Author's Notes:

Authors note: I have been going through quite a lot of real life issues, but I still try to make time to write. I acknowledge the fact that in the previous chapter, I had taken some of the characters…well out of character. That was due to pushing myself to write, when life went to shit. Still, I gave a valid reason in this chapter, and hope you all can forgive any slights I have committed. Keep in mind, I do not have an editor to help me here, nor do I have a reliable source of people I can communicate with. So please bear with me as I continue to hash out any issues in my writing style, and continue creating a standalone story. I also wish to thank everyone who has supported me through this, I know it hasn’t been easy. Truth be told, sometimes down right awful, but I am continuing to work on it. And as always, please leave a comment and give some feedback.

Chapter 4

A New Journey.

My eyes crack open slowly. A small bit of gunk stuck in my eyelashes which I wipe away with a hoof, before rolling over and trying to return to sleep. I had spent the entire night curled up on the hard floor, and sleep had not come easy to me. Especially since I still hadn’t eaten properly in going on three days now. For some reason, Shady had neglected to buy me a real apple after her prank with another piece of wax fruit. It wasn’t the first time I had gone hungry before, but that was life in the wasteland after all.

“Good morning grumpy!” came the chipper greeting of Shady Acres. I groan and roll over once more, facing her. She had been laying on a pallet of rolled up blankets and a pillow she had constructed after dinner. I however was stuck with my saddle bag and the wooden floor. Yup that was how things worked in the wasteland. “Ughh.” Came my reply as I lay on my belly. I could hardly muster the energy to push myself to my hooves, but when I did I was a little wobbly. If Shady took notice, she didn’t show it.

“How did you sleep?” She asks, all the while trying to fix her braided mane. I just grunt and move past her to the sink. A few pumps and a splash of water on my face later, I shook my head a bit, and looked back at my haggard reflection. I was a complete wreck, I could probably pack several non-existent lunches in the bags under my eyes. My mane was a complete wreck, and my fur was dirty from sleeping on the floor. My eyes were red from lack of sleep, and the few tears I had shed through the night.

I look away from the mirror, not liking my visage. I take a few sips of water from the faucet, and wipe my muzzle, before heading back into the room. Shady had just finished with her mane and was now sorting out her torn outfit from the night Respite fell. I paused at that moment, it had only been about a day and a half since then, yet it felt so very far away. Maybe everything was just happening too fast. I sit upon my haunches, my head hung low as I just take the silent minutes to try coming to terms with what happened.

I close my eyes and manage a deep breath. It is quite remarkable how such a simple action is brought into perspective when you are literally drowning in your own blood. Anyway, I closed my eyes and breathed in, reliving the events of how I had gotten where I am now. All the events replaying through my head, and all the while trying to understand how or why my life seemed cursed to repeat the same events time and again.

I open my eyes, a flash of an idea, more of a rough though entering my brain. “Shady, do you have any paper and a pencil or something in that magic bag of yours?” I ask as I move over to her. She set her work aside, and looked back up at me, some comment on her lips, before she saw the intense gaze in my eyes. “Oh, umm I think so, hang on.” With that she moved to her bag, and ruffled through it for a few moments, before returning with an old note book and a pen. “That’ll do thanks.” I mutter as I take the items and move over to a far corner to begin working.

If you’re wondering, yes this is when I started writing this journal, keep in mind some events could be skewed due to major pain killers and ya know, blood loss. Anyway, I was visited by Velvet, Fluttershy, and Gawd. But as to the topics of the conversations, it was pretty blurred, but keep in mind I was really fucked up. I apologize for any confusion, and that’s the best excuse I have. Anyway, I started writing this a few hours ago, Shady has been on the other side of the room, patching her leather dress, and giving me the occasional odd look.

However, I know Gawd wants something from us, and I’m not sure how we should handle it. Still, I must show her this, because rewriting the events, at least from my point of view, I may have thought of something we previously might have missed. So, I will have Gawd read this, all of it, and see if she can spot it too. Hopefully I’m not just grasping at straws here. I will update this journal in a few hours, and I really hoped we will have a few answers.

“So, what exactly am I looking for here?” Asked Gawd, apparently my hope for her to notice it was dashed. Even Shady was looking at me oddly. She had seen quite a few of my quirks, but this was different, even for her. “Think, c’mon use your brain a little here. Do you even know Phanes?” I ask, pointing to the old pages I had written on. Gawd looks at the papers again, this time focusing more on my description of the Griffon.

“Holy shit…” Gawd whispered, having finally caught on to what I was thinking. “I know him, in your description, he sounds like a posh dick!” She exclaimed, and the same mental image of a penis with a monocle flooded into my mind again. I nodded, ditching the mental image. Shady seemed confused, and rightly so, only vaguely keeping up. “So, you’re suggesting the Phanes we met wasn’t the Phanes Gawd knows? She asked, and I nodded once more. “How did you come up with this Moonshine?” Asks the Griffon, her good eye slightly beginning to narrow.

“When Fluttershy came to visit, followed by you, I was still light headed and kinda loopy from medicine and shock at what we had survived, I struggled to remember. I wasn’t sure what I had heard was what was actually said. But when we met Phanes, I was sober and fully functional. I didn’t know why then, but I even mentioned that it seemed he was reading from a script. Like the whole thing was just one big show.” I explain, and I begin to see the lights of understanding fill Shady and Gawd’s eyes.

“So, you started writing this, just after you had an inkling of the idea, but after putting your side of the story, and taking into account what Shady told me yesterday, this actually seems like we might be dealing with something completely different than just a rogue Griffon.” I could practically hear the gears turning in Gawd’s head. Her mind was working hard to come to terms with the possibility, and formulating a counter strategy from there.

I nodded once again, seriously I hated not having much more to add in terms of words. Gawd’s beak frowned, the lines and scars on her face growing deeper. “I thank you for giving me something new to think about Moonshine. I believe I made the right choice in trusting you. As you called it, An Honorary Ranger, I believe.” She said as she glanced back down at the papers. She then coughed slightly and slid them back across the desk to me before continuing.

“I wanted you both to know, I have a standing policy that anything said or done here stays here. Moonshine, I will not disclose your true nature to any pony or Griffon. You are not a monster, which was made plainly clear in your talk with Velvet Remedy yesterday. Arbu was a very dark moment in our history, one which we aim not to repeat.” I nod softly, keeping my own council on the subject.

Shady cleared her throat and addressed the Griffon. “Thanks, and I know this is a little… rude, but you are also aware that we know you want something from us for all of these favors.” Shady deadpanned. Gawd raised an eyebrow, caught a little off guard by her statement. “If you are insinuating that I am doing this for some type of payment you are wrong. Several years ago, I would have, but the times are changing, and so must the order of business. The NCR is trying to make Equestria a safer place now, and we are succeeding in places. But things are still difficult. We have bandits, hitting the trade caravans on their way to Hoofington, we still have issues with the local settlements accepting the Applejack’s Rangers. There is group of remaining slavers trying desperately to take the Hoofington dam.”

As Gawd spoke, I could tell she was passionate about her job, and that she was being very open with us right now. “I offered my help, despite all I face these days, because as Fluttershy would say, we need to be better. However, I do wish to ask a favor of you two. But do not think of this a repaying the NCR. I can just as easily ask any of the ponies under my command.” I wasn’t too keen on taking any job at the moment, but after all she had done, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to hear her out. I glanced at Shady, and I could tell the same thought occurred to her. “If you accept, I have a simple message I need delivered to our forces at the Hoofington dam.”

I raise my eyebrow this time, Hoofington was really freaking far away, and walking would take far too long. “I can assume the job will pay?” Shady asks, and I face hoof. Even after everything, she just had to put caps first. Gawd gave her a stern look, before sighing. “I can advance you two hundred caps to stock up on supplies, and another five hundred upon delivery.” She suggests, and I can see Shady thinking about it from the corner of my eye. “Alright bird, you gave yourself a deal.” Shady stuck out her hoof, and Gawd gently clutched it in her talon and shook on it.

A short time later, Shady and I left Gawd’s office and made for the hotel again. “I hope you didn’t mind me accepting that deal Moonshine. I figured we could really use the caps right now.” I remain silent for a few minutes, contemplating my choice of words. “I don’t really mind, I have nowhere else to go right now, and I damn sure don’t wanna stay here.” I grumble, my ears folding back as I remember one of the ponies responsible for making my life a living hell was somewhere nearby.

Shady accepts my response, walking beside me in silence for a few moments before slapping her hoof to her face. “Oh shit, I forgot something.” She said then looked at me apologetically. “Gawd most of your story out loud. And I just remembered that you haven’t eaten anything in three whole days.” She gives me a sincere and apologetic look, both for forgetting, and feeding me that damned wax apple last night.

I give her a narrow look, basically one that just screamed “No Shit!” She winced slightly and led me over toward a tiny stall. All kinds of small objects littering the counter top. Absolutely Everything was scrawled in nice writing on a sign. “Oh shit, you bought all of that stuff from Ditzy?” I ask, and Shady just looked at me. “You know her?” I gave her a dead eye look, and she nods. “Right, the book of LittlePip. I forgot.”

Shady and I step up to the stall, a grey and dry looking ghoul had her head buried inside of a small box. I had read about her, she was always a nice mare, albeit a little… squishy. Upon hearing our hooves come to a stop, the ghoul pulled her head from the box, a box of ammo clenched in her teeth. Her eyes rolled into different directions, and her flesh looked dryer and less healthy than it was described to be.

Ditzy Doo set the box down gently and gave us a little wave, before picking up her trademark chalkboard. “Welcome to Absolutely Everything! How may I help you?” she had asked via a stick of chalk. Shady and I glanced at one another, only a few hundred caps in our pockets. “Umm can we get a couple of Tatos each?” Shady asks, pointing to a small mound of red looking orbs. I give Shady a hard and dry look, conveying how unhappy I would be if she pranked me again with wax.

Ditzy smiled softly at her, a sight that was truly gruesome, before thankfully using her hoof to knock five into a small bag. I guess this mare still remembered something about hygiene. She set the bag on the table top, and wiped her board clean before writing, “Anything else I can get for you?” I take a moment to think, was there anything else we really needed? Then I remembered the revolver tucked in my saddle bag. I quickly pulled it out and set it onto the table top. “I could use some ammo for this.” I suggest and gesture at the gun.

Ditzy looks at the sidearm, her eyes widening a little as she recognizes it. A soft “ohhh” came from her muzzle as she flicked the cylinder open and read the engravings on the bullet casings. Apparently, the dried blood on it didn’t bother her in the least. She then nods, and picks up the exact box she had before, and put it beside the bag of food. “You sure about that Moonshine, if memory serves right, you don’t want to kill, so why do you need ammo?” She asks and I just shrug. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt that I would rather have them and not need them than the opposite.

I told Shady as much, gesturing with my hoof at the firearm. Ditzy had opened the box and showed me that it help about fifteen brass bullets. Paired with the few left in the cylinder, I had seventeen or eighteen shots. That suited me just fine. “Thanks Ditzy, that will be enough.” Shady then pulled out her bag of caps to pay for the goods, contemplating buying a weapon herself, but not having enough to pay for a decent one.

Instead though, Ditzy held out a hoof, and pushed the money back toward Shady. She then wiped her board and wrote again. “It’s already been paid for, and I have a package for you.” She writes and points at me with a hoof. “A package? For me? Are you sure you have the right pony?” I ask, and she nods fervently, before poking her head under the table top, and pulling out a long thin box wrapped in old newspaper. Then a small letter is set on top of it. Ditzy then points her hoof at me, then the letter. I assumed she wanted me to read it.

Dear Moonshine,

I know you have little use for me and my friends after what had happened in your past, and there is very little we can do to even hope to make up for your home and family. We made a mistake, not checking up on you and the others, and I hope the contents of this box help you in whatever journey awaits. I want you to have something that I had taken from LittlePip long ago, and I carried it with me throughout our journey. I hope it serves you well and you never have to use it the way it was used by me.

Sincerely Velvet Remedy.

I set the letter down, having just read it. I sighed, trying not to get too agitated at the fact that she still finds ways to interact with me. Instead I focus on the package before me, and instead of trying to speculate on what it contained, I just ripped it open. Inside was an old cardboard box, and in elegant handwriting only unicorns are capable of, it read. Grace. I roll my eyes, and show Shady, before lifting the top, and exposing the contents within.

I reeled, a little dumbstruck as a very clean combat shotgun was tucked neatly inside, the word Grace etched along the barrel. I glanced at Shady, she was absolutely drooling over the gun. I took another closer look, every screw, spring, and clip was polished and properly oiled. The mouth bit was polished brass, and the muzzle brake was likewise polished. The whole weapon gave an air of deadly elegance. I had to admit, this was one hell of a gun, but I was not about to carry it.

“Hey, you want it?” I ask Shady, and her eyes light up like a foal on prewar Hearths Warming Eve. She squees happily and pulls the shotgun from the box and hugs it to her chest. “It’s just so beautiful.” She gushes and looks it over like a lost lover. I roll my eyes, probably a bad thing to do around Ditzy, before I looked back to her. “We also need a box of ammo for that.”

A short time later, having found a small table, Shady I were chowing down on one of the Tatos. I tore into it ferociously. But hey, I was really freaking hungry. Shady was likewise eating, all the while looking at her shotgun and making sure it was still there. I chuckle a little, despite the origins of the weapon. I would never admit this to Shady, but I didn’t want to carry anything that reminded me of Velvet and her friends.

“Hey Moonshine, can I ask you a question?” Shady asks between bites. I nod again and give her my attention. “How many of you, I mean the survivors of…your past, are there?” She asks, trying not to say the name in the event some random ponies were listening. My ears folded, and I looked away. The memory once again flooding through my mind. “There were seven of us. I was the oldest of the group. I was supposed to have made my first kill by that time, but when it came down to it, and I looked into the eyes of the Mare I was supposed to kill… I just couldn’t.” I whispered. As I remembered my father trying to make me. “When I continued to refuse, he beat me.” I admit.

Shady drew in a small gasp, trying to keep our conversation low. “What…what do you remember about that night?” I glance at her, a cold expression in my eyes. “Everything. I remember LittlePip tearing through town, her rifle spitting bullets of fire. I was in my room, I heard the screams and the shots. Then the front door to my home burst open and all I remember hearing was a shout from my dad, then a quiet, pfft pfft pfft. It wasn’t until much later I realized she had shot him down with hardly a word uttered.”

Shady shudders softly, her mind conjuring the scene of horror for her. “Then she came upstairs. She had found me, and I remember the look of rage and fury in her eyes. She lifted me up, turning me every which way, she could, looking for my Arbu brand. She was shocked to see a pony as old as I was, who hadn’t been branded. She set me down, she didn’t shoot me, she just looked at me. I remember asking her about a filly who was my age, she was a good friend.” I utter, before sighing and hanging my head. I tried to take another bite of my food, but I found it hard to swallow.

Shady placed a hoof on my shoulder, in an effort to comfort me before asking me the question I knew she would. “What was her name?” I closed my eyes. If things had been different, if LittlePip had never come to Arbu, I would probably have married her, and maybe even had kids. “Clear Glass. Her name was Clear Glass.” I whisper, as I remember all the mischief her and I used to get into. “You liked her a lot, didn’t you?” I nodded once again, thinking that should have been obvious.

“What happened after you met LittlePip?” She asks after a few minutes. I look up, returning to my memory. “She levitated me outside. I saw fire everywhere, I smelled burned fur and cooking ponies. I heard more screaming as her friends fought the rest of the guards. I saw her Steel Ranger friend, blast grenades into a home, a few screams and a detonation later they fell silent. Her Pegasus friend, Calamity shot one Mare in the leg, he never once aimed to kill. But LittlePip walked up and shot her in the head.”

I shuddered at the memory. I still remember the light fading from her eyes as she looked at me. “I was then thrown into a shield with Velvet Remedy and a few other foals. To her credit, Velvet didn’t fire a single shot. She caused no pain or damage, but she didn’t help either. The whole thing was over quickly afterword. You said you read that story, right?” I asked Shady. She nodded, and I continued.

“Everything that was said after they had killed all of the adults actually happened. Calamity is probably the only pony I could stand to see. Out of them all, he was the most troubled by the entire event. I think if he were to apologize, I would forgive him. But Velvet and LittlePip? Velvet said that my home was a cancer, infected flesh that should be burned away. We were already hurting, having lost every pony we ever knew, and that bitch had to rub salt into the wound.” I grumble. That part of my memory leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

“What about Xenith?” Shady pressed, and I looked at her a little confused. “You mentioned every pony else, but you forgot about their Zebra friend.” Shady reminded me. Truth be told I had forgotten her. “I didn’t see her in the fighting, I don’t know if she had or not. But now that you mention it, I think she was the only one who could understand us. She had said something about doing what you could to survive. She said she was a slave, and that if the slavers had put pony meat in front of her she would eat it. They had already done much worse to her.” I hadn’t thought of that Zebra for a long time. But I knew she understood Arbu the most.

I finished my tato then, finding it a little easier to eat now. While the experience of talking about Arbu left me a raw nerve, it also felt kind of freeing to talk about it. Shady had remained quiet for a time, taking in all I had told her as we finished eating and began to walk around town. “Can I ask you a question now?” I asked Shady, curious about something. “Sure, I don’t mind.” I look around the town to see the nearest pony was a green Alicorn. “What happened to the power armor?” Shady stopped in her tracks and looked at me. “Ya know, you couldn’t have waited twenty more steps to bring it up huh? It’s right in there.” She pointed with a hoof at a small shed. I couldn’t see through the windows, but I knew some pony was in there based on the heavy hammer blows I was hearing.

I follow Shady toward the shed, the hammer strikes growing louder. “I found some pony who was willing, neigh eager, to work on the suit.” Shady explained, she had paused long enough to slide her shotgun into a sling on her side, and then pulled open the door. I followed her inside, where quite the sight greeted me. There was a rusty brown pony, wearing goggles as he pounded his hammer on a solid piece if sheet steel. And suspended from a rack hung the suit I had occupied when I came into town.

I walked closer to the suit, inspecting it closer for the first time. Bullet holes riddled the armor plating, dented and scratched and covered in dried blood. I was so caught up in looking at the armor that had saved my life that I hadn’t noticed the other pony come up beside me. “She ain’t tha nicest suit ah’d eva seen, but with a lil love, she’ll be a’right.” Said the pony, and I froze. I knew that voice. Somewhere in my head, I was screaming as I turned to look at him. Now that I saw him up close, and noticed the wings and I could recognize him.

Deadshot Calamity. If he had caught the look in my eyes, he didn’t show it. Instead he held out a hoof, and I instinctively bumped mine against his. “Good ta see ya made it, we weren’t sure if ya’d survive tha night.” He said, before turning to face Shady. “Ah I see ya got Velvet’s present, spent alotta time tweakin’ that beauty.” I just watched the rusty Pegasus as he looked around and wiped his brow.

“This thing’s all shot up, tha on board computers been fried, some o’ the hydraulics were seized. I got it all workin’ again, and now I’m just replacin’ tha armor.” I listened to him, here was the only pony involved with Arbu who I didn’t hate directly. I had just said I would be willing to forgive him, but now that I was facing him, I wasn’t sure I could. “What about the power supply?” Asked Shady, she was looking it over, appraising the Pegasus’s labor. “Ah shoot tha’ was all kinds o’ boogered up. Ah had to rebuild it, but ah wasn’t able to get it workin’ right. You’ll have ta keep swappin’ out spark batteries in order ta operate it.” Came his reply. “But on tha plus side, ah was able to make so ya can get out if ya run outta juice.”

Shady nods, accepting this. I didn’t think it would ever be operational again, but seeing it being rebuilt was a welcome sight. “How long until you can get it finished?” I asked, looking at the rest of the armor that still needed to be replaced. “Shoot, if I had another good set o’ hooves, she’d be right as rain by tonight.” He offered. I could tell he knew his stuff. Not many ponies could or would, work on power armor.

I catch Shady’s eye, and the look in hers told me this was going to be a very long day. “Moonshine here will lend ya a hoof.” Shady told him. I just hung my ears and looked to the side. I didn’t exactly like the idea of being in the same place with a pony that brought up so many bad memories. Shady however wasn’t going to let me get away with leaving, instead she took my saddle bag, and left the shed. “Well fuck.” I muttered, and Calamity just nodded.

I knew he recognized me, once Shady was gone, he refused to make eye contact, and we hardly said more than a few words to each other. He went back to working on the piece he was already hammering into shape, and I set about removing the old panels that needed replacing. As I dug further into the suit, I got a real appreciation for the ponies who originally engineered it. The frame was relatively intact, only a few rusty parts here and there.

Calamity and I didn’t talk, we just kept working. Once I got all the panels off, I moved to the other side of the shop, and picked up another hammer. The only sound coming from the shed over the next couple of hours was little more than the sound of ringing metal and the occasional swear when we missed and accidently hit ourselves. Despite the company, it felt almost normal. I had always liked to tinker, using brute force to make something out of nothing. On the areas that required more than just hammer blows, Calamity or I used the only blow torch available to heat the metal and bend it to our wills.

I could see, having only read about it, that Calamity had a real talent for this. With the armor pulled off the frame I was able to see where he had made several repairs. And from what I knew, they were done rather well. As much time was spent rebuilding new armor, it was matched only by having to replace them onto the frame. In time, the suit began to take shape. I was rather pleased with how well it was coming out.

Only when the last panel was placed, did we take a break. Calamity lifted his goggles and took a long drink from a canteen he had on his bench. He then tossed it to me, and I took several long gulps of the warm water. “Not bad.” Came the voice of Calamity. I nodded and looked at the armor. “Same to you.” I offer. I then look outside, seeing the sun beginning it’s decent. “Hey bud, ah got an idea.” Calamity whispers, leaning close to me. As tired as I was, I didn’t pull back from him. If he meant me harm, he would have shot me by now.

I lean back closer, he had to be whispering for a reason. “Hold tight, ah’m gonna go get some stuff, just keep an eye on your armor.” With that he left the shed and took off into the air with urgency in his flight. I was left with silence, and half of a pack of old cigarettes. I suspected Calamity snuck one when Velvet wasn’t around. So, I just helped myself, and popped on into my mouth, and lit it with the blow torch. I sat upon my haunches, puffing on the nicotine while I waited.

As it turned out I didn’t have to wait long. Calamity swiftly returned, carrying a small bag before landing in front of me. “What do you have there?” I ask as he sets the bag down and opens it with a hoof. “Ohhhh nice!” I exclaim, and he and I share a quick grin before getting back to work.

A couple of hours later, as the sun was setting behind the horizon, Shady returned to the shed. A new bag, bulging with supplies returned. Calamity was waiting for her outside, but Moonshine was absent. Shady probably just thought he had gone to the bathroom or something. “Hey, was he of any use to you?” Asks Shady, to which Calamity nods and replies. “He sure as hell was, got a good sense o’ mechanics.” Shady smiled and nodded. “I wouldn’t have hired him if he didn’t” She replied and started for the shed.

I smile widely, I knew she wouldn’t see me, and after all her pranks at my expense, I figured it was time for some payback. The door to the shed creaks open, and I do my best to remain still. “Holy shit it’s gorgeous.” She gushed, as she moves closer to the armor. Calamity and I hadn’t just fixed the armor, we had given it a very nice paint job. Instead of bare steel, it faded from a dark grey to a dark blue across the back and chest. The helmet looked more like the face of a demon, a permanent grin complete with fangs across the front and sides.

As Shady neared the helmet to take a close look at our paint job, I tried hard not to giggle. This was going to be good. She reared up and put a hoof on the helmet, looking deep into the visor, which had been buffed and cleaned of any scratches. “You two did an amazing job! I could just kiss it.” She whispered. I couldn’t wait any more, this was the perfect response I was waiting for. “Then pucker up bitch!” I roared, before toggling the spotlight and lunging for her.”

That’s right, I was inside the power armor once again. The look on Shady’s face was priceless just before she screamed and fell onto her ass. Metal hooves clomped hard upon the shed floor, shaking the structure as I stalked closer to her and looked deep into her eyes. “Run.” Was all I needed to say, and she did just that, forgotten was the bag of supplies, as she leapt onto her hooves and high tailed it away from us.

I popped the helmet off, and set it down gently, laughing like I hadn’t in a very long time. I did feel a little bad for scarring her like that, but oh Celestia it was worth all the shit she had put me through. Calamity had to lean on the wall for support just to keep from falling over as he laughed right along with me. “Holy shit that was great!” I manage to say as I struggle to catch my breath.

Calamity and I had managed to recompose ourselves, and each light up another cigarette by the time Shady came back, Velvet in tow as well as Pyrelight. “Well Moonshine, it was good workin’ with ya, but I think we are about ta die here.” Calamity whispered as he dropped the cigarette and stomped on it. I just moved mine to the other corner of my mouth and grinned at Shady.

She just looked at me flabbergasted. Unsure how to process this information as Velvet moved over to look at her husband. “Seriously am I gonna get that kiss or what?” I ask Shady making her face turn more than one shade of red. That just made Calamity and myself chuckle once more. “Oh Luna help us, there are two of them.” Velvet quipped as Calamity and I bro hoofed once more.

A few minutes later, after Shady stopped blushing, and trying to punch me for scarring her, she finally managed to get a grip on herself. “Ok seriously I almost pissed myself when the suit moved.” She admitted. I caught a quick wink from Calamity as Shady and Velvet looked it over closely. “Even though that helmet looks really creepy, I rather like the color palate you two chose.” Velvet admitted.

I was a little nervous of Velvet being around me once again. I mean I was in a freaking tank and could crush her without a second thought, but I held back, forcing myself to remember our last discussion about how I wasn’t going to be a monster. Shady was looking it over closer, admiring the welds and how well we had pieced it back together. “Ya know, I had gotten this suit as payment from an old friend, he owed me a lot, but I gotta say, it never fit me that well. I think it was made for a smaller pony to wear.” Came Shady’s admission. I looked at her now, just a little taller than her with the suit on.

She looked back, and we made eye contact as I drew in another puff on my cigarette. “I think, after everything, and the fact that you gave me a gift, I think you should have that suit Moonshine, it fits you rather well.” I admit, I was surprised to hear that, I mean I wouldn’t turn it down, not after I had spent so much time rebuilding it. I turned to look at Velvet and Calamity, who were looking on. Calamity with pride, Velvet with caution.

Looking into their eyes I address them. “Thank you both for your help.” I look hard at Velvet, making it clear that I still didn’t like her, but her efforts, and those of her husband have at least made a small impact on my hatred of them. “Just know, that right now, while you have foals, you will not have to fear me visiting you anytime soon.” I looked between them to make sure they caught my meaning. “And, while you have tried to mend fences with myself and the Children of Arbu, I will not extend the same courtesy to LittlePip.”

Shady face hoofed, and Velvet and Calamity’s eyes widened at my threat. I knew they didn’t appreciate how I talked about their friend, or the fact that I threatened them either, but when faced with a pony wearing a repaired set of power armor, and only a pea shooter between them, they weren’t about to argue either. With that out of the way, I picked up the helmet, and slung it on a hook near my flank as I trotted out of the shed and toward our room.

Once inside, I press the power button with my muzzle, and the suit opens up once again. I climb out, and let it collapse closed once more in a corner of the room. Shady was right behind me, her bag of supplies slung across her back once more. “You didn’t have to do that Moonshine, you had no cause to treat them like that.” Shady accused, having tossed the bag into the corner, and bearing down on me. I didn’t back away from her though.

“I know I didn’t, but it’s hard to forgive those who so thoroughly fuck your life up.” I retort, looking her in her eyes. “It’s very..fucking…hard. But I did it, I forgive them. I grumble and glare back at her, showing just how hard I was fighting my feelings. She blinked and took a step back. “You…What?” She stammered as she looked back at me with confusion. “I said I forgive them, at least those two. They were dragged into the mess just like I was back in Arbu, so I can forgive them. LittlePip though…She better hope she doesn’t meet me, because I will kill her.”

With that proclamation, I tossed my bag into a corner, and lay once again onto the floor and use it as a pillow. While I just wanted to go to sleep, I just quite couldn’t. I was plagued by my memories. While I had great difficulty forgiving Velvet and Calamity, I knew it was the right thing to do. And somewhere in my brain I knew I should forgive Pip, but dreams of revenge kept my fury alive.

“Hey Moonshine, are you asleep” Shady asks with a whisper. I roll my eyes a little, before rolling over and looking at her on her pallet. “No, I’m not, sleep is going to be difficult on a hard-wooden floor ya know.” I quip, hoping to make her feel just a little bad. Instead she looked at me, a thought on her mind. “Can I ask you something?” I shrug, not really caring either way. “The other night, when you got shot, were you dreaming about me?”

Oh shit. She knew. I must have mumbled something while I was unconscious. “Umm why do you ask?” I query, curious to what she might have heard. “Well when I was patching you up, and giving you med-X, I heard you say, and I quote, “Shady lower.” Then you moaned a little. Also, in your journal you wrote, retracing the other night, Gawd got a little wide eyed and skipped over it in a hurry.” Now she was grinning, and I was a deep shade of crimson. Quite a feat when you are a literal shade of blue.

I sigh and slam my hoof on the floor before sitting up to face her. “Yeah I did. My dying brain concocted a dream to try and protect me from waking up while you were saving me. And yeah, it was one of those dreams.” I blush even further, the only reason I admitted it, was that I had no control over the situation. Shady looked aside, clearly deciding whether to be flattered, or laugh. “Do you wanna tell me about it?” She asks, finally settling on curious.

I roll my eyes, even while embarrassing me, she was getting off on it. “Not really, while it looked like you in my dream, it definitely wasn’t you. It was probably over active hormones mixed with pain and blood loss. Trust me, you really don’t wanna know.” I give her a look as I speak, letting her know there was no room for negotiation on this matter. Despite how serious I was, she just chuckled and lay her head down. “You never know bud, get me drunk enough I just might be that type of mare.” I blush even brighter, issuing just a grunt of acknowledgement before rolling over and facing the wall.

The next morning, we awoke to a knock on the door, it was so early the sun hadn’t even risen yet. I jump to my hooves, and Shady rolled and grabbed her shotgun in her mouth and pointed at the door. “Who is it” I demand as I step quietly to the side of the door frame. “Who the fuck do you think it is, Princess Luna? Open the door.” Came Gawdyna’s voice. I sigh, and Shady uncocks her shotgun before setting it aside. Once she had set down the weapon, I open the door to see Gawd, still haggard and looking like she hadn’t slept. “Gather your things, we need to get you two out of town now!” She whispered, before entering the room, and stuffing any of our stuff into whatever bag she had nearby.

Shady and I jump too, this had to be a big deal if Gawd was so spooked. I crack the handle on the back of my power armor, letting it open before quickly climbing inside. Chinning the button, it closes around me, and the heads up display flickers to life in the corner of my vision. Shady and Gawd quickly hook the bags to my back, and I take the time to lower the volume of the outboard speaker. “What the fuck is going on?” I whisper, looking directly at Gawd. She looked back, a little perturbed by the visage of the armor.

“That stupid bitch of a DJ just told every pony about the stack on your settlement. She also said that the leader and a Child of Arbu survived the attack. And that you are both here.” She whispered, all the while fastening Grace to the onboard battle saddle of my armor. I was too preoccupied with the information to be bothered by it. “Why the hell can’t we catch a break?” I ask Shady. She just shrugs and turns to Gawd.

“Don’t worry, no one here will bother you two, but any pony out there bent on you two dying will be coming. The sooner you disappear the better, we can handle things here, but you two need to get going. Head to Gutterville, it’s a day trot in that armor. There you will meet a boat who will take you to Hoofington. I nod, gearing up for a run, before thanking Gawd, and leaving the hotel.

Several ponies stopped and looked at the two new comers, seeing them in a different light after DJ-pon3’s broadcast. One of us was a settlement leader, the other was the survivor of a cannibalistic town gone extinct. Things were not looking great for us. At the side of town, Gawd stopped, and told us to keep going in that direction, east as indicated by my HUD. Gawd gave an envelope to Shady, and a few more caps for the trip. “Move fast, and don’t stop” Gawd whispered to us, and we nodded before heading out of town.

I had an easier time of it, the armor compensating for any divots and holes I may have run across. Shady was not having such a good time. More than once she tripped up and stumbled, trying to keep her balance before slamming head first into the dirt. After one such stumble, I had enough of waiting for her, so I scooped her onto my back with the bags and took off at full gallop. The armor made it easier to run, I was able to carry her a lot further with less effort then I would have normally.

“Goddesses I am not a fucking foal looking for a piggy back ride.” She complained, but I just laughed and continued my mad run across the terrain. Quit bitching, you’re working up there!” I shout as I weave past a particularly deep ditch. “You need to maintain my power, swapping out batteries as needed. Also you are the turret, take that shotgun and keep an eye out for shit that wants to turn us into a snack, or fill us with holes.” I shout, and Shady does as I suggest.

By the time the sun had crept into the sky, we had left nearly twenty miles behind us. Only then did we stop to take a break. I popped off my helmet and set it aside. Despite how well the armor performed, I was still pouring sweat, and I desperately needed water. Shady provided such comfort by holding the bottle to my lips as I drank deeply.

Do you think you can keep going like that?” Shady asks, clearly concerned. I shook my head, not because I couldn’t but because I didn’t need to. “We are so far from Junction town, that any ponies looking for us would have to spread themselves incredibly thin to find us by now. After I catch my breath, I can continue at about half speed. Besides, I doubt we have enough battery life to keep going like that.”

Having used as little power as possible, save the spot light outside of town, I had used up over sixty percent of that battery during the run. We only had two more and had only covered a fifth of our journey. Besides, our ride wouldn’t be there until later this afternoon. “c’mon let’s get moving.” I offer, as I pick the helmet back up and push it back over my head. Shady nodded, and climbed once more onto my back, and I took off at a fair trot.

We kept up that pace for the better part of two hours, another eighteen miles falling behind us before I was forced to stop by both a dead battery, and a full bladder. I flopped out of the armor, after it ejects me. That was something we had to investigate, why it spits you out when the battery is dead. Still I fell behind a bush, and Shady was nice enough to give me some privacy as I relieve myself. I finish just as Shady swapped out the battery. Another quick drink of water later, and letting the soft breeze dry the sweat that was clinging to my coat, I jumped back into the suit, and again we tore off toward Gutterville.

The going was good, but we did have a few tense moments where feral dogs attacked us. One of them bit down on my armored leg and refused to let go. Shady took aim with her shotgun and blasted the other two while I dealt with the last one. “Fucker I just repainted that!” I shouted before tossing it aside and crushing its skull with a heavy stomp. Another time Shady picked off a few bloat sprites from a distance. And the final challenge came when we had to wait for a group of traders to pass.

Nearly six hours later, and our final spark battery drained to almost twenty percent, we reached Gutterville. I knew we had to catch a boat, but Gutterville was still a few miles north east of the river headed out to sea. And only when we reached the outskirts of town, did I consult the map function of my HUD. “Let’s see, Manehattan, Friendship City” I paused as I saw a familiar name on the opposite bank of the river. “Arbu.” I whispered, and Shady reeled, having heard me. For the first time since the events of my past, I was within spitting distance of my old home.

“Moonshine, hey Moonshine!” Shady yelled, drawing my attention. “Yeah huh? What’s up?” I ask, pulled away from my mental trap. “Look I know you are a little spooked being so close to your old home, but right now we need to focus. I want you to stay here and stay hidden. Any ponies looking for us would look for two ponies, not one. I will pick up a few more supplies and a couple of batteries for the suit. Stay here and wait for me.” She instructed, and I nodded in response. I could do that. After all I was worn out from my mad run across the Manehattan region.

I stayed standing in the armor, knowing if I had got out and laid down, I wouldn’t get up again. So, I stood for a few minutes and just panted. Both from running, and a miniature panic attack from being so close to Arbu. Somewhere over there, my dad and Clear Glass were buried or cremated from LittlePip’s rage. I needed a distraction, and bad.

That was when I remembered Steel Hooves. Didn’t he once say he had recorded a couple of radio broadcasts from DJpon3? That meant he had a radio, so in theory, I should as well. I began pushing buttons with my muzzle, trying to figure it out. I found the map once again, then the inventory sorter, then I hit the spotlight control. Finally, I think I hit the right sequence of buttons, as static filled my ears from the internal speakers. In my search for the radio, I had stumbled on a roller, and I tried using that for a tuner.

Different variations of static appeared, and a small readout of different frequencies filled a corner of my vision. Finally, I stumbled on a station, and instantly I recognized the voice of Velvet Remedy, singing about wings. I rolled my eyes, having never been a fan of even her singing. Still it was a distraction, and right now, it was more than welcome. So, I just stood, letting her melodies wash over me.

Three more songs pass by, another by Velvet, one by Sweetie Belle, and another by the original Djpon3, my personal favorite. It had a beat you could really tap your hooves too. I mean I would have if I wasn’t stuck in power armor. Then the voice I was dreading came over the radio, the new DJpon3. Every pony knew now that it was Homage, but still she kept up the charade of playing a Stallion. I really began to think she had some serious mental issues.

“That was DJpon3 with dubstep dishwasher. Not to be confused with yours truly of course, I happen to rather enjoy toasters if y’all catch my drift. Any hoof, this is the current DJpon3 with the news!” I sigh and roll my eyes. The references to LittlePip were getting out of hoof. Every pony knew who she was talking about.

“Early this morning I made a bit of a lapse in judgement, I had reported about two survivors of the settlement previously known as Respite. I feel I must explain myself before moving on with what I truly want to say. I heard tell, that that settlement had instigated a fight with the NCR ponies who were just passing by. As it turns out however, thanks to my friends over in Junction town by the way, those two survivors were actually seeking the aid of Gawdyna Grimfeathers.”

There was an audible tone of suspense as Homage paused. “I regret to inform you all, that the town of Respite, and several other settlements in the area were in fact targeted by a rogue group of NCR soldiers. Now I am not saying the NCR is bad, Celestia knows they have tried to help the wasteland get back on its hooves but with current events being so confusing, I urge every pony to treat any NCR ponies you see with caution. No offense to those fine soldiers who work to help, but it’s hard to know who to trust when you all dress alike.”

I hated to admit it, but she did have a point. Still I was waiting to hear more about what she had said this morning. “As for those two survivors, I had made mention of their location in Junction Town. I strongly apologize for any misunderstanding on my part, and sincerely apologize if anything happens because of it. And I owe another apology and explanation to those two survivors. One of whom I mentioned was a surviving child of Arbu. If you are listening out there, somewhere in the vast wasteland, I want you to know I apologize for outing you like that.”

I nod, thankful and accepting of her apology. Had I been in her shoes, I probably would have done the same thing. “Now children, there is indeed a survivor of Arbu out there, somewhere. Many of you all have heard or read Fallout, the story of our beloved LittlePip. We all know what happened at Arbu, and that one action has stained the image of what The Light Bringer was doing. These survivors, they are not monsters, nor are they evil. They were victims of the wasteland just like the rest of us. So, I implore you all, if you meet this pony, or any others from Arbu, I encourage you all to give friendship a try.”

I look toward the south west, toward the direction of Tenpony tower. Silently thanking the DJ for her words. Maybe, in a few years or so, ponies who I had known and those who still survived, might have a chance at a regular life. “Once more I apologize to you Child of Arbu. I do know your name but shall refer to you only as the Child of Arbu. Ponies will be afraid of you should they learn your identity, but do not waver. I know you are hurting, and you feel so alone in a sea of ponies who would torment you if they knew. Just keep your head above water, and may the Goddesses watch over you.”

I smile and nod to no pony, if Homage was supporting me, she could keep any ponies following us misinformed. Assuming I kept my head down and didn’t cause a scene. Something a pony in shiny power armor would be sure to do right now. It was then that Shady’s instructions returned to me, and I properly understood how far ahead she had been thinking. “Now Children, I know that felt a little too focused on one pony, but don’t think ole DJpon3 has forgotten you. Here is something to cheer you all up, its Buck Cherry performing Pony B. Goode.

As the opening guitar began pumping out a hoof stomping rhythm, I switched off the radio as a small blip appeared on my HUD compass. The whole thing was a soft amber color, but the blip approaching was green. I think that meant friendly, but I wasn’t sure. So, I crouched behind a bush, and a new icon appeared on the screen. [ HIDDEN ] Appeared top and center, the brackets moving closer to the word as the blip grew closer.

“Shit” I whispered as I tensed, getting ready to pounce on whoever, or whatever was coming closer. “Son of a… I thought I told him to wait here.” Came the voice of Shady. I felt relief flood into me, as I stood and moved from behind cover. “Holy Shit!” She yelled, startled by my sudden appearance. It took a minute for me to explain exactly why I was crouched behind a bush, and to give her a quick rundown on the broadcast I had just heard.

“Shit that is a weight off our shoulders.” Shady sighed. I just shrugged inside of the armor. “Maybe for you, but while you were playing trader, I was playing the role of a pack mule.” I complain and point at the bags still strapped to my back. “Oh right. I forgot.” Shady swore, before producing a fresh spark battery and quickly changing it out for me. “We have to wait for a little while, the pony who I met will come get us. But we have to go a little way further.” I sighed and nodded. Not entirely happy about having to run any more.

“Oh, quit worrying. They have a wagon, and we can ride the rest of the way to the boat.” I sigh, thankful that I wouldn’t have to run again. Does that mean I can get out of this can for a bit? It’s really starting to rub a sensitive area raw.” I offer. Grinning at the look Shady gave me. She nods and rolls her eyes as I flip the exit switch, and let the cool air hit my hide as I flop onto the ground. “Oh so soft.” I purr as I cuddle up on the grass, letting my cramped and achy muscles relax.

About an hour later, and a bottle of water gone. I heard a voice shout out from nearby. I crack open my eyes, thinking it had sounded vaguely familiar. Shady called out to him, and a moment later I knew why. It was Quick Shot, I hadn’t seen him since before Shady knocked me out. I stood up, muscles creaking in protest as he landed his sky wagon nearby and unhooked himself from it. I was then caught unaware as he gave his wings a hard flap, and in an instant, he had rammed into me and wrapped his hooves around me in a hug.

“Dude you survived!” he shouted, and I reeled as his weight bore down on me. “Umm yeah, not for long if you keep choking me.” I cough out, and he mercifully let go. I rub my neck with a hoof, before looking back at the ecstatic Pegasus. “Bro I know you’re happy to see me alive, and you may not be aware of it, coming from the clouds and all, but we grounders have a thing called personal space.” I offer as I cough once more.

The lithe Pegasus blushed a little, now that he had a grasp of just how personal he had gotten. “Oh, uh shit, my bad dude, I’m just happy you survived. I kept worrying about it, wondering if I could have flown faster.” I nod and stick out my hoof. “I did, and it’s thanks to you, if you hadn’t pushed yourself so hard I wouldn’t be here right now.” My words touched him, and he slammed his hoof against mine in gratitude.

“Well as touching as this reunion is, and don’t get me wrong Quick Shot, but we really need to catch that boat.” Shady interjected, and the Pegasus jumped a bit and nodded. “Sorry Ma’am” he shouted and ran back to his wagon to hook up. I climbed back into my armor and stepped onto the wagon just before he began take off procedure. Shady climbed in after me and closed the hatch before taking a seat. I wanted too, had planned to sit on a nice seat, but there wasn’t enough room for me to exit the armor.

Shady must have heard my internal whining and knocked a hoof against my helmet. “Hey chill out, it’s only a few minutes by sky wagon. Be patient.” She ordered, and I nodded in response. True to her word, we touched down about twenty minutes later, just on the bank of the river near Tenpony Tower. Docked there, was a tiny little boat, mostly rusty metal plate used to hold the hull together. Seahorse was painted on the side, and I cocked my head sideways, as I saw a strange turquoise Mare hanging upside down above the deck via some of the rigging.

Shady saw it too. “Holy shit!” She shouted and broke from the sky wagon before it fully touched down, and I was right behind her. We pounded down the gang plank, it creaked dangerously under the weight of the power armor. But then I was on deck, and Shady was trying to lower the Mare. I helped her, by providing her support as she stood on my back and hacked apart the rope and gently lowered her. I stepped back and let Shady look her over, but besides a big bruise, and a broken bit of bottle stuck on her horn, she seemed to be alright, if unconscious.

I stood by as Shady tended to the mare, besides a few outlandish mumblings, she was out cold. “Alright ye dogs, step away from tha Cap’n if’n ye knows what’s good fer ye.” A gruff voice sounded behind us. I whirl around, looking into the eye of a massive Stallion with a double barrel shotgun pointed at my chest. I tense, getting ready to bowl him over. I had already gotten shot in the chest once, I wasn’t about to go through that again.

“I said back ye dawgs!” Shouted the Buck, I was seriously about to trample him. All we were doing was helping the Mare, and he was pointing a gun at me! “Oi Brute, shove off and quit yer yappin!” came the voice of the Mare. Apparently, she had woken up and was none too pleased with the idea. “But Cap’n these Ponies…” The Mare waved a hoof dismissively and gestured at us. “These Ponies just helped yer Cap’n out of quite the pickle. So, shut that trap O’ yers.” Said the Mare as she gave a gruff look at the Stallion.

With a grunt, he lowered the weapon. While he would obey the Mare, he still looked at me as if he wanted to toss me over the side. “Thank ye fer the assistance friends, if tha’ had happened a few years back, some pony would have made target practice outta me.” The Mare gripped Shady’s hoof and shook it vigorously. “Cap’n Thrush at yer service” She then turned to me and looked up and down. I had forgotten to at least remove the helmet. “A bit short ta be a Steel Ranger aren’t ya?” She asks, trying hard to focus her eyes.

I cock my head to the side with a fair bit of confusion. Then it hits me. “Oh, the armor!” I grin sheepishly, as I remove the helmet. “Ah there we are, and a good-looking Buck too.” She grinned and leaned closer to me. “What’s yer name if I may ask?” I smile and look down at her, even though she was conscious, she was either drunk or horribly concussed. “Moon…” She waved again and cut me off. “No no, let me have a guess.” I raise an eyebrow, and nod. This couldn’t go too bad.

“Hmm let’s see. Blue Moon? No… how about Bad Moon? Hmm no that’s not it. Dark Side O’ tha Moon? That sounds ridiculous. How about Moon Pie?” I hang my head, wanting to face hoof. Some of those names were absolutely terrible, and I think one of them was a song. “Moonshine.” I whisper, and she focuses on me again.” “Oi I said let me guess, but nah you had to steal the fun outta it.” She slurred. I rolled my eyes and looked to shotgun toting Stallion. “Any way we can sober her up in a hurry?” I ask, and he just shook his head, a little amused at the situation.

It took nearly two hours for Captain Thrush to clear her mind enough, so she could finally ask why we were there. “Gawdyna Grimfeathers told us you could ferry us to Hoofington. Said you knew the waters best.” Shady told the Captain. “Aye, I can take ye, there. Normally I charge fer passengers, but since we just loaded up on supplies and I have ta head there anyway, I don’t see why ye can’t just tag along. Plus, ye did help me. I just have a few rules on this boat, and I expect ye to follow ‘em without question.”

Shady and I nod, we had no problem following rules. At least I didn’t anyway. “One, ye do what I tell ye, if I say go below decks, ye do it. If I say swim, ye do it. Three, or was it two? Eh, if I say get me some rum, do it because the rum always seems to be gone. And another, if I say I got a jar of dirt, you do not question it. Understand?” I just look at Shady, completely confused. Rule one made sense, two and three were… well random. “Umm yeah we understand.” Shady said with way more confidence than I was feeling.

Twenty minutes later, the Sea Horse pushed away from the dock, and began to move down stream. I was finally able to leave the armor, and Shady and I tied it to the deck with some old rope with help from a crimson Unicorn Mare. I slumped against the railing nearby, and slowly took a few deep breaths. This was going to be the longest trip I had ever been on, going to a new region was a daunting ordeal. I sit down, placing my hooves on the railing and look out at the water.

These were moments I actually enjoy, when I can just sit and be still for a time and try to come to terms with what was actually going on. Everything was happening so fast, between our arrival in Junction Town, and our rapid flight toward Gutterville, now that I had time to think, and look back on it, running over one hundred miles in a few hours was a big deal. I wasn’t in great shape. Granted I wasn’t fat, but I had never been physically fit either.

I took another look at the power armor that Shady had given me. It was a lovely gift don’t get me wrong, but was I worthy of wearing it? Those suits back in the day were given only to those soldiers who had been the best of the best. They had trained and fought for years, being the toughest survivors during the war because they had to fight most of it without the armor. I was now caught up, wondering just what kind of pony had previously owned the suit, and what had happened to them. All it did was make me realize I was not strong, or tough enough to wear it.

“You alright Moonshine, you seem troubled.” Came Shady’s voice as she sat down next to me and looked out onto the water as well. I nod softly, then look at her. I may not be the strongest or toughest, but I did have her. I could be strong enough to follow her into a fire fight. I was strong enough to save her life when I myself was dying.

“Can I ask you something Shady?” She turned to look back at me before nodding. “Are we friends?” I ask, catching her off guard with such a random question. But to her credit she didn’t hesitate long before answering. “I thought it was obvious by now.” She replied, and I nodded. “I know what I have seen, and experienced over the last few days, but I haven’t had a friend since Clear Glass. That was a long time ago. That’s why I asked.” I explain. She nods in response, not needing any clarification.

“I get it, it’s tough out there, being alone all of that time, and never being able to trust any pony. I’m glad you trusted me enough to talk to me about it though.” She said with a warm smile. I matched it and looked back out to the river. “Hey, I was dying at the time. I knew if I did, what harm would there be in telling you who I was. Hell, I think I was hoping you would kill me, just to make it end and I wouldn’t have to be alone anymore.” I confess and place my forehead on the railing.

I could feel Shady tense a little beside me as I said that, maybe I had fucked up by saying it. But her response was gentle enough as she thought about it. “Well, you may have been alone at the time, but not anymore. I’m here with you, and I accept you as you are. Even though you are a brash, ignorant, angry, stubborn, smart ass.” Shady teased, before gently shoving me.

I smile and look back at her and shove her back. “And you can be a complete emotional rollercoaster, cocky, arrogant, slutty, steroid pumped, cap monger. But I am happy to call you my friend.” The look of mock surprise on her face was humorous. “Hey, who are you calling cocky?” I chuckled as she feigned an indignant expression. “I’ll have you know there is a difference between being cocky, and confident.” She chided, and I just sat there and smiled.

“Ya know, we are both heading into unknown territory, who knows what kind of wacky adventures await us!” Shady exclaims, a little more excited than I was. “Maybe, but I’m not going in unprepared this time I whisper, before pulling the NCR revolver out of my bag, and holding it in my hooves. It desperately needed a cleaning; the dried blood was probably ingrained into the metal. I rubbed it on my coat, the majority of the mess flaking off.

“You’re ready for a fight?” Shady asks, an intrigued look in her eye. I flick open the cylinder and dump the spent brass overboard before loading it with the new rounds I had gotten from Ditzy. “Not ready. I don’t think any pony can properly be ready for a fight, but they can at least expect one.” I whisper, and flick the cylinder closed. I had been shot in the chest by this pistol. And I had killed a pony with it. I wasn’t wanting a repeat performance, but in the wasteland, you rarely get what you want.

Level up, New Perk Added: Marathon runner level 1. You can run for a long time and not get winded. Ponies will also have a harder time hitting you while you are in motion. Gain +10 Damage Resistance while sprinting.

Quest perk added: Power armor training. While repairing your broken power armor, you learn how to operate it safely. Now you can pilot any suit of power armor without suffering the negative consequences. y