I sighed as we passed a sight of town ponies cleaning up the vandalism the raiders had created. I watched with Goldenlee and my sisters as two stallions heaved the body of the Reaper in a wagon full of others. They were loaded up, taken far away from the town and were going to be burned. As we made our way to the center of the town, I could hear the buzzing chatter suddenly grow quiet into murmurs. I know what they were thinking. The very pony that had almost cost them a home was out and about. Suddenly, we were stopped by a dozen or so town ponies. I wasn’t surprised when they were looking at me with disgust. I sighed and was about to speak when Heart trotted ahead of me and looked at them.

“Step aside, Heart. We got a bone to pick with Courier.” A mare said in the crowd. I felt the eyes of thousands again watch us. I pulled my hood down further, but not enough. I wanted to see this. I had to accept it.

“Don’t do anything rash, Railgrinder.” Heart said, looking at a gruff stallion that was in the lead of the mob. “She’s just as much a pony as you are. This is her home. You can’t kick her out of it because she wasn’t herself.” The gruff stallion with a buzz shaved mane chuckled quietly.

“Really now?” He looked behind him and we all followed his gaze. A minor part of the hall had been destroyed and I could see charred remains of wood and Din’s fire. “That says so otherwise.” He turned back and his gaze fell on me. I said nothing and gave him that blank serious look. “You almost destroyed your home. That is an act of terrorism if I ever seen it.” The mob chuckled amongst themselves, only to be silenced with a hoof stomp by Heart.

“Railgrinder, she saved all of us. If it wasn’t for her, you would have been sodomized by a raider.” I arched a brow and saw the stallion look flushed.

“H-hey! Don’t be bringing that up! I’m not the monster here, she is!” he said pointing a hoof at me.

“Oh, quite the monster.” A voice said. We looked to see Chester, to the mobs surprise, watering plants with an apron. “But the monster saved everypony’s hide! Including mine. Why, would you believe it? I was about to get my head chopped off it wasn’t for dear Sixteen’s plan.” The grinning mask looked at us and cocked a head. “I owe my life to the fair maiden.” Railgrinder snorted.

“Shut up, you freak. You are about to go with her. We don’t need you around and being a bad influence to our children.” He said.

“Oh!” he reared up, putting his hooves up to his chest in shock. “W-why Railgrinder. You have no idea how much that hurts. Why… don’t you love me anymore?” The question seemed to make the mob uneasy, but he continued in his usual cheery tone. “I may be a freak, but who isn’t a freak? Heart is a freak.” Heart nodded, but then quickly blinked and looked questiongly at the courier.

“Beg your pardon?” she asked.

“Heart is a freak for wearing a muffler everywhere she goes. Heart is a freak for constantly worrying about her siblings. Heart was even freaked out about the hand.” He stopped and rubbed his chin. “Oh wait, that last part was different. But anywho~! You are also the freak yourself, Railgrinder.” Railgrinder narrowed his eyes at Chester.

“What are you getting on about, clown?” he said. To our surprise, Chester had somehow appeared next to him, kicking back on a folded chair and drinking from a cup.

“Well, let’s put it this way. You said you would willingly do anything for the town.” Railgrinder blinked. “And a pony can respect that. Why you had me giddy when you threw yourself in to take the place of another stallion about to be sodomized. Quite the hero, this pony.” Railgrinder flushed and I heard a couple of chuckles. “So that makes you a freak as well. You risked your sphincter for the town. I toast to your heroics.” He said, holding up the cup and drinking. I saw Railgrinder steam a little in anger, but he knew better than to make himself look bad. I couldn’t help but give a small nicker. “Oh yes, as hilarious as it sounds, it was nothing to what dear Sixteen had in her life.” I stopped and glared at the clown. Okay, where in the hell was he going with this? He went on. “But I won’t be a bother. In fact, I think a few words are in order for the savior of our own Mayor mare.” He rose his hooves and clapped as the mob departed and I winced as a stern looking Silver Iris walked next to the mayor of Pleasant Town. I pulled my hood down, hiding my eyes completely from the confrontation.

“Err… thank you, Five.” The mayor said. She was an old looking mare, probably at least a couple years older than Post Box. Her pale blue hide was covered with a puffy looking jacket and her straight white mane flowed as she turned to the crowd. “Yes, I do believe I have something to say. But I would like to say a few words for my savior.” She turned to Silver Iris, still looking stern and serious. “Silver Iris. Brave Silver Iris. You’re courage has shown that you could accomplish anything. You have saved me in a dire time and had defeated a mare bent on ruining us. You have our thanks.” There was hoof stomping and cheering as Silver Iris bowed her head and was donned a medal. I sat on my haunches and just stared at my hooves.

Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for Iris. Being a hero of my home meant she would be treated better than I could have. I just killed the ponies that had hurt my mother and attacked my town. Iris went in and saved the mayor and I guess probably killed the one behind the attack in the process. But I was also sad. She finally seen me at my worst. She had saved ponies from me. She was the true hero. Me? I’m just a monster bent on hurting ponies that hurt me and my home. I wasn’t a hero. I wasn’t a savior. I’m a destroyer.

“And now for the matter at hoof.” I felt eyes look at me. “Courier Sixteen. You have been born here with your father and mother. Your father was born here. Your father’s father was born here. So on and so forth.” There was a pause. “I know this will hurt you more dearie, but I am afraid I must agree with the town. You are just too much of a danger to be around here anymore. I’m going to have to ask you and your siblings to find some other place to live.”

“What!? You can’t do that to us!” Bell squeaked. “This is our home! Where are we supposed to go!?” The mayor looked disgustedly at the filly.

“I’m sorry. But the town has spoken.” The mayor said. Chester stood up and stretched.

“Welp, you heard the mare. We gotta get going before the going gets tough.” He said. I nodded silently. Then blinked. Wait a minute. You can’t be serious! I looked shocked at the clown as he seemed to be taking a stick that was on a blanket, stuffed a cheese wedge in and wrapped the blanket around before saluting to the ponies and trotted away.

“Just a minute, Five. I didn’t say you could go.” The mayor said. The clown stopped before turning back to her.

“Really? But I’m all the more the same to be blamed upon. I’m a freak. The town has said so itself.” Then he rubbed his chin. “Or have they?” I gapped at the clown and looked at Silver Iris, who smiled at Chester. The mayor arched a brow.

“What are you blabbering about, clown?” she said. Chester poked his horn while speaking.

“Well, you heard the town speak. But have you heard the entire town? There is still one that hasn’t spoken her say.” He nodded to Silver Iris. We looked at her. The mayor arched a brow.

“But Silver Iris isn’t a resident.” The mayor said.

“On the contrary, mayor.” I spoke, startling a few of the ponies. I looked at her, blank stare and all. “Chester is right. The entire town hasn’t spoken yet. Silver Iris needs to say her part.” I arched a brow. “After all, you did technically claim her to be a citizen for saving your life.” There were murmurs about what I had said.

“W-what do you mean? Even if she is one, her vote is still a few out of the majority.” The mayor said.

“Not quite, mayor.” Silver Iris said. “I believe the town has something they need to see for themselves.” She reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a slightly scorched file and paper. She gave it to Railgrinder and the mob looked it over. “The mayor may have had something to do with the attack. It says so by this contract.” Railgrinder seemed to balk at something before turning his gaze to the mayor.

“This… this is stating about giving up the entire town to them! You were planning on selling us out? The entire town to savages!? All for money!?!” He looked at the file and opened it, scanning it quickly. He frowned. “Now look here. It says that she did sell us out. She even signed all rights to the Cacophony.” Cacophony? A minor gang? I looked sternly at the mayor and she gave a wavering grin as the towns folk turned to her. “You know mayor. I always thought you were a stuck up bitch that was just in it for money. But this decree right here? Definitely sealed the deal.” The mayor now looked crossed at the town.

“Why would you believe such a thing!? I despise those savages as much as any pony!” she barked. Railgrinder chuckled.

“Your signature is plain and clear.” He said as he held up a paper. I squinted to see the mayor’s signature clear as day. No doubt about it. It is genuine. The mayor looked around with a wavering smile as the town’s folk circled her. “Let me be the first to say, I’m glad your ass is no longer mayor. The town has spoken.” Railgrinder said. The mayor stomped a hoof.

“You honestly expect me to be thrown out by you!? You won’t have a mayor! I’m the only voice you got!” she said.

“Actually mayor, you did have a running mate.” Silver Iris said with a smirk. She reached in her bag and pulled out another piece of paper, handing it to Railgrinder. He looked it over and arched a brow.

“Well, I’ll be damned. This was dated two months ago. I thought you said you weren’t being opposed.” He said. I cocked a head. I did remember that. The mayor had come out and exclaimed that without any pony to oppose her, she was again elected mayor for the third time. Railgrinder noticed another paper and scanned it. “And lookie here. He ain’t the only one that had opposed her. Few months ago it was Cherry Pop. And the first pony to oppose her had said that he had to step down to family matters. I don’t remember hearing anything about Coalminer’s wife being sent to the clinic.”

“That is correct.” A voice said from the crowd, we turned to see an old crippled mare with a walker shamble through. “I had a back problem that I had to see the doc about. Said I would be better in a week.” She wiggled her hip. “When I did git’ better, I came home to find my son crying about having being told that I had died in a caravan accident. My son didn’t know I had a back problem and was hospitalized for a week. And you know what he told me?” She arched a brow and pointed a shaky wrinkled hoof at the mayor. “He said that this here lady told my son that I had been in said accident. Had the proof to show it.” An old stallion trotted forward to Railgrinder with a paper in his teeth and showed him it. Railgrinder scanned it with a few ponies before looking at them and then to the mayor. The mayor gave a sheepish smile and a nervous laugh.

“B-but you still don’t have a recent running candidate!” she stammered. There was the sound of a drum roll and we looked to see a red curtain had appeared. Chester stood on his hind legs straight up and looked at the crowd.

“Fillies and gentlecolts! I give you our new and previous candidate, Mr. Post Box!” he bowed and moved to the side. I gapped as the curtains moved aside and a spot light shone down on a stoic looking Post Box. There were spectral hooves stomping the ground as Post Box trotted towards the mob. I saw bouquets of roses being tossed in his wake as he calmly trotted forward.

“Thank you, Five.” He said. I didn’t know what to say. Post Box, the boss of the Crystal Express, had entered as a candidate to run for mayor? I was utterly baffled. I looked over to see Silver Iris wink at me.

“Y-you can’t be serious! Election Day has passed! I had no pony to oppose me!” the mayor, now panicking, spoke. The crowd turned on her and Railgrinder held up the recent candidate form.

“Really? ‘Cus it says here Post Box himself was supposed to run against you again.” He said. The mayor stomped a hoof.

“How can you be so sure he really was!? He hadn’t shown up to any of the meetings!” she said.

“No pony returned my calls.” Post Box said. “And someone tampered with my schedule. A certain colt who was using a courier’s sibling’s identity to sabotage not only the campaign, but forge an order by the president of the RCE to leave around the time when the Cacophony stormed in.” he turned and two couriers dragged Stall with them. Only it wasn’t Stall. The colt sounded more like a gruff stallion than anything.

“Get yer’ filthy hooves offa’ me!” the colt growled. The two couriers did just that as they dropped the colt with a plop into the snow. He glared at the mayor. “Plan didn’t work boss. They found out about it.” He said with a huff. He suddenly blinked and looked at the towns folk. I arched a brow at the colt. No, not a colt. A short stallion. A very short stallion. “Err… did I say Boss? I meant uhh… crazy lady I don’t know and have never worked with in my entire life.” He scrunched his face and darted his eyes to left. I shook my head. A very short and dumb stallion. We looked back to the mayor, who was gritting her teeth. Railgrinder chuckled.

“Well, I guess we can have a recount on the votes. What do ya’ think?” he turned to the mob and the mob cheered. I looked over to Chester who seemed lost in thought at a certain butterfly that had been flapping around him. He made a gaily chuckle and tried to catch it. When the butterfly moved away, he ruffled his mane and slumped. He knew. I don’t know how he did it, but this pony knew. Definitely ‘The Cleverest Clown of the Wasteland’. I trotted over to him as he attempted to catch the butterfly again, only for it to fly off, and slumped again.

“How do you do it?” I asked. The grinning mask cocked his head.

“Why, I haven’t the slightest idea of what you mean, dear Sixteen.” He said. I smirked. That wasn’t a question. I threw my hooves around and hugged him. Chester returned it, hesitant at first, but then laughed and swung me around as he hugged back.

“Oooh! I knew we would be best of friends! I just knew it!” he said. He stopped and I pulled away, feeling slightly dizzy but I laughed with him.

“So, now that you are going to be running against the mayor, Post Box, what will your first official business would be?” I heard Railgrinder ask. I turned and gave him a concerned look. Post Box glanced my way before speaking.

“I, for one, will continue to work the Express while campaigning, but I will make sure my calendar is free of unwanted changes.” He said. “And Courier and her family stay.” Railgrinder seemed to frown at this, but then sighed.

“I always trusted your word, old buck. Fine, she and her family can stay.” I smiled as my sisters looked at me happily with Goldenlee. “But under one condition. If they pull anything like that around here again, then we will have no choice but to convince you to get them to leave.” Post Box remained stoic but gave a small smirk.

“Never worry, old buck. I plan on giving them a vacation for a couple months away from the town. By then, the elections would go off without worry of any threats.” He looked at me and winked. Go, uncle Post Box, go! I blinked as I saw Chester snort into a handkerchief.

“I always love happy endings!” he cried. I smirked.

“You are weird. But cool weird.” I said. Chester chuckled.

“I’m a clown. What do you expect?” he replied. I smiled as I watched my friends trot over to me with my siblings. I looked at Brick and Star smiling at me. I flushed when I saw the singed hairs on them. I was about to apologize when Star rose a hoof up.

“Don’t say it. We already forgive you. It’s what friends do.” He said with a smile. Brick nodded.

“Ayep.” He said. I gave a small smile. I blinked as I saw my friends look at me in concern. I felt a tear fall from my cheek. I smiled and wiped it away.

“I just… never thought I would have friends like you guys.” I said, feeling more tears. Silver Iris was the first to comfort me. Her wing wrapped around me, kissed my cheek and nuzzled me. Then it was Rex, nudging his head at me. I petted him as the rest came in for a group hug. I heard Chester snort more. I looked at him. He stiffened and cocked a head, pointing a hoof at himself. I motioned with my head and he cried more as he joined the group hug.

“All for one, One for all!” he cried. I looked at Comp who was smiling at me.

“I-.” I was about to speak when he shook his head.

“I trust you more than a spirit, Courier.” He said. I closed my mouth and nodded. I am surrounded by friends. Family. I felt happy. No, I am happy! I couldn’t have been the happiest mare alive to have such great friends. And I cried. Not tears of sorrow. Not tears of pain. I cried. I cried because I am happy. Truly happy for the first time in my life. And this moment will forever last in a photograph in front of the town gate.

I sighed as I looked at my shotgun. I was standing in my room, the curtains closed as I looked over my gear. My barding had been fine. With all the fire Din had cause, I came out unscathed. Or have I? I noticed most ponies had been questioning my mane. I just thought they were noticing how messier it was. I just shrugged it off and looked at my gear. I strummed the lyre, hearing the harmonious notes being played. I thought about playing it, but I figured I’d do that once I’m away from town. Me and my siblings were given two months’ vacation away from the town. It was more for our safety as well as the town. Bell and Heart were going to travel together and head to Wheatfield Acres. Stall is taking the opportunity to travel with LittlePip for a while. Me? Well, now I finally have time to go to the places and help my friends. It was time I repaid their help with mine. For once, I was going to stop being a courier and live a life as a wanderer for two whole months. I stuffed the lyre into my bag when I heard a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” I asked.

“It’s me.” Silver Iris’s voice said. I smiled and went over to the door, unlocking it with my magic and opened the door. She trotted in and I looked down the halls. I know it sounds crazy, but I don’t think most of the town still forgives me. And I was worried somepony might be stupid and try something, only for me to retaliate in defense. I closed the door and locked it, trotting over to the window and peeking out of the curtains. Good, windows locked. Now no pony would be attacking me! But I wasn’t expecting the one pony to attack me in a hug and then nibble on my ear. I flinched, but felt the bite to be inviting. I turned to her.

“Iris?” I asked. She smiled and looked at me.

“Yup?” she replied. I bit my lip.

“I err… wanted to say thank you.” I said. I really did. She had found those papers the mayor had hidden and had stuffed them in before saving the mayor. She had saved me and my family from being kicked out of our home. Still no sign of the leader of the Cacophony however, which was disappointing to hear. But what really threw my concentration off was how pretty Iris is when she looked at me. Our eyes met and I felt my heart beat faster.

“Yup.” She said, leaning in closely. I did the same.

“So, Thank you. You not only saved the mayor, well I guess she’s not going to be the mayor anymore, but still I… uh…” Oh Goddesses why was she giving me that look? I felt myself squirm. My body began to feel tingly.

“Yup.” She repeated. I couldn’t help myself. Celestia please don’t let this moment end! I felt our lips touch and our tongues move. I found myself out of my barding and found I had stripped Silver Iris of hers. What followed next felt like heaven. I admit, I was hesitant at first, but her touch down there was gentle. And then she started licking. Oh yes, I shivered in pure bliss as I felt the tongue of Silver Iris. I gasped when she touched a spot that made me feel tingly. When she was done, it was my turn and I happily returned the favor, hearing her blissful gasps of pleasure. Oh Celestia, this moment I was in heaven. I had always wanted to try out the skills I learned from finding one of the teacher’s books by accident. And I must have impressed Iris even more with these techniques. I also found a special spot underneath the joint of where her right wing and side connected. I had never heard so much blissful noises from her when I touched it.

When we were done, I snuggled up to my pretty cool mare and she kissed my head. I have made a mess on my bed before, but it was always small. But this was messier than I had thought. And I loved it! I loved everything about Silver Iris! Athletic. Cool. Pretty. And she can kick ass! But those were minor reasons. The true reason is we had both lived heartbroken lives. And this was meant to test our trust. And we had pulled it off. My Goddesses I felt tingly all over as she nibbled my ear. I am in love with a pretty cool mare named Silver Iris!

“Let me tell you, Courier. You certainly know how to impress a girl.” Silver Iris said with a sigh of delight. I nuzzled her cheek and kissed it before speaking.

“I guess I wanted to be… you know… pretty cool.” I cooed. I laid my head on her chest and felt the calming rhythmic beat of Iris’s heart. This is nice. Very nice. And I’ll say it again. I felt good. Utterly and amazingly good! And I was sharing this moment with a mare I could trust. Our lips met again. Round two.

We must have dozed off after round four. Me, 7. Iris, 3. When I awoke, I found it was early dawn. I was still curled up with Iris. She stirred and smiled at me sleepily.

“So, fun time?” she said. I smiled and kissed her head.

“Fun time.” I said with a smile. Then, she ruffled my mane.

“By the way. Have you’ve looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Your mane is different.” She said. I blinked and touched my mane.

“Was that why everypony was questioning me about it?” I asked as I slid out of my bed, wobbling a little from the sex we had and trotted over to my closet mirror. I gapped and saw that my mane was no longer messy or brown! My mane color had changed from brown to a fiery red with orange, yellow and a hint of white streaks in my mane. I looked at my tail and found it to be the same. How had I not noticed it? And on top of that, my mane didn’t look messy, it looked slightly spiked back. It almost looked like it was on the verge of becoming Cloudchaser’s and Silver Iris’s mane, but without the spiked top. I blinked and looked to see if anything else changed.

Golden eyes, charcoal hide, white die with a one and a six. Yup. Other than my mane and tail changing, I was still Courier. But now I questioned. Why had my mane suddenly changed like this? Was it because of Din? Had she changed my body when she took over? From the look of it, I’d say yes. I looked to Silver Iris, who was now sliding out of my bed and strapping on her barding.

“Err… Iris? Since when did this happen?” I asked, pointing at my mane. She looked at me with worry as she adjusted her armor.

“You know how Din took control of you? Well… she kinda changed your body in the process. You looked like a fire pony.” She made a motion to her mane. “I mean, it was actual flames as well as your tail. And you had a horn growing out of the side of your face. But your eyes…” she looked sad now. “Your eyes weren’t your eyes. They were those of a mad mare.” I said nothing and looked back at the mirror. I could hear Din cackling in my mind as I narrowed my eyes. I sighed and smiled at her as I trotted over to put my barding on. It definitely felt easier to strap on my barding than before. Goldenlee not only knows style, but she had modified it for quick ditch or equip now situations. Though, I nickered as my stable barding was still my stable barding. Slinging my shotgun over me, I looked at Iris, who cracked her neck and shivered.

“Ready?” I asked. She smirked.

“As I’ll ever be.” She said. When we left my room, we made our way down and out to the gate. Brick was waiting for us with Comp and Rex.

“Where’s Goldenlee and Star?” I asked as I threw my hood over me, covering my now flame colored mane. Comp nickered.

“They are speaking with Chester.” He arched a brow coolly at me. “I like your mane.” I flushed and pulled my hood down more. Great, was I going to be complimented on my mane now? Okay, sure I thought it looked cool on me, but what if it really wasn’t my mane? Din could have done something to me and she was actually partially showing herself to all of us and we wouldn’t see it until it’s too late. I doubt it. I looked at the horned pony. Miss us? I groaned. Great, Karma was now back and is going to give me a headache. We missed you too. I smiled, not looking at the winged pony. Yup, new looks, new goals. But I guess something’s don’t change. I heard my PipBuck ping and I glanced. I was surprised to see that the cartoon pegasus wasn’t just holding a letter, but was now struggling to carry a bag with letters flying out of it.

“Huh. A lot of messages. I thought I only had them set for my siblings and Post Box?” I said. My friends looked over my shoulder with curiosity as I scrolled through the messages. I had a total of twenty-three messages! I was surprised that some of the messages were congratulating me in taking out the raiders and that they don’t care if I had tried to burn down my home (which I frowned on). There were some calling me Hero of Pleasant Town. Some were saying that I was indeed the Savior of the Roads. And a few of the typical hate mail (which I deleted after reading. Some were very vulgar) and the last few being from my siblings, Chester and Post Box.

Message 19: Heard what happened! Damn, I wish I was there to help. But I’m glad you are all okay. – Stall

Message 20: Hello, dear sister. I just want to let you know that Bell and I are on our way to Wheatfield Acres. We will try to relax as much as we can. – Heart

Message 21: Curry! Heart is being mean and won’t let me wear her muffler! Tell her I just want to wear it only for a little bit! – Bell

Message 22: Good morning, couriers. This is just a reminder that yours truly is currently running to be the new mayor. However, this does not excuse you to slack off on your duties. – Post Box

Message 23: Hello, my dearest friend~! I just want to let you know that I have a note for you attached to this message! But do be subtle, it’s a secret ;) – Chester

A note? Knowing Chester it might be cryptic or something else. When I opened the file I was instantly surprised by the burst of streamers and a happy 8-bit tune played with the flashing letters saying: ENCRYPTED MESSAGE ;). Well, other than the sudden streamers that had blasted me and my friends, much to our chagrin, I narrowed my eyes at the flashing words. If it was encrypted, I either had to find somepony who could figure it out or without charge or go out of my way to find the terminal that has the same file. I was hoping for the former, but the latter sounded like fun. Shaking away the streamers, I looked to see Goldenlee and Star in deep conversation before turning to us.

“We had an interesting discussion with Chester. I didn’t think there was anyone like him around, but he certainly knows what he is doing.” Goldenlee said. Well duh, Chester is called ‘The Clown of the Wasteland’ for nothing.

“So what were you talking about?” Iris asked as she petted Rex’s head.

“We had told him the plan that LittlePip had told us about.” Star rubbed his chin. “I wasn’t sure if he was listening or not, but what can you tell when you are around a pony who seems to break the fourth wall every now and then.”

“Well you know me, have to be hush-hush and clappy-clappy on something’s.” Star seemed utterly shocked by the grinning masked courier appearing out of nowhere. I smiled.

“Going on deliveries?” I asked. Chester nodded.

“Been too busy with all this running around and not getting my work done. But what can you do? I can’t leave friends hanging.” He said as he made a motion of a noose and he cocked his head with it. “Though, probably not like what I had expressed, but you get the idea.” He then trotted past us and waved. “By the way, do not press the ‘Alternate Finger Four’ button. If you haven’t been paying attention then that was on you for your curiosity. You didn’t hear it from me.” He said as his figure grew smaller and smaller into the distance. I cocked my head.

“Should we be worried about that?” I asked. My friends shrugged. I looked at Shining Star. “Alright then. Now that we have our supplies and ready, you lead the way to the first place you know that has a report about my father.” Star nodded.

“Do be warned, Courier. It will have to require us not sticking to the road.” He said. I smirked and tapped my PipBuck.

“I’ve got Stable-Tecs weird ass gadget that has almost everything to it. We can find the road on it.” I said. I adjusted my hood and looked ahead, my friends behind me raring to go. Now, to return the favor.

I admit, being a wanderer had its perks. When we had left Pleasant Town, we made our way halfway down Route 2 and veered off to the right. The snow thickened as we went further and further from the road. I swear I have not seen most of these sites before! We passed some old windmills and farmlands. After that, we accidently stumbled into a Gekko cave. It was my fault, really. I was just plain curious. And these weren’t just ordinary Gekkos, These were the fire ones. I ducked quickly behind a rock as the lizard blew fire our way. Goldenlee quickly peeked out of cover and made a point blank shot to the head, causing the lizard to explode and splatter on the wall. The deeper we went, the more of them we found.

When we had cleared out the cave, I found a skeletal body of a pony next to a duffle bag. Opening it, I was surprised to see health potions and Rad-X. But what caught my eye more was the energy weapon that looked strangely similar to Iris’s. I showed it to her and she just shrugged.

“Well, I can use the parts to fix up Stormwalker. But other than that, it’s just a plain energy pistol.” She said as she stuffed it in her bag. I cocked my head.

“You said Stromwalker?” I asked. Iris nodded.

“Yup. It’s a family heirloom I took from the Enclave.” She said as she pulled out the strange looking contraption. The more I looked at it, the more it began taking shape of a customized energy weapon. I blinked.

“Iris. I believe I’ve seen your ancestor.” I said. She looked at me with a look of confusion. I turned to Comp, who was dumping the rest of the salvage from the bag into his own. “When Din took control of me, Comp gave me a memory orb.” I looked at her. “It was about your ancestor joining the Shadow Bolts.” Silver Iris blinked in shock. Her eyes darted in thought before smiling.

“Well hell. I guess I am the great, great, etcetera granddaughter of a Shadow Bolt.” She said. We made our way out of the cave before she continued. “You know, I always wondered what that memory was. But I couldn’t find a recollector or find somepony who can make a connection to it.” She looked at me coolly. “Glad I met you then.” I flushed and pulled my hood down to hide my face. Exiting the cave, Star motioned for us to follow and ten minutes later, we had arrived at a town ruin. I looked at my PipBuck and it labeled the ruins.

“Trottingheimer Pass?” I asked. Star nodded.

“This place isn’t too much of importance in history, but the pony who found it was. It doesn’t mean that things went down in the town.” He cleared his throat. “I remember stumbling upon this place a few months ago. Being the relic hunter I am, I knew that even though this place didn’t have much impact on history, I could guarantee that the pony who found it may have something at least of value here. And it also looked like your father had been here too.” He motioned at a small burnt building. “There is a terminal in there that has one.” I smiled and trotted forward, only to stop and hear beeping. I looked down to see a mine.

“Shit!” I said, galloping away from the mine just in time before it exploded. I looked back and suddenly my EFS was flashing with red. We quickly took cover behind some rocks and trees before seeing a couple of raiders come out and fire at us. I groaned. “Guess there is no way through without making one.” I said. Silver Iris smirked.

“Then let’s make one already!” she said, taking to the sky and flying towards the ruins, shooting down at unlucky raiders that weren’t taking cover. I watched as Goldenlee placed the rifle on the rock and took aim, firing inside a building. That left me, Brick, Star and Comp (on the back of Rex) rush in and clear out the rest. I heard screaming as Rex snarled and heard the sound of ponies being ripped to shreds. Comp petted the head of Rex.

“Good boy.” He said. I conjured two copies and we split, one taking cover behind an alley and the other behind a stand and me behind building debris. Brick galloped over to where I was and fired a grenade down the street. The explosion sounded like a pop and a raider screamed.

“Shit! I can’t see!” the mare screamed. My copy from the alley took her out with two slug rounds before ducking back into cover to avoid being shot at by four more advancing raiders. The one copy hiding behind the stand had her head blasted away and faded. I winced. I know I’ve seen my copies die before, but it still looked uneasy to see me die in a gruesome way. Star fired into the raiders with a carbine. Three went down and the last was stupid enough to duck behind the alley with my copy. She blinked as my copy aimed the gun at her face and smirked before pulling the trigger. I looked up to see Silver Iris flip and twirled as a raider in a building was trying to snipe her down. But it was Goldenlee that was the true sniper. I saw the raider fall back with a hole in his head. I checked my EFS and found that there were no more red, but a couple of blue bars. I narrowed my eyes as the blue bars seemed to be coming from inside the building we were supposed to go into. I turned to Brick.

“Stay out here with Comp and Iris.” I motioned for Star to follow and he nodded, slinging the carbine on his back before taking cover to the other side of the doorway. I looked at my EFS. They were in there alright, but not on this floor. “Keep your eyes open. They may be friendly, but they could be hostile, given the chance.” I whispered. With my shotgun in front of me, I slid in and waved it back and forth, seeing if they might be coming from the rooms. Nothing. They had to be on the upper floors. We crept silently up to the second floor and I peeked out from the stair way. The room had changed into an office area. It still looked like they were another floor up. Star began looking through desks and cabinets as I stayed by and watched for any signs of threats. I frowned when I saw the blue bars moving back and forth.

It was like they were taunting me because they kept moving out of view before popping back into view. That’s when I saw it. The faint shimmer coming from the corner. I said nothing as I darted my eyes around the room before moving away. I conjured a copy and made her go back to check into the room. I looked at Star, who was giving me a questioning look. I put a hoof to my mouth and made a shushing motion. And just as I had expected, the blue bar suddenly turned red and a gunshot sounded. I raced in, conjuring another copy in the process and dove as a disembodied hoof was about to vanish. I felt the body of a zebra as I took the cloaked figure to the floor. I glanced to see that another shimmering cloaked figure was heading my way when my copy tackled said figure to the ground. I heard the figure shout something in zebra. I bit down on my tackled foe’s cloak and pulled revealing the face, to my surprise, of the zebra from Tipson.

The other figure still struggled, but my copy gave a good hoof slug to the stomach, making the zebra grunt and curl up. The zebra looked at me with surprise and narrowed his eyes.

“Maiden? Why are you here?” he asked. I narrowed my eyes.

“Good question. I was about to ask you the same thing.” I said. He said nothing as he stared at me, a serious expression displayed. I sighed. “I don’t want another Tipson happening, so why don’t you just spill it already?” I said.

“No tell Maiden! Maiden be bad! Evil curse!” I heard the rasping voice of a younger looking zebra that my copy was holding down with clear annoyance at the struggle. I arched a brow. The zebra I had pinned looked at me before sighing.

“I’ll tell you. Just let us go.” He said. I narrowed my eyes at him. Then he said something in zebra that made the younger looking one balk and glare at me. I noticed the gun that was holstered to his side. I plucked it away and tossed it to Star, who had come in and see what had happened. My copy did the same to the younger zebra, getting a glare in the process. My copy smirked before fading, startling the zebra. I moved away, but still had my shotgun out and aimed at the zebra Legionnaire who stood up and adjusted his cloak.

“Now spill it.” I said, giving him my blank look. The zebra nodded.

“If you must know, Maiden, something that belongs to the Legate is here. A report about a certain courier.” He said. I glared now.

“What the hell does the Legion want with the reports that my father had been leaving behind?” I asked. The zebra studied me before speaking.

“I am not surprised that the Maiden of Fire is the daughter to a Maiden Keeper.” He said. I cocked my head, but kept glaring. Maiden Keeper? I thought back to what Din had said.

“But that still doesn’t explain why you are going after my father’s reports.” I said. It wasn’t a question. The zebra again looked at me with a questioning look. He finally spoke.

“The Legate believes that with the knowledge of the Maiden Keeper, we will have the weapon designed to destroy the Maidens.” He said. “I shall not speak anymore of it.” I glanced between the two zebras. Okay, so the Legate is designing a weapon to combat the Maidens? That did not sound like a good thing to have happening. But I won’t have another Tipson. I looked at them before slinging my shotgun over my back.

“Alright then. Get out of here. Try anything and you will find yourself being outnumbered.” I said. The younger zebra spat.

“Maiden no scare me. Maiden die by my hooves.” She said with a glare. I arched a brow and smirked. My copy I had secretly kept to the shadows jabbed the shotgun at the back of her head. She blinked and looked with clear confusion.

“You felt it yourself. They aren’t fakes.” I said to the zebra. “And I also have friends outside that know you from Tipson as well. My copy and Star will lead you out. Now get moving.” I said. Star trotted over to me.

“Just go to the next floor. There is a terminal that is still active up there.” He whispered into my ear. I nodded and watched as he and my copy (still holding the shotgun to the back of the younger zebra’s head) led them out of the room. I took a deep breath before advancing up to the third floor. When I had, I found that the hall only had one door at the end. I trotted over to the terminal that hummed quietly in the idle of the room on a circular desk. Finding it to be password protected, I scanned the symbols, finding only two and frowning that I had a lot more choices left still. I had to back out and try again, finding only two again and backed out. I tried at least seven times before I got the correct one.

>PARADISE

I scrolled through the files. I found one that was just a business ledger and a private message to the M.o.M. I narrowed my eyes as I read.

>To the Ministry of Morale. We ask that you please leave the town alone. Your constant interference has cost me good workers. If this happens again, I will see to it personally that it is taken up with the M.o.As. – Barny Bee

I sighed. The M.o.M. may be the reason why this place is now just a ruin when the bombs fell. I forgot that the ministry mares had made big impacts on pony lives. The Ministry of Moral being the worst case since they went out of their way to arrest innocent ponies that Pinkie Pie had dubbed ‘very bad ponies’. I scrolled down through more until I found an unknown message. It was a recording file. I downloaded it to my PipBuck and turned it on.

“Lyon. You are a fool for following me. I told you to stay and protect your mother. Be the better stallion than I have. If you don’t turn back now, you will regret your choice later. Please, return home or I will have to shoot you on sight.”

I gapped. Dad had just threatened Lyon to stop following him. What the hell? Dad wouldn’t do such a vile thing. He’s his son and he’s my brother! And he had just threatened to kill him if he saw Lyon. I had seen Lyon when I was captured by those three slavers. Did dad do something to him? Then, I remembered Sombra. Is Sombra doing something to act out against my family? Was it because of me? I did have Din inside me, but why would he go after them? Because dad was a Maiden Keeper? And Lyon had taken his place? If Lyon did take his place, then something must have happened to dad. I didn’t want to think anything bad happened to dad. He was my dad. A best friend to Post Box. A husband to my mother. Why would he do such a thing like this? I bit my lip and sighed. Before leaving the room, I blinked as I saw a wall safe.

My curiosity again peaked. Taking the bobby pin and screwdriver, I fiddled with the lock, my tongue out in concentration. I smiled as the safe let out a click and opened. I reached in, pushing aside the junk, rotten files and paperwork. I found, to my utter surprise, more bobby pins, two health potions and a Med-X. Who would have thought that these things were in here? Then my eyes fell to a weapon. Dumping the potions, bobby pins and Med-X into my bag, I levitated out a heavy .44 magnum. I blinked, looking in to see if there was ammo for it. I was surprised there was, along with another .44 magnum. Stuffing the ammo into my ammo bag, I held up the two weapons. They felt like normal magnums, but they were definitely customized. I squinted and saw a word on one. ‘Sinful’ it read. I looked at the other and saw words as well. ‘Malice’ read the other. Sinful and Malice? I put the two together. Sinful Malice. I frowned.

Why would anypony name these guns as horrible as Sinful and Malice? A chilling thought crept into my mind. Maybe they were named because they had a dark past. These weapons may have killed a lot of ponies in cold blood. I shuddered at the thought. If I was holding two magnums that belonged to a cold blooded killer, I definitely didn’t want to deal with them. Maybe I could sell them. I stuffed them into my bag before turning away from the safe and making my way out of the building to see my friends waiting for me.

“Did you find it?” Star asked. I nodded.

“Not much to it other than my dad threatening my brother.” I sighed. “Any other place we need to check?” Star rubbed his chin.

“I believe there is another in Little Tail Heights. But we already passed the road. It had crossed my mind when I think about it.” He said. I just nodded. Route 15 to Little Tail Heights is where I had acquired my title as ‘Savior of the Roads’ from. New Pegas had said that the RCE took the opportunity and claimed the route when I had stopped the war. “But if we make our way to Stableton, I can show you a ruin that is about a few hours trot from the town. I remember one being there as well.” I pulled my hood down before speaking.

“Alright, to Stableton it is.” I said.

It had gotten dark when we had reached Route 2 and began making our way down towards Stableton. Comp snoozed happily on the back of Rex. Silver Iris took off Goldenlee’s scarf, getting a stern glare in return, before putting it around the sleeping colt. She smiled and took off to the sky, practicing her aerial maneuvers again. I had to hand it to Star and Goldenlee. While they were out in Pleasant Town, they had bought a camping set (that I hadn’t noticed Brick carrying it on his back) and we decided to set up camp as far from the road as possible and away from the clearing too. We had ducked behind a hill. The blizzard had calmed into just falling snow as Brick started a camp fire. We sat in a circle, Silver Iris finally finishing her warm-ups before coming to sit down next to me, wrapping a wing around me. I shivered, feeling the warmth of the fire and her wing surrounding me. I leaned my head on her shoulder as we watched the flames dance.

As the night went on, Star had begun telling us stories. Stories of old time legends and myths. I shivered and brought myself closer to Iris as he told the story of the Headless Horse. I remember when my mom had told me that story so I would go to bed. But I couldn’t after hearing it. I had stayed up for an entire night because of that. I guess I was still afraid of the story. The thought of being chased by a headless horse. The thought of being taken away, never to be heard from again. I eased when Iris laid her head on mine as Comp began explaining the story of Windigos.

This is nice. I’ve never had liked camping off of the roads. But Route 2 is a lot safer than the other routes. Mainly because of the RCE. I thought back to that option at the border. The RCE had the turrets set so that incase anypony became hostile, they would be disintegrated. Again, I have never liked the RCE. I had always imagined the president to be corrupted. That he was just out to claim the entire region. The Shining Armor Dam. A place where the RCE had holed up and taken over after the war with the stripes. They spent years defending it. The dam is the central source for power to the region. So it was no surprise to me that the president was supposed to be there in a couple of weeks to give a speech to boost morale.

The others yawned before calling it a night. Silver Iris nuzzled my cheek.

“You gonna sleep? I can take watch if you want.” She said. I shook my head and gave her a kiss on the lips.

“You rest up. I’ll be in a little bit.” I said. She smiled, nibbled my ear a bit and making me murr before going into the tent. When she zipped up the tent, I went back to looking at the flames. I narrowed my eyes. I saw the grinning fanged face of Din looking at me. “I won’t let you do that again.” I said quietly. Din cackled.

“But you can’t keep me here forever. When you die, I’ll be sent back to the stars and the next time the stars align, I’ll pick another vessel. But the longer you keep me in here, the more quickly your death approaches. Just let me free. I’ll make sure you won’t die young.” She said. I shook my head.

“No dice, Din. You nearly destroyed my home. And you changed me. I won’t let you take control.” I said. I used my magic and carried a blanket of snow over the fire, dropping it. The fire hissed and Din’s grinning face vanished with it. Never again. I won’t be a spirit’s tool. I’ll fight her if I have to. I don’t want another Tipson.

I didn’t sleep at all that night.

Footnote Level Up!
Speech (100)