I bowed my head in shame. When we had returned to the clinic, I was soon being lectured by the one mare that is a surgeon.

“…To even think about trying it again! We almost lost you once. And we almost lost you again! Why did you think it was a good idea to jump off a building!?” she said, pacing furtively. I said nothing and winced as she kept pointing out my idiotic idea of thinking Silver Iris was going to kill herself and in the moment I had completely forgotten she is a pegasus. The others watched with amused intrigue at us. I winced when she had finally finished and looked at me sternly. “What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?” I gulped. I didn’t think what I had done would be this upsetting to her. Why did she even take it upon herself to act like a mother to us? This is very confusing and very weird. I looked at her as she waited for me to answer. I sighed.

“I’m sorry. There, happy?” I said. That wasn’t the answer she wanted. She knocked on my head just like Bell would do. I hissed and rubbed my head. Why, Karma? Why? “Okay, okay! I’m really sorry I jumped off a building because I thought Iris was going to kill herself. I’m sorry I took off when I knew I still wasn’t better. I’m sorry I worried you.” I looked at her and she gave me an arched brow in return. “I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.” She then bowed her head and sighed.

“What am I going to do with you, Courier?” she said.

“I didn’t ask for you to be my mother.” I snorted. I must have said it a little too loud as she turned and glared at me. I gave her my best smile and held up my hooves. “Okay, sorry, sorry. Shutting up now.” She gave a nod before heading back upstairs. I sighed again. Geez, you do something once, you never hear the end of it. I stood up and stretched my back. I looked over to see my companions walking out of the building. I blinked. “Where are you guys going?” I asked. Comp yawned.

“Gonna get some sleep. We rented a room across from the clinic.” He said, yawning more. Silver Iris gave me one last look before smiling and going after them. I just nodded in silence. I yawned as well. But I wasn’t really at all tired. I trotted out of the clinic and looked down the partially empty roads. Throwing my hood over me once again, I made my way down the street.
I needed a drink.

I narrowed my eyes at a neon sign that showed a cartoonish mare winking and holding a platter of a spilled over drink that aimed for her. I could hear the club music coming from the building. I frowned. I tried looking to see if the others were open, but due to the zebra that had once camped out of the town, this was the only one that seemed to be in business still. What’s worse, I wanted to start a bar fight too. It’s been a while since I had that type of action. The bad news for me, I was completely unarmed. Goldenlee had taken my weapons with her when I had gotten back to the clinic. I looked at my fore hooves.

“If all else fails, I can take care of myself.” I said to myself. I walked down the stars and entered the building, only to be stopped by a mare in business attire. I blinked.

“Aren’t you the one that made those zebra leave?” she asked with an arched brow. I said nothing. I wasn’t proud of it, but I nodded anyway. To my surprise she smiled. “Well, let me say welcome to our humble abode.” She said. I cocked my head slightly. Abode? This is a home? But I can hear the chatter of ponies and music.

“Isn’t this just a night club?” I asked. The mare nodded.

“Ah, not just any club. You, my good young mare, have stumbled across one of the many Filly Fun Nightclubs.” I rubbed my chin. Filly Fun nightclub? I just shrugged.

“Look, all I came in here to do was to drink.” I said. The mare nodded.

“Then let me take you to one of our most finest mares to be behind the counter.” She said as she trotted ahead of me. I rolled my eyes. Why are they making this night club sound so special? It’s just a night club to have fun and drink. Isn’t it? When I entered into the lobby and the pulsing music reached my ears, I gapped. Oooooh. Filly ‘Fun’ Nightclub. I pulled down my hood, hiding my flushed expression at the pretty mares that littered the lobby in fish net socks and bow tie collars. Stallions and mares alike just sitting around having a good time. A little too much fun time. Why the hell was this the only club to be open? I was instantly regretting it when a pretty looking lavender mare came up to me and winked as I passed by. I just said nothing.

All I’m here for is a drink. Nothing else. I have Silver Iris anyway. But my Goddesses, I have never seen so many pretty mares in one room. I’ve met my fair share of mares that made me tingly. But these mares made me shiver in the nether region. I shook away the feeling, only focusing on Silver Iris. Then, I imagined her as being in those fish net socks. Looking oh-so seductively at me. Now I was really shivering. Oh Karma, why!? Why this club!? I continued to be silent as the mare led me to a bar where another pretty mare behind the counter with those fishnet socks looked me over.

“Enjoying your stay, hun?” she asked a little flirtatiously. I just nodded. The business attire mare smiled at me. “Well then. Let your mind run wild. Welcome to the club.” She said before trotting off. I was utterly left speechless. I looked over the pretty mare as she bent over to pick a fallen glass up. My eyes fell to her flank and I flushed. When she came back up, I imagined Silver Iris doing the same thing but giving me a wink and a motion of her tail. Since when did I have these type of thoughts!? I always knew whenever I was horny. And I was feeling horny a lot being around these mares. I gulped, trying to control my excited heart. Just get a drink. That’s all you are here for, Courier. Just. A. Drink. I hadn’t noticed the mare looking at me with a smile. I blinked, flushing in the process.

“So what can I get ya’ sugar?” she asked with a wink. I gulped again.

“J-just Ranger Whiskey.” I looked at her. She seemed to be waiting for me to say something else. “I-if you have any that is?” I winced as she kept giving me that look. “Please?” She gave a small giggle and patted my head before trotting over to a shelf and scanning it. I put a hoof to my chest and took several deep breaths. Damn me if I die of excitement. I just bowed my head and pulled my hood down further, hiding my red face. The mare came back with two shot glasses and a big bottle of Ranger Whiskey. I narrowed my eyes at the shot glasses. Why two? The mare giggled as she poured the whiskey into the glasses and pushed one over to me.

“No need to be embarrassed, sugar. This club is meant for fun. You don’t really have to do anything. Just sit back and enjoy.” She said. I kept my hooded head bowed as I took the glass and pulled. I felt the familiar warm feeling. I smiled. My poison! She poured another and took a shot with me. Okay. Not too bad. Drinking with a pretty bartender mare. But then I felt something… off. I felt dizzy. I looked at the mare as she just smiled at me and she began to blur slightly. I dropped the glass and it shattered on the floor. I stumbled back, bumping into a mare and spilling the drinks on her. I looked and saw that she gave me that same look as she licked her lips. My heart was beating excitedly, but I somehow wasn’t thinking straight. I stumbled back more, only to have myself be grabbed gently by one of the mares. She brushed her hoof covered sock under my chin. I shivered at the silky material. And they smelled nice too. But why was I suddenly feeling tired? I looked at the Ranger Whiskey bottle on the counter. The bartender winked and blew me a kiss.

“Sleep tight, sugar.” She said. Oh now that was mean. I can’t believe I had fallen for such a dumb trick. But I couldn’t move now and my vision blurred. The last thing I saw were the three pretty mares giving me those looks as the world faded to black.

When I awoke, my head was killing me. I groaned and groggily shook away the feeling of tiredness. I wanted to rub my head, but I found that something was holding my hooves in place. I blinked and looked down to find myself sitting in a chair. My hooves strapped to the arm and legs of the chairs. I blinked away the grogginess again and looked up to see a mare standing by a big window that over looked the club.

“You bitch…” I drawled. The mare chuckled and turned. The purple mare with the white frizzed mane looked at me. I blinked again. Wait, she wasn’t purple. The lighting was throwing my vision off.

“Oh you are so gullible. I have to say though, you certainly do have some good tastes in mares.” She said. The voice sounded familiar. I squinted through my blurred vision and saw the exact same face of the horned style mane mare. The leader of the Cacophony. I glared at her now. “But don’t take it out on the dears. They are just honest mares looking to make ends meet. This is the only job they could have so they don’t have to live out on the streets.” I growled.

“You really are pushing your luck, bitch.” I said. The mare smiled.

“I said I was willing to risk it after all, didn’t I?” she said. Now I understood why she looked different. She hadn’t made it out of the burning town hall unscathed. I smirked.

“Too bad your plan with the mayor failed.” I said. The mare scoffed.

“I didn’t plan for that fool of a mare to even have that money. I mean honestly. Pre-war bits aren’t of value anymore.” She said. “In the end, she was bound to fail. But you, Courier. You remain standing. I had planned for that to have the town kick you out. Your own home.” Then she glared. “And then your mare-friend decided to play hero.” I smirked.

“Good for Iris. I’m glad she did.” I said. The mare gave me a sly look. My eyes widened. I jerked in the chair towards her, only to have the bounds keep me in place. “You hurt her and you are dead!” I said. She held up a detonator and pressed the button. I gapped as I felt a tremor from somewhere. No… no she didn’t! She didn’t just do that! But she did. I felt my eye beginning to throb. The mare chuckled evilly. She had just murdered my friends. I gritted my teeth and felt myself breathe heavily.

“I said I would risk it. And I won’t stop until you join me.” She said with a smile. No… she nearly got me to burn my home. I won’t let Din handle this. I had to do this with my own hooves. The mare looked at me with a contemplative look. “So… what will it be?” I said nothing. I had to do this with my own hooves. I had an idea. I noticed a knife on one of the shelves behind the mare. She may think she had me cornered. But she was oh-so wrong. She forgot one thing about me. And I had to avenge my friends. I can kill her right here and now. She took the only friends I had from me. And now I was going to repay the favor.

“Fine.” I whispered. She blinked and leaned in.

“Come again?” she asked. I could see a small smile on her face.

“Fine.” I muttered. The mare wanted to rub it in.

“I’m sorry dear. You need to speak clearly.” She said, smiling more now.

“Fine.” I said, normal now. “I’ll join your stupid gang.” She beamed and chuckled.

“See? That’s all I wanted to hear. And if you had been a nice little mare, I would have spared your friends.” She said. You are so fucking dead. Before she even knew it, I had a copy appear behind her and hold her down. I quickly levitated the knife to me and cut my bonds. I gritted my teeth. Of course she wouldn’t go down that easily! She smirked and my copy suddenly had a hole in her head. Fading away, I went to free my last bonded hind leg before getting up, only to have to duck my head in the process as something whistled by my ear. The mare suddenly bolted for the door. I gritted my teeth, diving after her, only to have her drop something on me. The locker that was in the corner of the room had landed on top of me. Shaking away the daze, I glared as she gave me one last triumphant look before racing down the hall. I levitated the locker off of me and was about to go after her when I stopped and gapped.

The pretty mares in the fishnet socks suddenly turned the corner where the mare had disappeared too and began firing sub-machine guns at me. I reached with my magic to the door and closed it, getting my cheek grazed in the process by a lucky shot. I took the locker, dragging it with my hooves and my magic and put it in front of the door. I had to think of something. I can’t kill these mares. In a way they were innocents. Ponies that are just trying to get through in life. And the leader of the Cacophony offered them a job that they knew they were going to get killed in.

No… I won’t be a destroyer. I’ll be a savior. I won’t kill these mares. I quickly looked out to the window that overlooked the club and saw that the ponies below had guns out. She got a lot of ponies to do this. I narrowed my eyes as I saw her gallop out of the club with a couple of the disguised raiders I remembered being with her in Pleasant Town. I am pissed. She was getting away with the murder of my friends. I bristled. I won’t let her escape. I won’t let her get away with this! I heard Din cackle in my mind and found myself looking at her. She grinned at me.

“No.” I said sternly. She just grinned.

“But I’m the only one who can help you. Let me burn those that had hurt you. Show them the means to fear you. For hurting you. I will guide the flames to all who oppose you.” She said. I stared at her for a bit, my eyes narrowing, before speaking.

“I won’t let you take over.” I said. Her grin faded. “I can do this without you. I don’t need your power to get this done. I’ll kill the bitch with my own hooves. Not yours.” She growled slightly before speaking.

“You fool. You will die. Free me. I can help you.” She said. I shook my head and turned away. “You’ll see. In soon time, you will have need of me again.” I blinked and found myself still in the room. The door was being banged on. They were trying to get through. I had to think of a way to get by them without killing them. I looked at my hooves and smirked. I hadn’t had a bar fight in a while. I conjured two copies and we positioned ourselves by the door. I nodded to them and they nodded back before moving the locker away. The door suddenly flew open and the mares branding the sub-machine guns entered. My copies lunged at the two behind the leading mare, startling her before turning to see me rear back and plant a hoof to her pretty face. She stumbled back, crying in pain. I ducked, spun and gave her a good applebuck to her chest, sending her flying down into the hall and groaning in pain. One of my copies helped one of the pretty mares up and slugged her hard that she gasped for breath and crumpled to the floor, clutching her gut. My last copy took the other mare and slammed her head into the wall. She fell to the floor, bleeding from the muzzle but coughing all the same. I took the three sub-machine guns in my magic, emptying out two of them and keeping the other one on hand.

“Sorry, girls. But this mare is taken.” I said with a smirk. Okay, now I was just being plain cocky. But then again, I was feeling the adrenaline I always feel in a bar fight. All I was missing was a proper drink. The next goal to do before getting out of here. I galloped down the hall, leaping over the mare I had applebucked and sidled against the wall as soon as I reached the stairs. I peeked out, only to have duck back to avoid getting my head blown off by more sub-machine guns. I darted my eyes down the hall and smirked. Whoever made the décor in this club needs to get laid big time. I looked at the Nuka-Cola machine that was in a small space in the wall. I rushed over to it, unplugging it and tipped it over. I had my two copies that were still with me help me push it to the stairs. I heard the sound of bullets being ricocheted off of the bulky machine. I nodded to my copies and we heaved.

The Nuka-Cola machine slid down the stairs and I hopped on, firing wildly so that the mares at the bottom take cover. I was relieved they did and was going to feel sorry for them by the next thing I was going to do. The machine came to a crashing thud and my two copies behind me lunged at the mares, knocking them out by either slugging them or shoved them into another group of advancing mares. I hopped off the machine and galloped over furniture, avoiding more bullet fire and getting grazed multiple times in the process to get to the bar. I dove, sliding over the counter and ducked behind the bar. I saw that the bartender mare was also behind the cover as well and when she saw me, she was utterly startled.

I smiled and winked at her. She turned the machine gun on me, but I grabbed a bottle of Wild Pegasus, entered S.A.T.S. and smashed it over her head, making her yelp and drop the gun. I took the machine gun, discarding the sub-machine gun in the process and swung the butt of it into the mare’s gut. She felt the wind leave her and crumpled to the floor. I scanned my EFS. It was flashing with red all over. But I can’t kill these mares. I just can’t. I blinked and squeed when my eyes fell onto a full bottle of Ranger Whiskey. Taking the bottle in my magic, I popped the top off and took a pull. I smiled as the warm feeling rested in my stomach. I grinned now and taking the advantage of the reloading from the multiple fires of the sub-machine guns, peeked out and noticed the lighting above the dance floor. The music still pulsated as I took aim and fired the rifle at the hinges. Hearing the metal groan, I smiled as the metal rails of the lights pinned a dozen of the mares underneath it, groaning in pain in the process. The room sparked and the DJ behind the records quickly dove out of the stage as another light fell to where she once stood. It must have it the volume button because now the music pulsated the entire building. I saw more of the pretty mares take cover on both sides of the club and saw two advancing with guns drawn. I ducked down and crawled my way over to where they were.

I saw them peek over and when they saw me, I winked at them. Their eyes widened as I sent bottles and bottles of beverages at them, making them take cover. One thought she could take it, but a big keg of beer told her otherwise. She stumbled back to the floor, groaning in pain. I took another couple pulls of my whiskey and felt the feeling of pure joy course through me. I must have cheered as I jumped out of cover, sliding on my side to the sofa just in time when the mares decided to fire at me. Feathers flew and surrounded me. I kept quiet as the firing stopped.

“D-did we get her?” I heard a mare ask. I heard hoof steps slowly advancing towards my sofa. I smirked as they got close, conjured my three copies and cheered again as we hopped over the sofa and jumping into the group of mares that formed a half circle. They dropped their guns in surprise, only to have me slug one in the gut, turn and plant a hoof to the other’s face, spun around with my hind leg out, hitting another in the side, making her stumble. I took another pull of my whiskey, the bottle now almost empty. I felt good. Really good! The mares went down one after the other as me and my copies planted our hooves into their faces, guts, anything to get them to call it quits. I bobbed my head slightly to the music that was playing when the last mare fell to the powerful plant of one of my copy’s fore hoof into their gut.

I smirked, trotted over to the bar and pulled out another bottle of Ranger Whiskey and went over to my copies. We each took a pull from the bottle and I laughed in pure joy.

“Courier?” I heard a soft voice and turned to see my slightly bruised and beaten companions. They seemed utterly baffled. I blinked.

“Hey guys! You are okay!” I said, feeling even happier than before as I took another pull. “By the way, I thought you guys were dead.” I frowned now and snorted. “The bitch got away.”

“Well, we almost would have if it wasn’t for Rex finding the bomb that was strapped to a furnace in the room.” Star said. “And then we worried about you. If somepony meant to take us out, they might have taken you out as well.” He arched a brow. “Who got away?”

“The Cacophony mare.” I said taking another pull. “She pressed the detonator in front of me and I thought you guys were dead. I wanted to kill her. But then she got away.” I took two more pulls, feeling my throat sting a little. In a way, I felt like I was drinking away the sorrow too. I had thought my friends had died. But I should have known better. They were my friends after all. And seeing them here now made me happier than ever. Again, I had completely forgotten that my friends could take care of themselves too. But they were my first friends I could ever have. The thought of losing them is devastating to me. I frowned and took another pull. I guess I may have been drunk when I pirouetted on my hoof and landed perfectly on the sofa with my belly. I smiled. “I’m sooo happy you guys are alive.” I took another pull before Goldenlee took it away from me, making me flail my hooves for it and frowned at me.

“Well yes. And we are glad you are okay too.” She said.

“I wouldn’t say the same for them.” Comp said looking over. I followed his gaze and found the utter destruction of the club I had left. The mares either had bloody muzzles or sick feelings from being slugged as they groaned and found it hard to stand. I blinked and flushed slightly.

“But they were innocents.” I must have drawled. “I couldn’t kill them. That evil mare hired them to do it. So I improvised.” I looked and squirmed at the Ranger Whiskey bottle beside Goldnelee. It was still half full.

“Geez, Courier. I didn’t think that you starting a bar fight would lead to this.” Silver Iris said with a bit of pride. I narrowed my eyes and the image of her in those fish net socks and looking seductively at me came back. I smiled and giggled before slumping.

“This? This is nothing to some of the other times I’ve been into bar fights.” I said, turning on my back and kicking my hind legs up. I moved them slightly, feeling as if I had to balance them as they swayed. I hiccupped.

“You mean you actually have left bars in this type of condition before?” Goldenlee seemed baffled. I nodded. It was true. When I discovered my first bar, I felt at home in a sense. I was still a teen mare and helped myself to my poison. Then, a stallion thought he could try to make a move on me and I retaliated by hitting his tender spot and had to fight my way out of the bar. I’m glad I learned hoof-to-hoof combat during my training, for it saved me during that. I must have gotten wild too because my sister had to come in and get me only to find I had utterly destroyed the place. I smiled as the priceless shock of my sister coming into the bar and me laughing and cheering with a bottle of Ranger Whiskey at my side came back. I found myself upside down and looking at my friends. They were looking at me funny.

“What? Can’t a mare enjoy herself? I thought you were dead, they were innocents. So yeah, I had mixed feelings.” I crossed my hooves and snorted with a frown. “My only regret is that I let the bitch get away.” I felt myself being lifted up off of the floor by Silver Iris and dusted me off.

“Well damn. I guess I missed out on some fun.” She said with a smirk. I squinted. She definitely looked even prettier than before. I felt my nether region tingle as the image with the socks came back. I must have looked at her funny as she flushed and blinked at me. “A-are you okay?” I stared her in the eyes. Her beautiful silver eyes. Goddesses why does she have to be so hot? Or is that me? I was feeling a bit warm on my face. I slumped into her, feeling myself being tired. I smiled as I heard her heart beat. It sounded faster than normal, but I didn’t mind. This is nice. I let myself be led away from the bar, feeling happy and drunk. I had no idea what was going on. And I don’t recall what happened either that night. All I remembered was the feeling of pure bliss and sounds before passing out.

When I awoke, my head was killing me. Fuck, these hangovers hurt more. I blinked, feeling something across my chest. I found that I was no longer in my barding. I found it sprawled out on the floor. I cocked my head and looked over to my side to see a snoozing Silver Iris. I smiled, caressing her head before kissing it. She stirred and looked at me sleepily.

“You’re awake.” She slurred. I nodded, wincing at my headache. She smiled and nuzzled my side. “You are a fun drunk.” I flushed.

“So… what happened?” I asked. She sighed happily before speaking.

“Sweet, sweet love.” She said. I flushed even more. Okay, this felt embarrassing. I just had sex with Silver Iris in a drunken state. Oh Goddesses what did I do to get in this situation? But I smiled. If she enjoyed whatever I had pulled last night, then I am happy. I groaned, rubbing my head. Silver Iris smiled and kissed my cheek. “Why don’t you go wash up? That hangover might be a problem for you when we have to leave.” I said nothing but nodded as I slid out of the bed. I walked to the bathroom, turned on the sink and splashed water on to my face before looking myself in the mirror. My fiery streaked mane looked messy. I smiled, flushing a little before turning on the shower and clearing my head.

Drying myself off, I trotted back out to see Silver Iris waiting patiently for her own turn. She smiled at me before turning on the shower and stepping in. Picking up my barding with my magic and putting it on, I couldn’t help but notice the Enclave looking armor that Silver Iris wears. I arched a brow and examined it closely. She said this was the armor she had on her when she left the Enclave. I narrowed my eyes, seeing something white inside her bags. Okay, I was really going to hate myself for this. I pulled the white square out and found it to be a holodisk.

‘A holodisk?’ I looked back to the bathroom where Iris happily hummed in the shower. I bit my lip. I hope she would understand and forgive my curiosity. I put my ear bloom in and played the holodisk.

“Is this thing on?” the voice of Silver Iris sounded. I bit my lip more and trotted over to the bed. “Oh well, if it isn’t then this is no big deal. I guess I should start and say my name. Well, I am called Silver Iris.” I blinked. Called? She was called Silver Iris? “I… really don’t know what to say about my life anymore. I found out something bad and I just couldn’t stand to be there anymore. Cloudwing cheated on me with Viper Strike and now I had to find out that I’m not really a pony anymore? I thought the Enclave was my home.” She sighed. “But I guess I’m glad to not be there anymore. I’ve taken up a job down here as a mercenary. I want to forget everything about the Enclave. I want to forget everything about Cloudwing. But… I just can’t. Cloudwing had been my first for everything. I just… I guess I just needed to go away for a while. And then the horrible secret the Enclave had, just made me want to forget everything. I’ve decided. No matter what happens, I’ll stick by myself and for myself. Cloudwing. If you do hear this. Know that you had hurt me. But I won’t stop loving you.” There was a pause. “And I know that you regret ever doing that. So I forgive you, okay? You weren’t feeling yourself. So, I forgive you… I think.” She sighed. “This was such a stupid idea.” It ended.

I said nothing. This was recorded the day she had left the Enclave. The day she started being a mercenary. And yet… after all she’s been through… she still loved him? I took the holodisk out and put it back before Iris stepped out of the shower. She smiled at me, but then looked concerned. I must have not shown it well.

“Are you okay?” she asked. I nodded.

“Yeah… I’m just… still feeling the hangover.” I said, giving her my best smile. She returned my smile before going over and putting on her armor. She looked back at me and looked worried now. I waved a hoof at her. “Just trying to recall what happened last night.” She went over and nuzzled my cheek before kissing me on the lips.

“Well, when you are ready, I’ll be downstairs ready to go.” She said. I watched her trot out of the room, leaving me to think about what I had just heard. I knew I was regretting it. Silver Iris still loved him. He broke her heart. She left because he was one of the reasons. And what was with that introduction? She had said that she is called Silver Iris. Like she was telling herself that she was a thing. But she’s not. She’s like every other pony. Sure, her brute strength can be terrifying, but everything else about her is normal. And what did she find that the Enclave had so secretly kept? It must have been something bad that wanted her to forget her home.

I sighed and threw my hood over me before walking out of the room and down the stairs. My companions were chatting amongst themselves before quieting and looking at me. I pulled my hood down.

“Is there a place nearby that has another report about my father?” I asked Shining Star. I had to take my mind off of the holodisk. Shining Star went over and held up my leg that had my PipBuck strapped in and pressed a few buttons. I blinked when he finished and looked to see a clear marker about a ten minute trot from Stableton. “It’s weird that you still remember.” I said. He chuckled.

“Well, I did have the most memorable moments on my hunts.” He said. Well that can’t be good. Unless he was saying that the find was good. But that could also mean that he had to go through life and death just for it. I looked at my other companions who were smiling at me.

“Well then, let’s get going.” I said. With that, we trotted towards the gates of Stableton. I was surprised to see that the RCE were gathered near the gate. A group of caravans were coming in.

“Hey-hey! There’s the mare of the hour.” One said as we passed.

"Nice work on getting those zebra to leave. How did you even manage that disappearing trick?" One of the RCE agents asked me. I felt stunned. Having being congratulated on getting rid of the zebra, I felt more and more hateful for myself. Of course, they didn’t see what I saw. It was all the more horrible to be congratulated by it. I didn’t want to burn them. I just thought it would be enough to get them to go home. I looked up to see that the thousands of tents and zebra were gone. Vanished. Route 2 being more visible now that the zebra had gone away. Did they really go away? I bowed my head in shame as the RCE kept congratulating me and chatting as we left Stableton behind. Shining Star led us a few minutes down the road and then veered to the right. I glanced at my PipBuck and saw that we were close to our target now.

“Courier.” I looked to see Comp looking at me. “Haven’t you noticed anything strange about where we are?” I blinked and darted my eyes. He was right. A little surprised that he saw it before I did. We were being followed. I pulled my hood down more.

“Everypony just keep walking. When we get to the area, we will set up an ambush.” I said quietly, but enough for my friends to here. I checked my EFS. The pips were faded, but the red bars were there. I couldn’t see where they were, but I could see shadows moving. I peeked out from under my hood and looked up to see something dart behind a cloud. I frowned. “Enclave.” I said.

“What? They are here?” Silver Iris said with stock surprise. I turned and looked at her.

“Keep acting like we don’t know they are there. Like I said, we will set up an ambush.” I said to her. She looked at me worriedly then nodded. I looked ahead and adjusted my hood. I hoped that it was hiding my sad look. The Enclave are here to look for Iris. They been so since she left. And I guess we stole an FEV from them. DJ Pon3 said that I must have embarrassed them because I rode on the back of Rex and defeated Viper Strike’s FEV. Viper Strike…

The purple mare with the mint colored striped mane. Her evil cackling as she made Rex attack Iris. And the very mare that Cloudwing cheated with on Iris. And not only that, she had hurt Rex too. Silver Iris and Rex were both from Enclave. One being a soldier to their blind cause and the other a failed super mutant. Silver Iris left because of a lot of things, leaving Rex behind. I remembered when she hoof planted on the ghouls face before a ganger shot the scared pony. She was defending Rex. She felt bad about having to leave Rex and then have her ex and the mare he cheated with come back with Rex to try and take her back or kill her.

Well, I won’t let them take her. I won’t let them hurt Rex. They have dealt enough pain to them. I felt my heart twinge as I thought back to what Silver Iris had said in the holodisk about Cloudwing. She still loved him. After all these years, she still loved the stallion that had cheated on her. I felt a tear slide down my cheek and into the snow. Thankfully, no pony noticed. They were too busy trying to keep their eye open for the Enclave that was flying overhead. We had finally reached the marker point and I looked up to see an abandon factory. It was a Nuka-Cola factory. I blinked. Why would dad want to leave a report in a place where Scavengers were likely to go in?

My question was soon answered as I saw glowing dust and skeletal bodies of recent curious ponies. This Nuka-Cola factory’s defenses were up and running. I stopped and squinted, seeing the small little tip of a turret at the entrance. I saw the shadows of the Enclave that had been following us vanish behind a cloud. If we were going to take the Enclave by surprise, we have to reroute some of the defense's targeting parameters. To do that, we would have to go through said defenses and try to find the terminal. By then, the Enclave may already have made a move. Unless they are staying back and waiting for us to get killed in the process.

“So what’s the plan?” Comp asked. I looked at them. Glancing at each and every one of them.

“Well, if we want to take them by surprise, we need to reroute the factory’s targeting parameters. But to do that we have to go in and find the terminal in order to do just that.” I said.

“Sound’s risky. Any other ideas?” Shining Star asked. I looked at him.

“Well, you’ve been here before. Is there another way into the factory?” I asked. The stallion smirked and knocked on the street. Only it wasn’t a clop, but a metal clang. I blinked and looked down, seeing a sewer entrance. I smirked. “Smart-ass.” He chuckled before pulling back the cover. We peeked in and saw that it wasn’t that far of a drop. But I wasn’t going to risk it. I looked at Rex, who cocked his head at us. If the Enclave are after Iris, then they definitely will try to go get their FEV we “stole” from them. And Rex is too big to fit in the entrance. I rubbed my chin. I blinked when my eyes fell on the dead trees around us. Then I smiled.

“What are you smiling about?” Goldenlee asked a little suspiciously. I ignored her and trotted over to Rex.

“Rex. If the Enclave have followed us, then they know that you are with us. They are after both you and Iris. So what I need you to do is go to one of those trees.” I motioned to one of the dead trees. “Blend in and when they make a move, quietly make your way to us. Got it?” Rex whined and nudged my cheek with his wooden muzzle. I petted his head before turning and trotting over to the sewer hole. “Iris.” I said. Iris gave a salute. “You won’t like this, but I need you to stay with Rex.” She looked at me quizzically. “I’m saying it for your own protection. They are after both you and Rex. You need to stick with him so that you both won’t be caught up in this.” I smiled at her. “And don’t worry about us. This is part of the ambush. They’ll think you two have gone in with us. So when they make a move, you and Rex quietly enter the factory. I’ll have the defenses retargeted by then.” Iris gave me a worried look.

“Well… I guess if you say so. But Courier, I-.” I shook my head, silencing her. She looked at us before sighing. “You got it, Cap’n.” She landed next to Rex and petted his head before looking at us. I gave her a reassuring smile and when I looked away and pulled my hood down, it faltered. I looked at my friends.

“Let’s go.” I said.

I was definitely not expecting feral ghouls to be here. I blasted the head of one that got too close as we galloped down the bunkered hall that is underneath the Nuka-Cola factory. A ghoul hissed at Brick, who quieted the ghoul with a hoof plant that was so forceful the ghoul’s head exploded when it hit the ground. I still think that earth ponies have magic. We had finally reached the door that should take us up to the factory. Star and Goldenlee blasted the last of the ghouls and hopped in as Comp closed the door and latched it closed. We breathed heavily.

“Damn… ghouls weren’t there before.” Star rasped. I swallowed and looked up stairs. I motioned with my head and my companions followed me. Reaching the top, I quietly peeked out to see that it lead to a hallway where it split two ways.

“If we are to pull off this ambush, we need to split up.” I whispered. “But becareful of ghouls. And robots probably.” Definitely can’t forget the Protect-a-pony bots. And so we did. Shining Star and Goldenlee were to scour this floor and Brick and Comp to the first floor. I was going to the third floor in the offices to find the terminal and retarget the parameters. I also had to keep in mind that the Enclave were here. If they took the bait, then we can get the jump on them. If not, then we will improvise. I crept up to the office areas and peeked out from the doorway. I saw a couple of feral ghouls in the office room. I unsheathed Compassion. I figured this weapon needed some action. The last time I had used it was against Sombra. And that was a loss for me.

But I never got a chance to actually use the sword. It had always been in the sheath wherever I went. Using the shining blade with the faint aura around it against a couple of ghouls wouldn’t be so bad. And it’s durable as hell. I took a deep breath, raced in and sliced a ghoul through the neck. The head flew off in glowing goo blood, making my PipBuck’s radiation meter click a little, before turning the blade onto the other.

There were a lot more than I had anticipated. Three hissed and rushed in. I pulled out Malice and fired a point blank magnum round into the ghoul. Geez, the gun had a kick! But the recoil saved me from being swiped at by one of the ghouls. I swung Compassion and it went home, slicing the ghoul diagonally down the front. My radiation meter clicked a little more as the last ghoul rushed at me. I brought up Malice again and fired straight into the head, the recoil sending me into the wall. The ghoul’s head exploded and its body flew back like a ragdoll. I blinked and looked at the gun.

If this belonged to a killer, then he must have been a tough stallion to handle two of them at once. I holstered Malice into the empty one on the sleeve of my duster. I swiped Compassion across, flinging the ghoul blood off of the blade and sheathed it back in looking new. I made my way around the hole that led down into the floor below. I noticed Star’s figure through the door. I looked back ahead and made my way to the door across the room. Once opening it, I peeked my head out. Only to duck back in as a beam nearly blew my head into glowing dust.

“Attention. You are to leave the area at once. Unauthorized access to floor.” A Protect-a-pony clanked slowly towards me, shooting more beams. I pulled out my shotgun and entered S.A.T.S. once the bot got closer. Taking two slugs to its’ domed head, the bot exploded into sparks and smoke before falling to the floor. I slung my gun back over to the magnet plate and trotted over the remains of the bot before reaching a door that was locked. A terminal hummed quietly on the wall next to the door. I looked at it and found it to be password protected.

Scrolling through the symbols, I found that I had more of them this time and it left me with one password.

>REFRESH

I tapped a key and the door slid open. The room looked bland like the other offices. I then squinted. A glowing blue bottle of Nuka-Cola laid on the desk, unopened. Out of curiosity, I read the label on it:

NUKA-COLA QUANTUM. A MORE COLORFUL, REFRESHING TASTE.

I cocked my head. Even more curious, I opened it, pocketing the cap and took a small sip. It tasted like blueberry and my PipBuck clicked at the small trace amounts of radiation I consumed. Huh. It still tasted like it was just freshly brewed. I took another curious sip, this time swigging it, and smacked my lips. The after taste was bitter, but the drink was all the more refreshing. Taking the bottle with me as I looked at the terminal, I tapped keys, taking a couple of swings of the cola and found that the terminal had only four password choices.

Finding more of the symbols, it left one choice.

>BLUEBERRY

I arched a brow. Strange password. I scrolled through the files, finding some advertisement ideas for the Nuka-Cola Quantum before finding the retargeting defenses. Setting them so they attacked hostiles, I heard the sound of beams and small gun fire from below. It worked! I took another swig for victory before looking over and finding a wall safe. Drinking the last of the Quantum, I placed it down and began working at the safe. I went through five bobby pins before opening it.

I found some files about new ideas, the Nuka-Cola Quantum recipe (I pocketed for me to give it to Shining Star) some ammunition for my shotgun and the two magnums, Rad-X, Rad-Away… Hello! My eyes fell onto a weird looking grenade. I picked it up and noticed that it had the Nuka-Cola label on it. Weird. How come Shining Star never took a crack at the safe? I looked down at my hooves to see that there were other bobby pins. Okay, so the safe was a tough little bastard. I went through five bobby pins. Shining Star looked like he went through a lot more. I nickered as I pocketed the grenade and found that my Pip-Buck labeled it as a Nuka-Cola Grenade. I turned and trotted out of the room.

When I got to the lobby floor, I stopped and my eyes widened.

“We meet again, bitch!” The grinning face of Viper Strike glared at me. My friends looked grim as they were being held at gun point by a few other Enclave. Viper held Comp with her scorpion tail. He looked at me sternly before wincing when the pegasus mare’s tail brushed his chin. “We have something to discuss.” I glared at the Enclave. “Now be a good girl and come over quietly. And don’t try anything.” I felt something jab the back of my head. I looked slightly over my shoulder to see two Enclave aiming energy weapons at me. Viper chuckled before motioning with her head, leading me and my friends to the roof of the factory. I narrowed my eyes as a tortoise looking vehicle laid quietly on the roof. Three other Enclave pegasi were talking to each other before looking at us.

“Commander. We got them.” She said with a salute. She gave me a sly evil look. “And we have the mare that had taken the failed FEV.” I watched as a pegasus broke from the group and stood a few hoof steps away from me. The helmet retracted and a scarred face of a blue pegasus with a black mane looked grimly at me. He narrowed his eyes, studying me.

“What is your name?” the pegasus asked. I said nothing. I was then slugged by Viper in the face, sending me stumbling to the ground.

“You speak when the commander asks you!” she hissed. The pegasus held up a wing to silence Viper as I stood up and wiped the fresh blood that dripped from my muzzle.

“I ask again. What is your name.” all eyes fell on me. I glanced to my worried looking companions before speaking.

“John Doe.” I said. He looked at me contemplatively and nodded. Viper marched up, reared back and planted a hoof to my face again, making me spiral to the ground. That hurt! I sputtered before standing up, only to get beaten by Viper again with a good applebuck to my side. I groaned in pain. Geez, for a pegasus, she has a freaking punch. But then again, Iris would hurt more if I was to piss her off. And I felt like I was going to piss her off if I told her about the holodisk. I didn’t want to bring up painful memories for her. It was on the day she left. So that was a long time ago. She even told me that she was over it.

But you never know, Courier. I ignored the horned pony as I looked up to the commander.

“What is your name?” he repeated. I said nothing and glared at him. He then grinned and chuckled. “Tough mare. I see we will have to ask about it later then.” He motioned for Viper and Viper chuckled evilly at my friends. My eyes widened when her tail lashed out and stabbed into Comp. Comp’s eyes widened and he coughed as he was lifted up. Goldnelee screamed and rushed towards the mare, only to get knocked down from behind by a good rifle butt. She fell to the floor and the Enclave pegasus held her down with a hoof. I sprang up, aiming at the commander with Malice drawn and entered S.A.T.S. I swore at them when I found I had a big chance of scoring a head shot. So I aimed and fired. Only to gap as the commander shifted his head slightly and the magnum bullet trailed.

His tail lashed out at me, sending me flying up and then he wrapped it around my neck. I struggled, my hooves clawing at the tail. He looked sternly at me.

“I figured we would have to do this without any form of fighting. But you left me no choice.” I looked over to see Comp bleeding out and Brick to put pressure on his wound and Shining Star looked worried towards us. “Now… what is your name?” He then balked slightly as I saw a shadow loom behind me. I saw a wooden claw lash out from underneath me and the commander dropped me. I fell to the ground and Rex stood over me. Silver Iris landed next to me, looking angry.

“Let them go.” She said coldly. The commander looked surprised. But then a pegasus from the group pulled out a trigger and Rex suddenly howled in pain, body jerking before stepping away from me. I gritted my teeth as I stood up, took aim at the pegasus with the trigger and fired. The magnum blew the metal scorpion tail, but the trigger was still active. Silver Iris flew towards the commander, only to be tackled by another pegasus. She was suddenly pinned down by the other Enclave as she struggled and swung. The pegasi had their armor dented, but they still kept a hold on her as Rex stumbled back, still feeling the pain coursing through him.

I rushed towards Iris, only to have the metal tail go under my neck again and drag me towards the commander. Rex snarled at him, but the pegasus kept his ground. Rex lunged and I saw a pegasus press a switch on the detonator. Rex flopped to the floor, growling in pain. I struggled more. I have to do something! My friends are in danger! Comp is bleeding out. Rex is being electrocuted and Iris was being contained while my other friends were being held at gun point. I had to do something. I felt my eye throb.

No… I have to do this without Din’s help! She’s just going to kill us all. The pegasus turned to me, me still struggling as his tail tightened.

“What is your name?” he said.

“Let her go!” Silver Iris shouted as she tried to break free, only to get slugged in the face and shoved back to the ground. I looked back at the pegasus, my vision fading.

“C-Courier.” I choked. His grip loosened but still had it around my neck. He then smiled.

“Now was that so hard?” he said. I felt something prick my side and glanced to see the tip of a scorpion tail withdrew with something dripping from the tip. I felt my body suddenly go numb. Paralysis. “Courier, you are hereby under arrest under Enclave law. Stealing an FEV and housing a runaway can be death. However, I think the court will change its’ mind if you be obedient.”

“You bastards! Let her go!” Silver Iris shouted again. I couldn’t look anywhere. My gaze was focused on the pegasus as my body limped to my side. I then heard something buzzing and then Iris screaming in pain. No! Don’t you hurt her! I’ll go! Just stop hurting her! I felt tears stream down my cheeks and the pegasus commander nodded.

“Silver Iris. You have made your choice to leave the Enclave. But you are not on our orders to capture. We have come for the one who rode on a failed FEV. She will be questioned by court. Don’t pull anything funny. That shock shut down your armor. As for the FEV.” He looked and motioned for the Enclave to advance, shock collars drawn. No. They were going to take back Rex. I tried moving. I tried conjuring clones. But my magic faltered. The paralysis had done its’ job quickly.

“Let them go!” I heard Iris shout. I heard clanging and banging, only to be silenced with another shock and Iris screaming again. More tears fell from my eyes. I failed them. I failed to be their Courier. They had seen through our ambush and ended up ambushing us. And they hurt my friends in the process all because they were after me. And I was playing the silent type. I hurt my friends. And I was crying because of that reason. Suddenly, the commander flew up and I caught a glimpse of Rex being led into the tortoise looking vehicle. Then, I was turned. Tears falling as I watched my friends become dots and then vanish from the clouds surrounding us.

I had failed them. And now I’m going to be punished for it.

Footnote Level Up!