Author's Notes:

Please feel free to criticize this first chapter, I am only playing around with new concepts and ideas. I realize that some things contradict the canon of the original source material, but these discrepancies will be explained at a later date. Once again, feedback is important to a new author, so I ask that you keep any criticism clean and fair.

The land was once split by war, death, and mutations. Ponies fought and killed one another for just the basic survival items, like food, water, and any ammunition they could get their hooves on. Bandits, raiders, and different gangs patrolled the wasteland to increase their numbers, and the territory they controlled. Out of all these gangs, three stood at the top. The Grand Pegasus Enclave, The Steel Rangers, and Red Eye. Now it wouldn’t be fair to call these groups gangs, more like governing forces.

The Grand Pegasus Enclave, or just the Enclave, ruled the skies, and forsook those on the ground. Two hundred years ago, the earliest members of the Enclave closed the skies with a thick cloud layer, and remained there for over two centuries, save the few who came below the clouds to investigate the land below. Occasionally, very rarely, did one Pegasus sympathize with those struggling to survive on the surface, but the Enclave wouldn’t stand for those who told of the struggles, they would either kill the Pegasus, or exile them to the surface, these Pegasi were called Dashites, and were looked down on by all.

The Steel Rangers were a militaristic group, forged from the fires of balefire due to their technical knowledge, and access to power armor. Then there was Red Eye, one of the most influential and great ponies of our time. Well, I say great loosely. He tried to make a difference, and had quite a few good ideas, it was his methods that brought his eventual downfall. Red Eye and his group enslaved any pony they could and worked them to death to rebuild the many factories and power plants in the Fillydelphia area.

All three of these groups, for all their flaws had one thing in common. They all had the same enemy in one little mare. LittlePip, a Vault dweller hailing from Stable two, took on all these groups, and hit them hard enough to either entirely destroy them, or cause enough damage that they couldn’t recover. She took over the mystical SPP hub over Neighvarro, and over they years since, she slowly cleared the skies, and forced the Pegasi to finally take note of those living on the surface of Equestria. Many of those above weren’t even aware that there were surviving ponies down below, and when they could, they flew down to help their less fortunate counter parts.

Not all was sunshine and rainbows however, many of the ponies on the surface hated the Pegasi for abandoning them under the clouds, and in the first year, twenty percent of the Pegasi were either killed violently, or died from being ill prepared to face the wasteland. More time passed, and the hatred for the Pegasi was finally cooled when food and water became scarcer, and they all had to begrudgingly work together to survive.

This banding together eventually leads to the formation of the New Canterlot Republic, or N.C.R. for short. This group took the lead when it came time to rebuild Equestria, first taking over the factories that Red Eye managed to get working, then slowly producing new stuff for the first time in over two hundred years. Then they expanded, covering the Manehattan area, and moving to Hoofington, regulating power coming from the dam, or putting down the few remaining groups of bandits.

More towns and settlements began cropping up in areas where new building materials were more common. Ponies were moving to the newer towns for safety and routine, farms were more common, and every pony finally felt secure in their new lives. Ponies took on jobs, either fixing and repairing broken equipment, or working the farms, or opening stores. Even the Pegasi found their niche, finding and fixing old sky wagons, and providing transportation back to the Wasteland.

Not everything was perfect these days, there were still examples of mutated creatures still surviving, radiation was all but erased, and taint was on the decline. But one deadly issue was traded for another. Every pony had adapted over generations to the low levels of sunlight, and when the sun returned in its full glory, ponies burned, withered, and suffered from the glare, and many others died from skin cancer, and dehydration.

Speaking of Dehydration, water was also an issue. While the rivers and seas were clear of radiation, pollution was still prevalent. Destroyed buildings, lost cargo, and bodies littered the water bodies, making them horrible for drinking, but suitable for irrigation. Hopefully some day the egg heads out in Hoofington would figure out how to purify the water for consumption, but until then, we were left with either dirty water, or the rare areas where natural wells were able to produce clean water.

It’s been seven years since LittlePip took over the skies, seven years since Gardens of Equestria activated, and seven years of old wounds starting to mend. Still, with radiation and taint being reduced to small reminders, could the ponies of Equestria begin to recover? After all, war never changes. Right?

Grease. My entire life revolved around the constant mess of gelatinous oil and sludge. Between packing it into dry and rusty bearings or filling up an axel on a caravan. In fact, my life was coated in the stuff. Over the last four years, my days had been spent toiling on any old pile of junk ponies could bring me. Tinkering on old toasters and fitting salvaged parts to other salvaged equipment. Truth be told, I didn’t exactly like my job, but it sure beat working under the hot sun.

That was a problem in the wasteland now, sunlight. Ponies of the surface were used to having constant cloud cover. So over time our genetics evolved to absorb as much sunlight as we could get. But when the skies were cleared, and the sun returned in its full glory, our bodies couldn’t handle extreme amount of light. We burned. We blistered. Our eyes could not properly adjust to the new levels of brightness we were experiencing daily.

I took a brief pause from my current labor; trying to cram a bearing that was a size too large into a wheel housing a size too small. But that was how it went in the wasteland, trying to force something too big into something too small. Whether it was the disbanding raiders trying to bend a mare to their will, or a world ending catastrophe bent on the extinction of all pony kind.

Two hundred years ago, Balefire rained across Equestria, nearly wiping all life from the planet. But against the odds we survived. And again a few years ago, our world was threatened again. This time however, we were saved by some mad mare from a stable out in Hoofington. The details are a little fuzzy though, I mean, word travels fast, but facts inevitably get twisted and exaggerated. The only thing every pony can agree on, is that she saved the world.

There was also another mare, LittlePip. She didn’t save the world. She didn’t conquer raiders or topple governments. Her contributions would pale in comparison, if she hadn’t completely shut down the largest slave operation in recorded history and toppled a sociopathic amorphous blob of congealed ponies called The Goddess. Many ponies believe that if Littlepip hadn’t done all of that, there may not have been a world for very much longer. At least, one we ponies could survive.

I take another sip of my water, turning these thoughts over in my head for the millionth time, trying to fathom how or why some pony would be willing to sacrifice so much, for a world they had no place in. Or for the ponies who didn’t deserve it. I shake the thought from my head, and set my canteen aside, as I bit down on the handle to my hammer and began again.

And yes, before you ask. I am an Earth pony. No horn upon my head, and no feathery appendages to speak of. Yup, I am just a normal and boring pony, the kind you would see everywhere else. Not special. Not remarkable in any way. The kind of pony you would just pass by, and barely take any notice of him. That was the way I liked it. Simple, routine, boring. Boring meant safe. Sure, it didn’t help the day pass any faster, but you were not likely to catch a bullet that way.

Several hours later after the heat of the day had passed, I finally laid down my hammer for the last time and rolled my stiff neck. “I’m clockin’ out Shady!” I called out to my boss as I looped the strap to my canteen across my neck and headed for the door. Before I could make it all the way out however, my path was blocked. Standing a full head higher than me loomed Shady Acres, my boss.

“Whoa there dumbass. I gotta run something by you before you head out.” Her soft voice was oddly gentle, despite calling me that despicable nickname. Now, she didn’t really intimidate me, but every pony in town knew she was not a mare to mess with. I simply took a step back, if only to look into her deep emerald eyes. Again, she didn’t intimidate me that much, with bulging muscles and coat shining from sweat, she exuded an aura of authority.

“Um, sure, what’s up Shady?” I ask, before wiping my hoof across my sweaty brow. She looked back down at me, not unkindly, but not entirely friendly either. And to me, someone who had worked with her for years, that look always spelled trouble. “I need a date, and someone who won’t try to show me up tonight. And no, you can’t back out.” I groaned inwardly. This was exactly what I didn’t want to do. Not that Shady was unattractive, far from it in fact. It’s just that I happened to know how her “dates” typically went. I sighed softly and hung my head a bit.

“Do I have to? I have things I want to do.” I complained and cracked my sore neck. Honestly, I just wanted a bath and some sleep. Shady raised an eyebrow, and looked down at me, not condescendingly, just literally down due to her height. She sighed as well, a gentler look entering her gaze. “Yes, you have to, you haven’t clocked out yet, so I still have you for the day.” I sigh and hang my head. “What time do I need to be there?” I ask in surrender.

“Be at my place at five. Clean yourself up and try to comb that mess you call a mane. And I know you probably had some plans, but I really need this favor. Consider it overtime with the ability to drink.” At that, I perked up a little. Not due to the drinks, I couldn’t care less about booze. It was the possibility of overtime that caught my ear. “So, I think it’s safe to assume that it’s paid over time?” I ask a little hopeful. After all, rent was almost due, and I needed as much money as I could get right now. But the look that came across Shady’s face told me she wasn’t too thrilled at my assumption.

“What are you, some type of whore? Though, I suppose it wasn’t fair to ask on such short notice. I guess about twenty caps could just happen to find their way into your pay.” She offers with just a barest hint of a smile. I nod, and offer her a small smile in return, having found at least a little more comfort in the idea. Having promised I would see her in a little while, I stepped out of the garage, and into the afternoon sun.

I shielded my eyes as I pulled my shaded goggles over them. Behind me sat the building I had just left, an old sky wagon garage where Shady had setup a repair shop. Across the street resided the local pub/general store, and next door was one of a few barracks where many of the working ponies lived. I entered the small shop, buying a broken radio and some scrap with the few caps I had in my possession, before trotting out and heading home.

I resided in one of the ramshackle buildings across town, a squalid little place not much more than a shack really, but it was home. I made my way over there, a small trot to my step as I pushed open the dry door. Immediately I was met with a cacophony of noise, before two of the younger stallions burst through one of the doors, wrestling and biting each other’s ears. “Give that back you irritating little shit.” One of them growled as they tumbled. I smiled softly, and side stepped the fighting brothers, and moved down the hall to my room. This was quite normal in Shed Six, the designation given to the place.

I pushed open the door and entered the small room. I never locked it, because I had no objects worth stealing. I quickly set my canteen upon the rickety table and moved over to the old stained sink. I didn’t have a bathtub or a shower, so I filled the sink with water from a hoof pump. I gave myself a quick scrub down with a brush, letting the dirt and grime slide from my coat. What once looked like a dingy and dirty blue began to regain some of its normal sheen and luster.

After my quick bath, I moved to the shard of broken mirror I had hanging on a bit of twine made from strands of my own mane. Silver eyes looked back at me. Tired and sunken, and creased with lines made from stress. I ran a hoof across my muzzle, tired and sore from work and a lack of sleep. Not that the latter was an issue, I almost never slept anyway. I sighed softly, before quickly running a carved and rough comb through the knotted tangles of my blue and silver mane.

My tail also received a good grooming, it was one of the things about me I actually liked. It was longer than most stallions, the end sweeping in a soft curl. I gave myself a quick look over in the grungy mirror, and satisfied, I glanced at the old clock I had patched back together. Four o’clock, I had a little more time, so I decided to just sit and tinker on a few of my little gadgets. I tended to work on stuff when I couldn’t sleep, or when I had time to kill, and now was no different.

At five minutes to five, I stepped out of my room and began my walk toward Shady Acre’s home. She was one of the few in town who had a place of her own, and why shouldn’t she? After all she helped build and found Respite. That’s the name of the town by the way in case you were asking. I left the shack with little issue, except having to skirt around the fighting brothers, and quickly began my trot toward her home. I passed several of the workers, those who labored outside to farm and maintain our small batch of crops.

The whole lot of them were dirty, tired, and incredibly sun burnt. Every pony was exhibiting the varying symptoms of heat stroke, and dehydration. Sluggish movements, clumsy actions. I saw one pony drop a rake he had in his teeth. Because of the issues with the sun, the entire crew switched out days. One to work and the other to recover from the day before. It was not uncommon for one farmer to drop dead due to the heat. I moved past them, giving them a wide birth out of respect, and not wanting to get trampled by the exhausted throng.

The streets were caked with dried mud and dirt, what used to be hard concrete was so packed with soil that the curbs were little more than reminders where a road used to be. Different ponies were beginning to close up shop by now, even the town doctor was locking the front door, and making for the tavern. A few minutes later, I stood outside of Shady Acre’s home. I raised my hoof to knock, but paused, and waited for fifteen more seconds. Knowing her, she was staring intently at her clock and making sure I knocked at exactly five. I had to use my best guess though, because no clocks were properly synced with each other in the entirety of Equestria. There could be as much as five minute’s difference. So, I sighed, and knocked, knowing she would chew me out.

I was surprised then, when it took several seconds for her to open the door. A ratty towel was wrapped around her head, her mane drying beneath. Her coat was clean and shiny, like a polished piece of stone. Her emerald tail was elegantly braided and hung lower to the ground. Her hooves were trimmed and filed, I think she even managed to buff them out a little, to shine more than her coat.

“Sorry, I’m running a little behind, come in and make yourself at home.” With that she moved away from the door, and back into her quarters. I stood in the doorway a little baffled. There were only a few times in my memory of her being so hospitable, and they either happened when she had a lot on her mind, or when she had gotten laid. Still, I did as she had asked. Closing the door behind me, I made myself comfortable upon one of the few salvaged chairs available. Nearby rested a weathered table, upon which rested a bowl full of fresh fruit. Apparently, some having come from our farm. I lifted one of the apples, a soft red orb. I breathed on it a bit, before rubbing it on my clean coat, and took a big bite.

Immediately I gagged and coughed, before spitting out the foul chunk. I looked down at the food, before realizing the issue. The damn thing was made of wax! of course it was. I flushed deeply, embarrassed at having been fooled by a manufactured decoration. But before I could dispose of any evidence, Shady returned. Apparently, she had heard my choking, and ran to investigate.

A silent moment passed between us. A frozen moment in time, between heartbeats. Suddenly her muzzle scrunched up a little before she suddenly burst into laughter. My ears flattened against my head in sheer embarrassment as she leaned on a wall for support. Her laughing fit lasted far longer than I was hoping, and I just sat there feeling like a fool.

After she had calmed down a bit, I tossed the wax fruit away and returned to sitting quietly in my seat. Shady had gone back into her room to get dressed and only occasionally I would hear a soft chuckle followed by a whispered exclamation of “Oh Goddesses.” I only blushed deeper and bit my lip. I mean honestly, who keeps fake fruit as decoration?

Ten minutes passed, and finally she returned to the living room. I didn’t think I could blush any harder, but the blood rushing to my face proved that thought wrong. She was wearing a form fitting leather outfit that complimented her curves very well. Even the subtle bulges of dense muscle accented her figure more than they took away. Her mane was styled, braided delicately, and then wrapped into a tight bun behind her head. I had to admit, though I would never say it to her face, she looked quite beautiful. In a primal and dangerous sort of way.

“Umm, wow. You look… nice.” I offered with a bit of a shudder to my voice. I know she caught it, her eyes narrowed just a touch, but I think she just decided to accept the compliment. Instead she looked at me, noticing for the first time my lack of any type of clothing. “Oh, dumbass just look at you. We can’t have you going to this engagement in just your birthday suit. This ain’t really that kind of party.” Ok, it was official. Apparently, my face could still find new ways to heat up. Shady just snorted and shook her head, before heading back into her room and returning a moment later with a small suitcase.

“Hold still you fuckin’ mule” She growled as she tried to force a tight-fitting shirt over my head. In the suitcase, she held an assortment of clothes for stallions, probably remnants of her previous consorts. Honestly, I did try to hold still, but she wasn’t making it easy. “Umm, Boss, you’re crushing my throat.” I choke out, but that didn’t make her ease up any. “If you don’t stop squirming, I’ll crush more than that.” She snarled, and I knew that was no idle threat.

A moment later, the shirt finally popped over my head. I’m not sure why she didn’t just let me use the buttons. Still, she did let me have enough time and dignity to at least pull the black jacket over my back. As I did that, she pulled out a much nicer hair brush, and fixed my mane once again. If any outsider had been looking in, they would think Shady and I were a couple. Whether a couple in the romantic sense, or a couple of jack asses, I couldn’t be sure.

The last item she told me to wear was a slightly faded green bow-tie that matched Shady’s mane well. But upon finding out I didn’t know how to tie one, she promptly rolled her eyes, lifted my collar put her front hooves on my shoulders and began to tie it for me with her mouth. I must admit though, that while I started to look nice, I really felt like my mother had dressed me. That only caused my embarrassment to grow even further.

After the initial shock of having my privacy violated so thoroughly, I slowly began to get a clear picture of just how much this evening meant to Shady, and why she seemed so stressed out. Normally, she wouldn’t even come close to being such a rollercoaster of emotions and reactions. Something had her on edge. So, I swallowed my pride, and stood up to my full height. I was not going to ruin this evening for her if I could help it. After all, I had overtime pay riding on this.

Shady took a step back, seeing me stand taller than usual, and took an appraising glance at me. “Not bad dumbass, not bad at all. If I didn’t know you better, I could almost mistake you for a member of the society. The only thing missing is you looking down your muzzle at me and acting like a posh dick.” For some reason- probably because of the roughness I just went through and the stress I was under- her words conjured a mental image of a penis with a top hat and a monocle.

I shook my head, before the image imbedded itself further into my brain, and coughed gently. I had a bad habit of that, getting the mental images of things ponies say. “So, uh, when do we leave?” I asked, using my hoof to straighten some rogue wrinkles on the jacket. Before Shady could answer however, a firm knock cut her off. “Apparently right now.” Came her response. The knock sounded again, and my boss opened her door after waiting just a second.

“Cab for Miss Acres.” A chipper young stallion spoke out. Shady seemed a little perplexed, but gathered herself quickly, and looked to me. With a flick of her hoof, I trotted after her and into the early evening. Parked outside of her house, on the rough dirt street sat an old wagon. And the young buck stood before it, hooking himself into the harness. Wagons were more common in Equestria now that the skies were opening. Pegasai who were forced from many of the smaller cloud settlements, came to surface, and had find work to survive. Using some of their old technology, they had managed to get most of the dead sky wagons littered around the wasteland up and running again.

It just so happened that one such model was sitting before me, and the buck strapping himself into the front was a Pegasus. Times were hard for them, between struggling to survive on the surface, a world they had not seen, or even knew still existed. And the extensive hatred they faced from almost every pony still alive on the surface. I gave the Pegasus a curt nod of thanks, while Shady boarded the sky wagon. I followed and closed the door.

Moments later, we were circling over Respite, gaining altitude and beginning to fly east. I tensed, not used to flying. I had before but had not enjoyed it, and now was no different. Shady, who seemed to notice almost everything called attention to it. Of course, she did. “Not much for heights huh?” She asked, beginning to get her cool edge back in her voice.

I shook my head. Flying wasn’t my issue, it was just trusting some pony unseen and unknown to my fate. I told Shady as much, and the small creases around her eyes deepened a touch as she frowned. I’m not sure why, but it seemed like she was battling with some unseen forces inside of her head as well. I had known her ever since I came to Respite, and I knew enough about her to know trouble was brewing. “Moonshine, can I ask you a question?” she asked, and my eyes widened a touch. My ears stood straight up, and I sat a little taller, I could not have just heard her use my name. There was only one other time she had, and that was when I had first met her.

I nodded softly, afraid that if I said anything, it would derail her thought process. “Do you trust me? I don’t mean with your life, but maybe for me to make some decisions that could change your life?” I could tell, she was not used to asking such a deep question. So, I paused to think about it before giving my answer.

“I know you fairly well after the last few years. I know you wouldn’t do anything without seriously thinking it through. So yeah, I would say I can trust you. Why? Is something up?” I asked after giving my response. It seemed to put her at ease a little, and it allowed her to relax a touch.

“Well, you how the NCR is gaining more and more support each day?” I nodded softly. I had been hearing more about the NCR lately. “Rumor has it that they have been creating some type of new currency. Something that can replace the bottle cap.” I respond. Shady nods softly, as she leans back on her seat, getting more comfortable. Apparently, this might be a bit of a story.

“Well for the longest time, the NCR led by Gawdyna Grimfeathers had been struggling hard to become a legitimate form of government. But they have been growin’ by leaps and bounds the last year. But there was always one thing they needed the most. A way to buy ammo, weapons, and all kinds of healing items and chems. But they didn’t want to rely on sending their best to become bounty hunters and scavengers. There is enough of them already.”

I nodded once more, paying close attention to her words. Most of which I already knew, but I kept my silence. “Instead, they took a page from the book of the past. The pre-war bits relied on a gold standard. A large collection of gold to balance out against the coins who represented a small percentage of that gold. Obviously, since the wasteland has no use for it, Gawdyna had to find something just as precious.”

I had an idea where she was going with this, but I kept my mouth shut so I would know for certain. “Water. In our world, nothing holds as much value as pure, clean water. The cap value is around ten caps per bottle. The NCR want to make their currency to match the value of one bottle.” She pauses to collect her thoughts, but I finally had to interrupt her.

“What does this have to do with us? I mean we aren’t exactly part of the NCR territory. So why is this on your mind?” I ask, curious about her state of mind. My question seemed to derail her a bit. Her mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to regather her thoughts. “Well, we are in their cross hairs. A few days ago, I was contacted with a letter, inviting me to this party. Several of the local settlement leaders were invited, and it’s where we will be meeting with a representative of the NCR.”

I nod softly, and I could begin to grasp the reason Shady hadn’t exactly been acting like herself. “So, from what you said, you’re thinking that this representative has his eyes set on our water supply? How do they plan to get it from us?” I ask, a little worry beginning to creep into my nerves. That seemed to be the very questions that had bothered her the last few days.

“I’m not sure Moonshine, but I don’t think this will be a very enjoyable night. Too much is playing through my mind. Every possibility I can think of is screaming at me that something is off, but I can’t figure out what.” I nod once more, following her thought process so far. But knowing her, something larger was at hoof.

“If I can ask one more question Boss, why did you choose me to come with you tonight? If it’s so important, shouldn’t one of the more important ponies have come instead?” at this question she actually managed to smile a little. In the moments before she answered, I wracked my brain again trying to work out her logic, but for the love of Luna I couldn’t come up with anything. “I tried to imagine that, but every pony I thought of had some flaw or mentality that could screw this up. You were the only one who I knew could keep silent and follow me through this. And I knew you would have my back if this goes to shit.”

My eyes widen a little, her words touched me but also scared me. She trusted me, more than the other town leaders. She knew I would help her. It also bothered me that she read me so easily, but I couldn’t blame her either. If I were in her shoes, I would know everything about everyone if I could. But one other thing she said bothered me even more. “You said I would have your back if it went bad. But I can’t fight. I have no interest in it.”

Shady just smiles a little. something about that look made my insides squirm. Like she was reading me again then and there. “I don’t buy that. I’ve seen you at work. I see this look sometimes, like you are smashing that hammer on someone who pissed you off. I thought on occasion that you were angry with me for pushing you so hard. But I don’t anymore, I think someone did something that has been with you for a long time.”

My blood chills at her proclamation. She was right of course, but I didn’t want her to know just how close she had hit to home. “I… don’t want to talk about it Shady. Sorry.” I fall silent and look back out of the window. The sun was just beginning to set, and the few clouds in the sky began to take on a purplish hue with red streaks. I felt her look at me for a few seconds, before joining me in watching the terrain pass below. I could tell her mind was using that as a distraction, a different puzzle for her to work out. And we remained that way for the rest of the journey.

Thirty minutes later, (our ride remaining in utter silence) we finally began our descent. I stir a bit, pulled from my mental trap by the swift drop in altitude. One thing our conversation had done, was make me forget about my anxiety. Shady moved to the door, looking out and down, hoping to see where we were headed. Apparently, she had a good idea where we were because she moved back to her seat. “We’re only an hour away from Respite. I feel a little better knowing we aren’t too far from home.” I nod in agreement, hoping this evening wouldn’t drag on for too long.

A few minutes later we gently touched down on the rooftop, settling between a pair of other sky wagons. We were landing upon some prewar building that had been cleaned up and was in the process of being rebuilt. I didn’t know our exact location, but I took comfort in the fact that Shady seemed to be happy with our whereabouts. As soon as we touched down, Shady popped the door open, and jumped onto the cracked roof. I followed behind her and looked on as she told the Pegasus to wait here for us. She even promised him a fair tip if he did as incentive.

As we both turned to walk toward a door leading inside, Shady scooted closer beside me and whispered so low only I could hear. “When we get inside, stay right beside me. Not too close, we don’t want any ponies thinking we’re a couple. But not too far so they think I completely trust you, which I do, but we need to have complete control over ourselves right now and show poise.” I nod and follow her instructions. Even being courteous enough to open the door for her.

Once inside, we trotted down a flight of stairs, to a hallway that led only to a functional elevator. Inside was an elderly green buck, who was all too willing to guide us where we needed to go. And all the while, I kept myself side by side with Shady as I was instructed. The old buck quickly ushered us down another hallway to a set of double doors. Once more I pulled the door open for her and followed behind.

As soon as I stepped through behind Shady, I was met with the sight of many different ponies. Some Unicorns, others of the Earth pony variety like myself. There were even a few Pegasai scattered around as well. Every pony was chatting idly. Talking about the weather and complaining that the constant sun and lack of rain was threatening their crops. Others seemed to be old friends telling jokes and catching up after a long season.

Shady glanced at me, giving me a silent command to keep my mouth shut as we stepped closer into a smaller group of ponies. I gave a mental nod and came to rest beside her. She quickly fell into conversation with ponies whose names I didn’t catch. One was an amber unicorn, her soft white mane flowing down her back in a gentle cascade. And a brown buck with a darker brown slicked back mane. Beside them appeared to be a couple of ponies in similar positions as myself.

We gave each other a knowing look, before one of them levitated out a pack of cigarettes. She held the pack out for me and I nodded my thanks as I took one and held it close as she used a spell to light it. I took a small drag and nodded my thanks to her as I propped it in the corner of my mouth. Shady gave a quick glance. Apparently, she didn’t know I would sneak a cigarette when she was out and about.

The cigarettes passed around, and the drinks flowed like water as the sun finally set on the Equestrian wasteland. Shady and a few others were smart enough to pass up the hard liquor. I avoided it all together as I saw no reason to indulge in alcohol. I did however puff on my fair share of smokes, even bought a cigar off a nice buck who smoked like a freaking train. But while it was all a decent time, the lack of any NCR representatives was really beginning to wear on my nerves. I think Shady was feeling it too as I kept seeing her glance around nervously.

Finally, after three hours, a small commotion in the center of the room drew every pony’s attention. Standing there, with wings spread, and polished talons, was a Griffon in a NCR officer’s uniform. I was immediately able to recognize the air of authority he exuded. He seemed cool and calculating. Something about him really wrinkled my sprinkles, and I didn’t know what it was. “Mares and stallions of the Appaloosa region. My name is Phanes, and I am happy to see all of you who have so graciously accepted my invitation.”

His voice sounded deep yet gentle. I was surprised at how serious he sounded. And that was bugging the shit out of me. “As much as I want to get to know you all, I’m afraid business must be dealt with first.” Shady and I exchanged quick glances. And apparently many other ponies weren’t exactly pleased with this news. “The reason I threw this party was, so we could all be together as we discuss the futures of both your settlements, and that of the NCR. To put it quite bluntly, we are interested in the rights to your water supplies.”

To hear him put it so bluntly, and so forward was interesting and alarming, I was beginning to feel that he had a set schedule and was reading from a script. And all the other’s in attendance were not pleased. The shouting began immediately and drowned out anything Phanes was about to say. Shady kept quiet though, bent on keeping her own council for now.

Once the initial outrage quieted down, with help from waving his talons for silence, Phanes returned to his speaking “NCR policy states that we are welcome to hold a private gathering with local settlements. I merely ask to have a decent conversation with you all. After all, this is not the wasteland of years past. No one is telling you that you have to say yes.” Many ponies began to stir a little. I could tell his calm words and demeanor were wearing on them, and many believed him.

That was confirmed a moment later by one ponies on the other side of the room asking what his settlement could do, apparently, they had little enough water as it was. Even I was beginning to think all they wanted was for us to bottle it for them. Phanes seemed pleased by the turn of events and extended his talons outward happily. “I thank you so much for even entertaining the idea. Celestia knows the NCR thanks you.”

As soon as he mentioned the Goddess, I grew uneasy once more. I wasn’t sure why, but it felt like a sacrilege for him to even utter her name. Something was very, very wrong. Phanes then pulled a dented gold pocket watch from his coat and checked the time. “Mares and stallions, some of you are wondering what you can do to help move this evening along, and I whole heartedly agree. But there is nothing to worry about. Right now, I have troops entering your towns, and taking what we can.” He shouted, and then took to the air with a powerful stroke of his wings.

I clamped a hoof on each ear as the shouting immediately followed his announcement. One pony, even drew a pistol from the folds of their dress and took a shot at the Griffon. The bullet missed by inches, and with little time to spare, he soared out of the building via an open window high above. Dread filled my heart, as Shady grabbed me and pulled me to my hooves. “We have to get out of here now!” I heard her only barely above the mass of shouting and very angry ponies.

Many ponies had the same idea and ran right for the elevator. but Shady and a few others moved to the stair case and began bounding their way up. I followed, struggling to keep up with Shady’s powerful gallops. With a fair amount of panting, we made it and pushed through the door to the roof before the elevator made it up. Several ponies were already there, pointing round and shouting with other ponies, or trying to get to the sky wagon landing spot.

The night had fallen only a few hours ago, but there were spots of light on the horizon all around us, followed by the far distant staccato of gunfire and a multitude of screams. My eyes widened, and I was immediately gripped with fear, and grim reminder that this was still the wasteland. I was grabbed and snapped from my revere by Shady, who had hooked her hoof around my neck and quickly dragged me back to our sky wagon. She unceremoniously tossed me inside, before yelling at the Pegasus who delivered us to take off and head back to Respite.

To his credit, we were already beginning to climb upwards before Shady even finished clambering inside. He too must have seen what was going on. I quickly shuffled back onto my seat before Shady accidently stomped me. “That smarmy son of a worm infested, pus dripping, milk drinking, Goddess damned snake in the fucking grass!” She shouted. I had never quite heard her swear like that, but I knew who she was talking about. “He pulled all of the leaders of the local settlements, so he could take our towns with force and with minimal resistance!” My heart sank as I finally realized what was going on to the full extent. This was just like seven years ago, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

Moonshine

S: 5

P: 2

E: 6

C: 2

I: 5

A: 8

L: 5

Total points: 33