Chapter 7

Recovery

"Excuse me!?" Shady exclaimed. I scowled at her, making my current attitude more than obvious. Shady, despite her size, withered under my gaze. She knew I had every right to be angry with her. Cherry however, was confused by my statement. I didn’t need to look at her to know she was looking at me with confusion. I ignored her though, and continued staring down my friend, though I wasn't sure I wanted to continue considering her as one.

"You heard what I said. And there is no excuse for you. You jeopardized our lives, and for what? So you could kill some Jack who didn't do anything to you?" Cherry to her credit kept to herself, though I could feel that she was itching to ask questions. Shady, having recovered from my verbal assault narrowed her eyes, matching my own look. I snarled before rolling my eyes in exacerbation. I had enough of dealing with her right now, but there was little I could do about it due to being hoof cuffed to the bed I was lying in. Instead I focused my attention on Cherry. I expected to see her looking broken and dejected, but was instead alert and weirdly a little excited.

"Umm Cherry?" I ask, more than a little put off by her behavior. She looked to me, I could see her curiosity, but beyond that I saw something that was akin to feral excitement. "Uh never mind." I whisper, before flopping my head back onto the rough pillow they had given me. I really didn’t want to think about Shady's betrayal, or the look I had seen in Cherry's eyes. Luckily, I had other things to focus on. Such as my broken ribs, and sprained hoof. I admit, breathing hurt, but it was better than having a hole in a lung. Even so, I couldn't help but wish I had some Med-X just to take the edge off. I'm not sure how long I lay there, I may have drifted off at one point because I was stirred awake later by several guards unchaining us, and re-cuffing our hooves.

"No sudden moves!" Commanded one of the guards. I couldn't see his face, but I could see him fastening a magic suppression ring to Cherry's horn. Honestly if I were them I would do the same, but still it bothered me to see them bind my friend like that. Shady was jerked roughly from her bed, jarring her broken leg. She whinnied out in pain before the guard shoved her forward roughly. I really didn’t like that either, and quickly made that clear. "Hey! Knock that shit off!" I yelled. I wasn’t sure why I felt like protecting Shady right now, especially after all she had done.

The guard paused in his abuse of Shady, and moved over to me, a heavy baton held in his magic. "Or what Pipsqueak. You gonna wet yourself? Or maybe threaten to tell on me." He sneered with evident condescension. Truth be told, I had never been given a hard time over my size, but the way he said it really rustled my jimmies. I fixed him with the meanest, nastiest glare I could manage, and watched in exaggerated slowness as he raised his baton to strike me, but I never gave him the opportunity. I reared my head back, before slamming it forward into his.

My vision flashed white as our skulls collided. Immediately I regretted my choice, having felt his horn bounce off of my forehead. We both staggered back, me pressing my head to my hooves, and his nose a completely broken wreck. His magic failed, dropping his baton. The last thing I managed to see was Shady quickly scooping it up and sliding it into the rags wrapped around her leg. The remaining guards piled atop me, crushing me to the floor under their armored weight. I think a few of them even struck me with intent to injure me further.

A few minutes later, I was standing once more. This time sporting several new bruises and a black eye, as well as a chained collar around my neck that hooked to my hoof cuffs. Now feeling humiliation atop my rage and pain, we were roughly shoved from the tent. Outside I could see that night was falling, and now I could still smell the smoldering remains of the destroyed camp that once housed the Jacks. Shady and I limped side by side, while Cherry looked around, still excited. I was unsure of where we were going, maybe to an execution?

My question was then shoved from my mind a moment later as I heard the gruff voice of the general on the other side of the camp. His voice was amplified, as if via megaphone. "… And it is thanks to our forces, who discovered the Jacks armory. The Jacks had many high-powered weapons, including several miniguns, and a half dozen balefire eggs." My eyes widened and a new inferno of rage began to grow in my chest. He was telling the rest of the NCR a complete lie! We managed to walk past a tent, and I got a good look down the row, and to the spot where the General was addressing his troops. And upon seeing him, my rage doubled over once more, because that lying pile of trash was wearing my power armor!

"You Mother!..." Was all I got out, before the guard whose nose I had broken slammed a hoof onto my broken ribs, and knocked the wind from me. I flopped into the dirt, gasping. But the guards wasted no time in dragging me along, and out of any pony's sight. "Three ponies have already been arrested, they had been feeding the Jacks information, and were part of their plan to annihilate us all." Shouted the General, whipping the crowd up into a frenzy. I meanwhile struggled to get my breath back.

"And now, those prisoners are on their way to a location that befits traitors of their kind!" He paused, letting the crowd cheer more. "ARBU!" He shouted at the top of his lungs and the crowd cheered just as loud. My heart sank completely then. And Shady emitted an audible gasp drawing the attention of Cherry. However, our guards didn’t give her enough time to ask about it. The shoved, dragged, and hit us toward the docks. The cheering crowd behind us drowned any sound of the abuse we were subject to. I didn’t focus on it though, I couldn't. I was instead completely spooked. I don’t think I need to keep writing down why I had problems with Arbu do I? I kept my head down, mostly from the restrictive collar, but even were it gone, I still would keep my head low.

All three of us were guided to the docks, and once my hooves touched the rough wooden floor, did I look up. Bobbing in the water was yet another ship, this one a little larger and more heavily armored. A few NCR guards were trotting around the deck, some were watching us with leveled rifles. On the front of the boat I caught a name in the low light, the White Rose. I had never heard of the vessel before, but I could easily guess its purpose once we were on deck. It was a prisoner transport ship. From the armed guards, to the very nature of the ship. Below decks, all three of us were chained to the floor next to other prisoners from around the wasteland. As soon as the guards finished, and trotted back to the deck, I flopped onto my un-injured side and just lay there.

All I wanted was to fall asleep, and hope this whole thing was just a crazy dream, and that I would wake up safe and sound back in Respite, but I wasn't given the chance. The pony chained between Shady and I was regarding me with extreme interest. And despite myself, I also found his appearance mildly interesting myself. He was chained to the floor like the rest of us, but all four of his hooves were trapped in cases of heavy looking iron, and even his tail was weighted down. Another aspect caught my eye then, he was an earth pony, with a dingy grey coat. His mane was short and blue, matching his short and wild tail. His blue eyes looked back at me, just as curious, but I brushed it off, and flopped my head down, looking straight ahead.

All the while I remained silent, having very few words to say about our situation while Cherry was nearby. I think above all, I really didn’t want her to know my past. I wanted her to know who I was, not a representative of that fucked up past. Still, enough damage was done now. She had seen how I reacted at the mention of Arbu, and I knew she was more than capable of putting two and two together. I pretended to fall asleep if only to keep her from asking me any questions.

I stayed like that for quite a while, as the ship moved out from port, and began taking us back out to sea and toward Arbu. At some point I had actually fallen asleep, maybe it was the steady drone of the engine, and the gentle rocking of the boat. Even still, I slept like I hadn't in Luna knows how long. By the time we had actually left the mouth of the river, and out into open waters, I had slept somewhere around ten hours. By the time I had stirred, there were a few different things going on all at once that had brought me back to consciousness.

First and foremost, Cherry, who was chained across from me, was busy banging her head on the wall. Not hard, but a steady rhythm that made the whole ship vibrate. Shady was busy calling for a guard to make Cherry stop, but her pleas were ignored. But worst of all, was the sudden realization that my personal space was being violated. The pony who was chained next to me, was now using me as a pillow. His head laid across my neck, and his tongue had lolled out and was trying to find a way to creep into my ear. I jerked, causing my broken ribs to flare in pain, but it was enough to dump the unwanted pony onto the hard ground.

"Gah what the fuck!" I shouted as he fell from me. Even with the random change in his choice of bedding, he just rolled over with a grunt and went back to sleep. My eyes narrowed, and I think one eyelid twitched before I lifted him, and tossed him back to his area. I thought about tossing him onto Shady, after all she didn't mind that kind of attention. But considering I was still pissed at her, I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. I also didn’t want to hurt her broken leg either. (seriously just how was I supposed to be feeling about her right now?)

I was still surprised when the pony didn't wake up, I mean how could any pony sleep like that. (And no, I'm not jealous. Nope not in the least bit jealous that there are ponies who can sleep anywhere and stay asleep.) anyway, having dealt with the most immediate issue, I decided to deal with the others. "Shady enough, no pony's coming, and Cherry can you pause in... whatever you're doing for a few minutes please?" I ask, addressing them both. And as if Celestia took pity on me, they did. Even the other prisoners seemed thankful for the brief silence.

I sit on my haunches, and shook my head, clearing it of any remainder of sleep. Shady likewise fell silent, refusing to look at me. Perhaps she had been thinking I was right to be angry with her. Cherry though, was still acting like an excited foal. Did she know something that I didn't? I pushed that thought from my head and took a look around for the first proper time since coming aboard. All of the other prisoners looked like us. Haggard and beat up. Some even spirted fresh bruises and bloody cuts. Evidence of the treatment bestowed upon us by our guards.

Most of them looked malnourished, like they hadn't eaten properly in a full week. But one thing they all lacked was the demeanor or attitude associated with criminals. I think my friends and I were the only ponies on board who were actually guilty of any crimes. Even still, I didn't feel as if Cherry or I did anything to warrant us being here, only Shady did. But as she had pointed out time and again, I would follow her anywhere, if only because she was the only pony who accepted me after knowing the truth.

I sat and let these thoughts replay in my head. I didn’t have my journal at the time, or I would have been writing them down. Instead I just let the memories replay, and despite myself I kept returning to the scene just before Shady pulled the trigger, and splattered a Donkey's brains all over his followers. Her expression, the pain and panic. What was it that she was feeling just then? What could have happened to her in order to make her throw her better judgment into the radioactive pit? I then looked at her as she laid her head down, and closed her eyes. Even then I caught remnants of the same expression.

I scooped up a small pebble that had come from somewhere, and tossed it at the gray mare. It plopped against her cheek, not hard, just to get her attention. I waved quickly, letting her know it was me, and I needed her attention. Shady lifted her head curiously, she could tell I was still pissed, but curiosity got the better of her. "What made you do what you did?" I asked in a very quiet whisper. She looked away from me again, her eyes adopting a thousand-yard stare.

"Oh, don't get evasive on me Shady. You owe us answers." I pressed quietly, making it clear that I wasn't going to drop it anytime soon. She sighed, and looked back to me, a wistful look behind her emerald eyes. "I'm sorry, you're right, but I have secrets for a reason. No pony would understand why I've done some of the things I've done." I rolled my eyes, feeding her a "You're full of it." Look. But to her credit, she still kept silent for a few minutes. Cherry on the other hoof had leaned closer as well, wanting to be part of the conversation.

Shady sighs softly, before hanging her head. "I'm sorry you two. I know it's my fault you're here, and I wish I could change it, but I can't. As for why... well I suppose it would be an understatement to say I react badly to Slavers?" I roll my eyes again, and Cherry whispers a quick "Duh." Shady sighed once more, resigning herself to what she was about to say. "I... Let's just say growing up I had a... different experience than most foals in the wasteland. I roll my eyes once again, no foal had a good life growing up in the wasteland, what was she on about?

I watched my friend closely, and the pain that she carried. "A long time ago, back when I was your age Moonshine, I had found myself in a relationship." Cherry and I share a quick glance, just how could that be so bad? I asked Shady as much, but her reply came in the form of a growl. "If you want me to keep talkin', let me do it at my pace got it." I nodded, wanting her to continue.

"Anyway, I thought the relationship was going great. He was such a sweet stallion, had a great sense of humor about him, and an even greater sex drive." I cringe, having heard and witnessed her cravings first hoof. "I had thought things were going great, that maybe I had something that was impossible to find in the wasteland. I was such a naïve foal." Cherry and I continue to listen, as well as the rest of the prisoners nearby. Except for the sleeping earth pony beside me that is.

Shady paused and took a breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say next. "After a time of this going on, he ripped the metaphorical rug from under me, and before I knew what was going on, I was suddenly bound in heavy chains, and dragged off in the middle of the night. Turns out, I had fallen prey to a completely fucked up band of Slavers, who inserted themselves into a mare's heart, and when they are most vulnerable, the trap closes." She stopped, before releasing a shaky breath. "And to make matters worse, this particular stallion had a signature, a way of making it clear how well he could succeed in his role. And I bore that mark before I even knew he made it." I turn my head to the side in confusion, Cherry matching the motion, the both of us confused by her cryptic words. But like a flash of lightning, Cherry gasped and clomped a hoof over her muzzle, shock and surprise evident in her reaction.

"What!? What is it!?" I ask, if it made Cherry react like that, but I didn’t understand it, it must be something unique only to mares. My question made Shady's eyes well up with tears, before she looked away. Meanwhile Cherry drew my attention, with a simple motion that spelled it all out. Cherry had wrapped her hooves around her belly, a look of sympathy for the grey mare. It took me a few seconds, but once it clicked I understood. Shady had been pregnant when she was sold into slavery! But I had known her for so long, and she never mentioned having a child.

And then, I knew the rest of the story. Just like that the pieces fell into place. I knew why Shady never mentioned having a kid, and why she was always had a chip on her shoulder regarding relationships. Even her treatment toward Cherry and I made sense in a way. Shady never mentioned having a kid, because she didn’t. I mean she was pregnant, but the foal was never born. And the thought only made my heart ache for her, and the pain she had kept hidden from me all this time. I didn’t need her to tell me the rest of the story, I understood.

I told her as much, and that I wish she had told us before. And knowing what I knew now, I couldn't stay mad at her for what she had done. If anyone has been reading this journal, you know how I reacted to seeing Velvet Remedy after getting shot. I wanted to kill her, and I wanted to run away at the same time. What stopped me was my fear, while Shady had built up many more years of hatred and pain to over shadow her fear. So that being said, I couldn't stay mad at Shady for losing control as she had.

I then do something the others considered odd, but it was all I could do. I grabbed the sleeping pony, and shook him violently. "Wake up fucker!" I shout into his face, but to my surprise he just slumps and mumbles something in his sleep. "No, no, I don’t like waffles, and why are they dancing?" I push the mental image of dancing waffles from my brain, and slap him a bit, finally managing to draw him back into the waking world. "Huh wha.." I stuffed a hoof into him mouth, shutting him up. I then wrapped leg around his neck and pulled him close enough so I could whisper without the others hearing me.

"Shut up and listen, don't ask why, don’t say anything. Just do me a solid favor, and give that grey mare beside you a hug. Nothing more, if I see you try more than that, I will rip your balls off, and feed them back to you a sliver at a time." Either he really understood my threat, or just didn't care due to still being sleepy, he nodded, before moving away from me, and dragging his way closer to Shady. Before she could ask what he was doing, he flopped onto her, and gave her a very sleepy hug, mumbling something about it being ok, and that waffles can't dance, before falling back asleep atop my baffled and confused friend. Cherry looked amused, while looking at me. Letting me know that given the circumstances that was the nicest thing I could do.

Before it got more awkward, I dragged the now sleeping pony off of my friend. And only just now noticed how much he weighed with the iron weights on his hooves and tail. Once free, Shady looked at me in confusion, and a little annoyance for sending a stranger to do my bidding. I rolled my eyes one last time, before explaining. "I get it Shady, while I'm not ok with what went down, I get it. But from now on, if we ever find ourselves in a situation like that again, you talk to us ok?" Shady nods, accepting my forgiveness.

Cherry on the other hoof was suddenly reminded of something, and after offering forgiveness to Shady, fixed me with a questioning look. "What?" I asked defensively, I had a feeling she was trying to read me properly for the first time. "You said something earlier, back in the medical tent, and I think you have some explaining to do as well." She said, with a low tone suggesting that I had lied to her about something. "Umm what?" I asked again, not liking where this was going.

"You said that Shady had just created Arbu part two, and that she was no better than LittlePip. What did you mean?" She questioned, with a tone telling me that she had an idea, but wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth. I sigh, this time having to open up like Shady had. I thought it would be easier, I had already told Shady and Gawd. But for some reason, I found it hard to form the words. Luckily Shady had my back. "Cherry, listen. You decided to follow us, without knowing anything about our pasts, or our character. While Moonshine accepts you for you, I want you to know that not all ponies have had good start to their life. No pony picks their family, or where they are born. Just keep that in mind."

Cherry nods, and I give the grey mare a thankful look, she had made it easier for me to open up. I then look back at Cherry, and sigh before letting loose with my secrets. I told her everything, about how I was born in Arbu. How I was supposed to have made my first kill and earn my Arbu brand. I told her how everypony in the wasteland viewed Littlepip as a hero, while me and the other surviving foals saw her as a villain. I told her what I saw, and how we were then dragged into the fight with the Enclave at Friendship City.

" So why didn't you tell me just begin with?" Cherry asked a little confused. I hung my head ashamed, not sure why I hadn't told her before. I suppose it was because I was just too afraid of alienating her. I knew I should have told her from the beginning, but some small part of me told me that she would judge me if she knew the truth. " I... I think because part of me was afraid, afraid that if you knew the truth about me, you might not want to stay with us anymore. The reason why I didn't tell you is because I've been keeping a secret my entire life and I just developed a habit of keeping it buried. I'm very sorry Cherry i just…" I trail off not entirely sure how to continue.

Once more I hang my head while Cherry looks at me clearly hurt that I hadn't told the entire truth. Shady closes her eyes and shakes her head, well aware that I may have just alienated one of my very few friends. Cherry on the other hoof, despite just finding out my very dark secret didn't show any sign that she wanted to leave our company. Instead she managed to finally put two and two together about where we were headed and figured out that Arbu was not a place that we should go. She gives me one last look of empathy understanding my plight before returning to banging her head on the wall, much to the annoyance of the rest of the prisoners.
The entire boat fell silent once more, disregarding the continued banging of Cherry's head upon the hull. This continued for quite a few more hours, the only break in the monotony was the occasional guard, who came down to kick one of the prisoners just for entertainment. I scowled at him every time he did but otherwise kept silent.
Before we knew it, another day had fully passed, and still Cherry kept banging her head leaving us all baffled. By this point in time we had left the sea and headed back toward friendship city. As we neared Arbu, every pony on board began to grow more and more anxious. But as it turned out our fate was not at the prison. No instead we were destined die on that boat, every prisoner, and every guard.

In the early hours on the third day, every pony on board was shocked alert. I was pulled from my brief nap by several gunshots, followed by the sound of several bodies hitting the deck above us. All eyes looked up as we heard one of the guard's shout to the rest of his comrades " BANDITS!" What followed was a mass of confusion and noise as every pony tried to figure out what was going on.

" Get down!" We heard one of the guards shout before another gun shot rang out, this time from the guards on deck. In all the chaos that was going on now, no pony realized that Cherry had finally stopped banging her head on the wall. It was at this point in time where two guards came below deck, and decided to unchain the most injured ponies, all the while telling them that they were going to throw them over board for the bandits. To make the situation worse Shady and I were picked, as well as the mysterious earth pony beside me.

" Looks like we're going to find a way to get rid of you after all eh Zakk?" The guard jeered at the now named pony on my right. Only then did I realize the full implications of what was going to happen to him, what with the weights around his hooves and tail. They were going to drown him! Just as I was about to make him stop it, Cherry started going to some type of fit. She started thrashing, and her eyes rolled back into her head. Every pony around stopped what they were doing to look, even the guards froze.
" For Goddess's sake some pony help her!" Shouted Shady. One of the guards finally figured out what they're going to do, and moved over to try and help her. As he closed with her, Cherry stopped her thrashing and looked him dead in the eye. His eyes widened and he made a move to defend himself but Cherry was too quick. She grabbed his head between her front hooves made his mouth open, and thrust her head forward, making the magical restraint fly down his throat. As he began to choke, she activated her magic and set his face ablaze.

The guard began to scream in pain and fear, letting go of my friend and moving back as he burned. He collapsed shortly after, dying from flame inhalation, before his comrade moved in to try and subdue Cherry. She likewise set him on fire with a blast of magic to his chest. He too collapsed at her hooves, the magical fire burning through his armor and hide in a matter of moments. Shady and I looked on impressed and afraid of our friend. She had in just, a brief few seconds of eliminated two armed guards.
I was frozen in place in complete shock at what she had just done, but shady reacted to the best of her abilities. She moved over to the desecrated corpses and fished out a set of keys which is then tossed to me. She then commanded me to go unleash the rest of the prisoners. I did as I was told and quickly in a matter of minutes had every pony unchained, and ready to receive instructions.
" All right every pony who is fit enough to fight follow me. Moonshine, Zakk, you to stay down here with those too injured, and guard them while we go take care of business." I nodded briefly but the mysterious earth pony with the weights just looked at my friend with a stern look on his face before saluting, and making a strange that sounded like "Meheheheh.", like a sheep, and hobbles off to the side.

Shady rolls her eyes, and withdrawals the baton she had hidden earlier with her mouth. With a wave of her hoof, she led the rest of the prisoners to the top deck. Zakk and I meanwhile, took up whatever arms we could find from the guards, one 9 mm pistol, and a combat knife. I took the gun in my mouth, and Zakk took the knife likewise and we both stood on either side of stairs.
All of the injured ponies with us cowered in the corner unsure of what to do and afraid of sustaining more damage. I couldn't blame them I too was injured, and while the last thing I wanted to do was sit here babysitting a bunch of ex-prisoners, I knew I would only be in the way up top if I were to join the fight. We continued to hear more fighting from the top deck, shouts and gunshots echoing around us in the middle of the night. Finally after what seemed interminable amount of time, the fighting finally died down.
I was relieved when Cherry finally came back downstairs a few scrapes and cuts marring her hide, and announced that we had fought off the bandits. With a sigh of relief, I lowered my weapon and gingerly climbed my way up the stairs to meet her. She watched as I went up the stairs and when I finally met up with her she put her weight against me to support me on the rest of the journey up top. I gave her a very thankful look, which spoke volumes about how truly happy I was that she was willing to accept me just like Shady had.
She gave me a crooked little smile acknowledging my emotions, but that was all we had managed to share before we finally reached the top deck and saw the carnage that had been wrought. bodies littered the deck, bandits and guards alike. I even saw a few the old prisoners scattered amongst the dead, only a little surprised that so few had died given the fact that they had no weapons to share between them.

To my surprise however, several remaining guards had been tied up in the center of the deck including one who wore no armor. She was a salt colored mare with a dingy gray mane and tail. She looked as if she could be the spitting image of Captain Thrush. Though this one had no horn or wings. Shady came hobbling up to us, more than a few new wounds joining the old ones that had only just begun to heal and scab over. Her hind leg was lifted up and away from the rest of body just to keep it from making contact and causing more pain due to the broken bone inside.

" Well that didn't go exactly as planned, well not for them anyway." She said gesturing at the rest of the bandits who's corpses were being dumped off into the river. (See this is exactly why this water was only good for irrigation and not drinking. Too many dead bodies and even more foul seepage from any destroyed buildings or waste.) I nodded my head in agreement with my friend's sentiment, before gesturing at the remainder of the crew.

" What are we going to do about them. I mean don't get me wrong I'm more than pissed about the treatment received throughout this entire journey, but I don't feel like they deserve to die, at least not yet." Shady paused to look me over once again, the memory of me gunning down an entire village of ex-slavers still on her mind, and the idea that I still didn't want to kill just boggled her. I wave her off before she can draw attention to it and hobble myself over to the salt colored mare.

I moved my face close to her so she could see the intensity in my sunken eyes as I address her and her alone. "You the captain of this here barge, because I think if you are we could really use a hoof." She fixed me with an angry look, not bothered in the slightest by my aggression. " Even if I were I won't help any Goddess damned criminals!" She swore before spitting in my face.

I wipe the spittle from my face, not even perturbed in the least by her actions. Instead I leaned in closer pressing my fore head to hers and speaking in a very low and dangerous growl. " I would rethink if I were you Missy, as you see I'm not too sure about the other prisoners, I can only speak for myself but I am here for murder, multiple counts, and while I don't like advertising it I really don't want to kill but if you force me to I won't hesitate. Do we have an understanding?"

Both of my friends were drawn aback by my threat, but also knew not to bring it up right at this particular moment especially while in the midst of negotiating our transportation. The mare, to her credit held her angry face for just a moment before the weight of my words fully hit and she understood the graveness of her situation. While she thought about my offer I looked at the rest of the restrained guards, before addressing them as well.

" I can't guarantee your lives, but if you help us I will do my best to make sure you make it through this ordeal alive. And as if you don't need anymore to think about, but don't you think it's a little ironic that these particular bandits happen to attack as you're days from delivering some prisoners, who had inside information to the goings-on of that General at the dam. And if I were a betting boy, I would say that he hired those bandits to make sure that we didn't share that information. And I'm even more sure that he would extend the same services to guards employed to transfer them in case they were aware of the information for themselves."

I could see my words not only affect guards and the Captain but also my friends, Cherry more so than Shady. While she was a little bit more surprised she quickly understood the depths of my reasoning and she too like me didn't believe in coincidence anymore. Especially if the ship was exactly the type of prison ship that no pony would ever want to go after unless they had a reason.

(Ok, let me just take a moment right here to pause and think about what I just said to those ponies. If you told me a week ago that I would be using my weight as a killer to influence ponies around me to do what I wanted, I would've laughed in your face and then ran away as fast as I could. But now was a matter of survival not just for me and my friends but also a score of prisoners who I didn't think had any reason to be here anymore than we did.)

The guards I had just spoken to all shared a look, the logic I presented them with was sound and they couldn't deny what they had just witnessed. " F… Fine, if you keep the rest is prisoners from killing us we'll do whatever the fuck you say. Hell, if you let us go, where we end up and never come after us I'll suck you off myself!" Cried one of the guards. I ignored him, and kept my attention focused on the white mare. She kept watching me and I think she was weighing her options before settling on the wisest course.

" Fine you got yourself a captain, but I'm not going to suck you off even if you do let me go when you get to where you want to go. Oh, and one more condition. Do not take the weights off of that grey pony." She said in a whisper, looking past my shoulder at Zakk, who was busy balancing his knife on his nose. "Also who gave that buck a knife? He could kill us all in a heartbeat." I shrug and nod in agreement deciding to let them all go, but if one of them stepped out of line I would kill them myself. I cut each one of them free of the restraints, and commanded that they all go to the wheelhouse.

Shady approached me concern in her eyes, but the question she had burning in her mind was more pressing. " What're you doing? Do you have any idea where were going to go or what we're gonna do?" She asks and I just smirked and nod before walking and following the Captain. My friends all follow me to wheelhouse, where the mare was taking command of her ship once more. "All right let's get this over with where do you want to go?" She asked and without hesitation I look back at her and addressed her in all seriousness.
"Tenpony Tower." Was all I spoke drawing a series of gasps and shocked noises from every pony who heard. "Wait what the hell are you thinking, we're all wanted criminals now, and you just want to walk up to the biggest settlement in the equestrian wasteland, are you out of your freaking mind?" Cherry asked surprised. I nod an affirmative before telling them my reasons.

"Yeah and Manehattan is not part of the N.C.R. Tenpony has their own laws. And the last I checked murder did not ban you. Besides there is no other place I can think of that'll have the healing that we need right now." My friends, unsure of how to respond to me taking charge like this, remained silent. With no objections, the captain cranks her wheel and turned us in the direction of the city.

A few hours later, with the sun finally peeking above the horizon, I was found sitting against the bulkhead of the wheelhouse. Cherry walked up beside me, before taking a seat, and looking out onto the murky river. I looked at my crimson friend, having been thinking about her for the last few hours. On one hoof she had been incredibly loyal to us, despite knowing nothing. On the other, she was willing to bash her head against a wall for over a day just to loosen up a magical restraining ring. But on a third hoof she killed two guards brutally in order to save me and Shady. And on the fourth hoof, that flank.

"Umm what are you doing?" She asked. I paused in my thinking to realize I was now laying on my back and was staring at all four hooves. I quickly move back to a sitting position, a small blush on my cheeks as she giggles playfully at my antics. "Sorry I was just thinking." I offer, looking back at her. She smiles and nods, looking back into my eyes. "I figured, it seems you do that a lot lately." She said, sounding a little sad. I look away, my mind still coming to terms with recent events. "This is the time where I would sit and write in my journal, using it to make sense of what I have been through. But I can't now with it along with the rest of our gear back in Hoofington."

She nods again, having seen me writing on the Sea Horse. "What are you thinking about now?" She questions, and I didn’t want to tell her I was thinking about her, so I lied... again. "The Jack's camp." Came my reply, and it was all I needed to say for her to understand. "You mean what you did?" I nodded once more, before hanging my head. Now that she brought it up like that, I couldn't help thinking about it now. "You didn't have a choice ya know." She offered, and I look back to her, a look of disbelief in my eyes.

"Yeah, it was a shitty situation, but given what we know now how can you still be angry?" I shook my head, and corrected her. "I'm not angry. I'm hurt. You may not know, but I never wanted to kill, even when our town was attacked, I only killed one pony who had shot me. I did it to keep Shady alive. But at the camp..." I trail off, and Cherry picks up the rest. "You killed almost all of them..."She said somberly. I nod, and now Cherry knew just how much the situation bothered me.

Before I could say anything further though, our thoughts were completely derailed by a pony shoving his head between ours and shouting "INTERRUPTION!" Cherry and I both jump away from him, startled. It took me a moment to realize I was reaching for the pistol I had sitting by me. Cherry and I made eye contact, and I could see that she was trying to reign in her magic before she turned him into an ashy puddle. "umm that's good?" Cherry offered. Her eyes conveying a mix of confusion and anger at his interruption.

Zakk cocked his head to the side, apparently reevaluating his assessment of the situation. "Sheesh rough crowd." He grumbles before trotting away triumphantly.. "That was...random." Cherry whispered as we watched him leave. I nod in agreement, before looking back at her." Truth be told though I lost my train of thought." I admit, and she smiles and tells me that she had as well. We both chuckle lightly, secretly appreciative of the change in thought. having run out of words, and our moods improved, Cherry gave me a quick hug, and a kiss on the cheek, before turning and trotting away.

I watched her go, mostly contemplating why she seemed to like me the way she did, the rest of me was contemplating her rear. (hey I am not apologizing ok. I happen to like a nice butt; any stallion would agree.) In fact, I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, that it took a minute before I noticed Zakk up to more random antics. He was hanging over the railing going below decks, before leaning upside down, and even from here I could hear him making another weird noise, and presumably shaking his head back and forth. I then heard the railing crack, and give way a bit, but Zakk didn’t notice. I hobbled over to try and catch him before he fell, but I was too late.

With a sudden yelp, the railing gave and Zakk fell into the stairwell. I was close enough this time to hear him clearly as he yelled quickly "Oh shit catch me!" Followed closely by a heavy thud. I peeked over the edge to see Shady looking confused and amused at what had just happened. Zakk was laying at the bottom on his back, and his rear hooves having smashed into his face. I assumed it hurt quite a lot considering the weights he still wore. "You didn't catch me." He groaned past his weighted hooves. "Why didn't you catch me?" I look on perplexed and confused, as Shady began to giggle softly. I doubt Zakk heard it, but I sure did.

Instead of helping him though, Shady continued up the stairs, side stepping the broken railing on her way up. She gave me a quick look, but shook her head with a smile and moved on to wherever she was going. Since no other ponies moved to help him, I shrugged and went to him, if only to help him out of his undignified position. I mean, no stallion ever wants to see that much of another stallion. "Thanks bud." He said quickly, not even registering the fact I found him presenting a full moon in the middle of the day. "Umm yeah, no sweat. Just uh. Be more careful around stairs." I offer, getting ready to walk away, but the buck had other ideas, and jumped in front of me again and then wrapped his hooves around me.

"No no, I mean thanks for saving me, ya know, from a watery grave." He said wiggling at his weighted hooves. I shrug, not really sure what to say. I didn’t do anything, it was Shady and the others. I honestly couldn't care about the rest of the prisoners, I just wanted to take care of my friends. In a final part of thanks, Zakk hugged me, then pulled back, and ran his tongue all the way up my cheek and past my ear, leaving a nasty trail of drool in its wake. I cringed and tried to wipe it away. By the time I had even managed one wipe, Zakk had released me and hopped out of sight.

"Fuckin' disgusting nut job." I muttered to myself before heading back onto the deck. Ponies, ex-guards and prisoners alike bustled around this way and that doing what they could to keep the ship going. All of the corpses had been dumped overboard hours before, but all of their gear had been piled up, and the prisoners were busy sorting through it and giving out what they could to arm up as best as possible. But one of the things mostly ignored was the armor. The bandits had an assortment of leather and hammered metal bits and pieces. But given that bandits were normally shot on sight, no pony wanted to wear their gear. I however wasn't so picky. I hobbled over, and sorted through it, finding a decent set of bracers with metal strips adding strength.

I took the first, making sure to gently ease my sprained hoof into it, if only for support. I then pulled the leather ties tight, and winced as I felt it squeeze the swollen joint. Having slipped on the last bracer, I continued to sift through the gear, and satisfied with my choices, I went after my friends. Shady was looking out over the water, keeping an eye out for any more bandits on the river banks. I stepped beside her, and gave her a gentle nudge, giving away my presence. She jumped slightly, but relaxed upon seeing me. We didn't say anything, just simply looked out over the water.

"Moonshine look I'm sorry." She finally whispered after a few minutes. I didn’t reply, I knew she was, and I forgave her for it, but it was already in the past, and no matter what I wanted, nothing would change it. "it is what it is Shady, no apologies will fix what happened. We just need to make sure not to make the same mistakes again." She nodded, and sighed looking down at her broken leg in regret. "we are going to Tenpony because of me aren't we?" She asked, and I nodded. We were both injured, but there was nothing wrong with me that time couldn't fix. Shady though, a broken leg was normally an annoyance in towns, but while wandering it would spell almost certain death.

"You need help, and we can't go trotting around hell with you unbale to bear your own weight for more than an hour." She slumped a little, knowing I was right, but not happy about it. That was when I revealed one of the items I had scavenged from the pile of armor. It was a full leg high leather boot, with metal strips running vertically. It was very close to a proper leg brace, and would serve better than nothing right now. "Here put this on, and don't whine, if we don't set the leg right, you won't heal." I ordered, and she looked back once more, trying to put weight on the hoof in order to prove me wrong. But as soon as it touched the deck she winced in pain and instantly lifted it back up.

"Hey Shady, look at me" She did, trying hard to hide her pain. And while I had her distracted, I kicked out with my rear hoof, striking the spot of the broken bone hard enough to set it back in place properly. I saw her eyes widen, before opening her mouth to scream. I acted quickly and shoved a hoof in her mouth to stifle the shout. She tried to bite down, but couldn't muster the power to bite through the armored bracers. I kept my face neutral all through it, before she finally gained enough control to pull away from me and swear under her breath. I felt bad, especially now seeing her eyes stream tears, but it had to be done. "Hold still ya fuckin' mule" I growled as I knelt beside her and carefully slipped the boot over her leg. She did her best, but every time it brushed against the broken bone she hissed and clenched her eyes tight. In just a short while I had the boot on her, and I quickly but carefully pulled the leather strips tight to bind it to her leg. Once more she swore, but otherwise bore it well.

"Mother fuckin' son of a puss infested twat waffle with a sparkplug piercing!" She grumbled looking at me with anger and gratefulness in her eyes. "I guess I had that one comin' she hissed while looking at me. I nodded, feeling a little better myself. I didn’t like seeing my friends hurt, but dammit she did deserve that one. Despite it all, I still couldn't bring myself to smile. "You're not holding up very well either are you?" She asked, finally managing to put her hoof down on the deck. I shook my head, there was no point in lying to her, she knew me too well. "No, I'm not. But that doesn't matter. We are all alive, and not going to prison, so I suppose I should be happier. But given what I did I feel as if part of me has died. I'm not sure how much of this I can take. If us trying to survive results in leaving so many bodies in our wake, then we are no better than Red Eye or the Goddess." I whisper, referencing LittlePip's adventure.

Shady understood where I was coming from, and didn’t know what to say in order to make me feel better. "I don't know Shady, I'm starting to feel as if I am a death magnet. Everywhere I've been, violent death follows." I sigh and place my hooves on the railing as I look out over the water, if I squinted my eyes I thought I could just barely see the outline of Arbu Prison. Then my vision went white for a moment as Shady's hoof connected with the back of my head. Hard.

"What the fuck?" I ask in surprise as I rub the back of my head. Shady had already fixed me with a stern gaze, silencing any further thoughts I had on hoof. "Shut it. I've seen too many ponies go down that thought line and end up either suicidal, or crazy. Knock that shit off or I swear to Luna I will swat your ass so hard my previous lovers will get jealous." I wince, and knew she wasn't bluffing. "Alright damn, you didn't need to hit me. Also ew!" I exclaim at the mental image of her doing the deed. Just what did she do to those poor Stallions. And Mares I mean shit I didn't know who all she slept with.

Shady rolls her eyes at me, then manages a smirk. "Yeah, though don't be so quick to talk, remember I saw what you did to Cherry." I flush at that, but manage to narrow my eyes. "Yeah, cause you’re the fuckin' perv who wanted to see how her friend gave it to a mare she didn't know, by the way? how are you coping with that jealousy?" Shady took a step back, surprised at my retort. I saw Cherry off to the side who had heard the entire exchange. Her face was a bright red, but she still figured out how to laugh. Then to top it all off we heard Zakk from somewhere below decks shout "Dayum! Shots fired"

Shady and I look down at the deck, before Shady broke out in a soft smile, and I just shook my head. Not having anything else to say at the moment, Shady and I split up, her to take a rest, and me to...well do whatever. We probably had around two more days on the water given our pace. The captain was careful to avoid the submerged debris, having lookouts around the ship to look into the water. I stood and listened to them for a while as they called out and the captain steered the ship with extreme precision.
I moved over by the captain to watch, studying how the controls worked in case I had to take over.

A little while later, she hit an open patch of water, and used a lever to increase the speed a little. To my surprise she actually spoke, and gone was the original anger directed toward me. "We will be able to pick up speed in a little while, but the going will be slow for a while. Our hull is lower than most of the other boats that come and go around here." I nod, not really caring either way. As long as we all made it intact I didn't care. The Captain then surprised me further by looking at me carefully, and asking, "Are you really guilty of multiple murders?" I nod, not eager to talk about it with a complete stranger. "Yeah. Got tasked with talking to the Jacks by the dam, shit hit the fan and fighting broke out. I couldn't keep track of how many ponies I many ponies I killed."

The mare listened, not interrupting but keeping a curious expression the entire time. "But if fighting broke out, you just defended yourself." She added with confusion. I shook my head and replied. "one of my companions started the fight by murdering the leader. But I supplied the weapon." I admit. Still the Captain now knowing what she did took the information and reevaluated what she thought. "Did you go in with the intention of killing them?" I shook my head, and pointedly refused to look in Shady's direction. I didn't but my friend did, though I think they had a fair reason though I don't agree with it." The mare nods, accepting my words, and I even think she started to respect me a little more. "well either way, I know not all of the ponies I transfer to Arbu aren’t guilty of any crimes, but we keep our head down, and do what the NCR wants, if only to keep them off our asses." I nod, understanding. The NCR was starting to paint a picture that wasn't pleasant.

"ya know, I have seen a lot of bad ponies, slavers and murderers and rapists. If you want my opinion, I don't think you're a bad pony. I think you were just in the wrong place at the right time." I chuckle dryly, she didn’t know the half of it. Still her words did make me feel a little better. "by the way." She says stopping me before I go. I look back to her as she focuses on piloting the boat once more. "My name's Salt Lick. Keep it in mind will ya." I nod once again, and take my leave.

A day and a half later, we were standing on the deck, watching as we approached the skyline of Manehattan. I saw Tenpony off in the distance, and more than a few bombed out buildings. Passing Arbu was an ordeal. All of the Prisoners had to hide below decks while Salt Lick guided us past. It was a tense moment, given the fact that they would probably be expecting us too stop, and that I was told by the captain to make sure Zakk kept his muzzle shut. Salt later told me that she regularly passed by, and made for Manehattan to pick up cargo as well. So the ship remained unmolested as we passed, and as we moved by the remains of Friendship City, we were free to move above once again.

"Now would be a good time to tell us how you plan on getting into the tower Moonshine." Shady whispered. I paused then, I mean I knew I would have some trouble getting us in. I was hoping I could use DJ-Pon3's name as a bargaining chip. Hoping it would be enought for the guards to let us in. I admit, not the greatest plan, but it was all I had to go with. Turns out I wasn't the only one with an idea on how to enter though. "I can get you in!" Zakk piped up. We all jumped, somehow he had moved right behind us without us knowing it. "Sweet Celestia, we need to put a bell on you." I heard Cherry whisper. Zakk cocked his head to the side, hearing her mutterings.

I turn to look the strange pony in the eye. Admittedly I was curious, but also weary. I had a hard time trusting strangers after all the shit we'd been through lately. But against my better judgement I asked anyway. "Oh really Zakk? How would you manage to get us inside?" I query. But to his credit he smiled at me in his weird way and responded with, "I know a guy! He owes me a favor." All three of us just balk at him, not sure if he was for real or just jerking us around. Still if he was telling the truth, it was a better plan than mine. Now Shady and Cherry looked at me, making it clear that the choice was mine. It felt weird to be in charge for once, but I think we all knew I was the best bet at the moment.

"Fine, you come with us and get us in. But if it turns out you are lying, or setting us up to get shot, I will make sure to break every bone in your legs so badly they never heal right, and every time you take a step you will remember me." I promise. From the corners of my eyes I saw Shady and Cherry share a nervous glance, but I never took my gaze from the buck. Once more to my surprise, he didn't even blink at the threat of physical injury. Instead he kept his smile on and nodded, eagerly accepting my terms. "Cherry, you keep a leash on him, we don't want him running off if this goes to shit." I suggest.

Half an hour later, the four of us stood on the deck. Cherry had used her rope tying skills to great effect, making a collar/bridal for our guest. Not gonna lie, I was intrigued by it. Then I shook my head before certain mental images made their way into my head. Last thing I wanted or needed now was to get excited. Anyway, the Captain eased the ship into the same dock we had been at only a week before. It really did fill my heart with heavy feelings though. A week ago, I didn't know I was going to meet a new friend with a great flank, but I also didn’t know I was going to massacre a whole camp with a minigun. It's funny how things change.

We stood on deck while the remaining crew and prisoners quickly tied the boat to the dock, and after half an hour, everypony had left the ship, and was busy milling about around the river bank. I did a quick sweep of the ship, making sure everypony had what they needed, and that no pony else was on board. Once I had confirmed it, I met back up with the others, and we were the last on the dock. I looked to Cherry, who was holding Zakk's leash with her magic before addressing her. "Burn it down." I commanded, all the while making sure no pony would try to get back onto the boat.

"Wait what!" Shady issued in surprise. But a moment later, she caught on as well, though that didn’t stop me from explaining it anyway. "We don't want the crew getting back to Hoofington, and letting the General know where we are. Last thing we need is NCR coming to get us while we heal up." Shady nodded then, saddened by what we were about to do. I knew I was ruining Captain Salt Lick's career, but our survival came first. Cherry, despite knowing that as well, did as I said, and in the span of ten seconds, had lobbed fireballs all across the deck and wheel house, before burning through the ropes holding it to the dock. In no time at all the ship began to drift down river, burning as it went.

I heard the Captain scream in pain and rage as she saw what Cherry did. But I caught the mare before she tried to hurt my friend. I had to struggle to keep a hold of her, but after yelling into her ear that I made her do it she stopped and looked at me in shock and confusion. "I made her do it. I promised I would make sure you were all kept safe once we arrived. I never said anything about your ship." I can honestly say I regret that choice, but I did what I had to do to ensure our safety. I then turn and look at the remaining guards who watched the whole thing go down all the while hugging the now crying and upset mare who had just lost her prized possession. "I promised to keep you all safe as well, and I have delivered on that. But do not take this kindness for granted. If I find out that any one of you reported back to the NCR about us, I will happily take that kindness away." I growl, making sure they understood my words.

"Shit dude, we get it. If that fuck stain was going to off us along with the rest of y'all, I got no reason to tell that fucker anything." Said one guard, and the rest nodded, showing just how angry they were with the entire situation. I nod, and thank them for keeping this whole debacle a secret. "No problem, and if you see that pile of rad roach guts again, put a few rounds into him for us." Said another, and once again the guards agreed. "Good, but your days in the NCR are over now." I say, before looking over at the rest of the prisoners who were trying to figure out what they were going to do. "I think these ponies are going to need some help making it, if you want to show them you have no interest in hurting them, I suggest helping them find a place to go."

All of the guards look at those who were once their captives, and some of the prisoners had been close enough to hear the exchange take place, and while they were still hurt about their treatment, they were willing to accept the help. "I think we'll do that. I heard tell of a town near here, maybe they can give us a hoof and hell, maybe get these ponies to a safe place where they can settle." I nod, pleased by the turn of events. I may have killed many ponies in a bullshit battle, but seeing these ponies willing to work together to survive made my spirits rise.

I give the distraught Captain another hug, and repeatedly tell her how sorry I was for the necessary action of burning her ship. For nearly an hour all four of us, the Captain and the remainder of her crew sit and watch as her ship burned, and slowly began to sink. The last bit to enter the water was the aft, whereupon I noticed for the first and last time the ships name of WhiteRose. I felt another pang of guilt then, another piece of innocence killed by the wasteland.

The four of us left shortly after the boat finally settled at the bottom of the river. I had told Salt Lick and her crew of another ship that might need more crew, and that Captain Thrush very well might appreciate another set of skilled hooves on board. I knew it couldn't replace her boat, but it was the best I could offer her at the time. "I feel bad for her." Cherry said, and I nodded. She too had spent time working with Captain Thrush, and knew how she would react if something happened to the Sea Horse. "It had to be done though. Shady lamented, fully understanding why I had her do it. "I wish I had some marshmallows to toast before you let it go down the river." Zakk complained, before taking a hard hit across the back of his head curtesy of Cherry. "Zakk too soon!" She screeched at him. I even managed a scowl at him, making it clear his joke was not appreciated.

We all fell silent as in unison we hobbled, limped and walked toward where Tenpony tower was, just around ten blocks away. We encounter no real threats, most of the Manticores and other nasty beasties had been wiped out by the newly formed Alicorn Patrol, or AP for short, based out of Tenpony tower. While no pony fully trusted the Alicorns yet, they took it in stride, and used it like fuel to do their jobs, and help make the area less dangerous to traders. Still, we had to smash, stomp, and burn our fair share of rad roaches, and even had to skirt one whole block out of our way to avoid a napping rad scorpion. Still, the journey only took us an hour, and by then the sun was just beginning it's decent toward the horizon.

Slowly, and carefully we walk toward the gates Zakk had lead us to. But once near it, he moved behind Cherry, and lowered his head. Shit did he set us up after all? I never got to ask him though as a purple Alicorn levitating a heavy rifle flew just above the gate, and commanded us all to stop. We did as instructed, but I was still glaring at Zakk, trying to figure out how best to break his legs. "I can tell by your lack of armor, weapons, and bags that you are a group of broken bums. We have no services for you all, and are not a charity. Please, move along." Said the Alicorn guard. But Shady looked back at her and spoke up. "We're here to talk to DJ-Pon3. We need their help!" Shady offered, technically lying. And the Alicorn knew it too. "Lies, I warned you once, and am doing so twice now. If you do not leave on your own, you will leave full of holes." The mare threatened and readied her weapon.

Then Zakk lifted his head and spoke up toward the guard, making his presence known for the first time. He stepped from behind Cherry, and waved a weighted hoof at her "Hey Rogue, how's the transition coming? Got ya some dangly bits yet?" He asked, making the Alicorn blush and try to hid her...His waist. Admittedly I forgot that the Alicorns were trying to find a way to become stallions so they could reproduce with help from Velvet Remedy. And honestly it weirded me the fuck out. They still looked like Mares, but had a little...more going for them.

Shady seemed intrigued, and glanced down, hoping to catch a glimpse, which upped the creep factor by ten. "Wait? Zakk is that you?" The Alicorn asked, looking at the bound pony curiously. At the mention of his name, I heard several ponies behind the gates jump and swear quietly, before the sound of multiple guns cocking and aiming at the gate. "You're not here for revenge are you?" He asked, the rifle shaking in their magic grip. The rest of us, with wide eyes looked back and forth between Zakk and the Alicorn, curious, and extremely confused. "Not today." Zakk said, narrowing his eyes at the guard.

"You mind letting me and my friends in though? We are in a bit of a hurry." He suggested, but the guard, still worried, looked at Cherry now, who held the leash restraining Zakk. "Y...Yeah, one condition, you keep him on that leash, and for the love of Luna do not remove those weights around his hooves." The Alicorn pleaded. I swear I never would have thought Alicorns could beg, let alone because of some crazy prisoner who seemed to have many, many screws loose. Cherry gave a smile and nod in agreement, and the guard, satisfied, ordered every pony to stand down, and open the gate.

Once open, we all began to walk forward, but Cherry decided to have a little fun with her new role, and slapped Zakk's flank with the leash saying "Yah Mule." I chuckled a little, but it died when I saw every guard, even the Alicorn, gasp and turn to hide behind any barricade they had. It was then that I really began to wonder just who this pony was, and why even a powerful Alicorn was frightened of him. Then to every pony's shock and mild amusement on Shady's part, Zakk began to bray like a donkey. "Hee Haw. Hee Haw." Every guard froze, unsure of how to react, and even better, Shady's laughter at the situation made them begin to quake in terror. I even think one of the guards pissed herself.

Tentatively Shady and I followed behind, watching the guards cower and completely forget they even had weapons. What the hell?" I ask in obvious confusion. How could such a weird and random pony such as Zakk terrorize these trained guards so thoroughly? Where I was lost and confused, Shady despite the pain in her leg was amused at the actions of our newest companion. I shake the thoughts away for the time, I had more things to worry about. Such as getting myself and Shady to a healer. I then leaned close to the Alicorn guard, who had tried to hid behind a trash bin, despite being twice its size. "Would you mind telling me where I can find the doctor?" It took a few moments for her...sorry, him to focus on me and tell me. (By the way, I mean no offense to those who question their gender, or are in transition, it's just a foreign concept to me as a pony who worked as a mechanic.)

I accept the quick directions and thank the Alicorn, which was also a weird concept for any waste lander. Alicorns used to be the biggest terror in the wasteland. Once again, I shook my head, shoving those thoughts aside until after I got us to the Doctor. All four of enter the base of the tower, and the interior blew every expectation out of the water. Our dry and cracked hooves clop loudly upon the old, wet clean marble flooring. All of the wood paneling along the walls was only slightly cracked from age, but it only served to add a cozy atmosphere to the whole place. What drew my attention the most though, were all of the clean and prim ponies. LittlePip's book didn't do this place justice. It was the nicest place I think I will ever set hoof in.

Cherry and Shady were just as stunned as I was. Zakk on the other hoof, was busy continuing to bray like a mule. Finally, once I began to notice all of the ponies around us beginning to look at us, did I manage to clamp a hoof over his mouth and silence him. "Alright, we need an elevator, gotta go up to the twentieth floor for Life Bloom." A moment later, Cherry noticed, but held her ground when we moved to start up. I turned arou8nd in the elevator car, looking at her and waiting for her to join us. But when she didn't Shady and Zakk both stared at her too. "You coming?" Shady finally asked, but the lack of Cherry's response made it all to clear.

"Oh shit. You're afraid of heights." I said before face hoofing for forgetting. Cherry just continued to remain silent, a panicked expression forming in her eyes. I sighed, and Shady looked at me, clearly stating with her gaze that this was my problem. I matched her look with one of annoyance, before rolling my eyes and sighing in exacerbation. What I did next surprised every pony around us who had a clear line of sight to the whole ordeal. I wrapped my hooves around her neck, and looked deep into her hazel eyes, making her focus on my own, before I leaned in and kissed her deeply. I felt her try to gasp against my lips, and that was the only thing I needed to drag her into the car with us.

I felt every eye upon us as I kissed her even deeper, taking her mind off of what I was doing. Once Zakk joined the car with us, I flailed around, trying to find the up button. Once I did, I pressed it with a hoof, and the doors closed a heartbeat later, and we began our assent. Once we began moving, Cherry pulled away from me abruptly, her face alight and a look of bewilderment in her eyes. I knew I would probably pay for that under hoofed trick later, but it worked, and now we were on our way to see a Doctor.

A few minutes later, the door to the elevator open. Inside a comedic scene plays out for all in sight. I crouched and hide my face as Cherry repeatedly slams her hooves upon me, trying desperately to pummel my face for the tricking her. Shady chuckled lightly, refusing to come to my aid, while Zakk likewise lay upon the floor, cackling like a foal. “Cherry, Cherry that’s enough we’re here!” I shout, stopping her before she could land another blow. She then takes a look outside, seeing all of the clean ponies watching us with varying looks of amusement, or flat out disdain. I suppose the latter was due to our rough and dirty appearance.

With a snort of irritation, Cherry leads the way out of the elevator, dragging a still laughing Zakk along the floor. Cherry though, her anger not yet fully spent, turns on the gathered crowd. “What are you looking at!?” She shouts, and then to make matters even more confusing, Zakk leaps from the floor, and moves to the end of his leash in a flash, before beginning to bark like a dog at the crowd of on lookers.” Ponies around the scene screamed in surprise and fear, one of them even yelling out, “It’s Zakk! Run” Before the rest of the crowd managed to disperse in a matter of moments. Shady and I watched the entire scene unfold, once again in a state of confusion. “He sure does make those noises fairly accurately.” Shady states with a soft smile and a chuckle. I just shake my head and press on. There was more important business to take care of.

A few minutes later, We all stood outside of the door to the Doctor’s office. Cherry’s frustrations had subsided by then, and even Zakk was keeping himself composed. I lifted my hoof, and gently knocked on the door three times, if only not to disturb any patients already within. A heartbeat later the door was pulled open, and an older white Stallion stood before us, his mane a soft red, and his eyes holding a gentleness I had rarely seen. “Are you Doctor Life Bloom? I ask, remembering him from LittlePip’s story. “I am.” He admitted. I could tell he was looking us over, noting the many bruises and limps we all had.

“Doc, we need help.” I said a short time later, after he had admitted us access, and gave us all a place to sit. To my surprise as well, he was one pony here who wasn’t shocked to see Zakk, in fact he even greeted him as an old friend. Though I did notice him seem a little more relaxed when he noticed the weights around his hooves. “I figured, but sadly I am in a bit of a pickle here. I don’t know if you noticed or not, but the current patients I already have are in need of my abilities, but the last shipment of medical equipment and medicines went missing. Without them I doubt I could help them, let alone you.” He said. Based on what I knew about him from the story, I knew he must be stressed and tired due to the lack of cheeriness he normally showed.

“What if we found your missing shipment?” Cherry asked, and not a one of us missed the excited tone in her voice for another adventure. Shady and I shared a look, not exactly thrilled at the idea. I knew I could handle it, even though I was in rough shape. Shady on the other hoof…Wasn’t. Even if we could, we have no weapons, and no armor.” I offered, making it clear that we were really not geared up enough for an adventure. Cherry though was having none of it.

“I could go. Unlike you and Shady I haven’t worn armor, and my magic would be more than enough to handle anything that comes my way.” I knew then that I would have no chance at talking her out of this. Not only did she crave an adventure, but she truly just wanted to help us. But I didn’t like the idea of sending her off into the wasteland alone. Even a skilled fighter would be hard pressed to survive alone for long. “I’ll go with her.” came an unexpected offer from Zakk. If anything I expected some type of joke or random action on his part, but to his credit he was sincere in his offer. But I had to know what motivated this act of charity.

“Why?” I simply asked, narrowing my eyes and looking at him suspiciously. Zakk narrowed his eyes back at me, doing his best to copy my own gaze. “What do you mean why? This is a gesture of good will, and…” Zakk scanned the room with a quick glance, turned back to face us, and shouted at the top of his lungs, “I’m BORED. Watching you two get patched up is BORING, and I wanna go do something, anything but being here!” Zakk slowly sank to the floor and in a weak raspy voice said, “And the weight of the boredom is slowly crushing my soul.” Shady and I share a look, weariness evident in our eyes. Zakk going with Cherry would help, but being an unknown variable, while beneficial, could be disastrous. I sigh, unable to think of any decent alternative, I look to Cherry and give a slow, unsure nod.

Still, if they were going to do this, it would have to wait. I didn’t want them wandering around outside seeing how the day was over half gone. “Fine, but not today. Wait till tomorrow.” Spoke Life Bloom, and I silently sent him thanks. “I will have to compile a list of the equipment anyway, great time to prepare and come up with a game plan.” Cherry and Zakk nod, accepting the idea of some proper rest before heading out. The Doctor spent a few minutes jotting down a list of missing equipment, and floated it to Cherry. Right after, he took us back to an examination room, where he tenderly removed the boot over Shady’s rear leg. And carefully inspected the wound. I hadn’t noticed a few days back, but now her leg was a mottled score of blues and yellows, but there was green edging it’s way along the flesh where the bullet had torn into her.

“Sweet Celestia!” Life Bloom exclaimed in a whisper, but even so we all heard it. “This is bad, it’s a miracle you were even capable of putting weight on this leg at all.” Shady grit her teeth and took the news stoically. “Can you save the leg?” I ask, knowing we wouldn’t be able to afford a prosthetic, let alone cybernetics. The doc continued to look at the injury, weighing his options. I can probably save it, but it will require more than a few healing potions.” He said before his horn alit and a slender beam passed harmlessly over the affected area. Then, with another burts of magic from him, a projection appeared in thin air, showing the bones of Shady’s leg in stark detail.

The bone was clearly broken. A sharp and jagged split running all across the width. The broken bone came as no surprise, it was the rest of the damage however that did. Slivers and shards of bone had broken free and were busy floating about inside her muscle. Cherry had told me that a healing potion was used to close the wounds and stop the bleeding. Even managed to repair the cauterized flesh from our attempt at battle triage. Life Bloom then changed the view to show the muscle, veins and arteries. There was still some scarring from the bullet, but the shards of bone were still evident, sawing their way through the muscle. I winced, unable to comprehend the pain my friend was in. actually I could now that I thought about it. I had taken a high caliber round to the chest and was drowning in my own blood. This wasn’t quite so bad then.

“hmmm it’s not as bad inside as I thought. It will require some surgery to remove the bits of bone. But I cannot properly mend the break. I could use some hydra, but that would leave you horribly exposed to taint. I would rather repair the damage with conventional means.” He then paused to look directly at Shady, making sure his words were not misunderstood. “I will have to use a plate and pins to repair the damage. Combined with healing spells and potions I could reknit the muscle, but there will always be some soreness.” Shady nodded, accepting the news and I could tell was pleased that she could keep the leg, even if it did hurt some.

Having settled on a treatment option, Cherry, Zakk, and I moved out into the waiting room, honestly having nowhere else to go. Shady wasn’t allowed to join us, the Doctor told us that he didn’t want her risking even further injury. To break the silence after a time, Cherry, having a question pop into her head, turned to me. “Hey, what exactly happened to your town, you and Shady never told me.” from the corner of my eye I saw Zakk’s ears perk up, and he scooted in closer. Somehow he had materialized a blanket and a juice box while he sat like a foal expecting story time.

I sighed, the memory still raw. But Cherry had a right to know and I saw no harm in telling Zakk. “Are you familiar with the massacre of Arbu?” I ask Zakk. He nods, actually giving me all of his attention now. And so it was that I retold the story of Arbu, and how I met Shady. By now Life Bloom had finished with inspecting Shady, and joined us. He remained quiet through it all, out of respect, and intrigue. Through it all Cherry and Zakk listened. Cherry was already aware of my twisted origins, but Zakk drank it all up like a child getting a bed time story. I told them about life in Respite, and how the rogue NCR attacked. I told of my injury, and recovery in Junction town. And finally wound up on our run to Gutterville. Before I could continue Zakk raised a hoof, and asked. “Wait, you said DJ-Pon3 called you out publically as a Child of Arbu?” I nod, not understanding the confusion. “And now here you are in the same building as her?” Once again I nod, actually wanting to talk to her about just that.

“Come with me.” He said, a dangerous tone in his voice, and a seriousness I didn’t think he was capable of as he whips the blanket around his neck and tries to tie it like a cape, but failing due to his weighted hooves, looks to Cherry for help with tear filled eyes and a quivering lip. Rolling her eyes, but seeing no harm in his antics, easily tied it for him with her magic. With that out of the way he was off, and both of us, curious about his new attitude follow him out of the doctor’s office, leaving Life Bloom who wore a look of understanding.

Together we made for the elevator, and once again Cherry froze. But the intenseness of Zakk’s current attitude would not allow for delays. “No time for that Cherry!” He said loudly, breaking her of her stupor and making her enter the elevator of her own accord. I looked on impressed, and Cherry wore a look of shock as Zakk’s weighted hooves slammed into the up button, denting the panel behind it. We both jumped, now, too afraid of our newest member to utter a single protest. When the elevator at least came to a stop, and the doors parted, Zakk stormed out, and approached two guards who had the misfortune of being in his way. “Move.” He commanded, and even the walls reverberated with his words. Both guards though froze, unsure of how to proceed. Zakk then closed the distance, his blanket/Cape billowing around him despite the lack of a breeze.

I watched on in amazement as he stood upon his rear hooves, and effortlessly shoved the two guards aside. Both of them landed in a heap… several feet away. Again, in shock and surprise we followed our angry companion as he shoved open a set of double doors, making the hinges creak from his forceful push. As a trio we entered a simple yet wonderful library, a wooden table covered in old tomes sat in the middle of the room. We watched dumbstruck as he bypassed the treasure trove of old knowledge, and ascended the stairs before reaching a balcony. Without a word spoken, or even a grunt of effort, Zakk shoved the door open so hard the hinges gave way, and the door toppled into the room.

I peeked over his shoulder curiously, noticing a dark grey unicorn with a wild blue mane speaking into a microphone. Despite her slender size and obviously feminine frame, a deep and husky voice came from her lips as she looked at the newest arrival with a look of shock and horror. To my continued surprise though, I also saw the glint of recognition in her eyes. Without skipping a beat in her speech, she held up a hoof to Zakk, stopping him before he could begin a rant. Standing before us was none other than DJ-pon3, and she was in the middle of a broadcast, made evident by her pointing hoof to a flashing red light reading “on air.” Zakk let his built up breath ease out, before nodding and saluting to her, then turning and grabbing Cherry and I who were too stunned to make a move against him.

Before we knew what was happening though, I found myself laying comfortably upon a couch, while Cherry was somehow stuffed into a book case. Her head and rump exposed to the room, but her side and belly were covered back over with books. “Uhh what…?” Cherry tried to speak, before Zakk, who was awkwardly sitting with his rear legs crossed and reading a magazine, looked up and easily shushed Cherry. We remained silent for the next few minutes, waiting for the DJ to finish her broadcast. Our patience was not severely tested however, as she finally steps out, a look of annoyance in her gentle eyes. “Some pony!” she said looking pointedly at Zakk. “Is going to have to replace my studio door.

“Well then!” Zakk shouts, before gently setting down the magazine, and with a small grunt, he launched himself into the air, and landed on the balcony before her. Cherry, amazed could not contain herself any longer. “That pony just jumped thirty feet into the air!” She said with a whisper. I however could not draw my attention from the sight before me. Now that I saw them near each other, certain similarities in their builds and facial structures were nearly identical. “What’s this about then?” the cool DJ said without even a look of shock. Then Zakk stood upon his rear hooves once more, and pointed an accusing hoof in her chest, his cape now billowing around him wildly.

“You!... You publically called out my current companion as a Child of Arbu, and you didn’t even have the Goddess Damned curtesy to apologize for your mistake!” He ranted into her face. I then felt it would be prudent to speak up then finally coming to terms with the shock I had endured at his hooves. “Um She did.” I said pointedly, making him whip his head back around to look at me. “She did?” he asked, and I nodded. He then turned around back to her, and continued “But you didn’t have the guts to admit you were wrong to begin with!” to her credit the DJ stood impassively, if Zakk scared her she gave no hint of it. But once again I felt it important to correct him. “She did.” I repeated, and he looked back at me for a second time. “She did?” once more I nod, and he returns his gaze back upon her. “Well then I guess I got nothing to scream about, but I’m not lowering the tone of my voice.” He screamed at her.

I wince, but Homage just rolled her eyes, and pointed at her broken down door. “You gonna fix that?” She asked coldly, and even I could tell it was not so much a question. “No!” He shouted, before moving past her and picking up the door, and began resetting it into its hinges. Homage rolls her eyes, apparently more familiar with Zakk’s behavior. She then leaned over the railing to look back down at us, and finally her eyes settled on mine. Then her eyes softened, and I even caught a glimmer of immense sadness. She, like me had witnessed the destruction of Arbu, but unlike me, she saw her own lover commit the deed. She undoubtedly knew my soul cried out for LittlePip blood, but she held no ill will toward me.

I watched as she walked down the stairs, and approached me. And I could not dismiss the similarities in our mane styles. Still, I forced myself to focus on her eyes. And without a word spoken, she pulled me into a hug. It was not a flirtatious hug, nor even a friendly one. It was one of apology, charged with more emotions than I was familiar with. But even still I could not bring myself to hug back. If only because my legs were trapped against my side. “Ribs, Ribs!” I said past the hug. While it was nice and comforting, I could not ignore the fact that my ribs were still broken.

She promptly released me, recognizing the injury. She then glanced at Cherry then moved closer, sighing at the scene of Zakk’s shenanigans before reaching with her magic to begin removing the books so Cherry could escape the shelf. “SHE STAYS IN THE BOOKCASE!” Zakk shouted from the balcony, looking down to watch the scene unfold. Homage ignored him though, and quickly released Cherry from her shelf assignment. To my subtle amusement, I noted that Zakk had properly placed her in the correct alphabetical order following the Whinny Decimal system.

The three of us, after Cherry was freed, stood around unsure of what to do or say next. It was at this moment where I was sizing up Homage, the mare I had heard so much about yet never met. She had a gentleness behind her eyes, and every action yes slow yet purposeful. And secretly I could actually understand the attraction LittlePip had for her. "So, uh, now what?" Cherry asked, awkwardly breaking the silence that had fallen between us. Homage and I made eye contact for just a second, and the same question burning behind both of our eyes.

I decided to skip over the next bit of awkwardness and jump straight into the deep end. "Are you aware of why we are here?" I asked, and to my surprise she shook her head. I sighed and ran a hoof across my muzzle before addressing her again. "I can assume you heard about the Jacks out in Hoofington?" That question caused a light of recognition. "Yeah, the camp that was eradicated by a small group of bandits?" She queried. I flinched at the term she had used that described my actions against them. Homage though, ever vigilant, caught the reaction. "Why, did you all see it happen?"

I sigh once again, and Cherry looks away, probably thinking the books suddenly began to look all too interesting. I motion to the chairs, and take a seat myself. Homage joins me, holding back her curiosity and awaits my explanation. I struggle with the words for a few seconds, having difficulty letting the built-up emotions free. But if there was any pony in the wasteland who could listen to any situation and refrain from judging it was Homage. Taking comfort in that knowledge I began telling her what had happened after her apology broad cast. I left nothing out, telling her about my thoughts and feelings throughout it all.

As I spoke, I let my built-up emotions loose for the first time since the battle of Respite. I felt my eyes water, and after a moment tears streamed across my cheeks and no matter what I tried they continued to fall. In the midst of my emotional breakdown, Cherry moved next to me and placed a comforting hoof across my shoulders. I cried for the fear I felt, and the many lives I took while trying to keep my friends alive. Looking back on it now I can see just how much the ordeal hurt me, and that bottling it up like I had was the cause of my breaking heart.

Finally, I finished my tale after the four of us arrived inside Tenpony. Homage had stayed silent all throughout my tale, keeping her own thoughts to herself. But now that I was done, I could tell she was processing all I had said. Finally, she sighs, electing to give as close to an unbiased opinion. "It sounds incredible. If I didn’t know LittlePip I would say it's a tall tale. But I saw the footage from a distance, the smoke curing into the air and a few survivors fleeing the camp." I winced again, and she gave me an apologetic look. "Anyway, in the old wasteland I would say that would be that. I can't say I agree with what your friend did, but knowing what we know about her past it is understandable." I nod, agreeing fully. "But the NCR are rising to power more and more each day, and their laws are gaining traction. If it were up to me I would say you two did nothing wrong." She said while gesturing at Cherry and I.

I nod, thankful for her words. They acted like cool water against my inflamed heart. I smiled at Homage, truly feeling better now that I could release all that had been tearing me apart. "Moonshine, you are not a bad pony. Yes, you had to do some horrible things, but you weren't given a choice. As for what you said to Shady, saying she was no better than LittlePip..." Homage trailed off, collecting her thoughts before her emotions took over. But no matter how she felt about the Light Bringer, I would not apologize for my words and she knew it. "I know why you said what you did, and while it does hurt me I can't fairly blame you either. In your eyes you were dragged into the situation like Calamity and the others." I nod, and Cherry pulls me a little closer to her, letting me know she was till here for me.

Homage sighs, and rubs a hoof across her tired face. The whole conversation took a couple of hours, and from her expression she hadn't been sleeping well. "So, do you want me to put the truth out there about the whole ordeal?" She asks, and I take a few minutes to mull it over. "No, if we plan on getting our stuff back from General Eucalyptus he can't know that we would be coming for him." Homage reels back at the tone of my voice. The visual image of him wearing my power armor still sent ill feelings through me. Cherry understood having seen it for herself. "So, what am I supposed to tell the rest of the wasteland? They have to know that the NCR at the dam are corrupt and strung out on chems?" I nod, not disagreeing.

"Give us a little time. We will handle the NCR at the dam. But until then the General needs to be assured that we are dead. So here is a half-truth you can tell the wasteland. Bandits attack a prisoner transport on the river. The ship later caught fire, and sank near Manehattan. Not only does that protect us, but keeps the NCR from looking for the freed prisoners and the crew of the ship." I offer, literally just pulling that out of my butt. And it would actually give more meaning and a reason for us sinking the White Rose. Homage ponders the idea, growing comfortable with the idea. "I could spin that, and it is technically the truth. So yeah, I can do that. How will I know when it's the right time to tell the whole truth?" She asks, and the conviction in my voice stole any remaining worries she had. "You will know."

Homage, while willing to go along with it, still seemed drained of energy. She sighs again and slumps back in her seat. "I need a trip to the spa after all of this." She laments. I had heard of the spa from LittlePip's story, but I honestly couldn't wrap my head around it. Seeing that my curiosity had been piqued Homage sat up and looked at me questioningly. "You've never experienced a spa before have you?" She asked and I shook my head. She also asked Cherry only to yield a similar response. "ok a Stallion I could understand, but no mare should go through life without experiencing a spa. With her mind made up, she clopped her hooves together and stood from her chair. "It's settled, you two follow me. Zakk... Just stay out of my studio." She orders and Zakk, snaps off a quick salute from the balcony where he was still tinkering on Homages door. Apparently trying to stop a rather annoying squeak.

A few minutes later, and having to coerce Cherry into the elevator again, we pushed through a door where beyond sat the spa. I looked around, seeing plenty of clean and content ponies. Many wearing robes and towels around their manes. I felt even more out of place here than I had entering the tower. In comparison to the clean and polished marble and tiles, Cherry and I couldn't be more out of place. I began to feel even more self-conscious when the others looked at us like we were a disease in a hospital. Before I could grow more uncomfortable, a young mare trotted up to Homage, and in a delicate, yet odd accent addressed her. "Ah Miss Homage, it has been some time since you last came here. Should we set you up for the usual today?"

Homage nodded appreciatively, before directing the mare's attention upon us. "And can you set my new friends up with a complete work up?" The petite mare moves in closer to investigate us, even though she had to wrinkle her nose to do so. She brushed a hoof through our manes, and closely looked at our hooves and coats. I didn’t know what she was looking for, but she sure did. After only a minute each, she seemed to know exactly what we needed. "You!" She points at Cherry, follow me and Miss Homage. You both could use a gentle bath." She then looked more closely at me, and shook her head. "You have broken ribs and a sprained ankle. We cannot treat you until you are healed." She said with a tone of apology. I nod, accepting it fully, and not bothered in the least.

Cherry made to move back by me, but I waved her off and for the first time in a while, a genuinely kind smile split my lips. "No Cherry, you stay here. Have fun and relax, you are going on a job tomorrow remember. Take the rest where you can get it." I could tell Cherry wasn't pleased, but upon further assurances that I would be fine, and a calming hoof from Homage convinced her to go with it. I smiled for her, and for once I didn't feel like complete crap.

Having nowhere else to go, and nothing to do for a few hours, I decided to try and find a cigarette. But where could I find some? So far in this tower I didn't see a single pony smoking, and I didn't have caps to buy a pack. So, I wracked my mind trying to think of where ponies typically gathered, was outside, and more than likely had cigarettes. And then, like a bolt of lightning it hit me, and I began trotting to the one place I knew I would find one.

I stepped from the elevator on ground floor, and continued trotting until I pushed through the barricaded door and out into the guard area. There were many guards going about their duties, covering any approachable area with multiple weapons that I knew were cocked and ready. While I looked around, seeing a few guards who were participating in the one activity I sought, I couldn't quite figure out who to approach. The last thing I needed was to spook a guard who was busy scanning for trouble, that could only lead to me getting shot.

As I stood in the door way, weighing my options, a figure suddenly landed right next to me. Probably didn't even know I was there, because they almost landed on me. Looking to the figure more fully now I tensed, a purple Alicorn was right beside me. Despite having already met this one, my instincts told me to hide, and that it would kill me or worse. I snorted and lunged, trying to put distance between the Alicorn and myself. What I didn’t expect though was that my movement and noise would spook them. The too snorted and lunged aside, ducking behind a concrete barricade while I crouched behind a table.

A few heartbeats passed, and the more rational part of my brain took hold once more, and remembered I didn't have to be afraid of Alicorns any longer. They were just like regular ponies now. Though they did have both wings and a horn. Plus were twice the size of any other pony. I poked my head up over the table, glancing at where they had gone. They too were likewise poking their head over the barricade and made eye contact with me. Then surprisingly we both let out a sheepish chuckle and moved out from our respective cover. Rogue and I approached one another, both of us embarrassed by our reactions. "That didn't happen." He whispers and I look back to him curiously. "What are you talking about?" I query, and he winks at me before saying "Exactly." I just went with it, though I was at the time completely confused.

Now that we both had a moment to recompose ourselves, Rogue looked at me more closely and I saw the light of recognition in their eyes. "Hey aren't you the pony who was traveling with Zakk?" He asks. Upon just the mention of his name, every guard freaks out again, some diving behind cover, and others turning to point their guns at me. All of this amidst a chorus of "Oh Shit!" and "Goddesses save me!" Rogue winced, and turned back to their fellow guards. "Hey its fine he isn't here!" He shouted, then turned to look back at me, worry now evident in their voice. "Right?" I shook my head and the Alicorn immediately relaxed. "Last I saw he was upstairs fixing a door."

The Alicorn then grows paranoid, and looks around left and right, even checking the air above him. "Shit then he could be anywhere." Rogue whispers, before levitating me up in a purple glow. "Hey what the hell put me down!" I command as I struggle with in the magical grasp. But Rogue did not release me, carrying me all the way to a small shed, before pushing me inside and following right behind. I was then set gently upon the floor as he begins locking the door and turning on the few lights inside. The walls and ceiling were all painted a very soft pink, not to bright, and actually relaxing if I am honest. Strings of old hearths warming lights were strung along the ceiling, and even the furniture looked well cared for. It wasn't until I saw the massive bed, too large for a regular pony, did I realize this was Rogues home.

He hastily slid a bar across the door, and I was beginning to grow more nervous by the second. Did Rogue have some nefarious plan that involved me? Was I in danger? Admittedly my weak skills with fighting paled in comparison to the raw power of an Alicorn, but still I crouched as best I could in a defensive stance. I needn't have bothered though as he finally slumped and pressed his head to the wall. "Uh what?" I ask before Rogue held up a shaky hoof. I gave him a minute to recollect himself before he explained. "Zakk would never be caught dead in an area like this. Too cramped and only one way in or out." I turn my head sideways still at a loss for why Zakk garnered such a reaction only at the thought of him.

Rogue saw the motion, and the look of confusion I wore, before growing serious once more and asking me a simple question. "How long have you been travelling with Zakk?" He asked and I had to think back, only able to give a guess as to how long I was on the White Rose. "About four or five days, though he slept through most of it." I offer, hoping that would draw a little more comfort from him. Instead it only increased his anxiety. "Oh, dammit that means he's fully charged. There is no telling what he would be capable of if he wasn't wearing those weights.

"You all seem really afraid of Zakk, why?" I ask, having only the memory of his tirade through the tower when he found out what DJ pon-3 said over the radio. And that was impressive in itself. I was finally beginning to grasp why the guards were so afraid. In my contemplation I saw Rogue levitate a pack of Cigarettes from a nearby table, and light one quickly. I began to think this one smoked just to relieve stress, kind of like a comfort thing. Before Rogue could put them back I pointed with my sprained hoof at the smokes, and asked if I could have one. He nodded and gave me the pack and a lighter. I nodded my thanks to him as I lit one up and likewise took a drag.

We sat in silence for a while, just content to smoke in peace. It was then that I realized the absurdity of the situation. Here I was, a tiny and malnourished pony sitting beside a large and healthy Alicorn. I must have looked like a stuffed toy next to him. I then began to chuckle at the mental image, drawing a confused look from Rogue. I told him of my thought, and at first, he didn't know whether to be insulted or not. Luckily for me the mental image did paint a funny picture, and a moment later we both sat laughing.

We both sat there for a few more minutes, letting the absurdity of the situation fuel our laughter, until eventually it too died out. Rogue and I sat silently for a time, enjoying our cigarettes in peace, neither one of us wanting to talk about Zakk and his...eccentricities. Despite the rough time we all had getting here, and the events before that, I was growing more and more relaxed, and starting to feel more like myself. It really is amazing just how important down time truly is to one's emotions. Rogue himself likewise relaxed. I swear it's still weird to think of Alicorns as anything other than massive death creatures, but since the Goddess was destroyed, and all of the accumulated personalities slit into the remaining creatures, they had all begun to make homes in the wasteland, and many ponies had started accepting them more and more. I felt another pang of jealousy, having met yet another pony who was so easily accepted despite their past.

I push the thought from my head, I may not have the level of acceptance that Rogue did, but I had at least three friends, four if I counted Homage as one, who truly understood what I had been through, and cared for me like any other, non-cannibal pony. I thank Rogue for letting me have a few smokes, and leave him to his home, that is after I unbolted all twelve locks and opened the door. One day I would have to learn why everypony here was so terrified of Zakk, but I had other more important matters to worry about. In just a few short hours, I would be trusting Cherry to the crazy Stallion. I once again pushed negative thoughts from my brain, Cherry was a seasoned helper on a boat. Surely, she had seen her fair share of combat, and could handle herself just fine. I just worried that Zakk had other motives for going beyond just being bored.

During my internal crisis of conscience, I had used the elevator to return to Homages library. Zakk was nowhere to be seen, and the door was properly hung on its hinges. I flopped into a chair, and with a deep sigh, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to relax properly for the first time since entering Tenpony. I kept my breath slow and steady, letting just the simple act occupy all of the thoughts then. And before long, I had drifted off into a light nap.

I was awoken by the sound of hooves near me. I knew I was safe, no pony intent on killing me here would make any noise. I saw Cherry then, and the sight of her had me second guessing if It was actually her. Her coat was clean and smooth, reflecting just a tone of orange from the amethyst hue of her fur. Her mane was trimmed up a little, each bang and wave emulating a gentle fire. Everything about her appearance was stunning, and with the work the spa had done for her, I was no able to see just why her magic typically took on the appearance of fire. I could now see her for who she was, gentle and enticing, like a small fire in the dead night of winter. But I also knew that under the right circumstance, she could grow into a roaring blaze.

"W...Wow." Was all I could mutter at the sight of my friend. Never could I have imagined she would look like this. Cherry blushed a little at my staring, and I coughed, before averting my eyes for a moment to recompose myself as well. "They.. Um. The spa did a great job, you look great." I offer, still stuttering over my thoughts, but I was able to choke out the compliment. Cherry smiled gently, greatful for the remark. Homage though, couldn't help but giggle at the sight of me trying to play it cool. "Stallions, it never ceases to amaze me how flustered they get around a beautiful Mare." She teased before walking up and bumping her hoof against Cherry's.

I looked back and forth between the pair, each one sharing a glimmer of light and a smile indicating an inside joke, something I wouldn't be privy to, and probably wouldn't understand. Mares can be so weird sometimes.

"Anyway Moonshine, I talked to the spa ponies, and while they can't give you a massage right now, because of...well your injuries, they agreed to at least help you clean up. Who knows, maybe there is a good-looking Buck under all that grime and tragic mane." Cherry teases, and I put a hoof up to my mane, running it through the shaggy hair. "What's wrong with my mane? I thought I made it look good." I pout, the fact that she didn't like my hair stung.

"No no, it's fine, the long and messy look suits you, but it’s a little... too messy. You need a serious bath and maybe a trim to clean it up, it’s a little too wild, even for you." Now I knew she was poking fun at me, but I could also tell it was all in good spirits. Besides, I really could use a bath, I was more than a little ripe. Before I could grow self-conscious about it, I nodded and readily agreed. Perhaps a little time in the spa might be for the best.

Zakk
S: ?
P: ?
E: ?
C: ?
I: ?
A: ?
L: ?

Total Points:???