Chapter 6

Civil Distrust.

So, it's been a little while since I had time to update this journal. Things had gotten pretty out of hoof, between our time at the Hoffington dam, and the fact that now we had an extra set of hooves traveling with us. While I rather enjoy Cherry's presence, Shady...well doesn’t. When I last left off, I had mentioned that Shady and I were at odds. I was more than a little angry that she would judge my actions, when most of hers were veiled in mystery and secrets. To reiterate, Shady was some pony who had an old set of power armor, could fix almost any tech, and could build power hooves. I had a niggling idea of who she used to be, but other than speculation, I had no real proof. But now that I have had time to learn about her, she is more complicated than I originally thought. But enough bait, lets get back to the actual story.

The walk to the dam only took a few hours. At one point we had to stop long enough to have a quick apple and water while Shady replaced the dead spark battery of my armor. Our conversations were fairly light, and unimportant. Shady didn't hide her feelings about Cherry joining us, more often than not issuing some type of rude comment her way. And she was even more uncivil toward me. After our argument the night before, I really couldn’t blame her. I did say some fairly mean things. But right now seemed to be a bad time to bring it up. After all we were a few hours away from finishing our job. I couldn't help thinking about how we could continue afterword. I mean neither of us had a proper plan, we just kept going with the flow and doing what we could just to survive.

"Shady, mind if I ask something?" I question as the dam came into view.

"Go ahead." Came her curt reply. I nodded and cleared my throat. Cherry stayed silent, curious as to the nature of my question.

"We never really gave any thought to what we would do once this job was over. I mean are we gonna settle down here in hoofington? Or what?" I ask. The question seeming to bother Shady.

"I never thought about that. With everything happening so fast, the thought never crossed my mind. But thinking on it now, I think I would like to go back, and try to rebuild our home. At least try anyway." She says, as she looks up to the gray clouds over head. I had to admit, that sounded like a good idea. I would love nothing more than to try and return to the way things were. Maybe even have a home of my own instead of living in a small room. "What did happen to your homes?" Cherry asked. I actually forgot that I hadn't told her. Shady gives me a cold look, but then looks to Cherry. "We will discuss it later, it’s a long story." Shady promised.

Half an hour later we were close enough to the dam to see most of its details. Most ponies called it the dam, but it was actually two separate ones linking what used to be the city of Hoofington, or more accurately the Core. When Project horizons activated, a large chunk of moonstone nearly obliterated the city. Then due to some crazy events, the rest of the island collapsed into the river. The dam while damaged from the collapse, stayed standing, and the NCR forces shortly took it over and began repairs. Now both halves were connected via scaffolding and construction ponies working on the sides.

I saw several ponies use what looked like harpoon guns to scale the walls. They then would reach the desired height, and most of them were placing freshly carved stone blocks along others. It looked impressive, and a little scary. "so, that’s a thing." Cherry comments. I hear a soft tremble to her voice, and a tremor run through her body. "Afraid of heights Cherry?" I ask, watching her look on nervously. She nods softly, then looks back to me. "huh, then what was that about taking you to heaven and back last night?" I ask with a sarcastic tone in my voice. Cherry flushed a deeper red, and Shady choked and spit out the water she had just taken a sip of.

I chuckled a little, as I trotted ahead of the two mares. "Did that really happen?" I hear Shady ask in a low whisper. I smirk inside of the helmet, and continue trotting on. I had to imagine it, but I pictured a shy and blushing Cherry nodding in embarrassment. A few minutes later, they caught up, both of them having recovered properly. As we grew closer, I kept looking up at the construction ponies with the harpoon saddles. The things I would give for one of those.

I pushed my day dreaming about harpoons and stuff aside, as we neared a check point guarded by the NCR. Two unicorns levitated their rifles toward us, not threatening, just on guard. "Whoa there, we have no trouble with you ranger." Said one of the guards, and it took all of a second for me to understand. Luckily Shady had anticipated this. "We are not Rangers. I am a courier with a message from Gawd. These are my own guards, Skin Flute and Cunt Biscuit." Shady declares. The two guards glance at one another, and Cherry and I give Shady cold and unapproving looks. "And what is your name missy?" Asks the guard. Before Shady can give her name, Cherry spoke up for her in a polite tone. " Her lovely name is true to her talent. You may call her Cock Whistler."

The angry glare from Shady made the NCR guards take a step back, but the laugh I let out put them a little more at ease. I swear Shady looked ready to murder Cherry, but I was in the armor, and could easily stop her. "Ok, I can understand wanting to remain anonymous, but being sarcastic right now isn't a good idea. Every pony here is on edge, what with being so close to the Jacks and all." We nod, pretending to understand what he was talking about, but truthfully, we couldn't care less. Shady and I just wanted our pay, and to get going to wherever we were going. "Still if you plan on being anonymous, we will have to clear it. Mind waiting here for a moment?" The guard asks. We nod, and he trots off to one of the small radios set up nearby.

While he was off talking to his superiors, I had Cherry help me remove the helmet. I figured if I was going to walk looking like a tank around a bunch of nervous ponies, the least I could do was show my face, and that I was not a threat to them. "Shady, stow your shotgun in one of the bags." I suggest, she takes a moment, but realizes what I was thinking and obliges. I didn't have to worry about Cherry, seeing as show she carried no noticeable weapon with her. By the time the guard returned, we had everything stored away. "Alright, I can't leave my post. So I want you all to walk into the compound, and keep walking toward that group of tents. There will be a pony there who will escort you the rest of the way. But be warned. If you try anything, there will be so many guns firing at you, there won't be anything left but a nasty stain and scrap metal."

We nodded, while his warning seemed a little extreme, I could understand his mentality behind it. After all I had once lived in a state of fear like all of these ponies were now. We all thanked the guard, and moved our way past the check point. Shady led the way, and we followed right behind her. Cherry kept looking around nervously, particularly when she looked at the ponies dangling on the side of the dam. Still, her nervousness really began to put me on edge as well, and I really didn't like it. I fell into step beside her, and leaned close so I could whisper. "You need to calm down alright. If you keep looking shifty ponies around here will think we are up to something." Cherry nods, before giving me a small smile. "I know, but the air feels off around here."

At my quizzical look she amends. "The magic in the air. I have been through the Hoof in the past, but I haven't been so close to where the core used to be. The magic here is so dense and weird." I nod, trying to understand. But not being a unicorn myself, I couldn't grasp anything involving magic. "I heard stories, about so much latent and unused magic in the core, it's possible that it changed the very nature of the air. It's almost as if the air itself is alive with magic." She tries to explain. And I began to grasp her meaning. "It's like with us earth ponies. Over the last seven years, we have felt the land change. When Gardens of Equestria was used, and the land was healed it really threw off our senses. We had gotten used to the land feeling dead and dry, but now so much new life is beginning to thrive. It's like getting used to a missing limb, having lived most of your life with the wound, then you wake up one morning and all of a sudden your leg is back."

Cherry nods, agreeing with my analogy. "We felt a similar thing. Like the very fabric of Equestria was suddenly replaced with an older copy of itself. Maybe that's what Gardens was. Not a healing spell, but a stored memory of Equestria." I shrugged, unsure about how that would be possible. Still with all of the weirdness existing in the wastes, I couldn't discount the idea. Still our conversation had allowed Cherry to calm down a little. I smiled a little, showing her that there was no need to be nervous. After all, we were just delivering a message, collecting some money, and then we were gone.

As we reached the edge of the tents, right where the guard told us to go. I saw that this wasn't just some quick camp. There were scores of ponies, and many of the tents having small sheds constructed nearby. This wasn't a camp, it was a shanty town. The three of us shared a look, not believing that ponies we choosing to be here. As we looked around the town, I realized that our escort wasn't here yet. I looked around, seeing if some pony was coming our way. After about a minute, I gave that up. Shady and Cherry noticed too, and rather than worry about it, Shady sighed and promptly sat down. Cherry did the same another minute later, and only I was left standing.

I scowled a little, bothered by the fact that this was supposed to be a military compound and yet it felt like a ghetto to me. My thoughts were immediately verified as a couple of ponies, One a maroon unicorn, the other a chunky orange earth pony walked by us in mid conversation.

Maroon: "Hey, you ever wonder why we are here?"

Orange: "That's one of life's great mysteries. I mean why are we here? Are we the result of some cosmic coincidence, or are there really Goddesses ya know? I don't know, but it keeps me up at night.

Maroon: "What? I meant why are we out here, at the dam? What was all that stuff about Goddesses?"

Orange: "Hmm nothing."

Maroon: "You wanna talk about it?"

Orange: "No."

Maroon: "Seriously though, why are we here? The only reason we have an NCR base over here is because the Jacks have a base over there. And the only reason the Jacks have a base over there, is because we have a base over here."

Orange: "yeah that’s cause we are fighting each other.

That was all of their conversation I heard before they walked by. But it appeared to me that neither of them really knew why they were here. Either that or they were both idiots. Regardless, this sight really wasn't brewing confidence in the NCR at all. Before any of us could begin to speculate on what was going on here, a voice called out to us. It appeared our escort had arrived. He looked haggard, like he had been awake for at least three days. He seemed twitchy and his energy didn't match his appearance. "Hey there, sorry I'm running late." He called out. I had a feeling he was on some chem or another just to keep going. Shady and I shared another look. "Umm it's fine really." Cherry says but I can tell by the sound of her voice that she thought the same.

Our Escort chuckled with a jittery demeanor, his eyes darting around randomly. His entire behavior really set me on edge. If he was using Chems to keep awake I was worried that the rest of the NCR here was doing the same, and that spoke volumes about how things were going around here. "C'mon follow me, the General is eager to meet you lot." He quickly spoke. All three of us shared a quick look, before nodding and following him as he lead us through the tents.

I saw many dirty and tired ponies milling around. Many with the same twitchiness our guide possessed. I saw ponies with dirty coats, and unwashed manes, many of whom watched us pass with trepidation and weariness. Most of their looks were directed at me, I suppose colorfully painted power armor was not something they saw on a regular basis. I smiled at them, hoping they interpreted it as kindness instead of some crazy pony who looked like a walking fortress of possible death.

"So what brings you lot here?" Asked the stallion. Shady chose to answer for us, simply stating that we had a message to deliver. "That's odd. With all of the working terminals in the wasteland, and most of the information nodes intact, why couldn't the message have been sent that way? I suppose it's that important. But then again you lot were entrusted with it. I mean you're not NCR so this must be a unique situation." I listened to him, most of the things he said made way too much sense. And his words also filled me with concern. This situation was certainly different. I mean we are civilians trusted with a message that Gawd couldn't send via terminals. I was starting to feel that something was seriously off.

Cherry made to say as much, but Shady placed her hoof over her lips and shook her head. The meaning behind the action told me that we should keep any ideas between just the three of us. I couldn't help but agree. Cherry got the idea, and we continued following the stallion, who hadn't even noticed that we had stopped for a second. We carried on in silence for few minutes as we left the tents, and came upon a stone staircase leading up. Cherry gulped, and I swore. As good as power armor was, it wasn't exactly maneuverable. Cherry looked straight ahead, not noticing that she was looking at Shady's flank. I had to look down, making sure each hoof was set on a stair properly. All it would take was a misstep and I would plummet to the ground in a steel trap.

Shady and the stallion waited for us at the top, being more than patient with the cumbersome armor. I didn't complain though, I had a really nice view of Cherry's flank as she struggled to even climb the stairs do to her fear of heights. Once we did make it, Cherry was the first through the rusted steel door. Once inside, she put her head in a corner and threw up. Shady scrunched up her nose in disgust, and I sighed and held her mane with my mouth so she didn't puke on it. The stallion (seriously I need to start learning names.) watched on patiently. Well as patiently as he could while strung out on Dash or something. Once Cherry finished retching, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hoof before taking a sip of water and spitting it out as well.

"Are you ok?" I asked. She nodded, some of the color coming back to her face. "Yup, couldn't be better." She lied either for my benefit or her own I wasn't sure. "if we have to go any higher, can we take an elevator or something so we don't have to witness that again?" Shady asked and I shot her a dirty look. " Sorry, only one elevator works, and it is still several levels up." The stallion pointed up. We followed his gesture, and the sight sent Cherry into another spell of retching and gagging. The interior of the dam was a series of scaffolds and catwalks over large generators and chasms leading to the troughs that took in water which spun the turbines. As impressed as I was given the size of the structure. I was also put out.

Shady figured it out at the same time as I had. " I'll stay here with Cherry." I said, Shady nodded. "I'll tell you what happened when we come back." Shady promised, before she and the stallion turned and left us sitting in the corner of the room. Well I mean Cherry sat, I stood in place inside of my armor. "Why did you choose to stay here with me instead of going to finish the job with your friend?" She asked about ten minutes later. I smiled, before explaining to her. " I couldn't keep up with my armor. It was more efficient for Shady to continue on, because she would get there and back in the time it took me to climb up." I explained.

Cherry nodded, before slumping against the wall. She looked better, but she still shook. "Can I ask you a question now?" I ask, and she nods. "Why are you so afraid of heights?" This time she gulps before taking a deep breath. I watch as she levitates out her cigarettes and lights one for herself, before using her magic to put one in my mouth, and light it for me as well. "Let's see, where should I start?" She pauses and takes a long drag on her tobacco. "Well, you know about the old Pegasus Enclave?" I nodded, having seen them up close and personal as they turned one of the fillies of Arbu into a pile of ashes in friendship city. I kept that to myself though. "My mom was a pegasus, she ran a shipping company in thunderhead. Dad though, he was a unicorn who worked for the Enclave." I gave her a questioning look, not sure I understood how a unicorn could live above the cloud layer. I had heard that non pegasai would just fall through the clouds.

To answer my unasked question, she simply stated, "Unicorns knew a spell that would allow them to walk on the clouds like a pegasus." I nodded and she continued. "Anyway, mom and dad met, dated, and eventually I was born." Again I nodded, listening to her speak, and amazed that she had lived with the pegasai above the clouds. "well, I went to school with the other fillies and colts, but every day Dad had to cast the spell on me so I could walk around. But once, after working a double shift his spell didn't last as long as it should have. Once school was over, I was on the way to moms office. I often went there and did homework while she finished up her day. But before I got there the spell failed, and I went through the clouds."

I gulped, knowing where she was going with this story. "I fell through layers of buildings made entirely of cloud, before falling through the bottom and getting my first look at the wasteland below. I saw small towns, and ponies trying to grow food in the polluted earth. At first I wasn't afraid, but as I fell, I realized I was going to splatter on the ground, and mom and dad would have no idea what happened to me. I screamed then. And good thing I had. A wing of pegasai caught me, they were part of the volunteer corps and were going to help the ponies down below. The mare who caught me, I will never forget her. She was gray with a purple mane and tail. And her cutie mark was of a rising sun over a bank of clouds. I will always remember that mare, Miss Morning Glory." I smiled, having my own experience with a similar looking mare, but her cutie mark was an outline of a cloud and lightning bolt. Maybe those two pegasai were related?

"So you almost fell to your death from the cloud layer? But this Morning Glory caught you. Did she take you back home?" I asked as we finished our cigarettes. Cherry shook her head and tossed the butt of her smoke onto the ground. "Nah, she couldn't without risk of being vaporized by Thunderhead. Instead she took me to the skyport and made the officials there take me home. Trust me, both of my parents were scared, and dad got a massive ass kicking after I told them what had happened." She paused and laughed a little, apparently the memory was a good one I guessed. "What about you?" She asks. "Where are you from?" I take a mental step back, I was about to tell her everything, but right now only Shady and a few others knew. I didn't want to lie to her, but I also didn't think she wanted the whole truth yet.

I chose my words carefully, and decided to tell her half of the truth. "When I was little, my parents died. I left home, and then I moved around a lot, going place to place but not staying more than a few months. Life was hard for a while, back then ponies didn't give a crap about orphans. So I used my size to steal food and water where I could. I then started getting bigger and it got harder. So I started sneaking into work lines, going with full grown ponies into mines to dig up coal and new gems. It was hard work, and I couldn't stay long before the mine owners would notice a young colt working in the mines. I got punished quite a bit, even had one buck try stomping me to death. But before he could, I was saved." Cherry listened on, not caring that I had glossed over my early life.

"The stallion beating me to a pulp was pulled from me, and promptly stomped to death. I thought it was some pony who wanted the kill themselves, but I was wrong. Do you wanna take a guess who it was?" I ask with a mischievous grin. "Umm the Light bringer?" She questioned and I bristled a little. But I didn't show my true feelings on the matter. Instead I continued. "It was Shady." At my words her eyes widen, " No way!" She exclaimed and I nodded. "Yup. She saved my life. When I asked her why, she just spat on the corpse, and said something about doing something right for a change. Shady had picked me up, and took me to her place at the time. I was in really bad shape, had several broken ribs and a broken leg."

Cherry winces sympathetically, and I smile "Yeah, anyway She helped nurse me back to health, but told me I would have to repay her. Once I was mostly recovered she brought me to her business. She had a little shop where ponies brought her stuff to repair. Initially she just wanted me to keep the place clean and organized. But when she got over worked, she had me help her as well. She taught me how to fix things. I was just going to stay until our debt was settled, but after a while I grew to like the job. It felt good fixing things that the wasteland had broken. It was like I was somehow, one piece of junk after another, I was making the wasteland better." At my words, I see a small smile spread on Cherry's lips. I could tell she understood what I was talking about.

"Ya know, I'm starting to really like the idea of traveling with you. Even though Shady doesn’t like the idea." Cherry says with a small sigh at the mention of my friend. "Don't take it personally. Shady is just like that. It'll take a while for her to open up to you. You just have to excuse her... quirks." I say after pausing to think of the right word to explain her eccentricities. (Why couldn't I think of that word at the moment? Way to sound stupid eh?) Cherry sighs again. "I hope so. I really wanna get to know both of you better." I nod and give her a reassuring smile. "You already are. You know how I met Shady, and why she saved me. See you're learning." I offer much to her pleasure.

"Now can we talk about the elephant in the room?" I ask after another pause. "What's an elephant?" Cherry asks with a confused look on her face. "No clue. It's just a saying I picked up when I was younger." I offer, and she nods in acceptance. "oh okay. And sure say what's on your mind." I smile nervously, but this was a question I had wanted to ask since last night. "Umm, what we did. Last night ya know. What was that about? I mean I'm not exactly the most handsome buck out there." I ask, and before you start, keep in mind this is all new territory for me, so there are bound to be awkward questions.

"Cherry blushes brightly, and turns while mumbling something. "Sorry, didn't catch that." Again she speaks, this time hearing her words. "I'm... in estrus, ya know. In heat?" Now I blush and blubber a little. I mean what was I supposed to say to her hormones picking me. "Don't look like that. I mean I chose you, not my hormones." I nod, still a little put off by the fact. But I did know what heat meant. There was that one time when Shady *Insert random pen scribbles and lines here.*

((Ok sorry about that, but Shady just read over my shoulder what I was writing, and sabotaged it by smacking the back of my head. Needless to say I won't be sharing those details upon pain of castration. Seriously if any pony reads this I need rescuing from the abuse. *Insert sad face here*))

So yeah, I was a little put off by the revelation that she was in heat. But that did help explain my attraction to her, and Shady's cold shoulder. "Umm ok. One more question." I offer, and she nods, still blushing a little. "Was I good?" ((Ok yeah I know. Very stupid and insensitive question. But once more I'm new to all of this. Leave me alone ok. Besides all of you perverts like this kind of thing.)) Cherry blushes bright red once more, before coughing into her hoof a little, and blubbering a little. But then she stopped and looked at me, and idea coming to her mind, and the return of her mischievous smirk. "Oh shit." I gulp as she stands and leans close to me before whispering in my ear. "Hmm. I don't remember. Perhaps we should try it again." That wasn't a question. I flushed, and felt a certain area shift. ((Note to self. Getting teased like that while in a suit of power armor makes things very uncomfortable, and not just in the social area if you catch my drift.))

I stammered and flushed a red so deep it matched Cherry's coat. But her words did have an effect on me, and I was suddenly all too eager. "Um yeah, definitely. But uh, here is not a good place." I offer, the last dregs of my intelligence barely clinging on. At my words, Cherry turns and looks around, noticing two construction ponies who had just walked upon our little scene. "Bro, that armor have a vibrate function too?" Asks one of the ponies, his coat was a yellow so deep it was almost brown. To my amazement though, despite her embarrassment she charged at the pair. Her horn alighting and shooting a small spout of fire, all the while yelling obscenities at the fleeing pair. I laughed as I watched the scene. Seeing two strong construction bucks running from a petite mare was entirely comical, and just a little surreal. Looking back on it, I wonder if the ponies of the past got into shenanigans like that.

"Dude, get your crazy mare off us!" Shouts the other stallion as Cherry's flames lick at his tail. I could barely speak from the laughter coming from my mouth, but eventually I did get control over myself enough to call out to her. "Cherry, that's enough." I snorted through grit teeth. I still had a hard time stopping my laughter. At my words, despite not having shouted them, she heard me, and let the two run off with their tails singed. Once Cherry had returned, I had to stifle more giggles at the look on her face. Despite looking pissed, she still held a blush that would make a ruby jealous. Once she had calmed down, still blushing, she completely agreed that this was not the right place or time.

We let a few minutes pass in order to properly recompose ourselves. Cherry couldn't help but begin laughing with me for the first few minutes. Even so, once we had calmed down enough, Cherry pulled out her cigarettes again, and a moment later she and I were smoking once more. For a little while longer, we stood in silence, save the sounds of the turbines, and our smoking. It wasn't until a shout drew our attention upward. Shady was on one of the catwalks, and looking down to us. I could already tell things weren’t great just by looking at her. "Son of a bitch!" She yelled. I let the cigarette drop from my lips, and looked at Cherry. "Get ready, this is gonna be rough." I tell her, and she nods. A minute later, Shady came down the last set of stairs and trotted up to us. "Follow me." She ordered. I was a little put off by her anger, and also the noticeable lack of the stallion who led us here.

Cherry and I shared a quick look, but then followed Shady as she led us a little deeper into the facility. We said nothing as we passed by several groups of working ponies, who like the ones outside, looked strung out on chems, and gave me odd looks. I was really hoping it was just my armor, but their looks were beginning to freak me out. We continued on like this for a few more minutes, and it seemed like Shady was looking for something, though I couldn't tell what until she did find it. "Here we go." She said in a low whisper as she pushed her way through a metal door. Cherry and I followed right behind her, and she shut and locked it behind us. We were in a small room, a small bunk bed was nestled in the corner, and there was a small shower and a sink. On the other side of the room was an old hoof locker, and several empty plastic crates.

"Umm what?" I asked as we spread out through the room. Cherry poking a hoof at the bottom mattress. "The General lent us this room for the night. Told me it's where most of their guests stay when they are around." Shady spoke, all the while setting her bags down, and beginning to strip the rest from my armor. Cherry just watched on, remaining silent. I however was very confused. "We just came to deliver a message and get paid, what the hell is going on?" I ask as the last bag was pulled from my back. "I'll tell ya in a few minutes. But first thing's first. We all need a shower, and a meal. No offense, but the two of you smell like a sex shop. Now get outta that armor." Shady orders, and I willingly comply. After standing for hours, I really just wanted to give my hooves a rest. Her other comment however sent Cherry blushing once more. "Oh yeah, and you smell like a dozen roses don't ya." I quip, alluding to the fact that she had slept with half of the bucks while on the Sea Horse.

"Seriously, shut up and get scrubbing." Shady commands, before stuffing a bar of soap into my mouth. I scrunch up my muzzle in disgust, and Cherry lets out an audible "ew." As she turns away. "And don't take too long, we have business to discuss." Shady fires off as I strip off my gauntlets and toss them onto the bed, and make my way to the shower. ((Now I know what you're thinking. That there should be some privacy when a pony is in the shower, but once again it shall be said, PONIES DON"T WEAR CLOTHES. Well not usually. We don't have the same embarrassment that other races have regarding their bodies. Still, there was a plastic curtain that afforded enough privacy for washing other... delicate areas.)) I turned on the water, hoping against hope I would get a hot shower. But no, that didn't happen. "C..Cold." I complain as the water hits my back. "Oh quit bein' a drama queen." Shady snapped as I shivered and grumbled.

"Hey, you don't know what happens to a buck around cold water. Get it cold enough, and I could become a Mare." I chirp, drawing a laugh from Cherry, and a disgusted look from Shady. "We don't need a lecture on stallion anatomy, just hurry the fuck up." She snapped, and I obliged, not because she was in a hurry, but because the water was really fucking cold. I'll spare you the details of my showering habits, and skip to the point where I was shaking myself off, and splashing the two mares nearby. "Oh come on, what the fuck?" Shady shouted, and Cherry laughed as she tried to protect herself behind the larger mare. I smiled like an idiot as I dripped onto the concrete floor, my mane hanging across my muzzle. With a shake of my head, and another round of splattering Shady with the cold water, my mane gave a small poof, and then fell into its usual style.

Shady hit the shower next, and to her credit, she didn't complain about the cold, but we both heard her teeth chattering. I hid a smile as she finished, and playfully shoved Cherry toward the dripping mare. Shady side stepped, and Cherry fell into the shower with a quick "Eep!" Shady then nickered, and flipped on the water, instantly soaking Cherry with the cold water. "Ohh fuck!" She shouted in shock as the cold water hit. And despite her dislike for Cherry, Shady managed a smile and I think even a small chuckle. Her victory was short lived however as the chattering Cherry, let out a small gasp and then a deep sigh. We both turned to look as steam built up and seeped from around the plastic curtain. "Are you shitting me?" I grumbled as the hot water fell on the mare.

A few minutes later, with a blushing Cherry between us, Shady and I squeezed into the shower next to her in order to feel the hot water. We stood, with our heads hung low as the hot water coated our bodies. ((No it's not going to be a shower orgy, seriously you perverts need a damn hobby besides being interested in who I fuck.)) Cherry was squished between us, but she didn't utter a single complaint. Hot water was rare enough in the wasteland, and we would not waste it. I felt muscles relax that I hadn't even known were tense, and I was sure Shady felt the same way. "Not a fuckin word of this ends up in your damned journal Moonshine." Shady threatens. And I promised I wouldn't. ((Sorry Shady, I lied.)) after what felt like an hour, we finally had enough, and all three of us step from the shower, relaxed and clean for the first time in... what was it now, a week since I had bathed for the party?

All three of us dripped onto the concrete floor. And despite the hot water we had, we all shivered a little from the cooler air in the room. "So much for being in a hurry eh?" I tease a little, after shaking myself dry again. Shady didn't appreciate my humor, and cuffed me on the side of the head. But I could tell her attitude had improved after the shower. "I never said we were in a hurry. I was just pissed. Actually I still am a bit." She admitted. "So what is going on, why are we still here? I doubt it was just for a hot shower." Cherry piped up, and I nodded in agreement. Shady sighed, and sat upon the bottom bed. "We have another job offer." Shady dead panned. I raise an eyebrow but wait for her to continue.

"We already got paid, but the General gave me a few hours to think about his offer. I felt that I needed to talk to the both of you about it first though. I figured Moonshine would go along with whatever choice I made, but Cherry, I don't know what your stance is on getting involved in our bullshit." I listened to her, and she was right, I would go with her. Cherry though, surprised both of us by replying immediately. "fuck yeah, do what you gotta, I'll help where I can." Shady and I shared a look. We both knew that so far, the jobs we took had some element of danger involved, and neither of us knew if Cherry was ready for it. ((Can I pause here again for a second and say that at this point I was really starting to question bringing Cherry along now.)) "You don't have any idea what the job is, how can you just sign up like that." Shady asked.

Cherry just shook her head and pointed at the two of us with a hoof. "You both take jobs like this all the time. And I am not gonna be the useless third wheel when I can help out." Once more Shady and I share a look. This time though I saw the glimmer of my friend being impressed with Cherry. "Alrighty then, here's the scoop. The General wants us to meet with the leader of the Jacks, and try to discuss a way for both groups to benefit from this odd arrangement." I nod, listening as Shady spoke. "Only one issue here. The Jacks are a group of ex-slavers who banded together because no town in the Hoofington region would accept them." Again I nod, not surprised at that last bit of info. "Here is why I'm pissed. They want us to go in unarmed." Now I was surprised.

"They what!" Cherry exclaimed before I got a chance to. Shady nodded stiffly, and I could now grasp why she was angry. But I had a slightly different mentality. "Well we have a few weapons they don't know about." I say. And Shady and Cherry look at me like I had lost my mind. "Ok genius name two." Shady challenges and I smile in response. "My gauntlets look only like wasteland armor. Cherry can use fire with her horn. And I have the NCR revolver in my bag. It's small enough to be concealed in a tail or under some armor." I offer, and both Cherry and Shady blink at me in unison before looking at each other. "That actually makes sense." Cherry offered and Shady rolled her eyes. "Yeah until they pat us down and discover the gun."

I put my hoof under my chin as I think about a way around that. I mean this is a world of magic, there were always loopholes. As I think, Cherry sighs and levitates out her pack of cigarettes and lights one. Wait that's it! "Cherry how good is your levitation?" I ask, and she gives me a confused look. And Shady touches upon the same idea. "Holy shit you are a genius!" Shady proclaims, and Cherry just looks between the two of us in confusion. "Umm why do you ask?" Shady and I share a quick grin before discussing my idea.

"You are a genius!" Cherry exclaimed as she hugged me after I finished explaining my plan. Shady just rolled her eyes and coughed, making us separate quickly. "Yeah well, it’s a good plan, but it has to be perfect, there is very little room for error." Cherry waves a hoof and scoffs. "Yeah yeah I get it, just leave the unicorn stuff to the unicorn." Cherry quipped and I smirked a bit. This was actually making us feel a little better about the job. But still, we were walking into a den of ex-slavers, who's to say every one of them kicked the habit. "Did the General mention how much he would pay us for this gig?" I ask, and Shady nods. "He said he'd double our pay for delivering the message." I blink. Sixteen hundred caps would be extremely helpful in whatever path we chose next and made the job that much more enticing.

Cherry though had a different thought. "This sounds too good to be true. I mean it sounds like he is giving you what you want, and all he expects in return is a meeting with some other ponies. I mean, it sounds too good to be true." Cherry offered, and it put a little bit of a downer on my mood. "Nah, don't worry about it, I got somethin neither side knows about." Shady offered confidently. But I knew that tone, and I knew she wouldn't tell us until she was ready. Cherry didn't know that though, and asked anyway. And as expected all she got for her efforts was a quick "You'll see." From Shady.

I roll my eyes as Shady pulls the last of our apples from her pack, and tosses one to Cherry and I. I was so hungry I didn’t hesitate before biting into my apple. And I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered it wasn't made of wax. I was even more surprised when I discovered Shady's was. I fell onto the bed, laughing as Shady gagged and choked. Her eyes watered as she spat out the wax, and scraped her tongue with her hoof. Cherry watched on in confusion as Shady took a drink of water to wash her mouth out. " Yeah it's not so funny when it happens to you is it?" I chide, much to her chagrin. "Seriously, that was fuckin' disgusting. I can't believe I made you go through that twice." Shady grumbled as she tossed the offending wax into the corner.

I chuckled as Cherry looked on in confusion, not understanding the joke. "Don't worry, I'll tell you about it later." Cherry nodded and finished off her apple, and I quickly followed suit. Leaving Shady grumbling about her joke backfiring. But after a minute, she stood up, and shook her emerald mane. "I'm gonna go tell the General that we'll take the job. You two try and get some sleep." She commands, and we nod as she leaves the room. To Cherry's credit, I could tell she wanted to have a little fun, but the day had finally caught up with her, and she just gave a big yawn instead. "I'm done with today." She said, and flopped onto the bed. I didn't really blame her, hell I wanted to join her. But despite how tired my body was, my mind refused to quiet down. "Get some sleep, I'll hold down the fort." I offer, and after a soft nod, and another yawn, she quickly fell asleep.

I watched her for a time, just happy to have someone around me who actually liked me. And that called into question whether or not Shady did as well. Still, I felt that she did, or she wouldn't put up with half of my shenanigans. Still, I wanted to know for certain eventually. But right now, all was quiet, and I had little to do. Despite wanting to rest, I had too much on my mind to be able to do so. So instead I retrieved my journal, and began to write. I Covered how Shady and I spared, and how she had built the Power hooves. I really do enjoy them, and as promised, I will make notes on how to upgrade them later. But for now, I was just content to write up until the moments I shared with Cherry the night before. I had written something close to smut involving the dream I had, but this was a little more involved. After I went through the memory, I re-read it. It wasn't bad, but upon proper hindsight, it probably wasn't the greatest first impression of a pony. Still, I feel that I made the right choice in inviting her.

I continued like this for the better part of an hour. Reliving all of the details thus far, and copying them into my journal. I got so far as to the part where Cherry had her puke frenzy after climbing the stairs, and where I had decided to keep my true origin a secret from her. She told me her home town, but I hadn't done the same. Perhaps it was fear of her reaction, or a habit formed by keeping it secret for so long. It made me stop and think. I had just done to Cherry, what Shady had been doing to me, keeping information to myself. I mentally kicked myself for being an idiot, and swore I would talk to Cherry about it, and apologize for not telling her. But it did also put into perspective Shady's behavior, and why she hadn't told me anything about her past before.

A few minutes went by, and I was pulled from my thoughts by the door opening, and Shady walking into the room. "What..." She tried to say, before I shushed her, and motioned to Cherry who was sleeping soundly. Shady nods, and I gesture outside before standing up and quietly leaving the room with Shady behind me. Once outside, and the door closed gently, Shady asks the question I had interrupted. "What are you still doing awake?" She asked. I shrug and reply that I was writing in my journal. She nodded and sighed. "Ya know that journal must be helpful. It helps you remember things, and even put things into a different perspective. Even though you do have a habit of writing some embarrassing shit about me." She growls. I chuckled, having literally done just that a little while ago.

"Yeah, it really does put things in a different light. And because of that I owe you an apology." I say in a hushed whisper. Shady balked a little, turning my way again with a raised eyebrow. "I said somethings last night that I regret. I had no right to pressure you into telling me your past Shady. I know you'd tell me if it was important, but even still, I'm not an idiot. You have knowledge about power armor, and even power hooves. You also know how to repair almost anything." Shady's ears fall back a bit. This was hitting pretty close to home for her, and I could tell it was bothering her. "You don't have to tell me right now, but I'm pretty sure I know at least a little about your past. Anyway I got off track. I'm sorry I treated you like shit." Shady, while obviously bothered by my theory, nodded and accepted my apology with a quick hug.

I hugged her back. She was the only pony who knew my secret, and didn't judge me for it. I could do the same for her when she decided to tell me. The hug only lasted a couple of seconds, but it was very welcome. "Tell ya what. I know I owe you some answers, but can you wait until after we leave here? I don't feel comfortable talking about it where there are so many ears." I nod, completely accepting her terms. I had waited this long. What was a couple more hours. We both shared a quick smile, happy to be back on better terms as we went back into the room. Cherry was still asleep, her left forehoof draped over her muzzle. "No...I don't think rad hogs floss." She mumbles and turns over. Whatever she was dreaming about, I'm sure I didn't want to know. Shady and I share another look, before she climbed up onto the top bunk, and I laid out my bag, and flopped onto the floor. As tired as I was, even the cold concrete was comfortable at this point.

Despite being exhausted, I still had a hard time falling asleep. I'm not sure why, but I just could not get my mind to switch off. So in my mind I imagined myself in a small black box, the walls blocking any rogue thoughts. It helped enough I guess, cause in no time I had fallen asleep, at least I think I did. Still, a few hours later I was gently brought back into consciousness by warmth against my back. I tried to move a little, but felt a weight press on my side. Instead I cracked open an eye, and turned my head around. There, Cherry was pressed against me, and had her hooves wrapped around my body. Despite the warmth of her body, a little fear gripped my heart. If she could move next to me, and not wake me up, she could have just as easily slit my throat and left. I shook my head, and mentally chased that thought away with a rubber hose.

Seeing her sleeping so soundly, and the fact that she was holding me made me a little happy. I laid there and thought about it, but I didn't get much time before she buried her head against my neck. I thought it was kind of nice at first, but then she squeezed me tightly. All of the air in my lungs was forced out instantly, and I couldn't get a breath back. My eyes bulged and I started flailing my hooves in an attempt to break free. Even still she held on. Later I would think back on this, and wonder just how deep could she sleep. Still, with all of my flailing, Shady was woken by the commotion. And upon seeing my predicament, instead of helping, she began laughing. With everything going on, and not being able to breath, I accidently slammed my foreleg into her muzzle. It didn't break, but it did bleed, and it woke her up.

Upon seeing that I was a much darker shade of blue than normal, and quickly figuring out why, she gasped and swiftly released me. Air flooded into my lungs, and I flopped over, coughing and spluttering while Cherry backed away and rubbed her bloody muzzle with a hoof. And all the while, Shady leaned on the wall for support as she snorted with laughter. I gasped for air, as my heart thundered in my chest. "What...The...Fuck." I gasped. Cherry flushed again, and looked at the wall to avoid eye contact. "You...looked so cold laying there." Shady stifled her laughter by biting down on her foreleg, probably wanting to hear Cherry's explanation.

"I woke up in the middle of the night, and saw you shivering. So I laid down beside you, and I guess I fell asleep. I kinda forgot I have a bad habit of squeezing." She admitted bashfully. I ran a hoof across my now sore ribs, and managed to get some control over my breathing. "Still. Squeezing is one thing. Do I have to wear armor next time?" I ask much to the delight of Shady. Cherry's blush reignited, and I sighed. I still felt like I was almost crushed by a building, but I couldn't be mad at her. She had after all only tried to help.

"Sorry about your nose." I apologize after we had all gotten control of ourselves. "Sorry I almost popped you like a balloon." Cherry added. I stood up, and groaned as I felt a few ribs pop back into place. Cherry winced at the sound. And Shady looked grossed out. "Things aren't supposed to pop like that." She complained, and it gave me a great idea. "Oh really?" I ask as I put a hoof on my chin and quickly push my head sideways. To Shady and Cherry's horror, several loud cracks emanated from my neck, and I sighed in relief. It felt great popping your joints when you sleep on floors. Shady popped her hooves over her ears and Cherry looked like she was going to be sick as I turned my head in the opposite direction and did the same thing.

Despite the somewhat rude and scary morning, the three of us had made our way through the labyrinth inside of the dam, looking for a place to get some food. We had polished off the last of our reserves, and had to make like perfectly social ponies and sit with the others. Once we found the place, several ponies were already sitting at tables and were busy either discussing they day ahead, or burying their faces in their meals. We found a line, and quickly made our way to the front, where an older unicorn mare was scooping some oatmeal into bowls. Honestly I had never had oatmeal. I heard it was good though. Shady paid the mare for three bowls and three sparkle colas. (Yup soda for breakfast. Suck it foals. Wait don’t' that sounds really bad.)) The three of us found a table, and quickly sat down. Cherry, given her horn, levitated a spoon and dug in to her meal gently. Shady and I didn't have that luxury. So we placed our hooves on the table and pressed our muzzles into the bowls.

Suffice to say, I hate oatmeal. It's bland and slimy. And has a texture akin to worms. I didn't complain though, and ate the meal quickly. The only saving grace was the sparkle cola. Without it I would really hate breakfast. We kept ourselves quiet, not discussing our newest job, because we all knew what roles we would play and didn't need to discuss it further. Still our breakfast, while quick was just what we needed. And soon we were walking on our way out. Shady actually had to carry Cherry back down the stairs, who had frozen up and refused to move down. Once on solid ground again. And before the sun was actually up, Cherry levitated out a fresh sparkle cola and kept it there. We trudged our way across the dam. I wore my gauntlets, and Shady had procured an old set of overalls for me to wear. She had on what was left of her leather dress, which she had sewn into the shape of form fitting armor. And Cherry... went naked for some reason. Still we made it to the Check point, just as the sun was coming up. And like Shady had anticipated, the guards gave each of us a quick pat down. Apparently the General had told the guards to expect us.

Besides the knife Shady had tried to sneak inside her armor, we were cleared to set out for the Jacks camp. I look over at Cherry, who had put on a strong show during the checkpoint, but now I could see the toll it took on her. "Just a little longer ok." I coax, hoping the confidence in my voice could help her continue. We walked away from the checkpoint, and upon topping a hill, we looked down, and saw for the first time the camp. Even from up here, I could tell they had a better layout, though fewer numbers. Maybe only a few dozen, and most of their tents were larger than those of the NCR. Even from this height I could tell what tent was the leaders. In the middle, sat a larger tent, that had room clear around it for all of the ponies coming this way and that. I gave Shady a quick look, but there was an expression I couldn't properly read. Was it rage mixed with sadness? Or was she smiling? I honestly couldn't tell.

"Alright Cherry, you can relax now." Shady commanded a moment later, the weird look gone, and in its place a cold resolve. Cherry nodded, and relaxed her magic. The sparkle cola bottle remained beside her, but another object eased itself from the sky. Shady grabbed it with her hooves, and Cherry wobbled a little as the strain on her magic released. In Shady's hoof was my NCR revolver. Cherry had levitated it high in the air, using the rising sun to disguise the random gun floating. And the cola to give an excuse why her horn was glowing. She had told us the night before that she could levitate two items at once, and while it was hard, she was happy it was light. The only downside to this plan was that we had no reserve ammo. Just what was in the cylinder. But if it did go that far south, we could always grab weapons any way possible.

Cherry took a few minutes to recover. We were both relying on her magic a lot today, and it things went to shit, she would be blasting fire left and right. I gave her a reassuring nudge with my hips, and she smiled. "Ready?" I ask as Shady slips the gun into a pocket hidden inside her armor. "Yup." Both of my friends say, and together we head down the hill, and toward the camp of ex-slavers. We got close enough for their snipers to see us clearly, and then Cherry levitated up one of the other items we carried with us. A simple yet large white flag. Shady heard from the General that this was how both groups met to try and discuss new options.

Instead of continuing, we held our ground. That is until a flag bearing their reply was erected. Red meant no meeting, and we were to leave. And blue meant proceed. We all let out a sigh of relief when the blue flag was hoisted, and we continued on our way toward the camp. I gently took the flag from Cherry so she could retain her magic if we needed it. I stumbled along on three legs, using the fourth to hold the standard of peace. As we entered the camp, a group of ponies barricaded us from proceeding further. "Whoa there, state your business" Came the authoritive voice of a lean griffon above us. He was either a hired gun, or part of an old slaver band. "Peace talk with General Serious Lee." Shady responded. I turned my head, and gave her a look before saying. "Seriously?" Shady shook her head and responded "No Serious Lee." I face hoofed and Cherry giggled a little.

"I am glad you find my name so funny." Came a new voice. This one like a small rockslide crossing a set of rusty railroad tracks. (( I know, I have no poetry in my soul.)) I lifted my head to look, and saw a sight I had only heard of. Standing before us, with his head held high, was a Jack. As in a Donkey. Seriously. ((see what I did there.)) He bore several deep scars, and half of his right ear was missing. But the looks we received from him showed that he was putting his skills in sizing up a pony's worth to great use. "Umm sorry, I meant no offense." Cherry offered. I could tell she was nervous, but who wouldn't be in a camp full of ex-slavers.

"None taken." Said the Jack. Now their name made sense considering their leader was a literal Jack. "What offer does the NCR come bearing now." He said with very little patience, as if this was routine for them. Shady stood up to her full height, matching that of the Donkey. "The NCR sends another attempt at peace." The Jack just chuckled, followed by a few of those closer to him mimicking the action. But before he could reply, Shady stepped closer and pressed her face near to his. "But I am not NCR, and therefore I do not." Shady snarled. Cherry and I both snap our heads in her direction. I could not have just heard what I thought I had. But to my chagrin, Shady had already withdrawn my revolver, and had it pointing right in the face of the Jack. And to his credit he didn't flinch while his supporters dove down, or reached for a weapon.

"Hold." He commanded. He didn't have to shout at all, and his people listened. He then pressed his forehead against the barrel of the gun, looking her in the eye all the while. "You can kill me now if you want. But you and your friends won't make it a hundred yards. I suggest you think your next action over very carefully." His voice was calm, as if this was not remarkably close to threatening him. I looked Shady in the eye. Fear evident on my own, but barely concealed rage and pain in hers. And with all I knew of Shady, I knew she wouldn't stop here. She gave me a quick look, one that spoke volumes of her internal pain, but also one of apology.

I will never know what happened, but from what I heard, one of the ponies on the Jacks side dropped a rifle, and that started the entire shit storm that followed. Shady, the raw bundle of nerves that she was, pulled the trigger and instantly blew a hole the size of my hoof through the Jacks head. Before his body even hit the ground, Shady charged in instead of away, and every pony froze at the unexpected attack. I watched on in amazement as she crashed through the first line of ponies the same way she had in Respite. Time sped up again for me the second a rogue bullet pinged off of my left gauntlet. I looked up to see a small unicorn trying to rebalance a rifle she had fired. But the crack in her horn made her magic very difficult to control. I stepped in close, and brought my flag hard across her scalp. Her already cracked horn shattered and snapped, and she dropped to the ground at the same time as the rifle she had been using.

Without pausing to consider my actions, I scooped up the rifle, and racked the lever with a hoof before firing into the crowd. Shady had just started a war, and if I was going to figure out why, we all had to get out of here alive. I saw one pony drop from a shot to the head. Another fell holding his guts into his body, and a third lost a rear leg from my shots. I would have continued, but Cherry grabbed me in her magic, and pulled me behind a row of tents. As I was pulled back, I took a last shot at a stallion who was lining up a shot at Shady's back. He dropped, and Shady saw it and bolted in the opposite direction, a swarm of angry slavers on her flank. Cherry and I were in just as tight of a spot. I had killed two more ponies, possibly three if the one holding his guts in didn't make it. Cherry continued to drag me along in her magic, and I used the rifle to keep our pursuers off of us.

Once I ran out of ammo, I hurled the gun into the mass behind us. One of the lead ponies got their legs tangled up, and fell, taking the entire group behind her down too. Cherry, who right now was in full panic mode pulled me up beside her, and dropped me onto the dirt. I started running right beside her. All together, I could estimate that we had just dropped somewhere between half a dozen or more. And the fight was only half a minute long. Once I began to run on my own, Cherry canceled her magic, and switched spells. I watched and marveled as fireballs flew from her horn, each one striking a different tent. In less than a minute, the camp was full chaos. I heard the bark of my revolver two more times, meaning Shady only had two more shots before she was empty.

Cherry read my thoughts as well, and we both turned to run for her. We kept getting several glimpses of Shady between the tents, and from what I saw, she already had several wounds, and her armor was already tattered. She saw us as well, fear more than evident in her eyes, but she knew we had to meet up if we were going to stand a chance. She rounded a corner in front of us, running our way. She had five ponies on her flank, only one with a gun. Cherry went left, and I stayed right, as Shady ran between us. Two more shots from her took out our pursuers, and Cherry lashed out with fire at the ones Shady was evading. Their eyes widened as two caught fire balls to their chests. The other three, including the one with the shotgun met with me.

I ducked under the gunner, and flipped him over my back, before spinning and slamming my right hoof into the muzzle of one mare, my power hoof activating, and snapping her head back enough that her spine snaps. I knew she was dead before she fell, but I had to keep going as I wrapped my other hoof around the neck of the other pony. Having close lined him, he lifted up and flopped back onto his back, knocked out from hitting his head. I didn't pause long enough to worry about him, instead I scooped up the fallen shotgun, and quickly caught back up with Cherry, who was launching fireballs at any and all tents she could. Two minutes into the fight, and the three of us combined had taken down around half of their group.

I looked to my right, seeing Shady on a parallel row. She was still running, but that couldn't last forever. I looked straight ahead, and noticed we were close to the center of the camp. The large tent was just ahead, but between it and us, three more ponies had cut across us, running for Shady. I let both barrels of the shotgun loose, buckshot in one barrel cutting into the two lead ponies, knocking them down. The other barrel held a slug which bored a hole through the third pony's torso. They didn't even get to scream before they were dead in a pile of their own guts. I tossed the empty gun away, as Cherry levitated up a sub machine gun and tossed it to me. I caught the bit in my mouth, before spinning and letting the entire clip loose in two seconds flat. I heard ponies scream as the bullets tore through the collapsing tents.

Black smoke billowed into the air due to the rapidly spreading flames of burning tents. I tossed the empty machine gun aside, and once more continued on with Cherry. We burst into the center of camp, where more ponies ran to control the spreading chaos. I was at first surprised to see the remaining ponies run past us, thinking we were just fleeing from the ensuing chaos in the front of the camp. Shady appeared right beside us, bloody and torn, but not yet on the verge of death. If she had a HUD like my power armor, I was sure it would only show half of her health depleted. "You fucking idiot!" I shouted over the screams around us. I wasn't sure if Shady heard me right then, but I was determined she would hear it again later.

I turned once more, to see the rest of the ponies pursuing us stop short against the crowd running to help those near the fire. I thought we were home free for the time being. None of those ponies would open fire with their comrades so close. I was proved wrong then, as a shot rang out, and Shady went down. I saw in agonizing slowness as the bullet tore through her left hind leg and dug into the dirt below her. I didn't stop though, Instead I scooped Shady onto my back, and Cherry helped by levitating her as much as possible. We had to get into cover, there was no telling how long we had before the shooting started properly again.

I searched for any option, and spotting it, turned and moved toward the large tent in the middle of the camp. Despite the help from Cherry, my progress as still slowed by Shady's bulk. A few more shots rang out, peppering the area around us. I was sure one bullet grazed my flank. But even still, I continued. Once through the open flap, I moved off to the side in a random direction. Finding a small set of crates which I ducked behind and dropped Shady to the ground. She was still alive, but not good. The bullet had hit a bone, and ricocheted off. But not before shattering her leg. "Gah. Son of a bitch!" She hissed through gritted teeth. I watched her as she moved to stem her own bleeding with shaking hooves.

"Cherry help!" I screamed, but it proved needless as Cherry was already beside me. "Cauterize the wound. We have to stop the bleeding." I shouted into her ear, and she nodded. Battle triage was not in the list of skills I possessed, and I was sure neither Cherry or Shady did either. I grabbed Shady's face between my hooves, making her look into my eyes. " You stupid fuck! What were you thinking!" I scream as I see Cherry's horn ignite from the corner of my eye. Shady made to respond, then screamed as her flesh burned and seared beneath Cherry's spell. The smell of her flesh cooking brought back painful memories of Arbu, and the scent of many ponies cooking to death if they weren't already dead. Right now I was hurt, bleeding as well, and more importantly I was pissed. But I knew I had no choice but to continue fighting until we were free of this shit show. I yelled in rage and punched the crate beside Shady's head. The wood split and broke apart as I looked at my friend.

She was crying, for the first time since I met her I saw the real pony that was Shady Acres. A pony I had every intention of getting to know. I looked back up, and to the mass of ponies I saw milling outside. Apparently they were able to follow the trail of blood leading them straight to us. "Fuck!" I shouted as I realized we were trapped. It would only be a matter of time before they either opened fire on us, of stormed the tent in force. That was when I noticed what was in the crate I had just shattered, and I realized our only chance to make it out was resting right there.

The remainder of the ponies who were chasing us had blocked off the exit. And deeming that they could just wait us out, felt no need to storm in after us. That proved to be their final mistake. It gave me enough time to set up what I needed to, and a moment later I was ready. "Hey you lot out there!" I shouted. The mare standing at the front looked in, unable to see into the dark interior. "What!" She called. "Don't beg for mercy, you fucks won't get it!" She shouted, and those were the words I wasn't hoping to hear, but it did make what I was about to do much easier. "Ya know the pony body is made up of about eighty percent water. Well I am one hundred percent death! HAVE SOME!" I screamed. A second later, a faint whirring sound could be heard within the tent. Every pony outside paused, wondering what was going on before countless 7.62 rounds tore through the tent.

I screamed as I held down the trigger on the minigun I had found. I felt like my bones would be shaken apart, yet I held down the trigger and made a large sweep. At this point I didn't care who I gunned down, all I knew was that they wanted us all dead, and I didn't. I fired until the spinning barrels glowed a bright orange, and I kept going until finally, mercifully, the gun ran out of rounds. I choked on the thick smoke that clung around us, and the power supply on the gun ran dry. The entire front of the tent was mere tatters, and I saw several bodies lying around, their bodies looking just like the tent. I felt a pang of horror at what I had just done, but there was no time to dwell on that. "Moonshine over here!" Cherry shouts. Apparently a few stray bullets from the dying slavers had entered the tent and split open a few crates.

I saw scores of grenades. Many of the regular explosive type, but even more spark and energy ones. "Oh I can do some shit with these I purr. A few minutes later, having moved the rest of the crates into the center, and laying out as many grenades as I could, I kept one and hefted Shady onto my back before making my way to the back of the tent, where we used Shady's knife to slit the fabric, and push our way out. I held the grenade out to Cherry, who despite the terror of the situation, smiled and pulled the pin before quickly levitating it into the center of grenades and dropping it. Together we both turned and hobbled away from the tent, only getting a few meters before the grenade went off, and the ensuing explosion lifted us off of the ground and propelled us through one of the few standing tents.

We landed in a jumble of hooves and legs. Shady groaned and whimpered in pain, and Cherry and I were both battered, and bruised from the concussive force. With some effort, I shove Shady's bulk off of me, and look around at the carnage around us. Every sound was muted, like it was coming from under water, and blood dribbled down my cheek from one of my ears. The entire tent was a ball of flame, and ponies who had run to investigate the gunfire from the minigun were caught up in the explosion, and lay screaming in their own entrails and blood. Once again I felt a pang of regret, but like before I buried it deep down until I could deal with it later. There was another gunshot, and a bullet skipping off of the rocks near us. Looking up, I saw the Griffon guard trying hard to stay aloft.

Like us, he was hurt in the explosion, and a second later I saw why. He had a large piece of metal buried in his side, just below his wing. I watched as he pulled back the bolt on the rifle, and readied another shot. I ducked, but this one hit. I felt the searing pain of the hot lead tearing through my ear. I hissed as more blood coated my face, but I was still breathing, and didn't want him to take another shot so close to my friends. So, I pushed past the pain, and took off. Running around, and trying to draw his attention. It worked, and he fired again. The bullet missed, and buried itself in the dirt. I watched him drop altitude slowly, and then charged toward him once I felt he had gotten low enough.

My random charge threw him off a little, and his hesitation was all I needed to do the dumbest, and untested Idea I had at the time. I leapt up, and came back down with my forehooves pointed ahead of me. I then drew back, and made a double punch right at the ground. Luck was on my side as the timing was spot on. The hydraulic rams activated, and both horse shoes fired down. But with no room to extend, the force was pushed back through my body instead. I was suddenly practicing my flying skills as momentum carried me in a forward arc and I soared toward him. Time slowed down with adrenaline, and I saw his eyes widen, followed by a flap of his wings which he hoped would lift him above me. But with his injury, that wasn't happening.

We collided in the air. My chest slamming into his face. I felt two ribs crack from the impact, and his beak bend at an awkward angle. The impact also served another purpose, as he swiftly fell unconscious. We separated, just as quickly as we collided. I couldn't even groan out in pain before gravity took over, and I fell to the ground. I rolled an ankle upon landing, and flopped to the dirt in pain and exhaustion. I felt like I had gone a few rounds with my power armor right then, and still I had to force myself to my hooves. Pain could wait while I had friends in danger.

I found Shady and Cherry right where I left them. Both of them were looking at me with concern, a feeling I waved off, before gently helping Shady to her three functional hooves and hobbling away from the carnage. Cherry kept a weary out for any more pursuers, but after what we had just done, most of them had probably scattered or were too injured to move. We were left unmolested as we exited the camp together, and made our way back to the dam. It had only been a maximum if ten minutes since the whole thing started, and the entire camp was in flames and death. I shuddered at the sight, as we turned and continued on our way.

We only got about a quarter of the way back, before a swarm of construction ponies, and NCR ran up to us. Four of them ran up, and took Shady's bulk from me, helping support her as they guided her back to the NCR camp. Cherry took my injured hoof over her shoulder, and together we followed. Many NCR ponies ran past, on their way to see what had happened, and if any survivors needed aid. At that moment, I felt that they were all better ponies than myself. I didn't allow myself to dwell on that though, and focused on walking.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence, except for the occasional shout. Once we were back to camp, Cherry set me down, and ran off to find some pony to help heal me. I didn't refuse, but I didn't think I could talk right then either without puking my guts out. I watched as the entire camp became a frenzy of ponies running around and trying to figure out what was going on. I slumped against the crate Cherry had set me near, and just felt myself slipping away. Before a full minute had passed, I slipped into unconsciousness.

For the second time in recent memory, I had sustained serious injuries, and passed out afterword. This time though I wasn't haunted by a crazy dream from my brain. Infact, I felt and knew nothing. It must have been some time later as I finally woke up, the sun had set. I was lying in a tent, with Shady occupying a cot beside me, and Cherry sleeping nearby. I was relatively glad to see her unhurt. Maybe a few bruises and small cuts, but nothing broken as far as I could tell. Shady was wrapped in small bandages, but her rear hoof was wrapped in a cast, and an IV drip was set into her via a needle.

I was glad to see they were both ok, even though I was absolutely infuriated with Shady right now. I felt like complete crap, and not just because of my injuries. I had killed many ponies, all out of self-defense, but that wouldn't have needed to happen if Shady hadn't lost her mind. I scowled at the unconscious form of my friend, wanting her to wake up then and there so I could give the doctors more work trying to heal her. I was pissed, and rightly so. We had done what we could to help her, but at what cost? How many ponies had I killed?

I turned my attention away from her, and took stock of my own damage. I know I had cracked multiple ribs, because it hurt to breathe. I then looked at my hoof, which was swollen and purple. Yup definitely sprained. Most of my nicks and cuts were gone, but I was still hurting, and more closely resembling a large bruise than a pony. Still, at least we were all alive. I looked back over at Cherry, who's head had rolled to a different position. I remained quiet so she could rest, but I wanted nothing more than to ask what the hell had happened. There wasn't even a doctor around to talk to.

I sat in silence for a few minutes, having nothing better to do than sit there and look pitiful and think about what we had just done. It wasn't until the front flap to the tent was pulled back, and an older green stallion walked in, did I let my thoughts drift away. His black hair was slicked back, and he even had a decently trimmed beard. His NCR uniform was relatively clean and wrinkle free. The same could not be said about his face however. Seeing that I was the only one awake, he walked over, and sat beside my bed, but the scowl never left his face.

"Do you know who I am?" He asked and I shook my head. He looked at me intensely, and I began to feel nervous. Why was he looking at me like I was a... oh shit. "I am General Eucalyptus Grunt." He introduced himself, but refused to hold his hoof out in greeting. "Are you afraid of me General?" I ask with concern. If I were in his shoes I would be, after sending three random ponies into a den of ex-slavers, only to have it blow up and the few survivors are those sent in to begin with. "Not afraid, just careful. Especially after you and your friends destroyed the Jacks compound, and any hopes for peace along with it."

His words stung me, I mean Shady did start it, and the only reason I fought too was because I had gotten shot at first. What the hell did I do wrong besides self-defense? "When I asked the general that very question, the look on his face didn't waver in the slightest. "Normally that would be that, and you wouldn't be in trouble. But you did do something wrong, and so did your red friend over there." He gestured at Cherry, and I began to grow very confused and concerned.

General Grunt looked back at me, and let the full implications of his words hit home. "I know Miss Shady Acres fired the first shot, killing the leader of the Jacks. I also know you provided her with the weapon, and Miss Cherry carried it high in the air with her magic." I shifted, I didn't know much, but I did know where he was going with this, and the damn NCR's new laws. "All three of you are implicit in the murder of General Serious, and ninety percent of his forces. Therefore, with the power granted by my command, all three of you shall be placed under arrest." At his words, five guards moved into the tent, weapons pointed at us as three more entered.

Shady and Cherry were both rudely awoken by the guards lifting them up and hoof cuffing them to their beds. I was cuffed last, but I never took my eyes away from the General. I saw the look in his eyes, they spoke of the necessity of this action, but none of apology or guilt. I fixed him with the meanest glare I had before addressing him again. "you son of a bitch. You baited us into that situation. You knew we would go armed anyway, and you met with Shady alone. So you saw the same look of pain and rage I did when you offered the job. You got the peace you wanted, but we get the fall." I saw only the barest flicker of a smile before he regained control over himself. "You smooth mother fucker." I growl.

Shady and Cherry are both surprised at my words, they both look to the General with varying levels of surprise and begging the question why. Without a word, the General got up to leave, before giving us one final look, before turning and walking out of the tent. Two guards were left outside, and no we were not only injured, but we had been arrested, and cuffed to our beds. "What a fucking asshole." Shady whispered. I whipped my head around, my silver eyes burning with barely contained rage. "You don't get to say a fucking thing. We're all in this situation because of you!" I shouted, making Shady reel. I did expect Cherry to flinch, but a quick glance showed she was just as angry with Shady as I was.

Shady looked surprised at my outburst, but I wasn't even close to being done. "Do you know what you've done? Do you have any clue what we just did because of you? We literally just made Arbu part two! And YOU STARTED IT!" I screamed. I didn't care who was listening now, I was completely pissed, and wanted to strangle Shady for her idiocy. And I would have if I wasn't cuffed to the bed. I snort and turn my head away from her, muttering the last bit of my pain about her actions.

"You're no better than Little Pip."