatstroke? I looked up at the slowly spinning fan, that endless slow whooshing that had been sinking into my head for what felt like forever. Yeah, I think I can make it back before Cherry is done with Vertigo, no problem.

Crossroads, this was only the second time I'd seen the concrete maze of roads and bridges that was the intersection city. Cracked asphalt clattered under the hooves of many passing ponies as I looked up into the concrete canopy of highway bridges and improvised metal catwalks. It had taken my eyes a second to adjust to the light having been cooped up in the bed for so long, yet I could see the businesses and homes built into the sides of the overpass and its supporting pillars. From the ground up, the town formed layer upon layer of thin streets, and corrugated shacks all connected by metal stairways. Several wrapped around the concrete support cylinders in spirals while others snaked their way up some of the larger buildings on the ground level. It was like Churn, only in reverse, and seeing its size nowadays, it wasn't hard to guess why Heatstroke wanted control over the place.

Creeping out of the clinic hadn't been too hard, nopony had been behind the desk at the entrance and my quiet hoofsteps had been masked by somepony shouting in another room. Most likely Skylark. The clinic itself was a large shack of corrugated metal sheets suspended on several steel stilts with its back against one of the highway support pillars. Unlike those in Churn, it at least had windows. Though in the shadow of the overpass, they seemed just as pointless. A little green light came from a flickering medical sign beside the door, as well as another glowing image of three pink butterflies.

I made sure to creep away from the stairs by the door as subtly as I could, hoping that, without my barding, no pony would recognize me as the mare who'd potentially brought the Brazen Skulls' wrath down upon them. All I had were my saddlebags, the locket around my neck, and my faint memory of the last time I was here. Heatstroke had said to find her father's home, and while part of me just really wanted to go and find Vertigo, I knew that if I went there I might bump into Cherry. Seeing the pink mare mad was not on top of my to-do list, and I wracked my memory for the directions Heatstroke had given me.

'It's the big steel building under the main overpass, you can't miss it.' I looked up. Goddesses this whole place is under an overpass!

From here on the ground level, the cloudy sky was invisible. Yet as I trotted along I swiftly came upon the largest of the ground-level roads, the south equestrian highway. The large span of asphalt was littered with wagons, most of which had been turned into homes or businesses, all connected to the rest of the city's web by a number of suspended catwalks. On the far side of the highway was a parking lot covered in more shacks and beside it was an old diner. To my right, the highway continued, flanked by improvised metal buildings formed from more scrap wagons. Raising above them, its back built into one of the large concrete pillars, was what looked like an irregular stack of steel blocks and windows, covered in a whole mesh of framework. 'Under Toe Hotel and Casino' proclaimed a large flashing sign above the building's front door.

Okay, having second thoughts about letting Cherry stay in a place like that alone... No, Dragonfire, she's not a foal! To my left, the road led out from beneath the intersection.

A ragged wall of corrugated metal had been erected between the outermost support pillars of a squat railway bridge. Guard ponies stood sentry atop the makeshift fortification, manning several large gun emplacements that had been fixed to a number of train cars sitting on the elevated tracks. I at least appreciated seeing guns like that when they weren't in the hooves of slavers. Not that the security forces here looked any more competent than those in Churn or Buck Town. It seemed the NCR had already begun to lay claim to this land as it had done back home. Just more of a reason for me to try and get this mess sorted out.

I turned away from the gate, keeping an eye out for any overpass that could be referred to as the 'main one'. Ponies trotted about their business around me, mares, stallions, and foals all safe and happy, just like home. I felt a slight twinge in my gut as I saw them, the sensation of life inside me was far from the cold emptiness I'd seen watching families pass me by in Churn. It was not impossible for me anymore. I could have another chance to do what I'd failed to do all those years ago.

That doesn't mean you'll succeed this time though, you really fucked up last… I cut off my thoughts with a shake of my head. No way was I ever going to start thinking like that now.

Nevertheless, my mind continued to try and drag me back into my past mistakes. Even any happy thought about the foal and the impossibility that was its existence was marred by how I'd failed my last family. I couldn't have foals, that had been the one thing in my life that had driven me to do all the messed up shit I'd done. Did it make me stronger? I really tried not to think about it too much, ignoring the sickly sensation in my gut as I continued my search.

I passed open wagons serving everything from iguana meat on a stick to roasted radhogs. The scent that drifted out of them was both alluring and disgusting all at once. I could only assume it was my condition that was putting me off as I never usually minded. There was a filly standing on a box, preaching about how ponies had to stand up to raiders. While beside her another, slightly older mare handed out newspapers. Amidst the crowd was an assortment of robots, the likes of which moved among the ponies almost like pets. Ponytrons stood guard over particular stores with more wealthy-looking owners and by one larger building, I swore I saw an old sentry bot. I felt a spike of spite in me at the sight of the hulking metal brute, but at least this one wasn't trying to shoot at me.

Weirder still were the Gyrotrons. I'd seen them before, some sort of experimental robot designed for use in high-speed wagon chases on the long desert roads in the latter years of the war. A pair rolled by, effortlessly weaving around ponies. They looked for all intents and purposes like gigantic wheels. At the base of the large central arch, close to where the chassis met the road, an equine-like body boasted four clawed legs. Like an odd amalgamation of griffin and pony impaled by a wheel, the things carried an array of magical energy weapons on either side of a pair of stalked red eyes. Several more of the patrolling robots crossed my path as I finally looked ahead to see a large metal building.

It was built into another highway pillar and looked rather similar to the Under Toe. Yet the metal it was made from was far cleaner. It made me wonder why Heatstroke hadn't referred me to the cleanest building in town instead. The silver plates practically gleamed compared to the rusted shanties around them. As I trotted closer, however, it became clear that the wasteland had not spared its influence even here. The polished walls were still burdened with patches of rust in a few odd places and the catwalk balconies that clung to some parts were no better than the rest of the sprawl they were connected to. Several windows were broken, and the stairs leading up to the door whined as I moved up them. I lifted a hoof to knock on the chipped, red door that greeted me. Only for it to slip open loosely at the smallest touch.

Okay, not creepy at all. For some reason, I didn't like the idea they'd been expecting me.

Inside was a long corridor supported by an inner skeleton of darker metal. I slipped in and the floor gave a groan under my weight as the metal shifted. Shutting the door behind me with a light kick, I trotted down the corridor until I came upon a larger space I assumed was the heart of the building. A balcony above ran around the edge of the square room, and a set of bulbs strung from wires across the ceiling formed a mock chandelier. It was big, for the wasteland. Then again, while Sky and Flare seemed okay, I couldn't really say the same for the rest of her family from the members I'd met.

Goddesses only know what went into getting this. I thought. But hey, maybe it's just so their father has room for all of his kids?

For some reason that didn't seem like the whole story, especially as I looked around. In the middle of the room was a rounded table, littered with paper and all kinds of medical supplies. Scattered among the endless piles of parchment, books, and scrolls were a few doses of RadAway and healing potions. 'Supernaturals', the cover of one book that caught my eye stated, sitting next to a pestle and mortar, along with some odd green powder and withered blue herbs. A bunch of scribbled notes I'd have no chance of understanding accompanied the odd text, and I swiftly trotted to the edge of the room. On the wall were several photographs and I noticed the ones with Sky and Flare in them almost instantly. Heatstroke was in many of them too, as well as one lime green and one purple earth pony mare.

More of her sisters. Maybe the twins? I presumed.

Sidewinder was the only stallion I could see, yet in his one image, he was no more than a colt. He looked a little like his ambitious sister, with a sandy-colored coat and an orange mane. The image was of him pointing to what I could only guess was a brand-new cutie mark. A green snake locked in a perfect circle to eat its own tail. I had exactly zero idea what that kind of cutie mark even meant. I forgot about it seconds later as I came face to face with a rearing pegasus mare.

I hopped back, reflectively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there with magic that didn't work. The mare didn't move, however, and after wondering for a second how she was standing so still, I finally noticed that she wasn't a mare at all. At least, not anymore. She had a dull brown coat with a curly maroon mane, she was small too, a little shorter than me if she'd have been standing on all four hooves. Her cutie mark was the scorched image of a cloud and lightning bolt.

So she's a Dashite? My mind swiftly noted, recalling the several enclave rejects I'd met in the past. I had to admit I had fewer issues with them than I did their sky-going companions, but overall my opinion of pegasi was still sour.

The same could not be said for the father of all the foals I'd seen in the photos. The whole span of the wall next to the stuffed mare was covered in images of pegasi, both old and new. I saw faded newspaper articles detailing the many battles fought by the Shadowbolts, not to mention more than a few images of a very awesome-looking Rainbow Dash. There were posters too, and a faded photograph of the brown pegasus. Sky had said her father had been set on having a pegasus foal. Now I could really see that somepony had a little bit of an obsession. It came as a surprise then when a voice suddenly spoke and I looked back in shock to see the unicorn buck watching me from across the middle table.

"Magnificent collection, don't you think?" he asked, and right away I knew who I was talking to.

He had a dull orange coat and white striped red mane as well as a white lab coat and black-rimmed glasses. I imagined the stethoscope around his neck wasn't part of his usual attire as he levitated it onto the table and trotted around, looking over the pegasus memorabilia fondly as he passed.

"It's certainly something, you must really like pegasi," I offered, watching him look at the stuffed mare in particular before reaching me.

"That I do, they fascinate me. So elegant and streamlined, so powerful. Their bodies are made for power and speed." I just nodded, it was scary how he said those words with such conviction.

The way he looked at me was just as freaky. Damn, does he want to sew wings to my side or something? I swiftly glanced at the still mare posed in the corner.

He smiled. "I see you've met Dust Storm," he asked, trotting over and kissing the mare's rearing hoof. "She was the love of my life, couldn't bear to allow the wasteland to take such perfection and let it rot away. It took a lot of work to have her preserved like this."

So what, he really had her stuffed? Wow, talk about priorities. How'd he even find a way to do that? Regardless, it was at least a nice sentiment, no matter how creepy. While I was not opposed to keeping something out of the wasteland's cruel grip, even I had limits.

"I'm sorry to hear, I bet she was a really nice mare." My condolences were forced, even if for some reason they didn't seem necessary. Nevertheless, I wasn't about to try an offend one of the most powerful stallions in town.

The doctor closed his eyes and took a long breath, seeming to breathe in the scent of the long-dead mare. "Thank you, but your pity is not necessary. Dusty went down in a way deserving of any pegasus."

Yeah, Dragonfire, really necessary. My mind smirked. Grr, shut up, brain! I banged my head with a forehoof, drawing an odd look from the curious stallion.

"Sorry, just my mind misbehaving again," I told him with an awkward smile, then trotted back over. "So you're Sky's father and she's her mother?" I asked, nodding to the brown mare.

He merely laughed. "Are you serious? Haha, no, Dusty is not the mother of any of my foals, as much as I'd have liked her to have been. The Enclave fitted many of its citizens with contraceptive implants. Part of the reason I became a doctor was to try and take it out of her, but she passed on before I could," he explained, looking up at her with what appeared to be genuine affection.

And now he's gone and gotten himself six children trying to replace something that he couldn't? Why does that sound familiar? My thoughts mused.

"But yes, I am really Sky's father as am I the father of all the foals there." He gestured to the wall of photographs. "I'm Doctor Pick-Me-Up, a horrid, mud pony name, I know. But I know exactly why you're here, Dragonfire," he said, and I swallowed as he looked just that little bit more creepy.

"Yeah, your daughter Heatstroke came to see me at the infirmary. She told me to come see you as soon as I could," I responded, and he pressed a hoof to my lips.

"That would be my infirmary, thank you. A swift recovery you've made too, but that's quite enough talk for out here. Heatstroke is waiting for us in my office, I just wanted to come out and judge you for myself before we discuss anything," he explained, before turning and trotting off toward a stairway, motioning for me to follow with a nod.

I glanced at the stuffed mare to my left. ‘Goddesses, why do I feel like there's a whole new wave of weird ponies about to gravitate towards me?’ I thought as I reluctantly trotted on after Pick-Me-Up.

As far as wastelander homes went, Pick-Me-Up's family house was huge, six kids or not. His office was on the uppermost floor. As expected, the moment we entered I was met with the smug face of Heatstroke sitting back in a chair, her rear legs crossed. Beyond her was a desk and on either side, the walls were lined by lockers and filing cabinets. One lone window in the right wall provided a look to the underside of the overpass outside and on the far edge of the room was a door to what I could only assume was one of the third-floor balconies. The sounds of the town drifted in but were just muted enough to ensure the ticking of a clock to my left was audible.

Damn, what is it with me and the constant sound of something in the background! I mentally recalled, only just starting to forget the excruciatingly boring motion of the fan back in the clinic.

"Dragonfire, glad to see you could make it. Not to mention so soon, I am impressed," Heatstroke greeted as I trotted in, her father behind me.

She motioned to a chair as the doctor trotted over to his desk and took a seat on a metal stool. Trying not to show my unease too much, I took a seat beside Heatstroke, attempting very hard to ignore her as she looked me up and down.

Goddesses, does she have her own agenda on top of this too, I'm not some damn textbook! I huffed at her rather scrutinizing observations.

"So what's this all about? I'm here now, so what do you want?" I asked, looking at her, then at her father as the buck shifted his glasses.

"We want your help, of course. As I told you before, you owe us," Heatstroke responded, rolling her eyes.

"Now, now, Heatstroke. That may be true, but I'm pretty sure she'll be far more inclined to listen to what I have to offer," Pick-Me-Up said, silencing his daughter with a slow wave of his hoof. She seemed as obedient as a trusty hound to him, shutting up almost instantly.

"What do you have to offer? You mean like not putting a bounty on my head or something like she suggested?" I nodded at the mare beside me and she frowned.

"Really, how crude. I would only resort to that if it were absolutely necessary. That's not the attitude I'd expect from somepony so close to the future mayor." He shot his daughter a flat look.

"I only told her I knew ponies, I never said I'd do her in. She's pregnant for Luna's sake!" Heatstroke exclaimed.

Go on, tell the whole world while you're at it. I thought, slumping in my chair as Pick-Me-Up continued.

"I'm aware of her condition, confirmed it myself." He peered over his glasses at me. "Congratulations, by the way."

"Thanks for the confirmation," I groaned, waving the idea away with a forehoof. Still, I was unable to resist the urge to shoot a smirk of my own over at Heatstroke.

"Still, I don't think you'll have to send anypony after her, Heatstroke. There's no way she's going to say no to my offer." Pick-Me-Up smiled at me, and my brief moment of triumph over his moody daughter was stolen.

"As you keep saying, so why's that? Forgive me for saying, but you kinda sound like you're saying exactly what she did," I responded, nodding at Heatstroke again.

"Because the matter of the fact is that you saved my daughter from those savages in Crimson. While giving you the opportunity to fix this mess without simply sending somepony to get you should be reward for that enough, I believe there's also an opportunity here," he explained, and for a moment my interest peaked.

Heatstroke glanced at him, then at me, and the look on his face caused her to become even less laid back. "Wait, Daddy, you can't be seriously considering that? I know she saved Sky, but isn't just letting her clean things up here in town easier? Clear out some Dash-heads or something?" the mare asked in a fluster.

"Of course, I am! If this works, I won't have to worry about those slavers ever again. Wouldn't it be better running this place without the threat from Crimson Springs?" he suggested and just like that, she seemed to stop and think.

"Wait, what do you mean? You only said you wanted help getting this Pear guy out of the way. You sound like you're talking about taking down the Brazen Skulls?" I asked, glancing from father to daughter.

Don't forget about the Transcendent. My mind added, but I thought it better to leave out that part until I was sure I could trust them more.

"Well, that's kind of what I'm trying to say," Pick-Me-Up confirmed and right there and then, I wondered why they didn't call him the 'ambitious one'. "You see, I learned from a little friend of mine that you were after something in Stable Fifty. That's the Brazen Skulls' main headquarters up on the mesa."

The Brazen Skulls, among other ponies. I mentally added, yet he didn't seem to know that.

What he did seem to know was that I'd lost Star, and as far as I could remember only three other ponies had known about that. Gina was dead, and I didn't think Cherry would have been the one to tell him. That left only one pony.

"So you know Vertigo?" I asked, and at his smile, I really wanted to kick that dumb indigo buck in the face just a little more.

"Our mutual friend in all things secretive, yes. He does the odd job around here, gets a free room at the Under Toe whenever he needs it. But what I'm really trying to say is that I want that stable cleared too," Pick-Me-Up explained, leaning forward onto the desk, pressing his forehooves together.

Just something else I was learning about my new 'buckfriend'. Nevertheless, it only sounded like Vertigo told them that, and not about the super crazy cult ponies hiding in Crimson Springs too. At least that confirms Pick-Me-up isn't the real pony Vertigo reports to.

Regardless, I didn't see any point in denying that I was after something from the stable. Not to mention I was interested in what he had to say. I said as much.

"What I propose is that, if you help me finally become the leader of this place." He pointed a hoof to his chest, and I swore Heatstroke glanced away from him, muttering. "Then you will have what resources this town can offer when you decide to go and get what you need from stable fifty."

Okay, now he really has my attention. Still, some doubts lingered.

"Well, what kind of resources will they be? I don't know about you, but I don't really think telling the whole town they have to go to war with the slavers next door will be a good first order?" I suggested, but his calm smile didn't fade.

"I never said anything about the town's citizens, but we have plenty of robots here. I have no doubt you've seen the Gyrotrons?" He motioned to the outside through the window. "They are stuck patrolling the intersection, but if you were to get the control terminals for me then I don't think it would be too hard to offer you some as payment."

Damn, I hate it when I'm offered good ideas by smarter ponies! I mentally hissed.

"Need I mention that there's also a whole warehouse more of those things just out of town too? We get the terminal, we can turn them all on," Heatstroke added suddenly, perking up once again

"But if you know about all of this then why haven't you gone out and got them already?" I asked.

"Because of Pear and his crew. That warehouse is where he stacks all the chems the Great Kigers deliver him, he's got the whole place all locked up," Pick-Me-Up elaborated.

"Funny, if he was smart he could have all those robots under his control," Heatstroke muttered, standing up. "Look, Daddy, I'm pretty sure she gets the message. So you going to do it or not, Dragonfire?" She peered right at me and I finally sighed.

Seemed like a choice between two really shitty options, so close to perfect it hurt. But the two of them did have a point. As creepy as he was, Pick-Me-Up did seem like he could help me if I helped his family.

"Yeah, I'll do it. You help me get to that stable and I'll help you get this town," I finally sighed.

"And you'll clear the stable when the time comes? No questions asked?" Pick-Me-Up pressed, and I nodded, even if that promise made me feel really uneasy.

"Great, you tell her the plan then, Daddy. I have some urgent things to take care of," Heatstroke started as she turned and trotted out.

"Do they all just get up and leave like that?" I asked, looking back at the doctor. He chuckled, nodding once.

"The ones you've met, sure. Once they're done with what they want they move on to the next thing, kinda take after me. Grape Juice and Lily are a little less like that though, probably because they're the only ones named by their mother," he informed me, glancing out of the window.

Goddesses, what is it with this guy and names? I thought, nodding slowly before finally asking.

"So what is it you need me to do?" He looked back at me, pushing up his glasses.

"I need you to take out Pear's chem trade here first." He tapped a hoof on his desk. "He has a den here in town, everything else is at the warehouse. You'll need to find one of his head ponies to get access to the bigger facility. His crew will scatter once they see the drugs are all that give him power, that's if the Kigers don't gut him first." He laughed at that before finally adding.

"All that really matters though is the Gyrotrons. There should be at least half a dozen in that warehouse and once we get them online he'll be done for." The moment he was finally done I sighed.

Another job like this? Is there any town in the Marejarvie free of a secret chem trade these days? Regardless, it wouldn't be unlike any job I'd done before. Well, except for the fact you're not getting any caps.

I'd stomped out dodgier dealings like this with Star back in Churn before. Griddle was not a big fan of selling chems to foals as some ponies had once tried to do back home. It was one of her good qualities, at least.

"So I'm guessing I'll have to find one of his head ponies in town first?" I asked, and the doctor nodded. "So where is this chem den?"

A police station? This place had a police station? I found it incredibly ironic that Pear had chosen a place like that to put a chem den.

It was odd that somepony had even put one here before the war considering the intersection was virtually in the middle of a scorched nowhere. Nevertheless, that was where Pick-Me-Up had told me to go, and if I wanted his help with the slavers I guessed that was where I was going next. First thing first, however, I had to get back my Pipbuck

Well, at least it's all still in town. My mind offered as I walked down the steps at the front of the doctor's house and right into the path of the last pony I'd want to see me out here.

"Dragonfire, what in Equestria are you doing out of bed?" I never thought Cherry Pin could have looked so scary, but as she glared at me I felt like little more than a tiny foal.

"I... I had to see the doctor... I..." I improvised, pointing back at Pick-Me-Up's house. Then I finally felt my body droop. "I couldn't stay stuck in that room, okay!" I finally admitted as she trotted up to me, a very unhappy look plastered on her face.

Okay, is it wrong to say, as scary as she is, she looks even cuter when she is trying to be mad? I thought as she looked me over, my stomach in particular."

"Cherry, I'm fine," I sighed as she finished inspecting my belly and looked at me sourly. "And the foal's fine too," I added.

"You promised me you'd stay there," she stated, and I felt my heart break just a little.

"I know, I'm sorry, but I just couldn't lay there doing nothing, I had to get out, do things. Besides, I was still seeing a medical pony... Kinda," I stammered, and she took a deep breath.

"I guess I know how that feels, but you disobeyed me." She jabbed a hoof at me. "You may be in charge out there, but when you are sick I'm the one who has to make sure you are okay." She pointed to the wasteland beyond the wall, and finally at my pudgy midsection. "I have to make sure you're both safe."

Goddesses, why does my heart feel like it is melting? The pink mare got herself so worked up she stomped a hoof on the ground and several passing ponies gave us odd looks. I moved over and nuzzled her neck, forelegs wrapped over her shoulders.

"Hey, you really do mean a lot to me, I'm glad I have you to look out for me too. But don't worry about me, I'm fine," I assured her, and the look of her caught halfway between anger and compassion was so cute it almost killed me.

"Yeah, well you mean a lot to me too, and you're having a foal so I have to make double sure you are both okay. But... Well, that clinic was kinda boring." She gave the smallest, little grin.

"Hey, I tell you what. I promise not to stray out of your sight so long as you don't make me go back there, okay?" I proposed, and she seemed to take way too long to think about it.

Goddesses she is like my mother, she is really considering taking me back there! Can I even resist if she does? One more look at her face, however, and I knew the answer was 'no'.

Still, when she finally spoke I was glad to hear confirmation. "Okay, but you step one hoof where I can't see it and I'll tell Sky to strap you to that bed."

Wow, I didn't know she was into… No, brain, she's innocent, don't you dare!

I nodded. "It's a deal. So did you find Vertigo?" I asked and her look went from determination to mild embarrassment.

"I... I'm still working on it, I went to his room at the hotel but he was out. They said he'd gone to the bar down by the highway, that's where I was heading," she explained, peering down the street.

"Well, let's go find him. I have a few questions for that stallion and I want my Pipbuck back," I stated trotting forward only for her to call me back with a loud cough.

The look she gave me said just one thing. "Oh yeah, not out of your sight." My expression turned sheepish, ears folding as I chuckled. "How could I forget?"

To say that I'd overlooked the neon-lit front of the old highway diner before, was an understatement. The big building draped in flickering lights with a giant, metal donut sat upon a stone pillar at the edge of its parking lot was so glaring it was almost painful to look at.

'Donut Joe's' boasted a set of large rusted letters above its cracked glass door, the 'O' quite appropriately shaped more like a sprinkled dessert than a letter. A white banner had been strapped over the base of the former sign, however. 'Long Road Bar and Grill' The new title proclaimed

There was a pair of show mares at the front, their spiked black attire less than casual as they danced up and down a pair of old road signs on either side of the entrance.

"Goddesses, how do ponies not shoot them thinking they're raiders?" Cherry asked, recoiling slightly at the display.

Awww, that innocence is so precious. I thought, really trying to keep my eyes off of the nice mares.

I sighed. "Cherry they're in the middle of a town, ponies here generally have more on their minds than shooting raiders," I told her, the pair of us pausing to allow two Gyrotrons to roll past.

She watched the robots go by as she spoke. "I know, it just kinda brings back some... not-so-good memories." She finally looked at me, then back at herself and I felt the urge to face hoof.

"Hey, you're nothing like that, you tried to make a difference. Have you heard if anypony who went out after Sky and the others when they were taken? No pony did as far as I know." I stated, and she slumped a little.

"Vertigo did?" she suggested, but I'd believe that was the reason he was out there when the goddesses came back to save us.

"He doesn't count, he was already out there and I have a feeling it wasn't for them. You were the one who went to save them, I just tagged along and got shot," I assured her as we trotted across the road.

"Yeah, that's one of the things I'm worried about too. You can't go getting shot at anymore," she stated, and a small cramp in my stomach really insisted I agree.

"I'll be more careful, I promise. I'll go everywhere with you, no questions asked, but we still have things to do," I told her, not that she looked too happy about it.

She remained silent as we trotted by the two dancing mares and up to the glass doors. Cherry opened the door with her magic when my instinctual attempt ended in me almost colliding with it face-first. The pink mare held it there and I entered first before the smell of the place hit me like a brick wall. The alcoholic stench of the bar did nothing to help rest my uneasy stomach and I felt a sudden regret I'd left my puke bucket in the clinic. Smoke hung in the air like a cloudy miasma, illuminated by lights that flashed in tangent with beating music. The windows were tinted black and painted over in most places, keeping out what little light the sun could offer. The whole place looked more like one of the pre-war MoM party clubs I'd seen in memory orbs than any roadside bar.

The layout was not dissimilar from Willow's back home, only five times the size. A row of seats covered the right wall. The middle of the room was filled with almost identical aisles. In the dead center, a wooden stage had been set up with several metal polls, on which several mares and stallions dressed similarly to those by the door were dancing. Along the opposite wall, the bar was formed from the old café service counter. One of the only things the place was lacking was a stage and an overly charismatic robot butler. Instead, there were at least three ponies working behind the counter, handing out drinks. Despite that, it was pretty clear that alcohol and sex were not the only things on sale here.

Chems littered the tables, and I recognized ponies out of their minds on Dash or Med-X when I saw them. Walking by some of the tables I saw even more, Buck, Mint-als, and even some Stampede. I guessed all of this was a result of Pear Pudding's work and I had to shove several Dash-heads out of my way. At least seeing this made me feel no issue with shutting him down.

"Goddesses, I hate places like this. They just use ponies for caps instead of helping them," Cherry grumbled, before flinching as a mare tried to chew her tail. "Get away. Please, go see a doctor, you need help!" she snapped, tucking her tail between her legs.

"It's a place there's all too many of. You can wait outside if you want, I'll find Vertigo and come right out," I suggested, but that only seemed to frustrate her more.

"Oh no, you are not getting out of my sight that easy," she declared, sticking right to my side.

What, no! I didn't suggest it to get away from her... I... Grr, stupid, brain! I tapped a hoof against my head again as we forced our way around past the bar.

Looking at the weakly-lit counter, I took in the vast stock of booze they had lining the rear wall. Not to mention a rather nice-looking red and purple mare working there. My brain didn't even bother thinking up anything to counter that ogling as I tore my eyes away and hit my forehead again. Of course, in here, avoiding flank was like avoiding mines in a minefield. I shifted my eyes from one hot rump only to find another before I finally gained control over my hormones and homed in on one buck in particular.

Vertigo sat at the booth furthest from the door as if he'd known I'd have to wade my way through bustling craziness just to get to him. Considering what he'd been through he didn't look that bad, though most of his coat was covered by a black trench coat. He sat back in the purple leather seat, a half-empty glass of Sparkle Cola on the table before him as he stared out of the dull window. A trio of passing 'waitresses' seemed to be judging whether to seek out his attention. I saved them the trouble as I trotted over to the indigo stallion and sat down across the table from him along with Cherry.

"Well, well, look who's finally awake. Gotta admit, you're out of the clinic sooner than I expected," he greeted, grinning before he nodded at Cherry. "You too, sorry didn't catch your name before, what was it again?"

"Cherry Pin, though most ponies just call me Cherry," she told him and I looked at her, then at him.

"Okay, Vertigo, I'm sure you've had plenty of time to mess around with my stuff, but now I want my Pipbuck back," I growled, eyes narrowing.

He leaned back with a chuckle. "Right to the point I see." He levitated up his sparkle-cola, tilting it at me. "You know all you have to do is ask nicely." He took a sip, then levitated the device out from his coat.

The look I gave him told him my answer. Does he really believe I am going to say please after he nearly got me killed? One nudge in the ribs from Cherry, however, and Vertigo's grin only grew. Goddesses, is it that obvious?

"Can I have my Pipbuck back, please," I groaned, the word leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

He levitated it over to me without question and Cherry smiled. "Before you ask, no I haven't messed with it. Not that I know how you use it, heads up display and leg clasps are all broken," he assured me.

The heads-up display is broken, is it? I wondered as I snatched the thing from the air. Just like before the retirement home?

"I'll be the judge of that. Why take it if you didn't want to mess with it anyway?" I asked, turning the thing in my forehooves before slipping it on and waiting for it to boot up.

Okay, I don't think I've ever missed that display in my vision so much. I guess it just didn't like working for Vertigo or something? The stallion in question looked out over the crowd, then leaned over the table.

"Because there are things on there we don't want other ponies finding out about, especially the doctor and his daughter," he whispered.

"The doctor's daughter? You mean like Sky and Flare?" Cherry asked, ears perking, but Vertigo shook his head.

"No, Heatstroke. She's the middle one, Sky and Flare are older. But she's daddy's little minion and he's wanted to take over this town for weeks now. If he knew what program you have on there then he'd no doubt try and use it," he elaborated in a hushed tone.

I looked over the Pipbuck and true to Vertigo's words, everything was how I'd left it, including the massive Oracle data files.

"Well, if you had the data why didn't you just run off with it?" I asked, and he laughed.

"If I'd have wanted to do that I'd have taken it back in Crimson Springs. I didn't have to help you get out of there, but I did." I gave him a suspicious look.

"So you're saying you don't want to keep me alive for some other twisted reason?" I asked and he looked me over with a chuckle.

"Can't it be for any reason other than you're pretty? I mean there are other reasons, moral ones, I promised I'd help you and I will." I slumped against the table, hoof stretching out towards him.

He didn't sound like he was lying. Damn it, why can't this just be simple? I mentally groaned as Cherry rubbed my mane.

"Dragonfire, are you okay? Is it the foal, are you sick again?" she asked, worry building in her voice.

"No, I'm fine, Cherry, really. I'm just tired of all this mess," I groaned lifting myself up, frazzled mane falling over my face.

"The foal? Oh yeah, I forgot, congratulations! You must be very happy," Vertigo exclaimed cheerfully.

"I... Yes, I am, but..." I trailed off, glancing at my worried companion beside me. "It still doesn't change the situation," I grumbled, before resting a hoof on my stomach and slumping back.

Vertigo considered my words for a second, looking thoughtful. "Well, yeah, but I can imagine you want the Transcendent off your tail more now considering, you know... The baggage," he stated, pointing a hoof down below the table.

"If I just say yes to one of your stupid damn jokes will you stop?" I asked flatly, leaning back in my chair.

He smiled. "Oh they're not jokes, it's just fun... You never heard of fun? It's good, maybe you should try it sometime. But no, in all seriousness, I'll still help you," he admitted, tapping his forehooves together as if this was some devious plan.

"Oh, that's great, because she may not admit it, but we do need help," Cherry interjected, looking at me sheepishly. "I don't doubt you, Dragonfire, but there's more to think about now, and we still have to rescue your friend." That was all just another reason she was a far better pony than me.

"Yeah okay, we need help, but does it really have to be him? He almost got me killed!" I accused, pointing a hoof at him.

I'm sorry, exactly how many other ponies do you know that have knowledge about the mess you're in? My mind asked as Cherry frowned at me.

"Wow, mares really do change when..." I banged a hoof hard on the table. "Okay, okay, don't mention that you're preggers, I get it," he corrected, raising his forehooves.

"Dragonfire, please don't make him mad. Because yes, he really is the one whose help we need," Cherry stated, looking at me sternly.

Wow, she really can be just like Mom when she wants to be. Are you sure she's not had a foal before? I wondered as I took a deep breath.

"Think you just had your first mood swing, congratulations," Vertigo chimed in, and I came so close to just hitting his smug face.

"Vertigo, I can't get pregnant naturally, they... They must have done something to me, so please can we just get on with things," I finally relented.

That's right, you're going to give birth to a monster, that's exactly what they want. It's all just part of Overseer's experiment. My mind sneered. No, my foal is not a crazy experiment!

For once Vertigo's face looked at least a little sympathetic, not filled with worry like Cherry as I rubbed my squirming belly.

"Hey, don't worry. I said I'd help you, and I don't know anything about any foal experiment myself, but my friend will. They always know what those ponies were up to back in the day," Vertigo assured me, his smile at least somewhat genuine.

"This 'friend' of yours, they're here in Crossroads, right?" I asked as my rush of panic ebbed.

He shook his head, taking another sip of Sparkle Cola. "Nah, they're up in the old sky tower just outside of town. There's so much tech in there that you're sure to find out something, providing we don't bring down a pegasus city while we're at it," he explained, placing his drink back on the table.

'Sky tower?' It took me a long moment to recall the great ivory spires that dotted the wasteland as Cherry asked about them.

"They had something to do with the weather and the enclave, at least that's what I always assumed," Vertigo explained to my companion as I sighed, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my stomach.

It gave another fluttering twitch. It is not a monster pony, it is my foal. I may not have conceived naturally, but by the goddesses it was mine and I was gonna love them more than ever.

"It will be a few days before we can get up there, there's some business in town that needs sorting out first. My friend will contact me when they're ready, it takes time to prepare for the amount of data we've got." At that, my ears perked and I recalled the meeting with Heatstroke and her father.

"Wait, you told the doctor about stable fifty, he knew I needed to get up there!" I exclaimed and that smug, all-knowing grin returned.

"Yeah, but I did not tell him why or what was really up there. Dragonfire, we both came back here with a whole bunch of the Brazen Skulls' slaves. If we didn't offer them something they'd kick me out of town then just pay somepony to kill you and your friend." He pointed a hoof at Cherry.

"They'd what? I saw the doctor, he's Sky and Flare's father, why would he do that?" Cherry asked, and her look of betrayal made my heart ache.

"Because you'd be a problem for him and Heatstroke. He's got his hoof in the door of about every place in town, and he is not about to let the new opportunity go. The rest of the family's alright, but don't let the lies of those two get to you," Vertigo warned and Cherry sat back, looking at her forehooves.

"Can't anypony just get along?" she asked as if her hooves would magically provide all the answers.

"So you saved me again, huh? Kept my Pipbuck from them and told them only what they needed to hear? Any free favors left?" I asked, the idea that I owed him a lot more than I assumed sickening.

Vertigo shook his head. "No, I think they'll end here because the only way I can help with the next part is if I'm there fighting with you," he said, opening his jacket just a little to reveal the glinting barrel of Sting.

Great, so now I have to do all of that clearing the town rubbish with him too? My head rolled back into the cushion behind me as I let out a long breath.

"Wait, what's the next part? What do we have to do?" Cherry asked, glancing from me to him.

Vertigo opened his mouth to answer, but I cut him off with a raised hoof as I turned to my pink companion. "Cherry, you're not going to like this but... we have to take care of Crossroad's chem trade problem before we can do anything else."

---

Footnote: Level up.

New perk added: Contracted - Wasn't there a time you got paid for this shit? Both you and any companions earn double experience points while completing the same set mission objective together.

Next Chapter: Chapter Twenty: The Old Fashioned Way Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 14 Minutes