I again couldn’t sleep at all. Knowing what I had just done against my sisters and only realizing it a little too late made me feel more and more depressed. I stood by the hangar ramp, continuing the daily work of moving salvage to the town and returning supplies to the other groups. I yawned quietly before finally waving away a couple of zebra who were carrying a crate of armor. Bubble Pop had been keener on the whole leading thing. I find myself being corrected a lot by her. As much as I hate to admit it, Bubble Pop was indeed a good leader when it came to this kind of thing. Heart was right, I’ve been thinking way too much lately.

My paranoia had started causing me to stay on guard at all times. My sisters were still around the town, renting a hotel for a bit before heading back to Wheatfield Acres. I looked up, seeing Silver Iris leading a group from the bird’s eye view. She caught my look and gave me a reassuring smile before hovering over to the next group. I yawned more.

“Quiet Fire?” a voice said behind me, startling me. I turned to see Bubble Pop give me a worried look. “Are you okay?” I smiled at her and waved a hoof at her.

“Of course I am. Thanks to my sisters and all.” I rubbed the back of my head. “I have to apologize to you. I didn’t mean for me to act so… selfish.” She flushed then shook her head.

“N-no. Don’t be. We all know you have a great plan. You’re sisters saw it too. B-but what I think is that you are a great leader.” She stammered. I blinked. Leader? No, I’m no leader. I shook my head.

“I’m not a leader. I’m doing my part in this as well.” I said. “Besides, now that I have less stuff to think about, I feel as if I can fully concentrate more!” It was a lie. I couldn’t think straight at all. Everything had been confusing. Mix it in with lack of sleep, paranoia and depression and you have a total train wreck of a mind. I couldn’t think properly at all. I gave her my best convincing smile. She said nothing but gave me a worried look instead.

“A-are you sure you are okay?” she asked. I nodded with a smile.

“I’m fine. Really, I am.” I lied. I didn’t want to worry anyone right now. We have things to do and I want to put my part in as well. I don’t need to worry about the minor things right now. She gave me another last worried look before turning around and trotting away to lead a confused group. I sighed and bowed my head. Goddesses I’m really a wreck. I decided I needed a break. I walked out of the hangar and into the town. Maybe a walk could clear my mind. At this point, I didn’t care that my followers were still around and were following me for that matter. I stopped and blinked. Turning back, I narrowed my eyes at the crowd of ponies.

Odd… where are the cloaked ponies? I looked around the base of the hangar before rubbing my head and walking into town. My good deeds for the town had gotten out to the entire Empire. The small fisher town was now on the verge of being expanded. I could see small post tags showing were buildings were going to be created in the future. Glaciale had become like a second home to me. I’ve soon gotten to know almost everybody in the town and in the carrier. I blinked away the tiredness before turning back and walking down the busy street.

Dogger and the Snow Dogs had been kept busy. I wasn’t the only one not getting any sleep. Cream seemed agitated as she went over the diagrams and Dogger had to show a couple of dogs what they were doing wrong, which meant having her take it apart and rebuilding it. The stress was on all of us. We had a deadline. If we can’t get this carrier up and running, we might as well take what we can and leave it to wither and the town will lose the resources it needs to expand its’ small community.

Which put me on the spot to organize everything around the carrier. Which groups worked well, what didn’t need to be used or was useful and having to deal with some confused ponies that get on my nerves from time to time. But I can’t really blame them. Most of the inmates here didn’t really know what to do. I had caught a few lazy stragglers chilling in corners and behind some areas playing cards or just having a good time while the rest of us worked. I had to tell them to get back to work, much to my chagrin. These were grown ponies. How can they act immature at a time like this?

I ran Heart’s words in my head. She had said that I wasn’t the only one who could think. And she was right. I had put it solely on me to make sure everything went right. What had bugged me during that time was Sombra’s absence in the few times Din had been unleashed. Then the paranoia began after the fight with my sister. I felt like I had done them wrong and worried that I had scarred Bell for life. I gave a small laugh. How did I go from courier to leader of an operation that was meant to put me on the spot so LittlePip can get the breathing room she needed?

Oh right. Because she was doing everything she can to make sure The Gardens of Equestria were safe and the right ponies were needed to activate it. I also wanted Sombra to focus on me so he could stop trailing LittlePip. I had unlocked Din. Din had rampaged through the Enclave. Why did Sombra not show up at all during those times? Something was happening and that meant he either gave up on me and was going after LittlePip or he was just waiting for the right opportunity to jump in and take the power away from me.

I wasn’t sure. And to increase my paranoia, my followers were nowhere to be seen. What the hell is happening? I lost my train of thought when I bumped into Rex. I blinked and looked down, seeing Comp looking up at me with his bag full of supplies.

“Everything okay, Courier?” he asked. I nodded with a smile.

“Just… thinking is all.” I said.

“Didn’t your sister say to ease off on the thinking?” he said with an arched brow. I nodded.

“And I am, I’m just thinking of something else other than trying to get everything done. Don’t get me wrong, I want this thing up and running in the time needed. It’s just now I have a few less things to worry about.” I frowned. “And one more to worry about too.” Comp sighed.

“Courier, just relax okay? We got this.” he said. I shook my head.

“It’s not about that. Haven’t you noticed something strange?” I said as I motioned behind me. He looked past me and then back at me.

“The Snow Dogs?” he asked. “They are always strange. And they smell too.” He scrunched up his face. Again, I shook my head at the colt.

“My followers.” I said. “For the past three days they had followed me everywhere and now they are nowhere to be seen.” Comp snickered.

“Those Pride look alike ponies? I saw them leaving the town early this morning.” He said. I blinked. They left?

“They left? Really?” I asked. He gave me a frown.

“Why do you look so shocked? It’s not like they were doing anything other than stalking. If I was you, I would be happy that they have finally taken your advice and left.” He said.

“N-no! I mean…” Oh Goddesses, they really left? No… no that can’t be right. I looked around. They had to try something! They saw me fight my sister. They saw my skills being used. They would have tried something or… or at least thought of something! I groaned and ruffled my mane.

“Why are you so upset about it?” he asked. I stomped my hoof.

“I’m not upset! I’m glad they are gone. But something feels… off.” I said. He nickered.

“You were expecting them to try something?” I nodded.

“Yes! They saw my skills. They experienced what I’m capable of. We still don’t know what they are really preparing for. They should have at least tried something.” I felt disappointed. But why? I should be glad they left. But having a group of ponies that see you as a messiah, follow you around for a while and then just leave? They must be pulling something. They had to! My train of thought was once again lost when Comp suddenly aimed a 10mm pistol at me. I blinked. “Comp?”

“I’ve been holding this gun to your head for a good two minutes. That right there tells me you are still thinking of a lot of things. You need to learn to relax.” He said as he put the gun back into the bag.

“Two minutes?” I cocked my head.

“As soon as you bumped into Rex. Which means that you hadn’t seen the possible danger that was in front of you because you were so lost in thought.” He frowned. “You don’t look so good either. Have you’ve been getting sleep?” I returned his frown.

“Sleep? Why should I sleep? I shouldn’t sleep at a time like this.” I said. Comp sighed and tapped his head with his hoof.

“And here I was starting to think you had finally learned after the tussle with your sister. You really aren’t taking her words to heart are you? Just completely went over your head huh?” I looked offended. How dare he talk to me like that! I opened my mouth but was silenced when Rex gave a whine. “Courier. This is what we had been trying to tell you. You need to relax. You need sleep. Otherwise, you’ll just go brain dead. Or worse. Forget about the cult. Forget about Sombra for now. What really is important is getting a carrier up and running.” I shook my head.

“I can’t! Those last few times I used Din, Sombra hadn’t shown up! He’s been goading me into freeing her and when I had, he hadn’t shown up at all. He must be pulling something! He has to be! I can’t let my guard down for a second.” Comp rubbed his face, groaning.

“Yup, you completely ignored your sister. Courier, just stop and relax. You are forgetting we can take care of ourselves.” He said.

“Really? I’ve seen what Sombra is capable of. Survival skills aren’t the only things we are going to need. He killed me in a dream. The magic he used and the death he gave me felt real! He had killed me and the feeling came with me to the real world!” I said with a grit of my teeth. He arched a brow.

“The feeling of death? Through a dream?” he gave me a skeptical look. I groaned.

“Yes! The kind of magic Sombra used is powerful than any magic I’ve ever seen. He could probably just come in and kill all of us on the spot! I have to be ready for when he does!” I said. Comp sighed.

“I see. Well then, I hope you are ready for that time.” He said as he shifted his bags and looked to Rex. “Come on, boy. We have work to do.” Rex whined before following after Comp. I watched them leave. When they had disappeared around the corner, I cocked my head. Wait, did Comp just drop everything after hearing me mention Sombra and his magic? I ruffled my mane. No, he’s just fast-talking me. If I know Comp, his bratty attitude towards me always gets me to realize some things.

But Comp didn’t really act bratty during our chat. He acted more concerned if anything. I arched a brow. We still don’t know much about Comp’s past and I’m hoping we find it soon before I have to take him to the uncharted area. I sighed and turned back to finish my walk.

Once again, my paranoia has gotten me to not sleep at all. Four days of no sleep… just what I needed. I watched quietly as a griffin and a few zebra struggled to move a large crate that we hadn’t seen until we had clear out all the smaller cargo boxes. I narrowed my eyes seeing the word “Fragile” on it.

“Hold on.” I said as I trotted over to the crate. I moved around it, examining the box. Perfect condition. It looks like a recent cargo they had before we took over the carrier. I wondered what’s inside it however. I looked to a few of the griffins in the air. “Think you can open it?” The lead one nodded before motioning for the others to use their razor sharp talons and pulled the side of the box out. I gapped when a big metallic object laid on piles and piles of hay.

“What is that?” one pony asked.

“A balefire bomb…” I said grimly. Nervous murmurs erupted. I blinked away the tiredness before examining it.

“Why does the Enclave have a balefire bomb?” A griffin asked. I shook my head.

“I don’t know. Have any of you moved any other crates that seemed big?” I asked. The crowd exchanged glances. It was Bubble Pop that spoke.

“W-well, there was one that we moved out the other day ago.” She said. I looked around to the crowd as I spoke.

“Listen, no one touch the bomb.” I looked to the zebra. “Make sure that it doesn’t get tampered.” They nodded before I turned to Bubble Pop. “Show me.” She nodded. Bubble Pop led me down the hangar ramp with a couple of other griffins. When we turned after moving through crates, she blinked and her jaw dropped. I arched a brow.

“B-b-but… it was right here!” she said. I looked and noticed a big imprint in the snow that once held a giant crate. I bit my lip and turned to the griffins.

“Tell everyone. I want everyone into the prison keep.” I glared at them. “And I mean everyone.” I said. They exchanged glances before nodding and flying to the ship. I rubbed my face. “This isn’t good.”

“W-what’s going to happen?” she asked. I looked at her tiredly.

“Questioning.” I said as I noticed Guillotine fly over head with Gahilda. “Guillotine!” the griffin blinked and looked down, seeing me motion for him to land. When they did, I immediately cut him off. “Listen, we have just discovered a balefire bomb on the ship.” His eyes widened along with Gahilda’s.

“A balefire bomb? Seriously?” Gahilda asked. I nodded and looked back to the imprint.

“We may have moved another one out here with the cargo. It might be another balefire. And if it is, someone stole it.” I looked at them grimly. “I need you to help me carry the balefire bomb we found to the prison keep. I’m going to figure out who took it.” Guillotine looked at the both of us before nodding.

“Sure thing, Quiet Fire.” He took off into the air with Gahilda at his tail, leaving me and Bubble Pop to make our way back to the hangar. What in the hell was a balefire bomb doing on a prison carrier? If the Enclave had been housing two of them in the cargo hold, obviously something was going to go down. I shivered as another thought came up. If Din had hit the balefire bombs while in the air, all of us would have been ash. Not by one, but maybe two bombs. What the hell were the Enclave even doing with the very things that created the Wasteland?

Gahilda and Guillotine resealed the box and helped the zebra move the bomb with me and Bubble Pop leading them to the prison keep. I saw ponies, zebra and griffins being herded into the big coliseum like prison ground. I stood on a platform I had seen the Enclave use as a means for getting the bulkier griffins up for questioning. I nodded to a pegasus who pressed a key on the terminal and we descended to the middle floor on the wall. I peered down, seeing the freed inmates once again back here. At least they weren’t wearing the cerulean jumpsuits. I saw my friends in the crowd, looking up at me with concerned looks.

I waited until everyone was here. When they had arrived, I used my magic to project my voice.

“Attention everyone.” I said. “You all are wondering why I have gathered each and everyone of you here. I know some of you wanted to avoid ever being here again, but I can guarantee you nothing will happen to you.” I darted my eyes over the crowd. “The reason I have brought you all here is because of a certain threat we had discovered amongst the cargo.” I nodded to the griffins as they opened the crate and the metallic object glinted in the light. “Look closely. What do you believe it to be?”

I heard small murmurs through the crowd, seeing a few rub their chins in thoughts and some who seemed to know exactly what it is. I nodded.

“I’m glad some of you know exactly what it is. But to those that can’t, I can tell you.” I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the surprised shouts and screams. “What you see before you is a balefire bomb.” I had predicted it. Screams and shouts roared through the crowd. I looked over to the ramp to see some of the ponies trying to escape up it, only to have zebra block their paths and griffins scaring the pegasi back down. “Quiet!” I shouted, my voice echoing across the room. The crowd died down to worried murmurs.

“I brought you all here for two reasons. One is to show you the danger we had found.” I nodded to the balefire bomb. “And the other is a warning. We believe that this isn’t the only balefire bomb on this ship.” More worried murmurs. “One that may or may not be one had been moved out into the cargo salvage. One problem, however. Someone stole a crate that I believe has the second balefire bomb in it.” The crowd quieted. “So I’m going to pull some of you in for questioning. Nothing like how the Enclave had treated us. Goddesses forbid from doing such an act. What I want is a Q&A. A simple yes or no.” I could tell that some of the ex-inmates looked skeptical. “I can assure you, nothing bad will happen to anyone in questioning. You are all free to go back to what you were doing before, but mark my words, I’ll be scouting with a few others around the ship.” I sighed and canceled my magic before turning to the pegasus in the station and nodded for him to pull up the ramp.

Bubble Pop gave me a worried look.

“Quiet Fire… are you sure you want to be questioning ponies in your state?” she asked. I narrowed my eyes at her.

“What are you talking about? It’s just a simple yes or no question. I don’t ever want anyone tortured for answers. I’ve had my own fair share of torture Q&A. I won’t let it come to that.” I said. I pulled my hood down over my eyes, hiding the sad and tired look. I just hope nothing goes wrong.

I had the balefire bomb placed into the captain’s quarters and gotten Rex and a few armed ponies to guard the area. I didn’t want another bomb to be stolen from under our noses, so I made sure we had someone I know that had a keen sense of smell and hearing. I pet Rex’s head tiredly with a smile before walking down the hall with my friends beside me.

“I didn’t think that the Enclave would even house such a weapon.” Iris said between grit teeth. She was clearly pissed that her own faction would even have a balefire bomb or two.

“But didn’t you say you cut your ties with the Enclave?” I asked. She nodded before speaking.

“Yes, but I just… I don’t know if Cloudwing or Viper Strike knows about it or not.” She said. I looked ahead as we walked.

“I can have a small hunch that they knew something about it. And knowing those two, they might have convinced the Enclave to leave it when we had taken over the carrier.” I said. Star shook his head.

“Not likely.” He said. “The Enclave fled because you were a giant fire alicorn in the sky and had sliced a carrier into three.” He gave a small smile. “I would have high tailed it out of there too. Didn’t you notice they had stayed far away from the carrier?” I shook my head tiredly.

“When I had freed Din in my… episode, I had stood next to her. I saw the carriers being really close.” I said. Star looked astonished.

“Really? How precarious. Maybe Din altered your sight in the process.” He said. I gritted my teeth.

“But this isn’t about Din, Star. What’s more important is that we had found a balefire bomb on the ship and a big chance that another one had been stolen. Do you realize what that means?” I asked. He gave me a studying look before speaking.

“It means it’s in the hooves of bad ponies.” He said.

“It means it’s-.” I stopped and blinked. He beat me to it? Of course. Star was the other egghead of the group. Wait… did I really just call myself an egghead!? I sighed and nodded. “Either that or someone just wanted to steal cargo and happened to steal a possible balefire bomb.” I dragged my hooves across the ground as we made our way back to the hangar. My announcement of the balefire bomb had definitely made a few people nervous on the ship. They gave me worried and concerned looks as we passed.

I just ignored them and continued on. I wasn’t really in the mood to be asked anything else. I had questioning to do. So, as I passed, I was also studying the groups that come and go about their duties. As I patrolled the ship, I hadn’t realized that Comp and Iris were still behind me. I thought I had left my friends to get back to their own duties.

“Don’t you two have stuff to do?” I asked. They exchanged glances before Iris spoke.

“Babe, have you’ve been getting any sleep at all?” she asked. I arched a brow.

“Why are you asking?” I said.

“I want to prove a point.” Comp said. I smirked at the colt. Okay, I see your game.

“Why yes, I have indeed gotten some sleep. No need to worry about little ‘ol me.” I lied, giving them my best convincing smile. I chuckled slyly in my head when I saw Comp narrow his eyes at me. Silver Iris rubbed the back of her head.

“Well, okay. If you say so.” She said. “Courier… if anything is going on, don’t be afraid to talk to us.” She smiled. “We are you’re friends. Remember that.” I smiled at her.

“Of course, my love.” I teased. She flushed mildly before turning with Comp giving me a last suspicious look at me. I turned and pulled my hood down further. Why was I being like this? Why was I lying to my friends? Didn’t I tell myself I couldn’t lie to them? I grit my teeth in frustration. Dammit. I’m becoming more of a hypocrite than I thought. The idea made me even more depressed.

Again, I couldn’t sleep. Iris snoozed quietly next to me while I stared at the ceiling of our room with a hoof over my forehead. I kept having strange thoughts about what would happen to the other stolen balefire bomb. A lot of scenarios had run through my head. I quietly shook away the thoughts and turned to face the opposite wall. The bare metallic wall made me frown. The wall needs a mural or something. I tried closing my eyes and sleeping, but more thoughts popped into my head and I groaned quietly and sat up on the bed. I need to clear my head. Maybe another walk around the town at night might help.

I looked over to Iris, my silver colored love sleeping quietly with her back turned to me. I smiled and kissed her forehead before sliding out of the bed and throwing on my barding. I took Compassion with me just in case I end up getting cornered or ambushed. I made my way out onto the deck and blinked, seeing Bubble Pop staring out over the railing lost in thought.

“Bubble Pop?” I asked, making the mare stiffen and look quickly to me. She sighed with relief.

“O-oh, Quiet Fire. It’s just you.” She said. I nodded and propped my hooves onto the railing. I looked out to the quiet snowy fisher town below. “Q-Quiet Fire?” I turned to see a flushing Bubble Pop.

“Are you okay? You seem red.” I said. She blinked. Then she quickly turned away. Was she getting sick? Well, I felt like hell too, but I’ve seen how Bubble Pop reacts under pressure. So I didn’t push it and kept looking over the railing. “You know… I can’t help but keep thinking.” I said.

“Th-thinking?” Bubble Pop stammered.

“About this whole carrier and base thing. I mean, it sounded like a good plan at first. But after seeing a balefire bomb and the big possibility of another one being stolen from under our noses made me realize we might have to watch everyone.” I said. I saw Bubble Pop shaking her head.

“Y-you shouldn’t do that, Quiet Fire.” I blinked, seeing her look calm and collected as she spoke. “You’ll be just like the M.o.M all over. You know how everypony hated being watched by them.” I gapped.

“How do you know about the M.o.M?” I asked. She gave me a sad look, making me feel like I had done something wrong.

“I’m sorry… I just thought everyone knew about the ministries.” She said. I ruffled my mane. Of course everyone knew. How could I be so dumb to forget that even a mare like Bubble Pop knows the ministries?

“I’m sorry. I’ve just been thinking a lot.” I said. Bubble Pop looked at me now.

“Didn’t your sister say-?” I cut her off with a hoof wave.

“Yeah, yeah. I know damn well what Heart wanted me to do. But then again, she wasn’t really that creative in her own speeches, let alone a convincing mare.” I said. Bubble Pop looked surprised. “I mean no disrespect to her. She pretty much taught me what she knows about being a courier along with my own training. You also have to remember, we are siblings too.” I smiled. “Me and Heart sometimes like to squabble a lot.” Bubble Pop gave me an arched brow.

“Fighting with your hooves and magic against one another is a form of sibling squabble?” she asked. I flushed and gave her a sheepish smile.

“Oookay, maybe not like tradition squabble. But you get the idea.” I said. Bubble Pop turned to look back out over the railing.

“Are all couriers so incredible like you?” she asked. I shook my head.

“Every courier specialize in something. Mine is more of a family tradition. My great grandmother and grandfather were couriers. My great, great grandmother was a courier. And so on and so forth. My family goes all the way back to two centuries ago.” I said. Bubble Pop listened intently as I spoke. “My ancestor who started my family’s infamous courier troubles was also a courier that had a big role in the war with The Empire and the Legion. His brilliant mind and strategical thinking made him a big asset to the war. There was the one problem though.” I nickered. “He was a courier. He did everything he could to avoid having to decide the fate of a war.” Bubble Pop looked astonished.

“You’re ancestor must be incredible!” she said. I nodded.

“My great grandfather told me so before he passed away. He had a way with telling stories.” I smiled at the vague memories I could remember spending time with my grandfather. I frowned, having only thought of one and it was him goading my dad into doing something I can’t remember.

“So, did your ancestor decide the war?” Bubble Pop asked. I shook my head.

“He vanished during the climax of the war. No one knew where he went. My great grandfather said he went into hiding, causing the war to come to a stalemate. Then a balefire bomb went off, deciding both sides to retreat back. After that, the snowy Wasteland was created and for two centuries, my family continued on in secrecy.” I sighed and rubbed my face. “And now, here I am being exploited by two DJs that seem to have nothing better to do than to tell ponies about my daring dos and what not. After that, I kind of gave up. So here I am now, trying to get a carrier up and running before heading out to Las Pegasus and get a few gangs to calm down.” I frowned. “So much for keeping my family’s lineage a secret anymore.” Bubble Pop cocked her head.

“Is it because of what you are doing that has exposed your family to the public?” she asked. I rubbed my chin.

“Well… yes and no. I’ve also found out my father had been going around the Wasteland for years now and leaving behind reports about my family.” I grit my teeth. “I don’t know why he thought it was a good idea. But I plan on finding all those reports and making sure my family’s lineage doesn’t become exposed to the world.” I said.

“But wouldn’t it also be a good thing as well?” she asked. I arched a brow. “Look at it this way. You say you and your siblings have been trying to keep your family a secret, keeping the tradition. And now you’re father is going around leaving reports about your family history. Don’t you think your dad is also trying to tell the world something?” she said. I said nothing. I hadn’t really thought about it like that. Wow, I tip my hat to the timid mare.

“Well… I guess. I mean, after I’ve heard about it, I just wanted to see why he was doing it in the first place. I maybe thought that hopefully it would lead me to find him. Or maybe Lyon. Now that you say it like that, I’m not really sure what to think. I have too much things to worry about anyway.” I said.

“Y-you sure you had thought about this fully?” she said. I frowned. I didn’t want to upset her or scare her. Right now, I’m the only reason she is still here. If it was up to others, she may have been dead anyway. Courtesy of Guillotine himself. I finally sighed.

“I don’t know… I’ve had too much on my mind. I was kinda hoping that we could use this carrier for good. To stop all the fighting.” I said. Bubble Pop bit her lip before speaking.

“I-I’m sorry about saying this… but you do realize the Enclave have more carriers than this?” she motioned to the ship. “I-I mean this may look big. But this is just a piece of a carrier. This part doesn’t have the right fire power needed to fight off even a swarm of flies.” I blinked. She just called this carrier a piece of junk? I said nothing and let her continue. “The Enclave always have bigger and better firepower at their disposal. We got lucky that we managed to crash land a part of the ship that had two engines, a cargo bay and bedrooms along with a part of a cockpit.” I blinked. Wait, if she was saying that the ship is smaller compared to the others, then how come some of the walls are still standing?

I ruffled my mane, trying to put it together. But I couldn’t come up with a reasonable explanation or a thought about it. This part of the ship we have did have a giant hole on some parts were Din had sliced through it. But the holes faced mainly out into the icy sea. So how come it’s still operational? Fuck, I can’t even think anymore! I slumped and bowed my head.

“My head hurts too much to think straight…” I muttered. I felt Bubble Pop lock her hoof with mine. I blinked and looked at her confusedly. “Bubble Pop?” She flushed but smiled.

“I-I’m sorry about this. I know you and that silver pegasus are a pair. B-but…” she took a deep breath. “You really should relax. Ease your mind. You have friends that can help you. You don’t have to shoulder the burden all the time.” I was about to speak when she suddenly pressed her lips to mine. I stiffened and flushed. Why!? Why karma are you doing this to me!!? Why can’t I be left alone to one mare?! I didn’t return the kiss but she didn’t seem to mind at all. I was dumbfounded. That’s the second mare other than Iris to have kissed me! What’s more is she also had soft lips as well! She pulled away and smiled. I stood baffled. “That’s for saving me from everyone. I-I know everyone still doesn’t forgive me. And I’m sure you hate me too, but after you told everyone to keep me around. I was happy. I’ve never had anyone stand up to me before.” She hugged me. “So, I just wanted to say thank you. And again, I’m truly sorry about this.”

“Hazawha?” was all I could say. She gave me a concerned look.

“Please, Quiet Fire. Think about what I have said. You have ponies that care about you.” She smiled at me again before trotting past me and back into the ship. I sat on my rump and put a hoof to my mouth. First Cream and now Bubble Pop? What the hell did I do that made them like me like that? I mean, both are cute. Both had something about them that stood out. But I didn’t feel that way towards them. I only had feelings for Iris. I bit my lip and ruffled my mane. Great, and I don’t want to be total bitch and shoot them down either. I don’t want them to be hurt… Fuck, Karma, give me a break!

“Why? Why me?” I said out loud. Sighing in defeat, I went back to looking over the railing. Bubble Pop’s words ran through my head. I had ponies that care about me. I could think of my friends and family. But after what she pulled, did she mean something else? I was so very confused. I bowed my head and felt the tears fall. Dammit, I’m such a wreck! Everything was just off! Things didn’t seem right at all! I… they… “Argh, what is wrong with me!?” I shouted. The silence only responded. More tears streamed. All I could do was cry. I cried until I couldn’t any longer. When I had finished, I looked up and saw the sun peek over a mountain. I watched the dawn soon become engulfed into the gloomy clouds above and the same dim winter feel of the Wasteland hit me.

I must have stayed up on the deck for hours. I watched tiredly as the first sign of movement were the merchants opening their shops and some locals chatting amongst themselves. A tap on my shoulder made me turn and I saw Popper with Xanthos and a few others behind her.

“Whoa, you look like hell.” Popper said. I pulled my hood down to cover my face.

“I… have a lot to think about.” I said weakly. I could tell they were giving worried looks.

“Listen, we need thoughts about what we should do.” Popper said. I looked at her confusedly. “The balefire bomb. Remember?” I blinked and nodded.

“O-oh yeah.” I cleared my throat and turned to them. “Well, I still haven’t pulled anyone for questioning. So for now, continue with your duties until I can figure something out.” Popper narrowed her eyes at me.

“Have you’ve been sleeping at all?” she asked. I quickly turned to them, making them back away a bit.

“I don’t need sleep. I’m tired of everyone getting on my back about it. Just leave me alone!” I said. Popper and Xanthos exchanged glances.

“Well alright then. You’re the boss.” She said. I frowned.

“Don’t call me that.” I said as I pushed past them. “I’m not a leader. I’m not a boss. I’m not a gang member. I’m just a courier.”

“You sure you want to have that type of attitude?” Popper said. I turned to her and glared. “You certainly can’t be a leader if you have that attitude. Look at how far you’ve come. You managed to get everyone a part in fixing the damn carrier up. In a way, you are considered the boss.” She rubbed her chin. “But if we don’t have a boss, then I guess that means we don’t really have to do anything.” She smirked. “Well then, guys. Let’s sell some stuff and spend the caps on drinks. What do you say?” she turned and there were cheers. I balked.

“W-what? No, you can’t! If we don’t get this thing up and running, we will be left defenseless. If you sell the salvage and just spend it on drinks, then you are throwing away the town’s chances of rebuilding!” I said with a stomp of my hoof. Popper arched a brow.

“Why? You aren’t the boss, so we don’t have to listen to you.” She said. I bristled.

“You are going to kill us all if you do.” I hissed. Popper gave me a bored look.

“I’m sorry, what? Oh yeah, you ain’t the boss. So don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.” She said. I gritted my teeth.

“Popper! Don’t even think about it. You’ll not only leave us defenseless, but prevent the town from being what it once was. A trader town. The Snow Dogs will just go back home and abandon the roads. Caravans will stop coming. And the town will be left to rot. And if the Enclave or someone worse decided to come with an army, we wouldn’t stand a chance because you and everyone else spent the money on drinks.” I said. They looked at me and Popper gave me a smile.

“See? That’s why you are the boss. You know what’s right.” She said. I opened my mouth to protest again, but stopped and closed it, arching a brow. Wait, did Popper just prove a point? Popper tapped my forehead with a hoof. “However, a boss can’t really think right if she doesn’t get sleep. She can’t lead if she can’t think. So how about you call it a day and get some shut eye. It’s not going to kill you.” I shook my head.

“I can’t. If I do, everyone will be-.” I found myself on the floor, feeling my cheek stinging. I winced and rubbed it, looking back up to Popper. She snorted.

“You think we ain’t smart enough to handle ourselves? You definitely are a dimwit when you can’t even take care of yourself. You are worried about the well-being of thousands of people. Obsessed with stopping this Sombra pony and refusing to sleep. Let me get one thing straight, Quiet Fire. If you end up killing yourself about all this, then we really will be left defenseless. You are the constant that is driving us to survive.” She snorted again. “You disgust me being like this. Where’s the Quiet Fire we know? The one that saved us from years of captivity?” She looked at the group behind her, who looked grimly at me. “Because I can tell you one thing, this mare ain’t our Quiet Fire.” She gave me one last look before turning and walking away. “Let’s go.” I said nothing as I watched the group follow Popper.

I looked up and noticed Guillotine with a few other griffins. He frowned and shook his head before flying off towards the hangar. What is going on? What is happening? Why me? Karma, I ask you… why me? We can’t help you, Courier. You have to figure this out on your own. I looked tiredly at the winged pony who seemed to ignore me. I looked to the horned pony, who was also giving me the cold shoulder. Sighing, I stood up, nearly stumbling.

I dragged my hooves down the corridors and rooms and I noticed that everywhere I went, ponies, zebra and griffins all were giving me cold looks. At this point, my life began to suck. I beamed when I saw Goldenlee nodding to a few other ponies before motioning for them to start organizing.

“Golden!” I said as I trotted over to her. She didn’t even turn to look to me as she spoke.

“Hello, dear.” She said as she looked through barding and equipment on a table. “I’m afraid I can’t talk right now. I have things to take care of.” I drooped my ears and bowed my head.

“O-oh… I was just wondering if we could talk.” Goldenlee finally looked at me, but more sternly than worried.

“Well, I guess I do have a bit of time. What is it you wanted to talk about?” she asked. I rubbed my head.

“I was just wanting to check up on you. It’s been a while since we’ve really have done anything.” I said. She nodded. I was waiting for a response, but she seemed to wait for me to continue. So I did. “So… how’s everything here?” She looked back to organizing gear before speaking.

“Well, seeing as how much equipment and materials we are finding, I say enough to keep us going.” She said. “Is that all you want to talk about?” I opened my mouth to say something, but then closed it, bowing my head.

“I… Golden, do you think I’m a leader?” I asked. I had to know. Did everyone really see me as one? She furrowed her brows.

“I did.” She said. I blinked. She did? “I still think you are a great leader. But right now, dear, you really are just hurting yourself and everyone around you.” I looked at her with concern. Was she trying to say that I’m no longer someone she can look up to? Wait, why was she even looking up to me in the first place? Why… how… I ruffled my mane and turned.

“Sorry I wasted your time.” I said weakly before walking out of the room. I pulled my hood down to cover my face. I tried crying. But I had dried everything through the night. I turned the corner and bumped into Brick. I looked up to the red colored stallion and he looked down at me with that familiar stoic look.

“Courier.” He said. I nodded as he walked past me.

“Brick?” I asked, turning to him. He stopped and looked back. “Do you think I’m a leader?” Brick took a moment before talking.

“Ayep.” He said. I gave him a sad look.

“Do you still think I’m one?” I asked. He didn’t even miss a beat as he spoke.

“Maybe.” He said. I winced as he turned and continued walking down the hall. Even the quiet one thought so. I sighed and continued walking toward the hangar. I didn’t get far when I saw Star and Comp talking. They looked at me as I walked towards them.

“Hey.” I said.

“Morning, Courier.” Star said. Comp frowned.

“Still looking like hell I see.” He said. I pulled my hood down.

“Um…” I hesitated. “Do you guys think I’m a leader?” I wasn’t surprised with Comp’s response.

“I don’t know. You haven’t really done anything to prove it.” He said with a snort. I looked at Star.

“Well, that depends solely on you, Courier. Do you see yourself as one?” he asked. I was about to shake my head, when I stopped and frowned.

“I’m… not sure. Everyone has been acting strange lately.” I said.

“Then that right there should tell you something. But that isn’t important right now. I was just discussing with Comp about something.” He said. I looked at them. “The ones who stole the second balefire bomb are still on this ship.” I gapped.

“What? Where did you hear this from?” I asked.

“Come with us.” Star said. We trotted towards the hangar. “We caught the group responsible for the theft. Now we need you to question where they hid it.” I said nothing as we continued down the ramps that led to the hangar. The very lives of everyone are in danger now. We now have the culprits responsible. I smirked. I can still do this. I can still save everyone.

When we reached the hangar, I noticed a crowd of ponies gathered around four Enclave armored ponies. I narrowed my eyes. So they really weren’t just going to abandon the balefire bombs. My guess must be that they tried to sneak out the one we found. They sat there in the middle, tied up. We made our way through the crowd that parted when they saw us. The four Enclave looked at me.

“So you came back for the other one.” I said. The one Enclave, I could assume was the leader by the marks on the armor, rasped with a metallic voice as he spoke.

“We were ordered to acquire the balefire bombs from the enemy.” He said. “You have no right to the property of the Enclave.” I smirked.

“That’s where you are wrong. The carrier belongs to us now. Years of torment everyone had gone through. Years of unfair labor. Years of torture for answers. Face it, you lost fair and square to me.” I looked at the Enclave in the insectoid looking visor. “You lost to someone who was contained only for a few weeks. Someone who played mute. I didn’t have to speak to get everyone to trust me. Once I told Guillotine the plan, everyone was on board.” The Enclave pony laughed.

“You really think that everyone is on board with your plan now? To make this a base of operations? To use to your heart’s content?” he chuckled. “You really think a small piece of a carrier can protect you from us? No. You all are finished. Once we find the last bomb, we can destroy this place. You filthy scavengers are nothing to us now.”

“Don’t think so quickly about that.” I said. “While you were tasked to infiltrate us and take the bombs, you forgot one thing. We aren’t just a group of lowly Wastelanders. We took a carrier over together, albeit if it is only a small piece. Acquiring a small piece of something is a big step towards victory.” The Enclave chuckled again.

“Then why don’t you take a look outside?” he said. I narrowed my eyes and looked up to the opened ramp. I noticed a looming shadow over the town.

“It’s the Enclave! They brought a battle carrier!” Ghost Pepper said with a snarl. I gapped and rushed to the ramp with a few others. Sure enough, a giant dark figure of a ship loomed over the town. I saw silhouettes of Enclave flying around the ship. I grit my teeth.

“Everyone, gather what you can and prepare yourselves!” I ordered. Before anyone could move, the Enclave captives laughed.

“Don’t think about it. We already have the cannons pointed at this place and the town. All we have to do is just give the signal. They are listening in as we speak.” The lead one said. I smirked.

“Please. The Enclave won’t even think to shoot down something if we have their own in captivity.” I said. I knew the Enclave were loyal to one another. They were comrades. Just like everyone here is a comrade to me. But their laughing made me narrow my eyes.

“They won’t care. We are just four grunts out of an entire colony. Losing a couple of men is no big deal. We have plenty of others willing to take the place.” He straightened now. “Take the shot.” My eyes widened and I quickly looked back in time to a flash of white and a loud boom sound. The ship shook and I heard a loud explosion from somewhere down further. I looked back at the four with a glare.

“The cockpit has been hit!” a pony said rushing in. “We lost the bridge!” No… no! This can’t be happening! We aren’t ready! I knew something like this was going to happen! Why wouldn’t anyone listen to me! But I couldn’t think. I was exhausted. All I did was bite my lip. Come on, Courier, think! If I don’t do something now, we will be lost along with the town.

“Still not convinced?” the lead chuckled. “Do it.” I heard an explosion coming from the town. I looked back to see a building fall into a cloud of dust and rubble. No! We aren’t ready! I curled on the floor and banged my hooves on the ground in frustration. We lost. The Enclave had the advantage! We were surrounded. I couldn’t think anything. Do anything. I was so tired. I couldn’t move. I heard shouts of warning and looked back in time to see the lead Enclave break free of his bonds and flew straight at me. He tackled me and we went rolling down the hangar ramp. I tried unsheathing Compassion, but my magic faltered. I was too tired to even use magic. When we reached the bottom, I was pinned and the Enclave held a sharpened wing to my neck.

“Bastard…” I growled. The Enclave chuckled.

“Do you see now? In the state you are in, you can’t even begin to think of anything. We have the advantage. You lost.” He said. I willed myself to move, but I could only grab the neck of the Enclave and nothing else. He laughed. “Good bye, Savior.” He brought back the wing and I closed my eyes, waiting for the death to embrace me permanently this time. But nothing happened. I opened one eye and saw the Enclave just standing there. When the helmet retracted, I gapped.

There stood the love of my life, grinning down at me. Silver Iris shook her head.

“Comp was right. It was worse than we thought.” She said. I was stunned. Dumbfounded. I couldn’t speak. Iris helped me up and I looked to see the crowd looking at me with grins. What just… happened? What was going on? I looked over to the cockpit of the ship and saw it smoking. I watched as a few pegasi lift up a smoking piece of wreckage and fly towards me. The cockpit looked fine. Untouched even.

“But… wha… the Enclave… the ship…” I said and looked up to see the figure suddenly morph into the ground and the shadows appeared. I saw Heart and Bell smiling at me from a hotel window. I looked back to the crowd. Bubble Pop, Popper, Xanthos and Guillotine looked at me with smiles spread across their face.

“See? If you would only listen to us, then something like that might not even happen.” Bubble Pop said. I sat on my rump with my mouth open. What in the actual fuck was going on?

“W-wait… so this was just…” I began.

“An illusion dear.” Goldenlee said as she trotted over to me with Brick, Comp, Rex and Star behind her. “But do you see why you need the rest?” I said nothing. Comp sighed.

“I think we confused her even more.” He said. “It might have been even worse than we thought.” Star rubbed his chin.

“Are you feeling alright, Courier?” he asked.

“I… what… you… everyone?” was all I could manage.

“Well, where should we start?” Brick asked.

“Well, let’s begin by saying that it was Comp’s idea to begin with.” Iris said. “He noticed you not being your usual self. So after doing a bit of study, he realized you weren’t getting sleep. So he had to find out why. While you were in the hangar ordering the cargo to move, Comp went around and told us about you.” She gave me a worried look. “And I didn’t see at first, but I had noticed you waking earlier than usual. After that, Comp and I went around with an idea. So we staged an Enclave attack.” She smiled. “All that was left was the set up and we were good to go. You were really tired, that you didn’t even notice most of the tricks to fool you go right past you.” I said nothing.

They staged an attack? I closed my eyes and shook my head. My brain was hurting.

“But don’t you see why now? What your sister was trying to tell you?” Bubble Pop said. I looked over to see Bell wave happily at me and Heart just smiled with a small wave.

“You took it upon yourself to see that we were all prepared for something that wouldn’t happen within a few months.” Goldenlee said. I blinked. A few months? Star cleared his throat.

“Me and Iris went around and found terminals that had Enclave records. There was a recent one that was sent out to all Enclave ships that a carrier had been destroyed and the balefire bombs lost to scavengers. They plan to have a few months preparation in case we retaliate. Which is what we should do. But Courier, you were preparing us for something way too early.” He said.

“B-but… what about Sombra? What about the town?” I asked.

“The town’s folk were planning on getting rid of that building so they could build a new hotel there.” Goldenlee said. “But Sombra…”

“Have you’ve been reading your messages?” she asked. I hadn’t. For the past week and a half I was so busy trying to get a carrier up and running that… wait… is that why Heart and Bell were here? I checked my PipBuck and saw the cartoon pegasus struggling to lift a sack of letters. I scrolled through them, ignoring the hate mail and praise mail by other couriers and found messages from my siblings. Heart had sent me at least six different messages about me not checking up with her and her last one saying that we will come to visit you. The rest were from Stall and LittlePip.

Message 23: Courier, this is LittlePip. You don’t need to worry about us. We have a plan already set in motion. – Stall

Message 24: Curry, I can’t believe you took out an Enclave carrier! Damn, sis. Wish I was there to see you do that. - Stall

Message 25: Geez, you really did a number on it. Seeing it falling from the sky was just incredible! – Stall

I scanned more messages. LittlePip had said in some of the messages that Sombra had noticed me. But LittlePip was doing everything she could so that Sombra won’t go after me. Was that why he hadn’t shown up at all? And here I thought I was going to give LittlePip the breathing room she needed. But in the end, she was the one giving me that breathing room. And she had already come up with another plan? I felt the tears well again. I felt Iris wrap a wing around me. I can’t believe it. All this time I was worried for nothing. I thought I was helping LittlePip. My friends. I had thought of a lot things to make sure that the scenario came out perfectly. With no casualties or anything. I had thought of everything I could.

And when that time came I thought I would be ready. And yet, here were thousands of people that staged an Enclave attack because they were getting me to see that I shouldn’t worry about the amount I had put on my shoulders.

“Babe, this is what we’ve been trying to tell you. You needed to relax. Let us carry some of the burden.” Iris said as she nuzzled me. I cried. I had thought I had cried all of it out, but I guess I still had more to shed. And so I did. My friends. My sisters. They went out of their way because they were worried about me. But it wasn’t just my friends and sisters. It was also the thousands of people on the carrier I had saved from years of torment from the Enclave. They all chipped in. They worried about me! I looked at Popper, who nodded. I looked at Xanthos, who smiled. Guillotine, giving me a cool look. Bubble Pop, giving me a smile. The grins of thousands of others who murmured in agreement and nodded.

I slumped heavily onto Iris’s shoulder. I was tired. Exhausted. I was crying. But the tears weren’t that of sorrow or pain. They were tears of joy and shame. I was ashamed that I had subconsciously thought that no one was able to take care of themselves. But at the same time, I was happy that they had showed me that they could handle themselves, which I have so stubbornly refused to see and worked together to get me to realize that they all saw me for what I was. A leader. Someone they looked up to. Someone that had given them the will to survive. The will to continue on. Because my virtue is courage. Courage to stand in the path of things that kept the will of those from seeing it.

My vice is Compassion. I cared for those that are close to me. I had put it upon myself to make sure everyone is safe and unharmed. Even if it meant shouldering the burden of others and myself. My compassion had given me the hope of keeping others safe. But in the end, it made me blind to see that others are capable to handle themselves. I found myself falling forward and being caught by Iris. I smiled in between my tears. I’m a fool. I’ve so stubbornly refused to see. And it took thousands of people to make me realize it.

I heard my friends saying something, but I couldn’t think about what they were trying to say. I found myself in a peaceful blackness of slumber.

Footnote: Max Level Reached!