I found myself trotting through a snowy barren plain in the Wasteland. I wasn’t equipped. Only my duster and my wits about me. Why was I here? How did I get here? What reason was there for me being here? A small blizzard had started as I trotted more and more in no particular direction other than going straight through the snowy plain. I felt alone. Cold and lost. But I had a feeling deep in my mind that told me I should be here. But where was here? I kept trotting and soon the blizzard picked up. I pulled my hood down further to block the cold air of the blizzard.

Something felt off about this blizzard though. It was almost as if it was calling to me. As if it was controlled by magic. I darted my eyes, squinting through the hazy snow. As I moved forward, I began to notice a hint of a silhouette. Distant at first. Then it became larger. Then it became colossal. I backed away slightly but kept my ground as a giant spectral hoof stomped down in front of me making the snow explode upwards. I trailed my gaze along the hoof upwards. I couldn’t see anything in the blizzard. All I could see was the small bit of a giant spectral hoof in front of me.

“Hello?” I asked. I suddenly felt myself being lifted up off of the ground and into the air. The more I rose up, the more I began seeing a figure. Continuing to rise, I eventually stopped and gapped at a giant face of a unicorn. The unicorn shifted and suddenly the blizzard fluttered away from me. I furrowed my brows. This isn’t a giant unicorn. It’s another spectral alicorn! Exactly like Din! Only… I looked around, seeing the snowy empty plain around me. “Let me guess… you’re Shiva.” The alicorn smiled to my surprise.

How very astute of you. I’m surprised you even know who I am. I rubbed my chin.

“Well, I do have a friend that is big on the paranormal stuff.” I said. I heard the alicorn chuckle softly in my head.

Interesting. Most ponies flee in terror of me. But you show no sign of fear towards me. Her smile faded to a frown. Maybe because my sister Din is awake inside you. I sighed and nodded.

“It’s mainly my fault. I let her out of the cage.” I bowed my head. “I was… not myself at the time. I was hurt. I wanted to punish some bad ponies. But when I did free her, she took me over completely and I… I watched her destroy. Almost killing my friends in the process.” The alicorn flapped her colossal spectral wings once while giving me a studying look.

I see. I’m sorry if my sister has hurt anyone you cared for. She’s the most evil of the seven of us. I rubbed my chin.

“But… doesn’t that mean you’re evil too?” I asked. I winced. Shiva was actually laughing.

So young. So adventurous. And all the more wise as well. I like you, vessel. No wonder my sister has chosen you. I blinked.

“Wait… she told me that whenever the stars align you all pick vessels. She chose me because she favored me?” I asked. Shiva hummed softly before speaking.

We do pick vessels of our choosing. But Din… she held a higher favor for your family. I furrowed my brows. Din knows my family? My family knows Din? Then I remembered what Din had said back in Las Pegasus. She had said that my father had acted as a Keeper to them. And now Lyon has taken his place. I looked around.

“Wait… do you know… my father? My brother too?” I asked. Shiva gave me a sly smile.

I see Din has been speaking out of line. Why am I not surprised? She smiled now. Yes, dear Courier. We all do. We even know your ancestor who had discovered us.

“You mean the courier that vanished in the war?” I asked. When she shook her head, I rubbed my chin. Wait… I have an ancestor who actually discovered them first?

I see you are confused. No worries. She smirked. I believe ponies called him Starswirl the Bearded. I looked at her blankly. Starswirl the Bearded? The Starswirl the Bearded? The one who knew everything about magic and devoted his life to studying it? That Starswirl the Bearded? Shiva must have read my mind for she nodded.

“No way…” I said. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve read books about Starswirl the Bearded. Most stories describe him as a wise and old unicorn that devoted his life into researching the properties of magic. He even created a few of them himself and wrote a book about using magic. Eventually, the unicorns were inspired to learn the magic he had created and discovered for their own use. Believe it or not, telekinesis is a unicorn’s difficult spell to master. It requires intense concentration and focus. But Starswirl discovered easier ways so that ponies don’t pop a blood vessel and from that day on, telekinesis has been a unicorn’s basic spell knowledge. Everything else is either talent, training or discovery.

There was one problem however. He had devoted his entire life into researching magic that he never gotten the chance to know friendship or love of any kind. So… being told that my ancestor is Starswirl the Bearded seemed farfetched.

“How do you know I’m really a decedent of Starswirl?” I asked. Shive hummed again before speaking.

Because he had discovered us. He was the first pony ever to cross through the Realm of Beyond. He conquered the trials we had set up for him. He overcame so much. And he was rewarded with the knowledge of our power and the guardian’s for his intelligent perception and knowledge. Eventually, he began to be obsessed with us and wanted to do more. So we decided to name him and any offspring he has as Keepers. This was almost too much to take in.

“But Starswirl spent his whole life into studying magic. Did he really have any offspring?” I asked. Shiva once again hummed.

He did. He loved a pony once. But he had to leave them behind in order to continue his research. I gapped. My ancestor abandoned his family? I grit my teeth.

“Why would he do such a foolish thing?” I growled. Shiva chuckled before speaking.

He is the sole reason you unicorns can do magic. It was a choice he made and he stuck by it to the end. His children eventually grew old and their duties as Keeper passed on to their offspring. And so on and so forth. I said nothing. Starswirl the Bearded once did love a pony. Did he still love her? Did he ever really miss his family?

“I can’t stand the thought of abandoning your own kin.” I said with a shiver. Shiva smiled.

It was a choice he made. It was an end he laid out for himself. He died a senile old fool, but his legacy is told throughout stories and research. I rubbed my chin.

“But wait… if my family is decedent to Starswirl… then how come we spent centuries in becoming couriers?” I asked. Shiva sighed.

That, child, is something I cannot say. If you truly wish to know, then go to the place you call home. Once there, we will guide you to the place where it all began. She smiled again. You are a lot like him. Ever the adventurer and wise the same. I narrowed my eyes at the spectral ice alicorn.

“Shiva… if you are here and talking to me… does that mean you have been awakened?” I asked. Shiva gave me a nod. “D-did Lyon waken you like Din?” Shiva again nodded. I bit my lip. “So can I ask… who is your vessel?” Shiva hummed again.

You’ll know when you find her. That is all I can say. I said nothing but nodded. Shiva flapped her colossal wings again. I had to ask now.

“Hey Shiva?” she smiled at me. “Is every maiden really evil?” Shiva nodded. “Then… why did you come to see me?”

Ah. But I didn’t come to see you. It was you who stepped into my domain. You came looking for me. And I answered your call.

“Because… I’m a Keeper?” I asked. Shiva smiled and nodded. Suddenly, the blizzard picked up.

I’ll see you again soon, Courier. Until then, make sure my sister doesn’t do anything to harm my own beautiful land I have planned to create. I couldn’t see anything. The blizzard picked up to a fierce howl surrounding me. I closed my eyes.

When I awoke, I found myself in my room of the carrier. I checked my PipBuck and noticed the cartoon pegasus with only a letter in her mouth. I opened the message.

Sister, you are not going to believe this, but someone from the Omaretas in Las Pegasus has invited you and everyone you know to a wedding. – Heart

I blinked. The wedding? Oh yeah! The one between Al Capony and Bucky! Wait, Al Capony said we were welcomed any time. Everyone I know? I guess my friends that I traveled with and family. I’m not so positive of getting thousands of people to storm the streets of Las Pegasus to party at a wedding with gangers and leaving the carrier unattended. I arched a brow. Did I just make a clear thought? I still felt drowsy, but I could tell that my head was no longer feeling brain dead than before. In fact I felt good. Really good! I checked the date on my PipBuck. I had been out for an entire day. But I didn’t want to move from the bed.

My body was refusing to let me get up. It sucked not moving around. So to take my mind off of my immobility, I typed back to my sister.

Oh yeah, the wedding between Al Capony and Bucky. You’re not going to believe this, but she tried getting me to be a maiden of honor. – Curry

I sent the message and waited a good three minutes before she replied.

Good morning sister. I hope you slept well. You really left us no choice. I feel awful for having to do that to you. But Comp had insisted. – Heart

I smiled. Comp. The bratty pegasus colt with the attitude. And my package I was supposed to deliver to an uncharted area. Now that I thought about it, Comp really had done so much not just for me, but to all of us. He made sure we were always ready to begin with before we went off to something dangerous. He stuck with me because I promised I would find out who he is before deciding. We still don’t know much about him and I had been selfish once again. Maybe we needed a break from the carrier. I’ll talk to Dogger and Cream and see if they can take over the planning.

I laid in the bed for a good while feeling bored. So to take my mind off of not moving again, I figured a good rub would help. I find myself thinking between Cream, Bubble Pop and Iris. It wasn’t supposed to be a difficult decision. So I decided all three to my heart’s content. When I had finished, I felt somewhat satisfied. But it wasn’t the real thing. I flushed, thinking if I could actually make the foursome happen. But I racked my head to get rid of the thought. But… maybe if I asked Iris? I don’t know… what those two mares had pulled were completely unexpected. And I don’t know if they were really into mares like I am. They could have just done it to show gratitude to what I had done for them and was a onetime deal. But… it wouldn’t hurt to ask, right?

Dammit, Courier! You’re thinking about this now? I felt horny again and decided to rough it a bit. Again, I was left feeling somewhat satisfied. After doing this, I had begun to think more clear thoughts. I felt the tension leave me. Goddesses, I was a real mess. And I had been so blind ever since I thought of getting the carrier up and running. After another while of laying in the bed, I finally willed myself to move. I slid out of the bed and walked over to the corner where my gear laid.

My barding folded neatly on top of my bags and gear. Putting on my barding, I smiled as I lifted up my weapons. Compassion strapped comfortably on my back. Sinful and Malice laid in their holster. When I lifted up the white and blue striped combat shotgun, I furrowed my brows. All this time, I had it with me and I never really gotten the chance to know what it was called. Maybe I should call it something. A good name… Blaster? Too kid sounding. Terrorizer? Too barbaric. Lust? Well, the gun certainly did make my nether tingle at the sight of it. But that was because it is a pretty damn good looking gun. I frowned. A gun like this needed a good name. One that had stuck by me since the beginning. And it also had to capture Armor’s sacrifice to the gun.

Courage? I smiled at the name. I liked the name. Not because I named it after my virtue, but because it had the enchantment to keep fighting after use, mending itself every time. No fear of being broken. The will of Shining Armor’s soul being put into the enchantment. I decided that Courage is a fitting name for it. Slinging it over my back, I checked to make sure I had everything. Feeling happy, I trotted to the door and stopped as it opened and my sister, Heart, stood in the doorway. She gave me a worried look.

“Are you going somewhere?” she asked. I rubbed my chin.

“You know… after everything that has been happening, maybe I need a break from this place. Let some pony else take over.” I saw her smile. “I was on my way to ask Dogger and Cream about it before rounding up my friends.” Heart looked more relieved.

“So, any ideas on where you are going?” she asked. I furrowed my brows.

“Well, to Las Pegasus.” I said. She returned a concerned look. I sighed with a smile and shook my head. “No, not because of the gang activity. As brutal as Mr. House can be, he has plenty of those Protect-a-ponies around the town. And he’s not one to actually interfere with a wedding.” Heart cocked her head. “What I’m saying is, I’m going to Las Pegasus with my friends for the wedding.” I smiled at her. “Maybe you can get Bell and Post Box to come?” Heart squeed.

“A wedding? You want us to attend a… wedding?” she scooped me into a bear hug. “Oh, I’ve never been to a wedding before! This’ll be amazing!” I pulled away, taking a deep breath for air before smirking at her.

“Oh yeah. None of us have ever really been to a wedding.” I said. Heart nodded.

“I did ask mother and father. But they just said how much they had loved each other. They didn’t describe anything about a wedding.” She said. She beamed more. “Oh, Curry. This is so exciting!” I laughed with my happy sister. She suddenly stopped and looked at me worriedly. “Are you sure you are okay this time, Curry?” I nodded.

“Yeah… I guess I did get carried away a little. And after sleeping for an entire day, I can think clearly now.” I bit my lip. “A-and sorry… for not listening to you…” I sighed. “I had been so obsessed. So selfish that I forgot what the very people in front of me have been through. They suffered more than I have in my life. I wanted to protect them. All of them. I still want to protect. But after that staged attack everyone pulled off. I’m beginning to realize maybe I worried for nothing.” Heart stroked my mane.

“Courier, no one thought you to be a bad pony for thinking of their well-being. What they were upset about was you constantly trying to put everything together by yourself. It was thanks to Comp that he managed to get you to realize.” I bowed my head.

“W-where’s Comp now?” I asked. Heart hummed in thought before speaking.

“I believe he is in the hangar.” She said. “Shall we go?” I gave a small smile and nodded.

I trotted next to my sister as we made our way down the ramp to the hangar. Everyone was still working, but when they saw me, they gave me a mix of happy and concerned looks. They all really did worried about me. And I had ignored them. I smiled as I saw Iris show off to a group of ponies that looked dumbfounded as she hauled three big crates on her back in perfect balance. She smiled and walked over to me.

“Hey, babe. How are you feeling?” she asked. I nodded.

“Better than before.” Silver Iris smirked and motioned to the crates.

“So, what do you think? Strong, right?” she said. I cocked my head.

“Well, I’m not at all surprised that you can. I’ve seen you swing a giant battle axe.” I said. She sighed. It wasn’t the reaction she was looking for. I giggled and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry. No matter what, you’ll always be my special somepony.” She suddenly blinked and smirked slyly.

“Or perhaps Bubble Pop? Or maybe Cream?” she said. I flushed.

“Y-you know about Bubble Pop?” I asked. She nodded.

“I gave her the okay to do so.” She shook her head chuckling. “I saw how she looked at you everytime you stood next to her. Honestly, I wanted to give the cute mare a chance.” I flushed more.

“B-but Iris! That’s not how relationships work!” I said. She looked blankly at me.

“Really? I see no harm in it. As long as it isn’t anything personal. And besides, you’re into mares. I’m into mares now. So why not have a bit of fun?” I pulled my hood down, seeing Heart give me an intrigued look. Oh karma, why me?? I felt myself squirm a little. She’s evil for doing this to me. She kissed me on the cheek and then whispered into my ear. “It’s also okay to have them in our own fun time. More mares, more fun don’t you think?” I was bright red now. I couldn’t pull my hood any further. I couldn’t see her expression, but it must be that of amused chuckling. “So, ideas aside, are you going for another walk?” I took a moment to calm my beating heart before adjusting my hood and speaking.

“Actually, I have something else in mind.” I looked at her. “Can you gather Comp and the rest in front of the hangar? I have to talk to Dogger and Cream about something.” Silver Iris blinked in slight confusion.

“Okay. Just let me finish up here and I’ll go do that.” She said. We shared another kiss before heading opposite directions. As me and Heart made our way down the hangar ramp to the town, I glanced to see her still having the intrigued smile.

“What’s so amusing?” I said in a low voice. Heart shrugged.

“Oh nothing.” She said. Then she gave me a sly smile. “I honestly didn’t know your kink is orgies.” I flushed and looked at her with surprise.

“I-it’s not my kink! Iris is the one suggesting it!” I said. Heart nodded.

“Yet, you aren’t complaining about it one bit. You can’t hide that look. You thought about it too.” She said with a small chuckle. I gave her a smug look.

“Oh yeah? Stick chaser.” I said with my own amused smile. Heart flushed and returned my surprise look.

“C-Curry! Really!” she said. Then she sighed and muttered. “It’s not my fault stallions look good.” It was my turn to chuckle.

“Oh yeah. Let me guess, you were frothing it up when you saw a lot of the big strong stallions in the hangar moving crates.” I said. She didn’t seem to argue other than flush.

“Well… I’ll admit. You certainly saved fine looking stallions. But there is one who I think might fit perfectly. Two perhaps.” She said. Oh now this was news. I arched a brow.

“Really?” She nodded.

“That silent red stallion. Brick I think they call him.” I gapped. She rubbed her chin. “Or maybe that beige one. The one who is a relic hunter. He may not look that strong, but he definitely has the look and charms. Both are well mannered and smart.” I said nothing. Great, she was hitting on my friends. Not that I don’t mind. But I don’t really think they see her that way either. Brick is still looking for that friend of his and Star seemed more infatuated with Goldenlee. He may not know that others know, but he certainly doesn’t do well in hiding it. And as tired as I was the past week, I did see some minor progress. Both flushed slightly when they met their gazes and their conversations always end up being awkward.

Sorry, Heart. But I think you are better off with finding different ponies to claim. I chuckled quietly as we made our way towards a small crowd of ponies. Cream was going over instructions on the engines to them before dismissing them. She saw me and smiled.

“How are you feeling?” she asked. I smiled.

“Better now, thanks. Listen, I have something to ask you and Dogger.” I said. Cream nodded.

“Auntie is still sleeping, but I can pass it on to her.” She said.

“Great. The reason I ask is because I think I need a break away from this place. Too many things to think about.” I was hesitant to ask now. But I sucked it up and continued. “Do you think you and Dogger can take over for a bit?” Cream shrugged.

“Sure, I don’t mind. Where are you off too?” she asked. I rubbed the back of my head.

“Well, I was hoping me and my friends would get back on the road. We need to head to Las Pegasus for a wedding.” I said. Cream beamed.

“A wedding? In Las Pegasus? The one with The Family?” she asked. I nodded, then blinked in confusion.

“You… know it’s The Family?” I asked. She nodded.

“It’s a big deal all through The Strip. New Pegas keeps talking about it. I didn’t know you knew them.” She said. I gave her a sheepish smile.

“Well… A while back I helped them with some things and it just kind of happened.” I bowed my head. “Sorry if I come off as rude about this, but do you think you can take over the organization for a bit?” To my relief, Cream nodded.

“Of course, Courier. You and your friends worked hard enough as is. You deserve a vacation. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to put some ponies in charge of the groups.” She said. I nodded.

“I recommend Bubble Pop to handle the hanger. Popper, Xanthos and Guillotine can still lead their own groups.” I said. Cream rubbed her chin before nodding.

“Alright, I’ll see to it that it gets handled.” She said. I hugged her now, feeling more relieved.

“Thank you.” I said. I pulled away and trotted happily back to the hangar with my sister. I saw my friends waiting for me with Bell waving at me.

“Hiya, Curry!” she said. I smiled as she hugged my forehoof.

“Hello, Bell.” I said. She beamed at me.

“Curry! I made new friends!” she said. I looked at my friends with a smile.

“I’m glad you did.” I said.

“So, what’s the plan?” Star asked with a smirk. I took a deep breath.

“We are taking a vacation.” I said. They exchanged glances.

“Pardon?” Goldenlee asked. I smiled.

“I said we are going on vacation. Not worry about the carrier for now. Get back on the road. Handle the stuff we planned to handle in the first place. Probably… I don’t know. Attend a wedding with The Family?” I saw the smiles on their faces. Comp nickered.

“Welcome back, Courier.” He said. I nodded.

“Thank you, Comp. I really mean it. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I could take anymore of what I had taken on.” I said. The colt flushed but maintained his cool demeanor.

“Yeah, well. Just don’t go crying about it to me later.” He said coolly. I ruffled his mane before turning to the others.

“So… think we can go? I already asked Cream to handle the organization for now. We can come back after the wedding and then check on the carrier.” I said.

“I don’t know…” Star said. “We already have a lot of things to do here.” I gave him a worried look and he gave me a sly smile in return. I smirked.

“Okay then, egghead. You can stay here and do whatever is needed. But the rest of us will be at the wedding.” I said. He chuckled. I felt happy. No, I am happy. My friends were also dying to get back to do what we had planned to in the first place. I looked to my sister. “Think you can convince Post Box?” I asked. She nodded. “And probably Chester?” She blinked and looked confusedly at me.

“W-why on earth for?” she asked. I nickered.

“Because he’s a friend as well. And a damn clever pony too.” Heart didn’t like the thought. But she sighed in defeat.

“All right, Curry. I’ll see if I can get Chester to come too.” Then she muttered something I couldn’t hear.

“Then it’s a plan. Gather what we can and stock up on supplies. It’s going to be a few days before we reach Las Pegasus.” I said. I smiled seeing them agree with one another before trotting off back to the hangar.

When we were ready, I looked to my friends and nodded, seeing Popper and the others seeing us off.

“Okay then, we’re off.” I said. I turned to see Dogger grin down at me.

“Pony go. Have present.” She said. A present? For us? I looked past her and saw a modified metal wagon. “Wagon make travel quick. Easily turn. Smooth riding. Sturdy material. Protect ponies and wood dog.” I smiled.

“Thanks, but I don’t think Rex really wants to be used to pull a wagon.” I said. I looked to Rex and gapped when he walked past me and to the wagon. The Snow Dogs clamped a helmet with a visor over his head and clipped the wagon’s reigns to his sides. He looked at me and cocked his head, panting. Silver Iris smirked.

“Guess he’s okay with it.” She said as she flew towards the wagon and taking the driver side. As my friends descended from the ramp, I looked back to Dogger.

“Thanks a lot Dogger. Will you be okay maintaining the sorting and repairing?” I asked. Dogger pounded her chest.

“Pony no worry. Snow Dogs stupid. But resilient.” She said. I hugged her before turning to the crowd.

“I’ll be back later.” I said.

“Take your time, boss.” Popper said with a cool smirk. “We can take care of things here.” I smiled, shifting my bags before turning and heading to the wagon, leaving the fate of the carrier in the hooves, paws and talons of trustworthy people.

I trotted over to the wagon and took a seat next to Iris before she whipped the reigns.

“Hee-yaw!” she said. Rex growled at her and she gave a sheepish smile in return. “Err… mush?” Rex moved forward, jerking the wagon and we soon followed the marked road that should take us back to Stableton.

A small blizzard had picked up as we made our way back to Stableton. I scrolled through my messages, reading the praise and the vulgar hate mail that couriers were still sending me. There had to be a function on here that can block spam. Oh? I noticed my PipBuck suddenly blipped. I saw Iris’s ears twitch at the sound and looked over.

“What is it?” she asked. I furrowed my brows.

“I’m… my PipBuck is saying that it picked up a signal.” I said. It was indeed a signal. The unknown station laid between The Empire’s radio and The Strip Station. I turned it on and was greeted by a raspy and sickly cough.

“I… managed to get it out there. Finally… I can tell her. If you want to know the truth, come to the place where it all began.” There was more coughing before the voice continued. “I know you can hear this, Sixteen. This signal is only meant for you.” The message ended with garbled static. I arched a brow.

“What was that all about?” Iris asked. I shook my head slowly.

“I… I don’t know. But the person apparently knows me by my courier number.” I said. But what did the voice mean that the signal was only meant for me? And what’s more… “Come to the place where it all began…” I repeated. Iris looked worriedly at me. Wait, that couldn’t be right… could it? This voice knows me and it mentioned the same place that Shiva talked about. Shiva…

“If you truly wish to know, then go to the unmarked place. Once there, we will guide you to the place where it all began.”

I narrowed my eyes. My unintentional encounter with Shiva and now this strange voice telling me the same thing? Go to the place where it all began. Where what began? And what place are they talking about? I shook away the thought. No, I’ll worry about it later. That’s only if I wished to truly know. And yeah, I want to know. But I don’t want to worry about it now. We stick to the plan.

“Courier?” Iris asked. I shook my head and smiled at her.

“It’s nothing. I’ll worry about it later.” I said. She smiled and looked back ahead. I smirked a little. I slowly scooted towards her. Glancing only to see if she noticed. I smirked more that she hadn’t. Then, I scooted a bit more to her. Once I was close, I stretched for a few seconds before plopping my hoof over her shoulder. She still didn’t seem to notice. Good, time for some payback. I quietly slid my hoof under her wing and tapped her certain spot. She gasped in surprise and her wings pomfed. She looked at me with a flush and I acted like nothing was happening.

“C-Courier? W-what are you…?” I rubbed the spot, making her flush and bite her lip, squirming. “S-stop it… I can’t…. Oh….” I stopped, seeing her squirm more. She gave a small shuddering sigh and bowed her head in embarrassment. Then, I continued the rubbing, making her stifle a moan. She had to bite her lip more to keep from screaming out in pleasure. I stopped again, seeing her relax, but shivering now. “You are evil…” she said quietly. I winked at her and stuck my tongue out, teasing the mare as I rubbed the spot again. She reacted this time by throwing her hooves over me in a cuddle. I laughed. “Very evil!” she said with her own smirk.

“Oh get a room you two.” Comp said. I looked to see him playing Poker with Bell and Star. I smirked.

“Who’s winning?” I asked. Bell gave me a small smile then smirked at the colt.

“You’re move.” She said. Comp maintained a good poker face to her. Their eyes narrowing. Star looked between the two with a confused look.

“Two pairs.” Comp said with a smirk. Bell furrowed her brows. She looked to Star. Star cleared his throat and put down his cards.

“I fold.” He said. Bell rubbed her chin. Then, without showing any sign of victory, she put her cards down.

“Full House.” She said. Comp tossed his cards up and groaned.

“Cheater!” he said. Bell stuck her tongue out at him and scooped up the caps they had used as substitutes for the clay chips. I smiled, looked over and to my chagrin, saw Heart chatting it up with Brick. Brick remained stoic as she spoke.

“So, what is it you do, Brick?” she asked.

“I’m a farmer.” He said. She smiled.

“A farmer huh? Not bad. Definitely a hard worker by the looks of you. Well mannered… how long do you work out in the fields?” she said. Brick didn’t skip a beat.

“I tend to my fields twice a day.” He said. I could tell Heart was squirming slightly. I rolled my eyes. She’s going to soon feel sorry for hitting on the stallion. I tuned out the conversation, knowing it will go downhill and become awkward before looking to Goldenlee. She was hunched over a piece of fabric.

“What are you doing, Golden?” I asked. Goldenlee held up the fabric.

“I found this while sorting through the equipment. It looked… unnatural. I tried getting an expert view on it, but the armor dealer couldn’t come up with anything.” I squinted my eyes to get a better look. The fabric looked like glittering gold. I frowned. I once knew an annoying courier in my class that kept talking about fashion and showing off her glittery golden duster. Then she ended up tipping the bottle over and was covered in the material.

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s Luster Dust.” I said. Goldenlee seemed astonished.

“Why Courier… I didn’t know you had an eye for fashion?” she said, looking a bit prideful. I snorted.

“I don’t. A certain class mate spilled the damn dust on her. Said it was ‘the most sparkly sparkling dust to make fashion right’.” I said. Goldenlee rubbed her chin.

“Well, she sounds like she knew what fashion is.” She said. I shook my head.

“She was always obsessed with the topic. Everything was fashion this and fashion that. After showing what the Luster Dust was, her duster ended up being stolen and sold as genuine gold by another courier. That dust is nothing but fool’s gold.” I said. Goldenlee frowned.

“Well, I for one wouldn’t do such a thing like that. I find that Luster Dust is a great material for fashion.” She said. I shook my head. I don’t know what fashion designers see in it. I’m not one for fashion. Now style however. I don’t mind style. But fashion? Too aristocratic. I sighed and plopped my head on to Iris’s hind legs.

“Did I mention how pretty cool you are?” I said. Iris nodded.

“Multiple times.” She said with a smirk. I smiled and nuzzled the back of my head against her legs. I frowned now. Did I mention that not moving around sucks? I sighed and turned my PipBuck on to the station. Hearing the vintage music play for a good while as we traveled down the broken and buried road. After a few minutes of upbeat vintage music, the familiar voice of New Pegas came on.

“Good evening, my lovely listeners. This is your classy host New Pegas with your own special sub DJ.” He said. The voice of DJ Pon3 sounded.

“Good afternoon, children! DJ Pon3 and NP live here in Las Pegasus where we count down the days for the wedding between the daughter of Kingpin and his right hand man Bucky. Let me tell ya’ NP, I’ve never thought I would see the day that we would be invited to the wedding.” New Pegas laughed.

“Well, Pon3, I can tell you it’s going to be one hell of an event. The Family will be attending along with friends and family. Why, even the Light Bringer and the Savior have been invited as well.” He said.

“Unfortunately, the Light Bringer won’t be in attendance, but I promised the good pony that I’ll save some cake for her when she gets back.” He said. I arched a brow. Now that I hear it more, it sounds like DJ Pon3 and LittlePip had something going on between each other. I shrugged it off as I continued to listen.

“… Kingpin has stated that Mr. House will be sending over some of his own powered up Protect-a-ponies as guards. So don’t go trying anything, children. Like we said before, gangers are not to be messed with.” DJ Pon3 said.

“Well, I guess that makes us gangers as well if we were invited to a wedding by head gangers.” New Pegas chuckled.

“Oh yeah! I guess it does. You hear that, children? So don’t go messing with the DJs, ya’ here? Ahh, I’m just kidding. But really though, I’m happy to hear that ponies are still willing to be engaged in big events like this. Nothing like the wedding of Velvet Remedy and Clamaity, but beggars can’t be choosers.” DJ Pon3 chuckled. There was the sound of papers flipping.

“Now, on to the news. Ponies have heard far and wide and even seen the burning ruins of an Enclave carrier crashing throughout the Empire followed by a silver Sonic Rainboom. One piece of the carrier is now being housed by thousands of people. That’s right folks. Ponies, griffins and zebra working together along with the tribal Snow Dogs. And wouldn’t you believe it? The Savior herself managed to bring the harmony between all these people to a small fisher town called Glaciale. Word has it that the Savior plans to repair the part of the carrier with the help of everyone. Trading resources with the town’s folk, the Snow Dogs and the carrier thus expanding the small run down town.” New Pegas said. I sighed. If I had a drink, I would toast to me and my friends for once again being exploited by the DJs.

“You know, if the Savior keeps up what she’s doing in Glaciale, it could be on the verge of a new utopia.” DJ Pon3 said. “Hell, Glaciale might be the new capital of the Wasteland one day.”

“Speaking of the Savior, a new group has emerged from the underground calling themselves The Maiden's Followers.” New Pegas said.

“Sounds more like a cult to me.” DJ Pon3 said.

“That it does. However, if a cult wanted to decide to clean up the roads of raiders and slavers, then they are doing a fine job of doing so.” New Pegas said.

“But aren’t their ways of handling the situation a little… brutal?” DJ Pon3 asked. I blinked. Brutal? If they can stalk then it’s very possible they can be brutal. I also remembered the confrontation of them on the deck before they left the town. Melon Mellow had accepted her punishment when I was really trying, in my tired thinking, to scare them to leave. But they remained stubborn. But when they left, I had thought that they might pull something. I jolted up, smacking my horn into the chin of Silver Iris.

“Ow!” she yelped and rubbed her chin. “Careful next time. I don’t have star metal bones like you.” I gave her an embarrassed smile.

“S-sorry. I just finally thought of something.” I said. Silver Iris arched a brow.

“Really?” she asked. I nodded.

“Thanks for listening listeners, you all remain lovely. And speaking of love, how about some music for the young hearts out there.” New Pegas said. The music turned into vintage slow music, making me turn off the station.

“Yes. I think… I know what might have happened with the second balefire bomb.” I said. I turned to face my friends inside the wagon. They immediately snapped to attention after hearing the word ‘balefire bomb’. “Comp, when you saw my followers leave, did you notice them taking anything with them?” Comp rubbed his chin. Then he gapped and racked his head.

“Aww dammit! I knew I had forgotten something!” He looked sourly to us as he spoke. “I did indeed see them carry a covered small wagon out of the town.” He didn’t have to say anything further. We all knew now. My followers had took the advantage of my disgruntled self and snuck a balefire bomb out from under us. I sighed.

“Next question.” I said. “Why do they want it?” My friends and my sisters couldn’t come up with anything. I bowed my head. “Dammit… I knew they were pulling something.” I now sat forward with a sour look on my face. I had been right about my followers. They had followed me around, testing me to see what I was capable of. They stalked me to increase my paranoia and it had worked. I don’t blame Comp for forgetting about that detail. He was more focused on trying to get me to realize my obsession and had forgotten about it. They had seen what I was capable of. And they played me for a fool.

“So, what are we going to do about them?” Iris asked. I snorted.

“Bring down the wrath of their messiah and smite them to oblivion.” I said. We remained quiet for the rest of the way.

Footnote: Max Level!

Author's Notes:

Shiva, the alicorn spirit of ice. Once again, I wanted to keep the Fallout Lore but tie it in with a bit of secretive Equestria lore. And I figured what better way to make it all make sense if she is a descendent to one of the most influential lore characters in the series.

Now that the universal entities come into play in a post apocalyptic equestrian wasteland, the road will become more treacherous. Will you have the courage to push on? or will you let your compassion tell you otherwise? That is up to you, dear reader.