Silence.

We sat in total silence at a table in the training yard. After the battle and the rangers started clearing the bodies from the grounds we were told to wait there for the elder. Something Sunny had said before had left us all in shock. Well…maybe not all of us, just me and her but nonetheless I couldn’t find the words. The brown earth pony stallion who had escaped…Sunny claimed that it had been Stormy Smiles, her son. Sunny stared off into the ocean, hardly even blinking as she took in that fact. I sat opposite her, watching her carefully for any sign of…anything. Grim sat beside me, nervously preening his feathers despite the fact they didn’t need to be preened and Aurora sat next to Sunny, fidgeting in place desperately wanting to ask something but didn’t know how to approach the situation. It left for a very uncomfortable wait.

“So…what’s on our itinerary?” Sunny asked, doing her best to avoid what happened. I decided it’d be smart to play along.

“There are a couple places I’d like to revisit. Cobalt owes me some answers I think and I’d also l-”

“Cobalt?” Sunny’s voice had lost what little warmth it had.

“Y-yes? Director Cobalt of the College, remember?” No that’s right, Sunny didn’t go in with us.

“Cobalt…is Director…of the College?” Sunny sounded…incredulous but before she could ask anything else, the sound of doors opening drew our attention to the middle building where Elder Lions, flanked by a large mare in power armor sans the helmet approached us.

“I can’t thank you enough for your assistance Sparks. If you hadn’t been here it is likely they would have made off with that technology.” Elder Lions began.

“What kind of technology was it?” Aurora asked, finally having found an outlet for her questions.

“Something that could have set us back years.” The mare spoke up. She had the deepest blue eyes I have ever seen. Her mane was pulled back into a tight ponytail and was just as blue as her eyes. Her fur on the other hoof was light cyan colored like shallow ocean water.

“Ah yes, this is Star Paladin Sapphire SteelSkull, she is my second in command. When I am not present, she speaks with my voice and my authority.” He let the introduction linger a moment before I understood what he wanted.

“I understand.” I nodded, acknowledging the Star Paladin.

“Good. You have done a great deal for the Rangers. Recovering Paladin Sureshot’s tags, assisting Freesia to recover valuable technology and now helping secure our future by preventing those thieves from getting away. It’s not common for us to look to outsiders for aid but it seems that some of our recent successes have been attributed to your involvement.”

“Your welcome?” I said hesitantly. It was almost ironic to me. I had been longing to be seen as a hero or a pony of worth and now that my accomplishments were being lauded, by the Elder no less, I was shrinking from them. Maybe it was because I knew that they hadn’t been selflessly motivated, maybe it was the niggling fear in my head that the Rangers were technology hungry scavengers that picked the bones of Stables both empty and inhabited.

“What are you getting at Lions?” Grim asked, also wondering where this was going.

“Elder.” Sapphire warned with a glare. “Lions.”

Elder Lions himself looked slightly disapproving at his subordinate but said nothing. “Anyhow I’d like to offer you something I haven’t offered to an outsider in many years.”

“Oh?” Sunny turned away from the ocean, eyebrow already raised.

“I’d like to extend to you and your friends an invitation to join the Steel Rangers.”

I was stunned. What could I even say to that? What did I know of the Steel Rangers?

“This is not an offer made lightly. You should consider your answer carefully.” Sapphire said, fixing each of us with an appraising stare.

“I-I-I…” I stammered. I didn’t like being put on the spot, especially about something this serious and Sapphire’s glare wasn’t helping matters! “C-can I have a minute before I make a decision?” I asked tentatively.

“Of course. If you need me, I’ll be in the Keep.” Elder Lions gestured toward the middle building on the grounds and excused himself from the conversation. Leaving us alone with Star Paladin Sapphire SteelSkull.

“You would be a great asset if you joined.” She said out of the blue. “Freesia spoke highly of you and though he won’t admit it, my husband is grateful for what you did today.”

“Your husband?”

“Yes, I believe you’ve already met. High Scribe Quillwright?”

“Quillwri…Scribe Quillwright is your husband?” He seemed so abrasive; it was hard to imagine him in any kind of intimate situation.

“I can see why you’d be surprised but don’t let his act fool you. He just still isn’t quite used to being a Scribe.”

I naturally had more questions but Sapphire seemed to have said what she wanted and also excused herself. Now it was just us, Sunny, Grim, myself and Aurora.

“Thoughts?” I posed the question to the table.

“Why are we really here?” Grim asked, finally giving his feathers a break. “I don’t think we’d come all this way just to deliver some component for a robot.”

Aurora and Sunny stared at me expectantly, sharing Grim’s curiosity. Of course they knew. If we had come just to fulfill my promise to Freesia then we wouldn’t have gone back to the Crater to retrieve the terminal spike.

“I- I uh…know how technologically advanced the Rangers are. I thought that if I brought the spike and fixed their robot that they could help me…with my leg.”

“So that’s what this is about.” Sunny mumbled.

“Yes. I…I’m not ready to give up on what we’re doing. I need to be at one hundred percent to do that and I just can’t without my leg.” Sunny and Grim both looked uneasy for a moment, uncertain what to say but knowing full well that I was right.

“Sparks…just because you’re…um…” Grim started.

“Crippled.” I finished, brokering no argument.

“Yeah…but that doesn’t mean you’re-”

“Useless!?” I interjected again, my voice getting louder. “Don’t feed me that shit Grim, I know how much of a burden I’ve been on you, how much harder I’ve made things for us.”

“Dad…you don’t-” Aurora tried to add in vain.

“I can’t fight, I can’t keep up, I can barely fucking walk! I already felt worthless without my leg but to take my PipBuck with it? I almost wish I had died back in Eclipse, it would have been less of a burden than dragging my sorry ass across the wasteland!” That and the Author would lose his precious vessel, something that almost made death sound like the better alternative.

“This world has no place for the weak.” Sunny added, standing up from the table. “It will chew you up and shit you out without a second thought. I’ve known you for a while now Sparks, I’ve seen what you’ve done, what you’re capable of. Now you tell me, are you weak?”

“Y-yes…” I barely whispered but not low enough as Sunny slapped me upside the head with her hoof.

“Wrong answer, if you were weak, you’d be dead already. Try again.”

“Well, I’m weak now. Ever since-” Another slap upside the head.

“Wrong. You either are or you aren’t. Try again.”

“Sunny you don’t understand! I can’t-”

“Doesn’t matter what you can’t do. Only what you can. I told you before, this.” She said, jabbing the smooth spot where my leg had been. “Won’t change who you are. You’re the only one with the power to do that. If you want your leg back then fine but having it or not won’t make any difference. It’s in here that you’re fucked.” Sunny ended the conversation by poking me in the forehead, just below my horn and getting up from the table to make her way towards the Keep.

Everyone at the table just sat there, nothing else to say. I blinked away the tears that almost escaped, taking a moment to process what had been said. Sunny had this amazing talent to see me in ways that I could never see myself. How much of who I am now is because of her? Probably more than I’d like to admit…more than I deserved. I suppose that was one of the great things about friendship, my friends could see me and know how I could be better, how we could all be better together. Sunny was right of course, when wasn’t she? She had said something to me back in Eclipse after I lost my leg. Only you can decide what you will be…or something like that.

~Or maybe I can~

You are me remember? Just as much me as I am you. That’s what you said.

~For now. Until then I can be a valuable resource~

I…I don’t need your kind of help.

~Starborn…you underestimate me. I can offer you many things, power is but one of them~

…

~Say nothing if you must but your silence speaks volumes. I for one think we are making great progress~

Annoyingly present soul aside, Sunny had nailed my problem on the head before I even knew it. I was behaving this way because I had chosen to do so. I let my pain, physical and mental drag me down to a place I thought I should be, not the place I actually was. I…I don’t know what I’d have done without her or the others. Regardless of the reasons for my behavior, I had come to the Bastion with the hopes that they had the technology to give me a new leg and I intended to find out.

“I’ll be back.” I said to the table, following Sunny into the Keep to find Elder Lions. As I made my way through the once beautiful carved wooden doors, I noticed that the inside of the building didn’t look any better than the outside. Some part of me expected that this place would look more pristine like the College or Scribe Quillwright’s lab. I passed ponies in light armor and a few in power armor, some of whom recognized me and thanked me for my contribution despite being an outsider. Others however turned their noses up at me or ignored me entirely. I passed what looked like a conference room near the back of the building where I spotted Sunny surrounded by three scribes examining something I couldn’t see. When I was noticed, a young-looking unicorn mare quickly rushed to the door and closed it, preventing me from seeing anything further. I tried to put whatever they were hiding out of my mind as I ascended the stairs at the back. Once I reached the top, I saw that the entire floor was one large office, the door guarded by two steel rangers in power armor. I approached and though I was eyed warily I was allowed to pass without incident. I pushed open the door to find the Elder standing in front of a large window that almost took up the entirety of the far wall, looking out over the training yard.

“Elder Lions?” I said softly, garnering the older stallion’s attention.

“Ah Sparks, have you given any more thought to my offer?”

“Yes…but I have a few questions first.”

“I expected as much.” He said, closing his eyes as if to brace himself. “Go ahead, ask away.”

I contemplated for a moment how to phrase the question I wanted to ask. I couldn’t just throw it out there hey Lions raid any good Stables lately? Could I? In the end I saw that as my only recourse and braced myself.

“I’ve heard…rumors. Rumors that the Steel Rangers are technology hoarders. That you’ll do anything to get your hooves on it. Including taking it from its previous owners…by force.”

Elder Lions stared out the window for an uncomfortably long time before turning around to face me with his time-worn eyes.

“These rumors…are not unfounded.” He said slowly, a serious edge tinting his words. “I will not lie to you Sparks, as that is no way to start a relationship but you must understand that without us, dangerous technology will always find its way into the wrong hooves.”

“So it’s true…your people-”

“I’m not finished. That purpose is what drives the Steel Rangers, what gives us resolve but it is not what we were created for. Ministry Mare Applejack would be appalled by the behavior of our order were she alive to see it. I once followed my orders without question, gave my life to the Steel Rangers and never once questioned why until my squad was sent to…to liberate a tribal village of the technology they unwittingly uncovered. We slaughtered them, slaughtered them for what turned out to be a mere Recollector. I…I remember pulling it off the head of the filly who had been wearing it, using it to play with the other foals of the village. After that I became disillusioned with the Ranger’s so called ‘purpose’ but I held my tongue until I had elevated myself to Elder. After that I clashed with the other Elders for years, trying to convince them to return to our true purpose, to protect the ponies of Equestria. I tried to push this change for so long and found few supporters, Star Paladin SteelHooves and Star Paladin Crossroads shared the sentiment but lack the power or motivation to act, instead choosing to stay. In the end I chose to take my contingent here. These things have not made me a popular Elder with the rest of the Rangers but I know that I am doing the right thing.”

Elder Lions had split away from the rest of the Steel Rangers. He was trying to atone and steer the Rangers back to their original purpose. Upon further reflection I remembered something Scribe Quillwright had said about liberating technology from others. That time has passed. Lions saw to that.

“How widespread are the Steel Rangers?” This wasn’t the first time I’ve heard of the existence of other contingents.

“Our reach extends quite far but our grasp has been slipping for some time now and rightfully so. The ponies of Equestria don’t see us as knights in shining armor. Why should they?”

“But that’s what you’ve been trying to change?”

“Yes, but getting my contingent back on its hooves after crossing the mountains is taking longer than I’d like, some traditionalists are even talking about leaving my command. Because of these setbacks our patrols can’t go far from the Bastion.”

“And that’s why you want me and my friends to join you.”

“Partially. As you know I’ve sent teams or individuals to sites of interest but it spreads our forces dangerously thin. Having free agents on our side to act on our behalf would be a big help to us here.”

“Hmm…can I ask one more question?” I had one last thing on my mind, something that didn’t quite add up with everything, at least as I understood them.

“What is it?”

“You sent Freesia to Rainboom Robotics find an X-33 guidance chip.” That made the Elder twitch ever so slightly. “They are not simple pieces of tech; they are for much more complicated machines than robots or what you have here. So, I ask, what did you need it for?” After the few days I spent at the Bloomberg Space Center I had plenty of time to acquaint myself with all the books and diagrams they had of the rockets. X-33 guidance ships were for large vehicles, like the rockets, or weapons platforms. Neither of those possibilities lent themselves to Elder Lions’ claim of wanting to protect the ponies of Equestria. I believed him however, but the fact remained that he was hiding something.

“That…will have to stay my secret. Trust me when I say that you are better off not knowing. For now, at least.”

I still didn’t like it but he seemed sincere. What could they be hiding? “Elder Lions, I accept your offer.”

“Wonderful, we-”

“On one condition that is.” That stopped the Elder in his track as he regarded me with curiosity.

“Oh? And what might that be?”

“I’d like a new leg.”

Elder Lions stared at me for an uncomfortably long time with his eyes slanted into a serious expression. “If that’s what it takes then so be it. Go tell Scribe Quillwright of your request, tell him I give my approval. Though be warned Sparks, the process will not be quick and it will not be painless.”

That sent a slight shiver up my spine but I had come too far and lost too much to let a little pain stop me from getting my life back on track.

~Pain is but a momentary thing, it is nothing to fear. Use that pain to make you stronger, use it to fuel your power and nothing will be able to stand in your way~

Did…? Did you just say something nice? That wasn’t about you?

~I told you before, you shouldn’t underestimate me~

What are you really after? There has to be some reason for all of this. Just what are you?

~Something beyond your understanding…for now. You will know in due time. For now, just think of me as a tool to be used, a valuable instrument that you can call on at will~

You honestly expect me to believe that?

…

Hello?

~Believe what you will Sparks but sooner or later you won’t have a choice and you will use what I have to offer. No matter how long it takes I will be here and I will not stop. You are my chosen vessel and we…shall~

The Authors voice faded away into my subconscious, leaving a very confused looking Elder Lions staring at me.

“T-thank you Elder.” I managed to get out before beating a hasty retreat from the Keep. I came to a rest outside, leaning against the outside of the building. I was a little shook. The Author had never used my name before. Hearing him say it suddenly made everything between us feel more…personal. I tried to put it out of my mind as best I could, a fleeting hope at best, as I waved to Grim and Aurora to follow.

“So, did you sell us out?” Grim asked, though I couldn’t tell if that was sarcasm or genuine concern in his voice.

“I accepted the Elder’s offer.”

“I’m not sure how on board with this I am but I’ll follow your lead. Where’s Sunny?”

“She’s still in the Keep. If I had to guess she’s gathering information on the ponies who attacked.” It’s what I would be doing if I knew they had MY child.

“Where are we going now?” Aurora asked, her head darting around to take in everything she saw.

“I’m getting my leg back.” I shoved the doors to Quillwright’s lab open and waltzed in like I owned the place.

“That’s far enough.” Scribe Quillwright was near the entrance waiting for us, an uninviting expression on his face.

“You’re welcome.” I said back, fighting the urge to smirk. “Elder Lions said-”

“I’m well aware. He called ahead of you and I am prepared. Remove your armor and everything else, then follow me.”

I did as I was told, with some help from the others, and left them with all of my possessions. I shuffled to where Quillwright was waiting and nodded for him to lead the way.

“W-wait!” I heard Aurora call from behind us. “Can I come too?” I could see the look in her eyes, it was that same look of fear she had when I almost died in Eclipse.

I looked to Scribe Quillwright, asking him the same thing with my expression. For a split second I thought I saw a glimpse of sympathy in his eyes before they returned to their steely neutral state.

“I don’t see why not. You’re not squeamish are you child?”

“N-no sir.” I could see that she hesitated, what I made her do in Whinnyapolis flashed through my mind. Only this time it would be somepony she cared about. The more I thought about it the more nervous I became, just what were they going to do to me. “Oh!” Aurora suddenly exclaimed and trotted back to Grim, fishing something out of his bags.

“Here, oou mnight wamt hish.” Aurora had my PipBuck in her mouth and held it out for me to take. I levitated it behind us as we fell in line Behind Scribe Quillwright.

“Do you…think you could maybe integrate this into the leg?” I asked, wondering if such a thing was even possible.

“Pfft of course I can.” Quillwright scoffed. “Or did you think I got to be High Scribe by fixing toasters?” Scribe Quiilwright took it in his own magic and led us deeper inside the building. The room we arrived in was very clean, walls of polished metal boxed us in and drew attention to a metal booth near the center of the room. Next to the object was a bed and a table covered in all kinds of medical tools and parts I couldn’t identify.

“First things first.” Quillwright said softly, retrieving something from the table. “Take these.” He passed me two orange tablets of medicine.

“What are these?”

“Painkillers. It’ll help when I cut you open.”

“C-cut him open?” Aurora said, swallowing hard at the thought.

“Well yes. I’m going to have to attach the cybernetics directly to his bones and nervous system. I won’t be able to do that through the skin. I’m sorry to say that once we get to that stage there’ll be nothing I can do for your pain. It will be a slow process and may take the rest of the day, perhaps some of the next as well. Are you sure you’d still like to go through with this?”

“I’m sure.” This time there was no hesitation. This was why I had come here in the first place.

“Very well. Step into the Auto-doc please.” Quillwright hit a button on a panel attached to the side of the Auto-doc and it slid open. I threw back the two painkillers and felt them start to take effect pretty quickly. Once I was confident I was under the influence, I entered the Auto-doc and braced myself.

“See you soon princess.” I waved to Aurora as the door slid closed. I had never considered myself claustrophobic until I was sealed inside the Auto-doc. Immediately I was engulfed in darkness and the air felt heavy and stale. Panic rose inside me as I suddenly thought of being buried alive. Before I could even think of moving, two metal arms grabbed both my hind legs and held me down. I was hyperventilating now, fighting my every instinct to scream as I felt magical energy probe my body, homing in on where my leg had been. A third arm extended from the wall and sprayed something around the area as a fourth arm appeared, tipped with a very sharp looking scalpel. I watched as the arm slowly moved toward me and began to cut into my flesh. True to Quillwright’s word I felt almost no pain, what I did feel however was almost enough to make me wish I could feel pain. The uncomfortable sensation of painlessly feeling my flesh separate was enough to make me gag. I shut my eyes tight and waited for it to end. I could hear drops of my blood hitting the metal floor and the sounds the machine itself made would likely haunt my dreams for weeks.

I lost track of time and had no idea how long I was in that contraption but when I opened my eyes again, I was on the bed I had seen in the room.

“What happ-AAHH!” I tried to speak but was stopped by a hot lance of pain that felt like fire in my spine. I could hear the high whining of precision tools and what sounded like something metal hitting my bones. I refused to look.

“Don’t move dad.” I heard Aurora say from the right side of the bed. I stole a glance her direction to see that she was propped up on her hind legs, only her head and hooves visible to me. “Here take this.” She held out something in her hoof that I took in my magic without a second thought. By the time I realized it was a memory orb it was already too late.

I was trudging through the mud with minimal effort in what I could only assume was a suit of power armor. Through the visor in my helmet was an active EFS and other readings for ammo reserves and medical supplies. I would have thought being crammed into one of these metal suits would feel more… confining, the thought of being trapped in the Auto-doc still lingered in my mind. Despite that, I was surprised by the level of comfort I felt. In front of me were five other power armored individuals, on each of their flanks was the symbol of a sword and apple shaped gears that I had begun to recognize as the Steel Rangers’.

“How much farther is it Paladin?” I asked. My voice, or rather my host’s voice, resonated through the speaker in the helmet.

“Auto map says another seven hundred meters. Keep your guard up and your eyes open.” A mare’s voice came from the head of the pack.

“Any idea what we’re here for Paladin?” A younger stallion’s voice said from beside her.

“Not my place to ask, all I know is that the Elders think it’s important enough to send us.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

I felt my host slow down and drift to the back of the pack where a seventh, unarmored individual was slogging through the mud with much more difficulty.

“Are you holding up okay Atrox?” I asked my companion. He was a zebra stallion with a long brown overcoat and cracked glasses hanging down on his muzzle. The name sounded familiar to me…wasn’t Atrox Elder Lions’ name?

“It’d be easier if your paladin didn’t ignore my suggestion and kept to the roads instead of heading straight through the bog.”

I chuckled to myself and stooped a little lower towards him. “Well you know what they say, fastest way to any destination is a straight line.”

“Easy for you to say you big metal bastard.”

“You know you could always hop on my back if it’s too hard for you.” The way these two threw jabs at each other told me that they had been friends for a long time.

“What and give the rest of your order another reason to look down on me? I’ll take my chances with the bog thanks. That way if I drown you lose your chance at this precious technology.”

I turned away for a moment as my pace slowed even further, my host feeling uncomfortable at the shift in mood.

“Now you know it ain’t like that Atrox, you know as well as I do that we couldn’t do this without you.”

“That’s a load of bullshit and you know it. Look, I appreciate what you’re doing, you’ve been a good friend to me but at least have the courtesy to tell me the truth.”

“I…uh recommended you to the paladin for this mission. Said your skills as a translator would help us recover the tech.”

“I see, so you still have your hopes on convincing the Elders to accept me into the Steel Rangers. I’m afraid you’re wasting your time. No matter how valuable I may prove, no matter my skill set, all they will ever see is my stripes.”

I felt sorry for the poor zebra, forever ostracized by ponykind for an event centuries past that he took no part in. Our propensity for cruelty rivaled that of our kindness, perhaps even surpassed it.

What was said was enough to shut me up as the squad continued forward. I tried to get a look at our surroundings, maybe get a better idea of where we were but I could only look where my host did and he just so happened to find his armored hooves very interesting.

“Village in sight.” The Paladin announced. “Atrox, you’re up.”

Atrox, despite his disadvantage in the mud, sped to the front of the squad. Making sure he would be the first one the villagers saw.

“Good luck my friend.” I whispered. The rest of the squad, myself included, hung back and simply watched as Atrox approached the village. Two zebras armed with spears met him halfway with half confused and half threatening expressions.

“Greetings. My name is Atrox and I mean you no harm.” The two spear zebras’ expressions hardened and they took aggressive stances.

I was confused, I thought Atrox was supposed to be a translator he wasn’t speaking any differently. The ranger beside me began to wind up his weapon.

“You may be a brother in stripes but you are still an outsider. What is it you want?” One of the zebras pointed his spear at Atrox, using it to keep some distance between them. “Why are you here?”

“Cool that weapon down Knight, we don’t act until it looks bad.” The paladin ordered and the winding of the nearby weapon ceased.

“What are they saying Paladin?” the Knight asked.

“How the hell should I know? If I could speak zebra then I wouldn’t have brought one along.”

Wait, they were speaking the zebra language? How could that be? I could understand them perfectly but the Rangers couldn’t? What is going on?

“My associates over there.” Atrox pointed a hoof back towards us. “Are here to take something from you. I suggest you give them whatever it is they want.”

“We have very little outsider and you will find none of us are willing to part with something for nothing.”

“Why is he pointing at us?” One knight asked.

“He’s giving us away.” The paladin stated standing up and revealing herself.

“No wait!” I hissed. “Give him a chance! We don’t know if-”

“Please, I’m trying to help you, if you just listen-”

“We are through listening to outsiders, go now, I will no longer hear your words.”

Atrox took a step forward but before he could utter a word he was shoved to the ground.

“I said LEAVE! And take your monsters with you!”

“OPEN FIRE!” The paladin commanded.

“NO!”

NO! You don’t have to do this! I pleaded to nopony as my host moved against my wishes. A rocket fired from the Paladin’s battle saddle hit the ground in between the three zebras, blowing the guards away and flinging Atrox into the air to crash into a thatch hut. My host watched as his friend collapsed to the ground unmoving. All I could hear was the thundering of power armored hooves and the roar of heavy weapons.

“SPREAD OUT, SEARCH EVERYTHING!” The paladin bellowed, kicking a frightened looking zebra mare so hard her neck snapped with a loud crack. My host charged forward and faced a crowd of frightened villagers…and hesitated. My weapons were primed and ready to fire yet I didn’t…for a moment at least. I couldn’t know the ins and outs of who this pony was or how strong their loyalties were to the Steel Rangers, but in that moment they hesitated. They knew what they were doing was wrong but he couldn’t defy his orders. So, my host closed his eyes and with great reluctance, fired his weapons blindly into the crowd. Screams echoed throughout the village, occasionally drowned out by the boom of explosions and the roar of flames as fire consumed the village. I was grateful that I did not have to witness the slaughter happening around me but what I heard was still enough to chill my blood. I doubt I could have held it together if I had been forced to watch, a very similar experience was still hidden in the depths of my mind…the night Azura died.

About seven minutes later the extermination of the village was complete. In that time my host had not opened his eyes once and barely moved. When he did open his eyes, I wanted to scream but I had no mouth. At my armored hooves lay two children. One had been shot with a high-powered rifle, the lower half of her body nowhere to be seen. The other must have been trampled by somepony in power armor if her mangled form was any indication. On the trampled filly’s head was a device that was miraculously untouched. It was a recollector. I just stood there, staring at it in disbelief. Had the villagers even known what they’d found? Was this the extent of what we were here to find?

“Village is clear Paladin, no survivors.”

“Very good, spread out and let’s start sifting through the remains.”

I scooped up the recollector and threw it at the Paladin where it dinged of her armor with a metallic clang.

“Is…is this it?” I started, my voice barely restraining a shout. “We killed them all for this?”

“It would appear so.” The Paladin said nonchalantly, picking up the recollector and stowed it in a nearby Knight’s pack. “Unless anypony else had found something, I’d say that’s a mission complete.” She waited and when nopony spoke up she gave the hoof signal and we started to leave. As we passed the village entrance the sound of a nearby hut collapsing stopped us as Atrox crawled out from under the wreckage.

“You…You Murderer!” He screamed, pointing a vehement hoof at the Paladin.

“Atrox…you survived.” It almost sounded like the Paladin was dissapointed to discover that fact. Atrox himself had burn wounds on half his face and blood dripped from his mane.

“I had it under control! Why did you attack!?” Atrox appeared to be having difficulty standing, trying and failing several times.

“It was clear negotiating would get us nowhere.”

“So you shot a rocket at me? Let me tell you why you attacked.” Atrox collapsed to the ground again and I tried to move in to help him. Before I could help, he stopped me with a hoof. “Not this time my friend.” He said, grabbing my helmet and looking directly into the visor, directly at me. “It’s because you wanted to.” He said, leaving me to direct his fury at the Paladin. “It’s because you couldn’t wait for a chance to put down those you think are inferior. After all, it’s what you’re trained for right? This time you had to make a show of diplomacy because I was recommended to you by my friend. You hid your intentions from the beginning but you intended to kill them nonetheless. Take your worthless treasure and fuck off, I’ll have nothing to do with you zealots any longer.”

“What creative theories you have…zebra. Knight Sureshot?”

“Yes Paladin?”

“What was it you told me before? Regarding the village?

“The village is clear Ma’am, no survivors.”

“Indeed.” The Paladin turned and brought her armored hoof down on Atrox’s head, killing him with an ear-splitting crack as his skull gave.

“NO!” I screamed, rushing to Atrox’s side to no avail.

“Alright everypony, fall in line and let’s head back.”

“H-he was my friend…” my vision began to blur as tears welled up in my eyes. “He was my friend!” I stood to my full height and pointed angrily at the Paladin. “Murderer!”

“Stand down and fall in line Knight.”

“He was on our side…he was right about you…”

“I said stand down Lions, that’s an order! Now fall in line or you will be executed for insubordination!”

I was shaking with anger and my jaw was clenched so tight that I thought my teeth might shatter. I spared one last look at Atrox’s corpse and growled, though my hoof went up in a salute.

“Yes Paladin Blueberry Sabre.” My voice was low and threatening but still compliant enough for the Paladin to nod in satisfaction.

“Good. Remember where your loyalties are Lions.”

When I awoke it was the dead of night. No Aurora, no Quillwright just me and a lingering silence. My whole body was sore and I was sweating like I had been galloping all night. I went to wipe my forehead and was pleasantly surprised by the cool touch. That’s when it hit me. I opened my eyes to see my shiny new metal leg in place of my old one. The casing was a dull silver color, just enough to keep it from reflecting and the areas around the joints were black. Best of all was I had my Pip-Buck back. It had been integrated into the leg right where it used to be on my organic one. I couldn’t suppress a smile as I tested out the limits of its movement, finding that it was just like having an organic leg…but better.

“Good, you’re awake.” A voice came from the darkness, instinctively making me jump.

“E-elder Lions?”

“I trust you saw the orb?”

“Yes…”

“That was the day I lost faith in the Steel Ranger’s cause. The day I decided we had to change if we are to survive. I hope this gesture helps you direct your trust.”

I doubted he shared that memory with everypony. Which meant that he was truly sincere in everything he said.

“Atrox… that isn’t your name.”

“No. I took it after that day so I’d never forget.”

“What is your real name?”

“My name will be revealed the day it is written in the scrolls after my death. Only then will I be that pony again.” Elder Lions seemed to have finished what he came here for and left me to recover. He paused when he made it to the door. “It will take a bit longer for you to recover. In the meantime, I suggest you find some way to occupy yourself.”

Luckily for me I had found a certain box of distractions under my blanket. Thank you, Aurora. I don’t know how much more time passed as I delved into the memory orbs I found in Eclipse. Some spells were simple and could be utilized fairly easy while others were a bit beyond my scope, at least for now. I opted to view one more before morning and walked away with something I had been hoping I’d find for weeks. The art of cloudwalking.

Once I was able to get up Scribe Quillwright insisted I uphold my end of the bargain before leaving which I agreed was fair. On the way he explained the finer details of my new leg. Like how I could feed scrap metal into the slot on the back to repair it should it get damaged just like Power Armor. I was led back to the Bastion and taken to the armory where the robot had been unceremoniously stacked in between two broken battle saddles.

“Thought you might be a little nicer to your founder.”

“Don’t be absurd, no matter how it may look, how it may speak or even how it may think it is just a robot. Now are you certain you can bring it online?”

“I thought you were the tech wiz here?” I half mocked, plugging my Pip-Buck into the robot.

“I assure you that had I the tools we wouldn’t be having the conversation.”

Lack of gratitude aside, I found the activation data and began to feed it into the robot. I made sure to reprogram its EFS targeting system and add the Steel Rangers leadership to its list of superiors. Naturally I snuck myself on that list, putting my data on par with the Elder’s status, even outranking him if I said a specific trigger phrase. I tried to bury that data as deep as I could and with any luck it would stay a secret.

“That should do it. Would you like the honors, or should I?”

“I have no patience for theatrics, just hurry up bring it online.”

“Sure.” I hit the command on my Pip-Buck and spoke the activation phrase. “Activation code 27753.”

The robot jerked briefly and it opened its eyes. “Command accepted. Scanning. Location: Equestrian Naval Academy. Mission…classified.”

Mission? Classified? I didn’t see anything about mission data. “Reset personality subroutines. Code Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Acknowledged. Standby.” The robot closed its eyes and a faint humming could be heard coming from its body.

“What did you do?” Quillwright asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“I’m bringing her personality matrix online. Once she resets, she should have the personality of the real Applejack.”

“Interesting. You’ve had experience with it. What are its combat capabilities?”

“Well it has two blades, one in each of its forelegs and one hell of a laser she can fire from her eyes. Oh, and a built-in stealth spell.”

“Hmm perhaps, with any luck, we will now have two field operatives.”

“What, my team not good enough for you?”

“I don’t doubt your capabilities, just your ability to follow orders.”

I supposed that was fair, we were hardly friends after all.

“Reset successful. Nice t’ meet y’all. My name’s Applejack.”

Was it supposed to talk like that? I searched the files one last time, confirming that was in fact intentional by her manufacturers and unplugged my Pip-Buck.

“Greetings Applejack. I am High Scribe Quillwright of the Steel Rangers.”

“If that’s all I’ll be going now.” I said, garnering little attention from Quillwright, who acknowledged me with a nod.

Once I had been given the go ahead from Scribe Quillwright, I had assembled my team and prepared to leave the Bastion. Before we could get past the gates, Star Paladin Sapphire stopped us.

“I am glad to see you back on your hooves.” Whether she meant it literally or metaphorically I did not know but her sly smirk told me enough. “Elder Lions wanted me to give you this.” In her armored hoof was a radio. “Only Elder Lions, myself and Quillwright can access this frequency. Should we need you we will contact you. Also, if you find anything valuable to us, technology or even useful information please don’t hesitate to radio it in. We are allies now, you help us, and we’ll help you.”

“I understand Star Paladin and thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Safe travels.” She gave us a nod and walked back towards the Bastion, the gates swinging closed behind her.

It wasn’t until we were a mile or two away before anyone decided to speak. “So…how’s the new leg?” Grim asked, fascinated by the medical nature of it I’m sure.

“It’s incredible. It feels just like the old one except…” I paused for effect and kicked a rock with my cyber-leg hard enough to break it in two and send it skittering down the road. The impact of metal would take some getting used to but the best part was…. “No pain.”

“Hmm.” Sunny grumbled from the front of the pack. She had been unusually distant since the attack on the Bastion, though why wouldn’t she?

“You should go talk to her dad.” Aurora said from beside me. “You’re the only one she will open up to.”

Aurora was right yet still I frowned. Sunny was my mentor, the one I looked to for strength and guidance. Could I really offer her the same thing she had been offering me?

“Yeah…I will.” I slowly picked up my pace until I caught up with her. She was sullenly staring ahead, her gaze set on nothing. Her brow was furrowed and her eyes narrowed. She looked like she was on a warpath and nothing would stop her. “Uh…Sunny?”

The way she looked at me chilled my blood. Her stare bore right through me to my core, causing my legs to involuntarily lock up allowing her to outpace me and leave me behind. That wasn’t Sunny.

~That is what I can make you. Remember that victory is the ultimate goal, personal or otherwise. Your friend doesn’t seem to have any qualms about doing whatever it takes to achieve her goals. Why don’t you?~

Because your goals aren’t mine.

~True enough but it is my hope that one day our goals might align~

I wouldn’t count on it.

~So much fight in you. How much longer before you have nothing left to give, I wonder~

The insidious voice of The Author was taxing on my will but I was able to shut him out of my mind.

Be Strong!

Be Awesome!

With some help of course. Once I got myself together, I trotted back up to Sunny to try again.

“Sunn- er- Downpour? I just wanted to-”

“Shut up.”

“Excuse m-”

“I said shut up. Listen to me Sparks, do you trust me?”

“I…of course I do.” I hesitated only for the briefest of moments but no matter what or who was in control she had shown me she was on my side. I owed her that trust. Owed her more than I could ever give.

“Then follow my lead.”

After that we never stopped moving. We kept going well into the night until we arrived at our destination. The sun was still a few hours from rising when the outline of the College came into view. Downpour marched right to the front gates and hit a button on the intercom.

“Cobalt! You open this fucking door right now! Cobalt I know you can hear me! You better open these gates before I do!”

“Maybe we should-” I was going to try and offer some alternatives when the gates shuddered open without a response.

“That’s better. Follow me.” Downpour waltzed in with practiced ease, wasting no time in throwing the wooden doors to the College open with a loud crash. As soon as we crossed the entrance foyer two guards approached us with weapons raised.

“Surrender your weapons now or-” Downpour was on him in a flash, bucking him in the chest hard enough to throw him into the air, sending him crashing to the floor unmoving. The other guard trained her weapon on Downpour but only managed to shoot the ceiling as I yanked her gun upwards, showering us with dust and wood chips. While she was disoriented, I tackled her to the ground and struck her hard in the face with a metallic thunk, knocking her unconscious. Grim and Aurora followed reluctantly behind us as Downpour led us straight to the Directors office. We burst into Cobalt’s office and despite the anger I could feel radiating off of Downpour, she did not raise her weapon.

“What a surprise.” Cobalt said, spinning around in his chair to face us. “My dear Sunshine, how are you?” The smug look on his face twisted my own into a scowl.

“Don’t you fucking talk to me like that.” Downpour whispered menacingly. “Did you know our son is alive?”

WHAT!? OUR son!? Cobalt was Stormy’s father!?

“Does it really matter if I did or not?” His face was passive.

“So, you did know.”

“I may have had a hoof in it, I admit.” He nodded, not even trying to hide his apathy.

“What. Did. You. DO!” Downpour bellowed, stomping her hoof hard enough to crack the floor.

“I did as I have always done my sweet Sunshine.” Cobalt smiled knowingly as if the answer should be obvious.

“How could you? He was our son!”

“Power comes with many prices. Prices I am willing to pay. What is one lost boy in the greater scheme? I have recently made deals that will secure my place in the annals of history all thanks to that Stable colt there.”

“What did you say?” I stepped forward and gave him a glare of my own.

“Don’t be so naïve. I owe it all to you my boy. I waited years for another of you stable rats to crawl out of that hole. The first one…he was a clever boy, resetting his Pip-Buck so that any valuable data that might lead me to Stable 63 was erased. You on the other hoof, blindly bumbling through the wastes left me the perfect trail.”

“It was you…you forced them outside…for what?”

“Nothing that involves you, at least not anymore. Between you and me, you were supposed to die in the razing of Black Town with the rest of your stable kin. Though I suppose it doesn’t really matter.”

Director Cobalt. It was all his fault. The Stable, Winter’s death…my vendetta against Chestnut…Everything I’ve encountered in Baltimare had Cobalt’s hoof in it in some way or another.

“You’re going to die.” I tried to go for my weapon but found that my body wouldn’t move.

“Perhaps but not today.” Around Cobalt in a flash appeared four armored ponies. The metal around their wings clinked together like the edges of blades and their horns were alight, keeping us from moving.

Alicorns. Non-deformed, real, armored alicorns. Now I understood why they were the most feared beings in the Wasteland and there was nothing I could do against them. Hopelessness began to set in, Downpour had led us straight to our deaths.

~Don’t be so certain~

I could feel magic involuntarily surge into my horn, fighting back against the spell holding us in place. My body began to shake from the exertion but after a taxing battle of wills I forced the immobilizing cloak of magic off of us. The four Alicorns looked stunned, like they never expected anypony to be able to fight back.

“What happened?” One of the Alicorns asked aloud, her voice strained and out of breath.

“Most impressive. Your magic is strong.” A deeper, smoother voice reverberated in my head. Where was it coming from?

“How nice of you to join us.” Cobalt smirked. The center of the room began to shimmer as another alicorn, this one in much heavier armor, banished her invisibility spell. Fear raced through my heart and mind as I bore witness to a being of incredible power.

“A super alicorn…” Downpour muttered, a noticeable shake in her voice. If Downpour was scared then what hope was there for the rest of us? The alicorn before us was easily the largest pony I had ever seen. It would take one and a half of me stacked on top of each other to equal her. Her coat was black as charcoal and thin tubes full of luminous green liquid ran across the surface of her armor and into her body through the few gaps it had. Her eyes were clearly cybernetic given the aperture shape of her red, multifaceted irises. Most terrifying of all was her mane and tail. They were all colors of red, yellow and orange, silently waving on an invisible breeze giving them the appearance of fire. Her horn glowed as if it were wreathed in flames as I was lifted off the floor and brought up to eye level. Her red eyes pierced all the way through me as she stared me down.

“But not that strong.” Her face twisted up into a cruel grin, barely visible through the opening in her helmet for her mouth.

“Very good.” Cobalt hissed. “Kill them. Kill them all.”

“No.”

“What!?” Cobalt for a brief moment lost his cool and showed a level of frustration that seemed foreign for him.

“I don’t take orders from you. My squad and I are here as a courtesy, a show of good faith between you and the General. We are not here to serve you. You will get what’s coming to you as soon as we have it. In the meantime, I suggest you enjoy the toys we’ve already given you.”

“Y-you mutant bitch! Kill them now or I-”

I was dropped to the ground as the super alicorn disappeared in a burst of fire, reappearing in a separate burst right next to Cobalt, leering down at him with an unspoken challenge in her spine-chilling eyes. Cobalt shrunk, albeit briefly and to his credit, be he brave or stupid, held his ground against her. His silence told her of his compliance and she stood back up to her full height with a wicked smile as her body was consumed by fire. When the crackling of the flames subsided, she and the other alicorns were nowhere to be found. Slinking in from the shadows to take their places were three regular armed ponies. Still dangerous but not nearly as frightening.

“So, what was the price? What was worth our son?” Downpour was not going to let it go, redoubling her efforts now that the alicorns had left. Cobalt’s guards didn’t take kindly to her tone, taking aim at her but waited until an order was given.

Cobalt took a moment to compose himself, slowly running a hoof over his mane. “It’s not as bad as you might think. I gave him to the crazies out on the boat in the bay. They had an artifact of great power they couldn’t use. I told them I could make it work, in exchange they wanted collateral. That’s where he’s been ever since I told you he was dead.”

“And the artifact?”

“Useless. I never could make it work. Believe me Sunshine I tried to get him back but they wouldn’t budge without the artifact and when I did see him? He didn’t recognize me. Those ponies…those freaks did something to his mind…he’s not our son anymore.”

“You’re a monster.”

“I never intended for this to happen but I never lied to you. Our son as we knew him is dead.”

“It’s not too late to save him. The artifact, give it to me.”

“Think you can make it work? Save our son in the process? You’re welcome to try.” Cobalt nodded to one of his guards who ducked out of the room to retrieve the artifact. When they returned, they threw an old, chipped sword to the floor with a resounding clang. The blade was thin and in terrible condition, its edge dull and chipped in many places. The handle and guard were still mostly intact, the guard itself forking upwards like a big letter Y.

“The Sword of Nightmare Moon if the crazies are to be believed. Forged millennia ago, of metal from beyond the stars. According to them this is its dormant form but after years of testing and research I’m afraid this is all it will ever be. There is no power to be found in this artifact. Only empty hopes, for me…and for you.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I hope so. Unfortunately, this brings our meeting to an end. Regardless of circumstances and intention, I’m afraid I’ve outgrown you and Stormy. If you stand in my way my dear, you and your friends as well, will become my enemies. I should have you all gunned down right now. I know you will just interfere later but consider it my last gift to you, a symbol that I loved you once. Goodbye my dear and good luck. I sincerely hope I never see you again. Escort them out.”

I think his definition of escort differed from mine as one of his guards approached me as I was still on the floor and struck me in the head with the butt of her rifle. I can only assume the others received similar treatment. Another crime Cobalt would pay for when his time came.

When I came to, we were far from the college grounds, unceremoniously dumped into a pile in an alley several blocks away. In my hooves was the mangled sword of Nightmare Moon. I held it tight and looked upon it, seeing it for what it could represent; Sunny getting her son back. That made it valuable regardless of what Cobalt said. I took a moment to wake the others and have Grim check us over for anything serious. Sunny looked at the sword strapped to my back, equal disdain and hope in her expression. She stood and walked to the end of the pavement, where she stopped and stared out towards the ocean. Aurora, Grim and I followed after her and she turned to face us.

“We’ve got to find a way onto that boat.”

Footnote: Level Up!

New Perk: Cyberpony – You have allowed your body to be permanently enhanced through cybernetics. You gain +10% to your Poison, Fire and Radiation Resistances and +3 to your damage threshold. (Note: Cyberpony and the zebra alchemy perk Zebra-Augmented Pony are mutually exclusive.)

Sorry for the lack of updates. I left my master copy of this story on my work computer when we went into lock down and just got it back last week.